Mary Ann Vine: Pioneer, Farmer, Midwife of Metchosin 1825-1907
"Raising her skirt umbrella like above her head, she fixed her eyes on those of the crouching animal and then advanced slowly..."
Article Length: 2,103 words, 10 images, about a 15 minute read.
The story behind Mary Ann Vine is a wild one - filled with determination, intrigue, guts, and a bad temper here and there. Her tenacity became one of legend; her compassion towards others notable. Mary Ann was the epitome of a true pioneer, tackling hardships and the occasional panther head on.
Mary Ann (maiden name possibly Boast) was born on November 14, 1825 in Bexley, Kent, England where she married Thomas Reid in 1843. They had one child, daughter Barbara Ellen Vaughn Reid born in the same year. 10 years later Mary (age 28) and Thomas packed up their young family life and boarded the Norman Morrison in 1852 heading for Victoria. At the time, Mary Ann was described as,
A most attractive young woman, of graceful athletic build, about five foot eight inches tall, of fair complexion, crowned with nut brown hair. Her eyes, always her most notable characteristic, were a deep blue, the color nearly always seen in persons who by strength of will and mentality, dominate not only individuals but circumstances. They would change according to exigencies from deep blue to burnish steel. Hypnotic and compelling. (Daily Colonist 1930)