William Harrison POLLEY

1844 - 1931  (87 years)

• Name	William Harrison POLLEY  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
  Birth	4 Mar 1844	Paris, Brant County, Ontario, Canada   [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11]
  	March 1st on death certificate & 1901 Census Death certificate confirms his place of birth as Paris Ontario, originally provided by Gordon Polley
  Gender	Male
  _UID	35E544A228E24D56A8C0F8F6BD80DC2D49C2
  Residence	1861	Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario, Canada   [12]
  		1861 Census Robert POLLEY Mary Ann nee HACKETT and Family.jpg
  Residence	1869	Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario, Canada
  	Concession 7 Lot 1
  	1869 William Polley: Concession 7. Lot 1, 50 acres. Value of each parcel recorded at 300. William Polley - 24 years of age, 1 person living in his household.
  Occupation	Abt 1870	Castleton, Cramahe Twp, Northumberland Co., Ontario, Canada   [1, 2, 4, 5]
  	Nursery Business in Castleton Ontario before moving to Trenton; Fruit Agent, Trenton, Ontario, Canada (1881,1901), 1/2 Owner of an Apple Evaporation Factory
  	While going through the Castleton Women's Institute records, I found a newspaper clipping titled Castleton in 1870 by T. J. Wilson. It is undated and the newspaper is not mentioned. Under places of business it lists W. H. Polley, fruit tree dealer. Township of Cramahe Public Library, Castleton. Gord Polley also remembers that his Grandfather had a nursery business in Castleton because he had a sign in the attic of their house that said William H. Polley Florist from that business.
  Occupation	1872	Cramahe Twp, Northumberland Co, Ontario, Canada
  	Agent
  	Township of Cramahe Public Library, Castleton
  Residence	1872	Cramahe Twp, Northumberland Co, Ontario, Canada
  	in the assessment roll for Cramahe Township 1872 it lists William Polley, Tenant, age 27, owner of land Joseph Keeler, school section 22, Concession 7, lot south half 33, 45 acres, 20 cleared. Value 500 (don't know whether pounds or dollars). Number of person in family 4. Under occupation it looks like it says agent. Township of Cramahe Public Library, Castleton
  Residence	1878	Haldimand, Northumberland West, Ontario, Canada   [8]
  	Con 7, Lot 1, 50 Acres
  		51gc0000.jpg
  Occupation	1881	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [2]
  	Fruit Agent
  		1881 Census William Harrison POLLEY SR.jpg
  Residence	1881	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [2]
  	The Gilbert Hotel
  	Gordon Bradbury Polley remembered the Gilbert family as close family friends. The Gilbert Hotel on Dundas Street West, equipped with the most modern facilities now, dates back to the days before Confederation. A landmark of Trenton, the hotel was first operated by Thomas Howard Bleecker, grandson of one of the first settlers in the area. - Trenton Past and Present
  		Gilbert Hotel in Trenton.jpg
  		Gilbert Hotel in Trenton 2.jpg
  		1881 Census William Harrison POLLEY SR.jpg
  Residence	1884	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [13]
  	Farmers' and Business Directory...Frontenac, Hastings ... 1884-5. Page A78 of 554 Pages.
  		Ottawa-49.jpg
  Occupation	1884-1889  [13]
  	Manufacturer of Agricultural Implements (Farmers' and Business Directory...Frontenac, Hastings ... 1884-5 & 1886-7 & 1889)
  Occupation	1891	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Farm Implement Sales
  		1891 Census William H POLLEY Mary nee McGUIRE and Family.jpg
  Residence	1891	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [3]
  		1891 Census William H POLLEY Mary nee McGUIRE and Family.jpg
  Occupation	1901	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	Fruit Merchant
  		1901 Census William H POLLEY Mary nee McGUIRE and Family.jpg
  Religion	1901	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [3, 4, 5]
  	Church of England / Anglican
  		1901 Census William H POLLEY Mary nee McGUIRE and Family.jpg
  Residence	1901	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [4]
  		1901 Census William H POLLEY Mary nee McGUIRE and Family.jpg
  Occupation	Abt 1904	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [14]
  	Co owner in Polley and White Apple Evaporators
