William E. Griffith

Family/Spouse: A.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

W. married Jean Campbell. Jean (daughter of John Campbell and Mary Ann Smith) was born on 23 Mar 1896; died in 1968. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: 9J64-PSP
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/9J64-PSP

Other Events and Attributes:

• FindAGrave URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/171368510
• FindAGrave ID: 171368510
• FamilySearch ID: 9WTS-J8J
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/9WTS-J8J

Notes:

(6) John [CAMPBELL], born in 1853, is engaged in the milling business at St. Thomas [Elgin County, Ontario]; he married Miss Mary Smith[18], of Harwich [Township], and they have four daughters, Maggie, Mary, Florence and Helen, all residing at home.

Helen Campbell Price notes:

"m. Mary Ann Smith, 1852-1932, dau. of Robert and Anna (Graham) Smith."

(Research):From Ted Lollis:
John CAMPBELL [1847-1914], miller, 3rd son of Neil and Flora, married Mary Ann SMITH [1852-1932], had four daughters and no son. In addition to his mill, John was a board member (and presumably a major benefactor) of Sinclair College, a Disciples school in St. Thomas named for Elder Dugald SINCLAIR [1777-1870].

John married Mary Ann Smith. Mary (daughter of Robert Smith and Anna Graham) was born in 1852 in Kent County, Ontario, Canada; died in 1932 in Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FamilySearch ID: LRN6-PG2
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LRN6-PG2

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigrated: Canada
• Occupation: "Flour Mill" listed as trade in 1886 directory of Morpeth tradesmen.
• Occupation: "yeoman Trustee", Morpeth Cemetery
• Occupation: Miller
• FindAGrave URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47334016
• FindAGrave ID: 47334016
• FamilySearch ID: K424-7CZ
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/K424-7CZ

Notes:

From the Commemorative Biographical Record - Kent Co.:

Niel Campbell acquired his education in the State of New York and married there, later coming to Canada. His land was also purchased through Col. Talbot, being the same on which his son [Malcolm CAMPBELL] now resides. His start was as a pioneer in the dense woods, and the privations and deprivations of the pioneer life probably hastened the death of his wife [Flora JOHNSON], who passed away [in 1853] at the age of thirty-nine years.  Mr. Campbell survived until 1880.

Notes from Emily Campbell Price p. 17, 23:

"..birth record missing; could have been born in Dec 1808 or some time in 1809; (his son Malcolm says 1808 in his article in the Kent County Biography"

"..Niel came to Canada after his father did"

"Note: I have spelled the name of Malcolm's eldest son Niel instead of the more usual Neil because Mary (McDiarmid) Tindale has papers with his signature on them and he spelled his name Niel.  In Gaelic it would be Niall."



Notes from Ted Lollis:

The letter below, dated 10 Aug 1835 is from Neil Campbell (age 25) and his bride Flora Johnson (age 17?) in Howard Township, Kent County, Ontario, to Archibald Wear, in the town of Russia, Herkimer County, New York.

Address: Mr. Archibald Wear & Russia Herkimer County New York US

Postmark: HOWARD C [printed] August 18 1835 [handwritten] PAID is stamped in the middle of the address Faint postmark may say Herkimer (ER is legible) Aug. 25

Howard the 10 August 1835

Dear Uncle

I drop you a few lines to let you all know that we are all well at present hoping that these lines may find you in the same. Father and Mother are well of their ague and fever. Mother were quite smart on the canal. She had few cold chills, the last in Buffalo, we were detained Thursday in the afternoon till Friday morning, on account of a brake on the canal. Got to Buffalo Sunday morning, Know sum boats from Canada were in. The boat Ohio came in after few hours, did not leave Buffalo till Wednesday morning. I put our things aboard short time after she arrived, hired a room for half dollars to a boarding house till she would go. Flora was pleased to see the vessels and steamboats. We left Buffalo Wednesday morning. It was very calm on the lake. Few hours after we left there was twelve schooners under full sail. I think you would be pleased to see them. Flora was sick few hours but soon got over it. We got to Port Stanley Thursday four o’clock after noon. There we met with some of our friends. I went about two miles to Neil house and got his team, took our things up on the waggon. His brother in law went with us next day about twenty-three miles to Mr. McKowen (?) , next day I got Mr. George Monro’s team and got to our own home made log cottage the nineteenth July.

