Sayers

(submitted by Jim Sayers)

James Thomas Sayers (1865–1931) was born in Petworth, England. On the advice of a Canadian farmer, Charles Dengate, he was persuaded to come to Watford in 1886. James had only 40 cents to his name, but he soon started to work for farmers in the Watford and Forest area and also in the CNR tunnel in Sarnia. He married Emily Jane Carr (1877–1938) who was born in Forest. He was working then as a section hand on the old Grand Trunk Railway. They lived in a log house about 500 feet south of the railroad and about 300 feet east of 6 Sideroad at Kingscourt Junction.

Later James and Emily moved to a 50 acre farm at Lot 6, Con. 5 SER (5411 Kingscourt Rd.). They raised four children: Wallace, Clarence (known as Jack), Bruce and Muriel. A Forest Free Press article on June 26, 1919 announced that Pte. W. J. Sayers had returned from two years at the front. He was in the Lambton 149^th Battalion.

Upon his father’s death in 1931, James Sayers’ youngest son Bruce took over the farm. He married Alma Willoughby from Sarnia and farmed there until his death in 1974. Bruce and Alma raised two children.

Bruce and Alma Sayers’ son James now lives on the farm. He is married to Colleen House of Fort Erie. They raised four sons: Bradley and Mark who live in Petrolia, Rod who lives in London, Ont., and Bruce who lives in Mount Brydges.

Bruce and Alma’s daughter Jean married Carmen Wilcocks from Arkona and they raised three girls and two sons. Paddy is in Regina, Bonnie is in Mooretown, Brenda is in Forest and Doug and David live in Arkona.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Sayers Family

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