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George Older Senior
George Older Senior
Samuel Older and Thomas Older, assumed to be brothers of George Older, had boarded
the ship England at Portsmouth, England, on May 8, 1832, and disembarked on June 15,
1832, in Quebec, Canada.(3)
Samuel, Thomas, and George Older were part of the Petworth Emigration Scheme. The
main concept of the Petworth Scheme was to pay people to leave England and to settle
in Canada.(4)
One very short letter written or dictated by George Older at Hamilton, Upper
Canada, to John Drewitt at Little Peppering, Burpham, West Sussex, dated 7 July 1836,
was published as letter #109 in English Immigrant Voices, Labourers' Letters from Upper
Canada in the 1830s along with some additional information as follows: "George Older,
an agricultural labourer, his wife, and two children were sent by the parish of
Wisborough Green, His wife's name may have been Sarah Gilbert. Drewitt gave Older
'a very good character' to take to Upper Canada (see letter 122). Sockett included this
brief extract from a letter written as the family passed through Hamilton on their way
west."(5)
"Drewitt had probably helped fund the Olders' emigration. The Brighton
Gazette on 10 November 1836 noted that 'Mr. Drewitt' of the 'Arundel Banking Firm'
had sent out tare, turnip, and beet seeds to another emigrant, Mr Holmwood, formerly
of Angmering and now living near Dudas, Upper Canada; the seeds had produced 'fine
crops.'(6) Sockett was Reverent Thomas Sockett, the rector of Petworth, and the one
who devised and organized the Petworth Immigration Scheme, "under the patronage of
George O'Brien Wyndham, the third Earl of Egremont, an aristocratic landowner noted
for his benevolence towards the poor."(7)
The source of the letter by George Older was Continuation of Letters from Sussex
Emigrants . . . Written in 1836[1837], 8. The following is an "Extract of a Letter from
George Older, who emigrated to Canada, in the ship Heber, which sailed from
Portsmouth, April 23rd. 1836, to Mr. Drewitt, of Peppering, Sussex:"
Sir,
There has been a great deal of fault found, about the living on board ship;
but I say, we had a plenty of every thing to eat, and to drink, and that was very
good.
Hamilton, July 7th.
"All we know of the later history of this family is what William Robinson wrote of them
in letter 122 in October 1836, when they were in Delaware Township working for
him."(8)
"While in Lower Canada at Quebec, Robinson had purchased lot 2 concession 5
in Ekfrid Township. Sockett published his letter with its offer of employment on the
inside and back covers of a volume of letters printed in advance of the departure of the
Diana in 1837." The letter by William Robinson, Ekfrid Park, near Delaware, London
District, Upper Canada, to the Reverend Thomas Sockett, Chairman, Emigration
Society, Petworth, Sussex, dated 14 October 1836, includes the following paragraph
about the family of George Older:
"I have now living with me, a man from the same country, who has a wife
and two children, they came out this season. I have engaged with them upon the
terms before mentioned; they are at present in my house, waiting the completion
of a cottage I am putting up for them. His name is George Older, and had with
him a very good character from John Drewitt, Esq.; and although they have been
with me but a short time, I have every reason to believe, that they are deserving
the praise that gentleman has bestowed on them. They are contented and happy;
and according to their deserts, so shall I consider it my duty to contribute to their
welfare. He informs me that he is personally known to you."(9)
"In August 1832 there came out to us a party from our own village, Wisbo Green,
six families (sent by the parish) consisting of:
Mr. Burberry & wife & 8 children 10
Mr. Older & wife & 7 Do 9
Mr. Thair & wife & 2 Do 4
Mr. Saunder & wife & 3 Do 5
Mr Smart & wife & 2 Do 4
Mr. Tribe & wife & 2 Do 4
George Hook
Thomas Older } single men 3
Ch Wuler [Wheeler] } __
39
We put them all into our Bickerstaff house for a few days. Provided a
good dinner and supper for them and gave them suficient for breakfast. Captain
Hale came with them. He staid with us two weeks and was very pleased. During
that time Mr. T. Evershed came (an old friend of ours). Ought to have said that a
man of the name of Charles Wheeler came two weeks before. The Chollory
[cholera] was ragin when they arrived at Monteral so that they were greatly
exposed, and were not suffered to land at Cleveland, but had to hire wagons and
go to Pittsburg; And thence down the Ohio river to Marietta. But they all enjoyed
good health. The second week after they were here Mrs Launder [Saunder?] and
I took sick. She had one babe die. but after a few weeks we recovered.
