Most of this afternoon was spent looking for anything on Sophia Mayhew the aunt of the famous Schwerdtfeger sisters, and sister to Bertha after I found her church card. Adeline Mayhew, as she was known, was a local dress maker and milliner in the late 1800’s. The Pakenham Business Directory of 1875 lists “The Misses Mayhew” shop run by Sophia and her sister Adeline on Graham Street.
In 1879 the sisters moved to Carleton Place and set up shop on Bridge Street, as noted in the Carleton Place Directory listing: “Mayhew, Miss Adeline (S. & A. Mayhew)”.
Where the As Good As New Store is in Carleton Place- Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
Sophia died in 1887, but Adeline, along with her sister Bertha, continued to run the millinery shop until 1900. Adeline lived with Bertha, her husband Henry Schwerdtfeger and their two daughters at their home on Lake Avenue West until her death. Many of her personal belongings and hat making supplies are in the collection of the Carleton Place and Beckwith Museum. Files- Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
The will of Sophia Mayhew– she left everything to her sister Adeline..Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum
The only thing I found out was that Sophia was born in 1841 and died in 1887 which makes her a young 46 years-old when she passed. So what could she had died from? The fifth cholera pandemic was in its last strains in Lanark County and I wonder if she passed from this. One thing is for certain– she kept her Methodist card up!
Sophia Mayhew
Canada Census, 1871
Name Sophia Mayhew
Gender Female
Age 30
Birth Year (Estimated) 1841
Birthplace O
Nationality Scotch
Religion Epis Methodist
Event Place 02, Pakenham c, North Lanark 80, Ontario
Page Number 3
House Number 7
Affiliate Film Number C-10019
She was also a witnesss in 1886 for two of her friends in Drummond Township
6110-86 Abijah CODE, 26, trader, Drummond, Beckwith, s/o John & Marietta, married Melvina Sophia SMYTHE, 22, Drummond, Carleton Place, d/o John & Elizabeth, witn: Sophia MAYHEW & Annie R. BROWN, both of Carleton Place, 5 April 1886 at Carleton Place
Her sister Bertha Mayhew Schwerdtfeger
Canada Census, 1871
Name Bertha Mayhew
Gender Female
Age 7
Birth Year (Estimated) 1864
Birthplace O
Nationality Scotch
Religion Epis Methodist
Event Place 02, Pakenham c, North Lanark 80, Ontario
Page Number 3
House Number 7
Affiliate Film Number C-10019
Buried in Cemetery United+ (Pine Grove, Maple Wood, St. Fillan’s)
Note In Loving Memory Of, Bretha Mayhew, Wife Of Henry Norman Schwerdtfeger, Aug.10,1865-Nov.5,1939, Dearly Beloved Father, Henry Norman Schwerdtfeger, Sept.28,1864-June,8,1945, Their Infant Son, Their Daughters, Gladys Adeline, Feb.5,1900 – Oct.16,1922, Hazel Mae, June,25,1902 – Mar.11,1988
Related Reading
So was there Money Hidden in the Schwerdtfeger House?
The Schwerdtfegerisms of Tobacco and Gambling
Bertha Schwerdtfeger — Mother of the Carleton Place Schwerdtfeger Sisters
Another Episode in Spinsterdom–The Armour Sisters of Perth
Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News
lindaseccaspina 