UPDATE 52-ORAL
HISTORY PROJECT- N.H.C.H.S.
KIRKWOOD, Sarah
Ada – IN MEMORIAM
Photos-Courtesy of Jim Kirkwood
(Long-time member of Burns Presbyterian Church, Erin)
Peacefully, with family by her side on Monday, November 15, 2010.
Ada Thompson of Erin in her 85th year
Beloved wife of the late Raymond (R.B.) Kirkwood (1961). Loving
mother of Bob Kirkwood (Margot), Heather McLellan, and Bonnie Peavoy
(Ed) all of Erin. Cherished grandma of Raymond, Kelly and Josai.
Dear sister of Anne Fowler of Brampton. Also survived by her niece
Grace Farrow and nephew Gord Fowler. Ada will be sadly missed by all
her family and friends. (Obituary Notice, Butcher Funeral Home)
Ada
Kirkwood was the keeper of the watch. She was of the fourth
generation of the Ballinafad pioneers and had been very active in
the Women’s Institute and instrumental in recording and preserving
the pioneer history of the Fad. She was the keeper of the original
books which constitute the Tweedsmuir histories. Mrs. Kirkwood was a
major contributor to the oral history project and the above picture
was taken in August of 2009 during the taping of the initial
interviews. In her own presentation, she spoke of the old stories
with a charm and dignity which warmed our hearts. The picture
clearly depicts her special light. Some selected quotes from her
interview-
``My
full name is Sarah Ada....Sarah with an H; my maiden name was
Thompson...with a P. ``(than her wonderful laugh)
``My
great grandfather Thompson (b.1813, d.1896, buried in Providence
Cemetery) was a blacksmith, and he was in Ballinafad, having come
from Ireland in 1820. They had been shipwrecked off of Newfoundland.
In 1838 he bought a farm on the 6th
line where the redbrick house is on the hill. That is where my
grandfather was brought up. The children emigrated under the
responsibility of their older brother. The parents stayed in Ireland
``
``My
grandfather was one of the temperance men. At the same time, there
were three hotels and lots of stills``
``My
family was always strong on building churches, including White
Church and the churches in the Fad and Erin.``
``The
Women’s Institute was a social event and supported the 4H.Also a
great place to learn and do crafts, cooking and gardening``
Mrs.
Kirkwood had researched and meticulously documented her community
history. Her stories have a solid factual base. She cited them with
the skill of an accomplished storyteller. Her contribution will be
incorporated in Joan Kadoke,s work. Her interview will become
available on our website as the oral history is reproduced. In the
meantime, you can learn more about her by linking to the Tweedsmuir
Histories at the incredible site of the Wellington County Museum
http://www.wcm.on.ca/tweedsmuir/results_name.php?township=o45&name_last=kirkwood&name_first=ada
You can also go to the Georgetown Library and search the collection
of the Esquesing Historical Society
http://www.esquesinghistoricalsociety.ca/
Here we see Mrs.
Kirkwood studying documents with Alan and Nancy Kirkwood, Fad
historians and storytellers of their own, during the oral history
interviews in august of 2009 at the Ballinafad United Church.
We, of the North
Halton Celtic Historical Society and the Oral History Project, wish
to express our sincere condolences to her family. Her life and her
contribution as keeper of the watch will ensure that her light,
laughter and warmth remain with us and will help to educate future
generations. Thank you, Ada Sarah Kirkwood
Providence Cemetery
at Ballinafad where her great grandparents are buried. Mrs. Kirkwood
is resting in the Erin Cemetery
You can also listen to an
audio interview in mp3 format here (36Mb)
You can also read about Ada in the Tweedsmuir
histories at
http://www.wcm.on.ca/tweedsmuir/pdf/TownofErin/BallinafadWI/2/001.pdf
