Laura Spencer

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Spencer Finlay
• 1901 Census: 1901, York District, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 1901 Canada Census
• 1911 Census: 1911, Toronto, York County, Ontario, Canada; 1911 Canada Census

Notes:

Have used 1857 as Findlay Spencer's birth year, per 1911 Canadian census hw

1901 Census:
Spencer Findlay, Male, Head, married, Birth 24 Jun 1856, Age 44
# 6, page 9

1911 Census:
Finlay, Spencer, Male, Head, Married, Born Jan 1857, Age 54
Ward 6, page 5

Findlay married Racenia Slaght on 25 May 1887 in Tillsonburg, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada. Racenia (daughter of Duncan Slaght and Racenia Eliza Turner) was born on 20 Dec 1864 in Tillsonburg, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Groom: Finlay, Spencer
Age 29
Residence: Tilsonburg
Place of Birth: Ridgeville Cty., PEI, Lower Canada
Book Keeper
Parents Names not given
Bride: Rosina Slaght
Age 22
Residence: Tilsonburg
Place of Birth: Tilsonburg
Parents; Duncan & Rosinia Slaght
Date: 25 May 1887, Tilsonburg, Oxford Cty., Ontario
Methodist
Minister: Rev. G. A. Mitchell

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Duncan Slaight

Notes:

I have been searching for more info on Duncan Slaght, wife Raceinia - Tillsonburg and District Historical society states Duncan's birth as 18 Aug 1846 ( I had noted abt 1845) and his death 08 Oct 1867 - so will use this as my source for now. The Tillsonburg and District Historical Society had done a huge project on Pioneer Cemetery, the residents that were buried there, further info etc - have erected a large plaque in honour of many graves that have disappeared over the years. hw

2017 For now I have accepted their research from their records for Duncan's birth and death dates, but I also have Duncan's brother Cyrenius' birth as 18 Aug 1846 - were they twins???? hw Further research reveals the1851 Canadian census recording Cyrenius Slaght as age 8 and Duncan as age 6, thus unlikely they are twins - placing Cyrenius' birth abt 1844 and Duncan's 1845/46 hw

Duncan married Racenia Eliza Turner on 21 Feb 1864 in Mount Elgin, Oxford County, Canada West, Canada. Racenia (daughter of James E. Turner and Mary Ann Charlotte Tilson) was born on 8 Oct 1849 in , Canada West, Canada; died on 22 Dec 1867 in Tillsonburg, Dereham Twp, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: R. Eliza Turner

Notes:

Info on Racenia Eliza Turner from Slaght researcher

Parents of Racenia E. Turner are James E. Turner & Mary Ann Tilson. It was rumoured to me that Mary Ann Tillson's parents were either George Tillson (founder of Tillsonburg) or E.D. Tillson, son of George.
Annadale House in Tillsonburg, (currently a museum) was built by E.D.Tillson. I have not verified this connection

Other Events and Attributes:

• Burial: Lakeview Cemetery, Ludington, Mason Cty., USA
• Birth: 23 Jan 1821, , , Upper Canada, Canada
• Land Assessment: 1844, Townsend Twp., Upper Canada
• Cdn census 1851: 1851, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada; 1851 Census
• Occupation: 1862; General Merchant, Tillsonburg, Ont.
• 1870 USA census: 1870, Victory, Mason Cty., Michigan, USA; 1870 Census
• 1880 Census: 1880, Ludington, Mason, Michigan, USA; 1880 census
• 1900 Census: 1900, Ludington, Mason, Michigan, USA; 1900
• Death: 20 Nov 1901, Ludington, Mason, Michigan, USA
• Death: 20 Nov 1901, Ludington, Mason, Michigan, USA

Notes:

Silas lived his first 30 years in Canada. In 1851 he settled in
Fentonville, Michigan, lived here 3 years. Following years he travelled, residing in various places until 1863, when he landed in Ludington with a team of horses and a wagon, a few household goods and $28.00. Immediately locating at a focal point about 7 miles from this place, he carried on a general store for nearly 5 years - 4 years of which time he was a Postmaster under President Lincoln. Before leaving Canada, he had lost a fortune of about $40,000.00 and had to begin all over again. He succeeded from the first and made $10,000. During the 5 years he passed in the store situated in the midst of the forest. In 1870, he opened a general store on Ludington Avenue where he did business for 10 years with varying success. Since 1892 he has operated the store at its present location.

The first wife of Silas was Miss Rhoda A. Weeks. Rhoda Weeks and Silas Slaght were married January 29, 1843, her parents are listed as Joseph Wicks(Weeks) and Rhoda Carnes.* Cyrennius Slaght, son of Silas and Rhoda (Weeks) Slaght married Maria Caroline Weeks and went to Washington, USA.

Source: Sharon K. Blaine

* I believe that the author of this info has the parents names mixed up; should be Joseph Weeks and Charity Kern - bur perhaps pronounced 'Carnes' - hw

Rumor has it Rhoda & Silas divorced, but unconfirmed (HW), query 'divorce' in mid 1800s.

