1906 Letter from Alice Hall to Horace Nevard

                                                        Grove Farm Saxmundham
Suffolk, England
July 6, 1906
My Dear Horrie
I expect you are beginning to look for a letter from me but I did not receive your letter till this morning so I could not write before. It was an extra long while coming this time and I began to wonder if it was lost. I don't know what sort of flowers they are which you sent me which you got on the prairie but some sort of Canadian flower I should think. I am sending you two little pansys out of our garden just for a remembrance and two daisies off the meadow. The summer has really come now and we have had some hot weather since I wrote to you last.  I expect you find it very hot at work. I hope the mosquitoes don't worry you so much now. I expect you have seen Mary and Ernie by this time. I expect Ernie thought it took a rare long time to get  to Canada. I hope they got there alright. We shall not be able to hear yet for a few days I don't suppose. Mary sent a post card to Emily from Londonderry and Emily  forwarded it on to us. It was very good of Emily to go to Liverpool with them. Louie is home again now. She came back on Monday. I expect Cecil will be coming to stay with Louie for his holiday at the end of this month. Annie is coming home tomorrow just for the weekend and going back on the Monday and then she is coming home again on August the seventh for a fortnight's holiday. She told me when she wrote to me last that she wished to be remembered to you and to tell you that she would welcome you for a brother one of these days. I had been looking for the postman to bring me a letter for over a week before it came and Willie said he expected you had got another girl out there in Canada just to tease me. But Dick said I must not pay any regard to that  because they used to tease him just the same when Maud went to Derbyshire and he expected you were too busy to write. I was so pleased when Mother brought me the letter this morning. It came while I was turning the separator. I am writing this in a great hurry but I hope you will be able to understand it. I am going to the town this afternoon and I want to post it when I go. I have just had my dinner and I expect you have just had your breakfast but I don't know what time you have it though. We got 41 pounds of butter this week and we took 36 pounds of it to the town and my arm did just ache when I got there. Father was going to carry it for us and then they were so busy so I thought I could carry it. They are very busy with the hay now and we are having beautiful weather for it and hope it will continue to till the hay is done. Willie bought a clipper or grass mower at the show so that will help them on a bit. We have got such a lot of gooseberries in the garden but we didn't have many cherries. Although the tree was so full in bloom as I daresay you will remember and what few there was the birds were soon after them. I went to the Girl's Friendly Society Festival last Wednesday afternoon at Kelsale Rectory and I enjoyed myself very much. I saw my cousin Mary from Leiston. She is Daisy's sister you know who is at Colchester and we had quite a nice time together. I expect they are all coming here from Leiston on August Bank Holiday so we shall be quite a party. I had a nice big card given me at the festival for 5 years of faithful discharge of duties in the employment of my parents. I was quite surprised as I did not expect to get anything as I had always been at home.
Last Saturday week we had a lot of company. Father's brother from Ipswich and his wife and their son and his wife and three children came here and stayed to dinner and tea. My cousin Walter has not got any work and there is ever so many in Ipswich out of work. He is thinking of going out to Canada but I don't know whether he will. He is a bricklayer by trade, You can read some of this letter to Mary if you like or else tell her as I have no doubt she will like to hear all the news. Give our love to her and I hope she is better now and kiss dear little Ernie (Bill Nevard) for us all. I expect he will help to cheer you up and keep you lively. He didn't seem to mind leaving us at all but I don't suppose his little mind could realize that he would not be coming back again yet awhile. It is a good thing that he is so happy. I don't think he will ever really forget us. I am sure they must miss him very much at Lexden.
I don't think I must stop to write much more. I will keep the piece of Canadian money and the flowers for a keepsake . you pressed them out very nicely. I do so wish I could see you sometimes but I ought to not to write so I suppose. I hope you are not downhearted because although we cannot see each other we can write although its not quite like talking. I think of ever so much I want to tell sometimes and then I go and forget it. Annie said Herbert was quite well and was coming home in October I went to Saxmundham Church last Sunday morning and to Rendham Church in the evening. Is the Church you go to anything like Lexden Church?

Hoping this will meet you quite well. With love and kisses I remain your ever loving Alice.

Bill's November 21, 1944 Letter Continued

November 21, 1944 letter continued.

Yesterday as soon as I'd done the necessary chores I took the wagon up on 25 and got my first load of barley home ready for hauling. As soon as I got back Dad and Uncle Arthur hitched on to the democrat and drove off to the Goff sale which was supposed to start at 12 o'clock. Actually it didn't start til 2 o'clock. The Goffs had invited Dad over for dinner so he was able to put his team in the stable and have some dinner before the sale started. Dad bought 3 sections of spring tooth harrows for $42. He also bought a hammer, logging chain and neck yoke. We seem to have mysteriously lost both our hammer and logging chain and both are necessary things to have around the farm.  Hobetzeder bought the binder and paid $278 for it. Tom Goff paid $80 for the mower so things went plenty high enough. Dad said the drag harrows sold for a higher price than they cost new in March.

