52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks #4 Invite to Dinner

Which ancestor should I invite for dinner? There are so many I would love to have the opportunity to talk to if it were possible. This includes some that I knew but didn't know that years later that I would want to ask them questions. This would include my parents and grand-parents. In 2008 for a Carnival of Genealogy, I wrote "Guess Who's Coming for Dinner?" On that occasion I invited these ancestors:

1. My 4th great grandfather -- John Nicholas Stiver (born Johan Niclaus Stőber [Stoeber]) in what is now Germany around 1745. He came to Canada in 1794.
2. My great-great grandfather Thomas Love. Thomas came to Canada with his wife in the 1840s
3. My great grandmother - Emily Iles nee Pugh. She came to Canada with her family in 1905
4. My great grandfather - Josiah Dudley. Josiah lived all his life in England.

This time, I am going to invite Hannah Hemingway, my great-great grandmother. I hope she can fill in some of the gaps in information about the family. 

What I have discovered about her follows but I would want to know if I had got the information correct. Hannah was born to Josiah Hemingway and Anna Stiver 4 March 1819 in Markham Township, Ontario. Hannah married David Johnston. Rev. James George (Presbyterian minister) of Scarborough, Ontario performed the service. Gilbert Barker and James Lawrie acted as their witnesses.

Hannah and David were parents to seven children. The oldest was James who was born in 1843. Two years later, Josiah Hemingway arrived. Margaret was likely  born next in 1851 followed by Salome the following year. David Byers was born in 1857. Caroline came next in 1858. She only lived to the age of 20. Dr. Eckhardt didn't provide a cause of death on Caroline's death registration. The youngest, Hannah Maria, was born in 1862.

Hannah died 13 October 1877 from the sudden bursting of a blood vessel. She is buried in Hagerman East Cemetery, Unionville, Ontario.

I would ask Hannah many questions during the visit.  How did you meet your husband? What was life like in Unionville? 

What were your mom and dad like? Did either of them talk about their life? How did they meet? How was it for your mother when both her husband and son Benjamin died so close together?

What did your mother share about her siblings and parents? Did you know your mother's maiden name? 

Who were your dad's parents? Did your dad come to Canada West with other members of the family? 

What was the best part of your life? What was the most difficult part of your life?

I would try to space out the questions but I would be so eager to learn more about her, her family and ancestors. 
 © 2018 Janet Iles

Benjamin Hemingway: Summary

My great great great uncle, Benjamin Hemingway died in 1851 leaving behind seven children and his second wife.
I have just completed a seven part series - Benjamin Hemingway What happened to his family after his death?
Part One                 Benjamin Hemingway
Part Two                William
Part Three             Benjamin's Estate Papers
Part Four               Perlina, Harriet and Elijah Bostwick
Part Five               Pauline, George and Corwin
Part Six                Rachel and Mahela
Part Seven           Anna

Types of Records Used
Estate Papers - Wills, Financial records, Guardianship
Census
Quaker Meeting Records
City Directories

© 2015 Janet Iles

What happened to the family of Benjamin Hemingway after his death? Part 7

When Benjamin Hemingway died he had not been married long to Harriett Webb and they had one child. He had children by his first marriage.

 Anna Benjamina Hemingway was a baby when her father died. In his Estate papers, in the petition by her mother for guardianship of all the children, she is called Anna Benjamina. [1] In 1861, she is living with her mother and step-father and her name looks more like Benjanna. [2] She is not found in the 1871 census with the family but she is again there in 1881. [3]

When Pauline dies in 1904, her half-sister is listed as living in Detroit. [4]

Mrs F. J. York, all the balance of my estate - half sister 199 Twentieth Street Detroit

So with that information I know where Anna or Benjanna or whatever she is going by is living in Detroit, presumably Michigan. 

While searching for her mother after the death of Elijah, I found Harriet in a Detroit City Directory in the list of Bostwicks, I found her without her first name listed.

