Squatters in Bonfield in the register of “Free Grants” under “The Free Grants + Homestead Act” Dated November 22, 1882
Richard Pennell (SR) (lot-26)(Conc 8&9) took claim 200 acres with 16 cleared, length of occupation 2 years, value at $400
Richard Pennell (JR) (lot-25)(Con-9) took claim 100 acres with 8 acres cleared, length occupation 2 years, valued at $200
The Railroad came through Rutherglen in fall 1879, Bonfield – January 1, 1879. First train to arrive in North Bay August 1882… I believe it would be safe to say the Pennells worked their way to Rutherglen by rail and took up land by these grants. James & Andrew Rose held the 1st squatters of these parcels were long gone ahead searching for more land for rail construction by 1881-82, North Bay, Ontario.
From the collection of Mike Brophy passed onto Elmer Rose – December 5, 2020.
Here is a Lot and Concession map from MY memory. Amazing since I was 11 when we moved from Rutherglen. I think Wayne helped me fill in some blanks, but that Hwy. 17 here looks weird. 🙂
A. W. Smith moved the road because it ran between his two 100 acre lots so he had two fences to fix where he could have one or none. This fencing was no simple chore once you got into the bush at the back of the lots.
Main reason – the old road ran up the granite mountain that is beneath Carl Sullivan’s hill beside the red brick school house. It was almost impossible for the horses to get any traction on this polished granite so they would slip and get hurt, along with their passengers and/or cargo. Also hard to dig post holes in granite.
Throughout my childhood, I had no idea I was related to the Hones, much the same as I was totally naive to the fact I was related to Alice McLaren and her family. Yet I knew I was related to Alice’s sisters out west because I didn’t clue in that they were all siblings. Stupid. Alice and Kenny McLaren were always at all the family functions and I always wondered why.
HOWEVER, the Hones were never at family functions. I guess once relatives get too many times removed, they stop being invited or an imaginary line is drawn. I seem to remember Jim Hone telling me at some community function that we were cousins. In my mind, it was so distant that it was a gossamer relationship.
James Hone’s wife, Eliza Crew, was Rachel Crew’s (my great-grandmother) sister. The Hones and the Pennells came together to Canada on the S. S. Niger in 1871. They opened a brickmaking business in Carlton Place, but it didn’t work out. So they applied for land grants in Nipissing District and moved to the Rutherglen area to farm and built log homes. They were from London, England and could not have had any idea how to farm, as I suppose was the case with most British pioneers.
Hone Log Home in Rutherglen
1. Bill Hatton 2.James Hone, young 3. Sarah Hone Wallace, 4.Maria Hone Carpenter, 5. Susan Hone Hatton, 6. Dick Carpenter and the 7. other – not sure. 8. Effie, Euphemia Hatton Scott (Frank Scott’s Mother)
Gathered at Pinelake to build the newer Hatton/Hone farmstead. The old log house where George Hone was born is in the background. George, son of James and Florence Gooderham Hone. They built the new cedar farmhouse that we all visited and which is still standing at Pinelake.
I just watched a series on TV call 1883 – it was one of the most depressing depictions of pioneers trying to settle in American that I’ve ever seen. The Europeans who had such dreams and hopes for freedom and land ownership, so few actually made it to their destinations. They just didn’t have a clue what they were doing. I would hope that my pioneer ancestors didn’t have to deal with cold hearted bandits who would shoot you dead for your supplies and horses. At least I like to think Canada was a better place – naive?
One of my good friends in primary school in Rutherglen was Susie Hone. She was a petite little thing and super sweet. How I wish I’d realized she was my cousin! I remember my parents talking about George Hone, but really it was never “H”one, it was always George ‘Own – the H was always silent to my ears – funny to think that with an thick English accent, the H would be dropped and the phonetics was handed down for future generations outside of England.
Its only when I began the huge task of laying out the Hone family and their descendants that it is evident that the Hones are interwoven within the fabric of Rutherglen more so than the Crews or the Pennells. Their children’s, children’s, children’s, children still live in Rutherglen.
James and Eliza Hone are buried in St. Margaret’s Anglican Church cemetery in Rutherglen. When they immigrated to Canada, leaving their oldest, Elizabeth, behind, but bringing with them: Sarah, Susan, Job and Maria, then they had 4 more children in Canada: George, Elizabeth, Annie and James. My notes (from Myrtle Connolly) say that James “had a brickyard at Greenwich before moving to Estney Street, London”. Their oldest, Elizabeth married William Charles Higgs Owen on April 23, 1871, about 2 weeks before the S. S. Niger set sail. Myrtle’s notes say that Elizabeth moved into the Hone home (77 Estney Street?) when they left for Canada.
