Showing 49 results

Written by William Blair Bruce around 1886 proposing an art union.

Letter together with envelope from Carl Benedicks to Bell Bruce Walkden dated Sept 27, 1951

Letter written by William Blair Bruce to his mother and father on December 12, 1897 concerning news of the day. Transcription copy with original.

Letter from the Art Gallery of Hamilton to Bell Bruce Walkden December 12, 1953 inviting her to the opening of the new gallery.

Photocopied letter from Richard Apted to Miss Farmer regarding the proposed plaque for William Bruce Memorial. Dated April 23, 1964.

Letter written by William Blair Bruce on Sept 30, 1886 about paying visitors to support an art union.

Letter together with envelope from Carl Benedicks to Bell Bruce Walkden (sister of Blair Bruce) August 5, 1937

“To the Reporter of the Mail & Empire…” dated January 29, 1926. May have been written by William Bruce, Blair Bruce’s father.

The material consists of one photograph of Julia Arthur sitting at her writing desk reading a letter.

File includes a letter from Waldon to Mrs. Wright, of Port Arthur, inquiring as to whether she has any material on Wesleyan Ladies' College.

Series consists of a photograph of Stanley Baldwin at a microphone. The photograph is autographed and framed with a letter from Stanley Baldwin.

File consists of a letter from Elsie Pomeroy to George Laidler of Hamilton, inquiring about material on Mary Electa Adams and Wesleyan, and correspondence between Waldon and Pomeroy.

File consists of correspondence between Waldon and Elma F. (Mrs. D.G.) Williams, of Aurora, Ontario about the Meharry family of Summerhill, the degrees granted by Wesleyan, about Mrs. Dingman and the College, and correspondence between Stanley Wickens and Mrs. Williams about their mothers' education at the College, including a letter from Wickens about the prizes and certificates his mother earned. File also includes a letter from Waldon to Wickens about the Wesleyan Ladies' College Alumnae Literary Club.

Series consists of a one-page letter with accompanying reminiscences. The letter, dated July 23, 1903 was written by Thomas L. Kinrade, to W.C. Morton of Hamilton, Ontario. The four accompanying pages are Thomas L. Kinrade's reminiscences about the militia during the Fenian Raids in 1866 including a reference to Isaac Buchanan, a prominent Hamilton citizen. Other memories include the Central Public School “sheds” that were located along the streets near the school, religious instruction in public schools, as well as thoughts about a former principal of Central Public School, Archibald McCallum, who served from 1858-1870.

Subseries consists of letter correspondence regarding the site of the Stoney Creek Battlefield monument, reports and finances, government grant funding, member resignations, meeting attendance, and bank correspondence regarding the inactive status of the account.

Series consists of letter correspondence and a certificate congratulating the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club on receiving the Corporate Partner of the Year Award, Tourism Award of Excellence from the City of Hamilton (June 18, 2001). The Club was awarded this honour for their publication Naturally, Hamilton!, which encourages people to think of Hamilton as a place to visit for its natural areas and wildlife viewing opportunities. There is also letter correspondence congratulating the Club on receiving the Federation of Ontario Naturalists’ Award (June 26, 2001), as well as some biographical information on volunteer Hazel Broker for Volunteer Corner. The file contains three photographs pertaining to the award recognition.

Series consists of correspondence including a letter of resignation from Calvin McQuesten to the President and Directors of the Gore Bank, letters acknowledging receipts of payments, as well as a thank you letter addressed to Isaac Baldwin McQuesten. This series also contains letters of condolences from various individuals to Isaac Baldwin McQuesten regarding the death of his father, Calvin McQuesten.

Series consists of letter correspondence and order forms correspondence between Grafton & Co. Ltd. and advertising company R.C. Smith & Son. Most of the letters discuss advertising slogans, logos, and information regarding the 90th anniversary of the company.

Series consists of correspondence from various locales in Ontario, such as Lindsay, Port Hope, London, Kingston, Peterborough, Glasgow, West Flamborough, Elora, Toronto, and Hamilton, predominantly regarding the sale of land and mortgage payments. A letter addressed to Major Logie from Gordon includes a lock of hair.

