William Fairbairn1,2

(circa 1822 - 21 December 1912)
FatherRobert Fairbairn2 (say 1789 - aft. 1851)
MotherKate Scott2 (say 1786 - cir. 1828)
Relationship1st cousin 4 times removed of Lorna Henderson

BMDB data

     William Fairbairn was born cir. 1822 SCT 1851 and 1871 census agree this age.3 Some sources show William as born in 1817 Glasgow, LKS, SCT, no obv matches on igi.4,5 Yet other sources show William as born on 5 Mar 1820 SCT.1,6
     William Fairbairn married Catharine Morgan on 8 Oct 1846 Richmond?, Lennox & Addington Co., ONT, CAN, NB Obit has 1844.7,1,8,9
     William Fairbairn died on 21 Dec 1912 Richmond, Lennox Co., ONT, CAN; cert. shows William as a farmer, widower, 95, b SCT, no parents shown, cert. by A G FAIRBAIRN of Overton ONT of old age, indefinite, immediate gastritis 2 wks, physician F W SIMPSON of Napanee. Don't know why there's a Mrs Eliza Ann written on the cert too.
Obit: WM. FAIRBAIRN - The subject of this sketch and one of the pioneers of the Township of Richmond, was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1817 and died December 21st, 1912, at the advanced age of 95 years. When but a lad of 10 years of age, he emigrated with his parents to Canada, settling first at ByTown, now the City of Ottawa. After two years stay at the latter place, the family came to the Township of Richmond and settled on the farm in the Eighth concession where he continued to reside for upwards of eighty-two years. He saw the Township and county in its primitive state, and it was interesting to listen to him relate his experiences of those early days. Mr. Fairbairn was a man of sterling character and uprightness of life, somewhat retiring in his disposition, he made no enemies, but won to himself a host of friends. To know him was to love him, and when owing to his experience his advice was often sought. It was given with a candor and frankness characteristic of the Christian gentleman that he was. In 1844 he was united in marriage to Catharine Morgan who proved to be a true helpmate during their long and eventful wedded life. They had the joy of seeing a large family of eight daughters and three sons grow to manhood and womanhood. All are still living with the exception of one daughter, Mrs. John Miller, who died three years ago. While Mr. Fairbairn was a very active man and disposed to look on the bright side of life, the death of his beloved companion seven years ago, seemed to bear heavily on him, and often would he be heard giving expression to his loneliness, which home comfort and kind attention failed to supply. His last illness was of short duration and throughout it all he bore his suffering with Christian fortitude and courage, leaving behind him the legacy of a beautiful Christian character and life. Dying in the triumphs of Faith, he could well say, “for me to live is Christ, but to die is gain.” May he rest in peace. The funeral service was held in the Methodist Church, Selby, and was conducted by his pastor, Rev. Mr. Sharpe, assisted by Rev. W. H. Down and Rev. C. W. DeMille. The remains were placed in the vault to be later interred in the Camden 5th Presbyterian cemetery, there to await the resurrection of the Just.10,5 He was buried with Catharine Morgan Camden, ONT, CAN, #75 (p11) FAIRBAIRN Catharine MORGAN wife of William FAIRBAIRN died Nov 3, 1905 aged 77 years William FAIRBAIRN 1817-1912 Emily A HICK 1848-1929.11
     When and where was William born?
A date that has general web currency but no source is 5 May 1817 Glasgow.
I'd love to know the source of this as it is both 5 years earlier than most other data indicates*, and not in a haunt of the FAIRBAIRN family.
It is more likely that he was born about 1822, or more likely 1823 given Alison's 1822 date, in either Roxburghshire or Berwickshire.
* both the 1851 and 1871 census records imply about 1822

My current theory about the "Glasgow" is that is where he left Scotland from, and it has therefore crept into the family myth as to where he was born.12
Robert's entry in Scottish Emigration to Canada pre-Confederation reads: FAIRBAIRN: Robert b ca 1786. To ONT ca 1828; stld nr Selby, Lennox & Addington Co ch incl: William, James, Robert, Elizabeth, Jane, Alison qv OGF15,115 (where qv refers to Alison marrying David FITCHETT);
Additional info has Elizabeth marrying William GRIEVE in ONT, emigrating c 1828 as well, and separate information for the chap I believe is son William has him emigrating 1826 (1901 census), and his obit says at age 10, with parents (which implies 1827 given age at death, but as other info gives him an 1820 birthdate, he may have been younger) Additionally, information in William's obit says that his family firstly went to Bytown (Quebec), which just happens to be where William and David Fairbairn were from the early 1810s, William being a proven relation via the Fairbairn surname dna project
Subsequent info was that Kate died at sea crossing the Atlantic.2,13,14,15

Migration

     William Fairbairn immigrated cir. 1828 to Bytown, QUE, CAN; Separate information for the chap I've picked as son William has him emigrating 1826 (1901 census), and his obit says at age 10, with parents (which implies 1827 given age at death.)6,5 He immigrated in 1828 to nr Selby, Lennox & Addington Co., ONT, CAN, with Robert Fairbairn and Kate Scott; entry reads: FAIRBAIRN: Robert b ca 1786. To ONT ca 1828; stld nr Selby, Lennox & Addington Co ch incl: William, James, Robert, Elizabeth, Jane, Alison qv OGF15,115 (where qv refers to Alison marrying David FITCHETT);
Additional info has Elizabeth marrying William GRIEVE in ONT, emigrating c 1828 as well, and separate information for the chap I believe is son William has him emigrating 1826 (1901 census), and his obit says at age 10, with parents (which implies 1827 given age at death, but as other info gives him an 1820 birthdate, he may have been younger) Additionally, information in William's obit says that his family firstly went to Bytown (Quebec), which just happens to be where William and David Fairbairn were from the early 1810s, William being a proven relation via the Fairbairn surname dna project
I've subsequently found that Kate died at sea crossing the Atlantic.2,13,15,14

Census/Where lived/Occupations

     William Fairbairn lived bet. 1828 - 1830 Bytown, QUE, CAN.5
     William Fairbairn appeared on the census of 1851 Richmond Twp, Lennox Co., Canada West (ONT), CAN, with Catharine Morgan, enumerated as FAIRBURN: William 29 farmer b SCT Presby; Catherine 22 b Ireland C of E; Emily Ann 5, Archd Goodson 3 both b C West, P; (Next door Joseph & Deborah MORGAN, prob. Catherine's parents.)16 William Fairbairn appeared on the census of 1851 on the 6th, 7th, 8th Concession, Richmond Twp, Lennox Co., ONT, CAN, as neighbour of Robert Fairbairn.17,15
     William Fairbairn appeared on the census of 1861 Richmond, Lennox & Addington Co., ONT, CAN, with Catharine Morgan, enumerated as FAIRBURN (frame hse, 1 storey, 1 family): Wm 38 ?timber? b SCT; Catherine 26 b Ireland, both married. Assumed children (all b UC - Upper Canada): E A (fem) 14, Arch 12, (then on previous page) D E (fem) 9, Mary C 6, Robt J 4, Wm 2 all residents, members of family.18
     William Fairbairn was shown as the head of the household in the census of 1871 Richmond, Lennox Co., ONT, CAN, with Catharine enumerated as FAIRBURN: William , 50 b SCT, farmer; Catharine 41 b IRE marr; Children: Archibald 22, Deborah 18, Mary C 15, Robert J 14, William 12, Eliza J 10, Elizabeth E 8, Margaret 6, Louisa 4, Ida 2; Also Emily A HICK, marr. 24. b ONT; All Wesleyan Meth, Scotch.19
     William Fairbairn appeared on the census of 1881 Richmond, Lennox Co., ONT, with Catharine Morgan, enumerated as William FAIRBAIRN, 60, b SCT, farmer, Presby., Catherine, 51, Irish, b Ireland, Methodist. Assumed children (all b ONT, all Methodist): Emily A, 35; William, 21, farmer; Eliza, 20, teacher; Elizabeth, 18; Margarit (sic), 16; Louisa, 13, school; Ida, 11, school; Wellington, 8, school.20
     William Fairbairn appeared on the census of 1891 Richmond, Lennox Co., ONT, with Catharine Morgan, enumerated as FAIRBAIRN: William 72 farmer b SCT, wife Catherine 62 b Ireland; Children: Emily Ann 43, Margret A 25 dressmaker, Ida 21 dressmaker ; all b ONT F b SCT M b IRL; Also Samuel HICK 18 farmer.21
     William Fairbairn appeared on the census of 1901 Richmond, Lennox Co., ONT, with Catharine Morgan, enumerated as FAIRBURN: William 81 b 5 Mar 1820 SCT emig 1826, Meth; wife Catherine 70 b 5 Apr 1830 Ireland emig 1836 Irish; Dtr Emily 53 b 5 Aug 1837 ONT Scotch, Meth. Adopted son Thomas MITCHELL 18 b 5 Jun 1882 SCT emig 1892.6 William Fairbairn appeared on the census of 1901 Richmond, Lennox Co., ONT, as neighbour of William Merdic Fairbairn and Minnie Anderson.22 William Fairbairn appeared on the census of 1901 Richmond, Lennox Co., ONT, as neighbour of Charles Anderson and Elizabeth Fairbairn.23 William Fairbairn appeared on the census of 1901 Richmond, Lennox Co., ONT, as neighbour of William French and Minto Grieve.24

