It was Saturday February 22, 1947, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, that Charles and Nora Hagyard had their second child, a boy, whom they named Charles Richard Hagyard. My parents knew that they could not have any more children and although my father had always insisted that it wasn't important, he now had a son to carry on the Hagyard name.

His interest in the family tree was always there as I was growing up. Stories of our ancestors, what we did, where we came from, where we had moved to and who we were, were often told after a Sunday dinner.

I was 12 years old in grade seven, when I was given a sheet of paper entitled, 'The Family Tree'. We took this single sheet of paper home and were to fill in the blanks; our name, that of our parents, our grandparents and our great grandparents. My grandfather lived down the street and after our Sunday dinner, which was always at my grandparents house, I listened to my grandfather as he told me of our family and its' history. I recorded the names of his parents and his parent's parents. He told me that the Hagyards were from Yorkshire in England, from a small market town called Pocklington. He told me that Hagyards had emigrated to Canada and now lived in Ontario and Manitoba. Others had emigrated from Ontario to the United States and settled in Kentucky. My grandfather had corresponded with the Hagyards in Kentucky for years, met the Hagyards in Ontario and knew great uncles in England. I remember him telling me that he did not know exactly how we were all related, but that we were. In fact, all Hagyards in the world were related.My great grandfather had done some research on the family tree and he produced a copy of a will [now reproduced on this site under Wills] of Alexander Hagyard, copied 150 years earlier by the Pocklington parish minister for my great grandfather. The original will of 1667 is stored in the Borthwick Institute in York, Yorkshire. The last statement that my grandfather made that night, was that it was sad that the family had lost touch with each other, and did not know who we all were, or how we were all related. Thus began my lifelong project, the Hagyard family tree.

From that day on, from twelve years of age, I have collected names and dates of the family where ever I could find them: searching phone books, libraries, archives, newspapers and cemeteries. The birth, marriage and death indexes at St. Catherine's house in London, were searched, all 1800 volumes, recording every Hagyard listed since 1837. This task was preformed by Susan, my wife, and myself and I'm afraid resulted in my wife's enthusiasm for the family tree to, shall I say, wain. However, she has allowed me to pursue my hobby, or as she says my passion, and tolerated the hours spent, not to mention the money. The many hours on the phone, writing letters, visiting the family in Canada, the United States and England, and more recently working on the internet, have been (somewhat grudgingly) accepted

Last year, 1999, marked the fortieth year that I have pursued the completion of the family tree. There are now almost 6000 family members in the tree, which begins with Thomas Hagyard. He was born almost 500 years ago in the year 1520, in that small market town that my grandfather had mentioned, Pocklington.

It was mentioned above that I was the second child of Nora and Charles Hagyard. The first, a daughter named Janice Lynn Hagyard is now married and has seven children. I too am married and also have seven children. The Hagyard family tree is still expanding.

This page is about Rick Hagyard, and its' purpose is to let family members have some idea who I am, who it is that has phoned or just dropped in to visit, without warning or introduction.

I was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and moved to the city of Toronto when I was one. I was raised in Etobicoke, which is in the west end of Toronto, where I lived until 1967 when I left to attend The University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario.

After graduating in 1970 with an honours Political Science degree, which included a minor in history, I once again began to organize the family tree information, in an attempt to create a single family tree. At this time my working career began, starting in sales, then a government clerk and in 1972 a police constable with the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force. For over thirteen years I was attached to 51 Division, an area that included Regent Park, Cabbage town and Rosedale.

On 22 July 1972, I married Katherine Marie Inskip and became a father, first in 1975, Christine Marie, then in 1979, Carrie Lynn, and again in 1981, Katherine Lorraine. During these years I entered the world of business; became a landlord, started a day care centre, a variety store, a nanny business, a coffee business and a franchise, Sharecorp Marketing. The pressures created by these businesses and the police force helped lead to the breakup of my marriage in 1982.

In 1986 I resigned from the police force and concentrated on my own businesses. On 21 June of that year I married Susan Leslie McNeil who had been helping raise my three daughters. That year, 1986, I went to England and began to research the family tree there. During the next ten years I visited England another four times recording family information, visiting family members, cemeteries and collecting family photographs.

