Archive Record
Metadata
Accession # |
A1977.67 |
Title |
Connon family correspondence, 1852-1930. [original & microfilm] |
Date |
1852-1930 |
Description |
The Connon letters consist of correspondence between Thomas Connon, photographer and merchant of Elora, and his aunt Elizabeth Connon, shopkeeper, Aberdeen, Scotland, covering the years 1852-1865. It also includes correspondence between Thomas Connon of Elora and his son John Connon, living in New York, for the years 1890-1891. The letters deal primarily with family affairs and community events. Thomas Connon (1832-1899) emigrated from Elfhill, Scotland, to Canada in 1852. In 1853 he settled in Elora and soon began experimenting with photography. In 1859 he established a photography business in conjunction with his general store. In 1867 he sold his general store and moved to his newly erected commercial block at the corner of Geddes and Moir Streets, Elora, where he carried on a full-time photographic studio. Thomas Connon married Jean Keith of Bon Accord, Nichol Township, in 1854. The Connons had three children: John Robert, Thomas Jr., and Elizabeth. John R. Connon (1862-1931) lived most of his life in Elora, except for a two-year sojourn in New York, during which time much correspondence was generated between him and his father. John shared his father's interest in photography and became a well-respected photographer, especially known for his scenes of the Grand and Irvine bridges. In 1887 he received his patent for the first panoramic camera which could photograph the entire circle at one exposure. In 1930 John Connon published "The Early History of Elora and Vicinity". [See also MARSTON COLLECTION INVENTORY] NOTE: LETTERS HAVE BEEN MICROFILMED Subseries 1: Correspondence from Elizabeth Connon, Aberdeen, Scotland, to nephew Thomas Connon, Elora, 1852 - 1865. Elizabeth Connon lived in the city of Aberdeen where she ran a small shop. She employed a boy in her shop and Maggie as her housekeeper. She was very active in the Belmont St. Presbyterian Church where she taught a Sunday School class. Her letters reflect her keen interest in family, friends, and members of the business community. She often refers to the prevailing economic conditions in Scotland and abroad, and notes her disdain for the plight of American slaves. She lends money to Thomas whenever she can, albeit on a strictly business level, and gives Thomas a great deal of economic and spiritual advice. file 1: 28 June 1852. re: advising Thomas on provisions needed by emigrants to Canada including clothing, money, character reference given to Adam Argo. file 2: 02 July 1852. re: death of Mrs. Alex Craigmill, family matters, plus letter, Aug. 10, 1852, re: news of Thomas' family, sailing of St. Lawrence. file 3: 14 Sep. 1852. re: family and community events, plan to secure money from Robert Connon's trustees. file 4: 23 Sep. 1852. re: reading of Uncle Tom's Cabin, potato blight, Mrs. Duthie, Adam and James Argo, Barbara Argo of Fergus, David Donald of Eden Mills, Mr.and Mrs. John Hay, Mrs. Watt, and Mrs. Jameson. file 5: 12 Jan. 1853. re: great risks involved in becoming an artist. file 6: 03 Mar. 1853. re: begs Thomas to take job with Adam Argo. file 7: 18 Feb. 1853. re: future visit of James Ironside to Elora. file 8: 23 Apr. 1853. re: death of Auntie Robertson, soiree held for Harriet Beecher Stowe. file 9: 06 Jun. 1853. re: Argo and Watt families of Nichol Township. file 10: 28 Jun. 1853. re: Aberdeen wages, Rev. Duff of Elora, food prices. file 11: 15 Aug. 1853. re: loneliness, family matters. file 12: 18 Oct. 1853. re: family matters. file 13: 1853. re: family. file 14: 25 Jan. 1854. re: ship wrecks, weather, food prices. file 15: 22 Feb. 1854. re: family. file 16: 18 Apr. 1854. re: sending clothing and books to Thomas, "Aurora" passenger ship, Dr. Smith's trial in Fergus. file 17: 23 May 1854. re: family matters and community affairs in Aberdeen. file 18: 21 Jun. 1854. re: Adam Argo, merchant in Fergus. file 19: 14 Aug. 1854. re: journey of Robert Mintz to Canada. [original missing as of May 1989]. file 20: 22 Aug. 1854. re: his father's finances. [original missing as of May 1989]. file 21: 29 Aug. 1854. re: cholera epidemic, George Barclay, family matters. file 22: 17 Oct. 1854. re: cholera epidemic, Thomas's request for money, family matters. file 23: 01 Jan. 1855. re: Thomas's marriage to Jean Keith of Nichol township, Keith relatives living in Aberdeen. [original missing as of May 1989]. file 24: 03 Jan. 1855. re: sending bank note and financial advice. file 25: re: bank note, Adam Argo, family. file 26: 12 Mar. 1855. re: Adam Argo of Fergus, John Ironside, George Moir. file 27: 10 Apr. 1855. re: loan to Thomas, financial advice. file 28: 04 Jul. 1855. re: sale of shop in Aberdeen, calogype. file 29: 16 Aug. 1855. re: Adam Argo, James Ironside, family. file 30: 19 Sep. 1855. re: birth of Thomas' daughter. file 31: 22 Nov. 1855. re: Thomas' new situation, his move to Salem, Ontario. file 32: 20 Feb. 1856. re: Francis Cooper of Aberdeen and family matters; plus letter dated 26 Mar. 1856, re: deaths of Alexander Keith and family matters. file 33: 01 May 1856. re: death of several friends. file 34: 27 May 1856. re: letter of reference for George Barnet. file 35: 20 Aug. 1856. re: death of Mrs. Barclay, dissension in America, food prices. file 36: 20 Aug. 1856. re: family. file 37: 01 Oct. 1856. re: trip to Hull on steamship 'Aberdeenshire'. file 38: 26 Nov. 1856. re: servant Maggie's death, Thomas losing job. file 39: 03 Mar. 1857. re: fiancial advice, family matters. file 40: 19 May 1857. re: health of family. file 41: 09 Jun. 1857. re: Thomas forced to sell furniture. file 42: 29 Jul. 1857. re: death of Thomas' brother Sandy. file 43: 28 Oct. 1857. re: death of Thomas' Aunt Janet. file 44: 06 Jan. 1858. re: economic conditions, affects of American economy on Scotland, food prices, Adam Argo. file 45: 05 May 1858. re: family and community events. file 46: 21 July 1858. re: community events; plus letter, 18 Aug. 1858. file 47: 18 Aug. 1858. re: Thomas sending photos of himself & Jean. file 48: 05 Oct. 1858. re: laon of money, religious revivals. file 49: 28 Oct. 1858. re: loan to start business in Salem. file 50: 12 Jan. 1859. re: role of providence, marriage of Thomas' sister Ann. file 51: 27 Jul. 1859. re: cattle fair, family. file 52: 03 Dec. 1859. re: Thomas starting new business in Elora. file 53: 03 Feb. 1860. re: Elizabeth giving up snuff, family matters. file 54: 05 Jul. 1860. re: community affairs. file 55: 18 Oct. 1860. re: bad storm, family. file 56: 22 Mar. 1861. re: Garibaldi, American slavery, community, family. file 57: 05 Jul. 1861. re: Thomas' partnership with Mr. Henderson, Adam Argo, union between Free Church and UP Church. file 58: 28 Sep. 1861. re: American Civil War, Thomas dissolving partnership. file 59: 10 Jan. 1862. re: family business, loan to aid Thomas in business. file 60: 27 Mar. 1862. re: family, community affairs, Adam Argo. file 61: 08 Sep. 1862. re: birth of son John, religious meeting, American war. file 62: 21 Jan. 1863. re: economic conditions, possibility of war with German states, Thomas sending likenesses. file 63: 27 Jan. 1863. re: George Barron of Elora, Thomas' studion, Adam Argo, James Ironsides. file 64: 16 Mar. 1863. re: family, community affairs. file 65: 30 Sep. 1863. re: family, community affairs. file 66: 21 Jan. 1864. re: family, community affairs. file 67: 02 Aug. 1864. re: Adam Argo, James Ironsides, several local scenes taken by Thomas. file 68: 17 Nov. 1864. re: Thomas considering returning to Aberdeen to imporve health. file 69: 04 Jan. 1865. re: persuading Thomas to return to Scotland. file 70: 25 Jan. 1865. re: Riel rebellions, American war, family. Subseries 2: Correspondence from Elizabeth Connon to Jean (Keith) Connon, 1855 - 1857. file 1: 13 Mar. 1855. re: getting acquainted. file 2: 05 Aug. 1856. re: visit to Buchan. file 3: 04 Mar. 1857. re: advises Jean not to worry about adverse conditions. Subseries 3: Correspondence from Ann Connon, Aberdeen, Scotland, to her sister-in-law Jean Connon, Elora, 1855. file 1: 22 Aug. 1855. re. birth of Thomas' daughter Lizzie. Subseries 4: Correspondence from Thomas Connon to his aunt Elizabeth Connon, 1860 - 1864. file 1: 24 July 1860. re: thanking aunt for loan. file 2: 11 Sep. 1860. re: Two railways in Canada, rent of house in Salem, Prince of Wales coming to guelph, exhibit of his paintings in Hamilton. file 3: 04 Mar. 1861. re: asks aunt to write views on political figures and American slavery. file 4: 04 Jun. 1861. re: business, friends. file 5: 19 Aug. 1861. re: partnership dissolved, church union. file 6: 02 Dec. 1861. re: Alex Watt, John Keith, business pressures. file 7: 03 Feb. 1862. re: Elora Rifle Company increases membership. file 8: 04 Jan. 1863. re: reading "The Scotch Settlement in Canada", disputes between Alex Watt and George Barron involving Presbyterian graveyard. file 9: 05 Jan. 1863. re: photograph collection, American Civil War. file 10: 23 Feb. 1863. re: Adam Argo, George Barron, John Henderson. file 11: 01 Dec. 1863. re: Thomas' photograph collection of portraits and scenes of Elora including cattle fair, Grand River, stereographs, sent several views to "Canada's Illustrated News", grocery business. file 12: 21 Jun. 1864. re: building of new picture room in Elora. file 13: 26 Jul. 1864. re: Thomas' ill health, desire to relocate, Elora Presbyterian Church manse under construction. file 14: 03 Jan. 1865. re: Fenian Brotherhood, American politics, mutual friends. Subseries 5: Correspondence From Robert Connon, Elfhill, Scotland, to son Thomas Connon, Elora, 1872. file 1: 20 Mar. 1872. re. Thomas' request for money to build gallery. Subseries 6: Correspondence from Thomas Connon, Elora, to son John Connon, New York, 1890 - 1891. file 1: 05 Feb. 1890. re: family, John's latest camera invention. file 2: 08 Feb. 1890. re: curling, family. file 3: 14 Feb. 1890. re: camera invention, college exhibition, Goldwin Smith, meeting of Young Methodists at Drill Shed. file 4: 23 Feb. 1890. re: John sent negative of bridge, mutual friends, 35 new members joined Methodist Church in Elora. file 5: 27 Feb. 1890. re: death of William Elliot, temperance meeting, Alex Spalding, Charles Clarke, J. Henderson, Maggie Bain. file 6: 09 Mar. 1890. re: camera invention, Black Diptheria in Fergus, plans to ask Prof. Panton's class to visit Gorge, lists clothing he brought to Canada in 1852. file 7: 16 Mar. 1890. re: St. Patrick's Day service, Roswell Goldie gave Charles Clarke picture of bridge. file 8: 23 Mar. 1890. re: making lantern slides, mutual friends. file 9: [nd]. re: camera lens and focusing techniques. file 10: 26 Mar. 1890. re: mutual friends, purchase of photographic equipment. file 11: 06 Apr. 1890. re: prices of photographic equipment, family, community affairs. file 12: 13 Apr. 1890. re: illness of son in law Alexander Spalding, Mrs., Smart, Mr. Snyder, Mrs Shepherd, Sam [Marshall]. file 13: 17 Apr. 1890. re: community news, friends. file 14: 18 Apr. 1890. re: birth of George Keith's daughter. file 15: 20 Apr. 1890. re: photographic equipment, community news, Mrs. Smart's overdue book at library. file 16: 22 Apr. 1890. re: theft of camera tubes, horse show. file 17: 23 Apr. 1890. re: A. J. Miller, photographer of Fergus selling business, measle outbreak, photographic lenses. file 18: 27 Apr. 1890. re: dispute between John Keith and George Barron, buildings in Elora being rebuilt after fire. file 19: 02 May 1890. re: family, community. file 20: 04 May 1890. re: built