It’s Halloween and you know what that means – spooky ghosts! Some believe and some don’t. Regardless of what you believe, there are ghost stories out there and I have found some.
Irving House was built in 1865 by Captain William James Irving, and possibly the oldest home in the Lower Mainland. William and his wife, Elizabeth lived in the home with their young family. He died in 1872. The house stayed in the family, housing two generations. Thomas Lasher Briggs and Mary Irving (William and Elizabeth’s daughter) raised their family in the home calling it Hollymount. Later, Naomi and Manuella Briggs, daughters of Thomas and Mary, stayed in the family home until 1950. At that time, they sold the home to the City of New Westminster. I have shared this picture before but will do so again so you can get a “picture” in your mind.
Here’s where the stories begin. I found a book, “At Home with History, The Untold Secrets of Greater Vancouver’s Heritage Homes” by Eve Lazarus. Interesting read – if anyone would like to read it, you’re more than welcome to borrow for a small fee of a visit and a cup of tea!
One particular story caught my eye, and I would love to share it with you. In 1980, Jim Wolf started researching the history of Irving House and spent a lot of time in the home. An excerpt from the book tells the story:
‘Wolf says that another time when he was in the house, a patient came over from nearby St. Mary’s hospital and asked him if children lived there. “I asked her why, and she said she was looking out of her window at the hospital the night before, and there were three little girls dancing on the lawn in their white nightgowns.”’
Well, I’d like to think those three little girls were Naomi, Manuella and Beryl Briggs, the only daughters of Thomas and Mary. They were the last females that lived in the home as little girls. Beryl was the first to pass in 1917, while Naomi and Manuella lived the longest of all the children of Thomas and Mary.
Naomi, Manuella & Beryl Briggs:
There are more stories like this in the book. It would be great if I can find Jim Wolf and have a chat with him about his experiences.
So – ghosts or spirits/souls? Whatever you believe in, you can’t ignore the feelings some people have in certain places and times.
I would do anything to be able to stay overnight in Irving House just to see and feel what I can see and feel……
We’re on a roll with the interviews! A lot of planning and scheduling goes into setting up and completing the interview but once done, it’s a wonderful feeling of accomplishment for all parties involved.
The next interview will be with my Uncle Rich, also known as Stanley Richard Briggs. He is the youngest child of Stanley and Irene Briggs, and father of three great kids, Michael, Shannon and Dennis.
I was very excited to do this interview because honestly, I really don’t know my Uncle Rich that well. Yep, I know, hard to believe! Being the youngest, I have to say his memory is phenomenal – I’m amazed at some of his stories and the clarity with which he relates those memories. When he starts to answer a question, another story pops into his head – it’s wonderful! I will definitely have to do another video or two so get ready, Uncle Rich – we’re going to get to know each other very well!
One question Uncle Rich had for my dad’s (Grant Briggs) video interview was, “When do I get the $50 you got for selling my car?” My dad’s answer was, “Is he that hard up he needs the money now?” Well, let’s see if we have a response from Uncle Rich – I love sibling rivalry!
In the meantime, to get prepared for Uncle Rich’s interview, I did a short interview with my dad, talking about his brother, Richard.
Enjoy this short interview with my dad, Grant – and get ready for Richard’s interview next weekend.
Before starting this blog, I have been doing a lot of research on the family ancestry. During my research, I have found and purchased some books to add to the “family ancestry library”.
A new page has been created on the blog – it’s located under Resources: We Are Family Briggs Library!
I’m hoping to build up the library so if anyone knows of any other books we can add to the library, please let me know. On the other hand, if you have any books that we can add to the library, please share.
They are available to family members who wish to read them at any time for a small fee – a visit and a cup of tea maybe with a hint of lavender! You’ll know what I mean when you read one of the books in the library……
Today is an extra special day for me and I’m sure for others in my family as well. It’s October 8th, which marks my cousin Donna’s birthday. Donna and I shared our birthdays every year for as long as I can remember. Our birthdays are exactly one month apart. I always thought of her as the sister I never had not knowing many years later that I did indeed have a sister – but that’s another story!
Every year on our birthdays, we would call each other. Donna would brag that she was the oldest and I should respect my elders; I reminded her that I was younger and always would be, and she should pave the way for me! It was always a wonderful chat as we may not talk throughout the rest of the year, and I looked forward to it because within one month we would get to catch up twice. I did miss making a call one year, and trust me, she never let me forget it!
Donna passed away three years’ ago from a long, fought battle with cancer on October 26th. I was able to call on her birthday before her passing. The call was short and sweet, and it was treasured as I knew it would probably be our last birthday chat for a long time.
Donna was always a very giving person during her lifetime, keeping everyone in her thoughts. Whether it be a good or hard time in my life, she always had a thoughtful way of reaching out to let me know she was always there.
