1
DID
LITTLE
BUT
THE
CHORES
The Diary of Robert Michie
(Volume One)
Entries: Jan. 1, 1899 - Dec. 31, 1926
Edited by Mary Anne (Michie) Richardson
ISBN # 978-0-9866249-1-9
c 2014 by Mary Anne Richardson
For inquiries:
Mary Anne Richardson
Apt. 304-B;
2-B Colborne St. W.,
Lindsay, Ontario K9V 5B5
email: marmic1954@gmail.com
Printed in Canada
All rights reserved
2
PREFACE
This book, volume one, is a continuation of the family
diaries that I began transcribing several years ago. The
first diary that I published was that of John Albert Mi-
chie (b. 17 Oct 1813, d. 15 Feb. 1900) under the title of
'Self Doing Naught'. This book, and the one to follow,
are the diaries of his son Robert.
Robert Michie was born in Greenbank, Ontario on 2 Dec
1857 and married Jane (Jennie) Cowan Bell on 29 Jan
1896. He was very active in the Greenbank Presbyte-
rian Church, as well as being involved as school superin-
tendent for a number of years.
Robert and Jennie had three children - Annie, William
(better known as Willie) and James. Both Annie and
James later became teachers. Jennie was often called
to be a nurse as required throughout the community.
They had a mixed farm and planted both strawberries
and raspberries, which they sold throughout the com-
munity and shipped by train as far away as Toronto and
Peterborough. Many hours were spent with their friends
and family picking berries and many trips were made
both to Greenbank store and to Port Perry to sell, and
ship, them.
My dad, Robert Gordon Michie, had many fond memo-
ries of his 'Uncle Bob' and 'Aunt Jennie'. He often told
about having to walk to school in the freezing days of
winter and that he could count on making a stop part
way to receive some of Aunt Jennie's baking and the
warmth of their kitchen. Dad also had many memories
of spending time with his Uncle Bob on the farm helping
him with the crops and the animals, particularly the
horses.
I have tried to be true to Robert's original diary, as it
was written. There were a few areas that his writing was
illegible, or that the ink had faded, and I have made
notes accordingly.
Now, on to volume two!
Mary Anne (Michie) Richardson
(Great grand niece)
Lindsay, Ontario.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As always, my thanks go to my father, Robert Gordon
Michie, for his interest and love of the old family diaries.
He has inspired me to get them published so that oth-
ers can read, and hopefully, enjoy them. Dad passed
away in 2010 and I know he would have been so
pleased to see this book in publication.
I also extend my thanks to my husband John. Once
again his support while I spent so many hours transcrib-
ing the diaries has been so appreciated, along with the
many hours of proofreading as I went along. Our sons,
Robert (RJ) and Shawn, and daughters-in-law Julia and
Winnie, have also been huge supporters and have given
me their expertise with computer issues that I would
never have been able to manage on my own. Thanks
guys!
Finally, I would like to thank Glen and Mary Jean Till and
Mary and Ross Real for sharing family photos that I was
able to use throughout the book, and also my friend
(and mentor) Lois Magahay who has been a great inspi-
ration and a source of support throughout the process.
Above all, my thanks to Robert Michie for sharing his
life in the form of his daily diary.
3
Robert Michie,
date unknown
Jane (Jennie) Cowan Bell,
date unknown
4
1899
JAN. 1 – Attended church in the afternoon. Rev. J. M. Cameron
preached a very good and appropriate sermon. The classes in the
Sunday School chose their teachers which are the same as last year
with the exception of Mrs. J. Leask who takes the class of women
lately taught by E. Buwell. Mrs. Jas. McMillan takes Mrs. Leask’s
class. A sharp cold day, fairly good sleighing.
2 – Municipal election day. Went up to Greenbank in the forenoon
and voted, then drove with Jennie and May Bell (who has been
here for a few days) to Port Perry and took dinner with Mrs. Bell.
Got there too late but managed to get all that we wanted. Got home
in time for supper and spent the evening until after 11 o’clock
trying to straighten up the Church books but could not make them
agree by 5 cts. Hot supper and lecture in the Methodist Church but
did not attend.
3 – At the Church books most of the forenoon but could not find
where the mistake is. G. Fowlie here for dinner. John Lee here in
the afternoon to compare the church account books. He was telling
us that Allie McMillan attempted to poison herself yesterday by
taking carbolic acid. Discovered the mistake and finished the
books in the evening. The elections yesterday (T. Lamb, reeve by
acc), councillors John Doble, Robert Holtby, W. Stephens and
John Boys. W. Real and J. Jeffery and Jas. Camplin got left.
(Camplin not Boys elected).
4 - Sawing wood in the shed most of the day. About 4 o’clock in
the afternoon Mother slipped and fell on the floor near the pantry
door. We had to lift her up and carry her to bed. She is in great
pain and cannot bear to be moved. Raining most of the day and the
snow nearly all gone.
5 – Colder again this morning. Drove in the cutter (very poor
sleighing) to Port Perry for Dr. Archer to come to see Mother who
does not appear to be any better. Gave Silas Butt a ride up to Wes
Lukes, he just arrived from the West last night. Mr. and Mrs. Wes
Luke here for tea. The Dr. came about 7 o’clock. He thinks
Mother will be able to be up in about 10 days. Attended the sing-
ing class (the second meeting) at Mr. Marks in the evening.
6 – Drove to Port Perry in the forenoon for medicine and brought
Mary Bell home with me. Mrs. Mark, Thos. Phair, Mrs. A.
Gordon Sr., Mrs. A. Gordon Jr., and Mrs. S. Dusty here today.
Went to choir practice in the evening, but only Alphia Love put in
an appearance. Snowing a little today but hardly enough to make
good sleighing.
7 – A very rough cold and windy day. All the snow that fell yes-
terday has been blown into heaps. Alex Lee in before dinner.
8 – A rather rough cold day. Went to S.S. and church alone. Mr.
Cameron preached. Miss Nellie McMillan played the organ. W.
Mark and Mrs. A. Lee called in today.
9 – Drove to Port Perry with Mary Bell in the forenoon and at the
Farmers Institute meeting at Greenbank in the afternoon. The
subjects discussed were the dairy cow, the bacon hog and the
spraying of fruit trees. A very good meeting. Isaac O’Neill called
in and got a bag of oats. The Steel cow calved this morning but
one of the calf’s hind legs was broken or deformed in such a shape
that it was thought best to kill it. A fine day but pretty cold.
10 – A very cold day, perhaps the coldest this winter so far. Did
very little all day but the chores. Nellie Michie and Wes Luke
called in the forenoon. The first day of Port Perry races.
11 – A sharp bright day, doing little in the forenoon. Helping
Oliver Luke with his chores in the afternoon, Wes and Russell
being laid up. Mrs. Mark, Mrs. O’Neill and Mr. and Mrs. Akhurst
here in the afternoon. Barbara came before dark. She rode up
from Port Perry with Mrs. A. Lee. Attended the annual church
meeting in the evening, a very good attendance. It was decided to
have 12 managers instead of 6. Those elected tonight are John
Lee, T. Phair, Alex Leask, and C. Gordon for three years. Jas.
McMillan and Jas. Burns for two years. W. Leask and A. T. Horne
for one year. It was proposed to form a Christian Endeavour Soci-
ety1
but it was laid over for two weeks.
12 – A very fine clear day. Wrote a letter to George in the fore-
noon. Sharpened the bucksaw in the afternoon and at the singing
class in the evening. Jennie at the W.F.M.S.2
in the afternoon.
Saw Dr. Archer at W. Reals and sent him here. He says Mother is
doing as well or better than he expected. Alex Lee, Mrs. A.
Gordon Sr., and T. Phair here today.
13 – Took Barbara to the station and called at the Drs. for some
medicine and got home about 1 o’clock. Raining a little. Mrs.
Mark, Alex Lee, John Lee, Mrs. Jas. McMillan and J. M. Real
called today. At choir practice at night.
14 – A rainy day until about 3 o’clock when it turned to snow
which will make fair slipping. Went with A. Lee to Mrs. Purdy’s
sale at Port Perry but did not buy anything. Making out the church
report for the printer in the evening.
15 – Attended Sunday School and church. Mrs. Somerville gave a
short talk in the S.S. on the shorter catechism. Mr. Cameron
preached. The collection for the Merriton church building fund was
taken up today. Mr. Mark, Joseph Burton and Mrs. Bryant called
in.
16 – Went down to Port Perry and called at the Drs. for some pills
for Mother then went over to Uncles at Manchester to get a calf but
did not get it as it was promised to another man. Brought Willie
Bell home with me. Sent cards to Margaret and Barbara and
Jennie sent a letter to Ida Scholes. Mrs. Parkins of Manchester
brought the book, The Life of Gladstone. At the managers meeting
in the evening, all out but Jas. Blair, a very good meeting. A. T.
Horne was elected chairman. Jas. Leask sec., J. M. Real treas. and
I am in for F.S. again. It was decided to build a new fence in front
of the church. Alex Lee, John Lee, W. Petty and Nellie Michie
called in today. Revival meetings started in the M. [Methodist]
Church.
11
The Christian Endeavour Society was formed in
1881 in Portland, Maine in order to bring youth to
accept Christ.
2
The Women’s Foreign Missionary Society
5
17 – Drawed two small loads of wood from Isaac O’Neills in the
forenoon and one in the afternoon. Mrs. J. Park of Manchester and
Mrs. Jas. Innis here in the evening. Willie Bell and I went to a
little oyster supper at Alex Lees and had a very nice time. Got
home between 12 and 1.
18 – A very clear sharp morning. Drove to Manchester and got a
calf from Uncle (the man that he promised it to failing to do as he
promised). Did very little in the afternoon there being so many
callers, namely Mr and Mrs Akhurst; Mrs Walker, Mrs A. Lee,
Barbara Walker, Mr and Mrs Cameron and Alex Ewen. The first
time Mrs Cameron was ever here. Annie and Allan came from
Oshawa about sundown. At the prayer meeting with Jennie in the
evening, a fair attendance and a good meeting.
19 – A very fine day. Annie and Allan left for home at noon. Got
George’s skates and went to the creek for a skate, the first for
several years. The ice is first class. Jennie at Port Perry in the
afternoon. At the singing class in the evening. Mrs. Jas. Leask and
Mrs. C. Gordon in for the evening. Mrs. W. Whiteford died today.
20 – Snowing most of the afternoon. Did very little but the chores.
At choir practice in the evening. Mother does not appear to be so
well today.
21 – J. O’Neill called this morning and paid the $2.50 he bor-
rowed. Sold him the little hay stack for $13.00 in wood. At Mrs.
Whiteford’s funeral in the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. T. Phair and A.
Akhurst here. Snowing and rough most of the day but not very
cold. A great many people down with the grippe. Tom Bell came
for his gun that has been here for some time.
22 – A fine day. At S.S. and church in the afternoon. Mr. Cam-
eron preached an unusually good sermon.
23 – A fine day, drew 4 loads of short tamarack from Isaac
O’Neills. 4 ½ cords at 90 cts. Mrs. A. Gordon Jr. and Willie Mi-
chie called today.
24 – Got up rather earlier than usual and Willie drove me to
Greenbank and rode with Dave Perkins to Blackwater then by train
to Orillia. Got there about noon. First hunted up Miss Real and
then got dinner at the Grand Central Hotel. Got the writings made
out at Mr. Grants and strolled about the town and hunted up W.
Parkers as it was getting dusk. Got supper there and went with the
girls and Howard south to lake Simcoe. Did a heap of talking and
went to bed between 10 and 11. W. Akhurst and Joe Burton called
today.
25 – Started from Orillia at 2 am and got to Greenbank at noon and
walked home. After doing chores, drove out to Port Perry. At the
prayer meeting in the evening. A fair attendance to organize a
Christian Endeavour Society in connection with the congregation
and the first officers were elected.
26 – Took the pig up to Joe Burtons in the forenoon and went to
Port Perry with a load of wood for Charles Gordon in the after-
noon. Started to snow very hard towards night but did not last
long. At the singing class in the evening, a rough night. Mrs.
Luke and James A. Michie here today.
27 – A very cold day, did nothing but the chores. Went to choir
practice in the evening but there was none as none of the McMil-
lans turned out. A bright clear night.
28 – Some snow in the afternoon and evening and pretty cold.
Sawed some wood.
29 – A fine day, but pretty cold. Attended S.S. and church. G.
Miller being absent, Mr. Cameron addressed the school. Augmen-
tation collection today.
30 – A very cold day and somewhat rough towards night. Visited
Marks and Isaac O’Neills in the forenoon. Took the Jersey up to
Alex Lee’s and cut some wood in the afternoon. Willie O’Neill
got two bags oats.
31 – A very bright clear and cold day. Churned in the forenoon.
In the afternoon Jennie went to Port Perry and among other things
got some oysters, which we had for supper. The first time I ever
tasted fried oysters, they went very good.
Feb. 1 – A fine morning but somewhat rough in the afternoon.
Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. here in the forenoon. Willie Corran came after
her just before dinner. Alex Ewen here in the afternoon trying to
repair the scuffler. At the prayer meeting. Rather a small turnout.
James Miller leader. No organist.
2 – A very fine clear day. At the scuffler in the forenoon. In the
afternoon took the harrows to Gulley’s to get sharped and the back
of the stove repaired. At the singing class in the evening. Fred
Love is moving down to the farm and Jas. Carnegie in to the vil-
lage today. James Innis leaves for Wabagoon tomorrow.
3 – Snowing some in the forenoon. Dr. Archer came before din-
ner. Took a load of turnips to Port Perry in the afternoon for Al-
bert Akhurst. At choir practice in the evening. Mr. and Mrs. T.
Phair called today.
4 – Churned and shaved in the forenoon. Drove to Port Perry in
the afternoon and called at Andrew Ross’ and had a short talk with
Mrs. James Ross of Manitoba. Wrote to R. Holtby and W.
Stephens in reference to limiting the number of liquor licenses.
Isaac O’Neill here and got 5 bu. turnips.
5 – Attended S.S. and church. Rev. McKenzie of Oakwood
preached a good sermon. At the first meeting of the C.E. with
Jennie in the evening. Mrs. Mark stayed with Mother while we
were away. A very good meeting for a start. A fine day and
splendid sleighing.
6 – A beautiful day. Isaac O’Neill here in the morning wanting to
buy turnips but did not get any. John Lee called before dinner and
J. M. Real and Mrs. A. Leask in the afternoon. Got a letter from
Manitoba with a wedding present of $5.00 for Jennie.
7 – Another very fine day. Drew a load of manure for the garden
and three loads of cedar from the lower field for wood. Miss Ida
Phair called today. Wes Luke in before breakfast. The big maple
in [?] bush near our gate was cut down today.
6
8 – Got colder and rough in the afternoon. Cutting wood in the
woodshed and making a water trough for the hens. At the prayer
meeting in the evening. Not many out. James Miller, leader.
Jennie wrote to Manitoba.
9 – A very cold rough day. Finished sawing the cedar sticks in the
woodshed. At the singing class in the evening, rather a small turn-
out. Turnips freezing in the root house pretty bad.
10 – Another very cold day. Did nothing but the chores. Wes
Luke in before dinner. At choir practice in the evening, a small
turnout. There was also a school trustee meeting at Jas. Millers.
The job of getting wood let to W. H. Leask. In compliance with
the wish of the inspector it was decided to get new seats and a new
slate blackboard.
11 – Still very cold. Isaac O’Neill here in the morning for a load
of hay, a bag of oats and a loan of $5.00. Nellie Michie called in
the afternoon. Bagged up some oats to take to the mill. Northern
lights very bright in the evening.
12 – A very fine bright day but pretty cold. Mrs. Mark came and
stayed while Jennie and I went to S.S. and church. Mr. Cameron
preached a good sermon. Another jubilee, it being 50 years today
since services were held at Wick. Both at the C.E. in the evening.
A fairly good meeting but rather stiff. Miss Nellie McMillan took
the topic.
13 – Another very cold day. Mending harness in the forenoon. In
the afternoon at Manchester at the council meeting, the license
question being up. To the surprise of most everyone the council
decided to submit Local Option, the voting to take place on March
21. Called at Uncles and found him some better from a bad attack
of the grippe. Wes Luke in before dinner and after supper.
14 – A fine day, not so cold. Went to Port Perry in the morning
with oats to get ground. Called at the Dr’s and brought home the
lumber for W. Marks boat. Went with the sleigh to Isaacs for
wood but there was none. Willie O’Neill here for 4 bus. oats. Wes
Luke here twice and Long John for some soft water. Box social at
E. Barrett’s.
15 – Snowing some and rather rough. At Port Perry in the fore-
noon for the meal. Working at the boat in the afternoon. At the
prayer meeting in the evening. Mr. E. Boe was the leader, after
which there was a talk about S.S. library. Nellie Michie here get-
ting a wrapper cut and fitted. W. Mark here after dinner. Got a
letter from J. Whiteford and wrote him in reply.
16 – A very fine day and quite mild, working at the boat all day.
At the singing class in the evening.
17 – Mild day and raining a little in the evening. Jennie went to
Port Perry for the Dr. for father who has boils on his face. He got
here about 5 p.m. Working at the boat in the afternoon. Willie
Michie here getting her wrapper fitted. Miss Ida Phair called. A
fire apparently on Scugog Island about 8 p.m.
18 – Thawing a little and threatening rain all day. At the boat in
the forenoon and drawing wood from Isaac O’Neill’s in the after-
noon. At a trustee meeting at G. Reals in the evening to see about
new seats for the school. Mrs. Luke, Mrs. A. Lee and W. Mark
here today.
19 – A fine day, a little colder. Back to Wick to Jubilee service,
preaching by Rev. McMillan, Lindsay. An excellent sermon. The
Rhine bros. sang a duet, very nice. Came home to dinner and then
went back again in the evening but could not get a seat on account
of the crowd. A pretty rough night coming home. Mrs. Mark
stayed while we were away. Mr. Mark here in the evening.
20 – A very fine day and the snow going fast. Drew two loads of
wood from Isaac’s in the forenoon. Plugging and painting the boat
in the afternoon. Went to a school trustee meeting at the school-
house at 4 o’clock to see about the new seats. Alex Lee called in
today.
21 – Warm and the snow going fast, roads bare in many places.
Painting the boat in the forenoon. Sharped the bucksaw and sawed
some wood in the afternoon. Jennie at Port Perry in the afternoon.
Mrs. A. Gordon, Sr. here today. The I.O.F. were to have a concert
tonight but the man Stafford that was to have given it is sick.
22 – 4 or 5 inches of soft snow fell through the night but quite a bit
of it was gone before night. Painting the boat in the forenoon,
washing the cattle with tobacco tea in the afternoon. At the prayer
meeting in the evening. James Miller led the meeting, choir prac-
tice after. A bright moonlight night.
23 – A fine day but somewhat colder. Sawing wood most of the
day. Jack Hill and Mr. Innis here in the afternoon. Both at the S.
of T.3
in the evening, a special meeting on account of the Rhine
bros. being there to sing. A good turn out and a good time. A
debate on Local Option which was declared a draw. After 11 when
we got home. A fine moonlight night. Nellie and Jessie Michie
here all night.
24 – A very fine day. Sawing a bit of wood in the forenoon. At
Greenbank getting horses shod in the afternoon. District Division
meeting at Raglan today and a very different day from the last time
it was there. Word came by telephone that Miss Ellie Byers died
in Toronto this morning. At the singing class in the evening. A
very bright night. John Lee called today.
25 – Another very fine day. Made an oar for the boat in the fore-
noon and cut wood in the afternoon. Willie O’Neill here for 2 bags
of oats and Isaac for 1 bag and some hay. It appears that Ellie
Byers was killed by the train in Toronto yesterday. The body was
brought to George Byers’ today.
26 – A raw cold morning with some rain and sleet. Went to S.S.
and church. A small attendance at both on account of the funeral.
Mr. Cameron preached on training children. Both at the C.E. in
the evening, a good meeting. Jas. Blair, leader, president Miller
absent. Wes Luke here in the evening. Sleighing on the roads
getting pretty thin.
3
Sons of Temperance
7
27 – Colder, with snow in the afternoon and rough. Sharpened
Wes Luke’s bucksaw in the forenoon and sawed wood. Jennie
went to Port Perry in the afternoon and brought Mary home with
her. James Smith came about 5 o’clock and stayed all night.
28 – Blustery, inclined to rain in the afternoon but colder at night.
Sawing wood most of the day, finished all that was drewed up.
Mrs. Bryant and Barbara Walker here in the afternoon. Oyster
supper at G. Reals under the management of Alex Ewin. Got a bid
but did not go.
