Guiding Beacon: Mary Rawson
Mary Rawson was a brave woman who settled in Enniskillen Township in 1868 under harsh circumstances.
Mary was born in 1826, and as a young girl she fell off a wagon. The accident left her lame, limiting her future employment options.
In 1858 she married William Rawson. The couple had five children (losing one child at age two) before William died of tuberculosis in 1868. Recently widowed and pregnant with her sixth child, Mary made the brave decision to begin a new life in Lambton County.
Accompanied by her two sisters (who had married two of William's brothers) and her children, pregnant Mary travelled across rough, primitive roads from Scarborough to Lambton County. Her sixth child, Ursala Margaret (Maggie) was born shortly after she arrived on May 30, 1868.
To support her family, Mary earned money weaving rugs on a loom. She passed skills along to her daughters by teaching them dressmaking and her sons also worked to support the family. Mary earned additional money working as a midwife. Mary was able to support her family and make a new life for her children in Enniskillen Township. She passed away June 9, 1892.
Mary Rawson was nominated by her great-granddaughter Marilyn Rawson, who noted that she admires her great-grandmother for her “courage, ambition and fortitude. She was a hard worker.”
Nominees:
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Donna Jean McGuire |
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Donna Jean McGuire was a passionate historian who loved to promote local tourism. Donna was the Curator of the Oil Museum of Canada for twenty-six years, starting in 1976 until her retirement in 2002. During her time in this position, she was instrumental in promoting the “story of oil” at the local, provincial and international level. Donna has been involved in service organizations in her community, including her local Women's Institute, serving as president and provincial director. She also held those positions with the Daughters of Rebekah. Nominated by her daughter Penny Phillips, Donna passed away in June of 2012. |
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Betty Lou Snetselaar |
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Betty Lou Snetselaar's interest in history has played an important role in the preservation of local stories for future generations. As an active community member, Betty Lou has been involved with a number of historical organizations throughout her life. This has included sitting on the Lambton County Historical Society since 1984, serving as a founding member of the Oil Springs Heritage Committee and participating as a steering committee member of the Oil Springs Heritage District Committee. In 2012, Betty Lou received the Ontario Heritage Trust Heritage Community Recognition Award in the Lifetime Achievement category. Nominated by Colleen McLean, Betty Lou was described as “an active historian with a love of the people and places of Lambton County.” |
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Mona May Thompson |
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Mona May Thompson has been a dedicated steward of local institutions in Enniskillen Township. As a women's Institute member, Mona May has served in multiple executive positions at both the branch and district levels. This passion for advocacy is demonstrated in her participation in the Rural Ontario Sharing Education (ROSE) program. Mona May has also been deeply involved with the Brigden Fair and the Fair's steering committee, the Moore Agricultural Society. She served as President of the Board in 1997 and 2004 and more recently sat on the Board of Directors from 2009-2011. Mona May was nominated by fellow Women's Institute member Dorothy McDonald. |
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