Category: Pennell-CAN

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.

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

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.

Born June 26, 1855 in Greenwich, England, Richard was the 2nd oldest child of Richard and Rachel Pennell. Richard immigrated on the S. S. Niger with his family from Liverpool to Quebec City May 11, 1871. He married Margaret “Mag” McLaren in 1879.

According to the 1891 Census, Richard Jr. lived at the property next to (across the road from) Richard Sr.

In 1901, Richard Jr. was in Langford, Manitoba; 1916 and 1921 Marquette, Manitoba;

Edna Ollivier remembers her Uncle Dick cutting all the cherry trees down on the maple hill on the Pennell lhomestead. His mother, Rachel, was enraged and there was a “blow-up” and Dick left. Edna doesn’t remember if he ever came back.

Margaret spoke Gaelic and was supposedly from the Renfrew County area. Her family apparently was financially secure, more so than the Pennell’s. She also smoked a clay pipe, which her mother-in-law, Rachel, found to be very disagreeable.

Dick and Mag lived in Rutherglen for a while, then moved to Manitoba, living in Erickson, Eden, Neepawa and Portage-la-Prairie, in between each place possibly moving back to Ontario.

“Descendants of Richard Pennell and Rachel Crew”, Wendy Smith, page 7, original source Edna Ollivier

Richard died around 1940 in Neepawa, Saskatchewan and is buried there.

Richard and Mag had one son:

• George “Georgie” Pennell, b. ca. 1880, m. “Beckie”, then after Beckie’s death, when Georgie was in his 80’s, he remarried, but they didn’t stay together. He moved to Rutherglen while in his 80’s. Edna Ollivier remembers that he was still quite a handsome man.
  • Margaret Pennell, b. 1906, m. Mr. Nicholas (NOTE: While living in Eden, Margaret commuted to Neepawa to help her sister Evelyn wit her laundry work. Later she worked as a live-in housekeeper, about 15 minutes from Portage-La-Prairie.
  • Evelyn Pennell, m. Mr. Smyth

In 1993, Aunty Jo wrote in a letter to me…

George Pennell (Uncle Dick’s son) lived at Portage Le Prairie, and I understood he owned the house. Uncle Dick (Pennell) died I think before we were married and as they had only old age pension, about $35.00 a month to live on, I don’t think there would be a marker for his or his wife’s grave. Mother wrote to them faithfully and I remember at Xmas she always sent him “Old Chum” tobacco. They were “homesteaders” and had a hard life.

Letter from Georgena Buchanan, July 20, 1993

Elizabeth was the oldest child of Richard and Rachel Pennell, born May 29, 1853, in Greenwich, England. She immigrated with her family to Canada on the S. S. Niger May 1871, and celebrated her 18th birthday on the ship and remembered having cake. Fourteen months later, Elizabeth married James McNamara, son of John (of England) and Jane (of Lanark Co., Ontario) McNamara, on July 17, 1872. James was a Chef/Hotel Manager.

Elizabeth was confirmed on March 10, 1886 in Renfrew with her son James and her daughter Jane. She was short and stout, had brown eyes and was a happy person.

James found employment in lumber camps as a chef and for years followed the railroad. Sometimes he would have 200 to 300 men in the boarding cards. Around 1890, he bought a hotel in Duluth. In 1902, he came back to Canada and bought a general store on McLeod Street in North Bay, operating it until 1914 when he retired. He had built several bungalows, one being 93 McLeod Street where the McNamara’s themselves lived.

Elizabeth and James had 5 children, only Jane surviving to adulthood. The other four all died of diphtheria and are buried together at St. Margaret’s Anglican Cemetery in Rutherglen. Dolly was the first and she died in her mother’s arms enroute from Renfrew to Rutherglen. It is very solemn to stand at the cemetery and look down at the 3 little grave markers. I’m not sure where John’s marker is as he died in 1883.

NAME	BORN	DIED	NOTES
James “Jimmy”	1873 (ON)	1888 (ON)	diphtheria
Jane	1875 (ON)	1961 (ON)	hairdresser
Elizabeth	1879	1888 (ON)	diphtheria
John	1881	1883 (ON)	diphtheria
Ann “Dolly”	1884	1888 (ON)	diphtheria

Elizabeth died Mar 28, 1931, North Bay, Ontario, at her daughter’s home.

Jane McNamara

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)

Gallery of Richard & Rachel Pennell and their descendants

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.

Bethnal Green: Building and Social Conditions from 1837 to 1875 | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk)

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