Overview of our Mumford Ancestors – Family History and Life Stories

The Mumford surname has a French locational origin from Montford-sur-Risle in Normandy, France. It is based on the Olde French “mont” (a hill) plus “fort” (strong and impregnable). The ancient Coat of Arms has the blazon of a blue lion saliant on a gold field, the Crest being a demi cat rampant. The first recorded spelling of the family name is that of Hugo de Montford, which was dated 1086, in the Domesday Book, during the reign of King William I, known as “William the Conqueror” (1066-1087).

The Mumford Family ancestors have their roots in England dating back to before 1566 when Hugh Parker Mumford was born. He was the son of John Mumford (1542-1574) and Margaret Parker (1543-1574) who lived in Essex, England. The three generations of descendants of Hugh Mumford were all named Thomas Mumford.

The ancestry records indicate that Thomas Mumford I (1585-1660) emigrated to the the British colonies in North America in 1650. Thomas Mumford II (1625-1692) had a son named Thomas Mumford III (1656-1726) who was born in Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island, USA (New England).

His descendant, George Mumford was born on December 9, 1730, in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. He married Mary Dickenson (1742-1803) on April 6, 1761, in his hometown. A short time later, the family emigrated to Nova Scotia in Canada. Their son, Benjamin Mumford (1764-1841) was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada.

For an overview of our Mumford ancestors in North America, read Family History of the Mumford Ancestors – Life Stories. It contains excerpts from Appendix E of the 2018 book titled Exploring Our Ancestry: The Roy-Apted Family History in Canada and Beyond, by J. Paul-Emile Roy, CPA, CA.

Smith Ancestry – 3rd Generation: The Story of John Caleb Smith (1852-1940) and Deborah Emmeline Boutilier (1859-1940) – Part 2

About Deborah Emmeline Boutilier (1859-1940)

Deborah Emmeline Boutilier was born on July 7, 1859, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her father, Isaac Joseph Boutilier (1831-1918), was 27 and her mother, Louisa Margaret Eisenhauer (1832-1920), was 27. On November 20, 1859, she was baptized at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, French Village, Halifax. As the family tree shows, she was the second oldest of 6 children – 5 girls and 1 boy.

Emmeline Boutilier Family Tree

Emmeline married John Caleb Smith in her hometown, Tantallon, Halifax, Nova Scotia, on October 27, 1881. He was 29 years old and she was 22 years old. They had 8 children in 25 years – 6 boys and 2 girls. The records indicate that all 6 boys enlisted and served in World War 1 (see Smith Ancestry – Remembering the Battle of Vimy Ridge) but only 5 returned!

Emmeline Boutilier at home c1922

Emmeline Boutilier with grandchildren c1922

Deborah Emmeline Boutilier died on May 1, 1940, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at the age of 80, and was buried at St. Margaret’s Anglican Cemetery, Tantallon, Halifax. The Nova Scotia Death Certificate (#26) indicates that she passed away of an intestinal obstruction (probably carcinoma) at the age of 80 years. Her son Ernest M. Smith signed as informant (Ernest's first-born and only son, Russell Cannon Smith, is the baby in Emmeline's photo above).

Emmeline Boutilier - NS Death Certificate 1940

Emmeline’s Obituary, dated Thursday, May 2, 1940 was posted in the Halifax Chronicle. It read: “MRS JOHN SMITH. The death occurred yesterday at her home at Lower Tantallon, of Mrs. Emeline Deborah Smith, wife of John C. Smith, in her 81st year. Mrs. Smith was a native of Tantallon, and one of the most widely-known residents of the district. She is survived, besides her husband, four sons, Horace in Prince Edward Island; Norman in Ontario; Ernest of Halifax, and Weldon of Tantallon; and two daughters, Mrs. James Boutilier, Tantallon, and Mrs. Willard Carr, Tantallon. The funeral will be held from her late home on Saturday at 2:30 with service conducted by Rev. Mr. Ruderham."

John Caleb Smith and Emmeline Deborah Boutilier - Gravestone 1940

Smith Ancestry – 3rd Generation: The Story of John Caleb Smith (1852-1940) and Deborah Emmeline Boutilier (1859-1940) – Part 1

The 1^st Generation of our Smith Ancestry in Canada is about Russell Cannon Smith (1920-1995) and Margaret Cecilia Mumford (1922-1998). The 2^nd Generation of the family history is about Ernest Milburn Smith (1894-1948) and Bridget “Bessie” Cannon (1891-1982). The following story looks at the 3^rd Generation - John Caleb Smith (1852-1940) and Deborah Emmeline Boutilier (1859-1940).

About John Caleb Smith (1852-1940)

John Caleb Smith was born on February 29, 1852, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His father, Caleb Nickerson Smith (1811-1893), was 41 and his mother, Mary Catherine Whynacht (1818-1900), was 33. John was baptized June 27, 1852 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, French Village, Halifax. He was the 8th of 12 children - 7 boys and 5 girls.