All the other info

     Another possible relation was Robert Fairbairn both in Lennox Cty and of an age to be siblings, but if William is correctly identified as the son of Robert and Kate, this Robert is the wrong age, and has subsequently been found to belong to Thomas and Elspeth (REDPATH) FAIRBAIRN cir. 1816.25 William Fairbairn is possibly the witness to the marriage of Charles Anderson and Elizabeth Fairbairn on 5 Mar 1884 Richmond, Lennox Co., ONT, CAN.26,27 William Fairbairn and Catharine Morgan were photographed L to R: Back row: Robert, Emily, Archibald, Mary, Deborah, Lisa (assumed to be Eliz Jane)
Front: Libby (assumed to be Elizabeth), William (Snr), Catherine Jane, William, Louella (assumed to be Louisa)
Seated at front: Ida, Margaret (Maggie)
Missing: Wellington say 1890 ?Napanee, Lennox & Addington Co., ONT, CAN.28

External links

     Click here to see William's page on WikiTree, a (free) collaborative on-line tree.29

Family

Catharine Morgan (Apr 1830 - Nov 1905)
Children
  • Emily Ann Fairbairn1,30,31 (Aug 1847 - May 1929)
  • Archibald Goodson Fairbairn7,32 (Jul 1849 - Oct 1948)
  • Male Fairbairn16 (cir. 1851 - 1851)
  • Eliza Jane Fairbairn33 (Jun 1852 - bet. 1852 - 1861)
  • Deborah Esther Fairbairn34,35,36 (Dec 1853 - Sep 1948)
  • Mary Catherine Fairbairn+37 (Sep 1855 - aft. 1930)
  • Robert Joseph Fairbairn38 (Apr 1857 - Jan 1930)
  • William Merdic Fairbairn1 (Jun 1858 - Jul 1938)
  • Eliza Jane Fairbairn1,39 (Apr 1861 - Oct 1909)
  • Elizabeth Fairbairn1,26 (Dec 1862 - aft. 1911)
  • Margarit Fairbairn1 (cir. 1866 - aft. 1902)
  • Louisa Fairbairn1 (cir. 1868 - aft. 1887)
  • Ida Fairbairn1,40 (Dec 1870 - Jan 1952)
  • Wellington Fairbairn1 (cir. 1873 - bet. 1881 - 1891)
ChartsFAIRBAIRN
John & Bessie (FFLINT) FAIRBAIRN
Last Edited16 Jul 2018

