| William BLACK CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VII.
Elizabeth, the eldest child of the first named William Black, by his
second wife, was married to Joshua Freeman, who owned and lived on a
farm in the centre of Amherst. He was a prominent member of the Baptist
Church, and very zealous in his Master's cause.
About the year 1816 he sold his farm and moved to Hamilton (Upper
Canada) now Ontario, where he purchased a farm. He took with him his
children as follow: William, Jerusha, Elizabeth, John, Amanda, Joseph,
Joshua, Mary, Samuel, and Ezra. Two twin daughters were born after they
arrived at Hamilton, one of whom died when young. Ezra was drowned when
a young man.
At that time there were no steamships, no railroads, to convey them
to their destined home, hence the facilities for traveling long
distances were exceedingly limited, and the removing of a large family
that distance, with all the trials of passing through a new and strange
country, were difficulties not easily surmounted.
In September, 1816, the family embarked on board a small sailing
vessel at Bay Verte. Several friends from Amherst accompanied them to
the Bay to bid them, what many thought to be, a final farewell. The
sadness with which adieux were spoken, and the touching sight of the
father supporting his two grownup, weeping daughters as they stepped on
board, followed by the remainder of the family, were long remembered by
those who witnessed the scene. Such partings were not then mitigated by
the rapid communications between friends which are possible to-day. The
journey which then occupied several weeks may now be performed in three
days.
After a few days Mr. Freeman's family arrived in Quebec, whence they
made their way, partly by canal boats and partly by other modes of
travelling to what is now the city of Hamilton. Mr. F. purchased a large
area of land a few miles from Hamilton, which was afterwards called
Wellington Square. The industry of the family and the passing of
railroads through the farm caused a large advance in the value of this
property some years afterwards.
WILLIAM, the eldest son of Joshua Freeman, settled in Hamilton, and
owned a valuable property. His wife's maiden name was Catherine Gage.
They both died, leaving a family of grown children. About the year 1854
William Freeman accompanied by a son and his wife, made a visit to their
friends in the lower provinces.
JERUSHA, the eldest daughter of Joshua Freeman, was married, and is
not now living. It is much to be regretted that a more minute account of
some of Joshua Freeman's posterity could not be obtained. One thing the
writer recollects distinctly, especially when he sees a scar on his left
arm, that, when six years old, Jerusha vaccinated him for small pox, in
the summer before she left Amherst.
ELIZABETH--called Betsy--was married to John Moore. They had four
sons and three daughters. The second daughter, named Clementine, was
married to Silas Black, of Dorchester, son of George M. Black. Further
account in Chapter 13.
JOHN, the second son of Joshua Freeman, purchased a farm and settled
in a place then called Esquising, in Ontario, quite a distance from
Hamilton. He had a large family of children, some of whom moved to the
United States.
AMANDA, the third daughter of Joshua Freeman, was married to
Sylvester Davis. They lived several years in Burlington, Ontario, and
moved thence to the state of Illinois, where Mrs. Davis died, leaving
several children.
JOSEPH, the third son of Joshua Freeman, married Margaret Smith. They
owned and settled on half the old farm at Wellington Square--a valuable
property. They had three sons. Mr. Freeman died some years ago.
JOSHUA, another son of the first named Joshua Freeman, owned the
other half of the old farm where he settled. He was a Justice of the
Peace. He married Mary Smith, an English lady of considerable wealth.
They have several children.
MARY, another daughter of Joshua Freeman, was married to David Lynds,
a medical doctor, from Onslow, N.S. They had three sons and two
daughters. Mrs. Lynds died about the year 1844, aged 39. After her death
Dr. Lynds moved with his children to Illinois, took a second wife, and
is well situated.
SAMUEL, the fifth son of the first named Joshua Freeman, was a
lawyer, and stood as one of the first in the profession in Ontario. He
had a large family of children. His wife's maiden name was Catherine
Hamilton. He died a short time ago.
The youngest child of Joshua Freeman, who was born after he moved to
Ontario, was married to Thomas Smith, a brother to the wife of Joshua
Freeman, the second. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith died, leaving several
children.
In the absence of further information respecting this interesting
portion of William Black's posterity, we close this chapter by saying
that many of them hold prominent positions in society; their
circumstances are generally good; the members of the family, like those
of many others, are considerably scattered, and are quite numerous.
Joshua Freeman visited his friends in the lower provinces several
times after his removal from Amherst. On two of these visits his wife
accompanied him. The last time they were here together they came by
land, in their own elegant carriage drawn by two valuable horses. The
horses and carriage were purchased by their connections, and they
returned by another route. Mr. Freeman lived to be aged; Mrs. F. died
some years before.
Joseph, also, before he was married, about the year 1839, visited his
native place. About the year 1849 Joshua 2nd and his wife and Mrs. Moore
made a visit to their friends here. These visits were all very welcome,
and were returned by many from here, the intercommunication helping to
retain the interest in each other's welfare.
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