William Joseph Nelson, Sr.

In the 1851 Ontario Census, Wellington Co., Eramosa Twp., Joseph, a widower, is listed with the following children: Sarah 20, William 15 (missing is twin Abigail), Henry 13 (also missing is 11 year old Ellen Amelia), Lydia 7, Joseph 5, and John 3. They are apparently living on Conc. 4, Lot 5, near Rockwood.

Descendant Morna Hoskins believes that the Nelsons were United Empire Loyalists, from Pennsylvania, United States. In support of her claim, there is a listing of a Joseph W. Nelson in the Naturalization Registers for 1831 and 1832. (RG5, B47, Vol. 3, Reel C 15692, entry no.10) Only non-British residents, i.e American citizens, were required to take this Oath of Allegiance following the War of 1812. Nelson was a resident of Prince Edward Twp. at the time, and would have been in Canada for at least seven years. Earlier, Isaiah T. Insley is listed in Vol. 2 of the same register, entry no. 37. Joseph Ensley, age 24, was enlisted in 1st Reg. of Prince Edward Militia in 1829. Also enlisted were Henry Insley, age 29 and Isaih Insley, age 27, who may be Lydia's kin.

Insley and Nelson families are found in the 1851 Prince Edward Co. Census, but it would appear that William and Lydia (Nelson) Ensley were living near Rockwood, Ontario on Con 4, Lot 5 at this time. Both William and Lydia were Canadian born, but Lydia died between 1848 and 1851. There is no record of this family owning land in Eramosa Twp., nor is there any indication of where William and Lydia were buried. A cemetery in Rockwood was destroyed, however.