Notes:

Marian's beginnings were recounted in the literary notebooks she wrote during her lifetime. These have been collected as "Marian Engel's Notebooks", edited by Cristl Verduyn, and published in 1999 by Wilfrid Laurier University Press. Marian was born to a single 18 year old mother and was adopted at age 3. Her birth name was Ruth Freer. She had a fraternal twin sister, Lorna (or Eleanor) Freer. In her notebooks Marian stated that her birth mother was a graduate of Central Commerce High School, and that her mother, a widow, was an accountant working for Eaton's department store.

Marian lived with her Passmore family in various Ontario cities where her father taught high school: Port Arthur, London, Brantford, Galt, Hamilton and Sarnia. In her late teenage years, she wrote short stories and submitted them, with some success, to magazines, such as "Seventeen". Marian graduated with a B.A. in Language Studies in 1955 from McMaster University, and with a M.A. in Canadian Literature in 1957 from McGill University. At McGill, her thesis supervisor was a well-established writer, Hugh McLennan, who had a great influence on her later literary career. A collection of letters between McLennan and Marian is found in "Dear Hugh, Dear Marian: the McLennan-Engel Correspondence" (1995).

After her M.A., Marian taught in Westmount, Quebec, McGill University, University of Montana-Missoula, and at St. John's School in Nicosia, Cyprus. Marian was writer-in-residence at the University of Alberta in 1977-78 and at the University of Toronto in 1980-82.

In 1962 she met and married Howard Engel, a CBC radio producer at the time. They lived for a while in Cyprus, where Marian taught at St. Johns RAF School in Nicosia, and where Howard was working on a CBC documentary. After returning to Toronto, they had twin children in 1964. Marian and Howard divorced in 1977. Howard went on to become a successful writer of detective novels.

Marian became an acclaimed novelist and was an important part of the Canadian literary scene. In many of her novels, Marian exhibited a fascination for the "irrational" elements of life. One of her most famous novels, "Bear", won the Governor General's Award for Fiction in 1976. Besides novels, Marian published a number of magazine short stories and articles between 1972 and 1984.

Her published books were:

"No Clouds of Glory" (1968), re-issued As "Sarah Bastard's Notebook in 1974)
"The Honeyman Festival" (1970)
"Monodromos" (1973) (re-issued as "One Way Street" in 1975)
"Adventure at Moon Bay Towers" (1974) - a childrens' book
"Inside the Easter Egg" (1975) - short stories
"Joanne: the Last Days of a Modern Marriage" (1975)
"Bear" (1976)
"My Name is not Odessa Yarker" (1977) - a childrens' book
"The Glassy Sea" (1979)
"Lunatic Villas" (1981) - published in the UK as "The Year of the Child"
"Islands of Canada" (1981) - with photographs by J.A. Kraulis
"The Tatooed Woman" (1985) - short stories, published postumously.

Marian was pssionate in the causes of national and international writers. She was a founding member and first Chair of the Writers' Union of Canada, and she campaigned for payment to authors in proportion to library circulation of their books. She served on the City of Toronto Book Award Committee in 1975-77, and won the award in 1981 for "Lunatic Villas". She also served on the Canadian Book and Periodical Development Council and was a Trusree of the Toronto Public Library Board in 1975-78. In 1982, Marian was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, and in 1984, she was Metro Toronto YWCA's Woman of Distinction in Arts and Letters.

After her death in 1985, from cancer, several books were published about Marian's literary career: "Dear Hugh, Dear Marian: the McLennan-Engel Correspondence" (1995); "Marian Engel's Notebook: 'Ah mon cahier, ecoute..' (1999); "Marian Engel: Life in Letters" (2004); "Marian and the Major: Engel's Elizabeth and the Golden City" (2010). The latter book, by C. Verduyn, incorporated an unfinished novel that Marian working on at the time of her death.The Writers' Development Trust of Canada established the $10,000 Marian Engel Award, to be presented annually to a mid-career woman writer. The Award was later combined with a similar Timothy Findley Award to form the Writers' Trust Notable Author Award.

Marian married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Living

Notes:

In his WW1 Attestation Paper, filled out on Sept. 10, 1915, Fred lists the current address of his parents as RR2, Norval, Halton County, Ontario.

Fred Passmore joined the Royal Canadian Dragoons and then the Fort Garry Horse, which were part of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade in World War 1. For most of the war, the Brigade fought as infantry. According to his military record [RG150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7623-30], he landed in France on Feb. 25, 1916. He was promoted from private to Lance Corporal on May 21, 1917.

On Aug. 10, 1917, he transferred to the School of Military Aeronautics, part of the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC), which later became the Royal Air Force (RAF)). He was formally discharged from the Fort Garry Horse on Nov. 12, 1917 to join the RFC. He trained and spent the rest of the war as a RFC fighter pilot. His RFC military record contained in "Nominal Roll of Canadian Airmen Serving in the RFC and RAF N to R"( held at Library and Archives Canada), shows that he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 27 September 1917, and then Lieutenant on 1 April, 1918. He served in the 24th Squadron of the RAF from 29 May 1918 to 20 November 1918, and was transferred to H.Q. Wing on 20 January, 1919. 24 Squadron, formed in 1915, was flying SE5a fighter planes in 1918. This was arguably the best and fastest single-seat fighter aircraft possesed by the Allies in WW1.

"A History of 24 Squadron" by A.F. Illingworth [reprinted by Naval and Military Press in association with the Imperial war Museum] stated that it flew mostly air combat missions (attacking German fighter planes which were trying to attack Allied reconnaissance and artillery spotter aircraft), plus some ground attack missions. Between 1915 and 1918 it accounted for 200 downed enemy planes. The book credits Fred Passmore, along with fellow pilots in "B" Flight, with forcing an enemy plane to land on an Alied airfield on 26 July, 1918. It also credits him and another pilot with damaging and driving down another enemy plane on 27 June, 1918.

Fred returned to Canada (his parents house at 83 Brunswick ave., Toronto) in 1919.

