…I will read all of her correspondence tonight. There could be clues about other Ovens.
In 1984, I sent letters to every Ovens (not related to my family) listed in the Toronto, Ontario directory. I received replies from almost everyone; I was never able to find a connection. I kept the correspondence and have been looking through every letter, as well as Honora’s letters.
I am now wondering if the John Ovens, son of William Ovens and Eliz. Stinson, was possibly not my ancestor. Perhaps it is just a coincidence that a Jennie Stinson was living with John and his family in 1881, and that she was not related to Eliz. Stinson. (I’ve not been able to positively find Jennie’s family.) My mum once told me that our John was born in Co. Donegal, then for decades said Co. Fermanagh. I think I’m on a wild goose chase.
Adding bits from the aforementioned correspondence for my future reference and in case anyone is still following this thread (and has any suggestions). Also included: two records from Anc*try.
My John Ovens was a school teacher in 1850. No connection has been found (yet) to my John Ovens, but also teachers:
Thomas Ovens, born 1780 Ennismacsaint, Co. Fermanagh.
He was a schoolmaster (no date, no place).
Served 11 years as sergeant and corporal, discharged 1816.
Ontario, Canada Deaths
James Ovens. [Possibly lived in Asphodel, Peterborough East, Ontario, Canada as early as 1871]
Died 25 Sept 1895, Peterborough, Ontario, age 88 years. Born Co. Fermanagh, Ireland.
Retired school teacher. Methodist.
I’ve not yet been able to find additional facts about the men. It is interesting that they were teachers. Perhaps just a common occupation?
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Details from Honora’s letters
…Actually, we [her family] all stem from County Fermanagh.” 4 Sept 1984
“… actually I am certain we are related but just how it is hard to fathom…your airman uncle’s picture [referring to my mum’s cousin] certainly looked very much like my nephew…We descend direct from a Dutch general who came with William of Orange and got granted a lot of bad land in County Fermanagh…The general’s name started off as Van Oyen and then became Ovens…religion - ours has been Church of Ireland for generations…and I’m certain there is a blood tie.” 26 July 1985
Note: my mum mentioned Holland and Van Oyen but I don’t know if that was told to her by relatives or if she was repeating Honora’s words.
“…My [ancestor] John Coote Ovens had a good deal of land in Enniskillen and a great many relations there too. His ancestor was the general who came to Ireland with king William of Orange and paid off a good many of his troops with other peoples land!…Rev. James Ovens only had three surviving children, two girls and a boy – John Coote Ovens…they [the children??] moved to Donegal about 1800…dad sold the last bit of the Enniskillen property in 1922.” 17 Nov 1998
Ovens painting - 16 June 1846. Captain John Ovens, Mrs. John ovens, children: Louisa E.W., Emily E., William F.J.(or Y.).
Captain John Ovens had brothers William and Hugh of Rahalton.
2002-03 correspondence with “William”, of Guelph, Ontario
“My ancestor, Robert James Ovens was born in Inishmacsaint Parish, Co. Fermanagh c1802…c1820’s he married Elizabeth Dixon of Inishmacsaint…”. Robert Ovens came to Canada c1830. William’s father “…suggested at one time that the Ovens came from Scotland to Ireland after the battle of Culloden…and after the defeat let out for Ireland rather than be transported to Australia.“
6 June 1985, Mr. Ovens, Unionville, Ontario
“our ancestors originally came from Holland, settled in Ireland in the county of Cork then came to Quebec and later to Ontario…the names John, Robert and Edward were common in our family tree.” [As well in my tree]
I will search for details about Honora’s relatives but now I believe if we are related that it will be very, very distantly. It’s odd though that her nephew and my mum’s cousin looked so alike. Huge apologies for the length of this posting.
