Simon Hewitt

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-49310
• Occupation: 1899, Maryborough Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1901, Maryborough Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Residence: 1901, Maryborough Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; Presbyterian

Simon married Sarah Ellen Baase 1 Feb 1899, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Sarah (daughter of Louis Baase and Mary Hewitt) was born 3 Mar 1876, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189851716
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-51102

George — Hannah Warner. Hannah (daughter of George M. Warner and Nancy Gofton) was born 11 Feb 1841, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 10 Apr 1922, Maryborough Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , Woodlawn Pioneer Cemetery, Listowel, Perth County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189851808
• Name: Hannah Hewitt
• Eby ID Number: 00047-3479.67
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican

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.].

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189851853
• Name: George M. Warner
• Eby ID Number: 00126-7626
• Residence: 1837, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Anglican
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Lot 11 Con 6 -west
• Occupation: 1881, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; labourer
• Residence: 1881, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; Wesleyan Methodist

Notes:

George M. Wanner, "a farmer, resided in Puslinch Township, Wellington County, Ontario. He was first married to Nancy Gofton and after her decease to Mollie Holm, and had a family but names of only two children were received"


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.].

George married Nancy Gofton 11 Jul 1837, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Nancy (daughter of Samuel Gofton and Elizabeth Hall) was born 1822, Sigglesthorne, , Yorkshire, England; was christened 16 Dec 1822, Sigglesthorne, , Yorkshire, England; died 30 May 1842; was buried , Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Nancy Warner
• Eby ID Number: 00126-7626.1
• Residence: 1837, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: dnf-124744

Elisha — Elizabeth Champlain. Elizabeth was born Abt 1770, , Maryland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Hewitt
• Eby ID Number: dnf-125671

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00027-2012

Notes:

Simon Cress, "the progenitor of this family was a native of Pennsylvania, U. S., where he was born about the year 1764. In 1806 he and his wife and family moved to Canada and located temporarily near Preston, Ontario. A few months later they moved to where they resided for some years. In 1819 he purchased the lot now forming the farms of the late Absalom Martin, Peter Cress, Levi Cress, and others near St. Jacobs, Ontario. Here the old progenitor resided until his death. His family consisted of five 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.].

__________________________

So far those mentioned have, of with the exception of Capt. Smith, been situated along the road which follows the general course of the river northward. There was only one other spot, so far as can be learned, where a settlement had been made up to the year 1825. Simon Cress and his wife, Rachel, with their two sons and two daughters, came to Waterloo along with Mr. Erb, in 1806. They settled on land upon part of which the village of St. Jacob's stands now. In doing this they followed the rule by going up the Conestogo river. Simon Cress died in October, 1863, and his wife twenty years before him. Those in their family were : Ephraim, the oldest ; Polly, who married John Beatty ; Jacob, died at Port Elgin, and Rachel, the wife of Elisha Hewitt. In the family of Ephraim Cress were: Simon ; Levi, now living retired in St. Jacob's ; John, also in St. Jacob's ; Elizabeth,,. Mrs. Bricker ; Polly, Mrs. John Whiteman ; Rachel, Mrs. Bernard Meyer.

A son of Jacob Cress, who died at, Port Elgin, is Peter Cress, living in St. Jacob's, and a daughter is Mrs. David Puttock, living at Blair, near Preston. Henry, son of Levi, is now on the old Cress farm at St. Jacob's.

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

Simon — Catharine. Catharine was born Abt 1764, Of, Pennsylvania; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Cress
• Name: Rachel
• Eby ID Number: 00027-2012.8

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39022218
• Eby ID Number: 00126-7614
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - Beasley's Lower Block Conc. 3 Lot 13, Waterloo County, Ontario

Notes:

John M. Wanner, "the eldest of the family, was born September 27th, 1775. He was married to Elizabeth Wecklin who was born December 7th, 1777, and died near Hespeler, Ontario, May 22nd, 1817. In 1810 they came to Canada with his parents and settled near Hespeler where he died February 1st, 1848. Their family consisted of eight 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.].

