Hazel Belle Weeks

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: United Church
• Occupation: Between 1925 and 1970; Housewife/Store clerk/Matron Seniors Lodge
• Death: 13 Dec 1987, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Parkinsons Disease/Complications Fractured Hip

Notes:

Birth Registration:
Weeks, Hazel Belle, Female, Born at Tillsonburg, Mar, 03, 1905 AFHS Reg. is 227453 -07

Death Registration:
Hazel Belle Wilkie
Date of Death: Dec. 13, 1987
Female
Age: 83 years
Place of Death: Calgary, AB
Widow
Source: Vital Statistics, Province of AB, Reg # 87-08-012622


Obituary:
Hazel Belle Weeks was born March 3, 1905 at Tillsonburg, Ontario. At a young age she came with her parents to reside in the Bulwark district. She attended school at Knob Hill. On December 13, 1926 she was married to Andrew Wilkie. Their union was blessed with three children - 2 sons Allan and Richard; one daughter - Heather.
Hazel loved her family and home, she was a good wife and mother. She held a keen interest in her community and church. She was the Sunday School Treasurer, then Sunday School Superintendant at Knox United Church for 15 years.
She worked for a time as collector for the CPR dray business of Andy's, as a clerk for Joe Bain in his Furniture and Appliance shop, chef at Paintearth Lodge and then Matron of Paintearth Lodge from 1962-1974 when she retired.
After Andy's passing, she came to live in Calgary with her daughter Heather. She moved into Shouldice Lodge for a few years, and when her health was deteriorating, she moved to Bethany Care Centre Calgary in 1981.
Hazel was predeceased by her husband Andrew June 18, 1976, her son Richard February 24, 1981; one brother George and 3 sisters - Elsie, Clara and Pearl.
She is survived by her son Allan (Mollie) of Kingston, Ont., their children Deborah and Kevin; her daughter Heather (Dennis) Williams of Calgary, their children Darryl, Bonnie and Colleen; her Daughter-in-law Peggy (Allen, Wilkie) Brown and her daughters Janice and Jacqueline of Castor, 2 brothers Ross Weeks of Stettler and Omar Weeks of Kelowna; many nieces,nephews, and friends. Also one great granddaughter Jena .

Interment at Castor Cemetery.

Cause of Death - Complications of femur fracture, Parkinsons Disease.


Eulogy of Hazel (Weeks) Wilkie by Fred McHenry
Picture, if you will, 1906 when a small family abandons its efforts at tobacco farming in Tillsonburg, Ont and winds its way West to seek better fortunes in Alberta. Gazing at the stars as the covered wagon approaches their perspective homestead near the hamlet of Bulwark is a tiny one year old girl, Hazel Weeks.

Some four years later, she looses her mother in childbirth leaving her father with the unenviable task of raising a family of seven. It is a tough life in the lean-to shack where the children rapidly learn to fend for themselves. It is through this experience that Hazel develops a resourcefulness, which will support her well in later life. She walks daily barefooted the five miles to the Knob Hill School but his only in the better weather of summer for obvious reasons. Out to work at the tender age of 12 year, she is hired full time three years later as a domestic maid by an English family, the Belchers. It is they who train her in a much more sophisticated lifestyle - one of silver tea services and cutlery and a uniform of a quality that she had never experienced before.

Into Hazel's life comes Andy Wilkie, a tough Scot, a former coal miner, who has taken to delivering fuel to the rural areas surrounding the town of Castor. The relationship blossoms into one which is close and permanent. The year is 1926 and the wedding date is set for December 13, a date which is Andy's birthday and one which ironically was last Sunday when Hazel parted with us and this world. Married on a Saturday and back to work on a Monday, there was neither time nor the wealth for honeymoons in those days. Settling down in a two-room house, they had greater aspirations, moving ultimately to their pride and joy, a beautiful home overlooking the creek in a superb natural setting on the outskirts of Castor.

With a fervor for the quality and wellbeing of their community, Andy and Hazel develop an insatiable urge to participate and contribute; from construction of the curling rink to organizing bonspiels to development of the Elks playground. They are often the catalyst which solidified community support. To them it is more important to fund a community project than it is to afford a new dress or enjoy a vacation. Truly, they believe in a Castor community based on support one for another and all together.
And as they take pride in their developing family, Allan, Richard and Heather they instill in them the values, which they share with each other. They choose their friends not on the basis of what the friend can do for them, but rather what they can do for the friend. From the crusty Dr. McCartney to the lowliest CPR labourer, they choose their acquaintances not based on outward appearance, but rather on the quality of the inner person beneath the skin. With a strong bond to her United Church, Hazel has an innate faith in people which is unshakable and she is rewarded by their corresponding faith in her.

Easy going by nature and down to earth in her approach to life, Hazel tends to be the unflappable Mother and wife. She is one who can take the time to enjoy nature surrounding her and on the other hand an industrious mistress of her kitchen which had few equals for excellence.

If there is one disappointment in Hazel's life it is that of missing out on the opportunity for education; with an instinctive tendency for caring for others she would have been a natural in the nursing profession. But the opportunity comes in a different form; a chance to work at the Painearth Seniors Lodge in Castor. Unsure of her abilities when she is chosen as the Matron of the lodge, she demonstrates to herself and to others her willingness to succeed. She is a person who believes that the elderly can and do enjoy each other together in a setting where they do not become a burden on the younger generation. At the same time she believes in the respect and the need of privacy in one's own room. These are the fundamentals which she preached as a Matron, fundamentals which created an atmosphere of caring and self-support. Truly this becomes one of Hazel's greatest achievements, one in which she can take a great deal of pride. This is the success which is implicitly expressed in the fact that her retirement is delayed three years beyond the normal age of 65.

There is no doubt that Hazel's sense of caring and concern for others is evident in her later years in Shouldice and more recently in the Bethany. If I was to describe the Hazel whom I have known and grown to enjoy for over half of my lifetime, I would have to say it in three simple words
"humble, accepting and caring".

Of those seven brothers and sisters of the Weeks family who had to fend for themselves on the Bulwark homestead there remain Ross who lives in Stettler and Omar in Kelowna. Of Hazel's children, Heather, who has cared for her so faithfully is with us today, but Allan was not able to travel from Kingston, Ontario. There is no doubt that Hazel took great pride in all her grandchildren as she watched them grow and mature.
Darryl, Bonnie and Colleen
Kevin and Debra
Jackie and Janice
And her great granddaughter, Jena

Think back; the one year old on the wagon trek West, the barefooted school girl, the young wife and mother and the Matron who had a strong penchant for caring. Hazel brought to this world much more than she took from it and the world is a better place for her having been part of it.

Death:
at Bethany Care Centre, Calgary
Cause, Parkinson's Disease, Complications fractured hip

Hazel married Andrew Wilkie on 13 Dec 1926 in Castor, Paintearth County, Alberta, Canada. Andrew (son of David Wilkie and Ann Scott) was born on 13 Dec 1900 in Crossgates, Dunfermline Parish, Fife, Scotland; died on 18 Jun 1976 in Castor, Paintearth County, Alberta, Canada; was buried on 24 Jun 1976 in Castor Cemetery, Castor, Paintearth County, Alberta, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. David Allan Wilkie was born on 4 Apr 1930 in Castor, Paintearth County, Alberta, Canada; died on 15 May 2013 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
2. Richard Andrew Wilkie was born on 25 Jun 1939 in Castor, Paintearth County, Alberta, Canada; died on 24 Feb 1981 in Heisler, Alberta, Canada; was buried on 27 Feb 1981 in Castor Cemetery, Castor, Paintearth County, Alberta, Canada.
3. V.H. Wilkie

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• 1901 Census: 1901, Tillsonburg, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1901 Canada Census
• Religion: 1901; Presbyterian

Notes:

BIRTH:
March 21, 1870, Ira Weeks, Male, son of Isaac Weeks and Nancy Westbrook,
Occupation of Father - Farmer; Informant: Isaac Weeks at South Norwich,
Oxford Cty, March 28, 1870. Source: LDS Film # 1844884; # 4693 - 70.

1871 Census - listed with his parents, siblings
Weeks, Ira, male, age 1, birthplace Ontario, Origin German.

*1901 Census 93 Norfolk, c-2 Middleton, Page 6, Line 7-10*
Weeks, Ira, Male, White, Head, Married, Born Mar 21, 1870, Age 31, Birthplace rural Ontario, Origin English, Religion Presbyterian, Farmer
Weeks, Roxie A., Female, White, Wife, Married, Born Oct. 16, 1876, Origin German, Religion Baptist
Weeks, Clara S., Female, White, Daughter, Single, Born July 18, 1898, Age 2, Birthplace rural Ontario, English, Baptist Religion
Weeks, Pearl A., Female, White, Daughter, Single, Born Mar. 13, 1900, Age 1, English, Baptist

Schedule 2 1901 Census Info:
Middleton, Lot 6, Conc. 4 NTR, 1 wood house with 3 rooms, 40 acres, 1 barn.

