Stephen Moffatt

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152871002
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-74570
• Residence: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Agricultural Laborer
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; W. Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1891, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1901, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

In Memoriam Died In North Dumfries, on Friday, April 10th, at 11.30 p.m., Stephen Moffatt, Eldest Son of Thomas Moffatt, in his 54th year. The Funeral Will take place from his father's residence, near Galt, on Monday, April 13th, at 2.30 p.m., to Mount View Cemetery, Galt. Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation. North Dumfries, April 11th, 1903.

Funeral Card

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152863233
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-161567
• Occupation: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Concession 10 Lot 07, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1878, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1882, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1891, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1901, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Died In North Dumfries, on Tuesday, July 25th, 1911, at 1 o'clock a.m. Thomas Moffatt In his 86th Year The Funeral Will take place from his late residence, North Dumfries, on Thursday, July 27th, at 2.30 o'clock, to Mount View Cemetery. Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation.

Funeral Card

Thomas — Susan Buchanan. Susan (daughter of Reeve Alexander Buchanan and Elizabeth "Betsy" Leese) was born CALC 28 Sep 1828, , Ontario, Canada; died 18 Sep 1873, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/152866001
• Name: Susan Moffat
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-161578
• Residence: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Interesting: life story,
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-432626
• Immigration: 1814, , Canada
• Occupation: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lot 10 Con 10
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian North America

Notes:

Death of Mr. Stephen Moffatt - Not unexpectedly, for he has been failing for some time, this well-known old resident of North Dumfries, and we may almost say of Galt - for his face was a most familiar one in the town - passed to his rest on Thursday morning at 7 o'clock, aged 83 years and 1 month. Mr. Moffatt was a native of Roxboroughshire, Scotland, and came to this country with his parents about the year 1814. When they landed in what is now Galt, they were taken in hand by the late Absolom Shade, and from him bought the extensive property situated to the south of the town, just outside the corporation limits. Where the homestead now is, they erected the usual log house, and it was one of the fondest memories of the late William Dickson, that when he walked through on the track from Hamilton, on his way to Dumfries, which had then been bought by his father, late at night he reached Mr. Moffatt's log house, and the kindness he received from its inmates. The subject of this sketch, when he reached here, was about 19 years of age, and until his marriage, which took place about four years after the family came here, he resided continuously with his parents, although he was part of the time engaged in clearing the road through to Guelph, and Mr. Moffatt cut the first tree on the plot where now stands the city of Guelph. It is but a short time ago that we chronicled the celebration in that city wherein our old friend took an active part. After his marriage, his partner in life being Miss Jane Thompson, of Thompson's Corners, Beverly, Mr. Moffatt went to reside on the farm now owned and occupied by his son, Mr. Thos. Moffatt. There he resided until the death of his father, when he shortly after moved back to the old homestead, where he has since continuously resided. Mr. Moffatt was a consistent member of Knox Church, Galt.

The family of the deceased are well known and respected in this section. The eldest son is Mr. Thos. Moffatt, of North Dumfries; Mr. John Moffatt, of Berlin; Mr. George Moffatt, of Manitoba; Mr. James Moffatt, who resides on the old homestead; and Mrs. George Goodall, of Paris; Mrs. Robt. Hay, of Maryboro; Mrs. Alex Cairnes, of Galt; and Miss Moffatt, wife resides with her brother James. Mrs. Moffatt, if we remember aright, died about ten years ago.

Mr. Moffatt's funeral will take place on Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock, from his late residence to Galt Cemetery. One of four oldest residents, but few of the grey haired sires are left to accompany his remains to their last resting place. On the same road, where years ago they made the woods echo to the stroke of their axes, there are only left Mr. David Potter and Mrs. Archibald McPherson, and they are so fast yielding to the strokes of age, that their time amongst us cannot be long. "The old race had eeled awa'."

Galt Reporter Jun 9 1882 pg 1

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The Guelph road gave employment to many of the settlers, and, enabled them to earn a little ready money, which was a very scarce commodity in those days. Not a few ox teams from Dumfries found employment in opening the road to, and clearing the site of the proposed village of Guelph, and among those who helped to "slash" out the timber along the line of road-which extended about sixteen miles through the bush--were Stephen Moffat, George Telfer and John Lockie, well-known Dumfries names.* By this enterprise, and others equally worthy of commendation, Mr. Galt became the founder of Guelph, and gave a much needed impetus to the settlement and development of the country.

*How immeasurably the circumstances and comforts of the commu-nity have improved since the days when this road was constructed, may be known from the fact, that Mr. Moffatt and other workmen employed upon it, sometimes had to eat the fattest of pork, raw; their bread was baked in the hot ashes of their camp fires-the quality of which, therefore, needs no remark-and they drank, at their meals, hemlock tea! To make up for such fare-we suppose-a barrel of whiskey, with a tin cup attached, always stood at the roadside, and each workman or passerby was allowed to partake ad libitum.


Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young, 1880 Toronto: Hunter, Rose Pg. 50

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Moffatt, James died 3 Jan 1863 at Newton Mills,near Melrose, Scotland. Killmaster?. Age 67. Brother, Stephen Moffatt, near Galt; brother-in-law, John Jamieson, farmer, Beverly.

