| Hugh
Brinsmead |
 |
Birthplace: Hugh Brinsmead was born in St. Giles in the Wood in
Devon, England in 1839. He was the son of Hugh Brinsmead and Mary
Anne Turner. He had two older sisters, Eliza and Mary Ann. Hugh's father was a
Miller who died of an inflammation of the chest died just before he was born. (See:
Hugh Senior's death registration). His sister Eliza died
in infancy.
Early life: By the time the 1851 British census was taken, Hugh was
living at New Bridge F Mills, Torrington, Devon. His mother obviously remarried since she is by that time shown as the spouse of John Ware, the
Miller. He lives there with his sister Mary, a stepsister Eliza and a
stepbrother Francis. The mill must have been quite large as there are four
other millers living there as well, along with his mother's parents Robert and
Mary Turner.
Voyage
to Canada: We have no information about what led Hugh to emigrate to
Canada. It may have been connections through the Methodist Church. He is said to have arrived at age 12 which would place the voyage
about 1851 or 52. So far, searches of the various passenger lists have not
born fruit.
Arrival
in Canada: Hugh is listed in early Canadian documents as a
wheelwright. In London, Ontario there existed a large carriage makers business
called Plummer and Pacey - Wagonmakers. Plummer took his son into the
business, which may have been what led Mr. Pacey to move to the smaller town
of St. Marys near by. Hugh moved in with the Pacey family and worked in
their wagon factory.
Marriage: Hugh married Ellen Pacey in St Marys at age 22 on
April 21st, 1861. The announcement in the London Free Press on August 29th,
1861 reads:
Married. By the
Rev. J. Shuttleworth, at the residence of the bride's father, on Wednesday,
the 21st of August, HUGH BRINSMEAD to MISS ELLEN PACEY of the City of
London.
1867
Perth County Directory: In 1867, the year
Canada was founded, Hugh Brinsmead is listed as an agent, with a house of St.
John Street in St. Marys.
1871
Census: The 1871 Census shows Hugh living
in St. Marys, Ontario with his wife Ellen (29) and four children: Thomas (8),
John (6), William (4) and Rachael (1). The electronic version misspells the
name as "Bemmead". His occupation at this point is listed as a
watchmaker. He is also said to have built a house in St. Marys, one side of
which was occupied by the founder of the Eaton's Department store empire,
Thomas Eaton.
1881
Census: The 1881 Census shows Hugh (Agent
- 41), Ellen (39), children Thomas H (Printer - 18), John (Printer - 16),
William (Student -14), Rachael (Student - 11), Annie (Student -6), Henry (4)
and Elizabeth (2) all still living in St. Marys. They are listed as
Methodists.
Move to Toronto: Sometime
in the mid 1880's the family moved to Toronto. There, two of his sons worked
in the printing trade. They later left Toronto moving north to the small town
of Webwood, near Sudbury, where they established the local newspaper. Other
children stayed in Toronto. The 1901 Toronto street directory shows Hugh
Brinsmead (wagon maker) living at 206 Brunswick Avenue in a house owned by
Robert McDowell. His son William (Watchmaker) is listed at the same
address
Helen's Death: Hugh's
wife Helen Brinsmead died on June 14th, 1913 in Toronto at age 72. Her address
is shown as 3 North View Terrace T. G. Hosp. The cause of death is listed as
Myocarditis leading to Heart Failure.
Hugh's Death: Hugh
Brinsmead died on December 5th, 1920 and was buried four days later in Mount
Pleasant Cemetry on Yonge Street in Toronto. The following obituary appeared
in the local newspaper for St Marys:
