John Forsyth, Toronto 1853

I was searching records today and found a note of a John Forsyth who was a teamster in Toronto in 1853. Will investigate this further.


1853, p. 9, 210, John Forsyth (no age) Teamster
Owner of dwelling-John Ritchey
St. Andrew's Ward, Boulton St, Both Sides, City

To see the record, click on the title above.


Original: City of Toronto Archives, City of Toronto Tax Assessment Rolls, Reference: Fonds 200, Series 612, St. Andrew's Ward, 1853, Pg: 9, Sequence Number: 210

Index: Web Site: OntarioRoots.com (http://www.OntarioRoots.com), Transcription of City of Toronto Tax Assessment Rolls, St. Andrew's Ward, 1853, Pg: 9, Sequence Number: 210, Viewed on 11/1/2009 7:24:13 PM

Parkersville, Stephenson Twp, Muskoka

The school and the church are on the left side of the photo. On the right side, there is a boarding house which used to board lumbermen. It would seem that their work was done by the time this photo was taken.

This is a photo of the Parkersville Mill. The church is behind. I'm not sure what the 'pole' is in the middle. Seems to be a flaw in the photo. The boarding house (?) is different from the first photo.

The Forsyths attended church in Parkersville which is on the road between the second and third concessions of Stephenson Township. It would have been about a two mile journey from the thirteenth concession of Macaulay. The Forsyth children attended school here as well.

Currently, Parkersville is a left turn off Highway #11 and is located at the railway tracks. The other approach is north on District Road #4. It is a right turn at Beatrice and then several miles to where the railway intersects with the road.

Forsyth Land Documents

1871 Census - Agricultural Information

Muskoka District / Macaulay Township
Reference: C10023 - Roll 136
Enumerated by W. Kirk, April, 1871

p. 41 Entry 158
Forsyth, John........M....... 64, B. Scotland, Presbyterian, Farmer,
Forsyth, Charlotte....... F.........74, B. Scotland, Presbyterian

CONCESSION XII, LOT 9 (19-41 - page number and ?)
Tenant, 100 acres, 10 acres improved, 4 acres pasture, 400 bushels turnips,
1 house, 2 barns or stables, no animals

p. 42 Entry 161
Forsyth, John...............M.....34, B. Scotland, Presbyterian, Farmer
Forsyth, Mary..............F......30, B. Scotland (sic), Presbyterian, English descent
Forsyth, Charlotte.......F.........8, B. Ontario
Forsyth, Diana..............F........6, B. Ontario
Forsyth, Sarah Jane....F.........4, B. Ontario
Forsyth, John Thomas....M....2, B. Ontario
Forsyth, William Charles..M.. 11 mo....b. April

CONCESSION XIII, Lot 9 (10-42 - page number and ?)
Owner, 200 acres, 20 acres improved, 4 acres pasture
2 barns / stables, 3 cars/wagons/sleds, 1 plough
2 oxen, 3 milch cows, 4 sheep, 3 other horned cattle
2 sheep killed or sold for slaughter or export, 250 lbs butter
30 lbs of wool, 12 yards homemade cloth / flannel

1 acre wheat (12 bushels), 10 bushels barley, 100 bushels oats,
25 bushels rye, 15 bushels peas, 1 bushel corn
2 acres potatoes (250 bushels), 8 acres hay (10___?)

Map of Macaulay Township

Click on the title above for further history of the settlement of Muskoka.

History of Falkenburg / Falkenburg Station
"The Muskoka Road was built to North Falls (Bracebridge) in 1861. The survey of the Muskoka Road north of Bracebridge was done in 1860 and the road was built from Bracebridge to the north boundary of Stephenson Township in 1863. The settlers came as the road opened. The continuation of the road to Huntsville was not complete until 1871."

"In 1863 a post office opened (in Falkenburg). There were several hotels, a blacksmith shop, an Anglican Church and a school. In 1885, the railway reached Bracebridge and in 1886 it was extended to Utterson, in Stephenson Township, and on to Huntsville......The Northern and Pacific Junction railway......built its station two miles south, where a new village, Falkenburg Station, grew up. It became the center of the area and Falkenburg became a ghost town."

"There were 2 post offices only a few miles apart at one time. Falkenburg closed in 1894 (with the death of Mathias Moore), and the post office of Falkenburg Station remained opened until January 1, 1970."

Falkenburg Post Office was on Concession X, Lot 2/3, as shown on the 1878 Atlas of Muskoka District. This was the land of Mathias Moore, and it was not Free Grant land and therefore located between 1861-68. This lot is shown in red. Falkenburg Union Cemetery is located on Concession IX, Lot 2 and is also shown in orange. The SS No. 3 Macaulay School was built on Lot 4 of Concession XI in 1870 and is shown in green.

See the article below for more information.
http://www.ghosttownpix.com/ontario/towns/falkenbu.html

Forsyth and Forsyth related land is shown in yellow on the map.
To drive to the XIIIth Concession of Macaulay, turn right onto the Moore Rd (off No. 4 north of the Cemetery) and then immediately left onto the Little Rd. It is a rough dirt road which goes for about a mile and a half.)

Based on Map by MITIG Forestry Services Ltd, Huntsville. Ontario
Click on the map to enlarge it. There is no Lot 1 in Macaulay Township.

CONCESSION 11

Lot-Acres-Locatee-Location Date

5 100 Thomas Egglefield 25th November, 1870

6 100 William Inch 31st August, 1869

7 100 George H. Appleby 5th October, 1868

8 100 Jacob R. Tabor 3rd September, 1869

9 100 Louis Olimer 6th December, 1871 (1878 Atlas shows John Forsyth on this lot . Could this be an error on the map?)

10 100 David Yearley 29th October, 1872

11 101 Elon Olimer 20th June, 1873

CONCESSION 12

Lot-Acres-Locatee-Location Date

2 120 Thomas Quintten 8th September, 1869

3 100 Thomas Quintten 27th January, 1871

7 100 Samuel Loughead 5th June, 1869

8 100 Samuel Loughead 16th October, 1869

9 100 John Forsyth, Sr. tenant in 1871 Census (John Jr's land) but I have no corresponding land record.

10 105 John Forsyth, Jr. 20th July, 1869 This was Free Grant land which the railway went through in 1885. The Forsyths boarded railway workers.

11 101 William Jones 14th May, 1870

12 101 William Jones 14th May, 1870

CONCESSION 13

Lot-Acres-Locatee-Location Date

2 112 William D. Meggison 21st February, 1870

3 100 William D. Meggison 14th August, 1872

4 100 Michael Shaffer 17th September, 1869

5 100 Michael Shaffer 17th September, 1869

6 --- James McNee (Not on this list therefore located between 1861-68 and not Freegrant)

7 --- John Clarke (Not on this list therefore located between 1861-68 and not Freegrant)

8 100 John Clark 13th February, 1872

9 100 John Forsyth (Not on this list -Located between 1861-68 - Purchase - Deeded 1873)

10 103 John Jones 12th July, 1872

(The above is taken from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wjmartin/macaulay.htm with land purchased between 1861 and 1868 added.)

Photos of Jessie Forsyth 1885-1965

Peacock monument at Kirk Cemetery, Macaulay Twp, Muskoka

1960 - age 75 - Jessie Peacock at the Peacock Family Reunion in Orillia

ca 1905, about age 20 - Jessie Forsyth, probably before marriage

ca. 1900 - about age 15 - A detail of Jessie Forsyth from a photo with Emma and George, her siblings taken before 1905 when George died and before her marriage

ca 1895 - about age 10 - Jessie Forsyth

ca 1890 - about age 5 - Jessie Forsyth, daughter of John and Mary of Macaulay Township

Jessie Forsyth Peacock 1885-1965

Jessie Forsyth was the youngest child of John and Mary Forsyth. She was born in Macaulay Township on November 6th, 1885. She married George Nelson Peacock, son of John Peacock and Mary Ellen Oliver, also of Macaulay Township, on the 9th of August, 1905. Jessie died November 9th, 1965 and is buried in the Kirk Cemetery, Bracebridge.

