John's father, Thomas Seddall was born
circa 1801 in Chester, England. On 15 January 1828, he married
Charlotte Letitia Connor, 18+, the daughter of the late Michael
and Sarah Connor, of Cheltenham, with the consent of her guardians James
Galland and Thomas Seddall.
After moving to Valletta,
Malta, Thomas, a wine merchant and mason, and wife Charlotte had
at least 3 children:
| 1. |
JohnVernon Seddall,
born in Malta on 7 Sept 1831 |
| 2. |
Henry SEDDALL,
Reverend, who married 16th April 1857 to Anna Maria
BATTY, by the Reverend John Kincaid, uncle of the bride, at Castletowndelvin, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. She was the second daughter of
the Reverend Edward Batty, Rector of Castletowndelvin. Henry Seddall was
Asst. Chaplain at St. Pauls Anglican Church, Valletta. Henry was
also a Freemason, (in MEDLYCOTT, W.C.P.) (1870). Henry settled on
Achill Island, which lies off the west coast of County Mayo. It is
the largest island off the Irish coast and measures about 14 miles
from east to west and about 12 miles from north to south. Its
coastline is about 80 miles long. The island is separated from the
mainland by a channel, Achill Sound, varying from about 300 yards wide
at the south to about 4 miles wide at the north. |
|
"There is every
reason why Achill should be visited by those who leave home in search of
health or innocent employment. The climate, although humid, is
mild and the scenery splendid. The naturalist, the antiquary, the
artist, the poet, will find much in Achill that harmonises with their
tastes."
--Henry Seddall,
1884 |
|
| 3. |
And Cecil D.
SEDDALL who unfortunately died 6th December 1854, at the age of 14
years, in Valletta. |
Source: Malta: Past and present,
being a history of Malta from the days of the Phoenicians to the present
time. 355 pp. London: Chapman & Hall.
Thomas SEDDALL,
Wine Merchant, at 258 Strada Reale, Valletta, in 1847 Living at 124
Strada Zecca, on electoral list 1852
Thomas SEDDALL,
Master of The Union of Malta Lodge 1852, 1855, 1856
Thomas SEDDALL died 2nd August 1856,
at the age of 55 years.
--the above
from Malta
Family History : Freemasons 1815-1915
John Vernon Seddall...
MILITARY MEDICAL OFFICERS (TURKEY)
RETURN to an Address to the Honourable the House of Commons, dated 23
February 1855;-for,
A "RETURN of the MEDICAL OFFICERS attached to the FORCES serving in
Turkey; specifying the Name, Age and Rank of each, the Date of
their Appointment, and whether still serving in the East. |
| |
|
NAME |
Age |
Date
of Appointment |
Whether
still Serving |
| Surgeon, 33d
Foot |
|
MUIR,
W.M. |
39 |
22
Nov 1842 |
Yes |
722 |
|
Assist.
Surgeon, 33d Foot |
|
OGILVY,
J. |
23 |
15
Jul 1853 |
Yes |
723 |
|
CLARK,
T. |
22 |
7
Apr 1854 |
Yes |
724 |
|
SEDDALL,
J.V. |
24 |
13
Oct 1854 |
Yes |
725 |
|
| Joined Medical Staff Corp 1 Aug 1856.
On the right, Seddall in his Medical Staff Corps uniform, wearing
his 2 Crimean Campaign medals.
|
 |
Seddall served as the
Surgeon on board the Thames City with the main body of the Detachment.
The troop ship landed at Esquimalt on the 12th April, 1859.
|
"We were highly amused with the officers on the "Thames City" the day after they arrived. I fancied they would be here about one o' clock so I ordered a nice luncheon. Haunch of Venison, Cranberry Pie etc.
You should have seen how they enjoyed themselves - "What a nice cheery Tablecloth",
"What very light bread", "I must have some more pie" Etc, Etc.
We like them all very much, they are so gentlemanly."
