Handbook to the grammar of the greek testament - Ralph Grant Strathie

Biography

Rev. Ralph Grant Strathie (1872-1912)

Ralph Grant Starthie was born on the 10th of May 1872 to John Strathie (1831-1911) and Jane Hanlon Strathie (1840-1889). He was born into a very big, blended Presbyterian Newfoundland family. This family included children from the marriage of his mother and father and previous marriages. About half of the children survived childhood.

The first marriage was between John Strathie and Charlotte Sarah Thompson Strathie (1835-1867). They were married in 1855 until Sarah died in 1867. Together, they had six children; although for one child, it is uncertain who her mother is, she is connected to John regardless, and the time frame of her birth makes it seem like she is Charlotte’s daughter. In 1857, John and Charlotte had a son named James Thompson Strathie (1857-1880). In 1860, John and (probably) Charlotte had a daughter named Tryphena (Fannie) Strathie (1860-1934). In 1861, they had another daughter named Elizabeth McDonald Strathie (1861-1881). Their next child was born in 1863, and his name was Alexander Strathie (1863-1874) – he did not make it past childhood. The second to last child the couple had in 1865 was a male named Allan Robert Strathie (1865-1945). The last child they had together was a female, Charlotte Sarah Strathie (1867-1867), but she unfortunately only lived three or four months.

Between all of these births with his father and his father's first wife, Ralph’s mother had a child with her first husband, Robert Burns Trapnell (1836-1863), who married in 1858. They had three children, Catherine Elizabeth Trapnell Morison (1860-1938), Rufus Trapnell (1862), and Robert Henry Trapnell (1863–1957). Unfortunately, their marriage did not last long as Robert went on a sea voyage and got lost at sea in 1863. He was 27 years old.

After the events of 1863 and the last child in 1867, Charlotte Sarah Thompson Strathie passed away a month after the birth of her final daughter in August. She was 31/32 years of age.

John was then a bachelor for a few years, marrying Jane Hanlon Strathie (1840-1889) in 1869. In 1870, they had their first child together, although it is uncertain whether or not she is the mother due to a lack of records, but nonetheless, William H Strathie (1870-1950) was born in 1870 to the family. In addition to William, in 1870, the family had two other new additions to the family, a set of twins, Maggie and Jennie, who did not last very long. They were born in October of 1870, and in August of 1871, Maggie passed away at ten months old, Jennie soon following the next month at 11 months old. In 1872, Ralph was then born, followed by two more births in 1879. In 1879, Margery Laura Strathie (1879-1884) and Fergus Alexander Strathie (1879-1882) were born to the family, but like the other set of twins did not survive childhood. The final addition to the family came in 1880. In 1880, a boy was born to the family; they named him Hanlon Strathie (1880-1882); unfortunately, he did not survive childhood either.

To make things clearer, those who died in childhood consist of the following: Rufus Tranell, Alexander Strathie, Charlotte Sarah Strathie, Maggie and Jennie, Margery Laura Strathie, Fergus Alexander Strathie, and Hanlon Strathie (8 siblings).

The siblings that survived childhood consist of the following, not including Ralph: James Thompson Strathie, Tryphena (Fannie) Strathie, Elizabeth McDonald Strathie (who died in her early 20s), Allan Robert Strathie, Catherine Elizabeth Trapnell Morison (later marrying Donald Morison in 1881, a very famous politician) Robert Burns Trapnell, and William H Strathie – these are the ones we can name as according to a news article from 1911 about the death of John it lists a few siblings that are not on the overall list giving us an unknown son and an unknown Mrs. R. M. Hall (Martin Hall) from Newfoundland (9 siblings).

It is unclear how the death affected him throughout his life and his family, but we do get a clear picture of his life as he matured, got his first job, and later went to study at Dalhousie.

Aside from his birth, Ralph's first record comes from a directory of the city of St. John’s, Newfoundland, from 1890. He is listed as a bookkeeper for R Prowse and Son bds Central Hotel. He was 18 at the time of this listing. He was living with Maud Strathie, who was a domestic at 61 Patrick.

In 1891 Ralph went on to attend Dalhousie University. He is listed in the May 1892 Dalhousie Gazette (Volume 24, Issue 10). He was a faculty of arts student, taking Latin, Greek, English, philosophy, and moral philosophy. He graduated in 1895 with a BA.

After attending Dalhousie University, Ralph went on to attend Pine Hall Divinity College. He graduated in 1897 with a BD (Bachelor of Divinity).

In the same year, Ralph was ordained (July 1), inducted into his first charge in Nova Scotia, and married Elise Stewart (1869-1919), the daughter of a reverend.

In 1898 he was “officially” labelled as immigrated, according to the records that surfaced. He immigrated from Newfoundland (which was not a part of Canada at the time) to Nova Scotia. He went to visit Newfoundland in 1907 with his wife and in 1910 by himself.

After two years, he was inducted into the service at St. Andrews Chruch in Truro, NS. Later on, he resigned and went to do studies in Edinburg, Scotland. After his studies, Ralph went to Prince Edward Island in 1903, where he was called to Summerside.

In Summerside, Ralph attended and was inducted in October 1903. He continued to stay with the congregation in Summerside for seven years before being called to Charlottetown.

Besides being a reverend, Ralph was also involved in the Presbytery. There were quite a few men in attendance, as there was in every mention of the Presbytery in the paper. In March of 1908, he was included in the group of people in attendance as well as being the one who would hold Greek examinations for the students. On various other occasions, like in February 1908, he was appointed clerk of the meetings.

In January of 1910, Ralph preached his first sermon at Zion in Charlottetown. He immediately took up the cause of rebuilding the Zion church, the first stone being laid in 1911.In the cornerstone that was laid for the church various items were placed inside. There were various newspapers, half pennies, cents, and a picture of Ralph (among various other items). Throughout his time with the Zion church, Ralph coordinated Sunday school, sermons, and various other events in the church, like baptisms and weddings. According to the records from PARO he conducted (at least) 75 baptisms and 30 marriages during his time on PEI.

Meanwhile, his wife participated in the Presbyterial WMFS meetings on PEI and also aided in putting on plays for the community. She and her husband were good role models for the community.

In April of 1911, Ralph received devastating news: his father had passed away in Newfoundland. This newspaper article also points us in the direction of multiple other children whose graves were not easily found – or not found altogether. His father was 80 years old at the time of his death.

In March of 1912, Ralph conducted his last sermon. During that time, he had come to find he had a serious heart condition, so much so that at one point, it was reported in the Guardian that he was confined to his bed. He was given a six-month leave of absence where he and his wife went to Newfoundland.

October 28, 1912, at 7:30 a.m., Ralph Grant Strathie passed away in his bed, surrounded by family in Newfoundland. According to his death records, he died of endocarditis. The medical definition of this ailment is: “Endocarditis is inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium). It is caused by a bacterial or, rarely, a fungal infection.” In the Guardian, it was stated that he was a well-loved pastor with the Zion church. He is also said to be one of the ablest men in the Maritimes and that he was a forceful speaker. Pastors in PEI paid tribute to him in their services, the Presbytery, and by his wife. The Presbytery, in particular, said that he put great thought into everything he preached, gave thoughtful sermons, and served God to the fullest. He was buried Buried in General Protestant Cemetery, St. John’s, Newfoundland. He shares this monument with his niece Marjorie Morison; Marjorie was the daughter of Ralph's half-sister Catherine Elizabeth Trapnell Morison.

On November 1st, 1912, a memorial service was held for Ralph at the Zion Church. A letter that he wrote on his deathbed was presented to the visitors at the service. This letter can be accessed Here

It is eloquently written and speaks volumes of the passion he had for working with God.

Unfortunately, Ralph did not have any children. But his name is still remembered by the Zion church for his hard work. And as he had no children, he passed everything onto his wife. His will reads as follows, which is transcribed by Judy Benson & Ivy Benoit in the Newfoundland Will books, volume 9, page 537:

IN RE: RALPH GRANT STRATHIE. DECEASED

This is the last will and Testament of me, Ralph Grant Strathie, of Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island, but at present of St. John's Newfoundland, Presbyterian Minister.

First: I revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and declare this to be my true last will and Testament

Second. I appoint my wife, Elise Stewart Strathie, sole Executrix of this my will.

Third. I give, devise and bequeath to the said Elise Stewart Strathie all property, estate and effects of every kind and wheresoever situate of which I shall die possessed for her sole and absolute use and benefit forever

Witness my hand at St. John's aforesaid this 25th day of July A.D. 1912 - R. G. Strathie - Signed Published and Declared by the said Testator as and for his last will and Testament in our presence who in his presence and in the presence of each other (both present at the same time) have hereunto our names subscribed as witnesses. D. Morison S.S. Hall
Certified correct,
D. M. Browning
Registrar
(Listed in the margin next to this will the following)
Fiat Nov 11/12 C. J. Probate Nov 12/12 granted to Elise Stewart Strathie Estate sworn at $6000.30

Besides Ralph's death in 1912, a work was published under his name. The work is called “Climbing the Ladder.” Besides this publication, according to a book published in 1991, Ralph had also published another work in 1906, but it is yet to be found. The work is named “Psychology and Prayer” and was published in Theol. 16.

