This is where the story of the Wallace family opened up wide. Before I learned about the existence of Thomas Wallace, my family were pretty sure that Robert Wallace (1823-1912) had brought the family from Scotland to Canada, and then into the US.
That was a family story I’d heard many times. And then I learned that it was the father of Robert who actually brought the family to Canada.
Thomas Wallace
- Born 1798 in Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland. This is a village just East of the town of Kilmarnock.
- Parents are Hugh Wallace (1761-?) and Mary Reid.
- Died October 12, 1883 at home in Clarke township, Durham, Ontario, Canada.
- Buried in Port Hope Union Cemetery, Durham, Ontario, Canada.
Isabella Dickie
- Records sometimes show her name as Isobol.
- Born 1799 in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland.
- Father is James Dickie. Mother is unknown.
- Died May 3, 1871 at home in Clarke township, Durham, Ontario, Canada.
- Buried in Port Hope Union Cemetery, Durham, Ontario, Canada.
Marriage
They were married in 1818. In Scotland at the time, marriage bans were read in church. I found two marriage bans in O.P.R. records: 25 October 1818, Loudon and 13 November 1818, Kilmarnock. The two towns are very close together.
Here is the OPR marriage for Loudon. It says, “Wallace & Dickie: 26th Oct Thomas Wallace in this Parish and Isobel Dickie in the Parish of Kilmarnock gave in their names and were regularly proclaimed and married.”
Children
- Elizabeth Wallace (1819-1909)
- Robert Wallace (1823-1912)
- Janet Wallace (1824-1891)
- Mary Jane Wallace (1826-1901)
- James Wallace (1827-1893)
- Isabella Wallace (1833-1915)
- Agnes Wallace (1836-1933)
- Marion Wallace (1842-1914)
Stories
The family story I’ve heard is that they came from Scotland on a cattle boat and brought furniture with them. I haven’t found evidence to support that story as of yet. I do know they arrived in Canada sometime in 1820; census records show that.
Local History
I got this paragraph from “Clarke Township, Eastern section: It’s People, Place, and Events” by Agnes Grace Burley. The same book mentions Theron Dickey and the Ballah family – who we are also relatives.
Wallace, Thomas family first came to Clarke B.F.I. in 1831 from farm north Cavan St., Port Hope. Six children – Robert (1824-1912,) Elizabeth (2nd Mrs. Theron Dickey) (a sister was the first wife of T. Dickey,) one daughter married and move to Toronto. Three girls never married and lived at home, Belle, Agness, and one other; Robert’s daughter Bella came home to care for Agness when others died. The house burned with a wealth of antiques. Bella and Aunt Agness built a home west of Wesleyville. Bella became the second wife of Victor Thorndyke.
Clarke BFI?
BFI stands for broken front. And a broken front is lake front. In this case, Lake Ontario.
Here’s the area of Ontario we’re talking about – east of Toronto, just east of Oshawa.
That’s Lakeshore Road you see running along the lake front. I haven’t been able to figure out exactly where the family farm was located.
But based on this 1881 Plat book, my guess is that it is between Port Hope and Port Britain.
1861 Canadian Census
The family is in Clarke township by the 1861 census. They are living in a 1 1/2 story frame house; this is better than many of their neighbors who are living in log cabins. Daughter Mary is teaching school. The census confirms that both Thomas and Isabella were born in Scotland, married in 1818, and that all children were born in Upper Canada – aka Ontario.
1871 Canadian Census
Here is the family on the 1871 census of Canada. In the household are Thomas and Isabella plus four of their eight children: James, Isabella, Agness, and Marian.
- Elizabeth married Theron Dickey. By 1871 they have has several children: William Wallace, James Harvey, Carrie, Leona, Ann, and John.
- Janet married James Smith in 1831 and has at least two children that I know about.
- Mary Jane taught school then married Michael McNeillie in 1857. They eventually move to Toronto.
- Between 1860 and this census, Robert has moved to Middlesex township and married Catherine Cameron. By 1871, they have three children – Isabella, Alfred, and Mary Agnes Ella.
1878 Land Ownership
Thomas owns 90 acres of land in Clarke, Durham, Ontario. Concession A, Lot 1 is 40 acres. Concession B, Lot 1 is 50 acres.
1881 Canadian Census
The 1881 census shows Thomas, age 83 and four children.
- Isabella, age 45.
- Agnes, age 40.
- Marion, age 35.
- James, age 54.
Deaths
Isabella and Thomas were both buried in Port Hope Union Cemetery, Port Hope, Ontario, Canada.
- Isabella passes away on May 3, 1871. Here is her record on FindAGrave.
- Thomas passes away on October 12, 1884. He is was buried on October 18, 1884. Here is his record on FindAGrave.
Thomas’s Death Certificate
Transcript
Grave Marker
The following transcription and pictures came from Per Brian Edey in email 12 August 2011. Some information obtained by Anne Williams Morris via email with Ruth Waite (23 September 2011.)
Stone B8, Section OLD, Row 21, Plot 98
East face [facing the entrance] is Thomas.
In memory of Thomas Wallace
Died Oct. 12, 1884
Aged 86 years 5 months
Born Scotland. Died of old age.
North face is his wife Isabella Dickie.
Isabella Dickie, wife of Thos Wallace.
Died: illegible in picture
Age: 72 years
South face is son James [d1893], daughters Marion [d 1914] and Agnes [d1933]. From top to bottom:
James Wallace, Died 16 August 1893, Age 67 years
Marion Wallace, Died 22 September 1914, Age 74 years. Born Canada, died of general prostration.
Agnes Wallace, Born Jan 15, 1835, Died Apr. 7, 1936
West face is Isabelle [d 1915]. [illegible from the picture]
Isabella Wallace
22 February 1915
Age 82 years
Born Canada. Died of influenza and prostration.