Clipping of Obituary from Castor Advance weekly newspaper - Thursday May 31, 1951
Ira Weeks, 81, passes Tuesday
A pioneer of the Knob Hill district, Mr. Ira Weeks, passed away at the Castor Hospital on Tuesday, May 29th, at the age of 81. He had been in ill health for some time.
Born in Tillsonburg, Ontario in 1870, he came as far west as Lacombe in 1905 and the following year brought his family out and settled in Knob Hill area, 22 miles east of the present town of Castor. In later years he moved to Castor and six years ago went to live with his oldest son at Fleet. His wife predeceased him in 1911.
He leaves to mourn his loss, two sons. Homer* of Vancouver and Ross of Fleet; three daughters, Mrs. Clara Quaife of Rimbey, Mrs. Pearl Strome and Mrs. Hazel Wilkie, both of Castor; 24 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; 3 brothers, two in Ontario and one in Chilliwack, B.C. and a sister in Ontario.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 01, at 2:30 p.m. at the Markham Chruch, with interment in the Markham cemetery.
Matthias Funeral Home, Castor in charge of arrangements.
* - error - should be Omar


Thursday, June 07, 1951
Funeral services for the late Mr. Ira Weeks, who passed away on May 29, were held on Friday, June 1st, from the Markham Church, with Rev. R. Shantz officiating.
Pallbearers were Messrs. Joseph Wideman, Wilmot Wideman, William Seth, Rav Davey, and A. Geiger.
Beautiful floral tributes were received from: The Family; Knox United Church W.A., Mr and Mrs. Ernest Wimmer, Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Holloway;, Mr. and Mrs C.S. Johnson; Mr. and Mrs. R. Holloway; Mr and Mrs. D. Holloway.
Mr. W. Wideman and girls; Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Quaife; Friends of Fleet community and Mr. and Mrs. D. Morasch.


Source of Death Certificate: Vital Stats of AB, Pre Reg. # 154977; Reg # 08-003883

Family Legend by Ross Weeks and Pearl (Weeks) Strome
In the spring of 1905, Ira Weeks came from Tillsonburg, Ontario to Lacombe AB. He found work there for the winter, lived in a tar paper shack, and filed on a homestead. The next spring, his wife Roxy( ANDRESS) and five children came by CPR to join him. They lived for a month in Lacombe then put their belongings onto a wagon, hitched up the cayuses, Polly and Gin, and headed for the homestead, a 101 miles to the East.
For two nights we slept on quilts out under the stars and got to the homestead on May 08, 1906. On the way Dad had to buy a loaf of bread, costing 35 cents, a very high price in those days.
Dad had only $35.00 in his picket, no house and no well. The first thing he did the next day, he took his spade and went to draw about a quarter of a mile away and dug a shallow pit that soon filled with water so we had a temporary well. We unloaded the packing boxes and the cupboard and then set up a sort of shelter. It was just four big quilts fastened to upright poles, with a canvas over top, and we called it the "Quilt House". It stood right out on the open plain, just a little shelter for all of us and we lived in it until early winter.
To start our house, Dad dug a trench one spade-width all around a rectangle 6'x24'. Then all summer long, Mother dug the dirt out to a depth of five feet. While she was doing this Dad was busy cutting logs and hauling them from Beaver Dam Creek - 3 1/2 miles North of the homestead which was on NW 1/2-22-38-12-W4, about 6 miles NW of Bulwark. The neighbours came and helped put the logs up and the roof on. Chinking had to be done with small pieces of wood nailed over the cracks and then smeared with mud. The dirt walls were covered with rough lumber to keep them from caving in. We had just a plain dirt floor that winter.
When it came to digging the well, Dad dug while Mother pulled the dirt and mud up out of the well in a heavy bucket attached by a rope to a big windlass. It was heavy work.
It was beautiful country and we enjoyed going barefoot all summer. We had a good garden because Dad ploughed up a garden patch and we planted potatoes right in the fresh sod.
The following year, Dad bought four oxen, for which he paid $35.00 each. He had earned money by hauling freight loads of lumber and supplies from Stettler. He still had the cayuses, which he kept for many years. The little blue roan, called Polly, lived a long life for a horse, 38 years and raised many fine colts. Dad finally gave her to a neigbhouring family, the Stoffers.
Father ploughed sod for a barn and built it. He bought a roan cow from Mrs. (Maxfield) Williams who had a grocery store at Brownfield. Ross never liked the milk because to him it had a peculiar flavour. Besides the cow, we had some chickens and 2 guinea fowl.
Ross remembers an old song on the gramophone that said "J stands for Jersey City where the mosquitoes weigh a pound" and that, he says, certainly applies to the ones on the homestead. He remembers going with his father on one trip when they had to camp out for the night and sleep under the wagon. The oxen were turned loose to take comfort in a slough. The mosquitoes were so bad, that you couldn't leave your head uncovered or they would grab you by the ear or throat, and you'd have quite a battle going.
In the fall, Mother was really sick. She had pneumonia, and we though that she wasn't going to pull through, but God spared her for us. One windy night Mom and Dad carried all of us to the dug out part of the new house as they thought the Quilt House would blow away. We didn't know anything about it until the next morning. Three-day rains were a problem too, in the Quilt House, and that summer we had three of them, everything getting soaked but one big bed. For firewood we had only small brush and green wood, so it had to be kept dry somehow.
Winter 1906-07 was sure a hard winter. Six feet of snow on the level. Bitter cold. Snow came October 16 and snow was still around the bush until June 12. Mr Kelly, a neighbour, had gone to get us a load of wood as we had no coal. By the time he had the wood loaded, twas dark, the snow was deep, his team tired, it was snowing and blowing, but he stayed all night in the bush. He cut branches to keep a little fire going to keep from freezing. Next morning, he came to our place nearly blinded with smoke. He wouldn't come in the evening as he knew Dad was away to Stettler for freight. Mother gave him a good breakfast.
Next spring when the French Creek was flooding, the oldest Doering girls had a horse and buggy and were on their way to see their sister Bertha, who was working for Mr. Gorrell. The current was so high and strong that the girls were thrown into the stream and drowned. The horse broke loose and was found grazing in the coulee. Mr. Chabrier lived in a little log house near the coulee, and he showed the folks where the girls were in the creek. They were buried on a high hill on the Doering homestead. Later on in the summer, the mailman called Shortie, lost his team and mail sacks in the same creek when the water was high. He managed to swim to safety.
For the first few years, we got our mail at O'Delville, 18 miles W of our place. There was a grocery store there, where we could get our supplies. In 1909, we got our mail at Lindsville, where there was also a small store and post office. There was, also later, a post office at Lorraine, on the old Seamans place, and we have several postcards with that address.
In the summer of 1908, Knob HIll school was built, just a mile west of our place. Miss Lord was the first teacher and she boarded with the Ellis Warrens. Other teachers were Miss Pearl Howe, Mr. Purdy, and Jack Haynes.
The families that started that year to attend Knob Hill wre those of:
T.C. Gorrell (farmer): Roy Lawsen, Charlie Grover, Laura Gladys, Bert and Alice. They lived 3 miles NW of the school.
Charlie Coyne (carpenter) Cyril, Ila, Lillian, Thecia, Bernice. They lived 2 miles W. of us.
White: Eldon, Thorton, Floyd. Lived 1/2 mile East of us.
Tom Gordon: Louis, Gregory, Fay. Lived 1 mile SE.
Chabrier: Emile, Edmond, Marcel. Lived 3/4 m SE
Martin Ice: Ruth, Amry, Marjorie. Lived 1/2 m West.
Mrs Hall, Albert and Hilda.
Mrs Fred Logan: Laura, Lucy Rosie, Mabel.
Ira Weeks: Clara, Pearl, Ross, Elsie, and Hazel.
We had a good time with the neighbours. In 1909, Ross, Clara and I became janitors at the school. Ross built the fires, Clara and I did the cleaning, and generally had to split wood besides. For pay we received 5 cents a day in the summer, and 10 cents a day in the winter. When we quit, the pay went up to 25 cents a day and has kept spiralling to what it is today. Quite a difference.
We walked to school summer and winter, and didn't have many warm clothes for the cold weather. We had to spread lard on our bread instead of butter, and the Chabrier kids and Ross used to go North of our place about 2 miles on Sunday and shoot bush rabbits for food.
For entertainment, we had Box socials once in a while, or square dances. Sometimes a group would get up a big debate and try to outdo each other with logic. There were not many sports days, but on July 1st, we were given about 15 cents to spend and we had a good time on that. Maybe an orange, an ice cream cone, and 5 cents worth of all-day suckers.
T.C. Gorrell and his three boys all had homesteads in the Knob Hill district. Tom had a saw-mill and sawed the lumber for T. J. Coppock's big house, where Doug now lives and for the houe that the Gorrells lived in, in which M. K. Christiansen lived in until spring 1973. I well remember when George Sullivan worked at the saw mill and had one arm cut off. They hitched the driving team to the buggy and took off for Stettler and the doctor.
In 1908, Mother took a milk pail, several small pails and five kids, and walked 3 1/2 miles to the beaver Dam Crek to pick Saskatoons. She made three such trips and canned 40 quarts. In the summer Dad had Mr. Gorrell break thirty acres of land with the big steam engine and 14-bottom plough. The crop in 1911 was good, but frost wiped out the hopes of nearly all the neighbours. Dad's crop was not frozen and he sold it next spring for seed wheat.
In 1911, Mom's mother (Charity Sophronia) took very ill, so Mom and the four smaller children went back East (Ontario) for a visit. On the trip home, Mom became ill, lived for a month, passed away, leaving Dad with seven children. Clara was 13, I was 11, and the youngest Omar was just two. But we baked bread, and scrubbed clothes on the washboard and helped to cook and look after the family. Dad bought a windmill and a grinder and we used to grind grain for the neighbourhood at 10 cents cwt. Many were the sacks we ground. Ross was especially good at the mill.
In the fall of 1911, Ross had an accident. He jumped off the slant-roof shed on the back of the school barn, caught his foot on the top wire of the fence, and broke his elbow. He had to be taken to Calgary to have it set and as Dad didn't have that much money on hand, Dr. JJ McPherson loaned him $50.00. Ross was away three weeks at the Holy Cross Hospital, Dr. McPherson wa a very kind man.
Somebody must have complained about us to the authorities, because that fall, the police and one man came to see us. Dad was away so they looked the house over. We had just baked 14 big loaves of bread, and had a quarter of beef on the table. Someone wanted to split the family up, but Dad wouldn't hear of it.
When Dad sold his frozen grain the next year, he got only 35 cents a bushel. but he repaid Dr. McPherson. However, Dad had a loan on his homestead and because he couldn't meet his payment in 1913, he lost it and we had to move into a tent for the summer. ( The loan was taken at the time Roxy went East to see her family, also to Gorrell to clear more of the homestead, as required by the Homestead Act, then later when Roxy died, more financial troubles, poor crop) A most difficult time.
That year the CPR and CNR were both putting railways into French Coulee. Grade was built and track was laid from Coronation to Bulwark, and this was used for some years. However the track from Bulwark to Lorraine Bridge was abandoned and the bridge was removed a few years later. Crews that were working on the projects were those of Sharkey and Homes, who were camped down in the valley; Foley and Coughlin, who were up on the level, and Sandeens, who had a big steam shovel working in French Coulee.
Ross adds the following information:
Clara, who married Charlie Quaife in 1915, lived in Bulwark for quite a few years, where Charlie did blacksmithing. They moved down to Taber.
Pearl maried Milton Strome in 1917, and moved to the Castor district.
Ross married Zillah Irene Troyer.
Elsie worked for the Kishes who lived up near the river. She took an attack of appendicitis and died when she was about 17.
Hazel married Andy Wilkie, and lives in Castor. She was Matron of the Paintearth Lodge from 1968-1973.
Two brothers were born in Alberta, George and Omar.
George died when he was about 12.
Omar lives in Vancouver. He married Dorothy Dettlaff, whose family lives South of Throne.


That was our start in Sunny Alberta.

PS: Many early settlers describe the mosquitoes as being so bad in the 'early days'. The mosquitoes could be so bad, that a team of oxen would not plough, but if a farmer tried, the oxen, plough and all would just head for the sloughs. Source: The Ice Family Story

Also the bad winter of 1906-07 was the worst ever. Snow was so deep that the buildings were all buried. One could walk right over the top of the house, barn and henhouse.

Farming schedules or routines; The day would start at 3 am, and lasted until 9 am when the oxen were rested for the next shift that started at 3 pm and lasted until 9 pm. Usually 20 half mile rounds were made each day.


Markham Cemetery is located approx. 8 miles NE of Castor, AB

Ira married Roxy Alvina Andress on 20 Apr 1898 in Aylmer, Elgin County, Ontario, Canada. Roxy (daughter of George Neale Andress and Charity Sophronia (Fray) Andress) was born on 16 Oct 1876 in Cultus, Houghton Twp, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada; died on 10 Sep 1911 in Castor, Paintearth County, Alberta, Canada; was buried in Markham Cemetery, Paintearth County, Alberta, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: 1901; Baptist

Notes:

Birth Registration: Roxa Alvina Andrews
Date: October 16, 1876
Female
Father: George Neal Andrews
Mother: Charity Sophronia Fray
Occupation of Father: Farmer
Informant: Mrs. C.S. Andrews, Walsingham
Source: LDS Film # 1845212; 18469 -77


*1901 Census 93 Norfolk c-2 Middleton Page 6, Line 8*
Weeks, Roxie A., Female, White, Wife, Married, Born Oct. 16, 1876, Origin
German, Religion Baptist


Registration of Death:
Roxy Alzina Weeks
Date of Death: Sept. 10, 1911
Place of Death: Castor Hospital, AB
Female
Age: 35 years
Married
Birthplace; Cultus, Norfolk Cty Ontario
Cause of Death: Incomplete Abortion
Physician: JJ McPherson MD
Relgion: Baptist
Source: Vital Statistics Record Canada, Province of AB, No. 2593 -0 of 1911

Notes:

Married:
Marriage Rgistration:
Groom; Ira Weeks
Age: 28 years
Residence; Dereham, Ont.
Birthplace: Norwich, Ont.
Bachelor
Occupation: Farmer
Parents: Isaac Weeks, and Nancy Westbrook
Bride; Roxy A. Andress
Age: 21 years
Residence: Tillsonburg, Ont.
Birthplace: Walsingham,Ont.
Spinster
Parents: George Andrews and Charity Andress* Spellings of these
names kept changing from Andrews to Andress in same documents.
Witnesses: Edward J. Moore, Walsingham; Minnie Andress, Houghton
Date of Marriage; April 20, 1898, Aylmer, Ont.
Religion: Baptist
Minister: C. H. Kimball by licence
Source: LDS Film # 1870920; #4368-98

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Farmer
• Religion: Presbyterian
• Residence: Lot 24, Conc 10, 11. Post Office Springford, Ontario
• 1851 Census: 1851, Dereham Twp, Canada West, Canada; 1851 Canadian Census
• 1871 Census: 1871, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1871 Canada Census
• 1881 Census: 1881, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1881 Canada Census
• 1891 Census: 1891, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1891 Canada Census
• 1901 Census: 1901, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1901 Canada Census
• 1911 Census: 1911, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1911 Canada Census

Notes:

1871 CENSUS Oxford
Weeks, Isaac age 27, birthplace, Ontario, Religion - Presbyterian;
Occupation - Farmer district 013, Sub Dist. B Division 1, Page 22,
National Archives, Reel C9910
Weeks, Isaac, male, age 27, birthplace Ontario, religion * unable to decipher, Origin German, Occupation Farmer, married
Weeks, Nancy, female, age 30, birthplace Ontario, Origin German, married
Weeks, Ransom, male, age 3, birthplace Ontario, Origin German,
Weeks, Ira, male, age 1, birthplace Ontario, Origin German.
125 acres of land, 1 house dwelling, 1 carriage, 2 wagons, 3 ploughs, 1 fanning mill, Concession 11, Lot 24, owner, 4 acres in garden/orchards,, 90 bushels fall wheat, 55 bushels rye, 141 bushels peas, 100 bushels corn, 1/2 acre potatoes, 90 bushels potatoes.

Historical Atlas County of Oxford:
Lists Isaac weeks as freeholder at Lot 24, Concession 10, 11; PO Springford.

1881 Cdn census; NAC C-13266, Dist 165, SubDist A, Div 3, Page 14, Fami # 69
Isaac Weeks family was documented as MEEKS - truly an error and took me several months to find them under this surname
Isaac Meeks, Male, Married, Age 37, Birthplace Ontario, Farmer, Methodist
Nancy Meeks, Female, Married Age 40, Birthplace Ontario, Methodist
Ransom Meeks, Male, Age 13, Methodist
Ira Meeks, Male, Age 11, Methodist
Sherman Meeks, Male, Age 8, Methodist
Ann Meeks, Female, Age 5, Methodist
Henry Meeks, Male, Age 2, Methodist
Isaac O. Meeks, Male, Age 1, Mehtodist

1891 Cdn Census; Page 21
Isaac Weeks, Male, Age 47, Married, Presbyterian, Farmer
Nancy Weeks, Female, Age 50, Wife
Ransom Weeks, Male, Age 23, Farmer's Son
Ira Weeks, Male, Age 21, Farmer's Son
Sherman Weeks, Age 18, Son
Annie Weeks, Female, Age 15, Daughter
Henry Weeks, Male, Age 12, Son
Isaac A. Weeks, Male, Age 10, Son
Omar A. Weeks, Male, Age 6, Son
George M. Weeks, Male, Age 4, Son



