Robert A. Wilkins

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-102291
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England

Other Events:

• Interesting: suicide, fire, story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-61157
• Residence: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Clothier
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of England
• Misfortune: 17 May 1879, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; suicide

Notes:

Sad Death in Galt

I t is with feelings of the deepest regret, that we this week announce the lamentable death of Mr. Stephen Wilkins, so long and favorably known as a prominent business man in the town. The circumstances attending this death are of the most painful nature, and such as to cause the widest sympathy for the family and friends of the deceased. It was only in our last issue that we gave the particulars of the destructive fire in Mr. Wilkins' establishment on the preceding Sabbath evening and little we thought as we wrote the particulars of the fire, that we would this week be called upon to record Mr. Wilkins' sad death. But so it is.

For a year or so past Mr. Wilkins' health has been anything but good, and it was felt by his friends that he had failed mentally as well as physically. He was perfectly able, however, to conduct his business in a satisfactory manner and of late, in fact, had been thought to be improving. The occurrence of the fire in his establishment however, seemed to excite him very much, particularly at first; but as soon as the appraisers commenced to ascertain the damage to the stock, he joined will them in the work, and appeared more reconciled to his, loss. He continued so at work till it ceased on Friday evening, when he went to his residence, Ker street, retiring to bed shortly after 9 o'clock. In the morning Mrs. Wilkin found it difficult to awaken him but at length succeeded in doing so, she was horrified by his telling her that on retiring to bed taken an ounce of laudanum, and that taking it he had thrown the bottle out of the window. She immediately sent for Dr. Philips, and at that time no serious results were anticipated. As Dr. Philip had to leave town for some time, he requested Dr. Vardon to look after his patient, and upon the latter visiting him during the forenoon he found him lying in his bed, with a deathly palor on his face. Taking hint by the shoulder, the Dr. roused him sufficiently to enable him to speak; but on turning down the bed clothes he found the bed soaked with blood, which was still flowing from several wounds in the body. Upon taking him what had stabbed himself with, the unfortunate man showed the Dr. a small pocket-knife which was still clutched in his right hand, Everything was done that was possible under the circumstances; but about 1 o'clock Mr. Wilkins relapsed into a state of insensibility, from which he never recovered, breathing his last about 8 o'clock in the evening. Mr. Wilkins was in the 40th year of his ago, and leaves a wife and seven children to mourn his untimely death.

An inquest was held on Sunday before Dr. Vardon and a competent jury, when the evidence bore out the facts as here given. A post mortem examination was held, when it was found that the ventricle of the heart had been penetrated in two places by the knife. The verdict, returned was to the effect that the deceased came to his death by his own hands, while laboring under mental depression. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, and was largely attended, both by citizens and by members of the Oddfellows and Foresters Societies the bands playing the "dead march" as the cortege passed through the streets.

Galt Reporter May 23 1879 pg 2

Stephen — Christina Rudd. Christina was born 25 Dec 1843, , Ontario, Canada; died 28 Jan 1903, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Christina Wilkins
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-61156
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; W. Methodist
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lady
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican

Notes:

Bank Burglary

The old Gore Bank had a local branch in Galt, in the sixties. The office adjoined Miss Echlin's hat store, on South Water Street.

The bank door was reached by an open verandah extending from the street to the river wall along the south wall of the building. Upon entering this door there was found a capacious room for the transaction of business and a door leading to a small office for the manager, who, at that time, was John Davidson, one of Galt's early settlers.

There was a bold attempt to rob this bank in the early days of the eighteen sixties, while the first families of Galt were holding a ball in the Town Hall, with guests from Guelph, Berlin, Brantford, Paris and Woodstock; an event in those days that was looked forward to with much interest, as it was a swell affair in every particular. The ladies arranged the supper, which was a feast that would open the eyes of the present generation. The tables fairly groaned with everything good, including claret cup and punches, and everybody did full justice to the spread. The music was rendered by the 13th Battalion Corps, of Hamilton; the hall was decorated from floor to ceiling with flags, bunting of all colors, and with beautiful pictures loaned by the citizens. The stage was carpeted and furnished like a pretty drawing room to be used by those who did not dance, to play whist and to gaze upon the merry throng of dancers below.

