(submitted by Michael Williams)
Thomas Cuthbert Williams (1800–1877) was born in Wiltshire, England, the son of Rev. William Williams and his wife Anne Flower. In 1832 Thomas left his widowed mother and siblings in Bath, and set out for Canada. He landed in New York City and eventually made his way to Warwick Twp. and took up farming on church lands, Lot 26, Con. 1 NER and Lot 26, Con. 1 SER.
From a history of the parish of St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Warwick, it is learned that Thomas was a member of the choir established in 1847 and that as a musician “on several field days assisted Military Bands in London”. Music and literature played an important part in his life, as his will instructs that his musical instruments and books be equally divided among his sons.
In 1837 Thomas married Mary Ann Tanner (1822–1871), daughter of John Tanner and his wife Hannah. Mary Ann was baptized in Wiltshire, England and immigrated to Canada with her parents in 1830. Eight sons were born to Thomas and Mary.
The sons are as follows:
Henry (1838–1924) married Mary Chambers (1841–1930). They farmed in Michigan and are buried there.
Thomas Albert (1840–1905) married Mrs. Elizabeth (Ross) Harvey (1830–1908), and after farming for a short period in Bosanquet Twp. settled in Sarnia.
Frederick Charles (1842–1865) died unmarried.
Alfred James (1844–1923) remained on the home farm and married Matilda Avis Hipkins (1844–1913) of Warwick Twp., the daughter of Richard Hipkins and Mary Ann Guyer.
The fifth son of Thomas and Mary Williams was John Young (1848–1927) who also remained on the farm. In 1877 he married Martha Phillips (1853–1893), daughter of William Phillips and Mary Pullen, of Warwick Twp. After Martha’s death, John married Mary MacQuillan (1846–1907).
Charles Richard (1850–1926), first married Mary Wilson (1856–1876), and after her death married Anna Crocker (1859–1915). Anna was the daughter of James Crocker and Jane Baker of Adelaide Twp. Charles and Anna farmed in Warwick Twp. on Lot 15, Con. 1 SER.
The seventh son of Thomas and Mary was Arthur Septimus Williams (1852–1882) who married Emma Ann Smith (1860–), daughter of David Smith and Belinda Cole of Warwick Twp. Arthur was killed by a kick from a horse, leaving a widow and two young sons. The following year his widow Emma married Robert Falconer and the family moved to Manitoba.
Joseph Octavius Williams (1856–1926) married Mary Elizabeth Harrison (1861–1954) in Michigan, where they stayed.
Chapter 24 of 25 - Williams, Thomas Cuthbert
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