To find her I browsed through the directory to see the first name of York (wid Fredrick). She is listed as Anna B. [5]

On the 1920 census Anna, aged 65, is living at 15 Park Avenue with Ella, aged 44, (listed as sister) and Albert, aged 61 (listed as brother). Ella worked as saleslady in Department Store. Albert worked as signal man for the railroad. [6]

Anna died 5 May 1922 in Detroit, Michigan. Her date of birth is given as 2 December 1858. We know that this is incorrect because she was alive when her dad died. Her parents are listed as Benjamin Hemmenway and Harriet Webb. The informant is her half-sister Ella. She is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. [7]

 [1] Benjamin Hemingway Estate File, H-9 RG 22, Series 6-2, (21 September 1851), York County Surrogate Court, microfilm MS 638 York County, Reel 84, Archives of Ontario, Toronto [incorrect date]
[2] 1861 Census of Canada West, Ontario County, Pickering Township, p. 78. line 31, Elijah Bostwick household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 13 April 2015), citing microfilm C-1057, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.
[3] 1871 Census of Canada, Ontario, Ontario County (district 47) Pickering Township (sub-district a), p 21, family 76; digital image Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 April 2015), citing microfilm C-9973, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.
[4] Pauline Hemmingway Estate Papers, Surrogate Court County of York (1904), microfilm MS 584 Reel 1100, Ontario Archives, Toronto.
[6] Detroit City Directory, 1903, entry for Bostwick; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 20 April 2015)[6] 1920 Census of United States, Michigan, Wayne County, Detroit Ward 14, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: 813; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 416; Image: 216; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 24 April 2015), citing microfilm T625
[7] Anna York Michigan death registration; digital image, Seeking Michigan (http://seekingmichigan.org : accessed 20 April 2015).


© 2015 Janet Iles

What happened to Benjamin Hemingway's family after his death? Part 6

Benjamin and Pauline Hemingway's eldest child was Rachel.
Rachel is mentioned several times in the financial accounts of her father's estate.
- June 12 1853 - paid for Rachel Schooling - 3 shilling 9 pence
- Nov 14 1853 - paid for Rachel School book - 2 shilling 6 pence
- Dec 5 1853 - paid for Rachel Geographa - 1 shilling 10 pence
- Jan 20 1854 - paid for Rachel Schooling for three months - 3 shilling 9 pence
- Jan 20 1854 - paid for Rachel boots to D. Johnston - 7 shilling  6 pence [the shoes were likely purchased from David Johnston, shoemaker of Unionville - my great-great grandfather]
- May 5 1864 - to paying Rachel Bostwick her Share of the money from the sale of timber it being 21$ 66 (3 shillings 9 pence
- Oct 21 1864 - Sent by mail to Rachel Bostwick 15$ 90 cents (1 shilling 3 pence) [1]
As you may have noticed that Rachel's surname is now Bostwick, the same surname as her step-father.

 In the 1861 census, Rachel is shown living with her step-parents. Did she marry a son of Elijah Bostwick or one of his relatives? [2] In Pauline Hemingway's estate papers, Rachel is listed as Rachel Bostwick of Stoneham, Pennsylvania. [3]

In 1880, Rachel and Wellington (listed only with his initial W) are  living in Stoneham, Pennsylvania. Wellington was a carpenter. They have four children living with them: Frank, 14, born in Canada; Harriet, 8, born in Canada; Seneca 6, born in Pennsylvania and Mahela, 4, born in Pennsylvania. [4]

Wellington died 25 August 1899 in Stoneham, Pennsylvania. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Warren, Pennsylvania.  [5]
Rachel outlived her husband. She died 3 January 1908 in Mead Township, Warren County, Pennsylvania, USA. She is also buried in the Oakland Cemetery. [6]

Mahala, the second child of Benjamin and Pauline went to live with her step-parents. There she met Seneca Bostwick who she married in 1865. [7] By 1871, they are listed in the Toronto census in the St. Patrick's Ward. They have a son Walter aged four. [8]. Why is Ida Louisa not listed in the census? Her tombstone in the Society of Friends Cemetery, Ajax gives her date of death as 28 December 1872 at the age of 19 months and 8 days. [9]

Mahala died 12 January 1872. She is buried at the Society of Friends Cemetery in Ajax. Seneca was left to raise young Walter.

To be continued . . .

 [1] Benjamin Hemingway Estate File, H-9 RG 22, Series 6-2, (21 September 1851), York County Surrogate Court, microfilm MS 638 York County, Reel 84, Archives of Ontario, Toronto - The date on the outside of the packet must  be incorrect as Benjamin did not die until December.

[2] 1861 Census of Canada West, Ontario County, Pickering Township, p. 78. line 31, Elijah Bostwick household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 13 April 2015), citing microfilm C-1057, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.

