Wordless Wednesday ~ Autographs

SOURCE: The Graphics Fairy

Family Tree Snowflake Ornaments

Looking for a unique Christmas gift for the family historian? These Pewter Snowflake Ornaments are one of the newest gift ideas from Zazzle.com.

Two trees - but very different designs. The first is a black and white design of a tree with a twisted trunk. This design may be customized simply by changing the text to suit your needs.

Twisted Tree Genealogy Family Tree Snowflake Ornament by MagnoliaVintage
Look at more ornaments at Zazzle

Second, a green and white tree with abstract flowers blooming and little hearts in the roots.

Abstract Green & White Tree with Hearts Ornament by MagnoliaVintage
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Tombstone Tuesday ~ The HULL Family

My third great grandmother is Catherine HULL (1800-1875 aged 75). She was was married to Oliver Uriah GATES (1802-1882 aged 80). Catherine was the daughter of Freelove KELSEY (1758-1841 aged 83) and Samuel HULL I (1755-1840 aged 85).

Freelove and Samuel had twelve children: Jonas, James, Samuel II, Lebbeus, Russell, Electa, Hubbard, Phoebe, Curtis, Catherine, Alanson and Hannah. The eld3est child was born in 1782, the youngest in 1804, a span of twenty-two years. Their mother, Freelove KELSEY, would have been age 24 when her first child Jonas was born and age 46 years when her youngest child, Hannah, was born. Freelove died in 1841, at the age of 83 years. Quite amazing for that era.

Although I have not been able to find a photo of Catherine's tombstone, I know that she is buried at the Burns Cemetery, Center Township, Ottumwa, Iowa - Eddyville Road, two miles West of Ottumwa. (SOURCE: Handwritten GATES and HULL Family Tree; 1984, updated 1986.)

However, I do have photos of some of her siblings. Today I have posted the tombstone of her eldest brother, Jonas HULL. Jonas was eighteen years older than his sister Catherine.

Jonas was born 20 April 1782, Killingworth, New Haven, Connecticut; he died 14 October 1854 aged 72, Candor, Tioga County, New York. Jonas married Charlotte (maiden name unknown).

JONAS HULL
DIED

Oct. 14, 1854

Aged 72 yrs
Maple Grove Cemetery 

Candor, Tioga County, New York

Notice the unique Weeping Willow carved on the headstone.

SOURCES: #1 Handwritten Family Tree - "Oliver Uriah GATES and Catherine HULL - Their Descendants;" dated August 1984. #2 Photo courtesy of a member of Find A Grave, 2011.

Surname Saturday ~ HULL ~ Ancestors and Descendants

The HULL family was a prominent family in the early settling of America. There are records available which show that George HULL came from England in 1630 and settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

The reference to the Historical Gazetteer of Tioga County, New York, 1785-1888 was included in the handwritten family tree of my ancestors, Oliver Uriah GATES (1802- 1882) and his wife Catherine HULL (1800-1875). This family tree was compiled by by father's first cousin in 1984.

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Historical Gazetteer of Tioga County, New York, 1785-1888

Text: Pages: 181-182

TOWN OF CANDOR

Samuel Hull, son of George Hull, Jr., and a lineal descendant of George Hull, who came from England in 1630 and settled in Dorchester, Mass., was born June 15, 1755, married Freelove Kelsey, June 20, 1781, and reared twelve children, viz.: Jonas, James, Samuel, Lebbeus, Russell, Electa, Hubbard, Pheobe, Curtis, Catharine, Alanson and Hannah. Mr. Hull came to Candor in 1809, and made the first settlement on the farm now owned by his grandson, Nathan T. Hull. Samuel, Jr., was born July 9, 1785, married Sabrina Teall, and had born to him nine children, as follows: James B., Clarissa R., Mary, Lydia M., Samuel, Catharine A., Henry H., Nathan T., and Elizabeth S. Nathan T. was born October 14, 1824, married Ada M., daughter of Daniel Oakley, and six children were born to them, only three of whom are living, namely, Elizabeth G. (Mrs. Hiram Henderson), Mary J. (Mrs. Charles Perkins), of Bradford, Pa., and Daniel O.

SOURCE: Historical Gazetteer of Tioga County, New York, 1785-1888; published by W. B. Gay; W. B. Gay & Company, Syracuse, New York, 1888.

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This is an extensive site with history of Redding, home of the HULL family and Mark TWAIN.
The HULL name is included as one of the first settlers (1630+) in Georgetown.

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The History of Redding, Connecticut

The Hull Family of Redding, Connecticut (CT)

The Hull Family: Arrived 1629 aboard the `Mary and John.` George HULL born: 1590 in Crewkerne, Somersetshire, England; married: (1) 17 Aug 1614 Thamzen (Thomesene) MICHELL (Daughter of Robert MICHELL; d. Before 1655 in MA or CT) Crewkerne, Somersetshire, England (2) 1655 Sarah, widow David PHIPIN, Boston; d: Aug - Nov 1659 Fairfield, CT; Son of Thomas HULL & Joane PESON a.k.a. Joanne Psying.

Children all by first marriage:
1. Josias bap. 16 Nov 1616 (Crewkerne Eng) m. 1640 Elizabeth LOOMIS (Windsor CT) d. 16 Nov 1675 (Killingworth CT -
(Believe that Josia a.k.a. Josiah is our ancestor.)
2. Marie bap. 27 Jul 1618 (Crewkerne Eng) m. Humphrey PINNEY (CT) d. 20 Aug 1684 (CT)
3. Martha bap. 24 Oct 1620 (Crewkerne Eng)
4. Elizabeth bap. 16 Oct 1625 (Crewkerne Eng) m. Samuel GAYLORD d. 2 May 1680
5. Cornelius bap. 9 Apr 1628 m. 1653 Rebecca JONES d. Sept 1695
6. Naomi - 7 Joshua bap. 5 Nov 1630 (Crewkerne Eng) d. young.

SOURCE: The History of Redding Connecticut; http://www.historyofredding.com/HRHull.htm

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The Hull Family in America is available to be read online at US.Archive.org. It includes George Hull, his brother, Rev. Joseph Hull and their descendants. Also included is Richard Hull, of Derbyshire, England, thought not to be related to the brothers.

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THE HULL FAMILY IN AMERICA

INTRODUCTION:

The Hull Family in America has three main divisions: George Hull and his descendants; his brother, the Reverend Joseph Hull and his descendants; and Richard Hull and his descendants. George and Joseph were sons of Thomas and Joane Pescn Hull, of Somersetshire, England, the earliest known ancestors of the tribe. George was about five years older than Joseph and came to this country five years earlier, in 1630. The relationship of Richard Hull to them, if there is any, is not known. . . .

Page 9.

The Descendants of George Hull

#1. George Hull, 1590-1659, surveyor, Indian trader, magistrate, statesman, and founder of a prominent branch of the Hull family in America, the son of Thomas and Joana Peson Hull of Crewkerne, Somersetshire, England. On August 17, 1614, as shown by the original parish records of the ancient church of Crewkerne village, he was married to Thamzen (Thomasene) Michell, daughter of Robert Michell, a well-to-do yeoman of Stockland in the adjoining shire of Dorset. Stockland is about six miles distant of the village of Crewkerne at or near which the ancestral home of the Hulls was situated and it was probably included within the bounds of Crewkerne parish.

SOURCE: The Hull Family in America, compiled by Col. Charles H. Weygant. Published 1913 by Sun Printing Co., for The Hull Family Association in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Total pages 647. http://ia600209.us.archive.org/11/items/hullfamilyinamer00weyg.pdf

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There are other resources available online for researching the HULL family, I only included a few.

Tombstone Tuesday ~ Julia Ann. OAKLEY HULL

Julia Ann OAKLEY HULL
Born 1 September 1795, New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut

Died 22 August 1859, Candor, Tioga County, New York 

Buried Maple Grove Cemetery Candor, Tioga County, New York

Julia Ann OAKLEY was the second wife of Samuel HULL Junior.  It is not known when Samuel and Julia Ann were married. However,  Julia would have been at least 48 years old at the time. Julia and Samuel did not have any children.

Samuel HULL Junior is the eldest of the twelve children of Freelove KELSEY and Samuel HULL Senior. Samuel Junior is an older brother of my third great grandmother Catherine HULL, who was born 9th April  1800, Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut. Catherine died 13 April 1875, Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa. Catherine's husband was Oliver Uriah GATES.

 

Now, in 2012, the headstone would be 153 years old. It looks like there is some water damage.

SOURCES: #1 This photo is courtesy of a member of Find A Grave.

#2 Handwritten family tree Oliver Uriah GATES and Catherine HULL; compiled 1984.
#3 Internet research 2003-2012.

 

Tombstone Tuesday ~ Sabrina TEALL HULL

 

Sabrina TEALL HULL 

Born 31 August 1786 Killingworth, Middlesex, Connecticut 

Died 22 June 1842 Candor, Tioga County, New York
Maple Grove Cemetery,
Candor, Tioga County, New York

Sabrina TEALL was the first wife of Samuel HULL Junior . The couple were married 9 February 1808 in Killingworth, Middlesex, Connecticut. Sabrina died in 1842 after being married for 34 years to Samuel. The couple had nine children. Sabrina was 55 years, 9 months, 22 days when she died.

Sabrina and Samuel are buried at the Maple Grove Cemeter, Candor, Tioga County, New York. Samuel's second wife, Julia A. OAKLEY. is also buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery.

Samuel HULL Junior is the eldest of the twelve children of Freelove KELSEY and Samuel HULL Senior. Samuel Junior is an older brother of my third great grandmother Catherine HULL, who was born 9th April  1800, Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut. Catherine died 13 April 1875, Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa. Catherine's husband was Oliver Uriah GATES.

 SOURCE: #1 This photo is courtesy of a member of Find A Grave.
#2 Handwritten family tree Oliver Uriah GATES and Catherine HULL; compiled 1984.
#3 Internet research 2003-2012.



 

Tombstone Tuesday ~ Samuel HULL Junior

Samuel HULL Junior Born July 9, 1785 ~ Died December 11, 1868
Aged 82 years, 5 months

 Samuel HULL Junior is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Candor, Tioga County, New York. Samuel's parents are Freelove KELSEY and Samuel HULL Senior.

Samuel Junior married twice. In 1808, first to Sabrina TEALL, born 1786 In Killingworth, Middlesex, Connecticut, she died in 1842 Candor, Tioga County, New York.Sabrina and Samuel had nine children.
Samuel Junior was aged 57 years when his first wife, Sabrina, died in 1842. 

It is not know when Samuel Junior married a second time to Julia Ann OAKLEY. She was born in 1795, New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut and died in 1859 in Candor, Tioga County, New York. Samuel Junior was aged 74 years when Julia Ann died. He out lived Julia by nine years.

Samuel Junior, Sabrina TEALL and Julia Ann OAKLEY are all buried at the Maple grove Cemetery, Candor, Tioga County, New York.

Samuel HULL Junior is the eldest of the twelve children of Freelove KELSEY and Samuel HULL Senior. Samuel Junior is an older brother of my third great grandmother Catherine HULL, who was born 9th April  1800, Killingworth, Middlesex County, Connecticut. Catherine died 13 April 1875, Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa. Catherine's husband was Oliver Uriah GATES.

SOURCE: #1 This photo is courtesy of a member of Find A Grave. The HULL family members were transferred to me by the same member in 2011.
#2 Handwritten family tree Oliver Uriah GATES and Catherine HULL; compiled 1984.
#3 Internet research 2003-2012.

Tombstone Tuesday ~ Freelove KELSEY and Samuel HULL

Freelove KELSEY and her husband, Samuel HULL, are my third Great Grandparents. Freelove is the daughter of Jonah (1725-1772) & Martha (1727-?) Nettleton Kelsey.
Catharine Hull`s father, Samuel HULL, was a son of George HULL, Jr., and a lineal descendant of George HULL, who came from England in 1630 and settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Samuel HULL, was born June 15, 1755, married Freelove KELSEY, June 20, 1781, and reared twelve children.
This family moved from Killingworth, Connecticut, in the fall of 1809, to Candor, Tioga County, New York State, and made their first settlement on a farm.

