DEVON-L Archives

From: dorothy unrau <>
Subject: POLMERE,John & William
Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 11:42:10 -0700

Dear List
I am not related to the above name but would like to know something
about their family. If anyone is connected please send me the details.
Or could SKS look up the 1871 census and see what they can find on John
and William. I have no idea where they lived in Devon.
I will tell you why I am interested in these gentlemen. In the mid
1880's, many young Englishmen came to British Columbia, Canada to search
for gold during the gold rush. Yesterday I went for a drive to one of
the "ghost towns" that are situated an hour or so from my town. One is
Keithly Creek, there is nothing there now except some foundations where
log building once stood and the cemetery. There I found the graves of
these men. This is what was written, "John Polmere, born Devonshire,
died Snowshoe Creek 1882. Killed by a large boulder which fell from the
roof of a mine tunnel crushing his spine. He died in agony three hours
after the accident. No medical help was available. Age 46. His brother
William drowned in 1888 in Cariboo River and was buried at Quesnel Fork
Cemetery. Age 39. Believed to be suicide. Their mother in England
outlived them both. She died in poverty".
Very descriptive and horrible death. I am interested in our local
history especially the gold mining in the early days. My Grandfather
came from Bere Alston, he had a gold mine here in the Caribo in the
1920s'.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Polmere famiily for me,
I would be appreciative. If anyone has them in their family tree, I will
send them more information on where they worked here in the Cariboo.
Thank you for your attention. Hoping to hear something back.
Dorothy
in the Cariboo District of Beautiful British Columbia, Canada

This thread:

• POLMERE,John & William by dorothy unrau <>