Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
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Barnabas Devitt[1, 2, 3, 4]

Male 1807 - 1891  (83 years)


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  • Name Barnabas Devitt 
    Born 25 Mar 1807  , New Jersey Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11] 
    Gender Male 
    Historic Building Abt 1812  172 King St. S., Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [12] 
    Erb Kumpf House 
    • The original portion of the Erb-Kumpf House was built around 1812 by Abraham Erb, the founder of Waterloo, making it one of Waterloo's oldest homes. It was a three-bay structure facing a mill situated near the south-west corner of King and Erb Streets.
      Abraham Erb came from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1806 and settled on Lots 14 and 15 of the German Company Tract, land which now comprises the central business district of Waterloo. He established a sawmill on Beaver (Laurel) Creek in 1808 and a grist mill in 1816. In 1828, he sold his mills and a considerable quantity of land to Jacob C. Snider.
      Magdalene Erb sold the home to Barnabas Devitt, her adopted son, in 1835. His son Benjamin served as Mayor of Waterloo from 1881 to 1883.
      An addition to the house was probably built by Devitt in 1849. A slight hump in the roof on the north side indicates the location at which it joins the original structure. The application of a vertical board and clapboard which does not align is further evidence that it was added at a later date. The second addition, probably built by Hoffman around 1855, included the two-storey verandah at the front.

      Elias Snider acquired the home and later sold it to Christian Kumpf in 1869. Kumpf was a newspaper owner, Mayor of Waterloo from 1879-1880, as well as Postmaster for 42 years. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Dominion Life Assurance Company in 1889. His son Ford, who became affectionately known as "Mr. Waterloo", was born in the home in 1877 and assumed ownership in 1899. One of the community's most public-spirited citizens, he served as Treasurer of Waterloo and Clerk/Manager of the Water and Light Commission. He was President of the Waterloo Red Cross Society and The Dominion Life Assurance Company.
      At present, the house demonstrates a mixture of architectural styles. Among its Georgian characteristics is the six-over-six window pane arrangement. The facade, with its two wings, treillage, Gothic barge board and Doric columns, reflects the Regency influence.
      In 1979, the home was sold to a law firm which has maintained the integrity of the exterior. A third addition in keeping with the style of the building has since been constructed.1a

      1aDesignated Properties www. waterloo.ca
    Land Bef 1831  Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 027W, Waterloo County, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  [13] 
    Historic Building 1849  36 Young St. W., Waterloo, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Dr. Voelker House 
    • Constructed by Barnabus Devitt in 1849 and sold to Elias Snider in 1851.
    Residence 1849  36 Young St. W., Waterloo, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Occupation 1852  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [14] 
    farmer 
    Elected Office 1858  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    councillor - Waterloo Township 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/55219191 
    Historic Building 38 Bridge St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Built in 1840 by Jacob S. Shoemaker across from the mill he constructed in 1830. In 1969 the house with stone foundation and handmade brick walls was listed in fair to poor condition. The roof was framed with mortise and tenon joining. The house was a combination of Georgian proportions and classical decorations. The large dormers were reminiscent of early buildings in Pennsylvania. In 1850 the house was sold to Elias Eby together with the mill complex. The house was been renovated a number of times. The porch was removed and the house converted into a tri-plex by 1969. Barnabus Devitt was also a propietor with Elias Eby.1a

      1aBridgeport Mill, a non-dated (probably 1969) type written manuscript located at Doon Heritage Crossroads 2009
    Occupation Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [15] 
    miller 
    Occupation 1861  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Farmer 
    Residence 1861  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Mennonite 
    Occupation 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Farmer 
    Residence 1871  Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Mennonite 
    Occupation 1881  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Farmer 
    Eby ID Number 00030-2322 
    Died 20 Jan 1891  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5, 6, 16] 
    Buried First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [17] 
    Person ID I22473  Generations
    Last Modified 6 Apr 2024 