[3] Pauline Hemmingway Estate Papers, Surrogate Court County of York (1904), microfilm MS 584 Reel 1100, Ontario Archives, Toronto

[4] 1880 Census of Pennsylvania, Warren County, Stoneham, Page: 287A, p. 13, Enumeration district 277, family 116, W. Bostwick household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 19 April 2015), citing  Roll: 1200; Family History Film: 1255200

[5] Wellington Bostwick Pennsylvania death registration http://www.pagenweb.org/~warren/vitalrec/death1893-1905-b.pdf Warren County, Pennsylvania, Genealogy USGenWeb and PAGenWeb Projects © 2011 Penelope Repko and contributors  Court House Vital Records - Deaths 1893 to 1905

[6] Rachel Bostwick Pennsylvania death registration #4930 (6 January 1908); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 April 2015), citing :  Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906–1963. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Rachel Bostwick and Wellington Bostwick on Find a Grave

[7] 1861 Census of Canada West, Ontario County, Pickering Township, p. 78. line 31, Elijah Bostwick household

[8] 1871 Census of Canada, Ontario, Toronto West (district 46), St. Patrick's Ward (sub-district C), division 3, p. 14, Seneca Bostwick household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 20 April 2015), citing microfilm C-9970, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.

[9] Find-a-Grave

[10] Mahala Bostwick Ontario death registration #027251 (23 January 1872); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 19 April 2015), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 4, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.


© 2015 Janet Iles

Benjamin Hemingway - What happened his family after his death? Part 5

The last four posts have been about the family of Benjamin Hemingway who died without a will and left his second wife with six young children, aged twelve down to a young baby.

Two of the children went to live with their aunt Anna Hemingway Holditch. The 1851/2 census shows Pauline aged 3 years listed with her aunt. [1]There is no mention of George. I have yet to find Harriet Hemingway with the other children in that census.

George and Pauline are listed with their aunt in 1861  The quality of the census image makes it difficult to read. [2]

In 1871, both Pauline, aged 21, and her brother George, aged 25, are living with their Aunt Anna. [3]

I haven't located where Pauline lived between 1871 and 1901. In 1901, she is living in Toronto. She owns a boarding house. [4] Three years later she died on 10 April 1904. [5]

Pauline's will is very informative because the estate papers not only list her bequests but the relationship to her and their addresses. It gives an indication of those relatives and friends who were important to her. She acknowledges two of her siblings but only leaves them a dollar each.

Mary Heasman $500  no relation [boarder - seamstress 1901 census] 43 McCaul Street
Thomas Berry $100 no relation Toronto [Is he the husband of Nellie Hemingway?]
Gertrude Bowles $100 cousin Toronto Junction [nee Dean daughter of John Dean and Ann Maria Hemingway]
Mary Dick $100 and her daughter $25 - second cousin - Unionville [on Hemingway side]
Rachael Bostwick $1 sister Stoneham, Pennsylvania
Mrs F. J. York, all the balance of my estate - half sister 199 Twentieth Street Detroit
Corwin Hemingway $1 brother - General Hospital Toronto
Gertrude Dean $100 Second Cousin - Toronto Junction [daughter of John Dean and Ann Maria Hemingway]

property real and personal to be sold . . .

Pauline owned the house at 43 McCaul Street, Toronto with a value of $2100 minus the $300 mortgage still owing and personal property valued at $75. [6]

Such great information in Pauline's papers.  So now, what have I found about George. He appears in the census records listed above. In the financial records associated with his father's estate papers, George is named several times. On April 30, 1862, "To paying George Hemingway his share of the surplus rent this time being fourteen dollars (1 shilling 3 pence)"; On December 10 of that year he received thirteen dollars from the rent. George receives more money the following year. One entry is interesting dated 12 June 1863 "to paying George and his Sister their share of the timber money". Which sister is that?  [7]

The 1871 census is the last census in which I have found George. He most likely worked for a railway with various jobs listed as brakeman, gatekeeper and switchman. He had a will and he left everything to his sister, Pauline. He only had real property valued at $200.00 and no real estate at the time of his death on 20 June 1899 in Toronto. In his estate papers, there is an affidavit stating there was a law suit, Hemmingway vs Macdonnell. George Hemmingway was the plaintiff and Messrs Macdonell & Scott were defendants. The defendant Scott offered in settlement the sum of fifty dollars. Both defendants refused to increase their offers of settlement. Why George Hemmingway was suing the two men is unknown and those exhibits are not included in the microfilmed papers. [8]

Finally, we take a look at Corwin. Except for the 1861 census, where he is living with his step-mother and step-father and family, I have yet to locate him on another census. [9] Corwin died 28 August 1912 in Sarnia, Ontario. His occupation is listed as GTR Policeman.[10] GTR would stand for Grand Truck Railway.

To be continued . . .

[1] 1851 Census of Canada West, York (district 42). Markham (sub-district 399), p. 39, line 26, Ann Holditch household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 9 April 2015), citing microfilm C-11759, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.

[2] 1861 Census of Canada West, York County, Markham Township , enumeration district 5, p 48, line 1, Ann Holditch household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 9 April 2015), citing microfilm  C-1088-89, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.

[3] 1871 Census of Canada, Ontario, York County, (district 45), Markham Township (sub-district d), division 1, p. 37, family 147, Anna Holditch household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 16 April 2015), citing microfilm C-9969, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.

[4] 1901 Census of Canada, Ontario, Toronto West (district 118), Ward #4 (sub-district b), division 14, p. 12, family 137, Paulin Hemmingway household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 April 2015), citing microfilm T-6499, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.

[5] Pauline Hemingway Ontario death registration #002223 (12 April 1904); microfilm 1854283, Family History Library, Salt Lake City.

[6] Pauline Hemmingway Estate Papers, Surrogate Court County of York (1904), microfilm MS 584 Reel 1100, Ontario Archives, Toronto

[7] Benjamin Hemingway Estate File, H-9 RG 22, Series 6-2, (21 September 1851), York County Surrogate Court, microfilm MS 638 York County, Reel 84, Archives of Ontario, Toronto - The date on the outside of the packet must  be incorrect as Benjamin did not die until December.

[8] George Hemmingway Ontario death registration #0002598 (20 June1899)  microfilm 1854388, Family History Library, Salt Lake City

[9] George Hemmingway Estate Papers, Surrogate Court, County of York (1899)

[10] Corwin Hemmingway Ontario death registration #17664 (30 August 1912), microfilm 1854858, Family History Library, Salt Lake City



© 2015 Janet Iles

Benjamin Hemingway - What happened to his family after his death? - part 4

In the previous posting about the family of Benjamin Hemingway, I included a section of the petition by his second wife, Harriett Webb, for guardianship of the six children. Five of these children were children of Perlina (Pauline) Webb. The two women were most likely sisters.

Perlina and Benjamin were married by Rev. Wm. Jenkins (Presbyterian) 21 December 1839. Their witnesses were John Hemingway and Josiah Helmke. She died 14 August 1849. She is buried in Hagerman East Cemetery, Markham. Her namesake was born 20 July 1849. Was her death an aftermath of childbirth?

With five young children including a newborn, Benjamin would have needed help raising the children. Harriett Webb stepped in to fill that role. Perhaps, Harriett had already been helping Pauline with the children. A search for a possible marriage of the couple on Ancestry.ca resulted in finding only one possible one in Illinois on 5 August 1851 in Hancock County, Illinois. The same search on Family Search found the same record. At that time in Canada West (Ontario), marriages would have been registered at the District Level. Some of them are listed on Ancestry. Together, Benjamin and Harriett had a little girl, Anna Benjanna. In the 1861 census, Benjanna's birthplace is given as Illinois. This leads me to believe that the marriage listing could be for the right couple. Ancestry only has the index and no image.

Between 1852 and 1861, Harriett remarried. She married widower, Elijah Bostwick. Elijah had children from his first marriage to Sarah Rogers: Esther, Seneca, Phoebe Ann, Nathan and Jonathan. Sarah died 16 June 1847. He married Margaret Austin in 1851 but she only lived a few months after their marriage.

You may recall that Elijah Bostwick acted as surety for the guardianship petition. Elijah and Harriett likely married around  1854. Together, Elijah and Harriett had Sarah Alice 30 June 1855, Thomas Albert 6 October 1856, Ida Louisa 15 October 1858, Lydia and Lizzie 9 March 1861, and Rachel E. 18 October 1863. and Ella 16 October 1864 and Hannah Mahala (called Hela in the 1871 census).

In 1861, Elijah, Harriet and two of Elijah's sons, and their three children are living in Pickering Township. With them are Harriet's daughter Benjanna, and Harriet's step children Rachel, Mahala and Corwile [Corwin].

To be continued . . .