*1901 Census 93 Norfolk b-5 Dereham, Page 8, Line 1-9*
Weeks, Isaac, Male, white, Head, Married, Born 27 Jan 1844, age 57, Birthplace rural Ontario, Origin Scotch, Canadian, Religion Presbyterian, Farmer
Weeks, Nancy, Female, White, Wife, Married, Born 29 Aug. 1840, age 60, Birthplace rural Ontario, Origin Dutch, Canadian, Presbyterian
Weeks, Ransom, Male, W., Son, Single, Born 2 Sept 1867, age 33, Birthplace rural Ontario, Origin Scotch, Presby, Farmer
Weeks, Annie M., Female, W., Daughter, Single, born 30 April 1875, Age 25, Birthplace rural Ont., Presby.
Weeks, Henry, Male, W., Son, Single, Born 23 July 1878, Age 22, Rural Ontario, Presby., Farmer
Weeks, Isaac A., Male, W., Son, Single, Born 19 Nov. 1880, age 20, Rural Ontario, Presby, Farmer
Weeks, Omar A., Male, W., Son, Single, Born 25 Nov. 1884, Age 16, Rural Ontario, Presby.,
Weeks, George M., Male, W., Son, Single, Born 2 Dec. 1886, Age 14, Rural Ontario, Presby,
Westbrook, Poly A., Female, White, Mother in Law, Widow, born 11 Sept 1820, Age 80, Birthplace United States, Immigrated 1825, English, Religion Methodist.
Schedule 2 stated the land location was Lot 4, Lot 5, Conc. 9, wooden house, 2 wooden homes vacant, 1 house has 11 rooms, Total acres 400, 5 barn/granaries etc.

Isaac: A Hebrew name meaning 'He (God) may laugh', see the story explaining the name ( Gen18:9ff) Isaac was the child promised to the aged Abraham and Sarah and honoured by Jews and Christians as one of the founding patriarchs of the Chosen People. There are 8 saints, mostly of the early years of Christianity. Still used occasionally among Christian Jews (Messianic Jews) it has othrwise dropped out of use. Saints Day - 9 Sept.

About the year 1875, the home farm on the 9 concession of Dereham was divided
into two farms. Each farm was one field wide and a mile long - so Joseph and Isaac
farmed the old homestead with Joseph having lot 5 and Isaac lot 4. A little later
Isaac acquired the remainder of the land from lot 4 to Cranberry Road, and this land
was divided crosswise. Henry Weeks farmed the south east half and Ransom
farmed the North east half. Source: Springford Tweedsmuir Women's Institute, copy by volunteer in Norwich Library, Archives.

1911 Census, Ontario, Oxford South, Dereham, District 4, Page 6
Lines 8-12, Household # 56
Weeks, Isaac, Male, Head, Married, Born Jan 1844, Age 67, Ontario, German, Canadian, Presbyterian, Farmer
Weeks, Nancy, Female, Wife, Married, Born Aug 1840, Age 70, Ontario, German, Canadian, Presbyterian
Weeks, Henry, Male, Son, Single, Born Jul 1878, Age 32, Ontario, German, Canadian, Presbyterian, Farmer
Weeks, George, Male, Son, Single, Born Nov 1886, Age 24, Ontario, German, Canadian, Presbyterian, Farmer
Palen, Roy, Male, Servant*, Single,Born Dec 1894, Age 16, Ontario,

Death Certificate: Source OVS Death 1931, Page 382, Reg # 026795
Place & Date of death: Oxford Cty., South Norwich Twp, Sept 20, 1931
Name: Isaac Weeks of 10 Conc Lot 24
Sex: Male
Racial: English
Widower
Birthplace: Ontario
Date of Birth: January 28, 1844
Age: 87, 6 mos, 23 days
Farmer
Cause of Death: Arterio Sclerotic Change
Res: 2 yrs at place of Death, lifetime in Ontario
Father: Joseph Weeks, Birthplace Canada
Mother: Charity Kern, Birthplace Canada
Informant: Mrs. James E. Butler (Anna) Daughter
Burial: New Road Cemetery on Sept 22, 1931
Registered: 22 Sept 1931



Burial in New Road Cemeterty, Conc. 10/ Lot 26, South Norwich Twp, Oxford Cty., Lot 14 D. Tombstone states 'Isaac Weeks 1844 - 1931'

Isaac married Mary Nancy Westbrook on 5 Aug 1866 in Ingersoll, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of Benjamin Westbrook and Polly Ann Hall) was born on 30 Aug 1840 in Durham Cty, Ontario, Canada; died on 17 Jan 1925 in Tillsonburg, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; was buried on 19 Jan 1925 in New Road Cemetery, S. Norwich Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1871 Census: 1871, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1871 Canada census
• 1881 Census: 1881, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1881 Canada census
• 1891 Census: 1891, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1891 Canada Census
• 1901 Census: 1901, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1901 Canada Census
• 1911 Census: 1911, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1911 Canada census

Notes:

1851 Census Dereham Twp, Oxford Cty, comprising the West half from the Middleton Line
Line 28 - 31
Benj Westbrook, Farmer, Birthplace Canada W, Baptist, Age 37, Married, 1 male member absent, living in a 1 story log house
Polly Westbrook, Birthplace States, Baptist, Age 32, Married,
Elizabeth Westbrook, Birthplace Canada W, Female, Age 14
Nancy Westbrook, Birthplace Canada W., Female, Age 12
Clinton Westbrook, Birthplace Canada W., Age 10

1861 Census Reel 1060, Calgary Public Library
Line 13 - 17
Benj Westbrook, F ( for farmer), Place of Birth UC, Age 45
Polly Ann Westbrook, birthplace U.S., age 41
Nancy Westbrook, Birthplace U.C., age 20
H. C. Westbrook Birthplace U.C., age 19
Polly Jane Westbrook, Birthplace U.C., age 5


1871 CENSUS Oxford
Weeks, Isaac age 27, birthplace, Ontario, Religion - Presbyterian;
Occupation - Farmer district 013, Sub Dist. B Division 1, Page 22,
National Archives, Reel C9910
Weeks, Isaac, male, age 27, birthplace Ontario, religion * unable to decipher, Origin German, Occupation Farmer, married
Weeks, Nancy, female, age 30, birthplace Ontario, Origin German, married
Weeks, Ransom, male, age 3, birthplace Ontario, Origin German,
Weeks, Ira, male, age 1, birthplace Ontario, Origin German.
125 acres of land, 1 house dwelling, 1 carriage, 2 wagons, 3 ploughs, 1 fanning mill, Concession 11, Lot 24, owner, 4 acres in garden/orchards,, 90 bushels fall wheat, 55 bushels rye, 141 bushels peas, 100 bushels corn, 1/2 acre potatoes, 90 bushels potatoes.

1881 Cdn census; NAC C-13266, Dist 165, SubDist A, Div 3, Page 14, Fami # 69
Isaac Weeks family was documented as MEEKS - truly an error and took me several months to find them under this surname
Isaac Meeks, Male, Married, Age 37, Birthplace Ontario, Farmer, Methodist
Nancy Meeks, Female, Married Age 40, Birthplace Ontario, Methodist
Ransom Meeks, Male, Age 13, Methodist
Ira Meeks, Male, Age 11, Methodist
Sherman Meeks, Male, Age 8, Methodist
Ann Meeks, Female, Age 5, Methodist
Henry Meeks, Male, Age 2, Methodist
Isaac O. Meeks, Male, Age 1, Mehtodist

1891 Cdn Census; Page 21
Isaac Weeks, Male, Age 47, Married, Presbyterian, Farmer
Nancy Weeks, Female, Age 50, Wife
Ransom Weeks, Male, Age 23, Farmer's Son
Ira Weeks, Male, Age 21, Farmer's Son
Sherman Weeks, Age 18, Son
Annie Weeks, Female, Age 15, Daughter
Henry Weeks, Male, Age 12, Son
Isaac A. Weeks, Male, Age 10, Son
Omar A. Weeks, Male, Age 6, Son
George M. Weeks, Male, Age 4, Son


*1901 Census 93 Norfolk, b-5 Dereham, Page 8, Line 2*
Weeks, Nancy, Female, White, Wife, Married, Born 29 Aug. 1840, age 60,
Birthplace rural Ontario, Origin Dutch, Canadian, Presbyterian

1911 Census, Ontario, Oxford South, Dereham, District 4, Page 6
Lines 8-12, Household # 56
Weeks, Isaac, Male, Head, Married, Born Jan 1844, Age 67, Ontario, German, Canadian, Presbyterian, Farmer
Weeks, Nancy, Female, Wife, Married, Born Aug 1840, Age 70, Ontario, German, Canadian, Presbyterian
Weeks, Henry, Male, Son, Single, Born Jul 1878, Age 32, Ontario, German, Canadian, Presbyterian, Farmer
Weeks, George, Male, Son, Single, Born Nov 1886, Age 24, Ontario, German, Canadian, Presbyterian, Farmer

