Our Genealogy - Person Sheet
Our Genealogy - Person Sheet
NameWilliam Givan Sr. , GGGG Grandfather, M
Birthca 1769, Milltown? or County Antrim?, Ireland
Death6 Mar 1828, Horton Township, Nova Scotia77
BurialCovenanter Church Cemetery, Grand Pre, Nova Scotia
Memonear Kentville
OccupationGentleman, farmer
ReligionPresbyterian
FatherJohn? Given , M (ca1745-)
MotherEliza? Unknown , F
Spouses
1Olivia Unknown , GGGG Grandmother, F
Birth1764, Ireland
Death4 Oct 1838
Memodate from grave stone
BurialCovenanter Church Cemetery, Grand Pre, Nova Scotia
Memolisted on William Given’s stone
Family Media
ChildrenEliza , F (ca1790-1862)
 William , M (ca1790-1828)
 John , M (1793-1865)
 Mary , F (ca1801-<1881)
 Ann (Nancy) , F (ca1803-1833)
 Letitia (Parentage Unverified), F
Notes for William Givan Sr.
He is the second Givan on record to buy land in Kings County, Nova Scotia when he bought land in Cornwallis Township on Aug 5, 1825. He is described on the deed as “William Givan...Gentleman” He bought land in Horton Township along with his son John in 1826.

Tombstone inscription: “WILLIAM GIVEN died Mar. 2, 1829 aged 60 years”32
Kings County archives lists his date of death as Mar 21, 182953
Death announcement in the New Brunswick Courier says Mar 6, 1828 (see obit.) and there is no way that this could be mistaken on the year.

Certainly son John’s last name was spelt “Givan”. William Sr.’s own death announcement in the New Brunswick Courier spells his name “Givan”.

Although it seems the original spelling may have been Given and was at some time switched to Givan, it is equally possible that the spelling of Givan was incorrect on his tombstone as was his son William’s last name (Givin) and the dates. I suspect the tombstone inscriptions were done long after their actual deaths, especially since the dates of death were mistakenly recorded as occurring a year later.

Although William is buried in the old Covenanter Church at Grand Pre we cannot assume he was a Covenanter (of the strict Reformed Presbyterian) since at the time of his death that church was still a regular Presbyterian congregation (until William Somerville later became pastor in 1832).
Land Deeds notes for William Givan Sr.
[From Cornwallis Book 7, page 444, in the year 1825]:56

“No. 3842
This Indenture made the Fifth day of August in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty five Between Isabella Irat of Pictou in the District of Pictou and Province of Nova Scotia Widow of the one part and William Givan of Cornwallis in the County of Kings County and Province aforesaid Gentleman of the other part. Whereas the said Isabella Irat heretofore to wit on the Twenty-sixth day of April in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-one for and in consideration of the sum of Two Hundred and Fifteen Pounds of lawful Money of the Province aforesaid did bargain and sell unto Abraham Gisnet [?] of Cornwallis aforesaid and did in and by her certain Bond or obligation bearing date the day and year last aforesaid bind and oblige herself to make and execute unto the said Abraham Gisnet a good and sufficient Deed of conveyance of certain lands and premises situate in Cornwallis aforesaid and herein after particularly described when payment should be made to her the said Isabella Irat of the said consideration Money. And whereas the said Abraham Gisnet hath bargained and lots the said land and premises to the said William Givan for the sum of Two Hundred and Fifteen Pounds and hath assigned and transferred to him the said Bond of the said Isabella Irat – and whereas it is agreed and understood between the Parties to these presents and the said Abraham Gisner that the said Isabella Irat shall convey and assure the said lands and premises to the said William Givan instead of the said Abraham Gisner. Now this Indenture witnesseth that the said Isabella Irat for and in consideration of the sum of Two Hundred and Fifteen Pounds of lawful Money of the Province aforesaid to him in hand paid at and before the unsealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold reunited released confessed and confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain sell reunite release confess and confirm unto the said William Givan his Heirs and assigns a certain Lot or Tract of land situate lying and being in the Township of Cornwallis being apart of the draft of Samuel Bruster and lately owned by Daniel Chipman bounds as follows Beginning at a stake and stones standing on the North side of the Road leading past Ebenezer Kinsman’s House and running Northerly by said Kinsman’s land Twenty seven Rods there Westerly to the Road to a stake and stones their Southerly by said Road to the corner of said Road there Easterly by said Road to the first mentioned Bound and contains Two acres more or less together with all and singular the Houses Out-houses buildings ways waters rights members & privileges and appurtenances to the said lot of land belonging or in any wise appertaining and the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders rents issues and profits thereof and all the Estate right title interest claim property and demand of her the said Isabella Irat which she now hath or hereafter may have unto and upon the lands and premises above mentioned and every part and parcel thereof to have and to hold the Lot or Tract of land with all and singular the appurtenances unto him the said William Givan his Heirs and assigns to his and their own proper use benefit and behoof forever and the said Isabella Irat doth hereby for herself her Heirs Executors Administrators covenant promise and agree to and with the said William Givan his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns in manner and form following that is to say that the said Isabella Irat is and now stands seized of a good and sufficient Estate of Inheritance in fee simple of and in the lands and premises above described and hath good right full power and lawful authority to grant sell and convey the same in manner and form as the same is herein and hereby granted soto and conveyed or intended as to be and that he the said William Givan his Heirs and assigns shall and may at any and at all times hereafter peaceably and quietly enter into have hold occupy possess and enjoy the said land and premises without the let suit molestation eviction hindrance or disturbance from or by any person or persons lawfully claiming the same or any part thereof and that she the said Isabella Irat and her Heirs the lands and premises above described unto him the said William Givan his Heirs and Assigns against all lawful claims and demands shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents In Witness whereof the Parties to these presents have hereunto their Hands and Seals subscribed and set the day and year first above written.
Signed sealed and delivered, in presence of Isabella Irat (L:S:-
William Patterson – Edward Peitrsch
Province of Nova Scotia Registrars Office Halifax 2nd Sept. 1825
Personally appeared before William Hill Esquire Deputy Registrar of Deeds and conveyances in and throughout the Province of Nova Scotia Edward Peitrsch whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Instrument and being by me duly sworn made oath and said that he was present and witnessed the execution of the same by Isabella Irat [Isat?]
Received Sept. 20th 1825, at the Hour of Two P.M. proved by Edward Peitrsch and entered on the Records for Cornwallis Oct. 14th 1825 at the Hour of Nine A.M.-
Fees 9/6 Wm. Campbell Deputy Registrar”

transcribed by Norman A. Franke, 2003.
Obituaries notes for William Givan Sr.
from New Brunswick Courier, Saturday, March 22, 1828:
“At Horton...on the 6th inst. very suddenly in the 60th year of his age, Mr. William Givan, the father of Doctor Givan, a respectable Farmer, much regretted by his acquaintance.”77

from Acadian Recorder, Mar 15, 1828:
“died 6 Mar. at Horton: William Givan, 59.”78
Last Modified 20 Mar 2004Created 18 Feb 2019 using Reunion for Macintosh