John GOTH

1787 - 1874

Early Lanark Settler

JOHN GOTH was born Abt. 1787 in Dent, Yorkshire, England, and died August 23, 1874 in Horton Twp, Renfrew Co, Ont., Canada. He married (1) MARGARET "PEGGY" ALDERSON November 22, 1814 in Church of England, Chapelry of Dent, Yorkshire, England, daughter of EDMUND ALDERSON and MARY CRAGGS. She was born November 24, 1782 in Dent, Yorkshire, England, and died about. 1819 in Lanark Co. Ont. He married (2) MARY ELIZABETH MCNEELY Abt. 1823 in Beckwith, Lanark Co., Ont., daughter of JAMES MCNEELY. She was born Abt. 1804 in Co. Antrim, Ireland, and died September 6, 1884 in Horton Twp, Renfrew Co, Ont. John and Mary Elizabeth (McNeely) Goth are bur. at St. Fillan's Cemetery, United Cemeteries of Beckwith Twp., near Carleton Place, Lanark Co.

John was a former English soldier, demobilized as a Sergeant, from the 68th Regiment of Foot. He served in the 68th Regt. of Foot for seven years, he enlisted in 1809. He was wounded three times. First at Walcheran were he was wounded in the right arm. Second time was at Salamanca were he was injured on the left side of his neck by shell fire. Third wound was received at Vittoria, Spain, a musket ball in his right leg. He also served in Portugal. John was awarded a Military General Service Medal with bars. He was discharged in 1816. John was also a volunteer in Canada during the rebellion in 1837.

It is not known exactly when John Goth his wife Margaret (Peggy) Alderson and young John left Dent, YKS., and came to Canada though it can be estimated that most probable they emigrated in 1819 based on the following: from the book by Glenn J. Lockwood, Beckwith: Irish and Scottish Identities in a Canadian Community 1816 - 1991, (Carleton Place, Ont.: Township of Beckwith, C1991).

pg. 582; Appendix 3 / Immigrants located in Beckwith as Settlers by the Richmond Military Settlement Office, 1818 - 1822:

Name: John Goth; County of Origin: England / Parish: (....) / Date Located to Lot: 1819 Dec 1 / Con. 11 Lot 21NE 22SW / Family: Yorkshire Origin

Permission was given by a Free Grant because of John's Militia Service and was issued a location ticket on Feb 4, 1824 for both lots. An Order-In-Council was issued, awarding the patent that gave John private ownership of the property in Ashton, Beckwith twp., Lanark Co., W ½ OF 22 & E ½ OF 21 in the 11th Con. 200 acres on March 23, 1824.

John and Mary Elizabeth (McNeely) resided on the Goth homestead in Ashton, Beckwith twp., Lanark Co., until just before 1871 where they went to reside in Horton, Renfrew Co., with their son, Brice & Margaret (Forde) Goth. Their son, William stayed on the Goth homestead of Con 11 Lot 21.

The following are the 2 children of John Goth & 1st wife, Margaret Alderson then followed by the 7 children of John Goth and his 2nd wife, Mary Elizabeth McNeely.

Children of John & 1st wife, Margaret (Alderson) Goth were:

1. JOHN GOTH was born Bet. 1815 - 1816 in Dent, Yorkshire, England, and died March 11, 1897 in Gloucester Twp., Carleton Co., Ont., CAN. He married (1) ELIZABETH WILSON Abt. 1844. She was born June 5, 1823 in Ont., CAN. and died June 4, 1873 in Gloucester Twp., Carleton Co., Ont., CAN. He married (2) HANNAH (NEE ?) GOTH Bet. 1873 - 1881. She was born February 24, 1824 in Wales, England, and died April 29, 1920 at 132 Greefield Ave., Ottawa, Carleton Co., Ont., CAN. Elizabeth is buried at North Gower Union Cemetery, North Gower Twp., Carleton Co. John and Hannah are buried at Union Cemetery, Leitrim, Gloucester Twp., Carleton Co.

