This page is a copy of the registry of Rev. Leeming, as it was
published 100 years ago. It contains some scanning and text conversion
errors, as I am sure some still remain after 2 proofreadings. The first
part is baptisms, followed by marriages. At the end is a list of the
notables who signed an 'address' given to him when he left the area.

This information was originally published by:
ONTARIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Papers and Records
Volume 5, Published in Toronto in 1904
Pages 91-101.

Return to my main index.


    A REGISTER OF BAPTISMS AND MARRIAGES GORE AND LONDON DISTRICTS,
	     BY REV. RALPH LEEMING, FROM 1816 TO 1827

		     Introduction by
     H.H. ROBERTSON, ESQ., BARRISTER, HAMILTON, ONT.

Mr. Leeming, having been ordained by the Bishop of London, was
sent out in the footsteps of Rev. Robert Addison, who had been
rector of St. Mark's, Niagara, since 1792, by the Society for
the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.  He arrived in
Ancaster in 1816.  Up to the time of his coming, residents of
the district had resorted to Mr. Addison for the ministrations
of the church, or for the celebration of marriages - if they
resided more than eighteen miles from a parson - to the nearest
magistrate. "In 1815 and up to 1818 there were twenty merchants'
shops in the village  of Ancaster," says the author of Smith's
Gazetteer (1850), " and doing good business, but about that
period Dundas and Hamilton, Brantford, and West Flamboro sprang
into existence as business places, and later, London, Simcoe,
Ingersoll and other places of business to the westward. and the
monopoly enjoyed for a brief period by Ancaster was destroyed."

By our Constitutional Act (31 George III.) it was enacted that the
Governor might erect parsonages and rectories. " and that evey
person so presented shall hold the same (rectory) in the same
manner, and liable to the performance of the same duties as the
incumbent of a parsonage or rectory in England."

In 1817 the Rev. William Sampson became rector of Grimsby, and
four years after the arrival of Mr. Leeming, on the 6th of June,
1820, Mr. Leeming was married at Dundas, by the Rev. William
Sampson. to Susan, a daughter of Major Richard Hatt, who, with
his brother Samuel, had settled in Ancaster in 1798.  The first
entry of a marriage in the recovered register is dated
Christmas Eve, 1816, and the last on the 11th day of January,
1827.  In the record of baptisms,  there is no entry between
the 31st of August, 1818, and the 17th of October, 1824.
Where was the rector between these dates?
     Mr. Leeming was succeeded by Mr. Miller, as rector of Dundas and
Ancaster, on the 8th of August, 1830, who in turn was succeeded
by Dr. McMurray, who came to the parish in 1838, but was not
inducted therein until 6th December, 1841.  Dr. McMurray left,
and the Rev. F. L. Osler took charge of the rectory on the 12th
of January, 1857. Mr. Osler remained rector nominally until
1895. After an absence in the eastern part of the Province for
some years, Mr. Leeming returned to Dundas, where he died in
1872, aged eighty-two.  For forty years, therefore, after he
ceased duty at Ancaster, he was available for those who sought
his register. Since his death historians have blamed him as
unsystematic. A recent writer, in writing of Ancaster's first
missionary, says: "There was once a great lawyer who had three
kinds of handwriting, one that the public could read, one that
only his clerk could read, and one that nobody could read.
To this latter class it is said, belonged the handwriting of the
Reverend Ralph Leeming, which, probably, in some degree accounts
for his leaving no journals, documents or registries of the
churchly doings of those times, which would now have been so
interesting a phonograph to sound in our ears, the echoes of
olden days floating round the people's church and the
ministers' hearthstone." And again: "He left no scrap of the pen
behind him to enlighten us as to the churchly doings of those
first days-whom he buried, whom he married, whom he christened,
what their names were; all, all is lost, passed long since
unrecorded to the land of forgotten things."
