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Dr. Benjamin Thomas McGhie, M. D.

Dr. Benjamin Thomas McGhie, M. D.

Male 1811 - 1893  (82 years)Deceased

 Set As Default Person    

Personal Information    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All

  • Name Benjamin Thomas McGhie  [1
    Prefix Dr. 
    Suffix M. D. 
    Alternate Birth 1811  ,,Hebridies,Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Birth 12 Jul 1811  Belfast,Antrim,Northern Ireland,United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 4
    • Some sources say that Dr McGhie was born in the Hebrides, others say his father was but he was born in Belfast. I have the whole story, as laid out by his grandson Dr Bernard Thomas McGhie as well as my grandmother Mercie McGhie-Houghton. - Bob Houghton, 17 Apr 2020

      1 Some say Belfast, others the Hebrides. As yet, no birth certificate or parish record has been located on this.

      This date is based on the records and his death notice. In both the 1871 and 1881 census, he is shown as being born in 1824 and 1825 respectively.
    Gender Male 
    Child Status Twin 
    Also Known As Benjamin Bernard Thomas "the old doctor" McGhie  [5, 6
    Education Abt 1822  Belfast,Antrim,Northern Ireland,United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Apprenticed with a local chemist 
    Education Abt 1828  Edinburgh,,Midlothian,Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    University of Edinburg 
    • to study for a medical degree
    Travel Abt 1830  Boston,Suffolk,Massachusetts,United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 7
    Education Abt 1840  ,,Pennsylvania,United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Electric Medical Collage 
    Graduation 27 Apr 1849  ,,Pennsylvania,United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Electic Medical College 
    Travel Aft 27 Apr 1849  Brockville,,Elizabethtown,Canada West Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    Occupation Aft 30 Apr 1849  Perth,Lanark,Ontario,Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7
    Doctor 
    • He began practicing in Perth, Ontario. At
      that time, most of eastern Ontario was still bush,
      inhabited by wolves, bears, and other game. He was
      the only doctor in the area between Gananoque and
      Athens (50 km) and often had to brave savage storms
      and travel down rough trails to visit his patients.
    Burial 1893  Halladay Burying Grounds,Elgin,Leeds,Ontario,Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8
    • Dr. B. T. McGhie
      Departed this Life
      October 18, 1893
      Aged 82 Years
      ---
      Resquiescat In Pace
    Death 18 Oct 1893  Elgin,Leeds,Ontario,Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6
    Cause: Died after tripping on a rug 
    Headstones Submit Headstone Photo Submit Headstone Photo 
    Notes 
    • His first wife was the daughter of Luther Holton5 of Brockville, Ontario. She died with her newborn baby and is buried at the cemetery in Athens, Ontario. Through his practice, he came to know the family of M. Abel Ripley6. After the death of Mr. Ripley, his widow, Mercy, became friends with and eventually married the doctor. She was
      from the Stevens family, Loyalists who fled to Canada in 1793 following the American
      Revolution. She brought with her 3 young children from her first husband; Edward Abel, Cephrona (m. Smith), and Addie (m. Earl). In the years that followed, B.T. and Mercy had 6 more children; Benjamin Adelbert "Deb", George Stevens, Angela Ophelia, Margaret Mercy (McAmmond), Gertrude "True", and William. Only Adelbert and Margaret had children and continued the family line.

      *Mercie wrote: "Dr. Benjamin Bernard Thomas McGhie married Mercy Ophelia Stevens (Ripley) in 1860. They had both been married before, his first wife being the daughter of Philip Holton of Brockville. Mr Holton gave his daughter a house and farm that afterwards became the toll gate on the road from Westport, Newboro, and Athens to Brockville. The doctor's first practice in medicine was in this area. Unfortunately for the young couple, she died when his first child was born7. She is buried with the child, Charles P. Holton McGhie in a cemetery near Athens. Dr. McGhie moved to Delta and lived in the village hotel where someone looked after his horses. He married about 3 years later the widow Mercy Ophelia (Stevens) Ripley of Elgin. She had 3 children; Agnes Cephronia (Smith), Edward Abel (who was a school teacher8), and Adelaide, who was a small child at the time. My grandfather raised Addie from four years of age and had other sons and daughters with Mercy; my father - Benjamin Adelbert, George Stevens, Margaret Mercy, Gertrude, Angelia, and a boy William John who died at 7 years of age. This family was raised in Elgin".
      ___________

