This diary opens in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where Alexander is working as a farm labourer. He arrives at Cox’s Creek, Ontario, in the fall of 1834 where he works on his father’s farm. At first, he writes mainly about the weather, but then he tells us more about his farm work and making maple sugar.  His diary entries form part of a larger commonplace book where he expresses his artistry and love of poetry and song. The diary ends abruptly when he travels to Smiths Falls.  By 1851, he is living in Pilkington Township near Elora where his father is the Crown Land Agent.

Alexander’s commonplace book where he wrote his diary entries and created portraits and watercolours, such as those shown above.