Red River Ancestry

New Family Page: JOHN ROWAND (1812-1865)


Please post comments and queries about John ROWAND JR and his family here.

Hi Gary
Great page!
BALSILLIE's first relationship was with "ANN" FLETT.

Did you know Margaret Rowand remarried in 1871? I have her obit if your interested.
Beth Balsillie

Beth: Are you referring to Margaret Louisa ROWAND who married BANNATYNE; who did she marry in 1871, and who was her other husband?
Yes, I would like to see her obit.
Gary

Gary: I was referring to Margaret Harriot Rowand.
Beth

Yes, I missed that Beth, thanks.

I have updated accordingly. Also note I added a link to more about DONALDSON in MHS

I have some information on 'country marriages' and possible children produced by John Rowand Jr. prior to his marriage to Margaret Harriott.

A scrip record exists for a Catherine Rowand, born 1832 of John Rowand (Halfbreed) and Marie Metisse Iroquoise.

Rev. Rundle baptises an infant child, Isabelle, on Oct. 6th 1841 and names the parents as John Jr. and Ke-ne-nu-wis-man. Isabelle lives for only a few months.

Oblate archives records of baptisms mention Jean Rowand (bapt. 1843) and William Rowand (bapt. 1845) from parents John Rowand ( Jr.?) and Marguerite Mondion (formerly John Cunningham’s country-wife). Rev. Rundle mentions “Mr. John” (as John Jr. was called to differentiate him from his father) travelling to Edmonton with his ‘bastard’ son in 1845, possibly Jean or William.

Isidore Dumont and his wife Louise Laframboise, who resided in the Saskatchewan District for some time, are the godparents of Jean. This is interesting to me because in interpreting the Rowands at Fort Edmonton Park, I often contrast John Jr and his brother Alexander. Alexander attended European schools and became a Montreal Doctor - seemingly eschewing his mixed heritage and living the life of a white Canadian/British subject. John Jr. stayed in the west and through his connections to the Dumonts and his later residence in Red River, seemed to adhere to the burgeoning Metis or "Halfbreed" culture.

Also, I have always been skeptical that the photograph of the young Metis man (here placed next to that of Margaret HARRIOTT) is actually John Rowand Jr.

JRj was born somewhere around 1812 and the young man in the picture does not look older than thirty or so. Photography technology had not advanced to such a point as to have such a detailed and pristine image as this during the 1840s. Even comparing it to the other picture, likely taken in the 1850s or 60s, the quality differential is obvious.

I know Strangers in Blood or Many Tender Ties identify it as John Jr, but I think it's more likely it is his son or grandson, perhaps John James Alexander (b. 1861) or Jean (baptized 1843)?

Hi Edmonton Tom
Thanks for the new info! John Rowand Jr. did acknowledge a son from a previous relationship named William in his will. He did not mention Jean so I wonder if Jean died before John Jr. wrote his will.
As for the picture, I was also skeptical and use the other picture of him (as an older man) instead in my family tree.
Beth Balsillie

Thanks for the reply Beth! I didn't know about the will.

Are you a Rowand descendant yourself then? I have been working on their time in Fort Edmonton for some time and have collected some information on Louise Umphreville. Would you be interested in taking a look at it to see if you can add anything? The section here on her brother Thomas Humphreyville has proven useful for me!

Thanks so much EdmontonTom; your information will help to add a whole new dimension to the story! Merry Christmas!

Please tell us more about yourself (especially your name) so I can acknowledge your contribution when I get a chance to update the Page for John Jr (may take a while).