Help for a viewer regarding his gggrandfather- surname Morrow

I've been offline for several months but thought I'd post this today in hopes of helping this viewer - Mel Morrow.
Here is a copy of a request from him in August 2013. Maybe one of you know something about the Inistioge Cemetery, Ontario, Canada or the Morrow family.
It's a longshot but I'm amazed at what happens on the net!

August 14, 2013 at 6:21 PM
Hi, my name is Melvin J.Morrow, my gggrandfather is in the Inistioge Cemetery. I visited there about 10 years ago. He was killed in a farming accident in 1860. I was concerned with the condition of his headstone. I saw a picture of it today on the internet that was taken in 2009 and it actually looks better than when I was there. If it is still legible I would appreciate some one dropping me a line. My email is: melandmarsha@live.com. Thanks, Mel

Funeral Card Friday ~ Mary Jane ACHESON - Life of a Pioneer Woman

IN MEMORIAM

Mary Jane Acheson

Beloved Wife of Christopher Johnson

died August 10th 1901

DIED

In Proton, on Thursday, Aug 10, 1901

MARY JANE ACHESON

Beloved wife of Christopher Johnson age

45 years.

THE FUNERAL

The funeral will take place from her late residence

to Flesherton Cemetery on Monday,

at 1 o'clock p.m.

Friends and acquaintances will please

 accept this intimation.

---

This very pretty flowered funeral card is for my maternal great grandmother. I find it interesting that they have used her maiden name rather than her married surname.

This was in a suitcase of memorabilia that belonged to my maternal grandfather, George JOHNSON. George was the first child of  Mary Jane and Christopher. This card was nibbled by some little critter. I filled in her name "Mary" by hand.

 A tragedy for George and his wife, Emma CLARK, who where being nursed by Mary Jane when she contracted Typhoid Fever from them, and subsequently died 40 days later. Also, their first born son (seven months old) was ill at the same time too.  (See biography below.)

Mary Jane (ACHESON) JOHNSTON

Born 12th October 1856

Died 10th October 1901

Buried Flesherton Cemertery

Flesherton, Grey County, Ontario

---

THE ACHESON  FAMILY ~ 1850-1950

The Life of a Pioneer Woman ~ Biography:

(Excerpt - pages 11 and 12)

Born on October 12th, 1856, Mary Jane was the first daughter of William and Christina Acheson.

Being the eldest girl in a large family of pioneers, she early learned to accept responsibility, thus sharing with her mother love's tasks of caring for the younger children in the home.

"I was only nine years old when she was married," remarks her sister Rachael ( now in her 86th year) "yet I well remember what a dear, thoughtful sister she was. Always kind and unselfish, she served In her own quiet way, with never any fuss or talk about her good turns."

"Words seem but a poor expression of my regard for her, for she was a model girl and a model woman. I think of her as next to my saintly Mother. Although I was only a child when she was grown to womanhood, I can remember her getting up at five o'clock in the morning to spin rolls of wool from which the material was made, not only for stockings and socks, but for shirts, dresses, and blankets as well - just an example of her devoted and loving service in the home." - Sister Rachel

She was only eighteen years old when, on December 23rd, 1874, she married Christopher Johnston, the marriage ceremony being performed before daylight in order that they might leave for their honeymoon on the early morning train. "Christie" was a widower with five small children, and the care of these little ones was no small task for one so young to accept. Besides, there were born ten more children, one of whom died in infancy. So, what with caring for her large family and the extra work which falls to the lot of a woman in the building of a fine new barn and house, hers was no easy life. Yet she found time for hospitality, and, in those early years, her home and Christie's was always a home for the Minister when he needed one.

"This kind and affectionate sister  -  this devoted wife and mother has gone to her reward. Her decease was caused by Typhoid Fever contracted while nursing her son, George, and his wife, who were ill in Sault Ste. Marie. She went to Sault Ste. Marie on August 29th, came home on September 29th, and went to Heaven, October 10th, 1901, one day before her 45th birthday.

Her funeral, sermon was preached at Inistioge, October 20th, by Rev. Thomas Campbell, from the words:
"She hath done what she could."

"I used to wonder who would be the first to go, now I wonder who will be next." - Sister Christina (Chan). NOTE: Christina was, herself, the next of the brothers and sisters to answer the summons to the Life Beyond.

Mary Jane was survived by her husband by twenty-four years, he passing away on February 3rd, 1925.
A high tribute was paid by her step-son, William Johnston, who spoke of her as "the best woman that ever lived."

---

SOURCES:
Funeral Card - lent to me by a first cousin in the JOHNSON (JOHNSTON) family.
THE ACHESON HISTORY 1850-1890 - a copy was mailed to me by a first cousin in the ACHESON family. Photograph of Mary Jane - mailed to me by the same ACHESON cousin.
All provided in 2003 while I was researching for my Mother's 90th birthday, March 2003.

Tombstone Tuesday~George ARMSTRONG - Inistioge, County Kilkenny, Ireland & Inistioge, Grey County, Ontario, Canada

Inistioge United Church Cemetery,

Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF

GEO. ARMSTRONG

Who died   . . . . . . . . . . . .

JULY 29, 1867

Aged 70 years

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SARAH FREACHAN

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EDWARD FREACHAN

Died July 12 1867

Aged 95 years

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Natives of Inistioge

Co. KILLKENNY IRELAND

W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . and open'd Mercy's door

. . . . . . . . . . with Faith eternal.

NOTE: The dotted lines represent inscription that was illegible.

County Killkenny should be spelled Kilkenny.

I have no information on Sarah and Edward FREACHAN.

---

CANADA WEST / Grey (county) 84 Artemesia Township p. 7d, 8a, (15).

TAKEN UNDER THE ACT 14TH & 15TH Vict. Chap. 40 George ARMSTRONG ENUMERATOR.

Line   9  George Armstrong, Builder & Carpenter, Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 61
Line 10  Margaret Armstrong, ------------- Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 58
Line 11  Frederick Armstrong, Carpenter, Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 30
Line 12  Henry Armstrong, Carpenter, Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 23
Line 13  Mary Ann Armstrong, --------- Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 19
Line 14  John W. Armstrong, Carpenter, Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 10

Line 50  W. Hill, Rev, Wesleyan Minister, Born Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist, Age 33

---

The Census is recorded in a beautiful flowing legible handwriting.

Of interest: John W, the youngest son is listed as a carpenter even though he is only 10 years. Like father, like sons! Also, if John W was born in Ireland, then the family had to have left Ireland between 1842 and 1850.

There is evidence that George and his family had arrived in Inistioge in the late 1840's. George is also attributed with being the 'father' of Inistioge, County Grey, Ontario.

I just happened to notice that the Wesleyan Minister was included on the page of the Census.

---

As mentioned before, George ARMSTRONG and his family were lifelong friends of my ancestors the ACHESON family. Both families had emigrated from Ireland in the late 1840's. George's son Henry is mentioned in the ACHESON Family History 1850-1950, (page 11).
Both families lived in the small pioneer community of Inistioge.

The ACHESON Family History 1850-1950, (page 11) shows that the Christina and William ACHESON lived on a farm across the road from the little log church - the Methodist Church - from 1856 to 1863. In 1863 they family moved to their final destination, a homestead about one mile away.

ACHESON families still own some the property 160 years later. There were five lots that the ACHESON families occupied. Four were situated at an intersection that was dubbed "Enniskillen Corners" after the eldest family members that emigrated from Ireland in 1850.

As the years passed, the younger generations called it "ACHESON Corners."

That's another story!!

Sunday Services ~ Bethel United Church, Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario

Bethel United Church, Proton Station

Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario ~ Built 1896

The little Church still stands today and is opened to the occasional special Service.

It was originally the Bethel Methodist Church. In 1925, the Methodist Church of Canada, the Congregational Union of Canada, seventy percent  of the Presbyterian Churches in Canada and the small General Council of Union Churches amalgamated to form the United Church of Canada.  SOURCE: United Church of Canada, internet search.  

The Bethel (Methodist) United Church was built in 1896, some 45 years after the Inistioge (Methodist) United Church. In 1851, that first Methodist Church at Inistioge was built of logs. It is likely that that log Church was built by George ARMSTONG, who was a builder and carpenter. His three sons, Frederick ages 30, Henry age 23 and John W. age 10 are all listed as carpenters in the 1851/1852 Canada Census. They were likely assisted by their pioneering neighbours. The log Church was replaced with a brick one 20 years later, The last service at the Inistioge United Church was held in 1961 and dismantled in shortly after. The bricks sold to a farmer to build a machine shed.

These two little Churches served the community of the earliest settlers, which included my 2nd great grandparents, Christina (FALLIS) and William ACHESON; my great grandparents, Mary Jane ACHESON and Christopher JOHNSTON; and my grandfather George Albert JOHNSTON/JOHNSON.

My Grandfather left the family homestead in about 1898.

EXCERPT FROM THE ACHESON FAMILY ~ 1850 - 1950:

         Christina (FALLIS) and William ACHESON:

The true spirit of adventure was theirs, and with their two-year old son [born November 1851] they travelled northward [on foot] by forest paths, and settled on Lot 205, Range 2, Artemesia. . . . Here two other children were born, John [June 1854] and Mary Jane [born October 1856 my great grandmother]. They then moved to the farm opposite Inistioge Church on the Toronto-Sydenham Road (now Highway 10). . . .

"Here at Inistioge the Achesons enjoyed the rich friendship of their near neighbours, the Henry Armstrong family -- a friendship still retained by the surviving members of these two families after a lapse of nearly one hundred years. Here, too, in the old log church, under the preaching of a Rev. Mr. Green, and the influence of the Holy Spirit, they gave their hearts to the Savior. Consequently, they endeavoured to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, they, themselves, living consistent Christian lives." -- Aunt Kate.

[Aunt Kate is Catherine, youngest daughter, born August 1867.]

SOURCE: The Acheson Family 1850-1950; self published 1951;

family committee of ten; page 11.

NOTE: The Toronto Grey & Bruce "TG&B" Railway line to this Northern community was built in 1873.

As mentioned before, George ARMSTRONG was also one of the earliest settlers in this small community.

George died 29 July 1867, age 79. He is buried at the Inistioge United Church Cemetery.

The 1851/1852 Census Canada records show George, carpenter, age 61 (born 1791 in Inistioge, County Kilkenny, Ireland)  with his wife, Margaret, and four children, including son Henry, carpenter, age 23, (born in 1829 in Inistioge, County  Kilkenny, Ireland.
All are born in Ireland and are Wesleyan Methodists.

2010 Copyright © Carole Gates

Tombstone Tuesday ~ Inistioge United Church Cemetery, Inistioge, Grey County, Ontario

A few months ago while I was searching for tombstones of my ancestors, I found this excellent resource: OntarioObits.com. They have a section on the "Inistioge Cemetery ~ 1851-1971."

Inistioge United Church Cemetery ~ Proton Township

Grey County, Ontario ~ 1851-1971

From what I can determine, the population dwindled in the 1960's after the last service was held at the little United Church in 1961. It was torn down shortly after.

These grave markers were gathered together at the location of the little Church in order to preserve this cemetery site. There are 47 markers, the earliest date I see is 1856 and the latest date is 1942. However, several of the markers (8) are so worn that the dates cannot be read. It appears that the oldest stones (14) are the ones lying flat in the front row, along with the two that are for children. The gray one on the left is too worn to read, but has a little lamb on the top of it. The white one on the right is for the three ACHESON children that I have posted before.

I've already posted two of the tombstones, Sentimental Sunday, May 2nd, "The Three Little Angels" and Surname Saturday May 8th, "John Rutherford." There are at least three more that are related to my ancestors in some way.

A few of the markers show Ireland as the birthplace. Inistioge, Grey County, Ontario was named after the birthplace of one of it's first residents, Inistioge, County Kilkenny, Ireland.

UPDATE ~ See comments:
May 18, 2010
Thanks to Janet Iles for her comment providing the following information:

"In my information on the Inistioge United Church, (originally Methodist) was not torn down when the church closed in 1961. The church shed, where the horses had been tied in early days, was purchased by a farmer. Willial Crockford removed the bricks from the church building and he hauled it away to become a machine shed."