In 1987 Elizabeth Alice Ann was born, followed by Shannon Louise in 1988. In 1990 Robyn Elizabeth arrived and on 20 Mar 1991 my seventh, Robert Thomas was born. During this time Susan and I moved with our seven children to Hillsburgh Ontario, where we purchased and ran the local I.G.A., a food store in town.

By the early 1990’s I had all the Hagyards including the female descendants, entered into seventeen separate branches. We traveled to Kentucky and met Barb Burns and Mary ‘Potsie’ Hagyard. I exchanged letters with a hundred family members around the world.

By the mid 1990’s I began entering the family tree onto a home computer, a project that took two years, and what was not possible before became a reality, a single family tree, with all seventeen branches connected. Thirty-five years after my grandfather passed away, 1959, I had kept my promise, to find out how we were all related.

The reduction in phone rates and the coming of the internet permitted further research at an affordable cost. In 1998 we sold the I.G.A. and for almost a year I did nothing except concentrate on the North American branches of the tree, spending hours each day on the phone.

In April of 1999, I became a car salesman for a Ford dealership, and am presently employed at Blackstock Ford in Orangeville.

With the arrival of the millennium, as I mentioned above, the family tree has grown to almost 6000 family members and goes back almost 500 years, to 1520. In 2000 I visited Manitoba and continued to collect more information and pictures. Special thanks to Hazel [McClintock] Andrews and Peal [Hagyard] Vodden who supplied a great number of family photos from their own collections. November of 2000 marked the start of the Hagyard Web Page on the internet. This site has continued to grow and is serving as a valuable tool to keep the tree updated. A visit to "Hagyard Photo Album" will introduce you to the rest of my family.

Special thanks to Ken Reese, the son of Margaret Elizabeth Hagyard who has spent many hours researching family members. Ken has spent long hours travelling throughout Ontario researching local archives and cemeteries, not to mention a trip to New Zealand, to meet family members there. Thanks Ken.

Rick Hagyard
32 Douglas Cres,
Hillsburgh, Ontario,
Canada, N0B 1Z0
519 855 6828.

Family History

The Hagyards were once Vikings, living in the fiords of Scandinavia. Between 900 AD and 1250 AD we settled in what is today Scotland. Our surname began with the letter "A" and was pronounced with a very hard sound. As as result, in 1410, when one Hagyard moved south to Danelaw, the area know today as Yorkshire, the "H" was added. The name was spelt Hauckyearde, with the following spellings being recorded: Haukyeard, Haukeard and Haukeyeard.

The family tree begins with Thomas Haukyeard who was born in approximately 1520 in Pocklington, Yorkshire, England. The family continued to live in Pocklington until 1730, when Thomas Hagyard moved to Nunburnholme. It was also at this time that our surname took on the final spelling change and became HAGYARD.

Our family has lived in this area of Yorkshire for almost 600 years, from 1410 until the present day. It was not until1849 when Edward Thomas Hagyard visited Canada, returned to England in 1850, married his cousin, Esther and returned to Canada in 1851 with his father, Thomas Hagyard, (born in 1796 in Londesborough, Yorkshire, and a medical doctor), that the family began to spread around the globe. Thomas brought his family to Ontario, Canada and settled in the lands immediately north of Brampton. Although many of his descendants still live in the area, thay have also settled in Kentucky, Buffalo, Pensylvania and Manitoba. Thomas was followed by his nephew, another Thomas Hagyard, who was born in 1813 in Londesborough, who settled in what is today the town of Londesborough Ontario, the town receiving its' name from Thomas, the town where he is buried. One of his sons left and settled in Pilot Mound, Manitoba where a large number of his descendants still live, another son would settle in Simcoe, Ontario, where his descendands are found to this day.

The next to emigrate was Alfred Gethem Hagyard born in the city of York, England in 1865, and settled in Pensylvania, U.S.A., followed by Charles Hagyard, my grandfather, who came to Toronto, Ontario in 1911. The latest arrival to North America was Stephen Francis William Hagyard who arrived in 1995 and lives near Ottawa, Canada.

Other Hagyards left England for Australia and New Zealand.

Wills

Alexander Hagyard - 1617 - 1667

Alexander Hauckyard was born on the 14 February 1617 in the market town of Pocklington, Yorkshire, the third child of Alexander Haukyeard and Isabell Bickall. He was one of eight children, and all Hagyard's alive today descend from Alexander. His father Alexander Haukyeard died when Alexander was only nineteen, his mother died a year later. Alexander married Mabel Riccall daughter of Thomas Riccall, on 15 May 1649, in the parish church of Pocklington. They had seven children, all born in Pocklington. He was a member of the Church of England and was active in the parish church. England in the times of Alexander went through hard economic times. The English Civil War broke out when he was twenty five. Yorkshire remained loyal to the King, and it was the battle of Marston Moor in 1644, not far from Pocklington that Oliver Cromwell had his first clear victory. In January of 1649 just before Alexander's 32nd birthday, King Charles I was beheaded. In April of 1651 Thomas Hobbs published his book the Leviathan. In the 1660's celery was first introduced to England from Italy. Alexander would live to see the return of his King, Charles II and before his death, Alexander would witness the founding of New York and New Jersey in America, 1664, the great plague of 1665 and on 06 Sept 1666 the great London fire. By the time of Alexanders death the thermometer, barometer and pendulum clock had been invented. Alexander was a yeoman as was his father. Alexander could not read or write and signed his name with the letter H. He died in Pocklington on the 14 September 1667, and was buried in the parish cemetery of Pocklington.

In the name of God Amen the third daie of Sept 1667 I Alexander Hagyard sicke and weake of bodie, but perfect in mind and memorie Blessed be God doe make this my last Will and Testamt as followeth, I give my soule to almightie God hopeinge through the meritts of Jesus christ to receive remission of sinnes, and life everlastinge then I give my bodie to the earth where of it is made and to be buried in the Parish Churchyeard of Pocklington and as to my temporall estate I dispose of it as followeth First I give and bequeath by legacie unto my daughter Ann Hagyard one Cubbert in the parlor then I give and bequeath unto Mabell my lovinge wife the usessage with the apportenance wherein I dwell for the duringe her naturall life and likewise the front steade with the apportenance to Thomas Haggard my sonn and his heires forever, paieinge unto my daughters Ann Magdale Margerie and Mabell Haggard each of them five pounds a piece out of the said uessuage and front steade with the apporttenance as they come to the several and active ages of twentie and one yeares then I give and bequeath to the said Mabell my wife the helme and overlyers in the Gaeth for and duringe her life, and after her death to the said Thomas Hagyard and his Assignes for ever then and lastlie the rest of my goods unbequeathed after all my debts legacies and funerall expences beinge paid and discharged I give unto the said Mabell my Wife whom I make my full and sole Executive of this my last Will and Testament In witnesse wherof I have hereunto sett my hande and seale the daie and yeare first above written.

