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.  

Field Trip to the Dundas Museum and Archives

Yesterday Doug and I went on a research visit to the Dundas Museum and Archives in Dundas, Ontario, where both the Elliot and Oliphant families originally settled when they came to Canada. We found some great material, although not the great material I was originally hoping to find.  One day wasn't quite enough, so we plan on making a return visit sometime this summer.

To give some context:  Robert and Ann Elliot brought their children, including our ancestor William Elliot, to Ontario in 1827 and they settled in Dundas. Robert came to Canada with his brother Josiah but they didn't settle in the same place;  Josiah became a merchant in Beachville, Ontario.  Robert was a currier or leatherworker in England, but his occupation in Canada is unknown.  William was 15 when the family arrived;  in his twenties he farmed briefly, then worked in the Lesslie pharmacy and eventually took it over from the Lesslie family with a partner.  William moved to Toronto in 1854 to broaden his business horizons, and his father Robert died that same year.  Robert's wife Anne's death date is unknown.

David Oliphant, meanwhile, arrived in Canada in 1822 with one son, and his wife and three other children joined him within a few years.  He was a shoemaker in Scotland and lived as a shoemaker in Dundas as well, although family letters refer to David and Sophia living on a family farm.  Their  children were Alexander, Mary (our ancestress, who married William Elliot), David Jr. and William.   David died in Dundas in 1841.  He was an enthusiastic member of the Disciples of Christ church, and his son David Jr. was educated at Bethany College, a Christian college in Virginia,  and went on to become editor of several Disciple newspapers.

I was primarily hoping to find out more about the lives of Robert and Ann Elliot in Canada, and unfortunately I didn't find anything.  However, we did find lots of references to William Elliot and to the Oliphant family, primarily in the Lesslie family fonds, and we did find some scattered information about both families in other sources.

From the Woodhouse Family History collection (a collection of index cards giving point form information on various Dundas families):  Maria Elliot (Robert and Anne's daughter) married 1/1/1828 to David Yates of Dundas, also Louisa Elliot (another daughter of Robert and Ann) married 1/1/1828 (the same day!) to Thomas Hilton of Dundas.

We found a copy of the Dundas Centennial 1847-1947 Souvenir Historial Program, "Produced under the direction of the Dundas Centennial Committee by the Star Printing Company of Dundas", which on page 45 had something to say about David Oliphant Sr.

"David Oliphant, one of the earliest shoemakers in 1819, had a son Alexander who was very prominent in the Union Sabbath School in 1829.  David is reputed to have sheltered his relative, Samuel Lount, after the 1837 rebellion.  Maybe if Lount had remained hidden in Dundas he might never have been captured or executed."   

I don't believe that Lount was a relative of the Oliphant family, but various sources do state that it was Oliphant who hid Lount as he was trying to escape Upper Canada.

The more I learn about the Lesslie family, the more I feel that they were touchstones of a sort, bringing together and influencing various families from which we descend.  It's almost certain that our family story would not have taken the shape that it does without the influence of the Lesslies on the business, religious and social lives of the Scotts, Elliots and Oliphants.  The Lesslies were members of the Disciples of Christ church and successful businessmen in Dundas, Toronto and Kingston.  The Lesslie family was originally from Dundee, Scotland.  Here is a biographical sketch of the family from the Dundas Archives:

 Edward Lesslie was born in May 1765. He married Grace (Grizel) Watson on August 13, 1798 in Dundee. Although his father was a sailor, Edward Lesslie established himself as a bookseller and printers ink maker in Dundee. He is described in the Scottish Book Trade Index as a leader of the advanced radicals who narrowly escaped prosecution for sedition....by 1819 he decided to emigrate to Canada with his family. He sent his son John in 1820 with a supply of goods to open a store. Upon arrival, John chose York (Toronto) and, together with his travelling companion, William Lyon Mackenzie, established a business in the book and drug trade. They later opened a store in Dundas, which, in addition to drugs and books, dealt in a variety of other merchandise. In 1822, ill health prevented the emigration of the remaining family so Edward sent his sons James and Charles, and daughter Grace on a chartered brig loaded with supplies for the stores. James ended up in Kingston, operating a store there for the next four years. In the meantime, Edward and Grace and their remaining children finally arrived in Upper Canada and settled in Dundas where they operated the store now named Lesslie and Sons. The Lesslie family played an important role in early life in Dundas. They operated a thriving business and owned considerable land in the area. Edward Lesslie was instrumental in establishing the Free Church in Dundas, which offered meeting space to a variety of denominations. John Lesslie would continue to manage the store in Dundas, become the postmaster, and purchase a brewery. He and three of his sisters remained in Dundas. Edward Lesslie died in 1828 and management of the business fell to the sons, John, James, Charles, and William. John remained in charge of the Dundas branch while James operated the York store with the help of their youngest brother, Joseph. William operated the store in Kingston. Charles emigrated to Davenport, Iowa, disillusioned after the rebellion of 1837. He would remain there for the rest of his life. Joseph Lesslie eventually became postmaster of Toronto. 

Here are some of the connections I already knew.  James Lesslie was responsible for the Scott family coming to Canada, as Thomas Chalmers Scott had originally intended to immigrate to America.  This is what Scott's obituary in the Toronto Globe Newspaper has to say about Scott's change of mind:

Upon his arrival at New York [in 1842], however, he met with Mr. James Lesslie, of this city, who persuaded him to come to Toronto, and took him into his employment.  For several years he continued his connection with the Examiner, of which Mr. Lesslie was the editor and publisher....

The connection of the Lesslies to the Elliots is obvious;  William Elliot received his pharmaceutical training in the Lesslie pharmacy in Dundas, and eventually took over the Lesslie family businesses in Dundas before he moved to Toronto.  William Elliot was also a member of the Disciples Church, and probably worshipped with the Lesslie family in Dundas.   Since the Lesslies were close to William Lyon MacKenzie,  I think we can assume that William  Elliot got to know MacKenzie through his connection with the Lesslies, even though MacKenzie had relocated to York (Toronto) by the time the Elliot family landed in Dundas.  MacKenzie is a huge figure in Ontario and Toronto history and I have  a lot of questions about his political  influence on William Elliot and other members of our family, which I will save for another post.  

The sources we examined in the Lesslie family fonds were a scrapbook and a diary kept by John Lesslie.  The scrapbook consisted of unidentified newspaper clippings, primarily about politics, and recipes for pharmaceutical medicines (most of these were handwritten and not from published sources).    The recipes were rather fascinating;  there was a recipe for a medicine to cure smallpox, for example, as well as a cure for cancer.   From a modern perspective, not many of the recipes looked particularly promising.  It gave me a lot of insight into why William and his son Robert Watt became so invested in regulating their profession and in the education and training of pharmacists in college settings, where subjects like chemistry were taught.  Although advertisements for various remedies that the Elliot pharmacy sold in Dundas were sweepingly optimistic, William must have noticed that in actual practice not all of his medicines were that effective.

John Lesslie's diary was very business-like, with short factual entries about goings-on in the business and in his religious and/social spheres. He also recorded the weather.  William Elliot's name came up frequently, which was not surprising since he worked for John.  William seems to have travelled for the business quite a bit throughout Ontario and the diary records his comings and goings.  MacKenzie's name shows up fairly frequently as well, and surprisingly, so does David Oliphant Jr.'s.  John records David's going to Bethany College in Virginia and his coming home, for example.  There appears to be a close relationship between John and David Jr., who will eventually become William's brother-in -law when William marries David's sister  Mary Oliphant.   Thomas Chalmers Scott's various visits to Dundas, presumably to preach, were also mentioned. 

A page from John Lesslie's diary, 1843.  Thomas C. Scott and Wm. Elliot both mentioned.

Religious Dissenters Among the Children of Charles Elliot and Lydia Bayley

Charles Elliot and his wife Lydia Bailey seem to have been lifelong Anglicans.  They married, baptized their children and were buried in Anglican churches (primarily St. Mary's church in Hayes).  However, many of their children became religious dissenters.  (A "religious dissenter" during this period in England can refer to a number of Christian groups with varied theologies, such as Baptists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, or Quakers:  some of the following records refer to the Elliot family as dissenting Protestants).    I've written about Alexander Maxwell and his wife Mary Elliot's religious life in a previous post.  Here are some additional family records I have found on the database "All England and Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1970" for the families of Charles and Lydia's children.

The records of these dissenting churches are in some ways more informative than the records I have seen kept by Anglican churches during this time period.  Particularly, they include the name of the paternal grandfather (sometimes both of the paternal grandparents) so that you know the mother's maiden name. That is an absolute gift.  The records also seem to mark three occasions:  the child's birth (always) baptism (sometimes) and date recorded, which could be many years after the event.

I have found records for these families in the non-conformist database:  Henry Hilton and Martha Elliot (4 children baptized between 1787 and 1792), Thomas Burton and Lydia Elliot (1 child recorded 1787),  William Elliot and Elizabeth Best (6 children recorded between 1798-1805), John Elliot and his first and second wives, Susanna Jones and Ann Best (7 children recorded between 1798-1812) and Robert Elliot and Ann Bland (1 child recorded, 1815).  These dates do not necessarily tell us when each family became associated with a dissenting church, but they at least pin down times when the families were definitely involved.  I also found a birth record for a child of of Mary Bailey, Lydia Bailey's sister or cousin, and her husband William Pontifex, indicating that the William Pontifex family was also dissenting.  The children of Charles and Lydia that I did not find dissenting records for were Thomas, Josiah and Charles Elliot and their families--perhaps these three men and their respective families remained Anglicans.

Here are the baptismal records I have found for the family of Alexander Maxwell and Mary Elliot.  The baptismal address was Carey Street, New Court.  Robert Winter calls himself a Protestant Dissenting Minister. 

Mary Maxwell, born December 17, 1808, baptized February 12, 1811.  

