Chisholm, Ann
IN MEMORY OF
ANN
WIFE OF /
DUNCAN CHISHOLM /
DIED /
AUG. 31. 1873. /
AGED 36 YRS. /
R.I.P. /
The Duncan and Ann Chisholm household appears on the 1871 census [1] and includes family members Duncan age 43; Ann age 35; Mary age 15; Flora age 12; Margaret age 09; William age 05; and John age 02. Interesting to note that Ann is listed as being of Irish descent and her birthplace is recorded as being in New Brunswick. Though NB records were consulted, no evidence of a birth for Ann, or a marriage were located. Those records may provide a maiden name for Ann or the names of her parents.
This census suggests that the family resided in NB for the birth of the eldest child and then moved on to the US for births of two of the next children, returning to NS for births of last two children. St Ninian’s Parish records the baptisms of both William [2]
and John.[3]
The information supplied by the obituary varies a bit from the data on the headstone, but in looking at all records, we are confident that this is the same individual commemorated on the marker. At Antigonish Harbor, on the 25th inst. Mary Ann beloved wife of Duncan Chisholm aged 36 years, leaving a sorrowing husband and five children to mourn their loss. R.I.P.[4]
What becomes of the Chisholm family? The death of Duncan’s wife and with a young family to care for, he chooses to marry again on June 22, 1875. His new wife is Mary MacInnis, age 29 of Lakevale, daughter of John and Mary MacInnis. This record identifies Duncan’s parents as Donald and Mary.[5]
The oldest daughter Mary gets married to William Truen of Halifax in 1879 and they reside in the city.[6] This record shows her birth to have taken place in Bangor Maine. A death for Mary Jane Truen takes place Dec 29 1937 at her Birmingham Street residence in Halifax.[7]
By 1881 the blended Chisholm household consists of the following members Duncan age 50; Mary age 36; Mary age 81, (probably the widowed mother of Duncan); Flora age 21; Maggie age 20; William age 15; John age 12 and children from the second marriage Daniel age 05; Mary age 04; and Francis age 02. Flora marries Feb 21 1882 to Fireman Richard Smith of Toronto, the son of John and Mary Smith.[8]
Daniel / Donald a son from the second marriage dies in a tragic accident when he was kicked by a horse sustaining life ending injuries.[9] Several documents accompany the record and gives clues as to family connections; also, the whereabouts of sister Elizabeth Catherine Chisholm residing in Pasadena California. A brother, John Francis is deceased according to these records.
Other census records demonstrate how the Chisholm household had changed over the years. 1891 Morristown district; household #26; 1901 census Morristown district; household #55; 1911 census Morristown district; household #56. Just prior to the 1911 census we locate a death record for Mary (nee MacInnis) Chisholm who dies of Chronic Rheumatism.[10]
[1] Census; NS; Antigonish Co; Morristown District; Household #58.
[2] St Ninian Parish Records; Baptismal of William Chisholm, 1865.
[3] St Ninian Parish Records; Baptismal of John Chisholm, 1868.
[4] The Casket August 28th, 1873 pp.2
[5] NS Vitals; Marriage; Year: 1875; Book: 1803; Page: 57; Number: 55.
[6] NS Vitals; Marriage; Year: 1879; Book: 1817; Page: 36; Number: 492.
[7] NS Vitals; Death: Year 1937; File: 169; Number: 897.
[8] NS Vitals; Marriage: Year: 1882; Book: 1803; Page: 87; Number: 4.
[9] NS Vitals; Death; Year: 1935; File: 139; Number: 338.
[10] NS Vitals; Death; Year: 1911; Book: 2; Page: 85; Number: 504.