Up the Gatineau! Article
This article was first published in Up the Gatineau! Volume 20.
James Martin's Letters - His Work in Low and Maniwaki
Edited by Carol Martin
The John Martin family emigrated to Low, Quebec from Ireland in the 1840s. Here they operated a farm and raised five children: James, William John Jr., Ellie and Mary. William left the Gatineau area for the United States (Minnesota) when he was in his 20s, and this gave rise to correspondence between the family remaining in Canada and William's family.
Recently a collection of letters written between 1867 and 1910 by James and other members of the family to William and his wife Catherine come to the attention of the Society. What follows is a series of extracts from James’ letters, and five extracts from those of John, Sr., and Ellie.
JAMES: [August 16, 1867] I was very busy here this haying. I began to hay about four weeks since and I had to cut over twenty acres of it myself, except a few days I got from the neighbours, and I had over three acres of fall wheat to cut also. The wheat and hay are in the barn now so you see that I had to work hard and constantly to get that done and now Spring wheat, peas, barley and some oats are ripe but I suppose I will get through with all in good season.
ELLIE: [TO WILLIAM'S WIFE] [March 31, 1869] We have not seen James since November last, he is since that time tn the employ of Hamilton Brothers as a clerk. He is a hundred miles from here in a place called the Ignace [probably on the Ignace River, north-west of Maniwaki] 70 miles north of Victoria. Of course he will be home as usual next summer.
The winter has been in this locality, uncommonly long and unpleasant. Last summer was too dry for crops and consequently they were an almost total loss. Wheat alone was a good crop. Oats except in new land, potatoes, hay etc. were wretched. Then to help the matter winter set in unusually early and severe. Hay and straw being very scarce but few people could keep much stock and even alter selling their cattle folks around here are straitened enough for fodder. We will have enough of feed ourselves for our stock, viz. one cow, yoke of oxen, two horses and some sheep, which we have reason to be grateful for when we hear of horses, cows and other animals dying on all sides in want of the essential of fodder. The weather continued as severe as in mid-winter until Good Friday when it changed to a soft spring, the snow is dreadful deep here. Fences that are six feet high have been covered with the frozen element until there is no indication of their whereabouts, and its depth in Lowe is nothing to what it is in other parts of the county. ...Canada!
ELLIE: [July 7, 1869] James is away yet, but we expect him home in a couple of week from now, he is some kind of foreman on one of the Hamilton farms. [February 12, 1872] Times are keeping dull here, wages are very low. James and his team have been idle so to speak all winter. In fact most of the neighbours have had to remain at home, wages being so low. Potatoes were a very light crop here last summer. Oats were light with us.
JAMES: [October 7, 1872] And ...I will let you know how I have occupied my time these four years. In January '68 I chanced to see an advertisement in an Ottawa paper which described the conditions to be observed by anyone applying for a situation in the Civil Service of the Crown, also mentioning the branches which the candidate should be proficient in order to entitle him to a certificate from the board of examiners.
I imagined I'd have no difficulty in passing the board or obtaining the situation when passed so I brushed up my accomplishments and on the 11th March presented myself to the board. There were 11 other young men present for the same purpose — and after the examination was ended I was in possession of a certificate far superior to either of the others but I found I should have influence to obtain the situation.
I applied to A. Wright but he did nothing for me and then my father gave the certificate to Mr. Dole to show Hon. J. Hamilton to see what he could do. He could not get me a place so Mr. Dole promised me permanent employment in the concern.
Accordingly about 1st November he sent for me and after some delay I was sent up to the Ignace, one of the lumbering depots some 60 miles north of the Lines and a lively place.
The previous summer having been very dry, the crops were almost a total loss and I was disgusted with farming and resolved to find an easier and surer mode of making a living. We had a good stock that fall but had to part with all except the mare, a colt, the oxen, one cow and a calf. I sold the colt to C. Conners for $16 which he says now is worth $160.
