Richard Lowe Cawston

Other Events:

• Census: 1891, Osoyoos, Yale, British Columbia
• Census: 1901, Yale East, Yale and Cariboo, British Columbia
• Census: 1911, 122 Douglas Street, Stratford, Perth County, Ontario

Notes:

Found at http://www.osoyoosmuseum.ca/index.php/about-us/history-of-osoyoos/settlement-and-ranching-in-osoyoos/the-first-white-settlers.html?showall=&start=5

R. L. Cawston (1849-1923)

Richard Lowe Cawston, pioneer rancher of the Cawston district, and for whom the town of Cawston, B.C., is named, arrived in Osoyoos from Stratford, Ontario, in 1874. Cawston remained foreman at the Haynes Ranch for the next ten years.

In 1883, a smallpox epidemic, to which the Natives were susceptible, spread over the province. Cawston, because of the absence of a medical practitioner, vaccinated the Natives in great numbers with the vaccine that was sent from Victoria.

In 1884, Cawston entered into a ranch partnership with Mrs. Ella Lowe. They purchased the "R" (F. Richter) ranch near Keremeos. The ranch comprised over 5000 acres of crown granted land, together with extensive leased ranges. The ranch prospered and cattle numbered as high as 2000 head. Cawston as manager became widely known as one of the big stockmen of the Boundary Valleys.

In Dec of 1884, Cawston returned to Ontario and married Mary A. Pearson and brought her back to Osoyoos in February of 1885. Cawston was made Justice of the Peace in 1889. He passed away in 1923; Mrs. Cawston survived him by ten years.





From "Pioneers of the Similkameen" by Verna B. Cawston.

The Okanagan Historical Society - 1949

In December, 1884, R.L. went back to visit his people in Stratford. There he met Mary Ann Pearson and -- after returning to B.C. in February, 1885 -- he made a second trip to Ontario for their marriage in October of that year.

Mrs. Cawston was born near Sebringville, Ontario, on March 9, 1952. Her father, John Pearson, came as a lad from Kent, England, in 1841. His people rented the old sawmill in Sebringville, which later became the site of the Pearson home from which Mary Ann was married. Her mother, Margaret Kelly, was born in Londonderry, Ireland. In c. 1845 her parents brought their family to Canada and settled on an uncleared farm near Kinkora.

At the age of seventeen Margaret married John Pearson and they in turn took up the task of making home and happiness on a small bush farm near Sebringville. Here nine children were born to them, but only three daughters lived past infancy. In later years the Pearsons moved into the village and their family home still stands on Black Street, by the old Huron Road.

The journey of Richard Lowe Cawston and his petite, blue-eyed bride from Ontario to the Similkameen was indeed an adventure. They travelled by train, stage and horseback for more than three weeks, with everyone who met Mrs. Cawston so interesting and kind to her.

When Mr. and Mrs. Cawston arrived at their new home it was only natural that they should continue in the way of pioneers, full of resourceful courage and warm-hearted hospitality.

Four sons were born to them. The eldest, John Pearson (1886-1936), born with Dr. J. Chip of Vernon in attendance, was the first white child born in Keremeos. He was baptized at home by Rev. Harlock.

Richard Lowe (Dick) was born at Keremeos and baptized in Osoyoos by Canon Cooper.

The third son, George Beauchamp, was born in Sebringville, Ont., in 1889. He died in active service on November 14, 1917.

Alfred Hamilton (Gint) was born in Keremeos and was the first (to the writer's knowledge) child to be baptized in St. Savior's Anglican Church in Penticton.

Richard married Mary Ann Pearson on 27 Oct 1885 in Stratford, Perth County, Ontario. Mary (daughter of John Pearson and Margaret Kelly) was born about 1853 in Ellice Township, Perth County, Ontario; died in 1933 in British Columbia; was buried in Cawston Community Cemetery, 835-895 Coulthard Avenue, Cawston, British Columbia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. John Pearson Cawston was born on 31 Jul 1886 in Keremeos, British Columbia; died in 1936.
2. Richard Lowe "Dick" Cawston was born on 21 Feb 1888 in Keremeos, British Columbia; died on 18 Mar 1954 in Penticton, British Columbia; was buried in Cawston Community Cemetery, 835-895 Coulthard Avenue, Cawston, British Columbia.
3. George Beauchamp Cawston was born on 24 Sep 1889 in Ellice Township, Perth County, Ontario; died on 14 Nov 1917; was buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.
4. Alfred Hamilton "Gint" Cawston was born on 7 Dec 1892 in Keremeos, British Columbia; died in 1990 in British Columbia; was buried in Cawston Community Cemetery, 835-895 Coulthard Avenue, Cawston, British Columbia.

John married Maria Lowe. Maria (daughter of Richard Hamilton Lowe and O'Connor) was born on 25 Dec 1828 in Tipperary, Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]