David Thomas Petch

Other Events:

• Interesting: pioneer, story
• Military: rebellion of 1837
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-78760
• Occupation: 1852, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1852, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Quaker
• Occupation: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Famer
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Township - East Concession 10 Lot 09, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Occupation: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Quaker

Notes:

One of the oldest settlers of this part of the township of Wellesley in the person of Mr. David Petch passed his reward on the 12th inst. at his residence some two miles east of this place at the advanced age of 89 years. Mr. Petch came to this township from Tecumseth some fifty-five years ago and settled on the farm now occupied by his son Samuel. His wife who survives him was a daughter of the late Benjamin Hawke and now the only survivor of a very large family. Her brother Percifar was, we believe, the first one of the family to venture into what was then known as the Queen's Bush settling on the farm now occupied by Wm. Hayes where he erected a water power machine which was a great convenience to the settlers of this locality. His brother Benjamin shortly followed him settling on the Foster farm but contracting consumption died some two years afterward and was the first one interred in the Hawkesville cemetery and his brother-in-law Mr. Petch the last at the time of writing. Benjamin Hawk and his wife and their sons John, Gabriel and William followed the others, the father and son William settling on the farm now occupied by D. Wismer, John and Gabriel settling at and we may say founding the village of Hawkesville, both of whom took a very active part in municipal affairs of the township and the whole family were thoroughly liberal in politics and in the early history of the township wielded a very great influence in election campaigns. Mr. Petch was about the last of the pioneers of this section of Wellesley. Mr. Geo. Ruler who now is living retired in Hawkesville is perhaps the only remaining one of the early settlers of this particular section of the township. Mr. Petch had a family of six sons and --- daughters. Two of his sons George and William of Crosshill preceded him some years ago, one daughter Miss Lena is unmarried and at home with her mother. The funeral took place on Friday last. A short religious service was conducted at the home by the Rev. Mr. Hague of Millbank after which the interment took place at Hawkesville

Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph" December 20, 1900.

_______________________

CROSSHILL

Another landmark is gone in the death of Mr. David Petch, an Englishman by birth from Yorkshire, who just died in his 90th year. He came to this country when very young. The early part of his life was spent near Toronto in those noted McKenzie rebellion times. He moved from their [sic] with the Hawke family to the township of Wellesley and settled on 9 Con. east section. Some years ago he gave up the farm to one of his sons and moved to what is called Hawke's corners. He was for a number of years a leading and active director of the North Waterloo Agricultural Society, and a breeder of Cotswolds. In politics he was a Reformer, in religion somewhat of a Quaker. For some time past he was nearly blind, although he knew most people by their voices. A week ago the family celebrated his birthday. He had been in poor health for some time and the other day a choking spell took him which he could not overcome. The funeral took place last Friday to the Hawkesville cemetery. Mrs. Petch survives him, she is also very feeble.

Wellesley Maple Leaf, December 20, 1900

DEATH OF MR. DAVID PETCH.
(Written for the Maple Leaf.)

Another pioneer is laid to rest in the person of David Petch who died December, 12th, aged 89 years, 9 [?] days. Mr. Petch was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1811 and came to Canada when a young, boy. He lived in several places, finally settling in Little York (Toronto) and then came to Waterloo. He married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Hawke, in 1836. He with his relatives took an active part in the rebellion at that time. He was somewhat of a Quaker and was a very staunch Reformer. He had the misfortune to become blind in 1898 but has borne it with Christian fortitude. He retained all other faculties till the end. He was a keen conversationalist in his old age and took a great interest in political matters and the late wars. He was the father of ten children, 13 grand children, and 11 great grand children. He leaves to mourn the loss of a kind husband and good father four sons and four daughters and and [sic] affectionate wife, namely :-Samuel on the homestead, Percival at Woodstock,. John at Listowel and Robert at Tilsonburg, Mrs. Hugh Frame of Crosshill, Mrs. Seth Cohoe at Brandon, Man., Mrs. Peter MeCallum, Crosshill and Gena, unmarried at home with her mother. Two sons William and George, predeceased the father. A large number of friends and relatives sympathize with the bereaved family as Mr. Petch was well known far and wide.

Wellesley Maple Leaf, January 10, 1901


Obituary is supplied by the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society Click here to go to their website.

David married Sarah May Hawke 16 Oct 1839, Home District, Ontario, Canada. Sarah (daughter of Benjamin Hawke and Mary "Polly" Lount) was born 16 Mar 1822; died 19 Jun 1904, Tillsonburg, Dereham Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Hawkesville Union Cemetery, Hawkesville, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Petch was born , Of, Crosshill, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Bef 1900.
2. George Lount Petch was born 22 Jul 1842, , Ontario, Canada; died 10 May 1897; was buried , Hawkesville Union Cemetery, Hawkesville, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Samuel Lount Petch was born 2 Jan 1844, New Dundee, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 6 Nov 1917, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Hawkesville Union Cemetery, Hawkesville, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Mary Jane Petch was born CALC 31 May 1844; died 7 Nov 1901, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Rushes Cemetery, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
5. Lena or Gena Petch was born CA 1845, of, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
6. Percifor "Pierce" Petch was born May 1846, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died , Saskatchewan.
7. John Thomas Petch was born 1847, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 30 Mar 1940, Listowel, Wallace Twp., Perth County, Ontario, Canada.
8. William Wilson Petch was born 1850, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 Apr 1894, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
9. Caroline "Carrie" Petch was born 1854, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 25 Dec 1938, Woodstock, Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodstock, Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada.
10. Elizabeth Ann Petch was born 11 Mar 1856, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 22 Jun 1921, Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada.
11. Christina Petch was born 1857, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
12. Robert Petch was born 1858, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
13. Harriet Christina Petch was born 16 Nov 1859, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 5 Dec 1937, Tillsonburg, Dereham Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Hillview United Cemetery, Woodstock, Oxford Co., Ontario.