Home > Catharine Parr Traill

Catharine was the older sister of Susanna Moodie. She began her career writing children's books, publishing 12 before her marriage in 1832, often on the benefits of obedience to one's parents (such as Disobedience, or Mind What Mama Says, and Happy Because Good). She married Thomas Traill, a retired officer of the Napoleonic Wars and a friend of her sister's husband John Moodie, although the rest of her family (aside from Susanna) did not approve of him. Soon after their marriage they left for Canada, with Susanna's family, settling near Peterborough, Upper Canada, where her brother Samuel was a surveyor.

She described her new life in letters and journals, and collected these into a book in 1836, The Backwoods of Canada, which is an important source of information about early Canada. She describes everyday life in the community, the relationship between Canadians, Americans, and natives, as well as the climate and wildlife. More observations were published in Canadian Crusoes in 1851. She also collected information concerning the skills necessary for a new settler, published in two books, one in 1854Events January 13 The accordion is patented by Anthony Faas. February 11 Major streets lit by coal gas for first time. February 14 Texas is linked by telegraph with the rest of the United States, when a connection between New Orleans and Marshall, Texas i as The Female Emigrant's Guide and the second in 1855Events Births January 5 King Camp Gillette, inventor († 1932) January 21 John Moses Browning, inventor († 1926) January 28 William Seward Burroughs, inventor of the calculator († 1898) March 13 Percival Lowell, astronomer († 19 as The Canadian Settler's Guide.

After suffering through the depression of 1836, her husband Thomas joined the militia in 1837Events January 10 DePauw University founded in Greencastle, Indiana January 26 Michigan is admitted as the 26th U. State February 8 Richard Johnson becomes the first Vice President of the United States chosen by the United States Senate February 11 Americ to fight against the Upper Canada RebellionThe Upper Canada Rebellion was, along with the Patriotes Rebellion in Lower Canada, a rebellion against the colonial government in 1837 and 1838. Collectively they are also known as the Rebellions of 1837 while the Patriotes Rebellion is also called the L. In 18401840 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). Events January 3 One of the predecessor papers to the Herald Sun of Melbourne, Australia, The Port Phillip Herald is founded by George Cavanaugh. January 10 Uniform penny postage, dissatisfied with life in "the backwoods," the Traills and the Moodies both moved to the city of BellevilleBelleville ( 2001 population 45,986, metropolitan population 87,395) is located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in southeastern Ontario, Canada. Originally the Native settlement Asaukhknosk, the city was settled by United Empire Loyal. While Susanna was more concerned with the differences between rural and urban life, Catharine spent her years in Belleville writing about the natural environment. She often sketched the plant life of Upper Canada, publishing Canadian Plant Life in 18651865 is a common year starting on Sunday. Events January 31 American Civil War: Confederate General Robert E. Lee becomes general-in-chief. February 17 American Civil War: Columbia, South Carolina burns as Confederate forces flee from advancing Union forc and Studies of Plant Life in Canada in 18851885 is a common year starting on Thursday (click on link for calendar) Events January January 4 The first successful appendectomy is performed (Dr. William Grant; patient was Mary Gartside). January 20 L. Thompson patents the roller coaster. January 26 T.

She died in 1899. Catharine Parr Traill College, a campus of Trent University in Peterborough, is named for her.