We do not know very much about John McAuley and his family. John's death announcement says that he was a native of County Derry, but his death registration says he was born in County Antrim. Mary Jane's obituary says that she "was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1827, and in 1833 came with her family to this place, settling on the Gould farm." (The 1848 census does not include any McAuleys, but is sometimes damaged, out of order and incomplete.) The 1861-62 Map of South Elmsley Township shows property owned by J McCauley on Lot 12, Concession III, off of what we now know as the Bay Road.

(The 1822 Burgess Twp. census includes a John McCaulley family, that included 3 males and 2 females. This is probably just coincidence.)

John McAuley's house was used as one of five ward polling stations for township elections. (Kennedy)

John and Ann appear in the 1851 and 1861 S. Elmsley censuses. John appears in the 1871 census, but not Ann, so she may have passed away by then.

Lot 12, Concession III, South Elmsley Twp.

The spelling of the last name is a source of much confusion. It is spelled in various sources as "McCauley", "McAuley" and in the 1851 S. Elmsley Census, "MaCuley". Daughter Mary Jane's death announcement has "McAuley", but her gravestone has "McCauley". Any attempts at research for this family needs to consider that at least those two variations were in common, interchangable use.

Part 1: Johnstown District Marriage Register 1787-1850
Archives of Ontario Microfilm MS 248 Reel 3
transcribed by Kathie McCutcheon-Gawne
Marriages performed by Rev. George Romanes Church of Scotland
1843 - Note: in 1843 George Romanes is listed as minister of the Presbyterian Church
"Sept. 1 Edward F. WICKS, merchant, to Mary Jane MCAULEY, spinster, both of Elmsley, by license. Wit: John McAuley, William James, both of Elmsley, both yeoman."

1848 - Elmsley Leeds Census - Reel M5910
No McAuley listed.

1851 - Elmsley, Leeds - Reel C11733
District #1; Sheet #20; Family #157

1861 - Elmsley, Leeds Census - Reel C1044, pg. 24
(N.B. Edward F. Weekes was the enumerator for this census.)
John McAuley, Farmer, Ireland, CofS, age 70yrs
Ann McAuley, Ireland, CofS, age 66yrs
Joanna Looby?, CofE, age 15yrs, non family member
Log house, 1 story

South Elmsley Council Minutes - Perth Courier Sept. 8,1871

Federal Census of 1871 (Ontario Index)
MCAULEY , JOHN
Sex: Male
Age: 74
Birthplace: IRELAND
Religion: Canada Presbyterian/C. Presb.
Origin: IRISH
Occupation: FARMER
District: LEEDS & GRENVILLE NORTH ( 070 )
Sub-district: Elmsley ( B )
Page: 4
Microfilm reel: C-10,004
Reference: RG31 - Statistics Canada

MCAULEY , PATRICK
Stray: Individual bears a different surname than the head of the family
Sex: Male
Age: 60
Birthplace: IRELAND
Religion: Roman Catholic
Origin: IRISH
District: LEEDS & GRENVILLE NORTH ( 070 )
Sub-district: Elmsley ( B )
Page: 13
Microfilm reel: C-10,004
Reference: RG31 - Statistics Canada

Perth Courier, Jan. 12, 1877
"On Mon eve, 1st Jan, at the advanced age of 89 years, John McAuley, a native of Co Derry, Ire, and father-in-law to Mr E F Weekes, Lombardy." [Note: John's death registration indicates Dec. 31, 1876]

John and Anne's children.

We do not have good sources for John and Anne's children, aside from Mary Jane (Weekes). However, there were a few McAuley's in the South Elmsley area who may have been their descendents. The following is somewhat speculative. If you have information or corrections, feel free to contact us.

McAuley family speculation

0.      John McAuley (c.1787-1876) m. Anne (c.1791-c. 1865)
John's death announcement says that he was a native of County Derry, but his death registration says he was born in County Antrim. Daughter Mary Jane's obituary says that she "was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1827, and in 1833 came with her family to this place, settling on the Gould farm." (The 1848 census does not include any McAuleys, but is sometimes damaged, out of order and incomplete.) The 1861-62 Map of South Elmsley Township shows property owned by J McCauley on Lot 12, Concession III, off of what we now know as the Bay Road.
John and Ann appear in the 1851 and 1861 S. Elmsley censuses. John appears in the 1871 census, but not Ann, so she may have passed away by then.
Perth Courier, Jan. 12, 1877 - "On Mon eve, 1st Jan, at the advanced age of 89 years, John McAuley, a native of Co Derry, Ire, and father-in-law to Mr E F Weekes, Lombardy." [Note: John's death registration indicates Dec. 31, 1876]

1. Hannah McCauley (c. 1822 - ) m. William Ringer, or Henry Ringer (c. 1822 - ) in 1844
   Rev. Romanes marriage journal - March 8 1844 William RINGER to Hannah MCAULAY both of Elmsley. Wit: W. James, J. McAulay [probably the father and not the brother, as the presumed John Jr would have been only 14]
   This family appears in the 1851 S. Elmsley census.
   Perth Courier, April 7, 1876  - Ringer—Died, at Smith’s Falls on Monday, 3rd inst., Mr. William Ringer, aged 53
   013022-01 (Lanark Co.) George RINGER, 41, machinist, Smiths Falls, Smiths Falls, s/o William RINGER and Hannah McCAULEY, married Sarah GILHULY, 37, Montague, Smiths Falls, d/o James GILHULY and Ann CRAWFORD, witn: Albert RINGER and Mary RINGER, both of Smiths Falls, 18 Dec 1901 at Smiths Falls.
   
   1. John Ringer (c. 1844 - )
      1851 S. Elmsley census
   2. William Ringer (c. 1847 - )
      1851 S. Elmsley census
   3. James Ringer (c.1850 - )
      1851 S. Elmsley census
   4. Henry Ringer (1856- ) m. Mary Jordan (c.1858 - ) 8.23.1877
      5208-77 (Lanark Co): Henry RINGER, 24, butcher, Smiths Falls, same, s/o William RINGER & Hannah MACALDEY, married Mary JORDAN, 18, Smiths Falls, same, d/o Andrew JORDAN & Eliza CARROLL, witn: Archie HERRON & Ann McTAVISH, both of Smiths Falls, 23 Aug 1877 at Smiths Falls
      1. William Henry Ringer (1886- ) m. Ethel Helena Ryan (1887 - )
   5. George Ringer (c.1860 - ) m. Sarah Gilhuly (c.1864 - ) 12.18.1901
      013022-01 (Lanark Co.) George RINGER, 41, machinist, Smiths Falls, Smiths Falls, s/o William RINGER and Hannah McCAULEY, married Sarah GILHULY, 37, Montague, Smiths Falls, d/o James GILHULY and Ann CRAWFORD, witn: Albert RINGER and Mary RINGER, both of Smiths Falls, 18 Dec 1901 at Smiths Falls
2. Mary Jane McAuley (1827-1897) m. Edward F. Weekes (1817 – 1881) in 1843
3. John McAuley Jr. (c.1830- )
   There is a John McCauley Jr. who appears in many Smiths Falls records as a wagon maker. He may have been a child of this family. In the 1851 Smiths Falls Census, John McCauley Jr. is recorded as Irish origin, Church of Scotland, aged 21, single, male, Wagonmaker. At an age of 21 (born c.1830) he is a good fit for John and Ann McAuley, who came to Canada 1n 1830, and had daughter Mary Jane who was born in 1827.