Born 1860 in London, England. 1886 to Montreal, Canada. Art supplies. Died 1942 in Toronto, Canada.
BIRTH
George Verry was born 4 May 1860. His father was George Ward Verry and his mother was Charlotte Wakeling (Verry).
His parents’ selection of his name followed the family tradition of naming the first son George.
Birth Registration
Superintendent Registrar’s District: Mile End Old town
Registrar’s District: Mile End Old Town (Western)
1860 BIRTHS in the District of Mile End Old Town (Western) in the County of Middlesex
No. 386
When Born: Fourth May 1860 40 Russell Street
Name: George
Sex: Boy
Name and Surname of Father: George Ward Verry
Name and Maiden Surname of Mother: Charlotte Verry formerly Wakeling
Rank or Profession of Father: Merchant Clerk
Signature, Description, and Residence of Informant: George Verry Father 40 Russell Street Mile End
When Registrered: Eleventh May 1860
Signature of Registrar: Thomas Baddeley Registrar
Birth Registration for George Verry 11 May 1860
SOURCE: Purchased November 2017 from General Register Office (GRO) for England and Wales
BAPTISM
George was not baptized until 23 December 1860. The family was living at 40 Russell Street, Bethnal Green, an area of the greater London area where trades people lived. Father, George Ward Verry, was listed as a Warehouse Clerk.
Baptism: England; County of Middlesex; St Philip the Apostle, Stepney; 1860 near bottom of page 156;
Born 4 May 1860; Baptized 23 December 1860; George Verry;
Parents: George Ward Verry & Charlotte Verry;
Abode: 40 Russell, Bethnal Green; Occupation: Warehouse clerk
Source: London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 from London Metropolitan Archives,
Stepney St Philip, Register of Baptism, p93/phi, Item 001, Board of Guardian Records,
1834-1906 and Church of England Parish Registers, 1754-1906; Ancestry.com
CENSUS 1861
Despite extensive searching, the George Ward Verry family could not be found in the 1861 Census. As it has been documented that the 1861 Census pages of Russell Street are missing, it must be assumed that George Ward, Charlotte, and little George were still living on Russell Street in 1861 (in same location reported on George’s 1860 baptism record). Thus, further verification of the 1860 information is not feasible.
DEATH OF MOTHER – CHARLOTTE WAKENING VERRY
Charlotte Wakeling Verry died 14 May 1870 at age 42 leaving George Ward a widower with two young boys – George and his younger brother, William Ward Verry, born 1862.
Death of Charlotte Wakeling Verry
SOURCE: England Death Index; Ancestry.com
Death Registration
Superintendent Registrar’s District: Whitechapel
Registrar’s District: Mile End New Town
1870 DEATHS in the District of Mile End New Town in the County of Middlesex
No. 158
When and Where Died: Fourth May 1870 56 Metropolitan Buildings
Name and Surname: Charlotte Verry
Sex: Female
Age: 42 years
Rank of Profession: Wife of George Ward Verry Varnish Maker Master
Cause of Death: Albuminuria Certified
Signature, Description, and Residence of Informant: E Bone present at death 56 Metropolitan Buildings Mile End New Town
When Registered: Seventeenth May 1870
Signature of Registrar: S Health Registrar
Death Registration for Charlotte Verry 17 May 1870
SOURCE: Purchased November 2017 from General Register Office (GRO) for England and Wales
Albuminuria = Presence of protein in the urine. Found in many kidney diseases e.g. Diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome.
STEPMOTHER #1 – FRANCES BAKER VERRY
George Ward Verry quickly remarried. Death of wife #1 in mid-May 1870. Marriage registration for wife #2 in April-May-June quarter of 1870. Note missing surname for groom.
Marriage registration for Frances Baker and George Ward (Verry)
SOURCE: England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005; FamilySearch.com
CENSUS 1871
In 1871 census George’s father, George Ward Verry, and his second wife, Frances, are listed as living at 25 Arbour Square North in Middlesex, London. George Ward is listed as a Varnish and Colour Manufacturer. His age is listed as 31, which is close to his real age. Fanny is listed as age 30, which means she was born about 1841.
