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The following is information obtained by records and family lore and attempts to describes some history of our Ancestors time spent in Canada after migrating there from
ARRIVAL AREA SETTLED LEAVING CANADA STAYING IN CANADA MAPS
Many of the Joseph and Hannah Houghton Descendents in the US, were not aware of the physical locations of where their ancestors had settled and lived in Canada. In the past couple of years it has become more defined. We now know that they came into Canada from The Vermont Area at about 1805 or shortly thereafter. Vermont had been a disputed area belonging to the British, The American Colonies, and even disputed as to which colony or state had ownership between New York and Mass. It is not clear as to why the family moved into Canada. They could have been loyalist, looking for new lands, or for economic reasons. Perhaps the last place they lived in VT was in the area of Bakersfield Township. It is believed that Jonathan and possibly other siblings were born there. It appears that Reuben may have been born in Windham Co. Vermont or New York Territory. Attempts are currently being made to develop an opinion as to dates and places of birthplace for all siblings. This would help to explain a pattern of migration. Did Joseph and his children move directly from Northern Vermont to Newboro and Westport in Leeds County? Hopefully we can arrive at an accurate explanation. There are a few references to their life in Upper Canada. The Area where they lived is physically located in what is today Frontenac and Leeds Counties located North of the St. Lawrence River above Wolf Island where the river enters Lake Ontario. Family tradition said that the Houghton family came to Upper Canada about 1805, with other Vermont families who moved to this area at about this time . Many families were related by blood or marriage, or were close acquaintances. Joseph is listed as living in South Crosby Township, Johnstown District, Upper Canada, on Lot 12, Concession 4 and 5 in 1830 , this is the north shores of Sand Lake , near the present town of Elgin, Ontario This location is mentioned in two letters written by Nellie Houghton to Riley Houghton in 1928. They also mention that Jonathan moved to, and lived in Bedford Township, later in Westport, Ontario. The population of North and South Crosby Townships in 1830 was 145. The early 1800's are a genealogically difficult period for this area. It is documented that the male members of the family had Military Service in the Leeds Militia around 1828 -1829, Jonathan was member of 2nd Regiment Leeds Militia. Documents have been discovered at Queens University Archives, Kingston Ontario. The university holds papers of the Tett Family of Newboro, Ontario. The family was headed by Benjaman Tett. The family operated general stores, lumber mills, and other businesses in and around North Crosby Township in Leeds County, Ontario. The "day books" from the Newboro and Bedford Mills general stores recorded sales and other transactions, especially those crediting or debiting the accounts of the local residents.. Joseph, Reuben, Oliver and Jonathan Houghton maintained accounts with the Tett's for several years. It is not clear how long they were there but the earliest book was dated 1834. In addition, Land records for Jonathan and Oliver in Bedford Township, Frontenac County. Jonathan owned part of lot 21 & 22 on concession 12. Jonathan acquired it before 1834 and sold it by 1853. Oliver owned part of lot 22, concession 12. Oliver sold it in 1836. It appears that all of Jonathans children may have been born here. See Photo below of early map of the area. It appears that many of Josephs and Hannah's children left Canada to return to US by 1854. Some moved to Illinois. Son Jonathan and wife Nancy and all of their family, except son Martin, moved from Upper Canada to Dekalb Township, Dekalb Co., Illinois, prior to the American Civil War, Census records say 1855. They lived in this area until after the Civil War. About 1866, Jonathan and Nancy along with some of their children and grandchildren moved to Grand Traverse County, Mayfield Township, Michigan, where Jonathan obtained a land patent for 160 Acres on 10 Feb 1874. However, only part of their family moved to Michigan. Some stayed in Illinois and some migrated to Iowa and surrounding states. Son Reuben appears to have settled in or around Bastard Township. He married Elizabeth Ferre 1828 in Johnstown Dist., Bastard Township, Upper Canada. The first son James was born there in 1829. It is not clear where the other children were born. John Henry was born in Hancock County Illinois in 1843. So they had to leave Canada prior to his birth. Census later finds them in Iowa. Martin
is the only child of Jonathan and Nancy's to stay in Canada. He had a carriage
factory in Newboro, 1857 to 1879 , he also was the local Sheriff . He was a very
tall big man and sometimes called "Mark". Martin was born in
Bedford Township 1829. He married Elizabeth Charity Merkley, 20 Jul 1853 in
Famersville. They had six children. The first was born in Bedford Township, the
remaining five children were said to be born in Newboro. Descendents of
Martin still live and thrive in Canada. Frontenac & Leeds Counties: Map of Area Where Joseph & Hannah Houghton settled with family for many years. It is crude but I wanted to get the info out there for comment. I will get better maps up when they are accurate and are constructed. Area depicts Bedford Township, North Crosby Township, South Crosby Township, Bastard Township, Westport, Newport, & Bedford Mills.
********* Property Owned: The following is a map of property owned in Bedford Township and surrounding areas where they lived and worked.
************* Migration Route The following map shows dots where we feel family traveled in their migration beginning in Southern Vermont. The green dot represents area where the family was first thought to have gone. It is where the current town of Bedford is located. It is not clear if our family stopped there or if it was confused with Bedford Township depicted in map above. (Map of NY Territory prior to 1801)
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