Wixsons return to America | Why some Wixsons returned to the United States is not known.
Perhaps some went to join their kin banished from Canada
after the Rebellion of 1837. Note that except
for Joshua's son Amos, those Wixsons who went to Michigan were all born
in Upper Canada.
From 1845 to 1855, all but Joseph's son Joseph Jr., and Joshua's daughter Ruth, moved away from Pickering Township. Historical summary: 1840's |
Largest group leaves circa
1845/46 |
If a final entry in land transaction records can be interpreted
as selling and moving on, then most of the Wixsons must have left in the
mid-1840's. The most likely reason is the repeal of the "Corn Laws" which
the British government used to benefit local farming. They kept grain prices
within the Empire higher than a free market would support, and when free
trade was brought in to feed the starving Irish during the Famine in 1845,
British colonial farmers suffered.
Joshua Junior sold his land in 1845. Brother Amos, and cousins Townsend and Jesse sold their farms in 1846. Randal's land in Brock was sold off by the local Sheriff in 1847.
|
Benjamin Wixson
in census 1851 |
Benjamin and his family, and his mother Rachel, lived on lot 21 on the 7th concession in 1851, during the first nominal census in the Province of Canada. They and their five children lived in a 1½ story frame house and farmed 4 other properties orginally belonging to his father Joshua for over 500 acres combined. |
Azor Wixson
in census 1851 |
Azor, his wife Jane, and their three children appear to be
farming Jesse and Townsend's old properties, both acquired in 1847. They live in
a frame house also. Historical summary: 1850's Wixson farms: 1851 |
Remainder leave in
1853 and 1855. |
Benjamin sells his land in 1853, and Azor, his two properties
in 1855. It is not known where their families went, but it is apparent
they did not remain in Pickering, and these are the last of the Wixsons
to leave Canada.
View principle family members dates re joining Pickering & Whitchurch Baptist Church through adult baptism (1821-51), and final property sales (1844-1900). Benjamin, Azor, and the other descendents of Joshua are not well described in research I have so far located.-MB |