Thomas Nix (1850 - 1933)

Born 11 Oct 1850 in Culverthorpe, Lincolnshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Ann Elizabeth Ward — married 3 Nov 1880 in Woodhill, Toronto Gore Township, Peel County, Ontario, Canada

Descendants

Died 23 Dec 1933 at age 83 in Toronto Gore Township, Peel County, Ontario, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Fred Nix [send private message]

Biography

Thomas Nix is born on October 11, 1850, in the hamlet of Culverthorpe, eight kilometres south-west of Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England [1][2]. His gravestone gives him a birthdate of October 28, 1850. He is baptised on November 26, 1850, (or possibly on November 2) in the church of St Michael in the Parish of Heydour (sometimes spelt “Heydor”) [3]. His parents are William Nix (1816-1902) and Elizabeth Staniland (1826-1916). His father came from "Aisby" as it is now spelt, which is a hamlet 2.5 kilometres by road from Culverthorpe.

Culverthorpe is 190 kilometres by road north of London. The “thorpe” in the name is from the Viking term for a secondary settlement. Wikipedia gives the name Culverthorpe the meaning “culver” probably indicating the original inhabitant and “thorpe” as "outlying farmstead or hamlet.” To continue with the Wikipedia description, here is what Culverthorpe looks like in 1872, 22 years after the birth of Thomas: “Culverthorpe is . . .. a village and township in the parish of Haydor (Heydour), with a population of 101 in 846 acres (3.4 km2) of land. Culverthorpe land was owned by J. A. Houblon . . . . of Hallingbury Place . . .in Essex. “

Thomas is in the census of 1851, living in Culverthorpe with his parents [4]. Thomas’s father, William, is an agricultural labourer. The life of an agricultural labourer in mid-19th century England is difficult. With agricultural prices falling and mechanization taking over the farm work, many people leave England at this point. Thomas has one aunt and two uncles who leave England (1848, 1852 and 1853).

Thomas himself, and his parents, sail to New York in 1852 [5]. They sail with one uncle -- Joseph Nix (1829-1906). Family stories suggest there might have been another uncle who sails with them, but no evidence for this story has ever been found [6]. Steam ships had started to cross the Atlantic in the 1830s, so it is likely that by 1852 this was the method of getting from England to New York. Once in North America, it is likely that by 1852 rail transportation was the most common form of transportation over long distances. The first railway to operate in New York State was in 1831 and by 1852 there were many rail lines in the state. The guess is that the Nix families travel by rail, with Joseph Nix getting off somewhere near Rochester, New York. William, Elizabeth and Thomas continue on to cross into Canada West somewhere along the Niagara Frontier. The first bridge across the Niagara River was built a few years before 1852 [7]. Canada West becomes the province of Ontario in 1867.

William Nix works as an agricultural labourer in a township to the west and northwest of Toronto. In the 1861 census, Thomas is a 10-year-old boy living in a log house in Etobicoke Township with his family [8]. Etobicoke is now part of Toronto. Four of the siblings of Thomas are born in Etobicoke.

Sometime between 1865 and 1869, the family settles in Toronto Gore Township, Peel County. Toronto Gore or the Gore of Toronto is the township to the north of Etobicoke. In the 1871 census, the 20-year-old Thomas is shown living with his family in Toronto Gore [9]. His father is now a "farmer" and not a "labour" (labourer) as he was in the earlier census records. And an 1871 Directory shows William and Thomas living in Grahamsville [10].

Grahamsville is a village at the intersection of what is now Steeles Avenue and Airport Road in the city of Brampton. It was originally settled in 1819 by George and Thomas Graham, two United Empire Loyalists, and was known as Graham’s Corners until 1852 when a Post Office was established [11]. There are two churches in Grahamsville when William and his family arrive – a St. James Anglican on the east side of Airport Road and the Grahamsville Methodist Church (which becomes a United Church) on the west side.