Lydia Maxwell, born December 2, 1810, baptized February 12, 1811.

Alexander Maxwell, born January 19, 1813, baptized April 19, 1813.

 Right next to each other on the register of Roger Flexman are Mary Hilton, the daughter of Henry Hilton and "Martha the Daughter of Charles Elliott" (sic), born July 31 1787, and Lydia Burton, daughter of Thomas Burton and "Lydia the Daughter of Charles Elliott" (sic).  They were recorded together on September 5, 1787.  I believe the additional women's names on the record are the midwives (the record refers to them as witnesses to the birth).  

Martha Hilton, born in Southhampton Street in St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster, November 1, 1788. 

Rebekah-Sarah Hilton, born September 3, 1790, registered December 10, 1790.  One of the witnesses to the birth is Lydia Burton.  We have two separate records of Rebekah-Sarah's birth. St. Paul, Covent Garden, Middlesex.

John Hilton, born February 20, 1792, Registered April 9 1791.  St. Paul, Covent Garden, Middlesex.  Lydia Burton is again a witness to the birth.  Minister Roger Flexman. 

Next comes the family of William Elliot and his wife Elizabeth Best:
Thomas Elliot, born October 23, 1798,  registered March 7, 1799, Uxbridge, Middlesex.

William Elliot, born September 1, 1795, and Eliza Elliot, born February 27, 1799, both registered March 7, 1799.  Parish of Uxbridge.

William Elliot Jr.:

Eliza Elliot:

Sarah Elliot, born October 1, 1801, another William Elliot, born October 10, 1803, Mary Ann Elliot, born January 1, 1805, all registered July 9, 1816.  Parish of Uxbridge.


Sarah Elliot:

 

William Elliot (the first William Elliot must have died):

 Mary Ann Elliot:

Joseph Elliot, born July 28, 1809, and Rebecca Elliot, born May 2, 1811.  Both in Uxbridge, Middlesex;  both registered April 30, 1816

.

Joseph Elliot:

Rebecca Elliot:

John Elliot, son of Charles and Lydia, and his two wives Susanna Mary Jones and  Ann Best also have a number of children listed in the nonconformist records database.  Mary, Ann, and Jemima Elliot were all registered on October 21, 1819, although they were born in 1793, 1800, and 1804 respectively.  When Mary was born John and Susanna were living in St. Giles, Middlesex.  When John's next two children, by his second wife Ann, were born, he was living in Hampton Wick.  Notice that again Lydia Burton is present for a birth.  I wonder if she was a midwife?

Mary Elliot, daughter of John Elliot and Susanna Mary Elliot, daughter of Richard Jones.

Sarah Elliot and Catherine Elliot were also registered on October 21, 1819.  Sarah was born January 26, 1806, and Catherine was born April 1, 1802.

Henry Elliot, born April 26, 1814, registered June 30, 1820.  Parish of Hampton Wick, Middlesex.

Lydia Elliot, born March 3, 1818, registered Nov. 1820.

And finally:  ta dah!  It seems that Robert Elliot and Ann Bland were also religious nonconformists.  Josiah Elliot, January 24, 1815, Angel Row, Hammersmith, Fulham.  There was a Sarah Jane Bailey present at the birth:  was she a relative? 

I have found the names of some connections to the Elliot family as well.  William Pontifex and his wife Mary Bailey, daughter of Edmund Bailey and sister or cousin of Lydia Bailey, had two children within a dissenting church:

This is all of particular interest to me because of the light it sheds on the religious life of the Elliot family in Canada.  We know for certain that William Elliot, at least, belonged to a Christian church called the Disciples of Christ when he was a young man, and became a Baptist later in life.  I have no record of Robert and Ann's religious affiliations in Canada, but this family history makes me believe that William, who, after all, spent the first fifteen years of his life in England with his extended family,  would have grown up surrounded by some degree of religious conversation and debate, and that his family were not strangers to religious non-conformity.

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...).

Who Was Ann Bland's Mother?

Ann Bland, who married Robert Elliot and moved to Canada with her family, including her son and our ancestor William Elliot, was the daughter of Stephen Bland:  he is named in several places, including the birth record of their son Josiah Elliot; also, his will names Ann the wife of Robert Elliot as his daughter.  But who was Ann's mother?  That's harder to figure out, as Stephen's will does not name a wife.  I have a candidate for the position, but I don't have definite proof.

