Oldal 265 [265]
OCR
154 family : Martha, Cornelius, Rhoda, Stephen, Polly, Caleb, Albert, and Murray, Samuel settled on Lot No. 15, in the 9th Concession, 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 handsome 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 twentytwo 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 sufficiently 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.
