Anne Hawley biography.

Kay Koslan comments: Christopher Winter then married (2) 1817, in Canada, to Anne Hawley. 1837 fits into what I was telling you. The document I sent you on Anne Hawley says she was married to Christopher in the early part of her 69th yr. It mentions Christopher’s death being married 20 yr and 6 months. Since the year they were married, based on the yr she was married (1817) and when Christopher and her appeared in the 1817 Haldimand Census, then 20 years and 6 months would put it at 1837. We may be able to calculate closer if we find a marriage record for them.

Early Settlement and Development of Haldimand Township when the lakes roared.

https://digitalcollections.ucalgary.ca/archive/Memories-of-Haldimand-Township---When-the-Lakes-Roared-2R3BF1F3T0IOG.html

In an effort to ascertain what land was being farmed and what was being held for speculation, Augustus Jones was asked to make a detailed report to the government on the location of each settler and what improvements had been made. On May 1, 1799, he found the following settlers in Haldimand Township: Ebenezer Allen (or Allan), George Baker, Gideon and Stephen Bordman (or Bowerman), Nathan Brady, Allen and John Brown, Asa Burnham, Joel Burns, John, John Jr. and William Carter, William Curtis, Asa Danforth, John Darling, Erasmus and Gaius Deane, Moses Doolittle, Bays Eddy, Joseph Farrington, Rozel Ferguson, Ferdinand Grout, Aaron Greeley, John Grover, Daniel and Stephen Hare, Arthur Hary, John Haveland, Thomas Hinman, Daniel Honeywell, Peter Irish, Charles Jones, Joseph Keeler, John Kelly, George McCalping, Nathaniel Michael, Patrick Moore, Mathias Morris, Rana Peering, Timothy Pettit, Joseph Philips, Joseph Richmond, Joseph Starks, Abnet Spencer, Benjamin, Isaac and Jincks Wait, Samuel Williams, Christopher Winter, and David and Peter Wyatt. This lengthy list of settlers grew quickly. By 1804 there were 356 settlers in Haldimand Township: 173 adults and 183 children. Haldimand was then the second most populous township in the Newcastle District after Hamilton Township to the west. On January 1, 1800, the townships of Murray, Cramahe, Haldimand, Hamilton, Alnwick, Percy, and Seymour and the Peninsula of Newcastle were formed into Northumberland County. Northumberland County administration began in July of that year when David McGregor Rogers of Haldimand became Registrar for the county. Prior to his appointment, all land registrations for the region were made in Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake). Haldimand's pioneers now had a convenient location in their own area to register title to their property and many now took the opportunity to do so. Although the committee did not mention the origin of the name they had chosen, Grafton appears to have taken its name from a town in Massachusetts from which John Grover had emigrated. Grafton, Massachusetts had been named in honour of the Duke of Grafton, a grandson of King Charles II.

Grafton

The hamlet of Grafton, located on Lots 22, 23 and 24 in Concessions A & I, was known by various names, including Grover's Tavern and Haldimand Post Office, until a Wednesday in March 1832. That day, a few civic minded residents got together and formed a committee for the purpose of formally naming the settlement. In a letter to the Cobourg Star dated March 22, 1832, and signed by John Taylor, James G. Rogers and Eliakim Barnum, the new name was announced:

Sir: The improved and flourishing state of the Township of Haldimand has led to the rapid formation of a village about the place which was formerly known as "Grover's Tavern" and in conformity to the usage, several gentlemen of the neighbourhood met by appointment at that place on Wednesday last for the purpose of giving it a name. After considerable discussion, that of Grafton was unanimously agreed upon, as will appear by the resolution herewith sent you.

