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The Gainsborough Story.

Re: The Gainsborough Story.

Posted: 21 Feb 2015 5:35PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Fisher
James Fisher (c1786-1849) did serve in the 5th Lincoln Militia during the War of 1812. He was present at the Capture of Fort Detroit and the Battle of Queenston Heights in 1812. I have a number of historical documents with his name on them but very little family history.

John Fisher and Wm. Fisher (1785-1863) also served in this regiment.

Herman Fisher signed a document declaring who he was in 1823 for the Commission but I have not found a detailed War Loss Claim written by him. His original claim was probably made around 1815-1816 but a number of these were lost.

I would like to know more about the James, John, and William.

Fred

Re: The Gainsborough Story.

Posted: 21 Feb 2015 6:27PM GMT
Classification: Query
Dear highridgemini,

Where did you get your first list, above (the one titled, "Descendants of Jacob (Sr.) Fisher"? It very closely parallels a handwritten list that one of my cousins has (a list made by her grandmother), and it might help us validate both if you could tell us the source.

Thanks,

Scott

Re: The Gainsborough Story.

Posted: 21 Feb 2015 6:45PM GMT
Classification: Query
It is important for anyone who reads highridgemini's posting (above) to realise a few things:

1) There were two Jacob Fishers who can be considered as pioneers of Lincoln County. One settled in Clinton Tp., and the other in Gainsborough Township; they were contemporaries of each other.
2) The Jacob Fisher who settled in Gainsborough Township is referred to by highridgemini, above, as "Jacob Fisher Sr.". However, in the May 1816 list of electors (of what we would call Lincoln County today; see Annals of the Forty, no. 10 pp. 8-11), Jacob gives his name as "Jacob Fisher Jr.". It is possible that after the birth of his son Jacob in 1827, that he began to add "Sr." after his name, but I've yet to encounter this. Further along this line, I've not ever seen this son Jacob (b. 1827) use "Jr." after his name, but in the 1891 census "sen." for "senior" is added after his name. HIS son Jacob, did go by "Jacob Fisher Jr.". This Jacob Fisher Jr. also had a son that he named Jacob. A bit confusing, so I'll summarize the Gainsborough Fishers:

- Jacob Fisher (1780-1868) arrived in Gainsborough Tp. in 1800, and went by "Jacob Fisher Jr."; his father Jacob remained in the USA
- his son Jacob Fisher (1827-1822) does not seem to have used "Jr.", but may have used "Sr."
- his son Jacob (1863-1942) did go by "Jacob Fisher Jr."
- his son Jacob (1903-1972), with the middle name "Henry", may not have need a "Jr." or "Sr." after his name. He married, but I've yet to look into his family to see if he had children or, more importantly, if he named one Jacob.

In a nutshell, there were (at least) 5 Jacob Fishers born in a unbroken succession within the family. It would have helped if they put "I, II, III..." after their names, but they often preferred to use Jr. and Sr., which makes a bit of a muddle.

Re: The Gainsborough Story.

Posted: 21 Feb 2015 7:07PM GMT
Classification: Query
Dear Fred,

Because of the presence of Fishers in both Clinton Tp. and Gainsborough Tp., your question is a bit tricky. I admit that I don't yet know much about the Clinton Tp. Fishers, but here's what I can tell you about the Gainsborough Tp. Fishers of my family, or at least the ones with names that match yours:

The John Fisher in my family was John Cline Fisher (1812-1902).
The James Fisher in my family lived 1823-1913.
The William Fisher lived 1821-1891.
All three were born and died in Gainsborough Tp., near St. Anns.

The only Fisher in my family who is of the same generation as the three you mention is Jacob Fisher (1780-1868). I know the name of his father (also a Jacob), but I haven't a clue if my Jacob Fisher (1780-1868) had brothers, or whether they came to Canada with him or remained in the States. Many have suggested that the use of the same tiny pool of given names amongst the Clinton Fishers and Gainsborough Fishers, the similar timing of their arrival in Lincoln County, and their similar ages suggest that both Fisher families were related. But to the best of my knowledge this remains a speculation.

