Smith Family: Time Line

The Smith Family of Duncan BC: a Time Line

Incident ----------------------------- Evidence

1790

1800

Thomas Smith was born in England approximately 1802.

Calculated from his age provided by the census lists of 1851, 1861 and 1871. The 1871 census gives his age as 69.

1810

1820

Thomas Smith is recorded as a member of the East York militia in 1823. It was compulsory for all men between the ages of 19-39 to be in the militia.

MARCH 1823: Smith, Thomas #399 Men of Upper Canada Militia Nominal Rolls, 1828-291st Regiment of East York p. 200;

1830

Thomas Smith was married to Ann Camach (or Camack) at York in 1830.

A marriage record from Anglican church archives received in 1999. Witnesses were John Fullerton and Catherine Barnes but the bride and groom's ages and the parents names are not given. This marriage is recorded in the St. James, Toronto marriage record where "missionary marriages", those held ahead of the formal set-up of a church are recorded. [ manicholls@toronto.anglican.ca]

It's unclear whether Thomas Smith owned land during this decade. He was living in the Norway area and undoubtedly a farmer.

The earliest "directory" of 1833 lists Thomas Smith "on the Don", which suggests he was living in unorganized territory not far from Norway. Another T. Smith is listed as propieter of the Simcoe Chase Tavern in 1837. The tavern was among land "concessions from the Bay" where Norway is located.

Ann Smith born in 1831.

Calculated from the obituary of Ann Smith, daughter, who died at age 17 @ Norway Steam Saw Mill, 1848. ( The Ontario Register)

Elizabeth born 1833 in Canada

The 1851 census lists Elizabeth as 18 years.

James Smith born in Toronto, January 24, 1838 .

The graveyard record and census support this date.

Richard Smith born in Toronto 1840.

The graveyard record and census agree that Richard was born AFTER James.

1840

Mary Smith born in 1844

Mary is listed in the 1851 and 1861 census, age 7 and 17 respectively. The 1861 census says her birthplace is "Barrie".

Thomas Smith and family live at the Norway Steam Saw Mill in 1848. This is the earliest link to the land at Concession 1; lot 5h.

Calculated from the obituary of Ann Smith, daughter, who died at age 17 @ Norway Steam Saw Mill, 1848. ( The Ontario Register)

Thomas Smith's wife, Ann Camack, dies during this decade.

The 1851 census lists Thomas as a widower.

1850

These are the formative, productive years for Thomas Smith. He is an established land owner, juggling farming with running a tavern and operating a sawmill. Lumber was especially important since roads were often constructed of planking. The mill cuts white pine, hemlock, oak and rare Norway Pine. [MAP]

Thomas owned the Norway Steam Saw-Mills Inn on Kingston Road. [Crowder: Inhabitants of Toronto, Ontario 1850.]

In 1856, the tavern was listed as the Norwood House in the business directory of the day.

In the Directory of the Province of Ontario, 1857 (Thomas & Emily Wilson), Thomas is listed as HOTELKEEPER.

The History of Saint John the Baptist Church describes "the Smiths, farmers and innkeepers"

Beach in Pictures 1793-1932 (Campbell & Myrvgold) page 6

As a respected member of the community, he played an active role in the establishment of the local church. Before the church was built his Norway "inn" found seating for as many as 100 locals.

In a history of Saint John the Baptist Church of Norway, Thomas is listed as one of the laymen petitioners requesting the formation of the church (1855). The church history states: "...it appears the inhabitants met in an inn at the corner of what is now Main Street and were ministered by the staff of Upper Canada College and then by Dr. Beaven who took charge early in the eighteen-fifties." The 1861 census states in the REMARKS column that the "frame" building owned by Thomas Smith acted as a church with "100 settings".

Ą Thomas Smith, age 51, widower, changed the name of his establishment to Norwood House. Children at home were Elizabeth (18), James (17), Richard (15 ) Mary (7 ). Another young girl named Jane Waymen (15), probably a servant, also lived in the household.

