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ROBERT STEVENS (1838-1921)
MARY ANN BUTLER (1847-1888)

(Last Updated: January 03, 2016)

 

Robert STEVENS was born Apr 23, 1838 in St Andrews Parish (probably in the Lockport area), son of Mary MEENISH & Richard STEVENS (1793-1872). ** MORE ABOUT RICHARD STEVENS

 

Canadian Confederation
St Stevems Anglican Church
1867

 

On July 1, 1867 the British colonies in North America were united under the British North American Act to become the Dominion of CanadaSir John A MACDONALD (1815-1891) was appointed as Canada’s first Prime Minister. William McDOUGALL (1822-1905) became the Minister of Public Works, and he began negotiations to acquire Rupert’s Land from the HBC; surveyors were sent to Red River to prepare the way for an expected influx of settlers.

 

In 1867 the St. Thomas Anglican Church was founded as a Chapel of Ease for the Elderly, to accommodate a number of elderly persons in the area who found it difficult to get to St. Andrews.  A little log chapel was built in 1868 on land donated by Robert STEVENS and Thomas TRUTHWAITE (1820-1899).

 

On Oct 11, 1869, Louis RIEL (1844-1885) placed his foot on the surveyors’ chain to tell them their work was finished! This marked the beginning of the historic Red River Métis Rebellion.

 

Robert marries Mary Ann BUTLER
1869

 

Around 1869 Robert STEVENS married Mary Ann BUTLER, daughter of Ann CREAMER (Metis) and John BUTLER (English).

 

On July 15, 1870 the Rebellion ended when RIEL’s Provisional Government accepted the terms of the Manitoba Act and Manitoba became the fifth province of Canada.

 

Census of 1870 in St Andrews: Robert STEVENS, age 32, wife Marianne, age 25 and son Henry (age 1).

 

In 1875 both Robert and his wife Mary Ann, living in St Andrews Parish, applied for their Scrip.

 

Census of 1881 in St Andrews: Robert STEVENS (age 42); wife Mary Ann (age 32). Children: Henry (age 1), Robert Richard (10), William (4) and Isabella (age 1). With them is Henry STEVENS, age 62 (Robert’s oldest brother).

 

Mary Ann Dies
1888

 

On Aug 20, 1888 Mary Ann (nee BUTLER) STEVENS died in St Andrews after giving birth to daughter Elizabeth, who also died two days later).

 

Census of 1891 in St Andrews: Robert STEVENS widowed; age 52. Children: Henry (age 21), Robert (20), William (14), Isabella (11), Rachel (8) and Alfred (age 5).

 

In 1896 son Robert married Mary Ellen ORVIS in St Clements, daughter of Mary Ann McLEAN and John Benson ORVIS (1844-1930). ** MORE ABOUT JOHN BENSON ORVIS

 

Census of 1901 in Selkirk: Robert STEVENS, age 62, widowed. Children: Isabella (age 20), Rachel (18) and Alfred (age 14).

 

In 1904 daughter Isabella married John REID in Selkirk, son of Isabella BIRD and Murdoch James RIED (1844-1905).
** MORE ABOUT MURDOCH REID

 

In 1909 daughter Rachel married Andrew McKenzie FIDLER in St Andrews, son of Caroline McLEOD and Andrew FIDLER (1853-1941).

 

Census of 1916 in St Andrews Lot 100): Robert STEVENS, widowed, age 76. Nephew: Donald McLEAN b-c1883 (age 33). Donald was the son of Sarah McDONALD & Findlay Colin McLEAN (1861-1942).

 

On Jan 18, 1921 Robert STEVENS died in Portage la Prairie at the age of 82.

 

Comments and queries at this link: FORUM DISCUSSING THE ROBERT STEVENS FAMILY

 

========================== Family Details ==========================

 

Children:
1. Oct 11, 1869 HENRY STEVENS
2. Mar 16, 1871 ROBERT RICHARD STEVENS (m. Mary Ellen ORVIS)
3. 1877 WILLIAM STEVENS
4. Dec 4, 1880 ISABELLA STEVENS (m. John REID)
5. Mar 19, 1883 RACHEL STEVENS (m. Andrew McKenzie FIDLER)
6. Mar 30, 1886 ALFRED STEVENS
7. Aug 1, 1888 ELIZABETH STEVENS (Died in infancy)

 

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