St Thomas Times Journal newspaper, 20 Jan 1925, Pg 4, col 3
Death - Mrs Isaac Weeks in her 85th year Jan 17 1925

Death Registration:
Nancy Weeks, Female, English origin, married, died Saturday, January 17, 1925 at Tillsonburg, Ontario; age being 84 years, 4 mos, 18 days. Her father was Ben Westbrook, his birthplace - Canada; Her mother was Polly Ann Hall, birthplace - USA.
Informant: Isaac Weeks, husband of Tillsonburg, Ontario.
Cause of Death: # neck of femur, followed by pneumonia.
Date of Burial: Monday, January 19, 1925.
Source: LDS Film # 2057334; # 24977 - 25

Burial is at New Road Cemetery, Conc. 10/Lot 26, South Norwich Twp, Oxford County,
Tombstone states'Nancy wife of Isaac Weeks 1840-1925



The name Mary is the English form of the Hebrew name 'Mirian' meaning 'desired' or 'longed for'. The most popular and enduring of the female names throughout Europe. It was a popular name at the time of Christ; there was Mary Magdala, Mary - the mother of James etc. Its popularity in later centuries was due to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. It was a common Christian name at first, witness several early Christian saints; then for several hundred years the name of the Mother of God was considered too holy to be used. It was not until the 12th century that it gradually came to be used throughout Europe and grew in popularity. Many other female names are derived from 'Mary'

Nancy - Its origins are uncertain but it first emerged as a familiar form of 'Ann'; then in the USA became an independent name.

Notes:

Married:
Marriage:
Weeks, Isaac C, 22, Dereham, Canada, s/o Joseph and Charly, married
4 August 1866, Mary Westbrook, 25, Dereham, Canada, d/o Ben and Polly ann.
Source: Marriage Register Vol Page 145


Marriage Certificate - copy of original (Gerald Beaman has the original)
This is to certify that Mr. Isaac Weeks of the Township of Dereham in the County of Oxford and Province of Canada, and Miss Mary Westbrook of the Township of Dereham in the County of Oxford and Province aforesaid, were duly and legally Married by me, Rev. Thos. Batwin, Pastor of the Regular Baptist Church in Ingersoll C.W., on the fifth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six by virtue of a Special License, and the authority vested in me by the Laws of the Province of Canada.
As Witness my hand the day and year hereinbefore written
Witnesses:
Helen Westbrook ? (hard to decipher handwriting)
A.n Clark

Thos. Batwin, Baptist Minister
Form was printed from Baptist Book Room, Church Street, corner of King, Toronto

George married Charity Sophronia (Fray) Andress in 1850 in Unknown. Charity (daughter of William Fray and Susanna Kern) was born on 12 Jun 1831 in St. Williams, Ontario, Canada; died on 17 Jan 1913 in Aylmer, Elgin County, Ontario, Canada; was buried in Cultus Cemetery, Cultus, Houghton Twp, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Marriage:
Weeks, Amos, age 65 of Tilsonburg, birthplace Charlotteville,
widower,
Occupation: Farmer, Parents Joseph Weeks and Charity Kern
Witness: ***Ann Armstrong of Dereham
Date of Marriage: Aprill 11, 1897 at Dereham by H. Shaw by license
Religion: Baptist for both bride and groom
Andress, Charity Sophia, age 65, of Tillsonburg, birthplace St. Williams,
widow, Parents were William and Susanna Fray
Witness: Mrs. H. Shalo of Dereham.
Source: LDS Film # 1870918; #11175 - 97.

*1901 Census 93 Norfolk, d-2 Tillsonburg, Page 10, Line 50*
Weeks, Charity, Female, White, Wife, Married, Born 12 June 1832, Age 67, Birthplace rural Ontario, Origin German,

There were no children from Amos Weeks and Charity Andress


1911Census, Ontario, Oxford South, District 37, Page 2
Lines 47-50 & Page 3 Lines 1-3
Weeks, Charity, Female, Head, Widow, Born Jun 1832, Age 79, Ontario, Scotch, Canadian, Presbyterian
Weeks, Roxy, Female, Dtr, Married, Born Oct 1877, Age 34, Ontario, Scotch, Canadian, Presbyterian
Weeks, Elsie, Female, Granddtr, Single, Born Sep 1904, Age 7, Ontario, Scotch, Canadian, Presbyterian
Weeks, Hazel, Female, Granddtr, Single, Born Mar 1905, Age 6, Ontario, Scotch, Canadian, Presbyterian
Weeks, George, Male, Grandson, Single, Born Apr 1908, Age 3, Ontario, Scotch, Canadian, Baptist
Weeks, Omar, Male, Grandson, Single, Born Jun 1909, Age 1, Ontario, Scotch, Canadian, Baptist
Winters, May, Female, Granddtr, Single, Born Aug 1894, Age 17, Ontario, Scotch, Canadian, Baptist, Domestic



Death Registration: Charity Weeks
Female, White
Date of Death: January 17, 1913
Cause of Death: Old Age, Heart Failure
Source; LDS Film # 1854932; #12550 -13.
Location: Elgin Cty, Division of Malahide.
Charity was buried beside her first husband, Geo. Neale ANDRESS at Cultus United Church Cemetery.

Obituary:
Mrs. Charity Weeks, another aged and respected citizen of this section, passed away on Friday last at the home of her son in law, Mr. John Kyte, of Yarmouth. She was in her 83rd year, and the remains were taken to Tillsonburg for interment. Two sons, Thomas and Walter Andrews, of Tillsonburg, and two daughters, Mrs. Kyte of Yarmouth and Mrs. Anger, of Malahide, survive her.

Source: Aylmer Express, Jan 23, pg 1, col 2

* there are some errors in the clipping. Charity was buried in Cultus cemetery with her first husband George Andress. She didn't have a son Thomas nor a dtr married to an Anger. She had a daughter in law whose maiden name was Anger. hw

Other Events and Attributes:

• Land Records: 25 Jun 1828, Walpole Twp, Haldimand County, Upper Canada; Estate Dispersement
• 1851 Census: 1851, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Canada West, Canada; 1851 Canada Census
• Occupation: 1851; Farmer
• Religion: 1851; Universalist
• Land Records: 2 Apr 1853, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; Land Records
• Land Purchase: 2 Jun 1855, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada; 200 acres
• Land Purchase: 16 Jun 1860, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada; 200 acres
• 1861 Census: 1861, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Canada West, Canada; 1861 Canada Census
• 1871 Census: 1871, , Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1871 Canada Census

Notes:

Unproven data -( recd from Slaght connection) ANC file # AFN:1QPV-N3C
Joseph Weeks (Wicks) married Rhoda Carnes. Issue is daughter Rhoda
Weeks(Wicks) married Silas Slaght - a descendant of Job, Job Slaght Jr. Rhoda Weeks and Silas Slaght were married January 29, 1843 See Slaght Genealogy for continuation.

Fact: Joseph Weeks married Charity Kern and children listed are Rhoda and 7 sons; John, Amos, Joseph,Walter, Ira, Ransom, and Isaac. I believe that the Slaght info is still applicable to this family as the Kern surname was often pronounced and spelled 'carnes, Karn'. The error is in naming bride and mother with the same christian name of 'Rhoda'.

#8916 June 25 1828, Daniel Miller Weeks, (heir et law of Amos Weeks) sold to Joseph Weeks 100 acres N 1/2 out of a total of 200 acres of land on Lot 9 concession 8 in Walpole Township, Haldimand County.

#8917 Oct 11 1832, Joseph Weeks sold the above property (100 acres N 1/2) of Lot 9 Concession 8 in Walpole Township to Harrison Oakes for 32 pounds.

Fact: Land Agreements/Documents
Joseph Weeks of Dereham, Ont. bought land Lot 5, Concession 9 issue date 5 1846-02-24 ND, type CL RG Series 01-C1113 ref/vol # 002, Pg 090 ( It seems feasible that Joseph Weeks and family moved to Oxford County about 1832 but it wasn't until 1846 before the Deed was finalized in Joseph's name) hw

Subsequently Joseph Weeks purchased the following land:
in Middleton Lot 9 conc. 4NR, issue date 2 1851-03-28 Series 01-C15 ref/vol 002-068

In Middleton NTR 6, conc 4 date 2 1855-09-24 Series )1 C15 004-027

In Middleton N1/2 4, conc 4,5,7, 1854-02-04 Series CC B3 026-139

In Middleton W1/2 4 4NR issue 4 1853C - lease, Series CC B3 034-510

Eventually all this property was either given, deeded to his respective sons.
Joseph and Isaac remained on the homeplace sections, and
Amos, John, and Walter farmed the land in the Middleton area.


