John Smith (abt. 1810 - 1882)

Born about 1810 in County Tyrone, Ireland

Died 21 Jan 1882 at about age 72 in Amaranth Twp., Dufferin, Ontario, Canada

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Biography

This biography is a rough draft. It was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import and needs to be edited.

Birth

ABT 1810

, County Tyrone, Ireland

According to the 1871 census.^[1]

ABT 1812

, County Tyrone, Ireland^[2]

ABT 1821

, County Tyrone, Ireland^[3][4][5]

Found multiple copies of BIRT DATE. Using ABT 1810

Death

21 JAN 1882

Amaranth Twp., Dufferin, Ontario, Canada

Death Record:

Amaranth, Dufferin Co. Ontario

John Smith, died 21st January 1882, male, age 70 years, occupation Farmer (Mock Reiar?), born in Tyrone Co., Ireland. Cause of death Murdered (shot through the head), name of Physician, Dr.s Norton Barr, and Roltin, examined body. Informant Mark Turnbull, Shelburne, Amaranth, Registered Feby 11, 1882, Religion of deceased, Ch. of England.

Markdale Standard, 27 Jan 1882, page 2

AN OLD MAN SHOT DEAD AT HIS OWN FIRESIDE

Narrow Escape Of His Nephew

The House Set On Fire By The Assassin

No clue whatever to the Murddrer.

Shdlburne (Shelburne), Jan 22. - John Smith, a quiet an inoffensive citizen of the township of Amaranth, residing about four miles from here, was foully murdered in his own house last night about six o'clock. The unfortunate victim was a bachelor was about or over fifty years of age, and usually lived alone, but happened when the murder was committed that a nephew name Jonny Smith, about fourteen years of age was with him.

The Boy's Story is that his uncle and himself, after taking supper together seated themselves at an open fire place, and shortly after he heard a report either of a gun or pistol, and the old man fell. He looked toward the window from whence the report came and saw a tall man with a dark moustache. The boy immediately started for the door, which was opposite the window, when the man fired at him, the ball passed through the top of his cap. He ran for dear life towards a neighbour's house, which is quite a distance. After he had run a little way he looked back and saw the house on fire.

He alarmed the neighbours as soon as possible, and returned with them to the burning building. They found the old man at the door dead, and one leg burned off below the knee. The old man was reputed to have been quite wealthy, and to have kept a large sum hidden in the house, but it is not known whether he had any at this time or not. There is no clue to the assasin except what can be gleamed from the boy's story. The greatest excitment prevails, us the old man was uirersally respected by all who knew him.

Thos. Nartor. M.D., coroner, will hold an inquest tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. S. P. MacMillan, county crown attorny drove up from Orangeville this morning, and is doing all in his power to secure the arrest of the guilty party. The body is in charge of village constable Henderson.

Shelburne, Jan. 28. - The excitement caused by the murder of John Smith still runs high. The coroner's report commenced at ten o'clock today. The boy was examined today, and several other witnesses, but nothing new has been, elicited. The people have grave suspicion as to the perterators of the crime. The postmortem report of Drs. Barr and Bolstin did not strengthen the boy's evidence, as they found no indications of wounds made by firearms. The skull of the deceased is badly fractured, and the wounds appear as if he had been inflicted by a heavy stick. At the present writing (9 p.m.) the inquest is going on, and probably will last all day tomorrow. The hall is densely packed it being impossible to get even standing room.

Shelburne, Jan 24th The inquest on the body of John Smith, of Amaranth murdered in his own house on Saturday night, was resumed this morning by Coroner Norton. Several witnessess were examined, and they did not prove anything particular. The boy Johnny Smith is under the charge of constable Henderson, and has been locked up all day. He does not appear restless or excited. Detective Murray arrived to-day to work up the case. Great excitement prevails in the village.

Markdale Standard, 2 Nov 1882, page 4

THE SHELBURNE TRADGEDY

How did old John Smith come to his death?

