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Family History Notes

Journeys to the Southwest Corner of Manitoba by Leona (Craven) Lavalle

This verse was given to me by my Aunty Jean Murphy, along with a photo album. Finalized 2012

2 CONTENTS ... 2-4 Preface and Acknowledgements5 Introduction 8 Grandparents ........................................................................................................8 Great grandparents ...8 Ontario 9 Chapter 1. Great Grandparents Craven/Taylor . ..10 1a. More Craven Information ..23 Rodericks Relatives in Britain and Ontario 23 The Old Letters 24 H. J. Craven and Australian Cravens . 34 Great Grandfather Williams Siblings 37-39 Wales - Historical Background 39 Londesborough/Londesboro, Hullette Twp., Ontario ..40 Rodericks Brother, William Edgar Craven .41 William A. Leggo, The Man Who Brought Photos to the Press .42-47 Charlotte (Craven) Benn ...48 Origin of Name - Craven, Saskatchewan .48 Chapter 2. Great Grandparents Cuthbert/Armstrong ...49 Ontario ..49 Census and Other Records 52 Manitoba ...56 My Homesteading Experience in Manitoba by George Cuthbert .56

3 Homestead of Thomas Cuthbert and Jane (Armstrong) Cuthbert 60 2a. More Cuthbert Information ... 61 Great Grandmother Jane Cuthbert & Great Grandfather Thomas Cuthbert.........61 Continuation of George Cuthberts homestead experience ..63 Other Brothers and Sisters of my Grandmother Jane (Cuthbert) Craven 65 Some Memories by Jim Cuthbert 70 Life on the Farm by Kay Schultz .73-75 Chapter 3. Great Grandparents Dandy/Mooney 76 Great great great (ggg) Grandparents ...76 Great great (gg) Grandparents . 77

Great grandfather (g) Thomas Dandy and Family .. 77 - Grandfather William Dandys Siblings: Manitoba ...77 3a. More Dandy Information .81 Uncle James (old Uncle James) Uncle of Grandfather William Dandy .81 The Parker Family History 82 The Parker Connection .82 Jane Miller Manitoba, Ontario....83 Margaret Mooney ..83 Jane Miller in Hawkesbury 1997 ..84 Holy Trinity Church, Hawkesbury ..85-86 Notes on Census(s) ...87 Nellie McClung 87

4 Empress of Ireland (James Dandy) 87-88 Chapter 4. Great Grandparents Fanning/Crozier . 89 Ireland ...90 Monaghan Ancestry, Clogher Historical Society: ... 91 Letter 91-92 Copies of Marriage Certificates93-94 Maps.95-96 Records .97 Ontario ..99 Manitoba .100 Mrs. Harry Miller (the former Adelia Walton) - a dance she attended with Sarah and Ruth Fanning .100-101 Grandma Ruth Dandys Siblings .101-102 4a. More Fanning Information ....102 The Thickson/Fanning/McBrien Connection 102 James Bride and Annie Fanning .104 William Bride and Minnie Fanning 104 Roxy (Bride) Cosgrove, daughter of James Bride and Annie Fanning ..105-112 William Breakey and Jane Fanning ............112-113 .. The Breakeys. 113-117 Fanning/Walton/Miller/Daniels Relationship ...........118 Afterword ...119 Photos and Charts

5 Preface Many details of my ancestors and the community in which I first lived are contained in the History of the R.M. of Edward Harvests of Time, published in 1983. Previously, in 1965, Isabel M. Reekie had published Along the Old Melita Trail. This included two articles by my mother, Vina Craven and mention of various relatives as well as descriptions of experiences of some of the pioneers. About 1977, my parents compiled two albums of family history material and prepared write-ups. One album related to the Craven/Cuthbert line and the other Dandy/Fanning. The Craven/Cuthbert material stimulated an interest in family history for my second cousin, Laura Eileen Norrie, daughter of Clifford and Margaret Craven. She did extensive work for several years on the Craven and Cuthbert lines. In January 1996, Margaret mailed me a copy of Lauras research. My cousin, Ellen (Craven) Vickers also prepared Craven history and encouraged and worked with Laura and other family members, especially focussing on then current descendants. I have been fortunate to receive copies of some of this research and write-ups prepared for a Craven Reunion in Pierson, 1984. Thank you to my daughter, Vaudree Lavalle, who entered queries online that resulted in several very helpful and interesting contacts re Craven and Fanning connections and to my nephew, John Richthammer (J.J.), who helped me with archival research. After several decades, the albums of my parents needed some recopying particularly of newspaper clippings which were fading. I decided to recopy where necessary, make reference to information in sources such as the Harvests of Time history book and incorporate material from other researchers along with some additional items in my possession. Although I had a lot of material to begin with, I also did some research and have added notes and included information discovered. I had a special interest in finding out more about our ancestors in Ontario and earlier. I considered doing a shorter version of the Journeys to the Southwest Corner which would end with the marriage of my four grandparents. Each chapter is arranged so that it can end there and additional information is added in a separate section. I have decided to keep all information related to each line together, however, so that it is readily accessible. As well as this narrative, I worked on inputting information to the Family Tree Maker computer program and for our shared lines, retyped much of Lauras previous research material. Charts from the computer program should make clearer the various relationships especially of direct line ancestors. Laura Norrie included a cover letter dated June 1984 with her package of research at that time which gives more detailed acknowledgement of the work various relatives had done to create a family history. A scanned copy is included here:

7 It is most likely that there will be some errors though I have tried to be accurate. Of course family history is never complete and if I have emphasized some individuals and families more than others, it is usually because I happened to have more material. At times it was because for one reason or another, I had a special interest. With a number of sources available, I tried to bring the story together as much as possible in one place. Following the paths of family history has been a worthwhile hobby and learning experience for me. I hope others will also find some of this content interesting and useful. The Southwest Corner of Manitoba

The above map is courtesy of the Pierson website, the present year 2012.

8 Introduction Growing up on a farm one mile north of Pierson, Manitoba, in the Rural Municipality of Edward, it seemed to me the pioneer days were long ago. My parents, their parents and six of my great grandparents had lived there. However, when I was born, in 1934, this well established community of mostly British settlers had been in existence for only about 50 years. Having now lived longer than that myself, it seems a relatively short time. My original family consisted of my parents and older brother, Earl. Extended family included two grandmothers (my grandfathers died before I was born), aunts, uncles and cousins. My Grandma Dandy lived with us most of the time I was growing up on the farm and I often visited my Grandma Craven in Pierson after school or evenings when waiting for my family to come there after meetings or other activities. Grandparents My four grandparents: Roderick Craven, Jane Cuthbert, William Thomas Dandy and Ruth Sophia Fanning were all born in Ontario. They arrived in Manitoba in the following years and the age of each at the time of arrival: Roderick Craven Ruth Fanning Jane Cuthbert William Dandy 1882 1883 1887 1890 Age about 24 years Age 7 years (with Fanning family) Age 16 years (with Cuthbert family) Age 18 years

Later Roderick Craven married Jane Cuthbert and William Dandy married Ruth Fanning. Roderick homesteaded at 32-2-28 and William at 12-3-29. Great Grandparents Beginning with my great grandparents and including any earlier known ancestors, I will attempt to relate something of the journey of each ancestral line as they converged on this area, the extreme southwest corner of Manitoba. All eight of my great grandparents lived for some time in Ontario. The Craven ggrandparents, William Craven/Mary Ann (Taylor) Craven remained there and only my grandfather Roderick Craven came to Manitoba. My other six ggrandparents: Robert Fanning/Elizabeth (Crozier) Fanning; Thomas Dandy/Mary (Mooney) Dandy; and Thomas Cuthbert/Jane (Armstrong) Cuthbert all settled on homesteads near the present village of Pierson.1

maiden names in brackets

9 Ontario The first Canadian generations of ancestors came to Ontario during the period 1820 to 1860. Some had stopped for a while in Quebec. Dandy/Mooney ggrandparents were second generation Ontarians as their parents had left Ireland about 1820. The first generation settled for a time in LOriginal, Quebec and then moved across the river to Hawkesbury and Vankleek Hill, Ontario. Cuthbert/Armstrong ggrandparents were also second generation Ontarians as their parents had left Ireland some time before 1835 and settled near Orangeville and Mono Mills. Craven/Taylor ggrandparents left Cross Lanes, Wales in 1853 and after some time in Quebec City and Toronto settled at Londesborough, Hullett Township, Huron County. Fanning/Crozier ggrandparents left Drum, Monaghan, Ireland in 1856 and settled near Petersborough in the Millbrook/Fraserville area. ******** Information on each of these lines follows in Chapters 1 to 4. The order is: Craven, Cuthbert, Dandy and Fanning.

10 Family History Notes Journeys to the Southwest Corner of Manitoba

Chapter 1. Great Grandparents Craven/Taylor

William Craven

Mary Ann Taylor

11 Information was copied from the family bible of William and Mary Ann Craven by a cousin in Montreal:

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The 1851 census of Wales also shows them living at Cross Lanes, Township of Sesswich, County of Flint/Flintshire, North Wales. The Companion Guide to North Wales2 states that Cross Lanes is a village at the junction of highways B5130 and A525, about 3 miles south of Wrexham. A map on page 62 of that book shows where these highways meet at Cross Lanes and also the next town, Bangor-is-y-coed . (This is the Welsh name; the English name is Bangor-on-Dee or just Bangor.) Bangor is mentioned above and later. Maps can be enlarged online.

From the book, The Companion Guide to North Wales by Elisabeth Beazley and Peter Howell, published by Collins, St. James Place, London, 1975, borrowed from St. James Assiniboia public Library, Winnipeg.

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Cross Lanes is not named on the map but highways B5130 and A525 are shown.

William was the enumerator for the 1851 census of Wales for the Cross Lanes area, 162 persons. At my request, the census film 0104269 was ordered in at the LDS Family History Centre, Winnipeg. I photocopied and have retyped the detail for the Craven families found at the village of Cross Lanes.

14 The first column is Name & Surname of each Person who abode in the house, on the Night of the 30th March, 1851. The second column is Relation to Head of Family Name & Surname .. William Craven Mary Ann Craven William Craven Charlotte Craven Richard Craven Ann Craven Susanna Craven Fanny Craven Joseph Craven Mary Craven Elizabeth Taylor Abigail Knowles Jane Whittaker Relation to Head .. Head Wife Son Daur. Son Daur. Daur. Daur. Brother Sister-inlaw Motherin-law Servant Servant Mar. 5 Widow 0 Un 0 Un 1 Mar. Mar. Un Un 9 18 19 84 7 Farmer of 50 acres Flintshire Bangor Salop St. Martin Chester Flintshire Hammer 1 Liverpool 2 Overton, Flintshire 7 Hertford, West Hamstead Condition Mar. Mar. Scholar 8 6 4 11 mos. 36 3 Maltster Flintshire Bangor Carnarvon 7 4 10 M F 49 3 Scholar Age Occupation Where Born Maltster & Brewer Flintshire Bangor Middlesex London Flintshire Bangor

SecondHouse: Richard Head Craven Ann Craven Wife Henry Craven Sarah Roden Josephs son Servant

The eldest daughter, Eleanor must have been away from home. A son, James Joseph, born April 10, 1848 had died June 5, 1849 and was buried at Bangor which is the next place south of Cross Lanes. Two more daughters were born

15 before the family left Wales: Edith Lucy, Nov. 19, 1851 and Gertrude Rebecca, Jan. 6, 1853. The youngest of the family, my grandfather, was not born until Oct. 1, 1858, five years after they arrived in Canada.3 We know from the census of 1851 that Elizabeth Taylor was Mary Anns mother. She was born at Hertford, West Hamstead, just north of London, England. It seemed certain that the elderly couple next door, Richard and Ann, were Williams parents4 and that brother Josephs son Henry was at his grandparents that day. Gggrandfather Richard was born at Bangor, Wales (as were William and Joseph) and Ann was born at St. Martins, Salop (Shropshire), a county in England which borders Wales.5

On the back of this picture was written Grandmother of Russell, Guy, Duerward and Newton. She could be either William or Mary Anns mother.
3 4

information from the family bible I have since verified this with descendants of Williams eldest brother John, who are living in Australia. 5 Note: The Companion Guide to North Wales also indicated the ecclesiastical district of Chester (these for centuries ignored changes in county boundaries). The county boundaries have changed a few times. Wrexham, Cross Lanes and Bangor were previously in County Denbigh. At the time of the 1851 census they were in County Flint and later County Clwyd.

16 In May and June 1853, William and Mary Ann and nine children, ages 4 months to 14 years, sailed on the Ship Blanche on their way to Canada. Tragically, the three youngest children died of scarlet fever during the trip across the ocean.6 The following is from a later memorial tribute7 to William Craven: The family for some time resided in Quebec City, where, under the ministrations of Rev. Messrs. Borland and Pollard, his spiritual life was greatly quickened. Subsequently he removed to the Centre Road, Brampton Circuit8, and in the year of 1861 he settled near Londesboro, in the township of HulletteThis reference also mentions that William was converted to God at the age of seventeen years, and filled the office of class-leader and local preacher in his native land. Apparently he was a lay preacher for the Weslyan Methodist Church both in Wales and in Canada though his main occupation was farming. The write-up on p.352 of Harvests of Time states, Mr. and Mrs. Craven settled at Toronto, Ontario and later lived at Clinton, Ontario where Roderick was born (being the only one of the family born in Canada). A copy of his marriage registration shows Roderick born in Toronto. According to copy from the family bible, Roderick was born October 1, 1858 so it would be before the family reached the Clinton area. The above tribute and also a copy of Mary Anns will, led me to a village less than 10 miles from Clinton, by the name of Londesborough/Londesboro. Information received from Helen Dale, researcher at the Huron County Genealogy Society and actually living at Londesborough, confirmed the Craven residence at a farm on the edge of the village at Concession 10, Lot 24. Helen wrote, It looks like William Craven purchased this lot from James Dale (one of my relatives) on March 1, 1861. Im not sure what all happenedIn 1875 the land went to Richard Craven and was sold from the Craven name in March 1877. 9 Their son, Richard who married Jane Sterling, lived on the next farm across the road from them at Concession 11, Lot 24. It seems that Richard just leased this lot as there were no Craven transactions listed for this abstract. Londesboro is Con. 11, Lot 25. An article from the Hullett Township history book, sent by Helen tells something about Londesboro and mentioned that a Thos.Hagyard settled on Con. 11, Lot 26.10 On the next page is a copy of a map of Huron County showing Hullett Township. Helen Dale has indicated the location of Londesboro. As well, this shows the location of Clinton and Blyth, nearby towns.

4 month old Gertrude Rebecca died May 17 and was committed to the Atlantic Ocean; 3 year old Fanny Maria died June 18 and was committed to the Gulf of St. Lawrence; 1 year old Edith Lucy died June 23 on board ship and was buried at Point Levi cemetery, Quebec. Information from the family bible. 7 Located in my parents album and also forwarded from Australian cousins. 8 I wrote to the United Church Archives in Toronto but they did not have information about this circuit. 9 Abstract page #1 of Con. 10, Lot 24 photocopied. 10 That same article has an item about Joseph Hagyard from Manitoba. It states that, This man is a grandson of the late Thomas Hagyard. His mother was a Fair (sic) and he is a cousin of William McClure and Emmeline Storeys families. Joe was visiting around among relatives this summer (1977).

17 The second map is part (about half) of Londesboro showing location of Craven farms. I have drawn an arrow and a rectangle around where Helen had highlighted, below the Londesborough P.O.. The Craven names are not there as the map was done in 1879. These were 100 acre parcels of land.

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20 The 1871 census of Ontario, Huron County, Hullette Township, District 26, Subdistrict E, Division 4, Page 8, Microfilm No. C-9931 which I viewed at Winnipeg Millennium Library and is now online, gives this information: Fam. Name Craven Craven Given Name(s) William Mary Ann William Edgar Charlotte Ann Roden Roderick Richard Charles Jane Age Birthplace Religion 69 54 30 29 26 12 27 19 N. Wales England N. Wales N. Wales N. Wales O N. Wales O W. Meth. Ethnic Origin English Occupation Marital Farmer M

M Leggotyper ----M M

Farm Lab.

Note: Birthplace O = Ontario. The census indicated that Richard Charles and Jane had been married within the last 12 months. Janes maiden name was Sterling. The previous year, Dec.7, 1870, Susanna Mary Craven was married to William Bowers, of Wingham, Ontario. They lived at the town of Thessalon, District of Algoma, Ontario.11

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1901 census and family travel note (re Bridges who owned a store at Thessalon). William became Mayor.

21 Feb. 25, 1873, Rev. William Edgar Craven was married to Louisa Benn, of Montreal, Quebec. June 3, 1873, Charlotte Craven was married to Alfred Benn, of Montreal, Quebec.12 Sept.5, 1874, Great Grandpa William died. June 9, 1879, Great Grandma Mary Ann died. Ann Roden Craven seems to have been still at home when her mother died in 1879. I did not find her in that area in the 1881 census. Richard Charles and Jane do not appear in the 1881 census for this area. The last land entry with Richards name, which is crossed out, is dated Feb. 9, 1880.13 14 A book that is descriptive of the history of the various townships and villages of Huron County is the following: The Settlement of Huron County by James Scott, published by the Ryerson Press, Toronto 1966, available at Winnipeg Centennial Library and Manitoba Genealogy Society, Winnipeg. Here are a few excerpts: The largest settlement entirely within the boundary of Hullett is the village of Londesborough. One of the first few settlers, Thomas Hagyard, realized that this was a potential village site and laid it out as such. He was an Englishman who had been brought up on the estate of Lord Londesborough in Yorkshire. In the early days the settlement was known as Hagyards Corners but its founder felt that it deserved a more dignified name and insisted on Londesborough. This became the official name when a post office was established June 1, 1861. About 5 miles further east is the village of Blyth. Blyth was James H. Riddells birthplace (referred to later).

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1901 census lists the following: District of Hochelaga (which is now Montreal), Subdistrict Westmount (City), Enum. District d-17, Page 13; Alfred Benn 52, Charlotte 53; Robert 23, Laura 21, Ethel 16.
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Nov. 26, 1995, I received a phone call from Robert Sterling,116 Waxwing Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1V 9Z5, at that time about 55 years old. He was also researching at Londesboro and Helen Dale had given him my phone number. His grandfather was Robert Sterling, younger brother of Jane Sterling. This Robert had lived at Pilot Mound and Melita until 1976. He didnt know either where Richard and Jane went after Londesboro. I gave him Richards birthdate and Richard and Janes marriage date.
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Dec. 2011, I searched for Richard Charles Craven and found information from Grand View Cemetery, Batavia, New York. They had moved there by 1880 as their first child, Charlotte was born at Batavia Aug. 21, 1880. Another child was born 1885, Nelson Bouge Craven. All are buried at Batavia Cemetery. I couldnt locate Robert Sterling in Ottawa to ask if he knew this. Note re Charlotte Craven: In 1949 my parents and I visited with Charlotte and Charlie Walls at Batavia, New York. For a long time, I wondered if this was Ggfather Williams sister, Charlotte. I now know that the Charlotte we visited was the daughter of Williams eldest brother, Richard Craven.

22 The young of Huron were growing up and there were more of them than there was land to till. In the meantime the two great Canadian lines had stretched far into the west and through to the Pacific. The Prairies were opening up and Huron County boys, inheritors of a faith in the value of the land, turned their eyes westward with eager anticipation and heard the call of new, cheap, rich land which had lured their forefathers into the wilderness of Canada West. They boarded the trains and were in the vanguard of the settlers who moved to the prairie land of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. They heard the call of the harvest excursion and some of them went never to return. Both parents had died by the time Roderick was 20 years old and most of the family had left Londesboro. Two years later the 1881 census shows Roderick as the only Craven in that area.

1881 census of Ontario, Film C-13273, Dist. No. 174 Centre Huron, North Hullett, Page 60, Family 247: Surname Name Manning John Craven Martha Martha Thomas Roderick Sex M F F M M Age 34 30 3 1 21 Birthplace Origin England English Ont. Ont. English Religion Occup. Bible Farmer Christian C. Meth. Servant Marital M M

Servant was probably the same as what we would later refer to in Manitoba as hired man. I think he was at least 22, almost 23 depending on what time of year the census was taken. In 1881 or 1882, Roderick, along with James Henry Riddell from Blyth, age 28 and Frank Hagyard Campbell of Londesboro, age 18 boarded the train for Manitoba.15 They all proceeded to establish homesteads. The rules for homesteading in Manitoba are explained on page 2 of Along the Old Melita Trail. Registration fee for a quarter section of land was $10 and a pre-emption for another quarter could be acquired for $1 an acre. Regulations called for residence on the homestead for at least six months in each of three years in succession, with ten acres of land cultivated in each of the three years. Roderick Craven and James Riddell built one house which crossed the border of their two homesteads, SE and SW of 32-2-28 respectively. This made it possible for them each to sleep in the same building but on their own homestead.
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There are write-ups in Harvests of Time of Frank Hagyard Campbell, pg. 331 and James Henry Riddell, pg. 615.

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The homestead record16 indicates that Roderick had immediately purchased his second homestead, NE 32-2-28 as he wrote a letter to the Land Commissioner, dated Dec. 5, 1881, stating: I have erected a frame house and am cultivating both homesteads. The homestead record includes a statement signed by Roderick Craven, re letters patent, dated 5th Nov. 1886 with the following: age 26, born in Ontario, 1st house April 1883, 2nd house March 1885, size of house (1885) 12 x 16, 1 stable and granary combined, 1 well. Patent on SE was approved on Nov. 24 1886 and the NE was approved on May 9, 1890. I also noted a letter from Dept. of Interior enclosing Letters Patent for SW 32-228 to: Jas. H. Riddell, Sept. 16, 1887. In an article titled Homesteading in 188717, my grandmothers eldest brother, George Cuthbert wrote: Harvest came next. Binders were very scarce, but a couple of young bachelors, Rod Craven and Frank Campbell, bought a binder that harvest and they cut over a large territory. They cut over six-hundred acres that season, out day and night, changing off the horses. They used lanterns at night on the binders. August 5, 1891, Roderick Craven married Jane Cuthbert of Pierson, Manitoba. More Craven Information Rodericks relatives in Britain and Ontario This is re copies of old Craven letters: (correspondence with my grandfather, Roderick Craven) Letter written by Mr. J.E. Harrison to Roderick Craven, July 23, 1924: Mr. Harrison was a friend of Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Craven of Southport, England. The latter had requested Mr. Harrison to inquire about any relatives at Londesboro, Ontario. Henry had a letter received by their family from Rodericks mother about 1878. There were no Cravens at Londesboro in 1924 but the Town Clerk gave Mr. Harrison Rodericks address at Pierson. Roderick wrote July 28, 1924 that grandfather and Mrs. Craven (his grandparents) died shortly after his family left Wales (after May/June 1853), at the age about 89. I was born four or five years after they came to Canada. He also stated: father had seven brothers and one sister and mother had one brother and one sister. Leonas note: By the 1851 census age, Richard Craven would have been 89 in 1856, Ann 89 in 1861. Mr. H.J. Craven stated in a letter July 5, 1926, that his fathers name was Henry, born and lived at Wrexham, North Wales and where I was born in April 1854. The only living relatives he knew of (in 1926) were two other cousins living in England and one niece in South Africa. The relationship of the two cousins mentioned was not clear
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At Manitoba Archives. The date I copied of first letter was 1881; this could be checked again. Along the Old Melita Trail, pg. 171

24 though seem to have been Henrys brothers. A letter was also received from one of them dated June 10, 1926. His name was William Edgar Craven, the same name as one of Rodericks brothers. A scanned copy (of a copy) of the letters follows on the next page:

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There was apparently another letter written by Roderick and there may have been others received. H.J. Craven and Australian Cravens August 23, 2011: Vaudree received an email from Ian Forbes, a Craven descendant in Australia and forwarded it to me. Ian provided us with information and charts of my great grandfather Williams parents and siblings and their descendants that he had put together. He wrote that much of the information of older relatives was obtained from a cousin in England whom he had visited. As well, he sent many pictures of his relatives in Australia. At first I thought that H.J. Cravens father Henry, was the 18 year old shown in the 1851 census as Williams brother Josephs son. Charts from Ian Forbes show that Williams eldest brother John also had a son Henry and this is the Henry that was H.J. Cravens father. His mothers name was Sarah Roden. The chart also shows his wifes name as Margaret Jane Parsons which agrees with the write-up about their 60th anniversary. This is a picture of Henry Joseph Craven and his wife, Margaret Jane Parsons, taken on their golden (50th) wedding anniversary Jan. 30, 1926. It was sent to my grandparents.

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Following is a picture and write-up of their 60th anniversary which was sent to me from Ian Forbes, a descendant of ggrandfather William Cravens brother John.

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As the printing is blurry, I enlarged it slightly and made a translation as follows: SOUTHPORT DIAMOND WEDDING ---------Royal Telegram of Congratulations -------------A diamond wedding took place at Southport on Thursday. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Joseph Craven, of Church street, Southport, have received the following telegram: Congratulations from the King and Queen upon your diamond wedding Private Secretary. This is one of the very first of such messages to be sent out by King Edward VIII, and Mr. & Mrs. Craven are extremely proud to have received Royal recognition. Mr. Craven is 82 in April, and his wife celebrates her 82nd anniversary on July 7th. The wedding took place at the Weslayan Church, St. Helena, 60 years ago. Mr. Craven is a striking example of a self-made man -------------- his remarkable business acumen that has enabled him to make his way in the world. A native of Wrexham, work has been his lifelong hobby. As a boy he used to drive a horse and cart

33 for his father and received the very lowest minimum of school education, not learning either to read or write. He served his apprenticeship as a moulder, but in 1872 gave up this trade, and went to St. Helena, where he started in a humble way as a hardware and paraffin oil dealer. Four years later he married Miss Margaret Jane Parsons, of Everton, at the Weslayan Church, St. Helena. Under his shrewd management, the business did well, and his connection grew so large that when he retired in 1912 to come to live at Southport, he was the leading oil and wholesale petrol merchant in St. Helena. Both Mr. and Mrs. Craven are directors of a family limited liability company. Most of their property is held by this company of which the ten children (six sons and four daughters) are shareholders. They have sixteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Considering their advanced ages, both Mr. and Mrs. Craven are in good health. We have had a grand marriage together, said Mr. Craven. To celebrate the wedding there will be a dinner at the Southport Hotel tonight, to which the whole of the family will be invited. ------------------------------Great Grandfather Williams Siblings: Note: Ian Forbes great grandfather, William Edgar Craven was a brother of H.J. Craven. They would be grandsons of Williams brother John. It seems that this William Edgar was the other cousin who wrote to Roderick. In his letter to H.J. Craven, Roderick mentioned that his father (William) had seven brothers and one sister. Ian Forbes had the names and some dates of all the siblings. This is a Family Group Sheet prepared from my Family Tree Maker program:

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35 Joseph was married twice and I dont know if his wife Mary Taylor is related to our Mary Ann Taylor. Ian said the flower girl shown in their wedding picture was a Craven but we dont know how she was connected. He didnt know who the others were. Roderick had stated that his mother, Mary Ann Taylor had one brother and one sister. Unless Mary Taylor was her sister, these siblings are as yet unknown. This is a picture of Josephs wedding to wife Mary Taylor.

Wales Historical Background Following is an excerpt from the book, The Companion Guide to Northern Wales18, p. 63-64, which gives some background of the area where the Craven family lived in Wales: For hundreds of years the towns markets were among the most important in the Principality, and its narrow lanes and prosperous public houses rang with English and Welsh tongues bargaining over Welsh wool and flannels, cattle and sheep, butter and cheese. But the region was also rich in minerals, lead in Flintshire and coal and iron around Wrexham. This wealth meant a completely different pattern of life from that of most of Wales for both the poorest labourer and the richest landowner. The poor, having alternative employment, were not so poor; the rich owned both minerals and good agricultural land. Indeed Wrexham was the lively social centre of the region (including parts of the neighbouring counties of Shropshire and Cheshire)In the eighteenth century industry became more and more dominantiron, copper, lead and coal. Other industries included brewing and tanning.
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The Companion Guide to North Wales by Elisabeth Beazley and Peter Howell, published by Collins, St. James Place, London, 1975, borrowed from St. James Assiniboia public Library, Winnipeg.

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From the book Welsh Family History A Guide to Research19: p. 237, Denbighshire and Flintshireit was here that occurred some of the earliest industrialization anywhere in Britain. The regionhad an estimated population of some 59,700 in 1750. This increased rapidly to nearly 80,000 in 1801, reaching 134,000 in 1851. Thereafter, in demographic terms, northeast Wales was to experience declineMost of the migrants were from surrounding counties of WalesThere were rich agricultural lowlands around Rhuthun and St. Asaph. p. 257, During the 1790s Wales, in common with England, suffered a series of bad harvests with rising prices and economic and agricultural depression. The growing discontent of the populace was fired by the creed of revolutionary France and the flames were fanned by the Welsh intelligentsia in their demands for the natural rights of man. The eighteenth century was the age of enlightenment and an age of appreciation of antiquities and tradition in Wales. This fostered an aspiring intelligentsia which had been sympathetic to the aims of the American Revolution with its freedom and equality. The political radicalism of this minority was intermingled with the radical theology of new religious dissent. Emigration started about 1794after 1815Wales drifted into severe economic depressioneconomy which was incapable of supporting its populationyesterdays farmer became todays labourerthe rural community fared badly until the hint of prosperity in the 1850s. Land was a luxury in Wales and the vast areas in America were a nostrum for the deprivation. The pace of emigration gradually accelerated to reach its peak in the 1850sProbably half of the estimated 250,000 emigrants from Wales between 1820 and 1950 passed through the port of Liverpool and many would have stayed in those lodging houses where strict temperance was a feature of the keepers advertising. Londesborough, Hullett Twp., Ontario Helen Dale20 provided cemetery transcriptions of Londesborough United Cemetery (formerly Methodist) where William and Mary Ann Craven are buried. The cemetery location is Con. 10, Lot 26, Hullett Twp., Huron County, Ontario. Helen personally walked through the cemetery and found their stones, No. 66 and 67. She looked up the death registers at the LDS Family History Centre, London, Ontario and sent me a handwritten copy. Mary Anns was #5707 film 1853226 and Williams was #1123 film 1846470. Helen indicated that there were two wills at Ontario Archives (#859 1880 and #374 1874). I wrote to a researcher Brenda Douglas Merriman, CGRS, 110 Esplanade, Apt.
19

Welsh Family History A Guide to Research edited by John Rowlands and Others, Association of Family History Societies of Wales in conjunction with the Federation of Family History Societies, 1993. Distributed by the Federation of Family History Societies, The Benson Room, Birmingham and Midland Institute, Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS (England). Typeset and printed by J.D. Lewis & Sons, Gomer Press, Llandysul, Dyfed, Wales. 20 Ontario Genealogy Society researcher living at Londesborough

37 201, Toronto, Ont. M5E 1X9 and received copies of the wills. Williams turned over everything to Mary Ann and she was the only executrix. In her will, Mary Ann left $1,000 to my grandfather, Roderick. Her executors were William Augustus Leggo and Ezekiel A. Rose. (William Leggo, her son-in-law, was shown as being from Lachute, Quebec but at the time living in New York, USA. E.A. Rose was an MD, apparently her doctor.) Helen copied these items from the June 26 1879 Clinton New Era: Craven In Londesboro on the 19th June 1879 Mary Ann relict of the late Wm. Craven, aged 61 years. Hullett On Thursday last this township lost an estimable resident by the death of Mrs. Wm. Craven Sr. She had been here for about 20 years and enjoyed a very wide circle of acquaintances. Her consistent Christian character making her a useful member of society. The funeral on Thursday was very largely attended. On Sunday morning Rev. Mr. Caswell preached her funeral sermon in the Methodist Church, Londesboro with which church she had long been connected. Rodericks brother, William Craven In the 1871 census, William Edgar Cravens occupation is listed as Leggotyper A Clinton New Era article, June 26 1879 gives this information: Last week we had a call from Mr. W. Craven formerly a resident of Hullett but now in the Photo Lithographing business at New York. He is very much taken up with the American metropolis but states that times are very bad there, wages being only of what they were a few years ago. At showing how cheap labour is now he says that labouring men work on the corporation at from 50 to 75 cents per day. In June 1879, when he signed the death register for his mother, he signed as Wm. Edgar Craven, Photographer of New York, U.S.. Helen Dale of Londesboro wrote me saying that she was looking in the Clinton New Era for the year 1891 and accidentally came across a death notice for Wm. Craven Jr. It must have been a sad time for that family. I copied the piece from the paper for you in case you did not have it. Seeing as Wm. Jr. died in Newport, Rhode Island, I thought you might not. Clinton New Era, May 1, 1891 Hullett News Death of a Former Resident The Newport Rhode Island News of April 20th 1891contains the following account of the death of a former resident of this township. It is wrong in stating that he was a native of

38 Montreal as he was a native of Hullett being a son of the late Wm. Craven, one of the pioneers of the township and one who was at one time one of the most highly esteemed residents. The News says Mr. Wm. E. Craven died last evening at about 9 oclock being ill less than a week. The condition of his family for the past few weeks has been particularly unfortunate and painful. They moved from Pleasantville, Westchester County, New York to Jamestown some 3 weeks ago, occupying the farm belonging to Mr. John F. Cars of New York which Mr. Craven had arranged to improve. Immediately upon their arrival and before they were settled, the family were taken sick with grip, pneumonia developing in the case of one daughter. Mr. Craven although ill himself kept about until a week ago when he was obliged to take to his bed. He was a native of Montreal a man of sterling character and of strong temperance principles and a member of the Methodist Church. He was about 45 years of age. Everything that sympathizing neighbours could suggest was done for the family through their sickness and the farm work looked after by kind friends though strangers. It is understood that a short time before coming here they buried their oldest daughter and it is thought that this loss and the care and work of moving his family and stock to Jamestown to which was added the serious illness of his family broke down the mans constitution and when he was taken sick he was easily overcome with the grip of which he died. The remains will be entombed in Newport until such times as the family can recover enough to return to Montreal. My grandmother Jane Craven told me about an uncle in New York who was an inventor. She mentioned that he had invented a means to transmit messages by cable across the Atlantic Ocean and also a bicycle brake. She had heard that while he was waiting for more money for the latter, someone else got ahead of him with a similar invention. I later found out that the uncle was Wm. Leggo. On March 4, 1858, about seven months before my grandfather Roderick was born and before the family arrived at Londesboro, Elizabeth Eleanor Craven was married to William Augustus Leggo of Quebec. In 1956, my parents received the following article, sent to Guy and Vina Craven by Guys cousin, Ethel Benn21 with this note: Dear Guy and Vina: Recently there was an article in our Montreal Daily Gazette, about all the wonderful inventions of our Uncle William A. Leggo Aunt Elizabeths husband. He was a very clever man. It is nice to see it recognized in the newspaper. Transcription from fading newspaper article: From the Montreal Daily Gazette, Saturday, October 13, 1956 All Our Yesterdays By Edgar Andrew Collard The Man Who Brought Photos to the Press
21

daughter of Charlotte (Craven) Benn

39

One day in the spring of 1871 William A. Leggo stood with his photographic equipment before Montreals new Custom House. The sky was overcast and did not provide the best conditions for taking photographs. But William A. Leggo had reasons of his own for wanting to take photographs on a cloudy day. The out-of-door picture of the new Custom House was taken on a thin negative. William Leggo immediately went with his apparatus to the offices of the Canadian Illustrated News, on St. Francois Xavier Street. There he worked with screen and plates until he had produced a positive. The positive was skilfully retouched, with the clouds and highlights being scraped in. From the retouched positive a negative was made, then a photo lithographic transfer, which was transferred to stone. On June 3, 1871, The Canadian Illustrated News covered its front page with an illustration of the The New Custom House, made by Leggos Granular Negative Process. William Leggo had succeeded, at least substantially, in transferring an actual photograph to the printed page. It was his first successful attempt to produce something near to the halftones of the newspaper press of today. William A. Leggo was a man of remarkable inventive resourcefulness. He had been born at Quebec, on January 25, 1830. His father had been an engraver, and William had become an apprentice in his fathers workshop. When 17 years of age he had gone to Boston to perfect his skills. As the years passed, William Leggo became more and more interested in the problems of reproducing photographs by the printing press. At that time photographs had been reproduced in print only by having an artist make a drawing from the photograph and by having his drawing cut in wood. In many old books of the period a finely executed woodcut will have at its lower right-hand corner a line of type stating, From a photograph. *** Occasionally, it is true, books were illustrated with photographs. But in each case an actual photograph was pasted upon a sheet of stiff paper (often almost cardboard) and bound with the other leaves of the book. It was William Leggos ambition to develop some more direct method of reproduction, by which the photograph itself could be printed. In his researches in photolithography, William Leggo worked together with his three brothers, Thomas, Edward and Henry. In 1867--the year of Canadian Confederationthe four Leggo brothers moved to Montreal. At that time George Edward Desbarats was promoting an illustrated magazine to be published under the name of The Canadian Illustrated News and which would follow the example of the celebrated London News. The original plan was to reproduce artists drawings and sketches by means of woodcuts. But William Leggo and his brothers became associated with Desbarats in his project and carried on their investigation into the possibility of having a magazine actually illustrated

40 with photographs. After many experiments in breaking up the shadows of photographs by the use of cross-lined screens, William Leggo achieved his very real triumph with his picture of the new Montreal Custom House. In the same year he protected his invention with British Patent No.1409. The practical success achieved by William Leggo and his brothers led them and George Desbarats to look to the United States for a wider field of enterprise. They formed the Canadian Company, headed by Sir Francis Hinks, and, with $750,000 in gold, they established it in New York in 1872. The new venture was named The Graphic Company and its offices were at 39 and 41 Park Row. Certainly at 39 and 41 Park Row a magnificent studio enabled William Leggo to carry on his experiments. In fact it was known as the most completely equipped photomechanical plant on the American continent. William Leggos studio was on the roof under a skylight of crystal glass measuring 60 by 25 feet. There stood a battery of lenses and seven cameras, the lenses being the finest that Ross and Dallmeyer could furnish. The camerasan invention of William Leggowere of cast iron. One was of formidable dimensions, looking like a piece of ordnance. With a Ross lens six feet in focal length, it took negatives measuring thirty-six by twenty-four inches. As the roof of the building on Park Row provided light, so did its basement provide darkness. And in order that the studio on the roof might be connected conveniently with the dark room in the basement, a dumb waiter carried the plate holders up and down. The Graphic Company prospered. It obtained contracts from the Patent Office of the United States and contracts for the reproduction of government maps. In order to advertise its processes more widely and to exploit the almost untouched field of the illustrated newspaper, it founded the New York Daily Graphic. The first issue appeared on March 4, 1873, marking the entry of the first daily illustrated newspaper into the world. *** In his studio on Park Row, William Leggo not only experimented with photo lithographic processes but dreamed also of filling the skies with aircraft. At a time when air travel was still a matter of balloons, William Leggo conceived a machine which he called the aerovolt. William Leggos aerovolt would seem to have been a form of glider. It was devised to glide with the currents of the air, in a manner similar to the tacking of water craft, except that the motion would be in a vertical instead of in a horizontal plane. To raise his craft from the ground, he proposed to inject steam or hot air, or other buoyant media, into a number of chambers.

