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HOW THE MOONEY FAMILY ARRIVED IN MASSEY

5/30/2016

8 Comments

 
Submitted by Ellen Mooney

Robert John and Ella Mooney were not the first in the family to move to and settle in the Massey area.  RJ’s sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Frank McIntyre came first. and they convinced RJ and Ella that Temperance Valley was the place to farm. 

In March 1899, Robert John and Ella and their two year old son Manson, came from Guyon, Pontiac County in Quebec.  They packed up their belongings and livestock and loaded it all on a boxcar in Arnprior, Ontario and headed for their new home in Massey.  RJ rode in the caboose so he could tend to the livestock.

Shortly after settling in, Dora May was born on May 7th and they went on to have ten children in total: Manson, Dora (McLaren), Keith, Arnold, Grace (Walford), Marjorie (Clarke), Bernice (Thornton), Allen, Wallace and Edith (Wolgemuth).

At first they rented a small log cabin but, by summer, a house had been built and about three acres cleared and seeded with grain and potato’s. By years end, a barn had been built for the livestock.

Robert John had a comprehensive interest in the community, church, school and municipal government and served as reeve of the municipality for many years, as secretary of the local school board and as an elder of the Massey United Church.
 
My grandparents were true pioneers.  They hacked a hole in the bush to build a home and farm.  
A farm that, 3 generations later is still in existence today. 

Jonella Farms, a successful dairy operation is a proud tribute to what my grandparents started 117 years ago.
 
This summer (2016), Mooney’s will have a reunion to celebrate and remember our family heritage.
8 Comments
Andrea O'Brien
8/21/2016 05:50:28 pm

Hello,
I am the great-granddaughter of Keith. My grandfather was his son Graden Keith Mooney. Keith had Graden with my Great-Grandmother Maud Elizabeth.
I was born in Cabada but now live in Australia. I will be in Toronto for a week from tomorrow. I was thinking of driving up to your farm for a visit. Will this be possible?
Looking forward to your reply.

Sincerely,
Andrea O'Brien (née Mortensen)

Reply
Ellen Mooney
6/25/2019 12:53:58 pm

I am just reading your message now June 25/19. Sorry that I didn't reply sooner.
You or any one of your family is always welcome to stop in at the Mooney farmstead. It is owned now by my brother John Mooney.

We love hearing from distant family!

Ellen

Reply
Leonard St. Louis
11/3/2017 10:17:13 am

Hello,

I was trying to figure out if my Ancestors in Massey are related somehow. Horace Bisson and Philomine Goyer/Mooney, Moomey ???
Do you have any insights to share? Did the name have anything to do with a Temperance Society? Alcohol Free area?

Thanks, Leonard

Reply
Ellen Mooney
6/25/2019 12:58:49 pm

Hello,
Sorry I am just seeing your message now, June 25/19. In years past, I've heard dad(Wallace Mooney 1913-1996) mention the Bisson cousins.
the Mooney homestead is located on Temperance Valley Road, Massey.
The farm was settled by my grandfather Robert John Mooney in 1898.

Ellen

Reply
Sheila Thornton
7/17/2019 08:04:57 am

Hello! I am researching my great-grandfather who arrived in Canada in 1884 and moved to Walford. Frank Thornton settled in Walford and ran the general store - he married Emma Florence Cliff and had six children, one of which was my grandfather. I believe the Mrs Thornton (postmaster) referred to in another posting was my great-grandmother, and I am curious if Beatrice Thornton nee Mooney married into the Thornton family. Any information you could provide would be welcome.

Kind regards,

Sheila

Reply
Ellen Mooney
7/17/2019 11:13:22 am

Hello Sheila,
Yes my aunt Bernice Mooney married Lester Thornton of Walford. I do not know much about the Thorntons, but if you contact the Massey Area Museum directly, they will be able to help you.
Thanks,
Ellen Mooney

Massey area Museum
150 Sable Street
Massey, Ontario
​(705) 865-2266
info@masseyareamuseum.com

Reply
Don Clarke
7/30/2021 11:00:04 am

Hello! My name is Don Clarke. I am Marjorie Clarke's (Mooney) grandson. She spoke often of Massey and I met most of her siblings at one point or another as a young lad as they stopped to visit either while passing through Prescott or for the weekend. I was born in 1966. One of my middle names is John which my father (Richard Clarke) and mother gave me for my father's grandfather (Robert John). I just happened to be looking up Massey on the internet and stumbled on this site. Hope all is well on the farm.

Kindest regards,
Don Clarke

Reply
Ellen
7/30/2021 02:08:24 pm

Hello Don,
Your grandmother was my aunt Marjorie, my dad Wallace (Wally) was her brother.
Robert John Mooney's homestead in Massey is still in the family. Wally's son John Mooney, (My brother) runs one of the North Shores largest dairy operation with his family.
I am now retired and moving back to the farm as well. We always welcome family members stopping by for a visit..
So glad to here from you.
Ellen Mooney,
northernelm@yahoo.ca

Reply



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  • Home
  • 150 THINGS
  • Exhibits
    • Fire Engine
    • First Nations
    • General Store
    • Holy Bible
    • Hugh Cummings Photography
    • James Henry Massey
    • Logging
    • Museum Building
    • Parlour
    • Photos
    • Pointer Boat
    • School Room
  • EVENTS
    • ART SHOW >
      • JESSIE BURNSIDE MEMORIAL ART SHOW AND SALE
      • 2022 Art Show
      • 2021 Art Show and Sale
      • 2020 Art Show and Sale
      • 2019 Art Show and Sale
      • 2013-2017 Art Show and Sale
    • Culture Days
    • Discovery Days
  • GIFTS
  • INFO
    • About
    • Accessibility
    • Help! >
      • CAP
      • Donations
      • Volunteer
    • Prices
    • Room Rentals
    • Where?
  • OUR COMMUNITY
    • SHARE YOUR HISTORY!
    • PEOPLE
    • MASSEY
    • WALFORD
    • WEBBWOOD
    • Tourism
  • JOB POSTING