Updated February 2023
Janet Stevenson (1844 - 1925)
Janet Stevenson born February 18th 1844, was the daughter of Jannette Munro and Capt. Robert Stevenson. Robert apparently at one time captained a ship on Lake Ontario after his arrival in York in the mid 1800's. (This is not confirmed, so I am still in pursuit of any confirmation).
Janet's mother Jannette Munro, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and her father Robert, was born in Ireland.
Janet’s parents came to Toronto in 1848, when they were in their mid-twenties and she was just four years old. They lived in the centre of the city in St. David’s Ward on King Street West south side in a small one and a half story frame house
They religious beliefs were originally listed as Church of Scotland, but whatever the family was Janet was brought up with very firm beliefs. Janet was the eldest girl of their nine children. This area would be well documented in later years and become referred to as "The Ward".
Janet married John McEwan son of William McEwan and Mary Brown. They were married in the Methodist New Connexion Church, Toronto on Nov 25th 1862 by Reverend McClure. There is a description of the Church in The 1858 Handbook of Toronto as follows: "A plain structure in spurious Gothic Style. The building is 45 feet on Temperance by 85 feet deep. On the 25th of August 1846 the foundation stone was laid and the building was opened for worship by the close of the same year. Immediately adjoining the church is Temperance Hall."
John was a jeweller living in the same area where Janet lived. It is quite possible she met him through one of her brother’s who was also a jeweller.
The union of Janet and John would produce thirteen children. Of those thirteen ten would survive to adulthood and most of them would live long lives. The boys all entered into a trade as you will see from their bios. Two of the girls did as well.
Janet died April 7th 1925 and was buried on Good Friday of that year. There was a write up in the newspaper mentioning her father Robert, as a well known man. Some of the family believed he took part in the Civil War. Since he was a seaman perhaps he captained a ship on the lake.
Janet suffered from myocarditis and nephritis caused by anginal attacks during the last six months of her life. She was eighty-one at the time of her death. My mother was raised by Janet and John an told me stories of how strict Janet's moral standards were. Like the minister who married her she believed strongly that strong drink was a terrible sin. The fact that my great-grandfather enjoyed the odd drink now and again displeased her greatly, and she believed he would pay for it in the after-life. Both she and John were against marriage of their children to someone of the Roman Catholic religion as well which caused hardship for one of their daughters.
For the last twenty years of her life she had lived at 27 Saulter Street, in Toronto’s east end. After her death the home was bought by the railroad for expansion purposes. This area would now be considered part of Leslieville.
Janet and John are buried in St John's Cemetery Norway, 256 Kingston Rd Toronto, Sec 2 Range 9. An interesting observation with regard to the tombstone is that while Janet died eight years after John, it would seem that the stone was only put on the grave after her death. She is listed first. Did the family not have enough money to erect a stone until her death? Had Janet squirrelled away money for a nice headstone? And why does she have top billing? All questions that will remain unanswered.
Janet's mother Jannette Munro, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and her father Robert, was born in Ireland.
Janet’s parents came to Toronto in 1848, when they were in their mid-twenties and she was just four years old. They lived in the centre of the city in St. David’s Ward on King Street West south side in a small one and a half story frame house
They religious beliefs were originally listed as Church of Scotland, but whatever the family was Janet was brought up with very firm beliefs. Janet was the eldest girl of their nine children. This area would be well documented in later years and become referred to as "The Ward".
Janet married John McEwan son of William McEwan and Mary Brown. They were married in the Methodist New Connexion Church, Toronto on Nov 25th 1862 by Reverend McClure. There is a description of the Church in The 1858 Handbook of Toronto as follows: "A plain structure in spurious Gothic Style. The building is 45 feet on Temperance by 85 feet deep. On the 25th of August 1846 the foundation stone was laid and the building was opened for worship by the close of the same year. Immediately adjoining the church is Temperance Hall."
John was a jeweller living in the same area where Janet lived. It is quite possible she met him through one of her brother’s who was also a jeweller.
The union of Janet and John would produce thirteen children. Of those thirteen ten would survive to adulthood and most of them would live long lives. The boys all entered into a trade as you will see from their bios. Two of the girls did as well.
Janet died April 7th 1925 and was buried on Good Friday of that year. There was a write up in the newspaper mentioning her father Robert, as a well known man. Some of the family believed he took part in the Civil War. Since he was a seaman perhaps he captained a ship on the lake.
Janet suffered from myocarditis and nephritis caused by anginal attacks during the last six months of her life. She was eighty-one at the time of her death. My mother was raised by Janet and John an told me stories of how strict Janet's moral standards were. Like the minister who married her she believed strongly that strong drink was a terrible sin. The fact that my great-grandfather enjoyed the odd drink now and again displeased her greatly, and she believed he would pay for it in the after-life. Both she and John were against marriage of their children to someone of the Roman Catholic religion as well which caused hardship for one of their daughters.
For the last twenty years of her life she had lived at 27 Saulter Street, in Toronto’s east end. After her death the home was bought by the railroad for expansion purposes. This area would now be considered part of Leslieville.
Janet and John are buried in St John's Cemetery Norway, 256 Kingston Rd Toronto, Sec 2 Range 9. An interesting observation with regard to the tombstone is that while Janet died eight years after John, it would seem that the stone was only put on the grave after her death. She is listed first. Did the family not have enough money to erect a stone until her death? Had Janet squirrelled away money for a nice headstone? And why does she have top billing? All questions that will remain unanswered.
Citations
(1) B.1844 Stevenson Janet (birth registration not found based on other documents)
(2) TD1851 Stevenson Robert, mariner, Albert-street Rowsell's city of Toronto and county of York directory for 1850-1
(2a) C.1861 Census of Canada Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Census Returns For 1861; Roll: C-1102-1103
(3) TD1861 396 King St. Stephenson, Robert, wharfinger.Brown’s Toronto General Directory, 1861
(4)M.1863 McEwan John/Stevenson Janet
(5)TD.1863 Hutchinsons Toronto City Directory, 1862-1863
(6)TD 1865 Mitchell’s Toronto City Directory, 1864-1865
(7) C.1871 Census of Canada Census Place: St Davids Ward, Toronto East, Ontario; Roll: C-9972; Page: 27; Family No: 97
(8)1881 Census of Canada Census Place: St Thomas Ward, Toronto City, Ontario; Roll: C_13246; Page: 135; Family No: 716
(8a)TD 1886 Canada, City and Area Directories, 1819-1906
(9) 1891 Census of Canada Census Place: St Lawrence Ward, Toronto City, Ontario; Roll: T-6371; Family No: 112
(10) 1901 Census of Canada Census Place: Toronto (East/est) (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 1, Toronto (east/est) (city/cité), Ontario; Page: 14; Family No: 142
(11) 1911 Census of Canada Census Place: Year: 1911; Census Place: 1 - Ward 1, Toronto East, Ontario; Page: 5; Family No: 41
(12) D.1925 Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Collection: MS935; Reel: 321, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1938, 1943-1944, and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947
(12a) D. 1925 Janet Stevenson McEwan 7 Apr 1925 Findagrave Publisher date 7 Apr 1925 Publisher location The Beaches, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada
(13) D.1925 Web: Global, Gravestone Photograph Index, 1265-2014
(14) D.1925 Web: International, Find A Grave Index
(1) B.1844 Stevenson Janet (birth registration not found based on other documents)
(2) TD1851 Stevenson Robert, mariner, Albert-street Rowsell's city of Toronto and county of York directory for 1850-1
(2a) C.1861 Census of Canada Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Census Returns For 1861; Roll: C-1102-1103
(3) TD1861 396 King St. Stephenson, Robert, wharfinger.Brown’s Toronto General Directory, 1861
(4)M.1863 McEwan John/Stevenson Janet
(5)TD.1863 Hutchinsons Toronto City Directory, 1862-1863
(6)TD 1865 Mitchell’s Toronto City Directory, 1864-1865
(7) C.1871 Census of Canada Census Place: St Davids Ward, Toronto East, Ontario; Roll: C-9972; Page: 27; Family No: 97
(8)1881 Census of Canada Census Place: St Thomas Ward, Toronto City, Ontario; Roll: C_13246; Page: 135; Family No: 716
(8a)TD 1886 Canada, City and Area Directories, 1819-1906
(9) 1891 Census of Canada Census Place: St Lawrence Ward, Toronto City, Ontario; Roll: T-6371; Family No: 112
(10) 1901 Census of Canada Census Place: Toronto (East/est) (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 1, Toronto (east/est) (city/cité), Ontario; Page: 14; Family No: 142
(11) 1911 Census of Canada Census Place: Year: 1911; Census Place: 1 - Ward 1, Toronto East, Ontario; Page: 5; Family No: 41
(12) D.1925 Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Collection: MS935; Reel: 321, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1938, 1943-1944, and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947
(12a) D. 1925 Janet Stevenson McEwan 7 Apr 1925 Findagrave Publisher date 7 Apr 1925 Publisher location The Beaches, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada
(13) D.1925 Web: Global, Gravestone Photograph Index, 1265-2014
(14) D.1925 Web: International, Find A Grave Index
CHILDREN OF JOHN MCEWAN AND JANET MUNRO STEVENSON
Below are all the children of John and Janet. For more information on the family follow the linked names.
Frederick W. (1865–1866)
Frederick W. (1865–1866)