TALBOT TIMES
Newsletter of the
ELGIN COUNTY BRANCH
ONTARIO GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
ISSN 0827-2816
VOLUME XVII ISSUE FOUR
DECEMBER 1998
Extracts of Genealogical information
Chairman’s Message
Fellow Genealogists
This being my last message to you I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all their help this past year.
In reviewing this past year, I would like to particularly make mention of the members who helped out in working on the Wall of Ancestors for Seminar 98, those who did seminars for beginners, those who volunteered in getting the Library inventoried and updated, those who helped out in organizing our Programs, those who helped out on our Publications, those who helped out on Queries, on organizing Cemetery transcriptions, Web pages, Publicity, Newsletters, and many, many more endeavors.
It takes a lot of hard working dedicated volunteers to make a Branch work. In particular I would like to thank Marg Daugherty for all her past contributions to the Branch, from hosting Executive and social meetings, for getting and distributing the mail, for working on queries and helping out in so many other ways. She has served on the branch’s executive as chair, treasurer and corresponding secretary. She is but one of many.
A challenge that continues for the new executive is that of reaching out to new members, of completing some of the projects that the branch has ongoing and of beginning new ones. We have so many projects that could be beneficial to genealogical people. The branch needs new volunteers and new members who will help with these.
My best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Successful New Year.
Ross L. Harrison
Elgin Branch, O.G.S., Chairman 1998
FAMILY BIBLE
( HARDY MARSHALL names in BIBLE)
Recorded from a Family Bible found in an auction sale on October 1st 1998, in St. Thomas.
George Franklin Hardy .
……….. born: Brantford
Sarah Kathleen McCurdy
……… born: Delhi
Clara Evelyn Hardy
……………… born: London
Allen McCurdy
………………….. died: June 3, 1897
Susan Elizabeth McCurdy
……. died: December 14, 1911
Thomas Marshall
………………. born: Oct. 12, 1808 married: April 19, 1833
Clarissa
(unreadable)………….. born: June 18? 1815
Mary Marshall .…………………. born: Jan. 20, 1834
Robert Marshall
………………… born: April 13, 1836
Henry Marshall
…………………. born: June 22, 1842
Matthew Campbell Marshall
… born: Dec. ? 1848
Recorded from a Family Bible found in an auction sale on October 1st. 1998, in St. Thomas. George Hardy born: December 25 1828 died: December 7, 1908 married: November 4, 1851 Mary Marshall born: January 20, 1834 died: May 30, 1916 Thomas Henry Hardy born: February 24, 1853 died: February 1, 1880 David Duncombe Hardy born: May 10, 1855 died: March 1, 1876 Clara Maria Hardy born: February 7, 1860 died: March 7, 1918 George Franklin Hardy born: July 14, 1871 died: August 1, 1937
In Memoriam Card found in a bible sold at an auction October 1, 1998 in St. Thomas.
To the memory of ROSA L. WAGNER, late organist of Galt Catholic Church who departed this life the 14th December 1871, at the age of 16.
The following lines written on her birthday (three months after her death) March 17, 1872 are respectfully presented to her parents, by the Rev. T. J. Dowling. (This 24 verse poem was too long to transcribe at the sale)
The Aylmer Express, November 2, 1939
BRIDAL PAGEANT WAS BIG SUCCESS
Dozens of Wonderful Gowns Displayed by Living Models and Splendid Program Presented in St. Paul’s Church
The Bridal Pageant presented at St. Paul’s United Church last Thursday evening, October 26th, was a splendid success. To an audience which crowded the auditorium, the parade of the many gowns arranged in groups according to periods proved most interesting. From the elegance of the earliest models with pannier, cascade and bustle, to the latest models of creamy satin with flowing veil, each model had an appeal of sentiment and interest in the changing line of design in fashion.
Mrs. Gordon Winder as commentator, gave the following interesting facts regarding each model as she paused on the beautifully decorated platform.
Wedding Gowns and Models Dating From the Oldest to the Newest
Miss Leila Pritchard – modeling her mother’s dress on the occasion of her marriage; Miss Etta Backhouse to Isaac Pritchard at her parents’ home at Grovesend, with 75 guests in attendance, 18 of whom are still living, by Rev. Geo. Richardson, Sept. 21, 1881. 20 yards of material were in this dress.
