BINGHAM, ROBERT

Robert Bingham was born Co. Tyrone, Ire., 1815, d. 1891, age 76. He entered the constabulary at the age of fifteen, and served a term of four years. He m. in his ninteenth year, Mary A. Lowdon of the Co. of Armagh, Ire., who d. in 1892. They came to Canada about 1835, and set. in Toronto Tp. He followed rafting and stave making for some time, enduring many hardships, usually sleeping in a bed of hemlock boughs. He afterwards worked as a farm laborer, cradling, mowing and flailing grain, for which he received only one peck of wheat per day, which he had to carry on his back to Oakville.

He then rented farms in Trafalgar, one of which being the Tolton farm which he held during the Russian war, when wheat brought a very big price, about $4 per bushel. Here he gained a fine start, and in 1855 purchased lots 14 and 15, con. 6, Erin. This he cleared and improved, building a good stone house, in which he lived during the remaining portion of his long and useful life.

Mr. Bingham was a strong Methodist, and a leading temperance man. He was a quiet, unassuming, but strong minded man, of strict integrity, whom nothing could swerve from his resolve, when he knew he was right. He was, for some time, the only Conservative in the neighborhood, having to poll his own vote in the face of threats. Mr. Wm. Taylor, Clerk of the Court, had to order the mob not to interfere with Mr. Bingham, and he was never after molested.

His family consisted of twelve children, eight of whom are living, viz: Mrs. R. Forrest, Hepworth; Mrs. Wm. Dabbin, Chesley; Mrs. Robert Bennett, Acton; John, Toronto; Robert, Sault Ste. Marie; Thomas, William, and Samuel, Erin Tp.

Thomas, m. Phoebe Anderson. Issue: William, Joseph , Thomas, John Wesley, Fred, Mrs. William Delevey, and Mrs. George Keeler, Erin. He has been very successful in life, and now owns 350 acres. He is a leading member of the Disciples Church, and a stong Conservative.

William, b. 1851, moved to Peel Co. and after four years sold out at a good advance, and returned to Erin. Buying Edward Tolton's homestead in 1904. This farm is one of the best in Erin, and contains fine improvements. He is a stong temperance man, of pronounced convictions; a methodist and a Conservative. In 1880 he m. Miss Bennett. Issue: Robert L., Thomas E., Hattie B., Mary A. and Edna.