     The gaps in the register are not yet satisfactorily accounted
for. There is no registry of burials in this book. The register
is not complete, perhaps, but the missing pages may yet be
supplied. There is sufficient here, nevertheless, to refute the
general accusation against Mr. Leeming.


BAPTISMS SOLEMNIZED IN THE DISTRICT OF LONDON AND GORE. Almira, daughter of Jarvis and Susannah Thayer, Yarmouth, London District, farmer, born 6th January, 1811; baptized 12th November, 1816. Nancy, daughter of Jarvis and Susannah Thayer, London District, farmer, born 21st September, ???? ; baptized 12th November, 1816. Pearley, daughter of Jarvis and Susannah Thayer, London District, farmer, born 2nd January, 1816; baptized 12th November, 1816. Mary, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Smith, Yarmouth, London District, farmer and merchant, born 25th of April; baptized November 12th, 1816. Thomas Collyer, son of Richard and Mary Hatt, Dundas, merchant, born 12th April; baptized 22nd December, 1816. Mary, daughter of Baptiste and Ann Carey, servant to James Crooks, Esq., West Flamboro', born 21st April, 1816; baptized. Jane, daughter of George and Mary Kirby, farmer, Ancaster, born 5th November, 1816; baptized 2nd April, 1817. Mary, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Green, born 19th December, 1794; baptized 4th of February, 1817. Lucy, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Green, born 3rd of September, 1796; baptized 4th of February, 1817. Mercy, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Green, born 2nd of September, 1798; baptized 4th of February, 1817. Margaret, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Green, born 10th of August, 1800; baptized 4th of February, 1817. William, son of Samuel and Margaret Green, born 25th of February, 1802; baptized 4th February, 1817. James, son of Samuel and Margaret Green, born 20th of February, 1804; baptized 4th February, 1817. John, son of Samuel and Margaret Green, born 5th of July, 1805; baptized 4th February, 1817. Peter, son of Samuel and Margaret Green, born 22nd of January, 1807; baptized 4th February, 1817. Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Green, born 15th of January, 1809; baptized 4th February, 1817. Samuel, son of Samuel and Margaret Green, born 23rd of September, 1810; baptized 4th February, 1817. Nancy, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Green, born 14th of June, 1812; baptized 4th of February, 1817. At West Flamboro Margaret Fraser, daughter of [no name] and Elizabeth Lockwood, Schoolmaster, West Flamboro; born 1st of January, 1816; baptised 4th of February, 1817. Charles, son of David and Sarah VanEvery, born 2nd of September, 1797; baptized 4th of February, 1817. Phebe, daughter of Cornelius and Hannah Connill, born 25th of July, 1806; baptized 4th of February, 1817. David, son of Cornelius and Hannah Connill, born 18th of October, 1800; baptized 4th of February, 1817. Eliza, daughter of John and Eliza Talbot, born 22nd December, William, son of John and Eliza Talbot, born 26th April, 1812; baptized 4th of February, 1817. Richard Allan, son of John and Eliza Talbot, born 18th of September, 1814; baptized 4th of February, 1817. James, son of John and Eliza Talbot, born 25th of December, 1816; baptized 4th February, 1817. Jane, daughter of John and Lucy VanEvery, born 29th May, 1816, baptized 4th of February, 1817. John, son of William and Mary VanEvery, born 27th of April, 1815; baptized 4th of February, 1817. Sarah, daughter of Mary Cramer, born 11th of June, 1809; baptized 4th February, 1817. Mary, daughter of Peter and Lucretia Grantin, born 31st August, 1798; baptized 4th February, 1817. Samuel Hammil, son of John and Sarah Aikman, wheelwright, Ancaster, born 17th of April, 1816; baptized 2nd. of March, 1817. Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan and Catharine Pettit, farmer, Grimsby, born 10th July, 1816; baptized 23ra March, 1817. Lavina, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth [no surname], born 27th March, 1816; baptized March, 1817, farmer, Grimsby. Andrew Pettit, son of Lawrence and Martha Buscark, farmer, Grimsby, born 13th April, 1816; baptized 23rd March, 1817. William Young, son of Andrew and Mary Pettit, farmer, Grimsby, born 16th of December, 1816; baptized 23rd March, 1817. James Glover, son of John Smith and Mary Pettit, farmer, Grimsby, born 14th January; baptized 23rd March, 1817. Anne, daughter of Matthew and Margaret Crooks, merchant, Ancaster, born 23rd December, 1816; baptized 5th January, 1817. George, son of Ephraim and Mary Land, farmer, Barton, born November 27th, 1803; baptized 6th July, 1817. Nancy, daughter of Ephraim and Mary Land, farmer, Barton, born December 6th, 1804; baptized 6th July, 1817. Mary, daughter of Ephraim and Mary Land, farmer, Barton, born February 6th, 1808; baptized 6th July, 1817. Sarah, daughter of Ephraim and Mary Land, farmer, Barton, born April 8th, 1810 ; baptized 6th July, 1817. Abagail, daughter of Ephraim and Mary Land, farmer, Barton, born 22nd January, 1814; baptized 6th July, 1817. Samuel, son of Thomas and Mary Hammill, farmer, Ancaster, born 7th July, 1816; baptized 13th July, 1817. Robert Pilkington, son of James and Jane Crooks, merchant, West Flamboro', born 3rd, baptized 31st August, 1817. Aaron Wormer, son of William and Eleanor McWilliams, farmer, Burford, born 23rd July; baptized 17th of November, 1817. Elijah Matthew Secord, son of Elijah and Mary Reignet Secord, Ancaster, merchant, born 17th August, 1818; baptized 31st. [Two blank page.] George Henry, son of David and Emma Evans, Dundas, born April 12th; baptized Monday, 20th July, 1825. Mary Crozier, daughter of John and Mary Burwell, merchant, Ancaster, born March 6th, and baptized July 2nd, 1826. [One blank page.] Martha, daughter of Andrew and Jane Kitchen, farmer, Ancaster, born 24th January, 1812; baptized 17th October, 1824. Mary, daughter of Andrew and Jane Kitchen, farmer, Ancaster, born 14th February, 1813, and baptized October 17th, 1824. Rachel, daughter of Andrew and Jane Kitchen, farmer, Ancaster, born 1st August, 1814; baptized 17th October, 1824. Hannah, daughter of Andrew and Jane Kitchen, farmer, Ancaster, born 24th November, 1815; baptized 17th October, 1824. William, son of Andrew and Jane Kitchen, farmer, Ancaster, born 15th February, 1817; baptized 17th October, 1824. Sarah, daughter of Andrew and Jane Kitchen, farmer, Ancaster, born 16th November, 1818; baptized 17th October, 1824. Charles, son of Andrew and Jane Kitchen, farmer, Ancaster, born 27th May, 1820; baptized 17th October, 1824. Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and Jane Kitchen, farmer, Ancaster, born 15th January, 1822; baptized 17th October, 1821. John, son of Andrew and Jane Kitchen, farmer, Ancaster, born 31st July, 1823; baptized 17th October, 1824. The following four are not entered in the book, but on separate pieces of paper: Kenneth McLean, son of Alexander and Jessy McLean Wishart, Lieutenant 42nd Regiment, born 18th October, 1820; baptized 17th January, 1821. Maria Livinia Hamilton, born 15th September, 1818; christened on the 21st by Dr. Peters. George Hamilton, born 9th February, christened 5th May, 1822, by Dr. Addison. Augusta Hannah Hamilton, born 17th July, 1824; christened by Rev. Dr. Leeming, 17th October, 1824.
