2nd Generation: Maud Howe
Born on 15 December 1871 to Henry H. Howe (NY, USA) & Mary V. Hughes (Canada).
Married Robert Elwyn McKinstry on 23 May 1888 in Ottawa, Carleton County, Ontario, Canada.
Died on 14 October 1897 in Ottawa, Carleton County, Ontario, Canada.
Maud Howe went by the name Maud Wood for a period of her life.
Maud Howe’s maiden name and the linkage to her biological father Henry H. Howe is complicated by the biological mother’s abandonment of Maud and her siblings at the Protestant Orphan Home of the City of Ottawa.
Vital records to confirm Maude’s parentage and date and place of birth have not been discovered.
There is no registration of marriage for Maud Howe marrying Robert Elwyn McKinstry, but there is a registration of marriage for the 17-year-old Maud Wood marrying the 20-year-old carpenter, Robert Elwyn McKinstry, both of Ottawa, on 23 May 1888.
The bride’s parents are listed as Robert and Maggie Wood.
In the 1881 Census of Canada, a 10-year-old Maud Wood is listed in the household of tailor Robert Wood and his wife Margaret.
Entry 329 shows Maud Howe, age 5 years, first entered on 6 January 1876.
On 25 September 1877, she is "indentured" to R. Wood, a tailor.
In the 'Remarks' column the following is written: "Married to a man named McKinstry + living in Ottawa."
Entry 328 shows Maud's older sister Mable who was "Removed by her mother" on 28 March 1877.
In the 1870 United States Federal Census, Mabel (1) is the daughter of 27-year-old Henry H. Hughes and Mary V. Howe (21), whose household includes Lulu Howe (2), Lucy A. Howe (53), and Gilbert Howe (31).
Lucy A. Howe is Henry’s mother, Lucy Almira Lockwood.
Gilbert Howe is Henry’s brother.
In the 1880 United States Federal Census, Mabel (11) is listed as the adoptive daughter of jeweler Gilbert M. Howe (41) and Matilda C. Howe (36).
It is possible that Gilbert and Matilda could not have children of their own, that they could not support all the Howe children, but that they decided to take in Mabel.
In the transcription of the probate of Gilbert M. Howe’s last will and testament dated 10 April 1894, his heirs at law and next of kin are listed as “Walter E. Howe of Potsdam N.Y. Mabel V. Howe, Methodist Episcopal Church of Madrid N.Y. Luella E. Howe of 95 Desplanis St. Chicago Ill. Mrs Robert McKinley 24 Loyd St. Ottawa, Ontario,” and he identifies Mabel V. Howe as his niece. The transcription seems to include minor errors. There is no Loyd Street in Ottawa, but there is a Lloyd Street; and Robert E. McKinstry, not McKinley, lived at 24 Lloyd Street in Ottawa. The Mrs. Robert McKinley in the probate records refers to Maud Howe, Robert Elwyn McKinstry’s wife, Mabel’s sister, and Henry H. Howe’s daughter.
Gilbert M. Howe is Maud Howe’s uncle, and Henry H. Howe is her father.