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1870-1874 (Creation)
- Creator
- Campbell, George
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5 cm of textual records.
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Biographical history
George Campbell was a farmer who lived in Norland, Ontario, during the 1870's.
Custodial history
The fonds was copied by Mr. F.V. LeCraw, Clerk-Treasurer of the Townships of Laxton, Digby, Longford, and Norland, Ontario and he donated the fonds to the Trent University Archives.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of photocopies of letters to George Campbell, mostly from Alex. and James Campbell from Manitoba, outlining working and living conditions in the aftermath of the Red River Rebellion. The letters contain comments on the ethnic nature of the population, farming prospects, and the election riot of November 1871. The letters were written between October 30, 1870 and October 5, 1874.
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The fonds was donated by Mr. F.V. LeCraw, Clerk-Treasurer of the Townships of Laxton, Digby, Longford, and Norland, Ontario.
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Associated materials
For related records see: 73-1002
Accruals
General note
Box 1
Letter
1: 30 Oct 1870 Alexander Campbell to George Campbell -written from Pembina (Dacotah Territory), 4 pages - mentions prices, travel and Riel Rebellion (see transcription below)
2: 27 Nov 1870 Alexander Campbell to George Campbell -written from Manitoba (probably Fort Garry) -4 pages - information on living conditions, ethnic nature of the population
3: 6 Dec 1870 W. McIntyre to his sister Ellen -2 pages -re: family upbringing, news of George Campbell
4: 18 Apr 1871 Alexander Campbell to George Campbell -written from High Bluffs, Manitoba -4 pages -re: work, rebellion, waning French influence and Orange Lodges
5: 28 May 1871 Alexander Campbell to George Campbell -written from High Bluffs -4 pages -re: mails, increased population
6: 12 Jun 1871 George Campbell to George Campbell (son to father) - written from Manitoba -6 pages -re: work, farming
prospects, comments on ethnic nature of the population
7: 8 Aug 1871 John McKay to George Campbell -written from Argyle, Ontario -4 pages -news of family, deaths and forest fires
8: 11 Aug 1871 George Campbell to his sister -written from "Lake of the Woods Rode" -4 pages -re: work for the winter, news from "Sandy"
9: 21 Jan. 1872 Alexander Campbell to George Campbell, written from Portage la Prairie, 2 pages, re cold weather, living conditions
10: 17 Mar. 1872 Alexander Campbell to George Campbell, written from Portage La prairie, 2 pages, re food prices, timber and farm prospects for Scottish Emigrants
11: 29 April 1872 Alexander Campbell to George Campbell, "urging him to move west, farming news:, 4 pages, written from Manitoba, re land prospects
12: 3 Nov. 1872 George Campbell to James Campbell, written from Fort Garry, 8 pages, re Election Day riot between Scots, Metis, and the police
13: 12 Jan. 1873 Margaret Phillips to her father and mother, written from Toronto, 4 pages, asking for money to buy a house
14: 23 Jan. 1873 Alexander Campbell to George Campbell, written from High Bluffs, "from Uncle Sandy advising Grandpa of prospects in the west", 2 pages, re prices, election news
15: 17 Mar. 1873 D. McIntyre to Ellen, 3 pages, comments on poor mail service
16: 12 Sept. 1873 D. McIntyre to Ellen, 2 pages, asking for money
17: 5 Oct. 1874 Alexander Campbell to George Campbell, written from Winnipeg, 4 pages, re outbreak of typhoid fever, news of move to Chicago
Letter 1 Transcription
Dacotah Pembina
October 30, 1870
Dear friends
I write you these few lines to let you know that we are all well at present hoping you are the same we took a passage with a frenchman from Saint-Cloud we are driving a part of his train we left Saint-Cloud on the 5 October we are now Sixty miles from Fort Garry there is about four inches of snow here the first snow we had last Sunday the first frost was the 17 inst. Everything is very dear here at present Butter 50 cts Eggs 50 cts pork 40 cts per pound Beef 12 cts flour 15 dollars per barl. two miles from here a cross the lines flour is 8 dollars per Barl (End of page 1).
We are now two miles from British territory Everything is quite at fort garry at present. Scot grave were opened and the coffin were found in the grave but Scot were not in it the government has issued a warrant for the arrest of Riel if found in the territory. I have meat a Canadian yesterday on his way to Barry Canada. he told me that a man would be better off in one year in the Red River territory than he would be in Canada in ten - that is if he were able to get a team and Seat to start with I dont know what he will do this winter for a living but I will not undertake to back this winter on this Rout as it is a long one (End of page 2).
We have passed over some of the finest land I ever saw both in Dacotah and Manitoba And not a living sould near it a family can move here in the summer time or early fall with but very little expenses By way of Lake Superior. Oxen is worth in the neighbourhood of Saint-Cloud from $80 to $150 dollars cows about forty Cattle is dearer in fort garry than they are in Mannisota We are too late for to see the country this year as the ground is covered with snow. I we had started on foot from Saint-Cloud we would have been there long ago we are getting plenty to eat as yet (End of page 3).
let us know how the finneniores are getting a long thrashing and all other news I will be able to tell you more about the place in my next letter Write as soon as you get this and tell all the news and sent me a paper try and sell every thing As close as you can and Keep All the money Safe If we were once moved into my part we would be reach in a few years a man with two or three teams of Eather horses or oxen can make a better living here than wat the best farmers in Eldon are making on their farms if the men in Laxton once saw what we have saw know they would not stay in Laxton know more At present Alexander Campbell Fort Garry Red River Territory Via Pembina (End of page 4 - End of letter)