I believe that Ann Bland's mother may have been Eleanor Bland (birth name unknown).  Here's my evidence: there is an Eleanor Bland who was buried at St. Paul's Church, Hammersmith, on August 16, 1810.  This was the church which Robert and Ann attended.  Just a few weeks later, on August 21, 1810, Stephen Bland of Hammersmith writes a will in which he leaves his estate to Ann and Robert (he also mentions their children John and Robert Jr.), his other daughter Harriott (sic) Pontifex, wife of Daniel Pontifex, and his son John Thomas Bland "son of my first wife Elizabeth Bland" (the implication being that Ann and Harriot are children from a second wife).    He also leaves property to two other sons, Edward and James Bland.  A few months later, on October 7, 1810, Stephen Bland dies and is also buried at St. Paul's Church in Hammersmith.  I wish I could see their gravestones;  they would probably definitively answer the question of their relationship!  The book The History and Antiquities of the Parish of Hammersmith by Thomas Faulkner (London, 1839) lists the following Blands buried in the St. Paul's yard:  E. Bland, 1741, E. Bland, 1764, John Bland, 1791, Stephen Bland, 1810, and James Bland, 1832.  No female members of the Bland family are mentioned.

According to the website British History Online, the churchyard also contains a tombstone for "John Highlord Bland, late of St. James's Street, sword cutler and belt maker to the King, Prince of Wales, ye army, etc. 3 August 1791. Aged 59".  

Suggestively, Robert and Ann name one of their daughters Eleanor.  Eleanor Elliot was born in 1804, and died in 1809 at the age of five.

None of this consitutes definite proof, however.  I have yet to find a marriage record for Stephen and Eleanor, or birth records for their children.  I will keep looking.

UPDATE:  Another researcher kindly sent me some marriage records for Stephen Bland.  On August 3, 1755, Stephen Bland married Elizabeth Parker in Fulham, Middlesex, England.  Elizabeth must have died since on May 18, 1769, Stephen married a second wife,Elianor Whittfield, again in Fulham.  These records come from the West Middlesex Marriage Index, provided by the West Middlesex Family History Society. So it looks like Ann Bland's mother was Elianor or Eleanor Whittfield.

This brief obituary was found in the European Magazine and London Review, Volume 9, Spring 1786, under the article title "Monthly Obituary, April 1786".  This must be for the second Mrs. Bland, Eleanor Whittfield.  

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?

Will of Charles Elliot, Gentleman of Hayes.

Here are some excerpts from the will of Charles Elliot, husband of Lydia Bayley and father of our ancestor Robert Elliot.  In his will he refers to himself as a "Gentleman", although as far as we know his career was spent as a cook and victualler.

"This is the last will and testament of me Charles Elliot of the parish of Hayes in the County of Middlesex Gentleman first I give and bequeath to my loving wife Lydia Elliot all my household goods furniture and Effects plate linen and china to and for her sole use and benefit during the term of her natural life...

...and whereas I am possessed of two messuages or tenements with the Barns Stables Yards Gardens and appurts and about two acres of (???) and about one acre of arable land....and also of a malt house and mill now being in the possession of my son Josiah Elliot...being in the parish of Hayes aforesaid and one of which said messuages or tenements is known by the name or sign of the Adam and Eve part of which is freehold and part copyhold  (*note the Adam and Eve was a pub run by Charles' son Josiah Elliot) and the other wherein I now reside...    

...I give and bequeath [all of the above]...to my said wife Lydia Elliot...during the course of her natural life...and from and immediately after her death I give and devise the said freehold and copyhold messuages or tenements Lands ... and premises with the appurts unto my son William Elliot of the Town of Uxbridge in the County of Middlesex Currier and John Elliot of Hampton Wick of the County of Middlesex Currier and Robert Elliot of Hammersmith of the county of Middlesex Currier their heirs and assigns upon trust that they....immediately after my said wife's demise, cause the same to be sold by public auction for the most money that can be had...and the money arising from the sale of my said estate...shall...become part of my personal Estate for the purpose of paying the several [bequests that follow]...

...I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Elliot of Tottenham Row Court Road in the County of Middlesex Organ Builder the sum of six pounds I give and bequeath to my son Charles Elliot of S???? Town in the County of Middlesex the sum of one hundred pounds I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha Hilton the wife of Henry Hilton late of the parish of Hayes Carpenter fifty pounds also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Lydia Burton the wife of the late Thomas Burton now of Hammersmith in the county of Middlesex the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds also I give and bequeath unto my said son William Elliot....the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds also I give and bequeath to my son John Elliot...two hundred pounds also I give and bequeath to my son Robert Elliot...the sum of one hundred pounds also I give and bequeath to my said son Robert Elliot all my right estate and Interest of and in a certain part and parcel of ground with the chapel and premises thereon...this land built with the appurts situate....lying in the Parish of Hayes...and adjoining the Garden...of Mr. Edmund Bayley...

...also I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Maxwell wife of Alexander Maxwell of ? Yard aforesaid two hundred and fifty pounds also I give and bequeath unto my son Josiah Elliot two hundred and fifty pounds...

...and as to all the (rest?)...of my personal estate...after the demise of my said Wife I give and bequeath the same unto the said Charles Elliot Lydia Buxton William Elliot John Elliot Robert Elliot Mary Maxwell and Josiah Elliot to be equally divided between them share and share alike...

....and lastly...I do....nominate and appoint the said William Elliot John Elliot and Robert Elliot executors of this my will...this fifteenth day of October in the fiftieth year of King George..."

