HOMESTEADS

of Frank B. Faris Lyndon Faris, and Robert Robertson

They were neighbors as homesteaders, and relatives through marriage.

I have copies of land title documents however they are too dark to put online.  Instead I'll give the raw data here.  It gives a pretty good mental picture of their farms and some of the hardships they faced, including a fire that destroyed some of the Robertson's buildings.

Frank B. Faris

NE 23-21-13W1. 

(The land was considered suitable for mixed farming, part scrub and stone.  Valuation $6.00 per acre.)
The homestead documents are on microfilm at the Provincial Archives of Manitoba, Reel 539.

Application for Patent: #4417556

Letter from the Department of the Interior dated in Dauphin Manitoba September 2, 1920

Sir, I beg to enclose herewith for your approval the application for patent, duly recommended, of Francis Brenard Faris who holds entry for the Northeast Section 23, Township 21, Range 13, W. 1 meridian.  There is no record in this office of any seed grain liens or other departmental claims registered against the above land.

Homestead document of Fancis Brenard Faris dated September 13, 1920 shows that in 1917 there were 9 acres broken (no crops), 1915 an additional 16 acres were broken (total of 25 acres cropped), in 1919 another 6 acres (31 acres cropped), and in 1920 2 acres were broken for a total acres broken of 33, total acres cropped 32. 

This application called for breaking 30 acres and cropping 20 acres.  Value of the home at this time was $600, stable $300, well $150 and fencing $120.

Letter from Department of the Interior dated May 25, 1921

In compliance with the request of Mr. Colin D. Lear of McCreary, Manitoba, as contained in his letter of the 10th instant, I beg to send you herewith a certified copy of the patent for the above described land which was issued in the name of Francis B. Faris on the 20th of August, 1921, land for which Mr. Lear has paid the required fee of $?.00.

Letter from Department of the Interior dated June 17 1921.

Sir, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, in reference to our application for patent for your homestead the North East quarter of Section 23, Township 21, Range 13, West principal meridian.  In reply, I may say that if you have not been resident of Canada for five years, if you will fill in and return here the enclosed Form 236, setting forth your intention to become a British subject, your case will receive the most favorable consideration possible under the regulations.

Letter to Department of the Interior #4549195 from Mellonville, Manitoba.

Dear Sirs:

At hand in regards to my patent I came to Canada from the states in 1917 (with the understanding I could get patent in three years but it seems the law was changed that year so I cannot get my papers until I have been here five years, but I did not know that until after I made application for any patent. ) Please advise... Yours Respectfully, F.B. Faris

Francis Brenard Faris, Bellhampton Manitoba, 49 yrs, farmer, it appears he took up permanent residence in Canada on 7 April 1917 with his wife and four children. Buildings: 22 x 24 (residence, value $600, stable value $300, well value $150. So sworn August 10, 1921.

Lyndon Faris

of Bellhampton, Manitoba applied for homestead of SW quarter section, Section 23, Township 21, Range 13, W meridian, is married, is listed as farmer.  Date stamped June 21, 1917.

Robert McClelland Robertson

S.E. 1/4, Section 23, Township 21, Range 13, W Prime Meridian, formerly included in the Manitoba West Forest Reserve.  Suitable for mixed farming, part stone and scrub.  Value per acre $7.00, July 22, 1915. 

Robert McClelland Robertson of Bellhampton, Manitoba applied for entry of homestead of above described property in August 1917.

Letter from Mr. R. Robertson to Minister of the Interior, date stamped April 14, 1920.

We are writing you for a leave of absence from our homestead for one year.  We intend to make the homestead our home as we are just starting up but find ourselves unable to make a living on it at the present time.  Our stable and partly completed cow shed were burned by a forest fire.  One of our milk cows died and with poor crops we are unable to go on with the improvements at present.  We have an opportunity of  renting a farm which would enable us to get the necessary money to replace the buildings that have been burned and it is also close enough to allow us to do some more breaking on it but we do not want to risk losing it as it is our only  land possession so if you would grant us a leave of absence it would be a great favor to us.  Hoping for an early reply, I remain, Yours most respectfully.

Application papers of some kind date stamped May 3, 1920 show Robert Robertson, age 22, Bellhampton, Manitoba is married.  He obtained entry for homestead July 19??, began actual residence 19??, "the land the residence is on is my brother's farm, helping him as he (is laid up with broken hand).  I do not own the land, my brother owns it.  (That being where he principal residence is at the time).  The home is occupied by my brother.  1918, for six weeks I lived on homestead, then I was with my brother until (his broken hand was fixed). 1919 I resided on homestead for 10 1/2 months.  During the times I was away from the homestead I was away farming and out threshing.  My wife and wife's family was with me during residence on the homestead.  I have no other profession than farming.  Buildings and fencing:  our homestead has a cow shed which was burned by a forest fire, one small log shanty which was used for house, one house 1? x 20 partly completed, one stable 14 x 16 partly completed.  Animals:  1917, three horses.  1918 four horses, 1 cow. 1919 four horses, four cows.  Log shanty was erected in 1918.  A larger one being constructed 19??.  1918 broke 5 acres, cropped 5 acres.  160 acres can be brought under cultivation in total.  No hay land, 3? acres are swamp land.  Timbered land is 25 acres.  Special circumstances:  My brother broke his hand the fall of 1919 which prevented me from saving the money I expected and had to ? for his ? the one cow died from injury received by falling over pole in the stables.  Barn and cow stable burned by forest fire during high wind last spring.  Was unable to crop land owing to my helping a farmer during scarcity of help but it improved.  If you could ? grant us ? it would enable us to ? the money to ? the buildings, buy ?feed, ?some more breaking ? the land ?... dated May 11, 1920, signed by Mr. R. Robertson, witnessed by Erskine Faris.

Letter from Department of the Interior:

Sir, I beg to enclose Letters Patent bearing date the 29th September 1921 for S.E. 1/4 of S. 23, Township 21, Range 13W of the Principal Meridian. which have been issued in your name.

Document dated September 21, 1921 shows:

Robert McLelland Robertson, age 23, Mellonville, Manitoba, a British subject by birth.  Obtained homestead entry August 7, 1917, built house  Fall 1917, and commenced living in it March 2 of 1918.  Lived on homestead March 2 of 1918 to October 1, 1918, November 1, 1918 to October 1, 1919, November 1, 1919 to May 31, 1920, August 1, 1920 to July 10, 192?  Other times he remained in the district, farming.  Wife resided on homestead January 1920 to July 18, 1921. In 1918, broke 8 acres, cropped 8 acres, 1919 broke 10 acres, cropped 13, 1920 broke 10 acres, cropped 18, 1921 broke no acres, cropped 28.  Has 16 x 20 home, value $500, stable 14 x 3? logs, value $300, well value $50, chicken coop value $100.  Erected 80 rods of fencing, value $75.  There is no implication of minerals or quarries on the homestead, it is for mixed farming.  No other homestead entries have been made by Robert Robertson.