\nFamily Histories<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tAMHERSTBURG FREEEDOM MUSEUM<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tStephens Family<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/separater.png\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest houses in Amherstburg<\/strong><\/p>
In last month\u2019s family history about the Gant family, an editorial written by John Gant mentions an Amherstburg resident named Ezekiel Stevens, saying \u201cNow as for the municipal honors that have been conferred on my colored brethren here: Ezekiel Stevens served as councillor with honor attached to his record.\u201d This is what inspired me to write about the Stevens (sometimes spelt Stephens) family. Ezekiel Stevens was the son of Major Stevens and Mary Harris. The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>printed a brief article on June 27, 1973 that looked into the past and mentions Major Stevens. It says \u201cOne of the oldest houses in Amherstburg, the old Conway house on King Street was torn down Monday. This house was built of oak logs held together by wooden pegs. Its date is 1840 and according to early records was build by Major Stephens grandfather of the John A. Foster family. About 75 years ago, George and Pearl Conway bought it from the Stephens estate and their 13 children were born there.\u201d The only other information I could find for Major and Mary (Harris) Stevens was in the 1861 Census which lists Major Stephens and wife Mary, along with two of their sons Ezekiel and Joseph. The census also records that Major worked as a labourer. Major and Mary had several children including William, Ezekiel, Joseph, Sarah, LeAnna, Mary and Martha. I was unable to find any information for Mary or LeAnna, except that LeAnna died in Detroit according to Ezekiel\u2019s obituary.<\/p>
Although there was not any information for LeAnna and Mary, I was about to find information for William, Ezekiel, Joseph, Sarah and Martha. Let\u2019s start with William. He married Ann Swatman. Their children were Fannie, Eliza, William, George, and Mary Kate. Sadly, George died in infancy and Mary Kate passed away at age 15. Based on the Census records, it appears that Mary Kate passed away between 1871 and 1881 because she appears in the former, but not the latter. Before discussing their other children, I will share a few more details about William and Ann. According to his death record, William passed away on February 3, 1886 in Amherstburg. His death record states that he was born circa 1827 in Colchester and worked as a labourer. William\u2019s obituary which was printed in the Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on February 5, 1886, shares more details. It says \u201cAnother Old Resident Gone. Wm. Stephens of this town, died at the family residence, Brock street, Wednesday of this week. Deceased was the eldest son of Major Stephens, and was born in Colchester about the time of the rebellion in \u201937. He was married in Amherstburg in 1851 to Miss Ann Swatman and their family consisted of five children, three sons and two daughters. Three of these, (Mrs. Fannie Caldback of Parker, Dakota, Mrs. Joseph Lester and William, of this town), as well as the widow, survive. Those deceased are George who died in infancy, and Mary Kate when aged 15 years. Ezekiel and Joseph of Amherstburg, and Mrs. Harris, of Adrian, Mich.m brothers and sister of deceased, are still living. Mr. Stephens injured himself while lifting, last June, so that he has been suffering ever since, gradually falling all the time, though he was confined to his bed but eight days. The funeral will take place today (Friday) at 2 p.m. Rev. A.S. Falls, A.B., will conduct the funeral service at the family residence, from where the remains will be conveyed to the Amherstburg cemetery.\u201d<\/p>
I was also able to find Ann Swatman Stephens death notice in the Amherstburg Echo<\/em> from April 26, 1907 which says \u201cSTEPHENS \u2013 In Colchester North, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Lester, Tuesday, April 14th<\/sup>, Mrs. William Stephens, of Amherstburg, aged 67 years.\u201d<\/p>
As mentioned, I was able to find information for three of William and Ann Stevens\u2019 children: Fannie, Eliza, and William. Fannie married Robert Samuel Caldback and lived in South Dakota. According to Find a Grave<\/em>, Robert Samuel Caldback was born in Ireland and their children included Kathleen, Minnie, and Robert. Kathleen Isabelle Caldbeck Hulke married to Otto Hulke and they had a daughter named Marcella C. Hulke Lorenz. Minnie Elizabeth Caldbeck Calhoun married Edgar Woodruff Calhoun on July 6, 1910. Their children include Loilla Margaret Calhoun Ferguson who married Thomas Crawford Ferguson and Robert Edgar Calhoun who married Dorthy Rae Price in 1939. Robert Emmett Caldbeck married Pearl Ethel Caldbeck.<\/p>
William and Ann (Swatman) Stevens\u2019 next child is Eliza. She married Joseph Lester, the son of Joseph and Emma Lester, on October 9, 1878 in Amherstburg. The children include Ada, Charles, Frances, William, Rosey, Annie, John, Jessie, and Joseph. Ada married George Watson Aphery, the son of George Aphery and Catherine Luckingham, on February 19, 1902 in Amherstburg. Charles was born on July 22, 1881 and according to his death announcement from The Windsor Daily Star<\/em> on January 22, 1959, \u201cLESTER \u2013 Charles, 76 years, Jan. 22, 1959, at his residence, 107 Seymour St., Amherstburg. Husband of the late Honor Lester. Dear father of Mrs. Ernest Cadarette (Alice), Amherstburg; Kenneth, St. Thomas. Dear brother of John, William and Joseph Lester. Colchester North; 5 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren. Resting at the James. H. Sutton Funeral Home, Sandwich and Gore Sts., Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Charles\u2019 sister Frances was born on September 2, 1887 in Amherstburg. She later married William Couch, the son of John Couch and Mary Aikens, on March 19, 1913. Frances\u2019 brother William was born on March 23, 1890 in Amherstburg. I also found a second birth record for William B. Lester for May 22, 1892 in Kingsville. Both records list him as the son Joseph Lester and Eliza Stevens. William\u2019s sister Rosey was born on May 26, 1893 in Colchester North, while her sister Annie was born on May 3, 1896, also in Colchester North. Their brother, John Kent Lester, was born on January 28, 1898. His death announcement from The Windsor Star<\/em> from February 26, 1979, states \u201c\u2013 LESTER \u2013 John K., 81 years, February 23, 1979, at I.O.D.E. Hospital, late of 110 Albert St., Essex. Dear son of the late Joseph Lester (1947). Dear brother of the late Charles, Joseph, William, Mrs. George Ciphery, Mrs. William Couch and Mrs. George Woods. Resting at the Stewart L. Kennedy Funeral Home.\u201d<\/p>
John\u2019s sister Jessie is next. She married twice. First to Frank Piper, the son of Frank Piper and Sarah Davis, on August 31, 1904 in Gesto (Essex County) and then to George Woods, son of Charles Woods and Sarah Wilson. They married on May 20, 1915 in Windsor. In this document Jessie is referred to as Jessamine. Jessie passed away on January 12, 1931 in Windsor. According to her death announcement which was printed in The<\/em> Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on January 16, 1931, \u201cWOOD \u2013 In Hotel Dieu, Monday, January 12th<\/sup>, 1931, Mrs. George Wood, of Gosfield North, aged 47 years. She was taken to the hospital that same day at one o\u2019clock, for an operation, and passed away at seven o\u2019clock that evening. She was a daughter of Joseph Lester, of Colchester North, and is survived by her husband and one son.\u201d<\/p>
Jessie\u2019s brother Joseph David Lester is the last child of Joseph Lester and Eliza Stevens. He married Lillian Russell Sherrill, the daughter of William Sherrill and Alice Raymond, on April 5, 1915. Joseph\u2019s passing was reported in The Windsor Star<\/em> on November 19, 1966 and said \u201cLESTER \u2013 Joseph David, 81 years, Nov. 17. Late residence 9th<\/sup> Concession, Colchester North. Beloved husband of Lillian. Dear father of Abraham, John and Gordon, Colchester North; Donald, at home; Joseph and Robert of Essex. Brother of John, Colchester North; 14 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren \u2026 Interment Rosehill Cemetery, Amherstburg.\u201d An obituary was also printed in The Windsor Star<\/em> which said \u201cLESTER \u2013 Joseph David, 81, of Concession 9, Colchester North Township, died at home Thursday. Mr. Lester was born in Amherstburg and lived in Colchester North all his life. He was a retired farmer. Surviving are his wife, Lillian (nee Sherrill); sons, Donald, at home, Joseph and Robert, both of Essex, Abraham, John and Joseph, all of Colchester North; a brother, John of Colchester North.\u201d<\/p>
According to her death record, Eliza Stevens Lester passed away on July 27, 1919 in Colchester North. Her obituary from the August 8, 1919 edition of the Amherstburg Echo<\/em> states \u201cThe death of Mrs. Joseph Lester occurred at the family home on the Blight farm near Gesto on Sunday last. Deceased had been in poor health for two years past from Addison\u2019s disease, and had been in a serious condition for two weeks past, so that her death was not unexpected. Deceased was in her 63rd<\/sup> year, and was born in Amherstburg, her maiden name being Eliza Stevens. She was married about 40 years ago to Mr. Lester, and they resided in this township for about 30 years. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon with services at the family home conducted by Rev. Joseph James, and interment in North Ridge cemetery. The pallbearers were: Jos. Calhoun, Jos. Huggins, Harvey Fick, Thos. Bullock, M. Wagner. Deceased is survived by her husband and three sons, Joseph, William, and Charles, and three daughters, Mrs. George Wood of Gosfield North; Mrs. Wm. Church, of Colchester North, and Mrs. G.W. Ciphery, of Kearney, Ont.\u201d I could not find an obituary for Eliza\u2019s husband Joseph, but the Death Announcement for their son John Kent Lester reveals that Joseph passed away in 1947.<\/p>
The last child of William Stevens and Ann Swatman is William. He married Rachel Collison, the daughter of George and Emma Collison, on August 25, 1884 in Amherstburg. The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>printed an announcement about their wedding on August 29, 1884 which said \u201cSTEPHENS \u2013 COLLISON \u2013 On Monday, August 25th<\/sup>, at the Rectory, by the Rev. Alex. S. Falls, A.B., Mr. William B. Stephens, to Miss Rachael Collison, all of Amherstburg.\u201d Based on the 1901 Census record, William and Rachel had the following children: Emelia E., Miles W., Felix B., Edward E., Kate V., and Henry J.\u201d The marriage record for Hester Amelia Stevens, says that she married Reginald Charles G. Williams, the son of William Williams and Lucy Watt, on November 11, 1904. She married a second time. The marriage record for Esther Amelia Williams says she married Thomas Arthur Lambert, the son of George Lambert and Agnes Cameron, on July 10, 1919 in Windsor.<\/p>
Esther\/Hester Ameila\u2019s brother Felix Benson Stevens was born on October 15, 1893 in Amherstburg, while Felix\u2019s brother Edward Earle Stevens was born on February 7, 1896. Edward later married Gladys May Nohl (possibly Nall) the daughter of Alex. Nohl and Emma Vroman, on April 29, 1921 in Montrose, Michigan. Edward\u2019s sister Kate Viola Stevens was born on May 14, 1898 in Amherstburg.<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week for part 2.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>The Stephens Family History Part 2 \u2013 Councillor with Honour<\/strong><\/p>
Now that I have discussed William and his line, I will move on to discuss the next child of Major Stevens and Mary Harris, Ezekiel. He married Catherine Brown, the daughter of Nelson Brown and Ellen Lewis. Their children include Annie, Lincoln and Malachi. As mentioned, Ezekiel is the inspiration for writing this family history because he was mentioned in an editorial written by John Gant who wrote that Ezekiel Stephens was a councillor. Although it appears that Ezekiel was active in the community, I could not find many references to his work in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em>.<\/p>
I was able to find a death record and obituary for both Ezekiel and Catherine. Ezekiel passed away on June 5, 1919 in Amherstburg. His death record states that he was born on August 10, 1841 in Amherstburg, worked as a farmer and labourer, and passed at the age of 68. His obituary was printed in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on June 11, 1909 and reported \u201cEzekiel Stevens, whose illness was noted in these columns last week, passed to the Great Beyond, Saturday last, at the residence, Murray and Seymore streets. Monday afternoon funeral services were held at the First Baptist church by the pastor, Rev. T. Jesse Henderson, assisted by Rev. Joseph Hulbert. The pastor\u2019s impressive exposition of Divine truth taken from Job 14:14, \u2018If a man die, shall he live again,\u2019 was listened to by an audience which completely filled the sacred edifice, and the service was enriched by the rendition of a solo, \u2018Face to face,\u2019 by Mrs. James Kirtley. Large numbers of friends joined the mourning relatives paying respect to one who in life had been a well-known figure in this town. The remains were taken to Rose Hill cemetery and laid away, under Masonic auspices, deceased having been a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 8, F. & A.M. The pallbearers were Albert Chambers and Evans, of North American Lodge No. 1, Windsor; Wm. Johnson, of North Star Lodge, No. 7, Colchester North; L. Jones, D. Holbert and John S. Brown, of Lincoln Lodge No. 8, Amherstburg. Mr. Stevens was born in Amherstburg, and was a son of the late Major Stevens. Of the family Sarah is Mrs. James Underwood; LeAnna died in Detroit; Mary is deceased, and Martha is Mrs. Harris of Chicago. The subject of this sketch was married to Catherine Brown, daughter of the late Nelson Brown, and they had a family of three \u2013 Lincoln, who died in 1905; Malachi, of Buffalo, and Annie, Mrs. John Foster. Besides these there are four grandchildren, children of John Foster. Mr. Stevens was a citizen of Amherstburg all his life and took an active part in affairs calculated to advance the town\u2019s best interests. He was elected Public school trustee several terms, was councillor in 1888-89 and \u201992 and fraternally was associated with Lincoln Lodge No. 8 F.&A.M., serving as treasurer several terms. His life was an object lesson to his fellowman in kindness, generosity and willingness to assist those about him. His advancement at the hands of the electors showed that neither creed nor color is considered above ability to serve in a public capacity. Among his own race he was a leader and his death removed one upon whom they placed great reliance.\u201d<\/p>
Just a few years later, on February 7, 1911, Ezekiel\u2019s wife Catherine Brown Stevens passed away in Amherstburg at the age of 64. Her death record reveals that she was born on May 5, 1847 and was the daughter of Nelson Brown and Ellen Lewis. Catherine\u2019s obituary appeared in The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>a few days later on February 10th<\/sup> and says \u201cMrs. Catherine Stephens passed away Tuesday afternoon at her home on Seymore street. She had been poorly for some time and was subject to weak spells. While carrying in an armful of wood one day recently, she was seized with one and falling injured herself and this hastened the end. Mrs. Stephens\u2019 maiden name was Catherine Brown, a daughter of the late Nelson Brown, who at one time lived in the house adjoining the Desjardins place, Seymore Street. Her marriage to Ezekiel Stephens resulted to a family of three Malachai, of Buffalo, Lincoln, who is dead, and Mrs. John Foster, King Street. Mr. Stephens died two years ago and since that time the widow kept her grandson Theodore Foster with her for company. The funeral will be held this (Friday) afternoon to the First Baptist Church for service with interment in Rose Hill Cemetery.\u201d<\/p>
As mentioned, Ezekiel and Catherine\u2019s children include Annie, Lincoln, and Malachi. Annie Elizabeth Stevens was born, according to her death record, on April 30, 1866 in Amherstburg. She married John Arthur Foster (a marine chef) on January 17, 1882 in Detroit. John was the son of Levi Foster and Lucy Harris (see Foster family history https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/foster-family\/<\/a> ). John and Annie had several children including Theodore, Annie, John, Ella, Elenore, and Bessie. Theodore S. Foster was born on June 17, 1883 in Amherstburg and became a marine chef. According to his obituary from the March 11, 1927 issue of The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> \u201cTheodore (Couch) Foster, son of the late John Foster, died at the family home, corner Murray and King streets on Saturday about noon. He had been in failing health for some time from tuberculosis. Funeral services were conducted at the home Monday afternoon at 2 o\u2019clock and burial was in Rose Hill cemetery. Mr. Foster was born in Amherstburg June 17th<\/sup>, 1883. He attended the Public schools and early took to the lakes, becoming a very well-known marine chef in charge of some very important boats. Of late years, owing to uncertain health, he was able only to take positions on boats running out of Amherstburg. His parents have been dead for some years, but he is survived by sisters -Ella, Mrs. A.M. Bell, of Windsor; Annie, Mrs. Joseph Paulson, of Winnipeg; Bessie, Mrs. W. Maier, and brother John of Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Theodore\u2019s sister Annie was born on September 16, 1887 and later married Joseph Paulson and they lived in Winnipeg. Annie\u2019s brother John, according to his marriage record, married Marjorie Katherine Laura Alexander, the daughter of John Henry Alexander and Annie Louise Crawford, on February 7, 1921 in Walkerville (now part of Windsor). Marjorie Katherine Laura Alexander was born on August 10, 1896. John and Marjorie\u2019s marriage record also states that John worked as a decorator and Marjorie was a stenographer. They had at least two children, John (married Sarnia Jones) and Patricia.\u00a0 According to the site Find A Grave<\/em> Marjorie passed away on January 23, 1984 in Sarnia, but I was not able to find her obituary. I did find the obituary for Marjorie\u2019s husband in The Windsor Star<\/em> on March 21, 1958 which says \u201cEx-Lake Ship Sailor, J.A. Foster Dies \u2013 A lifelong resident of Amherstburg district John Arthur Foster, 66 of 209 Alma St., died Thursday in Essex County Sanitorium following a long illness. He was a former wheelsman on great lakes ship and also a decorator and painter in Amherstburg and Windsor. Surviving are his widow, Marjorie (nee Alexander); a son John A. with the Canadian Army at Sarnia; a daughter Patricia Anne, Sarnia; two sisters, Mrs. Ella F. Bell, Mrs. William Zimmer (Bessie), both of Detroit and two grandchildren. The body will be at the James H. Sutton Funeral Home, Sandwich and Gore Sts., Amherstburg, Saturday. Further arrangements are incomplete.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>
John\u2019s sister Ella married Alfred Bell, the son of Jemima Shirk and Montgomery Bell. Alfred and Ella had two sons named Robert and Floyd. Ella\u2019s obituary appeared in The Windsor Star<\/em> on September 19, 1962 and says \u201cMrs. Alfred Bell \u2013 Mrs. Ella Bell, 66, of 1062 Goyeau St., died today in Hotel Dieu after a short illness. Mrs. Bell was born in Amherstburg and had lived in Windsor for many years, formerly living in Detroit. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Her husband, who was a sailor, died in 1933. Surviving are a son, Robert, of Windsor and a sister, Mrs. Bessie Zimmer of Detroit. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the James H. Sutton Funeral Home, 937 Ouellette Ave. Rev. Mack Brown officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Ella\u2019s husband Alfred Montgomery Bell passed away a few decades before on December 28, 1933 in Windsor. His obituary appeared in The Windsor Star <\/em>on January 5, 1934 and says \u201cALFRED M. BELL \u2013 Following a two month illness the death occurred of Alfred M. Bell, of Windsor, at his home at 812 Mercer Avenue, Windsor, on Thursday morning, December 28th<\/sup>. Deceased was the brother-in-law of John Foster, George Street, Amherstburg. His wife formerly Ella Foster, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Foster, lived here until her marriage to the deceased in 1905. One child, Robert, survives him. Deceased was 62 years of age and was for many years a cook with the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. He was born in Detroit. The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon from his late residence to Rose Hill cemetery, Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Ella\u2019s sister, Elenore Foster, was born on September 20, 1885 in Amherstburg, while Bessie Eileen Foster was born on September 30, 1897. Bessie married Willard Maier, who passed away in 1933, and had at least three children named Zeke, Dwight and Betty. Bessie married a second time to William Zimmer and they lived in Detroit. It should also be added that in the 1920s, Bessie was appointed an \u201cindustrial nurse in the town for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.\u201d Bessie passed away on March 26, 1971 in Detroit and her death record says she was born September 30, 1987.<\/p>