      5 Her father is also listed as Ezra Holton or Philip Holton, depending on the source.
      6 Dr McGhie had been the attending physician to the late Mr Ripley. There were whispers around town when he married
      the widow (Ripley died in early 1856, they married in 1860).
      7 Other records, shown above, say there were 2 children; Charles P Holton McGhie (b. 1844? died at 4 wks & 6 days) and
      William McGhie (Oct 13, 1845-Oct 23, 1850). Charlotte is listed as having died on Dec 22, 1852 at age 21. If correct, she was
      14 when they married.
      8 The census for Abel says he was a butcher.

      With all his social and professional obligations, B.T. still did not forget his love for books. He often took time to read and even make notes about any new books he encountered. He was once offered the chair of the medical board of Queens
      University in Kingston but turned it down because of his age. He retired to his farms and raised horses, often showing them at local fairs. He was a Conservative, an Anglican, and a member of the Orange Lodge. Once, when Liberal politician D'Arcy McGee came to Elgin to speak, the doctor took an active stand against him. The "old doctor" died on October 18, 1893 after tripping on a rug, exclaiming "This is the end!" He was eighty-two years of age. He is buried with his second wife Mercy Ophelia at the cemetery in Elgin. [9, 10]
    Person ID I16728  Rgstrong Family genes. | Descendants of Dr. Benjamin Thomas McGhie, 1811-1893, Descendants of Roger Stevens II, 1730-1808
    Last Modified 2 May 2020 

    Father Thomas McGhie,   b. Abt 1790, ,,Hebridies,Scotland Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother ,   b. Abt 1790   d. Bef 1824, Belfast,Antrim,Northern Ireland,United Kingdom Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 33 years) 
    Family ID F5729  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 AncestorsCharlotte Anner Holton,   b. 1831   d. 22 Dec 1852 (Age 21 years) 
    Marriage 1843  ,Leeds,,Canada West Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Marriage Status Death of one spouse 
    Children 
     1. William McGhie,   b. 13 Oct 1845, ,Leeds,,Canada West Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 23 Oct 1850, ,Leeds,,Canada West Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 5 years)
     2. Charles P. Holton McGhie,   b. 1852, ,Leeds,,Canada West Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1852, ,Leeds,,Canada West Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 0 years)
    Family ID F9377  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 1 May 2020 

    Family 2 AncestorsMercy Ophelia Stevens,   b. 31 Dec 1819, Stone Mills,Leeds,,Upper Canada Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Feb 1903 (Age 83 years) 
    Marriage 14 Dec 1857  Beverley,Leeds,,Upper Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6
    • Dr McGhie had been the attending physician to the late Mr Ripley. There were whispers around town when he married the widow (Ripley died in early 1856, they married in 1860). [9]
    Children 
    +1. Benjamin Adelbert McGhie,   b. 6 Nov 1860, Elgin,Leeds,,Canada West Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1 Feb 1903, South Crosby,Leeds,Ontario,Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 42 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    Married2. Dr. George Stevens McGhie, M. D.,   b. 6 Jan 1862, Elgin,Leeds,,Canada West Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 16 Aug 1907, Elgin,Leeds,Ontario,Canada Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 45 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     3. Angelia Ophelia McGhie,   b. 28 Sep 1865, Elgin,Leeds,,Canada West Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 5 Oct 1909, ,,New York,United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 44 years)
    +4. Margaret Mercy McGhie,   b. 27 Jun 1867, Elgin,Leeds,Ontario,Canada Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1940 (Age 72 years)
     5. Gertrude Florence "True" McGhie,   b. 25 Aug 1870, South Crosby,Leeds,Ontario,Canada Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 10 Sep 1894 (Age 24 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     6. William John "Willie" McGhie,   b. 13 Oct 1872   d. 23 Oct 1880 (Age 8 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    Family ID F5732  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 2 May 2020 

