Foster Family History Book

Shubael Dunham Foster was born the 10th of October, 1786, on the island of Martha's Vineyard, in the State of Massachusetts. In 1810 he removed from thence with his father's family into the State of New York, and in company with one Peter Vrooman. The two men performed this journey on foot to Cape Vincent, each carrying a package, containing an axe, some clothing, and some provisions. From the Cape they were ferried over to Kingston in a small open boat; the next day they got on board one of a number of batteaux laden with lumber supplies, and bound up the Bay of Quinte. After a most toilsome journey they landed on the Prince Edward shore, near the place known as Davenport's tavern, opposite the Mohawk Indian settlement in Tyendinaga. The ice at this time had become so thick upon the Bay that they were obliged to break a passage across from Davenport's to the Indian Woods, where they landed the same evening about dark, wet, weary and disheartened. The locality where they arrived was then an unbroken wilderness, and for awhile they could find neither habitation or road, until getting upon a trail they met an Indian, and gave him a shilling to guide them through the woods to a tavern kept by another Indian; this place they found entirely destitute of furniture; it had not even a stove; but it had an open fire made against a large stoned back wall, built at the side of the house; here they remained resting as best as they could upon the floor and when they awoke in the morning, found their clothes stiff upon them. Leaving this inhospitable stopping place, they continued their march without breakfast, and came on as far as Fairman's now known as Maybee's old tavern, about 5 miles east of Belleville. Here they were made comfortable and provided with food, and after a rest, made their way to Leaven's Tavern at Meyer's Creek (now Belleville). The day following, Mr. Foster went up the "creek" (now Moira River) as far as Mr. John Canniff's, by whom he was employed at $16 per month.

Mr. Foster was married in May 19, 1812, to Phoebe, Mr. John Canniff's daughter, who survives him to mourn her irreparable loss, after a union of 58 years. Two months later he took the oath of allegiance and entered the British service, and remained six months at Kingston under Captain McIntosh. Mr William (now Colonel Ketcheson), who still survives, was then lieutenant of the same company. At the same time a brother of Mr. Foster's was serving as an officer in the American Army.

For these services during the war he received a grant of 200 acres of land from the Government, and Mrs. Foster also drew 200 acres, through her father who was an U.S. Loyalist.

Shortly after this he settled in Sydney, a short distance west of the town, upon the farm subsequently owned by Mr. Phillip Roblin, and remained there until 1832, when he removed to Huntingdon, and afterwards came to Belleville in March 1846, where he has since lived respected by all.

Until about the age of fifty his life was active and vigorous; since then, for 30 years or more he has been greatly afflicted with rheumatism, and loss of sight, which almost incapacitated him for laborious duties.

Many years ago, when religious privileges were rare in Belleville, in 1832, Mr. Foster joined the Wesleyan Methodist Society, which at that time occupied the first old Pinnacle St. Church, and was ministered to by the Rev. David Wright. For 48 years Mr. Foster remained a consistent member of the Society. During 20 years of his early connection, he filled the office of class-leader with credit to himself and benefit to the Church, until incapacitated by disease, he was compelled to resign his office.