Rhoda Starr
ID # 698, (1840-1898)
| Father | George Starr (1813-1904) |
| Mother | Charlotte Wall (1818-1898) |
| Birth | Rhoda Starr was born in 1840 at Axbridge, Somerset, England. |
| Christening | She was christened on 20 July 1840 at Wedmore, Somerset. |
| Marriage | She married James Harris on 8 August 1859 at Wellington County. MS248 reel 17, Vol. 79, page 19 Wellington County Return of marriages solemnized by Thomas Adams, a minister of the Primitive Methodist Church for the year ending 31st day of December A.D., 1859 James Harris, 38, born England, residing Guelph. Parents George and Mary Harris. Rhoda Star, age not visible on document, born England, residing Guelph. Parents George and Charlotte Star. Witnesses Jonas Roe and H. Roe, Guelph. On 8 August, 1859. |
| Marriage | She married Nelson Eldridge Vrooman, son of Admiral Nelson Vrooman and Rachel Coleman, on 8 May 1872 at St. George, Ontario. Mrge reg. 004713-72 South Dumfries, Brant Co. Eldridge N. Vrooman, 28, bachelor, farmer. Born and residing Harrisburg. Parents Admiral and Rachael Vrooman. Roda Starr Harris, 31, widow, born England, residing Harrisburg. Parents George and Charlotte Starr. Witnesses John Mulholland of Ancaster and Mary H. Andrews of St. George. At St. George on May 8, 1872. Clergyman Alfred Andrews, minister. The bride and groom were Methodists. |
| Death | She died on 27 January 1898 at Harrisburg, Ontario. |
| Burial | She was buried at Harrisburg Cemetery. |
| Note | According to the FreeBMD index, Rhoda Starr was born in the third quarter of 1840. The place of birth is given as Axbridge (in Somerset), but this may be the district town so far as registrations is concerned. The 1841 census shows Rhoda, age 1, with her parents in Wedmore, Somerset, which is not far from Axbridge and may be her actual place of birth. Ancestry has a database entitled Somerset, England, Church of England Baptism 1813-1914. In this is found Baptisms Solemnized in the Parish of Wedmore in the County of Somerset, in the year 1840, page 123, No. 983, date of baptism 20th July, Rhoda daughter of George and Charlotte Starr. Abode Kynton Hill, labourer. W. F. Lanfear, officiating Minister. The 1841 English census shows Rhoda, age 1, with her parents, George Starr, 25, pig dealer, and Charlotte Starr, age 20. To this point, there are no siblings shown with the family. On 8th August, 1859, Rhoda Starr, born England and residing Guelph, daughter of George and Charlotte, married James Harris, age 38, born England and residing Guelph. Rhoda and James appear in the 1861 census in Guelph Township. He is shown as age 39 and a butcher. She is shown as age 21. By the time of the 1871 census, Rhoda is with her parents, George and Charlotte, in South Dumfries. She is shown as age 30 and, while her last name is shown as Starr, she is also shown as a widow. It is evident that James died and he is almost certainly the James Harris who is buried in Section O of Woodlawn Cemetery in Guelph. A transcription of his gravestone reads: James Harris died June 28, 1861 aged 39 years. (Verse) Hark! Angels whisper me away / My partner dear adieu / In realms of endless day / Our love we will renew. Interestingly, Rhoda's grave stone in the Harrisburg Cemetery shows only her maiden name, at least according to the available transcription. Rhoda's death registration number is 001592-98. It gives her name as Rhoda Vroman and her residence as Harrisburg. She is said to be a farmer's wife so she would appear to be living with Nelson at the time. At the time of the 1871 census, Rhoda is living with her parents and the enumerator has her surname as Starr. The family is listed as: Starr, George, 57, born England Sharlot, 52, born England Roda, 30, born England Sarah, 17 born England. The next household is that of Frederick: Starr, Frederick, 26, born England. Mary, 23, born England. Frank, 4, born England. Ida, 3, born England. Death reg. 001592-98 South Dumfries, Brant Co. Rhoda Vroman died Jan. 27, 1898. Age 57. Residence Harrisburg. Methodist. Farmer's wife. Born England. Informant Dr. E. E. Kitchen. |
| Last Edited | 4 Oct 2016 |