"Family Legend:
Joseph took up a tract of land in Dereham township, Oxford Cty, Concession 9, Lot 5, bordering Cranberry Rd in 1832. ( I am assuming Joseph leased this land from the crown as above documents show this land bought in 1846-hw) . To procure the deed to his property, Joseph rode horseback to Niagara. His neighbours were Indians having a little settlement nearby. The women worked at household tasks together with Charity Weeks and the men worked and hunted together. Joseph and Charity raised their family of eight children here, seven sons and one daughter.
Rhoda married Mr. Slaght and moved to the state of Washington.[ again, I believe, via my research, that Rhoda Wicks is our Rhoda Weeks, and she married Silas Slaght, and moved to Michigan, USA - hw][ Rhoda Weeks and Silas Slaght's son, Cyrenius married Maria Caroline Weeks (his cousin - dtr. of Daniel Weeks and Mary Hawer - hw] John, Amos and Walter took up land from the crown South of Tillsonburg, in Middleton township, Norfolk Cty; and Joseph and Isaac farmed the homestead on the ninth concession of Dereham twp, the homestead being divided into two farms.
There was an almost complete cooperation among these early settlers, and a very deep love of the land. The five brothers would go to one farm, cut down trees, clear a spot for a log cabin, later to be replaced by a larger house and later still by a substantial brick home. Thus they went from farm to farm helping one another. There was very little money; work was done by bees - Relatives and neighbours would gather to build a house or barn, and what happy times these gatherings were. The women came along to help with the meals. Money mattered very little to those early settlers, any lack was made up by trading surplus, and theirs was a very leisured way of life. Not that they didn't work hard - laborious work was done with only an axe and adze at first, later by hand saws, and later still cross-cut saws.
These brothers were the happiest people. They were cutting a home for themselves out of the wilderness and doing it the hard way, and always with a joke and hearty laugh. Whenever there was need, helping hands were ready. In those early times, doctors were few and far between, so the mother took over in illness and usually someone in the neighbourhood with a special knack in caring for the sick would be on call whenever needed. The doctor was seldom called except in serious illness. For the most part, they were a healthy, hearty people.
Much of the land was cleared by oxen, later stumping machines and horses. Water was a very pecious commodity and wells were detected the "witching". Only certain people had the gift of witching and the early settlers firmly believed in this way of finding water. A branched twig of hickory was held firmly in the hands, stem pointing upwards and when the witcher walked over water, even deep in the ground, the stem would turn downwards. Fire was something to be dreaded if uncontrolled. Every care was taken to prevent fires from getting out of control. Wood was used for cooking and heating. A huge cast iron, square stove was used for heating. Huge pieces of wood were placed in the stove and would hold the heat through the night. They were always careful to bank the fire before going to bed, wind the clock and put out the cat." excerpt from family tree documentation by Ola Beaman,Mamie Elizabeth Rouse.


CENSUS
1851 Census: Dereham Township, Micro Film 23
#25, Weeks, Joseph, Born Canada West, Age 49, Univeralist, Married, Farmer, Fram 1 1/2 story house
26, Weeks, Charity, Born Canada West, Age 50, Univeralist, married
27, Weeks, John, Born Canada West, Age 23, Universalist, Single, Labourer
28, Weeks, Amos, Born Canada West, Age 20, Univeralist, Single, Labr.
29, Weeks, Joseph, born Canada West, Age 18, Universalist, Single, Labr.
30, Weeks, Walter, Born Canada West, Age 16, Universalist, Single, Labr.
31, Weeks, Ira, Born Canada West, Age 13, Universalist, Single
32, Weeks, Ransome, Born Canada West, Age 11, Universalist, Single
33, Weeks, Isaac, Born Canada West, Age 9, Universalist, Single

1861 Canadian Census, Roll C-1060-1061; Library And Archives Canada, Pg 72, Dereham Twp, Oxford Cty, Canada West
Joseph Weeks, Male, Head, Age 57, Birthplace Canada West, Universalist, Farmer
Charity Weeks, Wife, Married, Age 58,
Joseph Weeks, Son, Single, Age 27
Walter Weeks, Son, Single, Age 25
Ira Weeks, Son, Single, Age 24
Isaac Weeks, Son, Single, Age 18

1871 Census: Joseph WEEKES age 67, birthplace Ontario, Religion - Universalist, Origin - English, Occupation - Farmer District 013, Sub Dist. A Division 1 Page 94
Weeks, Joseph, male, age 67, birthplace Ontario, religion Universalist, origin Scotch, Occupation: F
Weeks, Charity, female, age 68, birthplace Ontario, religion Universalist, Origin Dutch, married
Weeks, Joseph junior, male, age 37, birthplace Ontario, religion Universalist, Origin Scotch, single. Livestock comprised of horses, 5 milch cows, 14 horned cattle, 22 sheep, 23 swine, 200 pounds of butter, 80 pounds of wood.

Burial Certificate Film # 1853224, # 10805-78 VS , Ontario.
Joseph Weeks
Died 13 Dec. 1878, male, 75 years old, Occupation - Farmer, Birthplace Norfolk Cty,
Cause of Death - old age
Informant: Brinton P. Brown
When Registered: 12 Dec. 1878**
Registrar: Geo Fish.
** (note the regisered date is prior to the date given for death -??hw)

Indenture on 7 September 1868 between Joseph Weeks (elder) of Twp of Dereham, Cty of Oxford, Prov. of Ontario. and his son Joseph Weeks (younger)
"That in consideration of $2500 of lawful money of Canada, Joseph (elder) sells of 85 acres on the West half of Lot 5, Concession 9, of his property in Twp Dereham to Joseph the younger.(his son). #41278 - 129. Witness was Henry Boughner

Following Joseph Weeks Sr. death, in 1879, the document 41278 was partitioned and gave 50 acres ea. to Isaac Weeks at S1/2 of E1/2 and Amos N1/2 of E1/2. #75914 and 75915. This parcel of land changed hands many times thru the years as various family members deceased and it was passed onto heirs. Last notation was 1970 to Wallace Weeks thus the property was in the Weeks family for 138 years without a mortage or debt incurred. Amazing.

Burial: Tillsonburg Cemetery Section H, Row F, # 19
"In Memory of / Joseph Weeks / died / Nov. 23, 1878, aged ****

Joseph Weeks' Will- registrar of Surrogate Court, Cty of Oxford, Jas. Canfield
"In Her Majesty's Surrogate Court of the County of Oxford.
Be it known that on the Tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight, the last Will and Testament of Joseph Weeks, late of the Township of Dereham, in the County of Oxford, Farmer, who died on or about the Twenty-third day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight at the said Township of Dereham, and who at the time of his death had a fixed place of abode at the Township of Dereham in the said County of Oxford was proved and registered in the said surrogate Court a true copy of which said Last Will and Testament is hereto annexed, and that the administration of all and singular the personal estate and effects rights and credits of the said deceased and anyway concerning his Will was granted by the aforesaid Court to Amos Weeks of the Township of Middleton, in the County of Norfolk, Farmer, and Walter Weeks of the same place, farmer, the Executers named in the said will, they having been first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same by paying the just debts of the deceased and the legacies contained in his Will so far as they are thereunto bound by law, and to exhibit a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the said estate and effects, rights and credits and to render a just and true account fo their Executorship whenever required by law so to do.
Sgn. Jas. Canfield, Registrar of the Surrogate Court of County of Oxford.
Know all Men by these presents, that 1. Joseph Weeks of the Township of Dereham, in the County of Oxford and Province of Ontario, being of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making null and void all former last Wills and Testaments by me heretofore by me made.
My Will is that all my funeral charges and just debts shall be paid by my Executors hereinafter named. After the payment of my just debts, funeral charges and the expenses attending the administration of my estate, I give, devise and bequeath the rest and residue of my estate and property as follows:viz.,
First:- I give and bequeath to my wife, Charity Weeks, in addition to any dower which she may be entitled to at my decease, two rooms in the house known as the Homestead, together with all the household furniture, beds and bedding, which I may be possessed of at the time of my decease, also two good cows, six sheep and one hog, all of which shall be kept on the Farm and provided with suitable feed summer and winter and for her sole use and benefit so long as she remains my widow.
Second;- I give and demise to my two sons Amos Weeks and Isaac Weeks my Dereham farm, being composed of the East half of Lot number Five in the Ninth Concession of the said Township of Dereham, which said farm shall be equally divided between my said two sons Amos Weeks and Isaac Weeks and said division to be made by my said sons in any way agreeable to them. The rest and residue of my estate and property of which I shall be possessed of at the time of my decease shall be equally divided between my five sons.
And lastly I do nominate and appoint my sons, Amos Weeks and Walter Weeks to be my executors of this my last Will and Testament.
In witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the twenty-ninth day of March in the year of Our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Sgn. Joseph Weeks, L.S.
Signed, Sealed and declared by the said Joseph Weeks to be his last will and testament in presence of John Hodgson and Thomas Fletcher, who at his request and in his presence have subscribed their names as witnesses hereunto and in the presence of each other.
Sgd. John Hodgson, of the Town of Tilsonburg.
Sgd. Thomas Fletcher of the Township of Dereham."


Sept 2004. Took a drive with Margaret Rouse, she showed us Joseph's original land just off Cranberry Road.

