Harold John Bonnycastle1,2

#31, (1851 - 1917)
FatherHenry William John Bonnycastle1,3 (1813 - 1888)
MotherEleanor Mary Susan Rowed1,3 (1811 - 1891)
RelationshipGreat-grandson of John Bonnycastle
Pedigree
Charts5 Generations of Descendants of Sir Richard Henry Bonnycastle (1791-1847)

Family

Fanny Jane Skinner (1859 - 1931)
Children

Life Events

OccupationHarold John Bonnycastle was a Farmer (1878), agent (1881), farmer (1900), rancher (before 1914), and in insurance (after 1914.) 
BirthHe was born on 18 Apr 1851 in Seymour Township, Northumberland County, Ontario.3,4
 
(with Parents) 1851/2 CensusHarold 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 1 on his next birthday.4 
(with Parents) 1861 CensusHarold Bonycastle [sic] appeared on the 1861 Census of Seymour Township, Northumberland County, Ontario with his parents. He was 10 and born in Upper Canada.5 
(with Parents) 1871 CensusHarold appeared on the 1871 Census of Seymour Township, Northumberland County, Ontario with his parents. He was 21, born in Ontario, and a Farmer. There is a marginal notation about him that I can't decipher.6 
NoteHe inherited Lot No 12 in the 7th Concession of Seymour from his aunt Elizabeth Carlow in 1873.7 
(Not Mentioned) WillHe was not mentioned in the will of his mother Eleanor Mary Susan Bonnycastle dated 11 Jun 1873 in Seymour Township.8
MarriageHarold John Bonnycastle married Fanny Jane Skinner on 14 Jan 1878 in Campbellford Anglican Church, Campbellford, Northumberland County, Ontario.
Information from certificate: Harold John Bonnycastle, 26, residence Campbellford, born Canada, Bachelor, Gentleman, religion Church of England, son of Henry & Ellen Bonnycastle;
Fanny Jane Skinner, 18, residence Campbellford, born Canada, Spinster, Church of England, daughter of Henry Ellis & Eliza Skinner,
The witnesses were Hugh E.N. Neill, and Mary F. Skinner both of Campbellford.1,2 
1881 CensusHarold and Fanny Bonnycastle appeared on the 1881 Census of Seymour Township, Northumberland County, Ontario, enumerated 4 Apr 1881. Harold was 30, born in Ontario, religion Church of England, English origin, and he was an Agent. Fanny was 22, born in Ontario, same religion and origin. With them was their daughter May.9 
Newspaper Published 5 Jan 1888. The Qu'Appelle Vidette
Thursday, January 5, 1888, page 3
Katepwa

H.J. Bonnycastle had an exciting chase after a wolverine about a mile from here on Wednesday last, it having got in a trap. Mr. Bonnycastle followed it on a pony and killed it with a club after considerable difficulty. It weighed 90 lbs.
 
Land Record Circa 1890, Harold John Bonnycastle applied for a land grant for the SE & NE 1/4 Section 12 Township 20 Range 12, Katepwa, Northwest Territories.10 
WillHe wrote a will dated 13 Dec 1890. Abstracted information:

Harold John Bonnycastle of the village of Katepwe in the provisional District of Assiniboia in the North West Territories of the Dominion of Canada, Farmer.

All real and personal estate, including a life insurance policy with Sun Mutual of Montreal, to wife Fanny Jane Bonnycastle.

Wife to be sole executor.

Witnesses: Annie & William F Johnston.11 
1891 CensusHarold and Fanny Bonnycastle appeared on the 1891 Census of Qu'Appelle, Assiniboia, Northwest Territories, enumerated 16 May 1891. The Bonnycastle family lived in a two story wood house with 5? rooms. Harold was 40, born in Ontario, father born in New Brunswick, mother in England, religion Church of England, and was a Farmer employing one person. Fanny was 31, born in Ontario, parents born in England, and religion Church of England. Their children Fanny May, Henry Lionel and Alexander William were with them.12 
ImmigrationHarold John Bonnycastle immigrated to United States in 1896.13 
1900 CensusHarold J and Fanny J Bonnycastle appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Moreno Township, Riverside County, California, enumerated 1 Jun 1900. Harold was 49, born in April 1851 in English Canada, father born in Canada, mother in England. He was a farmer who owned his home with a mortgage. The family immigrated in 1896 and Harold had filed his Declaration of Intent to become a citizen. Fanny was 40, born in June 1859, and was the mother of 3 children, all still living. She was born in Canada, with parents born in England, and she and Harold had been married 22 years. Their son Alexander William was listed as living with them, as well as Fanny's sister Minnie F Skinner.13 
1910 CensusH.J. and Fanny J. Bonnycastle appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Riverside, Riverside County, California, at Victoria Avenue, enumerated 2 May 1910. Harold was age 59, had alien immigration status, was a foreman on Balmoral Ranch, and rented his home. Fanny J was 51 and was the mother of 3 children, all still living. HJ and Fanny had been married 30 years, first marriage for both, were born in English Canada, as were their parents. They immigrated in 1897.14 
Residence-Moved Circa 1914, Harold John Bonnycastle moved to Chilliwack BC.3 
DeathHarold died on 1 Sep 1917 in Gore Avenue, Chilliwack, British Columbia.
Information from certificate:
Age 66y 4m 13d, married, profession Insurance from 1915, formerly Rancher, born Seymour Ont 18 April 1851, at present location 3 yrs, prior location Riverside CA, father Henry Bonnycastle born England, mother Elenor Rowed born England. Informant was [his son] A.W. Bonnycastle, of Los Angeles, CA. Cause of death was chronic Bright's disease.3 
BurialHe was buried on 3 Sep 1917 in Church of England cemetery, Chilliwack, British Columbia.3 
ObituaryHis obituary was published on 13 Sep 1917 in the The Chilliwack Progress.
Obituary
Mr. H. J. BONNYCASTLE

