began in 1867, the year she was married, and continued until her death in 1912, we learn that in that first year of her married life there was not a meal eaten in the old home when there was not someone other than the immediate family at the table. According to this record, as a rule they were overnight guests as well. This lavish entertainment becomes more understandable when we remember that at this earlier period in addition to Grandmother McMillan, the widow of David McMillan, there were in the home three unmarried daughters, Aunt Jane, Aunt Jeannette and Aunt Martha, to look after ithe guests. Mother said that at the time she came into the home as a bride, Grandmother (David McMillan’s widow) then the mother of twelve children, had already assumed the role of a retired lady, who with a lace cap, which was generally worn by older women of that period, sat in the corner in her rocking chair, to be waited on hand and foot by all the family—while she acted as hostess and directed the activities of the home. But what must have been the burden of Martha Murdock MacMillan, when in the very first year of her married life, Grandmother McMillan, Aunt Jane, Aunt Jeanette and Aunt Martha moved to Cedarville to live in a home which James, the son and brother in his years of affluence built for them, thus leaving the entertainment of the home on her shoulders. But with help or no help, with children or no children, the hospitality of the family was kept up, and if anything increased, in the years which followed, and to an extent that seems almost incredible today. One thing must be said of Martha Murdock MacMillan—that she was not only a most attractive person, but to an amazing degree, she possessed all those characteristics of a pioneer woman —strong, virile, resourceful and gracious that puts her in a class by herself. Especially is this true when you recall, that in addition to heading up an establishment of the kind just described, she possessed a strong community consciousness, which made her a good neighbor and friend to all sorts and conditions of people for miles around. If hospitality is the distinguishing characteristic of this home, it might be interesting to note some of those who were not passing guests for a day or for a night, but who were real “sojourners,” who came for a longer or shorter period to take up their abode 37
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