| Notes |
- Catharine Stewart was born in 1816 in the clachan of Morell, Easter Glentarken, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland. The Comrie OPR records her place of birth as "Moril." She was the nineth child of Robert Stewart and Catharine McNaughtan.
Catherine Stewart came to Canada from Perthshire, Scotland in 1833-34, together with her brothers and sisters some of whom were already married. (See notes on mother Catherine and brothers Robert and Peter for a fuller account.)
Catherine lived with her mother Catharine, her brother Robert, his wife Mary, their four children, and her brothers Peter and William in a one-room shanty with no door. When her mother Catharine, her brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Mary, all died prematurely within eleven months of each other, Catherine and her brother Peter, now in their twenties, were left to raise the four orphaned children of Robert and Mary.
After the children were grown and moved out Peter later married and had nine children of his own. Catherine continued to live with her brother Peter, his wife, and their children. When Peter's wife (also named Catherine) also died prematurely in 1848 then Catherine was left to help raise her brother Peter's children as well.
Catherine never married and never had children of her own, but from age 27 onwards she raised the 13 children of her two brothers (born over a period of 40 years between 1838 and 1878). Catherine would have been 61 when the last of her nieces and nephews were born. She would have been 66 when Peter's wife died.
Catharine died in 1904 of "infirmity of age."
Catherine's Obituary:
STEWART, CATHERINE
Aberfoyle
Another aged resident of Puslinch, Miss Catherine Stewart, has passed way from earth, March 22, 1904. She was born in Perthshire, Scotland and came to Puslinch with the other members of her family in the year 1834, settling on the rear of the 3rd concession. On account of the early decease of Mrs. Peter Stewart, (Jan 16, 1893) [sic. actually 1883] the responsible duties of the home were assumed by her and the young family found in their aunt almost a mother's care. Her's was a life of great usefulness in the home and neighbourhood and beautiful Christian faith. Soon after the death of her brother, Peter Stewart, a little more than two years ago, her health rapidly declined and for nearly two years she has been confined to her room, where she enjoyed the kind attentions of nephews and nieces until her departure on Tuesday, March 22, at the advanced age of 87. The funeral took place on Thursday, March 24, from the old homestead, the residence of Mr. Neil Stewart. She had been connected with Duff's Church ever since its organization and the services were conducted by her pastor, the Rev. W. Robertson. Interment Crown Cemetery. Pallbearers: Alexander McCaig, James Patterson, William McKay, Donald McCaig, Hugh Ross and Henry Smith
|
Abt 1816 - 1904 (87 years)
[2, 3, 4, 5]