| Home Page | My database at Rootsweb | Contact Me |
| Pioneers of the Bay of Quinte Why I am interested in this settler. Cyrus Marsh came to Upper Canada in the later 1790's and settled in Murray Tp near Matthias Marsh and the purpose of this study is to see if and how Cyrus fits into the Marsh family of the Quinte and Port Hope area. With the recent publication of the book on Col William Marsh, the desire to search deeper has been renewed. Also, as research progressed, his wife Anne McArthur became a central figure. Thanks given to the memory of Andrew Way, now deceased, for sharing his research in 2007. Thanks also to Wilson Brown, Guylaine Pétrin and Shirley Sutherland for their assistance. © Randy Saylor, Nov 2013 Use these links to jump up and down this web page. |
1. OVERVIEW Our story starts with Anne McArthur, born 1771 in Kinderhook, NY, daughter of Charles McArthur. Anne first married Capt. George Singleton, one of the founders of Belleville. They had one child, John Singleton in 1788. After George died in 1789, Anne married Col Alexander Chisholm of Murray and they had children; Alexander, Angus, James, Archibald Charles and Mary. In October 1808, Anne is widowed again and in 1809 marries Cyrus Marsh, born about 1773, who had arrived in Upper Canada in the late 1790's. Cyrus and Anne continue to reside on Lot 34, Con B of Murray Tp till his death around 1829. They had one son, George Singleton Marsh. See the first 5 records below that support most of the above information. William Canniff's notes dating from about 1865's have a few interesting stories about Capt George Singleton. See the notes below of the 1796 certificate stating that Nancy [McArthur] Chisholm is the daughter of Charles McArthur, loyalist. Through her father, Nancy is a descendent of the Scots who arrived in 1738 and ended up being granted the Argyle Patent in 1763 in NY. This story is more fully told in the web page on her father Charles and uncle John McArthur. The major purpose of this web page is to find out more about Cyrus Marsh. So far he has not been found in the records between his arrival in Upper Canada and his marriage to Anne in 1809. The hypothesis is that he is related to Matthias Marsh of Sidney Township. When and where was Cyrus born? An 1822 militia roll names private Cyrus Marsh, age 49, thus he was born about 1773. It is assumed he was born in the US and if he is related to Matthias Marsh then he likely was born in Connecticut. Researcher Andrew Way (now deceased) claimed the existence of records showing Cyrus had a "growing family" when he moved to Murray Tp before 1808. These records are not known at this time. Cyrus's handwriting is clear and well formed with consistent spelling indicating that he received a good education. Who might be Cyrus's parents? Wilson Brown has supplied research that shows there is a Rev. Cyrus Marsh, 1718/19 - 1771, who was a first cousin of Col William Marsh. This Rev Cyrus had a son named Cyrus in 1770 by his fourth wife, Hannah Ransom. This son Cyrus and Matthias Marsh, son of Col William, would be second cousins. Wilson writes, "the families had lived near each other when the Matthias Marshes were in Plainfield, CT and later when the Matthias Marshes were on the Oblong and the Cyrus Marshes were in Kent, CT. So young Cyrus would have known where to go and even where to stay in Upper Canada." The two birth years of 1770 and 1773 obviously differ but a militia roll is not seen as highly dependable and so the variance is not considered worrisome. It is possible that the Cyrus Marsh of this study is the same man born in 1771 as a son of Rev. Cyrus Marsh. Wilson adds, "I think that Cyrus’s writing ability is also evidence for him being the person I think he is. Cyrus, Sr. (1719-1771) was a graduate of Yale, and the first minister at Kent, CT (NW corner of CT, more or less opposite Amenia and S. Dover, NY.) After conflict with the congregation, he stayed there and became a lawyer, and frequent town representative. It would be logical that his son would also have a good education. Here is a bit on Cyrus Sr." "Rev. Cyrus Marsh of Kent was removed on moral grounds. His successor, Asa Spalding, was denied confirmation and soon left the ministry for law practice, as did Marsh." [Henry N. MacCracken, Old Dutchess Forever, Hastings House, New York, 1956, page 235.] "Rev. Cyrus Marsh, born in Plainfield March 14, 1718-19; grad. Y. C. [Yale College 1739 ; ordained over a new church gathered at Kent, May 6, 1741. He was Old Light in his sympathies and in some trouble with his congregation thereabout. He left the ministry under something of a cloud, but represented the town in the General Assembly in May, 1761, and for twelve or more sessions afterward. He died June 9, 1771." [Diary of Rev. Daniel Wadsworth, NEGHS] When did Cyrus come to Upper Canada? Cyrus states in his 1816 letter in the Sundries that he has been in Upper Canada for 18 years and then in his 1817 petition that he has been here for 22 years. Thus he arrived between 1795 & 1798. Cyrus is a settler and not a Loyalist given his late arrival date and the fact that he never petitions as a loyalist. No grant of free land has been found, in fact, in his petitions of 1817 and 1823 he states he has never received a free grant of land. His activities between 1795 and 1809 are unknown. What do we know about the marriage? Cyrus states in his 1828 letter that is found in the Township Papers, "I married the widow of Col Chisholm in 1809" and that he is living on lot 34, Con B, Murray Tp and that his wife has a lease for this lot. Alexander Chisholm (see section 7) is last named in the 1808 Murray Census and he died in October 1808. In 1809, Cyrus marries Anne and becomes the step father of Anne's children; John Singleton, Alexander, Angus, James, Archibald Charles and Mary Chisholm. The 1803 Murray Census names the children still living at home and their ages and also names two McArthur children, possible younger siblings of Anne or perhaps she is their aunt. Cyrus is first seen in the 1810 Murray Census assessment. Did Anne and Cyrus have any children? Anne Marsh was born about 1771 and so was 38 years old when she married Cyrus and not too old to have more children. As late as 1826, the census data show "2 males under 16" living in the household. George Singleton Marsh, born 1811 was a son of the couple and his name honours the memory of Capt George Singleton, first husband of Anne. Perhaps there is a second son, given the census data and one on line genealogy has Darius Marsh born in 1813 as a son of this couple. A supporting record needs to be found. George S. Marsh is present in the 1839, 41 and 48 Murray census reports on lot 34. He is also present in the 1851 and 1861 Canada West census. However this researcher has not found him in the 1871 and 1881 census. George dies in 1889 and he and his wife are buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Brighton. I have not found his civil death record in any index. There is no record yet found to say conclusively that George is the son of Cyrus and Anne but the weight of records associated with lot 34 strongly suggest this to be the case. lot 34, Con A&B, 400 acres Cyrus writes in his 1823 petition about lot 34, "That your Petitioners have since been and still are living on and in peaceable and sole possession of the said lot and premises in the concession