Buckberrough Family of Ontario, Canada

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The Buckberrough name is an unusual name of English origins found only the New World during the 19th century in Ontario, Canada. Buckberrough/Buckborough have proved to be varients of the name Buckberry; however, in England this variation of the name has not been found. The name Buckberry does occur in a few records in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the last quarter of teh 18th century, but disappears by the 19th century. English records point to Lincolnshire as the primary place of origin for the Buckberry name and though less unusual than in the New World, the Buckberry name is a rarity in its homeland. Canadian oral history recalls East Anglia as the point of origin for their ancestors; however, these recollections are very general. In Canada, the name is interchangeable with the name Buckberry until about;the mid-19th century.
The Buckberry surname is found in a few records connected with the Pennsylvania Militia from 1778 to 1783. This does suggest that the family's loyalties are with the rebels, rather than the Loyalists that they settled among in Ontrario; however, these are the first records in the Colonies to indicate the presense of the Buckberrough name. Don Buckberrough, a descendant of James Coleman Buckberrough of Windham, Norfolk, recalls his grandmother, a Buckberrough by marriage, placing family origins in Pennsylvania. Her version of the family's history related that the Buckberroughs were 'thrown out' of England and came to Pennsylvania where they settled among the Pennsylvania Dutch [ref: interview, 01 Jan 1995]. In the American Genealogy Biographical Index and in the Pennsylvania Archives Books (5th series, Vol. 111, pg. 42) a John Buckborough is found to have served in the 5th PA Regiment; the earliest record is dated 09th of September 1778. The record states John was said to be sick at Princeton in the Index to Revolutionary War Service Records transcribed by Virgil White. Also in the Pennsylvania Archives (5th series Vol. 5 pg. 669) a Jno. Buckbery is listed as enrolled in the 4th Company of the 4th Battalion of Chester County Militia. On page 671, a John Buckbery appears in a list of Providence Company of Militia from 18 to 53 years of age; the document is dated the 08th of May 1783. And then on pg. 751 & 752, a list of names of the persons enrolled in the 6th Company of the 6th Battalion of the Chester County Militia in the year 1782, a John BUCKBERRY is listed. More research has to be done to determine if there is one John Buckbery or several and if this man is the same John Buckberry found by 1809 in Upper Canada.

John Buckberry

Initial research points to John Buckbury of Beverly township in Wentwoth county, Ontario as the progenitor of the Buckberrough families in Ontario. John Buckberry Sr. is named in pre-1851 census materials in Beverly for the years 1816, 1818, and 1819. In 1889, James A. Cornell writes in his local history, known as the "Lynden Letter" the following:
"The South-east quarter of Lot 8 was, seventy years ago, owned by William Buckborough and George Buckborough...I have learned that the south-east part of lot 8, first concession, was settled by Mr Buckborough, eighty years ago "
The reference is important in that it places the Buckberrough family in the area as early as 1809 and also establishes a family lind between William and George. "Mr. Buckborough" is assumed to have been their father; John.
John is dead by 1823, when his son George files a claim for both his father's and his own damages during the War of 1812. George is found in Wentworth as late as 1842 and has clearly settled elsewhere or died by the 1851 Census. A rough survey of deeds, War claims, and census records suggest that the four Buckberrough men born between 1780 and 1795 and residing in this region of Ontario are probably John's sons. These four men are: Hugh Buckberrough of Ancaster; John Buckberrough (1781-1848) who settled in S. Dumphries, Brant County; George Buckberrough of Troy; and William (c1792-1870) of Brant and later Norfolk Counties. These men are associated not just by their shared surname, but by location of residence and use of common naming patters such as Hugh, George, and John. By tracing and delineating each of these branches the origins and history of the Buckberrough family might be discovered.

Hugh Buckberry

We know less about Hugh Buckberrough and his descendants than we do about the other Buckberrough men; however, Hugh left some of the earliest records. Hugh applied for a land grant of which he was eligible through his wife, Eunice Ryckman. Canadian grants to Loyalists were extended to their children as well as the individuals who serviced against the American revolutionaries. Eunice's father, Lt. John Ryckman is named as a native of Sophiasburg, New Jersey, who escaped to Ontario after the American Revolution and served with the English against the American rebels [ref: "Families", Vol. 16 No 1 (1977), J.E. McAndless, A Genealogical Quandary]. The Grimsby Historical Society's book "The Annals of The Forty" include a small sketch of John Ryckman who is described as a Captain of the West Lincoln Regiment who was given land at Lot 28, Concession 1 in Saltfleet township, but moved to Barton. The Battle of Stoney Creek was fought near his farm. The Grimsby historical society's work was not able to identify his wife or children, nor does it provide any information on his place of origin. The only indication of age found in Mr. Reid's book is the wife of Samuel Ryckman whose obituary is found recorded in the Canada News (12 Mar 1863) indicating a birth in 1782. Assuming that Eunice is of this generation, Hugh must have been as old. The land grant given to Hugh and Eunice Buckberrough is dated the 17th of March 1812, indicating their marriage by that date [ref: Order-of-Council]. Hugh would die two years later in the War of 1812. Eunice a widow with children applied in 1814 for her husband's pension [ref: 27 Feb 1814]. According to the abstract of the record, Ò (sic) was a Private in the 5th Lincoln division and died of disease in the War of 1812. Private Hugh Buckborough is found in the "Registers of Those Without Certificates", specifying that he served in the War of 1812 in the Lincoln Militia under 1st Company Capt. Samuel Halt [re: RG9 I B 4, vol. 26, file 99, pg. 912, #570]. Eunice's name appears again in the "Orphan Pensions of the War of 1812" as guardian for the children of Hugh Buckboro (sic); however, in this record she is listed as Eunice "Grant" indicating that she had married a second time by the 01st of October 1817; the date of the pension record [re: J. R. Meacham, "Orphan Pensions of War 1812", Ontario Register, Vol. 3, No. 4 (1970)]. Census records and land records for the Grant family have not been searched for evidence of the Buckberrough heirs.

John Buckberry (1781-1848)

John Buckberry Jr. is one of the best documented of the Buckberrough men. He was a long time resident of the area near St. George in South Dumphries, Brant County. St. George is also a place where the family founded a homestead dating from the early 1830's and known as "Two-mile Corners" or "Buckberrough's Corner". John BuckberryÕs obituary states his age and date of his death in 1848 [re: TÓoronto GlobeÓ, 07 May 1848]. John left a will, which is located in the Toronto Archives and dated the 1st of February 1848.
John's widow Martha (Wilson) Buckberry (c1792 - 04 Dec 1875) is enumerated in the 1851 Census with children Rhoda, William (sic), John and also a daughter or granddaughter Almira. Martha's death certificate provides her place of birth as New York and the marriage certificate of her son John, provides her maiden name as "Wilson" [re: Brant Co. Marriages, 02 Feb 1859; Death Certificate #091238, S. Dumfries, Brant pg 61, #15]. Other sources indicate that the Willson family found in Brant County came from Hardwick in Warren county, New Jersey and were United Empire Loyalist. This region in New Jersey is associated with many of the families in the Ancaster area and may also hold a clue to the origins of the Buckberrough family. A history of the Ancaster area notes that Obed Willson (1776-1847) was an early Quaker resident, son of Samuel Willson (1738-94) who originally brought his family from New Jersey to Canada. According to the article the Willsons came from Yorkshire, England [re: "Ancaster's Heritage", pg. 243].
The John Buckberry family is recognized in the biographical sketch of Robert Snowball who married John and Martha's daughter, Rachel. In Snowball's biographical sketch, published in the History of Brant County Vol. II, it notes that, "They [John And Martha Buckberry of Dumfries Township] came to this township about the year 1821 from the County of Wentworth ." [re: History of Brant Co., pg. 682]. It is this statement which allows us to connect John Buckberry with the man who filed claims for losses in the War of 1812. The Brant history does not provide a full list of John's children, but Census records, marriage records of South Dumphries and John's will have been used to piece together the entire family.

