MacKinnon, Jennet (nee Chisholm)
Sacred to the Memory of
Jennet Chisholm
Wife of the
Honorable J McKinnon, M.L.C.
Who died November 3 AD 1867
Aged 51 years
Blessed are the dead who
Die in the Lord for their
Works will follow them”
She hath opened her
Hand to the needy and stretched
Out her hands to the poor.”
Throughout the research into Jennet Chisholm, we are alerted to the spelling of her name which varies from record to record—Janet, Jennet, Jeannet, Jess. In reading the inscription for Jennet we can estimate her date of birth as being approximately 1816. Unfortunately no birth or baptismal records for that period exist.
In her reminiscences, granddaughter, Mary Belle Grant identifies her grandmother as a daughter of Christopher Chisholm of North River.[1]
The marriage for Jennet is recorded at St Ninian’s parish and reads as follows…I the undersigned certify that John McKinnon of Williams Point and Jess Chisholm of the North River after regular publication of Banns joined in matrimony of the 19th November 1834. Witnesses John McKinnon, Senr. And John Chisholm, N River.
William Fraser Ep. Tanen [2] John McKinnon, a farmer by occupation also represents Sydney County in the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia from 1851 through 1863; Antigonish County from 1863 through 1867.[3] The McKinnons resided at Williams Point and raised a family of six children, daughters Margaret, Mary, Catherine, Alice and Eunice; one son John J.[4]
The inscription on Jennet’s headstone is a testament to a life well lived. One of the few insights we discover about Jennet Chisholm is from the words of her granddaughter, Mary Belle Grant… “When Grandma MacKinnon (Jeannet Chisholm) was ill the MicMacs from the other side of Antigonish Harbour—a boatload of them—would come and kneel on the lawn and pray for her. Grandma came from that side of the Harbour. My grandparents were always concerned about the welfare of the Indians, and Grandpa used whatever influence he had to better their lot in life.”[5]
Jennet’s death is reported by her husband to authorities. She dies at her Williams Point home; cause of death is Erysipelas, also known as St. Anthony’s Fire, a painful bacterial skin infection. Of interest on this record is Jennet’s mother is identified as Isabelle.[6]
With the death of his wife, John McKinnon continues to reside on the farm at Williams Point. Also in the household are his daughter, Alice and two grandchildren Catherine Ann Grant and Janet McFarlane.[7]
[1] Ormond, Douglas Somers “A Century Ago At Arichat and Antigonish Reminiscences of Mary Belle Grant Ormond”
[2] St Ninian Parish Records
[3] Elliot, Shirley B “The Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia 1758-1983”
[4] Antigonish Heritage Museum Roots Magic Genealogy Database
[5] Ormond, Douglas Somers “A Century Ago At Arichat and Antigonish Reminiscences of Mary Belle Grant Ormond”
[6] Nova Scotia Historical Vital Statistics – Death Record https://archives.novascotia.ca/vital-statistics/death/?ID=2731
[7] Library and Archives Canada Census 1871 Household #160 https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1871&op=img&id=4396739_00241