NEW CALEDONIA COMMUNITY ARCHIVES

SUSAN GRAHAM LETTERS, 1898-1899

Processed by Jane Donaldson

Completed 5 November 1985

INTRODUCTION:

The letters of Susan Graham (1874-1955), housewife and mother, were donated to the New Caledonia Community Archives by her daughter, Clarissa M. Howard, in 1985, on her visit to New Caledonia f rom her home in London, England.

Originals:l foot.

Literary rights to these letters have been transferred to the community of New Caledonia, to be administered by the New Caledonia Community Archives. Access is unrestricted.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:

Susan Anna Graham (nee Borden) was born in London, England, in 1874. InMay 1898 she married Captain Edward James Graham (1870-1916) of the British 69th Regiment of Foot, and they sailed to Canada in June, intending to homestead in New Caledonia.

The Grahams settled in Simpson's Flats, four miles south of New Caledonia, living first in a tent, then in a log cabin while they built their house. Their first child, Leslie Arthur, was born in May 1899. Susan suffered complications during her second pregnancy and returned to England in February 1900, giving birth to Clarissa Mary in June 1900. Her husband sold the homestead in July 1900, returning to England in September.

The Grahams settled in London, England, where they had three more children: Herbert Laurence in 1905, Phillip Edward in 1907, and Maria Louise in 1908. In 1914, Captain Graham served in Germany as Commander of the 69th Regiment; he was killed in action in 1916. Susan continued to live in London with her children until her death in 1955.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTES:

These letters were written by Susan Graham during her time in New Caledonia; they were written to her mother, Clarissa Borden, in London, England. The letters provide important information about life in New Caledonia, homesteading, weather and land conditions, housekeeping and homemaking, and pregnancy and child-rearing. They also mention significant pioneers in New Caledonia, including the Simpson family, the Carson family, Caswell Groveland, John Arnold, Lila Miller, and the Jacobson family.

The letters have been kept in original chronological order and filed by month.