From the Canadian Courts 2001 Family reunion paper
This is the 100th year since the first Court's entered Alberta Canada
The first to come to Alberta was George Edward Court. He was followed by his wife, Margaret Shields Court and their three children, George Owen, Myrtle Louise and Clifford Milton. Others who made the migration into Canada were the parents of George, Tomas Owen and Louise Swinyard Court as well as Samual Swinyard, father to Louisa.
As they lived and worked together, they laid the groundword and prepared the way for each of their children and the prosterity that would follow.
== From the Court Chronicals 2nd Edition June 1991 (and they got it from a clipping from an old Raymond paper when peas and corn sold for 10 cents a tin. Written by someone in Raymond)
Saluting a Pioneer... A word about George E. Court
Mr. Court was born in Faversham, Kent, England. The fact may be a surprise to some, as Mr. Court is so connected with Utah, tha many folks think he was born there. His Utah home was in Salt Lake Country. A the turn of the century, Alberta received a lot of publicity in the western States. George Court was intrigued and came to Raymond. It is hard to picture Raymond without homes and businesss houses, but at the time of Mr. Court's arrival there was no one complete house. There was not even a Chinese restaurant. The first house built was teh F.B. Rolfson home. Mr. Court helped build that and also other houses. He has been a builder ever since. George Court has played an active part in teh public life of Raymond for over 20 years. he is listed as one of the past Mayors of the town. At the present time he is an Alderman.
In his hobbies he is also a pioneer. As an amateur actor he has been intimately connected with theotricals since Raymond's first days. He has run the gamut of emotions from old time melodrama to sophisticated modern drama. He has shown the spirit of cooperation here too. One young director was timid about directing George Court because of his greater experience Mr. Court put everyone at their ease by saying the director was boss and tehat he, Mr. Court, would take order and play the role according to the young directors interpretation.
George Court as a citizen and officer of the town is the quiet persistant type. He is frank in expressing his convictions. His expreriences have given him a broad human viewpoin on life and affairs. He is the type of man, one likes to call friend. == From the Court Chronicals 2nd Edition June 1991
This family has a vast amount of musical talent, which has become a very imporatn part of our heritage. Some of you many not know that one of the originators, George E. Court was a very talented entertainer, preforming and directing many of the local drama productions both in Utah and in Raymond. He was the first choir leader in Raymond as well as being a member of one of the first marching bands and dance band as well. We all know what a beautiful signing voice Alice Howard Court was blessed with, as she entertained many in this areas with her songs. She often spoke of the musical talent that her first husband Will Howard had. He sang and played the concertina in his day.
We all have fond memories of John and Roi Howard singing and playing their guitars. I fthey had lived in teh "Nashville" time they would have made the big time for sure. Ted Court was right up there with them as was Lois Kinniburgh and Alice Mitchell --------ah ---- memories.
== Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s (Genealogy.com)
Court, George Event: Living Year: 1911 Place: Raymond Province of record source: Alberta County of record source: Medicine Hat Comments: Farmer. Source: Henderson's Alberta Gazetteer and Directory for 1911. Volume/Page(s): 774 Please note: The province and county are associated with the location of the record source and in some cases may not be the same as the place where the event occured.
====
George Edward Owen Swinyard Court 1869 - 1949 George Edward Owen Court was born April 19, 1869. He was born in the town of Fabersham, in the county of Kent, in England. His father was Own Thomas Court and his mother was Louisa Sarah Swinyard. He was their first child. Queen Victoria was the Queen of Great Britain at the time. Abraham Lincoln had been buried exactly 4 years prior to his birth and Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the USA. The population of the USA was just 39,000,000. Canada was just a country of two years and Sir John A. Macdonald was the Prime Minister. Mahatma Gandi was born on the same day and the same year. Wild Bill Hickock was in his prime and would not die for another 7 years; Mark Twain and Thomas Edison were just getting started; and Louis Riel from Canada would not be hung for treason for another 16 years. George would live until he was 80 years old, reside in two more countries beside England, become the father to 24 children, (seeing 18 of them grow to adults) grow up in the horse and buggy era and witnessed the emergence of the automobile, the airplane, and the television. He lived through two world wars and had 11 of his descendents fight in those wars and all survived; He buried his first wife in Raymond, Alberta, Canada, married again and fathered children until he was 62 years old. At the time of this writing, 132 years after his birth, there are still 8 or 24 of his children still alive.
132 years have passed. George has been dead for 52 years. As we explore his past and read his journals we can understand what pulls us all together as a family.
Historically, the Count family was involved in the farming, but by the time George was born, his family had been master masons for five generations (as in the brick and stone construction). England at that time was in the middle of an industrial and religious revolution. George's grand-parents embraced the Mormon religion in the year 1952. At this time many people were migrating to the Americas for a chance of more economical and religious freedom. George's grandfather, Thomas Court, became a Mormon Branch President (like a Bishop) and even baptized George's mother, Louisa S. Swinyard, into the church when she was just 14. When she was 18, she married Tomas's son, Owen Thomas and shortly thereafter George was born. Thomas was in charge of a group of Mormons in England and in 1969 his whole congregation migrated to North America and then to Utah to be with the Mormons there. Many Mormons like to trace their ancestors back to the ones that walked over the plains to come to Utah. Many of them traveled for 30 days or more by boat from England, and then walked for 2 or 3 months until they arrived in Utah. I like to think that Thomas was a little smarter than that. Louisa writes that they sailed from England in a steamboat named Minnesota. George was 5 months old at the time. That trip took only about 11 days because it was a steam ship and not a sailboat. In May of that same year, 1869, the first railray across the continent was completed. Thomas timed it right, and after 11 days at sea, they arrived in New York. They then got on a train and in a few days arrived in Ogden, Utah on October 29, 1869. Owen and Louisa would have 2 more children born in Salt Lake, Tom and Florence.
As George grew up in Utah, he would witness a number of historical events. A lot of these he would write down in his journal and from these we can piece together a history of his life. I would like to just touch on a few of these, the rest you can read for yourself as I have included some of them in this booklet.
George's first recollections were living on 3rd Street South in Salt Lake City. Then they moved to a house between 7th and 8th South on Main Street in Salt Lake City. In April of 1876, when he was 7 years old, he remembered when the powder magazines stored on Capital hill blew up. There were 5 buildings filled with explosives and when one went off the rest followed. George was playing marbles less then 1 mile away. In 1877 he remembered being baptized in the Jordan river and confirmed a member of the Mormon Church by his grandfather, Thomas Court. That same year George remembered very distinctly the death of the Mormon Prophet, Brigham Young. "I have a very distinct recollection of President Young as he lay in his casket. His body lay in state in the big tabernacle during the forenoon of his funeral, while thousands of people passed by."
In 1878, the family moved to West Jordan in Utah. George remembered in detail the one room log house that his father, mother and three small children lived in. This same year his grandmother Court (Amelia) passed away and was buried in the East Bouniful cemetery. (Thomas was also buried there when he passed away.) Uncle Max and I (his child) have gone to the cemetery to locate the grave and have been unsuccessful. We have the records that they are there, but there are about 300 unmarked graves there. Thomas and Amelia are among them.
George's father Owen worked at many jobs to keep the family going. He was a good bricklayer and as such was able to secure enough work to eventually secure an 18 acre farm in West Jordan and built a 4 room brick home. In 1885, at the age of 16, George went to work on his own. He farmed to start with (earning $20.00 per month, which was very good in those days), herded sheep, sheared sheep, worked construction, worked on the railroad, drove teams of horses and any number of other jobs to keep going. On July 18, 1989, his Grandmother Swinyard died. George was 20 years old at the time.
George was very active in the Mormon Church when he was younger. He taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, was secretary of his Elders Quorum, and even served a mission for the church when he was called to go to Brigham City to organize the first Church youth group there.
In 1890, George was 21 and he decided it was time to get married. He finally convinced Margaret Geneva Sheilds to marry him on November 24, 1890. 10 months later boy number 1, came along. They named him George Owen Court. In 1892 George finished building his own home and they moved in. Life looked like it was treating George well and on September 30, 1893, Edward Thomas was born, four months later he passed away (the first of 3 young baby boys that didn't make it. They are all three buried side by side in the South Jordan Cemetery that is situated about 4 blocks south of the Jordan Temple in South Jordan). By the year 1899, George was 30 years old, had fathered 5 children, had buried 3 of them, had spent more time in the desert herding sheep than he had spent at home. He was ready for a change.