Returning to Annie Stevens and John Foster, I was able to find each of their obituaries. John passed away on April 29, 1911 and his obituary from The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> which appeared on May 5, 1911, states \u201cFoster \u2013 At the Marine hospital, Detroit, Mich., Saturday, April 29th<\/sup>, John Arthur Foster, son of the late Levi Foster, of Amherstburg, aged 48 years. Deceased was born in Amherstburg, being a son of the late Levi and Lucy Foster. He was one of a family of nine, three of whom survive \u2013 Mrs. Louise F. Jacobs, Levi and Thomas Foster all living in the States. He was married to Miss Annie Stephens, daughter of the late Ezekiel Stephens and to them were born six children, five of whom are living \u2013 Theodore and Bessie, at home; Ella, Mrs. A.M. Bell, of Windsor; Annie, Mrs. H. Bludsoe?, of Winnipeg, Man., and John, of Chicago. Mr. Foster was a steward on the great lakes which occupation he followed until a year ago last December when he came home after laying up his boat, the steamer City of Paris, and was taken to his bed. After a time he was taken to the Marine Hospital in Detroit, and remained there until the end came, which was within one day of 13 months. The remains were brought to Amherstburg by special car, Saturday evening and the funeral took place, Monday afternoon to the First Baptist church, where services were conducted by Rev. A.W. Hackley, assisted by Rev. J. Hulbert, and interment was in Rose Hill cemetery, the pall bearers being \u2013 Walter Anderson, David Hulbert, W.H. Bush, James Monroe, John R. Brown and Henry Banks. Quite a number of relatives and friends from Detroit and Windsor attended the funeral.\u201d<\/p>
Annie Stevens Foster passed away over a decade later, on July 21, 1923 in Amherstburg. Her obituary from The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> which appeared on July 27, 1923 shares that \u201cThe very sudden death of Mrs. John Foster, one of the town\u2019s best known colored women, Saturday night, at the door of her daughter\u2019s residence on Seymore street, was a great shock to the town, of which she was a native, and highly respected, hardworking and thrifty citizen. The manner of her death was totally unexpected. She had spent a short time with her daughter, Mrs. Mayer, who lives across the street from her, and was just going out the door to return to her own home when she collapsed on Mrs. Mayer\u2019s steps and expired before her horror-stricken family could remove her. Heart failure was the cause of death. Mrs. Foster\u2019s maiden name was Annie Stevens. She was a daughter and the last of the family of the late Ezekiel Stevens, a prominent and highly influential citizen of Amherstburg in his day. She had two brothers, Lincoln and Malachi, both of whom predeceased her. She was married about forty years ago to John Foster a lake cook. He died ten years ago, leaving her with a family of five \u2013 Ella, Mrs. A.M. Bell, of Windsor; Theodore, who lives at home; Annie, married in Winnipeg; John and Bessie, Mrs. Mayer, of Amherstburg. Mrs. Foster was the soul of honor and the acme of industry. Following her husband\u2019s death she engaged to do the work of many families in Amherstburg, and by her thrift and economy improved her home so that it is one of the neatest, most comfortable and attractive in that part of the town. She acquired considerable means and other property. Of late years, she gave up a good deal of her work, but retained the janitorship of the Bell Telephone office and the Imperial Bank. She performed these duties as usual Saturday and returning home, looked well to her own house as befitted a good housewife, not complaining either of being unduly weary or of any illness. The sudden cutting off of her life has caused widespread sorrow.\u201d<\/p>
Annie\u2019s brother Lincoln is the next child of Ezekiel Stevens and Catherine Brown. He is listed in the 1891 Census under the same household as his parents Ezekiel and Catherine. Next to his name it says \u201cM\u201d meaning he was married, but his wife is not listed. The same occurs in his obituary which states that he was married, but again does not list his wife\u2019s name. His obituary from October 13, 1905 in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> says \u201cThe death occurred at the marine hospital, Detroit, Sunday evening, of Lincoln, son of Ezekiel Stevens of this town while sailing on the Str. Phillip Minch, he was taken seriously ill with typhoid fever, but was not removed until Saturday when passing Detroit. His condition by that time was such that physicians could do nothing for him. He was born in this town 37 years ago, and after reaching young manhood took to the lakes as many other young men from this town do. He was married some years ago. Besides his parents he leaves a sister Mrs. John Foster, of this town and a brother Malachi, Buffalo. The body was brought home on Monday evening and the funeral was held Wednesday afternoon, services being conducted at the First Baptist church by Rev. D.S. Slaughter assisted by Rev. D.M. Lewis. The remains were interred in Rose Hill cemetery. A large cortege followed them to their last resting place.\u201d<\/p>
Lincoln\u2019s brother Malachi also worked on a steamship. On December 29, 1893, The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> mentions \u201cMalachi Stevens, of the steamship H.D. Coitinberry?, arrived home on Thursday of last week.\u201d Malachi passed away on March 7, 1915 in Cleveland, Ohio. His date of birth is recorded as February 15, 1874 and he is also listed as single. His obituary which appeared in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on March 12, 1915 shares more details. It says \u201cThe body of Malachi Stephens, youngest son of the late Ezekiel Stephens, was brought to Amherstburg Monday from Cleveland, where he died Sunday in the Marine hospital. He was a marine cook, but through failing health gave up his position on a lake boat last year to receive treatment. Four weeks ago he entered the Marine hospital, where he sank rapidly. The funeral took place Wednesday afternoon, services being conducted at the residence of Mrs. John Foster and interment followed in Rose Hill cemetery. Mr. Stephens was born in Amherstburg 41 years ago, and spent most of his life on the lakes. Mrs. Foster is the only one of the Stephens family left.\u201d<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week for part 3.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong>The Stephens Family History Part 3 \u2013 Family Connections<\/strong><\/p>
Now that I have discussed William and Ezekiel Stevens and their family members, I will move on to discuss their brother Joseph. He married Mary McCurdy, the daughter of Nasa McCurdy and Parmelia Baylis. Their children included Joseph, James, Mary, and Annie. The 1871 Census lists Joseph and Mary with Joseph, James and Mary, but the 1881 Census lists Mary and her children (James, Mary and Annie) living with Mary\u2019s parents Nasa and Parmelia McCurdy. Mary is listed as a dressmaker and married, but her husband Joseph is not listed. Sadly, a few years after the 1881 Census Joseph passed away on December 22, 1886 in Amherstburg. A very brief obituary appeared in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on December 24th<\/sup> saying \u201cJoseph Stevens who has been confined to his bed for some time through consumption, died, Wednesday. The funeral will take place today (Friday) from the late residence, King street.\u201d<\/p>
Following Joseph Stevens\u2019 passing, Mary married a second time to Isaiah McKenny (sometimes spelt McKinney). The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>reported their union on November 10, 1893, writing \u201cMcKinney-Stevens \u2013 At the residence of the officiating clergyman, Amherstburg, by Rev. J.A. Holt on Wednesday, November 8th<\/sup>, Mr. Isaiah McKenny, to Mrs. Mary Stevens, both of Amherstburg.\u201d Isaiah and Mary are mentioned again in The Echo<\/em> several years later on March 12, 1912. The article talks about a birthday party, reporting \u201cAnswering a timid knock on the door Wednesday evening after eight o\u2019clock, Isaiah McKenny, of Simcoe street, was confronted by a number of friends, who had come as a surprise to Mrs. McKenny on their anniversary of her birthday. After an address read by Mrs. James Kirtley, a shower of cards and presentation of gifts by Mrs. Clarence Smith, the entire party sat down to a well filled table of delicates. Toasts, recitations and games followed, and after a few short pleasant hours they left for their homes, each feeling a joy in visit, and leaving Mr. McKenny the uncrowned king of the checkboard.\u201d<\/p>
Sadly, just a few years later The Essex Free Press <\/em>reported Mary\u2019s passing. Her obituary says \u201cMrs. L. McKenney \u2013 Mrs. Isaiah McKenney, an old resident of Amherstburg, died on Tuesday of last week, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Dan Thomas, Conneaut, Ohio, where she had gone a month ago to be with Mr. McKenney to [avoid] the winter. The remains were brought to Amherstburg, and the funeral took place Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. McKenney\u2019s maiden name was Mary McCurdy, and she was born at Union Town, Pennsylvania, 69 years ago. She came to Amherstburg when a young girl, and was first married there to Joseph Stephens, and to them the following family were born: Joseph, of Cleveland; Mrs. Mary Munroe, of Ashtabula; James, of Chicago, and Annie, Mrs. Dan Thomas, of Conneaut. Mr. Stephens died over a quarter century ago, and she was afterwards married to Mr. McKenney. Their union was childless. She is also survived by a brother, Geo. McCurdy, of Conneaut, and a sister, Mrs. James Turner, of New Canaan. Mr. and Mrs. McKenny usually spent the winter in Conneaut, and went there just a month ago Tuesday.\u201d<\/p>
Just a few years later, Isaiah was reunited with Mary when he passed away on October 31, 1918. The Border Cities Star<\/em> reported \u201cIsiah M\u2019Kenny, Amherstburg is Laid to Rest \u2013 Was One of Oldest and Most Respected of Residents \u2013 Amherstburg, Nov. 5. \u2013 In the death of Isaiah McKenny Amherstburg lost one of its oldest and most respected colored residents. Mr. McKenny had been in poor health for some time. Three years ago while visiting in Conneaut, Ohio, Mrs. McKenny was stricken, and since then Mr. McKenny has made his home at short intervals in Conneaut, but always retained his Amherstburg residence, corner Brock and Simcoe streets. He was an ardent supporter of the B.M.E. church. In politics he was a Liberal and an influential worker. He lived retired for the past few years, but prior to his retirement was a steamboat steward. He farmed in Colchester North for some time. The funeral which was to have been held from the B.M.E. church on Sunday afternoon, was through order of the M.H.O. held from the house, which was owing to his large circle of friends too small. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.\u201d<\/p>
As mentioned, Mary McCurdy and Joseph Stevens had several children including Joseph, James, Mary, and Annie. Joseph N. Stevens (a cook) married Theresa Nall, the daughter of Ellen Foster and Alfred Nall, circa 1890. Theresa was born on January 29, 1868 in Amherstburg. The 1900 Cuyahoga, Ohio census lists three of Joseph and Theresa\u2019s children: May, Ellen\/Ella and Chestor. The 1920 Ohio Census includes an addition to the family. Among those living with Joseph, Theresa and Ella is Ella\u2019s husband Roscoe Brown, all under the same roof.\u00a0 Roscoe, a steward on a steamship, was born in Atlanta, Georgia in roughly 1891 to William Brown and Amelia Williams, and he married Ella on September 23, 1915 in Portage, Ohio. An additional piece of information about Ella. I was able to find a birth record for Maud Ellen Stevens, who was born on November 11, 1892 in Amherstburg. This may be Ella\u2019s birth record, as her name appears differently in separate documents listing her as Ellen, Ella, and Etta. I also found a death record for Etta (should say Ella) Brown who died on January 13, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio.<\/p>
Ella\u2019s sister May married Paul H. Berry, son of George Berry and Lucinda Powell, on May 15, 1917 in Cuyahogo, Ohio. I could not find information for their brother Chester. Joseph Stevens, father of Ella, May and Chester, passed away on May 31, 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio. His death record also says that he was born on November 2, 1864 in Amherstburg.<\/p>
Joseph\u2019s brother James, the next child of Joseph and Mary Stevens, married Amanda Hawkins, the daughter of Washington Hawkins and Eva Thompson (see Hawkins Family history\u00a0 https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/hawkins-family\/<\/a> ), on August 24, 1898 in Detroit. I was only able to find information for one of their children, a marriage record for their son William Alonzo Stevens who married Marion Nowak, the daughter of Martin Nowak and Rose Urbanski, on November 27, 1918 in Windsor. At the time, William was a salesman and Marion was a checker.<\/p>
James\u2019 sister Mary (also listed as Mayme), married William Monroe who was born on July 25, 1859 in Amherstburg and was the son of William Monroe and Rosena Turner. I found a death record for Mayme Elizabeth Monroe which states that she passed away on July 6, 1936 in Ashtabula, Ohio. It also says that she was born on May 17, 1869 in Amherstburg and was widowed. Her husband William passed away on August 9, 1934, also in Ashtabula, Ohio. The 1910 Ashtabula Census records William and Mary along with their children Lillie and Wilbur. I found the marriage records for both children. Wilbur S. Monroe married Rachel L. Andrews, daughter of James L. Lyons and Harriet Baptist, on November 12, 1950 in Ashtabula, Ohio. Lillian Rosena Monroe married Charles Herbert Greene, the son of Thos. E. Green and Elizabeth Thornton, on June 27, 1911 in Ohio. According to their marriage record, Lillian was born on July 25, 1888 in Amherstburg, while Charles was born on July 1, 1877 in Boston.<\/p>
The last child of Joseph Stevens and Mary McCurdy is Annie Permelia Stevens. She married Daniel Wallace Thomas, the son of George and Maria Thomas, on December 27, 1893 in Amherstburg. The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> reported their union on December 29, 1893, writing \u201cOn Wednesday evening Rev. L. Pierce united in marriage Daniel Thomas and Miss Annie Stevens. The ceremony took place at the residence of the bride\u2019s step father, Isaiah McKenny, on Simcoe street, in the presence of about 20 of the immediate relatives of the couple. George Thomas acted as groomsman and Miss Ada Christian was bridesmaid. After the nuptial knot was tied, all sat down to a wedding supper, after which the young couple were driven to the residence on Sandwich street which the groom had rented. THE ECHO joins their many friends in extending congratulations.\u201d<\/p>
According to the 1910 Census they had three children: Viola (or Viva), Granville and Burrel\/Burl. Graville was born on December 6, 1895, while Viola (or Viva) was born the year before on December 27, 1894, and later was a housewife and married Edwin Gray Cowan. Daniel and Anna\u2019s third child, Burrel (Burl) Buckner Thomas, was born on January 18, 1898 and later married Helen L. Divelle, who was born in South Carolina and the daughter of George Divelle and a mother with the last name Cummings. They married on June 27, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan. By 1920, the census for Ashtabula, Ohio, states that Daniel was no longer a mariner, but now a machinist in a factory. It also lists Granville and Burl still living at home at this point (before their marriages) and the census lists Granville working as an \u201coiler\u201d at a steel mill, while Burl worked as a chauffeur for a private family.\u201d Sadly Annie Stevens Thomas passed away on June 15, 1939 in Cleveland. I could not find an obituary for her.<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week for part 4.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>The Stephens Family History Part 4 \u2013 US Connections<\/strong><\/p>
So far, I have discussed three children of Major Stevens and Mary Harris (William, Ezekiel, and Joseph), but I was also able to find information for Sarah and Martha. Sarah married James Underwood. I located Sarah and James W. Underwood and their daughter Ella in the 1880 Census for Menasha, Wisconsin which lists Sarah as a laundress and James as a Barber. I was unable to find the marriage record for Sarah and James, but I found their daughter Ella\u2019s marriage record. L. Luella Underwood married George W. Brady, the son of M.C. Brady and Frances Steton, on October 2, 1890 in Adrian, Michigan. I was also able to find a marriage record for Ella\u2019s brothers Jerold, and Joseph Douglass. Jerrold married Emma Louisa Hook, the daughter of Arnold Hook and Matilda J. Mergen, on June 10, 1897 in Appleton, Wisconsin. Jerrold\u2019s brother Jos. Douglas Underwood, married Ida Glenn Wilson, the daughter of Robert Wilson and Anne Glenn, on April 19, 1888. I also found two marriage records for Joseph B. Underwood. This may be the same person as Jos. Douglass, but I could not confirm. Joseph B. married Eliza Bell, the daughter of Randell Woods and Sally Young, on April 12, 1900 in Des Moines, Iowa. Joseph B. married a second time to Jessie B. Slater, the daughter of James M. Buckner and Mary F. Shelton, on May 1, 1907 in Jennings, Indiana. This record shares several more details stating that Joseph was born on September 23, 1860 in Dexter, Michigan and worked as a \u201cMinister of the Gospel.\u201d Jessie is listed as working as a Hairdresser. This document also shares another important detail that confirms we have the correct family. It states that Joseph\u2019s father James Willis Underwood was born in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio and was a barber, but that his mother Sarah Jane was born in \u2018ersburg, Ontario.\u201d Although the placename is incomplete, it is more than likely that this is meant to say \u2018Amherstburg, Ontario.\u201d This record also shares that Joseph and Jessie were both previously married. Joseph\u2019s first wife died April 12, 1901 and Jessie\u2019s first husband passed away on July 4, 1891. Their spouses\u2019 names are not listed.<\/p>
Now it is time to move on to discuss the last child of Major Stevens and Mary Harris, Martha. According to her brother Ezekiel\u2019s obituary, Martha married a Mr. Harris of Chicago. With a little more research, I was able to locate Martha and Hugh P. Harris in the 1880 Census for Adrian, Michigan. It also lists their daughter Jessie with their grandson Harris K. Kelley. I also found Martha Harris\u2019 death record which states that she passed away on March 15, 1930 in Chicago. It also states that she was born in Amherstburg, married to Hugh P. Harris, was widowed and her mother\u2019s name was May (Mary) Stevens. I also found the death record for Martha\u2019s daughter Jessie which records that she passed away on April 19, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 76. This record also states that Jessie was born on September 2, 1867 in Adrian, Michigan.<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week where we will celebrate another amazing family.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tAttachments<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest houses in Amherstburg<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 2 \u2013 Councillor with Honour<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 3 \u2013 Family Connections<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 4 \u2013 US Connections<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReturn to Family Histories<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Family Histories AMHERSTBURG FREEEDOM MUSEUM Stephens Family \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":""},"class_list":["post-11577","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"ticketed":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11577"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11700,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577\/revisions\/11700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
AMHERSTBURG FREEEDOM MUSEUM<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tStephens Family<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest houses in Amherstburg<\/strong><\/p>
In last month\u2019s family history about the Gant family, an editorial written by John Gant mentions an Amherstburg resident named Ezekiel Stevens, saying \u201cNow as for the municipal honors that have been conferred on my colored brethren here: Ezekiel Stevens served as councillor with honor attached to his record.\u201d This is what inspired me to write about the Stevens (sometimes spelt Stephens) family. Ezekiel Stevens was the son of Major Stevens and Mary Harris. The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>printed a brief article on June 27, 1973 that looked into the past and mentions Major Stevens. It says \u201cOne of the oldest houses in Amherstburg, the old Conway house on King Street was torn down Monday. This house was built of oak logs held together by wooden pegs. Its date is 1840 and according to early records was build by Major Stephens grandfather of the John A. Foster family. About 75 years ago, George and Pearl Conway bought it from the Stephens estate and their 13 children were born there.\u201d The only other information I could find for Major and Mary (Harris) Stevens was in the 1861 Census which lists Major Stephens and wife Mary, along with two of their sons Ezekiel and Joseph. The census also records that Major worked as a labourer. Major and Mary had several children including William, Ezekiel, Joseph, Sarah, LeAnna, Mary and Martha. I was unable to find any information for Mary or LeAnna, except that LeAnna died in Detroit according to Ezekiel\u2019s obituary.<\/p>
Although there was not any information for LeAnna and Mary, I was about to find information for William, Ezekiel, Joseph, Sarah and Martha. Let\u2019s start with William. He married Ann Swatman. Their children were Fannie, Eliza, William, George, and Mary Kate. Sadly, George died in infancy and Mary Kate passed away at age 15. Based on the Census records, it appears that Mary Kate passed away between 1871 and 1881 because she appears in the former, but not the latter. Before discussing their other children, I will share a few more details about William and Ann. According to his death record, William passed away on February 3, 1886 in Amherstburg. His death record states that he was born circa 1827 in Colchester and worked as a labourer. William\u2019s obituary which was printed in the Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on February 5, 1886, shares more details. It says \u201cAnother Old Resident Gone. Wm. Stephens of this town, died at the family residence, Brock street, Wednesday of this week. Deceased was the eldest son of Major Stephens, and was born in Colchester about the time of the rebellion in \u201937. He was married in Amherstburg in 1851 to Miss Ann Swatman and their family consisted of five children, three sons and two daughters. Three of these, (Mrs. Fannie Caldback of Parker, Dakota, Mrs. Joseph Lester and William, of this town), as well as the widow, survive. Those deceased are George who died in infancy, and Mary Kate when aged 15 years. Ezekiel and Joseph of Amherstburg, and Mrs. Harris, of Adrian, Mich.m brothers and sister of deceased, are still living. Mr. Stephens injured himself while lifting, last June, so that he has been suffering ever since, gradually falling all the time, though he was confined to his bed but eight days. The funeral will take place today (Friday) at 2 p.m. Rev. A.S. Falls, A.B., will conduct the funeral service at the family residence, from where the remains will be conveyed to the Amherstburg cemetery.\u201d<\/p>
I was also able to find Ann Swatman Stephens death notice in the Amherstburg Echo<\/em> from April 26, 1907 which says \u201cSTEPHENS \u2013 In Colchester North, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Lester, Tuesday, April 14th<\/sup>, Mrs. William Stephens, of Amherstburg, aged 67 years.\u201d<\/p>
As mentioned, I was able to find information for three of William and Ann Stevens\u2019 children: Fannie, Eliza, and William. Fannie married Robert Samuel Caldback and lived in South Dakota. According to Find a Grave<\/em>, Robert Samuel Caldback was born in Ireland and their children included Kathleen, Minnie, and Robert. Kathleen Isabelle Caldbeck Hulke married to Otto Hulke and they had a daughter named Marcella C. Hulke Lorenz. Minnie Elizabeth Caldbeck Calhoun married Edgar Woodruff Calhoun on July 6, 1910. Their children include Loilla Margaret Calhoun Ferguson who married Thomas Crawford Ferguson and Robert Edgar Calhoun who married Dorthy Rae Price in 1939. Robert Emmett Caldbeck married Pearl Ethel Caldbeck.<\/p>
William and Ann (Swatman) Stevens\u2019 next child is Eliza. She married Joseph Lester, the son of Joseph and Emma Lester, on October 9, 1878 in Amherstburg. The children include Ada, Charles, Frances, William, Rosey, Annie, John, Jessie, and Joseph. Ada married George Watson Aphery, the son of George Aphery and Catherine Luckingham, on February 19, 1902 in Amherstburg. Charles was born on July 22, 1881 and according to his death announcement from The Windsor Daily Star<\/em> on January 22, 1959, \u201cLESTER \u2013 Charles, 76 years, Jan. 22, 1959, at his residence, 107 Seymour St., Amherstburg. Husband of the late Honor Lester. Dear father of Mrs. Ernest Cadarette (Alice), Amherstburg; Kenneth, St. Thomas. Dear brother of John, William and Joseph Lester. Colchester North; 5 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren. Resting at the James. H. Sutton Funeral Home, Sandwich and Gore Sts., Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Charles\u2019 sister Frances was born on September 2, 1887 in Amherstburg. She later married William Couch, the son of John Couch and Mary Aikens, on March 19, 1913. Frances\u2019 brother William was born on March 23, 1890 in Amherstburg. I also found a second birth record for William B. Lester for May 22, 1892 in Kingsville. Both records list him as the son Joseph Lester and Eliza Stevens. William\u2019s sister Rosey was born on May 26, 1893 in Colchester North, while her sister Annie was born on May 3, 1896, also in Colchester North. Their brother, John Kent Lester, was born on January 28, 1898. His death announcement from The Windsor Star<\/em> from February 26, 1979, states \u201c\u2013 LESTER \u2013 John K., 81 years, February 23, 1979, at I.O.D.E. Hospital, late of 110 Albert St., Essex. Dear son of the late Joseph Lester (1947). Dear brother of the late Charles, Joseph, William, Mrs. George Ciphery, Mrs. William Couch and Mrs. George Woods. Resting at the Stewart L. Kennedy Funeral Home.\u201d<\/p>
John\u2019s sister Jessie is next. She married twice. First to Frank Piper, the son of Frank Piper and Sarah Davis, on August 31, 1904 in Gesto (Essex County) and then to George Woods, son of Charles Woods and Sarah Wilson. They married on May 20, 1915 in Windsor. In this document Jessie is referred to as Jessamine. Jessie passed away on January 12, 1931 in Windsor. According to her death announcement which was printed in The<\/em> Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on January 16, 1931, \u201cWOOD \u2013 In Hotel Dieu, Monday, January 12th<\/sup>, 1931, Mrs. George Wood, of Gosfield North, aged 47 years. She was taken to the hospital that same day at one o\u2019clock, for an operation, and passed away at seven o\u2019clock that evening. She was a daughter of Joseph Lester, of Colchester North, and is survived by her husband and one son.\u201d<\/p>
Jessie\u2019s brother Joseph David Lester is the last child of Joseph Lester and Eliza Stevens. He married Lillian Russell Sherrill, the daughter of William Sherrill and Alice Raymond, on April 5, 1915. Joseph\u2019s passing was reported in The Windsor Star<\/em> on November 19, 1966 and said \u201cLESTER \u2013 Joseph David, 81 years, Nov. 17. Late residence 9th<\/sup> Concession, Colchester North. Beloved husband of Lillian. Dear father of Abraham, John and Gordon, Colchester North; Donald, at home; Joseph and Robert of Essex. Brother of John, Colchester North; 14 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren \u2026 Interment Rosehill Cemetery, Amherstburg.\u201d An obituary was also printed in The Windsor Star<\/em> which said \u201cLESTER \u2013 Joseph David, 81, of Concession 9, Colchester North Township, died at home Thursday. Mr. Lester was born in Amherstburg and lived in Colchester North all his life. He was a retired farmer. Surviving are his wife, Lillian (nee Sherrill); sons, Donald, at home, Joseph and Robert, both of Essex, Abraham, John and Joseph, all of Colchester North; a brother, John of Colchester North.\u201d<\/p>
According to her death record, Eliza Stevens Lester passed away on July 27, 1919 in Colchester North. Her obituary from the August 8, 1919 edition of the Amherstburg Echo<\/em> states \u201cThe death of Mrs. Joseph Lester occurred at the family home on the Blight farm near Gesto on Sunday last. Deceased had been in poor health for two years past from Addison\u2019s disease, and had been in a serious condition for two weeks past, so that her death was not unexpected. Deceased was in her 63rd<\/sup> year, and was born in Amherstburg, her maiden name being Eliza Stevens. She was married about 40 years ago to Mr. Lester, and they resided in this township for about 30 years. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon with services at the family home conducted by Rev. Joseph James, and interment in North Ridge cemetery. The pallbearers were: Jos. Calhoun, Jos. Huggins, Harvey Fick, Thos. Bullock, M. Wagner. Deceased is survived by her husband and three sons, Joseph, William, and Charles, and three daughters, Mrs. George Wood of Gosfield North; Mrs. Wm. Church, of Colchester North, and Mrs. G.W. Ciphery, of Kearney, Ont.\u201d I could not find an obituary for Eliza\u2019s husband Joseph, but the Death Announcement for their son John Kent Lester reveals that Joseph passed away in 1947.<\/p>
The last child of William Stevens and Ann Swatman is William. He married Rachel Collison, the daughter of George and Emma Collison, on August 25, 1884 in Amherstburg. The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>printed an announcement about their wedding on August 29, 1884 which said \u201cSTEPHENS \u2013 COLLISON \u2013 On Monday, August 25th<\/sup>, at the Rectory, by the Rev. Alex. S. Falls, A.B., Mr. William B. Stephens, to Miss Rachael Collison, all of Amherstburg.\u201d Based on the 1901 Census record, William and Rachel had the following children: Emelia E., Miles W., Felix B., Edward E., Kate V., and Henry J.\u201d The marriage record for Hester Amelia Stevens, says that she married Reginald Charles G. Williams, the son of William Williams and Lucy Watt, on November 11, 1904. She married a second time. The marriage record for Esther Amelia Williams says she married Thomas Arthur Lambert, the son of George Lambert and Agnes Cameron, on July 10, 1919 in Windsor.<\/p>
Esther\/Hester Ameila\u2019s brother Felix Benson Stevens was born on October 15, 1893 in Amherstburg, while Felix\u2019s brother Edward Earle Stevens was born on February 7, 1896. Edward later married Gladys May Nohl (possibly Nall) the daughter of Alex. Nohl and Emma Vroman, on April 29, 1921 in Montrose, Michigan. Edward\u2019s sister Kate Viola Stevens was born on May 14, 1898 in Amherstburg.<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week for part 2.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>The Stephens Family History Part 2 \u2013 Councillor with Honour<\/strong><\/p>
Now that I have discussed William and his line, I will move on to discuss the next child of Major Stevens and Mary Harris, Ezekiel. He married Catherine Brown, the daughter of Nelson Brown and Ellen Lewis. Their children include Annie, Lincoln and Malachi. As mentioned, Ezekiel is the inspiration for writing this family history because he was mentioned in an editorial written by John Gant who wrote that Ezekiel Stephens was a councillor. Although it appears that Ezekiel was active in the community, I could not find many references to his work in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em>.<\/p>
I was able to find a death record and obituary for both Ezekiel and Catherine. Ezekiel passed away on June 5, 1919 in Amherstburg. His death record states that he was born on August 10, 1841 in Amherstburg, worked as a farmer and labourer, and passed at the age of 68. His obituary was printed in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on June 11, 1909 and reported \u201cEzekiel Stevens, whose illness was noted in these columns last week, passed to the Great Beyond, Saturday last, at the residence, Murray and Seymore streets. Monday afternoon funeral services were held at the First Baptist church by the pastor, Rev. T. Jesse Henderson, assisted by Rev. Joseph Hulbert. The pastor\u2019s impressive exposition of Divine truth taken from Job 14:14, \u2018If a man die, shall he live again,\u2019 was listened to by an audience which completely filled the sacred edifice, and the service was enriched by the rendition of a solo, \u2018Face to face,\u2019 by Mrs. James Kirtley. Large numbers of friends joined the mourning relatives paying respect to one who in life had been a well-known figure in this town. The remains were taken to Rose Hill cemetery and laid away, under Masonic auspices, deceased having been a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 8, F. & A.M. The pallbearers were Albert Chambers and Evans, of North American Lodge No. 1, Windsor; Wm. Johnson, of North Star Lodge, No. 7, Colchester North; L. Jones, D. Holbert and John S. Brown, of Lincoln Lodge No. 8, Amherstburg. Mr. Stevens was born in Amherstburg, and was a son of the late Major Stevens. Of the family Sarah is Mrs. James Underwood; LeAnna died in Detroit; Mary is deceased, and Martha is Mrs. Harris of Chicago. The subject of this sketch was married to Catherine Brown, daughter of the late Nelson Brown, and they had a family of three \u2013 Lincoln, who died in 1905; Malachi, of Buffalo, and Annie, Mrs. John Foster. Besides these there are four grandchildren, children of John Foster. Mr. Stevens was a citizen of Amherstburg all his life and took an active part in affairs calculated to advance the town\u2019s best interests. He was elected Public school trustee several terms, was councillor in 1888-89 and \u201992 and fraternally was associated with Lincoln Lodge No. 8 F.&A.M., serving as treasurer several terms. His life was an object lesson to his fellowman in kindness, generosity and willingness to assist those about him. His advancement at the hands of the electors showed that neither creed nor color is considered above ability to serve in a public capacity. Among his own race he was a leader and his death removed one upon whom they placed great reliance.\u201d<\/p>
Just a few years later, on February 7, 1911, Ezekiel\u2019s wife Catherine Brown Stevens passed away in Amherstburg at the age of 64. Her death record reveals that she was born on May 5, 1847 and was the daughter of Nelson Brown and Ellen Lewis. Catherine\u2019s obituary appeared in The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>a few days later on February 10th<\/sup> and says \u201cMrs. Catherine Stephens passed away Tuesday afternoon at her home on Seymore street. She had been poorly for some time and was subject to weak spells. While carrying in an armful of wood one day recently, she was seized with one and falling injured herself and this hastened the end. Mrs. Stephens\u2019 maiden name was Catherine Brown, a daughter of the late Nelson Brown, who at one time lived in the house adjoining the Desjardins place, Seymore Street. Her marriage to Ezekiel Stephens resulted to a family of three Malachai, of Buffalo, Lincoln, who is dead, and Mrs. John Foster, King Street. Mr. Stephens died two years ago and since that time the widow kept her grandson Theodore Foster with her for company. The funeral will be held this (Friday) afternoon to the First Baptist Church for service with interment in Rose Hill Cemetery.\u201d<\/p>
As mentioned, Ezekiel and Catherine\u2019s children include Annie, Lincoln, and Malachi. Annie Elizabeth Stevens was born, according to her death record, on April 30, 1866 in Amherstburg. She married John Arthur Foster (a marine chef) on January 17, 1882 in Detroit. John was the son of Levi Foster and Lucy Harris (see Foster family history https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/foster-family\/<\/a> ). John and Annie had several children including Theodore, Annie, John, Ella, Elenore, and Bessie. Theodore S. Foster was born on June 17, 1883 in Amherstburg and became a marine chef. According to his obituary from the March 11, 1927 issue of The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> \u201cTheodore (Couch) Foster, son of the late John Foster, died at the family home, corner Murray and King streets on Saturday about noon. He had been in failing health for some time from tuberculosis. Funeral services were conducted at the home Monday afternoon at 2 o\u2019clock and burial was in Rose Hill cemetery. Mr. Foster was born in Amherstburg June 17th<\/sup>, 1883. He attended the Public schools and early took to the lakes, becoming a very well-known marine chef in charge of some very important boats. Of late years, owing to uncertain health, he was able only to take positions on boats running out of Amherstburg. His parents have been dead for some years, but he is survived by sisters -Ella, Mrs. A.M. Bell, of Windsor; Annie, Mrs. Joseph Paulson, of Winnipeg; Bessie, Mrs. W. Maier, and brother John of Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Theodore\u2019s sister Annie was born on September 16, 1887 and later married Joseph Paulson and they lived in Winnipeg. Annie\u2019s brother John, according to his marriage record, married Marjorie Katherine Laura Alexander, the daughter of John Henry Alexander and Annie Louise Crawford, on February 7, 1921 in Walkerville (now part of Windsor). Marjorie Katherine Laura Alexander was born on August 10, 1896. John and Marjorie\u2019s marriage record also states that John worked as a decorator and Marjorie was a stenographer. They had at least two children, John (married Sarnia Jones) and Patricia.\u00a0 According to the site Find A Grave<\/em> Marjorie passed away on January 23, 1984 in Sarnia, but I was not able to find her obituary. I did find the obituary for Marjorie\u2019s husband in The Windsor Star<\/em> on March 21, 1958 which says \u201cEx-Lake Ship Sailor, J.A. Foster Dies \u2013 A lifelong resident of Amherstburg district John Arthur Foster, 66 of 209 Alma St., died Thursday in Essex County Sanitorium following a long illness. He was a former wheelsman on great lakes ship and also a decorator and painter in Amherstburg and Windsor. Surviving are his widow, Marjorie (nee Alexander); a son John A. with the Canadian Army at Sarnia; a daughter Patricia Anne, Sarnia; two sisters, Mrs. Ella F. Bell, Mrs. William Zimmer (Bessie), both of Detroit and two grandchildren. The body will be at the James H. Sutton Funeral Home, Sandwich and Gore Sts., Amherstburg, Saturday. Further arrangements are incomplete.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>
John\u2019s sister Ella married Alfred Bell, the son of Jemima Shirk and Montgomery Bell. Alfred and Ella had two sons named Robert and Floyd. Ella\u2019s obituary appeared in The Windsor Star<\/em> on September 19, 1962 and says \u201cMrs. Alfred Bell \u2013 Mrs. Ella Bell, 66, of 1062 Goyeau St., died today in Hotel Dieu after a short illness. Mrs. Bell was born in Amherstburg and had lived in Windsor for many years, formerly living in Detroit. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Her husband, who was a sailor, died in 1933. Surviving are a son, Robert, of Windsor and a sister, Mrs. Bessie Zimmer of Detroit. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the James H. Sutton Funeral Home, 937 Ouellette Ave. Rev. Mack Brown officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Ella\u2019s husband Alfred Montgomery Bell passed away a few decades before on December 28, 1933 in Windsor. His obituary appeared in The Windsor Star <\/em>on January 5, 1934 and says \u201cALFRED M. BELL \u2013 Following a two month illness the death occurred of Alfred M. Bell, of Windsor, at his home at 812 Mercer Avenue, Windsor, on Thursday morning, December 28th<\/sup>. Deceased was the brother-in-law of John Foster, George Street, Amherstburg. His wife formerly Ella Foster, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Foster, lived here until her marriage to the deceased in 1905. One child, Robert, survives him. Deceased was 62 years of age and was for many years a cook with the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. He was born in Detroit. The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon from his late residence to Rose Hill cemetery, Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Ella\u2019s sister, Elenore Foster, was born on September 20, 1885 in Amherstburg, while Bessie Eileen Foster was born on September 30, 1897. Bessie married Willard Maier, who passed away in 1933, and had at least three children named Zeke, Dwight and Betty. Bessie married a second time to William Zimmer and they lived in Detroit. It should also be added that in the 1920s, Bessie was appointed an \u201cindustrial nurse in the town for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.\u201d Bessie passed away on March 26, 1971 in Detroit and her death record says she was born September 30, 1987.<\/p>
Returning to Annie Stevens and John Foster, I was able to find each of their obituaries. John passed away on April 29, 1911 and his obituary from The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> which appeared on May 5, 1911, states \u201cFoster \u2013 At the Marine hospital, Detroit, Mich., Saturday, April 29th<\/sup>, John Arthur Foster, son of the late Levi Foster, of Amherstburg, aged 48 years. Deceased was born in Amherstburg, being a son of the late Levi and Lucy Foster. He was one of a family of nine, three of whom survive \u2013 Mrs. Louise F. Jacobs, Levi and Thomas Foster all living in the States. He was married to Miss Annie Stephens, daughter of the late Ezekiel Stephens and to them were born six children, five of whom are living \u2013 Theodore and Bessie, at home; Ella, Mrs. A.M. Bell, of Windsor; Annie, Mrs. H. Bludsoe?, of Winnipeg, Man., and John, of Chicago. Mr. Foster was a steward on the great lakes which occupation he followed until a year ago last December when he came home after laying up his boat, the steamer City of Paris, and was taken to his bed. After a time he was taken to the Marine Hospital in Detroit, and remained there until the end came, which was within one day of 13 months. The remains were brought to Amherstburg by special car, Saturday evening and the funeral took place, Monday afternoon to the First Baptist church, where services were conducted by Rev. A.W. Hackley, assisted by Rev. J. Hulbert, and interment was in Rose Hill cemetery, the pall bearers being \u2013 Walter Anderson, David Hulbert, W.H. Bush, James Monroe, John R. Brown and Henry Banks. Quite a number of relatives and friends from Detroit and Windsor attended the funeral.\u201d<\/p>
Annie Stevens Foster passed away over a decade later, on July 21, 1923 in Amherstburg. Her obituary from The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> which appeared on July 27, 1923 shares that \u201cThe very sudden death of Mrs. John Foster, one of the town\u2019s best known colored women, Saturday night, at the door of her daughter\u2019s residence on Seymore street, was a great shock to the town, of which she was a native, and highly respected, hardworking and thrifty citizen. The manner of her death was totally unexpected. She had spent a short time with her daughter, Mrs. Mayer, who lives across the street from her, and was just going out the door to return to her own home when she collapsed on Mrs. Mayer\u2019s steps and expired before her horror-stricken family could remove her. Heart failure was the cause of death. Mrs. Foster\u2019s maiden name was Annie Stevens. She was a daughter and the last of the family of the late Ezekiel Stevens, a prominent and highly influential citizen of Amherstburg in his day. She had two brothers, Lincoln and Malachi, both of whom predeceased her. She was married about forty years ago to John Foster a lake cook. He died ten years ago, leaving her with a family of five \u2013 Ella, Mrs. A.M. Bell, of Windsor; Theodore, who lives at home; Annie, married in Winnipeg; John and Bessie, Mrs. Mayer, of Amherstburg. Mrs. Foster was the soul of honor and the acme of industry. Following her husband\u2019s death she engaged to do the work of many families in Amherstburg, and by her thrift and economy improved her home so that it is one of the neatest, most comfortable and attractive in that part of the town. She acquired considerable means and other property. Of late years, she gave up a good deal of her work, but retained the janitorship of the Bell Telephone office and the Imperial Bank. She performed these duties as usual Saturday and returning home, looked well to her own house as befitted a good housewife, not complaining either of being unduly weary or of any illness. The sudden cutting off of her life has caused widespread sorrow.\u201d<\/p>
Annie\u2019s brother Lincoln is the next child of Ezekiel Stevens and Catherine Brown. He is listed in the 1891 Census under the same household as his parents Ezekiel and Catherine. Next to his name it says \u201cM\u201d meaning he was married, but his wife is not listed. The same occurs in his obituary which states that he was married, but again does not list his wife\u2019s name. His obituary from October 13, 1905 in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> says \u201cThe death occurred at the marine hospital, Detroit, Sunday evening, of Lincoln, son of Ezekiel Stevens of this town while sailing on the Str. Phillip Minch, he was taken seriously ill with typhoid fever, but was not removed until Saturday when passing Detroit. His condition by that time was such that physicians could do nothing for him. He was born in this town 37 years ago, and after reaching young manhood took to the lakes as many other young men from this town do. He was married some years ago. Besides his parents he leaves a sister Mrs. John Foster, of this town and a brother Malachi, Buffalo. The body was brought home on Monday evening and the funeral was held Wednesday afternoon, services being conducted at the First Baptist church by Rev. D.S. Slaughter assisted by Rev. D.M. Lewis. The remains were interred in Rose Hill cemetery. A large cortege followed them to their last resting place.\u201d<\/p>
Lincoln\u2019s brother Malachi also worked on a steamship. On December 29, 1893, The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> mentions \u201cMalachi Stevens, of the steamship H.D. Coitinberry?, arrived home on Thursday of last week.\u201d Malachi passed away on March 7, 1915 in Cleveland, Ohio. His date of birth is recorded as February 15, 1874 and he is also listed as single. His obituary which appeared in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on March 12, 1915 shares more details. It says \u201cThe body of Malachi Stephens, youngest son of the late Ezekiel Stephens, was brought to Amherstburg Monday from Cleveland, where he died Sunday in the Marine hospital. He was a marine cook, but through failing health gave up his position on a lake boat last year to receive treatment. Four weeks ago he entered the Marine hospital, where he sank rapidly. The funeral took place Wednesday afternoon, services being conducted at the residence of Mrs. John Foster and interment followed in Rose Hill cemetery. Mr. Stephens was born in Amherstburg 41 years ago, and spent most of his life on the lakes. Mrs. Foster is the only one of the Stephens family left.\u201d<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week for part 3.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong>The Stephens Family History Part 3 \u2013 Family Connections<\/strong><\/p>
Now that I have discussed William and Ezekiel Stevens and their family members, I will move on to discuss their brother Joseph. He married Mary McCurdy, the daughter of Nasa McCurdy and Parmelia Baylis. Their children included Joseph, James, Mary, and Annie. The 1871 Census lists Joseph and Mary with Joseph, James and Mary, but the 1881 Census lists Mary and her children (James, Mary and Annie) living with Mary\u2019s parents Nasa and Parmelia McCurdy. Mary is listed as a dressmaker and married, but her husband Joseph is not listed. Sadly, a few years after the 1881 Census Joseph passed away on December 22, 1886 in Amherstburg. A very brief obituary appeared in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on December 24th<\/sup> saying \u201cJoseph Stevens who has been confined to his bed for some time through consumption, died, Wednesday. The funeral will take place today (Friday) from the late residence, King street.\u201d<\/p>
Following Joseph Stevens\u2019 passing, Mary married a second time to Isaiah McKenny (sometimes spelt McKinney). The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>reported their union on November 10, 1893, writing \u201cMcKinney-Stevens \u2013 At the residence of the officiating clergyman, Amherstburg, by Rev. J.A. Holt on Wednesday, November 8th<\/sup>, Mr. Isaiah McKenny, to Mrs. Mary Stevens, both of Amherstburg.\u201d Isaiah and Mary are mentioned again in The Echo<\/em> several years later on March 12, 1912. The article talks about a birthday party, reporting \u201cAnswering a timid knock on the door Wednesday evening after eight o\u2019clock, Isaiah McKenny, of Simcoe street, was confronted by a number of friends, who had come as a surprise to Mrs. McKenny on their anniversary of her birthday. After an address read by Mrs. James Kirtley, a shower of cards and presentation of gifts by Mrs. Clarence Smith, the entire party sat down to a well filled table of delicates. Toasts, recitations and games followed, and after a few short pleasant hours they left for their homes, each feeling a joy in visit, and leaving Mr. McKenny the uncrowned king of the checkboard.\u201d<\/p>
Sadly, just a few years later The Essex Free Press <\/em>reported Mary\u2019s passing. Her obituary says \u201cMrs. L. McKenney \u2013 Mrs. Isaiah McKenney, an old resident of Amherstburg, died on Tuesday of last week, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Dan Thomas, Conneaut, Ohio, where she had gone a month ago to be with Mr. McKenney to [avoid] the winter. The remains were brought to Amherstburg, and the funeral took place Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. McKenney\u2019s maiden name was Mary McCurdy, and she was born at Union Town, Pennsylvania, 69 years ago. She came to Amherstburg when a young girl, and was first married there to Joseph Stephens, and to them the following family were born: Joseph, of Cleveland; Mrs. Mary Munroe, of Ashtabula; James, of Chicago, and Annie, Mrs. Dan Thomas, of Conneaut. Mr. Stephens died over a quarter century ago, and she was afterwards married to Mr. McKenney. Their union was childless. She is also survived by a brother, Geo. McCurdy, of Conneaut, and a sister, Mrs. James Turner, of New Canaan. Mr. and Mrs. McKenny usually spent the winter in Conneaut, and went there just a month ago Tuesday.\u201d<\/p>
Just a few years later, Isaiah was reunited with Mary when he passed away on October 31, 1918. The Border Cities Star<\/em> reported \u201cIsiah M\u2019Kenny, Amherstburg is Laid to Rest \u2013 Was One of Oldest and Most Respected of Residents \u2013 Amherstburg, Nov. 5. \u2013 In the death of Isaiah McKenny Amherstburg lost one of its oldest and most respected colored residents. Mr. McKenny had been in poor health for some time. Three years ago while visiting in Conneaut, Ohio, Mrs. McKenny was stricken, and since then Mr. McKenny has made his home at short intervals in Conneaut, but always retained his Amherstburg residence, corner Brock and Simcoe streets. He was an ardent supporter of the B.M.E. church. In politics he was a Liberal and an influential worker. He lived retired for the past few years, but prior to his retirement was a steamboat steward. He farmed in Colchester North for some time. The funeral which was to have been held from the B.M.E. church on Sunday afternoon, was through order of the M.H.O. held from the house, which was owing to his large circle of friends too small. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.\u201d<\/p>
As mentioned, Mary McCurdy and Joseph Stevens had several children including Joseph, James, Mary, and Annie. Joseph N. Stevens (a cook) married Theresa Nall, the daughter of Ellen Foster and Alfred Nall, circa 1890. Theresa was born on January 29, 1868 in Amherstburg. The 1900 Cuyahoga, Ohio census lists three of Joseph and Theresa\u2019s children: May, Ellen\/Ella and Chestor. The 1920 Ohio Census includes an addition to the family. Among those living with Joseph, Theresa and Ella is Ella\u2019s husband Roscoe Brown, all under the same roof.\u00a0 Roscoe, a steward on a steamship, was born in Atlanta, Georgia in roughly 1891 to William Brown and Amelia Williams, and he married Ella on September 23, 1915 in Portage, Ohio. An additional piece of information about Ella. I was able to find a birth record for Maud Ellen Stevens, who was born on November 11, 1892 in Amherstburg. This may be Ella\u2019s birth record, as her name appears differently in separate documents listing her as Ellen, Ella, and Etta. I also found a death record for Etta (should say Ella) Brown who died on January 13, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio.<\/p>
Ella\u2019s sister May married Paul H. Berry, son of George Berry and Lucinda Powell, on May 15, 1917 in Cuyahogo, Ohio. I could not find information for their brother Chester. Joseph Stevens, father of Ella, May and Chester, passed away on May 31, 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio. His death record also says that he was born on November 2, 1864 in Amherstburg.<\/p>
Joseph\u2019s brother James, the next child of Joseph and Mary Stevens, married Amanda Hawkins, the daughter of Washington Hawkins and Eva Thompson (see Hawkins Family history\u00a0 https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/hawkins-family\/<\/a> ), on August 24, 1898 in Detroit. I was only able to find information for one of their children, a marriage record for their son William Alonzo Stevens who married Marion Nowak, the daughter of Martin Nowak and Rose Urbanski, on November 27, 1918 in Windsor. At the time, William was a salesman and Marion was a checker.<\/p>
James\u2019 sister Mary (also listed as Mayme), married William Monroe who was born on July 25, 1859 in Amherstburg and was the son of William Monroe and Rosena Turner. I found a death record for Mayme Elizabeth Monroe which states that she passed away on July 6, 1936 in Ashtabula, Ohio. It also says that she was born on May 17, 1869 in Amherstburg and was widowed. Her husband William passed away on August 9, 1934, also in Ashtabula, Ohio. The 1910 Ashtabula Census records William and Mary along with their children Lillie and Wilbur. I found the marriage records for both children. Wilbur S. Monroe married Rachel L. Andrews, daughter of James L. Lyons and Harriet Baptist, on November 12, 1950 in Ashtabula, Ohio. Lillian Rosena Monroe married Charles Herbert Greene, the son of Thos. E. Green and Elizabeth Thornton, on June 27, 1911 in Ohio. According to their marriage record, Lillian was born on July 25, 1888 in Amherstburg, while Charles was born on July 1, 1877 in Boston.<\/p>
The last child of Joseph Stevens and Mary McCurdy is Annie Permelia Stevens. She married Daniel Wallace Thomas, the son of George and Maria Thomas, on December 27, 1893 in Amherstburg. The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> reported their union on December 29, 1893, writing \u201cOn Wednesday evening Rev. L. Pierce united in marriage Daniel Thomas and Miss Annie Stevens. The ceremony took place at the residence of the bride\u2019s step father, Isaiah McKenny, on Simcoe street, in the presence of about 20 of the immediate relatives of the couple. George Thomas acted as groomsman and Miss Ada Christian was bridesmaid. After the nuptial knot was tied, all sat down to a wedding supper, after which the young couple were driven to the residence on Sandwich street which the groom had rented. THE ECHO joins their many friends in extending congratulations.\u201d<\/p>
According to the 1910 Census they had three children: Viola (or Viva), Granville and Burrel\/Burl. Graville was born on December 6, 1895, while Viola (or Viva) was born the year before on December 27, 1894, and later was a housewife and married Edwin Gray Cowan. Daniel and Anna\u2019s third child, Burrel (Burl) Buckner Thomas, was born on January 18, 1898 and later married Helen L. Divelle, who was born in South Carolina and the daughter of George Divelle and a mother with the last name Cummings. They married on June 27, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan. By 1920, the census for Ashtabula, Ohio, states that Daniel was no longer a mariner, but now a machinist in a factory. It also lists Granville and Burl still living at home at this point (before their marriages) and the census lists Granville working as an \u201coiler\u201d at a steel mill, while Burl worked as a chauffeur for a private family.\u201d Sadly Annie Stevens Thomas passed away on June 15, 1939 in Cleveland. I could not find an obituary for her.<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week for part 4.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>The Stephens Family History Part 4 \u2013 US Connections<\/strong><\/p>
So far, I have discussed three children of Major Stevens and Mary Harris (William, Ezekiel, and Joseph), but I was also able to find information for Sarah and Martha. Sarah married James Underwood. I located Sarah and James W. Underwood and their daughter Ella in the 1880 Census for Menasha, Wisconsin which lists Sarah as a laundress and James as a Barber. I was unable to find the marriage record for Sarah and James, but I found their daughter Ella\u2019s marriage record. L. Luella Underwood married George W. Brady, the son of M.C. Brady and Frances Steton, on October 2, 1890 in Adrian, Michigan. I was also able to find a marriage record for Ella\u2019s brothers Jerold, and Joseph Douglass. Jerrold married Emma Louisa Hook, the daughter of Arnold Hook and Matilda J. Mergen, on June 10, 1897 in Appleton, Wisconsin. Jerrold\u2019s brother Jos. Douglas Underwood, married Ida Glenn Wilson, the daughter of Robert Wilson and Anne Glenn, on April 19, 1888. I also found two marriage records for Joseph B. Underwood. This may be the same person as Jos. Douglass, but I could not confirm. Joseph B. married Eliza Bell, the daughter of Randell Woods and Sally Young, on April 12, 1900 in Des Moines, Iowa. Joseph B. married a second time to Jessie B. Slater, the daughter of James M. Buckner and Mary F. Shelton, on May 1, 1907 in Jennings, Indiana. This record shares several more details stating that Joseph was born on September 23, 1860 in Dexter, Michigan and worked as a \u201cMinister of the Gospel.\u201d Jessie is listed as working as a Hairdresser. This document also shares another important detail that confirms we have the correct family. It states that Joseph\u2019s father James Willis Underwood was born in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio and was a barber, but that his mother Sarah Jane was born in \u2018ersburg, Ontario.\u201d Although the placename is incomplete, it is more than likely that this is meant to say \u2018Amherstburg, Ontario.\u201d This record also shares that Joseph and Jessie were both previously married. Joseph\u2019s first wife died April 12, 1901 and Jessie\u2019s first husband passed away on July 4, 1891. Their spouses\u2019 names are not listed.<\/p>
Now it is time to move on to discuss the last child of Major Stevens and Mary Harris, Martha. According to her brother Ezekiel\u2019s obituary, Martha married a Mr. Harris of Chicago. With a little more research, I was able to locate Martha and Hugh P. Harris in the 1880 Census for Adrian, Michigan. It also lists their daughter Jessie with their grandson Harris K. Kelley. I also found Martha Harris\u2019 death record which states that she passed away on March 15, 1930 in Chicago. It also states that she was born in Amherstburg, married to Hugh P. Harris, was widowed and her mother\u2019s name was May (Mary) Stevens. I also found the death record for Martha\u2019s daughter Jessie which records that she passed away on April 19, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 76. This record also states that Jessie was born on September 2, 1867 in Adrian, Michigan.<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week where we will celebrate another amazing family.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tAttachments<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest houses in Amherstburg<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 2 \u2013 Councillor with Honour<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 3 \u2013 Family Connections<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 4 \u2013 US Connections<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReturn to Family Histories<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Family Histories AMHERSTBURG FREEEDOM MUSEUM Stephens Family \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":""},"class_list":["post-11577","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"ticketed":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11577"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11700,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577\/revisions\/11700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Stephens Family<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest houses in Amherstburg<\/strong><\/p>
In last month\u2019s family history about the Gant family, an editorial written by John Gant mentions an Amherstburg resident named Ezekiel Stevens, saying \u201cNow as for the municipal honors that have been conferred on my colored brethren here: Ezekiel Stevens served as councillor with honor attached to his record.\u201d This is what inspired me to write about the Stevens (sometimes spelt Stephens) family. Ezekiel Stevens was the son of Major Stevens and Mary Harris. The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>printed a brief article on June 27, 1973 that looked into the past and mentions Major Stevens. It says \u201cOne of the oldest houses in Amherstburg, the old Conway house on King Street was torn down Monday. This house was built of oak logs held together by wooden pegs. Its date is 1840 and according to early records was build by Major Stephens grandfather of the John A. Foster family. About 75 years ago, George and Pearl Conway bought it from the Stephens estate and their 13 children were born there.\u201d The only other information I could find for Major and Mary (Harris) Stevens was in the 1861 Census which lists Major Stephens and wife Mary, along with two of their sons Ezekiel and Joseph. The census also records that Major worked as a labourer. Major and Mary had several children including William, Ezekiel, Joseph, Sarah, LeAnna, Mary and Martha. I was unable to find any information for Mary or LeAnna, except that LeAnna died in Detroit according to Ezekiel\u2019s obituary.<\/p>
Although there was not any information for LeAnna and Mary, I was about to find information for William, Ezekiel, Joseph, Sarah and Martha. Let\u2019s start with William. He married Ann Swatman. Their children were Fannie, Eliza, William, George, and Mary Kate. Sadly, George died in infancy and Mary Kate passed away at age 15. Based on the Census records, it appears that Mary Kate passed away between 1871 and 1881 because she appears in the former, but not the latter. Before discussing their other children, I will share a few more details about William and Ann. According to his death record, William passed away on February 3, 1886 in Amherstburg. His death record states that he was born circa 1827 in Colchester and worked as a labourer. William\u2019s obituary which was printed in the Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on February 5, 1886, shares more details. It says \u201cAnother Old Resident Gone. Wm. Stephens of this town, died at the family residence, Brock street, Wednesday of this week. Deceased was the eldest son of Major Stephens, and was born in Colchester about the time of the rebellion in \u201937. He was married in Amherstburg in 1851 to Miss Ann Swatman and their family consisted of five children, three sons and two daughters. Three of these, (Mrs. Fannie Caldback of Parker, Dakota, Mrs. Joseph Lester and William, of this town), as well as the widow, survive. Those deceased are George who died in infancy, and Mary Kate when aged 15 years. Ezekiel and Joseph of Amherstburg, and Mrs. Harris, of Adrian, Mich.m brothers and sister of deceased, are still living. Mr. Stephens injured himself while lifting, last June, so that he has been suffering ever since, gradually falling all the time, though he was confined to his bed but eight days. The funeral will take place today (Friday) at 2 p.m. Rev. A.S. Falls, A.B., will conduct the funeral service at the family residence, from where the remains will be conveyed to the Amherstburg cemetery.\u201d<\/p>
I was also able to find Ann Swatman Stephens death notice in the Amherstburg Echo<\/em> from April 26, 1907 which says \u201cSTEPHENS \u2013 In Colchester North, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Lester, Tuesday, April 14th<\/sup>, Mrs. William Stephens, of Amherstburg, aged 67 years.\u201d<\/p>
As mentioned, I was able to find information for three of William and Ann Stevens\u2019 children: Fannie, Eliza, and William. Fannie married Robert Samuel Caldback and lived in South Dakota. According to Find a Grave<\/em>, Robert Samuel Caldback was born in Ireland and their children included Kathleen, Minnie, and Robert. Kathleen Isabelle Caldbeck Hulke married to Otto Hulke and they had a daughter named Marcella C. Hulke Lorenz. Minnie Elizabeth Caldbeck Calhoun married Edgar Woodruff Calhoun on July 6, 1910. Their children include Loilla Margaret Calhoun Ferguson who married Thomas Crawford Ferguson and Robert Edgar Calhoun who married Dorthy Rae Price in 1939. Robert Emmett Caldbeck married Pearl Ethel Caldbeck.<\/p>
William and Ann (Swatman) Stevens\u2019 next child is Eliza. She married Joseph Lester, the son of Joseph and Emma Lester, on October 9, 1878 in Amherstburg. The children include Ada, Charles, Frances, William, Rosey, Annie, John, Jessie, and Joseph. Ada married George Watson Aphery, the son of George Aphery and Catherine Luckingham, on February 19, 1902 in Amherstburg. Charles was born on July 22, 1881 and according to his death announcement from The Windsor Daily Star<\/em> on January 22, 1959, \u201cLESTER \u2013 Charles, 76 years, Jan. 22, 1959, at his residence, 107 Seymour St., Amherstburg. Husband of the late Honor Lester. Dear father of Mrs. Ernest Cadarette (Alice), Amherstburg; Kenneth, St. Thomas. Dear brother of John, William and Joseph Lester. Colchester North; 5 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren. Resting at the James. H. Sutton Funeral Home, Sandwich and Gore Sts., Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Charles\u2019 sister Frances was born on September 2, 1887 in Amherstburg. She later married William Couch, the son of John Couch and Mary Aikens, on March 19, 1913. Frances\u2019 brother William was born on March 23, 1890 in Amherstburg. I also found a second birth record for William B. Lester for May 22, 1892 in Kingsville. Both records list him as the son Joseph Lester and Eliza Stevens. William\u2019s sister Rosey was born on May 26, 1893 in Colchester North, while her sister Annie was born on May 3, 1896, also in Colchester North. Their brother, John Kent Lester, was born on January 28, 1898. His death announcement from The Windsor Star<\/em> from February 26, 1979, states \u201c\u2013 LESTER \u2013 John K., 81 years, February 23, 1979, at I.O.D.E. Hospital, late of 110 Albert St., Essex. Dear son of the late Joseph Lester (1947). Dear brother of the late Charles, Joseph, William, Mrs. George Ciphery, Mrs. William Couch and Mrs. George Woods. Resting at the Stewart L. Kennedy Funeral Home.\u201d<\/p>
John\u2019s sister Jessie is next. She married twice. First to Frank Piper, the son of Frank Piper and Sarah Davis, on August 31, 1904 in Gesto (Essex County) and then to George Woods, son of Charles Woods and Sarah Wilson. They married on May 20, 1915 in Windsor. In this document Jessie is referred to as Jessamine. Jessie passed away on January 12, 1931 in Windsor. According to her death announcement which was printed in The<\/em> Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on January 16, 1931, \u201cWOOD \u2013 In Hotel Dieu, Monday, January 12th<\/sup>, 1931, Mrs. George Wood, of Gosfield North, aged 47 years. She was taken to the hospital that same day at one o\u2019clock, for an operation, and passed away at seven o\u2019clock that evening. She was a daughter of Joseph Lester, of Colchester North, and is survived by her husband and one son.\u201d<\/p>
Jessie\u2019s brother Joseph David Lester is the last child of Joseph Lester and Eliza Stevens. He married Lillian Russell Sherrill, the daughter of William Sherrill and Alice Raymond, on April 5, 1915. Joseph\u2019s passing was reported in The Windsor Star<\/em> on November 19, 1966 and said \u201cLESTER \u2013 Joseph David, 81 years, Nov. 17. Late residence 9th<\/sup> Concession, Colchester North. Beloved husband of Lillian. Dear father of Abraham, John and Gordon, Colchester North; Donald, at home; Joseph and Robert of Essex. Brother of John, Colchester North; 14 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren \u2026 Interment Rosehill Cemetery, Amherstburg.\u201d An obituary was also printed in The Windsor Star<\/em> which said \u201cLESTER \u2013 Joseph David, 81, of Concession 9, Colchester North Township, died at home Thursday. Mr. Lester was born in Amherstburg and lived in Colchester North all his life. He was a retired farmer. Surviving are his wife, Lillian (nee Sherrill); sons, Donald, at home, Joseph and Robert, both of Essex, Abraham, John and Joseph, all of Colchester North; a brother, John of Colchester North.\u201d<\/p>
According to her death record, Eliza Stevens Lester passed away on July 27, 1919 in Colchester North. Her obituary from the August 8, 1919 edition of the Amherstburg Echo<\/em> states \u201cThe death of Mrs. Joseph Lester occurred at the family home on the Blight farm near Gesto on Sunday last. Deceased had been in poor health for two years past from Addison\u2019s disease, and had been in a serious condition for two weeks past, so that her death was not unexpected. Deceased was in her 63rd<\/sup> year, and was born in Amherstburg, her maiden name being Eliza Stevens. She was married about 40 years ago to Mr. Lester, and they resided in this township for about 30 years. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon with services at the family home conducted by Rev. Joseph James, and interment in North Ridge cemetery. The pallbearers were: Jos. Calhoun, Jos. Huggins, Harvey Fick, Thos. Bullock, M. Wagner. Deceased is survived by her husband and three sons, Joseph, William, and Charles, and three daughters, Mrs. George Wood of Gosfield North; Mrs. Wm. Church, of Colchester North, and Mrs. G.W. Ciphery, of Kearney, Ont.\u201d I could not find an obituary for Eliza\u2019s husband Joseph, but the Death Announcement for their son John Kent Lester reveals that Joseph passed away in 1947.<\/p>
The last child of William Stevens and Ann Swatman is William. He married Rachel Collison, the daughter of George and Emma Collison, on August 25, 1884 in Amherstburg. The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>printed an announcement about their wedding on August 29, 1884 which said \u201cSTEPHENS \u2013 COLLISON \u2013 On Monday, August 25th<\/sup>, at the Rectory, by the Rev. Alex. S. Falls, A.B., Mr. William B. Stephens, to Miss Rachael Collison, all of Amherstburg.\u201d Based on the 1901 Census record, William and Rachel had the following children: Emelia E., Miles W., Felix B., Edward E., Kate V., and Henry J.\u201d The marriage record for Hester Amelia Stevens, says that she married Reginald Charles G. Williams, the son of William Williams and Lucy Watt, on November 11, 1904. She married a second time. The marriage record for Esther Amelia Williams says she married Thomas Arthur Lambert, the son of George Lambert and Agnes Cameron, on July 10, 1919 in Windsor.<\/p>
Esther\/Hester Ameila\u2019s brother Felix Benson Stevens was born on October 15, 1893 in Amherstburg, while Felix\u2019s brother Edward Earle Stevens was born on February 7, 1896. Edward later married Gladys May Nohl (possibly Nall) the daughter of Alex. Nohl and Emma Vroman, on April 29, 1921 in Montrose, Michigan. Edward\u2019s sister Kate Viola Stevens was born on May 14, 1898 in Amherstburg.<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week for part 2.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>The Stephens Family History Part 2 \u2013 Councillor with Honour<\/strong><\/p>
Now that I have discussed William and his line, I will move on to discuss the next child of Major Stevens and Mary Harris, Ezekiel. He married Catherine Brown, the daughter of Nelson Brown and Ellen Lewis. Their children include Annie, Lincoln and Malachi. As mentioned, Ezekiel is the inspiration for writing this family history because he was mentioned in an editorial written by John Gant who wrote that Ezekiel Stephens was a councillor. Although it appears that Ezekiel was active in the community, I could not find many references to his work in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em>.<\/p>
I was able to find a death record and obituary for both Ezekiel and Catherine. Ezekiel passed away on June 5, 1919 in Amherstburg. His death record states that he was born on August 10, 1841 in Amherstburg, worked as a farmer and labourer, and passed at the age of 68. His obituary was printed in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on June 11, 1909 and reported \u201cEzekiel Stevens, whose illness was noted in these columns last week, passed to the Great Beyond, Saturday last, at the residence, Murray and Seymore streets. Monday afternoon funeral services were held at the First Baptist church by the pastor, Rev. T. Jesse Henderson, assisted by Rev. Joseph Hulbert. The pastor\u2019s impressive exposition of Divine truth taken from Job 14:14, \u2018If a man die, shall he live again,\u2019 was listened to by an audience which completely filled the sacred edifice, and the service was enriched by the rendition of a solo, \u2018Face to face,\u2019 by Mrs. James Kirtley. Large numbers of friends joined the mourning relatives paying respect to one who in life had been a well-known figure in this town. The remains were taken to Rose Hill cemetery and laid away, under Masonic auspices, deceased having been a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 8, F. & A.M. The pallbearers were Albert Chambers and Evans, of North American Lodge No. 1, Windsor; Wm. Johnson, of North Star Lodge, No. 7, Colchester North; L. Jones, D. Holbert and John S. Brown, of Lincoln Lodge No. 8, Amherstburg. Mr. Stevens was born in Amherstburg, and was a son of the late Major Stevens. Of the family Sarah is Mrs. James Underwood; LeAnna died in Detroit; Mary is deceased, and Martha is Mrs. Harris of Chicago. The subject of this sketch was married to Catherine Brown, daughter of the late Nelson Brown, and they had a family of three \u2013 Lincoln, who died in 1905; Malachi, of Buffalo, and Annie, Mrs. John Foster. Besides these there are four grandchildren, children of John Foster. Mr. Stevens was a citizen of Amherstburg all his life and took an active part in affairs calculated to advance the town\u2019s best interests. He was elected Public school trustee several terms, was councillor in 1888-89 and \u201992 and fraternally was associated with Lincoln Lodge No. 8 F.&A.M., serving as treasurer several terms. His life was an object lesson to his fellowman in kindness, generosity and willingness to assist those about him. His advancement at the hands of the electors showed that neither creed nor color is considered above ability to serve in a public capacity. Among his own race he was a leader and his death removed one upon whom they placed great reliance.\u201d<\/p>
Just a few years later, on February 7, 1911, Ezekiel\u2019s wife Catherine Brown Stevens passed away in Amherstburg at the age of 64. Her death record reveals that she was born on May 5, 1847 and was the daughter of Nelson Brown and Ellen Lewis. Catherine\u2019s obituary appeared in The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>a few days later on February 10th<\/sup> and says \u201cMrs. Catherine Stephens passed away Tuesday afternoon at her home on Seymore street. She had been poorly for some time and was subject to weak spells. While carrying in an armful of wood one day recently, she was seized with one and falling injured herself and this hastened the end. Mrs. Stephens\u2019 maiden name was Catherine Brown, a daughter of the late Nelson Brown, who at one time lived in the house adjoining the Desjardins place, Seymore Street. Her marriage to Ezekiel Stephens resulted to a family of three Malachai, of Buffalo, Lincoln, who is dead, and Mrs. John Foster, King Street. Mr. Stephens died two years ago and since that time the widow kept her grandson Theodore Foster with her for company. The funeral will be held this (Friday) afternoon to the First Baptist Church for service with interment in Rose Hill Cemetery.\u201d<\/p>
As mentioned, Ezekiel and Catherine\u2019s children include Annie, Lincoln, and Malachi. Annie Elizabeth Stevens was born, according to her death record, on April 30, 1866 in Amherstburg. She married John Arthur Foster (a marine chef) on January 17, 1882 in Detroit. John was the son of Levi Foster and Lucy Harris (see Foster family history https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/foster-family\/<\/a> ). John and Annie had several children including Theodore, Annie, John, Ella, Elenore, and Bessie. Theodore S. Foster was born on June 17, 1883 in Amherstburg and became a marine chef. According to his obituary from the March 11, 1927 issue of The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> \u201cTheodore (Couch) Foster, son of the late John Foster, died at the family home, corner Murray and King streets on Saturday about noon. He had been in failing health for some time from tuberculosis. Funeral services were conducted at the home Monday afternoon at 2 o\u2019clock and burial was in Rose Hill cemetery. Mr. Foster was born in Amherstburg June 17th<\/sup>, 1883. He attended the Public schools and early took to the lakes, becoming a very well-known marine chef in charge of some very important boats. Of late years, owing to uncertain health, he was able only to take positions on boats running out of Amherstburg. His parents have been dead for some years, but he is survived by sisters -Ella, Mrs. A.M. Bell, of Windsor; Annie, Mrs. Joseph Paulson, of Winnipeg; Bessie, Mrs. W. Maier, and brother John of Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Theodore\u2019s sister Annie was born on September 16, 1887 and later married Joseph Paulson and they lived in Winnipeg. Annie\u2019s brother John, according to his marriage record, married Marjorie Katherine Laura Alexander, the daughter of John Henry Alexander and Annie Louise Crawford, on February 7, 1921 in Walkerville (now part of Windsor). Marjorie Katherine Laura Alexander was born on August 10, 1896. John and Marjorie\u2019s marriage record also states that John worked as a decorator and Marjorie was a stenographer. They had at least two children, John (married Sarnia Jones) and Patricia.\u00a0 According to the site Find A Grave<\/em> Marjorie passed away on January 23, 1984 in Sarnia, but I was not able to find her obituary. I did find the obituary for Marjorie\u2019s husband in The Windsor Star<\/em> on March 21, 1958 which says \u201cEx-Lake Ship Sailor, J.A. Foster Dies \u2013 A lifelong resident of Amherstburg district John Arthur Foster, 66 of 209 Alma St., died Thursday in Essex County Sanitorium following a long illness. He was a former wheelsman on great lakes ship and also a decorator and painter in Amherstburg and Windsor. Surviving are his widow, Marjorie (nee Alexander); a son John A. with the Canadian Army at Sarnia; a daughter Patricia Anne, Sarnia; two sisters, Mrs. Ella F. Bell, Mrs. William Zimmer (Bessie), both of Detroit and two grandchildren. The body will be at the James H. Sutton Funeral Home, Sandwich and Gore Sts., Amherstburg, Saturday. Further arrangements are incomplete.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>
John\u2019s sister Ella married Alfred Bell, the son of Jemima Shirk and Montgomery Bell. Alfred and Ella had two sons named Robert and Floyd. Ella\u2019s obituary appeared in The Windsor Star<\/em> on September 19, 1962 and says \u201cMrs. Alfred Bell \u2013 Mrs. Ella Bell, 66, of 1062 Goyeau St., died today in Hotel Dieu after a short illness. Mrs. Bell was born in Amherstburg and had lived in Windsor for many years, formerly living in Detroit. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Her husband, who was a sailor, died in 1933. Surviving are a son, Robert, of Windsor and a sister, Mrs. Bessie Zimmer of Detroit. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the James H. Sutton Funeral Home, 937 Ouellette Ave. Rev. Mack Brown officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Ella\u2019s husband Alfred Montgomery Bell passed away a few decades before on December 28, 1933 in Windsor. His obituary appeared in The Windsor Star <\/em>on January 5, 1934 and says \u201cALFRED M. BELL \u2013 Following a two month illness the death occurred of Alfred M. Bell, of Windsor, at his home at 812 Mercer Avenue, Windsor, on Thursday morning, December 28th<\/sup>. Deceased was the brother-in-law of John Foster, George Street, Amherstburg. His wife formerly Ella Foster, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Foster, lived here until her marriage to the deceased in 1905. One child, Robert, survives him. Deceased was 62 years of age and was for many years a cook with the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. He was born in Detroit. The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon from his late residence to Rose Hill cemetery, Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Ella\u2019s sister, Elenore Foster, was born on September 20, 1885 in Amherstburg, while Bessie Eileen Foster was born on September 30, 1897. Bessie married Willard Maier, who passed away in 1933, and had at least three children named Zeke, Dwight and Betty. Bessie married a second time to William Zimmer and they lived in Detroit. It should also be added that in the 1920s, Bessie was appointed an \u201cindustrial nurse in the town for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.\u201d Bessie passed away on March 26, 1971 in Detroit and her death record says she was born September 30, 1987.<\/p>