Eleanor Butcher – modeling the gown worn on the occasion of the marriage of Miss Agnes Nairn to Mr. Alex. Bailie, Sept. 5, 1883.
Mrs. Lulu Simpson – modeling the gown worn by her mother, Miss Amy Charlton, at her marriage to Densil E. Finch of Mapleton, on Dec. 19, 1883, at Mapleton, by the Rev. Samuel Kaffer, of the Church of Christ.
Miss Edna Hayden – modeling the dress worn by her mother, Miss Eliza Haun Miller, daughter of the late Andrew Miller, at her marriage to Mr. Harry Hayden, 56 years ago, at their home on the Edgeware Road.
Miss Marjorie Culham – modeling the gown worn by Miss Margaret Callam at her marriage to Allan Jasper Golden, by Rev. Paradife, at her home in Amherstburg, Feb. 25, 1885.
Miss Marjorie Penhale – modeling the gown worn by Miss Sarah Meharg at her marriage to Cuthbert Hetherington, on Oct. 14, 1891.
Ms. Ena Derrough – of St. Thomas, modeling the gown worn by Miss Mary Jane
Down, on the occasion of her marriage to Wm. Wallace of Southwold Station, by the Rev. Fairchild, at her father’s home, Feb. 7, 1884
Miss Lois Leeson – modeling her grandmother’s gown worn when as Miss Mary Arnup she was united in marriage to William E. Leeson, by the Rev. Cullen, on March 1, 1893.
Miss Ruth Reid – modeling the gown worn by Miss Marion Baker at her marriage to George Stewart, of Springfield, by Rev. A.H. Going, at South Dorchester, west of Springfield, on August 18, 1897.
Miss Hazel Simpson – modeling the gown worn by her mother, Miss Eliza Williamson, at her marriage to George Simpson on Dec. 21, 1898, at her home at Brownsville, by the Rev. George Buggins.
Mrs. Harry Huntley – wearing the lovely gown which she wore as a bride 40 years ago.
The former Miss Ida Heydon was married to Harry Huntley at her father’s home, Yarmouth Centre, Sept. 13, 1899.
Miss Helen Johnson – wearing a dress that was in Mrs. Joseph Thomas’s trousseau of Strathroy, 40 years ago. Umbrella and gloves were with it.
Miss Mary Martin – with the pretty gown worn by Miss Letta Jane Van Velzor, at her marriage to Dr. James Wickware, at Calton, by Rev. King, Dec. 31, 1901.
Miss Doris Winder – modeling the dress worn by Miss Ada Christie, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Christie, on the occasion of her marriage to Herbert Smith, of Brantford, on Sept. 16, 1903, at the home of her parents, Aylmer, by Rev. A.J. Vining.
Miss Kilmenny Caverly – with the gown worn by Miss Beatrice Moore, of Malahide, at her marriage to Edward Ernest Wolffe, at the home of her parents in Springfield, Jan. 11, 1904, by Rev. Wm. Butt.
Miss Carman Hale – modeling the dress worn by Miss Edna McGregor on the occasion of her marriage to Skene Smith at the rectory, Belmont, by Rev. Mr. Sutton, Dec. 7, 1905.
Miss Helen Charlton – wearing the gown worn by Margaret Helen Smith at her marriage to George Corless, at Wyoming, Oct. 18, 1906.
Miss Betty Bodkin – modeling the dress worn by Miss Margaret Beatrice Harper, on the occasion of her marriage to Harry LeRoy Paupst, at the home of her parents, east of Aylmer, by Rev. Tonge of Aylmer, Sept. 4, 1912.
Miss Gladys Pope – modeling the dress worn by Miss Lulu B. Finch, on the occasion of her marriage to Stanley B. Simpson, by Rev. H. Aldrich, pastor of the Church of Christ, Mapleton, Dec. 14, 1914.
Betty Wilson – wearing Mrs. Earl O’Neill’s dress, formerly Miss Hattie May Foster, on the occasion of her marriage to Earl O’Neil of Harrietsville, by Rev. W. Finley, of Brownsville, Feb. 14, 1914.
Miss Betty Palmer – modeling the very pretty evening dress in Mrs. G. R. Martin’s trousseau, when she as Miss Isabel McDonald, was united in marriage to Mr. G.R. Martin in Guelph, April 20, 1916.
