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William and Thirza Ann (Yeo) Scott Story |
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WILLIAM SCOTT was born October 07,1848 in Dolton, Devon, England, son of William Scott and Jane Heard, and died
November-4-1914 in Muskoka age 66 yrs. He
married THIRZA ANN YEO. She was the daughter of HENRY YEO and ELIZABETH
AURTHER. Thirza was born 1850 in Swimbridge, Barnstaple, England, and died
June-5-1912 in Muskoka at age 62 yrs.
When William came to Canada, probably in early 1870-1873, and settled in Lambeth, Ontario, he left behind his entire family. It is most likely William came over with Aaron Stephens in the early 1870's or possibly even earlier and alone. William
was a shoemaker by trade, and at the time of this writing, I am still looking
for the place and details of where he served his apprenticeship. It could have
been in England or perhaps even when William first came to Ontario. A
researcher that I have communicated with said, the age of apprenticeship began
usually at the age of 14. William R.F. Scott in Cloyne, Ontario, has school
texts, some of the work dated March 1861, of William's. I find it interesting that one of his first purchases was a
sewing machine, purchased from the "Howe
Sewing Machine Agency" and the address on the old invoice is, 145
Dundas Street, London, Ontario, and the invoice is dated Oct 18, 1873.
We have receipts from E.W. Hyman, dated
1877. Upon further research by William Scott in Cloyne, on the history of the
London, Ontario area, we discovered that E.W. Hyman, was one of London's
earliest industrialists, and owner of Hyman Tannery. Mr. Arthur G. McClelland,
London Room Librarian, London Ontario Public Library answered, in part,
to a query I made regarding the Howe Sewing Machine, the following
information: "In the 1874-75, a William Scott, shoemaker, was listed as
boarding with a Thomas Walker." We have yet to find out who this
"Thomas Walker" was and any further information. We do, however,
have receipts that prove William signed after his name "Shoemaker"
and was recognized, as such to be his trade.
We know that Jane Aurther Yeo, Thirza's sister and husband Aaron were already in Canada in August,1870 as there is a birth registration for a son born in Muskoka.
It is as follows, Ernest Henry STEPHENS Birth: 23 Aug 1870 Huntsville, Muskoka District, OntarioParents:Father: Arron STEPHENS Mother: Mary
YEO
We know that Henry and Elizabeth Yeo were witnesses at William and Thirza's wedding in 1876. So Henry and Thirza arrived sometime
before 1876.
A 1874 receipt for the purchase of household items by Thirza, indicates she
was in Canada at that time. Whether she came with her parents or earlier with
Wm and Aaron and his family, is not known at this time. William married Thirza,
June-22-1876, in the Township of Westminster and the County of Middlesex,
Lambeth, Ontario. The Minister was Thos. Greene. The witnesses were the
bride’s parents, Henry Yeo and Elizabeth Yeo (nee Aurther) Their first son
Henry William was born October 17, 1877, in Lambeth as well as the youngest Archibald Robert in August 03, 1890. Reginald was born September 26, 1880 in Muskoka. A daughter Elizabeth was born November 23, 1883, and sadly, died at age
7. It appears the family moved back and forth for some reason, between Williamsport and Lambeth. Perhaps the climate was too harsh until a proper homestead could be established.
In Lambeth, William and Aaron Stephens appeared to share property, as a 1876
tax receipt shows they owned Lot 71 of Concession 7. Later William
and Thirza moved north permanently, to homestead at Williamsport. In 1881, his
property was Lots 29, 30 & 31
Chaffey Township, Muskoka, Ontario,
Canada. He farmed
there for many years while his family grew up. In 1899, he applied for mining
rights on the North end of his lot 31. He must have been disappointed
when he received the Assayer's Report.
Later, he moved into Huntsville
where he operated a shoemaker and shoe repair shop in partnership with his
son Henry, and second son Reginald operated a machine shop in the same
building. Henry learned the trade from his father. They worked there
when Henry was young and before they bought the Silverdale farm from Janie's
parents. There wasn't enough money in this business to support a family. After William’s
retirement, he continued to reside on Cora St. in Huntsville until his death.
Henry and his family moved to the farm in 1914 and that is the year
that William passed away, Thirza had died 2 years before. Both William and Thirza are buried in the Anglican cemetery in
Huntsville.
