If you would like to add any material that is related to the Drake family to this list, please send me an email with your details to Roy Andrews - drake@xroyvision.com.au It will take about a week before your entries will appear on this database - or post your enquiries - comments directly onto the DRAKE MESSAGE BOARD.

Hello! I am new to the list and am hoping to find assistance with a mystery that I have encountered. I am trying to find information regarding the ancestry of my g-g-g-g grandfather, William Jehiel Drake, born @1776 in New York State. He emigrated to Canada with the family of his wife, Hannah Montross, daughter of Loyalists Peter Montross and Leah Mabee. Here is an excerpt regarding him:

Drake, William, born in the United States c. 1776, died at Aldborough Twp., Canada West c. 18451. He married Hannah Montross (daughter of Peter and Leah (Mabee) Montross, born at York Co., New Brunswick on 4 Dec 1791, died on 11 Aug 1859.
William and Hannah lived at Ancaster Twp., Wenworth Co. where she applied for a grant of land as the daughter of a United Empire Loyalist on 15 Mar 18104. They moved to Charlotteville Twp. where William purchased from William Cronk 113 acres in Lot 1 Con B5. During the War of 1812, William served as a Private in Mabee's Company of the Norfolk Militia. In 1815, he was assessed at £40.127. They sold 11 acres to Peter Procunier on 24 Feb 1816. William and Hannah Drake sold their farm to Thomas Edwards on 24 Jun 18335. They then moved to Aldborough Twp., Elgin Co.
William and Hannah had nine children: Frances, Peter, Leah, Kate, Jane, Mary Ann, Ellen, Alvin T. and Joshua, my g-g-g grandfather.
Many of the Drakes moved to Michigan in the mid-1800s, including Alvin and Joshua who owned land in Lenawee County in 1850.
Any information that anyone may have regarding William and his ancestry would be greatly appreciated. I have apocryphal information that he was the fifth and last child of Samuel Drake and wife (name unknown).

Thanks in advance for your help.
James Drake