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Note: Thanks for replying, Robert...
I think our relationship is more than just tangential. We share the same ggg grandmother, Mary. My gg grandfather Abijah Gillett was your gg grandmother Adelaide's half brother. That makes us 4th cousins.
I have been trying, for many years, to find Mary's place of birth and the names of her parents. Although my information is somewhat sketchy, I will tell you what I know.
My gggggrandfather, Abijah Gillet (c1815-June 6, 1848 married Mary on May 10, 1838. I have not determined, without a doubt, her correct surname. When I read the microfilm of the marriage register index for this marriage, the handwriting was not very clear. I interpreted it as Brock, while my cousin interpreted it as Brook and yet another as Brooks. It is, however, one of them. I have just begun my work on this family line after a hiatus of a couple years. That is how I came across your entry on Ancestry.com.
Abijah and Mary had several children:
Mary born c1836 who died in 1855 and is buried with her father in the Hilton Cemetery in Hilton, Ontario.
Sophia Olive born Oct 12, 1843 who married Thomas Bibby
Lydia Maria born c1844 who married James W. Newcomb
Samuel born Sept 14, 1846 who married Amanda Pearson
Abijah born c1848 who married Mary Ann Taylor and Frances Tompkins. Abijah is my gggrandfather and unfortunately, his son, Clayton, was born of his first wife. I have no idea if she died or they were divorced. I have not been able to locate the family after 1881. I have no idea when he died or where he is buried. Perhaps you have some Gillett names in your father's notes that may help.
Abijah Gillett (1) died on June 6, 1848. Mary married Robert Alexander. I have a date of marriage for them of July 2, 1849 but, to be perfectly honest with you, at the moment, I have no idea where I obtained it. I will look through my notes.
The information concerning Robert Alexander prior to 1851 has not yet been proven, and therefore is only speculation. It does, however seem to fit, but needs to be proven before being taken as gospel. (The reason that I mention this is because the ages given on the heads of household listings do not quite match up with those in later census records. It could be possible that there was another Robert Alexander living in the area. I did not check out this information because Robert Alexander was not my ancestor, and I was having enough trouble with my own ancestors of this family. I will try to find answers for you)
Robert Alexander, born c1800) lived in Murray Township, Newcastle District. He was the non-owner of property at Lot 35 Concession B (according to the 1848 census). His wife is still living when this census was taken.
According to the census of 1850, he lived on Lot 32, Concession 2. The census is peculiar in that it doesn't show ages for a wife (unless I missed it when I did the transcription) The only other answer is that Mary was 15 years younger than Robert, so perhaps she was listed as a child rather than a wife, which she would be by 1850. The 1850 census of Brighton gave only names of heads of household. It shows that there are 8 children in the home. It shows that Robert is the proprietor of real estate and that all in the household are natives of Canada and that all are of British origin.
In the 1851 census for Brighton Township, Northumberland County, names and ages are listed. This confirms the marriage of Mary, age 34, and Robert Alexander, age 51. One child, born to Robert and his first wife, is listed. Her name is Melvina Alexander, born in Canada c1832. She would also be a half sister to your gggrandmother. The Gillett children are shown living with them in a 1 1/2 story frame home. Robert Alexander is a cooper. All are of E. Methodist religion and all are born in Canada.
With the 1861 census of Brighton comes Lucy Alexander, age 8. Three of the Gillett children are still living in the home (Samuel, Mary and Abijah). Robert is shown as 61 years of age and Mary is 45. The family lives on 2 acres of land and have 2 cows and 1 pig valued at $40.00.
There are 2 children attending school.
By the 1871 census for Brighton, Robert has died. Mary, age 52, is shown living with Lucy, now called Adda, age 17, and her son Abijah Gillet, age 22.
Mary is living alone in the 1881 census of Brighton. She is now age 65 and it shows she is a widow.
Another piece of information that I found (that would be of interest to you) was the following from the Nominal Return of the 2nd Regiment, Prince Edward Militia, dated May 15, 1822
Reuben Gillet, age 46 (private) This was Abijah (1)'s father
Robert Alexander, age 20 (private)
There is also an entry for James Alexander, age 54 (private) who could be Robert's father, but I have not investigated this fact either.
This information came from the Ontario Register, Volume 2, 1969, page 143.
I also have copies of the Indentures when land passed between Mary Alexander and Adelaide and Charles c1882 and back again to Mary. I would suspect that that was around the time they would have left the Brighton are
I would love to have the information on Adelaide's descendants down your family line, if you are willing to share it with me. I have given you all the information I have on Adelaide's family. I wrote to you as soon as I found your contribution and have not had a chance to do any more research, yet. I will send you anything that I find, in future.
If you are interested in my line, down from Mary, I will gladly provide it for you.
Hoping to hear from you soon,
Marlene
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