On 4 August 1919, Elsie passed away on PEI. She was sent to be buried in Church Grove Cemetery, Annapolis Valley, NS, near her father. In 1922, after the death of Mrs. Strathie, a tribute in the name of Ralph was sent to the Dalhousie Library. Elsie gave funds to the Dalhousie University Library. The suggestion was to use the money for the purchase of books in his name. This was weighed in by another one of our Booklives people: S. N. Robertson from Prince of Wales College, now UPEI, the man our library is named after, and also the friend of R. G. Strathie: he was pleased with the idea as he, if you have not read his story yet, was a man who was a driven teacher and advocated for well-stocked libraries.

The book in which we discovered Ralph’s signature is in: Handbook to the Grammar of the Greek Testament. Together with a complete vocabulary and examination of the chief New Testament synonyms by Rev. S. G. Green D. D. His name is written at the top of the page with the date of May 1, 1896, as well as the page after. On the first cover page, there is a faintly inscribed “2.00,” indicating this book may have been on sale at some point.

The book itself was donated to the Prince of Wales College Library on March 3, 1969.

Bibliography
1901 Canadian Census. Item number 34927245; Reference number RG31 - Statistics Canada; Family Number 134; Colchester, Truro (Town) Nova Scotia; Page 14.

1911 Canadian Census. Item number 6925633; Reference number RG31 - Statistics Canada; Family number 248; Dawson, Yukon; page 21.

“Calendar of the Presbyterian College, Halifax, N.S. : 1897/98.” Accessed through Acadia University, Vaughan Memorial Library, Wolfville, N.S.. https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.8_01489_18. See Page 30.

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“Charlottetown and Queens Country – Rev. R. G. Strathie…” The Charlottetown Guardian, 21 April 1911, Page 3. Accessed through UPEI | Robertson Library, Island Newspapers catalogue.

Death Record - Elsie Stewart Strathie: 1919. Place: Charlottetown.Entry number:13646. Source: RG19/s2/ss6: Death registration books, 1913-1919, p. 340. Source: Prince Edward Island, Public Archives and Records Office.

“Directory Of The City Of St. John's Newfoundland 1890.” Directory of Newfoundland. Accessed through Newfoundland's Grand Banks Site. See Category “S.” http://ngb.chebucto.org/M1890/m1890-might-s-city.shtml.

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Memorial Index - Alexander Strathie 1863-1867. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183697479. Accessed on the Find a Grave Database.

Memorial Index - Allan Robert Strathie 1867-1945. Place: Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington, USA. Memorial ID: 22623014. Accessed on the Find a Grave Database.

Memorial Index - Catherine Elizabeth Trapnell Morison 1860-1938. Place: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Memorial ID: 204873888. Accessed on the Find a Grave Database.

Memorial Index - Charlotte Sarah Strathie 1867-1867. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183697386. Accessed on the Find a Grave Database.

Memorial Index - Charlotte Sarah Thompson Strathie 1835-1867. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183696770. Accessed on the Find a Grave Database.

Memorial Index - Donald Morison 1857-1924. Place: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Memorial ID: 204873821. Accessed on the Find a Grave Database.

Memorial Index - Elise Morrison Stewart 1869-1919. Place: Church Grove Cemetery, Melvern Square, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Memorial ID: 204841749. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

Memorial Index - Elizabeth McDonald Strathie 1861-1881. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183697540. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

Memorial Index - Fergus Alexander Strathie 1879-1882. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183697975. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

Memorial Index - Hanlon Strathie 1880-1882. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183698038. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

Memorial Index - James Thompson Strathie 1857-1880. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183697754. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

Memorial Index - Jane Hanlon Strathie 1840-1889. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183698180. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

Memorial Index - Jennie Strathie 1870-1871. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183698133. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

Memorial Index - John Strathie 1831-1911. Place: St. Andrews Presbyterian Cemetery Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 196042563. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

Memorial Index - Maggie Strathie 1870-1871. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183698086. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

Memorial Index - Margery Laura Strathie 1879-1884. Place: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Harbour Grace, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 183697802. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

Memorial Index - Rev Ralph Grant Strathie 1872-1912. Place: General Protestant Cemetery, St. John's, Avalon Peninsula Census Division, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Memorial ID: 196043983. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

Memorial Index - Robert Burns Trapnell 1836-1863. Place: Buried or Lost at Sea. Specifically: Lost aboard the Lord Raglan. Memorial ID: 196043168. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

Memorial Index - William H. Strathie 1870-1950. Place: Hillside Old Public Cemetery, Dawson, Yukon Census Division, Yukon, Canada. Memorial ID: 123353565. Accessed on the Find a Grave database.

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