Henry William Johnstone Bonnycastle Dale1,2

#1731, (1868 - 1936)
MotherLouisa Bonnycastle1 (1833 - 1900)
RelationshipGreat-grandson of John Bonnycastle
Pedigree
Charts5 Generations of Descendants of Sir Richard Henry Bonnycastle (1791-1847)

Life Events

.3
Bonnycastle Dale
1868 - 1936
CalledHenry William Johnstone Bonnycastle Dale went by the name of Bonnycastle Dale in all his writings. 
OccupationHe was a writer, naturalist, and photographer. 
BirthHe was born on 28 Oct 1868 in Ontario.
Not all records agree with this date; a baptism needs to be found to confirm. His death certificate reported his birthday as October 26, 1861.4,1 
Research Note In the 1901 census, his birthdate was recorded as 28 October 1868 which fits with the 1871 census where he was 3 years old [if indeed he is the child recorded as Henry Waddingham, taking his stepfather's name].
1891 - 25 (b 1865/66)
1901 - 32, born Oct 1868
1911 - 50, born Oct 1861. 
(with Parents) 1871 CensusHenry Waddingham appeared on the 1871 Census of Kingston, Frontenac County, Ontario with his parents. He was listed, with the surname Waddingham, as the 3 year old son of John and Louise.5 
Event In 1876 difficulties with an abusive stepfather caused him to leave home for an uncle's. The uncle gave him money to go to New York where he met a man who financed him to write and photograph wildlife.6 
1891 CensusHenry Dale appeared on the 1891 Census of Hamilton Township, Northumberland County, Ontario, enumerated 23 Apr 1891. The family lived in a 1 1/2 story wooden house with 8? rooms. Henry was the head of household, age 25, born in Ontario, parents born in Ontario, religion Church of England, and worked as a Commercial Traveler. His mother Louisa Waddingham and siblings John W and Mary Louisa were also in the household.7 
OccupationHe held an important position in connection with the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and was, after that, a salesman and promoter.6 
1901 CensusHenry J Dale appeared on the 1901 Census of Gore's Landing, Northumberland County, Ontario, at Con 9 Lot 15, enumerated 15 Apr 1901. He was 32, single, born October 28 1868 in rural Ontario, of English origin, religion English Church, and was employed as a Traveller. They owned a 10 room brick house with one outbuilding on a 1/2 acre lot. His half siblings John W Waddingham and Mary Louisa Waddingham were also in the household.4 
1911 CensusH W J Bonnycastle Dale appeared on the 1911 Census of Sooke, British Columbia, at Part of Section 14, enumerated 1 Jun 1911. He was 50, single, born October 1861 in Ontario, of English origin, Anglican, and was a Naturalist working on his own account. No one else was in the household.8 
OccupationHe travelled from the Pacific to the Atlantic organizing the Canadian Manufacturers Association. This was before 1916.6 
Residence Circa 1918, Henry William Johnstone Bonnycastle Dale lived in Middle Clyde River, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, studying wild life and contributing articles to sporting magazines. Prior to this he lived in Rice Lake, Ontario.6 
1921 CensusHenry Bonnycastle Dale appeared on the 1921 Census of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, at Reynard Bridge. He rented his 8 room wood house. He was 61, single, born in Ontario, father born in England, mother in Ontario, religion Church of England, occupation Author of Natural History working on his own account. With him was a lodger, Cecil Griffith (17, Ontario, student of natural history.)9 
Residence Between 1926 and 1928, Henry William Johnstone Bonnycastle Dale lived in New Brunswick.3 
Residence In May 1928, Bonnycastle Dale returned with his assistant Cecil Griffith to Clyde River, Shelburne, Nova Scotia, after two years in New Brunswick.3 
WillHe wrote a will dated 30 May 1936 in Middle Clyde River. His heirs were his half sister Mary Louisa Waddingham and his companion Cecil Griffiths. He mentions interesting articles such as his canoe, cameras, writings, and negative collection.2
DeathHenry died on 7 Nov 1936 in Middle Clyde River.
Information from the death certificate: Henry William Johnstone Bonnycastle Dale, residence Middle Clyde River for 8 1/2 years, in Nova Scotia 17 years, Scotch origin, single, born 26 October 1861 in Ontario, age 75 years 12 days, occupation author for 35 years, father's name not recorded, mother Louisa Bonnycastle. The informant was Cecil Griffith of Middle Clyde and burial was Middle Clyde River on November 9th.1 
BurialHe was buried on 9 Nov 1936 in Middle Clyde River Cemetery. Canon Robinson conducted the service.1,6
rural Middle Clyde River, Nova Scotia, Cemetery
The gravestone next to Bonnycastle Dale's is that of his friend Cecil Griffiths
Gravestone of Bonnycastle Dale
(1861 - 1936)
Last Edited24 Jan 2022

Citations

  1. Death certificate of Henry William Johnstone Bonnycastle Dale, died 7 November 1936, registered 7 November 1936 in the Province of Nova Scotia, Certificate #619.
  2. Last Will and Testament of Henry William Johnstone Bonnycastle Dale of Middle Clyde River, Nova Scotia, 30 May 1936, probate details unknown, copy from Shelburne County Genealogical Society.
  3. 'Mystery Unwinds: Bonnycastle Dale & Laddie', The Paper Clip, Vol 2, No 16, 16 January 1981, Page 3 . Photocopy obtained from the Shelburne County Genealogical Society.
  4. 1901 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Northumberland W (96), Hamilton (d-11), page 7, line 28.
  5. 1871 Census for Canada "Kingston 66, Sydenham Ward F, Page 53 (photocopy from Library & Archives Canada)."
  6. Shelburne County Genealogical Society, Family History Files, as of June 1997, Nova Scotia "family group record, 18 June 1977."
  7. 1891 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Ontario, Northumbrland West (99), Township of Hamilton (d-5), page 21 (image blurry).
  8. 1911 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. British Columbia, Nanaimo, 4 Sooke, page 10.
  9. 1921 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Nova Scotia, Yarmouth and Clare, SD 3, Page 4.