James and Eliza Hone’s children were:
Elizabeth b. 1849 m. William Owen
Sarah b. 1854 m. Edwin Nolan
James Hone (not a Nolan) (father: Best)
Susan b. 1856 m. William Hatton
Eliza “Effie” b. 1896 m. Henry Scott (lived on Hwy. 17 next to Aunt Sadie “Sarah”)
Sarah “Sadie” m. Frank Wallace 1905 Andover, Maine
Robert Wesley b. 1920 m. Stella Sawchuck
James b. 1922 m. Edith Hone (cousins)
Stanley b, 1947 m. Sharon McClellan
Lois m. Wayne Graham
Dawn b. 1957
Frank b. 1935
Job b. 1860
Maria b. 1862 m. Richard Carpentor
George
Annie d. infancy
James d. infancy
Sarah Hone had an illegitimate son in 1883 – James William Hone. Sarah then married Edwin Nolan, but Edwin Nolan refused to raise young James, so Eliza and James Sr. continued to keep him.1 Kaye Edmonds found out from Iva Hone that the biological father of James Hones was Best who could have been from the Perth area.
1 Kaye Edmonds, Email, January 13, 2001 “I know that they tell me in England that he was referred to as ‘a boy they where raising’. You know how it was in those days.”
George’s dad had no father, his mother was Sarah who married Noland after. He was raised by is grandfather James Hone and his grandmother Eliza Crew.
September 1994 Letter from Irene Hone
James married Florence Gooderham and they had the following children:
George b. 1913 m. Irene Tyler
James Harvey m. Dorothy Oglestone
Ruth m. Wesley Sullivan
Reuben b. 1914 m. Iva Livingston
Joyce m. George Cook
Judy
Linda m. Wayne Green (son of Andy Green)
Danny w. Patsy Backer
Susan (Susie) m. Randy Furlani
Edith b. 1920 m. James Scott (her cousin)
Stan m. Sharon McLellan
Lois m. Wayne Graham
Dawn never married
Valerie (Edith’s obit says Valerie was her daughter)
Florence b. 1916 m. Gordon Donaldson
Ann
Lynn
Irene b. 1922 m. Kenneth Prescott
Richard m. Anna Foley
Valerie m. Warren James (son of Christy James, so distance cousins)
Ken
Kaye m. William Edmonds**
** Kaye is a brilliant amateur photographer and an avid genealogist. She’s done and shared a lot of research into the Hones, Prescotts and Edmonds. You can find Kaye on Facebook (20+) Kaye Edmonds | Facebook
Below are some memories of Jim and Dorothy’s wedding. As of this year (2023), they will have been married 60 years. Beautiful couple – beautiful people.
Below are memories of George and Irene Hone’s 60th Anniversary. Irene provided a lot of genealogy data to me.
Below is an article about Danny Hone from 2003. Danny is the son of Reuben Hone, nephew of George Hone above, and great-great-grandson of James and Eliza Hone.
Iva Hone (nee Livingston) – wife of Reuben Hone, great-grandson to James Hone and Eliza Crew
Thanks Mom for all the years of always saving the newspaper clippings at first for yourself and then for me.
Iva Hone, 1995 Newspaper article, wife of Reuben Hone, son of James Hone, son of Sarah Hone, dau. of James and Eliza Jane (Crew) Hone
Iva Hone, wife of Reuben Hone, son of James Hone, son of Sarah Hone, dau. of James and Eliza Jane (Crew) Hone
James Hone, Funeral Card August 25, 1957, husband of Eliza Jane Crew, Rachel’s sister.
Liza was born September 8, 1872, in Horton Twp., Ontario, the first child of Richard and Rachel Pennell to be born in Canada. She married John “Jack” James, the brother of William C. James who married her sister Mary Ann. Liza lived in a small house right across the road from our farm in Rutherglen.
Even though I never knew her, “Aunt Liza” was very much a part of my life and I explored her abandoned home many times. Liza died March 6, 1955 in a sanatorium in Gravenhurst, Ontario from tuberculosis. She is buried at St. Margaret’s Anglican Church cemetery in Rutherglen.
Jack and Eliza James with Cecil and EricEliza and Eric JamesAlma, Eric, Cecil, Eliza, JackEliza and Alma JamesEliza James and Alice Smith, with Lloyd Smith & Emmett SmithEric, Cecil, Eliza, Alma, Jack
April 21, 1913 Letter from W. A. McLaren to John James regarding landJack and Eliza James house, RutherglenAlice, Eliza, Georgena, Adoniram, Lloyd, Jake Buchanan
Mary was born January 19, 1868 in Greenwich, England. She immigrated with her family on the S. S. Niger from Liverpool to Quebec City when she was only 3. She married William C. James of Rutherglen, who was the brother of John “Jack” James who married her sister Eliza. Mary died October 3, 1955 in North Bay, Ontario.
Eliza James and Mary Ann James
Note picture in gallery of “Mary – Adopted”:
The family gossip is that Mary and William “adopted” a daughter Mary. Mrs. McNeilly felt that Mary was overworking the adopted daughter, so took her from Mary and William to the United States. I have no idea is this is true or who this “Mrs. McNeilly” is. But this is a picture of the adopted daughter Mary and her husband.
Descendants of Mary Ann & William James
Christopher “Christi” Richard James b. 1885 m. Mary Jane Campbell [FGS* from Bernice Hunt]
Grenville Campbell James, b. 1916, m. Irene “Renie” Sullivan
Marshall George James, b. 1923, m. Olive Elizabeth Carruthers
Stanley William James, b. 1914, m. Hazel Emma Shute
Robert Manly James, b. 1921, m. Florence McKenney
Bernice Marie James, b. 1925, m. Edward Donald Hunt
Margaret Mary Hunt b. 1950
Michael Wayne Hunt
Alice Elizabeth “Betty” Hunt, b. 1953, d. 1977, m. Ian Gilmore
Dennis Edward Hunt, b. 1946, m. Barbara Frost
Ross Christopher James, b. 1912 m. Edna Mary Johanna Hill (dau. of Johanna Eady, Leah’s sister)
Arnold Warren James m. Gertrude Rose (dau. of Tom and Blanche Rose)
Irene Dagmar James, b. 1919, m. John Anderson, b. 1900, m. 1944
Martha Mary Irene Anderson m. Richard Gibson
John Christopher Anderson m. Mary Ann Kirk
Kenneth Roderick James, b. 1927, m. Frances Mitchell
Richard Kenneth James m. Ellen Roache
Roderick Mitchell James m. Edna Wilsak
Clinton John James, b. ?, d. 1933 young
Warren Alexander James, b. 1932, m. Valerie Edith Prescott
Arnold Wilson James, b. 1933, m. Beth Gertrude Rose
John Thomas Victor James, b. 1887, 59th Battalion WWI (picture below), member of Orange Lodge and Elk Lake Masonic Lodge, m. Annie Gertrude “Gerti” Smith (dau. of Willard Smith, widow of William Smith, son of Alexander Smith, Willard’s cousin. They had a son “Billy”.), then m. Julia McNulty [NOTE**]
Eleanor James w/Gerti, m. Lloyd Lewis
Ruth James w/Gerti, m. Lorne Pollard
Randy Pollard
Larry Pollard
Catherine Pollard (twin)
Carol Pollard (twin)
Cherryl Pollard
Tawny Pollard
Lorna Pollard
Jack James w/Julia
Dale James w/Julia
Darwin James w/Julia
Bill Smith James w/Julia
James Richard James, b. 1889, m. I. McDonald, WWI vet (picture below)
Rachel Sarah “Rae” James [picture below], b. 1891, m. R. Colbon
Alice Maria James, b. 1894, member of Eastern Star, W.A., m. Samuel Stewart, d. 1953
Olive “Ollie” Stewart, m. J. R. Green
Lois Green
Donna Green
Jimmy Green, Airforce
Jean Stewart, m. Courtney Pennell
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Frances James, b. 1894, m. Hugh Ferguson
Florence “Flossie” James, b. 1897, m. P. Riddler
William James, b. 1900, WWI veteran (picture below), m. Mary Ellen Steep
Delbert William James b. 1933 m. Lorna Mae Larson
Shane Colin James
Shauna Loreen James
George Matthew James, b. 1902, m. Martha
Frankie James
Georgina James, m. Cecil Netickshik
Russell Sylvester James, b. 1904, m. Yvonne Belaire
Courtney Wilson James, b. 1906
Violet Marie James, b. 1909, m. Geoffrey Louis Mussell
Phyllis Eliza James, b. 1911, d. 1915 (funeral card says “Eliza” and grave marker says “Maria”, church record says she was born Phyllis Eliza, so I conclude the funeral card is wrong.)
**Two of the 4 sons of John and Julia are twins. Their marriage was rocky and at least three of the four sons spent time in jail and were known to be a part of the “Kelly Gang” of North Bay.
*FGS=Family Group Sheet
Joyce ‘s best guess
Randall’s best guess
Elaine’s best guess
Phyllis’s best guess
Consensus
1
Violet Mussell
Violet James
2
Russell James
Russell James
Russell James
Russell James
Russell James
3
Christopher James
Christopher James
Christopher James
Christopher James
4
Earl Craig
Earl Craig
Earl Craig
Earl Craig
Earl Craig
5
Grenville James
Grenville James
Grenville James
Grenville James
6
Joyce Canning
Joyce Canning
Joyce Canning
Joyce James
7
Maggie James
Maggie James
Marguerite McDonald
8
Betty Whalley
Betty James
9
Margaret James
Phyllis Woods
Phyllis Woods
Phyllis James
10
Martha James
Martha James
Martha White
11
Bill James
Jim James
Jim James
Jim James
12
Hugh Ferguson
Bob James?
