Sunday, 12 June 2011

The Saanich Fair

The Saanich Agricultural Society was established in 1874. This would help them all collectively to get their produce to market. An annual agricultural fair to advertise their produce and to judge the best produce was established. Saanich Agricultural Society purchased land from the Henry Simpson family. The oldest continuous running agricultural fair in western Canada, is the Saanich Fair.

Saanich Peninsula farmers attended a very successfull fall fair held in Maple Bay 1867 they decided to establish their own local Saanich Fair. This letter talks about who went to the first fair.

The Puget Sound Agricultural Company

Saanich has been the home to First Nations people for thousands of years. The non-native history begins with the arrival of the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1840s.
The Craigflower Schoolhouse (originally called Maple Point School), the oldest surviving school building in Western Canada, was built on orders from Kenneth MacKenzie. He came from Scotland with his family in 1852, on the Hudson's Bay Company ship Norman Morison, to establish a farm for the Puget Sound Agricultural Company, a subsidiary of the Hudson's Bay Company. A school was needed for the children of farm employees, as well as those of arriving settlers.

The Puget Sound Agricultural Company (PSAC), commonly referred to with variations of the name using Puget Sound or Puget's Sound, was a joint stock company formed around 1840 as a subsidiary of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). The purpose of the company was ostensibly to promote settlement by British subjects of land on the Pacific coast of North America. Company operations were centered at Fort Nisqually in the Columbia District (known to Americans as the Oregon Country). At the fort (near present day Olympia, Washington) the company developed dairy, livestock and produce farms. The company also operated many large farms in the area of Fort Victoria on Vancouver Island. The primary reason for the company's incorporation was to protect HBC board members and shareholders from accusations and suits resulting from violation of that company's terms of license, which were only to trade with the native peoples and did not include the right to engage in commercial farming.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puget_Sound_Agricultural_Company


Settlement by the British also had limited success. Hbc policy was designed to promote settlement north of the Columbia, whereas the most attractive area, the Willamette valley, lay south. Moreover, PSAC reserved all the best lands to its commercial farming enterprise. And last, but not least, British settlers were constrained by policies that favoured the Company at the expense of the settler. Farmers were to receive 1,000 acres on leasehold, 20 cows, 1 bull, 500 sheep, 8 oxen, 6 horses and a few pigs, leases to run for 5 years. Each farmer would be provisioned for the first year until his harvest came in. At the end of the lease the land and buildings would revert to the company, it would have the sole right and duty of marketing the produce, and half of the increase from the stock would belong to the company. Although this degree of 'regulation' was not at all unusual in an era of emigration largely organized by private enterprise, other destinations - particularly New Zealand - gave the PSAC/ Hbc initiative stiff competition. And there was little publicity: ironically, both companies were afraid of attracting too many emigrants!
http://www2.hbc.com/hbcheritage/

Willliam's wife Margaret Dyer


DUNCAN LIDGATE � Carpenter

From Fala Parish, Haddington County, Duncan Lidgate was one of the four carpenters contracted by McKenzie for a five year term at Craigflower.1 As a carpenter he received f30 per annum as compared to f17 paid labourers. Lidgate, his wife Helen and 3 children arrived at Ft. Victoria, Jan. 16, 1853, on the Norman Morison in company with others bound for Craigflower. It appears that Lidgate was older than most men employed by McKenzie, for in 1844 Lidgate was a widower with two daughters aged four and three.
Cranston Parish records show that on Aug. 16, 1844 he married Helen Dickson;2 according to the reminiscences of Hugh McKenzie, Helen was a widow with one daughter, Margaret Dyer.3 Kenneth McKenzie's records show the ages of Lidgate's children as 12, 11 and 5 years in 1852. The Marriage Register for 1856 (Ft. Victoria) records the marriages of an Elizabeth Lidgate and a Margaret Dyer; one can only surmise that they were the two eldest of Lidgate's children.
Lidgate was listed as a joiner by trade in 1844.4 According to H. McKenzie, he was also a millwright and had been hired specifically to construct the grist mill at Craigflower. It appears that Lidgate was more literate than his fellows; some correspondence (see attached) exists indicating he had attained a degree of literacy, unlike his peers Caleb Pike and Wm. Hilly who signed their names: "X (his mark)."5 However, such refinements did not preclude intemperance and the scant references in Melrose's diary refer to Lidgate's drunkeness. A situation which sounds like a drunken spree but which also reflected antipathy towards McKenzie appears to have been initiated by Lidgate, as he was the only one to receive a fine.

