Irwin's of Co Tyrone, Ireland and thence Australia, Canada & New Zealand

Surname Index Page Irwin Index Page My Irwin's of Ballygawley, Co Tyrone My Irwin's of New Zealand My Irwin's of Canada My Irwin's of AustraliaUnrelated Irwin FamiliesSources

From Cavey (Ballygawley) to Canada

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Thomas & Archibald Irwin were sons of James Irwin & Elizabeth Moore of Cavey townland, near Ballygawley, Co Tyrone, Ireland. They emigrated to Canada in the late 1860s, Archibald as a single man, Thomas with a wife and children. For Thomas & Archibald's ancestry, refer to the "My Irwin's of Ballygawley" link above.



1.1.2. James Irwin. Married Elizabeth Moore. James spent his entire life farming in the village of Cavey, near Ballygawley, Co Tyrone, Ireland. {Archibald's marriage & death certificates establish the identity of his parents. Family tradition holds that Thomas was his brother and whilst his parentage cannot be confirmed conclusively, circumstantial evidence strongly points to James & Elizabeth being his parents as well}

Children of James Irwin & Elizabeth Jane Moore (For a complete list refer to the Ireland chart):
*
i.
 
Thomas Irwin, (s/o James Sr, s/o Thomas), born c.1838,[31,95,104,109] Cavey townland,[31] Ballygawley, County Tyrone, Ireland.[28]
*
ii.

Archibald Irwin,[25,27,91] (s/o James Sr, s/o Thomas) born c.1848,[28,31,96,108,111] Cavey townland, Ballygawley, County Tyrone, Ireland.[31]




1.1.2.2. Thomas Irwin,[91] (s/o James Sr, s/o Thomas), born c.1838,[31,95,104,108,109] Cavey townland,[31] (near Ballygawley), Errigal Keerogue parish, County Tyrone, Ireland.[28] {[95] gives birth 12/1836, Aughnacloy & Ballygawlley, Co Tyrone, Ireland} Died 31/3/1921 (84y,3mo), Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada, and buried 3/4/1921, Lakeview Cemetery, McKellar, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario.[29,90,95,108] Cause of death was paralysis,[29,92] of 32 months duration, and asthenia {literally 'wasted away'} of 2 years duration.[92] The informant was Samuel Irwin (son) of Hagarman Township, Ontario, Canada.[92] Farmer.[6,23,28,29,90,92,95] Farmer, 1861, 1881, 1884, 1888, 1891, 1901, 1911.[6,23,91,92,104,105,109] In 1901 was a self-employed farmer working his own land.[109] Methodist, 1871, 1881, 1884, 1888, 1891, 1901, 1911.[23,92,104,105,109,167] Married Isabella[23,105] Givens,[34,91] 1/1/1861, Ballyreagh Presbyterian Church, County Tyrone, Ireland (as Thomas Irvine, s/o
Ballyreagh Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church,
Ballyreagh, Co Tyrone, Ireland
Photographs of Churches in Co Tyrone

Image © Mervyn Greer
James[6]).[6,90,95] Marriage was performed by Rev Hugh Alexander.[6] Witnesses were James McCaulin/McCausland & Archibald Irvine (presumably Thomas' brother or uncle).[6] At the time of the marriage, Isabella resided at Millix & Thomas resided at Keavey {ie Cavey}.[6,45] Millix is a townland in the north of Errigal Keerogue.[46] Thomas was of age, Isabella a minor, both previously unmarried.[6] Both Thomas' father (James) & Isabella's (John) were farmers.[6] Isabella, d/o John & Mary Givens,[6,44] born 10/4/1843, Millix townland, Errigal Keerogue parish, County Tyrone, Ireland & baptised 4/6/1843, Ballyreagh Presbyterian Church, Co Tyrone, by Rev. Hugh Alexander.[44,95] Isabella died 11/9/1921 (83y,7mo), Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada,[43,90,92] and was buried 13/9/1921, Lakeview Cemetery, McKellar, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario.[43,92,108] Cause of death was senility & heart failure.[43,92] The informant was Samuel Irwin (son) of McKellar, Ontario, Canada.[92] Thomas, his wife and three eldest children emigrated to Ontario, Canada around 1868/1869.[23] {Attempts to pinpoint the emigration of Thomas & Archibald from Ireland have, to date, been unsuccessful. Family tradition indicates the two emigrated together. Death certificates & census records give a range of dates from 1851 to 1869. The only certainty is that Thomas emigrated after the baptism of Thomas' daughter, Mary, October 1866, and before the birth of his next child, Elizabeth, October 1868. Neither Thomas or Archibald have been found in the 1861 Canada census, indicating the pre 1861 emigration dates can be safely ignored as being vague guesses or wild exaggerations on the part of the informants. "Documented" dates for their arrival include, in order, 1851 (1911 census, Archie), 1855 (1901 census, Archie), 1860 (death cert., Archie), 1863 (Thomas' death cert), 1865 (Isabella's death cert), 1867 (1901 census, Mary d/o Thomas), 1869 (1901,1911 census', Thomas). Given the spread of these dates, it is possible that Archibald emigrated sometime before Thomas, however note his absence in the 1861 census and that he was born 1845 - it is unlikely (but not impossible) that a child emigrated by himself} In 1871 they moved north to Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, crossing Georgian Bay by steamer and then by ox cart to their first grant, Lots 18 & 19, Concession 3.[90] In 1873 they moved to Lots 23 & 24, Concession 3 which remained in the family until sold by Ralph Irwin in 1980.[90] On 18/6/1872 Thomas & Isabella contracted to sell all the trees on lots 23&24 (except pine & cedar) to William Beatty, once they obtained a Patent for the lands.[47] In 1876 they sold the timber to the Parry Sound Lumber Company for $130, Thomas made his mark on the contract, while Isabella signed.[47] On 7/9/1881 Thomas & Isabella mortgaged the lands for $250.[47] Thomas and Isabella remained there until their deaths in 1921.[23,43] Resided 1861, Cavey, Co Tyrone, Ireland.[6,45] Resided 1863,1864 Ballygawley parish, Co Tyrone, Ireland.[23,90] Resided 1869,1871 (Irwing) Creemore, Nottawasaga Township, Simcoe Co, Ontario, Canada.[23,90,95,167] Resided 1871,1874,1876, Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[43,47,90] {Family tradition gives the name of this farming community as Balsam Grove, however it only appears as Balsam in official records.[28] I have used the name Balsam Grove throughout} Resided 1881, Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[23,91] {ages incorrectly listed as 35yo (Thomas) & 30yo (Isabella), despite having a 20yo son!} Resided 1891,1901 (Erwin),1911,1921, Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90,95,104,105,109]

Children of Thomas Irwin & Isabella Givens:

i.
 
John Irwin, born 1861,[1,23,90,95,110,167] Cavey townland, (near Ballygawley), Errigal Keerogue parish, County Tyrone, Ireland.[90,95] Died 14/10/1884 (23yo),[90,92,95,110] Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario & buried Lakeview Cemetery, McKeller, Ontario, Canada.[90] Cause of death was diphtheria.[90,92,95,110] Informant was Charles Stewart of McKellar, Muskoka & Parry Sound District.[110] Did not marry.[90] Farmer, 1884.[92] Methodist, 1871, 1881, 1884.[23,92,167] Living with parents, 1871, 1881.[23,167]

ii.

Thomas Irwin, born 1863,[23,90,9,110,167] Cavey townland, (near Ballygawley), Errigal Keerogue parish, County Tyrone, Ireland.[90,95] Died 14/10/1884 (21yo),[90,92,95,110] Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario & buried Lakeview Cemetery, McKeller, Ontario, Canada.[90] Cause of death was diphtheria.[90,92,95,110] Informant was Charles Stewart of McKellar, Muskoka & Parry Sound District.[110] Did not marry.[90] Farmer, 1881,1884.[23,92] Methodist, 1871, 1881, 1884.[23,92,167] Living with parents, 1871, 881.[23,167]

iii.

Mary Irwin,[91,167] born 1/11/1864, Cavey townland, (near Ballygawley), Errigal Keerogue parish, County Tyrone,[90,93,95,99] baptised 12/10/1866,[23] Clonavaddy, County Tyrone, Ireland.[34] Died 7/10/1910,[27,90,95] Midland, Simcoe Co, Ontario, Canada.[95] Living with parents, 1871, 1881.[23,167] Methodist, 1871, 1881.[23,167] Married Luke John Dobson,[90,91,93] 16/11/1887, Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[93,95] Witnesses Lavina Irwin & George Stewart, both of Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario.[93] Married by licence, Thomas Snowdon, Luke was a presbyterian & Mary was a methodist.[93] Luke resided Midland, Ontario, Canada & Mary resided Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, at the time of the marriage.[93] Luke, s/o Jabez & Jane Dobson, born 14/10/1862, Midland, Ontario, Canada.[93,95,99,143] Butcher, 1894, 1897, 1900, 1905.[91,93] Labourer, 1898,1901.[91,99] Occupation given in 1892 as "Boarding Car" {a term commonly applied to a car used as a place of lodging for workmen. In the case of wreck trains, they are more often called dining and sleeping cars.[28] It is unclear from the census entry whether he was a labourer on a railway work crew and lived in the boarding car or was in charge of the boarding car}, Canadian Pacific Railroad.[91] Engineer, 1911, having earned $600 in the previous year (from date of census), at 60 hours per week & having been at that employment for the previous 50 weeks.[102] Presbyterian, 1911.[102] Resided 1892, Rat Portage, Rainy River District, Ontario, Canada.[91] {Rat Portage is now known as Kenora} Resided 1894-1900, 1901, 1905, Midland, East Simcoe Co, Ontario.[91,95,97] Resided 1905, North Bay, Ontario, Canada.[91] Luke resided, 1911, Essex St, Midland, East Simcoe Co, Ontario with daughter Elma (no trace of other children).[102]
Children: (a)
 
Eva Dobson, born 1890, Midland, Simcoe Co, Ontario, Canada.[143] Died infancy.[143]
(b)
Jabez Roy Dobson, born 16/8/1892,[91,95,99] Rat Portage (now Kenora), Rainy River District, Ontario, Canada.[91] Died 1940s.[143] With parents, 1901 (listed as Roy J.).[95,99] Died or left Ontario by 1911.[102] Married Catherine Wilkie Macintosh, 27/5/1919, York, Peel Co, Ontario, Canada.[143] Catherine born 1889, d/o James Robert & Georgina Sibbald.[143] Resided Toronto, Canada.[143]
(c)
Frederick Thomas Dobson,[90] born 8/6/1894, Midland, Simcoe Co, Ontario, Canada.[91,95] With parents, 1901 (listed as Thomas F., DOB 6/6/1894).[95,99] Married Mary Ellen ('Eltah'[142]) Hutchinson, 16/2/1921, York, Peel Co, Ontario, Canada.[143] Mary born 17/8/1899, Vaughn, York Co, Ontario, d/o James & Elizabeth.[143] Raised in the west, probably with his aunt Charlotte in Brandon, Manitoba.[143]
(d)
Herman Lloyd Dobson,[90] born 5/10/1898, Midland, Simcoe Co, Ontario, Canada.[91,95,99] Died 1511/1982, Orangeville, Dufferin Co, Ontario, Canada.[143] With parents, 1901.[95,99] Emigrated to USA by 1911.[28,102] Married Pearl.[142,143] Pearl born 30/7/1900, Buffalo, USA & died 7/5/1982, Orangeville, Dufferin Co, Ontario, Canada.[143] Resided New Jersey, USA.[142] Had issue.[142]
(e)
Wilfred John Dobson, born 8/10/1900, Midland, Simcoe Co, Ontario, Canada.[91,95] With parents, 1901.[95] Married Inez.[28] Resided Spence Street, Niagara Falls, Canada.[28]
(f)
Elma Jane Dobson, born 23/4/1905, North Bay, District of Nipissing, Ontario, Canada.[91,95] Died 1970s.[143] Living with father, 1911.[102] Married Herbert Niepage.[143] Resided Weston, Ontario.[28]

iv.

Elizabeth Jane Irwin, born 2/10/1868,[23,89,103,167] Creemore, Nottawasaga Township, Simcoe Co, Ontario, Canada,[89] and baptised 22/11/1868, Nottawasaga Wesleyan Methodist by Rev. S. Tucker.[89] {According to [90,95] was born 13/10/1869, however this is not supported by any primary evidence and [90] merely cited [95]. 1871 census states born Ireland.[167]} Died 6/3/1950 & buried Lakeview Cemetery.[90,95] Living with parents, 1871, 1881.[23,167] Methodist, 1871, 1881, 1911.[23,103,167] Married John Reynolds Thompson,[28,90] 1/9/1886, Hagerman & McKellar Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[95] John, born 10/8/1840, Ireland, s/o Edward & Elizabeth.[95,103] John was a widower.[95] Resided 1901, Hagerman & McKellar Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario.[95] Resided 1911, 72 Wallace Street, Ward 6, Toronto West, Ontario.[103]
Children: (a)
 
female Thompson, born 6/3/1890, Hagerman & McKellar Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[95] Died before 1901.
(b)
Irene Alice Isabella Thompson,[90,95] born 17/10/1893 {[95 gives 1891}, Hagerman & McKellar Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[95] With parents, 1901,1911.[95,103] In 1911 was an office stenographer, employed for the past 52 weeks at 48 hours a week & earned $400 in the previous 12 months.[103] Married Mr Garrett.[90] Fireman.[28]
(c)
Lillian Jane Thompson,[90,95] born 8/9/1897, Hagerman & McKellar Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[28,95,103] With parents, 1901,1911.[95,103] Married 1st Mr Shea.[28] Married Earl Weeks.[28,90] Earl died 14/9/1973.[28] Had issue.[28]
(d)
John C. Thompson, born 1908, Hagerman & McKellar Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[95] Missing 1911, presumed died in infancy.[103]
(e)
Alvin Bert Thompson,[90,95] born 3/1903, Hagerman & McKellar Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[95,103] With parents, 1911.[103]

v.

Levina/Lavina Irwin,[372] born 2/5/1871, Creemore, Nottawasaga Township, Simcoe Co, Ontario, Canada.[23,90,93,94,95,101] Died 26/7/1944.[90,95] Living with parents, 1881.[23] Methodist, 1881.[23] Married John Samuel Riddell,[90,92,94,372] 20/9/1893, Keewatin, Rainy River district, Ontario, Canada.[93,95] Witnesses Frank Hacking & Lizie Riddell.[93] Married by licence, Rev. J. H. Morgan, John was a presbyterian & Lavina was a methodist.[93] John resided Pipestone, Manitoba, Canada & Lavina resided Keewatin, Ontario, at the time of the marriage.[93] John, s/o William & Eliza, born 14/3/1864, Missouri, South Frontenac Township, Frontenac Co, Ontario, Canada.[93,94,101] Was a telegraph operator, 1893.[93,95] Resided 1901, Alameda, Assiniboia district, Saskatchewan, Canada.[94] Resided, Estavann, Saskatchewan, Canada.[90,95] Resided 1906, Frobisher, Souris district, Saskatchewan, Canada.[95,100,101] The family had 1 horse, 1 milch cow & 2 other cows in 1906.[101] Resided 1911, Frobisher "Frobyshire", Souris district, Saskatchewan, Canada.[101]
 "The history of Frobisher is closely associated with that of the J. S. Riddell family. Mr Riddell built the first structure in the town and his was the first family to settle there. At the turn of the century J. S. Riddell was the C.P.R. agent at Alameda in the North West territories. Alameda at this time was the end of the line but plans had been finalised to push the road further west. Mr Riddell knew that a railway station was to be opened some 12 miles west of Alameda and that a new town would be located there He could see the advantage of getting in on the ground floor so he settled on the bald praries near the site of the proposed railway station and built a wooden structure which was to become a store with a residence at the rear. he later moved his family to a spot and established the Riddell & Company General store across from the new railway station. This General Store later contained the telephones & Telegraph Office and the Post Office. Mr Riddell built and operated the first bank in Frobisher. On the arrival of the railway line the General Store was soon joined by many other business enterprises. In 1905 the territories had become the province of Saskatchwen so the new trown was now known as Frobisher Saskatchwen. An old publication states, 'By 1906 the town with a population of 150 had a bank, a foundry, 2 blacksmiths, two hardware stores, jeweller, photographer, harness manufacturer, four implements dealers, two general stores, two livery stables, furniture store, hotel, two lumber yards, real estate agent, barbershop, billard hall, two butchers, good school, notary public, physician, veternary surgeon and an up-to-date newspaper, job printing office and four elevators."[372] 
Children: (a)
 
Isabella Elma Phyllis Riddell, born 21/7/1894, Pipestone, Manitoba, Canada.[94,95,100,101,372] With parents, 1901, 1906, 1911.[94,100,101] Married Clarence V. Pickard, 1925, Frobisher, Saskatchewan, Canada.[372] Resided 1925-1931, Frobisher, Saskatchewan, Canada.[372] Resided 1931-1979, Exeter, Ontario, Canada.[372]
Children: (1)
 
Margurite Pickard, born 1930, Frobisher, Saskatchewan, Canada.[372]
(2)
Gertrude Pickard.[372]
(b)
Muriel Alexandria Riddell, born 17/8/1897, Alameda, Assiniboia district, Saskatchewan, Canada.[94,95,100,101,372] With parents, 1901, 1906, 1911.[94,100,101] Died 1969, Exeter, Ontario, Canada.[372] Married Alexander C. Sweet (1896-1936), 1923, Frobisher, Saskatchewan, Canada.[372] Operated the Riddell & Co Stores until 1936.[372] Resided 1936-1969, Exeter, Ontario.[372]
Children: (1)
 
Jack Sweet, born Frobisher, Saskatchewan, Canada.[372] KIA, WW2, 1944.[372]
(2)
Douglas, born Frobisher, Saskatchewan, Canada.[372]
(3)
Helen Sweet, born Frobisher, Saskatchewan, Canada.[372] Died 1977.[372]
(c)
William Irwin Riddell, born 18/10/1900, Alameda, Assiniboia district, Saskatchewan, Canada.[94,95,100,101,372] Died 1969, Frobisher, Saskatchewan, Canada.[372] With parents, 1901, 1906, 1911.[94,100,101] Royal Canadian Flying Corps, WW1, saw action in France.[372] Royal Canadian Airforce, 1925-1960s.[372] Retired as Wing Commander, commander of the Rockcliff RCAF Base, near Ontario.[372] Stunt flyer.[372] Married Margaret McLean (1903-1970).[372]
Children: (1)
 
Martha Riddell.[372]
(2)
Margot Riddell.[372]
(d)
Georgina Annetta Riddell, born 4/1/1902, Frobisher, Saskatchewan, Canada.[95,101,372] With parents, 1901, 1906, 1911.[94,100,101] School teacher.[372] Married W. H. Waddel.[372] No issue.[372] Resided 1943-1979, Guelph, Ontario< Canada.[372]

vi.
James Irwin, born 13/10/1873, Hagarman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada,[23,89,90,95] baptised 2/4/1874, Hagarman Wesleyan Methodist, by Rev. R. Foyle.[89] Died 8/1884 (11yo),[90,92,110] Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario & buried Lakeview cemetery.[90,95] Cause of death was diphtheria,[90,92,110] Thomas Irwin the informant.[92,100] {[95] gives DOD as 14/10/1884} Living with parents, 1881.[23] Methodist, 1881.[23]

vii.
Alexander Irwin, born c.1875,[see below] Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[23,90,92,95,108] Died 1888,[108] Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario & buried Lakeview cemetery, McKellar, Ontario, Canada.[90] Cause of death was diabetes, later complications of diphtheria.[28,92] {There is some uncertainity about Alexander's death. His death appears to be listed twice in the Ontario Death Register, with different dates: "Irwin, Alexander, male, d.20/10/1889, 10 years 4 months 7 days, Parry Sound Distrist, cause of death diabetes, informant Thomas Irwin of Hagerman, Unorganised Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District" and "Irwin, Alexander, male, d.25/11/1888, 13 years, Hagerman Township, cause of death diabetes of 12 months duration, informant Thos Snowden of McKellar, Unorganised Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, registered 4/12/1888, Dr Walton the certifying physician."[92,110] Whilst there was another Thomas Irwin in the area, he did not have a son named Alexander.[28] Alexander's exact DOB is unknown, which would identify which of the above entries is for this Alexander. It is also possible both entries are correct and one or both contain errors. Alexander's gravestone (he is buried with his parents) gives 1877-1888, however the reliability of this is questionable since the stone  was erected around 100 years after his death, in the 1970s or 1980s.[28] The 1881 census gives his age as 5yo, that is, born 1875-1876.[23] This matches the estimated DOB for the death entry dated 25/11/1888, namely 1874-1875. The DOB given for the 1889 death is 13/6/1879, which is clearly outside of the range for Alexander's age given in the census (and Thomas & Isabella had another son, born 31/6/1879), which would seem to rule out this death entry. The most likely scenario is that the 1888 death is the correct one, which matches the DOD on his gravestone, and implies he was born c.1875, which matches the age given in the 1881 census. There may be an error in the recorded surname for the 1889 death} Living with parents, 1881.[23] Methodist, 1881.[23]
*
viii.
Samuel Irwin, born 1/6/1879, Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[23,90,91,95]

