Gideon Yerxa, son of John and Joanna Sarah (Merrithew) Yerxa, was born in Douglas in 1822. He was given the use of the upper half of his father's lot of land, Lot No 8, in Lower Woodstock as long as he lived, and after his death, to his lawful heirs. Marriage notice "At the Manse, Richmond, on the 2lst inst. by Rev. John Hunter, Mr. Gideon Yerxa of Lower Woodstock to Miss Johnston, late of Saint John" (Carleton Sentinel, March 1858).
Miss Johnston's name was Jane but she was often called Jean. She was from Scotland and had been a shepherdess in her native land. Jane was well versed in the Bible, Catechism and hymns, which she memorized while watching the sheep. They belonged to the Church of Scotland, later called Presbyterian. Gideon Yerxa suffered from dropsy and Bright's disease during the last years of his life, dying on June 25, 1879. His nephew, Samuel Dow Yerxa, helped on the farm for a time during Gideon's illness.
Gideon and Jane Yerxa had no children of their own. The 1871 census for Woodstock Parish lists two children:
Jane (Jean) Yerxa was probably born about 1821 as she states her age as 50. She was still living in the 1881 census.
Gideon Yerxa was buried in Greenbank Cemetery beside the Kirk in Northampton. Tombstone record stated his age 57 years. It is assumed that his wife, Jane, is buried there, but her name was not recorded on the stone.
Press Newspaper Feb 27, 1899
Yerxa - At Lower Woodstock, on Monday February 20th, Jean, relict of the late Gideon Yerxa, aged 80 years and 9 months. The deceased was a sister of the late John Johnston, and a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.