​The last left standing of the John Pollock Family

As Aunt Evelyn Pollock Elliott remains active in her 100th year, we must stop to realize that she is the “last left standing” of the grandchildren of John Pollock and Jane Thompson. The fact that she is the youngest child of the youngest child among seven brothers and seven sisters has made this title possible.

I find it especially interesting to consider that those 14 siblings populated a large part of Huron Township, spilling a bit into Kincardine and Ashfield Township, with only one branch settling as far away as Hastings County.

You will likely have a neighbour or a friend who is descended from one of the family members pictured below. I am guessing that they held a family gathering on Mother’s Day as many of them are wearing a white flower.



In this photo of the John Pollock Family, taken between 1925-34, are: standing, Alfred (left), Robert Andrew, Thomas, Charles Wesley, James D.; and seated, John (left), Mary Jane, Alice and William; photo courtesy of Ruth Anne Hollands Robinson

Let’s start with the oldest - William. He and his wife, Mary Jane Hicks, retired from their farm on the Durham Road near Kincardine to move into town where he continued a very active role in local politics. Some great-grandchildren live in the area.

Mary Jane married Russell Reid. They settled on the corner of Concession 4 of Huron Township and the Saugeen Road which has been known as Reid’s Corners for many years. It should be easy to find some of their descendants.

John (Johnnie) comes next. He and Mary Ann Dawson lived on the corner of Concession 10 and the Saugeen Road. Many children and grandchildren of their son, Ernest, still live in, or near, Ripley. Their daughter, Annie, married Alfred Walden. I’m sure you know a Walden or two or three.

Thomas Edward, the next son, and Elizabeth Dawson also farmed on the Durham Road. They had three daughters, including Laurena who married Andrew Robinson - think Lorne and Wilma and their children who are still well-known in Kincardine Township.

Elizabeth Ann, not in the picture, came next. She is the sister who married her first cousin, William, and left a long list of Pollocks in Hastings County.

Isabella is not pictured either as she died in January, 1925. She and her husband, John B. Finlay, lived on Concession 12, not far east of Highway 21. Laura, one of their daughters, who married Harold Hendry, was Grandma of the Hendry families near Tiverton.

Robert Andrew and Rachel Geddes lived not far from Pine River. Sadly, their three sons all died at birth.

Alice Rachel moved into Ashfield Township near Sheppardton, with her husband, Nelson Graham. We have to search in Goderich and farther away for their descendants, Grahams, Bogies and Stoddarts.

The other three daughters are not pictured.

Sarah Catherine, known as Sadie, married William Smith of Teeswater and they lived in Eastern Ontario, then in Toronto. Their only son died at an early age.

Carolyn Thompson was the only child of the 14 who did not live to adulthood. She died within a few months of her birth.

Margaret Agnes did not marry. She spent time with her younger brothers and then with Sadie - a much-loved Aunt Maggie. Many of the family suffered from deafness but hers was most severe.

Back to the brothers - James David was a twin to Sadie. He and Mary Dane raised three sons at Pine River and if you think Pollock and hockey in Kincardine and beyond, you have the right connection.

Charles Wesley, Uncle Wes in my memory, lived on the Pollock homestead looking over Lake Huron at Concession 8. You might remember Ralph who farmed this land or even Norval who came back to Huron Township to retire. They had no descendants.

And now comes Alfred Thompson, the youngest son, husband of Sara Farrell, father of Doris and Evelyn and, thus, my grandfather. When the Elliott family gets together this summer, they will be celebrating their place as children, grands and greats of Evelyn Margaret Pollock, the “last left standing” among a huge connection of Pollocks descending from John and Jane Thompson Pollock.