Series consists of correspondence to and from various individuals including a letter written by Angus McAfee and his brother-in-law George Hughson, to his wife and George’s sister, Thamen, dated July 2, 1812 in Niagara, Ontario, informing her that he is well and giving his prediction that a truce is imminent, a letter written by Samuel McAfee to his brother Angus letting him know he is well and updating him on a skirmish he was involved in with the Americans, dated at Queenston, May 26, 1813, a letter [copy of orders] to Angus McAfee from Brigadier General John Vincent, dated June 10, 1813, correspondence from Angus McAfee to the Colonels and other officers of the late 5th Lincoln and 2nd York Militia, making a claim for payment of which he feels he did not receive for some of his military service, dated October 14, 1818, and a letter of response from N. Coffin of the Adjutant Office, to Angus, dated May 3, 1819. The series also consists of some military correspondence from a later time period pertaining to a Lieutenant John A. Nelles, including General Orders written to Lieutenant Nelles of the 1st Haldimand Regiment Militia, Nelles Settlement, Grand River, dated May 24, 1830, ordering him to report to a muster call and prepare the militia companies for training, as well as an invitation from Lieutenant-Colonel Davis and Officers of the 37th, to Lieutenant Nelles, requesting his company at a dinner held at the Battalion Shed, dated October 10, 1867. There is also some general correspondence from the Hamilton Spectator to Justus A. Griffin (President of the Wentworth Historical Society), with an enclosure from Nathaniel Hughson McAfee, dated February 5, 1903, mentioning that the subscriber to their newspaper asked to have documents forwarded to the president of the Wentworth Historical Society, and requesting the president to contact him, dated February 6, 1903. The letter from Nathaniel Hughson McAfee is a short note mentioning he has in his possession some historical papers pertaining to his family and their service in the War of 1812. He also mentions his family were United Empire Loyalists and that he has connections to other Loyalists such as his grandfather, Nathaniel Hughson and his grandmother, Colonel Land’s sister. The final piece of correspondence in the series is a longer letter from Nathaniel Hughson McAfee to Justus A. Griffin, providing the details of the papers he was donating along with more information about his family and their service in the War of 1812. Nathaniel’s father was Sergeant Angus McAfee and Daniel and Samuel were his uncles.

Series consists of glass plate negatives and photograph images of correspondence and military documents pertaining to the War of 1812, including 2 identical glass plate negatives and one identical photograph of a letter written by Angus McAfee and his brother-in-law, George Hughson, to his wife and George’s sister, Thamen, informing her that he is well and giving his prediction that a truce with the Americans in imminent, dated at Niagara, July 2, 1812. There are 2 identical glass plate negative images of a letter written by Samuel McAfee to his brother, Angus, letting him know he is well and updating him on a skirmish he was involved in with the Americans, dated at Queenston, May 26, 1813. There is a glass plate negative image of a militia muster roll from the 2nd Flank Company, 5th Lincoln Militia, a glass plate negative image of a militia muster roll of Captain Hatt’s Company of Volunteers, 5th Lincoln and 2nd York Militias, as well as a glass plate negative image and an identical photograph of a letter [copy of orders], to Angus McAfee from Brigadier General John Vincent, dated June 10, 1813. The series also includes a glass plate negative image of a landscape, which could possibly be the chosen location for the Stoney Creek Battlefield monument, or Smith’s Knoll memorial monument site.

Subseries consists of general correspondence pertaining to the original structure of the house, suggestions for improvements to the house to make it more appealing to visitors, and proposals and suggestions for programming at the property. There is also a letter sent from Councillor J. Heugh, Chairman of the Town of Stoney Creek to the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society regarding the book “Niagara,” in which the author, Philip D. (Dudley) Mason, mentions the park, museum and monument. The letter expresses the dismay that the author would refer to the park as nothing more than a field and describe the war memorial as ugly. The writer also sent carbon copies to various other relevant organizations and individuals asking how they felt about the author’s disparaging comments.

Series consists of letters written by Hamilton Naturalists’ Club members to specific organizations and individuals, raising concerns over issues such as environmental conservation, the welfare and protection of wildlife, and the hunting, trafficking and killing of birds. Correspondence also pertains to inquiries about donations, memberships, publications and programs. This series also includes correspondence from a few notable Hamiltonians such as a letter from the Club to Reverend Calvin McQuesten of Whitehern asking him to be the Honourary President of the Club for the 1961-62 season, and McQuesten’s acceptance of this position. There is also a letter addressed to His Worship Mayor Victor K. Copps regarding the Club’s disapproval of a proposed commercial development of LaSalle Park in Burlington, Ontario (December 9, 1969).

Series consists of textual records documenting the activities of the corresponding secretary of the Emma Frances Pratt Chapter. The corresponding secretary's book contains details about correspondence of the chapter, such as name and location of the addressee, and date and subject matter of the letter or phone call. Records are arranged in chronological order.

