A. Yvon Handfield and Ursula Keyes
Fort Chambly on Richelieu River, Québec, Canada, 1977
When I returned home, I wrote to Ursula, giving her all the information she needed, and she in turn shared all her findings so as to complete the history of William, eldest brother of our ancestor Thomas. Needless to say, Ursula was elated when she learned that we were part of this family, here in Canada. Ursula was a unique person and loved being part of this large family.
In 1977, she visited Canada and spent several days with us. A dinner at the Handfield Inn, a short tour of the surroundings of Montréal, Québec and Chambly, provided her with treasured memories. At this first visit she gave me the seal that William used to seal his documents, adding that this Handfield souvenir rightly belonged in the hands of a Handfield.
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A. Yvon Handfield and Ursula Keyes Fort Chambly on Richelieu River, Québec, Canada, 1977 |
Ursula documented her memoires in a booklet entitled "From Whence I Came", which she wrote about her ancestors whereupon the Handfield played a choice role.
On her second visit to Canada, she invited us to celebrate her birthday with dinner on a cruise ship anchored in the Port of Montréal. A few days earlier, in Halifax, she had met Debbie, wife of our son Réal, who was at sea. With friends in every port, she valued her journey all the more. She seemed truly happy to have "discovered" us. On this second visit, she presented me a small salt spoon which had come from William's household. Engraved on the spoon is the Handfield crest.
By Ursula's will, I inherited many magnificent silver table accessories, most of which carry the family crest, so they were owned by Handfields in England. See below...
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A matching set of four George III colum candlesticks,the square nozzle with bead border, raised over a slender stem down over a square base, by John Winter & Co., Sheffield 1778. |
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George III vacant three bottle cruet, the square acanthus leaf capped central handle rising over a triple circular frame with three circular bottle plinths, having lobed decorated border over three leaf and paw supports, by Thos. Blagden & Co. Sheffield 1809 |
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An early George III oval basket with pierced decorated bright cut engraving , bead border with similarly decorated swing handle, raised on oval pierced base, crested, by Robert Hennell , London 1782. |
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A George III oval salt with pierced wavy bead border and raised on four balls and claw supports and blue glass liner, by Robert Hennell, London 1783. Both engraved with the Coat of Arms. |
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A George III oval sauceboat raised on oval pedestal base with gadroon decoration to border and base, leaf capped scroll handle, crested, maker's mark rubbed, Birmingham 1795. |
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A pair of Georgian shell butter dishes with gadroon decoration to grip, raised on three whelk supports, maker's mark rubbed, London 1811. |
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A pair of George III candlesticks, the square shape nozzle of swirling design rising over a similarly decorated shoulder and base, gadroon decoration to square base, maker's mark rubbed, London 1766. |