1881 personal census, Mersea Twp, Essex Co., ON, LDS 1881
census household record:
Foster William H., M, Married, 52, born Ont, origin: English, Methodist, Farmer;
Sarah Ann, F, Married, 52, born Ont, origin: English, Methodist;
Sarah Ann, F, 18, born Ont, origin: English, Methodist;
Charlotte, F, 13, born Ont, origin: English, Methodist.
Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1905, p. 412-415:
Foster. The family of this name in Mersea township is one of the oldest and most influential in that section of the County of Essex, where they have owned land for nearly eighty years.
The Fosters are of English descent, Ralph Foster, the founder of the family in this country, having been a native of England, born Dec. 27, 1795, in the parish of Wardell, County of Durham, son of John Foster, of the same parish... He married in Hexham, County of Northumberland, England, April 25, 1817, Ann Wilthew, who was born May 16, 1796, in the parish of Hexham. Shortly after their marriage they embarked for the New World, ... eventually coming to Ontario, and making their way to the County of Essex in about 1826, nearly ten years after they first landed on the Canadian shore. He located in Mersea township, on the farm now owned and operated by his sons, James W. and George, and was one of the first settlers in that region... He attained the ripe old age of eighty-two years, a strong, active man to the last, and died, full of years and honor, Aug. 21, 1877; he is buried in Lake View cemetery, at Leamington.
... By his first marriage Mr. Foster became the father of eight children: ... William Henry, born in Mersea township, County of Essex, Oct. 2, 1827, is mentioned below... The mother of these children died May 22, 1867, and was buried in Lake View cemetery. She was a true Christian woman, a loving wife and mother, and shared with her husband the trials and hardships of pioneer life...
William Henry Foster, son of Ralph, was born in a log cabin on the home farm on Talbot Street, and attended the little log school with its slab benches... Mr. Foster remained at home with his parents until of age, helping his father clear up his farm, and after reaching his majority he rented the homestead and operated it for four years, after which he bought a tract of land on the Leamington side road, in the 5th Concession, Lot 6, 100 acres of bush land, the purchase of which involved him in debt. He built a small log house containing only one room, and thither he brought his young wife and settled down to farming. At that period there was no Leamington side road, there were no bridges or roads, and no other inhabitants near where he settled. He cleared up the farm and put the land under a good state of cultivation, and in 1876 he built his present home, a brick dwelling house, which was the first of the kind in that section. Mr. Foster was one of the pioneers in tobacco raising in his section, and he made a thorough success of farming. He bought a 200-acre tract in Tilbury West township, which he divided with two of his sons. After carrying on the homestead for over a quarter of a century he turned over the management of the farm to his son Reginald, who is now operating it. ...
On March 9, 1851, in Mersea township, Mr. Foster married Sarah Ann Crow, Rev. William Boyer performing the ceremony. Mrs. Foster was born in London, England, March 11, 1830, daughter of Joseph H. and Sarah Ann (Wilshire) Crow, both natives of London, England, who came to Canada in 1850, with their family, and settled in Gosfield township, County of Essex. Mr. and Mrs. Foster celebrated their golden wedding March 9, 1901, and many of their friends attended on that occasion. They are still active, enjoying the best of health, and are much devoted to one another. Mrs. Foster possesses a refined Christian character, and has proved a loving mother and wife. She is a member of the Mt. Carmel Methodist Church.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Foster: ... (6) Charlotte Josephine, born July 1, 1867, married Oct. 23, 1889, Nelson Doyle, and resides in Merlin, Ontario.
Charlotte Josephine
Foster
Henry Foster 1851-
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