Event Date : Monday, October 16, 1950
Event Type : Death

Description : Died at York County Hospital, after several years of failing health and a recent eye operation. Husband of the late Edith Phillips. Brother of John and Christopher Lee of Bradford. Born in West Gwillimbury to a pioneer family. Was a farmer on Highway 27 until he sold his farm 28 years ago, after which he moved to Bradford and sold farm implements. He had sold this business a year before his death. After his wife died he sold his home on Church St., buying a home on John St. from his brother, Mr. John Lee, to be nearer his business. Rested at home. Funeral on October 18 at 2 p.m. Service in Trinity Church at 2:30 p.m. Interment in St. Paul's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill. Masonic auspices.

Event Date : Wednesday, September 03, 1958
Event Type : Death

Description : John Metcalfe had never felt in quite his former good health since a seizure overcame him near his home in Bradford about a couple of years ago, yet he had been about and appeared to be a remarkably well man for his age. Recently he had been with his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Metcalfe, on the farm adjoining Bradford, and he was in Bradford on Tuesday afternoon, September 2. A few hours after returning home he became ill and passed away the following day. Born on the old Metcalfe homestead in West Gwillimbury, in the Hollows district, Mr. Metcalfe had spent his entire life in the township and Bradford. In 1905 he moved from The Hollows to the Scotch Settlement and in 1920 purchased the farm on which his son, Ivan, now resides. He married the former Charlotte Tindall at Tottenham, who survives him, as do two sons and four daughters, namely, Mrs. Wm. Jelly (Lila), R.R. 2, Bradford; Ivan, Bradford; Misses Pearl, Ruby and Laura Metcalfe of Toronto; and Clarence of R.R 1, Bradford. Mr. Metcalfe is also survived by one brother, Herbert R. Metcalfe of Cambray, Ontario. He was predeceased by three brothers and two sisters, namely, Dave, William, and Bolton Metcalfe, Hannah (Mrs. T. McAfee) and Elizabeth (Mrs. George Bell). Mr. Metcalfe farmed in the township until his retirement to Bradford in 1937. He was in his 89th year, and was a member of the United Church. The funeral was held on Saturday afternoon from the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home in Bradford. Rev. F. G. MacTavish conducted the services and interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.Six grandsons acted as pallbearers, namely, Lorne, Earl, Edgar, Allan and Donald Metcalfe and Murray Jelly.

Event Date : Friday, February 12, 1954
Event Type : Death

Description : One of the district's most elderly, well known, and highly respected residents, Mr. John Henry Lee, passed away on Friday, February 12. About a year ago his health began to fail. He spent six weeks in Southampton hospital where expert medical opinion was sought. In September he returned to Bradford where, at the home of his son, Mr. Seward Lee, he was cared for through a long illness by his granddaughter, Miss Charlotte Lee, while his family and his old friends came and went. The week before his death he was removed to Newmarket hospital where he passed away in his sleep early Friday morning. Born almost 93 years ago on Lot 3, Concession 11, West Gwillimbury, a son of Samuel Lee, who was also born on the same farm, and of Alice Burns of Mount Pleasant corner, who was of Scotch descent from Nova Scotia, John Lee was the third generation of Lee on that farm, his Irish grandfather having come from County Derry to settle there. In 1887 he married the late Charlotte Hodgson and they took up residence on the 12th concession of West Gwillimbury. With their family of nine they resided there until 1916 when they moved to the farm north of Bradford where their son, Seward Lee, now resides. In 1928, when their son married, Mr. and Mrs. Lee moved to Bradford. In 1937 Mr. and Mrs. Lee celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a complete family circle. Three years later, in 1940, after Mrs. Lee's death, he returned to make his home on the farm where he was a favourite with old and young alike, remaining mentally keen to the last. For 74 years the late Mr. Lee was a member of L.O.L. No. 209, Newton Robinson, and during that long period of years he never missed an Orangemen's walk. He was also a member of the Black Preceptory. He had been at times District Master and County Master of the Orange Lodge. Several decades ago he was associated with the public life of the township and county. He and his family were also a vital part of the little Anglican Church at Pinkerton for many years. Orangeman Conservative and Anglican to these three convictions he remained staunch. Mr. Lee is survived by one son Seward of Bradford; eight daughters Mrs. Thos. Brown (Flossie) of Bradford; Mrs. R. Watt (Minnie) of Raymore Sask.; Mrs. J. Fraser (Luella) of Port Elgin Ont.; Mrs. E. Fennell (Isabelle) of Bradford; Mrs. J. Hamilton (Christine) of Ormond Florida; Mrs. P. Haller (Mina) of Ann Arbor Mich.; Mrs. Morrow (Clara) of Murillo Ont.; Mrs. K. Jack (Henrietta) of Clarkson Ont.; 28 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; and one brother Christopher Lee of Bradford. A brother Sam and sisters Misses Jennie and Agnes predeceased him during recent years. All members of his family were here for his funeral with the exception of Mrs. Watt who visited her father last fall. The funeral service was taken by his rector Rev. W. Johnson on Monday afternoon and interment was in St. Paul's Cemetery. The pallbearers were members of L.O.L. No 209 namely John Robinson, Robt. Webber, John Parks, Ben Steers, and D. K. Harvey.