Mrs. Margaret Farron – wearing the evening cloak included in Mrs. G.R. Martin’s trousseau.
Miss Joyce Andrews – modeling the dress and shoes worn by Miss Viola Beatrice Dean at her marriage to Mr. Harry C. Brady, of Tillsonburg, at her mother’s home in Eden, Oct. 31, 1917, by Rev. W.S. Faden.
Miss Audrey Campbell – wearing her mother’s dress and veil when she as Miss Ella Taylor, was united in marriage to J.J. Campbell of Belgrave, at ther parents’ home, by her brother-in-law, Rev. Taylor, on Dec. 27, 1917.
Miss Olive Sales – modeling Miss Leota Mae Raymond’s dress, worn at her marriage to Albert White, at the United Church, Bridgeburg, by the Rev. A.O.U. Forman, March 5, 1919.
Miss Helen McTaggart – modeling the dress worn by Nellie Hetherington at her marriage to Grover Williams of Glenmeyer, Aug. 17, 1921.
Miss Ruth Prowse – modeling the gown which her mother, Edna May Sackville, wore on the occasion of her marriage to George Adrian Prowse, at her parents’ home, 4 Palm St., St. Thomas, Oct. 12, 1922, by Rev. David Rogers. Jewelry, handkerchief, ribbon, gloves used, were worn by her mother on this occasion.
Miss Josephine Brown – wearing the dress worn by Mrs. Homer McLay on the occasion of her marriage as Miss Kathleen Lashbrook, to Dr. Homer G. McLay, at the home of her parents in London, by Rev. Bruce Hunter, Feb. 11, 1924.
Mrs. Leslie Cole – wearing Mrs. Wesley Eaton’s dress when she, as Miss Annnie Heenan of Grafton, Ont., was united in marriage to Wesley Eaton, Dec. 22, 1926.
Miss Ruby Dennis – modeling Mrs. Gordon Penhale’s gown, worn by Miss Helen Summers, when she was married to Gordon Penhale of St. Thomas, at her parents’ home, Malahide, June 1, 1929 by Rev. Waldemar Williams.
Miss Mary Green – modeling Miss Ver Letta Wickware’s gown on the occasion of her marriage in Regina, Sask., to William Kenneth Smith, Ph.D., of Pulsman, Washington, June 22, 1929.
Mrs. Percy Locke, St. Thomas – modeling her own gown, worn on the occasion of her marriage, as Helen Gertrude Winder to Percy R. Locke, in St. Paul’s United Church, Aylmer, by Rev. Waldemar Williams, Sept. 11, 1929. She was accompanied by little Mary Burns, wearing the dress worn by the little flower girl, the bride’s sister, Doris Winder, and carrying the basket which held the flowers.
Amy Johnson – wearing Mrs. Walter Paterson’s dress, formerly Clara Demaray, married at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Demaray, Aylmer, to Walter Paterson, Dec. 17, 1930.
Miss Betty McNiece – modeling Mrs. Stanley E. Bowen’s gown, when she, as Miss Edith Gertrude Summers, was united in marriage with Stanley E. Bowen, Malahide, by Rev. M.P. Smith, of Bayham, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Summers, on Nov. 2, 1932.
Miss Ora Penhale – modeling Mrs. Colin Brown’s dress, hat and shoes, when she, as Miss Mary Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Martin of Aylmer, was married to Colin Brown, of Fort Erie, Sept. 24, 1932.
Miss Mary Halpenny – wearing the gown worn by Mrs. James Fuller when she was Miss Zita Godwin, of Richmond, and was married at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Godwin, to James Fuller, of Malahide, by Rev. R.M. Southcott, on May 30, 1933.
Mrs. Ross Summers – modeling her own gown which she wore on the occasion of her marriage as Miss Iva Hewer of Springfield, to Ross Summers, of Aylmer, in the Springfield United Church, May 16, 1934, by Rev. G.E. Morley. Gowns worn by the five bridesmaids and two flower girls at this wedding were also modeled.
Mrs. Russell Yeandle – modeling the gown her niece, Miss Margaret Fillmore wore at her wedding to Alfred Thomas, in Trinity Church, St. Thomas, July 11, 1934, by Archdeacon Andrew.
Mrs. S. Harper – wearing the very pretty gown which she, as Miss Francis Tricomo wore at her marriage to Summers Harper at “Our Lady of Sorrows Church”, Detroit, by Father Syeon, Nov. 3, 1934.