In the 1911 census, shown below, Mary Dales Forsyth who had been widowed three years, was living with Jessie and George Peacock.



1911 Census - Macaulay Township, Muskoka, Ontario
Peacock, George....... Head..............b. Mar, 1886........age 25
Peacock, Jessie......... Wife...............b. Nov, 1885........age 25
Peacock, Gertrude....F.....................b. Jan, 1906........age...5
Peacock, Hazel.......... F....................b. Jun, 1907.........age..3
Peacock, Marjory..... F.....................b. Dec, 1908.........age..2
Peacock, Clarence.....M....................b. Aug, 1910........age..10/12
Forsyth, Mary, Mother-in-law, W..b. Sep, 1840..........age 70

The family members born after 1911 are:

John Melville b. June, 1912, died June 25, 1912, buried Kirk Cemetery

George Murray b. 1 June, 1913, died 11 June, 1968, buried Kirk Cemetery

Elmore Leroy Willis b. 14 July, 1915, d. 199_, Massena, New York

Eileen Mary b. 15 Sept 1917, d.______ Toronto, Ontario

Kenneth Merle b. 24 Jan 1922, d. May 14, 1987 (of Fenwick) St. Catherines,Ontario

Glenwood Nelson b. 25 Jan 1924, d. _______ Bracebridge,Ontario

Maurice Beatty b. 2 Jan 1926 d. 4 Sept 1927Whooping Cough, Bur. Kirk Cem.

Terrance Morley b. 9 April 1927, Sturgeon Fallsd.19_____Bracebridge

Helen Yvonne b. __ Dec 1935, d. 2009, Bracebridge, Ontario

The following was written by Jessie:

"In the fall of 1908, we were living in Falkenburg and heard a farm was for sale - lot 12 on the 4th and 5th concession of Macaulay. George Peacock and his father went over to look things over and came back home, and George said he was going to see the man who had it for sale.

"We bought the farm in December, 1908 and moved over there in January, 1909. We had three children, 3 girls (including) a baby born on December 14th , 1908. There was no house on the farm, only a barn and two log cabins down by the creek where someone had a camp one time. George fixed the smaller one up for us to live in till we got a house built. It was fixed up warmer than the other one. We moved there in January on a very cold day.

"The flat road ran through our place in the winter when the men drew logs, bark and wood to town. George’s brother was cutting logs on the farm and the men were boarding at our place and sleeping in the other cabin. They had a box stove in the cabin to keep warm. The men went home to Bracebridge on Saturday nights. It came an awful cold night. We couldn’t get our cabin warm and George went into the other cabin and picked the box stove up in his arms and carried it into our cabin (it still had fire in it) and attached it up to our cook stove.

"In the spring, we built the first part of our house and worked at it in our spare time. We had one cow and one horse. We had a very good garden that year which helped out. We also had lots of raspberries to pick.

"The next year (1910) our first boy was born. Unfortunately he was drowned at Maplehurst in 1930. My husband passed away in 1948 and I have lived on this farm ever since (January 1909), elsewhere only when I visit my family. My son Murray and his son Keith do the farming now, but the farm is the only place that is like home to me."

-Written by Jessie Forsyth Peacock

Clara Emma Forsyth Peacock 1883-1949

Clara Emma Forsyth was born January 8th, 1883. She married Thomas Peacock on the 1st of June, 1904 . He was the son of John Peacock and Mary Ellen Oliver of Macaulay Township. Emma died July 28th, 1949 and is buried in St. Thomas' Anglican Cemetery in Bracebridge. It is located on District Rd #4 north of the town.

The monument reads:
Thomas Peacock, b. 1882 d. 1950
Clara (Forsyth) b. 1883 d. 1949


1911 Census - Monck Twp., Muskoka
Con. A lot 15 – This is the same lot and concession as William Brown and Robert Peaock’s land. William Brown was married to Catherine Peacock. Robert was Catherine's brother. Perhaps John Peacock, the brother of Catherine, bought Wm Brown Sr.'s land after he was widowed. Or he bought Robert Peacock's land after the death of Robert in 1899. The Thomas below is the 4th son of John Peacock and Mary Ellen Oliver. )

9/12
Peacock Thomas, Head, Sep, 1882, 28
Peacock Clara E., Wife, Jan, 1883, 28
Peacock Gladys M., F, Feb, 1906, 5
Peacock Elissa A. (Alma) F, Feb, 1908, 3
Peacock Aleen O. (Orma) F,b. Aug, 1910, 9/12

Marriage: Earle Clyde BARNES, 22, mechanic, Bracebridge, Bala, s/o Charles BARNES (b. London England) & Anna Katherine GILBERT, married Gladys May PEACOCK, 18, clerk, Falkenburg Monck Tp., Bracebridge, d/o Thomas PEACOCK (b. Muskoka) & Clara Emma FORSYTH, witn: Thomas PEACOCK & Douglas FRASER both of Bracebridge on Feb. 4, 1925 at Bracebridge

George Forsyth 1881-1905

Jessie Forsyth, George Forsyth and Emma Forsyth ca. 1900 - The three youngest children of John and Mary

George Forsyth was the fifth and youngest son of John and Mary Forsyth, and he was born April 1st, 1881 in Macaulay Township. He died at Huntsville Hospital on December 21st, 1905, possibly of meningitis. He was buried in plot 48 at the Utterson Cemetery.

Elizabeth Forsyth James 1880-1956

At Aunt Lib and Uncle Will's in New Liskeard. Aunt Emma Forsyth (Mrs. James Forsyth) is in it as well as her daughter Vesta and husband ---Hampson from Utterson. Aunt Lib is on the far right.
Sarah and "Lib" Forsyth - Mrs. Robert Montgomery and Mrs. William James
(or is it "Lib" on the left and Sarah on the right?)

Elizabeth Ellen Forsyth was the fifth daughter of John and Mary Forsyth. 'Lib' was born in Macaulay Township in 1880. On June 9th, 1903, she married William Lawrence James, son of William Matthew James and Eunice Bradford. He was born in Lanark County, Ontario.
1911 Census - Hilliard, Nipissing District, Ontario
James William, Head, Apr, 1875, 36
James, Elizibeth, Wife, Jan, 1880, 31
James, Lawerance, M, Apr, 1903, 7
James, Dorothy, F, Jun, 1906, 4
James, Edna, F, Jul, 1910, 10/12

Obituaries for Mr. & Mrs. William James (copied from newspaper clippings of Mrs. Gertrude Kennedy, August 16, 1980)

Mrs William James, formerly Elizabeth Ellen Forsyth. Born Falkenburg near Bracebridge seventy six years ago. Daughter of late John and Mary Forsyth. Married to William James June 10, 1903. Celebrated Golden Anniversary in 1953. In 1909, Mr. & Mrs. James moved north to Thornloe where they lived for nine years before taking up residence in New Liskeard. When they moved to town, they moved to a house on Grill Street where they were still living at the time of Mrs. James' death. Mrs. James was an active worker and faithful member of the Presbyterian Church all her life and she will be missed not only by the church group, but also by the younger people in whome she was especially interested. Surviving, besides her husband, are two daughters, Dorothy James at home, Mrs. James McKenzie (Edna) and son, Lawrence, all of New Liskeard; two sisters, Mrs. Hary Mortimer of Mortimer's Point, Muskoka Lake, and Mrs. George Peacock of Bracebridge and a brother, Robert of Port Sydney.