-- 15 April 1859
from the Letters of Mary S. Moody |
Upon arriving at
Queenborough, the Columbia Detachment began the process of building the
Camp - barracks, store-houses, wharves. On Sunday, the Camp went to
Church.
|
"We shall have no Clergyman until we get the Bishop
out, in the meantime Richard reads the prayers when he is there, last
Sunday the Doctor played the Harmonium, and the Men sang, and a
Wesleyian Clergyman preached the Sermon!"
--6th May, 1859
The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
Among Seddall's other
duties, he was occasionally called in as Coroner or to give medical
advice at an Inquest.
|
QUEENBOROUGH, 14th MAY
At 4 o'clock today, the Revenue boat found floating in the River,
the body of a white man. Dr. Seddall held an inquest on the body this
evening. It was not identified. No marks of violence being found, the
Jury returned a verdict, "that the deceased came to his death by
drowning."
-- 15th May, 1859
The British Colonist
|
A week later another inquest on another body takes
place.
|
New Westminster, BC
22nd May, 1859
Proceedings of an Inquest held at New
Westminster upon the body of a Soldier (Sapper Jones RE) which was
found floating in the Fraser River by Thomas Pamphlet of the "Brig
Cadborough" who reported the matter to the Stipendiary Magistrate.
A Jury having been summoned consisting of the following
persons - W. J. Armstrong, John T. Scott. T. W. English, Ernest Picht,
Thomas Moloney, R. Dickenson, Edgar Dewdney, W. G. Peacock, John Ramage,
L. Hoys, E. Brown, J. Kennedy.
The Jury having been duly sworn the following evidence was
taken -
1st Witness Thomas Pamphlet being duly sworn states, that
being on board the Brig Cadborough this morning about 9 o' clock, he
saw what he supposed to be a human body floating down the River, an
immediately took a boat to examine it and found it to be the body of
a Soldier in his working dress, he got assistance and took it on
board the boat.
2nd Witness Acting Quarter Master Sergeant Osment RE having
been duly sworn, states, he has examined the body, and by the
general appearance of it and the initials on the stockings he
believes it to be that of Sapper T. Jones, RE.
3rd Witness Sapper John Murray, RE, having been duly sworn
states that on Saturday the 27 April, I came down to New Westminster
from the North Camp in a boat under the orders of Quarter master
Sergeant Osment RE the crew consisting of six sappers including
Jones. We went alongside the Steamer Beaver and put the baggage of
Colonel Moody and Captain Parsons on board. We then went to the
Wharf and afterwards when crossing from the Steamer Governor Douglas
to the Beaver, I being I advance, heard a slash in the water and the
cry of a man overboard. This was about 9 o'clock pm. and on the men
being mustered we found that Sapper Jones was missing. From the
general appearance of the Corpse I saw today, I believe it to be
that of Sapper Jones.
Dr. Seddall, Staff Assistant Surgeon in medical advice states,
I have seen the body of the deceased and am of the opinion that he
came by his death by drowning. The contused state of the face and
head would lead to the belief, that he struck against the side of
the Steamer in his descent to the water. I am further of opinion
that eight or 10 days must have elapsed since the deceased met his
death.
After mature deliberation we the above have come to the
unanimous conclusion and return the following verdict - that the
deceased met with his death by drowning accidentally.
Signed,
Spaulding, JP and Coroner |
Seddall also appears to
have taken on other, less dire duties, in the Officer's Mess.
|
"The Doctor "caters" for the Mess, so when he hears
of anything good he tells me, and so I do to him."
--1st June, 1859
The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
In August of 1859, the
mosquitoes of British Columbia descended en masse and made life there
unbearable for many.
|
"The Mosquitoes did such mischief to Kitty's (Mrs.
Moody's servant) foot that the Doctor put her to bed for two days before
we left..."
--5th August, 1859
The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
With the arrival of all of
the Detachment, Mrs. Moody sought out assistance for her growing family.
She took on one of the Soldier's daughters (at this point we only have
her first name, "Fanny"). Sadly, the woman took ill soon after arriving
in Victoria.
|
"Fanny, the Nursery-Maid has been ill for the last
few days, and I fear she will need care for some time, if she is pretty
well tomorrow I shall send her to her Mother, to New Westminster, as she
will be better there under the Doctor's care."