By deduction, your Fishers would seem to be Clinton Tp. Fishers. Which also makes sense, as most of the "action" in the War of 1812 was closer to the lakeshore than Gainsborough Tp. (and so you'd expect that the Fishers from Clinton Tp. would have been much more active in the war than the ones from Gainsborough Tp., up above the escarpment ... however, I admit that I have yet to look into this in detail).

I've been trying to sort out Herman Fisher's role and life before he left for Halton County. Could you send me more information on the document you mention?

Thanks,

Scott Ercit

Re: The Gainsborough Story

Posted: 21 Feb 2015 7:21PM GMT
Classification: Query
Further Information on the Jacobs Fisher:

I just found the obituary of Jacob Henry Fisher's wife, Ivy. Here's what I learned:

- Jacob Henry Fisher (1903-1972) went by "Jake"; he had a son Jake, who lives in Waterloo
- This Jake also had a son Jake who goes by "Jake Jr."

As such the name "Jacob Fisher" continues in unbroken succession through at least 7 generations, 6 of which have resided in southern Ontario. Unfortunately the use of "Sr." and "Jr." continues...

Re: The Gainsborough Story.

Posted: 21 Feb 2015 9:46PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 21 Feb 2015 9:49PM GMT
In came from an old posting - forgot to copy and paste the source .....

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/FISHER/2000-01...

Re: The Gainsborough Story.

Posted: 21 Feb 2015 11:25PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Fisher
Scott,
The war loss claims are online at

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/microform-digitization/00...

Harman Fisher is on Microfilm t-1143, page 962. This section of the claims is a collection of misfiled documents.

I have a name and township index from the claim registers which I am reviewing and to which I am adding additional information. I am currently working on t-1128 and finding a number of errors. There is presently no index to the claim that Herman made in 1815 or 1816 but I may discover it during my review. Lost claims were however common by 1823. Money to pay the claims submitted in 1815 was not available until 1823 and claims had to be resubmitted. Claims were made for losses to the enemy and the British and their Native allies. Having to wait about 10 years for the British to pay their debts was an additional hardship for families who had lost most of their property.

The 4th Lincoln Militia recruited from Clinton, Grimsby, Caistor, and Gainsborough Twp. and some men were at the Battles of Queenston and Lundy’s Lane but I have reason to believe that the Fisher men did not take part in these battles. This regiment served in combined detachments with the 5th Lincoln Militia on some occasions. Some men served in two or more regiments or corps during the war. Please let me know if you would like to look at the online 4th Lincoln payroll documents, I have an index. I have looked at some of these documents and have seen Jacob and William Jr.’s names.

You have probably looked in the Upper Canada Land Petitions for connections between the Fisher families.

Fred Blair
fredblairorillia(at)hotmail.com

Re: The Gainsborough Story.

Posted: 22 Feb 2015 1:41AM GMT
Classification: Query
Thanks for the info Fred. I've yet to start on the Land Petitions, though.

Scott

Re: The Gainsborough Story.

Posted: 23 Feb 2015 2:33PM GMT
Classification: Query
Scott,

Collections Canada has the Upper Canada Land Petitions online. There is also a search engine but unfortunately it is not linked to the petitions database so some researchers do not know about it. The petitions were compiled in Volumes and Bundles. If you search for a name you need to save the Microfilm, Volume, Bundle, and Petition numbers. The Volumes and Bundles are not always in a logical order :( Use the Help option on the petitions page to look at the chart that shows the order these appear on each microfilm. Most petitions are similar but some contain family history treasure. I have seen one where a Loyalist recorded the names of his children eligible for land grants and included their birth dates! If you need help with the petitions please get back to me. Good luck.

Fred

Re: The Gainsborough Story.

Posted: 23 Feb 2015 5:31PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thanks for your help Fred.
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