teaching aurelia to waltz

The Story Begins…

As a writer of historic-based ballads, I can never tell where or how the next story will arrive. This story was introduced to me in an interesting fashion.

I was in Princeton, BC at the Museum where friend and curator Todd Davidson was giving me a personal tour of the displays. I’m always on the hunt for colorful stories that tell a tale of a time and place, this time the story found me. As I was about to leave, the museum was about to open, and at the door, I was introduced to a volunteer who immediately exclaimed “Tell him about my Aunt Aurelia!” 

The Allisons

“Aunt Aurelia”, it turned out, was born of a renowned local pioneer family. She was the daughter of John Fall Allison. Allison might well be considered the first “Pioneer Citizen” of the Similkameen. Born in Leeds, England, Allison had immigrated with his family to Illinois at the age of twelve. At twenty-four, he had joined the Great California Goldrush of 1849.

John came to Victoria in 1858 and worked for James Douglas of the Hudson’s Bay Co. He was sent with a surveying party into the Similkameen and came through the mountains from Hope by way of the original Royal Engineer Trail.

After exploring a number of mining prospects of his own, Allison purchased a herd of Durham cows and settled into ranching. 

Having first taken an Indigenous wife, Nora Yakumtikum of the Upper Similkameen Band, (who bore him three children) he would later marry Susan Louisa Moir. 

*John Fall Allison (PRIN_04_VAN_002)

Aurelia

Aurelia Angela Allison was born in 1889 in the Similkameen, the thirteenth of  fourteen children born of John Allison's second marriage. 

Her sister Alice Olivia Ashwick Allison (mentioned in a following quote) was born in 1892 and had been baptized at St. Paul’s Church in Lytton. Aurelia was educated in Victoria while living with her aunt & uncle Edgar Dewdney and Jane Shaw (Moir) Dewdney.

*The photo opposite shows some of the Allison children: Mrs. Lily Norman Allison (a daughter from John's first marriage), along with Rose, Aurelia, Grace and Harry Allison. (PRIN_04_PRI_643)

In 1978 Aurelia had written and published her memoirs of life in the Similkameen in a book called “When Great, Great Grandma Was a Child” where I found a story that painted a unique picture of pioneer life. A chapter called “Meet Mr. Edwards” tells a heartwarming story.

“On one occasion, he asked my mother if he might give Alice and I dancing lessons. Thinking to discourage him without giving undue offence, we explained that we had no music. He at once overcame that difficulty by saying, “But I can Sing", and he danced with first one, then the other, singing, “lightelty, tightelty, tightelty, tie’’ to the tune of “Oh where, oh where has my little dog gone", while my mother, a dignified chaperone sat very upright in her chair. It all seemed so ridiculous, it was hard to keep a serious face, and the moment Mr. Edwards was gone, we gave way to gales of laughter, but we did learn to waltz! The old gentleman was quite proud of our achievements and certainly had patience and a kind heart. I can say that the Mr. Edwards we knew, was a perfect gentleman and we really enjoyed his visits.” 

- Aurelia Angela Allison-McDiarmid

Teaching Aurelia to Waltz

Tiller's Folly

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"It all seemed so ridiculous, it was hard to keep a serious face, and the moment Mr. Edwards was gone, we gave way to gales of laughter, but we did learn to waltz! The old gentleman was quite proud of our achievements and Read more
"It all seemed so ridiculous, it was hard to keep a serious face, and the moment Mr. Edwards was gone, we gave way to gales of laughter, but we did learn to waltz! The old gentleman was quite proud of our achievements and certainly had patience and a kind heart. I can say that the Mr. Edwards we knew, was a perfect gentleman and we really enjoyed his visits.”

- Aurelia Angela Allison-McDiarmid
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  1. Teaching Aurelia to Waltz

Teaching Aurelia to Waltz 

It was after the turn of the century
On the banks of the Similkameen
Sweet Aurelia was coming of age
Having scarcely but entered her teens

Pioneer life, made for laboursome days
Aurelia worked hard through the week
When locals would gather on Saturday nights
Both comely and winsome was she
As she stood in a trance
And watched while the neighbours would dance

Who’ll teach Aurelia to dance?
Who’s gonna coax her to taking that chance?
When the hard day is over, and soft, the night falls
Who’ll teach Aurelia to waltz?

George Edwards, it seemed was a kindly old man
With a gentle, grandfatherly way
A “Miner”, who’s luck had been part of a plan
Was well set, or so he would say

At dances and parties, the valley about
No more welcome a guest could you find
And scarcely an old-timer hadn’t stepped out
To dance with George Edwards some time
As so many recalled
How kindly George Edwards could waltz!

Who’ll teach Aurelia to dance?
Who’s gonna coax her to taking that chance?
After the laughter, when soft music calls 
Who’ll teach Aurelia to waltz?

The years have swept by, and so much has changed
On the banks of the Similkameen
Aurelia’s features now riddled with age
But the light in her eyes is still keen

As well she remembers as though yesterday
That gentleman taking her hand
His patience and kindness, still touching her heart
As she feels like that young girl again
Every time she recalls
How kindly George Edwards could waltz!

Teaching Aurelia to dance!
Who's gonna coax her to taking that chance?
A gentle, sweet soul, with a soft Southern drawl
It was kindly George Edwards, who taught young Aurelia to waltz!

Related Museum Artifacts

Stirring Up Ghosts is an initiative begun in 1997 by songwriter Bruce Coughlan in an effort to preserve a measure of Pacific Canadian history, heritage and culture in story & song. His band Tiller's Folly have recorded and performed these songs far and wide, sharing our unique stories in the Bardic tradition which is a timeless part of our Celtic Culture.

 

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