Obituaries for Mary Forsyth - June, 1935

Mrs. John Forsyth
It was seventy years ago last January since Mrs. John Forsyth came with her husband and babies to Bracebridge. Labouriously they made their way by ox team through the unbroken forest to a homestead in Macaulay Township. There, the little family settled in the bush and by great perseverance and much hard work, made a home for themselves. There they raised a large family and there the husband died in July, 1908. Mrs. Forsyth, whose maiden name was Mary Dales, was born near Kettleby, King Township in 1840, daughter of Dianah Otherham and William Dales. In 1861 she married John Forsyth of Haddingtonshire, Scotland. Two daughters, Charlotte-Anne and Sarah-Jane, and a son, George, predeceased her. Those left are Diannah (Mrs. Crandell of Toronto); John Thomas of Cochrane; William Charles of Saskatchewan; James Cockburn of Utterson; Robert Scott of Port Sydney; Mary (Mrs. Harry Mortimer of Mortimer's Point); Elizabeth (Mrs. William James of New Liskeard; Clara (Mrs. Thomas Peacock of Bracebridge) and Jessie (Mrs. George Peacock of Macaulay).

Mrs. Forsyth passed away at the home of her daughter in New Liskeard. Though ninety-five years old, she enjoyed good health until four months ago. After the service at the home of her daughter in New Liskeard, the body was brought to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thomas Peacock, of Bracebridge. Burial took place at the family burial ground in Falkenburg on Saturday, June 29th. Rev. P.W. MacInnes, Pastor of Knox Presbyterian Church conducted funeral services. Mrs. Forsyth was a life long member of the Presbyterian Church. Thus passes another of the fine old people who contributed so much to the upbuilding of Muskoka.

Mrs. Mary Forsyth

In our last issue, we made the announcement of the death of Mrs. Mary Forsyth in her ninety-fifth year, who passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William James, Grill St., New Liskeard, the remains being taken out last Friday night for interrment at the Falkenburg Cemetery. The late Mrs. Forsyth's maiden name was Mary Dales. She was the daughter of Diannah Otherham and William Dales and was born in 1840 in the township of King near Kettleby. In 1861 she married the late John Forsyth of Darlington (sic) Parish in Haddingtonshire, Scotland and continued to live in King Township until 1865. The young couple then left with team and oxen for Bracebridge, Muskoka which was a town in the making and set in a section which was a dense forest. At that time, there was no train into Muskoka and the roads were in many places almost impassible. In the township of Macaulay they settled on a homestead and with great courage proceeded to make a home for themselves and their family of young children. They continued to live in Muskoka for many years and earned the friendship and respect of a very wide circle of friends. The deceased was predeceased by her husband who passed away on July 2, 1908. Two daughters, Charlotte Anne and Sarah Jane, and one son, George, also predeceased their mother. Those of the immediate family who survive their aged mother: Diannah (Mrs. A. Crandall, Toronto); John T. of Cochrane; Wiliam C. of Saskatchewan; James C. of Utterson; William S. of Port Sydney; Mary A., Mrs. Harry Mortimer of Mortimer's Point, Muskoka Lake; Elizabeth, Mrs. William James of New Liskeard; Clara, Mrs Thomas Peacock of Bracebridge; and Jessie, Mrs. George Peacock of Macaulay Township. There are 52 grandchildren, and over one hundred great grandchildren and many great, great grandchildren. Up until about four months ago, the deceased enjoyed almost perfect health and was in her usually bright spirits, up until almost the last. Following the service conducted at her daughter's home in New Liskeard, the remains were taken to Bracebridge. Mrs. James accompanied them to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thomas Peacock. Here, Rev. P.W. MacInnis conducted services at 2:30 pm after which interment took place by the side of her departed husband in the Falkenburg Cemetery. A large number of friends gathered to pay their last respects to the memory of their former friend and neighbour.