Luckham

(submitted by Barbara Luckham and Sue McKay)

William Luckham, born in Devonshire, England (1795–1848) joined the 43rd Regiment of Foot in 1814. He was on the battlefield of Waterloo the morning after Napoleon and Wellington fought. In 1821 he joined the 15th Regiment of Foot, and 2 years later married Ann Fardy (1804–1874) of Ireland. In 1827 he was posted to Canada, accompanied by his wife and child, and was soon promoted to sergeant.

The birthplaces of their children document his army postings: Mary Ann (Ireland, 1825–1903); Susan (Fort Henry, 1827–1893); Thomas (Quebec Citadel, 1830–1912); and William (Fort Lennox, Quebec, 1832–1929).

William was discharged in 1833, having been in the British army for 19 years, and received a grant of 200 acres of land at Lot 16, Con 4 NER, Warwick Twp. William and Ann cleared their new land and began to farm. Three more children were born at Warwick: John (1835–1864), Nicholas (1836–1921), and Elizabeth (1838–1848).

The Luckhams endured many hardships. One story is told that when William’s ox sickened and died, he and Ann hitched themselves up to the homemade harrow with a harness made from basswood bark and harrowed in their first crop of wheat.

Everything that was used was made by hand. All the wheat was cut with a sickle and threshed out with two sticks on the ground. There were no mills, so wheat, corn and peas were boiled and eaten that way. If bread was scarce, the first buds of the basswood tree were relished as they were tender and sweet to eat.

When William died, his property on the Fourth Concession was divided in half, part for his son Nicholas and part for his son Thomas. Their mother stayed with them on the farm until she died. Thomas’ and Nicholas’ sister Elizabeth died 20 days after her father of malaria, an illness that her father may also have had.

Sergeant William Luckham’s son, Thomas Llewellyn Luckham, married Jane Thomas (1839–1929) at Warwick. Jane was of Welsh background. Their children were William Henry (1857–1947); Susan Jane (1859–1944); Lucinda Ann (1861–1934); John Leonard (1863–1905); James Macklin (1867–1941); Thomas Llewellyn (1869–1932); Margaret (1872–1872); Edith Alice (1874–1898); Sidney Thornton (1876–1877); and Stanley Rosengrave (1878–1951). Several of this family continued to live and work in Warwick Twp.

In a Kate Connolly interview from the 1920s, Jane (Thomas) Luckham talked about her life. “We had nine children and I always made my own bread and butter, spun the yarn, knitted the socks and stockings and in the spring helped in the sugar bush. I used to like that.”

Sarah Sertinia (Scott) Luckham (1864–1945), wife of William Henry (Jane and Thomas Luckham’s son), wrote this letter to her pastor in 1941. It is included here:

Dear pastor and friend —

As there does not seem to be an opportune time for me to converse with you, I am submitting a few lines that may be used when you may be called to perform a last service for me.

As my family do not want singing you might read two hymns in the Hymnal “Tennyson’s Crossing the Bar” 457 and “Where on My Day of life” 456.

My favorite verse in the Bible Isaiah 26-3. I would like just a simple service in my home, with no minister assisting and no eulogy for me.

I have lived here for over half a century and “what I have written, I have written” I am grateful for God’s guidance along the way to such an age, but merit no praise.

As He has given to each of us a body suited to the life we have to live here, I know He has planned a happier sphere fitted for service in our eternal home. Psalm 23.

Yours gratefully

Sarah S. Luckham

Sergeant William Luckham’s son William Jr. farmed and worked as a boot and shoemaker in Warwick Village as well. He married Margaret Ross (1837–1909) in a hotel in London, Ont. in 1854. They stayed overnight and took the stage home. At that time passengers had to pay their fare and carry a rail to help pry out the wheels from the mud. William and Margaret had six sons and five daughters. They lived on the Luckham farm, then moved to the Ross homestead on Lot 18 at the corner of Nauvoo Rd. and the Egremont Rd. Only their son Friend Richard (1866–1951) remained in Warwick Twp. Friend married Lydia Lorraine Worthington (1865–1948) and they had one son Ross Burwell (1897–1973).

A newspaper writeup of William and Margaret’s 1904 golden wedding anniversary celebration noted that “…the youngest grandchild presented ten five dollar gold pieces, one from each of the nine children and one on behalf of the only great-grandchild….” It then continued that during the two hour social time,

Mr. John Ross entertained with reminiscences of pioneer days and Thomas and Nicholas Luckham sang of “Waterloo”. Solos, duets and choruses by most of the company were pleasingly interspersed till there was only time for all to be served with ice-cream and cake….

After Margaret died, William married Melinda Mann (1849–1920).

Sergeant William’s son Nicholas (1836–1921) received the south half of the Luckham property, where he lived all his life. He married Margaret Graham, (1844–1896), daughter of Peter Graham and Catherine Chambers of Lot 12, Con 3, Warwick Twp. They had nine children, only three living to adulthood: William E. (1864–1934) who married Agnes Hagle; Susan (1869–1955) who married Will Vance, and Mary Catherine became Mrs. John F. Smith. A son, Peter, died at the age of 17. Nicholas lost his sight at an early age. He was one of the first trustees of Bethel Methodist Church.

Luckham family 1906. Standing: Ella Mae, John Scott, Jennie Meryl. Seated: William Henry, Sarah Grace, Clarence Farewell, Sarah Sertinia. In front: Amy Grace. Courtesy B Luckham.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Luckham Family

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