From notes gathered by Elaine Hutton:

Information about William Cheavin(s)Wm. Chevins Sr. born c1778 was married to Mary born c1778 – both age 73 in 1852 census and living with their son (spelled Chevins) and his family.

“William Chevins Sr. was born near Newark, (Nottingham) England, and raised in the Church of England. In 1812, he emigrated to the U.S., then came to Canada in 1817, settling on Yonge Street. Four years later, he moved to the 2nd con. of Albion where he joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church in 1834. He died in Albion (no date given)”.

In People of Ontario, only one William Cheavins is listed so there doesn’t seem to be other families with the same name to confuse his family with.He was married possibly Jan. 05, 1806 in Nottingham, Nottingham, England to Mary.Families states that in the spring of 1817 he came to Canada with 6 children, settling on Yonge St (possibly around Thornhill). His pass was dated Apr. 29, 1817 and his name spelled Cleavins with wife and 6 children from Notingham. He is a wheelwright (Second date on pass is May 21, 1817 for Wm. Cheavin with wife, 6 children. Also John Smith and Andrew Nesbit are in the same group that immigrated.In 1821 William Cheavin and his family moved to Conc. 2, lot 22 W.1/2 AlbionHe died in Albion on or about October 30, 1853. He refers to himself as William Cheavin in his will dated Apr. 5, 1853– i.e, no ‘s’ on his surname. He leaves his farm listed as being on lot 23, w1/2 in the second concession of Albion to his wife. Land transaction indicates that William Cheavin received a patent on Lot 23 west 1/2 in conc 2. Mar. 13, 1848. He refers to Jane as his youngest daughter. The witnesses are John Watson and John Smith, senior (who is presumably the husband of his eldest daughter, Mary Ann). His shaky signature does not look like Cheavin but like Chovn, Chavn or Chorin.