We met with several of your old acquaintances which were glad to hear from you all. Mr. Daniel McCoo_an has been poorly in health this some time back.

Our wheat crops were good this year. We have got near through harvesting. They have had very heavy rains while I was over there, but are very dry at present, grass was better this year than it has been this many years.

About your offer I have taken the advice of Father which was sorry to hear of our going back but hoping it would be for your good and ours therefore left it all to ourselves. He has offered to help clear twenty acres give yoke of cattle two cows sheep hogs and find us in provision till we would raise some, but lows we [illegible] do well there but wishes me to keep this lot here if I go back as it will not last much. Therefore as I hope it will be for our good all I will go there next May, if you haven’t alter your mind. If you have let me know as soon as possible, if not I wish you would keep six or seven of the cows and I will settle with you as soon as I can. The thought of Russia comes over Flora middling often. Dr. McVicker was here when we first came, and sends his compliments to you all. John and Neil Campbell’s families were well when we saw them last, Neil’s got a young daughter. Mr. Bleus friend were well when we heard last, your old friend Mr. Buchan is well. I saw his son last Sunday. Brother John is worse at present than he has been in a long time.

You will not forget writing to us as soon as this comes to your hand. No more at present but our loving respect to you all.

Neil Campbell

[in different, more delicate handwriting:] Dear father, though far away yet I can turn a anxious (?) thought on the hoping yet to spend a Saturday evening with you. I am very well pleased with the looks of the country. I have not seen one lonesome hour since I landed. If it had been my own sisters they could not welcome me more. I long to hear from you hoping that you will not delay to write to us & not forgetting John Mary & Harrett. Paper fails. I must conclude with my loving respect to you all.

Flora

The original of this letter is owned by Brenda Jean TURNBULL Tomasko (Brenda@PolicyStudies.com) of Washington, DC. She transcribed it and e-mailed a copy to Edward W. "Ted" LOLLIS (GeoVis@erols.com) 01 Sep Aug 2000.

Notes from Edward W. Lollis, Knoxville, TN:

Brenda's notes read: "You wondered whether this letter was sent and why I have it. It looks as if it was sent. I would guess that when Archibald died, a couple of items he'd saved (his naturalization certificate and this letter) were passed on to Neil and/or Flora and/or their daughter (my great-grandmother) Flora CAMPBELL Sinclair.

"Neil's spelling is phonetic and his punctuation haphazard at best. Where the meaning seems unambiguous, I've cleaned up spelling and punctuation. Where I was more confused, I transcribed more literally. I am not sure about the gist of the business proposition he discusses; maybe they were talking about Neil and Flora moving back to New York, but it's far from clear."

(Research):There was twelve schooners under full sail [on Lake Erie].

The biographies of Neil CAMPBELL [1808-1880] and his son Malcolm CAMPBELL [1843-1922] extracted from "Commemorative biographical record of the County of Kent, Ontario, containing biographical sketches of prominent citizens" published by J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1904, pp. 609-10:

From the Commemorative Biographical Record - Kent Co.:

Neil Campbell acquired his education in the State of New York and married there, later coming to Canada. His land was also purchased through Col. Talbot, being the same on which his son [Malcolm CAMPBELL] now resides. His start was as a pioneer in the dense woods, and the privations and deprivations of the pioneer life probably hastened the death of his wife [Flora JOHNSON], who passed away [in 1853] at the age of thirty-nine years.  Mr. Campbell survived until 1880. They had a family of seven children, these being:

(1) Isabella [CAMPBELL], born in New York in 1836 [& died in 1894], was the wife of John R. McKinley [1833-1910], of near Ridgetown, and they had a family [of 12 children].

(2) Flora [CAMPBELL], born at the present home in 1838 [& died in 1903], is the wife of Rev. C[olin] Sinclair [1834-1920] [son of Elder Dugald SINCLAIR] of the Disciples Church, of St. Thomas [Elgin County, Ontario], and they have four sons; Dr. Duncan  (of Woodstock), Neil (of St. Thomas), Burnett (deceased) and John (of St. Thomas),

(3) Mary [CAMPBELL], born in 1841, became the wife of Rev. Hugh McDiarmid [1837-1901], now deceased, who was a professor in Hiram College, Hiram, Ohio, where his widow and children still reside, the latter being; Campbell (a leading barrister of Cincinnati), Erritt (a professor in a Minnesota college), Norman (a resident of Cincinnati [& later a colonel in the US Army]), Bell (wife of a  Mr. Ritchie) and Ethel (a resident of Ohio).

(4) Malcolm [CAMPBELL] is next in the order of  birth. [See below.]
(5) [Archibald] Archie [CAMPBELL], born in 1851, grew up in the old home, and is an M. P. [Member of the Ontario Parliament] of the West shore, located at Toronto Junction [just west of Toronto]; he married Miss M[arietta] Burt [BURK?] [c1845-1913], of County Kent, and has a family of six children Maud (the wife of Spencer Stone, a merchant of Chatham), Nellie, Mabel, Archie, Douglas and Norman.

(6) John [CAMPBELL], born in 1853, is engaged in the milling business at St. Thomas [Elgin County, Ontario]; he married Miss Mary Smith[18], of Harwich [Township], and they have four daughters, Maggie, Mary, Florence and Helen, all residing at home.

(7) James W[ier CAMPBELL], born in 1856, married Miss Catherine Campbell of this county, and they settled on the old homestead, where he followed farming until his death in 1895, this being caused by an accident in his brother [Archie]'s mill at Toronto Junction. A widow and three children survived him; Blanche, Gordon and Clara, the last named being Mrs. John Balmer, of Manitoba.

Occupation:
From Ted Lollis:

Neil CAMPBELL [1808-1880], miller, and Flora JOHNSON [1814-1853] who met in New York. Flora's tombstone in Morpeth, Howard Township, Ontario, proudly proclaims "Native of Oneida Co., NY." Neil was a "yeoman Trustee" of the Morpeth Cemetery and the only Campbell named in the 1866 directory of Morpeth tradesmen. He and W.B. Simons are the only ones listed with the trade of "flour mill." Neil and Flora had eight children.

Niel married Flora Johnson about 1835 in USA, NY. Flora (daughter of Malcolm Johnson and Flory Wear) was born in 1818 in Utica (Oneida County), NY; died on 2 Dec 1853 in Kent County, Ontario, Canada; was buried in Morpeth Cemetery, Morpeth, Howard Twp, Kent County, ON, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• FindAGrave URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47334088
• FindAGrave ID: 47334088
• FamilySearch ID: KZW6-4H2
• FamilySearch URL: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KZW6-4H2

Notes:

Emily Campbell Price notes:

"..she was the mother of all of Niel's children"

Her tombstone proclaims "Native of Oneida Co., New York.

The letter below from Ted Lollis' web site contains a reference to Malcolm Johnson and his wife Flory Wear " one son and two daughters. One daughter married and moved to Canada. The other two lives to home unmarried".  Presumably, this Flora is the one that married and went to Canada.

Letter dated 29 Dec 1849 from Alexander BLUE (age 61 [so b. cir. 1780]) in North Gage, Town of Deerfield, Oneida County, New York, US, to his uncle Daniel BLUE (age 79 [so b. cir. 1770] ) in Carthage, Moore County, North Carolina, US:

Dear Uncle.

I received your letter dated November the 26th which gives us great satisfaction to hear from you and your family and your children's families that they were all well and comfortable. I received a letter from Kenneth Black some time ago he sent by Mr. Be_ell. I went to see him but he was not at home. The letter dated March 2nd, 1847.

Now I will begin and give you a history of my father's family.
John moved west about 160 miles from here. Direct John Blue, Riga, Monroe County, state New York. He had thirteen children, ten living and three died. Eight girls and two boys. Five girls married, three girls and two boys unmarried. All of them well off.

Catherine and her children are well. Their land joins ours and they are very comfortable.

Daniel moved to the state of Michigan about 600 miles from here. He departed this life August 10, 1849. He had six children, four living and two died. Five boys and one girl. One boy and the girl are married.

Now, you know more about sister Mary and family than I do.
Sally moved to Michigan and died about eight years ago. She had eight children, six living and two dead. Five boys and three girls. Two girls died. One boy married.
Isabel lives near brother John. She had eight children, six living and two died. Five sons and three daughters. Two sons died. One girl married.

Brother Gilbert had three children, two girls living and one boy dead. The oldest girl is married as far as I know. I believe they are all well off .

I had three children, two boys and one girl. Their names are Archibald, Mary and Malcom. Mary and Malcom are married. Mary lives west near brother John. She has two children, one boy and one girl. Malcom lives with sister Catherine. She brought him up. He takes care of his uncle's farm. He has one son named Archibald. Archibald is the oldest of them. He lives with me, unmarried, he manages the farm to home.

Now about uncle John's family.

Allen lives about two miles from me. He has no children. He hired out his farm and lives very comfortable. His sister Sally lives by him. She has four children living, two sons and two daughters. One son and one daughter married.
Duncan lives on his father's farm. He has three children living and two died. Two sons and one daughter, one son married.

Catherine lives about 120 miles from here near Canada. She has no children.
Archibald works around, unmarried.

You want to know how far I live from Uncle Dugald. It is about seven miles. I carried the letter to him the other day. He said that he would write to you soon and let you know all about his own family. He and his wife are failing . He is very dull of hearing.

Daniel McVicker died last January in Canada. Your old neighbor Niel Beaton is alive and smart for him. His wife is quite smart. They have five children living, four boys and one girl, all unmarried. They are very rich.

Malcom Johnston had a fall last New Year's Day so that he did not walk one step yet. He has three children living by his first wife, Flory Wear, one son and two daughters. One daughter married and moved to Canada. The other two lives to home unmarried. Malcom Johnston was married three times. His first was Flory Wear. The other two were Welsh womens. All dead. Malcom Johnston's sister Mary Niel Haggart's widowdied a few years ago.

Flory Johnston , Archibald Wear's wife, died year ago last fall. Wear sold his farm and stock and all that he had. He went to Canada last fall to see his friends there. John McNiel and his sister Elizabeth. Catherine Smith, Duncan Smith's widow, died about three years ago.

About the market. Improved land and good building on it is worth from 40 to 50 dollars per acre. A good horse is worth $150. A good cow about $30 to $60 in the Spring. Common cows sell from $25 to $30 per head. Wheat is a dollar per bushel, corn fifty cents, oats thirty seven. Potatoes fifty, cheese six to seven dollars per cwt. Butter fifteen cents per pound. Hay seven to eight dollars per ton.
We live about 11 miles from Utica, where we carry all our produce to market, although we generally sell cheese and butter at home. The city of Utica is growing very fast. The Erie Canal runs through it. The railroad runs through it. Another canal enters in from the south, and a great many plank roads. There is a plank road within a half a mile from us that goes to Utica.

We have a meeting House here that the Presbyterians and the Close Baptists built together. The Presbyterians preach every other Sabbath and the Baptists the other Sabbath. Congregations are small owing to so many denominations here and each one tries to keep up their own society.

Now, if you heard from Richmond County let me know. In your next letter let me know how sister Mary's family do. If you see Duncan, Catty, Nancy, Daniel or Niel Livingston give them my compliments. I remember them well. Tell them that my sister Catherine looks just like Grandmother that was in Drynoch in shape.

When you write to me and I hope that will be soon, direct Alexander Blue, Deerfield, Oneida County, state New York, North Gage post office. No more at present. Mary joins with me in sending our compliments to you, dear Uncle, and to all our cousins there and their families. Fair ye well.

Mary and Alexander Blue

The original of this letter is owned by Allan Grant BLUE (AlBlue@cvn.net ) of Bendersville, PA. He transcribed it (adding paragraphs, capitalization, and some punctuation) 25 Nov 1997 and e-mailed a copy to Ted LOLLIS (GeoVis@erols.com ) 03 Dec 1998. Ted up-dated a small portion 03 Sep 2000 based on a partial scan e-mailed by Al BLUE in August 2000.

(Research):Malcom Johnston had a fall last New Year's Day so that he did not walk one step yet. He has three children living by his first wife, Flory Wear, one son and two daughters. One daughter married and moved to Canada. The other two lives to home unmarried. Malcom Johnston was married three times. His first was Flory Wear. The other two were Welsh womens. All dead. Malcom Johnston's sister Mary Niel Haggart's widowdied a few years ago.

Robert married Anna Graham. Anna and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]