41 William Leggos announcement lacked nothing in enthusiasm. He pictured a day when the air will be alive with aerovolts, and when they would have to avoid one another by turning to the right or to the left, or passing above or below. Then turning to the investor, he made his pleas. Its financial aspect, he concludes, is one of boundless magnitude, inaugurating, as it will a new field for business enterprise and offering to capitalists a rare opportunity for extensive and successful investments. In his aerovolt William Leggo was somewhat beyond the reach of his time, and the investments, if any, were neither very extensive nor very successful. But he turned to other things. He devised a means of speeding the transmission of messages by telegraph and cable. The rate of transmission over the Atlantic cable was then only a few words a minute but Leggos method would have speeded the words on their way several hundred times more rapidly. Though many circulars were printed, investment was not forthcoming. It is said that the manufacturers of cable discouraged the idea, as it would have cut down their production. Yet Leggos method, though not accepted in his day, is similar to that now used for rapid radio code transmission. William Leggos imagination passed rapidly from one field to another. His inventions were both great and small. Some proved practical and some did not. But all showed him to be a man of great range of vision, often reaching out beyond his time, towards things later realized by others. Though frequently in New York, William Leggo maintained his headquarters at Montreal, and left most of the routine work at Park Row to his brothers. About 1885 he decided to make his home at Lachute, in the Province of Quebec. He and his family drove from Montreal with horses, and took up their residence in a big stone house where the MacKimmie Bakery now stands. He also purchased a farm, where he and his family lived during the summertime, and moved to the stone house in the town for the winter. It was in his house in the country on a July day in 1915, that William Leggo died. (This is the end of the newspaper article.) June 20/96 at the Manitoba Genealogy Society, Winnipeg, I looked at Memorial Stone Inscriptions, Lachute Protestant Cemetery, Incorporated 1915, published by the Quebec Family History Society. Page 18, No. 616 has this information: William Augustus LEGGO born January 25, 1830 died July 21, 1915 in his 86th year and Elizabeth Eleanor CRAVEN his wife born May 31, 1839 died January 15, 1920. Other inscriptions related to three of their children. Laura H. Nellie dearly beloved wife of Robert E. Lowry and daughter of the late W. A. Leggo entered into rest May 18, 1911. John C. Leggo Jack born June 30, 1878 died January 3, 1911; Harry died February 7, 1881 aged 9 years, beloved sons of William A. and Eliz. E. Leggo.

42 The two pages below re Leggo & Desbarats were copied from the internet.

43

William A. Leggo A sampling of Patents awarded to William Augustus Leggo:

1863 Leggotype, Photomechanical reproduction 1869 An Improvement to a Photographic Camera 1869 Granular Photography 1870 Electro-Metallic Printing 1881 Leggos Automatic Telegraph Receiving Medium 1881 Leggos Telegraph Key 1887 Telegraphy Alphabet

The inventor also received a patent for a dirigible design.

44 Charlotte Craven married Alfred Benn of Montreal. June 3, 1873. The Lovells Montreal Directory for 1887-8822 listed two people by the name of Benn. One was Alfred Benn, Manager for Goldie & McCullough Safes & Machinery, 298 St. James, h 33 Mackay. The other was Robert Benn, 37 Metcalfe. There are individual photos of Alfred, Charlotte and Robert at the McCord Museum, Montreal taken Feb. 20, 1882. (Museum had no information except date.) Alfred and Charlotte had a son Robert who was born in 1879 so the other Robert may have been Alfreds brother. A business card in Lottie Cravens album indicated the following: R H D Benn, F.C.S. Associated with Dr. J. T. Donald, Official Analyst to the Dominion Government, Analytical and Consulting Chemist. There was no date but this was possibly their son. There were several cards in the album from her Aunt Charlotte. See footnote pg. 19 re the Benns in the1901 census. Origin of the Name of Craven, Saskatchewan Book: Wpg. Centennial Library. Whats in a Name? Travelling through Saskatchewan with the story behind 1600 place names, edited by E.T. Russell, Western Producer Book Service, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 1973. Craven is close to the south end of Lost Mountain Lake. The Hudsons Bay Company had a store there in the early years and its first name was La Fourche or The Forks. It was here that the old trading trail north out of Regina branched to one side or the other of Lost Mountain Lake; it went northwest to the Elbow or straight north to link up with the Carlton Train at Humboldt. When the homesteaders moved in they petitioned that the post office be called Sussex. This was refused because there was already a Sussex in the Maritimes. The postal officials sent a list of names to the people and they chose an equally British name, Craven, which honors William Craven (1606-1697), Earl of Craven, an ardent English Royalist. Note in the write-up on Gainsborough, Saskatchewan the following is mentioned: A well known pioneer of the district was Ed Burke who came to the area in 1894. Farming 8000 acres of land he harvested a crop of 240,000 bushels of wheat in 1910. On more than one occasion Mr. Burke shipped an entire trainload of wheat from Gainsborough.23

22 23

microfilmed from the original at National Library of Canada, published 1986 My sister-in-law, Noreen Craven is related to the Burkes of Gainsborough.

45 Chapter 2. Great Grandparents Cuthbert/Armstrong

Thomas Cuthbert, Jane Armstrong and family Ontario See write-up in Harvests of Time, p.361-362 by granddaughter Catherine Schultz (nee Cuthbert). Following is an excerpt: The family of Thomas Cuthbert migrated from the town of Elanor, Sligo County, Ireland sometime before 1835. They settled at Orangeville, Ontario. There the two sons grew up and married and lived on adjoining farms. Thomas married Jane Armstrong. Around March 15, 1887, Thomas and Jane Cuthbert and sons George, Thomas, John, Albert, James and Arthur, and daughters Catherine, Jane and Susan left Orangeville, Ontario for the western prairie with two carloads of settler effects.

46 Thomas Cuthbert and Jane Armstrong were born near Orangeville and Mona Mills, Mono Township, Ontario in 1836 and 1842 respectively. Their parents were John and Elinor Cuthbert and James and Catherine Armstrong. In Canada, all were farming. My ggrandparents were married in 1867. When they moved to Manitoba in 1887 with their nine children, the eldest George was about 19, the youngest Arthur 4 and my grandmother Jane 16 years old. George, who wrote about the journey to Manitoba indicated that they left Orangeville. His obituary, however, states having come here with his parents from Mona Mills, Ont.. The obituary for my grandmother Jane (Cuthbert) Craven indicates that she was born near Orangeville (Feb. 26, 1871). The obituaries for her sisters Catherine and Susan show that they were born at Mona Mills, Ontario Sept. 29, 1869 and Oct. 24, 1877. The marriage record for Jane (Cuthbert) Craven indicates that she was born in the County of Dufferin. Near Orangeville (7 miles) is the town of Mona Mills which is in Mono Township. Mono Township in the middle 1800s was part of Simcoe County and is now part of Dufferin County.24 Dufferin County was created in 1881 by townships transferred from Wellington, Grey and Simcoe Counties. Orangeville is in both Dufferin and Wellington Counties.25 An article sent to me by a librarian at Orangeville Library about a Garvey family who settled in Mono Township in1858 states the following: Orangeville had not yet become a centre of importance and Mono Mills was regarded as the business centre of the district. There is no 1851 census for Mono Township26 Census lists for 1861, 1871 and 1881 indicate that the Cuthberts and Armstrongs lived closer to Mono Mills. Further research could probably pinpoint the exact locations of their farms.

24 25

Orangeville Public Library, correspondence 1995 LDS 26 Orangeville Public Library

47

48 Census and Other Records 1861 census reel no. C-1073, Dist. 1, Mono Township, Simcoe County, On., page 14, line 1, 2 and 3, (viewed at Winnipeg Centennial Library) shows:27 *ELENOR CUTHBERT b. Ireland, Methodist, age 60, widow, log 2 storey house John Cuthbert b. Canada, age 26 *Thomas Cuthbert b. Canada, age 24 (Leonas ggrandfather, b. Aug. 15, 1836) (Census age was to be age on next birthday.) Our family seemed to have no record of Elenors husbands name until Laura (Craven) Norrie prepared family group sheets after interviewing a number of Cuthbert cousins and indicated the name as John. Lee Cuthbert who said his grandparents were Irene and Jim Cuthbert, stated, on a Cuthbert internet message board, that his gggrandfather John Cuthbert was in the military and was referred to as a soldier of foot. I havent contacted Lee and dont know his source for this information. That sounds like a literal translation from French of foot soldier. Descendants of Thomass brother John (online)28 also indicate the name as John, estimating birth date as about 1800 and death date between 1835 and 1861. On the same reel as Cuthbert relatives, C-1073, line 33-39: *JAMES ARMSTRONG, Yeoman, b. Ireland, Church of England, age 60 *CATHARINE ARMSTRONG, b. Ireland, Church of England, age 60 John b. Canada, C of E, age 22 *Jane age 18 (Leonas ggrandmother, b. Mar. 15, 1842) Catherine 16, James 14, Susan 13 (It is interesting to note that ggrandmother Janes three daughters were apparently named after herself and her two sisters. There was also a Thomas and a John) It was indicated that they lived in a two storey log house. On the 1861 census there was a Mary Armstrong, age 80 born Ireland, Presbyterian, widow (seems to be gggrandfather James mother). 1871 Census of Ontario, Reel No. C-9959, Mono Cardwell listed the following: (40. Cardwell C-1 Mono 1871 sub district Mono, Division No. 1, John McBrien enumerator), Cuthbert at page 7. #1 John McBrien & family #2 Cuthbert, Thomas, 30, born Ontario, C. of E., Irish, Farmer Cuthbert, Jane, 30, born Ontario, C. of E., Irish Children: George 2, Catherine 1, Mary Margret 2/12 February

27 28

* = direct line ancestors Alan Brenholt, Rosemead, CA, USA and Kenneth J. Smith, MI, USA have submitted files to LDS.

49 Mary Margret was not listed with the family on the 1881 census and probably died in Ontario between 1871 and 1881. #3 Cuthbert, John, 37, born Ontario, C. of E., Irish, Farmer Cuthbert, Matilda Jane, 34, born Ireland, C. of E. Children: Ellen Maria 8, John 7, George A. 4, Louise 1 (#82 Owen Garvey, 56, b Ireland, R.C., Irish, Farmer, wife Bridgett 38 an early pioneer mentioned in a Mono Mills article sent from Orangeville Library. It gave some names of early settlers in this district including Armstrong and McBrien. Attached also was a write-up about the Orange Lodge. One of the W (worthy?) Masters was James Armstrong and I think by the date it was very likely my gggrandfather.)) Still continuing Dist. 40 Cardwell, 1871, C-1 Mono: #92 Armstrong, James 64, born Ireland, C. of E., Irish, Farmer Children: James Jr. 33, Susan 30 (both born Ontario) This seems to be our James Armstrong (though age is only 4 yrs more than the previous census 10 years ago) and Catherine would have died some time between 1861 and 1871. Information received from the Orangeville Public Library shows a Catherine wife of James Armstrong died Dec 7, 1863 age 57 yrs. This is the inscription on a tombstone located in a cemetery in Mono Township, Dufferin County, St. Johns Cemetery Section E, No. 38C. Another inscription, No. 38A reads In memory of James Armstrong who died 3, April 1881 aged 74 years. St. Johns cemetery is located on the 7th line between Five Sideroad and Hockley. No. 38B, a daughter born in 1833, Elizabeth daughter of James & Catherine Armstrong died 23 Dec.1850, aged 17 yrs, 4 mo. and this verse: Like springs first flower she passed away, Mid innocence and bloom: To flourish in a brighter world, Far, far beyond the tomb. My great grandmother, Jane Armstrong would have been 7 years old when her sister died. In 1861 the Armstrongs listed John 22 (Jane was then 18). There was a John Armstrong age 33 in the 1871 census, married, #97 on the list. 1881 census Reel C-13253 Cardwell-Mono for Cuthbert and Armstrong: (see next page) By this time, brother John, Matilda and family had moved to Arthur, Wellington North, Ontario. From there it seems they went to Chicago, USA area. Brother John was married 11 July 1861 at Mono, Simcoe County, Ontario to Matilda Jane Carson and died 1911, burial Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois. Matildas fathers name was John Carson, mothers name unknown. Matilda was born in Ireland, died after 1900, Chicago.

50 A copy of the 1881 Canadian Census Household Records for The Thomas and John Cuthbert families follows:

51

52 Manitoba At the time the Cuthberts were travelling to Manitoba, forest fires had raged through the southwest area so there were few building materials. They brought with them by train, two carloads of settlers effects which included lumber, horses, cows, a pig and hens. The account of their journey through Ontario and Manitoba to their homestead, by their eldest son George, has been published in various places.29 This is a retyped copy from Isabel M. Reekies Along the Old Melita Trail (1965): My Homestead Experience in Manitoba, by Geo. Cuthbert, written in 1926 My mother, father and we nine children left Orangeville30, Dufferin County, Ont., around March 16, 1887, for the western prairies. There were other settlers and two carloads of settlers effects. We left Orangeville about 10 p.m., and arrived in Toronto around 11:30. We got to the Northern Yards after a lot of trouble, and my brother and I were left in charge of the two cars while Mother and Father, and the other children went on in another train. We were sidetracked, and though we expected to go out any minute, we sat there for a couple of hours and nothing happened. There were two carloads of horses from Owen Sound that were going west too, and we were all thinking we had been left behind. Two men by the name of Kidd owned these horses, and had been over the road, so they decided to go back to the station to see what the trouble was. The agent thought we had gone before, but he soon got us moving. Very soon a yard engine came and gave us such a bunt, it nearly sent the horses on their heads. You should have heard the swearing! Then they shot us on another track and left us there, so we all went to the office again. The two horsemen really lit into the station agent about shunting us around, but I kept quiet as I was young and green on the job. Soon after that another gave us another shunt and we finally left Toronto about 3 a.m., with 33 cars of settlers effects. My brother and I stayed in our car all night, and had lots to eat and drink. Next morning when I got up and opened the door, the wind was blowing from the front of the train, and I got my eyes full of cinders these kept me busy for a while. It was not too long until we pulled into North Bay, and overtook the rest of the family. We then all got on the same train and things really brightened up. We had lots of fun, as there were then 40 cars on the move. We kept the conductor on the go, as we wouldnt give him our passes to be punched, and he thought we were bumming our way. One morning we were in the car eating and drinking, when the conductor came in and said he would see our passes or know the reason why. He grabbed the side of the door and I gave
29

This article was originally written for a Grain Growers Guide Contest. The original handwritten copy was returned when it did not win a prize. Many years later it was discovered in an old trunk and was retyped in March 1965 by Catherine, the second youngest daughter. Portions from this article were published in Along the Old Melita Trail (1965) and in Harvests of Time (1983). A search of Archives Canada reveals that a copy has been deposited at Glenbow Archives, Sask. By William G. Schultz, Catherines husband.
30

Orangeville was near Mono Mills. Georges obituary and that of some of the rest of the family state that they came from Mono Mills.

53 it a push. It caught his fingers, and he left, very mad, to get his hand bandaged up. W.A. Cooper, who was with me, went back and told the family what we had done. When the conductor came back in the coach he said there were fellows beating their way out and said he would catch them before he got to the end of the division. We all started laughing and asked him what happened to his fingers. We finally arrived at Fort William. The supply of drinks was exhausted, so a bunch of us struck out for the hotel to get a fresh supply. Father came along with the rest of us. We replenished the supply and started back to the train. It gave a toot-toot, and everyone began running. We were all over mud when we got there, as there were no sidewalks, just mud and tree stumps. Some of the men did not want to take their drinks to the coach, so father and a lot of the other men went to the stock train. They got to the wrong door, but managed to get it open. It was too high for father to get in, so he said, Catch me by the leg and throw me in. We managed to get him in just as the train was starting, so we had to stay in the stock car until we got to the next station. You should have heard the women and children laugh when we got back to the coach all over mud and wet some of us were laughing and some swearing. After that everything was quiet until we arrived in Winnipeg. We struck Winnipeg about 10 a.m. and there was a real uproar, with everyone heading every direction. There were no sidewalks, just planks end to end, and mud all around. Father and I and others started up Main St. to get provisions. We went to a little store a bit south of Manor House, and who was running it but a man from Orangeville. It was like getting money from home, meeting someone we were acquainted with. We went back to the car, brought the whole family back for dinner and stayed until four in the morning. After that we started on our journey for Deloraine, which was the end of the line and a new town. Then began the hustle and bustle of getting the horses off the train. They had been on for 10 days, and staggered like drunk men when they got off. We also had lumber and machinery to unload. We got our wagons loaded and started on the 45 mile trip to our homestead. Father took sick, so my brother and I started out west of the Souris River following the old correction line. We took a pilot with us as we were strangers in a strange land. We arrived at the Souris River about sundown, and there was two feet of water over the ice. We were afraid to cross, but the pilot said it was all right, so we went across to Gould and Elliotts Store on the river bank at dark, and stayed there all night. They gave us young fellows real praise for coming west. I was not yet l8 and my brother was younger. Next morning we started for the end of our journey up the North Antler to a farm belonging to Roddie McDermit on 34-1-29. There was a little log cabin 12 by 16 feet. We unloaded our stuff and fed our horses, and got back to Sourisford that night. We got back to Deloraine on the third night and I really thought this was a terrible country. Next morning we loaded our livestock three dozen hens, one brood sow and three cows.

54 Saturday morning we made our second start. The whole family was with us now. Soon after we left it began to snow and rain, which made it very unpleasant for everyone. We stopped for dinner at Mr. Underhills, which was about halfway between Deloraine and Sourisford. There were 14 teams in the bunch when we started again. We finally reached the bank of the Souris and that was when the fun began, as the river had risen and the ice had disappeared. Mother and the smaller children began to cry. They thought we would all be drowned if we tried to cross, so we decided to send the cows first. They landed safely on the other side about 50 yards further downstream. Our wagon boxes were chained on so they could not float off the wheels. I was on the lead wagon, so started across and headed upstream as I had been instructed. The water was up the horses backs, so mid the squealing of the pig and the squawking of hens, a badly scared young fellow made it safely to the other side. All the others got across all right, but we were all like drowned rats. The next day was Easter, and we had an egg eating contest. I ate 15, but didnt have a chance as Mr. Gould who ran the store had 24, and wanted to bet us that he could eat some more - none of us took him on. Next day we proceeded on our way and arrived at the old log house around noon. We were on the bank of the North Antler, so got our stove unloaded and got dinner ready. There was an old barn built in the side of the ravine, and we had bought a few bales of hay, which cost $30 a ton, so we had feed and shelter for our stock. There was an early spring that year and the few settlers that were there had started seeding. Some were working with their milk cows, and we thought it was the funniest thing we had seen for a long time. Father had been out in 1886, and had got a homestead in township 3, range 28, but he did not know how to find it, so we looked around to get some land to seed. We finally got 15 acres on Mr. McDermits second homestead, which we planted in wheat. We got another 25 acres about six miles east of where we were and this we seeded in oats. After we finished seeding we got three tons of hay at $40 and 200 bushels of oats at 90 cents a bushel to feed our livestock. We had to haul this about 10 miles. Father got a man by the name of Dann to help him locate his land. He also found a shack with a sod room on the back this was to be part of our future home. There was a sod stable too, and we boys had to sleep in it. Thus we were settled again. When we started to plough the fun began, as we did not know how to set the shares to plough the prairie sod. After about 10 days a couple of old-timers came along, and they showed us how to set the plough for breaking. The mosquitoes were very bad and nearly drove me and the horse crazy. We wore netting over our hats all the time, and gloves, and had to build smudges for the horses every night. We camped at the homestead only going home Saturday nights. On Sundays we used to go to church, which was held in different homes. People came on horseback or in wagons with teams of horses or oxen. This was very different to what we

55 were used to in Ontario, and it took nearly all day to make the trip. Our neighbors were few and far between we could only see four houses, no matter which direction we looked. The nearest blacksmith was 15 miles away, and I used to put four shares in a bag and carry them on my back to get them sharpened, getting home around midnight. Id like to see some of our young men of today try that! We got 45 acres broke then quit, as we had to haul lumber from Deloraine. We dug five wells before we got water. We did this so we would know where to build the house and have water close. After that we started hauling lumber from Deloraine. We made 14 trips to that burg, and between mosquitoes and bad roads we had plenty of trouble. We got stuck seven times in the blind Souris with 1200 feet of lumber and then the swearing started! We had to carry the lumber out on our backs, as the horses even had trouble pulling out the empty wagon. We finally got the lumber home and house built, and then things didnt seem so bad. The mosquitoes even disappeared! We had a barn building bee, and men came from miles around and helped us put up a sod stable the walls were completed in one day. The next problem was harvesting, as binders were very scarce, but a couple of young bachelors, Rod Craven (who later became my brother-in-law) and Frank Campbell bought a binder and cut grain all over the country. They worked day and night, changing horses and using a lantern on the binder at night. They cut over 600 acres, and that was a lot of grain for those binders. A horse powered threshing machine came in that fall and threshed us all. The yield was good and it all went No One Northern. When winter came the trouble started again. There was no coal in those days, so we had to go to the Souris River or to the Turtle Mountains. (One was 15 miles away and the other a bit further.) It was tough going that winter as there was two or three feet of snow. We used to leave around five in the morning and get home at 11 or later at night sometimes not until the next morning. However, we managed men had to be rough and tough. The year of 88 was pretty good, we got our crop in early and started breaking again. We got about 80 acres done, but the mosquitoes were so bad that sometimes in the afternoon, we had to unhitch the horses and make a smudge for them. The crop that year was pretty good, but not as much as in 87. More settlers were coming in and we were having more fun. We had a bachelors picnic there were 25 single men and three married at it, but no ladies. We had an oxen race, which was fun as the oxen ran all different directions, a pony race; tug of war; and had a few speeches. It was a very successful picnic.

56 In November 1887 I took up my own homestead31, but lived at home for two years and helped out there. In 1888 and 1889, I got 40 acres broke, and in 89, I built a sod house and began batching. I bought an old pair of oxen, but had never driven one before. Being left-handed, I got on the wrong side of them and they ran away, taking my plough with them. After I got my plough fixed I started again and things went fine. I got 25 acres broke that year. It was a very dry season, but father bought a binder, so I got my crop cut. I only had 76 bushels off my 40 acres. It cost $20 to get threshed, so I had very little to last me the next year. I bought two cows and they kept me that winter. It was a very dull life for a young fellow and many times I cursed the country, but I had left home and wouldnt give in and go back. George continued on here about his homestead experiences and that is included later. In the meantime, his parents and the rest of the family were continuing to establish their homestead. Homestead of Thomas Cuthbert and Jane (Armstrong) Cuthbert: Manitoba Archives had the following information for the Thomas Cuthbert homestead: Built house July 1887, 18 x 24 value $300.00, stable 18 x 50, value $100.00, age 54. Family consists of wife and nine children; residence on homestead wife and eight children in residence with me. (At that time George was also homesteading.) In 1890 had 9 horses, 10 cattle. A letter from Dept. of Interior, Dominion Lands Branch, Brandon (to lawyers in Winnipeg), March 28, 1905 indicates the following: records show that Thomas Cuthbert made military homestead entry for the West half of Section 18-3-28W on 31st July 1886 and was recommended for his patent on 3rd November 1890. The homestead records indicated that Thomas Cuthbert received a military grant. I didnt know what this related to but it seemed likely it was the Northwest Rebellion. I had this note (not sure of source): Northwest Rebellion, 1885 Records: Those who served were eligible for a grant of land in Western Canada and the grants are documented in the records of the Dept. of the Interior, RG15, 0119, vols. 1629-1644,) . For further research see ArchiviaNet, Library and Archives Canada re Western Land Grants (1870-1930). A search for Thomas Cuthbert in the above online site produced a record of his homestead location, 1 W 18 3 28 WI and references: Liber: 69, Folio 344, File reel number C-5991. August 5, 1891, their daughter Jane married Roderick Craven.

31

Leonas note: George Cuthbert was my grandmother Cravens eldest brother. My grandfather William Dandys homestead was on the same section as George Cuthberts, 12-3-29. It is also where I lived from age 2-16. Our home was on the SE section and the Cuthbert home was on the NW . Dec. 22, 1900, George eloped with Tressa Pummell.. She died in 1919 of the flu and he remarried in 1921 to Phoebe Dandy. Phoebe was my grandfather William Dandys cousin (their fathers were brothers). She had a sister Bertha (Bertie) and a brother Charlie, both single, and a sister Minnie Allen. George passed away in 1927; Phoebe died in July 1962, leaving the farm to the Cuthberts.

57 More Cuthbert Information There were good and bad years. The boys got married and lived in the district. The girls also married and lived in the area all their lives except Susan who moved to B.C. After some years all the men except George left for greener fields.32 Great grandmother Jane Cuthbert is mentioned in Along the Old Melita Trail: p.12 Mrs. Cuthbert was not easily daunted by the problems of the new life. When her pioneer hens refused to cluck after laying an adequate supply of eggs, she put the eggs in a warmly lined box and kept them at a suitable temperature with sealers of hot water. Her venture was successful, all but two of the fifteen eggs hatching. And when she churned and no one was going to town she walked the two miles with her freshly made butter to trade it for groceries at one of the stores in Pierson. p.65 Among those who were capable kindly midwives in this area were Mrs. Thomas Cuthbert senior, Mrs. Burrill, Mrs. F. McRae (Widow McRae), Mrs. S. Goforth and Mrs. J.T. Hall.. These pioneer midwives, called on at any time of the day or night, travelled in whatever conveyance came for them, stoneboat, buckboard or wagon. Besides the midwives mentioned above there were many others who helped neighbor women in time of needin fact there probably wasnt a pioneer woman who wasnt called upon at one time or another to help out at childbirth or during illness. Great grandfather Thomas Cuthbert died at Melita, November 7, 1899. The Vital Statistics register gives his age as 63 years, 3 months, 24 days. It states that he was a farmer and belonged to the Church of England. He had been ill for about 2 years and cause of death was insular sclerosis. The informant was George Cuthbert of Pierson. 1928 obituary for Jane (Armstrong) Cuthbert, Melita paper Through the death of Jane Armstrong, widow of the late Thomas Cuthbert, this district loses one of its notable women, one who has been spoken of by the pioneers as a most remarkable woman indeed. Owing to the manner through which she combated the hardships of pioneer days, and while faithful to the great responsibility resting upon her in the home, she was loyal and devoted to the Anglican Church, of which she was a member for many years. Owing to a serious accident which occurred early in March, she had been confined to her bed the greater part of the time and passed peacefully away Sunday evening, August 19th, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. Sterling, with whom she has resided for some time. Mrs. Cuthbert was in her 87th year. She was married in the year 1867, coming west in the spring of 87 and with her husband settled on a farm north of Pierson, where they resided
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P. 362, Harvests of Time

58 for several years, moving later to Melita. Mr. Cuthbert passed away during their residence there in the year 1898.

Great Grandma Jane (Armstrong) Cuthbert Following a brief service at the house, conducted by Rev. F. W. Armstrong, pastor of the United Church, service was held at St. Johns Anglican Church, Pierson, Mr. Brook, minister in charge officiating. The funeral was largely attended by friends from Melita, Elva and Pierson. Floral tributes were numerous and beautiful. Six grandsons acted as pallbearers, George and Gordon Sterling; Guy and Russell Craven and James and Errol Cuthbert. Of a family of nine children, seven survive. These are Thomas of Elva, John of Vancouver, James of Lampman, Sask., Arthur of Corning; Mrs. Robt. Skelton, Chilliwack, B.C., Mrs. Craven of Pierson, and Mrs. E. Sterling, Elva. There are also

59 forty-five grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren. Interment was made in Pierson cemetery. Continuation of George Cuthberts homestead experience: In the spring of 1890, I had no implements except a walking plough. I sold a cow to a settler who had just come and that gave me a little money. I bought 300 bushels of oats and seed wheat on time. I also got a wagon from Frost and Wood for $75 on time, and promised to pay half in the fall. In July, I bought a mower from Massey Co., and gave them a note also. I managed to seed 65 acres, 50 of wheat and 15 of oats. I was broke, so broke up 10 acres for a young fellow for $2 an acre. It took me nine days, but I had some money to live on. I cut a lot of hay by myself, but worked with another young bachelor for harvesting and stacking our crop. After I paid my threshing and binder twine and the 200 bushels of oats which I had bought on time I had very little left. The machine companies were after me to pay the bills, so I managed to get enough money to pay the interest on the notes. My father had given me two young colts, two years old which I broke, and used to do my running around. That winter we had a pretty good time, as there were a few more bachelors, and we used to get together, play cards, and have stag dances. We also had boxing gloves, which made the evening exciting as some of the men did not like to get tapped on the nose. We always ended up with a good sing song. Getting back to making a living, I had a cow, two calves, and got a job hauling a few loads of wheat to give me spending money. The year of 91 was good for crop planting, so I put in all the land I had broken. The crops were heavy, mine run 40 bushels an acre. I got it stacked up, but did not get it threshed until June 1892. I had bought a binder from Harris Co. that fall intending to pay for it with my crop, so that winter I had all three companies after me like a bear after a pig. I couldnt pay any of them, so on goes interest of 12 percent on my notes. Every month they would send out a new man to give me hell. They all wanted a Chattel Mortgage on my next year crop, and also on my stock, or they would all sue me at once. My mistake was not just dealing with one company. One was afraid the other might get a few cents. But I didnt give a Chattel and I didnt get sued either, although they nearly drove me mad dunning me. The spring of 92 was backward, but we finally got our crops in, and a threshing machine was in sight. That spring I bought a mare for $175 and promised to pay for her in the fall. She died within three months. She took colic on Sunday noon and was dead within an hour, so that was $175 that went to the devil. I threshed 1500 bushels of wheat that year, and put in a granary. It turned soft and I couldnt sell it, so I was really up against it. The railroad went through in 1891 so we had a home market, but they wouldnt take my wheat in the warehouse. (There were no elevators.) Along came the bears after money again, so I asked them to take two carloads of wheat and make what they could out of it. I finally sold a few hundred bushels at 25 cents a bushel, paid the interest on the notes, and

60 let the man I bought the mare from wait. I wondered what to do, but thought, well, they cant hang me for debts. 1892 was a year that makes a poor man feel sick we got around five bushels an acre. When the trouble started again, I had decided to take a moonlight trip and take my stock with me. I pulled out all the wheat I had except 195 bushels which I was determined to hold. I paid the threshing bill and divided what was left among creditors, I think they got $33 each. They were going to sue me for more so I said, Go ahead and Ill jump the country, as I had nothing they could take except the machinery. There had been a lot go across the border, and they couldnt touch them unless they came back to this country again. I sold a few oats, paid a $30 grocery bill and a small blacksmith one, and decided to stay put. The year of 1893 was the poorest since 89. The weather was very dry until the middle of June, and then there were showers. I used a share a day breaking land, and finally got 25 acres broke. There wasnt much hay that year, as we had a bad prairie fire, and all the grass was burned out. We started cutting on July 30. The wheat ran three bushels an acre, and oats 15 an acre. The barley was no good. The dunners came again and wanted to chattel my cattle, but I said no. I was once again thinking of jumping the country. All I had to take was a few cattle, a team of horses and my oxen. Three families left, and I was alone. I was really discouraged. I couldnt pay my store bill and I wanted Mr. Gould to take a couple of steers, but he said, No, as he couldnt do anything with them. We had a good talk and I told him what I was thinking of doing I didnt want to go owing him. He advised me to stick for another year and not to let the store bill bother me. I totalled all my debts and they came to $1387, but I thought if I could get one good year I could pay them all. During the winter I did odd jobs, unloading coal and lumber, and made enough to keep me in fuel and groceries. Although we were all poor that year, we had some good times, playing cards and dancing at different homes. Occasionally, a movie would come to town also. I couldnt mail a letter for three months as I didnt have a stamp to put on it. Next spring, with a lot of long hours I got 160 acres of wheat in and the rest of the land in oats. The wheat went 16 bushels an acre and oats 40 bushels. The wheat sold at 90 cents, so I paid a $1,000 on my debts and a few bills in town, and still had a few bucks to call my own. That winter things were better. We had more settlers and had some good card games and dances. At Christmas, 16 of us bachelors got together for dinner. Among us was Jas. McConnell, the oldest pioneer of southern Manitoba, and W.S. Kenner, who later became our local merchant. Boy, we really cut loose that day! I didnt get home until the next day!

61 In 1895, I traded my oxen for an outfit of western broncos, paying the difference. I rented a quarter from the C.P.R. and seeded 65 acres. We got 14 bushels that year so I finally got all my debts paid. My stock was increasing and that winter was a bad one. There were no blowers then, and the straw bucks were all buried in the snow. We had to dig them out, then pile the straw on racks. This wasnt much fun in 30 and 40 below weather, with the wind blowing down your neck. The cattle were thin by spring, but they all pulled through. That year was a good one. The rain came at the right time, and I threshed 3,000 bushels of wheat and 2,500 of barley. That was the year I really got on my feet. I bought the C.P.R. quarter for $2.50 an acre cash. The spring of 1897 was backward, and that year we had a lighter crop. We still had lots of grain, but the prices were down a bit. I bought another four-horse outfit and hired a man to work for me at $18 a month. We did a lot of haying and breaking and had an average crop, which was all right as I had no debts to pay. I got married on December 22, 1900, to Tressa Pummell. We eloped I took my bride out of an upstairs window. I have had six children, one son and five girls. ..this was written in 1926. See also George and Tressa Cuthbert submitted by Catherine Schultz, Harvests of Time, (1983) p.359-360 Family of George Cuthbert (from Harvests of Time): Agnes Jane m Edwin (Fred) Cook Thomas James m Violet Georgina Finlay Nellie Irene (died 1919) Edith May m Gordon Duff Catherine Gertrude (Katie or Kay) m Emanuel (Manny) Schultz Florence Emeline (Toots) m Stephen Bentley. ******** Other Brothers and Sisters of my Grandmother Jane (Cuthbert) Craven: John and Edith Cuthbert Excerpts from John and Edith Cuthbert by Edith Duff, Harvests of Time, p.360-361 John and Edith went to Vancouver about 1907 and lived on Seventh Avenue in an old house with a barn at the back, sparsely populated in that area. John built a house at 62 and Main and they lived there for a good number of years. John Cuthbert built about sixty houses in the Dunbar area and South Vancouver. Edith died in 1953 and he passed away in 1960. They had six children: Irvin, Grace, Doris, Gordon, Kenny and Maurice. Kenny married, had one daughter and he passed away a good number of years ago. Maurice was with the Air Force in the war. He came back and was transporting lend lease planes back from the Canadian Government to United States.When flying back to Estevan, Saskatchewan, the

62 airplane crashed and twenty-one on board were killed in l946. Gordon and his wife had two daughters. He passed away in 1976. Grace, now Mrs. Harry Sawyer lives at Sechelt, British Columbia. She has no children. Doris married Jack Stevenson. He has gone. Doris lives in Kamloops and has one daughter and one son. Irwin married Hazel Johns and he lives in Vancouver. Before retiring he worked in the Bay mens exclusive shop and in the casual shop. They have two daughters and seven grandchildren and have been married fifty-two years. Irwins oldest grandson, Cameron Hyde, has a franchise for forty Work Wear World stores and they plan many more stores yet across the country. 33 Catherine (Kate) Cuthbert and Ed Sterling Excerpts from The Edward Sterling Family History by Earl Sterling, Harvests of Time, p.661 Catherine (Kate) married Ed Sterling Dec. 19, 1888. (Leonas note: He was born in Clinton, Ontario, the same area as Roderick Craven. Ed Sterlings sister Jane had married Rodericks eldest brother Richard, in Ontario.) Ed Sterling, age 20, headed west in the spring of 1881. He filed a homestead on NE 36-328 and returned to Winnipeg for the winter. He must have spent the winter doing some odd jobs besides gathering up the necessary supplies to return to his homestead in the spring. It is said, one of the jobs he had that winter was to help move the steam engine, the Countess of Dufferin across the ice on the Red River from the east side to the west side, there being no bridges at that time. He returned with his brother George who was to file on SE 36-3-28. They must have had considerable supplies and equipment because since the Souris River had flooded, it is reported that it took nine trips by ferry to move them over the river at a place called Old Man Morrisons Crossing. He and his brother built a sod shack on the line dividing the two homestead quarters. When Thomas Cuthbert arrived with his family from Orangevilleit did not take Ed Sterling long to find out that Thomas had a daughter, Catherine. Ed and Kate raised 7 children and 2 grandchildren. Children: Mable, Norman William, Edward Gordon, Wesley Irvin, Olive Elizabeth (1899-1900), George Arthur, Clifford John, Cuthbert Lewis. The 2 grandchildren were Ted and Pauline, children of Wesley and Marion Sterling. Their mother died when young. Grandfather built up a large farming operation around his original homestead; was considered an excellent horseman; took a great interest in good cattle and sheep. He built a fine new home in Melita, purchased 4 more quarters of land at Tilston, and bought the hardware store in Tilston in 1907. He moved his family to Tilston, eventually building a large new home beside the store, about 1910. The depression and the dirty thirties took their toll, not only financially, but physically. In 1936, they moved back to their home in Melita. The stable they had built for drivers was now used to house the Model T Ford that had now replaced the horse and buggy.
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Harvests of Time, published 1983

63

During all these years my Grandmother was never far away from his side; she worked many long hard days, up before daylight to make breakfast for the boys and hired men who drove the outfits of horses in the fields. Grandmother seemed to find the time to do some gardening, look after her fowl (which were hatched on the farm), bake her own bread, buns and biscuits. I especially remember the large bowls of homemade cottage cheese, for which it took the grandchildren some time to develop a taste. It seemed as though there was always some one of the family uncles, aunts and cousins coming from, or going to, far away places. There were family dinners, picnics and celebrations. Their home was always a favorite place to spend part of the summer holidays. In the 68 years my Grandparents made their home in southwest Manitoba, they made many friends. They enjoyed having people drop in for a visit. At Christmas they received hundreds of cards from all over Canada and the United States. Grandfather enjoyed reading. His mind was excellent and his eyesight good when he passed away March 16, 1949. Grandmother continued to live in their home in Melita with son Clifford, keeping in touch with her family and many friends until after a short stay in the hospital, she passed away on January 17, 1960. (She was age 91.) Family of Catherine Cuthbert, from her obituary: One daughter: Mrs. Geo. Nicol, of Burnaby, B.C. Six sons: Norman of Vancouver, B.C., Wes of Portland, Oregon, Cuthbert of Sarnia, Ontario, George and Gordon of Tilston, MB and Clifford of Melita, MB. At the time of her death she was survived by one sister, Mrs. Robt. Skelton of Chilliwack, B.C. and three brothers, John and Art of Vancouver, B.C. and Thomas of Pierson. Thomas Jr. and Evelyn Cuthbert Excerpts from The Thomas Cuthbert Jr. Family, Harvests of Time, p 362 Thomas Jr. was born at Orangeville, Ont. He filed a homestead north of Pierson, near his parents homestead, but sold it and bought land four and a half miles southwest of Elva 34-2-28. On Nov. 29, 1899, he married Mary Elizabeth Evelyn Patterson. They had a family of four, three daughters and one son: Olive Irene, Erroll Thomas, Mona Bernice, Jean Evelyn. The family moved to Toronto in 1910, where they built a home on Bousted Avenue; some years later they moved to Brandon, Man. And built the brick house at 410 Fourteenth St. (In 1983 it was the home of Dr. Enns.) In 1922 they moved back to live on their farm 34-2-28. They built a new home and lived there until they retired in 1942, and moved to Pierson to live in the house that Jack Pitt

64 had built. Mr. and Mrs. Cuthberts hobby was gardening and in the summer their yard was beautiful with flowers and shrubs. They belonged to St. Matthews Church in Brandon where Olive and Erroll sang in the choir. They were staunch supporters of Elva Anglican Church and Pierson Anglican Church until they both closed. Thomas Cuthbert died in Brandon General Hospital, March 20, 1963 and Mrs. Cuthbert died in Winnipeg Science Centre on March 29, 1963. Albert and Ada Cuthbert34 Excerpts from Albert and Ada Cuthbert History, submitted by Edith Duff, Harvests of Time, p. 357 Albert and Ada Cuthbert left Pierson and lived on a farm in Kinley, Saskatchewan with their family until he passed away at the end of World War I in 1918 with the flu. He lived on 7-2-28 before he went west. Children: Winnie, Spencer, Lucy, Georgina, Ruby. Winnie married Charlie Mitchell. They have no children and live at Ashcroft. One son, Spencer Cuthbert lives in Edmonton. He has two girls, Francis and Eileen. Lucy and her husband Mr. Anderson live in Vancouver. They have three children, one boy and two girls. Georgina is Mrs. Wales. She lives in Chula Vista, California. They have one daughter. Ruby was Mrs. Danielson. She lived in Victoria, but after suffering with a long illness she passed away in 1976. Bob and Susan Skelton Excerpts from Bob and Susan Skelton (nee Cuthbert), submitted by Edith Duff, Harvests of Time, p.647 Bob and Susan Skelton left Elva after selling their farm in 1912 and settled in Vancouver, British Columbia until 1914 when they built a new home in Chilliwack and moved there. Mr. Skelton and his oldest son owned and operated a Gents Furnishing Store for many years in Chilliwack. She had been an expert in many fields, including flower and produce cultivation, baking, butter making, sewing, quilting and rug hooking. For seven years she was on the executive of Chilliwack Agricultural Association as chairman of the fall fairs canned fruits and vegetable sections. One year she entered as many as 50 fair classes.35 Children: Two daughters: Mrs. Alex (Clara) Jamieson and Mrs. Henry (Myrtle) Eddie, both of Vancouver
34

On the back of a picture which looks like a marriage portrait, my mother has written Albert Cuthbert and his wife Erma, Brother of Jennie Craven. This probably should read Ada instead of Irma. 35 obituary of Susan (Cuthbert) Skelton

65 Two sons: Clifford and Norman, of Chilliwack. Adopted nieces: Mrs. Gunnar (Jennie) Wigard, Sechelt, B.C. and Mrs. David (Ruby) Danielson, Victoria. At the time of her death (July 23, 1962) she was survived by two brothers, Arthur Cuthbert, Whalley, B.C. and Thomas Cuthbert of Pierson. Jim and Edith Cuthbert Excerpts from Edith and Jim Cuthbert Sr., submitted by Harvey Cuthbert, Harvests of Time, p. 360 In 1911 he married Edith Johnson and they had a family of eight children: John, Clara, George, Edwin, Beatrice, Clayton, Sterling, Harvey. They homesteaded near Browning, Saskatchewan, and after several crop failures homesteaded again in the Peace River Block of British Columbia in 1929. Four of the family saw service overseas in World War II. John and Edwin were in Italy, and Clayton in Western Europe with the army. Harvey joined Royal Canadian Air Force and after completing a tour of operations with the Bomber Command, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Dad passed away in 1950 at the age of 72 years and when this was written (1983), Mother was in a seniors home in Fort Saskatchewan. The family is now pretty well scattered around British Columbia and Alberta. John and Clara (Smith) in Vancouver, British Columbia; George and Edwin in Kelowna, British Columbia; Beatrice (McKellar) in Dawson Creek, British Columbia; Clayton in Breton, Alberta; Sterling in Redwater, Alberta; and Harvey in Innisfail, Alberta. Arthur and Margaret Cuthbert Excerpts from Arthur and Margaret Cuthbert, submitted by Catherine Schultz, Harvests of Time, p. 357 Arthur married Margaret Stewart and farmed on 18-3-28 for some years. They had two children, a son Stewart and a daughter, Helen. The family moved to Fleming, Saskatchewan and then to the outer part of Vancouver where he had some land and holly trees. Margaret died and Arthur remarried. He was a man that enjoyed life in later years. He drove his car in the city. He square danced and bowled when he was quite old. He died sometime ago, but outlived his second wife. Leonas note: I was able to find Arthurs death date at B.C. Archives online: Arthur McIllroy Cuthbert, d. Vancouver March 28, 1969, age 85. Stewart got married and lived in Vancouver. He and Olive lived in Hong Kong for sometime. They spent a very worthy life helping exchange students who came over to

66 Canada. When they arrived they would go to Cuthberts and stay or Stewart would find them a place to live. Stewart died several years ago and Olive is still living in Vancouver. Helen married a Mr. Belisle and lived in Vancouver for a time. Her husband passed away and she is now living in Ontario. Some Cuthbert Write-ups: George and Tressa Cuthbert, submitted by Catherine Schultz, published in Harvests of Time, p.359 Edwin Cook History, submitted by Irene, Jim, Jean and Betty Cook, published in Harvests of Time, p.346 (married George Cuthberts daughter, Agnes) William D. Robertson, Harvests of Time, p.621 (married Edwin and Agnes daughter Irene) James Cook, Harvests of Time, p.346 (son of Edwin and Agnes) Mervyn Gemmill, Harvests of Time, p.423 (married Edwin and Agnes daughter Jean) Norman William Sterling History, Harvests of Time, p.662 Wesley Irvin Sterling History, Harvests of Time, p.663 Clifford John Sterling History, Harvests of Time, p.660 Cuthbert Lewis Sterling History, Harvests of Time, p.660 The Erroll Cuthbert Family, Harvests of Time, p.357 David and Jean (Cuthbert) Davies History, by the late Jean Davies, Harvests of Time, p. 371 Passages from Isabel M. Reekies Along the Old Melita Trail published by Modern Press, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, 1965 mentions Cuthbert relatives: p. 9, 12, 13, 65, 36, 149,169-171. Some Memories by Jim Cuthbert (abt 1984) (George Cuthberts son) copied from Lauras package; not in Harvests of Time: I remember my Dad was a Councillor for seventeen years and it seemed like there was always company at our house. I remember my Mother as being very good-natured during the commotion. There were times when there was sickness in our house. I believe it was 1914, the year they built the house, all the girls had Diphtheria. They had Whooping Cough sometime before that. I was lucky I never took sick with either of them.

67 I remember another time when I was sick. My cousin, Sandy, (Cuthbert Sterling) was at our place. We went to town and got a package of cigarettes and came home. My Dad had a big barn and a cattle barn; we were walking back and forth between the barns smoking cigarettes. We both got sick. We sat on the well. Mother came down, and Sandy oh boy was he heaving it up, so I got out of sight. Sandy told my Mother, I just took sick all of a sudden. She asked, Wheres Jim? Hes up putting down hay. I wasnt putting down hay; I was putting up hay. My parents phoned his father and mother and they came down with a bunch of cushions in the back seat of the car and took him home. We were both better in a couple of hours. We had the flu when my Mother died in 1919. I didnt go back to school after that; I started working hard. My Dad gave me a deal. He said, If you dont smoke, chew nor drink til youre 21, Ill give you a section of land and another set of horses. I already had a set of horses. In 1927 he gave me the land and I went down and worked on it near Cooks, coming back and forth, and then Dad died that year. Phoebes brother, Charlie Dandy was sick with Pneumonia, so Dad went to look after him. Charlie recovered, but Dad took sick and died. Shortly before that, in 1925-26, Dad and Phoebe took a trip. They left before Christmas and never came home until spring. She introduced him to relatives all over Ontario. They visited her sister in New York and came back to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. Dad bought a bull and some heifers and had them shipped home. Dad was in the horse business. I believe he had the biggest chain of horses in the district at that time. There were 47 head of horses on his sale bill. A sale used to start early in the morning at ten oclock and go right through to dark. I think Dads sale was a first sale for J. Baldwin, Auctioneer. It was a big sale and all he would take was $100.00. Now Bob Baldwin took 10% straight through at our sale and he does at all the other sales, and that guys a millionaire. Then I couldnt afford to buy a new dress and run away, so I had to get married (1928). That year was the best crop I ever had. I thought, gosh if I was going to make money like this, Ill have so much money I wont know what to do, so I bought a new car. In 1932, believe you me, you didnt know where the next nickle was coming from, so I went the first winter in 32 and in 33 and put up hay. I went with the folks in 1934 and put up hay; Violet milked 14 cows while I was away. I think the time we went was one of the best winters we ever had because there were parties at houses and if there wasnt a party, thered be a dance in Hudson, the nearest place for dances. Get a little horse money. I think theyd charge you 25 cents between the horses and then the old man would leave you with 50 cents. We got paid for playing for

68 the dances. A couple of dollars then was like 6 or 7 now. Vi played the violin, Emery Miller and I played the fiddles, Bill Hart played the guitar. We also played for the dances in Pierson, the Cuthbert Orchestra and others with Tommy Mainland, Innes and Irene Melvin, Harold Shannon and Hardy Pitt. If they didnt make any money, you didnt get any; if they made some, you got some. We had the booth in the old Rink and served lunch to the Pierson Hockey team. Wed go in at 4 oclock to start the hot dogs. Then there was the Pierson ball team. I was the Pitcher, Tommy Mainland Catcher, Caven McRae First Base, William Kenner Second Base, Aldie Shannon Short Stop and Andy Middleton Third Base. We used to pile into a big truck. We took first prize money in Antler, Saskatchewan three years in a row. We used to go to Melita, Lyleton, Sherwood N.D., Gainsborough, Alida, Souris, N.D., all around and win prize money. The season started the 24th of May and went through June and July. One time Violet sent some things with me to Gainsborough Fair. I took some bread, salad dressing and cream puffs. When I came home, shed won first prize for the bread. She asked if shed got first prize for them all. I told her, Yeah but that doesnt give you a shade better. because Id forgotten to bring them home. I think the Dirty Thirties was the best thing that ever happened to me. Well after we got out of the hole, we never charged anything up. I owed the bank $450.00 and I got some crop so I went to pay the principal. The banker asked if Id given him interest on it. I said to Heck and I went to leave, but then he agreed to take the principal only. When I had a hired man working for me, I asked Mr. Kenner if he could charge up a bill. I never got him paid off until 1935-36. I went in and paid that money and wanted to pay the interest; but he said, No Ill take the principal. I got a job with the Municipality in 1956 just when it seemed the Dirty Thirties were coming back. I tendered for about $15.00 less than Matt Tole was getting and I got it. From 1956 to 1969 I ran a grader of the roads between Lyleton and Pierson, so I got wages, 1/3 share of crop and Unemployment Insurance if I wasnt working. We moved to town (Pierson) in 1959. Vi can remember them moving the house to town. She had lots to be done and was trying to feed men. She just sat down and cried when Earl Craven brought the deep freeze, fridge and stove, because she didnt know where to put them. She was happy to have her appliances though. The only travelling weve done was to Calgary for Christmas in 1962 and to Vancouver in 1966.We sold our house in Pierson and moved to Princess Towers, Brandon.

69 Life on the Farm by Kay Schultz (1984) (George Cuthberts daughter) copied from Lauras package; not in Harvests of Time David, you asked me to tell about my life on the farm. I was born on September 4th, 1909 on my Dads homestead which is two miles north of town. The house I was born in is now Jim Cooks place. The new one was built in 1914. My Dad was a progressive farmer. He had 2 sections of land, which was a big farm for those days, because all the work was done by man and large horse. He bought a section from the CPR and from the Hudson Bay; this land was always known by these names. We always had over a hundred cattle and thirty horses or so. One of our chores in the summer was pumping for these when the men were making hay and harvesting. I can still see the cattle pushing one another aside and trying to get up to the trough; gradually it grew less and less, finally there were none left. They were all full and we had had our fill of pumping by then. Saturday was a big day. Edith used to clean upstairs and I used to bake; and in the afternoon we both scrubbed floors. Saturday night we always got the chores done early because that was the night we all went to town First thing we did in town was Dad would take us to the ice cream parlor and buy us each a dish of ice cream. After that we were on our own. He would give us a quarter each and wed travel around town with our girlfriends; and if we were lucky enough to have a boyfriend, spend some time with them. The ice cream was a real treat because that was the only time we had it, except in the winter when we had ice and we used to make it ourselves. During the winter we used to go to town Wednesday and Saturday nights and go skating. I dont remember when I didnt ride horses. When I was young it was some old nag, as I got older they were a little peppier. I remember the day very well when Dad said to me, Would you like to ride Lady after the cattle?. She was a snappy horse. He said, Ill walk down to the gate and open it for you. It was about a mile walk and he walked down to the gate and opened it just so I could ride Lady. She was a lively horse and I couldnt get on her once I got off. In the late summer when the hay was in the barn we used to go out and play. We would climb up on the highest beams and jump off down into the hay. I can remember the first time I got up on the beam; I got up and was afraid to jump down and there was nobody to help me, so I sat there. Finally we were called into dinner and my dear brother and sisters, they all ran off and left me sitting on the beam. After sitting on there for some time I finally picked up enough courage to jump. After this it was no problem. We always had one hired man all summer and more into the fall until the harvest was done. Fred Cook was our permanent hired man. He was there from the time I can remember until he married Agnes. We used to get extra men for threshing. One year we got a couple of men who couldnt speak very good English. One night my Dad, Jim, and

70 Fred had to go out, and left the women (Mother was living then) home with the two hired men. They used to sleep up in the attic. They came downstairs and they seemed to be concealing something in their coats. They went out to the workshop. We could hear them working out there and my Mother thought they were grinding knives. I think she must have been the nervous type because she was sure they were going to murder us, so she phoned up the neighbours and got a couple of the boys to come over. Well the men came back in the house and they went upstairs and my Mother, she wouldnt let any of us go upstairs until my Dad came home. It was kind of a scary evening, but fun, too. The two neighbour boys went out; they had brought rifles with them and they fired them in the air a coupe of times. Then we played in the house, played cards and different games. We were up late. It was after midnight when Dad got home. Another job that was ours during summer holidays was watching the cattle. They used to feed out in the section across from us. There was one farm that didnt have a fence around it so we had to watch that they didnt get in the crop. We had a hole in the top of the house with a cover on it, and we used to up there and go and look for the cattle. If the cattle were up near the crop, then we would have to get on horseback and go and bring them back. When we were up on top of the house we were pretty daring sometimes. I remember Jim one day he went out on the roof. There was a little gable where the attic window was and he climbed out on the gable and he crawled in the attic window. He was very lucky he made it. I would get down on the gable but I never tried the window. One episode I will never forget, Edith and a hired girl and I were sitting downstairs around the dining room table, when all of a sudden a horse came galloping up to the door. There was a bang bang bang at the door and quick as scat Edith and the hired girl dived under the table, so I took the lamp and went to the door. It was the neighbour and as soon as I saw him I started laughing and couldnt stop, because I could see Edith and the hired girl under the table. He didnt think it was funny, though. He had come rushing over because his wife was having a miscarriage. He wanted Dad to phone for the doctor, and Mom and Dad to go over to help. The woman we had working for us, she lives in town now and I often kid her about diving under the table. Sunday evenings used to be fun. If we had company we would all go to the parlor where the piano was, and wed have a good sing song. We all took music lessons, but I never learned to play. That is one of my regrets that I didnt have enough sense to practice. I can play the piano a little bit and the violin and the accordion and the mouth organ, but none of them very good. Dad and Jim, they were both fairly good violinists. Dad would come into the parlor and say, I havent had this in my hand for six months, he would play a tune or two and then he would go out and leave the young folks. Agnes or Jim used to cord for him on the piano. Life was different when I was young, because there was no T.V. and the radio wasnt invented until I was in my teens, so we had to amuse ourselves. We used to play a lot of

71 cards and do a lot of reading. People used to come and play cards, they would stay until the wee hours also. We also enjoyed going to dances; we used to go to the country schools and all around the country, and to some of the neighbouring towns. Some of our favorite games were hide and seek, kick the can, and pom pom pull away. If you want to know how to play them, Ill tell you sometime. Playing catch was one of my favorite things. Jim was a pitcher, so every night after supper in the summer, we would go out and play catch. Jim would pitch to either Edith or I, and we were pretty good. We could catch on to most anything he threw, which was pretty good for a couple of young gals. When my Mom and Dad were out, I often wonder how we didnt wreck the house the way we tore around in it. When you were talking about Cathy and Patty having fun in their place, I was just thinking about what we used to when I was young. Wed play hide and seek in the house. One night Fred got the idea of a good place for Edith to hide, so he set her on top of the parlor door. Jim was looking for her and he went trying to push the door shut. It wouldnt go back so he pulled it out and Edith went down behind the door on her head. She was lucky that she wasnt hurt; she could have broken her neck the way she landed. I got my education at Cuthbert School (which was named after our family) until I was in Grade 8; then went to Pierson School for Grade 8, 9, 10, 11 and thats where I graduated. Dad died that year and I stayed out here and kept house for Jim for a year; then went into Winnipeg to the Success Business College. After I graduated I was lucky enough to have pull to get into the Parliament Buildings, and worked in the Auto Licence Department for seven years. During that time I got pleurisy and it didnt clear up. I was in the hospital for about a month and then I was in the San for about six months. I was just lucky they held my job, because I was away from work for ten months. When I started work I was making $70.00 a month and after seven years I was making $59.00. Hows that for progress? That was during the thirties when jobs were very hard to get. During my working days Edith, another girl, and I had rooms. We eventually got a suite; it was $30.00 a month rent, and one of us used to put in $5.00 a week for food, and that would last the week, so living was pretty cheap. Looking back over my young days, I always figured I lost a lot by my Mother dying when I was ten, and my Dad when I was eighteen, so I was on my own until I got hold of your Pappy.