John was a lumberman by trade. As his family tree shows, John was married twice and had 10 children of his own. He married Lydia Ann Boutilier and they had 2 children. After Lydia died, he married a second time to Deborah Emmeline Boutilier and they had 8 children together.

John Caleb Smith Family Tree

Lydia Ann was born on September 25, 1854, in Halifax. Her father, Joseph (Josie Joe) Boutilier (1827-1898), was 26 and her mother, Catherine Publicover (1824-1902), was 29. Lydia was one of 5 children – 3 girls and 2 boys. Sadly, her youngest brother and sister both died in 1880.

Lydia Ann Boutilier Family Tree

On April 3, 1877, when he was 25 years old, John married Lydia Ann Boutilier in St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Hackett’s Cove, Halifax. John and Lydia had two children during their brief marriage – Clement Seymour (1879-1926) and Herbert Isaiah (1881-1885), who died as an infant. Lydia Ann Boutilier died as a young mother (at the age of 26) on June 6, 1881, less than 3 months after Herbert was born. Apparently, she committed suicide and was buried in Halifax.

John Caleb Smith married Deborah Emmeline Boutilier in Tantallon, Halifax, Nova Scotia, on October 27, 1881, when he was 29 years old. Emmeline’s story is told in Smith Ancestry – 3^rd Generation: The Story of John Caleb Smith (1852-1940) and Deborah Emmeline Boutilier (1859-1940) – Part 2.

John Caleb Smith died on July 10, 1940, in Halifax, Nova Scotia and was buried at St. Margaret’s Anglican Cemetery in Tantallon, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Death Certificate (#28) indicates that he passed away of natural causes at the age of 88 years. His son Weldon Smith signed as informant.

John Caleb Smith - NS Death Certificate 1940

Smith Ancestry – Remembering the Battle of Vimy Ridge

When Great Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914, its Dominion of Canada automatically entered the fight, inspiring thousands to enlist. Eventually 619,000 Canadian troops joined British and French forces in Europe and quickly earned a reputation for toughness. In April 1915, the Second Battle of Ypres, a massive chlorine gas attack broke the line, but Canadian troops held the Germans until help arrived. Two years into the war at the Battle of the Somme, the 1st Newfoundland Regiment gave their all: after the first day, only 68 of some 800 soldiers survived.

Succeeding where British and French soldiers had failed, the Canadian Corps also captured the strategic point of Vimy Ridge (see the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge - Veterans Affairs Canada). Canadian women pitched in too, and more than 3,000 nurses volunteered. The courage of the Canadian soldiers did not go unnoticed, and ultimately 70 received the Victoria Cross for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy.”

The Smith Ancestry – England to United States to Canada (second stage) tells the story of how John Caleb Smith (1852-1940) married his second wife Emmeline Deborah Boutilier (1859-1940) in 1881. As their family tree shows, they had 8 children (6 boys and 2 girls). The records indicate that all 6 boys enlisted and served in World War 1 (see Footage - Canada at War).

John Caleb Smith and Emmeline Deborah Boutilier Family Tree

Ernest Milburn Smith, c.1916

Ernest Milburn Smith (our direct line ancestor) enlisted for service in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on December 21, 1915. His three older brothers followed. Horace Mazlin enlisted on March 25, 1916 and Norman Lindsay joined the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on April 26, 1916. The WW1 US Draft Registration Card states that Isaac Caleb enlisted on September 12, 1918. 

Malcolm (Mack) Russell Smith, c.1916

Ernest’s younger brother, Malcolm Russell Smith (born in 1896) was the first of the Smith boys to enlist in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on November 29, 1915. Malcolm (known as Mack) was a member of the 10^th Machine Gun Company (Regimental Number 488787).

On August 9, 1917, Mack sent a hopeful letter to his older sister Gladys Bernice about the situation on the front lines in the trenches. Mack's letter states that he had recently seen his younger brother Weldon and that he was well (which proves that Weldon had also enlisted). His letter also says that Ernest (the lucky one) was recovering in a military hospital and made blighty, which means he would probably be sent back to England. He closes by sending his "love to all the children."

Malcolm Smith WW1 letter 1917 (click to enlarge)

On August 21, 1917, less than two weeks after writing that letter, Mack was killed in action in the battle at Vimy Ridge. At only 21 years old, he was buried at Villers Station Cemetery, France. Several online memorials honour his sacrifice, including: Canadian Virtual War Memorial, Canada at War and First World War - Books Of Remembrance.

Malcolm Russell Smith Headstone - 1917

LEST WE FORGET!

About Margaret Cecilia Mumford (1922-1998)

Margaret Cecilia (Mumford) Smith 1969

Margaret Cecilia Mumford was born on November 4, 1922 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her christening was on December 27, 1922 and her confirmation was on May 27, 1934 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. She was one of five children of Ernest H. Mumford (1886-1957) and Margaret Cecilia Naylor (1886-1965) who were married in Halifax on March 2, 1908. Ernest and Margaret were both 21 years old when they wed. Their marriage lasted 49 years, during which time they had five children (Margaret “Peggy” Louise, Ernest Patrick, Bernard Joseph, George and the youngest child, Margaret Cecilia).

Margaret married Russell Cannon Smith (1920-1995) during a major snowstorm on December 28, 1944 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They needed special dispensation to marry because she was marrying a soldier during war time. Russell was 24 and Margaret was 22. Their marriage lasted 50 years. They had five children: one boy (the oldest child) and four girls (one died when she was only nine years old).

The Canada Voting Records for 1945 show that Margaret was living with her older sister, Peggy Louise who was also married to a soldier. At that time, there was a severe housing shortage. The population of Halifax nearly doubled during the war as service personnel poured into the port city by the tens of thousands. Many of the military resented the overcrowding and strained facilities. Bad feelings, combined with the poor preparations by military and local authorities for VE Day, turned spontaneous celebrations into riots and rampage on May 7-8, 1945 (see Halifax VE Day Riots newspaper reports and the short film VE Day Riot 1945). The reports stated that 564 businesses suffered damage and 207 shops were looted. Three rioters died. A federal inquiry later blamed the navy for poor discipline of its personnel and the navy’s top officer on the east coast was fired.

Being an “army wife” Margaret and the family moved to Victoria, British Columbia, then back to Halifax, on to Ottawa, Ontario and then Oakville, Ontario where they stayed. When Russell retired from the army in October 1965, they bought their “dream house” with a large back yard in Oakville. To help pay the bills, Margaret went to work doing various jobs, including office cleaning. For a number of years, she also worked in the freeze-dried food preparation business, which she seemed to enjoy. The freeze-dried process was first developed in WWII as a means of preserving blood serum.

Russell Smith and Margaret (Mumford) Smith in retirement 1980s

Margaret and her husband had similar passions, such as eating steak and potatoes, smoking cigarettes and drinking beer. Russell was a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion so, after all the children had moved away, they spent many hours at the Legion enjoying the company of their army friends and associates. In her later years, she suffered a severe brain aneurysm but, after several years of rehabilitation, she recovered. Margaret Cecilia Mumford died on April 12, 1998, aged 75, in Oakville, Ontario and is buried next to her husband at Trafalgar Lawn Cemetery, Oakville.

About Russell Cannon Smith (1920-1995)

Russell Cannon Smith was born in Halifax on March 18, 1920. He was the first child of Ernest Milburn Smith (1894-1948) and Bridget Bessie Cannon (1891-1982) who were married on January 15, 1919 in Glasgow, Scotland. Ernest was 24 and Bessie was 27. Their marriage lasted 29 years. They had three more children, all girls - Eunice (Una), Doris and Jean.

Ernest enlisted for service in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force (1915-1919) and fought in the trenches in World War 1. Perhaps this set an example for young Russell because,  as soon as he was old enough to enlist, he joined the Royal Canadian Army. He earned the nickname “Boom Boom” Smith when he became an Artillery Instructor and rose through the ranks. Due to a disability in both feet, he did not serve in World War 2.

Russell Cannon Smith age 19, circa 1939

Russell Cannon Smith age 24, circa 1944

Promotions generally meant moving to new army bases, so the family moved to Victoria, British Columbia, then back to Halifax, on to Ottawa, Ontario and then Oakville, Ontario where he stayed. Russell did not enjoy the politics of senior level rank, so he settled for the position of  Staff Sergeant. For his long and distinguished service, he received the Canadian Forces Decoration Medal in 1956.

Canadian Forces Decoration Medal

 

Russell married Margaret Cecilia Mumford (1922-1998) during a major snowstorm on December 28, 1944 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Russell was 24 and Margaret was 22. Their marriage lasted 50 years. They had five children: one boy (the oldest child) and four girls (one died in 1961 when she was only nine years old).

Russell retired from the army in October 1965 and began receiving his service pension and a disability pension for hearing impairment. After a somewhat lengthy period of adjustment, he settled into civilian life by taking a job as shipper and receiver for a local company. He continued to indulge in his passion for marksmanship, taking part in ongoing rifle competitions. At one point, he qualified for the finals and went to a world competition in South Africa. He was an expert at fine-tuning rifles and even made his own bullets to improve the accuracy of his shooting. For a while, he taught marksmanship at a local private boys academy.

Russell Cannon Smith in retirement 1980s

 Russell had other passions, like eating steak and potatoes, smoking cigarettes and drinking beer. He was a long-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion. After all the children had moved away, he spent many hours at the Legion with his wife enjoying the company of his army associates. Russell Cannon Smith  died on August 10, 1995, aged 75, in Oakville, Ontario and is buried next to his wife at Trafalgar Lawn Cemetery.