William and Thomas are tenant farmers in Grahamsville, but we don’t know what land they rent. They don’t stay for long in the Grahamsville area. By 1879, William and his son, James, are farming a bit further north on land owned by William Woodill. And by 1880, Thomas has moved north to Stanley’s Mills. Stanley’s Mills is a village on the 6th line (the future Airport Road) with part of the village in Chinguacousy Township and part in Toronto Gore Township. “Stanley’s Mills” is the original spelling, but most maps and other records show it as “Stanley Mills.” In today’s geography, Stanley’s Mills was located about where Sandalwood Parkway and Humberwest Parkway meet at Airport Road. The 1880 tax assessment rolls for Chinguacousy show Thomas as a tenant farmer on a 99-acre farm [12] in Stanley’s Mills.

Thomas marries Ann Elizabeth Ward (1854-1934) on November 3, 1880, in Toronto Gore [13]. The ceremony is in the home of Ann’s parents [28]. Ann is a descendant of two of the first families to settle in Toronto Gore -- the Ward’s and the Woodill’s, both families from Yorkshire. The wedding record shows Thomas as a farmer in Chinguacousy.

Thomas and Ann have four children:

• Etta Melissa Nix 1881-1959 + (1908) Robert Wright 1874-1961

• Wilbert Jerald Nix 1891-1989 + (1916) Violet May Lansdell 1892-1976

• Oscar James Ward Nix 1895-? + (1) (1924) Lottie Louisa Steele c1903-1970 + (2) Unknown Maw

• 4th child died in infancy

One puzzle about the wedding is that one of the witnesses is a Mary Ann Nix. The wedding record shows that she is from Toronto Gore, but no amount of searching through census records can find such a person and Thomas has no sisters by this name. The best guess is that Mary Ann is actually a cousin from New York State. Joseph Nix – the one who settled in Cattaraugus County, New York – had a daughter named Mary. She was the first cousin of Thomas and would have been 22-years old in 1880.

Ann Elizabeth Ward had been brought up on a farm just to the south of what is now Airport Road and Queen Street in Brampton. She was brought up in a family known to be strongly Methodist. In fact, the Ward families were members of a split-off group of Methodists known as Primitive Methodists. The importance of this here is that Thomas Nix was brought up as a member of the Church of England. The 1881 census records show Thomas and Ann living on their farm in Chinguacousy and it shows their religion as Primitive Methodist [14]. Thomas not only acquires a wife but also a new church.

In the 1891 census records, Thomas and Ann are living in Toronto Gore with their first child [15]. The census record doesn’t show where in Toronto Gore they are living, but we suspect it is still near Stanley’s Mills. But (compared to the 1881 census record), they have now moved over and live on the east side of the 6th line (Airport Road). The 1892 and the 1893 tax assessment rolls confirm this as it shows Thomas Nix as a tenant on a 160-acre farm in Stanley’s Mills on the Toronto Gore side of the road [16][17]. We also know that at least two of the children of Thomas (Wilbert and Oscar) are born in Stanley’s Mills.

But, at some point, Thomas is going to move from Stanley’s Mills back down to Grahamsville. We don’t know exactly when this occurs. In fact, we suspect that he may even have farmed two farms – one in Stanley’s Mills and one in Grahamsville – for a short while. In 1895, a new red brick schoolhouse is built in Grahamsville and Thomas Nix is one of the first trustees [18]. That seems to suggest he had moved south to Grahamsville by 1895. But the tax assessment rolls for 1895 show him still living in Stanley’s Mills [19]. (? Maybe the school in Grahamsville was the closest school to Stanley’s Mills ?)

In 1896, Thomas buys a 100-acre farm in Grahamsville for $4,500 [20]. The farm is on the east side of the 6th line (Airport Road) – Concession 7, the northern half of Lot 14 of the Southern Division of Toronto Gore. He buys the farm from the estate of Adam Duncan. It appears that the sale was necessary to pay off the debts of the children of Adam. This is the second farm south of Steeles Avenue. We know that Thomas’ brother, James Nix, was working as a labourer on farm in Concession 7, lot 14 in 1893 so it may be that Thomas Nix was quite familiar with this farm when he buys it in 1896. Also, this may be the farm William Nix rented when the family first moved to Toronto Gore. Although difficult to place on Google Maps, today there is only massive Ontario Hydro power line passing through the property.

The Bank of Canada’s inflation calculator only goes back to 1914. A $100 in 1914 would be worth $2,646.67 in 2024. Lets say that $100 in 1896 would be worth $2,700-to-$2,800 in 2024. That means that Thomas bought the farm for about $121,500 to $126,000 in today’s terms. So at about $1,200-to-$1,300 an acre, this sounds like a real bargain when compared to farm prices in Ontario in 2024 (over $10,000 an acre).

