Robert Terrill Rundle

Infobox clergy
name = Robert Terrill Rundle


image_size = 180px
caption = Robert Rundle with his wife Mary Wolverson, c. 1854-1860.
birth_date = June 18, 1811
birth_place = Mylor, Cornwall, England
death_date = February 4, 1896
death_place = Garstang, Lancashire, England
church = Wesleyan Methodist
other_names =
education =
ordained = March 8, 1840
writings =
congregations = Various throughout present-day Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada; other circuits in England.
offices_held = Minister in Fort Edmonton
title = Reverend
spouse = Mary Wolverson
children = 9 (4 survived to adulthood)
parents = Robert Rundle Sr. and Grace Carvosso
footnotes =

Robert Terrill Rundle (June 18, 1811 – February 4, 1896) was a Wesleyan Methodist missionary from England. His most noteworthy activities relate to his missionary work in Western Canada between 1840 and 1848.

Early life

Rundle was born in Mylor, Cornwall, England in 1811. As the grandson of the noted Methodist lay minister William Carvosso, and nephew of Carvosso's prominent missionary son, Benjamin, religion, in particular Methodism, was an obvious influence on Rundle's life from early on. [Rundle, R: "The Rundle Journals", "ix". Glenbow Institute, 1977] Rundle's father kept his family within the Church of England. This Anglican influence stayed with Robert even after he joined the Methodist church in later years, as he still relied on documents such as the Book of Common Prayer in his ministry.

Robert Rundle enrolled in a business school near Boscastle, Cornwall in 1837. Once describing himself as a "radical", he felt that he would, "be transformed into a Tory before long," by the influence of his instructors. [Rundle, R: "The Rundle Journals", "xi". Glenbow Institute, 1977] While at Boscatle, Rundle took an interest in the Wesleyan Church affairs there. Eventually Rundle joined the Wesleyan Church in a more active role; he undertook several months of missionary training, and was ordained on March 8, 1840 in London after being approved for a missionary assignment in Rupert's Land.

Travel to Rupert's Land

In 1840, the Hudson's Bay Company reached a deal with the Wesleyan Missionary Society that several Methodist missionaries would be dispatched to the western districts of Rupert's Land. This was spurred in part by pressure from Evangelical groups in England, as well as from a desire by the Company to improve its public face by improving the standard of living in Rupert's Land. Ultimately, it was also meant to keep the British Government sympathetic to the HBC in case another party tried to stake a claim on Rupert's Land. The Company's Governor in Rupert's Land, Sir George Simpson, wanted to avoid giving ground to the Roman Catholic missionaries, who were backed by the French Government and already had a presence in the eastern districts, and maintain the HBC's control over the west. [Rundle, R: "The Rundle Journals", "xvi-xvii". Glenbow Institute, 1977] Robert Rundle was among the four who were invited, and after only two months of training, he was ordained. Just over a week later on March 16, 1840, he shipped out from Liverpool.

When Rundle landed in New York City, he travelled first north to Montreal, and then started westward on his long journey across the expanse of Rupert's Land. He encountered natives during this travel, and quickly found that the apprehensions that he had had of meeting them contrasted with the delight he felt at being in their company. He arrived at Fort Edmonton, the center of the Hudson's Bay Company Saskatchewan District, in October 1840.

Years in Saskatchewan

Rundle arrived in Fort Edmonton on October 17, 1840, after almost a month and a half travelling by river. He remained in the Saskatchewan District for eight years before his permanent departure.

Rundle's Contemporaries

Several persons were crucial to Robert Rundle's missionary work and professional growth during his eight years in Rupert's Land. They are listed below.

Governor Sir George Simpson - Governor-in-Chief of Rupert's Land, Simpson was the head of the HBC's operations there. He met Rundle on at least one occasion in July 1841, and the two shared correspondence during Rundle's tenure at Edmonton. Privately, Simpson criticized Rundle's wanderings amongst the First Nations, and like his subordinate John Rowand, questioned Rundle's aptitude for missionary work. [Rundle, R: "The Rundle Journals", "xxxviii-xxxix". Glenbow Institute, 1977] However, it should be noted that Simpson had worked tirelessly in service of the HBC and expected the same from those around him, and that his criticisms came very early in the then-inexperienced Rundle's career. Governor Simpson later professed support for a school in the area to be taught by Rundle with native children attending, but this did not materialize.

