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Date(s)
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1854 - 1891, added material 1933 and 1966 (Creation)
- Creator
- Barrett, Theobald Butler
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Physical description
24.2 cm of textual records
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Biographical history
Theobald Butler Barrett was born in Banagher, Queen's County, Ireland on November 17, 1817, the 4th of 16 children of Hugh Massey Barrett and Caroline Barrett (née Butler). The Barretts immigrated to Canada in May of 1830 aboard the ship 'Bolivar,' settling in Sorel, a community located 90 kilometres north-east of Montreal along the south bank of the St. Lawrence River.
In 1837, Theobald and his older brother William joined the militia; early in his career, Theobald served with a mounted regiment billeted in Kingston, Ontario. Twenty years later, on September 24, 1857, Barrett was appointed an Ensign in the First Battalion Norfolk Militia. On August 26, 1858, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant; by March of 1869, he had advanced to the rank of captain (with seniority) and was given command of the Seventh Company Division.
In the early 1840's, Barrett served as a constable of Rural Police where he was, for 10 months, in charge of the local police station. He was promoted to chief constable of the Berthier Section of the Rural Police on November 1, 1841 and he remained in this position for over a year. Later in his life, Barrett also served as the assistant sheriff in the town of Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ontario.
Theobald Butler Barrett married Emily Langs on March 12, 1850; they settled on Bridge Street in Port Dover, Ontario. Theobald and Emily raised seven children:
Phoebe Caroline (b. 1851)
Hugh Jacob Francis (b. 1854)
Emily Louisa (b. 1857)
Clara Georgina (b. 1859)
Alice Butler (b. 1861)
William Henry (b. 1864)
Hubert Baldwin (b. 1867)
On July 7, 1853, the governor general, James, Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, appointed Barrett as landing waiter and clerk in the Customs Service at Port Dover - a position he would hold for 15 years. On February 9, 1869 he was appointed to the position of collector in Her Majesty's Customs for the town of Port Dover. Upon his January, 1892 retirement, at the age of 75, Barrett had dedicated almost 40 years of his life in service to the Crown.
Known by his children and grandchildren as 'Fa' Theobald Butler Barrett died on December 10, 1910, at the age of 93.
Custodial history
Scope and content
The fonds consists of materials related to Theobald Butler Barrett's professional activities as landing waiter and clerk, and as collector for the town of Port Dover. Included are legal documents, financial records, correspondence, and miscellaneous documents.
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Correspondence included with the fonds indicates that they were donated, in 1933, to the University of Western Ontario by Mr. W. A. Gordon of Port Dover who discovered them while clearing out an old store cellar.
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