More about the rest of Samuel Henry Farrell’s family

I’ve written about great-grandpa Samuel Henry (S.H.) Farrell and mentioned his younger brother, Thomas. But what about the rest of the family?

Their parents were James Farrell and Catherine Tansy. Many tales are treasured about them but a lot of research is needed to tell us how much we should believe. It is said that they were of Irish descent and born in the same house in Leitrim, Ireland.

The Farrells soon moved to England and apparently James and Catherine did not meet until they found themselves in Rawdon, Quebec, where they married in 1841.

A family of 10 children followed: John, Benjamin, Thomas, Robert Hamilton, William Fitzmaurice and James Herbert born in Rawdon, Lachine, Hastings County in Upper Canada; and eventually, Samuel Henry, Sara Ann Elizabeth (Wallace), Thomas and Alicia Jane (Hamilton), all born in Huron Township.

There is even a rumour that the family was in Kent County before coming to Bruce. The second Thomas was so named at the request of the first Thomas who died after being hit by a falling tree.

Tradition says that on arrival in Penetangore, James headed toward Bervie to inspect some lots. Meanwhile, Catherine heard of a lot and cabin for sale on the Kincardine-Huron boundary and, since she carried the money, she made the purchase at once.

All of their children settled on farms within easy walking distance except William F., James H., and Sara who were lured by prospects of work on the Pacific coast of the United States. Those who stayed put, maintained a close relationship and managed to exchange visits with siblings in California and Oregon.

The home of Samuel H. and his wife, Margaret Graham, became a regular meeting place for the succeeding generations that gathered there for many celebrations.

The house was large but imagine having as many in it as there were for Christmas in 1910? I wonder how many of you can find an ancestor in this group? Farrell cousins were still getting together to honour brides-to-be until the youngest members of my generation.



Pictured above, are, in the back two rows, Harry Hamilton (left), Jack Ruttle, Maggie Farrell Ruttle with son Bill, Jane (Jennie) Farrell Reid, William Farrell, Cassie Hamilton Irwin, William R.G. Farrell, Sade Farrell Slade, Henry T. Farrell, Cassie Farrell Colwell, Frank Colwell, Mary Wilson/Caswell Farrell, James Farrell, Sarah Hamilton Lindsay; in the third row (starting to right of the baby), Jack Patterson (left), Viola Farrell Patterson, James M. Farrell, Emma Wilson Farrell, Sara Farrell Pollock, Helen Farrell McMurchy, W.J. Herbert Farrell, Fanny Wilson - cousin of Margaret Graham Farrell, Dave Sturgeon, Johnny (John A.) Farrell; in the second row, Thomas Farrell (left) with son, Thomas, Mary Anne Pollock Farrell with daughter, Evelyn (Tout), James Graham - father of Margaret Graham Farrell, Margaret Graham Farrell, Samuel H. Farrell, Annie McConnell Farrell, Alicia Farrell Hamilton, Samuel Hamilton, Agnes Stewart Farrell with daughter Dorothy(Miller); and in the front, are Myrtle Farrell (McCormick, left), Samuel Farrell, Edward Farrell, Reta Sturgeon, Mary Sturgeon (Lamont), Reta Ruttle (Robb), Ben Ruttle, Leslie Sturgeon, Ethel Farrell (Meredith), Ben Farrell, Mary Farrell (McAllister), Walter Farrell