Julia Chevalier

As I have mentioned in a previous post, my gr. gr. grandfather Louis David Chevalier was married twice.  His first wife was Catherine Kendell, a British woman who had moved to Canada.  Both her parents had died in England; her father in 1807 and her mother in 1828.  She settled in Quebec as did her siblings but I'm not sure how she arrived here.  She married Louis David in 1848.

Their youngest child Julia was born on July 11, 1867.  It would be only three months later and Catherine would pass away on October 27 at the age of 40.  The only older sister Julia had was Mary Ann but through some illness she too died at the age of 20 in 1870.  This left Louis on his own, trying to raise the boys and Julia as well as fish for salmon on the river.  A gentleman who is known to be on the Labrador and connected to Ferryland named Thomas Wright helped Louis obtain a young woman from Ferryland as a domestic.  As  you know from a previous post, that young woman was Bridget Sisk who he married in 1871.

The only mother Julia knew was Bridget.  It was important to have a female adult figure in her life and Bridget was it.  But for Julia it was not to last.  Bridget died of complications from childbirth.

Julia had been attending the school set up by Miss Jane Brodie in.  Miss Brodie, originally from Scotland, was a missionary who felt the need to ensure that the children of the Lower North Shore of Quebec were well educated.  Because of his upbringing, Louis David felt the same way and Julia, along with many of the area children attended Miss Brodie's school.

After the death of Bridget, Louis sent Julia to stay at the Brodies full time.  While there, Julia's artistic abilities flourished.  She had inherited the fine arts from her gr. grandmother Mary Ann Vane.  Julia was known for her love of painting.  In fact, a piece created on glass was kept by my great aunt Flossie Salter Poole.  Unfortunately it broke and I did not have the opportunity to see it.  But that true ability to paint, draw and create was passed down to her descendants.  Most of us all have been blessed with the ability in one form or another.  Aren't we the lucky ones!

By 1891, Julia had moved to Montreal with the aged Miss Brodie.  She remained there until the teacher's death in 1907.

I am not certain what became of Julia.  I am presently working on a lead that she may have moved to the United States and lived with relatives there.  Of course, I promise to update if any of these leads pan out.

Although Julia did not have any of her own children, her artistic abilities live on.  Right Julia D?

2013 - A Hell of a Second Half

Okay Guys (Nick, Matt & Jule).  As you will notice there is a huge gap between my last post and this one.  When you read this of course, you will remember the various reasons why.

Reason 1.  The Liberal Leadership - I abandoned pretty much everything to volunteer on Paul Antle's campaign for leader.  Don't groan too loudly Jule.  I spent far too much of my time and energy to that cause but the upside was that I met some very nice people and reconnected to those whom I have not seen for a long time.  That being said, things are hopping politically here in the province and we are entering a very interesting era.  Oh yeah, and he lost.

Audrey Ruth Wells Dawe

Reason 2.  Audrey Ruth Wells Dawe - Barry's mom became ill in October.  She was in hospital and released only to return a couple of weeks later.  The first diagnoses, while correct, missed (they didn't investigate fully) two crucial maladies that led to her death on December 3rd.  It was fast and unexpected.  Even her attending physician was shocked.  It has taken a lot out of everyone as you guys will remember.  Thankfully there was levity courtesy of Jule.  No one will ever forget the "Should that say Aged 86 Years?  Isn't that only for wine?" ("Scotch!" exclaimed Kirsten and Nick in unison.) and the "Yeah, but you have an awesome Green name!"; a retort to Nick's comment about her awesome green coat.

Reason 3.  #DarkNL - Rolling blackouts, mismanaged hydro resources, freezing temps and so much more!  That was the wonderful 5 days of #DarkNL, the twitter hashtag used by all who were p.o.'d at, well, everyone and everything.  It could have and should have been avoided by NL Hydro and its parent crown corporation Nalcor but we will leave the politics of the day.  Let's just say that I don't think history will treat them kindly.  It should be fun to see if I was correct.

That brings us to today.  It is my 52nd birthday and I vow to get things rolling again.  I am undertaking the #52ancestors in 52 weeks challenge and see how that goes.  I hope you like how it turns out.

Love,
Mom X/O