B and that they have no other home or place of abode and they have brought up the children of said Mr. Chisholm thereon." The lot 34, Con A & B was originally in Murray Township. In 1851 Brighton Township was created out of land taken from Murray and Cramahe Townships and the lots retained their same designation. Today, lot 34, Con A, Brighton Tp., runs north from Hwy 2 and is bounded on the west by Pinnacle Street. Lot B runs south from Hwy 2 almost to Brighton Bay bounded on the west by Applewood Drive. Lot B has recently been developed by homes as seen on this google map. There was a stream through the property that would have been the site of the saw and grist mills mentioned in the 1816 letter in the Sundries. The Broken Front of lot 34, [Con C], 72 acres, was granted in 1831 to the Canada Company. It included the ""small peninsula on Presquile Bay" referred to in the 1817 petition. See the map of Brighton Township in the 1878 Belden Atlas of Northumberland and Durham. The fishing hamlet of Gosport is on this peninsula. An examination of assessment data from 1810 to 1830 shows Cyrus and Anne living on lot 34 and farming about 20 arable acres and having a grist and saw mill. Given that the land is quite flat it would have been difficult competing against mills at better locations. Lot 34, Con A & B was granted by the Crown to Kings College on 3 June 1828. Cyrus and Anne were not successful in petitioning for the grant in 1825. In the 1828 letter in the Township Papers, Cyrus states that, "Mrs Marsh has been entered for a new lease for 21 years two years ago" on lot 34. That means she received the lease in 1826 and it expired in 1847. Lot 34 was held as a Crown Reserve for years, probably because it fronted on Presquile Bay [today Brighton Bay] and the thought was that a port might develop there. As it turned out, the small Brighton Harbour did develop on the bay front. In 1857 George S. Marsh received a grant of the east half of lot 34, con B from the University of Toronto. George paid a fee of £125 once the lease was up and this was called a Deed Poll or Grant. Lot 35, Con A In Nov. 1825, Anne Marsh was granted the full 200 acres of lot 35, Con A in Murray Township [Brighton Township after 1851.] The 1825 Heir and Devisee report states that the lot had been "claimed by and allowed to Alexander Chisholm, by the Newcastle Commission, [in] 1803" and Anne was to get the land as per Alexander's will. The patent fee and survey fee had not been paid so title had not been acquired. Today, this lot runs north from Hwy 2 and is bounded on the west by Hwy 30. The downtown of Brighton developed to include most of the southern portion of this lot. In 1834 Anne and two of her Chisholm sons sold some of the land and in 1835 they sold 50 acres to John Singleton. In 1798, Matthias Marsh was granted lot 35, Con B (200 acres) and Con C (50 acres) and in 1803 sells it all to William Lounsbury. In 1815, John Singleton buys half the lot. He sells half to Benjamin Way (1827) and Archibald C Chisholm (1834) and other small bits in the years between. What can we conclude? At this point we have no record that connects Cyrus with Matthias Marsh. However Cyrus was probably born in the US and was well educated given that he has excellent handwriting. He came to Upper Canada in the later 1790's. Perhaps with his education he was a clerk or a school teacher or a tenant farmer given that he has not been found in the record. He marries the widow of the wealthiest man in Murray Township in 1809 and tries his hand at farming and running a saw and grist mill that are in need of repair. In 1814, he is elected Town Clerk for Murray and is the census and assessment taker for that year. Cyrus was a capable and dependable husband as he declares in his 1816 letter that, "I married the Widow and have through much difficulty settled the debts of the estate and kept lands sufficient for farms for all the children." Cyrus is a private in the militia in 1822 suggesting that his social status and land holdings weren't high enough for him to get selected into the officer ranks. Cyrus never appears to have owned land in his own name and is referred to as a yeoman in a few cases. In 1812 Anne Marsh sells land in her own name. Guylaine Pétrin points out that for a woman "after her marriage, usually the husband would take over the work of entering into deeds and contracts, and even act as administrator in the place of his wife. So the fact that Anne is appearing on her own in deeds, while her husband is alive, indicates that she is acting quite independently." This is telling about Cyrus's social status. Wealthy men who could live off their land or business holdings without working were given the title of respect, "gentleman" or "esquire." Not Cyrus; who is known as a "yeoman." He marries up the social ladder and given his apparent education and capabilities must have had qualities that Anne, a woman of rank, found appealing. Cyrus dies around 1829 and was succeeded by one son, George Singleton Marsh. Anne Marsh outlives Cyrus by more than 30 years. She does not remarry and this may have something to do with the fact that she was granted the full 200 acres of lot 35, Con A in her own name. This ownership would have been put at risk had she remarried. See the excellent article Women, Marriage and Property in Upper Canada, The case of Elizabeth Sanders for further understanding of how gendered the legal system was at the time. Not till 1859, when the Married Women's Property Act was passed, could women keep some limited control of their property after marriage. The article tells the story of the widowed Elizabeth [Dennis] Sanders who lost some of her property after a disastrous second marriage to John Toledo Elrod and struggled with the legal system to protect herself. A further reason to read the article is that Mary Ann Elrod, a daughter of the above Elizabeth Sanders, married George Singleton Marsh, the son of Cyrus and Anne Marsh. [Ontario History, Vol CV, No. 1, spring 2013, Guylaine Pétrin, 98-125] Family Nancy (Anne) McArthur was baptized on 16 Jan 1771 in Kinderhook, NY. Parents; Charles McCarty & Ariantje Klerk, (Wit: Cornelis Taylor, Nancy McArthur). She died after 1861. She married (1) Capt George Singleton, son of Singleton, before 1789. He died in Sep 1789. She married (2) Alexander Chisholm, son of Alexander Chisholm, after 1789. He was born about 1748 in Middle Knockfin, Inverness, Scotland. He died about 15 Oct 1808 in Cramahe Tp, Northumberland Co. She married (3) Cyrus Marsh after Mar 1809. He was born about 1773. He died between 09 Jun 1828-Mar 1829 in Murray Tp, Northumberland Co, ON. Husband 1 Capt George Singleton and Nancy (Anne) McArthur had the following child:
Cyrus Marsh and Nancy (Anne) McArthur had the following child:
|
| 2. RECORDS OF CYRUS and ANNE MARSH BIRTH - CYRUS A birth of c1760 is widely copied in genealogies on the internet for Cyrus Marsh. Andrew Way stated this "circa 1760 per Crown Land Petition" in an email in Nov 2007 but the actual record that Andrew was referring to is not known at this time. The only record that this researcher has found is the 1822 militia record below stating Cyrus is 49 thus born about 1773. This date is accepted till further evidence emerges. BIRTH - ANNE Anne was baptized on 16 Jan 1771 in Kinderhook, NY. Parents; Charles McCarty & Ariantje Klerk, (Wit: Cornelis Taylor, Nancy McArthur). Source: Hudson Valley Ch Records, found by Dan Allen, 2019 In the 1797 certificate below, Anne is 25 thus born about 1772. In the 1851 and 1861 census reports, Anne Marsh is respectively 80 and 91 years old; thus born about 1771 in the US. 1796 CERTIFICATE - ANNE or NANCY 4 March 1796, the bearer Nancy Chisholm, alias McArthur, daughter of Charles McArthur UE, 25 years of age, born in Kinderhook, possessing the Christian Religion, having been this day examined by me and having taken the oath prescribed by law, is recommended for a location of 200 acres of land within this County, Provided it does not appear by the Surveyors books that she has had any prior grant of lands .... [signed] Samuel Sherwood J.P. [Thus born 1771.] Source: Township Papers, Thurlow Tp, AO, MS 658, reel 471, p. 45 1797 PETITION 7 June 1797, York, Petition of Alexander Chisholm, that your petitioner as Husband [paper lost at fold - probably said 'of the widow'] of the late Capt George Singleton, of the Royal Yorkers, deceased, and Guardian of John Singleton, an infant and only child of Capt G Singleton was appointed curator of the estate on 1 July 1791 agreeable to the laws then in being. That the said Capt Singleton, deceased, only received 832 acres in part of his allowance and was settled thereon in the Bay of Quinty at the time of his death in the year 1789 ... pray to locate the remaining lands in behalf of his heirs [signed] Alexr Chisholm. [fold note] Recd 9 June 1797, Read 10 June 1797, The heir or heirs of the late Capt George Singleton Recommd for 2368 acres to make up his military lands. 19 June 1797 Confirmed P.R. Source: UCLP, RG 1 L3, LAC, V91, C3/3, 1797, C-1647, starts at image 932. Rec'd 21 June 1797, Petition of Alexr Chisholm, that your petitioner has a wife, the daughter of a UE Loyalist and three children ... prays for a quantitiy of land. [fold notes] Nancy Chisholm, pet[itioner's] wife Recommended for 200 acres as UE. Entered in Land Book C, page 97. Read 22 June 1797. Gave w[arran]t 23 June 1797, see page 3, 28 June in Council. P.R. [Peter Russell] Source: UCLP, RG1 L3, LAC, V91, C3/148, 1797, c-1648, image 372 1797 LAND BOOK C Land Book C entry reads "C148; Alexr Chisholm, praying for land in right of his wife as a Loyalist. Petitioners wife Recommended for 200 acres as UE." Source: Land Book C, now on line at Heritage Canadiana, C-101, Land Book C, page 97 CHILDREN OF ALEXANDER CHISHOLM & ANNE [McARTHUR] SINGLETON Alexander Chisholm b: 1768 in Middle Knockfin d: Abt. October 15, 1808 in (found in the 1803 Murray Census) Cramahe, Northumberland County, Ontario + Nancy (Anne) McArthur b: 1771 in Kenderhook, New York d: Aft. 1861
1809 MARRIAGE Cyrus Marsh states in his 1828 letter found in the Township Papers [see item 44] that "I married the widow of Col Chisholm in 1809". The widow was Nancy or Ann McArthur who married Alex Chisholm earlier. Source: Township Papers, RG1-58, Brighton Township, AO, MS658, reel 44 MURRAY Tp. CENSUS & ASSESSMENTS 1803: Alexander Chisholm, 55; Nancy Chisholm (no age), Alex Chisholm Junr, 9; Angus Chisholm, 7; John Singleton, 14; Neal McArthur, 17, Polly McArthur, 14. 1804: Alexander Chisholm, 2 males 16 to 60, 5 males under 16, 2 females. 1808: Alexander & Nancy Chisholm, 1 male 16 to 60, 4 males under 16, 2 females. March 1808 Assess: Alexander Chisholm, 1550 acres, 1 saw mill, 2 framed under two storey buildings, 1 "wrought by water with one pair of stones" [grist mill] March 1809 Assess: Nancy Chisholm, 1100 acres, no buildings recorded 1810 Assess: Cyrus Marsh, 600 acres, no buildings record 1812: Assess: Sirus Marsh, no assets except 3 horses 1813 Assess: Cirus Marsh, 400 acres?, 1 framed one story and 2 fireplaces 1814: Cyrus Marsh, 3 males over 16, 1 under 16, 1 female over 16, signed Cyrus Marsh, Town Clerk 1814 Assess: Cyrus Marsh, no uncultivated, ? pasture, 1 framed house 1815 Assess: Cyrus Marsh, 15 cultivated, 385 wild lands, 1 framed house, 2/4 grist mill 1816: Cyrus Marsh; 2 males over 16; 3 males under 16; 1 female 16; 2 females under 16 1816 Assess: Cyrus Marsh, 380 uncultivated, 20 arable pasture, 1 framed two storey, 1/2 grist mill with one of stones 1817: Cyrus Marsh; 2 males 16 to 60; 4 males under 16; 1 male over 60; Total males 7; 1 female 16 to 60; 1 female under 16; Total females 2; Total people 9 1817 Assess: Cyrus Marsh, 280 uncultivated, 20 improved, 1 framed under two storey 1818: Cyrus Marsh; 3 males over 16; 3 males under 16; 1 female over 16; 1 female under 16 1819: Cyrus Marsh; 3 males over 16; 1 female over 16; 3 males under 16; 1 female under 16; Total 8 1820: Cyrus Marsh; 3 males over 16; 3 males under 16; 1 female over 16; 1 female under 16; Total 8 1820 Assess: Cyrus Marsh; Conc B, East Half Lot 34 & Lot 35, Conc A & B; 260 acres uncult., 4 acres cult. 1821: Cyrus Marsh; 2 males over 16; 2 males under 16; 1 female over 16; 1 female under 16; Total 6 1822: Cyrus Marsh; 1 male over 16; 2 males under 16; 1 female over 16 1822 Assess: Cyrus Marsh; Conc B, East Half Lot 34; 60 acres uncult., 40 acres cult. 1823: Cyrus Marsh; 1 male over 16; 2 males under 16; 1 female over 16 1823 Assess: Cyrus Marsh; Conc B, East Half Lot 34; 60 acres uncult., 40 acres cult. 1824 Assess: Cyrus Marsh - with no land shown 1825: Cyrus Marsh; 2 males under 16; 2 males over 16; 1 female over 16; Total 5 1825 Assess: Cyrus Marsh; Conc B, East Half Lot 34; 160 acres uncult., 40 acres cult. 1826: Cyrus Marsh; 2 males over 16; 2 males under 16; 1 female over 16; Total 5 1827: Cyrus Marsh; 2 males over 16; 3 females over 16; 3 males under 16; 1 female under 16; Total 9 1827 Assess: Cyrus Marsh, 70 uncult, 30 arable pasture, lot 34, Con B, 1 framed under two storey 1828: Cyrus Marsh; 6 males over 16; 1 males under 16; 1 female over 16; Total 8 1829 Assess: Ann Marsh, 160 uncult, 40 arable, Lot 34, Con B, 2 males over 16, 1 male under 16, 2 females over 16, 0 females under 16, Total 5. Note: Charles and James Chisholm were on their own farms. 1839: George Marsh, 2 males over 16, 1 under, 2 females over 16, 1 under. 1841: George Marsh, 2 males over 16, 1 under, 1 female over 16, 1 under 1848: George Marsh, farmer, lot 34, Con B Source: Newcastle District fonds, F 1800, Archives of Ontario, MS16, reels 7 and 8. 1799 PETITION - re Lot 34, Conc B 17 Feb 1799, York, petition of Alexander Chisholm, Thurlow and Aaron Greely, Haldimand, that your petitioners have at great expense erected a complete sawmill on Lot 34, front of Murray ... a gristmill is now building at the same place and will be completed by fall which will greatly facilitate the settlement ... pray to lease to them Lot 34 in Concessions A and B of the Broken Front- recommended lease to bear date 29 July 1802 Source: Chisholm, Alexander, Thurlow (Murray), 1799, UCLP, C Leases/12, C-1740 1812 ANNE MARSH - SELLS THURLOW LAND Hastings County Copy Book C Deed 259, at Thurlow, 1 Jun 1812, registered 27 July 1813, Ann Marsh sells to Jacob Ockerman of Adolphustown, for £68, part of lot 3, con 3, Thurlow, 110 acres. Witnesses Neal McArthur and John Singleton both of Thurlow, signed in the presence of Charles McArthur and John Singleton. Deed 204, at Thurlow, 18 Feb 1812, registered 25 Apr 1812, Anne Marsh, executrix to the estate of the late Alexander Chisholm, Esq. of the Twp of Cramahe, sells to William Johnston, Thurlow, for £37/10, E 1/2 of lot 11, con Thurlow, 100 acres, witnessed