Ross, Marie-Henriette LeJeune (1762–1860)

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Ross, Marie-Henriette LeJeune (1762–1860)

Canadian midwife. Name variations: Marie-Henriette LeJeune-Ross; Marie-Henriette LeJeune; Granny Ross. Born Maria Tharsile LeJeune, Aug 13, 1762, in Rochefort, France; died May 1860 in Margaree, Nova Scotia, Canada; dau. of Martine Roy and Joseph LeJeune (Acadian farmers); m. Joseph Comeau, Feb 17, 1780 (died 1785); Lamaud Briard LeJeune (a cousin) 1786 (died); James Ross (disbanded Irish soldier of Scottish parents), Mar 18, 1793 (died 1825); children: (3rd m.) 4 (2 lived to adulthood).

Noted midwife, known for homeopathic techniques, settled on Cape Breton Island (Bras d'Or region) with 3rd husband James Ross; gained community recognition after skillfully employing an inoculation practice from Turkey during a smallpox epidemic (early 1800s); saved a sample of the vaccine, which was later used by a grandson during another outbreak 70 years later; moved to Northeast Margaree River (1802) and was the 1st Caucasian and the only medically skilled resident in the area.

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