Family Records

Letters written by

and

August 26 1872.

Dear Andrew:

I received your kind letter a few days past and was glad to hear you were all well. I also was happy to see there was nothing tart or bitter against any in it and I read it for Ann to let her see I had friends who did not forget me. I then told her to speak to Thomas Andrew and let them know that I was ready to go at any time the(y) thought proper or the(y) were not content with what I was given (giving) them. I could do no more.
          Thomas Andrew said my grandfather shall not go away if he had not one shillen to give us. Poor Anney burst out in tears and said grandfather must not leave us so when I seen that the(y) were all willing that I should stop I said I would for I knew that you and your family would throw no reflections on me for not acepting their kind ofer to me which I sincerely thank you for and I hope I may be abel to go and see you all yet.
          Dear Andrew I have often thought this time past of the words of Solomon . . . a soft answer turns away wrath but bitter words stir up strife. I was very sorry to hear of the letter sent to you  which I knew nothing of or I would have kept it if I could. I made an agreement with you. I do not want it changed in any particular. You could not think how it troubles me but I have got over all or one and I hope so have you. God bless you and family.
          I want some things for the winter. If I can I will go up. If not I will right to you and I think John will let one of the boys bring to me. Please let John have the reading of this.
          My kindest respects to you, your beloved wife and all the children. Mr White here this day and told me he was up at your place and that you were all well and that Anny going on the crutches. No more at present. I remain, your loving father.

          Jas. Pritchard

James Pritchard would have been 89 when he wrote this letter, and apparently living with his daughter Ann, her husband Thomas Stevenson, and their family east of Wakefield. Andrew was his son at North Wakefield who with his family was living in what is now known as the Homestead. Thomas Andrew was Ann and Thomas Stevenson's older son; Anney then a 14-year-old daughter. John would have been James' eldest son, and the Anny on crutches Andrew's 10 year-old daughter. A typed version of this letter is included in the Andrew Pritchard collection at the National Archives of Canada, here is a scan (see References).

Wakefield
Nov 22nd 1875

My Dear Abbie.

          Were it not for the kind proposal your papa made, to give your granpa what he needed to keep him comfortable, this you stated in your letter I should be almost ashamed to ask anything again after the beautiful parcel you sent him. He was almost over come when he seen them, for I never saw any person seem more greatful than he does for the favours he receives from you.
          What I send for now is a pair of over boots, which I think is more needed for his safty than his comfort as he is pretty well supplied for foot ware, he is so feeble that he can't keep his feet out side with leather soled boots. Last Friday as he came up to the door though he had his staff in his hand he slipped & fell with his back on a scraper that was at the door. We were greatly frightned for we thought he must have been seriously injured but it was not so bad as we feered though from the effects of the fall there is likly a retch goes from his breast out to his shoulder which he feels a good deal.
          If you would leave the boots in Mr McLaren's store or you could leave them in Mr Pritchard's either place we could get them quite handy.
          Your granpa's health is as good as usual, but he is still growing feebler. A few days ago when I was holding his arm to help him to the table, he said he hoped he would soon get home & I believe dear Abbie it would be a happy change. The ice is taken across the river now although there has been no crossing on it yet but if there comes a few night of hard frost we will soon have a good bridge & we would be very glad for as many of you as can make it convenient to come & spend a day with us & your dear mama too we would be very happy to see her indeed.
          I will now close with love to all not forgetting Miss Thompson & tell her we would be very glad to see her here with the rest of you.

I am Your affectionate
Aunt Ann Stevenson

Ann Stevenson "although not a nurse by profession apparently filled the role of midwife and nurse to her neighbours in need" (Norma Geggie, Wakefield and Its People, pp. 19-20). Originals of this and the following letter are in the Pritchard collection at the National Archives.

Wakefield July 25 1878

Brother Andrew.

I wish you to understand, since my brother Aby has left the place & all father's property is fallen into your hands that I expect that you will give him a support off his place. Father has been with us going on 5 years at first we had $40 a year & of late $50. If my brother Abie was still here my poor unfortunate brother I would not look for any more but as he is gone I expect you will consider the matter. If you are not aware you should be that my father wants a different kind of care & attendance from what he did even one year ago which I am very willing to give him as I know it is my duty but I too feel it my duty to do what is right towards my own family. I believe any other of the grandchildren has as good a right to work to support my father as Thomas A. Stevenson, though dear boy this is not his doing for he speaks & acts as kind & cheerful with his grandfather as if he was receiving $200 per year for his maintanence. Father knows nothing of this yet. I hope it will meet his approbation as he always wishes to do what is right & just. I know you have given father a good deal out of your store, I too have been giveing him articles that I thought he needed such as socks & mittens. I too give him Arthur's best coat & vest which he left behind when he went first to British Columbia and lately Thomas Andrews wife gave him a good coat of Thomas Andrews as she thought he needed it. I believe father did not like to ask you for as much as he wanted. You have supplied him in blankets, I have in quilts & bed linens. Now I wish you to think the matter over & do justice to my family out of my fathers means, and I meen to give the over plus to one who has been deeply wronged I meen my James if you never have paid him his wages.

          Please answer this
                              from your Sister

Ann Stevenson

Evidently, care of the elderly was an issue among families then as it can be now. 

                                                    Masham July the 10th 1878.

My Dear children.