walnut stereo camera, auditing books for Elora Mechanics Institute. file 21: 06 May 1890. re: Thomas Jr. applying for position at Elora train station, Elora Mechanics Institute annual meeting, fair day, family, community news. file 22: 11 May 1890. re: Thoams Jr. hired in Elora, mutual friends. file 23: 14 May 1890. re: death of John Ironside, family news. file 24: 18 May 1890. re: death of Mrs. Winfield, Thomas felt village being possessed by strangers. file 25: 21 May 1890. re: photographic supplies. file 26: 25 May 1890. re: English Church festivaland cadet performance to raise money for steeple, Winfield family portait. file 27: 27 May 1890. re: smuggling money to John in tubes. file 28: 01 Jun. 1890. re: Fergus photographers, photographic techniques. file 29: 09 Nov. 1890. re: death of Bill Gale. file 30: 14 Nov. 1890. re: order for prints. file 31: 16 Nov. 1890. re: Mr. Spencer to exhibit new lime light stereopticon at St. John's Harvest Home. file 32: 22 Nov. 1890. re: sent payment for photographic supplies. file 33: 23 Nov. 1890. re: photographic exhibit at drill shed, photograph taken at Elora Model School, friends. file 34: 30 Nov. 1890. re: fire damages to Bowes and Bibbs business, first street lights in Elora from Dr. Groves plant. file 35: 03 Dec. 1890. re: 4 businesses connected to electricity. file 36: 07 Dec. 1890. re: family. file 37: 14 Dec. 1890. re: ethics and philosophy, first cattle show. file 38: 21 Dec. 1890. re: John's business failures in photographic stock business. file 39: 22 Dec. 1890. re: John's friend William to visit. file 40: 28 Dec. 1890. re: friends. file 41: 04 Jan. 1891. re: mutual friends, municipal election between Old Council and David Foote and Dalby Council. file 42: 11 Jan. 1891. re: Black's elevator fire at Aboyne, Dr. Robertson to build house in Elora for $2000, a few high school students decide to attend Fergus High School, municipal election, Bain's Woolen Mill shut down for 2 weeks. file 43: 14 Jan. 1891. re: friends. file 44: 24 Jan. 1891. re: John sent photo of Tuberculosis bacteria. [original missing as of May 1989]. file 45: 18 Jan. 1891. re: Thomas oldest photographer in Ontario remaining in one location, history of his interest in photography, mutual friends. file 46: 25 Jan. 1891. re: friends, jokes about hereditary and family tree. file 47 - Jan. 27, 1891 re: thanks John for loan file 48: 01 Feb. 1891. re: attends lecture by lady phrenologist in Elora, friends, family. file 49: 08 Feb. 1891. re: granting of shutter patent. file 50: 15 Feb. 1891. re: photographic techniques, new buildings under construction in Elora, church, Mechanics Institute concert, provincial election. file 51: 22 Feb. 1891. re: death of Hugh Hamilton, Joseph Gordon purchased business from Mrs. Smart. file 52: [no date]. re: George Craig, James Grant. file 53: 01 Mar. 1891. re: ice jam, election. file 54: 08 Mar. 1891. re: election results, friends, community events. file 55: 15 Mar. 1891. re: alex Watt's 94th birthday, exhibition of painting of Farquar McGilvray Knowles. file 56: 22 Mar. 1891. re: interview with phrenologist for 25 cents, friends. file 57: 25 Mar. 1891. re: T. P. Smith to establish Traders Bank and shop in Tom Beck's corner, friends. file 58: 29 Mar. 1891. re: friends, family. file 59: 01 Apr. 1891. re: John's patent. file 60: 07 Apr. 1891. re: mutual friends, death of George Barron. file 61: 12 Apr. 1891. re: mutual friends, horse show, estate of Barron. file 62: 16 Apr. 1891. re: John's illness, John sending father money, friends, family. file 63: 19 Apr. 1891. re: family, friends. file 64: 27 Apr. 1891. re: family, photographic techniques. file 65: 30 Apr. 1891. re: Edward Burns attempts suicide, photographic techniques and supplies. file 66: 03 May 1891. re: family, community news. file 67: 10 May 1891. re: Thomas returned mounted prints to John, friends. file 