I have been trying to find roots for my husband's 3x great grandfather since 2001. This is my biggest brick wall. I would love to match him with a family once and for all.
Reuel A. PIERCE (A. most likely is for Anson) was born somewhere in Vermont 1805-10 era. By 1830, he had migrated up to the Ottawa Valley in present day Ontario, Canada and started farming on Lot 12, Concession 12, Fitzroy Township, at first as a squatter. He arrived with 2 other Vermont originated families, the SMITH and RHODES. Both had their beginnings in Massachusetts, so possibly Reuel's family did too. The SMITHs, spent some years in Williston, Chittenden County, VT. I have found PIERCEs there too but no Reuel among them so far. Perhaps I am not looking in the right place. His birth/baptism might be in some church records not available online anywhere.
After Reuel came to Canada, he married Ontario born Margaret MCLEOD and had a family. I am betting that among the children's names there may lie clues as to who his parents or siblings were. He was father to Sarah, Margaret, Emmaline, Catherine, Maria Ann, Reuel A. Jr., Henry Nathaniel and Norman.
A tantalizing notation in a book of local (Fitzroy Twp.) history mentions Emmaline PIERCE, his daughter, and refers to her as being a United Empire Loyalist descendant. Loyalists were Americans on the British side during the War of Independence, or British or Canadians actively supporting the British cause. They suffered, sacrificed a lot and most had to flee to Canada when the war was over. Anyway, I wasn't sure how Emmaline came to be UEL. It must have come from her parents, but which one? I now lean towards the MCLEOD side, but the PIERCEs may have left America for political reasons too.
All clues are good clues! Thank you very much!
Mary
