THOMAS RUSSELL
Schoolmaster, Craigflower
May 1865 – October 1866
Thomas Russell 1836-1912
Following the resignation of Henry Claypole in May of 1865, the appointment of a new schoolmaster for Craigflower was duly noted by the Colonist:
May 13, 1865, p.3
Craigflower School
We understand that his excellency has appointed Mr. Thomas Russell to be Schoolmaster at Craigflower since Mr. Claypole resigned. Mr. Russell is brother-in-law of Mr. McKenzie of Craigflower.
Born in Haddington, Scotland, Russell, aged 16, had immigrated to Vancouver Island in 1852 with Kenneth McKenzie and the party bound for Craigflower.1 Although listed as a labourer in McKenzie's list of employees, Russell was obviously not working class and was presumably well educated. Indeed, when Douglas seconded Robert Barr for the Victoria School, McKenzie recommended Thomas Russell as schoolmaster for Craigflower. However, Russell possibly not desiring the confines of the classroom at that time, did not accept the position.2 He chose instead to work for McKenzie in diverse situations which eventually assumed a managerial aspect:
6th August, 1860
Kenneth McKenzie Esq.
Dear Sir
I hope it will not be considered unreasonable in me to make application for an increase of my salary, as I now beg leave to do.
You are aware that my various duties in the Bakery, Butchery the Mills & C. are very labourious, requiring constant activity and care and often early and late attendence from me, and I hope you have reason to be satisified with the manner in which those duties have been discharged hitherto.
The pay I receive is not, in my opinion, sufficient for the amount of work performed, nor equal to the pay of other workmen in the neighbourhood not superior to myself; and is considerably less than what I know I could earn elsewhere in a Bakery alone - proposals have been made to me by others but so long as my services are fairly renumerated I have no wish to leave the Company.
An advance of f25 on my present salary (or flOO per annum with rations) is under what I could obtain as above stated, but that salary from my present employers would satisfy me; and hoping that it may not be considered more than I am worth to the Establishment, I am Sir.
Your Obediant Servant
Thomas Russell
As indicated by the above correspondence, Russell remained with McKenzie after his five year contract expired in 1857. His name appears throughout McKenzie's accounts and ration books; the day book for 1859 indicates Russell's clothing purchases prior to his wedding:
Feb. 25, 1859
1 Sac Coal: f 1/17/6
1 Pr. Black Trousers 17/3
1 Shepherds Plaid Vest 9/3
1 Silk Tie 3/2
1 Pr. India Rubber Braces 2/2
1 Balmoral Bonnet 2/5
1 Pr. Wellington Shoes 9/9
1 Pr. Sea Boots l/ 7/9
Feb. 28, 1859
1 Doz Pr. Cotton Hose
2 Balmoral Bonnets3
In March 1859, Russell, aged 23, married an English woman, Sarah Collier, who had come to Vancouver Island in 1857.4 Their first and only child to survive to adulthood was born April 22, 1860 and christened Alice Marion.5
In 1861, Russell acquired two parcels of land in the vicinity of Craigflower, consisting of one 3 acre lot adjacent to the school reserve and a larger 19 acre section bounded by the Colquitz River to the north.6 As it was customary for Puget Sound Agricultural Company servants to receive a land grant of roughly 25 acres on leaving service, indications are that Russell planned not to renew his contract in 1862. Another factor which would have influenced him was that McKenzie's contract as baliff had not been renewed in 1861 although he was granted tenure at Craigflower until 1865. It appears that Russell continued to assist McKenzie in the management of contracts for supplying baked goods, beef and vegetables to British naval vessels anchored at Esquimalt.
By 1865 the brief prosperity of the gold rush was over and the effects of a general economic, recession were being felt. Money for educational purposes dwindled and at Craigflower the School house continued to deteriorate. Henry Claypole, the schoolmaster, after a long period of threatening to resign finally did so May 3, 1865.