The 1896 tax assessment rolls for Toronto Gore still show Tomas Nix in Stanley’s Mills [21]. This is what makes us think he might have been farming two farms for a while (or else the tax assessment rolls were done early in 1896 and the farm purchase was later in the year?) The 1897 tax assessment rolls also show Thomas Nix in Stanley’s Mills but, in this case, we know this is just a mailing address because the actual location of the property is Concession 7, lot 14 (ie, the farm in Grahamsville) [22]. His brother, James Nix, is a tenant farmer in 1897 on the farm immediately to the east of Thomas’ farm (this will eventually become the farm that the son of Thomas – Wilbert – buys). The 1899 tax assessment rolls show Thomas and James still on these farms [23]. Between them, they have 18 cattle, 3 hogs and 20 horses.

In the 1901 census records, Thomas and Ann are shown living on their farm with their three children – 18-year old Etta, 8-year old Wilbert and the 6-year old Oscar [24]. By the time of the 1911 census, there are only two children left at home – Wilbert and Oscar, both of whom are shown as working long hours as farm labourers [25]. In addition to the children, the Nix family has a domestic living with them to help Ann with the cooking and other household chores.

Thomas retires from farming at some point and moves to a small house in Malton. The house is about half a kilometre north of the intersection of Derry Road and Airport Road, on the west side of Airport Road [26]. The farm is taken over by the two sons: Wilbert and Oscar. Sometime in the 1920s Wilbert leaves Oscar and buys a farm directly to the east on the 7th line (now Goreway Drive). This is the farm that his uncle, James Nix, farmed. In the 1921 census records, Thomas and Elizabeth (Ann Elizabeth) are living in Toronto Township (Malton) and Thomas’ occupation is still shown as a farmer [27]. The fact that he lives in a village and is 70-years old suggests that he is not a very active farmer. Perhaps he still gets out to help his sons or daughter with their farms.

In March 1930, Thomas and Ann celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in Malton [28]. They were married in November 1880 so a celebration in March 1930 is somewhat premature. “Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Nix, a highly respected couple of Malton, quietly celebrated their golden wedding last night at their home in this village, where Mr. Nix has been living retired, after a long life spent actively on the farm.”

In the 1931 census records, Thomas is shown as 80 years old, and Ann Elizabeth is shown at 77 [29]. They are living in a 7-room house in Malton. Thomas dies on December 23 or December 24, 1933, at the home of his son, Wilbert (7th line, Toronto Gore) [1][30]. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery (Dixon & Royal York Roads, Toronto) [30].

In his will, he leaves everything, which apparently is not much, to Wilbert on the condition that Wilbert look after Ann Elizabeth Ward [31]. In the event, Ann dies a few months later -- February 1934 -- and is buried with him.

Sources

[1] 1880 bible of Ann Elizabeth Ward “Father Thomas Nix died Sunday Dec 24 1933 in his 84th year. Born in Lincolnshire England died at the home of his son Wilbert seventh line Toronto Gore. Born in the year 1850 Oct 11.”

[2] "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:26TP-2W3 : 1 October 2014), Thomas Nix, 1850; from "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England. The birth of Thomas Nix was registered in Sleaford in the 4th quarter of 1850.

[3] www.freereg.org.uk –shows a baptism for Thomas on 26 Nov 1850 St Michael church, Heydour Parish, Lincolnshire. It shows the abode as Culverthorpe, the father’s name as William Nix and the mother’s name as Elizabeth. It gives William’s occupation as a labourer. [Familysearch shows the same record only the date is 02 Nov 1850.]

[4] "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGNL-2Z5 : 9 November 2019), William Nix, Culverthorpe, Lincolnshire, England; citing Culverthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, p. 7, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey. William Nix (34) is living in Culverthorpe, Lincolnshire. His occupation is an Ag Lab (agricultural labourer). He was born in Ogeby [Aisby]. His wife is Elizabeth (25) who was born in Leasingham. They have one son: Thomas (0) who was born in Culverthorpe.

[5] Date of sailing to North America: to date, no names on passenger lists arriving in New York have been found that support the idea that William Nix (and Joseph Nix) sailed in 1852. However, we are sure this is the correct year as (a) William and family are in the 1851 census of England and Wales, and (b) the sister of Thomas, Martha, is born in Upper Canada in 1853. The Canadian 1901 census shows that William (& family) immigrated in 1849, but this cannot be true (given that they appear in the English census oof 1851). The 1900 US census shows Joseph Nix immigrated in 1860, but this cannot be true because Joseph was married in New York state in 1857.

[6] uncles travelling with William, Elizabeth & Thomas: it can only be confirmed that Joseph Nix travelled with the family to North America. However, the grandson of Thomas (Garnet Lansdell Nix) says there were two uncles. Here is what is known about the siblings of William Nix: (i) Mary Nix (1814-1888) – Australia; (ii) John Nix (1818-1897) – settled in Ropsley a few kilometres from Culverthorpe; (iii) Thomas Nix (1820-1909) – Australia in 1853; (iv) George Nix (1823-1891) – stayed near Sleaford; (v) Elizabeth Nix (1825-1902) – dies in Grantham, a few kilometres from Culverthorpe; (vi) Sally Nix (1827-1891) – marries and spends most of her life in Ropsley; (vii) Joseph Nix (1829-1906) – settled in Cattaraugus County, New York; (viii) Charles Nix (1831-1920) – stayed in Culverthorpe; (ix) Alice Nix (1835-?) – as far as is known, stays in Lincolnshire. Another possibility is that a sibling of Elizabeth Staniland, the mother of Thomas, sailed with the family. [No one with the surname “Staniland” can be found in the 1861 census of Canada West.]

[7] transportation: all information on transportation (steam ships, railways, bridges across the Niagara) is from Wikipedia.

[8] 1861 census, Canada West, York County, Etobicoke Township, pg 8, lines 5-10: William Nix (45), born England, labour; Elizabeth (?36), born England; Thomas (10), born England; Martha B. (7), born U.C. [Upper Canada]; James (5), born U.C.; Sarah (1), born U.C. It is difficult to read the symbol the census taker has used to indicate the religion of the family – it is not “M” for Methodist and it is not “W” for Wesleyan Methodist but is probably “E” for Church of England.” The family is living in a 1-story log house.

[9] 1871 census, Ontario, 39, Peel, Toronto Gore, pg 12, household 41: William Nix (55), farmer; Elizabeth (45); Thomas (20), labourer; Mathew (18), [“Mathew” is actually “Martha”]; James (15), farmer; Sarah (11); Elizabeth (6); William (2). The religion of the family is shown as “Eng Church.” William, Elizabeth and he first son, Thomas, were born in England; the remaining children were born in Ontario. William Nix is shown as unable to read or write.

[10] Lovell’s Province of Ontario Directory for 1871 - shows William Nix and Thomas Nix as farmers in Grahamsville.

[11] Grahamsville history is from: D.R. Poulton & Associates Inc., "The Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment of the Proposed Transmission Line for the Goreway Station, Toronto Geographic Township, City of Brampton, Regional Municipality of Peel, Ontario" 2000, pg 9

[12] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZNP-X524 : Sat Mar 09 13:56:44 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Nix, 1880. Thomas Nix is listed on the tax assessment rolls for Chinguacousy Township in 1880. It looks like Concession 6, lot 13E on a 99-acre farm where he is a tenant. Concession 6, lot 13 puts the farm on the west side of what is now Airport Road adjacent to the village of Stanley Mills [Stanley’s Mill].

[13] http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com . . . "8822-80 Thomas NIX, 28, farmer, England, Chinguacousy twp., s/o William & Elizabeth, married Elizabeth WARD, 26, Canada, Toronto Gore twp., d/o Thomas & Mary Ann, witn: Robert WARD & Mary Ann NIX, both of Toronto Gore, 3 Nov 1880 at Toronto Gore"

[14] 1881 census, Ontario, 140 Peel, Chinguacousy, pg 18-19, household #83: Thomas Nix (27), born England, farmer; Ann Elizabeth (27), born O [Ontario]. The religion is shown as P. Meth [Primitive Methodist].