Fred was the first in his family to acquire a car, and worked in Toronto for a few years as an auto mechanic. Later he became a high school teacher of auto mechanics. The family lived at various times in London, Ontario, Port Arthur, Brantford, Galt, Hamilton and Sarnia.

A reference letter for Fred was found in Passmore family files:

"Tottenham, Ontario, Canada
To whom it may concern:
This is to certify that from July 1st 1910 to June 30th 1914 I was pastor of the church where Mr. Fred Passmore and his people attended service. I know the family intimately, as every member of it was a member of my church. Fred's Father and Mother were both leaders in our church work. He comes from one of our best Canadian homes, and was himself a leader in our young peoples' society. I never knew anything small or mean about Fred Passmore. I feel there cannot be any doubt of his loyalty and trustworthiness. I am sure if he is given a work of responsibility and trust that up to the measure of his ability - he will make good. I recommend him most heartily. He is worthy.
Sincerely
C. Atherton Belfry
Methodist minister
Tottenham, Ontario, Canada

The letter is undated. It may have been written in the early 1920s when Fred was seeking work after the war. Or it may have been written during the war when Fred was applying to join the Royal Flying Corps.

Frederick married Mary Elizabeth FLETCHER on 19 Jan 1927 in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of Arthur W. FLETCHER and Mary Elizabeth JAMIESON) was born in 1886; died on 24 May 1982; was buried in Toronto Twp. No. 1 Churchville Cemetery plot 341. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Before marrying Fred Passmore, Mary taught Sunday School at Trinity Church with Lola Passmore. aher daughter Marian wrote in her notebook that before marriage Mary was the Ontario lieutenant-governor's secretary.

The marriage record shows that before their marriage, Fred was living at 83 Brunswick ave. in Toronto, and Mary's address was Box 903, Barrie.

Notes:

Alfred Clarence Passmore was born and grew up in Toronto. He and his younger brother Forneri Frederick first attended a private school, then were taught by his aunt Maria Louisa, and later in Toronto public schools. His daughter Lola preserved some stories from his school days. It seems that all the desks in one of his schools had holes cut in them, through which the boys used to put their slate pencil shavings. At a signal, they all blew from below, expelling big clouds of pencil dust into the air! They also tried to shoot down a pen that was for some reason fixed like an arrow on the ceiling pointing down so that it would fall down on the hapless teacher’s head. Pea shooters were also apparently a favoured weapon used on teachers whose backs were turned. On the other hand, teachers at that time had no hesitation in liberal use of straps and canings against mischief-makers.

When Alfred Clarence was about 16, his father, who himself was a keen sailor, bought a sailboat for him and his brother. They took it on fairly long excursions along the shore of Lake Ontario, even making it the USA shore at one point. Later, on a friend’s large sailboat they circumnavigated Lake Ontario. Alfred kept a 34 foot yawl, named "Osprey", on Lake Ontario into the 1920s.

In spite of his city upbringing, Alfred Clarence had the ambition to farm. In 1883 his father Frederick Fortescue Passmore bought a 100 acre farm on Lot 8, Concession 4 in Chingacousy Township, in Peel County, Ontario, close to the village of Huttonville. The price was $6500. From the book "From Wolf's Den to Huttonville", we learn that the lot was first granted to a Simon Washburn in 1825 for his service in the Frontenac Militia. In 1841 the lot was sold to the Scott family, who eventually built a two-story log house, which was later occupied by Alfred Clarence while his brick house was under construction. In 1891 and 1895, Alfred Clarence bought two 25-acre parcels of land across the road on Lot 11 of Concession 5 from James McClure.

The 1891 census for Chingacousy Township shows Alfred, age 30, single, living on the property in a wood house, with 7 windows. Living with him is a part-time housekeeper, age 30, named Emily Perry. This same Emily Perry appears in the probate papers of the will of Alfred's brother Forneri in 1932: her married name at that time was Emily Short, and she lived in Brampton. Her declaration in Forneri's probate document states that she knew Forneri as of 9 June, 1892 ( the date of Forneri's will ), and that she, along with Alfred's and Forneri's aunt Maria Louisa Passmore, witnessed Forneri making his will in the City of Toronto. Emily's marriage record shows that she married Thomas Short in Chingacousy on 17 Mar. 1897, and that Alfred Passmore was a witness.

In 1893, Alfred bought the property for $10400 from his aunt, Maria Louisa Passmore, to whom Frederick Fortescue Passmore had transferred it before he died in 1892. In 1894, Alfred contracted a Brampton architect, W.B. McCulloch to build a substantial brick house on the property. There is a family story that some of the construction was undertaken by members of the Fraser family from Lot 3 of Concession 4. Alfred was to marry Sarah Ella Fraser in 1894.

According to "From Wolf's Den to Huttonville", the house contained kitchen, pantry, dining room, double living room, three fireplaces, six bedrooms, a large attic, full basement, and an attached woodshed. It had a hot water furnace and indoor plumbing, with a hand pump connected to a holding tank. The tops of the cement posts at the gate were from the first Ontario Parliament Buildings in Toronto.

One evening on the way to church, Alf gave a lift to Sarah Ella Fraser and her sister Mary. He married Sarah Ella Fraser in 1894. She was the daughter of John Fraser and Jane McGill and had grown up on “Maple Grove farm” in Huttonville. Alfred Clarence and Sarah Ella had a son and two daughters. Their youngest daughter Louisa Mary (called Lola) recounted many happy days spent on the farm. The children had their own Welsh pony and pony cart. Their parents encouraged them to become knowlegible and observant about birds. Alfred Clarence and Sarah Ella Passmore both had a great sense of religious obligation and devotion. They were among the founders of the Huttonville Methodist (later United) Church. Sarah Ella served as its bible class teacher and Alfred served as Sunday school superintendent.

The 1901 and 1911 censuses show Alfred, Ella and their 3 children living in the brick house, along with a female domestic servant. Alfred called his property “Claremont Farm”. The neighbours, in all 3 censuses, were James And Margaret McClure.

The farmhouse still exists, but was moved in 2011 a short distance to 118 Royal West Drive, in what is now the Chingacousy sector of the Municipality of Brampton. It is now referred to as the "Reid Farmhouse" (the next owner after the Passmores was named Reid). The present location is in a new housing development, and the property backs onto the parking lot of the Brampton Walmart store! On-line documents of the Brampton Heritage Board detail the history and architecture of the original property and of the house, up to the present day. The house is said to be a classic example of "Queen Anne style", which became popular in North America in the late 1800s. The family presently owning the house are keeping it in excellent condition.

The Passmores probably would have wished to pass their farm on to their only son, Frederick, who served in the First World War in the Canadian Cavalry Brigade in 1916 and 1917, and who had later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, where he became a fighter pilot in 1918. Frederick decided that farming was not for him after the war. Letters written to Alfred's daughter Lola from former Huttonville classmates serving in the front lines indicated that the family moved to 83 Brunswick Ave. in Toronto in 1915. The Passmores' ownership of the farm ended in 1919, when the family of Weir Reid took possession. By this time, Alfred Clarence was in his late 50's, and had profited from the sale of his farm, and from inheritance from his father Frederick Fortescue Passmore, shared with his unmarried brother Forneri Frederick.

The 1921 Canada census for Toronto West, ward 4, sub-district 13 (page 5), shows the Passmore family living at 83 Brunswick avenue. The household consisted of Alfred C., his wife Sarah E., his brother Frederick F., his aunt Mary A., and his children Searle F., Jennie C. and Lola Mary. Alfred, Alfred, his wife and children were listed as Methodists, his brother and aunt were Anglicans. The listed occupations of Alfred and of his brother were "income". Fred was listed as a machinist working in a garage, Jennie as a nurse in a hospital, and Lola as a public school teacher. Mary Ann's arrival in Canada from England was in 1846.

In 1934, the family moved to 210 Rosemary Road in the Forest Hill section of Toronto. It seems likely that this move "up" was made possible by Alfred's inheritance from his unmarried brother Forneri, who died in 1932, and who while working for a bank had been a successful investor. Their sister Isabella Mary Eugenie Passmore, had died of pericarditis at the age of 16 in 1881.

Throughout their lives, Alfred Clarence and Sarah Ella were pillars of their churches, first at Huttonville Methodist, then at Trinity United Church in Toronto. Alfred served on the United Church Board of Evangelism and Social Service and, from 1931, was also on the Board of Directors of its Cedervale School for Girls in Georgetown, Ontario and of its Ina Grafton Gage Home in Toronto.

Alfred Clarence and Sarah Ella were loved by all their children, grandchildren and friends. They died in 1956 and in 1959, respectively.

Alfred's will, written April 14, 1932 (about a month after his brother Forneri Frederick died), appointed as executors his wife (who renounced her executorship after his death), his son Fred, and his son-in-law Lloyd Stirling. His three children received equal shares of the principal and property of his late brother's estate (as requested in the latter's will). The rest of his estate, including income from his brother's estate, was willed to his wife, with the stipulation that it should be divided among his surviving children after her death.

Alfred married Sarah Ella FRASER on 21 Jun 1894 in Brampton, Ontario. Sarah (daughter of John FRASER and Jane MCGILL) was born on 10 Aug 1867 in Chingacousy, Peel County, Ontario; died on 3 Nov 1959 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; was buried in Toronto Twp. No. 1 Churchville Cemetery plot 341. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bride's and bridegroom's religion: Methodist
Witnesses: Forneri F. Passmore, Toronto and Alice J. Hunter, Brampton.

Arthur married Mary Elizabeth JAMIESON. Mary died in UNKNOWN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Frederick's middle name, Fortescue, reflects the fact that his mother's mother was Joanna Fortescue, who was descended from John Fortescue of Shebbear. Shebbear is a parish south of Buckland Brewer, and close to the Parish of Buckland-Filleigh, where a major branch of the Fortescue family owned the Manor of Buckland-Filleigh. The Fortescue family was a noble family, with many illustrious members. The main branch of the Fortescue family is traced back to the birth of Richard le Fort in 1015. He was a commander in the army of William the Conqueror, who saved William's life during the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Evidently the Downings (who also included the Fortescue name in several succeeding generations) and the Passmores were very anxious to preserve and commemorate their connections to the noble Fortescue family. [Reference: "A History of the Family of Fortescue in all its Branches" http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=%2FFH23&CISOPT R=73354&REC=4&CISOBOX=Joanna+Fortescue]. Another reference on the Parish of Buckland Filleigh and the Fortescues who owned its manor from 1472 to 1834 is in the book "Buckland Fileigh - A Continuous Thread", by Jane Taylor.

Frederick Fortescue Passmore's father died when he was only four, and the family suffered financially. Frederick decided that emigration to Canada would be the best course of action, after which he could bring his mother and sisters over as well (which he did, returning to England and bringing them back with him to Canada in 1847). In one of his letters to his family in England, Frederick mentioned that the Passmores possessed about 1200 pounds in capital investments. Frederick supported his mother and sisters for the rest of his life.

After a short career at sea in the Navy, Frederick Fortescue Passmore emigrated alone from England to Canada West on 11 April, 1845, arriving in Quebec late May, 1845. He settled in Toronto, and apprenticed to John G. Howard, a prominent local surveyor, architect and engineer. His voyage to Canada and his first few years in Toronto are chronicled in the letters he wrote home to his mother and sisters in Devon, England between 1845 and 1847. These letters have been preserved in the family, and have been transcribed. Much information about Frederick's successful career as a surveyor is contained in the 1994 Bachelor of Arts thesis at of his great-great granddaughter, Sarah Dewar, at Acadia University, "Labouring for the Whole Hive".

According to the Find A Grave site http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=PAS&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GScntry=10&GSsr=401&GRid=28495524&, a third cousin once removed, Thomas Passmore emigrated from England to Quebec on the same dates as Frederick. Frederick and Thomas perhaps came on the same ship, although Frederick does not mention Thomas in his letters to his family.