1871 England Census: England; Ward South; Parliamentary Borough of Tower Hamlet;
Hamlet of Mile End Old Town;
Ecclesiastical District of St Thomas; Schedule No 76, 25 Arbour Square North;
County of London, Middlesex; Municipal Ward of South; Enumeration District of 23;
George W Verry, Head, 31, varnish & colour manufacturer, Born Islington, Middlesex;
Fanny Verry, Wife, 30, born Aldgate, Middlesex
Source: 1871 England Census Class: RG10; Piece: 557; Folio: 136; Page: 11; GSU roll: 823398 from
Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871: The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Ancestry.com
George and his brother, William, (the two sons of George Ward Verry and Charlotte) are found in the 1871 census at a boarding school in Epping, Essex. George Verry is 10 and William Ward Verry 8.
George and William Verry in 1871 census
SOURCE: Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871; Class: RG10; Piece: 1640; Folio: 89; Page: 31; GSU roll: 829943; Ancestry.com
FAMILY TRADEGIES
Tragically, William Verry, youngest son of George Ward Verry and Charlotte (wife #1), died at school in the spring of 1871 at age 9.
Death of William Verry
SOURCE: England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007; FamilySearch.com
Death Registration
Superintendent Registrar’s District: Epping Union
Registrar’s District: Epping
1871 DEATHS in the District of Epping in the County of Essex
When and Where Died: Twenty first April 1871 Theydon Garnon
Name and Surname: William Verry
Sex: male
Age: 9 years
Rank or Profession: Child of George Ward Verry
Cause of Death: Died suddenly in a natural way, and not from any violence to the knowledge of the __
Signature, Description, and Residence of Informant: Information received from Charles C Lewis Junior Deputy Coroner for Essex. Inquest held 24th April 1871
When Registered: Twenty fifth April 1871
Signature of Registrar: William Griffiths Registrar
Death Registration for William Verry 1871
SOURCE: Purchased November 2017 from General Register Office (GRO) for England and Wales
The tragedy continued.
In spring of 1876 Frances “Fanny” Baker Verry, second wife of George Ward Verry and step-mother of George Verry, died at estimated age of 34 (born about 1842).
Death of Frances Baker Verry
SOURCE: England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007; FamilySearch.com
STEPMOTHER #2 – CAROLINE CROUDASS VERRY
The next year George Verry got a second step-mother. On 1 March 1877 George Ward Verry married Caroline Croudass in the parish of St John at Hackney, Middlesex. George is listed as widower and the bride a spinster. Both were listed as living on Clifton Road. George’s occupation was listed as Color Manufacturer. This time George married a younger woman. At the time of their marriage George was 38 and Caroline was 24.
Father of the groom, George Verry, was listed as a Commercial Clerk. Father of the bride, George Croudass, was listed as a Gentleman. Witnesses listed as Joseph John Ashburmen and Mary Ann Croudass.
Marriage Registration: England; County of Middlesex; Parish of St John at Hackney;
1877 No. 212 at bottom of page;
Married in the parish church with Banns; 1 March 1877;
George Ward Verry widower, Color Manufacturer;
Caroline Croudass spinster;
Father of groom: George Verry, Commercial Clerk;
Father of bride: George Croudass, Gentleman;
Witnesses: Joseph John Ashburmen, Mary Ann Croudass
Source: London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 from London Metropolitan Archives,
Saint John At Hackney, Hackney, Register of marriages, P79/JN1, Item 085; Ancestry.com
George Ward and Caroline presented George with six step brothers and sisters:
- Mary Florence Verry born 1878
- Harold Ward Verry born 1880
- Emily Maude Verry born 1881
- Grace Beatrice Verry born 1883
- Ellen Verry born 1884
- Horace George Verry born 1885
CENSUS 1881
There was a major relocation since the last census. In the 1881 England Census George Ward Verry and family are found living on Chigwel Road in Woodford, county of Essex. George’s occupation is this time listed as Oil Merchant. At the time of the census, two children (Mary and Harold) had been born to George and Caroline.
Note that George, son of George Ward Verry and Charlotte (wife #1), was still unmarried and living at home.