Mrs. George Summers – modeling her very pretty gown which she as Doris Caverly wore when united in marriage to George Summers, of Summers Corners, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Caverly, by Rev. G.E. Wood, Jan. 1, 1935.
Mrs. Peter Kapoginie – modeling her own gown worn on the occasion of her marriage as Miss Stella Maltezo, of St. Catherines, to Peter Kapoginie, of Hamilton, now of Aylmer, in the Crystal Hall, St. Catharines, by Father Geo. Stevens, Jan. 12, 1935.
Miss Irma-Jean Dell – modeling the gown worn by Miss Marjorie Jean Sutherland of St. Marys, to Wm. McLeod of Embro, at the home of her parents, by Rev. R.T. Wright of Wallaceburg, Oct. 23, 1936. The Bible carried by Miss Dell was the one carried by her grandmother, Mrs. Thomas Ferguson Hanna, at her wedding in Belfast, Ireland, 70 years ago.
Mrs. Harvey Jay – wearing the gown which she as Miss Dallas Smith wore at her marriage to Charles Harvey Jay at the beautiful amphitheatre, Alma College, by Rev. Ellsworth Toll, July 25, 1936.
Miss Mabel Rann – wearing her cousin’s gown, Miss Nora Margaret Horton, married to Rev. John Andrew McDermand, United Church minister, now at Mt. Forest, at the home of her aunt, Mrs. C.A. McLean, Port Credit, June 23, 1937, by Revs. Mitchell and Bates. Among the guests at this wedding were ten United Church ministers.
Mrs. Morley G. Edgington of Aylmer – wearing her sister-in-law’s gown, Vera Irene Bond, married to Elburn John Rann, at the home of her father, Chas. Bond, Sparta Road, by Rev. Woods of Sparta, July 3, 1937.
Miss Marjorie Walker – modeling the dress worn by Miss Helen Page on the occasion of her marriage to Stuart McBrines, at Goderich, by Rev. C.F. Magle, Jan. 8, 1938.
Mrs. Lorne Matthews – modeling her own dress and coat, hat and gloves, worn when she was Miss Hughina Duncan, of St. Thomas, was married to Lorne Matthews of Aylmer, by Bishop John Dent, of London, May 27, 1938.
Miss Dorothy Gifford – wearing the gown worn by Miss Ann Morton at her marriage to Clifford West, of St. Thomas, May 20, 1938, in Trinity Anglican Church, St. Thomas, by the late Ven. Archdeacon Andrew.
Mrs. Robert Dell – modeling her own gown when she was Mildred Jolliffe of St. Thomas, wore on the occasion of her married to Robert Ernest Dell of Aylmer, in the Central United Church, St. Thomas, June 29, 1938, by Rev. A.W. Hone.
Mrs. Clark Matthews – modeling her own wedding dress. She was formerly Miss Lorna Summerville of St. Thomas and was married to Clark Matthews of Aylmer, by Rev. W.D. Stenlake, in Aylmer, on Sept. 24, 1938.
Mrs. Wm. Bodkin – modeling her own gown, when she was Miss Beulah Butler, of St. Thomas, wore on the occasion of her marriage to William Bodkin, of Aylmer, at Yarmouth Centre, by Revs. Moorehouse and Raymer, Oct. 1, 1938.
Miss Helen Todd – in the pretty gown worn by Miss Ruby Mitchell at her marriage to Hugh Millard, by Rev. Hammond at Straffordville, on April 8, 1939.
Mrs. Maurice McNeil – modeling her own gown. She was formerly Miss Marion Archer of London, and was married to Dr. Maurice McNeil of Aylmer, in London at First St. Andrew’s United Church, by Rev. John Y. Mackinnon, June 3, 1939.
Mrs. Kenneth Miller – modeling her own gown which she as Maryel Eris Newell, daughter of Herbert Newell, Glencolin, wore on the occasion of her marriage to Kenneth Miller, of Aylmer, in Trinity United Church, Glencolin, July 20, 1939. This being the first wedding in the church, Mr. and Mrs. Miller were presented with a Bible.
Mrs. Reginald Walters – modeling her own gown, which she as Isabel Stoner, of St. Thomas, wore on the occasion of her marriage to Reginald Walters, of that city, in St. John’s Anglican Church, by Rev. Taylor, Sept. 28, 1939.
The Aylmer Express, July 18, 1935
PRESSEY FAMILY CELEBRATES
100TH ANNIVERSARY
Annual Reunion Was Held At Port Burwell
One hundred years ago in the spring of 1835, two brothers, John Pressey and George Pressey, accompanied by their wives and families, left Downton Parish*, Salisbury, in Wiltshire, England, and after a tedious journey – six weeks and five days without sight of land in a sailing vessel – visioned the shores of Canada.
They sailed up the St. Lawrence River and through Lake Ontario until they arrived at Toronto. Here they were forced to leave the boat and go in a wagon from there to the shores of Lake Erie, where at Fort Erie, they entered a ship once more on the last lap of their journey to Port Burwell.
By this time their money was almost exhausted and the two brothers together with John’s oldest son, George, who at this time was a lad of sixteen years, walked the remainder of their journey. On their arrival at Port Burwell, which at that time contained only a few houses, their combined money amounted to but seventy-five cents.
John Pressey was the father of four children: George, Enos, Johanna Bond, and Elizabeth McQuiggan. George’s descendants are one daughter of his elder son John, living in California, and the children of his second son, Thomas, in the vicinity of Arkona.
The second son, Enos’ family, live mostly within a twenty-five mile radius of the old home on the second concession of Bayham.
Elizabeth McQuiggan’s family, live near Calton. Leuanah (sic) Bond’s descendants are at Aurora, Ontario, and Cleveland, Ohio.
The younger brother, George, settled on the fourth concession of Malahide, had four sons and two daughters – Henry, Phineas, Fred and George, Mrs. Ann Hawley and Mrs. Leonna Sterks. The majority of the descendants of this family still live in the townships of Malahide and Yarmouth, with the exception of the families of Mrs. Leonna Sterks, who live in Michigan.
Celebrate Anniversary
This year, on Wednesday last, about one hundred and seventy-five gathered at Port Burwell, to celebrate the One Hundredth Anniversary and the Thirteenth Anniversary Reunion. Immediately after dinner, a memorial service was held in the Anglican cemetery where the four old people, John and George, and their wives, and also Mrs. Lueanna Bond were buried.
After singing “Faith of our Fathers”, and repeating the Lord’s Prayer in unison, the President, L.S. Kerr, gave a short address and the Pioneer Hymn was sung. Short addresses followed, given by E.L. Pressey, Belmont; Phillip Pressey and P.P. Pressey, of Aylmer; George McQuiggan and Charles McQuiggan, of Calton; Harold Pressey of Cleveland; Mrs. G. F. King, of Strathroy, and Mr. Sterks of Michigan.
In these addresses, George McQuiggan and Charles McQuiggan gave early histories of the family, both in England, and in Philip Pressey Canada, Chas. McQuiggan pointing out that the farms of George McQuiggan, Fred Thornthwaite and himself, were the farms that his great-grandfather settled and he still thought his choice of land a wise choice. The beautiful bouquets placed on the graves by Mrs. Fred Thornthwaite were grown in Mrs. John Pressey’s old dooryard. Mrs. King said that it was not the money these forefathers let us that makes us so proud of them, but their honesty, kindness to others, and true Christian character. It was up to us to carry on for Christ and country, in a manner that would make our children proud of us. Mr. Sterks spoke of the courage of these pioneers, and said we needed courage today to live lives that make a people great and a country great.
Mrs. Andy Pressey and Mrs. McAllisten each gave appropriate readings.
The McQuiggan family sang a favourite hymn of their fathers, “I Have Found a Friend”, after which Mrs. Charles Parker, and Mrs. George McQuiggan, Calton, who were the youngest grandchildren in their respective families, placed everlasting wreaths on the graves. “Blest Be the Tie that Binds” was sung. Two minutes of silence in memory of those passed away within the last year. Mr. Sterks pronounced the benediction, and all returned to the park for the business meeting, sports program and bathing.
The officers for next year are: Mr. S.L. Kerr, Sarnia, Pres.; Mrs. Chas. Parker, Aylmer, Sec.-Treas.; Mr. Emery Pressey, grounds committee. It was decided that the gathering should be held at Springbank Park on the last Saturday in June.u
*This further documents Ken Light’s Downton, Wilts, England emigrants of 1835!
