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The Dennis Family History Part 1 – From South Carolina to Essex County
This month’s family history highlights the Dennis family beginning with Peter Dennis. The 1861 Census lists Peter with his wife Margaret and their children John, Mary, James, Enoch, Margaret, and Robert. According to his death record, Peter passed away on March 25, 1894, in Colchester at the age of 81. His obituary from April 6, 1894, which appeared in the Amherstburg Echo shares further details and says “Peter Dennis, who died on Sunday of last week, aged 81 years, was born in South Carolina in 1813. He came to Canada about 40 years ago, and resided in Essex Co., until his death. He was married 57 years ago to Margaret Rouse, of South Carolina, who survives him along with six children – John W., Mrs. Mary E. Johnston, James W., Enoch W., and Robert M., of Colchester South and Mrs. Margaret A. Crosby of Detroit, Mich. Deceased has been a member of the church for the past thirty years. He has been in poor health for the past 7 or 8 years but was not confined to his bed until Thursday before his death. The funeral took place Tuesday afternoon of last week from the family residence to the A.M.E. Church, Central Grove. Rev. G.D. Pope and Rev. Mr. Brown officiated and the pall bearers were Anthony Banks, M. Banks, L. Sawyer, Henry Harris, Henry Graham and Washington Hurst.” A further note about Margaret. The 1891 Census states that she was born July 15, 1824.
Peter and Margaret’s first child, John Dennis, was born circa 1839 and he married Henrietta Crosby. He is listed in the 1871 Census along with his wife Henrietta and their children Charles, Louisa and Alice. There were additional documents listing more children including Alzora/Azora and another unnamed child that sadly passed away at only 18 days on March 26, 1894. This child’s passing is mentioned in the Amherstburg Echo because he passed at the same time as his grandfather, Peter. The Echo says “Mr. Dennis, one of the township’s oldest settlers died on Saturday and was buried on Tuesday, at the same time his grandson, a child of John Dennis, was buried.” According to the 1881 Census, John had another child named Alzora/Azora. John and Azora are listed in the same household as John’s parents Peter and Margaret. In the next Census for 1891 John is still living with his parents, but Azora is not listed. This is because she married Gordon Day, the son of Samuel Day and Sarah Hunt (I think this is meant to say Hurst). The 1871 Census reveals the names of some of Gordon’s siblings which include Charles, John, Georgeanna, Fanny and Joseph. Gordon and Alzora married on January 15, 1891, in Detroit.
There was no additional information for John’s other daughters Louisa and Alice, but several documents were found for John’s son Charles. He married Henrietta Harris, the daughter of Ebert and Henrietta Harris, on January 28, 1882, in Colchester. According to the Amherstburg Echo “In Harrow ‘Trinity’ B.M.E. Church, on Saturday, January 28th, by the Rev. W.H. Haynes, Mr. Charles Dennis of Pleasant Valley, to Henrietta, youngest daughter of Mr. Ebert Harris, of the same place, in Colchester South.” The 1891 Census lists Charles with his wife Henrietta and their children Alexander, Burwell, Jessie and Edith. The 1910 Census lists Charles and wife Henrietta with children Charles A. (likely Alexander because their ages match), Edith and Minnie. According to her death record, Minnie E. Dennis passed away on March 30, 1936, in Detroit at the age of 42. This record also states that she was born on May 11, 1893, in Colchester and was a widow, but the name of her husband is not listed. According to his death record, Minnie’s father Charles passed away on January 24, 1932, in Nankin, Wayne, Michigan. This record also states that he was born on December 8, 1862, and was a widower.
Charles’ father John William Dennis passed away on November 17, 1926, in Washtenaw, Michigan at the age of 88. His death record states that he was a widower and born on April 6, 1838 in Abbeyville, South Carolina. His obituary which appeared in the Amherstburg Echo on November 26, 1926, states “John William Dennis departed this life on Wednesday, November 17, at the ripe age of 86 years, at the home of his niece, Mrs. James DeBaptist, at Ypsilanti, Mich. He was for many years a resident of Colchester South. He is survived by one brother, James Walter Dennis, of Detroit; one son, Charles Sumner Dennis, Detroit; four grandchildren, one great granddaughter, and a number of nieces and nephews. His remains were deposited in Fair View cemetery, Ann Arbor, Mich.”
