Francis Pelland dit Beausoliel

     Francis was born posthumusly on Tuesday, 28 September 1813 at Ste-Elisabeth, Joliette County, Quebec, Canada. He was christened on the same day there in Ste-Elizabeth Church.¹ A few years later his mother married Augustin Sylvestre dit Beausoliel who became his father figure & whose surname he adopted with that of his own. Francis married Ester Sylvestre, daughter of Paul Cuthbert Sylvestre and Pélagie Ayotte, on 7 January 1834 in St-Joseph-de-Maskinonge, Quebec, Canada, at St-Joseph Church.² They remained in St-Joseph-de-Maskinonge for awhile before removing to Ontario and Huntingdon Township, Hastings County around 1836. Later, they removed to the township of Anglesea, Lennox & Addingdon County. Anglesea being adjacent to Hungerford Township of the Northeast corner and Huntingdon adjacent to Hungerford on the West. They then remained in that vicinity. It appears that after Francis moved to Ontario, he began taking on the dit name of Beausoliel of his step father, and eventually dropped the Pelland surname. Francis's wife, Ester, died circa 1843 in Huntingdon Township, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada, leaving him a widower. As far as it is known, Francois was the first settler in Anglesea Township. He established a tavern, which was the first in the combined townships of Anglesea & Kaladar. He was described as a dimitive person weighing only 99 pounds, but a very "nattily dressed" man. Francis married 2nd Hannah McDermott on 20 February 1844 in Belleville, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada, at St. Michael the Archangel Church.³ Francis's wife, Hannah, died circa 1855, leaving him a widower. Francis married 3rd Elizabeth Stapely on 1 January 1856 at Ontario. Francis's wife, Elizabeth, died before 1861 in Anglesea Township leaving him a widower. 1861, Francis was listed on the Canadian Census at Anglesea Township. Enumerated in this household were Frances Bosley [51 Canada East][widow][farmer], his son: Frances Bosley [23 Huntingdon Township], Orilla [18 Lower Canada], __alad Buttan? [7 Lower Canada][female], Harriet Bosley [2 Anglesea, Canada West] & Julia Bosley [19 Canada West - Residence: Huntingdon]. They are living in a one story log house on 14 acres of land. Francis Sr. cannot read or write. Members of family 2 male 3 female not members of family 1 female.⁴ Francis married 4th Susan McKittrick circa 1862 in Ontario, Canada. 1871, Francis and his wife, Susan, were listed on the Canadian Census at Kaladar, Anglesea Township. Enumerated in this household were Francis Bostley [67 Quebec], his wife: Susan [41 Ireland], Anna [7 Ontario] & Elizabeth [3 Ontario].⁵ Francis's wife, Susan, died before 27 September 1876 leaving him a widower. Francis married 5th Mary Jane Clark on 27 September 1876 at Abinger Township, Lennox & Addington County, Ontario, Canada. 1881, Francis and his wife, Mary, were listed on the Canadian Census at Kaladar, Anglesea Township. Enumerated in this household were Francis Bosley Sr. [70 Quebec], Mary [51 Germany], Anna [17 Ontario], Elizabeth [13 Ontario & John A. [14 Ontario]. He is a tavern keeper.⁶ Francis's wife, Mary, died before 5 October 1886 in Kaladar, Anglesea Township leaving him a widower. Francis married 6th Catherine Rathman on 5 October 1886 in Flinton, Kaladar Township.⁷ 1891, Francis and his wife, Catherine, were listed on the Canadian Census at Anglesea Township. Enumerated in this household were Francis Boisleau [85 Quebec], Cathrine [50 Germany], Anne [26 Ontario], Mary Ann [17 Ontario], Ester [11 Ontario], domestic: Albert Spencer [24 Ontario] & Sidney McGauan [17 Ontario].⁸ Francis made his will on 14 April 1892.

Of me Francis Boisleoil of Township of Anglesea in the County of Lennox & Addington Province of Ontario, Farmer made this Fourteenth day of April in the year of our Lord on thousand eight hundred and ninety two.
I revoke all former Wills or other Testamentary Dispositions by me at any time heretofore made and declare this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament.
I Direct all my just debts , funeral and Testamentary expenses to be paid and satisfied by my Executrix hereinafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.
I Give, Devise and Bequeath all my Real and Personal Estate of which I may die possessed of or interested in, in the manner following, that is to say: -
I give to my daughter Annie all my right title and estate to that certain parcel or tract of Land and premises situate in the Township of Anglesea in the County of Addington, Province of Ontario being composed of lot number eight Range A in the Township of aforesaid.
I give to my daughter Elizabeth all my rite title and estate to that certain parcel of Land and premises, situate in the Township of Frontenac being composed of lot number 8 Range B in the Township aforesaid. I also give to my said daughter Elizabeth the organ now in my residence in Anglesea and one Red Cow four year old --. . . .
I give and bequeath to my dear wife Catherine Boisleoil one Bay mare four years old and one bundle cow named McKim, also one bed and bedding, and bedstead now occupied by us one pair of white and one pair of grey Flannel sheets, and theuse of her present bed room for her own special use as long as she may require it, I also give to my said Wife one Hundred dollars in Cash to be paid out of any real or personal estate -
I also give to my daughter Annie three cows and the product therefrom and three yearling steers. I also give and bequeath to my step son John Albert Spencer all my farm implements and wagons, sleighs, including all vehicles to and for his sole use forever.⁹

Francis departed this life on Saturday, 14 July 1894 in Flinton, Kaladar Township at age 80 years, 9 months and 16 days. His will was probated on 31 August 1894.