Letter, Margaret Jones to Barry and Stewart Jones, 9 August 1943
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 her letter, she describes a visit with their cousin Jean, the progress of the farm and the son had by “Uncle Giller” and “Auntie Isabel.”
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
- 9th Aug.
My Dearest Boys,
Goodness me! Jean thinks that I have nothing to do but go cycle runs with her – you see, she has just learnt to cycle + isn’t keen to go alone + of course I don’t want anything to happen to her while she is staying here - - I’ve told her she’ll have to behave herself when she comes for a holiday after you are at home + she says that it is you 2 that will have to behave - - she will make you behave!! So now you know -----
And this morning we had
(2)
a letter from Barry (addressed by Marion I see) You school marks are quite good I think. Is Mrs. Pate pleased with them? We are very interested in your fishing expeditions - - Granpa Jones says he will take you when you come home but it seems as if you will be teaching himtohow to do it - - I see lots of people fishing in Patshull Pool every day just now – that is only ½ a mile away. But I’m sure I don’t know what they catch. –
The weather is rather disappointing for harvesting. The oats are all out + the barley is started but it is too damp to get going yet today (2 pm) – There is a
(3)
gang of women potato picking as well + if it dries enough to cut the Barley I have to drive the potato-digger - - We have only one tractor driver you see.
I hope Mr. Pate has benefited from his holiday - - Marion must be quite busy looking after you all while they are away - - I’m wondering what she has decided about teaching – I suppose by the time this letter reaches you, the schools will be starting again. –
Next week, Auntie Gwen, Uncle [Os?]. + Martin are coming for a few days. – I haven’t seen them since
(4)
Christmas time. – Any way they’ll be thrilled to see all the ‘pictures’ you’ve sent.
And yesterday I heard that Uncle Giller + Auntie Isabel + another son - - so that is another cousin for you - - Of course you’ve never seen little Alan yet but he was born before you went to Canada so he must be 3 ½ now. I wonder what he’ll think of his little brother –
I don’t think I have any more news this week but you know we are thinking now that it maybe won’t be very long until you get back home
Lots + Lots of Love
Mummy. - Date of Original
- August 9, 1943
- Subject(s)
- Personal Name(s)
- Jones, Margaret ; Jones, Barry ; Jones, Stewart
- Local identifier
- 2017AM001.082
- 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 Barry and Stewart Jones, 9 August 1943. E. Ann McRae Personal Collection, Item No. 2017AM001.082
- 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
