The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Shanawdithit was the last of the Beothuk, Newfoundland's Indian tribe. She was captured, along with her mother and sister by a group of English. She had arrived in St. John's on September 20, 1828. She lived with John Peyton, Jr. where she became one of his servants. She spoke very little English, but was very valuable to the Peyton household and the Peyton children loved her very much. There is only one known picture of Shanawdithit, but in 1836 an article was written by John McGregor describing her as "a face that bore striking resemblance to that of Napoleon, her hair was jet black and she had dark, vigilant, and piercing eyes, which were remarkably striking and beautiful. Her teeth were white, even and perfectly sound. Her hands and feet were small and well formed. Her manners were easy and graceful and temper generally calm." It is said that her mother and sister died from consumption and it is certain that Shanawdithit suffered from the same thing. After a lengthy struggle her disease worsened and she was sent to the hospital, where she died June 6, 1829. She was 29 years old. Her remains are buried in St. John's, where there is a monument standing today to commemorate her life. Something to Ponder: Behind every successful woman... is a basket of dirty laundry.