     Chilliwack lost a splendid citizen on Saturday, Sept. 1, in the person of Mr. Harold John Bonnycastle, who passed away at his home on Gore avenue that evening. Mr. Bonnycastle was ill only a few weeks, and his sudden removal was a shock to his friends. For some months previous to being taken ill, deceased was inspector at the plant of the Chilliwack Evaporating & Packing Co., and was also engaged in the insurance business. Previous to coming to Chilliwack, he was, for a number of years, engaged in the growing of fruits at Riverside, California, on a large scale, and prior to that was engaged in wheat farming near Indian Head, Sask. He was a native of Ontario and lived his early life in that province. Mr. Bonnycastle was in his 67th year, and was highly esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He made many friends during his residence here. The funeral took place on Monday, Sept. 3, from St. Thomas' church of which deceased was a faithful member, to the Church of England cemetery. The church service was conducted by Rev. W.A. Collins, of St. Thomas', Rev. T.E. Rowe of St. John's, Sardis, and Rev. E.M. Searles of St. Peter's, Rosedale. Besides a wife, a family of two sons and a daughter survive Mr. Harry L. Bonnycastle of Sharyland, Mission, Texas; Mr. A.W. Bonnycastle, of Los Angeles, Cal., and Mrs. G. Arnold Brinton, Dorset, England. Mr. C.G. Bonnycastle, of Chilliwack, is a brother.15
 
ProbateHis estate was proved in 1917 in Chilliwack County Court, British Columbia.16 
Last Edited27 Apr 2011

Citations

  1. Ontario Marriage Registration. Bonnycastle/Skinner, #007483-78.
  2. Parish Register of Christ Church Anglican, Campbellford, Ontario (Diocese of Toronto Archives, photocopied records), Bonnycastle/Skinner marriage, date not recorded but is between Dec 1877 and Oct 1878.
  3. British Columbia Death Registration. Harold John Bonnycastle, #17-09-095431.
  4. Online image of 1851/2 Census for Canada. Canada West, Northumberland (24), Seymour (228), Part 1.
  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. 1871 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Ontario, Northumberland East (55), Seymour (g-2), page 52.
  7. Last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Anne Catherine Carlow of Northumberland County, written in 1872. Estate File #851, June 1873.
  8. Eleanor Mary Susan Bonnycastle, Probate File Surrogate Court of Ontario (United Counties of Northumberland and Durham), Family History Library, Film #1452202.
  9. 1881 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Ontario, Northumberland East (123), Seymour Township (G-1), page 30.
  10. Index to Dominion Land Grants, Western Canada, 1870-1930, compiled by Library and Archives Canada.
  11. Will of Harold John Bonnycastle of Katepwe, Assiniboia, 1890, proved in the Chilliwack County Court, 1917.
  12. 1891 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. The Territories, Assiniboia East (198), Qu'Appelle (b-11), page 4 [poor image].
  13. 1900 Federal Census for United States, California, Riverside County, Morena, Roll T623_96, ED 216, Page 1A. Image viewed at Ancestry.com.
  14. Online image of the 1910 Federal Census for United States (Heritage Quest, www.heritagequest.com), California, Riverside County, 5-WD Riverside, Roll 91, Page 175.
  15. Obituary of Harold John Bonnycastle in Chilliwack Progress, 13 Sept 1917 (Bennett Library, Simon Fraser University, microfilm).
  16. Website British Columbia Archives (http://www.bcarchives.bc.ca/bcarchives/default.aspx), textual records finding aid.
  17. Ontario Canada Birth Registration. Fanny May Bonnycastle, #020688-79.
  18. Parish Register of Christ Church Anglican, Campbellford, Ontario (Diocese of Toronto Archives, photocopied records), Henry Lionel Bonnycastle baptism, 1881.
  19. Province of Ontario Marriage Registers: Bonnycastle/Bain, #012080-06, Family History Library.
  20. Saskatchewan Vital Statistics Indexes to Births more than 100 years ago, viewed online at eHealth Saskatchewan. Reg No 11700 (Alexander William, 1883/7/26, Katepwa, s/o Fanny Jane Skinner & Harold John Bonnycastle).