  • Event Map Click to display
    Link to Google MapsAlternate Birth - 1811 - ,,Hebridies,Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 12 Jul 1811 - Belfast,Antrim,Northern Ireland,United Kingdom Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEducation - Apprenticed with a local chemist - Abt 1822 - Belfast,Antrim,Northern Ireland,United Kingdom Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEducation - University of Edinburg - Abt 1828 - Edinburgh,,Midlothian,Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsTravel - on a vessel bound for America - Abt 1830 - Boston,Suffolk,Massachusetts,United States Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsEducation - Electric Medical Collage - Abt 1840 - ,,Pennsylvania,United States Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 1843 - ,Leeds,,Canada West Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChild - William McGhie - 13 Oct 1845 - ,Leeds,,Canada West Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsGraduation - Electic Medical College - 27 Apr 1849 - ,,Pennsylvania,United States Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsTravel - and headed north to Canada - Aft 27 Apr 1849 - Brockville,,Elizabethtown,Canada West Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Doctor - Aft 30 Apr 1849 - Perth,Lanark,Ontario,Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChild - Charles P. Holton McGhie - 1852 - ,Leeds,,Canada West Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 14 Dec 1857 - Beverley,Leeds,,Upper Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChild - Benjamin Adelbert McGhie - 6 Nov 1860 - Elgin,Leeds,,Canada West Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChild - Dr. George Stevens McGhie, M. D. - 6 Jan 1862 - Elgin,Leeds,,Canada West Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChild - Angelia Ophelia McGhie - 28 Sep 1865 - Elgin,Leeds,,Canada West Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChild - Margaret Mercy McGhie - 27 Jun 1867 - Elgin,Leeds,Ontario,Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChild - Gertrude Florence "True" McGhie - 25 Aug 1870 - South Crosby,Leeds,Ontario,Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - 1893 - Halladay Burying Grounds,Elgin,Leeds,Ontario,Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - Cause: Died after tripping on a rug - 18 Oct 1893 - Elgin,Leeds,Ontario,Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend Address Cemetery Farm Town Parish City County/Shire State/Province Country Region Not Set

  • Sources 
    1. [S1017] Robert Houghton, Hamilton, ON [(E-ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE),], to Russell Strong, e-mail, 14 Jan 2008, "Howdy cousin!"; privately held by Strong [(E-ADDRESS), & STREET ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Peoria, AZ, 2008.Peoria, AZ, 2008., 29 Mar 2014 (Reliability: 3).

    2. [S13] Jill Fyffe rfyffe@peterboro.net, Descendants of Roger Stevens, b.1700, (Outline report 01/10/1999), pg. 5,paragraph A.2.n (Reliability: 0).

    3. [S1207] Houghton, Robert "Bob", UE, E-mail correspondence with Russell Strong. Privately held by Strong, [(E-ADDRESS) & MAILING ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Robert "Bob" Houghton UE, Cambridge, ON [(E-ADDRESS) FOR PRIVATE USE,] to Russell Strong, e-mail<; privately held by Strong, [(E-ADDRESS) & MAILING ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Vicksburg, MI., 29 Apr 2020, 4/17/2020, 4:26 PM>, "Proposed Change: Dr. Benjamin Bernard Thomas McGhie, M.D. (I16728)," (Reliability: 3).

      Proposed Change: Dr. Benjamin Bernard Thomas McGhie, M.D. (I16728)
      Tree: Rgstrong Family genes.
      Link: https://www.rgstrong-genes.com/getperson.php?personID=I16728&tree=rgstrong1

      Description: Some sources say that Dr McGhie was born in the Hebrides, others say his father was but he was born in Belfast. I have the whole story, as laid out by his grandson Dr Bernard Thomas McGhie as well as my grandmother Mercie McGhie-Houghton.
      You are missing several children: from his first marriage to Charlotte Holton - William (1845-50), Charles P Holton McGhie (1852-1852) From his marriage to Mercy Stevens- add Angelia Ophelia (1866-1909) and Margaret Mercy (1867-1941) who married Dr Fletcher McAmmond, moved to Scottsville, NY.
      Currently working on researching a potential younger brother of Dr McGhie's who stayed in Ireland. 

      Bob Houghton

    4. [S1208] Robert Houghton UE, "The McGhie family"; descendant report to Russell Strong, [STREET ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Vicksburg, MI, January 2000; pdf held by Robert Houghton UE, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Cambridge, ON., 1 May 2020, p. 1 (Reliability: 3).

      *from the notes of Mercie McGhie-Houghton, born 1896, relating to her grandfather.

      Grandfather McGhie was born in Belfast1, son of Thomas McGhie, who had moved there in the early 19th century from one of the islands of the Hebrides. After apprenticing him to a local chemist, his father sent him to the University of Edinburgh, as that was the entre for the study of drugs used in medicine. His mother had already died and his sister wrote that she now had a ew step mother and later that a new baby brother had arrived2. He felt perhaps his father did not need him at home. At some point during his studies, his sister Margaret died, at which point he wrote to his father saying that he was taking a job as ship's doctor on a boat going to America.

      *from the notes of grandson Dr Bernard McGhie, b. 1889, which he based on talks with his mother Ermina McGhie, b. 1865, and letters from Margaret McGhie-McAmmond, b. 1867.

      Benjamin Thomas McGhie was born on July 12, 18113 in the Scottish Hebrides islands. When he was still quite young his father moved the family to Belfast. B.T., the eldest son, was apprenticed as a chemist after he left school. He had been at a good school, studying Science, Latin, and the Bible. Throughout his life he showed a great passion for books and literature, which he tried to pass on to his children. He lived in his father's home while apprenticing and had a very close bond with his twin sister Margaret. When his father remarried, following the death of his mother, the new stepmother seemed to resent that
      her husband's grown children still lived at home. It was at this point that B.T. went away to Edinburgh, Scotland to study for a medical degree. Part way through his studies he received an urgent message to come back home and tend to his sister, who had become gravely ill. When he arrived back in Belfast it was too late, his sister had died. He was greatly distressed by the death and postponed returning to Edinburgh. He took a job working as a ship's doctor on a vessel bound for America in the 1830s. Upon his arrival in the U.S., he headed to Pennsylvania and continued his studies at the Electric Medical College.
      __________________

      1 Some say Belfast, others the Hebrides. As yet, no birth certificate or parish record has been located on this.
      2 Recent Ancestry DNA evidence seems to have located the brother and descendents, see Appendix 1.
      3 This date is based on the records and his death notice. In both the 1871 and 1881 census, he is shown as being born in 1824 and 1825 respectively.

    5. [S402] Julia Wells - Cowofevil@aol.com, J. Wells Family decendancy, (Ancestry.com, OneWorldTree, entry 10308, date Sat Aug 25 12:14:53 2001 acessed on 1/7/2007), 7 Jan 2007 (Reliability: 3).

    6. [S1208] Robert Houghton UE, "The McGhie family"; descendant report to Russell Strong, [STREET ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Vicksburg, MI, January 2000; pdf held by Robert Houghton UE, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Cambridge, ON., 2 May 2020, p. 4 (Reliability: 3).

      John Sinclair (1889-1972), m. Estella Coon (1892- )
      Adelaide "Addie" Ophelia, b. Jan 30, 1856, m. Gershom William Earl (1857-
      1927) in Elgin, Ont. d. Jan 7, 1940.
      Children:
      Libby Gertrude b. June 29, 1881, d. Mar 16, 1961), m. John A Smith (1881-
      1946), children Glenn (in Vancouver), Norma (in Edmonton)10
      Margaret Edna b. Apr 17, 1883, d. Feb 25, 1947, m. William Henry "Harry" Smith (1885-1950), children Anna, Clifford (in Elgin)
      James Foster, b. Nov 25, 1885, d. Dec 22, 1973, m. Elma Pierce (1886-1975),
      children: Eleanor (in Ottawa), Allan (in Elgin)

      Benjamin Bernard Thomas McGhie "the old doctor"
      b –  July 12, 1811 (Hebrides or Belfast, Ireland), m. Charlotte Anner Holton (b. 1831, d. Dec 22, 1852)
      Children:
      Charles P. Holton McGhie (died abt. 1844 - 4 wks & 6 days old)
      William McGhie (Oct 13, 1845 - Oct 23, 1850)

      m -Mercy Stevens-Ripley (Dec 31, 1819-Feb 4, 1903) on Dec 14, 1857 in Delta, d –  Oct 18, 1893 (Elgin, Ontario)

      Children:
      Benjamin Adelbert b. Nov 6, 1860, m. Ermina Annetta Singleton on Nov 20, 1883, d. Feb 1, 1903
      Children:
      Effie Gertrude b. Aug 25, 1886, d. Sept 1, 1886

      Bernard Thomas b. Apr 14, 1889, m. Myrtle Avery (1890-1973) on Dec 24, 1917, d. Jan 20, 1945.
      Children:
      Bernard Gordon (Feb 20, 1920- ), m. Elizabeth "Betty" Taylor
      2 children: Tim & Bill.
      Margaret Mina (Feb 14, 1922-Aug 11, 1996), m. Robert Tamblyn,
      5 children: Tom, Terry, Robyn, Michael, Sally.
      Arthur Avery (May 15, 1923- ), m. Jean Mabbitt, m-2. Pat Searle,
      3 children: Doug, Judy, James.
      Adelbert George "Kit" (Sept 22, 1925-Sept 4, 1992), m. Bonnie Sutherland,
      3 children: Denise, Scott, Robert.

      Sarah Hazel b. Feb 5, 1891, d. Mar 10, 1892

      Ambrose Gerald b. Feb 4, 1893, m. Blanche Estella McLean (1894-1970) on
      June 30, 1920, d. Apr 9, 1972.
      _______
      10 Norma said she had the old doctor's leather graduation certificate (in 1980s) as well as True's engagement ring.

    7. [S1208] Robert Houghton UE, "The McGhie family"; descendant report to Russell Strong, [STREET ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Vicksburg, MI, January 2000; pdf held by Robert Houghton UE, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Cambridge, ON., 1 May 2020, p. 2 (Reliability: 3).

      After graduation on April 27, 18494, he headed north to Canada and began practicing in Perth, Ontario. At that time, most of eastern Ontario was still bush,
      inhabited by wolves, bears, and other game. He was the only doctor in the area between Gananoque and Athens (50 km) and often had to brave savage storms and travel down rough trails to visit his patients.

      His daughter Margaret (Mrs. J.F. McAmmond) wrote,
      "I can remember seeing father get ready for one of this back country trips and once, after such a journey, of his dropping his precious medical bag when very tired. I remember my mother's concern for him. When we were children, there would be days when we would never see him. He was up and away before we were awake, returning often when we were asleep. He rode on horseback and carried saddle bags. As a small girl I often accompanied him in his cutter, drawn by an old grey horse named "Ted". When the snow was deep and the crust would hold me, I would run to the nearest farm-house, when we were stuck, and call "the doctor is stuck in the snow", and the men of the house would come out and dig us out. I can remember too, people coming for him in great haste or distress, at time of accident or illness; and also people, ill coming to our house when he was away, of mother making them comfortable on the couch in his office. I have known him, when very poor patients came to pay him for his services say, "you owe me nothing". Mother
      found the strain at such times very hard, waiting for the doctor to return. To us children, all the world seemed right again when the doctor returned. We called him 'popps'."
      –  Scottsville, NY (1921)