Land Records:
Joseph Weeks purchased 100 acres ( N 1/2) of his Fathers estate of 200 acres in Walpole Township, Lot 9, Concession 8 for 31 pounds, from Daniel Miller Weeks.

1851 Census:
Joseph Weeks Family, Joseph is 49, married, Universalist, Farmer; living with his Wife Charity, age 50 and his six Sons.
Microfilm 23, lines 25-33

Land Records:
purchased 170 acres Lot 9 Concession 4

Land Purchase:
North of Talbot Road East, Lot 3, Concession 4

Land Purchase:
Lot 6, Concession 4

1861 Census:
Joseph Weeks, Head, Married, Age 57, Universalist, Farmer

1871 Census:
page 94-line 11-13; South Oxford, Ontario; Age 67 - Joseph

Died:
Cause of Death: Old Age

Joseph married Charity Kern about 1826 in Unknown. Charity (daughter of John Kern and Charity Bunn) was born on 14 Dec 1802 in Forestville, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada; died on 30 May 1890 in Forestville, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada; was buried in Tillsonburg, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Nationality: Dutch
• Name: Karn
• Religion: Universalist
• 1851 Census: 1851, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Canada West, Canada; 1851 Canada Census
• 1861 Census: 1861, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Canada West, Canada; 1861 Canada Census
• 1871 Census: 1871, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1871 Canada Census
• 1881 Census: 1881, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1881 Canada Census

Notes:

Family Facts:
Charity Kern was of German descent. Her grandfather, Christopher Kern, settled in German Valley,Roxbury Twp., Morris Cty, New Jersey. See Kern Genealogy Page for continuation. He had 3 sons: David, Christopher, and John, 1 daughter Anna. In 1799 David got the urge to move to Upper Canada and settled near Hamilton.
Charity's father, JOHN KERN,was born at Roxbury Twp, Morris Cty, New Jersey on 29 May 1763, died at Charlotteville Twp on 11 Jan. 1824 at the age of 65 y, 10 m 10d. John married CHARITY BUNN,( born at Roxbury Twp in Jun/Jul 1769) on April 9, 1787 in New Jersey. Charity (Bunn)Kern died in Charlotteville on April 9, 1854 age 84 years, 9 m. Both John and Charity are buried in Fairview Cemetery, Forestville, Charlotteville Twp.
In 1800, the others (Christopher, John, their families) decided to make the journey also. They 'brought horses, cows, sheep, pigs and poultry, and all their household effects with them, and it took six weeks to complete the journey. ' Also in this party was John's uncle and aunt Adam and Anna (Swackhammer) Lick/Leek and Adam's son-in-law John Youngs. Adam Leek and Christopher Kern moved onto Oxford Cty.
On 12 Aug 1800, John Kern purchased from Richard Cockrell Lot 1, Conc1, Lot 2, Conc 4 and the north half of Lot 3, conc3, Walsingham Twp. According to family tradition recounted by Norfolk Cty historian E.A. Owen, John Kern felt swindled in this purchase. " John Kern brought $500. in cash with him. It was all he had, and he intended to purchase a home with it, but when he arrived at Niagara a land shark met him and enduced him to buy five hundred acres of land at a dollar per acre, which was represented as being of good quality and very desirable in every respect. Mr Kern exchanged his capital for a deed of the land and when he arrived in Long Point settlement, he made the sickening discovery that his land was absolutely worthless. This meant privation and pinching destitution for a few years"
John's occupation was a blacksmith. His faith was Presbyterian. John was appointed town clerk on June 10, 1806 of the township Charlotteville, by the court of Sessions.
John leased from the Crown Reserve, Lot 9, Con 1 Charlotteville Twp on !3 Sept 1802.
Kern purchased from Teeple 106 acres in Lot 9 Con A on 14 Mar 1804. Kern made his homestead on the rear part of this purchase, near the present village of Forestville.
1808 - 20 Sept, John purchased another 10 acres from Teeple
22 Sept 1810, John bought from Oliver Mabee 40 acres in Lot 9 Con A. To this he added 50 acres from John Lodor in Lot 8 Con A on 20 May 1811.
John served during the war of 1812 in Mitchell's Company of the Norfolk Cty Militia.
This family was brought up to work. The girls worked in the fields, drove oxen and did whatever was needed inside and outside.

1851 Census: Dereham Township, Micro Film 23
#25, Weeks, Joseph, Born Canada West, Age 49, Univeralist, Married, Farmer, Fram 1 1/2 story house
26, Weeks, Charity, Born Canada West, Age 50, Univeralist, married
27, Weeks, John, Born Canada West, Age 23, Universalist, Single, Labourer
28, Weeks, Amos, Born Canada West, Age 20, Univeralist, Single, Labr.
29, Weeks, Joseph, born Canada West, Age 18, Universalist, Single, Labr.
30, Weeks, Walter, Born Canada West, Age 16, Universalist, Single, Labr.
31, Weeks, Ira, Born Canada West, Age 13, Universalist, Single
32, Weeks, Ransome, Born Canada West, Age 11, Universalist, Single
33, Weeks, Isaac, Born Canada West, Age 9, Universalist, Single

1861 Canadian Census, Roll C-1060-1061; Library And Archives Canada, Pg 72, Dereham Twp, Oxford Cty, Canada West
Joseph Weeks, Male, Head, Age 57, Birthplace Canada West, Universalist, Farmer
Charity Weeks, Wife, Married, Age 58,
Joseph Weeks, Son, Single, Age 27
Walter Weeks, Son, Single, Age 25
Ira Weeks, Son, Single, Age 24
Isaac Weeks, Son, Single, Age 18


1871 Census: Joseph WEEKES age 67, birthplace Ontario, Religion - Universalist, Origin - English, Occupation - Farmer District 013, Sub Dist. A Division 1 Page 94
Weeks, Joseph, male, age 67, birthplace Ontario, religion Universalist, origin Scotch, Occupation: F
Weeks, Charity, female, age 68, birthplace Ontario, religion Universalist, Origin Dutch, married
Weeks, Joseph junior, male, age 37, birthplace Ontario, religion Universalist, Origin Scotch, single. Livestock comprised of horses, 5 milch cows, 14 horned cattle, 22 sheep, 23 swine, 200 pounds of butter, 80 pounds of wood.

1881 Census of Canada
Dereham, Oxford South, Ontario
Page 15, Family 70, NAC C-13266
Joseph Meeks, Male, Married, Age 47, Canadian, Born Ontario, Farmer
Aramentia Meeks, Female, Married, Age 25, Born Ontario
William N. Meeks, Male, Age 1, Born Ontario
Charity Meeks, Female, Widow, Age 78, Born Ontario, Universalist
** Whether enumerator error or transcribing error, the surname is noted as MEEKS, instead of WEEKS hw


Charity Weeks - Death Registration
Charity Weeks died 30 May 1890 at 87 years of age. Her birthplace was Charlotte Centre. Cause of Death was old age. Her physician was Dr. Sinclair.
Signature of Informant was Amos Weeks (Son) of Middleton, 2 June 1890
Source; LDS Film #11853534, # 11516 - 90

Burial: Tillsonburg Cemetery, Section H, Row F, # 18
In Memory of / Charity / wife of / Joseph Weeks / died May 30, 1890 / aged 87 yrs 5 mos 16 dys.

Newspaper Clipping from Tillsonburg Observer, Ontario Library.
Weeks - at the residence of her son, Samuel Weeks, near New England on Friday, May 30, 1890, Mrs. Charity Weeks aged 87 years 5 months and 15 days. (death notice)
** Again, cannot understand the phrase - her son Samuel Weeks, near New England as to my knowledge and many other Weeks researchers, she did not have a Son named Samuel Weeks, she had a brother Samuel Kern and whether he resided in New England (?) hw

Charity Weeks' Father's will - probate Source; www.library.elgin - county.on.ca/history/estate5.txt

Name; KERN
FName: John
Resid: Charlotteville
Date: Jan. 6, 1827
File: 145
MFNO: 1155
Notes: Petition was by John and Christopher Kern
- wife was Charity Kern
- son was John
- son was Christopher
-son was Samuel
- Daughter was Mary Collver
- Daughter was Catharine Stokes
- Daugher was Elizabeth Stockwell
- Daughter was Sophia Smith
- Daughter was Charity Kern*
- Daughter was Anna Brining
- Daughter was Sarah Kern
- Daughter was Susanna Kern
- Daugher was Martha Kern

Executors of estate; John Kern, son; Christopher Kern, son.

Witnesses to Will:
- Robert Munro, Charlotteville
- Amos Weeks, Charlotteville
- R. William Dease, Esquire, Charlotteville

Inventory of estate completed on October 31, 1827 by Laurence Johnson and Benjamin Palmation

I believe the Amos Weeks mentioned here to be Joseph Weeks', (1803-1878) Father.