Citations

  1. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) 1881 Canadian Census via LDS site ( Family History Library Film 1375872 NA Film Number C-13236 District 117 Sub-district H Division 2 Page Number 28 Household Number 138) Mar 2003.
  2. F-5 FAIRBAIRN, "EM FAIRBAIRN/SINTON Yetholm ex Scott F," e-mail to L Henderson (1), Robert FAIRBAIRN, 1828, Scottish Emigration to Canada pre-Confederation, rcvd Jul 2008.
  3. 1851/2 Census images, Canada, via Ancestry.com, 1851/2 Richmond, Lennox Cty, Canada West (ONT) Dist 21 Sub Dist 202 Pg 103 Roll C_11735, hsehold of William & Catherine FAIRBURN, extracted Mar 2008.
  4. Www Rootsweb online at http://wc.rootsweb.com/, William FAIRBAIRN and , Catharine MORGAN, Cambden, ONT, from db michaelscaldwell, last updated Sep 2007, extracted Jun 2008.
  5. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) Obit 1912 Wm FAIRBAIRN, from http://www.sfredheritage.on.ca/deathsobitsEF.html, extracted Jul 2008.
  6. Census image, Canada, via Ancestry.com, 1901 Richmond, Lennox Cty, ONT Dist 84 Sub Dist H-4 Pg 2 hsehold of William & Catherine FAIRBURN, extracted Mar 2008.
  7. BDM British Columbia Archives, Dth cert 1948 Archibald G FAIRBAIRN, trans. from Gordon S rcvd Mar 2003 (reg #1948-09-009524 film B13198 (GSU # 2032482)).
  8. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) Marr. 1844 William FAIRBAIRN & Catharine MORGAN, from Obit 1912 Wm FAIRBAIRN, from http://www.sfredheritage.on.ca/deathsobitsEF.html, extracted Jul 2008.
  9. Ancestry.com - Family Trees online at http://search.ancestry.com, Marr. 8 Oct 1846 William FAIRBAIRN & Catherine MORGAN, from Russell SHARP (sharprussell) via personal message, rcvd Jul 2013.
  10. Ancestry.com online at http://search.ancestry.com, Dth 21 Dec 1912 William FAIRBAIRN, Lennox & Addington Dist ONT, Roll MS935_177, from Ontario, Canada Deaths 1869-1934, extracted Mar 2008.
  11. Www Rootsweb online at http://wc.rootsweb.com/, H/stone FAIRBAIRN, Catharine and William, Cambden, ONT, from db michaelscaldwell, last updated Sep 2007, extracted Jun 2008.
  12. Lorna Henderson, "FAIRBAIRN Analysis", Mar 2008.
  13. GenForum online at http://www.genforum.genealogy.com/my/, Family of William GRIEVE and Elizabeth (Bessie) FAIRBAIRN, Richmond, ONT, posted Aug 2000 by Bonnie HURSH (email no longer current), extracted Jul 2008.
  14. Rootsweb Msge Board online at http://boards.rootsweb.com, Dth (c. 1828) Kate FAIRBAIRN nee SCOTT, at sea (Atlantic), from GRIEVE board posting, Aug 2000 by Bonnie HURSH, extracted Jul 2008.
  15. Lorna Henderson, "FAIRBAIRN Analysis", Jul 2008.
  16. Census image, Canada, via Ancestry.com, 1851/2 Richmond, Lennox Cty, Canada West (ONT) Dist 21 Sub Dist 202 Pg 103 Roll C_11735, hsehold of William & Catherine FAIRBURN, extracted Mar 2008.
  17. Census image, Canada, via Ancestry.com, 1851 Richmond, Lennox Co, ONT, hsehold of Robt FAIRBAIRN, extracted Jun 2008.
  18. Census image, Canada, via Ancestry.com, 1861 Richmond, Lennox and Addington, Ontario; Roll: C-1047-1048, hsehold of Wm & Catherine FAIRBURN (Pg 52 ctd on pg 51 !), extracted Aug 2009.
  19. Census image, Canada, via Ancestry.com, 1871 Richmond, Lennox, Ontario; Roll: C-9995; Family No: 200, hsehold of William & Catherine FAIRBURN, extracted Jul 2009.
  20. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) 1881 Canadian Census via LDS (http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search) Family History Library Film 1375872 NA Film Number C-13236 District 117 Sub-district H Division 2 Page Number 28 Household Number 138, searched Feb 2003.
  21. 1891 Census images, Canada, via Ancestry, 1891 Richmond, Lennox Co, ONT, Dist 87 roll T-6350, hsehold of William & Catherine FAIRBAIRN, extracted Jul 2008.