John — Elizabeth Wecklin. Elizabeth (daughter of George Wecklin) was born 7 Dec 1777, , Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania; died 22 May 1817, Near Hespeler, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Wanner Mennonite Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39022320
• Name: Elizabeth Wanner
• Eby ID Number: 00126-7614.1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-29894
• Residence: 1815, Sigglesthorne, , Yorkshire, England
• Residence: 1815, Sigglesthorne, , Yorkshire, England
• Residence: 1817, Sigglesthorne, , Yorkshire, England
• Residence: 1822, Sigglesthorne, , Yorkshire, England
• Epidemic: 1834, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Cholera

Notes:

Family lore indicates that Samuel died coming from from a circus and died of cholera and was buried at the side of the road, His horse was brought to his widow.

_____________

From an account of the cholera epidemic in which Samuel perished is below.

"The most striking and melancholy example within our knowledge of the generations and effects of the local infection occurred in this vicinity in the summer of 1834.

On the 28th of July, 1834, Galt, a village on the Grand River, U. C. was visited by Showmen with a Menagerie. It was exhibited under an awning of canvass, nearly enclosed at the sides, and drawn together in a conical form almost to the top. The day was excessively warm, and the crown suffocating. The exhibition lasted about 3 hours. It is estimated that about 1000 persons were present, and that not less than 200 of them died of Cholera within ten days. The population from which the assembly at the exhibition was composed, in the Township in the vicinity of Galt, it supposed to be about seven thousand.

The first case was in one of the Showmen, who sickened on that day, which was Monday. No other case occurred until the following Wednesday morning - on that day not less than thirty were attacked all of whom had been at the show - The greatest number of cases were on the Thursday and Friday following - but new cases occurred for several days. In speaking of an attack, we here allude to the time the patient supposed the attack commenced - the time he was "taken down" . The average length of time the disease lasted after this event was about sixteen hours.

Four days previous to the exhibition of animals at Galt, two children of Mr. J. G., on the Governor's Road, 12 miles south east of Galt, were attacked with Cholera, one of which died. On the same day (24th July,) two cases of what we shall call second grade Cholera came under our care, being the first that occurred of that form of the disease within our knowledge that season - About this time also, many were affected with first grand symptoms, - but with the exception of the children alluded to we have not been able to learn that any case of fully developed Cholera occurred in this part of the province previous to the exhibition of animals at Galt, and for several days subsequent to that event, and in which more than two hundred were attacked with Cholera, all had been at that exhibition with only two or three exceptions. From the 6th of August the disease became more general and not confined to such as were at the Menagerie; but this time it appeared at Hamilton and Dundas - situations more low and marshy than Galt, and adjacent to Burlington Bay of the Head of Lake Ontario. From these facts it is evident that a deteriorated state of the atmosphere existed previous to the 28th July, yet the fatal catastrophe following the exhibition at Galt was mainly attributable to the highly vitiated, or imperfectly oxygenated air, produced by the numerous and sweltering crowd under the canvas - the ventilation being altogether inadequate for so numerous and crowded assemblage. It also appears that at Hamilton, Dundas and several other situations the Epidemic influence was the product of the more common causes of general infection, united with a local infection, which last is caused by the action of heat upon putrescent vegetable matter...."


Elam Stimson, MD, The Cholera Beacon, being a treatise on the Epidemic Cholera: as it appeared in Upper Canada in 1832-4:

Samuel married Elizabeth Hall 17 Apr 1815, Sigglesthorne, , Yorkshire, England. Elizabeth was born 9 Jun 1794, , England; died 21 Sep 1853, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125049012
• Name: Elizabeth Gofton
• Name: Elizabeth Willson
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-29895
• Residence: 1815, Sigglesthorne, , Yorkshire, England
• Residence: 1815, Sigglesthorne, , Yorkshire, England
• Residence: 1817, Sigglesthorne, , Yorkshire, England
• Residence: 1822, Sigglesthorne, , Yorkshire, England
• Residence: 1835, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada