Arrived 25 Dec. 1858, with
wife and 4 children. Left 11 Nov. 1863 with 7 children.
Colonel Moody
personally chose BC’s first Capital New Westminster, established the
Cariboo Wagon Road, and gave us the incalculable gift of Stanley Park.
Moody also named Burnaby Lake (of Burnaby City) after his private
secretary Robert Burnaby, and named Port Coquitlam’s 400-foot
‘Mary Hill’ after his dear wife ‘Mary’.
Thanks to
Captain George H. Richards who thoroughly surveyed the BC Coast,
Colonel Moody’s name has been immortalized in BC history with the
city of Port Moody. The city was established from the end of a
trail cut by the Royal Engineers, now known as North Road to connect
New Westminster with Burrard Inlet. Port Moody was developed to
defend New Westminster from potential attack from the USA. The town
grew rapidly after 1859, following land grants to Moody’s Royal
Engineers who then settled there. All of the officers returned
to England, but most of the sappers and their families chose to
remain, accepting 150-acre land grants as compensation. Port
Moody was the Canadian Pacific Railway's original western terminus.
In 1863
Colonel Moody planned to cut a trail from New Westminster to Jericho
Beach due west, but Lieutenant Governor Douglas was very much in
opposition. Of this venture, the matter was taken to the
Colonial House, London, England, and permission was granted for
Colonel Moody to proceed with the trail. Unfortunately he ran
out of money before completion and the trail ended at Burrard Inlet.
Colonel Moody
left his mark not only in the physical but also in the spiritual.
At the conclusion of BC’s ‘Ned McGowan War’, as it was Sunday
morning, Colonel Moody invited forty miners to join him at the
courthouse for worship. As no clergy was present, Colonel Moody
himself led worship from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.
"It was
the first time in British Columbia that the Liturgy of our Church was
read," wrote Moody. "To me God in his mercy granted
this privilege. The room was crowded with Hill’s Bar men…old
grey-bearded men, young eager-eyed men, stern middle-aged men of all
nations knelt with me before the throne of Grace…" My
prayer for those reading this article is that like Colonel Moody each
of us may leave a lasting impact not only in the physical but also the
spiritual.
The
British Columbia, December 5th 1861
"We
are happy to announce the birth of a second British Columbian
to Colonel Moody, RE, thus affording another tie to the
Colony. The Colonel's numerous friends will be gratified
to learn that both mother and child, a daughter, are doing
well. |
Port Coquitlam's most
prominent physical feature is Mary Hill, about 400 feet
high. It is believed to have been named for Mary Moody,
wife of Colonel R. C. Moody, Royal Engineer, possibly by Captain
Jack Grant. The name first appears on the 1859 Admiralty
survey charts of Captain Richards, in charge of the royal Navy's
survey vessel, the Plumper.
Mary Hill may have been Colonel
Moody's first choice for British Columbia's capital, but according to a
later report, Captain Grant, of the Royal Engineers, persuaded Moody
that New Westminster was the better site. Instead, as Richard
Mayne of the Plumper reported, Colonel Moody proposed Mary Hill as the
site for "the citadel which shall defend New
Westminster."7 Although Mary Hill was the official name on
the survey charts, it was also known as "St. Marys Hill" in
the 1860s.8 In the boom years of the 1910s, in fact, Mary Hill was
known as St. Mary's Heights. Today, a Mary Hill residential
development is called "Citadel Heights."
Moody - Gosset
House
In 1984, through the Provincial Government Heritage Branch, the Saanich
Historical Artifacts Society (SHAS) took possession of a 30' x 30'
Corrugated iron, timber framed building from the British
Columbia Buildings Corporation. Located behind the Queen's
Printers at 563 Superior Street in Victoria B.C., it had been used as a
Tinsmith Shop, but was scheduled for demolition. Upon examination the
Heritage Branch discovered that it has high heritage value. The SHAS was requested to provide a suitable site for its safe keeping,
future restoration and interpretation.
The historical
significance of this structure can not be overstated. Four
shipping labels from London, addressed to "Colonel Moody, Royal
Engineers, British Columbia, were found within the building, indicating
that it had arrived during the late 1850s. Preliminary research
suggests that this structure may be the Hemmings' Iron House shipped from London by Chief Justice Matthew B. Begbie in care of Colonel
Moody in 1859. Subsequently, it is probable that Begbie sold the
building to Captain William D. Gosset, the first Colonial Treasurer of
British Columbia, and that it was erected on land he obtained in
1860 for his residence. Gosset left the Colony in 1862, but the
building continued to be used as a private residence and part-time
private school until about 1900, when it was acquired by the Province
and used for Public Work's purposes. This building is one of the
few remaining structures from the early Colonial period.
Architecturally it is very significant. Prefabricated wooden
framed buildings were first manufactured about 1800. By 1840
galvanized iron could be corrugated, supplying increased rigidity.
The British pioneered this technology. Iron Houses were exported
to California for the Gold Rush of 1848, the Crimean War and to the
outposts of the Empire. About 6 iron houses and one iron church
were shipped to Victoria between 1859 and 1862. This is the only
known survivor.
World-wide there are few iron buildings of this vintage in existence.
This is an extremely rare and significant artifact.
The Saanich Historical Artifacts Society's goal is to restore the Moody
Gosset House as closely as possible to its 1860's appearance.
Sept 7/01
|
Work is
progressing on the building and ideas are being presented as to the best
use for the building.
MOODY, Captain Henry de Clervaulx -
South Wales Borderers
Killed in action at Nooitgedacht. 13th Dec.
1900. Aged 36. Son of Major-General R.C. Moody (Royal Engineers). Born
February 1864. Served Burma 1885 (medal and bar). |
January 28: a letter from Royal Engineers Colonel Richard Moody to
Colonial Governor Douglas mentions Mary Hill. (The hill was named
for Mary Moody, the colonel's wife.) And "Mary Hill" is
shown on an 1859 Admiralty survey chart made by Capt. Richards of H.M.S.
Plumper.

1860
- Ned Atkins
The Ned Atkins family arrives in
Coquitlam from Ireland, and "took 160 acres east of Mary Hill near
the foot of Pitt River Road."
1862
- Lots for Sale
A private firm contracted out by the
Royal Engineers constructs Pitt River Road. Unsurveyed lots of up to 160
acres in this area are free, although land in what will become the Port
Coquitlam area, already surveyed, costs 10 shillings an acre.

Camp. NWestminster 3rd April, 1862.
My dearest Mother,
I have always intended to mention, and always forgotten, to say
that WE ought to pay postage of the newspapers. We are very much
obliged to you for sending them, but you must put the 2 d. a day down
on our account please. They come pretty regularly on the whole, as
regularly as anybody elses's.
If you have an opportunity would you send me some Child's Pocket
Handkerchifs (or "emeks" as Susan says) 6 d. each
please. I mention from time to time any little thing I need, in case
you have a chance of sending me a small parcel. I am so vexed to find
you get my letters so irregularly. I am especially annoyed at your
missing my letter about Box #1. I wrote such a long one mentioning
almost everything, I flattered myself you would be quite pleased with
me!! NOW, I really don't know what to say - I can tell you that
"Little Mary" looks so nice in dear Em's Present. All admire
her "toggery". Mr. Sheepshanks said today, "Did
you ever see a baby who was not dressed like that, all in white, with
a blue Veil". However "little Mary" must soon put on her new
Pelisse (which I admire very much) for I have her short petticoats on,
and the Cloak does not do so well now.
I am so pleased to have her out again. She improves wonderfully.
She has just been vaccinated. It is taking nicely. Vaccination is the
fashion just now, I had Charlie done again, he was done 4 times in
Edinburgh but it never took, however it has taken very well. I am
thinking of being done myself. All the Men are to be done. There is
Small Pox in Victoria, I believe.
All the things in the box are very nice, all useful and good. What I liked least was my Spring Dress. It is too WHITE for a
useful 'hack' dress, however I doubt not it will wear well. Zeffie
and Susan's Blue Dresses have been much admired dear grandmama's
present.
My head-dress was worn at "The Ball" the other night and
came in very nicely. I wore my black net Dress (low) and wrapped
myself up in my black lace shawl, so that I felt quite MATRONLY. You
can fancy the preparing for a party out here is a serious affair,
getting all one's things collected - Stockings in one box, Shoes in
another, pockethandkerchief in a 3rd, no gloves, ttc. etc. No starched
Petticoats etc. etc.
I do hope that letter has turned up. the Shoes and Boots are
beautiful. Susan's rather big, but that is a good fault. If I find,
from your next letter, that mine had not then reached you, I must try
and notice some more of the contants of the box, box #2 was not
acknowledged by me till after Baby's birth, so you would I hope get
that letter. I am so CROSS about it.
I was very sorry to hear of dear Aunt Ann's death and of poor
Mrs. Anderson's so soon afterwards. It was very sad for them all. I
feel very much for dear Julia and the boys. She is certainly very
young, but accustomed as I am now getting to Colonial young ladies, I
can quite understand her being different to what WE were at the same
age. I must try and write a short note to Uncle Edwards, I think...
Dearest Richard is still in Victoria. He and Captain Luard are
both there, nor do they talk of returning. I am getting tired of
being alone so long. The Doctor and Captain Parsons are very good, in
doing all they can for us. They come in 3 or 4 times a day to see how
we are getting on. You will laugh too when you hear that I have
managed to get a "well" and a real ENGLISH PUMP out of
Captain Grant, since Richards has been away. I have been promised one
all Winter, but the Men have been at work. So I spoke to Captain
Grant over into the absolute necessity of having one before
Summer, and so he promised to have it done.
You will be sorry to hear that Zeffie's 2nd teeth are very ugly
indeed, and that some of Dick's back teeth are decayed. He often has
toothaches, poor Child.
We have just got a new School Mistress for the Children of the
Camp, a Mrs. Moresby, some relation of Admiral Moresby's. She seems a
nice, quiet person, and I feel very sorry for her.
