Portrait of an unidentified family of eight, London, Ontario

This is a portrait of the Drew Family. Starting in back row to front, Left to Right: Edred, Harriet (Hattie), Alfred Jr, Frances (Fanny), Ethel, Alfred Susan Letitia Adair (Devoy) seated front left and Caroline (Carrie) seated at table. Edred is my great-grandfather and Alfred my 2nd great grandfather. The Drew’s emigrated to London with the Devon Migration in 1849 from Morchard Bishop, Devon, England. Alfred was one of 10 children, two died in England and one died on the voyage. The family sailed from Plymouth, England landing at Montreal, Quebec. Alfred’s father was a cabinet maker and decided to settle in London to start a business. Unfortunately shortly after arriving in London, Alfred’s parents, John Whitely Drew and Elizabeth Clements Drew died along with two of their children, Maria and Emma in 1849 of cholera. Alfred’s eldest brother William took his siblings to Exeter, Ontario where many of their friends settled. William along with his brothers, John and Edred built many of the buildings in Exeter including the city hall. William owned the Central Hotel, Edred and John owned Drew’s Undertakers and Cabinet makers. Alfred became a blacksmith and moved back to London. He married Susan Letitia Adair Devoy at St. Paul’s Cathedral and they had six children (all in this photo). Susan was the daughter of Sgt. William Devoy of the 2nd Provisional Battalion, Canadian Militia. Ethel Drew married George Wright of Wright Lithographers. This picture was taken around 1895, Ethel was born in 1880.

Fascinating. Thanks for sharing this detailed information.