Mr. William James Long time resident of Northern Ontario died sudenly at his Grill Street home Friday, May 30th. He was in his 83rd year. Born in Lanark County, Mr. ames spent all his working life in the lumber business. He worked for some years in Bracebridge before coming to the district in 1909 and was associated with the _______ Lumber Company for close to forty years.

Mary Alison Forsyth Mortimer 1876-1966

Rob Forsyth husband of Sarah Ann James) , Mary Forsyth Mortimer and William James (married to Lib Forsyth) Probably 1950's

Mary Alison Forsyth, the fourth daughter of John and Mary Forsyth, was born in Macaulay Township in October, 1876. She married J. Henry 'Harry' Mortimer, a carpenter. When the census was taken in 1911, they were living in Medora Township. Mary died in 1966. They are buried in St. James Anglican Cemetery, Lot 29, Concession C, Mortimer's Point, Medora Twp, Muskoka.
The monuments reads:
Mary A. Mortimer, wife of Henry J. Mortimer, b. 1876 d.1866


1901 Census - Blyth Village, Huron County
(west of Toronto, close to Lake Huron)

McKinnon Donald B., Head, Oct 8, 1836, 64
McKinnon, Mary, Wife, M, Jan 7, 1844, 57
Forsyth, Mary, F, Domestic, S, 1878, 22 (Identity not confirmed)


1911 Census - Medora Township, Muskoka, Ontario
Mortimer, Henry, Head, Mar, 1867, 43
Mortimer, Mary A., Wife, Oct, 1876, 34
Mortimer, Lila A. M.,F, May, 1902, 9
Mortimer, Elmore C. W., M, Oct, 1903, 7
Mortimer, Augusta E., F, Nov, 1905, 5
Mortimer, Henry E., M, Jun, 1907, 3
Mortimer Mary H., F, Jul, 1909,1
Mortimer, Oscar Gowan, M, May, 1911, 1/12

Robert Scott Forsyth 1874-1962

ca 1915 - School picture from SS Macaulay No. 7 from Gary Denniss' book on Macaulay Township. Three children of Robert Forsyth are shown in this photo. (Click on photo to enlarge)

Robert Forsyth and Sarah Ann James

Rob Forsyth husband of Sarah Ann James) , Mary Forsyth Mortimer and William James (married to Lib Forsyth)

Robert Scott Forsyth was born in Macaulay Township in 1874. He was the fourth son of John and Mary Forsyth. He married Sarah Ann James, the daughter of William James and Eunice Bradford, on the 20th of April, 1898. Sarah was born in Lanark County, Ontario in 1872 and died in 1962. Robert died in 1962 and both are buried in the Stephenson Cemetery on the Port Sydney Road.

Note that in 1901, they lived on Lot 9 of Con XII of Macaulay Township. This might have been the land that John Sr. and Charlotte lived on.

1911 Census - Macaulay Township, Muskoka, Ontario
Forsyth, Robert, Head, Jul, 1874, 36
Forsyth, Sarah Ann, Wife, Nov, 1872, 38
Forsyth, Ann, F, Feb, 1899, 12 (Eunice)
Forsyth, Hilda, F, Feb, 1901, 10
Forsyth, Mabel, F, May, 1905, 6
Forsyth, Lloyd, M, May, 1907, 4
Forsyth, Olive, F, Jun, 1909, 1

1901 Census -Macaulay Township

p. 5 Line 7 - Lot 9, Concession 12, 150 Acres

Forsythe, Robert, b. 30 July 1876, 26, Scotch, Presbyterian

Forsythe, Sara A., b. 28 Nov 1872

Forsythe, Clara U., b. 27 Feb 1899 (Eunice)

Forsythe, Hilda, b. 7 Feb 1901

Note: Hilda married Peter E. Olsen who is buried at St. Thomas' Anglican Cemetery, Bracebridge.

James Cockburn Forsyth 1872-1948

James Cockburn Forsyth was born in Macaulay Township in 1872, the third son of John and Mary Forsyth. He maried Emma Rose Scott, daughter of Robert and Susan Scott, on the 24th of October, 1900. James and family moved to Moosejaw, Saskatchewan but returned several years after their daughter, Vesta (b. 1914) was born. They lived in Utterson, Muskoka. He died in Stephenson Township in 1948.

James and Emma are buried in the Stephenson Township Cemetery (Lot 22 Con VII) Port Sydney Rd. The monument reads: Emma R. Forsythe b. 1882 d. 1963, James C. Forsythe b. 1872 d. 1948

1901 Census - Stephenson Township, Muskoka-Parry Sound
Forsythe James C., Head, May 27, 1872, 28
Forsythe Emma R., Wife, Mar 27, 1881, 19

1911 Census - Moosejaw, Saskatchewan
Forsyth, James, 15 Main St, Head, May, 1872, 39
Forsyth, Emma, Wife, Mar, 1882, 29
Mccarger, Blanch, F, Cousin, Mar, 1894, 17
Mccarger, Pearl, F, Cousin, Dec, 1900, 11
Forsyth, Wilfred, Son, Oct, 1904, 7
Hut, Katie, F, Domestic, Jun, 1895, 16

William Charles Forsyth 1870-

William Charles Forsyth, the second son of John Forsyth and Mary Dales, was born April 8, 1870. On January 24th, 1893, he married Mary Ann Bassett. In 1898 when their son Everett Daniel ws born, the family was living on Mary Street in Huntsville, and Wiliam's occupation was 'tanner.' They were living in Chaffey Township when the 1901 and 1911 censuses were taken. William is buried at Lake Valby, Saskatchewan.

(Muskoka Dist) FORSYTHE, Everett Daniel, m, b. 13 Apr 1898, father-Wm Chas FORSYTHE, tanner; mother-Mary Ann BASSET, infm-Wm Chas Forsythe, Mary Street Huntsville

1901 Census – Chaffey Township, Muskoka

Forsyth, William, M, Head, M, Apr 8, 1870, 31
Forsyth, Mary A., Wife, M, Jan 24, 1872, 29
Forsyth, Charles D., M, Son, S, Mar 23, 1894, 7
Forsyth, William H., M, Son, S, Dec 20, 1895, 5
Forsyth, Everett D., M, Son, S. Apr 13, 1897, 3
Forsyth, Mary M., Daughter, S, Jun 10, 1900
Lee, John, M, Lodger, S, Nov 26, 1870, 30

1911 Census - Chaffey Township, Muskoka, Ontario

Forsyth, William, Head, Apr, 1871, 40
Forsyth, Mary A.,Wife, Jan, 1870, 30
Forsyth, Charles, Son, Mar, 1894, 17
Forsyth, William D., Son, Dec, 1895, 15
Forsyth, Robert S, Son, Jul, 1908, 2
Forsyth, Clarence, Son, Aug, 1910, 3/12

John Thomas Forsyth 1868-1948

John Thomas Forsyth, the eldest son of John and Mary Forsyth, was born May 22nd, 1868 in Muskoka. On the 13th of June, 1900, he married Euphemia Chalmers who was born in Stephenson Township, Muskoka, the daughter of William Chalmers and Euphemia Morris. In the 1901 census, John and Euphemia were farming in Stephenson Township.

#028449-04 (Muskoka Dist) FORSYTH, James Chalmers, m, b 10 Feb.1904, father - John FORSYTH, farmer; mother - Euphemia CHALMERS, infm - John Forsyth, Stephenson Twp

John Thomas Forsyth died in New Westminster, British Columbia on September 24, 1948 at 80 years of age. Euphemia died on December 8, 1955 at 78, also in New Westminster.

