THIRD GENERATION

8. Jane Parker was born on 3 Feb 1836 in Lakefield, Gore, Argentuil County, Quebec. She died on 2 Aug 1914. She was buried in St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Lake Louisa, Quebec. notes from Alan Ross Parker

PBBD Jane Parker, born February 3, 1836 near Lakefield, QC. She married James Morrison on March 18, 1857 in a double wedding ceremony in which her sister Elizabeth married his brother William. William and James were sons of Henry Morrison and Isabelle Kennedy. For a fuller account of them and their descendants, see the Parker - Morrison Descendants.

She was married to James Morrison on 18 Mar 1857. notes from Alan Ross Parker

PBBD Jane Parker, the second of Edward Parker's daughters to marry a Morrison, was born February 3, 1836 near Lakefield, Gore Township, QC. In a double wedding ceremony at the Lakefield Anglican Church on March 18, 1857, she married James Morrison while her sister, Elizabeth, married his brother, William. William and James were sons of Henry Morrison and Isabelle Kennedy. The four were all living in 1907 when a great Morrison-Parker golden wedding celebration was held with many descendants in attendance. A small 4-page leaflet was printed for the occasion, containing a 2-page poem by Bella M.S. Cleveland of Johnville, QC. They were married by Rev. C. Griffin. Richard and James, PBBAH and PBBAJ, above, wrote: "The celebration on March 11, 1907 took the form of a large party of over 100 guests, many of whom were relatives of the two families, who gathered from near and far to take part in this notable event and to congratulate the two couples who, though somewhat advanced in age, were still enjoying good health and joined heartily in the spirit of the gathering." They, however did not long survive the celebration.

A year before his marriage James bought half a lot near the old Morrison homestead, on which he settled and on which he lived afterward. He later bought 400 acres adjoining his farm. C. Thomas' History of Argenteuil County says of him: "Though he devoted much time to hunting, he seems to have given enough of it to farming to improve his land and acquire a quantity of stock and other things usually possessed by the majority of farmers. He also found time to serve his country as a soldier, having for several years been first sergeant in Company Two of the Argenteuil Rangers, and was with them in their famous endeavors to encounter the Fenians. The truth is, Mr. Morrison is a man of great muscular power and vigorous health, a tramp of twenty miles, with a gun, through the woods and over hills and mountains being yet but a pastime to him, though upward of three score years of age. He is not above medium height, but broad-chested, with muscles and nerves of iron, and an eye that never fails to send a bullet to a vital part. He has killed a quantity of game that might rouse the envy of nimrod, and no doubt he has had some exciting adventures, but he is not a man of boastful spirit, and speaks of his experience as a hunter with extreme modesty. He shot his first bear when, he was eighteen years old, and the number of animals he has killed up to the 1st of October, 1894, were as follows: bears 47, deer about 50, foxes over 40, caribou 5, and about the same number of wolverines. He once had an experience with an animal, of which we have forgotten the name. He had set a steel trap in the hollow of a fallen tree, and on visiting it afterwards, he thoughtlessly thrust in his hand to pull out the trap for examination. Unluckily for him, a victim which had been caught in the trap by the hind leg was only too ready to avenge its wrongs, and buried its teeth in his hand with a death grip, from which he could not release himself, though he made strenuous efforts. He bethought him of his knife, but it in his right pocket of his pants, and his right hand was the one seized by the animal. After several fruitless efforts he finally succeeded in getting his knife with his left hand, and then opening it by the aid of his teeth, he actually severed the head of the animal from his body before its grasp was released. Mr. Morrison is as familiar with every square acre of the forest land of Wentworth, and other new townships as he is with his own farm . . .."

Jane and James had 11 children, of whom 6 lived: 3 of each sex. The correct order of the 11 was, according to PBBDA: Edward, 1858, Henry, Isabella, Thomas, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, Fanny, Merinda, Rachel, and James, in 1877. According to PBBDEC, of the 11 children, the 6 who lived where: Edward, Henry, Isabella, Thomas, Mary, and Elizabeth. These 6 married. The 5 who died as young children were: Sarah (Sally), Fanny, Merinda (Minnie), Rachel, and James.

James was sometimes known as Bear Hunter Jimmy.

