Person:James Monkman (6)

SQUIRE JAMES WAS FIRST MONKMAN TO ENTER ARRAN TOWNSHIP, BRUCE Co IN 1856, FROM CASTLEDERG, ALBION TOWNSHIP, NEAR BOLTON, ONTARIO. HE STAKED LOTS 16 & 17, CONS. 3, PURCHASED LOT 16 FOR $200.00 IN 1859 HIS FAMILY POPULATED MANY FARMS DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF ARRAN, MANY MOVED WEST IN THE MIGRATION. HIS BIG RED BRICK HOUSE STILL OCCUPIED(1970) WAS VERY PROMINENT ON ALL THE COUNTY BOARDS AND TRUSTEE OF THE CHURCH.

NOTE Occupation: Farmer, Township Clerk.

Emmigrated to Canada 1819 aged 12 years.

Reeve of Arran Township - 1859.

SOURCE: Reflections of Arran Twp MONKMAN

James (Squire) Monkman (1807-1881) was the first Monkman to enter Arran Township. Originally from England, the Squire came to Arran in 1856 from Castle Berg, Albion Twp., near Bolton, Ontario. He staked claim to Lots 16 and 17, Con. 3, and purchased Crown Lot 16 for $200. in 1859. His youngest son, Thomas, operated the farm until 1915.

"Squire" had a total of 19 children. His first wife was Alice Parker (1813-1939), and Catherine Jamieson (1820-1895), born in Ireland, was his second. The "Squire" was reputed to be a very strong-willed individual, who would not even lift his feet when the kitchen floor was being swept. His descendants populated many farms in the early days of Arran, but a number of them moved west during the migrations.

Charles Gilbert (1884-1914) was the third son of the second marriage, and he married a girl of United Empire Loyalist origins, Mary Poole. They lived at Lot 15, Con. 2, and raised a family of nine children. One son Isaiah, and his wife, Jenny (Armstrong) farmed on Lot 16. Their only child, Gordon, married Islay Sinclair and they farmed on Lot 19, Con. 2 for 39 years. Gordon was clerk of the townshp from 1953-1973. Both Gordon and Islay were active in community and church (Mount Hope) organizations. They retired to Tara in 1976.

Two fifth-generation Monkmans, sons of Gordon, are landowners in Arran Township today. Leslie Monkman, his wife Marni (Lockington) and daughter, Lindsay, reside in Guelph; Les. owns the original Lot 16 Monkman homestead. Harvey Monkman, with his wife, Marlene (Patterson) farm at Lot 15, Con. 2. They have four children; Darlene, Maxine, Pauline and William.

Like other early pioneers, the Monkmans planted deep roots and built strong foundations for future generations. The large houses and barns they contructed have stood the test of time, and stand strong today as a tribute to their labours.

1871 Census Arran Township, Bruce County, Ontario. Ref # 79. James - 63; England, W. Meth, English, farmer. Catherine - 50, Ireland, W. Meth, Irish. Isaiah - 17, Ontario, W Meth, English, Farmer. Margaret -

20. (Alpherd) Alfred - 13. John - 10.

Thomas - 8. Catherine - 5. Catherine Jamison - 79, Ireland, W Meth, English, W. @T2489@ NOTE SOURCE: Joyce Howlett, 12 Barber Ave., Guelph ON N1H 5E7 Dec 3, 1990

This info from Joyce Howlett nee Monkman

According to an obituary in the Christian Guardian of May 5, 1852 James Monkman was born in Knapton, East Riding of Yorkshire in 1774. At the age of 33 he was converted to Wesleyan Methodism and appointed a class leader in Allerston (Alliston?). In 1819 he emigrated to Canada, and his application for land states that he was accompanied by his wife and five children. He stated that two of his sons were of age, the eldest being married. Because the latter's wife fell ill she and the two eldest sons stayed in Cornwall temporarily while the rest of the family continued on to York. The petition for farm land states that James was willing to pay for the land, and asked that land be set aside for the two grown sons adjoining what he might be granted. The petition was read in Council on October 15, 1819 and 100 acres was granted to James, probably in Albion township on the 7th concession. No provision seems to have been made at that time for land for the sons. James Monkman signed his land petition by mark, indicating that he probably could not read or write. The Christian Guardian obituary suggests that the Monkman family went to Newmarket before settling in Albion. One son, John, was granted land in Tecumseth township, but no proof has been found of any stay at Newmarket. Just a few months before James made his application for land, a petition was made by a William Monkman, also from Yorkshire, and he was granted land in Tecumseth township. As yet no evidence has been found to link William with James Monkman's family, although census information indicates he was born about 1790-95, the right age to be one of the older sons, and he does seem to have brought his wife, the former Hannah Dale, with him from England.

On settling in Albion, James Monkman became a member of the Methodist class of "Father" Roadhouse. Meetings were held alternately at the Monkman and Roadhouse homes. Later the group divided and James Monkman was appointed leader of the class in his neighbourhood. His daughter Nancy married James Roadhouse, probably a son of "the Apostle of Methodism" mentioned in the Christian Guardian obituary.

James Monkman died March 31, 1858 in Albion, aged 78. When and where his wife died is not known.

The Monkman home was on lot 17, Con 7, Albion. This is the lot on which the old Wesleyan Methodist burying ground was situated.

James Squire Monkman was buried in MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY,TARA,ONTARIO.