Mary J. Walker

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-252446
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; E. U. Scotland

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-59687
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Woolen Manufacturer
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; E. U. Scotland
• Residence: 1881, South Dumfries Twp., Brant Co., Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Died, In Paris, on Sabbath, October 2nd, 1881, at 5 o'clock, P.M., Robert Walker, (Late of South Dumfries). Aged 62 Years and 4 Months. The Funeral will take place on Tuesday, 4th inst., at 1 o'clock, P.M., from his late residence, Jane St., to Stanley St. Burying Ground, Ayr. Friends and acquaintances are repectfully invited to attend.


Waterloo Historical Society Death Notices Collection - photocopies

Robert married Esther Rodgers 19 Feb 1846, , Ontario, Canada. Esther (daughter of Alexander Rodgers and Rebecca Wells) was born 14 May 1825, , Perthshire, Scotland; died 6 Oct 1920, Saint Louis, St. Louis (city), Missouri, United States; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Esther Walker
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-59688

Other Events:

• Interesting: pioneer, story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-76328
• Residence: 1856, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

The Late Alex. Rodgers: (From the "Ayr Observer)

One after another, the Pioneers of the Township of Dumfries, are disappearing from amongst us. Those who have sustained the labour and the hardships incident to a new settlement, and who have cut out for themselves an honorable independence are leaving the fruits of their labours to their successors. We, this week, chronicle the decease of one of our earliest and most successful settlers. The late Mr. Rodgers, emigrated from the neighbourhood of the City of Perth, Scotland, in the year 1833, and settled the same year on the farm occupied by him at his death. It was then, as well as the country around, an unbroken forest. The first tree was cut down by Mr. Rodgers, and in a very few years by his indomitable perseverance, his untiring industry, he transformed the forest into one of the most beautiful, fertile and valuable farms in the Province. Mr. Rodgers was a striking example of what industry and economy can effect in this country. Coming here with little means and with a large, and at the same time, nearly helpless family, he, in a few years raised himself to comparative affluence. And this was done in spite of obstacles that would have impeded and discouraged almost any man. A short time after his first settlement, he met with an accident that disabled him for several months; and about three years after, a more serious one that resulted in the amputation of a leg.

The business relations of the late Mr. Rodgers were extensive, and wherever he was known he was highly esteemed for his uprightness, honesty and integrity. He was of a retiring disposition, which did not lead him to court publicity, but he was possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, and took a warm interest in every scheme that tended to advance the intellectual, the moral and the religious interests of mankind. Mr. Rodgers was one of the Fathers of the United

Presbyterian Church in this village, when that distinguished Pioneer of Presbyterianism, the Rev. Geo. Murray of Blenheim, first attempted, about the year 1834, to form a congregation in this neighbourhood. Mr. Rodgers was one of his earliest and most energetic supporters. In conjunction with Mr. John Reid, the late Messrs. Oliver, Hall, Marshall, and others whose names do not occur to us, he took an active part in erecting the "Old Log Netting House," about a mile east of this village, around which cluster so many pleasing recollections of those, who were at the time the young, but who are now the middle-aged of our neighbourhood. He was for many years, an Elder of the Church. His walk and conversation were ever in accordance with his profession, and his friends have the consolation of knowing that he is one of those who will be addressed "well done, good and faithful servant."

The deceased referred to in the above article, was the Father of Mrs. Colin Groff, Berlin."

Berlin Telegraph 5 Apr 1861

Alexander married Rebecca Wells 14 Mar 1817, Kilspindie, , Perth, Scotland. Rebecca was born 1798, , Scotland; died 15 Jan 1890; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Rebecca Rodgers
• Name: Rebecca Rodgers
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-103362
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian

Notes:

MRS. REBECCAH RODGERS. Her early Church life had been passed in Ayr, where she with her husband, Alexander Rodgers, were charter members of Stanley Street Church, which was organized on October 10th, 1834. She had also enjoyed the ministry of Rev. John Dunbar of Glenmorris, whom she held in high esteem, and of whom she always spoke in terms of admiration. She became a member of the then "Melville Church" on May 17th, 1866. She was quite blind when I came to Galt in 1879 but she recognized me by my voice just as though she had seen me. This infirmity did not hinder her from being in her place regularly at church. She was led thither by her devoted grandchild, Lottie Groff, now Mrs. Alexander McDonald. Her love to God's house was a passion with her. To lose a season of public worship was to her a real deprivation of that which kept her soul alive. She had a constant relish for the sweet fellowship of God's people. Her feeling is fitly expressed in these stanzas:

"I love thy Church, O God,

Her walls before Thee stand;
Dear as the apple of Thine eye
And graven on Thy hand.

"For her my tears shall fall,

For her my prayers ascend,
For her my cares and toils be given,
Till toils and cares shall end.

"Beyond my highest joy,
I prize her heavenly ways;
Her sweet communion, solemn vows
Her hymns of love and praise."


Her mind was well stored with the precious and incorruptible seed of the Word, and nothing brought her greater joy than a conversation on the deep things of God and the great things of His law. She had a rich experience of divine things, and as a result, was a woman of strong character and of striking individuality, who has left her impress upon her children. She was quick in her mental movement, had a bright, cheery tone in her voice, and an animated action accompanying any sentiment to which she gave expression. Everything bore evidence of a kind and warm heart. Her memory of the Scriptures was distinct and accurate. Some times her granddaughters in reading to her would venture to skip a verse or two, and at once the culprit would be caught and the full tale of verses given. Her judgment on great moral questions was not to seek. It was formed after careful and just thought and was always ready. She took a deep interest in moral reform and especially in that phase of it, the Temperance Movement. One day we were speaking on the intemperance of our times, and I ventured this statement, that Galt was a very sober place, and that much strong drink could not be sold in it, and at once she replied like the shooting of a dart, " Aye, and what keeps up a thae taverns ? " That question has in it an unanswerable argument. She had her grand daughter at church take down the text and the heads of discourse, and as much of the sermon as she could gather up, for the sake of keeping the pulpit teaching in memory and discussing it perhaps during the week. She was scrupulously careful in moral training and spiritual culture. In the new world created by the revelation of God she constantly lived, enjoying its peace and its abundance of mercy and grace. How genuine Christianity ennobles the character! and as Edmund Spenser says, in his " Faerie Queen": " The noblest mind the best contentment has." That was seen in Mrs. Rodgers, for she was ever happy and contented, taking each day, as it came out of God's hand, a gift of love to her. Her interest in the progress of Christ s cause never abated, but rather grew to the very end.

She died as she lived, trusting in the Lord, to whom long ago she had given herself.

Ebenezer: A History of the Central Presbyterian Church, Galt, Ontario, with brief sketches of some of its members who have passed on the the other side, The Rev. James A. R. Dickson