Mar. 1 – A fine day and thawing a little in the afternoon. Drawing
wood all day, made 5 trips. James Smith left for home after din-
ner. Mr. J.M. Cameron and E. Boe here. At the prayer meeting, a
fair attendance. James Miller, leader. Choir practice after. A year
today was the Ontario elections when C. Calder was elected.
2 – Nice day, sawing wood most of the time. At the singing class
in the evening. Took Jennie up to Alex Lee’s. Trustee meeting at
G. Reals, but did not go.
3 – Sawing wood in the forenoon. Found the Steel cow dead when
I went out after dinner, the reason a mystery. Got Wes Luke to
help skin her. Jennie took Mary home in the cutter, very poor
sleighing. Rain in the evening. There was to have been a meeting
at John Lee’s to talk of enlarging the church but did not go on
account of the rain.
4 – Thawing a good deal. During the day drew in the hay stack
with G. Michie’s help. Mr. G. Real called in the forenoon and
Mrs. J. O’Neill in the afternoon. Started to go to the S. of T. as
the Rhine bros. were to be there but having to call at G. Reals to a
trustee meeting, so much time was spent that I did not go to the
village. A very disagreeable night – snow and sleet, rode in the
buggy. Mr. and Mrs. Mark here in the evening.
5 – Quite a fall of snow through the night which thawed somewhat
through the day. Went to S.S. and church with the cutter. Mr.
Cameron preached on purgatory. The Rhine Bros. sang two pieces
very nicely and also spoke in the S.S. Did not go to the C.E. as it
turned out a very rough cold night.
6 – A very fine day and thawing a little. Jennie went to Port Perry
in the forenoon and did not get home until 1:30 having to wait for
the Dr. and then she did not see him. Sawing wood most of the
day. Both at the Rhine Bros. meeting in the Presbyterian church, a
good turn out and a very interesting meeting. Mrs. Mark was here
when we were away.
7 – Rather a raw wind from the east. Fixing the nests in the hen
house in the forenoon. After dinner Pat Thompson came and told
that there was some wood cut ready to be hauled. Drew one load
but broke the shoe on the front bob and had to go to Greenbank to
get it repaired and did not get back until about 6:30. Mr. and Mrs.
James McMillan here for tea and Miss Ida Phair collecting for the
Bible Society. Rhine bros. in the Methodist Church but did not go,
a cold windy night.
8 – Pretty cold morning but turned out a fine day. Drawing wood
and made 5 trips. Drawed all the tamarack he had cut, 3 ½ cords
this time. Mrs. Mark here for dinner and the afternoon getting a
wrapper cut. Barbara Fowlie here for tea. At trustee meeting at G.
Reals and afterwards at prayer meeting. Mr. Boe, leader. No
organist, no choir practice. G.A. McMillan married today.
9 – Mild day, drawing poplar wood. Made 3 trips in the forenoon.
Marshal O’Neill after 4 bushels oats. Mrs. Alex Lee called on her
way home from Port. Wig sellers here just before dinner. Norman
Stewart, the assessor, called in the afternoon, also Dr. Archer on
his way home from J.M. Reals. Sawed a little wood in the after-
noon. Isaac O’Neill here for a bag of oats and some hay. At the
singing class in the evening. The Nancy cow calved.
10 – A nice mild day. Drew two loads of poplar which I suppose
finishes the wood for this season, sleighing getting rather poor on
the roads, but good in the fields. Cutting a little wood in afternoon.
Wes Luke in after supper.
11 – Thawing a good deal, especially in the afternoon. Down at
Isaac’s in the forenoon settling up accounts and looking at his
livestock, then to Marshall’s and saw his cows. In the afternoon
drove (with the buggy) to the schoolhouse to a trustee meeting to
see about the floor and seats, then to the village and got the oil can
filled and home in time for chores.
12 – At S.S. and church. Mr. Cameron preached. Both at the C.E.
in the evening, a fairly good meeting. It fell to my lot to take the
topic. Muddy roads and a little snow in the evening. Heavy rains
through the night. T. Phair and Mrs. W. Luke called today.
13 – Not doing much in the forenoon. In the afternoon went with
G. Real to Pinedale to look at their school seats. Came home by
way of Saintfield and saw the seats there. Like the Saintfield ones
the best. W. Leask here collecting for a present to E. Bewell which
is to be presented tonight at Jas. McMillans.
14 – A fine day. Fanning up some oats for W. Burton, after which
I went down to the swamp and skated down the middle of the
concession. Very fine ice, can go most any place. Helping Wes
Luke to kill a pig in the afternoon. At a committee meeting at John
Lee’s in the evening to make plans for an alcove for the church.
J.M. Real, J. Lee and myself committee. A raw east wind at night.
E. Bewell moves to Uxbridge today.
15 – A strong wind from the S. East with rain and sleet, a very
disagreeable day. In the forenoon put a new bottom into a pail and
made grafting wax under the directions of Isaac O’Neill who was
present giving us a long talk about fruit trees. Jennie churning.
Doing very little in the afternoon. Both at prayer meeting in the
evening, a very small turnout. Jas. Miller, leader. A very rough
windy night.
16 – A fine day. Gluing some chairs in the forenoon and started
early after dinner to go to Uxbridge together with John Lee to
confer with James Walker as to the probable cost of an alcove for
the church. He figures the cost to be about $400.00. Got home
between 5 and six. At the singing class in the evening. Mrs. A.
Gordon Sr. here for dinner. Wes Luke here for his saw, Isaac for
oats.
8
17 – Sharpened W. Lukes saw and then went skating in the fore-
noon. Went down to Isaac O’Neills in the afternoon to try to buy a
cow but did not do so altogether. Both at choir practice in the
evening, a very good sing. A pretty cold night and snowing a little.
18 – Snowing most of the day from the east which makes fairly
good sleighing. In the forenoon went with Jennie to Isaac’s to
bring home the cow and calf. Doing very little in the afternoon.
Wes Luke called and Isaac came for a load of turnips, 25 bs, at 6
cts. Price of cow $33.
19 – Snow through the night which makes 6 or 8 inches of snow.
Both at S.S. and church. Mr. Cameron preached. A meeting of the
S.S. officers and teachers to see about books. Did not go to the
C.E. as it was a rough cold night.
20 – A very rough day, snowing and drifting from the north west
badly but settled at sundown and a bright calm evening. Did noth-
ing all day but the chores. About the worst drift of the whole win-
ter.
21 – A pretty bleak wind from the S.E. and rough in the afternoon.
Drove up to Greenbank and voted on the Local Option by-law in
the forenoon. Fanned up a grist of wheat in the afternoon. The
roads somewhat heavy with snow. Local Option carried.
22 – Cleaned out the pigpen and sawed some wood in the fore-
noon, and in the afternoon both went to Port Perry with the grist in
the sleigh. At prayer meeting in the evening, a good turnout and an
extra good meeting. Mr. Cameron was there, choir practice after.
Thunder and rain about 11 o’clock, the first thunder this year.
23 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for the grist and mending
harness in the afternoon. A very rough afternoon, snowing and
drifting from the N.W. At the singing class in the evening, not
many there on account perhaps of the rough night and bad walking.
24 – A fine day, not doing much in the forenoon. At preparatory
service at the church in the afternoon, a fair good turnout. Rev.
Mr. McKay of Sunderland preached. Mrs. H. Taylor, Arch
McArthur, Maggie Carneggie and Mrs. G.A. McMillan came in
this time. Called at W. Reals and telephoned for the Dr. to come to
see Father who has a bad boil on his lip. Both D. and R. Archer
came in the evening. They put Mother under chloroform and ex-
amined her. They give little hopes that she will ever be able to get
up again. Mr. and Mrs. T. Phair called.
25 – At Port Perry in the forenoon for medicine for Father, sawing
wood in the afternoon. Rough and snowing from the SE in the
evening.
26 – A very fine day. Both at church in the forenoon, it being
communion. A very good turnout, the greater part of the Wick
congregation being present. Mr. Cameron conducted the services.
At the C.E. in the evening, the largest turnout as yet. G.A.
McMillan took the topic, a good part of the time spent in getting
names to the pledge. Wes Luke called in the evening.
27 – A fine day. Sawing wood all day. Mr. And Mrs. Akhurst and
Mrs. Gordon here in the afternoon. Churned the cream from
Nancy’s milk for a week, 9 lb. 5 oz. of butter was the result.
28 – Sawing wood in the forenoon. Drawing church plan in the
afternoon, raining a little most of the afternoon. At the church
envelopes in the evening. W. Mark called and Mrs. A. Lee.
29 – A very rough stormy day. Mrs. Mark kept house while we
drove to Uxbridge and got a new dress. Both picking over the
potatoes in the cellar in the afternoon. At prayer meeting in the
evening, a small meeting. Jas. Miller, leader, no organist, no choir
practice.
30 – A fine day and thawing a little. Took 14 bags of oats on the
sleigh to Port Perry to get ground and got them back with me,
arriving home about 1 o’clock. Sleighing not very good, probably
the last of the season. The lake does not show the least sign of
breaking up. The ice is between 2 and 3 feet thick. Choring in the
afternoon. Made a boat paddle. At the singing class in the eve-
ning, tried them in flats for the first time. Wes Luke called in the
afternoon.
31 – Good Friday. A fine day and thawing some. Splitting wood
in the forenoon and sawing wood in the afternoon. J. O’Neill here
in the forenoon for a load of turnips. John Lee called in this after-
noon. Tom Black and Alma came about 6 p.m. with the waggon.
APR. 1 – Fanning up oats and bagging potatoes for Tom Black in
the forenoon. They leave for home (with the wagon) about 2 p.m.
Several snow flurries during the afternoon. Marshall O’Neill here
for two bags of oats and settled up accounts.
2 – At S.S. and church. Mr. Cameron preached on the resurrection
of Christ. Tom Bell came before dinner. At the C.E. in the eve-
ning. Jennie was to have taken the topic but at the last moment
found that she could not go. Rather a small meeting as it was
rough in the evening. Mrs. Somerville led, Mrs. Luke and Mrs.
Colwell called.
3 – A fine day, cleaning out the calf pen and sawing wood in the
forenoon. Margaret and Ethel came before dinner, they walked up
from Port Perry. In the afternoon, drove out with Jennie and [?]
Bell, principally to see Mrs. Joe Bell and Mrs. Perrin who were
there. At the church managers meeting in the evening. Jennie at
the store shopping. There was a full attendance. The principle
business was the proposed improvements. After all had expressed
their opinion, some favourable, some opposed, and others luke-
warm, it was decided to lay it on the table until the next annual
meeting. Mr. Mark called in the forenoon. Mr. Colwell’s barn,
between this and Port Perry, burned between 7 and 8 in the eve-
ning.
4 – A fine day and thawing some. In the forenoon we churned the
weeks cream of the O’Neill cow. The result was 10 lbs. 4 oz. of
butter. Went up to Mr. Akhurst and got some apple cuttings for
grafting. In the afternoon went to the schoolhouse to see Jas.
Walker and Co. putting in the new seats. Jennie and Margaret at
Alex Lee’s in the evening. Tom Michie starts work for Alex.
5 – The most spring-like day that we have had so far. Splitting
some wood in the forenoon. Jennie takes Margaret and Ethel to
Port Perry and gets back about 3 o’clock. Tom Bell coming with
9
her. At the prayer meeting in the evening. A fair turn out, but no
minister and no elders. It fell to my lot to lead the meeting in a
way. Choir practice after the meeting. Roads pretty muddy.
6 – A fine spring-like day. In the forenoon went to Port Perry for
the Dr. for father who is now very bad with his face, worse than
has been this winter. The Dr. did not come as he said he could not
do any good. Tom also on the sick list. Isaac O’Neill here for two
bags of oats. Mrs. Carnegie here for dinner. Sifting the timothy
seed in the afternoon. At the singing class in the evening. Wes
Luke got his team and wagon into the old creek today.
7 – Raining a little most of the day, especially towards night. Went
down to the scene of yesterdays scrape at the creek. Put up some
fence gaps and fixed the cupboard in the woodshed in the fore-
noon. Did very little in the afternoon. Thomas Phair here in the
afternoon. Fred Love called in the evening to get the job of spray-
ing the apple trees.
8 – The ground covered with snow again that fell through the night
but it was all gone before night. Cleaning out the pigpen and with
Wes Lukes and Tom Bells help took out the black teeth. Sawing
wood behind the barn in the afternoon. Isaac O’Neill here in the
forenoon and Wes Luke at supper time.
9 – Ground white with snow again this morning. At S.S. and
church. Mr. Cameron preached on Sabbath observance. At the
C.E. in the evening, rather small attendance, no doubt on account
of the roads which are very bad. G. Miller was leader. Alex Lee
called in the evening.
10 – A nice spring-like day. Finished the wood at the barn in the
forenoon and did very little in the afternoon. Raked the straw off
the strawberries. Jennie making a wrapper for Mrs. Joe Bell.
Jennie took Tom part way home in the morning. Mr. Mark here in
the morning.
11 – Did little but churn in the forenoon. Duff and Heron here
wanting to buy cattle after dinner. Wes Luke got stuck in the lane
with a load of turnips on account of the snow. One of our pigs
died today. We were all ready to go to hear Rev. Mr. McMillan of
Toronto lecture on the Scottish covenants, but it came on rain and
we did not go. A very dark night.
12 – A warm day, with quite a high wind in the afternoon. Took
off the storm windows, fixed some hens nests and planted some
potatoes (the first planting of the season) in the forenoon. In the
afternoon, took the new boat down to the swamp on the stoneboat
and with Jennie boated down as far as the sideroad. When we got
back, Mr. Mark was come to take it down. Broke the whiffletree
and made a new one. John Lee here in the afternoon. He was
telling about the lecture last night, a very small attendance, $3.30
was the receipts. Mr. O’Neill around today buying potatoes.
13 – A nice spring day. Digging berry bushes in the forenoon.
Heavy rain and thunder after dinner. Picked over the Murphys this
afternoon. Cleared up about 4 p.m. and at the berry bushes again.
Went down to Isaacs for some plum grafts and he came here for 25
bus. turnips. At the singing class in the evening and this being the
last meeting, C. Gordon on behalf of the class presented me with a
nice teachers bible and .75 cts.
14 – Thunder and rain in the forenoon. Jennie drove to Port Perry,
left home at 10 and got back at 3. She reports the roads very bad.
W. And F. O’Neill here for 8 bus. oats. Sandy Gordon called after
dinner.
15 – A fine day. In the garden in the forenoon and sowed some
radish and onion seed. At Greenbank in the afternoon getting
some blacksmithing done and for some salts for the pigs. John
Sommerville here and got 45 bus. oats. Tom and George Michie
here in the evening practising on the violin.
16 – The ground covered with about three inches of snow which
did not all go off during the day. At church and S.S. A stranger
preached, Mr. Cameron being at Sunderland. Both at the C.E.
meeting in the evening, a pretty good meeting. Jennie was leader.
Mrs. Mark stayed while we were away. Mr. Mark and Mrs. A. Lee
also here in the evening. Very bad roads.
17 – Quite a frost in the morning. Went down to the bridge to get a
boat ride but could not get it unlocked. Arch McArthur here for
oats but did not promise him any. Isaac O’Neill after 2 bags oats.
Grafting plum trees in the afternoon – 1st
tree (from the south)
Lombard, 2 Shepherd’s Pride, 3 another kind from Isaacs, 4 Sam
Dusty plum, 4 another kind from Isaacs. Silas Butt called in the
afternoon.
18 – A fine warm day. Picking over some of the turnips in the
morning and grafting the remainder of the day. Put in 103 grafts in
the afternoon. W. Mark here charging some eggs. Tom Bell came
in the afternoon. All three down to the creek for a boat ride in the
evening.
19 – A fine warm day. At the garden and plowing the berry bushes
in the forenoon and grafting in the afternoon. Tom Bell drove to
Greenbank to get clovices mended. At prayer meeting in the eve-
ning, Jas. Miller leader. An after meeting about the S.S. anniver-
sary; the various committees appointed and things start with good
prospects. Moved Mother into the S. bedroom today.
20 – Fine day. Plowing the ground and planting potatoes in the
orchard in the forenoon. Tom Bell helping. Plowing sod in the
SW field in the afternoon. Jennie working on the garden and made
me a pair of new pants. Mrs. Mark and Mrs. M. O’Neill here in
the evening.
21 – Plowing sod all day. Tom went to Isaac O’Neills and got
some of his blackberry bushes. Down with Jennie and Tom for a
boat ride in the evening.
22 – Threatening rain in the morning but soon cleared up. Grafting
in the forenoon while Tom cultivated east of the orchard. After-
noon sowed oats east of the orchard, the first sowing of the season.
Isaac O’Neill after 25 bus. turnips. Tom B. goes hoarse. Quite a
warm day.
23 – A very fine day. Took a walk with Jennie up to A. Lee’s in
the forenoon. At S.S. and church. Mr. Cameron preached. The
new S.S. books were given out for the first time by the new sys-
tem. At C.E. in the evening, a large meeting, Jas. Miller led. Mrs.
Mark stayed while we were away. Mr. Mark also here. A very
fine moonlight night.
10
24 – A fine day. Harrowing the oats east of the orchard in the
forenoon and plowing sod in the afternoon. Jennie washing. An-
nie Gordon here for dinner and Mrs. Carnegie for supper. A man
from Lindsay selling bed springs also here for supper.
25 – Fine weather. Plowing in the forenoon and harrowing in the
afternoon. Isaac here for 2 bags of oats. Went down to Isaac
O’Neills in the evening for strawberry plants.
26 – A fine day. Planted the strawberries in the morning, then took
some turnips and potatoes over to Mrs. Carnegie. Both went to
Port Perry with some oats to the mill. Got 5 bus. barley to sow the
winter-killed places in the fall wheat. Got a screen door for the
front. Did not get home in time to get to prayer meeting. Mr and
Mrs Cameron here while we were away. Fixed an alarm bell so
that we both slept in bed for the first time for awhile.
27 – A fine day. Jennie went to Greenbank in forenoon while I put
on the screen doors. In the afternoon got George Michie’s seed
drill and sowed the peas and oats. Tom Bell came in the afternoon.
George came for ½ bus. peas. All three down to the creek in the
evening fishing but did not get any fish.
28 – Another fine day. In the forenoon cleaned out the calf pen
and the hen house and drawed the brush from the orchard. Tom
harrowed the peas and oats. Afternoon cleaned out the little build-
ing and dug some in the garden. Planted butter beans. Tom rolled
the peas. Willie O’Neill after 8 bus. oats. Both at choir practice in
the evening. A good turnout, but not much done.
29 – A very warm day. Sowed some barley in the fall wheat where
it was killed out and Tom harrowed and rolled it. Fixed the bars
and hoed the berry bushes. Moved the stove out into the wood-
shed. Barbara came before dinner. Tom B. goes home. Wes Luke
in awhile in the evening.
30 – A warm day. At church and S.S. Barbara at church. Mr.
Cameron preached. Both at C.E. in the evening, a fairly good
meeting. Mrs. McKittrick led in place of Maggie Blair. Lightning
and thunder in the evening.
MAY 1 – Cultivated the north field in the forenoon and sowed it
with oats in the afternoon. Quite a thunder shower about 1 pm. A
pretty warm day. Mr. Akhurst here after supper. Took the jersey
up to Alex Lees but no go.
2 – Rolled the new grass until about 9:30 and left for Port Perry
with the wagon at 11. Barbara and Jennie going. Also Barbara
took the train for home and we went to Mrs. Shire’s sale for
awhile. Got home at 5:30. Took Tiny up to Alex Lees again. Mrs.
Phair called in the evening. The first sown oats are well up. A
little cooler towards night.
3 – Somewhat cooler. Harrowing the north field in the forenoon.
Fred and William Love sprayed the orchard for the first time. Tom
Bell came for dinner and he ploughed in the SE field all afternoon
while I planted some shade trees, fixed the watering place and
fences.
4 – Trimmed the berry bushes and worked in the garden in the
forenoon and at Burton and O’Neill’s cattle sale in the afternoon.
The cattle sold for pretty good prices. Tom plowing all day.
Jennie making dress. Corn in the orchard through the ground.
5 – Tom and I went out to Port Perry in the forenoon for the eggs
sent from Frank Bratley for hatching. Fixed the gates and other
chores. Tom plowed in the afternoon. Jennie at dress. At choir
practice in the evening, a fairly good meeting. Potatoes coming
through the ground.
6 – Warmer today. Gardening in the morning, planted cucumbers
and radish. Will O’Neill here for oats, Tom harrowing. Finished
sowing tonight. W. O’Neill after three bags of oats.
7 – A fine day. At church and SS. Mr. Cameron preached. All
three at the CE, a large meeting. Nellie McMillan led. Mrs. Mark
stayed. Mr. and Mrs. Luke in at evening and T. Phair, Edith and
Cecil called on their way home from church.
