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M George Pigion Kerby

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Casamientos e hijos

Hermanos y hermanas

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Nota individual

Euphemia Township History 1849-1999, Euphemia Township Historical Society, 1999, p.337-338:
Kerby Family
George P. Kerby (1793-1874) was born at Prairie de Chien on the Mississippi River when the Northwest Trading Company employed his father. George was living in Kingston when the War of 1812 broke out and he enlisted in the militia, seeing action along the Niagara frontier. After the war, he received a grant of 500 acres on the St. Clair River where he lived briefly. He moved to the Chatham area, Eberts and finally settled in Florence (Zone Mills) in 1835. He operated the mill with his brother, Aaron Kerby, until 1842.
George was the postmaster in Florence from 1840 to 1868 and also served as Justice of the Peace, performing many of the early marriages in the area. George P. Kerby was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 1st Battalion of the Lambton Militia.
George Kerby donated the land where St. Matthew's Anglican Church and Cemetery are located. Married three times, his family included four sons and two daughters. At the time of the 1861 census, George was married to Helen Reid (1800-1874) of Falkirk, Scotland. The couple were buried in St. Matthew's Cemetery.
Edwin D. Kerby (1832-1889), George's son, was born at Florence. He became a banker and oil producer at Oil Springs, Marthaville and Petrolia. Edwin was reeve of Euphemia Township for seven years in succession, was the ninth Warden of Lambton County and was mayor of Petrolia in 1877. He is buried at Florence.

Euphemia Township History 1849-1999, Euphemia Township Historical Society, 1999, p.337-338:
Chapter Nine - To The Brave: Military Life.
...Colonel George P. Kerby, one of Florence's founding fathers, also served in the War of 1812, fighting at Lundy's Lane and Chippewa. Col. Kerby eventually received a grant of 500 acres of land on the St. Clair River for his military service but settled in Florence in 1835, later serving as officer of the 1st. Battalion of the Lambton Militia.

Euphemia Township History 1849-1999, Euphemia Township Historical Society, 1999, p.141:
Florence (Zone Mills):
Florence is located in the southwest corner of the township, near the junction of the Sydenham River and Fansher Creek. A grist mill was established here about 1827; the settlement was originally named after the owner of the mills. Historian Fred C. Hamil wrote that by 1832, John Thomas owned the mill so the settlement was named Thomasville. The community was later known as Kerby's Mills and then Van Allen's Mills. George P. Kerby purchased the mill in 1835 and George and his brother Aaron operated it until 1842 when they sold the mill to McGregor and Van Allen.
In 1840, when a post office was opened, the village was named Zone Mills. When the village was no longer part of Zone Township, there was a movement to change the name. For a short time, the village was unofficially known as Victoria, after the queen, but by 1856, was officially known as Florence.
When William Webster arrived in Zone Mills in 1842, the only residents were George and Aaron Kerby, John Van Allen, Mathias Herson, Louis Piche and some mill hands...
...
W.A. Dunbar's description of early Florence was published in the Florence Quill (November 9, 1916)...
"I will now endeavour to give some of my earliest recollections of Florence and a few of its earliest inhabitants. Prominent among these was Colonel G.P. Kerby, a genial old gentleman of United Empire Loyalist stock, who, until the infimities of old age compelled him to retire, held the office of village postmaster. He was a consistent pillar of the English Episcopal Church and in politics an uncompromising conservative. One of his sons, Edwin, was the only magistrate in the place..."

Euphemia Township History 1849-1999, Euphemia Township Historical Society, 1999, p. 44:
Edwin D. Kerby.
Edwin D. Kerby (b. 1820), of United Empire Loyalist stock, was born at Florence, the son of one of the first magistrates in the Western District, Colonel George P. Kerby. Edwin was a banker and old producer at Oil Springs, Marthaville and Petrolia, who served as reeve of Euphemia Township for seven years in succession [and was the ninth Lambton County warden in 1861/62]. Kerby died November 30, 1889 and was buried at Florence.

Euphemia Township History 1849-1999, Euphemia Township Historical Society, 1999, p. 50:
Florence (Zone Mills).
...Records show the Zone Mills post office opened in February 1840 with George P. Kerby as the first postmaster...
George Kerby was the owner of the mill in 1840 so the post office was probably located there. Kerby later operated a general store and the post office was moved to the store...

1846 personal census, Dawn Twp, Lambton Co., ON, transcribed by the Lambton Branch of the OGS:
Kirby George P., 1 male <16, 2 males >16, 1 female <16, 1 female >16, 5 total, 4 Ch of Eng, 1 Ch of Scot.

1861 personal census, Euphemia Twp, Lambton Co., ON:
Kerby George P., M, Post Master, 69, born USA, C of E, Married;
Helen, F, 47, born Scot, CS, Married.

1871 personal census, Euphemia Twp, Lambton Co., ON, p. 54:
Kerby George, M, 77, born Ont, C of England, origin: Irish, Retired, Married;
Helan, F, 70, born Scotland, C of England, Scotch, Married.

Index to death record, Stanley Twp, Huron? Co., ON: George Pigeon Kerby died 27 Oct 1874.

