British North America

On May 29, 1840, John Cowey, his wife Jane, and their five children set sail from Leith, Scotland, bound for British North America. The trip took about 8 weeks. On September 8, 1840, the family arrived in Upper Canada, at the harbour of Colborne, according to an entry in Robert Semple Cowie's bible. Why the County of Northumberland? There were familiar Northumbrian names waiting for them: Wooler, Warkworth, Norham, and Alnwick. They settled in Cramahe Township.

The early days were harsh. Among the worst winters ever recorded was the winter of 1842-1843. Many animals starved to death.

In the 1842 census of Cramahe Township, John, Jane and their family are living on property owned by J. Steele, Esquire. Using tenancy as a means of moving up the agricultural ladder to ownership was a common and viable strategy used by Cramahe farmers. The family would have been unable to own land back in Northumbria.

In the census of 1851, the family is living in a 1 1/2 story log house with Robert, a miller, Mark, a farm labourer, and their daughter Mary on 100 acres on Lot 26, Concession 6, Cramahe Township. Sons John and James were labourers on D. Campbell's 200 acre farm west of the Cowey farm.

The typical log homes were temporary residences. Most were either 18 X 20 ft., or 20 X 30 ft. These homes were usually 9 logs high. They usually consisted of a single room with an overhead loft. Walls were of planked or squared logs with dove-tailed corners. They were heated by burning wood.

In the 1851 agricultural census, we find the following information about the Cowey farm:
Of the 100 acres, 40 acres were under cultivation and 60 acres remained forested. John had 5 acres of wheat, 2 acres of peas, 2 acres of oats, and 2 acres of potatoes. The family also had 3 milk cows, 2 calves, 4 horses, 7 sheep, and 6 pigs. They had achieved a great deal in a short eleven years.

On May 17, 1853, John purchased the 100 acres of the South 1/2 of Lot 26, on Concession 6, Cramahe Township. The land was purchased from the Hon. George H. Markland of Kingston for 160 British pounds. (The Canadian dollar became legal tender in 1858). The Hon. Markland was a member of the Family Compact. A mortgage of $2550 was taken out in 1860, held by Andrew Jeffery and discharged in 1866.

John had also indicated intent to purchase property in Simcoe County, but changed his mind and remained in Cramahe Township.

On December 10, 1860, John purchased 99 acres of the North 1/2 of Lot 26 on Concession 5, with an additional 1 acre added from the North West 1/4 in 1861. Their home, in 1861, was listed as a 1 1/2 story framed house.

1874 was a busy and prosperous year for the Coweys. On February 4, John sold the North 1/2 (100 acres) of Lot 26 to his son John Campbell, now married with 3 children, for $1.00.

On March 21, John sold 70 acres of Lot 26, "that part lying south of Cole Creek", to Levi Simmons for $2800.

On August 24, John and his son Mark purchased the the North 1/2 of Lot 27 on Concession 5 from Josias Gillard. A mortgage of $6000 was held by Josias, and discharged on November 7, 1883.

On October 14, John and Mark puchased the North 1/2 of Lot 28 on Concession 5. This particular property had originally been purchased on October 26, 1833, by the Canada Company from the Crown. Then, on June 24, 1835, The Canada Company acquired the South 1/2 of Lot 28. This parcel was then sold in 1843 to Ephraim Doolittle. The North 1/2 passed through various ownerships until it was sold by James Cockburn to John and Mark Cowey. This became the Cowey homestead.

By the 1880's, Robert had married Christina Inglis, and had begun his move out West after establishing a grist mill in Norham. James had married Helen Kerr and was raising a family. John Campbell had married Amelia Bawden and was raising a family. Mary Gray had married Robert Laing Broomfield and was also raising a family. Only Mark was unmarried and he lived with John and Jane.

On April 17, 1891, John sold sold 30 acres of "that part lying south of Cole Creek" of the South 1/2 of Lot 26 to his son Mark for "natural love and affection and $1.00". He also granted to Mark for "natural love and affection and $1.00" the North West 1/4 of Lot 27. Mark was also granted the North 1/2 of Lot 28 for "natural love and affection and $1.00".

John and Jane celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 1896. John had been slightly injured in a fall, and Jane was "poorly", also due to a fall.

On May 16, 1896, Jane Gray passed away from old age. The funeral service took place at the family residence on Lot 28, on Tuesday the 19th, at 2 pm., and Jane was then buried in the cemetary at Castleton.

On January 29, 1899, John passed away from old age. His funeral service was also held at his residence, on Tuesday the 31st, at 1 pm., and he was then buried in the cemetary at Castleton.