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George Ervin born around 1812-1816 - innkeeper and Baptist preacher

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George Ervin born around 1812-1816 - innkeeper and Baptist preacher

Posted: 23 Jun 2015 3:25PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Ervin, Erwin, Irving Irwin
I am researching George Ervin (Erwin, Irving, Irwin) who was born around 1812-16. The Directory of Canada 1851, p. 402 for St. Thomas indicates he owns a hotel and stage house on Talbot Street. Further evidence of this is given by the 1851 census, where he is recorded as an innkeeper living with his wife Tabitha and young family consisting of 2 sons and 2 daughters. At the inn, there is his father-in-law, Charles Stewart, who is a Baptist minister and whose age is given as 87. Also present at the time of the census are some staff, including a bar keeper, William Tailor.
Sometime between 1852 and 1857 he changes profession. According to the Directory of the Province of Ontario 1857 with Gazetteer, Thomas B. Wilson and Emily S. Wilson, Hunterton House, Lambertville, NJ, p. 183 he is a Baptist preacher living in Haughton, Norfolk.
In the 1861 census for Sherbrooke, Haldimand County, he is listed as a preacher along with his family which has now added a daughter. There is, however, a note of 2 deaths (2 males in 1860) beside his name.
In 1863 his eldest son (Charles Stewart) joins the Union army in Michigan. In 1871, George and his family are living in Michigan. He is a farmer though he is known as Rev. Irving.
I would appreciate any information regarding George and his work as an innkeeper or preacher. I am wondering if he could have had some connection with the underground railroad.

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