Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

George Manser

Male Cal 1828 - 1885  (~ 57 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name George Manser 
    Born CALC 25 Aug 1828  Tunbridge Wells, , Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4
    Gender Male 
    Interesting story, paranormal 
    Occupation 1861  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Farmer 
    Residence 1861  Wellesley Township - West Concession 05 Lot 12, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Residence 1861  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Free Church 
    Occupation 1871  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Farmer 
    Residence 1871  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    C. Presbyterian 
    Supernatural 1880  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Haunted House 
    Occupation 1881  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Farmer 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-108610P 
    Died 28 Dec 1885  [3
    Buried Rushes Cemetery, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Person ID I108610  Generations
    Last Modified 28 Jan 2025 

    Father James Manser,   b. 1 Feb 1787, , England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Nov 1844, , England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 57 years) 
    Mother Lydia Baldock,   b. 1789, , England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. , England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F49347  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Rebecca Miller,   b. 1 Sep 1835, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Mar 1921  (Age 85 years) 
    Married 1853  [4
    Children 
     1. Mary Manser,   b. 1854, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Richard Manser,   b. 1859, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. Dr. - Vet. George G. Manser,   b. 20 Nov 1862, Crosshill, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1937, Linwood, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 74 years)
     4. Rebecca Manser,   b. CALC 26 Dec 1864, Crosshill, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 31 Dec 1883  (Age ~ 19 years)
     5. Jonathan B. Reginald Manser,   b. 1866, Crosshill, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     6. Robert Manser,   b. 9 Mar 1870, Crosshill, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 May 1929  (Age 59 years)
     7. Charlotta Manser,   b. 4 Aug 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     8. Catherine Manser,   b. 18 Dec 1872, Crosshill, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     9. Annie Manser,   b. 1875, Crosshill, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 29 Jan 2025 
    Family ID F27715  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • EXCITING TIMES WHEN THE GHOST WALKED IN TOWNSHIP OF WELLESLEY

      Ghostly Manifestations Were More Unusual Because They Occurred In the Daytime

      BY A. E BYERLY, D. O.

      "When the ghosts walked in Wellesley," Have you heard the story of the exciting times in that township over a half a century ago? There are not many people living today who were there to witness the ghostly presentations, so we can safely draw you up to the fireside where the flickering shadows come and go, and there revive memories of long ago.

      There lived in the year 1880 in the 'Township of Wellesley, Waterloo County, a respectable farmer by the name of George Manser, This name was well known in the district, as the family was large, and owned much property in the neighborhood. The Manser home was a large log house which had been in service since the pioneer days in the Queens Bush, and was a comfortable residence which well served its occupants.

      But a day came when the ghosts walked. Now day was right, for while most ghosts walk by night, the manifestations which invested this log house came by day, in the very presence of the family, and friends if they were on hand.

      Mr. Manser, whom we have no doubt is long since dead, related the incidents which beset his house, and showed visitors the damage that had been done. About a month or six weeks before September, 1880 the glass in the windows of the Manser house began to break, several panes bursting out at a time. These were replaced with new ones which met the same fate. A careful examination was made to ascertain the cause, as the house being old, it was thought it might be getting a little out of shape and putting a strain on the windows. No strain was found, the sash being quite free.

      The windows being broken, then came the deluge. Out of a clear sky, with the sun shining, water comes pouring into the house saturating the beds, clothing and in fact everything in the place. Mr. Manser went off to the village and got more glass, which only went the way of the other. The neighbors came in to help solve the mystery and while there more glass burst. and more water came in. The owner boarded up the windows, but this did not stop the water. It burst in from all sides damaging everything in the house. From whence it came, no one knew.

      It is said Manzer commenced the erection of a new building having moved his furniture to the barn, and other buildings On the place which seem to have been free from attack. But the old house continued to be visited by bursts of water, but as the glass was all broken, there was, no more trouble on that score,

      Scientists were called upon to investigate the mystery but we have never heard if the phenomenon was solved. Possibly the old house thought it had done its duty long enough, and called upon the spirits of terror to take the effective means of breaking glass and pouring water to drive out the occupants. If that be so, the method was crowned with success. The spirits surrounded the house, there was tinkling of glass, then the frightened inmates rushed here and there to discover the cause, the neighbors were called to the scene, and no doubt the village constable with his sleuth hound searched the neighborhood, but to no avail the old house was simply a "hainted' place.

      Newspaper clipping About 1930

  • Sources 
    1. [S113] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1881, Division 4 Page 1.

    2. [S269] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1871, Div. 2A, Pg. 36.

    3. [S241] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley - Rushes CC#4536 Waterloo Region Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society.
      [Front] Rebecca Manser/ Died/ Dec. 31, 1883/ Aged/ 19 yrs. & 5 d.
      [Right] George/ Manser/ Died/ Dec. 28, 1885/ 57 yrs. 4 m. 3 d./ [verse]
      [Left] Rebecca/ Miller/ Wife of/ George Manser/ died/ Mar. 23, 1921/ Aged 86 years
      [Back] Dr. G. G./ Manser/ 1862-1937/ Sarah Manser/ 1867-1952

    4. [S855] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1861, Sect. 17 Page 115.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - CALC 25 Aug 1828 - Tunbridge Wells, , Kent, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1861 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1861 - Wellesley Township - West Concession 05 Lot 12, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Free Church - 1861 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1871 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - C. Presbyterian - 1871 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsSupernatural - Haunted House - 1880 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1881 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Rushes Cemetery, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth