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.
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