"Just at that time South Africa was being much talked of, and he thought he would try his fortune there. He brought out most of his family, my grandmother being the eldest. He never recovered his health, and died about a year afterwards. Our great-grandmother then returned to England with the younger children. My grandmother, having married Lieutenant Coleman of the Navy (who came out in their vessel the Weymouth), decided to remain, as did also her young brother, Stephen and a sister, afterwards Mrs. Sayers.
"My grandmother settled at Simon's Town, and after her first husband's death had a school, having been left with two little girls. She afterwards married my grandfather Fineran who was in the Commissariat Department of the Army, and mother was their only daughter. Her two brothers died as young men. There are several descendants of the other Osler daughters, grandmother's sisters, about Simon's Town whom we have never seen, mother not having kept in touch with them after grandmother's death."
S. W. D.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] My mother's cousin, Mrs. Kate Divine, in a letter from South Africa, dated September 8, 1809, speaks of another son, Joseph, the oldest of the family, who died before they went out to the Cape. She also gives additional information about Benjamin Osler and his family which I have added as an appendix.—S. W. D.
[2] Mrs. Gilbert has now been for several years a widow, and all her children are married and have children of their own. Her home is with her daughter Leonora, whose husband is a successful clergyman.—S. W. D.
[3] Reverend Mr. Sims died in August, 1909.
[4] The beautiful stone church which now replaces the first wooden building was dedicated June 10, 1909, shortly after my mother's death. It was the gift of Mr. R. H. Ensign and is entirely furnished with organ and fittings by the generosity of members of his family. The large Tiffany window over the chancel is a memorial to my grandfather presented by his daughters.—S. W. D.
[5] My mother was closely associated for some years before her marriage with "Father McLean," as he was affectionately called, reading to him, writing sermons for him, and delighting to render him in his blindness such little services as she could.—S. W. D.