1901 personal census, Mersea Twp, Essex Co., ON, K2-9:
White Ralph T., M, Married, 16 Sept 1866, 34, born Ont, origin: English, Can,
Meth, Farmer;
Mary, F, wife, Married, 14 May 1866, 34, born Ont, origin:
English, Can, Bapt;
Charles H., M, son, Single, 20 Feb 1892, 9, born Ont,
origin: English, Can, Meth, 10 months in school;
Harry C., M, son, Single, 25 May 1896, 4, born Ont, origin: English, Can, Meth;
Grace I., F, daughter, Single, 22 Dec 1898, 2, born Ont, origin: English, Can, Meth.
Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1905, p. 547-548:
James White, formerly a well known farmer of Mersea township, now living retired, is one of the oldest citizens of that township, where he was born and has passed his entire life. He was a pioneer among pioneers, and is a worthy descendant of his sturdy Scotch forebears, being noted for his unswerving honesty and uprightness of character.
James White, father of James, was the first of the family to leave Scotland, coming to Canada when a young man and locating in Mersea township. He obtained Lot no. 236, of the Talbot Grant, on what is now Talbot Street, a tract of 200 acres, on which he erected a log house and began his pioneer life. By unremitting industry and hard labor he cleared a portion of the homestead, and passed the rest of his life there, engaged in farming. He died in 1853, at the age of sixty-five, and was buried in the family lot on the farm, an old willow tree marking his last resting place. He and his wife were members of St. John's English Church, of which he was one of the founders. He married, in Mersea township, Phoebe Walton, who died when nearly eighty-seven years of age, and is buried beside her husband. She was a devoted wife and mother, a true Christian woman, and shared uncomplainingly all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. The children of this union were as follows: Betsey (deceased), who married John Robinson; Mary (deceased), who married Thomas Hodgson; Jane (deceased), who married Russell Fox, of Mersea township; Nancy (deceased), who married Absalom Jones; Phoebe, who married Major Thomas M. Fox, of Wheatley; James, who is mentioned below; John, also mentioned below, who lives on the home farm; and George, a retired farmer, who lives in Leamington.
James White was born in the old log house at the homestead, on Talbot Street South, Sept. 1, 1833. As a boy he attended school from three months to six months of the year, in the school house made of hewn logs, which was the educational centre of the township. Many of his school companions are still living - venerable and respected men. Mr. White assisted his father on the home farm until the death of the latter, after which he and his brothers continued to carry on the place and care for their widowed mother. Later the farm was divided between the three brothers, James taking the east seventy-five acres, where he continues to live. There he began farming on his own account, making extensive improvements, including the erection of a brick dwelling house and good frame barns. His farm is carefully managed and is kept in a high state of cultivation, reflecting great credit upon the skill and sagacity of its owner. Mr. White is a man of domestic tastes and temperate habits, a true Christian and a devoted father. He is a member of Wesley Church, on Talbot Street, which he helped to organize, and of which he served as steward. He married Jan. 8, 1855, Mary Alice Setterington, who was born in Mersea township, daughter of John Setterington. She died Jan. 14, 1888, at the age of fifty-six, and is buried in Lake View Cemetery. She was also a member of Wesley Church. To Mr. and Mrs. White ten children were born as follows: ... (6) Ralph, who lives in Mersea township, married Mary Craig, and they have had five children, Charles, Harry, Grace, Jennie and Oscar...
Charles H.
White
Grace I. White 1898
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