On August 29, 1901, George arrived in Canada and after a few months declared that this was the land of opportunity that he had been looking for and that here he would make a home for his family. "My mind is made up…Raymond is the place for me." He would also write. "I have had the honor of helping to build the first house in Raymond" Sir Wilfred Laurier was the Prime Minister of Canada at the time. Within months George had made preparations to have his wife, family, and his parents move to Raymond where he had built a house and soon secured a small farm west of town to raise his family. He made a comfortable living by working very hard. His pride and joy was the large gardens which he raised. Margaret had borne him 15 children (6 of whom had died) and on July 29, 1918, she passed away after having given birth to their last child.
December 8, 1919, George a widower with 6 young children at home and 3 grown children, married Alice McEvitt Howard, a widow with 2 small children. George was 49 years old at the time and fathered 7 more children with Alice. George continued working as a farmer, mason, businessman, and father until he passed away on June 28, 1949.
George had accomplished many things in his life. He had served in many capacities in the LDS Church, such as superintendent of the Sunday School, ward choir leader, YMMIA as a missionary in Brigham, Utah. He was an active member of the community. He was the first choir leader in Raymond, active in the drama organization and a member of the band and the dance band. He served a term as Mayor of Raymond and served 20 years as a councilman. One man in talking of George said: "George Court as a citizen and officer of the town is the quiet persistent type. He is frank in expressing his convictions. His experiences have given him a broad human viewpoint on life and affairs. He is the type of man one likes to call a friend"
When asked about his experiences and accomplishments George said "Our dreams didn't all come true, our air castles were not all built, but I don't think I'd have done any better or have been more content in Utah. At any rate, I'd never trade my experiences, the thrill of helping to organize a new country and the independence I have gained for the ordinary uneventful life which I might have led. There is an old adage 'Life is what you make it.' Although we look back and see the many mistakes we have made, I think it most probable, that if we had our lives to live over, we would make just as many mistakes and have just as many problems to cope with."
One of George's children stated it best: "My childhood was spent with the best people alive…a loving father and mother and caring brothers and sisters. I remember Dad and his great love for my Mother. He was a big-hearted man who dedicated his life to his family, and to his civic responsibilities in the town of Raymond. He demanded and got respect from his children and in return gave himself totally to their welfare."
George is gone and many of his children and descendents have followed him. July 1, 2001 is the day that the town of Raymond will celebrate its 100th birthday. The Court family will also be there to celebrate with Raymond the past that has brought us all together. If you have but a drop of George's blood in you, you have a heritage rich in honor and devotion to those around you. Continue to remember who we are and whom we came from. George ended most of this letters with this "give my love to all the folks and kiss the dear little ones for Papa. From your loving George"
==== From the Court Line George Edward Owen Court - born 1869 - married Margaret Geneva Shields, had 15 children of which 9 survived, Alice McEvitt Howard married William Howard, Alice and William had 4 children of which 2 survived. Margaret and William died. George married Alica and they had 7 children of which all survived, William was buried at sea, George, Margaret, and Alice are buried in Raymond, Alberta.
== Raymond Museum In August 1901 - Land was for sale at ten dollars an acre, a dollar down, and a dollar a year at 6% interest (C.D. Peterson)
1901 The first to come to Alberta was George Edward Court. He was followed by his wife, Margaret Shields Court and their three children, George Owen, Myrtle Louise and Clifford Milton. Myrtle Louise Court married Laffery.
1902 Owen Thomas Court, and Louisa Sarah Swinyard
Picture of George Court building Opera House in 1908 (14 people in picture he is L to R, 10th in with O.T. Court the 11th person standing) Urual O'Brian Orchestra picture from May 1909, L to R, D.A Bennett on Cello, Ina Erickson on Piano, Walter Berryessa Cornet, Ray Fairbanks trombone, Urual O'Brian on Violin, Earl Stone on Piano, and George Court on Bass Viol.
Raymond Military Band - 1907 with William Rouse as leader, George Court, Allie Bennett, Henry Smith, Roy Fairbanks, Walter Berryessa, Royal Owens, Henry Salmon, Uriel O'Brian, Albert Powell, Anmon Mercer, Nels Eliason, Irvin Fawns, and Westly McMullin as original Members.