Mr. Bushby is to be married to Agnes Douglas (Governor's
Daughter) on the 8th of next Month, I fear Richard will have to go up
to Victoria. It is to be a VERY grand affair. They will be our nearest
neighbours townways. She is a REGULAR RATTLE, however I fancy she will
tone down with a very quiet Husband, in this VERY quiet place.
We expect 3 additional ladies here this Spring, The Bushby's The
Archdeacon's family and the Attorney general's, so we are becoming
more civilized, you see. All are near US, however we are rather sorry
to have so many near neighbours, I think we get on so well together
(in the Camp) that we would rather prefer being alone altogether. We
look upon ourselves as a large family. You would have been amused at
the alarm we all felt when we heard a rumour, from Victoria, that the
Doctor was going to be married! However it was a false report, and we
are all comfortably assured that our dear little Friend is only a
LITTLE inclined to "FLIRT". But I must stop for little mary's change of clothes brings me some unexpected work, for I must
take her a
weenie set of flannel waistcoats as all I have are too big. The
weather continues cold and unsettled. We still wear our winter things.
I hope we may not have to
move from here this Summer, the expense and trouble are so great in
going down to Victoria. Mrs. Grant MUST, I think, remain here, as she
is to be confined again in August. This prevented her from going to
the Ball, as she should not dance, and as she would not go, I was
obliged to go. Fancy dancing till 4 O'clock in the morning. The
Children often talk of you all.
With much affectionate love ever my dearest Mama, Your Loving Daughter, MaryS. Moody.
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20th
May, 1862 New Westminster
My dearest Mama,
Richard has just returned from Victoria, from Mr. Bushby's
Wedding, which was a VERY gay affair - 7 Bridesmaids etc. etc. The
bride and bridegroom are coming up to their new house here today, I
believe. She will find it very dull, I am sure, after all the
excitement she has had in Victoria as the Governor's Daughter.
28th May - The days fly past and my letters remain unwritten, however
this time I have a good excuse, having had visitors for the last
fortnight.
Mr. and Mrs. Crease (Attorney General) have come up to their new house
near us. They arrived before the workmen were out of it, without a
servant of ANY kind (The one they had at Victoria having left them on
the Wharf there as they were leaving, having changed her mind about
coming to B.C.!). I really felt so sorry for Mrs. Crease that Captain
Parsons (during Richard's absence) advised me to go at once to see
her. He went over with me and we brought her 3 little girls back, Mrs.
Crease coming over in the evening to put them to bed and leaving after
breakfast. They are really nice children, the only ones I know out
here that I would ask to stay in the house (excepting Mrs. Grant's),
the eldest 3 months younger than Zeffie. They were really no
trouble and very quiet, very different to girls WITH boys. Zeffie makes more noise than all 3 of the Creases!
Zeffie and Dick are getting proud of their LEARNING, for Mary
and Susan Crease can only read as well as Charlie and can't do sums at
all. Charlie is doing much bettter at his lessons and there is an
indefinate hope that Walter may know his letters some time or other
before very long. Zeffie goes to the Doctor every day now for a music
lesson. He is very good to her. Dick is going to ride with his Papa
this afternoon, so we are progressing, we think.
Mary is 6 months old today, sleeps very badly at nights and has
no teeth. Susan is a funny little monkey and would amuse you all with
her pretty curls. Fancy my having a child with curls! But it really
seems a pity to cut them off.
We have had a few mos-quitoes.
I would prefer remaining if possible, tho' I am sure the sea breezes
would do us all good. The climate here is very relaxing IN SPRING,
very like Devonshire, which never suits either Richard or me and I am
sure Zeffie feels the same.
I have been trying to induce the Doctor to give me a tonic, but
I doubt if he will. He is a funny man! I really think he does not
believe in Physic!
We FANCY Captain Luard has left his heart in Victoria this winter for
he is what Captain Grant terms, "A kind of foggy of
late". I do not know the lady but it would have been wiser,
I should think, to have waited until his return to England.
It seems such a long time since we had any letters from you. The
Mails still come irregularily. I long to hear what your plans are and
where you settle. At this distance, we feel it is impossible to
express an opinion upon the subject. I wish we were at home to help
you, however we can't remain out here much longer, I should think.
I am badly off for print dresses this Summer! And none to fit me! All so big! And all my petticoats I have had to alter also. It is so
tiresome. I don't think I shall send for a box just yet. I must make
last winter's things do. I'll get some in Spring, if possible. One
more box, I suppose, then home. I am badly off for Pelisses for Mary,
having none but those which were made for Zeffie! Somewhat shabby, by
this time. If I go to Victoria, I must try and make her one decent
one. I have the stuff.
My Servant is going on very well. I can leave Mary with her
sometimes and trust her to take her out in the afternoon, which is a
great help. I only hope she may stay with me.
The Bishop is expecting 20 young women out from England, as
domestics. He has 30 ladies names down as applicants for them, so I do
not think many of them will be sent up here, but I must not scribble
more as I have promised to go and see Mrs. Bushby this afternoon, and, as Zeffie and Susan were to go, I must get
them "cleaned".
Tell Em that I am going to put Susan on the little Chintz dress. Our very best love to you all,
ever my dearest mother, Your very affectionate Daughter, Mary S. Moody. |
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