Alexander Haggard H his mark SS witness hereof William Plaxton Senior Hewitt

Robert Hagyard - 1756 - 1824

Robert Hagyard was born on the 03 December 1756 in Nunburnholme, Yorkshire, the second son of Thomas Hagyard and Jane Wilson. His father, Thomas, died at the age of 24 years, when Robert was only nine months old. Thomas's brother, William help see to the upbringing of Robert and his older brother, Thomas, who was born 20 Oct 1754. At age 23 Robert married Elizabeth Adamson on the 03 July 1781, in the Parish Church of Nunburnholme. They had nine children, all born in Londesborough, Thomas, his sixth child, born 09 Mar 1796, became a medical doctor and emigrated to Canada settling just north, of what is known today, as Brampton. Robert was a yeoman, owning his own farm, and was very active in the affairs of the parish church of Londesborough. He could both read and write, signing both his marriage license and his will.
The England in which Robert lived was one of change. Agriculture under went a revolution. Large towns and cities needed food and the small agricultural communities now had a place to sell their surplus produce. The need to enclose the land arose and new crops were introduced. It was a time of British overseas expansion. In 1759 the French were defeated in Canada, and British North America became a reality. With the treaty of Paris in 1763, England became the most powerful nation of the age. Robert witnessed the American war for independence and the establishment of the United States of America. In 1796 the Quakers opened the Lunatic Asylum in York, and for the first time patients were treated with dignity. In 1799 income tax was introduced in Britain. By 1800 the population of England had grown to nine million. Yorkshire was prospering. There were better roads being built, more canals being dug. The time, however, to travel from London to Newcastle was six days. Child labour was widespread, with a new child labour law being introduced in 1802. This Act limited child labour to 12 hours a day, no more than two children to a bed, the sexes must be kept separate, and there must be a window for fresh air in the work place. In 1804 the first steam engine was built, and the age of industrial and Imperial supremacy had begun. The golden age of world domination by the English culture was under way. It was the time of Napolean Bonaparte. In 1805 Nelson won at the battle of Trafalgar, and although Napoleon was supreme in Europe, England was master of the seas. With the battle of Waterloo in 1815, England stood alone as a great power. It was the age of Wordsworth and Keats. By 1820 the population of The British Isles had exploded to 20 million.
Robert died on 26 October 1824 and was buried as was his wife in the Nunburnholme parish churchyard. Below is the will of both Robert and Letters of Administration for his wife Elizabeth:

This is the last will and testament of one Robert Hagyard of Londesborough in the County of York Yeoman made and published by me the thirtieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three, as follows I give devise and bequeath all and singular my Messuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever unto my dear Wife Elizabeth Hagyard. To hold the same to her my said wife her Heirs Executors Administrators and assign absolutely forever subject nevertheless to the payment of my just debts funeral expenses and the charges of proving this my Will And I nominate and appoint her my said wife Elizabeth Hagyard sole Executive of this my Will In Witness whereof I the said Robert Hagyard the Testator have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the day and year first above written Robt Hagyard *

12of March 1825 Elizabeth Hagyard of Londesborough in the county of York Widow the Relict and sole Executor named in this the last Will and Testament of Robert Hagyard of the same place (hearing) Yeoman deced. Was sworn well and truly to execute and perform the same and that the whole of the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased within the Province of York do not amount in value to the sum of eight hundred pounds.
Witness my hand
Richd. Forrest Surrogate

Whereas Elizabeth Hagyard late of Londesborough in the County of York Widow departed this life on or about the second day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight instate leaving John Hagyard, Thomas Hagyard, Jane the wife of John Brigham, Robert Hagyard, Rachel the wife of John Horsley and Elizabeth the wife of Robert Brigham her Sons and Daughters and only next of kin her surviving And Whereas the said Thomas Hagyard, Jane the wife of John Brigham, Robert Hagyard, Rachael the wife of John Horsley and Elizabeth the wife of Robert Brigham are desirous of renouncing the letters of Administration of the Goods Chattels and credits of the deceased. Now know of Men by these presents that we the said Thomas Hagyard, Jane the wife of John Brigham by and with the consent of the said John Brigham testified by his signing and sealing these presents, Robert Hagyard, Rachael the wife of John Horsley and Elizabeth the wife of Robert Brigham By and with the consent of the said John Horsley and Robert Brigham testified by their respectively signing and sealing these presents for theirs good causes and consideration us thereunto moving have renounced and refused and do hereby jointly and severally renounce and refuse all our right title and interest in the Letters of Administration of the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased and we do consent and desire as far as in us lies that the same may be committed and granted to the said John Hagyard And to the end that this our proxy of renunciation and consent may have its due effect in Law WE do hereby nominate constitute and appoint William Askwith Notary Public one of the Procurators General of the said Prerogative Court of York to be our true and lawful Proctor and for us and in our names to appear before The Worshipful Granville Harcourt Vernon Master of arts commissary and Keeper General of the said Prerogative Court lawfully constituted his surrogate or any other competent Judge in this behalf to exhibit this our Proxy and pray and procure the same and the renunciation and consent therein contained to be admitted and enacted and generally to do perform and expedite all and whatsoever else shall be necessary to be done on our part and behalf hereby promising to ratify and confirm all and whatsoever our said Proctor shall lawfully do or cause to be lawfully done in and about the premises by virtue of these presents. In witness wherof we have hereunto set our hands and seals. Dated this twenty fourth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.

