Friday 27 April 2018

Party Like it's 1899

The weekend's here and the Culberts are partying like it's 1899!

Well, it's more like the early 1900s but I couldn't resist the reference to a Prince song [1]

Click image to enlarge.
Photo from the collection of Hulda May (Culbert) Carscallen courtesy of her granddaughter, Wendy (Gowland) Boole.

This photo was taken on the Culbert homestead (Poplar Farm) around 1905, give or take a few years.  

I don't know what occasion they were celebrating but they look like they're having a good time. Especially this guy in the party hat...

Waiting for the invention of selfies

I have no idea what occasion they're celebrating. Since cars hadn't become common or affordable yet, most of the attendees probably lived close by in the Lucan-Biddulph area. I'm assuming most of them are family members, friends, and maybe a few neighbours.

I don't recognize most of these people but here's my opinion:

This is definitely Myron Culbert who would later take over the farm from his father, Richard...

Myron Culbert (born 1884)

Myron Culbert's future bride, Effie Taylor (left) and her sister, Mary Taylor (right)...

Effie Taylor (left) and her sister Mary

The man on the left looks like Effie's brother, Hector Taylor. The woman two over from him looks like the woman he married, Ina Kent...


Probably Hector Taylor (left) and his future bride, Ina Kent on the far right. Ina's mother was Mary Ann Culbert, daughter of John Culbert & Mary Ward.

This looks like the head of the household at that time, Myron's father, Richard Culbert...


Probably Richard Culbert (born 1853). Youngest son of John Culbert & Mary Ward. Richard took over the farm from his father, John.

And this might be Richard's wife, Jane (Fairhall) Culbert, holding a baby...


The babies just kept on coming on the Culbert homestead.

These might be two of Myron Culbert's sisters...

Hey, you behind that young lady! Keep your hands where we can see them!

I'm not sure of the identities of the other people. If you have any idea, leave a comment or send an email to me. 

In the meantime, party on! 


[1] 1999 composed by Prince Rogers Nelson

3 comments:

  1. Fantastic photos MJ. I wonder if there was any booze at that party? Somehow I doubt it. LOL

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  2. Back row, far right looks a lot like uncle Ian! He must be a Culbert. And likely the guy that spiked the punch! I've never heard of a Culbert party without alcohol ����

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  3. PHIL & WENDY: Richard Culbert gave up drinking liquor for his wife, Jane. She said it was not a habit in excess but it was wasteful of resources.

    Richard made that promise to her when their first child, Hulda May Culbert was born, on which occasion he was celebrating.

    Hulda May was born in 1881 which means Richard would have given up the bottle by the time this photo was taken.

    WENDY: That guy in the back row, far right DOES look a lot like your Uncle Ian!!! Phil pointed that out to me this morning and I’ve been laughing ever since. I have no idea who he is but he’s definitely a Culbert.

    I know it’s hard to imagine a Culbert party without alcohol but your great-grandmother, Effie wouldn’t allow it in the house.

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