1901 Census - Muskoka Parry Sound, Stephenson Township
Utterson area next to Creaser farm
John T. Forsythe, m. Head, Mar. b. 22 May, 1868, Ontario farm labourer, Scotch Presbyerian
Euphemia Forsyth, wife, b. 24 May, 1877

1911 Census - Stephenson Township, Muskoka, Ontario
Forsyth, John, Head, May, 1867, 43
Forsyth, Euphemia, Wife, May, 1876, 35
Forsyth, William J., Son, Apr, 1901, 10
Forsyth, James C., Son, Feb, 1904, 7
Forsyth, Euphema M., Dau. Jul, 1905, 5
Forsyth, Grace L., Dau. Jun, 1907, 3
Forsyth, Murrey G., Son, Dec, 1909, 1

Sarah Jane Forsyth Montgomery 1866-1934

Wedding Photo of Sarah Jane Forsyth and Robert Montgomery

Sarah Jane Forsyth was born the 13th of August, 1866, probably in Bracebridge. She was the first child born in Muskoka. On January 21st, 1885, she married Robert Montgomery, son of Francis and Sarah. Sarah died in Kingston and predeceased her mother who died in 1935.

1911 Census - Nipissing Twp, New Liskeard, Ontario

Montgomery, Robert, Head, Aug, 1858, 52

Montgomery, Sarah J., Wife, Aug, 1866, 44

Montgomery, Randolph, Son, Feb, 1895, 16

Montgomery, Beatrice, Daughter, Dec, 1896, 14

Montgomery, Claude, Son, Jan, 1899, 12

Montgomery, Myrtle, Daughter, Nov, 1900, 10

Adamson, Pearl, Daughter, Widowed, Jan, 1991, 20

Adamson, Clarke, Grandson, Sept, 1910, 1

* Close by in the same township, their eldest son. *

Montgomery, Norman, Head, Nov, 1885, 25

Montgomery, Clara, Wife, Jul, 1891, 19

Montgomery, Stewart, Son, Aug, 1910, 10/12

* [Clara (Belle) McConnell b: 1891 d: 05 May 1977........ +Francis John Norman (Norman) Montgomery b: 1885 m: 15 November 1909 d: 1964]

Sarah Jane Forsyth Montgomery died August 20, 1934 in Kingston, Ontario where she had taken up residence seven months earlier. She was living with her daughter, Mrs. M. Burnes at 76 York Street. She was 67 years old, and widowed. Her parents are named on her death certificate.

Her cause of death was carcinoma of the liver, with obstruction of the bile ducts given as a contributing factor. She had not had surgery and had been ill for one year and three months.

Diana 'Annie' Forsyth Crandall 1865-

Diana "Annie' Forsyth was born September 7, 1864 in King Township. On December 19th, 1908, she married Archibald Crandell who was born in Port Perry and was the son of Clark and Ruth Crandell. They were married in York County. In 1911, they are living at 122 Russell, West Toronto. Archie was a carpenter.




1891 Census - St. Patrick's Ward, Toronto
p.47
Gibson, Rob. L., 50.......... b. Quebec, C of E, Wholesale ?Drugs?
Gibson, Louisa, 46............b. Scotland, wife
Gibson, Rob't L.,14............b. Ontario, son
Gibson, Theodore, 12........b. Ontario, son
Gibson, Edmund, 11..........b. Quebec, son
Gibson, Sarah, 78..............b. Ireland, widow
Forsyth, Annie, 23.............b..............., General Servant,
Presbyterian, parents born Scotland

1901 Census - Toronto Centre
Boone Chas. S., M, Head, M, Aug 28, 1857, 44, Contractor
Boone, Ella B., F, Wife, M, Aug 27, 1859, 42
Kenedy, Maud, F, Lodger, S, Nov 5, 1878, 22, Lodger
Forsyth, Annie, F, Domestic, S, Sep 7, 1868, 32, domestic
(Father -b. Scotland, Mother - b. Canada)

1911 Census - West Toronto - 122 Russell
Crandle Archabald, Head, Jun, 1878, 32
Crandle Dianah, Wife, Sep, 1866, 44

Charlotte Ann Forsyth Stevenson 1863-1886

Charlotte Ann Forsyth was born in King Township in 1863. On May 6th, 1884, she married Alexander Stevenson who was born in Ottawa about 1860, the son of John and Maria Stevenson. According to her father's obituary in 1908, 'Lottie' died about 1888. However, in checking for her death certificate, I have found the following:

Charlot(te) Ann Stevenson
Died- 16th June 1886
Female - 23 years, 7 months
Born- Ontario
Presbyterian
Cause of death - Inflammation 9 days
Dr. Bridgeland
Residence of deceased - Lot 14 Concession 6
Macaulay Township, Muskoka, Ontario - Registrar - Wm Gohm
Date of registration - June 18, 1886

She is buried in the Falkenburg Union Cemetery.

Charlotte's husband remarried seven years after her death on the 2nd of August, 1893.

-Alexander Stevenson, b. Renfrew County, age 33, son of John and Maria Stevenson.
-Married Elizabeth Ann Jones , 30, born 1863 Middlesex County, daughter of Oliver and Eliza Jones

I haven't found them in the 1901 census, however, they are in Dymond Township in Nipisssing in 1911. Charlotte's son, John Stevenson , is living with his father and second wife. John is 26 years old in 1911. He is shown as a 'lodger' in the census.

1911 - Nipissing - Dymond Township
Stevenson, Alexander, M, Head, M, Aug, 1859, 51
Stevenson, Elizabith A., F, Wife, M, Jul, 1866, 48
Stevenson, George, M, Son, S, Feb, 1894, 17
Stevenson, William N., M, Son, S, Jan, 1897, 14
Stevenson, Melvel, M, Son, S, Oct, 1898, 12
Stevenson Iolo G., F, Dau, S, Sep, 1902, 9
Jones, Dora A. J., F, Niece, S, May, 1904, 7
Stevenson, John, M, Lodger, S, Mar, 1885, 26
On December 23, 1913, John Stevenson married Martha Lucille Jones in Muskoka. He was 28 years old, gave his birthplace as Stonleigh (Macaulay Township) and his parents' names as Alexander Stevenson and Charlotte Ann Forsyth

Mary Dales, Mrs. John Forsyth - 1840-1935

Mary Dales Forsyth's daughters celebrate one of her birthdays in later years when she lived in New Liskeard with her daughter. Front row: William James, 'Lib' Forsyth James, Mary Dales Forsyth -Back right: Jessie Forsyth Peacock. More work needs to be done on this photo to indentify the other daughters of Mary Dales Forsyth.

Mary Dales was born in King Township (Kettleby area) September 22, 1840.

She died in 1935.

Robert Forsyth, Tailor 1837-1912

Click on title for map of Wentworth County, Ontario including
townships of Ancaster and Beverley.

Robert Forsyth was the youngest child of John Forsyth and Charlotte Cockburn and was born December 16th, 1837 in West Fenton. His birth is registered in the records of the Dirleton Parish Church. Both these places are east of Edinburgh and in East Lothian, Scotland.

Robert's birth / baptism record was either lost or he was never baptised, as on August 13, 1854 when he was 17, a note was made in the Parish records that Hugh Goodlet (the husband of Robert's mother), appeared before the Kirk Session of Dirleton and made an affidavit that Robert was born in Dirleton. He used the entries taken from his and John Forsyth's family Bible as proof. Why this was done at this time is unclear; however, in the 1861 census, Robert is the only child still with his parents in Innerwick at age 23 and is a 'tailor journeyman.' Perhaps it was related to the apprenticeship system. The other possibility is that he planned to emigrate from Scotland and required a record of his birth for this purpose. His two brothers went to Canada in the mid 1850's; perhaps it had been his plan as well.

Robert immigrated to Canada in 1863. This information comes from the 1901 census. On the 18th of November, 1866, he married Jane Varner (sometimes shown as Jennie) in Wentworth County. The record provides the following details:

Robert Forsyth, 28, b. Scotland village, residence - Ancaster Township, son of Jonathon (?) Forsyth and Charlotte, married
Jane Varner, 24, b. England, daughter of Samuel and Catherine Varner.