Passmore was licensed as a Provincial Land Surveyor (PLS) in 1846. In addition to his important survey work in Toronto and other parts of Ontario, Frederick Passmore did much to advance his profession, helping its transition from an entirely government-run enterprise to an independent self-regulated association of professionals. In 1852 he was appointed Secretary of the Board of Examiners for Surveying in Canada West. In 1879 he was appointed its Chair. During his career, Frederick surveyed in many parts of Ontario, including Toronto and Scarborough, Grantham, Etobicoke, Arthur, Trafalgar, Barton, Burlington Bay, Goderich, Oil Springs, Dover Township, Fort Erie and Dundas. He produced the lines for the Hamilton Incline Railway and for the Toronto City Hall foundation. For 12 years he was Deputy Registrar in the Toronto Registry Office.

"The History of the Royal Grenadiers" contains Frederick's militia career in that regiment in Toronto, starting in 1861, when tension began with the United States during its Civil War, and the "Trent Affair" [when the US Navy stopped and boarded the British mail steamer "Trent", taking prisoner two Confederate politicians it found on board]. Frederick was appointed a lieutenant, and his friend Sandford Fleming a captain 10th Batallion, Volunteer Rifles, later called 10 Batallion, Volunteer Militia (Infantry). The unit's uniform was scarlet. One of the people in the photo of Frederick's 1864 Scarborough survey camp was wearing the uniform of the unit. The Toronto Globe newspaper of 6 Jan. 1862 lists Frederick as being nominated a lieutenant in the Engineers' and Mechanics' Battalion. The militia unit was later re-named the 10th Royal Regiment, Toronto Volunteers, and saw service against the Fenian threat in 1865 and 1866. It is not known whether Frederick was still with the unit at that time.

In his younger days, Frederick was an enthusiastic yachtsman an interest that he passed on to his sons Alfred and Forneri.

In 1849-50, Frederick, civil engineer Sandford A. Fleming (later the originator of standardized time zones) and several others decided to set up an institute to advance the professional concerns of surveyors, engineers and architects. At an initial meeting in February, 1850, only Passmore and Fleming showed up. Sandford Fleming's comment in his diary: ".."a Chuzzlewit affair. Truly a Canadian Institute." Undaunted, they proceeded to form the Canadian Institute, and elected each other, Fleming as Secretary and and Passmore as Chairman. The Institute (later known as the Royal Canadian Institute) has existed since then, promoting science, engineering and architectural endeavours by public lectures and other means. Passmore presented several lectures, such as "Upon the Ameliorating Influences of the Climate of Canada"; geological changes in the earth;

Passmore was a close associate of Sandford Fleming over the years, according to "Sir Sandford Fleming - His Early Diaries 1845-1853", edited by Jean Murray Cole [Natural Heritage Books, Toronto, 2009]. As well as being among the founders of the Canadian Institute, they worked together on surveys and architectural projects, socialized with each other and with other friends (skating, playing chess, dinners, borrowed money and gave each other gifts, went on canoe camping/surveying trips in the Peterborough area etc.) On 24th April 1852, Fleming was in court as a witness for Passmore. He also secured at least one piece of land through Passmore.

In 1859, Frederick married Isabella Rankin. Their marriage produced three children, according to Frederick, and four, according to Isabella. Their marriage was a stormy one, probably not least because of enmity between Isabella and Frederick's widowed mother and his three unmarried sisters.

A set of over 100 notes and letters by Frederick and Isabella and others during the years 1859 - 1871 partially document their turbulent marriage, and are in the City of Toronto Archives ["Frederick F. Passmore Separation papers", File #180984 Series 347], among a larger set of documents which are Frederick's surveying notes. Since the Separation Papers are among Frederick's surveying papers, we can assume that it was he who preserved them. We can only speculate that his purpose was to strengthen his eventual legal case for a marital separation. The adverb "partially" is used, since some of the letters mention events with which both sender and receiver are familiar, and which are therefore only superficially described. Besides letters, there are short notes, many undated, written by Frederick on tiny scraps of paper. They betray what can only be described as an obsessed and vindictive state of mind. The letters from Isabella are very hard to read: her handwriting is hard to decypher; she tends to neglect punctuation, capitalization and paragraph separation; some of the ink is faint; and some of her letters are written in two crossing perpendicular directions on the same page. Accordingly, we get a somewhat sharper view of Frederick's view than of his wife's.

The letters introduce us to others connected to the Passmore's marital drama, including Dr. Alexander Johnson Williamson (ca. 1796-1870), for whom Isabella was a live-in servant before her marriage. Dr. Williamson, in the 1857-1870 period, was apparently a non-practicing medical doctor, who worked as a clerk of correspondence for the Board of Education. From the 1837 Toronto Directory, we learn that Dr. Williamson had been a published poet: one of his books, "Devotional Poems", published in 1840, is accessible on the Internet. One of the letters in the Separation papers file informs us that Isabella had entered his house as a servant at age 12, and that Dr. Williamson undertook to educate her, effectively becoming her guardian.

The letters and notes may be roughly divided into two main phases: 1859-1862, in which Frederick accuses Isabella and Dr. Williamson of "trapping" him into marriage; and 1866-1871, in which Frederick accuses Isabella of infidelity with a young male boarder and tries to effect a legal separation. There is no written material from the 1862-1866 period, within which the couple's second and third children were born, so that must have been a period of relative calm.

From the birth of the Passmore's first child, on 6 April, 1860, we surmise that Isabella was pregnant when she and Frederick married on 4 Aug., 1859. The wedding itself was a small private affair, in Williamson's house, with a clergyman and a couple of witnesses. In an undated note written about 1866, Frederick claimed he "did not dream of such an event [their marriage] taking place until one week before it happened." Williamson, in a letter of 8 April, 1860, reminded Frederick that the couple had been acquainted for about 18 months before the marriage. The marriage turned sour within a few weeks. Williamson upbraided Frederick for publicly insulting Isabella. Frederick complained of Isabella's flirtations with other men and reported hearing rumours of Isabella's previous employment in taverns, during which she was said to have "shared a bed with a negro woman". He accused Isabella and Dr. Williamson of conspiring to trap him into marriage, although he never strongly denied that he was responsible for Isabella's pregnancy. Isabella protested Frederick's treatment, refused to sign over her dowry, and at one point told her husband that she no longer wished to be supported by him. The couple separated soon after the wedding, with Isabella boarding with a Mrs. Sparrow, while awaiting the birth of her child. She wrote many impassioned notes to Frederick, denying the rumours about her past and imploring him for reconciliation and continued support. It is clear from the letters and notes that Frederick's mother and sisters were instrumental in tearing the couple apart.