Other surnames connected to John & 1st wife Elizabeth (Wilson) Goth: BROWNLEE (1867-1891 Marlborough, Carleton Co., Aft. 1891 poss. went out West), SPRATT, ANDERSON (Peel Co.), CARPENTER (Norfolk Co. & Brant Co.), JAMES (Kemptville, Oxford-On-Rideau, Grenville Co.), HUBBS (Sudbury), SHUTE (Connecticut, USA), MORRIS, BRATTON, FENTON, BALKWILL, BARRETT, BOYCE, DUNCAN, MONTGOMERY, MOFFAT, ANDERSON, IRVINE, MONTGOMERY, FEATHERSTONE, WALLACE, PERCIVAL, IRVINE, PERKINS, WILSON, ROBICHAUD, BROWN, WALKER (Of Marlborough & Gloucester twps., Carleton Co.)

2. ELIZABETH GOTH was born about April 27, 1817 and baptized April 27, 1817, in Dent, Yorkshire, England. She died April 30, 1817 in Dent, Yorkshire, England.

Children of John & 2nd wife, Mary Elizabeth (McNeely) Goth were:

1. MARIA ELIZABETH GOTH, b. April 14, 1824, Beckwith, Lanark Co., d. September 25, 1904, Beckwith Lanark Co., married (1) NATHANIEL BURGESS, September 9, 1839, St. James Anglican Church, Carleton Place, Beckwith, Lanark Co. married (2)THOMAS MOORE MCNEELY, October 15, 1866, St. Paul’s Church, Almonte, Lanark Co., b. January 29, 1824, 11th line, Beckwith, Lanark Co., d. March 14, 1902. Maria Elizabeth & Thomas Moore McNeely are buried at St. Fillan's Cemetery, United Cemeteries of Beckwith Twp., near Carleton Place, Lanark Co.

There have been no discoveries of any known children by Maria Elizabeth in either marriage though the children of (2)Thomas Moore McNeely marriage to his 1st wife, Helen DUNCAN (1822 - 1866) are residing with her and Thomas McNeely in Appleton, Ramsay Twp., Lanark Co., Ont.

2. JAMES GOTH, b. January 3, 1826 in Beckwith Twp, Lanark Co, Ont., married ISABELLA MAHON Abt. 1855, daughter of WILLIAM MAHON and JANE DRUMMOND. She was born September 30, 1834 in Kitley, Leeds Co., Ont.

James and Isabella purchased Lot 14, situated on the fourth concession of Horton Twp. Renfrew Co., in 1860. Sometime after 1860 but before 1871 they resided in Blanshard Twp., Perth Co. Sometime before 1871 they resided in Usborne Twp., Renfrew Co. They then moved sometime shortly before 1880 to Verona, Huron, Michigan, United States.

James and Isabella had 10 children. Surnames connected are: VANHORN (Michigan & Wisconsin, USA).

3. WILLIAM JOSEPH GOTH b. October 2, 1830 in Carleton Place, Beckwith Twp., Lanark Co., Ont., CAN., d. April 3, 1906 at Con 11 Lot 21 at Carleton Place, Beckwith Twp., Lanark Co. He married MARGARET MCEWEN August 20, 1858 in Carleton Place, Beckwith Twp, Lanark Co., daughter of JOHN MCEWEN and AGNES CAMPBELL. She was b. June 2, 1836 in Paisley, Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland, she immigrated with her family in 1843 to Lanark Co., and d. June 5, 1905 in Beckwith Twp., Lanark Co. Both are buried at St. Fillan's Cemetery, United Cemeteries of Beckwith Twp., near Carleton Place, Lanark Co.

