Until 1847, Jacob lives in West Flamborough Township and the book is a list of sales as if he had a sawmill and perhaps a store.  He then moves to Beverly Township to farm and this may be why he begins keeping a diary in 1851.  He attends the 1853 Provincial Exhibition in Hamilton, visits local competitions between rival fire companies in Galt, and joins the Sons of Temperance in 1852.  He later moves near Troy.  Readers will enjoy his conversational tone and self-awareness, evidenced by his April 1853 note: “Reder you must not look at speling… I du it as well as I can.”