Jane Parker, born February 3, 1836 at Lakefield, QC. Rev. R.C. Griffin on March 18, 1857 married Jane to James Morrison while her sister, Elizabeth, married his brother, Henry (William). Henry was the first, and James the second, son of Henry Morrison, Sr., and Isabella Kennedy of The Glen. All four celebrated their Golden Wedding on March 7, 1907 at The Glen at the home of Jane and James Morrison. Of all the guests only Mr. and Mrs. James Curry had seen the ceremony of 1857. Each couple in 1907 had 6 children surviving: 3 sons and 3 daughters. The two couples settled within a mile of one another on farms in The Glen, near Shrewsbury, QC. James died August 23, 1915, having been born December 31, 1834. Upon his death the Lachute Watchman printed an obituary, part of which reads as follows:
"In the early days of the settlement of the Township of Wentworth, the conditions of life were such that it required heroic men to hew out for themselves comfortable homes among the mountains, forests, and lakes which surrounded them. It was not always a question of keeping the wolf from the door. But it became very serious question to keep the bears from the door. In this James found a task after his own heart, and so successful was he as a bear hunter that he finally acquired the name of 'Bear Jimmy' or 'The Bear King' to distinguish him from others of the same name. James has standing to his credit the death of 53 bears killed by him within five miles of his home. The last to fall by his hand was one which he killed in 1906. James was then 72 years old. The bear weighed 400 lbs. James was the second son of Henry Morrison, who was a member the Argenteuil Rangers in the Rebellion of 1837 and in the Fenian Raid. James was a first sergeant in No. 2 company of the Argenteuil Rangers and helped in repelling the Fenian Raid of 1866. He was a staunch member of the Loyal Orange Lodge No. 716, Shrewsbury, from early manhood. He was a devoted member and liberal supporter of St. Aidan's Anglican Church, from which his funeral was held. He had no fear of death but longed to be reunited with his wife who predeceased him one year, and also with his many loved ones who had passed on. Interment was in Louisa Cemetery." He and Jane had 11 children, but the 5 who were youngest died in childhood, all within 3 years. These 5 were: Sarah, born June 25, 1870; died from dysentery, September 9, 1879. Frances (Fanny), born September 26, 1872; died October 11, 1882. Merinda, born January 15, 1875; died October 8, 1882. Rachel, born March 6, 1877; died March 17, 1882 of asthma. James, Jr., born April 20, 1879; died October 3, 1882. Three died in October 1882, victims of the terrible epidemic of diphtheria which swept eastern Canada then, before the use of serums was known. This was a terrible blow to the grief-stricken family, a tragedy not one of the family could mention without tear bedimmed eyes. (See pages EP-__ and EP-__, where inaccurate dates of birth are given for some.)
Jane Parker (Morrison) was much beloved by her children and grandchildren, one of whom wrote in 1951: "Jane lived all her 57 years of married life on the same homestead in The Glen. She and James were devoted to each other and loved their children and grandchildren beyond measure. They had sterling qualities and have left us a heritage of which we, as grandchildren, are justly proud. The reverence with which the Lord's Day was kept surely has left its impression, so also the open Bible, the prayers and songs of worship, the courage and fortitude with which they met their tasks, the generous hospitality to friends and neighbors, the mirth and laughter around their hearth, the thrill of a slide on a pair of skis or sled that Grandfather carved for each one individually, the hum of the old spinning wheel and reels of yarn, the cuddley rag-doll, beaded rings or bracelets created 'especially for you' by Grandmother's skillful fingers - these are memories of happy childhood days we shall ever fondly cherish. Another highlight was the family gathering which took place annually after Grandfather sold his furs. He was a great hunter and he knew exactly how to set a trap. Each year at the proper season he went the 60 miles to Montreal to sell his furs. Oftimes he made the trip by boat, down the Ottawa river to the St. Lawrence and to Montreal. On his return he carried home yards of beautiful bright woolen plaid material. Then at the family 'get together' each granddaughter would get a dress length of this pretty plaid. There was always a quieter colour of material for my grandmother, my aunts, and my mother. When Grandfather was finished making his donations, Grandmother would 'grab the scissors' and cut each of us off another dress length from our favorite pattern. A cousin and I both carry our grandmother's name and, needless to say, we think Jane is the best name on record. Truthfully, Grandmother was one of the finest persons who ever lived. She was buried in Louisa from St. Aidan's Anglican Church, of which she was a faithful and devout member."

Bella M.S. Cleveland, a niece, wrote a poem for the golden wedding in 1907. It began as follows:
"O friends of mine, whom ties of blood, bind strongly to my heart,
Fond memories round your names still cling, though we are miles apart.
With those, who at this festal time, with loving cheer and mirth,
From farm and mill and city home, come thronging to your hearth,
I, too, would come and welcome crave, and bring this heart-felt lay
To celebrate in simple rhyme your golden wedding day.
With fifty years between you and your double wedding vows
The almond blossoms now replace the orange an your brows;
And fifty years of wedded weal now fill life's written page.
Through sunset glow of well-spent years now shines your Golden Age.
May many years of blessing still be added to those past,
May He who graced a marriage feast and gave the best wine last,
With gracious presence come again, as then to Cana's hall
And be the honored wedding guest whose word shall bless you all."

The St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Lake Louisa cemetery inscription reads:
In Memory of James Morrison Died August 23, 1915 Aged 80 yrs 8 mths
Also his wife Jane Parker Died August 2, 1914 aged 78 yrs 6 mths. James Morrison was born on 31 Dec 1834. He died on 23 Aug 1915. He was buried in St. Aidan's Anglican Church, Lake Louisa, Quebec. Jane Parker and James Morrison had the following children:

+43 i. Edward Morrison.
+44 ii. Henry Morrison.
+45 iii. Isabella Morrison.
+46 iv. Thomas Morrison.
+47 v. Mary Jane Morrison.
+48 vi. Elizabeth Morrison.
49 vii. Sarah Morrison was born on 25 Jun 1869. notes from Alan Ross Parker

PBBDG Sarah Morrison, born June 25, 1869 at the Glen. She died of dysentery.
Her gravestone at St. John Anglican Church, Shrewsbury, QC states:
Sarah Morrison died November 9, 1879 aged 9 years, 4 months, 15 days.
50 viii. Frances Morrison was born on 26 Sep 1872 in At the Glen, Louisa, Quebec. She died on 3 Oct 1882. notes from Alan Ross Parker

PBBDH Frances (Fanny) Morrison, born September 26, 1872 at the Glen. She died of diphtheria on October 3, 1882.
51 ix. Merinda Morrison was born on 15 Jan 1875. She died on 8 Oct 1882. notes from Alan Ross Parker

PBBDI Merinda Morrison, born January 15, 1875 at the Glen. She died of diphtheria on October 8, 1882.
52 x. Rachel Morrison was born on 6 Mar 1877. She died on 17 Mar 1882. notes from Alan Ross Parker

PBBDJ Rachel Morrison, born March 6, 1877 at the Glen. She died of asthma on March 17, 1882.
53 xi. James Morrison was born on 29 Apr 1879. He died on 3 Oct 1882. notes from Alan Ross Parker

PBBDK James Morrison, Jr., born April 29, 1879 at the Glen. He died of diphtheria on October 3, 1882.