By May 13, Russell had agreed to fill the vacant positon. In view of the massive debt accumulated by McKenzie and his declining financial prospects it appears that Russell's acceptance at this time was for economic survival and not from any great desire to impart knowledge. His tenure at Craigflower was brief - just over a year -and he left little commentary on his period in the classroom. However, an idea of the situation at Craigflower in general can be derived from the Minutes of the Board of Education:7
July 18, 1865
A petition from the inhabitants in the neighbourhood of Craigflower requesting to be allowed to make use of the schoolroom there every alternate Sabbath, Rev'd Mr. Somerville to officiate...
The Supt. reported that some necessary alterations were required in the School desks at Craigflower besides some small repairs. Resolved that the sum be reported to the Governor as entailing an outlay of money.
August 1, 1865
...read a report from Mr. Russell teacher at Craigflower on the repairs wanted there. Resolved that the Supt. be authorized to make such repairs or alterations as he may deem most urgent to the amount of $60 as approved by his Excellency.
August 15, 1865
A letter from the Rev'd W.S. Reece applying for permission to visit Esquimalt and Craigflower schools for the purpose of imparting religious instruction to such children whose parents may be desirous of availing themselves of it was read. Mr. Reece was informed that he could visit Craigflower on Thursdays from 8 to 9 AM or from 4 to 5 PM.
[Rev'd Cridge then applied for the same privilege at other schools]
November 7, 1865
Resolved that the Prince of Wales birthday should be kept as a holiday.
December 7, 1865
Resolved: That there be six weeks of holidays in the year, a fortnight at Christmas and four weeks at midsummer - the Christmas vactaion to comprehend the 2 weeks on which Christmas and New Years' day fall and the midsummer vacation to be made to coincide as far as possible with the harvest in the country. districts and with the reopening of the private schools after the vacations in the towns.
June 7, 1866
The Supt. then called the attention of the Board to the difference between the Salary of the schoolmaster at Craigflower at $1000 with that of ail of the teachers in the country districts at $500, at the same time that his efficiency was more than doubtful. Moved by Dr. Powell, seconded by Mr. Wright that to secure efficiency in the Craigflower School and economy in the general expenditure, the present assistant teacher in the Fort St. boys school be removed to Craigflower at a salary of $750 and the services of the present teacher [Russell] of that school be dispensed with. (Carried unanimously.)
July 31, 1866
Supt. reported on the public examination at Craigflower on the 20th, which was creditable considering the great irregularities in the attendance of the scholars ... as many as 143 1/2 days absence out of 230 school days ... this question to be rediscussed at a future meeting...
The Supt ... in reply ...: that the present encumbent at Craigflower was to be discharged in preference to Mr. Nicholson as being by far the least efficient and having had no training as a teacher, the usual notice of one month to be given him, and the building proposed to be rented for a schoolroom was to be taken for twelve months ...
... it was the resolution of Board that no teacher shall be appointed or continued in any school where the number of scholars is less than twelve ... proposed to acquaint the teacher at Cedar Hill with this information so that he could muster that number if possible and inform the Superintendent of the result.
September 25, 1866 - P. 76
The Supt. informed the Board of a verbal application from a Mr. William Harrison formerly Teacher in Canada for a situation in case Mr. Nicholson did not return or in case of any other vacancy.
October 10, 1866
The Superintendent read a letter from Mr. Russell, teacher at Craigflower enclosing a copy of his resignation as sent to the Colonial Secretary and dated 3rd Inst. The Superintendent explained that he had only received this letter on Monday the 8th ... whereas Mr. Russell has closed the school and come to Victoria without the slightest (instruction?) ... discharging the children and informing the parents that the school was closed, before leaving. The Superintendent to remedy the consequence of this extraordinary conduct has been Mr. Harrison, the Teacher whose verbal application entered ... and explained to him the uncertainities attending the payment of his salary in case he should wish to apply ... as well as the irregularity of his position until formally appointed ... Resolved that the Superintendent write to Mr. Harrison, that the Board without assuming any other responsibility whatever would recommend his appointment as soon as the occasion might offer and that his salary be fixed at $60 per month ...8
July 29, 1867
A letter was read from Mr. Thomas Russell to the Chairman, claiming one month's salary as Teacher at Craigflower in Sept. last. It was explained that Mr. Russell had closed the school and come to open a grocery in Victoria without the slightest indication ... discharging the children and informing the parents that the school was closed before leaving; all of which the Supt. had only learnt on the 8th of October following (see meeting of Oct. 10, 1866)
[the Board declined to recongize any claim]
September 9, 1867
A letter was read from Mr. Russell formerly teacher at Craigflower against the decision of Board July 29 ... stating reasons for urging the claim]
September 9, 1867
A letter was read from Mr. Russell formerly teacher at Craigflower against the decision of Board July 29 ... stating reasons for urging the claim ...