This information is set out in the 1851 census except for James who isn't listed. It's certain James was somewhere about since he shows up 10 years later.

1860

James takes over the family business from Thomas. They live in a two story house, run a tavern, general store. In addition to being post master for the 100 residents, James is also the toll keeper on Kingston Road.

Richard Smith is a locomotive engineer living in Quebec. He marries Agnes Noel. He returns to Toronto late in the decade and runs a hotel in the Norway area.

1870

1880

1890

1900

1910

1920

1930

1940

Blisters & Bliss

Victoria

Family History

Gardening

Travel

Thomas Smith was married to Ann Camach (or Camack) at York in 1830.	A marriage record from Anglican church archives received in 1999. Witnesses were John Fullerton and Catherine Barnes but the bride and groom's ages and the parents names are not given. This marriage is recorded in the St. James, Toronto marriage record where "missionary marriages", those held ahead of the formal set-up of a church are recorded. [ manicholls@toronto.anglican.ca]
It's unclear whether Thomas Smith owned land during this decade. He was living in the Norway area and undoubtedly a farmer.	The earliest "directory" of 1833 lists Thomas Smith "on the Don", which suggests he was living in unorganized territory not far from Norway. Another T. Smith is listed as propieter of the Simcoe Chase Tavern in 1837. The tavern was among land "concessions from the Bay" where Norway is located.
Ann Smith born in 1831.	Calculated from the obituary of Ann Smith, daughter, who died at age 17 @ Norway Steam Saw Mill, 1848. ( `The Ontario Register`)
Elizabeth born 1833 in Canada	The 1851 census lists Elizabeth as 18 years.
James Smith born in Toronto, January 24, 1838 .	The graveyard record and census support this date.
Richard Smith born in Toronto 1840.	The graveyard record and census agree that Richard was born AFTER James.

Mary Smith born in 1844	Mary is listed in the 1851 and 1861 census, age 7 and 17 respectively. The 1861 census says her birthplace is "Barrie".
Thomas Smith and family live at the Norway Steam Saw Mill in 1848. This is the earliest link to the land at Concession 1; lot 5h.	Calculated from the obituary of Ann Smith, daughter, who died at age 17 @ Norway Steam Saw Mill, 1848. ( `The Ontario Register`)
Thomas Smith's wife, Ann Camack, dies during this decade.	The 1851 census lists Thomas as a widower.

These are the formative, productive years for Thomas Smith. He is an established land owner, juggling farming with running a tavern and operating a sawmill. Lumber was especially important since roads were often constructed of planking. The mill cuts white pine, hemlock, oak and rare Norway Pine. [MAP]	Thomas owned the Norway Steam Saw-Mills Inn on Kingston Road. [Crowder: Inhabitants of Toronto, Ontario 1850.] In 1856, the tavern was listed as the Norwood House in the business directory of the day. In the Directory of the Province of Ontario, 1857 (Thomas & Emily Wilson), Thomas is listed as HOTELKEEPER. The History of Saint John the Baptist Church describes "the Smiths, farmers and innkeepers" Beach in Pictures 1793-1932 (Campbell & Myrvgold) page 6
As a respected member of the community, he played an active role in the establishment of the local church. Before the church was built his Norway "inn" found seating for as many as 100 locals.	In a history of Saint John the Baptist Church of Norway, Thomas is listed as one of the laymen petitioners requesting the formation of the church (1855). The church history states: "...it appears the inhabitants met in an inn at the corner of what is now Main Street and were ministered by the staff of Upper Canada College and then by Dr. Beaven who took charge early in the eighteen-fifties." The 1861 census states in the REMARKS column that the "frame" building owned by Thomas Smith acted as a church with "100 settings".
Ą Thomas Smith, age 51, widower, changed the name of his establishment to Norwood House. Children at home were Elizabeth (18), James (17), Richard (15 ) Mary (7 ). Another young girl named Jane Waymen (15), probably a servant, also lived in the household.	This information is set out in the 1851 census except for James who isn't listed. It's certain James was somewhere about since he shows up 10 years later.