It was said in the newspaper of the 29th of April 1899 in the Ottawa Journal that William Rattray left a will by which his son James, age 19, was to receive $1,000 provided he did not marry “Eliza” Rattray, his sister- in-law. At his mother’s demise the same son was also to have the 260 acre farm.
Four grandchildren were also to receive, until of age. the invested proceeds from another farm. This latter farm was subsequently sold and the price thereof placed in the bank. The will came before Chief Justice Armour for adjudication, and judgment was given to the effect that the son shall receive the full thousand dollars and the 260 acres free from all restraints to marriage. The clause, regarding the other farm for the benefit of the grandchildren was expunged and the proceeds in bank were ordered to be administered by the executors.
It looks like James wasted no time in getting married as he married the 1st of September 1899, and guess who he married.
Author’s Note: This happened almost 120 years ago and was NOT unusual in those days. When brothers died etc they married widowed sister in laws, etc so the children would have a father to raise them. It was just the way things were done. Maybe there had been an argument in the family and Elizabeth/Eliza was not liked. Of course a newspaper clipping will never tell you that.
Elizabeth Ann Rattray
Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927
| Name: | James Rattray |
|---|---|
| Event Type: | Marriage |
| Event Date: | 01 Sep 1899 |
| Event Place: | Franktown, Lanark, Ontario, Canada |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 51 |
| Birth Year (Estimated): | 1848 |
| Father’s Name: | William Rattray |
| Mother’s Name: | Ann Rattray |
| Spouse’s Name: | Elizabeth Ann Rattray |
| Spouse’s Gender: | Female |
| Spouse’s Age: | 41 |
| Spouse’s Birth Year (Estimated): | 1858 |
| Spouse’s Father’s Name: | Joseph Hodgson |
| Spouse’s Mother’s Name: | Elizabeth Hodgson |
lindaseccaspina 