Wednesday 3 April 2019

MARION GOODLET OF WINDHAM, ONTARIO


     Marion Leask Goodlet, daughter of James Leask and Jane Sinclair was born on the 20th Feb 1823 in Minn, Burra, Shetland Islands. The 1901 census and her obit say she was born 8 Feb 1823 but according to the parish register the 20th was the date recorded for her birth. Her obit also says she was born in Lerwick, although it was Minn.



     James Leisk and Jean Sinclair in Minn Burra had a daughter born 20 Feb 1823 and baptized 3rd March 1823 called Merron.

     Marion married William Goodlet. From trees on the internet comes the marriage date of 11 Apr 1845 in Lerwick, Burra. I have not been able to find their marriage document yet.

     Their children were:

  • Mary (b 1846 in Burra, Sheltand & died about the age of 4) 
  • James Goodlet (b 1850 in Windham, Ontario
  • Mary Jane Goodlet (b 1854 Windham, Ontario)

     By the 1851 census for Shetland Williams brother James and wife Margaret Hughson were living in Gussigarth. William and Marion would have already moved to Ontario by that census.

     William and Marion were in the 1851 census for Windham, Norfolk, Ontario. Their daughter Mary was born in Shetland, there son James in Windham.  They probably came to Canada about 1849.    

     Although William's surname was consistently spelled Goodlet in Canada, Goodlad was usually used in Shetland.     

     According to the Simcoe Reformer, Marion's mother, Mrs. James Leask [recorded as Leisk] died 22 Mar 1872 at the Goodlet home in Windham Township. Marion stayed on there almost to her death, which occurred at son James' home, next door. (Source: John Cardiff of Simcoe, Norfolk County.)

      William Goodlet was the son of Thomas Goodlad and Mary Davidson. William died 24 Jan 1885 in Windham Township, Norfolk County (age 62) and was buried along with Marion in the Bethel Cemetery, Windham Township.

Marion’s Obituary

    Marion Leask, the subject of this memoir, was the second daughter and third child of the late James and Jane Leask. She was born at Lerwick, on of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, on the 8th day of February, A.D. 1823.

    At the age of twenty-two she was united in marriage with William Goodlet of the same place, April 11th, 1845, and after a residence of two years of married life she with her husband emigrated to Canada and settled on lot No. 10 in the 13th con. of the Township of Windham of Norfolk, which was at that time almost an unbroken wilderness, where she lived continuously up to the time of her death, her husband having predeceased her some twenty odd years.

    By this union four children were born, two of whom died in infancy, and a daughter, (Mrs. John Boice) about fifteen years ago. The son, James, survives her and lives on the homestead, with whom she lived continuously during her widowhood.

    In religion she was a Methodist, having united with that church before she left her native country.

    She died on the 8th day of February, 1906, a somewhat singular coincidence, having attained the ripe age of eighty-three years.

    The funeral took place from her late residence to Bethlehem Cemetery on Sunday, and was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Strongman, and the large number attending was conclusive proof of the high esteem in which she was held.

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