Gilbert Merrick Black

Other Events and Attributes:

• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199981600
• _FGRAVE: 199981600
• _STAT: Never Married

Notes:

Died:
1898, Friday April 15, The Almonte Gazette, front page
Mysterious Disappearance ? A Boy Apparently Drowned
The people of Almonte were greatly excited and much sympathy was evoked for Mrs Kate Black on Saturday evening last when it became known that her only child, little Gilbert Black, nearly six years old, was missing, with indications that he was drowned. Mrs Black, being busy in her shop down town, had not seen her son since early in the forenoon, but, as this was frequently the case, she was not alarmed, thinking he was at Mr Ragdale's, on Church street, where they boarded, Early in the afternoon, she began to make inquiries, and asked Chief Lowry to keep a lookout for Gilbert on his rounds. Late in the afternoon some boys rowing a boat on the Bay found a boy's cap floating on the surface of the water one hundred yards or so from the Bay Hill road. Mr Ragdale identified it as the one worn by the missing boy, and at once the greatest alarm was felt. The little fellow had ben in the habit of playing by himself, and was known to be afraid of the water, but there seems little doubt from what can be learned that he was playing on the bank of the river near Mr Cannon's mill on the shore of the bay, as well as just above the flume at a dangerous point near the old electric light house opposite the mills of the Almonte Knitting Co., (and some say on the steep embankment at the rear of Mr T. Ringrose's shoeshop) and was throwing stones into the raging rapids there. This was about 11:30 a.m. After that hour no trace whatever can be fond of his movements. Without alarming the mother when the cap was found, searching parties were at once organized and a thorough patrol of the river banks and the river itself was made. The was kept up far into the night, and all day Sunday twenty-five or more boats, well-manned and equipped with grappling irons, kept up the search, without the slightest encouragements. The water at the flume was shut off, but without avail. On Monday Mr J.B. Wylie sent to Carleton Place for a quantity of dynamite, and about a dozen shots where put off in several parts of the bay, without effects, On Monday evening an informal meeting of about fifty citizens was held in the office of Messrs Wylie and Shaw, when the council was requested to place on the river four boats manned each by two men to continue the search, and Mr James Metcalf was sworn in as special constable to direct their movements. The search was kept up diligently on Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Wednesday night another meeting was held, when arrangements were made to keep up the search for the rest of the week by both volunteered and paid help. It was further resolved to sent to Montreal or Ottawa for a searchlight. Owing to the belied of some that the missing boy had wandered to Col Gemmill's bush near the Bay Hill, a large searching party was organized on Wednesday and made a thorough search, but without result. As usual, a number of exaggerated reports got into circulation, but on being traced to their source they were proven foundation-less. Two booms have been stretched across the river, one at "Brown's Clearing," a mile down from town, and the other at Rosebank, in order to stop the body from passing down, acting on the belief that the body is in the river, of which there is little doubt. Word was also sent to people along the river all the way to Pakenham to be on the lookout for the body; but the belief of many in that owning to the coldness of the water, the body may not rise for some time. The deepest sorrow is felt for Mrs Black, and any fate for her little boy, is positively known, would not be so painful as the terrible suspense, through which she is passing. He was the only solace left her at the time of her husband's death.

1898, Friday April 22, The Almonte Gazette front page
Found in the Bay
The diligent search for the body of little Gilbert Black, who disappeared on Saturday, 9th inst., and who, it was generally believed had been drowned, was kept up all last week, and on Sunday forenoon was rewarded by the finding of the body by Messrs. Ted Boothroyd and Elmo Moreau in about thirty feet of water close to the west shore of the river near the residence of Mr E. Edmonds, and a few yards from where the boy's cap was found. The place had been dragged over a hundred times before by the searchers, but as the body was imbedded in a large mass of sawdust, the hooks had failed to catch on to the clothing. The fact that deceased had been seen on the high bank behind Mr T. Ringrose shoe shop, and that when found there were two cuts on the head, leads many to believe that the little fellow in his childish play had fallen off the bank and was probably stunned before he reached the water, and was carried down the rapids and across the bay; but all is mere conjecture. Undertaker Donaldson, after preparing the body, which was well preserved took it to the residence of Mr Ragsdale, where Mrs Black was staying, and the number of people who called during Sunday and Monday testified to the deep sympathy felt for the bereaved mother, thus deprived of her only child. The sympathy of the community was still further manifested by the very large attendance at the funeral, which took place on Monday at 3 p.m., to St. Paul's church, where the beautiful burial service of the Church of England was conducted by Rev Canon Low, assisted by Rev C. Saddington, of Richmond; thence to the 8th line cemetery.

