Hume, Francis

(from Settlers and Lambton Heritage Museum files)

Francis Hume married Sarah Kersey (1840–), daughter of Edward and Jane Kersey, in the 1860s. Her parents came from England and settled briefly in Toronto in the 1830s. Then the Kerseys headed west to Warwick Twp. They packed their household effects on a train, but the train line ended in London. They had to hire wagons to complete their journey.

When Sarah was growing up in Warwick Twp., walking seven miles to church was a common occurrence. The settlers thought nothing of this form of getting from one place to another. Joseph Russell “Uncle Joe” Little preached at some of the first church services. Special services were held in Warwick Village.

For a while Francis and Sarah Hume farmed land across the road from her parents. Her husband’s poor health brought an end to the farming and they moved into Watford where he became a contractor. They attended church on the 6th Line at Gardner’s Clearing. The Humes had seven children.

Francis Hume built the Erie Street United Church and Zion Methodist Church on the 2nd Line SER, Warwick. Altogether he built five churches in the Watford area.

When Mrs. Hume was interviewed by Kate Connolly in 1926, she talked about the changes in her lifetime. She noted that a lot of people were “away from the church” compared to her childhood. She blamed the “motors” and the radio. She ended with the comment, “Isn’t radio a blessing? Why, sometimes I listen to five sermons on Sunday!”

Chapter 24 of 25 - Hume, Francis

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