More About the Eccentric Stafford Family in Almonte

Update on Stafford Children of Almonte

Dear Arlene Stafford-Wilson,

 Last night I wrote “a story about your story” on the Stafford children. I am really taken, obsessed, more like it by this story and wondered if you ever uncovered anything else on them? Thanks for your time.

Thanks so much Linda Seccaspina

 

Hello Linda

I’m glad that you enjoyed the story of Henry Stafford’s family. Along with operating a grocery store in Almonte, Henry was also an ‘Inspector of Licenses’, which in those times meant that he would levy fines to any establishments selling liquor after hours. Because of his role as Inspector it meant that Henry spent a great deal of time in bars and ‘public houses’ as they were known.

At the very opposite end of the spectrum, Henry’s brother Michael, The Very Reverend Father Michael Stafford, was known as ‘The Apostle of Temperance’. In his years of service to the church he lectured on the evils of alcohol, which leads me to the conclusion that there may have been some lively discussions over the dinner table at Christmas dinner when the brothers got together.

Their sisters Margaret and Julia served as nuns in the Order of the House of Providence in Kingston, and would encourage departing sailors to take an oath of sobriety before they set sail. They were an interesting bunch indeed!

Cheers,
Arlene Stafford-Wilson

 

Arlene Stafford-Wilson, Author, Historian
APG Member: Association of Professional Genealogists,
Website: http://www.staffordwilson.com
Blog: http://arlenestaffordwilson.wordpress.com/
Books: “Lanark County Connections”, “Lanark County Calendar”,
“Lanark County Chronicle”,”Lanark County Kid”, “Recipes & Recollections”

 

 

 

Outside Looking in at The Eccentric Family of Henry Stafford — Our Haunted Heritage