Sixteen
The Life and Times of my
16 Great-Great Grandparents
Richard and Jeanette
During the Civil War, Delaware was a slave state that remained in the Union. (Delaware voters voted not to secede on January 3, 1861.) Delaware had been the first state to embrace the Union by ratifying the constitution, and would be the last to leave it, according to Delaware's governor at the time. -Wikipedia
Richard first met Jeanette when his father married her mother. I would say they were the Greg and Marsha Brady of the family tree, but his older brother actually married her older sister. So... I'd have to say that Richard and Jeanette were more like the Peter and Jan of the family tree.
Richard Thompson Cann was born on 22 July 1816 to William and Mary McMullen Cann, sometimes listed as Sally. He was the eighth of nine children. The name Richard Thompson came from a school teacher that was living in the Cann home at the time. In those days teachers would live in the homes of the students on a rotational basis.
Richard is a direct descendant of John Cann who came to the American Colonies back in 1664 from Bristol England where his father was the Mayor. He lived in New Castle Delaware and worked for William Penn as Justice of the Peace. The house he lived in remains there today and is a historical property known as the Colby House, named for a subsequent owner.
My grandfather, William Ferris Cann, wrote extensively about his grandfather Richard. Read what he wrote HERE.
Richard's father is known in our family as "Old William Cann." This handsome portrait hangs in the home of my cousin, who indirectly gets his name from Old William.
Here's a story told by my grandfather on the name William. (paraphrased) Richard was very fond of an older brother, Jacob, and every time a grandson was born he would ask the parents to please name the baby Jacob. No one ever agreed. When my grandfather was to be born, Richard knew it was probably his last chance, so he laid the pressure on pretty heavy. But the baby's mother gave her standard answer, "If your wife wouldn't let you name any of your own sons Jacob, you can't expect me to." So then he asked for the baby to be named William for his father. She did not like the name William either because there was a William Cann living in New Castle that was a hunchback, but she eventually gave in. The name lived on through several more generations.
Old William Cann's bed is still in the family, after being kept in several of our homes, mine included for a time. Seen here with William's five times great granddaughter.
Richard's Mother was Mary McMullen. McMullen is an old and honored name in Delaware. Most notable was a Governor of Delaware who was named after Richard, Richard Cann McMullen. After Mary died, William married a second wife, Ann Reynolds Reed, the widow of Benjamin Reed, and the mother of Jeanette Reed.
Former Delaware Governor, Richard Cann McMullen
Richard's Older brother, James, who married Jeanette's older sister Amelia. James fought in the Civil War for the Union.
Richard's Younger brother, The Reverend Thomas McMullen Cann
Jeanette Elizabeth Reed was born on 5 September 1819. Her parents were Benjamin and Ann Reynolds Reed. She had an older sister, Amelia, and a younger brother, Benjamin Amos Reed. The Reed family came to Massachusetts Colony around 1636. Sometime after her father's death, her mother, Ann, married William Cann, Richard's father.
Jeanette was small, with dark hair and bright blue eyes. She was said to have a quick temper, which when it flared up, soon subsided, and the cause soon forgotten.
Richard and Jeanette first met when his father married her mother and he was sent down into Maryland to bring back her children, Amelia, Jeanette, and Benjamin Reed. She was 13 and he was 16.
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They were married on 1 December 1840. The wedding and honeymoon took place in Wilmington Delaware. Jeanette was Catholic and they were married by a priest at St Peter's Church. For the first year they lived in, and kept a store in, a small house not far from where her mother lived. In the years that followed, they would have seven children
Their Children
Thomas Alibone Cann was born 24 August 1842, in Kirkwood Delaware. He married Olivia Boulden in Philadelphia on 3 January 1867, and together they had seven children. In 1893, they moved into the house at Lum Farm, that his brother, Richard had lived in. (More about the house later.) He was a rather small man, about 5' 7" and slightly built with light blue grey eyes. He had a very easy-going disposition and accepted every day as he found it. He had a daily routine that included morning chores, a buggy ride to the hotel to have drinks with his friends. Then promptly at 11:30 he had dinner, not lunch, and a short nap. When the afternoon chores were done, it was back to Kirkwood for the evening paper, mail, and a few more drinks with friends. Then Supper and in bed shortly after sundown. My kind of guy.
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His wife, Olivia, or Aunt Lib as she was known, had no interest beyond her front gate. In fact, in the twenty some years she lived at the Lum Farm, she never did go beyond that gate, and after she moved to Kirkwood, she never went beyond that gate either; not even to her next door neighbors. But she was one of the nicest people you'd ever meet.
