b Leamington ON; raised on father's (Edwin Hutchins) family farm in Malden Twp., Essex County. Graduated from McMaster University (1973) B.A. Fine Art & Queen's University (1975) B.Ed. Taught elementary school Halton District School board (1975-2009). President of Hamilton Branch United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada (2008-2013) Dominion Conference Chair UELAC (2014 to present). Four proven Loyalist ancestors: Jacob Arner, Joseph Ferriss & Henry Wright from maternal side, Alta Ferriss Hutchins & John Cornwall from paternal side, Edwin Hutchins. Speaker at many heritage and community meetings across the province.
William Ward, eldest son of career soldier, George Ward, grew up on the banks of the Thames River in an area called Paint Creek, Longwoods. Much later this area was named for his father and mother, George Ward and Margaret (Shaw) Ward. Both parents were born in Ireland but arrived in this area of Upper Canada as a soldering family. At the request of Lieutenant Governor John Simcoe, George Ward was appointed to command a block house on the Thames River as well as four gun boats. George Ward was also to establish a public house (halfway tavern/inn) in the Paint Creek area.
George Ward was born in Ireland in 1743 and as a young man he joined the British 58th Regiment of Foot, which was first formed in 1755 during the Seven Years war (1754-1763). He basically spent his entire adult life in service for the British. He served in many cities in Ireland, went to Quebec in 1776 and fought successfully at Three Rivers. Following that battle he became a sergeant over a company of the best marksmen from each of the 9th, 20th, 21st, 24th, 34th, 53rd and 62nd regiments. This company was ordered to Ticonderoga, where they beat the enemy at an outpost but were defeated later and taken as prisoners to Prospect Hill, near Boston. His great uncle was a Rebel general and as such offered George a position on his side but George declined and was later taken to Rutland where he along with 17 corporals and a drummer boy escaped. They headed for the British safe haven of New York.
William Hutchins I is my third great grandfather. He was born in Dorchester, Dorset, England in 1748. William connected with a Pennsylvania Quaker family, that of Ezekiel Dennis and Ann Heacock Dennis. This family pulled up roots in Rockhill, Pennsylvania and crossed the Niagara River at Fort Erie, in 1782.
My 3rd great-grandfather Isaac Ferriss UE served in 3 battles during the War of 1812-14. He served at the Battle of Detroit, the Battle of the Maumee and the Battle of Raisin River — all in the Michigan and Ohio areas.
