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Home My WebLink About607Duotang bound book, 23 x 29 cm., 19 pages, compiled by Myrtle Mae Ellicott, dated December 6, 1997. The Ellicott Family History "The story of Joseph Ellicott as shared by his great granddaughter Myrtle Mae Ellicott at the Designation plaque unveilings in Historic Pickering Village on Saturday, December 6, 1997 at the home of Joseph Ellicott now owned by Gordon and Janet Zimmerman at 566 Kingston Rd. West. My Great grandfather Joseph Ellicott resided in this house in the 18th Century. I would like to thank all those responsible for this occasion, the Pickering museum, Mr. Zimmerman who is now the owner of the home, and the Ajax Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee for making this day possible. My great grandfather arrived in Canada from Devonshire England about the year 1843 after eight weeks voyage on the ocean. His vessel was stranded on an ice flow for three days. After arriving in Montreal he came to Pickering Ontario by stagecoach or horse and buggy I presume. Having taken up the trade of carriage building, harness making and black smithing in England, he started up business in Duffins Creek, now known Pickering Village, in the spot where Mr. Teddy Bryant's store stood. A year later, when he became established he sent for his wife, Susan Tolsher and their two children Tolsher and Selena. She was on the ocean six weeks. Her vessel started out and had to return for more ballast. Susan became so sea-sick that she couldn't ride in a horse and buggy afterwards, without becoming ill. Great Grandmother Susan sent word that unless Joseph was there to meet her upon landing in Montreal she would turn around and go back to England, he was late in arriving, passing her on his way to Montreal and she on her way to Pickering. She was quite disgusted with the vast wasteland of Canada, having been used to city living in England, but certainly made the best of it. My Great Grandmother's parents decided to change occupations and come to Canada. Joseph purchased a farm taking up land on the 5th concession of Pickering Township. Where he built the homestead. A ten room double farm house where I, my two brothers Manson and Wallace and sister Audry were raised. I might mention that my Grandmother Emma Powell Ellicott stated that as he cleared the land and cut down frees for lumber to build the home, the deer would come and browse on the leafy tee tops. A cemetery stood on a corner of the fifth concession and still stands, and a church, known as the Old Bible Christian church where Joseph ministered, but the church has long been demolished. Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother are buried there. The grave stone still remains and many other relatives were also buried there. Joseph's family had owned a 1000 acre estate in England and were responsible for introducing the silk-worm industry to England from France. The silkworms fed on the mulberry leaves and I remember a large mulberry tree that stood outside our farm home. Joseph must have transported the seedling from England. I also remember a large apple orchard where I spent time sampling the many varieties. I also remember an English cherry tree, with large sweet cherries, pear trees, raspberry bushes etc. Great Grandfather had five brothers. He was the only one to come to Canada. One brother was lost at sea on the way to Australia, and the other four went to the USA. Joseph's nephew Buffalo and part of New York State. This was verified on a commentary I heard from a Buffalo T.V. channel several years ago. I know with surety that I have a number of relatives living in the United States as I've traveled through such places as Ellicott Creek, Ellicott Square, and Ellicott Street in Buffalo. Upon Joseph's death, the Homestead was taken over by my grandfather Harry, then my father William who dairy- farmed the 100 acres, renting another acreage and sending milk to Toronto dairies. After my father's death, my brother Manson and his son Ray Ellicott carried on the farm and finally sold it to Bourses Gravel company from Toronto who demolished all of the buildings. Myrtle Mae Ellicott, Forde. Born Dec. 4, 1917. " "Interview: Myrtle (Ellicott) Forde Interviewing Her Aunt, Minnie Law, Now Deceased" /ode I / Io.__ T --- O u / �° ?�/O, rAv . 7ri�(e /�e //JY/scy.23. /flea. N HAM was 'aLlacc' /JawlL-`ECL�r.IL � I I'✓,'�w,:.(R,�,. afcz nPxsUu//s.C_pi�/tc a-irk-Y�J/YoG ��,r.� .'Lnl�.... Ate, ...f. ✓��aC � 9ow�1�r-�r1.�9<.1 a. !b.5✓Qt9oG/: 3/%/9;1.0_. � 5. - �vJ�.-. s..,,c�_ �• 9$-44 fill c.•. � a.� s...�-iy< JHO,+�.Ly isi�./ry AW N �r. aYu...,e.,2�r. 17.✓"/. p�z�li0�^,..9J/e.�v..�L.fb �%' dM .. al At._ L c etsisa ; : ��\ �� \��\�� \� � � �� _��'�� \��ƒ <� �" � � >� �� m� � z � � : w� � f� :� d� � � � �» m\S 2 y? \ \�� \��»�� \��\��