Hallen (family) : Rev. George Hallen was born in 1794, son of George Hallen, Esq., Barrister of Kidderminister, England. He studied divinity at Trinity College, Oxford where he was influenced by the Oxford Movement: he would remain a high churchman throughout his life. In 1817, he was ordained as a deacon of the Church of England and appointed as curate in the Parish of Salwarp, Worcester County and in 1818, he was ordained as priest. In 1817, he married Sarah Williams (1794-1864), daughter of John and Mary Williams of Perry, Worcestershire. The couple eventually had 11 children: Sarah (1818-1888), Mary (1819-1905), George (1821-?) Eleanora (1823-1846), Edgar (1824- ca.1921), Preston (1826-1912), Skeeler Williams (1827-?) , Richard (ca. 1830-?), Agnes (1831-ca. 1900), Edith (1832-1835) and Grace (1834-1838). The youngest two died as small children, and Eleanora died of an unidentified illness at the age of 23.
In 1835, George Hallen and his family moved to Upper Canada in order to seek better economic circumstances. After a brief sojourn in New York State, they settled in Medonte Township, near present-day Orillia, where they farmed a homestead which they called Rushock, after their home in England. In addition to farming activities, George Hallen was, in his own words, "parish priest and missionary" to the surrounding community. He also helped to found St. George's Church in Fairvalley.
Under the auspices of John Strachan and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, George Hallen was appointed Chaplain at the military establishment at Penetanguishene in 1840. His sons George Jr. and Edgar remained at Rushock to tend the farm. On the establishment of the Provincial Reformatory at Penetanguishene, in 1859, he was appointed its Chaplain. He was minister of the church at Penetanguishene, St.-James-on-the-Line, from 1840 until his retirement in 1876. A man of great intellectual curiosity, Hallen observed and documented his experiences and surroundings extensively, a tendency which he passed on to his children. He was noted for his devotion to his family, friends, and parishioners, as well as to his faith. George Hallen died in 1882, a few years after moving to Toronto.
The Hallen family retained close ties to England for many years. George and Sarah Hallen, and several of their children returned to England for visits. Skeeler Williams Hallen settled in England as an adult, while his brother Preston stayed for several years.
Sarah Hallen Jr. (1818-1888), eldest daughter of Rev. George and Sarah Hallen, married John Humphrey Sumner (J.H.S.) Drinkwater ([181-]- ca. 1881) in 1840 and built a house near Orillia which they called Northbrook. J.H.S. Drinkwater's siblings included sisters Elizabeth Paine (née Drinkwater) and Anna Ribeira Drinkwater. The eldest of J.H.S. Drinkwater's children was Richard John Sumner (R.J.S.) Drinkwater (1841-ca.1901). Both father and son served for many years in the militia. Richard John Sumner also operated a lumber business, Drinkwater Bros., with his brother Thomas. Richard John Sumner Drinkwater married Kate Knight in 1882. Their children were John Sumner Drinkwater Jr. (1885-1980) and Mary (Drinkwater) Bohme (1887-1967).
While many of the Hallen siblings, notably Eleanora, pursued artistic interests, Mary Hallen was the most serious artist. A talented amateur, she exhibited at venues such as the Ontario Provincial Exhibition (1868) and Toronto Industrial Exhibition (1879), and was awarded prizes for her landscape paintings. Mary Hallen married Dr. W.R. Gilmour in 1875 and, though they parted a year later, she continued to use her married name, Mary Gilmour.
The third child, George Hallen Jr., lived for many years in Orillia, and made his living as an organist and music teacher. He married Arabella St. John in 1850. The couple later moved to Hamilton and eventually retired to Oakville.
Edgar and Richard Hallen remained bachelors and lived at their house in Orillia, "The Croft", with their sister Mary. Preston Hallen married late in life (1883) as did his sister Agnes, who married Rev. Edmund H. Cole of Whitby, Ontario in 1874. Skeeler Williams married Elizabeth Felton in 1864.
Thomas Hunton and Amelia Houghton (whose papers are included in the Hallen Family fonds) were connected to the Hallens only indirectly, through the marriage of descendants of the two families. Amelia resided in Brockville and Thomas in Bytown (now Ottawa). Both devout Methodists, they courted for several years before marrying in 1844. They settled in Bytown, where they lived for many years.