After leaving Craigflower, Russell chose not to reside on the property near the school and in following his new enterprise lived in a number of locations. His daughter described some of them:
About 1867 we lived on Government Street, between Fort and Yates Streets. My father, the late Thomas Russell, ran a grocery store, and the back of the building joined the backyard of the B. N. A. Bank around the corner on Yates Street. The building was two-story and The Colonist printed their newspaper upstairs ....
Later, early in 1869, Christ Church Cathedral was burned down. At this time we lived in a brick house on Rae Street, not far from the Cathedral and behind the Collegiate School .... Next year we moved to a house on Blanshard Street where the Roman Catholic Cathedral now stands. My father had moved his place of business to the corner of Blanshard and Fort Streets. At that time the city was having dug a wide, deep hole to hold water at the intersection of Blanshard and Port Streets, in case of fire.
One night some wag thought to create an excitement, and sprinkled brass fillings at the bottom of the hole. The next morning there was a great stir for a short time over what they thought was a discovery of gold.
Later, the store was burned down in the night and my father unfortunately was unable to save even his books.
Next year, 1871, we lived on View Street, not far from Quadra. My father had not long returned from an adventurous trip to Queen Charlotte Islands and at midnight, between June and July we woke up in terror to hear all the fire bells ringing, the great Tiger bell pealing over all the rest. My father looked at his watch quickly reassured us and said it was Confederation just like the passing of the year. "Ring out the old, ring in the new."
In the Fall of 1871, we moved across the Bay and lived on Belleville Street, and afterwards had to cross the bridge four times a day. It was rather primitive over there with very few sidewalks.9
For the remainder of his life Russell worked as a book-keeper or accountant. From 1873 until 1902 he held the position of Assessor and Collector of Taxes for the City of Victoria.10 From 1902 until 1912 he was book-keeper for Thorpe & Co. of Victoria. He died August 18, 1912 at the age of seventy-six and is buried in Ross Bay Cemetery.
1. Russell was born Feb. 29, 1836, the son of Robert & Agnes Russell (nee Cameron). E/E M58, PABC.
2. Colville to Smith, Sept. 30, 1853, "... I should wish you to write to Mr. Thomas Russell, the schoolmaster whom he [McKenzie] mentions ...," PSAC, Correspondence Inward F.12/2 fo.520 I-b (1843-53) HBC Archives
Coville to McKenzie, Nov. 18, 1853. "... and Mr. Thomas Russell has been written to but we have not yet received his answer ..." Colville, Correspondence Outward, A/E/M19/C72, PABC.
3. Kenneth McKenzie, Daybook 1858-59, A/E/M19/M19.2 PABC.
4. Sarah was born in London, March 6, 1836, the daughter of Noah & Annie Collier (nee Patience). E/E M58, PABC.
5. Another daughter, Catherine was born March 4, 1862 and died at New Westminster Dec. 7, 1880; a son, Robert Henry was born April 7, 1865 and died Sept. 7, 1869. Alice married Edwin D. Michael, May 28, 1884; she wrote numerous, articles on life in Victoria; see Appendix I.
6. Grant of land to Thomas Russell, March 7, 1861, F.16/2 fo. 260-261 HBC Archives; see Appendix 2.
7. Alfred Waddington, Minutes, Board of Education, C/AA/30,8 M/l PABC. See Appendix III for Waddington's reports. School Visits 1865-67, regarding the classroom situation; cf. J. Stricker Craigflower School, HCB, Dec. 1979.
8. The fact that Russell was about to be replaced was apparently "leaked" as there are later references in the Minutes to the "unfortunate results"
9. Alice Michael, loc cit. See Appendix I for the Colonist report on the 1870 fire involving Russell's grocery.
10. H.P. Grease, Correspondence Inward, A/E/C 86 C86 R911, PABC