Jane Colton

     Jane was born circa 1850 in the Village of Bronte, Trafalgar Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada. Jane had a tragic accident when she was 7 or 8 years old. She was thrown from a buggy and suffered a head injury. As a result of this trauma, Jane never developed mentally, and remained in a child like state for the remainder of her life. Jane was described as being a quiet individual unless provoked which would cause her to scream and to bite her arm. She spoke, even at the age of 42, in a child's voice and would always follow any statement with a grin. She had no concept of counting beyond two, thus she had no concept of the value of coins, and had no sense of time. She remained in the care of her parents until their death. At this time she was taken in by her sister, Mary Ann, wife of Richard Cunnyworth of Toronto. 25 April 1891, Jane was listed on the Canadian census residing with her sister at St. George's District of West Toronto, York County, Ontario, Canada. Enumberated in the household were Richard Cunneyworth [47 Carpenter], Mary Ann [46], Charlotte A. [18], Susan [15], Richard [12], John [10], Edwin [7], Jane Colton [40 wife's sister]. They resided at 32 Niagara St. [St Georges District no. 119] Jane remained with this family until the death of her sister in 1893 and was placed in the Ontario Asylum for Idiots in Orillia, Ontario. This was her residence until her death. In 1901, Jane was listed on the Canadian census at Oriallia Township, Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada. Enumberated in the household were Jane Colton [52 Ontario - 1848]. She is noted as an "inmate" at OHFM. [Simcoe East, H2, page 8, line 9 ] In 1911, Jane was listed on the Canadian census at Oriallia Township. Enumberated in the household were Jane Colton [1851 England 60 years, Anglecian Church, Irish]. She is noted as an "inmate" at OHFM. District 119 Simcoe East, sub district Orillia no. 13, page 8, line. Jane died on Sunday, 28 January 1912 in Oriallia Township at The Ontario Asylum for the Feeble Minded She died of a cerebral hemorage. The staff at the institution made arrrangements for her body to be prepared for burial and to be sent to Oakville, as requested by Jane's sister, Charlotte Pollock of Elora. The undertaker, Swinton, made the preparations and the coffin was sent COD at a cost of $40.00 to Tucks Undertaking Rooms, Oakville.^1,2 She was buried there in Oakville in St. Jude's Church Cemetery along side her mother.³