His Nephew tried for the crime

Strong circumstantial evidence

John Smith, a boy about 17 years old, is of a delicate age to be charged with the commission of the highest crime in the ealendas the victim, too, a near relative his uncle. Yet he is the chief living actor in the dreadful tragedy known as the Shelburne or Amaranth horror.

The Crime

the circumstances of the crime are as follows: - John Smith, the unfortunate victim of this mysterious tragedy, a quiet and highly respected bachelor farmer, age 70, living alone with his nephew, age 14 on the south east half of the west half of lot 27, 1st concession, township Amaranth, about 4 miles from Shelburne, was on Saturday night the 21st of January last, sitting by his fireside after supper, when according to the nephew's story, a shot was fired through the uncurtained window, and he fell to the floor. His nephew, who was in the house at the time reading a newspaper, saw he said that the shot had been fired by a man outside with a dark beard and moustache and dark clothes. he ran out, but before he reached the door a bullet was fired through his cap. He ran in and informed a neighbour, distant a mile and a half of the deed. On looking back he saw the house on fire. The body of the old man was found near the door, with part of one leg burned off. He was reputed to be well off, and was known to have considerable money in the house. Upon examination of the boyd a scalp wound was found two inches long. The partal bone under the scalp and the bones on the right side of the head and face were fractured. No aperture was found in the brain by which it was possible for a bulet to enter or escape. Under a minute examination no indication of a bullet or other foreign body was discovered. The medical experts, therefore come to the concussion that death was caused by a heavy blow inflicted on the right side of the head and face. This evidence impacted the veracity of the boy strongly and when a hardware merchant turned up who said that a boy whom he was reasonably sure was Smith, purchased a revolver at his store before the murder. The current of suspicion turned against him. He was finally arrested and committed for trial.

A Mysterious Case

The trial of the case was fixed for April last, but postponed in order to give the Crown ample time to endeavor to clear up what is undoubtedly one of the most mysterious cases that has ever non-plussed, Crown attornys in this county. Opinion is divided as to whether the boy himself committed the crime of his own wickedness, or as the mitigation, and under the direction of some one else. Few doubt that one of these theories is correct, and doubtless the circumstances preclude the exoneration of the prisoner until at all events a jury's verdict having the effect is given. The strongest point against him so far as is known is the fact that he is identified so strongly it is true by Mr. Hannah a hardware merchant in Shelburne, as having purchased a revolver from him a few days prior to the murder. Mrs. Foster, an assistant in the store, appears to have taken more notice of the purchaser, and he is positive as to the identity of young Smith. Taken in connection with the facts that after the murder the case of the pistol was found near an old well, in the vicinity of the house, and also a number of cartridges fitting to the weapon, found on the ground in the track of the boy's flight from the burning homestead, the pistol incident is hard to explain away.

Later

The evidence pro and con has been given which failed to reveal anything new, and on Monday the Judge gave the Jury their charge, who, after an hour's consideration returned a verdict of "not guilty." Justice Osler, addressing the boy, said "I cannot but say I agree with the verdict. I think the jury could have come to no other conclusion. You are discharged."

The Dominion annual register and review for the 12th-20th year of the Canadian union, 1882. Edited by Henry James Morgan, JOURNAL OF REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES, page 173 & 174

— John Smith, a farmer residing near Shelburne, Ont., is murdered in his house and the building set on ' fire. The only person living with him was his nephew, John Smith, aged seventeen. The old man, according to the nephew's account, was killed by a shot fired through the window as he sat by his fire in the evening, and the hut was discovered by the neighbours in flames when they were roused tardily by the nephew, and described the shots coming through the window. The latter is known to have bought a pistol a few days previously to the murder, but which weapon was not to be found. The cartridges and pistol box are discovered near the house, but a box known to have contained $10,000 owned by the deceased is missing. Dr. Norton proves that the old man was battered to death by a club which is discovered outside the house with marks of a terrible struggle having

occurred. No marks of blood, however, are discovered on the suspected boy's clothes or any money in his pockets. Suspicion turns against the nephew, who is found guilty by the coroner's jury and committed for trial. The case came up at the Dufferin Spring Assizes, and the Crown not being ready, was adjourned to the Fall. The prisoner is tried before Judge Osier on 24th Oct., the trial lasting 6 days, when he is acquitted, the Judge agreeing with the verdict. Mr. Dalton McCarthy, Q. C.,.M. P., and Mr. F. Galbraith for the defence ; Mr. JE. Irving, Q. C, for the Crown.

