Finally the lake level has dropped a bit so I was able to get further out into the water. Some of the heavy lake ice may have moved some of the lakebed around during the winter and spring thaw and brought this ring into the range of my detector.
This wonderful 18k carved rose gold band engraved "Annie from Harry 1884." Two of Toronto's early residents. Hallmarked RW&CO 18K.
Veteze did a lot of research and found their marriage certificate... On February 5th, 1884 in the County of Wentworth, City of Hamilton, a Harry Hedge, 23, Shoemaker married Annie Bowen, 17, Spinster. Apparently, back in the day, all unmarried women were referred to as 'Spinster' or 'Widow'.
Here is their marriage in the registry:
They had a son, William, in 1885. Records indicate Annie and son immigrated to the USA in 1887 and moved to Rochester NY where she lists herself as 'Widow' in US census documents. William married and moved to Jersey City, NJ where he volunteered for WWI and later volunteered for service in WWII at the age of 57 where he listed his occupation as 'unemployed'. William didn't have kids apparently so the trail of descendants ends there.
