Eliza Culbert and Richard Dagg

In the previous post, I introduced you to Elizabeth "Eliza" Culbert, the first-born child of John Culbert and Mary Ward.

Eliza Culbert & Richard Dagg

Eliza's husband, Richard Dagg was a Private in the 26th Middlesex Battalion, along with Eliza's brother, William Culbert. Both Richard Dagg and William Culbert were awarded Canada General Service Medals for their role in the Fenian Raids of 1866-1871. The medal was awarded to those who took part in turning back the Fenians; a secret society of Irish patriots who wanted to turn Canada into a republic and join the USA. 

Canada General Service Medal awarded to Richard Dagg for his role in the Fenian Raids. Photo courtesy of his great-great-grandson, Don Jarrell.

Eliza and Richard lived in Biddulph Township near Lucan, Ontario, Canada; not far from the Culbert homestead. Later, they moved to a farm in Kincardine Township. They retired to a house on Alice Street in Kincardine on the shores of Lake Huron. Eliza and Richard had 9 children.

The Eliza Culbert - Richard Dagg Family, March, 1912 on the occasion of Richard & Eliza's 64th wedding anniversary. Back row, left to right: John, James, Emma, Henry, Robert, Susan. Front row, left to right: Eliza, William, Richard, Ann, and Maria.

This is a London Free Press article from 1912 about their 64th wedding anniversary. Scroll down below the clipping to read the transcription...

Clipping courtesy of Don Jarrell.

Just 64 years ago yesterday Mr. Dagg and Mrs. Richard Dagg of this town now 93 and 90 years respectively, were wedded in the village of Lucan.

Though it is four years since the diamond anniversary of that wedding was celebrated, the couple, who have by two decades and more passed the prescribed three score and ten, are still actively interested in the world about them and appreciative of the joy of life and action.

It was on March 21, 1848 that Richard Dagg, a young Irishman who had come to Canada while still a youth, took as his bride Miss Elizabeth Culbert, of Lucan, the wedding ceremony having been solemnized at that village.

One of the pioneers of Biddulph Township (Middlesex), Mr. Dagg hewed his farm there from the virgin forest, fighting with the other pioneers of the township the battle of civilization against the gigantic pines and maples of the forest. In the Fenian Raid of '66, he shouldered his rifle and marched to the front for the protection of his home and country.

While a boy in his teens he was one of those who helped to build the original Borough's bridge [Brough's Bridge] at London. Prominently identified with the advancement of the Township of Biddulph and of Middlesex, he is one of the best known men, not only of the section of this country, but of the entire Western Ontario peninsula. For the past few years, Mr. and Mrs. Dagg have been residents of the town of Kincardine and left their farm in Biddulph to reside here.

Now after a lifetime of noble usefulness in the pioneer upbuilding of his country, he has a rich fund of stories and tales of pioneer happenings and incidents. Gifted with an excellent and unimpaired memory he delights in entertaining his grandchildren with the stirring tales of pioneer days.

Mr. Dagg is a staunch and enthusiastic Orangeman, a member of the Anglican Church and an old-time Conservative. He has been a lifetime reader of the London Free Press.

The union, consummated over three score years ago, has been blessed with five sons and four daughters, 25 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. The sons are: James of British Columbia, John of Bervie, Harry, William of Western Canada, and Robert of Kincardine. The daughters are Mrs. Chas. Hall and Mrs. Omar Westall of Kincardine, Mrs. Wardell of Huron and Mrs. J. Smith, Saskatoon, Sask.

Mrs. Robinson J. Orr, of 262 Cheapside Street, London, is a niece, while Mr. Thomas Culbert, 748 Wellington Street, of that city, is a brother of Mrs. Dagg. -- London Free Press.

Eliza (Culbert) Dagg (centre) with her daughter, Susan (Dagg) Westell (left), and her granddaughter, Lorena (Westell) Casemore (right). Photo courtesy of Don Jarrell.

