Josiah Elliot's Immigration Story

 Anyone who has used the incredible genealogical resource FamilySearch also knows that it has some drawbacks--some of its billions of pages of documents have yet to be indexed, which is an expensive and time-consuming process.  I recently learned, when listening to the podcast Ancestors and Algorithms, that FamilySearch has been using AI experimentally to transcribe these records and allow us to search across the transcriptions.  It's not perfect -- but even at this early stage I'm seeing records I would never have found on my own.  One of them is a letter written by Josiah Elliot, son of Charles Elliot and Lydia Bailey, and brother of my immigrant ancestor Robert Elliot.  It's the kind of document that is rich in detail and tells a story I would never have been able to guess at from the usual immigration paperwork.  It's got a tear in it  but I'm going to transcribe what I can  here.

District of Gore

Dundas Upper Canada 

Janry 5,1829

To His Excellency,

Sir John Colborne, York, Upper Canada

Your Excellency will I trust excuse the Liberty I take in addressing you as the situation of my family humbly inspires me with hopes that something may be done by your Interest to save us from actual want--I arriv'd with my wife and eight children at York on the fourth of June last and Presented my Letter of recommendation to Sir P. Maitland from R.H. Gore Esq. (of the firm of Gore and Greenwood army agents):  Mr Chief Justice Sewell and Sir Noel Hill & etc.  From whence we proceeded to this place in hopes of something occuring during the summer by the interest of the Governor to give me employment in some way for the benefit of my dear family having his assurance to that Effect in the first vacancy that occured -- when my humble abilities might be employed. Unfortunately, on our arrival in Dundas, we were attacked with ague -- Fever -- and Dystentry -- which has lasted thru the summer and autumn - and altho it Pleased God to spare our Lives, yet the effects in our constitutions, will I fear be long felt -- being all ill we had not the power of assisting each other -- and the expense of procuring medical assistance with necessarys -- has exhausted my little capital -- before I can engage in anything for the support of my family -- I have a perfect knowledge of the Malting and Brewing business, Gardening and English Agriculture - and being a good accountant. Sh'd be happy to get into any office or Situation to save my family from want.  Major Hillyer informed me of the late Governor's Intention to assist me as soon as he could. But his removal has now put it out of his power, and I hope and trust your being Plac'd in his situation will enable you to ...(piece torn out of paper) I came from Hayes in Middlesex, London and was well known to Mr. Gore many years.  I was recommended to the brewing here but have not the means of Pursuing it.  Pray forgive this intrusion on your time and patience and let my dear family plead my excuse. I am in the greatest humility your Excellency's servant at Command. (signed) Josiah Elliot P.S. Mssrs. Jos. & Geo. Rolphe M.P. living here are acquainted with my Situation. 

Citation:  "Ontario, Canada records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3WG-Z88V?view=fullText : Jul 16, 2026), image 1267 of 1611; Upper Canada. Provincial Secretary's Office. Image Group Number: 008600088

I find this so culturally interesting -- apparently this is how some people found work in the connected world of the "family compact". In case you are wondering who the people in his letter are, he is writing to Sir John Colborne was the new Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, having stepped into the position in August 1828.  Sir P. Maitland was Sir Peregrine Maitland, who was Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada before Colborne's taking over the position.  Chief Justice Sewell was Jonathan Sewell, who was Chief Justice of Lower Canada (Quebec) from 1808 to 1838.  I don't know who R.H. Gore was, but perhaps related to Sir Francis Gore, who was no longer in Upper Canada by that time but had been Lieutenant Governor from 1806-1817. Sir Noel Hill was Sir Thomas Noel Hill who was deputy adjutant-general in Canada from 1827-1830.

Josiah is basically presenting his resume here to the highest government official he can find in the hopes of saving his family from ruin after a disastrous introduction to Upper Canada.  It's a miracle that his family all survived.  The timing catches my eye-- he arrived in Dundas shortly after June 1827.  His brother Robert Elliot brought his family over and arrived in Quebec in September 1827 and made their way to Dundas from Quebec sometime in the fall.  For some reason I had always assumed that Josiah had joined Robert in Canada, but it looks like Robert was joining Josiah.  

