Re: GIDEON HARKNESS of Leith, Ontario - c.1840
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In reply to:
GIDEON HARKNESS of Leith, Ontario - c.1840
10/30/01
Thomas,
If you are still researching Gideon Harkness I'd like to hear from you. I have done extensive research with a Harkness family bible that was given to my sister last year. I have determined your Gideon was the 2nd child of ten children born to Thomas Harkness and Helen Scott...very confusing that your Gideon would also marry a Scott!
The first son...James b. Feb 19th,1816, who married Jane Grieve around 1837 in Hawick, Scotland appears to be my line to a Thomas Harkness born in Owen Sound, Ont. on June 3, 1855. I found that your Gideon, who is listed as b. Sept 29th, 1817 (Hawick) in our book had two children named Thomas'...one who died at 3yrs and another born about six years after his death. I am quite certain they are not my Thomas even though he was born in Owen Sound because he was born between the two. Thomas moved and had family in Brandon, Manitoba Canada. My Grandmother Nellie Wilson (Helen) Harkness was born of this family and moved briefly to Rochester NY.
Of particlar interest is the family bible (A Berwick edition which was printed in 1793). Besides the list of two generations, someone did a hand sketching with the name "Thomas Harkness, Mason, Hawick, 16XV" (1615!). I have not been able to find this person...yet! The oldest name in the family name list is James Harkness, b. abt 1741. I have determined he was married to Betty Dixon and died June 1, 1823. He is the father of the Thomas and Helen you have been searching for.