Then Mr. Thair took sick and Mrs. Burberry, who both died. Mr. And Mrs.
Grapham came on soon after - with seven children, one died. They all continued
here a few months & were doing well. We let them have every thing we could.
but they soon became dissatisfied and went off to Lancaster."
Samuel and Thomas Older continued on to Athens County, Ohio, after their
arrival in Canada whereas George Older remained in Canada with his family for a time.
Samuel Older, Thomas Older, and a William Older were all heads of households in the
1840 census of York Township, Athens County, Ohio.(12)
Samuel Older's baptismal record lists his parents as Samuel Holder & Elizabeth
Bishop.(13) Samuel Older died August 8, 1857, in Grand Rapids, Wood County,
Ohio.(14)
Thomas Older was christened November 12, 1809, in Wisborough Green, Sussex,
England.(15) The death certificate of Thomas Older gives his mother's name as
Elizabeth Bishop.(16) Unfortunately, no baptismal record has been found for George
Older nor has one been found for William Older.(17) It is upon this scenario that the
parents of George Older are assumed to be Samuel Older Sr. and his wife Elizabeth
Bishop.
Samuel Older Sr. was born about 1768 in England and probably died in Sussex,
England.(18) He married Elizabeth Bishop on April 17, 1790, in Salehurst, Sussex in
England.(19) Elizabeth also was born in England and probably died in Sussex,
England.(20)
Samuel Older Sr. and Elizabeth Bishop are thought to be the parents of George
Older and the following eleven children:
1) Elizabeth Older was born 1790 in Salehurst, Sussex, England.(21)
2) Samuel Older was born in 1792 in Salehurst, Sussex England. He died August
8, 1857, in Grand Rapids, Wood County, Ohio.(22)
3) Jonathan Older was born in 1796 in Salehurst, Sussex, England.(23)
4) Hannah Older was born in 1799 in Salehurst, Sussex, England.(24)
5) Mary Older was born on June 6, 1801, in Wisborough Green, Sussex,
England.(25)
6) John Older was born on July 17, 1803, in Wisborough Green, Sussex,
England.(26)
7) Nanny Older was born December 15, 1805, in Wisborough Green, Sussex,
England.(27)
8) James Older was born November 2, 1807, in Wisborough Green Sussex,
England.(28)
9) Thomas Older was born October 23, 1809, in Wisborough Green, Sussex,
England. He died November 17, 1887, in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio.(29)
10) William Older was born between 1812 and 1815 in Slinfold, Sussex, England.
He died October 21, 1897, in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio.(30)
11) Barnet Older was born May 1, 1815, in Slinfold, Sussex, England. He died
October 21, 1897, in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio.(31)
REFERENCES
1. Samuel Older of Sussex, England and His descendants in America by Susan L. Bingler,
CGRS, unpublished, copyrighted June 2005.
2. P. William Filby and Mary Meyer. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index 1997
Supplement.
3. The following record was compiled from "A List of Petworth Emigrants, 1832--1837,"
Part Two of Assisting Emigration to Upper Canada: The Petworth Project 1832--1837 by
Wendy Cameron and Mary McDougall Maude (Montreal and Kingston: McGill-
Queen's University Press 2000). The list summarizes available sources for information
on families and individuals. England 1832, England, brig, A1, 320 tons, master Captain
Lewis; superintendent J.C. Hale; sailed from Portsmouth (Spithead) 8 May 1832;
arrived at Quebec 15 June 1832. In 1832, this ship was chartered by people in
Wisborough Green working very closely with the Petworth Committee. Family names
on that voyage included: Barberry (Burberry), Burchell, French, Goldring, Graffam
(Grantham), Hook, Joyce (Joice), Mann, Older, Oler (Older), Saunders, Smart, Smithers,
Southerton, Thaire (Thayre), and Tribe; See also the companion volume English
Immigrant Voices: Labourers' Letters from Upper Canada in the 1830s, page 396 which lists
Mr. Older and wife and 7 children and Thomas Older a single man.
4. English Immigrant Voices, Labourers' Letters from Upper Canada in the 1830s, edited by
Wendy Cameron, Sheila Haines, Mary McDougall Mauge, McGill-Queen's University
Press, Montreal, 2000, Introduction.