ix.
Richard Irwin, born 24/12/1881, Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90,91,95,109] Birth registered 26/12/1881, Thomas Irwin, father, the informant.[91] Died 22/12/1934,[90,95] Hagerman & McKeller, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario & buried Lakeview cemetery.[90] Did not marry.[90] Living with parents, 1891, 1901.[95,105,109] Famer, 1901, employed by his father.[109] Methodist,1901.[109] Literate & spoke only English (no French), 1901.[109] {I have been unable to find Richard in the 1911 Canadian census but was presumably there since he died in Ontario in 1934, possibly listed under an incorrect spelling, as were his parents (Irewin) & his brother Samuel (Iriwin)}

x.
William Kinley Irwin, born 12/4/1884,[90,98,107,109] Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90] {[95] gives DOB 31/5/1884} Died 9/8/1944 & buried Longbeach, CA, USA.[90,95,107] Living with parents, 1891,1901 (as Kindley).[95,105,109] Methodist, 1901.[109] Literate & spoke only English (no French), 1901.[109] On 12/9/1918 was a groceryman running his own store (1056 Stots St, Redlands, CA, USA).[98] Building contractor, 1930.[97] Canadian citizen, 1918.[98] In 1918 William's description was given as "tall, stout build, blue eyes, light hair".[98] Married Lillian Dornan,[90,107] c.1911, Ontario, Canada.[97] Lillian born 1887, Northern Ireland.[97] Emigrated to USA 1913.[97] Resided 12/9/1918, 104 Brookside, Redlands, San Bernadino Co, California, USA.[98] Resided 1930, No.229 St Lucie Ave, Lugo Precinct, Compton, Los Angeles, California, USA.[97] Neither William or Lily had received any formal schooling.[97] They owned their own home, valued at $5000.[97] {I have been unable to find William & Lily in the 1911 Ontario census but they were presumably there since a son was born there in 1912, possibly listed under an incorrect spelling, as were his parents (Irewin) & his brother Samuel (Iriwin)}
Children: (a)
 
Alfred Dornan Irwin, born 21/3/1912, Ontario, Canada.[97,107] Died 21/3/1983.[107] Married Josephine Elizabeth Barry.[10] Josephine born 1/11/1915 & died 30/6/1980.[107]
(b)
William McKinley Irwin,[107] born 1923, Redland, San Bernadino, CA, USA.[97] Married Elizabeth.[107]

xi.
Charlotte Sophia Irwin, born 21/4/1889,[90,94] Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90,95] With parents, 1891.[105] Died 15/3/1984, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.[90,95] Married John Morgans, 5/6/1916.[90,95] John, a farmer, born 25/8/1877 and died 15/11/1965, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.[90] Charlotte resided, 1901, with sister, Mary Riddell nee Irwin, Alameda, Assiniboia district, Saskatchewan, Canada.[94] Resided 1911 with sister, Mary Riddell nee Irwin, Frobisher, Saskatchewan, Canada (listed as SOPHIA, Charlotte).[101] {Not with her sister in 1906 census}
Children: (a)
 
Clara Morgans, born 21/3/1919.[90,95]
(b)
Alvin Morgans, born 20/7/1920,[90,95] died 15/12/1990, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.[90] Farmer.[90]
(c)
Ted Morgans.[90,95] Served in the Royal Canadian Airforce, killed in action, WW2.[90]


Abandoned Farmstead, Creemore
Abandoned Farmstead, Creemore
Image © "Still The Oldie", Flickr
Farmstead in winter, Creemore
Farmstead in winter, Creemore
Image © David Waters, Flickr
Farm, balsam Rd, mckellar
Farm, #158 Balsam Road, McKellar Township
Image © Heritage Real Estate

Creemore dates back to 1842 when William Nulty came to Nottawasaga township and opened a colonisation office and a government store. By 1844 McNulty's brother-in-law, Edward Webster, had built a water-mill on the Mad River, although the quality of the flour was known to be rather poor. Webster's mill was the first in the region and it brought trade from a wide area. As the region was slowly becoming more populated, other businesses followed, making Creemore the commercial center for the region. Originally, all of the homes in the settlement were on the south side of the river, likely to be close to the mill. Webster realised that the north side of the river was a better site for the thriving community he envisioned. He built a bridge over the river, surveyed a road running north and called it Mill Street, bought the land and had a town site laid out, naming the streets after his children. The first post office was established in Creemore in 1849 and the office was originally named Creemore Mills. In 1868 the post office was taken over by Alexander Gillespie & it remained in his family until 1937. The first tavern in Creemore was a log building at the corner of Mill & George Streets. Christy Connor kept this tavern but found it was not a paying proposition so he left and went back to farming. In 1859 this building was torn down and a new tavern was built by George Webster for William Gowan. In 1855 Webster built a tavern for Mr. William Kelly and in 1860 he built a store for George Bolster. A rail line was opened between Beeton and Collingwood in 1878, the train was known as the Hog Special because of all the hogs that were shipped to the packing plant in Collingwood in the 1890s. Creemore was the largest community between Alliston and Collingwood & a station, waiting room and freight shed were built shortly after 1878. While there was a school started in 1847, it was not formerly recognized until 1854. It is believed that the first school was held in the home of Edward Webster. A meeting was held on March 4, 1854 and it was decided that the school should open May 4, and remain open for 6 months in the year. The first school was built for 80 pounds by J. Kendrick. In 1870 the school was closed and students were sent to nearby Mt Zion. By 1900 Creemore had a population of about 800 people, growing to about 1300 by 2000. In 1994 the towns of Creemore, Stayner, Nottawasaga & Sunnidale were combined to create Clearview Township.[My Creemore, Wikipedia]

McKellar Methodist Church
McKellar Methodist Church (built 1870)
Image - Historical View of McKellar
McKellar Village
McKellar Village (probably 1880s or 1890s)
Image - Historical View of McKellar
Abandoned Farmstead, Creemore
Balsam Grove, home of Thomas & Isabella Irwin
Image - David Irwin

McKellar. Originally known as Armstrong's Rapids. The name McKellar was given when a post office was opened in the community in 1870. In the early 1800s people started moving north from the more settled parts of the province {Ontario}. They were enticed into this unpopulated area by the offer of free grants of land. The first white man to locate in the township was a trapper by the name of Peter Leach. David Patterson came next. He built a little shanty by the rapids on the shores of McKellar Lake. The road from Parry Sound to the rapids was blazed by Samuel Armstrong, John McKeown and Andrew Moore. They decided this would be an ideal spot for a settlement. The wagon road, called the Great North Road, was built soon after, said to have followed an old Indian trail. J.W. Fitzgerald surveyed McKellar Township in 1868 & 1869 & the township was named after Archibald McKellar who held office in the first legislative assembly of Ontario from 1867 to 1875. The township contained 44,755 acres. Of this, 40% was reported to be good land, and there were excellent stands of oak along the Manitawaba shores. Samuel Armstrong built a mill and shipped sawn planks to Parry Sound by oxen and wagon. In 1872, a year before the township was incorporated, the first division court sat at Armstrongs store with Judge McCurry presiding. There was only one case on the docket. McKellar Township was incorporated in 1873 & Samuel Armstrong was appointed Reeve. The first councillors were William Hurd, G.E. Lee, James McKeown and Samuel Oldfield. In 1870 a church was built on the hill where it still stands today. There was a store and post office in Samuel Armstrong's house. When Henry Moffat Sr. built on the far side of the rapids, the post office was moved over there. In the spring of 1872, Mrs. Charles Brown held school in her kitchen. McKellar Loyal Orange Lodge 546 was organized on September 28th, 1870. At one time there were over 90 members. 1872 also saw the opening of a boarding house by Samuel Armstrong. In early 1874, the McKellar House was completed. This was managed by William Thompson. In 1873 the first tavern licence was issued. In 1878, 160 ratepayers were noted for the township. McKellar village was surveyed into village lots and the streets were given names. The village had two stores, a hotel, a temperance boarding house, a wagon shop, grist mill, sawmill, blacksmith shop, and two boot and shoe makers. There was a Methodist Church, Orange Hall, schoolhouse and post office. In 1880 a woollen and carding mill was erected. Shorly after, a cheese factory was also built. By 1888 there were 172 resident ratepayers. In the 2001 Census, McKellar had a population of 933.[History of McKellar township, Wikipedia]

