Thomas Franklin Johnson

     Thomas Franklin was born on Wednesday, 6 February 1833 in Pilkington Township, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of Josiah & Charlotte [Wilbee] Johnson.¹ He was often referred to as Frank. Thomas married Sarah Colton, daughter of Thomas Bethel Colton and Eliza Chester, on 23 July 1860 in the Village of Bronte, Trafalgar Township, Halton County, Ontario, Canada.² Frank & Sarah had children: Catherine [1860] [ Josiah Thomas [5/16/1861-12/5/1934] [m. 4/11/1894 Mary Elizabeth Jackson], Franklin Rowley [3/15/1864-9/18/1926] [m.3/04/1896 Mary Ann Bryan], William Oliver Edward [7/18/1866], Charlotte Eliza Ethel [9/30/1877-6/08/1883], & Sarah Jane Alice Coltn [1/29/1881-1/08/1972] [married 10/23/1907 William James Howard]. The family lived in Elora. They convinced Sarah's sister, Charlotte & George into purchasing a farm there. 1861, Thomas and his wife, Sarah, were listed on the Canadian Census at Elora, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada. Enumerated in this household were Thomas Johnson [28 England], Sarah [23 Canada], Catherine [1 Canada] & Catherine Evert [14 Canada - residence: East Oxford]. Thomas is a carpenter; they are living in a shanty.³ 1871, Thomas and his wife, Sarah, were listed on the Canadian Census at Elora. Enumerated in this household were Thomas Johnson [38 Ontario], Sarah [29 England], Josiah T. [10 Ontario], Franklin R. [7 Ontario] & William O.E. [5 Ontario]. Thomas is a carpenter.⁴ 1881, Thomas and his wife, Sarah, were listed on the Canadian Census at Elora. Enumerated in this household were Thomas Johnson [46 Ontario, Church of England, English, carpenter], Sarah [35 England, Church of England, English], Josiah T. [19 Ontario], Frank R. [17 Ontario], Oliver W. [14 Ontario], Charlott E. [3 Ontario], Sarah A. [7/12 Ontario], Sarah I. I. Main [17 Ontario - Catholic, Irish, domestic].⁵ 7 April 1891, Thomas and his wife, Sarah, were listed on the Canadian Census at Elora. Enumerated in this household were Thomas Johnson [57 Ontario - England & England, Church of England, carpenter], Sarah [47 England - England & England, Church of England], Josiah T. [30 Ontario - teamster], Franklin R. [26 Ontario - hooslter], Ida E. Haddick [15 Ontario - domestic], Alice J. [10 Ontario].⁶ 1901, Thomas and his wife, Sarah, were listed on the Canadian Census at Village of Elora. Enumerated in this household were Thomas M. Johnston [6 Feb. 1835-66 Ontario], Sarah Johnston [28 Apr. 1845-55 Ontario]. [page 11, line 113] 1901, Thomas and his wife, Sarah, were listed on the Canadian Census at Elora. Enumerated in this household were Thomas Johnston [6 February 1835 - 66 Ontario], Sarah [28 April 1845 - 55 England].⁷ Thomas departed this life on Monday, 18 April 1910 in Elora at age 77 years, 2 months and 12 days. From emphysema of 5 years & immediate cause was venile changes of his heart.⁸ He was buried there in Elora Cemetery.⁹