Mary Ross

MARY ROSS

Mary Ross, here treated, is the daughter of Alexander Ross and his Okanagan wife Sarah, Library and Archives Canada otherwise known as Sally Timentwa. [Manitoba Historical Society: Reverend George Flett] Manitoba Historical Society

Across the Great Divide

Mary Ross crossed the Rockies with her mother and three siblings in 1825. Once across the divide they proceeded down the Saskatchewan to Lake Winnipeg and the Red River Settlement Memorable Manitobans

Education

Mary Ross received her education at the Red River Academy where she learned to read, write, sing and: “the proper deportment for young ladies.” Manitoba Historical Society

Marriage

Mary Ross married the Reverend George Flett on 26 November 1840, George Flett married Mary Ross at St. John’s with Cuthbert Grant, Francis M. Dease, and John Dease as witnesses and William Cockran officiating. Mary’s father was Alexander Ross, a Highland Scot who, before he retired to Red River in 1825, had been a chief trader for the Pacific Fur Company and the NWC. While working in the West, Ross married Sally Timentwa, the daughter of an Okanagan chief, according to the custom of the country. When Ross set out for Red River in 1825, he left Sally to follow him with four children. She journeyed across the mountains on horseback, one child in front of her, one child behind her, and two on another horse, arriving at Red River in the summer of 1826. Manitoba Historical Society

Her Metis Script Affidavit

Scrip affidavit for Flett, Mary, wife of Rev. George Flett; born: 1 January 1824; father: Alexander Ross; mother: Sarah; claim no.: 2856; date of issue: Sept. 5, 1878 = Demande de certificat pour Flett, Mary, épouse du révérend George Flett; né(e): le 1 janvier 1824; père: Alexander Ross; mère: Sarah; no de réclamation: 2856; date d'émission: 5 septembre, 1878. Library and Archives Canada