William settled in London, Ontario, first boarding with Thomas Walker ( a trackman) and family, in 1874-75. William listed his occupation then as “shoemaker.” Receipts that survive include “The Howe Sewing Machine Agency”…$40.00 for a Howe sewing machine (1873), and E.W. Hyman, a tannery in London , for leather supplies (1877).  

A receipt survives (1874) from Wm. Halls to Aaron Stephens for $100.00 “toward house & lot sold to him.” This was Lot 71, Concession 7RE of Westminster Twp. Middlesex County, just northwest of Lambeth. From 1875, there is a promissory note from William Scott to Aaron Stephens for $150.00. Other receipts and promissory notes that survive include the Johnston-Mahon Banking Co., McColl Bros., a nursery and seed supply in London, and a tax receipt made out to William and Aaron for the 1875 taxes on their lot…$7.31.  

On June 22, 1876, William married Thirza (or Thurza) Ann Yeo, the daughter of Henry Yeo and Elizabeth Aurther, who also emigrated to the Lambeth area. The Minister was Thos. Greene, and the witnesses were Henry and Elizabeth Yeo. (Thirza Yeo was born in Swimbridge, Devon, England on June 22, 1849.,. so her wedding day was also her birthday.  

William and Thirza’s first child, Henry William Scott was born on October 17, 1877 at Lambeth. Shortly after, William and Thirza decided to move to the newly settled Muskoka District, and, around 1879, they moved to the Williamsport area, near the Big East River, north of Huntsville. They settled on lots 29 and 30,Concession 6, Chaffey Twp. Aaron Stephens and family also settled on nearby lots.  

The original Scott homestead was a small 18 ft. x 24 ft. log cabin, which was added to over the years as the family settled and expanded. On September 26, 1880, a second son, Reginald Gordon Scott was born.  

William, Thirza, Henry and Reginald are listed on the 1881 Chaffey Twp. Census as English farmers, of the Methodist faith.

Henry and Elizabeth Yeo, and Aaron Stephens and family are also listed in the 1881 Census for that area.  

In 1883, the first bridge was built across the Big East River, and a log schoolhouse was built the same year on land donated by William Scott. The first trustees elected on the school board were Henry Gerhart, James Bailey and William Scott. (The schoolhouse was replaced with a stone building in 1896. It still stands).  

On November 23, 1883, a daughter, Elizabeth Scott was born to William and Thirza. Elizabeth died at a young age: seven years old, in 1890.  

William Scott also donated a corner of his lot across from the Williamsport Schoolhouse, to be used as a Church, and a cemetery. The Church trustees were Henry Gerhart, George Rutherford, and William Scott. A Crown Sale Grant was registered to the “East River Class of the Novar Mission of the Ontario Annual Conference Church of the United Brethren in Christ” for $5.00, for an additional one acre of land on September 21, 1895.  

A receipt exists from May 23, 1890, to Henry Yeo, “on account of sale of farm”. Near that date, William and Thirza’s fourth child, Archibald Robert Scott was born, back in Lambeth. William and Thirza may have traveled back to the Lambeth area at that time, to settle the sale of the old farm. Around this time, young Elizabeth died.  

The Scott's struggled on their Muskoka homestead. Loans from the Canada Permanent Loan & Savings Co. in the late 1890s were in default. Increasingly, William suffered the hardships: In his first Will dated October, 1893 he begins: William Scott being of sound mind though weak in body suffering from rheumatism…”  

William tried his hand at prospecting, applying for the mining rights of the north 50 acres of Lot 31, Concession 4, Chaffey, in 1899. He hired a Mr. Silver to cook and sharpen drill bits, and he sent samples to Israel Ward “Affiniologist” for assaying, but for naught.  

In  1892, Elizabeth Yeo, Thirza’s Mother died. She was buried in a corner of the Williamsport Cemetery, as was her husband Henry Yeo (death date as yet unknown). On September 20, 1900, Reginald Scott married 16 year old Ann Bennett, the daughter of neighbours George and Fanny Bennett. The 1901 Census included William, Thirza, Henry, Reginald, Archibald, Ann, and Laura Sherwood, a 25 year old female boarder.  

Around 1904, William and Thirza decided to move into Huntsville, purchasing four lots on the corners of Cora, Lorne and Florence Streets: planning to build for themselves and their three sons. William and Thirza lived at 3 Cora St. and William decided to join his oldest son Henry in the shoemaker’s trade, his original occupation. Second son Reginald had bought a blacksmith shop on Minerva St. in 1905, and Henry and William set up shop in a section of that building.  

William’s last Will was written on February 27, 1912. The letterhead reads: Office of Wm Scott, Treasurer of Chaffey, Box 10, Huntsville Ont. On the same day Thirza made out her Will. Thirza died on June 5, 1912, at the age of 62. She was buried in William’s plot in the Anglican “All Saint’s Cemetery” on Ravenscliffe Rd.  

William Henry Scott died on November 4, 1914, at the age of 66. The internment was on November the 7^th.  A receipt exists from F. Francis for: Casket & case $31 Horse hire & attendance 6 Grave digging 3   _______  $40    Paid Frank Francis