Jane's place of birth is given as Ireland in census records. A Catherine Varner, age 58, born in Ireland appears in the Dundas, Wentworth County census for 1871. Her occupation is 'tailoress'. This would seem to be Jane's mother. There is no Samuel Varner, but there are other Irish Varners in the Stratford area.

It is not known why Robert Forsyth went to the Hamilton area. His elder brothers, Charles and John had already emigrated by the time the 1861 Scottish census was taken. John was in King Township, north of Toronto in 1861. Charles location has not yet been found before 1871 when he was in York. It is not known where Robert spent the three years between his immigration and his marriage in 1866. John and Mary Dales (with parents and sister Alison) went to Muskoka in 1865. Perhaps Robert was not interested in living in the wilderness of Muskoka and his trade was better suited to a larger centre of population.

The 1871 Census only provides the name of the head of the household:

FORSYTH, Robert, 32, b. Scotland, Wentworth South, Ancaster

The 1881 Census for Ancaster, Wentworth South is as follows:

Robert FORSYTH, M, Scottish, 43, b. Scotland, Tailor, Presb.
Jane FORSYTH.......... F,......Irish, 37, b. Ireland.............Presb.
Kate FORSYTH.......... F, Scottish, 14, b. Ontario..............Presb.
Charlotte FORSYTH...F, Scottish... 7, b. Ontario..............Presb.

In 1889, Kate married Robert H. Pettigrew. He was an advertising agent and they lived in Hamilton. They had five children; the youngest child, Charles, was born in January, 1904. By 1911, Kate was widowed.

By the 1891 Census Robert Forsythe and family had moved to Beverly Township and they were living between Postmaster Haws and a shoemaker named John Montgomery. Robert is 48, Jane 46, their younger daughter daughter, 'Lottie,' is now 17.

In the 1901 Census, they are in Dundas, Wentworth South:

Forseth , Robert, M, Head, M...............b. Aug 11, 1844, 62
Forseth, Jane, F, Wife, M...........................b. Aug 16, 1844, 57
Forseth C. F., F, Daughter, S,.....................b. May 28, 1875, 26

Jane Forsyth died June 1, 1901 at age 54 (?). Her address was given as King Street, Dundas. She was born in Ireland, and was Presbyterian. Jane died of cancer.

In this census we learn that Robert came to Canada in 1863 and Jane came in 1844. Robert is still working as a tailor and their daughter is shown as the bookkeeper.

On December 24, 1907, Charlotte married Walter C.B. Donkin, a teacher. They were married in Lincoln County and in the 1911 census, they are living in Brantford.

I have been unable to find Robert in the 1911 Census record; however, he died in Hamilton in 1912. He was 74 years old.

1912, May 28 - Robert Forsyth, Tailor, 170 King St W., Hamilton
b. Scotland, son of John Forsyth & Charlotte Cockburn
City Hospital, Hamilton, 5 days - Heart Disease - Dr. A.S. Langrill Certified by Mrs. W.B. Donkin, 195 St. Paul Ave, Brantford

The Daughters of Robert:

1901 Census - Hamilton, Ontario
Pettigrew, H. R, Head, Dec 17, 1860, 40, Advertising Agent
Pettigrew, A. Kate, Wife, Aug 25, 1867, 33
Pettigrew, V. Alison, Daughter, May 30, 1890, 10
Pettigrew, V. Anna, Daughter, May 17, 1893, 7
Pettigrew, J. Alba, Daughter, Feb 1, 1896, 5

1911 Census - Hamilton, Ontario
Pettigrew, Kate A., Head, W, Aug, 1868, 42
Pettigrew, Viola, Daughter, May, 1893, 18
Pettigrew, Alba, Daughter, Feb, 1896, 15
Pettigrew, Howard, Son, Jul, 1901, 9
Pettigrew, Charles, Son, Jan, 1904

1901 Census - Brantford, Ontario
Donkin Sarah, Head, W, Aug 12, 1848, 52
Donkin, Walter, M, Son, S, Jun 7, 1868, 32

1911 Census - Brantford
Donkin, W. B., M, Head, Jun, 1870, 40
Donkin, L., F, Wife, May, 1880, 31

John Forsyth , 1835-1908

Monument inscription - Falkenburg Union Cemetery, Mukoka

JOHN FORSYTH died July 2, 1908, age 73 years
His Beloved Wife
MARY DALES, born Sept 22, 1840, Died June 27, 1935

Death of John Forsyth - From the Gravenhurst Herald, 1908

Resident of Muskoka for Half Century: Passes away at home in Macaulay

Mr. John Forsyth, Senior, one of the ealiest residents of the district and one who was thoroughly acquainted with the disadvantages and hardships of opening up a new territory passed away Thursday nite of last week. He had been ailing for a couple of years and two weeks ago, became much worse, the cause of death being attributed to valvular disease of the heart. He suffered little pain and during his illness was always cheerful and uncomplaining.

The deceased leaves a widow and ten children. Two children, Charlotte who died about twenty years ago and a son George, whose death took place two years ago last Christmas, having predeceased him.

The daughters are Mrs Arthur(sic) Crandall, Toronto; Mrs. Robert Montgomery, Parry Sound; Mrs. Harry Mortimer, Mortimer's Point; Mrs. William James, and Mrs. George Peacock and Mrs. Thomas Peacock of Falkenburg.

The sons are William of Huntsville, John and James of Utterson, and Robert of Port Sydney. All the members of the family were present at the funeral which took place last Saturday in Falkenburg Cemetery.

Mr. Forsyth was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and came to Canada with his parents when he was about twenty years old, living for a time in King (County) Township. There he was married a few years later to Miss Mary Dales whose home was near the town of Newmarket.

Forty-eight years ago he came to Muskoka and found this section of wilderness, there being but one house in what is now the town of Bracebridge. For a couple of years he lived there, being chiefly engaged in cutting roads. He located two lots in Macaulay, since named, and cut a good road from them to Bracebridge, and there he made a home and lived the remainder of his life.

Though always taking a deep concern in the welfare of his neighbours, Mr. Forsyth could not be induced to enter municipal politics but lived a quiet life.
He was well-known throughout the district and highly esteemed.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Churchand when in health, was a regular attendant. In politics, he was independant, chosing the man rather than the party.

The sympathy of many friends is extended to the bereaved relatives.

Charles Forsyth, Millwright, 1833-1923

1861 Census - York County, Township of York, Enum. Dist #5
1 story house / 1 family
#24 - Charles Forsyth, b. Scotland, 27, Farmer
#25 - Margaret Forsyth, birth place not given, 25


1871 Census - York West

FORESITH,Charles, 38, b. Scotland

This census only gives head of family, however Charles and
Margaret would have had five children in 1871.