--6th September, 1859
The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
During all this time,
Seddall is living out of doors.
|
"It (the Moody Home) is a most comfortable house,
plenty of space to move in. Richard contemplates giving it up to the
officers, as a Barrack, (they are still in Tents) and building a smaller
one for ourselves..."
--22nd September, 1859
The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
As the first Christmas in
the Colony neared, the Camp was filled with activity.
|
FESTIVITIES AT NEW WESTMINSTER
We have had a gay time during Christmas here. Our Lt. Gov. Col.
Moody, gave a dinner on Friday last, to which a large party were
invited. On Saturday, many private parties were given in camp, and
the Men employed in cutting various trails came into the city;
these, joined the Men employed on the wharves, formed themselves
into a band, each armed with a candle, and gave a serenade at
nearly every home. A Christmas Carol in a noisy way. All the
inhabitants received them well, with scarcely any exception, and
were only too glad to see the bones and sinew of the country
enjoying themselves, and received the honor that was done them in
the best of spirit, paying all largesse required. Christmas Day
being Sunday, was of course devoted to its proper use, without
festivities. On Monday, the Non-commissioned officers gave a Ball
at the theatre, that they have erected by private subscription
amongst themselves, which went off very well, to which most of the
inhabitants received an invitation, and on Tuesday the festivities
were ended by the Officers giving a grand dinner at their
Mess-room, to which several ladies received invitations, and every
thing passed off pleasantly.
-- 7th
January, 1860
The Weekly British Colonist |
Seddall often found himself
in the service of the community at large, as well as his post at the
Camp.
New Westminster Times
21st February 1860
There have been so many births here (it would appear the air is
fructiferous) that the officers in camp have been obliged to put
over their quarters, "The Doctor does not live here.", in
consequence of their having been called up at all hours of the
night, in inquiring for him. Dr. Seddall has been most kind and
attentive to all and as there was no doctor here, he has at all
times placed his services gratuitously for the benefit of the whole
community, and it has great cause to thank him for his repeated acts
of
kindness, and some testimonial, if he would accept, I deem should be
presented to him; although, doubtless, as the distance from the camp
is so great, he will be glad to be relieved when a civilian doctor
arrives. |
| "I have just got a
bottle of "Tonic" from the Doctor, for you know of old the Spring
is not my briskest time of year..."
--12th March, 1860
The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
| "The Officer's Quarters are begun so we hope soon
to have the house to ourselves, we really require more rooms as we sleep 5 in our bedroom.
It is a large house but when you come to pack 20 people as we do now, there is not much spare room, as you may fancy."
-- 12 March 1860
Mary S. Moody |
As the Mosquito Season arrives in Camp once more,
the Moody family decide to travel to Fort Hope to escape them.
| "...Our good little
Doctor has promised to pay us a visit at Hope in the Summer, I
don't know what we should all do without him..."
--4th June, 1860
From the letters of Mary S. Moody
|
Finally, Seddall's quarters are ready.
"We have the house to ourselves now, the
dear little Doctor has gone to his own new Quarters. We quite miss
him, tho' we only met occasionally on the stairs. Zeffie used to go
to his room constantly."
-- 5th October, 1860, From the Letters of
Mary S. Moody
|
|
"You would be amused to see all the 4
children running after him whenever they see him,. He carries the
baby also. He is everything you could want in a cheerful friend,
kind and good, but we will not allude to his professional ability
at all."
--5th October, 1860
From the Letters of Mary S. Moody |
But it was not all work and no play for the Camp,
as this happy letter from Mrs. Moody illustrates Seddall's powers of
organizational skill.
| "As a birthday
"treat" I must try and give you a full line and particular account
of the rise, progress and termination of the ball at the
Camp. I told you that we were intending to have a little party. Dr. Seddall took the entire management and arranged everything.
