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ON THE LEFT OF THE PAGE: Parkwood Oshawa, Ontario October 9, 1957 Mrs. W. A. McKay, R. R. 1, Pickering, Ontario Dear Mrs. McKay, Your request for a history of the Mowbray family in Pickering comes as quite a surprise. My great-grandfather, who was named Ralph Mowbray, had his ancestry from Yorkshire, England, with some branches remaining in Scotland and some members in Ireland. He him-self came to New York but refused to live away from the Bri-tish rule so came to Canada. He purchased land in Pickering township from the Hon. James Elmsley and his wife Charlotte on May 1, 1838. This was registered on May 5, 1838. The land consisted of the northwest quarter of lot 7 and the north half of lot 8 in the sixth concession of the township of Pickering and con-sisted of about 125 acres. This land is in the vicinity of Kinsale. His wife was Catherine Heron. Their children were Matilda - John - Philip - Ellen - Hugh - and Ralph. The youngest son, Ralph, remained on the original homestead after all the others had married and gone. At his death the farm was sold to Mr. Carson, who still lives on it I believe. These children married - as follows - Matilda - unmarried John Martha Hyland Phillip Ann Lawton Ellen George Jones Hugh Nancy Jones Ralph Bessie Clerke Many descendents are living to-day from these pioneer sons of Pickering. In a book called "Past years of Pickering" written by a man named Wood, a description of the country is given and tales told of salmon being caught in Pickering creek. I am enclosing a booklet written by my mother at the age of 81, which I value very highly. I am lending the book to you hoping that you will return it promptly and in good condition. If there is anything further that I can tell you with regard to Pickering township, please let me know. Yours sincerely, A.L. McLaughlin. (Mrs. R.S.) ALM/EAMcM. Encl. RIGHT HAND SIDE OF PAGE: With the sale of the Elmsley properties in the North East section of the Township during the late 1830's, the 1ast large closed block of land disappeared. Wing Rogers, Samuel Munger, Mowbray the Gibsons, all moved in shortly. With the distribution of the clergy reserves, in 1854, settlement be-came universal. This documentation was sent to us by Mrs. McLaughlin, when she was suffering from. the fatal disease which took her life several months later; and is accordingly, highly treasured.