Mary Ferguson McIntyre
“Life, we’ve been long together!”
Mrs. Mary F. McIntyre Celebrates Her 100th Birthday at Dalhousie Lake
(transcribed from Feb. 23, 1934, edition of “The Perth Courier”)
Showered with congratulations by neighbours, friends, and acquaintances, still healthy in body and mind.
“Lanark County’s grand old lady, Mrs. Mary Ferguson McIntyre, celebrated her 100th birthday on Monday, February 19th, at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Geddes, Dalhousie Lake, when she was showered with congratulations by many of her neighbours, friends and acquaintances. Mrs. McIntyre was also honoured when the news of her 100th birthday was broadcast by radio from a Toronto station.
Mrs. McIntyre was born in North Sherbrooke Township, Lanark County, on February 19th, 1834. With the original settlers about 1820 came the representatives of two Scotch Highland clans, Mr. Duncan Ferguson of Argylshire and Mr. Alexander McDougall of Perthshire. Soon after their arrival in the new land a son of Mr. Ferguson married Miss Violet McDougall and to them a daughter, the subject of this sketch, was born. The parents could speak little or no English, only their native Gaelic, and the little daughter taught this in the parental home, could speak it fluently and in fact never wholly forgot it up to the present time. Of course, association with lowland neighbours and teaching at schools brought a knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon tongue and this became her thinking language. The first schoolhouse in North Sherbrooke was built at Elphin in 1834 and there Mrs. McIntyre received her early education.
Her husband, the late Peter McIntyre died about 25 years ago.
During her long-life Mrs. McIntyre has seen the greatest growth in farm cultivation and improvements through many a year of hardship and privation of the early settlers until the original cabins have been changed into comfortable homes, and the very primitive log school houses succeeded by modern ones of frame and brick all over her native township. The course of progress along life’s highway has been the history of her own life – the sickle, scythe, cradle and kindred working implements have all passed during her life on the farm to be succeeded by the more modern implements of the present time. In her girlhood days there were no bridges across the broad Mississippi River, and the way to the market in Lanark Village and Perth involved much hardship. She often walked to Perth or rode on ox carts, horseback, rough sleighs, cutters and wagons.
At present, she is in almost perfect health, a slight difficulty of hearing being her only complaint. It is a pleasure to know that in her daughter’s and son-in-law’s home she has found congeniality and affection in the evening of her long life.
The Reception
Relatives and friends from far and near in large numbers were present at the reception tendered in Mrs. McIntyre’s honour, those from a distance including Mrs. Sam Campbell, of Brighton, and Mrs. James Geddes of Powasson.
The house was beautifully decorated with pink and white streamers, and in the center of the table was set the birthday cake with decorations in the form of an arch on which was seen a miniature moon, stars, and snow, and underneath the arch written in gold: “100 Years.”
Messages and congratulations poured in from friends at a distance, two in particular being of a novel and pleasing nature, from Mr. Thomas Nesbit of Chicago, a gramophone record of his own voice with greetings and good wishes to Mrs. McIntyre and the following verses composed by Mr. Wm. B. Nesbit of Swanson, Saskatchewan:
To Mrs. Mary McIntyre on her 100th Birthday:
Oh come my muse my pen inspire,
A rhyme to Mary McIntyre,
Her natal day is drawing near,
She soon will reach her hundredth year;
And looking back down through the age,
What wonderous stories mark the page,
For five score years to live and move
Tasting sorrow, joy and love;
What memories must fill her mind
Of those whom she has left behind,
Who must have fallen by the way
Like flowers that blossom for a day;
Or like the leaves that fade and fall
Are buried by the winter’s pall,
Methinks I see far down the years,
Old Sherbrooke to my mind appears;
Unbroken wilderness around
No fertile fields that sow are found,
Bur pine and maple, elm and beech
Dense forests far as eye can reach;
And through the valley in between
Dark swamps of fragrant evergreen,
Now came the sturdy pioneer
From heather moors in Scotia dear;
McDougall clan, the Fergusons
The McIntyre’s all worthy sons,
And many more of Scottish birth
No better people graced the earth;
With axe in hand and labour vast
A clearance in the bush at last;
A wee log biggin’ hearth stone fire
And mayhap stone, a barn, a byre;
And as I listen I can hear
A lassie singing sweet and clear,
An axe blow in a nearby bush
As down the creek the waters rush;
An oxcart creaking o’er the hill
From Perth or Lanark or the mill,
Or off to Bytown with potash
To sell and get a little cash;
To buy the tea or pay the tax
Or other needful new knickknacks,
Those were the days of frugal life
And thrifty ways for man or wife;
They were compelled to live that way
For things were scarce and far away,
And many a long and weary road,
Was travelled with a heavy load;
I often think that folks today
Do not appreciate the way
Their forebears used to toil and save
With hardships great and patience brave;
We often hear complaints today
But had we lived the self-same way,
Our present troubles would be less
Things wouldn’t be in such a mess;
The Lord’s been good, ‘tis man that made
Conditions bad I am afraid,
Our aged friend through life has seen
Development of the machine,
From sickle frail unto the hour
Of steam and gas and hydro power
Now cars go rushing here and there,
And airplanes fly through the air,
The telegraph and telephone
When she was young were quite unknown;
Now radio from everywhere
Brings news and music to the ear,
But I’m not sure in every way
That folks are happier today.