^[6][7][8][9]

User ID

ID: 7293D0B739464CBDA119C32E24E3011EE53B

FSFTID

L87X-3N2

Data Changed

Changed:

11 JAN 2013

Prior to import, this record was last changed 11 JAN 2013.

Census

1851

Amaranth Twp., Wellington County, Ontario, Canada West

William Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 26.

John Smith, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 30.

James Smith, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 28.

Thomas Smith, born in Ireland, Church of England, widowed, age 71.^[10]

1861

Amaranth Twp., Wellington County, Ontario, Canada West

Thomas Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 74, male, widowed.

William Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, married during this year, Church of England, age 34, male, married.

Annie Smith, born in Ireland, married during this year, Church of England, age 28, female, married.

John Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 42, male, single.

James Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 35, male, single.^[11]

1871

Amaranth Twp., Wellington County, Ontario, Canada

John Smith, male, age 61 years, born in Ireland, Church of England, Irish, Farmer, single, can not read, can not write.

^[12]

1881

Amaranth Twp., Wellington County, Ontario, Canada

John Smith, male, age 60, born in Ireland, Presbyterian, Irish, farmer, single.

^[13]

Sources

• WikiTree profile Smith-36101 created through the import of Mills.ged on Jan 14, 2013 by Kim Mills. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Kim and others.

• Source: S12 Abbreviation: 1871 Census of Canada Title: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1871 Census of Canada (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Appreciation is expressed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for providing the 1871 Canada Census Index..Original data - Library and Archives Canada. Census of Canada,) Repository: #R5 Repository: #R9
• Repository: R5 Name: Ancestry.com Address: http://www.Ancestry.com Address 1: http://www.Ancestry.com
• Repository: R9 Name: Ancestry.ca Address: http://www.Ancestry.ca Address 1: http://www.Ancestry.ca
• Source: S304 Abbreviation: Markdale Standard, Grey Highlands Public Library Title: "," The Markdale Standard (Markdale, Ontario), ; online image, Grey Highlands Public Library Newspapers (http://news.ourontario.ca/ghpl/search : accessed ).
• Source: S38 Abbreviation: 1851 Census of Canada East, Canada West, New Bruns Title: Ancestry.com, 1851 Census of Canada East, Canada West, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.Original data - Census of 1851 (Canada East, Canada West, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia). Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Canada.Census of Nova Scotia, 1851. Halifax, Nova Scotia,) Repository: #R5 Repository: #R9
• Source: S39 Abbreviation: 1861 Census of Canada Title: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1861 Census of Canada (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Appreciation is expressed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for providing the 1861 Canada Census Index..Original data - Canada. "Census returns for 1861." LAC microfil) Repository: #R5 Repository: #R9
• Source: S498 Abbreviation: Ontario, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1936 and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947, Ancestry.com Title: Ancestry, "Ontario, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1936 and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947," database, Ancestry, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com: accessed ), .
• Source: S51 Abbreviation: Ontario, Canada, County Marriage Registers, 1858-1 Title: Ontario, Canada, County Marriage Registers, 1858-1869 (Genealogical Research Library (Brampton, Ontario, Canada). Ontario Marriage Index, 1858-1869 [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2004. Original data: Ontario, Canada. Marriage Registers 1801- 1944. Microfilm. Family History Library, Salt La)
• Source: S520 Abbreviation: Dufferin - Family History & Genealogy Message Board, Ancestry.com Title: , "," Dufferin - Family History & Genealogy Message Board, discussion list (http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.canada.ontario.dufferin/mb.ashx : accessed] ).
• Source: S521 Abbreviation: The Dominion Annual Register and Review for the 12th-20th Year of the Canadian union, 1882. Edited by Henry James Morgan Title: Henry James Morgan, Editor, The Dominion Annual Register and Review: For the 12th-20th Year of the Canadian Union (Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Hunter, Rose and Company, 1883), ; digital images, Internet Archive (http://archive.org/details/dominionannualre1882morguoft : accessed .
• Source: S72 Abbreviation: 1881 Census of Canada Title: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1881 Census of Canada (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. 1881 Canada Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited) Repository: #R5 Repository: #R9