1881 England Census: England; Civil parish: Woodford; County of Essex; Registration district: West Ham;
ED: 15; Unit 20 on Chigwel Road;
George W Verry, Head, Married, 40, Oil Merchant, born Middlesex, Islington;
Caroline Verry, Wife, 28, born Hackney;
George Verry, Son [of 1st wife], Unmarried, 20, Commercial Clerk, born Hackney;
Mary F Verry, Daughter, 2, born Essex Leytonstone;
Harold W Verry, Son, 1, born Essex Leytonstone
Source: 1881 England Census Class: RG11; Piece: 1734; Folio: 55; Page: 6; GSU roll: 1341418;
Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
In 1882, a city directory shows George Ward Verry and family at Clematis Villa on Herman Hill in Essex.
THE VERRY WATCH
Something special happened in the mid-1800s; it was the start of the Verry watch tradition. George Ward Verry’s widowed mother, Mary Ward Verry, presented him with the gift of a very special gold pocket watch. There is a high probability that the occasion was George’s 21st birthday. As both sides of Mary’s family (Ward and Dolley) were London clock and watchmakers, the choice of a precision watch should not have been a surprise.
Through the years the family tradition evolved that this watch was handed down to the the eldest Verry son in the next generation on his twenty-first birthday.
Family heirloom pocket watch.
Family story is that it originated as 21st birthday gift to George Ward Verry from his parents.
Family tradition that watch passes down generation to generation to oldest male direct line
descendant on his 21st birthday (skipping any generation with only females).
Source: 2014 family photo of family heirloom pocket watch; currently in possession of
Brian Scott Walter, great-great grandson of George Ward Verry
On November 24, 2017, as a special early Christmas gift for his mother (Suzan Verry Walter, family historian and daughter of George Letchford Verry), current watch holder, Brian Scott Walter, and his wife, Karen, arranged for the Verry watch to be inspected by a watch expert to see if there might be some indication of who made this watch. Suzan, Brian, Karen, and Brian’s sister, Cheryl “Li” Walter, visited the Aubrey’s Clock & Watches in Issaquah, Washington.
Aubrey showing Suzan and Brian what is on the interior of the watch.
SOURCE: 2017 family photo
When Aubrey Aramaki and his apprentice, Heather Frank, carefully opened the watch, everyone was thrilled that the full name and address of the watchmaker were engraved inside – G.H. Ive 8 Cornhill LONDON. Also engraved was 2/252, which seems to indicate that this was number two of 252 of this watch design that were made. Aubrey shared that the watch is typical of fine watches created in London in the mid-1800s.
Audrey Aramaki and Heather Frank of Aubrey’s Clocks & Watches in Issaquah, Washington
SOURCE: 2017 family photo
Suzan and Cheryl researched and verified that a watchmaker/goldsmith G.H. Ive operated at various Cornhill addresses in London from 1826 through 1864. He was documented to have been at the specific 8 Cornhill address in an 1863 directory. There had been some anticipation that the watch might have been made by Thomas Dolley (head of the watchmakers guild in London in the late 1700s and George Ward Verry’s great grandfather) or one of his sons, but, while this is an exquisite watch, alas this is not a Dolley watch.
The interior of the watch provides the name and address of the watch maker
G.H. Ive 8 Cornhill LONDON
SOURCE: 2017 family photo of interior of watch
There is a box that lists the names of three generations of Verry sons, who inherited this watch.
George Ward Verry 1855; George Verry 1881; George Letchford Verry 1911
It appears that George Letchford Verry added the names to the box. The reference to George Ward Verry has an error, as his 21st birthday was in 1860 (not 1855). So, either he did not receive it on his 21st birthday or his grandson goofed on calculating his birth year.
Remember that the tradition is that the watch goes to the eldest son in each generation on his 21st birthday. There have been two generations with only daughters, who do not inherit the watch, but the first male child in the next generation can inherit on his 21st birthday. George Letchford Verry had only one child, a daughter. And current holder of the watch, Brian Scott Walter, has two children, both daughters.
SOURCE: 2017 family photo of bottom of watch box
ENGLAND TO CANADA 1883
George Verry age 22 is found on passenger list for ship Nova Scotian of Allan Line Steamship Company for trip that left Liverpool, England 22 December 1882 and arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada 1 January 1883. Ultimate destination listed as Montreal.
