The First Planting Season in Canada 1896
As the first signs of spring begin to emerge and the soil becomes warmer, the planting season officially begins. It is a time of new growth, fresh opportunities, and deep-rooted traditions. For farmers, it marks the start of a long days in the fields and hope for a large harvest. For the Wright family in Agassiz, it’s more than just planting their crops; it’s about laying down roots in their new community.
This post is all about the exciting season of planting, perseverance, and new beginnings.
Yale, British Columbia
Yale is a town in the Fraser Canyon about 50 kilometers up the Fraser River from Agassiz, British Columbia. The town was built during the gold rushes in the 1850’s and was the beginning of the Cariboo Wagon Road that the miners followed during their journey to find gold. You can visit Yale Historic Site and experience how Yale looked during the time these letters were written.
Creighton House Museum
While you are there, you can visit the Creighton House Museum that was build in the 1870s. Inside, you can explore their exhibits that have been curated to show the town’s history. Wander around and soak up the knowledge of what has happened at this historic site.
St. John the Divine Church
This church is one of the oldest in British Columbia, having been built in 1863. Look through the same stained glass windows that the early settlers looked through over 160 years ago. Imagine the ceremonies that have happened there, the prayers that have been asked and answered, and how many others have experienced the calming sense of safety between those walls.
St. Bartholomew’s Hospital
In one of May’s letters below, she talks about neighbour Nellie Woods, leaving to “take charge of the Indian Hospital in Lytton.” Many residential schools in British Columbia had hospitals attached to them. The one that Nellie Woods is travelling to in Lytton is about 120 kilometers away and is called St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. The first half was opened in 1893 and predominantly treated First Nations patients.
The Girls’ Friendly Society
The Girls’ Friendly Society (GFS) was a charity that was established in England in 1875. The purpose of GFS and its industrial homes was to support young women and empower them through training and guidance. Although it was a Christian society, its initial focus was to provide a safe space for women in urban areas to learn the skills that women were expected to know at the time. In May’s letter, she talks about asking the GFS to embroider some handkerchiefs for a gift. You can learn more about the Girls’ Friendly Society here.
Letters
May’s Letter to Mother – April 26, 1896
Mailed May 4th, Received May 20th
Agassiz
British Columbia
April 26th, 1896
My dearest Mother,
Cecil & I have been to church to-day & then had lunch with the Agassiz’s. Mrs. Agassiz is not at all well, recovering from influenza, it seems to be of a very mild kind here. Captain Moore was there; he seems to be always there. Mr. Hamersley is up to-day, he sleeps near at the other house with Cahmech & Westtering & has meals here; Jack & I are now waiting for him to have our tea, the others have had theirs.
We have had a good deal of wet weather; it has been raining a good bit to-day, but when it is fine it is really lovely. Nellie and Edith Agassiz, are coming over to spend the day on Tuesday; they are the too youngest & I think I like them best.
Cecil has begun to put in the garden, he has put in some potatoes & onions, but he has to learn it for other things. We have made quite the little flower bed in front of the home, Jack has planted some sweet peas to grow up the verandah posts. Harold and I went to lunch with the Jemmetts on Thursday. They have a very nice place, but it’s a long way from here.
I think I hear Mr. Hamersley coming, I must go & have tea, & I doubt whether I shall have time to write any more. We are all getting on all right & everybody is well.
Will much love,
Your affectionate daughter,
May Wright
May’s Letter to Mother – May 3, 1896
Received May 21, 1896
Hazeley
Agassiz, British Columbia
May 3rd, 1896
My dearest Mother,
I have about half an hour before it is time to get dressed, so I will try & write my letter now; I have been very busy all the week & have not been anywhere, so I want to walk over to see the Agassiz’s this afternoon. Jack is over there for a week; he went last Wednesday. Mrs. Agassiz thought the change would do him good, but he is really quite well now. Nellie & Edith came to lunch on Tuesday & stopped till about five, they walked over.
Nellie Woods has gone to Lytton to take charge of the Indian hospital there. She may be away a long time; she is probably going to England this summer to live with her brother, who is a clergyman in Norwood, she will be very much missed in the valley.
Mr. Crouncher was at the Agassiz’s last Sunday & we drove him to the station on our way home. He gave us a most cordial invitation to go & stay with him at Yale any time, he is very nice & kind & takes things just as he finds them in the right sort of way.
The Church is to the be opened in June we hope, the school at Yale will all give the alter clothes & _____ , but of course there will be everything else to get & if anything could be given from home it would be very nice; perhaps Aunt Hester would give that pair of brass candlesticks that we thought of for the Church at Morley.
I want to give Julia a nice wedding present, will you think back, I out of my best months’ money & get her one. I thought if you sent them to M_____ and cleaners, you could get a very good handkerchief for 15 quill, plain hem stitched & then if you sent them to the G.F.S. Industrial Home, Kemerston, Tewkesbury, they would make them very well for 2’ a letter. His initials will be L.E.I., I can’t think of anything better. She is sure to have all the small things usually given as wedding presents, of course, you might ask her. Or get it without, just as you think best; I hoped to have seen something in Vancouver, but I saw nothing I liked, but China & of course I couldn’t send that. Will you give my love to Agnes Baker. I have time
intending to write to her for the last fortnight & have never had time, if they ____of the Colonies letter her to think about Agassiz; the next farm to us is for sale, it is small & Burhett has sheep and a few cattle, he has very little — & does all the cooking himself. It isn’t all a bad little house for a beginning, it has a kitchen, sitting room & bed-room downstairs & I believe two bed-rooms upstairs. It is about three minutes walk from here, there really are some very nice people in the valley, so tell Agnes, I hope she will think of it, Burhett would probably sell the whole thing; farm, implements, stock, etc, for $6,000.
I must go & get dinner, will you remember me to Amy Davies & thank her for washing the dress.
With very much love,
Your affectionate daughter,
May Wright
Jodie Foerster is a history student at the University of the Fraser Valley and a Museum Assistant and Researcher at the Agassiz-Harrison Museum and Archives. She specializes in British Columbia's settler history and archival storytelling. Learn more on the About page