Event Date : Wednesday, January 23, 1974
Event Type : Death

Description : Funeral services were held for Seward Matthew Lee, January 26 in the chapel of the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home in Bradford. Mr. Lee died at the York County Hospital, Newmarket, Wednesday, January 23. In his 84th year, Mr. Lee was the husband of Bertha Collins and children, John D. Lee of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Mrs. Thomas (Jean) Moulding of Denver, Colo., Mrs. Peter (Charlotte) Lauback of Woodland Hills, Calif., Samuel Lee of Bradford, Mrs. A. D. (Agnes) Palmer, Newcastle, N.H., Mrs. Robert (Edith) Stone of Rexdale, S. David Lee of Lakefield, Mrs. Thomas (Margaret) Evans of Bradford and Mrs. J. Antony (Barbara) Hines of Willowdale. Mr. Lee was a highland farmer, and owned a farm just north of Bradford. He was the only son of the late John Lee and Charlotte Hodgson. He was the brother of Mrs. R. Minnie Watt of Raymore, Sask., Mrs. J. E. Fraser (Luella) of Port Elgin, Mrs. J. Christine Hamilton, of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Mrs. D. Kenneth Jack (Henri) of Clarkson .Seward Lee is also survived by 26 grandchildren. Burial was held at the Anglican Cemetery, Coulson's Hill. A Masonic Lodge Service was also held for Mr. Lee Thursday, January 24.

Event Date : Monday, November 01, 1954
Event Type : Death

Description : Frank Albert Saint, Bradford's oldest citizen and former well known resident of the Scotch Settlement, passed away in York County Hospital, Newmarket, on Monday, November 1, 1954, in his 94th year. He suffered a broken shoulder as the result of a fall in his home in Bradford about ten days previously and was unable to rally from the shock. Born in England, the late Mr. Saint came to this country about 1870 with his parents who established a home in a farm in the Scotch Settlement, near Bradford. In 1887 he married Annie Campbell of Bradford and continued farming in the Settlement. Of quiet disposition, he was a lover of horses and became widely known as a breeder of fine Clydesdale horses, in recognition of which he was made a life member of the Ontario Clydesdale Club in 1946. After his wife's death in 1926 he remained on the farm until about eight years ago when he moved to Bradford to reside with his daughter. He is survived by one son, Dr. Fred F. of Calgary, Alta., and two daughters, Lena M. of Bradford and Mrs. J. W. Bateman (Wilma) of Toronto. Another son, Arthur J., predeceased him about two years ago.The funeral, which was largely attended, was held last Thursday afternoon from the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home, Bradford, with Rev. C. E. Jackson of Bradford Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment was in Scotch Settlement Cemetery.The pallbearers were Wm. Melbourne, K. Melbourne, H. Coutts, B. Stewart, K. Saint and M. Jones.

Event Date : Saturday, January 27, 1973
Event Type : Death

Description : Funeral services were held on January 30 at the Lewis Funeral Home in Bradford for Elgar P. J. Houghton who died suddenly at his home on the farm of Allan Houghton in Newton Robinson. He was in his 84th year. He was born in West Gwillimbury Township, the fifth son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Houghton of Newton Robinson, and was the last surviving member of that family of ten children. In 1911 he married Myrtle Agar of Stayner. They farmed for a number of years, then sold out and went into the fuel business, first in Elmvale, later in Bradford. He was a member of the United Church. Mr. Houghton was greatly interested in sports and presented a trophy each year to the most sportsmanlike player of the South Simcoe Baseball League. He was a charter member and first president of the Senior Citizens' Club of Bradford. He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Muriel (Mrs. K. O. Melbourne) of Toronto, two sons, Gordon of Vancouver, B.C., and Lloyd of Burlington, Ont. Also ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren survive. Rev. H. Dahlin of Bond Head United Church officiated at the funeral service. Interment will be at Newton Robinson Cemetery.

Event Date : Friday, December 04, 1964
Event Type : Death

Description : A resident of West Gwillimbury Township since childhood, Mr. Frank L. Brown did not rally from a heart seizure after his return home from attending a meeting held by the congregation of Bradford United Church on the evening of Wednesday, December 2. He was moved to York County Hospital where he passed away on Friday, December 4, at the age of 79. Mr. Brown was born in Whitchurch Township, York County, coming to West Gwillimbury in boyhood. He attended White Rose School in Whitchurch Township and later Mount Pleasant School in West Gwillimbury and there began his life as a farmer, on Concession 10, later in 1931, purchasing the farm on Concession 5, in the Scotch Settlement, where he spent the rest of his life. In 1931 Mr. Brown married Agnes May Patience, in Toronto, who survives him, with their two sons, George and Stanley, both of R.R. 1, Bradford. Also surviving are two brothers, Walter E. Brown and Harry W. Brown, both of R.R. 2, Bradford, and two sisters, Ella (Mrs. Wesley Adair) of Newmarket and Jessie (Mrs. Ivan Metcalfe) of Bradford. He was predeceased by a daughter, Frances, and three sisters. Mr. Brown was a devout member of Bradford United Church and had been an elder of that church for the past twenty-three years. The funeral was held from the church on Monday, December 7, with interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Rev. D. J. Lute conducted the services. The pallbearers were Murray Faris, Walter Lloyd, Clarence Brown, Lorne Metcalfe, Chas. T. S. Evans and Thos. Gardner.