William Thomas Smart1

#306, (1884 - 1955)
FatherWilliam James Smart1 (1858 - 1922)
MotherSarah Mary Fernee1 (1861 - 1950)
Relationships2nd great-grandson of Peter Godart
2nd great-grandson of Samuel Fernee
Extended Family
ChartsSamuel Fernee & Mary Harris - collapsible 6 generation descendant chart
Peter Godart & Mary Dowson - collapsible 6 generation descendant chart

Children of William Thomas Smart and Ellen Wright
  • Mabel Nell Smart 2 (1910 - 1994)
  • Herbert William (Bert) Smart2 (1912 - 2004)
  • Ellen Smart2 (1925 - 2018)
  • Edward (Ted) Smart 2 (1927 - 2019)
Overview
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William Thomas, born in 1884 in Pancras, Middlesex, was the second of seven children. By the age of 16, he was a mercantile clerk and was employed in a shipping office in London for six years. In 1906, William emigrated to Canada. In Winnipeg, he joined the Canadian Bank of Commerce and within a few months was moved to Watson, Saskatchewan. Abiding by the terms of his employment, he resigned from the bank in 1909 in order to marry Ellen Wright. Prior to that, he homesteaded land near Watson. As required, he improved the land each year and obtained full ownership in May 1912. Bill and Ellen returned to England to visit family in 1921, while their two children stayed behind in Canada. They had four children in all, three of whom migrated to British Columbia. He lived to 71 years of age and died in Saskatoon.

* * * * *

 
OccupationWilliam Thomas Smart was a bank clerk for Canadian Bank of Commerce and provincial registrar for the town of Watson.2 
BirthHe was born on 8 Sep 1884 in 42 Marquis Road, Pancras, Middlesex.
Information from certificate: father William James Smart, Solicitor's Clerk; mother Sarah Mary Smart formerly Fernee; informant was S.M. Smart, mother, of 42 Marquis Road, Pancras.1 
(with Parents) 1891 CensusWilliam T appeared on the 1891 Census of Hornsey, Middlesex with his parents. He was 6, born in St Pancras, and had a 7 year old sister and three younger siblings.3 
(with Parents) 1901 CensusWilliam T appeared on the 1901 Census of Hornsey, Middlesex with his parents. He was 16, a Mercantile Clerk, and born in Camden Town, London. He had an older sister, Mary, and younger siblings, Herbert, Ethel, Winifred, Marjorie, and Dorothy.4 
Immigration According to the 1911 and 1921 census, William immigrated to Canada in 1905. However, the only likely passenger list record I can find is in March 1906 and that is a logical fit, since he began employment with the bank in June of 1906.5 
Passenger ListHe was listed on a manifest dated 24 Mar 1906 for the SS Parisian, arriving in Halifax from Liverpool. He was recorded as William Smart, age 21, single, farmer, born in England, resided in Middlesex, and had a train ticket for Toronto.6 
. The SS Parisian was built in 1880 in Glasgow for the Allan Line as the first North Atlantic mail steamer built of steel and with bilge keels. It carried 150 first, 100 second, and 1000 steerage passengers. In 1899 it was rebuilt with new engines and pole masts without yards. A Marconi wireless telegraph was fitted in 1902. In 1905 she was struck and sunk in Halifax harbour and subsequently repaired and refloated. The Parisian rescued passengers from the Titanic in 1912 and was sold to ship breakers in Italy in 1914.7
SS Parisian
Item On 25 Nov 1906, William Thomas Smart "landed at Watson as a member of the staff of the Canadian Bank of Commerce". He lived that winter at the Victoria Hotel ($5.00/week or 21 meals for $3.50.)8 
Land Record

On 9 Oct 1908, William Thomas Smart obtained homestead entry on the NW 1/4 of Section 33 Township 38 Range 18 in Saskatchewan. He was single at the time of the application. He built a 14 x 24 frame house valued at $200 and commenced residence on March 16th 1909. When he was not on his homestead, he was clerking in the town of Watson. He was actually on the homestead
from 16 March 1909 to 16 June 1909,
from 5 Apr 1910 to 10 Oct 1910, and
from 2 April 1911 to 11 April 1912.

Progress each year was as follows:

1909 - broke 10 acres, had 2 cattle and 2 horses

1910 - broke 10 acres, cropped 10 acres, had 2 horses

1911 - broke 28 acres, cropped 20 acres, had 1 horse

1912 - cropped 48 acres

On 1 May 1912, William Thomas Smart applied for his homestead patent. At that time he reported having a wife and one child. By this time the homestead included a 12 x 14 stable (valued at $100), 2 wells (33' and 14' deep) (valued at $70), and had no fencing. The application was supported by neighbouring farmers Emanuel Beauchamp and Norman Morrison at Humboldt and was approved 29 May 1912 in Ottawa.9

 
Note.Played on Watson's soccer club.10 
MarriageHe married Ellen Wright, daughter of John Wright and Emma Mary Susanna Cox, on 22 Apr 1909 in Watson, Saskatchewan.11
 
1911 CensusWm Thos and Ellen Smart appeared on the 1911 Census of Saskatchewan, at Tp 38 Range 18 W2, enumerated 1 Jun 1911. William was born Sept 1885 in England, age 25, immigrated in 1905, English origin, religion Congregationalist, Clerk in an office, worked 52 weeks at 48 hr/wk for $1000, has $1000 life insurance costing $10. Ellen was born March 1889 in England, immigrated in 1904, English origin, and her religion was Church of England. They had a one-year old daughter, Mabel Nellie.5 
1916 CensusWilliam and Ellen Smart appeared on the 1916 Census of Watson, Saskatchewan, at Railway Avenue, enumerated 1 Jun 1916. William was 31, born in England, Anglican, immigrated in 1885 [sic], and was the Town Clerk. Ellen was 27, born in England, Anglican, and immigrated in 1889[sic]. Their children were Mabel (6) and Herbert (4). As well, they had 3 lodgers - a labourer, salesman and policeman from Luxemburg, USA, and Wales.12 
Note.On the 20th of April 1920, William T Smart of Watson Sask applied for $2,000 of whole life insurance payable to his wife Ellen Smart.
Information from the application: William Thomas Smart, age 36, born 8th September 1884, residence Watson, married, Town Clerk, joined Lodge No 166 March 25, 1920.
Has been vaccinated, had a cyst removed from face, had gunshot wound in leg with complete recovery, has always been sober and temperate in his habits.
Family health: father and mother age 60 and in good health, father's father died at 70 from general decline, father's mother died at 60 from a few week's fever, mother's father died at 75 of old age, mother's mother died at 72 of asthma. One brother age 34 and 5 sisters age 21-31, all in good health. No aunts or uncles with consumption, apoplexy, insanity, or chronic lung disease.
Examination: Height 5' 8 1/2", 150 lbs, chest at expiration 33", at inspiration 36", pulse 74, respirations 17, normal heart sounds.13 
Passenger ListWm Thos and Ellen Smart were listed on a manifest dated 12 Apr 1921 for the Canadian Pacific Empress of Britain, arriving in Liverpool from St John, New Brunswick. They were traveling second class, a clerk and a housewife, aged 36 and 31, and their address in England was to be Maplehurst, Ullswater Rd, Southgate, London [William's parents' residence].14 
1921 CensusWilliam and Nellie Smart appeared on the 1921 Census of Watson, Saskatchewan, at First Street West. They owned their single family 6-room wood house. William was 36, born in England, immigrated in 1905, and was Town clerk, earning $1500 the previous year. Nellie was 31, born in England, immigrated in 1905. Their children were Mabel (11) and Herbert (8), both born in Saskatchewan. William's religion was Congregational but I have yet to decipher what was recorded for Nellie.15 
Passenger ListWilliam Thomas and Ellen Smart each filled out a required Form 30A Declaration of Passenger to Canada upon their return trip, sailing 8 Jun 1921 on the Empress of France from Liverpool to Quebec. Information from the form: inland route CN Railway to Watson Saskatchewan; William Thomas was 36, born in London, British citizenship, religion Congregationalist, previously entered Canada at Halifax in 1906, left at Halifax April 4th 1921 to visit parents, booking agent J McNeal at Liverpool. Ellen was 31, born London, British citizen, religion Christian Scientist, previously entered Canada at Quebec in 1904.16 
(Mentioned) WillWilliam Thomas Smart was mentioned in the will of William James Smart dated 16 Aug 1921. Son William Thomas was to receive £50.17 
Voters' ListWm and Mrs W Smart appeared on the electoral roll in 1935 in Watson. Wm was the town clerk and his wife's occupation was 'married woman'. Also listed was their son, Bert, a clerk. Watson was in the electoral district of Humboldt.18 
Voters' ListW T, agent, & Mrs W T Smart appeared on the electoral roll in 1940 in Watson. Also in Watson was their son, H.W. Smart, town clerk.
They were listed the same way in 1945. Their son was by then married.18 
Voters' ListW J [sic], gentleman, and Mrs W T Smart appeared on the electoral roll in 1949 in Watson.18 
Voters' ListThe Smarts appeared on the electoral roll in 1953 in Vancouver, British Columbia. William, retired, and Mrs Ellen lived at 3550 West 18th Avenue. With them was their son Edward, stock clerk.18 
DeathWilliam died on 1 Oct 1955 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.2
 
BurialHe was buried in Watson. His wife Ellen's name is also recorded in Watson.19 
Last Edited18 Jun 2019

Citations

  1. Copy birth certificate of William Thomas Smart, born 8 September 1884, registered 16 October 1884 in the Registration District of Pancras.
  2. Letter from Mabel Inkster (Vancouver, B.C.) to J Kolthammer , 1989.
  3. 1891 Census for England & Wales, RG12/1059 folio 46.
  4. Image of the 1901 Census for England & Wales, RG 13 / 1237 folio 70 page 14.
  5. 1911 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Saskatchewan, Humboldt (209), Tp 39 Re 17 W2 & Tp 38 Re 18 W2 (subdist 13), page 8.
  6. Passenger Lists, 1865-1935, Library and Archives Canada images, viewed at Ancestry. SS Parisian, arrived in Halifax 24 March 1906.
  7. Webpage Norway-Heritage, Hands Across the Sea (http://www.norwayheritage.com/).
  8. Ben Putnam ed. Fifty Years of Progress: Chiefly the Story of the Pioneers of the Watson District 1900-1910, St Peter's Press, Muenster, Saskatchewan, (1950?) (Family History Library)", page 24."
  9. Homestead Application for NW 1/4 33-38-18 W2, granted by Dominion Lands Office to William Thomas Smart, Saskatchewan, 1912.
  10. Ben Putnam ed. Fifty Years of Progress: Chiefly the Story of the Pioneers of the Watson District 1900-1910, St Peter's Press, Muenster, Saskatchewan, (1950?) (Family History Library).
  11. Letter from Ellen McCafferty (British Columbia) to J Kolthammer, 1989; recalled the marriage year as 1908.
  12. 1916 Census for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Saskatchewan, District 18, ED 20 in Town of Watson, Page 5.
  13. Oddfellows Life Insurance Application for William Thomas Smart. Image viewed at Find My Past.
  14. Passenger Lists, 1865-1935, Library and Archives Canada images, viewed at Ancestry. SS Empress of Britain, arrived in Liverpool 12 April 1921.
  15. 1921 Census for Canada. Image from Library and Archives Canada viewed at Ancestry.com. Saskatchewan, Humboldt, SD 25, Page 5.
  16. Canada, Immigration Form 30A, 1919-1924, Library and Archives Canada (images viewed at ancestry.com) "forms for William Thomas Smart, Ellen Smart."
  17. Will and Administration of William James Smart of Southgate, 16 August 1921, proved in the Principal Probate Registry, 22 July 1922.
  18. Voters Lists, Federal Elections, 1935–1980. R1003-6-3-E (RG113-B). Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Images viewed at Ancestry.com.
  19. Saskatchewan, Canada, Burial Index, 1802-2011 created by the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society and viewed at Ancestry.