When fire broke out at a hay barn at York Point Slip at 2:30 PM on June 02, 1877, the residents of Saint John were under the impression that no conflagration could match the fire department’s state of the art Amoskeag steam powered, horse drawn fire engines.

Unfortunately, recent cost cutting measures had forced the newly formed professional fire department to share its horses with the public works department. When eminent disaster struck, the horses were all at work on roads projects some distance away and so had to be brought back to the firehall before they could attend to the city’s most pressing need ever. By the time they arrived on site, the Great Fire of 1877 was well under way. By disaster’s end, two fifths of Saint John was lost.

Loyalist House, built in 1810 by David Merritt - a cousin of my direct Merritt ancestors, is one of the few buildings to have survived and now stands as a museum to the Loyalist era at the corners of Union and Germain.

Visit these related links for more information:

• Loyalist House website
• The Great Fire of Saint John

Photographed on my return to Yonge Mills Cemetery, September 12, 2008

A freight train is headed East between the old and new cemeteries at Yonge Mills. The vintage look was created using a texture layer in Photoshop.

Read about my first trip to this cemetery here.

From my brother, Bob Charlton aka Light Collector. The Flickr page (click on photo above) shows what happened to the Charlton House in Shawinigan.

Across the street from my grandfather’s house in Shawinigan Falls, Quebec was Grenier Hill. I can remember as a boy, sitting on the grass at the top of the hill and watching the trains in the yard at the bottom of the hill. For many years, I could not be sure that the memory was real or not, and today I came across this photo in an old album which clearly shows the tracks and a three bay engine house, middle left. The trains were steam then, but unfortunately, there are no trains in the picture.

This photo was scanned from the photo album and includes the caption in white ink, written by my father. It appears to have been taken during the winter of 1937.

Found amongst the private papers of his grandson, Gerald Connell

View a photo of William & Lucy.

April 1959 - Newspaper clipping, publisher unknown

Golden Wedding Marked - Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Connell, of Kemptville, are pictured during the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary recently. They were married at Jellyby on April 21, 1909, but have been living in the Kemptville area for some time. Mrs. Connell is the former Ethel Richards, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Richards, of Jellyby. They have two daughters, one son and five grandchildren. For the occaision they had with them their three children, Edith, Mrs. W. J. MacPherson, Port Daniel Centre, Que., Gerald, of Ottawa, and Della, Mrs. W. B. Charlton, of Montreal. Others present from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. Roy Richards, Prescott, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Richards, Spencerville, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Richards, Athens, Clifford Connell, Watertown, N.Y., Wesley Connell, Smith Falls, Mr. and Mrs. Melville Corbett, Ogdensburg, N.Y., Mr. and Mrs. Orville Bigford, Jellyby, and W. B. Charlton and three sons, Bob, Jim and John of Montreal.

(photo below) Delbert Orvel & Ethel May Connell - 1909

My relation to Mary Dyer (and Anne Marbury Hutchinson) are as follows:
1. Mary (Barrett) Dyer
2. Samuel Dyer (Samuel is Mary Dyer’s son who married Anne Marbury Hutchinson’s grand daughter Anne Hutchinson)
3. Anne Dyer
4. Elisha Clark I
5. Elisha Clark II
6. Elisha Clark III
7. Hannah Clark
8. Edward Weyman McLeod
9. Agnes Bassett McLeod
10. Helen Lottie Good
11. William Browell Charlton
12. John Delbert Charlton

Read about Mary Dyer:

Amazon Online Reader: To Try The Bloody Law, The Story Of Mary Dyer by Robert S. Burgess

MayflowerFamilies.com The Colonial Gazette: Mary Dyer: A Quaker Martyr

She Died Twice, A play by Brian Jarvis

Mary Dwyer, Quaker Martyr

Wikipedia Entry: Mary Dyer

Aunt Gertrude Raney visited us in Saskatchewan a few times but I really got to know her when I stayed with her a few days while I was in Ontario. She was a lot like my mother Gretta and by that I mean she liked to talk. When the Good women got together I do not know how they knew what was being said as they all seemed to talk at once.

My mother Gretta was a remarkable woman having raised three kids during the dirty thirties. Somehow she could make a great meal out ingredients like dried salted haddock fish that was shipped in from the Maritimes. Most people did not know how to prepare it but of course mother was a Bluenose. She was always busy in her vegetable garden but especially her flower garden.

Uncle Ira Good was an easy going, soft spoken man who loved his farm. His wife Mabel was a wonderful cook who was really offended if you did not take seconds, consequently you learned to not take to much the first time. Uncle Ira was our family barber and was for several families in the district. I visited there whenever possible as they had two sons Ed and George.

Uncle Cliff Good was a slower, more deliberate man. He and his wife Mildred lived at Creelman so we did not see as much of them. I will never forget their weddingfor the following reasons. Firstly my uncle Milburn Elder had a 1929 Pontiac car that he took my Elder grandparents. My parents Howard and Gretta,my Aunt Jane Elder and myself—wasn’t crowded was it? Just south of Regina we hit a slippery spot and we ended upside down in the ditch. After getting the car upright we continued to the wedding—-some all bruised up, some with cuts and me with a bump in the middle of my forehead. The wedding went fine but when they left for their honeymoon Uncle Cliff took a suitcase out to the car and set it on the sidewalk while he went bak to the house to get the second one. It being Oct.31 there were lots of trick or treaters out so when he returned to the car the first suitcase was gone.

later…

I forgot to mention Grandpa James and Grandma Agnes Good. I spent one winter with them while attending high school in Fillmore. I remember grandpa spending a lot of time in his big rocking chair smoking his pipe and either listening to the radio or reading the paper. It always amused me that he would buy a half pound box of tobacco and write the date on it and even if he ran out he never bought another box until the month was up. They were very easy going people so I enjoyed staying with them as I came and went as I pleased.

Ernest Elder
August 29 & 30, 2008

See also Part 1 of this remembrance

Della Charlton (nee Connell),

Passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 13, 2008 at Sunset Manor, Collingwood, Ontario in her 93rd year. Della, beloved wife of the late William Charlton and the late Wendell Phipps. Dear mother of Bob and his wife Agnes of Stayner, Ontario, Jim and his wife Louise of Kirkland, Quebec and John and his wife Ruth of Warkworth, Ontario. Grandmother of Julie and Robert. Della dedicated many years to the UCW of St. Lambert United Church. Visitation at Collins Clarke MacGillvary White funeral home, 307 Riverside Drive, St. Lambert, Quebec on Thursday, August 21, 2008 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Friday, August 22 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Funeral Service to be held at St. Lambert United Church, 85 Desaulniers Blvd, St. Lambert, Quebec at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 22, 2008. If desired, donations in Della’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

Mom is buried with Dad on the top of Mount Royal Cemetery not far from the gate opposite the parking lot for Mount Royal park. Turn left when you go through the gates to the small circular driveway. The grave is located near a crab apple that on the day was bearing fruit sweet enough to eat directly from the tree.

Jim, John & Bob Charlton standing graveside beneath an apple tree.

Yet another death notice I received through the kind folks at the Durham Clayport Reference and Local Studies Dept, this one gives local perspective to the death of my Grandmother, Helen Lottie Good in 1920.

Death of Mrs. R. Charlton

The death occurred under painfully sudden circumstances on Monday afternoon at 26 Western Hill, Durham, the residence of Mr W. B. Charlton of Mrs Robert Charlton. The deceased lady, who was the wife of the Rev. Robt. Charlton, only son of the respected agent of the Durham Colliery Enginemen, Boilermakers’ and Firemen’s Association, had complained of minor ailments… but though she had been confined to the house a few days her state of health did not cause any anxiety. On the morning of her death she appeared to be in fairly good health, though as the day progressed a change was noticed. Medical advice was sought, but before the arrival of Dr. V***, Mrs Charlton had slept peacefully away, heart failure being the cause of her demise. To her husband and the two young children who are left, our sympathy goes out. Mrs Charlton, who was in her thirtieth year was born in Canada. She was a daughter of Mr and Mrs James E Good of Sask. and her marriage to the Rev. R. Charlton took place on August 7th, 1912. The Rev. and Mrs Charlton and their children came on a visit to England last July and recently the rev gentleman had been doing work at a mission in Newcastle. He was anticipating an early relief so as to take his wife to Scotland and London before returning to their Canadian home.

Related Article: Helen Lottie Good

I was fortunate this week to put my hands on a copy of an obituary from The Durham Chronicle dated June 11, 1920 for my Great Grandmother, Mary Charlton. This provides the first and only account we have of her. The account below indicates she was severely afflicted by rheumatism and was confined to her home except for the use of a bath chair.

An article in the New York Times may have caught the moment referred to below of her encounter with Queen Mary. The only reason I think the article may refer to another lady in a bath chair is that John Wilson, MP would have known Mary Charlton personally and more likely would have introduced her to the Queen by name. Likely, the encounter with the Queen took place beyond the gaze of the press that same day. W. B. Charlton was intimately involved in the establishment of the Aged Miners Homes and would have no doubt been part of the receiving line that welcomed Queen Mary to the homes at Ushaw Moor and Shincliffe.

Durham Chronicle - June 11, 1920

Death of Mrs. W. B. Charlton

It is with sincere regret that we have to record the death, which took place at her residence, 26 Western Hill, Durham on Thursday evening of Mrs Charlton, wife of Mr W. B. Charlton, secretary of the Durham County Colliery Enginemen, Boiler Maker’s and Firemen’s Association. During the 14 years she lived in this city, Mrs Charlton was affected with rheumatism, and was not outside her house except in a bath chair. Despite that physical handicap, Mrs. Charlton continued to get a good deal of sunshine out of life. She was cheerfulness personified, and not even her most intimate friends ever heard her complain of her affliction. And it was that quality which gained the admiration of her friends. To some it might appear that death came as a happy relief from her sufferings, but those who had the privilege of her acquaintance know that she never spent an idle moment. She was a clever needlewoman and though her infirmity prevented her from carrying out houshold duties, yet her advice was invaluable and to her family she was a devoted mother. About a fortnight ago Mrs Charlton caught a chill and after a week’s illness she passed away.

Mr and Mrs Charlton were married at Brancepeth and there is one son, the Rev. Robert Charlton, recently appointed to the pastorate of Tyne Dock Congregational Church, and two daughters, Mrs M. Waller and Miss Isabell Charlton. The late Mrs Charlton often recalled with pleasure the visit of Queen Mary to the aged miners’ homes in 1914, when she was presented in her bath chair to her Majesty. She also prized the gifts from the Colliery Enginemen’s Association and the National Federation. The deceased lady was 64 years of age.

The Funeral

Rev. R. P. Lowe’s Eloquent Tribute

An eloquent tribute to the respect in which the late Mrs Charlton was held was evidenced at the funeral which took place on Monday afternoon. Members of the Executive Committee of the Durham Colliery Enginemen’s Association, members of local branches, citizens, and friends in town and country assembled to pay a last tribute of repect, the procession of mouners being a lengthy one.

The first part of the service was held in Bethel Church and was conducted by Rev. R. P. Lowe, superintendent of the Elswick Road circuit, Newcastle, for whom Mrs Charlton had great admiration. In a simple, yet beautiful address, Mr Lowe said for many years suffering was Mrs Charlton’s daily companion and those of them who knew her would always remember with gratitude how bravely she carried her load. Her suffering did not cause her to grow self-absorbed. Her Her physical handicap meant that her great work had to be done in the home. It was splendidly done there. Some of those industrial associations and organisations where W. B. Charlton had often to speak had hardly realized to what extent they were indebted to the sane judgement of his wife. She had left her a radiant memory that her children would cherish.

The hymns sung wer “For all the Saints” and Jesus, Lover of my Soul” a favourite with the deceased lady. Miss Gertrude Lister played “O Rest in the Lord” the Dead March in “Soul,” and Mendelssohn’s Funeral March.

The internment took place at St. Cuthbert’s Churchyard in an ivy-lined grave adjoining that of her daughter-in-law, who died 12 weeks ago.

The chief mourners were: Mr W. B. Charlton (husband), Rev. R. Charlton (son), Mrs M. Waller and Miss Charlton (daughters). Captain M Waller (son-in-law), Mrs Grant and Mrs Brown (sisters).

Amongst those present were: Messrs R. Dobson (president) and J. Harle (Spennymoor), E. Nicholson (Leadgate), W. Robinson (Eldon), members of the Executive Committee of the Durham Colliery Enginemen’s Association and Mr D. Ireland (Shildon)(trustee), Mr J. Humphrey (secretary of the Northumberland Enginemen’s Association), Mr Westgarth (ex-president of the Durham Colliery Association), W. Ford (Gateshead), A. E. Watson (Spen), W. S. Hall (representing the Mechanics Association), T. S. Neville (representing the Niners’ Federation), Ald. R. T. Herring, Mr T F Brass (Sacriston), Ald. H. E. Ferens, Deputy Chief Constable J. Waller, Mr J. Harland, Mr E. H. Veitch, Capt Jos. and Miss Tindle, Mr and Mrs A Welch, Mrs

….article is cut off and then continues…

…bore on the breastplate the inscription:

Mary Charlton
Born 11th August 1855
Died June 1920

The cards attached to the wreaths read: “In loving memory of a sainted wife and mother,” from husband and daughter Isabell; “In loving memory and grandmother,” from Daddy, Billy, and Bert. “In loving memory of a sweet and noble mother.” from Amelia and Matthew–”And all her ways were happy ways and all her paths were peace;” “In loving memory, ” from sister Maggie, Mary, Steve and family; “With deepest sympathy,” from Mr and Mrs J. Waller and family; “With deepest sympathy,” from Mr and Mrs Jack Waller (Ryton); “In loving memory,” from Mrs. G. Peart; “In very affectionate remembrance and with heartfelt sympathy,” from Mr and Mrs Arthur Welch; “With deepest sympathy” from the Executive Committee of the Durham Enginemen’s Association; “With deepest symapthy,” from Mr and Mrs Geo. Bailes and family; “With deepest sympathy,” from Mrs Hudspith and family; “With Mr and Mrs Lynch’s deepest sympathy.”

M. Pattison and Co. had charge of the funeral arrangements.

Magistrates’ Sympathy

At the Durham City Police Court, on Monday, the Mayor (Conn. Wood) who was accompanied by Ald. Herring made a sympathetic reference to the death of Mrs Charlton. Their sympathy, he said, went out to Mr. Charlton, a regular attender at that Court and a very painstaking magistrate who had had the misfortune — the greates misfortune that could fall upon and man — to lose his wife. He had not personal acquaintance of her, but from what he had been told hebelieved Mrs Charlton was a lady who had the respect and admiration of all who knew her. He therefore would as the Clerk to convey to Mr Charlton and family their sincere sympathy with them in the great loss they had sustained — Ald. H. E. Ferens on behalf of the solicitors joined in the expression of sympathy. He had the pleasure of knowing Mrs Charlton and was quite sure a happier married life did not exist than their’s and the loss which Mr Charlton had sustained must therefore be a very serious one. — Head Constable Dunn expressed the sympathy of the police and the Magistrate’s Clerk (Mr J. Mawson) promised to forward a letter of sympathy.

Source: Durham Clayport Reference and Local Studies Dept
Transcription: John Charlton