1
Map of Amsterdam, 1618. Gearge Braun, and Franz Hogenberg.1 January 1618
Amsterdam, Germany
Credits:Gearge Braun
Franz Hogenberg
Pete Lloyd (photo)
2
Close up, Map of Amsterdam, 1618.1 January 1618
Amsterdam, Germany
Credits:Pete Lloyd
3
The Misener family originated in the Palantine region in south west Germany. Richard and Elizabeth Misener left Europe through Amsterdam, rather than the more common route of Rotterdam, travelling by the Rhine River. It is not known why the Miseners chose this less common route.In a fascinating turn of coincidence a Westfield Volunteer brought in a map they'd bought at a Brantford area church bazaar. Closer examination revealed that the map was on vellum. Research proved that the map is by George Braun, and Franz Hogenberg, from their book of city maps: Civitates orbis terrarvm. [Cologne, 1612-1618] Folio, 6 volumes bound in 2. Bound in contemporary blind-stamped vellum. The authenticity of our map, whether it is from the seventeenth century or a more recent copy, is still under investigation. In any case this map and later variations of it were available to guide emigrants who were making the harrowing journey off the continent.
4
Google overhead image of Clearwater lake, 2012.30 January 2012
Clearwater Lake, Sussex County, New Jersey, United States
Credits:Peter Lloyd
5
When the Miseners reach the New World in 1720, they settle in New Jersey. Their property was in Hardwick township, Sussex County, near Iliff's Pond which is today known as Clearwater Lake. Richard and Elizabeth had at least three sons, Adam, Nicholas and Henry. Not much is known about Nicholas and Henry, but Adam was born in Germany and accompanied his parents across the Atlantic at the age of ten. Adam lived to be one hundred and four, and it is his decendants who moved to Canada. To distinguish him from his decendants and relatives, he will henceforth be referred to as "Old Adam". Richard Misener passed away on April 22nd, 1762. Decendants of the Misener family still lived near Clearwater Lake until the 1950s.6
Map of Crowland Township, showing Welland. 1875.1 January 1875
Crowland, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Library Collection
7
Old Adam had five sons and five daughters. Four of Old Adam's sons come to Canada: John, Jacob, Nicholas and Peter. His fifth son, Conrad, stayed in New Jersey.Nicholas Misener came to Canada in 1793. Nicholas and his wife Jane (McClain) had four children with them when they arrived at Oswego New York. Very likely these were Richard, Margaret, Peter and Sarah. Sarah was 10 weeks old when they began the move from New Jersey. From Oswego, on the south east shore of Lake Ontario, the party split into two groups. The women and children of their party are said to have traversed the lake in a flat bottomed boat while the men of the group followed the shore in a two wheeled cart pulled by a mare and a cow. They were reunited in Crowland Township, in Welland County, where Nicholas' brothers John, Jacob and Peter had established themselves. Nicholas and Jane have eight more children in Welland County; Andrew, Adam, Nicolas, Conrad, Elizabeth, Mary, John, and William.
8
Map of Crowland with Misener property highlighted, 1875.1 January 1875
Crowland, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Library Collection
9
All four of Old Adam's sons who came to Canada settled first in Crowland township; John, Jacob, Nicholas and Peter Misener. In 1800 John moved to Long Point country and settled in Woodhouse township, Norfolk County. In 1808 Peter moved to Ancaster township, Wentworth County. Jacob and Nicholas remained in Crowland. The land given to Nicholas by the crown was still in the Misener family by the 1950s.10
A Map of Beverly, 1875.1 January 1875
Beverly Township, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Library Collection
11
In 1818 Nicholas takes two sons, Peter and Young Adam, on a trip up to Beverly Township to look at land. He buys 400 acres, lots 7 and 8 in the 2nd concession, at the Village of Troy from William Wedge. Peter and Young Adam settled on this property. The property includes a water powered sawmill on Fairchild's Creek. There were stories told at that time that the French Explorer LaSalle had passed along this watercourse on his way to the Grand River. Young Adam Misener lives to be a hundred and three, almost as old as his grandfather.When Nicholas died in 1849 he willed the north half of lot 7 to Peter, the north of lot 8 to Young Adam. The southern halfs of the properties were willed to his other two sons, Richard and Conrad. This is Conrad Misener who purchased lot 10 in 1832. Neither Richard nor Conrad ever lived in their southern halfs of lots 7 and 8, having their own established properties.
12
Map of Troy, showing Misener properties. Nicolas' is marked in red.19th Century, 1810-20s
Troy, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Library Collection
13
One of Nicholas' younger sons, Conrad, moves to Troy in 1832 and buys the south half of lot 10. It is on this property that the "Misener House" now preserved at Westfield Heritage Village was built. Conrad's property was well supplied with old growth trees, in particular giant white pines. He sold off a section for timber in 1849 for the sum of $600.00. The local lumber business would be a booming industry for at least the next generation. The local business directory for 1865 lists 5 steam powered mills and 35 other sawmills sawing "several million" board feet per year.The Misener families descending from Young Adam, Peter and Conrad thrive along with the growing community of Troy well into the first half of the twentieth century.
14
Conrad Misener's house on a truck to be moved, 1960s.20th Century, 1960s
Troy, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Westfield Library Collection
 |
 |
 |
 |