Dumfries Reformer 28 Jan 1863

Stephen — Jane Thompson. Jane was born CALC 12 Jul 1806, , England; died 12 Oct 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Birth: , Scotland
• Name: Jane Moffatt
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-432627
• Residence: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

In Dumfries, on Thursday, 12th inst., Jane Thompson, wife of Stephen Moffat, aged 65 years and 6 months.

The funeral will leave her husband's residence on Saturday morning, 14th inst., at 11 o'clock, for the Galt Cemetery.

Galt Reporter Oct 13 1871 pg 3

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141449171
• Historic Building: 44 Wellington St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-103088
• Residence: 1821, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Land: 1834, North Dumfries Concession 07 Lot 02, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Land: 1834, North Dumfries Concession 07 Lot 03, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1851, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Elected Office: 1852, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; councillor, Reeve
• Elected Office: 1853, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Councillor - Waterloo County
• Residence: 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; U. P. Presbyterian
• Retired: 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Alexander was the eldest son of John Buchanan who arrived in the Branchton area in 1817. Alexander described as a man of "magnificent physique" came to Galt in 1819. First operated Absalom Shade's distillery for about 4 years. Later farmer in Branchton and was appointed the assessor of the Township of Dumfries in 1827. He served as a councilor of Township of Dumfries and as a councilor of North Dumfries. He did in 1881 with a estate valued at $300,000.

Cambridge Mosiac, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [snippet from original text in book]

_______________________

Galt was almost hemmed in - a place without an outlet. The natural route was eastwards to the head of Lake Ontario at Dundas, but between the two points was a literal slough of despond in the shape of the far famed Beverly swamp, whose bottomless mud-holes and almost impassible " corduroys: were the terror of travellers for many a year thereafter.

This benighted region had a most unenviable reputation. It blocked the way between the head of navigation at Dundas and Hamilton, and the fertile lands of Dumfries and Waterloo. It could not be avoided, therefore, and the blazed road (A term in common use, indicating chips chopped off the sides of trees in the early settlements to show travellers the road.) through its long desolate morasses, was seldom passed without accidents and delays innumerable. A dozen teams all "stuck" (to use the expressive term of the period) within a few miles of each other, was no uncommon occurrence, and only the marines could believe the stories of the size and depth of the mud-holes which have been handed down to us.

Once upon a time a reckless rider attempted, contrary to advice, to pass through on horseback in the middle of the spring floods. A few hours afterwards a pedestrian found what at first glance he took to be a blue Scotch bonnet floating in the middle of a treacherous-looking pool. On attempting to recover the bonnet, he was horrified to find it covered the head of the reckless rider, who had plunged into the fatal morass, and, astride of his horse, had gradually sunk down, until arms, neck, mouth, and eyes, had been engulphed in the oozy, treacherous, almost fathomless abyss. Before assistance could be obtained, horse and rider had entirely disappeared!

How far this and similar stories can be relied upon, the reader can judge for himself, but certain it is, that the passage through Beverly swamp was greatly and justly dreaded. These feelings were increased by current rumours of an old peddler and even of other benighted travellers who had undertaken to pass through the swamp after dark, having mysteriously disappeared. These rumours became crimes of blood to the active imaginations of those days, and so widespread and strong had they become, that when Mr. Alexander Buchanan, a man certainly not deficient in courage, came in from New York State in 1819, he started through the wild and trackless woods after dark to his father's clearance near Branchton, rather than linger in Beverly swamp, with its dismal surroundings and evil reputation.

Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young , pg 56-57

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JOHN BUCHANAN, farmer, Township of South Dumfries, was born in Galt, County of Waterloo, Ontario, 15th August, 1821, and is a son of Alexander and Betsy Buchanan, natives of the United States, from which country they emigrated to Canada about the year 1817, and first settled in Galt, where they remained four years. They then moved to the farm in South Dumfries Township, on which Mr. Buchanan resided till sixteen years ago, when he returned to Galt and retired into private life. He is living there now with his second wife, hale and hearty, in his eighty-seventh year. His first wife died on the farm in 1842, and his second was Mary Wylie, still living. Mr. Buchanan had eleven children, ten of whom, six sons and four daughters, are still living. John Buchanan, the subject of this biography, was married 28th March, 1850, to Isabella McPherson, who was born in New York State 17th November, 1826. They are both members of the United Presbyterian Church at Galt. Their only child, Helen, was born 19th August, 1851, and is the wife of Dr. Webb, Town of Waterloo, Ontario. When Mr. Buchanan commenced life for himself, he purchased 100 acres of land, on which he at present resides, and to this he has since added 184 acres, making in all 284 acres of highly cultivated and improved land, bearing proofs of undoubted prosperity and industry.

The history of the county of Brant, Ontario: containing a history of the county: its township, cities, towns, schools, J. H. Beers & Co. Warner, Beers & Co.

