Category: Crew-CAN

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.

Children of Richard and Rachel Pennell

• Pennell: Alice Maria (m. Smith)
• Pennell: Elizabeth (m. McNamara)
• Pennell: Richard “Dick” William Job
• Pennell: George Matthew, Sr.
• Pennell: Susan and Rachel
• Pennell: Frances Ann (m. Smith)
• Pennell: Mary Ann (m. James)
• Pennell: Eliza “Liza” Jane (m. James)

Alexander Pennell, b. 1892, son of George Matthew Pennell (Gramma Smith’s brother) and Charlotte Edmunds.  This Alex served 4 years in WW1 as a gunner.  He was severely wounded twice and sent to England where he met his future wife, Dorothy Rhodes, a nurse.  Alex worked as a Game Warden in Gravenhurst.  He had one child, Gabriel Pennell.  Alexander’s brother was Herb Pennell, who also served in WW1.

Alexander Pennell’s brother, Richard William Pennell married Carrie Sullivan (Melvin’s sister). He was a Fireman. Their children were Walter Pennell and Austin Pennell. Then Richard married Mary Ellen Farmer (Aunt Hazel’s sister).  One of their children was Alex Cecil Pennell who would be the Alex Pennell who is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. 

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.

W. L. Smith – December 8, 2020, email

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.

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.

Word document text sent with the photo

Effie is the original source of the deFawcett story and the Rutland story. http://nide.ca/2023/03/08/crew-history-tales-truths/(opens in a new tab)

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.

Bill Keech was born June 5, 1920 in North Bay, Ontario. He was the son of Lester William Keech (WW1) and grandson of Jane McNamara. After he graduated from North Bay Collegiate, he married Iola Grace Berry, December 2, 1939, who became a Registered Nurse.

He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. and received the rank of Flt. Lieut. during World War II. On April 27, 1942, Bill was shot down over Belgium and taken prisoner, spending three years in Stalag Luft-3, near Sagan. He participated in the operation of “The Great Escape”.

The tunnel had been under his bunk, but only a few prisoners made it to freedom. The Germans accidently fell into the escape hole and caught several men, and even though they had swiftly surrendered, they were shot.

After being released, Bill, along with many other former prisoners, were entertained at Windsor Castle by King George, Queen Elizabeth and their daughters. Bill returned home and enrolled at Western University in London, Ontario and graduated in medicine.

Bill practiced medicine in North Bay, Ontario, and after being Chief of Staff at both the Civic Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital, he retired on June 5, 1985. Bill then ran for council, won his seat and became the Deputy Mayor of North Bay.

Dr. Bill Keech, who as a member of North Bay City Council, lobbied hard to have City Hall declared smoke free and bring in non-smoking bylaws, hopes the addictive habit will one day be banned completely.

“As a physician, I realize the staggering number of people killed every year by smoking,” he observed. While he believes adults who are aware of the hazards of lighting up should still have the right to decide, “children are starting to smoke from a very young age” when they don’t even realize those health risks.

North Bay Nugget (newspaper), February 7, 1993

Jane was born in Ottawa September 1, 1875 and was the daughter of Elizabeth Pennell and James McNamara. Jane was a hairdresser. She died May 5, 1961 in Haileybury, Ontario.

Jane married William John Keech, son of Edwin James Keech and Elizabeth Forsey, all of England, on April 22, 1896, in Ewen, Michigan. William was a Butcher. The Keech’s arrived in Quebec City July 1, 1883. The Captain (Molson) had a farm at Sherbrooke and hired William, who stayed with the Molson family for two years. Then he moved to the U.S., meeting up with his brothers, George and Henry. William worked on river drives and lumber camps before finally opening his own business.

I have a lot of detail on Jane because her daughter was Myrtle Connolly who was an avid genealogist and family historian.

Jane was great friends with my grandmother, Alice Pennell (Smith). Even though my grandmother was Jane’s aunt, they were close to the same age.

Jane and William had 11 children:

NAME	BORN	DIED	OCC	NOTES
Lester William (Sgt.)	1897 (MI)	1957 (ON)	Railroad Engineer	Served in WWI in 228th Reg., m. Eva McChesney, died from blood clot from prior car accident, had one son Willian Albert Keech, M.D.** (see photo below)
Edwin James	1899 (WI)	1975 (ON)	Machin./Farmer	m. May Shortt
Foster George	1901 (WI)	1901
William John	1902 (WI)	1925 (ON)	Fireman ONR	6′ 2″ – car went through ice on Lake Nipissing
Forsey Pennell	1904 (WI)	1905 (WI)
Gordon Forester	1906 (ON)			m. Glenna Smith
Henry Albert	1908 (ON)			m. & div. Edna Gibson, had one dau. Ilene Keech
Myrtle Elizabeth	1911 (ON)		Hairdresser	Twin, weighed 2lb. 8oz., m. Cecil Connolly, Children: Mary, William, Ronald & Shirley; of note, Shirley had triplets in 1967
Ivy Jane	1911 (ON)	1912 (ON)		Twin – weighed 2 lbs 4 oz
George Stewart	1913 (ON)	1981 (ON)	Auto Parts Mgr.	d. of Cancer, m. Mabel Watson, Children: Howard, John (Major), Barbara, Constance.
Mabel Evelyn	1914 (ON)		Hairdresser	m. Clarence Connolly

There is a lot of information in my postings about the Pennells and the Crews where I give credit to Myrtle Connolly. Myrtle is Elizabeth Pennell’s granddaughter and Jane McNamara’s daughter.

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.

Descendants of Eliza Pennell

• Alma Alice James m. George Ewart Latimer
  • Mervin Latimer
  • Beulah Latimer
  • Escar Latimer
• Cecil Frank James m. Marie Tremblay
  • son
  • Leonard James
• Escar John James b. 1896, d. 1896
• Eric James b. 1902, d. 1950, m. Gertrude Sampson. Eric died after a lengthy illness.

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.

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 of 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

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.

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

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.

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

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 Pennell^P, b. 1877, m. Carrie Sullivan (Melvin Sullivan’s sister), m. Mary Ellen Farmer (Hazel Farmer’s sister)
  • Walter Pennell^P (w/Sullivan), m. Martha Miller^P
    • Pennell^P
    • Dorreal Pennell^P (contributor to my database)
    • Linda Pennell^P
  • 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 Sullivan^P (Melvin’s sister) [FGS* from Clayton Rose]
    • Gwendolyn Hilda Rose^P, 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 Rose^P, b. 1937, m. Roy Smith^P (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 Rose^P, b. 1945, m. Eugenia “Janie” Verhulst
    • Harvey Elwin Rose^P, b. 1948, m. Noreen St. Jean
    • Sandra Lee Fern Rose^P, 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 Rose^P, m. Patrick Robinson^P
    • 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 Rose^P, b. 1917, m. Roy Kitchener Henderson^P [FGS* from Marjorie Henderson]
    • Lynda Jean Henderson (Teacher) m. Real Chevrefils
    • Judith Emma Henderson (RN) m. Dr. Robert Bruce Edey
  • George “Jiggs” Mons Rose^P, b. 1919, m. Violet Davis
  • Iva Muriel Rose^P, b. 1921, m. Norman Basil Blay^P [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 Blay^P
    • 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 McCullough^P
  • 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.