Nathaniel Douglas Davies + Annie Norquay. 

by Barbara Doduk

My 3rd Great Grandfather Nathaniel Douglas Davies, born April 11, 1845 in York Township, York, ON, CAN; died February 15, 1921 in Fort Ellice, MB, CAN. 

Nathaniel Douglas Davies was the son of Nathaniel Davies and Mary Hartley. 

Nathaniel Douglas Davies married my 3rd Great Grandmother Annie Norquay on February 04, 1877 in St. Eustache RC Church, Baie St. Paul, MB, CAN.

Annie Norquay, born January 15, 1851 in Fort Benton, Montana, USA. She was the daughter of Captain Wray (or Rae) and Marthe Sauvage. Captain Wray (Rae) never return from battle, and Marthe Sauvage moved to Lower Fort Gary in Manitoba. Marthe remarried and then left Annie behind. John Norquay adopted Annie Norquay. She died April 18, 1941 in MB, Canada.

John Norquay became the Premier of Manitoba.

  • https://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/norquay_j.shtml
  • https://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/norquay_j.shtml

3rd Great Grandfather Nathaniel Douglas Davies

Nathaniel Douglas Davies enlisted in the American Civil War of 1861-1865. 

Nathaniel Douglas Davies was 21 year of age and enlisted in Kalamzoo, Detroit, Michigan, USA.  His enlistment form states: a labourer, as a substitute volunteer for Elisha Grieswold, for a period of one year. Nathaniel enlisted on December 6, 1864 as a Private and mustered to “G” Company, 8th, Michigan Infantry, USA on January 1, 1865.

During his service in “G” Company of the 8th Infantry Nathaniel Douglas Davies fought in the seige of Petersbough Virigina; March 25, 1865 at Fort Peterburgh.

Nathaniel Douglas Davies was a Standard bearer as a member of the 8th Michigan Infantry which was part of the Potomac army that was constituted by General Order #47, July 5, 1861 and disbanded by General Order #35, June 28, 1865.  The purpose of this army was twofold: to protect the Capital of the United States and the Loyal North, and to capture the Confederate Capital. Nathaniel was presented with the USA Standard he was carrying into battle.  It had 48 Stars on it as the USA consisted of 48 states in the Union at that time.

Nathaniel returned to civilian life and lived at Oil Springs, Ontario and Bathwell, Ontario until 1867.  He worked as a plasterer (mason) in Ontario until 1870 then he moved to the province of Manitoba. At that time the area was known as the Northwest Territories. Then he worked on the Boundary commission as a surveyor, surveying the boundary between Canada and the USA, from 1872-1874.

Nathaniel Douglas Davies then moved to the Red River Settlement driving a Red River ox cart taking freight from Fort Garry to Fort Ellice and as far away as Edmonton, Alberta.It was when Nathaniel was freighting and was having a meal at the Half Way House of John Norquay that he met my 3rd Great Grandmother Annie Norquay for the first time.

The Neepawa Land Titles Office records of land registory state the land transaction as: 9036 Mortgage June 2, 1899 – July 22, 1899, Nathaniel Davies, purchased from D.H. Cole – $350.00 9039 Mortgage June 2, 1899 – July 22, 1899, Nathaniel Davies – D.H. Cole – $205.55 10488 Mortgage Juny 18, 1901, August 3, 1901, Nathaniel Davies, Trust and Loan Company of Canada – $300.00 11306 Barring Cert. July 24, 1902 – July 26- 1902, Nathaniel Davies, Real Property Act Description of this land being S.W. 1/4-28-17-28, in the Fort Ellice Municipality

Nathaniel and Annie farmed and lived in this Crewe district with their family, two boys and six girls. 

The Fort Ellice History Book has the Crewe district history in it and states that Annie Norquay Davies was a Sunday School teacher and her and her family were very active in the Zion Church activities and the Sunday School. The Zion Church was located on N.W. 1/4 – 33-17-28.Zion church held active services in 1888.  It was dismantled in 1958 after seventy years of service.  The cemetery on Zion church site is still in use.  It is well cared for.  Nathaniel and Annie Davies rest in peace there.

It appears that Nathaniel still owned his Crewe farm when he filed on a homestead on S.E. 1/4, Sec 6. Twp. 18, Rge 30, W. 1, Principal Meridian, Assiniboia area on August 2, 1905.  This was Grandfather’s “Ranch”. Grandfather Nathaniel was 66 years of age and stated his address as Welby. His homestead patent states that he built a house in November, 1905 and took up residence at that time with his wife and one child. Nathaniel only broke six acres of land on his homestead as he had  forty head of cattle in 1905 – 1907.

In 1908 he had three horses and thirty head of cattle.  In 1909 and 1910 he had four horses and over thirty head of cattle. The house was 17 feet by 32 feet and was made of logs, valued at $125.00.  The stable was frame, 29 feet by 36 feet, valued at $75.00.  There was twenty acres fenced with two strand of wire for grazing use only. Nathaniel had a previous homestead that he abandoned, located at N.E. 1/4. Sec.28, Twp. 17, Rge. 5, W. 1 Meridian.