Returning to Annie Stevens and John Foster, I was able to find each of their obituaries. John passed away on April 29, 1911 and his obituary from The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> which appeared on May 5, 1911, states \u201cFoster \u2013 At the Marine hospital, Detroit, Mich., Saturday, April 29th<\/sup>, John Arthur Foster, son of the late Levi Foster, of Amherstburg, aged 48 years. Deceased was born in Amherstburg, being a son of the late Levi and Lucy Foster. He was one of a family of nine, three of whom survive \u2013 Mrs. Louise F. Jacobs, Levi and Thomas Foster all living in the States. He was married to Miss Annie Stephens, daughter of the late Ezekiel Stephens and to them were born six children, five of whom are living \u2013 Theodore and Bessie, at home; Ella, Mrs. A.M. Bell, of Windsor; Annie, Mrs. H. Bludsoe?, of Winnipeg, Man., and John, of Chicago. Mr. Foster was a steward on the great lakes which occupation he followed until a year ago last December when he came home after laying up his boat, the steamer City of Paris, and was taken to his bed. After a time he was taken to the Marine Hospital in Detroit, and remained there until the end came, which was within one day of 13 months. The remains were brought to Amherstburg by special car, Saturday evening and the funeral took place, Monday afternoon to the First Baptist church, where services were conducted by Rev. A.W. Hackley, assisted by Rev. J. Hulbert, and interment was in Rose Hill cemetery, the pall bearers being \u2013 Walter Anderson, David Hulbert, W.H. Bush, James Monroe, John R. Brown and Henry Banks. Quite a number of relatives and friends from Detroit and Windsor attended the funeral.\u201d<\/p>
Annie Stevens Foster passed away over a decade later, on July 21, 1923 in Amherstburg. Her obituary from The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> which appeared on July 27, 1923 shares that \u201cThe very sudden death of Mrs. John Foster, one of the town\u2019s best known colored women, Saturday night, at the door of her daughter\u2019s residence on Seymore street, was a great shock to the town, of which she was a native, and highly respected, hardworking and thrifty citizen. The manner of her death was totally unexpected. She had spent a short time with her daughter, Mrs. Mayer, who lives across the street from her, and was just going out the door to return to her own home when she collapsed on Mrs. Mayer\u2019s steps and expired before her horror-stricken family could remove her. Heart failure was the cause of death. Mrs. Foster\u2019s maiden name was Annie Stevens. She was a daughter and the last of the family of the late Ezekiel Stevens, a prominent and highly influential citizen of Amherstburg in his day. She had two brothers, Lincoln and Malachi, both of whom predeceased her. She was married about forty years ago to John Foster a lake cook. He died ten years ago, leaving her with a family of five \u2013 Ella, Mrs. A.M. Bell, of Windsor; Theodore, who lives at home; Annie, married in Winnipeg; John and Bessie, Mrs. Mayer, of Amherstburg. Mrs. Foster was the soul of honor and the acme of industry. Following her husband\u2019s death she engaged to do the work of many families in Amherstburg, and by her thrift and economy improved her home so that it is one of the neatest, most comfortable and attractive in that part of the town. She acquired considerable means and other property. Of late years, she gave up a good deal of her work, but retained the janitorship of the Bell Telephone office and the Imperial Bank. She performed these duties as usual Saturday and returning home, looked well to her own house as befitted a good housewife, not complaining either of being unduly weary or of any illness. The sudden cutting off of her life has caused widespread sorrow.\u201d<\/p>
Annie\u2019s brother Lincoln is the next child of Ezekiel Stevens and Catherine Brown. He is listed in the 1891 Census under the same household as his parents Ezekiel and Catherine. Next to his name it says \u201cM\u201d meaning he was married, but his wife is not listed. The same occurs in his obituary which states that he was married, but again does not list his wife\u2019s name. His obituary from October 13, 1905 in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> says \u201cThe death occurred at the marine hospital, Detroit, Sunday evening, of Lincoln, son of Ezekiel Stevens of this town while sailing on the Str. Phillip Minch, he was taken seriously ill with typhoid fever, but was not removed until Saturday when passing Detroit. His condition by that time was such that physicians could do nothing for him. He was born in this town 37 years ago, and after reaching young manhood took to the lakes as many other young men from this town do. He was married some years ago. Besides his parents he leaves a sister Mrs. John Foster, of this town and a brother Malachi, Buffalo. The body was brought home on Monday evening and the funeral was held Wednesday afternoon, services being conducted at the First Baptist church by Rev. D.S. Slaughter assisted by Rev. D.M. Lewis. The remains were interred in Rose Hill cemetery. A large cortege followed them to their last resting place.\u201d<\/p>
Lincoln\u2019s brother Malachi also worked on a steamship. On December 29, 1893, The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> mentions \u201cMalachi Stevens, of the steamship H.D. Coitinberry?, arrived home on Thursday of last week.\u201d Malachi passed away on March 7, 1915 in Cleveland, Ohio. His date of birth is recorded as February 15, 1874 and he is also listed as single. His obituary which appeared in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on March 12, 1915 shares more details. It says \u201cThe body of Malachi Stephens, youngest son of the late Ezekiel Stephens, was brought to Amherstburg Monday from Cleveland, where he died Sunday in the Marine hospital. He was a marine cook, but through failing health gave up his position on a lake boat last year to receive treatment. Four weeks ago he entered the Marine hospital, where he sank rapidly. The funeral took place Wednesday afternoon, services being conducted at the residence of Mrs. John Foster and interment followed in Rose Hill cemetery. Mr. Stephens was born in Amherstburg 41 years ago, and spent most of his life on the lakes. Mrs. Foster is the only one of the Stephens family left.\u201d<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week for part 3.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong>The Stephens Family History Part 3 \u2013 Family Connections<\/strong><\/p>
Now that I have discussed William and Ezekiel Stevens and their family members, I will move on to discuss their brother Joseph. He married Mary McCurdy, the daughter of Nasa McCurdy and Parmelia Baylis. Their children included Joseph, James, Mary, and Annie. The 1871 Census lists Joseph and Mary with Joseph, James and Mary, but the 1881 Census lists Mary and her children (James, Mary and Annie) living with Mary\u2019s parents Nasa and Parmelia McCurdy. Mary is listed as a dressmaker and married, but her husband Joseph is not listed. Sadly, a few years after the 1881 Census Joseph passed away on December 22, 1886 in Amherstburg. A very brief obituary appeared in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on December 24th<\/sup> saying \u201cJoseph Stevens who has been confined to his bed for some time through consumption, died, Wednesday. The funeral will take place today (Friday) from the late residence, King street.\u201d<\/p>
Following Joseph Stevens\u2019 passing, Mary married a second time to Isaiah McKenny (sometimes spelt McKinney). The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>reported their union on November 10, 1893, writing \u201cMcKinney-Stevens \u2013 At the residence of the officiating clergyman, Amherstburg, by Rev. J.A. Holt on Wednesday, November 8th<\/sup>, Mr. Isaiah McKenny, to Mrs. Mary Stevens, both of Amherstburg.\u201d Isaiah and Mary are mentioned again in The Echo<\/em> several years later on March 12, 1912. The article talks about a birthday party, reporting \u201cAnswering a timid knock on the door Wednesday evening after eight o\u2019clock, Isaiah McKenny, of Simcoe street, was confronted by a number of friends, who had come as a surprise to Mrs. McKenny on their anniversary of her birthday. After an address read by Mrs. James Kirtley, a shower of cards and presentation of gifts by Mrs. Clarence Smith, the entire party sat down to a well filled table of delicates. Toasts, recitations and games followed, and after a few short pleasant hours they left for their homes, each feeling a joy in visit, and leaving Mr. McKenny the uncrowned king of the checkboard.\u201d<\/p>
Sadly, just a few years later The Essex Free Press <\/em>reported Mary\u2019s passing. Her obituary says \u201cMrs. L. McKenney \u2013 Mrs. Isaiah McKenney, an old resident of Amherstburg, died on Tuesday of last week, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Dan Thomas, Conneaut, Ohio, where she had gone a month ago to be with Mr. McKenney to [avoid] the winter. The remains were brought to Amherstburg, and the funeral took place Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. McKenney\u2019s maiden name was Mary McCurdy, and she was born at Union Town, Pennsylvania, 69 years ago. She came to Amherstburg when a young girl, and was first married there to Joseph Stephens, and to them the following family were born: Joseph, of Cleveland; Mrs. Mary Munroe, of Ashtabula; James, of Chicago, and Annie, Mrs. Dan Thomas, of Conneaut. Mr. Stephens died over a quarter century ago, and she was afterwards married to Mr. McKenney. Their union was childless. She is also survived by a brother, Geo. McCurdy, of Conneaut, and a sister, Mrs. James Turner, of New Canaan. Mr. and Mrs. McKenny usually spent the winter in Conneaut, and went there just a month ago Tuesday.\u201d<\/p>
Just a few years later, Isaiah was reunited with Mary when he passed away on October 31, 1918. The Border Cities Star<\/em> reported \u201cIsiah M\u2019Kenny, Amherstburg is Laid to Rest \u2013 Was One of Oldest and Most Respected of Residents \u2013 Amherstburg, Nov. 5. \u2013 In the death of Isaiah McKenny Amherstburg lost one of its oldest and most respected colored residents. Mr. McKenny had been in poor health for some time. Three years ago while visiting in Conneaut, Ohio, Mrs. McKenny was stricken, and since then Mr. McKenny has made his home at short intervals in Conneaut, but always retained his Amherstburg residence, corner Brock and Simcoe streets. He was an ardent supporter of the B.M.E. church. In politics he was a Liberal and an influential worker. He lived retired for the past few years, but prior to his retirement was a steamboat steward. He farmed in Colchester North for some time. The funeral which was to have been held from the B.M.E. church on Sunday afternoon, was through order of the M.H.O. held from the house, which was owing to his large circle of friends too small. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.\u201d<\/p>
As mentioned, Mary McCurdy and Joseph Stevens had several children including Joseph, James, Mary, and Annie. Joseph N. Stevens (a cook) married Theresa Nall, the daughter of Ellen Foster and Alfred Nall, circa 1890. Theresa was born on January 29, 1868 in Amherstburg. The 1900 Cuyahoga, Ohio census lists three of Joseph and Theresa\u2019s children: May, Ellen\/Ella and Chestor. The 1920 Ohio Census includes an addition to the family. Among those living with Joseph, Theresa and Ella is Ella\u2019s husband Roscoe Brown, all under the same roof.\u00a0 Roscoe, a steward on a steamship, was born in Atlanta, Georgia in roughly 1891 to William Brown and Amelia Williams, and he married Ella on September 23, 1915 in Portage, Ohio. An additional piece of information about Ella. I was able to find a birth record for Maud Ellen Stevens, who was born on November 11, 1892 in Amherstburg. This may be Ella\u2019s birth record, as her name appears differently in separate documents listing her as Ellen, Ella, and Etta. I also found a death record for Etta (should say Ella) Brown who died on January 13, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio.<\/p>
Ella\u2019s sister May married Paul H. Berry, son of George Berry and Lucinda Powell, on May 15, 1917 in Cuyahogo, Ohio. I could not find information for their brother Chester. Joseph Stevens, father of Ella, May and Chester, passed away on May 31, 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio. His death record also says that he was born on November 2, 1864 in Amherstburg.<\/p>
Joseph\u2019s brother James, the next child of Joseph and Mary Stevens, married Amanda Hawkins, the daughter of Washington Hawkins and Eva Thompson (see Hawkins Family history\u00a0 https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/hawkins-family\/<\/a> ), on August 24, 1898 in Detroit. I was only able to find information for one of their children, a marriage record for their son William Alonzo Stevens who married Marion Nowak, the daughter of Martin Nowak and Rose Urbanski, on November 27, 1918 in Windsor. At the time, William was a salesman and Marion was a checker.<\/p>
James\u2019 sister Mary (also listed as Mayme), married William Monroe who was born on July 25, 1859 in Amherstburg and was the son of William Monroe and Rosena Turner. I found a death record for Mayme Elizabeth Monroe which states that she passed away on July 6, 1936 in Ashtabula, Ohio. It also says that she was born on May 17, 1869 in Amherstburg and was widowed. Her husband William passed away on August 9, 1934, also in Ashtabula, Ohio. The 1910 Ashtabula Census records William and Mary along with their children Lillie and Wilbur. I found the marriage records for both children. Wilbur S. Monroe married Rachel L. Andrews, daughter of James L. Lyons and Harriet Baptist, on November 12, 1950 in Ashtabula, Ohio. Lillian Rosena Monroe married Charles Herbert Greene, the son of Thos. E. Green and Elizabeth Thornton, on June 27, 1911 in Ohio. According to their marriage record, Lillian was born on July 25, 1888 in Amherstburg, while Charles was born on July 1, 1877 in Boston.<\/p>
The last child of Joseph Stevens and Mary McCurdy is Annie Permelia Stevens. She married Daniel Wallace Thomas, the son of George and Maria Thomas, on December 27, 1893 in Amherstburg. The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> reported their union on December 29, 1893, writing \u201cOn Wednesday evening Rev. L. Pierce united in marriage Daniel Thomas and Miss Annie Stevens. The ceremony took place at the residence of the bride\u2019s step father, Isaiah McKenny, on Simcoe street, in the presence of about 20 of the immediate relatives of the couple. George Thomas acted as groomsman and Miss Ada Christian was bridesmaid. After the nuptial knot was tied, all sat down to a wedding supper, after which the young couple were driven to the residence on Sandwich street which the groom had rented. THE ECHO joins their many friends in extending congratulations.\u201d<\/p>
According to the 1910 Census they had three children: Viola (or Viva), Granville and Burrel\/Burl. Graville was born on December 6, 1895, while Viola (or Viva) was born the year before on December 27, 1894, and later was a housewife and married Edwin Gray Cowan. Daniel and Anna\u2019s third child, Burrel (Burl) Buckner Thomas, was born on January 18, 1898 and later married Helen L. Divelle, who was born in South Carolina and the daughter of George Divelle and a mother with the last name Cummings. They married on June 27, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan. By 1920, the census for Ashtabula, Ohio, states that Daniel was no longer a mariner, but now a machinist in a factory. It also lists Granville and Burl still living at home at this point (before their marriages) and the census lists Granville working as an \u201coiler\u201d at a steel mill, while Burl worked as a chauffeur for a private family.\u201d Sadly Annie Stevens Thomas passed away on June 15, 1939 in Cleveland. I could not find an obituary for her.<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week for part 4.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>The Stephens Family History Part 4 \u2013 US Connections<\/strong><\/p>
So far, I have discussed three children of Major Stevens and Mary Harris (William, Ezekiel, and Joseph), but I was also able to find information for Sarah and Martha. Sarah married James Underwood. I located Sarah and James W. Underwood and their daughter Ella in the 1880 Census for Menasha, Wisconsin which lists Sarah as a laundress and James as a Barber. I was unable to find the marriage record for Sarah and James, but I found their daughter Ella\u2019s marriage record. L. Luella Underwood married George W. Brady, the son of M.C. Brady and Frances Steton, on October 2, 1890 in Adrian, Michigan. I was also able to find a marriage record for Ella\u2019s brothers Jerold, and Joseph Douglass. Jerrold married Emma Louisa Hook, the daughter of Arnold Hook and Matilda J. Mergen, on June 10, 1897 in Appleton, Wisconsin. Jerrold\u2019s brother Jos. Douglas Underwood, married Ida Glenn Wilson, the daughter of Robert Wilson and Anne Glenn, on April 19, 1888. I also found two marriage records for Joseph B. Underwood. This may be the same person as Jos. Douglass, but I could not confirm. Joseph B. married Eliza Bell, the daughter of Randell Woods and Sally Young, on April 12, 1900 in Des Moines, Iowa. Joseph B. married a second time to Jessie B. Slater, the daughter of James M. Buckner and Mary F. Shelton, on May 1, 1907 in Jennings, Indiana. This record shares several more details stating that Joseph was born on September 23, 1860 in Dexter, Michigan and worked as a \u201cMinister of the Gospel.\u201d Jessie is listed as working as a Hairdresser. This document also shares another important detail that confirms we have the correct family. It states that Joseph\u2019s father James Willis Underwood was born in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio and was a barber, but that his mother Sarah Jane was born in \u2018ersburg, Ontario.\u201d Although the placename is incomplete, it is more than likely that this is meant to say \u2018Amherstburg, Ontario.\u201d This record also shares that Joseph and Jessie were both previously married. Joseph\u2019s first wife died April 12, 1901 and Jessie\u2019s first husband passed away on July 4, 1891. Their spouses\u2019 names are not listed.<\/p>
Now it is time to move on to discuss the last child of Major Stevens and Mary Harris, Martha. According to her brother Ezekiel\u2019s obituary, Martha married a Mr. Harris of Chicago. With a little more research, I was able to locate Martha and Hugh P. Harris in the 1880 Census for Adrian, Michigan. It also lists their daughter Jessie with their grandson Harris K. Kelley. I also found Martha Harris\u2019 death record which states that she passed away on March 15, 1930 in Chicago. It also states that she was born in Amherstburg, married to Hugh P. Harris, was widowed and her mother\u2019s name was May (Mary) Stevens. I also found the death record for Martha\u2019s daughter Jessie which records that she passed away on April 19, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 76. This record also states that Jessie was born on September 2, 1867 in Adrian, Michigan.<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week where we will celebrate another amazing family.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tAttachments<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest houses in Amherstburg<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 2 \u2013 Councillor with Honour<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 3 \u2013 Family Connections<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 4 \u2013 US Connections<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReturn to Family Histories<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Family Histories AMHERSTBURG FREEEDOM MUSEUM Stephens Family \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":""},"class_list":["post-11577","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"ticketed":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11577"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11700,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577\/revisions\/11700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest houses in Amherstburg<\/strong><\/p>
In last month\u2019s family history about the Gant family, an editorial written by John Gant mentions an Amherstburg resident named Ezekiel Stevens, saying \u201cNow as for the municipal honors that have been conferred on my colored brethren here: Ezekiel Stevens served as councillor with honor attached to his record.\u201d This is what inspired me to write about the Stevens (sometimes spelt Stephens) family. Ezekiel Stevens was the son of Major Stevens and Mary Harris. The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>printed a brief article on June 27, 1973 that looked into the past and mentions Major Stevens. It says \u201cOne of the oldest houses in Amherstburg, the old Conway house on King Street was torn down Monday. This house was built of oak logs held together by wooden pegs. Its date is 1840 and according to early records was build by Major Stephens grandfather of the John A. Foster family. About 75 years ago, George and Pearl Conway bought it from the Stephens estate and their 13 children were born there.\u201d The only other information I could find for Major and Mary (Harris) Stevens was in the 1861 Census which lists Major Stephens and wife Mary, along with two of their sons Ezekiel and Joseph. The census also records that Major worked as a labourer. Major and Mary had several children including William, Ezekiel, Joseph, Sarah, LeAnna, Mary and Martha. I was unable to find any information for Mary or LeAnna, except that LeAnna died in Detroit according to Ezekiel\u2019s obituary.<\/p>
