John W Wingrove and Mary Goodwin
1st Generation in Canada
East Flamborough Concession 12 & 13, Lot 9
based on Waterdown & East Flamborough 1867-1967; pages 17, 18
It is thought that James Wingrove arrived in East Flamborough Ontario in 1832. In less than 2 years he had met and married Sarah Bell a local inhabitant of the area. James Wingrove and Sarah Bell had bought part of the present day Wingrove farm in 1838. At this point in time their family consisted of 2 girls - Eliza Tibe Wingrove born in the spring of 1835 and Mary Ann Wingrove born in 1838 and the oldest son, William Wingrove also born in 1838 [1911 Census scan]. This 50 acre lot cost them approximately 38 pounds. In 1845 they were successful in buying another 100 adjoining acres for 81 pounds. By this point in time 2 more children had been born Daniel in 1843 and Jane in the spring of 1845.
The 1851 Agricultural Census lists 80 of the 125 acres in cultivation on Con 12 &13 lot 9 as owned by James Wingrove, Charles Wingrove at Con 12 lot 10 and Thomas Wingrove at Con 13 lot 10. Conc 12 & 13 Lot 9 of 150 acres is the size of the present farm on which a stone home was built in 1855. By 1855 the family had grown with the addition of Mariah Wingrove in 1847, Isabelle Sarah Wingrove and Phoebe. James and Sarah Wingrove. James and Sarah Wingrove and their nine children were to occupy this home that is still in use by descendants of James Wingrove in 1999.
A George Wingrove according to the List of Crown Patentees of Wentworth County, had control of Con 12 lot 10 part of lot SE 1/2 of 100 acres in size on January 20, 1854. At this time of writing this could be James' brother, George W Wingrove or a son of James' brother Charles, George Henry Wingrove.
James and Sarah remained owner of the farmstead until James' death at the age of 68 in 1882. At this point William Wingrove their oldest son took over the farming operation. Sarah was to die several years later in 1889. Both of these natives of Northampton[shire] are interred in Mountsberg Baptist Church cemetery just a short distance down the road.
At some point in time James' brother Thomas also had a farm house in the same area as indicated by these Census returns. The identity of the others await some more research
The 1871 Heads of Households Census lists:
Ages do not seem to coincide with tombstone dates with the exception of WilliamTHOMAS WINGROVE; Sex: Male; Age: 66 Born: ~1805 @ ENGLAND
Position in home: Head of House Religion: Baptist
Ethnic Origin: ENGLISH Occupation: Farmer
Electoral District Code: 023 Electoral Sub-district Code: D
Enumerator's Division: 3 37 Enumerator's Page Number: 12
Electoral Sub-district Name: Flamborough, east
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and this may be Thomas [above] son Johnathan
John WINGROVE; Sex: Male; Age: 29 Born: ~1842 @ Ontario
Position in home: Head of House Religion: Episcopal Methodist
Ethnic Origin: ENGLISH - Occupation: Farmer
Electoral District Code: 023 Electoral Sub-district Code: D
Enumerator's Division: 3 46 Enumerator's Page Number: 12
Electoral Sub-district Name: Flamborough, east
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James WINGROVE; Sex: Male; Age: 64 Born: ~1807 @ ENGLAND
Position in home: Head of House Religion: Baptist
Ethnic Origin: ENGLISH - Occupation: GENTLEMAN
Electoral District Code: 023 Electoral Sub-district Code: D
Enumerator's Division: 3 37 Enumerator's Page Number: 12
Electoral Sub-district Name: Flamborough, east
-------------- son of James [above] ------------
WILLIAM WINGROVE, ; Sex: Male; Age: 32 Born: ~1839 @ Ontario
Position in home: Head of House
[ married Elizabeth Cartwright, Charity Hurren ]
Religion: Baptist Ethnic Origin: ENGLISH - Occupation: Farmer
Electoral District Code: 023 Electoral Sub-district Code: D
Enumerator's Division: 3 37 Enumerator's Page Number: 12
Electoral Sub-district Name: Flamborough, east
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The 1875 Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of Wentworth Ontario lists the property of James Wingrove, Thomas Wingrove and John Wingrove on the adjoining lots with 3 separate houses.
The Farmers' Directory series published circa 1891 lists:
John Wingrove freeholder Mountsberg Con 12 lot 10
Jonathan Wingrove freeholder Mountsberg Con 13 lot 10
William Wingrove freeholder Mountsberg Con 13 lot 9The original [Con 12 & 13 Lot 9] Wingrove farm operation's primary goal was to provide the family with food and clothing. It remained a mixed farming operation. The original farmstead passed through as succession of Wingrove hands. William Wingrove, James' eldest son farmed it until 1911 and then his son Gordon Wingrove until 1938. His son William retained ownership until 1962 and then James Wingrove's great great grandson Douglas took over ownership and maintenance the property. The land and home with a side addition and farm buildings are still partially fenced by stone and rocks removed from the pasture lands of this 150 acres over the intervening 160 years.
Part of the dam used for washing sheep that were added in 1932 is still visible on the small creek running through the farm. The present operation is as a dairy farm. The herd of Holstein cows was started in 1926
© Aug 7, 1999 Ontario Canada Michael Wingrove
