Mississauga Was Once the Site of an Epic Love Story

In 1893 Port Credit a young man cultivated two prosperous farms and penned poetry to win the heart of his “bonnie maden fair” and he “vowed by all the saints most blest, She should my comfort share.”

George Wingfield Gordon would go on to be very active in the political and judicial life of Toronto Township (Mississauga) and Port Credit. His roles included Justice of the Peace, District Magistrate, deputy reeve, councillor, clerk and treasurer.

But alas, Cupid’s bow spares no one and the arrow that landed in the then farmer’s heart was Mary Ann “Minnie” Beamish, “With her eyes of blue, of azure hue, And bright and golden hair.” 

Port Credit

September 7th, 1893

My dear little girl,

I could not endure the suspense of not seeing you this week, so I took the liberty of scribbling a few words to you. I hope you will forgive me if I have overstepped the bounds of etiquette in not addressing you as Miss Beamish but really could not help it for I love you more than I can tell, now excuse me if I’m making a fool of myself but I am telling you only the truth when I say that there is not another girl in the world I like more than your own dear little self and there is nothing on his side of heaven would give me greater joy than to know that my affection was returned. Mary do you think you could love me? If you do than you can make me one of the happiest of men by becoming my dear little wife and I will do all that man can do to make you happy. But if you don’t – well Mary let the matter drop as it is and I will not trouble you any more about it but I shall always remember you as the little girl whom I love and I will cherish your memory in my heart. Give the matter your earnest consideration and I will not press you for an answer until you have fully made up your mind. My character thus far has been above reproach and I have tried to “provide things honourable in the sight of all men.” I told my aunt that a young lady friend of mine would be here for tea on Sunday evening so that you will be made very welcome. I will call around 1 oclock and we will drive down. I will not say any more for now Mary. You can understand my feelings towards you.

Good by and may heaven bless you.

P.S. Please excuse the familiar use I have made of your dear little name. Want you to drop the Mr. in mine and call me George.

She accepted his heartfelt written proposal and following their marriage in 1894 they went on to have six children.

Lillian, Rhena, Douglas, and Sandra continued the example set by their parents and in their role as teachers helped fill and guide many minds that grew the community from Port Credit to Toronto Township to modern Mississauga.

Son Francis also served, enlisting in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I before settling down in Oregon. George and Minnie’s descendants lived in the homes built by their father for several decades. 

Valentine’s Day fittingly falls in February, International Correspondence Writing Month so hopefully these 19th century scribblings inspire you to detach from the digital era long enough to put pen to paper and ink out a new-fangled, old-school love letter. 

You could also craft yourself a standout proposal by steering away from the flash mob and stage production varieties and taking a cue from George, pouring all your love for your intended onto a piece of paper. Who knows? It might end up as our 2038 Valentine’s story.

Written by PAMA Visitor Guide, Monika Moravan

Bonus: A Lovely Card Goes a Long Way!

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, when lovers said or sang their Valentines. Written Valentines began to appear after 1400. The oldest Valentine in existence was made in the 1400s and is in the British Museum. Paper Valentines were exchanged in Europe where they were given in place of valentine gifts. Paper Valentines were especially popular in England. In the early 1800s, Valentines began to be assembled in factories and early manufactured Valentines were black and white pictures painted by workers. Fancy Valentines were made with real lace and ribbons, with paper lace introduced in the mid 1800s. By the end of the 1800s, Valentines were being made entirely by machine. In 1850, Esther Howland, an American printer and artist, was among the first to publish and sell Valentines in the 

United States. In the early 1900s, a card company named Norcross became one of the first companies to manufacture Valentines. With the exception of Christmas, North American’s exchange more cards on Valentine’s Day than any other time of the year. Here are some cards from the PAMA museum collection.

And here are even more cards and postcards from PAMA’s collection! Pay close attention to the one about trousers…

Happy Valentine’s Day, Mississauga!

Story and photos courtesy of Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives