'Stuart Sisters' My visit to Boundary Museum on May 19, 2011 was most enjoyable and
enlightening. A Stuart family history document authored by a cousin,
Jessie Stuart, came into my possession a number of years ago through a
genealogist in Cornwall, Ontario. I have always wondered who Jessie
Stuart was, where she found the information in the document, and why she
and her family ended up living in Grand Forks. The document Jessie
typed in a chart format is extensive showing that our Stuart descendents
are connected to the Earls of Moray and Robert the Bruce, extending as
far back as 639 A.D. I learned a great deal about Jessie and her
younger sister, Edna Stuart during my visit at the museum. A number of retired teachers from the Grand Forks area were invited by
museum staff to share their stories about the Stuart sisters. Edna
Stuart had taught several of them in Grade 2. They remember Edna as a
tall, slim, well dressed teacher who possessed a very dignified manner.
A past student recalled that when Edna walked by her desk she would
reach out to touch the fine fabric of her dresses. Another past student
mentioned that Edna was strict but never raised her voice in the
classroom commanding great respect from both students and parents.
Another past student in attendance was Alice Glanville. She authored a
book in 1991 entitled, "Schools of the Boundary 1891 - 1991". In her
book she writes about Edna Stuart..... "One
of Boundary Country's true pioneer teachers was Edna Stuart who came to
this valley in 1898. She received her public school education in
Grand Forks, went to Normal School in Vancouver and began her teaching
career in Gilpin in 1915. She taught in the district for 42 years. She
retired in 1957 and died in 1988 in Grand Forks (age 93). Her many
years of service to education and to the community are remembered and
appreciated by at least 3 generations of her students." pg. 34 Edna's
older sister, Jessie, was also a teacher. It was interesting to learn
that Jessie was a painter. In Boundary Museum her paint box is
displayed with the following write up.... "JessieStuart
was born in Elora, Ontario. She lived in California for a few years as
a child and the family moved to Grand Forks in 1899. She was a very
clever girl and graduated from Grand Forks High School and was the
highest standing graduate in B.C. Jessie and her sister Edna became
teachers and taught for many years in Grand Forks. Jessie loved to
paint and her first paints were a gift from her Uncle John Simpson. He
was a professor in Eastern Colleges for many years. Her father, Edward
Stuart, made the box that she used and treasured for all her life. She
died in Grand Forks in June 1985, one day before her 97th birthday." A
close neighbour and friend of the Stuart sisters, Michele Caskey, gave
the eulogy at Edna's funeral. She recalled Edna always walked upright
and spritely, never seeming to age. Apparently, Edna read extensively
and had a shed full of books including hundreds of National Geographic
magazines. The Stuart sisters were very close and in Edna's final days
she told Michele that Jessie was near by waiting for her. According
to Michele, Edna left a very generous donation to the United Church and
family documents were sent on to B.C. Royal Museum in Victoria. I
want to thank all those who still honour the memory of the Stuart
sisters and for sharing their stories with me. I will continue to
search for more information about their family through the B.C. Royal
Museum and other sources available. Elizabeth Stuart |
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