In only three generations the whole peninsula of Southern Ontario was occupied by people of European [British] descent. During this time the forest was cut; the geometry of roads, fence lines and fields was stamped across the land; and the prosperity achieved by many was reflected in ample brick farmhouses and in bustling towns. Everywhere the human landscape was new. In the most recent frontier regions settlers still lived in tiny cabins on patches of cleared land; in the older areas there were still some stumpy fields and many people alive who had known the first pioneers. Whereas the human landscape of Western Europe often reflected centuries of human toil, this landscape reflected the recent arrival, the energy, and the apparent wastefulness of its creators. That Europeans had created the landscape there could be no doubt — the architectural forms, for example, were entirely of European origin. But although components of it existed in the British Isles, the human landscape of Southern Ontario could not be found anywhere in Europe (Canada Before Confederation: A Study in Historical Geography, 1974, p. 164).
Ryder Henry (1801 - 1875)
Henry Rider, my second great grandfather was Henry Rider, born in Lambourn, Berkshire, England in 1801. He would marry his bride in Lambourn and have his first three children there before immigrating to Ontario, one would assume to find a better life.
Henry Ryder (Rider) was born in Lambourn, Berkshire, England November 29, 1801 and christened December 6th of the same year. His parents were Anthony Rider and Mary Elizabeth Beckingham.
Henry came from a large family of eleven children and was the youngest boy of the family. I have been quite successful in tracing his roots but it appears to be more difficult to find out about his siblings, aunts and uncles and many of the greats.
On the 29th of March 1829 Henry married Mary Butler and two months later they had their first child. The family was prolific and by the time he was fifty-five he had sired twelve children. Most of his own children would also prove to be prolific creating a large number of Ryders in the Halton area.
Henry and Mary left England shortly after the birth of their third child, David and immigrated to Ontario. I have yet to find the ship they sailed on and even if all three children arrived safely in Canada. I am unable to find much on Maria.
It is most likely that Henry answered an ad for the Canada Company to acquire land in Canada, leaving their home in England for a better one in the new country. Was it better. No one will know but those who are long gone.
The 1842 census lists Henry as a tenant farmer with rights to vote. His family is listed as five British citizens and four Canadians. It mentions he had been in Canada since 8 years. His farm consisted of 300 acres, 80 improved, 300 bushels as 20 wheat, 120 rye, 50 oats, 30 peas, 15 buckwheat
1852 the census gives us other information regarding Henry and his family. He is fifty-two years of age, and an Episcopalian farmer. His farm is further defined as being in Halton County, Trafalgar Township, Part 1.
Henry and his wife Mary four years his junior have George 23, Maria 21, David 20, Ann 18, James 16, Elzabeth 13, William 11, John 7, Emelia 5, Mary J. 3 and Thomas E. 2.
He farmed the homested on the Third Line, Esquesing North, Acton, Ontario at the foot of Swackhammer's Hill.
Henry died July 7, 1875 in Acton, Ontario, from organic disease of the heart and Ascites. He left behind his wife of forty-six years, in his seventy-fourth year.
Henry is buried in the Churchill Cemetery, Halton Ontario.
Henry came from a large family of eleven children and was the youngest boy of the family. I have been quite successful in tracing his roots but it appears to be more difficult to find out about his siblings, aunts and uncles and many of the greats.
On the 29th of March 1829 Henry married Mary Butler and two months later they had their first child. The family was prolific and by the time he was fifty-five he had sired twelve children. Most of his own children would also prove to be prolific creating a large number of Ryders in the Halton area.
Henry and Mary left England shortly after the birth of their third child, David and immigrated to Ontario. I have yet to find the ship they sailed on and even if all three children arrived safely in Canada. I am unable to find much on Maria.
It is most likely that Henry answered an ad for the Canada Company to acquire land in Canada, leaving their home in England for a better one in the new country. Was it better. No one will know but those who are long gone.
The 1842 census lists Henry as a tenant farmer with rights to vote. His family is listed as five British citizens and four Canadians. It mentions he had been in Canada since 8 years. His farm consisted of 300 acres, 80 improved, 300 bushels as 20 wheat, 120 rye, 50 oats, 30 peas, 15 buckwheat
1852 the census gives us other information regarding Henry and his family. He is fifty-two years of age, and an Episcopalian farmer. His farm is further defined as being in Halton County, Trafalgar Township, Part 1.
Henry and his wife Mary four years his junior have George 23, Maria 21, David 20, Ann 18, James 16, Elzabeth 13, William 11, John 7, Emelia 5, Mary J. 3 and Thomas E. 2.
He farmed the homested on the Third Line, Esquesing North, Acton, Ontario at the foot of Swackhammer's Hill.
Henry died July 7, 1875 in Acton, Ontario, from organic disease of the heart and Ascites. He left behind his wife of forty-six years, in his seventy-fourth year.
Henry is buried in the Churchill Cemetery, Halton Ontario.
Obituary
Near Acton on Wednesday the 7th July 1875 inst., Mr. Henry Ryder aged 75 years. Deceased was highly respected by all who knew him, and leaves a large family of children, grand and great grand children to mourn his loss.
Near Acton on Wednesday the 7th July 1875 inst., Mr. Henry Ryder aged 75 years. Deceased was highly respected by all who knew him, and leaves a large family of children, grand and great grand children to mourn his loss.