James Fergus

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-154137
• Occupation: 1834, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; merchant

Notes:

A-1-105 James Fergus Probate of the Will of James Fergus, late of the town of Galt on petition of Absalom Shade, the Executor named in said will.

I James Fergus of Galt, Merchant…I will and order that after my decease the name of Absalom Shade Esquire, of Galt, be inserted in the room of my named, in the town of firm of Fergus and Andrews and James Fergus & Co., of Galt, the said concern being very large and commenced wholly upon the capital and credit of the said Absalom Shade. I do not wish any Inventory of the Goods and Property or Hands belonging to the said Firm, to be taken, but wish the said Absalom Shade in my stead to attend to the sale of the said Goods and Chattels on hand and to make settlement of Debts due in consultation and with the approbations of James K. Andrews, my present partner in business, and to resume the property again, allowing me such sum as the said Absalom Shade may think me justly entitled to after paying all debts and himself for time and trouble. The Firm of Fergus and Andrews commenced the twenty eighth of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one - As to all my Freeholds or real estate in the Township of Dunstable in the County Lycon…? And State of Pennsylvania, commonly called Dunstown Tract, containing one hundred acres more or less, I will and order the said hundred acres be sold by my Executors and in such sale to make and execute to the purchaser or purchasers his or their heirs and assigns for ever good, ample and sufficient deeds of conveyance in the law for the absolute sale and disposal thereof - and the money arising from such sale, the Interest thereof I give and bequeath to my mother, for her support during her natural life - and after her death or at such time as my Executor shall think proper owing to circumstances, I give and bequeath to my brother Alexander the interest of eight hundred dollars, during his life, and after his death, I give and bequeath the said eight hundred dollars to be divided amongst all his children, share and share alike, and lastly, as to all the rest, residue and remainder of my personal estate, goods and chattels of what kind and nature soever - I give and bequeath the same to be equally divided between my brother John and my sisters, except my sister Frances Andrews is to have two hundred dollars more than my brother John, or my other sisters, as a compensation to her in part for her kindness and attention during my illness. And I do hereby nominate and appoint Absalom Shade Esquire of Galt (above mentioned my Uncle) sole Executor of this my last will and Testament.

Witnessed by James K. Andrews, John Brown and Thos. Rich
Will dated 24 Dec 1833
Granted and Registered 8^th September 1856
Died 2^nd February 1834

Surrogate Court Records Copybook Register A 1853-1871 transcript to 1863. Frances Hoffman transcriber

__________________

The winter was-as it continues to be in Canada -the liveliest season of the year. The snow-fall was abund-ant, the sleighing steady and good. Farmers could not get out their crops till the Frost King had paved the roads. This rendered business in winter lively. It also brought its special amusements. On Christmas and New Year's, and sometimes both, Galt seldom failed to have its shooting matches for turkeys and geese. The sportsmen sometimes shot through between the stumps in rear of the little tavern on Water Street, but more frequently west of the Queen's Arms, the birds or the target being placed at the foot of Dickson's hill. It was not uncommon, then, to shoot at the turkeys and geese themselves. On some occasions the birds were entirely exposed to the marksman, sit a long range; at other times their bodies were placed be-hind a stump or log, or in such a way that only their necks and heads were exposed above the snow, and it required a skilful marksman with the rifle to hit them. These matches excited the liveliest interest.*

* Among the best rifle shots at these matches were, John Garrison , A Andrew Mercer, Absalom Shade, Thomas G. Chapman, James Fargus, Adam Hood, and James Kay

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