This couple resided at Con 11 Lot 21 Beckwith Twp., Lanark Co., and had 8 children. Surnames connected are: WILSON (Lanark Co., & Ottawa ), BURT (California USA), BROWN (Michigan & California USA), ALLAN (Lanark Co., & British Columbia), MCNEELY (Lanark Co.), EDWARDS (Morristown NY USA), KREKOW (Texas - Tacoma Washington - Torrance, LA CA - Oklahoma USA), BRICE (Lanark Co., & British Columbia), TAYLOR (Edmonton Alberta & Payton Saskatchewan).

4. THOMAS GOTH, b. July 4, 1832, Carleton Place, Beckwith Twp., Lanark Co., d. January 30, 1849, Carleton Place, Beckwith Twp., Lanark Co., buried at St. Fillan's Cemetery, United Cemeteries of Beckwith Twp., near Carleton Place, Lanark Co.

5. JANE GOTH b. February 10, 1835 in Carleton Place, Beckwith Twp., Lanark Co., and d. January 22, 1877 in McNab Twp., Renfrew S. Co. She married JOHN MCRAE on December 23, 1856 in Horton & McNab Presbyterian Congregation, Renfrew Co. He was b. December 1829 in Scotland and d. July 12, 1883 in McNab Twp., Renfrew S. Co. Both are bur. at White Lake Community Cemetery, McNab Twp., Renfrew Co.

This couple resided at White Lake, McNab Twp., Renfrew Co., and had 9 children. Other surnames connected are: MCLAREN (Renfrew Co.), LEACH/LEECH.

6. BRICE GOTH b. March 6, 1840 in Beckwith Twp, Lanark Co, and d. June 21, 1907 in Ottawa, Carleton Co. He married MARGARET FORDE July 3, 1863 in St. James Anglican Church, Perth, Lanark Co., daughter of JAMES FORDE and PERMILIA TUTTLE. She was b. Abt. 1842 in North Elmsley, Lanark Co., and d. December 24, 1900 in Arnprior, McNab Twp., Renfrew S. Co. Brice is bur. at Cram/St. Fillan's Cemetery, United Cemeteries of Beckwith Twp., nr. Carleton Place, Lanark Co.

At the time of their marriage in 1863 this couple resided at Beckwith 11th Con the Goth family homestead. Sometime between 1864 and 1867 they went to Horton, Renfrew Co., until about 1884. Between 1884 and 1887 they went to Arnprior/Sand Point, McNab Twp., Renfrew Co.

Brice & Margaret (Forde) Goth had 10 children. Other surnames connected are: COX (Fitzroy, Carleton Co., Ontario - Morton, Brandon Manitoba - Portage La Prairie Manitoba), DOOLAN (Gaspie, Bonaventure QC - Beverley, Essex MA USA), GREELEY (Fitzroy, Carleton Co., - Bristol, Pontiac QC - Arnprior, McNab Renfrew Co), ERWIN (Lanark Co), PROUDHOMME/PRUDHOMME (Montreal QC).

7. SUSANNA GOTH, b. February 16, 1844 , Beckwith Twp, Lanark Co., d. May 31, 1924 , Beckwith Twp., Lanark Co., married ROBERT BENNETT, December 24, 1886, Ramsay Twp, Lanark Co., b. Bet. 1847 - 1853, Horton Twp., Renfrew Co., d. November 10, 1934, Chamberlain, Saskatchewan, Canada. Susanna is buried at PineGrove Cemetery, Beckwith Twp, Lanark Co., and Robert is buried at Chamberlain, Saskatchewan.

They had no children. Shortly after their marriage they left Horton, Renfrew Co., for Saskatchewan. Susanna left Saskatchewan sometime shortly before 1901 and resided with her sister, Maria McNeely's family in Appleton, Ramsay, Lanark Co. Robert stayed at Chamberlain, Saskatchewan.

I would like to close with the following story and a condensed version from the Ottawa newspaper.

