Rural Diary Archive
Rural Diary Archive

Ely Playter

Coverage Dates: 1801 to 1853
County: York
Township: Lived in Town of York/Toronto
Gender: Male
Year of Birth: 1776
Year of Death: 1858
Ethnicity: English
Religion: Methodist – All Denominations
Occupation: 
Tavern-Keeper
Farmer
Lumberman
MP
Militia Officer
Relationships: 

Wife: Sofie Beman
Sons: Edward Parson, Charles, James Leicester, Joel, Charles, Ely Welding, George
Daughters: Susannah, Sophia, Mary Elizabeth

Archive: Archives of Ontario
Posted on Rural Diary Archive: No
Age During Diary: 25-77
Coverage: 52 years
 
 
Biography: 

Ely lives with his Loyalist father and Quaker mother in/near York in the opening diaries.  In 1806 he marries.  During his time in Upper Canada, he is a tavern-keeper, farmer, lumberman, lay preacher and Lieutenant in the militia. He participates in the War of 1812 and the siege of York while helping his father farm. In 1824 he is elected to the House of Assembly. He writes of election practices, Whig party politics, and the abolitionist and temperance movements.  The family move to New York in 1826.