George Craighead

	Born	1786 in Stonehousehill, Cruden, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
	Baptized	21 Dec 1786 in Cruden, Aberdeenshire
	Died	05 Dec 1861 in Seymour Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario
	Married	26 Dec 1816 to Elizabeth Elspet Cooper in Old Deer, Aberdeenshire

Parents and Family of George Craighead:

• Father: William Craighead; b. 1760, d. 07 Jan 1831
• Mother: unknown

1. George Craighead; b. 1786, d.05 Dec 1861
2. Elspet Craighead; b. 1789, d. unknown

Chidren of George Craighead and Elizabeth Elspet Cooper:

1. Mary Craighead; b. 1818, d. 13 Apr 1890
2. George Craighead; b. 1819, d. 18 Nov 1910
3. John Craighead; b. 1821, d. unknown
4. Elizabeth Craighead; b. 08 Dec 1823, d. 21 Feb 1905
5. Anne Craighead; b. 15 Mar 1825, d. unknown
6. Alexander Craighead; b. 17 Mar 1827, d. 1913
7. Christian Craighead; b. 09 Dec 1829, d. 1906
8. William Craighead; b. 29 Mar 1831, d. 13 Oct 1917
9. Robert Craighead; b. 1833, d. unknown
10. James Cooper Craighead; b. 23 Apr 1835, d. 1912
11. Thomas Craighead; b. 26 Jul 1839, d. 24 Feb 1920

George's and Elizabeth's Early Years in Scotland

George and Elizabeth were married on 26 Dec 1816 in the Parish of Old Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Here George worked as a blacksmith for the local farmers. All the children were born and baptized in Old Deer. The two oldest sons, George and John, came out to Canada in 1841 to scout out possibilities for the family. Then George returned to Scotland in 1843 or 1844 and made arrangements for the family to emigrate. An article in the Aberdeen Journal reported "On 17 April 1844 George Craighead, a blacksmith in Auchnagatt, was given a dinner and presentation by his employers, twenty neighbouring farmers, before he left for Canada.". In the following weeks, the family gathered their pocessions and departed for their new home. Their daughter Anne remained in Scotland and married Gilbert Heron. Also, we have no information on their son, Robert, who may have died as an infant.

George's and Elizabeth's Years in Canada

The first record of the family in Canada is in the Burnbrae Presbyterian Church registers stating the marriage of their daughter Elizabeth to William Craighead with George Craighead as a witness. Elizabeth and William were second cousins and there was a good possibility that they sailed on the same ship. George and Elizabeth received the original Crown Patent on 03 July 1847 for 100 acres on Lot 22, Concession 6 in Seymour Township, Northumberland County, Ontario. This farm was located across the road from the Burnbrae Church where their daughter was married in 1844. George's will on 26 Dec 1861 transferred the ownership of the farm to his oldest son, George Jr. who continued farming.

Th Final Years for George and Elizabeth

George continued farming until his death on 05 Dec 1861. He was buried in the family plot in the Burnbrae Cemetery. Elizabeth continued living with her son on the farm until her death on 18 Jan 1884. She was buried in the family plot next to her husband.

References

Ref.1 - Old Parochial Registers for the Parishes of Cruden and Old Deer in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. These were reviewed on microfilm through the Family History Centre of the Church of the Latter Day Saints.

Ref.2 - Burnbrae Presbyterian Church registers for births, marriages and deaths.
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