Written By Kellie Davenport
Penned in 1853, this letter of reference launched the Alexander family legacy in Canada—and a long line of dedicated Ontario farmers. More than 170 years later, the Alexanders’ original crown settlement south of Melbourne, Ont. is still a working cattle farm, now into its sixth generation of the family.
These deep agricultural roots sprouted in rural Forfarshire, Scotland, before blossoming on a Yorkshire estate owned by a British lord and later blooming across the ocean in Southwest Middlesex. The Alexander story is a true migrant tale, showcasing the upheaval, ambition, dedication and success of newcomers to Canada.
James Alexander (1824-1895) was the only son of Alexander and Isobel, who were tenant farmers in Scotland’s Eastern Highlands. The couple and their children were driven from their farm during the forced evictions of the Highland Clearances.
Ever industrious and ambitious, the teenage James sought out work at nearby farms in present-day Angus, Scotland. Known for his “sobriety, steadiness and practical and scientific knowledge of farming,” he ventured to West Yorkshire, England, after securing a well-regarded position as farm manager at Grimston Park Estate.
The sprawling 5,000-acre estate was once owned by a Viking settler and later a Norman warlord, though its biggest claim to fame was hosting James I of England in 1603 on his way to be crowned in London. Two centuries later, Grimston served as the country seat of John Hobart Caradoc—better known as the second Lord Howden, a peer in the British House of Lords and one-time ambassador to Spain.
At Grimston, James managed the day-to-day operation of the farm estate, which comprised vast stables, gardens, parkland, pastures, orchards and woods. Based on letters of reference, which James cherished throughout his life, we know that he bred, reared and managed stock (likely horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry), while managing the cropping and drainage of farmland.
Such work would later be an invaluable skillset when he travelled to Canada. Seeking to “try his fortune in America” in 1854, James sailed from Britain to Southwest Middlesex. During a brief stint working for the railroad in Glencoe, James met Jessie Campbell (1835-1873) who lived with her parents and siblings on Lot 2, Range 3 in south Ekfrid, near present-day Middlemiss.
Born in Glasgow, Jessie descended from the storied Campbell Clan and, at the age of six, emigrated to Canada with her parents, Robert and Elizabeth. Before marrying James Alexander in 1860, Jessie worked as a teacher at the one-room schoolhouse SS9 Dunwich (where her great-great-granddaughter, Michelle Gosnell, would live some 130 years later).
Between 1861 and 1870, Jessie and James welcomed five children while saving enough money to purchase their own land. In 1870, the couple purchased a 100-acre parcel of Crown land from the University of Toronto for the sum of $800.
On the north half of Lot 1, Range 3 in Ekfrid, they set to work clearing the land for farming—a task for which James was well suited given his experience in Yorkshire. As required by the land deed, they also had to clear half the road allowance and build a minimum 18-by-20-foot homestead.
Jessie passed away just three short years later in 1873, leaving James to establish the farm and raise five young children between the ages of three and 12. During this time, James likely leaned heavily on his in-laws and neighbours. Within the year, he married Jessie’s first cousin, Agnes Campbell (1838–1908), daughter of Donald Campbell, who lived next door. We surmise it was more a marriage of convenience than love. Agnes became a very close and loving stepmother to the Alexander children.
The farm and homestead became successful enough that James erected a large gable barn sometime in the early 1880s. Around the same time, he also built a two-storey, five-bedroom brick farmhouse.
Though there’s no proven “farm gene,” James certainly passed on his skill and passion for farming. His knowledge, values and ambition have passed through generations. His second son, Robert Alexander Campbell (1865–1953), attended the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph. Upon his father’s death in 1895, Robert returned home to take the reins of the farm.
Under Robert’s management, the farm grew again when he purchased the 100-acre farm next door from his uncle John Donald Campbell. Robert and his wife Fannie Nagel happily raised four children on the now 200-acre family farm: Jessie, Charles, Dora and Agnes.
As the only son in the family, the young Charles (1902–1991) became a quick study in all things farming. Throughout his life, he maintained a passion for raising and showing beef cattle at local fairs. Alongside his wife, Hazel Perry (1910–1962), Charles expanded the farm with additional outbuildings and pasture for his beloved Herefords and Shorthorns. The couple raised their only child, Marjorie (1935–2017) on the farm.
An avid cattlewoman, Marjorie and her husband, Roger Davenport (1931–2015), would later run the farm and raise Limousin and Angus cattle. Though all four of their children—Alexander, Cyndie, Bob and Michelle—spent many happy days at the farm, their oldest son, Alexander, developed a true passion for farming.
Upon inheriting the farm in 2018, Alexander has continued breeding cattle and maintaining the unique heritage of the homestead. He still works with many of the posts, pitchforks and processes used in earnest by his mom, grandpa Charles, great-grandfather Robert and great-great-grandfather James, who planted the seeds for this farming legacy.
Alexander Family Farm Tour: Join us for a tour and open house on July 20, 2025 at 21303 Melbourne Road. Experts from Glencoe & District Historical Society and Ontario Barn Preservation will also be on-hand. Snacks and refreshments served on the farmhouse lawn (BYOC: bring your own lawn chair). For more details, contact
kelliedavenport@yahoo.ca.
