St. George's Anglican Church, Fitzroy Harbour Map of Fitzroy Township in 1879 BEHAN, Edward from Nenagh, County Tipperary COADY, Richard, came to Fitzroy c. 1830 from County Cork, Ireland. Coady's Creek on Highway 44. COLTON, Michael, Owen, Frank and John (brothers) from County Tyrone, c. 1830. COSTELLO, Michael (died at Grosse Isle, 1847). Widow was a GAVIN, 7 children. Eldest son, Mathew COSTELLO farmed in Fitzroy. CROTTY, Michael, wife Norah, from County Waterford CURRIE (CURRY), Patrick, wife Mary Kavanagh, both from County Fermanagh, Ireland in 1840's. FARRY, Patrick from County Fermanagh immig. in 1842. wife was Mary LUNNEY. Patrick died 1856, aged 67 GORMAN, Patrick, from Thurles, County Tipperary (old Celtic Cross tombstone in Fitzroy Harbour cemetery) HOGAN, Thomas, from Cloughjordan, County Tipperary LINDSAY, Patrick and wife Catherine QUINN, 3 sons Bernard, Patrick and Joseph. Foster son, John O'REILLY married Bridget CARLETON McDERMOTT, Michael from County Galway McGRATH, Michael Lot 2, Con. 3. McHALE, Patrick and wife Mary FARRELL - County Mayo Son James McHALE 1831-1891 married Margaret WALSH. Son Patrick 1825-1895 married Bridget O'DONNELL McMAHON, Michael, Thadeus, and Patrick (brothers) from County Clare, Ireland. Write-up in Fitzroy Book but records at Corkery. MORAN, Francis, 1813-1888 from County Leitrim, Ireland O'NEIL, Joseph and Agnes COADY, from County Clare in 1840. O'NEILL, John and wife Ellen from Tipperary SHANNON, Sarah from County Sligo SHERIDAN, John b. 1811, brother Michael, b. 1821, STANTON, John 1821-1884, wife Catherine GIBBONS, both from Roscommon, settled at Morris Island (before bridge was built). SULLIVAN, Thomas, from County Cork, wife Adeline born in Vermont Source: Beyond Our Memory ... A History of Fitzroy Township, 1989, ISBN 0-969-4250-0-7, Edited by Karen Lewis Runtz This book is also online at http://www.ourroots.ca/e/toc.aspx?id=4312 (Thanks to Jim Kirkpatrick for the link ... Al) The above pioneers lived in Fitzroy Township, but many of them attended church at Corkery, in Huntley Township.
January 16, 2002 Thanks to Dennis Hunt for the following list of pioneers in Fitzroy Township: Al, I saw your web page that listed early Irish families in Fitzroy. Here is my family and their friends that were very early settlers of Fitzroy. McKibbon, William, came to Fitzroy from County Cavan, Ireland (see e-mail dated September 11, 2003) Shaw, Henry, came to Fitzroy in 1926 from Mohill, County Leitrim, Ireland Gillan, Francis, in 1831 from Clooncumber, Co Leitrim, Ireland Latimer, James in 1831 from Mohill, County Leitrim, Ireland Wilson, John in 1831 from Mohill, County Leitrim, Ireland Moreton, George, in 1831 from Mohill, County Leitrim, Ireland McGinley, Robert, in 1831 from Mohill, County Leitrim, Ireland Hunt, John in 1832 from Curraun, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Ireland Hunt, Robert in 1840 from Curraun, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Ireland Hunt, Thomas came to Fitzroy from Curraun, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Ireland ... Dennis Hunt
March 5, 2002: Hello Dennis, I stumbled across this web site; http://www.bytown.net/fitzroy.htm On this web site was the following posting; January 16, 2002 Thanks to Dennis Hunt for the following list of pioneers in Fitzroy Township: Al, I saw your web page that listed early Irish families in Fitzroy. Here is my family and their friends that were very early settlers of Fitzroy. McKibbon, William, came to Fitzroy from County Cavan, Ireland Would you have any more information on William McKibbon and his family? I'm wondering if he had a brother or was related to an Adam McKibbon. Yours truly, Kevin McKibbon
July 20, 2002: The following was posted to the UOVGEN list by Norma O'Toole. It provides some historical background regarding early itinerant priests in the Fitzroy / Pontiac / Corkery area: Hello Mary I don't know where Eardly, Quebec is but I am tracing my husband's great great grandfather, Michael Sage, from the Quyon, Onslow area across from Fitzroy Harbour. On my last visit to the Pontiac County Archives in Campbell's Bay, I made a copy of an article titled "Early Onslow and St. Mary's Catholic Church" which appeared in the Centennial Edition of "The Equity" newspaper. (Sorry, no date on my copy.) I will repeat a small part of the article below to show how difficult it is to find early church records for this area. Quote As early as 1837, thirty years before Confederation, the area was visited by Fathers Poire and Moreau from Montreal, who brought the sacraments to the Catholics from Ottawa to Lake Temiskaming. (skip one paragraph) The first priest to make regular visits to Onslow was Father Terence Smith of Richmond Parish, forty miles away. On one of his early trips to the Ottawa River district he is recorded to have united twenty couples in marriage. At the same time Father Brady of Buckingham and Father Bellefeuille of Montebello were also visiting this area as well as Father Desautels and Father Moreau of Aylmer so a number of baptisms registered in those other centres actually refer to babies born in Onslow. In 1845, after a visit to the Mission, Father Telmon, OMI wrote to the Bishop of Ottawa asking