Collection: Richard Faries

POSTCARD Date: Posted August 29, 1908 from Richard to Mrs. Wm Craig, Gibbland Farm, Abbotsford, Quebec Publisher / Photographer: Russell Lang & Co. #A. 700 Notation: I have had this card for at least three years without paying any attention to it. I was quite startled as I began cataloguing it for this entry on Ipernity. I was first of all surprised that there was an Abbotsford in Quebec and a bit intrigued by the "Gibbland Farm" that was part of the address. Searching the internet, I discovered that Mr. William Craig, the addressee's husband was the owner of Gibbland Farm - a well-renowned fruit farm which had been formerly owned by his father (and was later passed on to his own son, Geoffrey). While doing that research, I came upon a reference that startled me. Mr. and Mrs. William Craig were the parents of Miss Catherine Isabelle Craig - a young woman who married an Anglican priest and missionary who spent most of his life at York Factory in Manitoba - Richard Faries. I had learned about Richard a few years ago when I acquired a collection of several of his personal real photo postcards from York Factory and other locations in Manitoba. I was stunned when I realized that this postcard itself was written by Richard to his mother-in-law, Mrs. Craig. In fact, this postcard was sent only 18 days after his wedding day - August 11, 1908. Richard's message reads; "Dearest Mother Last night we were out to see some friends of mine & I was proud to introduce my wife to them. They are all in love with her, and I think that I am a very lucky fellow to get such a noble girl. No one knows it better than I do, & I am sure I shall try to prove that I am worthy of my sweet Isabelle's love. We had a fine walk yesterday thro. St. John's Park. It was lovely and restful out there. With much love, your affectionate Richard" Richard and Isabelle had quite a love story - and their love stood the test of time. They ministered together in York Factory and other northern communities of Manitoba and Ontario until Isabelle died in 1951, at which time Richard retired, moved to Toronto then to Ft. William (Thunder Bay) where he died in 1964. I was equally surprised to find another card in my collection from Richard to his new father-in-law! Please see: www.ipernity.com/doc/567275/40998960 Further information on Richard Faries can be found at: www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/faries_r.shtml and at: www.thunderbaymuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Richard-Faries-fonds.pdf Further information on William Craig can be found at: www.mocavo.com/Proceedings-of-the-American-Pomological-Society-1911-Volume-Volume-32-1911/665491/37

POSTCARD Date: Posted August 29, 1908 from Richard & Isabelle Winnipeg to Mrs. Wm. Craig, Gibbland Farm, Abbotsford, Que. Publisher / Photographer: Russell, Lang & Co. Notation: This is another in a collection of postcards that I have acquired from Richard Faries. This one, from Richard & his new bride Isabelle, is addressed to Isabelle's mother. It is in addition to one Richard to her, himself, that same day. The message on the reverse reads; "We were out visiting last night with some friends. They gave Isabelle a lovely bunch of sweet peas. Today the city of Winnipeg is hot & unpleasant & we wish we were out in the country where we could breathe the pure air. We send you a paper containing some remarks about us. Hope you are well and not too lonely. Remember that we are happy. Your affectionate children, Richard & Isabelle."

POSTCARD Date: Posted September 4, 1908 from Selkirk, Manitoba to Wm. Craig Esq., Sunny Beach Farm, Auburn, Maine. The sender wrote this card at the north end of Lake Winnipeg as he travelled to his new home even further north. Presumably, the card was posted by a crew member when the ship returned to port in Selkirk. Publisher / Photographer: Russell Lang & Co. #9 Notation: This postcard was written by Richard Faries to his new father-in-law William Craig - twenty-one days after he wed Mr. Craig's daughter, Isabelle. (For more background information and Richard's message to his new mother-in-law, please see this other card in my collection: www.ipernity.com/doc/567275/40998630 ) Mr. Craig was a pomologist (fruit scientist) who owned a well-renowned fruit farm, Gibbland Farm, in Abbottsford, Quebec. From about 1904-1909, Mr Craig operated Sunny Beach Farm in Auburn Maine and he was prominent in Maine's horticultural circles. On to Richard's message to his father-in-law, written as he and his bride headed north to York Factory... "Dear Bro. [I am assuming that Richard is addressing Mr. Craig as "Brother" in a religious context.] We are out on Lake Winnipeg at present & expect to reach the North end tomorrow. It was a little windy & rough last night & today we were compelled to run in to harbour. We had a fine time in Winnipeg, seeing friends and doing some shopping. Isabelle was quite charmed with Winnipeg & all my friends thought I had secured a rare jewel of a wife. No one knows it better than I do. She is the greatest jewel any man would be possessed of, & I am sure my life will henceforth go along like one sweet dream. We shall soon reach the place where our canoe journey begins. hope you are well. your affectionate Bro. Richard" Added on the side, from Isabelle; "Don't forget to write us. Hope you got our photo. - Isabelle 'Lovie dovie all the time'."