JOHN SABISTON (1842-1918) (Last Updated: August 04, 2017)
John SABISTON was born Sep 26, 1842 in Stromness (Walls), Orkneys of Scotland.
Hudson’s Bay Company On Feb 20, 1862 John was hired by the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). That summer he sailed to York Factory aboard the Prince of Wales. For the next five years he worked as a laborer in the York Factory and Athabasca districts. Canadian Confederation
In 1867 John retired to the Red River Settlement.
On July 1, 1867 the British colonies in North America were united under the British North American Act to become the Dominion of Canada. Sir John A MACDONALD (1815-1891) was appointed as Canada’s first Prime Minister. William McDOUGALL (1822-1905) became the Minister of Public Works, and he began negotiations to acquire Rupert’s Land from the HBC. Surveyors were sent out to prepare the way for an expected influx of settlers.
On Feb 19, 1868 John married Margaret FOLSTER in Red River, daughter of Isabella BROWN, (a half-breed) and John FOLSTER, (1813-1876), also a settler from the Orkneys.
In 1869 daughter Margaret was born in Lower Fort Garry.
On Oct 11, 1869, Louis RIEL (1844-1885) placed his foot on the surveyors’ chain to tell them their work was finished. This marked the beginning of a Red River Métis Rebellion. ** MORE ABOUT THE RED RIVER REBELLION in WIKIPEDIA
On July 15,1870 Manitoba became the fifth province of Canada, the Canadian Government having acquired the territory previously governed by the HBC. The Rebellion was essentially over.
The 1881 Census in St Clements Parish, John was recorded as age 39; wife Margaret, age 31; children as Margaret (age 12), James William (9), Ellen (7), Henry George (5), Thomas (4), Annabella (2) and baby Elizabeth Jane (age 2 months).
On June 15, 1882the Town of Selkirk was incorporated. By the end of the year 1883 the railway branch running on the west side of the river from Winnipeg to the Town of Selkirk was constructed by the CPR was opened for service. In 1884 the first Selkirk Newspaper began publishing. The region's first Mental Health Centre, also known as the Asylum, was under construction (opened in 1886). There were wooden sidewalks along the main streets of Selkirk.
Around 1889 eldest daughter Margaret was married in Selkirk to Peter SORELL (1860-1906), a barber from Ontario.
Census 1891 in St Clements Parish:John SABISTON, farmer, age 47; wife Margaret, age 41. Children: James William (age 19), Ellen (17), Henry George (16), Alexander Thomas (13), Annabella (12), Elizabeth Jane (10), Willemina (8), Emma (5), John (4) and Charles (age 2).
In 1894 eldest son James William married Mary McDONALD in Selkirk, daughter of Mary FLETT and John McDONALD (b-1834).
Around 1900 daughter Ellen married Richard Colin COX in Little Britain, son of Mary SANDERSON and Robert COX (1836-1890).
Census 1891 in St Clements Parish:John SABISTON, age 56; wife is Margaret, age 51. Children: Henry (age 25), Alexander(23), Wilhelmina (21), Emma (15), John (14), Charles (11) and Robert (age 9).
Saskatchewan
Census 1906; Dufferin Ave, Selkirk: John SABISTON, age 65; wife Maggie, age 55. Children: Emma (age 21), Charles (18) and Robert (age 15).
In 1907 son Alexander Thomas married Lillian McLEOD in Selkirk, daughter of Annabella THOMAS and William McLEOD (1842-1922).
In 1908 daughter Wilhelmina married John Henry FOLSTER in Kenora, Ontario, son of Catherine MUGGABERG and Henry FOLSTER (1855-1905).
Census 1911 in Wishart-Bankend: John SABISTON, age 77; wife Margaret, age 61. Children: John (age 24), Charles (22), Robert (20). The McMARTIN family are neighbors.
In 1913 daughter Emma married her brother-in-law Walter James HARPER in Kenora, son of Jane (nee SINCLAIR) FOLSTER & Joseph Richard HARPER (1857-1937). Around 1913 son Charles married Mabel McMARTIN in Saskatchewan, daughter of Ann STORY and Duncan Peter McMARTIN (1865-1937) a homesteader from Ontario.
World War I
On Aug 4, 1914 Great Britain (Canada on Aug 5) declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary to uphold treaties with France and Belgium which were under German attack. This marked the beginning of World War I.
Census 1916 in Wishart-Bankend: John SABISTON, age 73; wife Margaret, age 66. Children: Emma (age 30), John (29), Charles (27), Robert (25). With them are son Charles’ wife Mabel (age 20) and their children; Ada (age 2) and baby Stella. On Nov 20, 1918 John SABISTON died at Bankend (SK).
November 11, 1919, Armistice Day (Remembrance Day) marked the end of the First World War.
Census 1921 in Wishart-Bankend: Widow Margaret SABISTON (age 72) with son John (age 34), his wife Hazel (age 21) and grandson Dale (age 2) on the family farm.
Widow Margaret moves to Kenora, Ontario
In the early to mid-1920’s Widow Margaret moved to Kenora, Ontario, where she spent the rest of her life with her daughter Wilhelmina and son-in-law John Henry FOLSTER.
On March 31, 1926 Widow Margaret SABISTON died at the Ontario Hospital in Mimico (Toronto) at the age of 77. She was buried in the Park Lawn Cemetery at Etobicoke . Comments and queries at this link: FORUM DISCUSSING THE JOHN SABISTON FAMILY
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Children: ** MORE ABOUT JAMES WILLIAM SABISTON 3. Oct 29, 1873 ELLEN SABISTON (m. Richard Colin COX)
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