Elizabeth O'Donnell1,2

#297, (c 1810 - 1882)
Father(-?-) O'Donnell
Extended Family
ChartsDescendants of John Inkster & Abigail Marion

Children of Elizabeth O'Donnell and William Inkster

Life Events

Overview
* * * * *

Elizabeth was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland about 1810. She and two sisters came to Canada, all settling in the Marmora area of Ontario. Elizabeth, or Bessie, married a Scottish immigrant, William Inkster. Between 1834 and 1852, they had nine children. In the 1850s, the Inksters moved a short distance to Madoc Township where they lived in a one story log house. They moved again in the early 1870s, this time to Bruce County over 200 miles to the west. William died there in 1878 and Elizabeth lived another four years.

* * * * *

 
Research Note There is an old family story that Elizabeth and 2 sisters were sent to Canada. They traveled from Ireland to Liverpool to Bytown. Their father was a Fermanagh land baron. One sister married a Mr. Richardson, a gold mine owner. According to the story, Eliz was in Bytown working as a house servant, then moved on to Belleville.3 
BirthElizabeth O'Donnell was born circa 1810 in County Fermanagh, Ireland.
Elizabeth's birth year is uncertain as her reported age varied throughout her life. Circa 1810 is consistent with most of the census records and would put her age at the birth of their youngest child at 43 which was typical for the time. Her death certificate reported that she was 82 but that was apparently exaggerated, a common practice. 
MarriageShe married William Inkster, son of John Inkster and Abigail Marion, on 20 Nov 1833 in Belleville, Ontario, The certificate reads:
Married by license Wm Inkster Bachelor Yeoman of the Township of Marmora to Elizabeth O'Donnel Spinster of the same place on Wednesday the 20th of November 1833 by me James Ketchan Minister of the Scotch Church in Belleville. In presence of John Kays and Joanna Jennery.4,5
William Inkster & Elizabeth O'Donnell
marriage certificate
Belleville, Ontario, 1833
Research Note The Scotch Church was St Andrew's Presbyterian which was built in 1831. It was a white frame building with plank seating for 300 and lit by tallow candles. By direct road nowadays, it is 47 km from Marmora to Belleville. 
Item. A letter was written by Royal & Mary Keyes from Marmora, Ontario back to their family in Fermanagh, Ireland. The mention of "Bessey odonel" and her husband "William Ingster" shows that the environs of Irvinestown is likely the place of origin for Elizabeth O'Donnell as well. Here are some excerpts from the letter:
[Addressed to:]
To Mr William Keys
Cooloness Irvinestown County
Fermanaugh Ireland

Marmora October the 9th 1834

My Dear I take this favourable opertunity of writing these few lines To you to let you know that we are all in a good State of health at Present thanks be to god for all his Mercies to us unworthy Sinners hoping these lines will find yous in the same State of health as this leaves us in at present. Dear Brother leting you know that I received your kind Letter of the 24th of May on the 6th of August which gave me much Pleasure to hear of yous being all well
[snip]
John Bought 50 Acres of Land last year from my soninglaw Hugh Jones in Marmora And there was a good House on it and Some Clearance he is within about one half mile of me Living at present
[snip]
Dear Brother John and Isabella sends their love to You and Mary and Children in the most Affectionate Maner and request you to let Widow Odonel know that the are well and Bessey odonel and her Husband William Ingster is well and have a son born the live in a quarter of a mile of Me.
[snip]
Dear Brother When you write you will let me know how Widow Odonel and Children is
[snip]
So I conclude with my love and Blessing
Royal and Mary Keys

Please contact me if you wish to read a copy of the entire letter which gives more news of the Keys family and descriptions of farming.4

 
1851/2 Census Unfortunately, the 1851/52 census for Marmora Township did not survive. 
1861 CensusWilliam and Elizabeth Inkster appeared on the 1861 Census of Madoc Township, Hastings County, Ontario. The family lived in a one story log house. William was 62, born in Scotland, a farmer, and the family's religion was Free Church. Elizabeth was 52 and was born in Ireland. The children listed, all single, were John (26), William (25), Magnus (15), Albert (11), Isabella (21), Elizabeth (19), Victoria (13), and Abigail (9). It was noted that one male and two females were attending school. One female member of the family was absent when the census was taken [probably son John's wife Jane who was at her parents' place when the census was taken].6 
1871 CensusWilliam, Sr and Elizabeth Inkster appeared on the 1871 Census of Madoc Township, Hastings County, Ontario. William was 73, born in Scotland, C Presbyterian, of Scotch origin, and a Ship Carpenter. Elizabeth was 60, born in Ireland, of Irish origin, and it was noted that she could read but was unable to write. Their children in the home were Isabella (28), Elizebeth (26), Magnis (24), and Abigill (20). Their married son William was nearby.7 
(Widowed) DeathHer husband William died on 19 Mar 1878.8 
(Other) 1881 CensusElizabeth Inkster appeared on the 1881 Census of Bruce Township, Bruce County, Ontario, in the household of her son Magnus. She was 70 years old, born in Ireland, Presbyterian, of Scotch origin [ditto from entry above], and was recorded to be a widow.9 
DeathElizabeth died on 13 May 1882 in Bruce Township, Bruce County, Ontario.
Information from the certificate: Elizabeth McDonald [sic] or Inkster, age 82 years, farmers widow, born in Ireland, Presbyterian, died of old age of duration 9 weeks, attended by Dr McKay, informant was Magnus Inkster farmer of 7 Concession Bruce, registered 15 May 1882.10 
BurialShe was buried in Baie de Dore Cemetery, Bruce Township, Bruce County, Ontario.11 
GravestoneHer gravestone reads:
Wm Inkster
Died Mr.19, 1878
AE 78 YRS.
his wife
Elizabeth
Died May 13, 1882
AE 74 YRS.
two
infant grand children


[The Inkster plot is inside a square fence and between two cedar trees.].11
Inkster monument
Baie du Dore Cemetery
Inkster monument
Baie du Dore Cemetery
Last Edited16 Dec 2014

Citations

  1. Death certificate registered in the Province of Ontario "William Inkster, #008491-17."
  2. Death Registrations of Ontario, 1869-1938. Image viewed at Ancestry.com. Isabella Fidlar, #002916-27.
  3. Interview with Jeff Sensenstein (Ontario), by J Kolthammer, 1994?.
  4. Letter from Royal and Mary Keys, Marmora, Ontario, to Mr William Keys, dated 9 October 1834, shared by Roy Keys.
  5. Marriage certificate of William Inkster and Elizabeth O'Donnel, married 20 November 1833 in Scotch Church, Belleville. Original in the possession of family.
  6. 1861 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Canada West, Hastings County, Madoc Township (1), page 7.
  7. 1871 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Ontario, North Hastings (62), Madoc (2-e), page 12.
  8. Death Registrations of Ontario, 1869-1938. Image viewed at Ancestry.com. William Inkster, #001631-78.
  9. 1881 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Ontario, Bruce North (177), Bruce Township (a-1), page 43.
  10. Death certificate registered in the Province of Ontario "Elizabeth McDonald or Inkster, #001782-82."
  11. Photograph of the Inkster family gravestone at Baie du Dore Cemetery, Bruce Township, Bruce County, Ontario, taken by Bill Inkster, 2004.
  12. Marriage certificate from the parish register of John Inkster and Mary Rupert, married 8 May 1860 in Hastings County, Ontario, Canada (Family History Library, Film #1030057).
  13. Death Registrations of Ontario, 1869-1938. Image viewed at Ancestry.com. William Inkster, #008491-17.
  14. Marriage Registrations of Ontario, 1857-1928. Image viewed at Ancestry.com. Inkster/Fidler, 1870, page 240.
  15. Province of Ontario Marriage Registers: James Tassie & Ann Inkster, 1860, film #1030057, Family History Library.
  16. Marriage Registrations of Ontario, 1857-1928. Image viewed at Ancestry.com. Fidler/Inkster, #011911-87 [image blurry].
  17. Marriage Registrations of Ontario, 1857-1928. Image viewed at Ancestry.com. McKenzie/Inkster, #001543-78.
  18. Death certificate registered in the Province of Ontario "Magnus Inkster, #008211-11."
  19. Marriage Registrations of Ontario, 1857-1928. Image viewed at Ancestry.com. Inkster/McKechnie, #001511-78.
  20. Marriage Registrations of Ontario, 1857-1928. Image viewed at Ancestry.com. Sanford/Inkster, page 233.
  21. Marriage Registrations of Ontario, 1857-1928. Image viewed at Ancestry.com. Inxter/Cullen, #011182-81.