George Buckberrough

George Buckberrough (born circa 1795) married Sarah Coleman (1795-1881). The primary source of information on this couple is Sarah's tombstone. Sarah is buried in the township of Troy in Wentworth County allowing for George to be indified with George Buckberrough who held land in that area. Early records show George Buckburrough (sic) of Beverly township claiming loses for the estate of John of Beverly for damages caused in the War of 1812. This record is found at the National Archives in Toronto [re: RG19 E5a, vol. 3742 claim 139 and another claim for George alone is found in vol. 3748 claim 555]. The record reads:
"No. 139. Geo. Buckberry - for Estate of John B. --- George B. Sworn says they heard the Indians firing & upon [search?] find they killed the first pigs. Thinks [they? killed?] 2 others also -- that there large fine hogs - The one (a sow/[illegible] sold for 258- [illegible] the Beef - Lives in Beverly"
John is dead by the time the claim is filed on the 09th of July 1823 and it is suspected that this John is the same John Buckberry Sr. who is taxed in Beverly up to 1816. George is also foun in military records as a Private in the Flank Company of the 2nd Regiment of York Militia as "George Buckberry". This George Buckberry made a claim to service in the War of 1812 and assigned Ward Smith as his attorney. The instrument is dated the 10th of September 1820 and was signed in Beverly [re: RG9 I B 4, vol. 26, file 96, pg. 197]. Pre-1851 census records list George Buckberrough in Beverly for the years 1816, 1818, 1819, 1825, and 1842.
George is not buried with his wife in Troy. Since his daughter marry in Townsend in 1864 he may have removed to that township. George may have settled in South Dumphries, where a George Buckbury is found living next to John. A map dated 1841 for the South Dumfries township of Brant county shows a George Buckbury neighboring John Buckbury in the 3rd Concession; George lived on lot 11 and John on lot 12.

William Buckberrough

William Buckberrough (c1792-1870), whose death certificate indicates he was born in Burford and died in Windham, Norfolk County, is thought to be the ancestor to most Buckberroughs in Oxford and Norfolk County. William is believe to have come from Wentworth, despite the fact that a non-family member who was the informant on his death certificate, placed his nativity in Burford. On the death certificate of William's son George, William's place of birth is stated as Beverly, Ontario. The death certificate also identifies William's wife as Margaret Green, a native of Dundas, Ontario [ref: 17 Dec 1911, Windham Tp., Otterville, Ontario]. A William Buckberrough is found in as early as 1825 in Beverly township and was a land owner. Margaret Green grew up in the West Flamborough area of Wentworth. William eventually settled in Windham township in Norfolk county probably after living some time in Brant county. William is buried in the Fairfield Cemetery on the Brant/Norfolk County border.
Margaret Green appears to be the daughter of Samuel & Margaret (Gordon) Green. Samuel and Margaret had a large family including: Mary (b1794); Lucy (b1796); Mercy (b1798); Margaret (b1800); William (b1802); James (b1804); John (b1805); Peter (b1807); Elizabeth (b1809); Samuel (b1810); and Nancy (b1812). Samuel Green is the son of John and Mary (Davis) Green who had fled Northeastern New Jersey to the Niagara Peninsula in 1786. John Green was one of the Loyalist settlers at "Forty Mile Creek" near modern day Grimsby and later settled in Flamborough township at a place now known as "Greenville".
William Buckberry (a.k.a. Buckberrough) is found on only two Census records, the 1851 and 1861 Census of Norfolk. The 1851 Census, shows William Buckberry, a 56 year old farmer living in a one-story log house with two young men assumed to be sons, Gordon and George, a woman named Nancy Green and an eleven year old girl named Fanny H------ [re: pg. 99, line #32]. The quality of the 1851 Census is very poor and nearly illegible; however, William's name is clear. In the 1851 Census, William is specifically listed as a married man, not a widower, however his wife is not found on the census. William's wife, Margaret Green, has not been located on any other 1851 census return surveyed at this time and it is likely that she was dead by 1851 and his marital status as stated by the census was incorrect. A note is made in the margin that his daughter, Jane Buckberrough died of consumption in March of 1851 at the age of 16 years, perhaps the wife also died of the same disease. Jane's tomb is found in Fairfield cemetery in Brant county.
In 1861, William Buckberrough is no longer head of his own house, but shown living with his son John and his wife Jane (Teeple) in a one-story log house [re: 1861 Census: District 3, pg. 19]. This Census shows William Buckberrough born circa 1792 in Upper Canada and a widower.
Land records of William's property transactions are important in establishing his identity and that of his family. William's son George was born in Windham in 1834, which indicates the family had settled in that are by that year. Though the 1851 Census shows that William had a farm of 60 acres and shows one of his sons on another 50 acres both in Windham, the first surviving land record is dated 1855. In the 1855 deed, William buys 200 acres in Concession 1 on lot 18, which would bring his land holding to 310 acres, which would have been substantial for the region. Both the Earl's and Tremaine maps confirm William's farm location and show more clearly his residency in relationship to other Buckberry families. In John Earl's 1857 "A Sketch of the County of Norfolk", William Buckberrough is lists in Windham township, 1st Concession, Lot 18, as 'W. Buckberry', also shown on Lot 18 is a S. Buckberry, J.E. Buckberry, and J. Bates. The coupling of the three Buckberrys and the appearance of a Bates family that was kin to the Buckberrys, suggests that Lot 18 may represent the division of a common ancestors' estate. Land grants do not indicate this to be true. Only William's purchase of 200 acres from John Hamilton is found among the Ontario grants and the identity of S. Buckberry and J.E. Buckberry, as well as, the documents that show their purchase of land on lot 18 has not been found.
William is not located on the 1871 Census and his tombstone and death record show he died on the 08th of January 1870 in Windham [ref: death registry #009318-70]. The 1870 death certificate was filled out by William's physician, A.H. Chamberlain of Burford. Chamberlain lists William's age as 69, providing a birth date in 1801; however the entry is difficult to read and an age of 79 would be comparable to the Census records.