I finished fencing the oat straw yesterday.  Dad wants to make a wooden trough, then when we let the stock onto this quarter we will be able to water them from the cistern. I don't know if I told you this before but Dad bought some new harness this fall for a team as he thought our other harness wasn't strong enough for hauling.

I shall have to get busy as soon as I get the barley hauled and start wood chopping. Last year I had it all cut and piled in the yard by Dec. 14th but I haven't cut any yet this year.

It was snowing a little last night before they got home from the sale but not very much. It is rather unusual to get so far into the season without a fall of snow. However with these thick fogs we have the frost on the grass is almost like a snow and Andy Gray was telling me that some of the electric light wires have broken with the weight of the heavy frost on them. 

I guess that uses up the news for this week and I'll have to quit.  Hoping you are well I remain your loving brother..        

                                                                                                                              E.W. Nevard

Alf Goff on the left of photo

November 1944 Letter From Bill to Dick

                                                                                     Headlands, Sask.
                                                                                     Nov. 21, 1944

Dear Dick
I have only a week's news to write and nothing very exciting to report. On the 15th I took a load of wheat to Lipton and posted my last letter to you. Donald started out with me but John Senft overtook us in his truck so Donald rode the rest of the way in with him. He was hauling wheat for Uncle Arthur. At the big coulee I met John Senft coming back for another load with Donald. He hauled 4 loads for Uncle and Uncle rode with him the third trip and came home on the fourth.
I got bags of cement to finish the cistern and some planks to make a trough with.
On the 16th we finished the cistern bottom and top. A nice bright day. I had to get a tank of water afterwards. Donald was here to supper. Joy would have come too but she had a cold.
On the 17th I took another load of wheat to Lipton . There wasn't so much traffic on the road as before although it was a nice day. Donald had sent to Eaton's for a pair of skis and I picked them up at the station. Also a carton from Aunt Flo for Uncle A. containing her husband's clothes. Donald went for the mail at night,
On the 18th I was fencing a straw pile and hauling water. Dad making bread. Uncle A brought the mail and I got your letter.
This is now Wednesday morning, the 22nd and I'm eating breakfast. I got 567 bushels of barley. I'm hoping to take the first load of the company's share to Lipton today.
On Sunday the 19th Dad and both Uncles went to Goff's in the democrat. The sale to wind up Alf Goff's estate was held yesterday and Dad wanted to go over beforehand and look the stuff over.
On Monday I took another load of wheat to Lipton. Probably the last for this year. John Senft took two truck loads for Uncle Horrie which pretty well cleans him up.
There were more wagons in town than usual as people were bringing cattle and hogs in to the stock yards to ship. Also it was nomination day for the municipality.
Louis Cohen has injured his shoulder and is unable to use his left hand. He is intending to get an x-ray of it I think.

Back row, Ernest, Bill and Arthur Nevard.

Part 2 of Emily Nevard's 1916 Letter to Horace.

The week Granny laid in bed we had any amount of work as Mr. and Mrs. Hurnard went away as they were having some new stoves fixed so they cleared all the linen up and sent to us and as there were no maids in the house Mrs. Hurnard casked if Mother would see the linen was well aired as there would be no one in the house to do it. And she would pay Mother extra for it so Mother was very worried as she was afraid Granny might pass away before we could get the work out of the house. As it happened it was alright. We had sent all the work home and as they were away we didn't have any last week in the house until Thurdasy morning (after the funeral) which was just alright .

We laid Granny to rest on Wednesday the 12th at 2 pm. We intended having it at 2:30 but the Rector don't like having funerals later than 2:00 this short days. I arranged everything. I ordered the coffin and as the weather is so uncertain and the roads so muddy I asked Arthur Clark to order a Shellibier. There was just enough room for us all to ride. They put the coffin in front in a glass covered recess and we rode at the back. Mother and Uncle Robert, Aunt Alice and cusins Walter, Emma and I, Horrie and Mrs. Clayden at the end and Aunt Annie met us at the Church gate. There were only three people besides ourselves in the Church. Mrs. Elizabeth Clayden and her neighbours opposite and Miss Colvin. People told me afterwards they didn't know Granny was dead, much less buried. You see she was ill only one week so people didn't know. Mrs. Colvin sent a spray of pure white lillies and Gertie Appleby sent a spray of Arum lillies, white Chrysantheums and Lent lillies. Cecil and Ethel and I had a very nice wreath between us. Cecil and Ethel did not come as it would be rather expensive as the railway fare would be 11/ each return and Ethel had no black so would have to buy. And they were here just after Xmas.