All of Robert's children signed the above document with their signatures, showing that they could all read and write.

Edward Thomas Hagyard 1821-1902

Being now past eighty years of age but in the full possession of all my mental faculties, having made a will several years ago afterwards two codicils thereto, which are still in existence, and portions of which will have become operative by reason of the death of two of my children and my daughter-in-law Ella Hagyard and the construction of said will and codicils being somewhat involved and complicated: I now in order to avoid any misconstruction and to make clear my wishes as to the disposition of my property after my death; I, Edward T. Hagyard (endower), a resident of Lexington, Kentucky do hereby make and publish the following as my true last will and testament, hereby revoking all papers testamentary heretoforre made by me. I have now living only five children viz: Mrs. Beatrix Smith of Canada, Mrs. Rachel McCubbing of South Elkhorn, Fayette County, Ky, Mary Eva Hagyard and John R. Hagyard of Lexington, Ky and Edward W. Hagyard of Montana. My two sons are already in comfortable circumstances and, I therefore do not leave them anything, except, that I give to Dr. E. W. Hagyard my gold watch and testimonial presented to me on leaving Canada. All my real estate is situated in Lexington, Ky and consists of an undivided one-half interest in the house and lot where I reside on North Limestone Street, and an undivided one-half interest in a lot, fronting both on Barr street and Short Street having a dwelling on the Barr Street front and a veterinary stable on the Short Street front. The other undivided half of both said lots is owned by my son J. R. Hagyard. I have also an insurance policy on my life for £2000 in an Edinburgh company on which there are some accumulations in the way of bonuses, and I have some household furniture and personal effects. This is about the extent of my estate, the house and lot in Elsmere Park heretofore devised to Mary Eva having been by me recently conveyed to her by deed. I give and bequeath all of said household furniture and personal effects to my daughter Mary Eva. My executors shall then convert all the remainder of my property including any life insurance into money out of which they shall first pay my funeral expenses, the cost of settling my estate and any debts I may owe. They shall then pay to my two daughters three thousand dollars ($3000) and the remainder of any money shall be divided equally among my three daughters Mrs. Smith, Mrs. McCubbing and Mary Eva Hagyard. I hereby nominate and appoint my two sons John R. Hagyard and Edward W. Hagyard and my daughter Mary Eva Hagyard my executors and request the court to not require security from them. I vest in them or in any two of them that may qualify, the title to all my estate, both real and personal, with power to sell and convey all or any portion thereof to the purchasers of same. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand this 23rd day of December 1901.
Signed: E.T. Hagyard
We, the undersigned J. M. Tanner and Katherine Simpson hereby certify that the foregoing one and one-half pages of typewritten matter was this day subscribed by Dr. Edward T. Hagyard in our presence and acknowledged by him before us to be his last will and we have at his request, in his presence, and each in the presence of the other, heretofore subscribed our names as witnesses therto this 23rd day of December, 1901.
Signed: J. M. Tanner Katherine Simpson
State of Kentucky February Term 1902 Fayette County Court February 25th 1902
The foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be the last Will and testament of E.T. Hagyard, deceased, of Fayette County, Kentucky was this day
-------------------------------------------------------to probate-------
the oath of J.M. Tanner one of the subscribing witnesses thereto who also proved the signature of Katherine Simpson the other subscribing witness. Whereupon it is ordered by the court that said writing be and the same is hereby admitted to probate and ordered to be recorded as the true last Will and Testament of said E.T. Hagyard, deceased, which has been done.
Attest -R. L. Baker, Clerk
Note: This will is hand written (not typewritten) in the record book of Fayette County Wills, book 9, pages 208-210.
Edward T. Hagyard died on 15 February 1902

