“Dear Teenie:” Married Life
Christina Cameron was born on 10 August 1866 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, the second daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Jean Cameron. There is nothing in the record that would quickly explain why university was postponed for her—she appears to have begun her attendance there later than might be expected -- although at that time, for women to attend university at all was still relatively uncommon. She graduated from the University of New Brunswick with honours in English, French and German, and the Alumni medal, in 1894.
Christina Murray, seated in the middle row, second from the left, with her graduating class
She next attended Normal School and subsequently accepted a teaching post in its Model School. A former classmate in high school, and later one of her professors at the University of New Brunswick, was Walter Murray – whom she married on 25 June 1895. The first of their three daughters soon followed: Christina Cameron Murray, born 8 May 1896, four days before her father’s 30th birthday.
Walter and Christina Murray with their first child, daughter Christina; ca. 1897-8
Christina Murray with daughter Christina.
Their second daughter, Jean Elizabeth, was born on 29 April 1901 and their third and last child, daughter Lucy Hunter, was born 2 October 1902.
All three Murray daughters: Christina, Jean and Lucy; possibly with their paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Mackenzie
Most of their early married life was spent in Halifax, then one of Canada’s larger cities, with a population of over 49,000. Both were active in community life; Christmas parties given for children –later to become an annual event at the President’s residence in Saskatoon, began in Halifax.
His relationship with Christina was clearly a source of strength to Walter, as evident in his letters sent to her in Halifax while he was in Saskatchewan, beginning the work of creating the University.
On 23 August 1908 he wrote, “The whirlwind is passing and I am slowly getting my bearings. I felt fearfully blue Thursday night & Sat. morning. This task is too big for any man to attempt in his own strength. You have your burdens this year. I know you have kept yourself in & tried to hide your feelings. All through you have forgotten yourself more to keep me in good spirits. "Perhaps in part to reassure both of them, he noted “The people here are very kind. Frank, free and devoid of any nonsense. They have big ideas and risk everything."
Two days later, feeling much better, he wrote encouraging her in what can only have been a significant new adventure, if not upheaval, in their lives: "I am becoming quite at home and believe that you will like this place, perhaps not as well as Halifax but as well as Fredericton. … I am glad I came and I believe that you will be happy. Conditions are rapidly changing & the hardships of one year disappear before the luxuries of the next."