Delbert Connell & wife Ethel May (Richards) with daughter Della Jean Connell (my mother age 14) in front of the Richards House. Family photo taken on Sept 1, 1930.

The gravestone at Bell’s Cemetery is situated almost directly across from the family’s home at Lot 15 Con 10 in Elizabethtown Township.

This is just a stones throw west of the Peer Homestead we visited recently at Bells Crossing, where Lucy Adeline Peer  (Ethel May Richard’s mother) grew up. Lucy married William Henry Richards, the Richards’ eldest son who inherited the property twenty years after his father’s death.

Land Record (Lot 15 Con 10 Elizabethtown)
Thanks to the land records for Lot 15 Con 10, we now know quite a few details of this inheritance. Because the children were all so young when their father died, William had to wait until he was of age before he could legally inherit the property on behalf of his younger siblings. This was complicated by the fact that the children’s mother Eliza had died, perhaps in childbirth to youngest son Edward in 1872 and that Richard had died intestate (without a will).

What surprised me was that the land transaction took place with the help of Richard’s brother John and with Richard’s “second wife” Caroline who I knew nothing about prior to examining this record as the grantor.

Instrument 23-2346 (B&S) dated Feb 13, 1874 and registered Dec 24, 1874 lists grantors “Caroline Richards (widow of Richard Richards) (William H. Richards, Margaret E. Richards, & Edward Richards infant children heirs & heiress at law of Richard Richards) (Names ruled thru in red are grantees only W.J.E.) to grantees William H. Richards, Margaret E. Richards & Edward Richards, infant children, heirs to Richard Richards”. The transaction was subject to the “condition for payment of $400 by one John Richards”.

As far as I know, John was Richard’s brother (a Pump Maker, age 51 in the 1881 Canada census living with the Widow Mary Richards and Edward Richards age 9) who I take it paid Caroline the $400 on behalf of the children.

A second instrument, 25-4686 (Grant) dated and registered Feb 10, 1894 exists between grantors “Margaret E. Garvin & husband & Edward Richards (unmarried) two of the three only lawful children & heirs of Richard Richards (an intestate) to grantee William H. Richards (the other of such children & heirs) for $800. Could this be William taking full ownership of the land and re-paying his uncle John for his part in the transaction? It seems likely.

But who was Caroline Richards, I wondered? I had never heard her mentioned by the family before, but then this generation was a little beyond the living memory of my immediate family growing up and the story has so many tragic elements to it that it is not surprising that it was forgotten in the mists of time.

Richards – Gorland Marriage – 1873
Ruth and I searched on Ancestry for a marriage between Caroline and Richard and found it with no trouble. They were married at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Smith Falls on August 6th, 1873 (co-incidentally today’s date) . Her name is listed as Caroline Gorland age 32, spinster of Wolford. Her parents were Thomas Gorland and Eliza Impey. He is listed as Richard Richards age 35, widower and yeoman of Elizabethtown. His parents are listed as Edward Richards and Mary Tackaberry. This is the first piece of paper that I personally have found that identifies Richard’s mother Mary (aka The Widow Richards) as being a Tackaberry, and confirms everything we had heard from other Tackaberry researchers.

Garvin – Richards Marriage – 1892
The other genealogical gem that comes out of this land record is the inferred marriage of Margaret E to someone named Garvin. Sure enough, we find the marriage and discover James Garvin, a 27 year old Spinner from Almonte, Born North Elmsley of parents George Garvin and Catherine McKay has married Margaret Eliza Richards, a 22 years old spinster from Rockspring, Born Elizabethtown of parents Richard Richards and Eliza Hinton. Witnesses were Addie Reynolds and George Reynolds. May 24, 1892 in Merrickville by Licence.

So far so good. Time for so more searching:

Death Certificate for Etta
It occurred to me that there might also be a death certificate for Etta, the child listed on the gravestone above. Sure enough, it too was easy to find. Contrary to the headstone which says she died in 1874, Etta’s death certificate says she died at 6 1/2 years of age on April 23, 1873, less than 4 months before Richard’s marriage to Caroline. Her full name was Charetta Jane Richards. Cause of death was listed as consumption (pulmonary tuberculosis) after 18 days of illness. It is likely that Etta was named after her maternal grandmother Charetta Shaw (aka Charity Hinton) and Aunt Jane Hinton. Perhaps this also references another Jane back in Ireland.