      * Mercie wrote: "Aunt Margaret McAmmond said that was all she knew of his family except tales of his school days in Belfast. He always felt his own children did not have good schools –  poor teaching of Latin, etc. My father (Adelbert) and Uncle George were sent away to Albert College in Belleville and to Queen's College in Kingston. Grandfather came to Canada via some port near Boston and then on to Brockville, wishing to be under a British flag. It seems to me my brother Bernard may have had more knowledge of the McGhies. He was a great favourite of the old doctor and of Dr. George McGhie and Dr. Fletcher McAmmond, who married Margaret McGhie. Three of my uncles interned as young doctors with Dr. B.T. McGhie the first –  mother's brother A. B. Singleton and Fletcher McAmmond as well as Dr.
      George".
      ________________
      4
      Dr Bernard T McGhie's 1930s family history says he graduated in 1869 –  which does not match the timeline. The old
      doctor was married to Charlotte Holton from 1843-1850 so must have been based in Leeds County at that time. He also
      states that the old leather document was difficult to read.

    8. [S795] Halladay Burial Grounds (Leeds, ON; Located at the end of Halladay Street at Church Street), Grave markers, 1 May 2020, Dr. B. T. McGhie marker, Photographed submitted by Robert Houghton, UE, 17 Apr 2020. (Reliability: 3).
      Dr. B. T. McGhie
      Departed this Life
      October 18, 1893
      Aged 82 Years
      ---
      Resquiescat In Pace
      Dr. B. T. McGhie
      Departed this Life
      October 18, 1893
      Aged 82 Years
      ---
      Resquiescat In Pace

    9. [S1208] Robert Houghton UE, "The McGhie family"; descendant report to Russell Strong, [STREET ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Vicksburg, MI, January 2000; pdf held by Robert Houghton UE, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Cambridge, ON., 2 May 2020, p. 3 (Reliability: 3).

      *from Dr BT McGhie's notes: His first wife was the daughter of Luther Holton5 of Brockville, Ontario. She died with her newborn baby and is buried at the cemetery in Athens, Ontario. Through his practice, he came to know the family of M. Abel Ripley6. After the death of Mr Ripley, his widow, Mercy, became friends with and eventually married the doctor. She was from the Stevens family, Loyalists who fled to Canada in 1793 following the American
      Revolution. She brought with her 3 young children from her first husband; Edward Abel, Cephrona (m. Smith), and Addie (m. Earl). In the years that followed, B.T. and Mercy had 6 more children; Benjamin Adelbert "Deb", George Stevens, Angela Ophelia, Margaret Mercy (McAmmond), Gertrude "True", and William. Only Adelbert and Margaret had children and continued the family line.

      *Mercie wrote:  "Dr. Benjamin Bernard Thomas McGhie married Mercy Ophelia Stevens (Ripley) in 1860. They had both been married before, his first wife
      being the daughter of Philip Holton of Brockville. Mr Holton gave his daughter a house and farm that afterwards became the toll gate on the road from Westport, Newboro, and Athens to Brockville. The doctor's first practice in medicine was in this area. Unfortunately for the young couple, she died when his first child was born7. She is buried with the child, Charles P. Holton McGhie in a cemetery near Athens. Dr. McGhie moved to Delta and lived in the village hotel where someone looked after his horses. He married about 3 years later the widow Mercy Ophelia (Stevens) Ripley of Elgin. She had 3 children; Agnes Cephronia (Smith), Edward Abel (who was a school teacher8), and Adelaide, who was a small child at the time. My grandfather raised Addie from four
      years of age and had other sons and daughters with Mercy; my father - Benjamin Adelbert, George Stevens, Margaret Mercy, Gertrude, Angelia, and a boy William John who died at 7 years of age. This family was raised in Elgin".

