Sketch LXI

Offshoots of Welsh Nobility—Walsh Family

The Walsh family of Norfolk is an offshoot of one of the old noble families of Wales which was famous many centuries ago. The name was formerly written “Welch,” but was changed to Walsh by the Norfolk branch of the family soon after making a settlement here. The father of the Walshes of Norfolk—Thomas Welch—was a descendant of that branch of the family that followed Strongbow (Earl of Pembroke) into Ireland in the twelfth century, remaining and establishing a holding in Kilkenny County where, for several centuries, they maintained a reputable standing. A sub-branch of the family settled in Tyrone County and became noted for uprightness of character and sterling worth. In 1740, Francis, the youngest of several brothers, left Dungannon and came to America, being a young man and single. He found employment as a clerk in a mercantile house in Philadelphia, operated by one Pierce, a Quaker, whose daughter he subsequently married. Having a love for the sea, he gave up merchandising and engaged in maritime pursuits. During the war between France and England his ship was seized by the enemy while making a voyage between Europe and America, and himself made a prisoner and carried to a French port, from which he soon afterward escaped and succeeded in reaching England.

This Francis Welch was the father of the Long Point pioneer known to us as the original Thomas Welch. Although quite young, Thomas was a volunteer in the service of his country in her struggle with France at this time, and took part in the battle of Laurel Hill.[1] He acquired a good education, and when peace was restored he became a surveyor and under-sheriff in a Pennsylvania county. Subsequently he married and settled in Maryland, where he was engaged in business as a surveyor and conveyancer when the war of the revolution broke out. He was offered a colonelcy by the American rebels, but he declined the offer. This subjected him to great peril, and he had much difficulty in escaping to a place of safety. He joined the British forces and served as an officer in a contingent of the army known as the Maryland Loyalists. For three years he was with his regiment at Pensecola, Florida, serving under General Durnford as assistant engineer. While stationed here the little garrison was attacked by 20,000 Spaniards and Indians, and he became a Spanish prisoner of war.

At the close of the war he was employed to survey lands in New Brunswick for the U.E. Loyalist refugees, being engaged several years in this work. Returning to Maryland he married his second wife, and commenced proceedings to regain a portion of his real estate which, by some oversight, had not been confiscated. Failing in this undertaking he came to Upper Canada in 1793, with his wife and two sons—Francis Leigh, and elder, nine years old, and Aquila M., the younger. He was at once employed to survey portions of Lincoln and Norfolk counties, and in 1796 was appointed Registrar of Deeds for Norfolk County, which embraced at that time the townships of Walpole and Rainham, in addition to its present territory. When the London district was organized in 1800, he was appointed Clerk of the Peace, Registrar of the Surrogate Court and Deputy Secretary for the issue of land patents for the district. In 1810 he became Judge of the District and Surrogate Courts, at which time the County Registry office passed into the hands of his son, Francis L. Walsh. Soon afterwards failing health forced him to retire from public life, and highly complimentary addresses were tendered him on his retirement. The first election held in Norfolk of which we have any account, was held at Avery’s Mills, Waterford, and Thomas Welch, who served on this occasion, was the first Returning Officer.

The name of Francis L. Walsh will ever be revered by the sons of “Glorious old Norfolk.” In the year 1808, while yet a mere lad, he was appointed Deputy County Registrar as evidenced by the following document:

“Before us, Samuel Ryerse, Edward Watson, Thomas Welch, and Thomas Horner, Esquires, four of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace in and for the District of London, Province of Upper Canada, personally came and appeared Francis Leigh Walsh, Deputy Register for the County of Norfolk, in the said District of London, and took the necessary oath prescribed by law as Deputy Register for said County.”

Two years later he became Registrar, and from that time until his death, which occurred in 1884, Francis L. Walsh held the office of County Registrar, embracing a period in all of seventy-six years. For length of service, efficiency of work performed, fidelity to office duties, and the large measure of love and respect won from those whom he served, it is quite probable that no public official in Norfolk was ever his peer. When his life’s work was ended every man, woman and child, who knew him, felt the loss of a friend.

His chirography was something wonderful. His eyesight remained good, and his hand steady right up to the time of his death. When he was an octogenarian he wrote the Lord’s Prayer, the words “God save the Queen,” and his name and the date on a circular space covered by a five-cent piece; and on a surface equalling the size of a dime he wrote the Episcopal Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the words “God save the Queen.” and his name and the date. He executed this marvellous feat without the aid of magnifying glasses, although to the naked eye they appear as mere blots. When placed under a glass, however, the writing is clear and legible, having more the appearance of script print than handwriting. From 1821 to 1828, and again in 1835-36, he represented Norfolk in the Provincial Parliament. In 1861 his son, Aquila, became the County representative, holding the position until Confederation, when he was elected by the North Riding as representative in the Dominion Parliament. In 1872 he retired.

Francis L. Walsh, it may be truthfully said, is the father of our Registry laws. He built the first fire-proof registry office in the Province at his own expense, and he was the first to introduce the system of keeping separate books for the different townships, thereby greatly increasing the public convenience and lessening the work of the office.

Thomas Welch, the old surveyor, settled on Lot 12, in the 5th concession of Charlotteville. He had two sons—Francis L. and Aquila M.

Francis L. Walsh, eldest son of Thomas, married Elsie, daughter of Noah Fairchild. He had five sons—Thomas W., Aquila, Walter, Lewis Francis and Christopher Leigh; and six daughters—Harriet A., Rebecca, Elizabeth, Almira, Sarah and Margaret. Thomas W. married Eliza Henchell, and settled in Simcoe. He was warden of the county in 1880 and 1881. Aquila married Jane Adams, daughter of Wm. Wilson, and settled in Simcoe. Walter married Mary Kitchen, and settled in Simcoe. Lewis Francis settled in Massachusetts. Christopher Leigh married Lizzie Holmwood, and settled in Port Ryerse. Harriet A. married Morris Smith, and settled in Vittoria. Almira married Thomas K. Chadwick, and settled near Vittoria. Elizabeth died single, and Rebecca, Sarah and Margaret occupy their beautiful home in Simcoe, in single blessedness.

Aquila M. Walsh, the younger son of Thomas, married Margaret, daughter of Duncan McCall, and succeeded his father on the homestead. He had three sons—Duncan, Thomas and Francis; and two daughters—Jemima and Mary. Duncan married Getta Finch, and succeeded his father on the homestead, his son William being the present owner. Thomas married Lucretia Mead, and settled on part of the homestead. Francis married Mary Glover, and settled in Windham. Jemima married George Anderson, and settled in Charlotteville; and Mary married Albert Toms, and settled near Simcoe.

It will thus be seen that the Walsh family are very much attached to the land adopted by their illustrious ancestor, the old veteran surveyor. With one exception, the first three generations settled on Norfolk soil, and this fact alone speaks volumes for the loyalty of the Walshes and their strong attachment to home and native land.

The male descendants of this old family have become nearly, if not quite, extinct in Wales, Ireland, France and Philadelphia. In Norfolk only is the name being preserved, and even here the male descendants constitute the smaller portion of the family increase. The Walsh family is entitled to heraldic honors. A silver plate, bearing thereon the family crest, was sent to Thomas Walsh in America, by one Walter Welch, of Dungannon, Ireland, but it never reached its destination. The heraldic emblem on the old family crest is a representation of the “green leek.”

[1] This is a reference to Thomas Welch’s service during the Seven Years War in 1759, stated in his Upper Canada Land Petition “W” Bundle 1, Doc. No. 21