Oldal 265 [265]
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family : Martha, Cornelius, Rhoda, Stephen, Polly,
Caleb, Albert, and Murray,
Samuel settled on Lot No. 15, in the 9th Conces¬
sion, where he remained until the declaration of war
in 1812, when he volunteered to defend his country,
doing duty at Gananoque. He died in March, 1813,
his wife surviving until July 7th, 1834.
Stephen Seaman was born in Bastard, July 24th,
1804. He married Manada McCollum, in January,
1826, she dying without issue. He next married
Catherine, relict of the late George Percival, by
whom he has had two children.
Mr. Seaman is an excellent example of the success
which attends the intelligent Canadian farmer. He
has, by agricultural pursuits alone, acquired a hand¬
some fortune, Being adverse to public life, he
invariably declines all offers that would tend to
remove him from the quiet of the home circle.
Always a liberal supporter of churches and schools,
his influence is of that character which reflects
credit not only upon himselt, but also upon the
community in which he resides.
HENRY LAISHLEY.
The subject of this sketch was born at Andover,
Hampshire, England. In 1837, his father removed
to the United States, the son remaining there until
1843, when he removed to Canada, teaching school
for several years in the vicinity of Farmersville.
He next opened a general store at Elgin, where he
has since resided. Mr. Laishley has occupied the
position of Superintendent of Public Schools, and
also a seat in the Municipal Council.
GEORGE PURVIS.
Mr. Purvis was one of the early pioneers of Leeds
who served his country in 1812. He died October
ist, 1878, leaving a numerous posterity, including
ten children, twenty-nine grandchildren, and twenty¬
two great-grandchildren. The deceased will long
be remembered as an honest and highly respected
citizen.
ADAM SHOOK.
Adam Shook was born of German parents, at
Levington-Manon, State of New York, February
29th, 1775. While he was a child, his parents
removed to Saratoga. Mr. Shook married Patty
Soper, who was born July 14th, 1784. About the
year 1801, Mr. and Mrs. Shook became members of
the Baptist Church, through the missionary labors
of Elder Pillsberry, of Boston. In March, 1796, Mr.
Shook removed to Canada, settling on Lot No. 5,
in the 7th Concession of Bastard, his clearing being
at that time the furtherest removed from the St.
Lawrence, in that portion of Leeds County. He
married in 1801, and in 1812 took up arms in
defence of his country, serving at Gananoque.
The Shook family originally consisted of six
brothers and three sisters, one of the brothers,
Philip, coming to Canada with Adam. Two of the
Shook brothers married two sisters, daughters of
Solomon Soper, of Kitley. Their remains all lie in
the little cemetery opposite the residence of the late
Abner Chapin, the brothers being interred side by
side and feet to feet, and the sisters in the same
position. The monument is of Vermont marble,
taken from the farm upon which the sisters were
born in that State.
During the absence of her husband in the war of
1812, a wolf came to the vicinity of the house, as if
aware that no danger could be apprehended. Patty
Shook was in possession, at the time, of a musket,
but did not understand loading it. The difficulty
was Overcome by a visit from her brother, who
charged the old “Queen Ann” with a ball and
several buck shot. The next day the wolf again
appeared, when the wife of the Canadian pioneer
shouldered her musket, and stole cautiously in the
direction of her unwelcome visitor. When suffici¬
ently near for practical purposes, she levelled the
gun across a stump. and aimed with such precision
that the wolf fell dead, shot through the heart.
It is related that for some time after Mr. Shook
settled in Bastard, the black flies and musquitoes
were so numerous that the settlers, when planting
and hoeing Indian corn, were compelled to drag
after them a small trough, in which a smouldering
fire was kept burning.
Adam Shook died November 23rd, 1847, his wife
surviving until February 18th, 1874. The homestead
remains in the possession of descendants of the
family.
THE READ FAMILY.
Moses Read resided on the Connecticut River at
the time of the Revolutionary War. In 1784, he
removed to the Township of Augusta, taking up
Lot No. 36, in the 3rd Concession. During the
following year his family arrived in Canada. His
family consisted of three sons—Obadiah, Moses, Jr.,
and Benjamin, and also three daughters. Obadiah,
at the time of the removal to Canada, was the father
of two children. His journey to Canada, via Lake
Champlain, was one of long suffering and many
trials. Previous to the departure of Moses, Sr., he
was arrested by the Continental authorities, and
only escaped being hanged for treason, by proving
that he had during the war been an enlisted soldier
in the British army. Obadiah was also persecuted
and heavily fined, because he refused to serve in the
Rebel army.