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A history of her community

Through the nature of her work at the McGill University Medical Museum, Maude Abbott developed an interest in all things historical. Whether it was determining the origins of the medical specimens she was studying, comparing early medical research with advances in science, or learning about the different practices of medicine through the ages, Maude Abbott would embark on a historical inquiry. In 1902, she wrote a historical account of the development of the Medical Faculty of McGill University. The result was an exhaustive study, complete with a series of detailed appendices.

“I published everything I had found in the archives or elsewhere as an appendix to the volume which was brought out as a special number of the Montreal Medical Journal for August 1902.”

She later distinguished herself through her publications on Florence Nightingale (1916), nursing (1931), the history of McGill University (1921), vaccination (1922), and medicine (1931). For Dr. Douglas Waugh, Maude’s work as a historian was fundamental. “She was always aware, of course, that a museum, as an archival collection, is but an adjunct to history.” “The value of her historical efforts could, in the long run, surpass that of her scientific contributions.”

Cover of McGill’s Heroic Past, printed in 1921, black and red ink on sepia paper. At the top is the title “McGill’s Heroic Past 1821 – Centenary – 1921”. Below the title is the McGill University coat of arms. At the bottom of the page, the inscription “McGill University Publications – Series VI. (History and Economics). No.1 – October 12th 1921” is printed in black.

Maude E. Abbott, McGill’s heroic past, 1821-1921, McGill University publications, Series VI, no.1, October 12th 1921

First page of text of McGill’s Heroic Past, printed in 1921, black ink on sepia paper. The first half of the page provides an introduction to the book. This is followed by the beginning of the first of four parts, entitled “I – James McGill and the Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning”.

Maude E. Abbott, McGill’s heroic past, 1821-1921, McGill University publications, Series VI, no.1, October 12th 1921

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upon announcing her retirement, Maude continued her work as a historian by publishing a history of her community in The Montreal Churchman, a monthly magazine devoted to Anglican theology. She had written this series of chronicles, entitled Social History of the Parish of Christ Church, St. Andrews, Quebec, from 1818 to 1875, to commemorate the centenary of Christ Church, St. Andrews in 1919.

“Most of the data herein presented are obtained at first hand, as it were from representatives of original pioneer and colonial families who have since passed away, and from personal recollections related to the writer by her beloved grandmother, the late Mrs. William Abbott, and makes this record, we believe, of some value and of abiding interest.”

Cover of The Montreal Churchman of June 1934, black ink on sepia paper. The top of the page contains the title “The Montreal Churchman”. To the left of the title is the coat of arms of the Diocese of Montreal. Below the title is a drawing of a stone doorway with a pointed arch, inside which is written “Church Calendar for June, 1943” followed by a list of events for the month.

Maude E. Abbott, Social history of the parish of Christ Church, St. Andrews, Quebec, from 1818 to 1875, The Montreal Churchman, June 1934

 

Pages 8 and 9 of The Montreal Churchman of June 1934, black ink on sepia paper. The top of the left-hand page indicates the title of the article: “Social History of the Parish of Christ Church, St. Andrews, Que. From 1818 to 1875 By Maude Elizabeth Seymour Abbott, B.A., M.D., McGill University, Montreal.” This is followed by two columns of introductory text. The lower third of the page contains three black and white photographs: Rev. Joseph Abbott; Christ Church, St. Andrews; and Mrs. Joseph Abbott (Harriet Anne Bradford). The two columns of text continue on the right-hand page with, in the centre of the page, two photographs of Rev. William Abbott and Mrs. William Abbott.