What we publish is not a complete history of any family and is based on the documents that are available. We welcome photos and information to fill in the gaps. See you next week for part 2.
The Dennis Family History Part 2 – The O’Banyoun Jubilee Singers
Next up is John’s sister Mary Eliza, the next child of Peter and Margaret Dennis. Mary Eliza, who is also referred to as Sadie, married James Johnson Sr. James married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Chapman and they had three daughters: Emma Amanda (July 17, 1854), Martha (1858), and Delia Charlotte (1862). Emma Amanda married William Kersey, but no information was available for Martha. Delia Charlotte married William Albert Mulder on August 27, 1884 in Colchester. William was a farmer and born in roughly 1862 to Joseph and Aliceana Mulder. William and Delia had at least two children: Earnest Mulder and Glenna May Mulder. Earnest was born in roughly 1885 and married Ethel May Clingman on December 22, 1912 in Colchester South. Ethel was born in 1896 and was the daughter of a carpenter, William Clingman, and Mateldia [Matilda] Ridout.
Delia and William’s second child, Glenna May Mulder was born on December 23, 1901 in Colchester South and in 1919, married into the Walls family. During her bridal shower, Glenna was given many “beautiful and useful presents,” while guests enjoyed an evening of music and games. According to the Amherstburg Echo, “A pleasing program was rendered and among those who call for special mention are Bernard Day, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Walls, Mrs. Bertha Kersey, who rendered appropriate solos and were heartily encored. William Kersey, Sr., gave a very inspiring and instructive address to the young couple.” Guests must have had a great time considering it was in the “wee hours of the morning before they bid goodbye to the happy bride and happier groom.”
Sadly, James Sr.’s first wife (and mother of Emma, Martha and Delia), Elizabeth, passed away in 1863. It was then that James married Mary Eliza Dennis who was born on April 13, 1842. James and Mary had nine children: Minnie/Emma (1864), Cassandra (1865), James Peter (1867), Georgia (1869 twin), Mary (1869 twin), Louise Jane (1871), Bertha Modesta (1876), Francis Ardella (1878-July 12, 1890), and Harland Ernest (1881). There is no information available on Minnie, but Cassandra is more well-known. Cassandra Elizabeth, also sometimes listed as Cassaner, was born in Colchester on January 11, 1865. She married the Reverend Josephus O’Banyoun of the A.M.E. Church on November 30, 1884 and was described as a loving and faithful wife. Josephus was born in 1839 on a farm near Brantford and was the son of Simon Peter and Sophie O’Banyoun. In Cassandra’s obituary it states that “She was always a dutiful, and affectionate daughter, and a loving sister; and by her even temper, and pleasant ways, has won the love and esteem of all who knew her.” Part of their marriage was spent in Amherstburg, but they later moved to the 4th concession in Colchester South.
Cassandra and the Reverend O’Banyoun were also part of the O’Banyoun Jubilee Singers. The O’Banyoun Jubilee Singers gained success with the guidance of the Reverend Josephus O’Banyoun, who formed this singing group in the 1860s in the Amherstburg and Colchester South area, although some sources say Halifax, Nova Scotia. This group became popular during the period of 1884-1900. Members included Josephus O’Banyoun, Cassandra Elizabeth, Josephus and Cassandra’s daughter Rachel, Miss Sarah Hughes, Miss C. Smith, Mr. J.A. Johnson and Mr. William Brantford. The Amherstburg Echo also described one of their performances on November 25, 1892, reporting that “The O’Banyoun Jubilee Singers were greeted by an audience of about 200 persons at the [Amherstburg] Town Hall, on Wednesday evening, when they appeared under the auspices of the Young Ladies’ Social Club, of the A.M.E. Church. The troupe under the personal direction of Rev. J. O’Banyoun, are travelling in aid of African missions. A number of jubilee songs were given by the company, which were well rendered and greatly pleased the audience; Miss Maud Young 16, years of age, sang several solos and was heartily encored; John Hopkins, who has a splendid baritone voice, acquitted himself well in a few solos, and Miss Alice Downie sang ‘The Old Folks at Home’ in good style. Taken altogether, the concert was well given and duly appreciated by the audience.”