by John K Simons and Isaac Stimers both of Thurlow. Signed in presence of Isaac and Jacob Stimers. Source: Hastings County Copy Book, C, 1800-21, GSU 197905, index on this web site 1816 UPPER CANADA SUNDRIES Murray, 17 December 1816 Sir, I received yours of the 9th instant and shall take pleasure in forwarding the Umbrellas to you the first time the post goes up with a sleigh. With respect to my sending a memorandum of what I paid is a matter of no consequence as I was happy to have it in my power to prevent their going further I gave the men their breakfast & some refreshment in the house being conscious they belong to his Excellency as he called the day before at my house long enough for the teamster to feed his horses. I have to beg the favor of you to ask his Excellency if there is no way for one to obtain a patent or lease for some part of the lot I now live on. I hold a lease of lots number 34 broken concession A & B in Murray. The lease was granted by government to Alexander Chisholm and Aaron Greeley In July 1802. Greeley became involved and left the province and joined the enemy and was taken prisoner in the late war and paroled with the militia. Since the death of Alexander Chisholm I married the Widow and have through much difficulty settled the debts of the estate and kept lands sufficient for farms for all the children. Jonathan Greeley, a brother of Aaron, came with a power from his Brother and obtained possession of half of the south lot during the lease. The lease covers the 400 acres. The rear 200 the Executrix / who is now my wife / sold, during the life of the present lease. There has never been any rent paid on none of the land but 20/ untill last year, when we paid up the back rent on the front 200 acres. There was a Grist & Saw Mill on the lot we live on Jonathan Greeley and myself hold it together, the Saw Mill is burnt down, the Dam broke and a Grist Mill [is] going to ruin very fast. About five months ago Jonathan Greeley ran away to the States. Alexander Clark, Collector for this part, deputised Greeley and they came to a settlement about July last. I was present at their settlement. Greeley had collected Publick money and made use of about £40 pounds and could not account to Clark for it & made off with himself & has not been heard of since he was at Sackett’s Harbor. Clark since then deputized Charles Biggar clerk to Benjamin Richardson. Biggar has left Richardson & Richardson is in Kingston. I received two letters for Clark directed to the care of B. Richardson which I gave to his son in law Mr Lyon (letter respecting his officers from York) They are cutting the timber off lot 34 the rear of which I have the lease. They say they can get the timber off before the lease expires. I have been in the province 18 years and can prove my loyalty during the late war. I had never received any lands nor applied for any. Should it please his Excellency to grant me a lease of the rear lot or the front one so that I may repair the mill I would bring up the old lease and pay it up, should it please his Excellency to do anything for me. I shall ever feel under an obligation to pray for his Excellency’s happiness. I have the honor to remain your most obedient servant. Cyrus Marsh PS please write me by the post direct to care Jno Singleton, Murray Source: Civil Secretary’s Correspondence, Upper Canada Sundries, 1766-1841, RG5 A1, LAC, V30, C-4548, 14094-6, film at AO, transcribed, R. Saylor, 18 Nov 2013 1817 PETITION 27 May 1817, Murray Petition of Cyrus Marsh of the Township of Murray. That your petitioner hath resided in this Province for the space of Twenty Two years [thus arrived 1795], and hath taken and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance .... has never received lands ... and being desirous of obtaining a Grant or lease for Broken Concession C, No 34 in the Township of Murray. Affidavit, 10 Feb 1817, by Lt Col Peters, stating that Cyrus was Loyal and "has been active assisting to Forward Government stores without fee or reward" during the late disturbance [War 1812]. Surveyor General Office notes the land is a "small peninsula on Presquile Bay. It was applied for by James Richardson Junr whose petition was reported upon the 15 March last when this Peninsula was submitted for a special reservation of the Crown." Thos Ridout, 17 Jun 1817 Entered Land books page 229. [Would appear that the wish was granted though it does not say so.] Source: UCLP, RG1 L3, V337a, M11/136, C-2199, online at LAC starting at image 411. Accessed R. Saylor, 17 Nov 2013 1822 NORTHUMBERLAND MILITIA Cyrus Marsh, age 49, is listed as a private in the First Northumberland militia under Capt. Adam H Meyers. Source: Rogers Family Fonds, F 533, AO, 533-1-0-23, film MS 522 1823 PETITION [14b] 28 Apr1823, "To His Excellency Sir Peregrine Maitland, K.C.N+B., Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Upper Canada and Major General Commanding His Majesty's forces in the land ... IN COUNCIL ... The Petition of Cyrus Marsh of the Township of Murray, District of Newcastle humbly sheweth That your Petitioner is in possession of a Lease of Lot number 34 in Concession B of the said township of Murray which lease was granted to the late Alexander Chisholm, Esquire and Aaron Greely and will expire in September next. That Your Petitioner is married to the widow of the late said Alexander Chisholm is now residing in the said lot and has a large improvement thereon and is desirous of obtaining a new lease of the same when the old one expires. Your Petitioner therefore humbly prays that your Excellency will be pleased to order a new lease of said lot, to issue in this his name when the old one expires. [14 & 14a] 25 October 1823, To His Excellency Sir Peregrine Maitland, K.C.B., Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Upper Canada and Major General Commanding His Majesty's forces within the same. -- IN COUNCIL --- The Petition of Cyrus and Ann Marsh of the township of Murray humbly sheweth that the said Ann Marsh was the widow of and Executor to the Estate of the late Alexander Chisholm, Esquire who jointly with Aaron Greely obtained a lease of Lot No. 34 in the broken front Concession A and B of the Township of Murray, District of Newcastle and built mills and made improvement thereon and she is at present the wife of the said Cyrus Marsh. That, in the year 1803, the said Aaron Greely left this country for the United States and never returned to the knowledge of your petitioners and at the time of his going away delivered up the whole of the premises to the said Mr. Chisholm as a compensation for losses sustained by him through the failure of agreements in the part of the said Greely. That your Petitioners have since been and still are living on and in peaceable and sole possession of the said lot and premises in the concession B and that they have no other home or place of abode and they have brought up the children of said Mr. Chisholm thereon. Your Petitioners therefore pray that your Excellency will be pleased to grant them a new lease of said Lot No. 34 in the broken front concession B of Murray the old one having expired. And as in duty bound they will ever pray.... Murray, 25th October 1823" Source: Crown Land Petitions, RG1 L3, LAC, Renewal of Leases Misc 1818-1835, petition 14, Vol. 555 Misc, C-2983. Above was transcribed by Andrew Way, Nov 2007. [Note, now available on LAC starting at image 225.] 