Now my best wish to her shall be
That she may have sweet memory
And happiness and peace serene
With naught of sorrow in between;
I often think I’d like to go
And see the faces that I know,
And if I’m spared perhaps I will
And come around by Watters’ mill;
These rambling lines I dedicate
To all who meet to celebrate
This wondrous anniversary
Best wishes to you all from me.
Written by: Wm. B. Nisbet, Swanson, Saskatchewan
published: Feb. 23, 1934, “The Perth Courier”
Obituary, “Lanark Era”, January 30, 1935
“Dalhousie Lake, 25th Jan., Mrs. Peter McIntyre, in her 101st year. Born in North Sherbrooke 19th February, 1834, the daughter of the late Duncan Ferguson and his wife, Violet McDougall. On Feb. 17th 1852 Mary Ferguson was married at Perth to Peter McIntyre by the late Rev. Wm. Bell. Her husband died March 31st, 1897. Survived by one daughter, Mrs. Walter Geddes, of Dalhousie Lake (Violet); and one adopted daughter, Mrs. Roy Kilborn, of Renfrew (Alice). Burial in Crawford’s Cemetery.”
Mary’s Memories:
An Excerpt from Elphin, McDonalds Corners and Snow Road Churches Centenary Book (1875-1975)
PIONEER DAYS OF NORTH SHERBROOKE
As remembered by Mrs. Peter McIntyre (nee Mary Ferguson), better known as Auntie Mary, who died January 14, 1935, aged almost 101 years
The township of North Sherbrooke was surveyed in 1820-21 and received its name from an officer of prominence in the French Colonial Forces whose name was Sir John C. Sherbrooke.
The first settlers belonged to a society formed in Scotland, named “Lesmahago Society”, and those were John Porter, Daniel Ritchie, Jas. Gilmour, Anthony McBride, Ebenezer Wilson, Duncan McDougall, Archibald McDougall, Arthur Stokes, Wm. Christelaw, Josiah Davis, James Nesbit, and Alex. Young.
Elphin is a little village situated in this township, which was once called Mann’s Corners, after a man by that name. As far as can be learned, Elphin got its name from an English General named Elphinstone.
The first school was a log building across the road from the present one, except down on the corner. It was burned, and another was erected on the same ground our present school being the third built. The first church was built where the Crawford Cemetery now is. Then they built at Elphin the building known as the old Sunday School recently sold and torn away by Charles Stewart. The present church was built in-1894. A few of the settlers were Baptists, and held service in a little church on the second line where a few graves still remain on the farm now owned by Haddon Wilson (now Delmer Paul).
The first store was situated on the property now owned by Mrs. J.H. Miller (now Fournier’s), opposite the spot where Charles Stewart’s (now Fair’s) house now stands. This was run by Germans, Mendels and Silverstone. Then Mr. Mann kept store on the old McFarlane property now owned by Alex. Duncan (Wilmer Gemmill). Then a store was built and run by Peter McIntyre on the property now owned by C.M. Stewart. It was next run by Tom Crawford until the time it was burned. Then the store where it now stands was built by Tom Crawford, and afterwards it was run by Charles McConnell, Isaac Allan, Mac McIntyre and now Peter McLaren. (Ted Oxtobee was the next owner-now it is an antique shop)
There was an old building across from where the hall now stands which was used as a blacksmith shop; but in later years Malcolm McIntyre built a shop on the property now owned by Alex. Duncan (Wilmer Gemmill) which was burned about the year 1920.
The first male child born in North Sherbrooke was Bob Love, uncle of Thomas Love, and the first female child was Agnes McDougall, now Mrs. Hall of Perth.
In the house where Mrs. J.H. Miller (Fournier’s) now lives, a shoe-maker carried on a business. One who in later years worked at this trade was Billy McIntosh
The farm now owned by Sam Larmon was first owned by Wm. Bryce, whose wife’s name was Christelaw, of English descent. Next came Duncan Campbell, Duncan McIntyre, Alex McIntyre, and now Sam Larmon.
The first owner of the farm in the valley was Wm. Bryce Sr. who emigrated from Scotland. His family was as follows-Wm. Bryce, Jr., Jack Hugh (who married Margaret McDonald, daughter of John McDonald and Peggy Harrower), Lizzie (married Thomas Trimble), Jean (married Thos. Donaldson at Oliver’s Ferry), David (whose first wife was Violet Howie of Iowa–issue two sons John and James; his second wife was Marion Love). David Bryce succeeded his father in ownership and later sold it to Peter McIntyre whose wife was Mary Ferguson, daughter of Duncan Ferguson and Violet McDougall. They had one daughter, Violet Anne, now Mrs. Walter Geddes, Dalhousie Lake. Next owner was J.W. Munro (Boyd’s Settlement) who married Mary Rutherford, daughter of Wm. Rutherford and Anne Ferguson. He sold it to Malcolm McIntyre, son of Duncan McIntyre, and who married, Tena Purdon, daughter of Wm. Purdon and Lizzie McDougall. He is the present owner. (Arnold Long’s)
The next farm now owned by George Weir, having no tenant, was first owned by Geo. Harrower, then Donald McDougall and his wife Minnie Thompson, then by Eby. Geddes, and then Jas. Campbell.
The next farm owned and occupied by George Weir, was, first owned by Jas. McDonald, son of John McDonald and Peggy Harrower, then Walter Sim whose wife was Hannah Harrower of Perthshire, Scotland, then Laghlin McIntyre, then Hugh Weir and his wife Elizabeth Hodgson of Peterhead, Scotland and now George Weir and his wife, Margaret Delyea. (This farm is now occupied by Geo. Weir’s daughter, Mrs. Marjorie Closs)
The first owner of the next farm was Jas. Tweedle (Twaddle), then Duncan McDougall who married Jean Bain, daughter of John Bain of the stone house. Next James Mann, then Robert Balfour, his son James Balfour, and now Alex McIntyre who married Annie Gilmour–issue one daughter Eva, and one son James. (Ray Purdon now lives on this farm).
The farm now owned by Wm. Balfour was first owned by Robt. Smith, the next owner was Duncan McIntyre Sr., Duncan McIntyre Jr., then Pitchers and now Wm. Balfour, (Mary Brownlee) (now owned by Ken Brownlee).
The farm which now is Jas. McVean’s was first owned by David Wylie (Bella McVean’s), and the spring beside the road on this farm was always known as Wylie’s spring
The farm now owned by R.L. Brownlee was owned by a man by the name of Stockes (Stoakes and later Stokes)before the Brownlees of earlier days. R.L. Brownlee married Edith McDonald, issue-four sons, Mervil, Gordon, MacDonald and Kenneth. (now Ken’s).
The old McConochie Homestead now owned by Peter McIntyre (Robt. Ferguson’s) was first owned by Hugh McConochie and his wife Katie Ferguson of Argyleshire, Scotland, issue–Sandy (married Betty Sim, daughter of Walter Sim and Hannah Harrower), Margaret (married John Miller, son of Matthew Miller, soldier), Jean (married a Mr. Muir), Janet (married Jas. Colquhoun of Hibbert), Duncan (married Jeannie Ferguson), Katie (married George Wilson and lived on the homestead until sold, when they moved to Smiths Falls), Mary (married Robt. Wilson), Bella (married Tom Colquhoun of Hibbert). The farm is now owned by Peter McIntyre who marred Catherine Corley, issue-one daughter Mary.
The next farm was first owned by Duncan Ferguson, nephew of Hugh McConochie, Strachur Ban, Argyleshire, Scotland. He and his sister Mary sailed with the McConochie family. Mary died in Perth where she was a maid at Rev. Mr. Bell’s. Duncan married Violet McDougall, daughter of Alexander McDougall and Janet Clark. His family consisted of, Mary (married Peter McIntyre, son of Duncan McIntyre and Ann Ferguson), Katie (married Ebenezer Geddes), Peter (married Mary Rutherford), Janet (married Robt. Lee), Alex (married first Katie Buchan, then Agnes Geddes), Maggie (married Robt. Nisbet), Duncan (married Deborah Love). David Nisbet now owns the farm but it is untenanted. (Murray Nisbet’s farm),
The farm now owned by Sam Cameron was first owned by Robert Sim, brother of Walter Sim, father of Jane Sim, who became the wife of Hon. Alexander McKenzie, Prime Minister of Canada. Then John McDougall and his wife, Mary McNicol, then Todd’s who moved to Minnesota, next Peter Ferguson who gave it to Duncan Stewart. It is now owned by Sam Cameron and his wife Annie Adam, issue one son, Garnet.
The farm now owned by Sam Gordon was first owned by Duncan Ferguson and his wife, Barbara Currie, sister of John Currie who erected and operated the first grist mill at the head of Dalhousie Lake and now operated by Walter Geddes, son of Adam Geddes and Jane Sim, Duncan Ferguson’s family were: Hugh who died a young man on board a boat coming East from the Great Lakes and was buried in Kingston; Barbara, Nancy, Dan, Jeannie and Duncan (twins), John, Katie, Sandy, Mary. Barbara married Robt. Bain, son of John Bain who built the stone house later owned by John Ferguson and Catherine Stewart. Nancy married Dan Geddes, son of David Geddes and Agnes Lambie, Dan married Katie Currie his cousin [probably error here: Donald, not Dan, married Katie Currie, daughter of his uncle John Currie], Jeannie married Duncan McConochie, son of Hugh-McConochie and Katie Ferguson, Duncan married Elizabeth Robertson, John married Bella Budd, Katie married Mr. Erskine, Sandy married Janet Gilmour, Mary married Jas. Gordon in Minnesota. The farm is now owned by Sam Gordon and his wife Nellie Campbell (deceased), issue–George (married Hilda Beatty), Sherman, Gerald and Florence.
McIntyres:
Duncan McIntyre Sr. (my husband’s father) had twin brothers. John settled near Perth, Robt. a merchant in Renfrew also a member of Parliament, later owned a wholesale business in Montreal, had one son Peter who returned to Fortobella, Scotland. Two sisters, Katie and Janet, married in Scotland and never came to Canada. Among their best friends were the Ferguson family. Duncan McIntyre Sr. married Ann Ferguson and came to Canada with their family: (Margaret married John Anderson of Beckwith) issue–one son Peter who emigrated to Ohio. (Elizabeth died young), Mary married John Gunn of Hopetown, issue–John died young. Duncan married Margaret Gunn (no relation), Finley married a girl from Western Canada, George died young, Mary married Wm. McKinnon, Peter married Mary Ferguson, issue–one daughter Violet who marred Walter Geddes, issue–Robt., Ada (deceased) and David. Malcolm went to the United States and joined the army, he married over there but had no family, John married and lived in Lanark, Duncan Jr. married Jeannie Glenn, issue-Duncan married Tena Watson, Malcolm married Tena Purdon, Peter married Catherine Corley, Alex. married Annie Gilmour, Katie married Thos. Duncan, Maggie married John Trombley, Annie married Peter Anderson, Charles never married and died at the age of 63, John died at the age of 2 years, two infant girls died, the youngest of the family.
As remembered by Mrs. Peter McIntyre (nee–Mary Ferguson)
Historical sketch of McDonalds Corners, Snow Road and Elphin, by Hilda Geddes; Kenneth McCaskill.
From: The Centenary of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, 1875-1975.
Mary lived a long life and saw many changes throughout her days on earth. From the earliest times of the Scottish pioneer settlement, through to the advancements of the mid-1930s. Mary would see transportation change from the ox to the horse and wagon, to the automobile. She saw the lands around her change from dense forests, to farmlands cleared and thriving with crops. Mary’s story and the celebration of her milestone birthday gives us a glimpse into days gone by, of a simpler time, a life well-lived, and roots reaching back to some of our earliest Scottish settlers in Lanark County.
Arlene Stafford-Wilson
Honorary Life Member, Lanark County Genealogical Society
Member, Association of Professional Genealogists
Lanark County Pioneer Families Humanitarian Award 2023
Author of : “Lanark County Kitchen”, “Lanark County Christmas”, “Lanark County Comfort”, “Lanark County Collection”, “Lanark County Calling”, “Lanark County Classics”, “Lanark County Connections”, “Lanark County Calendar”, “Lanark County Chronicle”, “Lanark County Kid”, & “Recipes & Recollections”
arlene stafford wilson 
How wonderful. Thank you, Arlene ❤️