Purser
Connection to Greta Fay Maughan (nee McDougall)
Richard Purser
Richard Purser ? - ?. Married Mary Taylor. Remarried Elizabeth Bennett. Remarried Ann Humphrey. Remarried Mary ? The offspring include:
John Purser
John Purser married Hannah Cox. Thier offspring include:
James Purser
James Purser born May-1801 in Kent County, England, died 27-Jun-1875 in Dover, ON, CA. Married Harriet King on 04-Jan-1826 at Hever, Kent, England. Harriet was born 06-Mar-1807 in Kent County, England, died 30-Jul-1882 in Wallaceburg, ON, CA. James was a tanner in Riverhead, Kent, England and briefly in Toronto, Ontario. He was identified as a farmer in Dover (Kent County) as of the 1871 census.
From Commemorative Biogrpahical Record of the County of Kent Ontario - page 29, published 1904 by J. H. Beers & Company
In 1854 the parents (James and Harriet Purser) emigrated to Canada, settling in Toronto, where the father followed his calling of tanner for three years, and then removed to Dover township, where he manufactured brick and farmed until a few years prior to his death. In 1867 they removed to Wallaceburg and there he died in 1875, at the age of seventy-five years; his wife survived him until 1882, when she passed away at the same age, and they are both interred in Wallaceburg cemetery. For a number of years the father [James Purser] was director of the Agricultural Society of County Kent, and was very prominent. They were members of the Church of England, and died in that faith.
James and Harriet had 12 children:
Reuben Purser
Reuben A. Purser born 28-May-1826 in Kent, England, died 21-Jul-1901 in Windsor, ON, CA. Married Selina Oldershaw on 27-Dec-1849 in Chatham, ON, CA. Selina was born 1831 in Derbeyshire, England, died 13-Mar-1897 in Windsor, ON, CA. Reuben remarried Sophia Erkey in 1898. Sophia was born 13-May-1835 in Germany, died 22-Sep-1917 in Detroit, MI, US.
Identified as machinist in Windsor township as of 1871 census. At 1881 census, first name misspelled Ruban and working as a hardware merchant in Windsor. Referred to himself variously as an engineer, machinist, and merchant. Founder of R. Purser & Sons of Windsor ON, specializing in steam and gas pipe fitting, iron roofing and tin, copper and sheet-iron working, and eventually included plumbing. Reuben Purser remarried previously widowed Sophia Uegg (nee Eskie) on 26-May-1898 - born in Germany 13-May-1835. Reuben and Selina had 9 children:
Moses Purser
Moses Purser born 14-May-1829 in England, died 30-Dec-1901 in ON, CA. Emigrated to Canada in 1849. Identified as farmer in Raleigh (Kent County) in 1871 census. Married Mary Burgess on 5-Dec-1855. Mary was born 08-Jan-1832 in Scotland, emigrated to Canada in 1853.
Aaron Purser
Additional information provided by Bert de la Houssaye and used here with permission.
Aaron Purser born 1831 in England, died 24-Mar-1919. married Emily Benton born circa 1837 in ON, CA. Identified as farmer in Chatham township in 1871 census.
Amos Purser
Amos Purser born 1833 in Kent County, England, died 04-Aug-1868 in Harwich Township, ON, CA.
Gideon Purser
Additional information provided by Lloyd Mitton and used here with permission.
Gideon Purser born 28-Sep-1835, died 22-Feb-1918. Married Eliza Jane Bedford 31-Oct-1860. Eliza was born 28-Jun-1840, died 13-Jan-1918. Gideon identified as farmer in Raleigh (Kent County) in 1871 census. Family living in Romney Township, ON, CA in 1901 census.
Hezekiah Purser
Hezekiah Purser born and died 1838. On birth registration listed as Zedekiah.
Anna Purser
Anna (Annie) Purser born 28-Jul-1839 in Riverhead, Kent, England, died 18-Jun-1920. Married James Steinhoff 30-Dec-1857. James was born 01-Oct-1834, occupation listed as mariner and living in Wallaceburg on 1881 Ontario census.