13
14
William James
William James
William James
William James
William James
15
Gertrude James
Gertrude Sampson
16
John James
William James
Wilfred Craig?
17
Robert James Sr
18
19
Yvonne James
Yvonne James
Yvonne James
Yvonne James
Yvonne Bellaire
20
Elisabeth Ferguson
Alice Stewart
Elisabeth Ferguson
Elisabeth Ferguson
Elisabeth James
21
Joyce James
Joyce James(Jim’s)
Joyce James
22
Alex James
Alex James
23
Edna James
Edna Hill
24
George James
George James
George James
George James
25
26
27
Hugh Ferguson
Jim James
Hugh Ferguson
Hugh Ferguson
Hugh Ferguson
28
29
30
Eliza James
Grandma James
Eliza Jane Pennell
31
Alice Smith
Eliza Jane James
Alice Marie Pennell
32
Ollie Green
Ollie?
33
Ray Green
Ray?
Kate Craig?
34
Ross James
Ross James
Ross James
Ross James
Ross James
35
Alice Stewart
Alice Stewart
Alice James
36
Alice Maria James, obit. 1953, dau. of Bill James and Mary Ann Pennell
Alice Maria James, death 1953, dau. of Bill James and Mary Ann Pennell
Courtney James died 1961; son of Bill James and Mary Ann Pennell
Children of Bill James and Mary Ann Pennell, 1952
Rene & Grenville James, 1994, son of Christie James, grandson of Bill James and Mary Ann Pennell
Grenville James & Rene Sullivan, wedding 1950, son of Christie James, grandson of Bill James & Mary Ann Pennell
Grenville James & Rene Sullivan wedding 1950, son of Christie James, grandson of Bill James and Mary Ann Pennell
Phyllis E. James, grave 1915 grave, dau. of Bill James & Mary Ann Pennell
Violet James marriage to Geoffrey Mussell, dau. of Bill James and Mary Ann Pennell
William “Bill” James and Mary Ann Pennell, grave, St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, Rutherglen
Mary, adopted by Bill & Mary Ann James, taken by “Mrs. McNeilly” back to USA.
Mary Ann James nee Pennell, 1937 Death
Mary Ann James nee Pennell, funeral 1937
Mary Ann James nee Pennell Death 1937
Mary Ann James, Alice Smith, Margaret & Richard Pennell, Eliza James, Rae James (Mary’s dau.)
Mary Ann James, Alice Smith, Margaret & Richard Pennell, Eliza James, maybe George
Herb & George Pennell, Lester Keech, John, Jim & William James (brothers), Camp Borden, 1916, all cousins
Phyllis James, 1915 Death, dau. of Bill James & Mary Ann Pennell
Frances was born May 15, 1865 in Land’s End, England, and would have celebrated her 6th birthday of the S. S. Niger when they immigrated from Liverpool, England to Quebec City. She married Reuben James Smith (not related to my Smiths), on October 22, 1882 in Renfew, Ontario. Reuben was the son of William and Catherine Smith. Reuben and Frances lived in Rutherglen for a short time in the house across the Trunk Road from the maple tree hill once owned by Richard and Rachel Pennell. Some may remember it as Carl and Millie Sullivan’s house.
Frances and Reuben eventually moved to Ewen, Michigan and Frances died there August 4, 1953.
Frances and Reuben SmithFrances Smith (nee Pennell)
Descendants of Frances Smith nee Pennell
Mary Ann Smith b. 1884, Rutherglen; m. John McLoughlin
George William McLoughlin, Dr., b.1904, WWII veteran
Frances Ann McLoughlin
Mary Ann McLoughlin
John Smith McLoughlin
Masie McLoughlin
William Richard Alexander Smith b. 1886
Catherine Smith b. 1888
George Calvin Smith b. 1890
Reuben James Martin Smith b. 1893, m. Margaret Johnson
Henry James Pennell Smith, WWII vet, decorated for bravery, Bronze Medal, Star Medal, Purple Heart
Nellie Margaret Smith m. Rowloff; Nellie was a composer
William Richard Smith [Myrtle records show “Sgt.”, but I can’t find any military records for him]
Frances Ann Smith
Mary Catherine Smith
Martin Edwin Smith
Floy Gertrude Smith
John Herbert Smith
Elizabeth Smith b. 1894
John Smith b. 1904
Addressed to Mrs. N. Smith Rutherglen, Ontario, Canada Post marked February 1918
Dear Alice, this is a store that was here when you were here. It was called Hargraves Store then. Do you remember it. Love to all from sister Frances.
ca 1905 – Frances Pennell’s Boys [Maybe: G=George; M=Martin; D=?Dad?] Reuben James “Martin” Smith, son of Frances and Reuben Smith.Frances Smith and unknown man. Frances Pennellca 1950 – 5 Generations: Frances Pennell, with baby Mary Frances Shelton. Surrounded by Mary Ann McLoughlin, Mary Monical, Mary Ann Shelton
July 2, 1950
My Dear Sister and all
Just received your letter with the sad news of Eric’s death. I cannot tell you how sorry I feel for you all. It is so hard to see our loved one pass away and so young and there is nothing we can do for them. But we must be brave and put our trust in our heavenly Father and know its His will and its all for the best and ask him to give us strength to bear it and he will confort us in all our sorrow and after a while we will see them. God knows best what is best for us although it seems very hard to us now.
I am so very sorry that I am so far away and can not go to see you but I send you all my deepest sympathy and love. May God bless you all. I can’t write much for my eyes are getting so bad. I am almost blind. I am not well and getting weaker all the time. My arm has never got strong as to do all I can with one hand. We are having some cold weather here and rains every day and have just got word that I have another Great-Great-Grand child, Mary Ann had a baby boy. It was a surprise to me for the little girl was only one year old in January. [Pictured above] I think this is all for this time. Will try to write you soon. So with love and best wishes and God Bless you all.
Born April 27, 1858, Lewisham Place, Kent, England, George immigrated with his family on the S. S. Niger on May 11, 1871. George married Charlotte Edmunds and lived in Rutherglen, Ontario. He died August 31, 1930 and is buried at St. Margaret’s Anglican Cemetery in Rutherglen.
When Richard Pennell, James Hone and the Crew sisters made their way to Rutherglen, they brought their “children”, but Richard Jr. and George would have been in their 20’s, ready to have their own farms.
George Pennell’s descendants are many and integral to the fabric of Rutherglen, Ontario.
George was a short stout man with reddish curly hair. He came to Rutherglen in 1881 and lived on the farm land directly across the road from his parents, Richard and Rachel Pennell. This property was later owned by Joseph Rose. The property right beside was owned by Reuben and Frances (Pennell) Smith, who later moved to Michigan and sold their property to Carl Sullivan.
Charlotte Edmonds and George Pennell
PENNELLs
Richard and his son George Pennell where early settlers in Rutherglen. The Pennells were originally from England. The reason that brought them to what is now ? community was chance of getting themselves some free grant land. This is land that was give[n] to anyone who would try and settle in the wilderness.
Richard Pennell settle[d] the Lot 26, Concession 9. The land was cleared with axes and horse which then had to be grubbed to make sure the stumps were out.
For income in early years of their stay they use to cut for ? engines and make ties for railroads. After Pennell was finished with the farm his grand[son] Emmett Smith got it. Mr. Smith framed and ?. Then selling all farm except four acres where he still lives.
The remainder of farm is owned [by] Mr. St. Jean.
George Pennell’s wife not ?. Their children are: Francis, Anne, Luey, Em?, Gordon, Alex, Herb, Harry, Richard and Victor. When George Pennell moved up with father to Rutherglen, he settle the land … ? The Pennells came …?
The lots which George settled were Lot 27, Concession 8 and Lot 26, Concession 8. The land on his property was cleared the same way as the other early settlers. On farm they had mostly cows and chickens. ? in these days were hard work because work was done manually, not with machines. During his and his wife stay at the farm, they had ten children.
When George was finish with farm, his son and wife Almalia took it over. Victor lived on the farm for many years and later sold the farm in two separate lots. He sold to Joseph Rose and the half to Will McLaren. Will later sold to Carl Sullivan. Both gentlemen still own the land.
Author unknown. Written circa late 1960’s
St. Margaret’s Anglican Church cemetery, Rutherglen
Descendants of George Pennell
Click the Photo Gallery button at the bottom for all the images and sources I have for George Pennell descendants. Also, as you read the names below, if there’s a superscript “P” (P) this means there’s a picture or reference to this person in the gallery. Also, I have more generational data on this family, but for privacy reasons, I’ve chosen to only put 3 generations below.
Lucy Pennell, b. 1876, d. 1964, m. Mr. French, m. Ch. Lawrence
Arthur Warrin French, b. 1900, d. 1916
John Allan Lawrence, d. 1936
Jean Lawrence, m. Clifford Asp (corresponded with Joan Smith for many years)
David Asp, b. 1953 (RCMP)
Lawrence Asp, m. Margaret Portious, m. Laura
Brian Asp
Richard William PennellP, b. 1877, m. Carrie Sullivan (Melvin Sullivan’s sister), m. Mary Ellen Farmer (Hazel Farmer’s sister)
Walter PennellP (w/Sullivan), m. Martha MillerP
PennellP
Dorreal PennellP (contributor to my database)
Linda PennellP
Austin Pennell (w/Sullivan)
William “Bill” Pennell (w/Farmer), good friend of Emmett Smith
Alex Pennell (w/Farmer)
Carrie Pennell (w/Farmer), m. Mr. Fisher
Charlotte Pennell (w/Farmer)
Lincoln Pennell
George Pennell, b. 1879, d. 1918 WWI at Battle of Mons.
Emma “Emmy” Charlotte Pennell, b. 1881, d. 1965, m. Lorenzo “LJ” Rose (farm beside Chester Smith’s) [FGS* from Clayton Rose]
Ellen “Nellie” Rose, b. 1900, d. 1978, m. Benjamin Farmer (Hazel Farmer’s brother) [FGS* from Marjorie Henderson]
Thomas Gordon Farmer (lawyer), m. Violet Peever
Wm. Allan Farmer m. Anne Yore
Mona Rose Farmer (RN) m. Darryl Anderson
Ruby Lorraine Farmer m. Ralph Burke
Clara Margaret Rose, b. 1901, m. George Monroe
Thomas “Tom” Henry Rose, b. 1902, d. 1975, m. Blanche SullivanP (Melvin’s sister) [FGS* from Clayton Rose]
Gwendolyn Hilda RoseP, b. 1930, m. John “Jack” Robillard
Doreen Emily Audrey Rose, b. 1931, d. 1986, m. Dr. David McClure
Jean Norma Rose, b. 1932, m. Frank Schellekens
Beth Gertrude Rose, b. 1934, m. Arnold Warren James (son of Christie & Mary James)
Marion Arlene RoseP, b. 1937, m. Roy SmithP (son of Elmo Smith, Roy’s grandmother Alice was George Pennell’s sister
Glen Melvin Thomas Rose, b. 1939, m. Wilda Paquette
Clayton Allan Rose, b. 1941, d. ca 2010, Clayton was a HUGE contributor to his family’s family history project and you can still find him on Ancestry and 23andme using initials “CR”
Murray George RoseP, b. 1945, m. Eugenia “Janie” Verhulst
Harvey Elwin RoseP, b. 1948, m. Noreen St. Jean
Sandra Lee Fern RoseP, b. 1952, m. Pierre “Peter” Smith
Reuben “Reub” Samuel Rose, b. 1904, d. 1969, m. Laura Sullivan (Melvin’s sister)
Allan Leyman Rose, b. 1907, m. Lillian “Lila” Sampson [FGS* from Marjorie Henderson]
Lois RoseP, m. Patrick RobinsonP
Ralph, m. Taami Saari
Fay, m. Harshman
Lorenzo “Jay” James Rose, b. 1909
Hazel Irene Rose, b. 1912
Violet Lavern Rose, b. 1915, m. James Lawrence Schubert [FGS* from Doriel Poupore]
Doriel Lavern Rose, m. Donald Poupore
Inez Leona Rose, m. Murray Morrow
Roy Lawrence, m. Patricia Wilkinson
Ralph James Rose
Norma Noleen Rose, m. Claire Morrow
Lennis Brian James Rose, m. Susan Belluz
Garry Lee Rose, m. Rosemary Jarvis
Marjorie Mona RoseP, b. 1917, m. Roy Kitchener HendersonP [FGS* from Marjorie Henderson]
Lynda Jean Henderson (Teacher) m. Real Chevrefils
Judith Emma Henderson (RN) m. Dr. Robert Bruce Edey
George “Jiggs” Mons RoseP, b. 1919, m. Violet Davis
Iva Muriel RoseP, b. 1921, m. Norman Basil BlayP [FGS* from Clayton Rose]
Margaret “Peggy” Rose Blay, b. 1946 m. Lynn Duquette [FGS* from Clayton Rose]
Darryl Basil Blay, b. 1948, m. Monica Barr [FGS* from Clayton Rose]
Anne Pennell, m. Mr. Segien, m. Bert Reynolds
Obadiah Pennell, b. 1887, d. 1951 Cooperstown, PA, m. Abigail Scobie
Rachel Sarah Pennell, b. 1890, d. 1890
Victor Pennell, m. Alma Watson
Howard Pennell, m. Alma BlayP
Ian Pennell
Marlene Pennell
Alexander C. Pennell, b. 1892, d. 1967, served as a gunner in WWI, severely wounded twice, met and m. nurse Dorothy Rhodes in England, then m. “Jo”. Worked as Game Warden in Gravenhurst, ON
Gabriel Pennell (w/Rhodes)
Harry Pennell, m. Louisa, m. Zelda
Frances Pennell, b. 1896, d. 1982, m. Harry Latimer
Barbara Latimer.
Eleanor Latimer
Ted Latimer, m. Elizabeth Richards
Herbert Gordon Pennell, b. 1899, d. 1983. Served in WWI in 58th Battalion, wounded in Battle of Mons. m. Ella McCulloughP
Audrey Pennell, m. Ken Reeves
Bruce Reeves
David Reeves
Jane Reeves
William Reeves
Helen Pennell, m. Frank Hitchcock
Douglas Hitchcock
*FGS = Family Group Sheet
I have so many source items and images for George Matthew Pennell’s descendants, I’ve put them in a separate gallery on Google Drive. Click the button below to see them.
Rachel wanted to return to England after the Pennells and the Hones brickmaking business in Carlton Place failed. But, undeterred, Richard tried again by applying for a land grant in Bonfield Township at Rutherglen where they obtained crown land in approximately 1879.
Richard loaded his family (now 6 children) into a sleigh and made his way in the middle of winter to his 200 acres. The original log house stood on the property until 1990, when it was dismantled by Jourgen Mohr who was planning to rebuild it in another location as a heritage house. To the best of my knowledge, he never did and the fate of the timbers are unknown. I have nothing in my notes about the Hone family, but they ended up in Rutherglen as well.
Rachel was a devoted Anglican and was hostess to many Vicars who passed through Rutherglen, mostly on horseback. She died April 21, 1916 on Good Friday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James McNamara, at 93 McLeod St., North Bay. Her last words were, “I can hear the angels singing”. In the church records it is written that she was “a true and earnest daughter of the church, worked for the parish from its foundation.” She was known as an Angel of Mercy, one that was always on call, attending the sick and needy.
The church burial records for Richard indicate that he was a “True and faithful son of Mother Church. R.I.P.”
Richard was a small man and had no formal education. At the age of 8, he worked in brick yards [likely his father’s] for a few pennies a day. After several years, he became a bricklayer. When living near the Woolwich Military Unit, Richard and his brothers used to race cannonballs down the hills.
Myrtle Connolly
The author of the following is unknown to me. Its a photocopy of a handprinted 2-page document where the edges have been cut off. It could have been written in the late 1960’s.
PENNELLs
Richard and his son George Pennell where early settlers in Rutherglen. The Pennells were originally from England. The reason that brought them to what is now ? community was chance of getting themselves some free grant land. This is land that was give[n] to anyone who would try and settle in the wilderness.
Richard Pennell settle[d] the Lot 26, Concession 9. The land was cleared with axes and horse which then had to be grubbed to make sure the stumps were out.
For income in early years of their stay they use to cut for ? engines and make ties for railroads. After Pennell was finished with the farm his grand[son] Emmett Smith got it. Mr. Smith framed and ?. Then selling all farm except four acres where he still lives.
The remainder of farm is owned [by] Mr. St. Jean.
George Pennell’s wife not ?. Their children are: Francis, Anne, Luey, Em?, Gordon, Alex, Herb, Harry, Richard and Victor. When George Pennell moved up with father to Rutherglen, he settle the land … ? The Pennells came …?
The lots which George settled were Lot 27, Concession 8 and Lot 26, Concession 8. The land on his property was cleared the same way as the other early settlers. On farm they had mostly cows and chickens. ? in these days were hard work because work was done manually, not with machines. During his and his wife stay at the farm, they had ten children.
When George was finish with farm, his son and wife Almalia took it over. Victor lived on the farm for many years and later sold the farm in two separate lots. He sold to Joseph Rose and the half to Will McLaren. Will later sold to Carl Sullivan. Both gentlemen still own the land.
The following is from an email from Elmer Rose, Rutherglen historian
Squatters in Bonfield in the register of “Free Grants” under “The Free Grants + Homestead Act” Dated November 22, 1882
Richard Pennell (SR) (lot-26)(Conc 8&9) took claim 200 acres with 16 cleared, length of occupation 2 years, value at $400
Richard Pennell (JR) (lot-25)(Con-9) took claim 100 acres with 8 acres cleared, length occupation 2 years, valued at $200
The Railroad came through Rutherglen in fall 1879, Bonfield – January 1, 1879. First train to arrive in North Bay August 1882… I believe it would be safe to say the Pennells worked their way to Rutherglen by rail and took up land by these grants. James & Andrew Rose held the 1st squatters of these parcels were long gone ahead searching for more land for rail construction by 1881-82, North Bay, Ontario.
From the collection of Mike Brophy passed onto Elmer Rose – December 5, 2020.
As I posted in a Crew History, Tales and Truths, Bethnal Green was not a great place to live and everyone had a brickyard. Competition likely made eking out a living extremely difficult. Mortality rates were high and life expectancy rates were low. Rachel had lost a baby in 1863 and Eliza lost her last two babies in 1868 and 1870.
Life expectancy was low. Of 1,632 deaths in 1839, 1,258 (77 per cent) were of ‘mechanics, servants, and labourers’, who had an expectancy of 16 years, 273 of tradesmen, with an expectancy of 26, and 101 of gentry and professional people, with an expectancy of 45.
Although Bethnal Green was still the main silkweaving parish, the industry was in decline and weavers were under-employed. Occupations such as tailoring, furniture making, and costermongering replaced it but none was prosperous, sweated labour was prevalent, and the population was caught in a downward spiral of poverty. A modern analysis has placed Bethnal Green as the second poorest London parish in 1841, the poorest by 1871.
So, on 11 May, 1871, Richard and Rachel Pennell left 77 Esteny St., London, England and along with Rachel’s sister Eliza and her husband James Hone, and headed for Liverpool to board the S. S. Niger1 that arrived in Quebec City on 29 May, 1871.
The two families boarded the train to Sand Point (McNabb Township, Renfrew), only to find it was the “end of the steel” and also no employment. They finally settled in Carlton Place, Ontario (Beckwith Township, Lanark Co.), where they built a log cabin large enough for two families and divided it, living as such until they could get better lodgings.
Keep in mind, the Hones brought 4 children with them and the Pennells brought 4. So that makes 12 people in one log cabin.
Even though Carlton Place was very remote then, the Pennells and the Hones established a brick yard. However, lumber was ample and very inexpensive and the settlers homes were mostly constructed from log timbers. The forced the two families to try farming in Horton Township which was unsuccessful. [Not sure why. There were many successful Smiths and Eadys who farmed in Horton Township]
Rachel wanted to return to England, but Richard tried again by applying for a land grant in Bonfield Township at Rutherglen where they obtained crown land in approximately 1879.
Richard loaded his family (now 6 children) into a sleigh and made his way in the middle of winter to his 200 acres. The original log house stood on the property until 1990, when it was dismantled by Jourgen Mohr who was planning to rebuild it in another location as a heritage house. To the best of my knowledge, he never did and the fate of the timbers are unknown. I have nothing in my notes about the Hone family, but they ended up in Rutherglen as well.
The following is an email from Wayne with his thoughts on how this “adventure” may have happened and the circumstances that may have been factors:
The best way to get cows, horses, furniture from Renfrew to Rutherglen before the train would have been to do what A. W. Smith did. Horse and sleigh on the ice up the Ottawa River to Mattawa. Then up the Mattawa to the bottom of the Lake Talon chutes. Then overland to Rutherglen.
Or maybe there was a trail from the Mattawa River to Rutherglen but running your sleigh on nice flat lake ice like Lake Talon would be tempting. Only one portage at the chutes. J. R. Booth would have had this water route well worn. It’s the same route used by Samuel de Champlain and the [Indigenous Peoples]. Just need to do it in the winter.
Once you get on the Lake Talon, you could go up Sparks Creek to the Blue Sea Creek and then you’re home. There was a store/hotel on Lake Talon where Sparks Creek joins the lake. It was run by ??? Green (Andy Green’s Dad). There would have been other road houses along the way spaced out a days travel apart. You most likely would buy cows and chickens from other farmers. But guns, axes, horses, wagons, etc. would be best carried in with the wife and kids.
The roads, if any, would be best travelled in the winter with a horse and sleigh, sort of like the ice road truckers do today. The portage at the Chutes would have been a challenge – its long and steep. Would have needed some help from the loggers there. Maybe send the wife and kids on the train after you bought the farm and got set up.
2020, Dec 8, Email – Wayne Smith
Rachel was a devoted Anglican and was hostess to many Vicars who passed through Rutherglen, mostly on horseback. She died April 21, 1916 on Good Friday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James McNamara, at 93 McLeod St., North Bay. Her last words were, “I can hear the angels singing”. In the church records it is written that she was “a true and earnest daughter of the church, worked for the parish from its foundation.” She was known as an Angel of Mercy, one that was always on call, attending the sick and needy.
The church burial records for Richard indicate that he was a “True and faithful son of Mother Church. R.I.P.”
1S. S. Niger Ship’s Log #71135078-4581
Most of this information is from Edna Ollivier and Myrtle Connelly
This picture is one that I had developed from a box of negatives that I found in the old Pennell home in Rutherglen. This clothesline stand is a big memory for me and was still there beside the porch door when we moved from house in 1968. Although I can’t make out her face well, I’m assuming this is my grandmother, Alice Pennell. This stand was Buster’s (our family dog) summer home. Off to the left, you can see someone on a ladder, likely picking apples from the small crab apple tree that was beside the house. It was to become a beautiful huge tree, flowering in the spring and giving us crab apples in the summer.
As I looked at this picture, I was puzzled that the clothes were not hung on a line-and-pulley, but on lines attached to the wooden crossbars. So I researched the line-and-pulley clothesline and found that it was patented until 1939.
Here is the clothesline stand again taken during the winter of 1956-1957. The crossbars are gone and the huge pole on the left is likely topped with a wheel and pulley.