In 1856, Lidgate's daughter, Elizabeth, married Caleb Pike, establish a farm 'near Victoria'.7 His step-daughter, Margaret, also married that year, one William Thompson. They farmed further north on the Saanich peninsula, founding the well known Thompson family of central Saanich.
http://bcheritage.ca/craigflower/farmfolk/lidgate2.html

William Thomson: Bannock Burn Farm Saanich, British Colombia

Bannockburn is a village immediately south of the city of Stirling in Scotland. It is named after the Bannock Burn, a stream running through the village before flowing into the River Forth






Oxteam clearing land
1880
Saanichton, British Columbia, Canada




These farmers soon set about cutting down the forest pulling up the stumps and establishing their farms.
Oxteam helping to clear land on Duncan Lidgate farm, Mount Newton Valley (SPS989.1.308)
These farmers worked long hours cutting cedars, pulling stumps. With the help of teams of oxen, they carved out their homes. Working and helping with each other depending on their neighbors in time of illness or death, and celebrating births and marriages.



Group of several early pioneer men
1890
Saanichton, British Columbia, Canada







This is the fertile Mount Newton Valley in Saanichton, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is situated on the Saanich Peninsula surrounded by the ocean on three sides.
Many hardy pioneer families came in 1852 and 1853, on a six month voyage at sea on the Hudson Bay Company sailing ship the "Norman Morison". These farmers, carpenters and blacksmiths worked on the local farms of the Hudson Bay Company for five years.

After that time they could go back to Great Britain, or as many of them did they could purchase land from the Hudson Bay Company for $1.00 per acre to start their own farms. This is the area many of them settled. They cleared the land and raised their families and built their farms and businesses, many of them intermarried.

Three Hudson Bay Company families settled in this valley. Henry Simpson purchased his 500 acres from the Hudson Bay Company his farm is in the foreground the Saanich Pioneer Museum is situated on part of what was his farm land. Duncan Lidgate's farm is situated facing him across what is today Mount Newton Cross Rd. Further down the road on the south west was William Thomson's farm. William Thomson married Mrs. Duncan Lid gate's daughter Margaret Dyer.

The land is still farmed today and descendants from these families live in the area.

http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/pm_v2.php?id=display_original&lg=English&fl=0&rd=111726




I1/06/25 Thomson, William, m, h, m, 5 Apr 1832, 68, SCT, to Can: 1854, Psb, Farmer.
……Rems: Obit Search: Thomson, William, 11 Aug 1908, 78, South Saanich.
I1/06/26 Thomson, Margaret, f, wife, m, 16 Mar 1841, 60, SCT, to Can: 1853, CE.
……Rems: DN, Times, 12 Oct 1920, p.7: Margaret Thomson, wid.o.William (d,1909), 79, r.Bannock Burn Farm, South Saanich, b.Haddington, PER, SCT, d.11 Oct 1920, leaves daus: Mrs A.M. McKenzie (d.I1, p.4, l.26), Mrs W.A. Bissett & Miss Grace, Saanich; Mrs (Dr) R.L. Fraser (d.8, p.6, l.49), Victoria; Mrs H.S. Hughes, Vancouver; sons: David & John, Cumberland; Alexander & Walter, Saanich; Richard, Victoria & Chas. A., Metchosin.
I1/06/27 Thomson, Alexander, m, son, s, 14 May 1858, 42, BC, CE, Farmers son.
I1/06/28 Thomson, Grace, f, dau, s, 19 Jan 1876, 25, BC, CE.
……Rems: Obit Search: Thomson, Grace, 8 Jan 1924, 49, Saanich.
I1/06/29 Thomson, B. Robert, m, son, s, 1 Jul 1880, 20, BC, CE, Farmers son.
……Rems: BRI: Robert Burns Thomson, 11 Jul 1880, South Saanich.
I1/06/30 Thomson, G. Margaret, f, dau, s, 22 Aug 1882, 18, BC, CE.
……Rems: MRI: Harry Stewart Hughes (d.15, p.8, l.21) mar Margaret Gertrude Thomson, 12 Feb 1920, South Saanich.