Trinity Anglican Church Cemetery:
George Pressey died Nove 11, 1846 – 48yrs.
Mary (his wife) died Oct. 14, 1880 – 81 yrs.
John Pressey died Dec. 13, 1873 – 77yrs.
Sarah (his wife) died Jan 17, 1874 – 78 yrs.
Luanna Pressey died. Mar 25, 1881 – 53 yrs.
(wife of John Bond)
Pt Burwell-Vienna Anglican church records.
George Rasey (Pressey?), buried 16 Nov 1846 in churchyard, Port Burwell, native of England
Angeline Prosey (Pressey?), buried 8 Sep 1849, ch/o Enos & Mary Prasey (born 1 May 1846 & bapt 11 June 1848; wit: John, Mrs. John & Luanne Prosey)
Mary Pressey, bur 17 Oct 1880, died 15 Oct., age 81 yr., buried Trinity Anglican cemetery
Marriages:
George Pressey & Mary Margaret Thornthet at Mrs. Putnam’s, Bayham Twp., on 3 July 1851.
John Thomas Bond & Luann Prosey, at Trinity church, Port Burwell, on 9 Sept 1852
Baptisms
David Henry Prosey, bapt 8 Sep 1849, born 3 Apr 1949, lived Con 3, Bayham Twp., son of Enos & Mary, wit: Mr & Mrs. John Prosey
Alexander Thomas Bond, bapt 7 Aug 1853, born 13 June 1853, son of John & Luann Bond, labourer, at St. Lukes, Vienna
George Albert William, bapt 18 Feb 1863, born 15 Oct 1862, son of George & Elizabeth Ann Pressey, farmer, at St. Lukes, Vienna
The Aylmer Express, May 7, 1936
GROVESEND WAS BUSY PLACE 75 YEARS AGO
Tannery, Mill, Warehouse, Stores, Were Active Places Remembered by Mrs. John McCausland, of St. Thomas.
The following item from the Times-Journal of Saturday, will interest many of our readers, particularly the older citizens of South Malahide.
St. Thomas, May 2nd – Like many another settlement that flourished in the early days of the district only to fade away later when the railroads brought more convenient transportation to other villages or towns, the pretty little village of Grovesend on the banks of Lake Erie between Port Burwell and Port Bruce was a centre of activity and interest about the middle of the past century. Today no one comes to the corner store, the tanner, mill or grain warehouse by the lake, most of which, along with many of the houses, have disappeared altogether during the passing years.
Much interesting pioneer history is connected with these buildings that have gone and with the former thriving settlement, and an attempt is being made to learn more of it. Of particular interest to those seeking information is the story of the old Peacock school, a notable institution of the district, to attend which students came from other places, so highly was it regarded. How it started and whether it was a government, or private school, is not recalled, although a resident of St. Thomas who used to attend it as a child of seven, remembers that there was another school in the village at the same time and that there was some feeling of rivalry between the two institutions, to which the students gave expression in snowball fights at recess during winter days.
Agnes Wrong, daughter of William Wrong, a merchant of Vienna, Ont., who is now Mrs. James McCausland, of this city, recalls these early days of Grovesend, when as a child of 1852, she went there and attended the Peacock school for a year or two while living with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Wrong. Life in the Peacock school made a deep impression on the little girl. Apparently the late Mr. Peacock was a teacher of exceptional ability and with educational methods in advance of his day. Mrs. McCausland could already read when she went to the Grovesend school, but she remembers well Mr. Peacock’s method of teaching the rudiments of arithmetic, and geometry, using pebbles in geometric pattern. He made study a pleasure even for the tiny tots and there was much singing, even geography, and the multiplication tables being sometimes learned in song. The songs of the old school fixes themselves in memory and Mrs. McCausland passed them on to her children, and her grandchildren are in turn learning them from her son.
Mrs. McCausland was not long in Grovesend at that time and when she returned Mr. Peacock had gone to teach in Port Burwell and his school was closed. She attended the other Grovesend school, which was also excellent, and when living later in Port Burwell again became a pupil of Mr. Peacock in the high school.
In Methodist Church
The latter school in Grovesend had been in a large Methodist church, not a regular school building. Later, another church was built on the same site, which is now occupied by a garage, beside which the old churchyard still stands.