George E. Court, The Mayor of Raymond 1925-1927.
=== Page 392 Court, Geo. Edward married Margaret Shields and their children are:Clifford, Myrtle, George, Ethel, Ronald, David and Marguerite. His second wife was Alice McEvitt Howard. Their children are: Alice, Lois, Bette, Hugh, Max, Mary, "Tim" Howard, John Howard, Roy Howard, Francis Howard and Ruby Howard. Mr. Court and his first wife and family came from South Jordan, Utah in Octover 1901. he was a Mason, Carpenter an dcame here to buy land and farm. He was on the town Councel for 17 years, Mayor of Raymond two years, Manager of the Opera House for many years. Mr Court was the first choir leader in Raymond, Drama leader and played in Town Band and Orchestra. His second wife arrived in Raymond in from England in 1911 - Alice Howard Court. == Schooling commenced - Salt Lake city 1874 Served as Councilman Dec 13, 1913 - 1926 Served as Mayor July 12, 1926 - 1928 Served as Councilman Feb 1932 - 1938
Died of a heart condition == Raymond Remembered more on Page 120-121, plus 3 pictures.
==== Short Sketch of the Life of George E. Court. (Written from Memory 1946) I was born at Faversham Kent Co. England 19th of April 1869 and came to America the same year on the Steamship Minnesota. Arrived in Utah 5th of October the same year. The railway was completed across the continent that same year, but not to Salt Lake City till the next year, 1870. I do not remember much about my early life in Salt Lake City. My earliest recollection was we were living on Third South Street in the 14th ward and seventh ward. My uncle's name was David M. Evans. Later on we moved to the 4th ward between 7th and 8th south on Main Street. From then on my memory is pretty good. I remember my mother taking me to school at the age of five and my first teacher's name was Mrs. Bailey. The bishop of our ward was Harrison Sperry; also my first Sundary school I attened was in that ward. Among the boys that I played with at tat time were two who I was to meet later on in life, they were Dick and Charlie Kinsey who both moved to Canada about the same time I did. One thing happened in april 1876 that I never forgot. The powder magazines at that time were built along the hill where the Utah State Capital building now stands. There was five buildings all filled iwth explosives, one of those was accidentlly set off and the rest of them went one at a time. I was playing marbles at the time when teh first one went off. By the time the next one let go the kids were all running for home and mohters were just as scared as we were, less than a mile away.
In the spring of 1877 we moved from the city to a place just north of what is now called Becks Hot Springs, at that time the south part of South Bountiful ward. In August 1877, I was baptized by Bishop James Brown of the Bountiful ward; I was baptized in the Jordan River together with several others. I was confirmed by my grandfather, Thomas Court. Another event of historical importance took place that year, the death of President Brigham Young. I have a very distinct recollection of President Young as he lay in his casket. His body was laying in state in the big tabernacle during the fornoon on the day of his funeral, while thousands of people passed by.
In the spring of 1878 we moved from South Bountiful to West Jordan, we were pioneering. We moved into a one-room log house, my father, mother and three children. Shortly after leaving Sourth Bountiful my granmother Court died, her body lies in the cemetery at East Bountiful. The following year I was sent back to Slat Lake to go to school. I was there for about a year living with my aunt. The next few years were uneventful as we moved from farm to farm alway sin the West Jordan ward. At aht time the Meeting house was the Little Rock Church, near the cemetery, it is still there. Archie Gardner was bishop of the ward at that time.
When I was 14 years, Father bought a farm of 18 acres from William Wardle. The next year we built a brick house of four rooms and at last we had a home of our own. I helped him break and plant the land, set out trees, etc. In 1885 I started to make my own living by going to work for Bishop John Egbert of the West Jordan ward. My wages were twenty per month and board, fair wages for farm work at that time. Early that same summer Father sent me to the east part of the State to herd sheep. From then on for the next four years I spend most of my time away from home at work. Times were pretty tough in the West, although in the eighties one had to get employment where one could. I herded sheep, helped to build railroads, sheared sheep or anything else I could get to do. But if I went far enough and was not too particular I could always get a job of some kind. There was no Government relief in those days; it was root hog or die.
And so the time passed on until the year 1980. All o fthe winter of '89 and '90 I was working in Salt Lake City. In February of that year was perhaps the most bitterly contested election ever fought in Salt Lake City, between teh People party (Mormon) and Liberal party (Gentiles). The feeling was very bitter between two factions, but when the votes were counted the Liberals were elected. Teh mayor and most of the council then began their work by borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars and commenced a program of public works, which created a boom for a short time and everyone had a job. But at the end of their term, because of their extravagance, they were kicked out. But that ended the fight between the two parties. After that they were divided on party lines. Democrat and Republican and gradually the old bitterness and hatreds died away and today Salt Lake City is one of the finest cities in the west.
He moved to Canada on August 29, 1901. Was married 24th of November 1980. Margaret died 29 of July 1918, Dad and mom were married December 8, 1919.
===== Short Sketch of my life written from Memory 1948
I was born at Faversham, Kent County, England, April 19th 1869. The oldest son of Owen Thomas Court and Louisa Sarah Swinyard. I came to Utah with my parents, together with my father's mother, and father an some other friends by the name of John Milgate with wife. We arrived in Ogden, Utah, October 15th 1869. This was the year the Union Pacific Railroad was completed in May, the first railway across the continent. At that time there was no railway to Salt Lake City. That was built the next year, 1870.
We were met at Ogden by my father's sister and her husband, and were given our first ride in a wagon, pulled by a pair of mules the distance of about 40 miles from Salt Lake City. My folks had been converted to Mormonism since 1852, when my grandfather joined the church. My mother's parents came six years later, 1875.
I do not remember much about things at that time. My earliest recollection: we were living in the 14th Ward on 3rd South, and my Uncle and Aunt D. M. Evans, lived just across the street in the 7th Ward. About that time my foks moved ot West Jordan and lived with my mother's aunt, Louie higgins. We spent the winter there and during that time my father worked at helping dig what is now known as the South Jordan Canal.
The people were all very poor in those days and without irrigation they could not survive. Now a word about the home of those people who were working so hard under those trying conditions. I will try and describe the house or cabin that my brother Tom was born in on March 4th 1871. It was a one room log cabin, about 16 or 1 feet square, a dirt floor, and a dirt roof. The roof was gable shape, with slabs or rough boards laying across leg foists or perlime willows on top of the board and the whole covered with about 12 inches of dirt, thrown over the whole roof. I saw this cabin many times, in later years, when I was old enough to describe it. Now the people who live in the cabin at this time comprise of Louie and her husband, their three daughters, and two nearly grown boys, and then my parents and myself, two years old at that time, 10 of us, and under those conditions, my brother Tom was born. Now 77 years at this time, 1945. After event, we moved back to Salt Lake City, and lived in the 4th ward on Main St. between 7th and 8th South, the very last house on Main Street at that time. From that time, I began to remember some of the things that impressed itself on my mind.
The first thing of importance was the birth of my sister Florence, who was born April 24th, 1873. You as I was, have a faint recollection of the event. At that time an epidemic of small pox was raging in the city, and of course we had it in our faimily. I and brother Tom were inflicted but were left without marks, but our baby sister only nine days old and mother was still confined to her bed, when the baby was stricken with the disease and her face was badly marked all her life. Mother escaped it entirely and so did my father, which was fortunate, as he had to be nurse, cook, and general housemaid.
The next event of importance in my life in my life was going to school. I remember my mother taking me the first time. I was 5 years old at the time. The school was in the 4th Ward, only two blocks form home. A Miss Baylie was our teacher. We seemed to get along all right, although I must have beeen a spoiled brat, because the next year we had a male teacher, an old Texas Ranger Officer. He surely believed in discipline. I know, because the very first day of school, he grabbed me, by the back of the neck and swept the floor with me. He bounced me all over the floor and between boucnes he used his cane on whatever part of my anatomy was the most available. So much for my early school days.
My first Sunday school was in the 4th Ward. At that time Harrison Sperry was our bishop. At this time, I used to play with 2 small boys, who lived across the street from us. Their names were Charles and Dick Kinsey. After we moved from there i neve saw or heard of them again till I moved to Canada and there I met them again, and became well acquainted with them again, as long as they lived.
One thing happened in April 1876, that I have never forgotten. The powder magazines were built at that time on the hill north of the city about where teh State Capital Building now stands. Explosives were stored in there, from which they could be moved and sent to various places, where they were needed in large amounts. There were five of the buildings and no one knows how, but one of them was set off and all five of them exploded on after the other. I was playing marbles with some other boys just ten blocks away when the first one let go. We all started for home and mother. Mother was just as frightneed as we were. Three young boys were killed and it was supposed they were the ones responsible, as their bodies were found scattered around, near by.
In the spring of 1877, we moved from Salt Lake City to a place north of the city. One mile north of what is called Beeks Hot Springs. In those days the spring was open and ran across the road into a lake called hot Spring Lake. This lake was formed partly from the springan dpart from an arm of the Jordan River. This lake has been dry for many years. Lots of fish were in the lak in those days and were caught mostly with nets. We lived close to the mountains and my grandparents lived just north of us in a house owned by a Mr. Crossley, who had a brewery just east of their home. Their son John Crossley was just about the only playmate we had in that district.
That same year 1877, in August, President Brigham Young died. I will remember him on the day of is funeral. Thousand of people passed before his casket, as he lay in state all during forenoon of the day of his funeral in the big Tabernacle. His face was so engraved on my memory, I shall never forget it.
The same year August 26th, I was baptized in the River Jordan by Bishop James Brown of the South Bountiful Ward and confirmed by my Grandfather Court on the same day.
In 1878 we moved to West jordan and worked on a farm owned by John Needham of Salt Lake City . We were still pioneering and lived in a one room log house. Shortly after moving, my grandmother court died on april 14th 1878. Archibald Gardener was Bishop of West Jordan at that time and the little rock meeting house where we held Sunday School and meetings is still there. That little old church holds many happy memories for me. It was there, the first primary Association in our Ward was organized by Eliza R. Snow and others. I was young enough to become a member and I have a reward of merit card signed by the President, showing my activities for that year.
While living on this farm I was sent back to Salt Lake City to school. I stayed with my aunt a yar and then back to the farm again. pretty soon we moved to another farm, owned by F.A. Cooper Sr. Still in the same ward, and after a short time to antoher farm, owned by William Hutchison. The farms were all small and run down and Father had to depend on other work to keep things going. He was a bricklayer and whil on the Hutchison farm, he got a chance to build a large house for William Wardle and take land for pay. In this way we secured 18 acres of unimporved land. The following year, by all pulling together we managed to build a four room brick house. At last, we had a home of our own. I worked around home for a year or so, helping to get the place in shape, building ditches and setting out an orchards, etc.
(Contined on Margaret's notes) =========== 1900 census could read and write as well as speak english. Owned property ===========
More About George Edward Court: Ancestral File Number: 27R5-5G.1118 Baptism: 26 August 18771118 Burial: 4 July 1949, Temple Hill Cemetery, Raymond, Alberta, Canada.1118 Census 1: 1900, Utah, Salt Lake County, Roll 1685 Book 1, Page 215a.1118 Census 2: 1870, Utah, SALT LAKE, Roll 1611 Book 1, Page 585a.1118 Census 3: 1880, Utah, SALT LAKE, Roll 1337 Book 1, Page 294a .1118 Endowment (LDS): 17 May 18931118 Immigration 1: 1901, USA to Canada.1118 Immigration 2: 1869, England to USA.1118 Occupation: 1900, Farmer.1118 Researched: 18 October 2004, http://www.ancestry.co.uk/default.aspx (0).1118 Residence 1: 1906, Raymond, Alberta, Canada.1118 Residence 2: 1870, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.1118 Residence 3: 1880, South Jordan, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA.1118 Residence 4: 1900, West Jordan Precinct, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA.1118 Sealed to parents (LDS): 17 May 18931118
More About George Edward Court and Margaret Geneva Shields: Marriage: 24 November 1890, Ospring, England.1118
Children of George Edward Court and Margaret Geneva Shields are:
+George Owen Court, b. 21 September 1891, South Jordon, Salt Lake, Utah, USA1119, 1120, d. 10 May 1955, Portland, Oregon1120.
George Edward Court (b. 19 April 1869, d. 28 June 1949)
Notes for George Edward Court: