Jane Shiels was born in 1860 and was the second child of George Shiels & Susannah Wortley. She was a seventh generation descendant of Micheal Shiels and his lineage is as follows:
- G1: Micheal Shiels 1671 & Bessie Brown
- G2: Daniel Shiels 1719 & Jessie Scott
- G3: James Shiels 1750 & Janet Younger
- G4: Robert Shiels 1769-1845 & Annie Dickson
- G5: Thomas Shiels 1795-1839 & Barbara Jean Cranston
- G6: George Shiels 1828-1906 & Susannah Wortley
- G7: Jane Shiels 1860-1908 & William Pomeroy Bray
- G8: Mary Agnes Bray 1880-1906 & William Palmer
- G8: Susannah Jane Bray 1884-1962 & Art Ward
- G9: Ethel Jane Ward 1908-1990 & Wilfred Karl Fischer
- G9: Gladys Ward 1912-1992 & Andrew Jacklin
- G8: Lorenzo Bray 1886-1907
- G8: William George Bray 1888-1900
- G8: Wilbert Bray 1889-1962 & Sarah Ann Ward
- G9: William Glen Bray 1918-2001 & Evelyn Parr
- G9: Clifford Warden Bray 1920-1998 & Priscilla Raymond
- G9: Wilbert Kenneth Bray 1923-1991 & Helen Smalldon
- G9: Stanley Elwood Bray 1925-2005 & Marjorie Jacklin
- G8: Ella Bray 1891-1972 & Andrew Chapman Kennedy
- G9: Douglas Chapman Kennedy 1919-1998 & Pearl Lapp
- G9: Ruth Ella Kennedy 1922-2003 & Berry Privet Ellington
- G9: Gladys Kathleen Kennedy 1926 & Richard Gordon Leggett
- G9: John Rennie Kennedy 1930 & Lois Gilkinson
- G8: John Bray 1895-1963 & Margaret Henrietta Ziemann
- G9: Margaret Jean Bray 1928 & Harry Lang
- G8: Elmer Bray 1898-1953 & Elizabeth Susan Rowland
G7: Jane Shiels 1860-1908 & William Pomeroy Bray
Jane Shiels was born August 10, 1860. She was the second child of George and Susannah Shiels. She attended the school located on the farm adjoining the Shiels homestead, later called Grey Twp #8. She married William Pomeroy Bray on October 15, 1879.
William Pomeroy Bray was born in Downie Twp, Perth County in 1853. He had a sister Eliza Jane , born in 1858. Tradition states that their mother left her husband and children and returned to England. The story is also told that William Sr. walked to Seaforth for salt, a distance of at least 12 miles. He slept overnight in the woods on the way back, having only potatoes to eat on the trip.
The 1881 census shows William P & Jane (Shiels) and their firstborn, Mary Agnes, father William and sister Eliza Jane Bray were all living in Hullet Twp. In 1888 William purchased lot 27, concession 16, Grey Twp. from Hugh W. McKay. William, William P, and William P’s sons Wilbert and John all had title to this farm until it passed out of the family in 1925. The farm is still called the “Bray place by old timers in Grey Twp.
William and Jane had nine children: Mary Agnes; Susanna Jane; Lorenzo; William George; Wilbert; Ella May; John Melbourne; Elmer Cranston & Irwin. Jane & William lost 3 children quite young. Lorenzo was born in 1886 and died in 1907. William George was born in 1888 and died in 1906. Irwin only lived for 5 months and also died in 1906.
Jane died on January 18, 1908, in Brussels, Ontario, at the age of 47. Her tombstone says “Eliza Jane” but it is in error, as she had no middle name. William Pomeroy Bray’s sister was “Eliza Jane”, and this is the source of the error. William Pomeroy Bray died January 18, 1931, having remarried twice after the death of Jane. Both Jane and William P are buried at Brussels.
G8: Mary Agnes Bray 1880-1906 & William Palmer
Mary Agnes Bray was born Aug 9, 1880 in Hullet Twp. She was the first child of William P and Jane (Shiels) Bray.
She married William Palmer, who was born in 1875.
Mary was always called “Millie” by the family. She died on June 20, 1906, in Wroxeter, Ontario, at the age of 25. She had no children. William Palmer remarried. He died in 1957 and is buried at Wroxeter beside Millie. His second wife is also buried beside them.
G8: Susannah Jane Bray 1884-1962 & Art Ward
Susannah Jane Bray was born on April 14, 1884 in McKillop Twp. She was the second child of William P and Jane (Shiels) Bray.
She married Robert Arthur Ward on Feb 18, 1907. Susannah was always called “Annie” and her husband “Art”. They farmed in Grey or Morris Twp all their married lives. Two of Art’s sisters, Velma Annie and Marjorie Ellen married into the Shiels family also.
