By Ashley Harper Death can be a very uncomfortable subject for many. But at this time of year, it's also one that is very hard to avoid. From Halloween movies to haunted walks, it seems to be everywhere. Historically, death and death rituals/practices can provide an interesting look into an individual's life, their community, and the broader culture that they were a part of. Documents produced at the time of death, including memorial cards, also serve as an important historical and genealogical resource.
The Chesterville and District Historical Society has three memorial cards in its collection—those of Mary J. Crawford Hall, Alfred Wilson, and John L. Richardson. The oldest card, that of Mary Crawford Hall, dates back to 1887.
The second memorial card is that of Alfred Wilson, son of John Wilson and Mary Southam. He was born in England around 1859 and immigrated to Canada some time prior to 1881, when he was living in Cornwall with Robert Hodge and family. The census states that Alfred was a carder in a cotton mill. There were three cotton mills in Cornwall at the time—the Cornwall Manufacturing Company, the Canadian Cotton Limited, Stormont Mill, and the Canadian Cotton Manufacturing Company, Canada Mill—but it is not known which mill he was employed at.
Annie lived to the age of 87, dying in 1948--60 years after her husband. She never remarried and is buried beside her sister in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Alfred and Annie's daughter Edith married Ambrose Powell and died in 1943 at the age of 58, leaving no children. Alfred Jr. worked in the textile industry like his parents. He lived a long life with his wife Miriam Aspinwall, dying in 1983 at the age of 95. He left behind one son.
John remained on the farm until his death on 23 July 1909 following a "shock of paralysis". He outlived both his wife and daughter Eleanor, who died in 1895 and 1904 respectively. The three of them are buried together at Oldsville Cemetery in Pope Mills, just outside of Macomb.
Only the Richardson card includes the maker's name—H. F. Wendell & Co. of Leipsic, Ohio. The Wendell company was the largest producer of memorial cards in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th century. A digitized catalogue from about 1920, which includes the card style used for the Richardson card, can be viewed through the Duke University repository. Many people have a box of memorial cards somewhere in their home - a tradition carried on from our grandparents. These collections provide a wonderful opportunity to reminisce about the old times and remember those we have lost. They are also a great keepsake to pass down to future generations.
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CDHS publishes articles about interesting photos, artifacts, people, events, buildings, etc. that relate to the history of Chesterville and District. If there is something that you would like to see, email us at [email protected]
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