2 boxes of textual and photographic records; 65 cm
Conservation
adhesive photo albums
History / Biography
Goshen Women’s Institute, a branch in Renfrew South District, was organized on September 17, 1914 by Mrs. Stringer of Burnstown, and Miss McLachlin of White Lake. Meetings took place in members homes until the branch purchased a small log building from the Sons of Temperance to use as their meeting hall in 1925. Goshen W.I. supported the community through its volunteer work and donations to local clubs and organizations including the Renfrew Victoria Hospital. The branch disbanded April 25 1994 following a motion at the Annual Meeting of the Branch April 5 1994.
Acquisition Source
In May 1999, Betty Comba, President of Renfrew South District W.I.at the time, donated financial documents (1989-1994) and the Provincial Handbook of Rules and Regulations.
In the fall of 2010, Gloria Hamilton, Tweedsmuir Co-ordinator of the District, brought in the last two minute books and two Tweedsmuir History binders. They were at the home of Sally Cook of Goshen, the last president of the branch.
In September 2010, Eva Yantha, the last secretary of Goshen W.I., donated 13 minute books dating from 1914, two Tweedsmuir History binders with some miscellaneous items, 3 items appreciating Amelia Yantha (life membership, acknowledgement, and plaque), District Golden Jubilee book, a few "Federated News" and "Home & Country" magazines, and miscellaneous information.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of four series; Minute Books, Tweedsmuir Histories, Financial Records and Miscellaneous Material.
Series 1) Minute Books: Box I 10.1
This Series contains a complete set of 14 bound minute books from November 11, 1914 to April 25, 1994. It also includes the roll of members. The last meeting of the Goshen W.I. took place at the home of Glennis Hartwick. It was decided that remaining funds of the Institute be given to Delmer McCallum for the Goshen Cemetery which the W.I. had supported throughout the years.
Series 2) Tweedsmuir History Books: Box I 10.2
This Series contains four books covering activities and community history from 1914 to 1994
Volumes 1 & 2 were compiled by Sally Cook, with pictures and information obtained from Goshen W.I. members. Volumes 3 & 4 were compiled by Eva Yantha.
Tweedmuir History Volume No. 1:
- organization of Goshen W.I. in 1914
- early history of "Goshen Corners" written in 1959 by Minnie Carswell Peever
- photo of Goshen Hall, 1929
- photo of Goshen Cemetery
- photo of Goshen General Store (looks to be remains after a fire)
- 1896 newspaper article on death of 26 year old Miss Ellen Millar
- short old newspaper article on pickets at Goshen Cemetery
- history of Goshen School
- photos of early 1900s Goshen Sewing Club and picnic gathering
- 1917 Goshen Basketball Team (no picture any longer) - names: Elsie McGregor, Jean Stewart, Edna McLaren, Irene McGregor, Mary Alice Miller, Annie McGregor, Beatrice Burton, Lily McMillan
- early 1900 photo of Goshen WI members at home of Wm. Durbrows (present home of Mary McNee), with members named - McGregor, Chown, Durbrow, Miller, Lindsay, McIntosh, McNulty, Scott, Simpson, Harding, Stewart, McArthur, McLaren, Carswell
- 1916 photo of Goshen WI members, with members named - similar names as above with the addition of Simpson, and Peever.
- 1921 Lawn Social at Goshen - newspaper clipping, including photo, with some members named, including Kerr, McGregor, Miller, McMillan, Durbrown, McNab, McNulty, Harding, Stewart, Dickson, McLaren, Burwell, Peever.
