Pioneer life was difficult for women

As I have been reading through local histories and looking at various family trees, I couldn’t help but notice dates and details that pointed to the difficulties that pioneer life presented to women.

They were fortunate to share work with their neighbours if they were not too far distant but when tragedy struck and they lost children or husbands, burdens must have seemed nearly insurmountable.

Margaret Ann Farrell’s story is an inspiring example of how trials could be met and overcome.

Born in 1875, Margaret was the oldest daughter of Benjamin Farrell and Margaret McLaren who were married in 1872. She would likely have been born in the log cabin on Lot 26, Concession 11, of Huron Township. Benjamin received the Crown Deed for the west half of this lot in 1878.

Four more children were born before their mother died in 1883. Imagine the responsibilities that fell on the shoulders of this eight-year-old child!

Then tragedy struck again. In 1888, Benjamin died as a result of a fall during the building of the barn for his brother, Samuel, on Concession 9. Ben’s brothers, a sister and his in-laws, I think, all lived nearby; so, homes were found for the five children.

The 1891 census shows Johnnie, age 15, and Benjamin, age 13, living with James and Jane Graham. Willie and Maggie were with their Uncle Thomas who was not yet married. (I must look for Cassie.)

But the children were not happy separated and yearned to be together. Thus, after great family deliberation, 16-year-old Maggie, 15-year-old John Alexander, Benjamin and Catherine (Cassie) returned to their home. Their older brother, William, must have struck out on his own.

In 1900, Margaret married John Andrew Ruttle and moved to his family’s property on Concession 9, Lot 18. There they farmed, bringing up three children, until Jack/Johnny was killed during haying season in 1915 when struck by a pulley. Once again, Margaret was left with young children.
 

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John (left) and Maggie Ruttle, with baby William; photo courtesy of Ruth Anne Robinson
 

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The 1921 census lists her as the farm manager but she died in September of 1923. The farm was sold in 1930. Subsequently, Rita, a teacher, married a Huron Township boy and moved to Huron County. William married and went to the West. Ben became a well-known figure in Kincardine horse-racing circles.

Here we have seen the challenges of 48 years of farm life for a woman as Huron Township grew from pioneer days.

Reference:

• Families and Farms of Huron
• Census records-ancestry
• Irene Boyle’s Family Tree
• Family stories

March/June 2020
Ruth Anne Hollands Robinson

February, 2021

• William James, the oldest son, married Agnes Brown in Kincardine Township in 1896. Haven’t found them yet after that. My mother thought they went west, maybe to British Columbia.