Biography

Alice Marion Pooley was born in Esquimalt, B.C. on October 30, 1871 and died in Saanich, B.C. January 28, 1958. In this 1890 photograph of her cricket team, she is in the middle row at the far right: https://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/esquimalt-ladies-cricket-team-at-work-point-barracks (last accessed June 11, 2023). Emily Ellen Dunsmuir (Mrs. Northing Snowden) is in the bottom row, second from right.

In this photograph, she is at the far left: https://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/bridesmaids-for-wedding-of-annie-pooley-and-victor-stanley-of-royal-navy (last accessed June 25, 2023)

The following biography was written by the late Castle Society volunteer Lillian Phibbs in 1985:

"One of seven children born to Charles Edward Pooley and his wife nee Elizabeth Wilhelmina Fisher. Charles Edward came to British Columbia by sailing ship and Elizabeth came by clipper; both arrived in the 1860s. They met at a dance given by Gov. Anthony Musgrave. After their marriage they first lived in New Westminster and then in Esquimalt at Fernhill (a house) which they built in the 1870s.

Miss Alice lived most of her life in Esquimalt and was an active member of St. Paul's church. In her Will, she gifted a church window in memory of her mother. Her father was active in politics and at one time was Speaker of the Legislature. Her brother, Harry, was elected to Parliament and was Attorney General in the Government of Simon Fraser Tolmie. She was known as an exuberant young lady who at parties, would sit on a tea tray and slide downstairs.¹

In later years, she took up embroidery and is said to have completed 30 pieces in ten years.² Mrs. Peggy Bartholomew, a noted embroideress, remembers, as a child,  coming to her mother's home to receive embroidery instruction.  

It is appropriate that some of her embroidered pieces are in the Castle as she knew and moved in the same social circle as the Dunsmuir family. In fact when her sister Annie married the Hon. Victor Stanley, son of the Earl of Derby, Maud, Dollie [Dola?] and Kathleen Dunsmuir, along with Alice were bridesmaids. Also, her embroidered tablecloth, presently hanging in the hall on the 3rd floor of the Castle, is notable for the signatures, which include those of the Dunsmuir ladies.

Miss Pooley died in Oak Bay Lodge Nursing Home, Victoria. 

1. Interview with Patricia Keir (nee Burns, 1895-1994).

2. Interview with Virginia Careless, Modern History Division, British Columbia Provincial Museum.  "

Curatorial note: Several years after the above biography was written, the tablecloth was removed from display for conservation reasons.

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Alice Pooley's father was Hon. Charles Edward Pooley (1845-1912). He was the Member for Esquimalt in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1882 to 1906. Between 1887 and 1889, he was the Speaker. He acted at various times, and sometimes concurrently, as Solicitor for Robert Dunsmuir, Joan Olive Dunsmuir, James Dunsmuir, and Alexander Dunsmuir. In the Hopper vs. Dunsmuir Will case (1903), he testified that he understood he was the solicitor of the Company appointed by Robert Dunsmuir and that he was the secretary of the E & N Railroad representing "all interests".¹

1. British Columbia Archives GR-2731 Hopper vs. Dunsmuir case file 12/92 Transcript from Victoria (Hon. Justice Drake) Victoria, December 3, 1903.
 

Lifetime

October 30 1871 – January 24 1958