Cornelius Purser
Cornelius Purser born 22-Mar-1842 in Edenbridge, Sevenoaks, Kent, England, died 30-Mar-1934 in Wallaceburg, ON, CA. Married Mary M. McLean on 10-Dec-1868. Mary was born 5-Jun-1851 in ON, CA, died 4-Feb-1904 in Dover, ON, CA. He then married Ann Harriet Ingalls on 17-Mar-1906 in Chatham, ON, CA. Ann was born circa 1860, died 9-Jan-1913 in London, ON, CA. Cornelius is identified as brick-maker and farmer in Dover, ON, CA (Kent County) in the 1881 census.
From Commemorative Biogrpahical Record of the County of Kent Ontario - page 29, published 1904 by J. H. Beers & Company
CORNELIUS PURSER, reeve of the township of Dover, retired brick manufacturer, and farmer of 100 acres on Lot 20, 3rd Concession, Dover township, County of Kent, was born March 22, 1842, in the County of Kent, England, son of James and Harriet (King) Purser, of that place. In 1854 the parents emigrated to Canada, settling in Toronto, where the father followed his calling of tanner for three years, and then removed to Dover township, where he manufactured brick and farmed until a few years prior to his death. In 1867 they removed to Wallaceburg and there he died in 1872, at the age of seventy-five years; his wife survived him until 1875, when she passed away at the same age, and they are both interred in Wallaceburg cemetery. For a number of years the father [James Purser] was director of the Agricultural Society of County Kent, and was very prominent. They were members of the Church of England, and died in that faith. The children born to this union were:
On Dec. 10, 1870, on the river Thames, Mr. [Cornelius] Purser was united in marriage with Mary M. McLean. The two children born to them both fell victims to that dread scourge, diphtheria, Bertie dying at the age of three and a half years, and Jennie at five and a half.
Mrs. Purser was born in Chatham township, County Kent, a daughter of William (1821-1871) and Jane (nee Brodie) (1824-1888) McLean, of Scotland. Mr. McLean came to Canada when eighteen years of age with his parents, settling in County Kent, and when he was twenty-four years of age, the family located at Chatham, Ont., and engaged in farming. He died in Raleigh township, aged fifty-one years, and his wife died in 1888, aged sixty-four years, and both are buried in Maple Leaf cemetery, Chatham. For many years he was reeve of Chatham township.
While living in Scotland, they were Presbyterians, but joined the Methodist Church in their new home. Their [William and Jane McLean] children were
The maternal [Mary M. McLean's] grandparents, James and Barbara (Welch) McLean, were natives of Scotland, who came to Canada in 1838, and engaged in farming.
Mr. [Cornelius] Purser remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, working in his father s brick yard and upon the farm. He made the first brick for the main sewer in Chatham. After leaving his father, he worked along the same lines, embarking in the brick business, in which he continued with marked success for seventeen years, and then, purchasing his present fine farm, retired to an agricultural life, and is now one of the leading farmers of Dover. In politics he is a Conservative, and in 1877 was elected deputy reeve for four years, after which he served for five years as township councillor. His next public office was that of reeve, which he held for five years in succession, and in 1900 was again induced to accept nomination. He was elected to the office with a large majority, and has held it ever since, discharging the duties with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the community. In religious affiliations he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Genial, enterprising and public-spirited, Mr. [Cornelius] Purser has made many friends, and he is justly regarded as one of the representative men of County Kent.
Harriet Purser
Additional information provided by Coleen Handlon-Shaull and used here with permission.
Harriet Purser born 07-Mar-1844 in Seven Oake (or Riverhead), Kent Co. England, died in Alabama (still living in Citronelle AL at 1930 US census). Married Andrew T. Crow 26-Dec-1860 in Kent Co., Ontario. Andrew was the son of Thomas Crow and Rachel Everitt and was born 14-Jan-1838 in Kent Co., Ontario, died 26-Jan-1884 in Chatham, Kent Co., Ontario. Following Andrew Crow's death, Harriet worked for an undetermined period as a housekeeper for son-in-law Edward Kelly in Wallaceburg, Ontario, and married John Simmons on 10-Oct-1902 in Wallaceburg, Ontario who was the son of John Simmons and Sarahstend Ford and was born in Alabama.
Emily Purser
Emily Purser born 1846. Married Ben Fox
James Purser
James Purser born 20-May-1848 at Elton Bridge, England, died 18-Sep-1927 at his home on Wall St. Wallaceburg, ON, CA. Married Elizabeth Currie born Apr-1862 in Ontario per 1901 census. James identified as a billiard table keeper in Chatham township as of 1871 census. James came to Canada at 2 years old and made the trip from Tornto to the River Thames 12 miles below Chatham by wagon. After opertaing a billiard room in Wallaceburg, he then went in the meat business with James Little. Afterwards he operated a bowling alley and then was connected with a lumber company. For a number of years he officiated as the town tax collector and had the honor of being a member of the first band to be organized in Kent County, which was formed in Chatham. James was the last surviving member of the Purser family of his generation (Cornelius died earlier in March 1927).
Elizabeth Purser
Elizabeth Purser born 09-May-1850 in Toronto, ON, CA (only child of this generation born in Canada - all others born in England), died 11-Dec-1917 in Chatham, ON, CA. Married James Scott McLean born 30-Mar-1849 in Ontario, CA, died 03-Dec-1873 in Chatham, ON, CA. Remarried William Whitebread born 29-Oct-1851 in Barrie, ON, CA, died 19-May-1934 in Chatham, ON, CA.
From the obituary of Fredrick Benjamin (Rick) Brisco:
Rick’s long business career began with his father Ernie’s Insurance and Real Estate firm, Brisco & Son, after returning from the war (Royal Canadian Air Force) where he served as a Flying Instructor. As an Insurance and Real Estate Broker he served terms as President of: The Chatham Real Estate Board, The Chatham-Kent Insurance Agents Association, The Ontario Insurance Agent Association; and The Canadian Federation of Insurance Agents and Broker’s Associations; Returning Officer for Chatham Kent for many Provincial and Federal Elections. Over the many years he saw his business’s continued by his sons, eventually being Smalley, Brisco & Thompson Insurance and Brisco & Son Realty. Always very active supporting his community throughout his life Rick served as: “Presidents” of The United Community Fund / United Way; The Chatham-Kent YMCA; The Chatham Rotary Club; The Chatham Granite Club; Trustee and Past Chairman of the Kent County Board of Education. Enjoying Freemasonry, he was a Past Master of Victory Lodge, member of Ahcom Shrine Club and was a 33 Degree Mason and Honourary Member of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite for Canada. Active throughout his life with Christ Church Chatham, he served as Warden, was active in the chore and Lay Reading and Sunday school for many years. His hobbies included hunting, curling, golf, sailing and boating and music. He was a member of the Chatham Concert Band for over 72 years and a member of the Wilf Lancaster Orchestra.
Obiturary: Ella Emel McDougall (nee Whitebread)
Wallaceburg News - Thursday March 2, 1911, Page 4: 'Death of Mrs. Ches. McDougall'
After an illness of several months there passed away on Saturday last [February 25, 1911] at her home in East Wallaceburg, Ella Emel [McDougall, nee McLean], beloved wife of Ches. McDougall. While the end was not unexpected, still, coming as it did, caused a deep feeling of sadness among her many friends, for she had been a resident of Wallaceburg since childhood, and by her kind and bright disposition and great musical ability she had made herself popular with old and young alike.
The funeral, which was very largely attended, not only by residents of Wallaceburg, but also by many relatives an friends from out of town, was held on Tuesday [February 28, 1911], Rev. W. T. Roberts officiating, assisted by the Wallaceburg Baptist male quartet, and Mrs. John Cooper, of Chatham.