I commenced my new life at the Ignace and succeeded in meriting the approval of Mr. Dole and Mr. Robinson. There was an agent there named D. O‘Donnel, of course he wanted to dictate a little to me although he had very little learning. His wife and sister were there and another girl. In the spring of 1869 I was promoted to be foreman of the farm here although I was very reluctant to accept that charge. I went to Ottawa the 15th July and settled. Of course I expected large wages but Mr. Dole informed me that clerks always began at $12 per [month] and continued so for 2 years. However in consideration of my success as a farmer he gave me $13 per [month] until spring and $16 from that time. For the ensuing years I was to get 18$. I stopped at home for three weeks. They had a good crop this year. I sowed some fall wheat before going to the Ignace and it did very well — it produced about 15 barrels flour.
I went up again in August and remained until the 20th June following and then finding they were not increasing my wages fast enough I left them much to the regrets of Mr. Dole. This year another dry year and there was scarcely any crop sown and that little was miserable so I was convinced that I should either give up the farm or stick to it. I chose the latter — at least for a while. I could earn a good living as bookkeeper. I was offered 25$ a month... I may try it yet.
...After I came home in 1870 ...I set to work and sowed 3 bushels of fall wheat and stumped and ploughed the field back of the barn also a piece of land in the back place. In the winter I went at logs and put out 270 amounting to about 150$. I had a man three weeks which was all the expense I was at.
In the spring of '71 I put in a fair crop which did pretty well and last winter after doing the chores I hired with a cedar concern who operated near Cuddy's — wages 20$ per month for scaling. Last spring I put in a fair crop — the fall previous I sowed 5 bushels of it, the rest of the crop is pretty fair. This fall I again sowed 5 bushels fall wheat across the road from the house and I expect to stump and plough the remainder of that field this fall. We have the old oxen yet and also Fly with two colts. We sold another for 72$ the fall of 1869 which went to Farrel for debt.
JOHN, SR.: [March 31, 1873] I have given up school teaching...and James had to remain at home to provide fire wood and do the other chores, so we have no means of paying store bills but the price of what oats we could spare which was trifling. So we must be more economical when I have no longer any school money to draw. [May 10, 1873] We have sold the old mare and a two year old colt, also the old oxen and other things which we could not very well spare in order to get a span of horses with their fittings. Horses are very dear here now, a good span, say 6 or 7 years old, would cost from $300 to $400 and a set of double harness costs $30 to $40. The team we have got now are about third rate but they are gentle and kind to work, and very quiet in every way.
JAMES: [June 23, 1873] A week ago we received a severe visitation in the form of a hail storm. We had about 24 acres of good meadow all of which it cut out by the roots. At the lowest calculation 150$ will not cover our damages. There were only a few who sustained damage by the hail...[named] and a few out at the river. All others escaped. For those that were unfortunate enough to meet it the prospect is gloomy but there is no use fretting.
[January 6, 1874] Times are extremely dull this winter. Wages which have been steadily on the increase these past four years are now lower than ever; as for instance, men can now be had for $9 per month who would laugh incredulously last season if offered $20. Horse teams which were quoted last winter from 8 to 10 shillings are now from 3/9 to 5.
[June 29. 1874] Last winter was the dullest experienced on the Gatineau and it was very difficult to obtain any work for horses or men. I succeeded in obtaining work about half time for our horses drawing loading. It was also a very singular winter in a physical sense. The snow went clean away no less than three times. It came the lst November so we had to feed all our stock from that time until the tenth of May.
And we had only about one fourth of a crop of hay on account of the hail last summer. However although we had a pretty fair stock — 3 horses and 9 head cattle besides some 20 sheep — we only had to buy one ton of hay and even that we could have dispensed with. This past spring was very late and the frost remained in the ground until the middle of May so that crops in general are very backward while the hay crop is almost a failure being killed with the late frost in the spring.
