My Genealogy Hound

Mrs. Cecilia Mary Hickmott, residing on her fine farm of 255 acres, situated in section 24, Pontiac township, Oakland County, is one of the most highly esteemed residents of her locality. She was born August 8, 1844, in Dorsetshire, England, and is the daughter of James and Marie Antoinette (Greenwood) White, the latter of whom was born in Paris, France. She was one of three children of a soldier who served in the French Army during the siege of Paris.

James White was born in Dorsetshire, England, where he grew up on a small farm, but later became a seaman and followed cod fishing for years off the coast of Newfoundland, sailing from Southampton, England. About 1856 he emigrated to America and settled for two years at East Mendon, Monroe County, New York and then removed to Pontiac township, Oakland County, Michigan. In 1866 he located at Amy, bought a 15 acre tract, and followed gardening for a few years, selling his products in Pontiac. He had amassed a competency, and with his wife went on a visit to England in 1871, from which he never returned, having contracted smallpox from which he died in Southampton, aged 57 years.

Mrs. Hickmott is the eldest of four children born to her parents, the others being: Mrs. Margaret Ann Edwards, who died in Pontiac 30 years ago; Mrs. Frances Harriett Wilson, of Amy; and Nicholas, a farmer of Owosso, Michigan. Our esteemed subject was united in marriage at Pontiac, January 5, 1865, to James Hickmott, who was born at Horseman’s Den, County Kent, England, November 27, 1830. He came in young manhood to assist on the construction work of the Erie Canal and for one year lived in Avon township, Oakland County. Later he engaged in farming, settling on the farm that is now the home of his widow. He was a man of most industrious habits and was of a kind and genial nature, which made him much beloved by all who knew him. He began life with nothing but his youth and energy for capital, but at the time of his death owned a large estate which he never ceased to improve. He built the present beautiful residence which his widow occupies and all the buildings on the estate present the same substantial appearance. His death occurred on his birthday, November 27, 1900, aged 70 years. He was much missed in the community where he had long been highly regarded.

A family of 10 children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hickmott, as follows: Fred W., residing nearby on an adjoining farm, who married Chloe Dawson and has one daughter, Viola Lurene; Elmer John, a farmer in Avon township, who married Alice C. Richardson, and has two children,— Margaret J. and Kenneth R.; Leon J. and Margaret, deceased; Amelia, who married John Brokenshaw; Mary, who is the widow of Charles Callow, resides in Pontiac and has three children, — Harold, Sadie C. and Bessie L.; Ralph, who operates the home farm for, his mother; and Bertha, Grace and Harry. By a former marriage Mr. Hickmott had one child, Alviron, who resides in Pontiac. The family is one of the most highly respected ones of Pontiac township.