The "Coe" Connection

Letter re: Coe/Quinton connection

I recently received a note from what turns out to be a distant relative who lives nearby in Wasaga Beach, Ontario. Mary Ellen Walker writes me (June 6, 2026):

"Subject: Quinton family ties to the Coe Family of Ireland

I'm working on my family tree and I have a Margaret Quinton married to Michael Coe who came from Ireland during the Potato famine years .

I also have a letter from EW Quinton addressed to my grandfather dated September 1954. I'm hoping that you were related to him and possibly that you may help me establish more of a Quinton connection to my tree.

Any information would be appreciated. If we do have a connection, I will share more."

The letter from EW Quinton (my uncle Emerson, my dad's brother, who I have as my middle name) reads like this:

Bognor 2 ON
Sept 15/54

Mr Coe

Dear sir On talking to my uncle I mentioned that back in Ireland we were related to a Coe and he said yes he remember a boy & girl by name of Coe coming up from somewhere near Everett or Alliston to visit at Walters Falls

Our Quinton family came from Donegal County Carlow Ireland in 1844 & 1846 to Mono Road and then up to Grey County around 1847.

If you by chance trace back to this Everett family or to Ireland and county Carlow you are likely the same family.

I happen to know Mr & Mrs. Frank Gowan NE of Creemore their son Albert lives in this district

A reply would be appreciated whether or not you are the same family and perhaps you might have or know of information about that part of Ireland.

Yours Sincerely
EW Quinton

I don't know but I suppose I was found by a quick Google search on "Quinton" and "Margaret"; perhaps adding "Walters Falls". This blog is public and my musings would have led her to me.

I explained in short order the same day that the Margaret Quinton she mentioned is not my mom and gave a quick run down and what I understand to be our family history:

My great grandfather Tom/Thomas Quinton came from Ireland and settled in Walter's Falls, he married John Walters daughter (Elizabeth); they had a son Richard Quinton who married Alberta Carney; he had Maurice Watson Quinton; he and Margaret Ellen had me and 6 other sibs (1938-1958).  My uncle Emerson (EW) Quinton (my full name is Reginald Emerson Quinton) was a bit of a historian but died many years ago (I think it was 1969). These are all buried in St Phillips Anglican Church Walters Falls. There's a cluster of graves all together there. There's a memorial day service coming up at St Phillips in late June. My cousin Tom Quinton, who lives in Schreiber Ontario, has much of EW's papers.

I understand that little is known about my great grand father Thomas Quinton who came from Ireland some time after the founding of WF in 1852. They have a first born listed in 1859 so he would have been a very early settler. I would guess, if there's a connection, that's where it is. 

Hmmm ... with a quick search I find ...Wrt. Thomas Quinton

https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/details/LKH1-DWF

There is a connection. Thomas Quinton was born to Samuel Quinton & Elizabeth Coe in born Donegal Ireland. See attached.

His son Richard Quinton was my grandfather. He died before I was born. See attached and likewise these details ...

https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/details/LK9P-R5B

Some of my recent family history and photos are available in my blog.

Ms. Walker adds some details and logs; she's looking at history well beyond my knowledge... In a series of notes she writes:

... My grandfather was Robert James Coe, son of Richard Henry Coe, who was son of James , who was Michael and Margaret Quinton's son.

It's said that they married in 1816 in Ireland.They had 8 children. 

... We have a Coe Reunion coming up on June 28th in Maxwell...it would be awesome to maybe have a little more insight into the Quinton side of things to share... again thanks for taking the time to respond... appreciate it

... I found what I believe to be Samuel [Quinton] and Elizabeth's [Coe] children:

• Jane- May 7 1813
• Mary- Jan 22 1820
• Robert- August 15 1817- April 17 1903
• Thomas - Nov 24 1822- Nov 11 1911 

I also found a William died May 19 1802... could be father

And there we have it. My great great grandfather Thomas Quinton, who married Elizabeth Walter and came to Canada during the potato famine, and died in 1911, was the son of Samuel Quinton and Elizabeth Coe (of Ireland). Our cousin Tom, EW's surviving son, was in on this conversation thread and was pleased to discover that Samuel Quinton was married to Elizabeth Coe.  We didn't know that name.

Oddly FamilySearch, which I have relied on, lists Thomas as the only son of Samuel Quinton and Elizabeth Coe. I'm not sure where Ms. Walker got the other siblings.

I'm still not clear on the exact connection between Sam Quinton/Elizabeth Coe (my great great great grandmother) and Ms. Walker's great great great grandparents Michael Coe and Margaret Quinton who came to Canada during the potato famine.

Kate just said, maybe we should go to this Coe reunion in Maxwell (that's in the Grey County Highlands not too far from Walter's Falls).