Charles died February 16, 1813 in Hayes, where he spent the last half of his life.  His wife Lydia survived until 1827, at which point the children would have received their legacies.  It can't be a coincidence that Robert and Josiah brought their families to Canada in 1827;  perhaps the money prompted them to invest in new opportunities, or perhaps they didn't want to leave an aged parent.

Some archaic vocabulary is used in this will.  A messuage with appurtanences means a house with all the outhouses belonging to it (stables etc), yards, gardens, orchards, and so on (sometimes even an associated pew in the local church).  Freehold and copyhold land are feudal terms referring to types of land tenure.  Copyhold land was land where the title deed received by the tenant was a copy of an entry in the manorial court roll.  Copyhold land entailed services due to the lord of the manor, and some copyhold land could be sold or inherited (this seems to be the case here).    

In terms of the value of the estate, I put the sums that Charles leaves his children directly (100 pounds to 250 pounds) through a historic currency converter on the web.  As you can imagine, converting value between historical periods is a tricky business.  According to the website Measuring Worth, 250 pounds in 1813 converts to 13,800.00 pounds if you convert using the retail price index (that's about $25,279.00 CAD), or 170,000.00 if you calculate using average earnings of each period (that's a whopping 311,408.00 CAD).  So it's very hard to be sure exactly how wealthy Charles Elliot was at the end of his life, and how much wealth he passed on to his seven children.  Any historians reading this care to help me out with that?         

Robert Elliot's Death Record

I have tracked down a death record for our ancestor Robert Elliot, first of our Elliot ancestors (along with his wife Ann Bland) to come to Canada.  He died on February 5, 1854 at the respectable age of 82. 

Toronto Globe, February 9, 1854, p.3:
"On Sunday the 5th inst., at the residence of his son Mr. Wm. Elliot, Jarvis Street Toronto, Mr. Robert Elliot, age 82, formerly of Hammersmith, in the county of Middlesex, England." 

He is buried in the Necropolis Cemetery, Toronto, plot O 227, on a plot belonging to his son John Elliot. The cause of death is listed as "natural decay".  

John and his wife are also buried in the same cemetery. 

"In Memory of Robert D. Elliot ob 20 March 1844 Aged 18 Yrs 7 Mo.

"it is sown in weakness, 

it is raised in power"

In Memory of John  Elliot / Born in England 1796 / Died in Toronto Dec 12th 1883.

Also Harriet Pontifex / wife of the above / Born in England 1794 /Died in Toronto March 26, 1883."

The Marriage Record of Robert Elliot and Ann Bland

Here is the marriage record of Robert and Ann, from the parish wedding registers of St. Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, 1794.  They are marriage number 2120.

Robert Elliot, of this Parish, Batchelor (sic) and Ann Bland, spinster, of the same, were Married in this Church by Banns this Sixteenth Day of January in the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Four by me John Priddon...This Marriage was solemnized between Us Robert Elliot Ann Bland In the Presence of William Pontifex, Stephn Bland, Mary Elliot, John Pontifex.

It's exciting to see actual signatures.  I believe that Stephen Bland was Ann's father.  Mary Elliot is probably Robert's sister,  but who are William and John?

Here is a marriage record between a Daniel Pontifex and a Harriot Bland, the year previous, again at St. Bride Fleet Street Church.  Stephen and Ann Bland are witnesses--the signatures match.  The Pontifex and Bland families seem to be related.  In fact, Ann and Harriot are sisters, as I found out when I saw a copy of the will of their father Stephen Bland. He leaves two copyhold houses to Ann which appear to be rented out, and two "houses or tenements in short laws" to Harriot "wife of Daniel Pontifex silversmith of St. John's Square in the parish of St. James Clerkenwell".  The will also lists several brothers:  a son, "John Thomas Bland son of my first wife Elizabeth Bland" (who also gets two houses "in short laws", one of whom is occupied by his brother James, who is not, Stephen instructs in his will, to be turned out of it),  Edward Bland, and James Bland.  Everyone gets two houses.  Stephen Bland was obviously quite prosperous.  The will was proved in January 1811, so Ann would have received her inheritance around that time.  I wonder what happened to the land once she and Robert moved to Canada? 

I have found two baptismal records for Harriot and Daniel's children:  Julia, born May 7 and baptized June 4, 1809, and Robert, born June 15 and baptized August 21, 1811, both at St. James, Clerkenwell, Middlesex.  

Thomas Elliot, English Organ Builder

Thomas Elliot's 1832 Organ at York Minster Cathedral.

