I went to the public library and requested the book Native American wives of San Juan Settlers. by Karen Jones- Lamb.
Very informitive and had lots of pictures.Lucille

DO you have any idea where your library actually found a copy of this book? Joanne

There are seven copies of this book in the catalog for Bellingham (WA) Public Library and Whatcom County Library System. If you live outside Whatcom County and cannot find the title in your local library's catalog, speak to your librarian about interlibrary loan.

There also are eight used copies available through Amazon.com.

Bob W

Thanks VERY much for that prompt reply! I had requested it a while back through Inter-Library Loan but it seemed my library was having a problem finding it - so that is exactly the information I need to give them. Thanks again!
Joanne

You can order the book from the author, Karen Jones Lamb at Decatur Island, Anacortes, WA. 98221. try:
karissajo@rockisland.com

Well thank you VERY much for that information too! My library is trying now to find it to borrow for me and if they fail [since it seems they cannot borrow outside of Canada], I may need to buy it myself. I just hate buying something without knowing it is a book I will refer to frequently. My book collection is weighing down the house already I fear! Thanks again.

I have a copy of the book. (The author is my cousin).Is there a name I could look up for you? These are San Juan County people, with a few from Skagit.

My real/main interest is "Mrs. Toochley" who died in January 1933 in Cowichan. But she was the former widow of Louis Owen Cayou who had died in 1900 - so the CAYOU name is my main interest, trying to understand better who this Mary Ann really was and her origins. But I seldom read a book like that without finding out 'surprises' along the way - hence my desire to get the book to review. I think I should post this sad story from the January 12, 1933 Cowichan Leader which gives another dimension to her life. Clearly the several children at Deer Harbor were her Cayou children.
Joanne in Cowichan Bay

CANOE CAPSIZES
Aged Indian Woman Drowns – Husband Saved
Mrs. Mary Ann Toochley, 85-year old Indian woman of the Comiaken band, was drowned in the Cowichan River at Tzouhalem when, at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, the canoe in which she and her husband, Mr. Toochley. were gathering driftwood, capsized.
Toochley clung to the upturned craft and was rescued farther down the river by Henry Toochley, a son, and others who heard the old man’s cries. His wife disappeared in the water.
Heavy rains during the week-end have made the stream a swirling torrent and on Monday it reached almost a record height, overflowing the road in several places. The tragedy occurred just below the Old Stone Church, near which the old couple lived.
Recovered Body
Mrs. Toochley’s body was recovered at 11 p.m. on Monday, on the flats near the mouth of the river, by Peter Pierre and party, who conducted the search. The high water, earlier in the day, made rescue work then dangerous.
Death was due to accidental drowning, was the finding of an inquiry conducted yesterday morning by Dr. H. P. Swan, coroner.
Both Toochley, who is one of the oldest Indians in the district, and his wife, were very active for their advanced years. It appears that the husband was setting off in the canoe to get driftwood alone. His wife insisted that she accompany him, despite the old man’s wishes to the contrary.
How it happened
The canoe was proceeding downstream when it was thrown against some piling. It capsized immediately. Toochley was carried out into the stream with it and went some distance until the craft caught in a small log jam, near the home of the Misses Marriner. He was rescued at this point.
Toochley was in the water 15 minutes. He is recovering at his home.
Mrs. Toochley had lived at Tzouhalem some six years, coming here from Saanich. She lived for a considerable time on the American side and by a former marriage, leaves several children at Deer Harbor, Orcas Island, Washington. Toochley has lived here all his life. His age, as near as can be ascertained, is 96, although he stated on Tuesday that he was 102.
January 12, Cowichan Leader

Death Registration: Mary Ann Toochley
Event Date: 1933 1 9 (Yr/Mo/Day)
Age: 86
Gender: female
Event Place: Cowichan
Reg. Number: 1933-09-017715
B.C. Archives Microfilm Number: B13362
GSU Microfilm Number: 1983212
On line information from LDS site:
Death Date: 09 Jan 1933
Death Place: Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
Name: Mary Ann Toochley
Gender: Female
Age: 86y
Birth Date: [abt 1847?] Birthplace: Saanich,
Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: Mother's Name:
Indian Agency: Cowichan
Indian Band/Tribe: Comeuken Band
Film Number: 1983212
Digital Folder Number: 4479481
Image Number: 1754
British Columbia Archives Film Number: B13362
Registration Number: 7715
Collection: British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986

The book has pictures of Louis B Cayou and his wife Maryann, first settlers on Orcas island at Deer Harbor. There are pictures of their house and of Emma, Elizabeth, and Josie Cayou.
"Louis born Oct 9, 1834 in either Kentucky or Louisiana, depending on the source" Arrived via Victoria in 1858. Mary Anne was his second wife. "born at Mitchell Bay in the Moon Kupa Fian Snow (the first week of January). She is said to be part English, American, and Lummi". "Some records show her mother's name as Cecilia Thom" "She was later the wife of the chief fisherman of the San Juan Tribe who was known as Pe-el. (Pronounced Peel-el-li).


"Mary Anne was an attractive woman who spoke English but essentially favored Native American ways. Henry was born when she was only 14, not unusual in those early times".


"In her second marriage Mary Anne Cayou married about 1914 to Harry Seawalton Sturgeon who was of Lummi extraction. His indian name was Pe-El. Seawalton died in 1925.

Her 3rd marriage was to a man from Duncan, a Cowichan named Tooshelli. Again, this information came from Emily Shaw and is known to be reliable, and is based on family knowledge and letters".

" Mary Anne kept in touch with her children after her move to Duncan but most especiallywith her son General, who was extremely broken hearted when she died. He had promised his sister Elizabeth Thompson Pederson of Deer Harbor (and later Dewey Washington), to keep the family informed about their mother".

Mrs. Pederson received a letter saying Mary Anne had accidently drowned Monday, January 9th, 1934 in the Cowichan river which was in a frothing rage"...."
"Mary Anne is buried at St. Ann's church in Duncan on Vancouver Island British Columbia..."
My great aunt Mary REED was married to their son Henry CAYOU.They had a son Benny, and Mary REED CAYOU died in 1924 after they had been married 24 years. Henry remarried and had another family.

Lots more info in the book. Do contact Karen about it. There are 8 pages on this family, two of those photos.

This is all fascinating to me! I am interested in anyone from that time frame connected with Comiaken since my great-great grandmother was from there [1845-1928]. I wonder why and how Mary Ann ended up in Cowichan married to Old Toochley. It might be as simple as her meeting him through her second husband who was Lummi - because there was/is a strong Cowichan/Lummi link and there was/is much travel back and forth. But I keep wondering about her having some family connection of her own. Mary Ann actually died January 9, 1933 - rather than 1934. And when you say Mary Reed Cayou died in 1924 - was that a typo? I think she died earlier in 1913? Probably you had that 24 years of marriage in your mind. I am not sure I CAN wait until the library finds this book for me. I think I will contact Karen as you suggested. Interesting to read of the Stikine connection too. Those people sure travelled in less than ideal circumstances!! Thanks VERY much for taking the time to do that! Joanne