Now, even three years after her passing, she is still reaching out and giving. I have been very blessed by being able to do this blog and video interviews with family members. It gives me the chance to get to know everyone a little bit more than I already did, and I look forward to doing many more interviews in the future.
I want to thank Donna for her thoughtful contribution and donation to the We Are Family Briggs blog, encouraging me to keep it going. I hope to do this for a long time, and I hope that it will be in the family records for even longer.
Happy birthday, Donna! I miss our chats. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers especially on this day as I said happy birthday to you the past two years. You will always hold a special place in my heart. Now I can say I didn’t miss a year wishing you a happy birthday thanks to this blog!
It’s October! I thought September was a busy month for birthdays in the Briggs family, but I was wrong!
So, to begin with, Happy Birthdays to Amanda, Jeremy, Lauren, Shia and Elodie! A special happy birthday to my dearly departed cousin, Donna, who passed on October 26, 2018 – you are deeply missed.
I also wanted to add an extra special happy birthday to my mom, Jeannette – love ya!
Now, let’s find out who shares your birthday – let me introduce you to Thomas Albert Briggs. Thomas is my paternal great-grandfather. I have found a lot of information on Thomas up to approximately 1919. After that, I’m still trying to put together some information.
Thomas was born October 21, 1883, in New Westminster, BC, to Thomas Lasher Briggs and Mary Irving. He is the middle of nine children. At the time of his birth, the young Briggs family was living at Mary Irving’s family home, the Irving House located at 302 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC.
Irving House ca 1880
Not much is known about Thomas’ childhood. Although with three older brothers and one older sister at the time of his birth, I’m sure it was a busy household! After his birth, there were two more brothers and sisters born. Military documents show a notation of childhood medical illnesses of diphtheria and scarlet fever when young, and rheumatic fever (bedridden for over two months) at the age of 14.
1891 – Thomas sitting on floor
1911 Census records show Thomas’ occupation for the previous 10 months was a fireman with the New Westminster Fire Department (NWFD), specifically Firehall #1, earning $960 per year! He was 26 years of age. At this time, I have not found records noting any other occupation before this time. The previous census records of 1901 show him as a student in the household.
At the age of 30, Thomas married Effie Press on September 5, 1914, at First Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, BC. Minister H.W. Fraser. The church was located at the corner of Gore & Hastings, and now is the home of the First United Church.
I have not been able to locate a picture of Thomas and Effie together. Interestingly enough, on the marriage certificate, it notes Effie’s occupation as a stenographer, and we have a picture of her at her job in 1913. I have not been able to confirm where she was working, however, rumours are, she was working at a company owned by the Briggs family.
The young couple made their home at 1316 – 10th Avenue, New Westminster, BC. Their son, Stanley Leonard, was born September 24, 1915. He was the only child of Thomas and Effie. At that time, Thomas was still working as a fireman at Firehall #1 as a “hose man”. Below is a picture obtained from the New Westminster Archives with that notation, however, it does not let us know which one he is in the picture. I’ve tried figuring it out with a magnifying glass but maybe my eyes are too old!!
1915
In August 1916, Thomas enlisted in WWI and returned home November 1918. I have lots of records for his time in the military so much so that it will take up another large post for the blog. I would like to do it justice, so look for it soon. During that time, there were two different addresses noted for the beneficiary, Effie. Started with 1316 – 10th Avenue and finished with 1414 – 10th Avenue. Not sure why that is but interesting to note.
Thomas, Stanley Leonard, Elizabeth Irving & Mary Briggs (standing)
When Thomas came home, he returned to his former occupation as a fireman with NWFD. Again, I have been unable to find records of his time with the NWFD and it is on my list of items to research further. I have been able to obtain two photographs from the New Westminster Archives (one already posted above). The second one, shows the firemen standing in front of Fire Hall #1 located at Carnarvon and McNeeley Streets, and notes Capt. Thomas A. Briggs as second from left.
1934
1921 Census records places the Briggs family at 1123 – 8th Avenue. Thomas retired as a Captain with the NWFD after 25 years, in 1938.
Again, no records to indicate what Thomas did between the time he retired and the time of his death in 1949 at the age of 65 on February 13, 1949. Cause of death was Angina Pectoris with the contributing factor of high blood pressure both of which he had been suffering from for over 12 years. All of this is noted in his Registration of Death Certificate.
As I said earlier, there are many more opportunities for research with Thomas’ life including his time in the military (I have lots of interesting research for this) and his career with the NWFD (still working on it!). These will be future stories for the blog and much more fun for me getting all the information together from researching.
In the meantime, here’s one more picture of Thomas for you to enjoy!
Date Unknown
Look for a special post on the We Are Family Briggs blog by the end of next week.
We Are Family Briggs 