James Buckberrough

James and Catherine (Misener) Buckberry are the ancestors of a large family that settled in Oxford County, Ontario. They are the ancestors of the Buckberroughs found in Tillsonburg, Ontario.
The 1851 Census estimates James birth as 1823 and Catherine as 1826, both have nativity in Upper Canada. The 1861 and 1871 Census corroborate these birth years; however their tombstones provide other birth years. James and Catherine Buckberrough along with most of the Buckberrough/Buckberry families are shown as members of the Methodist Church. James and Catherine are not found on the 1861 Census of Norfolk, instead appearing in South Oxford County, where they are found in South Norwich township in an area known as Springford. They are presumed to be the same people by fact of the matching names, years of birth, and having an eldest son named William.
Springford cemetery provides the best family vital statistics so far, showing that James and his daughters Esther, Uceba, and Catherine are all buried in the yard. James' tombstone dates his death as the 02nd of September 1880. Census records corroborate that James Buckberrough died by 1881, when his wife Catherine is listed as a widow. James' death certificates show the death of a James Buckberrough in South Norwich on the 02nd of September 1880 [re: certificate #012069]. James' tombstone gives his age as 56 years, 3 months, and 16 days, providing a birth date of the 17th of May 1824. Catherine's death is noted on a monument in the Newell family plot noting that Catherine wife of J. Buckberrough was born in 1820 and died in 1914; however, Catherine's own death certificate conflicts with both of these dates by one year. I am more apt to side with the death certificate placing Catherine's birth in 1821 and death in 1915. James' birth year is approximately the same as found on the census; however, Catherine's birth year as stated by her tombstone is significantly earlier than census records suggest. Catherine's death certificate provides slightly different dates, with her death as the 04th of July 1915 and her age being 94 years and 4 months placing her birth in 1821 [re: registration # 024460, informant Chas. E. Addison of Otterville].
The family of James Buckberrough is found in South Norwich in the 1861, 1871, 1881 and 1891 Census records. Indices of Ontario marriage certificates show that several of his children married in Springford, where James and several of his children are buried in the local cemetery. Both the 1861 and 1871 Census list the family surname as "Buckberry"; however by the 1881 Census Catherine, now a widow, is shown with the name Buckburough. The 1861 Census show James and Catherine as both natives of Upper Canada, members of the Episcopal Methodist Church and living in a one-story frame house. James is listed as a farmer in all the Census records except for the 1871 Census which call him a farm laborer. The 1871 Census also conflicts with other records by showing James to be a member of the Church of England. The 1871 Census is also the only record, which indicates ethnic associations, showing James as of English origins and Catherine as of German origins. [re: 1871, Ontario, South Oxford, Dist 13, Sub-D B, division 1, South Norwich, pg. 40 #166/169].
The 1851 Census is the first chance there is to get a glimpse of the lifestyle and wealth holdings of James Buckberrough. On the Census he lives only four farms away from his father William on lot 18 of Concession 1. The land may represent part of William's original tract, possibly indicating that James was the eldest son and given land upon his marriage. James' brother John, who is shown as older, is found on the 1851 Census with no land, farming with his in-laws, the Teeples. The Census shows that James Buckberrough held a farm of 50 acres with 25 acres cultivated. Only nine of the cultivated 25 were planted with crops, while 16 acres were used as pasture. Almost all of the planted land was cultivated with wheat, leaving two acres for other crops. From the remaining 25 acres of woodland, James harvested 40 lb. of maple syrup. The pasture land was probably for dairy cattle, since he claims to have raised only 20 lb. of wool, which probably indicates 20 sheep.
No oral history remains concerning Catherine Misener Buckberrough, though she lived to the advanced age of 94. Fortunately, the Misener family has a very active family association dating back to 1903 and has preserved much of the family history. Her death certificate provides only the name of her father, as Adam & Mary (Miller) Misener and her place of birth as Beverly Township. This is confirmed by records in the Misner family history which link Catherine to Adam Misener of Beverly and indicates that Catherine was his eldest child born to his first wife Mary Miller. Adam lived to the ripe age of 103 and his birthday celebration was recorded in the paper including mention of Catherine Buckberrough and her daughter Mary Wardle. The Buckberrough-Misener connection is apparently a one of intermarriage. The marriage of James Lawrason to Eunice Buckborough was witnessed by a Conrad Misner of Beverly. Conrad is Catherine's brother who had married Caroline Lawrason, James Lawrason's sister. Peter Misner, an kinsman to Catherine, is a witness to the will of John Buckberry, the presumed uncle of James, in Brant county. CatherineÕs father, Adam Misener, took for a second wife Helena Coleman a sister to George Buckberrough's wife.
Census records show that Catherine headed her own household until the 1891 Census where she is shown in the house of Ruben Oatman age 35 and another widow Ollie [Polly] Oatman age 73. Catherine is called a 'domestic', but at her advanced age it seems unlikely she worked for this family when she had several children to care for her. It is more probable that Ollie Oatman is some kin. Ruben Oatman is found in earlier Census records as the son of James and Polly Oatman; both whose tombs are found in Springford and who belong to the same generation as Catherine.

