My Family Tree

Sarah Louisa was the daughter of Charles Dyment and Elizabeth McDougall. She was not in the PEI Baptismal Index, but "Mrs. Lemuel Cudmore" was named as a surviving sister of Eleanor Penrose Dyment in her obituary. She was probably the daughter whose name was transcribed in the 1881 census as "Sarah Lauri", but the second name could very well be read as Louisa. Her death record did not give her full name, date of birth, or her parents' names but they were named in her newspaper obituary.

Sarah grew up on the Tyne Valley Road. Her father died when she was a young girl, and her older brother Levi was the head of the household in 1881, along with her widowed mother Elizabeth. Another brother, John, died the year she married.

In 1885, she married Simpson Lemuel Cudmore, who was born 30 Jan 1860, the son of Richard Cudmore and Amelia Cutcliffe. Lemuel Cudmore, a bachelor from 15 Point and Richard Cudmore signed a marriage bond on 15 August 1885 for the marriage of Lemuel and Sarah L. Dyment, a spinster from Tyne Valley.

In 1891, Lemuel (31) and Sarah (24) were living in Lot 15 with four young children: Jenny (5), Charles (4), John W (3). and Albert (10/12). Laura MacDougald, age 17 and probably Sarah's niece, was living with them as a domestic. Laura was likely the same Laura McDougall age 7 in Levi Dyment's household in 1881. I believe this is Alexander McDougall's daughter, Sarah's half-brother. On this census, Lemuel said his parents were born in England, and Sarah that both of her parents were born on the Island.

In the 1901 census, Lemuel and Sarah were living in Lot 33 with Lem's parents, Richard and Amelia, and the following children: Jane (15) , Charles (14), William (12), Albert (10), Mabel E. (9), Bell (7), Lloyd (4) and Lewis (1). On this record, Sarah gave her date of birth as 22 August 1866. By 1911, they were still living with Lem's parents in Black River, and there were 8 children at home: J. William (22), Albert R (21), Mabel E (19), Eva Bell (16), Lloyd (13), Louis Clifford (10), Sarah Ethel (9), and Watson R (8). They were Methodists. In this census, Sarah gave her date of birth as September 1865.

Of their children, Albert, Lemuel, Louis, Sarah, Watson, William James, Belle, and Elizabeth were in the PEI Baptismal Index. Their father's name was recorded as Lemuel, Simpson, or his initials, and their mother was Sarah or Sarah Louisa.

In 1921, only Watson, age 17, was at home. The family was living in Mount Herbert, where Sarah was the matron of the Protestant Orphanage.

Lemuel died in 1945 in Prince Edward Island. Sarah died two years later. Mrs. Lem Cudmore, Brackley Pt., February 4 1947 at 81 (Master Name Index). Her obituary listed her children, but she had possibly outlived all of her brothers and sisters.

Some family trees say that Sarah's name was Eleanor Sarah Lavinia, but on census forms, her gravestone, and birth records for her children she was Sarah or Sarah Louisa. Watson Cudmore filled out her Certificate of Registration of Death, leaving several blanks and incomplete answers on the form. He left out her father's name, and gave Sarah's maiden name instead of her mother's.

The name Eleanor Sarah Lavinia probably came about as a result of family tree researchers who believed that Sarah was the daughter of John and Harriet Dyment, and in spite of all records to the contrary, said her name must have been Eleanor Lavinia Sarah Dyment. John Dyment's will in 1886 included an unmarried daughter Eleanor Gorrill Dyment, who was born in 1867. Eleanor died in Massachusetts, a single woman.

On February 4th there passed peacefully into rest at home in Brackley Point Mrs Lemuel Cudmore (nee Sarah Dyment) in her 82nd year. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Elizabeth Dyment, Northam. Although not in the best of health, since the passing of her life partner one year ago last December she was able to be about, helping with the daily duties of the home until a few days previous to her passing. For many years as members of Winslow North United Church she and her husband were most faithful workers and in the home family worship was the beginning of each new day. As Matron of the Mt. Herbert Orphanage some years ago she was truly a mother to the orphans and always referred to them as her dear children. Each and every one learned to love and cherish her in return.

She had many sorrows but bore them bravely, always referring to the Lord's Prayer. Her ever ready smile, sense of humor and sympathetic nature lightened the burdens and cares of her family and friends. Although at times she was a great sufferer she did not allow it to blight the lives of those dearest to her. Her life was characterized by inustry, cheerfulness and kindness and it can be truely said that she had the love of God in herheart towards her fellowman and it is comforting to her dear ones to know that her gentle spirit has winged its flight to Him that gave it...

She leaves to mourn the following family: Jennie, Mrs Leith Roberts, Winchester, Mass; Albert of Bedeque; Mabel, Mrs A. D. Shaw, Winsloe; Belle, Mrs Edward Shaw, Charlottetown; Clifford, Edmonton, Alberta; Ethel, Mrs. Walter Bickford, Lexington, Mass.; Lloyd and Watson on the homestead, Brackley Point. Two sons, Charles and William predeceased her a few years ago.

Guardian March 7 1947, page 3