Elizabeth Porritt was born Elizabeth Gertrude Brown and grew up on Downalane Farm in Fenwick, or South Pelham. The 3rd-great granddaughter of John and Magdalena Brown, Liz shares her memories of life in Fenwick, helping her father tend the apple and pear orchards, carrying pails of milk, helping her mother in the kitchen, making preserves and canning, and weeding the vegetable gardens. Liz’ memories are an interesting counterpart to those of her older brother Lanny. Growing up in the same family, but with gendered chores, hobbies, and expectations, Liz’ memories of who people were and her analysis of family dynamics provide an entirely different perspective.

This interview was conducted at The Brown Homestead in St. Catharines, ON, on November 29, 2024.

Childhood Memories

Born during WWII, Liz chuckles as she recalls asking for a doll buggy and instead being gifted a wheelbarrow. Typical plight of a farm girl!

Liz shares about school and church life, holidays and celebrations, and reflects the importance of family and community throughout the 1940s and 50s. She speaks of the 4-H club, quilting, raising cattle, quarantining due to scarlet fever in the house, attending Pelham District High School, and going into town to shop for necessities in Welland. 

Elizabeth and her brothers Richard and Robert having a picnic on the farm, c. 1948.

The designated family historian, Liz has a fantastic recall for names and places. She discusses what it means for her to be a descendant of a founding Niagara family, and spends time sharing stories of her Brown ancestors.

Liz pursued nursing and worked at Hamilton General Hospital, met her husband Carl Porritt on a blind date, and they have now been married for 60 years. Carl was present for this interview, helping Liz bring in her various family heirlooms and albums for us to peruse… along with some delicious blueberry muffins! They currently reside in Toronto, ON and spend the summers at their cottage in Bracebridge.