[15] 1891 census, Ontario, 106 Peel, Toronto Gore, pg 11, household #46: Thomas Nix [both the collectionscanada and familysearch search engines translate the name as “Thamas Nise”] (38), born England, farmer; Ann Elizabeth (36); Etta Mallisa (10); John Write (30), domestic. All household members are Methodists. Thomas employs an average of 2 people during the year.

[16] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6624-2SBW : Sun Mar 10 16:26:41 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Nix, 1892. Thomas Nix (36) is shown in the tax assessment rolls for Toronto Gore in 1892. He is at Stanley Mills and some other name (illegible) is shown as the owner of the land. The 160-acre farm is in Lots 11 and 12, Concession 7. The religion is shown as “M” (presumably Methodist). He has 13 cattle, 22 hogs and 5 horses.

[17] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:662W-Y57V : Sat Mar 09 17:56:29 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Nix, 1893. Thomas Nix (37) is in the tax assessment rolls for Toronto Gore in 1893. He is in Stanley Mills. The name of the land owner is not legible. It appears to be in Concession 7, lots 11 & 12. It is 160 acres. Religion is “m” (for Methodist). He has 5 cattle, 2 hogs and 6 horses.

[18] Hicks, Kathleen A., 2006, "Malton, Farms to Flying," published by Friends of the Mississauaga Library System, p 292. Shows Thomas Nix as a school trustee in 1895. The other trustees were Mr. A. Baldock and Mr. John Sinclair

[19] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6624-3XWZ : Sat Mar 09 17:18:20 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Nix, 1895. Thomas Nix (39) is tenant farmer on a 160 acre farm in Stanley Mills, Toronto Gore Township. The name of the land owner is not legible. The land is in Concession 7, lots 11 & 12. The religion is “M” (Methodist) and he has 10 cattle, 2 hogs and 5 horses.

[20] 1896 land purchase: the land sale document, obtained at the Peel Heritage Complex, is difficult to read. But it appears to indicate that the children of the Duncan family were having financial difficulties and perhaps this is why they sell the land to Thomas. As far as is known, this is the first time someone from the Nix family owns land (in Canada and most likely in England).

[21] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:662Z-1YZJ : Sat Mar 09 05:38:44 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Nix, 1896. Thomas Nix (40) is listed in the tax assessment rolls for Toronto Gore Township in 1896. He is shown in Stanley Mills. However, under the column for the name and address of the owner, some other name (illegible) is shown. It is a 160-acre farm and it appears to be in Lots 11 and 12, Concession 7. The religion is shown as “M” (presumably for Methodist). He has 10 cattle, 2 hogs and 5 horses.

[22] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6624-3XVL : Sat Mar 09 22:12:34 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Nix, 1897. Thomas Nix is listed on the tax assessment rolls for Toronto Gore Township in 1897. He is shown at Stanley Mills. His brother, James Nix, is listed immediately above Thomas and is shown at Grahamsville. And, in the case of James Nix, the land is shown as being owned by the “Dawson estate.” The Thomas Nix 100-acre farm is Lot 14, Concession 7. The James Nix 100-acre farm is in Lot 14, Concession 8. The James Nix farm has 4 cattle, 1 hog and 4 horses. No livestock is shown on the Thomas Nix farm. The religion for the James Nix farm is shown as “M” (presumably Methodist) and no religion is shown for the Thomas Nix farm.

[23] "Canada, Ontario Tax Assessment Rolls, 1834-1899", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6624-Y6S8 : Fri Mar 08 01:16:20 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Nix, 1899. Thomas Nix (43) is listed as a farmer in the tax assessment rolls for Toronto Gore Township in 1899. He is in Grahamsville and he is listed immediately above his the farm of his brother, James Nix. The James Nix farm, which is also in Grahamsville, is owned by William Maw of Tullamore. The Thomas Nix 100-acre farm is in Concession 7, lot 14 (lot 14 south. The James Nix 100-acre farm is in Concession 8, lot 14. Thomas Nix has 11 cattle, 1 hog and 5 horses. James Nix as 7 cattle, 2 hogs and 6 horses.

