Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer

Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer - HAMMERSLEY, John

Wellington County GenWeb

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Pioneer - HAMMERSLEY, John

Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County

Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906

HAMMERSLEY, John (d.), was b. Staffordshire, Eng., 1802, d. 1884. The late John Hammersley was a farmer in Eng., and came to Canada in 1831. He m. Elizabeth Gell, the previous Feb., and brought her with him. They stopped for a short time in Guelph, and while there he assisted in logging for the Gore Bank, the corner where the Dominion Permanent Co., and Bell Co., are now located. He received 50 cents per day, which was considered pretty fair wages at that time. He very soon became possessed of front lot 17, con. 8 Puslinch, on which he built a log shanty and later cleared. At this time he was compelled to get his flour from Galt, and the nearest physician also lived there. Young Hammersley early took a leading part in affairs. He was the first Clerk as well as the first Treasurer, and first Clerk of the Division Court in Puslinch. He was also one of the first Magistrates, holding the office for 48 years, and was Assessor for ten years. He was Capt. in the militia in the Mackenzie Rebellion in 1837-8. Mr. Hammersley was one of the most successful as well as respected citizens in Puslinch Tp. His success was entirely due to executive ability of a high order coupled with an energy and determination that did not know what failure meant. He left a large property at the time of his death. He had the following issue: John, Jr., Thomas (d. 1853); Mrs. Martin Cassin (d.); Elizabeth (d.); Mrs. Smith (d.); Alfred (d. in California); Henry, H. (d.); Mrs. Joseph Smith and Herbert H. (d.). John, Jr., who was born on Christmas Day 1832, is said to be the first male child born in Puslinch. He has always lived on the farm, where he was b., with the exception of a few years which he spent in Chicago. He m. Emma E. Bullock. Surviving issue: Herbert T., and Mrs. Henry Brown.

Aside from School Trustee, Mr. Hammersley has never held office. He has been very successful, and has given his children a good start in life. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and in politics a Conservative.

Herbert, T., was raised in Puslinch Tp., and m. Margaret McLean, dau. of the late respected James McLean, for many years Clerk of Puslinch. Issue: Emma , Mary, Alfred and Christina. He operates the Hammersley Mill at Aberfoyle, and is a successful business man.

From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto:Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906