          I take up my pen to rite a few lines to you hoping the(y) will find you well. We are pretty well. Aby has not been very well for some days but she is some better.
          We are after having a fine shower and it seems as if we would have more. Joseph has been making at this hay and has got in seven loads and about thirty locks up. There is about fifteen more cut. It is pretty good. I think there will not be mutch done as it this week.
          I went up on Monday morning to Samuel Mullens. He says it was splendid one but last fall it took something and died in a few days so from what you told me about the young mayer of your unkles. I think she might answer you better than anything I know of here. If you get her and has to pay interest on the money you let me know and I will let you have the price of her until you can pay me without interest. I got home in good time after feeding about an hour at young Magees and near four hours at Dan Nichols.
          I suppose Alexander (Snedden) and family is gone by this time to Almonte. When you write let me know how the(y) got along with the furniture also if the fire gave you any trouble. There was some fire near us but from the appearance of the weather this day I think the danger if over. It has been a very scorching time since I came home and crops and pastures need rain very mutch. Samuel's wheat looks very well and is near ripe. Having seen you so lately I have nothing very particular to write to you. Hoping to hear from you soon I ad no more hoping that the blessing of the Most High may rest and abide with you and your wife from your loving father to death.

                                                    John Pritchard

PRITCHARD, John
(REGISTER "E" Reel M-5499 pg 109)

In her Majesty's surrogate court in the county of Carleton. Be it known that on the fifth day of October 1886 a notarial copy of the last will and testament of John Pritchard late of the Township of Masham in the County of Ottawa in the Province of Quebec, yeoman, who died on or about the seventh day of December in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and eighty-five at the Township of Masham in the County of Ottawa and at the time of his death had a fixed place of abode at the township of Masham in the County of Ottawa but had a such time a personal estate in the County of Carleton in the Province of Ontario was proved and registered in the said Surrogate Court a true copy of which said notarial copy of said last will and testament is hereunder written, and that the administration of all said singular the personal estate and effects, rights and credits of the said deceased, and any way concerning his will was granted by the aforesaid Court to Samuel Pritchard of the Township of Masham in the County of Ottawa in the Province of Quebec Yeoman. The late executor named in the notarial copy of the said will he having been first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same by paying the just debts of the said deceased, and the legacies contained in his will so far as he is thereunto bound by law, and to exhibit a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the said estate and effects rights and credits and to render a just and true account of his executorship whenever required by law.

(Seal) John Featherstone, Registrar of the surrogate Court of the County of Carleton

Before the undersigned notary public for the Province of Quebec residing in the Township of Masham Quebec and district of Ottawa and in the actual presence of Nephew Samuel Edley Blair Laden of the Township of Wakefield said County and District of Ottawa and Thomas Fergusson Pritchard, former of the said Township of Masham both witnesses requested for these presents and having all the [?] required by law. Personally came and appeared Mr. John Pritchard residing in the said township of Masham, who being of weak bodily health, but of sound and disposing grand mind and understanding as it appeared to the said notary and witnesses, hath hereby made his will in the following manner to wit.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Pritchard, wife of James Robertson of the town of Almonte, Province of Ontario, Lader (?) the sum of $1300 currency.
To my daughter Judith Pritchard of the Township of Forbolton, County of Carleton and Province of Ontario, widow of the late John Baird, in his lifetime farmer of the same place, my bed and bed clothes and $200.00 currency.
To my daughter Anne Pritchard wife of the Rev. Alexander McLaren late of Almonte, the sum of $1300 currency.
To my daughter Mary Pritchard wife of the Rev. David Findley of the Township of Hull in the said County of Ottawa, the sum of $1250.00 currency.
To my daughter Miss Abigail Pritchard of the Town of Almonte, the sum of $1000.00 currency.
To my son Samuel Pritchard farmer of the said Township of Masham, the sum of $500.00, my big clock, my buggy and harnesses and the five pictures that are in frame.
To my son James Pritchard farmer of the Township of Bristol, County of Pontiac, my fur coat, my new fur cap, and mitts, and $600.00 currency.
To my son Andrew Pritchard farmer of the said Township of Forbolton, the sum of $500.00 currency.
To my son John Pritchard farmer of the said Township of Masham, five cows, one two year old heifer, 10 sheep, a cultivator and iron roller, a farming mill, one pair weighing scales, one light wagon, two stoves, all the furniture that are in the parlor of the house I am living in now, the little clock in the other room, and cupboard, and $500.00 currency.
To Samuel John Robertson my nephew of said town of Almonte, the sum of $100.00 currency.
To my son William Pritchard of the said township of Masham, one heifer, any brickboard and the harnesses belonging to it,, the two old buffaloes, the cylinder and bolt of my old thrashing mill and $10.00 in cash.
To John Pritchard McLaren of the said Township of Almonte my nephew, $100.00 currency.
To my son Samuel's wife, the new buffalo that I got at the river.
To my son John's wife the other new buffalo; to by each of them, have and hold the same to them, their heirs and assigns to them use and behalf forever, from the date of my decease but if there is such a deficiency in collecting, that the above sums of money owed, just he one pair then each of the above [uncautioned ?] party will have to bear their share of such deficiency according to the amount they are to receive.

I hereby appoint and nominate my said son Samuel Pritchard my testamentary executor, and in case he would refuse, I would be for any cause in the responsibility to act as so; then in that case, I do appoint my said son John Pritchard to replace him as my testamentary Executor.

Done and passed at the said Testators residence, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty five, in the tenth day of April in the afternoon, under the number seven hundred and eleven of the Repository of the original deed of the undersigned notary Public.

After the reading of these presents made to the said Testator by the undersigned Notary Public in the actual presence of the said witnesses who have signed in Presence of the said testator and in the presence of each other.

(signed)
John Pritchard
Thomas Fergusson Pritchard
T. Riche N.P. True copy of the original remaining of record in my office seven words erased null.
T. Piche N.P.

(Source: Riddell-McAmmond Family History)

Mina (Pritchard) Lindsay's Scrapbook

The scrapbook is scanned from a copy made at the National Archives of Canada.

A Family Record by Joseph Albert Irwin (May 1943)