The Redwood Photo Album:
The Inkster-Todd Family

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The history of this album indicates that it was owned by Mary Todd Inkster (b.1839), wife of William Inkster, and their daughter Bella. William was a prominent individual in the Red River Settlement who worked as a trader, helped found the local Masonic lodge, and held various public offices until he died on his 33rd birthday in 1869.

The family's home and trading post was known as "Redwood" because of its distinctive red roof. Their estate became a landmark, giving its name to Redwood Avenue and the Redwood Bridge. After William's death, daughter Bella and her mother continued operating the family business. The 1881 census recorded Bella's profession as "fur trader" -- a surprising note that shows she followed in her grandmother's unconventional footsteps as a businesswoman.

In the 1880s, Mary Todd Inkster took her children west and settled in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, where they established a farm called the Redwood Ranch. The family's first property would be developed into the Redwood Brewery. 

Redwood Brewery, late 1880s

Mary Todd Inkster (1860s)

William Inkster (1860s)

Mary Todd Inkster with daughters and grandsons (from todd-genealogy.ca)

Their photo album is a who's-who of high society in the Red River Settlement, with cartes-de-visite from rich businessmen, politicians, religious figures, and a future Lieutenant Governor. The album's contents also show that Mary or her daughter were fans of the British royal family. There's evidence that Mary travelled to Scotland shortly after her husband's death, with another trip to England in 1884.

​This album was donated to the museum in 1971 by Mary Frances Ann Hughes Freeman (1906-1976), who married William George Freeman of Victoria, BC. Her father was Owen William McKay Hughes (1882-1953), son of Mary Isabella 'Bella' Inkster Hughes (1857-1938).

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Instructions

Click the tabs along the top of each image to flip through the album.

​Clicking on a page will open a detailed view. You can see both sides of every photo along with any information we have about them. Click on underlined text to read more in-depth articles.

The album is divided into two sections. Scroll down to see both sections and an index.

Please contact us if you have any information about the people in this album

First Section

Front Cover

Page 1-2

p.3-4

p.5-6

p.7-8

p.9-10

p.11-12

p.13-14

p.15-16

p.17-18

p.19-20

p.21-22

Front Cover

Page 1-2

p.3-4

p.5-6

p.7-8

p.9-10

p.11-12

p.13-14

p.15-16

p.17-18

p.19-20

p.21-22

Second Section

p.23-24

p.25-26

p.27-28

p.29-30

p.31-32

p.33-34

p.23-24

p.25-26

p.27-28

p.29-30

p.31-32

p.33-34

Index of people represented in this album

The following individuals are represented in this album. Please contact us if you recognize any of the people in this album, or if you have any further biographical information about them.

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Mary Todd Inkster
Archibald 'Archie' McDonald
Ellen Inkster McDonald
Harriet Louisa Inkster
Mary Isabella Inkster
Ellen Arabella Inkster
Florence Inkster
Agnes Lee Inkster
John Hector Inkster
Jean 'Jeannie' McMurray
Timoleon Tait
​Ellen Tait Cunning
Andrew Graham Ballenden Bannatyne
James Ross
Margaret Smith Ross
"Doctor" John Christian Shultz
Agnes Campbell Farquharson Schultz
Alfred Alexander Gibson
​John O'Grady
Ethel Strang Swan
A.J. Anderson
David Anderson
Honourable J. Brown
Saul Fortin
HRH The Prince of Wales (Edward VII)
HRH Princess Louise (Duchess of Argyll)
Queen Victoria
Prince Albert
Princess Louise
​Prince Edward VII
"M. Inkster"
"Mr. & Mrs. Brown"
"Kitty"

...along with numerous unidentified members of the Inkster & Todd families, and Red River society in general.

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This project was made possible by funding from the Province of Manitoba.