[24] 1901 census, Ontario, 103 Peel, Toronto Gore, pg 9, household #80: Thomas Nix (47), born in England in [?difficult to read, possibly 25 Oct] 1853, farmer; Hanna E. (46), born 15 (? Or 16) Jan 1854; Etta M (18), born 18 May 1882; Wilbert (8), born 18 Aug 1892, in school; Oscar (6), born .20 Jan 1895, in school. Hanna E [Ann Elizabeth] and the children were all born in Ontario. The family is labelled English and their religion is shown as Methodist. The handwriting on the census record is difficult to read. The automatedgenealogy.com web site transcribes the surname as “Hess” and the collectionscanada search engine reads the surname as “Nice.” The census record shows that Thomas Nix immigrated to Canada in 1889 [he came in 1852]. Also, his actual birth date is Oct 11, 1850. Finally, the name of Thomas’ wife is Ann (sometimes Annie) Elizabeth Ward, not the “Hanna” that is shown in the census record. The next family in the census record is William & Emma Wright. They have a 26-yr old son, Robert Wright. Robert will marry Etta Melissa Nix at some point [date unknown].

[25] 1911 census, Ontario, 109 Peel, Toronto Gore, pg 7, household #73: Thomas Nix (60), born Oct 1850, farmer; Elizabeth (57), born Jan 1854; Wilbert (19), born Aug 1891, labourer, works an average of 72 hrs./week; Oscar (16), born Jan 1895, labourer, works an average of 60 hrs/week; Amelia Parsons (40), born Feb 1871, domestic; George R. Parsons (6), born March 1905, lodger. All household members with the surname Nix were born in O [Ontario] [Thomas was born in England]. The Parsons were born in England and had immigrated to Canada in 1911. The farm in located in Con 7, lot 14 S.D. [Southern Division], The Nix family is Methodist; the Parsons are Anglican.

[26] personal memory of the author.

[27] 1921 census, Ontario, 115 Peel, Township of Toronto, pg 9, family #101: Thomas Nix (70), born in England, immigrated to Canada in 1840, occupation is a farmer; Elizabeth Nix (67), born in Ontario. The family lives on Main Street. Their religion is Methodist. The immigration date of 1840 is incorrect [a 70-year-old person in 1921 would not have been alive in 1840],

[28] Toronto Toronto Daily Star - March 5, 1930 - page 32 PEEL COUNTY MALTON COUPLE HOLDS GOLDEN WEDDING ANNIVERSAY Brampton, March 8 – Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Nix, a highly respected couple of Malton, quietly celebrated their golden wedding last night at their home in this village, where Mr. Nix has been living retired, after a long life spent actively on the farm. Only immediate friends and relatives were present for the observances of the anniversary. Mr. Nix is seventy-nine years of age and was born in England, son of the late William Nix. The family came to this country when Mr. Nix was a child and first settled in Etobicoke township. Mrs. Nix was Miss Elizabeth Ward before her marriage, daughter of the late Thomas Ward, one of the early settlers in East Chinguacousy. Mrs. Nix was born at Woodhill. The ceremony a half century ago was solemnized at the bride’s home in Woodhill. Mr. Nix for many years farmed at Stanley Mills and Grahamsville. All his married life has been spent in Peel county. The esteemed couple are members of Grahamsville United Church. There are two sons, Wilbert, seventh line, Toronto Gore, and Oscar, sixth line, Toronto Gore, and one daughter Mrs. Robert Wright, of Grahamsville. Three grandchildren were present for the celebration.

[29] 1931 census, Ontario, Peel 140, Toronto Township, pg 8, family #83: Thomas Nix (80), born in England, immigrated in 1858 [it was 1852]; Ann E. Nix (77), born in Ontario. They live in Malton in 7-room house worth $1,100. The occupation for Thomas looks like “farmer” but it then has been crossed out. The word “income” has been written over. They go to the United Church.

[30] Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175986315/thomas-nix: accessed February 11, 2024), memorial page for Thomas Nix (–), Find a Grave Memorial ID 175986315, citing Riverside Cemetery and Crematorium, Etobicoke, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada; Maintained by Ruth Watkins (Pew) Jaynes (contributor 48360967). Birth: 28 Oct 1850 in Culverthorpe, Lincolnshire; death 23 Dec 1933.

[31] information about the will from the grandson, G.L.Nix.

Acknowledgements

This biography was written by Fred Nix, originally in 2016 with a major re-write in February 2024. Fred is the great grandson of Thomas.