Eliza Jane Gay

Generation 6 back

In brief

Born about 1807/1809 in England. She married September 20, 1828, in Walcot St. Swithin, Somerset, England. She died at age 64 in East Oxford Township, Oxford County, Canada West.

Family

Spouse

William Nelems

m. 1828

Children

John Nelmes
b. Abt. June 1831 near Berkeley, England
d. April 16, 1884, due to drowning in a whirlpool near the junction of Deer Creek and the Cosumnes River in Elk Grove, California
Catharine Nelmes
b. Abt. 1836 in Canada
Mary Ann Nelmes · in this line
b. August 5, 1839, in Burford Township or Woodstock, Brant County, Ontario, Canada
m. Isaac Kipp, March 22, 1865, in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
d. May 10, 1931, at home on Wellington Avenue in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
Eliza Jane Nelmes
b. Abt. 1840 in Canada
William Nelmes
b. c. 1841, in Upper Canada
Henry F. Nelmes
b. c. 1843, in St. Thomas Township, Oxford County or Burford Township, Brant County
m. Sarah Jane ____
m. Isabella Howell in abt. 1891
d. April 30, 1915, in Kingsway, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Died from pneumonia
James Nelmes
b. Abt. 1846 in Canada
____ Nelmes
b. Abt. 1849
d. 1851 due to scalding
Thomas Nelmes
b. Abt. 1849 in Canada
David Nelems
b. c. 1850, in Ontario/Upper Canada

Life story

A Homemaker in Burford Township

Eliza Jane Gay was born around 1807–1809 in England and married William Nelems on September 20, 1828, in Walcot St. Swithin, Somerset. The couple emigrated to Canada and settled around 1832 on a hundred-acre lot in Burford Township, Brant County, Ontario, which they cleared from brush together; Eliza sewed the family's clothing by hand alongside her older daughters. She lived on the property until her death at the age of sixty-four.

Gallery

Sources (8)

Excerpt of unknown book on Pioneers of BC interviewing Henry Nelems, abt. 1910s; privately held by a family member.
19th Century Wedgwood Rosso Antico Teapot with note written by Eliza’s great-grandson-in-law Harry Lobb, ca. 1840; privately held by a family member.
“Chilliwack’s First “Lady of the Land” Marks Her 90th Anniversary,” The Chilliwack Progress (Chilliwack, BC), 15 August 1929, page 2, col 3-4; web archives (https://www.newspapers.com/image/43936741/ : accessed 7 April 2022).
“Mrs. Isaac Kipp Passes,” The Chilliwack Progress (Chilliwack, BC), 14 May 1931, page 1, col 1-2; web archives (https://www.newspapers.com/image/43150312 : accessed 11 December 2022).
1861 Census of Canada, database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1570/images/4391566_00160 : accessed 9 December 2025), entry for William Nelmes family, District 1, East Oxford Township, Oxford County, Canada West; citing roll C-1061-1062.
1851 Census of Canada, database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1061/images/e094-e002340979 : accessed 9 December 2025), entry for William Nelmes family, District 1, North Part of Burford Township, Brant County, Canada West.
Church of England, Parish Church of Walcot, St Swithin (Somerset, England), " Somerset, England, Marriage Registers, Bonds and Allegations, 1754-1924," p. 54, no. 138, William Nelmes and Eliza Gay, 30 September 1828; reference D\P\Wal.Sw/2/1/26, Somerset Archives & Local Studies, South West Heritage Trust, Taunton; database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/60858/images/42886_1831115184_1018-00054 : accessed 2 September 2026).
1871 Census of Canada, Oxford East, Ontario, population schedule, enumeration district 13 South Oxford, subdistrict D East Oxford Township, p.15, dwelling 47, family 50, William Nelms family; image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1578/images/4396330_00151 : accessed 4 September 2026); citing Library and Archives Canada Microfilm C-9911.