Elizabeth Thomson
08/06/48 Fraser, Roderick L., m, head, m, 17 Dec 1859, 41, ON, Psb, Doctor.
……Rems: 1900DIR: Fraser, R.L., physician, City Health Officer, 98 Yates. Obit Search: Fraser, Roderick L. (Dr.), d.16 Nov 1925, 65 at Victoria. MRI: Roderick Fraser mar Elizabeth Thomson, 27 Feb 1887, Victoria.
08/06/49 Fraser, Elizabeth, f, wife, m, 23 Apr 1867, 34, BC, CE.
……Rems: Obit Search: Fraser, Elizabeth (Mrs. Dr. R. L.), d.6 Oct 1934 at Victoria.
08/06/50 Fraser, Catherine E., f, dau, s, 2 Aug 1894, 6, BC, CE.


Helen Thomson
R 2, E, sec. 7, Saanichton
I1/04/26 McKenzie, Alexander, m, h, m, 24 Jul 1852, 48, NS, Psb, Farmer.
……Rems: MRI: Alexander M. McKenzie mar Helen Thomson, 25 Dec 1880, Victoria.
I1/04/27 McKenzie, Helen, f, wife, m, 22 Sep 1863, 37, BC, Psb.
I1/04/28 McKenzie, H. Hugh, m, son, s, 18 Nov 1881, 19, BC, Psb, Farmers son.
I1/04/29 McKenzie, E. Lilith, f, dau, s, 13 Nov 1883, 17, BC, Psb.
……Rems: HNSS: Lilith Edith McKenzie mar R.E. Nimmo.
I1/04/30 McKenzie, Margaret, f, dau, s, 26 Nov 1885, 15, BC, Psb.
……Rems: HNSS: Margaret Helen McKenzie mar A.D.J. Pitts. MRI: Arthur David John Pitts mar Margaret Helen McKenzie, 22 Sep 1924, ?.
I1/04/31 McKenzie, M. Martha, f, dau, s, 17 Nov 1887, 13, BC, Psb.
……Rems: HNSS: Mildred M.M. McKenzie mar ---- Ibbetson.
I1/04/32 McKenzie, T. Jessie, f, dau, s, 26 May 1893, 7, BC, Psb.
……Rems: BR: (late registration, 1957) Jessie Theresa McKenzie, b.26 May 1893, Saanich, d.o.Alexander Murray McKenzie, b.Pictou, NS, 40 (in 1893), hotel keeper & Helen Thomson, 30, b.S. Saanich. HNSS: Jessie Theresa McKenzie mar H.E. Kennedy. MRI: Harold Edward Kennedy mar Jessie Theresa MacKenzie, 22 Apr 1924, ?.
I1/04/33 McKenzie, M. Doris, f, dau, s, 23 May 1899, 1, BC, Psb.
……Rems: HNSS: Doris May McKenzie mar Allen Dorman. MRI: Allan Jack Dorman mar Doris May MacKenzie, 22 Apr 1924, ?.


Margaret Gertrude Thomson b.22 Aug 1882
61 2nd Lt. Work Estate
15/08/18 Hughes, William O., m, head, m, 8 Jun 1848, 52, USA, to Can: -, Meth, Master mariner.
……Rems: RBCR: Hughes, William Olas, 61 y, 19 Feb 1910 at Victoria, b.NS.
15/08/19 Hughes, Adline O., f, wife, m, 13 Sep 1859, 41, ENG, to Can: 1886, Meth.
……Rems: RBCR: Hughes, Adeline Ophelia, 82 y 10 m, 21 Aug 1942 at Victoria, b.ENG.
15/08/20 Hughes, Kitty B., f, step dau, s, 13 May 1881, 19, USA, to Can: -, Meth.
15/08/21 Hughes, Harry S., m, son, s, 4 Mar 1884, 16, NS, Meth.
……Rems: MR: Harry Stewart Hughes, 35, master mariner, r.Brentwood, Tod Inlet P.O., b.Digby, NS, CE, s.o. Wm. Otis Hughes, master mariner & Grace Harriett Dakin mar Margaret Gertrude Thomson (d.I1, p.6, l.30), 38, spinster, r. & b. Bannockburn, Mt. Newton Rd, S. Saanich, CE, d.o. William Thomson, farmer & Margaret Dwyer, 12 Feb 1920, South Saanich.
15/08/22 Hughes, William P., m, son, s, 8 Oct 1893, 7, BC, Meth.
15/08/23 Hughes, Graham O., m, son, s, 23 Sep 1899, 1, BC, Meth