George Verry (age 22) on passenger list 1882/1883
SOURCE: Canadian Immigrant Records, Part One; National Archives of Canada: Microfilm Reel No. C-4512 page 1; Ancestry.com
AGAIN ENGLAND TO CANADA 1886
George Verry age 25 is found on passenger list for ship Sarmatian of Allan Line Steamship Company for trip that left Liverpool, England early January 1886 and arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada 25 January 1886. Ultimate destination listed as Montreal.
So far have not uncovered why George returned to England for a brief period, before returning to Canada.
George Verry on passenger list 1886
SOURCE: Canadian Immigrant Records, Part One; National Archives of Canada: Microfilm Reel No. C-4512 page 2+; Ancestry.com
MARRIAGE #1
George Verry married Georgina Alexandra Moore on the 28 September 1886 by license at Trinity Church in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Anglican). Both are listed as of the City of Montreal. Witnesses included G Moore, W H Smith, A B J Moore, Albert(?) Hyjimson(?), A E Moore.
G Moore is probably bride’s father, George Moore
ABJ Moore is probably bride’s brother, Alexander Benjamin Journeaux Moore
AE Moore is probably bride’s sister, Anna Eleanor Moore
Note that bride’s mother had died the year before.
Marriage record for George Verry and Georgina Alexandra Moore
SOURCE: Photocopy takes at Trinity Church
CHILDREN
George and Georgina had four children:
Italics indicate possible naming choices honoring specific individuals
Mary Florence Verry born 1887 in Montreal
Mary Florence = father’s half-sister
George Letchford Verry born 1890 in Montreal
George = father and grandfather
Robert Michael Letchford = grandmother’s 2nd husband
William Harold Moore Verry born 1892 in Montreal
William = father’s brother
Harold = father’s half-brother
Moore = mother’s maiden name
Vera Ward Verry born 1896 in Toronto
Vera = ?
Ward = father’s middle name & father’s mother’s maiden name
Mary Florence lived only two years and four months and Vera Ward only three months.
CENSUS 1891
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Verry George 30 Married b England; parents b England
Verry Georgina 24 Married b Ireland; parents b Ireland
Verry George 9/12 son b Quebec
next door to father-in-law:
George Moore Druggist Male Widowed 60 b abt 1831 Ireland Father b Ireland M born Ireland
Alfred Moore 21 son
Edith Moore 17 daughter
Lily Moore 14 daughter
Ethel Moore 10 daughter
1891 Canadian Census; Canada, Quebec, Montreal;
George Verry (30), Georgina Verry (24), George Verry (9/12)
Source: 1891 Census of Canada; St Jacques Ward, Montréal Centre, Quebec; Roll: T-6408;
Family No: 225; FHL Microfilm reels: T-6290 to T-6427; Ancestry.com
IN MONTREAL
George Verry and family moved around a great deal. Interesting to track where George lived and worked by following his listings in The Lovell’s Montreal Directory:
1884-1885
Alphabetical directory finds Verry George, 84 Rue Mansfield
Street directory for 84 Rue Mansfield finds George boarding with Dr. Smillie…
Smillie N.C., M.D.
Verry George
1885-1886
Alphabetical directory finds Verry George, commercial traveller, 8 Thistle Terrace, boarding at 84 Rue Mansfield
1886-1887 does not list George, but he was probably not back from his return visit to England in time to get into the directory.
