Lanark Gavin's

Robert Gavin, 1874-1938 = Elizabeth Ferguson

Robert Gavin, eldest son and
third surviving child of Robert
Gavin and Margaret Horn was
born April 23rd, 1874 in
Lanark County. His father was
shown as an innkeeper at the
time of his birth.


He was married in Muskoka in 1904.

Vital Statistics #13026-1904 13026-04 (Muskoka Dist.) Robert GAVIN, 30, farmer, Lanark Co., Draper, s/o Robert GAVIN & Maggie HORNE, married Elizabeth FERGUSON, 23, Draper, same, d/o William FERGUSON & Ellen BANAGH, witn: William GAVIN & Ella FERGUSON, both of Draper, 31 Aug 1904 at St. Paul’s Church, Draper

Bracebridge Gazette Sept 15, 1904
"At 3 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon Aug. 31 a large number of friends and neighbors gathered in St. Paul's Anglican church to witness the marriage of Miss Elizabeth Ferguson to Robert Gavin, of Purbrook. The sacred edifice was neatly decorated with flowers for the occasion. The ceremony was conducted by the incumbent the Rev. Geo. Gander. The bride looked exceedingly handsome in a becoming gown of cream silk crepe-de-chine with lace insertion, appliqué, etc., and wore a pretty white silk chiffon hat trimmed with Duchess Ribbon and lilies of the valley, and with veil and orange blossoms. She was attended by her sister Ella and Amy, and the groom was supported by his brother William, and his nephew, Willie Ennis. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Gavin and guests proceeded to the residence of the brides' parents, where an appetizing repast was served of which all partook heartily. A pleasant evening was spent in dancing. About 12 o'clock the bride appeared in an Eton suit of dark green cheviot cloth with hat to match, and the newly wedded couple left immediately for Bracebridge where they took the early morning train for a week's visit to New York, calling at Toronto and Niagara on the way. The bride was the recipient of many useful presents and many were the hearty good wishes received. "

1911 Census
Lot 22 Con 11 Muskoka, Draper

Gavin, Robert, Head, b. Apr, 1874, 37, farmer
Gavin, Elizabeth, Wife, b. Jun, 1881, 29
Gavin, Eileen Amy, Dau, b. Oct, 1905, 5
Gavin, Harvey, Son, b. May, 1908 3
Gavin, Clive, Son, b. July, 1911, 10/12 mo.

(One more son, Albert William, was born after 1911)

Rob't Gavin, R.R.2, Thessalon, Ontario
May 26th, 1937
Dear Sister Maggie,
I received your letter on my birthday and was glad to hear that you were all well and hope that this will find you the same. We are all as well as we can expect. Well, Maggie, you asked me in your letter if I could go out. I can't walk, even with (crutches?) The only time I get out is when someone carries me to the car and takes me for a ride. I was pretty sick most of the winter but I feel quite a lot better since it got warm. I don't think I will walk again. I suffer a lot with my legs and arms. I have to take tablets. I don't know where Albert is. We haven't heard from him since he left one year ago last December. And I haven't heard from Clive for a long time now. I expect I will soon. Bessie was home two weeks ago. She is fat and looks well. She weighs 122 pounds. That's a good weight for her. Harvie (?) is on his mail rounds. He has been pretty busy seeding but is ____ now. He sowed 45 bushels of oats. He has a man (?) nearly all the (time). He will have 7 cows milking this summer. He has 2 big white-faced 2 year olds to sell and 4 one year olds for next year. I am going to see Mable Reid tomorrow. She comes to see me quite often. I think Sarah is in the Soo now. I don't see her very often. Well Maggie, I think I will have to stop for this time. Ab was here not long ago. He said he was going home soon. Sarah was to go with him, but I don't think he went. Well, this is all for this time. Write soon. Goodbye, with love to all. From Bob

Muskoka Herald Mar 24 1938.........

"Mr. Robert Gavin...Called By Death...
Word was received here Thursday of the death the previous day of Mr. Robert Gavin of Thessalon. Mr. Gavin had been ailing for several years from rheumatism. Mr. Gavin was a son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gavin and was born at Purbrook. He leaves his wife and 3 sons, Clive, Harvey and Albert and one daughter, Mrs. Ted Massey(Ellen) of Sault St. Marie, Ontario.

He also leaves three sisters, Mrs. Thomas Carduges(Cordukes), of Thessalon; Mrs. Alfred Hammond of Fraserburg, and Mrs. Herbert Shire, of Draper, and two brothers, Albert of Sault St. Marie and Wm of Crown Hill. Mr. Gavin spent his boyhood in Purbrook and later moved with his wife and family to Bracebridge, where he lived several years before moving to Thessalon. He was in his 64th year. The funeral services took place at Thessalon on Monday. "

(He died March 18, 1938 and is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Thessalon, Ontario.)

Family Marriages:

6862-25 Frederick John MASSON, 25, barber, Gravenhurst, Sault Ste Marie, s/o John Napoleon MASSON & Selina POIDEVIN, married Amy Eileen GAVIN, 19, Draper Tp. Muskoka, Sault Ste Marie, d/o Robert GAVIN & Elizabeth FERGUSON, witn: Ethel REID & Roderick James MASSON both of Thessalon on Sept. 7, 1925 at St. Luke's Cathedral Sault Ste Marie (Source - Ontario marriages 'on-line')