Following Cassandra, the next Johnson child, James Peter, was born in 1867 and married Alzora Graham who was born in roughly 1873 and was the daughter of (William) Henry Graham, a farmer, and Ruthia/Ruth Green. (William) Henry was born in Kentucky to Henri and Amanda Graham, while Ruth was born in Colchester to Joseph and Eliza Green. (William) Henry and Ruth married in Colchester. According to the 1891 Census for Colchester, in addition to Alzora, Henry and Ruth had at least three sons and another daughter: Henry, Thomas, Alvin and Francis. Each are listed as being born in Ontario, with the exception of Alzora’s father, Henry, who was born in the US.
Alzora and James Peter had three children: Marcellus Harold (b. March 11, 1906-2006), Viola Beatrice (b. November 27, 1907) and Fred (1915-April 19, 2018). Sadly, Fred was born the same year that his grandfather passed away at the age of 90. Fred’s grandfather, James Sr., was described as someone who always met “his friends with that quiet smile that meant so much for behind that smile was that glowing vital spiritual influence called Christianity. It dominated his whole life and it was this vital glowing thing that gave him such a grip on the hearts and minds and souls of the people he met.” James Johnson Sr. was also described as having a keen sense of humour “that enabled him to meet trials and the uneven places of life with calm confidence.” Although James Johnson Sr. passed away the year Fred was born, as those close to Fred knew, his grandfather lived on in the amazing stories that Fred told. Fred was a farmer on the family farm and, at the age of 72, Fred married Ivy Belle Brown (Burnette), in 1972. Fred often reflected on the “good old days” including an article in the Amherstburg Echo called “Recollections of an earlier time in Colchester South.” In this article, Fred recalled “If someone was short of money to pay the mortgage, other men would come over and hold a ‘chopping bee’, chopping enough wood to sell to cover the money needed. Lunch would be brought out to the bush, and if there weren’t enough plates to go around, large wood chips, would be used for plates. After supper, dances would be held ‘after the church people went home.’”
Fred’s older brother Marcellus married Glovanna Brooks, the daughter of Earl Chester Brooks and Amanda Leona Anderson Brooks. Marcellus operated a farm, but also Johnson Auto Wreckers in Harrow which was in business until the 1990s. Marcellus’ sister Viola “Wren” helped manage the Johnson family farm and loved to play the piano at the Central Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church in Colchester South. She was also the treasurer of an organization named after her aunt, the Hattie Johnson Missionary Society.
James Sr. and Mary had several more children including Georgia and Mary, who were twins born on March 9, 1869. Sadly, Georgia passed away at the age of 13, in 1882, while Mary married Thomas Brydges. Their younger sister, Louise Jane, was born on January 14, 1871, while Bertha Modesta was born on August 6, 1876 in Colchester. The Amherstburg Echo also records some of Bertha’s organizational activities with Amherstburg-based youth groups such as the Buisy Gleanors [sic] which met every Friday and the Frederic [sic] Douglass Self Improvement Club which met every Tuesday. During a masquerade concert hosted by the Buisy Gleanors, which was an organization from the First Baptist Church, Bertha Johnson is listed as giving two solos.
The next child of James Sr. and Mary Eliza is Francis Ardella Johnson who was born in 1878, but sadly passed away on July 27, 1890 at the age of 12 due to consumption followed by dropsy. Her brother, Harland Ernest, was born in 1881 in Colchester and spent his entire life in the township. He later married Harriet “Hattie” Ruth Holland, who was born in Hamilton and was the daughter of William Holland and Margaret Felson. In the Amherstburg Echo Harriet is described as a “shinning example.” She was strongly connected to the A.M.E. Church and “her greatest delight was in spreading the gospel, which she did in both word and song.” According to the Amherstburg Echo she had a “contralto voice of exceptionally fine quality and in her long career delighted audiences in many parts of Ontario with her vocal solos.” Interestingly, it was while singing at a concert that Harriet met Harland. Harriet and Harland were married in Windsor but took up residence on the Gore Road in Colchester South.
Harriet was a member of the Central Grove A.M.E. Church, but also President of their Missionary Society, Superintendent of the Sunday School and also corresponding secretary of the Ontario Conference of the A.M.E. Church. Harriet also took an active interest in missionary work and loved to teach children about the Bible. Additionally, Harriet enjoyed writing and provided weekly contributions to the Amherstburg Echo, discussing things going on in the Black community. Her dedication to this newspaper was appreciated as the Echo wrote, “As sure as the week rolled around the budget of news came from her and even in the last few months when she was partly paralyzed, she still felt it her duty to send in the items about her people.” The newspaper also describes her contributions as “among the most valued to come to this desk.” Sadly, a weeks after Harriet passed away, on March 10, 1941, Harland followed on April 3, 1941.
The couple also had several children: Enda Warner (1910), Margaret Elizabeth (August 30, 1915-June 6, 2004), Lloyd (1918), Harland “Zip” (1920-July 7, 2017) and Betty (May 11, 1925-April 4, 2014). Enda married Virgil Grayer, who was the son of Wiley Grayer and Maude Mulder. Virgil also operated Virgil Grayer Trucking Company in Harrow. Edna’s sister, Margaret, married Orville Taylor, the son of James Taylor and Jessie Walls. Margaret was also previously married to Russell Hurst who passed away in 1984. Margaret, along with her sister Edna were members of the Hattie Johnson Missionary Society and both worked in various jobs like farming, canning and as letter carriers. Edna was also a volunteer midwife. Lloyd married Ruth Anderson, while Harland “Zip” was a farmer and married Dorothy Scott, who was the president of the Hattie Johnson Missionary Society. Harland was also the proud owner of H.W. Johnson & Sons Trucking, a local trucking company that later changed to J&A Johnson Brothers. Harland and Dorothy had five children: Jerry, Tony, Denise, Philip and Ralph.
Harland’s sister Betty Ruth Beatrice Simpson, the co-founder of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, was born on May 11, 1925 and married twice. Her first marriage was to Burnie Hurst and her second marriage was to Melvin “Mac” Simpson, who founded the museum with Betty. Betty worked at Hotel Dieu Hospital (Windsor Regional Hospital) for 25 years. She began her career as part of the hospital’s kitchen staff, later becoming an electro-diagnosis (EEG) technician. Sadly, she passed away on April 4, 2014. Betty’s daughter Joan Patricia Bray continues Betty’s legacy as a Board Director for the Museum.
We’ll end this section about Mary Eliza (Sadie) Dennis Johnson with details from her April 16, 1897 obituary from the Amherstburg Echo which says “Mrs. James Johnson died at her home in this township on Wednesday morning of consumption after a lengthy illness, aged 55 years and 1 day. The funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) to Central Grove cemetery, Rev. J.H. Williams officiating. Deceased’s maiden name was Mary Eliza Dennis, and she was Mr. Johnson’s second wife. Two sons and two daughters, all at home, survive, besides four brothers -Robert M., Enoch, Walter and John, and one sister, Mrs. John Crosby, of Detroit, Michi. The second wife of Rev. J. O’Banyoun was daughter of deceased.”
What we publish is not a complete history of any family and is based on the documents that are available. We welcome photos and information to fill in the gaps. See you next week for part 3.
The Dennis Family History Part 3 – A.M.E. Trustee
Mary Eliza’s brother James Walter Dennis is the next child of Peter and Margaret Dennis. He married at least three times. The 1871 Census lists James Walter with his first wife Esther (Crump) and their children William, Frederick, and James Francis. The 1881 Census lists James Walter and Esther living on the property next to his sister Margaret Dennis Crosby and close to his brother Robert M. Dennis and parents Peter and Margaret. It also lists James Walter and Esther’s children: Perda, Fred, Frank, George, Eva, Louisa, and Rosanna, with the 1891 Census adding Mable and a separate birth record listing another daughter named Margaret. An interesting note about Perda. He is actually William and is sometimes also listed as Purdy. An article from the Amherstburg Echo helped to piece this together and says, “Charles Davis’ name was changed to John Davis and Wm. Peter Dennis to Wm. Purdy Dennis.” According to his death record, Perda Dennis passed away on January 27, 1928, in Detroit at the age of 60. He was married at the time, but his wife’s name is not listed.
William ‘Perda/Purdy’ Dennis’ brother Fred married Frances Hill, the daughter of William Hill and Minnie Steward, on October 15, 1895 in Detroit. At the time, Frances was 21 and Fred was 26, a cook and born circa 1869. Fred’s brother George, according to his death record, passed away on June 23, 1914, in Wayne, Michigan, at the age of 37. This record also reveals that he was born circa 1877 and that he was single and working as a labourer.
George’s sister Eva E. married John E. Peters on May 31, 1902, in Detroit. John was the son of London Peters and Mary Ann Lee. Their marriage record does not list Eva’s parents, but we can confirm that this is the correct person because the witnesses to this marriage are Louisa Dennis and Perda Dennis, who are Eva’s siblings. We were also able to find Eva’s death record which lists her as Eva Peters and the daughter of Walter J. (James Walter) Dennis. She passed away on June 20, 1952, in Detroit and was a widow. This record also records that she was born circa 1876 in Harrow.
Eva’s sister Louise married a man with the last name Fields but, despite our best efforts, no documents could be found that list her husband’s first name. According to her death record from April 22, 1947, Louise was married and born on December 23, 1879, in Harrow.
Next up is Louise’s sister Rosanna, or Rose, who was born on August 18, 1880, in Colchester South. She married Virgil M. Ward, son of Virgil M. Ward and Mary E. Snowden. The couple married on October 25, 1905, in Detroit. According to her marriage record, Rose was born circa 1880 in Canada and Virgil was born in Michigan circa 1873. At the time, Rose worked as a Domestic, while Virgil was a Labourer. According to the 1910 US Census, Rose and Virgil were living in Detroit where Virgil worked as a door man at a grocery store. No children are listed on this Census, but it is certainly possible that they had children after this Census was recorded.
Rosanna’s sister Mabel was born on June 27, 1885, in Colchester South, while her sister Margaret was born August 8, 1887, also in Colchester South.
As mentioned, James Walter Dennis married more than once. He also married Julia L. Meriday, the daughter of William Dalton and Maria Griffin. They married on September 17, 1902, in Windsor. At the time, Julia was 43, while James was 58, a widower, and a contractor. This record also states that James was born circa 1844 in South Carolina. James Walter also married Maria (Chinn) Green on September 23, 1915, in Detroit. Both James Walter and Maria were married twice before. According to his death record, James Walter Dennis passed away on January 6, 1929, in Detroit at the age of 84. This record states that he was a widower and born on May 7, 1844, in Atkinsville, South Carolina.
An article printed in the Amherstburg Echo on January 20, 1933, also mentions James Walter’s connection to Central Grove A.M.E. Church. The article says “Founded in 1888, the Central Grove, A.M.E. Church, is now one of the principal places of worship for the colored population of Colchester South. Its location was selected by the late Josephus O’Banyoun, who was the founder and pastor of the church and his foresight has been proven by the large congregations which has worshipped in the original, and afterwards in the new building … The name ‘Central Grove’ was given the church because it was centrally located between Pleasant Valley and New Canaan, and because it was build in a grove of exceptionally fine timber. The high-sounding names of these places testify to the love of the people for descriptive and pleasing words. The first trustees of the church were: James Johnston, Henry Graham, James Walter Dennis, Squire Hamilton and Peter Jackson, all of who are now deceased.”
What we publish is not a complete history of any family and is based on the documents that are available. We welcome photos and information to fill in the gaps. See you next week for part 4.
The Dennis Family History Part 4- The Undertaker
James Walter’s brother Enoch is the next child of Peter and Margaret Dennis. He married Syble R. Lenox. We were able to locate Enoch and Syble’s (sometimes spelt Sybel) marriage record from the State of Michigan, County of Calhoun which says “I certify that on the sixth day of August AD 1867 at the City of Battle Creek in the County aforesaid I M.B. Russell a Justice of the Peace joined in marriage Enoch Dennis of Calekester [Colchester] in Canada West aged Twenty one years a farmer by occupation and born in the State of Kentucky and Sybel R. Lenox from the same place aged twenty six years and born in Watertown State of Massachusetts that before said marriage both of them were sworn by me and proceed to me that there was no legal objection to their marriage in the presence of Erastus Clark and Josiah Tolund as attending witnesses. Dated at the City of Battle Creek this sixth day of August AD 1867 – M B Russell Justice of the Peace – Recorded August 12, 1867.”
