Ferris Roots from Hagerman Township, District of Parry Sound, Ontario

William Charles Ferris (*July 14, 1847 Northern Ireland, + June 14, 1923) came to Canada with his parents George Ferris (*1811, + ?) and Elizabeth Ann (nee Weatherhead) and his siblings (Robert born 1838, Elizabeth J. born Aug 15 1842, Isabella born Aug 1, 1846), from Northern Ireland (Ulster) during the potato famine in 1849 (1901 census indicates year of immigration). George and Elizabeth (she went by Ann, not Elizabeth in the 1861 and 1871 census) settled near Bondhead in Tecumseth Twp, Simcoe County, ON, Canada. They were found here in 1861 and again in 1871 (on 50 acres in 1871, son William listed as owner of the 50 acres). William married Caroline May Lewis (*October 19, 1847, +01,07,1925) on February 16, 1869, and settled in Bondhead in Simcoe County for a couple of years. He is on the 1871 census for South Simcoe District 41, Sub A-2 on p 14, line 1,2,3.

In 1873 he cut a trail through the bush from Lock Erne, to where he found suitable soil about half-way up the lake on the north side. Here he built a shack and started to clear land. Then, in 1875 his family came from Bondhead to Hagerman Township. He was the first man to settle north of Lorimer Lake. The family took the stage frorm Gravenhurst to Parry Sound, then had to walk from there a distance of 17 miles to their new home, for the man they hired to haul their baggage wouldn't let even his wife and small children ride. He located lots 1 & 2 Concession 2, and lot 1 Concession 4, the latter with shoreline on Shawanaga Lake. His family slept under elms trees, as was told, for two weeks until they got a log house built for the nine boys, and one girl; namely Robert, George, Charles, Lige (Elijah), Henry, Arthur, Frank, John, Bella and Walter, and proceeded to clear a farm.. In 1982, this house still stood. After enquiring about this same house in 1999, it seems that it has collapsed, and there is nothing left of it. I will still try to see the site at some point. There were also 2 step children - Caroline's first 2 kids William Anderson * 1864, and Mary Ann Anderson * 1866 from her first marriage. She was married at 15, widowed and mother of 2 by 18 years.And there are 2 other children of William and Caroline that were found on census returns, and through other sources - see below.

(left to right & top to bottom)
George, Henry, Elijah, Charles, Art, Bob,
Bella, William Charles, Caroline, Anne(wife of Bob),
John, Walter,Frank.

Lorimer Lake Post Office was opened in 1881. It was kept at the home of Mr. Frank Ferris, and then at the home of Mr. William Charles Ferris. At first the mail was carried by a man on his back as he walked the long distances between points of distribution, and in later years it was brought from McKellar to Fairholme by stage. W. C. Ferris' son Arthur took over the farm and Post Office in 1920. The latter was closed in 1928.

The Ferris boys farmed in the surrounding area. Frank, Henry, Charlie and Jack (my great grandfather, John was known as Jack. At that time, a common short name for John was Jack) went to Burwash and worked as guards. From there some were transferred to the prison at Guelph for the same duties.

Come see the family tree for Ferris

William Charles Ferris X Caroline May Lewis ; had 12 children. They married Feb 16, 1869.
Both W.C.F. and Caroline are buried in Fairholme cemetery north of Parry Sound and south of the small town of Dunchurch, ON. I have searched Fairholme, but have not found them yet. Thier stone may not survive? I have found some others that are related.

Notes: Both Minto, and Letta married Ferris boys. They were also sisters (from a family of 14 children)
Their parents were Robert Moore(known as Grevious BOB) [* 1861, +1926] and Alice Dixon[*1871, +1959].
Robert Moore and Alice Dixon married June 4, 1887. (marriage record:8011-87 (Parry Sound Dist): Robert MOORE, 26, farmer, Ontario, Dunchurch, s/o Robert & Sarah, married Alice C. DIXON, 17, Garafraxa, McKenzie, d/o Thomas & Maria, witn: Isabella CROMWELL & John DIXON, both of Dunchurch, 4 June 1887 at McKellar)

They had 14 children :
John (*1888), Hilda (*1890), Minto (*Dec 16 1892) [see above for this line - it is my main line], Joe, Percy(died young), Letta(married the youngest Ferris boy - Walter), Inez (married William Dobson, and had Keith Dobson), Olive, Hazel(died young), Bruce(married Minnie Jones and had Percy, Emily, Hazel, Doris, Madeline, Roxey , Rena), Velma, Iva, Alvin(married Macil Cooper and had, Gail, Eileen, Lois, Elaine), Ofi(married Millie Sands and had Chester, Dennis, Marlene, Neil, and Ricky).

Here is a chart of the lineage. Aubrey is my grandfather.

Click here to get more new info............Robert Moore and Sarah Parker had Joseph (*Aug 28 1849), Samuel (*1852), John James (*1859),
Robert "Grevious" (*1861), Jane (aft 1861), Margaret (aft 1862), Mary (aft 1863).

If you see anyone here you recognize, have questions, or notice any errors please email me!

I have connected with a great granddaughter of WCF through his son Frank.
Here is the new info I have....

At the time, there were 4 different Robert Moore's in the area, all similar in build, and where they lived. To keep their affairs separate, as well as mail etc. They became known by their nick names instead. So they became known as Sliver Bob, Texas Bob, Long Bob, and Grievous Bob.

According to the book by John MacFie "Now and Then: Still More Footnotes on Parry Sound History" pg 10 accompanying a photo of Grievous Bob, is a small story. It has to do with the limitations of swear words that were considered acceptable at the time. Words such as HECK, GOSH, CRIPES, DARN, and SHOOT were commom. Apparently, when something drastic or unexpected were to happen to this particular Robert Moore, he was known to exclaim "good grievous!!", and so became known as Grievous Bob, or just Grievous.

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This page last updated March 7, 2004

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