By J.E. Stanzell
First published in the LCGS newsletter, June, 1998. |
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This narrative is about the first Stanzel to come to and settle in Canada.
It is also written in conjunction with my Family History Stanzel’s of
Goulbourn. |
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Joseph’s birthday has not been fixed but is sometime between 1785 and
1790, as Joseph was 98 years old when he died on 9 Feb 1884 1. He was born
into a Roman Catholic family somewhere near Strasbourg in Alsace, France,
possibly in an area of mining and forestry 2. He could also have had given
names of Louis and maybe even Conrad? No information is presently known
about his parents or family. |
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He was a member of Napoleon’s Army in 1806 and this may be the year he was
initially conscripted. 3 He was one of the few who survived the march to
Moscow in the spring of 1812. I now have two difference stories for the
next few years: A) He left home in the spring of 1813 and somehow made
his way to Belfast. He worked in the shipyards there and married a girl
named Sarah Coil and /or Glates?? and eventually made his
way to Canada. 4 B) He deserted from the Army and had tar thrown on his
back. In this version, he also made his way to Canada. 5 |
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I have attempted to locate information on his marriage in Belfast without
success and at great expense. My research leads me to believe that a son
was born in Ireland before they came to Canada. |
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According to pay records, 6 WO 12/6946 Sept - Dec 1818, Joseph was at
Quebec with the 9th Co. Of the 2nd Bn of the 60th Reg. of Foot. One
source states that they spent the winter at Richmond’s Landing (now
LeBreton Flats area of Ottawa). 7 Joseph and his family settled on
E1/2 lot 3, Conc. 9 of Goulbourn Twp. (About 1 mile east of the
Village of Ashton). According to the pay records, Joseph was
discharged from the 60th Reg. on May 17, 1819. His first wife Sarah
died about 1830 and is buried on the farm. Joseph then married a widow,
Ann Eynough. (Her first husband, Stephen Eynough was the
first school teacher in the area.) One son was born, Thomas, who is
my gr-grandfather. According to a family history, 8 two sons went to
Western Ontario and one son went to the U.S. Joseph Stansal
eventually settled in Brant Twp., Bruce Co., ca.1866. |
