(submitted by Linda Koolen)
Andrew McAdam (1857–1909) was the son of John McAdam (1819–1904) and Martha Denny (1828–1904). He was born in Westminster Twp., Middlesex County. He first met Nina Morgan (1863–1931) when he offered her a ride while she was walking from a neighbour’s house. Nina had come to Warwick Twp. with her parents to a place in the bush north of the Egremont on what is now Wisbeach Rd. The Morgan family built a cabin back in the field with a fireplace. Nina’s father would walk to London for a bag of sugar, stay overnight at a friend’s home, then carry it home on his back.
Nina had spent time working in New York and had retained postcards of the city. When Andrew and Nina’s first child was born they named her Manhatten (1886–1889) but she came to be known as Hattie. When her mother had a pail of boiling water to scrub the floor, Hattie sat in it and later died of her injuries. Nina and Andrew McAdam also had a son Lambert (1889–1985) and a daughter Beatrice (1894–).
The McAdams built a home at the front of the farm on Lot 28, Con. 3 NER in the late 1800s. In 1902, while digging a foundation for a barn they unearthed twelve human skulls, some of which appeared to have holes drilled into them. The news was even picked up by the New York Times!
Andrew McAdam died after having developed pneumonia after helping harvest ice. His widow remained on the farm with her two children.
Beatrice married Emanuel (Manny) Sitter (1892–1958). They had one daughter, Magdalene Esther (1919–). Beatrice was crippled as a result of the Spanish influenza, and could not properly take care of her daughter, so Magdalene was in the care of her McAdam grandmother and Sitter grandparents for several years. Despite her disability, Beatrice could still play the piano. I (Linda Koolen) remember her playing “Star of the East”. She did a lot of crocheting, especially afghans. Beatrice died in the fire which burned the house of her daughter, Magdalene (Sitter) Edwards, in March, 1970.
Lambert remained on the farm with his mother. After her death, at the age of 45 yrs, he married Jessie Ridley (1891–1975). They lived on a farm north of the Egremont, on 27 Sideroad.
McAdam family (Carter & Isaac photo). Lambert McAdam, Nina (Morgan) McAdam, Beatrice (McAdam) Sitter. Courtesy M Edwards.
Chapter 24 of 25 - McAdam Family
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