  	Part owner of Polley & White, manufacturers of Canadian evaporated apples, and one of the largest handlers of dried apples and fruit, and also green apples, in the district. Gord Polley remembers his Grandpa was an "Apple man through and through" also that the evaporated apple factory caught fire and burned to the ground, unfortunatly there was no insurance so that was the end of that business. Some stationary from the apple factory still exists. Apple Evaporator Plant located on Gilmour Hill which would be Dundas St. E and Marmora St area An evaporator processing apples on Gilmour Hill has long since disappeared, but former employees recall with a chuckle that they very much disliked the Ben Davis Apples used for dehydrating purposes, while overseas customers seemed to be extremely fond of the variety. Likely the flavour improved during the sea voyage. - Trenton Past and Present In the book Pioneer Life on the Bay of Qunite it lists a David McAuley who built "the first evaporator in the county, at Picton" he was also the first to start shipping apples to England. Could there be a connection?
  		Polley and White Apple Evaporator on Gilmour Hill Trenton.jpg
  		2DOc0918.jpg
  Occupation	1911	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Apple Evaporator
  		1911 Census William H POLLEY Mary nee McGUIRE and Family.jpg
  Residence	1911	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [5]
  		1911 Census William H POLLEY Mary nee McGUIRE and Family.jpg
  Occupation	1913-1921	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [14]
  	Collector of Customs - Customs Office
  	Retired in 1921 "W.H. POLLY (sic)" Mr. W. H. Polly is Collector of Customs at Trenton. He has resided in the town for a number of years, and was formerly engaged in business with Mr. G. S. White, in the evaporating and exporting of apples. He was an active worker in the Conservative interests, and took a deep interest in politics." [The Evolution of Trenton page 53]
  		Trenton Post Office and Customs House.jpg
  Occupation	1921	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [15]
  	Customs
  	Earned $1,600 per year
  		1921 Canadian Census William H Polley Sr and Family.jpg
  Residence	1921	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [15]
  	Murphy Street
  		1921 Canadian Census William H Polley Sr and Family.jpg
  Residence	1931	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [16]
  	13 Murphy Street
  	No occupation Housekeeper living with them as well as Bertha
  		1931 Census William Harrison Polley SR and Family.jpg
  Death	16 Nov 1931	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [7, 10, 11]
  	Cause: Old Age
  	Died at this home on Murphy Street in Trenton 018485-31
  		William Harrison POLLEY SR Death Certificate.jpg
  Burial	17 Nov 1931	St George's Anglican Church, Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [11, 17]
  	Date does not line up with the date of death The Polley's are buried in Section F-183 2-1 to F-183- 3-4 A total of 8 grave sites.
  		Polley Family Tombstone.jpg
  Obituary	20 Nov 1931  [18]
  	Brighton Ensign
  	WM. H. POLLY DIES. AGED 87 WAS PIONEER An old Trenton resident passed away at his home Monday morning in the person of Mr. William Harrison Polly in his eighty-eighth year. He was one of the old pioneers of Trenton having resided there for sixty years. Mr. Polly came to Trenton from Castelton as a young man when Trenton was nothing but a village. Here he settled and entered the exporting business. He entered the Customs Office in 1913 as Collector of Customs where he carried on his duties making a host of friends. He was superanuated in 1921 when he retired to his home on Murphy St. He is survived by his wife and daughter, Miss Bertha Polly of Trenton. The funeral took place from St. George's Church on Tuesday afternoon the Rev. Heywood preaching the funeral sermon. Interment took place in the Anglican Cemetery where Mr. Polly will be buried. Many beautiful floral wreaths attest the fact of Mr Polly's many friends.
  Residence	1891-1932	Trenton, , Ontario, Canada   [3, 11]
  	10 W. Murphy Street
  	Division 1 Page 41 of the Census Informant to Mother's death 7 Room house, 30 Acres, 3 lots, 2 Dwellings, 4 Barns/Outbuildings, 1 "Manufacturing Establishment" (Leased) (1901 Census) 31 years at residence on death certificate House was torn down in late 2006 and replaced with a Tim Hortons
  		Ottawa-49.jpg
  Person ID	I7660	Ryeland Family Tree
  Last Modified	15 Mar 2024

  
  

  Father	Robert A POLLEY,   b. Aft Apr 1801, Ireland d. 10 Apr 1892, Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario, Canada (Age 90 years)
  Mother	Mary Ann HACKETT,   b. 23 Nov 1810, County of Monaghan, Ireland d. 8 May 1887, Cramahe Twp, Northumberland Co, Ontario, Canada (Age 76 years)
  Marriage	27 Feb 1833	Lansingburgh, Rensselaer, New York, USA   [19, 20, 21]
  	"- Married - In this town, Mr Robert POLLY to Miss Mary Ann HACKET, both of Lansingburgh." - Lansingburgh Gazett March 19th 1833 No 85 At Lansingburgh Feb 27 1883 Mr Robert Polley and Miss Mary Ann Hackett both of said town were married according to the rites of the *** Church Trinity Episcopal Church is the Episcopal church in the area at the time and would be the most likely place for their marriage. However it burned down in 1868 and others have indicated that all the records were lost at that time.
  		Robert A Polley Mary Ann Hackett Marriage.png
  Family ID	F1329	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Mary MCGUIRE,   b. 7 Feb 1859, Murray Township, Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada d. 17 Jun 1935, Trenton, , Ontario, Canada (Age 76 years)
  Marriage	5 Jan 1883	Toronto, , Ontario, Canada   [22]
  	William and Mary do not seem to be married in Ontario, as of April 2008 I can't find any record of that marriage, they may have married in Rochester. The census records from 1880(US) and 1881(CAN) show them as single and show their son William Jr as using the surname McGUIRE in 1880. So if they got married it is more than likely in late 1881 or later, William Jr's immagration to Canada took place at either 1881(1911 census) or 1882(1901 census) so they may have been married before he and Mary came back to Canada.
  		William Harrison Polley and Mary McGuire Marriage Record.jpg
  Children	1. William Harrison POLLEY,   b. 6 Aug 1880, Rochester, Monroe, New York, USA d. 1 Jun 1923, Toronto, , Ontario, Canada (Age 42 years)   2. Bertha POLLEY,   b. 25 Aug 1890, Ontario, Canada d. 16 Mar 1972, Trenton, , Ontario, Canada (Age 81 years)
  Last Modified	15 Jan 2020
  Family ID	F2444	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 4 Mar 1844 - Paris, Brant County, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1861 - Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario, Canada Residence - Concession 7 Lot 1 - 1869 - Haldimand Twp., Northumberland Co., Ontario, Canada Occupation - Nursery Business in Castleton Ontario before moving to Trenton; Fruit Agent, Trenton, Ontario, Canada (1881,1901), 1/2 Owner of an Apple Evaporation Factory - Abt 1870 - Castleton, Cramahe Twp, Northumberland Co., Ontario, Canada Occupation - Agent - 1872 - Cramahe Twp, Northumberland Co, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1872 - Cramahe Twp, Northumberland Co, Ontario, Canada Residence - 1878 - Haldimand, Northumberland West, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Fruit Agent - 1881 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Residence - The Gilbert Hotel - 1881 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Marriage - 5 Jan 1883 - Toronto, , Ontario, Canada Residence - 1884 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Occupation - Farm Implement Sales - 1891 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Residence - 1891 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Occupation - Fruit Merchant - 1901 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Religion - Church of England / Anglican - 1901 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Residence - 1901 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Occupation - Co owner in Polley and White Apple Evaporators - Abt 1904 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Occupation - Apple Evaporator - 1911 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Residence - 1911 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Occupation - Collector of Customs - Customs Office - 1913-1921 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Occupation - Customs - 1921 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Residence - Murphy Street - 1921 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Residence - 13 Murphy Street - 1931 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Death - Cause: Old Age - 16 Nov 1931 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Burial - 17 Nov 1931 - St George's Anglican Church, Trenton, , Ontario, Canada Residence - 10 W. Murphy Street - 1891-1932 - Trenton, , Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		William Harrison Polley Sr.jpg
  		William H Polley Sr Mary nee McGuire and Gordon Polley.jpg
  		1931 Census William Harrison Polley SR and Family.jpg

  
  

• Notes

  In April 1894 sold his property in Haldimand, Con 7 Lot 1 NE 1/4 to Orloff W. Huycke who is the son in law of his brother James. According to our records, there were 8 plots purchased in 1924 by William Polley. - St. George's Anglican Cemetery RACE Irish William Henry Harrison was a general in the war of 1812 and was elected US president in 1840/41 and died months later in office. Maybe he was named after this US president? [8, 9, 14, 17, 23]

  
  

• Sources

  [S657] Gordon Bradbury Polley. [S588] 1881 Canadian Census. [S246] 1891 Canadian Census. [S422] 1901 Canadian Census, (Location: http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/NationalSummary.jsp). [S561] 1911 Canadian Census, (Location: http://www.collectionscanada.ca/archivianet/1911/index-e.html). [S931] William Harrison Polley Jr Death Certificate, (Location: LDS Family History Center Kitchener, Ontario). [S791] Brantford Expositor City News, (Brantford Expositor). [S792] Allan N. Birney, Oak Heights Neighbours 1800-1950, (Mika Publishing Company, Belleville Ontario URL: http://www.ourroots.ca). [S795] Assessment records of Haldimand, 1869, Trent University Archives. [S932] Polley Family Tombstone, Trenton, Ontario, Canada. [S941] William Harrison Polley Sr Death Certificate. [S602] 1861 Canadian Census. [S908] Canadian Directories, Canadian Directories, (URL: http://www.collectionscanada.ca/canadiandirectories/022009-100.01-e.php). [S205] Pioneer life on the Bay of Quinte, including genealogies of old families and biographical sketches of representative citizens, (Toronto, Ontario: Ralph and Clark URL: http://www.ourroots.ca/e/toc.asp?id=3658). [S652] 1921 Canadian Census. [S1256] Ancestry.com, 1931 Canadian Census. [S942] St. George's Anglican Church, Trenton, Ontario, Internment Records for the Polley Family, St. George's Anglican Church, Trenton, Ontario, Internment Records for the Polley Family. [S943] Brighton Ensign. [S169] Mary Ann Polley nee Hackett Obituary. [S170] Lansingburgh Gazette. [S1250] Ancestry.com, New York, U.S., Episcopal Diocese of Rochester Church Records, 1800-1970. [S1227] William Harrison Polley and Mary McGuire Marriage Record. [S793] Collectors Roll for the Township of Haldimand, Trent University Archives.