Benjamin Hemingway - Perlina Webb Ontario District Marriage Registrations, Home District; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 13 April 2015), citing microfilm MS 248 Reel 2, Archives of Ontario, Toronto

"Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1934," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KFK3-PV4 : accessed 15 April 2015), Benjamin Hemmingway and Harriett Webb, 05 Aug 1851; citing Hancock, Illinois, United States, county offices, Illinois; FHL microfilm 954,177.

Canadian Quaker Yearly Meeting Records, Pickering Monthly Meeting Register; digital images, Ancestry.ca (http:// www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 April 2015), citing Reference Number: B-2-29; Reel Number: 18 Canadian Yearly Meeting Archives; Newmarket, Ontario, Canada

1861 Census of Canada West, Ontario County, Pickering Township, p. 78. line 31, Elijah Bostwick household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 13 April 2015), citing microfilm C-1057, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.

1871 Census of Canada, Ontario, Ontario County (district 47) Pickering Township (sub-district a), p 21, family 76; digital image Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 April 2015), citing microfilm C-9973, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.

© 2015 Janet Iles

Benjamin Hemingway - What happened to his family after his death - part 3

Click photo to enlarge

This is an excerpt from the petition for guardianship by Harriet Hemingway for the six children of Benjamin Hemingway. Locating many years ago, the Estate records, was so helpful and it advanced my research. The petition is very difficult to read. The following shows the names and ages of the children. As mentioned in previous posts, I knew of only two children born to Perlina (Pauline) Webb and Benjamin Hemingway.

Benjamin Hemingway . . . departed this life intestate leaving him surviving by a former wife six children namely, Rachel Hemingway now of the age of twelve years, Mahala Hemingway now of the age of ten years, William Hemingway now of the age of eight years, George now of the age of seven years, Corwin now of the age of five years and Perlina Ann now of the age of three years and leaving also by the petitioner, Benjanna now of the age of one year. That William Hemingway is therefore the heir at law of your petitioners said husband and as such title to his interest in the Real Estate, possessed by the will of said Josiah Hemingway as [-?-] that a partition of the said land has yet been [-?-] and your petitioner is apprehensive . . .

To be continued . . .

[1] Benjamin Hemingway Estate File, H-9 RG 22, Series 6-2, (21 September 1851), York County Surrogate Court, microfilm MS 638 York County, Reel 84, Archives of Ontario, Toronto - The date on the outside of the packet must  be incorrect as Benjamin did not die until December.
© 2015 Janet Iles

Benjamin Hemingway - What happened to his family after his death? Part 2

Benjamin Hemingway died when he was about 30 having not written a will. He had six children. His second wife Harriet applied for guardianship. The guardianship documents provide a wealth of information that act as a springboard for more research.

William, Heir at Law.
William was the eldest son of Benjamin. He was born about 1843. His step-mother, Harriett worried that he would not be fairly treated. 

The financial accounts mention William several times.

June 12 1856 sent by mail to Mrs. Bostwick the sum of 12 pounds 10 shilling 0 pence,  paid to Mrs. Bostwick six pounds five for Williams board, Oct 30 Went to Duffins Creek to see about William Board, Jan 1 1859 Went down down to Duffins Creek to See Mrs. Bostwick, Feb 26 1861 Went down to Duffins Creek to see William [1]

In the 1871 census, it looks like William is living with Rachel Webb. He is 27 years old. The census indicates William is unable to read and write and he is of unsound mind. [2]

In the 1881 census, William is still shown with Rachel Webb who is 80 years old. The census indicates that William is deaf and dumb.  William is 37 years old. [3]

Going back to 1861 to see who was living with Rachel Webb, we find Parnele Webb who is the head of the household, Elsie Webb 25, Hannah Webb 20, and William Webb, 18. No William Hemingway. The interesting thing is the census shows William as Blind. Was the stroke in the right column? Could this actually be William Hemingway but his surname was entered as Webb? [4] There is no William Webb in the 1851 census household of Parnele and Rachel Webb.[5]

William died when he was 45 years old on 26 January 1889 in Pickering Township. The death registration states: "General weakness, had been helpless and speechless for 38 years, had been sinking for 3 months previous to death." The informant was Rev. G. M. Brown. [6]

More questions that might not have answers:
What happened to William when he was about seven years old? In the guardianship petition William is listed as eight years old. There is no indication that he had a disability only his step-mother's concern that he would be treated fairly.
Who was the Mrs. Bostwick he was boarding with at Duffin's Creek?

