Beatrice Mary (Clifford) Retson (1887 - 1958)

Born 16 Feb 1887 in Brookside, Colchester County, Nova Scotia

Ancestors

Wife of William Rankin Retson — married 25 Dec 1907 in Truro, Colchester, Nova Scotia, Canada

Descendants

Died 16 Sep 1958 at age 71 in Truro, Colchester County, Nova Scotia

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Biography

Beatrice Clifford was born 16 February 1887 in Brookside, Colchester County, Nova Scotia.^[1] She was the youngest daughter of James Clifford and Rebecca Nelson. She married William Rankin Retson 25 December 1907 ^[2]at Brookside, Colchester County, Nova Scotia.

Beatrice Clifford came from a cultured family. When her family would write letters, they would write them in the form of poetry. Beatrice Clifford had a love of poetry. She had graduated from Colchester Academy. She was a school teacher in Valley and maybe Bible Hill as well.

She was a very religious. She was a Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Truro for many years. In the early years Beatrice, strong puritan background rose to the top. There were no cards – at least in the house or to the knowledge of Beatrice Clifford, no dancing, no drinking and church attendance was compulsory. Doris Hancock relates that her father took her to her dance at the Agriculture College when she was in grade 10. Similarly, it was her father that gave her some money to buy cards in Truro to play “45s” when some boys from New Brunswick were going to arrive and required some entertainment. None of the children held any resentment to their mother – it was her religious convictions. However, none either to choose to maintain her rigorous views with respect what was “of the devil”.

She had rheumatoid Arthritis before the end of the twenties. On her husband’s birthday February 22, 1946, she had a stroke which paralyzed her left side. She did not think she was going to survive but lived another 12 years. She was bed ridden much of that time. They took Margaret Jennings from the NS Training School to help in the home.

She died in Bible Hill September 16, 1958. ^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ Canada Census, 1901; Census Place: North River, Colchester, Nova Scotia; Page: 17; Family No: 172
2. ↑ Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics Website, https://www.novascotiagenealogy.com/ItemView.aspx?ImageFile=1807-253&Event=marriage&ID=22948,egistration Year 1907, Book 1807, Page 253, number 191. Dec 25 1907 by License, Brookside, William Ritson age 24 to Beatrice Clifford age 21 Witnesses Mrs. Wm Clifford and Scott Clifford.
3. ↑ Obituary, Truro Daily News

See also: http://www.retson.ca/clifford.pdf