Richard Henry Bonnycastle1

#24, (1843 - 1911)
FatherHenry William John Bonnycastle2,3 (1813 - 1888)
MotherEleanor Mary Susan Rowed3 (1811 - 1891)
RelationshipGreat-grandson of John Bonnycastle
Pedigree
Charts5 Generations of Descendants of Sir Richard Henry Bonnycastle (1791-1847)

Family

Charlotte Kate Cassan (1843 - 1930)
Children

Life Events

OccupationRichard Henry Bonnycastle was a farmer, then gentleman (1911.) 
BirthHe was born on 30 Dec 1843 in Seymour Township, Northumberland County, Ontario.4 
(with Parents) 1851/2 CensusRichard Bonnycastle appeared on the 1852 Census of Seymour Township, Northumberland County, Canada West with his parents. He was born in Canada and was to be 9 on his next birthday.2 
(with Parents) 1861 CensusRichard Bonycastle [sic] appeared on the 1861 Census of Seymour Township, Northumberland County, Ontario with his parents. He was 17, born in Upper Canada, and was a labourer [on the census form he was recorded as 15 but apparently the enumerator switched his name with his younger brother Charles].5 
(Witness) Marriage Richard Henry Bonnycastle witnessed the marriage of his brother Francis Edward Bonnycastle and Elizabeth Lennox on 18 Nov 1865 in Seymour Township.6 
MilitaryRichard Henry Bonnycastle served in the Fenian Raid about a month at Kingston, Toronto and Coburg. Attacks were expected at Kingston and Coburg. He was a Sergeant in the 40th Northumberland Battalion of Infantry under the command of Capt George Tice. Richard Henry was noted to be from Campbellford. The register showed that he was awarded a Canada General Service Medal and that it was sent to him at Campbellford in 1900.
His brother Charles also served in the Fenian Raids in 1866.7 
MarriageHe married Charlotte Kate Cassan on 18 Nov 1869 in Christ Church Anglican, Campbellford, Northumberland County, Ontario.
The register notes: Richard H Bonnycastle, bachelor, of Township of Seymour & Charlotte Kate Cassan of the same place, spinster, were married by license by J.S. Baker, Inc. of Seymour & Percy [the husband of Richard's cousin Maria Grace Rowed]. Witnesses were C Bonnycastle [his brother Charles] & E Denmark [his cousin Ernest].1 
1871 CensusRichard and Charlotte Bonnycastle appeared on the 1871 Census of Seymour Township, Northumberland County, Ontario, enumerated 2 Apr 1871. Richard was 27, born in Ontario, religion Church of England, of English origin, and was a farmer. Charlotte was 27 and also born in Ontario. They had no children but the Return of Deaths listed Alexander who was born in October and died at 5 months of age in April of Inflammation of the lungs.8 
Note.Richard H Bonnycastle was the enumerator for the 1871 census.8 
(Witness) Marriage Richard Henry Bonnycastle witnessed the marriage of his brother Charles Green Bonnycastle and Sarah Oliver on 31 Aug 1872 in Campbellford, Northumberland County, Ontario.9 
(Heir) WillRichard Henry Bonnycastle was named an heir in the will of his mother Eleanor Mary Susan Bonnycastle dated 11 Jun 1873 in Seymour Township. He was to share all the real and personal property equally with his brother Frank Edward Bonnycastle. Richard Henry was also to receive the North half of Lot No 5 in the 4th Concession of Seymour. And, he was to receive $500 from his brother Frank.10
1881 CensusRichard and Charlotte Bonnycastle appeared on the 1881 Census of Seymour Township, Northumberland County, Ontario, enumerated 4 Apr 1881. Richard was 37, born in Ontario, religion Church of England, English origin, and was a farmer. Charlotte was 37, born in Ontario, and Irish. With them were children Harold, Angus, Alexandra, Hidegarde, and Frank. The two eldest attended school.11 
Note.Richard was the enumerator for the 1881 census.11 
Newspaper Published 1 Jun 1881 in the New York Times.

Belleville, Ontario, May 31.--Dr. Pettigrew, of Campbellford, on Saturday night shot Richard Bonnycastle, a wealthy farmer living near that place, in the head, severely, though not fatally, injuring him. The provocation was Bonnycastle's intimacy with the wife of the former. Pettigrew was committed to jail.12 
Newspaper Published 7 Jun 1881 in the Hunterdon County Democrat. [just to show you can't believe everything you read...]

Richard Bonnycastle was shot dead by Dr. Pettigrew, near Campbellford, Ontario, on Sunday night a week. The provocation was Bonnycastle's too great intimacy with Mrs. Pettigrew.13
 
MilitaryRichard Henry Bonnycastle served with the militia in Campbellford and was Captain and A Company commander of the Midland Battalion raised in and around Coburg and Kingston. The A Company went to the Riel Rebellion in Batoche in 1885 but stayed in Saskatoon and saw no action.14 
(Informant) DeathHe registered the 1890 death of his brother Harold John.15 
1891 CensusRichard and Charlotte Bonnycastle appeared on the 1891 Census of Seymour Township, Northumberland County, Ontario, enumerated 6 Apr 1891. The Bonnycastle family lived in a 7 room brick house. Richard was 47, born in Ontario, father born in New Brunswick, mother in England, religion Church of England, and was a Farmer. Charlotte was 47, born in Ontario, parents born in Ireland, and religion Church of England. Their children Angus Lorne, Alexandra Mary, Hildegarde and Frank Cassan were with them.16 
Note.Richard was the enumerator for the 1891 census for Seymour Township.16 
1901 CensusRichard H and Charlott Bonnycastle appeared on the 1901 Census of Campbellford, Northumberland County, Ontario, at Lots 3 & 4, Rannie G, enumerated 31 Mar 1901. They owned a brick home with 8 rooms on 1/2 acre, also owned 100 1/2 acres, 2 village lots, 2 houses, and 2 outbuildings. Richard was 57, born December 30 1843 in Ontario, of Scotch origin, religion Church of England, and was employed as a General Laborer, earning $300 for 9 months work. Charlotte was 57, born August 24 1843 in Ontario and was of Irish origin. Their daughter Hildegarde was living with them.4 
(Informant) DeathRichard Henry Bonnycastle registered the 1903 death of his brother Alexander.17 
1911 CensusRichard and Charlott Bonnycastle appeared on the 1911 Census of Campbellford, Northumberland County, Ontario, at Ranny Street, enumerated 1 Jun 1911. Richard was 67, born December 1843 in Ontario, of English origin, Anglican, and was a Lineman for Electric Line, working 45 weeks at 60 hr/wk for $450. Charlotte was 67, born August 1843 in Ontario, and was of Irish origin. Their daughter Hildegarde was listed as living with them.18 
DeathRichard died on 2 Nov 1911 in Campbellford.
Information from the registration: age 67, born Seymour Township Dec 30 1843, gentleman, married, father Henry John Bonnycastle, born New Brunswick, mother Eleanor Mary Susan Rowed, born England, attended by [his nephew] Dr R.H. Bonnycastle Jr, informant F.C. Bonnycastle, C'ford, cause of death heart failure and arteriosclerosis.3 
BurialHe was buried on 5 Nov 1911 in Christ Church Anglican Cemetery, Campbellford, Northumberland County, Ontario. The church register recorded that Richard Henry was a 68 year old farmer, of Campbellford.19 
Last Edited27 Jan 2022

Citations

  1. Parish Register of Christ Church Anglican, Campbellford, Ontario (Diocese of Toronto Archives, photocopied records), Bonnycastle/Cassan marriage, 1869.
  2. Online image of 1851/2 Census for Canada. Canada West, Northumberland (24), Seymour (228), Part 1.
  3. Death certificate registered in the Province of Ontario "Richard Henry Bonnycastle, #022302-11."
  4. 1901 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Northumberland E (95), Campbellford (c-2), page 6, line 18.
  5. 1861 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Canada West, Northumberland County, Seymour township (1), page 17.
  6. Province of Ontario Marriage Registers: Northumberland County Marriage Register, p. 43; returns from the Methodist Episcopal Church, Family History Library.
  7. Image of medal register viewed online at Library and Archives Canada.
  8. 1871 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Ontario, Northumberland East (55), Seymour (g-2), page 58.
  9. Province of Ontario Marriage Registers: Bonnycastle/Oliver marriage, 1872, Family History Library.
  10. Eleanor Mary Susan Bonnycastle, Probate File Surrogate Court of Ontario (United Counties of Northumberland and Durham), Family History Library, Film #1452202.
  11. 1881 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Ontario, Northumberland East (123), Seymour Township (G-1), page 1.
  12. The New York Times Archives, online http://select.nytimes.com , 1 June 1881, page 2.
  13. Online, June 7, 1881, Forty Third Volume, No. 42, Hunterdon County Democrat, NJ, in online newspaper extracts at http://www.njsuttonfamily.org/
  14. Letters from William Robinson (Rob) Bonnycastle, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, to J Kolthammer, dated beginning in 1990.
  15. Death certificate registered in the Province of Ontario "Harold John Bonnycastle, #011878-90."
  16. 1891 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Ontario, Northumberland East (98), Tp Seymour (i-3), page 1.
  17. Ontario Death Registration. Alexander Bonnycastle, #019051-03.
  18. 1911 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Ontario, Northumberland East (101), Town of Campbellford, subdist 33, page 8.
  19. Parish Register of Christ Church Anglican, Campbellford, Ontario (Diocese of Toronto Archives, photocopied records), Richard Henry Bonnycastle burial, 1911.
  20. Evelyn Luttrell, Bonnycastle Family Tree, undated but likely circa 1950.
  21. Ontario Canada Birth Registration. Hildegarde Bonnycastle, #019616-77 [name not stated].
  22. Ontario Canada Birth Registration. Frank Cassan Bonnycastle, #020702-79.