Chief Factor John Rowand - As Chief Factor of Saskatchewan, Rowand, who ran the District from Edmonton, was a reputed businessman and firm disciplinarian. Rowand expressed fear that conversion by missionaries would distract the natives from the trapping and trading of animal furs, which was vital to the Company's operation. Nevertheless, he took a liking to Rundle early on, despite opinions that the missionary was too young for his charge [Rundle, R: "The Rundle Journals", "xxxiv". Glenbow Institute, 1977] and ill-suited to pioneer living. [Rundle, R: "The Rundle Journals", "xliii". Glenbow Institute, 1977] Rundle held a form of school and instructed those of Rowand's children who still dwelled in Edmonton. Rowand also provided one of his horses for Rundle's use, named 'Little Black'. [Rundle, R: "The Rundle Journals", "xxxiii". Glenbow Institute, 1977]

Chief Trader John Edward Harriott - As John Rowand's second-in-command, and also Rowand's son-in-law, Harriott was a valuable benefactor for Robert Rundle. He assisted Rundle in the translation of a prayer book to Cree language, and was known to have helped the mission's endeavours in various ways. He was the first person on record to be married by Rundle in the Saskatchewan District, having sanctified his wedding vows to John Rowand's daughter Nancy in 1841 (whereas he and Nancy had been engaged in a country marriage since the late 1830s [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=4479"] ).

Reverend James Evans - Evans was the supervisor of the Wesleyan missionaries in Rupert's Land. A linguist, Evans is credited with devising the syllabics, which constitutes a written language for the Cree and was subsequently taught by Rundle and others. [Rundle, R: "The Rundle Journals", "xxx". Glenbow Institute, 1977] Evans' removal to face trial for a sexual misconduct, and untimely death, in 1846, left Rundle and his Methodist colleagues unsupported. [Rundle, R: "The Rundle Journals", "lii". Glenbow Institute, 1977]

Father Pierre-Jean De Smet - A fellow Missionary, De Smet acquainted Rundle in autumn of 1845 at Rocky Mountain House. Though De Smet was Catholic and Rundle was a Methodist Protestant, the two managed to debate theology in a cordial manner despite the sometimes-contentious divisions of the Christian schism. This is especially remarkable considering Rundle's personal wariness of Catholic missionaries.

Missionary Work

Initially optimistic about his work in the District, Rundle was slowly demoralized on several fronts. The religious denomination most prevalent in Fort Edmonton was Catholic, thus few people attended Rundle's Protestant services. Within the Fort, Rundle often attempted, with limited success, to teach the labourer's children about the gospel. He held services throughout the week, especially on the Christian Sabbath (Sunday), which would often include a Cree service. Rundle urged that no work be done in observance of the Sabbath, and himself avoided travel on that day; in this, Rundle had John Rowand's support, but some of the workers were too used to their routines to pay the missionary any mind.

Rundle often wintered at the Fort, and visited with the natives through the spring and summer to preach the gospel, and educate them in the Cree syllabics invented by his Wesleyan missionary colleague, Reverend James Evans. In this way, Rundle became extremely well-travelled, having gone the distance between the HBC's larger trading posts in what is present-day Alberta, and having sought out the natives who lived in the country along the way.

In 1843, the Hudson's Bay Company erected a small chapel which Rundle boasted could seat 100 persons. Described by Rundle in a letter home, the structure served not only as a Chapel, but had a small lodging for Rundle including a study space.

Health issues

Possibly due to his constant and laborious travel, Robert Rundle was prone to recurrent headaches and a bleeding nose. Rundle persevered for eight years in Rupert's Land until he suffered a more serious injury from a horse-riding accident - a fractured wrist - in July 1847. Even after 12 months Rundle's injury did not heal properly, rendering his left hand essentially useless. Rundle decided to return home to seek treatment; he reached England in September 1848. While he had intended to go back to Rupert's Land, he never did again.

Later Years

Return to England

After regaining his health, Rundle was prepared to do missionary service abroad again. He was evidently offered a missionary post in AustraliaRundle, R: "The Rundle Journals", "lxiii". Glenbow Institute, 1977] ; however, his plans changed when he married a woman named Mary Wolverson in 1854, and he stayed in England. Robert and Mary had nine children, though only four of them survived to maturity: Martha Anne, Rupert, Mary Grace and Sarah Alice..]

Rundle continued to serve as a minister in England until his retirement. He passed away on February 4, 1896 in Garstang, Lancashire. His epitaph is located in Blackburn, Lancashire, at the Whalley New Road Cemetery. [ [http://www.albertasource.ca/aspenland/eng/society/article_searching_for_rundle_2.html Searching for Robert Rundle ] ]

Legacy

Rundle's Mission

In 1847, Reverend Rundle received permission to create a mission site at Pigeon Lake. After Rundle's permanent departure to England the following year, his follower Benjamin Sinclair attempted to keep the Methodist church alive. Sinclair oversaw the construction of mission buildings at the behest of Rundle in 1848, and was left in charge in the missionary's absence. The mission served the Cree, Stoney, and Blackfoot peoples, instructing them not only in Christianity, but in reading and writing in syllabics, and growing crops.http://www.abertasource.ca/methodist/The_Missions/Pigeon_Lake_Establishment.htm]

