Title Page and Contents
Early History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada
by Ken Sisler
Ken Sisler of Newmarket, Ontario, and a member of the Barrie Ontario Stake, was prompted to
compile this very detailed history of the Church and its members in Simcoe County, Ontario,
because this important centre is not well known. The Essa and Tosorontio Branch which was
located in what is now within the boundaries of the Barrie Ontario Stake, is often omitted from
lists of early branches of the Church in Canada and the United States, yet there were many
converts who joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there, travelled west with
the Saints, and made significant contributions to the Church.
Ken Sisler
One of the primary sources for this history is the Minutes Book kept by John K. Richards, the clerk of the branch, who kept extensive notes on a variety of topics about the early Saints in Simcoe County. He even kept a few notes from both the Nauvoo and the Utah period. The original Minutes Book is now in the hands of one of the Hill family members. A copy of this book can be found in the Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah where it is called the “John K. Richards notebook, 1840-1877, MS 5287.”
Contents
P. 1 Title Page and Contents
P. 2-3 History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada
P. 4-5 List of Latter-day Saint Pioneers who lived in Simcoe County, Ontario
P. 6-7 Latter-day Saint Families who lived in Simcoe County, Ontario
P. 8 List of Latter-day Saint Pioneers who lived in Simcoe County, Ontario and Locations where they Lived
P. 9 List of Baptisms and Confirmations which took place in Simcoe County for Latter-day Saint Pioneers
P. 10 Names of People from Simcoe County who were on the Latter-day Saint Wagon Train from Simcoe County to Nauvoo, Illinois
P. 11 Names of Latter-day Saint Pioneers from Simcoe County, Ontario who arrived in Utah and the year each person arrived in Utah
P. 12 List of full-time Missionaries who served in Simcoe County, Ontario, 1840 and 1841 and Priesthood Callings Recorded
P. 13 List of Endowments for Early Saints of Simcoe County
P. 14-15 List of Sealings to Spouses for Early Saints of Simcoe County
History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
In Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada
Introduction
The History of Simcoe County, Volume 2, by Andrew F. Hunter, states that there was an early branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Alliston, Ontario. Little is known of this branch, but the same source records that members even built their own meetinghouse. (5)
The first recorded Latter-day Saint baptisms took place in Simcoe County on April 1, 1840, when 21 people were baptized on the same day including eleven members from one family. (2) A branch was formed which was named the Essa and Tosorontio Branch, named after the two townships where, it appears by the land records, most of the Church members lived. (2) (5)
Meetings were held at the home of James Bullock on Concession 1, Lot 5 in Essa Township. There was a disciplinary hearing held at his home (no date given), and a Church conference held there on January 7, 1841. (5)
Sometime in July, 1842, a wagon train led by Alexander Hill (3), left Simcoe County for Nauvoo with all of the Simcoe County Latter-day Saint converts. (3) (5) The wagon train stopped in Albion Township, Peel County, to pick up Elizabeth (nee Terry) Kirby who was going to visit her parents who were living in Nauvoo. (3)
It is believed two people, Margaret McMilkin and Thomas Wilkinson Junior, who were on the wagon train were baptized in Deerfield, Randolph, Indiana on August 21, 1842 by Alexander Hill with Gordon Duel performing the confirmations. (2) It’s not known whether McMilkin was her maiden name or her married name. When Thomas Wilkinson Junior lived in Simcoe County, he lived in Essa Township on Concession 4, Lot 3. (5)
Elizabeth Terry left the wagon train in Chicago, and took another means of transportation to Nauvoo. (3)
The wagon train arrived in Nauvoo on September 30, 1842. (6)
On August 22, 1843, Elizabeth Richards was baptized on her 8th birthday probably in the Nauvoo area. (1) (2) There is no record of who baptized or confirmed her. Catherine Wilkinson was baptized on June 25, 1844 (2) also probably in the Nauvoo area, and was confirmed by Alexander Hill. (2) It’s not known if Wilkinson was her maiden name or her married name.
Unfortunately, four children and one adult of the Simcoe County Latter-day Saint pioneers died before they reached Utah. Elizabeth Bryce Hill died in 1842 in Nauvoo. Margaret Bryce Hill died in 1846, probably in Waterloo, Iowa. Both Janet Bullock and Isabella (nee Hood) Hill died in 1847 in Winter Quarters, Nebraska, and
John Bryce Hill died in 1849 in Waterloo, Iowa. (1)
Sources
2. “John K. Richards notebook, 1840-1877,” MS 5287, Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah
3. Autobiography of Elizabeth (nee Terry) Kirby
4. Pinterest photo and description of William Hood Hill posted by one of the 2nd great grandchildren of William Hood Hill.
5. A History of Simcoe County, Volume 2, Andrew F. Hunter, first published in 1909 in Barrie, Ontario by the Simcoe County Council.
6. Biography of Alexander Hill, Junior
List of Latter-day Saint Pioneers who Lived in Simcoe County, Ontario
This list includes the names of unbaptized children. All of the names of the females are their maiden names, unless otherwise noted. Numbers (1) or (2) refer to sources shown at the end of document.
1. William Hendry Bullock (1) (2)
2. Christina (Christa) Nee McDougall) Bullock (1) (2)
3. Catherine Bullock (2)
4. Thomas A. Bullock (2)
5. John H. Bullock (2)
6, Andrew R. Bullock (2)
7. James Stanton Bullock (2)
8. James Mooney (1)
9. Mary Ann (nee Wilkinson) Mooney (1) (2) Wife of James Mooney
10. William Richey (1)
11. John Mooney (1)
12. Sarah Jane (Nee Wilkinson) Mooney (1) (2) Wife of John Mooney
13. Matilda Wilkinson (1)
14. William Mooney (1)
15. Frederick Fanners (1)
16. Thomas Wilkinson Senior (1) (2)
17. William McMilkin (1)
18. John McMilkin (1)
19. Mary Wilkinson (1) This is probably her married name. Her husband may be Thomas Wilkinson Senior. Their names
appear together in the list of baptisms. We know she is not married to Thomas Wilkinson Junior because he did not get
baptized until 1842 after the Saints left Simcoe County.
20. William Hall (1)
21. Jane Hall (1) This is probably her married name. Her husband may be William Hall since their names appear together in the
list of baptisms.
22. Charles Handy (1)
23. Mary Handy (1) This is probably her married name. Her husband may be Charles Handy since their names appear together
in the list of baptisms.
24. Mary Ann Hall (1) it is not known if this is her maiden name or her married name
25. David McLellan (1)
26. Jane McLellan (1) This is probably her married name. Her husband is likely David McLellan since their names appear
together in the list of baptisms.
27. Alexander Hill Senior (1) (2)
28. Elizabeth McKinlay (nee Currie) Hill (1) (2)
29. Elizabeth (nee Hill) Swapp (1) (2)
30. Archibald Newell Hill (1) (2)
31. Isabella (nee Hood) Hill (1) (2)
32. Alexander Bryce (sometimes spelled Brice) Hill (2)
33. Hyrum Hill (2)
34. Elizabeth Bryce Hill (2)
35. Robert Bryce Hill (2)
36. Daniel Currie Hill (1) (2)
37. Elizabeth (nee Bryce) Hill (1) (2)
38. Samuel Hood Hill (2)
39. Hannah Hood Hill (2)
40. Agnes (nee Hill) Richards (1) (2)
41. John Kenny Richards (1) (2)
42. Elizabeth Angelique Richards (2)
43. Mary Richards (2)
44. John Hill Richards (2)
45. Joseph Hill Richards (2)
46. Alexander Hill Junior (1) (2)
47. Agnes (nee Hood) Richards (1) (2)
48. Margaret Ann Hill (2)
49. Alexander Hood Hill (2)
50. James Hood Hill (2)
51. Elizabeth Hood Hill (2)
52. Moroni Hood Hill (2)
53. Mary (nee Hill_ bullock (1) (2)
54. James Bullock (1)
55. Alexander Hill Bullock (2)
56. Janet Bullock (2)
57. Elizabeth Bullock (2)
58. John Currie Hill (1 (2)
59. Margaret Gardner (nee Bryce) Hill (1) (2)
60. Elizabeth Bryce Hill (2)
61. Mary Bryce Hill (2)
62. Thomas Mooney (2)
63. Mary Jane Mooney (2)
64. James Mooney (2) He is the son of John Mooney and Sarah Jane Wilkinson
Sources
(1) John K. Richards notebook, 1840-1877,” MS 5287, Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah
Note from Ken Sisler: It is definitely confusing in the Hill family with the family members named Alexander Hill. Sometimes, I don't know which Alexander Hill is being referred to.
Alexander Hill who is married to Eliza Wimmer is Alexander Brice Hill. His parents are Daniel Currie Hill and Elizabeth Bryce/Brice.
Alexander Hill who is married to Jane Park is Alexander Hood Hill. His parents are Alexander Hill Junior and Agnes Hood.
Archibald Newell Hill is #22.
Elizabeth Hill married John Gardner. His parents were William Gardner and Ann Leckie. William Gardner was a brother of Archibald Gardner.*
Robert Hill married Margaret Gardner. Her parents were William Gardner and Janet Livingston. This is the same William Gardner who is a brother of Archibald Gardner.*
*Archibald Gardner built the Nauvoo Road.
Latter-Day Saint Families who Lived in Simcoe County, Ontario
1. Father: Alexander Hill Senior (1)
Mother: Elizabeth Currie (1) (2)
Children:
John Currie Hill (his family is recorded below)
Archibald Newell Hill (His family is recorded below)
Alexander Hill Junior (His family is recorded below)
Agnes Hill (Her family is recorded below)
Currie Hill (His family is recorded below)
Elizabeth Hill (Her family is recorded below)
2. Father: William Hendry Bullock (1) (2)
Mother: Christa McDougall (1) (2)
Children:
Catherine Bullock (2)
Thomas A. Bullock (2)
John H. Bullock (2)
Andrew R. Bullock (2)
James Stanton Bullock (2)
3. Father: John Mooney (1)
Mother: Sarah Jane Wilkinson (1) (2)
Children:
Thomas Mooney (2)
Mary Jane Mooney (2)
James Mooney (2)
4. Father: Archibald Newell Hill (1) (2)
Mother: Isabella Hood (1) (2)
Children:
Samuel Hood Hill (2)
Hannah Hood Hill (3)
5. Father: John Currie Hill (1) (2)
Mother: Margaret Gardner (nee Bryce) (1) (2)
Children:
Elizabeth Bryce Hill (2)
Mary Bryce Hill (2)
6. Father: James Bullock (1)
Mother: Mary Hill (1) (2)
Children:
Alexander Hill Bullock (2)
Janet Bullock (2)
Elizabeth Bullock (2)
7. Father: Alexander Hill Junior (1) (2)
Mother: Agnes Hood (1) (2)
Children:
Margaret Ann Hood (2)
Alexander Hood Hill (2)
James Hood Hill (2)
Elizabeth Hood Hill (2)
William Hood Hill (2)
Moroni Hood Hill (2)
8. Father: John Kenny Richards (1) (2)
Mother: Agnes Hill (1) (2)
Children:
Elizabeth Angelique Richards (2)
Mary Richards (2)
John Hill Richards (2)
Joseph Hill Richards (2)
9. Father: Daniel Currie Hill (1) (2)
Mother: Elizabeth Brice (1) (2)
Children:
Alexander Bryce Hill (2)
Elizabeth Bryce Hill (2)
Robert Bryce Hill (2)
Margaret Bryce Hill (2)
10. Father: William Swapp (2)
Mother: Elizabeth Hill (1) They were married in 1845 in Nauvoo, IL. (2)
Sources:
(1) "John K. Richards notebook, 1840-1877," MS 5287, Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah
(2) www.familysearch.org (For more information about these families, use this site)
List of Latter-day Saint Pioneers who lived in
Simcoe County, Ontario with Locations where they Lived
Name Location
1. James Bullock Essa Township, Concession 1, Lot 5
2. Charles Handy Essa township, Concession 4, Lot 5
3. William Richey Tosorontio Township
4. John McMilkin Adjala Township, Concession 6, Lot 1
5. William Hall Essa Township, Concession 4
6. Thomas Wilkinson Senior Essa Township, Concession 4, Lot 3
7. Alexander Hill Senior Tosorontio Township (2)
8. Alexander Hill Junior Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
9. Daniel Currie Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 6, Lot 9 (2)
10. John Kenny Richards Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
11. Agnes (nee Hill) Richards Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
12. Archibald Newell Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 5, Lot 31 (2)
13. Isabella (nee Hood) Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 5, Lot 31 (2)
14. Elizabeth (nee Hill) Swapp Tosorontio Township (2)
15. Alexander Hill Bullock Essa Township, Concession 1, Lot 5 (2)
16. Janet Bullock Essa Township, Concession 1, Lot 5 (2)
17. Elizabeth Bullock Essa Township, Concession 1, Lot 5 (2)
18. Margaret Ann Hillill Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
19. Alexander Hood Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
20. James Hood Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
21. Elizabeth Hood Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
22. William Hood Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
23. Moroni Hood Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
24. Samuel Hood Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 5, Lot 31 (2)
25. Hannah Hood Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 5, Lot 31 (2)
26. Elizabeth (nee Bryce) Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 6, Lot 9 (2)
27. Alexander Bryce Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 6, Lot 9 (2)
28. Elizabeth Bryce Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 6, Lot 9 (2)
29. Robert Bryce Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 6, Lot 9 (2)
30. Margaret Bryce Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 6, Lot 9 (2)
31. Elizabeth Angelique Richards Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
32. Mary Richards Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
33. John Hill Richards Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
34. Agnes (nee Hill) Richards Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
35. Elizabeth Bryce Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 8 (2)
36. Margaret Gardner (nee Bryce) Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 8 (2)
37. Mary Bryce Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 8 (2)
38. Elizabeth (nee Currie) Hill Tosorontio Township (2)