SOURCE: #1 This information about the lineage of Samuel HULL was recorded in a 33 page handwritten family tree of my father's ancestors. It was researched by his first cousin in 1984 and a copy was given to my Mother in 1986.
#2 - Historical Gazetteer of Tioga County, New York, 1785-1888, compiled & Edited by W. B. Gay, (Published by W. B. Gay & Co., Syracuse, N.Y.), pages 181-182. ~ CG 2011
#3 - Photos were provided courtesy of D. S. who is a member of Find A Grave. When I told him that the HULL family were my ancestors he kindly transferred all that he had to me. I'm assuming that he is not related to the HULL family, but an enthusiastic tombstone photographer. 

 SAMUEL HULL DIED December 9, 1840, aged 85 years 6 months. 

Maple Grove Cemetery, Candor, Tioga County, New York

FREELOVE wife of SAMUEL HULL DIED February 19, 1841, aged 81 years and 5 months.

Workday Wednesday ~ Life's Work Well Done

"HORSE POWER" ~ late 1920's early 1930's

George and Emma JOHNSON ~ farm in Milden, Saskatchewan

The cars are probably their sons' the horse and buggy would be George's.

My Mother told me that he father, George, refused to drive his car during the Depression.

An early environmentalist!

George Albert JOHNSON and Emma CLARK

with one of twenty-two grandchildren

 At their home/farm, Milden, Saskatchewan, 1940
George and Emma's tombstone epitaph:
LIFE'S WORK WELL DONE

 Well a lot of my ancestors were farmers. However, along with farming they also were instrumental in building the communities that they settled in.  

Emma CLARK:
pianist and music teacher - piano and violin (1891 Census Canada - at age 17 Emma is listed as a pianist);
pioneer and settler;
Choir Director, Church organist and music director for various community functions; 
Midwife - she assisted the pioneer doctor, a young 20 year old just starting his practice.

Pianist:
In the 1891 Census Canada, at age 17 years old, she was considered to be a piniest. Emma studied music with the Conservatory of Music, Ontario.
In about 1887 or 1888, Emma  and George met at a music recital. She was the dainty, educated young pianist; he was the tall, ruggedly handsome Irish farmer, who loved to sing. Opposites attract. In 1899 they were married in Penetanguishene, Ontario, where she was born.

In 1905, when they settled in their sod house on the barren prairies,  her parents shipped her baby grand piano to them. Little did her parents know that the piano would give them shelter when the roof of their sod house was torn off in a tornado!

In 1911, the Village of Milden was incorporated. For at least 20 years Emma was the only music teacher. She provided music lessons for the children and played the piano and organ at the Methodist/ Presbyterian United Church. She and George were also responsible for the Church choir.
In 1925, silent moving pictures were introduced to Milden. They were shown for five years, until 1930, when the Depression forced the closure of the theatre. Emma played the piano for the silent movies at that time. In 1940, the movies resumed, but now they were 35 millimeter with sound.

Midwife:
In 1912, the second doctor to serve the community was a young man in his early 20's. By then Emma would have been in her mid 30's. My mother told me that Emma was called upon many times to assist the young doctor with pregnancies and births. During the 1918 flu epidemic she also helped to nurse her neighbours.

Mother and Farm wife:
Emma was skilled at knitting and crocheting. My Mother told me that when she or one of her six siblings lost their mittens, there was always a new pair waiting for them in the morning. They had a large garden and had their own livestock. The cold cellar was well stocked with preserves for the winter.
In the 1930's, during the Depression, my Mother told me that there was always a meal for the "hobos" who travelled the rails looking for a days work. During harvesting, Emma always provided their farm hands with substantial meals.

George Albert JOHNSON:
farmer, carpenter, pioneer and settler;
School Board Trustee (founding Member); 
Choir Director (he was an Irish tenor, his wife Emma was the pianist and organist); 
Telephone Company Board Trustee (1923-1940); 
President, Milden Local, Grain Growers Cooperative Association Ltd.; 
well respected neighbour and friend.

Farmer and carpenter:
My maternal grandfather, George Albert JOHNSON, only had a Grade 8 education. That was all that was available in the little community where his Irish parents settled. Of course later, after he had grown up, there was more schooling available for his eight younger siblings. Like his Irish parents, he was a farmer and a carpenter. His paternal grandparents emigrated from Ireland in 1839; his maternal grandparents in 1850. both his father and mother were born in Ontario.

In about 1897 or 1898, George left his parent's farm. He was married to Emma CLARK in 1899, in Penetanguishene, Ontario.

Labourer:
In 1900, at the age of 25 years, he worked on the Locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Carpenter and Labourer:
In 1903, he and his wife Emma (CLARK) moved West to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he worked as a carpenter. My mother thought that he also worked on laying the grade for the railroad as it was built Westward across Canada.

Pioneer and Settler:
In 1905, George and Emma with their first two children, traveled further West to Saskatchewan. I'm not sure how far the train would have taken them, but the end of their journey would have been by a settler's wagon to what would become the farming community of Milden, Saskatchewan. The Canadian Government was giving land to the early settlers. The condition being that they worked the land for three years, then they could pay the $10.00 fee to register their land in their own name. In 1908, after living in a sod house for three years, George had "proved up" his quarter section.

Co-Founder and School Trustee:
In 1907, his two oldest children, ages six and eight years needed to attend school. So he and a few other settlers submitted a request to the Saskatchewan Commissioner of Education to establish a school. It was approved in November 1907. George was appointed a School Trustee on the four member Board. He was appointed to travel by wagon to purchase lumber and the necessary school supplies, desks, chalkboards, etc. He served for thirteen years, from 1908 to 1921.

President, Grain Growers' Cooperative:
January/February 1910, the first Local of the Grain Growers' Cooperative Association Ltd. was formed. George was the first Wheat Pool delegate for an annual convention to represent the Milden community.

Board Member, Milden Telephone Company:
In 1915, the first telephone switchboard was installed in the town drugstore. In 1918, George JOHNSON and my uncle Edmund GATES, were elected to the six-member Board.

Survived 1905 Prairie Grass Fire while helping a neighbouring farmer:
The pioneers and settlers were a close knit community, helping neighbours in their hour of need. In 1905, there was a major prairie grass fire that swept across Saskatchewan. The flames leap more than twenty feet in the air. Grandpa George had gone about a mile to help another farmer set up his fire guard. The fire overtook him and he had no choice but to run over the burnt ground to get back to his sod house where his wife, Emma, and their two small children were. Fortunately he was not badly burnt, however, his did carry some small scars on his hands and face for the rest of his life.

Sources: Personal knowledge; stories my Mother told me; LOOKING BACK - 1905-1965; The History of the Milden Community; published 1966. (Copy given to my parents in 1969.)

Sunday's Obituary ~ Sarah Frances (GATES) WHITE ~ 13 January 1938

Cropped from photograph with her father, Edmund Uriah GATES, and siblings. Circa 1915. Flagler, Kit Carson County, Colorado.  [Scroll down for the larger family photograph.]

SOURCE: photograph courtesy of a GATES cousin; emailed 2010.

Sarah GATES was the daughter of Edmund Uriah and Harriet (SPONSLER) GATES.

The Flagler News, Thursday, January 13, 1938:

Mrs. Sarah White Died Sunday Night

Word was received late Sunday night by George Gates of the death of his sister, Mrs. Sarah White, at a Colorado Springs hospital. Mrs. White had been in failing health for the past year and was taken to the hospital there several months ago where her condition gradually grew worse.

Wife of one of Flagler’s first business men, Mrs. White had made her home here since 1902 when she and Mr. White came here from Kansas. He passed away in 1931.

Sarah Gates White was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, on September 4, 1859, and was 78 years of age. At an early age she moved with her parents to Robinson, Kansas, at that time nearly the frontier of
civilization.

On February 24, 1878, she was united in marriage with John A. White and they continued to live in Kansas until 1902 when they purchased a hardware store in Flagler, at that time a very small village. They operated the hardware store here until after Mr. White’s death
when Mr. and Mrs. George Gates purchased it.