Other Events and Attributes:

• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1892248
• _FGRAVE: 1892248
• _TAG: Ramsay Twp Settlers (1820-1821)

Notes:

Died:
1892, Friday June 24, The Almonte Gazette page 8
ADDITIONAL LOCALS
? Mr Gilbert Black, of Turnbull, N.W.T., died on Sunday last, of inflamation of the lungs. He was a son of Mr James Black, of Ramsay, and went west a few weeks ago.

Gilbert married Mary Kate Pilkington in 1885. Mary was born in 1863 in Ireland; died on 8 May 1940 in Admaston, Admaston/Bromley Township, Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada; was buried in Auld Kirk Cemetery, Ramsay, Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199981486
• _FGRAVE: 199981486

Notes:

Died:
Her second husband was John Knight (1854-1924)

1940, Thursday May 16, The Renfrew Mercury, page 4
DOUGLAS DOINGS
The funeral of the late Mrs John Knight on Friday afternoon from the home of Mrs A. Andrews was largely attended. Many friends from far and near gathered to pay their last respects to one who was well-known and respected. The service at the house was conducted by Rev Mr Johnston and interment was made in the Auld Kirk cemetery at Almonte. Born in Ireland 77 years ago Mrs Knight came to Canada at the age of six, living with her aunt. Mrs P.D. Campbell, at Eganville, until her marriage to Mr Gilbert Black of Almonte, who predeceased her 52 years ago. In 1901 she married John Knight of Renfrew, who died in 1924. Surviving her besides the family of the late Mr Knight is one sister, Mrs Sadie Pilkington of Springfield, Mass. Many beautiful floral offerings testified to the wide circle of friends whom deceased enjoyed in life

Other Events and Attributes:

• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127099437
• _FGRAVE: 127099437
• _TAG: Ramsay Twp Settlers (1820-1821)

Notes:

Died:
1899, Friday May 26, The Almonte Gazette page 8
Mr James Black
Although the news of the accident from which Mr James Black suffered a couple of weeks ago had become pretty well known, and it was generally thought that owing to his great age the result would likely prove fatal, yet the announcement of his death came as a shock to his many friends and was received with feelings of sadness and a sense of loss. On Wednesday of last week Mr Black arose from his bed and went out and took a look around the house as though he felt it would be for the last time. On Friday afternoon he became unconscious, in which condition he remained until he quietly and calmly breathed his last shortly after three o'clock on Sunday morning. The late Mr Black was born in Glasgow in 1817, and when four years of age his father came to Canada and settled in the township of Ramsay on lot 21 on the 7th concession, on which farm he continued to reside until his death. After the death of his father James took his place, and remained on the same farm until about two years ago, when he went to live with his son Robert on the farm owned by the late Daniel Galbraith on the 5th line of Ramsay. Among those who came to Canada at the same time as Mr Black were Mr and Mrs James Johnston, and to them a daughter was born when on the way up the St Lawrence, who afterward became the wife of Mr James Black. To them were born eleven children, five of whom are still living. They are: Walter (7th line Ramsay), Margaret (Mrs A.W. Gilmour), Braeside), Wm H. (Almonte), Agnes (Mrs A.A. Steele), Ramsay), and Robert J. (with whom the father and mother have been living). Those dead are James, Ellen Gunnan, Charles H., Gilbert J., Jessie and Nellie. Mr Black was always an enterprising and progressive man, and took a keen interest in matters pertaining to the welfare of the township in which he lived. For eleven years he sat at the council ? ten years of that time as deputy-reeve ? and by his intelligence and good judgement aided materially in transacting the business of the township. He also took a lively interest in the North Lanark Agricultural Society, and was for many years an active member of the board of directors. In politics he was a Liberal, who always stood for what he conscientiously believed to be best. He was for many years a member of St Andrew's (Presbyterian) church, Almonte, and until increasing years and failing strength prevented was a regular attendant at the ordinances of that church. Mrs Black, who is in her 79th year, together with other relatives and friends (among whom is William, a brother of the late Mr Black, who is over 80 years of age), have the sincere sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement. The funeral, which took place on Tuesday afternoon to the eighth line cemetery, was very largely attended, notwithstanding that many mutual friends were in attendance at the funeral of the late John McArton, which took place at the same time.

