ELIJAH HOOLE SINCLAIR (1865-?)
MARY (1866-?)

(Last Updated: December 04, 2013)

Elijah Hoole SINCLAIR was born on Nov 5, 1865 at Rossville (Norway House), son of Betsy OMAND and John Colfield SINCLAIR (1830-1920). On March 19, 1866 Elijah was baptized by Reverend Charles STRINGFELLOW (1832-1915) who then stated “May he never disgrace that honoured name!” ** MORE ABOUT JOHN COLFIELD SINCLAIR

In 1874 Elijah’s father (John) began to work for the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) as a voyageur, and from 1876 5o 1882 he was the HBC Post Master at Rossville.

Elijah marries Mary
1882

It was around 1882 that Elijah was married to a lady named Mary. Their first child, Philip, was born about 1883.

In 1884 Reverend John SEMMENS (1850-1921) arrived at Norway House, and Elijah’s father worked for him as a translator for several literary works, such as John Bunyan's The pilgrim's progress, and 200 hymns into Cree. No doubt Elijah provided assistance as well. He would have been about 19 years old in 1884. In 1888 Reverend SEMMENS went to work in Carberry and later served in Winnipeg (MB). ** MORE ABOUT JOHN SEMMENS in DCBO

Brandon Industrial School
1895

In July, 1895 Brandon Industrial Institute opened with 38 children enrolled, and with Reverend John SEMMENS, “a master of the Cree language,” as its first principal.

** Later records indicate that an Elijah SINCLAIR was a student at the Brandon Industrial School (without indicating his age or his origins). Was this our Elijah? In 1895 our Elijah would have been about 30 years old, a married man with five children. If this is our Elijah, he probably received his first training in that profession under SEMMENS, both at Rossville and at Brandon. If anyone can clear this up, please let us know on the Forum at the link provided below.

Fisher River Reserve
1906

In the 1906 Census the family was recorded in the Fisher River Reserve as follows: Elijah SINCLAIR, age 44 (b-1862); wife Mary, age 40 (b-1866). Children: Philip (age 23), John (21), Henry (19), Mary (15), Georgina (13), Egerton (11), Clara (9), George (6), Susan (4) and Margaret (age 1).

Around 1908 eldest son Philip married Alice MASON, daughter of Madeline MURDOCK and William MASON (1845-1921+). ** MORE ABOUT WILLIAM MASON

The Elijah SINCLAIR family was recorded in the Fisher River Reserve again in the 1911 and 1916 Censuses.

In 1912 daughter Georgina married her brother-in-law John MASON, son of Madeline MURDOCK and William MASON (1845-1921+). ** MORE ABOUT WILLIAM MASON

Further reports of an Elijah SINCLAIR as a Teacher

Again, if anyone can identify more accurately the origins of the Elijah SINCLAIR in the following, please let us known on the Forum (link provided below).

DIA Report 1916: Deer Lake School – Teacher Elijah SINCLAIR
DIA Report 1917: Deer Lake Day School (Methodist). This is a summer day school. I visited this day school on July 8 - - The furniture is rough, being made on the ground by the teacher, Elijah SINCLAIR, an ex-pupil of Brandon Industrial School. The seats are comfortable. The class-work - very elementary, the attendance is good, and the pupils are interested. The result of the work is very encouraging and a credit to the teacher, who is patient and kind to his pupils. The classes are assembled in a log building that is commodious, comfortable and kept very clean. The equipment was limited and was in good or(l(>r. The school-room is well lighted and well ventilated.
Annual Report Ended Mar 31, 1918: Norway House Agency; Bloodvein River School; Bloodvein Reserve: Teacher: Elijah SINCLAIR, Methodist. 28 children on School Roll: 16 boys and 12 girls. Averange attendance: 9. 24 students in Grade I; 4 students in Grade II.
DIA School Statement for 1919: Norway House Agency; Bloodvein River School; Bloodvein Reserve: Teacher: Elijah SINCLAIR, Methodist.

Comments and queries at this link: FORUM DISCUSSING the ELIJAH SINCLAIR FAMILY

========================== Family Details ==========================

Children:
1. 1883 PHILIP SINCLAIR (m. Alice MASON)
2. 1885 JOHN SINCLAIR
3. 1887 HENRY SINCLAIR
4. 1891 MARY SINCLAIR
5. 1893 GEORGINA SINCLAIR (m. John MASON)
6. 1896 EGERTON SINCLAIR
7. 1898 CLARA SINCLAIR
8. 1900 GEORGE SINCLAIR
9. 1902 SUSANNA SINCLAIR
10. 1905 MARGARET JANE SINCLAIR

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