Elizabeth Telfer

Other Events:

• Name: Betsy Telfer
• Name: Elizabeth McDavitt
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-136979
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of Scotland
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presb.
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist Canada

Elizabeth married James McDavitt 22 Sep 1871, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. James (son of James McDavitt and Elizabeth Hood) was born Sep 1835, , Ireland; died 27 Jan 1913, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Elizabeth McDavitt was born 1872, , Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Elizabeth McDavitt was born 9 Nov 1872, , Ontario, Canada; died 25 Jul 1942, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
3. Ellen McDavitt was born 1874; died 1881; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.
4. Margaret McDavitt was born 1876, , Ontario, Canada; died 1881; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179587112
• Interesting: life story, pioneer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-70202
• Immigration: 1823, , Canada
• Residence: 1837, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Land - Directory: 1864, North Dumfries Concession 08 Lot 13, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presb.
• Occupation: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian

Notes:

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 community 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

________________

Death of Mr. George Telfer of North Dumfries

For some months past we have referred to the increasing infirmities of this well known old and most respected resident, so that it will be no matter of surprise to his friends now that we are called upon to chronicle his death, which occurred at his residence on Tuesday afternoon last. Mr. Telfer came to Canada in 1823, and coming west, settled for a time in the old log home on the "Blake" farm, afterwards occupied by the late R. Wilson, - the fine property now owned by the Messrs. McPherson. For some years after his arrival he worked for the first Wm. Dickson and subsequently for the late A. Shade, until having accumulated some savings, he bought the farm on which he resided, West River Road, until his death. Mr. Telfer was twice married, his first partner being Miss Betsy Young, Three children, the fruit of this union were carried off by scarlet fever. A few years after that of his first wife, he married Miss Ellen Shiel, sister of the late James Shiel, his second partner dying in 1870. By this union he had six children, viz.: - Mr. Wm. Telfer, Mr. John Telfer, (whose sudden death in Galt by heart disease a year or more ago will be well remembered), Mrs. Thomas Deans, of North Dumfries, Mr. Thomas Telfer, residing on the homestead, Mrs. Jas. McDavitt, dead, and Mr. Robert Telfer, also Dead.

Mr. Telfer was one of the links of the past and very fortunately he was spared the full possession of his faculties until but a short time before his death. His reminiscence of his early life here; his old acquaintances and friends, such as Michael Knox and Mr. John Lockie, whose death occurred while walking behind the sleigh in which Mr. Telfer, himself, and some others were making their annual trip to Cayuga, where they worked at plastering and odd jobs during the winter to earn the little money so scarce and so much wanted in the settlement in Dumfries. Only a blazed trail to Paris; only a market for wheat at Dundas and Hamilton, and then 2s 6d york a bushel, part cash, balance trade at all kinds of prices; Michael Knox coming into the settlement once a year from the North West with a party of trappers and fur carriers, on their way to the East, and camping on what is now "Queen's Square," his brief stay being a reunion with all his old friends in this section and a "wee drap" just "tee dac them guid."

Mr. Telfer's brother, John, came out a few years before the subject of this notice. He kept a store for a time on West Main street, in Galt, thence removing to Sarnia and thence to Owen Sound, where he died. His daughter now lives in Port Huron. His son, John, who holds a very responsible position in the construction department of the Wabash railway, visited Galt last winter. He also resides in Port Huron.

Mr. Telfer's funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) and was very largely attended. He was interred in Galt cemetery.

Galt Reporter Dec 4 1885 pg 1

George — Helen Shiel. Helen was born 1806, , Scotland; died 22 Dec 1870, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179587118
• Name: Helen Telfer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-70341
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Church of Scotland

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: dnf-115510

William — Elizabeth Laurie. Elizabeth was born Abt 1770, of, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Telfer
• Eby ID Number: dnf-115528