A busy little settlement was Grovesend in the middle of the last century, with its tannery, mill, store, warehouse and surrounding homes. Grain from all the country was brought to the warehouse, from where it was taken down the lake bank by oxen and loaded on scows which conveyed it out to the larger vessels. The grain mill was owned by a Mr. Backhouse and was believed to be the only one in the district missed by invading Americans who destroyed the others. The warehouse, which was owned by Mrs.
McCausland’s grandfather, stood for many years and in later years she used to visit the spot, which had a remarkable echo.
Well-Known Names
Many well-known early names are connected with memories of Grovesend, including the Adams family, the Bowlbys, Lyons, Wrongs, Smiths, Marrs, Dishers, and McCauslands. The Lyons farm and the former Wrong property across the road are now owned by a relative of the Bishop of London, the Right Rev. Winnington-Ingram.
Many an interesting story of pioneer life is connected with the history of this district, but information is being sought by Mrs. McCausland particularly about the old Peacock school, concerning the history of which inquirers whose families were connected with it have come to her as one of the former students, and keen as is the memory of the then seven-year-old child of those school-days, she feels that there is much more of interest regarding its founding and development that could be learned. Information about the descendants of the pioneer residents buried in the old churchyard there is also being sought.
THOMAS EVENING JOURNAL
July 17, 1904
Peter Potts and Miss Mary McCain were united in marriage by Rev. H. C. Parsons on June 16th at 148 Wellington street. The happy couple will start on a western tour tomorrow. S
Sat. July 31, 1897?
SAVED FROM DEATH
The Narrow Escape of Miss Cascaden While Out on Her Wheel.
Miss Cascaden was riding her bicycle on Main street towards the railroad track Thursday afternoon and reached the track just as the mail train was approaching the crossing. She was to the act of crossing the track directly in front of the train and would certainly have met instant death had not Messrs. J.G. Taylor, Chas. T. Gignac ___ ___ of the Acme Goods Co. of Toronto, who were coming towards the track from the __ saw the perilous condition.
They ran and rescued her.
St. THOMAS WEEKLY DISPATCH
April 1st. 1858
Mr. James Stokes, of Yarmouth Township is probably the oldest man in the County of Elgin. He emigrated from London (England) to New Hampshire, U.S., in the year 1774, and from thence to Canada in 1810, and settled on Talbot Road, upon a grant of land made by the late Colonel Talbot, where he now resides with his aged consort, and has done for the last forty-eight years, and was of course one of the earliest pioneers and who have made this beautiful country what it is. Mr. Stroke has been remarkably health all his life, and has never broken a limb. He has always lead an exemplary life, maintaining strictly sober and temperate habits. At the time of the American invasion his loyalty was strikingly enticed. His arm was raised in defense of the country of adoption, and his home was the home of the truly loyal, and no other. He is still in sound mind as when he was but a young man, and converse fluently and clearly as ever on subjects with which he is acquainted. His numerous and very respectable family are all settled in the vicinity, and who frequently repair in the home of their childhood, to wile away a hour with their aged sire, who is now in his one hundredth year. C
ZURICH HERALD
Fri. Oct. 22, 1909
Matrimonial Dispute
A St. Thomas man, whose wife had left him, advertised that he would not be responsible for any debts she might contract in his name.
The women in the case widely had a mind of her own and got back at him the next day in the following vigorous fashion:
“With regard to the notice published in last night’s Times over the signature of J. L. Parker, I wish to state that I have been supporting myself and child, without his aid, for the past six months, and also that I have no intention of contracting debts in his name, as his credit is of no value in this city”
(Published in Rooting around Huron, Feb. ’98)
THOMAS TIMES JOURNAL
Oct. 8, 1885
MARRIED
MORGAN CORMICK: In Detroit, on the 1st inst, by the Rev. Moses Smith, Mr. ? Morgan of Hamilton to Miss Hattie Cormick of Flora street, St. Thomas.
VAIL – BASSETT – On the 6th inst. by the Rev. Joseph Philp, at the the residence of the bride’s mother, Jonas Street, Mr. John Hiram Vail to Miss Eliza Bassett all of St. Thomas.
DIED
SHARPE – In this city on the 1st inst, ? Mackenzie, son of A.M. Sharpe, cond. M.C.R., aged 5 years and 21 days.
REYNOLDS – In Windsor, on the 27th ult. J. Reynolds, formerly of this city.