that a parish priest be appointed, and the Bishop appointed Father Feeley to look after Fitzroy Harbour and Onslow. From then on the baptismal records for this area were kept in Corkery, across the river. By 1860 Onslow had a priest of their own, Father McDonnough, who came in hard times when there was much poverty. His first church was burned down, it was said, by a band of men and times were such that it could not be rebuilt so the priest was recalled. In 1863 a young priest from Chapeau, Father Casey, came to Onslow and worked hard to finish the wooden church and pay off the debt. One of Father Casey's duties was to look after the Pontiac Village men who had been brought in to attempt to build a canal along the Chats Rapids, a project which was later dropped. Unquote A search for early records of the people of this area would require checking the parish registers of quite a few churches. Are there any of the knowledgeable people on this list who can shed some light on this research dilemma? Norma O'Toole in Eastern Ontario
September 11, 2003:McKIBBON Hi, my name is Helen Wyse and I am a descendant of Thomas McKibbon (1800-1876) and Jenny Johnston (Johnson) (1802-1823 or 34). They came from Enniskillen, County Cavan to Fitzroy, then Pakenham and then on to Mink Lake, Renfrew County. Thomas and his brother Henry are thought to be nephews or cousins of William McKibbon. Some infectious disease (cholera) hit Pakenham in about 1832 and Thomas had to burn all of the buildings on his land and he sold his farm to William Russell in 1833 with the stipulation that it could not be farmed for several years. Thomas and his family and brother Henry set out to Mink Lake, and Jenny died in Douglas, Renfrew County. She is buried in a field (Tom Donahue’s farm), on hwy 60 going east from Douglas to Renfrew. There are about 9 graves in total there (presumably all people who died from the same illness and Thomas who was later buried there by his son, Samuel. Thomas and Jenny had the following children: Joseph, Margaret, James and Jane. He later married Nancy Bell and had a son, Samuel. Thomas apparently was not a farmer but had as much as 1500 acres of land in Fitzroy / Pakenham at one point. He would clear the land, sell the lumber and then sell the land as an improved lot for farming. I am trying to determine when Thomas came to Canada, exactly where he lived and worked in Canada and more about he and his family in Enniskillen, Cavan. Any information which you may have or advice would be much appreciated. Thank you, Helen Wyse
March 10, 2004: Conrad Tittley is researching the family of Michael McDermott and Mary Walsh who were in Fitzroy Township beginning in the 1840s.
March 15, 2004:Back to the HUNT families Hi Dennis I saw your posting of Fitzroy Township names on Bytown or Bust. Is this John Hunt the one who was married to Laetitia Gillan parents of George Hunt (1821-1886) who married Ruth Burke or is he a brother? And what is the relationship of the other 2 Hunts Robert and Thomas? I am researching the Stevenson family tree and Chastina Hunt (1853-1911) daughter of George and Ruth Burke married John Stevenson (1857-1908) And do you have any information on Hiram Carle Stevenson son of John and Chastina Hunt Happy to exchange any info I have. Diane Moorhead E-Mail: diane.moorhead@sympatico.ca (Also researching: Moorhead, Milford, Stitt, Stevenson, Bishop, Jeffrey, Mooney, Lowry) _______________________________ also posted on March 15, 2004: To Whom It May Concern; My name is Bill Taylor I live in BC. I am searching for my grandfather Arthur Hunt's decendants. I believe he came from Fitzroy County Ont. not very far from my grandmother who lived in Fitzroy County Ontario. I am the 5th generation of John Mantle who married Ellen Horgan / Hourigan and married about 1800 (mothers side) who arrived in Fitzroy Co. in 1823 residence W lot 25 con 5 pakenham township Lanark Co, Ont. Direct decendant of there daughter Mary Mantil / Mantle arrived 1823 same address as above married Benjamin Finner about 1828 My Grandmother Mary Ann Finner Born 01/04/1870 in Fitzroy Twp Carleton Co; Ontario married Arthur Hunt born 06/03/1864 I believe came from the same area. I am trying to find whatever I can on my grandfather Arthur Hunt and if anyone should have any information for me it would be appreciated. ... Bill Taylor E-Mail: taylorbill@shaw.ca ________________________________ April 10, 2004: 30 Jun 1853 After one publication of banns, marriage of Arthur Hunt of Bytown, adult son of William Hunt and Catherine Webb, to Catherine O'Meara of Bytown, adult daughter of James O'Meara and Mary Dolan Witnesses: Philibert Bastien (church warden) & others 12 Aug 1855 Baptism of Edward, born 16 July of the marriage of Arthur Hunt and Catherine O'Meara of March Witnesses: Peter McLaughlin & Widow King Source: Notre Dame records, compiled by Ellen Paul. ________________________ also posted on April 10, 2004: The Learmonth family had a grist mill just to the west of the village of Fitzroy Harbour in 1879. It's shown on the map (click near the top of this page). The original water wheel from this mill (dated 1868) is on display in the park located in the center of the village of Fitzroy Harbour today.
