Arthur's Letter July 23 1913

2103 Scarth St. Regina
July 23, 1913

Dear Horace
I am sending you an order for $30 to pay for the hail insurance for my place but you understand
you pay half I suppose. Of course I know you have no money and I owe you some so you be
sure and pay it before the first of August. You did not say where you were to pay it to but be
sure and attend to it on Saturday if possible as I don't want to pay the other $700.
Earn is not writing as he may be up there some time next week for a few days. I hope everything
is all ok. I don't know what Daisy is going to do about the mare and buggy but I shall leave it to her
as I don't think there is much chance to sell them here as money is too short. I wish we could as
she is not getting any younger. Anyhow, don't get her shod until Daisy comes up there.
Hoping everything is alright I remain your loving brother
Arthur
My love to Mary and Bill.

Arthur and Daisy Nevard

Sister Emily's Letter 1906

This letter was written by Emily Nevard of Lexden, Essex, England, to her brother, Horace, who had emigrated to Canada a year earlier in 1906. It gives a bit of insight into the hardships of travel, homesteading, etc. The date , "guy day" I believe refers to Guy Fawkes day , early in November.

Lexden, Essex
England
1907 (Guy Day)
Dear Horrie
I am just writing to let you know Mother is sending you a parcel. Cecil posted it off today. It is the vest you were to have
taken with you when you went away. You know you put Cecil's on instead of your new one so Cecil had to wear it last
winter and one like the one you took away. Now mother has mended them both well and has sent them to you as she
thought even if you have the money you cannot get them so good out there. Mother has sent another old one as besides
she thought it would be handy for Mary to patch yours or Arthur's vests or pants, or Ern's if they wanted it instead of
darning so much. Unless she would like to make a vest out of it for young Ernie.
You will find a small pair of pants in the parcel. Mother made them for him. The parcel weighed about 3 1/2 pounds before
we put them in. Mother didn't like the idea of paying 6d for the half pound so she thought she would send all she could.
She made the pants in a hurry out of a pair that was too small for either you or Cecil. I hope you will get them alright.
Cecil wrote on the post office form (which we have to put on the parcel) "worn underwear", not subject to duty. The post office
official told him to write on it, "made in England" as he said if it is made in England and there is any duty to pay they deduct
some. You might let us know if you have to pay any duty. You don't ought as they have all been worn and mended.
Mother put one of your white collars in that is marked with your name. There is a skein of wool sewn into the sleeve of one
vest which you can take out and give to Mary. There is a piece of white cotton wool. Mother thought it would be handy if
your toes were sore at any time.
The things were sewn up in brown calico, new. We thought it would be stronger than paper and would come in useful for
Mary. So take care of everything and take them up to Mary when you go.
I do hope you will get the parcel alright as it is worth a good bit as the vest you left is a very good one.
Mother did think of sending them to Headlands but as you are stopping on she thought you might be glad of them.
Mother will be very anxious to know if you have got it. She is going to buy Cecil 2 new vests out of her club ticket.
We are very sorry to hear from Arthur that their corn was frozen. It is very discouraging to Arthur after so much labour.
I expect it will make it bad for you all. How will Arthur and Ernie get on this winter? Do you think they will have money
enough to carry them through or will you have to lend them some? You need not let them know I ask you this as I know
Ern is very much against being in debt to anyone. But if you cannot help being so you must.
I expect Ern gets very worried over it all sometimes. Do you think he wish he never went out? Of course the first few years
is rough to everyone, especially without money.
Will Arthur and Ern be able to sell their corn at some price? I expect they are going to have it thrashed as Mary said something
about the men coming in one of her letters. If I had a nice sum of money I would lend them some.
How will you travel when you get to Headlands, by road or rail? How did Ern go? I hope you won't have a rough journey like
you had last year.
We have had lovely weather for the last few days. We didn't light a fire in the room Saturday or today until just before tea.
Of course its chilly but when we are busy we don't notice it.
I haven't seen one Guy today and we are not haveing any fireworks on the shed at the back.
Friday morning
Dear Horrie
We haven't much work this week. We done the mangling last night. I have a fire in the ironing stove and shall soon make a start.
I often wonder what you all are doing and I expect you do the same of us. Cecil was busy putting panes of glass on the greenhouse
yesterday as there were several off. Mrs. Wilson of Colne Rd. is painting the house in front so we shall look smart.
Mr. Wilson left R. Beaumont's 2 years last March and has been working on his own ever since and have got on well. You see I
reckon he does it cheaper than Beaumont's firm. He do a bit of carpentering or put a tile on where it is wanted so he is the handyman.
Arthur Clayden is still at home. He has no situation at present. We had very nice services at the Church on Sunday as we kept all
Saints day then as it was last Friday. Father used to like "The saints of God , their conflict past".
Grandmother went to the 8 o'clock service on Friday morning and to evening service on Sunday. They are both fairly well, as well as
one could expect for their age. Grandfather still takes the pail and gather manure.
We are all well and hope you are well. I hope you will get nice weather. I shall have to leave off now as Cecil is going.
So goodbye with love from us all, from your loving sister ..
Emily E. Nevard.

