Notes:

Source: Marriage: The Cunningham Family of Antigonish reports the date of marriage as 2 June 1851. From the “Eastern Chronicle” of 27 March, 1851; Married: on Mar. 21 at Antigonish by Rev. Thomas Trotter, Francis S. Cunningham to Isabell Graham.

D.G. Widden, “History of The Town Of Antigonish”, the Casket, Aug 10, 1934 states:

He [Francis Simeon Cunningham] was a carpenter by trade and built a number of buildings in Antigonish. Until the late 60’s he resided at Antigonish Harbour, but bought the Hill property on the east side of Church Street and moved into town. He built Cunningham’s Hotel in Antigonish, in 1859 on the south side of Main Street, between Church and Court Streets, and was leased by John Day Cunningham, who had a small store on the ground floor, in the western end of the building, his wife managing the hotel until her death, when it passed into the hands of Rufus Hale who changed the name to Merrimac House. This house, locally known as “Frank’s Villa”, was built around 1869. The 2-storey structure, a simplified example of Second Empire architecture, features a pitched mansard roof (allowing full headroom in the top floor) and a central chimney. The paired doors with glass are also an identifying feature of Second Empire; at this time large-pane glazing in the door itself supplanted the traditional classical sidelights. The 2-bay facade has a plain front porch and 2/2 windows, some of which are stained glass. The coloured glass glazing, especially the single pane surrounded by smaller panes, are probably later Queen Anne-style additions. There are dormers on all sides of the house as well as bay windows which mimic the projecting pavillions characteristic of Second Empire. The house is covered in clapboard siding. Apart from some basic elements, 105 Church Street has a lightness of form which sets it apart from the richly ornamented Second Empire; it is a simple, understated vernacular interpretation of this style.The builder and first owner of 105 Church Street was Francis S. Cunningham who purchased the 12-acre property for $1,780. He sold the lot in sections and later in 1897 sold the house and 5400 square feet to Alexander Thompson, a bookkeeper for $350. It is possible some of the decorative work in this house can be creditted to Ozias Leduc’s assistants who hired themselves out locally as painters when their commission work at St. Ninian’s Cathedral was completed in 1904. This house has maintained its architectural integrity for there have been few alterations over the years.

MONUMENT INSCRIPTION: “A good name is better than riches.” Inscribed also is a club crest : a triangle with the words Love, Purity, Fidelity, written one on each side of the triangle & a Star of David inscribed at the centre.

RELIGION: C Baptist [Census 1881]
ORIGIN: Irish. [Census 1881]

Francis married Isabel Lavinia GRAHAM on 21 Jan 1851 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Isabel (daughter of David GRAHAM and Mary Elizabeth BIGELOW) was born on 24 Feb 1828 in Cape George, Antigonish, Nova Scotia; died on 28 Sep 1919 in Edgewood, Providence, Rhode Island. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Mary Amelia CUNNINGHAM was born on 18 May 1852 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia; died on 19 Oct 1887.
2. John Graham CUNNINGHAM was born on 4 Mar 1854 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia; and died.
3. Clara Grace CUNNINGHAM was born on 25 Jan 1859 in Nova Scotia; died on 15 Jan 1912.
4. Francis Lavinia CUNNINGHAM was born on 28 Jun 1861 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia; and died.
5. Emma Maria CUNNINGHAM was born on 4 Sep 1864 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia; died on 11 May 1929 in Riverside, Riverside, California.
6. Herbert William CUNNINGHAM was born on 22 Feb 1868 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia; and died.
7. George Hart CUNNINGHAM was born on 18 Apr 1872 in Nova Scotia; died on 1 Apr 1873.