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A strong line of women
I have long held a great love for Geneology and researching my ancestors. My late Aunt Freda and I shared this hobby together and had many long conversations about long gone relatives and she shared alot of stories that she had about them with me and photos too. This photo is of a woman called Ida McNayr Smith. She was born in 1845 and I believe she was my great great grandmother. I love this picture. I don't know alot about her as a person but when I look at her face I can see my Aunt Freda's eyes and I can see my cousin's faces in the faces of her children.
Her mother was a woman called Rachael Beals...who was married to a Boyd McNayr. She was a strong woman. I know this from what I have read about her. Times were tough in the wilds of Nova Scotia back in the early 1800's which is when she was born. She and her husband were the second settlers to arrive in Springfield, Nova Scotia. Here is an exerpt from a book on the history of the area called "Down the Road to Yesterday".
"In 1824, Mr. Boyd MacNayr brought his wife and children to their new home. Mrs. MacNayr rode on horseback holding her three months old baby in her arms while another small child sat in the saddle with her. Mr. MacNayr walked beside the horse guiding it along the rough forest trail that extended from Lawrencetown to Grinton's Settlement, a distance of some twenty-five miles. In 1824 Rachael was 41 and Boyd 45. The three months old baby referred to was Rebecca who died five months after they arrived.
I know that this woman must have had an inner strength that was amazing....travelling the way they had to....living they way they had to....enduring the loss of children...yet moving on through life as one had to. I find myself wondering what did she look like? Was her daughter much like her? I don't know alot about the daughter but from the picture she appears quite strong to me as well. It looks like she was wearing her very best bib and tucker for this photograph and I would love to have seen that apron in greater detail as it looks absolutely beautiful.
My great grandmother, Henrietta Smith Best was another strong woman. Married to a farmer, her days were long and full of hard work and chores. I only knew her when she had gotten very old and a bit slow of mind. She lived with my grandmother and I remember her as this very tiny, white haired old woman...but I have heard stories of her and I believe from those stories that my mother is very much like her.
My Grandmother, Nina Odessa Best Woodworth was a very shy woman. Very large in stature she had been the son my great grandfather never had. She worked in his fields on the farm from sun up til sun down and from what I have heard never had a proper pair of shoes until she was married. She married late in life when she was in her thirties and the story is told that my grandfather was not her first choice....the man she had wanted to marry years before was not approved of by her parents and so she was not allowed to marry him. She put up with alot from my Grandfather...he was an alcoholic and being somewhat of a violent drunk was very verbally abusive both to her and to the children. She was never able to carry a baby boy and have it live....they all died in utero or shortly after birth. Life was hard.
My mother is another strong woman. Anything we ever had growing up was because of her strength and determination. She was very adept at saving and planning and organizing. My father had pockets with holes in them so if it had been left up to him...all the money would have been frittered away on one whim or another I expect. My father walked out on her on her 52nd birthday, saying he wanted to be free. When I think back now...his leaving was hard on all the family...but it must have dealt my mother a devastating blow. After a very brief wobble, she managed to pull herself together and forge forward. More devastation was handed to her only a few months later, when it was discovered that she had breast cancer and had to have a radical mastectomy. How difficult that must have been to be a single woman, beginning a new life and to have to go through all that without a partner to share the burden with. I am almost that age now myself and I wonder at the strength she must have had to go through all that alone. But she did, and she goes on and she has the most sparkle and the most wonderful sense of humour of anyone I know. My sister reminds me alot of her actually...they both are very witty and funny....and stubborn!
I am so blessed to have such a rich heritage in these wonderful women. They are my history. I wonder if they would be proud of me and all I've accomplished? I wonder if years from now, my great great grand-daughters will look back at me with the same eyes I look back at these women with and if they will say I was a strong woman too? Will one be able to see the eyes of Ida MacNayr Smith in their faces? How about my eyes? The thought is just amazing....
On this cool, windy rainy day I am in the mood for soup and so I think I will make this old standby for our tea today with some crusty bread and as I eat it I will think of these strong ancestral women of mine and wonder if on rainy wet days they made soup for their families too...
*Cabbage Soup With Cheese*
Serves 4
Oh my, but this is good! A real keeper. Hearty enough to be a main-course soup, just serve with a good hot and crusty bread and a simple salad.
½ pound bacon chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bunch spring onions, chopped
½ head of green cabbage, coarsely chopped
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
5 cups chicken broth
1 ½ tsp dried mixed herbs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 cup shredded Swiss emmenthaler cheese
½ cup grated strong cheddar cheese
¾ cup heavy cream
½ tsp dried dill weed
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Sauté bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat, until partially crisp. Pour off all but 3 to 4 TBS of the fat. Add the chopped onions and cabbage to the pan. Sauté for 5 minutes, or until onions are soft. Stir in potatoes, then chicken broth, mixed herbs and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Immediately reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are quite tender.
Just before serving add the cheeses slowly, stirring until melted, but do not allow to boil. Add remaining ingredients and adjust seasoning if required.
Written by mariealicejoan Blog about this entry |
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What a lovely story . . .I enjoyed the photos too.The soup looks delicious
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What a wonderful old picture ~ and lovely history which I enjoyed reading thanyou for sharing ~ Ally
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Oh, I love this picture! Her pinafore is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your family's history here. I have been able to trace mine back as far as the early 1700's and then it stops. I don't know much about the women, but alot more about the men. Enjoy your soup today! Our weather is mild with milky sun.
Susie -
How marvelous to have that much detail about your ladies ,what amazing women they were ,true pioneers and the glue that held familys and commuitys together No wonder you write about them so proudly,and yes Id like to see the detail in the clothes more closely too ,all hand made no doubt ,....your soup sounds delicious ,.,.,Jan xx
13/10/06 19:19