On 6 April, 1860, Alfred Clarence Passmore was born, 8 months after his parents' wedding. Frederick seemed indifferent to his new son, but became furious when Dr. Williamson placed a birth announcement in the Globe newspaper. Notes and letters between the two men indicated that they almost came to blows. Frederick forbade Isabella to have any further dealings with Williamson. For some part of the next six or seven years, Isabella and young Alfred lived separately, but close, to Frederick and his mother and sisters. Frederick continued to support his wife and son. There was certainly some contact among all the parties involved (except Dr. Williamson), since Frederick and Isabella had two more children, Forneri Frederick on 29 Oct., 1862 and Isabella Mary Eugenie on 14 Nov., 1864. During most of this period, and for several years after, Isabella managed boarding houses that were likely owned or leased by her husband.

Matters came to a head again on 28 April, 1867, when Frederick and Isabella and their three children were living in a boarding house managed by Isabella. Late that evening Frederick tiptoed downstairs to listen to Isabella conversing behind a closed door with a young male boarder named Lowe. Opening the door suddenly, he imagined that Isabella had risen from Lowe's lap and was running across the room. Based on this one incident, Frederick constructed a story of heinous adultery on the part of his wife, in numerous notes to himself. These notes, mostly undated, and written on tiny scraps of paper, are among the archived Separation Papers, There are also letters to and from lawyers representing Frederick and Isabella, as Frederick was apparently attempting to effect a legal separation from his wife, that might cut off his support for her and gain him custody of the children. There are also documents reporting Frederick's assets and income, and receipts for expenses incurred by Isabella.

There is also in the file a clipping from the Globe newspaper which reported the arrest of Frederick, in October, 1867, "at the instance of his wife, whom he has frequently mistreated in a variety of ways, occasionally winding up the proceedings by locking her out in the cold." Another Globe article, in October, 1868, reports a court proceeding involving an assault by Frederick on Isabella.

It should be mentioned that in 19th century Canada, divorce was essentially unavailable; the alternative was legal separation, in which the disposition of assets and children was decided, but the parties remained legally married. Child custody could be awarded to the mother, if the child was under 12, the mother was not guilty of adultery, and "if the court saw fit". Otherwise, the father usually gained child custody.

An April 19, 1871 invoice to Frederick from Isabella's lawyer (who was evidently paid by Frederick) detailed the legal preparations and expenses, including drafting of a Deed of Separation, which, it was noted, was not agreed to by Frederick and his lawyer. No record has been found of the actual separation court proceeding, apart from a pencilled note by Frederick on an envelope: "Suit tried Aug. 15 1871. Verdict for McDonald [this was Isabella's lawyer] $2.00. Costs $5.60. Paid Div. Court Aug. 19/71 $7.61." From this we infer that Frederick did not succeed in freeing himself from financially supporting Isabella. The immediate custody of the children is uncertain, but subsequent census and directory entries indicate that they lived with their father, aunts and grandmother for most of the following years.

Another bizarre element in this rather sordid drama is that Isabella had a fourth child, named Blanche Ellen, in or about 1871. She appeared in the 1871 census (which was collected on 2 April, 1871) under the name "Nelly", age 5 [probably meaning 5 months]. Isabella claimed she was Frederick's child; Frederick claimed she was not.

In the 1850 Toronto Directory, Frederick Passmore is listed at 226 Yonge St.
In the 1853 Toronto tax assessment rolls, F.F. Passmore is listed as an architect on King St. W. in St. George's Ward, and Fred'k Passmore is listed as a clerk on Church St. W. in St. James Ward.
In the 1856 Toronto Directory he is listed as architect and surveyor, residing on James St. in Yorkville
1866 Mitchell and Co. Directory of Toronto: Frederick is listed as a civil engineer and provincial land surveyor, at 141 Church St. W.

1861 census listing forToronto St. James Ward District 3:
Maria Passmore, age 63 b. Parkham England, C. of E.
M.L. Passmore, age 38, b. Selby, England, C. of E.
H.F. Passmore, age age 32, b. Maryport, England, C. of E.
M.A. Passmore, age 34, b. Cumberland, England, C. of E.
Fred F. Passmore, land surveyor, age 36, b. England, P.M.
I.H. Passmore, age 28, b. Ireland, P.M.
A.C. Passmore, age 1, b. Canada West, -

1871 census listing forDistrict 47 (Toronto East, St. James ward), Sub-district B, Division page 3:
F.F. Passmore, age 40, religion CE, occupation: Depy. register; Div. 3, P. 40
Alfred Passmore, age 11, going to school
Forneri Passmore, age 7, going to school
Isabella Passmore, age 6
Maria Passmore, age 42, born in England, married (not clear who this is, perhaps a servant, with her family name incorrectly listed)
Note that Frederick's wife Isabella is listed at a different address, as are his mother and sisters.

In the 1870 to 1872 Directories, Frederick is at 196 Church St., while his sisters and mother occupy 222 Church St. In 1872-73, Isabella has moved to 222 Church St. In the 1873-74 Directory, Frederick, his mother and sisters are at 58 Wood St., while Isabella is at 228 Church St. Isabella has apparently left the family, as she is listed in the same directory as the "widow of Frederick". In the 1874 Fisher and Taylor's Toronto Directory, he is listed as a provincial land surveyor at 58 Wood St. in St. James Ward, near the intersection with Church St. He is also listed as Deputy Registrar in the City Registry Office. In the 1881 Canada census, [St. Thomas Ward in Toronto, District 134, sub-district C, division 2, page 31], Frederick is listed as a land surveyor and head of a household consisting of his sons Alfred and Frederick Forneri (listed as a clerk) and a female servant, Jane Drummond. His and his sons' religion is Methodist. He and his sisters are still at 58 Wood St. in 1885, but Isabella is now listed at 91 Wilton Ave. In the 1890 Directory, Frederick is listed as a "clerk" at 47 Alexander St., along with his son Forneri F. Passmore, who is listed as a "surveyer", and his sisters Maria and Mary. Isabella is now listed at 209 Jarvis St.