- newspaper clipping of photo of Mrs. J.T. Miller, District Secretary
- poem in memory of Mrs. David Carswell, Sr., dated 1899 from Manitou
- list of Goshen WI Presidents and Secretary-Treasurers from 1914-1970. - McLaren, Miller, Lindsay, Peever, McGregor, Jamieson, Barr, McLaren, Seely, Hanneman, McCallum, Roffey, Airth, Copola, Simpson, Harding, McDermid, and Burton
- Mrs. John E. Miller, first from Renfrew South District to be elected to FWIO Provincial Board (1932-1934)
- List of Chartered Members (copy of original list on subsequent page) - McLaren, Scharfe, Harding, Miller, Carswell, McGregor, Kerr, Simpson, Harding, Stewart, Durbrow.
- newspaper clipping - WI making improvements to Goshen Cemetery
- short explanation on early settlement and how Goshen gots its name - Families mentioned are Campbell, McDermid, McMullen, Miller, Airth, McInnes.
- short explanation of CNR Railroad. Names mentioned are Booth, Carswell, Miller, Wright
- minutes of first meeting in 1914
- Edna Dewar honoured by friends of Institutes
- 1957 - Renfrew Fair display
- photo of ladies at Garden Picnic at Mrs J.E. Miller's home in Goshen
- newspaper clipping and photo of Goshen members for 50 years - Della Barr, Mrs. J.E. Miller, Mrs. Harvey Jamieson, Mrs. Ellen Phillips, Mrs W.T. Roffie, Mrs. Wesley Miller
- photo of Goshen W.I. Band, members named - Mrs. John E. Miller, Mrs. Lizzie Miller, Mrs. Mary Seely, Mrs. Stewart McLaren.(note: this was a well-known band that attended many events)
- newspaper clipping and photo of early 1900 Renfrew Achievement Day for 4-H homemaking clubs - more than 150 girls
- 1940 photos - old time costumes at WI meeting
- 1942 photo of District Annual at Combermere
- 1934 photo of Speaker's Meeting - about 25 ladies
- 1948 and 1949 newspaper clippings of Goshen WI meetings
- 3 b&W photos of groups of ladies: one says 1939 meeting at Mrs. John McCallums
- 1944 and 1950 photos of Renfrew Fair displays
- photos of cairn to commemmorate Canaan Church
- newspaper clipping of plaque in Stewartville in memory of first McNab Hall
- newspaper photo of Dr. Charlotte Whitton and Mrs. Arnold Cardiff.
- 4 mini b&w photos in 1914 and 1915 of Homestead of Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm McLaren - also a photo of girl, Margaret Robertson-Powell - info presented by daughter, Edna Dewar.
- newspaper photo of Mrs Crawford Dewar
- 1924 photo of local Goshen girls who entered nursing - Betty Cook Tschanen, Orphia Robertson Stewart, Isabel Laventure Alreins, Jean Laventure Coppola, Norma Jameison.
- 1919 photo of farming - discing with horses
- 1919 photo of haying - horse drawn wagon and man pitching on hay
- newspaper clipping of Goshen WI 40th anniversary - photo of District and Branch exec.
- newspaper clipping of Goshen WI 50th anniversary - photo of cutting cake with names and description of event
- newspaper clipping of Goshen WI 60th anniversary
- 2 newspaper photos of Goshen WI Band - 1957 and 1974 - starrted in 1957 - members are named
- short history of Horton Township and schools SS#2 and SS#5
- b&w photo of school, with students named - Laventure, McLaren, Scharff, Carswell, Mayhew, Nesbitt, McGregor, Kerr, Miller
- obituary and photo of Mrs. Mary Mabel McArthur, (nee Miller)
- obituary of Mrs. Ester Martha Cook (nee Wieland), and a clipping of a meeting held at her home.
- photos and newspaper clippings of the 100th birthday of Andrew Cook in 1980. Photo with Frank Russett and Paul Yakabuski
- obituary of Andrew Cook
- History of Cook Homestead, including 1980 photo and early photos (house, pigs, old log stable and work horses).
- Goshen Flea Market - with coloured photo
- photo of Jim Simpson
- History of McCallum farm; photo of D.J. McCallum
- obituaries and photo of Lila Mae McCallum (nee Hunt) and John James McCallum
- newspaper photo of 50th anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Miller
- photo and clipping of Mrs. J. E. Miller
- Goshen WI 55th Anniversary Tea - 1969 - photo with names
- 4 coloured photos of Goshen WI celebration of FWIO 75th anniversary - named - Young, McDermid, Burton, Yantha, McArthur, Jamieson, McCallum, Cook, McNee, Dewar, Poirier
- 2 coloured photos - one with Mrs. Howina Roffey celebrating 95th birthday
- 1980 - newspaper photo of display of wool at Combermere.
- photos of South Renfrew WI Tea at Burnstown
- 90th birthday celebration and obituary of Martha Jamieson (nee Phillips)
- home, life, and obituary of Mary McNee, with some photos
- 50th anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Burton (nee Laventure) - with coloured photo
- coloured photos, including 3 life members, Mrs. Barr, Mrs. Jamieson, Mrs. Burton.
- 1982-1983 WI Programs
- obituary of J. Eric Campbell and 1982 photo of his farm
- deceased members - some photos, and obituary of Hughena Roffey (nee Bromley)
- 1983-1984 WI Programs
- 1983 - WI Tea at Burnstown honouring Mrs. Vera Bedore, an Area President, photo of past presidents and secretaries of district
- obituary of Elizabeth Miller (nee Harding)
- article on Renfrew South District and the 1983 Tea at Burnstown
- 3 photos of 1983 Goshen WI meeting - named - Seely, Burton, Cook, Purdie, Coppela, Dewar, Yantha, McCallum, Wallace, Young, Smith
- 1984 list of Goshen Executive
- 1985 Curator's report
- 2 photos of Una McCallum receiving life membership
- 3 photos of 1984 Goshen WI members, presenting Joyce Brydges with farewell gift as she moved to Toronto - names - Brydges, Yantha, Coppola, McCannum, Cook, Burton, Dewar, Purdie
- 2 photos of Edna Dewar presenting life memberships to Amelia Yantha and Una McCallum
- newspaper clipping of life and death of Ruby Miller (nee Pottinger)
- photo of unidentified baby wearing christening gown mentioned in the letter below
- Letter about life of Ruby (Pottinger) Miller and the Pottinger family, and the use of the christening robe for so many christenings. The following 5 photocopies might be items referenced in letter
- photocopy of photo of Ruby (Pottinger) Miller and grandkids written by family member Eileen.
-photocopy of 1912 Inspection Card for Immigration Officer for R. Pottinger at Port of Quebec
-photocopy of Ruby Pottinger's baptism
-photocopy of photo in London - perhaps Ruby Pottinger
-photocopy of 1926 first 'conference" with Mercury Correspondents - with Ruby Miller's signature.
-folder of loose items found in Volume 1:
1. Envelope with 1985 Assessment Notice for Goshen WI property (Horton Conc 4 Lot 1)
2. 1981 bill of sale of Goshen Hall (log building only) for $1000 to Willis Berndt from Goshen W.I.
3. Photo of Amelia Yantha, May 1986, receiving a certificate of appreciation and certificate
4. Postcard of Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead
5. Letter re: 1985 donation to Cairn with Ladies Auxiliary of Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs on front of card
6. Letter from Lieutenant-Governor's Office describing Pauline McGibbon's background
Tweedmuir History Volume No. 2:
- life membership pin of Mrs. Martha Jamieson, donated by Shirley Shaw.
- 1914 photo of founding members of Goshen WI.
- newspaper article on Goshen railway station
- newspaper photo of 1964 Goshen WI's Ruby Miller's 50th anniversay tea, with names
- newspaper photo of Goshen country store and post office
- newspaper photo of Goshen WI orchestra
- 1985-1986 list of executives
- 1985 - 70th anniversary - erection of Cairn at Goshen, photo of ladies, - Cook, Purdie, Capolla, Burton, Dewar, Brydges, McCallum, Yantha, Seely; many other photos
- coloured photo of Ruby Miller, Martha Jamieson, and Della Barr (sister to Martha) at Martha's 90th birthday.
- 1986 curator's report, including noting death of Jennie Purdie on Oct. 4, 1986.
- 1986 executive and activities, noting death of Glenn Burton
- History of Seeley farm and the Seeley family - including photos of family through years and log house and barn
- presentation of plaque by Mary Seeley to Amelia Yantha for her many years of service to Goshen W.I. in 1988
- 5 photos of May meeting - names - Dewar, Carmicheal, McCallum, Cook, Jamieson, Burton, Coppola
- obituary and tribute to Jennie Bremner Purdie (nee Martin), with photos
- 1986 Renfrew Fair display
- 1987 executive and activities
- 2 photos of WI Christmas Dinner meeting with names
- 3 photos of WI meeting with identification
- obituary and 80th photo J.G. (Jean) Laventure Coppola
- old newspaper clipping of 'News of Goshen'
- Life membership card of Mrs. Harvey Jamieson (Martha)
- 1938-1939 Goshen WI program book
- 1967 meeting clipping
- 1988 curator's report
- 1988 executive and activities, noting death of Effie Robertson
- List of new members in 1988 - Eva Yantha, Shirley Kluke, Dorothy Schultz, Mary Hass, Glenda Hartwick, and Charlotte Pharand.
- 2 photos of Amelia Yantha honoured for many years as Secretary - names Yantha, Dewar, Shaw, McCallum, Hartwick
- photo of bake sale - names - Schultz, Cook, Yantha, Miller
- petition for more policing on our highways - due to number of tragic accidents
- thank you letter from 4-H club for displaying Tweedsmuir books
- 1991 District Annual program and Goshen WI programs for year.
- 1992 list of activities and executive, including death of Kathleen Burton, new member Brenda Code, and Trans-Canada Pipelines installing lines.
- details of February meeting at home of Betty Miller
- newspaper photo from 1930 showing John McCallum showing team of horses to wife, Lyla
- photos and info Trans-Canada Pipeline in Goshen
- photo and obituary of Kathleen Burton
- photo of Jean McGregor for 80th birthday
- photos of preparing Renfrew Fair display
- obituary of Clara Gillan
- 1946 life membership of Mrs. Harvey Jamieson
- article on Goshen settlement, with photo of Goshen Station being mored to Morris Miller's farm
- 1964 photo of Goshen WI members - named - McArthur, Rogers (Area Pres), McNee, Roffey, Miller, McCallum, Young (Area Sec-Treas), Seeley, Phillips, Best, Yantha, Dewar, Barr, and McDermid
- 1993 executive and activities - including new member Betty Mosseau.
- 1993 Area Convention program - at Renfrew
- photo of 1993 Renfrew Fair Display
- photos at meetings - named
- 1994 list of officers
- letter announcing intention of branch to disband.
- Institute Prayer
- newspaper article on Goshen WI disbanding, including the cairn and ladies at last meeting - names - Hass, Yantha, Schultz, Seeley, Hartwick, Miller, Yantha, Mousseau, Cook
- newspaper photos of damaged barns from strong winds
- invitation of Goshen Millenieum Garden Plant Day - May 22, 2000
- information on plaque for Goshen cairn
- 1958-1959 South Renfrew District Program book of Programmes
- 1947 Home & Country Newspaper (50 yr anniv)
- photos of Renfrew Fair displays
- Tweedsmuir History Report 1990
- pocket of a variety of newspaper clippings,photos, and miscellaneous items including obituaries of Una McCallum and Jennie Purdie
Tweedmuir History Volume 3: Cover has WI pin attached
- program for July 27 1985 unveiling of Cairn erected in Goshen by Goshen W.I.
- B&W and colour photographs of Goshen WI members, VIP's and guests at unveiling ceremony
- undated clipping regarding 70 year history of Goshen WI with copy of photo of original members (see volume 1)
- Renfrew Advance newspaper clipping dated July 8 1970 with accompanying photo of 50 year Goshen WI members celebrating this milestone.
- Renfrew Advance newspaper clipping dated Aug 27 1964 marking Goshen WI 50th anniversary
- 50th Anniversary Tea members and photograph
- copy of photograph of Goshen WI orchestra
- colour photo of stone house
- Fall 1957 article about Goshen WI orchestra
- 55th Anniversary Tea newspaper clipping held August 1969
- copies of Gates of Goshen Cemetery which were donated by Goshen W.I and hall purchased in 1925
- undated clipping of shower held for Amelia Yantha and Susan Little
- clippings of 75th anniversary celebrations for the branch from 1972
- article by Wanda Blimkie about Goshen's railway station
- Renfrew Mercury article about 55th Anniversary tea held in August1969
- clippings showing general store in Goshen and Goshen WI orchestra
- clipping and photo about 60th anniversary of Goshen WI featuring Miss Mary McNee
- clipping and photo about Appreciation Tea for past Presidents and Secretaries held July 27 1983 and hosted by Edna Dewar
- clipping from March 5 1989 on occassion of $1000.00 donation to Renfrew Victoria Hospital.
Tweedmuir History Volume 4:
- program for July 27 1985 unveiling of Cairn and plaque erected in Goshen by Goshen W.I.
- clippings from Renfrew Mercury covering unveiling of Cairn
- Goshen Station Serves Many - article about 70 year history of Goshen WI with photo of orchestra and general store (also appears in Volume 3)
- article by Wanda Blimkie about Goshen's railway station (also appears in Volume 3)
- various colour photographs of cairn and plaque unveiling ceremony
- "The Story of Goshen Plaque Unveiling" - transcribed audio recording of speeches made by VIP's and Goshen WI members at event.
- 50th Anniversary Tea members and photograph (also appears in Volume 3)
- colour photographs of Amelia Yantha and Una McCallum becoming WI Life Members 1984 (also covered in Volume 1)
Stored with Tweedsmuir Histories is a wooden plaque dedicated to Amelia Yantha to honour her 25 years as secretary-treasurer of Goshen W.I.
Series 3) Financial documents (1989-1994) Box I10.1
- Notebook containing: Duties of Treasurer, correspondence and financial records 1984-1991 with gaps
- Notebook containing: Cash Receipts and Expenditures 1986-1990
Series 4): Miscellaneous Material Box I10.1
1. File of Amelia Yantha's notes on the organization of the Renfrew Fair Tea hosted by Renfrew South District (1977-1991); her reports on District Annuals, Area Conventions, and other events in the 1980s and 1990s; and other material including her 1984 Life Membership Certificate and
1991 FWIO membership card.
2. File of Amelia Yantha's correspondence and notes for Cairn and Historical Plaque project 1985.
4. File containing Federated Women's Institute of Ontario Handbook 1983, Federated Women's Institute of Ontario Handbook 1990, Federated Women's Institutes of Canada "For Home and Country" Information Packet containing Creed, Prayer, History etc. belonging to Amelia Yantha, Home and Country Winter 1972 (contains report for Renfrew Women's Institutes), Home and Country Summer 1972 (contains photo of Miss Susan Little, Renfrew Country Home Economist with leaders at a Leader's Training School).
5. File containing Miscellaneous Administrative Records
Notes
All 4 volumes of the Tweedsmuir Histories were digitized in 2018 and are available on the FWIO Virtual Archive.
Access Restriction
Tweedsmuir Books - please use digitized versions rather than originals. Searchable online through the FWIO Virtual Archives
Accruals
None expected
Related Material
See also: Golden Jubilee, A History of Renfrew South Women’s Institute, 1913-1963 in Reading Room.