Person Record

Metadata

Name

Holmes, Walter

Born

1841

Birthplace

England

Places of residence

Collingwood Township? c. 1864?
Brantingham Grove (later Branningham Grove) farm, Sydenham Township, Grey County (along St. Vincent Road)
Bay Ward, Town of Owen Sound (1891 census)

Nationality

English

Notes

For thirty-five years, Cecil and Violet Toms lived at the former "Branningham Grove" brick farmhouse building, that was built in 1881 for Walter and Mary Holmes, the first owners, who had reportedly modeled it on a former family home in Brantingham, Yorkshire, England.

Over the years, the name became "Branningham"

In 2016, the fate of the former farmhouse, which also was used as a summer brothel in the 1907-1915 time period, and as Louis' Steakhouse restaurant for many years, was decided upon, and a decision was made to allow for its demolition. Some of its architectural features are to be retained for future heritage display purposes.

In the 1890 Farmer's Directory, there was a Samuel Holmes, Farmer, age 62, Church of England, born England, at Concession 10, Lot 9, Sydenham Township. Some of the Hatton family were at Concession 10, Lot 23.

In the 1891 census, the Walter John Holmes household was residing at the Bay Ward in the Town of Owen Sound. It included Walter John Holmes (age 47), his wife Mary (41), Edith (19), William (17), George (23) and Reginald (21). Walter's occupation was then "Farmer".

In the 1901 census, Mary Holmes, age 54, was recorded as being born on August 6, 1847 in England, and having emigrated in 1862. She was Church of England. Residing with her were William Holmes (age 27) and Frances Holmes (age 23).

On Jan. 30, 1907, the widow of "Walter Holmes Esq.", Mary Holmes, died in her home, "Brantingham Grove" along the St. Vincent Road, age 58. The St. Vincent Road was later known as Highway 26. Her obituary in the OWEN SOUND SUN mentioned that she had married Walter J. Holmes in England, and that he had pre-deceased her. She had been the second daughter of the late Dr. W. H. Parsley, M.R.C.S., of Banwell, Somersetshire, England, and had been born at Brantingham, Yorkshire. She was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound.

Occupation

Inn Keeper
Farmer

Publications

-Langlois, Denis, "Shining A Light On The Past: Family Wants to Show Branningham Grove was more than just a brothel", THE SUN-TIMES, pp. A1 and A3
-OWEN SOUND SUN, Feb. 1, 1907, obituary of Mrs. Mary Holmes