Repository: The Gloucester Twp., Hall Museum, Carleton Co., Ontario

(Darlene Carnegie note - The author is unknown but likely told by Robert Goth, son of The Little Survivor, John Goth (1816 - 1897). Based on the Ottawa Citizen Newspaper, (Carleton Co., Ontario Canada) of September 20, 1930 a condensed version of this story is entered under the heading "Tales of Long Ago" as told by Robert Goth. Therefore it is my opinion that the author of this story most likely to be Robert Goth (1851 - 1936), s/o John Goth, desc/o - John & Margaret "Peggy" (Alderson) Goth.

Re-typed by Darlene Carnegie from photocopy of original

THE GOTH FAMILY - THE LITTLE SURVIVOR

The year was 1870, the month was September, and the place was the top of Brian Doyle’s Hill Gloucester Township. John Goth stood on this pillared front stoop and gazed steadily across the moonlit fields as he thought about the abundant crops he had harvested from his land. A feeling of pride tingled in his veins as he turned around and looked at the fine stone house. Is face lit-up, for this was really a dream come true, for the lad born in Yorkshire, England, in the year 1816, and who survived many ordeals in his life span. This house was originally built in the year 1833 by James Johnston. In the year 1869 Mr. William Johnston sold the farm of 200 acres to John Junior who moved from Malakoff to South Gloucester (the farm formerly known as Brian’s Doyle’s Hill).

He felt now he was really reaping the benefits of a successful man, fine house for his family, a prosperous farmer and a respected member of his community.

It was a pity he had never visited his birth place, of Yorkshire England, but many times he had heard his father say in his broad Yorkshire accent "Aye! Lad, thou were born in the fine county of Yorkshire, the largest county in England, and always be proud you were born a Yorkshireman’s son, they’re a fine hardy race of people with a past to be proud of", he would say. Often his father had described to him the City of York, with its magnificent cathedral soaring above the ancient walled city and dominating the countryside for miles around, and how its more than 100 stained glass windows, the art of more than four centuries, made it the architectural jewel of medieval England. That all seemed so long ago, but recently he had thought a lot about his father’s stories, and in particular the one he enjoyed hearing the most, his father’s voyage to the new world, and the first few years of striving to merely eke out a living in the harshness of the dense Canadian forest.

Like many young Britons, John Goth senior had joined the army at a young age, and the very fact he could read and write and had achieved the rank of Sergeant, indicated he had been to school and received a fair degree of education before entering the King’s service. He was a soldier in the Durham Light Infantry, 68th Regiment of Foot, and had served on the continent prior to coming to Canada. The 68th Regiment arrived in Quebec from England on the 4th of July 1818 on the transports (sailing ships) Albury, Alfred Wyton, Mr. George Osborne and Lady Hamilton, they remained there until May 1819. Mrs. John Goth traveled with her soldier husband as did several other wives. They worked in the army laundry and were paid a small wage every week for their labors.

In July of 1819, the regiment moved to Upper Canada with headquarters at Fort George and detachments at the following places: one company at Ammerstburg, two at Drummond Island, one at York, 20 men at Penetanguishene, 18 men at Grand Government had been disturbed by the number of immigrants to North America settling in the United States and so they began taking measures to counteract this movement by offering grants of land in Upper Canada to discharged British Soldiers. After the close of the 1812-1815 hostilities, the War Office was anxious to have loyal British subjects settle in the eastern half of the province which bordered the St. Lawrence River and the united States and was the strategic link between Great Britain and Upper Canada, They felt sure the ex-military men would ably fit this role, and at the same time, form a back-up force for the regular army in case of an attack from the United States on Canada. The Colonial office was just as anxious to have the Province of Upper Canada settled with loyal English speaking people on land where they could become self-sustaining as quickly as possible, and with the least amount of outlay by the British Government.

Sergeant Goth along with several other soldiers from the 68th Regiment took his discharge in Upper Canada and was located by the Military Settlement Committee on land in the newly surveyed township of Beckwith, in present day Lanark County. He was granted 200 acres on Lot 22, Concession 11, in the late summer of 1819. Specific tools, implements and sundries were issued to each settler, but too many were unfamiliar to this rough life and this equipment was not of great use.

