Person:Betsy Roland (1)

Betsy, or Betsey Ann Roland was born in 1819 in Devonshire, England. Married Richard Smithrim in 1843 in Devonshire,England. Newspaper article (unknown paper, perhaps the Strathroy paper in 1885) has death notice supplied to me by Ruth McLachlan of Watford, Ontario, Canada, reads: "We deeply regret to announce this week the death of Mrs. Betsy A. Smithrim, relict of the late Mr. Richard Smithrim, of this township, which sad event occurred yesterday morning, after an illness of some time, during which it was apparent that the end was drawing near, although as it always does the hand of death came rather unexpectedly at last. The deceased was born in Devonshire, England, in 1819, and came out to Philadelphia when 15 years of age to stop with her sister there, where she remained for a few years, but returned to England again, and in 1848 was married to her late husband, with whom she shortly after came to Canada. They settled first in the County of Durham, shortly after removing to Ontario County, in which place they resided for over 20 years. About 15 years ago they removed to Metcalfe, where Mr. Smithrim purchased a farm, but shortly afterwards met with an accident by the fall of a tree, which caused his death 23 days afterwards. Deceased lived with her sons on the farm until lately, when her health began to fail, since which time she has been living with her daughters, Mrs. Jas. Richardson and Mrs. Geo. Taylor. The death of her youngest son, William E., last October also preyed on her mind greatly, and apparently accelerated her death. She was a constant member of the Methodist Church for upwards of 45 years, and did much effective work in connection therewith. The family she leaves behind are: Mr. R.H. Smithrim, on the homestead; Mrs. J. Richardson, Kerwood; Mrs John Early, Adelaide; Mrs W. Irvine, Kerwood and Mrs. Taylor, Metcalfe, all of whome have the sympathy of the entire neighborhood in their irreparable loss. The funeral will take place to-morrow at one o'clock to the Strathroy Cemetery"

1. ↑ Schedule C, Deaths, County of Middlesex, Division of Metcalfe, page 381, number 010438
   010438.

   Mrs. R. Smithrim, 21st April 1885, Female, age 65 years and 11 months, Farmer's wife, born Devonshire, England; cause of death, blood poisoning, duration 13 months, attended by Drs. Stevenson, Thompson, and Stanley; informant Rev. Thomas Cupland, Methodist Minister, Appin; registered 13th May 1885, John Houtton, registrar; #010438 _TMPLT:
   FIELD:
   Name: Page
   VALUE: 010438 _QUAL:
   _INFO: P

2. ↑ Lena Bourne Earley's written family history contained a handwritten note from a Richard Henry Smithrim grandchild that reads: "Betsy Ann Roland born 1819 in Devonshire England married Richard Smithrim in 1848 before emigrating to Durham County and later Ontario County in eastern Ontario. Richard and Betsy Ann later moved westward and settled on a tract of land in Metcalfe. They had six children. Mary (Mrs. James Richardson) Richard Henry our grandfather, Elizabeth (Mrs. John Early), William who passed away while a young man, Matilda (Mrs. George Taylor) and Cordelia (Mrs. Erwin). Richard was accidently killed by the felling of a tree on December 23, 1870 at the age of 43. Betsy Ann passed away in 1885 at age of 65. The remains of these our ancestors rest in Strathroy Cemetery."