1825 HEIR & DEVISEE RECORDS 2 March 1825, Take Notice - That Ann Marsh, formerly the wife of Alexander Chisholm of Murray, District of Newcastle, Esquire, deceased, now the wife of Cyrus Marsh of the same place, yeoman, , the only surviving Executrix named in the last will and testament of the said Alexander Chisholm. Will claim before the Honourable Commissioners for trying and ascertaining title to land when no patent has issued for the same at their next sitting in the Town of York in the month of July next[.] Lot number thirty five [35] in the Broken Concession lettered A in the said township of Murray in trust to and for the uses expressed in the said will of the said Alexander Chisholm dated the 15th day of October 1808. The said Alexander Chisholm being the original nominee of the Crown. [fold notes] Rec'd from Mr Mercer, 24 Jun 1825, Read 16 July 1825, Allowed in Trust for the uses of the will of Alexander Chisholm Esq., Claim No. 60 24 June 1825, York, Thos Ridout, Surveyor General, certifies that lot 35, Con A "was claimed by and allowed to Alexander Chisholm, by the Newcastle Commission, 1803, 2nd sitting - and the description thereof was prepared but remains in this office, it having been stayed for the payment of the patent Fee & Survey." Entd in Book No 26 of Letters Written, Page 285 13 July 1825, District Newcastle, John Singleton of the Township of Murray ... maketh oath ... that Donald McDonald and John Chisholm named in the last will and testament of the late Alexander Chisholm, deceased, are both deceased and that Anne Marsh now the wife of Cyrus Marsh was the wife of the said Alexander Chisholm, deceased, and named in the said will ... as Executrix and that the widow Anne Marsh is the only surviving Executrix named in the will. [signed] John Singleton. Source: Heir & Devisee, RG 40-5, AO, MS 657, reel 22. Case file number 40-0724 1798 - 1828, TOWNSHIP PAPERS [38] Thurlow, 5 Jan 1798, to DW Smith from Alexander Chisholm asking for lot 34 including the broken front, Murray. [40] Kingston, 16 Dec 1799, to Alexander Chisholm from Alex Aitken reporting that he has succeeded in getting lot 34, broken front but cannot report on any further reserve land. There are only 9 lots vacant in Murray and they are in the 9th concession. [42] Council Chamber, 27 Aug 1801, Leased to Alexander Chisholm of Murray and Aaron Greeley of Haldimand, lot 34, broken front and concession A, Murray. This lease to have date 29 July 1802. [44] Council, 28 Apr 1825, "Upon petition of Cyrus and Anne Marsh, of the Township of Murray, setting forth that Ann Marsh was the widow of and Executrix to the estate of the late Alexander Chisholm, Esquire, who jointly with Aaron Greeley obtained a lease of lot 34 in the broken front Concession A and b of the said township of Murray, that Aaron Greeley left this country in the year 1803 and that previous o his departure he delivered up the whole of the premises to Alexander Chisholm. John Beikie" [46] Murray, 9 June 1828, to J G Bethune, Esq. "Yesterday I received a line from P.R directed to Alex. Chisholm & Aaron Greeley respecting the back rent due on lots No 34, Concession A & B, 400 acres. I am living on a part of the land. I married the widow of Col Chisholm in 1809 at which time there never had been paid the rent up so far. Mrs Marsh has been entered for a new lease for 21 years two years ago. I was promised a Patent for the front 200 acres by Frances Gore Esq at the expiration of the lease which I can shew his hand writing for. I have the receipts of John Spencer to shew what I have paid. I am unwell at present [note: he died shortly after] not able to ride but I beg of you to rest assured that the requirements shall be duly attended to without further trouble. I remain with due respect yours sincerely. Cyrus Marsh Source: Township Papers, RG1-58, Brighton Township, AO, MS658, reel 44 LOT 34, Con B 3 June 1828, Patent grant to Kings College for all 200 acres. N33, B&S, 9 May 1849, 26 May 1853, James B Greenshields to Mary Anne Marsh, 5 acres N399, Bond, 27 Feb 1833, 13 Sept 1855, George S Marsh to Isiah Thayer, 20 acres, E 1/2 N408, QC, 18 Nov 1851, 13 Oct 1855, George S Marsh to Isiah Thayer, 20 acres, E 1/2 "the same" Source: Brighton Tp, Abstract Index to Land Deeds, GSU 197810 LOT 34, CON B, E 1/2 to George S Marsh Deed Poll or Grant, 29 Apr 1857, reg 22 May 1857 from David Buchanan, bursar, University and Colleges of Toronto to George S Marsh, Murray, yeoman, for £125, the E 1/2 of lot 34, con B, Murray [sic], excepting the north 20 acres of the said E 1/2 conveyed to Isiah Thayer. Witnessed by John Edward Berkley Smith of the City of Toronto, Gentleman. Source: Murray Tp Deeds, B489, p. 504, AO, GSU 197822 LOT 35, CON B In 1798, Matthias Marsh receives this lot and also lot 34, Con C as a grant from the Crown, 250 acres in all. On 11 June 1803, Matthias Marsh of Sydney, Esquire, sells both lots to William Lounsbury of Murray, yeoman, witnessed by Aaron Greely, Haldimand, yeoman and David Coleman, Sydney, tanner. [22, p. 5] On 5 Jul 1815, John Singleton buys 100 acres from both lots from William and Sarah Lounsbury for £125. John sells off small lots a number of times and the last sale registered is on 14 May 1834 to Archibald C Chisholm for 50 acres Witnessed by Johnathan Greely and Cyrus Marsh. [452, p. 105] In 1827 John Singleton of Murray sells 50 acres to Benjamen Way of Sophiasburgh for £220, witnessed by Thomas Archer of Sophiasburgh and John Hartt? of Cramahe, both yeomen. [1619, p. 432] On 19 Mar 1834, John Singleton of Murray, yeoman sells 50 acres to Archibald Charles Chisholm of Murray, yeoman for £330. Witnessed by Henry Meade, physician and surgeon and Isaac Carey, carpenter and joiner, both of the village of Brighton. [3414, p. 101] The 1834 sale was the last for John Singleton. Prior to that he sold off a number off small lots of an acre or less. Source: Murray Tp Deeds, V1, #3-2708, 1802-23, GSU 197819 Source: Murray Tp Deeds, V2-3, #2723-8433, 1832-47, GSU 197820 Source: Brighton Tp, Abstract Index to Land Deeds, GSU 197810 PETITIONS FOR LAND 1827-1856 No Marsh petitions found in this record group. Source: Petitions for Land, 1827-1856, Removed from the Township Papers when microfilmed, RG 1-54-2, Box 4, MS 691, r75. Note: From 1827, individuals directly petitioned the Commissioner of Lands instead of going through the Lt. Governor. 1851 CENSUS James Chisholm, Yeoman, b. Canada, W Meth, 44 Ann Marsh, b. U States, 80 George Marsh, b. Canada, 7 [same page, one household later] George S Marsh, Yeoman, b. Canada, W Meth, 41 Mary Ann, 31 Elizabeth Ann, 11 Martha Augusta, 8 Mary Maria, 4 Leonora Melissa, 2 Source: 1851; Census Place: Brighton, Northumberland County, Canada West (Ontario); Schedule: A; Roll: C_11739; Page: 157; Line: 18, Ancestry 1861 CENSUS [Page 18] James Chisholm, farmer, b. UC, W Meth, 55 Nancy Marsh, b. US, W Meth, 91 [Page 20] G S Marsh, farmer, b. UC, Free Church, 50 M A Marsh, b. UC, W Meth, 41 M M Marsh, 14 L M Marsh, 11 Geo H Marsh, 9 Charles Marsh, 7 Harvey Marsh, 5 Victoria Marsh, 2 [next family] Geo Coon, Carpenter, Free Church, 28 E A Coon, 20 [Elizabeth Ann Marsh] J A Coon, 3 M A Coon, 2 Source: Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Census Returns For 1861; Roll: C-1054, Brighton TP, Northumberland Co, Ancestry 1871 & 1881 CENSUS George Marsh, b. 1811 - Not found in these census records. 1871 CENSUS George Coon, b. US, carpenter, 37 Elisabeth Coon, b. Ont, 29 [dau of George S Marsh] Albert J Coon, 12 Mary Ann Coon, 10 Laura R Coon, 9 Martha E Coon, 6 Margaret L Coon, 4 Harvey Marsh, 14 George Marsh, 17 Source: Year: 1871; Census Place: Brighton, Northumberland East, Ontario; Roll: C-9985; Page: 47; Family No: 187, Ancestry DEATH Cyrus Marsh appears to have died between 9 June 1828 and March 1829. In the Township Papers, Cyrus writes that he is unwell on 9 June 1828. Ann Marsh is named as the land holder in the 1829 Assessment meaning that Cyrus is deceased. "Marsh the widow" appears in the Census in 1830. Source: Murray Census reports, Thanks to Andrew Way, now deceased, for drawing this death range to my attention in 2007. MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY Mount Hope Cemetery, Brighton, ON Section 1 Row 20 George S. Marsh d. Jan. 13, 1889 age 77 years 15 days Wife Mary Ann d. Feb. 29, 1864 age 43 years 7 months Source: email passed on from Guylaine Petrin, 24 Nov 2013 Back to top |
