About 1808, John Montgomery and Susannah Lillie settled in Roxborough Twp, Stormont County, Ontario. They were among the earliest settlers in this township. Here, they raised a family of 12 children.
John Montgomery came to Canada from the Mohawk Valley around 1800.
The obituary for Eliza Eleanor Begg, daughter of John and Susannah Montgomery stated that her parents emigrated from the Mohawk valley in the State of New York early in the century and settled in the 1st concession of Roxborough. Where in the Mohawk Valley did the Montgomery family reside? There are two possibilities: Amsterdam, N.Y.
and/or Albany, N.Y.
Bible records show that John Montgomery was born on 6 Nov 1784. Both the date and place of his birth were mentioned in the obituary of his youngest son, James Nelson Montgomery. The following obituary was recorded in the Sleepy Eye Herald in 1896.
"The late James Nelson Montgomery came from old Revolutionary
Stock, his ancestors on both sides were old New England settlers
and took part in the American Independence. His father John
Montgomery was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York.
His mother was born in Rutland, Vermont the same year. The
Montgomery family can trace their ancestors back 200 years."
It appears that this knowledge of the early ancestors has been lost. I searched the Montgomery County records at Fonda, New York but was unable to locate a baptism record for John Montgomery. I also searched the church records at the N.Y. state library at Albany. Many of the church records in the Mohawk Valley were burned during the U.S. Revolutionary War. Perhaps, this record was torched? I also checked the land records and census records prior to 1800 for the Montgomery families in the Mohawk Valley. There were Montgomery families in the Mohawk Valley but I could not connect John Montgomery to any of these families.
Two researchers from California, Alvin Montgomery and Nancy High, have extensive records on Montgomery families from New York and New England. Neither researcher could connect our John Montgomery to any of the early Montgomery families from the Mohawk Valley.
Loyalists that fought for the British side during the U.S. Revolution were entitled to free land grants in Canada. This privilege was extended to the sons and daughters of the Loyalists. There is no evidence of a land petition by John Montgomery at the Canadian National Archives in Ottawa. Since John Montgomery was born in 1784, he did not fight in the American War of Independence and thus would only be entitled to free land in Ontario as the son of a Loyalist. His father may have fought in the independence confrontation but for which side I do not know.
There is one land record for Lot C, Concession 1 of Roxborough Twp that suggests that the Montgomery family may have originated from Albany, N.Y. The land is transferred by a Deed Poll (#422, Stormont County Land Office) from William Montgomery to John Montgomery. The deed, dated 19 Feb, 1818, refers to "William Montgomery of the County of Albany in the State of New York now of Cornwall." I believe that this William Montgomery is the father of John Montgomery.
Written evidence of the early Montgomery records (prior to 1800) has yet to be uncovered. Verbal testaments that have been passed down over several generations suggest that the Montgomerys crossed a lake in winter on the way to Canada from the Mohawk Valley. A team of horses broke through the ice. One horse drowned but the other one was saved.
One daughter died on the journey to Canada.
Where did John Montgomery first settle in Upper Canada? Where did he meet Susannah Lillie? About 1800, Susannah Lillie, moved with her parents, brothers and sisters from Rutland, Vermont to Bastard Township, Leeds County, Ontario. Early census records for Elizabethtown (Brockville) in Leeds County, Ontario listed a John Montgomery in 1800, 1801, and 1803. There was no listing for this name in 1804 which may mean that he has moved elsewhere. In the 1800 census, John was listed with a group of single men. It appeared that he was a labourer in the Maitland area which was a boat building area. John was listed alone in the 1801 and 1803 census.
John Montgomery and Susannah Lillie were married on the 25th of February, 1805 by Rev. John Bethune at St. Andrew's Church in Williamstown, Ontario. Susannah was baptized by Rev. Bethune in Williamstown, Ontario. This record revealed that they were living in Cornwall, Ontario.
"Susannah Montgomery, wife of John Montgomery of Cornwall,
Daughter of Turner Lilly and Eleanor Churchill of the State
of New York was baptized on the 25th Augt, 1805, aged 20 years"
(Public Archives of Canada, film # C-3030, entry #1236 on p. 127).
The distance between Elizabethtown and Cornwall is 60 miles. Why would John Montgomery and Susannah Lillie get married in Cornwall when her family was in Leeds County? Since Susannah's father, Turner Lillie, died in 1801, this may have been one factor. I believe that John Montgomery's parents resided in Cornwall, so this may have been another factor.
When did John and Susannah Montgomery and his parents move from Cornwall to Roxborough Twp? My guess is 1808 for four reasons. First, land records show that John Montgomery purchased property in the first concession of Roxborough Twp in 1808. Secondly, Belden's historical atlas stated that there were a number of Scotch (??) emigrants established in Roxborough Twp prior to 1810 and it included John Montgomery in its list of early residents. The atlas mentioned that his son, John, was the first white child to be born in Roxborough Twp. This John Montgomery was born in 1810 and was the fourth child of John and Susannah. Thirdly, a family bible belonging to Duncan and Diana McCallum stated that the third child, Diana Montgomery, was born in Roxborough Twp on 1 January 1809.
Fourth, church records for 1806 refer to John Montgomery of Cornwall.
The first two children of John and Susannah were probably born in Cornwall. The baptism of the first child, Donald, by Rev. Bethune occurred at Williamstown. The entry for this baptism reads as follows:
"Donald Montgomery, son of John Montgomery of Cornwall, and
Susannah Lilly, his wife, was born of 15 April and baptized
on the 25th May, 1806"
In 1808, John Montgomery purchased 150 acres of land in Roxborough Twp (3/4 of Lot 4, Con 1). In January of 1809, John Montgomery Junior bought the North 1/2 of Lot C, Con 1 while John Montgomery Senior purchased the South 1/2 of Lot C, Con 1 in Roxborough Twp. Lot C became the Montgomery family homestead.
There are three pieces of evidence to support my claim that the parents of John Montgomery resided in Roxborough Twp. These documents are: (1) the pay lists for the war of 1812-1814, (2) the first census for Roxborough Twp in 1829, and (3) land records.
Muster rolls and pay lists for the war of 1812-1814 revealed a John Montgomery Senior and a John Montgomery Junior in Stormont County.
Both men served in Captain John McDonnell's Company (First Regiment of the Stormont Embodied Militia). ----- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Pay Period Year Days Pay (Halifax currency)
L S D ----------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- John Montgomery Sr 25 Sep-24 Dec 1812
John Montgomery Jr 25 Sep-24 Dec 1812
John Montgomery Sr 25 Dec-24 Mar 1813
John Montgomery Jr 25 Dec-24 Mar 1813
John Montgomery Sr 25 Mar-26 Jun 1813 12 0 6 0 John Montgomery Jr 25 Mar-26 Jun 1813 5 0 2 6
John Montgomery 25 Jul-24 Aug 1813 12 0 6 0
John Montgomery 25 Aug-24 Sep 1813 31 0 15 6 John Montgomery Sr "not yet joined" - note on pay list
John Montgomery Sr 25 Sep-24 Oct 1813 30 0 15 0 John Montgomery Jr 25 Sep-24 Oct 1813 30 0 15 0
John Montgomery 25 Oct-24 Nov 1813 31 0 15 6
John Montgomery 25 Nov-24 Dec 1813 30 0 15 0
John Montgomery 25 Dec-24 Jan 1814 31 0 15 6
John Montgomery 25 Jan-24 Feb 1814 31 0 15 6
John Montgomery 25 Feb-24 Mar 1814 12 0 6 0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently, the 1829 census for Roxborough Twp was discovered in a local museum. Since the following two entries were listed in sequence, it suggests that the parents of John Montgomery probably resided on the adjacent farm. In 1829, the father of John Montgomery was dead. The census revealed the age distribution of the residents of the household:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sex males females males females Total Age < 16 yrs < 16 yrs > 16 yrs > 16 yrs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Montgomery 5 3 3 3 14 Mrs Montgomery - - - - 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 1829 census revealed that John Montgomery had 400 acres of land (Lots B and C, Con 1) with 46 acres cleared and 354 acres of woods.
There were several individuals in the township who owned more land but John Montgomery had the most cleared acreage in Roxborough Twp. This probably could be attributed to his large work force that included 14 family members in 1829. His son-in-law, Duncan McCallum(file #4), was also listed on the 1829 census. The McCallum farm was 200 acres in size with 17 acres cleared.
Land records support the census record that John Montgomery's parents resided in Roxborough Twp. The following land records refer to John Montgomery Senior and John Montgomery Junior. The elder Montgomery used and "X" for his signature while John Montgomery Junior signed his name to each document.
a) In 1808, John Montgomery purchased 150 acres (3/4 of Lot 4, Con 1) from Joseph Brownell. The document referred to "John Montgomery the younger" of the Twp of Roxborough. This document was signed by John Montgomery.
b) On 17 Jan 1809, John Montgomery purchased 100 acres (N 1/2 of Lot C, Con 1) from Thomas McLeod. The document referred to "John Montgomery Junior." This document was signed by John Montgomery.
c) On 24 January 1809, John Montgomery Senior purchased 100 acres (S 1/2 of Lot C, Con 1) from Thomas McLeod. On four occasions, this document referred to John Montgomery Senior. This document contained an "X" for the signature of John Montgomery Senior.
d) A "Deed Poll" dated 19 Feb 1818 transferred the land on the S 1/2 of Lot C, Con 1 of Roxborough Twp from William Montgomery of the County of Albany to John Montgomery of Roxborough. The land registry book showed the following sequential entries: ------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- Instrument Date Grantor Grantee Amount --------------------------------------------------------------------------- B & S 1809 Thomas McLeod John Montgomery Sr S 1/2 Deed Poll 1818 William Montgomery John Montgomery S 1/2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- There was no indication that the transaction in 1818 referred to John Montgomery Senior or Junior. Also, there was no record for the transfer of the land from John Montgomery Senior to William Montgomery.
I suspect that this land transfer is from father to son as the deed is "a memorial" and does not mention any money associated with the land transfer. In 1997, I believe that William Montgomery is a brother of John Montgomery Junior. William receives the land from his father but never settles on this land. William transfers ownership to his brother John.
If this assumption is true, then the father of John Montgomery is John and he probably died in January or February of 1818. John Montgomery Senior was living in 1813 since his name was included on the pay lists for the War of 1812-1814. He was dead by 1829 since the census referred to Widow Montgomery.
Rev. William Montgomery from Wisconsin has an old trunk containing family papers. One piece of paper lists three sons of John Montgomery Senior. The names on this genealogy record are William, John and Robert. An old deed from this trunk mentioned that John Montgomery of the Town of Amsterdam, Montgomery County purchased four acres of land (Lot #78) in the Sacondago Patent from Fryenmoet VanBuren of the Town of Florida for 15 pounds on the 10th June 1796.
The Canadian census of 1871 and 1881 asked the "origin" of the family members. The response to this question by the seven male descendants of John and Susanna Montgomery is surprising. Donald, Cornelius, John, Rilie Lillie, and William Turner Montgomery were listed on the 1871 and 1881 census for Roxborough Twp, Stormont County, Ontario. Philip Levi Montgomery was listed on the census for Matilda Twp., Dundas County, Ontario. James Nelson Montgomery was in Minnesota. These families indicated that their origin is GERMAN.
The 1871 census for the province of Ontario is almost completely indexed at the time of this analysis (1989). There were many Montgomery families in Ontario in 1871, however, these families listed their origin as either Irish or Scottish. The male descendants of John and Susannah Montgomery were the only families to record a German origin. The consistency of this response cannot be ignored when pondering the origin of John Montgomery.
A family Bible in the possession of Harold and Shirley Montgomery may provide a clue to be pursued. The Bible belonged to Philip Levi Montgomery. Included in the Bible is an old piece of paper that reads:
"Romania is my native contry - where I was born.
My name is Jacob Montgomery."
If this piece of paper is authentic, then it may provide the answer to why the German origin, and it helps to explain the common usage of the name John in the Montgomery family.
There is some evidence that suggests that John Montgomery was a prosperous farmer in Roxborough Twp. His property on Lots B and C, Concession 1 in Roxborough Twp contained more cleared land than anyone in this township. Compared to the circumstances faced by James Begg, the Montgomery family were "well off in wordly goods." In 1839, Eliza Eleanor, the sixth child of John and Susannah Montgomery married James Begg. In his diary, James Begg made the following comment:
"My wife had been living with a sister in the 2nd Concession
of Cornwall, where we got married, her people not being
agreeable to the match - they being very well off in worldly
goods and I poor, so our wedding was small."
My records indicate that John Montgomery owned 2000 acres of land in Roxborough Twp at various times during his lifetime. On April 13, 1831, he purchased 1200 acres of land in Roxborough Twp in a Sheriff's Public Auction. These lands are described in seven deeds. The seven properties were: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Instrument Con Lot Part Township Acres Purchase Price
Number Lbs Shilling Pence ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1617 3 7 E1/2 Roxborough Twp 100 1706 3 7 W1/2 Roxborough Twp 100 1618 4 12 All Roxborough Twp 200 1619 4 14 All Roxborough Twp 200 3 12 6 1622 5 13 All Roxborough Twp 200 3 12 6 1620 6 31 All Roxborough Twp 200 3 12 6 1621 6 32 All Roxborough Twp 200 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instrument #1620 reflects the wording of these seven deeds.
These are to Witness that in consideration of the sum of Three pounds twelve shillings and six pence paid to me by John Montgomery of Roxborough being the purchaser at Public Auction of the Parcel or tract of Land hereinafter mentioned Sold to pay the Assessments under a Writ to me directed according to the Laws in that behalf. I, Donald Macdonell Sheriff of the Eastern District do by these Presents grant - bargain and sell unto the said John Montgomery his Heirs and Assigns Lot number Thirty one in the Sixth Concession of the Township of Roxborough in the County of Stormont in the Eastern District of the Province of Upper Canada containing two hundred acres more or less. To have and to hold the premises hereby bargained & sold and all benefit and advantages thereunto belonging unto and to the use of the said John Montgomery his Heirs and Assigns forever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 13 April 1831.
D. Macdonell Sheriff Eastern District
Land Transactions by John Montgomery. _______________________________________________________________________________ Instrument Date Grantor Grantee Land ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Concession 1, Lot C (200 acres) Roxborough Twp. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B & S 1809 Thomas MacLeod John Montgomery Jr N 1/2 B & S 1809 Thomas MacLeod John Montgomery Sr S 1/2 Memorial 1818 William Montgomery John Montgomery S 1/2 Will 1847 John Montgomery James N. Montgomery All -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Concession 1, Lot B E 1/2 (100 acres) Roxborough Twp. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B & S 1816 Donald McIntosh John Montgomery All Will 1847 John Montgomery Donald Montgomery E 1/2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Concession 1, Lot B W 1/2 (100 acres) Roxborough Twp. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B & S 1816 Donald McIntosh John Montgomery All Will 1847 John Montgomery Cornelius Montgomery W 1/2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Concession 1, Lot 4 (3/4 of Lot = 150 acres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memorial 1808 Joseph Brownell John Montgomery Jr. 3/4 B & S 1816 John Montgomery Donald McPhee 3/4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Concession 3, Lot 7 E 1/2 (100 acres) Roxborough Twp. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheriff Deed 1831 D. McDonell John Montgomery All B & S 1835 John Montgomery William Robertson E 1/2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Concession 3, Lot 7 W 1/2 (100 acres) Roxborough Twp. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheriff Deed 1831 D. McDonell John Montgomery All B & S 1832 John Montgomery David McDougall W 1/2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Concession 4, Lot 12 (200 acres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheriff Deed 1831 D. McDonell John Montgomery All Will 1847 John Montgomery John Montgomery All -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Concession 4, Lot 14 (200 acres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheriff Deed 1831 D. McDonell John Montgomery All Will 1847 John Montgomery Riley L. Montgomery All -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Concession 4, Lot 15 (E 1/2 of the W 1/2 (50 acres)) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B & S 1834 Arch. McLean John Montgomery E1/2 of W1/2 Memorial 1847 Daniel Montgomery John Brown E1/2 of W1/2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Concession 5, Lot 13 (200 acres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheriff Deed 1831 D. McDonell John Montgomery All Will 1847 John Montgomery James N. Montgomery All B & S 1859 James N. Montgomery John McIntosh All -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Concession 6, Lot 23 (200 acres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- B & S 1838 John Bailey John Montgomery All Will 1847 John Montgomery Philip L. Montgomery All B & S 1859 Philip Montgomery John Morrison All -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Concession 6, Lot 31 (200 acres) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheriff Deed 1831 D. McDonell John Montgomery All Will 1847 John Montgomery William T. Montgomery All -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Concession 6, Lot 32 (200 acres) Roxborough Twp ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheriff Deed 1831 D. McDonell John Montgomery All Will 1847 John Montgomery Susanna Montgomery All B & S 1851 Susanna Montgomery Alexander McRae All -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Montgomery was stabbed in Martintown at high noon by an Italian peddler who was selling trinkets. He died on 15 January 1847. It could be a coincidence that his will was made two days prior to his death.
However, it is more probable that after he was stabbed in Martintown, he realized that he did not have long to live, then made out his will. A posse was assembled by the Montgomery boys to catch the peddler. It is told that the peddler was caught along the King's Road near Martintown and pinned to a tree using bayonets until the arrival of the sheriff. Family stories reveal that the Montgomery boys wanted to hang the peddler for immediate justice. I was told that there was a trial in Cornwall. The Italian did not understand a word of the proceedings since he did not speak English. I have been unable to locate a trial in the records for the Eastern District of Upper Canada. The peddler was probably hung without a trial.
In his will, John Montgomery left a farm to each of his seven sons. He also made provisions for his wife, Susannah. There was no mention of his five daughters in the will.
Will of John Montgomery - dated 13 January, 1847
I, John Montgomery of the Township of Roxborough in the Eastern District of that Part of the Province formerly called Upper Canada, being advanced in years and infirm but of sound mind and memory thanks be to God, & calling to mind the mortality of my body, that it is ordained for man to die, do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament - First I will and commit my Soul to the Almighty God that gave it to me, my body to the Earth, there to be buried in a Christian like manner, and as to my Worldly Estate and effects, which God hath been pleased to bless me with, and that I may be possessed of at the time of my death. I will bequeath and dispose of in manner following, that is to say, I will bequeath and desire that all my legal debts be paid, and all outstanding debts collected by my son James Nelson Montgomery. I also will and bequeath to my beloved wife Susannah Montgomery (alias Lillie) her heirs and assigns forever Lot number thirty two in the sixth concession of the Township of Roxborough, also that she shall have during her widowhood her living and maintenance with and from James Nelson Montgomery as more particularly mentioned hereafter - I will and bequeath to my my son James Nelson Montgomery his heirs and assigns forever Lot number thirteen in the fifth concession and Lot letter C and all that part of the East half of Letter B if any that lies East of the line fence now standing and always recognized by all concered to be the line fence dividing Donald Montgomery's farm from my own, which fence & foundation there of shall be forever hereafter the dividing line between Donald's farm and James Nelson's farm all in the first Concession of said Township of Roxborough Also I will will and bequeath, to my said Son James Nelson Montgomery all my personal Estate, goods and chattles, with the full understanding and meaning that he he shall pay all debts, funeral expenses and maintain and support in health and in sickness my said Wife during her Widowhood in all reasonable meat, drink, clothing, bedding .. as she now have accustomed to have, and that in case any misunderstanding should happen to take place of any neglect or refusal on the part of the said James Nelson Montgomery to his said Mother and that the same shall be made appear to my Executors herein after to be nominated, then my said Executors shall see that some equivalent shall be made and provided for the support and maintenance of my said wife by the said James Nelson Montgomery -
I will and bequeath to my son Donald Montgomery his heirs and his assigns forever the East half of Lot Letter B in the first Concession of said Township of Roxborough -
I will and bequeath to my son Cornelius Montgomery his heirs and assigns forever the West half of Lot Letter B in the first Concession of said Township of Roxborough. -
I will and bequeath to my son John Montgomery his heirs and assigns forever one hundred and ninety six acres of Lot Number Twelve in the Fourth concession of the said Township of Roxborough. -
I will and bequeath to my son Riley Lillie Montgomery his heirs and assigns forever Lot Number Fourteen in the Fourth Concession of Roxborough -
I will and bequeath to my son Philip Levi Montgomery his heirs and assigns forever Lot number twenty three in the Sixth Concession of said Township of Roxborough. -
I will and bequeath to my Son William Turner Montgomery his heirs and assigns forever, Lot Number thirty one in the Sixth Concession of said Township of Roxborough.
And lastly I will constitute appoint & ordain Duncan McAllum of the Township of Roxborough aforesaid Esquire and Benjamin Helmer of the same place yeoman and Alexander McMartin of the Township of Charlottenburgh Esquire my lawful Executors to this my last will and testament with full and legal powers and authority to carry out the true meaning and intent of this my said last Will and testament.
In Testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th Jan. 1847.
(Sgd.) John Montgomery Links: