Person:James Ormsby (3)

1851 Canadian Census. Manuscripts for Oro Township no longer exist. (Libraries and Archives Canada)

1861 Canadian Census James Ormsby 27, a farmer, lived in Oro Township, Simcoe, Ontario with his wife Helen, 21, and their children James, 3, and William, 2. They were all born in Upper Canada and their religion was Weslyan Methodist.

n.d. “James and his wife lived in a log house in the middle of what is now called the “creek field”. Later they moved to Washago and went into the hotel business.”

1865 Saw mill proprietor. East Oro and Rugby. (Mitchell & Co.’s Canada Classified Directory for 1865-66).

1869. “When Muskoka pioneer Seymour Penson passed through Washago in May 1869, he described the Village as a small collection of mean unpainted wooden buildings, one of which was the “Washago Hotel” kept by James Ormsby. Penson’s family stayed in Ormsby’s log tavern, where the standard meal was pork - morning, noon and night -- seven days a week.” (p. 7)

1871 Canadian Census. James Ormsby, born about 1833 in Ontario, resided in Matchedash, Orillia. He worked as a hotel keeper. His religion is listed as Wesleyan Methodist. He was of Irish ethnic origin.

1872. Proprietor. Washago Hotel. Provided accommodation by 1872.

1874. James Ormsby no longer proprietor of the Washago Hotel. He is leasing the Railway Hotel. “James Ormsby held the license [for the Railway Hotel] for the remainder of 1874, while he constructed a new hotel in the portion of Washage within the Townships of Orillia and Matchedash. By April 1875 James Ormsby, was reported to be painting and fitting up the “Railway Hotel.” [Orillia Expositor, April 18, 1875]. Ormsby left Washago in Jun 1876.” (p. 10)

1892 Ormsby, James, plumber, 124 Jarvis. (Ontario Gazetteer and Directory for 1892-1893 at collectionscanada.gc.ca)

1881 Canadian Census. James Ormsby, born about 1834 in Ontario, resided in Orillia, Simcoe North and worked as a labourer. His ethnic origin is listed as English and religion as Calvanist Methodist. He lived with Ellen, his wife, aged 29, William, aged 21, Albert, aged 18, Ellen, aged 14, Charles, aged 12, Robert, aged 4 and Elizabeth, aged 3.

1901 Canadian Census. James Ormsby, born 9 Sep 1830 in Ontario and married, lived in District 117 Toronto East as a lodger. He worked as a driver for Ormsby Co. His religion is listed as Canadian Methodist. Ethnic origin as Irish. He earned $400 a year.

1911 Canadian Census. James Ormsby, born Oct 1828 in Ontario and married, lived on 199 Jarvis Street (Toronto Centre, District 124, Ward 2) as a lodger. He lived off of income. His ethnic origin is listed as English and religion as Canadian Presbyterian.

26 Sep 1911. James Ormsby, born in Canada, died on Sept 26, 1911 at 84 years. Address 705 Ontario St., Toronto. His occupation is listed as gentleman. He died of jaundice and heart failure.

Obituary of James Ormsby Jr.

Toronto Deaths

At the age of 84, James Ormsby died at his place of abode, Jarvis Street yesterday. Deceased, who was born in Orillia, was the son of James Ormsby, who served under Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo, and was personally acquainted with Governor Simcoe. Deceased came to Toronto when he was about twenty years of age, since which time he was engaged in various business pursuits both there and at Orillia. He is survived by three sons, A.B., Charles and Robert Ormsby, who are all in business in this city, and two daughters, Mrs. Finley of Winnipeg, and Mrs. Waterhouse of Niagara. (Manitoba Morning Free Press, Sept. 28, 1911, page 16.)

1. ↑ 1901 Census of Canada.
2. ↑ Ancestry.com. One World Tree. (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA;).
3. ↑ Genealogical Research Library, Ontario, Canada. Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s.
4. ↑ Ontario, Canada Census Index, 1871.
5. ↑ 1901 Census of Canada.
6. ↑ Ancestry.com. One World Tree. (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA;).
7. ↑ Ontario, Canada Census Index, 1871.
8. ↑ Ontario, Canada Deaths, 1869-1932.
9. ↑ Genealogical Research Library, Ontario, Canada. Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s
   Online publication - Genealogical Research Library, Ontario, Canada. C, anadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s [database on-line]. Provo, UT, US, A: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005.Original data - Compiled from v, arious family history sources. See source information provided with ea.
10.   Joanna McEwan. Kith'n Kin: Reminiscenses, Biographies, Genealogies, Photographs. (Oro Township Historical Society).
11.   Larry D. Cotton. Whisky and Wickedness. Volume 3. Muskoka and Parry Sound Districts, Ontario. 1850 to 1900.. (Larry D. Cotton and Associates).
12.   Irwin, W.H. Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Simcoe.
13.   Larry D. Cotton. Whisky and Wickedness. Volume 3. Muskoka and Parry Sound Districts, Ontario. 1850 to 1900.. (Larry D. Cotton and Associates).
14.   Larry D. Cotton. Whisky and Wickedness. Volume 3. Muskoka and Parry Sound Districts, Ontario. 1850 to 1900.. (Larry D. Cotton and Associates).
15.   1881 Canadian Census.
16.   1911 Census of Canada.
17.   Ontario, Canada Deaths, 1869-1932.