When the diary opens, amidst a snowstorm, “grip” is running rampant in the community and Margaret’s eight children are sick with mumps.   Margaret’s diary is one of the few  written by a farm woman with young children.  Margaret has nine children (one lives with relatives) mostly of school age.  She regularly takes her fruit, asparagus and other produce to markets in Thorold and Niagara. She provides details concerning her housework, children’s health, large garden, poultry, apple orchard and visitors.