We
now have the whole house to ourselves, so we have plenty of room,
the Drawing Room, Library and Dining Room are all down-stairs, the
Library is the only one we have furnished and we use it as a
Drawing Room. The Dining Room was the Doctor's, the Drawing
Room was Captain Luard's. The Doctor fixed to have the Dancing in
the empty drawing room, and he had it all decorated for the
occasion, the large recess of the bow window was fitted as an
orchestra, the windows curtained with Scarlet blankets, relieved
with golden Chinese banners. The Ceiling was festooned with
evergreens and faded leaves, the walls decorated with bayonets
festooned, lamps and garlands, Scarlet, blue and white bunting
plaited in hanging loops all 'round the ceiling, a J.B. over the
mantle piece. You have no idea how nice the room looked, how I
wish you could have seen it! The library drawing room was used as
a Tea room, the dining room decorated as a supper room, flags and
banners etc. We mustered 10 ladies all dressed in ball costume,
Mrs. Grant in pink beige with flowers, Mrs. Bacon pink Moire
Antique, Mrs. Homer in white, Mrs. Spalding in blue Moire, Mrs.
Pritchard in black net, Mrs. Moody in black net decorated with
pink ribbons. I apprise you I felt quite respectable, once more!
They all came at 8, soon after dancing began which was kept up till 3 A.M! Richard allowed me to dance all night and I assure you I thouroughly
enjoyed myself.
We sat down 26 to supper, and about 8 were left without seats. I took very
little trouble in the party, the Doctor did it all his own way. He laid the
Supper, cut the sandwiches etc. Mr. Sheepshanks cut the bread and butter for
tea, and superintended the final arrangements for supper. Everybody in the Camp
helped. 3 of the Men performed the music, the officer's Servants helped to wait,
we borrowed the Mess table, tablecloth, Napkins, Candle-sticks, Cups, Plates,
etc. glasses and candlesticks from Mrs. Grant. Tea tray from one of the women. You have no idea how well it all went off, everybody enjoyed themselves. Certainly the Doctor deserves great credit for all his trouble. We thought you
would all have enjoyed to have taken a peep at our new mode of "roughing it in
the bush". I really was not very very tired after so much dancing. I feared I
should be as stiff as an old horse the next day, however, tho' I was obliged to
get up at 6 the next morning I did not feel too tired. I had not danced since I
married before. Captain Parsons and the Doctor wanted to persuare me to allow
Zeffie and Dick to sit up, however I would not listed to that and packed them
all off to bed before I went to dress."
--15th October, 1860
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
| "Tell dear Em that
Petsie wore her new pelisse today for the first time and looked so
bonnie and nice in it, Here it is allowable to call attention to
any new article of dress, seeing the "dear little Doctor" coming
down from his Quarters, of course I stopped and asked at once,
"How do you like her new dress?" "Does she not look nice etc.?"
"...And our "dear little Doctor" being so robust and round
himself, does not see why everyone should not be equally jolly and comfortable
as himself."
--17th November, 1860
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
Seddall, as a medical man, was something of a
Naturalist himself.
| "I almost forgot to
tell dear Em that I consulted the Doctor about the ferns, but he
told me there are no rare ones here, nothing different to the
English varieties."
--19th November, 1860
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
| "Now I must have a
nap for a few minutes, as I am not well you know. I fear I am
growing both rheumatic and gouty (the Doctor laughs at me when I
describe my idea of "rheumatic gout"). I can get no compassion
from the dear little man, so you may infer I am not very bad. "
--29th January, 1861
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
It appears that Seddall was also a bit of a
prankster and took pleasure in teasing Parsons.
|
"The Sappers have or rather are making a new
road from here to the Sea (about 4 or 5 miles). When it is finished
we are going to have a picnic out there, the Gentlemen, Mrs. Bacon
and myself. The Doctor proposes that Captain Parsons should carry
the Pie there and he volunteers to bring the Dish home."
--12th February, 1861
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody |
In March of 1861, Lady Franklin, wife of the famous
Arctic explorer, came to visit the Camp. Her niece, Miss Craycroft, wrote:
| "The harmonium is played by Dr. Seddall, who also leads the choir consisting in great measure of members of the Corps. The music is said to be exceedingly good."
-- 6 March 1861
Sophia Craycroft |
A week later, Seddall and Luard entertained the
lady at the Moody home.
|
"Last night the "Mess" came in to spend the
evening, Captain Luard and the Doctor gave us some music, flute and
harmonium."
