George of Lower Hisley, Lustleigh, who married Maria CUMMING in 1805 had a son George in 1833, who farmed L Hisley and Knowle, he also had a second son Thomas who was baptized in 1809. At the age of 30 he emigrated to Wolfe Island, Newfoundland.
George of Lower Hisley, Lustleigh, who married Maria CUMMING in 1805 had a son George in 1833, who farmed L Hisley and Knowle, he also had a second son Thomas who was baptized in 1809. At the age of 30 he emigrated to Wolfe Island, Newfoundland.
On Wolfe Island he married Sopia SEARLE. They had four sons, three of whom died before they were aged 25.
Thomas built a stone house on Wolfe Island in 1840 which still survives today.
His fourth son George Searle built a more traditional Canadian timber framed house and this also survives.
A map of the holdings on Wolfe Island in 1878 can be seen at the Canadian County Digital Atlas site. This shows three plots held by Thomas and his son George.
This picture, probably taken in 1991, shows the farm buildings that were on what was once George's farm. No doubt some of them date from his time.
In 1890 George Searle, following Doctors advice
to go somewhere drier, sold up and moved across Canada to Alberta with
his family. His first new homestead was in the area what is now 16 Avenue
and 4 Street, Calgary. Here he bought 650 acres and stocked it with a
railway car load of sheep, cattle and poultry from Wolfe Island.
A picture of the in-laws ready for church.
George WILLS new car . In the background is the house he built in Alberta in about 1890 but unfortunately it no longer exists.
The WILLS farm today, with the main buildings behind the trees.