I don't know if this letter helped Josiah in any way.  I know he eventually became a merchant in Woodstock, Ontario, and his family did not become destitute.  

An Auction at the Adam and Eve Public House

Josiah Elliot, Robert Elliot's brother, took over the Adam and Eve pub in Hayes from his father Charles and went bankrupt in 1827.  Here is a newspaper ad for an auction of his belongings at the Adam and Eve, taken from the Bucks Gazette newspaper, Saturday April 28, 1827.

It's really too bad the family Bible was sold off....

Elliot Family in "Ontario Marriage Notices" by Thomas B. Wilson

"Ontario Marriage Notices", Thomas B. Wilson, Hunterdon House, Lambertville, N.J., 1982.  p. 227.

"At St. Paul's Church, Rochester, on 24 June, Robert H. Street, of Indiana, Grand River, & Mary Emily, youngest daughter of the late Josiah Elliot, formerly of Hayes, MIddlesex, England. (Rev. A. Wood)"

Taken from the periodical "The Church", Toronto, July 8, 1852.  

Some Records at the London Metropolitan Archives I'd Like to See

I can spend hours seaching the website of the London Metropolitan Archives.  Here are some records related to the Elliot family which I would like to see. In some cases, the descriptions alone give us additional detail to the information we already have.

1) Elliot, Robert.
COL/CHD/FR/02/1242/102
from the collection of the Corporation of London, dated July 1800
Company:  Curriers Admission by Servitude/apprenticeship, master Thomas BURTON, Newport Street, Middlesex, currier, Father:  Charles ELLIOT, Hayes, Middlesex, Victualler.

That's our Robert!  This must be his formal acceptance as a currier.  Thomas Burton, his master, was also his brother-in-law, husband of his sister Lydia. I can't find a corresponding record for any of his brothers.

2)  Insured:  Alexander Maxwell, 21 Bell Yard Temple Bar Bookseller.
May 3, 1819
CLC/192/F/001/MS11936/482/954135
Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Group

Alexander Maxwell was the husband of Mary Elliot (daughter of Charles and Lydia Elliot).  It would be interesting to see what he was insured for.

3)  Admission of Samuel Stone, upon surrender of Mary Bailey, formerly Mary Hatch, widow of Edmund Bailey, and Richard Hatch, eldest son and heir at law of William Hatch.
ACC/1386/0084
June 7, 1805
This pertains to a property transfer in Hillingdon. The Edmund Bailey mentioned in this record may be Lydia Bailey's brother, rather than her father.

3)  Papers of Executors of Charles Elliot, Deceased, Legacy duty, forms, accounts etc.
ACC/0538/2ND DEP 3714
1813-1827
I have a copy of Charles Elliot's will, but these papers, in the files of Woodbridge and Sons, Uxbridge, the Elliot family solicitors, would give a more detailed account of what he left behind.  Charles Woodbridge of this law firm was related to the Elliot family by marriage.

There are also several files in the archives relating to Josiah Elliot's bankruptcy.  For example:

4)  Drafts and Correspondence Concerning a Proposed Release
ACC/089/02/08/0014 (to 0025)
The Adam and Eve:  from the Collection "Fuller, Smith and Turner (Brewers).

5) Hayes--Particulars of Sale of the "Adam and Eve" malthouse, stabling, cottage, garden, orchard, and meadow in Hayes.
ACC/089/02/09/0025
From the above collection:  receipt for deposit of purchase money by Josiah Elliot of Hayes.  The description of the property that goes with the malthouse is interesting.

6)  Lease.  John Mickley to William Elliot.
July 20, 1792.
Messuage, currier's shop, garden and a building used as a leather cutter's shop down a yard off south side of Uxbridge, High Street.  Term:  21 years.  Rent:  14 pounds 14 p.a.  With a list of fixtures.
Agreement for purchase, 1826, John Bailey to William Elliot for shop and bakehouse adjoining the premises.

