Margaret;

Sorry for the long delay... was out of town over the weekend. Here's what I was able to find about your McCurdy-Lewis folk:

1861 Ontario Census, Essex Co., Colchester, pg 24

LEWIS, Barry 45, b. VA, farmer, religion Church of England, black
... Lucy 38, b. VA, same religion and race (same for all their kids)
... Josephing 19
... John W. 16
... Mary Jane 14
... James 12
... George A. 10
... Charles H. 8
... Nancy 6
... Lucy Marie 3
... Robert 1
ALSO living with them, BUNDY, Adam, 9, b. CW (Canada West), black

By 1881, Berry and Lucy were still living in Colchester with their kids, though there were additional children by then.
..................

1861 Ontario Census, Essex Co., Colchester, pg 38

McCURDY, Wm 41, b. USA, farmer, religion = none, mulatto
... Wm, Mrs. 37 (same birthplace, religion, race, as are the kids)
... Alvin 16
... Sarah 14
... Mary 12
... Wm. H. 10
... Rachael 8
... Manerva 6
... Margaret 3

By 1881, the family was still living in Colchester, but there were additional children born by then. Children in the home with William and Mary McCurdy: Alice 22, Delipha 17, Joseph 15, and Georgia 13.

Alvin was married by then, to a woman named Arty, and they lived nearby with their 5 children.

Same goes for William (married, living nearby with his family).

..........
It's somewhat surprising, however, that there are no Lewises or McCurdys listed in Essex County in the Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid. Not quite sure why ...

I hope this helps. If I can provide any additional information, you have but to ask, my dear.

Good luck.

- Lisa B. Lee
Oakland, CA