Fanny Mary Thomson b 9 Aug 1869
R 2, E, sec. 6, Saanichton
I1/04/39 Bissett, A. Willizm, m, h, m, 22 Oct 1864, 36, CB, CE, Captain on steamboat.
I1/04/40 Bissett, M. Fanny, f, wife, m, 9 Aug 1869, 31, BC, CE.
……Rems: Obit Search: Bissett, Fanny Mary (Mrs.) [nee Thompson], 23 Aug 1934, 65, Victoria.
I1/04/41 Bissett, M. Clarice, f, dau, s, 29 Mar 1893, 8, BC, CE.
……Rems: BRI: Marguerite C. Bissett, 29 Mar 1893, Sidney.
I1/04/42 Bissett, W. George, m, son, s, 12 Jul 1894, 6, BC, CE.
……Rems: BRI: George William C. Bissett, 12 Jul 1894, Sidney.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canbc/1901vic_cen/div15/d15p07.htm



Within four months, prayers for a school had been answered. In January 1862, the Daily Press informed its readers that land near William Thomson’s farm had been surveyed under the direction of the Bishop of Columbia for a school, adding that “an institution of this kind was greatly needed in the vicinity.”4 (Newspaper stories of the day vary on whether a school or a church was being built; Church accounts show payment of $25 in February 1862 to William Thomson for land for a church and a parsonage.)5
http://www.viu.ca/homeroom/Content/Schools/Public/ssaan.htm

Duncan Lidgate eventually settled next door to his son-in-law William Thomson in Saanich, B.C. William had married Duncan's step daughter Margaret Dyer Lidgate in 1856. Duncan lived at Mt. Newton Crossroad were he built "Rose Cottage" and all its furniture. "Rose Cottage" has been restored and as of 2003 it was still standing and a commemorative plaque to Duncan Lidgate can be found on the side of Mt. Newtown Crossroad by the property which he originally owned. Duncan Lidgate was one of ten farmers who got together in 1868 to establish the North and South Saanich Agricultural Society which started, and still holds today, the yearly Saanich Fair. The second Fair was held in 1869 in the farm buildings of Bannockburn, the home of his son-in-law William Thompson who was also a founding member. Elizabeth's step sister Margaret is widely reported to have been the first white female settler on the Saanich Peninsula. She and her husband William Thompson had fifteen children, ten boys and five girls, all of them, except David, were born on the Saanich farm. David, who was the eldest, was born beside Fort Victoria. Elizabeth's half brother William Lidgate also farmed in Saanich and had eight children many of whom are buried at St. Steven's church yard.

The Litigate's homestead
http://www.surreyhistory.ca/pikefamily.html

Died accidentally at South Saanich, British Columbia, Mar 5, 1869, Son of Mr Thompson, aged 9. It appears that the lad was driving a cart home across a field, and from some sudden jolt was thrown to the ground, when the wheel of the cart passed over his head causing instant death. [Colonist, 1869-03-06*]

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~bcvancou/saan18581871.htm

Friday, 10 June 2011

Ancestry.ca - 1911 Census of Canada - Frederick Tatham

Ancestry.ca - 1911 Census of Canada - Frederick Tatham

My Great Great Great Grandfather: Robert Tatham

Marriage: 29 Nov 1827 St Mary, Lancaster, Lancashire, England
Robert Tatham - Bachelor of This Town and Parish
Lydia Lee - Spinster of This Town and Parish
    Witness: John Burkit Mansergh; Elizabeth Leahy
    Married by Banns by: R Watson, Curate
    Register: Marriages 1827 - 1833, Page 32, Entry 94
    Source: LDS Film 1526201
Source: Lancaster Online Parish Clerk
http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/cgi-bin/mkindx.cgi?parish=Lancaster&type=City&community=
My Great Great Grandfather : John Tatham

Marriage: 31 Dec 1863 Holy Trinity, Southport, Lancashire, England
John Tatham - 26 Builder Bachelor of Southport
Margaret Moore - 25 Spinster of Southport
    Groom's Father: Robert Tatham, Cabinet Maker
    Bride's Father: Seth Moore, Ironmonger
    Witness: Henry Fielding; Elizabeth Scott
    Married by Banns by: Jonathan Jackson Incumbant
    Register: Marriages 1838 - 1869, Page 164, Entry 327
    Source: LDS Film 1657579

I have changed the last names from Latham to Tatham, I pretty sure this is correct, ages, place names  and occupations are correct.

Source: Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerk Project
http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/cgi-bin/mkindx.cgi?location=%2CS11D12%2C2&parish=Southport&type=District&community=Southport+Central