Melvina Anne Culham
ID # 4372, (1845-1927)
| Father | Henry Culham (1810-1884) |
| Mother | Desdemona Ann Munn (1816-1849) |
| Birth | Melvina Anne Culham was born in 1845 at Beverly Township. |
| Marriage | She married Angus Stewart Keachie, son of James Keachie and Elizabeth Buchanan, on 15 May 1867 at Freeport, Waterloo County. MS248 reel 16 Vol. 76, page 41 Waterloo County Marriage Register The following is extracted from a list of marriages solemnized by Rev. R. Smith, a minister of U.B.C. (the United Brethren Church), for the year ending December 31, 1867. Angus Keachie, 24, place of birth not given, residing Dumfries. Parents James & Elisabeth Keachie. Melvina Culham, 22, born and residing Beverly. Parents Henry and 'Destimond' Ann. Witness Jessie Hamilton, Waterloo On May 15th, 1867. A notice in the Dumfries Reformer places the marriage at Freeport (now a part of Kitchener). The registration shows the clergyman as Rev. R. Smith. The Dumfries Reformer notice shows the clergyman as Rev. G. Plowman. Freeport is probably correct. This is in Waterloo County. At diverse times, Rev. Plowman did return marriages to the Wentworth registrar for those solemnized at the United Brethren Church in Beverly. |
| Marriage | She married Thomas Moffatt, son of Stephen Moffatt and Jane Thompson, on 27 August 1878 at Galt, Waterloo Co.. Mrge reg. 010942-78 Galt, Waterloo, County Thomas Moffatt, 51, widower, farmer, born and residing North Dumfries. Parents Stephen Moffatt and Jane Thompson. Melvina Keachie, 34, widow, born Beverly, residing Galt. Parents Henry Cullom and Destamona Ann Munn. Witnesses John McKenzie and John Leece (no residences given.) On 27 August, 1878, in Galt, by Rev. W.H. Andrews. |
| Death | She died on 20 January 1927 at Galt, Ontario. |
| Burial | She was buried on 22 January 1927 at Section 1, Mountview Cemetery, Galt. |
| Note | At the time of the 1861 census in Beverly Township, District 3, page 14, Melvina, age 17, is with her parents, Henry Culham, born Wales, age 51; Mrs. H. Culham, born Canada West, age 34; George Culham age 19; Melinda age 14; Annie age 10. She married Angus Stewart Keachie in 1867, but Angus was not to live long, for he died in 1869. In his will, Angust Stewart Keachie, requested due maintenance for his mother, wife and son who died in infancy. The 1871 census shows living under the same roof Elizabeth Keachie, age 73, born in the United States, and 'Marion', born in Ontario, age 26. Both are shown as widows. Agewise, it seems reasonable to believe that 'Marion', so shown, is an enumerator's error and that she is actually Melvina. Melvina's middle name is taken from the will of her husband, Angust Stewart Keachie. Melvina married a second time to Thomas Moffatt, the widower of Susan Buchanan. Susan was Elizabeth Keachie's niece. This is a marriage that can safely be said to have had the blessing of the Buchanans. Thomas Moffatt was married to Susan Buchanan, the daughter of Alexander Buchanan and Elizabeth Leece. Susan died in 1873. Melvina herself had been widowed since the death of her husband Angus Stewart Keachie in 1869. The witnesses for this marriage were John McKenzie and John Leece. There are other possible candidates, but almost certainly this John McKenzie was the husband of Susan's sister Margaret; unquestionably, John Leece was the brother of Elizabeth Leece Buchanan, Susan's mother. In other words, John Leece was Susan's uncle. All considered, it would appear that Melvina was welcomed, once again, into the extended Buchanan family. The marriage seems also to have been favored by Susan's children. Elizabeth Leece Moffatt married John Douglas Moore in 1878. They had a daughter in 1888 whom they named Melvina Culham Moore. That, and your researcher leans to the view that the son of Alexander Buchanan Moffatt, John Melvin Moffat, later mayor of Galt and known as Mel Moffatt, was named after her as well. Barring a story from a family member, this of course is beyond proof. There is no evidence here of Melvina having had any children by her second marriage. At the time of the 1891 census in North Dumfries, the enumerator has rather garbled Melvina's name. He has her as Lavina. Thomas is shown as age 64, Melvina is age 46, Stephen is age 40, Mary is 27, and Susan is 21. Again, there is no evidence with this census of Melvina having had any further children. At the time of the 1911 census in North Dumfries Thomas and Melvina have with them Susan and a grandson, whose name is not clear. Melvina is buried with Thomas and Susan in Mountview Cemetery in Galt. 14E-14SE In memory of/Thomas Moffat/died 25th July 1911/in his 86th year/Susan Buchanan/beloved wife of/Thomas Moffat/died 18th Sept 1873/aged 44 yrs 11 mos. 21 d's/also his wife/Melvina Culham/died Jan. 20, 1927/aged 82 years. Melvina's death registration reads: 033035-27 Melvina Moffatt, 40 Pollock Ave., Galt, age 82, born Beverly, 14 years residence at place of death. Parents Henry Culham and Ann Munn, both born Scotland. Informant Thos. McBain, RR 5, Galt, son-in-law. Place of burial Galt. Date of death, January 20, 1927, date of burial January 22, 1927. |
Child of Melvina Anne Culham and Angus Stewart Keachie |
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| Last Edited | 12 May 2019 |