Subseries consists of general letter correspondence as well as draft letters, mostly from the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society to its members and external organizations, as well as some addressed to the Society from other historical societies and individuals. The correspondence includes condolences on deaths of members or those connected to the Society, confirmation of attendance at upcoming meetings, appreciation for guest speakers’ appearances, the acceptance of executive officer roles, resignations from the Society, membership inquiries, genealogical research inquiries from the public, interest from the public in Battlefield House, the monument, and the Battle of Stoney Creek, and appreciation for restoration work completed and donations received. The series includes a formal letter sent to the Right Honourable Lord Byng, of Vimy, Governor General and Commander in Chief of the Dominion of Canada, from the Society extending a welcome to him and his wife, Lady Byng, and mentioning the historical significance of the area of Stoney Creek to the formation of Canada. The letter also welcomes Lady Byng as the honourary President of the Society, dated April 10, 1922. There is also some correspondence regarding Chief Joseph Brant’s sword that was donated to the Society, as well as correspondence on the transfer of the sword from Battlefield House on loan to the Joseph Brant Museum, which includes a newspaper article. The series also contains correspondence from the Society to the membership regarding the disbandment of the organization due to dwindling membership, shortages of volunteers, and changing social and economic times. The letter, dated August 23, 1982, outlines the plan for the disbandment and the tasks left to complete to cease operations.

Series consists of a letter dated February 15, 1943, written by R.C.A.F. member, George [Freer?], who was stationed in Mont-Joli, Quebec while taking an air gunner course. He wrote to the canteen personnel to let them know he would soon be coming to Hamilton on leave (furlough). His letter expresses his hope that he will meet and get acquainted with a local Hamilton girl. George describes his physical characteristics and includes a photograph, which he hopes canteen staff will show to some of the girls, who would be willing to write to him before he arrives. The photograph is an image of George and his sister and the writing on the reverse side says, “My sister and I, taken in Hamilton this Christmas. Sorry I didn’t have one of myself alone.” The series also consists of a Canadian Pacific Telegram written to Mrs. W. A. Gilmour, one of the Board of Directors of the Canteen, suggesting prices for sandwiches, cokes and meat pies to sell at the canteen, dated August 18, 1941, a letter of recognition and appreciation to canteen volunteers from Olga Wigle, Chairman of the Women’s Division Canteen Committee, thanking them for a job well done at the end of their first year running the canteen, and for making it a success, dated April 27, 1942, as well as an undated and unsigned letter from the individual who submitted the first annual report on the canteen coffee shop, which mentions the success of the canteen. There are also two invitations, one for an upcoming Annual Meeting held February 21, 1945, and one for a buffet supper held at the canteen on November 16 [year unknown], as well as one appreciation card dated November 16, 1945, from the Directors and Executives of the Active Service Canteen, to Miss Agnes Hay, for her assistance in maintaining the happiness and morale of the men serving in the military.

Subseries consists of correspondence pertaining to the building of a monument to commemorate the Battle of Stoney Creek. The series includes a letter from Sara Calder, President of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society, to Mr. Benjamin Sulte, of the Department of Militia and Defense, acknowledging that she received the letter from the Deputy Minister of Militia and Defense accepting her offer of the Gage Homestead and property for the site of the monument to commemorate the Battle of Stoney Creek, and that she was preparing to deed that part of the property to the government for the purpose of the monument construction, dated July 18, 1899. Government correspondence requests assurances of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society’s commitment to the project before the provision of funds is granted and Calder responds with confirmation of the commitment and with examples of how the Society has already proactively worked to preserve the house and grounds, including with the help of neighbouring farmers and residents of Stoney Creek, and with funding from the Township Council of Saltfleet. Calder’s correspondence argues against the site location put forward by the members of the Wentworth Historical Society, as inappropriate, and emphasizes that the Wentworth Historical Society has not financially contributed to any monument to the battle to date, nor has it promised any forthcoming money. The series also includes a letter to Sara Calder from E.L. Rastrick of the Frederick James Rastrick & Sons architectural firm who designed the monument, mentioning the design for the proposed monument along with a total cost estimate of $8,715.00, dated July 1, 1900, as well as correspondence from the Society to the government regarding the design proposals, and legal correspondence regarding the purchase of another 13 acres of land around the property dated February 24, 1910. There is also later correspondence from the 1940s pertaining to bronze tablets that were installed on the monument bearing the names of the men killed in action during the Battle of Stoney Creek, and unveiled in a ceremony in October of 1940. The final document in the series is a letter to Colin Gibson, Minister of National Defense from Mabel Thompson, President of the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society, regarding the history of the construction of the monument, detailing what she knows about the process including grants provided by the government, and repairs made over the years by the government. The purpose of the letter is to request ongoing support for the maintenance of the monument, dated August 13, 1946.