To be continued

[1] Benjamin Hemingway Estate File, H-9 RG 22, Series 6-2, (21 September 1851), York County Surrogate Court, microfilm MS 638 York County, Reel 84, Archives of Ontario, Toronto - The date on the outside of the packet must  be incorrect as Benjamin did not die until December.

[2] 1871 Census of Canada, Ontario, Ontario South (district 47), Pickering Township (sub-district a), Division 1, p. 27, family 97, Rachel Webb household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 11 April 2015), citing microfilm C-9973, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.

[3]1881 Census of Canada, Ontario, Ontario South (district 132), Pickering Township (sub-district A), Division 1, p. 19, family 95, Rachel Webb household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 10 April 2015), citing microfilm C-13244, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.

[4]1861 Census of Canada West, Ontario County, Pickering Township, enumeration district 5, p. 80, line 46, Parnele Webb household; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 3 April 2015), citing microfilm C-1057, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa. 

[5]1851 Census of Canada West, Ontario County (district 26), Pickering Township (sub-district 245), p. 29, line 6, household of Parnele Webb; digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : 10 April 2015), citing microfilm C-11742, Library & Archives Canada, Ottawa.

[6] William Hemingway Ontario death registration #012534 (12 February 1889); digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 15 March 2015), citing microfilm MS 935 Reel 55, Archives of Ontario, Toronto.

© 2015 Janet Iles

Benjamin Hemingway - What happened to his family after his death? part 1

Research Objective:  To learn what happened to Benjamin Hemingway's family after his death? 

Benjamin Hemingway was my great-great-great uncle. His parents were Josiah Hemingway and Anna Stiver. He was their 10th child and youngest son. He lived in Markham Township. 

Known:
When Benjamin's father died in September 1851, Benjamin was listed as an heir in Josiah's will.

All my Freehold Estate compromising my Land Property be divided between my other two sons Moses and Benjamin, in such a manner that Benjamin, shall have and possess of the said land from twenty five to thirty acres more than my son Moses, to be left at the Discretion and be determined by the undermentioned Executors. [1]

Now this might not have been a problem but Benjamin died several months later on 22 December 1851 without a will and before the property had been divided. The Estate papers for Benjamin give an idea of what happened after his death. [2] These records were very important to me in my research as previous researchers had only mentioned two of Benjamin's children and they had been raised by Anna Holditch.

Benjamin's wife Harriet petitioned for guardianship. Five of the children were from Benjamin's former wife, Pauline Webb. Harriet and Benjamin had one baby. The children are all 12 and under: Rachel, Mahala, William, George and Corwin, (all from Benjamin's first marriage) and Anne Benjanna. 

She applied for guardianship to be shared with Henry Sanders. Harriet was worried that the eldest son William, heir at law, would not receive his father's share of property and that it would not be done fairly. The estate papers include detailed financial records as payments were made to old Mrs. Hemingway for her dower and other items such as school books. In the financial accounts it also shows a Mrs. Bostwick at Duffin's Creek being paid for William's board. It looks like Henry Sanders looked after these financial accounts, dating from 1852 to 1865. 

Also signing the documents in this guardianship as Sureties for the guardianship are Elijah W. Bostwick of Pickering Township and James Taylor of Markham Township. James Taylor swore to undertake his responsibilities and that he was worth 100 pounds and Elijah W. Bostwick affirmed that he would undertake his responsibilities and that he was also worth 100 pounds. Neither men had debts. [2]

Questions to which there may not be an answer:
Is James Taylor who acts as a surety, the husband of Caroline Hemingway (sister to Benjamin)?
How did the Hemingways know Elijah W. Bostwick?
Why did William get sent to live with a Mrs. Bostwick?
Why did George and Pauline go to live with Anna Holditch?
Why was Henry Sanders chosen as the guardian?
Were Pauline (Perlina) and Harriett sisters?


To be continued

[1] Josiah Hemingway Estate file H-9 RG 22 Series 6-2, (28 September 1851), York County Surrogate Court, microfilm MS 638 Reel 84, Archives of Ontario, Toronto
[2] Benjamin Hemingway Estate File, H-9 RG 22, Series 6-2, (21 September 1851), York County Surrogate Court, microfilm MS 638 York County, Reel 84, Archives of Ontario, Toronto - The date on the outside of the packet must  be incorrect as Benjamin did not die until December.


© 2015 Janet Iles

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks #31: Anna Stiver

This is my thirty-first  posting for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge.

