Lays Richard James | Lays Mary Ann

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Transcription Richd Lays / 30 Aug 1858 / Unpaid / It appears that plot #127 in St Ninian Pioneer Cemetery was arranged with the sudden death of Richard Lays in August 1858.   It is probable that Richard Lays and his widow Mary Ann are both interred in this cemetery, although no marker exists today. The Lays family have a long history of being members of St Ninian Parish.  Marriage and baptismal records are accessible and the first record that documents the family is a marriage in 1836.  A transcription follows… I the undersigned certify that Richard Ley and Mary Walsh both of this parish were after regular publication of banns, joined in matrimony on the 4^th Apr 1836 in the presence of Neil McKenna and Bartley McKenna. [signed] + William Fraser Ep. Tanen The 1838 census for Dorchester Township shows the household of Richard Lays, Saddler.  The constituents of this household include the following members.

• One male under six years of age;
• One female under six years of age;
• One female over 14 years of age;

According to Baptismal Records at St Ninian Parish, the births of Richard and Mary Lays children  include the following.

• Richard James Lays bap. 8 Nov 1840
• Elizabeth Ann Lays b. Feb 7 1847 bap. Feb 21 1847
• Baby Lays b. Aug 1849 bap. Aug 19 1849 Rev John Grant P.P.
• Mary Jane Lays b. 31 Jan 1854 bap. 19 Feb 1854

Another son Alexander, is identified through a marriage record [2] to Mary Boyd of Hallowell Grant in 1869. The Lays family are to face difficult times in 1858.  An account of the tragedy that resulted in Richard James Lays death is found in The Casket. Death by Drowning [3] One of these melancholy accidents tending to show us that in our most unexpecting moments we are in the midst of death occurred in this place on Saturday last.  A man of the name of Richard Lays, a Saddler by trade, had a few people employed at haymaking at a place called Indian Gardens, on the banks of the river which runs into the harbor.  He had carried their dinner to those at work, and the day being very warm, went into the river to bathe, contrary to the wishes of his two sons and those who were present, as his health had been very infirm during the spring and whole summer.  After swimming once or twice across the river, which was quite narrow at that place he sank beneath the water without the least struggle or call for assistance, and never again rose to the surface.  It unfortunately happened that none of those present could swim, and the depth of the water where he sank rendered abortive all their attempts, until others who were at work within call came time been more than twenty minutes under the water and all their attempts to recall him to life were unavailing.  An Inquest was held in view of the body by Coroner Dr Currie, and a verdict given in accordance with the above circumstances.  He has left a widow and ten children.  He was a quiet, inoffensive, and industrious man, and his sudden and melancholy death is a subject of much regret in this community where he has resided since his earlier days. Mary Ann and her young family struggle to make ends meet over the coming months; it is possible there are mounting debts.  An auction is arranged to sell family property.

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Ill health with a grim prognosis afflicts Mary Ann Lays; she prepares by writing a will October 3^rd 1864.  Once again tragedy strikes the Lays family, Mary Ann dies and her obituary appears in The Casket.

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[6]   Among the beneficiaries of Mary Ann’s will is her son Alexander Lays.  He marries in 1869 Mary Boyd of Hallowell Grant and they begin a family.  Eventually he moves the Lays family to Pictou County.

[1] 1841 Plot Plan St Ninian Pioneer Cemetery

[2] Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics Year: 1869 Book: 1803  Page: 20 Number: 40

[3] The CASKET Sept 2 1858 (6-1858-33-2)

[4] 77 Church Street fonds – Angus Boyd

[5] The CASKET Dec 1 1864 13-1864-21-3 [6] Will – Registry of Deeds