From the collection of Woodbridge and Sons, Uxbridge, solicitors.
ACC/0538/2ND DEP/3075
Is this John Bailey related to the Elliot family?

7)  Lease.  Henry Lott Mason and Sarah Mickhem His Wife to William Elliot.
May 11, 1813.
Premises as in the lease above.  Rent 21 pounds per annum, term 21 years.
ACC/0538/2ND DEP/3076
Woodbridge and Sons, Uxbridge.

Notice that the rent is much higher in 1813 than it was 21 years before in 1792.

8) Deed of Covenant to Surrender Copyholds Held of the Manor of Hayes.  Mrs. Mary Bailey to William Morten.
March 25, 1837.
ACC/0538/2ND DEP/3718
Premises as in ACC/0538/2ND DEP3717 and three cottages erected thereupon also all that messuage divided into three in Baggs Lane, and a parcel of land with a dissenting Chapel in Hayes. To secure an annuity of 123 pounds. INCLUDES 26 Jan 1833 copy of the will of William Bailey of Hayes, sole legatee subject to a legacy of 200 pounds to Richard HATCH of Shottersbrook, Berks.

The land mentioned is part of the previous file (Agreement for Sale.  William BAILEY to John Fox KEMP.)
Woodbridge and Sons, Uxbridge.

9) Miscellaneous Woodbridge papers including a number of personal letters.
ACC/0538/2ND DEP/1564
1839-1934;  33 items
These papers span a number of years.  Wouldn't it be great to see correspondence from family in Canada?

10) John Elliot Has Taken The Oaths Required For A Justice Of The Peace.
July 12, 1798.
MJ/SP/1798/07/097
Is this our John Elliot?

11) Worshipful Company of Cooks
1616-1959
CLC/L/CH
Site location:  Guildhall 
With luck, we might find information about Charles Elliot and his apprenticeship--maybe even his father's name!  This must be a huge collection. 
Unfortunately, the prices for getting an archivist to look up a record for you are sky-high.  I'd love a trip to London (sigh...).

Josiah Elliot in "The Bankrupt Directory"

Josiah Elliot was Robert Elliot's brother, and William Elliot's uncle.  He seems to have taken over the "Adam and Eve" public house after his father Charles' death.  He declared bankruptcy before he and Robert brought their families to Canada.  His name is listed in The Bankrupt Directory, a publication which seems to be aimed at the business community in London.   






Josiah is listed on page 131:

The Family of Charles Elliot and Lydia Bayley of Hayes, Middlesex, Part 2: Apprenticeship Records

Here are the apprenticeship records I have been able to find for the children of Charles and Lydia.

The first record, for Charles Elliot,  may not be for Charles the son of Charles and Lydia;  but it is the right location (London) and around the right date.  I'm keeping it here while I investigate further.  Charles Jr. was one of the only sons that Charles Sr. did not identify by trade in his will.

1779.  Possibly an apprenticeship dues record for Charles Elliot, apprenticing to James Norton, Citizen and Coachmaker of London.

The records below are reliably ours;  we know that William, John and Robert all became curriers.

1781.  William Elliot apprenticeship dues paid to John Halliwell, Citizen and Currier of London. UK, Register of Duties Paid for Apprentice's Indentures, 1710-1811.

Thomas Burton, Currier, takes on two of the Elliot sons as apprentices in the 1780s.  The apprenticeships would have lasted for seven years. 

1783.  UK, Register of Duties Paid for Apprentice's Indentures, 1710-1811.  Thomas Burton, Citizen and Currier of London, apprentice John Elliot. 

1785.  Freedom of the City of London Paper, for Robert Elliot, son of Charles Elliot in Hayes, Victualler, apprenticing to Thomas Burton of Newport Street, Currier. 

July 1792.  Robert Elliot still apprenticing to Thomas Burton. 

I can't find records for Thomas (who became an organ builder) or Josiah (who ran a public house in Hayes).  It's possible that Thomas may have gone overseas to learn his trade.  Perhaps Josiah apprenticed with his father Charles?