8 – Choring in the forenoon while Tom harrowed the SE field. All
three out at Port Perry in the afternoon moving Mrs. Bell into
another house. Got home about 7 o’clock. A very fine day.
9 – Tom went to Greenbank in the morning for whitening and
rolled most of the day. Whitewashed the kitchen in the forenoon.
Mr. Carnegie helping to scrub. Enlarged the pig pen and planted
the watermelons. Silas Butt in for tea.
10 – Drawing out manure all day for corn and potatoes, 25 loads.
Jennie cleaning cellar. A very fine day.
11 – Rain through the night and part of the forenoon. Spreading
manure in the forenoon and drawing manure in the afternoon (12
loads). Put the young cattle out to pasture. Union choir practice in
the Methodist church for the SS convention but did not go as it
started to rain a little after 6 o’clock.
12 – Plowing in the forenoon. In the afternoon Tom went to Port
Perry for corn and mangle seed. Jennie finishes her dress (no,
Jennie did not). Fred and W. Love sprayed the orchard for the
second time. A very fine day.
13 – Jennie finished her dress today. Rain through the night and
most of the forenoon. Cleaned out the root house and grainery and
planted some corn in the forenoon. Plowing in afternoon. At choir
practice in the evening, a very good practice. A cool night.
14 – A fine cool day, frost in the morning so some say. All at
church and SS. Mr. Cameron preached. At the CE in the evening,
a fair meeting; G. Miller leader. Union choir practice in the Meth-
odist church after service. Mrs. A. Gordon here for tea and stayed
the evening. Took her home after we came from meeting.
15 – [written by Jennie] - A fine day. Robert plowing in the morn-
ing, is gone to the SS convention this afternoon. It is in Green-
bank. Tom harrowing. Mr. Luke and W. O’Neil called today.
Housecleaning upstairs all day. [written by Robert] - Convention
quite a success, a good attendance at both sessions, especially the
11
evening. Put in as secretary of the association for the year. Took
Nancy cow up to A. Lee’s. A hairy frost this morning which did
damage.
16 – Tom rolled the corn and potato land while I fixed a place to
water the pigs when rain came on and continued most of the fore-
noon. Drilling up in the afternoon until about 4 pm when it started
to rain again and continued through the evening.
17 – Drilling in the forenoon and sowed the mangles; planted the
horse and some of the Indian corn in the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs.
Cameron here for tea. Put the calves out to pasture and also the
cows for the first time. Started to rain between 5 and 6 and contin-
ued through the evening. Did not go to prayer meeting.
18 – Finished drilling and planting the Indian corn and drilled most
of the potato drill in the forenoon. Cutting potatoes in the after-
noon. Pretty cool and threatening rain several times. Jennie paper-
ing Fathers room. Mrs. Mark and Mrs. C. Gordon here seeing
about baking for the SS anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. A. Lee in for
the evening.
19 – Cold and raining some in the forenoon. Cutting and picking
potatoes in the cellar. Tom drove to Greenbank for the mail and
some errands at the store. Isaac O’Neill here. Planted the potatoes
in the afternoon. 28 drills and 8 bags of seed. Jennie finished
papering the room. 9 little pigs arrived this morning.
20 – Planted some corn in the orchard, drawed 25 posts from Isaac
O’Neills and drawed out some manure in the forenoon. Drawing
manure in the afternoon. Willie, Annie and Jessie Smith came
about 5:30 pm. Mr and Mrs. Bryant called in the evening. At
choir practice, a fairly good meeting. Still keeps very cool.
21 – A fine day and a little warmer. SS anniversary Sunday. At
SS and church. Mr. Hodges of Oshawa preached a very good
sermon. His text was 11 D-2:17. He mentioned some springs that
go dry, youth, health, friends, money, but Christ’s salvation does
not. A large attendance. Another very crowded house in the eve-
ning. Mr. Hodges preached again on the example of Sampson in
slaying the lion. We all have [?], cowardice, impatience, narrow-
ness, neglect.
22 – Rain through the night. Took the Jersey cow to Alex Lee in
the morning. Willie, Annie and Jessie Smith left for home about 9
am. Jennie and Tom went to Port Perry and did not get home until
1:30. Planted cabbage, cauliflower and cucumbers. Took the
Molly cow down to the swamp field but she soon broke through
the fence and came back. We therefore had to repair the fence.
Afterwards drawed 3 loads of manure. Went fishing in the evening
but did not get anything. Got word that Annie’s baby died yester-
day. The Baptist church raised today.
23 – Empire day, the first time celebrated. Planted the corn in the
little place near the pump and some other chores in the forenoon.
Tom principally shooting at woodchucks. Up to Greenbank put-
ting up the tables for the anniversary tomorrow. Jennie washing
and baking bread and baking cakes for the 24th
. Mrs. Duncan
McMillan died quite suddenly this morning.
24 – A beautiful day. Drawed out a few loads of manure in the
morning when Mundo Perrin and Alma, Annie Tate, Mrs. Bell and
Willa came between 9 and 10. Went down with Mundo, Alma,
Annie and Willa for a boat ride and fish but the fish were scarce.
All at the Sunday School anniversary in the afternoon and evening.
There was a good crowd. The children gave a cantata in the after-
noon which went off very well. The Uxbridge Presbyterian choir
furnished the music in the evening which was very good, only too
much of a kind. Mr. Secombe, Fraser and Glasford were the
speakers. With the Sunday collections the proceeds amounted to
$83.00.
25 – Tom took Mrs. Bell and Willa home first thing in the morn-
ing. Mundo and Alma start for home about 9:30. Planted the
potatoes that came from the experimental farm. Drew out a few
loads of manure after dinner but rain came on about 3:30, some
thunder. At the social in the evening, not a very large turnout.
Made over $8.00. South Ontario election [?] starts today.
26 – Drawing manure until the middle of the afternoon when it
started to rain and kept it up until about 6. Some very sharp light-
ning. J. O’Neill came after some oats but did not get any. Tom
got his finger cut and burned by the explosion of a cartridge he was
pounding with a hammer. Dryden unseated by the court today.
27 – Drawing manure all day and nearly finished. Several showers
during the day. Most of the crops suffering by wet.
28 – A very dull day, threatening rain all the time with quite a
heavy shower in the evening with lightning. At SS and church.
Mr. Cameron preached and Mr. W. Robinson of Detroit sang a
solo very nicely. At CE in the evening, a good meeting. Mr. Rob-
inson led the meeting and sang a solo.
29 – Plowing turnip land all day. Two [?] mower men called want-
ing to sell a mower, but did not do so. J. Burke here gathering eggs
and another Uxbridge man on the same business. Thundering most
of the forenoon to the south but no rain here, but there was a very
heavy thunder shower about 6 pm. C. Rennie’s raising and Marsh
Hill anniversary but did not go to either of them.
30 – A fine day, no rain, the first for several days. Plowing in the
forenoon. Tom spreading manure. In the afternoon drawed 5
loads of manure which finishes for the season. Miss Maggie Car-
negie here wanting help at a plowing bee tomorrow. Mrs. David
Cragg called to see Mother, and Alfred Butt called in the evening.
31 – Fine day, a very little sprinkle of rain in the afternoon. Jennie
went out to Port Perry in the forenoon while I hoed the berry
bushes and some other chores. Plowing in the afternoon. Isaac
O’Neill, A. Butt, and T.H. Wilson, the great medicine man of
Brooklin, here today. At prayer meeting. Mr. Cameron was there.
Afterwards there was a meeting to wind up the business in connec-
tion with the anniversary, about $70.00 clear after paying all ex-
penses.
JUNE 1 – A very fine day, no rain. Plowing and harrowing the
potatoes. Stove pedlar called. Got out of bed at 11 and found that
Jess had got a horse colt.
12
2 – Took Nancy cow up to Alex Lee’s and spent most of the fore-
noon trying to get the colt to suck but failed. Hoeing potatoes in
the orchard in the afternoon while Tom when to Port Perry for
some more horse corn to plant the second time. At choir practice
in the evening, not a very good turnout. A fine day, no rain.
3 – Planted the horse corn for the second time, the greater part of
the first planting being rotten. Did not do much in the afternoon.
Took the red heifer to the swamp field and then went down to the
creek where W. Mark and G. Michie were fixing the bridge. Miss
Ida Phair called in the afternoon.
4 – Thunder and rain through the night and most of the forenoon.
At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE in the evening, a
very good meeting. G. Miller leader. Took Maggie Carnegie
across the swamp there being water on the road. Mosquitoes very
bad.
5 – Making a new fence in the front of the barnyard. Tom went to
Port Perry for floor paint in the afternoon. Jennie painted the
kitchen floor. Fred Love and John sprayed the apple trees for the
third time. They were here for dinner. Went down to the creek
with Alex Leask and Charles Gordon to fish for mudcats but got
only one perch. A very warm day with a good deal of thunder but
no rain.
6 – Another warm day, a good deal of thunder but no rain. Putting
up new fence west of the barn. Tom went to Port Perry in the
morning for more paint. Mr. Cameron here for tea. Mrs. Annie
Gordon here in the forenoon. Jennie painting floor.
7 – Warm with thunder all afternoon with a big shower between 7
and 8. Tom harrowed the corn and potatoes. Finished cleaning up
the fence rubbish, planted the white beans and did some other
chores. Did not go to prayer meeting as the rain came on. Beef
ring4
started today.
8 – A fine day and much cooler. Went to Greenbank in the morn-
ing for some things at the store. Banked up the early potatoes and
hoed in the orchard the remainder of the day. Went with Jennie up
to Alex Lee’s in the evening, they having got another boy today.
Mrs. Mark and Barbara Walker here in the afternoon.
9 – A very fine cool day. Took Topsy over to Alex Lee to pasture,
then Tom harrowed the corn while I hoed mangles and other jobs.
Tom harrowed turnip ground in the afternoon and went home at
night. Mrs. James Leask here in the afternoon.
10 – Fine cool day. Drilling up for turnips, 48 drills, and sowed
them before supper. At choir practice in the evening, a pretty good
meeting. Jennie visiting at John Lee’s.
11 – A beautiful day. At church and SS. Mr. Cameron preached.
At CE in the evening, a very good meeting. Flossie Burns leader.
Mrs. Luke here in the afternoon. Big pig eat a number of the
chickens in the forenoon.
4
During the hot months, with no means of refrigera-
tion, each farmer would take a turn butchering an
animal and sharing the meat among the other mem-
bers of the ‘ring’.
12 – A fine day, some thunder to the north but no rain in here.
Finished plowing the turnip land about 4 o’clock, then took Jess to
the horse at D. McDonalds. Took the Isaac cow up to A. Lee’s in
the morning, but no use. Mrs. Bell and Tom came before dinner.
Jennie housecleaning the parlor.
13 – A pretty warm day. In the morning Tom harrowed what was
plowed yesterday. About 9 o’clock the colt was much worse. I
went and got Sandy Gordon, took him home again and went on to
Charles Gordon’s for a syringe, and worked with the colt until 3
o’clock when it died. Mrs. S. Dusty, Mrs. Alex Gordon, and Alex
Lee here in the afternoon. Jennie took her mother and Tom home
after supper.
14 – Thunder most of the afternoon and some rain after supper.
Drilled up and sowed turnips, 56 drills. Went to prayer meeting
but was too late. W. Luke, Mrs. Luke and W. Mark called today.
First strawberries of the season for supper.
15 – Started at 7 for Uxbridge for some pig feed and got lots of
rain on the way. Got ½ ton of cornmeal and paid $8.50 for it. Got
home at 4. The weather turning much cooler. Joe Stone bought
the red heifer for $42.50 and paid $5.00 down. John Lee called
today.
16 –This being the first day of the lunge fishing, I got up at 3:30
am and went down to the creek where George Michie came with
the wagon and took the boat over to the lake. Fished until about 9
o’clock and got 2 lunge, 3 bass and 2 perch. Quite a number of
boats out but not so many as usual on a first day. The weather was
very cold and disagreeable with rain flurries and quite a high wind.
Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon while I hoed mangels
and did some other chores. Both at choir practice, a very good
turnout. Decided to have a strawberry festival on the 27th
.
17 – A very fine day, finished drilling and sowing turnips. James
Smith and Jessie arrived at 6 p.m.
18 – A fine morning but threatening and rain in the afternoon and
much lightning to the north in the evening. George Fowlie came
for dinner. At SS and church. Mr. Cameron preached. Jas. Smith
and Jessie left for home at 6 pm. At CE in the evening, a fairly
good meeting. Mrs. Somerville leader.
19 – Scuffled the corn and potatoes in the forenoon. Went for a
load of gravel for the road and then drew out some wood from
Isaac’s field for Mrs. Bell. Planted some corn for the third time.
Took the Isaac cow up to A. Lee’s but no use. Jennie down at
Marks for the trolling lines. Word received that Mr. James Butt
was married on Saturday last. Silas Butt called at supper time. A
very fine day but rather warm.
20 – Got up at 3 am and with Jennie drove over to the lake to fish.
The water was rather rough. We got one lunge and 2 bass. Got
home at 8 am, then went drawing gravel. Drew three loads which
finishes the road work. A nice cool day. Annie Gordon here for
dinner and Mrs. Mark in the afternoon. Took the Isaac cow up to
A. Lees again.
13
21 – Took the heifer to John Stones in the forenoon and walked all
the way. She led very well and weighed [?]. Hoed and planted
some corn in the afternoon. Mr and Mrs Robert Phair, T. Phair and
Mr. Wright calling in the afternoon and had a nice little visit. Both
at prayer meeting which was also preparatory service. A good
meeting. G. Michie, Nellie Michie, Annie Dusty, Althea Love,
and Silva Leask came in this time. A very fine cool day.
22 – A very fine day with a little rain about 1 o’clock. Went to
Port Perry in the morning and got home at 9:30. Planted corn and
hoed the mangels. John Ewin and J. Lee here in the forenoon. In
the afternoon Jennie had her SS class here including Maggie Blair
and they had a very good time.
23 – Hoeing mangels and corn in the forenoon and plowing in the
orchard in the afternoon. Mr and Mrs James Allan, Mrs T. Phair
and Mrs Wright called in the evening. At choir practice, not a very
good turnout. Took the Nancy cow up to Lee’s. A fine day.
24 – A very fine day but pretty warm. Sowed the buckwheat in the
forenoon and hoed in the afternoon. Jennie went out to Port Perry
in the afternoon. Alex Lee and boys called and Charles Gordon.
25 – A fine but pretty warm day. Went to Wick to the communion
service. Took Mrs. Carnegie there and back. A good turnout,
most of the Greenbank people were there. Jennie did not go. Both
went to the Methodist SS anniversary service in the evening. A
large crowd. Rev. Mr. McDermid of Whitby preached a very good
sermon but could not agree with the doctrine he taught.
26 – At Port Perry in the forenoon, hoeing corn in the afternoon.
Both at Sonya at the Presbyterian SS and CE convention in the
evening, a large crowd. McMillan of Lindsay and Patterson of
Toronto were the speakers and they were splendid. Got home at 11
pm. A very fine day.
27 – Went to Port Perry for strawberries and afterwards hoed all
the potatoes in the field. Tom Bell came before dinner. Both at
the strawberry festival in the evening. A good crowd and a good
time. The proceeds amounted to $18.23. After paying expenses
there will be about $10.00 to the good.
28 – A drizzling rain in the forenoon and quite heavy in the after-
noon. We picked and preserved 7 jars of strawberries. W. Luke
and A. Akhurst called in the forenoon. Made out the church re-
ports for the quarter in the afternoon. Annie, Emma and Alfie
came about 7 pm. CE business meeting tonight but did not go.
Quite cool with bright northern lights.
29 – Went up to Greenbank in the morning for the beef, but there is
a hitch and there will be none this week. Put Paris green on the
potatoes in the orchard and did some hoeing. Annie left for home
at 2 p.m. Had a small mess of new potatoes, the first of the season.
A fine cool day.
30 – Got up at 3 am and with Jennie went over to the lake and got
one 4 lb lunge. A beautiful morning but a little cool. Got home at
8. Churned and did some hoeing. Hoed a few turnips, the first of
the season, but they are rather small. Started to wean the little
pigs. George Michie up for the scuffler.
JULY 1 – Dominion Day and very fine day it was. Scuffled tur-
nips in the forenoon and in the afternoon went alone to the Sons of
England demonstration at Port Perry. A large crowd and saw the
usual sports. Got home about 7. Both went up to Alex Lee’s in the
evening.
2 – A fine day. At SS and church. Mr Cameron preached. Both at
CE in the evening, a very good meeting. Election of officers;
Nellie McMillan, pres. W. Ledingham and G. and Mrs. G. Bewell
at church. Mr. A. Day preached in the Methodist church today.
3 – Rain in the early morning and threatening several times during
the day. At Port Perry in the forenoon and hoeing turnips in the
afternoon. Tom comes back and takes a load of wood out to his
mother and also some oats to get ground. William Perkins here for
dinner and Alex Lee and Abe Cragg just after dinner. At managers
meeting in the evening. A full turnout but there was little business
to transact.
4 – A very warm day with a good deal of thunder but no rain here.
Paris greened the potatoes in the field in the forenoon while Tom
scuffled. Annie Gordon here for dinner and John Lee Sr. and John
(Jack) Lee Jr. here just after dinner. Tom went to Port Perry with
another load of wood while I hoed turnips. The old sow got in the
stable and ate all but 8 of the chickens.
5 – A little rain in the morning and a good deal of thunder during
the day and very warm. Went for the beef in the morning, then
banked up the potatoes and scuffled the corn and hoed some tur-
nips. Tom hoeing turnips. Both at prayer meeting in the evening.
Mr. Cameron, leader. Not many out but an extra good meeting.
Gave Mrs. Gordon a ride home. Jack Lee there.
6 – A fine cool day. Hoeing corn in the forenoon and turnips in the
afternoon. Tom finishes scuffling the turnips. Jennie picking
currants and making jelly. Barbara Fowlie here for dinner and
stayed during the afternoon.
7 – Got up soon after 3 am and went to the lake. A very fine morn-
ing it was but not a fish did we get. Hoeing turnips the remainder
of the day. Jennie picking the gooseberries. At choir practice, a
good turnout.
8 – Rain through the night with sharp lightning again at 2 pm and 7
pm. Hoeing turnips all day.
9 – A fine cool day. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached.
All three at CE. Maggie McMillan, leader; a fairly good meeting.
Mrs. W. Luke here in the afternoon.
10 – A fine cool day. At Port Perry in the forenoon. Hoeing tur-
nips in the afternoon. Jennie at Port Perry in the afternoon with
some new potatoes and black currants.
11 – Hoeing turnips until about the middle of the afternoon when
we went over to help Wes Luke to cock up some hay as rain was
coming, but we got very little done before it came on. Did not do
much during the remainder of the afternoon as there was another
shower came on. Mrs. Akhurst and Mrs. John McLean here for
tea.
14
12 – At Thomas Phair’s until the middle of the afternoon shingling
his barn. Tom takes the wagon to Greenbank to get repaired and
hoed turnips the rest of the day, very nearly finished. Both at
prayer meeting. Mr. Boe, leader, and not very many out. Mrs.
Mark here in the afternoon.
13 – Very fine day, finished hoeing turnips 1st
time. Hoed man-
gels, horse corn, and beans. Mrs. A. Lee and Mrs. Phair here in the
afternoon. Went with Jennie and Mrs. A. Lee to the lake in the
evening. Had a fine boat ride but got no fish.
14 – A pretty warm day. Fixing hayrack, patching the barn roof
and other jobs. At choir practice in the evening. Tom mudcatting
at the creek in the evening.
15 – Making a hay stack for George in the forenoon. Cleaning the
straw out of the barn and other jobs in the afternoon. Some rain in
the evening. Took the Nancy cow to Alex Lee’s.
16 – At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE in the
evening, a very good turnout. It fell to me to take the topic. A
pretty warm day.
17 – At Port Perry in the forenoon, then Tom went to Greenbank
for the wagon. Fixing the bridge at the barn door. Then started to
cut hay about 4 pm. Mrs. Bryant and May here in the afternoon.
Picked the first lot of raspberries – 13 boxes.
18 – Tom finished cutting the field west of house about 10 o’clock.
Raked and cocked it up in the afternoon. Jennie at Port Perry in
the afternoon, a nice cool day.
19 – A very fine cool day. Drawing in hay. Mr. W. Mark, helping.
After which Tom raked the field. Mr. Cameron and Mr. W. Ak-
hurst here for tea. At prayer meeting Mr. Cameron spoke on why I
am a Presbyterian, 1st
night.
