Amy Johnson Crow, on her blog No Story Too Small, has challenged her fellow bloggers to post 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. This is week twenty-two.
My great-great-great grandfather Reuben Thomas was born on May 31, 1817 in Luxulyan, Cornwall, England, to Nicholas and Elizabeth (Phillips) Thomas.
Family lore suggests Reuben came to Canada around 1840. Shortly after his arrival in Canada, he was going over the field near Mariposa, Ontario, and saw Melissa Haight picking berries. He fell in love at first sight and they were married soon after. (So far, I haven’t been able to find any record of their marriage but expect it must have taken place between 1841 and 1843.)
The 1851 census shows farmer Reuben (32) and Melissa (31) at home with Nicholas (7), Harrison (5), Philander (4), Sophronia (2) and Silas (1). Not shown is eldest daughter Agnes who passed away at three years of age. Also with the family is a servant, Catherine MacVale (20). The family is living in Whitby, Ontario.
The 1861 census shows Reuben (43), Melissa (incorrectly shown as 29), Nicholas (16), Harrison (15), Philander (13), Sophronia (12), Silas (10), Idilia (5) and Cynthia (2). In the gap between Silas and Idilia were William and Jane. William passed away at not quite a month old and Jane was not quite a year old when she died. Reuben was a farmer and Nicholas was shown as a labourer.
In 1871, Reuben (53) and Melissa (50) are still living in Whitby with Sophronia (21), Silas (20), Idilia (15), Cynthia (11), and Eva (10). Reuben and Silas are both listed as farmers.
Melissa passed away on February 27, 1873.
By 1881, Silas (30) and his wife Rebecca (32) are living with their three children – Florence (3), Wilfred (2) and Melissa (1). Reuben (62) and youngest daughter Eva (20), along with farm labourer John Courtice (19) and servant Ida Michele (16), are living with Silas and Rebecca. Reuben has retired from active farming.
In 1891, Reuben (73) is living with Silas (40) and Rebecca (42), along with Florence (13), Wilfred (12), Melissa (11) and Clarence (9).
In 1901, Reuben (83) is still with Silas (50) and Rebecca (52), along with Melissa (21), Clarence (19), and Olivia (6) in Whitby.
Reuben died on April 25, 1909 at almost 92 years of age in Oshawa, Ontario.
[…] – “Reuben Thomas (1817-1909)” by Jen Smart on Jen’s Genealogy […]
Dear Jen:
Well, being on constant corona virus quarantine has brought me to find you. We are cousins! My great-great-great grandfather is also Reuben Thomas. Mom and I were bored and going through the family photos/documents and for some reason I stuck on looking him up. You will be pleased to know we have several personal letters, birth, death and marriage records. We have a few photos of William and Mary Idelia. Unfortunately, my printer is down. As soon as it is repaired, I will send you copies of everything for your pages. Please advise on how to contact you with this information. How exciting! I have visited England and Canada, and although I live in the U.S., both places feel like home. Now I know why. I look forward to chatting with you soon.
Best Wishes,
Linda Jones