Headstone, St. Matthew's Cemetery, Florence, Ontario, transcribed by the Lambton Branch of the OGS:
James E Kerby died June 11, 1877 aged 22 years.
Edwin D. Kerby died Nov. 30, 1889 aged 59 years 3 mo's 20 days.
In memory of Helen Reid of Falkirk, Scotland, wife of Col Geo. P. Kerby, who died in Florence 30th Jan. 1874, aged 74 years.
In memory of Col Geo. P. Kerby born Jan. 10th 1798, died Oct. 27th 1874, aged 81 years 9 mo's & 17 days.

Obituary, Petrolia Advertiser, Friday 4 December 1874:
The Late Colonel George P. Kerby of Florence.
On the 20th of October last this respected and venerable gentleman died at Bayfield, while on a visit to his adopted daughter, Mrs. Morrison. He had obtained the ripe age of eighty-one, and yet continued so hale and hearty that his decease took his friends by surprise.
During a useful and honorable career of more than half a century in the western section of Canada, (Ontario), he has become so widely known and so universally respected that a brief sketch of his life and services will be expected. Apart too, from his individual merits, Col. Kerby belonged to a generation which is fast passing away, and to which Canada owed it that the first page of her history is heroic and honorable. The men of 1812 may justly be regarded as the fathers of this Dominion. To their valor, devotion and endurance, England owed the preservation of her North American Empire. The justice which their contemporaries perhaps grudgingly awarded, history will gratefully give. The development of Canadian power and the growth of a national and patriotic spirit among the Canadian people will invest with peculiar interest any authentic description of the personal peculiarities and character of the generation which may be said to have laid the foundation of their country's greatness.
These venerable pioneers have so nearly passed away that we may now venture to speak of them and of their virtues with the freedom with which we refer to a departed race. Those who have been familiar with them will concur in crediting them with singular simplicity and straightforwardness of character. There was a rugged steadfastness in their principles which reproduced itself in their outward aspect and gave evidence of a life chequered but not embittered by endurance and trial. Their virtue was robust and vigorous, such as became men who extorted an existance from the wilderness; who contended with a rigorous climate, and in a new country laid broad and deep the foundations of civil and religioous liberty.
The late Col. George P. Kerby was a type of these early Canadians. Loyal, brave, upright and pious; stern in manner; quick and energetic in speech; prompt in action; rough to men, but gentle and kind to women and children, he lived fourscore years, with a frame as upright and an eye as clear as when a youth he gaily, as a volunteer, joined the "forlorn hope" at the capture of Fort Niagara.
But he came of a fighting race. His Grandfather fell at the capture of Quebec in 1759, leaving a son, John Kerby, who learned to business of silversmith in Philadelphia, and afterwards entered the service of the North West Company. He was stationed for several years at the company's trading post at Prairie du Chien on the Mississippi. He married Alison, a daughter of James Donaldson, who served with distinction in the 8th or King's Own Regiment.
To Mrs. Donaldson, the wife of this old soldier, some interest extends and we digress for a moment to speak of her. Her name was Isabella Mulholland or Munholland. She, her sister Allice and their brother Bernard, were brought up and educated by Lord Kilhenny at his estate in the parish of Maybole, in Scotland. Bernard entered the service of the H.E.L.Compay, and having amassed considerable wealth, in after years made a handsome allowance to his sisters.
James Donaldson, having retired from the army settled at Detroit. His daughter Alison and her husband John Kerby became in due time, the parents of twelve children - seven sons and five daughters. Among them was the subject of this sketch, who was born at Prairie du Chien in 1793.
He came to Canada when very young, and was educated at Kingston by his brother James (afterward the Hon. James Kerby, well known in later years as Collector of Customs at Fort Erie. In 1812, young Kerby, being then 19 years of age, entered with hereditary alacrity into the service of his country, then harrassed with foes in both the Eastern and Western hemispheres. Napoleon, at the head of half a million veteran troops threatened her vary existence in Europe; and the American government, in unnatural alliance with the blood-stained despot, conceived that the time had come to strike a fatal blow at her power by robbing her of her North American possessions. The plan was well laid, but it was frustrated by the heroism of the sorely beset Canadian settlers, who not only defended their own frontier, but attacked the enemy on his own ground, and within two months form the declaration of war, had defeated him wherever they met and had captured Detroit, the whole of Michigan, a ship of war, thirty-three pieces of cannon, 2,500 troops, with colors and military stores of great value.
As an ensign in a company of the Incorporated Militia commanded by his brother James, George Kerby first saw service. How wearing both to body and mind were the duties performed by the raw levies of Canadians will be fully understood only by men familiar with the perils of a frontier war in an unsettled country, without roads, without supplies, and without experience. But after painful marchings and counter-marchings, outpost duty and drill, the young subaltern at length met the enemy in the west. He was at the battle of Chippewa, and took part in the sanguinary struggle at Lundy's Lane. He also served at the siege of Fort Erie, and was one of the 'forlorn hope' at the gallant capture of Fort Niagara. He was also present in several of the skirmishes which were constantly occurring during the war. Occupying, as he did, a subordinate position, his name does not appear in the dispatches but like the rest of his comrades, he did his duty faithfully and was content to share their common glory.
At the close of the war he resided for a short time in the township of Stamford. In 1825 he drew five hundred acres of land on the River St. Clair, in the township of Sombra, in acknowledgment of his services, and at once settled on the property. The old homestead is still occupied by a member of the family, Alexander, the youngest brother of the late Colonel.
Subsequently, he moved to the neighbourhood of Chatham, where the old residents hold him in grateful remembrance as an active, useful and kindly neighbour. In 1835 he took up his residence at Zone Mills, now Florence, where he spent the long remainder of his honorable life, engaged in various enterprises and mercantile pursuits.
Colonel Kerby held a commission of the peace for many years in the old Western District and was several times returning officer at the parliamentary elections for the constituency. In 1837 he was active in the suppression of the rebellion, and his house was headquarters for the militia during their march to the front and in their return home. He became Lieutanent-Colonel of the 1st Batt., Lambton Militia. He held the position of postmaster of Zone Mills from 1840-1867, when he resigned.
Colonel Kerby was three times married. His last wife died but a few months ago. His family consisted of four sons and three daughters, of whom the four sons and one daughter survive him. He was a faithful adherent of the Anglican church, and took a deep and constant interest in its work. St. Matthews, Florence, was built in 1840 on land which he gave for the purpose. In 1870, a new brick church was erected near the old one, and to it the Colonel was also a liberal benefactor.
With the first incumbent of Florence, the late Rev. John Gunne, Col. Kerby lived for many years in the bonds of warm and uninterrupted friendship, and they will long be associated in the affectionate remembrance of the people of Florence, to whom they were mutually objects of love and admiration. The two friends lie near to each other in the same hallowed graveyard, not having been long divided by death.
A large attendance of sincere mourners, on the 29th day of October, paid to the memory of Colonel Kerby the last tribute of respect. Many were there who had been benefitted by his counsel, edified by his piety, and honored by his friendship. And as the grave was closed over, the universal, if unspoken sentiment of all hearts was: There lie the remains of a man, just and upright - one of Nature's noblemen.

