Jesus and the Children

Both Thomas Rosewarne and Lucy Abra were born in England and emigrated to North America as young children with their families.

Thomas Rosewarne (1851 – 1941) was born in Cornwall, England, and worked as a young man as a farmer and a miner. Like many Cornishmen of that time, he and a brother left for the United States and found employment in the mines of Michigan. Later, Thomas moved to Sarnia and started his formal training as a teacher. He graduated from Ottawa Normal School in 1875. 

Lucy Abra (1860 – 1938) was nine years old when her family left Norfolk County, England, and emigrated to Canada, settling on a farm near Corunna, Ontario, in Lambton County. She trained as a dressmaker and worked in Sarnia before her marriage to Thomas Rosewarne in 1885. 

Thomas taught in many locations in Ontario - as far east as Oxford Mills near Ottawa and as far north as a village at the mouth of the French River. For Lucy, this meant often pulling up stakes and making a home again in a new community while looking after her young family of 4 children. In 1901, Thomas Roseware bought a farm in Macaulay Township, Muskoka. Although not a farmer, he and Lucy were excellent gardeners. Eventually, their principal crop became strawberries. Their produce not only fed the family, this also brought in cash and allowed for credit at the local stores. Thomas did return to teaching while living in Muskoka and taught at Katrine, West Gravenhurst, and Sprucedale. He retired from teaching in 1914 and spent the rest of his life on the farm with his beloved wife. In 1936, Thomas and Lucy celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. 

Thomas and Lucy Rosewarne were involved in community life and were faithful members of the Methodist Church and after union, the United Church of Bracebridge. Lucy was very active as a member of the Women’s Institute and was known as a good neighbour, helping others in times of sickness and trouble.