Nelson Wells
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Nelson Wells (1846 - 1929)

Nelson Wells
Born in Fredericksburg, Greater Napanee, Lennox and Addington, Ontario, Canadamap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 13 Apr 1870 in Camden, Ontariomap
Descendants descendants
Died at age 82 in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canadamap
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Profile last modified | Created 18 Jun 2018
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Biography

Nelson was the son of Allyn Wells and his second wife, Roxana Pringle. He was born in Fredericksburg, Lennox and Addington, Canada West (now part of the greater-Napanee area in Ontario, Canada and he can be found on the 1870 voters list for Camden Township, Lennox & Addington, Ontario at conc. 3, lot 1, 2 [1] This was the same year he married Ellen Smith. Both his daughter's were born in Ontario.

Nelson and family migrated to British Columbia after January 1886 when his youngest daughter was born and before April 29, 1890 when his yet-to-be son-in-law Frank Canfield arrived in British Columbia. Frank recorded the date in his memoires and he boarded at Nelson's sister place before boarding with Nelson and family in New Westminster.

This timeframe of history saw a great westward bound journey of people from "back-east" moving into British Columbia and Nelson was not alone amongst his larger extended family to undertake this great migration west. Nelson's older half-brother's; William Casey Wells (1826-1909), James Casey Wells (1831-1921), Allen Casey Wells (1837-1922), and Edwin along with half-sisters Jane (Wells) Evans (1835-1921) and Margaret Wells (abt.1832-1913) settled in BC at various times. Two nieces Martha Matilda (Wells) Vankleeck (1853-1943) and Annetta (Wells) Caverley (1855-1945), as well a cousin David Wells (abt.1853-1887). Other relatives but not certain of the exact relationship are: Ira Pringle (uncle?) Ira Pringle (1828-1920) and, Timothy Thomas Pringle Hicks (cousin?)

The 1898 Voter's list shows Nelson's occupation as woodworker. Other references have him as a sawmill hand or a carpenter. He worked on building 6 different churches in British Columbia. In his later years he was a Janitor for a church in New Westminster.

Nelson & his wife and youngest daughter left New Westminster for Port Simpson in 1900 for a while to work in a mill. It was the year his oldest daughter married and the newlyweds stayed in the family home in New Westminster. There is a Norton Wells listed as being a neighbour of Nelson when they are in Port Simpson. I do not know if he is related to the family but he also appears in NWC as a woodworker on the 1898 Voters List as well, same as Nelson. I do not have any records for Norton Wells at this point. In addition, a Moses Wells born in Port Simpson Indian Reserve to a school teacher, Miss Wells, 1886 12 12 (Yr/Mo/Day) Reg. # 1886-09-996131 Microfilm #: B13802 (GSU # 2116419) I don't know if he fits into the family tree.

They are still living in Port Simpson (now called by native name Lax Kw'alaams) in 1901. Port Simpson had been established as a fur trading post for the Hudson's Bay Company in 1831.

Nelson suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on January 11, 1929 of which he recovered, however he had another and died in April of that same year, one year after his wife had passed.

Research Notes Neighbours in 1870: Walker, Alex, conc. 3, lot 1 Ackerman, Edward, conc. 3, lot 2 Harry, John Dr., conc. 3, lot 2 Thomson, Alex Jr., conc. 3, lot 2 Thomson, Andrew, conc. 3, lot 2 Thomson, Edward, conc. 3, lot 4 Thomson, Erra, conc. 3, lot 5 Thomson, John, conc. 3, lot 4 Thomson, Nicholas, conc. 3, lot 2 Thomson, William, conc. 3, lot 3


Sources

  1. https://lahistoricalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Voters-List-for-Camden-Township-for-1870.pdf
  • Marriage Certificate

Nelson Well Age 24 Residence when married: Camden Place of Birth: Fredricksburgh Name of Parents; Allen & Rosey Ann Wells Occupation: Farmer Ellen E. Smith Age 22 Residence when married: Richmond Birth: Napanee Her parents: James & Ann Smith Religion: Methodists Married by I.D. Bell, Minister Witnesses: Levi Kellar & Martha Wells

  • 1870 Voters List: Camden Twp., Con. 3 lot 1 & 2 Lennox & Addington
  • 1881 Canadian Census - Fredericksburg North, Lennox, Ontario
  • BC 1898 voters list - occupation carpenter
  • "Canada Census, 1891," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWKS-NMY : 3 August 2016), Nelson Wells, New Westminster City, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario; Library and Archives Canada film number 30953_148092.
  • 1901 Canadian Census

British Columbia Burrard, District #1 Sub-District Cassiar (Skeena) Sub-District # C-13 Georgetown, Nass River, Port Simpson


  • Death Registration: Reg # 1929-09-422-067 BC Archives Microfilm # B13137, GSU microfilm #19526499




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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Nelson by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Nelson:

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Nelson Wells
Nelson Wells



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