An article from the Amherstburg Echo reveals Enoch’s occupation and says “Wanted – Men wanted to work in the woods. For further particulars apply to Enoch Dennis or J.H. Dennis, joint contractors, Harrow P.O., Ontario.” The only other document that we found that is connected to Enoch is a Detroit Manifest for his wife Sybel Dennis from June 25, 1918. It states that she was 72 years old, born in Watertown, Massachusetts and lists her friend J.H. Hyatt as her contact. It also records that she stayed in Detroit with “Dr. Don M. Campbell, Smith Bldg.”
Now that we have discussed John William, Mary Eliza, James Walter, and Enoch, we will move forward to discuss Margaret. She married John A. Crosby. The 1881 Census lists John A. Crosby, along with Margarite (Margaret) and their children Robert W., Alexander T., Orange E., Elizabeth, and Corah C. Robert Crosby married Carrie May, the daughter of Henry May, on December 5, 1889 in Detroit. According to his death record, Robert passed away on December 13, 1936 in Detroit at the age of 60. A write up for Robert appeared in the Amherstburg Echo on December 25, 1936, titled “Had Relatives Here” and says “Robert Crosby, colored undertaker of Detroit, who recently died, was related to two old families well known here, namely John and Margaret (Dennis) Crosby, the latter of Pleasant Valley. He was about 68 years old and was successful in business. Besides his wife he leaves to mourn their loss three children, Donald, Harold and Bernice; one brother, Theodore, and sister Ida. Another sister (Leslie) is deceased.”
This write up mentions Robert’s brother Theron. According to the death record for Margaret or Marjorie Telier, she is the daughter of Theron Crosby and Malissa Richardson. We also found a marriage record for a Theodore Crosby, son of Maggie Dennis and John Crosby, and Carrie Hill, the daughter of George Hill. They were married on December 31, 1891, in Detroit. It is unclear whether Theodore and Theron are the same person.
Peter and Margaret Dennis’ daughter Margaret Dennis Crosby passed away on May 7, 1882 but the only additional information from her brief obituary is “Deceased leaves a large family and many friends to mourn her loss.”
What we publish is not a complete history of any family and is based on the documents that are available. We welcome photos and information to fill in the gaps. See you next week for part 5.
The Dennis Family History Part 5 – The Justice of the Peace
The last child of Peter and Margaret Dennis is Robert Maxwell Dennis. He married Almeda Jacobs, the daughter of Aaron and Jane (Johnson) Jacobs. Before sharing more about Robert and Almeda, we wanted to include what was written about Aaron Jacobs in his obituary that was printed in the Amherstburg Echo on May 7, 1920. It says “There died in Gosfield South Sunday evening, Aaron Jacobs one of the best known colored residents of the district, aged 90 years. Mr. Jacobs was the father of the late Mrs. R.M. Dennis, and as Mr. Dennis is now the only heir left, the estate, which is of considerable importance, is left to him. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon to Pleasant Valley cemetery.”
Robert and Almeda married on August 1, 1877 in Kingsville. This records states that Robert was born in 1851 in Indiana, while Almeda Jacobs was born circa 1860 in Gosfield. The 1881 Census lists Robert (a farmer) and Almeda with their son Ira, as does the 1891 and 1901 Censuses. Before we discuss Ira, we want to share a bit more about Robert and Almeda. Robert is mentioned several times in the Amherstburg Echo because of his work as a Justice of the Peace not only because of the cases that were brought before him, especially assault cases, but also because of the people he knew. For example, in 1894, one article from the Amherstburg Echo states “Robert M. Dennis, J.P., and wife have been the guests of D.R. Davis, barrister, Amherstburg.” D.R. Davis was a respected lawyer in Amherstburg and was the third Black lawyer in Canada and the first Black person appointed to the King’s Counsel on November 10, 1910. When Robert M. Dennis was appointed a Justice of the Peace, the Echo printed that he was “tendered a dinner by a number of his friends.” Robert is also mentioned in the press for other reasons including his appointment by Windsor Council as a member of the City Board of Health in March 1913.
Around 1911 Robert Dennis moved from Colchester South to Windsor. We know this because of a few articles in the Amherstburg Echo that mentions he rented out his farm for a year to William Loop and held an auction to sell off his “live stock and machinery” because “Mr. and Mrs. Dennis, on winding up their affairs in this township, will take up their residence in Windsor for the present, though they by no means have severed their connection with the banana belt, but hope to return here after awhile again to make their home.” The reason why he moved is explained in an article from October 20, 1911 which says “Mr. Dennis’ farm is one of the best places in Colchester South. He is reaching an age when after many hard years’ work he desires more leisure, and will eventually dispose of his holdings here.”
Robert M. Dennis passed away on April 22, 1921, in Windsor. According to his death record, he was widowed and for occupation it says “merchant-grocery.” This record also states that he was born on March 7, 1852 in Indiana. According to Robert’s obituary which was printed in the Amherstburg Echo on April 29, 1921 “Many old friends gathered at Central Grove Tuesday afternoon to attend the funeral of the late Robert Maxwell Dennis, a former well known resident of this township, who passed away in Windsor Saturday night. The remains were brought to Kingsville by special car and taken to Central Grove by motor hearse. A short service was held there by Rev. T.J. Henderson, and burial was by the side of his wife, who died in February 1920. Mr. Dennis was for many years a resident of Pleasant Valley. He was well educated and as Justice of the Peace dispensed justice throughout the district in a very satisfactory manner, as his decisions could always be relied upon. His wife was Miss Almeda Jacobs, only daughter of the late Aaron Jacobs, of Gosfield South. They had one son, Ira, who is now residing on his grandfather’s farm near Kingsville. He was the leading spirit in Central Grove church, having been supervisor of the erection of the present church, and also one who established same, being on the trustee Board of the land officials. In the bereavement the church loses a faithful member, and the community a frank and outspoken citizen. Besides the above he is survived by two brothers and a sister, John and James Dennis and Mrs. John Crosby, Detroit. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis moved to Windsor ten years ago. The pallbearers were nephews – Robert Crosby, Theron Crosby, Charles Dennis, Fred Dennis, W.P. Dennis.”
There is also an obituary for Almeda Jacobs Dennis in the Amherstburg Echo which says “Mrs. Robert M. Dennis, for years a highly respected resident of this township, passed away at her home in Windsor on Monday, and the remains were brought here on the train Wednesday afternoon for burial in Central Grove cemetery. Mrs. Dennis was the only daughter of Aaron Jacobs, of Gosfield South, and besides her husband is survived by one son, Ira E. Dennis, now of Detroit.” Her death record adds that she passed away on February 23, 1930 in Windsor at the age of 57, that she was a Housewife, and her date of birth was December 30, 1863.
As mentioned, Almeda and Robert Dennis had a son named Ira. According to the Amherstburg Echo, following the passing of his grandfather “Ira Dennis, grandson of the late Aaron Jacobs, fell heir to Mr. Jacob’s farm on the corner of the third concession and Division Road in Gosfield South. When overhauling the old log house he came across an old rusty biscuit tin containing nearly $1000. Much of it was in English gold. Mr. Jacobs, an eccentric, probably placed it there before there were banks in Kingsville.”
Based on the evidence, Ira married twice. The 1911 Census lists Ira with his wife Lillian. On December 12, 1902, the Amherstburg Echo added further details when it wrote “Ira D. Dennis was married last month in Windsor to Miss Lily Wells. They are spending their honeymoon at his father’s, R.M. Dennis’, and he will settle down to farming. Congratulations.”
The following Census for 1921 lists Ira with his second wife Sophia Moore and their children Mahlin (Mahlon) Churchill, Mildred Almeda and George Robert. Their children also include Franklin and Irene.
What we publish is not a complete history of any family and is based on the documents that are available. We welcome photos and information to fill in the gaps. See you next week where we will celebrate another amazing family.