Thomas Hagyard 1704 – 1751
Thomas lived in a time of British overseas expansion. In 1759 the French were defeated in Canada, and British North America became a reality. With the Treaty of Paris in 1763, England was the most powerful nation of the age. Thomas witnessed the American war for independence and the establishment of the United States of America. In 1796 the Quakers opened the Lunatic Asylum in York, and for the first time patients were treated with dignity. In 1799 income tax was introduced in Britain. By 1800 the population of England had grown to nine million. Yorkshire was prospering. There were better roads being built, more canals being dug. The time, however, to travel from London to Newcastle was six days. Child labour was widespread, with a new child labour law being introduced in 1802. This act limited child labour to 12 hours a day, no more than two children to a bed, the sexes must be kept separate and here must be a window for fresh air in the workplace. In 1804 the first steam engine was built, and the age of industrial and Imperial supremacy had begun. The golden age of world domination by the English culture was under way. It was the time of Napolean Bonaparte. In 1805 Nelson won the battle of Trafalgar, and although Napolean was supreme in Europe, England was master of the seas. With the battle of Waterloo in 1815, England stood alone as a great power. It was the age of Wordsworth and Keats. By 1820 the population of the British Isles had exploded to 20 million. Thomas would be the last farmer of my direct line and we would join the growing population that moved to the towns and cities.
Will
This is the last Will and Testament of me Thomas Hagyard of Pocklington in the county of York, Yeoman made and published by me the eleventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven as follows I give and devise unto my Son William Hagyard my two Closes or parcels of land situate at Pocklington aforsaid containing together about four acres and a half late in my own occupation and all other my real estate To Hold the same to him my said Son William Hagyard his heirs and assigns for ever Subject nevertheless and I do hereby charge the same with the payment of the sum of forty five pounds to my Daughter Elizabeth Hagyard the like sum of forty five pounds to my Daughter Mary Hagyard the like sum of forty five pounds unto and equally amongst the three Children of my late Daughter Amy Jackson and the like sum of forty five pounds unto and equally between my two Grandchildren Thomas Walker and Jabez Walker the Children of my late Daughter Jane Walker the said several legacies of forty five pounds each to my said two Daughters Elizabeth Hagyard and Mary Hagyard to be paid them respectively at the end of twelve calender months next after my desease and the said several legacies hereby given to my said Grand children to be paid them respectively on their severally attaining the age of twenty one years I direct that if my Daughter Elizabeth (who is in ill health) dies before me, her legacy shall go and be paid unto and equally between her two daughters I give and bequeath to my Son Thomas Hagyard the sum of one pound to be paid immediately after my desease. I give and bequeath to my said Daughter Elizabeth Hagyard the bed bedding and bedstead drawers and four wood bottom chairs in the back parlour also a little square table in my front room together with a washing tub and bucket and tea kettle and boiler And all my monies securities for money goods chattels personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever (except as aforesaid) I give and bequeath unto my said Son William Hagyard subject to the payment of my just debts funeral expences and the charges of proving this my Will and nominate and appoint him my said Son William Hagyard Sole Executor of this my Will I charge my real estate in aid of my personal Estate with the payment of my just debts In Witness whereof I the said Thomas Hagyard the testator have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written_
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Thomas Hagyard the testator as and for Thos. Hagyard his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto
Keith Holmes of Pocklington Gent.
Nath. Holmes his clerk
Wm Rumley of Pocklington Gardner.