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Alibone, or Uncle Al as he was called, was actually drafted for the Civil War, but he did not want to go, so he hired a substitute, which was permissible back then. He paid a black man who had already served and wanted to reenlist for the bonus and substitution fee. The price was thought to be $150. He was not a local man and no one ever heard what became of him.
Alibone's daughter, Jeanette, with her cousin, William Ferris Cann, sitting outside of the Lum Farm home.
Clara Loretta Cann was born on 18 October 1845, and was educated in her Uncle Thomas Cann's School in Wilmington. In 1864 she married Richard Clayton who was the grandson of Thomas Clayton, US Senator and Chief Justice of Delaware. Richard died suddenly in 1898 and Clara in 1923. They had four children together. Of note--one of their granddaughters was Jeanette Frame, who we knew growing up because of her proximity. She lived on the "Green" in Dover Delaware.
Adella Ann Cann, or Aunt Day, was born on 28 June 1848 and also educated in her Uncle's School. The story about Aunt Day is that she needed surgery to remove a tumor, and Dr. Charles Green who was a noted surgeon in Philadelphia, performed the operation. Although he was much older, they got married, at which point he immediately gave up his medical practice and settled down with her father. He was quite eccentric, wore his snow white hair at shoulder length with a high hat. Adella was tall and slim with deep set eyes like her father. She was considered neither pretty nor ugly and had an easy going personality. She never had any children of her own, but her brother Edgar's boy, Charles Green Cann, lived with her from the time he was a small boy. He was sent to stay with Adella when his younger brother was being born and was to stay just until the happy event was over. He never returned to his mother and father, but instead lived with Adella at his Grandfather's house. For all intents and purposes he became her son. She died in 1933 and was buried with her husband, Dr. Green, in Smyrna Delaware.
Edgar Reed Cann, or "Ed," was born in 1851 on his father's farm below Kirkwood. He married Julia Gray and they had four children, including Charles, who went to live with Aunt Day, and Richard Thompson Cann III, named after his Grandfather and Uncle. He died on the fourth of July in 1888 and his widow and children went to live with his father Richard.
Lilly Jeanette Cann, known as Aunt Lil, was born on 5 January 1854. In 1875 she married Richard Lockwood Naudain and they had one child, Richard Louis Naudain. When her husband died in 1908, she went to live with her sister Adella in Middletown Delaware.
Richard Thompson Cann, Jr. was my great grandfather. He was born on 19 July 1856 on his father's farm just south of Kirkwood Delaware. He was often called Rich for short. His appearance as described by his son, William, "rather short, about five feet seven or eight, due in part to his bow legs, which were slightly disproportionately short for his body. His hair was black, it turned grey early, and by the time he was sixty, he had a full head of snow white hair. The eyes were a bright blue, and he never needed glasses except for reading. His teeth were not a pretty white, but slightly, yellow, and almost perfect, only one or two had small unseen fillings. He, like nearly all the Canns became slightly "hard o' hearing" as he grew older. In dress, he was a little careless, not too much concerned whether or not his pants were pressed or his shoes shined, but, winter and summer he always wore a white shirt, with a stiff collar, and tie, and always a coat. He walked fast, with a rather short quick step, and talked with a direct manner, not given to much levity, but this does not mean that he did not have a sense of humor. He was just a very busy man with many serious problems on his mind."
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In 1880 he married Rebecca Lawrence Pearce and they spent their honeymoon in Washington DC. About this same time, his father, Richard Sr., bought the Lum Farm, which was on the same road as his own land, adjoining farms separated by Lum's Pond. Immediately after their marriage, Richard Jr. took his wife there to live. Four of their five sons were born at the Lum Farm, John "Pearce," Lee Garret, Richard Thompson III, and Lawrence Brevard. William Ferris, my grandfather, would be born at their next house.
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Also around this same time, his father opened a General Store in Kirkwood (the "Buck" which was across from Buck Tavern) and had his son manage it along with the farm. Actually, Richard Sr. had acquired quite a number of farms, houses, a store, and other business enterprises, and as he was sixty four, began to feel the need of assistance in their management. Richard Jr.'s older brothers, Alibone and Edgar, did not take any interest in their father's affairs beyond their own farms, so Richard Sr. turned to his youngest son for help. Much of his responsibilities involved traveling between several locations. As a result, Richard Sr. bought the Ford Farm and in 1893 the younger Richard moved his family to this farm and spent the remainder of his life there. This also freed up the Lum Farm and enabled his brother Alibone to move there.
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Richard Cann Jr. died in 1926 and the Wilmington Morning News printed this the very next day: "Senator Cann had been an active Democrat and leader in that party for nearly half a century. He was a delegate to many State and County Conventions. He also served on the State and County Committees. The only office he ever held was a member of the Legislature. In 1905 he represented Red Lion Hundred in the House of Representatives, and served in the 1923 and 1925 sessions as a Senator from the 5th Senatorial District. He also served as a Director of the Peoples National Bank, Middletown, Del. for 30 years."