1. ↑ Source: #S12 Page: John Smith, Amaranth, Wellington North, Ontario; Roll: C-9950; Page: 43; Family No: 142 Quality or Certainty of Data: 3 Data: Text: John Smith, male, age 61 years, born in Ireland, Church of England, Irish, Farmer, single, can not read, can not write.
2. ↑ Source: #S498 Page: download; 6 January 2012; John Smith, death, 21 January 1882, Amaranth twp., Dufferin County Quality or Certainty of Data: 3 Data: Text: Amaranth, Dufferin Co. Ontario CONT John Smith, died 21st January 1882, male, age 70 years, occupation Farmer (Mock Reiar?), born in Tyrone Co., Ireland. Cause of death Murdered (shot through the head), name of Physician, Dr.s Norton Barr, and Roltin, examined body. Informant Mark Turnbull, Shelburne, Amaranth, Registured Feby 11, 1882, Religion of deceased, Ch. of England. WEBTAG Name: John Smith death record URL: http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-g&gsfn=john&gsln=smith&msddy=1882&msdpn__ftp=Dufferin%2c+Ontario%2c+Canada&msdpn=1654293&msdpn_PInfo=7-%7c0%7c1652393%7c0%7c3243%7c0%7c5007%7c0%7c1654293%7c0%7c0%7c&cpxt=1&catBucket=rstp&uidh=are&cp=3&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=882427&recoff=6+7&db=ontario_deaths&indiv=1
3. ↑ Source: #S38 Page: Thomas Smith, household, Ameranth Township, Wellington County, Ontario, Image 4, page 4, C-1082-1083 Quality or Certainty of Data: 3 Note: I believe Thomas Smith to be the father of Elizabeth Smith who married George Colgan. The family's lived next door to each other in the 1851 and 1861 census. Data: Text: William Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 26. CONT John Smith, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 30. CONT James Smith, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 28. CONT Thomas Smith, born in Ireland, Church of England, widowed, age 71.
4. ↑ Source: #S39 Page: Thomas Smith, household, Amaranth township, Wellington county, image 4, page 4, Roll: C-1082-1083 Quality or Certainty of Data: 3 Note: Thomas and his son's are still living next door to George Colgan's family. The census show that William Smith married Annie during the past year. Data: Text: Thomas Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 74, male, widowed. CONT William Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, married during this year, Church of England, age 34, male, married. CONT Annie Smith, born in Ireland, married during this year, Church of England, age 28, female, married. CONT John Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 42, male, single. CONT James Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 35, male, single.
5. ↑ Source: #S72 Page: John Smith, Amaranth, Wellington North, Ontario; Roll: C_13260; Page: 22; Family No: 96 Quality or Certainty of Data: 3 Data: Text: John Smith, male, age 60, born in Ireland, Presbyterian, Irish, farmer, single. WEBTAG Name: John Smith 1881 Census URL: http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1881canada&rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-d&gsfn=john&gsln=smith&msbdy=1815&msbpn__ftp=Ireland&msbpn=3250&msbpn_PInfo=3-%7c0%7c1652381%7c0%7c3250%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c&msrpn__ftp=Ontario%2c+Canada&msrpn=5007&msrpn_PInfo=5-%7c0%7c1652393%7c0%7c3243%7c0%7c5007%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c&cpxt=1&uidh=are&msbdp=10&cp=3&pcat=CEN_1880&fh=16&h=14954&recoff=7+8
6. ↑ Source: #S498 Page: download; 6 January 2012; John Smith, death, 21 January 1882, Amaranth twp., Dufferin County Quality or Certainty of Data: 3 Data: Text: Amaranth, Dufferin Co. Ontario CONT John Smith, died 21st January 1882, male, age 70 years, occupation Farmer (Mock Reiar?), born in Tyrone Co., Ireland. Cause of death Murdered (shot through the head), name of Physician, Dr.s Norton Barr, and Roltin, examined body. Informant Mark Turnbull, Shelburne, Amaranth, Registured Feby 11, 1882, Religion of deceased, Ch. of England. WEBTAG Name: John Smith death record URL: http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-g&gsfn=john&gsln=smith&msddy=1882&msdpn__ftp=Dufferin%2c+Ontario%2c+Canada&msdpn=1654293&msdpn_PInfo=7-%7c0%7c1652393%7c0%7c3243%7c0%7c5007%7c0%7c1654293%7c0%7c0%7c&cpxt=1&catBucket=rstp&uidh=are&cp=3&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=882427&recoff=6+7&db=ontario_deaths&indiv=1