In 1844 Assessment of Townsend Twp., Silas was listed on the south half of Lot 13, concession 8 with 4 acres culitvated and 14 acres uncultivated, a one storey frame house and 2 livestock, all valued at 48 pounds.

1851 Canadian Census records; Roll C-11745, Pg 51, Lines 1-6
Silas Slaght, Farmer, Born Canada, Baptist, Age 31
Rhoda A. Slaght, Canada, Baptist, Female, Age 30
Cyrenius Slaght, Canada, Baptist, Male, Age 8
Duncan Slaght, Canada, Baptist, Male, Age 6
Charity E. Slaght, Canada, Baptist, Female, Age 3
Job Slaght, Canada, Baptist, Male, Age 1


1861 Cdn Census: Enum District 3, Dereham Twp, Oxford Cty, Ontario
Silas Slaght, General Merchant, Birthpl Upper Canada, Rel Baptist, Age 40 Married
Rhoda A. Slaght, Birthpl Upper Can, Baptist, Age 39, Married
Slaght, Cyrennius, Upper Canada, Baptist, Age 17, single
Slaght, Duncan, Upper Canada, Baptist, Age 15, Single
Slaght, Charity E., Upper Canada, Baptist, Age 13, Single
Slaght, Rhoda L. (?), Upper Canada, Baptist, Age 7, Single
Slaght, Hugh W., Upper Canada, Baptist, Age 2, Single

He next lived in Otterville, Oxford Cty, then in 1862 he was a merchant in Tillsonburg, Oxford Cty., Ont.

In 1862, Silas & Rhoda settled in Fentonville, Michigan. In 1863, he settled at Ludington, Michigan
Source R. Robert Mutrie

In 1870 Census of Victory, Mason Co., Michigan, p 497, Silas Slaght was listed as a merchant born in Canada, age 49 with his wife Arvilla born in New York, 24 and child Hugh born in Canada, 9.
Source: R. Robert Mutrie

In 1880 Census of Ludington, p 486A, Silas Slaght was listed as a dry goods merchant born in Canada West, 59, with his wife Alice, 19, and daughter Blanche B. 4, step-son Harrison 2, all born in Michigan.
Source: R. Robert Mutrie
Further verification:
1880 United States Census
Silas Slaght Household
Male
Birth Year 1821
Birthplace, Canada West
Age: 59
Occupation: Dry Goods Merchant
Marital Status M (married)
Race W (white)
Head of Household: Silas Slaght
Relation: Self
Fathers Birthplace NJ
Mothers Birthplace PA
Source: Census Place - Ludington, Mason, Michigan
Family Hisotry Library Film 1254594
NA Film # T0-0594
Page Number 486A

In 1900 census, Ludington Ward 3, Mason Cty., Michigan Silas is recorded as age 79, Immigrated in 1861, living with Wife Melissa (Newton) and Son Arthur. Source: T6233730, Page 11B

Simcoe Reformer newspaper article, "Slaght, Silas, age 80, formerly of Townsend, died 20 November 1901, Ludinton, Michigan". Further research revealed one Silas Slaght buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Ludington,Mason Cty., Michigan; plot # 01-005-014-08, death date 11/20/1901.

Birth: Jan. 23, 1821
Waterford
Ontario, Canada
Death: Nov. 20, 1901
Ludington
Mason County
Michigan, USA

Lived 410 N. William, Ludington
1st wife Arvilla Smedley
Husband of Mellisa Slaght 2nd wife
Married May 4, 1887 in Ludington
He was married at the time of his death
Children 16
Blanch 1876
Harrison 1878 step-son
Arthur 1891
Parents Jobe Slaght & Elizabeth Mills
Died form prostitutes, rheumatism & conjunction of the lungs




Burial:
Lakeview Cemetery
Ludington
Mason County
Michigan, USA

Created by: Jan
Record added: Jul 24, 2011
Find A Grave Memorial# 73872575

South Victory Cemetery in Ludington,Mason Cty., Pere Marquette Twp., Michigan has recorded data stating 3 Slaght burials there, George Slaght, child of S & A, Lilla Slaght, child of S & A, and Silas Slaght, child of S & A. Further research required to determine whether these children belong to Silas & Arvilla (Smedley) Slaght.

Burial:
A burial noted for one Silas Slaght, plot # 01-005-014-08, death date 11/20/1901

Birth:
Notes from Sharon Blaine (Slaght researcher) and researcher Edmund West

Land Assessment:
4 acres are cultivated and 14 acres were uncultivated, value 48 pounds.

Cdn census 1851:
Silas is Male, Age 31, Birthplace Canada, Occupation Farmer, Lines 1-6 inclusive. Recorded with his Wife Rhoda Slaght and children Cyrenius, Duncan, Charity E. and Job Slaght.