Early pictures of Richard T. Cann, Jr.
Clockwise from top left, William Ferris, John Pearce, Richard T. III, Lawrence Brevard, Richard T. Jr., Rebecca Pearce, and Lee Garret Cann
Delaware State Senator Richard Thompson Cann Jr.
Richard and Jeanette's last child was Helena Green Cann. She was born 28 September 1859. Not much is known about her. She never married nor had children and she died in 1894 of consumption, or tuberculosis. She was only 34 years old.
The Cann Houses
When you look up Kirkwood Delaware on Wikipedia, it lists seven homes that are now registered as historic places. At least three of these were Cann homes at one point or another. When Richard Cann died, he owned about 3500 acres of land, divided into about fifteen major farms, with some woodlands, miscellaneous houses, lots, etc. I have to admit, even with my grandfather's documentation, it can be very confusing, so I'll try to give you the simple version here.
Any discussion of houses has to begin with Old William Cann, Richard Sr.'s father. He had property, both inherited from his parents and purchased from his brothers, in St Georges Hundred. It wasn't until the 1820s that he purchased the Farm properties in Glasgow. He lived in a house there that would later be known as the Cann Mansion.
Known as the Cann Mansion, this photograph was taken by William Ferris Cann in the late 1960s or early 1970s, while doing research for his book. This is a zoomed in version as the original was very hard to see.
While Old William Cann was living in this house, he was also building another one on his other property across the street. In 1832 he bought what they called the Old Hotel in Glasgow Delaware and used the materials from the hotel to build this new house, shown below. When William died in December of 1834, he had just completed the new house, which became his widow's dower and she moved in there with her children. The Executors of his will divided his properties into five equal parts for his remaining heirs, minus the widow's dower which was this property and surrounding land. His son James inherited the Mansion House shown above, and that following February he married the widow's daughter, Amelia and they moved into the Mansion House. James sold the property to his brother, Richard, in 1872, and moved across the road to the other house, which Ann had deeded to him in 1851. James' son Robert M. continued to live in the Mansion house until Richard died in 1907, at which point it was inherited by Richard's oldest son, Alibone.
This photograph was also taken by William Ferris Cann in the late 1960s or early 1970s, while doing research for his book.
Richard Sr. bought a tract of land in 1845 from Henry Cope, located on Route 71 about a mile south of Kirkwood. The first year he cut the lumber and made the bricks which he kilned on the property. The home was an L-shaped brick building, and was burned completely in 1890 and was rebuilt immediately. The same walls were used but the roof was pitched and the porch made larger. He, and many of his children and grandchildren, lived there until he died in 1907. This home went on to become registered as a historic property and is known today as Point Farm or the RT Cann House.
Another one of William Ferris Cann's photos from the same time period.
This is the same home as it looks today. Now called the Point Farm House, or RT Cann House. I wonder if that is the same tree to the left, some 50 years later?
Just about the time that Richard Cann Jr. was marrying Rebecca Pearce, Richard Sr. purchased the Lum Farm property and home that was connected to his own property, separated by Lum's Pond. I am not sure if he bought this home specifically for his son to use, or because it was connected to his own land, but either way, Richard Jr. and Rebecca moved into the home immediately following their honeymoon. They lived there through the birth of all of their children except the youngest, William Ferris Cann. The Lums Mill House was built about 1713 and is a two story, three bay, brick house. It is now a historic home, known more for a previous resident, Samuel Davies, a noted Welch minister and educator. After Richard Jr. and his family moved out of the home in 1893, his brother Alibone and his family moved in.
Another photo from William Ferris Cann from the late 1960s or early 1970s.
This sign is displayed in front of the home. I'm not sure if it's still available, but they were offering Resident Curatorship at the time.
My photo from about 2006. The Lum Mill House being visited by some lovely, young Cann descendants.
The last home we'll discuss is the one on the Ford Farm property. Richard Sr. bought this property and home in 1893, I believe he did so for his son Richard Jr., as he was helping his father in so many areas of business, and the home would certainly make life easier for him. The house was in very bad condition, the window casements had rotted away, one chimney was unusable, the small front porch askew and many other things needed repair. When Richard Jr. rebuilt the house he destroyed the old Colonial lines, but made it very comfortable. This is also the home where my grandfather, William Ferris Cann was born. Richard Jr. would spend his remaining days in this house. It is now registered as a historic house, and oddly enough it is now known as the "Cann Mansion." How that came to be, I am not sure, especially given there was already a Cann Mansion. Oh well, just how things work out I guess. It is certainly worthy of the title.
Photo from William Ferris Cann, from around the same time period.
The home as it looks today, now known as the "Cann Mansion"
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picture credit:
By JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
Jeanette died on 20 April 1896 and was buried in the Saint George's Cemetery in Kirkwood Delaware. This is one of the most flattering Obituaries I have ever seen.
Richard died on 31 August, 1907. He was buried with Jeanette in the Saint Georges Cemetery, where many of his descendants would also be buried. In the picture below, five of Richard and Jeanette's three times great grandchildren visited their grave.
Extras
The quality of this photograph is horrible, but I love this picture because it gives us a rare look at Richard Jr. with some of his family at their home on the Ford Farm. From Left to right, Frances (Dick's wife), Ann (Dick's daughter), Rebecca (Pearce's daughter), Pearce, Father (Richard T. Cann, Jr.), Dick, Jack (or John Pearce Jr.), Mother (Rebecca Pearce Cann), and Ola (Pearce's wife). Little Ann was born in November of 1919, so I would estimate the year as 1921.
William Ferris Cann-- College Athlete
William Ferris Cann to the far right. In WWI he was an aide to Brig Gen Charles Barber in the 57th Infantry Brigade.
RTC III, otherwise known as Dick Cann, at home on the Ford Farm.
From left to right, Lawrence Brevard Cann, Margaret Nottingham Cann (wife of William), Frances Cann (wife of Dick Cann), Little Nancy Cann, William Ferris Cann Jr., Ola Cann (wife of Pearce Cann), Nancy Cann (wife of Lawrence Cann), Pearce Cann, and William Ferris Cann
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William Cann on meeting Margaret Nottingham: The year, 1917, and my twenty fourth birthday found me in the Army at Anniston, Alabama, a 1st Lieutenant, and an Aide on the staff of Brig. Gen. Charles Barber. Although a knowledge of the social graces is not a requirement for the job, I found that it was a very interesting phase of my work. Wishing to improve my techniques in repartee and in dancing with pretty girls, I could always be found in the stag line at the Saturday night dances at the Anniston Country Club. There, one cold cold evening, I met a rather tall, not too skinny or not too fat, but a rather athletic type young lady, with brown hair, regular features, an engaging smile, showing really beautiful teeth, and an interesting "come hither, but don't touch" look in her eyes. That's how and when it all started. Now, after fifty some years, most of the charms remain, except the brown hair has turned gray, and I eliminated the "come hither" look in 1923.
JOHN CANN OF DELAWARE
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Often spoken of as John Cann of White Clay Creek and New Castle, he was born in England, the son of Robert and Deliverance Cann. Of his boyhood, it is thought that because his father was married three times and had three sets of children, that he spent most of his time with his grandfather, John Cann, the Preacher, and shared his very turbulent life. Later, he probably returned to Bristol and worked with his father as an apprentice merchant; like his father he was very friendly with the Quakers, who under the leadership of Major John Fenwick were migrating to West Jersey. They sailed form London after July 20, 1675 on the ship, "Griffin," Robert Griffin, Master. After surviving severe storms and eluding the pirates, they arrived at New Castle on the Delaware the early part of November, 1675. John Cann's name appears on the passenger list. It is believed that his wife Mary was with him, but none of the wives nor children were included on the list.
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The Quakers moved across the river and founded, Salem, the first English speaking colony on the Eastern Shore of the Delaware. John Cann remained in New Castle, and soon became an important figure in the economic, judicial and political life of that community, and deeply involved in its administration. In the records he is mentioned as: Provincial Judge, Justice of the Peace, member of the Provincial Council and first General Assembly, first Registrar of Wills for New Castle County, planter, merchant, inn keeper, tailor, and a Deputy Surveyor. He was a man of many activities and interests, but his main source of income was probably from his operations as a merchant.
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In 1862 he bought a house in New Castle, which is now listed among the "Historic Houses of Old New Castle," known today as the Roosemont House, built in 1675.
The Cann Family Crest by way of Sir Robert Cann, 1st Baronet, of Compton Green and Mayor of Bristol England.
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Painting by Matilda Phifer
Early settler John Cann's Home in New Castle Delaware. At the time it was only the back part of the house. The 2-story colonial was added to the front years later, and is now know as either the Colby House for the man that lived there after John or the Roosemont House for the original owner.
The Stoke House was built by Sir Robert Cann about 1669. It now belongs to the Trinity College in Bristol England. Just above the archway in the door is a carving of the Cann Family Crest.
Sir Robert had his likeness carved into the inside of the home. I believe it is still there to this day.
John Turner's 1791 painting of the house, courtesy of Tibblestone.com