Robert Davidson

Samuel married Sarah Hastings about 1847. Sarah (daughter of James H. Hasty / Hastings and Ginnett Hasty / Hastings) was born in 1824 in near Belfast, Ireland; died in 1892 in Listowel, Wallace Township, Perth County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From the research of Earl Hastings

Sarah Hastings was raised on her father's homestead in Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario.

In about 1847 she married Samuel Davidson. In 1854 Sarah and Samuel Davidson became one of the first families to establish a homestead in Perth County near Listowel where they would raise their family and live out their lives.

At least three of their sons made their way to Western Canada in the 1880's as part of the early settlement of the Northwest Territory.

George Senze Davidson operated the Queens Hotel at Troy (later Qu'Appelle) while Adam and William W. established themselves in the Indian Head district. George Senze later moved to Indian Head where he operated the Queen's Hotel in partnership with his brother Adam. George Senze, Adam and William W. are all interred in the Indian Head cemetery.

Notes:

James Hasty/Hastings
Born 1783 Parish of Donnaghedy (Cavancreagh Townland) Tyron County, Ireland.
Died 1 Feb 1856 Whitchurch Township, York County, Upper Canada.
Married 1822 Ginet Hasty, his cousin, daughter of Adam Hasty, born 1784 Parish of Donnaghedy (Cavancreagh Townland) Tyron County, Ireland.
Died 1863 Whitchurch Township, York County, Upper Canada.

James married Ginnett Hasty / Hastings in 1822 in Ireland. Ginnett was born in 1794 in Parish of Donnaghedy (Cavancreagh Townland) Tyron County, Ireland; died in 1863 in Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From the research of Earl Hastings

On May 16, 1806, at the age of 23, on the Island of Jersey, James Hasty enlisted in His Majesty's Royal Irish Regiment of Foot, Second Battalion. He was, no doubt, the forced volunteer from Donnaghedy Parish as at this time each parish was expected - even forced - to provide a volunteer to reinforce the King's Army. The regiment was stationed on the Island of Jersey to repel a threatened invasion of England by Napoleon Bonaparte. He served as a private 14 years, 169 days, and was discharged at Cork, October 31, 1820. His pensionable service amounted to 19 years, 123 days, the result of 4 years, 319 days service in the West Indies. He received a medical discharge after repeated attacks of haemoptosis. It is alleged he consumed considerable vinegar to create the blood ailment. He was granted a pension of one shilling per day.

He was 37 years of age on discharge, 5 ft., 9 inches in height, with black hair, hazel eyes, dark complexion. His previous occupation was recorded as a labourer.

In about 1822 he married his cousin Ginet Hasty, daughter of Adam Hasty. They settled on an English farming estate near Belfast. There were 500 soldiers and ex-soldiers on the estate. It was here that his family – Sarah, Thomas, Mary Anne and Adam – were born.

It is alleged he was fined three pounds in 1831 on an assault charge by the English landlord due to an incident in which his dog either barked at or bit the landlord. He refused to pay the fine, vacated the estate and emigrated with his wife and four children to British North America landing in York (Toronto) June 28, 1831.

His brothers Thomas and Robert had preceded him, both settling in Whitchurch Township, York County, Upper Canada. Thomas with his wife Sarah Mitchell and six children arrived in November 1818 and their descendants remained in Whitchurch Township for five generations. Robert arrived with wife and three children in 1819. He subsequently moved and settled in Chinguacousy Township, York County and later moved to Mara Township, Simcoe County.

On July 5, 1831, James Hasty forwarded sundry documents relative to his pension to Captain Ailey, military secretary at Quebec: “soliciting you to lay them before his lordship, the commander of the forces, to obtain his authority for the payment of my pension at York, Upper Canada”.
On July 6, 1831 he petitioned for land as a discharged soldier. The document is signed by James Hasty with “his mark”. No land grant was issued.

The first land purchased by James Heasty is dated October 1, 1831 covering the west-half of Lot 12, Concession 6, Whitchurch Township, York County, from the Canada Company in consideration of 62 pounds 10 shillings. Payments continued for five years with interest, and by 1836 he had paid a total of 64 pounds 6 shillings 2 pence. A deed dated October 7, 1836 was issued to James Heasty by the Canada Company.

James Hastings Sr. was appointed a fence viewer pursuant to By-Law No. 1 passed February 14, 1850 by the township council. This is the first time the name Hastings appears in place of Hasty or Heasty. The “Sr.” distinguished him from his nephew James, son of his brother Thomas, who resided in the same township and whom he later named an executor of his last will and testament. After 1850 the name Hastings remains constant.

A transfer is registered September 27, 1851 from James Hastings “called” in deed dated October 7, 1836 James Heasty to Adam Hastings in consideration of 100 pounds covering the south half of the west half of Lot 12, Concession 6, Whitchurch Township, containing 50 acres.

A further transfer is registered in 1854 from James Hastings “described” in deed dated October 7, 1836 as James Heasty, to Adam Hastings in consideration of 100 pounds of the north half of the west half of Lot 12 Concession 6 Whitchurch Township, containing 50 acres. On the same date a mortgage is granted by Adam Hastings to James Hastings securing the payment of 100 pounds with no interest on the 4th day of March in each and every year thereafter during the natural life of James Hastings.

James Hastings died at Whitchurch Township, York County, Upper Canada February 1, 1856. His total estate amounted to 4 horses, 7 cows, 15 sheep, a wagon, stove, clock, dish cabinet, table and bureau, two bedsteads and a loom; all valued at 88 pounds, plus a note in the amount of 100 pounds (probably Adam’s in payment for land). In any event he bequeathed Adam the farm in consideration of his paying fifty pounds to each of my two daughters, Sarah Davison and Mary Ann Heasting (sic). To his son Thomas he bequeathed but five shillings as Thomas had earned his father’s displeasure by not accepting his responsibilities on the farm. To his beloved wife he bequeathed all of my loose property in the house and out in the country on my farm as long as she lives, but my son, Adam, is to have one cow and a team of horses.

James Hastings by his will made certain his son Adam would be beholden and responsible to his mother until her death in that he owned the land and she the stock and implements. A situation that would prove difficult for Adam on his marriage in 1860 to Alice McDowell who at the age of 17 years had to share the home with the mother.

His wife, Ginet Hastings died in 1863 in Whitchurch Township, York County, Upper Canada. They are both buried in unmarked graves in Melville Presbyterian Cemetery (now Melville United Church Cemetery) on Concession 5, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario.

The names Hasty, Hastie, Heasty, Heastings are all used at various times prior to 1850. In Ireland the name Hasty is used in all records to about 1850 when the name Hastings appears. The Hastings name has been in use since that time.