Series consists of general correspondence and representative correspondence pertaining to the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. Included in this series is an undated note from an individual who enclosed a Hamilton Chamber of Commerce medallion (no ribbon attached). The medallion is dated 1864 and the sender of the note felt the Chamber would like to have this item. The Chamber responded by letter dated 1955, thanking the sender.

Subseries consists of legal documents relating to two family estates; the Grierson family estate and the estate of Mary Wallace. Documents in the Grierson file include correspondence and estate papers such as deeds, mortgage sales and payments, power of attorney records and two fire insurance polies. The Mary Wallace file contains some letter correspondence from the law firm Chisholm, McQuesten & Welby to Kate Millar, regarding a watch that was bequeathed to her by her friend, Mary Wallace.

Subseries consists of power of attorney records granting Calvin McQuesten power of attorney for William Ormiston, as well as granting Isaac Baldwin McQuesten power of attorney for Calvin McQuesten, Stephen Payson Sawyer, Thomas Craigie, Frank Sawyer, P.G. Sinclair and John Harvey. The subseries also contains 2 letters of guardianship regarding the Sawyer family, and 1 letter of trusteeship concerning Knox Church.

Screw (propeller) steamer yacht measuring 47 x 10 x 5 feet, 15.5 tonnage, built in Hamilton, Ontario in 1903 by John and William Robertson. There is little information pertaining to the ship and its voyage history. The file contains ownership documents and certificates, a mortgage certificate, a letter written by the ship builders certifying that they built the vessel, as well as correspondence from various individuals, the Department of Transport, Marine Services, National Revenue Canada, and Customs and Excise Office Division, to the Registrar of Shipping, Hamilton.

Series consists of general correspondence such as thank you cards and notes, as well as several letters written to members of the Hamilton Poetry Centre Executive, and letters written by members to other organizations and individuals. The letters predominantly consist of requests regarding author and poetry readings, the organization of poetry events, as well as correspondence that promotes and raises the profile of the Hamilton Poetry Centre in the community. This file includes a letter from Margaret Atwood (April 27, 1987) declining an invitation to read. The series also consists of tax correspondence between members of the Hamilton Poetry Centre and the Canada Council regarding T4 slips and grant funding.

Series consists of one file folder containing a newspaper obituary for Julia Arthur, along with a letter written by Miss Flora F. Tobin, niece of Julia Arthur, to the Hamilton, Ontario City Clerk Office in regards to obtaining a birth registration notice for her grandfather, Thomas Lewis. The file also contains hand-written, typed and photocopied genealogical records on the Lewis family members. The series also consists of a scrapbook that is divided into two parts. The first half contains newspaper clippings, correspondence and information about Julia Arthur and her performances and career, and the second half contains information about her sister, Flora Fairchild.

Subseries consists of correspondence between the Women’s Wentworth Historical Society and the Dundurn Castle Restoration Committee, regarding the desire of the Society to assist with the restoration of Dundurn Castle, correspondence from the Centennial Celebration Dundurn Castle Restoration Committee thanking the Society for its donation of $5,500.00 to help furnish the library, as well as an open letter to the mayor and council of the City of Hamilton from the Wentworth Historical Society regarding the concern that Battery Lodge and part of the castle grounds would be destroyed with the widening of York Boulevard, and stressing the importance of protecting this historic site. The correspondence is accompanied by a few newspaper clippings on the issue. There are also 2 different visitor information pamphlets for Dundurn Castle.

Series consists of the research materials of Dr. Freda F. Waldon, Chief Librarian of the Hamilton Public Library. Dr. Waldon and members of the library board were interested in researching the history of early libraries in Hamilton, and in particular, the Hamilton and Gore Mechanics’ Institute. They noticed there was a gap in the knowledge of the early libraries that existed before the establishment of the Hamilton Public Library in 1889. The series consists of Dr. Waldon’s correspondence to and from various individuals requesting assistance with her research. Her letter correspondence includes asking certain individuals about their recollections of the Mechanics’ Institute, including a plea to the editor of the Hamilton Spectator, to publish her request in the paper so that members of the community could provide information from their own personal experience, or as descendants of the original members of the Mechanics’ Institute. She was particularly interested in where the Institute was located, the reasons for the demise of the organization and what existed between the end of the Mechanics’ Institute and the establishment of the government-funded public library system. The series also contains Dr. Waldon’s handwritten and typewritten research notes about the history of the Mechanics’ Institute and early libraries. The series also consists of some of her published research including a letter she wrote that was printed in the Ontario Library Review entitled, “From Mechanics’ Institute to Cultural Centre,” dated Febrary, 1949, as well as an address she gave to the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society, October 11, 1946 entitled, “Early Provision for Libraries in Hamilton.” The speech was later published in the Wentworth Bygones, From the Papers and Records of the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society, Issue No. 4, 1963.