| 3. RECORDS OF GEORGE SINGLETON Below are a few records of Capt George Singleton. There is a good on line account of him with references in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography written by Gerry Boyce, the well known local historian. Gerry has also written a further account in his excellent Belleville - A Popular History, Gerry Boyce, 2008, 26-7. KRRNY - not dated [1785?] Return of officers of the late 1st Batt of the Kings Royal Regt of New York 2nd Battalion Capt Singleton, place of nativity Ireland, length of service 8 yrs, formerly merchant Source: Haldimand Papers, British Library, Muster rolls, accounts, etc, relating to the Corps of Loyal Americans, 1776 - 1785, Add MSS 21827, LAC, H-1655, B-167-2, p. 404, on line Heritage Canadiana, image 93 Return of Disbanded Troops & Loyalists Settled in Township No 3 (Cataraqui) , mustered this 6 October 1784 Capt G. Singleton, 1 man, 1 ration per day, in Canada Source: Haldimand Papers, British Library, Muster of Refugee Loyalists desiring to settle in Canada, 1784, Add MSS 21828, LAC, H-1655, B-168, p. 71 and 76, on line Heritage Canadiana, image 183, and image 190 LOYALIST FREE GRANTS Capt George Singleton Fredericksburgh Tp. Lot 5, con 1 Lot 14, con 2 Lot 1, con 5 Sidney Tp. Lot 34, con 1 Thurlow Tp. Lots 5 & 6, con 1 Pittsburgh Tp. 16 ES, Cataraqui Source: Ont. Land Record Index, OLRI, AO, microfiche in reading room Land Owners in Mecklenburg District, 1790 SINGLETON CAPT PITTSBURG FRONTENAC E SIDE RIVER CATARAQUI 16 100 SINGLETON CAPT. GEORGE FREDERICKSBURG LENNOX 1 5 100 SINGLETON CAPT. GEORGE SIDNEY HASTINGS 1 34 200 SINGLETON CAPT. GEORGE THURLOW HASTINGS 1 5 200 SINGLETON CAPT. GEORGE THURLOW HASTINGS 1 6 200 SINGLETON CAPT. GEORGE THURLOW HASTINGS 2 5 200 SINGLETON CAPT. GEORGE THURLOW HASTINGS 2 6 200 SINGLETON CAPT.GEORGE FREDERICKSBURG LENNOX 2 14 100 SINGLETON CAPT.GEORGE FREDERICKSBURG LENNOX 4 1 100 Source: Land Owners in Mecklenburg District, 1790, click on "S". 1785 CATARAQUI LOT Cpt Singleton is named on a list of 206 "Names of Settlers and those who have drawn town lots at Cataraqui [Kingston]." Footnote: Capt Geo Singleton of the 2nd KRRNY, formerly a merchant. He was wounded at Fort Stanwix in 1777. He settled first at Fredericksburgh and then moved to Thurlow in 1791, dying the same year. Source: Names of Settlers and those who have drawn town lots at Cataraqui, AO, Surveyors Letters, 1788-91, pp. 130, 130v; as cited in Kingston Before the war of 1812, Richard Preston, Champlain Society, 1959, 107 1787 LETTER 28 April 1787, Letter from Geo. Singleton, 3rd Township, Bay Kenty [Bay of Quinte?] Concerning a note for £50, endorsed to Mr. Macaulay of Cataraqui. Source: Macaulay family fonds, F 32, AO, MS 78, reel 1 [not seen] 1788 Note 29 Jan 1788, Note of protest issued by Henry Young in favour of Capt George Singleton, for £20, addressed to Wm Cullen, Agent for Half Pay, London, 8 Aug 1788. Source: Henry Young Family Fonds, F898, reel MS 788 1789 PETITION 12 Aug 1789, Kingston, The Memorial of George Singleton humbly Sheweth ... served as a Captain in the second Battalion of the Royal Regiment of New York, is by your Lordships Indulgences, which hath allowed the same Quantity of land to other Corps, as those of the late or 4th Regiment receive, became entitled to three thousand acres of lands, as also two hundred acres .... [your petitioner] has drawn only one thousand one hundred acres and requests that the remaining Quantity of two thousand one hundred Acres may be assigned him at Massontiang? Point & the Point to the southwest of it and divided from it by a marsh both points being ? on the south Side of the Bay of Kenty opposite to the River called Sagonashokong? River in the township of Thurlow ... [signed] Geo Singleton [Requests 3200 acres in total - notes do not indicate the decision of Council.] Source: UCLP, RG1 L3, LAC, V494, S Misc 1787-1794, 142, C-2832, starts at image 398 1869 WM CANNIFF - BOOK About this time, Captain Singleton, who had been a first settler in Earnesttown, came to Thurlow with a brother officer, Lieutenant Ferguson, both having recently married and settled upon lot number 6. Their object in coming was to carry on a fur trade with the Indians, who regularly descended the river Sagonoska River to barter, and subsequently to get their presents. ….. Singleton had rented his farm in the second town; but reserved a room, where he might stop on his way up and down. In September, 1789, Captain Singleton, his wife, child, some eight months old, with Lieutenant Ferguson, his wife, and the servants, Johnson and wife, set out for Kingston and Ernestown in a bateau. The women were to visit in Ernestown, while the men proceeded to Kingston to purchase flour and other articles. Not long after starting, Singleton was taken ill. They stopped at Captain John’s, at the Mohawk settlement, and Indian medicines were given to him; but he continued to grow worse, and when he reached his home, in Earnestown, he was dangerously ill. A doctor from Kingston was procured; but Captain Singleton died nine days after, from what seems to have been a malignant fever. His faithful servant, Johnson, contract and the disease and also died. Thus, Lieutenant Ferguson was left with three women and a child, away from home, which could only be reached after much toil. Captain Singleton was spoken of as a “pleasing gentleman, and beloved by all who knew him.” His infant son grew to a man’s estate, and became one of the first settlers of Brighton, where his widow, now far advanced in years, and descendants reside. Source: History of the Settlement of Upper Canada, William Canniff, 1869, 490-1 WILLIAM CANNIFF FONDS [This transcription is taken from Canniff's notes made when interviewing people for his book published in 1869.] Mrs. Martha Maybee --- born McArthur, aged 74 on 4 April (Born in ’91) at S___g_____ --- now Brockville. Her father’s name was Chas. McArthur was born in Scotland. Died in 1827 at Presque Isle --- brought to Belleville and buried in Tailor’s burying ground. Emigrated to America and settled in the Mohawk river. When Revolutionary War broke out he fought for the British in Burgoyne’s army. Came to Canada right after the war & settled at S________ Brockville. Was then married but had no children, 4 afterward born in S__________. The mother died and