Adam Bowman Almas Sr. (1780 - 1871)
Adam Bowman Almas, Jr., was born in New Germantown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey in 1787 and died in Lynden, Ontario, in 1871. He is buried in the Church of the Ascension plot, in Hamilton, ON at the Cemetery at Burlington Heights.
About 1810, Adam married Elizabeth Kitson (born 28 December 1786, in New Jersey, and christened 14 January, 1795 at Niagara-on-the-Lake - cf Baptismal Records of Rev. Robt. Addison). Elizabeth was the daughter of John F. Kitson and Margaret Windecker. She died on 24 May, 1848 in Ancaster Twp., Wentworth County. She was buried at St. John's Cemetery, Ancaster. (as per Church burial record: 61 yrs, 4mos, 26dys)
He married, secondly, Elizabeth Swartz about 1850 in Wentworth Co. She was born in the United States (date unknown). Little is known about her. She was probably buried in the Lyden Cemetery, Ancaster Twp., ON.
In the War of 1812, Adam was a private in the 5th Lincoln Militia (2nd Flank Company). He was living in Beverly Towship in 1833. In 1821, Adam's father (Christian Almas) had purchased a parcel of land - the North half of Lot 6, Concession 1, in Ancaster Township. This land he gave to Adam in 1839 and he was living there still in 1852 (according to the Census of that year). The Census states: family of 10; 4 acres under cultivation; under pasture - 4 acres; underwood lot 6 acres; 1 milch cow; 20 butter cows; 2 pigs.
The children of Adam Bowman Almas, Sr., and Elizabeth Kitson were:
Margaret Almas - born 27 August 1810; died 20 May 1900
Christopher Frederick Almas - born 1811 - died 1895; Res. Hartford, Townsend Twp., Norfolk Co., ON; farmer; Baptist
Mary Magdalina Almas - born ca 1814; died 1900 - buried Clump Cemetery, S. Dunfries Twp., Brant Co, ON; married Ebenezer Willson
Henry Almas - born ca 1815; died 1899; buried: Fremont Cemetery, Mayville, Tuscola Twp., MI; m. Eliabeth (Martha) Vroman
Adam Bowman Almas Jr., - born 1816, Ancaster Township, Wentworth County, ON - died 1880; buried in Hamilton, ON
John F. Almas - born 1817; married: Rachel Ann Little; Issue: Sarah Elizabeth, Diana Jane, Rosanna; he died 26 February 1877
Elizabeth Almas - born 1819; died bef 1880
Frederick Almas - born ca 1820; d bef 1880
Jacob H. Almas - born in 1828
David Almas - born in 1831; died bef 1881
Wilbert Herbert Almas - born ca 1833, Ancaster Twp.; married Ursula Priscilla (Unknown) ca 1853 in Norfolk Co., ON. She was b ca 1833 in Ontario. She died 2 April 1890 Townsend Twp., Norfolk Co., ON.
Hannah Margaret Almas - born 1837, Ancaster Twp (is 15 yrs in 1851 Census); living with parents in both 1851 and 1861 censuses
James Almas - born 1840
Rhoda Rosetta Almas - born 1841 Ancaster Twp. (there is a child, Robert J. Almas b 1859) in the 1861 census - possibly a child of Rhoda Rosetta Almas(?)
William Almas - born 1843
Adam was named after his fathers friend, Adam Bowman a Private in Butler's Rangers.
It's possible that Adam was born in Upper Mt. Bethel, Northampton Co., Pennsylvania. It is thought that Christian and Hannah Almas, with their children may have stayed there awhile, linking with the Kribs and others (Rymals, Hess, etc.) before travelling on to Fort Niagara, ca 1787. If Adam was born in March of 1786 this may have been in PA, the family being enroute.
Adam was a Private in the 5th Militia, Member of the 2nd Flank Co. at the first establishment under Capt Durand. It is thought that these men accompanied General Brock to the Battle of Detroit. Others suggest that several Almases were teamsters in this journey. (Land Claim Certificate of Upper Canada Militiamen who served in the War of 1812 - 1814; File 4, p. 185-186.
Residence
1820 - Land Grant in Zorro Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario
1821 - Assessment Roll: owned Lot 7 Concession 1, Ancaster Twp.
1833 - Beverley Township, Wentworth Co.
1839 - Christian bought Lot 6, Con 1 Ancaster Twp. N 1/2 (1821) and gave it to Adam in 1839. He was living there in 1852.
1841 - Census: Ancaster Twp; proprietor, farmer, 8 in family all b in Canada; b b in US; religion: Church of England
1851 Census Age: 65; Estimated birth year: abt 1787
Birthplace: Canada West
Province: Canada West (Ontario)
District: Wentworth County
District Number: 41
Sub-District: Ancaster
Sub-District Number: 390
Page: 169
Line: 35
Roll: C_11758
Schedule: A1861 - Census: Ancaster Twp. age 74, married; 1 &1/2 story house; 1 &1/2 acres
1871 - Census: Ancater Twp.