Version 6.01

11 February 2025

David March © 2014

HAROLD BEECHAM TROTTER

Harold Beecham Trotter was born on 6 June 1891 in Woodburn, Pittsburg Township, Frontenac, Ontario to James Trotter (1852-1899) and Katharine (Kate) Scott (1860-1923). His siblings were Ewart Gladstone (1885-1907), James "Bruce" (1887-1973), Mary Florence (1889) and Edith Alberta (1893-1909). In 1901, the Trotter family was living in Pittsburgh Township. In 1911 Harold, his mother and his sister, Mary, were living in Kingston, Ontario. It is speculated that Harold may have moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan around 1918, where he worked as a clerk in Fawcett Hardware in 1918 and 1919. The name Harold B Trotter appeared in the Saskatoon Henderson Directories in 1918 and 1919 at 412 22nd St E. This address was also listed for Mrs. Mary Fuller who, in various census records, generally had lodgers. As no Saskatoon census record existed for the Harold B Trotter that once lived in Saskatoon, it was impossible to verify that Harold Beecham Trotter was the same person. However, an exhaustive search for other Harold B Trotters revealed no other possibilities.

In 1921, Harold, who was listed as a store manager, was lodging with the Leander and Annie Baker family in Portland Township, Frontenac, Ontario. Harold married Phyllis Blanchard Coates on 5 September 1927 in Kingston. She was born on 14 November 1900 in Kingston to Frank Willis Coates (b 1872) and Martha Mary Louise Blanchard (b 1872). It appeared that she was an only child as she was the only child listed with her parents in the 1901 and 1921 Kingston census records. Family trees on Ancestry indicated that Phyllis died in 1940 in Kingston and that Harold married Mildred Beatrice Carlson in 1942.

There is some doubt that we have correctly identified the person named on the quilt as H B Trotter. The first initial is somewhat ambiguous, but could pass for an H. As there was a Harold B Trotter listed in the Henderson Directories at the time that the quilt was being signed, it was presumed that the signature most likely belonged to that Harold. The fact that every available census record placed Harold Beecham Trotter in Pittsburgh Township or Kingston, Ontario sheds some doubt that we have correctly identified the identity of the Harold that once lived in Saskatoon. However, no other candidates could be found. There was also an Archibald J Trotter living is Saskatoon at quilt signing time, but no relative of his could be found with the same initials. If someone has knowledge that Harold once lived in Saskatoon, please let us know as it would verify that we have identified the right signer.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Trotter Tree.