the family removed to the head of Bay Quinte to her aunt’s, by name of widow Ferguson, relic of Israel Ferguson. This Ferguson was a Lieutenant, sometimes called Capt. and lived with Captain Singleton. The following history of Capt. Singleton and Ferguson and families was told to Mrs. Maybee by her aunt Mrs. Ferguson who subsequently was married to A___ Cronk (and 9 children) of Sophiasburgh in 1796 (to which place Mrs. M. then went). Lieut. Ferguson made his escape to Lower Canada from the Mohawk from the time of the war. Came in boats below Quebec. Lived for a time at Sorel. Moved from Sorel to 3rd Town in company with Capt. Singleton (who was married (afterwards I suppose) to Mrs. Maybee’s half sister) and his servant and wife by name of oldg Johnson. In the 3rd Town Capt. Singleton had drawn 200 acres of land here he built a comfortable nice log house with several rooms. Lived there probably 2 years. Capt. Singleton had also drawn 400 acres in Thurlow so hither the whole party 3 men and wives removed and settled on the place between Bleekers and John Tailor’s on the Front 200 acres. Built a comfortable log house --- length of 2 logs --- was divided into 2 parts one of which was for a trading house with the Indians (Mrs. Maybee knows not whether Tailor had then settled in Belleville). Down the bay then there was 1st a house which is Fowler’s place here lived Archy Chisholm 3 miles below Squire Sherwood, where Hector(?) Leavens now lives. When Capt. Singleton left 3rd Town he reserved one of the rooms in his house so that he could at any time in going up and down the bay stay there. (John Singleton the Capt’s son was 8 months [sic = weeks?] old when his father died, he was born in June 23rd 1789) the Capt. died in Sept). A fortnight before he died he with Ferguson and Johnson the 3 wives and the baby John Singleton started from Thurlow in a Batteaux owned by Singleton and Ferguson for Kingston. The women at least were going to stay in 3rd Town until the batteaux came back from Kingston. When crossing the big bay Singleton took ill, he thought it was sea sickness, the party wanted to return but he would not. The 1st night they stayed with Capt. John (Indian), his wife a squaw doctored him and in the morning he was better and pressed on his way was sick all day, 2nd night stayed at Capt. Trumpour’s. The next day got to his place 3rd Town went to his house and getting worse there he died 9 days after. A doctor was procured from Kingston. Johnson his servant took the same disease (whatever it was) and died a few days after. Capt. Singleton was a nice man --- a perfect gentleman beloved by all who knew him. Ferguson now had the two widows and the baby with his own wife, then he brought back to Thurlow. At this time provisions was very scarce, there was no flour in Thurlow. Ferguson brought a barrel flour. Mrs. M. forgets how much was paid for the barrel but it was a great price. This flour was a precious thing to them and neighbours, not so extravagant as to bake bread in a loaf, it was used by little made into cakes. They did not keep it all but sent to others a quart now and then. Mrs. M. has often heard her aunt talk about this flour. It was the more precious thing and the most useful she ever had. Sad to say just 3 months after Capt. Singleton and his servant died Ferguson died also of pleurisy(?)k (this must have been in December. It can be imagined how useful that barrel of flour was. Here were 3 widows and a child all living in one house. Ferguson was buried in the Tailor burying ground (Tailor was no doubt the first settler about Belleville, _______ the fact that upon his ground is the burying ground goes far to prove that yet according to the custom of burying on the farm it would be that whoever lost a friend first might commence the establishment of a burying place to which all the neighbours would thereafter go. W.C.). Old John Tailor of Belleville had with him his mother. She died at the age of 90. She was spinning hemp the very day she died, 2 hours before, she suddenly stopped, told them to put away the wheel as she was done spinning and so died. She it is likely was the first person white buried in Belleville. This history was told to Mrs. Maybee by her aunt and thinks it occurred between 1780-90. The widow Ferguson when Mrs. M. went to live with her resided between the Trent river and the head of the bay on the shore. There then lived up there Peter Huffman and family, Donald McDonnell, John Bleeker, Esq., and John McArthur. They all lived between the Trent and the head of the bay. All around was a wilderness. Huffman was right at the head of the bay. Bleeker’s near the river. He ______ where Trenton now is. (Mrs. Maybee remembers well when she was 3 years old.) Then down the bay 3 1/2 miles below was Capt. Marsh, near by to one Soper then no more till came to Chrysdale’s (Ostrom’s place) who lived in a miserable log hut with no fireplace nor other comfort. Up to 1808 Trenton was a cedar swamp. In 1806 A. H. Miers [Adam Henry Meyers] came from Belleville and built a mill about a mile up the Trent raising 1st a sawmill afterward a flouring mill. The whole place was desolate enough a single track up to the mill for sleigh, if two met would have turn them up to pass. There were no roads up and down the bay --- traveled in batteaux in summer and on the ice in the winter. Mrs. M. lived in Sophiasburgh until she married Mr. M. which took place in 1808, moved to Belleville in 1810. During the years she lived in Sophiasburgh she often visited with her mother up the bay, at that time they would take a week or longer and make a general visit to all the settlers. She often came to see her half-sister Mrs. Singleton, had a sister living with her. Remembers distinctly when the ground now Belleville was a cedar swamp about 1790 there were plains down by the bay and here Indians in large numbers were encamped in their wigwams. It was called Miers Creek. There was one log hut down on the river side somewhere near Ridley’s [?] occupied by Asa Wallbrige, a regular Yankee speculator. He kept a sort of store in a corner of the room which he sold to the people, his was the only shop except that where Capt. Singleton had settled now held by Col. Alex Chisholm, from Scotland directly who had married the widow Singleton. Source: William Canniff Fonds, AO, F 1390, package 9, transcribed by Shirley Sutherland, emailed Dec 2013 23 SEP 1789, BURIAL George Singleton buried 23 Sep, 1789 Source: Rev Langhorn's Register, Anglican Archives, Kingston, OHS, Papers and Records, V1, 1899, Bill Martin's web site Dr HC BURLEIGH See the folder of notes accumulated by Dr HC Burleigh, now on line. Source: Dr HC Burleigh Fonds, Queen's University, Singleton folder Back to top |