William & Henrietta (Ostrander) Buckberrough

William Buckberrough and Henrietta Ostrander married in February of 1871, according to the census of that year. William is listed as a native of Ontario, a Bible Christian, of English origins and a blacksmith. His age is listed as 21, corroborating his tombstone's listed birth year of 1849. William's death certificate identifies his birth place as Windham township in Norfolk County where the 1851 Census shows William as the younger of two children in the household of James and Catherine Buckberry, farmers. William's death certificate notes his religious affiliation as "Methodist", the faith shared by most Buckberrough families.
Henrietta is listed as a native of Ontario with her ethnic origins as Dutch. Her age is stated as 19, placing her birth year as 1851/2. Henrietta is the daughter of Henry & Margaret Ann (Brady) Ostrander who lived outside of Tillsonburg at a place called Ostrander's Corner. Henrietta's baptism certificate slightly conflicts with this date, placing her birth on the 07th of January, but does confirm the year. A third date is provided by Henrietta's death certificate which shows her birth on the 11th of January; her daughter Maude is listed as the informant. The Bible entry is most likely to be correct and is used here in these notes. The entry in the Sacred Heart Parish record shows that Henrietta was baptized on the 06th of March 1852 and her date of birth is listed as the 07th of January 1852. Henrietta's baptism in the Roman Catholic Church confirms that her mother's faith was adopted by her father; however it is thought that Henrietta did not belong to the Catholic church and was strongly associated with the Methodists, a church which most of the Ontario Buckberroughs belonged to. A photograph exists of Henrietta in middle age, posing with her two grandchildren, Irene and Harold Hayward at a Portland studio. In the photo she must have been in her late thirties. She is a handsome woman who appearance is forceful, engaging the camera head on.
William was a blacksmith and is recorded with that occupation as early as 1871. His uncle, George Buckberrough of Windham, Norfolk was also a blacksmith, suggesting that William may have apprenticed under him. By 1871 Census, William was working for himself in the South Oxford district. Birth certificates are found for all the children of William except Anna Maude. These certificate trace the movements of the Buckberrough family. William and Henrietta lived briefly in Guysboro, Middleton Township of North Norfolk County and their first child was born there. Between 1873 and 1876 they lived in Bayham Township of Elgin County, an area just South of Tillsonburg. Local Tillsonburg history well remembers William, as the town blacksmith for Tillsonburg, having established a shop there by 1886 [re: Tillsonburg News, 28 Jul 1972]. William's son Herbert, was running the shop in 1901, when it was "...one of the largest horse shoeing establishments in Tillsonburg..." [re: ibid.]. Herbert's 1920 obituary indicates he was still running the shop when he died. A newspaper article provided by the Oxford County Library notes that on the 01st of June 1902, "Tillsonburg suffered its greatest fire loss up to that time when the entire block surrounded by Broadway, Brock, Harvey and Ridout streets was turned into a pile of rubble within a few hours ... The fire was discovered in the Buck[b]errough Blacksmith ship ... The blacksmith shop was in the building that was once used for a roller skating rink oat the corner of Brock and Harvey streets". Perhaps because of the fire, the cash received from insurance provided the money Henrietta used to move West.
