| Notes |
From Mead of Woodhouse Township, Norfolk County, Upper Canada
Compiled by R. Robert Mutrie
THE SECOND GENERATION
Mead Benjamin (son of Richard Mead), born in the American Colonies on 3 Aug 1773, died at South Cayuga, Haldimand County, Canada West on 31 Jan 1857 ae 83y 5m. He married Elizabeth - (a young lady of German descent who came to the Long Point Settlement with the Dedrick family), born c. 1785, died on 23 Sep 1848 in 64th y. They were buried in Old Woodhouse Methodist Church Cemetery, Woodhouse Twp.
EARLY LIFE
As a youth, Benjamin was apprenticed as a tanner. He went with his parents to New Brunswick then to Woodhouse Twp, Norfolk Co, Upper Canada in 1799.
SETTLEMENT IN UPPER CANADA
During the early 1800's the Governor of Upper Canada set aside one-seventh of all land to be leased out for the support of government and clergy. Prospective settlers could apply for this land by petition. On 1 Oct 1799, Benjamin Mead filed an Upper Canada Land petition stating that he was desirous to settle in Woodhouse Twp. and requested a lease on Lot 12, Concession 1, Woodhouse Twp. located on the east side of Patterson's Creek and Lot 13, Concession 1, Woodhouse Twp. The Executive Council noted that the lot was reserved for the village of Lynn and denied the request. Mead filed a second petition dated 10 Nov 1799 requesting a lease on lots 12 and 13. An attached certificate of Samuel Ryerse stated that he was 26 years of age, born in New Jersey. The Executive Council again noted that these lots were reserved for the village of Lynn.
On 25 Feb 1803, Mead purchased from Jonathan Williams 75 acres of land in the northwest part of Lot 8, Concession 1, Woodhouse Twp. Mead made this his subsequent homestead. The property was located between the Lake Erie shore and present Highway 6 on the west side of present Port Dover. He built a tannery on his land.
On 26 Mar 1802, Mead rendered an account owed by the London District Court of £14/17/6 apparently for unspecified services rendered. He served as Grand Juror on 8 Jun 1802, 13 Sep 1803, 11 Sep 1804 (Foreman), 9 Sep 1806, 8 Sep 1807, 13 Sep 1808. On 12 Mar 1805, he was appointed Clerk of Woodhouse, Walpole and Rainham Townships.
During the War of 1812, Lieutenant Benjamin Mead commanded a Company of men raised in the Port Dover area of Woodhouse Twp. under the Second Regiment of Norfolk County Militia. In a muster roll for the period 25 Apr to 24 May 1814, Lieutenant Mead had 20 men serving under him. He was present at the taking of Detroit and the engagements at Lundy's Lane and Malcolm's Hollow and raised to the postition of Captain.
ASSESSMENTS AND CENSUS
In the 1829 Assessment of Woodhouse Twp., his property was valued at £149. In the 1834 Assessment, he was recorded in the west half of Lot 8, Concession 1, Woodhouse Twp. with 50 acres cultivated, 25 acres uncultivated, a one-storey frame house, 2 horses, 1 ox, 4 cows and 4 horned cattle. In the household were 2 males over 16, 2 females over 16 and 3 males under 16. In 1836 he was taxed 15s11p at Woodhouse Twp.
On 24 Mar 1830, Benjamin Mead was issued a Crown Patent for 105 acres in the east half of Lot 9, Concession 1, Woodhouse Twp.
In the 1852 Census of Woodhouse Twp., Benjamin Mead was listed as a gentleman, aged 78, born in the United States, Widower, residing with George and Mary Ann Higgins. In his later years, Benjamin lived with hid daughter Rebecca and her husband John Gifford at South Cayuga, Haldimand County.
OBITUARY
The Obituary of Benjamin Mead appeared in the Conservative Standard newspaper, issue of 5 Feb 1857:
"Died. At the residence of his son-in-law, John Gifford, Esq., South Cayuga on Saturday the 31st ult., Benjamin Meade, aged 83 years and 6 months. The deceased was one of the oldest residents of this part of Canada, having settled in this county nearly sixty years ago, and over fifty years since he cultivated the farm on which his son Mr. Richard Meade, of Simcoe, now resides. He was strongly attached to British institutions, and held a Captain's commission in the Militia during the late American War, and was present at the taking of Detroit, the battle of Lundy's Lane, and Malcolm's Hollow. He was buried on Tuesday at the old Methodist Chapel, Woodhouse, a very large conourse of people accompanying his remains to their last resting place. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Burtch."
From 200 YEARS OF MEMORIES
Vittoria Bicentennial Book
....In 1810, the Tisdale Brothers Syndicate was formed. This was a partnership organized among Lot, Joseph, Samuel and Matthew Tisdales and Mr. Benjamin Mead for the purpose of carrying on a general mercantile business. A site was selected for the business just east of the village of Vittoria. Just two weeks to the day after the partners went into the woods to get out the timber for the construction of their store, the building was completed and in running order.....
|
Rainham Builders
1773 - 1837 (63 years)