Gertrude
b. 1798
Wife-to-be of John. Martha's aunt.
Gertrude was about to marry John (brother of Martha's mother) - the love of her life. On their wedding day, John was riding his prized horse and had a fatal accident. Gertrude held him as he uttered his final words: “I love you.” Martha’s family took the grief stricken Gertrude into their home and she became a part of the family. Martha loved her Aunt Gertrude. Gertrude had told John that she would only ever love him and no one else. She never married. After Martha’s parents died, Gertrude lived with Martha and later Alexander and Martha. Gertrude loved them dearly as if they were her own children. Martha and Alexander’s children usually called her Greta – a name that she loved. John had always called her that.