 
I usually only spend time researching the lives of our direct ancestors, but Thomas Elliot is such an intriguing family figure that for him I have made an exception.  Thomas is the brother of Robert Elliot, our immigrant ancestor, and the uncle of William Elliot the manufacturer and pharmacist.  He is one of the ten children of Charles Elliot and Lydia Bayley of Hayes, Middlesex.  He was obviously quite musical since not only did he become one of the significant British organ builders of his time, but there are records of his belonging to a number of musical societies and performing as a singer at Westminster Abbey and Drury Lane.  (Another of Robert's brothers, William Elliot, was a currier like Robert but also had a reputation as a singer).  I don't have any formal apprenticeship records for Thomas,  although he is thought to have a connection to John Snetzler, a Swiss organ builder who had immigrated to England.  Thomas's daughter Mary married William Hill, another prominent organ builder, and William became Thomas's business partner and carried on the firm of Elliot and Co.after Thomas Elliot's death, renaming it W. Hill and Co., and later W. Hill and Son, when  William and Mary's son, also Thomas (1822-1893), entered the family business.  Here are a few biographical references to Robert's brother Thomas Elliot and his musical accomplishments:


Elliot, Thomas.  
Singer, Organ builder.
Doane's Musical Directory of 1794 listed Thomas Elliot, of No 10, Soho Street, Sutton Square, as a bass singer and builder of organs. Elliot sang for the New Musical Fund, the Choral Fund, the Longacre Society,  the Cecilian Society, the Surrey Chapel Society, and in the oratorios at Westminster Abbey and Drury Lane Theatre.  He was still a subscriber to the New Musical Fund in 1815.   

A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers, and other Stage Personnel in London, 1660-1800;  Volume V, Egan to Garrett.  Philip H. Highfill. 

Elliot & Hill:  London.  (1825-1832).  Thomas Elliot was at Wharton's Court, Holborn in 1791. Doane's Directory for 1794 gives 'Thomas Elliot, Organ Builder, 10 Sutton Street, Soho Square, London.'  Pigot, in 1827 gives him at 12 Tottenham Court Road, where he was as early as 1819. William Hill (died 1870) was partner of Thomas Elliot from 1825 until 1832 when Elliot died. Hill then continued alone until 1837 when he was joined by F. Davison cp. Hill and Davison.

Church and Chamber Barrel-Organs:  Their Origin, Makers, Music and Location.  Canon Noel Boston and Lyndesay G. Langwill.

It was another builder who seems ultimately to have been in a position to 'carry on' the work [of John Nutt, another organ builder].  This was Thomas Elliot, whose earliest surviving work is dated 1790, and who was first recorded in 1791 at Wharton's Court in Holborn and then at 10 Sutton Street (now Sutton Row), Soho Square in 1794.  Again, his antecedents are not precisely known, though the 1790 organ contains metal pipes identical in style with those normally made by Hugh Russell of Theobald's Road, Holborn.  His background...seems to have been at least as much musical as commercial, though a connection of some kind with Nutt has been posited.  He is known to have sung bass at the 1794 Handel Commemoration at Westminster Abbey, and elsewhere.  He may have been an organist, too, as one of the subscribers to William Russell's first set of Voluntaries (1804) was a 'Mr. Elliot, Organist of Curzon Chapel'.

Upon John Nutt's decease in 1804, it seems that Elliot moved next door to Ann Corbitt (nee Nutt) in Tottenham Court.  It was from 12 Tottenham Court, New Road, that Elliot ran his business, first employing Alexander Buckingham (his foreman from about 1806 until about 1818) and then William Hill (working from 1815), as well as George Corbitt (who worked until 1835) and others...Hill's own early training is not known;  he married Thomas's daughter, Mary, and eventually took over the business fully at Elliot's death in 1832.

The Life and Work of John Snetzler.  Alan Barnes and Martin Renshaw.  Scolar Press, Hants, England 1994.

Thomas Elliot, d. 1832.
Elliot, whose name may be found spelt variously with one or two T's at the end, was partner (1825) with, and father-in-law to William Hill, with whom he built a large number of organs including that in York Minster, an instrument designed quite remarkably badly by Dr. Camidge, the Minister organist.  Elliot's workshop was in Tottenham Court Road.  Details of two of his organs are as follows:
1.  St. Michael Broome, Norfolk.  This instrument was formerly in a private house in Surrey and was supplied in 1938 by Hill and Son, Norman and Beard.  A painted label above the keyboard reads 'Thomas Elliot/London 1817'.  There are no display-pipes, their place being taken by glass bookcase doors backed by blue silk. Painted flowers flank the maker's label, and there is decorative inlaid metalwork down each side of the upper case at the front...
2.  All Saints, Thornage, Norfolk.  This organ was formerly at Swanton Novers hall nearby and was sold to the church for 14 pounds.  The painted label above the keyboard reads 'Thos. Elliot/ Tottenham Court Road London/1812'.
The case is well-balanced and delicate, with deep cornice, shaped toe-board, and display-pipes grouped in a number of small compartments...
A third chamber organ by Elliot is in the church at Gooderstone, Norfolk...

The English Chamber-Organ, History and Development 1650-1850.  Michael Wilson.  Bruno Cassirer Ltd., Oxford, 1968.

