Fonds BCHS225 - McLoughlin-Willard Family fonds

Joseph Amos McLoughlin, born December 24, 1822, was a principal and school inspector in the Missisquoi, Brome and Shefford areas for more than 40 years from the mid to late 1800s. McLoughlin was appointed school inspector in 1870, taking the place of the first inspector, Rotus Parmelee. Traveling across the country from school to school during the winter months was not an easy life and he continued as long as he was physically capable. In October 1888, he applied for sick leave, and on December 17, 1888, he died of consumption at his home in Sweetsburgh, at the age of only 66.
With his first wife, Jane Antoinette Hewitt, whom he married on January 7, 1859, they had two sons, only one of whom survived, Joseph Wilson McLoughlin. Joseph A. McLoughlin's second wife, Charlotte Elizabeth Willard, born April 18, 1844, was the granddaughter of Samuel Willard, the chief of the first Associates in the settlement of Stukely Township. She is also a descendant of the Knowlton family, as her mother was Merab Anne Knowlton of South Stukely. The couple united their destiny on May 8, 1873, and together they had four sons (William, John, George, Samuel) and four daughters (Antoinette, Mary, Sarah, Merab) two of whom died in infancy. Most McLoughlin-Willard children became talented citizens who promoted the value of a good education. Charlotte Willard died in February 1912.