James married Janet Johnston on 25 Mar 1841 in Ramsay Township, Lanark County, Canada West. Janet (daughter of James Johnson and Margaret Steele) was born in 1821 in Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry United Counties, Ontario, Canada; died on 11 Mar 1916 in Almonte, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada; was buried in 1916 in Auld Kirk Cemetery, Ramsay, Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Genett
• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127099456
• _FGRAVE: 127099456
• _TAG: Ramsay Twp Settlers (1820-1821)

Notes:

Birth:
Story in the Almonte Gazette, 1897, speaking of the Durham boats which brought the settlers up the St Lawrence. "As these uncouth craft are crawling cannily by the swirling waters of the Long Sault Rapids, there is observed an unusual commotion among the passengers. There is a hurried landing from one of the boats, and, by-and-by, the wail of a new born infant. Thus is born to Mr and Mrs Johnston a daughter - Janet, now Mrs James Black. The Durham boats landed the party at Prescott, whence it proceeded by wagon to Perth and on to Lanark Village. here scows were built to carry the settlers and their effects down the Clyde and the Mississippi to Ramsay.

Died:
1916, Friday March 17, The Almonte Gazette, page 4
Obit. ? Mrs James Black
Almost twenty years ago the Gazette published a sketch of two of Ramsay township's earliest settlers and most respected residents. In that sketch, descriptive of the experiences of a party of settlers who had left Scotland to make their homes in Canada, and who were coming up the St. Lawrence in Durham boats, the following sentence appeared: "There is a hurried landing from one of the boats, and by-and-bye, the wail of a new-born infant. Thus is born to Mr and Mrs James Johnston, a daughter ? Janet, now Mrs James Black." A few years later then the sketch Mr Black was called away, and now Mrs Black has reached the home for which she so long and earnestly looked. The year of her birth was 1821, and in her death at 94 years of age, one of the oldest residents of Ramsay township has passed to the great beyond. She was a daughter of the late Jas, Johnston, R.N., a veteran of the wars with Napoleon. She was married to Mr Back in 1844, and to them eleven were born, four of whom survive. These are Mrs C.W. Gilmour (Margaret), Braeside; Mrs A.A. Steele (Agnes), Steelton, Sask.; Robt, fifth line Ramsay, William H., at Morrisburg. For about six years the late Mrs Black was a patient in the Rosamond Memorial Hospital, helpless from a broken limb, but possessing all her mental faculties to the end. She was a woman of exalted Christian character and remarkably patient and cheerful disposition. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon from the Presbyterian manse to the eighth line cemetery vault, and was attended by many from Ramsay and Almonte

Other Events and Attributes:

• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94679199
• _FGRAVE: 94679199

Walter married Ellen Gunnan. Ellen was born in 1773 in Scotland; died in 1842 in Perth, Lanark County, Canada West; was buried in Black Burial Site, Ramsay, Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/94679345
• _FGRAVE: 94679345

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Jas
• Name: Johnston
• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/235358424
• _FGRAVE: 235358424
• _HASHTAG: Lanark Society Settler

Notes:

(Research):Family lore that James was a sailor in British navey and was present at the burning of the White House at Washington in 1814.

_HASHTAG:
Came to Lanark County between 1820 - 1822

Buried:
Plots B150 to B179 Stone 320
Jas JOHNSON died Jan 13, 1875 aged 86 yrs Agnes STEEL died July 28, 1877 aged 14 yrs 10 months

James married Margaret Steele in 1816 in Scotland. Margaret was born in 1793 in East Ayrshire, Scotland; died in 1863 in Bruce County, Ontario, Canada; was buried in 1863. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/235358501
• _FGRAVE: 235358501
• _HASHTAG: Lanark Society Settler

Notes:

_HASHTAG:
Came to Lanark County between 1820 - 1822

Buried:
Burial Details Unknown