4. RECORDS OF JOHN SINGLETON John Singleton is the son of George Singleton and Anne McArthur. John is 14 in the 1803 Murray Census so was born about 1789, the year his father died. Anne was born abt 1771 so was 18 when John was born. His oldest son was named George and in his 1850 petition for a War 1812 award mentions his father was "of Belleville." John Singleton married Margaret Canniff and settled as a young adult in Thurlow and then moved back to Murray Township. Perhaps in his later years he returned to Belleville. There is no intention here to do an exhaustive study of John at this time. Below are records that were found in doing the above research. BAPTISM John, son of George and Nancy Singleton, Fredericksburgh, 31 May 1789 Source: Rev Langhorn's Register, Anglican Archives, Kingston, OHS, Papers and Records, V1, 1899, Bill Martin's web site GRANTS - SON OF LOYALIST and father's land Free grant, lot not stated, as SUE, 16 Feb 1810, residing in Thurlow Thurlow Lot 5 & 6, con 2, 8 Mar 1808, Commission, now residing in Thurlow Charlottenburgh Lot 6, con 1 & broken front, 17 July 1817, now residing in Murray Fredericksburgh Lot 1, E 1/2, con 6, 14 Mar 1808, now residing in Thurlow Source: Ont. Land Record Index, OLRI, AO, microfiche in reading room 1798 PETITION [undated] The petition of John Singleton, Thurlow. That your petitioner being a son of the late Capt George Singleton of the Battalion of the Kings Royal Regt of New York and who being 10 years of age ... prays ... to grant him such quantity of land ... Alexander Chisholm certifies the above. 30 March 1798, when the petitioner becomes of age the application will be attended PR [Peter Russell] Source: UCLP, RG1 L3, LAC, V450a, S4/48, 1797-1799, C-2807, starts at image 1124 1808 HEIR & DEVISEE 8 Jan 1808, To all whom it may concern. Be it known that I John Singleton of the Township of Thurlow, yeoman, will after the expiration of thirty days ... lay my claim to lots number 5 & 6, 2nd Con, Thurlow ... and also to the E 1/2 of lot 14, 2nd Con and the E 1/2 lot 1 in the 6th Con of the Township of Fredericksburgh in the incorporated Counties of Lennox and Addington ... under and by virtue of an Act of Parliament ... intitled "An act to afford relief to those persons who may be intitled to claim lands in this Province as heirs or devisees of the nominees of the Crown in cases where no patent hath issued for such lands" for the purpose of establishing my title as oldest son and heir of the late George Singleton of the Township of Thurlow, Esquire, deceased, who was the original nominee of said lands. 19 March 1808, Surveyor Genl Office, We hereby certify that George Singleton is entered for the following lots - Viz The E 1/2 of lot 1, 6th Con in the South side of Appanee Bay or River in the Township of Fredericksburgh. The E 1/2 of lot 14, 2nd Con of Fredericksburgh has been described for George Singleton and Jacob Coons, and was allowed under the Midland Commission in 1797 to Florence Donovan. Lot 5 & 6 in the 2nd Con of Thurlow which have not been described. Chewett& Ridout [fold notes] Claims allowed for Lots 5 & 6, 2nd Con of Thurlow & East half of lot 1 in the 6th Con of Fredericksburgh. Read 19 March 1803, claim No 16 Source: Heir & Devisee, RG 40-5, AO, MS 657, reel 16. Case file number 40-76 1810 PETITION Rec'd 6 Feb 1810, The petition of John Singleton of Thurlow. That your petitioner is the son of the Captain George Singleton an UE Loyalist, that he has attained the full age of twenty one years, has taken the oath of Allegiance ... and has never received lands .. prays .. grant him a proportion of the waste land of the Crown .. the Honourable Mr Cartwright to be his agent. [notes] 16 Feb 1810, recommended for 200 acres as SUE. Warrant 978 issued 19 Feb 1810. Source: UCLP, RG1 L3, LAC, V455, S9/96 ,1808-1811, C-2810, image 445 1817 HEIR & DEVISEE 18 May 1816, Thurlow, Take Notice, John Singleton, of the Township of Murray ... claims lot 6, Con 1, Thurlow as heirs at Law to the late Captain George Singleton, deceased. 14 July 1817, Thos Ridout certifies that lot 6, Con 1 and the broken front were "located and described for Capt George Singleton." 16 Jun 1817, Samuel Sherwood, Murray, Esquire maketh oath and saith that John Singleton, Murray Gentleman, is "the only son of George Singleton of Thurlow some years since deceased and the the best of this Deponents knowledge and belief the said George Singleton died without a will" [fold notes] Rec'd 14 July 1817 from James McNabb Esq, 17 July 1817, Claim allowed, No 24 Source: Heir & Devisee, RG 40-5, AO, MS 657, reel 18. Case file number 40-330 1820 LAND SALE Deed 605 but recorded as 604, page 406& 407, dated 26 Aug 1820, reg. 26 Aug. 1820 John Singleton, Murray, sells to Sheldon Hawley, Jr, of Murray, for £200, 768 acres, lots ? & 8, con 3, Murray? [hard to read lots and con.] Witnesses: John Kemp, Murray, yeoman and Cyrus Marsh, Murray, signed in the presence of John Kemp and Cyrus Marsh. Source: Hastings County Copy Book, C, 1800-21, GSU 197905, index on this web site 1822 LT JOHN SINGLETON 28 Apr 1822, a draft of a letter to an unnamed person to redo a nominee roll "alphabetically with the ages of the men" [signed] Lt Singleton Source: Rogers Family Fonds, F 533-1-0-24, AO, film MS 522 1823 MARGARET SINGLETON 10 Jul 1821, Margaret Singleton of the Township of Murray, daughter of James Canniff of Adolphustown,UE Loyalist, she is married and has never received lands ... pleased to grant 200 acres and permit Andrew Mercer to be her agent. 9 July 1823, I certify that the petitioner remains a resident in Murray and was alive a few days ago. [signed] John Singleton [fold notes] 23 July 1823, recommended 200 acres, entered in Lnad Book L, p. 439, order issued 24 July 1823 Source: UCLP, RG1 L3, LAC, V462, S13/153 ,1821-24, C-2814, starts at image 458 1850 PETITION by son George 9 Jan 1850, George Singleton of Brighton is the heir at law of John Singleton of Belleville, formerly a Lieutenant under his Britania Majesty and who served His Country during the last war in the years of 1812 and 1813 in the capacity of Ensign. That the said John Singleton served during the war between Great Britain and the USA under Lt Col Peters whose discharge and certificate was given to the said John Singleton of such servitude that the said John Singleton is since dead and died without a will. That your petitioner is his oldest son and heir at law. ... respectfully solicits that he may be allowed the amount in Scrip to which his father would have been entitled to for his said services during the late war ... and that John Singleton ... has never received any land or scrip from Government for his services as Lieutenant. [fold note] Does not state the Corps. Is not returned in the Durham Militia 1812. [Appears he was not successsful in his petition.] Source: Petitions for Land, 1827-1856, RG 1-54-2, V47, MS 691, r60 Source: No Singleton petitions found on this reel. Petitions for Land, 1827-1856, Removed from the Township Papers when microfilmed, RG 1-54-2, Box 4, MS 691, r75. Note: From 1827, individuals directly petitioned the Commissioner of Lands instead of going through the Lt. Governor. 1852 MARGARET SINGLETON 22 Oct 1852, Letter, G.E. Henderson, Belleville, to F.M. Hill notifying him that James Ketcheson and his two sons are threatened with action for dower in Lot 6 & 7, Con. 2, Huntingdon Twp., by Margaret Singleton (Mrs. John Singleton) 23 Nov 1852, Letter, Ezra Stephens, Brighton, to F.M. Hill sending information concerning John Singleton and his marriage to Margaret Canniff. Source: F 24-1 Cartwright Family chronological records, reel MS 1990, thanks to Guylaine Pétrin for this. LAND PATENT SGO No 497, Anne Marsh, Murray, wife of Cyrus Marsh, original nominee - Chris Hagerman Jr, Claim No 60, Commission V in July 1825, Lot 35, Con A, Murray, Newcastle, Atty Gen Fiat 8397, 5 Nov 1825, Description 3311, patent fee & survey paid. Source: Register Fiats Commission, RG 1, CI3, Vol 90, item 4, p. 47, AO, MS 693, r. 114 Back to top |