Material Type

Mixed Media

Date Range

1911 and 1937

Physical Description

4 items

Physical Condition

Excellent

History Biographical

James Dalrymple was born in Stranraer, Scotland in July 1846. His wife Mary was born near Blandford, Dorset, England in 1851. The couple had seven daughters: Ethel Mary (married Charles Wyatt), Janet Louise, Edith Katherine (married Frederick Caley), Marion Isabelle, Agnes Christine (married Douglas Lawrence), Hannah, Elsie Geraldine (married Alexander Charles Padley). Prior to 1885, James Dalrymple and John Lindsay were partners in an ironmongery in Blandford, England. In 1885 Mr. Dalrymple bought out Mr. Lindsay and operated the ironmongery as sole proprietor until 1906, when he sold the business to Arthur Wyatt. At age 60, James Dalrymple moved his entire family to Canada, having first arranged to have a house built at 715 3 Street South in Lethbridge. In 1907 Mr. Dalrymple bought a two storey general store in nearby Diamond City. He built four rooms on the north side of the store to be used as living quarters for his daughter and son-in-law, Ethel and Charles Wyatt, and their son Douglas. Charles Wyatt was appointed Postmaster at Diamond City on 2 February 1908, and operated the post office from one of the rooms of the living quarters. Mr. Wyatt also worked in the general store, as did James Dalrymple’s daughters Agnes and Isabelle. Local boys collected orders from homes in Diamond City and delivered the goods later the same day. The store and the Wyatt home became social centres of the community and the district. In 1918, James Dalrymple’s son-in-law Douglas Lawrence became a partner in the store, which was known thereafter as Dalrymple and Lawrence General Store. In 1938 a long-time employee, Harry Roe, took over full management of the store, while Dalrymple and Lawrence retained ownership. After Harry Roe died in 1949, James Dalrymple and Douglas Lawrence sold the store to John Danielson, and it became known as Danielson’s General Store. Mr. Danielson owned the store until 1994, when he sold it to June Hanson who renamed it Hanson’s General Store and Post Office. James Dalrymple died in Lethbridge on 22 January 1929. His wife Mary died in Lethbridge on 3 May 1935. For more information about the Lawrence and Padley families, refer to the book "The History of Diamond City and Commerce", available in the Archives. [Source: The History of Diamond City and Commerce]

Language

English

Custodial History

The items in this fonds are from the estate of Mr. Seymour James Smith, formerly of 329 3 Street South, who died on 11 June 2000. The items in the fonds come from the Dalrymple, Padley, Lawrence and Smith families, all of whom are connected by marriage. Mr. Smith’s connection is his marriage to Gwen, daughter of Alexander and Elsie Padley.

Scope and Content

Correspondence addressed to Douglas and Agnes Lawrence. The letters include congratulations and advice to Douglas at the time he emigrated to Canada from England, and 'In Memoriam" cards and letters for friends and family who died.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20001094001

Collection

Archive

Less detail