John migrated from Sterling, Scotland to Ontario when he was eighteen.  He is thirty-nine with a young family when his diaries begin.  He takes pride in them and begins each entry by writing the date in calligraphy.  He writes of cutting up a pig, hauling grain to Guelph, sermons at church and visitors.  Corresponding day books survive for the years 1869-1914 detailing his accounts with the blacksmith, creamery etc.  Taken together they provide a wealth of information.