The Blackstock, Gibbs and Gooderham families were prominent early settlers to Upper Canada during the 19th century. Of British and Irish descent they played an important role in the development and growth of industry, in particular with mills, distilleries, banking, mining, and railways.
The Blackstock, Gibbs and Gooderham families were prominent early settlers to Upper Canada, who played an important role in the development and growth of industry, in particular with mills, distilleries, banking, mining, and railways.
Of British and Irish descent, the three families migrated to Upper Canada in the first half of the nineteenth century. Here, they established themselves in industry and through marriage became intertwined.
The Gooderham family began their immigration to Upper Canada in 1831 when William Gooderham Sr. (1790-1881), along with his brother-in-law James Worts, began a large scale migration of their two families, settling near York. Gooderham invested in Worts' already established milling business and the two years later added a distillery.
William Gooderham Sr. rose to prominence through his milling and distillery business, also adding to his influence through railways and banking (he was president of the Bank of Toronto from 1864 until his death). He married Harriet Tovell Herring and had eight sons and five daughters. His eldest son, William Junior, refused the family business and moved to New York to establish himself. His other son George (1830-1905) took over a large part of the family business; he became president of the Bank of Toronto.
George Gooderham also established himself in other industries, notably in mining. He invested in the War Eagle and Centre Star mines in Kootenay, British Columbia. George greatly expanded on his father's wealth, but avoided the public eye and remained relatively obscure in Toronto society. He married Harriet Dean and had a great passion for yachting. He entertained various guests and distinguished visitors on 'The Oriole', including the governor-general and prime minister.
Rev. William Schenck Blackstock (1824-1905) was born in Black Rock, New York (his father having arrived in New York from Ireland in 1816). In 1827, at the age of 3, he travelled from Queenston to York with his family, settling in the township of Cavan, within what later became Durham Region. He became a Wesleyan Methodist Minister. In 1850 he married Mary Hodge Gibbs, daughter of Thomas Gibbs and Caroline Tate. Mary and William had five children: Thomas Gibbs (1851-1906), Amelia Eliza (Millie) (1854-1936?), George Tate (1856-1921), Caroline Jane (Carrie) (1860-1919) and Mary Elizabeth (May) (1863-1924).
Thomas Gibbs Blackstock married Harriet Victoria Gooderham, daughter of George Gooderham and Harriet Dean. He played a large role in the business dealings of his father-in-law, becoming his business manager, as well as co-investor in the Kootenay mines. He also trained as a lawyer. His yacht 'Cleopatra' once entertained the prime minister and other distinguished visitors.
George Tate also studied law and rose to prominence as a lawyer and orator. Known for his loyalist and conservative values he was often asked to speak at lectures and other events both in Upper Canada and in Britain. He married Emiline Moulton Fraser, although their marriage ended in divorce, not long after his diagnosis as a hypochondriac.
For further information on the Blackstock, Gibbs, Gooderham and Tate families, please refer to the book “All the Journey Through” by C.M. Blackstock (University of Toronto Press, 1997). The book is available from the Archives of Ontario Library.