When we moved to Bradford in 1965, I started to cut lawns. One of my customers was, Miss Edith Belfry. She was baptized Elsina Edith Marie Belfry, born October 28th 1912. Edith was the daughter of William James Belfry and Julia Elizabeth Cole. She was the youngest of eight siblings.
SIBLINGS:
- George Wellington Belfry born Jan.22 1994 and died in WWI In France Nov. 9Th 1916
- Elsie Florence Belfry (Irving) born October 14th 1897 and died August 2 1984
- Morley Melbourne Chancy Belfry born August 2 1900 and died October 8th 1976.
- Emory Dawson Belfry born July 24th 1903 and died January 14th 2000.
- John Alexander McKenzie Belfry born March24th 1905 and died March 24th 1971.
- Samuel Elgin Belfry born February 8th 1097 died September 17th 1984
- Annie Elizabeth Belfry (Mills) born August 21st 1908 and died November 4th 1960.
Their family home was up Highway 11 on the east side of the road half way up from the 8th line and Concession 9.
It burnt down a few years ago.
Edith attended Bradford United Church.
Edith was a dedicated school teacher and taught at SS#9 Mount Pleasant School in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
She taught there from 1934 until 1940.
She taught at Poplar Banks School from 1941 until it closed in 1965. It was on the south west corner of Green Lane and Young Street on the way to Newmarket.
She was too young to retire and was not eligible for pension but she contacted another Bradford man of influence and he got her a pension that would help her survive. Thanks to D. Arthur Evans.
When I met Edith she lived on the south east corner of Frederick Street and Moore Street. She lived with her sister Anne and when she passed Edith took over the house.
Living with them was Annie's adopted daughter Twilla. Twilla lived a sheltered life but went on to marry and was very happy as a married woman.
Edith loved to laugh and always had a great smile.
Edith knew I was interested in history so she gave me a few things. One was a very large book published in 1896 (same year my home in PEI was built) called The Home Knowledge Atlas. Inside was her name and probably the year she acquired it. It has been used a lot as the hard cover and some of the pages were dog eared. It tells the population of big and small communities across the world. Even my village of Vernon Bridge had a post office back then and Bradford Ontario had a population of 1300. I am sure she used it as a teaching tool during geography lessons.
There was a large photo of the King and Queen given by Hon. Earl Rowe; a complete Veteran's Annual Calendar of 1940 commemorating the recent visit of King George and Queen Elizabeth to Canada.
A magazine cover Pictorial Review for 1935. "Note the receivers name and address on sticker"
Also a magazine from 1931 (note receivers name on sticker).
Also some very nice Valentine's Cards, one from Keith and Karl (Bowles) ; one from Donald Cooper and a very elegant card from John and Jean (if anyone knows the last name please let me know).
Also she gave me a stereoscope with a lot of cards to go with it. People coming to my house are very interested in the concept of the stereoscope using 3D cards.
Since acquiring the atlad, it has been used quite often. When I have BnB guests they want to look up their town or city and see what the population was back then.
I would like to thank Ross Belfry for some of the family photos and help with dates of Edith's family.
Don and Diane (Bell) Milos also provided some pics and information.
When I travel back to Bradford I usually take some time travelling the streets remembering who lived here or there.