Frederick Passmore's life is described in the "Commemorative Biographical record of the County of York, Ontario", published in 1907, and available at http://www.ourroots.ca/e/page.aspx?id=78246,1 as follows:

"Frederick F. Passmore C.E. (deceased) was for many years a well-known civil engineer in Toronto, in which city he died in 1892. He was born in Devonshire [sic], England in 1823, son of Frederick [sic] and Maria Passmore.
Mr. Passmore grew to manhood in his native country, and there received both his literary and professional education. When a young man he came to Toronto, and shortly thereafter formed a paartnership with a Mr. Tully, under the firm name of Tully and Passmore, civil engineers and government surveyers. In this, his professional work, continued for a number of years. He then received the appointment to the registry office of the City of Toronto, and served in that capacity until his death.
Mr. Passmore married Miss Isabella Rankin, who belongs to a family long identified with County York, being a daughter of William and Mary (Mahoffey) Rankin, natives of Ireland, who came to Toronto at an early date, settling on Yonge Street, where Mr. Rankin owned a tract of land, and where both he and Mrs. Rankin died. Of their thirteen children, Mrs. Passmore and her sister Mrs. Cunningham, and one brother, Abraham Rankin, are the only survivors.
To Mr. and Mrs. Passmore were born four children: Alfred C., Frederick F., Isobel (deceased) and Blanche Ellen, the last named the wife of Robert McKay, a well-known barrister of Toronto. Mr. Passmore was a member of the Church of England, to the faith of which his widow also adheres".

The above biography was almost certainly written by Frederick's widow Isabella, before she died in 1906, since it has so much detail about her family and about Blanche Ellen (whose paternity was always denied by Frederick and his other children).

Obituary in the Toronto Globe and Mail, Jan. 13 and 14, 1892: "On Sunday, Jan. 10, at 47 Alexander St., Toronto, Ont., Frederick Fortescue Passmore P.L.S., native of Selby, Yorkshire, aged 68 years."

There are several records from the Court of Chancery in the Ontario Archives of lawsuits, mostly about unpaid debts and mortgages by F.F. Passmore on others, or by others on him:
RG22-409 bar code B110117 Passmore vs. Gray 1871
RG22-409 bar code B103546 Passmore vs. Scovell 1877
RG22-409 bar code B111823 Read vs. Passmore 1871

In his will, which was composed and witnessed in 1879 by Provincial land Surveyor, George Layburn, Frederick leaves to "..the woman I was fool enough to marry [Isabella] - the sum of five shillings and no more - being the utmost value of any claim or demand that she has on me - and to the child who is now living with her - or under her care whose name I do not know - and whom to my knowledge I have never seen, the sum of five shillings only and no more - each of such sums to be paid only on the said devisees' own personal application therefor and not otherwise." The remainder of his estate, amounting to $4950, was left to his sister Maria Louisa, in trust for his children Alfred, Forneri and Mary Eugenie (who was deceased at the time of Frederick's death).

It is thus quite clear that Frederick did not acknowledge Blanche Ellen Passmore as his child, and that he assumed she was the result of an extramarital affair by his wife Isabella.

Frederick, his mother Maria, his sisters Harriet, Louisa and Mary Ann, his daughter Bella Mary and his son Forneri Frederick are all buried in the Toronto Necropolis in P-36b (east side).

Frederick married Isabella Henrietta RANKIN on 4 Aug 1859 in Toronto, Ontario. Isabella (daughter of William RANKIN and Mary MAHOFFEY) was born about 1833 in County Antrim, Ireland; died on 14 Aug 1906 in Toronto; was buried in St. James Cemetery, Toronto, Section Eps, 58th grave s. off Parliament. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Frederick and Isabella's marriage record [Ontario County Marriage Registers 1858-1866 Vol. 66] shows A.J. Williams (presumably an incorrect version of Williamson) as the witness, and Rev. Dr. Stinson of the Wesleyan Methodist Church as the officiating minister.

Isabella married Frederick in 1859, Isabella managed boarding houses, which were probably owned or leased by Frederick. From the beginning of their marriage there was strife between Frederick and Isabella, intensified by the influence of Frederick's mother and sisters. A documentary record of the marital discord was kept by Frederick between 1859 and 1871, and is included with his surveying papers in the City of Toronto Archives.

The documents reveal that from the beginning, Frederick claimed that he had been "trapped" into marriage by Isabella and her guardian, Dr. Alexander Williamson. The couple's first child, Alfred Clarence Passmore, was born 8 months after their very quiet wedding. Two more children, Forneri Frederick and Isabella Mary Eugenie, were born in 1862 and 1864, respectively. Domestic discord and Frederick's wish for a legal separation started again on 28 April, 1867, when Frederick claimed that Isabella and a young male boarder named Lowe were guilty of adultery by having a conversation late at night behind a closed door in her boarding house. This event triggered numerous brooding notes by Frederick to himself, as well as letters to and from lawyers in the next four years. A record of an eventual court case in 1871 has not been found, but indications are that a physical separation was effected, that Frederick had to continue supporting Isabella, who continued to manage boarding houses, and that the couple's three children eventually came to live with Frederick and his mother and sisters.

