Rev. Thomas Henry, Anwoth and Quebec

The REV. THOMAS HENRY descended from the Kenmore Gordons of Lochinvar, was born in the parish of Anwoth, Scotland, in 1798, and was educated at the Edinburgh University; he was married 12th August, 1840, to Helen Dawson of Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland. He taught in the family of Hannay, of Rusco, in the Parish of Anwoth, and was tutor for several years in the family of John Stein, Esq., of Kilbage, Clackmannanshire, one of his pupils being James Duff, nephew of Mr. Stein and son of the Hon. Sir Alexander Duff, G.C.H., Colonel of the 37th Regiment of Foot. The same James Duff was the father of the present Duke of Fife, son-in-law of the Prince of Wales.

In 1840, the Colonial Committee of the Church of Scotland sent Mr. Henry to Montreal, where he resided for a few months in charge of a city mission, when he was called to the Church of Scotland congregation at Lachute [near Montreal]. At the Disruption in 1844, he severed his connection with that Church, casting in his lot with the Free Church. His congregation, with the exception of one or two families, went with him, and, later, every one of these families joined the Free Church. Henry’s Church was then formed as the Free Church, of which Mr. Henry was pastor for twenty-four years. He always took a deep interest in education, and was the first Principal of Lachute Academy, commencing that institution in his own study, the room at present occupied by his son, William Henry, as an office. It was subsequently removed to the basement of Henry’s Church, until suitable buildings were erected for it.

Mr. Henry died in Lachute, 15th July, 1868; Mrs. Henry, also, died in Lachute, 18th June, 1884. They had six children: Robert Hugh died in infancy; Grace Jane married Thomas Barron, Registrar, of Lachute; Thomas Hugh died 1889; Helen, a teacher, died 1887; William, Secretary-Treasurer of Lachute School Commissioners; Katherine Stein, teacher, of Lachute.

Notes: According to research results found on the Internet, Rev. Thomas Henry’s parents were Hugh Henry and Jane Dixon. Their gravestone is found at Anwoth churchyard and reads as follows:

Erected by Hugh Henry in Killron in memory of Jennet Henry his daughter who died Decr 7th 1818 aged 18 years. Also the erector Hugh Henry who died August 12th 1820 aged 72 years. Also his spouse Jean Dickson who died July 10th 1823 aged 66 years.

Reverse: Interred in front of this stone John the son of the erector who died 28th Augt 1833 aged 32 years. Also James who died at Valleyfield 30th September 1850 aged 68 years.

External Links:

• History of the counties of Argenteuil, Que. and Prescott, Ont., from the earliest settlement to the present.
• Henrys of Anwoth Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland on ancestry.com