Tillsonburg Observer Newspaper, June 6 1890, pg 3 col 5
Samuel Kern, Esq. and wife, Lewis Collver, Esq. and wife, David Collver, Esq., and wife, Edgar Bryning, Esq. and wife, Mrs. Elijah Kitchen, Mrs. A. Glover, Hiram Beemer, Esq., and wife, John Beemer Esq., A. E. McMichael, Esq., Miss Dora McMichael and Mrs. Dr. J. G. Collver of Waterford were in Tilsonburg last week attending the funeral of Mrs. Joseph Weeks, sister of Mrs. William McMichael and Samuel Kern of Waterford, and relict of the late Joseph Weeks, one of the pioneers of the township of Dereham. Mrs. Weeks was in her 88th year, and was well known in the coutines of Oxford and Norfolk.

1851 Census:
Charity Weeks , Birthplace Canada West, Universalist, Age 50, Female; residing with her husband Joseph Weeks and children John Weeks, Amos Weeks, Joseph Weeks, Walter Weeks, Ira Weeks, Ransom Weeks, and Isaac Weeks

1871 Census:
Weeks, Charity, Female, Age 68, Dutch Origin; residing with her husband Joseph and Son Joseph Jurnior Weeks
Page 94

1881 Census:
Charity Meeks, Female, Widow, Age 78, Universalist. Although the surname is spelled Meeks, this is a misprint or misinterpretation, as this definitely is our Family of Weeks hw

Other Events and Attributes:

• 1851 Census: 1851, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1851 Canada Census
• 1861 Census: 1861, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1861 Canada Census
• 1871 Census: 1871, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1871 Canada Census
• 1880 Census: 1880, Lexington, Sanilac, Michigan, USA; 1880 USA Census

Notes:

1851 Census Dereham Twp, Oxford Cty, comprising the West half from the Middleton Line
Line 28 - 31
Benj Westbrook, Farmer, Birthplace Canada W, Baptist, Age 37, Married, 1 male member absent, living in a 1 story log house
Polly Westbrook, Birthplace States, Baptist, Age 32, Married,
Elizabeth Westbrook, Birthplace Canada W, Female, Age 14
Nancy Westbrook, Birthplace Canada W., Female, Age 12
Clinton Westbrook, Birthplace Canada W., Age 10

1861 Census Reel 1060, Calgary Public Library
Line 13 - 17
Benj Westbrook, F ( for farmer), Place of Birth UC, Age 45
Polly Ann Westbrook, birthplace U.S., age 41
Nancy Westbrook, Birthplace U.C., age 20
H. C. Westbrook Birthplace U.C., age 19
Polly Jane Westbrook, Birthplace U.C., age 5

1871 Census Page 95, District No. 13, South Oxford,Sub-Dist. A, Div. 1
# 352 Family;
Westbrook, Benjamin, Male, Age 54, Origin English, Farmer; Religion New Connexion Methodist
Westbrook, Polly, Female, Age 50, Birthplace U. States
Westbrook, Polly Jane, Female, Age 14, Birthplace Canada

1876 Historical Atlas, Benj Westbrook is at Lot 5, Conc. 8

1880 Census Lexington, Sanilac Cty, Michigan, USA: Srce: 1880 Census Lexington, Sanilac Michigan;Roll T9-605, Family History Film 1254605; Page 130B; Enum. District 336, Image 0262
Westbrook, Benjamin, Male, Married, White, Age 64, Est Birth 1816 Canada, Father's birthplace New York, Mother's birthplace NY, Occupation -Works on farm
Other Members living here and enumerated were:
Joseph Wray, Age 22 yrs
Russell Gifford, Age 36 yrs
Polly A. Westbrook, birth est 1821, White, Female, Age 59 yrs, Parents birthplace New York, Occupation - Keeping house
Polly J. Wray, Age 23, Sister in law, Boarder ( I believe this to be Polly A. & Benjamin Westbrook's daughter, married to Wm. Wray)
Hattie M. Wray, Age 5 yrs, Niece, Born Canada
Elvira Wray, Age 3 yrs, Niece, Born Michigan
Henry C. Wray, 5 mos, Nephew, Born Michigan

Rumor has it that Benjamin is also buried at New Road Cemetery in the family plot of Isaac Weeks and wife Nancy (Westbrook)
Location is Conc. 10/ Lot 26, South Norwich Twp, Oxford County, Ontario in Lot 14D. I have not been able to confirm this as no monument to reveal his presence there; but one for Polly Ann (Hall) Westbrook his wife.
Cemetery records mention his name but no date of burial nor specific location; merely his name but no other data available. Will pursue Michigan records in 2010 for possible death/burial in that area thus Benjamin's name would be present to confirm the family tree per se.

In the 1901 Cdn census, Polly Ann (Hall) Westbrook is a widow, thus the time frame for Benjamin's death would be between the years of 1880-1900

Benjamin married Polly Ann Hall. Polly (daughter of David Hall and Elizabeth Hayes) was born on 11 Sep 1820 in , , New York, USA; died on 17 Sep 1910 in Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; was buried in New Road Cemetery, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Marriage: Bef 1837, Unknown
• 1851 Census: 1851, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1851 Canadian Census
• 1861 Census: 1861, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1861 Canadian Census
• 1871 Census: 1871, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1871 Canadian Census
• 1880 Census: 1880, Lexington, Sanilac, Michigan, USA; 1880 USA Census
• 1901 Census: 1901, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1901 Canada census
• Death: 17 Sep 1910, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

1851 Census Dereham Twp, Oxford Cty, comprising the West half from the Middleton Line
Line 28 - 31
Benj Westbrook, Farmer, Birthplace Canada W, Baptist, Age 37, Married, 1 male member absent, living in a 1 story log house
Polly Westbrook, Birthplace States, Baptist, Age 32, Married,
Elizabeth Westbrook, Birthplace Canada W, Female, Age 14
Nancy Westbrook, Birthplace Canada W., Female, Age 12
Clinton Westbrook, Birthplace Canada W., Age 10

1861 Census Reel 1060, Calgary Public Library
Line 13 - 17
Benj Westbrook, F ( for farmer), Place of Birth UC, Age 45
Polly Ann Westbrook, birthplace U.S., age 41
Nancy Westbrook, Birthplace U.C., age 20
H. C. Westbrook Birthplace U.C., age 19
Polly Jane Westbrook, Birthplace U.C., age 5

1871 Census Page 95, District No. 13, South Oxford,Sub-Dist. A, Div. 1
# 352 Family; Westbrook, Benjamin, Male, Age 54, Origin English, Farmer
Westbrook, Polly, Female, Age 50, Birthplace U. States
Westbrook, Polly Jane, Female, Age 14, Birthplace Canada

1876 Historical Atlas, Benj Westbrook is at Lot 5, Conc. 8

1880 Census Lexington, Sanilac Cty, Michigan, USA: Srce: 1880 Census Lexington, Sanilac Michigan;Roll T9-605, Family History Film 1254605; Page 130B; Enum. District 336, Image 0262
Westbrook, Benjamin, Male, Married, White, Age 64, Est Birth 1816 Canada, Father's birthplace New York, Mother's birthplace NY, Occupation -Works on farm
Other Members living here and enumerated were:
Joseph Wray, Age 22 yrs
Russell Gifford, Age 36 yrs
Polly A. Westbrook, birth est 1821, White, Female, Age 59 yrs, Parents birthplace New York, Occupation - Keeping house
Polly J. Wray, Age 23, Sister in law, Boarder ( I believe this to be Polly A. & Benjamin Westbrook's daughter, married to Wm. Wray)
Hattie M. Wray, Age 5 yrs, Niece, Born Canada
Elvira Wray, Age 3 yrs, Niece, Born Michigan
Henry C. Wray, 5 mos, Nephew, Born Michigan


*1901 Census 93 Norfolk, b-5 Dereham, Page 8, Line 9*
Westbrook, Poly A., Female, White, Mother in Law, Widow, born 11 Sept 1820, Age 80, Birthplace United States, Immigrated 1825, English, Religion Methodist.

Death Registration: Westbrook, Polly Ann
Female,
Date of Death: Sept. 17, 1910
Date of Birth: Sept. 11, 1820
Age: 90 years, 6 days
Birthplace; New York State, USA
Place of Death: Lot 14, Conc 11 Dereham Twp., Ontario
Occupation: Housewife
Widow
Father: David Hall, birthplace United States
Mother: Elizabeth Hayes, birthplace United States
Informant: Ransom Weeks
Cause of Death: Old Age
Burial Service was on Monday, Sept. 19, 1910 at Isaac and Nancy's homeplace followed by interment at New Road Cemetery.
Source: LDS film # 1854628; # 23363


Burial in New Road Cemetery , Conc 10/Lot 26, South Norwich Twp. Oxford County, Ontario.
Lot 14 D tombstone notes: Polly Ann , wife of Benjamin Westbrook 1820-1910

William married Susanna Kern. Susanna was born on 13 Jul 1809 in Charlotte Centre, Kern Settlement, Forestville, Ontario, Canada; died on 21 Mar 1849 in Charlotte Centre, Kern Settlement, Forestville, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]