Place: Saltcoats [North West Territories]
From: Alf [Thomas A. Patrick]
To: Miss Marion Griffith, Byron, Ontario, Canada – Middlesex Co.
Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked
Details: 7 pp + envelope; note on envelope “No. 258;” broken, black matchstick- size substance seals envelope
Notes: Alf writes his weekly letter to his fiance, Marion. "Am not at all well yet. Though better than yesterday. Practising medicine and being sick are not very compatible with each other. This influenza epidemic has been hard on medical practitioners. Dr. Faford of St. Boniface near Winnipeg died last week and Saturday’s Free Press (Manitoba) tells us that old Dr. Ferguson of Winnipeg is, dying, or at least near unto death."
He has been asking around to estimate the cost of the marriage and lists prices for the ring, license, Parson's fee, and fare to Birtle. After detailing financial concerns, Alf asks, "Can we not then be married in Birtle on Saturday February 22nd – five weeks from to-day?" He writes that "this will be cheapest and if mean to be married as February we must consider what is cheapest."
He writes that he is "in a bad fix for need of bottles. He had ordered some from Detroit, but they were delayed at Portage La Prairie. He writes "the last medicine I stuck in a Worcestershire sauce bottle and the medicine before that in a shoe-blacking bottle."
He further writes of receiving two papers called "Farm and Storm" and the Regina Leader.
Alf comments on the kindness of Marion's grandfather for gifting money to her and her sister, Annie. As to her surprise that he grew a moustache, he comments, "My moustache was not worth mentioning.." He then asks what bedding she needed him to purchase for her and states that he "will get dishes from Buchanan and Co. so that we can begin housekeeping at once." But he ensures her that he "will borrow them and not buy any till you come."
Patrick, Thomas AlfredPlace: Byron, Ont.
From: Marion [Griffith]
To: Alf / T. A. Patrick, M.D., Saltcoats, Assiniboia, N.W.T.
Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked
Details: 4 pp + envelope; note on envelope “No. 237”
Notes: In her weekly letter to her fiance, Alf, Marion gives an account of her grandfather's rapid decline in health. Numerous family members come and go to take shifts and sit with him as he suffers through worsening "bad spells." Dr. Woodruff can do nothing more for his patient. Reverend Evans Davis is sent for. Marion writes, "I understand now Alf why it is best that we did not go to Saltcoats sooner. All is for the best, but we cannot think so sometimes." She finishes the letter, "Yours in sorrow, Marion."
Patrick, Marion GriffithPlace: Priory Place, New Ross [Ireland]
From: John and Annie Corbett
To: Adam Townley
Details: 8 pp.
Notes: The first sheet of paper is a letter to Adam Townley from his brother-in-law, John Corbett. His letter continues onto the second sheet of paper, on the third and fourth pages. John is the husband of Townley's sister Annie, whose letter makes up the first and second pages on the second sheet of paper.
John Corbett relates how Annie is in fact just recovering from a five-week-long illness after a carriage accident. He comments on the rivalry between the Church Missionary Society and the newer Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. John is very concerned at the unrest in Ireland and within the Anglican church. He also mentions the alarming rise of "the principles called 'Puseyism'."
Annie addresses her brother as "Dearest Addie." She gives news about family members and many acquaintances.
A partially filled in printed registry receipt. Neither the date nor the post office is filled in, but the postal stamp is for Buffalo, N.Y. May 3, 1880. Rev. Adam Townley, P.S. Shenstone, Brantford Ont. Signed by Juo. M. Bedford.
Townley, AdamPlace: Guelph
From: William Reynolds
To: James Geddes Esqu, Elora
Details: One sheet of paper with integral address, and one small slip of paper
Notes: William Reynolds writes to James Geddes regarding a workman named Jones who has failed to satisfy his contract. Reynolds agrees they should enter into an agreement with Hall instead. John Marsh is living with Geddes and is anxious to move out.
The small slip of paper is a written promise from John W. Marsh to pay next time.
The Life, Events, and Players in the North-West is comprised of several smaller collections within Bruce Peel Special Collections that contain materials related to the history and culture of the north-west of what would become Canada.