This article was originally published in the August 2001 edition of Soul Search, the journal of The Sole Society.

According to cemetery inscriptions and archive records in Ontario, Canada, Joseph Sewell was born in 1785 a native of Scotby, Cumberland, England and died 16th July 1870 in Scarborough, Ontario and is buried at the Bethel Pioneer Cemetery in Scarborough (now part of Toronto) near the intersection of Kennedy Road and Eglinton(access to the cemetery is restricted).

His wife, Margaret BELL (17th May 1788 -  30th Jan 1862) a native of Stanton County, Durham, England, is buried next to her husband in Bethel Pioneer Cemetery. Two of their children (it is unknown to this writer if their were more), John and Adah were residents of the Scarborough, York County, and Durham County, Ontario areas for the duration of their lives. 

John Sewell (1821 – 18th Jul 1903) married Susanah BREAK (1829-1868) and had a daughter Ann (b./d. 1868).  John later married Mary Ann HAGUE (1848-1934).  John SEWELL died in Box Grove, York County, Ontario and is buried at the Locust Hill Church cemetery in Markham Township along with Susanah BREAK, Ann BREAK and Mary Ann HAGUE.  Adah SEWELL (1823-11th Apr 1897) married Henry ABRAHAM (11th Apr1819 – 9th Nov 1906) on 14th Apr 1844 and moved to Darlinton Township, Durham County, Ontario where they farmed and raised a large family.  (See photo - ca. 1885).

Joseph SEWELL is shown as the owner of property at Lot 29, Concession C in Scarborough in the 1837 City of Toronto and Home District Commercial Directory and Register, right next to Lot 28, Concession C owned by William ABRAHAM, Henry ABRAHAM's father. Joseph and Margaret (BELL) SEWELL are considered to be one of the pioneer families of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada