| Notes |
On the 1851 Census of Walpole, Haldimand, Ontario are:
Joseph Crawford, Blacksmith, born Ireland, Baptist, aged 24
Lydia Crawford, born Upper Canada, Baptist, aged 20
Margaret Crawford, born Upper Canada, Baptist, aged 1
On the 1881 Census of Houghton, Norfolk South, Ontario are:
Joseph Crawford, Married, Male, Irish, aged 51, born Ireland, Blacksmith, Baptist
Lydia Crawford, Married, Female, aged 50, born Ontario, Baptist
Samuel Crawford, Male, aged 26, born Ontario, Baptist
William Crawford, Male, aged 25, born Ontario, Blacksmith, Baptist
Joseph Crawford, Male, aged 16, born Ontario, Baptist
Gideon Crawford, Male, aged 14, born Ontario, Baptist
Hugh Crawford, Male, aged 12, born Ontario, Baptist
Charles Crawford, Male, aged 10, born Ontario, Baptist
Francis Crawford, Male, aged 8, born Ontario, Baptist
Margaret Crawford, Female, aged 28, born Ontario
Lydia Crawford, Female, aged 18, born Ontario, Baptist
Grace Crawford, Female, aged 3, born Ontario, Baptist
On the 1901 Census of Houghton, Norfolk South, Ontario are:
Crawford Joseph, Male, Head of Household, Married, born September 22, 1827, aged 73
Crawford Lydia, Female, Wife, Married, born March 8, 1830, aged 71
Crawford Samuel, Male, Son, Single, born November 5, 1853, aged 47
Crawford Grace, Female, Daughter, Single, born November 3, 1877, aged 23
Norfolk Deaths, Houghton - Frederick Charles Crawford, October 1st, 1889, Male, aged 17 Years, Farmer, Born County of Haldimand, Drowned, Religion None, Rev. John H Kelly, Clear Creek, March 8th, 1890, None, A. C. Shapely. (Drowned off the ERIE WAVE as did Lewis Helka)
The son Joseph, 16 years old on the 1881 Census, would survive the sinking of the "Erie Wave" in 1889. His brother Charles, 10 years old on the Census, would drown along with several others. One of three survivors, Joseph Crawford gave this interview:
A NIGHT OF TERROR - Aylmer Sun
Wreck of the "Erie Wave" as related to the "Aylmer Sun' by survivor Joe CRAWFORD
Clear Creek October 12, 1889
I was on board the Erie Wave when she capsized. The night was intensely dark and chilly, a heavy gale had sprung up and the waves raged furiously, rocking the schooner to and fro so violently that all on board became terribly sea-sick. About midnight the storm grew worse and the captain said to Bell & Soper, "I will out the cable and let her go on shore." They answered, "No let her ride it out." Scarcely had the words left their lips when she capsized. Being pretty full of water, for the pump had refused to work all night, she failed to right herself and lay rocking on her side, the heavy billows rocking over her until her spar went out. I expected every minute to receive a death blow, as I struggled in the darkness and chilling waves to secure a clinging position. After I had succeeded I asked the captain if all were on board. He shouted back he was. I asked "Is Charlie there?" He replied that he was just ahead of him. Just then I heard a cry for help beneath. It came from Geo. BELL who was suffering from rheumetism and unable to help himself. I aided him to a secure position and was about to go to help my brother when a wave swept me off. Fearing being struck or rocked under if I returned to the schooner, I resolved to make to shore. Then came a struggle which no words can describe. Only those who have had a similar experience know how much the mind is capable of thinking, the heart feeling and the body of enduring in a watery combat. Nerved with energy that desperation gives and buoyed by the hope of saving my brother and comrades, struggled fiercely in the raging waves. My heavy overcoat and woolen clothing burdened me, but I dared not pause a moment to strip. Over and under the water swimming in every imaginable way to save strength I at last began to get near shore. Even then had mine been the only life at stake, I would have gone down. Every nerve and muscle was straining to the utmost to resist the angry waves thar receded from the clay cliffs. Several times I almost succumed, but a strong determination got me ashore. There a precipitous clay cliff met me which I began to climb by digging one hole after another with my feet. I had almost reached the top when exhaustion overcame me and I fell back some 15 feet and laid a moment stunned. A cry for help reached me from the perishing ones and seemed to give me supernatural strength for immediately I scaled the cliff that I could not have climbed in daylight. Then I climbed up another gentle slope and met another steep projection from which I again reeled and fell another few feet. Making a mighty effort I again gained the lane. In my eagerness to find a dwelling I took no precautions and in the darkness violently ran into a fence, knocking me almost senseless. Rallying, however, I followed the fence and soon reached Daniel MOORE's residence. No time was lost in spreading the news. Light soon came, the lifeboat was sent for, but all was in vain, for nothing dared face the turbulent seas. When morning dawned, it was plain to see that none were aboard. My brothers, brother-in-law and myself immediately began to search for the bodies. We searched the beach day and night until we recovered six; deep grief wringing our hearts, as one by one we lifted them from their watery grave.
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Rainham Builders
1830 - 1906 (76 years)