Lt. John Melville "Melville" Ashby

1887 - 1969  (81 years)

• Name	John Melville "Melville" Ashby
  Prefix	Lt.
  Nickname	Melville
  Birth	2 Jun 1887	Tay Valley Twp (Bathurst), Lanark County, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	On John Melville Ashby's marriage certificate his father is identified as William Ashby - the logical person would be William Samuel Ashby (1862-1913), brother of Martha based on an exhaustive search of Ashby records.  It is possible that Martha is an adoptive mother, not biological. No records have been found for his birth and this may not have been his birth name. It is possible that Martha had an out of wedlock birth or she is an adoptive mother, not biological. No records have been found for his birth suggesting that this may not be his birth name. He may have been born to another woman in the community and his father is William Samuel Ashby. This is the only "William" in the family tree that would be of a probable age to father John Melville. John Melville Ashby is often confused with John Middleton Ashby (1888-1893), son of John Ashby and Mary Ann Clark. John Middleton Ashby died at the age of five years during a diptheria epidemic, one of the three children to die at that time. I believe that the date 2 Jun 1887  is the correct birth date.  The date of 21 Apr 1888 was used on his WW1 CEF Personnel files. The lack of a birth certificate may have led to the use of  John Middleton's birth record for his documentation.
  Gender	Male
  Census-Household Member	1891	Tay Valley Twp (Bathurst), Lanark County, Ontario, Canada   [2]
  	Canada
  	Role: Household Member
  		1891 Census Bathurst Lanark John Ashby household
  		1891 Census Bathurst Lanark John Ashby
  Census	1901	Tay Valley Twp (Bathurst), Lanark County, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Canada
  	Melville Ashby, b 21 Apr 1888,  is noted in the household of George 25 and Matilda 23 Cunningham and listed at the age of 12 as a farm labourer. Also listed in the household are Jane Cunningham, George's mother and Rose A. Freestone 16, (adopted) born England 1884, immigrateed 1893. Others in the family were working out in the community at this age. It is noted that he had attended school for 2 months that year.
  		1901 Census Bathurst Melville Ashby working for George Cunningham
  		1901 Census Bathurst Lanark George Cunningham
  Census-Household Member	1901	Tay Valley Twp (Bathurst), Lanark County, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	Canada
  	Role: Household Member
  		1901 Census Bathurst Lanark Elizabeth Foster Ashby
  Occupation	Jul 1910	Westport, Rideau Lakes Twp, Leeds and Grenville United Counties (Leeds), Ontario, Canada
  	leaves H.R. Derbyshire in Westport for Kingston position
  	Friday 22 Jul 1910  Incidents of the Week, Newsy Paragraphs Picked up from Various Sources Told Briefly  page 1 column 3  Perth Courier J.M. Ashby, for the past few months tailor for Mr. H.R. Derbyshire, Westport, left on Monday for Kingston where he has accepted a fine position.
  Residence	Jan 1916	Kingston (city/cit?e), Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	76 Brock St.
  	158 Frontenac St. is given as the address of Victoria his wife in his attestation papers although he gives his address as Brock St.
  Census	1921	Oshawa, Durham Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Canada
  FamilySearch ID	29H1-XBH
  Occupation	1921	Oshawa, Durham Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Tailor
  		1921 Census Oshawa Durham Region Melville J. Ashby
  Residence	1921	Oshawa, Durham Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	31 King St.
  	Name     Melville Ashby Gender     Male Marital Status     Married Age     33 Birth Year     1888 Birth Place     Ontario Relation to Head of House     Head Spouse's Name     Victoria Ashby Father Birth Place     Ontario Mother's Name     Victoria Sleeman Mother Birth Place     Ontario Racial or Tribal Origin     English Province or Territory     Ontario District     Ontario South District Number     109 Sub-District     Oshawa (Town) Sub-District Number     31 City, Town or Village     Oshawa Street or Township     31 King E Municipality     Oshawa Occupation     Tailor Income     1300
  Honors	Nov 1921	Kingston (city/cit?e), Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada
  	"Queen St. Church Unveils Tablet"; Beautiful Bronze War Memorial will be Dedicated on Sunday
  	Brig.-Gen. Mitchell of Toronto University, and Lt. Col. Pense to Officiate. On Suday Queen Street Methodist Church will unveil the fine tablet erected in the church to commemorate members of the congregation and some also of the old Brock Street congregation who served in the Great War. The tablet is a large one of hevy bronze, the lettering being raised. The Honor Roll is as follows: Honor Roll In Loving memory of those who fell in the Great War, 1914-1918. "Their names shall never perish" Miller Briden, Stanley Byron, Wallace S. Earl, William R. Edgar, Sidney E. Ellis, Neal Ferguson, William Fleet, Harvey A. Godwin, William A. Kelso, Allan Ross Jenkins, Thomas McKenzie, Louis W. Roadhouse, Harold S. Wilson. Formerly of Brock Street Church: Robert S. Charles, Rufus I. Jackson, Fred F. Laturney, Wm. Henry Rollow. In honor of thise who served overseas: Arthur W. Asselstine, Carman Boaprey, Evans Boaprey, Arthur W. Byron, J.W. Byron, Wilfred Byron, Albert Campbell, Rev. G.I. Campbell, Robt. N. Campbell, Miss Willa Chapman, N.S., Ross E. Clarke, William A. Clark, Harold T. Clarke, Arthur M. Clarke, Russell C. Clarke, G.H. Cliff, Dr. A.B. Cooke, Harry M. Cooke, H. Melville Cooke, Stuart Crawford, Albert E. Doherty, Russell E. Edgar, James Ennis, Leonard C. Ennis, Jack H. Evans, William H. Evans, Harold Fleet, Ernest Geake, Allan Haffner, Robt. M. Hazelton, Alfred Hinks, William Kinch, Oscar King, Harry E. Law, Francis Lloyd, Mrs S. Lloyd, N.S., Dr Stanley Lloyd, R.Leslie Meek, Alfred Milne, Aberdeen McBroom, John W. McCalllum, Burton L. McWilliam, Elwood Nicholson, Richard Paynter, C.C. Phillips, Sterling Pollitt, Miss Florence Roadhouse, N.S., Morley R. Roadhouse, Crofton Robinson, Allan Shea, Alexander Silver, Edward W. Skinner, Harold M. Snider, Dr. Ernest R. Sparks, Leslie Sparks, George W. Stetherington, Herbert Vanwinkle, Eben,  B. Warren, Fred W. Warren, sidney A. Warren, Thomas L. White. Formerly of Brock Street Church: Clifford H. Armstrong, J. Melville Ashby, William Aubin, Howard Burtch, Gabriel Childs, Ivan C. Clendinnen, George Crawford, Walter Easton, J. Nelson Gibson, Harold Godwin, Bruce Hall, Samuel Hall, Harold Kennedy, J. Stanley Lemmon, Joh McNab, Jack Muer, Thomas A. Miles, Edwin J. Neal, J.W. Nicholson, Howard Nobes, T.N. Perry, James Peters, Ross Quinn, Adrian I. Revelle, Ian E. Revelle, Wm. E. Revelle, John W. Stagg, Melville Suddard, Martin H. Timms, Geo., N. Williamson. The address before the unveiling is to be given by Brig. General C.H. Mitchell, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., C.E., LL.D., Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering of Toronto University; Lieut. Col. Harry E. Pense will unviel the tablet. Prominent citizens of Kingston, both military and civil, have been invited to be present. The Daily Standard Kingston, Ontario, Canada 12 Nov 1921, pg 17
  Name	Melvin
  Occupation	1945	Timmins, Cochrane District, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  	Policeman
  _UID	E41E3ABEFD3643BD89E4146B1249151EA7C3
  Death	21 May 1969	Perth, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada
  	ASHBY, John Melville - At the Great War Memorial Hospital, Perth, on Wednesday, May 21, 1969, J. Melville Ashby, husband of the late Victoria Ashby, in his 82nd year. Resting at the Blair and Son Funeral Home, 9 West Good Street, Perth, from 2 p.m. Thursday, May 22. Funeral service to be conducted in the Chapel, on Friday, May 23, at 11 a.m. Interment Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston, at 1 p.m., on arrival of motors. Kingston Whig Standard Kingston, Ontario, Canada 22 May 1969 Captain John Melville AShby (Co-Founder of Canadian Legion Branch 43, 1926/10/23) Captain Ashby was born in Fallbrook, Ontario 1888/04/21. His profession/occupation was shown as a "Merchant Tailor". He attested to the 146th Battalion 19/01/18. He married Victoria Sleeman 1913/06/03 in Kingston, Ontario. His Certificate of Service notes that he was in England and France with the 146th Battalion, and was transferred to the 95th Battalion, 5th Reserve Battalion, 1st Central Ontario Regimental Depot, and the Canadian General List. He reverted from Captain to Lieutenant for purposes of proceeding overseas 1917/05/15 and seconded to the Royal Flying Corps 1917/09/20 for instruction. His Active Service form entry, 1918/01/17, records he was to be a Flying Officer. He ceased to be seconded to the Royal Air Force 1918/03/19 and was Struck off Strength 1919/03/17 by reason of General Demobilization in Canada. The 1921 Census of Canada, at 31 King Street East, Oshawa records Melville Ashby (1888); Victoria Ashby (1887); and Victoria Sleemen (1862), Victoria's mother who was born in Ireland. She may have passed in Frontenac, Ontario, Canada 1936/01/04. The List of Electors in 1935, has J.M. Ashby (Cutter by trad) and his wife, in Oshawa's polling division #26 (Northeast Ward: north Alice Street; south Elgin Street; east Division Street; and west mary Street). Both John Melville Ashby (1888-1969) and his wife Victoria (Sleeman) Ashby (1886-1951) are buried in Cataraqui Cemetery in Kingston, Ontario. Library and Archives Canada Service Record B262-S036
  Burial	Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston Twp, Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada
  	There is a John M. Ashby buried in Pinehurst, Playfairville, no dates #136349971. This does not seem to be the same John.
  Notes	(Research):Although it was understood for years that Melville died of diptheria, it appears that he went to live with and was raised by his grandparents. The year of his death was believed to have been 1893 and may have been the year he moved to his grandparent's home. His siblings do not appear to have known of this relationship although they would have gone to school with him. My grandmother would have been too young to know what was happening. John and Mary Jane lost another child to diptheria and one to drowning around this time and it would have been a very difficult time for the family.
  Person ID	I4289	Lanark County Origins | This is my Maternal LIneage, My maternal grandmother's Lineage
  Last Modified	11 Dec 2023

  
  

  Mother	Martha Ashby,   b. 9 Sep 1859, Fallbrook, Bathurst Twp, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada d. 6 Sep 1934, Fallbrook, Bathurst Twp, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada (Age 74 years)
  Family ID	F1344	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Victoria Sleeman,   b. 1886, Timmins, Cochrane District, Ontario, Canada d. 24 Sep 1951, Timmins, Cochrane District, Ontario, Canada (Age 65 years)
  Marriage	3 Jun 1913	Kingston (city/cit?e), Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada   [4, 7]
  	The engagement is announced of Miss Victoria Sleeman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs W.H. Sleeman, Frontenac Street, to Mr. J. M. Ashby, also of Kingston. The marriage will take place June 3rd. The Weekly British Whig Kingston, Ontario, Canada 29 May 1913, pg. 6 On Tuesday morning at 6:30 o'clock, a very pretty wedding was celebrated when Miss Victoria Sleeman, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Sleeman, Frontenac street, was united in marriage to Mr. J. Melville Ashby, of this city. Rev. John Webster, pastor of Brock St. Methodist Church, performed the eremony, in the presence of the immediate relatives of the contracting parties. The bride looked extremely pretty, carrying a bouquet of bridal roses and resting on the arm of her father, who gave her away. They were unattended. After the ceremony, the wedding party sat down to a sumptous wedding breakfast. The bride was one of Kingston's fairesst daughters, being a member of Brock Street Methodist Church choir. the presents were very numerous and costly, showing the high esteem in which both the