Maude E. Abbott, Social history of the parish of Christ Church, St. Andrews, Quebec, from 1818 to 1875, The Montreal Churchman, juin 1934, p.8-10

 

In the fall of 1936, Maude Abbott and the members of the Historical Society of Argenteuil County organized a day of celebration in memory of Canada’s third prime minister, Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott. Born in St. Andrews in 1821, son of Reverend Joseph Abbott, founder of Christ Church, Sir John Abbott held several positions in Canadian politics. He represented Argenteuil in the Legislative Assembly and the House of Commons, served as mayor of Montreal (1887-1888) and government leader in the Senate (1887) and, in 1891, became the first Canadian-born prime minister of Canada. Maude was extremely proud of the success of this event in memory of her great cousin and honoured by the presence of the many guests and dignitaries at the service and ceremony.

“The tablet is perfectly beautiful and worthy of the immense ovation which its unveiling and dedication brought.”

“It was very wonderful too to stand by and see this great spontaneous tribute to a great man in his native place and in the church founded and built by his father. I am quite sure it would have satisfied the ideal you set before me of a national historic occasion in which all united to do him honour in the way as Lord Tweedsmuir said he would have best liked it to be done.”

Cover of the program for the Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott memorial dedication ceremony at Christ Church, St. Andrews, black ink on sepia paper. The top of the page reads: “Christ Church, St. Andrews East, Saturday, October 3rd, 1936 at 2.30 pm Unveiling and Dedication of Memorial Tablet To the memory of Si John Joseph Caldwell Abbott” In the centre of the page is a photograph of Christ Church. Below this is the caption: “Built by the Rev. Joseph Abbott, M.A., 1819. Consecrated during the Rectorship of the Rev. William Abbott in 1819”. The bottom of the program reads: (Voir si texte de remplacement ou texte page galerie) “The Tablet will be unveiled by His Excellency, Lord Tweedsmuir Governor General of Canada, and will be dedicated with other Memorial Tablets by the Lord Bishop of Montreal”. The text is enclosed within a thin double border.

Program for the Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott memorial dedication ceremony at Christ Church, October 3rd 1936

Front of the invitation to the Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott memorial dedication ceremony at Christ Church. The top reads: “Invitation to the Dedication and Unveiling of the Sir John Abbott Memorial” In the centre is a photograph of Christ Church. Below this is the caption: “Built by the Rev. Joseph Abbott, M.A., 1819”. The bottom of the invitation reads: “In Christ Church, St. Andrews East, Que., October 3rd., 1936.”

Invitation to the Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott memorial dedication ceremony at Christ Church, October 3rd 1936

 

Handwritten letter from Maude Abbott to former prime minister R. B. Bennett (Richard Bedford Bennett) dated October 13, 1936, black ink on sepia paper. She describes the October 3, 1936 dedication ceremony for the Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott memorial. She says she is pleased with the enthusiasm of the people of the region for the event, and thanks the former prime minister for his interest and help in organizing it.

Letter from Maude Abbott to Canada’s Prime Minister R.B. Bennett, 1936

Typed letter from former prime minister R. B. Bennet to Maude Abbott, dated March 12, 1938, black ink on sepia paper. The letterhead displays the Arms of Canada, under which is written “House of Commons – Canada – Leader of the Opposition”. Bennet announces that he is withdrawing from politics and informs her that it was a pleasure for him to have met and talked with her. He wishes her a speedy recovery and sends her his best wishes. The letter is signed “R. B. Bennett” in the bottom right corner.

Letter from Canada’s Prime Minister R.B. Bennett to Maude Abbott, 1938

Black and white photograph of Maude Abbott and Lord Tweedsmuir during the Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott memorial dedication ceremony in 1936. Lord Tweedsmuir, on the left, is seen in profile. He has short hair, parted on the side, and is wearing a black jacket. He is exchanging glances with Maude Abbott, on the right in the photo. She is elderly and is wearing a black coat with a fur collar. Behind Lord Tweedsmuir, a woman in a dark dress with white polka dots and a stylish hat is looking at him attentively. The crowd can be seen behind them.

Maude Abbott and Lord Tweedsmuir at the Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott memorial dedication ceremony, 1936

 

 

 

Achievements and legacy Maude and her Museum