Thread: Thomas Walker b abt 1780 Wales

The Williams family from Perth, Ontario, Canada originated in Wales. The first ancestor that arrived here in Canada, was Thomas Williams, although he originally was called Thomas Walker. He originally moved to England, where he befriended the Hall family. He changed his name to avoid conscription which would have meant that he would have had to serve in the war of 1812. Anthony and Teresa Hall emigrated to Canada with Thomas (now Williams) before 1820. (The census for 1842 lists that Thomas emigrated in 1818). Mr. Hall told Thomas that should anything happen to him, he wanted Thomas to take care of his family. So, after Mr. Hall's death, Thomas married Teresa which began the long line of descendents that are the Williams family.

I am looking for information about Thomas or his family in Wales.



Thanks in advance.

Firstly, I don't think conscription was introduced in England until 1916.

Secondly do you have any idea where in Wales, because otherwise we are talking needles and haystacks!



Oh and welcome to the site!

Sorry, that is all the information I have. This story has been passed down through several generations. Perhaps conscription is not the correct word. In any event, he changed his name to Williams en-route to Canada to avoid having to serve in the war. Anthony Hall and Teresa Wallis were married in Slingsby, Yorkshire in 1818.



Dwayne