We don't know very much about most of the children of Thomas and Sarah Jane Cooksey Nash. This website is being created with the hope that it will start to bring this family back together, even if it is only to share information.

Ellen Ethel "Nellie" Nash was born March 29, 1892, Gloucester, England. Nellie came with her parents to the United States on the ship Brittania which docked at Ellis Island, New York, New York on June 30, 1899. Nellie was only 7 years old when they arrived, the oldest child of the family, she probably had to help watch her brother, Harry, and her sister, Emily.

After arriving in New York, the Nash family made their way to Montana, staying there long enough to have another child in April of 1900, finally settling in the area of Fort Mccleod and Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada.

Nellie married John Albert Hatton in 1909 at Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada. John was born about 1886 at Youngs Point, Peterborough Co., Ontario, Canada, the son of Andrew Hatton and Harriet Northey. Nellie and John were married for 66 years until his death on April 20, 1967;

_1. (NOTE: In 1950, at the time of Nellie and Albert's 50th wedding anniversary, they had 21 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. In 1950, Irene lived in Fort McLeod, Canada; Marie and Dorothy lived in Lethbridge, Canada; Hazel lived in Pincher Creek, Canada; and Walter lived in Vulcan. We also know of a granddaughter named Mrs. P. Peck, who lived in Long Beach, CA. This information was obtained from a newspaper clipping about Albert and Nellie's 50th wedding anniversary party; and from a clipping of Elmer's obituary.)
(1950 would have to be the wrong year...In John's obit it says that they were married in 1909)

Friday, April 21, 1967, Lethbridge Herald
HEART ATTACK FATAL
In Fort Macleod John Albert Hatton, 81, collapsed while shovelling his sidewalks Thursday morning. Mr. Hatton was dead on arrival at the Fort Macleod Municipal Hospital. Death was attributed to a heart attack. He is survived by his wife Ellen. Othr survivors include sons Walter of Vulcan and Elmer of Fort Macleod, daughters Mrs. Joe (Irene) Anderson of Fort Macleod, Mrs. Marie Nihill of Lethbridge, Mrs. Jim (Hazel) Stapleton of Pincher Creek, mrs. John (Dorothy) Allan of Fort MAcleod, 21 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Funeral service will be held in the Fort Macleod United Church at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Lethbridge Herald, April 22, 1967
HATTON
Passed away in Fort Macleod on Thursday,
on Thursday, April 20, Mr. John Albert Hatton, aged 81 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Ellen Hatton of Fort Macleod. Born in Lakefield, Ontario, he came west in 1905 and homesteaded in the Hazelmere district, South Macleod. He married Ellen Nash in Pincher Creek in 1909. They moved to the farm in South Macleod where the resided until retiring in Fort Macleod in 1948. He was very active in his earlier years as a square dance caller. Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Walter of Vulcan and Elmer of Fort Macleod; four daughters, Mrs. Marie Nihill of Lethbridge, Mrs. Jim (Hazel) Stapleton of Pincher Creek, Mrs. Joe (Irene) Anderson, and Mrs. John (Dorthy) Allan, both of Fort Macleod; 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be held in the Trinity United Church on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., Rev. W. Julian officiating. Interment, Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alberta Heart Fund, c-o Fort Pharmacy. Eden's Funeral Home, Fort Macleod, in charge of arrangements.

Nellie and John had 6 children together, the list is in no particular order because at this time we do not know the order of birth.

1. Walter Hatton

2. Elmer Hatton, born September 4, 1918, died November 14, 1970

3. Marie Hatton, married unknown Nihill. Marie had at least 3 children with Nihill; Leah Ellen Nihill, Willard Carlos Nihill and Sheila Ann Nihill;

Thursday, September 18, 1958, Lethbridge Herald
ENGAGEMENTS ANNOUNCED
Mrs. Marie Elizabeth Nihill announces the engagement of her eldest daughter Leah Ellen, to Mr. Hans Schawalder, Jr., the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans Schawalder of Lethbridge. The wedding will take place November 1 at 4 p.m in Trinity United Church at Fort Macleod, the Rev. D. A. Greenough officiating.

Saturday, May 23, 1959, Lethbridge Herald
EVENING RITES FOR COUPLE
FORT MACLEOD (HNS)
A quiet evening service took place in Hillburst United Church Chapel Calgary recently when Grace Agnes Reid exchanged marriage vows with Willard Carlos Nihill, both of Fort Macleod. The Rev. E. Nix officiated at the marriage ceremony for the daughter of Mrs. H. Reid and the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Marie Nihill, all of Fort Macleod. Attending the bride, as matron of honor, was the groom's sister, Mrs. Leah Schawalder, of Lethbridge, Mr. Hans Schawalder was best man. The bride was attired in a white suit, with white accessories and wore a corsage of pink and white carnations. Her attendant, Mrs. Schawalder, wore a light beige rayon suit, complimented by white accessories and a pink and white carnation corsage. A buffet style reception for the immediate family was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brooks Lamb of Calgary. The room was decorated with pink and white streamers, bells and candles. After a honeymoon spent in Kalispel, the bridal couple will take up residence at 1815 Westmount Road, N. W., Calgary

Tuesday, July 18, 1967, Lethbridge Herald
DOUBLE RING VOWS First United Church was the setting for the early evening wedding uniting in marriage Sheila Ann Nihill, daughter of Mrs. Marie Nihill and Richard Norman McCuaig, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. McCuaig, all of Lethbridge. Rev. Hiraku Iwai, officiated at the double ring ceremony. Mr. Allyn Mills was organist and accompanied Mrs. Dena Cole, Soloist. Mr. Clint Nihill gave his niece in marriage. The bride chose a gown of nylon sheer over net and rayon satin, for her wedding day. Her detachable train was gathered at the waist to a satin bow. A water lilly held her bouffant nylon veil. Her only jewelry was a sterling silver cross, the gift of the groom, and she carried a bouquet of red sweetheart roses. Mrs. Grace Nihill in a yellow rayon sheer nylon over net and taffeta sheath frock was her sister-in-laws bridesmaid. A matching yellow headpiece and her bouquet of white and yellow chrysanthemums and shasta daises completed her costume. Dress in yellow nylon chiffon with matching headpiece was flower girl, Lana Schawalder, niece of the bride. Mr. Frank Dorchak was best man and to usher the guests were Mr. Donald Allan and Mr. Cordell Oliver. Ring bearer was the bride's nephew, Master Brent Taylor. Mr. Donald Allan proposed the toast to the bride at the reception which followed in the Royal Canadian Legion Hall. A dance followed. For traveling to Waterton Lakes National Park on their honeymoon, the bride changed to a beige lace sheath dress with which she wore a matching coat, complemented by black accessories and a corsage of pink carnations. Mr. and Mrs. McCuaig will make their home in Calgary.

4. Hazel Florence Hatton, born 1919 at Fort Mccleod, Alberta, Canada, died 1995. Married James Leo Stapleton, aka "Jim." James Stapleton was born about 1912 and died in 1979, he was the son of Patrick James Stapleton and Christina Fitzgerald, aka, "Tina." Hazel and Jim had at least 4 children; Ethel, James Elmer, Barbara and Margaret Stapleton.

5. Irene Hatton, date of birth unknown, married Joe Anderson

6. Dorothy Hatton, date of birth unknown, married John Allan

Information submitted by "Joy"

Untitled

History taken from the Fort Macleod History Book, by Marie Hatton

Alberta & Nellie

Nellie Nash came to Fort Macleod in 1902 from Wales by way of the USA. Her father homesteaded 26 miles southwest of Macleod at Spring Ridge. He also worked as a coal miner in the Pass and in Ferine. In 1902 the land was mainly open range, as there was only one fence between Macleod and the homestead. The NWMP were patrolling the range then and Nellie knew many of them personally. Groceries had to be packed from Macleod, often on foot. Nellie remembered well the death of range cattle during the disastrous winter of 1906. She left home and worked out before her marriage to Alberta Hatton, who came west with his family in 1905 from Young's Point, Ontario. Albert, Walter and their family settled south of Macleod.

Alberta and Nellie were married in Pincher Creek in the fall of 1909. In the spring part of the their belongings was burnt by a prairie fire that swept over the country. They moved to their homestead in the Hazelmere district in 1910, where they resided for 38 years. They took an active part in the district. Alberta was on the school board for many years and the South Community Hall was built on his land. They attended the dances because Alberta was floor manager and square dance caller. Nellie acted as a mid-wife and assisted in the delivery of over 60 babies, with and without the attendance of the doctor.

They raised their children on the farm, moving to Fort Macleod for their retirement. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on Dec. 1, 1959.

Of the children, Irene married Joe Anderson. They retired from their farm south of town and now make their home in Fort Macleod. There are three girls: Bernice, Pauline and Brenda.

Marie married Carl Nihill. She is now a widow living in Lethbridge. The had five children: Williard, Leah, Jean, Delma and Shelia.

The oldest son, Walter, married Eleanor Young. They are living in Vulcan and have four children: John, Irene, and the twins, Leona and Lorna.

Elmer married Verna Driver. They had two children: Wendy and Barbara. Elmer and Verna live in Fort Macleod, Elmer is now deceased.

Hazel, the third daughter, married Jim Stapleton. For many years they have lived in Pincher Creek. They have three children: Ethel, Jim Jr., and Margaret.

Dorothy married John Allen and now resides in Lethbridge. They have three children: Robert, Donald and Kathleen.

Alberta and Nellie's family is now a large one. in 1975 at the family reunion, over a hundred members celebrated this joyous occasion.

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Joy added a note at the end of the article:

"Just a note...The hall is still used today for many community functions, baby, bridal showers, weddings, dances, and their very popular turkey supper that hundreds of locals line up for as this tradition is passed from generation to generation.

Also, Verna Hatton, was a school taeacher and a favorite among many people, old and young. Hope this fills in some of your history."

"Joy"

After this correspondence I tried to contact "Joy" but she never responded. I have never heard from her again.