William williamson

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           William Allan was born in January 1846 in Aberdeen Scotland, came to Canada with his family at the age of nine and grew up in Ontario.  When I interviewed his grandson Harold White (born July 10 1907) wife Louise Williamson at age 91 he allowed me to read and record some of the important events of his life in and around Brockville Ontario.

           In his early years he got a job being a fireman at 14 years of age.  At 15 he secured a job with Lakeshore Railway Line at Cleveland U.S.A.  He listed in the Civil War but dropped it and went to Chicago instead.  His jobs on the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes almost proved deadly.  In one near drowning in Lake Michigan he was adrift for three days before being saved and spent three days in the hospital while his friend slipped way in the night.

           William married Eliza Van Alton who came from Escott Ontario.  They had 7 children.

           Alan L.D. born Gan. June 18 18972

           Standish (who also did wood carvings) B. Gan. June 26 1877

           William (Willie) d. June 17 1898 ae. 12

           Leah Sarah Emerson (Williamson) b. Gan. Nov. 18 1889, d Apr. 17 1976

           Lillian Williamson (never married) Brockville Nov. 18 1870

           Eleanor Louise, b. Gan. May 26 1880

           Florence, b. Gan.

           William Allen. Born Apr. 18 1885

           A second accident off Cape Vincent (1867-68) proved that the waterways of Canada were not his employer.  He met O.R. Leroy from Brockville who taught him the stone carving trade in 18 months.  He went to Newcastle and worked for less then 2 years.  He started his own business in 1872, I have found stones with 1862 situated in Rockport Ontario and worked out of Gananoque until he was in his early 90’s.  He had two sons, Alan and Standish the later became his assistant and artist.

           Alan went from house to house after getting the death notices in the local newspaper. Standish worked in the shop doing what he could to help the business.

           The rest of his story is just history of working in his business day and night.  It was not unusual for him to hook up a wagon at 3:00 a.m. to get to a cemetery to install his stone.  One time he was attacked on the road by a robber.  He beat him so hard he was worried he killed him. He watched the newspapers to see if there was mention of a death.  There are still some older people who remember him and his workshop in the middle of Gananoque Ontario.

           I have tracked down many of the works signed by William A. Williamson and it will be my pleasure to let you share that experience.  I will not say too much about his designs for they speak for themselves but I would like to mention his (gentle Lambs) he did for the death of little children.  Many of them have deteriorated but Harold has two in perfect condition along with a fine pedestal all carved in his floral designs.  Harold White has kept a very fine collection of press clippings and articles written throughout his life.  He is now in his late 90’s and well as can be expected.  I am giving Harold White and family what has taken me 6 years of looking, cleaning and recording tombstones in Eastern Ontario.  Without his help I could not have done a good job.

           It is too bad that a man with the talent and skill who worked so long and hard cannot be remembered in more ways today.  It is my wish to contribute this finding as a start to what may someday become a more splendid memorial.

George Williamson was born in Scotland wife Janet Ferguson (first doctor in Canada) and came to Canada after changing their minds about going to Australia.  They arrived at Montreal.  His father was a blacksmith and worked between Smithsfalls and Pike Falls for about one and a half years before moving to Brockville Ontario.  He worked on the tunnel at Brockville.  He died at 93.

William Allan Williamson 1846 - 1940