(Contributed By One Who Was Present)
Mrs. James Andrews, widow of the late James Andrews, of the
Township of Woodhouse, celebrated here [sic] eighty-eighth
birthday on Tuesday last, February 16th, at the beautiful home of her
son Hugh, on the farm, lot 7, 5th concession of Woodhouse.
Andrew Jamieson, a brother of the subject of this sketch, came to
this country in 1849. Returning to Aberdeenshire, Scotland, he
described the glories of this country and influenced James Andrews, a
man of sterling worth, to join him in leaving the "land of the
heather" for Canada.
They came by boat from Scotland to the City of Hamilton, spending
six weeks upon the journey, and by lumber wagon from Hamilton to the
Township of Woodhouse, suffering great hardships.
In 1851 James Andrews gained the hand of Jane Jamieson, and they
were married the same year.
They began life in a very humble way, when this country was covered
with forest, but toiled on, knowing how to clear away the timber and
make for themselves and family a comfortable home. Mrs. Andrews knew
how to knit and sew, to spin and weave, to make and mend, to help on,
in the style of life in those days, in the house and in the field, and
bring up her young family that are a credit to this country today. It
was this kind of mothers and grandmothers that help largely to make
Canada what it is, one of the greatest countries under the sun.
There were born to this happy and prosperous union nine children,
seven sons and two daughters. James, George, Fred, John and Hugh are
today prosperous farmers in the Township of Woodhouse, where their
parents began in early life. Maggie married James Blayney, but died at
the age of twenty-three; a son, Archie, died at the same age, and two
died in infancy, a son and a daughter.
The late James Andrews died thirty-nine years ago, and Mrs. Andrews
was left alone to bring up her large but young family, which are a
credit to her today. She has seventeen grandchildren and fourteen
great-grandchildren. The greater number were with her on Tuesday last.
The great-grandmother was the object of much attention, enjoying the
best of health, with all her faculties preserved, with a mother's
interest in all about her.
Two great-grandchildren were baptized in her presence, and when she
was asked to be sponsor [sic] for these children, she said:
"Don't you think I am too old? but I will and do the best I
can." This is the true spirit of the mother and grandmother.
Senator McCall stood sponser [sic] with her.
Her many friends in the community in which she lives extend to her
heart congratulations, trusting she may be spared many years to enjoy
health and usefulness with her children.
