WATFORD GUIDE ADVOCATE 5 APRIL 1895
DEATH OF "AUNT" ELLEN LUCAS

On Monday 1st April, one of Brooke's pioneer settlers passed away in the person
of Mrs. John Lucas, 14th Concession affectionately known to a host of relatives
and connections as "Aunt Ellen." The deceased, who had reached the ripe old
age of 93 years, had enjoyed excellent health during her long and eventful
life up to within a few days of her last illness, and her end was a
peaceful termination of a well-spent life. Mrs. Lucas, whose maiden name was
Miss Ellen Saunders, was married in 1820 to her aged partner in life, who
survives her, now being in his 96th year, and was the mother of 13
children, 11 being still alive, they are: Henry, Mrs. Boddy of Michigan,
Andrew, Thomas, Mrs. Black of Bay City Michigan, Mrs. Thomas Higgins, John,
William of Gladwin Michigan, James, Robert, and Mrs. John Kidd of Brooke,
81 grandchildren, and 83 great grandchildren are among the living
descendants. For 61 years Mr. and Mrs. Lucas have resided on the old
homestead, Lot 12 Con 14 Brooke, and during that lenghty period they
expereinced all the trials and privations endured by the hardy and
industrious pioneers who hewed out homes for themselves and families, in what
was then the wilderness of the west. Had the old couple been spared to December
of the present year they would have celebrated the 75th or diamond anniversary
of their wedding, an event which was looked forward to with interest by the
family and relatives. Her death removes one of the few remaining landmarks of
the early days, and in a year or two there will be none left to relate
the history of the early settlements of this district. Kind hearted,
industrious and hospitable to a degree there will be many mourners of the death
of "Aunt" Ellen Lucas. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon to the
English Cemetery, 6th line (St. James) and was conducted by the Rev. J. Downie.
It was one of the largest seen in the township for years, testifying to the
esteem in which the deceased was held by a wide circle of relatives and
friends.
(NOTE: John and Ellen were married 27 December 1822)