Letter, Margaret Jones to Barry and Stewart Jones, 21 April 1942
Description
- Creators
- Jones, Margaret, Author
- Jones, Barry; Jones, Stewart, Recipient
- Media Type
- Image
- Text
- Item Type
- Correspondence
- Description
- A two-page (front and back) handwritten letter by Margaret Jones to her sons Barry and Stewart. In it, she discusses a film they have recently seen, Princess Elizabeth’s birthday, the threat of measles and occurrences on the farm.
The letter was provided by E. Ann McRae. - Notes
- The Pate-Jones Collection consists of some photographs of the family members and a large group of letters. The majority of the letters are written by Margaret nee Wilson, and some by her husband Howard Jones, to their sons Barry and Stewart Jones, or to Mr. and Mrs. Pate. From 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, Barry and Stewart lived with Margaret’s second cousin Andrew Wilson Pate and his wife Mary Herron nee McClure at the Brantwood Farm. The original farm was founded by Andrew’s father James Pate, and was situated on the south side of Powerline Road and Gretzky Parkway, which at that time, was considered part of the County of Brant.
The correspondences cover from detail Margaret Jones’ dilemma in settling her boys with virtual strangers, her return trip to England to rejoin the war effort there, news of farm life in England, the concern that England might lose the war, and the anguish of both families when Andrew Pate died in 1944, leaving his teenage son to run Brantwood Farms. These letters are therefore a fascinating way to conceptualize how the war affected daily life in Canada locally, and in England.
In recent decades, the original Brantwood Farm that was situated on the south side of Powerline Road was sold by the Pate family for development. The farms are now located on the north side of Powerline Road, and consist of several farms belonging to several Pate families, mostly within the County of Brant, remaining a thriving local establishment to this day. - Inscriptions
- COPLEY,
PATTINGHAM,
WOLVERHAMPTON
April 21st
My Dearest Boys,
I would have written last night but quite unexpectedly we had to go to Wolverhampton so took the chance to go to the Pictures (“This is the Army” – Irving Berlin) - - - - May be it was just as well because Barry’s letter came today - - It was written on March 21 a month ago today + the first day of Spring - - + now on April 21st this is Princess Elizabeth’s birthday - - - Incidentally we saw a very charming film of her last night, a record of her public appearances. ----
The tale of the Measle trail wasn’t so good was it? I do
(2)
Hope you managed to escape - - + surely Betty would not get them even when she landed right in their midst, because she had them not so long ago. –
This has been a very busy week on the farm - - the thresher was here - - there has been a gang of women from Wolverhampton dropping potatoes, + the [illegible] has been working the rest of the Sugar Beat [illegible]. It was a real bother that the thrasher couldn’t get here earlier because the planting must go on - - but anyway it is done now - - The [illegible] Beet [illegible] being prepared is an old turf + has needed a lot of working (1) Ploughed it (2) Rolled it (3) Two Harrowings (4) Scuffled it (5) Rolled it + Scuffled it + now it is being diseed.
(3)
Grandpa Wilson came in for supper on Wednesday night but otherwise we have been left “severely alone” I think!! – But I managed to get the lawn cut (thank goodness!) - - + tomorrow is on eve[illegible] for [illegible] to Codsall (Curtis you know) - - So I may get as far as the White House first - - - [illegible], Stanley + Alisson will be there tonight - - they are just back from Liverpool but go on to London in the morning - -- I suppose Martin has kept them lively!! ---
Daddy has gone off to have his hair cut (honestly it is waving over his collar!!) - - but guess where he has gone! – To the Black Smith! ---- Yes, he cuts hair for the favoured few
(4)
+ as Daddy hasn’t been able to be in Codsall during shop keeping hours this week, he has gone up to the blacksmith so we shall see what we shall see!! – I said he couldn’t possibly go out to supper tomorrow looking like a pre-historic ape, but maybe he’ll look like a modern gaol bird when he returns, so that will be as bad.
I think Barry’s writing has improved a little - - Is your school writing any better than your “in letters? - - you’re allowed to scribble at me of c, but not when [illegible] on one at school you know.
--------------- On Wed. I saw the first swallow so it must be summer I think because the cuckoo has been here for a [illegible] night - - may be [illegible] Summer-time has brung it [then?] early!!! – Anyway it is a lovely April.
(On page, to the right)
All my love chaps – Mummy. x x x - Date of Original
- April 21, 1942
- Subject(s)
- Personal Name(s)
- Jones, Margaret ; Jones, Barry ; Jones, Stewart
- Local identifier
- 2017AM001.046
- Collection
- E. Ann McRae Personal Collection
- Language of Item
- English
- Geographic Coverage
-
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Ontario, Canada
Latitude: 43.1334 Longitude: -80.26636 -
England, United Kingdom
Latitude: 52.5891 Longitude: -2.26538
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- Copyright Statement
- Copyright status unknown. Responsibility for determining the copyright status and any use rests exclusively with the user.
- Recommended Citation
- Letter, Margaret Jones to Barry and Stewart Jones, 21 April 1942. E. Ann McRae Personal Collection, Item No. 2017AM001.046
- Terms of Use
- The information and images provided are for personal research only and are not to be used for commercial purposes. Use of this information should include the credit "provided by Ann McRae"
- Contact
- County of Brant Public LibraryEmail:digitalhistory@brant.ca
Website:
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