20 – Cut the little field at the swamp and drawed in rakings, fixed
fence at swamp pasture and other jobs. A little rain just before
dinner. Afternoon went down to Isaac’s to see if he had anything
that would make a sleeper for the barn but he did not have any.
Tried at Marshall’s with the same result but got a stick from G.
Michie. Mrs. Luke here picking berries. Mrs. R. Sonley and a
Miss Richardson came with her. Mrs. Jas. Burns, Flossie and baby
Burns, Mrs. Byers, Mrs. Harper and Barbara Walker here for tea.
Barbara, Willie and Jessie Smith came about 6 pm. Went down to
the creek in the evening fishing for mudcats with Isaac. Had pretty
fair luck and got home about 9:30.
21 – Threatening rain in the morning but did not amount to much.
Went with Tom for the barn sleeper at George’s, then framed it and
put it in. Tom went to Port Perry for bread and other provisions.
Afternoon raked and drew in the hay on the little swamp field,
Willie Smith helping. Mrs. Mark and Mrs. Charles McLean here.
Tom took the Isaac cow up to Alex Lees. At choir practice, a very
good turnout. Berry social at the Methodist church.
22 – Got up at 4 am and with Willie Smith went over to the lake.
A very fine morning but we only got one bass. Got back about
9:30. Picked berries in the afternoon, May Bryant helping; 27
boxes. Smith folks left for home at 7 pm. Went to Greenbank to a
sale of the old school seats but there was no sale on account of no
notice having been given.
23 – A very fine day but pretty warm. Both at SS and church; Mr.
Cameron preached, and both at CE in the evening. A fair turnout.
Hugh Martin, leader. Mrs. Luke here in the afternoon. Alf and
Lizzie Spencer of Brooklin and Frank Smith of Dakota at church.
24 – Went to Port Perry with the wagon for salt and binder twine.
Just after dinner Mr and Mrs W. [Brimacombe?] came on a tandem
wheel5
and left again at 6 pm. Did nothing but talk to them. Mrs.
Marshall O’Neill here in the afternoon. Went over to Lukes after
supper to see about the binder. A pretty warm day.
25 – Tom scuffling turnips all day. At Wes Luke’s in the forenoon
fixing up the binder and making a pig rack in the afternoon. Went
with G. Michie to Wick to hear Dr. [Nugent?] on missions. A fair
meeting but not much life. Fred and Roy O’Neill picking berries
in the afternoon. A little rain about 3 o’clock. Pretty warm.
26 – A very warm day. Helping Wes Luke to start the binder in his
rye while Tom put Paris Green on the potatoes. At G. Lee’s barn
raising in the afternoon. Ben Ward and Dan McDonald were the
captains. Ben Ward’s side won after a hot fight. Peter Ganton fell
from the beam on his head and shoulder and had to be carried off.
At prayer meeting. Mr. Cameron was there and gave his 2nd
ad-
dress on why I am a Presbyterian. Jeannie and Tom picking ber-
ries in the afternoon. Mrs. W. O’Neill, Roy and Lillie picking in
the forenoon. 40 boxes in all counting yesterdays picking. John
Lee called in the afternoon.
27 – Took 6 pigs to Port Perry; their weight was 965 lbs. Brought
a bedstead home. Helping Wes Luke with the rye in the afternoon.
Tom scuffling turnips. Annie and Ralph came just after dinner.
Mrs. Mark helping to pick berries. A very nice cool day.
28 – Helped at Luke’s rye until finished, about an hours work and
then cut our fall wheat, finishing at 3 pm. Russell helping. Hoed a
few drills of turnips, 2nd
time, and went to choir practice in the
evening.
29 – Cut George’s fall wheat in the forenoon and hoed turnips in
the afternoon. Tom went to Port Perry in the afternoon and
brought Willie home with him.
30 – Tom left early in the morning and walked to Port Perry to see
Tom Bell of Raglan who is there today. Mr and Mrs. Alex Lee
here in the forenoon and James Michie came just before dinner. At
SS and church. A little late for SS and Mr. A. T. Horne taught the
class. Mr. Cameron read an old sermon preached by Rev.
McArthur in 1867. At CE in the evening, a large turnout, perhaps
the largest yet. R.R. Harrington, leader. A very cool day for the
time of year and a high wind.
5
Tandem wheel – a bicycle for two people.
15
31 – A very fine day. Drove out to Port Perry in the forenoon with
Wes Luke for some repairs for the binder. Spent the afternoon
with Wes fixing the binder. Willie drove to Port Perry after supper
and brought Mrs. Bell and Tom back with him. Jennie and Willie
picked berries.
AUG. 1 – A fine day. Hoeing turnips with Tom until 4 pm when
we finished. After supper went to Greenbank to get the discharge
arms of the binder straightened. William Real threshing rye, the
first of the season as far as I know. Heard that W. McGill of Port
Perry and Sir. J.D. Edgar are dead and John Horne of Saintfield
very low. Mrs. Mark and Jessie called in the evening and Luc
O’Neill for some apples. Pared some apples in the evening, the
first of the season.
2 – A very warm day. Fanned up 7 bags of wheat and took them to
Port Perry mill and got flour in return. Brought home a mattress
bed. Fixing binder, horse rake, and other chores in the afternoon.
Jennie scalded her foot. At prayer meeting with Jennie and Willie
in the evening. Mr. Cameron was there but did not speak on his
unfinished subject.
3 – Drew in the fall wheat in the forenoon. Tom raked the field
and we drew it in in the afternoon. Fixed the watering place in the
swamp field and other chores. Jennie at a quilting bee at Mrs.
Lukes.
4 – Cut the oats east of the orchard in the forenoon. George and
his horse Joe helping. Jennie and Willie picking berries. At choir
practice in the evening, a fair meeting. Plowing sod west of house
in the afternoon.
5 – A fine day and somewhat cooler with wind from NW. Jennie
and Willie start for Inniskillen at 7:30. Willie stayed there and
Jennie got home at 6 bringing Annie Bell with her. Cutting the old
fence posts and other rubbish for wood. At Greenbank in the eve-
ning to sell the school seats but there was no sale on account of
there being so few there.
6 – A fine day but the roads very dusty. At SS and church. Mr.
Cameron preached, rather a small choir. At the CE in the evening,
a fairly good meeting, Nettie McMillan leader.
7 – Trimming sod in the forenoon and cut the peas and oats in the
SW field. A very fine cool day.
8 – A very fine cool day. Trimming sod in the forenoon while
Tom shocked oats and peas. Tom plowing in the afternoon while I
shocked. Helped W. Luke to fix the canvas of the binder at which
refused to work. Jennie at Marks to a quilting bee.
9 – Went for the beef in the morning and then Jennie and her
mother went to Port Perry and got back after twelve. Annie got
dinner ready. Skinning sod in the afternoon and finished the piece.
At prayer meeting in the evening, rather a small meeting. I. A.
Miller, leader.
10 – Did some chores in the forenoon while Tom harrowed the
newly plowed sod. Did very little in the afternoon but take the
Tiny heifer up to Alex Lee’s. Left home at 4 o’clock with Jennie
and Annie Bell and went over to the lake and had a very nice time
but got only 1 fish. Got home about 8 o’clock.
11 – Drawing in oats east of orchard in the forenoon and cutting
wheat for George in the afternoon. At choir practice in the eve-
ning. Mrs. W. Leask, organist. A fair turnout. Mr. Cameron here
for dinner. A pretty warm day, a very little rain about 6.
12 – A very heavy thunder storm between 4 and 6 in the morning
which soaked things pretty well, and it was needing it as things
were getting very dry. Did very little in the forenoon. Cutting
wheat and oats at George’s in the afternoon. Mrs. Mark and Mrs.
Jas. Bush called. W. McMillans new barn (hardly finished) struck
by lightning and burned this morning about 5 am. Just as we were
getting into bed there came a rap at the door, which proved to be
Margaret Bell. As we had no idea of her coming it was quite a
surprise.
13 – A fine cool day. Walked to SS with Annie Bell, Mrs. Bell
and Maggie coming later with the rig. Mr. Cameron preached.
Mrs. W. H. Leask, organist. At CE in the evening, a very good
meeting, Jas. McKittrick leader, no organist. Mrs. Luke here in the
afternoon.
14 – Finished cutting George’s field of oats about 10 o’clock and
got 2 rounds about our north field before dinner. Finished the field
in the afternoon. A very fine cool day. The Port Perry S. of T.
excursion to Fenelon Falls today.
15 – Drew in oats in the forenoon and at Alex Lee’s threshing in
the afternoon and a big ½ days threshing it was. W. Taylor’s ma-
chine. Jennie took her mother and Maggie to Port Perry and left
them there. Mrs. Annie Gordon here in the forenoon. A very fine
day.
16 – A very fine day. Drew in peas and oats in the forenoon and
some rakings in the afternoon. Got 6 bags of oats from Alex Lee.
Mr. Cameron and John Lee here between 4 and 5 o’clock. At
prayer meeting with Tom and Annie Bell, rather a small meeting.
Ice cream social at W. Reals.
17 – Went to Port Perry in the morning and took Father to the Dr.
and Annie Bell to Mrs. Bell’s where we left her. Father paid his
Dr. bill which was $35.00. Went over to Lukes after dinner to see
about cutting and did little else until after supper when we cut four
rounds about the SW field. A pretty warm day and a beautiful
moonlit night.
18 – Finished cutting for 1899 at 5 pm. Got a horse from W. Luke.
G. Michie came and helped to shock up at 4 pm. Drove up to choir
practice with George’s horse, rather a small turnout. A fine day.
19 – Tom started in the morning and took Annie Bell home to
Inniskillen and got back at 8 pm bringing Maggie with him.
George Michie came up in the morning and helped to finish shock-
ing and then I went and helped him with his oats building a stack.
Got done at 4 pm. Took the sow up to Joe Burton’s after supper.
A very hot day. A man called about buying apples.
16
20 – A very warm day. Went to SS and church, Mr. Cameron
preached. At CE in the evening, a good meeting. Maggie Blair,
leader.
21 – A fine day and not so warm. Worked all day drawing in the
oats in the north field. George helping. Billie Bowles called to ask
hands for his raising next Wednesday. Voting today on the ques-
tion of a poor house for the county, but did not go to vote.
22 – A cool day and almost rain in the forenoon. Tom raked the
north field and we drawed it in. Cutting oats at George’s in the
afternoon which finishes the cutting for the year. George Miller
called in the evening to see about the new school blackboard.
23 – Jennie drove Tom and Maggie to Port Perry in the forenoon
where she left them, as Tom starts for Manitoba tomorrow, while I
cut the old wood out of the raspberry bushes. Went with George in
the afternoon to Mr. Bowles raising. A little scarce of hands, but it
went up very well. Mrs. Mark here in the afternoon.
24 – Went down to George’s in the morning to get him to help at
the oats but he was at C. Gordon’s; then tried for one of M.
O’Neill’s boys but could not get one, but got Wes Luke and
Stanley Crowle and drawed it in the afternoon. Raining a little in
the evening.
25 – Drew in oats in the forenoon, George helping. After dinner
pumped out the water and cleaned out the well. I then raked the
SE field and drew in the rakings after supper which finishes the
harvest for 1899. At choir practice in the evening, a small turnout.
Jennie at the store shopping. A fine day.
26 – A nice day, but pretty warm. Gang plowing in the SW field
until 5 o’clock. After supper Jennie drove to Port Perry to meet
Barbara who came up on the train. They got home at 9 pm.
O’Neill’s boys here for apples.
27 – A nice day. Mrs. Mark and Mrs. Moon of Seagrave here for
dinner. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached, no organist at
SS. At CE with Jennie in the evening, a good turnout. J. A. Miller
leader. Choir sang a piece for the first time. Eliza Beare kidnapped
Allie McMillan tonight.
28 – Helping George all day staking oats and finishes his harvest.
W. Luke also finishes today. Barbara down to Marks’ in the eve-
ning.
29 – Gang plowing in the SW field all day. Very warm. Alex Lee
called in the forenoon.
30 – Took Jennie out to Port Perry and left her there. Gang plow-
ing in the afternoon and finished the SW field. W. Perkins here for
dinner and Mr. Cameron and John Lee for supper. Jas. Burns
called at dusk. A pretty warm day.
31 – Took the binder over to Lukes in the morning and spent the
remainder of the forenoon fixing the grainery and mending har-
ness. About 10:30 Mrs. Clyde, Hannah Clyde, Mr. Murray and
Mrs. Joyce from Sutton came, got dinner and left again about 2
o’clock. Harrowed the SW field in the afternoon and went to
Greenbank in the evening and brought Mrs. Joyce(who had been
visiting at Mrs. Walkers) here for the night. Sat talking until after
11. Started to rain about 10 o’clock and it is very badly needed as
things are very dry.
SEPT. 1 – A very fine rain all night which was much needed.
Took Barbara to Port Perry and brought Jennie home, rain most of
the way. Started at 3 o’clock to drive Mrs. Joyce to Uxbridge but
fell in with Hannah Clyde on the road who took her the latter part
of the way. Got tea at John Lee’s and went to choir practice, a
very small turnout but had quite a sing. Very dark night, threaten-
ing rain.
2 – Threshing all day at Mr. Akhurst’s; W. Taylor’s machine. Mrs.
Annie Gordon here in the afternoon.
3 - At SS and church. Mr. Cameron preached, no superintendant
at SS, small choir. At CE with Jennie in the evening. I had to take
the topic and very few assisted. Quite a cool day.
4 – Threshing at Wes Luke’s until 2 pm. Was at the rakes and a
very hard place it was, they threshed so fast, but it was a nice cool
day. Picking the Culbert apples in the later part of the afternoon.
Had a headache and went to bed early.
5 – Thunder and rain in the forenoon. Harrowed the fall wheat
ground in the forenoon and plowed some of it in the afternoon. A
fine cool day. Jessie Michie here in the afternoon.
6 – Threshing at George Michie’s and finished at 5 pm, then went
to Isaac O’Neills and started at 6 and worked until long after dark
but could not finish after all. Jennie went up in the morning for the
beef but there is another hitch. She then went to Port Perry and got
back at noon. Mrs. Alex Lee and Maggie Brown here in the after-
noon.
7 – Went down to Isaac O’Neill’s in the morning and finished his
threshing which took about an hour, then plowed the remainder of
the forenoon except when a shower came up. After dinner started
to help C. Gordon to thresh but they had not finished at D. Cragg’s
and it was 5 o’clock before they started at C. Gordon’s. Finished
him out in about 2 hours.
8 – Went up to Greenbank first thing in the morning for the beef
but went on a fool’s errand. Plowing the rest of the day. At choir
practice in the evening, a fairly good turnout.
9 – Plowing until about 4 o’clock and finished the fall wheat
ground, then harrowed it once over. Fine cool day.
10 – At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. Miss Flossie
Burns came to tea. At CE with Jennie, a good meeting, G. Miller
leader. A dull night.
11 – A heavy thunder storm at 7 am and a drizzling rain most of
the forenoon. Fanned up the seed wheat and some other chores in
the forenoon and harrowed the ground twice over and went for the
drill at George’s in the afternoon.
12 – Sowed the fall wheat in the forenoon and harrowed it and
plowed some in the field east of the orchard in the afternoon. Two
or three rain flurries after dinner. Cool day.
17
13 – A fine cool day. Plowing all day. Mr. Cameron, Mrs. T.
Phair and Mrs. Crowle here in the afternoon.
14 – Drying the potatoes in the orchard. Jennie helping. Picked
some apples and dug up some berry bushes. Mr. and Mrs. Alex
Lee and Barbara Walker called in the evening and Mrs. Mark in
the forenoon. A hard frost in the morning, the first of the season
that I have noticed.
15 – Plowed in the forenoon and in the afternoon helping A. Lee to
thresh, first at the Ewin place and after 5 at his own place. Jennie
at Port Perry in the afternoon. Apple packers here. John Lee
called. At choir practice in the evening, the best turnout for a long
time.
16 – Threshing at Alex Lee’s until 10 when they moved here and
had a short run before dinner and all afternoon. Mrs. Mark helping
Jennie.
17 – At church and SS, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE with Jennie
in the evening. Bella McMillan leader; not very large meeting.
Saintfield [?] home services. E. Horne at church and Mrs. And
Mrs. E. [?] out for the first time. Jas. Yule sr. died yesterday.
18 – Finished threshing at home at 9 am. They then moved to W.
Luke’s where they started at 10 and threshed him out by night; a
very hard day’s work. Foggy in the morning and threatening rain
in the afternoon, cooler at night.
19 – Cleaning up the barn floor in the morning and cutting horse
corn the rest of the day. Mrs. Mark here in the afternoon. Rain
from the east in the evening. Marshall O’Neill’s trial today for
kicking Pat Thompson.
20 – When I went to the barn in the morning I found that Fly
[horse] was missing. Hunted over Lukes place before breakfast,
then hitched up to hunt her when I heard that W. Lukes buggy and
harness was also gone. We then decided that they were stolen.
Drove out with Wes to Port Perry and got 30 cards printed out and
sent them to all the surrounding places but got no trace of the
thieves. In the afternoon we drove as far as Saintfield but could
not get any trace. Mrs. A. Gordon called in the forenoon; Mr.
Cameron in the afternoon and George and Jessie, W. Luke and W.
Phoenix in the evening.
21 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with 3 barrels of apples
sold to Mr. Monroe and 10 bags of peas and oats to get ground.
Went to the fair in the afternoon. Jennie went down but did not go
to the fair; there was quite a fair turnout but the exhibits were
rather few. Mr. and Mrs. C. Gordon called when we were away.
Had George’s horse Joe.
22 – Plowing all day. Moved the cook stove into the kitchen. At
choir practice in the evening, a poor turnout of girls. Quite a cool
day.
23 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for the meal. Made a pig
trough and cut corn in the afternoon. A very hard frost in the
morning.
24 – Thunder and rain in the early morning and rain again in the
evening. Communion Sunday; a fair turnout and an extra good
sermon by Mr. Cameron. Did not go to CE on account of the rain.
George Fowlie here for dinner, he came on a wheel [bicycle].
25 – Rain off and on all day. Cleaned out the root house and made
a new door to it in the forenoon. Did not do much in the afternoon
but go down to Marks. Making out the quarterly church reports in
the evening.
26 – A steady rain all day, with snow after dinner (the first of the
season). Nothing doing. A cold disagreeable day. Saw nobody.
27 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with Jennie to do some
shopping. In the afternoon put up the little stove and then went
down to Marshall O’Neill’s to see about getting Fred to help with
the potatoes. Went to prayer meeting in the evening but there was
no meeting, only Flossie and John Burns there. Mrs. Mark here in
the afternoon.
28 – When I got up there was two of the little pigs missing and
thinking they were stole, went to Greenbank to see W. Phoenix
who was watching the [?] last night, but he had not seen anything.
I then came home and found the pigs in the swamp field. W.P.
came down to see about it in the forenoon. Plowing the remainder
of the day with W. Luke’s horse. A high wind at noon and a little
rain in the evening. Mrs. Mark here in the afternoon.
29 – Plowing all day with George’s horse. At choir practice in the
evening, a pretty cool night. Whitby fair day.
30 – Digging potatoes all day, Fred O’Neill helping. A pretty cool
day with slight rain flurries. Snow in the evening.
OCT. 1 – At SS and church, G. Miller preached, Mr. Cameron
being away on his holidays. At CE in the evening. Nettie
McMillan, leader; a good meeting. A pretty cold night. Mrs.
Bryant here in the afternoon.
2 – Jenny went to the Dr. in the forenoon to get help for her sore
finger. Digging potatoes all day and finished, Fred O’Neill help-
ing. At managers meeting at night. A very hard frost in the morn-
ing.
3 – Taking in the mangels, Fred O’Neill helping. Jennie went to
Greenbank in the forenoon to get Barbara Walker to do the work
for a few days while she nursed her hand. Barbara came in the
afternoon. A very fine day, quite a frost in the morning.
4 – First went for the beef and then plowed the remainder of the
day. A little rain towards night. Wrote to Manitoba in the eve-
ning.
5 – Cutting Indian corn. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Lee here in the eve-
ning. A very fine day.
6 – Cutting corn in the forenoon. Went to Mr. Monroe’s sale near
Manchester in the afternoon. Jennie went as far as Port Perry. At
choir practice in the evening. Took Barbara Walker home.
7 – Finished cutting corn and picked apples the remainder of the
day. A very fine day.
18
8 – At SS and church (Children’s Day services). Mr. Cameron
preached. Did not go to CE as it came up rain when we were ready
to start. Tom Michie in for awhile in the evening.
9 – Rain in the morning. Went down to Marks to see how Jessie
was, she being ill with appendicitis and found her some better.
Afterwards made a door for the root house. Plowing in the after-
noon with Alex Lee’s horse Dick. Jennie made two shirts for
Father.
10 – A very fine day, plowing in the forenoon and at Boud and
McKay’s sale near Seagrave in the afternoon to see the horses but
did not buy. Drove up with Jennie to Greenbank in the evening for
the mail but someone had been there before. Called at John Lee’s.
Mr. Wright of Toronto called before dinner.
11 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Phair here
in the afternoon, Nellie Michie in the morning and Mr. Cameron
for tea. Went to prayer meeting with Mr. C. and got a ride on way
home by Mr. Boe. The Mollie cow dropped a big calf this morn-
ing.
12 – Plowing all day. Miss Hannah Clyde and Miss Mary Joyce of
Sutton here in the afternoon. Went down to Marks in the evening
to see how Jessie was and found her out of bed and much better. A
husking bee there tonight.
13 – Plowing in the forenoon. Picking apples in the afternoon, G.
Michie helping. James Smith and Annie came at 6:30. Mr. and
Mrs. Alex Lee called in the evening. At choir practice in the eve-
ning. Annie Smith went with me. A very good practice. A very
fine day. Transvaal war declared.
14 – Picking apples alone in the forenoon. Nellie Michie picking
up some fallen apples. Thunder shower just before dinner. Plow-
ing in the afternoon. James Smith and Annie left for home at 12
pm and F. Perrin and Anna Tate came at 8 pm.
15 – Fernando Perrin left for home at 10 am. Went with Annie to
SS and church. Mr. Cameron preached, or rather read, a pastoral
letter from the moderator of the assembly. Collection in SS for the
centuary fund. Went with Annie to the opening of the New Baptist
Church in the evening, there was many more than could get in. Dr.
Wilton of Toronto preached a very good sermon from the text ‘For
God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that
whosoever believed in him should not perish but have everlasting
life’.
16 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. At a bee putting in
the posts for a new fence in front of the church. Baptist tea and
lecture tonight.
17 – Plowing in the forenoon and finished the SW field. In the
afternoon went with Alex Lee to W. McKay’s sale. It started to
rain about 3 o’clock and kept it up until bedtime at least. Brought
Mrs. Bagshaw to Alex Lees.
18 – Went with A. Lee to R. Wallace’s to see about a horse, but he
was not at home. We then went to W. McKay’s and bought a mare
for $30.00. Got home a little before dinner. Plowing in the after-
noon.
19 – Thanksgiving Day. Picked apples in the forenoon. Margaret
and Ethel came before dinner and Willie Bell just as we were at
dinner. Went to church service in the afternoon with Annie and
Jessie Michie. Mr. Cameron preached, 6 infants baptised. J.
Wallace (2), J. Burns, A. Lee, R. Walker and W. Thomas. At the
W.F.M.S. social in the evening with Margaret and Annie, a rainy
night but a very fair time. Made $22.00. Mrs. Luke here in the
afternoon. Jennie drove Willa home before we went to the social.
20 – A fine day but a little raw in the afternoon. Drew in the pota-
toes. There was about 4 loads with the gravel box. Went in the
evening to a school trustee meeting at G. Real’s, but little was
done. Decided to meet again on Saturday of next week. G. Miller,
our present head teacher, has resigned. Mrs. Mark here in the
afternoon.
21 – Went down to Marshall O’Neill’s in the morning to get Fred
to help with the turnips next week. Called at Isaac’s for some bags
and also at Mark’s for the same purpose, then bagged up oats and
peas and went to Port Perry taking Margaret and Ethel down to the
noon train. Went to Mrs. McGill’s sale and got home about 5:30 in
the evening. Jennie and Anna drove Lucy to Greenbank for coal
oil and some other things. Mrs. Fowlie and Mrs. Lamb (Barbara)
here for dinner and John Lee and Bella and also a young man
(enquiring about the vacancy in the school) here in the afternoon.
22 – At church and SS with Anna. Mr. Cameron preached. Mr.
John Burns was at SS and gave an address. He came here for tea
and then we all went to CE in the evening when Mr. Burns gave us
a very good address on the CE pledge. Some rain in the evening.
23 – Rain through the night and half through the forenoon. Fixed
the root house in the morning and plowed the rest of the day.
Topped a few turnips after 4 pm. Mrs. Akhurst and Mrs. Gordon
here in the afternoon.
24 – Plowing sod in the forenoon and topping turnips in the after-
noon, Fred O’Neill helping. Tax collector Holman here in the
forenoon. Jennie at Port Perry in the afternoon. Jessie Michie
here.
25 – Harrowed up about half of the turnips and then drawed in 12
loads, Fred and Anna helping. A very fine day. Jennie and Anna
went to Greenbank in the evening for the mail.
26 – Drew in 8 loads of turnips in the forenoon. Finished topping
in the afternoon and got a few harrowed out but it started to rain
and drizzled through the evening. Bible Society meeting at Green-
bank. Plowing match at Myrtle.
27 – Rain all the forenoon and part of the afternoon. Did not do
much. Hung the gate into the root house, put in some glass and
tried to fix the clock. At choir practice in the evening, a very dark
night and only five there, muddy roads.
28 – Rain all through the night and half the forenoon. Plowed sod
about 2 hours in the forenoon and about 1 ½ hours in the afternoon
when it began to rain harder than ever. School trustee meeting at
G. Real’s tonight but did not go as it was a very dark wet night.
Put Mother on the mattress today but she did not like it and we had
to change back.
19
29 – A fine day but a little cool. At church and SS with Anna. Mr.
Cameron preached. At CE, a large meeting, R. Burns leader. G.
A. McMillan out for the first time since he had the fever. Mr. John
Ewin died last night.
30 – A very fine day. Harrowed out all the turnips and drew in 14
loads. At trustees meeting at G. Real’s in the evening to see about
hiring a teacher. Norman Cragg engaged on condition that he
accept $375.
31 – Drew in the remainder of the turnips, 10 loads, 44 loads in all.
Afterwards drawed in the corn. Mrs. Mark and Mrs. J. [Lince?]
here in the afternoon. Anna Tate walked to Port Perry towards
night. Drove over to R. Monroe’s in the evening to see if they had
engaged a teacher for their school and found that they had. A very
dark night and raining a little.
NOV. 1 – Plowing sod in the forenoon and the corn ground in the
afternoon. At prayer meeting with Annie in the evening, a small
meeting. Mr. Cameron was at it, pretty cold night. News today of
a bad British reverse at Ladysmith, South Africa.
2 – A very fine day with a pretty hard frost in the morning. Plow-
ing sod all day. Mending harness in the evening.
3 – A hard frost in the morning and pretty cool all day. Finished
plowing the sod and awhile at the corn ground. Joe Bennet here
wanting to sell apple trees. Mrs. Phair here in the afternoon. At
choir practice in the evening but it turned out a wet night and there
was no singing. Wes Luke called in the evening.
4 – Plowing in the forenoon, a wet waste time. At D. Cragg’s
wood sale in the afternoon and bought ½ acre lot for $3.50. Mr.
Coolage of Myrtle here for tea, he was wanting to engage as
teacher. At trustee meeting in the evening. Hired Norman Cragg
for $400.00.
5 – Drove down to Jas. Smith’s, arriving at 12 o’clock, and left for
home at 5. Mrs. Black and Allan came just before I got home.
Roads rather muddy. Anna at SS, church and CE. Mr. Duncan of
Woodville preached on the Centuary fund.
6 – Did very little all day. Went up to Alex Lee’s and had a talk
with John Lee about the centuary fund and other things, and in the
afternoon went to Greenbank with Jennie to the post office, and
ordered a pair of Sunday boots. Annie and Allan left for home at 1
pm. Anna went to Port Perry with them.
7 – Plowing sod in the little field until 4 when I went to the induc-
tion tea in the Port Perry Presbyterian Church, Rev. Mr. Cooper
being inducted today. A large crowd but the meeting was rather
tiresome. Mr. Cameron and Mr. Duncan here in the interest of the
centuary funds.
8 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Anna went to prayer meet-
ing in the evening. Jennie and Anna housecleaning upstairs.
9 – Finished plowing the little field at 4 o’clock. Beef meeting
tonight but did not go. Jennie and Anna housecleaning.
10 – Drawing manure on the orchard in the forenoon. At Port
Perry with Jennie in the afternoon and at choir practice in the eve-
ning. Brought Topsy home from Alex Lee’s where she has been
pasturing during the summer.
11 – Ground white with snow in the morning and it snowed a little
all forenoon. Plowing in the orchard in the forenoon and drawing
manure in the orchard and covered the apples with straw in the
afternoon. At school trustee meeting at G. Real’s in the evening,
engaged Miss McBrien at $225. Pretty cold, looks as if it were to
freeze up.
12 – Froze up hard but a fine day. At SS and church with Anna.
Mr. Cameron preached. At CE in the evening, a very good meet-
ing. Flossie Burns, leader. It was decided to hold a social night
the Wednesday before Christmas. Mrs. Bryant here in the after-
noon.
13 – Went over to Lukes to get him to kill pigs in the afternoon.
Fixing up the apparatus and spreading the manure on berry bushes
in the forenoon. Killed 3 pigs in the afternoon, W. Luke head
butcher. Jas. McKitrick here packing the apples. 11 bus., about 5
or 6 bus. spoiled by the frost.
14 – Picked up the best of the frozen apples and then cut up the
pigs in the forenoon. Took the apples to Port Perry in the after-
noon but did not see Mr. Monroe. A little rain on the way down.
Pared some of the frozen apples in the evening (the first).
15 – A dull day. Threshing at T. Phair’s. Jennie and Anna making
head cheese and rendering lard. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for din-
ner. Anna at prayer meeting. Apple tree agent here in the morn-
ing.
16 – Threshing at T. Phair’s for about 2 hours in the morning.
Cutting up the pork and some other chores in the forenoon. In the
afternoon went with Mr. Boe in the interest of the centuary fund.
A very fine day.
17 – A very fine day, plowing in the orchard and finished it. Anna
drove to Greenbank after dinner to get some batting for quilts they
were making today. At choir practice in the evening.
18 – Harrowing the orchard and cleaning out the pigpen in the
forenoon and drawing the manure to the apple trees and other
chores in the afternoon. Jennie and Anna housecleaning the
kitchen. Mrs. T. Phair and Mrs. H. Brown here in the afternoon.
A fine warm day.
19 – At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached, the congregation
larger than usual. At CE with Anna in the evening, a fair atten-
dance. Liberty and Law was the subject. Song service in the
Methodist Church.
20 – Took off the screen doors, put up the storm doors and win-
dows. Fixed the door between the horse and cow stable and some
other small jobs in the forenoon, and went to Port Perry with
Jennie in the afternoon. Saw Mr. Monroe about the frozen apples
but could not get anything out of him. Jennie brought home a fine
Christmas cake from her mother. Nellie Michie here in the after-
noon and evening. Pared apples in the evening.
20
21 – Fixed the apple drying rack and the clock in the forenoon and
making a lounge in the afternoon. Anna drove to Greenbank for
the papers after dinner.
22 – Finished the lounge and pruned some apple trees in the fore-
noon and went to Burton, O’Neill and Ward’s cattle sale at Joe
Burton’s in the afternoon. Mr. Cameron and E. Boe here in the
afternoon. Anna went to prayer meeting in the evening. Fine day.
South Ontario election to be on Dec. 12.
23 – Pruning trees all day. Anna drove to Port Perry in the after-
noon. Mrs. Mark and Jessie here in the afternoon and for tea.
Pared apples in the evening. Had a sore eye in the evening.
24 – Finished pruning the apple trees in the forenoon. Drew away
the brush and covered the strawberries with straw in the afternoon.
Jennie and Anna covering the new lounge. At choir practice in the
evening. A fair turnout, a pretty dark night. Mrs. W. [Kerr?] and
Mrs. A. Lee here in the forenoon.
25 – Burned up the old berry bushes in the morning and then drove
with Jennie over to the lake to see if the boat was there, found it
there all right. Got home just at dinner. Did some chores and dug
up a big apple tree in the afternoon. Pared apples in the evening.
Had quite a time getting in two of the calves. A very dark night.
26 – A very fine day. Went to SS and church. Mr. Cameron
preached. Did not go to CE but Anna went. Marshall O’Neill and
Mrs. drove to church today, the first time I ever remember seeing
them do so. Mrs. Luke and Mrs. Jason Stone here in the afternoon.
27 – Trimmed up the apple tree into firewood in the forenoon and
in the afternoon went with John Michie to the lake and brought
home the boat. Afterwards drew apple brush out of the orchard.
Mr. Monroe of Manchester and G. Lane called in the afternoon.
Isaac and Pat here sharpening axes. Pared apples in the evening.
28 – Did a few small jobs in the forenoon and helped Wes Luke to
fix his well in the afternoon. Drove up to Greenbank after supper
with Jennie for the mail but it was gone. I then went down to
Marks for the papers and to see what they were going to do for the
Centuary fund. A very dark night, mild weather.
29 – A nice mild day. Helping W. Luke with his well most of the
day. Anna drove to Port Perry in the forenoon. A. Lee called in
the afternoon; G. Real and another man in the morning. A very
dark night and started to rain about 9 pm. Hon. G. W. Ross speaks
at Port Perry tonight. 6
30 – Fanned up a grist and went down to Marks’ for some bags in
the forenoon and filled up oats for meal. Took the oats back to
Alex Lee that I had borrowed, let the water off at the spring, and
planted some berry bushes. A very mild day, some rain in the
forenoon. Dark night, foggy. Pared apples in the evening.
6
G. W. Ross was premier.
DEC. 1 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with a grist of oats
and wheat and got home at 1 o’clock. Threshed the beans in the
afternoon. At choir practice in the evening. A very dark night and
a small attendance. Tried the new books (Randall’s) for the first
time. S. Martin got a load of straw.
2 – Went to Port Perry for the grist in the forenoon. Intended to
take out a load of wood for Mrs. Bell but found out that Mary had
sold it again. Did very little in the afternoon, a drizzling rain most
of the time. Pared apples in the evening. Jennie made taffy which
went very well.
3 – At SS and church. Mr. Duncan of Cannington preached an
excellent sermon on the three doors. Anna at CE in the evening.
A dark night, a little cooler, but there is no frost yet of any account.
4 – Frost in the morning and continued getting colder all day.
Feels as if it froze up for good this time. Wheeled in some fire-
wood into the woodshed. Anna went to Greenbank to political
meeting, Dryden vs. Calder.
5 – Wheeled in wood part of the time. Alex Lee here in the fore-
noon asking hand to a gravel bee at the church but did not go.
Went down to Phair’s swamp in the afternoon to have a talk with
G. [?] who is cutting wood there, but he had gone home. Samson
Martin was cutting there. Pared apples in the evening. A pretty
cold day.
6 – Rather rough and snowing in the forenoon but better later in the
day. Wheeled in wood in the forenoon and did very little in the
afternoon. Mrs. Mark here in the afternoon. Jennie and Anna
drove to Greenbank in the evening for the mail.
7 – A fine day with a little snow in the evening. Did little but the
chores all day. Anna drove to Port Perry in the afternoon and
brought Mrs. Bell home with her. Pared apples in the evening after
which Anna went down to Marks’ with the papers. Manitoba
election day, Greenaway defeated.
8 – Got the sleigh out and drew in the remainder of the wood into
the woodshed in the forenoon. Did not do much in the afternoon.
J. Lee called and we had quite a talk on the centuary fund. At
choir practice in the evening.
9 – Helped Wes Luke to kill a pig in the afternoon. Anna drove
Mrs. Bell home. Pared apples in the evening. A cold raw wind
from the SE.
10 – At church and SS. Mr. Cameron preached. No superinten-
dant in SS. Anna at CE. A very dull foggy afternoon. Started for
Port Perry at 9:30 for the dr. to Jennie and brought Mrs. Bell home
with me. Got back about 11:30, the dr. getting here at the same
time.
11 – No rest all night and after a very severe travail a daughter was
born at 8 am. Dr. Archer remained for breakfast. Baby weighed 9
¼ lbs. Rain most of the night and nearly all the day, quite heavy in
the afternoon. W. Mark called and brought the papers from
Greenbank. 5 little pigs came in the evening. Annie born.
21
12 – South Ontario by-election day. A very rough windy day with
rain flurries now and again. Went up with Father to vote in the
forenoon and got a shower on the way up. Did very little in the
afternoon. Planted some berry bushes just for curiosity, no frost in
the ground. Wes Luke came in about 9 o’clock and brought word
that Dryden is elected by between two and three hundred. Calder
under the drifts badly. Poor Charlie.
13 – The ground white with snow in the morning and some snow
falling but no frost. It got colder towards night and froze some.
Went down to Marks’ in the morning to get William to run the line
between the wood lots at D. Cragg’s’ swamp but W. was not going
today. Went up to Alex Lee’s awhile in the afternoon. Anna and
Mrs. Bell drove to Port Perry in the evening, a bright moonlight
night. Isaac O’Neill called in the forenoon and got blowed up by
Mrs. Bell for selling her wood. Marshall also called and settled up
accounts.
14 – A raw east wind all day with some snow in the afternoon.
Went to the swamp and helped W. Mark to run the line between
the wood lots in the afternoon. Anna drove to Greenbank to the
store. Dr. Archer called to see Jennie and pronounced her doing all
right. Mrs. Mark called in the forenoon.
15 – Snowing a little most of the day, somewhat rough in the after-
noon but hardly snow enough to make good sleighing. Drove out
to Port Perry in the forenoon. Cleaned out the pig house in the
afternoon and at choir practice in the evening, only 4 out, had the
practice at Mr. Millers. A beautiful clear night. Got a card from
George saying he was coming down next week or the week after.
16 – Got the cutter rigged up in the forenoon and Anna and Mrs.
Bell drove to Port Perry with it in the afternoon, the first of the
season. Jessie Michie here for tea and then Anna went home with
her in the evening. A very fine day. Father’s face badly swollen
today, the first of any account this winter was yesterday.
17 – At church and SS with Anna. Mr. Cameron preached a good
sermon. At CE in the evening with Anna, G. Miller, leader. An
extra good meeting. A short choir practice after CE. Mrs. Luke
here in the afternoon.
18 – Did a few odd chores in the forenoon and in the afternoon
drove out to Port Perry with the cutter to see the doctor about
Jennie who is not getting on as we would like. The dr. did not
come but sent some medicine. Sleighing nearly gone, started to
rain in the evening. Managers meeting tonight but did not think it
best to go. Pared apples in the evening. Nellie Michie here in the
afternoon.
19 – Rain through the night but cleared up in the morning and got
colder. Picked over some apples in the cellar in the forenoon.
Mrs. Annie Gordon and Mrs. A. Lee here in the afternoon. Anna
drove with the buggy to Greenbank for coal oil and she went down
to Marks in the evening with the papers.
20 – Took the sleigh and went to Isaac O’Neill’s and got his fan-
ning mill to clean the wheat which is mixed with barley and after-
wards drew two loads of dung to bank up the root house. Fanned
at the wheat most of the afternoon and made very slow work. At
special CE meeting to elect officers for the first half of 1900, a
very good turnout but the meeting was rather long. They put me in
for president. A. Cleghorn here after dinner selling sprayers and
other things. W. Mark called about posts.
21 – Fanning wheat in the forenoon, doing nothing in the afternoon
as Mrs. Bell and Anna were out at Port Perry getting some things
for Christmas. A woman called after dinner selling fancy cushions
and suchlike. A very fine day, scarcely any frost. Jennie got out of
bed for the first time.
22 – An exceptionally fine day, mild and spring-like. Fanning at
the wheat a good part of the day. Mrs. Bell and Anna baking for
Christmas. W. Mark called and brought the mail. He can hardly
speak with a very bad cold. Wes Luke called brining a goose for
Christmas. Public school concert at Greenbank. Anna went to it.
23 – A fine warm day. Went down to Isaac O’Neill’s in the after-
noon for the timothy sieve for his fanning mill and while I was
away George came from Manitoba after an absence of nearly 10
years. Mr. Ross drove him out. He looks very much the same,
only a little grey. Anna went to Christmas tree at Shaw’s church.
A very dark night. Wes Luke called before dinner and again be-
fore supper.
24 – Rain through the night and all forenoon. About noon it turned
to snow which continued through the afternoon and evening, pretty
rough through the night. Nellie Michie here for dinner and she
went with me to SS and church, a small attendance at both. Mr.
Cameron perched an extra good sermon. No one at CE in the
evening on account of the weather.
25 – Christmas day. Ground white with snow but not enough to
make good sleighing. Anna drove out to Port Perry with the cutter
and brought Willie Bell back. Got our goose eaten and in the
afternoon hitched up the cutter to go to the Post Office but got the
mail from Long John. Took George to Sandy Gordon’s. Ate part
of the big cake Mrs. Bell baked for supper. A nice bright day. Mr.
and Mrs. Akhurst celebrated their golden wedding today.
26 – A very fine day. The first thing in the morning George drove
Mrs. Bell and Willie to Port Perry and got back about 3 o’clock.
He then went somewhere for tea. James Michie and Robert Ak-
hurst here in the forenoon. Jim was going to Toronto. A family
dinner at Marks today. Making a clothes horse in the afternoon.
27 – At public school meeting in the forenoon, a fair sized meet-
ing, which passed off quickly in spite of the talk. J. M. Real was
elected trustee in the place of G. Real. Finished making the clothes
horse in the afternoon. Nellie and Jessie Michie here a while in the
afternoon. Mr. Cameron here for tea. Annual SS meeting in the
evening, a fairly good meeting. J. M. Real was elected superinten-
dant. George, who had been visiting folks about Greenbank, came
home with me.
28 – A very fine cold day. George went away in the forenoon to
visit the people on the 12th
concession. Fanned up some timothy in
the afternoon. Anna at a party at Mr. Akhurst’s in the evening.
Edith Phair here in the afternoon.
22
29 – The coldest day this winter so far. Cleaned out the pig pens in
the forenoon. Cecil Phair came over with some books. Attended
preparatory service in the Church in the afternoon. Mr. Glasford of
Sunderland preached. Ethel Miller, Mrs. Knox and Charles Dur-
ward admitted into membership. A managers meeting was held,
the caretaking for 1900 let to Jas. Innis for $35.00. Choir practice
in the evening, a fairly good one; hard candies and peanuts for a
treat. Annie Dusty here for tea.
30 – A very cold day. George Miller came just before dinner and
remained all afternoon until after tea when he went to Port Perry to
meet Jas. A. Miller. George came back about the middle of the
afternoon and went down to Marks’ in the evening. Father did not
get up for breakfast this morning, something I do not remember of
before.
31 – A pretty cold day. Drove with the buggy to the communion
service at Wick. George went with me to the Methodist anniver-
sary services at Greenbank. The church at Wick was nicely filled
and Mr. Cameron preached. Jessie Michie here for dinner and both
her and Nellie for tea, and went with Anna to the Methodist church
in the evening.
And so ends the year 1899.
1900
JAN. 1 – A very fine mild day. George went over to visit Phair’s
and Lukes in the forenoon. Wes Luke called before dinner, the
principal talk being public school matters. Drove to Greenbank in
the afternoon and voted for Holtby, Doble and Manderson for the
township council. Methodist hot supper and lecture by Rev. C.O.
Johnston of Toronto. Did not get home in time to get to the lec-
ture. George went to it. Anna down to Marks for dinner and tea.
Doble, Holtby, Jeffery and Beys elected.
2 – Stormy in the forenoon. Drove George to Port Perry in the
afternoon on the way to the front. Isaac O’Neill here in the fore-
noon. Worked until 11 o’clock in the evening. At the church
reports and envelopes. Sleighing not very good.
3 – Drove out to Port Perry with the sleigh in the forenoon and
brought home the coal stove that George bought and a half ton of
coal, the first coal ever brought on the place. Put the stove up after
dinner and then drove to the school house where the trustees had a
meeting, then home and did the chores and back to prayer meeting.
Jennie went for the first time out since a long time. A fine mild
day.
4 – Cleaned out the pigpen in the forenoon and drove out to Port
Perry with Jennie in the afternoon. Worked at the church books
with Jennie and Anna’s help until after 12 o’clock but could not
make them come right. A nice mild day. Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Real
called on their way to Port Perry.
5 – Spent most of the forenoon at the church books, found the
mistake all right, and in the afternoon went to the farmers institute
meeting at Greenbank. Rather a small turnout for a very interest-
ing meeting. At choir practice in the evening, one of the best prac-
tices for a long time. Maggie McMillan was there. Mrs. T. Phair
called in the forenoon and Mrs. A. Gordon Jr. was here for tea.
6 – Another fine mild day. Fanned some timothy seed in the fore-
noon. Went down to Marks in the afternoon for some bags. A fine
bright night.
7 – Thawing all day, with some rain in the afternoon and evening.
The roads somewhat muddy. At church and SS with Anna. Mr.
Cameron conducted a service of humiliation and prayer by request
of the Queen. Teachers chosen in the SS. Maggie McMillan here
for tea. At CE in the evening, a good turnout considering the
weather. It fell to my lot to lead the meeting.
8 – A very fine day. Bagged up some oats and peas and took them
to Beare’s Mill in the afternoon. Got the horses shod at Tulleys,
and called at John Lee’s. W. Luke, Mrs. A. Gordon Sr., and James
Lee here in the forenoon. Jim stayed for dinner and rode part of
the way to Greenbank with me on the waggon.
9 – Went after the meal at Beare’s in the forenoon. Went by the
10th
and came home by Greenbank. Went to Samson Martin’s
chopping bee in Phair’s swamp in the afternoon. 9 hand in all
including Samson himself. A fine day and bright night. Alex Lee
here in the afternoon.
10 – Cleaned out the pigpen in the forenoon. Isaac O’Neill here
after some oats. W. Luke, Mrs. [D----?] of Oshawa and Robert
Miller of Manitoba here for awhile before dinner. Cleaned the
clock in the afternoon and in the evening went with Anna to the
annual congregational meeting. A very good turnout. The retiring
managers were re-elected. A. T. Horne; W. H. Leask; J. M. Real;
and myself. I was also re-elected choir leader. The alcove ques-
tion was laid on the table for another year. A very fine night.
11 – A pretty cold day with easterly wind. Started to snow towards
night and snowed quite heavy enough to make sleighing. Made a
coal sifter in the forenoon. Working at the church reports in the
afternoon. Nellie Michie here in the afternoon.
12 – Drew three loads of wood from Cragg’s swamp. Snow rather
thin for good sleighing. Anna visiting at S. Dusty’s in the after-
noon. Drew one load of wood and went back for the second but
broke the tongue of the sleigh just as I got to the pile. Put in an old
reaper tongue in the afternoon. Jennie and Anna drove to Green-
bank in the evening while I kept the baby. A very little snow fal-
ling.
13 – A fine mild day. At SS and church with Anna. Mr. Cameron
preached. Ethel Miller came here to tea. At CE in the evening
with Jennie, an unusually large meeting. Maggie McMillan leader.
It was decided to get a communion set for the church when we get
money enough.
14 – Drew three loads of wood, snowing a little in the afternoon
and evening. Jas. Lee and Mrs. Andrews of Montana here in the
forenoon. At managers meeting in the evening, officers elected for
the year. A. T. Horne, chairman; Jas. Leask, sec; W. H. Leask,
financial sec.; and Alex Leask, treas. Norman Cragg ordered by
the dr. to quit teaching for a time at least.
15 – Drove out to Port Perry with the cutter, the sleighing being
better on account of the snow. Jennie and the baby went with me.
She intended to go to her mothers but found she was not at home
23
so she had to go to Miss Glovers. This is the first time out for the
baby. First went to D. Millars to hear about Norman Cragg, then
got 4 chairs at W. Nott’s for the school and enquired about a
teacher. Got home about noon. In the afternoon went up to the
school. Called at J. M. Reals but he was not at home. Saw Normal
Cragg. Went to Greenbank for the papers and home for supper. In
the evening went to J. M. Reals where we had a trustee meeting
and decided to engage a Mr. Grey of Uxbridge to teach until Nor-
man be able to take charge again.
16 – Drew one load of wood in the forenoon and sharpened W.
Luke’s bucksaw and drew 2 loads in the afternoon. Making out the
copy for the printed church reports in the evening. Mr. Cameron
here in the forenoon. 2nd
day of Port Perry races.7
17 – A very fine day, rather too mild for the sleighing. Drew 4
loads of wood; sleighing splendid. Nellie [?] here in the afternoon.
Drove to Greenbank in the evening. Called at J. M. Real’s and
John Lee’s, then went to C. Beare’s to try to get Mrs. Beare to act
as organist but did not succeed very well.
18 – Drew three loads of wood, the sleighing rapidly disappearing.
Anna went with a sleigh load to Cannington to C. [McLean’s?] but
they will have a hard time to get back I think. At choir practice in
the evening, a very small turnout. Bill McMillan, organist.
19 – Thawing all day until near night when it turned colder with
quite a high wind from the NW. A little rain before dinner. Anna
got back from Cannington about 2 pm and reporting having, well,
nothing tearing of a time. Mended some harness in the forenoon
and cleaned out the pigpen in the afternoon.
[no entry for the 20th
]
21 – Walked to SS and church with Anna; was afraid to drive on
account of the ice. Mr. Cameron preached on Foreign Missions.
Drove to CE in the evening. R. T. Harrington, leader, a very fair
meeting.
22 – A very mild day and thawing quite a bit in the afternoon.
Made a new part for the bucksaw and sawed some wood in the
forenoon and in the afternoon drove with the buggy to Port Perry
with Jennie, among other things to see the dr. about the baby who
is not very well. George came back from his visit down south.
23 – A fine day but somewhat colder towards night. Killed a little
pig in the forenoon, George acting as chief butcher. Went to
Greenbank in the afternoon for the papers and called at G. Real’s
about school money. Dr. Archer called on his way home from
J.M. Real’s. Mrs. Luke here for tea. Tom Black and Allan came
just after supper. George went up to Alex Gordon’s in the after-
noon.
24 – A very cold morning with an east wind but it got warmer
towards night. Did very little all day. Wrote out the minutes of the
SS association in the afternoon. Tom Black and Allan left for his
brother John’s at Bolsover at 1 pm and a cold drive they will have.
7
Horse races were held on Lake Scugog.
Went to prayer meeting in the evening, a very small meeting. Mr.
Boe, leader, no organist. Anna at party at S. Martin’s. George
came back in the evening.
25 – Mild in the forenoon but got quite rough towards night with
snow a little. Went to Alex Lee’s for his crosscut saw and then
with George’s help cut some apple tree trunks. Anna drove out to
Port Perry in the afternoon for Mrs. Bell and Willa but did not get
them as Willa was on the sick list. W. Mark here in the morning
for the quilting frames. Anna brought word that Mr. Bricks oldest
daughter committed suicide this morning.
26 – A very cold wintery day with a strong wind from the NW; the
coldest day this winter so far, at least it feels that way. Turnips
freezing in the root house. Did very little but the chores all day.
Did not go to choir practice on account of the cold. George here
all day.
27 – A very fine day, a great difference from yesterday. Drove up
to Greenbank for the mail and some other errands in the afternoon.
George went to the woods and got some maple trees to take with
him to Manitoba. Alex Leask here just before dinner wanting to
hire Anna but did not make a bargain. Ida Phair here in the after-
noon and brought 2 baby bibs, a present from Mrs. Wright of To-
ronto. Had Mother out of bed in the rocking chair and out in the
room. Anna not very well. Was some of the notion of going to
Oshawa.
28 – At church and SS with George. Mr. Cameron preached. A
small choir, Belle McMillan, organist. At CE in the evening, a
fairly good meeting considering the weather which was rather
rough. Mr. Jas. Miller, leader. Did not bring Anna home. George
at R. T. Harrington’s for tea.
29 – A pretty cold day. Drove to Port Perry with the buggy in the
forenoon, the chief errand being to get a map and numeral for the
school. In the afternoon drove George to W. McMillans, he is to
put in some days visiting in that neighbourhood. Willa Bell came
home with me from Port. Mrs. A. Lee here in the forenoon. Isaac
O’Neill after 2 bags of oats. Four years today since our wedding.
30 – Snow and rather rough all day, especially in the afternoon.
Fanned up some oats in the forenoon with Jennie’s help. Expected
to go canvassing for church money in the afternoon but my com-
panion, Mr. C. Gordon, did not come likely on account of the
weather. Jennie drove to Port Perry and brought Mrs. Bell back
with her. She left home at 5:30 and got back at 7:30. The Foresters
have a lecture or concert at Greenbank but I did not go.
31 – Fanned up some more oats and started at 10 am for Uxbridge
with 26 bags of oats but found the roads bare in many places. Got
stuck on the hill by the church. Left 10 bags at J. Lee’s and took
the rest through. Got 26 cts. Brought home 1 bag of oatmeal and 6
bags of cornmeal for pigs. Got home at 5 pm. C. Gordon came
today but did not find me at home. Did not go to prayer meeting.
FEB. 1 – A very sharp day. Did little in the forenoon but bag up
some oats and in the afternoon took 13 bags of oats to Beare’s mill
and got it home with me. Dressmaking upstairs. Baby very cross.
24
2 – A fine day but pretty cold. Cleaned out the pigpen in the fore-
noon. Mrs. Annie Gordon here. Alex brought her here on his way
to Port Perry and called for her again on his way home. Anna and
Willie started off to Port Perry with Lucy but she got unmanage-
able about Well’s and G. A. McMillan brought her home while the
girls walked on to Port. Drove down for them and met them just
starting for home. Went with Charles Gordon in the afternoon
canvassing for church money and had some success. At choir
practice in the evening, a fair attendance. Had it in the infant room
on account of the cold. Mr. and Mrs. C. Blair there for the first
time.
3 – A fine cold day. Did the chores, cut some wood and sharpened
the bucksaw. Wes Luke called in the morning.
4 – Snowing all day from the east which makes good sleighing
again. At church and SS with Anna and Willa. Mr. Cameron
preached. At CE in the evening, rather a small meeting. G.A.
McMillan, leader. Drove the girls up to the meeting but not home
again. Two young men about the size of A. Akhurst and Tom
Michie did the job.
5 – A very fine day. Drove up to Greenbank in the afternoon for
the mail and called at J.M. Real’s to talk over the trouble that ap-
pears to be brewing in the choir. At the Pathmaster meeting at Mr.
Akhurst’s in the evening. Only Alex Lee and me came. Put in
Wes Luke for pathmaster. Fell about half sick with a cold.
6 – A very fine day. More snow through the night. Jennie, Willie
and Mrs. Bell drove to Port Perry in the forenoon. George got
back from his visit out north. Did very little all day being half sick
with the cold. An extra fine clear night. Read Mr. Whitamans
famous sermon in the afternoon.
7 – A mild day, thawing in the afternoon and rain in the evening.
Helping Wes Luke to clean stable floor in the afternoon. George
goes over to T.E. Cragg’s. Mrs. Mark and Maggie Dusty here for
tea. At prayer meeting with George in the evening, a very small
meeting. Mr. Miller leader. Went principally to see Mr. Cameron
about the choir difficulty but he was not there. Saw Alex Ewin.
8 – Rain most of the day and the snow going fast, sleighing ruined.
Did nothing but the chores and nursed my cold. T.E. Cragg here in
the afternoon on business with George’s life insurance policy.
9 – A fine day, froze up again and very icy. Cut some wood in the
forenoon. Mr. and Mrs. G.A. McMillan and baby boy here in the
afternoon. George at Mark’s or somewhere in that direction. At
choir practice, a fair good turnout, but not at all good feeling. Mrs.
W. Leask left because [L..?] was there. There is every appearance
of being a big bust.
10 – A fine day, thawing some. George and I sawing wood most
of the day. Took a chill and went to bed without supper. Annie
and Willa putting their hair in curl papers to go to Wick on Tues-
day. Were looking all evening for Mrs. Bratley and Mrs. Black but
they did not come. Jennie very smart. Got 5 eggs today, that is
nothing.
11 – [written by Jennie] A fine day. Rob’t in bed and very sick.
Grandpa taken with chills at dinner time and had to go to bed. We
called Dr. Archer and he said it was la grippe and it had affected
Grandpa’s heart and he may not get better. Robt’s fever 104.
George, Annie and Willa at church this afternoon and heard W.
Cooper, Port Perry, new pastor, pronounced him good. Albert
Akhurst and Annie, Willa and Tom Michie drove to Wick in the
evening. It is the fifty first anniversary of the congregation. Mr.
and Mrs. Mark here this evening.
12 – [written by Jennie] Very soft day, looks like rain. The dr.
here tonight. Grandpa no better. Rob’t holding his own. Called
Russell Luke, Mr. Akhurst, Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. Lee, Mr. John Lee,
Mr. James McMillan, Mr. W. Real, Mrs. W. Mark. George to
Greenbank and doing the chores. Annie and I washing. Mother
and Willa doing the other work and minding baby.
13 – [written by Jennie] A wet foggy morning, rained all night.
Old Mr. Perkins arrived here about one am having heard Grandpa
was sick and not likely to recover. He stayed until this afternoon
when George drove him home. Dr. here about three o’clock.
Grandpa no worse, Rob’t improving. Callers, Mr. Akhurst, Mrs.
O’Neill, Mr. Phair, Mr. Alex Gordon sr. Mrs. W. Mark stayed all
day. Annie & Willa got left, the boys did not come to take them to
Wick tea. It is a stormy night.
14 - [written by Jennie] A nice day but very high wind. George
drove to Port this morning to get a lawyer to come out and make
Grandpa’s will. The dr. and Mr. [Garnold?] came about four pm
but Grandpa unable to transact business. The dr. said he was much
worse and there was no hope for him. Robert improving slowly.
Callers, Nellie & Jessie Michie; Mrs. Gordon & Mrs. Dusty; Alex
Lee; Mr. Akhurst & Mr. Boe; Mr. Lane & others. Telephoned the
girls tonight to come at once.
15 – [written by Jennie] A nice day. Mr. & Mrs. James Smith
arrived here at midnight. Grandpa died at 4:10 this morning.
Annie and Margaret did not arrive in time to see him. Wesley
Luke & Silas Butt laid Grandpa out. George & James Smith went
to Port and made all arrangements for the funeral.
16 – [written by Jennie] A beautiful day. Robert able to be up and
dressed but not downstairs for the funeral service which was held
at 1:30 pm. There were a great many here. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
went home tonight, leaving here at seven o’clock.
25
17 – [written by Jennie] A cold clear morning. Annie & Margaret
went home on the noon train. John Michie drove them to the sta-
tion. I went down to Port with them. The flags were flying today
because the British had gained a victory in South Africa. George
went to G. Burns’ sale this afternoon returning about six in the
evening. He reports a good sale and a large crowd. I. Boe here
today and bought our pigs for $4.60. Eva Luke here this afternoon,
also Mrs. Alex Gordon, sr.
18 – After a week in bed I am thankful that I am able to be about
again, although very weak. This has been a beautiful clear day and
pretty cold. Jim Michie came before dinner, he skated most of the
way across the swamp. He drove Jennie to church in the after-
noon, the first time she has been there for months. He stayed for
tea and then started for Monroe’s. Anna walked to SS and stayed
somewhere for tea and went to the CE I suppose. Joe Burton and
Mrs. Bryant here in the afternoon.
19 – A very fine day but pretty cold. John Michie took our 7 pigs
to Port Perry in the forenoon, weighed 1124 lbs, got $4.60. Map
agent, driven by John Boe, called. Mrs. Akhurst, Nellie Michie
and Mr. and Mrs. Jas. McMillan called in the afternoon. George
and I spent a good part of the day in looking over Father’s papers.
John and Anna drove to Greenbank in the later part of the after-
noon.
20 – A very fine day. George packed up and left at 10 am for Port
Perry to start for home tomorrow. John drove him to Port. James
Lee here in the forenoon, Mrs. Jas. Blair and Maggie Blair in the
afternoon and Albert Akhurst in the evening. Got out as far as the
barn today but feel pretty shaky. Burt’s and O’Neill’s cattle sale
today.
21 – A fine day but a cold east wind with snow in the evening.
Maggie Blair and Nellie Burnett, Mrs. Mark, Miss Ida Phair, Jessie
Michie and Mr. Cameron here in the afternoon. Mr. A. Malice
here for dinner. John Michie doing the chores. Anna walked to
prayer meeting but did not walk home. News comes that Lady-
smith has been relieved.
22 – Snow and hail from the east all through the night and the most
of the day. Wes Luke was in, in the afternoon and told us of the
dreadful calamity that took place at Pinedale last night. Russell
[Luke] went back to Pascoe’s last night to take a load of stuff to
Epsom where he has rented a farm. During the night the house
took fire and Russell, Mrs. P. Luke’s brother and their third daugh-
ter were burned to death, besides everything in the house. W. Luke
brought the news down this morning. As soon as we heard it John
hitched up the cutter and drove Jennie and Anna over to Lukes.
Anna stayed to help Mrs. Luke who is in a terrible way. In the
afternoon John drove Mrs. Bell home and brought Mrs. Rundle
back to Lukes, he then drove Anna to Greenbank to get some
things for Mrs. Luke. Tom Michie came in with the mail and
stayed the evening. John drove over to Lukes about 9 o’clock and
brought Anna home. He stayed here all night.