One axe, one broad axe, mattock, pickaxe, spade, shovel, scythe, hoe, draw-knife, hammer, hand saw, 2 scythe stones, 2 files, 1 camp kettle, 1 bed tick, 1 blanket, 12 panes of glass, 12 lbs of wrought iron nails in three different sizes and 1 lb of putty.

Many of the soldiers were single men and had traveled a great deal whilst serving in the British Army; they were ill equipped for a more sedentary life and therefore a great number left their granted land within the first year, having sold it for as little as a bottle of rum or a pair of leather boots. The Goth’s however, did stay on their land and John built a rough shanty for his little family, their first home in the dense Canadian wilderness of Upper Canada. For the first year, the rations were supplied to each family free of charge from the military depots, and this was done in order to help them over the initial settling period.

Tragedy struck the family within weeks of settling in Beckwith Township. Mrs. Goth took very ill with fever and died in the early fall of 1819. Grief stricken and heart broken, her husband, John Goth had no other choice but to carry on as best as possible for his young son John’s sake. Many times, whilst carving his farm out of the virgin forest, he wondered if he had made the correct decision to remain in the new land. The mosquitoes had nearly driven them crazy all summer and he worried about the desperately cold winter ahead. It was a lonesome and terrifying thought, and bothered him a great deal.

There were certain rules under the terms of settlement which were mandatory, if their grants were to be finalized. So many acres of land were to be cleared each year, and this was a colossal task for men and their families, but to John Goth Sr., widower and looking after his little son who was just over three years old, it must have looked insurmountable at times. Another requirement to complete the land transaction, was the appearance in person before the Land Committee Council, which sat only three or four times each year at Johnstown, near Prescott, and this had to be carried out before three years expired. John Goth’s land grant was finalized on December 1st, 1822, so the following event must have taken place in the early fall of that year.

Realizing that he must make an appearance in Johnstown before December, he knew he couldn’t possibly take his young son, John, with him on that long journey through the thick forests still yet traveled by Indians and roamed by wild animals. After a great deal of thought, he decided to leave the boy in the shanty, and so he prepared for his departure as best as he could. He had baked bread and so he left it on the rough table along with a bowl of wild apples and berries. Molasses in a stone jar was put alongside two large crocks of water and a tin-drinking cup. He had a long talk with the little boy and instructed the boy how to help himself to the simple food and water, showed him how to lie down on the mattress which was on the floor in the corner of the shanty, and wrap himself in the two rough blankets issued by the army depot. He nailed boughs of wood over the tiny window to keep out wild animals, and then knelt down and hugged the little lad tightly, and after kissing the little boy a fond good-bye and with a choke in his throat he hurried away. With his army knapsack on his back, packed with a little food and a bottle of water, he stepped out of the cabin, bolted the outside door after him, secured it tightly with ropes and set our through the forest for Johnstown.

He had spoken to one or two men about going to Johnstown, when he was at the military depot drawing his rations a few weeks earlier, and they had suggested the quickest route to take was to join the Indian Trail near what is now Carleton Place, continue across country through part of Montague Township and possibly cross the Rideau at Burritts Rapids where there were a few people already settled on both sides of the river, and no doubt would provide him with shelter on the first night of his journey. Mr. Goth was a very experienced soldier, and able to navigate well through the forest using the sun as a compass. Being in the early fall of the year, there would not be any black flies or mosquitoes to bother him, and the fact that he walked the 50 miles from Beckwith to Johnstown in two days is indicative of his making excellent time over that rugged terrain. He appeared before the Land Committee Council on the morning of the third day, which was December 1, 1822, and signed the land book, making him the owner of 200 acres of land. He then immediately set off towards home and his son. He stopped and bought some food in Prescott, hard tack biscuits and a piece of cheese, and tucked it in his army knapsack, filled his old army water bottle, hooked it on his belt, and headed towards the forest. He arrived back in Beckwith Township on the afternoon of the fifth day, dirty, fatigued and hungry, but still he managed to run the last few yards as he neared his shanty. He mentioned years later, his heart was thumping with both fear and excitement as he pulled back the bolt, loosened off the ropes he had secured the door with, and flung it wide open. Having no idea what to expect, tears ran down his face at the picture that confronted him. The little lad was fast asleep on the straw-filled mattress which lay on the floor in the corner of the shanty. He picked him up and held him close, as this little son was all he had left to strive for in this vast new country that was to be their homeland.

