Nathan Uttley – 1832-1903

Written by Beatrice Uttley, Nathan's granddaughter:

Nathan Uttley was born in Norwich, Norfolk, England on November 25, 1832. His father, William Uttley, was a market gardener there. Nathan and his brothers Jonathan and Samuel emigrated to Canada in the late 1850's.

Nathan walked from Hamilton to Elmira. He stayed at wayside inns, paying for his keep by looking after the horses of other travellers.

Nathan settled in Elmira eking out a living as a market gardener on a small farm north of Elmira. He married Lucinda Randall, in Elmira, sometime in the late 1850's. They had seven children: John Robert, Sarah Ann, Mary Jane, Elizabeth, Nathan R., William Henry and Diana. Lucinda died after Diana's birth.

Nathan later married Mary Ann Delena Saunburn on June 17, 1874. Nathan and Mary Anne had six children: Peter, Abraham, Caroline, Delena, Jonathan and Samuel.

Beatrice Uttley's further memories:

Grandpa Uttley's name was Nathan. He was born in Norwich, England sometime in the 1830's. I remember my father telling me that. He came to Canada as a young man to join his brothers John and Samuel who had settled in Elmira, Ontario. He was a gardener by trade and also a hostler, taking care of horses. This came in handy when he arrived in Canada. He said he walked or hitchhiked from Hamilton to Elmira. He would earn room and board when he stopped overnight in an inn taking care of horses. One of these inns was at the corner of King St. and Wellington in Kitchener. At a later date, this inn was remodelled into a house. That was the house where my Dad and Mother were married many years later. He settled in Elmira where he married a Miss Linder. They had several sons and daughters. I remember hearing of Wellington, John, Sarah. His wife died quite young. Some short time later he married a very lovely young lady who lived in Crosshill, Ontario. This was my dear Grandma Uttley. Her name was Mary Ann Saunburn.

Grandma Uttley was born in Ireland around 1845. She was adopted as a little girl by a family named Birmingham who settled in Crosshill, Ontario. I remember as a little girl meeting Uncle Pat Birmingham. Dad drove us there to see him one Sunday in our Ford. He was a tall old man sitting in front of his house smoking pipe. I wish now I could ask him about Grandma.

She was a sweet little old lady as I remember her. Her curly hair was silvery white and she wore it piled up high. She had lovely skin, a really lovely complexion. Grandma took pride in her personal appearance. Mae is very much like her.

I remember one time when she stayed in our house overnight. She was wearing a soft snowy-white flannel night gown with dainty white frills around the high neck and around her wrists, and long sleeves. She looked so sweet. Mae said:"Oh Grandma, that's the prettiest nightgown I ever saw." Now, can you guess what she gave us each for Christmas? A night gown just like hers. We were so happy.

Nathan was the plant engineer looking after the large furnace at the Waterloo Woolen Mills when he died in 1903.

Last Will and Testament of Nathan Uttley

Obituaries of Nathan Uttley

Nathan & Mary Uttley's gravestone.
Samuel Uttley, son of Nathan and Mary Uttley,
information found on back of Nathan and Mary Uttley's gravestone

Other Researchers

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Copyright © 1998 Dorothy Gwynn