THE WIDOW'S WEEDSOver the weekend I had an inspiring comment from a reader. As we e-mailed back and forth, we shared some gems about family history and she sent me a picture which was the inspiration for this blog. I would like to thank her. Ostrom is a well researched name in Ontario history. Not only were they prolific but they were also United Empire Loyalists and one of the first families to settle in Belleville. From there they multiplied and spread all over the county and various others Ontario Counties as well. This is a story of one such family. THE DEATH OF ELIJAHIf the birth date is correct Catherine would not have been much more than fifteen when she married the young Elijah Ketcheson Ostrom a young hopeful of twenty. Promises for a life together, children, happiness and success. Elijah came from a family eight. Six boys and the two youngest girls. His mother died shortly after the birth of his youngest sister. Catherine remembered it as if it were yesterday. It was the year they wed. Many years and seven children had past since that day in 1849. "I'm ailing Kate. Must be something I ate. I think I'll go rest for a bit." The year was 1892, it was hot and unseasonably humid that year. Perhaps her husband had worked to hard and the humidity had affected him, she thought as she prepared a light supper for the two of them. About a half hour later she climbed the stairs to see how he was to find him moaning and writhing in the bed, the pain more than he could bear. She ran next door to her neighbour asking them to send for the doctor, post haste. By the time Dr.King arrived at the house it was too late. Elijah was gone. The diagnosis, heat-failure due to acute peritonitis. The next year and one half she would mourn the loss of her lifetime partner and father of her children. Judging from the picture, it would appear that mourning was seriously adhered to in this Ostrom family. It would also appear that the widow Ostrom was of a certain class that could afford the luxury of the three stages of mourning. Those less fortunate would make do with what they had or have a simple black dress to wear.
A widow was expected to mourn for one and one half years divided into three sections Deep mourning, middle mourning and late mourning. Deep Mourning While not all followed the rules as such this would be a period where the widow would be entirely dressed in black crape (crepe) or wool. This period lasted one year. Middle Mourning The next nine months would be what was considered middle mourning and those more fortunate, who could afford it would added possibly some white lace or white collars and cuffs. Late Mourning At this stage the widow would change to a less stark appearance and wear a lighter weight dress of grey or any subdued shades of purple, violet, mauves and of course black. Some women continued to wear black for the rest of their lives, especially those of a more mature age. *An interesting aside. The photograph of Catherine Ostrom was marked from a studio in Montréal. I would imagine that photographers of that time travelled looking for work where they could. I cannot imagine that Catherine traveled to Montréal for the photograph. For more on: Elijah Ostrom and Catherine (Archer)
1 Comment
Beverley Varcoe
4/16/2018 07:56:35 pm
At the time of Elijah Ostrom's death they were living at the large boarding house they purchased in 1886. 351 Charlotte St, Peterborough. It appears at the time they had two sons still living with them, Alfred and Charles. The family, extended family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren continued to live in the house until it was sold in 1963. They had a grocery store so maybe he picked up an infection from something at the store. Acute peritonitis is an infection of the lining of the heart and will cause heart failure. I enjoyed reading your blog! Thank you for your wonderful website. Beverley Varcoe
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Stephanie Bell-Boissonneault"When researching Family never leave a stone unturned, not even a pebble." Archives
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