The family of William Gavin and Agnes Barr appear in the 1891 census for Dalhousie Twp, Lanark County, but by 1897 they have moved to Livingstone Creek, in Thessalon, Algoma (Northern Ontario). They were one of the earliest Gavin families to move north in Ontario, although some other siblings had moved farther west to Manitoba.It seems that William's family, or at least their eldest son, spent some time in Muskoka. Archie Gavin, son of Will Gavin and Jessie Brewster, said that his father talked of 'Bob' Gavin, a dashing young man who used to visit in Muskoka when they were young. He became acquainted with his Muskoka cousins and in the fall of 1897, young and single Robert Gavin wrote a playful letter to his cousin, Maggie Gavin, in Muskoka. His sense of humour is revealed in these lines. Robert died tragically at about 31, and his cousin saved this letter.
Livingston Creek
Sep 3, 1897
Dear Cusin,
I now sit down to rite you a few lines. I should have rote to you before this, but I was riting to Minnie and Bob, so I thought you wood hear all the news.
Well, Maggie, I wood like to see you again, I often think on the times we had. We had a few rows, but I wish we were close enough to have another.
Ab (Maggie's brother?) and Alf (Robert's brother) is in the camp. I will be going in a few days. I wonder how Flory is. Well, I have a better girl here. She is not as long but she is a lot nicer. I think I will get married next spring. That is our way of thinking just now. She is a good girl. If you are at home, you will see her picture .
How is you and 'Smily' (apparently a Hillman fellow) getting along. Well, maybe I should not say that but it is just for fun. I had a letter from Minnie. I thought I would right to you first and let her wait for a little while.
Pa and me is bisy at the harvest just now. I have it harder than I had down there.
Is Alex and Jim at home. Marg/Mary? (his sister?) got married this spring. She has a good man. Me and my girl stood up for them. He is a blacksmith. He has a good shop and does good work.
You better come up here this fall or next spring. Times is very quiet just now.
Well Maggie, I have not much news this time, so I will draw to a close. Hoping you will never get your feet wet till I shove you in the lake.
I will send this home, and if you are not there, they will send it to you.
From your cusin,
Robert Gav
You can take a kiss XXXXXX but they are a poor rig on paper.
Livingston Creek P.O.
(name in on-line census appears as PAVIN)
Gavin, William, Head.................b. Nov 19, 1849, 51
Gavin, Agnes B., Wife.....................b. Apr 5, 1851, 49
Gavin, Charlotte, Dau.....................b. May 16, 1871, 29
Gavin, Mabel, Dau..........................b. Aug 29, 1889, 11
Gavin, Ida M., Dau..........................b. Oct 7, 1899, 1
Gavin, Sophia, Dau.........................b. Feb 1, 1884, 17
(the next family is William's son)
**Gavin, Robert, Head.............. b. May 12, 1873, 27
Gavin, Mary, Wife..........................b. Feb 25, 1878, 23
Gavin, Ethel F., Dau..........................b. May 31, 1899, 13
Gavin, William, Son..........................b. Mar 26, 1901, 1/12
**Robert Gavin, b. Poland, Ontario, died -Nov, 1905
Farmer, (single?) killed by a falling tree
NW1/4 Lot, Concession 21,
Algoma doctor attended a few hours
(Family notes: died in a logging accident near old Wright Shingle Mill in North Livingston Creek, East of Thessalon, Ontario