1870 USA census:
Silas is age 49, living with his Wife Arvilla (Smedley), age 24, and one Son Hugh Slaght, born in Canada, age 9

1880 Census:
Silas is age 59, Born Canada, Occupation Dry good Merchant, Married, living with Wife Alice and children Blanche B. & Harrison Slaght

1900 Census:
Silas is age 79, Immigrated in 1861, Page 11B, living withWife Melissa (Newton) and Son Arthur.

Death:
newspaper article in Simcoe Reformer, "Slaght, Silas, age 80, formerly of Townsend, died 20 November 1901, Ludington, Michigan"

Death:
Age 80, Merchant, Married, Son of Job Slaght & Elisabeth Mills

Silas married Rhoda A. Weeks on 29 Jan 1843 in Unknown. Rhoda (daughter of Joseph Weeks and Charity Kern) was born about 1822 in Charlotteville, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Roder A. Slaght
• Residence: 1844, Townsend Twp, Norfolk County, Upper Canada
• 1851 Census: 1851, Dereham Twp, Upper Canada, Canada; 1851 Canada Census
• 1880 Census: 1880, Mears, Oceana, Michigan, USA; 1880 USA Census

Notes:

Have not found a birth certificate or baptism for Rhoda Weeks; she is not enumerated on the 1851 census with her family as already married.

1844 residing with Husband Silas Slaght at Townsend Twp, Assessment at South half of Lot 13 Conc 8, 4 acres cultivated and 14 acres were unculitivated; the value being 48 pounds.

1851 Census, Oxford Cty., Dereham Township, Page 51, Lines 1-6, Roll C_11745
Slaght, Silas, Farmer, Birthplace Canada, Baptist, Age 31, Male
Rhoda A. Slaght, female, Age 30, Birthplace Canada, Baptist, Female
Cyrenius Slaght, Birthplace Canada, Age 8, Baptist, Male
Duncan Slaght, Birthplace Canada, Age 6, Baptist, Male
Charity E. Slaght, Birthplace Canada, Age 3, Baptist, Female
Job Slaght, Birthplace Canada, Age 1, Baptist, male

1861 Cdn Census: Enum District 3, Dereham Twp, Oxford Cty, Ontario
Silas Slaght, General Merchant, Birthpl Upper Canada, Rel Baptist, Age 40 Married
Rhoda A. Slaght, Birthpl Upper Can, Baptist, Age 39, Married
Slaght, Cyrennius, Upper Canada, Baptist, Age 17, single
Slaght, Duncan, Upper Canada, Baptist, Age 15, Single
Slaght, Charity E., Upper Canada, Baptist, Age 13, Single
Slaght, Rhoda L. (?), Upper Canada, Baptist, Age 7, Single
Slaght, Hugh W., Upper Canada, Baptist, Age 2, Single

He next lived in Otterville, Oxford Cty, then in 1862 he was a merchant in Tillsonburg, Oxford Cty., Ont.

In 1862, Silas & Rhoda settled in Fentonville, Michigan. In 1863, he settled at Ludington, Michigan
Source R. Robert Mutrie


In 1880, Census of Mears, Oceana Co., Michigan, p479C, Rhoda Slaght was
listed as a widow (sic) born in Canada, 56; her father born in New York and her mother in Canada.
Source: 1880 Michigan Census, Pg 17, Enumerator Dist. #208, Line 18
This data would have Rhoda's birthdate as being 1824 instead of 1822 or 1826. hw


Many puzzles remain with the data collected for Rhoda Weeks, daughter of Joseph & Charity Weeks.
1 no confirmation at this time she is Joseph & Charity (Kern) Weeks' daughter hw
2. not mentioned in Joseph's will, although it seems likely he wouldn't leave her land as she was now a Slaght and her husband certainly had many wives. hw
I wonder about Rhoda's Father - Joseph Weeks and his will. Joseph Weeks died in 1878, and as Rhoda was still alive but she is not mentioned in the Will at all - is this Usual??? hw

3. I wonder about the origin of her christian names, Rhoda, doesn't seem to fit with Charity Kern's side - is it possible that was Amos Weeks' wife's name? What name is the initial A. meant to be? hw

4. Haven't found a death entry for her either. Slaght researchers say she was mentioned on the grave marker for her husband Silas Slaght, but when I visited the cemetery (Pioneer Cemetery, Tillsonburg), couldn't trace the inscription at all. hw

(Research):1851 Cdn Census, Oxford Cty, Upper Canada
1880 USA Census, Mears, Oceana Cty., Michigan, Widow, Age 56

Residence:
Rhoda is residing with husband Silas Slaght; Source Townsend Assessment South half of Lot 13, Concession 8

1851 Census:
Rhoda A. Slaght, Female, Age 30, Birthplace Canada; Silas & Rhoda have 4 children living,
Page 51, Line 2, Roll C_11745

1880 Census:
Rhoda Slaght, White, Female, Age 56, Widow, Boarder, occupation housework

Notes:

birth and death dates from World Tree Ancestry.ca - thus some speculation as to accuracy. I entered them into this database for the purpose of giving me an approx. timeline for Daughter Racenia hw

James married Mary Ann Charlotte Tilson. Mary (daughter of G. Tilson) was born about 24 Jun 1822; died about 10 Jan 1854. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

birth and death dates taken from World Tree Ancestry.ca, thus speculation as to accuracy. I used these dates only to give me a timeline for daughter Racenia for further research hw