It appears that Hugh Brinsmead's initial destination in Canada was London, then in Upper Canada. While he moved to St. Mary's just north of London, he married in London and several of his relatives from St. Giles in the Wood came to settle there. On this page we will record what we know of this broader St. Giles in the Wood settlement in London, Ontario. This includes his sister, Mary Tanton and other members of the Tanton family plus members of the Ashplant, Puddicombe, Wear (Ware) and Brinsmead-Williams families. His uncle Henry Brinsmead arrived in the 1870's. Some came directly from St. Giles while others came indirectly, first settling in Ipswich, Suffolk. We believe this was because of the family's connections to the Ransome and Sims form of agricultural implement makers located in that town. Several Brinsmead relatives went on to become prominent members of London, Ontario's business and professional community.

Hugh Brinsmead married Helen Pacey from London. He father was a partner in a local carriage factory and family rumour is that Hugh married the boss' daughter. The plant pictured to the left was at one point known as Plummer and Pacey's. 

The Tanton Families

Hugh Brinsmead's most direct relative in London was his sister Mary Ann Tanton. She married  Thomas Tanton on July 11th, 1855 in Bulkworthy, Devon and must have left for Canada very soon after. Once in London, they had three children we know of, Thomas James Tanton, born about 1858, Alice Mary, born about 1861 and Arthur William, who was born born about 1874 but died as a young child in 1875.

The Ontario 1871 census lists Thomas as age 39 and Mary Ann as age 34 and their two children Thomas James (age 13) and Alice Mary (age 10).  John Tanton, his brother (age 41), is listed in the same census. His family includes the following members: Wife Rebecca (age 40) followed by three older children Dina (age 16), Maria (age 14), and Leonard (age 13). All three children have the last name Scandrell or Scandrett which suggests that Rebecca was married before and remarried. She is shown as of Irish extraction but born in Ontario. Then follow three younger children with the surname Tanton: Marrie (age 6), John B (age 4) and Margaret (age 2). The 1871 census also lists a Sarah Tanton (age 35) with a son George (age 11) and a daughter Jessy (?) (age 3).

Mary Anne Tanton was still alive at the time of the Ontario 1901 census living in London. She is shown as having immigrated in 1855 with a birthdate of Dec 1st, 1835. At the same residence is her son-in-law Jas. B. McKillop born September 12, 1855, born in Ontario and daughter Ethel McKillop born May 24, 1883 in Ontario (It is unclear from the return whether Ethel is the daughter of Jas. or of Mary Anne, but we would presume the later). 

The early London City Directories list the Tanton males in the town, and their businesses.

1868-1869
  • TANTON BROS. , (John and Thomas). commission merchants, dealers in grain, seeds, flower, wool &c., Talbot, opposite Market.
  • Tanton, Henry, clerk, h. n. s. Grey, bet Talbot and Simcoe.
  • Tanton, John, (Tanton Bros.) h. s. s. King, bet Wellington and Waterloo
  • Tanton, Thomas, (Tanton Bros.), h. Maitland, bet E. North and duke.
  • Tanton, Mrs. Sarah, (wid.) h. s. s. Pall Mall, bet Colbourne and Maitland
1872-1873
  • Tanton Bros., Corn Merchants, Talbot west side, between King and Dundas.
  • Tanton, John, of Tanton Bros. King, south side bet. Waterloo and Wellington
  • Tanton, Thomas, of Tanton Bros.
1875  
1878-1879
  • Tanton, Edmund, Teamster George Phillips, res read 591 Talbot.
  • Tanton, Henry, book-keeper Rowland-Dennis, bds. same.
  • Tanton, James, clerk, Ashplant and Tanton, bds 479 Maitland
  • Tanton, John, res 299 King
  • Tanton, John, laborer, res 150 Oxford
  • Tanton, Thomas, (Ashplant and Tanton) , res 479 Maitland,
  • Tanton, Thomas J. clerk, bds 479 Maitland.

 


 

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