In December 1935, newspapers across Luzerne County, Pennsylvania reported on the death of an 85-year-old woman named Rebecca Wylie.

Her death marked the passing of one of the last widows* left behind by the Avondale Mine Disaster on September 6, 1869 when 110 men and boys perished in the depths of the Steuben Shaft in Avondale, Pennsylvania. It remains the deadliest mine disaster in Coal Region history.

Thanks to Facebook user Jeni Jumper for sharing the story of her ancestor, Mary Lidy, who passed away in 1942. She was married to William Allen who died in the disaster and later remarried. She was 91 when she passed and was likely the last Avondale widow to pass away. We’ll post a story about her in future. We regret the error – see the newspaper clipping below as to the source of the mistake.

Wylie’s first husband, Andrew Frothingham, was a Scottish immigrant who perished in the disaster. His remains were among those examined by a Coroner’s panel upon extraction from the destroyed mine. They left behind a haunting note about the young Scot’s remains:

Andrew Frothingham, of Avondale. Head was on one side; eyes and mouth staring wide open. Wife.

The young widow later remarried.

Her obituary was published in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader on December 16, 1935:

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Avondale Mine Disaster’s ‘Last Widow’ Dies at 85

Death today claimed the “last widow” of the Avondale mine disaster which more than 60 years ago killed [110] men. She was Mrs. Rebecca Wylie, 85, whose first husband met death on his last day in the mines before a scheduled return to Scotland.

Mrs. Wylie died at 6:20 o’clock this morning at the home of her son, David, at 166 Howard Street, Larksville. General debility was the cause.

The death of Mrs. Wylie today recalled to older residents of Wyoming Valley the earliest major disaster in the anthracite industry. On September 6, 1869, one hundred and ten  miners went to work in the Avondale mine at Plymouth… none of them survived.

Ready for Scotland

On that day Mrs. Wylie’s first husband, Andrew [Frothingham], a native of Scotland, had gone to the mine with the intention that it was to be his last day at work. He and his young wife had previously decided to return to Scotland to live. They had already sold their furniture and bought their steamship tickets. The only thing that remained to be done was for the husband to remove his mining tools from the colliery. He met death with the other [109] victims.

Mrs. Wylie was born on November 11, 1850, in Shickshinny, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Timms. His grandfather had been a messenger boy for Gen. Washington and two of her brothers, of a family of nine, were in the Civil War.

Thomas Timms was killed in action. The other war veteran, Jacob Timms, died 18 years ago in Plymouth. He was a blind for several years before his death.

When she was about 13 years of age the deceased came to Plymouth where she lived for about 35 years, then moving to Edwardsville, where she resided for 30 years.

Two years ago Mrs. Wylie moved to Larksville, where she since lived with her son, David, and a grandson, David, Jr.

Mother of 15 Children

About 10 years after the death of Mr. [Frothingham] his widow married James Wylie of Nanticoke, by whom she had 15 children, of whom but three survive. Mr. Wylie died about 15 years ago.

Some years ago Mrs. Wylie began to grow blind and three years ago lost her sight completely. Her memory was exceptional, until the last, she being able to readily recall the days of her childhood.

She was a member of Bethesda Congregational Church of Edwardsville and was widely known and highly respected.

The three surviving children are Isaiah Pritchard of Larksville; Mrs. Bernard McGinley, of Daleville; David, at home. There also nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren surviving. The time of the funeral has not yet been set.

Rev. R. J. Rees, Kingston, retired, former pastor of Bethesda Church, will officiate. He will be assisted by Rev. Charles Sykes of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Plymouth. Interment will be in Mt. Greenwood cemetery.

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Read more about the Avondale Mine Disaster

Avondale – The Coal Region’s deadliest mining disaster

“In the mines of Avondale” – A Coal Region ballad

A Pennsylvania politician’s response to the 1869 Avondale Mine Disaster

An illustration of a mass grave after the Avondale Mine Disaster | September 1869

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