1075 Denman Street was on the west side of Denman Street, south of Comox Street. The general appearance of the house was similar to the one at 1069 Denman Street.
Legal Description: District Lot 185, Block 70, south half of Lot 1.
There are no references to this property in Heritage Vancouver Society’s database of historic building permits: http://permits.heritagevancouver.org/index.php?cID=1 [searched September 7, 2019].
Vancouver directory listings from 1908 to 1955.
| 1908 to 1925 | Marshall, Samuel Huxley |
| 1926 | Marshall, Ada (wife of Samuel Huxley Marshall) |
| 1927 | Basham, Joshua Charles |
| 1928 | Basham, Ethel |
| 1929 | Ainsworth, Ada J. |
| 1930 to 1955 | Urquhart, Margaret |
In 1929, the house appeared in a list of recently-sold properties in the West End. (The purchaser may have been Margaret Urquhart, who lived in the house from 1930 until the 1950s.)
The property was again for sale in the 1950s.
The houses at 1069 Denman Street and 1075 Denman Street were still standing in 1962.
From the mid-1960s until the present time a one-storey building has been on this site. It appears that this building is somewhat older than the building next door at the former location of 1069 Denman Street. In the photograph below, the new building was present on 1075 Denman Street, but the original house at 1069 Denman Street was still standing.
A dry cleaning business has been at 1075 Denman Street since the mid-1960s.
Brief Biographies of Residents from 1927 to 1955
Joshua Charles Basham
Joshua Charles Basham (1880-1959); and his wife, Ethel Maria (née Grumell), lived at 1075 Denman Street in 1927 and 1928.
Joshua worked for Smith Davidson and Wright, a firm of wholesale stationers and paper dealers.
Joshua and Ethel were associated with the United Temple of Light and the Temple of Christian Psychology and Psychic Science.
Ethel died in Vancouver on March 22, 1951.
Joshua died in Vancouver on April 1, 1959.
Joshua’s brother, Ernest William Basham, married Vera Adeline Chasteney, who was a daughter of Alfred Gunton Chasteney.
Ada Julia Ainsworth
Ada Julia Ainsworth was the widow of William Ainsworth. She and her children lived at 1075 Denman Street in 1929.
William Ainsworth died in Vancouver on March 7, 1923.
Ada died in Vancouver on October 28, 1955.
Margaret Urquhart
Margaret Urquhart was the widow of Joseph Alexander Urquhart
She was born Margaret Palmer in Oldham, England on December 24, 1878. Her parents were Joseph Palmer and Margaret Lloyd.
On December 20, 1920, in Seattle, Washington, Margaret married Joseph Alexander Urquhart, who worked as a paper-maker in Powell River, British Columbia.
In 1921, Joseph and Margaret were living in Powell River.
Joseph died in Vancouver on February 1, 1927.
Margaret lived at 1075 Denman Street from 1930 until the 1950s.
She died in Vancouver on June 24, 1966.
Margaret Urquhart and Father Divine
Margaret Urquhart described herself as a “true follower” of Father Divine, who was a charismatic African-American religious leader. Father Divine’s second wife was a young Vancouver woman named Edna Ritchings.
Edna Rose Ritchings was born in Vancouver on April 4, 1925. Her parents were Charles Arthur Ritchings and Mabel Merle Farr. Charles Ritchings and his brother, Albert, operated a nursery in Kerrisdale called the Strathcona Nursery (sometimes called the “Strathcona Floral Company”). Charles’s father, Edwin Ritchings, started the business.
Edwin Ritchings died in England in 1938.
Charles Ritchings died in Vancouver on January 28, 1969.
Mabel Merle Ritchings died in Vancouver on December 11, 1981.
After leaving school, Edna worked as a stenographer for a short time. It appears that she spent some time in Montreal, Quebec. By the mid-1940s, she had become a follower of Rev. Major Jealous Divine.
In February 1945, she tried to travel from Vancouver to Philadelphia to visit Father Divine, but the United States authorities did not allow her to enter the country at that time.
Edna later managed to enter the United States. On April 29, 1946, in Washington, D.C., she married Father Divine. Edna became known as “Sweet Angel Divine” and “Mother Divine.”
In 1950, several of Father Divine’s followers from Vancouver were planning to travel to Philadelphia to celebrate the fourth anniversary of Father Divine’s marriage to Edna Ritchings.
When Father Divine died in 1965, Mother Divine took over Father Divine’s role.
Mother Divine died in Philadelphia in 2017.
Sources
Joshua Charles Basham
Joshua Charles Basham (17 February 1880 – 1 April 1959); https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LJYV-JCD.
“England and Wales Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27D-J8YW : 12 December 2017), John Chas Basham in household of Charles Basham, Haverhill, Suffolk, England; from “1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 21, Piece/Folio 1822/14, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,691.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDDM-KML : 11 March 2018), Joshua Charles Basham and Ethel Maria Grunwell, 03 Oct 1913; citing Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11385, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,978.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLRV-LGQ : 8 November 2017), Joshua Charles Basham, 1959.
Ethel Maria Grunwell (wife of Joshua Charles Basham)
Ethel Grumwell (about 1882 – Deceased); https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LR2S-JTC
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDDM-KMV : 11 March 2018), Joshua Charles Basham and Ethel Maria Grunwell, 03 Oct 1913; citing Penticton, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B11385, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 1,983,978.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLPP-67F : 8 November 2017), Ethel Maria Basham, 1951.
Ada Julia Ainsworth (née Ray)
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL5J-6B3 : 8 November 2017), Ada Julia Ainsworth, 1955.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2BY-61NR : 12 August 2019), Ada Julia Ray Ainsworth, 1955; Burial, Burnaby, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Ocean View Burial Park; citing record ID 176154206, Find a Grave, , https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176154206: “Ada Julia Ray Ainsworth; Birth: 14 Oct 1859, Adbaston, Stafford Borough, Staffordshire, England; Death: 28 Oct 1955 (aged 96), Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Burial: Ocean View Burial Park, Burnaby, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Memorial ID: 176154206.”
William Ainsworth
“England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDDH-RFK : 26 April 2019), William Ainsworth in entry for Isaac Ainsworth, 1871.
“Canada, Northwest Provinces Census, 1906,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHV8-DJ5 : 1 April 2016), William Ainsworth in household of James Smith, 13, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLKJ-P97 : 8 November 2017), William Ainsworth, 1923.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q29R-JBJW : 15 March 2016), William Ainsworth, ; Burial, Burnaby, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Ocean View Burial Park; citing record ID 150708724, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150708724: “William Ainsworth; Birth: 11 Apr 1861, England; Death: 7 Mar 1923 (aged 61), Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Burial: Ocean View Burial Park, Burnaby, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot: Fraser-Moose Section; Memorial ID: 150708724.”
Margaret Palmer (wife of Joseph Alexander Urquhart)
Margaret Palmer (5 February 1879 – Deceased); https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/99Q3-LPS
“England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NY8D-T4W : 11 February 2018, Margaret Palmer, 05 Feb 1879); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 1,656,223.
“England and Wales Census, 1881,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27P-BXZ7 : 13 December 2017), Margaret Palmer in household of Joseph Palmer, Oldham, Lancashire, England; from “1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 7, Piece/Folio 4073/99, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,775,155.
“Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKNY-19K5 : 3 November 2017), Joseph A Urquhart and Margaret Palmer, 20 Dec 1920, King, Washington, United States, Washington State Archives, Olympia; FamilySearch digital folder 004213222.
“Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPML-WGNR : 28 November 2018), Joseph Urquhart and Margaret Palmer, 20 Dec 1920, King, Washington, United States, Washington State Archives, Olympia; FamilySearch digital folder 004197873.
“Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPM2-S7BC : 28 November 2018), Joseph Urquhart and Margeret Palmer, 20 Dec 1920, King, Washington, United States, Washington State Archives, Olympia; FamilySearch digital folder 004197844.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLTY-P6P : 8 November 2017), Margaret Urguhart, 1966.
Joseph Alexander Urquhart
“Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKNY-19KK : 3 November 2017), Joseph A Urquhart and Margaret Palmer, 20 Dec 1920, King, Washington, United States, Washington State Archives, Olympia; FamilySearch digital folder 004213222.
“Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPML-WGNL : 28 November 2018), Joseph Urquhart and Margaret Palmer, 20 Dec 1920, King, Washington, United States, Washington State Archives, Olympia; FamilySearch digital folder 004197873.
