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

Edward Bristow

Male Cal 1807 - 1884  (~ 77 years)

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

  • Name Edward Bristow 
    Born CALC 2 Mar 1807  Horsham, , Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4
    Christened 5 Apr 1807  Horsham, , Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Gender Male 
    Family Photograph Edward Bristow and Hannah Streeter 
    Edward Bristow and Hannah Streeter
    Edward Bristow and Hannah Streeter
    image from Find A Grave
    Occupation 1851  Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Merchant 
    Residence 1851  Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Baptist 
    Occupation 1881  Shipley, Perth Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    Postmaster 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-171709 
    Died 25 Sep 1884  Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Cause: softening of the brain (1 year) 
    Buried Harris-Howick Baptist Cemetery, Howick Township, Huron Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Person ID I171709  Generations
    Last Modified 30 Sep 2024 

    Father Thomas Bristow,   b. CA 1780, of, Horsham, , Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Mary Rapley,   b. CA 1780, of, Horsham, , Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Family ID F41229  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Hannah Streeter,   b. CALC 2 Jul 1808, , Surrey, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Aug 1873, Wallace Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 65 years) 
    Married 31 Jul 1827  Shipley, Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [6
    Children 
     1. Fanny Bristow,   b. 20 Nov 1827, Shipley, Sussex, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Oct 1893, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 65 years)
     2. Edward H. Bristow,   b. 10 Dec 1829, Shipley, Perth Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Mar 1913, Saginaw, Saginaw, Michigan, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years)
     3. John Henry Bristow,   b. 6 May 1833, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Feb 1917, La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years)
     4. Sarah Bristow,   b. 1837, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Mar 1893, Athol, Spink, South Dakota, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 56 years)
     5. Ann Bristow,   b. CALC 15 Apr 1837, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Jun 1896, Howick Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 59 years)
     6. Walter Bristow,   b. 15 May 1839, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Mar 1909, Edmonton, , Alberta, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years)
     7. Mary Jane Bristow,   b. 1840, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Aug 1881, Wallace Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 41 years)
     8. Allen Bristow,   b. 17 Oct 1843, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Mar 1917, Rockwood, Manitoba Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 73 years)
     9. William Edward Bristow,   b. CALC 8 Feb 1846, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 8 Apr 1875, Wallace Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 29 years)
     10. Elisa Bristow,   b. 1847, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 1 Oct 2024 
    Family ID F168615  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Thriving Elmira ..

      "THE WOOLWICH METROPOLIS"

      A RETROSPECTIVE GLANCE, COUPLED WITH A GRAPHIC SKETCH OF THE MERCANTILE AND INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS OF OUR THRIFTY NORTH-END NEIGHBORS

      …[Edward] Bristow came to this region, then known as West Woolwich, some time in 1833, and for a number of years was engaged in clearing up and cutting himself out a home in the wilderness. He was a man of remarkable energy and perseverance, being for three years the only white man in the neighborhood. His cabin was a welcome shelter for new settlers en route north and south and many a belated pioneer adventurer found within its thatched walls a safe and comfortable refuge from the freezing blasts of a winter's night or wild beasts. While he did not profess to keep a public lodging house all who came were tendered his hospitality without money and without price. But this generous soul soon found that this constant drain upon his limited source of supplies threatened his own existence and consequently about the year 1843 he converted his home into a tavern, the first establishment of the kind for many miles around. He then made a small charge for the bill of fare he could afford. In addition to the actual necessaries of life with which his table was supplied he kept on tap a quantity of liquid refreshments for the accommodation of those of his guests who were not total abstainers. It was indeed an indispensable resort for passengers en route on the stage running then between Glenallen and Hamilton. Here the half-frozen passengers could find relief in the cheerful glow of a log fire in the primitive fire place, or, per chance, seek consolation at the bar in the way of an "eye-opener". On many an occasion the old inn was taxed to its utmost limit to accommodate all who sought shelter beneath its roof, and frequently there was "standing room only". In other words, it was a haven of rest for all manner of humanity, and occasionally had for its guests men eminent in Canadian jurisprudence.

      Bristow was undoubtedly a man well fitted to maintain the gradual advancement of civilization in an unbroken wilderness, being qualified to hold positions without which progress in a new settlement would be impeded by various obstacles. In addition to being landlord he was for many years a Justice of the Peace, the first official of the kind in the community, and for several years he owned one of the first threshing machines introduced in Woolwich Township, and after harvest time, with his odd pioneer contrivance, would go about the neighborhood threshing for the settlers. For years one Eisenhour carried the mail on horse back from Glenallen to Waterloo, and many a thrilling adventure he could relate pertaining to his experience as a servant of the Government when his route was over a mere trail along which lurked many dangers. On several occasions he was attacked by wolves and had to keep his horse at full speed to make his escape.

      Mr. Bristow was also the first postmaster. He was succeeded by Henry Christman, father of Jacob and Philip Christman, now of Elmira. Christman was followed by Peter Wenger, who held the office for 25 years. After the latter it was held by several others until Sep. 11, 1889, when the present incumbent, Mr. John Ruppel, took charge.

      Bristow died some time in 1883 at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Wm Henry Peterson, on the farm now owned by Wm. DeKay, in the vicinity he was mainly instrumental in transforming from the primeval wilderness to one more adapted to civilized life. His son Walter still lives here. Mrs. William Peterson, of Hawkesville, who died several years ago, was a daughter.



      Waterloo County Chronicle 27 Jan 1898, p. 1

      ________________________


      Edward was reportedly from Horsham, Sussex, England some of his children born in Shipley, Sussex, England.

      ________________

  • Sources 
    1. [S141] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1851, Div. 4, Pg. 117.

    2. [S1910] Cemetery - ON, Huron, Howick - Harris-Howick Baptist Cemetery.
      In Memory of Edward Bristo Died Sept. 25, 1884 A/E 77 Yrs. 6 Mos. 23 Dys

    3. [S713] Vit - ON - Death Registration, death certificate 18651 (1884), Edward Bristow.
      Edward Bristow, d. 25 Sep 1884 Woolwich, aged 77 years, farmer, b. England, cause: softening of the brain (1 year)

    4. [S1808] z England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, ); Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C07064-1 System Origin: England-ODM Source Film Number: 0416743, 0416749, 0918272-274, 416755.
      Name: Edward Bristow Baptism/Christening Date: 05 Apr 1807 Baptism/Christening Place: HORSHAM,SUSSEX,ENGLAND Father's Name: Thomas Bristow Mother's Name: Mary

    5. [S713] Vit - ON - Death Registration, death certificate 6425 (1873), Hannah Bristow, accessed 7 Dec 2009.
      Hanah Bristow d. 2 Aug 1873 Wallace Twp., 65 years b. Sussex, England, wife of postmaster of Shipley, cause: inflamation of the bowels (4 days)

    6. [S1803] zzEngland, Marriages, 1538-1973, Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I03630-3 System Origin: England-EASy Source Film Number: 1041562 Reference Number: item 102 p 34-35.
      Groom's Name: Edward Bristow Bride's Name: Hannah Streather Marriage Date: 31 Jul 1827 Marriage Place: Shipley, Sussex, England

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - CALC 2 Mar 1807 - Horsham, , Sussex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChristened - 5 Apr 1807 - Horsham, , Sussex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 31 Jul 1827 - Shipley, Sussex, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Merchant - 1851 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Baptist - 1851 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Postmaster - 1881 - Shipley, Perth Co., Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: softening of the brain (1 year) - 25 Sep 1884 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Harris-Howick Baptist Cemetery, Howick Township, Huron Co., Ontario Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth