Mary Hartley + Nathaniel Davies

by Barbara Doduk

My 4th Great Grandfather was Nathaniel Davies was born before May 21, 1809 in Manchester, England. He died 1866 in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. 

He was the son of John Davies and Susannah Murphy. 

Nathaniel Davies married Mary Hartley March 09, 1840 in York Township, York, Ontario, Canada.

My 4th Great Grandmother was Mary Hartley, she was born in 1822 in Manchester, England. She died 1859 in Ontario, Canada.

The Mormon International Genealogical Index of Lancaster County, England listed Nathaniel Davies, son of John and Susannah, born in Manchester, christened May 21, 1809 at Manchester Cathedral, England and Thmos Davies, son of John and Susannah, baptised September 8, 1805 at Manchester, England which corresponds to the Manchester Cathedral transcripts held at Preston, England.

Great Grandfather Nathaniel and his elder brother Thomas Price came to Canada in the year 1831.  They settled in York Township, York County, Ontario, Canada.  The Davies brothers tried to farm when they first came to Canada but later they went into the brewery trade.

Toronto March 9, 1840.  Marriages at St. James Anglican, Toronto, 9 March, 1840, by license, Nathaniel DAVIES, of the township of York, bachelor, and Mary HARTLEY, of the same place, spinster. This day married, by licence, Nathaniel Davies of the township of York, bachelor, and Mary Hartley of the same place, spinster,  N. Goasott, D.A. Minister.  It was signed by both the bride and groom, Nataniel Davies, Mary X Hartly.  The X her mark.  One witness was James Goole and the other was not understood.  This was found in the Home District Marriage Register.

Great Grandfather Nathaniel was born in England in 1809.  He came to Canada in 1831.  His wife Mary Hartley was born in England in 1822.  No date was found for her arrival in Canada, Nathaniel and Mary were married March 9, 1840.

In the 1851 census East York Township, York County, Ontario states: Davies, Nathaniel, Brewer, born England, Church of England, 42 married. His family as follows:

Mary, born England, Church of England 30 (married)

  • Ellen, born Canada  8 (1843)
  • Nathaniel, born Canada  7 (1845)
  • John, born Canada 5 (1846)
  • Mary, born Canada  1 (1850)

Nathaniel Davies Sr. purchased the South Half of Township Lot 18, Consession 3 from the Bay in 1850.  The deed was registered in the Registry Office on October 18, 1850.  The registration number is 38532 York. In the deed he is described as Nathaniel Davies of the Township of York, the County of York and the Province of Canada, Brewer.

His brother Thomas had land near Nathaniel’s land, Lot 18 Concession.  The brewery was located further up Don River, on River Street at the end of King Street in the east end of Toronto. It has not been confirmed what Nathaniel’s connections were with the Don Brewery, if he was part owner, an investor or worked there with his brother Thomas. Nor has it been confirmed that he owned his own brewery.  It was confirmed that his occupation was a brewer in the 1851 census and that he owned a two story brick tavern.

In the 1861 census, St. David’s Ward, Toronto, Ontario, it states that Nathaniel had 100 acres, lot 18, concession 3, for the Bay, York township.  This confirms where he farmed. It states that there was 48 acres cultivated, 37 under crops, 11 pasture, 52 wood, 14 acres wheat for 300 bushels, 14 acres barley for 290 bushels, 9 acres oats for 360 bushes, 3 bulls, Ox or steers, 4 milch cows, 3 calves, 14 horses, 15 pigs, 250 pound of butter.

Children of Nathaniel Davies and Mary Hartley are:

  1. Ellen Davies, born March 03, 1843 in York Township, York, Ontario, Canada; died May 08, 1898 in Clairville, Toronto, Gore Township, Ontario, Canada; married Thomas Walker Bland February 06, 1861 in Toronto, Gore Township, Ontario, Canada; born Abt. 1835 in Toronto, Gore Township, Ontario, Canada; died April 12, 1881 in Clairville, Toronto, Gore Township, Ontario, Canada.
  2. Nathaniel Douglas Davies, born April 11, 1845 in York Township, York, ON, CAN; died February 15, 1921 in Fort Ellice, MB, CAN; married Annie Norquay February 04, 1877 in St. Eustache RC Church, Baie St. Paul, MB, CAN.
  3. John Davies, born 1846.
  4. Mary Davies, born 1850.

My 3rd Great Grandfather is Nathaniel Douglas Davies.

Reference Links:

  • Canadian Genealogy Index
  • Robertson’s Landmarks of Toronto, A Collection of Historical Sketches of the Old Town of York From 1792 Until 1833 and of Toronto From 1834 to 1898.
  • The Mormon International Genealogical Index of Lancaster County, England