72 Chapter 3. Great Grandparents Dandy/Mooney

Thomas Dandy Mary Mooney Many of the notes on these first five pages were from my parents album and were written by my mother Vina. Generational relationships have been changed for clarity as they relate to me. (Leona). Great great great (ggg)Grandparents: Ggggrandfather..Dandy born about 1760, probably in County Cavan, North Ireland, of Protestant parents. He seems to have remained in Ireland, though five sons Josiah, William, Thomas, John and Samuel immigrated to Canada in the middle 1820s. Aunt Mary Dandy wrote about 1936 that all but John settled in Toronto, but she adds, William died when young. Thomas they know lived in Toronto and died there. The others, they do not seem to know anything about.36 The only one about whom much is known is John. (John was Great Grandfather Thomas Dandys father.) Ggggrandfather Alexander Mooney and Janet May Crawford arrived in Canada in 1832 and settled in the Hawkesbury/Vankleek area of Prescott Co., Ontario37. Alexander Mooney b.1764 in County Antrim, Ireland, d. 28 December 1850. Janet May Crawford b. 1780 d. May 186638. Their children were: Catherine, Janet, John Alexander, Samuel Sr., Mary Anne, Alexander Charles, Margaret, Charles.
36

June 2009, I found the following information on the internet. Toronto 1853 Tax Rolls: Josiah Dandy, Carpenter (owner Thomas Dandy Sr.), Thomas Dandy Jr., Carpenter (owner Thomas Dandy Jr.), William Dandy, Carpenter (owner Foy & Austin) ref. pg. 9, seq. N 199. They were all in St. Johns Ward, Elizabeth St., West Side, City of Toronto. I also located a Samuel which might have been the one mentioned above. In Ancestry.com 11010-75 there is a marriage 9 Mar 1875, of a William John Dandy 22, labourer, Pittsburg, Toronto s/o Samuel and Sarah Dandy, married Elizabeth Day 20, England, Toronto daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Day. 37 Information was received by email January 2005 from my 4th cousin, Maureen Chapman, regarding our Mooney ancestors. She first contacted Gary Craven seeking input on our lines. 38 Both Alexander and Janet are buried at Hillside Cemetery, Hawkesbury, Ontario

73

Maureen Chapman is descended from their son, Alexander Charles and our family is descended from their son, Samuel Sr. Margaret Mooney who I mention later, a volunteer at the Kingston Ontario Genealogy Society, said that her husband, Edgar, is descended from John Alexander. Great great (gg) Grandparents: Mary Dandy39 wrote that John and his wife, Lucy Hayes, came from Cavan, Ireland, in 1824 and settled in Grenville Township, Argenteuil County, Quebec for a short time, then moved across the Ottawa River to Hawkesbury, Ont. John died quite young, about 1852. Leonas note: Various dates are given by other cousins of when John died, 1849-1852. The Ontario census for 1851 shows Lucy as a widow so it was before that time.40 Gggrandfather John Dandy b. abt 1796 and d. abt 1849. Lucy (Hayes) b. abt 1797 d. in 1881.41 John and Lucy (Hayes) Dandy had eight children. Thomas (my great grandfather), Mary Ann, James, John, William, Robert (Phoebes father), Samuel and Elizabeth. My gggrandfather, Samuel Mooney, Sr. b.1803 in Co. Antrim, Ireland d. 30 March 1890 in East Hawkesbury, Prescott Co., Ontario. Gggrandmother, Mary Henderson Lough b. 1810 Co. Antrim, Ireland d. 31 March 189842 in Vankleek Hill, West Hawkesbury, Ontario. Children: Mary Henderson (my great grandmother), Jane (Jennie), Agnes Nancy, William Samuel, Samuel Jr.43 Great grandfather (g) Thomas Dandy and Family - Grandfather William Dandys Siblings: Thomas Dandy (ggrandfather) born May 1st 1826. (The St. Andrews Anglican register of Grenville Township, Argenteuil County, Quebec, states: Thomas, son of John Dandy, farmer, of the Township of Grenville and Lucy Hayes his wife.) In 1856 at Hawkesbury, Ontario, he married Mary Henderson Mooney (ggrandmother). There were eleven children, Samuel, Angelina, Mary, John, Louisa, Lucy, William, Robert, Edwin, James, Ida. James and Ida died at Hawkesbury, Ontario. Manitoba The first to come to Manitoba was Samuel in 1888. From Along the Old Melita Trail, p. 16: S. M. (Sam) Dandy, who lived on the same farm for about sixty years, came from Ontario to Medora, Manitoba (sixteen miles east of Melita) in 1888 to work during the harvest. Mr. Dandy liked the Prairie and later that fall located his homestead on W 2439 40

My grandfathers sister 2012 listing of Hillside Cemetery, Hawkesbury (online) shows John Dandy 1849. 41 Lucys father was James Hayes 1777-1867, ref .Jane A.G. Miller of Kingston. 42 Both Samuel and Mary are buried at Hillside Cemetery, Hawkesbury, Ontario 43 source for children: Maureen Chapman

74 3-29. Back in Ontario he sold out and moved his family and settlers effects to Medora where they spent the winter of 1888-89. That winter the Dandys ran the Thomas Stopping Place in Medora. Mrs. Dandy, who lived to the age of ninety-four, recalled homesteadersstopping on their way to Turtle Mountain for wood. The spring of 1889 Mr. Dandy put in some crop at Medora, then went to his homestead to break land and build a house. Mrs. Dandy, with two small daughters stayed in Medora. That fall they all moved to the homestead. One of the first trustees of Cuthbert School District, Mr. Dandy was on the school board during all the years the school was open, also holding the office of secretary-treasurer except for two short periods. From Along the Old Melita Trail, p. 24-25: W. T. (Will) Dandy came from Ontario as soon as he was old enough to take up a homestead in 1889 the age limit was lowered to eighteen. William arrived in Manitoba the spring of 1890.44 My ggrandparents, Thomas and Mary Dandy, farmed near Hawkesbury until 1891 when they moved to Pierson, Manitoba to a farm, Section 36-2-29.45 The rest of the family except Angelina (who was married) also came with them to Pierson. All married there except Mary. Ggrandpa died in the spring of 1898 and ggrandma 1899. They and six children are buried in Pierson Cemetery. The boys were farmers except James who owned a hardware store and lumber yard in Pierson village. Their eleven children were as follows: Aunt Angelina married James Bromley of St. Catharines, Ontario 1884. They had four children: Mabel, Ethel, Arthur and Walter. Aunt Mary Dandy born 1861, single, lived in town. She died in 1940 at Pierson. John born 1863, died in infancy at Hawkesbury, Ontario. Ida died at an early age (2-4 yrs. old) about 1879-83. Jim (James) born 1865, married Clara Henderson.46 After living over their hardware store, they moved into the house he built in 190347. Their twins died in infancy. Gladys and Eric were born at Pierson. James survived the sinking of the Empress of Ireland in the St. Lawrence, May 24, 1914 but he died in 1915. Clara and the two children moved to Winnipeg, where Eric took his law degree, and then California.48 Clara died in 1940.
44 45

Harvests of Time A fire destroyed all of the household goods of Thomas Dandy soon after the family arrived in Pierson in 1891 so that branch had no written records of an earlier time. (source: Vina) 46 Her parents were Joseph and Fanny Henderson who homesteaded at Lyleton. (Gnawing at the Pastp.79) 47 local newspaper item, 50 years ago Feb. 5, 1903

75 Louisa born 1868, died 1938. Married Merrifield Basted at Pierson in 1892. They lived on Basted farm, then in town. They had three children. Bert born 1893 who married Stella Basted. Mary Evelyn (Leonas note: aka Dolly) born 1897, single. Meffie born 1900 married Orriel Briggs. The family picture below was taken in 1897 (dated on back):

Lucy born 1870. Married David Fraser at Pierson and went back to Ontario. Died in 1928. They had two children, Ilo and Roy. Ilo married Rev. R. Bennett. She was a medical doctor. They did missionary work. Robert Marshall born at Hawkesbury 1874, lived at 24-2-29. Married Emma Holmes of Lyleton 1902. Farmed at Pierson and then moved to California in 1917. He died at
48

Letter to Vina and Guy from Eric Dandy, Walnut Creek, California, August 1970. Gretch and I talked often of your folks. (Leonas note: Wm and Ruth Dandy) We enjoyed their visit here so much and although a close admirer of your dad, I did not have the opportunity of knowing your mother until she visited here. I remember him (Guy) as our idol at school and I can well understand why he is Grand Master.

76 Anaheim, CA in 1930. There were four children: Lillian Dorothy born 1903, single, died 1923. Myrtle born 1905 married Thomas Boney 1938 in California. Twins Kathleen born 1910, married Thomas Quinn 1930, and Donald Gordon born 1910, married Georgia Altnow 1937. Edwin born at Hawkesbury 1878, married Jean McFetridge of Souris 1907. Farmed on family farm at Pierson, also at Birch River. Died 1944. One son, Herbert born 1908, married Iloe Brandon of Reston 1938. Edwin lived on old family farm 36-2-29, across the road east from McRaes, then built the McRae house. Samuel married Ellen Tweed. They lived on 24-3-29. They had nine children. Nora born in Ontario Esther Ida at Pierson Eva Grace Thomas Henry Lance Lorne 1885 1887 1889 1891 1895 1899 1901 1904 1907 married Alfred Davies of Medora 1909 married Roger Cook of Pierson 1921 married A. Martin, 2nd husband Franklin Davy married John Whish 1917 married Ernest Dowdall 1927 single married Edna Rutledge, Dec. 11, 1929 married Agnes Dewart 1932 single

William (my grandfather) was born May 28, 1872. He came to Pierson from Hawkesbury 1890. His homestead was NE 12-3-29. A house was later built on the SE of 12-3-29. Mr. Dandy49 used to tell about getting lost during his first summer on the Prairie. He had been away in the evening and in the darkness lost his direction, ending up after wandering about on horseback at 22-4-29 where Mrs. J. Height and her mother-in-law were homesteading. The women were loath to let him in until he had told his story and given his name. They got a quilt to cover the horse, lathering with sweat, and made a bed on the floor for the youth. In the morning he rode out to a little knoll and, ten miles distant, he saw the tin roof of his brother Sams barn shining in the sun. 50 William Dandy married Ruth Fanning, Jan.13th, 1897.

More Dandy Information

49 50

grandfather William Along the Old Melita Trail, p. 24-25

77 The older generations of Dandys belonged in main to the Anglican Church. Many of the younger generations still do, though some have joined the United Church of Canada. Next to farming, teaching has been a favourite occupation. Some have attended colleges and there are doctors, a druggist and nurses.51 For more information, see write-ups in History of the R.M. of Edward Harvests of Time, published in 1983. Uncle James (old Uncle James) Uncle of Grandfather William Dandy Third child of Lucy Hayes and John Dandy. Born 1828 at Hawkesbury, Ont. He married Esther Higginson, a daughter of Jane Tweed and William Higginson, both of Antrim, Ireland. Jane was an aunt of Ellen Tweed, wife of Williams brother Samuel. Jane Tweed (McCutcheon), Uncle James daughter wrote: Father learned his trade as a shoemaker in St. Andrews, Quebec. Father often talked of Robert Crozier and family. I can remember, too, visits from some of the Crozier cousins. I knew also that we had Parker relatives. My father lived with us for 12 or 14 years. He died at Chehalis, Washington, USA, July 1930 so was almost 102 years old. As he retained his faculties until the last year of his life, he was interested in everything new, especially the radio and the airplane. His wife died about 1911. They had 10 children all born at Hawkesbury. He lived at Brandon, Medora and Deloraine in Manitoba. In writing to a cousin he once stated We have passed through a lot of troublesome times and probably a lot more ahead. I hope in the elections you will stand for national schools, one language, and one flag. On his 100th birthday he took an airplane ride. Leonas note: My mother did not know of any connection with these Croziers and my ggrandma Elizabeth Fanning who was a Crozier and I havent found any relationship. As well, Elizabeths mother was Susan Crawford and Alexander Mooney married Janet May Crawford. The Croziers and Crawfords around Hawkesbury, Ontario were thought to be from County Cavan, Ireland. Ggrandma Fannings parents (Crozier and Crawford) were from the southern part of County Monaghan near the border of Cavan. There is a good possibility they were related. In February 1997, I replied to a query through the Ontario Genealogy Society re John Dandy, b. 1832. This led to correspondence with Jane Alice Gordon Miller of Kingston, Ontario. We had much the same information though some new things turned up. Jane was a volunteer with the Kingston Genealogy Society and was working for the Anglican diocese.

The Parker Family History

51

parents album

78 In her first reply, March 31, Jane wished me a happy birthday on April 15th. She had found me in The Parker Family History by Donald Dean Parker52. In 1995, Jane had visited her mothers first cousin, Bea Hayes. Bea had a copy of part of the book which included the Dandy and Hayes lines. Jane found that the version of the history in the National Library in Ottawa does not have those chapters. She did locate the version with our lines, at the Morman Family History Centre. The FHL film number is 0874210. I ordered in the film at the Winnipeg Family History Centre, viewed it on microfilm and copied some pages. There is good background history of Ireland, general family immigration, maps. The authors father was Rev. Albert George Parker, Sr. 1863-1937, mother: Jessie Bowley 1867-1941, his wife: Florence M. Patterson and children: Mary, Bonnie, Patty, Jessie and Donald Jr. Here are a few things I found interesting. County Cavan was the ancestral home of the Croziers. The Presbyterians (Scots) were persecuted by the Anglican (English). 1603-1625 The counties of Tyrone, Donegal, Armagh, Cavan, Fermanagh and Derry were parcelled out among the English and Scotch colonists, our ancestors who arrived in Ulster at that time. Portions only were reserved for the native Irish and intermarriage with them was forbidden and strictly enforced. The Scotch-Irish were mostly from Scottish Lowlands where they had intermarried with English. English Episcopalians also migrated to Ulster. Late 1600s French Huguenots came to Ireland. The Parker Connection: Daniel Parker 1801-1868 married Mary Ann Crozier18-- -1843. Her parents were: John Crozier 177- to 183- and Mary Ann Hayes 177-to 185-. They lived at Chatham Twp., Argenteuil County, Ontario. Mary Ann Hayess niece, Lucy Hayes (1796-1881) married John Dandy.53 I mentioned to Jane Miller that my parents visited Doug and Bertha Hayes about 1966 on their way through by car to Montreal.54 Then Jane replied, Doug and Bertha visited mom and dad several times, in retirement, when my folks were in Florida. Each year when we came to Canada on vacation we did the rounds of all the cousins Doug and Bertha (and their son, Lorne); Howard and Jean Hayes (and Brian and Bobby); Russell and Ruby Graham (their kids are Don and Ann); and Bea Hayes, who would come from Ottawa. Dad and Doug Hayes would attend Masonic meetings together whenever possible.

Jane Miller - Manitoba It is so interesting how these early families moved around. Moms parents and grandparents took off for Manitoba the end of the 1800s. Several of Grandpa Clares
52

Donald Dean Parker, Sr., Ph.D, Head, Department of History, South Dakota State College, Brookings, South Dakota, November 1963. Entries from Pierson families were in the early 50s as I was then in high school. 53 from The Parker Family History 54 parents travel notes

79 brothers had settled in Neepawa, Manitoba. James Clare had a little store there for many years. Anyway, my Aunt Maysie and one uncle were born while the family was out west, but they headed back to Ontario, after the 1901 census. My great grandpa Clare died while they were in Neepawa, so he is buried there. About four years ago Glenn was in Winnipeg for business (Investors Group), so I joined him for a week to hit the Archives, and sight-see. We rented a car and drove to Neepawa, and had a wonderful time visiting the cemetery, taking photos of the Clare graves. Quite a few are buried there now. One of moms cousins, Eva Clare, taught music at the University in Winnipeg, I think. Anyway, I had a wonderful time out your way. Really enjoyed the area, and all the good stuff I dug up! Jane Miller - Ontario More about Janes ancestors: In my Grandma Clares family, her sister Lucy Dandy Hayes (m. Francis Hayes) had four children, Ruby, Howard, Douglas, and Bea. Ruby was the historian in that family. She was also very active in Womens Institute and kept the Tweedsmuir History of their area. My last real visit with her was about 30 years ago my mind was not on genealogy at that point in my life. Jane was researching Dandy, Clare, Dunning lines. I told Jane about the R.M. of Edward history book, Harvests of Time and sent some copies of write-ups. Margaret Mooney Also volunteering at the Kingson Ontario Genealogy Society was Margaret Mooney whose husband, Edgar Mooney was from the Vankleek Hill area. One evening she brought over to Jane some notes on our families (for me) but didnt know the source. It has our families up to about 1962. Jane asked her husbands connection to the Mooneys and she said: Alexander Mooney and four sons: Samuel, Alexander, John Alexander and Charles came over from Antrim, Ireland (not all together at various times). Her husband is descended from John Alexander. Our line is descended from Samuel. Since there was no OGS covering the Vankleek Hill area for cemetery transcriptions, Margaret Mooney had single handedly accomplished this herself for Hillside and Cassburn.55 She had persuaded the Kingston branch to let these be published in the OCFA (Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid). These were to be published as soon as entered. Jane was also working on this. I had previously searched the OCFA and of course didnt find anything for the area. Jane Miller in Hawkesbury 1997

55

Jane said there is a Dandy plot at Cassburn cemetery (John Dandy, wife Elizabeth Dunning, son William Percy).

80 Jane mentioned that The Vankleek Hill Review has been microfilmed with copies of over 100 years of papers available at the Hawkesbury Public Library. That could be of interest to anyone travelling there. Jane told me about a recent trip, April 1997, and meeting some relatives. I spent this past weekend in Vankleek Hill at my Aunt Lillian Clares home. My cousin from Montreal also visited that weekend, as well as Lillians daughter, Evelyn from Hamilton. It was Homecoming Weekend for Vankleek Hill. The town was founded 200 years ago, and incorporated 100 years ago, so there were wonderful displays and celebrations all over the place. On Sunday, there was a wonderful Horse and Carriage Parade all around the town. It was amazing. Florence and I slipped down to Hawkesbury early Sat. morning to visit Hillside Cemetery and take some DANDY grave photos. While I was on my hands and knees writing and photographing, Florence was reminiscing about Lyle Dandy whose grave she was looking down at. All of a sudden, this handsome man who was working in another part of the cemetery came over and said, are you distant relatives? and Florence said you have to be a son of Lyles!!!. It was so weird! Florence said his eyes look just like Dandy eyes. He was working with his teenage son and nephew, removing three tree stumps in the cemetery. He was looking forward to finishing the job and going back to something easier, like combining!! Poor man. His mother, Anna Dandy, was still in the area, and who did Florence and I run into later that afternoon in town, but Anna. (She and her mother had attended my mothers graveside service 2 years ago in Cassburn, and introduced themselves. Her mother and my mother had boarded together when they attended high school back in1929.) Anyway it was fun to meet a living DANDY. I told him about you answering my query and our recent exchanges. This part of the family has remained farmers. Jane also attended a conference in Montreal on researching English protestant ancestors. Jane said that the main library in Montreal, Salon Gagnon reference room, much in English was a goldmine and everyone very helpful. I mentioned seeing a book listed at the FHC56, Thomas Tweed Higginson Diary. I guessed that he was a brother of Esther Higginson who married James Dandy (Feb. 22, 186057). He had written two books, one of area history and one of more interest to family genealogy: US & Canada, Book Area, 921.71, H535hi, Ontario, Prescott History. I inquired at FHC and was told it was not yet on film but could be ordered at a cost. By coincidence, a box of books came into the Kingston OGS and this book was included. Jane made copies and sent one to me. It was of some interest but not as much as I thought it would be. It was a personal diary and in general showed that these families worked hard, often attended church, enjoyed family visits.

56 57

Family History Center, LDS microfilm at MB Gen. Society

81 Holy Trinity Church, Hawkesbury This month, the Diocese of Ottawas newspaper, Crosstalk, ran a story about Holy Trinity in Hawkesbury. Since so many of the family baptisms took place there, I thought you might enjoy a copy of the story.58 (See next page.)

58

Jane Miller

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83 Notes on Census(s) where some are that I located: 1851 Census Canada West, Prescott County, West Hawkesbury, District 1, East Hawkesbury, Pg. 25 Dandy, Hayes, Mooney 1861 Census, C-1068, E. Hawkesbury, Prescott County List No. 7 & 11: Mooney, No. 14: Hayes, No. 15: Dandy, No. 16: Hayes 1871 C-10010 Hawkesbury E., Prescott County, District 75 Prescott Twp. East Hawkesbury Dandy, Hayes 1881 Dist. No. 103, Prescott, Twp of East Hawkesbury, Reel C13228 Thomas Dandy/Mary Mooney & family Hawkesbury Village 1881: 103 Prescott Enumerator Thomas Tweed Higginson Higginson, Mooney, Hayes, Dandy, Lough Nellie McClung, famous writer and activist also had Mooney ancestors. My father, John Mooney, came to Bytown (Ottawa) from Ireland in the year 1830, crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel which took ten weeks to make the voyageHis two older brothers, William and Thomas, came with him. I dont know if they were related to our Mooney line. Empress of Ireland (James Dandy) This tragedy resulted from a collision with a collier in the St. Lawrence River May 24, 1914. James Dandy and Chris Halliday were on their way to Scotland for a holiday. There were many members of the Salvation Army on board as they were going to a convention. Mother Vina said that James managed to stay afloat, treading water until rescued. He had given his life belt to Chris Halliday who couldnt swim. However Mr. Halliday did not survive. James brought his body back to Pierson for burial. Uncle James only lived about a year after, due to the effects of the ordeal. Aunty Jean Murphy said that the people were brought first to Rimouski where they were given medical aid and some clothing. Then they were taken on to Toronto. Timothy Eaton requested that they all be given lunch and completely clothed. I read a book from the Winnipeg Library, The Forgotten Empress the Empress of Ireland Story by David Zeni, published 1998. It is a fascinating, well-written book with good pictures. Dandy and Halliday are listed under Second Class. There were four classes. This book stated that more people died in this shipwreck than The Titanic. It was mainly forgotten because the First World War had broken out and peoples attention turned to other matters.

84 2010: My nephew, John Richthammer (J.J.), showed me an article, More Than the Titanic: Manitoba and the Empress of Ireland, from a book titled: Every Stone a Story II: More of Manitobas Buried History, by Dale Brawn, Winnipeg: Great Plains Publications, 2009 This is the first paragraph: It is almost ironic that nearly one hundred years after it sank, the Titanic is as popular as ever, yet the sinking of an ocean liner in Canadian waters which took the lives of more passengers than its famous contemporary is almost forgotten. Everywhere, that is except in Pierson and Nesbitt, two of Manitobas smaller communities. There are pictures in this book of James Dandys tombstone in the Pierson cemetery and Cristopher Hallidays in the Winlaw cemetery nine miles south of Gainsborough, SK. William Noak Shattock, a Nesbitt, Manitoba farmhand also drowned. There are about 4 pages of detail about the shipwreck. It mentions that there were 1,477 passengers and crew and they left Quebec City late in the afternoon of May 24, 1914. They met the Storstad, a Norwegian coal carrier in a thick fog. The article states that James gave an interview to the Winnipeg Free Press describing what happened. According to this article, of forty-one Manitobans who were passengers on the Empress of Ireland, only nine were rescued.

85 Chapter 4. Great Grandparents Fanning/Crozier

Robert Fanning and Elizabeth Crozier

86 Robert Fanning and Elizabeth Crozier were born in County Monahan (sic), Ireland. On Dec. 15th 1856 they were married and left for Canada. Spent many weeks on the journey by sail boat.59 Ireland At the Manitoba Genealogy Society in Winnipeg, I found a copy of a R.M. of Edward registry of deaths. At the entry for Elizabeths death was this information: Her birthplace is listed as Drunn, County Morrigan (sic) and her parents: James Crozier, born in Drunn and Susan Crofert, born in Drunn. The listing for Robert Fanning does not give any information about his parents or where he was born. After further research, it seemed likely that Drunn was Drum, Morrigan was Monaghan and Crofert probably Crawford. On maps of County Monaghan, Ireland, I located the town of Drum. A chart from a Monaghan site on the internet further relates this to a parish, etc. as follows: Townland Acres Drum 144 County Barony Monaghan Dartree Parish Currin PLU Cootehill Province Ulster

Another verification of location was correspondence between my mother and a family by the name of Madill at Bethany, Manitoba.60 It was thought that the two families had originated from the same place in Ireland. One letter mentioned that a Madill family had returned to Ireland and met many cousins (no location given). In September 2005, I wrote to a researcher: Theo McMahon, Monaghan Ancestry, Clogher Historical Society, 6, Tully Street, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan, Ireland. I enquired as to whether there was a record of the marriage available, whether it gave the names of Roberts parents and where the parents lived. By the following January, I received some valuable information. Below is a scanned copy of the two page letter as well as copies of records and maps:

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Parents album. Bessie (Madill) Simmons wrote: I remember when your grandparents visited my grandparents (Robert & Rebecca Madill), also remember them talking about Mrs. Dandy (your mother). This year (1980) I wrote an article for the Minnedosa paper telling the story about the Madills coming out from Ontario to Palestine (Gladstone) and two years later they moved up here to the Riding Mountain district, in 1879 (which was 100 years ago). My grandmother, Rebecca Dawson Madill, was the lady you entertained so long ago. She was a wonderful woman and worked very hard, but lived to be 99 years and 4 months old. There were 13 children in my grandparents family, 10 sons and 3 daughters. My grandfather had spent about 17 years helping to build railroads in Ontario, before he went back to Co. Monaghan for his bride married in 1867 in Ireland, and set out on a sailboat for Canada (the trip took 6 weeks).

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Elizabeths death record gives 11 Dec.1838 as her birth date. This would mean that she was five days short of being age 18 when she was married. In any case, they were both

95 probably not more than 18 years old. The date of 15 Dec.1856 may have been when they left for Canada.61 Ontario They farmed at Millbrook, near Peterborough, Ont.62 We have no record of their journey through Canada to the area of Peterborough, Ontario. Fifteen years after their marriage, the 1871 census shows the following: Reel No. C9986, District No. 56, West Peterborough, Sub-Dist. South Monaghan. Fannon, Robert age 34, born Ireland, Irish, C. Presbyterian, Labourer; Fannon, Eliza age 33, born Ireland, Irish, C. Presbyterian; Margaret 13, Eliza Jane 11, Martha Ann 9, Thomas James 7, Susan R 3, Mary (Minnie Emma) 5/12 (b November) all children born in Ontario. (Sara Etta and Ruth Sophia were born later in 1873 and 1876.) The name was spelled Fannon. My grandmother, Ruth, had mentioned Millbrook and Fraserville as well as Peterborough. I wondered if the above census would pinpoint more exactly the location. In response to my inquiry, June James, Researcher at the Kawartha Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, wrote: the family of Robert & Elizabeth Fanningwould have lived closer to Fraserville. The only birth registration she found was for my grandmother: b. Jan. 14, 1876 S. Monaghan Twp, #016337-76. Millbrook and Fraserville are 10 miles apart and they were probably living somewhere between the two. Peterborough would be the next larger centre. The Kawartha Branch also provided me with a copy of the 1881 census with the spelling of the last name as Faning:
Name Robert Faning Elizabeth Faning Margret Faning Elisabeth J. Faning Martha A. Faning Thomas J. Faning Susan R. Faning Mary Faning Sarah Faning Ruth Faning Marital S. M M Gender Male Female Female Female Female Male Female Female Female Female Ethnic Or. Irish Irish Irish Age 41 40 23 21 19 17 13 11 8 5 Birthplace Ireland Ireland Ontario Farmer Son Occupatio n Farmer Religion C. Presbyterian Wesleyan Methodist Wesleyan Methodist

61

According to an article online, County Monaghan and the Kingdom of Oriel, Amongst the drumlins, the famine had begun in the 1840s. In the post-famine era mass emigration began in earnest and for more than 100 years would continue to lead many of our young people in search of new homes abroad. 62 Parents album.

96 Manitoba: In 1882 Grandpa Fanning came to Manitoba in response to the lure of the West. Took up a homestead on N.E.1/4 of 4-2-28 (in later years he added S.E.1/4 of 4-2-28) on the North Antler Creek 3 miles north of where Lyleton Village is now. Because he lacked building material his house was built part way into the bank of the North Antler Creek. This had a great advantage of warmth in the winter. In Nov. 1883 Grandma Fanning and seven children (six girls and one boy) came to Manitoba. One daughter remained in Ontario as she was married. Later she and her family came. Grandpa met them at Brandon, which was the nearest railway point. He brought them across the prairie trails by covered wagon which was drawn by a team of mules. It was a hard first winter, but they managed to establish a comfortable home.63 Church services were held in homes. Some of the Fanning family attended the first school in the district, North Antler School. It was necessary to go to Brandon for supplies and each trip by wagon took at least two days. Mrs. Fanning usually accompanied her husband to shop for necessary articles. A forgotten article could create problems until the next trip. There was a lime kiln on corner of their farm. After the railroad was laid through Pierson, about 1895, Mr. and Mrs. Fanning and some of the family moved to a farm NE 26-2-29 one mile south of Pierson. 64 Leonas note: My grandmother, Ruth was 7 years old when they travelled to Manitoba. A young friend in Ontario gave her a small toy pitcher which she brought with her and I now have. There were still buffalos when Ruth got temporarily lost at about 8 years old.65 The mules the Fannings had apparently served them well. There is a comment by John McDermit on page 199 of Along the Old Melita Trail as follows: Five years after the granary was built, I remember Mr. Robert Fanning hauling oats to the granary. He told me he was seventy years old but that he and his mules could keep up to the other men. Aunty Jean Murphy told me that her grandmother, Elizabeth Fanning had acted as midwife to deliver Walter Riddell. Later her mother, Ruth (my grandmother) was the first to teach him how to dance. Ruth said, I told him, dont worry about your feet, just listen to the music. Ruths mother, a strict Methodist, had reservations about playing cards or dancing but must have allowed her children to partake in this popular social activity. Mrs. Harry Miller (the former Adelia Walton) wrote about a dance she attended with Sarah and Ruth Fanning.66 Sarah would have been about 20 and Ruth 17. These are some excerpts.

63 64

Parents album. Parents album. There is a similar write-up in the Harvests of Time, History of the R.M. of Edward, 1983, pages 396-397. 65 Aunty Jean Murphy 66 The Coldest Hour of my Life, Along the Old Melita Trail, p.197-198.

97 It was a cold starlit night in January, 1893I was spending a few days in the Pierson district with Sarah and Ruth Fanning. The Fannings lived a mile south of Pierson. Merton Roblin, a homesteader who lived about eight miles northeast of Pierson, was holding a dance that night and all were invited. Jim Riddell and Bob Tooke, owners of Piersons two livery stables, were each taking a sleighload of people, likely using four horses on each sleigh as we often did in those days of bad winter roads. Ruth Fanning was going in one of those sleighs. I didnt know many of the Pierson people then and the night was so cold Sarah and I decided to stay home. Not long after Ruth left, a prancing livery team and cutter drove into the yard, driven by Jack Easton, a young elevator agent from Pierson. In those days of bachelors and homesteaders dancing partners were at a premium, so when Ruth said Sarah and her friend were going to stay home, Jack, who knew Sarah, hired a livery team and came for us. We soon forgot about our cosy bed and got ready for the dance. Leonas note: When they got to town, the other loads had gone ahead and they got lost on their way to the dance. At last, after what seemed hours, we saw a dim light and went to it. Wonder of wonders, it was the place we were looking for. I know I have never been so cold, but the house was small and although the stove had been carried out, as was the custom, to make room for the dancers, the house was very warm with so many dancing people. We soon forgot our chilling in the lively dances of the times, such as quadrilles, schottisches, polkas, bon ton, oxford, waltz, etc. Sarah and I both loved to dance and as usual, there werent enough girls to go around so we didnt want for partners. We had a very nice time and a good trip home as we followed the other loads. 67 My grandmother, Ruth became one of the best dancers in the community. Aunty Jean remembered her parents dancing gracefully with Ruth twirling under her husbands arm and looking very pretty with her red hair and a blue dress. She and another partner won a contest for the old time waltz. Grandma Ruth Dandys Siblings: The eight children married except for Susan who died in her early twenties.68 (1) Ruth Fannings eldest sister, Margaret (Maggie) Fanning married Thomas Taylor Thickson at Millbrook, Ontario in 1882 (Harvests of Time, p 671). When the rest of the family moved to Manitoba, they remained in Ontario for a while, later also settling near Pierson, Manitoba (NW26-2-29). When retired they lived in Pierson. (2) Jane married William Breakey. They had one of the first boarding houses in Pierson. After Mrs. Breakeys death in 1899, Norman and his sister Kathleen stayed with my grandparents, Ruth and William Dandy, for about two years. Mr. Breakey moved to
67 68

Sarah married Adelias brother Robert Walton. The Waltons homesteaded near Lyleton. In the family album, my mother Vina listed additional names : Maggie, Elizabeth Jane, Martha Ann, Thomas James, Susan Rebecca, Minnie Emma, Sarah Etta, Ruth Sophia.

98 Toronto, Ontario and remarried. Later Norman Breakey had several inventions including a paint roller. 3) Annie married James Bride. Farmed at Sourisford and then homesteaded on NE 282-29, Pierson. After many years there, they moved to town where Mr. Bride had a machine business.69 (4) Thomas (the only son) married Minnie Wilcox of North Antler. They moved to Vancouver, B.C. They had a son, George. (5) Susan was single and died about 1889 in her early twenties. (6) Minnie married Dr. William Bride (a brother of Jim). They lived at Rapid City for some time while William was a doctor there. Then they moved to Vancouver, B.C.70 (7) Sarah married Robert Walton, and homesteaded at Waskada. Then, they moved to Antler, North Dakota where they carried on farming for many years. (8) Ruth married William Dandy, a farmer who had homesteaded one mile north of Pierson on east half 12-3-29. On retirement Grandpa and Grandma moved to Village of Pierson. Grandma passed away Mar.1st 1920 at age of 82. Grandpa died Dec. 26th 1924, age 88.71 72 More Fanning Information The Thickson/Fanning/McBrien Connection Thomas Taylor Thickson and Margaret Fanning came to Lyleton, Man. in1890.73 Their children were: Robert Alfred, b. June 2, 1885 Fraserville, m. Elizabeth Purvis of Gainsborough 1912 Mary Elizabeth (Libbie) b.Jan.17 1888 Fraserville, Ont. m Ernest McBrien of Elmore 1912; m Elmer Rusk of Gainsborough 1948 Susan Mildred (Millie), b. Nov. 23, 18??, Sourisford, Man. m Bert McBrien of Elmore 1911

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Harvests of Time, p. 396-7. Harvests of Time, p. 317. 71 Parents album. My great grandparents. 72 Copy of death certificate for Robert Fanning, given to me by J. J. Richthammer, verifies date and age. Information at time of death was given by his son-in-law, James Dandy. It shows how long in province as 42 years, 9 months and in Canada as 70 years. Names of parents unknown. Cause valvular disease of heart. He had resided at 12-3-29 for 2 years, ie. home of daughter Ruth and Wm Dandy. Burial at Pierson cemetery. 73 family notes and write-ups in Harvest of Times (p671, 317, 396, 397)

99 Ruth Gertrude (Gertie), b. Feb. 25, 1894, North Antler, Man. m Omar Hoover of Melita 1920 My sister-in-law, Noreen Craven is related through the McBrien marriages. Her father, Art McBrien was a brother of Ernest and Bert McBrien. Noreens mother and Earls mother stayed with the same relatives, Millie and Bert McBrien, just before Earl and Noreen were born at Deloraine Hospital (about one year apart). Libby and Ernest McBrien Children: Bernice m W.E. Bowes (Biff) Marguerite m C.H. Nilson (Halley) Mabel m Leo Eldred adopted Lois Pink m Steve Antonison Millie and Bert McBrien Children: Eileen Ferguson, Osoyoos, B.C. Eleanor Rivest, Brandon Myrtle More, Brandon LaVerne McBrian, Killarney Shirley Pippy, Winnipeg Gertie and Omar Hoover Children: Earl Orville Toronto Burton, Montreal Obituary for Robert Alfred Thickson On June 14, 1974, at the Betel Home, Selkirk, Man. Robert Alfred Thickson, aged 89 years, late of 507 Wardlaw Ave. Born in Fraserville, Ont. in 1885. He came west with his parents in 1890, homesteading at Lyleton, Man.; later moving to the Pierson, Man. area. At Pierson he met and married Elizabeth Thickson (nee: Purvis); they moved to Winnipeg in 1927 and resided there till Elizabeth, having passed away in March 1967, he moved to the Betel Home, Selkirk, Man. in March 1969.Active in curling throughout the province for over 50 years, he was fondly referred to in the local clubs as Pop Thickson. He was a Past President and Honorary Life Member of the Victoria Curling Club. Mr. Thickson was employed for 35 years as a truck driver with the City Dray Company and Tees and Peresse Limited, retiring in 1963. Besides his wife Elizabeth, he was predeceased by two sisters Mrs. Ernest McBrien (Libby) of Pierson, Man. and Mrs. Bert McBrien (Millie) of Regent, Man. He leaves to mourn a daughter Mrs. James G. (Evelyn) Murray; three sons Clarence T., James B., and

100 William E. all of Winnipeg; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a sister Mrs. Chapels, Broadway at FurbyJune 17.interment in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. Children of Alfred and Elizabeth Thickson (grandchildren of Thomas Thickson and Margaret Fanning): Evelyn Murray, Winnipeg Clarence Thickson Bruce Thickson, Winnipeg Bill Thickson, Winnipeg Aim and I (Leona) curled with the Cameron Highlanders Curling Club of which Bill Thickson was a member. I was on his rink one winter. I met Bruce when I was doing temporary secretarial work and was at Lukes Machinery for a few weeks. He was Service Manager there. 1991 Obituary for James Bruce Thickson, states that he was born 1917 in Pierson and died July 3, 1991 in Winnipeg. It also gave the following information: He was in the R.C.A.F. from 1940 to 1945. He worked many years with Lukes Machinery and in 1972 established a co-ownership in Kings Electric Motors Ltd. where he remained until his retirement in 1988. He was past president, a director and a lifetime member of the Victoria Curling Club. He loved woodworking, crossword puzzles. Family: wife Ellen; sons Chris (Natalie), Stuart (Sue), Bert Rous (Laurie) and Jeff Rous (Monica); grandchildren Shannon and Andrea. He was survived by his sister Evelyn; his daughter Barbara Finkleman74 and her three children. Funeral was held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave., Winnipeg. 1995 information from obituary: Georgina Thickson (nee McRobbie) appears to be the above James Bruce Thicksons first wife. Her children are listed as Barbara Finkleman of Winnipeg and Jim Thickson of Edmonton, Alberta. She died January 30, 1995, aged 82 years, funeral service in Carman, Man. Predeceased by parents (does not list husband). There were six grandchildren: Stacey, David, Jamie, Kyle, Kara, Elisa and one ggrandson Evan, sister Mary McGill of Carman, Bill McRobbie of Winnipeg. Donations to Alzheimer Society.75 From Harvests of Time (write-up by Claire Cosgrove and Roxie (McRae) Van de Car), p 317-319 The James Henry Bride Story, excerpts: James Bride was born in the State of New York in 1863. His parents were John Dawson Bride and Jennie Robinson Bride. When he was 12 the family moved to Ontario. His father had a blacksmith and machine shop and had charge of the steam engine in the flour mill. James did not spend many years at school but worked with his father. Married Annie Fanning at Sourisford in 1887. Moved in 1896 from Sourisford to another farm at

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I inserted the bold print to indicate relationship with the next obituary. In the June 1993 publication of the MB Genealogy Society, Barbara Finkleman sent a query asking if anyone knew the names and birthdates/places of Thomas Thicksons parents. She lived in Winnipeg.

101 Pierson. They had 2 daughters, Roxy born October 1889 and Gertrude born March 1894. Both became teachers. Roxy married James Sinclair Cosgrove of Lyleton. They ran a business in Tilston until 1945. Roxy passed away in 1982, age 93. Roxy and Jim had two sons, Russell Claire (retired to Winnipeg), and James Bert Ryal, a neurologist in Penfield Clinic in Montreal. They both married and Claire had a son Garry and a daughter Lynne, and Bert had a daughter Gillian and two sons, Ryal and Rees. Gertrude married Alex W. McRae from Elva. They moved to Tilston in 1923 where he ran the Pool Elevator and she taught school. Alex passed away in 1929, at the age of 40. Gertrude moved back to Pierson, to the Brides, and taught school in North Antler for three years, then left the Pierson area. She passed away in Vancouver, B.C. in 1978, at the age of 84. They had two children, Roxy living in Vernon, B.C. and Munro who lived in Vancouver and ran a freightway business; he passed away in 1979 at the age of 53. Annie died in 1944 age 82 and Jim died in 1947, age 84. They are both buried in Pierson Cemetery. They had celebrated their Golden Wedding November 30th, 1937. (Leonas note) Picture p.707 gives 1932 but 1937 would agree with above marriage date. William Bride and Minnie Fanning: Also from above write-up re James brother Will who married Minnie Fanning: At 17 he taught school at North Antler, Manitoba. He took his medical degree at the Manitoba Medical College and later practiced at Napinka, Rapid City, Brandon and Vancouver. Roxy (Bride) Cosgrove, daughter of James Bride and Annie Fanning: In August 2008, Vaudree got in touch online with Judi Collison who was researching the Cosgrove family and Vaudree had recognized her mention of Roxy Bride. We were able to exchange information about Roxy from newspaper clippings my mother had saved and an article which Judi sent me that I didnt have. I met Roxy several times. When I was attending Brandon College, she invited me for dinner with her and her husband at their apartment. Later I visited her at her cottage at Clear Lake. She had many accomplishments. The following is an article sent to me by Judi Collison. It seems to have appeared in the Brandon paper:

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See next page for part of 3rd column of the clipping that was too long to copy:

103 ..and oil lampRoxy Bride discovered a bed bug on a spent match that had inadvertently fallen into the wash basin. Always possessed of a lively sense of humor, she claims the critter was singing, Pull for the shore, brothers, pull for the shore! (go to last column, previous page)

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In addition to the above accomplishments, her obituary indicated the following: While at Tilston, Mrs. Cosgrove organized the Womens Institute in southwest Manitoba...She taught Sunday school for 25 years and played the organ in the church for 35 years. At Clear Lake, her summer residence, Mrs. Cosgrove organized the cottage owners association and was secretary-treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce in Wasagaming for a number of years. Roxy died June 16, 1982 at the Fairview Home, Brandon, 93 years of age. (Her birth date was Oct. 5, 1889, not 1899 as shown in 90th birthday article.) A memorial service was conducted at Tilston United Church and interment followed at Melita cemetery. As mentioned above, the Cosgroves had 2 sons: Russell Claire and Dr. James Bert Ryal. Russell Claire graduated from Wesley College and was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was a life member of Canadian Travelers Association and was responsible for organizing the first chapter of the Canadian Diabetic Association in Manitoba and

105 was the first President of the Chapter. He died Feb. 12, 1991 at Grace Hospital, Winnipeg. 76 Dr. J.B.R. Cosgrove was on the staff of the Montreal Neurological Institute and head of the research laboratory in multiple sclerosis and lecturer in neurology at McGill University.77 The following newspaper clipping gives more detail: Note that the 3rd column should follow the 1st and then the 2nd. His son, Dr. Rees Cosgrove was following in his fathers work.