Abandoned Farmstead, Creemore
Rat Portage, c.1880
Image - The Kenora Thistles
Abandoned Farmstead, Creemore
School house, Midland, 1890-1915
Image - Collections Canada
Midland, 2008
Downtown Midland, 2008
Image © Little Lake Inn

Rat Portage (aka Kenora). The name is a corruption of the native Indian name for the area, Wauzhushk Onigum, which literally translated means "portage to the country of the muskrat". An abundance of fur-bearing animals and the location on the main east to west water route made the area of critical importance during the fur trade period. By 1836 a post had been set up on Old Fort Island on the Winnipeg River. The Rat Portage post was moved to the mainland in 1861 and around it grew up the community of Rat Portage. The early town of Rat Portage was little more than a small clearing in the bush, with a meandering row of shanties along the shoreline. But this rustic little town was to become the main object of interest in the Ontario-Manitoba boundary dispute which lasted from 1870 to 1884. Each province claimed the town as part of their territory. Both provinces had jails in the town, and both issued titles to mining claims and timber licenses. Finally, in 1884, the Privy Council of England, to which the dispute had been taken, decided in favour of Ontario. Development of the town got a boost with the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the early 1880s & Rat Portage became a major supply and distributing centre for the lumber industry. Other industries developed due to the available harnessed water power and the discovery of gold in the latter part of the 19th century also contributed to an increase in the activity and settlement of the area. In 1905 the community changed its name to Kenora - the local residents had been unhappy with the name Rat Portage for some time and when The Maple Leaf Flour Company refused to build a mill in the the town because they didn’t want the word "rat" on their flour bags, the name was changed. The new name was formed by combining the first two letters of KEewatin, a sister town; NOrman, an adjacent village; and RAt Portage. As the town developed economically, support services and cultural activities flourished as well. Schools, hospitals, churches, hotels, a library and an opera house eventually appeared on the scene.[Kenora History] Midland was first settled by farming families in the 1840s. It was known by several names including Mundy's Bay, Hartley's Landing, and Abedar. Thomas Gladstone, the first post master & a retail merchant built a store in 1871. Later that year a large lumber mill was built along the shore, complete with docks & boarding houses. In 1872 a new village site was surveyed and named "Midland City." A grist mill was built in 1875 and by 1878 the population of the town had reached 1000 & the village was incorporated. By 1879 the railway reached Midland. In 1881 the first large grain elevator was completed and regular commercial shipping began. Midland continued to grow and in 1890 it was incorporation as a town. By 1972 the population had risen to 11,000.[Midland History]

Keewatin, 1908
Keewatin, 1908
Image - Lake of the Woods Museum
Homestead, Alameda
Homestead, Alameda, Saskatchewan
Image © Douglas Walker
Abandoned homestead, Frobisher, SK
Abandoned homestead, Frobisher, Saskatchewan
Image © J. Walter [Webshots]

Keewatin today forms the western-most section of the city of Kenora. The Village of Keewatin was founded in 1877. In 1905 Keewatin was amalgamated with Rat Portage to form the City of Kenora. In 1908 the Township of Keewatin was founded, which in 2000 also amalgamated with the City of Kenora.[Wikipedia, Lake of the Woods Museum] Alameda is a small town in southeastern Saskatchewan, with a population of 311 in 2006, with 157 dwellings, 139 of which were occupied by local residents. 'Alameda' means 'Avenue of Trees'. The post office was established at Alameda in 1883 & it is part of the Moose Creek Rural Municipality, which was incorporated in 1911. Municipality were held at Alameda until 1955.[Wikipedia, Moose Creek] Frobisher is a village in southeastern Saskatchewan, with a population of 145 in 2006, with 62 dwellings, 54 of which were occupied by local residents.[Wikipedia]

Kinley & Lilly Irwin
Kinley & Lilly Irwin
Image - David Irwin
Main Street, Frobisher,1906
Main Street, Frobisher,1906
Image - 'Frobyshire to Frobisher'
Miss Whiteman, Elma & Muriel Riddell, 1922
Miss Whiteman, Elma & Muriel Riddell, 1922
Image - 'Frobyshire to Frobisher'

Thomas & William Irwin, 1892
Thomas Sr & William Kinley Irwin, 1892
Image  - David Irwin
Francis & Gardiner Irwin, c.1910
____________
Image -
Francis & Gardiner Irwin, c.1910
________________
Image  - 
     


Archibald & Mary Irwin
Archibald & Mary Irwin
Image - Gordon Andrew
1.1.2.6. Archibald Irwin,[25,27,91] (s/o James Sr, s/o Thomas) born c.1848,[28,31,96,108,111] Cavey townland, (near Ballygawley), Errigal Keerogue parish, County Tyrone, Ireland.[31] Died 13/2/1928 (83yo), Concession 2 East of Hurontario Street Lot 21, Terra Nova, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[24,28,92,96,108,111,166] Cause of death agina pectoris (6 days duration) & chronic endo myocarditis (6-7 years duration).[24,92] Buried 15/2/1928, Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield,
Archibald Irwin Sr, 1928
Archibald Irwin Sr, 1928
Image - Gordon Andrew
Dufferin Co, Ontario.[24,27,28,92,96,166] Informant was Richard Herbert Crawley (son-in-law) of Horning Mills, Dufferin Co, Ontario, Canada.[92] Archie's obituary was published in the Free Press and Economist: "There passed away in Terra Nova, on Monday, Feb 13, 1928, in his 84th year, an old and highly respected resident in the person of Mr Archie Irwin. Mr Irwin was born in the County of Tyrone, Ireland, in 1845. On coming to Canada at the age of twenty five years, he settled near Creemore, later coming to Mulmur, where he spent the most of his life. The last seven years were spent at Terra Nova.In 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Knisely, of Creemore, who survives him. To the union five sons and four daughters were born, viz: William, Archie, James, Lewis and Oscar, of Mulmur; Mrs Howard Smythe, of Violet Hill; Mrs Will Hetherington, Terra Nova; Mrs Herbert Crawley, of Horning's Mills, and Merle, at home. In politics deceased was a staunch Conservative, in religion a Presbyterian. The funeral, which was largely attended, was held on Wednesday, Feb 15th, to Mansfield Cemetery. Rev. R. K. Lambert, of Horning's Mill's, conducted the funeral service, assisted by Rev Mr Currie, of Everett. The floral tributes included a pillow form the family and a spray from the grandchildren. The pall-bearers were Messers Samuel Duffin, Wallace Tweedy, Jas. Simpson, Wm Shaw, Samuel Bates, and J. T. Ormsby."[166] Presbyterian, 1881.[23,26] Farmer.[24,92] Farmer 1873, 1879, 1881, 1911.[23,92,93] {Attempts to pinpoint the emigration of Thomas & Archibald from Ireland have, to date, been unsuccessful. Family tradition indicates the two emigrated together. Death certificates & census records give a range of dates from 1851 to 1869. The only certainty is that Thomas emigrated after the baptism of Thomas' daughter, Mary, October 1866, and before the birth of his next child, Elizabeth, October 1868. Neither Thomas or Archibald have been found in the 1861 Canada census, indicating the pre 1861 emigration dates can probably be ignored as being vague guesses or wild exaggerations on the part of the informants. "Documented" dates for their arrival include, in order, 1851 (1911 census, Archie), 1855 (1901 census, Archie), 1860 (death cert., Archie), 1863 (Thomas' death cert), 1865 (Isabella's death cert), 1867 (1901 census, Mary d/o Thomas), 1869 (1901,1911 census', Thomas, 1901 census, Archibald). Given the spread of these dates, it is possible that Archibald emigrated sometime before Thomas, however note his absence in the 1861 census and that he was born 1845 - it is unlikely (but not impossible) that a child emigrated by himself and his parents remained in Ireland} Married Mary N. Knisley/Knicely, [22,23,25,26,27,28,91,108,111] 9/6/1873, Nottawasaga, Simcoe Co, Ontario.[22,26,27,28,93,96] Both of Nottawasaga, Canada, at the time of the marriage.[93] Witnesses Abraham & Jacob Knisley, both of Nottawasaga.[93] Mary was a primitive methodist & Archibald a presbyterian.[93] By licence, performed by Rev. John Wilson.[93] Mary, born 10/3/1853, Markham, Ontario, Canada, d/o of Abraham Knisley & Rachel Smith.[22,23,27,92,93,96] {According to her death registration Mary was of Irish origin,[92] however according to family records & the 1881 census she was German.[28]} Mary died 19/11/1928,[92,108,111] (75y,8m,9do), Terra Nova, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario, Canada, informant was Alice Hetherington, daughter (in law), of Terra Nova.[92] Cause of death was angina pectoris & endocarditis.[92] Mary was buried 19/11/1928, Mansfield, Ontario, Canada,[92] Fred Gamble of Shelburne, Ontario the undertaker.[92] At the time of the marriage both Archibald and Mary resided in Nottawasaga, Simcoe Co, Ontario.[22] Resided 1873, Nottawasaga, Simcoe Co, Ontario.[22] Resided 1874-1921, family farm, Mulmur Township, Simcoe/Dufferin Co, Ontario.[23,24,27,28,96,111] {Dufferin Co was formed from Simcoe Co} Resided 1921-1928, Terra Nova, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario, Canada.[24,28]

Children of Archibald Irwin & Mary Knisley:

i.
 
Elizabeth Ann Irwin, born 27/11/1874, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[23,27,28,48,96] Died 27/11/1954,[48,49,111] Horning's Mills, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[49] Buried Shelburne Cemetery, Dufferin Co, Ontario, 29/12/1954.[49] "In Loving memory of Elizabeth Ann Irwin, wife of the late Howard Smythe. Who passed away in Horning's Mills, on Saturday, November 27th, 1954, aged 79 years. Resting at the Phoenix & Stenson Funeral Home, Shelburne. Funeral service on Monday, Novermber 29th, at two o'clock in the afternoon, interment in Shelburne Cemetery."[49] With parents, 1881,1901.[23,96] Married William John Smith, 26/6/1898, Horning's Mills, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[25,27,96] William born 28/6/1871, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[25,48,96] William, s/o John & Mary Smith,[25,96] was a farmer at the time of the marriage.[25] At the time of the marriage both resided Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[25] Witnesses W. A. Ferris & Phoebe Andrew.[25] Elizabeth appears to have been listed twice in the 1901 census, firstly living with her parents as Elizabeth Irwin (DOB matches exactly) and secondly with her husband, William John Smith (age again matches), both entries at Mulmur, Simcoe/Dufferin Co, Ontario.[96] {Presumably William died around the time of the census, Elizabeth moved back to her parents and was double counted} Elizabeth resided, 1911, with her parents, Mulmur, Ontario as Lizzie Smith, widowed daughter.[96] Married 2nd Howard Smythe.[48,111] Howard born 2/1/1874 & died 8/5/1934, Shelburne, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[48] Elizabeth had no issue (Howard had a daughter, Eveline, to a previous marriage).[111]

ii.

William George Irwin,[111] born 9/9/1876, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[23,27,28,96] Died 19/12/1952.[28,96,111] Farmer, 1905.[25] With parents, 1881,1901.[23,96] Married Alice Ann Hetherington,[111] 28/6/1905, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[25,27,96] Alice was born 1878, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario, Canada,[25,96,111] and died 1956.[27,111] Alice d/o John & Mary Ann.[25] Both resided Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[25] Witnesses William John Shaw & Maggie Hetherington.[25] {Both appear to be missing from the 1911 Ontario census} No issue.[111]

iii.

Isaac Thomas Irwin, born 13/12/1877, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario,[28,91,96] & registered 13/12/1878, informant was Andrew Liam of Mulmur.[91] Died 29/2/1879 (14mo), Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[28,92] Cause of death was diphtheria, of 8 days duration.[92] Death registered 25/3/1879, Archibald Irwin the informant.[92] {name spelt as Isac in birth registration, but spelt as Isaac in the death registration}

iv.

Rachael M. Irwin, born 29/2/1880, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario, Canada.[23,27,28,96,111] Died 1/9/1974 (94yo),[28,96,111] & buried Presbyterian cemetery, Mansfield, Dufferin Co, Ontario, Canada.[111] With parents, 1881,1901.[23,96] Married William John Hetherington,[27,111] 25/5/1904,[93,96] Presbyterian Church, Shelburne, Dufferin Co, Ontario, Canada, by Rev. P. Anderson.[93] Both resided Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario, Canada, at the time of the marriage.[93] Witnesses Edmund A. Reid & Rebecca Shaw.[93] William, s/o John & Mary Ann,[93] born 1875/1876,[27,93] Munroe (?), Ontario, Canada,[93] & died 1953.[27,111] Farmer, 1904.[93] {Both appear to be missing from the 1911 Ontario census}
Children: (a)
 
Harvey Hetherington.[111] Married Rhoda McGee/McGhee.[28,111] Had issue.[111]
(b)
Lewis Hetherington.[111] Married Elma Graham.[111] Had issue.[111]

v.

John Archibald Irwin, born 23/6/1882-1883, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[27,28,96,111] Died 4/8/1961.[96,111] With parents, 1901,1911.[96] Married Adeline Flemming,[27,111] 17/4/1918, Dufferin Co, Ontario, Canada.[96] Adeline born 1887, died 13/3/1945.[27,96,111] Adeline d/o Samuel & Mary Ann Flemming.[96] No issue.[111]

vi.
Catherine Levina Irwin, born 8/9/1884, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[27,28,96,111] {[96] gives DOB of 24/11/1884} With parents, 1901,1911.[96] Died 3/1/1972.[111] Married Richard Herbert Crawley,[111] 14/6/1911, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[27,96] Witnesses Charles Crawley & Mary Awbersley.[27] Herbert born 1879 & died 20/3/1952.[111] Resided 1928, Horning Mills, Dufferin Co, Ontario, Canada.[92]
Children: (a)
 
Hazel Crawley, born 1918.[28,111] Married William Oliver.[111] William died 2004.[28] Had issue.[111]

vii.
James Russell Irwin, born 26/7/1886, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[27,28,96,111] Died 20/6/1959.[28,96] {According to [96] died 26/2/1979} With parents, 1901,1911.[96] Married Elizabeth Bates,[27,111] 28/11/1917, Mulmur Township, Simcoe Co, Ontario, Canada.[96] Elizabeth born 21/12/1889, Mulmur, Ontario,[27,96] & died 10/3/1945.[27,111] Elizabeth d/o Thomas & Jane.[96]
Children: (a)
 
Fallis B. Irwin,[27,111] born 15/4/1921.[96] Did not marry.[111] Resided, 1980, family farm, near Mansfield, Ontario, Canada.[111]
(b)
Willis Irwin.[111] Married Pat Higgins.[111] Had issue.[111] Resided, 1980, family farm, near Mansfield, Ontario, Canada.[111]

viii.
Lewis Smith Irwin, born 26/10/1888, Mulmur Township, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[27,28,96,111] Died 26/2/1979.[96] With parents, 1901,1911.[96] Farmer.[96] Married Mildred Emmaline Hutcheson/Hutchinson, 18/2/1920, Honeywood, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[27,28,96,111] Mildred, d/o William & Emmaline, born 1898, Mulmur, Ontario,[28,96] & died 1986.[28]
Children: (a)
 
Morley Irwin,[111] born 1921.[28] Died 2/2/1921.[28,111] Died infancy.
(b)
Lola Mary Irwin, born 12/7/1922, Mulmur Township, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[28,111] Died 29/9/1959.[111] Married Charles Marshall Andrew.[111] Charles born 1920 & died 2003.[28] Had issue.[111]
(c)
Clifford Orval Irwin, born 25/6/1927, Mulmur Township, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[28,111] Married Kathleen Lorna Frewster.[28,111] Kathleen born 1930.[28] Had issue.[111]
(d)
Murray Lewis Irwin, born 30/1/1934, Mulmur Township, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[28,111] Married Joyce Ruby Alice Lions/Lyons.[28,111] Joyce born 1936.[28] Had issue.[111]

ix.
Oscar Wellington Irwin, born 18/6/1890, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[27,28,96,111] Died 17/9/1965.[111] Farmer.[96] With parents, 1901.[96] Resided 1918, RR 4, Shelburne, Ontario, Canada.[96] Married Gladys Christina Boyle,[111] 14/4/1920, Hornings Mill, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[27] Gladys, d/o George & Sarah, born 1898, Mulmur, Ontario.[96] No issue.[111]

x.
Cassie Irwin, born 1894, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[28,108] Died 1896,[28,108] & buried with parents.[108] {According to [111] 'Kathy' Irwin died at 2yo}

xi.
Muriel I. Irwin, born 9/5/1896, Mulmur, Dufferin Co, Ontario.[27,28,96,111] With parents, 1901,1911.[96] Married William Webster.[27,111]
Children: (a)
 
Irwin Webster.[111] No issue.[111]
(b)
Donna Webster.[111] Married Thomas Wauchope.[111] Had issue.[111]


Archibald Irwin's Homestead
Archibald Irwin's Homestead, Mulmur
Image - Gordon Andrew
Archibald Irwin's family
Merle, Lewis, Oscar, Jim, Vina, Will, Lizzie,
Rachel, Archie Irwin Jr, 1941

Image - Gordon Andrew
Dufferin Light and Power, Pine River, Mulmur
Dufferin Light and Power, Pine River, Mulmur
Image © 'Bobcatnorth' [Flickr]

The Township of Mulmur lies in the northeast corner of the present day County of Dufferin. It is bounded by Clearview Township to the north and Melancthon Township to the west. The geography of Mulmur includes wide, rolling plains that are suited to raising cattle and feed grain. Mulmur is drained by streams which form in the headwaters of the Pine and Boyne Rivers that originally gave the area power for milling purposes. The origin of the name is forgotten, possibly a corruption of an Indian word or name. The town was first surveyed in 1823-1825 & the Gallaugher family were the first settlers, living at what is today Mansfield. The first pioneers of Mulmur Township, primarily Irish, along some English and Scots, arrived in the 1830s, lured by the promise of land grants. The first farmers to take advantage of the land grant scheme in Mulmur were the Hands and the Walkers, who settled in the area of Stanton around 1830. More settlers soon followed and by 1846 the population of Mulmur, a small but promising community, had reached 218 people. By 1851 this had reached 766, rising to 3505 in 1871 & 4211 in 1881. By 1901 the population had dropped to 3253 residents. The Township of Mulmur was incorporated in 1851 & for much of its history has had a primarily agricultural based economy of family farms. Mansfield is a village located on the 6th line and No 10 sideroad & was one of the first settlements. The post office was established in 1858. The place was named for the Manse of the Glebe Church, and was misspelled as Mansefield. Terra Nova, a newer settlement, is a rural community located on the Pine River. The post office was established there in 1891.[Gairdner & Associates, Mulmur Township, Wikipedia, Rootsweb]

Cottage, near Terra Nova
Cottage, near Terra Nova
Image © 'PicWilliams' [Flickr]
Countryside near Terra Nova
Countryside near Terra Nova
Image © 'PicWilliams' [Flickr]
Countryside near Terra Nova
Main Street, Hornings Mills, c.1910
Image - Ark Two

Horning's Mills. The township was surveyed in 1821 & again in 1830. In 1830 Lewis Horning, a successful settler from the Hamilton area, located in this vicinity with his family. He cleared 32 ha of land and built a sawmill, grist-mill and frame house, but later returned to Hamilton. With the opening of a government road through the district in 1848, the few families who had settled near Horning were joined by others and a post office was opened in 1851, with the population at 450. The locality's excellent water power attracted industry and by the closing decades of the century the village boasted six or seven mills, various tradesmen and shopkeepers, a public school, three churches and approximately 350 inhabitants. Horning's Mills was an important pioneer settlement in this region of Ontario.[Ontario's Historical Plaques, Rootsweb]

Farm, Horning's Mill
Farm, Horning's Mill
Image © Keith Watson [Flickr]
Shelburne Methodist Church, 1910
Shelburne Methodist Church, 1910
Image - Canadian Methodist Churches
Samuel Barber farm, Mansfield
Abandoned farm, Mansfield
Image © Barbers of Gortarowey

Shelburne (2006 population 5,149) is a town in Dufferin County, Ontario. As Melancthon began developing in the late 1840s, the construction of the Toronto-Sydenham Road (Now Highway 10) began and led to settlers moving into the Shelburne area in the 1860s. In the early 1860s, the founder of the town Shelburne, William Jelly, found his way through the bushes to choice lot in Melancthon and built several cabins in the area & a tavern. By 1864 there was a cluster of cabins around Jelly's Tavern (also known as the British Canadian Hotel). A post office was built shortly after, named after the Earl of Shelburne. Rapid economic growth followed and the population increased from 70 villagers in 1869 to 750 in 1877. In 1879 the Village of Shelburne was incorporated. Shelburne was incorporated as a town in 1977.[Wikipedia, Shelburne's Heritage]

Mansfield Presbyterian Church, 1863
Mansfield Presbyterian Church, 1863
Image © Gordon Andrew, 2010
Archibald Irwin's homestead, today
Archibald Irwin's homestead, today
Image © Gordon Andrew, 2010
View over Terra Nova where Irwin family settled
View over Terra Nova where Irwin family settled
Image © Gordon Andrew, 2010




1.1.2.2.1. Samuel Irwin, born 1/6/1879, Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[23,90,91,95] Informant was Thomas Irwin of Hagarman Township, father, and the birth registered 14/7/1879.[91] Died 21/3/1960, Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Ontario & buried Lakeview Cemetery, Ontario, Canada.[90,95] With parents, 1881,1891,1901.[23,90,95,105] Farmer.[90,95] Farmer, 1911.[104] Methodist, 1891,1901,1911.[104,105] Married Mary Jane (Jennie) Gardiner, 5/7/1904, Gardiner Farm (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario.[90,95] Mary born 5/8/1880,[90,104] Co. Cork, Ireland (d/o John Gardiner & Hesther Haines), died 5/6/1959, Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Ontario & buried Lakeview Cemetery, McKellar, Ontario, Canada.[90] After the marriage, Samuel & Mary lived on her parents farm before moving to the Balsam Grove, the Irwin family farm, between 1909-1911, where they lived for the rest of their lives, all but one of their children were born at home.[28,90] Mary was an anglican, 1911.[104] Resided 1905-1909, Tait's Island farm, McKellar Township, Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[28] Resided 1911 (next door to Samuel's parents), 1921, Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90,95,104]

Children of Samuel Irwin & Mary Jane Gardiner:

i.
 
Thomas Gardiner Irwin "Gardy", born 14/5/1905, Tait's Island farm, McKellar Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[28,90,95,104] Died 26/2/1974, Lakeview Cemetery, Ontario, Canada.[90] Farmer.[90] Did not marry.[90] With parents, 1911.[104] Anglican, 1911.[104]

ii.

Francis George Irwin, born 22/2/1907, Tait's Island farm, McKellar Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90,95,104] Died 10/8/1987, North Bay, Ontario, Canada,[31,90] buried Union Cemetery, North Bay, Ontario, Canada.[90] With parents, 1911.[104] Anglican, 1911.[104] Farmer, logger & truck driver.[90] Spent his early adult years as a farmer & then worked in logging camps & mills from 1949-1957.[90] From 1957-1972 drove a freight truck for Hoar Transport (until his retirement). Married Iva Ena Lucinda White, 6/7/1940, Parry Sound Baptist Church, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90] Iva born 31/5/1910, Whitehall, nr Sprucedale, Ontario, Canada, d/o Thomas & Sarah Jane, died 18/8/1995, North Bay, Ontario, Canada & buried Union Cemetery, North Bay, Ontario, Canada.[30,90]

iii.

Charles Edward Irwin, born 27/3/1909, Tait's Island farm, McKellar Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90,95,104] Died 1998.[90] With parents, 1911.[104] Anglican, 1911.[104] Shovel (hoe) operator.[90] Married Eva Tupper, 23/10/1933.[90] Eva was granddaughter of Sir Charles Tupper, former premier of the Province of Nova Scotia and 6th Prime minister of  Canada.[28]

iv.

Esther Isobel Irwin, born 18/7/1911, Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90,95,108] Died 15/7/2001.[108] Postmaster.[90] Married Leonard Moffat, 9/10/1939.[90] Leonard born 30/12/1902 & died 7/1/1985.[90,108]

v.

Elma Elizabeth Irwin, born 2/2/1915, Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90,95,106] Baptised 18/1/1923 according to the rites of the Methodist Church, Rev H. A. Kippin, witnesses were M. Gardiner & B. Moore.[106] {[106] does not indicate whether the baptism was private or at a church. There was (and still is) a Methodist church in McKellar (now United Church of Canada)} Died 28/1/2000, Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada & buried Lakeview Cemetery, Ontario, Canada.[31,90] Quiltmaker.[90] Did not marry.[90] Lived with her parents until their deaths.[90]

vi.
Herman Frederick Irwin, born 31/3/1919, Parry Sound District Hospital, Parry Sound, Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[28,90,95] Farmer & cheese factory worker.[90] Married Irene Alma Thompson, 19/3/1948, Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90] Irene born 2/10/1928, McKellar, Ontario, Canada, d/o Austin Edward & Ena Margaret.[90]

vii.
Ralph Samuel Irwin, born 13/10/1921, Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90,95] Died 9/7/1995.[90] Farmer.[90] Married Doreen Amelia Thompson, 6/6/1950, Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90] Doreen born 13/11/1929, Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada, d/o Austin Edward & Ena Margaret, and died 28/5/1951, buried Lakeview Cemetery, Ontario, Canada.[90] Married 2nd Elizabeth Amy Thompson, 15/8/1953, Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90] Elizabeth born 18/12/1930, d/o Austin Edward & Ena Margaret, Middle River Farm, Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90]

viii.
John Alexander Irwin, born 19/12/1922, born Balsam Grove (near McKellar), Hagerman Township, Muskoka & Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.[90,95] Died 19/1/1923 & buried Lakeview Cemetery, Ontario, Canada.[90]

   
Samuel Irwin & family, c.1954
Samuel Irwin & family, c.1954
Image  - David Irwin
Samuel Irwin & family, c.1954
Samuel Irwin & family, c.1954
Image  - David Irwin
Francis & Gardiner Irwin, c.1910
________________
Image  - 
     
Samuel Irwin's family
(R) Gardiner, Samuel, Jenny, Francis,
Charles Irwin; (F) Herman, Esther,
Ralph, Elma Irwin, 22/12/1929
Image  - David Irwin
Mary Jane (Gardner) & Francis George Irwin, 1914
Mary Jane (Gardner) & Francis George Irwin, 1914
Image  - David Irwin
Francis & Gardiner Irwin, c.1910
Francis & Gardiner Irwin, c.1910
Image  - David Irwin

Francis George & Iva Irwin, 1983
Francis George & Iva Irwin, 1983
Image  - David Irwin
Mary Jane (Gardner) & Francis George Irwin, 1914
David Irwin’s family - James, David, Carol,
Christopher, Kimberly & Thomas,  1995

Image  - David Irwin
Home of Esther Irwin & Leonard Moffat (McKellar post office)
Home of Esther Irwin & Leonard Moffat
Image  - David Irwin

McKellar township, from the south
McKellar township, from the south
Image - Historical View of McKellar
Causeway leading to Tait's Island, 1938
Causeway leading to Tait's Island, 1938
Image -  Manitouwabing Lake Community Association
Parry Sound Baptist Church, Foots Bay
Parry Sound Baptist Church, Foots Bay
Image © Muskoka Presbytery