James Keyes was born in Carlow, Carlow County, Ireland. He came to Canada in 1817 and settled in the township of Beckwith, County of Lanark, Ontario in 1818. (There had been a war in North America between the Americans and the Canadians, 1812-14. In 1817, the English government offered free land to settlers (preferrably with military experience) to defend Canada from the Americans.) James was one of the early settlers and erected the first shingled house in that township. He farmed on Lot 21, Con 3, Beckwith Township, Lanark Co, Ontario. In 1822 he married the 22 year old Hester Garland (from Leighlinbridge, Carlow County, Ireland). James and Hester (who was also known as ‘Hettie’) had about 14 children. James came to the “Queen’s Bush”, Bruce County with his family, with the exception of two girls, Mary and Clara, in 1855 and settled on Lot 5, Concession 17, Greenock Township. Hester died in September 1858, aged 59. After her death, James’ unmarried daughter Ellen took charge of her father's household until the time of his death in 1868. James and Hester are both buried in the English Cemetery in Cargill, Ontario.
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/13331114/person/-86739998