  22. Census image, Canada, via Ancestry.com, 1901 Richmond, Lennox Cty, ONT Dist 84 Sub Dist H-4 Pg 2 hsehold of William & Minnie FAIRBURN, extracted Mar 2008.
  23. Census image, Canada, via Ancestry.com, 1901 Richmond, Lennox Cty, ONT Dist 84 Sub Dist H-4 Pg 2 hsehold of Charles & Elizabeth ANDERSON, extracted Jul 2008.
  24. Census image, Canada, via Ancestry.com, 1901 Richmond, Lennox, ONT Dist 84 Sub Dist H-4 Pg 2 Family 20, hsehold of William & Minto FRENCH, extracted Jul 2008.
  25. "Lorna's Family History Musings", Mar 2008, updated Jul 2008.
  26. Ancestry.com online at http://search.ancestry.com, Marr. 5 Mar 1884 Elizabeth FAIRBAIRN & Charles ANDERSON, FHL Film MS932_47, Lennox, ONT, extracted Jun 2008.
  27. Census image, Canada, via Ancestry.com, 1891 Richmond, Lennox Co, ONT Dist 87 Roll T-6350 hshold of Charles & Elizabeth ANDERSON, extracted Jul 2008.
  28. John MOXNESS, "EMails FAIRBAIRN/MORGAN ex John M," e-mail to Lorna Henderson, Family Group Photo William & Katherine (MORGAN) FAIRBAIRN, rcvd Sep 2008.
  29. WikiTree online at http://WikiTree.com/, May 2012.
  30. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) Birth 5 Aug 1847 / bap. 23 Mar 1848 Emily Ann d/o William and Catharine FAIRBAIRN, Richmond Twp, Midland Dist, ONT, Vol 1 pg 606, from Methodist Baptisms, found at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wjmartin/…, extracted Jul 2008.
  31. Ancestry.com online at http://search.ancestry.com, Dth 20 May 1929 Emily Ann HICK nee FAIRBAIRN, reg. Richmond, ONT roll MS935_372, extracted Jul 2009.
  32. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) Birth 2 Jul / bap. 15 Sep 1849 Archibald Goodson s/o William and Catherine FAIRBAIRN, Richmond, Midland Dist, ONT, Vol 1 pg 606, from Methodist Baptisms, found at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wjmartin/…, extracted Jul 2008.
  33. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) Birth 2 Jul / bap. 10 Aug 1852 Eliza Jane d/o William and Catharine FAIRBAIRN, Richmond, Bathurst Dist, ONT, Vol 1 pg 240, from Methodist Baptisms, found at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wjmartin/…, extracted Jul 2008.
  34. Ancestry.com online at http://search.ancestry.com, Marr. 1 Jan 1873 Deborah Esther FAIRBURN & John VINE, Napanee, Middlesex Co, ONT,FHL M'film MS932_11, extracted Jun 2008.
  35. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) Birth 20 Dec 1853 / bap. 26 Jul 1855 Deborah E d/o William and Catharine FAIRBAIRN, Richmond, Bathurst Dist, ONT, Vol 1 pg 241, from Methodist Baptisms, found at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wjmartin/…, extracted Jul 2008.
  36. John MOXNESS, "EMails FAIRBAIRN/MORGAN ex John M," e-mail to Lorna Henderson, Birth 20 Dec 1859 Dth 2 Sep 1948 Deborah Esther VINE nee FAIRBAIRN, from FRISKEN relation of Pat's, "several years ago", rcvd Sep 2008.
  37. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) Birth 17 Sep / bap. 24 Oct 1855 Mary d/o William and Catharine FAIRBAIRN, Richmond Twp, Bathurst Dist, ONT, Vol 1 pg 241, from Methodist Baptisms, found at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wjmartin/…, extracted Jul 2008.
  38. Ancestry.com online at http://search.ancestry.com, Marr. 1 Jun 1880 Robert J FAIRBAIRN & Alberta GARRISON, Lennox & Addington, ONT, FHL Film MS932_33, extracted Jun 2008.
  39. Ancestry.com online at http://search.ancestry.com, Dth 14 Oct 1909 Eliza Jane MILLER nee FAIRBAIRN, Camden, Lennox & Addington, ONT, roll Roll: MS935_145. from Ontario, Canada Deaths 1869-1934, extracted Dec 2008.
  40. Ancestry.com online at http://search.ancestry.com, Marr. 25 Dec 1893 Ida FAIRBAIRN & George FRISKIN, FHL Film MS932_79, Lennox & Addington, ONT, extracted Jun 2008.

E. & O. E. Some/most parish records are rather hard to read and names, places hard to interpret, particularly if you are unfamiliar with an area.