One of the highlights of Thomas Elliot's career must surely have been in 1821, when he was commissioned to  build an organ for the Coronation of King George IV at Westminster Abbey.  This is what the London newspaper Morning Post of July 2, 1821 has to say about Coronation preparations:

"By an order from the Lord Chamberlain, a new magnificent organ is now erecting over the altar of Westminster Abbey, built by ELLIOT of the City Road.--Mr. KNYVETT, senior (as ORGANIST to His MAJESTY) is to preside at it over the vocal department, which is to be confined to the Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal, and Choir of Westminster Abbey.  The Instrumental, conducted by WILLIAM SHIELD, Esq. as  Master of the King's band of musicians.  Two New Anthems are composed for the solemn ceremony by his Majesty's composers, Mr. ATTWOOD and Mr. WM. KNYVETT;  at the express command of the King, HANDEL'S Grand Coronation Anthem, ZADOK THE PRIEST, will be performed as at the last Coronation;  but the musical service will be much shorter than the former."  

We don't know if Elliot actually got to attend the Coronation ceremony, although I certainly hope he did.  It must have been quite a spectacle:  according to one of the official Royal British websites, George's "extravagance and love of pageantry was very evident in his Coronation on 19 July 1821 at Westminster Abbey, which cost around 240,000 [pounds sterling].  This was in comparison with the Coronation of his father which cost less than 10,000 [pounds sterling] in 1761."   (George was a notorious spendthrift;  indeed, one article I read called him "about the most worthless heir to the throne that any nation was ever saddled with".)   The ceremony lasted for five hours and did include a bit of behind the scenes drama--Queen Caroline, George's estranged wife, tried to break into the Abbey against George's orders so that she could be crowned Consort.  Apparently she "finally had the door slammed in her face by the deputy Lord Chamberlain."   Queen Caroline died nineteen days after the ceremony to which she was refused entry.  

Coronation Portrait of George IV

It's pretty hard to find a functioning Elliot organ kicking around today.  The organ Thomas built for the coronation ceremony was moved out of Westminster Abbey within a few years and probably relocated to All Saints' Church in Sedgley .  St. Margaret's Church in Crick Village has an Elliot organ with an interesting history but it has been extensively restored.  The magnificent looking organ he built for York Minster Cathedral (see photo above) was almost completely refurbished in 1903. 

The Elliot organs often made their way overseas, and at least three Elliot organs were imported to Canada.  King George III gave Montreal's Anglican Cathedral Christ Church an Elliot organ in 1814 as a gift;  it was known locally as the "King's organ".  It gradually succumbed to old age despite some restorations and repairs and was finally replaced in 1948.  The historic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Quebec City acquired an Elliot organ in 1803, which was destroyed by fire in 1922.  The Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Quebec City also commissioned an Elliot organ:

"The organ was composed of two separate instruments, the great, and in front of it a smaller organ, called the choir organ.  These were ordered on the 5th September 1801, from Thomas Elliot, Artillery Place, London, at a cost of 369 [pounds] 11 s. 10 d. cy., subscribed as follows..." 

(The English Cathedral of Quebec, by Frederick William Wurtele, Published by the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in Transactions, New Series, Number 20 (1890)).  

This organ arrived in the early 1800s but Holy Trinity replaced it with another English organ in 1847. 

I'm trying to figure out what social class an occupation like this would have placed Thomas in.  My guess is that he would be considered a master craftsman...would that make him middle class?  His addresses seem posh, and his will disposes of a host of comfortable living accoutrements:

"ffurniture plate linen china glass books prints and paintings...music and musical instruments...".

This is in addition to his workshop and tools, left to his son-in-law William Hill,  and the annuities he left to his three surviving daughters.   In contrast, three of Thomas's brothers, Robert (our ancestor) William and John were curriers or leather workers, a physically taxing and not particularly high-status occupation.  Josiah, a brother of Robert and Thomas who also came to Canada, had run a pub called the Adam and Eve but had gone bankrupt.   In Canada, Robert took up farming in Dundas Ontario and Josiah became a storekeeper in Beachville Ontario, a world away from their musical brother, who died just a few years after their arrival in Canada.  

From England to Ontario: Robert and Ann Elliot

In a previous post I wrote about William Elliot of Toronto and his amazing career.  Right now I'm in the process of trying to discover more about William's parents, his siblings and his early environment.  So far my research has provided me with an intriguing mix of definite information and information that's probably about the family but isn't specific enough to know for sure.

One of the cool things about William is that he's one of our only Canadian ancestors to have been born in England.  Hammersmith, to be exact, which is now part of London but at the time of his birth was referred to as a "Hamlet".   William's entry in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography provides the exact date (December 22, 1812) and place of his birth.  Armed with this information, it was pretty easy to find his baptismal record. 

This document gives us the name of both of William's parents (Robert and Ann), which is great.  (It also explains why William gave his oldest son the name Robert).  It doesn't give us Ann's maiden name, which is slightly less great, since Robert, Ann, and Elliot are all pretty common names.  However, it does give us Robert Elliot's occupation, which is "currier" (a currier was a leather-worker).  

