Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers, 1905, p. 446-447:
William G. McDonald, an enterprising farmer of Gosfield South, is a descendant of one of the pioneer settlers on the Talbot Road in the township of Tilbury East.
John McDonald, his grandfather, was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and there married Mary Calhoon. He was engaged in the boot and shoe trade and also carried on wool weaving, being an expert weaver himself. In 1815, accompanied by his wife and five children, he set sail for America, their destination being Canada. After a long voyage of more than sixteen weeks, they reached the Canadian port, came to Long Point, and very soon went farther west, locating on the Talbot Road, in Tilbury East, where the grandfather took up 200 acres of land through the government agent. As his sons attained maturity they also secured land on the lots on both sides of the first tract, so that the family secured 600 acres in a block, all situated on the shore of Lake Erie. John McDonald began the clearing of the land, which, after his death, was continued by his sons. He was interred on the old Shanks farm. His children were as follows: Hugh, Mary, Mrs. Shanks; Nancy, who married, John Moody; John, who lived on the west 200 acres; and Duncan, who secured the east 200 acres, married and had two children, John (deceased), and Sarah (married and living in Toronto).
Hugh McDonald was born Jan 8, 1801, in Scotland, and was fourteen years old when he came to Canada. Being the eldest son, he came into possession of the land taken up by his father. He assisted in placing the first buildings thereon, and occupied them when he began for himself, continuing on this place unti it was improved, when he traded for a farm at Harrow, which he later sold. Nearly sixty years ago he bought 230 acres in Mersa township, partly cleared, Lot 13, Concession 2. He dealt extensively in land, and owned a large body. He cleared all of his land, being a man of great industry. His death occurred June 3, 1891. For many years he was a class-leader in the Methodist Church. His first marriage was to a Miss Williams, and they had children, as follows: Mary, wife of Robert Morton, of Mersea township; Ann, wife of Solomon P. Fox, of Brandon, Ont.; Betsey, widow of Joseph Sheldon, of St. Ignace, Michigan; Margaret, wife of George White, of Leamington; Harriet, wife of John Summerfield, of Leamington; John D., who married Dorothy McQueen; and Adella, who married Watson Clark, of Monroe County, Michigan. Mr. McDonald's second marriage was to Anna Sheldon...
Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1905, p. 119-120 (at the end of the George Beacom biography):
Meston. The Meston family, to which Mrs. Beacom belongs, came from Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Her grandfather, Archibald Meston, was born in that shire, and there followed farming. He married Helen (surname not known), and in 1831, with his family, came to Canada... His children were: ... Robert...
Robert Meston came to Canada with his parents at the age of six years, and grew to manhood in eastern Ontario. After learning the trade of carpenter and joiner he located in Mersea township on land just west of Leamington, carrying on farming in connection with his trade. He then removed to Concession 3, Gosfield township, and remained there until 1873, when he bought a tract of 100 acres of land in the North part of Concession 8, to which he later added 100 acres more. He passed the remainder of his days in improving his farm, and at the time of his death had one of the neatest and best improved tracts in the township. He died July 1,1903, and was buried in Ruthven cemetery. In his political views he was a Liberal, and in religion a Presbyterian.
On Dec. 15, 1852, in Gosfield township, Mr. Meston married Mary McDonald, who was born in Tilbury, County of Kent, daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth (Willin) McDonald, natives of Scotland and pioneers of Canada. Mrs. Meston still resides on the old homestead. Her children were: Cecilia, born Oct. 10, 1853, married John Beacom, a blacksmith of Albuna. Kenneth, born April 23, 1856, married Minnie Drake, and has two children, Roy and Ettie. Josephine Helen, born April 19, 1858, married George Beacom. Angus, born Nov. 15, 1860, married Edith Tilden, and died April 10, 1902; they had two children, Alice and Mary. Alwida Ann, born July 31, 1865, married Thomas Hillier. Alice Jane, born June 23, 1868, married Wesley Reid, of Mersea township. Robert, born March 24, 1872, married Ida Crosley, and has two children, Bessie and Verner; he is engaged in farming the old homestead.
Mary
McDonald
Kenneth Meston 1856-
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