1881 Census - West York, Ontario Film C-13249
Charles FORSYTH, 47, b. Scotland, Millwright, C. Methodist
Margaret FORSYTH, Scottish, 46, b. Ontario,C. Methodist
William Robert FORSYTH, Male, 20, b. Ontario, Millwright
John Knox FORSYTH, Male, 18, b. Ontario
Margaret Scott FORSYTH, Female, 15, b. Ontario
Isabella Alliston FORSYTH, Female, b. 13, b.Ontario
Annie Elizabeth FORSYTH, Female, 11, Ontario
Charles Cockburn FORSYTH, Male, 8, b. Ontario
James Piritte FORSYTH, Male, 6, b. Ontario
Mabel FORSYTH, Female, b. 3, Ontario

1891 Census - St. Patrick's Ward, Toronto West, Ontario
Forsyth, Charles, 57, b. Scotland, parents b. Scotland, Millwright
Forsyth, Margaret, 56, b. Ontario, parents b. Ontario
Forsyth, Maggie, 25, b. Ontario, Music Teacher
Forsyth, Annie, 21, b. Ontario, Dressmaking
Forsyth, Charles, 18, b. Ontario, carpenter
Forsyth, James, 16, b. Ontario
Forsyth, Mable, 14, b. Ontario

1896, April, 9 - Toronto
Marriage of Charles Cockburn Forsyth and Annie Elizabeth Nixon

1901 Census - Weston Village, York County, Ontario
Forsyth, Charles, Head, b. Apr 14, 1833, 68
Forsyth Margaret, F., Wife, Feb 12, 1835, 66
Forsyth Margaret, Daughter, Jul 25, 1865, 35
Forsyth, E. Ann, Daughter, Jan 27, 1870, 31
Forsyth, P. James, Son, Jan 19, 1875, 26
Forsyth, Mable, Daughter, May 12, 1877, 23
Forsyth, L., Charles, Grandson, Feb 5, 1897, 4

1911 Census - Weston, York Centre, Ontario
Forsyth, Charles, Head, b. Apr, 1833, 78
Forsyth, Margaret, Wife, b. Feb, 1835, 76
Forsyth, Margaret, Daughter, b. Jul, 1866, 45
Forsyth, Annie, Daughter, b. Jan, 1870, 41
Forsyth, Mabel, Daughter, b. May, 1877, 34
Forsyth, Cliferd, Grandson, b. Mar, 1893, 18

Note: States that Charles came to Canada in 1855. Margaret was
born Ontario so he must have been single when he came to Canada

Death of Margaret Forsythe, Main Street, Weston, Ontario
Female, 85 years old, housewife,
Cause of death: Apoplexy (stroke)
April 17, 1920 Burial: Riverside Cemetery, April 19, 1920
Informant: W. J. Ward, no relation.

Death of Charles Forsythe, Main Street, Weston, Ontario
Male, 91 years old, widowed, b. Scotland
Dr. W.J. Charlton, Weston - Informant: John Forsythe, son
Burial: Riverside Cemetery, by W.J. Ward, Weston
June 13, 1923 - Attended by doctor May 1 - June 13
Cause: heart disease/cardiac
Contributing factors - kidney failure

Alison Forsyth McNee 1830-1905

The 1878 Atlas of Muskoka District shows James McNee as the original land owner (probably by grant) on Lot 6 of Concession XIII, Macaulay Township. A current map of Muskoka showing the old lots and concessions indicates that this land is still accessible. On June 24th, 2009 my brother, Gary and I turned right off District Road #4 just north of the Falkenburg Union Cemetery onto Moore Road and then turned left onto the Little Road. There are very few houses on this road, and it is rough going, but the power lines run along it, so it is likely maintained by the district. We drove about two miles, and if the modern map is correct, came to the old McNee property on the left and the Clark land on the right at the end of the part which is accessible by car. The flies were too overwhelming to walk into the old McNee property but there was a road in. We could not see if there was a structure. On the right side of the road, old fence posts were visible. This would be a nice walk for another day.

Barb found the following on the internet:
"I'm Mark Lewis and I ran across your comments enumerating Forsyth
descendants on an internet search. John and Charlet Cockburn Forsyth's
dau. Allison, b. 1831 married James McNee in 1865. Their dau. Helen
(Ellen) Bowie McNee married my g grandfather John Clarke, (son of Rev.
John Clarke of West Favell, Northhamptonshire,Eng.) and moved to
central Mich. in the 1880s. The Clarke Centennial farm is still
producing. John and Helen's dau. Emma Clarke married my grandpa Fred
Lewis. Our fourth daughter who is now 3 is named Emma after her. The
Clarkes and the Forsyths and McNees converged at Muskoka in the 1870s."

Below are the records found to date for Alison Forsyth, Mrs. James McNee.

1871 Census - Head of Family - Macaulay Twnsp
James McKee, 38, b. Scotland, Presbyterian, Farmer

1881 Census - Macaulay Twnsp, Muskoka - Ontario

James MCKEE................... 49, ....b. Scotland, Farmer
Else MCKEE...................... 49, ....b. Scotland
Ellen MCKEE.................... 14, .....b. Ontario
John MCKEE..................... 12,.... b. Ontario
James MCKEE................... 11..... b. Ontario
Charlott MCKEE................. 8..... b. Ontario

All family members shown as Presbyterian and Scottish descent.

Order of enumeration - Shaffer, Lougheed, Forsyth (John Sr),
McNee, Forsyth (John Jr), Clark John & Jane, Galtey/Gathey

1891 Census - Macaulay Township

James McNee................................. 59, Presbyterian
Alison McNee..................................59
John McNee....................................23, b. Scotland (?)
James McNee..................................21, b. Ontario
Charlotte McNee.............................18, b. Ontario
Susan Rickett, 22

1901 Census - Macaulay Township

McNee, James, Head, Jan 28, 1832, 69
McNee, Else, Wife, Apr 3, 1831, 70
McNee, John, Son, Mar 5, 1868, 33
McNee, Charlotte, Dau, Jan 15, 1873, 28

This census states that Alison came to Canada in 1856.
The same date is given for her husband. Perhaps this is
the date for the McNees, for Alison appears in the 1861 census
in Scotland.

Neighbours in 1901 are John and Eliza Schafer, Robert (nephew) and Sarah
Forsyth, John (brother) and Mary Forsyth, widow Elizabeth Emery,
the McNees and then James and Amelia Bell

1911 Census Macaulay Township

McNee James, Head, W, Jan, 1832, 79
McNee, John, Son, Mar, 1868, 43
McNee, Charlotte, Dau, Jan, 1873, 38

Except for the Schafers and Robert Forsyth, all the neighbours are new in this census.

BIRTHS

1871, Jan 21, James Duncan McNee, Muskoka, Mother- Ellison Forsyth,
Father -James McNee

1873, Jan 15, Charlotte Robina Cockburn McNee, Father - James McNee

MARRIAGES

1887, March 28, Bracebridge
Ellen McNee, b. Macaulay, 1866, dau of Alison Forsyth and James McNee
= John Clark, b. England, son of John and Jane Clark

1916, June 14
Charlotte McNee , 41, b. Macaulay, dau of James McNee & Alison Forsyth
= William Joseph Hamilton, 35, b. Raymond, Watt Twp, son of Edward Hamilton and Sarah Taylor

DEATHS

1901, March 19, James McNee, 31 years old, Lot 6 Concession 13, Macaulay
Farmer's son, single, Tuberculosis

1905, May 22 -Alice McNee, 74 years old, Lot 6 Concession 10, Macaulay, Housewife, Married, Carcinomata of the bowel

1917, June 14 - James McNee, 85 years, 5 months, Farmer, Widower
b. Dunblane, Scotland, Father - Duncan McNee
Lot 6 Concession 13, Port Sydney
Cause of Death - senility, Dr. Peter McGibbon

1947, Jan 10 - Charlotte Hamilton - died Stanislaus, California

1901 Census - Ontario

1901 - Macaulay Township (Film T-6486)

p. 5 Line 11 - Lot 10 Concession 12 - 145 acres

Forsythe, John, b. May 21, 1835, 65, b. Scotland, *Immigrated 1872
Forsythe, Mary, b, 22 Sept, 1840, , b. Scotland, *Immigrated 1872
Forsythe, George, b. 1 Apr, 1881
Forsythe, Clara E., b. 8 Jan 1883
Forsythe, Jessie, b. 6 Nov 1885

*This date is not correct. Could it be 1852???

