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From: "Kathy Witheridge" <>
Subject: [AYER] Re: AYRE
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2000 19:38:58 -0400


Does anyone have any AYRE relatives from Devon?

I am trying to track down a John AYRE, born in England on August 7,
1849. According to the 1901 Ontario census, John came to Canada
about 1880. I have looked in the St. Cath's Index and cannot find a
John AYRE born on the above date, although, I don't believe that
registration was compulsory until 1875. John was a methodist and it is
understood that he had either a brother or a cousin who was very involved
with the Salvation Army.

I looked in the 1851 Devon census and found two born in 1849:

East Street, Touts Court, South Molton

AYRE, Williamhead38MasonSouth Molton
AYRE, Phillipawife40Chittlehampton
AYRE, Mary Anndau14South Molton
AYRE, Williamson12South Molton
AYRE, Elizabethdau 9South Molton
AYRE, Lucydau 6Bishops Nympton
AYRE, Johnson 2South Molton

Higher Reach, Bishops Nympton & Molland, South Molton

AYRE, Aaronhead42FarmerRose Ash
AYRE, Elizabethwife42Bishops Nympton
AYRE, Frederickson16Bishops Nympton
AYRE, Harrietdau14Bishops Nympton
AYRE, Elizabethdau11Bishops Nympton
AYRE, Johnson 2Bishops Nympton
AYRE, Anndau 8Bishops Nympton

As there are only two by the name of John born in 1849, I think that I
am fairly safe supposing that it is one of the above two. I think
that it might be the top one, but this has to be confirmed.

What I need to know is which one was born August 7, 1849!

I understand that there were some members of the AYRE family who lived
in Witheridge, which I know is close to South Molton. I decided to take a
look in my book on "Old Witheridge" by John Usmar and in the 1902
directory, found:

AYRE, George Thomas - farmer of Lower Queendart
AYRE, Michael - farmer of Downs
AYRE, Thomas - farmer of Witheridge Moore

Although the Ontario census indicates that John AYRE emigrated in 1880,
I don't believe that this is true, as his first child was born in Ontario in
1877, so it would have been prior to that date. John Ayre was married to
Jane AYLESWORTH.

Does anyone have any AYRE family from Devon who emigrated to
Ontario?
Kind regards
Kathy Witheridge
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada

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