[July 13, 1882] The spring has been very cold and is followed by a cold wet summer. It was expected sometime since that there would be no hay but it has improved lately and there will probably be from one third to one half a crop. Grain on the high land in this neighbourhood looks well but on low or flat fields has been hurt considerably by the wet.
[June 6. 1884] The weather last summer was wet and somewhat cold until haying...I had about 30 tons of hay, 400 bus. oats, 60 bus. wheat and 200 bus. potatoes last year. I made logs last winter on our land and put out about $300 worth, principally spruce. We had to drive the logs to the Gatineau river.
The weather here now has been pretty dry the last three weeks. We had heavy frost the last days of May, altogether the prospects for crops, especially hay, is not very encouraging. I am seriously contemplating the giving up of farming. I have been striving for some time past to enter the Civil Service of the Government, but had not much prospects of success until lately. I passed the board of examiners some seventeen years since. but a new act was passed and a new board appointed lately and their examinations were more difficult then the old one.
[May 15. 1885] I wrote to you about a year since and I then informed you that I was expecting a government situation. After a good deal of waiting I got one at last. It is not a very fat one but the work is not very arduous and the salary is $600 a year. I am Indian Agent at Maniwaki “River Desert“ to look after some Indians who have settled on a Reserve set apart for them by the Government in 1853 or 1854. I am up here since April 3. ...I will probably move my family here in the fall and rent the farm to some of the neighbours. My mother lives with us yet.
Crops done pretty fair last year in Lowe except hay which with me was only 1/2 of previous years‘ yield. Last winter was very cold, and this spring is very backward. At this date scarcely any sowing has been done. I have a man hired at home to put in my crop this year.
This is quite a village now with large settlements in every direction. The country is settled to the north of here about 30 miles.
[January 13. 1886] If I had managed properly during the last ten years I would have some money now but being always addicted to extravagance and mismanagement I feel the result now.
About twelve years since, I was clear of debt; since then I could never extricate myself although generally our crops were pretty fair. When I married my father and mother desired that one hundred acres be given to Mary to enable her to make a match. I done so and give $100 to Ellie on her marriage and besides kept the old folks. Well I struggled on always being a little in debt but increasing my implements, having bought a waggon buckboard, horse rake, etc., but seeing that although the farm was good and seasons were on the whole favourable, yet I had to pay for all the help received, and if I did not hire a man during the summer I would not be able to do all the work myself so I thought I would strive to obtain a situation. After long years of waiting, during which my efforts cost a good deal I at length got this one last spring — $650 per year and the work is not very arduous. Having stock, etc., at home, I decided that I could not move up the family until fall and endeavoured to get some of my three relative-neighbours to put in last season's crop on shares but they all refused unless they got too good a bargain. So I had to have two men, one from 1st March to 15 September at $11 per month and one from lst June to 1st October at $13 so that in wages alone I had to pay about $110. Last spring when coming here I owed about $400. Of course I had value. Of this amount $200 should be paid as soon as possible.
When I came here, I boarded of course and my board cost me $15 per month whilst I had to expend something to live according to my position. I had to buy a lot of clothes including a fur coat for winter. I have kept account and my clothes from last spring to date cost me about $120. Of course some of these articles will do me for several years. I bought them all from C. Logue, an extensive merchant here, on credit of course. Mr. Logue was my predecessor as Indian Agent and is a very good friend to me, and it was to him I am indebted for my position.
Well my mother's sickness and death cost me over $100 besides our own stuff that was used. I thought I would bring up my family after harvest and not having a suitable place for them, I somewhat injudiciously purchased a home that was for sale for some $290 and I have regretted the purchase ever since as it would be preferable for me to rent a place.
Well Mr. Logue kindly advanced me $245 of the purchase money any of which I have not got repaid. I managed to get $100 of the most urgent debt paid and the men paid but I owe now, I think, all included about $560. Of course I have a good deal of material at home to sell yet and the farm is worth some $2000 but I don't want to sell the farm. and have not yet got a desirable tenant. I sold a span of horses but one was very old and the other was very lame, they only realized $30.
Between hay, oats and wheat I suppose I have about $250 worth to dispose of. I sold several articles including 5 head of cattle for which I won't receive until spring. I also bought a village Iot here which cost $265 but as long as I pay 5% the principal will not be required... I forgot to mention that I have ordered a monument for our parents which will cost about $75 but I need not pay for that until next year.
...I enclose $20 which is all I can send you this time and which you do not need to repay until you are well able to do so. Of course I don't want any interest.
Business is rushing here this winter, plenty of lumbering going on. I do not know when I will move my family here. I would like very much to get a suitable tenant on the farm first. I expect $100 per year rent for it. Perhaps I won't get that much.
[January 18, 1887] Since my last letter I have brought my family here. We have a house and about an acre of land in the village within a stone's throw of the church and a few acres from the Convent School.
I yet hold the position of Indian Agent which is a Dominion Government situation. I like the position so far, it being very easy on the bone. I could not bear to sell the old homestead and have not yet got a permanent tenant, so I gave it to one of the neighbours last season for $65 rent.
[January 30, 1888 & January 29, 1889] I am yet living in Maniwaki ...in the position of Indian Agent ...salary including office rent $638 per year. The work is not arduous and I have a good deal of time at my own disposal but the position is bothersome owing to the taste of the Indians for intoxicants. Sometimes I think of retiring — when I am bothered more than usual.
I am also Secretary-Treasurer of the adjoining township of Egan, salary $100 per year. I transact the business here but have to attend council meetings six or eight times a year about five miles from here. I have the place in Lowe rented for five years at the nominal rent of $57, one third to be paid on the place in fencing. Last summer was the worst for the farmers from Lowe to Ottawa that came this long time. Very poor crops. It was not quite as bad here.
I have a house of my own here and three town lots which sell here at city prices of $200 for a piece of land 50 x 100 feet. I raise enough potatoes for my own use. My revenue from all sources the last year was about $900 yet did not equal the expenditures. Provisions... are very dear here and besides we had a good deal of sickness [and] doctor bills, drugs, etc., alone cost me over $50. We can't live here like in Lowe. We must always wear good clothes. This place is a village (though not incorporated) of about 400 souls. The leading people here are...good friends of mine. In fact it was [Mr. Logue]... who obtained for me the position I have here as he was my predecessor and when he resigned he used influence enough to have me appointed to succeed him.
[December 6, 1889] I am Indian Agent yet but feel somewhat discouraged and sometimes think of leaving here and trying something else. The man who had my farm last year cleared out last spring owing me $60 or $70 which I will never get. Then I rented it to John Coyle for four years at $60 per year.
[February 8, 1890] Coyle made well on my place this year; he had the best crop of anyone in the section. He has some 800 bushels of oats and 60 bushels of wheat to sell. Oats here now is 40 cents and wheat about $1.25.
[January 26, 1891] I am yet ... Indian Agent ...[and] Secretary-Treasurer of the Township of Egan ... I have resigned the position of Secretary-Treasurer of Maniwaki although to return my services the Commissioner would increase my salary from $40 to $60 per year. It was too troublesome.
[April 2, 1891] We are after the ordeal of a general election in Canada...my sympathies and vote went to a Conservative [since] the Liberals ... if they attained power would put in force the American maxim of to the victors belong the spoils and we the Conservative officials would soon be superseded... Sir John A. Macdonald's government was sustained by a good working majority and is safe for another five years.
Times are pretty hard in this section of the country just now. Money is very scarce. The lumber business is becoming more depressed every year and from present indications there will be scarcely anything done in that line next winter. I have not yet sold the old place. Coyle has it rented from me at $70 a year.
I am yet Secretary—Treasurer of Egan, salary of $100 a year with extras perhaps $20 more. Of course, the composition of the council is different a little each year but I think I'm safe for the office for the next two years at least.
