Howden

(submitted by Pat McLean)

William and Jane (Balfour) Howden immigrated to Canada from Fermanagh, Ireland in 1835, bringing their four sons Samuel (1816–1879), James, Noble (1824- 1902) and John Balfour (1826–1905) with them. The Howden family sailed from Londonderry; their voyage took thirteen weeks and three days. The family first located in Peel County, Ont., then moved to Wisbeach on Lot 27, Con.1, SER Warwick Twp. in 1855.

Their son, John Balfour, worked for his next door neighbour, George Watson, and married George’s daughter, Helen (–1915), in 1861. John and Helen had twelve children: Mary Ann, Jane B., Esther, Margaret, William, David Samuel, John, Martha Elizabeth, Catherine, George Noble, Helena Adeline and Lulu Ethel.

Samuel lived with John and Helen’s family for four years before moving to Toronto. During his stay there he was on active duty during the 1838–1839 rebellion. He also met and married Jane Carty there. Samuel and Jane had the following children: Mary Jane (1840–1892), William (1844–1924), Thomas J., Samuel B. (1849–1919), Martha A., Noble Balfour, Esther Elizabeth, David, Robert Jeremiah (1859–1872).

He later moved his family to Haldimand County, where he farmed for nine years. In 1854, Sam and his family came back to Warwick Twp., where he bought a farm near Wisbeach. In 1868, Samuel was on Warwick Council as Deputy Reeve. In 1873 the family moved to Watford. Samuel was appointed Clerk of Watford in 1874, the year Watford became incorporated as a village. He held this position up to the time of his death.

Samuel Howden had a grocery and hardware store in Watford run by his sons Noble and David. David eventually moved to London, and was the founder of the D. H. Howden Hardware Company. William, the oldest son, was a house builder; Samuel B. was a cobbler.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Howden Family

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