Family Group Record, LDS Ancestral File, familyid=8533222 and familyid=8533231:
George Pigion Kerby, b. 10 Jan 1783 in Prairie Du Chen, Ontario, d. 27 Oct 1874 in Of, Shiawassee, Michigan, buried Florence, Lambton, Ontario, s/o John Kerby and Ellison Donaldson. Married first Mary Merrell, b. Abt 1794 in Of, Ontario, d. 3 Oct 1821 in St. Clair, Michigan, buried Grosse Point, Michigan, on 15 August 1815 in Kingston. Children: 1) Samuel Merrel, b. 4 Feb 1818 in Lundy's Lane, d. 24 Sept 1905 in Juddsville, Shiawassee, Michigan, buried Sep 1905 in Corunna, Shiawassee, Michigan. 2) Emma Wihelmina Kerby, b. 19 May 1819 in Canada. 3) Jane Hamilton Kerby, b. 5 Nov 1816 in Canada. Married second Mary Cornwall, b. Abt 1797 in Camden Twp, Kent, Michigan, d. 22 Nov 1832, buried Camden Twp, Kent, Michigan, on 14 Oct 1825. Children: 1) Edwin Donaldson Kerby, b. Abt 1834 in Ontario. 2) Nathan Cornwall Kerby, b. 24 Jan 1827 in Ontario. 3) Duncan McGregor Kerby, b. 10 Sep 1832 in Ontario.

GenCircles posting:
George (Col.) Kerby
Individual: Founder of Florence, Euphemia Twshp, Ontario. Land Agent for Col. Talbot in that Zone...

The 'Douglas Hier' family home page, Genealogy.com. Douglas Hier writes:
My Grandmother Myrtie L.(Luce) Hier and G-Grandmother Lelah (Kerby) Luce compiled most of this information with the help of a lady in Flint, MI prior to 1972, and through extensive interviews with living family members....

George Pigion Kerby b. 10 Jan 1793 in Prairie du Chein, Ontario, bet 1812-1815 commissioned as an ensign in the war of 1812 d. 27 Oct 1874 in Bayfield Co., Huron, 30 Oct 1874 in Village of Florence, Kent, Ontario, Farmer, Episcopalian married first in Kingston, Ontario, 15 August 1815 Mary Merrella b. Prairie du Chein, Ontario d. 3 Oct 1821 in St. Clair, Mich, 6 Oct Grosse Point, Mich, second in Kingston, Ontario 14 Oct 1825 Mary Cornwall b. Kingston, Ontario d. 22 Nov 1832 Camden, Kent Co., Mich, 28 Nov 1832 Camden, Kent Co., Mich married third in London, Ontario, 15 Sept 1841 Helen Reid b. London, Ontario d. 30 Jan 1874 in Florence, Kent Co., Ontario, 4 Feb 1874 in Florence, Kent Co., Ontario...

Ver ärbol

Thomas Kerby †1759   Mary Walker †   James Donaldson   Isabella Maybor
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John Kerby 1755-1806/   Ellison Donaldson 1760-1839
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George Pigion Kerby 1793-1874