Mrs. White is survived by her brother, Geo. O. Gates, of Flagler, and a sister, Mrs. Kathryn Spees of Tecumseh, Nebr., as well as two adopted daughters, Mrs. Alice Thorp of Limon, Colo., and Mrs. Myrtle Dennis of Buena Vista, Colo. Two other adopted daughters, Ruth Gates and Nellie White, preceded her in death.

Mrs. White was a charter member of the Flagler chapter of Eastern Star, and a member of the Arriba Christian church.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon from the Congregational church, Rev. George P. Gibbs giving the funeral sermon. Interment, in charge of the Shaw Mortuary, was made in the Flagler cemetery beside her late husband.

NOTES BY C. GATES 2010
This Obituary was posted on 5th March 2003. I have found two email addresses for V. Louise. I have emailed both, most recently January 2011. However, all of my emails have come back "undeliverable."

NOTES BY V Louise
I am sure there are living descendants of the adopted children of Sarah and John WHITE. I would
welcome learning more about this Gates-White family and connecting with relatives.
Thank you,
Vlouise
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This thread:
Subject: [COKITCAR] Gates-White Obituary Flagler News 1938
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2003 20:12:30 -0800
by "V.Louise"  I've tried to contact her by email, they come back "undeliverable."

Sentimental Sunday ~ Sarah Frances (GATES) WHITE and Her Adopted Family

Sarah Frances GATES was the daughter of Edmund Uriah GATES (see post 9 January 2011).

Edmund and his wife, Harriet A. SPONSLER, had five children. Alexander Z. 2 July 1857- 16 May 1928 (AZ was my great grandfather); Sarah Frances 4 September 1859- 9 January 1938; Hanford J. 1862 - 7 March 1925; Albert Levi 1865-??; and George Oliver 8 August 1871-24 April 1944.

GATES Family Circa 1915

Seated ~ Edmund Uriah GATES

Left ~ Alexnder Z. ~ Katherine Maude*  ~ Hanford J. ~ George Oliver ~ Sarah Frances

* Katherine Maude GATES, is the daughters of Nancy (RICHARDSON) HARE and Edmund Uriah GATES.

Since we know that Edmund spent his later years living with his daughter Sarah and his son-in-law John A. WHITE, it is presumed that this photograph was taken on the porch of the WHITE home.

SOURCE: Photograph emailed from a cousin 2010.

Sarah Frances was married to John A. WHITE on 24 February 1878 in Kansas. John A. born 8 December 1851 - died 8 July 1931.

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SOURCE: GATES FAMILY TREE

Oliver Uriah GATES

1802 - 1882

Catherine (HULL) WEBB GATES

1800 - 1875

Handwritten by: Leila Belle (GATES) GREENALD; 1984 & 1988.

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The WHITE`s took Elizabeth `Lizzie` Hannah BISHOP from an orphanage into their home.

Also, in 1884, Sarah (GATES) WHITE, took her younger brother George GATES, [born 1871, so would have been 13 years] when their mother, Harriet A. SPONSLER GATES, died.

In 1894, the WHITE`s adopted Nellie C. (SEARCY) WHITE when a few months old.

Nellie was born 1894; died 1912; buried in Flagler Cemetery, Kit Carson County, Colorado.

In 1901, the WHITE`s took and cared for Ruth GATES (age 4 years) when her mother died. Ruth was the daughter of Sarah`s younger brother, Hanford J. GATES & Blanche Vivian (TOWNSEND).
Ruth was born February 1897; died 25 May 1907; buried at Flagler Cemetery, Kit Carson County, Colorado.

In 1922, the WHITE`s adopted two little girls, Alice and Myrtle.

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In all, the WHITE's had four adopted daughters and also cared for two related GATES children.

Mystery Monday ~ Mary Jane ACHESON and Christopher JOHNSTON and family

Christopher JOHNSTON and Mary Jane ACHESON

Homestead Lot 210, Concession 2, Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario Circa 1891

Acheson-Enniskillen Corners

"A Special Occasion" ~ Note the corsages being worn.