____________________________________

One of the most pressing necessities before the township could be brought into occupancy, was to have it properly surveyed. Mr. Adrian Marlett, of Ancaster, Provincial Deputy Surveyor, was promptly engaged by Mr. Dickson for the purpose, and surveyed a considerable portion of the lands in the neighbourhood of Galt during the fall of 1816. He commenced his work again early the following year, and continued it until it was completed.

The first building erected was near the corner of Main and Water Streets, where Mr. Alexander Buchanan's residence now is. It was constructed of logs, two stories high in front, with a one-storey kitchen attached. The front was enclosed by a log fence. This was deemed quite an ornament in those days, but would hardly be esteemed so highly at the present time. For many years afterwards one end of this building was used as a rude store by Mr. Shade, and the other as a dwelling for him-self and wife.

Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young, 1880 Toronto: Hunter, Rose Pg. 30, 31

Historic Building:
Constructed in 1855, possibly by William Leslie (carpenter) house known as the "William Leslie House" historic listed property city of Cambridge. Former Residence of Alexander Baird and family, murals were painted in this home by "Jack" Baird. Also the former home of R.P. SLater and family. Galt councillor and Mayor of Niagara Falls, Canada.

Elected Office:
Municipality Dumfries NYears on local council: 1852 Councillor; 1853 Reeve
Years on Waterloo County Council: 1853

Alexander — Elizabeth "Betsy" Leese. Elizabeth (daughter of John Mattison Leece and Margaret McArthur) was born CALC 18 Jan 1802, of, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 Apr 1841, South Dumfries Twp., Brant Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141448531
• Name: Betsy Leese
• Name: Elizabeth "Betsy" Buchanan
• Name: Elizabeth Leece
• Name: Lizzie Leese
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-55144

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-252608
• Residence: 1799, Kelso, , Roxburgh, Scotland
• Residence: 1809, Eckford, , Roxburgh, Scotland
• Immigration: 1814, , Canada

Thomas married Mary S. Shiel 7 Jun 1795, Cornhill, Northumberland, England. Mary was born 1773, Highton, Roxburg, Scotland; died 1831, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary S. Moffatt
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-132902
• Residence: 1799, Kelso, , Roxburgh, Scotland
• Residence: 1809, Eckford, , Roxburgh, Scotland
• Immigration: 1814, , Canada

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/187826868
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-61661

Notes:

Shade acted as Mr. Dickson's agent and attorney, and as soon as it became known in the Niagara district and other settled parts of the Province, that lands could be had on easy terms, a few straggling settlers made their way to the locality, and some returned to take up their abode. Scarcely any persons came in during the fall of 1816, and for several years afterwards, the progress made was not very promising. Report puts down the number of families in the township in 1817 as thirty-eight, com-prising in all one hundred arid sixty-three souls, and the whole of the farm stock as less than the number of animals now to be found on a single place. From a Government source, we find that in 1818 the estimate was only thirty-eight settlers, and sixty-three persons in all.

These statements are doubtless not far astray, but the latter estimate is probably below rather than above the mark, for, besides a few settlers who early took up land in the St. George neighbourhood, a small colony, chiefly from Genesee County, New York State, had located in the bush between Galt and the present village of Branchton, as early as 1817. Among these were Messrs. Donald Fraser, Thomas McBean, William Mackenzie,* John Buchanan, Robert Carrick, Alexander Harvie, Daniel McArthur and Dugald McColl, whose descendants, in several instances, still continue to hold and cultivate the lands then taken up.

*Donald Fraser, Thomas McBean and William Mackenzie walked all the way from Genesee Co., New York State, to Dumfries, during May, 1817. Mackenzie had assisted Mr. Marlett in surveying near Galt during the previous fall, and piloted the way. While on the road near Hamilton, the elder Dickson and his son William passed them on horseback. They knew Mackenzie, and informed the travellers that they could get Articles of Agreement immediately for any lands they might select, as they were then taking up these necessary documents. After arrival, Fraser, McBean and Mackenzie soon selected farms, and received the Articles therefor, which are said to have been the first three ever given by Mr. Dickson for any part of his Dumfries lands.


Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young, 1880 Toronto: Hunter, Rose pg 33

John — Margaret McArthur. Margaret was born 1780, , Scotland; died 13 Mar 1844; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/248381754
• Name: Margaret Buchanan
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-54361

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-54724
• Land: 30 Jul 1817, North Dumfries Concession 10 Lot 08, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

The price of land at this early period was about $3 per acre. There is lying before us as we write, in a perfect state of preservation, an agreement entered into for a farm between Mr. Dickson and Mr. John Leece. This gentleman was a native of Lancashire, England, but had been for some time in Albany, New York, before coming to Dumfries. The agreement was for the sale of the south half of lot number eight, in the tenth concession-being the farm now owned by Mr. William Smith, situated on Mill-creek, about one mile from Galt. The document was signed on the 30th of July, 1817, the signatures upon it being those of William Dickson, by his Attorney, Absalom Shade, and the purchaser, John Leece. The witnesses were William Dickson, jr., and Charles Irwin. The consideration money was £75, and it was payable in five years with interest.


Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young, 1880 Toronto: Hunter, Rose pg 30

John — Margaret McArthur. Margaret was born 1765, , Lancashire, England; died 1835, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Leece
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-199431