Willoughby

(submitted by Marjorie Willoughby)

Robert Willoughby (1857–1934) was born in Smith Falls, Canada West. He came to Watford with his mother after his father died. Several of his family members were already living in Warwick Twp. He became the hired man for William and Jane Massender, later marrying their daughter Janette (1865–1941). They lived in a log cabin with the Massenders on the 50 acre west ½ of Lot 24, Con. 1 NER. On the death of Janette’s parents the farm was granted to Janette Willoughby.

In about 1900 to 1907 a one and a half storey white brick house with a frame summer kitchen and porch was built. This structure was joined to the log house that had a loft that the Willoughbys and Massenders had lived in. Wooden shutters were put on the windows. The upstairs had three bedrooms; the downstairs had a large living room, pantry, bedroom and a summer kitchen. In the winter they ate in the living room which was heated by a wood stove.

Robert and Janette Willoughby’s children, Jane and Roy (1894–1958), attended SS#10, Warwick and St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Wisbeach. Roy’s occupation was helping his father on the farm. Crops, including oats, wheat, barley and corn were planted and harvested using horse drawn equipment. Chores were endless. There were cows to be milked; chickens, pigs and sheep to be fed; and fences to be built. Vegetable gardens and fruit trees produced food for the family.

In 1922 Roy Willoughby purchased the centre ½ of Lot 24, Con. 1 NER (100 acres). He farmed this land until his death. This land had a frame barn, silo, and hen house with a two storey white brick home. Many animals such as hens, pigs, sheep, horses and milking cows were found on this farm, as well as pasture and grain crops. Roy married Eva Pearl Marshall (1894–1959). They had one daughter, Irene Lorraine (1931–), and one son, Robert Lorne (1934–2007).

When Janette died, the 50 acre west ½ of Lot 24, Con. 1 NER was granted to Roy’s son, Robert Lorne. For several years the house was either empty or rented out.

Lorne married Marjorie Wight in 1956. He cleaned up the property, tore down the log barn and renovated the house. First a foundation was built under the summer kitchen, then new cupboards and running water were added. The pantry became a bathroom and a closed-in back and front porch were added. Ken Inman of Warwick Village did the brick work. The summer kitchen was bricked in 1956, with wife Marjorie’s help. Three years later a furnace was installed; the living room was replastered. A cement block building was erected where the log barn was once located.

After Roy’s death, Lorne operated the 100 acre farm, and he moved his family to it in 1962. Lorne and Marjorie’s son David was born in 1959. Two daughters were born as well, Cynthia Louise (1966–) and Judy (1968–). Lorne Willoughby Fuels’ office was located in the home until Feb. 4, 1969 when the house was destroyed by fire. Marjorie’s quick thinking when the furnace pipes caught fire saved the children, but only a few of the family’s belongings were saved — a desk, a rocking horse and a filing cabinet containing the records of the Fina Oil Distributing Service.

After 1962 the house on the west ¼ of Lot 24 was again rented, until 1988. Then it was renovated, upgrading the hydro, installing a new furnace, decorating and putting up new shutters. At the present time, Cindy, her husband John, and children Brad and Nicole are living at this location.

In 1970 a new three bedroom ranch style house was built on the centre ½ of Lot 24, Con. 1 NER, including an office for the fuel business. Many people have stayed overnight in the house during snow storms which closed Hwy 22. On April 3 and 4, 1974, 40 people, including children from a school bus, stayed for two days.

David Willoughby played hockey with the Watford Minor Hockey Club for several years. He and his family now live in British Columbia. Cindy and Judy took part in many activities such as 4-H, sports and music. Both were involved in step dancing. They won many competitions and entertained at many functions across Ontario. Lorne was a member of the Arkona Lions Club for many years. Marjorie taught 4-H and Women’s Institute courses.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Willoughby Family

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