MARRIAGES SOLEMNIZED AT ANCASTER IN THE DISTRICT OF GORE. Stephen Pemberton, a widower, of Ancaster, and Elizabeth Griffith, a spinster, of the same parish, were married by banns at Ancaster, on the 24th day of December, 1816. Stephen Pemberton Elizabeth Griffith X [her mark] In the presence of DONE GRIFFITH. JAMES HOWARD. John North, a widower, of Ancaster, and Charlotte Wood, a spinter, of the same parish, were married by banns at Ancaster on the 29th of December, 1816. James Jones, a bachelor, of the Township of Beverly, and Hannah Goodale, a spinster, of the same place, were married by banns at Ancaster on the 11th day of March, 1817. Stephen Kitson, a bachelor, of the Township of Ancaster, and Christiana Lampman, a spinster, of the same Township, were married by banns in Ancaster on the 15th day of June, 1817. James Waugh, a bachelor, of the Township of Ancaster, and Elizabeth Bauwtenheimer, of the same Township, a spinster, were married by banns in Ancaster on the 3rd day of July, 1817. Jesse Wilkins, a bachelor, and Margaret Shaver, a spinster, both of the same Township of Ancaster, were married by banns at Ancaster on the 7th day of July, 1817 Benjamin Markle, yeoman, and Charlotte Simons, spinster, both of the Township of West Flamboro', were married by license, with consent of parents, at West Flamboro', on July 16th, 1817. Aaron Horning and Anne Kelly, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns at Ancaster on the 1st of October, 1818. Jonathan Dean and Elizabeth Munro, of the Township of Nelson, were married by banns in Nelson on the 4th day of October, 1818. Isaac Bradt and Martha McWilliams, of the Township of Nelson, were married by banns in West Flamboro', on Sunday, the 11th day of October, 1818. Levi Howell and Margaret Stenebagh, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Ancaster on Tuesday, the 13th day of October, 1818. James Yerks and Mary Falker, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Ancaster on the 26th day of October, 1818. William Biggars and Rebina Glover, both of the Township of Saltfleet, were married in Saltfleet by banns on Thursday, the 5th day of November, 1818. William C. Brown and Sophia Carpenter, both of the Township of Saltfleet, were married in Saltfleet by license on Friday, the 6th day of November, 1818. Peter VanEvery and Elizabeth Lorn, both of the Township of West Flamboro', were married at Dundas by banns on Wednesday, the 11th day of November, 1818. John Verril and Hannah Tuttle, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Ancaster on Sunday, the 22nd day of November, 1818. William Land, of the Township of Barton, and Rhody MeCarter, of the Township of Glanford, were married by banns in Glanford on Thursday, the 26th day of November, 1818. Peter Horning, of the Township of Ancaster, and Margaret Kribs, of the Township of Barton, were married by banns in Barton on Thursday, the 26th day of November, 1818. * John Werts and Elizabeth Bleasdall, both of Beverly, married at Ancaster, 27th November, 1818. DUNDAS, 2nd July, 1855. * THESE ARE TO CERTIFY, That Elizabeth Bleasdall, spinster, and John Werts, both of the Township of Beverley, bachelor, were married in Ancaster, 27th November, 1818, by me, RALPH LEEMING, Episcopal Clergyman, Ancaster. Samuel Miller and Catharine Chalenger, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns at Ancaster on Tuesday, the 8th day of December, 1818. Barsnett Dill, of the Township of Beverly, and Jane Shaver, of the Township of Barton, were married by banns in Barton on Tuesday, the 15th day of December, 1818. Robert Vanderlip, of the Township of Ancaster, and Mary Files, Grand River, were married by banns in Grand River on Thursday, the 17th day of December, 1818. Frederick Young, of the Township of Barton, and Catharine Young, of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Barton on Thursday, the 17th day of December, 1818. Sela Kinnard and Julian Daniels, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Ancaster on Thursday the 17th day of December, 1818. Asa Dayton and Margaret Brice, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Ancaster on Tuesday, the 22nd day of December, 1818. Jerisiah Durphy, of the Township of Barton, and Anne Smoke, of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Barton on Tuesday, the 29th day of December, 1818. Samuel Bingham and Sarah Smith, both of the Township of Glanford, were married by banns in Glanford on Thursday, the 14th day of January, 1819. James DeFonset, of the Township of Ancaster, and Diana Countuyinau, of the Township of Glanford, were married