EVANGELICAL WOMEN IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1800; MARY SLESSOR P/75

 In this story I will focus on another evangelical woman who lived in the first half of 1800. Her name is Mary Slessor. She lived from 1848 - 1915. Mary was born in Gilcomston, Aberdeen, Scotland. Her parents were Robert and Mary Slessor. Her father was a shoemaker by trade. However, unable to keep up shoemaking, he took a job as a labourer in a mill. Her mother was a skilled weaver and went to work in the mills.

At the age of eleven, Mary began work as a "half-timer" in the Baxter Brothers' Mill, meaning she spent half of her day at a school provided by the mill owners and the other half working for the company.

Her mother was a devout Presbyterian. Mary herself developed an interest in religion, and when a mission was instituted in Quarry Pend, she wanted to teach. Mary started her mission at the age of 27, upon hearing that David Livingstone, the famous missionary and explorer had died. She decided then that she wanted to follow in his footsteps.