Nathaniel Douglas Davies was one of the community residents along with Mr. Edward Pritchard (Pritchard was an Uncle to Catherine, wife of  Daniel, son of Nathaniel), Mr. Joe LaRose, Mr James Mitten, Mr Joe Decorby, Mr. Albert Mitten and Mr. James Hayes, who attended the first meeting to establish a school district at Welby, after Mr. James Hayes had got permission from the government to do so in 1907.   The men on the first school board at Welby School District #1810 were Nathaniel Davies, Joe LaRose, James Hayes and Mr. Webster as Secretary/ Treasurer.

After the farm was sold Grandpa and Grandma retired to Welwyn, Sask in the year of 1915 or 1916.  They bought a lot and built a house.  The location was Lot 8, Block 5, Plan #A3081.

Nathaniel Douglas Davies made his will on March 29, 1919.  William Nelson Lotte was his executor.  His will said that he left to his wife Annie all money and interest in the bank.  All real property and all money that is invested, during her lifetime. One hundred and fifty dollars to be used out of the funds in the bank for the funeral and other expenses of his wife at the time of her death.  Then all money then on hand to be equally divided between my six children or their heirs. (Extracts from the Probate copy.)

When Nathaniel Douglas Davies became ill, Dr. F. D. Munroe attended him.  He had been poorly for the last six months with Hepatic Cirrhosis and he died on February 15,1921.  The final and immediate determining cause was hypostatic pneumonia.  That  information was from the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.  Dr. F.D. Munroe first attended him on January 18, 1921 and the last time on February 15, 1921.  He died at his own home at Welwyn, Sask, and was buried in Zion Church cemetery, Fort Ellice Municipality.

3rd Great Grandmother Annie Norquay

Annie Norquay, who had been adopted by John Norquay, was serving a meal to Nathaniel Douglas Davies and several other men when Nathaniel Douglas Davies announced to all present that she was the women who would become his wife.  Must of been love at first sight because Annie did become his wife.

Daniel Davies, son of Nathaniel, told his children, that Grandfather Nathaniel could speak ten different Indian dialects and often interpreted between the fur trader and Indian tribes.

Little is known for sure of Annie Norquay‘s early life.  It is said she was born at Fort Benton, Montana, USA, the daughter of Sioux lady and a white man by the name of “Rae” or “Wray” who was a Captain in the USA Army. Annie Norquay knew her birth date which she told some of her grandchildren was January 15, 1851.  For her to know her birth date was uncommon if she was a pure Indian as the Indians did not have to register births and they did not count time by months, days or years.  They counted time by changes of the seasons.

If it is true that Captain Rae / Wray was Annie’s father and in the USA Army that accounts for him being away from home much of the time.  He did not return and it is believed that he met his death. Annie was 8 years old when her Mother brought her to Lower Fort Gary in Manitoba.  Her Mother had a cousin living there.  Some of the elder grandchildren said that the cousin’s name was Pearl Wilson who married a brother of John Norquay.

Finally her mother remarried and she and her new husband decided to return to Fort Benton, USA. 

In the story Annie Norquay told her granddaughter, the new husband did not want to take Annie back with them. Her mother didn’t agree with him so they started and when they were some distance form the Fort, he finally persuaded her Mother to put Annie out of the cart.  Her mother was afraid that Annie would get lost but the man persisted saying that she would find her way back to the Fort.

Annie was 8 years old at the time.  She saw some Indians coming across the plains.  Not knowing if they were friendly she was afraid so crawled down a badger hole backward and hid until it was dark. Finally she was picked up by some friendly Indians.  It is said she lived with the Indians for some time until she finally was returned to the Fort.

It is said that Annie then lived with her Mother’s cousin at Half Way House for some years.  Annie Norquay then was adopted by Big John Norquay who later became Premier of Manitoba from 1878-1887. It was at Half Way House where Annie worked that she met her husband Nathaniel Douglas Davies. 

Nathaniel and Annie were married on February 4, 1877.

Children of Nathaniel Davies and Annie Norquay are:

  1. Daniel Davies, born December 08, 1877 in St. Francois Xavier, MB, CAN; died June 17, 1956 in Harroby, MB, CAN; married Catherine Favell February 26, 1901 in Binscarth, MB, CAN.
  2. Ellen Davies, born April 19, 1879 in Manitoba, Canada; died June 27, 1888 in St. Laurent, Manitoba, Canada.
  3. Mary Jane Davies, born March 27, 1881.
  4. Joshua Davies, born May 11, 1882 in Manitoba, Canada; died June 19, 1888 in Manitoba, Canada.
  5. Elizabeth Davies, born December 20, 1884; died 1963; married Unknown McLeod.
  6. Robert Davies, born 1886; died October 10, 1909.
  7. Annie Eliza Davies, born 1888; died June 13, 1970 in Birtle, Manitoba; married James Alaric McNutt.
  8. Rubena Grace Marie Davies, born September 06, 1889; died 1907; married George Bruce Murphy.
  9. Mary Helena Agnes Davies, born August 10, 1891; died December 09, 1974; married Reginald King.
  10. Alice Maude Davies, born July 24, 1896; died April 12, 1922; married Unknown Bell.

My 2nd Great Grandfather was Daniel Davies.

Reference Links:

  • https://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/fortellice.shtml
  • http://biographi.ca/en/bio/norquay_john_11E.html
  • https://www.redriverancestry.ca/NORQUAY-JOHN-1841.php