Robert James Marson was born in July 1881 in Derbyshire, England to James Marson, a joiner and carpenter, and Ann Marie Johnson. In the 1901 Ilkeston, Derbyshire census, it is noted that Robert, at nineteen, had already begun his career as a bricklayer. Three years later on April 4, 1904, Robert married 25 year old Martha Chambers. She was the daughter of James Chambers, a clerk for a manufacturing company, and Martha Chambers, her mother, after whom she was named.

Shortly after their marriage, the young couple began a life-changing adventure. By January 1905, they were living in Stratford at 96 Nile Street where their first child, Robert James Jr., was born. It is interesting to note that in the Stratford City Directory of that year, Robert’s occupation is listed as “Gentleman.”

The 1911 census shows the family lived in Hanover, Grey County for a short time where Robert was working as a mason building houses. The family had grown to include three more sons, Alfred 4, Thomas Stanley, 2, and George, 1.  The family returned to visit England in 1912. According to the passenger list of the ship “Norwegian”, the family, including their first daughter, 3 month old Violet, who was born during their time in England, landed in Quebec on their return home.

During the next 12 years, the family lived in several other Stratford locations, which included 177 Frederick Street, and 26 Chestnut Street, before building the house at 378 Nelson Street. In 1916, Robert bought the city lots numbered 237, 243 and 244 from Hy Heitbohmer, a Stratford butcher. He built his house on lot 244, on the corner of Nelson and Walnut Streets, and measured 198 feet by 132 feet. Over the next 10 years, Robert Marson built houses on lots 237 and 243. He continued ownership of these houses until 1939 which was some years after the family had moved to Toronto.

The 1935 Toronto Voters’ List shows the family living at 182 Woburn Avenue. Robert continued his trade as a bricklayer, Charles was a student, Robert Jr. was working as a gardener and Violet as a stenographer. Alice was living on her own and worked at Simpsons. Roy, who lived until 2002, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. All of the children married and had children of their own and lived in the Toronto area except Alfred who moved to the United States.

By 1945, they had moved to Bedford Park Road. Robert continued as a bricklayer while Robert Jr., the only child still living at home, worked in a service station. In 1958, Robert and Martha were living alone in the house. Robert was working as a bricklayer at the age of 77. Two years later, Robert died and was buried in Westminster Memorial Park on Bathurst Street. Martha died in 1964 and was buried beside Robert.