Thynne, Mary Elisabeth (Linklater)

Mary Linklater was born in what is now Winnipeg on January 12th, 1870.  She was the third child of ten, born to William Linklater, a part-Cree fur trader and HBC factor at Fort Garry, and Caroline McKay.  She moved with the family to Fort Pelly, SK when the HBC post was opened there and lived through the days of the Riel rebellion. At age 16 in 1887, she married John (Jack) Grenville Thynne (pronounced thin) there.  They settled on a homestead near Yorkton, SK. In 1888  they came west to Nicola.  Their move was likely prompted by John Thynne’s father being offered a position as the bishop of New Westminster who travelled to BC through Spences Bridge and decided to buy a half stake in a ranch at Nicola and then offered if as a gift to Mary and John Thynne. The Thynne’s only daughter, Mary Ethel was born in February 1888 at their house which was located half way up Hamilton Hill above Merritt. They moved to Fort McLeod, AB and afterwards Otter Valley where they ran a stopping place for the stage for many years.  They would eventually leave for Penticton in 1943 due to John’s failing health.  After his death, Mary continued living a very energetic life, having completed a crocheted bedspread in her 85th year, entering it in competitions in Penticton and Merritt and winning first prize in both.  On a visit back to Pelly, Saskatchewan on January 21st, 1957, Mary passed away at the age of 87 in her childhood home.

Search Thynne for more photos of Jack and Mary