In Middlesex County and Huron County there are a few Richard Daggs and there are five Elizabeth Daggs or Eliza Daggs which makes documenting their lives a challenge. Here then, are the basics you need to know if you're researching this family and if you're a descendant of Eliza and Richard:


Elizabeth "Eliza" (Culbert) Dagg (1829-1914) & Richard Dagg (1817-1912)

Descendants of Eliza Culbert & Richard Dagg:

Children:

Ann Jane Dagg (1850-1925). Married Charles Hall.
John Dagg (1855-1937). Married Elizabeth Bradley.
Henry Dagg (1856-1934). Unmarried.
Robert Wellington Dagg (1857-1939). Married Annie McLeod.
Maria Matilda Dagg (c1863-1930). Married Johnston Smith.
Susan Dagg (1860-1916). Married Omar Westell.
James Dagg (1863-1925). Married Sarah Ann Langstaff.
William Albert Dagg (1866-1951). Married Annie Ellen Miskimmons.
Rebecca EMMA Dagg (c1870-1955). Married Vincent Wardell.

Elizabeth "Eliza" (Culbert) Dagg (1829-1914)

Eliza's journey in life took her from Ireland to Lucan-Biddulph, Ontario, Canada to Kincardine, Ontario.

Elizabeth Culbert also known as "Eliza" and "Lizzie" was the eldest daughter of John Culbert & Mary Ward. 

Eliza (Culbert) Dagg. Photo courtesy of Don Jarrell, Eliza's great-great-grandson.

Born 1829 in Ireland, she was about 11 years old when the family immigrated to Biddulph Township, near the village of Lucan, Ontario in 1840. At the time of their arrival, Ontario was known as Upper Canada.

As the eldest daughter, Eliza's duties would have included minding her younger siblings, as well as performing endless household chores in and outside of their small log cabin.

Eliza Culbert married Richard Dagg on 21 March 1848 when she was about 18 years old. He was 31.

Like her mother, Eliza had a large family. Nine children lived to adulthood but there may have been two more children who died in infancy.

Eliza & Richard lived in Biddulph Township not far from the Culbert homestead. 

In the 1870s, they moved to Kincardine Township, Bruce County, where some of their adult children were living. They purchased property on Concession 5, Lot 34.

Richard & Eliza retired to the town of Kincardine on the shores of Lake Huron before 1899 however, the farm stayed in their hands until 1901.

Eliza (Culbert) Dagg died of heart failure on 13 May 1914 in Kincardine, age 85. Her husband predeceased her on 15 December 1912.

It's sometimes falsely stated that Eliza's mother was Mary McArdell, McArdel or McArdle rather than Mary Ward. This is because her mother's name was incorrectly entered on Eliza's death certificate, using a variation of the spelling of her mother-in-law's maiden name. The name of Eliza (Culbert) Dagg's mother was MARY WARD. Unfortunately, official documents can't be altered, even if they contain incorrect information.

It's my understanding that Eliza & Richard are buried without a headstone in the same plot as their son, Robert Wellington Dagg in Kincardine Cemetery. 
Note to genealogists: Our Richard & Eliza Dagg are not the same Richard & Eliza Dagg who are buried in St. James Cemetery, Clandeboye despite the many Culberts buried there.

I'll write more about Eliza & Richard but for now, consider this an introduction to their life.

Eliza (Culbert) Dagg's family tree:

Ancestors of Eliza (Culbert) Dagg:
John Culbert & Mary Ward (parents)

Descendants of Eliza Culbert & Richard Dagg:
Children:
Ann Jane Dagg (1850-1925)
John Dagg (1855-1937)
Henry Dagg (1856-1934)
Robert Wellington Dagg (1857-1939)
Maria Matilda Dagg (c1863-1930) 
Susan Dagg (1860-1916)
James Dagg (1863-1925)
William Albert Dagg (1866-1951)
Rebecca Emma Dagg (c1870-1955)