McLaren Left it All to the McLeod Sisters–His Maids!

 

Daniel McLaren was William Muirhead’s uncle, the brother of his mother Agnes. He also was  a bachelor and very well to do. Mary McLeod and her sister Isabella were Daniel’s housekeepers and apparently upon his death when his will was read; he had left his estate to the McLeod sisters.

Christina/Christena Muirhead took the sisters to court and was successful in recovering all the real estate and chattels. All the McLeod sisters were left with after the court case were a bunch of blankets. Lawyers argued that it was a scene that had played over and over countless times  throughout the years. An old man verging on senility had the “wool blankets” pulled over his eyes by a couple of conniving and unscrupulous attendants.

These two sisters did not stop there. They also spread rumours that Christina/Christena Muirhead had poisoned her husband and then had her accused of murder. The trial was in Perth and upon opening statement the judge said to the lawyer,

“These two sisters say they heard you said that William Muirhead died from poisoning!”

The doctor quickly answered,

“I did say that- it was poisoning from the infection following a leg amputation, but not poison given to him by anyone!”

The case was immediately dismissed.

Next story: Life in Beckwith

 

 

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and Screamin’ Mamas (USA)

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

 

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  28 Apr 1887, Thu,  Page 3

 

 

Christena McEwen– The Belle of Beckwith Part 1 -“The Woodcocks”

Killed by Zulus — Duncan and James Box

Was a Boldt Castle Boathouse Once in our Midst? See the Home of the Daphne!

He Hailed from Carleton Place– Harold Box– The Forgotten Scientist?

“Bossin’ Billy” McEwen Muirhead –Box family

 

 

 

 

 

“Bossin’ Billy” McEwen Muirhead –Box family

 

Dr. Eddie Box- grandson of The Belle of Beckwith-photo courtesy Box family

 

Part 1-Christena McEwen– The Belle of Beckwith Part 1 -“The Woodcocks”

 

Now if you remember the story I wrote, The Belle of Beckwith, Christena McEwen was an outspoken lass, and now the time had come for her to wed.  Suitor William Muirhead was known in the area as “a well to do man” no questions asked and Christena’s Mother favoured the match with Muirhead. Love triumphed for William, but alas not for poor Christena.  In the stories told by Eddie Box later on, dear Christena ran back home a few times to Mum and Dad once she was married. From all facts told, it was not a happy marriage.

One would say a major factor was that William was 28 years older than dear Christena, similar to the marriage we read about yesterday between Gavin Lindsay and Elizabeth Cumming.  When she resided at the marital home ‘Bossin’ Billy’ as Christena was known, and her husband made the War of the Roses look tame. Grandson Eddie Box could never swallow those facts about his dear Grandmother as he said she was always good natured and agreeable. In fact she was more than agreeable he said– she was just like Whistler’s Mother when she sat in her rocking chair in the kitchen when he visited.

Eddie admitted she didn’t have the push and fire of his very own Mother, but she was definitely prophetic. When Eddie said goodbye to her at her Carleton Place home to go to dental school in Toronto his Grandmother looked at him and said,

“Who knows we may never see each other again!”

She was right they never did.

“Bossin Billy” aka Christena  McEwen Muirhead died in her Carleton Place home in November  of 1924.

 

 

 

 

 

Christina McEwen (Muirhead)

Immediate Family:
Daughter of John Newcome McEwen and Christina McEwen
Wife of William Muirhead
Mother of William John Muirhead; Jemima Muirhead and Daniel Muirhead
Sister of Catherine McEwen; John McEwen; Isabella McEwen; Mary McEwen; Janet McEwen; Margaret McEwen and Hugh McEwen

 

 

William Muirhead

Birthdate: 1812 (58)
Death: Died October 12, 1870
Immediate Family:
Husband of Christina McEwen
Father of William John Muirhead; Jemima Muirhead and Daniel Muirhead

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and Screamin’ Mamas (USA)

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

 

 

 

Christena McEwen– The Belle of Beckwith Part 1 -“The Woodcocks”

Killed by Zulus — Duncan and James Box

Was a Boldt Castle Boathouse Once in our Midst? See the Home of the Daphne!

He Hailed from Carleton Place– Harold Box– The Forgotten Scientist?

Linda,

While I’m at it, here’s portrait of “The Belle of Beckwith” Christine Muirhead (McEwan) and a photo of William Muirhead Sr. At one time, so the story goes, William owned over 900 acres of land, a large part is now part of Carleton Place. Christine gave part of the land on which now stands 239 James Street to her daughter Jemima and Robert Box.

Gary