“Washington, County Marriages, 1855-2008,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKNY-19KK : 3 November 2017), Joseph A Urquhart and Margaret Palmer, 20 Dec 1920, King, Washington, United States, Washington State Archives, Olympia; FamilySearch digital folder 004213222.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL2X-Y4T : 8 November 2017), Joseph Alexander Urquhart, 1927.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVV5-W3Z5 : 13 December 2015), Joseph A. Urquhart, 1927; Burial, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada, Mountain View Cemetery; citing record ID 26297444, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26297444: “Joseph Alexander Urquhart; Birth: 22 Aug 1897, British Columbia, Canada; death: 1 Feb 1927 (aged 29), Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Burial: Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada; Plot: JONES/*/31/010/0015; Memorial ID: 26297444.”
Edwin Ritchings (father of Charles Arthur Ritchings)
Edwin Richings (2 April 1852 – 8 April 1938); https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L4SY-LML.
“England and Wales Census, 1891,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7119-Z3Z : 2 May 2019), Edwin Richings, Sandhurst, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom; from “1891 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, Berkshire county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
Kate Barrow (father of Charles Arthur Ritchings)
Kate Barrow (4 March 1858 – 7 September 1894 ); https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KLX9-VW1.
Charles Arthur Ritchings (father of Edna Rose Ritchings)
Charles Arthur Ritchings (18 June 1889 – 28 January 1969); https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KPS3-YVM.
“England and Wales Census, 1891,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7119-T3Z : 2 May 2019), Charles Author Richings in household of Edwin Richings, Sandhurst, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom; from “1891 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, Berkshire county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
“Canada Passenger Lists, 1881-1922,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HGR-N5Z : 11 March 2018), Chas Arthur Ritchings, Mar 1910; citing Immigration, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, T-4821, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD8M-XFS : 11 March 2018), Charles Arthur Ritchings and Mabel Merle Farr, 09 Aug 1922; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B13743, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,074,225.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLYX-KF7 : 8 November 2017), Charles Arthur Ritchings, 1969.
Mabel Merle Farr (wife of Charles Arthur Ritchings)
Mabel Merle Farr (1 June 1898 – 11 December 1981); https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/MHL6-GT6
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-SJG2 : 16 March 2018), Mabel Merle Farr in entry for John Ira Farr, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 51-76, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,663.
“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932; 1937-1938,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JD8M-XX1 : 11 March 2018), Charles Arthur Ritchings and Mabel Merle Farr, 09 Aug 1922; citing Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, British Columbia Archives film number B13743, Vital Statistics Agency, Victoria; FHL microfilm 2,074,225.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FL13-CBZ : 8 November 2017), Mabel Merle Ritchings, 1981.
Edna Rose Ritchings (“Sweet Angel Divine” and “Mother Divine”)
“The Widow of the Man They Called God.” The Canadian Magazine (with Calgary Herald); December 5, 1970, pages 24-26. [Includes family background of Edna Rose Ritchings and history of Father Divine.]
“United States Public Records, 1970-2009,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2QRB-GB9 : 23 May 2014), Sweet Angel Divine, Residence, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information.
“United States, GenealogyBank Historical Newspaper Obituaries, 1815-2011”, database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4HWQ-5HW2 : 14 December 2019), Edna Rose or Mother Divine Ritchings in entry for Father Devine, .
“United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, 1980-2014,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK4X-4KZY : accessed 4 January 2020), Edna Rose Ritchings in entry for George Or Father Divine Baker, New York, United States, 08 Dec 2008; from “Recent Newspaper Obituaries (1977 – Today),” database, GenealogyBank.com (http://www.genealogybank.com : 2014); citing Statesman, The: SUNY, Stony Brook, born-digital text.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL7R-QP98 : 12 August 2019), Mother Divine, 2017; Burial, Gladwyne, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Shrine to Life at Woodmont; citing record ID 177090720, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/177090720: “Mother Divine; Birth: 1925, Canada; Death: 4 Mar 2017 (aged 91–92), Gladwyne, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA; Burial: Shrine to Life at Woodmont Grounds, Gladwyne, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA; Memorial ID: 177090720; Original name: Edna Rose Ritchings. Her legal name was Sweet Angel Divine.”
Father Divine (husband of Edna Rose Ritchings)
Father Divine (C.1876-1965); Black Past; https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/father-divine-1879-1965/.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVJ1-1RT4 : 26 July 2019), Father Divine, 1965; Burial, Gladwyne, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Shrine to Life at Woodmont; citing record ID 285, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/285: “Father Divine; Original Name: George Baker [sic: this is tentative]; Birth: 1876, Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland, USA; Death: 10 Sep 1965 (aged 88–89), Gladwyne, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA; Burial: Shrine to Life at Woodmont Grounds, Gladwyne, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA; Memorial ID: 285.”
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