John was born in Scotland and migrates with his parents to Renfrew. Like many farmers, he starts a diary when he begins working his own property. This occurred when he moved to Essex County and got married. He uses his diary to keep track of breeding livestock, tending crops and marketing produce. He hires many agricultural labourers until his own sons are old enough to help. He takes pride in his handwriting, but his diaries are a challenge to read.  His diary dated 1868-1871, for example, mostly contains entries for 1870 but bits from other years are scattered here and there. 

A sample of his beautiful handwriting, June 1870