[January 30, 1892] I am yet Indian Agent and also Secretary-Treasurer of Egan. ...We have a good deal of political excitement in Canada these last few years and will have an election in this province in March.
[January 9, 1893] I am yet Indian Agent and ...Secretary-Treasurer of Egan Township. The land I have here and the house cost me about $1000. The house is too small and I did not like to build here. I intended buying some lots some other parts of the village and building a new house, which was a job I did not like to commence. However there was a Quebec Government official here who got into difficulties owing to a wrong method of bookkeeping and he had to sell out. My friend Mr. Logue bought the place for me, price $1300. I paid about half and will try to pay the rest inside of a year. The site is the very best in the village. The house is a good log building 27 x 31 with a very good kitchen and a splendid well in a small building along side the kitchen ...The late proprietors were very proficient in gardening so there is a splendid fruit and flower garden in front and another behind the house. The house is not finished inside and it will cost $400 to $500 to complete it. It is a very good stand for business being in the centre of the main street and the convent is on the other side of the street whilst the church is only a few yards distant. I think the place is good value for $2000. We intend to move in there next spring and either rent or sell this place. After a few years when the railroad is completed. property here will be enhanced in value. ... If convenient, I would be glad if you could send me the $20 lent you January 1886, as I require all the money I can scrape up to pay on my new purchase. Of course do not discommode yourself it if is not handy. I will try to wiggle along without it.
[January 6, 1894] The convent school is just across the street from our new residence in which we are living since last June. I am yet Indian Agent here but I don't know how long I will be in this position as the duties although not very arduous are very worrying.
P.S. That $20 would be acceptable just now if you can spare it.
[March 22, 1895] We are in turmoil in Canada now over the approaching elections which cannot be long delayed. The Conservatives have been in power since 1878 but the Liberals are sanguine of defeating them this time. For obvious reasons I would prefer the triumph of the Conservatives.
[January 28, 1895] I have not yet completed my house. ... The property cost me $1300 and I have spent over $400 on it since I got into it, and it requires an expenditure of about $300 before it is completed.... I am yet Indian Agent here but do not know how long I will continue in office. I will be ten years here next April. I am also yet Secretary-Treasurer of Egan at the salary of $100 per year. My receipts last year were about $1200 with expenditures to the same amount.
[January 18, 1896] I am yet Indian Agent here and will be ll years in the position next April. My two predecessors were but ten years between them. We are near a general election and the Liberals are sanguine of obtaining power after that event after being eighteen years out in the cold. If they do, my tenure of office will come to an end as there is a local liberal leader here who thinks he should be Indian Agent... I am yet Secretary-Treasurer of the Township of Egan and going on my tenth year in that office — salary $110 per year.
Last summer I finished the tin roof on my house and got a stone foundation put in. These two items cost me about $260. I also had some painting done inside costing about $50 and this fall had double windows made. I won't do any more for a while. If I had it clapboarded in now, I could call it finished. I have expended over $600 on it beside the purchase price. My other house in the village is pretty regularly rented at $3.50 per month. Coyle yet rents the farm in Lowe.
Times are rather dull this winter, not as much lumbering a usual and consequently all that a farmer has to sell is cheap. Oats 35 cents a bushel and beef, pork and hay in proportion.
[February 20, 1897] In regard to wealth we are going backward. As probably you are aware the Liberals got into power at the Dominion election last June after being eighteen years in opposition. After being so long out in the cold their supporters expected all the offices — so after the election Government officials were removed mostly for political reasons and their places filled with true Grits. Generally a Commission was appointed to “investigate” but the commissioners were invariably one-sided and very little justice was given. I was "investigated" on the 18th and 19th December last. The Commissioner was grossly partial against me and although I had strong Liberal influence at the seat of Government I was dismissed on the 9th February after being Indian Agent for 12 years. I do not know what to do just now. I am too old to go back to the farm and besides farming don't pay very well just now.
