Elizabeth had a large collection of surnames. She was born in New York State around 1780, the daughter of Dr Andrew McLaney, a Royal Navy surgeon, and Martha Brown, of Pennsylvanian origin. McLaney was lost at sea during the American Revolution and Elizabeth may well have been his posthumous daughter. The man she would have known as her father was John Dennis, a shipbuilder from Pennsylvania, who married her widowed mother in New York in 1781. Elizabeth was often recorded either under her father's or her stepfather's surname.
Her childhood was often disrupted, first by the Revolutionary War and then by the many relocations of her Loyalist family as they tried to establish themselves in British North America or in the newly-formed United States of America. By the time she was 17, Elizabeth had lived in New York State, Beaver Harbour in the Nova Scotia Colony, Pennfield in the New Brunswick Colony, Alexandria in Virginia, and finally near the River Humber in York Township, York County, Upper Canada where she met and married Matthias Sanders in 1797. Matthias was either born in Germany or the son of German immigrants to the Americas and, like Elizabeth's stepfather, worked in the shipbuilding industry. He was about seven years her senior. After a few years living near the Dennis family, Matthias and Elizabeth moved to Thornhill, a village in York County which straddled the border of Markham and Vaughan Townships. Their house, Cricklewood, still stands.
Matthias and Elizabeth had a family of six. When the War of 1812 began, Matthias became a private in the 1st Regiment York Militia, and was in the wrong place at the wrong time when the British forces blew up the powder magazine at the Garrison of York on 27 April 1813 to prevent it falling into the hands of the advancing American army. Matthias was struck in the leg by the falling stones and, although he survived the injury and the subsequent amputation, infection set in and he died at Thornhill on 25 May. His was the first burial in the village's cemetery.
Within months Elizabeth petitioned the Council of Upper Canada for support for herself and her six children (John, Andrew, Martha, Henry, Margaret and Joseph) on behalf of her husband's sacrifice, and was granted a widow's pension. She also owned her own lands which she had been granted in 1798 as the daughter of a Loyalist.
The wealthy young widow wasn't alone for long and on 8 February 1816 she married John Toledo Elrod, an American surgeon or 'practitioner of physic' as he was recorded in a list of 'Aliens' in Markham Township in 1815. He had come from Ohio and claimed to have fought for General William Henry Harrison.
As they neared their eighth anniversary, however, the Council of Upper Canada received a petition from Elizabeth Elrod to restore her previous married surname of Sanders, as information lately received from Ohio had proven that her American husband already had a wife when he married her, and that said wife (Lydia Collier) was still alive and well. Also, her husband was nowhere to be found and neither was any of her money or property, other than the land she had received as the daughter of a Loyalist. The petition was granted and Elizabeth resumed her name of Sanders, but was reduced to taking in lodgers to make ends meet. Just over a decade passed before Elizabeth died. She was buried at Thornhill with her first husband.
One year later Elizabeth's widowed mother, Martha Dennis (née Brown, previously McLaney) made her will, writing:
To mysaid late daughter Elizabeth Sanders’ children, Elizabeth and Mary Ann, I give the Franklin Street half a dozen of chairs (and all my other personal property not otherwise disposed of by this my will)
Looks like they lost out on a better deal when Martha changed her mind and struck out part of the bequest! Anyway, Elizabeth and Mary Ann did not appear in the list of children Elizabeth submitted to the Council of Upper Canada in her petition for a widow's pension. Also, unlike every other beneficiary of Martha Dennis' will, their surname wasn't given. Elizabeth was married to John Elrod for nearly eight years, from early 1816 until late 1823, and was aged only about 36 when they married. It seems probable that Elizabeth and Mary Ann were her children of her second marriage.
That's the background to the mystery of Mary Ann Robins, someone who appears with the family of Elizabeth's son Henry on censuses from 1851 until 1911. Could Mary Ann Robins have been the daughter of Elizabeth McLaney and John Elrod?
One of the six children of Matthias Sanders and Elizabeth McLaney / Dennis was Henry Sanders, born 8 November 1806 at Markham Township, according to his mother's petition for a widow's pension. He married firstly on 9 December 1829 at Vaughan Township to Elizabeth Howman, who died in the 1840s. Hs second marriage, on 22 June 1858 at Markham, was to Elizabeth Smith, née Milliken, a widow, whose son John was adopted by Henry. Henry was a farmer and the births of his children show that he lived near Thornhill, close to his mother and two of his brothers.
At the time of the 1851 census (actually taken on 12 January 1852 due to the government miscalculating the amount of time it would take to make the necessary arrangements for a census), Henry and his family were living in Markham Village:
1851 Census of Canada West
District 42, Sub-district 399, Pages 33-4, Roll C-11759, Schedule A
1, 2, 3 and 4th Concessions of Markham Township, York County, Canada West
Round log House 1 storey, 1 family occupying
SANDERS, Henry, Farmer, born Canada, Methodist, 45 next birthday, Male, Widower, Family member
SANDERS, Elizabeth, born Canada, Methodist, 20 next birthday, Female, Single, Family member
SANDERS, Martha, born Canada, Methodist, 16 next birthday, Female, Single, Family member, Attending school
SANDERS, John, born Canada, Methodist, 14 next birthday, Male, Single, Family member, Attending school
SANDERS, Rebecca, born Canada, Methodist, 12 next birthday, Female, Single, Family member, Attending school[? The mark for Rebecca’s school attendance appears to be on the same line as that for her brother John]
SANDERS, Harry, born Canada, Methodist, 10 next birthday, Male, Single, Family member, Attending school
SANDERS, Andrew, born Canada, Methodist, 8 next birthday, Male, Single, Family member, Attending school
SANDERS, Josephine, born Canada, Methodist, 6 next birthday, Female, Single, Family member, Attending school
ROBINS, Mary, born Canada, Methodist, 23 next birthday, Female, Single, Not family member
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Cricklewood today |
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Signature of Matthias Sanders, 1797 |
The wealthy young widow wasn't alone for long and on 8 February 1816 she married John Toledo Elrod, an American surgeon or 'practitioner of physic' as he was recorded in a list of 'Aliens' in Markham Township in 1815. He had come from Ohio and claimed to have fought for General William Henry Harrison.
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Signaturey of John Toledo Elrod, 1818 |
One year later Elizabeth's widowed mother, Martha Dennis (née Brown, previously McLaney) made her will, writing:
To my
Looks like they lost out on a better deal when Martha changed her mind and struck out part of the bequest! Anyway, Elizabeth and Mary Ann did not appear in the list of children Elizabeth submitted to the Council of Upper Canada in her petition for a widow's pension. Also, unlike every other beneficiary of Martha Dennis' will, their surname wasn't given. Elizabeth was married to John Elrod for nearly eight years, from early 1816 until late 1823, and was aged only about 36 when they married. It seems probable that Elizabeth and Mary Ann were her children of her second marriage.
That's the background to the mystery of Mary Ann Robins, someone who appears with the family of Elizabeth's son Henry on censuses from 1851 until 1911. Could Mary Ann Robins have been the daughter of Elizabeth McLaney and John Elrod?
One of the six children of Matthias Sanders and Elizabeth McLaney / Dennis was Henry Sanders, born 8 November 1806 at Markham Township, according to his mother's petition for a widow's pension. He married firstly on 9 December 1829 at Vaughan Township to Elizabeth Howman, who died in the 1840s. Hs second marriage, on 22 June 1858 at Markham, was to Elizabeth Smith, née Milliken, a widow, whose son John was adopted by Henry. Henry was a farmer and the births of his children show that he lived near Thornhill, close to his mother and two of his brothers.
