Edward James HOPKINS

  General Notes:

Homesteaded on Bentink Twp farm where Maurice still lives. E. Roy Hopkins told about his grandfather Edward James: It took Edward James and Mary Cuffe several weeks to come from Ireland on a boat when they were 12 or 13 years of age. It is said that in fact the two met on this boat. At that time there was a trail through the bush from Guelph to Durham. Edward James would walk this trail to Durham, about 10 miles, with a sack of grain, and carry home a sack of flour. He would also carry home boots for his family which were long hand made leather boots without laces. He built the log house and log barn around 1860. He was first in this part of the country to own horses instead of just oxen. He was one of the first to have a reaper instead of cradle and flail. This reaper left grain kicked out in bundles and men had to tie them. Later there were self-binders. At that time there were also crude threshing machines run by horse power. Later there were inventions for blowing and cutting straw, etc. If implements were left in the field over night, hired help would break them because they were afraid of no work. At that time a hired hand made 25 - 50 cents a day.

1801 census lists him as farmer - church of England - born 1834
Family History Library Film 1375896

Edward married Mary CUFF(E), daughter of John CUFF(E) and Ann LAWRENCE, in 1854. (Mary CUFF(E) was born on 31 Dec 1833 in , , , Ireland and died on 31 Jul 1917 in , Bentinck Twp., ON.)