68: 17 May 1891. re: friends. file 69: 23 May 1891. re: sending photo of Mrs. Gordon, family. file 70: 24 May 1891. re: Charles Clarke and provincial politics. file 71: 31 May 1891. re: views on religion. file 72: 04 Jun. 1891. re: death of Sir John A. MacDonald, mutual friends. file 73: 07 Jun. 1891. re: Mrs. Snyder's sketch of Elora cascade. file 74: 14 Jun. 1891. re: family, friends, John's illness. file 75: 07 Jun. 1891. re: begs John to return home to recover from liver ailment. file 76: 21 Jun. 1891. re: Thomas not impressed with Elora. file 77: 05 Jul. 1891. re: friends. file 78: [nd]. recipe for "Paget Prize" developing solution. Subseries 7: Correspondence from Jean Keith Connon, Elora, to son John Connon, New York, 1890 - 1891. file 1: [nd]. re: friends. file 2: 04 Mar. 1890. re: picture of bridge, oyster supper, friends. file 3: 26 Mar. 1890. re: sale of Charles Lawrence house, selling stereoscopic cards for $1.25 or $1.00 gross. file 4: 20 Feb. 1891. re: friends, family. file 5: Apr. 1891. re: death of George Barron. file 6: 03 Jun. 1891. re: friends, Lawrence house redecorated. Subseries 8: Correspondence from Lizzie Parish, London, to uncle Thomas Connon, Elora, 1893. file 1: 06 Nov. 1893. re: death of Thomas' sister. Series 9: Correspondence from Thomas Connon Jr., Elora and Chesley, to brother John Connon, New York, and father Thomas Connon, Elora, 1890-1891. file 1: 18 May 1890. To John Connon, NY. re: family, work at CNR station, death of Mrs. Winfield, not impressed with Elora. file 2: 14 Jan. 1891. To John Connon, NY. re: postcard. file 3: 30 Apr. 1890. To Thomas Connon, Elora. re: community affairs in Chesley (where Thomas Jr. was at time of writing). Subseries 10: Miscellaneous, 1867-1930. file 1: Business correspondence and receipts to Thomas and John Connon, 1867-1930. file 2: Genealogical notes on Thomas Connon, nd. file 3: Correspondence, 11 Aug 1893, Harvard University to Thomas Connon, Elora. re: request for photographs of Elora Gorge. |
Creator \ Maker |
Connon, Thomas [Author] |
Creator \ Maker |
Connon, John Robert [Author] Connon, Elizabeth [Author] Connon, Jean [Author] Unknown [] |
Item Name |
Correspondence Letter Microfilm Note Record Group |
Person \ Organization |
Argo, Adam Argo, Barbara Argo, James Bain's Woolen Mill Bain, Maggie Barclay, George Barnet, George Barron, George Beck, Thomas Beecher Stowe, Harriet Black's Elevator Bowes and Bibbs Burns, Edward Canadian National Railway Clarke, Charles Connon Block Connon, Elizabeth Connon, Jean Connon, John Robert Connon, Robert Connon, Thomas Cooper, Francis Craig, George Craigmill, Alex Donald, David Duff, (Rev.) Duthie, (Mrs.) Elliot, William Elora Mechanics Institute Elora Model School Elora Picture Gallery Elora Rifle Company Fenian Brotherhood First United Presbyterian Church Foote, David Free Church of Scotland Gale, Bill Goldie, Roswell Gordon, Joseph Grant, James Hamilton, Hugh Harvard University Hay, John Hay, John (Mrs.) Henderson, John Ironside, James Ironside, John Jameson, (Mrs.) Keith, Alexander Keith, George Keith, Jean Keith, John Knowles, Farquar McGillivray Knox Presbyterian Church Lawrence, Charles MacDonald, John A. (Sir) Marshall, Samuel Miller, A. J. (Mr.) Mintz, Robert Moir, George Panton, J. Hoyes (Prof.) Parish, Lizzie Robertson, (Dr.) Sheppard, (Mrs.) Smart, (Mrs.) Smith, (Dr.) Smith, T. P. (Mr.) Snyder, (Mr.) Snyder, (Mrs.) Spalding, Alexander (Sandy) Spencer, (Mr.) Watt, (Mrs.) Watt, Alexander Winfield |
Place |
Aboyne Eden Mills Elora Fergus New York City Nichol Twp. Salem Scotland |
Subject |
Black History Bridge Commercial Electricity Government Immigration Medical Military Photographers Photography Railroad Social Life Temperance United States Civil War War Weather |
Photo, Map # |
WCA 113 |
Year Range from |
1852 |
Year Range to |
1930 |
Accession # |
A1977.67 |
Containers |
MU 8 |