Unsupported, Sinclair abandoned the mission in 1851 and continued his work elsewhere.] ; the structures were inhabited again by Rundle's Methodist successors, Rev. Thomas Woolsey and Henry Steinhauer from 1856-58.http://www.abertasource.ca/methodist/Own_Voices/T_W_Mission_Work.htm] Woolsey found the area was prone to a poor growing season to due a colder climate, had poor soil conditions, and due to a shrinking Bison population, there was violence amongst the native tribes in the area who relied on it for food..] Thus, Woolsey eventually opened a new mission near Smoky Lake in 1861..] Sinclair and Woolsey maintained Rundle's remaining followers, and the Methodist church in central Alberta survived and grew into the 20th century. Eventually the Methodists joined with the Presbyterians and Congregationalists to form the United Church of Canada in 1925.

Incidentally, Woolsey later married Rundle's sister-in-law, Sarah Wolverson. [ [http://www.albertasource.ca/methodist/Own_Voices/Thomas_Woolsey.htm Thomas Woolsey ] ]

The Rundle Mission site was declared a National Historic Monument in 1965, and the site, its buildings and cemetery were designated a Provincial Historic Site in 1997. Though the original buildings no longer survive, there is a retreat house present.

Journal & Registries

Robert Rundle documented his work in Rupert's Land in his journals. Included in this are two sets of registers: one set documenting hundreds of baptisms and dozens of weddings all performed by Rev. Rundle. Each ledger typically notes the first and last names of the persons involved (including parents of children for the baptisms), the age of the child (for baptisms), the date of the ceremony, and the precise location when applicable (although occasionally he broadly refers to the location as "Saskatchewan District" when the ceremony was performed away from a Hudson's Bay Company post or body of water).

Additionally, Rundle kept an anecdotal record in his journal, shedding light on his experience as a missionary and a Christian, and on life within Hudson's Bay Company posts.

Things Named in Rundle's Honour

* in 1859. Palliser was impressed that the Blackfoot in the area still showed signs of Rundle's influence despite the missionary's absence of over a decade.
* The Rundle Heights neighborhood in east-central Edmonton.
* Rundle Park in Rundle Heights, a large outdoor recreation space beside the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton.
* A residential subdivision called Rundle in Calgary, Alberta.
* The Rundle C-Train Station in Calgary.
* Several schools in Alberta:
** Rundle School (elementary) in Edmonton.
** Rundle Elementary School in Calgary.
** Robert Rundle Elementary School in the suburb of St. Albert, Alberta.
** Rundle College, a private, multi-campus school for pre-school to Grade 12 students in Calgary.
* Fort Edmonton Park includes a replica of the Fort of 1846 and a recreated version of the Rundle Chapel inside of it.
* Rundle Hall, a dormitory at the University of Calgary.
* The Rundle Plant, a hydroelectric plant on the Bow River in southern Alberta.

Bibliography

* cite book
last = Rundle
first = Robert Terril
editor = Hugh A. Dempsey
others = Introduction & Notes by Gerald M. Hutchinson
title = The Rundle Journals, 1840 - 1848
publisher = Glenbow Institute
year = 1977

* cite book
last = Wilson
first = Keith
title = Robert Terrill Rundle
publisher = University of Manitoba
year = 1986
isbn = 0-9691775-3-4

* cite book
title = Rundle in Alberta, 1840 - 1848: To Honour the Memory of a Pioneer
author = The United Church of Canada
year = 1940

References

External links

* [http://www.ourroots.ca/e/toc.aspx?id=1133 A freely-available full-text scan of the "Rundle Journals"]
* [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=6232 Biography at the "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online"]
* [http://www.albertasource.ca/alphabet/article.php?article_id=191 Biography at the "Alberta Heritage Alphabet"]
* [http://www.albertasource.ca/methodist/Own_Voices/Robert_Terrill_Rundle.htm Biography at "AlbertaSource.ca"]
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0007004 Biography at "The Canadian Encyclopedia"]
* [http://www.smokylake.com/history/missions/converting.htm Article on the success of the Wesleyan Mission at Edmonton]
* [http://www.rundlesmission.org/robert-rundle.html Website for the Rundle Mission at Pigeon Lake]

Persondata
NAME = Rundle, Robert Terrill
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Rundle, Robert
SHORT DESCRIPTION = 19thcentury English missionary to Canada
DATE OF BIRTH = June 18, 1811
PLACE OF BIRTH = Mylor, Cornwall, England
DATE OF DEATH = February 4, 1896
PLACE OF DEATH = Garstang, Lancashire, England