Matheson

— Edgar. [Group Sheet]

1. George Edgar was born 2 Jul 1890, , Ontario, Canada; died 16 Aug 1961; was buried , Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada.

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-132343P
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Occupation: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presb.
• Residence: 1872, North Dumfries Concession 09 Lot 30, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Died, At his residence, on Tuesday, 17th December, at ten o'clock, P.M., Andrew G. Mathieson, Aged 66 years, 10 months and 8 days. Funeral, On Thursday, 19th inst., at Two o'clock, p.m., from his late residence, Lot No. 30, 9th Conc., North Dumfries, to Cedar Creek Cemetery. North Dumfries, Dec. 18th, 1872.


Waterloo Historical Society Death Notices Collection - photocopies

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THE first settlers of Dumfries were generally of a superior class. With few exceptions, they had received a good education at the Parochial Schools of their native land, and many of them brought with them to Canada a thirst for knowledge which even the necessities of bush life could not eradicate. This led to very early endeavours to combine instruction with amusement during their leisure hours.

It will surprise many to learn, however, that as early as 1834, when clearings were but few and far between, and when the wolf and bear were not unfrequent visitors, that a Debating society was in full blast during the winter evenings. Such was the fact„ however, and long and excit-ing were the discussions which took place.

The scene of these intellectual combats was the home Mr. John Reid, after whom the clachan of Reidsville has been called, and who only passed away to his rest a few months ago. The members of the society were Messrs.John Black, John Reid, Thomas and James Dalgliesh, William Veitch, Alex. Turnbull, Thomas Ritchie, William Hastie, Andrew Mathieson, James Cunningham, Andrew Elliott, John Currie, John Johnston, George Cunningham, Alex. Beckett, James Oliver, Thomas Cleghorn, and occasionally a few others. A majority of these gentlemen still survive, and the mere recital of their names will awaken in the minds of those acquainted with them, many pleasing, and possibly some sad, reminiscences of the past.

It is needless to say that this Society was an exceedingly vigorous one, and that the questions discussed were characteristic of the time. Among them were the following:
(1) Which is most benefit to mankind, Agriculture or Commerce ?
(2) Whether is the profane man or the hypocrite most injury to society?
(3) Which is the most destructive element, fire or water?
(4) Whether does wood or iron most benefit mankind ? and
(5) Would a ship made of iron sink or swim?

The debates upon these and similar subjects, which, in the absence of candles, sometimes took place by the light of burning pine knots, were characterised by deep interest and not a little talent, and, to use the language of one of the participants: "Nothing could exceed the enjoyment of these gatherings."

The annual dinner of the Debaters was an occasion never to be forgotten. It was also held at Mr. Reid's house, but the viands were provided by the members of the Society generally. It could not boast of the cuisine of Delmonico, nor of bills of fare in French and perfume. It was considered, however, a veritable feast at that time. The Society unitedly purchased a sheep. That was the first step. From this was made soup, a haggis-the oat-meal for which had to be brought from a drug store in Dundas and roast and boiled joints. Add to this description, a few " cakes of the period," and you have the dinner, gastronomically considered, in all its glory

It was, however, "the feast of reason and flow of soul" which followed, that gave the occasion its princi-pal attraction. The speeches-the songs-the hilarity-can be better imagined than described. As an illustration of the mirthful spirit which prevailed, it may be mentioned that, on one occasion, whilst ladling out huge platefuls of the steaming haggis, John Black, the chairman, vigorously recited Burns' address to that famous dish:

"Fair, fa your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the puddin' race;
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe or thairm,
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang's my arm."

Nothing could better illustrate the character of the early settlers of Dumfries than efforts at intellectual improvement under such formidable difficulties. It is not too much to say of them, that no part of Canada has been settled by a class of men of greater physical and mental energy. "None but Lowland Scotchmen would ever have cleared North Dumfries," is a remark which has frequently been made. This may be an exaggeration. But those who remember how heavily timbered, how stony and how swampy its rugged hills and valleys were forty years ago, will readily admit, that only the highest courage, and most indomitable energy and perseverance, could have made the township what it is today in the same space of time. Had their work to be done over again, could a magician's wand once more make Dumfries the tangled forest it was when this history began, we venture to say their descendants would never undertake to perform it!

