Robert R. Wait
ID # 3070, (1852-1863)
| Father | Levi Wait (1826-1890) |
| Mother | Hester Eliza Cope (1829-1853) |
| Birth | Robert R. Wait was born on 22 March 1852. |
| Baptism | He was baptized on 20 June 1859 at Blenheim Township, Oxford Co.. |
| Death | He died on 17 September 1863 at age 11. |
| Burial | He was buried at Washington Cemetery, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co.. |
| Note | Before discussing the following, it should be kept in mind that the 1851 census in Canada West was not begun until 12 January, 1852. The 1861 census was not begun until 30 March 1861. With both censuses, the enumerator was to query the age of the person as of their next birthday. Whether the question was always asked in this manner is another matter. At the time of the 1851 census taken in South Dumfries, Levi and Hester are living with Levi's father Samuel Wait. They do not have enumerated with them a child. The 1861 census shows the family in Blenheim Township in Oxford County. By this time, Hester Cope is long dead and Levi is with his second wife Mary Lawrason. With them are three children, a son aged 10, who we must believe to be Hester's, born approximately 1852 or 1853 and two daughters, Roseltha 6 and Florence 5, both of whom will be Mary's. In the 1861 census, the name of the son, aged 10, is badly smudged, but does begin with an R. It has somewhat of the appearance as being Rowan, though it could be most anything else. The Wesleyan Methodist baptismal records as transcribed by Ida Reed and which appear on Bill Martin's excellent genealogical web pages, show the following: Vol. 2, page 115, Brock District, Blenheim twp. Robert R. Wait, parents Levi and Mary. Residence Blenheim, birthplace Blenheim, birthdate 1852-03-22, bapt.-date 1859-06-20, bapt-place Blenheim. Minister Rev. H. Reid. There are a couple of difficulties with this record. By 1859, the Brock District had ceased to exist and the borders thereof were largely, not completely, the same as the new Oxford County. Certainly, Blenheim Township was in Oxford County. Also, while Mary Lawrason Wait was effectively Robert's mother, his birth mother unquestionably will have been Hester Cope. Finally, it's possible, just, that Robert was born in Blenheim Township as stated in the baptismal record, but since Levi and Hester were enumerated in South Dumfries only two months prior to his birth, it seems rather more likely that Robert was born in South Dumfries. No doubt, Robert, who was well past infancy when he was baptized, will have been baptized in Blenheim Township as stated. Finally, we refer to a transcription of Washington Cemetery in Blenheim Township. This appears on microfilm MS451 reel 18. It reads: Wait, Robert R. Robert R. / son of / Levi and Hester Wait / Died Sept 17, 1863 / Aged 11 years y mo. 26 d's. |
| Last Edited | 3 Jun 2018 |