--15th March, 1861
from The Letters of Mary S.
Moody
|
|
"Today, Saturday, the Men have a whole Holiday
in honour of lady Franklin's visit, it is a glorious day; and the
whole Camp is alive, I have left Baby out with Miss Nagle, doubtless
she will get assistance from the Doctor, Captain Parsons or Mr.
Hankin, RN a Lieutenant who is in attendance on Lady Franklin."
--15th March, 1861
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody |
|
W. DRISCOLL GOSSET and J. VERNON SEDDALL, Industrial Exhibition: Circular Respectfully Addressed to the Inhabitants of British Columbia, Printed at R.E. Camp by Corporal R. Wolfenden, New Westminster (April 1861)
--from
A Memorandum of the Claudet
family
|
The Moody's and the Grant's took Leave
at the same time and spent it in Victoria. They returned in the middle
of September, escorted by Seddall.
| "When we arrived
here (New Westminster) it was raining quite fast, and as we have
about 1 1/2 miles to Come from the Town in open boats "against
the stream" it was not a very cheering prospect. The only
alternative being a wet dark walk with 5 Children. However our
dear little Doctor (who had come down to Victoria to escort Mrs.
Grant and myself home) assured us we should manage very well. When we arrived we arrived we found Captain Luard waiting for us
with the Men and boats, so we managed famously. The Men carried
the Children to and from the boat and we were only "dampish"
when we reached the house. Mrs. Rogerson, one of our Women, was
waiting for us. She and I soon made up the beds and popped the
Children into them before they had time to get chilled, we then
gave them their supper and they were soon fast asleep. The
Doctor sent me a good tea from "The Mess" and we were none the
worse for our uncomfortable voyage."
--12th September,
1861
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
| "We
are all growing prematurely old. We had a plum pudding on Saturday in honour of the Doctor's 30th birthday, he even has tried to look grave and
sedate ever since. Susan says, "Dorie Eddally" so nicely."
-- 12 September 1861
Mary S. Moody |
|
Gentlemen become experienced Nurses here, for
they are obliged to help in holding the Babies. If you are out
walking and meet a gentleman he frequently says "Can't I relieve you
of the Baby for a short time?" or if you are very tired and he does
not volunteer such aid, it is quite customary to say" Do carry baby
for me please."
-- 4th November, 1861,
From the letters of Mary
S. Moody |
| "HMS Plumper was
here last week, and we all dined on board, we had a most elegant
dinner, quite English, and a coal Fire which I most thoroughly
enjoyed! They all laughed at me when they came down after
dinner, Mr. Sheepshanks said "Now, Mrs. Moody, I am quite sure
you have been asleep!!". It was a terribly wet night, and they
all feared we would not go, however Mr. Sheepshanks and the
Doctor both said, "I am sure Mrs. Moody will come."
--4th November, 1861
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
It does not appear that the Moody
Children went to the RE School. Instead they were taught by the
Officers.
| "The Doctor
teaches Zeffie Music and Drawing, and I hope to bribe the
Archdeacon to teach Dick Latin with his own boy about the same
age." -- 14th November, 1861
from The Letters of Mary
S. Moody
|
|
New Westminster, B.C.
20th Dec., 1861
Sir,
In consideration of your having purchased from me
half of Lot 14, Block 21, in the town of New Westminster, I engage to
give you your first chance of purchasing the other half of Lot 14 and
Lot 13 adjoining in the event of my wishing to offer them for sale.
I remain,
Yours Truly,
J.Vernon Seddall
To H. Crease, Esq.
New Westminster
|
|
The first
warrant for a Masonic Lodge, in what was then known as the Colony of
Vancouver's Island, was granted in 1859, by the Grand Master of the
United Grand Lodge of England, authorizing the formation of Victoria
Lodge, No. 1085, E.C. Some months later Union Lodge at New
Westminster in the Colony of British Columbia, was formed and received
its charter on the 16th December 1861.
--the above from
Historical Introduction to Freemasonry
Seddall was the
Vice President of the New Westminster Chapter Lodge.