The ball was again in full swing, after supper had been served, when across the waxed floor, a figure clad in overcoat and muffler was seen rushing through the maze of dancers to the manager of the bank. He whispered into the banker's ear the disconcerting news that burglars were in the bank. After a hurried apology to his fair partner, the manager, Mr. Davidson, took the arm of the strange guest and left the hall, whispering to several men to follow him quietly and quickly, and when they reached the dressing room they learned the object of the mission and the work they were to perform. Accompanied by the only constable in the town they lost no time in reaching the bank, where, however, the two burglars, who had been seen there, had taken alarm and escaped, before having had time to secure much booty. Both robbers were captured some weeks later, near Hamilton, and duly tried and convicted at the spring assizes in Berlin. One of them was the then notorious Bristol Bill; the other was a man named Clews. Quite a number of Galt citizens and their wives attended the trial.

The person who first discovered the burglars was Mrs. Steve Wilkins, who, from across the street, it being a bright moonlight night, saw strangers on the verandah adjoining the bank, and promptly sent a messenger to the Town Hall, where her husband was at the dance.

Annual Volume 1925 Waterloo Historical Society

Other Events:

• Birth: Kenwyn, , Cornwall, England
• Business: Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; N. & E. J. Wilkins tailors
• Interesting: business, story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-121425
• Historic Building: 1851, 37 Beverley Street East, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Tailor
• Residence: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Manfit Tailor
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merchant Tailor
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; P. Methodist

Notes:

Death of Mr. William Wilkins

By the death of this gentleman on Monday night last, Galt loses one of its oldest, residents. Mr. Wilkins was born in Kenwyn Parish, Cornwall, England, in 1816, and in May, 1847, he came with his family to Galt. He was a Merchant Tailor by trade, shrewd, and industrious, and with the assistance of his sons as they became old enough to join him in his trade, he soon succeeded in building up a large and profitable business, which he carried on until 1865, when he was succeeded by his two sons, the well-known clothing firm of N. & E. J. Wilkins. Branching out from his business, first his son, the late William Wilkins, started for himself, and was shortly after joined by his brother, the late Stephen Wilkins, and for many years the family may be said to have practically controlled the clothing trade of town and this section. After retiring in 1865, the subject of this obituary purchased the handsome property in the Township now owned by Mr. Thos. Alison, where he spent some years, and it was while residing here that the germs of the disease of his foot and leg first showed themselves. After suffering for some years, amputation was decided on as the only means of saving his life even temporarily. The operation was successfully performed in Toronto, and since he has enjoyed something of health or at least freedom from pain, up to his last fatal illness. Mr. Wilkins has resided for the past few years on Oak street, in Galt.

Mr. Wilkins was a very prominent member of the Methodist Church, and for many years after that body established itself in Galt was a leader in the congregation. He had little taste for public life, and refused invariably all invitations to accept any of our municipal offices. He was married in 1837, in Gwenap Church, Cornwall, by the now bishop F. Philpotts, to Miss Kinsman, sister of Messrs. Nicholas and Richard Kinsman, of Galt. Their family consisted of ten children, three of whom died in infancy, two, if we mistake not, within a day or two of one another, while the family resided on Ainslie street. Then in the later days came the deaths of Mr. Wm. Wilkins, jr., in Toronto, followed about two weeks afterwards by the death of Mr. Stephen Wilkins, thus leaving of the original family, his widow and Messrs. N. & E. J. Wilkins, Clothiers; Mr. Richard Wilkins, now in a Wholesale House in Toronto; Mr. Mark Wilkins, farmer, near Branchton; and Miss Wilkins, residing with her parents.

Mr. Wilkins' funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. As a mark of respect to our old townsmen and his family, the various places of business were closed while the cortege passed on its way to the cemetery.

