On 13 Oct 1866 John married Caroline Elizabeth Heyson (180) , daughter of 71. John Frederick Heyson & Catherine Hall, in Lunenburg, Lunenburg Co., Nova Scotia, British North America.6,13 Born on 13 Oct 1831 in Oakland, Lunenburg Co., Nova Scotia, British North America.3 Caroline Elizabeth was baptized in Lunenburg, Lunenburg Co., Nova Scotia, British North America, on 18 Oct 1831.3 Caroline Elizabeth died in Clearland, Lunenburg Co., Nova Scotia, Canada, on 20 Mar 1915; she was 83.13

The 1901 Canadian federal census states that the widow Caroline Ernst resided in the Oakland census district, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. She lived in the household of her son John W. Ernst. They employed Dora Crouse as a domestic who lived in the household. John Ernst was a farmer. They were Lutherans. (RG 31-C-1, 1901, Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Co., ED 49-33, Oakland, p. 10)

The widow Caroline Ernst resided in Clearland, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia according to the 1911 Canadian federal census. She lived in the household of her son and daughter-in-law John and Amy Ernst. Caroline Ernst was a Lutheran. (RG 31-C-1, 1911, Nova Scotia, Lunenburg Co., ED 49-33, Oakland, p. 10)

Caroline Ernst died from La Grippe.