Catherine Birston

CATHERINE BIRSTON (c.1802-1884)

Catherine Birston began a relationship with John Tod in 1818, while he was at Island Lake, near York Factory. She was the mixed-blood daughter of Magnus Birston, assistant trader at Island Lake. Together, they had a son named James, who was born iin 1818. In 1823, when Tod was transferred to New Caledonia (British Columbia), Catherine and James would not go with him. This was probably because of stories that the untamed west had a harsh climate and fierce Natives. Tod reported to his friends that Catherine was soon under the protection of another. He was not to see his son again until he was a grown man, although he did pay for his education and receive reports of his well-being. Later, Catherine would follow her son James to Victoria, calling herself "the widow Tod." This may have prompted Tod to formally marry Sophia Lolo. Catherine later married Samuel Norn and they ran a farm near James'. "Granny Norn," as she was called, was well known in the community as a healer and midwife. She was also famous for her raccoon cooking! She died in Victoria in 1886 at the age of 84. BC Heritage