Galt Reporter Nov 30 1888 pg 1


Historic Building:
2 story cut granite stone, constructed for William H. Wilkins

William married Jane Grenfell Kinsman 8 Apr 1837, Gwennap, , Cornwall, England. Jane (daughter of Nicholas Grenfell Kinsman and Mary Elizabeth Coombe) was born 24 Nov 1816, Saint Austell, , Cornwall, England; died 5 Jul 1908, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Jane Grenfell Wilkins
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-62200
• Immigration: 1847, , Canada
• Residence: 1851, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; P. Methodist
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lady
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Notes:

The deceased lady had been a resident of Galt for over sixty years and had watched the town grow from a small village to a thriving and prosperous town. She was born in St. Austell, Cornwall, England in 1816, and thus at the time of her death had reached the ripe old age of 92 years. She was married in England in 1837, and came to Canada in 1847. After living for short periods in Toronto, Kingston, and Preston, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins moved to Galt in 1848 where Mrs. Wilkins has resided continuously. Her husband predeceased her twenty years ago...............

Her husband was a jeweller and on the occasion of the death of Mary Coombe, presented Richard Kinsman's wife Isabella McCullough Grant with a gold pocket watch to thank her for the years of caring for her.

The Galt Reporter 6 Jul 1908

_____________________

Fifty Years of Married Life

There assembled at the residence of William Wilkins, Esq., Oak street, on Friday last (Good Friday) a company comprising no less than five generations, the object being to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins on the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. Our old friends were married in Cornwall, England, on the 8th of April, 1837, and ten years later emigrated to Canada. The five generations comprised Mrs. Kinsman, (mother of Mrs. Wilkins) upwards of 90 years of age; Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins; their sons Nicholas, Edward John, and their daughter Miss Wilkins, of Galt, Mark, of Dumfries, and Richard of Toronto; the children of the sons; and Mrs. Ewart (daughter of the late Wm. H. Wilkins) and child. In addition, we believe, there sat at the bounteously spread table at dinner no less than five persons who occupied the same position at the wedding breakfast table in "old England" fifty years before.

During the evening, an address from the family to the aged couple was read, and was accompanied by the presentation of a gold-headed cane, gold spectacles, and other articles.

Galt Reporter Apr 15 1887 pg 1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-85615

William — Mary. Mary was born Abt 1790, of, Gwennap, , Cornwall, England; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Wilkins
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-85618

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-68452
• Occupation: 1852, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; mason
• Occupation: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mason
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodiist
• Residence: 1873, Beverly St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

In Galt, on Thursday morning, at a quarter to 11 o'clock, Nicholas Kinsman, Sr., aged 78 years and 10 months. Deceased was an old and very much respected resident of Galt, and has left many friends who will long mourn him. Funeral, on Saturday afternoon, at three o'clock, from his late residence Beverly Street, to the Galt Cemetery.

Reporter Aug 29 1873 pg 3

Nicholas — Mary Elizabeth Coombe. Mary was born 24 Dec 1794, , England; died 18 Jan 1892; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Elizabeth Kinsman
• Name: Mary Elizabeth Kinsman
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-68453
• Residence: 1861, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Residence: 1871, Methodist
• Occupation: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lady
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Notes:

'The death of this lady in her 98th year, which occurred last week, removed one of the very oldest, most respected residents of our town, and brings back the very early days of our town. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsman came to Galt in the Fall of 1847 or early in 1848, and her husband, being a mason by trade, after a short time erected a small stone house on the side of the road which then ran along Mill Creek between where Beverly Street now is and the railroad track. There was no road then where the road now runs under the CPR track, but the road then used came out of the creek through the land now owned by Mr. Thorn. Alison. The home stood there alone for many years, perhaps stands there yet, but the late Mr. Shade laying out Beverly Street, and the railway being built and changing the course of the old road, side tracked it, and left the only way of reaching it from Beverly Street.'

'Mrs. Kinsman was married in 1815, her husband dying in 1874, if we mistake not. Their family was very large, consisting of seventeen children, of whom only Mrs. Jane Wilkins, widow of the late William Wilkins, Mr. Nicholas Kinsman, stone road, and Mr. Richard Kinsman still survive, but there survive her as descendants, twenty-nine grandchildren, sixty-three great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. The deceased lady was a woman of very equable disposition, a humble and devoted Christian adherent of the Methodist Church, having been connected with that denomination almost from the first days of its struggle for existence. She was blessed in retaining her faculties, to the last and passed away most peacefully.^'1a


The Galt Reporter 19 Jan 1892