Family of Ann Harrison (1827-1855) and James C. Smyth (1820-1901)

Ann (1827-1855) m. James C SMYTH (1820-1901) on July 20, 1841, at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Toronto Gore Township, Peel County. They lived in the nearby community of Claireville, Etobicoke Township, York County.

They had the following known children:

• Mary Ann (1843-1925) m. William EGAN
- they had the following children:
o James A (1873-1978) m. Annie KAIN in 1904 – 8 children
o Annie
o Nicholas A. (1867-1879)
o Ellen
o Catherine
o Agnes
o William
o John

• Margaret (b. 1845-?)

• Thomas (1848-?)

• William A. (1849-1888) m. Sarah Helen JOHNSON - see biographical entry below

• Eliza J (1850- ?)

Upon Ann HARRISON's death on January 12, 1855 James C. SMYTH married his second wife Bridget DOHERTY.

Tombstone of Ann Harrison, wife of James Smyth

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Wildfield

© Michael Harrison 2010

In the 1852 Census they were living in Claireville with Thomas SMYTH, James’ father. Thomas’ second wife was Mary HUTCHINSON so Ann was living with her mother (who was also her mother-in-law). This is an interesting instance of a father and son marrying a mother and daughter.

According to the Commemorative Biographical Record of County of York by JH Beers and Co, Toronto, published in 1907:

William A. Smyth who passed away at this late residence in Toronto, No. 187 Crawford Street, Feb. 17, 1888 (he actually died on Feb 24, 1888 according to his death registration) was born in Ontario, son of James and Anna (Harrison) Smyth, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of England.

James Smyth came to Canada when a young man, and soon thereafter settled in Toronto, where he became a commission merchant, continuing in this business until his death. He was twice married, his first wife being the mother of our subject.

William A. Smyth began business with his father, but later went to the office of the Massey Harris Company, as an accountant, where he continued until his death. He had a large acquaintance in business circles, and wherever known was highly esteemed.

Mr. Smyth married Miss Sarah Helen Johnson, born in Toronto, daughter of Samuel and Ann (Fair) Johnson, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. Mrs. Johnson came to Montreal in 1829, and to Toronto in 1833. She was the daughter of Robert and Margaret Fair, natives of County Mayo, Ireland where they died. They had children: John, William, Robert, James, Mary, Elizabeth and Ann, all of whom lived to be eighty-five years old or over. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Johnson the following children were born: Samuel, William and Margaret, deceased; Annie, of New York; John, deceased; Lizzie, of Albany, New York; James; and Sarah Helen, Mrs. Smyth. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smyth were the parent of children as follows: Leo S. B., born in Toronto, day accountant at the Massey-Harris works; and Basil W. H., also born in Toronto, and an accountant at the same works. Mr. Smyth was a Reformer. In religious faith he was a Roman Catholic.

Upon William's death in 1888 Sarah and his sons continued to live at 187 Crawford Street, backing onto present day Trinity Bellwoods Park - though at the time it was Trinity College.

Leo and Basil continued to live at 187 Crawford Street until their deaths in 1955 and 1957 respectively.  They never married and no relatives other than their parents and each other are mentioned in their obituaries.

Tombstone of Leo and Basil Smyth

Mount Hope Cemetery

© Michael Harrison 2010