Benjamin settles in Ancaster at the turn of the century and begins writing his diary in 1805.  During the War of 1812, he serves as a private in the 5th Lincoln Militia. Otherwise, his diary is devoted to farming. He ploughs, harrows, plants, and cultivates in the early summer, and harvests in August and September. In the fall, he plants potatoes, and in the winter he hunts animals and transports goods to the historic Ancaster Mill.  His hired men help.  By 1837, he winds down his farm work on what is now a well-developed farm.  The microfilm of this diary is rather hard to read and the transcript held at the Archives of Ontario is somewhat questionable.