Eliza like James was of Irish descent, but unlike James was born in Ontario. Her parents, Robert and Ann had immigrated at nearly the same time as James with his parents did. Being Protestant and Irish were two good things she had in common with James. She was born in Grey County and was one of eight children. As a young woman of 17 just starting to attract the men’s attention, her father died, leaving Mrs. Boyd with the farm and four children in school and a newborn.
After the birth of their first child Ella (b 1888) James and Elizabeth moved to farm on land immediately north east of Blackstone Lake (Con 12 Lot 10, Conger Twp) and had the rest of the family, another 4 girls. Edna Aileen (b July 3 1903) being the last.
As 3 of their daughters married and moved out to Regina in 1911 Elizabeth herself took the long trip to help them get a start.
Eliza left James’s life too early as she developed breast cancer and fought it for two years. The months of January to May of
1916 must have been
…show more content…
At least their four of their children were all adults and had moved out – James would be lonely but have only himself to look after. However, the depression brought back at least one daughter, Laura, who had married Charles Ormiston, and in 1911 moved to Saskatchewan looking for solid employment. However, 1931 with no work and the beginning of the 'dirty thirties' — the dust bowl — Laura and her family landed back on her dad's farm. James had 10 of his grandchildren that surely would liven up his old