23 – A nice day but drifting some, the road up by Alex Lee
blocked up for the first time this winter. Jennie drove over to
Lukes in the morning to see if there was anything that could be
done. She then drove to Port Perry and brought her mother and
Anna’s mother back with her.
24 – Snow from the south most of the day. Towards night the wind
turned to the NW and got colder. John drove over to Lukes in the
morning with some eatables. James Miller and E. Boe here in the
afternoon, their business was to see me about the choir.
25 – A very cold day and drifting from the north, especially in the
afternoon. Went to the barn in the morning and did the chores but
did not go out again all day. Jennie and Anna went to the funeral
in the afternoon and in spite of the bad day and roads there was a
very large turnout. Russell and Gertie Luke were both buried in
the one coffin. No one out in the evening.
26 – A terribly cold night, perhaps the coldest this winter. Nobody
called all day. Anna went down to Marks in the afternoon. Got a
little milder towards night.
27 – A very fine day. John after dinner drove the sleigh to Port
Perry taking Mrs. Bell and Willa home, Aunt Janet on the way
home, also Anna, but he brought her back. He also took a grist of
wheat to the mill. J.M. Real called in the afternoon and Mr and
Mrs Alex Lee in the evening. I think I am getting a bit better.
Thos. Phair very sick.
28 – Snow from the east most of the day. Jennie drove over to see
how Mr. Phair was and found him worse. John and George Fowlie
came about 10 o’clock, they walked all the way from Manchester.
They stayed for dinner and left for home again about 3. Jennie
drove to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail and some things
at the store. Just as she was about to start, Alex Lee drove in to tell
us that Thomas Phair had just died. The papers tell of the Boor
General’s surrender.
MAR. 1 – Snowing all day and drifting some. Snow very deep
and the roads pretty well blocked. No one called today, nor was
anyone off the place. No news from the rest of the world, which is
rather an unusual thing.
2 – Blowing and drifting all day until sundown when the wind
went down. The roads must be in bad state now but we do not
know how things are as we have not seen a critter today. Do not
know if Mr. Phair’s funeral was today or not.
3 – A fine day after the storm. No one seen in the forenoon. In the
afternoon Jennie and Anna hitched up Lucy and made a brave
attempt to raise the blockade and after floundering in the snow for
some time they got as far as Alex Lee’s, the road from there not
having been broken. They heard that Mr. Phair was buried yester-
day. Albert Akhurst here in the evening and stayed until about 12
o’clock.
4 – A nice day with a very little snow from the east. Thought of
going to church but when it came time did not feel like going so
there was no one either out or in all day.
5 – A fine day but a raw east wind. Jennie and Anna did a big
washing in the forenoon and in the afternoon drove up to Green-
bank with Jennie and the baby for the mail that we have not got for
several days. Made a visit at John Lee’s and a cup of tea, got back
about 5 o’clock.
26
6 – Hail through the night which turned rain which continued most
of the day, but turned colder at night. Isaac O’Neill here in the
forenoon for some bags. Started to burn green wood and it does
not go very well.
7 – Cold with snow flurries during the day. Drove up to Green-
bank with Anna in the afternoon for the mail and some things at
W. Wallace’s store (just started). Called at John Lee’s and Mr.
[Bran...?]. Roads a little better but had to take the sides of roads
some places. A. McArthur here selling news.
8 – An exceptional fine day. W. Mark here in the morning. W.
Phoenix and Mr and Mrs Gordon in the afternoon. Drove out with
Jennie and the baby to Port Perry, left home at 11:30 and got din-
ner at Mrs. Bell’s. Called at lawyer Yarnold’s and got his advice
about the estate. Got home about 6 o’clock.
9 – Started at 2 pm with Jennie and the baby and drove to James
Smith’s where we remained all night. James Lee was there. Mr.
and Mrs. Mark stayed here while Anna went to C. Love’s party. A
fine day but rain in the evening.
10 – John did the chores in the morning. Jim Michie here for
dinner. Jessie here all day and Nellie at night. We left Jas. Smith’s
in the morning and got to Frank Bratley’s for dinner and left again
at 3 for Oshawa. Took a walk uptown and saw the foundation of
the new McLaughlin works, an immense building. A very fine
day.
11 – John did chores in the morning. Jim here for dinner and re-
mained during the afternoon. Nellie, Jessie and Tom stayed here in
the evening while Anna went to Port Perry with Albert. Went to
the new Presbyterian church with Tom Black, Mr. Hodges
preached a good sermon, singing rather weak. Hardly know
whether I like the new church or not. Left at 2 pm and got to [?]
Perrin’s at 5 and found them all well. Another very fine day.
12 – Jim Michie did the chores all day. The four boys went to Port
Perry to get their picture taken. John brought Mrs. Bell back and
she stayed here while Anna went with a sleigh load to Alex Ewins,
Uxbridge. They got back about 5 o’clock in the morning. Re-
mained at Perrin’s all day, went with Munda in the afternoon 8
miles NE for a load of wood.
13 – Jim Michie came here with Anna from the party and then left
for Manitoba. John did the chores. Albert Akhurst took Mrs. Bell
home. Started from Perrin’s in the morning and got to P. Blacks
for dinner. Started again at 2 and although the roads were pretty
rough and patchy we got to Port Perry in 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Got home at 6 pm.
14 – A good deal colder all day. Isaac O’Neill here in the fore-
noon. Bagged up 18 bags of oats and took them to Beare’s Mill in
the afternoon. Anna went to Marks with some pickles and stayed
for tea. Mr. Cameron here for tea. Somewhat late in getting
chores done.
15 – A fine day. Went for the meal at Beare’s Mill in the after-
noon. In the evening went with Jennie to a little party at Mr. Ak-
hurst’s. Anna kept the baby. Oysters were the principal thing at
the party. Mr and Mrs W. Mark, Mr and Mrs Alex Lee, Mr and
Mrs Alex Gordon, jr., James Lee were the company. Mrs. Mark
and Mrs. Somerville here for tea. Jessie and Annie Dusty here in
the afternoon.
16 – A very fine day. Drew three loads of wood from D. Cragg’s
swamp. Mr and Mrs Alex Lee here in the afternoon. Baby got her
foot burned on the stove this morning, this may be said to be the
first accident that has happened to her, but quite likely not the last.
17 – St. Patrick’s Day. A fine snow from the west and rough and
drifting until about the middle of the afternoon. Cut some wood in
the woodshed. Jennie drove up to Greenbank in the afternoon for
the mail.
18 – Went to SS and church with Anna, the first time for 5 weeks.
Mr. Cameron read a sermon. No choir, on strike. At. CE with
Jennie in the evening, a very fair meeting. As Mr. McKitrick did
not turn up to take the topic it fell to my lot to do so.
19 – A much warmer day, thawing rapidly, rain in the latter part of
the afternoon and evening. Alex Jamison here in the morning for
his money for the school wood. Drove to Port Perry with Jennie in
the morning and did not get home until about 4 o’clock as we had
to wait about 3 hours for to see Mr. Yarnold. Samson Martin, M.
O’Neill and Joe Burton working at the bridge on the side road.
Good sleighing.
20 – Colder with snow flurries in the afternoon. Jennie drove to
Port Perry in the morning to see Mr. Yarnold. W. Mark called in
the forenoon, Ida Phair in the afternoon collecting for Bible Soci-
ety. Wes Luke called just before supper, the first for several
weeks. Went for a load of wood in the afternoon and upset in Mr.
Akhurst’s field and left half the load. Fixing up our boat a little.
Anna at a party at Akhurst’s. Tom Black came at 10 o’clock after
we were in bed.
21 – A very fine day. W. Mark here in the morning. Spent the
forenoon fanning up oats for T.B. Drew 2 loads of cedar wood
from D. Cragg’s swamp in the afternoon. Tom Black left for home
about 3 o’clock and James Smith arrived at 6. Mr and Mrs W.
Thomas here for tea. Anna went to prayer meeting in the evening.
Alex Lee brought a load of manure for S. Martin.
22 – A fine day and thawing a little. Fanned up some oats for
James Smith and he left for home about 10 am. Alex Lee here in
the forenoon. Drew two loads of wood in the afternoon and Jennie
and I went down to Mark’s in the evening to talk over their claim
to the place. Quite a dark night.
23 – A fine day with quite a wind from the NW and thawing some.
Drew out the [poles?] on Mr. Mark’s lot in D. Cragg’s swamp (33
in number) and brought home the wood left in Mr. Akhurst’s field.
Alex Lee brought down two loads of rye straw and took away in
return two loads of oat straw. Went with Anna to the preparatory
service, a fair turnout. Anna Tait and Jessie Michie came in to the
church this time. After service I had a consultation with the ses-
sion about the choir trouble, but did not come to any agreement.
Anna down to Mark’s in the evening.
27
24 – Drove to Port Perry in the morning with Anna to see the law-
yer about arranging for a meeting about the estate which was to
have been today but Annie wrote saying they could not come on
account of the roads. We agreed to try it again next Wednesday.
Cut down wood and did some other chores in the afternoon. Jim
Lee here in the forenoon and Florence Phair called in the after-
noon.
25 – A very fine day and good sleighing. Went to church with
Anna in the forenoon, it being sacrament at Greenbank, a large
turnout, most of the Wick people being there. Mr. Cameron
preached, the choir were in their places. At CE in the evening with
Jennie who led the meeting, an unusually large turnout and a good
meeting. Had a long talk with G. Miller (who is home for a day)
after meeting. Topic was the choir difficulty. A meeting is called
for next Wednesday evening to consider the matter.
26 – Another fine day and thawing a little. Cutting wood in the
woodshed and other chores. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for dinner.
In the evening went with Anna to a party at Alex Lee’s under the
management of Jim Lee. Oysters was to have been one of the
principal attractions but they could not be got at Port Perry. There
was quite a nice time, dancing was the amusement. Got home at
12, Anna sometime later.
27 – Cutting wood in the woodshed and sharpened Wes Luke’s
bucksaw. Mrs. Hartley Brown called in the forenoon, W. Mark
after dinner and a pack pedlar in the afternoon. Wes Luke called in
the afternoon.
28 – A very fine day and the snow going a little but the sleighing is
very good yet. Drove out to Port Perry in the morning to meet the
girls at Mr. Yarnold’s office to settle up Father’s estate. They were
all there, also Mrs. Mark and George M. After a good deal of talk
they all signed off their claim to the farm but Margaret and Annie
would not do so until they got the promise of $50.00 each. Frank
Bratley was also in town but was not in the office. Got dinner at
Mrs. Bell’s and left Jennie and the baby there until Saturday to do
some sewing. Cleaned out the pigpen after I got home. Went in
the evening to the congregational meeting to consider my resigna-
tion as choir leader. There was quite a large attendance and after a
great deal of talk the meeting broke up with nothing done but with
things apparently rather worse than when it started. They would
not accept the resignation and I would not go on unless the Lige
Beare trouble was healed up.
29 – Snow going a good deal today. Sawing and splitting wood in
the woodshed all day. Anna down at Mark’s helping to bake for
their big party which comes off tomorrow night.
30 – A very fine day and thawing. Splitting wood in the forenoon.
In the afternoon drove to Greenbank, the sleighing being fair.
Called at G. Lee’s to see him about Sunday School association
matters. Took a bag of oats to W. Wallace’s. Called at the post
office and then John Lee’s and brought him and also Minnie Mar-
tin down to Egypt. Almost lost Lucy in a hole a little west of Sam
Dusty’s gate. Mr. Petty sawing wood with horse power. Anna at
the big dance party at Mark’s and got back between 3 and 4
o’clock in the morning.
31 – Drove down to Port Perry in the morning to get Mr. Yarnold
to come back and get Mother to sign off to the place and to bring
Jennie and the baby home but Mr. Y. was away to Toronto and
Jennie was not through with her sewing so I had to come home
alone. The roads were a good deal worse on the way home. Split
some wood in the afternoon and other chores.
APR. 1 - A very fine day and thawing fast. Drove alone to SS and
church, Mr. Cameron preached, his text was ‘Arise let us go
home’. No choir but Mrs. W. Leask played the organ. Had a loud
talk with Mrs. Leask after service. Did not go to CE as the roads
were very bad.
2 – Drew 2 loads of manure to the garden in the forenoon and had
a long talk with Wes Luke. Split some wood, mended harness and
some other chores in the afternoon. Rain in the afternoon and
evening. A managers meeting, a dark night and very bad roads.
Went with the cutter.
3 – Sharpened the bucksaw and then went down to the concession
and found it badly flooded. When I got back W. Mark and Tom
Michie were waiting to carry the boat down. We took it down and
found it heavy enough. I then went up to Akhurst’s to see about
getting some money from Albert for school purposes, so went the
forenoon. Drove out to Port Perry with the buggy in the afternoon
after Jennie and the baby. Had to go around by Mark’s, the water
on the sideroad almost reached the front axle of the buggy. Roads
very bad.
4 – Sawing wood in the forenoon. Went up to Alex Lee’s in the
afternoon to settle up with him but he was not at home. Cutting
wood the remainder of the afternoon. Alfred Butt here in the after-
noon. Cecil Phair here before supper. Albert Akhurst here in the
evening. Anna at Mark’s in the evening. Some colder today, not
thawing very much.
5 – Went up to Alex Lee’s in the morning and settled up with him
there being $10.00 coming to him. Cut some wood. Nellie Cragg
here after dinner. Drove with Jennie and the baby to W. Luke’s
and got tea there. A fine warm day and lots of mud.
6 – Making pump sucker in the forenoon and went to Greenbank
with the buggy in the afternoon to get ring on sucker and also
leather. Roads pretty bad. Broke the road from A. Lee’s down to
our gate.
7 – Fixed the pump, mended the single harness, put washers in the
buggy wheels and sawed some wood in the forenoon. Cut wood in
the afternoon. Anna at Mark’s in the evening to get his money for
the centuary fund. Alex very bad with the toothache.
8 – A very fine day. Mrs. Alex Lee and three oldest sons here in
the forenoon. At SS and church with Anna. Mr. Cameron
preached, no choir. Mrs. W. Leask organist. Dr. Park at church.
Did not go to CE on account of the roads which are bad.
9 – Quite a hard frost during the night which did not altogether
thaw out all day. Took 17 bags of oats to Beare’s Mill to get
ground in the afternoon. Sawing wood the rest of the day. Wes
Luke called in the evening.
28
10 – Drove out to Port Perry with Anna to get Mr. Yarnold to come
back but he could not come today but is to come on Thursday. At
Beare’s for the meal in the afternoon. Took Silas Butt from Luke’s
and left him at Blair’s. Mrs. Mark and Jessie here for tea. Anna at
Gordon’s in the evening.
11 – A very fine spring like day. Bucksawing wood nearly all day.
Mr [Caine?] here in the afternoon. Mrs. Mark and Jennie at
W.F.M.S. at the church in the afternoon. Jessie here while they
were away. Anna at prayer meeting in the evening. Fred Love
here wanting timothy seed but did not get it.
12 – A dull foggy day, threatening rain sometimes. Drove out to
Port Perry in the morning and got Mr. Yarnold back to get Mother
to sign off her right to the place, which she did. John also signed
off. Drove Mr. Yarnold home again and got back at 1 pm. Hugh
Jack and Dan Boe here and bought the fat steer at 4 ¼ cts., to go
two weeks from tomorrow. Sawing wood the remainder of the
afternoon. Anna at a party at Marshall O’Neill’s in the evening.
13 – Good Friday. Sawing wood all day. Anna got back from the
party about 10 am. Nellie Michie came home with her. In the
afternoon they went for a boat ride. George, John, Nellie, Jessie
and Anna making the company. A little snow towards night.
14 – Cutting wood in the forenoon and finished the cutting at the
house. At the Reach, Port Perry and Scugog SS Association ex-
ecutive meeting held in the basement of the Methodist Church in
Port Perry. A very small meeting (only 5) and nothing done. Silas
Butt here in the afternoon and Jessie Michie at supper time.
15 – Easter Sunday. At SS and church with Anna. Jessie came
home with us for tea. At CE, a fair meeting, Maggie Blair, leader.
Anna at Methodist Church. Had a long talk with G. McLean.
16 – Finished splitting the wood and planted raspberry bushes in
the forenoon. Pruned the black currant bushes, dug some garden,
sowed some radish seed, the first sowing of the season. Raked the
straw off the strawberries and other chores. Jennie and Anna drove
to Port Perry. Anna went to a party somewhere near Uxbridge.
Went to a SS meeting to see about an anniversary, a small meeting
but decided to go on with it.
17 – Plowed the raspberry bushes and put up fence gaps in the
forenoon and in the afternoon took the pig over to Salter’s. Anna
got home from the party at 7:30 am. Started to rain at 6 pm.
18 – Dug up berry bushes, planted some potatoes in garden; car-
rots, parsnips and radishes in the forenoon. Cleaned the little
house, took straw from the strawberries and dug some in the gar-
den in the afternoon. At prayer meeting. Jennie at Alex Gordon’s.
A thunder shower in the evening, first of the season.
19 – A fine day. Cut the wood behind the barn in the forenoon.
Jennie at Mark’s seeing Mrs. M. who is sick. C. Gordon here
wanting some straw and he came for it after dinner, A. Akhurst
helping him. A. Gordon after some berry bushes. John [Luns-
den?] the assessor called in the afternoon. Anna at Mark’s in the
afternoon.
20 – A fine warm day. Plowed the orchard for early potatoes in the
forenoon and planted them in the afternoon. Jennie helping.
Picked off some stones, put on the screen doors and took off the
storm doors. Nellie Cragg here in the afternoon.
21 – Fine warm day. Cultivated the field NE of barn and did some
plum grafting. Mrs. Annie Gordon here in the forenoon. Drove to
Greenbank with Jennie in the evening. Jessie here in the evening.
Anna at Mark’s in the afternoon.
22 – A fine warm day, some rain in the forenoon. At SS and
church with Anna. Mr. Cameron preached. Mr. Allan led the
singing. At CE with Jennie, Mr. Jas. Miller, leader. Very bad
roads and foggy.
23 – Fine day. Sowed the field NE of barn and then a little corn in
the orchard and put in some apple grafts. G. Real called about a
recommend to Clara Perkins. Jennie at Alex Lee’s in the after-
noon. Tom Michie carried the baby home and called for a few
minutes.
24 – A very fine day. Harrowing and rolling all day. Mrs. Akhurst
here for tea. Anna at Akhurst’s and Mark’s in the evening.
25 – Cultivating the pea ground and went down to George’s and
got nearly 7 bus. of peas. Sowed them in the afternoon and did
some harrowing. Fat steer bloated up and we were afraid of him.
W. Akhurst here in the morning for some strawberry plants. Anna
walked to prayer meeting. I did not go as my feet were sore.
26 – A fine day. Got somewhat cooler towards night. Harrowed
and rolled all day. Planted watermelons. A. Akhurst here for a
few minutes in the evening.
27 – Took the fat steer to Port Perry in the morning and had a hard
time of it as he turned on me 3 times and nearly run the life out of
me. It weighed 1225 lbs at 4 ¼ cts. Jennie drove down and
brought me home. Got 7 apple trees at Kellot’s. Planted the trees
after dinner then harrowed and filled in furrows. Jennie at Mrs.
Akhurst’s visiting.
28 – Cultivated the SW field and did some apple grafting. A very
fine day.
29
29 – A very fine day. Went to SS and church with Jennie, 1st
time
she has been there for a long time. Willie Bell came up with Alex
Lee from Port Perry. At CE with Anna and Willie, a good meet-
ing. R.T. Harrington, leader. George Fowlie came on a wheel
from Manchester just as we were starting for CE.
30 – A little rain in the forenoon and then a very high NW wind
and lots of dust. Sowed the SW field and cultivated the little
swamp field. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for tea. Anna went to G.
Real’s for setting eggs.
MAY 1 – A very fine day but pretty cool, frost in the morning.
Jennie and Anna drove out to Port Perry in the morning, princi-
pally to see the Dr. for Anna who is all out in a rash. The Dr.
however, says it is nothing serious. Planted the strawberries and
raked up the leaves in the lane and some other chores. Sowed the
little field and harrowed some in the afternoon. Jim Taylor here
for school caretaking pay. Anna in bed in the afternoon. Planted 2
grape vines.
2 – Harrowing and rolling all day. Walked to prayer meeting, Mr.
Cameron, leader. Anna in bed most of the day.
3 – A cool day. Harrowing in the forenoon and sowed a part of the
SE field which finishes the sowing for this season. Book agent
here in the afternoon.
4 – Jennie drove up to Greenbank the first thing in the morning and
called at G. Real’s for eggs. Harrowed in the forenoon and rolled
the new grass in the afternoon which finishes up the seeding for the
year. A pretty cool day, quite a frost in the morning.
