| Notes |
- RELATIONSHIP TO ME: In GL Allen's written memories of his childhood, he describes his father, Alexander Allen, as a "cousin" of my own great grandfather, William Allen (1838-1911 - son of William & Margery). It is unclear if he meant 1st cousin - which would mean that George, the father of John B, Alexander and George of Rothsay, and the father of my great grandfather, William, would have been brothers - or another 'degree' of cousin. I have assumed a 1st cousin relationship and based the tree accordingly.
- 1851 LOCATION: According to the 1851 Census for Nottinghamshire, England, George and his brother Alexander were apprenticing as cordwainers under Joseph Minchin, Master Cordwainer - also from Ireland.
- MARRIAGE: After he came to Canada, George married Eliza Ellen Thompson, the sister of the wife of his brother Alexander.
- OBITUARY: The death took place on place on Friday evening at his home in Rothsay of George Allen, one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of this district. He did not suffer from any particular ailment, but was confined to his bed due to a gradual weakening of the system.
Deceased had almost reached the great age of 98 years. He was born in County Sligo, Ireland, on June 10, 1830. When a young man he came to Canada and for a short time worked with his brother [John] in Dundas; then for ten years he was associated in the shoe business with his brother Alexander at Riverstown. Marrying Miss Eliza Thompson, sister of Mrs. Alex Allen 62 years ago, he moved to Rothsay where he spent his remaining years, at first in the boot and shoe business and later for a number of years as a flour and feed merchant. A few years ago, he retired from business, but remained active, working in his garden last summer.
Mr. Allen was widely known and much esteemed for his hospitality and honesty as a citizen. His home was headquarters of dignitaries of the Anglican Church. He was a member of the Orange Order. There is a record of his being Master of the Farewell Lodge when he went to Rothsay, and being a great pedestrian, he would walk from Rothsay to Farewell to attend Lodge.
He is survived by his widow, three daughters, Misses Mary and Helen at home; and Mrs. Thomas Caldwell (Hattie) of Holdfast, Sask; and two sons, James of Aylesbury, Sask; and George A of Niagara Falls, N. Y. Another son, John, predeceased him in Regina.
On Sunday there were throngs of visitors to pay their last respects from Guelph, Toronto, Hamilton, Southampton, Stratford and nearer places. The funeral on Monday was also very largely attended, and took place from St James Church, Rothsay, to the Mount Forest Cemetery. Rev. Mr. Wilkins of Rothsay conducted the services. The pall-bearers were six nephews: Dr. G. P. Allen, and Messrs. G L Allen, W C Allen, David Allen and Hugh and Geo. Thompson; also John W Allen (honorary pall-bearer). The floral tributes were many and beautiful.
- MEMORIES: Meta Cheves Allen,says the family, along with Alexander's brother, *John, first moved to London, England, but "They did not like London very well, so they moved to Canada to take a farm a half a mile from Mount Forest (village), with the exception of my grand uncle *John Allen, who waited in London for a year to see how they would like their life here and then he came to the farm."
* I think Meta mixed up her granduncles-it was George that was in England with Alexander - at least in the 1851 Census. According to Alexander's Obituary, John came first to Canada (c1849), then Alex (1856/1857) and then George.
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Singing Our Family Song
1830 - 1928 (97 years)
