A Woman of Substance
Margaret Reid Farmer—Helen’s Granny
Image | Helen Houston
Margaret Reid Farmer, my Granny, was born on 26 October 1875 in Lochee, Dundee. Her mother registered the birth and “signed” with an “X” her mark.
My Granny would not marry my Grandfather and go with him to the jute industries in India as, by then, she was “a woman of substance” with her own shop. If he still felt the same way when he returned to Dundee, she would marry him. In 1912, Margaret married David Farmer and on 4 May 1915, aged 41, she gave birth to twins, my mother and uncle, her first children.
Margaret with her twins
Image | Helen Houston
She continued to be a fiercely independent woman. My grandfather died suddenly in 1935. In 1948, Granny was given months to live and came to stay with our family. She got herself back on her feet and stayed with us for 13 years. She was a very strong-willed woman, full of determination, which did not always make things easy for my Mum and Dad, but I had to admire her spirit which I like to think I inherited. Thank you, Granny.
A Woman of Substance—Margaret Reid Farmer
Image | Helen Houston