FAMILY  FOLIAGE.

William Elford  (1815 ~ 1895)

 

4.2. Second child of William Elford and Elizabeth Johns, William Elford, was born September 2, 1815, in St. Keyne, Cornwall, England, U.K 

  He married Charlotte Merkley, daughter of Christopher Merkley and Catherine Potter, January 28, 1839, in Darlington Twp., Durham Co., Upr. Can. and had eight children:

 

• (4.2.1)  Elizabeth Ann  (1840 ~ 1844)    

• (4.2.2)  John  (1842 ~ 1900)    

• (4.2.3)  William Henry  (1844 ~ 1934)

• (4.2.4)  Elizabeth Ann  (1846 ~ 1934)

• (4.2.5)  Ellen  (1851 ~ 1871)

• (4.2.6)  Almira  (1852 ~ 1856)

• (4.2.7)  Charlotte  (1854 ~ 1856)

• (4.2.8)  Arthur Byron  (1857 ~ 1905)

 

  William Elford died October 20, 1895, aged 80 years, and Charlotte Merkley Elford died December 28, 1899, aged 85 years in Hampton, Darlington Twp., Durham Co., Ontario and is interred at Bowmanville Cemetery

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----- ANNIVERSARY -----

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GOLDEN WEDDING.

Mr. and Mrs. W. Elford, Hampton, were on Monday, January 28th, invited to Mr. W. H. Rogers, for dinner. While they were there about 90 persons assembled at their home, nearly all relatives, to unite in celebrating the 50th anniversary of their marriage. They were sent for and on arriving home they were thoroughly surprised and so overcome with emotion that they could hardly speak for some time. Tea was then served which consisted of all the good things of the season. After tea there was placed on the table two beautiful bride's cakes, one furnished by the committee, the other presented by Mr. William Elford, of Essex Centre. Then Mr. and Mrs. Elford accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. W. Souch were seated at one end of table and the program was commenced by Mr. J. M. Joness taking the chair an making some remarks and explanation in reference to the gathering. He celled on Mr. S. Vanstone, of Bowmanville, to read the following:

ADDRESS.

DEAR BELOVED FRIENDS.—We, your children, grand children and friends, esteem it a very great pleasure to be permitted to meet with you on this the fiftieth anniversary of your wedding day, and many who from distance found it Impossible to join us here today in the cordial handshake, have forwarded their congratulations to be mingled with ours on this golden occasion. Fifty years with all their activities have slipped away since you stood at the bridal altar on that 28th of January, 1839, to unite your interests and to join our hands in the future of life's journey. To make for yourselves a home In a new country, many hardships and privations incident to pioneer life were to be encountered and we all know how perseveringly and nobly you met and overcame those difficulties. The changes that have passed under your notice during the past half century are neither few nor unimportant. Ontario's mighty forests have yielded to the skill and industry of those who like yourselves were willing to dare and to do. Where then the wild beasts roamed in freedom there are to-day cultivated farms, flourishing cities and happy homes enjoying all the advantages of a liberal system of education, a pure gospel and a high state of moral and social civilization. The stage coach has given place to the palace car; the lightning has been made to carry our messages the longest distances without the aid of time, end we now hold easy and rapid converse with absent friends almost without regard to distance. The half century is now behind you with all its manifold experiences. You have no longer the elasticity of step and buoyancy of youth that led you to court danger and toil in those by-gone years, but we can assure on that no physical change nor effect of time can lessen our regard and esteem, or weaken our affection, for those whose nobleness of character and untiring efforts have secured for us our glorious heritage. We recognize as you do. that you have been led through all the untried way by the kind hand of our loving Father—there has been the chill of winter and the warmth of summer, the wail of mourning: and the song of praise, the sadness of defeat and the out of triumph—but out of all these has come an inspiration to courage and faith for future effort and a recognition that the hand that led you was Divine. To-day we can each voice the words of the Psalmist, “Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life." And now dear friends we avail ourselves of this opportunity of handing to you these gifts, as a slight expression of our love and esteem for you, and we sincerely hope that you may be long spared to enjoy the fruits of your past labors, and trust that this expression of our regard may aid in making life's evening brighter. It is our earnest prayer that we may all meet at last in our "Father's House" where the ravages of time and the infirmities of age will never come. Signed on behalf of the Friends. The chairman then called on Mr. John Elford of Dakota, and Mrs. C. Rogers of Bowmanville, their son and daughter, to make the presentation. Mr. Elford was the recipient of a fine Astrachan coat (purchased from Messrs. Couch, Johnston & Cryderman) and a gold headed cane (from Mr. J. Maynard) which were presented by John in a happy speech, stating that as he could not be at the first marriage he was greatly pleased to be at the present one. Mrs. Elford was the recipient of a fine gold watch, (purchased from Mr. L. Cornish) presented by Mrs. Chas. Rogers, also a gold wedding ring which was to replace the bride's origin wedding ring which was lost several years ago. Mr. Elford placed the ring on the bride’s finger and then made a very suitable reply for Mrs. E. and himself. All of the above presents were supplied to the committee by the merchants at greatly reduced prices on account of their personal acquaintance and great respect for the bride and groom. Two fine views of places in Switzerland were received from Miss E. Joness, who is now residing there, and presented with her best wishes. They also received a $10 gold piece each. Congratulatory letters were read from William and Byron Elford, two sons in Manitoba, Chas. M. Bice, and Dr. M. Bice, Denver, Col., Mr. John Hoar, Lindsay. Mrs. W. Somers, Illinois, and others. Several gentlemen gave short congratulatory speeches, interspersed with singing. The following gentlemen and their wives and in some cases children were present: Messrs. J. Elford, Dakota; R. Clark, Newcastle; A. Hawthorn, Hope; Mr. and Miss Welch, Hope; Wm. Elford, Essex Centre; Wm. Souch, J. Elford, S. Allin, Alf. Allin, J. M. Joness, Ed Belliman, Jas. Stanley, S. Souch, W. H. Rogers, Jon. Pickard, Jno. Potter, Jno. Westaway, Wm. Allin, Mr. and Miss Gilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Cox, Miss E. Elford, Miss R. McLeod, the Hampton Methodist minister and Rev. S. Salton and wife, Darlington; J. C. Vanstone, C. Rogers, Dr. Potter, Mr. S. Vanstone, Mrs. Northcote, Mrs. and Misses Nichols, Mr. and Mrs. P. Tyler. Bowmanville. Bowmanville Statesman, Jan. 30, 1889.

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----- OBITUARIES -----

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William Elford

September 2, 1815 ~ October 20, 1895

William Elford, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the township of Darlington, and one of the most faithful and influential members of the Methodist Church on the Hampton Circuit, died recently at his late residence, in the village of Hampton. He was born in Cornwall, England, in 1815, and came to this country with his parents when only fifteen years of age [1830], and settled in the township of Darlington, where he lived till his death. In his youth he was surrounded with Christian influences, and as a result he was always plously inclined. In 1839 he was soundly converted, made a public confession of his faith in Christ, and connected himself with the Church, and continued a consistent member till his death. In 1839 he married Charlotte Merkley, who was of like mind with himself in spiritual matters. They lived together over fifty-seven years, and the union was a happy one. They had four children, three sons and one daughter, who, with his widow, survive him. Before the union of the various Methodist bodies in Canada, Bro. Elford was an influential and loyal member of the Bible Christian Church. When the union took place he entered heartily into the United Church, and became a willing and liberal supporter of all its funds. He was possessed of a singularly even and cheerful disposition, and was a great reader of good, religious books, and a warm friend of The Christian Guardian. About twenty years ago he gave himself more fully to the Lord, and from that time till the end came, he lived a consecrated holy life. His experience was full of hope and gratitude, and was always helpful and stimulating to all who heard him. A few weeks before his death he had a stroke of paralysis and was never able to talk afterwards. His life, however, was his testimony, and there is no doubt but his end was glorious and triumphant. He was not without his faults, but taking him all in all Mr. Elford was one of the most faithful, cheerful, hopeful and consistent Christians I ever knew. 

  R. McCulloch. Christian Guardian Observer, Jan. 29, 1896.

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Charlotte Merkley Elford

July 29, 1814 ~ December 28, 1899

Hampton. Mrs. Elford, relict of the late William Elford a resident of the village and vicinity for over half a century, passed quietly to rest Thursday evening after an illness of a few weeks. The funeral Monday to the West end cemetery was largely attended. Bowmanville Statesman, Jan. 3, 1900.  

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