Hannah Bowler

It appears that Hannah was the illegitimate daughter of Elizabeth Bowler. She had a difficult childhood being thrown out of the house by her stepfather and being brought up by her grandfather, John Bowler. "Her mother remarried to Mr. Wainman who 'pitched Hannah out a window' to be rid of her. She was then raised by her grandfather John Bowler." Document by Robert J Shank on the Willett-Media Family Tree Site

"In 1837 John and Hannah decided to imigrate to Upper Canada. Probably on the basis of favourable reports from John's brother, Robert. Who had come earlier to Richmond Hill. Accompanied by three children one girl and two boys and John's mother, Elizabeth, they embarked from Hull, Yorkshire, England, on the three masted sailing ship the 'Andrew Marrel' in 1837. The trip to Quebec took seven weeks and three days and was marked by a dreadful storm on Whitsuntide that carried away the bowsprit. It also caused such leaks in the ship that the male passengers worked with the crew manning the pumps. Their daughter died during the trip and was buried at sea. From Quebec City, John and his family travelled by Durham boat to Bytown (Ottawa) so as to bypass the rapids on the St Lawrence river. The trip from Bypass to Kingston was via the Rideau canal. At Kingston they boarded the steamer 'Great Britain' for Toronto, arriving there between 2 and 3 weeks after leaving Quebec. A miller's wagon provided the transport for the last part of their trip, taking them to Richmond Hill" Document by Robert J Shank on the Willett- Media Family Tree Site

Letter from Hannah sent to England Markham,

February the 24th, 1866 Dear brother and sister I write those few lines hopeing (sic) they will find you well as they leave us at present. We received your letter this morning and was glad to hear from you. We have had a pretty fine winter so far, there has not been overmuch snow, but we have had some verry (sic) cold days; we have a large creek that runs past our house in which there is ice 14 inches thick; we don't expect a thaw till about the middle of

March. We had John Wainman here to see us last Fall and we have since not heard anything from them; as they live about a hundred miles from us. Josiah Sharp came to our place last he said that brother David wished him to come and see us; we was glad to see him and treated him as a friend. We give him a book and two likenesses for you and a pincushion and two American half dollars for mother. We was glad to hear from mother and Thomas that they keep their health so well as they do. Give our love to all enquiring friends. Our family is small now our both girls are married to two respectable farmers. Mary Ann has got 3 children and Sarah has one daughter. Robert is married and has 4 children and is living about 130 miles from us in a place called Ingersol and has a grist mill and farm. George is living with Robert. John is married and is living about one mile from us. William and Thomas are at home with us yet. Father says we want some of your good English servant girls we have plenty of girls here but they are all ladies and are too lazy to work. A good steady girl will get from 12 to 15 pounds a year. A good man will get 30 pounds a year. We send a newspaper along with this. We must conclude by saying no more at present. John and Hanah Williamson Directions John Williamson Esq. MilneysVille PO Markham County of York