A Toronto Globe article of 18 Oct., 1867 is indicative, and is titled "Domestic Difficulties":
"Another of the 'Lords of Creation', named F.F. Passmore, a resident of Duke Street, was also arrested, at the instance of his wife, whom he has frequently mistreated in a variety of ways, occasionally winding up the proceedings by locking her out in the cold".
A year later, on 22 Oct., 1868, another Globe article, titled "Wife Abuse", read:
"A respectable looking woman named Mrs. Passmore stepped into the box, and stated that her husband, who was present in court, was in the habit of ill-treating her, and had on the previous day kicked her in the presence of several of the boarders, whom she keeps for a livelihood. Mr. Grant, the husband's lawyer, proceeded to interrogate the witness in a very rude and irrelevant manner, when the magistrate stopped him and asked the witness if she would swear that she was in "bodily fear" of her spouse, to which she replied in the affirmative.
The Magistrate - Very well then, Mr. Passmore will have to find sureties to keep the peace for twelve months."

During much of the marriage, Isabella and Frederick lived separately, but usually only a few blocks apart. Their children lived sometimes with their mother, sometimes with their father and his sisters, and sometimes with both parents when they were together. In the 1871 census. Isabella's occupation is listed as "boarding house", and she was listed as head of household, born in Ireland, Presbyterian. The only other member of her family listed in the 1871 census [Toronto East (47) ,St. James Ward Sub-district B, Division 4, page 38] was Nelly Passmore, age 5, born in Ontario. Other members of the household were: William and Catherine Bailey (35, married) and their son William, 15; James and Charlotte Swinburne (40 and 25, married); Gamble Geddes (22, single); Eliza Hayes (19, single); and Mabel White (24, single).

Thus by 1871, Isabella had separated from Frederick. She was listed in the Fisher and Taylor's 1874 Toronto Directory as the "widow of Frederick", and living at 228 Church St. W. , while he was listed as living at 58 Wood St.

In the 1881 census [Toronto, St. James Ward, District 134, sub-district E, division 1, page 19, household number 112], Isabella, age 40, Irish origin, member of Church of England, and head of household, living with Nellie Passmore, age 12, who was born in Ontario, but whose ethnic origin is Irish. There are also two domestic servants and one lodger listed in her household. She is listed as a widow, with no employment, even though her husband Frederick is known to be still alive.

Over the years, according to Toronto Directories, Isabella lives at:
1874: 228 Church St. (Mrs. Isabella Passmore, widow)
1881: 63 1/2 Mutual St. ("Mrs. Passmore"). Also at same address: Wm. Darlington, roofer
1884 and 1885: 91 Wilton Ave. ("Mrs. Mary Rankin" at 91 Wilton in 1883)
1890: 209 Jarvis St.
1891:238 Jarvis St.
1895: 226 Sherbourne St.
1900: 51 Carlton St (Isabella and Blanch (sic) are also shown at this address in "Foster's Blue Book or Ladies' Directory of Toronto", for 1900
1905 and 1906: 561 Church St. (perhaps should be 650 Church St.?)
In some of these she is listed as "widow of Frederick Passmore".

In the 1891 census of St. James Ward, in Toronto, Isabella Passmore is listed as age 54, married, head of household, Church of England, born in Ireland, and living with Blanche Passmore (listed as her daughter), two domestics and one lodger. Blanche Passmore is listed as aged 21, being born in Ontario (thus about 1870). Blanche's father's birthplace was England and her mother's birthplace was Ireland.

In the 1901 census [Toronto Centre, Ward 3, sub-district A-27, page 16], Isabella is listed as "Is Passmore", widow, born 1833, age 67, living with her daughter, B McKay, born March 25, 1874, her daughter's husband R McKay, born 1868, and 5 boarders (4 females, 1 male).

A later confirmation of daughter Blanche comes from a record of a marriage of Blanche C. Passmore with Robert McKay, a lawyer, on 17th July, 1900 in Toronto. Blanche's parents are listed as Frederick F. Passmore and Isabel (sic) Rankin Passmore. Her birth year is listed as about 1872, and her birthplace Toronto.

After her death on Aug. 14, 1906, the Globe and Mail obituary is as follows: "On Tuesday the 14th August, 1906, at the residence of her daughter Mrs. Robert McKay, 650 Church St., Toronto, Isabella Henrietta Passmore, widow of the late F.F. Passmore. Funeral (private) on Thursday, Aug. 16 at 4 PM."

In the death certificate of Frederick Forneri Passmore (son of Frederick Fortescue Passmore and Isabella), Isabella is listed as Isabella Cunningham, born in Ontario. The informant was A.C. Passmore, Frederick and Isabella's other son and Frederick Forneri's brother. It should be noted that Isabella's sister Mary (born about 1837, same parents' names listed) had married George Cunningham on 12 September 1861.

Isabella's will, written in 1904, and witnessed by Lillie Coates and Nellie Browse, left an estate of $190 to her daughter Blanche Ellen, who was also the executrix.

Isabella is buried in St. James Cemetery, Toronto (58th grave south in Section Eps, off Parliament St). Cemetery records show that her grave authorized by her son-in-law Robert McKay Jr. and the site owner was her daughter Blanche. Her buial information shows that she was living at 650 Church Street, and that she died of appendicitis. It also records her birthplace as County Antrim in Ireland. Her gravestone reads:
MOTHER
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ISABEL RANKIN
WIDOW OF F.F. PASSMORE
DIED AUGUST 14 1906
AT REST

Ther is a nearby gave marker for a James Passmore and his family. James died in 1905, and other members of the family died as late as 1960.

Notes:

Residing in Churchville, Ont. in 1858. Halton County marriage register entry: "John Frazer, 26, Churchville, Ireland, s/o James and Elizabeth, married 7 Jan. 1858 Jane McGill, 21, Chingacousy, d/o James and Jane."

The names and birthdates of John's siblings, in the Fraser family bible (see under his father James Frazer), include his sister Sarah. Sarah's 1920 obituary, which includes her parents' names, says that she and her siblings were born in Tempo, County Fermanaugh. From this we may infer that John too was born in Tempo. Tempo is in the Parish of Inniskillen.

The book "From Wolf's Den" to Huttonville", compiled by the Huttonville Book Committee in 1996 summarizes the history of John Fraser and his family and descendants. He arrived in Canada from Enniskillen, in County Fermanagh, Ireland, at age 16 (ca. 1848), with two of his sisters. The Irish potato famine was at its height in 1848, and may have been the reason for his emigration.

