MARY'S GENEALOGY TREASURES
by Alice Watmough Birch
Richard William Hewlett was born October 22, 1879 in
Early in 1920, Richard, being a coal miner, came to
On February 19, 1943 Richard passed away at home and is
Noke, Oxfordshire, England. Harriett Alice Ellis Blockley
was born Sept. 15, 1882 in Coalville, Leicester, England.
Richard and Harriett were married January 4, 1902 in
Coalville, Leicester, England. They arrived in Canada about
1908, settling first in Regina, Sask., then moving to North
Battleford, Sask., then homesteading in the Hatherleigh,
Sask. area, then to Dinant, Alta. During this time Richard's
occupations are listed as: coal miner, teamster, and Tabourer.
Coalhurst to see what the job market was like. He then
sent for the rest of the family. They arrived by train at Kipp
in May of 1920. From 1920 to 1923 they lived in two
different houses between Coalhurst and Wigan. Then in
the May 31, 1923 edition of the Lethbridge Herald, we
read: Mr. and Mrs. Hewlett and family have moved to the
house west of the mine tracks. About 1925 they moved to
the farm at NW 27-9-22 W of the 4th M. In 1927 Richard
was hurt at the coal mine and was unable to carry on as a
coalminer. They lived on the farm until about 1936 when
hard times hit. About 1938 they moved down to the Water
Pumping Station at the riverbottom and pumped the water
for Coalhurst. I have many childhood memories of this location:
the large pumps and machines in the pumping shed; the ivy-
covered house; the flowers, especially the scented phlox; the
cellar in the hillside right out the back door; the rain barrel;
the garden with the chokecherry trees and rhubarb and the
deer that came to share the lettuce and peas; the trees with
the large birds' nest; "Lovers' Hill" where the young people
of Coalhurst came to carve their names; walking to the
Research Station for milk and a visit; the steep hill out, that
was impassable when it rained; and the boys, Wilf and Les,
coming home with their Army gear when they had signed up.
buried in the Lethbridge Cemetery. About 1944, Harriett
purchased a house and 6 lots on the main road into Coalhurst
(Lots 15-20 Blk 2, Plan 2605AL) and moved there. Harriett
belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Canadian Legion and
for a few years was a member of the Helping Hand Club. She
lived to crochet, knit and embroider. Harriett passed away
March 31, 1956 in Lethbridge. She is buried in Archmount
Gardens.
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