Although there was not any information for LeAnna and Mary, I was about to find information for William, Ezekiel, Joseph, Sarah and Martha. Let\u2019s start with William. He married Ann Swatman. Their children were Fannie, Eliza, William, George, and Mary Kate. Sadly, George died in infancy and Mary Kate passed away at age 15. Based on the Census records, it appears that Mary Kate passed away between 1871 and 1881 because she appears in the former, but not the latter. Before discussing their other children, I will share a few more details about William and Ann. According to his death record, William passed away on February 3, 1886 in Amherstburg. His death record states that he was born circa 1827 in Colchester and worked as a labourer. William\u2019s obituary which was printed in the Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on February 5, 1886, shares more details. It says \u201cAnother Old Resident Gone. Wm. Stephens of this town, died at the family residence, Brock street, Wednesday of this week. Deceased was the eldest son of Major Stephens, and was born in Colchester about the time of the rebellion in \u201937. He was married in Amherstburg in 1851 to Miss Ann Swatman and their family consisted of five children, three sons and two daughters. Three of these, (Mrs. Fannie Caldback of Parker, Dakota, Mrs. Joseph Lester and William, of this town), as well as the widow, survive. Those deceased are George who died in infancy, and Mary Kate when aged 15 years. Ezekiel and Joseph of Amherstburg, and Mrs. Harris, of Adrian, Mich.m brothers and sister of deceased, are still living. Mr. Stephens injured himself while lifting, last June, so that he has been suffering ever since, gradually falling all the time, though he was confined to his bed but eight days. The funeral will take place today (Friday) at 2 p.m. Rev. A.S. Falls, A.B., will conduct the funeral service at the family residence, from where the remains will be conveyed to the Amherstburg cemetery.\u201d<\/p>
I was also able to find Ann Swatman Stephens death notice in the Amherstburg Echo<\/em> from April 26, 1907 which says \u201cSTEPHENS \u2013 In Colchester North, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Lester, Tuesday, April 14th<\/sup>, Mrs. William Stephens, of Amherstburg, aged 67 years.\u201d<\/p>
As mentioned, I was able to find information for three of William and Ann Stevens\u2019 children: Fannie, Eliza, and William. Fannie married Robert Samuel Caldback and lived in South Dakota. According to Find a Grave<\/em>, Robert Samuel Caldback was born in Ireland and their children included Kathleen, Minnie, and Robert. Kathleen Isabelle Caldbeck Hulke married to Otto Hulke and they had a daughter named Marcella C. Hulke Lorenz. Minnie Elizabeth Caldbeck Calhoun married Edgar Woodruff Calhoun on July 6, 1910. Their children include Loilla Margaret Calhoun Ferguson who married Thomas Crawford Ferguson and Robert Edgar Calhoun who married Dorthy Rae Price in 1939. Robert Emmett Caldbeck married Pearl Ethel Caldbeck.<\/p>
William and Ann (Swatman) Stevens\u2019 next child is Eliza. She married Joseph Lester, the son of Joseph and Emma Lester, on October 9, 1878 in Amherstburg. The children include Ada, Charles, Frances, William, Rosey, Annie, John, Jessie, and Joseph. Ada married George Watson Aphery, the son of George Aphery and Catherine Luckingham, on February 19, 1902 in Amherstburg. Charles was born on July 22, 1881 and according to his death announcement from The Windsor Daily Star<\/em> on January 22, 1959, \u201cLESTER \u2013 Charles, 76 years, Jan. 22, 1959, at his residence, 107 Seymour St., Amherstburg. Husband of the late Honor Lester. Dear father of Mrs. Ernest Cadarette (Alice), Amherstburg; Kenneth, St. Thomas. Dear brother of John, William and Joseph Lester. Colchester North; 5 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren. Resting at the James. H. Sutton Funeral Home, Sandwich and Gore Sts., Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Charles\u2019 sister Frances was born on September 2, 1887 in Amherstburg. She later married William Couch, the son of John Couch and Mary Aikens, on March 19, 1913. Frances\u2019 brother William was born on March 23, 1890 in Amherstburg. I also found a second birth record for William B. Lester for May 22, 1892 in Kingsville. Both records list him as the son Joseph Lester and Eliza Stevens. William\u2019s sister Rosey was born on May 26, 1893 in Colchester North, while her sister Annie was born on May 3, 1896, also in Colchester North. Their brother, John Kent Lester, was born on January 28, 1898. His death announcement from The Windsor Star<\/em> from February 26, 1979, states \u201c\u2013 LESTER \u2013 John K., 81 years, February 23, 1979, at I.O.D.E. Hospital, late of 110 Albert St., Essex. Dear son of the late Joseph Lester (1947). Dear brother of the late Charles, Joseph, William, Mrs. George Ciphery, Mrs. William Couch and Mrs. George Woods. Resting at the Stewart L. Kennedy Funeral Home.\u201d<\/p>
John\u2019s sister Jessie is next. She married twice. First to Frank Piper, the son of Frank Piper and Sarah Davis, on August 31, 1904 in Gesto (Essex County) and then to George Woods, son of Charles Woods and Sarah Wilson. They married on May 20, 1915 in Windsor. In this document Jessie is referred to as Jessamine. Jessie passed away on January 12, 1931 in Windsor. According to her death announcement which was printed in The<\/em> Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on January 16, 1931, \u201cWOOD \u2013 In Hotel Dieu, Monday, January 12th<\/sup>, 1931, Mrs. George Wood, of Gosfield North, aged 47 years. She was taken to the hospital that same day at one o\u2019clock, for an operation, and passed away at seven o\u2019clock that evening. She was a daughter of Joseph Lester, of Colchester North, and is survived by her husband and one son.\u201d<\/p>
Jessie\u2019s brother Joseph David Lester is the last child of Joseph Lester and Eliza Stevens. He married Lillian Russell Sherrill, the daughter of William Sherrill and Alice Raymond, on April 5, 1915. Joseph\u2019s passing was reported in The Windsor Star<\/em> on November 19, 1966 and said \u201cLESTER \u2013 Joseph David, 81 years, Nov. 17. Late residence 9th<\/sup> Concession, Colchester North. Beloved husband of Lillian. Dear father of Abraham, John and Gordon, Colchester North; Donald, at home; Joseph and Robert of Essex. Brother of John, Colchester North; 14 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren \u2026 Interment Rosehill Cemetery, Amherstburg.\u201d An obituary was also printed in The Windsor Star<\/em> which said \u201cLESTER \u2013 Joseph David, 81, of Concession 9, Colchester North Township, died at home Thursday. Mr. Lester was born in Amherstburg and lived in Colchester North all his life. He was a retired farmer. Surviving are his wife, Lillian (nee Sherrill); sons, Donald, at home, Joseph and Robert, both of Essex, Abraham, John and Joseph, all of Colchester North; a brother, John of Colchester North.\u201d<\/p>
According to her death record, Eliza Stevens Lester passed away on July 27, 1919 in Colchester North. Her obituary from the August 8, 1919 edition of the Amherstburg Echo<\/em> states \u201cThe death of Mrs. Joseph Lester occurred at the family home on the Blight farm near Gesto on Sunday last. Deceased had been in poor health for two years past from Addison\u2019s disease, and had been in a serious condition for two weeks past, so that her death was not unexpected. Deceased was in her 63rd<\/sup> year, and was born in Amherstburg, her maiden name being Eliza Stevens. She was married about 40 years ago to Mr. Lester, and they resided in this township for about 30 years. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon with services at the family home conducted by Rev. Joseph James, and interment in North Ridge cemetery. The pallbearers were: Jos. Calhoun, Jos. Huggins, Harvey Fick, Thos. Bullock, M. Wagner. Deceased is survived by her husband and three sons, Joseph, William, and Charles, and three daughters, Mrs. George Wood of Gosfield North; Mrs. Wm. Church, of Colchester North, and Mrs. G.W. Ciphery, of Kearney, Ont.\u201d I could not find an obituary for Eliza\u2019s husband Joseph, but the Death Announcement for their son John Kent Lester reveals that Joseph passed away in 1947.<\/p>
The last child of William Stevens and Ann Swatman is William. He married Rachel Collison, the daughter of George and Emma Collison, on August 25, 1884 in Amherstburg. The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>printed an announcement about their wedding on August 29, 1884 which said \u201cSTEPHENS \u2013 COLLISON \u2013 On Monday, August 25th<\/sup>, at the Rectory, by the Rev. Alex. S. Falls, A.B., Mr. William B. Stephens, to Miss Rachael Collison, all of Amherstburg.\u201d Based on the 1901 Census record, William and Rachel had the following children: Emelia E., Miles W., Felix B., Edward E., Kate V., and Henry J.\u201d The marriage record for Hester Amelia Stevens, says that she married Reginald Charles G. Williams, the son of William Williams and Lucy Watt, on November 11, 1904. She married a second time. The marriage record for Esther Amelia Williams says she married Thomas Arthur Lambert, the son of George Lambert and Agnes Cameron, on July 10, 1919 in Windsor.<\/p>
Esther\/Hester Ameila\u2019s brother Felix Benson Stevens was born on October 15, 1893 in Amherstburg, while Felix\u2019s brother Edward Earle Stevens was born on February 7, 1896. Edward later married Gladys May Nohl (possibly Nall) the daughter of Alex. Nohl and Emma Vroman, on April 29, 1921 in Montrose, Michigan. Edward\u2019s sister Kate Viola Stevens was born on May 14, 1898 in Amherstburg.<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week for part 2.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
![\n\t\t\t\t\t](\"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/WEEK-1-House-built-by-Major-Stephens.jpg\"){kind=link}
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>The Stephens Family History Part 2 \u2013 Councillor with Honour<\/strong><\/p>
Now that I have discussed William and his line, I will move on to discuss the next child of Major Stevens and Mary Harris, Ezekiel. He married Catherine Brown, the daughter of Nelson Brown and Ellen Lewis. Their children include Annie, Lincoln and Malachi. As mentioned, Ezekiel is the inspiration for writing this family history because he was mentioned in an editorial written by John Gant who wrote that Ezekiel Stephens was a councillor. Although it appears that Ezekiel was active in the community, I could not find many references to his work in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em>.<\/p>
I was able to find a death record and obituary for both Ezekiel and Catherine. Ezekiel passed away on June 5, 1919 in Amherstburg. His death record states that he was born on August 10, 1841 in Amherstburg, worked as a farmer and labourer, and passed at the age of 68. His obituary was printed in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on June 11, 1909 and reported \u201cEzekiel Stevens, whose illness was noted in these columns last week, passed to the Great Beyond, Saturday last, at the residence, Murray and Seymore streets. Monday afternoon funeral services were held at the First Baptist church by the pastor, Rev. T. Jesse Henderson, assisted by Rev. Joseph Hulbert. The pastor\u2019s impressive exposition of Divine truth taken from Job 14:14, \u2018If a man die, shall he live again,\u2019 was listened to by an audience which completely filled the sacred edifice, and the service was enriched by the rendition of a solo, \u2018Face to face,\u2019 by Mrs. James Kirtley. Large numbers of friends joined the mourning relatives paying respect to one who in life had been a well-known figure in this town. The remains were taken to Rose Hill cemetery and laid away, under Masonic auspices, deceased having been a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 8, F. & A.M. The pallbearers were Albert Chambers and Evans, of North American Lodge No. 1, Windsor; Wm. Johnson, of North Star Lodge, No. 7, Colchester North; L. Jones, D. Holbert and John S. Brown, of Lincoln Lodge No. 8, Amherstburg. Mr. Stevens was born in Amherstburg, and was a son of the late Major Stevens. Of the family Sarah is Mrs. James Underwood; LeAnna died in Detroit; Mary is deceased, and Martha is Mrs. Harris of Chicago. The subject of this sketch was married to Catherine Brown, daughter of the late Nelson Brown, and they had a family of three \u2013 Lincoln, who died in 1905; Malachi, of Buffalo, and Annie, Mrs. John Foster. Besides these there are four grandchildren, children of John Foster. Mr. Stevens was a citizen of Amherstburg all his life and took an active part in affairs calculated to advance the town\u2019s best interests. He was elected Public school trustee several terms, was councillor in 1888-89 and \u201992 and fraternally was associated with Lincoln Lodge No. 8 F.&A.M., serving as treasurer several terms. His life was an object lesson to his fellowman in kindness, generosity and willingness to assist those about him. His advancement at the hands of the electors showed that neither creed nor color is considered above ability to serve in a public capacity. Among his own race he was a leader and his death removed one upon whom they placed great reliance.\u201d<\/p>
Just a few years later, on February 7, 1911, Ezekiel\u2019s wife Catherine Brown Stevens passed away in Amherstburg at the age of 64. Her death record reveals that she was born on May 5, 1847 and was the daughter of Nelson Brown and Ellen Lewis. Catherine\u2019s obituary appeared in The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>a few days later on February 10th<\/sup> and says \u201cMrs. Catherine Stephens passed away Tuesday afternoon at her home on Seymore street. She had been poorly for some time and was subject to weak spells. While carrying in an armful of wood one day recently, she was seized with one and falling injured herself and this hastened the end. Mrs. Stephens\u2019 maiden name was Catherine Brown, a daughter of the late Nelson Brown, who at one time lived in the house adjoining the Desjardins place, Seymore Street. Her marriage to Ezekiel Stephens resulted to a family of three Malachai, of Buffalo, Lincoln, who is dead, and Mrs. John Foster, King Street. Mr. Stephens died two years ago and since that time the widow kept her grandson Theodore Foster with her for company. The funeral will be held this (Friday) afternoon to the First Baptist Church for service with interment in Rose Hill Cemetery.\u201d<\/p>
As mentioned, Ezekiel and Catherine\u2019s children include Annie, Lincoln, and Malachi. Annie Elizabeth Stevens was born, according to her death record, on April 30, 1866 in Amherstburg. She married John Arthur Foster (a marine chef) on January 17, 1882 in Detroit. John was the son of Levi Foster and Lucy Harris (see Foster family history https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/foster-family\/<\/a> ). John and Annie had several children including Theodore, Annie, John, Ella, Elenore, and Bessie. Theodore S. Foster was born on June 17, 1883 in Amherstburg and became a marine chef. According to his obituary from the March 11, 1927 issue of The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> \u201cTheodore (Couch) Foster, son of the late John Foster, died at the family home, corner Murray and King streets on Saturday about noon. He had been in failing health for some time from tuberculosis. Funeral services were conducted at the home Monday afternoon at 2 o\u2019clock and burial was in Rose Hill cemetery. Mr. Foster was born in Amherstburg June 17th<\/sup>, 1883. He attended the Public schools and early took to the lakes, becoming a very well-known marine chef in charge of some very important boats. Of late years, owing to uncertain health, he was able only to take positions on boats running out of Amherstburg. His parents have been dead for some years, but he is survived by sisters -Ella, Mrs. A.M. Bell, of Windsor; Annie, Mrs. Joseph Paulson, of Winnipeg; Bessie, Mrs. W. Maier, and brother John of Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Theodore\u2019s sister Annie was born on September 16, 1887 and later married Joseph Paulson and they lived in Winnipeg. Annie\u2019s brother John, according to his marriage record, married Marjorie Katherine Laura Alexander, the daughter of John Henry Alexander and Annie Louise Crawford, on February 7, 1921 in Walkerville (now part of Windsor). Marjorie Katherine Laura Alexander was born on August 10, 1896. John and Marjorie\u2019s marriage record also states that John worked as a decorator and Marjorie was a stenographer. They had at least two children, John (married Sarnia Jones) and Patricia.\u00a0 According to the site Find A Grave<\/em> Marjorie passed away on January 23, 1984 in Sarnia, but I was not able to find her obituary. I did find the obituary for Marjorie\u2019s husband in The Windsor Star<\/em> on March 21, 1958 which says \u201cEx-Lake Ship Sailor, J.A. Foster Dies \u2013 A lifelong resident of Amherstburg district John Arthur Foster, 66 of 209 Alma St., died Thursday in Essex County Sanitorium following a long illness. He was a former wheelsman on great lakes ship and also a decorator and painter in Amherstburg and Windsor. Surviving are his widow, Marjorie (nee Alexander); a son John A. with the Canadian Army at Sarnia; a daughter Patricia Anne, Sarnia; two sisters, Mrs. Ella F. Bell, Mrs. William Zimmer (Bessie), both of Detroit and two grandchildren. The body will be at the James H. Sutton Funeral Home, Sandwich and Gore Sts., Amherstburg, Saturday. Further arrangements are incomplete.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>
John\u2019s sister Ella married Alfred Bell, the son of Jemima Shirk and Montgomery Bell. Alfred and Ella had two sons named Robert and Floyd. Ella\u2019s obituary appeared in The Windsor Star<\/em> on September 19, 1962 and says \u201cMrs. Alfred Bell \u2013 Mrs. Ella Bell, 66, of 1062 Goyeau St., died today in Hotel Dieu after a short illness. Mrs. Bell was born in Amherstburg and had lived in Windsor for many years, formerly living in Detroit. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Her husband, who was a sailor, died in 1933. Surviving are a son, Robert, of Windsor and a sister, Mrs. Bessie Zimmer of Detroit. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the James H. Sutton Funeral Home, 937 Ouellette Ave. Rev. Mack Brown officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Ella\u2019s husband Alfred Montgomery Bell passed away a few decades before on December 28, 1933 in Windsor. His obituary appeared in The Windsor Star <\/em>on January 5, 1934 and says \u201cALFRED M. BELL \u2013 Following a two month illness the death occurred of Alfred M. Bell, of Windsor, at his home at 812 Mercer Avenue, Windsor, on Thursday morning, December 28th<\/sup>. Deceased was the brother-in-law of John Foster, George Street, Amherstburg. His wife formerly Ella Foster, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Foster, lived here until her marriage to the deceased in 1905. One child, Robert, survives him. Deceased was 62 years of age and was for many years a cook with the Pittsburgh Steamship Co. He was born in Detroit. The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon from his late residence to Rose Hill cemetery, Amherstburg.\u201d<\/p>
Ella\u2019s sister, Elenore Foster, was born on September 20, 1885 in Amherstburg, while Bessie Eileen Foster was born on September 30, 1897. Bessie married Willard Maier, who passed away in 1933, and had at least three children named Zeke, Dwight and Betty. Bessie married a second time to William Zimmer and they lived in Detroit. It should also be added that in the 1920s, Bessie was appointed an \u201cindustrial nurse in the town for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.\u201d Bessie passed away on March 26, 1971 in Detroit and her death record says she was born September 30, 1987.<\/p>
Returning to Annie Stevens and John Foster, I was able to find each of their obituaries. John passed away on April 29, 1911 and his obituary from The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> which appeared on May 5, 1911, states \u201cFoster \u2013 At the Marine hospital, Detroit, Mich., Saturday, April 29th<\/sup>, John Arthur Foster, son of the late Levi Foster, of Amherstburg, aged 48 years. Deceased was born in Amherstburg, being a son of the late Levi and Lucy Foster. He was one of a family of nine, three of whom survive \u2013 Mrs. Louise F. Jacobs, Levi and Thomas Foster all living in the States. He was married to Miss Annie Stephens, daughter of the late Ezekiel Stephens and to them were born six children, five of whom are living \u2013 Theodore and Bessie, at home; Ella, Mrs. A.M. Bell, of Windsor; Annie, Mrs. H. Bludsoe?, of Winnipeg, Man., and John, of Chicago. Mr. Foster was a steward on the great lakes which occupation he followed until a year ago last December when he came home after laying up his boat, the steamer City of Paris, and was taken to his bed. After a time he was taken to the Marine Hospital in Detroit, and remained there until the end came, which was within one day of 13 months. The remains were brought to Amherstburg by special car, Saturday evening and the funeral took place, Monday afternoon to the First Baptist church, where services were conducted by Rev. A.W. Hackley, assisted by Rev. J. Hulbert, and interment was in Rose Hill cemetery, the pall bearers being \u2013 Walter Anderson, David Hulbert, W.H. Bush, James Monroe, John R. Brown and Henry Banks. Quite a number of relatives and friends from Detroit and Windsor attended the funeral.\u201d<\/p>
Annie Stevens Foster passed away over a decade later, on July 21, 1923 in Amherstburg. Her obituary from The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> which appeared on July 27, 1923 shares that \u201cThe very sudden death of Mrs. John Foster, one of the town\u2019s best known colored women, Saturday night, at the door of her daughter\u2019s residence on Seymore street, was a great shock to the town, of which she was a native, and highly respected, hardworking and thrifty citizen. The manner of her death was totally unexpected. She had spent a short time with her daughter, Mrs. Mayer, who lives across the street from her, and was just going out the door to return to her own home when she collapsed on Mrs. Mayer\u2019s steps and expired before her horror-stricken family could remove her. Heart failure was the cause of death. Mrs. Foster\u2019s maiden name was Annie Stevens. She was a daughter and the last of the family of the late Ezekiel Stevens, a prominent and highly influential citizen of Amherstburg in his day. She had two brothers, Lincoln and Malachi, both of whom predeceased her. She was married about forty years ago to John Foster a lake cook. He died ten years ago, leaving her with a family of five \u2013 Ella, Mrs. A.M. Bell, of Windsor; Theodore, who lives at home; Annie, married in Winnipeg; John and Bessie, Mrs. Mayer, of Amherstburg. Mrs. Foster was the soul of honor and the acme of industry. Following her husband\u2019s death she engaged to do the work of many families in Amherstburg, and by her thrift and economy improved her home so that it is one of the neatest, most comfortable and attractive in that part of the town. She acquired considerable means and other property. Of late years, she gave up a good deal of her work, but retained the janitorship of the Bell Telephone office and the Imperial Bank. She performed these duties as usual Saturday and returning home, looked well to her own house as befitted a good housewife, not complaining either of being unduly weary or of any illness. The sudden cutting off of her life has caused widespread sorrow.\u201d<\/p>
Annie\u2019s brother Lincoln is the next child of Ezekiel Stevens and Catherine Brown. He is listed in the 1891 Census under the same household as his parents Ezekiel and Catherine. Next to his name it says \u201cM\u201d meaning he was married, but his wife is not listed. The same occurs in his obituary which states that he was married, but again does not list his wife\u2019s name. His obituary from October 13, 1905 in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> says \u201cThe death occurred at the marine hospital, Detroit, Sunday evening, of Lincoln, son of Ezekiel Stevens of this town while sailing on the Str. Phillip Minch, he was taken seriously ill with typhoid fever, but was not removed until Saturday when passing Detroit. His condition by that time was such that physicians could do nothing for him. He was born in this town 37 years ago, and after reaching young manhood took to the lakes as many other young men from this town do. He was married some years ago. Besides his parents he leaves a sister Mrs. John Foster, of this town and a brother Malachi, Buffalo. The body was brought home on Monday evening and the funeral was held Wednesday afternoon, services being conducted at the First Baptist church by Rev. D.S. Slaughter assisted by Rev. D.M. Lewis. The remains were interred in Rose Hill cemetery. A large cortege followed them to their last resting place.\u201d<\/p>
Lincoln\u2019s brother Malachi also worked on a steamship. On December 29, 1893, The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> mentions \u201cMalachi Stevens, of the steamship H.D. Coitinberry?, arrived home on Thursday of last week.\u201d Malachi passed away on March 7, 1915 in Cleveland, Ohio. His date of birth is recorded as February 15, 1874 and he is also listed as single. His obituary which appeared in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on March 12, 1915 shares more details. It says \u201cThe body of Malachi Stephens, youngest son of the late Ezekiel Stephens, was brought to Amherstburg Monday from Cleveland, where he died Sunday in the Marine hospital. He was a marine cook, but through failing health gave up his position on a lake boat last year to receive treatment. Four weeks ago he entered the Marine hospital, where he sank rapidly. The funeral took place Wednesday afternoon, services being conducted at the residence of Mrs. John Foster and interment followed in Rose Hill cemetery. Mr. Stephens was born in Amherstburg 41 years ago, and spent most of his life on the lakes. Mrs. Foster is the only one of the Stephens family left.\u201d<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week for part 3.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
![\n\t\t\t\t\t](\"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/WEEK-2-1901-Census-for-Ezekiel-and-Catherine-Stephens.jpg\"){kind=link}
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong>The Stephens Family History Part 3 \u2013 Family Connections<\/strong><\/p>
Now that I have discussed William and Ezekiel Stevens and their family members, I will move on to discuss their brother Joseph. He married Mary McCurdy, the daughter of Nasa McCurdy and Parmelia Baylis. Their children included Joseph, James, Mary, and Annie. The 1871 Census lists Joseph and Mary with Joseph, James and Mary, but the 1881 Census lists Mary and her children (James, Mary and Annie) living with Mary\u2019s parents Nasa and Parmelia McCurdy. Mary is listed as a dressmaker and married, but her husband Joseph is not listed. Sadly, a few years after the 1881 Census Joseph passed away on December 22, 1886 in Amherstburg. A very brief obituary appeared in The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> on December 24th<\/sup> saying \u201cJoseph Stevens who has been confined to his bed for some time through consumption, died, Wednesday. The funeral will take place today (Friday) from the late residence, King street.\u201d<\/p>
Following Joseph Stevens\u2019 passing, Mary married a second time to Isaiah McKenny (sometimes spelt McKinney). The Amherstburg Echo <\/em>reported their union on November 10, 1893, writing \u201cMcKinney-Stevens \u2013 At the residence of the officiating clergyman, Amherstburg, by Rev. J.A. Holt on Wednesday, November 8th<\/sup>, Mr. Isaiah McKenny, to Mrs. Mary Stevens, both of Amherstburg.\u201d Isaiah and Mary are mentioned again in The Echo<\/em> several years later on March 12, 1912. The article talks about a birthday party, reporting \u201cAnswering a timid knock on the door Wednesday evening after eight o\u2019clock, Isaiah McKenny, of Simcoe street, was confronted by a number of friends, who had come as a surprise to Mrs. McKenny on their anniversary of her birthday. After an address read by Mrs. James Kirtley, a shower of cards and presentation of gifts by Mrs. Clarence Smith, the entire party sat down to a well filled table of delicates. Toasts, recitations and games followed, and after a few short pleasant hours they left for their homes, each feeling a joy in visit, and leaving Mr. McKenny the uncrowned king of the checkboard.\u201d<\/p>
Sadly, just a few years later The Essex Free Press <\/em>reported Mary\u2019s passing. Her obituary says \u201cMrs. L. McKenney \u2013 Mrs. Isaiah McKenney, an old resident of Amherstburg, died on Tuesday of last week, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Dan Thomas, Conneaut, Ohio, where she had gone a month ago to be with Mr. McKenney to [avoid] the winter. The remains were brought to Amherstburg, and the funeral took place Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. McKenney\u2019s maiden name was Mary McCurdy, and she was born at Union Town, Pennsylvania, 69 years ago. She came to Amherstburg when a young girl, and was first married there to Joseph Stephens, and to them the following family were born: Joseph, of Cleveland; Mrs. Mary Munroe, of Ashtabula; James, of Chicago, and Annie, Mrs. Dan Thomas, of Conneaut. Mr. Stephens died over a quarter century ago, and she was afterwards married to Mr. McKenney. Their union was childless. She is also survived by a brother, Geo. McCurdy, of Conneaut, and a sister, Mrs. James Turner, of New Canaan. Mr. and Mrs. McKenny usually spent the winter in Conneaut, and went there just a month ago Tuesday.\u201d<\/p>
Just a few years later, Isaiah was reunited with Mary when he passed away on October 31, 1918. The Border Cities Star<\/em> reported \u201cIsiah M\u2019Kenny, Amherstburg is Laid to Rest \u2013 Was One of Oldest and Most Respected of Residents \u2013 Amherstburg, Nov. 5. \u2013 In the death of Isaiah McKenny Amherstburg lost one of its oldest and most respected colored residents. Mr. McKenny had been in poor health for some time. Three years ago while visiting in Conneaut, Ohio, Mrs. McKenny was stricken, and since then Mr. McKenny has made his home at short intervals in Conneaut, but always retained his Amherstburg residence, corner Brock and Simcoe streets. He was an ardent supporter of the B.M.E. church. In politics he was a Liberal and an influential worker. He lived retired for the past few years, but prior to his retirement was a steamboat steward. He farmed in Colchester North for some time. The funeral which was to have been held from the B.M.E. church on Sunday afternoon, was through order of the M.H.O. held from the house, which was owing to his large circle of friends too small. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.\u201d<\/p>
As mentioned, Mary McCurdy and Joseph Stevens had several children including Joseph, James, Mary, and Annie. Joseph N. Stevens (a cook) married Theresa Nall, the daughter of Ellen Foster and Alfred Nall, circa 1890. Theresa was born on January 29, 1868 in Amherstburg. The 1900 Cuyahoga, Ohio census lists three of Joseph and Theresa\u2019s children: May, Ellen\/Ella and Chestor. The 1920 Ohio Census includes an addition to the family. Among those living with Joseph, Theresa and Ella is Ella\u2019s husband Roscoe Brown, all under the same roof.\u00a0 Roscoe, a steward on a steamship, was born in Atlanta, Georgia in roughly 1891 to William Brown and Amelia Williams, and he married Ella on September 23, 1915 in Portage, Ohio. An additional piece of information about Ella. I was able to find a birth record for Maud Ellen Stevens, who was born on November 11, 1892 in Amherstburg. This may be Ella\u2019s birth record, as her name appears differently in separate documents listing her as Ellen, Ella, and Etta. I also found a death record for Etta (should say Ella) Brown who died on January 13, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio.<\/p>
Ella\u2019s sister May married Paul H. Berry, son of George Berry and Lucinda Powell, on May 15, 1917 in Cuyahogo, Ohio. I could not find information for their brother Chester. Joseph Stevens, father of Ella, May and Chester, passed away on May 31, 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio. His death record also says that he was born on November 2, 1864 in Amherstburg.<\/p>
Joseph\u2019s brother James, the next child of Joseph and Mary Stevens, married Amanda Hawkins, the daughter of Washington Hawkins and Eva Thompson (see Hawkins Family history\u00a0 https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/hawkins-family\/<\/a> ), on August 24, 1898 in Detroit. I was only able to find information for one of their children, a marriage record for their son William Alonzo Stevens who married Marion Nowak, the daughter of Martin Nowak and Rose Urbanski, on November 27, 1918 in Windsor. At the time, William was a salesman and Marion was a checker.<\/p>
James\u2019 sister Mary (also listed as Mayme), married William Monroe who was born on July 25, 1859 in Amherstburg and was the son of William Monroe and Rosena Turner. I found a death record for Mayme Elizabeth Monroe which states that she passed away on July 6, 1936 in Ashtabula, Ohio. It also says that she was born on May 17, 1869 in Amherstburg and was widowed. Her husband William passed away on August 9, 1934, also in Ashtabula, Ohio. The 1910 Ashtabula Census records William and Mary along with their children Lillie and Wilbur. I found the marriage records for both children. Wilbur S. Monroe married Rachel L. Andrews, daughter of James L. Lyons and Harriet Baptist, on November 12, 1950 in Ashtabula, Ohio. Lillian Rosena Monroe married Charles Herbert Greene, the son of Thos. E. Green and Elizabeth Thornton, on June 27, 1911 in Ohio. According to their marriage record, Lillian was born on July 25, 1888 in Amherstburg, while Charles was born on July 1, 1877 in Boston.<\/p>
The last child of Joseph Stevens and Mary McCurdy is Annie Permelia Stevens. She married Daniel Wallace Thomas, the son of George and Maria Thomas, on December 27, 1893 in Amherstburg. The Amherstburg Echo<\/em> reported their union on December 29, 1893, writing \u201cOn Wednesday evening Rev. L. Pierce united in marriage Daniel Thomas and Miss Annie Stevens. The ceremony took place at the residence of the bride\u2019s step father, Isaiah McKenny, on Simcoe street, in the presence of about 20 of the immediate relatives of the couple. George Thomas acted as groomsman and Miss Ada Christian was bridesmaid. After the nuptial knot was tied, all sat down to a wedding supper, after which the young couple were driven to the residence on Sandwich street which the groom had rented. THE ECHO joins their many friends in extending congratulations.\u201d<\/p>
According to the 1910 Census they had three children: Viola (or Viva), Granville and Burrel\/Burl. Graville was born on December 6, 1895, while Viola (or Viva) was born the year before on December 27, 1894, and later was a housewife and married Edwin Gray Cowan. Daniel and Anna\u2019s third child, Burrel (Burl) Buckner Thomas, was born on January 18, 1898 and later married Helen L. Divelle, who was born in South Carolina and the daughter of George Divelle and a mother with the last name Cummings. They married on June 27, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan. By 1920, the census for Ashtabula, Ohio, states that Daniel was no longer a mariner, but now a machinist in a factory. It also lists Granville and Burl still living at home at this point (before their marriages) and the census lists Granville working as an \u201coiler\u201d at a steel mill, while Burl worked as a chauffeur for a private family.\u201d Sadly Annie Stevens Thomas passed away on June 15, 1939 in Cleveland. I could not find an obituary for her.<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week for part 4.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
![\n\t\t\t\t\t](\"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/WEEK-3-Nasa-McCurdy-Archives-of-Ontario-I0024780.jpg\"){kind=link}
![\n\t\t\t\t\t](\"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/WEEK-3-Permelia-A.-Baily-McCurdy-Archives-of-Ontario-I0024814.jpg\"){kind=link}
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>The Stephens Family History Part 4 \u2013 US Connections<\/strong><\/p>
So far, I have discussed three children of Major Stevens and Mary Harris (William, Ezekiel, and Joseph), but I was also able to find information for Sarah and Martha. Sarah married James Underwood. I located Sarah and James W. Underwood and their daughter Ella in the 1880 Census for Menasha, Wisconsin which lists Sarah as a laundress and James as a Barber. I was unable to find the marriage record for Sarah and James, but I found their daughter Ella\u2019s marriage record. L. Luella Underwood married George W. Brady, the son of M.C. Brady and Frances Steton, on October 2, 1890 in Adrian, Michigan. I was also able to find a marriage record for Ella\u2019s brothers Jerold, and Joseph Douglass. Jerrold married Emma Louisa Hook, the daughter of Arnold Hook and Matilda J. Mergen, on June 10, 1897 in Appleton, Wisconsin. Jerrold\u2019s brother Jos. Douglas Underwood, married Ida Glenn Wilson, the daughter of Robert Wilson and Anne Glenn, on April 19, 1888. I also found two marriage records for Joseph B. Underwood. This may be the same person as Jos. Douglass, but I could not confirm. Joseph B. married Eliza Bell, the daughter of Randell Woods and Sally Young, on April 12, 1900 in Des Moines, Iowa. Joseph B. married a second time to Jessie B. Slater, the daughter of James M. Buckner and Mary F. Shelton, on May 1, 1907 in Jennings, Indiana. This record shares several more details stating that Joseph was born on September 23, 1860 in Dexter, Michigan and worked as a \u201cMinister of the Gospel.\u201d Jessie is listed as working as a Hairdresser. This document also shares another important detail that confirms we have the correct family. It states that Joseph\u2019s father James Willis Underwood was born in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio and was a barber, but that his mother Sarah Jane was born in \u2018ersburg, Ontario.\u201d Although the placename is incomplete, it is more than likely that this is meant to say \u2018Amherstburg, Ontario.\u201d This record also shares that Joseph and Jessie were both previously married. Joseph\u2019s first wife died April 12, 1901 and Jessie\u2019s first husband passed away on July 4, 1891. Their spouses\u2019 names are not listed.<\/p>
Now it is time to move on to discuss the last child of Major Stevens and Mary Harris, Martha. According to her brother Ezekiel\u2019s obituary, Martha married a Mr. Harris of Chicago. With a little more research, I was able to locate Martha and Hugh P. Harris in the 1880 Census for Adrian, Michigan. It also lists their daughter Jessie with their grandson Harris K. Kelley. I also found Martha Harris\u2019 death record which states that she passed away on March 15, 1930 in Chicago. It also states that she was born in Amherstburg, married to Hugh P. Harris, was widowed and her mother\u2019s name was May (Mary) Stevens. I also found the death record for Martha\u2019s daughter Jessie which records that she passed away on April 19, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 76. This record also states that Jessie was born on September 2, 1867 in Adrian, Michigan.<\/p>
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.\u00a0 See you next week where we will celebrate another amazing family.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
![\n\t\t\t\t\t](\"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/WEEK-4-1880-Census-for-Menasha-Wisconsin-lists-Sarah-and-James-W.-Underwood-1-1.jpg\"){kind=link}
Attachments<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest houses in Amherstburg<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 2 \u2013 Councillor with Honour<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 3 \u2013 Family Connections<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 4 \u2013 US Connections<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReturn to Family Histories<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Family Histories AMHERSTBURG FREEEDOM MUSEUM Stephens Family \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":""},"class_list":["post-11577","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"ticketed":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11577"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11700,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577\/revisions\/11700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest houses in Amherstburg<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 2 \u2013 Councillor with Honour<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 3 \u2013 Family Connections<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Stephens Family History Part 4 \u2013 US Connections<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReturn to Family Histories<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Family Histories AMHERSTBURG FREEEDOM MUSEUM Stephens Family \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0The Stephens Family History Part 1 \u2013 One of the oldest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":""},"class_list":["post-11577","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"ticketed":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11577"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11700,"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11577\/revisions\/11700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amherstburgfreedom.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}