7. ↑ Source: #S304 Page: AN OLD MAN SHOT DEAD AT HIS OWN FIRESIDE; 27 January 1882; download; 6 January 2013 Quality or Certainty of Data: 2 Data: Text: AN OLD MAN SHOT DEAD AT HIS OWN FIRESIDE CONT Narrow Escape Of His Nephew CONT The House Set On Fire By The Assassin CONT No clue whatever to the Murddrer. CONT CONT Shdlburne, Jan 22. - John Smith, a quiet an inoffensive citizen of the township of Amaranth, residing about four miles from here, was foully murdered in his own house last night about six o'clock. The unfortunnte victim was a bachelor was about or over fifty years of age, and usually lived alone, but happened when the murder was committed that a nephew name Jonny Smith, about fourteen years of age was with him. CONT CONT The Boy's Story is that his uncle and himself, after taking supper together seated themselves at an open fire place, and shortly after he heard a report either of a gun or pistol, and the old man fell. He looked toward the window from whence the report came and saw a tall man with a dark moustache. The boy immediatley started for the door, which was opposite the window, when the man fired at him, the ball passed through the top of his cap. He ran for dear life towards a neighbour's house, which is quite a distance. After he had run a little way he looked back and saw the house on fire. CONT CONT He alarmed the neighbours as soon as possible, and returned with them to the burning building. They found the old man at the door dead, and one leg burned off below the knee. The old man was reputed to have been quite wealthy, and to have kept a large sum hidden in the house, but it is not known whether he had any at this time or not. There is no clue to the assasin except what can be gleamed from the boy's story. The greatest excitment prevails, us the old man was uirersally respected by all who knew him. CONT Thos. Nartor. M.D., coroner, will hold an inquest tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. S. P. MacMillan, county crown attorny drove up from Orangeville this morning, and is doing all in his power to secure the arrest of the guilty party. The body is in charge of village constable Henderson. CONT CONT Shelburne, Jan. 28. - The excitment caused by the murder of John Smith still runs high. The coronor's report commenced at ten o'clock today. The boy was examined today, and several other witnesses, but nothing new has been, elicited. The people have grave suspicion as to the perterators of the crime. The postmortom report of Drs. Barr and Bolstin did not strengthen the boy's evidence, as they found no indications of wounds made by firearms. The skull of the deceased is badly fractured, and the wounds appear as if he had been inflicted by a heavy stick. At the present writing (9 p.m.) the inquest is going on, and probably will last all day tomorrow. The hall is densely packed it bing impossible to get even standing room. CONT CONT Shelburne, Jan 24th The inquest on the body of John Smith, of Amaranth murdered in his own house on Saturday night, was resumed this morning by Coroner Norton. Several witnessess were examined, and they did not prove anything particular. The boy Johnny Smith is under the charge of constable Henderson, and has been locked up all day. He does not appear restless or excited. Detective Murray arrived to-day to work up the case. Great excitement prevails in the village. CONT
