Jane Elizabeth Gostwycke (or, "Gostwick") Roberts was born 17 February 1864, in the "Old Rectory" at Westcock, New Brunswick.

[6][7] On winter evenings, the favourite gathering place was about the great centre table in the sitting room, where the young people read aloud for each other's amusement or edification the rhymes or stories which the day had called forth.

Spirited discussions frequently arose, but the utmost good humour prevailed and final decisions on most questions were sought and accepted from the parents.

[6] She was educated at the Collegiate School, Fredericton, and completed a partial course in English, French and German at the New Brunswick University.

"Voices", "The Spell of the Forest", "The House Among the Firs", "The Fire of the Frost", "White Magic", "The Signal Smokes", "Dreamhurst", "The Whispering Poplars", "Flood Tide", "Mountain-Ash", "March Wind", "Harvest", "Reassurance", "The Shepherd", and "A Madrigal" are some of her mentioned poems.

[4] Elizabeth MacDonald died at a hospital in Ottawa, 8 November 1922, from complications following an accident when she fell in her home, breaking her hip.

[7][6] Cuthbert's son, Théodore Macdonald, was a Canadian polymath, professor of mathematics and human rights defender.