Annie's Letter 1906

My grandmother's older sister, Annie Hall would have been 24 years old when she wrote this letter in October of 1906.
Annie had gone out to work in the town of Ipswich for the Turners. Not too many miles from her parents farm at Saxmundham.
The Herbert referred to in the letter is her fiancee and they would eventually marry in 1909 but that story has been covered in another entry.

9 St. Edmunds Road
Ipswich, Essex
Oct. 1st, 1906
My Dear Alice
As I have a little spare time I thought you might like to hear I have reached here in saftey. The young person in the train conversed with me all the way so we had the carriage to ourselves all the way. She had been after a situation as cook at Mrs. Frank Garret's. Her home was at Bury. She seemed rather lost at Ipswich station so I saw her right and then went on my way rejoicing.
 It was half past one when I reached Ipswich as we stopped at every station with the exception of Westerfield. You did not stop to see me out of sight. I hope you got home alright and did not feel lonely going back because as Horrie says, " I will be back again one day".

Ethel had got a beef pudding to welcome me back. Then this afternoon she has been baking so I have been having tidbits.
The Turnerites have returned with rather ruffled tempers so we very thankfully saw them take their departure out to bridge.
I am by myself as usual as Ethel and Annie have gone out (to see if it is a nice evening I expect).
I found my letter awaiting me. Herbert's brother, Fred, is getting married at Christmas and I do not think there was any more news in it that would interest you . When you think of coming to Ipswich again beware of the Aldeburgh train. I wish I could have had a little longer stay with you. I hope Mother's lip is better, also her cold. I expect you will be going to the Harvest Thanksgiving service at Saxmundham Church on Thursday. You must tell me all about it when you write.

I daresay you are gone to bed as it is just on ten so I shall have to post this in the morning.
 Now I do not think I have any more to tell you this time, (only to be sure and not forget which corner the bicycles come around and that Annie has had her photo taken, I hope she did not crack the glass). So will close with love to all and to yourself.
I remain your loving sister,
Annie
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Annie's Wedding

My grandmother's sister, Annie Hall, married Herbert Button in October of 1909 and this letter tells the story.

Grove Farm
Saxmundham
Oct. 15, 1909

My Dearest Horrie
I hope this will find you quite well as it leaves me. It is nearly a month since I heard from you so I am beginning to long for one to come as it seems such a long time. I thought I would write to you so it should not be quite so long before you got my letter. I should have written to you before but we have been so busy lately that there has not been much time to spare and I expect you have been busy too Dear. Arthur said in his letter to Louie that you were gone away threshing so I expect that is the reason why I have not heard from you but I hope I shall hear soon all the same.

It was four years ago yesterday since you came with Willie in the van. I expect you have finished the harvest long before this time and I hope the crops are good this year. We are feeling very dull here as Annie and Herbert went to London this morning. I expect you will like to hear about the wedding so I will try and tell you all I can remember.
They were married at Carlton Church at quarter to twelve. We were going to walk across the fields but it was a wet morning so Father went and ordered two carriages as it would have been too muddy to walk after the rain. It was nice and fine when we went to Church and the sun shined a little while. There was eight of us went to Church. Herbert and his brother, Philip and Louie and I went in the first carriage and Mr. and Mrs. Button and Father and Annie in the last carriage. The Church was trimmed up for the harvest festival so it was rather nice. Herbert's brother Philip was the best man and Father gave Annie away and I was bridesmaid. There was fourteen of us to dinner and tea. My Aunt and Uncle from Leiston came and Dick and Maude and the children.

I wish you could have been here Dear. It would have been lovely. Herbert's father brought his gramophone and melodian so we had some music and we didn't go to bed much before the morning.
On Tuesday morning Annie and Herbert went to Leiston to Haylings to dinner and then to Herbert's and came back here on Wednesday. Annie asked at the post office about sending wedding cake to Canada so I expect that Mother will send some in a box when she write to Mary.

Annie went to London for a week to get the house ready and furnish it and then she came home with Herbert on the Sunday Oct. 10th. I forget if I told you that Annie and I went to Rushmere one Sunday. We went by train in the morning and came home at night. Emily came here for the week end a fortnight ago, just from Saturday till Monday so it was a very short stay. Annie says I must go and see her at Christmas but I don't know whether I shalll yet. We miss her very much. When you come home Annie say we can both go and see them.

And now my dearest, I will close my letter with my very best and truest love to you. Hoping all are well , I remain your everloving Alice. xxxxxxx

1908 Letter From The Homesteader

This letter written by Arthur Nevard to his brother , Horace Nevard, who was working at Indian Head at the time. It appears that cash was in short supply, grain was not worth much and there were many places to spend money on establishing a homestead.

Headlands P.O. Sask.
April 27, 1908
Dear Horace
We got your letter alright and I sent 2 letters off to you and I am sending 2 more off today that Earn brought
home last week, he forgot the address.
Earn has seeded about 9 and a half acres of wheat and I have 7 acres ready to seed and my stubble burnt off ready to seed.
I shall disk it twice and seed it. We have picked a flour bag full of wheat and another one half full so we may get enough for 1 acre each. I have hand picked 1/2 bushel of oats. The wheat is easy now as there are not many weed seeds in it. The oats are easy too. Jerry's ride is a good big one. I have written off to the Free Press to see what they say about it. We use the two oxen on the seeder. It is a bit heavy for them but they manage it. I used the two horses on the disk but the nag is not heavy enough or she is getting too near foaling as she nearly played out.
I had a letter from Aunt Eliza and Aunt Annie. Uncle George was to be married on Easter Sunday. Willie Luceny is out in Canada at Quebec working for the Dominion Bridge Co. Cecil Nevard is working in the bush in New Ontario.
I had a letter from Emily and Louie as well. Grandmother is getting a little better but she is not right yet.
Canon Lester is leaving Lexden. He is exchanging livings with a clergyman in Somersetshire. He is leaving 2 weeks after Easter.
Billy started opening one of your letters before Mary noticed him so you can paste him for that when you come up. Mary asked me to tell you one of the pullets has been setting for 3 weeks and I have no money to buy her eggs.
I took a load of wheat down and got $4.10 for 16 1/2 bushels. I don't want to take anymore as we have only the fanning mill cleanings to take or the stuff we got out for seed and it is like throwing it away. I do wish you could send us some money the end of the month or in May I mean, if you can get some as I am nearly ashamed to go and see Mrs. McNeil after butter as I can not get any money off Chapman and we will be out of bacon and sugar in a few days.
We have enough bacon for a week and sugar for 2 weeks. I have $14 to come from Chapman yet and I am bound to get even if he threshes for me in the fall as I will stop it out of the bill.
Earn has built the pig pen and has only to sod the sleeping place up to be ready for them to go into. I expect you are having rough weather down there like us. We have quite a snowfall up here.
The rain came alright to soften the breaking up. We can knock up the lumps better.
I will let you know about the wife later on as I have to get a letter from her. But I shall try and persuade her to come out next spring to spare me going home as it will cost a lot one way and another and will take off money that will be wanted for other things.
Cecil sent me a note last week in the People and asked me to tell you the K.R. Rifles beat the town for P. Charity by 3 goals to 2. They are very dirty players Cecil says. Young Horace is going to stay with Mother and Emily for a time at Lexden.
And now I am going to have my dinner so I will have to conclude as there is nothing going on up here. I forgot we are getting some hay for the use of the feeder off Bonham. And now don't forget the money if you can get some. I would not ask but the need is very great.
Goodby, love from all, I remain your loving brother, A. Nevard.