8. ↑ Source: #S304 Page: The Shelburne Tradgedy; 2 November 1882; download; 6 January 1882 Quality or Certainty of Data: 2 Data: Text: THE SHELBURNE TRADGEDY CONT How did old John Smith come to his death? CONT His Nephew tried for the crime CONT Strong circumstantial evidence CONT CONT John Smith, a boy about 17 years old, is of a delicate age to be charged with the commission of the highest crime in the ealendas the victim, too, a near relative his uncle. Yet he is the chief living actor in the dreadful tragedy known as the Shelburne or Amaranth horror. CONT CONT The Crime CONT CONT the circumstances of the crime are as follows: - John Smith, the unfortunate victim of this mysterious tragedy, a quiet and highly respected bachelor farmer, age 70, living alone with his nephew, age 14 on the south east half of the west half of lot 27, 1st concession, township Amaranth, about 4 miles from Shelburne, was on Saturday night the 21st of January last, sitting by his fireside after supper, when according to the nephew's story, a shot was fired through the uncurtained window, and he fell to the floor. His nephew, who was in the house at the time reading a newspaper, saw he said that the shot had been fired by a man outside with a dark beard and moustache and dark clothes. he ran out, but before he reached the door a bullet was fired through his cap. He ran in and informed a neighbour, distant a mile and a half of the deed. On looking back he saw the house on fire. The body of the old man was found near the door, with part of one leg burned off. He was reputed to be well off, and was known to have considerable money in the house. Upon examination of the boyd a scalp wound was found two inches long. The partal bone under the scalp and the bones on the right side of the head and face were fractured. No aperture was found in the brain by which it was possible for a bulet to enter or escape. Under a minute examination no indication of a bullet or other foreign body was discovered. The medical experts, therefore come to the concussion that death was caused by a heavy blow inflicted on the right side of the head and face. This evidence impacted the veracity of the boy strongly and when a hardware merchant turned up who said that a boy whom he was reasonably sure was Smith, purchased a revolver at his store before the murder. The current of suspicion turned against him. He was finally arrested and committed for trial. CONT CONT A Mysterious Case CONT CONT The trial of the case was fixed for April last, but postponed in order to give the Crown ample time to endeavor to clear up what is undoubtedly one of the most mysterious cases that has ever non-plussed, Crown attornys in this county. Opinion is divided as to whether the boy himself committed the crime of his own wickedness, or as the mitigation, and under the direction of some one else. Few doubt that one of these theories is correct, and doubtless the circumstances preclude the exoneration of the prisoner until at all events a jury's verdict having the effect is given. The strongest point against him so far as is known is the fact that he is identified so strongly it is true by Mr. Hannah a hardware merchant in Shelburne, as having purchased a revolver from him a few days prior to the murder. Mrs. Foster, an assistant in the store, appears to have taken more notice of the purchaser, and he is positive as to the identity of young Smith. Taken in connection with the facts that after the murder the case of the pistol was found near an old well, in the vicinity of the house, and also a number of cartridges fitting to the weapon, found on the ground in the track of the boy's flight from the burning homestead, the pistol incident is hard to explain away. CONT CONT Later CONT CONT The evidence pro and con has been given which failed to reveal anything new, and on Monday the Judge gave the Jury their charge, who, after an hour's consideration returned a verdict of "not guilty." Justice Osler, addressing the boy, said "I cannot but say I agree with the verdict. I think the jury could have come to no other conclusion. You are discharged."
9. ↑ Source: #S521 Page: download; 11 January 2013; pg. 173, 174; Summary of the death of John Smith of Shelburne Data: Text: — John Smith, a farmer residing near Shelburne, Ont., is murdered in his house and the building set on ' fire. The only person living with him was his nephew, John Smith, aged seventeen. The old man, according to the nephew's account, was killed by a shot fired through the window as he sat by his fire in the evening, and the hut was discovered by the neighbours in flames when they were roused tardily by the nephew, and described the shots coming through the window. The latter is known to have bought a pistol a few days previously to the murder, but which weapon was not to be found. The cartridges and pistol box are discovered near the house, but a box known to have contained $10,000 owned by the deceased is missing. Dr. Norton proves that the old man was battered to death by a club which is discovered outside the house with marks of a terrible struggle having CONT occurred. No marks of blood, however, are discovered on the suspected boy's clothes or any money in his pockets. Suspicion turns against the nephew, who is found guilty by the coroner's jury and committed for trial. The case came up at the Dufferin Spring Assizes, and the Crown not being ready, was adjourned to the Fall. The prisoner is tried before Judge Osier on 24th Oct., the trial lasting 6 days, when he is acquitted, the Judge agreeing with the verdict. Mr. Dalton McCarthy, Q. C.,.M. P., and Mr. F. Galbraith for the defence ; Mr. JE. Irving, Q. C, for the Crown. CONT WEBTAG Name: The Dominion annual register and review for the 12th-20th year of the Canadian union. Edited by Henry James Morgan URL: http://archive.org/details/dominionannualre1882morguoft Note: Page 173 and 174 for the court case in the murder of John Smith.
10. ↑ Source: #S38 Page: Thomas Smith, household, Ameranth Township, Wellington County, Ontario, Image 3, C_11756; Page: 3; Line: 43 Quality or Certainty of Data: 3 Note: I believe Thomas Smith to be the father of Elizabeth Smith who married George Colgan. The family's lived next door to each other in the 1851 and 1861 census. Data: Text: William Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 26. CONT John Smith, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 30. CONT James Smith, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 28. CONT Thomas Smith, born in Ireland, Church of England, widowed, age 71.
11. ↑ Source: #S39 Page: Thomas Smith, household, Amaranth township, Wellington county, image 4, page 4, Roll: C-1082-1083 Quality or Certainty of Data: 3 Note: Thomas and his son's are still living next door to George Colgan's family. The census show that William Smith married Annie during the past year. Data: Text: Thomas Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 74, male, widowed. CONT William Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, married during this year, Church of England, age 34, male, married. CONT Annie Smith, born in Ireland, married during this year, Church of England, age 28, female, married. CONT John Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 42, male, single. CONT James Smith, farmer, born in Ireland, Church of England, age 35, male, single.
12. ↑ Source: #S12 Page: John Smith, Amaranth, Wellington North, Ontario; Roll: C-9950; Page: 43; Family No: 142 Quality or Certainty of Data: 3 Data: Text: John Smith, male, age 61 years, born in Ireland, Church of England, Irish, Farmer, single, can not read, can not write.
13. ↑ Source: #S72 Page: John Smith, Amaranth, Wellington North, Ontario; Roll: C_13260; Page: 22; Family No: 96 Quality or Certainty of Data: 3 Data: Text: John Smith, male, age 60, born in Ireland, Presbyterian, Irish, farmer, single. WEBTAG Name: John Smith 1881 Census URL: http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&db=1881canada&rank=1&new=1&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=angs-d&gsfn=john&gsln=smith&msbdy=1815&msbpn__ftp=Ireland&msbpn=3250&msbpn_PInfo=3-%7c0%7c1652381%7c0%7c3250%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c&msrpn__ftp=Ontario%2c+Canada&msrpn=5007&msrpn_PInfo=5-%7c0%7c1652393%7c0%7c3243%7c0%7c5007%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c&cpxt=1&uidh=are&msbdp=10&cp=3&pcat=CEN_1880&fh=16&h=14954&recoff=7+8