UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS
PIONEER LIFE ON THE BAY OF QUINTE INCLUDING Geneaologies of Old Families AND Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens
TORONTO, ROLPH AND CLARK, LIMITED, 1904
1005 pages, pp. 978-986
[note many OCR-translation transcription errors]
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THE LAZIER FAMILY.
Data furnished from memoranda transcribed from the old Lazier family bible, record how Jacobus R. Lazier was born in 1708 and left France for America during the time the extreme persecutions were being inflicted on the Huguenots. Settling presumably at Yonkers, near New York, where his son subsequently owned considerable property, he married an English woman whose Christian name was Maria. They had at least one son, called Nicholas Jacobus Lazier ; but whether there were other children cannot now be ascertained, although the assumption is that there were, as other Lazier descendants have been traced living in the vicinity of Yonkers. Jacobus N. Lazier died in 1792, and was survived twelve years by his wife, who died at the age of eighty-eight years.
Nicholas Jacobus Lazier arrived in Canada on November 6th in the year before that of his father's death. He was then a man well advanced in years, being at the time fifty-three years of age. having been born in 1739 ; and came accompanied by his wife and eight children. His migration is stated to have been the effect of a refusal to take the oath of allegiance to the American Government and the confiscation of the considerable milling and farming properties he possessed at Yonkers, near New York.
Twenty years before setting foot in Upper Canada he married Charity Conklin, who, although thirteen years his junior, was a sympathetic companion in his days of adversity and a faithful helpmate among the stress of his pioneering hardships. The old homestead where he first settled in Sophiasburgh was beautifully situated on the eastern one hundred and twenty acres of lot 18 west of Green Point. It stood en a knoll that looked across the sylvan girt bay of Quinte. A little way to its rear a grist mill was erected beside a creek which flowed from a small lake enclosed by his land ; and close by, not much farther along the shore, the sad demands of later years placed a lonely burial ground, where the Laziers and other pioneers of the Sophiasburgh Bay
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Front have since been laid to their rest, beneath the land of their adoption and within sound of their Bay.
Prosperity attended the efforts of the Lazier family pioneer with such good effect as to enable him before he died to bequeath a farm to each of his sons. Most of them settled on the road leading from Picton to Demorestville, but Nicholas located on one hundred and fifty-five acres between Northport and Demorestville and opposite Big Island. John was left the old homestead, which afterward passed into the possession of his son Finlay.
With reference to the possessions of the Pioneer it is worthy of note that,like others of the better-off pioneers, he [Jacobus Lazier] brought slaves with him into Canada. Dr. Canniff, the historian of the settlement of Upper Canada, relates how one slave, named Sal, who belonged to Nicholas Lazier, was noted for her attachment to Methodism, and would go long distances to attend meetings. As Black Betty, also a slave, was a member of the first congregation in New York before which the first Methodist minister in America preached, so Sal was one of the first Methodists in Upper Canada. For a long time John Cronk and she were the only Methodists in the township of Sophiasburgh. The Laziers were Presbyterians.
The old homestead of Nicholas Lazier, the fifth child of the Pioneer, passed into the possession of his youngest son, John N., whose widow and family still own it. Nicholas Lazier had eight other children. Richard Lazier, the eldest of the family, after marrying and farming for a time in Prince Edward county, moved to Tyendinaga. Continuing to farm in that township, and perceiving the prosperity to be derived from the lumbering business, he started saw and grist mills at Milltown, near Shannonville, of which latter place he afterward became the collector of customs. Himself a grandson of the old pioneer, he had a distinguished family. His eldest son, Thomas Appleby Lazier, a great-grandson of the Canadian pioneer, is the present Senior Judge for the county of Hastings.
A younger brother of Judge Lazier is another member of this family who holds a distinguished position in legal circles. Samuel Shaw Lazier, the present Master-in-Chancery for Belleville and Napanee, after completing his education at the Victoria University College, studied law under his brother and was called to the Bar in 1864., Continuing in practice in Belleville for ten years he received, in 1874, the appointments of Master-in-Chancery and
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Deputy Registrar for the counties of Hastings, Prince Edward, Lennox and Addington. Some years ago he relinquished the Deputy Registrarship, but still retained the office of Master-in-Chancery fo? Belleville and Napanee. The acceptance of this appointment prevented his standing for Parliament when nominated as the Liberal- Conservative candidate for the riding of East Hastings. On occasions he has had the honor of being appointed Deputy Judge for the county.
Although the duties of his office have been onerous, at times taxing his energies to the utmost, he has managed to devote a great deal of attention to two hobbies: Volunteering and Free Masonry. As far back as May, 1865, he obtained a first-class military certificate, and in August following was gazetted ensign in the 15th Battalion Argyle Light Infantr}^. He obtained his captaincy in June, 1866, when on active service at Prescott with his regiment during the Fenian Raid. He was gazetted major in June, 1871, and Lieutenant-Colonel in June, 1876, from which time until January, j895, when he retired retaining his rank, he commanded his regiment to the credit of the city and the force. None but those who have commanded a volunteer regiment can form any idea of the time rid money expended by him in his thirty years' service. Several generations of the young men of the city passed through the regiment while it was under his command, and wherever an old Bellevillian is found he has a word of praise for his old commanding officer and a strong feeling of affection for the old 15th.
Colonel Lazier 's services and progress in Freemasonry have been as marked and distinguished as in the military. He joined Moira Lodge, No. 11, G. R. C., in February, 1864 ; Moira Chapter(Royal Arch), in July, 1870; King Baldwin Preceptory, Knights Templar, in April, 1873 ; was Master of Moira, Eureka and Quinte lodges .for some ten years ; was District Deputy Grand Master of the Prince Edward District for 1874 and 1875; Provincial Prior of Knight Templars for the Kingston District for 1883 and 1884, and has been, and is still, in office as Eminent Preceptor of King Baldwin Preceptory for upwards of twelve years. He received the 33rd degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in July. 1882; the Egyptian Rites of Memphis also in July, 1882, and is now a member of Rameses Shrine.
Colonel Lazier married in 1865, and has resided all his life
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in Belleville. His home is the very imposing residence known as "Kirklawn," which he built in 1880, and where his wife and he have entertained bountifully. They have enjoyed the privilege of travelling considerably, having been round the world and taken several tours in the British Isles and on the European continent.vWhile in England Mrs. Lazier had the honor to be presented in 1886 by the late Countess of Roseberry at a Drawing Room held by Her Majesty the late Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace. Colonel Lazier was presented by Lord Granville to the Prince of Wales, now King Edward VII., at a levee held at St. James' Palace. Their presentation at Court procured them invitations to all the noted functions of the season, notably the Queen's State Ball, the Princess Louise's garden party, a Foreign Office reception held by the Countess of Roseberry, and a reception held by the Countess of Granville at her London residence. In their home circle Colonel and Mrs. Lazier are much esteemed. They have for many years been prominent in the affairs of St. Andrew's Presbyterian church, Colonel Lazier being chairman of the Board of Managers, and Mrs. Lazier president of the Ladies' Aid Society.
Stephen Allen Lazier, another great-grandson of the old Pioneer and member of the Richard branch of the family, after completing his education by graduating with honors from the Victoria University of Cobourg, joined his father in fulfilling a large contract with the Grand Trunk Railway, the lines for which were at the time being laid through the country. He then embarked on a mercantile career on his own account, and settled for varying periods at Prescott and Ottawa, and at Milltown, on the Salmon river, where he operated flouring and saw millls and conducted a large carriage factory. As a Conservative, he was strongly pressed to allow himself to be a candidate for election to the Dominion House of Commons ; but he generously abrogated the honor in favor of John White. Stephen . Allen Lazier, himself a great-grandson of the pioneer Lazier, is assisted in his paper milling business in Belleville by his two sons, Thomas Cameron and Robert Elliott. The former completed his education at Dr. Tassie's school at Gait with a course at the Ontario Business College. Having joined the militia in 1880, and been promoted to the rank of Major by 1885, he commanded A Company in the Midland Battalion during the Northwest Rebellion. The younger son, Robert Elliott, was, like his brother, educated at the Dr. Tassie school. He decided
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on law for a profession, and was admitted to the Bar in 1888, after which he practiced for two years, when he joined his father's growing business. He a] so has been an active volunteer, for after serving a short while in the ranks, he was gazetted in 1883 as Second Lieutenant in the 15th Argyll Light Infantry. Later, he graduated from the Kingston Royal School of Gunnery, and when he retired from the service in 1885, was Adjutant of the regiment. In 1894 he married Kathleen Bell, the daughter of the late John Bell, K.C.
Peter Lazier, the younger son of Peter and grandson of Nicholas Lazier, was murdered while defending the home of the Jones family against burglars. 'His murderers, Lother and Tomsit, were executed for the crime, although ably defended by the late Dalton McCarthy. At that trial the Crown was represented by the present Justice Clute, then in active practice, and one of the foremost advocates at the Bar of Ontario.
Frazier H. Lazier, son of Gilbert D., and great-grandson of Nicholas Lazier, was born March 26, 1862, in South Marysburg, near Millford. His father was then living upon the VanDuscn homestead. He soon after removed to Brighton, and settled upon the homestead, now owned by Frazier H. Lazier. The latter was educated at the public and high schools of Brighton, and for three years served as bookkeeper for the Pennsylvania and Ohio Railway Construction Company. He then took up farming, later inheriting his father's property. In 1886 he married Miss Ellen Gertrude Youmans. of Prince Edward county. He has devoted his attention to the breeding of standard horses and the cultivation of fruit, and in both lines has achieved remarkable success. He has been active in the A. 0. U. W.. of which he has been District Grand Master for a longer period than any of his predecessors, and at the last Grand Lodge was re-elected for the ensuing year.
His wife is descended from Arthur Youmans, the pioneer. He had eleven children, to wit, Samuel, Mary, Sarah, David, Hannah, Elizabeth, Arthur, Hannah, Jemima, Jane and John. The youngest, John, married Tabitha Bugsley Farley, and it was his daughter who became Mrs. Frazier H. Lazier. He was a talented musician, travelled extensively, and died while upon a tour in the State of Texas.
Of the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Lazier it may be noted in passing that James Arthur is a large landholder in the North-
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west; that Wilmot Casey married Adelia Minaker and resides in Toronto; that Samuel is a druggist in Indiana, and that Henry settled in Callifornia. Of the sisters, Mary Elizabeth pursues her chosen profession as a teacher in the public schools of Toronto ; Sarah Melissa married George Garland, an editor who resides at Clarksburg, in the State of Mississippi.
NICHOLAS LAZIER.
THE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN:
Maria Lazier, b. 1772, d. 1874; m. Abraham, son of Gilbert
set. Fredenchasburgh.
III. James Lazier, b. 1776; m. Meredith Dorland; set. old Lazier homestead. Issue: (1) Elizabeth, (2) Nicholas, (3) John, (4) Lewis, (5) Franklin, (6) Gilbert D., (7) Charity, (8) Maria, (9) Lydia, (10) Bathsheba, and (11) Mehetable.
IV. Lewis Lazier, b. 1779, d. 1813 ; m. Eliza Cronk.
V. Nicholas Lazier, b. 1781 ; m. Catherine Davenport, b. 1785 ;set, Sophiasburgh. Issue: (1) Richard, (2) Nicholas, (3) William, (4) Christina, (5) Sarah, (6) Charity, (7) James, (8)Abraham, and (9) John N.
VI. Mehetable Lazier, m. Lyman Hill; set. Sophiasburgh. Issue:(1) John, (2) Almira, (3) Diana, (4) Nicholas, and (5)James.
VII. Peter Lazier, b. 1786; m. Jane Solmes; set. Sophiasburgh. Issue: (1) Betsey, b. 1810, d. 1853; (2) Charity, b. 1811, d. 1893; (3) Nathaniel, b. 1813, d. 1902; (4) Nicholas, b. 1815, d. 1816; (5) Margaret, b. 1817, d. 1859; (6) Lydia, b. 1819, d. 1860; (7) William, b. 1821, d. 1829; (8) Sarah Jane, b. 1823, d. 1898; (9) Meredith Ann, b. 1825, d. 1854; (10) Peter, b. 1837, d. 1883; (11) Olive, b. 1829, d. 1860; (12) Lewis, b. 1832, d. 1832.
VIII. John Lazier, m. 1st, Olive Munro, and 2nd, Amelila Jenkins; set. old homestead, Sophiasburgh. Issue: (1) John, (2)Susan, (3) Allen, (4) Samuel, (5) Finlay, and (6) Amelia.
IX. Abraham Lazier, m. 1st, Miss Way, and 2nd, Janey Corey, nee Lyons; set. Sophiasburgh. Issue: (1) Nicholas, (2) Jolin, (3)Hiram, and (4) James.
X. William Lazier.
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THE GRANDCHILDREN AND ISSUE:
See III. The James Lazier Branch:
(1) Elizabeth Lazier, m. Adam Cooney; set. Ameliasburgh. Issue: (a) Meribeth, (b) William, (c) Lewis, (d) John. (e) James, (/) Elizabeth, (g) Eliza, (h) Milanda, and (i) Charity.
(2) Nicholas Lazier, m. Mary Wright; set. old homestead. Issue: (a) Catherine, (b) Dorland. (e) Bathsheba, and (df)Donora.
(3) John Lazier, d. aged 18.
(4) Lewis Lazier, m. 1st, Eliza Brown, ;ind 2nd. Mr. Pennoll ;set. Tyendinaga. Issue: (a) James, and (b) Alice.
(5) Franklin Lazier, m. and set. Picton and finally Dinidns. Issue: (a) James, (b) Stephen, barrister-at-law, and (c) Willett.
(6) Gilbert D. Lazier, m. Maud H. VanDusen; set. Brighton. Issue: (a) Amelia L., m. Richard Carr; set. Adolphustown. (Issue: Eleanor, and Lilly). (6) Mary C.. m. Captain James Dunning; set. Barrie. (Issue: Annie, and Oston L.) (c) Emma M., m. Albert Post; set. Cramahe. (Issue: Mary C.) (d) Frazier H. Lazier, m. Ella Gertrude Youmans; set. Brighton. (Issue: Dora A., Ida, Vivian, and Harold..)
(7) Charity Lazier, m. Andrew Quackenbush; set. Napanee. Issue: (a) Peter, (b) James, (c) Jane, and (d) Annie.
(8) Mary Lazier, m. Henry Werden; set. Tyendinaga. Issue:
(a) Menina, (b) Merewina, (c) Alonzo, (d) Emma Jean,
(b) Bertha, (/) James Elias, (g) Stephen, (h) Therza. and (i) Florence J.
(9) Lydia Lazier, m. William Yorex; set. Thurlow. Issue: (a) Nicholas, (6) Catherine, (c) Merebeth, (d) James. (e) Charity, (/) John, and (g) Rose.
(10) Bathsheba Rose, m. Milo Park; set. Hay Bay. Issue: (a) John, (6) James, (c) Albert, (d) Charles, and (e)Rosella.
(11) Mehetabel Lazier, m. John M. G. Detlor; set. Tweed. Issue: (a) Elizabeth, (b) Maria, and (c) William.
See V. The Nicholas Lazier Branch:
(1) Richard Lazier, b. 1805, d. 1871; m. 1825, Anna B. Appleby, b. 1805, d. 1903 ; dau. of Thomas D. Appleby and Meribeth Solmes; set. Tyendinaga. Issue: (a) Thomas Appleby Lazier. Judge; b. 1826; m. 1883, at Clifton Springs, N.Y., Frances E. Hanckel, b. 1848; set. Belleville. (Issue: Francis Stuart, b. 1885; civil engineering student at Queen's University, and Susan Rose, b. 1887, unm.) (Z>) Nicholas Wellington Lazier, b. 1828; m. 1st, Letty Ann Bedell, b. 1828, d. 1864; and 2nd, Lydia E. Stickney, b. 1835; set. Belleville. (Issue: by 1st, Hester A., Richard 0., George B., Frank B. ; and by 2nd, Walter $.. Albert Wellington, and Lena May.) (c) Richard Leonard Lazier, b. 1830; m. 1858, Allison Wilson Campbell, b. 1837. (Issue: Henrietta, John C. ? Samuel W., Anna B., Mary J., Donaldson, Florence A., Richard A., and Arthur K. The majority of the members of this family are married and settled in California; the others are in Manitoba.) (d) Stephen Allen Lazier, b. 1833; m. 1st, Mary Jane Leatch, b. 1836, d. 1869; and 2nd, Marion Brownlee, b. 1851. (Issue: by 1st, Thomas C., b. 1862; Robert E., b. 1864; and Stephen D., b. 1867; and by 2nd. David B., b. 1877; and Katharine M., b. 1886.) (e) Meribeth Ann Lazier, b. 1837; m. Robert Ellliott, a Belleville merchant. (Issue: two sons and three daughters. This family is now settled in Chicago.) (/) Samuel Shaw Lazier, Colonel and Master-in- Chancery ; b. 1840; m. Margaret, only dau. of late William Robertson. of Belleville, and sister of Alexander Robertson, for many years M. P. for the county; set. Belleville; no issue, (g) Rhoda Catharine Lazier, b. 1802 ; d. 1876, unm.
(2) Nicholas Lazier, b. 1807; m. 1837 Ellen Frizzell; set. Tyendinaga.
(3) William Lazier, b. 1809; m. 1828, Jane Lewis; set. Tyendinaga,
(4) Christina Lazier, b. 1812; m. 1830 Royal Munro, merchant; set. Belleville.
(5) Sarah Lazier, b. 1813; d. y.
(6) Charity Lazier, b. 1815; m. 1837, Benjamin Smith; set. Sophiasburgh.
(T) James Lazier, b. 1817; in. 1840 Diana Hill; set. finally Missouri.
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(8) Abraham Lazier, b. 1819.
(9) John N. Lazier, b. 1823; son Lewis, m. 1843 Lucinda Sprague; set. on the old Nicholas Lazier homestead, in Sophiasburgh, opposite Big Island.