*Nancy's father Archibald Gilchrist ,died (abt.1810) when she was very young . Her grandfather Peter Gilchrist was a soldier in the "Loyal Rangers" during the American Revolution. He was a Loyalist and was the first settler to be given land free from the Crown of England at Ernestown, Ontario.  Her mother Nancy Closson also came from Loyalist stock, as both her grandfather,  Asa Landon, and her father, Caleb Closson had been branded as "notorious traitors" by the American government during the American Revolution. They both had been solders in the "Loyal Rangers". They received land grants from the crown in Augusta Township. Nancy's ancestry can be traced in the Family History Library back to the first settlers of Massachusetts (early 1600's ) . Some of the families being the Howlands ( Mayflower ), Williamsons, Clossons, and Landons. Her great-grandfather Duncan Gilchrist arrived from Scotland before 1739, and settled in Orange Co., N.Y.  After her father died , her mother married for a 2nd time to Benjamin Ellsworth, he had arrived in South Crosby Township from Rutland County, Vermont about 1810 . They farmed in South Crosby Township on ( Lots 16 , conc. 2 as well as Lot 9 Conc. 4 ). The Joseph Houghton family also farmed in South Crosby Township ( Lot 12 Conc. 4 and 5 ). This would have been how Jonathan and Nancy met.  Her mother and stepfather at first belonged to the Baptist Church, but about 1834 converted to Mormonism. They joined other Later-Day Saints from South Crosby (abt.1837 ) to search for a new haven in the American West.

* 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 great grandfather (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. 

* 1828 -1829, Military Service, 2nd Regiment Leeds Militia.

* Between 1834 & 1854  Gary Houghton of Canada forwarded the following information that is very important in our family search for information on our early ancestors that migrated from Vermont to Canada. There is a lot of missing information but Gary has just discovered some of the missing pieces to this puzzle. He has been working very hard this summer doing research at Queens University Archives, Kingston Ontario. The university holds papers of the Tett Family of Newboro, Ontario. The family was headed by Benjamam 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 Tetts for several years. It is not clear how long they were there but the earliest book was dated 1834. In addition Gary discovered: