Fonds consists of correspondence, lectures, diary and other documents concerning Dorothy A. Heneker's (1886-1968) personal and professional life, particularly her work within the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. Also, correspondence, diaries, certificates and other documents relating to the personal and the professional life of members of Dorothy's family such as Richard William Heneker (1823-1912), who participated greatly in Sherbrooke's development, 1833-1986.
The fonds contains photographs depicting the activities of various members of the Heneker family while at home, engaging in sporting activities, and in the course of their travels, education, and work; as well as photos of the Abbott, Buckley, Cummins, and Tuson families, [ca. 1840]-1986.
The fonds also contains watercolours of family members from the Notman studio. Also included are an album, sketchbook, and loose drawings, watercolours and prints done by various family members.
Heneker, Dorothy A. (Dorothy Alice), 1886-1968 : Born in Montreal in 1886, Dorothy Alice Heneker attended the Royal College of Music in London and McGill University graduating from the Faculty of Law with a Bachelor of Common Law and a Bachelor of Civil Law (1924-1925). After a few years in business handling women's investments for a leading financial house in Montreal she entered her father's law firm. She wrote extensively on the seigniorial regime and legal history. She also became involved in the women's movement and held the presidency of the Montreal Business and Professional Women's Club (1929) and the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (1930-1932). She served as Canada's representative at the founding meeting of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women in Geneva, Switzerland (1930).
During 1930-1936 she served as Secretary and as Director of the International Federation, and subsequently as Vice-President, lecturer and organizer. In 1952, she married Arthur D.C. Cummins, surgeon commander in the Royal Navy. She remained active in the women's movement until her death in 1968.
Dorothy's grandfather, Richard William Heneker, was born in Dublin in 1823, and trained as an architect. In 1855, he came from England to Sherbrooke, Quebec, to work for the British American Land Company. He became deeply involved in Sherbrooke's economic, political and social activities. Mainly through his efforts, Sherbrooke acquired a power company, new industries and a railway station. He also served as the president of the Eastern Township Bank and as chancellor of Bishop's School. He founded a hospital. In 1902, he went back to England where he died ten years later.
Dorothy's other grandfather, Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott (1821-1893), was the first Canadian-born prime minister.
Richard Tuson Heneker, Dorothy's father, was a well known figure in Montreal. Born in Sherbrooke in 1858, he studied law at Laval University in Montreal. He married Alice Elizabeth Abbott in 1885 and they had four children: Dorothy Alice (1886-1968), Harry Tuson (1888-1973), Mary Marjorie (1890-1949) and Evelyn Elizabeth (1892-1985). Major General William Charles G. Heneker, Dorothy's uncle, was born in Sherbrooke in 1867, and joined the British Army. He served in India, West Africa and France.
