TV-Series
Description
Jessie (MacIntyre) Gleeson married Gerald Gleeson in 1852, settling in Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia. They had four children: Jenny, two other daughters, and one son. Her marriage was marked by emotional distance; Gerald showed her little affection beyond his marital duties and frequently criticized her.
In June 1864, she befriended Bertha Shirley after the newlywed Shirleys moved nearby. Jessie made several enthusiastic visits but then abruptly stopped. When the school term began, she confided in Bertha that witnessing the loving dynamic between Bertha and Walter Shirley made her own unhappy marriage painfully clear. Despite this pain, she expressed a strong desire to maintain their friendship, suggesting regular meetings while their husbands were at work.
Tragedy struck the Shirleys in June 1865 when both Walter and Bertha succumbed to illness days apart, leaving their infant daughter Anne orphaned. On the morning of their funeral, Jessie proposed adopting Anne but Gerald overruled her, refusing outright. That afternoon, Anne was adopted by Joanna and Bert Thomas instead.
Jessie reappeared in 1869, visiting the Thomas household when Anne was four. During this visit, Joanna Thomas instructed Anne to address her formally as "Mrs. Thomas" rather than "Mama," coinciding with Jessie’s presence. The documented media provides no details of their interaction during this visit.
In January 1871, after Anne had lived nearly six years with the Thomases, Jessie revisited the family and again offered to take Anne into her home. Joanna Thomas declined the offer.
Jessie is described as an elderly widow of high social standing in Bolingbroke. Her physical appearance includes gray eyes and brown hair, typically worn in an updo. She is often depicted wearing practical, modest clothing such as coats, scarves, gloves, and hats, reflecting her status and era-appropriate attire.
In June 1864, she befriended Bertha Shirley after the newlywed Shirleys moved nearby. Jessie made several enthusiastic visits but then abruptly stopped. When the school term began, she confided in Bertha that witnessing the loving dynamic between Bertha and Walter Shirley made her own unhappy marriage painfully clear. Despite this pain, she expressed a strong desire to maintain their friendship, suggesting regular meetings while their husbands were at work.
Tragedy struck the Shirleys in June 1865 when both Walter and Bertha succumbed to illness days apart, leaving their infant daughter Anne orphaned. On the morning of their funeral, Jessie proposed adopting Anne but Gerald overruled her, refusing outright. That afternoon, Anne was adopted by Joanna and Bert Thomas instead.
Jessie reappeared in 1869, visiting the Thomas household when Anne was four. During this visit, Joanna Thomas instructed Anne to address her formally as "Mrs. Thomas" rather than "Mama," coinciding with Jessie’s presence. The documented media provides no details of their interaction during this visit.
In January 1871, after Anne had lived nearly six years with the Thomases, Jessie revisited the family and again offered to take Anne into her home. Joanna Thomas declined the offer.
Jessie is described as an elderly widow of high social standing in Bolingbroke. Her physical appearance includes gray eyes and brown hair, typically worn in an updo. She is often depicted wearing practical, modest clothing such as coats, scarves, gloves, and hats, reflecting her status and era-appropriate attire.