Lucy Ellen Forth

Sixth child and eldest daughter of Harry and Lucy, Lucy Ellen Forth was born November 12, 1897, in Muskoka Township. The midwife on her birth registration was Mrs. L. Scott (Lucy Ellen Ouderkirk Scott) Lucy’s grandmother for whom she was named. On her marriage record, Lucy listed her place of birth as Utterson.

The photo on the left shows Lucy working some piece of farm equipment on the family farm in Utterson, likely about 1912-1914 judging by her age. From this photo, we can assume that Lucy could turn her hand to all aspects of farm life.

Lucy married Albert Stevens on November 12, 1918, in Parry Sound. One of the witnesses was Lucy’s younger brother, Bill. I assume this was because her elder brothers were still overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Bill had been sent home earlier in the year for being underage.

The second witness is difficult to read but appears to be V. DeFoe, with an unreadable letter before the V. I have located a Holly Defoe living in Parry Sound on the 1911 Census, though she would only have been 16 at the time of the wedding. She is recorded in an online family tree as Holly Virginia Dafoe, so it may be the correct person. In the province of Ontario, it is “suggested” that witnesses be over the age of 15 so age does not appear to be a factor here.

Albert was born in Buxted, Sussex, England, had emigrated to Canada in August of 1904 and was working in Parry Sound as a carpenter. Lucy was recorded as a munition worker, probably at the British Cordite plant in Nobel. As she had given birth to their first child, Florence, earlier in the year, I assume she still lived at home and had help with the baby from her family so she could go out to work.

Back: William Forth and Holly Defoe

Front: Albert Stevens and Lucy Forth

Photo shared courtesy of Tyler Stevens

Albert and Lucy were living in Grantham Township, Lincoln County, by the time their second child, Mabel, was born in 1919. I think it is possible that Lucy’s younger brother, Bill, was living with them at this time. He was working on the Welland Canal and married Eva McNutt in St. Catharines in 1921.

On the 1921 Census, Albert and Lucy were located living at Lot 5 Con V in Grantham Township in Lincoln County. Albert was working as a brakeman.

By the 1931 Census, they had moved to 16 Currie Street in St. Catharines and Albert was listed as a carpenter. This would remain their family home. They had eight children and raised seven of them to adulthood in this house.

In going through Voter’s Lists, I learned that Albert and Lucy never really lived alone! Their house was always full. On the 1953 Voter’s List, their son, John, with his wife and son, daughter Maxine, and daughter Louise (Sumbler) with her husband and son were all living at 16 Currie Street. John and his wife, Gertrude, had moved on by 1958, but the Sumblers were still living there.

Albert died December 19, 1959. After his death, Lucy remained in the family home with her daughter, Maxine, until at least 1962 as recorded on Voter’s Lists. By 1968, Lucy and Maxine had moved to 309 Leaside Drive. Lucy died the following year on February 13, 1969. Both Albert and Lucy are buried in Victoria Lawn Cemetery in St. Catharines.

Photo shared courtesy of Tyler Stevens