Anna Stiver is my great-great-great grandmother. I only have approximate dates for her birth, marriage and death.

In the Stiver Family file at the Markham and District Historical Museum, I found a piece of paper that looked like it might have been a copy of listings from a family Bible. None of this information has been confirmed by finding other sources.

Anna was born in what became Germany, possibly in the Duchy of Hanover about 11 June 1784. If that date is correct or close then Anna would have been about eight years old when she travelled across the Atlantic Ocean with her parents and siblings. Anna is listed as 68 years old in the 1852 census so the date is likely close.

What might have started out as an exciting adventure for her, her siblings and the other children who were part of the families headed to the United States under the leadership of William Berczy von Moll likely became boring. Did they get to go out on the deck to play games? Did they ask their parents "Sind wir schon da?" Are we there yet?

Once they reached land, their trip was not over. The family spent almost two years in the United States. When the people became discontent with the conditions, the families were on the move. Berczy had made a deal with the Lieutenant Governor General for free land in Upper Canada. Women and children went in canoes while the men walked beside the bank of the river as they headed north towards Rochester, New York.

By November 1794, the family were living in Markham. Very few people were living there but Anna would have had lots of playmates amongst the children who she had been with during the voyage and time in the States.

Slowly other people came to Markham Township. Anna met Josiah Hemingway who had come from the United States and the two were married around 1800. In Berczy's Census of Markham Settlers, 1803, Anna is listed as 26 with her husband, Josiah aged 40, written as Esiah Hemmenway, and one daughter, [Pilis?] aged 2. This would likely have been Eleanor but Nancy should have appeared as well.

Josiah and Anna had eleven children: Eleanor in 1801, Nancy in 1802, John in 1806, Moses in 1809, Mary in 1811, Elizabeth "Betsy" in 1814, Anna in 1817, Hannah in 1819 (my ancestor), and Benjamin in 1821 and Caroline in 1824.

Josiah died the 21 September 1851. Their daughter, Eleanor had died in 1845 and only a few months after the death of her husband, her son, Benjamin died leaving behind a wife and seven young children. The young mother, Harriet, applied for guardianship as she was only the birth mother of one and in those years, males were appointed as co-guardians. In the detailed accounts,  we learn of a lawsuit and that twice a year Mrs. Hemingway (or the Old Mrs. Hemingway) was paid five shillings.

shows payments in 1855 and in 1856 to Old Mrs. Hemingway the dower

It looks like payments continued until at least 1857, when Harriet re-marries.

Anna most likely went down to Michigan to visit or to live with her daughter, Nancy, who had married Jonathon Worthing. The Bible listing gave her date of death as the 17 February 1859 in Detroit, Michigan.

© 2014 Janet Iles

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #15 Hannah Wheatley Hemingway

This is my fifteenth posting for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge.

Hannah Wheatley Hemingway is my great-great grandmother. She was born to Josiah Hemingway and Anna Stiver 4 March 1819 in Markham Township, Ontario. Hannah married David Johnston. Rev. James George (Presbyterian minister) of Scarborough, Ontario performed the service. Gilbert Barker and James Lawrie acted as their witnesses.

They were parents to seven children. The oldest was James who was born in 1843. Two years later, Josiah Hemingway arrived. Margaret was likely next in 1851 followed by Salome the following year. David Byers was born in 1857. Caroline came next in 1858. She only lived to the age of 20. Dr. Eckhardt didn't provide a cause of death in the death registration. Hannah Maria was born in 1862.

Hannah died 13 October 1877 from the sudden bursting of a blood vessel. She is buried in Hagerman East Cemetery, Unionville, Ontario.

© 2014 Janet Iles

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks #14 Samuel Hemingway

In The History of Toronto and York County it states that Samuel was of Scot descent but emigrated from England to the United States. Grace Harrington, who researched her Hemingway ancestors said that Samuel's name originally could have been Mac Hemingway. She did not provide any evidence for this statement. He was one of the first settlers in the United States  from England. In the book it states, "as far as we can learn, he was the first of his race to come to America; he settled in the United States and brought up his family in the occupation of farming."

Is there any element of truth in these statements?

His wife's name is not known.Two possible children are Josiah Hemingway and Moses Gage Hemingway. Descendants of Moses Gage have been in touch with me.

To do: Check the information that I have received from descendants of Moses Gage Hemingway to see what they say about Samuel and other members of the family.

