Lt. Col. John Baker Almas

John Baker Almas was born on 28 July 1796 in Ancaster Twp, Wentworth Co., Ontario. He died on 8 February 1860 in Ancaster Twp. and was buried on 11 February 1860 in St. Peter's Cemetery, Hamilton, Ontario.

John married Jane Campbell, daughter of John Campbell and Catherine (Unknown) and twin of Elizabeth Campbell who married Frederick Almas, on May 7, 1821 in Chippawa, Stamford Twp., ON. Jane was born on 13 July 1804 in Stamford Twp. (Welland), ON and was christened on 3 August 1804 at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. She died on 9 May 1871 in Ancaster Twp., Wentworth Co., and was buried on 12 May inSt. Peter's Cemetery, Barton Co, ON.

Children of John and Jane were:

'Squire' David Almas - born 10 March 1822; died 4 December 1903

Adam Roe Almas - born 20 February 1824; eied 20 August 1896

Henry S. Almas - born 18 June 1827; died 13 June 1889

John William Almas - born 22 August 1829, Ancaster Twp; died 13 July 1832 Ancaster Twp.; buried 15 July 1832, St. Peter's Cemetery, Hamilton, ON

Lte Col. Samuel H. Almas - born 5 December 1831; diede 25 December 1907

Elizabeth A. Almas - born 1835 - 2 March 1884

Christine Mackenzie Almas - born 9 July 1836; died 26 March 1908

Uriah Burgess Almas - born 21 August 1838; died 20 August 1899

Margaret Jane Almas - born 2 September 1839, Ancaster Twp.,; died 1843, Ancaster Twp; buried St. Peter's Cemetery, Hamilton, ON

Patrick Hammill Almas - born 13 March 1842; died 31 December 1915

Charlotte Almas - born 17 May 1847, Ancaster Twp.; christened 21 October 1847, Barton Twp.; died 27 August 1849, Ancaster Twp., and was buried on 29 August 1840, St. Peter's Cemetery, Hamilton, ON

Birth: as per Return of Officers and Men of Capt. Nathan Crook's Company, 1st Regiment Gore Militia, Ancaster; 23 November 1828; C3 L55, Ancaster Twp.

Married by licence: Rev. Wm Leeming, at Chippewa

Confirmed (as an adult), by Rev. John G. Geddes & Rev. James Usher, Christ's Church, Hamilton, ON, 4 October 1835.

Death: Cemetery Tran; Obit, Hamilton Spectator, 9 February 1860 - 'Died at Ancaster, on the 8th instant, after a short illness, Col. John Almas, of the 5th Battalion, Wentworth Militia, aged 62 years. Col Almas was an old and wealthy resident in Ancaster, and universally respected. The funeral will take place on Saturday, the 11th instant, at 11 o'clock a.m. to the place of interment, St. Peter's Church, Barton.

Occ. Farmer

Rel. Member of St. John's Anglican, Ancaster

1828 - November 21 - Served as Serj't in Capt. Matthew Crooks Co., 1st Reg't Gore Militia, Returns 21 November 1828

1832 - 17 February - Became an Ensign 1st Gore, 5th Wentworth Battalion

1837 - An interesting story: John, a militia officer, was ordered out with his men to hunt the rebel leader, Wiliam Lyon MacKenzie, who was thought to be hiding near Ancaster. They traced him to the Rymal farm but a search failed to real his place of hiding. With chagrin they afterwards learned that Mackenzie had been hidden under a large kettle upturned in the back yard of the homestead.

1859 - bought S 2/3 Lot 50, Concession 3, Ancaster Twp.

1861 - bought 6 acres in L6 C1, Ancaster Twp.