Isabella Mainville Ross facts for kids

Isabella Mainville Ross (born January 10, 1808 – died April 23, 1885) was a very important woman in the history of British Columbia. She was the first woman to officially own land there! Isabella was a Métis woman. This means she had both Indigenous (from her mother, Josette Mainville, who was Ojibwe) and European (from her father, Joseph Mainville, who was French-Canadian) heritage.

Isabella's Early Life and Family

Isabella's father worked for the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). This was a big company that traded furs across Canada. When Isabella was 14, she married Charles Ross. He was also a fur trader for the HBC. Their marriage was later made official in a church ceremony in 1838.

Isabella and Charles had nine children together. They had five boys and four girls. Their names were John, Walter, Elspat (Elizabeth), Charles, Catharine, Alex, Francis, Mary, and Flora.

Life with the Hudson's Bay Company

Charles's job with the HBC meant his family moved around a lot. They lived in different places across what is now Western Canada. In 1824, they moved to Fort Kilmaurs in British Columbia. Later, in the 1830s, they moved to Fort McLoughlin.

Isabella was known for being very brave. The Governor of the HBC, George Simpson, even wrote about her. He said she showed "great courage" in her daily life. He shared a story about Isabella trading in a shop when Charles was away. Some women came in and threatened one of her sons with knives. Isabella quickly chased them out of the shop and calmly went back to her work.

It was common for Isabella to take over her husband's role as a trader when he was traveling. Charles wrote that she was very good at this work. He said she was perfect for the life they lived.

Moving to Fort Victoria

In 1843, Isabella and Charles moved again. This time, they went to Fort Victoria on Vancouver Island. The HBC had closed the post at Fort McLoughlin. Charles became the Chief Trader in charge of Fort Victoria. Isabella and Charles were the first Métis family to live there. They helped make Fort Victoria an important place for the fur trade.

Sadly, Charles died soon after this move, on June 27, 1844. After he passed away, Isabella and her children moved to Fort Nisqually. They lived there for eight years.

Becoming a Landowner

Isabella returned to Fort Victoria in 1854. This is when she made history! She bought 99 acres of land. This made her the first woman to officially own land in British Columbia. She turned this land into a farm and called it Fowl Bay Farm.

Isabella passed away on April 23, 1885, at the age of 77. She is buried in Ross Bay Cemetery in Victoria.

Isabella's Legacy

Isabella Mainville Ross is an important person in the history of Victoria. She is also important for Métis people and for understanding the role of women in the past. The Ross Bay Cemetery, where she is buried, is named after her.

Her gravestone has a special message:

Here Lies Isabella Mainville Ross. Born January 10, 1808. Died in Victoria April 23, 1885. She came here in 1843 with her husband, Chief Trader Charles Ross, who was in charge of building Fort Victoria. After his death she bought the land upon which you are standing for a farm. By doing so she became the first woman to own land in what is now British Columbia.

Isabella's life helps us learn about the challenges faced by Métis people. It also shows us how race and gender played a role in the 1800s.