John Forsyth Sr & Charlotte Cockburn

Inscription on monument -

In memory of

CHARLOTTE

Beloved wife of

JOHN FORSYTH

Died April 19, 1881

Age 85 years






1871 Census - Macaulay
p. 41
FORSYTH, John, 64, b. Scotland, Presby, Farmer
(only head of family listed)

1881 Census - Macaulay
John Forsyth, 74, b. Scotland, Presbyterian, Farmer
Sharlet Forsyth, 85, b. Scotland, Presbyterian

The families are enumerated in this order:
Schafer, Samual Lougheed, John Forsyth Sr. and Charlotte, James and Alison McNee, John Forsyth Jr. and Mary

John Forsyth (Junior) purchased Lot 9 of Concession XIII for forty dollars on April 24, 1873 (Crown Lands sale). The 1878 Muskoka District Atlas map shows only land grants, therefore no one is named on lot 9, concession XIII on this map. However, John Sr. is shown in the 1871 census as a family head, living on separate land from the rest of the family, and as a tenant on Lot 9 of Concession XII and John Jr., on Lot 9 of Concession XIII, as possessing 200 acres. Lot 10 of Concession XII was located in July of 1869 and was Freegrant with the patent issued October 12, 1875.

Charlotte died April 19, 1881 which would have been shortly after the census was taken. John Sr. died November 7, 1894. Both are buried at the Falkenburg Union Cemetery.

William Dales & Dianah Hotham

Kettleby Cemetery, King Township, Ontario

Parents of Mary Dales, Mrs. John Forsyth, Jr.

1871 Census - Ontario

The 1871 Census gives only the head of the family, unless someone is with a family of a different surname.

FORSYTH, John, 64, b.Scotland, Muskoka, Macaulay

FORESITH,Charles, 38, b. Scotland, York West, York West

FORSYTH, John, 34, b. Scotland, Muskoka, Macaulay

FORSYTH, Robert, 32, b. Scotland, Wentworth South, Ancaster

MCNEE, James, 38, b. Scotland, Muskoka, Macaulay

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: There is also a James Forsyth in Ancaster whom I have tried to match to Scots census records because he is the same age as our James, brother of John Forsyth, Sr. At this time, it is not possible to determine if there is a connection.

1871 Census Heads
FORSYTH, James, 60, b. Scotland, Wentworth South, Ancaster

1881 Census, Ancaster, Wentworth South
James FORSYTH , M, 70, b. Scotland, Farmer, Presbyterian
Jannet FORSYTH, F, 68, b. Scotland, Presbyterian
Christina FORSYTH, F, 28, b. Ontario, Presbyterian
James MCDONALD, M, Scottish, 16, b. Ontario, Presbyterian

1891 Census - Hamilton Ward 3
Janet Forsyth 80 b. Scotland, parents born Scotland
Christina 30 b. Ontario (age not correct!)

1872 Simcoe Gazetteer

Clip on the above title to see Wayne Cook's website

BRACEBRIDGE - A thriving village on the Muskoka River, in the township of Macaulay, Muskoka District, county of Victoria, in the immediate vicinity of the Free Grant Territory. The first settlement of the village dates only a few years ago, but the evidence of its prosperity and rapid growth are every where conspicuous. The water- power is first-class, and is utilized by grist, saw, planing, and woollen and carding mills. Other manufacturing establishments are also contemplated. The Northern Advocate and Free Grant Gazette, ably conducted journals, are published here. There are English, Presbyterian and Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist Churches in the village.

The scenery in the neighbourhood of Bracebridge is remarkable for its romantic beauty, hill, dale, lake, river, cataract, forest and farm are blended in picturesque variety, and tourists from all parts of the continent are recognizing the claims of the Muskoka Territory as a favorite resort for its healthiness, beauty and excellent sporting facilities.

Bracebridge connects with Gravehurst by steamers and Stages to Washago, thence by boat to Orillia and the Northern Railway. Also with the Midland Railway at Beaverton, and with stages at Rosseau for Parry Sound and the Nipissing and Maganatawan Territories. Distant from Gravenhurst 16 miles; Port Carling, 20; Rosseau, 33; and the head of Lake Joseph 42 miles.

Adam, John, carpenter....................... } Holditch & Gibbs, brick manufrs
Astley, R., painter................................ } Kennedy, Wm., shoemaker
Auger, Thos., saw mills....................... } Kent, D., North American Hotel
Ball, Rev. Thos., ch. of England.......... } Long, James, butcher
Barron, Rev. John, Presbyterian .......} Lount, C. W., magistrate
Bird, H. J., woollen factory.................. } Lount, J. E., clerk division court
Bridgland, S., M.D., druggist,.............. } Lowe, Charles, butcher
agent, Mon. Tel. Co.............................. } McFarlane, H., butcher
Boyer, James, township clerk............. } McMurray, Thomas, editor
Bowerman, Thos., painter................... } and prop. "Northern Advocate,"
Brimstin Bros., merchants.................. } insurance and general agent,
Brown, James, wagon maker.............. } merchant, &c.
Brown, Wm., ..........................................} Malpas Bros., general merchants
Browning, G.B., solicitor, ag't ...............} Mortimer, Charles, "Free Grant
Can. Per. Bldg. and Savings'................. } Gazette"
Society..................................................... } Myers, Thomas, general merchant
Burden, W. F., British Lion Hotel .........} "Northern Advocate,"
Byers, J. N., M.D. ....................................} Thos. McMurray, editorial prop.
Cheney, Frank, grocer............................} Perry, R. E., P.M., merchant
Clerihue, James, general merchant...... } miller
Clement, Jas., Dominion Hotel.............. } Robinson, Samuel, Royal Hotel
Clifford, R. W., Queen's Hotel................ } Ross, W. M.
Collinson, Thomas, black-.......................} Sibbald, Wm., painter
smith..........................................................} Slater, John, tailor
Cook, George, baker............................... } Spiers, J. H., painter
Cooper & Morton, sawmills................... } Stephenson, E. F., editor and
Daniels, Richard, stoves and.................. } prop. "Free Grant Gazette"
tinware ......................................................} Story, Charles, builder
Dill, J. W., general merchant.................. } Symington, Thos., builder
Farr, C. C................................................... } Tait, John
Fawcett, Rev. Primitive Methodist .......} Teviotdale & Hunt, general
Free Grant Gazette, E. F........................ } merchants
Stephenson, editor and prop.................. } Tomlin, John, H., painter
Hanna, Wm., book keeper...................... } Webster, Rev. John, Wesleyan
Harper, Wm., carpenter......................... } Wilson, Gillman, sawmill

FALKENBURG - A post-office in Macaulay Township, lot 2, 10th con., 6 miles from Bracebridge, and 68 from Barrie. The neighborhood was first settled in 1862 by Edwin Griffin, Sidney Tibbs, and Samuel Holditch. The Muskoka River, in the vicinity, provides almost unlimited manufacturing power.

Brown, Wm., plasterer............................. } Loughead, Robert, farmer
Clarke, Rev. John, Wesleyan ..........} Loughead, Samuel, farmer
Earnshaw, Joshua, farmer....................... } Low, David, farmer
Forsyth, John, farmer.................. } McNee, James, farmer
Galloway, David, shoemaker.................. } Miller, Robt., carpenter
Hamilton, A., farmer................................ } Moore, Francis, farmer
Holditch, Samuel, farmer......................... } Moore, Matthias, P.M.,
Jack, John, farmer.................................... } farmer
Jack, William, farmer ...............................} Palmer, John, farmer
Jackson, John, blacksmith....................... } Schafer, Samuel, farmer
Kirby, Nathaniel, farmer......................... } Stinson, Thomas, farmer
Levier, Chas., farmer............................... } Stinson, Robert, farmer
Levier, James, farmer............................. }

Bible of Charles Forsyth

I recently noted this message on a Forsyth message board...