5. Ibid, page 207; Also, the following e-mail, received by Curtis L. Older from the
Records Office of West Sussex, England, confirms the information to which notes 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, and 11 relate:
From: records.office@westsussex.gov.uk
To: curtolder@earthlink.net
Subject: Re: Petworth Immigration Records AMM/AV.38
Date: Aug 26, 2005 5:24 AM
Dear Mr. Older,
Thank you for your enquiry concerning George Older and his family. One sentence of a
letter from him, written in 1836, was published in Continuation of letters from Sussex
Emigrants... written in 1836, which was published in 1837. There is also a mention of him
in a letter of 1836 to Rev. Thomas Socket, chairman of the Petworth Emigration
Committee, from William Robinson, for whom George was working. The family are
also mentioned in the journal of Sarah Knight, who had emigrated in 1821 to
Nelsonville, Ohio.
All the above are published in English Immigrant Voices, ed. Cameron, Haines, and
McDougall Maude, published in 2000 by McGill-Queen's University Press. A list of all
emigrants under the Petworth scheme, with all the information about them, and the
sources, was published in the companion volume Assisting Emigration to Upper Canada,
The Petworth Project 1832-1837, by Wendy Cameron and Mary McDougall Maude. These
volumes were the fruit of a ten year research project in Canada and England, funded by
the Jackson Foundation, the Jacksons themselves being descended from a family who
emigrated under the Petworth scheme.
If you are unable to obtain the books, we could copy the relevant sources for you, either
by photocopying or scanning. I can let you have an estimate of the cost should it be
necessary.
Yours sincerely,
Alison McCann
Assistant County Archivist
6. English Immigrant Voices, Labourers' Letters from Upper Canada in the 1830s, page 207.
10. Ibid, page 396; WSRO, MP1790, Sarah Redman, "Epitome of the Life of Sarah
Redman" (typescript copy).
13. Samuel Older's baptism was listed in the IGI [International Genealogical Index] as
Samuel Holder christened 12 Feb 1792 Salehurst, Sussex, England. The parents were
listed as Samuel Holder & Elizabeth Bishop.
14. Samuel Older of Sussex, England and His descendants in America by Susan L. Bingler,
CGRS, page 3.
15. IGI record fro Thomas Older christened 12 Nov 1809 Wisborough Green, Sussex,
England, with parents Samuel & Elizabeth Older.
16. Thomas Older death certificate, Fairfield Co., Ohio, death records, page 360, #9, FHL
microfilm 0295271.
17. Samuel Older of Sussex, England and His descendants in America, page 3, footnote
number 8, and footnote number 11.
19. Ibid, footnote number 1, "Samuel Older marriage, FHL Film Dates 1722-1806,
Extracted from British Isles Vital Records - New Edition. Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints. Information was supplied by Edward Felstead of Lancashire,
England."
21. Elizabeth Older's baptism was listed as an abstracted church record in the IGI
[International Genealogical Index] as Elizabeth Holder, christened on August 8, 1790, in
Salehurst, Sussex, England. (FHL microfilm 1067299). The record states that her parents
were Samuel Holder and Elizabeth Bishop.
22. Samuel Older's baptism was listed in the IGI as Samuel Holder christened 12 Feb
1792 Salehurst, Sussex England. The parents were listed as Samuel Holder & Elizabeth
Bishop.
23. Jonathan Older's baptism was listed in the IGI as Jonathan Holder, christened 5 Sep
1796, Salehurst, Sussex, England. The parents were listed as Samuel Holder & Elizabeth.
24. Hannah Older's baptism ws listed in the IGI as Hannah Holder, christened 3 Mar
1799 Salehurst, Sussex, England.
25. Mary Older's baptism was listed in the IGI as Mary Holder, christened 16 Aug 1801,
Wisborough Green, Sussex, England Parents Samuel Holder & Elizabeth, also listed
birth date, 6 Jun 1801.
26. John Older, baptism listed in the IGI John Holder, christened 25 Sep 1803 in
Wisborough Green, Parents Samuel Holder & Elizabeth.
28. James Older was listed as James Holder in the IGI, as James Holder christened 13
Dec 1807 Wisborough Green, Sussex, England. Parents were Samuel Holder &
Elizabeth.
29. The death certificate of Thomas Older, gives his mother's name as Elizabeth Bishop.
Death certificate for Thomas Older, page 360, #9 LDS film 0295271, Fairfield County,
Ohio, death records. On the day of his death he was listed as being 78 years 2 months
and 24 days old.
30. No baptismal record was found for William Older. In the 1850 U. S. census he is 38
years old, in the 1860 U. S. census he is 46 years old, and in the 1880 census he is 65
years old.
31. Barnet Older's birth date was listed in the IGI along with his baptism., i.e. Barnet
Alder, born 1 May 1815, christened 23 Jul 1815 Slinfold, Sussex, England at Hayes
Independent. Parents were Samuel Alder & Elizabeth. The birth date caculated on his
age at the time of his death was 1 May 1814.
32. English Immigrant Voices, page 207; Samuel Older of Sussex, England, Bingler, page 6.
36. Illinois Marriages, 1851-1900 Record, Name: George Olders, Gender: Male, Spouse
Name: Mary S. Humphrey, Marriage Date: Jan 01, 1860, Marriage County: Vermilion,
Comments: This record can be found at the County Court Records, Film # 1298746 -
1298749.
37. Bingler, pages 33-4; Oregon Death Index, 1903-98 Record, Name: Older, George,
County: Portland, Death Date: 26 Sep 1920, Certificate: 2470.
39. Bingler, page 35, Samuel Older entry, Ross County, Ohio, marriage index.
40. Bingler, page 36, Mary J. Older entry, Marvin Fletcher & Beverly Schumacher,
Marriage Records, 1865-1880: Athens County, Ohio, Athens County Historical Society,
1981.
44. Bingler, page 6, George Older entry, Ross County, Ohio, marriages.
46. Ibid.
47. Ibid.
48. Bingler, page 37, Margaret A. L. Older entry, Illinois Marriage Index, marriage
recorded in Henderson County, Illinois, volume B, page 33.
49. Bingler, page 6, George Older obituary, in newspaper obituary abstracts, Fairfield
Trace (Winter 1990): 11.
50. 1850 U. S. Census for Ohio, Ross County, Huntington Township, Page 313, Roll
M432_725, dwelling #134, family #136.
52. Bingler, page 37, Margaret A. L. Older entry, Illinois Marriage Index, marriage
recorded in Henderson County, Illinois, volume B, page 33.
57. Ibid.
Dear Curt,
Beat me to it! You wrote to me before I had a chance to reply to you. Most of my
information comes from the analysis of census records in Ohio and Illinois as well as
marriage records.
In the 1860 federal census of Sangamon Co., Illinois S. C. Older (Samuel Older) age 23
born in CANADA is residing with J. E. Older (Jane E. Baird) age 24 born in OH also
residing with them are Jane's parents, James & Eliza Baird.
In the 1870 federal census of Danville, Vermilion Co., Illinois Samuel Older 34 born in
CANADA Eliza 36 born OH (Jane Eliza Baird) Rose 8 IL James 6 IL.
Samuel Older married Jane Eliza Baird 14 Aug 1856 in Ross Co., OH (Ross Co., Ohio
marriage records) also married in Ross Co., OH are his sister EMILY OLDER who
married Andrew Harrington on 28 Aug 1853
There are 2 other marriage records in Ross Co., Ohio I have not investigated further
George Older married Deborah Nye 2 Oct 1847 Deborah A. Older married William
Price 10 Sep 1854
I do not know the ages of the participants. This could be brother George getting
married, but I almost suspect that it is George Sr. marrying a second wife, and then
dying and the widow is remarrying. More information is needed on the age of George
in the marriage record. I definitely suspect that the Deborah Older who marries in 1854
is the former wife of George. I do not know whether he died or they were divorced.
In the 1870 federal census of Danville Illinois George Older a daylaborer age 36 born in
CANADA (born about 1834) Mary 27 born in Missouri and children Samuel 6, George
4 and Jennie 1 (all born in Illinois)
Further census records of 1910, 1920 gave me James son of Samuel with wife
Wilhelmina and children Roy, Nellis, and Maybelle. by 1920 I find neither James or
Wilhelmina in the census records , son Roy is married and living in Danville with wife
Ethel born about 1893 in Indiana and children Truxton James b. 1912 in IL and Wilma
Jane b. 1916, the Robert Burton you mentioned must have been born after 1920.
The Canada birth place of George and Samuel is important. and fits in with the
following immigration record as abstracted in Filby. Passenger and Immigration lists
index 1997 supplement which states George OLDER and wife with 2 children (no
names given) arrived Upper Canada 1832 25 page list of all the immigrants to upper
Canada 1832 can be obtained from the Ontario Genealogical Society in toronto Canada.
George Older, along with several of his brothers left Wisborough Green, Sussex Co.,
England in 1832 as part of the PETWORTH EMMIGRATION Scheme, there is an article
about this emigration movement in the periodical Families , vol. 32 no. 2 (May 1993) p.
101-105 I do not have a copy of the article, but from what I could find out there was a
scheme to populate Canada by offering British citizens from the Sussex area money in
order to emigrate to Canada. Several of the Older brothers took the govenment up on
this plan. George OLDER went to Ontario Co., Canada in 1832.
I am sure if you did research in the Canadian records you would find more information
about him. A beginning plan might be to look at the 1841 census of Ontario, Canada to
find out where George Older was living. Then through the closest LDS (Mormon)
Family history center rent the microfilm of Vital records etc. for the town or province in
Canada where you find George residing.
George had several brothers, who didn't go to Canada. They decided that Athens Co.,
OH was more to their liking. I have done extensive research on these brothers. They
eventually spread out through out the state of Ohio and into Michigan.
Most of my research was done at the National Archives Washington, D.C.; DAR Library
Washington, D.C. and my local family history center where I rented microfilm of the
vital records for the area in which these people resided.
Since you are a descendant do you have death dates and places for the descendants of
Samuel C. Older and Jane Eliza Baird? I lost track of James and his sisters and do not
know where they are buried or when they died. Your help would be greatly
appreciated.
I have done no Canadian research, and am not likely to. The expense of what I have
done is overwhelming me. I suspect you will find many answers in the Ontario, Canada
records. If you do pursue this line, would you let me know what you find?
One thing I will pass on. The George Older probably born about 1805-1810 in Sussex
Co., England had a brother Thomas Older who immigrated to Ohio, and is the only
child who had a death certificate who named the parents: Samuel Older & Elizabeth
Bishop so Samuel & Elizabeth are likely to be the parents of the George Older who went
to Canada and had a son Samuel C. Older born in Canada who married in Ohio and
moved to Illinois, and is your direct relation.
Any further complete dates and places you can give me for your branch of the family
would be appreciated. I hope what I have written will be of help to you. Perhaps point
you in the direction of finding further information on your family.
Sincerely,
Thomas Older, age 40, male, plasturer, real estate = $600, born in England
John J. Bangs, age 41, male, jeweler, real estate = $2,500, born in Maine
Mary J. Older, age 11, female, born in Ohio, attended school during the year
1850 U. S. Census for Ohio, Ross County, Chillicothe Township, Page 58, Roll M432_725
Dwelling #897, Family #897
Parker I. Gardner, age 36, male, merchant, real estate = $2,800, born in Ohio
Elizabeth H. Gardner, age 35, female, born in Ohio
Frances Older, age 6, female, born in Ohio, attended school during the year
Catharine Smith, age 21, female, born in Germany
E. M. Debruin household
1860 U. S. Census for Ohio, Adams County, Tiffin Township, Post Office - West Union,
enumerated July 6, 1860, Roll M653_928, Page 48, Image 97
E. M. Debruin household
E. M. Debruin, age 30, male, white, lawyer, real estate = $700, personal property = $800,
born in Kentucky
Francis Older, age 15, female, white, domestic, real estate = $6,000, personal property = $500,
born in Ohio, attended school during year
1870 U. S. Census for Oregon, Clackamas County, Lower Molalla Precinct, Post Office - Needy,
enumerated June 27, 1870, Roll M593_1285, Page 171, Image 344
A. J. Arrington household
1870 U. S. Census for Oregon, Clackamas County, Lower Molalla Precinct, Post Office - Needy,
enumerated June 27, 1870, Roll M593_1285, Page 171, Image 344
A. J. Arrington household
A. J. Arrington, age 40, male, white, school teacher, personal property = $500, born in Ohio, male
citizen 21 years of age and upwards
Emily Arrington, age 35, female, white, keeping house, born in England, father of foreign birth,
mother of foreign birth,
Alice Arrington, age 14, female, white, at house, born in Illinois, mother of foreign birth,
attended school during year
Edwin Arrington, age 11, male, white, at house, born in Iowa, mother of foreign birth,
attended school during year