Guide

James Shewfelt and Sophia Proof

James Shewfelt was born in Brock Township, Ontario County, Ontario, Canada about 1823. The first document that has been found for him is his marriage on 14th February 1843 to Sophia Proof. James gave his residence as "of Brock" amd Sophia's resisence was "of Uxbridge. They were married by John Sanderson, a minister of the Methodist Church in Canada; a resident in Brock in the Home District. Witnesses were Jacob Shewfelt and Matthew Umphrey.

It is not known if Proof was Sophia's maiden name or if she had been previously married. On her son Alfred's marriage record her name is Sophia Forsittre and on her daughter Clarisa's marriage record her name is Sophia Mills.

In 1850 James received a location ticket for Con 2 NDR Lot 18 in Kincardine Township but sold his holdings there.

Where were James and Sophia and family in 1851? Their first child, Alfred, was born in 1845. Three more children, Jacob, Clarisa and Arvina were christened on the 30th April 1855 at Orangeville, Wellington, Ontario, Canada.

In November 1858, a grant of land was made to James Shewfelt in the Township of Saint Vincent, County of Grey. However, a land record dated 4th December said the grant was erroneous and was to be cancelled and a minute thereof inserted in the margin of the Registry of the original Letters Patent.

The family is listed on the 1861 Census in Kincardine Township, Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada. The family consisted of James, Sophia, Alfred, Jacob, Clarisa, Ester Elizabeth & Emily. As well four children of his sister, Charity Brocklebank, were enumerated with the family (George, William, Peter and Mary Brocklebank.)

In 1864 James Shewfelt owned Con 7 Lot 14 in Kincardine Township. He also purchased the W 1/2 of Con 9 Lot 16 and lived on that piece of land.

In 1871 the family consisted of James, Sophia, Clarisa, Esther, Emily, Peter and Bethine and in 1881 there was only Sophia, James, James and Emily. They were living in Kincardine Twp. in both 1871 and 1881.

In 1891 James Sophia & son James were living in St. Joseph, Algoma, Ontario in th household of their daughter and son-in-law Daniel and Clarisa Sutherland.

In 1901 Sophia was living on her own in St. Joseph.

James died 16 May 1891 and Sophia died 3 Apr 1906