Aaron Dunham Emery

GEDCOM Note

Burlington Memories of Pioneer Days, by Dorothy Turcotte. p67

"Emery (or Emory) (The original German spelling is said to have been Hummerich.)

Aaron's grandparents had immigrated to the United States. When Aaron first came to Canada, he settled at Grimsby with his wife, Katherine, who belonged to another Loyalist family, the Pettits. Katherine died, and Aaron married Ruth Bridgman who may have been Katherine's cousin.

Aaron became acquaninted with the Van Norman family, who were often in Grimsby for temperance meetings, and it may have been their influence that led him to move his family to the Appleby area. After the move, Aaron's daughter by his first marriage, Sara Eliza, attended the Van Noramn's Burlington Academy, where she was taught by Jane Van Norman. "

When Aaron was widowed a seond time, he proposed to Jane. Apparently, one of the conditions of their engagement was that he stop smoking, a habit that, like drinking, was an abomination to the Van Normans. Aaron found this very difficult, and in fact never did give up chewing tobacco entirely, but love won out and the wedding took place. Jane and Aaron moved to Aldershot, where they became founding members of a congregation which later became East Plains United Church.

The Emery property was part of the original Fonger land on the north side of Plains Road. Jane and Aaron built a large house called The Orchards, which incorporated the original Fonger house, and they began fruit farming.

Emery's Farms and Fruit Market were operated for many years by W.A. Emery and his son Russell. Following the Boer War, the Emery's tried shipping their apples to South Africa. Because the first shipment went astray, several family members accompanied the second one to make sure it reached its destination safely. It is believed that this was the first time Canadian apples were shipped abroad."

Upper and Lower Canada Marriage Bonds Name of Future Husband: EMERY, Aaron D. Residence: Saltfleet Township, Wentworth County Name of Future Wife: BRIDGEMAN, Ruth. Residence: Grimsby township, Lincoln County Remarks: Reference: RG 5 B9 Volume: 24 Bond Number: 3299 Date: 1833-10-26 Microfilm Reel Number: C-6782

Mt Vernon Cemetery list found in Salt Lake City Morman Library 971.3533 v3

1. 2313 Nelson Twp, Mt Vernon Cemetery, Ontario
2. 30 Mary E. daughter of Aaron D and Ruth Emory died April 21, 1853 aged 17 years 2 months
3. 31 Thomas A. son of Aaron and Ruth Emory died 23 June 1847, aged 3 years and 12 : days
4. 32 Ruth Bridgman wife of Aaron D. Emory died 16 November 1846, aged 38 years.