The hamlet had been settled for quite some time prior to its naming. It may have begun as a convenient half-way stop along the Danforth Road that once led from York (Toronto) to Kingston. Due to its strategic location, many inns were built in the area. An early inn was run by the Spalding family. As Loyalists, Zebulon and William Spalding were granted land in Haldimand Township in 1792. On their land, they soon built a home and an inn. Spalding's Inn continued in use until at least 1820, when it was converted into a brewery. In 1817 a traveller named Charles Fothergill passed through Grafton and stayed at an inn that became a local landmark. He described his stay at Grover's Inn as follows:

Found Grover a one-eyed dark complexioned & very shabby & suspicious looking fellow - & drunk withal & very loquacious & very consequential in his own eyes. Settled here 15 years ago when there was not a soul within many miles of him. - Showed me a small library of religious books in a cupboard In my bedroom with an air of great triumph - glad to see it tho' doubtful as to the benefit he derived from their perusal for I did not like his manners nor the continual surprize he expressed at my travelling alone in such a country, & his frequent interrogatory whether I was not afraid of being robbed & murdered - in faith I might be both & no one be the wiser - as he lifted my portmanteau into my bedroom, remarked on its weight saying it must be full of money - I did not like his manner of handling & pointing my double-barrelled gun - which was dubious - Bed room however was very comfortable with a cheerful blazing fire on the hearth of maple wood - I fastened the door & committed myself to repose & to the protection of the Divine Deity whom I have so frequently & so heinously offended. The next day, Fothergill noted a distinct change in Grover's attitude and concluded that, sober he was a much superior man.

Edward H. Pepper took over Grover's Tavern before 1832 and offered it for sale. The following advertisement appeared in the Cobourg Star on July 11 of that year:

For sale - all that excellent and well known tavern stand in the Village of Grafton with outhouses, sheds, etc. and 3/ 4 acre of land, known for many years by the name of Grover's Tavern and now in the occupation of Mr. Pepper.

A notice dated November 30, 1833, in the same newspaper, announced that John McNulty and B. Murray, tailors, had removed to Grover's Old Stand, formerly occupied by Pepper's where they would be ready to wait on those who called. By 1835 the old Grover's Inn had become Arkland's Tavern. Until the building of the town hall on the east side of the inn in 1859, Arkland's was the regular meeting place for the township council, the district court and for numerous local organizations. It was operated by John Arkland who was married to Belinda Ewing, a sister of Benjamin Ewing and Hannah Barnum. In late 1842 or early in 1843, Arkland's Tavern was sold. The new owner was William Patterson, a settler who had come to Haldimand in 1822. In February 1843 he informed customers of his new business through the following advertisement in the Cobourg Star.

In 1836 the Grafton Harbour Company was formed. The directors of this company were Richard Hare, John Grover, Malcolm McNeil, J. Warren, John Clark, Thomas M. Spalding, James G. Rogers, Edward H. Pepper, Thomas Spencer, Donald Hare, John Spencer, Roderick McKenzie, William Carroll and Jacob Van Alstine.

Societies

Masonic Lodge of Grafton

Soldiers from British regiments who fought in the Seven Years War introduced freemasonry to Canada and the organization subsequently accepted civilians as members. St. John's Lodge #19 of the Township of Haldimand was one of the first and longest surviving lodges of the district. The original warrant was dated October 4, 1801. Worshipful Brother Aaron Greeley was named Worshipful Master, Brother John Grover, Senior Warden, and Brother Chester Eddy, Junior Warden. In 1806 a revival took place with the Craftsmen of the Township of Cramahe joining the Brethren of Haldimand and a new warrant was issued. By-laws for this Lodge were submitted on April 4, 1811. Meetings were generally held in Grover's Inn, Grafton, although some meetings were held at the home of Caleb Mallory, Brookside. From 1818 to 1819, the Lodge met regularly at the home of John Kelly on Kelly's Hill at Brookside. Meetings were held regularly from 1822 to 1826. After this records were few until 1844, when the Lodge next appeared on the roll of the Provincial Grand Lodge. The Masonic Lodge met in the upper storey of the Halfway House.

