Clathan, Elgin County, Ontario

Clathan has been mentioned several times before. It was here that John Hillman and Isabella(May) Hillman eventually settled in 1859 from Mosa Township.
Clathan is located at the junction of the counties of Elgin, Middlesex, and Kent. Apparently its name comes from the Gaelic meaning a strong or rocky place. Some of the original families to settle around Clathan were Gibbs, McKillops, Scotts, and Campbells.
The first school was built in 1852, and then moved in 1891 between the 2nd. And 3rd. Concessions amongst a grove of oak trees thus the name “Oak Grove school”. It was a bustling little community up to the 2nd. World War with two general stores, a post office(1858-1914), a wagon maker and blacksmith, a machine shop and pump factory, and the Clathan Community Hall(built 1914). The Aldborough Plains Baptist Church was built in 1872, and then moved (and renovated) to Clathan in 1948.

A Pioneering History : Elgin County 1896,1971.
Aldborough: The Township with a Past, Harley Lashbrook.
Map: The Canadian Atlas Digital Project: McGill University 2001.

Happy 89th. Jack

John Arnold Hillman turned 89 today. Happy Birthday Dad.

William James Hillman 1848-1922

William James Hillman was born 25June, 1948 to John Hillman and Isabella May in Euphemia Township. He died on 12 June, 1922 in Mosa Township. He married Margaret Patterson on the 24th May, 1870.
Their children were:
John Henry Hillman(20 Dec. 1870-1962). He married Annie Rogers 8 Jan. 1900 in Manitoba.
Bella May Hillman(2 June 1873-27 Oct. 1879).
Duncan P. Hillman(26 Mar. 1875-?). I am still researching Duncan Hillman. I suspect that he settled in Manitoba sometime before 1900.
Daniel Hillman (11 June 1877-1975). I have mentioned Daniel earlier. He served overseas in World War1 as a railroad engineer. He married Bertha Jean Smith on 9 Aug. 1920.
Nancy Hillman(30 Sept. 1879-?).
Annie Hillman(1880-?). She married Joseph D. Randall on 2 Aug. 1899.
Mary Belle Hillman(15 June 1881-?).
Margaret Martha Hillman(19 Oct. 1885-?). she married Percy Gosnell 14 June 1905.
William Angus Hillman(16 Feb. 1889-?). He married Grace Ruth Sillette 21 April 1914.