James INNIS

Sources:

The Innis Family of Blenheim and Norwich Township, Oxford, Ontario, Canada
Descendants of William Gray, James Innis & William Sipprell, US/Can film # 1598155
The Military Career of James Innis (online)
U.S. and Canada Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500's-1900's, arrived 1766, New Brunswick, Canada

Notes:

                   James Innis was a British soldier serving under Colonel Owen in the 59th Regiment of Foot in Captain McDonald's Compnay. It was while stationed in Northern Ireland that he met and married Elizabeth Coghlan (1748-1828). Shortly after their marriage, James and his youg bride, she was 16 and he was 21, were posted to serve  with the Army in Newfoudland. It was there their first three children were born.

By 1775 the family was in Boston probably in defence of the city. While in Boston a daughter Jane was born. After the evacuation of Boston James was posted in Nova Scotia at Fort Cumberland near Amherst. It was not clear whether he was actually present during the 1776 seige but his journals indicate he was present during the pacfication of the region. Here their youngest child Jane died at the age of one. James was part of the Fort Howe (St. John, New Brunswick) Garrison under Major Studhholme from approximately 1778-1782. During this time Elizabeth bore three more children. Towards the end of 1783, James was disbanded from the British Army. He was laer listed among the the Royal Fencible Americans at Letang County, New Brunswick

In 1784 James was granted a lot at St. John, New Brunswick and in 1785 was admitted  as a free man of the city in his capacity as a merchant. He seems to have been in the shipping business. In June 1784 there were records of him suing for the loss of a boat with one mast and 4 oars which were lost on the Passamaquoddy River.

James became a convert to the Baptist faith and became a lay minister. He was jailed three times for performing marriages illegally. The last time his suppporters paid his fine and he was released. Part of the reason for his dismisal was his age but also because of his 'disgraceful and rididulous conduct'. He was preaching rhrough the cell window. He was obviously a strong willed man who felt justified in  his behavior. He was 67 years old at the time.

James lived to be 74 years of age. He died Jun 17, 1817 and is buried beside his wife, Elizabeth who died May 3, 1828, in the Central Norton Cemetery at Norton, New Brunswick.

BIRTH-PARENTS-CHILDREN-DEATH-BIOGRAPHY
Descendants of William Gray, James Innis and
William Sipprell, 1728-1985, privately published
1985 by Jean Bluhm, Chehalis, Washington,
Section 3 - Innis Family History - p 1
Copy available in Film #1598155 Item 14 at the
Family History Center in Salt Lake.

The Innis Family of Blenheim and Norwich
Townships Oxford County, Ontario, privately
published 1990 by Wendy Innis, Kingston,
Ontario