      The next generations:
      Mercy Ophelia Stevens b. Dec 31, 18199, m. William Ripley on Feb 13, 1849 in Kitley, Ont.
      Children:  Edward Abel b. 1850, d. Apr 20, 1894 (struck by lightning in Thorold, Ont)
      Agnes Cephrona b. Jan 24, 1853, m. Charles Smith (1850-1913) on Dec 7,
      1872, d. Jan 24, 1853.
      Children:
      Charles Frank (1878-1954), m May Simpson (1882-1964)
      Robert, killed in WW-1, lived in Saskatoon
      Mercy (1873-1967), m. John Roddick (1866-1943)
      Mary Matilda "Mayme" (1882-1931), m. John Morris (1878-1960)
      ______________
      5 Her father is also listed as Ezra Holton or Philip Holton, depending on the source.
      6 Dr McGhie had been the attending physician to the late Mr Ripley. There were whispers around town when he married
      the widow (Ripley died in early 1856, they married in 1860).
      7 Other records, shown above, say there were 2 children; Charles P Holton McGhie (b. 1844? died at 4 wks & 6 days) and
      William McGhie (Oct 13, 1845-Oct 23, 1850). Charlotte is listed as having died on Dec 22, 1852 at age 21. If correct, she was
      14 when they married.
      8 The census for Abel says he was a butcher.
      9 In the 1871 and 1881 census, the age she gives suggests she was born in 1832.states that the old leather document was difficult to read.

    10. [S1208] Robert Houghton UE, "The McGhie family"; descendant report to Russell Strong, [STREET ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Vicksburg, MI, January 2000; pdf held by Robert Houghton UE, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Cambridge, ON., 2 May 2020, p. 5 (Reliability: 3).

      Mercie Ermina Grace, b. Dec 5, 1896, m. Charles Wesley Houghton (1893-
      1963) on Sept 1, 1921, d. Oct 31, 1975.
      Children:
      Charles Ambrose, b. June 18, 1922, m. Jeanette Joyce (1924-2015) on Sept
      20, 1947, d. Dec 7, 2011, 3 children: Margaret, Carol, Bob.
      Robert Donald Bernard, b. 1926, d. 1967.

      George Stevens b. Jan 6, 1862, m. Elizabeth Florina "Libby" Leggatt (1868-?) on July 22, 1896, d. Aug 16, 1907

      Angelia Ophelia b. Sept 28, 1865, d. Oct 5, 1909 11. Lived with her parents until they died, moved Scottsville, NY to live with sister Margaret & Dr. McAmmond.

      Margaret Mercy b. Jun 27, 1867, d. 1940, m. Dr J. Fletcher McAmmond (1865-1929) on Aug 9, 1890
      Children:
      Helen Angelia McAmmond, b. Apr 1, 1893, d. Mar 22, 1943.
      Dr. John Fletcher McAmmond Jr, b. Feb 21, 1901, m. Mary Williams (1913-
      2001), d. Aug 14, 1983
      Children:
      Mary W (1935-2019)
      John Fletcher Jr (1937-2001)

      Robert McGhie McAmmond, b. Aug 3, 1905, m. Florence L. Walker (1905-
      1993), d. Aug 17, 1961.
      Children:
      Margaret Mercy (b. 1938)

      Gertrude Florence b. Aug 25, 1870, d. Sept 10, 1894

      William John "Willie" b. Oct 13, 1872, d. 1880

      * from the notes of Dr BT McGhie : With all his social and professional obligations, B.T. still did not forget his love for books. He often took time to read and even make notes about any new books he encountered. He was once offered the chair of the medical board of Queens University in Kingston but turned it down because of his age. He retired to his farms and raised horses, often showing them at local fairs. He was a Conservative, an Anglican, and a
      member of the Orange Lodge. Once, when Liberal politician D'Arcy McGee came to Elgin to speak, the doctor took an active stand against him. The "old doctor" died on October 18, 1893 after tripping on a rug, exclaiming "This is the end!" He was eighty-two years of age. He is buried with his second wife Mercy Ophelia at the cemetery in Elgin.
      ______________

      11 1871 census as Anselm 6, male - 1881 census lists Angelia 16, female (error?), no photos known, despite living until 1907, aged 43. Dr BT McGhie stated "she was rather delicate and never married". Was she physically or mentally disabled?