Some months
later, Union Lodge No. 1201 E.C. (later No. 899), New Westminster, in
the Colony of British Columbia, was organized, Henry Holbrook being
nominated first Worshipful Master.
Owing to a
dispute as to the Junior Warden-elect, a warrant was not granted until
the 16th December, 1861.
Union Lodge, New Westminster, was organized on December 16th, 1861, and
was constituted as No. 1201, E.R., on June 24th, 1862, by R. W. Bro.
Burnaby. Installed were:
R.W.
Bro. Henry Holbrook, W.M.
Dr. J. Vernon Siddall, R.E., S.W.
Valentine Hall, J.W.
Capt. J. Cooper, Treasurer
George Frye, Secretary
Dr. S. E. Crain, S.D.
R. Dickenson, J.D.
B. F. Moses, I.G.
D.B. Hickey, Tyler.
-- the above from
A HISTORY OF THE EARLY DAYS OF
FREEMASONRY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
by R. W. Bro. William G. Gamble
|
During the Winter of 1861/62, it grew so cold that
the Fraser River froze solid at the Camp.
| "Sleighing" was the general
amusement. Mr. Palmer had a very nice one, and the children have had sundry drives in it, one day I went with the Doctor, for a drive and enjoyed it very much."
--3rd
January 1862, Mary S. Moody |
But the cold also brought its share of tragedy.
| "Some 3 or 4 days
ago Richard heard that young Annadale was away from here and
almost froze to death with the intense cold. He begged Captain
Luard to see if any of our Men would volunteer to go rescue him. Six of them set out, accompanied by Dr. Oliver, the Assistant
Surgeon. They had to march nearly 12 miles along the ice and
thro' the frost. They went on thro' the night and on the
following afternoon returned to the Town with Annandale, his
feet and hands are badly frost bitten. Dr. Seddall was in the
Town when he arrived, and the people there begged him to have
him removed to the Hospital in Camp, which he did, bringing him
up in his Sleigh. He gave him some Wine etc., and then came to
Richard to report the unusual proceeding of admitting a Civilian
into a Military Hospital. All the expenses will be defrayed by
the Officers. He is doing very well tho' it will be some days
before he is better. The Doctor has promised to advise him to
write to his Mother etc."
--3rd January, 1862,
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
| "Baby was baptised on Christmas Day, "Mary" alone.
She was baptised in the School room in Camp. All the children went to Church, even little Susan.
Dr. Seddall was Mary's Godfather, we both felt she could not have a better man or a kinder friend as her Godparent."
-- 3rd Jan 1862
Mary S. Moody |
| "Dearest Richard
is still at Victoria, he and Captain Luard are both there, nor
do they talk of returning, I am getting very tired of being
alone. 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. " --3rd April, 1862,
from The
Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
| "...We get on so
well together (in the camp) that we 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"."
--3rd April, 1862,
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
| "Zeffie goes to
the Doctor every day now for a music lesson, he is very good to
her."
-- 20th May, 1862
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
| "We have had a
few mosquitoes, we talk of going to Victoria, but 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 suited 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!"
--20th May, 1862
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
| "I never see
anyone now but the Doctor for Miss Nagle is at Victoria. I can't
leave the Children, I can't take them all down to the Town. The
Doctor is very good in helping me to take care of them, in the
way of taking the bigger ones out for a walk, etc. He took Zeffie and Dick to church yesterday morning as I could not leave
Charlie for so long, and then in the afternoon he took us all
for a long walk in the evening. We heard the Archdeacon - I have
never heard him before, it was very curious that just before
Church I asked the Doctor if he had ever preached here on "The
Good Shepherd" as I had heard he generally chose that subject. The Doctor said "Oh! No." and his sermon was the one I expected. Was it not odd?"
--11th August, 1862,
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
| "Zeffie is
getting on nicely with her Music you will be glad to hear. The
Doctor is so kind and good, an example to us all in every way. You never hear anyone who does not speak most affectionately and
kindly of him."
--23rd September, 1862,
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
|
"I have not written since the 9th when we had grand
rejoicings in honour of the Prince of Wales. I t was a very stormy night
however they sent a waggon round for the Company so we got there dry, we
had a nice little party of our own I mean from the Camp, 3 young ladies,
the Archdeacon's family, the Officers and ourselves, so we got on very
nicely. We intended to have left early, but we really enjoyed it very
much, and were much surprised to find it 5 minutes past 4 when we reached
home!
The ball was on the 11th, on the 10th the Officers
dined with us and the Archdeacon and his daughter, so we were quite gay
you see."
--24th November, 1862
From the Letters of Mary S.
Moody
|
Near the end of November, Seddall takes "Leave". He appears to have gone to
San Francisco.
|
"The Doctor is away also..."
--24th November, 1862,
From the Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
| "We have had a
very quiet Christmas time. The Children spent one day at the
Grant's , on New year's day we had the Officers, Grants and Mr.
Sheepshanks to lunch - 16 in all."
--7th January, 1863,
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody |
Mrs. Moody gives birth to another child in January,
1863, Moody leaves for Victoria and the Moody household is short staffed.
| "The Children
have been all so good. The Doctor: so kind and attentive. He
and Captain Parsons have been Papa, Mama and Nurse to the
bigger ones."
--30th January, 1863,
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
At last, Seddall's "flirting" catches up with him.
|
"We
have been very gay lately. Captain Luard and Doctor
Seddall are engaged to two sisters, Miss Leggatts, and the
ladies have just paid us a visit, nearly 3 weeks. You
can fancy that two such visitors have made the place quite
gay -- a dinner party here and at the Mess, Concerts,
Theatricals, Riding parties, and a Ball in the Mess Room --
Picnics, &c &c &c The Ball was quite
a success -- five young ladies, four to engaged to be
married -- I enjoyed it very much and danced until 5 am.
Richard got very tired but we were obliged to stay till the
end. The RE Band played beautifully, the room was prettily
decorated and the Supper first rate - Mrs. Bonson.
The Ball did us all good, fancy there being want of
gentlemen!!! We were much vexed that Captain Luard would not send down to Victoria for some. The
Ladies were very nicely dressed. The Miss Leggatts
wore white silk plain, with cherry coloured sashes,
broad rushings of the same at the top of the lace berthe,
and one rose in their hair -- they looked so nice, we all
felt quite proud of them, for now of course we feel that
they belong to us (the Camp Family)."
--12
May 1863,
Mary S Moody
|
For some reason, at this time unknown, Seddall and
Miss Leggatt do not marry.
| "Dr. Seddall saw
young Annadale in San Francisco 3 months ago."
--12th May, 1863,
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
| "Meggy is thriving
nicely...She has not yet been vaccinated, the Doctor says he has
no vaccine, and he does not try to get any, as far as I can see!!! I am going to have Zeffie and Dick vaccinated again."
--28th June, 1863
from The Letters of Mary S. Moody
|
When the Detachment is disbanded in November of
1863, Seddall returns to England, with all the other officers and their wives
and children.
|
Joined the corps of Royal Engineers on 31
May 1864 Seddell is wearing his officers
vest a frock coat, with miniature version of his service medals.
Photograph courtesy of BC
Archives
Call Number A-01746 |
 |
-
Promoted Surgeon on Medical Staff 30 March 1867
-
Marries Ellen Golding, 5 Feb 1867,
Rochester, England
Marriage
Form #4
Report of Officer's Marriage made for the purpose of its being
recorded at the War Office, with the view to fascilitate the
Settlement of any Claim that may be made on behalf of the
Officer's Family, in the event of his Death. |
|
Officer's
name |
John
Vernon Seddall |
|
Age |
35
years 5 months |
|
Regiment |
Royal
Engineers |
|
Maiden
Names of the Lady at full length |
Ellen Golding
|
|
Age |
30
years 7 months |
|
Date
of marriage |
5
Feb 1867 |
|
Place where
ceremony was performed
|
St
Nicholas Church, Rochester |
|
Names
of Officiating Clergymen |
Rev
John E White
Rev C. Basauquet |
|
Witnesses
|
R.M.
Parsons, Capt RE
Clara Golding
Eliza Brooke |
|
Click below for
Seddall's... |
|
|
|
