File 150 - King, William Lyon Mackenzie to Harvey J. Sims.

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King, William Lyon Mackenzie to Harvey J. Sims.

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SCA369-GA427-4-150

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6 leaves ; 26 x 21 cm

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(1812-)

Biographical history

The Sims family were early white settlers of what is now Hawkesville, Ontario. Members of the family are the descendants of Reverend James Sims was born ca.1812 in Insch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. On June 1, 1836, he married the widow Janet Harvey Robertson and in 1837 came to what is now Canada with a large party of relatives: his father and mother, his wife and step-children Alexander, John and Jane Robertson, his brothers Peter and Andrew Sims, his sister Margaret, and nephews James and Peter Sims.

In 1838 the family settled as squatters on Queen's Bush land near Hawkesville in Wellesley Township. James and Margaret Sims had four children: Janet Sims, (1838-1926), James Campbell Sims (1842-1929), Peter Harvey Sims (1844-1920) and William Andrew Sims (1846-1930). James Sims died October 31, 1880. Both he and his descendants played an active role in the the educational, religious and commercial development of what is now the Region of Waterloo.

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Typewritten letter from William Lyon Mackenzie King to Harvey J. Sims dated December 29, 1931, thanking Harvey for his letter and comparing Harvey's enjoyment of country life at Chicopee with his own experience "through similar ventures at Kingsmere. Indeed, some of the things you have been doing, and some of the improvements you have made on your property are so ridiculously like those which I have been attempting myself that I have fairly danced with glee at the parallel." King elaborates on improvements and work at Kingsmere, walks, and underbrush, and says he intends to follow Sims' efforts with little dams and waterfalls along a stream. He thanks Harvey and Florence for the gift of a book England, The Unknown Isle and counters with a similar book by Lukin Johnson, a personal friend. King also thanks Harvey for sending him the 1930 volume of the Waterloo Historical Society, detailing the writers and contents, giving a paean of praise for the work of the Society, and expressing amazement at the growth of the County. King ends by mentioning his health, his fatigue. and his need for recreation, and sends New Year's wishes to the Sims family: "The older we grow, the more precious become the friendships that have their beginnings in childhood's days."
Salutation: "My dear Peter" [handwritten]; Signature: "With affectionate good wishes to you all, Believe me, as always, dear Peter, Your sincere and devoted friend [typewritten], Billy [handwritten]." Includes insertions and corrections in Mackenzie King's handwriting.

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Donated in 2019 by the Sims Family.

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  • English

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General note

England, the unknown isle, by Paul Cohen-Portheim. Translated by Alan Harris. N.Y.: Dutton, 1931.

In England Today by Lukin Johnston London : J.M. Dent, 1931. The author disappeared three days later after interviewing Hitler [1]

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Printed letterhead: Laurier House, Ottawa.

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Described July 2019 JSB

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  • English

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