I tore one of the envelopes off to make it lighter as I did not want it to cost more than 2 cents as I have not many stamps
left.

All Aboard The SS Victorian

May 10, 1906

To Miss Alice Hall
Grove Farm
Saxmundham, Suffolk

Dear Alice
Arrived safely at Liverpool and am writing this on the wall of the platform. Have got a chum and am now looking around for breakfast. Cheer up. Will write as soon as possible...........Horace
(This is the vessel I am going on)

This was likely the last postcard that my grandfather sent before he boarded the S.S. Victorian for the long voyage to Canada. His nephew, Bill and sister in law, Mary Nevard travelled to Canada at the same time but on the SS Virginian. According to this Ships passenger list  Mary and Bill Nevard arrived on June 29. I can find no mention of Horace's arrival but obviously he made the same trip on the Victorian and they met up at the port of Quebec City to continue their journey by train to Saskatchewan where brothers Arthur and Ernest would be waiting.

January 1942

Alf Goff died January 12, 1942. He would have been around 70 years old and been on his homestead for almost 39 years.  The event was noted in the daily journal of Bill Nevard as follows.....
Jan. 14. Dick came home from North's this morning and Sandy Goff came along at the same time to tell us that Alf Goff had died on Monday and Tom wanted Dad and both Uncles as pall bearers at the funeral tomorrow.

Jan. 15. Dad and both Uncles went to the funeral today and stayed at Goff's for supper on the way back. The weather continues very mild for this time of year.

One of the last photos of Alf Goff in front of his log cabin.

Homesteader Letters

Homesteader's Letter
This letter was written by Arthur W. Nevard to his brother Horace who was working for a farmer at Indian Head , Sask. for the summer. Arthur was back at the homestead taking care of the farm. It gives some idea of the hardships and obstacles faced by the early homesteaders that came to this country from England.

Headlands P.O.
Summer, 1908
Dear Horace
I thought I would write to you as Mary is writing to Earn. We have put 29 loads in a stack of hay at the back of the stable and Mr. McNeil I expect has cut the hay on his own place so I am going to team on there on Monday and then he will move over and cut about 10 more loads on our section.
There were 12 cows and 4 calves on my oats on Wednesday afternoon so I got Mr. McNeil to help me and we fetched them over here and put them in the pasture field and while I was gone the blamed things broke out and went in the oats and Mary sent them down the bottom and they went in the barley.
Between the cattle and gophers we won't get much barley and between the gophers and cattle and oxen I won't have many oats on my place.
I went over to see the Jew and charged him $10 for my own time and Mr. McNeils and damages to the grain so he will work for me with a team for 2 days.

If you have not written about that homestead you had better get a move on and write as it is over now about 9 days and you want to come up and enterprise as soon as possible so you are not doing that when you might be out harvesting as I would like you to be here from Sat. to Monday night so you could help me put that roof on the house as I have got the roof lumber.
You might fetch me a pair of work boots when you come , like the picture if you can get them or something like them. Size 11. You can get them at Chisolms near the P.O. in Indian Head.
There is no one on that quarter so Brown has no right to it now and if you do not get it we shall have a blame Jew on it and have about 20 head of cattle running in our crop I expect. So get a move on. I will pay you for the boots out of the first money I get......

