Crest of Clan MacIvor

Chapter XVIII

Family of John Munro MacIvor and Christy Reid: I

I will now give a little sketch of our own family. As I told you already, we have six: living, one son and four daughters. Daniel Sanor, the eldest, is living on part of the old homestead. He built a house and got himself a wife. In 1919 he married Varina Ross, daughter of the late Duncan Ross of Waldegrave, Colchester County. They have but one son, Donald Ross by name. She was a school teacher and the only daughter of her parents. She had four brothers, two of whom were in the late war. Arthur was a twin and was killed. He left a widow and one son, Arthur. The other brother, William, came through safely.

Our eldest girl, Gertrude, when she grew up, spent some time in Boston. Then she went to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. She was a dressmaker, and while there she met a man who was in the real estate business there, and married him. Shortly after, they took a trip to Wales, his home. There in a place called Abedare, South Wales, their son was born. He was named Raymond MacIvor. Williams was his father's name. After visiting relatives in London, they returned home.

Gertie, as she was usually called, took cold and being rather delicate, developed tuberculosis. Thinking the air here was too heavy for her, we sent her out west, hoping the change would do her good, but she did not rally. She passed away at Moose Jaw at the early age of twenty-five years. Jessie, who was living then, came home with her remains. She was laid to rest in the Gulf Shore cemetery on December 14th, 1914. (This is the fateful year in which the old "Kaiser" started the world war.) Our old home, built by my father some seventy years before, was burnt down. As good luck would have it, I had it insured for a considerable amount. We lived in Sanor's new house that winter, it being nearly finished, and we suffered much from cold. I built a house the next summer, a semi-bungalow.

On December 30th, we had a house warming. A large number of friends from Pugwash to Fox Harbour came to rejoice with us. A most enjoyable evening was spent with both vocal and instrumental music. Rev. J. W. Britton, our minister, on behalf of several friends, presented us with two beautiful chairs, a "Morris" to myself, and a "rattan" to my wife, accompanied with an address read by Mr. Britton. Tea was served. After singing the doxology, and prayer, the pleasant meeting came to an end. A beautiful experience of their esteem, and I need not say much appreciated. I consider it fitting to give the said address to the readers. Here it is, a copy:

The Address

Dear Mr. and Mrs. MacIvor:

We, your friends and neighbours, have gathered here tonight for a dual purpose. First, we have met under the W. M. Society, true, at your invitation, but also to rejoice with you, that you have taken up your abode in this beautiful new home.

We have not forgotten that one year ago the dark, heavy cloud of trial and sorrow rested sorely upon you. One you dearly loved was taken from you under sad circumstances. A few days later your old home of fond memories was consumed by fire, which happening in the midst of cold weather, entailed upon you and your beloved family a large amount of loss and suffering. We wept with you then, in your days of weeping; we sympathized with you in your sorrow and loss, but tonight we rejoice with you in your rejoicing.

We take this occasion to say that we esteem you very highly for your sterling Christian character. You have always been foremost in every movement for moral and spiritual uplift of your community. Also, in the church, of which you are a ruling elder, you have given unselfishly of your time and means to carry on the work of God's kingdom. Your wise counsel and kindly admonitions cannot be soon forgotten, so we have tonight to rejoice with you in this new, beautiful, comfortable home, and also to ask you to accept from your friends these chairs as a small, practical manifestation of their esteem for you.

And, when you both sit resting after the day's toil, may you be able to say, with the psalmist, "Surely it was good for us that we were afflicted." For God has not afflicted us for His pleasure but for our profit, that we may be partakers of His Holiness. We wish you and your beloved wife and family much happiness in your new home and many years to enjoy it, until God in His wise providence will call you higher to your eternal home, where, with your loved ones, you will spend an eternity of bliss in the presence of your Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

On behalf of the friends,

J. W. Britton, Minister

Gulf Shore, December 30, 1915

To Chapter XIX {*}

[Copyright] {*}

[Table of Contents] {*}

[Front Cover] {*}