John was a skilled carpenter, and built homes and barns in the Huttonville and Churchville areas.

The birthdates and death dates of the children of John Fraser and Jane McGill were taken from a Fraser family bible, transcribed by Lola Passmore.

1861 Toronto Twp. (Peel County) census listing:
John Fraser, 30, carpenter, b. Ireland, Wesleyan Methodist
Jane Fraser, 25, b. Canada West
James Fraser, 3, b. Canada West
Elizabeth Jane, 1, b. Canada West

1871 Chingacousy census:
John Fraser, 38, farmer, b. Ireland, Church of England
Jane Fraser, 32, b. Ontario
Elizabeth, 11, b. Ontario
Mary 8, b. Ontario
Sarah, 3, b. Ontario
William F., 1, b. Ontario

In birth record of Thomas McClure Fraser (1872), his name is John Frazer and his occupation is carpenter.

1881 Canada census for Chingacousy Twp., Peel County:
John Fraser age 49 b. Ireland Farmer Church of England
Jane Fraser age 46 b. Ontario Church of England
Eliza I. Fraser age 20 b. Ontario Church of England
Mary Fraser age 18 b. Ontario Church of England
Sareah [Sara Ella]] Fraser age 13 b. Ontario Church of England
William Fraser age 11 b. Ontario Church of England
Thomas Fraser age 9 b. Ontario Church of England
James Fraser age 6 b. Ontario Church of England
David Fraser age 4 b. Ontario Church of England
Fredrich Fraser age 2 b. Ontario Church of England

According to the wedding invitation for their daughter Ella, the Frasers' residence was "Maple Grove Farm", Huttonville. The 1877 Ontario atlas for Southern Chingacousy Twp. shows his 100-acre farm at Lot 3 in the 4th concession west, just southeast of Huttonville, and just northwest of Churchville, which was in Toronto Twp. Other farms nearby included many McClures, James Magill, several Laidlaws and Ostranders, as well as a Hunter. The farmhouse was demolished in 1990, and Fraser's farm is now part of the Lionhead Golf and Country Club.

Obituary in "Peel Banner", Aug. 16, 1895:
"The death of Mr. John Fraser last Wednesday morning has cast a shadow over the entire neighbourhood. He was only in bed a week but sank gradually every day. His cheerful face will be missed in this community for a long time. He has been almost a constant invalid for quite a few years, but was always cheerful and uncomplaining. Even when on his death-bed he tried to make himself as little trouble to anyone as he could possibly help. The sorrow-stricken family have the heart-felt sympathy of the entire neighbourhood in their hour of trouble. He leaves behind him the record of an honourable and upright life and an unblemished name."

Churchville Cemetery inscription:
"John Fraser, born Feb. 19, 1832, died Aug. 14, 1895
Jane Magill, born Feb. 3, 1836, died Dec. 12, 1922
James and Sarah Emily
They have gone and the years have received them,
If Jesus have called them away
They have gone to the Lord that redeemed them
From night to the splendour of day"

John married Jane MCGILL on 7 Jan 1858 in Halton County, Ontario. Jane (daughter of James MAGILL and Jane MCCLURE) was born on 3 Feb 1836 in 5th Concession W., Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co.; died on 12 Dec 1922 in 2nd Line W., Chingacousy Twp., Peel Co.; was buried in Churchville Cemetery, toronto Twp., No. 1. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Residing in Chingacousy Twp. in 1858.

In the birth record of Thomas McClure Fraser (1872) her maiden name is Jane Magill.

In a letter written to Marian (Passmore) Engel in 1981, Lola (Passmore) Falconer described her maternal grandmother, Jane (McGill) Fraser as "gentle and loving and had a good sense of humour". Lola remembered her as being a widow, always wearing black, including a black bonnet. "She was wrinkled, and her teeth were poor, but I thought she was lovely. And she "rustled" when she walked, because our Uncle Searle in Cleveland had given her a taffeta petticoat."

Lola's description continued: "When I was young Grandma lived sometimes at our home on the farm; sometimes at Aunt Mary's. But when Aunt Annie, Uncle Clure's wife, died and left him with five year old Hilda, Grandma went back to the old homestead which had gone to Uncle Clure [Thomas McClure Fraser]. It must have been difficult for her, I think. I can remember her good meals. She was famous for her strawberry shortcake. I also remember her houseplants flourishing in every window, and her garden flowers."

Extensive obituary in the Brampton Conservator, 14 Dec., 1922: "..was born on the 5th line west, Chingacousy [3 Feb. 1836] on the farm which her father cleared out of the virgin forest. James McGill and his wife came from Ireland to Canada, and stayed for a time with his friend, James McClure, and on the homestead where the [1922] McClure Reunion was held, his oldest child was born. At the time he was getting the settlement ready for his wife and little daughter, and he is said to have slept in the open at the root of a tree until he got a shelter ready. Mrs. Fraser, his second daughter, was the first child born on the homestead. Only one child of this family now survives, Mrs. James McClure, late of Brampton, who is over 70 years of age. Mrs. Fraser was educated at the famous 5th line school, attended by so many of the children of west Chingacousy pioneers. After her marriage she lived for a while in Churchville, afterwards removing tothe farm at lot 8, 4th line west, where her son, T.C. Fraser now resides. At the time of her death she was staying with her daughter, Mrs. J.H. Hunter, lot 11, 2nd line west, where she passed to a well-earned rest. Mrs. Fraser was a member of the Methodist church and for many years was connected with Huttonville church, valued and esteemed for her fine Christian character and sterling qualities. Her husband died 27 years ago, and she is survived by 8 children, W.J. and Edward, Huttonville; T.C. on the homestead, Dr. J.J., Toronto, and F.S., Cleveland; also by 3 daughters, Mrs. T.H. Reeve and Mrs. A.C. Passmore, Toronto; and Mrs. J.H. Hunter, Chingacousy. Mrs. Fraser was the oldest member of the McClure clan present at the reunion in June last, and it is rather singular that this week's Conservator should chronicle the death of two who were outstanding attendants at the reunion, Dr. W.P. McClure and Mrs. Fraser..."