Many theories have been put forth as to why this physically strong and intelligent man made the decision to leave the boy alone in the shanty, but one can only speculate as to what options were open to him before starting on this journey. Perhaps the thought of being attacked by wolves or bears enroute was one reason. One would think he would have no difficulty in leaving his child with the nearest neighbors as by this time the assessment rolls indicate 300 families were settled in Beckwith Township. Perhaps it was that some infectious disease was raging throughout his neighbor’s children that turned him against leaving his son with them or could it be for some reason or other he was at logger heads with his nearest neighbors and stubbornly refused to ask a favor. The reader, at this time, must draw his own conclusions.

It should be noted that in the year 1819 (as stated in the Ottawa Citizen Newspaper, 2001) over 5000 people died in Canada with a flu/fever illness.

By the end of that year, 1822, the little boy had a new mother, Mary Elizabeth McNeely, a bonnie Irish girl who his father met and married near Carleton Place. Several children were born of this marriage - so John Goth had brothers and sisters to share his life with. The little survivor, John Goth, grew into a fine, strong man, and at the age of 18 years, set out "on his own" as a chopper. He cut trees down for the settlers, split them into cordwood and stacked it. This kind of work he did constantly for eight years, and became famous in the surrounding countryside as an expert chopper. At the end of eight years, he could cut, split and pile three cords per day, day in and day out, 18 cords each week, and that was considered excellent chopping in those days. The following little story to the end of this paragraph were told to me by John Charles Goth of which his father had told to him - "It is understood that Mr. Goth appeared in one of the first editions of the Guinness World Book of Records for his talent in wood chopping. Also told is the story that at the age of 80, one year before his death he was still able to stand on a sturdy post and step dance."

When he was 26 years old, he had saved enough money to buy a farm at Malakoff in Marlborough Township, build a home and pay a preacher to perform a wedding ceremony. He married Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of the owner of the farm he purchased in Malakoff in 1842. By 1870, John Goth had purchased a second farm on the top of Brian’s Doyle’s Hill in Gloucester Township, and with the help of his children, continued to farm at both places for eight years.

Surely Sergeant Goth was correct when he said years ago of Yorkshiremen, "they were a hardy stock!" The little survivor, John and his wife Hannah are buried in the old abandoned cemetery at Leitrim on Highway 31 at Analdea Drive across from the Hope Cemetery. The following words inscribed on the tombstone ‘FOR HE WAS A GOOD MAN AND FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST AND FAITH’. John’s first wife is buried at North Gower in the Union Cemetery directly behind the Senior Citizens Residence.

John’s soldier father is buried at the United Cemeteries of St. Fillan’s, Maple Wood and Pine Grove - established in 1825. This Cemetery is located near Carleton Place. Highway 7 turn South on Cemetery Road and follow the road till you reach a lovely peaceful cemetery. This Cemetery is very large and magnificently cared for with the long tall pines, the wonderful Maple trees and flowering shrubs and many benches to sit in these peaceful surroundings. Along with John - Born 1787 - 23 Aug 1874 aged 87 years are his wife Mary E. McNeely a Native of Ireland who came to Canada with her parents in the year 1820 - Mary born 1804 - 6 Sept. 1884 aged 80 years. The tombstone of Mr. John Goth reads - "A Native of Yorkshire, England, who immigrated to Canada in the year 1819". Please note that in some areas throughout these stories it appears Mr. Goth and his wife may have arrived in July 1818 - at this time there is no way of arriving at the actual date of his arrival other than from the stories and notes as they have been written.

