Hugh & Ellen -King Township 1860-1876

Click on title above for photos of King Township.

Hugh and Ellen moved to King Township sometime before
January, 1861, and they were still there when Ellen’s mother
died at their home in July, 1875, and for the birth of daughter,
Sarah in June, 1876.

We don’t know where they lived when they first moved to
King, but it seems that they took over the 46 acres of John
McCaffray on Lot 18 of Concession VII on a rental basis as
indicated in the 1871 census. In 1861, McCaffray estimated
the property’s worth at 600 dollars. The map of King
Township in the 1878 York County atlas distinctly shows the
46 acres with a small portion (4 acres) divided from it and all
owned by Cornelius O’Shea. Hugh was the tenant between the
McCaffray and O’Shea owners. Thomas Peacock and family
immigrated to Canada in 1865 and moved onto the 4 acres
connected to Hugh’s property sometime after that.

Eight more children were born to Hugh and Ellen between 1860
and 1876 – Catherine, Samuel, Mary Jane, Thomas Robert,
Frederick, Ida, Arthur Nelson and Sarah. The names - Catherine,
Thomas, Robert, Frederick , and Sarah are also found in the
Thomas Peacock family which suggests that the families were
closely connected. Thomas' wife, Sarah died in September, 1875.
In 1876, Hugh and Ellen named a daughter born in June, Sarah.

The 1871 agricultural census provides a snapshot of their daily
work lives. (See the previous post.) We know that the two Peacock
families lived side by side from 1865, and Hugh’s mother-in-law
was with his family for about five years until her death.

Hugh’s daughter, Catherine, is not in the 1871 census in King.
Perhaps this is an oversight, or perhaps she was living with other
relatives at the time. Ellen’s sister, Elizabeth Ramsay lived farther
west in Carrick Township, Bruce County (near Walkerton).
However, nine year old Catherine does not appear in the 1871
census index as living with a family with a surname different than
her own.

For photos of King Township showing the landscape and historic
churches and buildings, click on the title of this post. You can then
choose photos from the menu on the left.

(1871 Census ref. C9964-A2)
Family 42
Peacock, Thomas, 53....... b. Ireland......Labourer.... M, Irish
Peacock, Sarah, 58.........b. Ireland, unable to write, M, Irish
Peacock, John, 17...............b. Ireland, Labourer......single, Irish
Peacock, Hugh, 15............. b. Ireland, Labourer...... single Irish
Peacock, Robert, 7............ b. Ireland, Labourer.......single, Irish
All shown as Presbyterian
Family 43
Peacock, Hugh, 35..........b. Ireland, carpenter...........M, Irish
Peacock, Ellen, 35..........b. Ireland, unable to write, M, Irish
Peacock, William, 14......... b. Ontario, in school
Peacock, Eliza, 12................b. Ontario, in school
Peacock, Samuel, 8.............b. Ontario, in school
Peacock, Mary Jane, 6........b. Ontario, in school
Peacock, Thomas, 4............b. Ontario
Peacock , Frederick, 1.........b. Ontario
Grieg, James, 14................ b. Ontario, Scots descent
Waggot, Eliza, 60...............b. Ireland, widowed
All shown as Presbyterian
Agricultural Census
Thomas Peacock, 1 town/village building lot (no acreage shown)
2 dwellings on it, 1 barn or stable
Schedule 3
Thomas Peacock, Concession VII,
Lot 18 (‘owner’ is crossed out)
4 acres occupied, 4 acres improved, 2 acres pasture,
½ acre gardens or orchard, 30 bushels oats, 40 bushels potatoes,
20 bushels carrots and other roots, 3 lbs hops, 20 bushels apples 1
1 milch cow, 3 other horned cattle, 2 swine,
1 cattle killed or sold for slaughter or export,
5 swine killed or sold for slaughter or export,12 cords of firewood
Hugh Peacock –Concession VII ,
Lot 18, tenant 46 acres occupied,
42 acres improved, 38 acres pasture,
10 bushels oats, 1 acre potatoes / 50 bushels
3 milch cows, 2 other horned cattle, 5 swine,
2 swine killed or sold for slaughter or export,
100 lbs butter, 15 cords of firewood