JAMES FOLSTER (1781-1841)

[gnstill]

I received a recent inquiry expressing interest in James FOLSTER (1781-1841) and his descendants, particularly the lineage leading down to Joseph FOLSTER b-1802 as follows:

Joseph Raymond FOLSTER b-1902 was with his parents (Mary Ann & Henry George FOLSTER b-1870) near Poplar Park (north of Libau, MB) until 1911. The Brokenhead Reserve (Scanterbury) is NE of Poplar Park. This is where the RAVEN family lived.

In the 1916 Census we find Joseph (age 11) in the Peguis Reserve with his Uncle, Joseph SPENCE b-1887 (Mary Ann’s brother).

In 1925 Joseph married Bertha RAVEN, daughter of Sophia BEAR & Cuthbert RAVEN b-1879 from the Brokenhead Reserve.

I would appreciate comments or corrections regarding the above details before we explore the rest of this lineage.

[HBCwife]

Thank you for the information on Bertha's mother as I did not have a last name for her.

I do have a copy of son William Folster Sr's(b. 1826/7) marriage register. Peter Fidler Jr was one of the witnesses along with Peter Pruden who would have been the bride's(Maria Pruden b. 1827) brother. They were children of William Pruden(b abt 1804) son of John Peter Pruden(1778-1868)

[gnstill]

William FOLSTER was born 1827 in St Clements Parish, the son of a Cree woman named Jane and James FOLSTER JR (1775-1830) from the Orkneys.

William’s mother (Jane) died in 1830 when William was just three years old. His father (James) remarried to Josephte PATENAUDE. By 1835 the family was in St Paul Parish (Middlechurch). William was about 14 years old in 1841 when his father died.

On Mar 28, 1844, William married in St Andrews to Maria PRUDEN. Daughter Annie was born 1847 in St Paul. They had a large family, and Henry George was the youngest, born Apr 3, 1870. They lived in St Clements Parish and in the Poplar Park area for many years.

On Feb 1, 1894 Henry George FOLSTER married Mary Ann SPENCE, probably the daughter of Margaret STEVENSON & Alexander SPENCE (b-c1847).

Henry George & Mary Ann had about nine children, and they lived in Poplar Park area until about 1917 by which time they were in the Brokenhead Reserve (Scanterbury). Mary Ann died there in 1930.

Joseph Raymond FOLSTER, born in 1903 was of course one of their children.

[HBCwife]

Thank you.

I drove out to St. Andrews today to see the graveyard at the Anglican and United Churches but it was a drizzly day and the mosquitoes were thick. I think I have to look at some other cemeteries before I find any markers for this family.

I did see Wm Pruden's headstone who is also in this family. As well, I saw those Of James and Catharine McKenzie, Roderick's children. No relation (yet!) just interesting history. I recognized a lot of names but was moving quickly doing the "swatting dance"! I managed to take a few pictures in spite of the beasties!

I was wondering about Mary Ann Spence's family so I will see what I can find next time I visit the archives.

[btluna]

I’m hoping to get some advice with my Folster research too.

There were two William Folsters born in the RRS about 1851-2.

The trees that have been shared with me show:

#1 William Folster who married Mary “Jane” Spence was the son of William Folster (b.1827) and the grandson of James Folster.

#2 William Folster who married Mary Ann Gray Stevens was the son of John Folster (b.1813) and the grandson of John Folster (ca1776-1871).


My concern is that William #2 with wife Mary Ann was called William “Junior” in both the 1891 and 1906 censuses. I’m wondering if William #2 who married Mary Ann Gray Stevens was actually the son of William and the grandson of James.

[gnstill]

For good or for bad, here's what I have:

William FOLSTER #1 was born Feb 7, 1854, son of Maria PRUDEN & William FOLSTER Sr (1827-1914). grandson of Jane or Nancy & James FOLSTER (1775-1830).
He married Jane SPENCE

William FOLSTER #2 was born Oct 12, 1852, son of Flora McDONALD & John FOLSTER (1813-1872), grandson of Jane & John FOLSTER (c1776-1871).
He married Mary Ann Gray STEVENS

[btluna]

Thank you for that, Gary.

Hopefully their death certificates will shed some light and help me sort it out.

[HBCwife]

I have William #2 mother as being Isabella Brown, John's second wife. I have a death date for Flora as 27 Dec 1846 which is before William was born.

[gnstill]

You are absolutely right about William #2's mother. I double-checked and immediately saw my mistake. Thanks for setting me straight.