76

his obituary

77

newspaper article re visit to his parents

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September 19, 2012, I found this online about Roxys grandson, Dr. Rees Cosgrove: G. Rees Cosgrove, MD, FAANS, FACS

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Rees Cosgrove was born in Montreal, Quebec and was educated at Lower Canada College. His father was a neurologist at the Montreal Neurological Institute who dedicated his life to the study of patients with multiple sclerosis. So it was at an early age that the fields of neurology and neurosurgery were introduced. He received his B.Sc. and M.D. degrees from Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, finishing in 1980 and earning the Gold Medal in Surgery. In the summers and holidays, he worked as an orderly on the wards and as a research associate in the laboratories of the MNI to complete his apprenticeship. His internship in general surgery was at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, and he finished training in neurological surgery at the Montreal Neurological Institute in 1986 under the careful eyes of Gilles Bertand, Andre Olivier and Jean-Guy Villemure. Along the way, he spent time at Addenbrookes Hospital, in Cambridge, England and at Queens Square, in London, England. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and a Diplomat of the ABNS. After graduating from McGill and the MNI, he migrated with his gorgeous American board-certified radiologist wife and his firstborn to Boston where he joined the faculty of Harvard Medical School in 1986, spending the next four years as an attending neurosurgeon at Beth Israel Hospital. He then moved to Charlottesville joining John Jane MD, PhD, a mentor and reputed obstetrician, at the University of Virginia. He remained on staff there until being recruited back to Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital in 1992. He then spent the next 14 years at the MGH, as Director of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery under Dr Nick Zervas. While there, he was pleased and honored to have helped train at least 25 of the next generation of neurological surgeons. In 2005, he was selected as Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery at the Lahey Clinic, and Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, at Tufts University School of Medicine. In 2010, he was appointed the Stoll Professor of Neurosurgery at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Rhode Island Hospital where he continues his commitment to the next generation of neurosurgeons. In 2011, he was named as the Director of the

108 newly formed Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute which is dedicated to bringing the latest advances in neuroscience and technology to patients suffering from disabling neurological disorders. Dr Cosgrove is the author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications, 65 abstracts and 44 book chapters. He has been an invited guest lecturer over 130 times and a visiting professor at 26 different academic institutions around the world. Dr. Cosgroves special interests include Epilepsy, Brain Tumors, Radiosurgery and all aspects of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery including psychiatric surgery and movement disorders. He has received a number of honors, including the Gold Medal in Surgery of Queen's University, the Wilder Penfield Award of the Montreal Neurological Institute, the Daniel D. Federman Outstanding Clinical Educator Award of Harvard Medical School and an Honorary Litchfield Lectureship at Oxford University. He is a member of multiple professional societies including the Academy of Neurological Surgeons, the Society of Neurosurgeons, the CNS, the ASSFN and the WSSFN. He has served as President of the American Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery and on numerous editorial boards including the Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, Journal of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Epilepsia and the New England Journal of Medicine. His most important achievements include being able to help his multi-talented and extraordinary wife of 30 years raise three intelligent and beautiful daughters who will some day add to the wonder of our society. William Breakey and Jane Fanning: Grandma Ruths second eldest sister, Jane, married William Breakey. Again with Vaudree making connections and then referring them to me, we had some interesting exchanges especially regarding the two children of the above: Norman and Kathleen Breakey. Jane Breakey died of tuberculosis in 1899 when Norman was 8 and Kathleen 2 years old. The children lived with my grandparents, Ruth and William Dandy for about two years (I was told). One account said that William Breakey took them with him to Toronto where he remarried. John Halls history (see below) had them staying with neighbors in Pierson. Both children must have been in Manitoba in their late teens. Norman, when he was about 20, was managing a hardware store at Souris. Kathleen was training in nursing at Weyburn, SK. According to a postcard, Aunt Ruth was sewing bibs and caps for her

109 uniform. Norman sent a picture postcard and Christmas card to my grandparents when he was in the army and Kathleen kept in touch with our family. I have a picture of her visiting Aunt Ruth at the time of Grandma Ruths 80th birthday in Winnipeg. Vaudree was contacted online by John W. Hall, Ph.D. who was living in Victoria, B.C. He had prepared a history, Breakeys in Early Upper Canada, self published 2007, and he mailed a copy. I was able to give him a little more information about Norman and Kathleen when they lived in Manitoba. We exchanged pictures. In March 2007, Vaudree received an email from the daughter-in-law of Normans 90 year old son, Norman Victor Breakey, in England (and referred her to me). Our Norman was overseas during the First World War and married Isabella Driver in West Ham, Essex, just outside of London. In December 1916 Isabella gave birth to their son. After the war, in 1918, Norman left and returned to Canada. His sister Kathleen kept in touch with Isabella for some years. Norman had a second wife in Toronto and another son born there. It was while living in Toronto that he invented a paint roller as well as other inventions. Norman James Breakey died Nov. 19, 1965, age 75, and was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, ON, section 54, lot 1395. Christena Breakey died May 4, 1966, age 64, and was buried in the same section and lot.78 See more about Norman Breakey under the heading of The Breakeys below: (mostly starting at the end of p. 115) The Breakeys The following is information from John Halls book: Norman and Kathleens father, William, remarried to Eveline Breakey. According to John Hall, Four groups of Breakeys came to Upper Canada in the first half of the 19th century but there has been no way of establishing the relationship among them. Evelines ancestors were from a group that came to Canada about 1818-19 while Williams arrived 1830-31.79 Norman and Kathleens paternal grandparents, James Breakey and Susan McCormick, moved from Port Hope to Millbrook, Ontario before 1860 when their second child, William Henry was born. James established a shoe making business in Millbrook and may also have had a 50 acre farm. In the 1870s James also became the local agent for Wanzer sewing machines. In 1880, James died of a sudden heart attack. Like his father before him, he had died in his forties. At this time William was 20 and took over his
78

Information received by J.J. Richthammer from Debbie Stevens, Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries, Toronto. 79 Evelines youngest brother, William James Breakey (m. Isabella Kennedy Smith) had the Breakey Apple at Morden, MB named after him. After serving in World War 1, he attended U of M and became Assistant Superintendent of the Dominion Experimental Station at Morden. He was also for many years president of the Red Cross and of the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society.

110 fathers business. The 1881 census showed the family still together. Susans 95 year old mother, Mary Wilson, who had remarried after Matthew McCormicks death, was living with them. Mary Jane, the eldest of the family, married Thomas McGimsie in 1883. Soon after, William and his brother James headed for Manitoba. The McGimsies were in Chicago by 1886. With them were Susan and the rest of the family (William and James siblings). Susan (McCormick) Breakey died in Chicago in 1907. Williams brother James established a homestead in Manitoba but by 1891 was a dry goods clerk in Souris. In 1894 he became the secretary of the R.M. of Glenwood, a position he held for 40 years. In 1904 he was appointed Secretary-Treasurer. In 1914 he became the first member of the provincial legislature elected for the new constituency of Glenwood. Except for 1920-22 when he lost by 4 votes on a recount, he represented Glenwood until 1945 (as a Liberal). The 7th child, John Wesley, lived in the U.S. until 1899. That year they moved up to the Pierson area where John worked as a carpenter. They were still living there in 1906 but before 1910 they had moved back to Chicago. Their children: William J. Breakey, b. 1891, John Wesley Breakey b. 1892, Bertha M. Breakey b.1893, Susan O. Breakey b. 1899, George Breakey b. 1901 Pierson, MB, Louisa Georgina Breakey, b. 1902 Pierson, MB. March 1979, the above Bertha (signature of Mrs. Bertha Breakey Drew) wrote to Pierson Postmaster and her letter was forwarded to my parents. She was living in Dania, Florida and she and her sister were wondering how to get to Pierson. They later decided that was too difficult but continued correspondence. These were some of her memories: Eleanor Halliday had a dept. store, Jas. Burke, school teacher, Helen Morrison whose father was the town doctor and charged $1.00 for a house call. Mr. Fanning Sr. always came to town and paraded on St. Patricks day. The Bride family lived in the country, I went to school with Celia Haight, Thos. Fanning Jr. worked on Railway. George Brown lived in a house painted red, white and blue and painted on the side was W.C.T.U.80 He was the town cut-up. I had two brothers Wes and Will and a cousin Norman. George Brown once blacked their faces and sent them in to church. Another time he put an alarm clock behind the piano and had it go off during the service. When Fannings81 lived next door to us, they took me to Waskada with them until mother decided to go back to Chicago. I always called them Uncle Tom and Aunt Minnie. When they moved to Vancouver, I wrote to them and did until Aunt Minnie passed away and then I wrote to Uncle Tom. Years ago we drove from Chicago to Toronto to visit Tina and Norman. I remember when I used to go to Brides in the
80 81

The last letter could be V instead of U I dont know what this stands for (Leona). Tom Fanning was Ruth Dandys brother.

111 country, also remember them making a sweet biscuit with currants or raisins in but often wondered how they were made. I think there was a Bert Bride. Continuing with information from John Halls book, Breakeys in Early Upper Canada82: After Jane (Fanning) Breakey died83, the 1901 census shows William running a boarding house in Pierson and the children were with him. John Hall in his book states: Exactly what happened next is somewhat obscurehowever William apparently married Eveline May Breakey, the eldest daughter of John Wesley Breakey and Ann Jane Stewart. Eveline was 20 years younger than William. In 1906, when they had a son, they were living on Sussex Ave. in Toronto and William was again working as a shoemaker. In the 1908 Toronto City Directory he is recorded as living on Millicent St. but he is not in the directories for subsequent years. In 1909 Eveline gave birth to a daughter. Within the next two years tragedy struck again. Eveline became severely ill and the family broke up. Evelines brother, Wesley Stewart Breakey and his wife Viola who had married in 1910 took in William and Evelines two children, later adopting them as their own. Wesley and Viola were now farming in Manitoba. By their adopted daughters account, Wesley and Viola were very good to them. We do not know what happened to William in the dozen years after his second family broke up. He died in Toronto in 1925 though, and at that time he appears to have been in contact with his son Norman who was the informant for his death record. But Norman had limited knowledge of his father, giving his middle name as Harold rather than Henry and not knowing the names of Williams parents who he thought had been born in Ireland. He also thought that William was widowed when in fact Eveline was still alive. Evelines death record from 1927 shows that she died in Toronto at 999 Queen St. W where she had resided for about twenty years. This was the address of a major psychiatric hospital. We do not know what Evelines diagnosis was Ironically, she died of the same illness as Williams first wife pulmonary tuberculosis. Norman Breakeys life was also somewhat of a mystery. This testimony was given by Major William A. Degraves in 1919: I have known Capt. Breakey for the last 8 or 9 years. I first knew him in Assiniboia, Sask. where he was a member of the Board of Trade and one of the most competent business men of the town. My work as a journalist brought me into touch with him frequently as he was on the Publicity Committee of the Board of Trade. His reputation there was of the highest. 84 From his attestation papers for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force which he filled out at Valcartier, QC in September 1914: He said he was twenty-three and gave his occupation as a hardware merchant. He had also spent a year in the 99th Manitoba
82

I have shortened/summarized some of it. (John has well documented his sources but I have not listed them here.) 83 Pulmonary Tuberculosis (John Hall noted that both wives died of this.) 84 Norman had moved to Assiniboia, SK from Souris and he and a partner had a hardware store there.

112 Dragoons, a militia unit. He thought he had been born in Chicago in 1890 and gave as his next of kin his sister Kathleen who was then living in Weyburn, SK. The medical report said that Norman was five foot ten and a half and had brown hair, grey eyes and a dark complexion. He was assigned to the Canadian Army Service Corps which was responsible for logistics, ensuring that the other units were properly supplied with food, clothing and all other equipment except for ordinance. It was also responsible for all aspects of sea and rail transportation and the transport of all supplies forward to the front lines. In England he was promoted to Corporal and then temporary Lieutenant. He was transferred to the Fourth Division Train in July 1916 and proceeded to France in August. Previous to his transfer, he had married Isabella Driver in West Ham, Essex, just outside of London. In December 1916, Isabella gave birth to their son, Robert Victor Breakey 85 When the Fourth Division arrived in France the Battle of the Somme was still in progress. The division also fought in the Battle of Ancre Heights and the capture of the Regina Trench. This went on until November. The next spring, and now under Canadian command, the division fought at Vimy Ridge. Major DeGraves again gave Norman a glowing report (including staying on his job and refusing to be relieved even under heavy shell fire). In May 1917 Norman was admitted to the #7 General Hospital at Boulogne where he was treated for Sinusitis and discharged a week later. In June he was admitted to the Queen Alexandria Military Hospital in Millbank, S.W. with Nervous Debility. He was granted a month sick leave and then extended another month. However, by mid September he had recovered enough to resume his duties. His next assignment was with the Inspector of Catering in the London area where he served for the rest of the year. In May 1918 he was posted to Seaford and from July to November he worked there as Assistant Supply Officer. On October 4, 1918, he was promoted to temporary Captain and the next month he was attached to the Canadian Salvage Corps. The Canadian Salvage Corps was responsible for the disposal of any materials that the army had no further use for and could sell. He was responsible to his superiors in London for his disposal duties. He had a sergeant and two privates under him. When Norman got to Rhyl he found that the only local dealer who was approved by the Western Command was a Mrs. Gizzi who, with her husband and brother-in-law had often dealt with his British predecessor. She didnt have a bank account and was used to dealing in cash. Unfortunately she would be the source of Normans downfall. In the spring of 1919 she visited his superior at the camp and made a number of complaints about him, accusing him of theft. As a result he was tried under court martial. Norman said her accusations were a pack of lies but even when asked repeatedly, he did not write out a rebuttal. The result was that he was dishonourably discharged and forfeited his Military Service Medal and the Victory Medal.
85

He was the father-in-law of Jean Breakey with whom we were in contact. The 90 year old was at that time moving into a seniors home.

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What happened after that is unclear but Norman left Isabella and their son, never to see them again, and returned to Canada. The 1922 Toronto City Directory shows him living on Hillsdale and working for National Exchange Real EstateIn the 1930 Toronto City Directory we find him at 44 Astley Ave. He and his new wife Christina Middleton would live at 44-46 Astley for the rest of their lives. In the 1930s he was managing a hardware store in Leaside, a Toronto suburb. Inspired by his customers, Norman came up with the idea of a paint roller. He and accountant partner Cecil R. MacKay had a flourishing manufacturing company where they sold the paint roller through the big Toronto department stores, Eatons and Simpsons. He obtained a British patent in 1946 and an American patent in 1951. Soon other companies were producing the device, either securing rights from the patent owners or modifying it enough so the patents might no longer apply. The Breakey-MacKay company dissolved in 1956 with all debts paid. Norma and Tina had one son in 1930 and remained on Astley Ave. until their deaths in 1965 and 1966 respectively. Who was he? Writers played up two angles. First they claimed that, being a poor man, he had been unable to defend his patents and had not made the millions that he deserved. Second, they claimed that he was a man of mystery. Certainly he had enough eccentricities. He had been well liked by his friends but he told his family little of his past. Knowing about his military career and his first marriage we can understand why. He is reputed to have consumed 40 White Owl Panellas a day, lighting one, and when it went out which it immediately did, chewing it all the way down before lighting another. He liked cherries marinated in Crown Royal whiskey, calling it Cherry Bounce. Norman was also a fan of W.C. Fields and in fact in later years he looked somewhat like him. But Fields, always afraid of being broke, had eccentricities of his own. He was said to stop in small towns all over the United States to deposit sums in local banks. This he always did under imaginative pseudonyms. Did Norman do the same? The night he died he left his personal safe open but it only contained a $500. insurance policy and his marriage licence. There was also a ring of forty keys. Some could have opened safety deposit boxes but all the serial numbers had been filed off. Norman had never confided to his wife or son about his business dealings and no other papers were ever found.

Fanning/Walton/Miller/Daniels Relationship: Nadine Daniels and I knew we were related but had difficulty sorting it out. My grandmother Ruths sister Sarah married Robert Walton. Robert was Nadines grandmothers brother. Her grandmother was Adelia Walton who married Harry Miller. Their children were: Basil who married Eva Fletcher Annie (Mrs. Jensen), Vesta (Mrs.

114 Daniels), Hazel (Mrs. G. Brown) and Emory.86 The Sarah and Robert Walton family lived at Antler, North Dakota. Hazel Brown mentioned in her article about the John Walton family that Robert passed away in 1925. My mother listed the following Walton names in her birthday book: Mary, Lottie, Effie and Helen M.87 These are some names my mother had in other notes: Ollie Walton & Florence, Mel Walton & Vivian, EffieYoung (Walton) & Charlie, Lottie, Helen Kisner (Walton), Irene Nordmark (Walton) Ted, Morrice and wife Helen, Dwayne, Mervyn in California, Bob, Ken, Sis. Ollie Walton was born in Deloraine, Manitoba and grew up at Antler, North Dakota. On May 5, 1918, he married Florence Burlum at Stephen, Minnesota. Ollie was a veteran of WW1, depot agent and telegrapher for Great Northern Railway for 50 years at Sherwood, Carberry, and Roth, North Dakota where he retired in 1968. He belonged to the First Presbyterian Church, Masonic Lodge, American Legion and Senior Citizens Club in Bottineau. He died at Minot Hospital, Dec. 7, 1978. Their son John lived in West Fargo. Their daughter, Marilyn married a Mastroni and lived in Connecticut.88 His obituary included, as well as his family, surviving sisters EffieYoung and Helen Kisner and notes two sisters and a brother deceased. I am not sure that agrees with the above but maybe someone can sort it out. Three of Ollies casket bearers were: Howard, James and Martin Nordmark. Another was Ken Young.89

Afterword Now I have followed the paths of my ancestors from as far back as I have been able to go to a small area in southwestern Manitoba and to a time when my grandparents were married there. My parents, Roderick Guy Craven and Vina Elizabeth Dandy, were born
86

Gnawing at the Past, Lyleton 1869-1969, pub. 1969, by Lyleton Womens Institute, Pg. 76-77, John Walton by Hazel Brown, Pierson, in the Lyleton history, Gnawing at the Past John Walton & Lavina Campbell were the parents of Adelia & Robert. 87 Mother indicated in her birthday book that Effie Walton was born June 3, 1900. This might help in researching North Dakota census, etc. 88 from obituary for Ollie E. Walton 89 Vesta Daniels introduced me to Ken Young at the Pierson Centennial. He was a teacher.

115 and married at Pierson. With the exception of leaving for short periods to further their education, they lived there all their lives. Certainly more research can be done of the earlier ancestors, but I will leave that to others if they are interested. More and more information is going online and there are a number of sources that I could have but did not pursue. I have made copies of the pictures to include with the narrative but have also copied the individual pictures onto disk and flash drive which will make it easier for others who might want the pictures. Charts from the genealogy program need to be printed separately.