I have written a few stories of how hard it was for women in years gone by. I try not to write sad stories, but feel it is important that everyone remember what women went through. PMS and Menopause were sometimes treated by sending them to Brockville or Kingston insane asylums and unwed mothers, well, all I can say is my heart breaks for them. A list of stories is below.
Author’s Note Update December 2 –2016..
Perth Courier, May 12, 1871
Teskey-Routh—Married, on the 28th ult., at the residence of the bride’s father, Appleton, by Rev. Thomas Atkinson, Franklin Teskey of Appleton to Miranda Routh of the same place. She was Maltida’s sister
Perth Courier, Jan. 10, 1868
A young woman named Mathilda Routh died in Appleton last week under circumstances which lead to the holding of an inquest. As the result of the inquest it was discovered that the poor girl had fallen victim to a heartless wretch who first ruined and then induced her to procure an abortion to conceal her shame. The jury returned a righteous verdict of “willful murder” against William H. Patterson of Almonte but we regret to learn that he has managed to decamp. Consequently, justice is not likely to be carried out. Miss Routh was only 21 years of age and altogether the case is painful in the extreme.
Of course, women did find themselves with unwanted pregnancies. Abortifacients were discreetly advertised and there was a considerable body of folklore about methods of inducing miscarriages. Amongst working-class women violent purgatives were popular, pennyroyal, aloes and turpentine were all used. Other methods to induce miscarriage were very hot baths and gin, extreme exertion, a controlled fall down a flight of stairs, or veterinary medicines. So-called ‘backstreet’ abortionists were fairly common, although their bloody efforts could be fatal. Estimates of the number of illegal abortions performed in England varied widely: by one estimate, 100,000 women made efforts to procure a miscarriage in 1914, usually by drugs.
In Memory of Matilda, daughter of Launcelot & Meranda Routh, who died Dec 30, 1867, aged 21 yrs.
Wesleyan Methodist Cemetery
Lot 13, Con. 9, Ramsay Twp. near Almonte.
Burials – 1827 – 1947
| Name | Matilda Routh | |||
| Event Type | Burial | |||
| Event Place | Lanark, Ontario, Canada | |||
| Cemetery | Wesleyan Methodist Burial Ground+ | |||
| Note | In Memory Of, Matilda, Daughter Of, Launcelot & Meranda Routh, Who Died,Dec.30,1867, Aged,21,Y’rs., [Inscription Unreadable] | |||
The Sad Tale of Unwed Mothers of Days Gone By — Perth through the Ages Tour
lindaseccaspina 