Leaving Lexden

This was probably the last letter Horace Nevard (my grandfather) wrote to Alice Hall before he left Lexden, Essex for the new land. On May 10, 1906 he  got on board the  S.S. Victorian with his nephew Bill Nevard and sister in law, Mary Nevard to travel to Canada to be re-united with brothers Ernest and Arthur.
This studio photograph was taken before he left England.

My Dear Alice
I am just writing you a few lines hoping you are quite well as I am up to the present.
It is gettting rather close now for me to be off. I should like to have seen you once again before I went but suppose I cannot. But cheer up, there will come a time some day. I went last night to see my friend off . I expect you will not know who I mean but Louie does. H. Buck. It was not a very nice night but he seemed cheerful. I am just having a look round to see what I want to take with me and the others are talking away. And Cecil is writing labels and marking my things. I went to town today and bought a few more things and had a good look round. I have just been to choir practice for the last time. I expect you have gone to bed by this time. It is about 11 o'clock and don't think I shall be about much longer so goodnight and god bless you........

Friday afternoon.. We have just finished dinner and Mary is washing up. Who do you get to help you wash up now you have lost the butler? I daresay he will come and help you again some day, don't you think so? Of course you will not be able to answer this letter as you will not know my address but I shall let you know it as soon as possible. I daresay you will think it a curious letter and written rather funny but I thought it would be easier with a pencil.
We had a letter from Arthur yesterday and he said that Ernest was at Indian Head so it will be better for me won't it?
I will write and let you know what sort of a voyage I have. Louie said in her letter that you got home alright. You must not worry you know or you will get thin, and worry killed the cat. And every cloud has a silver lining.

Saturday afternoon.......... I have been packing my box and just been to Pickford's office with it. We had rather a heavy load too. Mr. Beaumont took it on Wednesday. I had a day yesterday of saying goodbye. A job that I did not care about but I have got it over at last and I am just going to have my dinner and off . So goodbye and cheer up. May I always remain your ever-loving boy
Horace

Have just had my breakfast and now am going to look at the boat.

Alice Hall's Visit To London 1909.

Another letter from my grandmother, Alice Hall .

Sisters Annie and Alice Hall

Letter from Alice to Horace on New Year Eve 1909
Grove Farm
Saxmundham
Dec. 31st, 1909
My Dear Horrie
I was very pleased to receive your nice letter. Mother sent it on to me because it came while I was
staying with Annie and Herbert. I had such a nice time at Christmas. I hope you all had a happy Christmas. I should like to have seen you. I went to London last Friday and there was such a lot of people went by that train but I managed to keep a seat for Cecil at Colchester.

When we got to Liverpool St. we did not see Annie and Herbert for twenty minutes as they were on another platform so I was very glad that Cecil was with me or I should have felt quite lost. I stood and waited with our luggage while Cecil went and had a good look all around the different platforms so he found them up.
We went by tram part of the way to Annie's home. Cecil came with us and had tea and then he went on to Victoria to meet his young lady. I did not go about London very much as Herbert was on duty all night and Annie does not know very much about yet to go with me alone without Herbert.

We went to Victoria Park on Christmas day. It is lovely in the summer. Annie and I went to Stepney Church on Sunday morning and we stayed indoors the rest of the day. Herbert's sister came in the evening and stayed to supper.
On Monday we went and saw Herbert on parade with the other policemen but we did not stay out only about half an hour as we liked to be at home best in the evening and then on the Tuesday Annie took me to see the tunnel which goes under the Thames and it is two miles long and lit up by electric light. It looked very pretty but I think it would make anyone deaf to stay there long for it is one continual noise all day long. Herbert went with Annie and I to see some moving pictures one evening and they were very good. I had never seen anything like it before. I think it is wonderful how it is done.

