Orr

(submitted by Dr. Greg Stott)

Natives of Scotland, weavers Robert (c.1801–1853) and Mary (Lowry) Orr (c.1810–1870) immigrated to Lanark County, Upper Canada in about 1842 with two young daughters Margaret (1831–1914) and Mary (1839–1911). Five sons had already died. In 1847, Robert secured assignment to Lot 26, Con. 2 NER, Warwick, but had to delay the move because of communications problems.

Before moving to Warwick they had three more children: James (1845–1910), Elizabeth (c.1847–), and Christina (1848–1927). The family travelled by ox-cart all the way to Warwick, with the two daughters walking behind. The youngest child, Isabella (c.1850–1907), was born in Warwick.

In 1853, Robert Orr died. Left alone, and with her eldest daughter Margaret already married to Alfred Smith (1826–1907), Mary opted to allow another family to adopt her daughter, Christina. The title to the farm came to James in 1857 when he was 12 years old.

Mary Orr married Irish immigrant Thomas Whitcraft. It was probably a marriage of convenience for by 1861, though still married, Thomas Whitcraft lived some distance away. Mary worked as a weaver to support her family. Her daughter Mary married Arkona blacksmith Alec Bartram (1836–1908). Christina married Charlie Randall and moved to Michigan. Isabella never married. It is presumed Elizabeth died sometime between 1861 and 1870.

James married Jane Watson (1843–1918) and had five children: Mary Ellen (1869–1918), Elmer (1870–1950), Lottie Jane (1875–1951), Chester (1873–1950), and Robert (1877–1950). Chester married Ada Brown (1882–1962) and farmed the Orr homestead with their three sons, Lloyd, Fred, and Harold.

Chester Orr was known as a good man. When neighbours abused and withheld wages from a young British immigrant, Walter Woolvett, in the early 1900s, Chester rescued the boy from his terrible situation and promptly sued his neighbours to recover Woolvett’s rightful earnings.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Orr Family

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