Robert Davidson
ID # 8637, (1825-1894)
| Birth | Robert Davidson was born in 1825 at England. |
| Marriage | He married Agnes Gamble. |
| Death | He died on 23 November 1894 at North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Co.. |
| Note | He Census information tells us that Robert Davidson was born in England. This is also found on his death registration. Census information tells us that his wife, Agnes Gamble, or Gambel, was born in Ireland. The family has not been found in the 1851 census (not taken until early January in 1852). This is not unusual as there are some towns and townships wherein this census has not survived. The 1851 every person census for Blenheim Township of Oxford County has survived, but the family does not therein appear. They do appear in the 1861 census for Blenheim and this is the one census where we find a decent list of the Davidson children, including their first two, Joshua and Ezra, likely twins for both are shown as age 11, which would place their births to 1850 approximately. The twins and other siblings are all said to have been born in Canada West. The family's relgious affiliation is shown as Wesleyan Methodist. Census enumerators have variously spelled the family name as Davidson, which has the appearance of being correct, or Davison. Library & Archives Canada has information for 1851 census area which tell if the personal or agricultural census pages have survived and they state that the agricultural census for Oxford County, Blenheim Township included, has not survived. This is most certainly not accurate for Ancestry presents images for a number of Blenheim agricultural census pages. This appears to be limited to District 1 of Blenheim. The District 2 agricultural census for Blenheim does not appear to have survived. A Joshua Davidson, age 56, with family and shown as Wesleyan Methodist, appears in the 1851 every person census. He also appears in the agricultural census. This places him on Concession 7, Lot 4. Based on two available marriage registrations for Robert, it is safe to say that Joshua Davidson, age 56, of Blenheim Township as of the 1851 census is Robert's father. In the process of this, however, we run into a problem, one that quite possibly leaves your researcher in considerable error. As mentioned, Robert Davidson does not appear in Blenheim Township in the 1851 census and he has not been found elsewhere. He has been found in the 1861 census with wife Agnes. She is shown as age 28 as of her next birthday (in 1852), which would place her year of birth to approximately 1825. David Davidson, who we must believe to be Robert and Agnes' son tells that his parents were Robert Davidson and Agnes Gamble in his two marriage registrations. Where the difficulty arises is that Robert Davidson has a marriage registration dated 1872. He is shown as Robert Davidson, son of Joshua and Sarah Davidson. He is a widower. His bride, a widow, is Agnes Hamilton, age 42, maiden name Gamble. Her parents are Peter and Jane Gamble. This marriage registration reads: Mrge reg. North Norwich Twp., Oxford Co. Robert Davidson, 42, widower, laborer. Born England, residing Blenheim. Wesleyan Methodist. Parents Joshua and Sarah Davidson. Agnes Hamilton, 42, widow. Born Ireland, residing Blenheim. Wesleyan Methodist. Parents Peter and Jane Gamble. Witnesses Peter Gamble and Jane Gamble, both of South Norwich. On 18 Sept., 1872, at North Norwich, by James Robertson, minister of the Canadian Presbyterian Church at Norwich. Did Robert marry two women who had the name maiden name Agnes Gamble? This does not seem reasonable, yet young David's two marriage registrations have his mother as Agnes Gamble. A previous marriage registration for Robert has not been found. Robert, age 68, married a third (?) time, in 1892, to a Mrs. Jane Petto, age 74. Her maiden name was Adams. Again, he identifies his parents as Joshua and Sarah Davidson. This marriage registration reads: Mrge reg. 012171-93 Galt, Waterloo Co. Robert Davidson, 68, widower, farmer, Presbyterian. Born England, residing North Dumfries. Parents Joshua and Sarah Davidson. Mrs. Jane Petto, 74, widow. Born Oxford, England, residing North Dumfries. Church of England. Parents William & Ann Adams. Witnesses Robert Bennett and Margaret Bennett, both of Galt. On 10th Nov., 1892, at Galt, by Rev'd. A. G. King, M.A. Rev. King was, at the time, minister of Knox Presbyterian Church in Galt. Death reg. 018143-94 North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Co. Robert Davidson died 23rd November, 1894, age 65 yrs. Laborer. Born England. Presbyterian. Physician Dr. Thomson. Informant Mr. Davidson Jr., Galt. A place of burial for Robert has not been found. |
Children of Robert Davidson and Agnes Gamble |
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| Last Edited | 6 Dec 2023 |