[June 26, 1897] Since there has been appointed another Indian Agent William McCaffrey, son of James McCaffrey. You knew the father if not the son. ...His appointment was due to the fact the Lowe went strong Liberal at the general elections and also at the by-election last March. ...The crash would have found me with some money saved, but I purchased too much property. Beside the old homestead I have two places in Maniwaki, one worth about $2000 and the other about $l000 and my net debts amount to about $300. Besides I have kept up life Insurance to the amonut of $3000 for the last fifteen years. It would not be easy to realize on my property here if I wished to turn into cash. However if I can hold on to it until the railroad reaches here — about two years — this place will advance.
I am yet Secretary of three corporations which bring me about $200 and besides I am an Insurance and Exchange Agent.
From all sources I will make enough to keep going for a while until something better turns up. I don't feel like going back on the farm — and besides it would take a good deal of money to start buying stock, utensils as well as building.
I am entitled to a pension of $150 per year from the Government but the Liberals don't seem to do anything honestly and I believe we won't receive our pension. I am thinking of applying for my pension from the U.S. Government for services rendered the Union thirty-three years ago. I would be happy to visit you but I don't know if I can this summer.
[September 30, 1898] Owing to rheumatism and other infirmities, I have applied for a pension to the U.S. Government for my services during the Civil War...[as] a member of Company B 51st New York volunteers during 1864 and 1865.
[February 16, 1902] I have succeeded in obtaining my pension after five years of effort. As yet it is but $6 per month but it will likely be increased to $12 in the near future. I met with a loss recently as my house in Maniwaki where I first lived, was destroyed by fire on the 18th of last month. There was a tenant in it at the time, I had $250 insurance on it but it cost me over $400. Of course I used it for several years and received rent for it for the past eight years.
Our Railroad is very slow about reaching Maniwaki ... We have a superabundance of snow and frost here this winter. John Coyle yet works our old place paying me a nominal rent of $64 per year whilst I have to pay the taxes. ... I continue to make a precarious living by insurance, banking, writing, etc., I am yet Secretary of Egan township at the salary of $100 per year.
[November 23, 1903] I do a little insurance and banking business and manage to keep the wolf from the door. My eldest daughter Mary conducts a millinery business and is well patronized. My second, Katie, conducts our little store, candies. etc., which just about clears itself. Lizzie is the general assistant to the others.
I am in hopes to have my pension of six dollars per month doubled at the next session of Congress. ...The Gatineau Valley RR is at last about completed to Maniwaki. The station is about one-fourth of a mile from our residence. It will be ready for business in a few weeks. This will be a boon to us as when we were going to Ottawa we had to go by stage to Gracefield 37 miles and be two nights on the road. Now we can leave here in the morning and return at night — if we have no delay in town.
[December 18, 1905] I am yet in the insurance (fire) business — and get my share of what is going in that line — as I represent two strong companies — the “Union” established in the reign of Queen Anne and the "Atlas" established in 1808. The Fathers here had a big barn and stable burned a few weeks since insured in the former company for $3600 and they got their cheque in a week and $67 over what they were entitled to although the only premiums paid for that building was $56.
We are progressing here in We have two trains daily from Ottawa. We have also, since November last, the electric light. There are about 1200 lights in the village. We have four; later on we may have more. We have also a municipal organization here about two years. I came near being Mayor but as yet am not a councillor and don't expect to be for some time.
I am yet, as I have been for the last nineteen years the Secretary-Treasurer of the adjoining township of Egan. I am paid now $175 per year for my services besides other requisites. At last I have sold the old homestead to John Coyle, our brother-in-law, price $2500, not quite enough but it is in the family anyway. I have reserved one acre where our house was — also the mineral rights (as I have a notion there are some valuable minerals in the few hill on the farm). I am yet receiving a pension from Uncle Sam and have a lively hope of having it increased in the near future.
William Martin died in 1910; James‘ last letter to William's family is dated June 2, 1910 and expressed his regret on hearing the news.