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

Andrew — Mary M. Calder. Mary (daughter of James Calder and Janet McIntosh) was born 6 Aug 1818, Nairn, Nairnshire, Scotland; was christened 12 Aug 1818, Nairn, Nairnshire, Scotland; died 10 Mar 1902, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Cedar Creek Cemetery, North Dumfries Township, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55605762
• Name: Mary M. Mathieson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-132351
• Birth: 10 Aug 1818, Nairn, Nairnshire, Scotland
• Immigration: 1832, , Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Free Church
• Residence: 1871, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presb.
• Residence: 1881, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; C. Presbyterian
• Residence: 1891, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Presbyuterian
• Retired: 1891, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-72071

Alexander — Isabel Grey. Isabel was born Abt 1780, of, Yarrow, , Selkirk, Scotland; died , , Scotland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Isabel Mathieson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-77264

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55604617
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-42709
• Occupation: 1807, Nairn, Nairnshire, Scotland; Private Soldier
• Occupation: 1818, Nairn, Nairnshire, Scotland; tailor
• Land: 1861, North Dumfries Concession 09 Lot 36, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Land: 1861, North Dumfries Concession 09 Lot 07, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

DIED / In Ayr, on Sabbath afternoon the / 11th inst. at 3 o`clock / James Calder / Aged 82 years and 6 months. The / Funeral will take place on Tuesday / the 13th inst., at one o`clock, p.m., from / his late residence, Stanley Street / Ayr, to the place of internment, Cedar / Creek Burying Ground.


Funeral Card of James Calder

Rsrch. Note:
Catharine Calder b. 1816 Nairn, Nairn, SCT to James Calder and Janet Mackintosh.......also Jane born to the same couple in 1826, Nairn.

Their parents were married in Nairn, Nairn, SCT in 1807. They had a total of 9 documented children but have not listed James as he died in infancy in Scotland:

1. Isabel Calder, b. 1809, m. James Forsyth, settled in Oneida, Haldimand (immigrated in 1849) 2. Janet Calder, b. 1810 m. Duncan McDonald, settled in Oneida, Haldimand (immigrated abt. 1852) 3. William Calder, b. 1814, perished in the Cholera epedimic in 1834, buried Cedar Creek Cemetery. 4. Catharine Calder b. 1814 - need to fill in the blanks 5. Mary Calder b. 1818 m. Andrew G. Mathison, buried Cedar Creek Cemetery. 6. Anne Calder b. 1824, m. James Williamson, first settled in Oneida and then removed themselves to North Dumfries shortly after James Calder's death in 1869 (my direct line). 7. Jane Calder b. 1826 married a Campbell? - need to fill in the blanks. I may have found her in the 1881 census for Haldimand, a widow but am not certain this is she. 8. Alexandrina Calder b. 1828 m. Hugh Clark first settled in Haldimand, at one point in North Dumfries and have traced two or three children to this area. I think two are buried at Mount View Cemetery in Cambridge (Galt). This family immigrated prior to the 1851 for Oneida, Haldimand.

James Calder agreed to settle on Lot 33 Conc 9 in 1826 with William Dickson (I think it was William....do not have my notes in front of me). I believe that Janet Mackintosh died in Scotland although was unable to locate her burial site during my trip to Nairn. I have found no evidence of her in Canada.

James Calder settled in Dumfries in Dec of 1832. Three of the girls stayed behind in Scotland that I know of.......Isabella, Janet and Alexandrina. They joined the James Williamson's in Oneida in the late 1840's, early 1850's.

James Calder next married Margaret Wyllie Guthrie in 1841 Dumfries (sister to Ayr's first postmaster, Robert Wyllie). She and her first husband, David Guthrie, were from Ayrshire, SCT. David suffocated when a well he was digging on his farm caved in on him. James had the farm next door and imagine this is how he met Margaret.

James Calder was a tailor by trade and it is my understanding that Margaret was as well. Although his last farm was located on Lot 36, Conc. 9, he continued his tailoring business in Ayr and died at his Stanley Street residence in Ayr in 1869.

Although this is rather longwinded........wanted to give a background on the family. I have all of the information on the descendents of this family except for Catherine and Jane Calder.

The family tree states that Jane married a John Campbell and went North to work on the railroad. I find (through circumstantial evidence) that this Jane might have been married to a William Campbell but he was a school teacher....pretty far fetched from the railroad :).

I know that these two ladies were alive in 1869 when James Calder passed as they are mentioned in his Will. I have looked at the probated copy and there are no clues to be found there.<sup>1

1</sup>Ancestry.com Message board https://boards.ancestry.ca/localities.northam.canada.ontario.waterloo/1435/mb.ashx 2007


Occupation:
While never a soldier full time, he was required to serve in a militia like setting.

James married Janet McIntosh 18 Dec 1818, Nairn, Nairnshire, Scotland. Janet was born 1 Jul 1787, Duffus, , Moray, Scotland; died 12 Apr 1829, Nairn, Nairnshire, Scotland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Janet Calder
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-90636