The earliest record I have found of John H. Hewitt is the 1851 Canada Census for Pittsburg, Frontenac, Ontario. He was listed as a shoemaker, aged 28 and born in Canada. John Nares Hewitt was born in May 1854, either on or near one of the Thousand Islands, Ontario. He was living with his mother Sarah Ann, and step-father, William Ross at Holyrood, Ontario in 1871 (Census). at which time he was reported to be 16 years old.