Many of John’s soldier settler neighbors who served their new country well, and whose Offspring continued for many more years to till the soil their ancestors had prepared for then in the virgin forest of Upper Canada, are also buried in the same cemetery.

1930, Sept. 20 - The Ottawa Evening Citizen Newspaper

"A remarkable story is told by Mr. Robert Goth of Metcalfe Road at the top of Brian Doyle's hill, about his grandfather and his father. It is that type of story which, in these days of comfort and convenience, one finds hard to believe. But there is no doubt that the pioneers put up with things and suffered hardships of a most serious character.

Now follows the story: In the year 1818 John Goth came from England and settled on crown land in the township of Beckwith, about three miles this side of Carleton Place. Of course, at that time Carleton Place was not in existence, nor had it been thought of, though the falls were there doing business. John Goth had been a soldier in the Imperial Army. At the close of the Napoleonic wars, he was discharged. The policy then of the Imperial Government was to encourage its ex-soldiers to go to the Canadian colonies where they would form a reserve force of trainer men in the event of the United Stakes attacking this country.

So it came about that the summer of 1818 found John Goth, his young wife and a child of 4, also called John, settled in Beckwith. But Mr. Goth soon fell into trouble. Early in the fall his wife took sick of some sort of fever, and after a short illness, died.

Soon after his wife's death, it became necessary for Mr. Goth to go to Prescott on business in connection with his grant of land. At least, Mr. Robert Goth thinks it was that. In any event he had to leave home. As there were no neighbours for miles around, the father decided that the only thing he could do was to leave the child in the house and make a forced trip. He told his son afterwards that he suffered mental agonies while he was away.

He put plenty of food on the rough table so that the child could help himself and showed him how to cover himself in bed at night. Then he had a long talk with the little fellow, explaining what he was going to do and urging him to be brave and not cry. Then finally, after kissing the little boy a fond good-bye and promising to bring him a toy, he went out and shut the heavy wooden door, securing it with a bolt and rope to prevent the entrance of bears or wolves. He had previously put bars over the only window in the cabin. Then, with a choke in his throat, he hurried away. He followed the old Indian trial which passed what is now Britannia and then veered off to the Rideau River which it followed for a considerable distance and then ran overland to the St. Lawrence River about four miles east of Prescott.

We will pass over John Goth's 200-mile walk (there and back) and return him safe and sound to the front of his cabin five days later. One can imagine the feelings of suspense he would have as he tore open the rope from the door and threw it open. Would the son be dead or alive, sick or well? It was late afternoon of the fifth day when Mr. Goth arrived home. There had not been a sound in the house. He threw open the door. There, on the pine mattress lay the little boy! He rushed in and grabbed the child in his arms. The boy opened his eyes and threw his arms around his father's neck. He had been asleep.

Now isn't that a happy ending to the story? Perhaps it is just as well to tell that a little more than a year later, young John Goth had a new Mama to look after him when his father had to go away."

Many sources deserve special recognition and appreciation for contributing to the data of the family of John Goth. The dedication, friendship and inspiration of Carolyn Murphy who spent countless hours researching and analyzing with me for the last 4 years. The Ontario Gen Web Lanark Co., web site hosted by Keith Thompson and all their many contributors to the site, a site that blessed me with many friendships and discoveries. Dorothy Moss who tromped through cemeteries and travelled endlessly in Lanark Co., in search of new discoveries. Lorna (Goth) Ford of Carleton Place, who also tromped through cemeteries and traveled the back roads of Lanark County & Carleton Co., obtaining photographs for the Descendants of John Goth born 1815 of Marlborough Twp., Carleton Co. Much credit also goes to Lee Bartley of the Meblee web site of Eastern Ontario Genealogical Information of Carleton Co., which provided the beginning discoveries of research for "John Goth of Marlborough".

Contact: Darlene Carnegie

Email: [email protected]