    Father Dennis Devitt,   b. Abt 1790, , Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Mary Martin,   b. Abt 1790, of, Sussex Co., New Jersey Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Family ID F1028  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Magdalena Shoemaker,   b. 20 Nov 1811, Frederick Twp., Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Nov 1907, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 95 years) 
    Married 1 May 1831  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5] 
    Children 
     1. Devitt
     2. Jacob Devitt,   b. 13 Mar 1832, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 31 May 1832  (Age 0 years)
     3. John Devitt,   b. 7 Apr 1833, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Dec 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 68 years)
     4. Mayor Benjamin Devitt,   b. 10 Jul 1835, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Sep 1910, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 75 years)
     5. Isaac Devitt,   b. 22 Jan 1837, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Sep 1907, Nelson Twp., Halton Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years)
     6. David Devitt,   b. 12 Aug 1839, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Dec 1915, Buffalo, Erie, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years)
     7. Magdalena Devitt,   b. 4 Aug 1841, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Oct 1842, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 1 years)
     8. Abraham Devitt,   b. 1 Dec 1841, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 May 1893, Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 51 years)
     9. Mary A. Devitt,   b. 1 Feb 1844, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Aug 1914, Lyndhurst, Augusta, Virginia, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years)
     10. Barnabas Devitt,   b. 18 Aug 1846, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1913  (Age 66 years)
     11. Magdalena Devitt,   b. 13 Aug 1848, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Oct 1849  (Age 1 years)
     12. Menno Devitt,   b. 6 Oct 1850, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Mar 1932, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years)
     13. Matthew Devitt,   b. 7 Oct 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Jun 1856, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 3 years)
     14. Louisa Devitt,   b. 20 Sep 1856, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1927  (Age 70 years)
    Last Modified 7 Apr 2024 
    Family ID F1513  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Barnabus Devitt, "the fourth son of his father, Dennis Devitt, was born in New Jersey, U.S., March 25th, 1807. He came to Canada with his parents in 1817 and settled on the old "Daniel C. Snyder Farm" west of the town of Waterloo. After the decease of his mother he was adopted by old Abraham Erb who raised him. He was only 11 years of age when he came to Erb's. On May 1st 1831, he was married to Magdalena Shoemaker who was born November 20th, 1811. In 1829 she came to Canada with her mother and family. Mr. and Mrs. Devitt resided in the town of Waterloo until 1851 when they moved to Bridgeport where he and Elias Eby entered into partnership in the milling business. After being in business for some years, he sold his interest to the late Jacob B. Eby and purchased the beautiful farm now in possession of Tilman Shantz. Here he resided until a few years previous to his death when he again moved to the town of Waterloo to spend the close of his life. He died January 20th, 1891. They had a family of twelve children" Barnabas Devitt, "(Vol. I, No. 2322) came to Canada in 1812 and came to Waterloo in 1815."


      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.].

      ___________________

      Devitt, Barnabus, retired farmer. Is a native of New Jersey. Born, 1807. Moved to this county in 1815.

      Illustrated Atlas of the County of Waterloo, H. Parsel & Co., Toronto - 1881 (Waterloo entries)

      _____________________

      The Silver Thread Lofts on Devitt Avenue is a different addition to the ever growing list of condo projects in this city. It is only three storeys high with underground parking for 15 units. It is nestled into the quiet, tree-shaded environs at 15 Devitt Ave. S. in the historic Mary-Allen Neighbourhood....The development is called The Silver Thread Lofts. This area of the city was once owned by Barnabus Devitt, who had a radish farm on the site. Later, the Silver Thread Kraut Company made sauerkraut here...

      Waterloo Region Record 14 Oct 2011

  • Sources 
    1. [S3] Book - Vol I 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..., 630.

    2. [S10] Book - Vol II 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..., 45.

    3. [S10] Book - Vol II 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..., 707.

    4. [S3] Book - Vol I 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..., 528.

    5. [S10] Book - Vol II 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..., 452.

    6. [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), Jan 22, 1891.
      Barnabas Devitt died in Waterloo at age of 83 years, 9 months & 5 days. Burial tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 2.00 p. m., to the Mennonite cemetery, Berlin. Jan 20, 1891

    7. [S131] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1851, Div 4 Pg 18.
      Barnabas DEVITT Farmer USA MN 45
      Magdaline DEVITT wife USA MN 41
      John DEVITT son Canada MN 19
      Benjamin DEVITT son Canada MN 17
      Isaac DEVITT son Canada MN 15
      David DEVITT son Canada MN 13
      Abraham DEVITT son Canada MN 11
      Mary DEVITT daughter Canada MN 8
      Barnabas DEVITT son Canada MN 6
      Menno DEVITT son Canada MN 2
      Hanah KINSEY adopted Canada MN 9

    8. [S302] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - 1881, Waterloo Village 1881 Div. 1 Page 17.

    9. [S1943] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo North - 1861, Div. 10 Page 78.

    10. [S168] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo North - 1871, Div. 3, Pg. 1.

    11. [S168] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo North - 1871, Div. 3, Pg. 18.

    12. [S873] Waterloo City - designated properties list, Bean-Wright House.

    13. [S1322] Land - Founding Families of Waterloo Township 1800-1830, 21.

    14. [S131] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1851, Div 4 Pg 18.

    15. [S956] News - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - Elmira Advertiser, "Benjamin Devitt - Passes Away," Sep 8 1910.

    16. [S1573] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - 1891, Section 3 Page 29.

    17. [S47] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - First Mennonite CC#4507 Internet link First Mennonite Cemetery online.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 25 Mar 1807 - , New Jersey Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - Erb Kumpf House - Abt 1812 - 172 King St. S., Waterloo, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLand - Bef 1831 - Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 027W, Waterloo County, Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 1 May 1831 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - Dr. Voelker House - 1849 - 36 Young St. W., Waterloo, Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1849 - 36 Young St. W., Waterloo, Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - farmer - 1852 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - councillor - Waterloo Township - 1858 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - - 38 Bridge St. W., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - miller - - Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1861 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Mennonite - 1861 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Mennonite - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1881 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 20 Jan 1891 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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