Ella Margaret Adams and William Henry Crowley
Ella Margaret Adams was the fourth daughter of Samuel and Eliza Grace Adams. On the 25th of September 1918, she married William H. Crowley.
Before her marriage to William Crowley, Ella worked in Toronto for the Malone family. She also travelled to Buffalo, NY to work and visit family.
While living and working in Toronto, Ella graduated from Central Technical School in Toronto with a Domestic Arts certificate.
Keepsake Box
Ella cherished this little red box “English Holly” where she kept valued items. Included is this Valentine that she received from "Billie", William Crowley.
Ella Adams Crowley's keepsake box
Ella Adams received this valentine from her sweetheart "Billie".
Scrapbooks
Ella Adams Crowley kept a scrapbook and included items of interest, including recipes, photographs and news clippings of personal importance.
Page One of Red Scrapbook #1 features Ella Adams uncle by marriage, Rev. Lorenzo Wayner.
Page Three from Red Scrapbook #1 featured the 60th Anniversary of her parents Jeremiah and Eliza Grace Adams; an advertisement of religious services at the Metropolitan church featuring soloist Marion Crowley (Ella's daughter); Notice of return home of LAC Alvin Duncan (Ella's nephew); and announcement of a solo performed on the radio by Mrs. Marion (Crowley) Newby.
Home and church activities
Cedar Inn excursion
William and Ella Crowley on the left with friends. The Cedar Inn Restaurant and Tourist Resort.
William and Ella Crowley attended the First Baptist Church in Toronto. The church was started in 1826 by freedom seekers that had found refuge in Toronto. In 1955, the church relocated to its present site at Huron and D'Arcy Streets. Photographs in the Crowley's collection show the progress of construction. William served as a deacon for many years.
The Cedar Inn in Collingwood, Ontario was a popular tourist destination for Black people in Canada and the United States. Sheffield's Cedar Inn Restaurant & Tourist Resort operated from 1945 to 1971. It provided a safe and welcoming space for Black travelers during a turbulent time in history.