It is a nice quiet street where Annie and Herbert live only the trains run quite near by the house all night long and I could feel the bed shake when they went past. There is some rope works at the back of the house which commence work at 6 o'clock a:m and they make rather a noise. I like Annie's little home very much. It is very nice and cozy and they have furnished it nicely and they are very happy. Herbert told me I could stay a month if I liked but I thought I had better come home as there is a lot of work for Mother to do here alone so I came home by the next and reached Saxmundham about six o'clock. Father was at the station to meet me. Mother was rather worried about me as I wrote and told her I was coming by an earlier train so she was afraid I was gone on to Yarmouth but I am got home safe and sound.

You said in your letter that I must tell you all about my visit to London and I expect you will think after reading all this that I have done so. I would like you to have been with me, it would have been so nice. Cecil wrote to Louie and told her that he had enjoyed his holiday very much. I have been to Saxmundham this afternoon and I feel rather tired today, but Louie says it was riding in the train yesterday for such a long while which made me tired. Dick and Maude and the two little girls came here on Christmas day and went
home on Sunday evening. I expect you have finished threshing. This is New Years Eve but I don't think I shall sit up to watch the old year out and the new year in. It is past ten o'clock now and they are all gone to bed except me so I think I shall soon go too as I don't like to be here alone. Louie sends her love to you and best wishes for a happy new year.
And now dearest I think I will conclude hoping you are all well. With love to all and my best, truest love to you dear I remain,
Your everloving Alice XXXXXXXXXXXX

Love Letters from a century ago

 

Saxmundham
April 26/1910

My Dear Horrie

I was very pleased to receive your nice letter this morning and to hear that you were all well. I hope you are still having nice weather so that you can get the seed in alright. We are having very showery weather here at present. Father has finished putting the seed corn in and today he has been drilling beet or (mangold) and then will only have the swedes to drill.

Does your cow give much milk? We got 68 pounds of butter this week which is the most we have ever had. We are going to take it to the town tomorrow but there will be too much to carry all one time. We get about 56 eggs in a day.
It was 4 years ago yesterday since you went away from here. Annie went back to London last Saturday. She had a nice little change as she stayed here three weeks. Herbert was very good to spare her for so long wasn't he?.
Louie and little Ethel are at Lexden.They went a fortnight ago last Saturday. I don't know when they are coming back again.

The Suffolk Agriculture show is going to be held at Saxmundham this year in June and in July the Essex Yeomanry and the Essex and Suffolk. Cyclists are coming to camp on Hurts Hall Park, Saxmundham so I expect it will seem quite a busy place.
Is there any flowers out on the prairie yet? The cowslips are out in the meadows now. I am sending you one just for a little remembrance of the last time you were here. I wonder how long it will be before I see you again. I don't think I shall forget you even if it is lots of years and now I think I will bring my letter to a close as it is getting rather late.
Hoping you are all quite well. With love to all and my best and truest love to you Dearest, I remain your everloving Alice
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Yet another in the collection of letters mailed between my grandfather and grandmother, Horace Nevard and Alice Hall.
Horace had sailed off to Canada to take up a homestead in Sask. in 06 while Alice remained working on her parents farm at Saxmundham, Suffolk.

How difficult must it have been for him to sail half way around the world not knowing when they might see each other again? And it was to be another 6 years before they met again when Horace returned to England in 1916 in the Canadian Expeditionary Force , soon to see action in some of the big battles of World War I in France. It must have been a stressful time to be separated
all those years , briefly re-united and then separated again by war , not knowing if he would survive. Luckily he did and they were married in 1919, soon to return to his homestead in Saskatchewan.

Nurse Winstanley

Another Nevard Christmas card. This one from "Nurse Winstanley" to Arthur Nevard at Christmas 1903. Arthur would have been spending his first Christmas in Canada as he had just arrived from England in April of 03.
Nurse Winstanley was actually Margaret Montagu Winstanley who would eventually travel to Canada in 1909 to marry Arthur Nevard. According to her birth certificate she was born at High Street, Shirley, Millbrook, which is now a suburb of Southampton according to my information. Interestingly enough it is much closer to where my Goff ancestors came from than my Nevards. How she came to meet up with Arthur Nevard in Lexden, Essex I have no idea.