Originally Published in Heritage Happenings, February 1995
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This Heritage Paper is a collection of Obituary Notices from the middle decades of the last century. These notices concern members of the Methodist Episcopal Church¹ who resided in the Flamborough area and who died 1858-1872. These notices were inserted in their church newspaper called The Canada Christian Advocate. The paper, published each Wednesday, began in Cobourg in 1845, and continued in Hamilton from 1847 until the reunion of Canadian Methodism in 1884. It contained general news columns, birth, death and marriage notices as well as church news.

Very different from present day obituary notices, they are of great interest and value to researchers as they often contain a wealth of information about early township settlers.

Jacob ALISON: Jacob was born in County Durham, England, August 26, 1811. He was converted at c. age 14, and walked a number of miles to tell an older brother. In 1835 he came to Canada, settling in Nassagaweya Township. Later he moved to East Flamborough, where he died August 12, 1870.

Mrs. Elizabeth ALLISON: Elizabeth Revel, wife of George Allison, died of consumption in East Flamborough, August 25, 1871, in her 25th year, survived by her parents and her husband.

Joseph ALLISON: Eldest son of Jacob and Mariah Allison, Joseph was born August 10, 1839, and converted c. 5 years ago. Soon after that he went to Oregon, and for nearly 4 years, spent his time attending college, teaching school, and visiting the gold region. Last May he returned to his father’s home in East Flamborough, and died of consumption, March 5, 1865.

Orpha ALLISON: Daughter of Jacob and Mariah Allison of East Flamborough was born December 19, 1845, and died of consumption June 29, 1865. She was buried beside her brother.

Mrs. John BAILEY: Mrs. Bailey of West Flamboro’ aged 65, fell into a spring of water last Friday, July 19, 1867 and was drowned.

CAREY: An infant son of Edward and Mary Jane Carey of Millgrove died August 21, 1864.

Francis CROOKER: Formerly a merchant of Waterdown, Canada West, Francis Crooker, eldest son of J. K. and Grace Crooker of Millgrove, West Flamboro, died April 15, 1864, aged 39 years, 2 months and 20 days. He is survived by his wife, his parents, brothers and sisters.

Mrs. CUMMER: Relict of the late John Cummer, died of paralysis at Waterdown, 11 April 1870.

John CUMMER: John Cummer was born in York Twp., March 28, 1797, and is believed to have been the first white child born in that township. His parents had immigrated from Reading, Pennsylvania, settling near what is now known as Willowdale. On January 1, 1823, he married Miss Sarah Lockman Smith. A few years ago, they moved from Willowdale to Waterdown. After the Methodist Episcopal Church left that community, he joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was attacked with his latest illness at Leroy, while on his way to visit one of his sons at Thornbury. He was moved to Toronto, and died September 11, 1868, in his 72nd year, at the residence of his son, F. D. Cummer. He was predeceased by 2 children, survived by his wife and 10 children.

James DONALDSON: A laboring man, residing in Flamboro’ went into his cellar the other day to get a basketful of turnips, and was found dead shortly afterwards. Issue of May 1, 1861.

Patrick FLEMING: Mr. Fleming, a lumber teamster, fell from his wagon last Saturday at the village of West Flamboro’ and was almost instantly killed. Issue of February 2, 1859.

Daniel GRAY: Daniel, aged 22 years, while rafting saw logs on Robert Christie’s mill-pond, West Flamboro’ last Monday, slipped from a log on which he was standing and was drowned. Issue of June 10, 1868.

Cornelius HEWINS: Cornelius was born in Lincolnshire, England, September 6, 1793, and married Miss Ann Drewry at age 23. About 30 years ago, he came to Canada, settling in East Flamboro Twp., where he raised his family. On September 11, 1854, his first wife died, and c. 2 years ago, he married a Mrs. Williamson. He died February 8, 1864, and was buried beside his first wife.

Dr. D. W. HOWELL: The only son of Samson and Jane Howell, Dr. Howell was born in West Flamboro, and was licensed as an exhorter in his 26th year, and as a local preacher in his 30th year. He died June 22, 1859 in his 43rd year, in Tilsonburg, where he had moved recently. Survived by his wife and seven children.

Mrs. Mary HUSBAND: Mary Alderson was born in Virginia in October 1840, and came to Canada as a child. She was converted on the Eramosa Circuit. On April 9, 1859, she married Henry Husband, and joined the New Connexion Church, of which he was a member. Later she joined the Methodist Episcopal Church on the Flamboro Circuit. She died of consumption in East Flamboro Twp., March 9, 1866, and was buried in the New Connexion graveyard, Nassagaweya, She is survived by her husband and 4 sons.

Philip JOHNSON was born in Lincolshire, England, January 24, 1789, and came to Canada with his wife and children in 1831, settling in Flamboro Twp. In 1855, he moved to Norwich, and joined the old Newark class of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he remained a member till his death. He died in Harwich, November 22, 1871. Mr. Johnson was married three times and now leaves a wife and six children.

George N. KELSEY: Died in the village of Waterdown, March 13, 1861, in his 35th year.

Mary C. KELSEY: Died at Waterdown, December 27, 1864, in her 31st year.

Robert KERR: Mr. Kerr was born in County Sligo, Ireland, and came to Canada in 1834, settling in East Flamboro Twp. On December 1, 1840, he married Elizabeth Weir. About 5 years ago, at a Camp Meeting in the English Settlement², he identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died at Mountsberg, March 22, 1866, in his 50th year, survived by his wife and family.

Mrs. Elizabeth MAYNARD: Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Alexander and Sarah McLean, was born in Innisfell, September 14, 1840, married Roger Maynard in February 1859, and died in East Flamboro Twp, April 2, 1865, survived by her husband, 2 daughters and a son.

Mr. Page MOUNT: Born in England, April 24, 1830, Page Mount came to Canada with his parents as a child, settling in East Flamborough. He died of Typhoid Fever, November 20, 1865; predeceased by a small son; survived by his wife, the former Elizabeth Dougherty, and two small children. He had served as Magistrate and Councillor.

1. There were two Methodist Episcopal Churches in East Flamborough Township. One was located in the Village of Waterdown, and the other near the Village of Mountsberg. The Mountsberg Church is presently located in the Westfield Heritage Centre, Rockton, the Waterdown Church has long since disappeared from its location on Vinegar Hill.
2. The English Settlement was the name given to the area of the 12th Concession, East Flamborough due to the majority of the original settlers coming from England, whereas those to the south originated in Ireland, and those to the north from Scotland.

© The Waterdown-East Flamborough Heritage Society 1995, 2022.