Thomas Hagyard 1734 – 1757
Thomas was only 23 when he died, leaving his wife Jane with their two infant sons. It was a time when the average man’s life was improving, agriculture was changing and new agricultural methods were being introduced. Every provincial city in Britain, including York, by 1755 had a hospital. The will was made the third of September and Thomas died on the fourteenth; we can only speculate as to the cause.
In The Name of God Amen I Thomas Hagyard of NunBurnholme in the County of York Being Sick of Body but of perfect Memory Do Make and Appoint thereof persons to Contain my Last will and Testament in manor and form as followeth First I Give and Bequeath unto Thomas Hagyard my First son the full and just Sum of one Hundred pounds of Lawfull money and also to Robert Hagyard my second son the full and just Sum of Two Hundred pounds to be paid to them when they shall severally attain to the age of Twenty one years by my Executive herein hereafter nominated and Declared But if it shall Happen that my Executive dye or Marry a second Husband before my said Children Shall Severally attain the aforesaid age of twenty one years then my Will is this and I do hereby appoint William Hagyard of NunBurnholme aforesaid my Brother and William Johnson my Son in Law also of NunBurnholme aforesaid to be Trusties and Guardians to and for my two said children Both for their persons and portions and if it Shall Happen that either of my said children dye before they shall attain the aforesaid age of twenty one years then I order and appoint that the Survivor Shall have and receive the portion and fortune of deceased Brother and if it shall happen that Both my said Children Dye before they attain the aforsaid age of Twenty one years then I give and order and appoint that their Several and respective fortunes Shall be disposed of after this manor that is to say to my Beloved wife Jane one hundred pounds part of their said portions provided That Shod the said Jane my wife/widow continue unmarried and in case my said Beloved wife Jane Happen to be with child then I give and appoint to my third child provided any such be the Sum of one hundred pounds to be Deducted from my two said sons fortunes that is to say from my oldest Son Thomas the sum of forty pounds and from my said Second Son Robert fortune Sixty pounds in case they all live to age and if they chance to dye the remaining money to be divided equally amongst my several Nephews and Nieces the Heir only exception Share and Share alike Likewise I Give and Bequeath unto William Johnson my said Son in Law the Sum of Seven pounds as a Legasies to be paid to him within one year next after my decease Also I Give to the poor of NunBurnholme the sum of one pound Ten Shilling to be disposed of at the Discretion of my Executive Lastly I nominate and appoint my Beloved Wife Jane Sole Executive of this my last will and Testament the paying and discharging all my just Debts Legasies and funeral expenses and also I desire that the said William Hagyard my Brother and William Johnson my Son in Law be aiding and assisting to my said Executive in selling and disposing of the stock and crop and also in putting out the money for the childrens portions and I hereby declare this present writing to contain all my Last Will and Testament revoaking all other former Wills heretofore by me made In witness hereto I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Third day of September in the Year one Thousand Seven Hundred fifty Seven
Signed Sealed published And Declared to be the Testators last Will and Testament in presence Of us who have subscribed - Thomas * Hagyard his H mark
Our names as witnesses Hereunto
Her mark Dinah X Willson
Henry Hudson
* this mark appears to be a smudged finger print
A true and perfect Inventory Of all and singular of goods Chattels & Credits of Thomas Haggard also of Nunburnholme Appraised this 19th day of September 1757 By us whose names are underwritten.
Personal Apparrel 20..0..0
Also Horses 36..10..0
Also Sheep 76..10..0
Also Swine and Poultry 78..0..0
Also Corn in The Barn and in The Field 59..0..0
Also a stock of Hay 45..0..0
Also all Implements of Husbandry 08..0..0
Also Household Goods of all Sorts 14..10..0
Also Goods in the Dairy 04..10..0
Also Butter and Cheese 21..0..0
Also Debts owing to the Testator 11..0..0 Total 484..0..0
Also Debts owing by the Testator
To the Landlord 74..0..0
Also To Servants Wages 19..0..0
Henry Hudson
Richard Wilkinson
William Hagyard
William Johnson

Newspaper Reports

A LETTER FROM MANITOBA

The following is a copy of a letter which is on microfilm at the library in Clinton, Ont. It was written to the newspaper there in the late 1870's (about 79-80).

