General Notes

[Joanne's Tree.1 GED.GED]

2  SOUR S332582
3  DATA
4  TEXT Date of Import: 14 Jan 2004


[daveanthes.FTW]

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SOURCE:http://the-burgers.rootsweb.com/sketches/sketch079.html
Silas Montross drew land on the lake shore adjoining "The Glen" on the east. Here he settled, having married Sarah, daughter of Frederick Mabee, and here he raised his family. Pellum Mabee started the nucleus of a distillery down at the mouth of the ravine, which passed into the hands of Silas Montross, and which was developed and operated by him until the premises were purchased by Cross & Fisher. During the War of 1812, a party of Americans landed at this place and burned the Finch mill and looted the distillery, carrying off a large quantity of whiskey. Mr. Montross died in 1824, in his 52nd year; and Sarah, his wife, died in 1818, in her 40th year.
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This session of the Court was held on the 8th day of March, and the reason for holding it at the house of Silas Montross is not made apparent in the old record. It does show, however, that Mr. Montross was appointed Constable for Charlotteville and Walsingham at the June term in 1805.

In the year 1808, a session of the March term of the old Quarter Sessions Court of London District, was held at Silas Montross' house. At this session Thomas Welch, Esquire, sat on the bench as judge, or chairman, with Nathan B. Barnum. William Hutchinson and Samuel Ryerse, Esquires, as associate justices. The following persons were present as grand jurors: Aaron Culver, foreman; Philip Sovereign, Nesbett Culver, John Slaght, Matthias Messacar, Morris Sovereign, Henry Beemer, Leonard Sovereign, Abraham Messacar, John Culver, Daniel Millard, William Robinson, and Michael Shoft. Abner Decew was the constable in charge of them.

Silas built a distillery at a place called Cross and Fisher's Landing (Old Newport), now known as the "Glen." In 1814 the crews of the six American schooners, who burned the mill of Titus Finch, burned two houses and a barn belonging to Mr. Montross, aud looted this distillery of forty barrels of whiskey. When peace was restored, he was given by the Goverument  Ð235 11s this being 50 per cent of the assessed value of his loss.

The Commission of the Peace and Statutes of the 35th of George III., was publicly read. The High Sheriff and constables were called, and the latter answered to their names as follows: Abner Decew, Silas Dean, Charles Burch, William Winegarner, Garrett Smith and Manuel Allen.

CHILDREN:
Silas Montross had five sons--Wilson, Horatio Nelson, Levi, Rodney and Anderson; and three daughters--Matilda, Julia and Harriet; who married, respectively, Donald Fisher, (???) Lafevre and Samuel Gooden.

Wilson Montross, eldest son of Silas, settled in Walsingham at first, but finally went to California with his family.

Horatio Nelson Montross, second son of Silas, married Cynthia Story, settled on the homestead, and had four sons--Levi, James, Joseph and Alvin; and one daughter, Adaline. Levi and Alvin were tinsmiths, and at one time were engaged in business in Simcoe.

No data was obtained as to the genealogy of the family of Levi, third son of Silas Montross.

Rodney Montross, fourth son of Silas, married Clarissa Green, settled on the homestead, and had five sons--John, Morris, Wilson, Lewis and Ansley; and two daughters--Sarah and Mary Ann. Anderson Montross, youngest son of Silas, died single.