At the time of the 1851 census (actually taken on 12 January 1852 due to the government miscalculating the amount of time it would take to make the necessary arrangements for a census), Henry and his family were living in Markham Village:
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1851 Census of Markham Township, Page 33 |
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1851 Census of Markham Township, Page 34 |
District 42, Sub-district 399, Pages 33-4, Roll C-11759, Schedule A
1, 2, 3 and 4th Concessions of Markham Township, York County, Canada West
Round log House 1 storey, 1 family occupying
SANDERS, Henry, Farmer, born Canada, Methodist, 45 next birthday, Male, Widower, Family member
SANDERS, Elizabeth, born Canada, Methodist, 20 next birthday, Female, Single, Family member
SANDERS, Martha, born Canada, Methodist, 16 next birthday, Female, Single, Family member, Attending school
SANDERS, John, born Canada, Methodist, 14 next birthday, Male, Single, Family member, Attending school
SANDERS, Rebecca, born Canada, Methodist, 12 next birthday, Female, Single, Family member, Attending school[? The mark for Rebecca’s school attendance appears to be on the same line as that for her brother John]
SANDERS, Harry, born Canada, Methodist, 10 next birthday, Male, Single, Family member, Attending school
SANDERS, Andrew, born Canada, Methodist, 8 next birthday, Male, Single, Family member, Attending school
SANDERS, Josephine, born Canada, Methodist, 6 next birthday, Female, Single, Family member, Attending school
ROBINS, Mary, born Canada, Methodist, 23 next birthday, Female, Single, Not family member
For decades Canadian censuses lacked the detailed relationship information found in their British and American counterparts, so although it can be assumed that this household shows Henry, his children and someone who is probably a servant, other sources would be necessary to prove the family connections. It's Mary Robins at the bottom who is the mystery person. The enumerator put a tick next to her name in the 'not family member' column, which could indicate either that she was unrelated, or that she was not a member of the immediate family.
Whoever Mary Robins was, she seems to have been close to the Sanders family as she can be found living with them decade after decade:
1861 Census of Canada West
Markham, York Township, Canada West (Bounded on the North by slide[?] line between 10 & 11 Cons, South, Scarborough, East Cons road between 6 & 7 Cons, West line between 2 & 3 Cons)
Roll: C-1088-1089; Page: 45; Enumeration District 5
Brick 1 ½ storey house, 1 family residing
Henry SANDERS, Farmer, born Canada West, Free Church, 55, Male, Married, male family member
Betsy SANDERS, born Canada West, Wesleyan Methodist, 49, Female, Married, female family member
John SANDERS, School teacher, born Canada West, Free Church, 24, Male, Single, male family member
Rebeca SANDERS, born Canada West, Free Church, 22, Female, Single, female family member absent
Henry SANDERS, born Canada West, Free Church, 20, Male, Single, male family member absent
Andrew SANDERS, born Canada West, Free Church, 18, Male, Single, male family member
Josephine SANDERS, born Canada West, Free Church, 15, Female, Single, female family member
John Smith SANDERS, born Canada West, Wesleyan Methodist, 16, Male, Single, male family member
Mary A. ROBINS, Servant, born Canada West, Wesleyan Methodist, 33, female, single, female non-family member
Markham, York Township, Canada West (Bounded on the North by slide[?] line between 10 & 11 Cons, South, Scarborough, East Cons road between 6 & 7 Cons, West line between 2 & 3 Cons)
Roll: C-1088-1089; Page: 45; Enumeration District 5
Brick 1 ½ storey house, 1 family residing
Henry SANDERS, Farmer, born Canada West, Free Church, 55, Male, Married, male family member
Betsy SANDERS, born Canada West, Wesleyan Methodist, 49, Female, Married, female family member
John SANDERS, School teacher, born Canada West, Free Church, 24, Male, Single, male family member
Rebeca SANDERS, born Canada West, Free Church, 22, Female, Single, female family member absent
Henry SANDERS, born Canada West, Free Church, 20, Male, Single, male family member absent
Andrew SANDERS, born Canada West, Free Church, 18, Male, Single, male family member
Josephine SANDERS, born Canada West, Free Church, 15, Female, Single, female family member
John Smith SANDERS, born Canada West, Wesleyan Methodist, 16, Male, Single, male family member
Mary A. ROBINS, Servant, born Canada West, Wesleyan Methodist, 33, female, single, female non-family member
The 1861 census was the first and only time Mary was described as a servant.
1871 Canadian Census
Bayham, Elgin East, Ontario
Roll: C-9900; Page: 11; Family No: 44.
Enumeration District 6 – East Elgin, Sub-District E – Township of Bayham
SANDERS, Henry, Male, 66, born Ontario, C. Presbyterian, German origin, Farmer, Widower
SANDERS, Mary Ann, Female, 42, born Ontario, C. Presb., U.S. origin
Bayham, Elgin East, Ontario
Roll: C-9900; Page: 11; Family No: 44.
Enumeration District 6 – East Elgin, Sub-District E – Township of Bayham
SANDERS, Henry, Male, 66, born Ontario, C. Presbyterian, German origin, Farmer, Widower
SANDERS, Mary Ann, Female, 42, born Ontario, C. Presb., U.S. origin
At last a clue to Mary's origins: her roots were American! As, too, were the roots of Mary Ann Elrod, as both her parents were US-born. (Note the enumerator's mistake in not entering a different surname for Mary.)
1881 Canadian Census
District 158, Sub-district D-2, Page 71, Household 360
Middleton Township, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada
SANDERS, Henry, Widower, Male, German origin, 77, born Ontario, Farmer, Presbyterian
ROBINS, Mary Ann, Female, American origin, 53, born Ontario, Presbyterian
District 158, Sub-district D-2, Page 71, Household 360
Middleton Township, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada
SANDERS, Henry, Widower, Male, German origin, 77, born Ontario, Farmer, Presbyterian
ROBINS, Mary Ann, Female, American origin, 53, born Ontario, Presbyterian
1891 Canadian Census
Middleton, Norfolk North, Ontario. Roll: T-6355, Family No: 15, Page 3
Enumeration District 96 - North Norfolk, Sub-District Z[?] - Township of Middleton Division No. 1
Enumeration Date 7 April 1891
ROBINS, Mary A., Female, 62, neither married nor widowed, born Ontario, father born U.S., mother born U.S., P [Primitive] Methodist, Farmer, Able to read, Unable to write
Middleton, Norfolk North, Ontario. Roll: T-6355, Family No: 15, Page 3
Enumeration District 96 - North Norfolk, Sub-District Z[?] - Township of Middleton Division No. 1
Enumeration Date 7 April 1891
ROBINS, Mary A., Female, 62, neither married nor widowed, born Ontario, father born U.S., mother born U.S., P [Primitive] Methodist, Farmer, Able to read, Unable to write
A further clue: both of Mary's parents were born in the US. As were John Elrod (Kentucky) and Elizabeth McLaney (New York). The 1891 census was the first in Canada to record the relationships of people within the household, but Mary was living on her own.
