Wellesley Township Tax Assessment Rolls, 1854-1889
Wellesley Township Tax Assessment Rolls in the collection of the Waterloo Region Archives have been scanned and posted here with their assistance and permission.
Waterloo County was incorporated in 1853, so 1854 was the first tax year of the new County. The rolls record very early information about life in the township. The forms change over time, listing name, age, occupation, freehold (land owner), householder (tenant), number of acres, and the value of real property and personal property. Later, income, statute labour, number of people in the family, religion, number of dogs and livestock were added.
From 1864-1868 three columns were added to record men enrolled in the local militia which was created in response to the American Civil War. Local military historian, Len Curchin, has kindly provided information about the militia. Click here to read a fascinating account of local military history.
The files are large and take some time to download, but please be patient. They are a gold mine of information!
NOTE: The pound (symbol £) was the unit of account for currency in Canada until 1858. Although the monetary units were pounds, shillings, and pence, the Canadian pound was never formally linked to the British currency. Different currencies were used in Upper and Lower Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia until 1867, when these three currencies were united at the time of Confederation.
From 1864-1868 three columns were added to record men enrolled in the local militia which was created in response to the American Civil War. Local military historian, Len Curchin, has kindly provided information about the militia. Click here to read a fascinating account of local military history.
The files are large and take some time to download, but please be patient. They are a gold mine of information!
NOTE: The pound (symbol £) was the unit of account for currency in Canada until 1858. Although the monetary units were pounds, shillings, and pence, the Canadian pound was never formally linked to the British currency. Different currencies were used in Upper and Lower Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia until 1867, when these three currencies were united at the time of Confederation.
YEAR |
NOTES |
1854 |
The Eastern and Western Sections are combined. 31 pages. The names are in rough alphabetical order with the first name of the successive letters in bold. |
1855 |
The sections are divided. The names are in rough alphabetical order with the first name of the successive letters in bold. Eastern Section 21 pages. Western Section 14 pages. |
1856 |
The sections are divided. The names are in rough alphabetical order with the first name of the successive letters in bold. Eastern Section 23 pages. Western Section 15 pages. |
1857 |
The sections are divided. The names are in rough alphabetical order with the first name of the successive letters in bold. A Canadian dollar system was adopted. Eastern Section 22 pages. Western Section 14 pages. |
1858 |
The sections are divided. The names are in rough alphabetical order with the first name of the successive letters in bold. A Canadian dollar system was adopted. Eastern Section 25 pages. Western Section 14 pages. |
1859 |
The sections are divided. The names are in rough alphabetical order with the first name of the successive letters in bold. Eastern Section 23 pages. Western Section 15 pages. |
1860 |
The sections are divided. The names are in rough alphabetical order with the first name of the successive letters in bold. Eastern Section 24 pages. Western Section 15 pages. |
1861 |
The sections are divided. The names are in rough alphabetical order with the first name of the successive letters in bold. Eastern Section 24 pages. Western Section 15 pages. |
1862 |
The sections are divided. The names are in rough alphabetical order with the first name of the successive letters in bold. Eastern Section 23 pages. Western Section 15 pages. |
1863 |
The sections are divided. The names are in rough alphabetical order with the first name of the successive letters in bold. Eastern Section 24 pages. Western Section 15 pages. |
1864 |
The Eastern Section and Western Section are combined. 36 pages. The form changes to include Militia Rolls. These appear as a result of the “Act Respecting the Militia,” enacted by the provincial legislature in October 1863. Click here to read more about the militia rolls by local military historian Len Curchin. Eastern Section (ES) and Western Section (WS) is indicated and the names are in rough alphabetical order. |
1865 |
The Eastern Section and Western Section are combined. 40 pages. The form changes to include Militia Rolls. These appear as a result of the “Act Respecting the Militia,” enacted by the provincial legislature in October 1863. Click here to read more about the militia rolls by local military historian Len Curchin. Eastern Section (ES) and Western Section (WS) is indicated and the names are in rough alphabetical order. Despite adjusting contrast, the writing on this form is very faint. It an be read by enlarging the page. |
1866 |
The form changes to include Militia Rolls. These appear as a result of the “Act Respecting the Militia,” enacted by the provincial legislature in October 1863. Click here to read more about the militia rolls by local military historian Len Curchin. Eastern Section (ES) and Western Section (WS) are not indicated. This can be determined by checking the school section column. Click here to see a list of school sections and their locations. |
1867 |
The sections are divided. The are in order by Concession and Lot. The form changes to include Militia Rolls. These appear as a result of the “Act Respecting the Militia,” enacted by the provincial legislature in October 1863. Click here to read more about the militia rolls by local military historian Len Curchin. Monetary values from here on are expressed in Canadian dollars. Eastern Section 31 pages. Western Section 18 pages. |
1868 |
The sections are divided. The are in rough alphabetical order.The form changes to include Militia Rolls. These appear as a result of the “Act Respecting the Militia,” enacted by the provincial legislature in October 1863. Click here to read more about the militia rolls by local military historian Len Curchin. Eastern Section 24 pages. Western Section 16 pages. |
1869 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. The militia columns are not used. Eastern Section 25 pages. Western Section 19 pages. |
1870 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 27 pages. Western Section 18 pages. |
1871 |
.The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 23 pages. Western Section 18 pages. |
1872 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 27 pages. Western Section 18 pages. |
1873 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 23 pages. Western Section 16 pages |
1874 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 26 pages. Western Section 17 pages |
1875 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 28 pages. Western Section 19 pages |
1876 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 27 pages. Western Section 19 pages |
1877 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 26 pages. Western Section 21 pages |
1878 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 28 pages. Western Section 22 pages |
1879 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 27 pages. Western Section 21 pages |
1880 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 31 pages. Western Section 23 pages |
1881 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 30 pages. Western Section 23 pages |
1882 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 31 pages. Western Section 23 pages. |
1883 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 30 pages. Western Section 19 pages |
1884 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 25 pages. Western Section 20 pages |
1885 |
|
1886 |
The Eastern Section is missing. Western Section 23 pages. Despite adjusting contrast, the writing on this form is very faint. It an be read by enlarging the page. |
1887 |
The Eastern Section is missing. Western Section 23 pages. Despite adjusting contrast, the writing on this form is very faint. It an be read by enlarging the page. |
1888 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Despite adjusting contrast, the writing on this form is very faint. It an be read by enlarging the page. Eastern Section 31 pages. Western Section 23 pages |
1889 |
The sections are divided. They are in order by concession and lot. Eastern Section 22 pages. Western Section 23 pages |