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Note: Notes from Bill McGee 2008: Thomas had a challenging childhood. His father, John, had died when he was very young. He left home at an early age and lived with the Maley's in Kemptville for some time and worked as a clerk, probably in the Maley's store. He had known cousin Martha for some time because she lived at home at the brewery just down the street. Tom and Martha fell in love and were married in early 1861. This was not viewed very positively by the Church and they must have been under a great deal of pressure from the community. They went to Watertown, New York and in late 1861, son Lincoln was born, no doubt names after the popular US president Abraham Lincoln. They moved back to Oxford-on-Rideau and probably lived with Tom's mother Ann and brother John until Tom could build a house for his new family. With 100 acres of the family farm, Tom built Rosemond Farm. The stone farmhouse was two stories and set in an open area. There was a large grove of cedars at the back of the property. A large apple orchard was on one side of the house and a large garden on the front and other side. There was also a log cabin in the rear--perhaps this was built by John Beckett, Tom's father. Daughter Imogene was born May 9, 1864 on the farm followed by Arthur and Harriet in 1867, Florence in 1870, Ernest in 1872, Thomas 1875, Edmund 1883, Reid in 1887 and Georgina in 1894. Tom and Martha raised their children on the farm. They loved their children very much and wanted the best for them. When Imogene had her first child, Martha wrote a touching letter to her. The letter also offered some advice to Imogene about recovering after bearing a child. The children moved away, one by one. In 1911, Thomas died. Lincoln moved home and was left the cattle in Tom's Will. He operated the farm for several years. Martha lived on the farm with Lincoln and his wife Mary until she died in 1929. His obituary reads: "The sudden and pathetic death of Thomas Beckett has caused profound regret among the vast number of friends in this Township. He died suddenly of heart failure while seated on his milk wagon in front of the cheese factory at Oxford Mills last Saturday morning. Up to within a few minutes of death, he had been in apparently good health and his demise came as a great surprise to his relatives and many friends. Last Friday, Mr. Beckett came to Kemptville and transacted some business and then returned home to Oxford Mills. He was in apparent good health and early Saturday morning started for the cheese factory. Upon reaching the factory, he called one of the employees out to his wagon. He gave an order and the employee went back into the factory. When he returned he found the deceased sitting on the wagon with his head tilted backwards. He spoke to Mr. Beckett but receiving no reply hurried for assistance. Later it was found that Mr. Beckett had died of heart failure. He was one of the best citizens of the community and his loss will be felt by his many friends. He was born and spent all his life on the farm at Oxford Mills. He was 78 years old on May 16th last. About 52 years ago he married Martha Beckett who with five sons and two daughters to survive. Of the five sons, Lincoln and Arthur are at home; Thomas A. is in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Reid in Moose Jaw, Saskatoon; and the daughters are Mrs McGee of Chesterville, and Mrs. H.H. Laing of Cobalt. All the children but Reid who is in Moose Jaw, were home for the funeral. Deceased is also survived by one brother John of Oxford Mills, and Mrs. Andrew Henderson of Marlborough. The funeral was held on Tuesday from the Beckett home and services were held at St. John's Church at Oxford Mills, Rev. W. G. Swayne officiating. Interment was made at Oxford Mills Cemetery".
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