Wilson Letson

Other Events:

• Employment: Great West Felt Co., Elmira, Ontario
• Misfortune: murder, story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-77104
• Misfortune: 28 Dec 1947, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; murdered

Notes:

Five Die In West Montrose Quarrel; Letson Family Is Wiped Out In Waterloo County's Worst Shooting
[Excerpts from article]

A family was wiped out; a suicide committed and five are dead due to jealousy over an eighteen year old girl, Miss Eleanor Springer, in a family quarrel which started shortly after midnight Sunday morning last. The dead are: Hugh Letson, 45; his wife, Mary, 44; two brothers, Percy, 38 and Wilson, 43, and a cousin Walter (Pat) Letson. The entire Letson family was wiped out by gunfire by Pat Letson. On Saturday evening Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Letson, Wilson Letson and Eleanor Springer went to Kitchener and on the way home stopped at Bridgeport Hotel for beverages. Arriving home shortly after midnight the car was driven to the driving shed. As Wilson stepped out of the car he was blasted in the chest with a 12-gauge shotgun in the hands of Pat Letson, according to the statement given to the coroner, Dr. LeRoy Wagner, Elmira, and the Provincial police. He died instantly and fell beside the car. Then followed a very heated argument which took them into the house. Shortly after two or three shots were reported as being fired, according to the only witness of the affair still alive, Eleanor Springer. It is believed both Mr. and Mrs. Letson were killed at this time and also Percy Letson. Sunday wore on before any hint of the shooting became known. No gunshots were heard by neighbors, there being a community wedding party which most attended, the night before. It was Elisha Pollock, 87, aged cousin, slightly blind and hard of hearing found Pat Letson, on the kitchen couch, and when he failed to awaken with repeated shaking, went to the neighbours to inform them Pat was dead. He failed to see the gunshot wound in the chest. He was accompanied back by Wilfred Heinbein [Heibein] and Robert Winfield who found Pat had been shot. Dr. LeRoy Wagner was then notified and went down to West Montrose to investigate.... Provincial police were notified by Dr. Wagner and the investigation got under way.... Sometime between three o'clock and seven, Pat Letson shot himself in the kitchen when he sent the aged Mr. Pollock to the barn to do some chores.

Elmira Signet, Thursday, January 1, 1948, pg 1

_______________________


The three Letson brothers were sons of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Letson of Winterbourne, while the late Herman Letson, father of Pat Letson, was a native of West Montrose. Hugh Letson worked on his homestead farm in West Montrose. His brothers, Percy and Wilson, were employed at the Great West Felt Co. plant in Elmira, while Pat worked at the Link Belt factory in Elmira.

_______________________


Great Many Attend Funeral of Letson's

So many people attended the funeral of the Letson family held Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m., they overflowed the Dreisinger Funeral Chapel, filled the Furniture Store, where a public address system had been placed for those to hear the service who could not see it, and still made it necessary for about a hundred to wait outside the funeral home to witness the cortege. Rev. C. L. Mitchell conducted the service, and Rev. R. M. Metcalfe gave the sermon. Pall bearers, of which there were twelve, were: Floyd Goodwin, Bert Goodwin, Leroy Goodwin, Lorne Godwin, David Goodwin, Murray Fries, A. Schmermund, H. Conrod, J. Eckert, L. Letson, W. Letson and L. Eby. Burial of Walter (Pat) Letson was made at West Montrose Cemetery. Burial of Wilson, Percy, and Hugh and Mary Letson was made in one grave at the Winterbourne Cemetery.

Elmira Signet, Thursday, January 1, 1948

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-53604
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; General Labourer
• Occupation: 1911, Winterbourne, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1911, Winterbourne, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Occupation: 1921, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Sawyer, Saw Mill
• Residence: 1921, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Joseph — Rachel Redilia C. Pollock. Rachel (daughter of John Pollock and Rachel Hewitt) was born 19 Mar 1864; died 22 Nov 1943; was buried , Winterbourne Presbyterian Cemetery, Winterbourne, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Rachel Redilia C. Letson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-53605
• Birth: 19 Mar 1875, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1911, Winterbourne, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1932, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-53490
• Residence: 1856, Pilkington Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesley Methodist
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Labourer
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; General Labourer

George married Sarah Goodwin 27 Nov 1856, Elora, Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada. Sarah (daughter of Joseph Goodwin and Ann Walters) was born 19 Dec 1828 OR 11 Dec 1831, , Northamptonshire, England; died 28 Sep 1917, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Sarah Letson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-53491
• Immigration: 1846, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1856, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesley Methodist
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00027-2015.11
• Occupation: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Servant
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of Scotland
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Carpenter
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ch. of Scotland

John married Rachel Hewitt 4 Feb 1859, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Rachel (daughter of Elisha Hewitt and Rachel Cress) was born 5 Jul 1839, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 5 Dec 1911, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Winterbourne Presbyterian Cemetery, Winterbourne, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Rachel Pollock
• Eby ID Number: 00027-2015.10
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of Scotland
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Ch. of Scotland
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Land Lady
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian
• Residence: 1911, Winterbourne, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Notes:

Rachel Hewitt, " the youngest, was married to Mr. Pullock. They reside near Winterbourne, on part of the old homestead."


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-53520

Jeremiah — Eleanor Lasby. Eleanor was born 1810, , England; died 4 Jul 1877, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Winterbourne Pioneer Methodist Cemetery, Winterbourne, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Eleanor Letson
• Name: Eleanor Letson
• Name: Ellen Lasby
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-48676
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Wesley Methodist
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; W. Methodist

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-232720
• Residence: 1827, Newbottle, , Northampton, England
• Occupation: 1852, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Directory: 1867, Woolwich Township Crook's Tract Concession 1 Lot 6, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; W. Methodist

Notes:

Directory:
Joseph Goodwin Concession: 1, Lot: 6, Place: Woolwich Twp., Freeholder, Pg: 43

Joseph married Ann Walters 4 Jun 1827, Newbottle, , Northampton, England. Ann was born 1807, , England; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Ann Goodwin
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-232721
• Residence: 1827, Newbottle, , Northampton, England
• Residence: 1851, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; W. Methodist
• Residence: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Directory: 1884, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Directory:
Ann Goodwin Mrs. Pg. 106 Post Office: Winterbourne Place: Woolwich Tract: Cartwright Tract Lot: 6 Acres: 38

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-2430
• Occupation: 1852, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; weaver

William — Ellen "Helen" Watson. Ellen was born 1810, Kirkintilloch, , Dunbarton, Scotland; died 6 Jul 1891, , Ontario, Canada; was buried , Winterbourne Presbyterian Cemetery, Winterbourne, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Birth: Glasgow, , Lanark, Scotland
• Name: Ellen "Helen" Pollock
• Name: Helen Watson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-2433
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00027-2015.1
• Immigration: 1819, , Canada
• Residence: 1823, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1860, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1860, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

Elisha Hewitt, came from New York State in 1819 at age of 19, his wealth consisted of one half dollar and an extra pair of socks; he sold the socks for fifty cents and with the dollar bought an axe; settled on his farm 1823, died Oct 1863, owning several hundred acres of land.


A Few Notes on the Early History of Chalmers' Church, Winterbourne" - by Rev. A. M. Hamilton, M. A.

____________________________


At this corner, where the road divides, several of the earliest settlers made: their homes. The first to take up land near Capt.. Smith's was Elisha Hewitt, who was born in Cayuga, in northern New York State, in January 1800. His mother was a native of Maryland. He came to Canada in 1819, giving a jacknife to get across the Niagara River at Black Rock. He first worked for John Brubacher, near Berlin, and after that, for four years, at any job he might find. When he came to the township of Waterloo his capital consisted of half a dollar and an extra pair of socks. He sold his socks and then he had enough to buy an axe. From this small beginning he acquired several hundred acres of land. Not only this, but he was married three times and raised a family of fifteen children.

In the fall of the year 1823 Elisha Hewitt took up his farm in the township of Woolwich and in the same year married Rachel Cress, who, with her father, mother, two brothers and a sister, had come along with Mr. Erb in 1806. The Cress family settled at what is now St. Jacob's, in Woolwich, while Mr. Erb was in Waterloo township. One thing that is remembered of Elisha Hewitt is that he made large quantities of maple sugar.

Rachel Cress, Hewitt's first wife, died Dec. 2nd, 1846, at the age of 49 years and eight months. In the first family were: Ephriam married Jane Wright, moved to Wisconsin. Eliza married to Josh. Scheidel, lives in Berlin. Elisha married Catherine Benner, lived on the next farm north of C. D. Bowman's near West Montrose, and is now living in Berlin. Elizabeth married to Alex. Singer, moved to Michigan. Mary married to James Woolner, lives in Peel' township. Peter married Margaret Donaldson ; their home was in Winterboume. Rachel, who is Mrs. Pollock, now living near the old home.It is a remarkable fact that of the first family of seven all are yet living but Elizabeth and she was killed by a runaway accident.

Hewitt's second wife was Elspet Meldrum, who died Jan. 28th, 1860, at the age of 48 years and 3 months. In this family were: Margaret married to John Hillcock, Peterborough. Charlotte married to Daniel Kennedy, 'Toronto. Annie married in Tonawanda, 'N. Y. Jessie married to Joseph Benner, moved to Culross towmship where she died. Helen married Rev. Mr. Groff, lived near Breslau. Alexander died when a young man.

The third wife was Ann Hamilton, and their two children were Elsie and Wilhelmina, who with their mother, who married again, went to live at Ripley, near Kincardine.

Elisha Hewitt died October 8th, 1863, at the age of 63 years and 9 months.

The Early History of Elora, Ontario, and Vicinity by John R. Connon

Elisha married Rachel Cress 1823, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Rachel (daughter of Simon Cress and Catharine) was born 6 May 1797, , Pennsylvania, USA; died 2 Dec 1846, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Winterbourne Presbyterian Cemetery, Winterbourne, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Rachel Hewitt
• Eby ID Number: 00027-2015

Notes:

Rachel Cress, "the third member of old Simon Cress' family, was married to Elijah Hewitt. They resided on the old 'Hewitt Farm', half way between Winterbourne and Conestogo, in the township of Woolwich, where they both died. To them was born a family of seven children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].