Art and Annie had 2 daughters, Ethel Jane born Jun 4, 1908 and Iva Gladys born Jun 25, 1912.
Annie died March 18, 1962 at Blyth, Ontario at the age of 77. Art died Nov 22, 1958. Both are buried at Blyth. Art and Annie had 2 daughters, Ethel and Gladys.
G9: Ethel Jane Ward 1908-1990 & Wilfred Karl Fischer
Ethel Jane Ward was born June 4, 1908. She was the first child of Art & Annie (Bray) Ward.
She married Wilfred Karl Fischer on Aug 1, 1928 in Huron County. They farmed lot 14, Con. 9 Grey Twp until they moved to Brussels in 1970.
Ethel & Wilfred had eight children; Goldie; Ivan; Betty Doreen; Roy; Maxine; Gerald Ross; Shirley and Sharon.
Wilfred died Mar. 26, 1981. Ethel died June 30, 1990. Both are buried at Brussels.
G9: Gladys Ward 1912-1992 & Andrew Jacklin
Gladys Ward was born June 25, 1912. She was the second child of Art & Annie (Bray) Ward. She married Andrew Jacklin on Sept 24, 1930. They had no children and farmed in Grey Twp until the marriage failed.
Gladys married Wellington Hopper. Gladys and Wellington lived in St. Thomas, Ontario. Gladys died Jan 7, 1992.
G8: Lorenzo Bray 1886-1907
Lorenzo Bray was born June 2, 1886 in McKillop Twp. He was the third child of William P and Jane (Shiels) Bray. He never married and died Aug 4, 1907.
G8: William George Bray 1888-1900
William George Bray was born Jan 16, 1888 in McKillop Twp. He was the fourth child of William P and Jane (Shiels) Bray. He died on Dec 18, 1900 at the age of twelve.
G8: Wilbert Bray 1889-1962 & Sarah Ann Ward
Wilbert was born in 1889. He was the fifth child of William P and Jane (Shiels) Bray. The family always called him “Bert”.
He married Sarah Ann Ward on April 12, 1916. Sarah was always called Annie. Wilbert farmed and worked at various jobs in Grey Twp all his life. They had four sons: William Glen; Clifford Warden; Wilbert Kenneth and Stanley Elwood.
Wilbert died Aug 18, 1962 and Sarah Ann died Jun 24, 1982. Both are buried at Brussels.
G9: William Glen Bray 1918-2001 & Evelyn Parr
William Glen Bray was born Sept 1, 1918. He was the first child of Wilbert & Sarah (Ward) Bray.
He married Evelyn Parr on Nov 11, 1939 and had three children; Evelyn Jean born Jun 18, 1940; Murray Milton Wilbert born May 26, 1943 and Glenna Ruth born Oct 2, 1945.
William died on December 21, 2001, in his hometown at the age of 83. Evelyn died on August 24, 2007, in Brussels, Ontario, at the age of 84.
G10: Evelyn Jean Bray 1940 & Bob Fisher
Evelyn Jean Bray was born on June 18, 1940, to Evelyn Parr and William Glen Bray.
She married Bob Fisher on October 8, 1960, when she was 20 years old. They had three children, Sandra born July 13, 1961; Sherry born March 8, 1964 and Tracey born April 21, 1967.
G10: Murray Milton Wilbert Bray 1943 & Gladys Hutton
Murray Milton Bray was born on May 26, 1943, to Evelyn Parr and William Glen Bray.
He married Gladys Hutton on September 11, 1965, when he was 22 years old. They had three children, Steven Murray born June 19, 1968; Paul William born October 30, 1970 and Brian Scott born February 22, 1972.
G10: Glenna Ruth Bray 1945 & Dave Hutton
Glenna Ruth Bray was born on October 2, 1945, to Evelyn Parr and William Glen Bray.
She married Dave Hutton on August 3, 1963, when she was 17 years old. They had three children, Kevin born February 28, 1964; Todd born March 20, 1967 and Kimberly Ann born August 3, 1969.
G9: Clifford Warden Bray 1920-1998 & Priscilla Raymond
Clifford Warden Bray was born Sept 20, 1920. He was the second child of Wilbert & Sarah (Ward) Bray.
He married Priscilla Raymond on Nov 15, 1941. They had three children; Charles Warden; Donald Kenneth and Barbara Ann.
Clifford died May 7, 1998 and is buried at Wingham.
G9: Wilbert Kenneth Bray 1923-1991 & Helen Smalldon
Wilbert Kenneth Bray was born May 22, 1923. He was the third child of Wilbert & Sarah (Ward) Bray. He married Helen Smalldon on April 14, 1945. Wilbert Kenneth died Aug 1, 1991 and is buried in Brussels. They had two children; Larry born Jun 18, 1951 and Shirley born Mar 27, 1957.
G9: Stanley Elwood Bray 1925-2005 & Marjorie Jacklin
Stanley Elwood Bray was born Apr 18, 1925. He was the fourth child of Wilbert & Sarah (Ward) Bray.
He married Marjorie Jacklin on Jun 9, 1945. They had two children; Douglas born Sept 23, 1950 and Sheila born Oct 23, 1953.
Stanley died on September 15, 2005, in Brussels, Ontario, at the age of 80.
G8: Ella Bray 1891-1972 & Andrew Chapman Kennedy
Ella May Bray was born Nov 2, 1891. She was the sixth child of William P and Jane (Shiels) Bray. She married Andrew Chapman Kennedy. Andrew preferred to be called “George” for some personal reason. He served in the Canadian Armed Forces in World War #1.
His war wounds prevented him from holding jobs involving hard manual labor, so he earned a living performing clerical functions, such as timekeeping for various companies in Brantford, Galt etc. “George” and Ella had four children; Douglas 1919; Ruth 1921; Gladys 1921 and John 1926.
Andrew died in 1953 in Huron, Ontario, at the age of 68. Ella died on April 2, 1972, in her hometown at the age of 80.
G9: Douglas Chapman Kennedy 1919-1998 & Pearl Lapp
Douglas Chapman Kennedy was born Nov 19, 1919. He was the first child of George & Ella (Bray) Kennedy.
He married Pearl Lapp on Jan 29, 1942. Doug served in the Armed Forces during WW2. Following that service, he worked for the railroad and as a civilian employee of the Canadian Air Force.
Doug and Pearl have four children: Douglas 1944; Garry 1946; Daniel 1950 and Linda 1954.
Douglas Chapman Kennedy died February 7, 1998, at the age of 78. Pearl died on October 15, 2010, at the age of 89.
G10: Douglas Allan Kennedy 1944 & Fay Lillian Frelone & Sheila Marie Wilhelm
Douglas Allan John Kennedy was born on September 25, 1944, in Ontario to Pearl Lapp and Douglas Chapman Kennedy.
He married Fay Lillian Frelone on July 17, 1965. Fay died April 2, 1969.
Douglas married Sheila Marie Wilhelm on May 2, 1970. They had two children, Annette Marie born Oct 17, 1970 and Norman Edward born Dec 24, 1972.
G10: Garry Andrew Kennedy 1946-1992 & Marlee Carlson
Garry Andrew was born Nov 2, 1946, in Ontario to Pearl Lapp and Douglas Chapman Kennedy.
He married Marlee Carlson Nov 2, 1979. They had no children.
Garry died on August 27, 1992, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the age of 45.
G10: Daniel George Kennedy 1950 & Diane Rosemary Chapman
Daniel George was born April 26, 1950, in Ontario to Pearl Lapp and Douglas Chapman Kennedy.
He married Diane Rosemary Chapman on Nov 15, 1969 in Union Bay, BC. They had two children, Julia Patricia Kennedy born May 20, 1969 and Ann Marie Kennedy born Mar 23, 1976. This marriage ended in divorce in April 1978.
Daniel married Karen Leah Robinson on April 25, 1980.
G10: Linda Kennedy 1954 & Robert Joseph De Rycke
Linda Jeanette was born April 12, 1954, in Ontario to Pearl Lapp and Douglas Chapman Kennedy.
She married Robert Joseph De Rycke on Feb 4, 1972. They had two children, Nicole Maureen Ann De Rycke born Oct 4, 1972 and Robert Douglas De Rycke born Oct 31, 1974.
G9: Ruth Ella Kennedy 1922-2003 & Berry Privet Ellington
Ruth Ella Kennedy was born Dec 29, 1922. She was the second child of George & Ella (Bray) Kennedy.
She married Berry Privet Ellington on February 6, 1943. They farmed in southern Ontario and spent their winters in Florida in their retirement.
They had four children; Dennis Andrew Chapman Ellington 1943; Karen Lee Ellington 1945; Patricia Lynne Ellington 1946 and Deborah Colleen Ellington 1951.
Ruth died on June 2, 2003, at the age of 80. Berry died on May 21, 2005, at the age of 84.
G10: Dennis Ellington 1943 & Catherine Barker
Dennis Andrew Chapman was born Dec 14, 1943 to Ruth Ella Kennedy and Berry Privet Ellington.
On Feb 4, 1966 he married Catherine Barker and they had Jennifer Lynn on Dec 7, 1972 and Jeffery on Oct 21, 1974.
G10: Karen Ellington 1945 & Brian Arthur Reed
Karen Lee was born June 8, 1945 to Ruth Ella Kennedy and Berry Privet Ellington.
She married Brian Arthur Reed on April 19, 1969 and they had two children, Melissa Lee Reid born Oct 24, 1972 and Michelle Lynn Reid born Dec 24, 1974.
G10: Patricia Ellington 1946 & Ronald Houlebeck
Patricia Lynne was born Oct 28, 1946 to Ruth Ella Kennedy and Berry Privet Ellington.
She married Ronald Houlebeck on Oct 12, 1966 and they had Cheryl Ann born Apr 14, 1967, Teena Marie born Sept 29, 1970 and Ronald Jason.
G10: Deborah Ellington 1943 & Frederick Fisher
Deborah Colleen was born June 4, 1951 to Ruth Ella Kennedy and Berry Privet Ellington.
She married Frederick Fisher on Oct 12, 1971. They have Amy Kathleen Fisher and Christopher Charles Fisher .
G9: Gladys Kathleen Kennedy 1926 & Richard Gordon Leggett
Gladys Kathleen Kennedy was born Feb 16, 1926. She was the third child of George & Ella (Bray) Kennedy. She married Richard Gordon Leggett on Nov 19, 1949.
They farmed in Huron County and then lived in various towns in the London area, including London proper. “Dick” worked as a carpenter and an operator of heavy construction equipment. They moved to Ingersoll, Ontario when Dick retired.
Dick and Gladys have three sons: Gordon John born Aug 17, 1950; Sidney Raymond born Nov 13, 1951 and Donald James born Jan 3, 1953.
Richard Gordon Leggett died on Aug 17, 2012 in Ingersoll, Ontario.
G10: Gordon John Leggett 1950 & Deborah Walker Hopkins
Gordon John Leggett was born on August 17, 1950, to Gladys Kathleen Kennedy, age 24, and Richard Gordon Leggett, age 26.
He married Deborah Walker Hopkins in Loudoun, Virginia, USA, on November 20, 1993, when he was 43 years old.
Gordon and Deborah were divorced on June 17, 2002, in Loudoun, Virginia, USA, after 8 years of marriage.
Gordon continues to live in Herndon, Virginia.
G10: Sidney Raymond Leggett 1951 & Sheila Anne Cameron
Sidney Raymond Leggett was born on November 13, 1951, to Gladys Kathleen Kennedy, age 25, and Richard Gordon Leggett, age 28.
He married Sheila Anne Cameron on February 13, 1982, when he was 30 years old.
They have two children, Adam Raymond Leggett and Laura Elizabeth Leggett. They live in Calgary, Alberta.
G10: Donald James Leggett 1953-2018
Donald James Leggett was born on January 3, 1953, to Gladys Kathleen Kennedy, age 26, and Richard Gordon Leggett, age 29.
He never married and died on October 2, 2018, in Ingersoll, Ontario, when he was 65 years old.
G9: John Rennie Kennedy 1930 & Lois Gilkinson
John Rennie Kennedy was born Sept 8, 1930. He was the fourth child of George & Ella (Bray) Kennedy.
On April 1, 1959 he married Lois Gilkinson and they live in Goderich, Ontario, where he has farmed and also is employed in a factory. They had two sons, Norman John born Apr 17, 1960 and Terry William born April 27, 1962.
G8: John Bray 1895-1963 & Margaret Henrietta Ziemann
John Melbourne Bray was born April 8, 1895. He was the seventh child of William P and Jane (Shiels) Bray.
He married Margaret Henrietta Ziemann on May 30, 1927. They farmed lot 27, con 15, Grey twp until they moved to Listowel, Ont, where “Jack” (as he was always called) entered the Real Estate business. They had one daughter, Margaret Jean, born Mar 8, 1928.
John Melbourne died June 7, 1963 and his wife Margaret died July 1, 1976. Both are buried at Listowel, Ont.
G9: Margaret Jean Bray 1928 & Harry Lang
Margaret Jean Bray was born on March 8, 1928, to Margaret Henrietta Ziemann and John Melbourne Bray.
She married Harry Lang and they farmed near Harriston, Ont. They had no children and Harry died in 1984. Jean now lives at Mount Forest, Ont.
G8: Elmer Bray 1898-1953 & Elizabeth Susan Rowland
Elmer Cranston Bray was born July 16, 1898. He was the eighth child of William P and Jane (Shiels) Bray.
He married Elizabeth Susan Rowland on June 6, 1923, in Huron, Ontario. They lived in the St. Catherines, Ont area, where he worked for the railroad.
They had three children, Clarence Rowland born Nov 17, 1923; Harvey born Oct 16, 1924 and Greta Elizabeth born Jan 31, 1926.
Elmer died on March 4, 1953, in Ontario at the age of 54. Elizabeth died in Listowel and is buried at Ethel, Ont.