Greenland The Daniels Farm at Valens, Ontario

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Series

Prompt: Taxes

On my recent visit to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, I was able to look at the Tax Assessment records for Beverly Township, Wentworth County, Ontario, Canada. At the time it seemed a very tedious task scanning all these records, from year after year, but it did turn up some interesting tidbits of information.

Greenland The Homestead in Valens, Ontario around 1900

In 1868 the land was valued at $740.00, and Robert McDonald was a “freeholder,” which means he owned the property. Robert was fifty-nine years old and listed in the reserve militia roll. Frederic Daniels was listed as nineteen years old and was in the first class service militia roll. These two columns of information were only found in this year’s assessment records. This could be the reason my grandfather joined the militia, following in his father’s footsteps.

In 1874 Frederic was 25 years of age and was listed as a tenant farmer with Robert McDonald. The land was valued at $650.00.

Assessment of Ratable Property 1847

In 1885 Frederic took over the farm and was listed as “freeholder.” There was a column that was marked, one death. Robert McDonald had died and left his farm to Frederic.

From 1888 through 1891 Frederic shared his land with John and George Dickson, and John Robson. In two of those years, their total assessed values were combined.

At age 21 in 1897 Robert Daniels, Frederic’s eldest son joined his father as a “freeholder.” 

In 1898 he farm was valued at $1600.00. Robert Dalziel, Frederic’s nephew, was included in the tax assessment due to his income. He was living on the farm and working as a mason.

This is where my research ended with the tax assessment records. As you can see, there are some interesting tidbits of information even from boring tax records.

Former Daniels Farm in 1997
Picture courtesy of Jerold and Evelyn Daniels

Thank you for joining my search!

Dennis

Credit for this series to Amy Johnson Crow, Certified Genealogist