39. Agnes (nee Hood) Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 10 (2)
40. Mary (nee Hill) Bullock Essa Township, Concession 5, Lot 1 (2)
41. John Currie Hill Tosorontio Township, Concession 7, Lot 8 (2)
Sources:
(1) Andrew F. Hunter, The History of Simcoe County, Volume 2, 1909, Barrie ON, Simcoe County Council
(2) www.familysearch.org for names of Latter-day Saint Pioneers in Simcoe County
LIST OF BAPTISMS AND CONFIRMATIONS WHICH TOOK PLACE
IN SIMCOE COUNTY, ONTARIO FOR LATTER-DAY SAINT PIONEERS
Name of person baptized Baptismal Date Baptized by Confirmation by
1. William Hall 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
2. Jane Hall 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
3. Charles Handy 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
4. Mary Handy 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
5. David McLellan 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
6. Jane McLellan 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
7. James Mooney 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
8. Mary Ann Mooney 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
9. Alexander Hill Junior 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
10. Agnes Hill 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
11. John Hill 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
12. Margaret Hill 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
13. Elizabeth Hill 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
14. Archibald Hill 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
15. Isabella Hill 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
16. John Richards 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
17. Agnes Richards 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
18. James Bullock 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
19. Mary Bullock 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
20. Matilda Wilkinson 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
21. Mary Ann Hall 1 April 1840 Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
22. Alexander Hill Senior 8 January 1841 (1) Elder James Standing Elder James Standing
23. Elizabeth Hill 8 January 1841 (1) Elder James Standing Elder James Standing
24. Daniel Hill 8 January 1841 (1) Elder James Standing Elder James Standing
25. Elizabeth Hill 8 January 1841 (1) Elder James Standing Elder James Standing
26. Frederick Fanners unclear Alexander Hill Alexander Hill
27. William Bullock not recorded Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
28. Christa Bullock not recorded Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
29. John McMilken not recorded Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
30. Thomas Wilkinson Senior not recorded Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
31. Mary Wilkinson not recorded Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
32. John Mooney not recorded Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
33. Sarah Jane Mooney not recorded Elder Samuel Lake Elder Samuel Lake
34. William McMilkin 24 January 1841 not recorded not recorded
Sources:
-
All of the other information comes from the “John K. Richards notebook, 1840-1877”
MS 5287, Church History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Names of Latter-day Saints from Simcoe County ON who were on the Wagon Train to Nauvoo, IL 1842
1. Alexander Hill Senior (1)
2. Elizabeth (nee Currie) Hill (1) (2)
3. Elizabeth (nee Hill) Swapp (1) (2)
4. William Richey (3)
5. Thomas Wilkinson Junior (3)
6. Catherine Wilkinson (3)
7. Margaret McMilkin (3)
8. William Bullock (2) (3)
9. Christina (nee McDougall) Bullock (2) (3)
10. Catherine Bullock (2)
11. Thomas A. Bullock (2)
12. John H. Bullock (2)
13. Andrew R. Bullock (2)
14. James Stanton Bullock (2)
15. Archibald Newell Hill (1)
16. Isabella (nee Hood) Hill (2) (3)
17. Samuel Hood Hill (2)
18. Hannah Hood Hill (2)
19. John Currie Hill (1)
20. Margaret Gardner (nee Bryce) Hill (1) (2)
21. Elizabeth Bryce Hill (2)
22. Mary Bryce Hill (2)
23. James Bullock (1)
24. Mary (nee Hill) Bullock (1) (2)
25. Alexander Hill Bullock (2)
26. Janet Bullock (2)
27. Elizabeth Bullock (2)
28. Alexander Hill Junior (1)
29. Agnes (nee Hood) Hill (2) (3)
30. Margaret Ann Hill (2)
31. Alexander Hood Hill (2)
32. James Hood Hill (2)
33. Elizabeth Hood Hill (2)
34. William Hood Hill (2)
35. Moroni Hood Hill (2)
36. John Kenny Richards (1)
37. Agnes (nee Hill) Richards (1) (2)
38. Elizabeth Angelique Richards (2)
39. Mary Richards (2)
40. John Hill Richards (2)
41. Joseph Hill Richards (2)
42. Daniel Currie Hill (1)
43. Elizabeth (nee Bryce Hill (1) (2)
44. Alexander Bryce Hill (2)
45. Elizabeth Bryce Hill (2)
46. Robert Bryce Hill (2)
47. Margaret Bryce Hill (2)
Sources:
(1) Mormon Overland Travel Database
(3) "John K. Richards notebook, 1840-1877," Church History Library, MS 5287.