This is the home of Christopher & Mary Jane. It was build in 1975 just after their marriage in 23 December 1874. That was 2 years and 7 months since Christopher's first wife, had  died.

Christopher`s first wife, Margaret SCOTT, died prematurely in 1872, at age 30. When Mary Jane & Christopher were married in December 1874, her step-children were: Jane Ann 11, Margaret Marie 10, William Henry 9, Katherine Kelso 7, Mary Eileen 5.

Mary Jane & Christopher had 10 children during their 26 year marriage.

When Mary Jane died suddenly in 1901, after contracted Typhoid Fever, Christopher sold their homestead to Mary Jane`s sister Rachel & brother-in-law, James McMILLAN.

NOTE: 2008 I was asked if I could identify who the children were in this photo with Christopher & Mary Jane.

So using birth years of their children, this is my educated guess!

SOURCES: This photograph was among the belongings of some of Margaret SCOTT and Christopher JOHNSTON's children. They would be step-siblings to my grandfather, George Albert JOHNSTON.. So my mother's step-aunts and uncles.

PS need to come back to finish the list of their children.

Sunday's Obituary ~ William ACHESON

                                     The Dundalk Herald
                              Dundalk, Grey County, Ontario
                                         13 January 1910

William ACHESON,

Born February 1st, 1821 in County Fermanagh, Ireland,

Died January 15th, 1910, Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario

The Dundalk Herald

Jan. 13, 1910

The Late William ACHESON ~

William Acheson, who died on New Year`s day, was born in the County Fermanagh, Ireland, Feb. 1st, 1921, and married to Christina Fallis on Feb. 28,1847, who died Jan. 15th 1907.

He left Ireland on April 14th,1850, coming across in 28 days. He stayed at Madoc for some time, then came to Caledon where he lived 3 years.

In 1853 he settled on lot 205, 2nd range, Artemesia. Some years later he moved to the farm now owned by Mr. Aaron Jordan at Inistioge. While here he gave his heart to God and joined the Methodist Church at Inistioge, of which he has since been a member. He loved his Bible and death had no terrors for him.

In 1863 he moved to Lot 205, 3rd range, Proton, where he resided until his decease.

He was a strong man both mentally and physically and enjoyed almost unbroken health up to the last. Death came naturally from old age.

Of a family of 11 children, four sons and four daughters survive, namely: Wm. G., John and James on adjacent farms and Robert on the homestead.; Mrs. J. Duncan, Mrs. Edgar Duncan, Mrs. Jas. McMillen settled on neighboring farms and Mrs. Geo. Hutchinson at Kimberley.

Interment took place at the Bethel cemetery on Jan. 3rd where an impressive service was conducted by Revs. T. Laidlaw, of Inistioge, and J. J. Ferguson of Dundalk. Those who attended from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. John Agnew and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Fawcett, of Alliston; Mr. Geo. Rutherford and Miss Elitha, of Shelburne, Mr. Gilles of .....(bottom torn off)

SOURCES: This is a page from the 90th Birthday Album for my mother, 2003.
Copy of newspaper clipping courtesy of an ACHESON cousin,  Ontario, 2003.

William ACHESON's daughter, Mary Jane ACHESON, was the mother of my maternal grandfather, George Albert JOHNSON (born JOHNSTON). So he would be my great great grandfather.

Surname Saturday ~ The ACHESON Clan

The ACHESON Reunion ~ August 23, 1921

* 131 in attendance

FIRST ACHESON RE-UNION, held on August 23, 1921, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Duncan, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the marriage of two couples: Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Duncan (Margaret Acheson) and Mrs. and Mrs. John Acheson (Margaret Ludlow). The next re-union was held five years later, when these couples marked their Golden Wedding Anniversary. SOURCE: THE ACHESON FAMILY 1850-1950; published by a family committee of ten; June 21, 1951; page 32.

When she (Margaret Ann (Acheson) and her husband (John James DUNCAN) were forty-five years married she invited John and Margaret Acheosn and all the relatives to meet at her home to celebrate this worthy occasion. This was the beginning of our Acheson re-unions. SOURCE: THE ACHESON FAMILY 1850-1950; published by a family committee of ten; June 21, 1951; page 24.

