Theophilus Corning9 (Daniel 8 , Daniel B. 7, Jonathan 6 , Ebenezer 5 , David 4 , Samuel 3 , Samuel 2, Samuell 1) was born on December 26th, 1845 in Beaver River, Nova Scotia. He became a Master Mariner who sailed all over the world commanding many magnificient sailing ships. Iron Men and Wooden Ships states that he crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 23 days (a record time) while commanding the "County of Yarmouth", the largest ship ever built in the Yarmouth area .
Theophilus married Mary Elizabeth Raymond in 1867. Mary sailed the seven seas with her husband raising a family of 7. Their first child, Clara, at age 2, died on board ship while they were bound for Philadelphia, and their second daughter, Bertha died later. The other 5 children- 3 girls and 2 boys- lived long and exciting lives in various parts of the country.

The THEOPHILUS C. CORNING FAMILY
circa 1887

back row standing:Blanche & Teresa
front row sitting: Mary, Theodosia, Raymond & Theophilus
In 1888, Mary, awaiting the birth of their seventh child, stayed at home in Nova Scotia while Theophilus took two of the children on a voyage with him -Teresa 12 years and Raymond age 4. Many of the letters that were exchanged between the family members during this voyage have survived and supplied to us, courtesy of Sylvia Mahar, a granddaughter of Theophilus and daughter of the baby that was born in 1888.

Beaver River
March 10, 1888
Dear Theof,
I have just got your letter and glad to hear from you. I know, of course, you are happy with those two dear children and lots of comfort you will take at sea with them. I don't blame you for wanting them. No one in my family have said that you kidnapped them, as you said they probably would, but on the contrary have said, it's a fine voyage and Theof is so fond of children and he will take good care of them. If you meet with no disaster I think it's just as well that they have gone, this world is made up of meetings and partings and sad feelings, so I feel resigned to leave them in God's care who is able to protect them and you from anger, sin, and death.
Blanche as a good girl is busy and will write soon. I notice Ray's letter to me where his little hand has been, seems precious. Kiss him for me, tell him Mama loves him and wants him to come back.
Blanche is playing on the piano now. May Crosby is teaching music. I don't know whether to get her to teach Blanche or not. I wish she was a thorough teacher so she could. I don't know what to do, if there is a good one at Maitland I might let her go down with pony. Good night, Mary

Reading these letters in retrospect is very sad because Theophilus did not return from this voyage. In Hong Kong, he contracted yellow fever and died, leaving his two young children on board his ship. The children were later returned to their mother by a crew member.
Captain Theophilus was buried in Hong Kong and a monument was erected there by his associates. The Sea Captains of Yarmouth County in Nova Scotia erected another stone in his memory in Theophilus' home village of Beaver River.
Much effort by Corning Family members has gone into finding Theophilus' Hong Kong burial site and recently their searching paid off. In Section 29 of the Colonial Happy Valley Cemetery , Bradley Anderson found a tall slender fluted Grecian pillar broken at the top with the plaque lying in several pieces at the foot. The plaque read:

IN MEMORY OF
THEOPHILUS CORNING
OF YARMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA ,
MASTER OF THE SHIP MONROVIA
OF SAINT JOHN, N.B.
DIED IN HONG KONG
OCTOBER 8TH 1888,
ERECTED BY HIS FRIENDS.

Bradley Anderson standing beside Theophilus tombstone in Hong Kong
Dec. 1995

To realize that Theophilus must have been highly regarded by his business associates and friends to erect such a fine monument is a tribute to the man and his character. To think that the stone has fallen into disrepair has upset many of the family members and they have started plans to fix it. Contact with the caretaker at the cemetery says the stone can be fixed for $165 American dollars. This would mean repairing the plaque rather than replacing it, cleaning off the 108 years of grime, and hopefully fixing the top of the stone. Close family members have already started a campaign to raise money to fix the stone and if anyone would like to contribute, a donation may be sent to Mary Woodland, 1002-2181 W38th Ave., Vancouver, British Columbia V6M1R8. Mr. Wong, the cemetary caretaker, has promised photos to show the progress of the repairs, so watch your Corning Connections for further developments.