Under the date of 7th Ins. Mr. Thomas Hagyard, late of Hullette County writes to us from Manitoba.
I have been waiting to see the seeding done before writing you a few particulars. Your readers will no doubt be surprised to hear from me as the report has been, that 'it was so cold we were all froze up'. Well, we are all alive, thawed out and at work. With regard to the cold, I can say that I was not inconvenienced with it but once, and taking into consideration that i never wore more than one pair of socks at once and did not get any part frozen.
I think there is no room for complaint. I also had a sow that had 9 pigs on the 21st of February, raising 8 out of the litter. The great difficulty with us here was not being prepared for the winter and not using precautions when we were on the road.
It was very, very cold here last winter, at times, but being careful we could do all we had to do without any danger of being froze. It's altogether different here in the winter to Ontario. It's cold and dry, no damp snow to stick to you and melt. We go to the bush and work among the snow and come home as dry as in summer. It has been the coldest winter here that is known by the oldest settlers I have spoken to. If that is so, with us finding out how to prepare for winter I think we will be able to live nearly as comfortable as in Ontario.
With regard to the cultivation of the soil, a team will cultivate about twice as much as in Ontario. It being much easier done. The growing crop promises a large yield from present appearance, a large breadth having been sown. Our future prosperities get brighter every day. Potatoes have been scarce for seed. On account of the river Pembina being so high it was not safe to cross with the team, but now the water is going down, they are able to cross every day and expect to be able to plant all we want.
Produce and seed have been dear here, wheat has been sold for $1.50 per bushel, oats $1.25, potatoes $1.25, but this is not a general price. The regular price for wheat is $1.00, oats $0.65 - $0.75, potatoes $0.50, flour $3.50 - $4.50; according to the place of purchase, pork is $0.13 a pound for mess and $0.15 for bacon: butter $0.25 and scarce at that.
Seeding being done we all tend to turn our attentions to breaking up, of which a large area is being done. It is our intention to increase our acres for cultivation as fast as possible.
The prospect of a railway through here has acted as a stimulant to us to be up and doing. The railway is to be built 25 miles and finished this fall and by one year from then it can be through here.
The cool interest is being thoroughly tested here, and by the present prospects that will be an inducement to push the road through as soon as possible. Building will be the order of the day here now, as there are several houses and granaries to be built before the haying commences.
We were fortunate to have placed in our hands a permit from the government to take the timber from their land, enough timber to build a school and a church. We took advantage of it and went to their timber land and got timber for building to be used as a school and a church, and brought it home. The building is to be located on Mr. W. Cockerline's farm, it being about the center of the Colony.
Although being away from Clinton, with your sports for the 24th of May, we did not forget it. We got together and had time amongst ourselves at games of quoits, cricket and baseball to show our loyalty. Mr. A. Cockerline being as enthusiastic as any of the young ones, he, taken the bat and send the ball flying.
An effort is being made to establish an Agricultural Society in our Municipality, the necessary amount being deposited with the government to secure the grant, the meeting for the dedication of officers will be held on the 30th of June. It is expected there will be an exhibition in connection with it in the fall.
Our councils are beginning to make themselves felt having put the herd law in force in this municipality. Also opening leading roads to the front, the imposing of taxes, performing statue labour and making other improvements.
I was at Nelsonville last week. On my way home I met Mr. Carono of Seaforth, Ontario with seven teams going back to Turtle Mountain, with store foods and provisions. He was in a rather sad fix when I met him; being stuck fast with ox team in the mud, himself to the knees in the muck and having to unload, we helped him out. I met a party moving an engine back to the Souris River, they are sent out by the government to try the country in six different places for salt, coal, oil, or any mineral they can find.
Mr. J Alenham is doing a little blacksmithing or what he can get to do. I have been told that I misrepresented the country in my last letter, but I still hold the same views that I did at that time. Any man coming to this country and expected to get a farm with a built house and a row of shade trees planted, with a spring creek running though it will be disappointed when he gets here. For all such farms are occupied, but a man desirous of making himself a home can do so easier here than in Ontario.
I hear there has been most absurd rumours about our position and circumstances here all winter, which we knew nothing of until told by parties arriving from there. Now at raising in the Colony, the question was asked how many would go back to Ontario now and be placed in the same curcumstances as they were before they left and not one being willing to change positions, I took it for granted they were all satisfied.
The railroad land is all being bought up by speculators. It is a great drawback to this country.

I remain yours:
Thomas Hagyard

Photo kindly provided by Rick Hagyard in Canada is of Thomas Hagyard taken around 1885.
He lived on Regent Street in Pocklington and died there. He is buried in the Pocklington cemetery with his wife.