Since 2002 I have been working on a Charles CAMERON b 1783 who served in the 26th of
Foots, Cameronian Regiment. I was hoping to find his parentage. According to the Scottish
naming pattern , his father's name would have been James. A number of males in the
extended family carried that name. When Clan Cameron came on line with the DNA, the name
was Donald and I am unable to find anyone who can
prove that.
There were CAMERONS in early Quebec after Louisburg and the Battle on the Plains of
Abraham and families were in the Garrison at Quebec.
In the Parish records of the Anglican Cathedral at Quebec City there is a record of a
baptism in 1797 of a William Cameron born to Sergeant James CAMERON of above named
regiment and his wife, Mary. I thought he had died, but there would be a record there;
there is no such record.
James died in 1800 and was buried from the same garrison church. His wife, Mary and
daughter Ann sign the register.One month later Charles is discharged and quite soon they
are found in York(Toronto). They are in Robertson's
Landmarks of Toronto shown at St. James Anglican Church attending each others weddings and
baptisms. Mary married John Berry 1802, Ann married Phillip Haines, Charles married Sarah
Houghton (Hooten) in 1808. There is no mention of William until recently I found someone
on the net looking for a William b 1799 and mentionuing similar family names. Happily, I
suggested tryiing 1797 and BINGO. So I learned he frew up at or near Yprk and married a
Cecelia Bentley in 1822 . They settled in Wellesley, near Kitchener, now in Ontario,
where they resided until 1854 when their 4 grown children and familiies moved to Iowa.
Therefore I believe those three are related and there are probably others. Also
because of the discrepancy in age another scenario could be that Charles father died and
he enlisted in the 26th of Foots with or because of a close relative. He enlisted as a
drummer at the tender age of 7 in 1790.
If this sounds remotely familiar, please be in touch to help unwrap this mystery. I
thank you so much.
Delphine Cameron Large