The Toyer Family


Walter Toyer was born in Maryland, in 1802 and he was a slave.  Elizabeth was born in 1818 in Maryland and she was a slave.  They were married in Maryland and had two children, Ellen and George. Walter and his brother Hanson escaped with their families to Pennsylvania. They left Pennsylvania and moved to Buxton in 1851. Walter and Elizabeth settled at Lot 9 on Concession 10.  Hanson and his family lived at Lot 8, next to them.

Both Walter and Hanson were farmers.  Walter became a minister in the Methodist church and sometimes, preached at the B.M.E. Church in Chatham.

In 1871, Elizabeth’s health was not good. Daughter, Ellen had moved away.  Son, George married to Melinda Stone and they lived with Walter and Elizabeth. George helped his father on the farm. Melinda took care of the household and of her mother-in-law. George and Melinda had four children: Letitia, Eliza Jane, George Hanson, and John Henderson. Elizabeth Toyer died in 1873.

In 1875, Walter Toyer married Sarah, a widow with one son named Benjamin. Walter Toyer died in 1886 and is buried in Buxton. His second wife Sarah, who died in 1903, is buried next to him.