After the services, the remains were taken to Chatham on a special car, accompanied by the mourners and friends, and were there interred.
Besides her husband and daughter Fay, she leaves one sister, Miss Lela Whitebread, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Whitebread, of Chatham.
Many beautiful flowers were sent by sympathetic friends and St. Andrews choir of Chatham, which her sister, Miss Whitebread, is connected, sent a beautiful wreath, as did the O. E. Club, of which Mrs. McDougall was a favourite member.
The family have the sympathy of the entire community in their sad bereavement.
Obiturary: Chester Burton McDougall and Otta Sills
Wallaceburg Herald-Record - Thursday July 8, 1915 (summary of story): 'Wallaceburg Thrown Into Mourning For Four Citizens Drowned'
byline: Sudden Squall Overturns Launch when Four Citizens Drown)
...when four of our most highly respected citizens met death by drowning through the overturning of a launch, the Caroline D on the Snye (River) close to its entrance through the east channel into Lake St. Clair. The four unfortunate ones included Mr. and Mrs. Chester McDougall. Four others were saved. (no sign of a storm, suddenly a tremendous wind hit them [referred in to in another story as a cyclone] and a huge wave overturned the boat and threw them in the water).
Mr. Chester McDougall was a partner in the firm of Stonehouse, McDougall and Moore, and was a prominent officer of the Baptist church here, at one time choir leader, and an official of the lodge of K. P. His daughter has recently taken her A.T.C.M. at Toronto Conservatory of Music. His first wife died some years ago, and he recently married Miss Otta Sills of Napanee, at one time a teacher in the public schools at Chatham. She was interred at Napanee.
Mr. McDougall was buried on Wednesday July 7, in the McDougall family plot at Riverview Cemetery, Wallaceburg.
Obiturary: Chester Burton McDougall and Otta Sills
Wallaceburg News - Thursday July 15, 1915, Page 4: 'Funeral of the late Mr. and Mrs. C. B. McDougall'
A very large number of sorrowing friends and relatives that attended the funeral services of the late Mr. and Mrs. Chester B. McDougall at their home on the east side on Wednesday of last week. It was only nine months ago that they entered their pretty home looking forward to a happy life together. They died together and were placed side by side. A large turnout of the Knights of Pythias, of whom twelve were pallbearers, marched in the funeral cortege, from the house to the grave with the remains of their late beloved brother knight, Mr. McDougall, and to the electric depot with the remains of Mrs. McDougall, where they were taken on the car to Chatham, and then conveyed to her old home in Napanee, accompanied by her bereaved parents and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Sills and Miss Nellie Sills. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. G. Saunders assisted by Rev. J. C. Reid.
The late C. B. McDougall was born on the McDougall homestead, now owned by Wm. Burgess, on the north branch of the river Sydenham. He was the eldest son of Malcolm and Frances (nee Grosse) McDougall, his mother dying about 11 years ago. He leaves, besides his father, two brothers, Claude R. (Dick) of Chicago, Ernest of town, and five sisters, Mrs. Chas. E. Nightingale, Mrs. Chester McGregor, Mrs. Chas. E. Ayres, Mrs. H. A. Stonehouse, and Miss Ida at home. His first wife was Miss Emil McLean-Whitebread, who died about six years ago, to whom was born one daughter, Miss Fay, who makes her home with her grandmother, Mrs. (Capt.) Whitebread of Chatham. His late wife was Miss Otta Sills of Napanee, a former school teacher of this place, whom he married on Sept. 30 last year. For the past four years the late Mr. McDougall has been a partner in the firm Stonehouse, McDougall, Moore Co. Ltd. Previous to that he conducted a gents' furnishings business on the corner of Duncan and James Streets. He spent a number of years in Lorain, Ohio, and was employed with S. D. Crothers and the late D. Dobie for a few years.
Deceased was a prominent member of the K. of P. holding an office in the Ontario Grand Domain, and none will be more missed in the lodge here than he.