James and Isabelle had one daughter and three sons namely Jane, John Whaley, Robert and Henry.

It is possible that Isabelle died at childbirth when Henry was born in 1835. In any event she died before 1839 for on January 27,1840, James married Alice Armstrong at Catterick Hipswell, Yorkshire.  Following the birth of their daughter Mary Ann in late 1840, they and their family emigrated to Canada.

• Jane born November 19,1827 at Aysgarth married Henry Clark. They farmed near Ridgetown. Henry had been from England and his trade was wheelwright.
• John Whaley born May 21, 1829 at Hawes married Rachel MeLaren. They had four children, Catherine, Lora, Charles and Ida Isabella. Charles had a son Frank who in turn had a son Alfred. Alfred is a Gideon living in Cornwall, who I have met several times.
• Robert H. born March 14, 1832 [see below].
• Henry born January 9,1835 married Mary J. McBrayne. They eventially lived on the home farm of his father, James. They had six children, James H., Archie, Katie A., Whaley, John A., and Dorwood L.
• Mary Ann born 1840 married Benjamin Fields. They lived on the Howard side of the Orford Howard Townline. Four children were born, George, James, Osburn and Alice.

A copy of the James Mitton will indicates that it was signed on September 2,1850. Unlike his father Robert, who signed his will with an (X), James used his complete signature. Subsequently, the will was declared executed on February 8, 1851. The exact date of his death is not known but probably late 1850. Neither is his last resting place known but it may be in a former burial plot north of the Ridgetown High School.  One request in the will urged the three boys John Whaley, Robert and Henry to work together.   The 1851 Census for Howard Township reveals that in that year his wishes prevailed. John Whaley, age 23 and Rachel 22 had married. With them lived Alice Armstrong Mitton 47, Robert 20, Henry 18 and Mary Ann 12.

Although I do not remember this great grandfather, our lives did overlap by three years. In my youth, I heard a great deal about the indomitable spirit that dwelt in 'Glass Eye Bob' Mitton. Because he was extremely near sighted in later years, he required very heavy lenses in his spectacles. Some of his gentler friends and relatives called him 'Spectacle Bob'.

He kept accurate family records in the pages between the Old and New Testament in the Family Bible. This Bible was given by Genevieve Mitton to Debbie Mitton Hooker. It had been purchased by Robert on March 16,1866 for $3.50.

Robert's first wife was Maria Scarlett whom he married in 1852. A son James Edward was born to them on June 24,1854. Maria died on August 29,1854 and is buried in the Scane Cemetery, Ridgetown.

The year of Confederation, 1867, was indeed a very sad one for Robert Mitton. On January 27th, Lorenda died leaving him with three children, James Edward age 12, Wilbert John 5, and Matilda Isabella 4. His grief was compounded when on May 5th, James Edward, now nearly 13, died.

It has not been possible to locate the burial place of either Lorenda or James Edward. It is probable that they are buried in the Scane Cemetery with Maria but there are no markers.

Obviously Robert needed help and the hand of a woman in the home. She came in the person of Mary Alvina Newcombe to whom he was married July 13, 1867.  Two children were born to this marriage, A son Leslie Dairs was born January 5,1869. A daughter Minerva Elizabeth was born September 10, 1871 but she only lived about four months dying on January 8,1872.

The original effort of James to keep his three sons together gradually changed.   First John Whaley left to establish his own farm. Later Robert and Henry amicably separated their farm property. Henry remained on the original James Mitton farm on the Ridge Road west of Ridgetown.

Robert bought a farm west of Bentley (now Guilds) in Harwich township in 1868. It was located on the south side of the Talbot Road (now #3 Hwy.). Legal description is Lot 111, Concession 3, L.E.S.

His third marriage was very happy.  Alvina was a good mother to the children and they liked her.  Perhaps the best indication of this is the fact they celebrated their Golden Wedding on July 13,1917. This took place at the farm of their son Wilbert J, Mitton, Mapleton Lodge, River Road, Camden. Families of both Wilbert J. and Leslie D.Mitton of Guilds were present.

Robert Mitton died on May 25,1922 at the home of his son Leslie in London Ontario. According to the Funeral Home records of Locke & Co, his body arrived at 12.48 PM by M.C.R. at Ridgetown, May 27,1922 then conveyed to the Methodist Church for the funeral. The minister was Dr.Medd.

Alvina survived until May 16,1929.  Both are buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Ridgetown.