William's obituary states that he died the 12 of October 1896 and places his birth on the 12th of July 1849 [re: Tillsonburg Observer 16 Oct 1896; age 47 years and 3 months]. William's death certificate corroborates this placing his age as 47 in 1896 and showing that he died of peritonitis on the 12th of October. Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, which is the membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen. A person named S. Carpenter provided the data for William's death certificate. William's vital statistics are also found recorded on what appears to be the tomb [or mausoleum] of his son, Herbert. This memorial is listed in the survey found in the Tillsonburg Public Library and appears to be a large monument listing William Buckberrough on one side with a Masonic Crest. William's listing on his son's stone, rather than his own, indicates that his vital statistics may have been recorded at a date much later than his death and therefore increase the likelihood of error. The tombstone states that William died the 11th of October 1896, in his 48th year which slightly conflicts with both the newspaper and his death certificate [re: Section D row J].
Pieced together from obituaries, city directories and court records it is known that after William's death, Henrietta eventually moved to Portland, Oregon about 1901 and then to Seattle, Washington in 1906. There are no family traditions relating to Henrietta's move to the Northwest; however, it appears that she followed her daughter Maude Hayward out West. Ontario family recalled that Henrietta would never naturalize in the United States and would remain a Canadian citizen. The 1920 Census indicates this to be true, since she is listed as an alien with entry into the United States placed in 1899. It is not known where she first settled in the US.
Henrietta's arrival in Portland can be estimated about 1900. In a deposition concerning her daughter's petition for divorce, Henrietta testifies that she lived in the Hayward household for one and a half years, probably until 1902, moving to her own house in 1903, as indicated by the appearance of her name in the Portland City Directory. The 1903 Directory for Portland lists Henrietta Buckberrough, widow of William residing at 432 7th Street. Court records suggest that Maude and her two children join Henrietta's household in late 1903. In 1904, Henrietta is listed with her unmarried son James H. Buckberrough who works at the NW Music Company.
In 1905, Henrietta's son James is no longer working for the Northwestern Music Company, but has set up a tailoring shop with George H. Prue at 267 1/2 Salmon Street. The establishment does last long, since he is found boarding at 570 5th Street in 1906, working for John Oliver. By 1906, Henrietta had moved to Seattle along with her divorced daughter, Maude. It is said that Henrietta returned many times to Tillsonburg and was active in raising her grandchildren, especially the children of her son William [re: interview; Wm. Ross Buckberrough (1994)].
Henrietta's death certificate indicates she died on the 15th of May 1935 of bronchial pneumonia [re: WA State death registration No. 1845, King county]. Contributory causes of her death are listed as carcinoma of sigmoid, indicating cancer of the colon. The certificate of death indicates she had this condition for two years prior to her death. This is similar to her daughter Maude who also developed cancer in her eighties. This fact is noteworthy, since her daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter also developed cancer, but of the breast. Henrietta, like her daughter and granddaughter, was cremated on the 17th of May 1935.

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