Northumberland Agricultural Society

A meeting was held at John Grover's Inn on May 18, 1829, to form the Northumberland Agricultural Society. At this meeting Benjamin Whitney was elected president, Capt. Spilsbury, R.N. and Charles Powers, vice-presidents, Joseph A. Keeler, treasurer and John Steele, secretary. The directors were: William Falkner, Henry Ruttan, Zaccheus Burnh am, John Burnham, Archibald MacDonald, James J. Bethune, John Fraser, Charles Rubidge, Benjamin Cumming, Jason Lyons, M.P. Benjamin Ewing, M.P. Shelden Hawley, John Grover, John Kelly, Ephraim Doolittle, Ozen Strong, Jason D. Goslee, David Brodie, Levi Loomis and Isaac Proctor. The directors each contributed three dollars toward prizes and other subscriptions were solicited. The first cattle show of the society was held in the public square of the village of Colborne on October 19, 1829, and prizes in the amount of $77 were paid.

In 1830 the society offered premiums for the best managed farms in the County. Sisson Waite of Haldimand was one of five winners out of 12 entries. Over the years most subscribers were reimbursed through awards. Government assistance was given in 1831 when legislation was passed to encourage the establishment of agricultural societies. It specified that when £50 was raised in a district, the government would, on petition, give £100 to be divided among all such societies within that district.

On November 13, 1831, a letter addressed to the association signed by "T.S." chastised members for " making a flourish in the newspapers about cattle shows, premiums, great dinners, long speeches" and urged the society to produce tracts to educate farmers, many of whom were very inexperienced. He suggested that experienced farmers should present a topic on rural affairs to the monthly meeting and, if found worthy, it should be published.

The society seems to have disbanded for a few years, and then on December 21, 1836, an announcement appeared in the Cobourg Star inviting "Gentlemen Farmers and other interested in agriculture to attend a meeting at Arkland 's Tavern, Grafton." At this meeting George Manners was president and Donald McTavish, secretary. Among those who attended were: Messrs. Mason, Steele, Barnum, Cooke, Warren, Mellis, Gillard, McNeil, Ewing, Grover, Rogers, Hammond, Innes, Jack, Hare, Taylor, MacDonald and Halliday.

THE HONEYWELL FAMILY

by Vanessa Warner Bacola

The Honeywell family in Haldimand Township has all but died out, but they were among the founding families of the township. The progenitor of this family was Isaiah Honeywell, who was born on October 15, 1752, in Duchess County, New York. He lived in Lunesboro, Massachusetts and Rutland, Vermont. The family is of Welsh origin and the name Rice, which has been Anglicized from the Welsh name Rhy, appear frequently through the generations. Research has shown that Isaiah came to Haldimand on April 17, 1797, and received a crown grant of Lot 33, Concession III comprising 200 acres. After arriving in Canada, Isaiah married Betsy Cartwright, a widow with several sons. To this union were born three sons, Amos (1799-1884), Rice (1804-1 98) and Daniel (1805-?). Isaiah and Betsy lived in Haldimand and little is known of their years in the community. It is certain that clearing land and farming was a large part of their day-to-day existence. Although no tombstones have been located, it is assumed that both are buried at Academy Hill Cemetery which is near by burial ground to their farm. Amos married Parmelia Allen and they had eight children. The couple began their married life on Isaiah's property, and eventually prospered sufficiently to purchase Lot 20, Concession IV in Haldimand. When they died in 1 84 and 1889 respectively, they were buried at Eddystone cemetery. Rice (1827-1901), a son of Amos, married Deborah Winter (1827- 1920). They owned part of Lot 22 Concession IV, a property consisting of 80 acres, and then purchased a further 80 acre on Lot 15, Concession VI. Deborah is buried at Academy Hill cemetery near to her infant so n who died at 14 months, while Rice is buried in Centreton.

Charles (1 29-1 96), another of Amos's on, married Ellen Pender in 1850. They settled first on Lot 22, Conces ion I Il moving to Lot 22, Conces ion IV, which he bought from Amo. Later they owned Lots 6 and 7 in Concession VII where they lived until Ellen's death. Charles is buried at Centreton, but Ellen, who was a Roman Catholic is presumed buried at Burnley, for which no record exists.

Another brother, Smith, farmed and raised a family on his grandfather's (Isaiah's) farm on Lot 22, Concession III, and also farmed on his father's (Amos's) property on Lot 20, Concession IV.

THE BRADLEY BRYSON FAMILY

by Bill Bryson

As a young man of about 20, Nathan Bradley left the United States following the War of Independence. He settled with his wife, Elizabeth Harden, near present-day Eddystone. Nathan and Elizabeth had 12 children: eight sons and four daughters. Four of these children are buried in Eddystone cemetery. They are: William, and his wife Deborah Tripp; Polly, and her husband Jonathan Russ; Sylvanus, and his wife Sally Tucker; and Hiram. Their eldest child, Lucina, married Daniel Massey. Their second child, Abraham, married Ruth Tucker. This union produced nine children, four of whom are buried in Eddystone. One of their sons, Charles Sydenham, married Hanna Hubble and they had three children, Lock Amsdon, Alma and Charles Arthur. Lock and Alma married sister and brother Jennie and Matthew Floyd. In 1894 Lock, Alma and their families moved west to Manitoba. In 1994 Lock and Jennie's great-grandson, Larry McDougall, bought a farm on the Centreton/Castleton road, east of Centreton, next to Bradley Hollow road. In purchasing this farm, Larry had no idea that this was where his ancestors had come from. Charles Arthur Bradley was 14 years old when his brother and sister went west. He stayed behind on his father's farm and as a young man married Florence Joice. In the 1920s Charles and Florence ran the Haldimand Municipal telephone exchange in the house adjacent to the Grafton hotel. At this time Charles helped to build a dam across the creek beside the house to create a pond for a skating rink for the young (and not so young) people of the village. It was this frozen pond that a decade later would claim the life of their grandson Jimmy. Their daughter, Dorita, married Harvey Bryson. Harvey was born in Kendal, Ontario on September 14, 1898, and apprenticed as an auto mechanic with General Motors in Oshawa. He moved to Grafton in the early 1920s and worked for Percy Roberts who had a garage on the south side of Highway #2 at the foot of Aird Street. During this time he also boarded with the Roberts. Harvey and Dorita Bradley were married on December 3, 1927, and lived near the public school while their house was being built. Harvey bought a bit off land from Percy Roberts for $100. He then bought an old hired hand's house on the Hare farm north of Hare's school for $150. This house was already 100 years old at the time. He dismantled the house, trucked it to the village and used the material obtained to build his house. His father Sam, who was a barn builder, came down from Kendal to help him.

FAMILIES

Young Jimmy Bryson was born to Harvey and Dorita on August 13, 1929. A second child, Jean, was born on February 20, 1932. On January 12,  1934, Jimmy spent the afternoon with a friend a few doors west of the Grafton Hotel. Leaving for home around five o'clock, he decided to take a short cut up behind the hotel, turning in at the snow-covered skating pond by the highway. Unaware, as he approached the point where the creek flowed into the pond, that the moving water would keep the ice thinner than that further out, Jimmy broke through the ice, was dragged under by the current and drowned. The pond was drained to recover his little body and has remained dry ever since. The Brysons had seven children who found careers away from Haldimand but two granddaughters, Linda Sturzenegger and Joyce Turk make their home in Grafton. In the spring of 1956 Rolly Morrison, Children's Aid worker, had three young brothers to place in three good homes for three months while their mother recuperated from major surgery. Not knowing the village that well he came to Dorita Bryson and asked if she could recommend who he should approach. By the time he left our house arrangements had been made for all three brothers to spend these months with the Bryson s, who still had three of their own sons at home.