1887-1888
Alphabetical directory finds Verrie George, agent, 200 Rue Sainte Elisabeth
Street directory for 200 Rue Sainte Elisabeth finds…
Clavol L.H., bookkeeper
Verrie George, agent
1888-1889
Alphabetical directory finds Verry George, agent, 262 Bleury
Street directory for 262 Bleury finds George working and boarding there…
Verry George, agent
1889-1890
Alphabetical directory finds Verry George, of Geo. Verry & Co., 262 Bleury
and ad…
Verry George, & Co., Paints, Oils, Glass, Brushes and Artists’ Materials,
1822 Rue Notre Dame, cor St Helen
Classified business listing under category Artists’ and Painters’ Supplies finds VERRY GEORGE 690
Street directory for 1822 Rue Notre Dame finds Verry Geo., & Co., artists’ materials
Street directory for 262 Bleury finds George boarding there…
Verry George, paint merchant
1890-1891
Alphabetical directory finds Verry George, of Geo. Verry & Co., 473 Rue Sainte Denis
and ad…
Verry George, & Co., Paints, Oils, Glass, Brushes and Artists’ materials, Agents for Letchford & Co., London, Eng. Perfumery, & c., 1822 Rue Notre Dame cor St Helen
Classified business directory under category Artists’ and Painters’ Supplies finds VERRY GEORGE 764
Street directory for 1822 Notre Dame finds Verry Geo., & Co., artists’ materials
Street directory for 473 Rue Sainte Denis finds George boarding there…
Verry Geo., artist
1891-1892
Alphabetical directory finds ad…
Verry George, Artists’ materials, Paints, etc., Agents for Letchford & Co., London, Eng., Perfumery, &c., 2280 Rue Sainte Catherine street, near McGill College Av., h 2278 Rue Sainte Catherine
Classified business directory under category Artists’ and Painters’ Supplies finds VERRY GEORGE, 2280 Rue Sainte Catherine
Street directory for 2280 St Catherine street finds Verry Geo., artists’ materials
1892-1893
Alphabetical directory finds ad…
Verry George, Artists’ materials, Paints, etc., Agents for Letchford & Co., London, Eng., Perfumery, &c., 2280 Rue Sainte Catherine street, near McGill College Av., h 2278 Rue Sainte Catherine
Classified business directory under category Artists’ and Painters’ Supplies finds VERRY GEORGE, 2280 Rue Sainte Catherine 858
Street directory for 2280 Rue Sainte Catherine street finds Verry Geo., artists’ materials
1893-1894
Alphabetical directory finds Verry George, commercial traveller, 11a Avenue Argyle
Street directory for 11a Avenue Argyle finds Verry Geo, commercial traveller[This appears that George may have given up having his own artists’ supplies store.]
IN TORONTO
Next George Verry and family are in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Used Toronto city directories to track where he lived and worked:
1896
Alphabetical directory finds Verry George, traveller, b 31 Jarvis
1897
Alphabetical directory finds Verry George, traveller, h 497 Shaw
DEATH OF DAUGHTER VERA IN TORONTO
George and Georgina’s daughter, Vera Ward Verry was born in early 1896 but did not thrive. After only three months Vera died 9 March 1896. The condition was marasmus and involved severe malnutrition. Vera was buried 31 March 1896 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.
Note record 10760 #3 for Vera Ward Verry
SOURCE: Mount Pleasant Cemetery records. Burial in Baby section grave 1010, then 1897 relocated to Plot N Lot 1024 to be with remains of her mother. Suzan Walter verified by phone conversation with Mount Pleasant Cemetery office in Toronto 416-485-9129 on 27 February 2016.
DEATH OF WIFE #1 IN TORONTO
George’s wife #1, Georgina Alexandra Moore (Verry) died 20 February 1897 after a two year battle with tuberculosis. She was buried at Mount Pleasant cemetery in Toronto. Later that year the remains of the infant Vera were moved to be with her mother.
Georgina A Verry death 20 February 1897, 33 years, housewife, born Limerick, Ireland, consumption 2 years
SOURCE: Ontario Canada Deaths, County of York, Division of Toronto, Ontario Canada; Ancestry.com
MARRIAGE #2 IN TORONTO
George Verry remarried on 24 November 1898 in York County, Ontario, Canada near Toronto.
Groom: George Verry 38 years old and living at 259 Spadina Avenue in Toronto and working as a commercial traveler. Assume this is a traveling salesman. His parents were George Ward Verry and Charlotte Verry.
Bride: Alice May Beckett 30 years old and living at 257 Spadina in Toronto. Her parents were James Beckett and Sarah Ann Beckett.
Both groom and bride listed as Episcopal.
Wedding witnesses: Dr J G Mennie and Charlotte M Earhren.
Marriage of George Verry (38) and Alice May Beckett (30) on 24 November 1898 in Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada.
SOURCE: Ontario Canada Marriages; Ancestry.com
RELOCATION TO TOLEDO
George appears to have totally give up owning his own retail store and was now just doing sales for others. His occupation is listed as travel agent, which is probably a traveling salesman position. Find him working for The Frohlich Glass Co that has offices in both Toledo, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan. Might he have been working for this company while still in Canada? As of 1899 can verify he had relocated to Toledo, Ohio and was working for The Frohlich Glass Co.
1899
Toledo city directory finds Verry George, travel agent, The Frohlich Glass Co, rooming at 9 14th
1900 US Federal Census
Toledo, Lucus, Ohio
906 Oakwood Avenue
George Verry 40, b May 1860 in England, immigrated 1895 to US, here 5 yrs, m in 1899, Paint & Oil Industry, Commercial Traveler, Rented house
Alice M Verry 31, b 1869 in Canada, wife (2nd wife), immigrated 1895, here 5 yrs, parents b Canada
George L Verry 9, b Jul 1890 in Canada, immigrated 1895, father George Verry b England
Harold M Verry 7, b Dec 1892 in Canada, immigrated 1895, father George Verry b England
1900 US Federal Census; Ohio; Lucus; Toledo; 906 Oakwood Avenue
George Verry (40), Alice M Verry (31), George L (9), Harold M (7)
SOURCE: 1900 US Federal Census; Toledo Ward 10, Lucas, Ohio; Roll: 1298; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0080; FHL microfilm: 1241298; Ancestry.com
1905
Toledo city directory finds Verry George, home at 906 Oakwood Avenue
1906
Toledo city directory finds Verry George, travel agent, home at 906 Oakwood Avenue
RELOCATION TO DETROIT
Appears that George continues working for The Frohlich Glass Co, but has been relocated to their offices in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. By checking various city directories we track George’s work and living locations:
1906
Detroit city directory finds Verry Geo W, manager of paint department of The Frohlich Glass Co., home at 800 Baker
1908
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry George, manager at Standard Adding Machine Co., home at 800 Baker
Verry Letchford G, clerk, boarding at 800 Baker [with parents]
[Georges’s son, George Letchford Verry, is now 18 years old. Possibly his first job?]
1910
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry Geo, traveller, home at 195 Webb Avenue
Verry G Letchford, clerk, Armstrong & Graham [makes horse tack saddlery goods], boards at 195 Webb Avenue [with parents]
Verry Harold M, clerk, M C R R [Michigan Central Railroad], boards at 195 Webb Avenue [with parents]
[George’s son, William Harold Moore Verry, is now 18 years old. Possibly his first job?]
1912
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry Geo, traveller, home at 195 Webb Avenue
Verry Letchford, clerk, boards at 195 Webb Avenue [with parents]
Verry W Harold, clerk, boards 195 Webb Avenue [with parents]
1913
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry Geo, traveller, home at 195 Webb Avenue
Verry Geo L, buyer, boards at 195 Webb Avenue [with parents]
Verry W Harold, clerk G T Ry [Grand Trunk Railroad], boards at 195 Webb Avenue [with parents]
1915
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry Geo, salesman, home at 195 Webb Avenue
Verry Geo L jr, salesman, boarding at 195 Webb Avenue [with parents]
Verry Harold W, clerk GTRy [Grand Trunk Railroad], boarding 195 Webb Avenue [with parents]
1916
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry Geo, salesman, home at 195 Webb av
Verry Harold M, chief clerk D L & M R R [Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan Railroad], home at 195 Webb Avenue
Verry Letchford, salesman, home at 195 Webb Avenue
1919
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry Geo, traveller, home at 195 Webb Avenue
Verry Geo L, boards at 195 Webb Avenue [with parents]
1920
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry Geo, salesman, home at 831 (195) Webb Avenue
Verry Letchford G, clerk American Auto Trimming Co [trimmed and painted auto bodies], boards at 831 (195) Webb avenue [with parents]
1920 US Federal Census
Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
195 Webb Avenue
George Versy (s/b Verry) 50, b about 1870 in England, parents b in England, immigrated in 1899, Occupation Commercial Traveler Dry Goods, Owns home/ mortgage free, Alien status
Elsie (s/b Alice) Verry 43, b about 1877 in Canada, parents b in Canada
George Litchford (s/b Letchford Verry) 29, b about 1891 in Canada, Occupation Production man in Auto Factory, Alien status
1921
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry Geo, clerk Gotfredson Land Co, home at 831 Webb Avenue
Verry G Letchford, clerk American Auto Trimming Co, boarding at 831 Webb Avenue [with parents]
1922
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry Geo, traveling salesman, home at 831 Webb Avenue
Verry G Letchford, clerk American Auto Trimming Co, rooming at 831 Webb Avenue
1927
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry Geo, traveling salesman, home at 729 Lawrence Avenue
Verry G Letchford, clerk, rooming at 729 Lawrence Avenue [with parents]
1928
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry Geo (Alice M), travelling salesman, home at 729 Lawrence Avenue[includes wife in directory listing]
Verry G Letchford, clerk, rooming at 729 Lawrence Avenue [with parents]
1930 US Federal Census
Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
729 Lawrence Avenue
George Verry, 68 b 1862 in England, Sales Man Dry Goods, own home valued at 26000, Age at marriage 38, Immigration year 1890, alien status
Alice Verry, 54 b 1876
(George) Letchford Verry, 38 b 1892 in Canada, Office Clerk Factory,
Immigration year 1895, Naturalized
1932
Detroit city directory finds…
Verry Geo (Alice M), home at 729 Lawrence Avenue
Verry G Metchford (s/b Letchford), supervisor, rooming at 729 Lawrence Avenue [with parents]
SON GEORGE LETCHFORD VERRY IN WWI
During World War I, George’s son, George Letchford Verry, joined the U.S. Army and served 15 September 1917 through 23 April 1919, including fighting in France. The story of his Army years are documented in the book, All the way with the boys of the 329th Field Artillery edited by William R. Melton.
His final time in France is noted on page 158. The supply staff arrived at the front 26 October 1918. (The armistice was signed 11 November 1918.) Soon after that they hiked from Bouillionville to Pont-a-Mousson, and remained there until early February 1919.
These dates show that George Letchford was with the Army in France in 1918, and unable to be with his brother, William Harold, back in Michigan suffering and dying from tuberculosis.
Based on his service in the U.S. Army, George Letchford Verry qualified to became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Certification of Military service for George L. Verry, 2 027 365
SOURCE: Certification of Military Service from General Services Administration, National Personnel Records Center 6 June 1975 on request from Suzan Walter. Accompanying note states “It appears probable that the record needed to answer your inquiry of 5-26-75 was among those lost in the fire here in July 1973. We are trying to obtain the required information from alternate sources. As this is a time-consuming procedure, please allow six weeks from the date shown here for a reply to your inquiry.” Nothing further was received.
DEATH OF SON WILLIAM HAROLD
George’s son, William Harold Moore Verry, died 25 January 1919 of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Death certificate for William Harold Moore Verry 25 January 1919 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
SOURCE: Michigan death records; SeekingMichigan.org
William Harold was buried 28 January 1919 at Evergreen Cemetery in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. In October of 1936 his remains were transferred to Woodmere Cemetery, cremated, and returned to Evergreen. The records at Evergreen indicate “ashes removed to Toronto.” As his father, George Verry, retired and relocated back to his home country, Canada, a few years prior to this, it is assumed that in order to transfer the remains of his youngest son to Toronto, it was necessary to cremate to pass customs.
SOURCE: Suzan Walter verified by phone conversation with Evergreen Cemetery office 313-368-1330 on 27 February 2016 burial in Section 10, plot 632G, grave 5. By email 29 February 2016 verified with Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit the cremation of remains in October 1936.
RELOCATION BACK TO TORONTO
According to his death certificate George Verry, moved back to Toronto in 1836. This is further supported by the data online that George and Alice built a home in Toronto in 1934. This lovely home is pictured online with caption “Built 1934 for George and Alice Verry, Retired. The second floor was extended over the right hand side of the house to make extra bedrooms in the 1980’s.”
Note that this website is featuring all of the homes in the Kingsway Park development. “A neighborhood in West Toronto that still keeps an older charm, even if the real estate prices are totally up to date. ‘Angliae pars Anglia procul” (a little bit of England far from England) was the motto chosen by Mr. R. Home Smith, the founder of Home Smith & Company that developed Kingsway Park during the late 1920s and early 1930s. With each home shaped by gifted architects and landscapers, skilled craftsmen and tradesmen, and enhanced by a forest setting overlooking the Humber River ravine, Kingsway Park became a beautiful, much admired residential district. So it remains today.’ “
‘The above quotation, and details as to the dates and occupiers of the houses are taken from “Kingsway Park, Triumph in Design”, by Elizabeth Ingolfsrud and Alec Keefer, published 1994 by the Toronto and Region Architectural Conservancy…’
SOURCE: pbase.com/exzim
1934 house for George & Alice Verry at 58 Queen Mary’s Drive, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
SOURCE: Photo from Google Earth
MARRIAGE OF SON GEORGE LETCHFORD
George’s son, George Letchford Verry, married Frances Elizabeth Calvert 9 November 1935 at the home of the bride in Highland Park, Wayne, Michigan (in Detroit area).
Marriage license for George L. Verry (age 45) and Frances E. Calvert (age 25) issued 26 October 1935 by Wayne County, Michigan. Note that Alice Beckett listed as mother of the groom is actually groom’s step-mother.
SOURCE: Copy of actual marriage license issued by Wayne County, Michigan
VERIFICATION IN TORONTO 1942
City directory listing for Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1942…
Listing indicates George Verry at 88 Queen Mary’s Drive in Kingsway Park. Note that there is no 88 Queen Mary’s Drive. Correct address is 58 Queen Mary’s Drive.
SOURCE: Directories for the Cities of Toronto (1834-1954, 1998-present) and Metropolitan Toronto (1854-1998).
This specific listing from 1942 Toronto City Directory Might on Microfilm B70, Reel 96 provided by Ontario Vital Statistics.
DEATH
George Verry died 8 August 1942 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at 82 years of age. Cause of death is listed as pneumonia. However, other information on the death certificate indicates that George had a fall and fractured his femur. This appears to have evolved into pneumonia, which ultimately was the cause of death.
There was a family story that George was a pipe smoker and developed cancer of the jaw. The death certificate confirms that he did indeed have cancer of the jaw.
George Verry death certificate
SOURCE: Archives of Ontario; Registrations of Deaths – 1941-1942; 1942 42-500 42001-42500 MS 935, Reel 694 (via interlibrary loan)
BURIAL
George Verry was buried 11 August 1942 at Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. There is no tombstone for George Verry.
SOURCE: Phone call to Park Lawn Cemetery by Suzan Walter on 2 March 2016.
Learned that George was buried in same grave as his second wife, Alice. Alice was listed in FindAGrave, George was not.
WILL
DEATH OF WIFE#2
Alice May Beckett (Verry) died 4 April 1960 in Toronto. She was buried in Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Cemetery record said she died at age 92 years. Cause of death was angina (coronary heart disease).
SOURCE: FindAGrave and phone call by Suzan Walter to
Park Lawn Cemetery 416-233-9901 on 2 March 2016.
ADDRESSES
- 40 Russell Street, Bethnal Green, London, England
- 25 Arbour Square North, Middlesex, London, England
- Epping, Essex, England
- Clifton Road, Hackney, Middlesex, England
- Chigwell Road, Woodford, Essex, England
- Clematis Villa on Herman Hill, Essex, England
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 84 Rue Mansfield, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 200 Rue Sainte Elisabeth Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 262 Bleury Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 1822 Rue Notre Dame, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 473 Rue Sainte Denis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 2278 Rue Sainte Catherine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 11a Avenue Argyle Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 31 Jarvis, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- 497 Shaw, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- 259 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- 9 14th, Toledo, Lucus, Ohio
- 906 Oakwood Avenue, Toledo, Lucus, Ohio
- 800 Baker, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
- 195 Webb Avenue, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
- 831 Webb Avenue, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
- 729 Lawrence Avenue, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
- 58 Queen Mary’s Drive, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
FAMILY
Mary Florence Verry b 1887 Montreal, Quebec, Canada; d 1890 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
George Letchford Verry b 1890 Montreal, Quebec, Canada; m 1935 Frances Elizabeth Calvert in Highland Park, Wayne, MI; d 1941 Allen Park, Wayne, MI DIRECT LINE ANCESTOR
William Harold Moore Verry b 1892 Montreal, Quebec, Canada; D 1919 Detroit, Wayne, MI
Vera Ward Verry b 1896 Toronto, Ontario, Canada; d 1896 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
ONGOING RESEARCH
- Research WH Smith and Albert ???, witnesses to George Verry / Georgina Moore marriage.
- Look for George Verry will.
Please share with us any stories, photos, documents, etc. that could add to the stories of any of these ancestors. Send to suzan@genealogynirvana.com