bride and groom are held. The bride's going-away suit was light grey cheviot, with hat and trimmings to match. The happy couple left on the 9 o'clock train for Toronto, Niagara Falls and western points. Sincere are the wishes of their many friends and relatives that the bright litttle bride and her young husband, may spend many years of wedded happinesss. On their return to the city they will take up their residence at No. 59 Union St. The Daily Standard Kingston, Ontario, Canada 4 Jun e 1913, pg. 3 Name:     John Meloille Ashby [John Melville Ashby] Age:     25 Birth Year:     abt 1888 Birth Place:     Hallow Brook, Ontario Marriage Date:     3 Jun 1913 Marriage Place:     Frontenac, Ontario, Canada Father:     Ashby Mother:     Martha Foster Spouse:     Victoria Sleemon
  		John Melville Ashby & Victoria Sleeman marriage
  Children	+ 1. William George "Bill" Ashby,   b. 1921   d. 17 Aug 2005, Kingston, Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada (Age 84 years)   2. Living   3. Living   4. Living
  Family ID	F1521	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	4 Mar 2024

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 2 Jun 1887 - Tay Valley Twp (Bathurst), Lanark County, Ontario, Canada Census-Household Member - Canada - 1891 - Tay Valley Twp (Bathurst), Lanark County, Ontario, Canada Census - Canada - 1901 - Tay Valley Twp (Bathurst), Lanark County, Ontario, Canada Census-Household Member - Canada - 1901 - Tay Valley Twp (Bathurst), Lanark County, Ontario, Canada Occupation - leaves H.R. Derbyshire in Westport for Kingston position - Jul 1910 - Westport, Rideau Lakes Twp, Leeds and Grenville United Counties (Leeds), Ontario, Canada Marriage - 3 Jun 1913 - Kingston (city/cit?e), Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada Residence - 76 Brock St. - Jan 1916 - Kingston (city/cit?e), Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada Census - Canada - 1921 - Oshawa, Durham Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Tailor - 1921 - Oshawa, Durham Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada Residence - 31 King St. - 1921 - Oshawa, Durham Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada Honors - "Queen St. Church Unveils Tablet"; Beautiful Bronze War Memorial will be Dedicated on Sunday - Nov 1921 - Kingston (city/cit?e), Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Policeman - 1945 - Timmins, Cochrane District, Ontario, Canada Death - 21 May 1969 - Perth, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada Burial - - Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston Twp, Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Sources

  [S139] Government of Canada, Canada, 1901 Census, ((https://www.myheritage.com)), accessed 20 Mar 2019), Elizabeth Ashby household; Year: 1901; Census Place: Bathurst, Lanark (south/sud), Ontario; Page: 10; Family No: 87. (Reliability: 3). [S330] Government of Canada, Canada, 1891 Census, ((http://ancestry.ca)), accessed 26 Mar 2019), John Ashby household. (Reliability: 3). [S139] Government of Canada, Canada, 1901 Census, ((https://www.myheritage.com)), accessed 26 Mar 2019), Melville Ashby working for George Cunningham; Year: 1901; Census Place: Bathurst, Lanark (south/sud), Ontario; Page: 8; Family No: 88. (Reliability: 3). [S79] Canada., Canada, WW1, CEF Attestation Papers, 1914-1918, John Melville Ashby; accessed 26 Mar 2019 (Reliability: 3). [S356] Dominion Bureau of Statistics, Canada, 1921 Census, ((http://ancestry.ca)), accessed 25 Mar 2019), Melville J. Ashby household; Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 75; Census Place: Oshawa (Town), Ontario South, Ontario; Page Number: 1. (Reliability: 3). [S383] Canada, Canada, Voters Lists, 1935-1980, (Digital images. Ancestry . ancestry.ca), vol. 1945: 1 - #989, John M. Ashby & Mrs. Ashby; digital images, "Ancestry.com. Canada, Voters Lists, 1935-1980 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.," Ancestry?(ancestry.ca : accessed 26 Mar 2019) (Reliability: 3). [S18] Ontario. Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada., Ontario, Canada, Marriages, 1826-1937, (ancestry.ca :n.d.), Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Registrations of Marriages, 1869-1928; Reel: 253." 1913, 004975, Ashby-Sleeman, accessed 26 Mar 2019. (Reliability: 3).