The gravestone above is also from Bells Cemetery across the road from the Richards House and next door to the old school house where my Grandfather Delbert Connell told me he went to school. Him, and many other relatives I would imagine.

Edward Richards Family – 1911
Edward Richards, the youngest child of Richard and Eliza can be found on the 1911 Canada Census at Lot 19 Con 11, Elizabethtown as the owner of a cheese factory born in 1872, the year his mother Eliza died. While I could not find a death record for Eliza, it seems plausible that she died in childbirth or from complications related to the birth of Edward. In 1911, Edward age 39 is living with his wife Mary A. age 26, daughters Stella age 14, Eva S. age 3, and nephew Howard Richards, also age 26 and a cheese maker in Edward’s factory.

The House Today

Taken during our recent field trip to Bells Crossing. I tried to shoot this from the same angle as the photo above with just my memory to go on. Click on this to enlarge and then click on photo again (left hand side only) to move back to the old shot.

Jan. 14th, 1830 Robert Connell and Julia Coon, both of Yonge, banns, witnesses J. Coon, S. Smith.
Source: A RECORD OF MARRIAGES SOLEMNIZED BY WILLIAM SMART, MINISTER OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION, BROCKVILLE, Elizabethtown, UPPER CANADA ~ This information was originally published by: ONTARIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY Papers and Records Volume 5, Published in Toronto in 1904 Pages 187-236

1871 Census

CONNELL , ROBERT
Sex: Male
Age: 62
Birthplace: ONTARIO
Religion: Wesleyan Methodist
Origin: ENGLISH
Occupation: LABORER
District: LEEDS SOUTH ( 067 )
Sub-district: Crosby South ( G )
Division: 1
Page: 22
Microfilm reel: C-10,001 – C-10,002 Reference: RG31 — Statistics Canada
Source: www.collectionscanada.ca/archivianet

1800 Assessment Record of Yonge Township

Leeds County shows Robert and James Connell each with 40 (acres of land ?).

The Last Will & Testament of Robert Connel

Contents

1. Proc. for citation Robert Connels Executors
2. Note from David Jones, attorney for Jonathan Spoon and Margaret his wife.
3. Front page inventory of Robert Connels Property: Filed 12th Day of January 1822 ~ 8 pages of belongings with monatary value ~
4. Various addition, other accounts and information pertaining to Robert Connels inventory.
5. The Last Will & Testament

The Last Will & Testament of Robert Connel

In the name of God. Amen

I, Robert Connel in the township of Yonge County of leeds, District of Johnston and Province of Upper Canada being by blessing of God in health of body and soundness of mind do make my last will and testament as follows.

In the first place I leave my soul to the mercy of God in Christ and my body to be decently burried according to the custom of the place where I have resided in hopes of its glorius ressurection. It is my last will and pleasure that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my property and the remainder I will bequeath as follows.

To my loving and affectionate wife Sophia Connel I will that she remain in my mansion to use during her life and have a decent maintenance during that same period together with all the comforts that my home place affords provided that she, the above mentioned Sophia Connel remain a widow but if she marry she should forfeit her claim to any part of my mansion house but she shall be allowed to build a house upon the premises and enjoy her third, and further I will that all my outstanding debts be collected after my decease and the principal put into a place of safety and the interest go to the support of my wife during her life and at her death the principal to be divided equally amongst her family.

To my oldest son John Connel I will and bequeath fifty acres in the rear of my part of Lot No. 6 fourth concession, Township of Yonge, County of Leeds, District of Johnston and Province of Upper Canada and to his heirs of his own body for ever but it is my further will and pleasure that the above mentioned John Connel my son shall not sell, bargain or dispose of said parcel of land to any person or persons except his brother Robert Connel and his heirs.

To my youngest son Robert Connel I will and bequeath to him and his heirs for ever the farm on which I live consisting of the front end of Lot No. 3 and the whole of Lot No. 4 in the township of Yonge, County of Leeds, District of Johnston, and Province of Upper Canada with all the apurtances, preveledges, horses, stock and crops on said farms as shall be at my death to have and to hold to him and his lawful heirs for ever. It is my will that he, the above mentioned Robert Connel, my youngest son if he dies without lawful heirs of his own body the above mentioned Lot No 3 an 4 in said township, said county, said district with all the preveledges, apurtances, horses, stock and crop shall be equally divided amongst his sisters and their lawful heirs.