© 2014 Janet Iles

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks #13 Josiah Hemingway

This is my thirteenth posting for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge.

As I researched my great-great grandfather, I learned that this man had been very strong and helped clear the first part of Yonge Street in York (now Toronto). He was born about 1774 in New York State. In about 1800, Josiah married Annie Stiver/Stoeber, one of the Berczy Settlers who had arrived in Markham Township in 1794.  Josiah farmed at Lot 4, Concession 4. With his wife Annie, they had a large family: Eleanor, Nancy, John, Peter, Moses, Mary, Elizabeth, Anna, Hannah, Benjamin and Caroline.

So when did he die? Do you believe everything you see in print or carved in stone? According to Josiah Hemingway's monument in the East Hagerman Cemetery, Markham, Ontario, Josiah died in 1854.

Note: This is a newer monument than the date of death would indicate and also note the position of Josiah's name on the monument. [Click on the photo to see it more clearly - Control + will increase the size

His biography appears in the biographical section of the two volume set, The History of Toronto and York County published in 1885 as part of the section on his son Moses Hemingway and it states that "he died in the year 1854". [1]

I questioned the 1854 date of his death that I saw on the stone and in the local history book. This date also appears in online family trees and information I had received from another researcher. These are not independent sources as the year is most likely based on one source. I suspect it originated with a misread one being a  four or possibly just a mis-remembered date.

Why did I question the death year of 1854. I questioned it first because of the 1851 census but it was Josiah's estate records that verified that 1854 was not correct.

First, the official date for the 1851 census was 12 January 1852. Anna Hemminway, aged 68 is listed as a widow. She is living in a hewed log house with Mary Jane, aged 18 and Susannah, aged 10. The 1851 census doesn't give relationships of individuals to the head, so the relationship of Mary Jane and Susannah is not known. [2]

Josiah wrote his will on 2 December 1850. The cover page of the estate papers has the date 28 September 1851. The inventory is dated 13 October 1851. [3]

The inventory gives a good indication of the financial position of Josiah. The totals are in Pounds, Shillings and Pence.

Inventory of the Estate of the Late Josiah Hemingway of the Township of Markham County of York Canada West Taken Oct 13 1851 [signed by Anna Hemingway with her mark on 16 October 1851]

Item	Pounds	Shillings	Pence
300 Acres of land	2100	0	0
Household furniture	18	0	0
Farming Utensils	12	8	0
Grain & Roots	8	15	0
? Cattle	16	5	0
Sheep	15	0	0
Hogs	7	10	0
Book debts	10	10	0
Book debts	20	15	0
Lumber	3	10	0
Notes	258	6	11
Poultry		10	6
Total	2463	7	5

The two eldest sons John and Peter only received one pound each. [Land records likely will show that they had already received land.] [4]

All my Freehold Estate compromising my Land Property be divided between my other two sons Moses and Benjamin, in such a manner that Benjamin, shall have and possess of the said land from twenty five to thirty acres more than my son Moses, to be left at the Discretion and be determined by the undermentioned Executors . . .  

Now this might not have been a problem but Benjamin died several months later on 22 December 1851 without a will and before the property had been divided. The Estate papers for Benjamin give an idea of what happened after his death.

Josiah also names his daughters in his will. To Nancy, Betsy, Mary, Anna, Hannah and Caroline, he leaves to them the rest of his personal goods and chattels to be divided equally among them. He says in his will that if any of the girls are ever destitute that they will have the privilege of living in the house.

The will includes the stipulation that there would be no disputes or suits if anyone disagreed with the decisions. Did he anticipate that problems might arise? Does it give a glimpse into the nature of Josiah?



 [1]Adam, Graeme Mercer, Mulvany, Charles Pelham Graeme Mercer Adam and Charles Pelham Mulvany, History of Toronto and County of York, Ontario : containing an outline of the history of the Dominion of Canada, a history of the city of Toronto and the county of York, with the townships, towns, villages, churches, schools; general and local statistics; biographical sketches, etc., etc. Volume 2, C. Blackett Robinson Publishers, 1885, p. 290.
[2]1852 Census of Canada West, York County, Markham Township,
[ 3] Josiah Hemingway Estate file H-9 RG 22 Series 6-2, (28 Sept 1851), York County, microfilm MS 638 Reel 84, Archives of Ontario, Toronto
[4 ] British monetary system used in Canada West until 1858.

© 2014 Janet Iles