Cousin Connections: John Lennon Auto Victim (1843 - 1933)

It is wonderful to connect with distant cousins who share a love of genealogy and share their photos of common ancestors. Such is the case with Caitlin Clyne who is related through our shared Moynahan-Lennon branch of the family tree (Maidstone, Ontario).

Caitlin shared this terrific photo of the Lennon family (circa 1914) with me:

(Top Row) Edward Lennon (b. 1865), Catherine Moynahan Lennon (b. 1875), John Lennon (Edward's older brother b. 1843); (Bottom row) Marguerite (b. 1903), Clarisse (b. 1904), and Marie Lennon (b. 1901).

This photo will be featured in a future blog post about sisters Clarice and Marie Lennon who both became nuns.

In today's blog post, I want to honour and remember their uncle John Lennon (1843-1933) who was a bachelor (see my page dedicated to bachelors). This is the first time (with thanks to Caitlin) that I have seen a picture of him.

I had read in the newspaper archives that John died tragically at 90 years of age after being struck by an automobile on Talbot Road near Oldcastle.

He resided in Sandwich South, Essex County, Ontario all of his life. The obituary states that he had retired from farming in 1908 and "had lived at John Sexton's on Talbot Road about a mile east of Oldcastle, for eighteen years past".

I found him listed as a boarder with the Lennon-Moynahan family in the 1911 census (below).

1911 Census: Essex North: Sub District 15: Sandwich South (Source: ancestry.ca)

Little is known about his life other than the fact (mentioned in his obituary) that "Mr Lennon was for many years a county constable".

John Lennon
(1843 - 1933)

Although not directly related to me, bachelor John Lennon was an uncle to my 1st cousins (2x removed) Clarisse and Marie Lennon and he is therefore remembered and honoured here.

52 Ancestors #10: "Nellie" Moynahan: Teacher

No Story Too Small has issued a New Year's Challenge: "Have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor.”

And over at Olive Tree Geneaology, there is another enticing challenge: "In honour of Women's History Month (March 2014) I want to issue a challenge to all geneabloggers to write a  minimum of 10 blog posts this month about women who have made a difference."

So I am dedicating today's blog post to Ellen "Nellie" Moynahan. She was the first born child of Jeremiah and Mary (Brennan) Moynahan (born March 31, 1865). 

Nellie pictured with parents Jeremiah and Mary (Brennan) Moynahan
and her younger brother John

Nellie Moynahan

Nellie had five sisters and two brothers. 

Moynahan Family Tree

Nellie's own education through the 1880s indicates a high achiever finishing at the top of her class. She was also awarded "premiums of politeness and of good conduct." ! A smart young woman indeed!

4 March 1880 Essex Free Press

14 April 1881 Essex Free Press

23 June 1881 Essex Free Press

 There were perils to teaching at a one-room schoolhouse, like being thrown from your carriage on your way there in 1892!

The Amherstburg Echo: 30 December, 1892

Nellie taught school in Essex county for forty-five years 1887-1932, teaching the longest according to Thomas McCloskey, of all the Essex county teachers in the late 1880s. She taught at schools in Maidstone, Rochester and Windsor:

• In Byrnedale (in Woodslee parish)
• a school on north rear road near McGuire's
• SS. No. 7
• SS. No. 5 & 8

On the first of April 1910, The Essex Free press wrote that "Miss Nellie Moynahan deserves much credit for the careful training of her pupils taking part in the program" a play that packed the town hall to capacity and many could not get in!

1 April 1910, Essex Free Press

Nellie was living at home ("Talbot St. a mile west of the Cross") in 1913 when Jeremiah and Mary celebrated their golden anniversary.

Jeremiah (who died in 1922) and Mary (who died in 1926) sold their Maidstone farm (298 South Talbot Rd) in 1921 and moved with daughter Nellie to 432 Hall Avenue, Windsor. 

Nellie died the 20th of November 1940. Here is her obituary:

One of my goals is to research Nellie's retirement trip to England, Ireland and Italy in 1908 if possible. My father once told me a story that she had lost her purse filled with her money on board the ship.

Source: The Essex Free Press: 28 July 1978 "Seventy Years Ago"

Links

• History of Seperate Schools in Canada
• A Virtual Schoolhouse
• Report of Schools Ontario: 1875-77
• Report of Schools Ontario 1891
• Teacher's Work: School Systems of the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century
• An Historical Understanding of Key Issues Related to Catholic Education 
• Progressive Education March In Windsor - 25 Years: 1892-1910
• Early Struggles for Bilingual Schools and the French Language in the Windsor Border Region, 1851–1910

 

Source: Essex Free Press