Series consists of a note from jailor, Dennis Malone, indicating he received from Sergeant Morin of the 1st Battalion Incorporated Militia, prisoners Henry Henry and Patrick Farrell, privates in the above regiment, dated at Hamilton, January 4, 1839, a note written by William Winder, Surgeon, 1st Battalion Incorporated Militia, stating that he has examined Private Joseph Forster of No. 8 Company and determined that he is fit to undergo the sentence of solitary confinement meted out by court martial, dated at Hamilton, June 21, 1839, as well as a letter written by [W.B. Roberts?], to the officer commanding the guards, mentioning that he visited the Town and Ordinance Guard by day and night and found the sentries to be on alert at their posts, dated at Hamilton, October 15, 1842. All the documents in this series are original.

Series consists of various types of correspondence including a copy of a bulk mail letter from the Levy Brothers Company Limited sent to various jewellery stores and suppliers, announcing the new 1949 edition of the Reference Book for Canadian Jewelers, which was a reference guide for customer purchases, an unused business envelope from the last address of the company at 25 Main Street West, 2 post cards from 1872 addressed to the Levy Brothers, a few letters pertaining to upcoming annual meetings, 2 letters from the Levy Brothers Company Limited to the Bank of Montreal regarding the company accounts, and 2 framed correspondence from the War Time Prices and Trade Board to Levy Brothers Company Limited, regarding Herman H. Levy and his services to the board as the Administrator of Jewellery. The series also contains a correspondence copy book which records the letters sent to various customers and suppliers regarding goods, item requests, payments, etc., as well as loose leaf correspondence from customers. Some of the correspondence seems to be in German, although the writing is difficult to decipher.

Series consists of Freda F. Waldon's correspondence regarding Wesleyan Ladies' College, including a letter published in Saturday Night newspaper requesting information about Wesleyan from graduates and descendant of graduates. Correspondents include : Professor R.C. Archibald, Mount Allison Memorial Library, Sackville, N.B ; Annie E. Barker, Toronto ; Mrs. R.L. Charles, Toronto ; Dr. William Colgate, Toronto ; Mamie L. Cunningham, Toronto ; Mrs. W.S. Dingman, Toronto ; Mrs. L.C. Harvey, Brownsville ; Col. G.W.F. Johnston, Montreal ; Helen E. Nelles, Niagara Falls, Ontario ; Elsie Pomeroy, Toronto ; Mrs. F.G. Purchase, Beamsville ; Rev. F.L. Barber, Victoria University, Toronto ; Professor C.B. Sissons, Victoria University, Toronto ; Mr. Douglas G. Townsend, Hamilton ; Mrs. D.G. Williams, Aurora ; and Mrs. E.N. Wright, Port Arthur. A few newspaper clippings about the college, its students and the Senior Literary Society accompany the correspondence.

Series consists of meeting minutes for the Active Service Canteen from May 2, 1941 to November 8, 1944. The minutes include items such as nominations of officers, establishment of rules and regulations for the canteen, the patrons, and the volunteers, a volunteer application form, rules and procedures for volunteer duties, schedules and attire, the creation of various committees such as the entertainment committee, the purchasing committee, the magazine committee and the visiting committee, the daily operations of the canteen, issues arising from volunteers or patrons, canteen finances, food and beverage pricing and menu items, as well as equipment inventories and repairs. This series also consists of two canteen administration logbooks. The first one is dated January 26, 1943 to March 19, 1945, and records instructions, suggestions, criticisms, complaints, item breakages, as well as any essential equipment repairs and replacement. The members were asked to enter their comments, sign and date the entry. One of the entries includes a comment about stretching butter with cream due to the rationing of certain foods during the war. There is also a newspaper clipping pasted into the book with positive feedback about the canteen from a navy sailor stationed in Hamilton. The second canteen logbook dates from 1941 to 1945 and has sections divided by letter tabs, which record the administrative operations of the canteen mostly by subject alphabetically, rather than by chronological date. Subjects include, but are not limited to, committees, donations, equipment, meetings, purchases, suggestions, supplies, transportation and volunteers. The book has a number of loose-leaf pages throughout, but also a number added at the end of the volume, including a few newspaper clippings about the canteen.

The subfonds contains a chapter history for the Stanley Baldwin Chapter (1937-1962), a scrapbook (1973-1990) and a photograph of Stanley Baldwin (1938).