These two couples were married 23 August 1876 in Orangeville, Ontario. The marriage ceremony was performed by Reverend M. Johnson.

SOURCE: THE ACHESON FAMILY 1850-1950; published by a family committee of ten; June 21, 1951; pages 20 and 24.

* NOTE: My mother's grandfather, Christopher JOHNSTON, is the man in the upper far right corner, standing beside the woman in the white dress. She is Agnes WRIGHT, his third wife. His first two wives died prematurely, the first, Margaret SCOTT, in 1872 at age 30 years; the second, Mary Jane ACHESON, in 1901 at age 45 years.

SOURCE: The booklet, THE ACHESON FAMILY 1850-1950, was generously provided to me by an ACHESON cousin. In February 2003, when I was researching our family tree for my Mother's 90th birthday, 8th March 2003. She also provided a CD with a collection of her own father's photographs, the ACHESON family.

Treasure Chest Thursday ~ ACHESON Log House circa 1865

~ ACHESON Homestead ~ Proton Station, Proton Township, Grey Country, Ontario ~ circa 1865 ~
There is a woman and a child standing on the porch.

One of the family Treasures is our Grandpa George Albert Johnson's suitcase. Early 1960, nearing the end of his life, George gave a suitcase with various documents, funeral cards, photographs and other memorabilia to the eldest of his two surviving sons at this time. This son, William JOHNSON, passed his suitcase on to one of his five sons at the time of his own death in 1995.

In January 2003, I began contacting relatives to help celebrate my Mother's 90th birthday, March 2003. The cousin I mentioned above, sent me a package with funeral cards and photographs from Grandpa George's suitcase.

This log house was one of those photographs. Although there was nothing written on the back, I'm certain that it belongs to George's ACHESON family in Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario. There are other photographs and postcards from the ACHESON family to George in Saskatchewan.

In a booklet entitled "The Acheson Family 1850-1950," there are various references to the first log homes that the ACHESON families build when there arrived from Ireland in 1850.

"In 1863, they [William ACHESON and his wife Christina FALLIS] moved again, this time to what was to be knows to future generations as "the Acheson homestead" - Lot 205, Range 3, Proton Township, in Grey County - then covered by virgin forest."
SOURCE: "THE ACHESON FAMILY 1850-1950" page 11.

"They [Acheson pioneers] knew nothing of luxury in those early days; everything they had was acquired only by had work. Even the logs from which their homes and stables were made had to be labouriously hewn by hand, the simple household furnishings usually being also homemade."
SOURCE: "THE ACHESON FAMILY 1850-1950" page 12.

". . . a log cottage on the groom's fifty acre farm." [1896]
SOURCE: "THE ACHESON FAMILY 1850-1950" page 23.

Treasure Chest Thursday ~ Winter in Saskatchewan ~ Circa 1916 and 1928

         PIONEER LIFE AND WINTER TRANSPORTATION

Joseph Samuel JOHNSON Circa 1928

 Homestead: Section 34,Township 20, Range 11, West 3rd.

 The Village of Milden, Saskatchewan, incorporated 1910.

Uncle Joe with his team of prise winning horses and cutter.

He was and avid horseman and showed his horses at local county fairs and won many ribbons.

Jane "Jenny" Victoria (MORTIMER) JOHNSON - 1916

holding Arlive Mortimer JOHNSON
Handwriting at top is Jenny and Joe's daughter, Hazel Bernice.

In about 1910, my Uncle Joe headed West to join his elder brother, George Albert JOHNSON. Joe and his wife, Jenny, homesteaded on an adjoining Quarter Section. When George and his wife, Emma CLARK, arrived in 1905, the only source of building material was the Prairie sod. George and Emma lived in their sod house from 1905 to 1908, when they were finally able to build a frame house.

The little homesteader's shack became the chicken coop after Joe had proved up his farm and then built the home that the family lived in for the rest of their years.
The two JOHNSON brothers farmed their homesteads for their entire lives.

SOURCE: Photographs provided by Hazel (JOHNSON) DISHAW. Collection of my Mother's photographs. Family story told by my mother Eva (JOHNSON) GATES.