5.8.2. William James Adams (1888-1947)

William James Adams (1888 ~ 1947)

5.8.2. Second child of James Adams and Dinah Isabella Perry, William James Adams, was born August 11, 1888, in W. Luther Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario.

He married Ellen “Nellie” Bilton, daughter of George Henry Bilton and Elizabeth Boyd, February 23, 1916, Conn, W. Luther Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario and had one child:

(5.8.2.1) Alvin Herbert (1919 ~ 1992)

William J. Adams died July 15, 1947, aged 58 years and Nellie Bilton Adams died July 28, 1949, aged 62 years in Cedarvale, Proton Twp., Ontario, and are interred at Mount Forest Cemetery.

----- MARRIAGE -----

Adams—Bilton

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. William J. Adams who were united in the holy bonds of matrimony on Wednesday, February 23, 1916 at the manse by the Rev. S. H. Moyer, Nellie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Bilton of Egremont Twp. A reception was given in the evening at the home of the bride where their host of friends spent an enjoyable time in games, music and dancing. Many useful and costly presents were given, showing the high esteem in which the bride was held. Mount Forest Confederate, Mar. 2, 1916.

----- OBITUARIES -----

William J. Adams

After an illness of almost a year, and following a valiant struggle against a heart condition that caused acute suffering and anxiety at times, and a final attack suffered a week before his death on Tuesday morning, July 15, 1947 of William James Adams caused profound sorrow and deep regret to a large circle of friends and relatives.

The deceased was born August 11, 1888, on Lot 1, Conc. 12, West Luther, and was the eldest son of Mrs. (Dinah) Adams and the late James Adams.

On February 23, 1916, he married Nellie Bilton, daughter of Mr. George Bilton and the late Mrs. Bilton of Egremont. They settled on Lot 9, Conc. 7, Proton Twp., as pioneers and together they cleared the land and built the present buildings where his son Alvin will still carry on.

Of a kind and cheerful disposition ever ready to give a helping hand, he had won the esteem of a large circle of friends.

The funeral which was largely attended was held from his late residence, thence to Knox Presbyterian Church, Conn, where service was conducted by the minister, Rev. Wm. Palmer, assisted by Rev. Ernest Hayes of Morrison United Church, Cedarville. Interment took place in Mount Forest.

The pall bearers were: Ralph Gillies, Earl Hockridge, David Pryde, Andrew Ellis, Ed Shier, and Wm. Gillies.

The flower bearers were: Clifford, Jack and Gordon Adams, Clarence Morrison, Perry Samuel, George, Earl, and Fred Bilton, Donald McEachern, and Louis Ferguson, all nephews of the deceased.

He leaves to mourn the loss of a devoted husband and father, his widow and only son Alvin and daughter-in-law, his mother, three brothers, Stanley and Edwin of West Luther and George of Welland, Ont., four sisters, Martha, Mrs. W. G. Samuel and Gertie, Mrs. Stanley Herriot of Mount Forest, Cassie, Mrs. Andrew Morrison of Proton and Florence, Mrs. Alex Graham of West Luther. A brother Robert predeceased him in 1930 and his father in 1922. Mount Forest Confederate, July 24, 1947.

Nellie Bilton Adams

June 22, 1888 ~ July 28, 1949

In Cedarville on Thursday, July 28, 1949, there passed peacefully away a kind and loving mother and sister, in the person of Mrs. Nellie Adams. She has made a valiant struggle for seven weeks against a heart condition that caused acute suffering and anxiety at times. She had not been well for some years but had great patience and was tenderly nursed by her sister Margaret with whom she was staying since March, in Cedarville. Her husband predeceased her on July 15, 1947.

She was of a cheerful disposition and was loved by all who knew her. Her death caused sorrow and deep regret to a large circle of relatives and friends.

The deceased was born June 22, 1888 on Lot 6, Concession 6, Egremont. She was the second youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. George H. Bilton. On February 23, 1916, she married the late William Adams of Proton, the eldest son of Mrs. Dinah and the late James Adams, Conn. They settled on Lot 9, Concession 7, Proton, as pioneers. Together they cleared the land and built the present building where her son Alvin and daughter-in-law Margaret will still carry on.

She leaves to mourn her loss her son Alvin and daughter-in-law and five sisters, Jennie, Mrs. Herb Payne; Mary, Mrs. George Ireland, Mossbank, Sask.; Ada, Mrs. Percy Banks; Cassie, Mrs. John Epema, Egremont; Margaret, Mrs. Richard Morley, Cedarville; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Alf. Bilton, Mount Forest and her mother-in-law, Mrs. Dinah Adams, Conn. A brother Alfred and sister Sarah are deceased.

The funeral which was largely attended was held from the Gardiner Funeral Home where service was conducted by the Rev. Maurice D. McNabb. Interment took place in Mount Forest Cemetery.

The pall bearers were neighbors, Andrew Ellis, Ralph Gillies, Earle Hockridge, Edward Shier, Peter Keith, Andrew Wagner.

The flowerbearers were nephews, George, Fred, Earle Bilton, Perry Samuel, Clifford Adams, Clarence Morrison, Albert and Wilbern Merritt. Many floral wreaths placed around the casket showed love and respect for the one gone before.

Her weary hours and days of pain

Her troubled nights are past

And in our arching hearts we know

She has found sweet rest at last.

Mount Forest Confederate, Aug. 11, 1949.

George H. Bilton

July 24, 1852 ~ March 13, 1932

On Sunday, March 13, 1932, George Bilton, of the 6th of Egremont, a highly and much esteemed neighbour and a devoted and affectionate father, was called to rest after a brief illness. He had not enjoyed the best of health for a few years.

He was born in the year 1852 in Vaughan Township, 4th Con., 12 miles west of Yonge St., Toronto. At the age of 19 years he took up farming for himself, settling in Luther Twp., Con. 2, where he lived for eleven years. He moved to Egremont Twp., Lot 26, Con. 6, in 1884, and had farmed successfully there, having had many strenuous hours of toil to bring this beautiful farm to its present high state of cultivation and splendid buildings.

He was married in 1875 to Bessie Boyd, of North Arthur, who is deceased 21 years. The issue of this union was Alfred, deceased; Sarah, Mrs. William Merriott, St. Thomas; Jennie, Mrs. Herbert Payne; Mary, Mrs. George Ireland, both of Mossbank, Sask.; Ada, Mrs. Percy Banks, on the homestead; Cassie, Mrs. John Ephma, Con. 6, Egremont; Nellie, Mrs. William Adams, Cedarville; Maggie, Mrs. Richard Morley, 8th of Arthur. He had fifteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren, also one sister and six brothers who survive to mourn his loss by death: Alfred and Walter, Iron Bridge, Algoma; John and William, Mount Forest; David, of Conn; Machel and Mrs. Andrew McIntyre, Egremont and Arthur Town Line. In politics he was a Liberal. In religion he belonged to the United Church.

On Wednesday, March 16, his funeral was conducted from his late residence, a large crowd of friends and neighbours in attendance showing the high esteem in which this kindly pioneer, a man of few words and kind deeds, was held. Rev. Mr. Lawson, of Mount Forest, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Crighton, of Conn, conducted the funeral service at the home and the grave. The following pallbearers laid his body to rest in Mount Forest Cemetery: Machel, William and David Bilton, Harry Wilkinson, George Harris and Donald McQueen.

Gates a-jar and a pillow were floral designs which lay on the casket, put there by the family. Mount Forest Confederate, Mar. 24, 1932.

Elizabeth Boyd Bilton

August 6, 1852 ~ April 7, 1911

In Egremont, on April 7, 1911, Elizabeth Boyd, wife of Mr. George Bilton, aged 58 years. Mount Forest Confederate, Apr. 13, 1911.

James W. Bilton

July 2, 1827 ~ October 11, 1916

On Wednesday morning last [October 11, 1916] there passed away another highly respected citizen and pioneer in the person of the late James Wandby Bilton in his 90th year. Born in Yorkshire in the town of Hessle, near Hull, England, in 1827, he assisted his father in blacksmithing up to the year of his sailing to Canada in 1847. He was accompanied by his parents, 7 brothers and 2 sisters. They took up farming in Vaughan township, fourth concession, 12 miles west of Yonge Street. After 3 years assisting his parents in this country he took unto himself a wife, a Canadian by birth, in the person of Sarah Ann Hillock, in October, 1850. They continued farming in Vaughan township for 5 years when they moved to Pilkington township where they farmed for 3 years. They moved to Rothsay in 1859 and farmed their successfully for 10 years when they moved again to Riverstown farming there for 10 years. Afterwards they were one year in Proton, Con. 2, then to 6th Con. of Egremont, Lot 27, for a number of years, when they moved to the townline Egremont and Arthur, the present homestead, Lot 22, in 1894. The family is:—George Bilton, in Egremont; Alfred and Walter, in Algoma; John and Michael, at home; William, of Toronto; David, of Egremont; Mrs. Andrew McIntyre and Mrs. Charles Moore, also of Egremont and Arthur townline. Three children died in youth and infancy. Three sisters survive and one brother: Mrs. John Stickney, of Elmira; Mrs. Newlove and Mrs. Stockford and Thomas Bilton, all of Toronto. Twenty-two grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren also survive. In politics he was independent and in religion a staunch Methodist, having filled many useful offices in connection with his church. The funeral on Friday was conducted by his pastor, Rev. Robert Magill, and was largely attended. The pallbearers were his five sons, John, Michael, George, David and William and grandson, Alfred Bilton. His remains were laid to rest in Mount Forest Cemetery. We extend our deepest sympathy to the wife and family who mourns the loss of a loving father. The following friends attended the funeral: Mrs. James Bilton, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bilton, Toronto; Mr. and Mrs. Lixton and Mr. and Mrs. B. Stickney, Elmira. Mount Forest Representative, Oct. 19, 1916.

Sarah A. Hillock Bilton

January 13, 1834 ~ July 28, 1921

On July 28, 1921, there passed away to the Great Beyond a highly respected, kind, and loving mother in the person of the late Mrs. James W. Bilton at the home of her daughter in Mount Forest, Mrs. Charles Moore, where she had been staying for some time. Her health had been failing for the past seven months and the family expected the end was near.

Mrs. Bilton was born on January 13, 1834, in Little York, north of Toronto, Yonge Street, and spent 15 years there. When 12 years of age her mother died, after which she kept house for her father for 3 years having full charge of the household and also the care of a one month old sister, looking after her welfare till 10 years of age. Her maiden name was Sarah Ann Hillock. She was married in 1851 to the late James W. Bilton, who died in the year 1916.

Mrs. Bilton belonged to the family consisting of one brother George, five sisters, Mary, Hannah, Julia, Charlotte and Elizabeth. The family that Mrs. Bilton leaves to mourn her loss consists of seven sons: George, 6th Con., Egremont, Alfred and Walter, Algoma; William, Mount Forest; David, Conn; and John and Mack on the homestead; two daughters: Mrs. Andrew McIntyre, Con. 4, Egremont and Mrs. Charles Moore, Mount Forest. Two girls and a boy died in infancy. There are also 23 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

During the battle of Montgomery’s Tavern in the McKenzie rebellion on December 7, 1837, Mrs. Bilton then being less than 4 years of age, remembered well the shooting of Captain Moody, and the laying of his dead body across a stump not far from their home.

In religion Mrs. Bilton belonged to the Methodist faith. Rev. Mr. Treleaven, her pastor, conducted the funeral service at the house and grave. Her remains were laid to rest in Mount Forest Cemetery. The pall bearers were 5 sons, John, Mack, David, George and William, and a grandson, Alfred Bilton. Many floral wreaths were placed on the casket by family and friends, showing love and respect for one who though dead yet lives in the memory of all who knew her as an industrious, sympathetic and faithful friend. A large crowd followed her remains to rest, proving the place she held in the community in which she lived. Mount Forest Confederate, Aug. 4, 1921.