Jonathan Oakes Jr. (born 1823)
Jonathan Oakes was born 1823, Cratfield and baptized 28 April, 1833, Cratfield, Suffolk. He died at his farm (Concession 5, Lot at Oustic, Ermaosa Township, Wellington Co., ON
With his parents, Jonathan Oakes & Dinah (Short) Oakes - and their family, Jonathan Oakes Jr. first settled in Puslinch Township, Wellington County (Lot 8, N or N 1/2, Conc. 3 - just SW of the city of Guelph, Ontario. That farm was subsequently sold to Benjamin Chester and the family relocated. (Benjamin Chester was on the Puslinch Lot in 1874). At one time Jonathan, who had been a 'market gardener' in England also farmed in this way in what is now the NE area of Guelph, within the city limits.
Jonathan went to a farm on Concession 5, Lot 25, at Oustic in Eramsoa Township, Wellington County, settling there in 1838 and clearing this 200 acre farm plus and additional 25 acres beside it. He did not obtain full title until 1856.
In 1977 this century farm house was still inhabited by descendants. An Oakes descendant's wife still lives on the old homestead farm in 2003. Only the house and a few acres are left with her as the barn and rest of the property was sold some time ago. The barn is now derelict.
According to a Christian Guardian article of 25 March, 1857, Jonathan Oakes married Emma Benham, 12 February, 1857, at the Wesleyan Parsonage in Guelph. The officiating minister was the Rev. Dr. Cooney.
The children of Jonathan Oakes and Emma Benham were:
1. Lydia Oakes - 1858 - 1932 at Oustic, Eramosa Township, Wellington County, Ontario. She was a housekeeper, caring for her parents at home.
2. James Oakes - christened 4 December, 1859, Oustic; died 1946 and buried at the Stone Church, Eramosa Township. He was a farmer. His wife was Mary Maria Scarrow, born 21 October, 1869, on the Scarrow homestead, Eramosa Township. Her father was James Scarrow. They were married there in 1891. Their children were: Hazel, Harold, Charles Waler and Wilfred (Fred). James Oakes resided at the Centre Inn, Eramosa. He was a farmer.
3. Sarah Oakes - 1862 - 1943 was born at Oustic. She married Archibald Irvin (1859 - 1924), born in Erin Township, Wellington County. Their children were: Emma, Fannie, Lena, Mildred, Pearl, John, Florence and Harriet. The Irvins resided in Toronto, Ontario.
4. Henry Oakes - 1864 - 1937 was born at Oustic and lived and died in Eramosa Township. He married Margaret Burnett (daughter of James Burnett of Eramosa Township (1875 - 1964). Their children were: Charles, James, Emma, Agnes, William and Jean.
5. Charles Walton Oakes - 1866 - 1895 was born at Oustic, Eramosa Township. He resided in Perth, ON. Unmarried, he was a bookkeeper. Sickness shortened his life.
6. Susan Oakes - 1869 - 1959 was born in Oustic, Eramosa Township. She married George Nelson, son of George Nelson Sr. (1863 - 1939) of Eramosa Township and had a son, Jonathan B. Nelson (to whom I am indebted for some of the Oakes information here; I visited him at his home in the late 1980's.) Jonathan Nelson worked for the Department of Agriculture and resided in Guelph, Ontario. George and Susan (Oakes) Nelson lived in Guelph and in Eramosa Township.
7. Ida Oakes - 1880 - 1918 was born at Oustic and married Thomas Grieve, farmer, son of John Grieve of Eramosa Township. Their son was John Grieve, a tree surgeon and resided in California.