I couldn't find her in 1901, but ten years after that, she was living with Josephine Flynn, née Sanders, daughter of Henry:
1911 Canadian Census
228 McCaul Street, Ward Four, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
National Archives of Canada RG31-C-1, Page 8, Dwelling 54, Family 57
FLYNN, Josephine, Female, Head, Widow, born Aug 1846, aged 64, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, No occupation, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
FLYNN, Sarah, Female, Daughter, Single, born May 1875, aged 36, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, Operator, Worker in Shirt Factory, Employed 50 weeks / year (50 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $400, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
FLYNN, Blanch, Female, Daughter, Single, born July 1872, aged 38, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, No occupation, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
FLYNN, Bertha, Female, Daughter, Single, born Feb 1885, aged 26, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, No occupation, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
FLYNN, William, Male, Son, Single, born June 1887, aged 23, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, Tool Maker, Worker in Jewellery Industry, Employed 50 weeks / year (52 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $750, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
FLYNN, Bessie, Female, Daughter, Single, born Dec 1888, aged 22, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, Clerk, Worker in Mail Order Industry, Employed 50 weeks / year (48 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $400, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
DOUGHTERTY[?], Cella, Female, Lodger, Single, born May 1884, aged 27, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, R.C., Seamstress[?], Worker in Department [store?], Employed 52 weeks / year (-- hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $325, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
BRINKMAN, Elizabeth, Female, Lodger, Single, born June 1887, aged 23, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, Film [illegible], Worker in Photo Supply Industry, Employed 50 weeks / year (50 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $400, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
BRINKMAN, Kezia[?], Female, Lodger, Single, born Feb 1890, aged 21, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, Film [illegible], Worker in Photo Supply Industry, Employed 50 weeks / year (50 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $400, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
CARSON, Louisa, Female, Lodger, Single, born Apr 1886, aged 25, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Anglican, Operator, Worker in Shirt Factory, Employed 40 weeks / year (58 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $360, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
O’MARA, Annie, Female, Lodger, Single, born July 1881, aged 29, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, R.C., Operator, Worker in Ladies Wear Industry, Employed 42 weeks / year (48 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $360, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
ROBBINS, Mary, Female, Lodger, Single, born July 1825, aged 85, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Methodist, Farmer [struck through] No occupation, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
228 McCaul Street, Ward Four, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
National Archives of Canada RG31-C-1, Page 8, Dwelling 54, Family 57
FLYNN, Josephine, Female, Head, Widow, born Aug 1846, aged 64, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, No occupation, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
FLYNN, Sarah, Female, Daughter, Single, born May 1875, aged 36, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, Operator, Worker in Shirt Factory, Employed 50 weeks / year (50 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $400, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
FLYNN, Blanch, Female, Daughter, Single, born July 1872, aged 38, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, No occupation, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
FLYNN, Bertha, Female, Daughter, Single, born Feb 1885, aged 26, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, No occupation, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
FLYNN, William, Male, Son, Single, born June 1887, aged 23, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, Tool Maker, Worker in Jewellery Industry, Employed 50 weeks / year (52 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $750, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
FLYNN, Bessie, Female, Daughter, Single, born Dec 1888, aged 22, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, Clerk, Worker in Mail Order Industry, Employed 50 weeks / year (48 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $400, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
DOUGHTERTY[?], Cella, Female, Lodger, Single, born May 1884, aged 27, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, R.C., Seamstress[?], Worker in Department [store?], Employed 52 weeks / year (-- hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $325, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
BRINKMAN, Elizabeth, Female, Lodger, Single, born June 1887, aged 23, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, Film [illegible], Worker in Photo Supply Industry, Employed 50 weeks / year (50 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $400, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
BRINKMAN, Kezia[?], Female, Lodger, Single, born Feb 1890, aged 21, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Presbyterian, Film [illegible], Worker in Photo Supply Industry, Employed 50 weeks / year (50 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $400, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
CARSON, Louisa, Female, Lodger, Single, born Apr 1886, aged 25, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Anglican, Operator, Worker in Shirt Factory, Employed 40 weeks / year (58 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $360, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
O’MARA, Annie, Female, Lodger, Single, born July 1881, aged 29, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, R.C., Operator, Worker in Ladies Wear Industry, Employed 42 weeks / year (48 hours / week), Total earnings from trade or occupation $360, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
ROBBINS, Mary, Female, Lodger, Single, born July 1825, aged 85, born Ontario, Irish heritage, Canadian nationality, Methodist, Farmer [struck through] No occupation, Able to read, Able to write, Primary language English
By 1911 Mary had apparently lost her American heritage and become Irish. Either that or the census taker just wrote down that everyone in the house was Irish and went to the next place. Certainly Josephine Flynn was not of Irish origin -- although her late husband was -- as both her parents were born in Upper Canada of Loyalist families.
Mary's birthdate on this census would suggest that she was born after Elizabeth and John Elrod's marriage had been declared void in December 1823. On the other hand, the birthdates are far from accurate. Look at the others in the household:
Mary's birthdate on this census would suggest that she was born after Elizabeth and John Elrod's marriage had been declared void in December 1823. On the other hand, the birthdates are far from accurate. Look at the others in the household:
- Josephine Flynn, born Aug 1846 (1911 census), born 26 Aug 1846 (1901 census and death certificate, 1929)
- Sarah Flynn, born May 1875 (1911 census) or born 18 May 1874 (1901 census and birth certificate, registered 29 June 1874)
- Blanche Flynn, born July 1872 (1911 census) or born 10 July 1878 (1901 census and birth certificate, registered 17 August 1878)
- Bertha Celia Flynn, born Feb 1885 (1911 census) or born 16 Jan 1880 (birth certificate, registered 2 Feb 1880) or 16 January 1881 (1901 census)
- William James Flynn, born June 1887 (1911 census) or born circa 1886 (marriage certificate dated 18 Nov 1922, says he was aged 36) – no birth registration found
- Bessie Flynn, born December 1888 (1911 census) or born 9 December 1886 (1901 census) – no birth registration found
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Death certificate of Mary Ann Robins, 1917 |
County of York, Division of Toronto
Page 36, No. 107
SURNAME of Deceased: ROBINS
Christian Name: Mary Ann
Sex: F
Age: 90 Years
Date of Death: Jany 2 1917
Place of Birth: Tp of Vaughan
Place of Death: 80 Victor Ave
Place of Burial: Thornhill Ont
Occupation:
Single, Married or Widowed: S
Name of Father: -
Maiden Name of Mother: -
Cause of Death, if known: -
Name of Physician who attended Deceased: Chas R. SNEATH
Name of Informant: W N KNEOHTEL[?]
Address: 1095 Yonge St
Date of Return: Jany 2 1917
Physician’s Return of Death
Surname of Deceased: ROBINS
Christian Name: Mary Ann
Date of Death: Jany 2 1917
DISEASE CAUSING DEATH: Old Age
Duration: -
Immediate Cause of Death: Old Age
Duration: -
Physician’s Name: Chas R. SNEATH
Address: 385 Broadview Ave
Date of Return: Jany 2 1917
Some interesting items to note from this (frustratingly, I can't make out the signature of the informant; even more frustratingly, the informant didn't know her parents' names!): Mary Ann was born in the Township of Vaughan and is to be buried in Thornhill. Thornhill is partly in Markham Township and partly in Vaughan Township. Was she born in or near Thornhill? She was certainly living in the area during her years in the household of Henry Sanders before he moved to Elgin County and then Norfolk County.
So who was Mary Ann Robins? Was she the daughter of Elizabeth McLaney and John Elrod? If not, what was her connection to the Sanders family? Was she some beloved retainer who lived with them for more than 60 years? Things which remain to be researched:
- finding out who is buried near Mary Ann in Thornhill (or if she's even buried there - the Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid suggests not; that is to say that no one by the name of Mary Ann Robins or Elrod is buried there). Is she buried near Elizabeth and Matthias?
- locating the death certificate of Henry Sanders and any will: was Mary Ann the informant of his death? She appears to be living on his farm in 1891.
- finding a will for Elizabeth McLaney Dennis Sanders Elrod Sanders, which ought to mention the whereabouts of her children
- finding out what happened to Mary Ann Elrod's sister Elizabeth
Special thanks to Guylaine Petrin who has been an invaluable help with this mystery, turing up all sorts of documents to piece together the story of the Sanders family.
See http://familytreesurgeon.blogspot.com/2011/02/two-updates.html for an update to this post.
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