Person:Isabella McRae (9)

BEAVERTON

On Sunday week last there passed away a lady widely known for her kind hospitable and winning ways - Mrs. Isabella McRae of Cedar Beach, lake shore. She came to this country with her mother (her father being dead) in the year 1823, and was then fourteen years of age The family resided for a time in Glengarry, but finally removed to Thorah and settled on lot 9 concession I. The deceased married in 1839 the late Mr. Wm. McRae of this village, formerly captain in the Royal Canadian militia. Mr. and Mrs. McRae settled on lots 17 and 18, concession 4, Thorah, now the residence of Mr. Duncan H McRae, a nephew of the deceased, After many years of hard but honest and successful farming Mr. McRae retired into private life, having amassed a respectable income. He built the present family residence a few years ago, and was just about commencing to enjoy his old age when death claimed him for a better and happier sphere. he died 14th April, 1878, aged 74.

The deceased lady had seven children. The first two died infants; her next, the late Mrs. Gribbin, wife of the respected merchant of Orillia, Mr. F. J. Gribbon, departed this life 22nd of last January. Two of her remaining daughters are married, one to Mr. J. C. Jennett of Beaverton, and the other to Dr. W. Johnson of Manilla. One daughter and the only son are unmarried and reside at Cedar Beach. Mrs. McRae has been in precarious health since the death of her lamented husband. The separation after so many years of happiness telling its own sad tale. About four months ago she had an apoplectic stroke, since which time her speech was very much affected and her limbs and body quite helpless. Her dutiful daughters and son, however, were consistent in their attentions, and eased her last days with tenderness, patience and love. She passed away calmly and gently as if in a happy sleep, and consoled by having had the last solemn and beautiful consolation of her church, given to her by her faithful pastor, the Rev. Father Rholeder, of whose church (Catholic) she was a most devout member. Two brothers of the deceased, Messrs. Duncan and Wm. McRae, both successful farmers, reside a short distance apart on the 1st concession, Thorah; one nephew, Mr. Alex. McRae, is the respected Reeve of the township, and another, Mr. Frank McRae, is a councillor of the same. The funeral, on account of the warm weather, took place on the day following the death and notwithstanding the short notice it was numerously attended, between sixty and seventy carriages following the remains to the place of interment, St. Joseph's Cemetery. The pall-bearers were Messrs. A. McRae, Reeve of Thorah; F. K. McRae, Mara; A. McRae, Mara; M. McRae, Beaverton; P. McRae, ex-Reeve of Mara; and Wm. Daley, Beaverton.

The Orillia Packet 26 June, 1885 ("They Came to Mara", p. 721)

1. ↑ obituary.

   Age 14 in 1823.

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Church burial record.
3. ↑ Church burial record
   Record at St. Joseph's Beaverton, Ont.; LDS film #1305883, item # 4, p. 2.

   QUAY 3 "Isabella McRae, age 76, died of old age at Thorah, buried Thorah, born Scotland; died 8th Jun, '85"

4. ↑ obituary
   The Orillia Times; 26 June, 1885.

   QUAY 3 See notes.

5. ↑ tombstone
   St. Joseph R. C. Cemetery, Beaverton, Thorah Twp., Durham Region, Ontario: Whitby-Oshawa Br., Ont. Gen. Soc.

   QUAY 3 stone 3, side 2: "Isabella McRae, wife of Wm. McRae, died June 7, 1885, aged 74 years..."