Sunday, 22 July 2012

Tales from the Crypt

Well, ok, not quite. I picked the title to get your attention. I was asked at the end of the guided tour if I would continue the blog after my project is done...I guess that depends if I still have things I want to say!

In order to NOT bore to tears all those who came out to the tour I will now entertain you with a selection of tales gleaned from the records...

In 1876 Martha Henderson Somerville died and was buried at Reilly Cemetery. It appears that she and her husband, James, did not have children for after he died she was alone in this part of the country. In her later years she was taken in and cared for by Mr and Mrs Samuel Gibson. She died at age 88 or thereabouts as best as they could make it out. She has no fancy monument, perhaps because she did not have children to buy one for her. Perhaps one of those standing stones is for her. The nice thing is, compared to today at least, is that she was cared for in a family home and not in a nursing home...neighbours took care of neighbours back then. Maybe they still do in some places.

As for Mrs Samuel Gibson...in the records there are three Mrs Samuel Gibsons.. so I'm assuming that there's more than one Mr Samuel Gibson, probably at least two and maybe even three. I count three Mrs Samuel Chilcotts, two of which were Ellens. Two Eliza McGees married Reilly/Riley men. One could get a headache, seriously, sorting them out. Dates are the best clue of course, and ages where they are given (not always by a long shot).

Tomorrow...scandal!!!!

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