The Dictionary of Canadian Biography has this to say about William's early life:

"William Elliot was educated at a boarding-school in London.  His family immigrated to Dundas, Upper Canada, and he followed when he had completed his schooling at the age of 15.  In 1834 he took up land near the town and started farming..."

And his obituary in the Globe (Tuesday, June 6, 1893) confirms that he was born in Hammersmith in December 1812  and also mentions that "Mr. John Elliot, for over 30 years clerk of the county court, was his eldest brother.".  

So, these reliable sources of information tell us that William was the son of Robert and Ann Elliot, he had an older brother named John, his father was a currier, which put him in the tradesman class,  they lived in Harrowsmith and they came to Canada before 1832.  We also know that William went to boarding school, which indicates that the family had some money.

The Bishop's transcripts from the St. Paul, Hammersmith church show that William had at least three sisters, two of whom died young (one died before William was even born).  Robert and Ann Elliot were the parents of Eleanor Elliot, born August 29, 1804, who died at age 5 in May, 1809;  Mary Elliot, who was born on April 8, 1806;  and Sarah Elliot, born October 10, 1809 and died at age 7 in May of 1817, when William would have been five years old.   I haven't yet found a birth or baptismal record for John, William's older brother.

Baptismal record for Mary Elliot, daughter of Robert and Ann Elliot of Poppins Court, born September 9, 1800, baptized October 5, 1800.  St. Bride's Fleet Street Church, London, England. 

Here's where things get more conjectural.  There are more records for a Robert Elliot in Middlesex, but I'm not sure if any of these are the right Robert Elliot.  Here's what else I have:


These two records are from a database of land tax records in the greater London area.  The first image is from 1825, and it shows that Robert Elliot is a tenant of a Mssr. Salter in Hammersmith (the place is named on an earlier page).  His rent is 30 pounds (a year, I would imagine) and the tax on the property is 1 pound.

   The second record is again for Hammersmith, in the year 1819.  Robert Elliot has the same landlord.  We don't know the rent, but the tax is 1 pound 5 shillings.  Mr. Salter appears to own several properties in this area.  At the very top of the page in red, it says "Angel Row".

Unfortunately these records don't list an occupation or names of other family members, so although the name and place matches up it's hard to make a definite identification.

This next record is from a database of duties paid for apprentice's indentures in the UK.  In May 1798, a Robert Elliot, Currier, who lived in St. Martin's in the Fields, is recorded as having an apprentice named George Priestly.  St. Martin's in the Fields is in Middlesex, and, like Hammersmith, is now part of London.  This record has the right name and occupation but a different location.  It's earlier than our previous records, so it's possible that Robert and his family moved to Hammersmith some time after May 1798.  However, it's also possible that it's a different Robert Elliot.

Now we come to my all-time favourite document for the Elliot family.  I really hope this is the right Robert Elliot--this paper is so beautiful and historic!  You can even see the original seals. It comes from a database called "London, England, Freedom of the City Admission Papers" and is dated 1785.  It's an apprenticeship indenture contract between Robert Elliot, "son of Charles Elliot of Hayes in the County of Middlesex, Victualler" and Thomas Burton of Newport Street, Currier of London.  The apprenticeship is for seven years (which is a standard length of time) during which Robert promises to faithfully serve, keep the secrets of, and not waste the goods of his master.  He is prohibited from "Fornication...Matrimony...play[ing]  at Cards, Dice, Tables, or any other unlawful Games, whereby his said Master may have any Loss."  For the fee of  thirty pounds, Thomas Burton promises to teach Robert "the Art and Mystery of a Currier".

Robert Elliot has signed the document himself, indicating that he is at least somewhat educated.  This record also gives us his father's name, his father's profession and the original family location, giving us the possibility of going back one more generation, if this is indeed our Robert Elliot.  Interestingly, the database listing apprentice's indentures in the UK indicates that Thomas Burton had one other apprentice, a John Elliot.  The document for John's apprenticeship is dated 1783.  Was this an older brother of Robert's?  All of these records are for the Middlesex area, but as my husband points out, that's a big and very populated space and Elliot is not an uncommon name.

Map of Hammersmith, 1746, when it was still called a "Hamlet".  

I'm always interested, when learning about people who uprooted themselves to move to Canada or the U.S.,  in the question of what motivated them to immigrate.  I think that we don't always appreciate what that decision meant for people in earlier times--there was obviously no e-mail, no skype, no air travel--even letters took months to arrive. For most people, immigration was a serious and deep separation from family and community.  In general, with the exception of certain religious groups who move to gain more freedom, historians believe that most people coming to the new world did it for economic reasons.  Although I don't know precisely when the Elliot family moved, I'm guessing it would have been in the 1820s or early 1830s.  Now, the fact that William was in boarding school when the rest of his family moved and joined them later indicates to me that Robert and Ann must have already had some money.  Why did Robert decide to leave an established business he had spent seven years training for, close to one of the most exciting cities in the world,  to become a farmer in Eramosa township?   And one who had to clear his own land, besides! I'm guessing industrialization had something to do with it.  There's a lot more to learn about this fascinating family.