by banns in Ancaster on Tuesday, the 12th day of January, 1819. Nathan Miller Boswick and Mary Hope, both of the Township of Barton, were married by banns in Barton on Thursday, the 25th day of February, 1819. Anthony Stitts and Angelina Lockwood, both of the township, were married by banns in Glanford on Sunday, the 4th day of April, 1819. James Carrol, of Oxford, London District, and Jane Wier, of the Grand River, were married at Grand River by banns on Wednesday, the 7th day of April, 1819. Thomas Raynolds and Deborah Depue, both of the Township of Barton, were married by license on Thursday, the 8th day of April, 1819. [Here follow eight blank pages] George Hanes and Isabel Egenhead, both of the Township of Flamhoro' West, were married by banns in Ancaster on Tuesday, the 19th day of January, 1819. Henry Anderson of the township of Flamboro' East, and Margaret Baker, of the township of Flamboro' West were married by banns in Flamboro' West on Tuesday, the 16th day of February, 1825. Henry Anderson, of the Township of Flamboro' East, and Margaret Baker, of the Township of Flamboro' West, were married by banns in Flamboro' West on Tuesday, the 16th day of February, 1819. Joseph Rymel and Elizabeth VanEvery, both of the Township of Barton, were married by license in Barton on Tuesday, the 23rd day of February, 1819. Benjamin Hopkins and Phebe Derby, both of tbe Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Ancaster on Thursday, the 25th day of February, 1819. Moses Morden and Phebe Pratt, both of the Township of Flamboro' West, were married by banns in Ancaster on Tuesday, the 11th day of January, 1825. Bobert Land and Marv VanEvery, both of the Township of Glanford, were married by banns in Glanford on Tuesday, the 18th day of January, 1825. James Kalar, of the Township of Beverly, and Susannah Whiting, of Fairchild Creek, were married by banns on Thursday, 20th day of January, 1825. James McCleary and Elizabeth Kribs, both of the Township of Glanford, were married by banns in Ancaster on Thursday, the 20th day of January, 1825. John Davis, of the Township of Nelson, and Sarah Hopkins, of the Township of Flamboro' West, were married in Flamboro' West by license on Thursday, the 20th day of January, 1825. Samuel Ryckman and Nancy McCrimmon, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by license in Ancaster on Tuesday, the 25th day of January, 1825. Thomas Kitchen and Anne Drake, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Ancaster on Wednesday, the 26th day of January, 1825. Abraham Vansickle and Anne Millar, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Ancaster on Thursday, the 27th day of January, 1825. Jacob Dilman, of the Township of Flamboro' East, and Alaria Croeker, of the Township of Ancaster, were married by license in Ancaster on Thursday, the 27th day of January, 1825. Richard Talbot and Betsy Armstrong. both of Dundas, were married by banns in Dundas, on Monday, the 31st day of January, 1825. Solomon Winter and Sarah Cleaver, both of the township of Nelson, were married by banns in Ancaster on Monday, the 7th day of February, 1825 John Weaver and Highly Walker, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Ancaster on Thursday, the 10th day of February, 1825. William Smith, of the Township of Ancaster, and Rebecca Land, of the Township of Barton, were married by banns in Barton on Thursday, the 10th day of February, 1825. George Terryberry, of the Township of Saltfleet, and Catharine Hursh, of the Township of Barton, were married by banns in Ancaster on Tuesday, the 15th day of February, 1825. Micaja Morden, of the Township of Flamboro' West, and Elizabeth Ritchards, of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Ancaster on Thursday, the 17th day of February, 1825. Joel Dibbell, of Brantford, County of Wentworth, and District of Gore, and Susan Waterhouse, of the same place, were married by license in Ancaster on Thursday, the 17th day of February, 1825. John Bursh and Deborah Cornwell, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Ancaster on Wednesday, the 23rd day of February, 1825. Joseph Shaw and Nancy Clemens, both of the Township of Glanford, were married by banns in Glanford on Thursday, the 24th day of February, 1825. John Kelly, widower, and Desire Chrysler, both of the Township of Ancaster, were married by banns in Ancaster, on Sunday, the 18th day of February, 1827. [Here there is a blank page.] Abraham Crowell, of the Township of Gainsborough, and Mary Smoke, of the Township of Glanford, were married by banns in Ancaster, on Tuesday, the 28th day of June, 1825.
TO THE REVEREND RALPH LEEMING, MISSIONARY OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, ANCASTER. On the occasion of the Rev. Ralph Leeming leaving the Ancaster mission, after fourteen years' seivice, the "church wardens, vestry, and congregations of Barton, Ancaster, and Hamilton, magistrates and other inhabitants of the District of Gore," presented him with an address, signed as follows: DISTRICT OF GORE, U.C., July, 1830. Church Wardens: John Wilson, J.P., Wm. M. Jarvis, Sheriff, G.D. Thos. Hammill. Chairman Sessions. W. Crooks, J.P. Job Lodor. Allan N. MacNab. David Kern. Samuel Tisdale. Vestry: Thos. Taylor, District Judge. John Law, Clk. G.D. Ct. Jas. B. Ewart. Robert Berrie. Geo. Rolph. Geo. T. Tiffany. John Sim, J.P. Philip Sovereign, J.P. Richard Hatt. B. Matheson. Stephen Randall, District Schoolmaster. P. H. Hamilton, J.P. D. K. Servos, J.P. Daniel Lewis, J.P. William J. Kerr. John Chisholm. David Beasley. Wm. Notman. Wm. Holme, J.P. Patrick Hammill. Jacob Filman. Jacob Rymal. Peter Filman. John Burwell. Geo. Rousseaux. Oliver Tiffany, B.A., Physician & Surgeon. Robert Hammell. Alexander R. McKay. John Brackenridge. Alexander Everitt. J. Homer. Wm. A. Ritchie. Thos. Choate. William Case. Jas. McBride, J.P F. G. Muirtone. George Hamilton, M.P.P. Lewis Burwell. David O'Reilly, J.P Benjamin Tydd. Joseph Rolston. James Durand, Sr. Joseph Ireland. Richard Beasley, J.P. William Proctor, J.P. Paul Huffman. John Almas. B. Ferguson. Alec. S. Milne. Michael Aikman. John Rolph. George Carey. J. Hathaway. M. C. Nickerson. Samuel Andrus. J. Brant.* [Chief Brant] John Daniels. Peter Hogeboom. Geo. Hogeboom. Daniel Showers. E. Ritchie. W. D. Ritchie. John Finlay. James Chep. Thomas Baker. Ed. M. Burton John Erwin. Henry Pigott. Henry Hamilton. John Hatt. John Duggan. John Smith. Van Erny. John Winer. James G. Shobridge. Abraham S. Smith. Michael Homer. Wm. Lomos. Wm. Findlay. James Racey, J.P. Hugh Wilson, J.P. Wm. McCay, J.P. W. Chisholm, J.P. Robert Land, J.P. Andrew Flook. Joseph Rymal. William Rymal. Conrod Filman. Peter R. Judlow. John Aikman. Thos. Racey. Henry Beasley. James Brown. John A. Cameron. Andrew T. Kirby. Joseph Shepard. Charles Duffy. Andrew McIlroy. J. D. Oliver. W. C. Ross. John Willison. Theophilus Sampson. Jacob Kern, Jr. William H. Proctor. William Kern. Samuel Kern. Alexander Ferguson Wm. B. Sheldon. John Aikman Geo. Tiffany, A.M. James H. Sampson. Geo. Douglass. Preserved Cooley. Asa McGreyony. Eli Erwin. D. E. Ross. David Newton. James Gurnett. Samuel Dakin. David Marr. H. G. Barbour. Gabl. Gurnett. James Froch. William F. Barnes. Paul Huffman, Jr. Jos. Hammill.