When Grandfather died there was a little money in the post office savings bank in Granny's name that Grandfather had put in. He said it would do to pay for a nurse if she wanted one and be enough to bury her respectable. So when Cecil as Grandfather's executor took Grandfather's money out of the bank he drew what was in Granny's name also . Granny gave me 20 pounds to put in my account so that I could get it without any trouble. I have had to take out some of it to pay 2 or 3 small doctor's bills and other things. But there is still enough left to pay for all funeral expenses and a little to spare. There wouldn't have been if she had all her own way about it. She would have liked to have had it and given it to Uncle Robert and he wouldn't have done any good with it. Grandfather always told us it was on purpose and for her funeral and other expenses. I expect if there is a little to spare we shall have to give Uncle Robert some of it.  Isn't it a pity when people waste money. I don't know anything about Uncle Walter. He wrote to me for money last June twelvemonth. I just sent him a post card to say I hadn't any in the house and Mother was away and I would write later but I never did. I haven't heard from him since so I haven't written and told him his mother is dead because there is no knowing where he is now as he often changed his address

Mother said if we did write and find him most likely she would have to send him the money to come and then keep him the time he was here. And there would be no telling how long he would stay and she said she couldn't do it. You see he knows I have Grandmother's money in my name so he thought he might as well have some of it. What a trouble people are to you if you have got money. He sent to me once before for 2L-0-0. I couldn't get so much by the time he wanted it so I sent 36/ I had been saving up for a new coat and skirt. If I were to spend money or dress as some people do  I shouldn't have a penny.

We miss Granny very much. It is hard to realize she will not come back again but it is a great relief for Mother as it used to worry her to know what to feed Granny. Although she could eat the same food as us Mother felt she must get her something nice. That is one thing, Mother did see after her well. It was very trying for us as Granny couldn't see she had to ask us everything and if it happened to be a wet day she would ask about 20 times during the day if it still rained. Hers was a very monotonous life sitting here all day, especially when we were in the kitchen washing. And when we were in here we didn't know what to talk to her about as we couldn't tell her all our business as she might tell other people. She used to ask us all about the neighbours if they were washing, etc. It was rather a responsibility too having her as she couldn't see. Mother was alwyas afraid something would happen to her and we would not get a doctor here in time. Poor old Granny, I trust she has gone to her rest. She was always preparing for that home. She used to set here and pray for all. She used to ask for a fine day for us to dry our linen. She used to pray for all out in Canada. Ask for a good harvest and all other things. It is a good thing she did as she was not sensible at the last. She often spoke about you, how you went and dinner with her the day you went away.

I sent you a long letter which you would get after Xmas. I sent a paper to Arthur asking him to send it on to you. Please thank Ern for his letter. Mother was very pleased . Thank Mary for hers too. I will write as soon as I can. Now I must close with love from us all here to you from your loving sister.

                                                                                                                Emily Nevard.

Grandmother Nevard front row centre. 

1916 Letter From Emily to Horace Nevard

                                                                                                           March 1916

                                                                                                           36 Straight Road

                                                                                                            Lexden, Essex

My Dear Horrie

I was pleased to receive your letter by first post on the 12th and was never more surprised in my life when I read it and saw what it contained and very pleased too. I really can not thank you enough for your kindness and also for your kindness of heart that made you think of doing it. It wouldn't matter how much some folks made, they wouldn't think of helping their sisters. Mother is so pleased that you are in a position to do it.

We are very sorry you have had the shingles in your arm. We hope they are better by now. Aunt Alice had them round her waist last spring. She had the Doctor and he said it was caused by cold and a nervous breakdown so Mother think it must be the cause of your having them too. She says she think you have been worried about enlisting. You feel you ought to fight for your country and yet you feel you can not leave Ern all alone as he couldn't manage to do the land all himself. And you are doing your duty by farming the land and growing corn which is so much needed. It is very well for young men who have no work to go but you have yours cut out. I don't see how we can grow much corn in England as so many men have enrolled under the group system and now the bill on compulsion is passed in the house it will take more men. Women are doing wonderful things now but I don't think they are physically trained for manuring , ploughing and seeding the fields. Milking, weeding, haymaking, stone picking fruit gathering they can do. We have women clerks, postwomen, chauffeurs, tram conductors, omnibus conductors, ticket collectors and porters. It makes me feel proud of being a woman.

Now I have some news to tell you. Poor old Granny passed away on Saturday the 8th at 4 in the morning. She was taken ill on New Years night. She appeared as well as usual all day and had her meals the same and her supper of bread and cheese and half cup of beer but about 10 when we went to bed she asked me to get her some vinegar as her head ached so bad. So I bathed her head with vinegar. She felt cold and shaky too so I gave her some whiskey in hot water. You can guess we didn't sleep very much that night so next morning, Sunday, I went for Dr. Chichester. When he came he said a small blood vessel had broken in her head. He said to make her as comfortable as possible and he wouldn't send any medicine as it wouldn't do any good. She laid unconscious more or less all day. Uncle went up to see her but she took no notice of him. Uncle went to see her again in the evening and she knew him then. She asked where Walter was at work as she always asked about them all when he came to see her. But she soon went off again. Wednesday night she was not so well and was worse on Thursday. Friday she fetched her breath very hard all day. I managed to give her three small lots of weak brandy and water in the morning. Mother and I stayed up all Friday night and Granny passed away at 4 am Saturday morning. 

Emily Nevard and her mother, Sarah.