C.A. Phair - Lillooet - General merchant tokens - Canadian merchant tokens - Coins and Canada

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C.A. Phair - Lillooet

C.A. Phair - Lillooet
Source : Bank of Canada

Description

Caspar Phair was one of Lillooet, British Columbia's early settlers, arriving about 1877 to take up the role of the village's school teacher. He emigrated from Ireland. Caspar Phair became Lillooet's Government Agent, a position which at one time encompassed a wide ranging assemlage of duties. In time he assumed the roles of magistrate, chief constable, coroner, fire chief, and game warden. His lasting mark was made in business as a merchant-launching the family's general store on a 'run' that would extend over 50 years.

In 1879 he married Cerise Eyre, daughter of Maria Josephine Martley by a previous marriage. Cerise (then aged nine years) seems to have accompanied her mother and step-father to the Colony of British Columbia in 1861. The wedding took place on The Grange,the Martley ranching property near Pavillion.

In 1890 the Phairs had a residence,that they named Longford House, built in Lillooet. This elegant building is said to be partially modeled on and named after Mrs. Phair's home in Eyrecourt, of County Galway in Ireland. Longford survives in 2013 as the village's only significant example of heritage-quality domestic architecture.

Caspar Phair's son, A.W.A. (Artie) Phair, was a coroner as well as a noted chronicler and photographer of Lillooet's history.

Caspar and Cerise Phair died in 1933, leaving their house to Harold Phair, Artie's son. Longford House was later bought by Dr. Masajiro Miyazaki and the name changed for Miyazaki House.

Varieties

10 cents

C.A. Phair - Lillooet - 10 cents

25 cents

C.A. Phair - Lillooet - 25 cents

Specifications

10 cents

  • Issuer: C.A. Phair
  • Issuing date : 1895
  • Composition: Aluminum
  • Weight: 1.5 grams
  • Diameter: 22.1 mm
  • Edge: Smooth
  • Gr #: L7810b
  • Lh #: L7810b

25 cents

  • Issuer: C.A. Phair
  • Issuing date : 1895
  • Composition: Aluminum
  • Weight: 1.9 grams
  • Diameter: 24.5 mm
  • Edge: Smooth
  • Gr #: L7810c
  • Lh #: L7810c

Last update : Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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