 |
|
|
|
History of the Burnett Family By Robert Irvine Sherriffs As near as we can trace, one ______ Burnett was born about the beginning of the eighteenth century. Had at least two brothers who went in early life to the West Indies and died there. And one sister Anne. ______ Burnett was married about the middle of the century and had one son, by the name of Francis Burnett. _____ Burnett was a farmer in the parish of Kinnethmont, Aberdeenshire, Scotland of comfortable standing and a fair-sized farm. But as his son Francis was not inclined to agricultural pursuits, his early life was devoted to studies leading up to a professional life. Which studies were followed up with considerable ability. Educated for the ministry. When Francis was still quite young (about twenty years) his father died, and he was called home from college to take care of the farm and assist his mother in carrying on the business. But not being educated along agricultural lines and having no particular love for farming, he and his mother did not make a success of the concern and as a natural consequence their holdings became less and less until their circumstances became considerably reduced. About the year 1780 Francis Burnett when advanced to middle life (probably 40 years or more) married a young wife, whose maiden name was Elspeth Wilkie. To them were born twelve children. The oldest being a daughter whose name was Jean (mother of Forbes Robertson). The names of the next three we are not so sure of but one of them was Francis called after his father. These four all died in early life in their native land. The fifth member of the family was Alexander, who was born in the parish of Kinnethmont on the 22 day of December 1805. The sixth was John born on the 30 of June 1808. James born 1810
Alexander Burnett In 1827 Alexander Burnett married Jane Sangster of his native shire and to them were born in Scotland: Jane born 14 Dec 1828
In June 1836 Alexander Burnett with his wife and four children and his brother James took passage in a sailing vessel for the great new land across the western sea (the land of Canada) and arrived about September after nearly 13 weeks on the broad Atlantic. Forging their way up into the forest of Ontario and arriving at Winterbourne where Alexander and family made their home for a short time and where or in the neighborhood of which James his brother spent the rest of his life. After remaining a short time in the Winterbourne district, Alexander with his family moved to Waterloo village or near there, where he rented a farm on which they lived for a time. Later buying a small farm at New Aberdeen. During their residence in these districts there were born: Samuel born 14 Dec 1838
In the year 1850 he sold the farm at New Aberdeen and with his then family of nine children moved to a farm in Pilkington township Wellington County. There to clear up a farm and make a home out of the unbroken forest. There was born to them in Pilkington township another two sons namely Willian, 15 Dec 1850 and Robert Francis, 9 May 1854. Here on this farm lot 5 concession 3 Pilkington Alexander Burnett son of Francis Burnett with his wife, Jane Sangster, lived out their days. She died before it could be said that she was old. At the age of 59 years in the year of 1867. While he lived to the ripe old age of 86 years and two months dying in the month of February 1892. Honored and loved by his family. Respected and revered in state and in church where he was a ruling elder for many years. And where his faithfulness and devotion was ever manifest and where his judgment was respected above many. In 1837 Samuel Burnett, son of Francis, came to Canada and the rest of the family came in the following order: Robert with his wife (Margaret Torn, whom he had married in Scotland) in 1843
These all settled in the neighborhood of Winterbourne except the Wilsons, who went to Normanby Township, Grey County. John Burnett Of John Burnett, son of Francis Burnett, there is not a great deal that we can say except that he was married to Ann and they had born to them two daughters, Margaret and ???. Margaret was married to William Land. The daughters of John Burnett with their families moved away from this vicinity many years ago and have been lost trace of by the rest of the connection. In summing up the life of John Burnett it may be said that probably not as bright as other members of the family, he was very industrious and toward the end of life considerably broken down. He never acquired any great amount of this world’s goods but withal was a man of strong convictions, well posted in the Scriptures and thoroughly honorable in all his intentions. He lived to an old age, being 83 years and two months old at his death. An old man and full of years. Born 30 Jun 1808, died 22 Jul 1891. James Burnett James Burnett, son of Francis Burnett, was born in the parish of Kinnethmont, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on 24 Mar 1810. Came to Canada with his brother Alexander in 1836. For a time he worked around feeling his way. Then he rented the farm which he afterward bought and cleared, and there made himself and family a home in which he enjoyed life to the end. He married early in life Agnes Mackie and to them were born one son George in 1839 and four daughters, namely Elspeth in 1842, Elizabeth in 1840, Agnes in 1844, and Margaret in 1847. James Burnett was a man of very genial disposition, enjoyed fun and a joke, was of strong physique and knew how to take care of what was coming to him. Was also a man of strong religious convictions. His wife died early in life in the year 1855, leaving him with five young children, but it is said of him that in watching over their young lives he never forgot to take down the Bible and have worship with them and commit them into the hands of the Most High. He lived to the old age of 91 years. Loved and respected by his family and friends and neighbors and was carried to his reward in 1901, aged 91 years and 8 months. There is one thing significant and worthy of note at this time (A.D. 1927) and it is that the family of James Burnett are all living except the eldest daughter who died in March of this year at the advanced age of 85 years. And at the time of her death all the members had passed the 80 year mark. The oldest being Mr. George Burnett who is 88 years of age, the youngest being Mrs. Margaret Sherriffs of Vancouver who is 80 years. Margaret Burnett Margaret Burnett, daughter of Francis Burnett, was born in the parish of Kinnethmont, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in the year 1812. Of her early life we can say but little, but that little is worthy of note, as she remained true to her responsibility to her parents while they were spared to her. She remained with them till the end, along with her brother John. And when they had seen their loved ones laid to rest in their native heath, they too followed the other members of the family to this now far famed land of Canada. And in the year 1847 together they came to seek their fortune with the others. Shortly after coming to Canada Margaret was married to Mr. Alexander Scroggie, and they settled on the farm just north of the one on which her brother James had made his home. And which is at this present time owned by her grandson Alexander S. Forbes, warden of Waterloo County this year. To Mr. And Mrs. Scroggie were born three sons and one daughter: Mary Ann, John, Alex, and Francis. These are all gone except Mary Ann (Mrs. George Forbes), who is present with us today. Elspeth Burnett Elspeth Burnett, the youngest daughter of Francis Burnett, was born in the parish of ???, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in the year 1814. Of her early life the writer has very little information. She remained longer in the old land than any other member and came to Canada in the year 1847 with her husband Charles Wilson. They like the rest came to Winterbourne and lived for a period of time and then moved to the township of Normanby, County of Grey, where raised their family of 3 sons and 5 daughters: Jessie (Mrs. Wm. Mitchell)
The family are all gone except the three younger daughters. Mr. Wilson died in 1878, and Mrs. Wilson lived to the advanced age of 86 years, dying in the year 1900. Samuel Burnett Mr. Samuel Burnett, son of Francis Burnett, was born in the parish of Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in the year 1817, and when quite a young man, followed his brothers, Alexander and James, to Canada, arriving here in the year 1837. To him is probably due the credit of owning the first farm belonging to a Burnett of this race in the country. That is to say he had the first deed of his property. He married after coming here Margaret Gerrie whom he had known in Scotland and who was the first girl acquaintance he met in the land. Samuel was just the kind of man to make good. Strong physically, and ambitious a man of good understanding and a strong will, honest and conscientious. He settled on the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. Jas. Langdon, his grandson, and which has remained in the family through all the years. Here he did his life’s work. Cleared the farm, raised his family and here he died in 1897, aged 80 years. Their family consisted of 6 sons and 4 daughters, ??? of them dying in early life. The ones whom we have known are William, who was a very successful farmer in Elma township for many years and is now 86 years of age; John, deceased some years ago, Isabella (Mrs.) Langdon, James of Eramosa, Mary (Mrs. Robert Law), Adam of Elma twp., Elizabeth (Mrs. Wm. Law), Samuel now retired and living in Listowel and Robert who died just when blooming into manhood. Mrs. Burnett outlived her husband by 12 years, and died in 1909, aged 89 years. Robert Burnett Robert Burnett, the youngest son of Francis Burnett, was born in the parish of Kinnethmont, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in the year 1820 and when just a lad of 16 years wanted to come with his brothers to Canada but being apprenticed to a trade he was not released by his employer and so remained to work out his apprenticeship. But that did not tie him to this fatherland. For soon he followed his kinsfork. But not till he had taken himself a wife in the person of Margaret Torn, who was a worthy helpmeet to him in after life. In the year 1843 Robert Burnett and his wife came to Canada and joined the friends here. His brother Samuel, thinking he had too much on his hands, sold him part of his farm. And on it they laboured to get the land cleared, but later on the farm appeared too small for him and he resold it to Samuel and bought the farm west of Conestoga, where he spent the rest of his days. They had a family of two sons. John, now of Winterbourne, and James of Saskatchewan. And three daughters, Mary (Mrs. Jas. Glennie), Elsie (Mrs. Spencer), Margaret (Mrs. Thomson of Sask.). Mr. Burnett was an industrious, careful man, sound in his belief and shrewd and honorable in principle. Probably not so rugged in constitution as some of the others, he did not stand the battle of life so long. Pneumonia struck him and he died in 1886, aged 66 years. Much respected. His wife lived to be 87 years and died in 1899. |
Find
Surnames
Bookmarks
Places
Dates
Cemeteries
Search
Photos
Documents
Histories
Recordings
Videos
Albums
All Media
What's New
Most Wanted
Reports
Statistics
Notes
Sources
Repositories
Contact Us