James Barnswell: “he built some of Victoria’s most elegant homes”

James Barnswell was 30 when he arrived in Victoria. At age 42 he married Mary Lowe who had also come to Victoria. They had 7 children.  He died at age 90 on November 15, 1919.  His obituary in the Daily Colonist 1919-11-18  “Aged Pioneer Has Gone to His Rest. There was a very large attendance of friends, including a sprinkling of the few surviving pioneers of the early days. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica and came to Victoria in 1860. By trade he was a carpenter; there still stand many buildings which he assisted to construct. Like many other pioneers he took part in the gold rush of early times in the Cariboo and Fraser River. He is survived by his widow, three sons, four daughters and 13 grandchildren.”