To my oldest daughter Mary Althouse and my second. daughter Catherine Connel and my third daughter Margret Spooner, I will leave and bequeath, that lot or tract of land lying in Elizabeth viz. Lot #2 ninth concession, Township of Elizabeth, County of Leeds, District of Johnston, Province of Upper Canada to them and their laful heirs for ever.

To my yongest daughter Elizabeth Connel I will and bequeath one hundred acres in the front of Lot No 6 in the fourth concession, Township of Yonge, County of Leeds, District of Johnston and Province of Upper Canada to her and her laful heirs to have and to hold for ever.

And I do further will, appoint, and constitute James Gibson in the Township of Yonge and Hugh Scott in said Township to be my sole executors, administrators A. C. And no others.

I further declare that this is my last will and testament and that all others beside is nul and void in witness whereof I set my hand and seal this fifth day of May Eigteen Hundred and Twenty One years before these witnesses

Witnesses

• John Molson
• Hugh Scott
• James Gibson

Robert Connell (signed)

Inventory of Robert Connel Property

Filed 12th day of January 1822

W. Malloch
Regt. S. Court
District of Johnston
Yonge 9th October, 1921
An inventory and valuation of the goods and chattles of the deceased, Robert Connel, as found upon the farm at his decease.

Item Description

• 2 old horses
• 2 mares
• 1 colt
• 8 cows
• 4 calves
• 1 yoke of 2 year old steers
• 1 bull
• 5 yearling
• 20 sheep
• 3 cows
• 1 yoke of oxen
• 6 fattening hogs
• 8 shots
• 2 bee hives
• 35 bushels peas
• 40 bushels peas
• 25 bushels old wheat
• 20 bushels rye
• 30 bushels oats
• 80 bushels corn
• 38 bushels buckwheat
• 50 bushels potatoes
• 1 waggon
• 70 pounds of wool rools
• 50 pounds of wool
• 25 ounds of woolen yarn
• linen yarn
• 1 drawing knife
• 1 pro
• 1 brush hook
• 1 sythe
• 1 cow bell
• 1 hatchet
• 1 chisel
• 1 ox yoke
• 1 adye
• 1 table
• 1 big tea kettle
• 2 pots
• 1 kettle
• 1 pot
• 1 tea kettle
• 1 spider
• 2 brass kettles
• 1 bake pan
• 1 frying pan
• 1 pair of dog irons
• shovel and tongs
• smoothing iron
• 2 candlesticks
• 1 pot
• 1 tarmel
• hand saw
• 1 shovel
• 2 brace chains
• 2 sythes and tackling
• 1 grindstone
• 1 ox chain
• 3 cleveses
• 2 axes
• carane and hooks
• 1 table
• 1 clock
• 1 looking glass
• 1 looking glass
• 1 table
• 1 looking glass
• 1 bedstead and 3 blankets
• wolen yarn
• flannel cloth
• 30 yards flannel
• 12 yards flannel
• 16 yards pulled cloth
• 8 yards check flannel
• 20 yards flannel
• 13 yards linnen
• 2 coverlets
• 20 yards flannel
• 8 yards check flannel
• 10 yards cloth
• 2 tea cannisters
• 1 decanter
• 1 pitcher
• 3 bottles
• 2 jars
• 2 bowels
• 12 pouunds flax
• 1 basket
• 1 barrel
• 1 basket
• 8 pounds of tobacco
• 12 yards flannel
• 12 yards flannel
• 10 yards pulled cloth
• 2 dippers
• candle moulds
• yarn
• 2 blankets
• 16 yards ?
• 3 sheets
• cloth
• 10 yards linnen cloth
• 2 platters
• 1 tin pail
• 2 pails
• 1 canteen
• 1 cupboard
• 2 pewter platters
• 8 pewter platters
• 1 tapot
• 1 platter
• 1 set of cups and saucers
• 1 set of cups and saucers
• 5 platters
• 2 mugs
• crockery
• 1 platter
• 8 bowls
• 30 platters
• 20 platters
• 1 dish
• 5 bottles
• serveral articles
• 1 watch
• 1 hunting knife
• 1 kiffle gun
• 1 musket
• 15 tumbler glasses
• 4 tin pans
• 2 earthen pans
• 7 bowl
• 1 bowl
• 1 pot
• 1 cheese prep
• 2 towels
• 30 pounds tallow
• 2 wash tubs
• 1 tub of fat
• 2 barrels
• 1 barrel butter
• 2 barrel pork
• 1 lantern
• 2 sets curtains
• ox yoke king and staple
• fall wheat on the ground
• 1 quilt wheel
• 14.5 tons of hay

Total £400.5.6

The preceeding inventory and valuation is just to the best of our knowledge as witness our hands this 10th day of October, 1821.

