Janes-Melus Family Tree

Robert J. Hawkins was recruited on May 22, 1918 in London, Ontario. His military service # is 730211 AC. He never went overseas. At that time his address was RR2, Watford, Ontario. His religion was Church of England (Anglican). He is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a dark complexion and brown hair and eyes.

Brush/Hawkins

Brush/Hawkins family history (from a Brush family Bible that was taken from garbage in Sarnia and donated to Forest Library). In the Bible there were several newspaper clippings and funeral cards with the following information. (compiled May, 2003)

The parents of Robert J. Hawkins are Charles Hawkins (b. 1855, d. Sept 26, 1935) and Delilah Wilkinson. They are buried at the Warwick Anglican Cemetery (St. Marys). They had 4 children - Albert, Ed, Mary (Mrs. Kitch Willoughby) and Robert.

Charles Hawkins remarried - to Sarah Jane Brush (b. August 14, 1859; d. May 16, 1945). Her funeral was at the residence of her sister Paulina Brush; she was buried at Beechwood Cemetery in Forest.

Sarah Jane Brush lived in Warwick Township in 1916-17 when her mother died. Sarah Jane Brush lived in Warwick Township in 1918 when her father died.

In 1922 Charles and Sarah Jane Hawkins moved to London.

Sarah Jane Brush lived in Sarnia in 1936 when she made her will. She left everything to her stepdaughter Mary Grace Willoughby.

The parents of Sarah Jane Brush were: Thomas Brush (b. July 10 or 11, 1821 in Aughuacloy, County Tyrone, Ireland; d. Nov 29, 1918) and Millicent Falls (b. July 12, 1825 or 1824 in Mimico Village; d. Feb. 28, 1916 in Forest). They were married on Sept. 26, 1858 in Port Dover ON. They are buried at Beechwood Cemetery, Forest.

Thomas Brush immigrated in early life via New York. His first job was as moulder’s helper in Jersey City. Then he was a foundry worker in Montreal. He was a pioneer in Haldimand County. He hauled barley to the Niagara River to ship to Buffalo during the Russian War.

He lived in Walpole Township during the era of the Townsend gang (murderers and plunderers.) He was in Cayuga when 2 of them were hung.

He lived in Balmoral a few years, then moved to Forest in March, 1868.

He was the oldest Orangeman in the Forest area. He joined the Order of Ireland when he was 18. He joined that Masonic Order in Forest about 1868.

Even in extreme old age he walked to his son’s store. He took to bed November 16 and died November 29.

Millicent Falls Brush obituary states that “her life was a path marked with deeds of kindness and cheer. Her home instincts were strong, a devoted mother, a true friend, a woman of heroic mould in bravely meeting the stern requirement of life.”

Millicent Falls Brush was the daughter of Thomas Falls (b. Dec 20 or 25, 1800 in Ireland; d. Feb 11, 1879) and Elizabeth Caldwell (b. Feb. 1799 in Ireland; d. March 8, 1885). They were married Dec 18, 1818 in Ireland. Millicent was 1 of 9 children. They were: John (March 10, 1821-Dec 24, 1842), James (June 9, 1823- Nov 1, 1863), Millicent (see above), Thomas (Sept. 12, 1827-), William (b. Nov 12, 1829-), Andrew (b. Nov. 15, 1831-), Henry (b. Nov 25, 1833-), Sarah Anne (b. Dec 22, 1835 see more notes), Roland (Oct 18, 1840-April 23, 1846)

Sarah Anne married John Caldwell (b. 1830, County Tyrone, Ireland) in about 1875 in Walpole Township. They had no children. She was Caldwell’s second wife.

John Caldwell came to Canada when very young, with his parents. They settled near Toronto. In 1849 they moved to Walpole Township. He married Ellen Graham in about 1853 and they had 9 children before she died in 1871. One of the children died; the rest resided near the homestead when John Caldwell died in 1883.

John Caldwell was a member of Walpole Council for 10 years, Deputy Reeve for 5. He was Reeve in 1873, 1874, 1877, 1879 and1883. He was also Warden of Haldimand County in 1874. While Warden he had the honour of receiving the Governor-General in the county. Caldwell was also president of the Walpole Agricultural Society. “He was an honest, straightforward gentleman, genial and loving companion and father, kind friend. In municipal matters he was exceedingly shrewd and careful, and never left a thing undone in the faithful discharge of his duties.”

Thomas and Millicent Brush had 5 children - Sarah Jane, James F., Elizabeth, Annie and Paulina.

Sarah Jane Brush (Hawkins) was born in Balmoral, ON on August 14, 1859. She died May 16, 1945 in Forest. (For other details, see summary above). She married Charles Hawkins.

James F. Brush was born in Balmoral on July 10, 1862. He died May 23, 1942 in Forest and is buried in Beechwood cemetery. The funeral was from his residence on James Street in Forest. He was unmarried. In his will he left everything to Paulina.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Brush was born on October 18, 1863 in Balmoral. She attended Forest public and high schools and became a public school teacher. She and her brother James conducted a restaurant and confectionery business until about 1932. Lizzie was a charter member of Forest Rebekah Lodge IOOF and past District Deputy Grand President. She was also a member of St James Presbyterian Church. She died unmarried, intestate. She died December 1, 1934 and her funeral was from the James Street residence.

Annie Brush (Fawcett) was born August 17, 1865 in Balmoral. She married Albert J. Fawcett (d. March 1, 1947. They had 3 children, Blake Fawcett, James Gordon Fawcett and Irene F. Wadsworth. Annie died February 24, 1935 at age 67. Her funeral was from the family residence at 123 Crawford Street, Sarnia to St Paul’s United Church to Lakeview Cemetery in Sarnia. She died intestate.

Paulina Brush was born March 31, 1869 in Forest, Ontario. She was still living in December, 1949. She had title to Lot 4, James Street West (Ressiguie’s survey).