Emma's Letters

Maple Lane Farm Hampton 18th October 1923 My Dear Son, If I'd stay at home, and quit 'gadding' it might not so often get to be most a month between my letters to you. Two weeks ago we motored down to Newburgh for over Sunday (probably my last visit there - for except for Anson and Ida, there's nothing to attract me there any more). We had great weather for our trip; and on our way home crossed the bay by ferry at Deseronto and followed the 'high shore' down to Picton then by Wellington & to Trenton, seeing most of Prince Edward county, as I've been wanting to do for so long. Then last week on Wednesday we went up to Toronto for the first time since April - visited Uncle A's over night, shopped ('Papa' saw Lloyd George) and got home at three Thursday afternoon. Saturday Cora Cruse came out for over Sunday and J.G and Mrs Langmaid and Foster S and Hilda with little 'Joe' came to tea Sunday night (No letter-writing that day!)...

Maple Lane Farm Hampton R.R. 1 20th Dec 1920 My Dear Boy, Last week your letter didn't get here till Friday - and then you never mentioned Christmas so we are divided in our opinions about your plans. But I'll send this anyway; and if I don't get some word to the contrary I'll pack a parcel for you in with the other things for North Bay - as I suppose if you don't get home you will be out that far over Sunday.  It is getting kind o' excited and "Xmasy" around here now, but with mild weather and no sleighing it is very hard for me to realise that Christmas comes before the week is out.  Uncle Anson actually got here for overnight Thursday last - drove in to Oshawa with Papa and me and a load of milk on Friday to catch a GTR train at 10:20 AM (My first trip to town since you went away!) Very quiet in town and store keepers inclined to be "grouchy" because of "no Christmas trade" I couldn't notice much of a drop in pric...

  Maple Lane 10th Dec. 1918 My Dear Joe, I guess I've time for a little letter before I start to make our daily pie. Doris wrote Sunday and was slightly vexed when she got home from school last night to find it had not been mailed. Beulah got your letter yesterday. We'll send the skates today and maybe the boots too - you took 'em apart last Spring to wear the boots to football practise - remember? I'd think the boots are too small for you now. But if we can make a decent parcel of them we'll send them along. We are having fine, clear, frosty weather here now. It ought to spoil "the flu". But there isn't snow enough for sleighing.  Last Wednesday Papa took me over to Stainton's to a Ladies' Aid meeting in the cutter and Friday night Beulah went to Oshawa station to meet Uncle Anson (C.N.R. express trains won't stop at Solina now.) with the cutter - but it was just about as good wheeling and the roads are quite bare now. Pap...

Maple Lane Farm,  Hampton  23 June 1918  My Dear Joe,  Some of the family are off to S. School - some for a walk, some resting. Guess I'll make a few letters. I am so glad to hear from you each time. At the rate you move around it will keep you busy telling us where to write next.  Beulah got your "Soo" letter and wrote to Echo Bay. Hope that followed you along. How close will you get to North Bay? If you have a chance you ought to go to see Aunt Ella. Grandpa hasn't got down here yet but says he is coming in a "few weeks".  Last Monday evening Uncle Anson came strolling up across the fields as he did the first time. Beulah took him to the station by the morning and brought back a vinegar keg he shipped from Newburgh.  We had V. Leach here five days repairing barn etc. and building new stick's cement front and side and verandah floor around from den door to kitchen - It makes a great improvement.  Friday and yesterday it rained so cold too. Today ...