27

Pressed Grasses from Catharine Parr Traill's Scrapbook
19th Century, Circa 1850s
Peterborough, Ontario

Credits:
96-1012
Trent University Archives

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Catharine Parr Traill was a prolific author, writing, on average, one book a year between 1819 and her marriage in 1832. She would later go on to be recognized for her works on Canadian botany and pioneer life in Upper Canada.. Catharine wrote over 22 published works, including children's tales.

Famous works include 'Letters from the wife of an emigrant officer' (1834), 'The Backwoods of Canada' (1836), 'Canadian Crusoes' (1853) ,'The Female Emigrant's Guide' (1854), 'Canadian Wildflowers' (1868), and 'Studies of Plant Life in Canada' (1885).
Catharine's writing is often used by historians today to learn about early Canadian settlers and the trials and hardships of their lives in the backwoods.

29

An Older Catharine Parr Traill
19th Century, Circa 1890
Peterborough, Ontario

Credits:
NAC C-067325
National Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

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Although Catharine had earnings from her writing; she and Thomas found it difficult to earn a living in the backwoods of Canada. After a fire destroyed their home near Rice Lake Thomas suffered from bouts of depression, making work difficult for him. He died in Lakefield on June 21, 1859, leaving Catharine to make her own way. A great support for Catherine at this time was Sandford Fleming, Dr. Hutchison's second cousin. He often spoke out on her behalf, trying to gain recognition for her contributions to Canada. With his encouragement the government of Canada presented Catharine with the deed to Polly Cow Island, on Lake Katchewanooka, in recognition of her important work.
Catharine died at the age of 97 on August 29, 1899. She left behind a rich legacy of work in the fields of botany and backwoods guides.

31

Young Susanna Moodie
19th Century, Circa 1820
Suffolk, England

Credits:
NLC NL-15557
National Library of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

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Susanna Strickland, Catherine Parr Traill's sister, was born in 1803 in Suffolk, England and raised at the family home of Reydon Hall. Like her sisters, Susanna was educated by her parents in various domestic pursuits, such as gardening and dairy work, in addition to various academic subjects, such as math and history. All of the girls were encouraged to read. Five of the six sisters would go on to be professional authors, including Susanna. Her first book, a children's book, was published in 1822.

In 1831 Susanna married John Dunbar Moodie (1797-1869), a retired Scottish officer who had served in the Napoleonic Wars. The Moodies would immigrate to Upper Canada with the Traills in 1832, starting their first farm in the Township of Hamilton, near Cobourg. The Moodies stayed there until 1834, at which time they moved to Lake Katchewanooka for better opportunities and to be closer to her sister.

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Example of a Pioneer Homestead from the 'Backwoods of Canada' by Catharine Parr Traill
19th Century, Circa 1836
Peterborough, Ontario

Credits:
NLC F5458T7 1836.
Backwoods of Canada 1st edition. London: C. Knight,1836
National Library of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

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While living in the bush Susanna gave birth to four children and still managed to pursue her writing career. She sent many poems and stories to be published in a variety of North American newspapers including the Albion (New York), the Cobourg Star and North American (Quarterly) magazine.
Unlike Catharine Parr Traill, Susanna did not have a favorable a response to life in the bush, something reflected in her collection of sketches and poems published as 'Roughing it in the Bush' (1852).
The Moodies did not stay in the bush long after John's service in the Rebellion of 1837. John Moodie was appointed the first sheriff of the new Hastings County and the family moved to Belleville in 1840.

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Watercolour by Susanna Moodie
19th Century, Circa 1872
Ontario

Credits:
NL15661
National Library of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

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Susanna Moodie to John Moodie
Melsetter, Douro
Jan 11, 1839
"…How sorry you will be to learn, that I have been ill ever since you left us, confined chiefly to my bed obliged to send for Dr. Hutchinson, and even to have a nurse. During the Christmas week I was in great agony, and did little else but cry and groan until the following Sunday night, when kind Traill went himself after dark and brought up the Dr. at three o clock in the bitter cold morning. He put the lancet immediately into my breast, and I was able to turn and move my left arm for the first time for often days, for I lay like a crushed snake on my back unable to move or even to be raised forward without the most piteous cries. You may imagine what I suffered when I tell you that more than half a pint of matter must have followed the cut of the lancet, and the wound has continued to discharge ever since. I was often quite out of my sense, and only recovered to weep over the probability that I might never see my beloved husband again. Poor Jenny nursed me somewhat like a she bear, her tenderest mercies were neglect. She is however behaving better now. Dr. H. seemed greatly concerned for my situation. When he looked round the forlorn, cold, dirty room feebly lighted by the wretched lamp, he said with great emphasis, 'In the name of God! Mrs Moodie get out of this.'"

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Undated letter by Susanna Moodie to Mrs Vickers
19th Century
Ontario

Credits:
Undated Letter, p 4, 1(69-100)
Trent University Archives, Peterborough, Ontario

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Susanna Moodie did not always favour Dr. Hutchison. At the time the Moodies were residing near Peterborough, there were other local doctors to choose from.

Susanna Moodie to John Moodie
Douro
March 6, 1839
"…Oh what a comfort this warm hearted friend was to me in my dire distress for though she could not stop my streaming tear, she helped me nurse my poor suffering children, and shared my grief. It was four o'clock in the morning before Cyprian returned faint and tired. Dr H. would not come, but said, that he would send up Dr. Dixon in the morning.
The next was a dreadfully severe day of wind, frost, and drifting snow. The dear babe was apparently worse and no Dr. came, when Cyprian, again volunteered to go down for a Dr. But Dr. H. would not be entreated. 'If you do not come, 'Cyprian said, 'the sweet babe will die.' 'I cant help that,' was the unfeeling reply. 'The roads are too bad, and I cant leave Peterboro'. 'Cyrian then went to old Dr Bird, who came up inspite of the bad roads and the dreadful night. Good old dear how kind he was- He told me that without medical aid the child must have died…"

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Moodie entry in Dr. Hutchison's Patient Ledger
19th Century, Circa 1834
Peterborough, Ontario

Credits:
Hutchison House Museum, Peterborough, Ontario

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While there is no evidence that the Moodies subscribed to Dr. Hutchison's medical insurance, he did treat them on occasion as can be seen by entries in the doctor's ledger and letters written back and forth to her husband.

Susana Moodie to John Moodie
Melsetter Douro
April 4, 1839

" I have suffered tortures of toothache for the last week, but Sam, who is very kind since Traills removed, has promised to bring up Dr Hutchisons instrument and extract the two which rob me of rest, by night and day."