Letter, Margaret Jones to Stewart Jones, 24 February 1943
Description
- Creators
- Jones, Margaret, Author
- Jones, Stewart, Recipient
- Media Type
- Image
- Text
- Item Type
- Correspondence
- Description
- A single-page (front and back) handwritten letter from Margaret Jones to her son Stewart. In her letter, she wishes Stewart a happy ninth birthday and mentions that she has seen their Uncle Giller and their young cousin Alan who was born a month after World War II began. Likely sent alongside a letter from her husband [2017AM001.068].
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
Wed., 24th of Feb. 1943
My Dearest Stewart,
Congratulations on reaching the ripe old age of nine years!! Maybe you got a letter today - - + surely you got your cable - - + then I thought I’d like to write exactly on the day. By the time it reaches you, I hope we’ll have a letter form you telling of a Happy Birthday. ---
It has been quite a quiet day here – actually Daddy has been in bed until this evening. He didn’t feel well on Monday + stayed in bed until this evening. – Just a little touch of ‘flu + he’ll be all right now I’m sure. – It has been beautiful weather + I managed to get an hour in the garden - - -- Daddy is writing too + he’ll be giving you all the farm news. – Granpa Jones has just been here to see Daddy + he said I had to be sure to send you his very very best love. – Granpa had his youngest grandson at Codsall for the week-end - - that is Alan, Uncle Giller’s
(2)
little boy who was born the month after war started - - When I wrote last week I told you that Uncle Giller + Auntie Isabel were expecting to come + we did enjoy seeing them. – We had tea at Codsall on Sat. with them + it was lovely to see Uncle Giller, who looked very well + very smart in his Officer’s uniform. ---- Little Alan is a fine wee fellow - - Another Aunt of yours was at Copley last week-end (+ went to Codsall with us of course) - - She is a cousin of mine Maisie [Waldie?] from Scotland - - She visited us at Codsall but you won’t remember her - - -
Well I couldn’t have managed a very wonderful birthday cake for you here Stewart old man, but we’ll have a very special Birthday altogether on your first Birthday at home won’t we? -- --
Now I suppose you want to be reading Daddy’s letter so I’ll send a longer one next time + Lots + Lots of Love to you + to Barry too of course –
Mummy . - Date of Original
- February 24, 1943
- Subject(s)
- Personal Name(s)
- Jones, Margaret ; Jones, Barry ; Jones, Stewart
- Local identifier
- 2017AM001.069
- 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: 54.61667 Longitude: -1.86667
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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 Stewart Jones, 24 February 1943. E. Ann McRae Personal Collection, Item No. 2017AM001.069
- 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:
Agency street/mail address:County of Brant Public Library (Paris Branch)
12 William Street
Paris, ON
N3L 1K7 | @brantlibrary