Subject: [FORSYTH] Charles Forsyth photos & bible
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:37:28 -0700
Someone is selling a bible and many old photos of the Charles Forsyth family on eBay. Weston, Ontario is mentioned. Children were William Robert ; John Knox; Margaret Scott; Isabella Alliston, Annie Elizabeth; Charles Cockburn, James Prettie, and Mabel Forsyth. Individuals in the photos are apparently identified. Anyone out there related? The seller purchased these items at a sale in Kansas.

The message included a link which is no longer active. It seems that some of Charles Forsyth's descendants moved to the US. If anyone out there knows anything about these photos or the bible, I would love to hear from you.

Another message on the same topic:

There is a family bible and photographs of Charles Forsyth born 1833 in Scotland, immigrated to Ontario, Canada. This family then immigrated to the USA, Medicine Lodge, Kansas. In case anyone is interested these items are selling on Ebay this week. (Dated October, 2008)

Update on the bible and photos November, 2012:  Apparently these items were found in the in Kansas and someone rescued them and sold / tried to sell them on ebay.  Somehow they fell into the hands of the Forsyth family history group of America and a Forsyth descendant was given copies of the photos.  Yeah!!!

Settlement of Macaulay Township

In looking at the map of Macaulay from the 1878 Atlas, it appears that the concession roads are between the 8th/9th, the 10th/11th and the 12th/13th concessions, although the old map doesn't show any houses in the last two concessions. Here is a list of the first settlers on the northern concessions of Macaulay and the dates of location:

"Macaulay was surveyed by John Ryan in 1857 and offered for location in 1861. **Lots settled between 1861 and 1868 are not in this list, nor are any lots not settled under this Act." This list was created by Bill Martin, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Click on the title above for the full list.

CONCESSION 10
Lot Acres Name of Locatee Date of Location
4 100 Robert Loughead 13th December, 1869
7 100 Charles Sivear 4th January, 1870
8 100 James Sivear 2nd May, 1870
9 100 Louis Olimer 9th February, 1871
10 100 Robert D. H. Tabor 14th April, 1870 1
11 100 Robert D. H. Tabor 14th April, 1870

CONCESSION 11
Lot Acres Name of Locatee Date of Location
5 100 Thomas Egglefield 25th November, 1870
6 100 William Inch 31st August, 1869
7 100 George H. Appleby 5th October, 1868
8 100 Jacob R. Tabor 3rd September, 1869
9 100 Louis Olimer 6th December, 1871
10 100 David Yearley 29th October, 1872
11 101 Elon Olimer 20th June, 1873
12 101 John McLean 30th July, 1868

CONCESSION 12
Lot Acres Name of Locatee Date of Location
2 120 Thomas Quintten 8th September, 1869
3 100 Thomas Quintten 27th January, 1871
7 100 Samuel Loughead 5th June, 1869
8 100 Samuel Loughead 16th October, 1869
10 105 John Forsyth, Jr. 20th July, 1869 (Deeded Oct 12/1875)

CONCESSION 13
Lot Acres Name of Locatee Date of Location
2 112 William D. Meggison 21st February, 1870
3 100 William D. Meggison 14th August, 1872
4 100 Michael Shaffer 17th September, 1869
5 100 Michael Shaffer 17th September, 1869
8 100 John Clark 13th February, 1872
**9 100 John Forsyth - no location date - Deeded - 24th April, 1873
Above is not on this list. Added from other records.
10 103 John Jones 12th July, 1872
11 102 Charles Jones 4th June, 1870
12 103 Charles Jones 4th June, 1870
13 103 John Jones 14th October, 1870
14 104 James Jones 3rd June, 1870
15 105 William Isbister 14th September, 1870

John Forsyth & Mary Dales

The following is copied from notes made by Jessie (Forsyth) Peacock, daughter of John Forsyth and Mary Dales - transcribed by Jessie's grand daughter, Jeanne. Written by Jessie before 1965.

John Forsyth was born in Darlington (Dirleton)Parish Haddington Shire, Scotland and came to Canada with his parents when about 20 years old (ca. 1855), living for a time in King County near Kettleby, Ontario.

(Note: Records show that John came before his parents. In 1861 they are still in Scotland and he is with the Dales family in King Township.)

In 1861 he was married to Mary Dales, daughter of Diana Otherham and William Dales. Mary Dales was born in 1840 in Kettleby. They resided in King County (Township) till 1865. The young couple then left with team and oxen for Bracebridge, Muskoka which was a town in the making and had only one house in it and was practically a dense forest. There was no train running to Muskoka then and the roads were almost impassable.

They lived in Bracebridge for a time and John was chiefly engaged in cutting roads. He located two lots in Macaulay and cut a good road from them to Bracebridge. His lots were located on the 12th Concession of Macaulay where he lived the remainder of his life. He died July 2nd, 1908 and was buried in Falkenburg Cemetery.

His father and mother lived in the next lot to them and one night the house took fire. It was just a one-storey house and they had to get his father out through a small window or he would have been burnt to death.

They were Presbyterians and attended church when well every Sunday morning at Parkersville Church (which has been pulled down and rebuilt by the Cowley Fathers.) There was a large family - 7 girls and 5 boys, only 3 of us left now.

There were many hardships in those days. Lots of times Father had to walk to Orillia (more than 60 miles return trip) to get flour and other provisions for his family. There were lots of wild animals such as bears, wolves, and deer. Fortunately there were lots of berries and Mother used to pick them and put them on boards to dry, then they would cook them as they needed them. As sugar was scarce and dear she also used to peel apples and string them and hang them up to dry. When cooked they tasted like fresh apples.

They had to wash with a wash board and made their own soap by putting wood ashes in a barrel then putting water on them letting the lye run out of the barrel, then they boiled the lye with fat they had saved till it was thick and they used that to wash with and scrub their floor with a scrubbing brush on their knees. No such conveniences as they have now.

Mother also spun her own yarn. They kept sheep and Father would shear the sheep and take the wool to the woollen mill and had rollings made out of it. Then Mother would spin it on her spinning wheel and make it into yarn to knit socks and mitts for the family. She also made all their shirts, pants and all wearing apparel and still had time to go and visit a sick neighbour.

1881 Census - Macaulay Township, Muskoka, Ontario

John FORSYTH, Scottish, 45, b. Scotland, Farmer, C. Presbyterian
Mary FORSYTH, English, 40, b. Ontario
Charlotte FORSYTH...........18, b. Ontario, Servant
*Deiann FORSYTH............. 16, b. Ontario, Servant
Sarah FORSYTH............... 14, b. Ontario
John Thomas FORSYTH...12, b. Ontario..going to school
William FORSYTH............ 11, b. Ontario..going to school
James FORSYTH.................8, b. Ontario..going to school
Robert FORSYTH................6, b. Ontario..going to school
Mary FORSYTH.................. 4, b. Ontario
Elizabeth FORSYTH............2, b. Ontario
George FORSYTH....................b. April, 1881, Ontario

*Diana is also shown in King Township as a servant with her Uncle David Dales

1891 Census - Macaulay Township
p. 25
John Forsythe.......................56, b. Scotland
Mary Jane..................................... 50, b. Scotland
John J........................................... 22, b.Scotland
William..........................................21, b. Ontario
James.............................................19, b. Ontario
Robert........................................... 17, b. Ontario
Mary.............................................. 14, b. Ontario
Elizabeth........................................12, b. Ontario
George............................................10, b. Ontario
Emma.............................................. 8, b. Ontario
Jessie............................................... 5, b. Ontario
Joseph..............................................3, b. Ontario

and John and Charlotte's daughter, Alison, on Lot 6, Concession XIII

James McNee................................. 59, Presbyterian
Alison McNee..................................59
John McNee....................................23, b. Scotland (?)
James McNee..................................21, b. Ontario
Charlotte McNee.............................18, b. Ontario
Susan Rickett, 22

Order of families enumerated:
Schaffer, McNee, Clark, Forsyth, Emmery, Wol__, Orr