April 10, 2005:The Chats Falls Dam, Fitzroy Harbour It's spring here and Brandy and I are on the move again! This dam was built during the 1930's. I believe that John Egan from Aylmer, Quebec had extensive logging interests in the Fitzroy and Quyon area and it was he who built the horse railway around the Chats Falls in the 1850's. Downstream from the dam it's about a mile by canoe to Quyon. Upstream from the dam it's about 5 miles to Arnprior.A Research Partner Examining Marine Life There was still ice on the river but she can't resist it ! May 21, 2005: About a half mile above the dam is the Morris Island Conservation Area. It's a great place to canoe and hike and is completely handicapped accessible. Fishing platforms are wheelchair accessible. Michel Forand is studying the early lighthouses on the Ottawa River. He has sent in a picture of the early lighthouse at Morris Island. See photograph posted on May 21, 2005 at our lighthouses page.
July 5, 2005:Fitzroy Township Cemeteries The Anglican Cemetery in the Village of Fitzroy Harbour is on top of the hill overlooking the village and the Ottawa River. The Roman Catholic Cemetery is located across the street from St. Michael's Catholic Church. Within the boundaries of the park is a small area set off to commemorate the pioneer Sherriff / Shirreff family of Fitzroy Township. There are a few grave markers there (not sure if they are the original ones). My family had a cottage in the 1970's on the Ottawa River at a place called Willola Beach which is just east of the Provincial Park. Between the village and what used to be called the Willola Beach Road is a small cemetery. Diane Moorhead gives us some history of the cemetery. The Willola Beach Road is now called Moorhead Drive. This thread is continued from the William Mooney page dated July 5, 2005. Hi Diane: Thanks for including me in your e-mail to Don and Daniel. Do you mind if I add it to the William Mooney page? By the way, is the Epworth Cemetery the small cemetery bordering on Fitzroy Provincial Park, close to Moorhead Drive? Thanks again, ... Al ________________________ Hi Al Of course, you may add it to the Mooney page. I know the cemetery you mean. I remember, my Dad (of Moorhead Drive and Willola Beach) saying that it was very old and when they improved the road for the provincial park they discovered some very old graves. They thought some were native Indian there as well, many of the graves were unmarked ?? NP There was talk (45-50 years ago) of arrowheads in the vicinity. They had to change the road for the cemetery. They cleaned up the cemetery and made it visible. I don't know the name of this cemetery, or who took responsibility for it. I don't see this cemetery listed on Scott Naylor's Ottawa Area Gravemarkers website. The Epworth Cemetery is off/on Stonecrest Road and I always need a map to find it. It is very small, but quite visible from the road and the old Methodist Church is gone, It is North of the Kinburn Sideroad, I never remember whether or not it is before or after the Kilmaurs Road,. The Epworth Cemetery is at the corner of Stonecrest Rd. & Sol Lane, Fitzroy Township, West Carleton County, Ontario ... Diane
September 7, 2005: Changing Topography in the Fitzroy Harbour, Chats Falls and Morris Island area, 1879-1979
September 22, 2005: Margo Morel is researching the McHale family. There were early McHales in Fitzroy Township and also in Osgoode Township and in Mayo, Quebec.
September 30, 2005: Note to researchers: see also earlier postings on this web page for the McKibbon surname. Hi, I know I have spoken to some of you before. I am related to the William McKibbon who came from Cavan County. I have just received, from a descendent of the same branch, the wills of William and of his brother Thomas McKibbon. I am sure this will be of interest to some of you. I was certainly surprized that she had them (or a copy of them). Email if you would like to see them and I will copy them out. I don't want to do this now in case this email runs into a dead end, as it will take a bit of typing. ... Carol Ferguson E-mail carol47@telus.net
February 15, 2006: Thanks to Cheryl Thomas for the following link to marriages in Carleton County from about 1873 to 1880: (Mostly Fitzroy Township, but some from neighbouring Huntley and Torbolton). http://www.100megsfree3.com/granny1/carmarr2.html
February 28, 2006: Bradley Fox is researching one of the first families to arrive in Fitzroy Township. His ancestor, Christopher Armstrong, arrived in the Kinburn area in 1834 from County Fermanagh in Ireland.
August 20, 2006: James Wark was an early shoemaker in the village of Fitzroy Harbour.
August 21, 2006: Al The link below is to an on-line version of “Beyond our Memory” that you might like to add to your Fitzroy Township page or elsewhere. It is easier to use, of course, for those lucky enough to have access to hi-speed internet. http://www.ourroots.ca/e/toc.aspx?id=4312 ... Jim Kirkpatrick
April 1, 2008:
Map of the Village of Fitzroy Harbour, Ontario in 1879 Source: McGill University Digital Maps On the above map,the Ottawa River is to the north of the village. Fitzroy Provincial Park is at the top (east) on the map. The Carp River flows through the village and the Provincial Park. A nice day trip!
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