1911 Courtship: June 18 Dear Noah

Sarah Sophia Deverell Draper, c 1922

Another relative - a grandson of Noah's brother, Percy - has found his way to this blog. And he's blessed us with pictures! 

The image on the left is Percy and Noah's mother, Sarah Sophia Deverell, born in 1846 in Whitby, Ontario, and widowed in 1909 when David Draper died in Regina, Saskatchewan. 

In this week's letter, Ethel mentions Sarah's decision not to go east for the summer, which from Noah's last letter, we know is because Sarah doesn't like travelling alone. 

Thank you, Norm, for the gift of photos.
 

Author of Letter: Ethel Isabell Nelson, age 21 (born 31 May 1890)
Dated:  June 18th, 1911 
Addressed to: Mr. N. C. Draper, Grand Coulee, Sask. (Dearest Noah)
Mailed  from:  Belhaven, Ont. 
Relationship:  Courting
Profession:  Farmer's Daughter  
Writing  instrument: Fine point  pen, blue ink
Written on: Light bluey/gray, slightly thick, textured, linen-like paper, 9 inches x 6 inches, folded in half. The paper is folded in half with the first page on the front and last on the back, but inside, she's turned the paper and written across the short width and turned both pages into one long page. Hence this letter has only 3 pages.


People/places mentioned in this letter:
- Pa -  *James Henry Nelson
- Ma - *Ida Amelia Glover
- Noah's mother - *Sarah Sophia Deverell (see photo above)
- Mr. *Bruel's - Belhaven neighbours of the Nelson's
- *Fanny - niece of Joe Perrault, husband of Noah's sister, Eva Amelia

The following men are mentioned as part of the work bee to bring the new lumber from Keswick home to the James Nelson farm: Mr. Young, Wilbert Anderson, and Wallace.

Legend: 
* Look under the Categories/Labels in the right side column for more posts on this 
  person/place/thing.
** see Genealogy Notes below

Belhaven. P.O.
June. 18th 1911

Mr. N.C. Draper,
              Grand Coulee,

Dearest Noah;-
                              Your letter
reached me yester day evening
was glad to know you were
still able to write. Really I
don't know what I would do
if any thing should happen so
as to prevent you from writing.
I look for your letters like a cat
watches for a mouse.

2.

     Suppose you are very busy just now getting
ready to build. Pa had a bee on Friday
and had one carload of timber drew home
There is one carload to draw yet. The masons
finished the wall yesterday. They were just
2 weeks.
     Well I am sorry your Mother is thinking
of changing her mind. I so wish I could have
said come this summer and yet I know Ma
would have so much extra work sometimes. I
wonder if I am doing wrong by you but Noah
you know it is not because I dont love you
I try to do what I think is best for us all, and
yet if I am not, why I want to know and 
do whats right. Oh Noah I guess you will think
I am a little crazy. but I am so lonesome to
day to see you I hardly know what do do with 
myself.
     Mr Bruel's have Scarlet Fever in  their
home. I think it is a light  case though.
     Pa & Ma were down to Toronto on 
Thursday. They got us a new buggy & harness
The buggy has'nt got here yet.

3.

     I think if I was up there I should
have to take pity on poor Fanny.
Nothing like having a good time, "eh"
The day of the bee Mr Young was so
mad he wouldnt stay for his dinner.
He was supposed to be third team. but
the men loaded all the other teams
first & so made him come last. but
he thot he could try & get head anyway
so started driving by. but Wilbert
Anderson run him into a telephone post
a broke a spoke in Wallace's waggon.
So Wallace un hitched and started for
home with his team, some one persuaded
him to bring his load. Says he will fire
that Anderson boy. I guess I must close
for this time. I will be more than glad
when I am where you are. and dont
have to write, but can just talk. Good Bye
from your ever loving Sweetheart 
                             xxxxxxxxxxxx  Ethel Nelson

Genealogy Notes

1912, Barn Raising Contest Teams, Roland, Manitoba, Courtesy of Glenbow Archives

This image is entitled, "Barn raising contest teams, Roland, Manitoba" dated July 4, 1912. The Glenbow Museum have it annotated as:
Remarks: West team, J. McCallum, captain and east team J. Parkinson, captain.
Two teams ready to start. The sections of frames are put together on the ground with mortise and tenon and pinned. The sections, or "bents" are raised and the plates, purline plates, and braces are put into place and pinned.

undated Barn Raising Bee, Redwater, Alberta, Courtesy of Glenbow Museum