Hay, Alexander

(from Beers)

Alexander Hay (1787–1871) was born in Scotland and married Jean Duncan (1790–1869). They came to Canada in 1821 and located near Perth, where he was a stone mason who worked on the Rideau Canal. He also was in the mercantile business before coming to Warwick Twp. in 1835, where the Hay family settled on Lot 9, Con. 6, which Alexander cleared and occupied before moving to Lot 17, Con. 3 NER (Brickyard Line).

Alexander and Jean Hay had eight children. Their oldest child, Janet (1819–1821), died while they crossed the Atlantic and was buried at sea. William (1821–) and James (1823–) became clergymen. John (1825–1900) was a farmer in Warwick and died in Forest. Archibald (1827–) went to Michigan to farm. Robert (1829–) also became a clergyman. Jane (1832–1901) and Margaret (1834 –) completed the family. The 1851 census lists Alexander, Archibald, John and Robert as owners of Lot 17, Con. 3 NER.

Alexander and Jean’s son Robert Hay was born in 1829. He graduated from the Toronto Congregational College in 1859 and was pastor at a church near Toronto for ten years, then went to Illinois for five years. He returned to Forest where he was in charge of four congregations for five years. He was out of the area again until his return to Watford in 1884. After another period away, he finally retired in Watford.

In 1859 Rev. Robert Hay had married Ann Juliet Wallis, who was born in England. They had nine children, three of whom died in infancy, two lived at home and the remainder moved away from Warwick Twp. The Watford Guide-Advocate reported on April 1, 1887 that Rev. R. Hay’s son Dr. Will Hay graduated with honours at college and was practising at Dundalk.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Hay, Alexander

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