I am so excited about my latest finds, thanks to the 1851, 1861 and 1871 Canadian Census records on Ancestry.com. I am finally developing a picture about Joseph’s early years with his parents and siblings.
New Information:
1851 CENSUS - Nelson, in the County of Halton, pages 56-58, Line 33-44
Line | Name | Place of Birth | Age at next birthday | Estimated Year of Birth |
33 | R W Roberts | U States | 55 | (est. 1797) |
34 | Mahetable Roberts | Canada | 49 | (est. 1803) |
35 | Lucy Roberts | U States | 31 | (est. 1821) |
36 | Wm | U States | 28 | (est. 1824) |
37 | Henry Roberts | U States | 26 | (est. 1826) |
40 | Daniel | Canada | 22 | (est. 1830) |
38 | Helen Roberts | Canada | 18 | (est. 1834) |
39 | May (or Mary?) Ann | Canada | 17 | (est. 1835) |
44 | Hiram | Canada | 12 | (est. 1840) |
41 | Sarah | Canada | 11 | (est. 1841) |
42 | Hannah | Canada | 8 | (est. 1844) |
43 | Joseph | Canada | 5 | (est. 1847) |
1861 CENSUS – Township of Nelson, County of Halton, Canada West (Ontario), Line 44-49
Line | Name | Place of Birth | Age at next birthday | Estimated Year of Birth |
44 | Roswell W Roberts | U States | 63 | (est. 1799) |
45 | Mahetable Roberts | W Canada | 54 | (est. 1808) |
46 | Helen Roberts | Canada | 22 | (est. 1840) |
47 | Hiram | Canada | 20 | (est. 1842) |
48 | Han(n)ah | Canada | 17 | (est. 1845) |
49 | Joseph | Canada | 14 | (est. 1848) |
1871 CENSUS – Township of Nelson, County of Halton, Ontario, Page 62, Line 12-15
Line | Name | Place of Birth | Age | Estimated Year of Birth |
12 | Roberts, Rowsell | U States | 72 | (est. 1799) |
13 | Roberts, Mahatable | Ontario | 65 | (est. 1806) |
14 | Roberts, Hiram | Ontario | 27 | (est. 1844) |
15 | Roberts, Hellen | Ontario | 30 | (est. 1841) |
Questions and Analysis:
According to these three census records and the death certificates I have for both Joseph and Hiram, I have developed the following hypothesis about the family of Rowsell and Mahatable (Miller) Roberts:
Joseph Roberts was the youngest of at least ten children. His father was Rowsell William Roberts and his mother was Mahatable Miller. The first three children – Lucy, William and Henry Roberts were born in the United States. The other seven children – Daniel, Helen, Mary Ann, Hiram, Sarah, Hannah and Joseph were born in Canada. The family belonged to either the “Church of Ireland” or the “Presbyterian” faith. Rowsell Roberts was a shoemaker and farmer.
I believe the names of the parents as I have them are relatively accurate based on several different resources. Their dates and places of birth vary slightly. Rowell appears to have been born between 1797 and 1799 in Massachusetts (both Hiram and Joseph’s death certificates seem to indicate the same location). Mahatable appears to have been born between 1803 and 1808 in either Canada West (Ontario), Pennsylvania or Holland.
Based on the estimated year of Lucy’s birth (1821), and the age Mahatable would have been at the time (approx 18 years old), I would estimate that they were married sometime around 1820. The first three children were born in the United States, so I believe they were likely married in the United States as well. It is also possible they were married in Canada were Mahatable Miller and her family may have been in 1820. It appears that both parents died prior to 1881, as I have been unable to locate them in the 1881 census. I have no information currently as to where they may be buried. However, since the family had lived in Nelson Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada for well over 30 years (possibly 50 years), I expect I will find them buried in Halton County.
Based on the estimated year of birth of Daniel (1830), it appears that the family may have immigrated from the United States to Canada (possibly directly to Halton County) about 1829. I am not sure if I know all the children’s names yet. It is also possible that there may have been a couple children who died young, based on gaps of 3 or 4 years between the children. There is a possible gap between Henry and Daniel, Daniel and Helen, and Mary Ann and Hiram.
I am also curious if Joseph older brother Henry married Mariam Ramsey and is the father of Martha Anna Roberts and Elizabeth E Roberts, both of whom are buried at Rock Falls Cemetery with Hiram and Joseph (and Cecelia).
Below is the Family Group Sheets I have put together so far on this family.
NEXT STEPS:
More information needs to be gathered for each of the siblings of Joseph (birth, marriage and death).
I need to locate death records for Rowsell and Mahatable.
I’d like to find the birth records (if possible) or obituaries for the three oldest children (Lucy, William and Henry). This would help me know where to focus my US research for marriage as well as the parents of both Rowsell and Mahatable (Miller) Roberts.
Meanwhile, thanks for stopping by.
Love & Aloha,
~Cuzn Amy
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