Whitcraft

(submitted by Ann McInnis Tonge)

Thomas Whitcraft (1817–1880) was born in Ireland. He was the son of either George or Jacob and Nancy Whitcraft. He was a shoemaker by trade. In 1840, Thomas and his sister Elizabeth emigrated from County Monaghan, Ireland to Quebec. It is unclear whether Thomas and Elizabeth left Ireland before the rest of the family, or if they emigrated together and separated once they arrived in Canada. It is known that life in Ireland was difficult, and that this family came looking for a better life.

After living in Quebec for about a year, the Watford Guide-Advocate reported they

came west by the Bateau and stage route, and partly on foot, to the Township of Warwick. While walking westward on the London Rd., between the 21 and 24 side roads, Elizabeth saw an elderly woman approaching her and on coming closer she was greatly surprised to meet her own mother.

Nancy Whitcraft and her other two sons had arrived in Warwick some weeks before. They settled on Con. 6 SER.

Thomas married Rachel Gage. They had four children, Jacob, William, Margaret, and Thomas. Rachel died in Warwick Twp. in the 1850s. Following Rachel’s death, it appears that relatives or neighbours took in the children, with the exception of William.

Thomas then married Mary Moore (–1888) of Strathroy.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Whitcraft Family

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