• Andrew McLean
• Samuel Lee

List of notes, their value, by whom given.

• Jonathan Hunter £5.7.6
• Thomas Howland £11.15
• Charles Ruggles £19.15.3
• John Strate £20
• Isaac Simon George £9
• John Shanks £12.10
• Caleb Simons £3.19
• John Shanks £2
• James Mallory £70.13.9
• Thomas Proctter £9.7.6
• James Sellies £1.13
• David Hunter £2.7.4
• Stephen Andrews £19.16
• Abraham Cavanagh £1
• Mrs. Deliverance Avery £1.2
• William Robertson £12.10

subtotal £223.0.6
previous total £400.5.6
new subtotal £623.6.0
not itemized £12.10.0
Total £635.16.0

• cash found in house £32.14.3
• 1 bag of money £23.5.6
• 1 bag of money £21.8.6
• money found on premises £1.13.3

Total £682.3.1

Notes and Accounts belonging to the late Robert Connel, decesed.

• James Elliot – order 3 bushels of wheat
• Wintrop Tufts – a note to collect value £1.15
• William Dunsmere – note desperate £2.2
• Mr. W. Intoshs – £3.0.(4.5)
• Winthrop Tufts – 4 notes to collect desperate each £1.11.(11.75)
• Julius Bingham – desperate £2.4
• John Cimpson – note £0.7
• Mr. Trueman – sales account £0.12.3
• Mr. Statts £0.15
• Winthrop Tufts – 2 bushels of wheat £0.16
• Winthrop tufts – 2 bushels of corn £0.12
• Mr. Holmes account dr. to the Estate £7.3

Subtotal £20.18.(7.25)
Previous Balance £682.3.1
Grand Total £703.1.(8.25)

Brockville 5th March, 1823

• James Gibson
• Hugh Scott

Executors of Robert Connel deceased
In the Surrogate Court
Registered 5th April, 1823
George Mallock
Reg’s. S. Court

Additions to Inventory

In open court 4th October, 1823
Amount previously recorded £703. 1. 8.25
Balance due on William Shonsons note £5.12.3

April 2, 1825
2 cows, the proceeds of 2 cows let out to Mr. John Holmes £7.10
Settled by arbetration let out to let out to £1.15
1 cow let out & settled by same £1.6.8
Total additional £9.11.8

May 29th, 1826
2 cows, proceeds £8.5
Feb 11th, 1822 money found £8.5

Feb 12th, 1822
2 bags money found in old dwelling house of the deceased Robert Connel. £23.5.4
Their was no gold in either bag; silver only £21.8.6
Total after Additions £772 16 shillings 8.25 pence

Source: Archives of Ontario, Microfilm MS 638 Reel 26, Surrogate Court Estate Files, 1786-1858 A-Cu

Jan. 14th, 1830 Robert Connell and Julia Coon, both of Yonge, banns, witnesses J. Coon, S. Smith.
Source: A RECORD OF MARRIAGES SOLEMNIZED BY WILLIAM SMART, MINISTER OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION, BROCKVILLE, Elizabethtown, UPPER CANADA ~ This information was originally published by: ONTARIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY Papers and Records Volume 5, Published in Toronto in 1904 Pages 187-236

6886-87 (Leeds Co): Jemuel CONNELL, 28, farmer, Ontario, Greenbush, s/o Robert CONNELL & Julia COON, married Lauretta CRAIG, 28, widow, Ontario, Greenbush, d/o Samuel BRADLEY & Charlotte TACKABERRY, witn: R. B. & Mary A. CONNELL of Farmersville, 23 Feb 1887 at Brockville

Source: Ontario vital Statistics Project – Ontario Marriage Registrations

Della Jean Connell was born on April 29th, 1916 at Newbliss, Ontario to Delbert Orvel Connell and Ethel May Richards. She married William Browell Charlton on May 21, 1941 at Alexandria, Ontario.

William Browell Charlton and Della Connell had the following children:

1. Robert Gerald (Bob) Charlton
2. William James (Jim) Charlton.
3. John Delbert Charlton.