I am willing to pay a $50.00 reward for the marriage record of William Drake and Margaret Dowdle which comes from an official record source – church or town vital records. The record must include the names of both parents of the groom and bride, the date and locality of the marriage and the locations in which each resided prior to the marriage. Your submission must be a photocopy, photograph or scanned image of the record(s) you offer either by mail or email (JPG file, 300x300dpi minimum). Your source for this record must be identified for certification.

The Tombstone record of William Drake reads “who departed this life June 10th, 1842, aged 80 years, 11 months and 27 days” giving a date of birth of 14 June 1761.

The Tombstone record of Margaret Dowdle reads “who departed this life December 3d 1848, aged 80 yrs 2 mos, & 18 days” giving a date of birth of 15 September 1768

The marriage year suggested is about 1791. It is expected this marriage was recorded somewhere in the states of New York or Pennsylvania.

I have record of these two people landing at Newark/Fort George, the seat of government for and in Upper Canada in 1794 and subsequently receiving a grant of 200 acres in Walpole Township, Haldimand County in the Colony of Upper Canada (now Ontario, Canada) in 1796.

If, in your search, you can add the birth record for the said William Drake, including convincing evidence tying the birth and marriage records together as for the same William Drake, a further reward of $100.00 is offered. Again, your submission must be a photocopy, photograph or scanned image of the record(s) you offer either by mail or email (JPG file, 300x300dpi minimum).

I may be contacted by email at philipgross@norcross.ca