(submitted by Dr. Michael Murphy)
This brief article reflects findings from a recent foray into family history. My great grandparents were Elizabeth "Lizzie" Dolan (1886 - 1949) and William "Bill" Caughlin (1873 - 1956) of Warwick, Watford and Sarnia. Their oldest child was my grandmother, Mary Verna Caughlin Murphy (1905 - 1969). She was born in a log cabin on 9 Sideroad (Warwick Village Road), Warwick Twp.; that is, east and south of the control gate at the Warwick Conservation Area park entrance.
Both Thomas Dolan (1833 - 1906) and Mary Ann (Plante) Dolan (1838 - 1921) were born in Longford County, Ireland. Mary sailed to Canada with her parents in 1846, while it appears that Thomas arrived on his own twelve years later. This is an interesting finding, because a James Dolan (his father?), an absentee landowner, had owned property in Warwick since 1836. Nonetheless, the soon-to-be-mates probably met in Warwick, married, and within two years (1860) a son was born. Perhaps the Plante and Dalon families, both Roman Catholic, had known each other in Longford.
The Dolan house, which was situated east of the United Church Cemetery on 9 Sideroad, must have felt increasingly smaller over the next two decades, as they filled it with eight of their own children: James (probably names after the paternal grandfather), Thomas, Margaret, John, William, Elizabeth, Robert and Jane (and at least one grandson). That residence was moved to 7018 Egremont road in Warwick Village in 1947. Apparently, the Dolan youngsters assumed an affectionate form of their given names: James became "Jimmy", Thomas became "Tommy", and so on. At present, the total number of grandchildren produced by this first generation of Dolans in unknown. Jimmy and Janey never had children. William and Robbie moved west, and little is know of their families. Lizzie has five children, whom she raised in Sarnia. And between them, Tommy, Margaret and John produced nine youngsters, all of whom remain well known in Warwick (Mary, Loretta, Wilfred, Tony, Leo, Francis, John, Edward and Howard). Francis, of Frank, was well known for his work at Warwick General Store. Howard still lives in Watford.
As is well known, even the best of families, and even the best of friends, could experience difficulties. According to the Watford Guide-Advocate (15 November 1889), a very public brouhaha took place between Thomas Dolan Sr. and his second eldest son, Thomas Dolan Jr. The commentator wrote: "... a lively time [took place] at the Dolan farm near the Village on Monday. Young Mr. Dolan claimed a horse and rig from old Mr. Dolan, which the latter refused to give up. Young Thomas got out on a replevin and Bailiff Elliot served the writ. When he made his appearance the old gentleman called out the guards, armed with clubs, and tried to drive the bailiff and his assistants away. It looked like Donnybrook fair for a time, but peace finally prevailed."
Almost a decade later (8 July 1898), the same source recounted an incident where William Caughlin kicked William Dolan in the head. Apparently, that episode resulted from "an old grudge which is said to exist between the parties." Squire McLeay, of Watford, fined William $4 and his brother Edward $2. Cost amounted to about $15. Of course, the William Caughlin spotlighted here is my great grandfather. One wonders how this blow to the head of his future wife's older brother affected prospects for inter-familial harmony.
In more recent Dolan history, Frank Dolan is mentioned with fond memories by many old-timers in the Warwick community. He is remembered mostly for delivering groceries from the Warwick General Store. In the 1911 census he is listed, age 20, as living with his grandmother Mary Ann and her son James, age 54, a farmer and her daughter Jane, age 33. James was a bachelor and Jane eventually married J.J. Moore and moved to Ingersoll. Frank's mother was their sister Margaret.
Francis (Frank) and Anne Marie (Van Rooyen) Dolan had two children, Francis Jr. and Ann Marie. While Ann Marie Dolan was a student at Watford District High School, she was chosen "School Queen of the Day" in the London Free Press feature. In her article on April 19, 1955, the 18 year old honour student is quoted as saying, "The homemaker plays a large part in contributing to the social well-being of her family. Her first interest should always be her family, but she should not be a slave to them. Each member ought to have appointed duties and perform them cheerfully to give harmony to a home." She continued, "The most immaculate housekeepers do not always constitute the best homemakers. In some cases, if the home is too neat and tidy, the children might be brought up in a strict atmosphere and not have the same closeness to their parents as others."
Another issue which concerned her was the lack of time for discussion of current events in the school curricula. She said, "We young people would become more interested in the happenings of the world around us if special periods were set aside each week to be devoted to talks on world events. By doing so, we could voice our own opinions as well as hear those of others."
Both Ann Marie and Francis Jr. moved out of the Warwick area after they finished high school. Both are deceased in 2007.
Francis Dolan's cousin Tony (- 1963) married Ann Irving (1918 - 2007). They had two daughters, Dollene (Ferguson, Wilcocks) and Sharon (Bartley), both of whom stayed in the Warwick Twp. area. Tony and Ann Dolan were also well known in the Warwick area.
Chapter 24 of 25 - Dolan Family
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