5 – Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon and among other
things got a new Sunday hat. I tied up the berry bushes, mended
the step ladder, harrows, and other chores. Plowed and harrowed
in the orchard and planted some potatoes, corn, beans, cucumbers,
watermelons in the afternoon. Quite cool, a few flakes of snow
after dinner.
6 – A pretty cool day. Minnie Martin came before dinner to see
Anna and stayed until after tea. Went to SS and church with
Jennie, Mr. Cameron preached. Flossie Burns came home with us
for tea. Anna and Minnie Martin went down to Mark’s to see
Nellie who has been sick, while I went with Flossie to the CE. A
rather extra large meeting. Bella McMillan, leader. Nancy cow
[had] a calf in the morning.
7 – Some warmer during the day but a pretty hard frost in the
morning. W. O’Neill came and got 25 bushels of oats. Drawing
manure for corn and potatoes all day. Jennie and Anna house-
cleaning in full blast, finished the upstairs. Mrs. Bryant here in the
afternoon. Fixed window blinds in the evening.
8 – Rain in the forenoon in spells and again in the evening. Jennie
drove to Greenbank the first thing in the morning for wallpaper and
coal oil while I spread manure between showers, and drawed out
manure in the afternoon. Housecleaning on the go, papering the
best bedroom. Isaac O’Neill here in the forenoon.
9 – Plowing the corn ground. Jessie came up in the afternoon and
told us that Nellie was very ill. Anna went there and stayed all
night. Went to prayer meeting, Mr. Boe, leader. Afterwards there
was a meeting about the anniversary and after that an impromptu
managers meeting to see about painting the manse. R. Baird was
there from Wick. A very hard frost in the morning.
10 – The hardest frost of the season. Drawing manure in the fore-
noon and went to E. Beare’s and got 14 bags of oats ground. Both
Drs. Archer were to see Nellie this forenoon and they say she is in
a very critical condition. Went down in the evening and the Dr.
had been there again and he said the symptoms were slightly bet-
ter.
11 – George Michie brought the turnip drill home and got 19 bush-
els of oats. Whitewashed the kitchen in this forenoon and plowing
in the afternoon. Mr. Cameron here just after dinner. Jennie and
Anna went down to see Nellie in the evening. Anna stayed all
night. Jennie reports Nellie very bad, the Dr. has been there twice
today and is coming again at 12. He is to perform an operation
tomorrow, her only chance, and that a very poor one.
12 – Spread some dung in the morning and then fanned up 10 bus.
oats for Isaac O’Neill. I then drove out to Port Perry with Anna to
meet Jas. Smith at the lawyers office but he did not come, although
I waited until noon. Plowed in the afternoon. James Smith and
Barbara came about 7:30 and then Mundo Perrin and Alma came a
little later. Barbara and Jennie went down to see Nellie.
13 – A very warm summerlike day. Before breakfast the O’Neill
cow dropped a calf. James Smith, Anna and Mundo Perrin went
down to see how Nellie was, and they report her a little better. Did
not go to SS. Mundo, Anna and Alma left for home at 1 o’clock.
Went to church with James Smith, Mr. Cameron preached. Jim
and Barbara left for home at 6 o’clock and just after they left Jess
dropped a mare colt. Jennie went down in the evening to see
Nellie, she is still holding her own.
14 – A very warm day with a strong wind from the west and lots of
dust. Took the young cattle to the swamp field, fixed the watering
place, and shelled some corn in the forenoon and picked over some
potatoes in the cellar in the afternoon. Vegetation showing a great
change today.
15 – A fine warm day. Took down the storm windows, fixed the
pump spout at the barn, made a screen window and some other
chores in the forenoon and picked over potatoes in the afternoon.
Jennie went down to see Nellie in the forenoon and found her still
keeping a little better. Wes Luke called this morning. Wrote to
George in the evening, got his letter today.
16 – Went down in the morning and got George’s Joe horse and
spent the day plowing and harrowing the corn and potato land.
Went over to Luke’s in the evening and got John McKinnon’s baby
carriage. A fine warm day.
17 – A very nice day. Drove out to Port Perry and met James
Smith at Mr. Yarnold’s to arrange about administrating the per-
sonal property of the estate. Got back about 1 o’clock. Harrowed
30
and rolled the corn ground in the afternoon. Mrs. Annie Gordon
here in the afternoon. Planted some cauliflowers I got from J.
Smith.
18 – East wind and threatening rain several times. Drilled up for
horse corn in the forenoon and planted it in the afternoon. Isaac
O’Neill here in the morning for a bag of oats. George got the
roller8
.
19 – Drilled up for Indian corn in the forenoon and planted it in the
afternoon. Turned the cows into the pasture for the first time. The
Tiny heifer dropped a calf about 8 pm.
20 – A fine day but somewhat cool. SS anniversary Sunday. Went
to SS and church, an extra large attendance at SS. Rev. Mr. Fraser
of Uxbridge preached. The Methodist choir did the singing; same
preacher and choir in the evening and a large crowd. An extra
good sermon. Gave Mrs. Akhurst a ride home in the evening as
their Ben horse did not act very well.
21 – A cool day with a very high NW wind in the afternoon and
lots of dust. Drilling up for potatoes in the forenoon and planting it
in the afternoon but did not finish. Went down to O’Neill’s in the
evening to change some eggs for hatching. Called at Mark’s and
found Nellie out of bed.
22 – Got up early and churned before breakfast and Jennie went to
Port Perry market, got home at 1 o’clock. I covered up the pota-
toes in the afternoon and planted 16 drills horse corn south of the
potatoes. Mrs. Carnegie here for tea. Wes Luke called in the
evening.
23 – A very warm day. Planted horse corn in the orchard and
planted beans and pumpkins and some other chores in the fore-
noon. Made 2 hen coops, planted tomatoes in the afternoon.
Jennie baking for anniversary. 10 chickens dead this morning.
George Michie came up with the mail, which we have not got for
nearly a week.
24 – Queen’s birthday, 81 years of age. Salted the cattle and tried
to fix the turnip drill in the forenoon and did little in the afternoon
but go the SS anniversary. There was hardly a large crowd as
8
Image from ‘Turn-Of-The-Century Farm Tools and
Implements, Peter Henderson & Co.’ Dover publica-
tion.
some years but it was quite a success. The Port Perry Pres. Choir
furnished the music and did it well. Rev. Mr. McFarlane was the
only speaker besides local. Nellie Michie came up for the after-
noon and stayed all night. Proceeds of anniversary $77.
25 – An exceptionally fine day. Hauled out manure alone in the
forenoon and had William Mark helping in the afternoon. Got the
loan of George’s waggon.
26 – Drawing manure all day, Mr. Mark helping. Eva Luke here in
the evening.
27 – A fine day with a little rain between 12 and 1 o’clock which
was very welcome but not enough to do much good. Went to SS
and church, Mr. Cameron preached. The attendance at both was
rather thinner than usual. At CE in the evening, a fair turnout.
Mrs. Somerville, leader. Mrs. A. Lee and Mrs. W. Wallace here in
the evening.
28 – Partial eclipse of the sun in the forenoon. Finished drawing
out the manure, took George’s waggon home after dinner with
some 6 bags of oats and had a long talk with Dr. R. Archer about
operating on the girl. Jennie and the baby went to Greenbank in
the evening.
29 – Plowing and spreading manure all day. Very fine weather.
30 – Plowing and spreading manure. Jennie washing. Mr. Lang of
Prince Albert here for dinner, he was looking for work. Alex
Leask here in the evening asking hands for his raising tomorrow.
Wes Luke called in the evening.
31 – A fine warm day. Plowing in the forenoon. Hoed in the
garden, harrowed the corn and plowed in the afternoon. Eva Luke
called in the evening. Alex Leask’s barn raising.
JUNE 1 – Plowing all day. A drizzling rain the greater part of the
afternoon which got quite heavy in the evening. John Lee and
Bella, Mrs. Mark and Mrs. Akhurst here in the afternoon. Mrs.
Akhurst stayed for tea. Drove up to Greenbank in the evening for
the mail and got wet before I got home. Rain very welcome as
things were dry.
2 – Plowing all day. George and Jessie came in the afternoon for
the bed springs and mattress, the dr. having decided to operate on
Jessie on Monday morning. At Alex Lee’s in the evening seeing
about pasture for Topsy.
3 – A beautiful day. Jennie and baby drove out to Port Perry in the
morning to see her mother who has not been very well for some
time. At SS and church. Mr. Cameron preached. Did not go to
CE as Topsy tore the back out of the buggy cushion. Mrs. Mark
came after some towels for the operation which is to be tomorrow
morning.
4 – A very fine day. Took Topsy colt over to Alex Lee’s for pas-
ture. Jennie went down to Marks in the morning to be at the opera-
tion on Jessie, but the Drs. did not come. Mrs. Annie Gordon here
for dinner. Finished plowing the turnip land and most of the little
corn plot near the pump.
31
5 – A fine warm day. Jennie went down in the morning to the
operation on Jessie but the Drs. did not come. Mr. Cameron came
home with her and stayed to dinner. They both went back in the
afternoon and the operation was performed by Drs. Robert and
David Archer, Dr. Windel and a student, Mrs. R. Archer’s brother.
Mr. Cameron and Jennie were the only two that saw it. Planted the
corn in the little plot in the forenoon and harrowed turnip land in
the afternoon. Lucy did some fine kicking.
6 – Went down the first thing in the morning to see how Jessie was
and found her as well as could be expected. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the forenoon and brought her mother back with her. Har-
rowed the turnip ground twice over in the afternoon. Jennie went
down to Mark’s and stayed all night with Jessie. Beef ring started
today.
7 – Rain through the night. George brought Jennie home in the
morning. Fixed the turnip drill in the forenoon and fenced in the
afternoon. Went down after supper to see Jessie. Mrs. and Mrs.
George Allan here in the evening and stayed until near 12.
8 – Fine day. Went to Greenbank in the forenoon and got Joe
shod. Rolled the turnip land in the afternoon. Mrs. John Leask
here for dinner.
9 – Drew three loads of gravel for the road and then took the Jess
mare to Port Perry in the evening. Took Mrs. Bell home. A very
fine cool day.
10 – A beautiful day. Went to SS and church. Mr. Cameron
preached on fitness for the Lord’s table and spoke some pretty
strong words. Kept the baby while Jennie went to CE, no leader
but a very good meeting. G.D. McMillan who is just home from
Manitoba laid up with rheumatism was out.
11 – Very fine day. Drilled up for turnips and sowed them in the
evening, 56 drills. E. Boe called and had a talk about reorganizing
the church choir. Jennie washing. She went down to see Jessie
and found her getting along all right.
12 – A very fine day. Fanned up some oats to take to Uxbridge
and hoed in the forenoon. After dinner took Jess over to Ned Bar-
rett’s but wasn’t a day too soon. Came home by Greenbank and
got Jess shod, hoed potatoes the rest of the afternoon. Had the first
strawberries of the season for tea.
13 – Started at 6 am and took 15 bags of oats to Uxbridge and got
800 lbs. of cornmeal. Got home a little after noon, then took Jess
over to Barrett’s but no use. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Ross here for
tea. Two McCormack binder agents here in the evening. Thunder
in the evening and a fine rain.
14 – A fine cool day after the rain. Churned and did some fencing
in the forenoon and fencing in the afternoon. Nellie came and took
Joe away. Oliver Luke came for the turnip drill.
15 – A fine cool day. Jennie went to the market in Port Perry in
the morning. She took two boxes of strawberries, the first ever
sold off the place. Hilled up the potatoes in the orchard in the
forenoon and after dinner went over to W. Luke’s to see about a
beast for the beef ring and afterwards harrowed the corn. Drove to
Albert Phoenix’s in the evening to get him to trade numbers in the
ring. George here in the forenoon for turnip drill.
16 – Drilled for turnips all day (66 drills) and sowed them after
supper. Oliver, Eva and Ned Luke here in the evening for a feed of
strawberries. A very fine day.
17 – Quite a heavy shower about 2 pm. Willie Bell walked out
here in the forenoon. Went to SS and church, Mr. Cameron
preached. After service had an interview with the session about
reorganizing the choir. Tom Michie came home with me for tea
and he then drove Willie part of the way home. Walked to CE, a
fairly good turnout but no one to take the topic. Rode home with
A. Akhurst and Annie Dusty.
18 – Plowed and harrowed the orchard. James Smith came at 6 pm
and after supper he went down to see Jessie. Spent the evening
winding up business.
19 – Got up at 3:30 am (a beautiful morning) and went with James
Smith to the lake. Rowed up as far as 7 Mile Island but did not get
even a bite. Got home about 8 and then went to Port Perry, Jas.
Smith going at the same time. Took 10 boxes of strawberries and
got 12 ½, also took some butter. Had an interview with Mr. Yar-
nold. Got home about 2 o’clock. Sowed buckwheat in the orchard
in the afternoon. Jennie making cushion for back of buggy. W.
Mark here in the afternoon for the boiler. Isaac here in the fore-
noon. Excursion to Guelph, several from these parts went.
20 – Drilling for turnips all day. Went over to Ned Barrett’s after
dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron and Mrs. Annie Gordon here for
tea. John Blight hung himself this morning.
21 – A very fine day. Finished drilling and sowing the turnips in
the forenoon. Jennie went down to the operation on Nellie which
was done in the forenoon by Dr. R. Archer. Nellie’s was a much
worse case than Jessie’s and she is in a critical condition. Barbara
and Willie Smith came about 2 pm and left for home again at 8.
Jennie got back about 4. Mr. Henders called wanting to sell
monuments and fruit trees.
22 – Hoed in the orchard in the forenoon while Jennie went to Port
Perry with strawberries. At preparatory source in the afternoon.
George here in the morning for a bag of potatoes. Went down to
see how Nellie [is] twice and found her about as well as could be
expected. I. O’Neill here after the turnip drill.
23 – Went over to Beare’s and got some cedar plank for stable
floor. George and John here in the morning for a pail of strawber-
ries. Putting in stable floor in the afternoon. Fred Love and Roy
O’Neill here in the evening for strawberries. Jennie went down to
see Nellie and found her doing very well.
24 – A fine warm day. Sacrament at Wick but did not go. Willa
Bell came in the forenoon. At the Baptist church in the afternoon,
a small congregation but a very fair preacher. Jennie took Willa
part the way home. At Church in the evening, Mr. Cameron
preached. Mrs. Luke called on her way to Mark’s and left Eva and
Ned until she came back.
32
25 – A very warm day. Worked at the stable floor in the forenoon
and in the afternoon went out to Port Perry to get the money to pay
for the stock and implements. Mrs. A. Gordon stayed while we
were away. I walked home while Mrs. Bell came with Jennie.
26 – Started at 6 am and drove to James [Sonittis?] and paid him
$700.00 for the chattels and livestock. Left for home at 12:30 and
got home at 4:30, very dry dusty and hot. Worked at stable the
remainder of the afternoon. Mrs. Luke here in the morning for
strawberries. Jennie and Mrs. Bell picking and preserving straw-
berries.
27 – A fine day but pretty warm. Some thunder in the afternoon
but no rain. Went for the beef in the morning. Worked at the
stable for awhile and then went over to Barrett’s before dinner.
Scuffled some corn in the afternoon but Lucy got uncontrollable
and had to stop. Then hoed some. Went to prayer meeting, Mr.
Boe, leader. A CE meeting after. Mrs. M. Gordon here in the
forenoon with her two little girls for strawberries and stayed to
dinner. Jennie preserving strawberries. Baby’s first tooth discov-
ered this morning.
28 – A fine day, thunder and showers all around but not any here.
Scuffling and hoeing corn and potatoes all day. Mrs. A. Lee and 3
oldest boys here in the afternoon for strawberries. Alex came later
on and took them home. Mrs. Mundo Perrin, Jennie Perrin, and
Willa Bell came about 8:30.
29 – A little rain in the morning and a very high NW wind and lots
of dust in the afternoon. Jennie drove out to Port Perry and took
Willa and Lizzie took her rig and her mother home. Hoed the
potatoes and some other jobs. John Lee and Bella here for straw-
berries and later Minnie Martin and Mamey Dusty for some. Miss
McBrien and W. Grey called for their school pay. The school
closed today. Jennie and Lizzie washed the buggy in the evening.
Had a few new potatoes, the first of the season, for dinner.
30 – A very high NW wind all day and quite cool. Worked at the
stable in the forenoon and finished the job and painted the buggy in
the afternoon. Went to Port Perry in the evening with Perrin’s
buggy. W. Taylor here for school caretaking money. He was
telling us about Mrs. W. Real being attacked by a man on her way
home from Port Perry. W. Luke and old neighbour John Throop of
Atonabee called in the evening. Jessie walked up here in the after-
noon, the first time since the operation.
JUL. 1 – A fine cool day. Walked to SS and then to the Methodist
SS anniversary services. Rev. Cameron and Walker were the
speakers, a large crowd. Rode home with Mr. Throop and Mrs.
Phair. In the evening drove out with Jennie to Port Perry with
Perrin’s horse and rig and heard Mr. Cooper for the first time and
liked him very well.
2 – A very fine day. Drilled up the potatoes in the forenoon. Went
with Jennie and the baby in the afternoon to the Methodist SS
anniversary in Beare’s bush and got tea and then drove them home.
Then drove alone to the lecture. The Rev. Mr. Spears lectured, his
subject was singers and their songs. A very good lecture and a
crowded house. They made in all $159.00.
3 – Looked like rain in the morning but it did not come. Fixed the
horse rake in the forenoon and fixed fence in the afternoon. Mrs.
Bryant, Lizzy and Mr. Throop here in the afternoon. Jenny and
Lizzy dressmaking. At church managers meeting in the evening.
4 – Drove out to Port Perry and brought Mrs. Bell and Willa back.
Gave the buggy another coat of paint. Fixed fence and hoed
strawberries in the afternoon. Mrs. G. Welch and Mrs. H. Hick-
man here for strawberries but they were too late. Mr. Cameron
called in the afternoon. Went with Jennie and Willa to prayer
meeting.
5 – A warm day, thunder most of the time and showers went
around but hardly a drop here. Rain is badly needed now. Put the
buggy together, hoed strawberries in the forenoon. Put in a post
for the bars into the pasture, sawed some wood in the afternoon.
Mrs. Bell and Willa drove out to Port Perry in the afternoon.
George Miller called in the evening.
6 – Very warm day and still no rain. Hoeing strawberries and Paris
Greening potatoes in the forenoon. Scuffling turnips in the after-
noon.
7 – Another warm day, with a short shower in the afternoon. Mrs.
Perrin left for home at 9 am. Mrs. Bell going to Newcastle with
her. Hoeing turnips most of the day. At Port Perry in the evening.
8 – A good deal cooler especially towards night. At SS and church
with Willa, Mr. Cameron preached. Jennie and Willa at CE, G.
Miller, leader.
9 – Cool day. Hoed turnips in the forenoon and sprayed potatoes
and hoed turnips in the afternoon. Jennie and Willa picked the
gooseberries.
10 – Jennie and Willa went to Port Perry market in the morning
taking some new potatoes, the first of the season. Paris Greened
the potatoes in the afternoon. Willa at Mr. Akhurst’s in the eve-
ning.
11 – Cut hay in the forenoon in the north field, rather a poor crop.
After dinner there was every appearance of a big rain storm but
there was only a few drops, however there was a little shower
between 4 and 5 o’clock which was much needed. Hoed some
turnips in the afternoon. Jennie and Willa went to prayer meeting.
Mr and Mrs G. Byers and Mrs John Truax here in the afternoon.
12 – Quite a cool day. Finished cutting the hay in the forenoon and
went to Port Perry with the wagon in the afternoon for pig feed.
Got a new plough and binder twine. Mr. Cameron and A.T. Horne
here in the afternoon about the church choir but I did not see them.
Mrs. Luke and Ned here for currants. Churned butter after 9 pm.
13 – Jennie and Willa went out to the market in the morning. Hoed
turnips and some other chores in the forenoon and raked the hay in
the afternoon. Willa drove to Greenbank for the mail after supper.
Sally Lee here after dinner. G. Michie brought the bed mattress
home. Very dry day and a high NW wind.
14 – Drew in the hay, 9 loads. Had George helping. Went to Port
Perry after supper.
33
15 – A great deal of thunder and rain through the night which
soaked the ground well and very welcome it was for everything
was suffering badly. Went with Willa to SS and church, Mr. Cam-
eron preached. Jennie and Willa went to CE in the evening, Jennie
was leader.
16 – A very close warm day. Raked the hay field and drew in the
rakings with Jennie’s help in the forenoon. Scuffled and hoed
turnips in the afternoon. Jennie and Willa picking white and black
currants. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for dinner and stayed until after
tea when I drove her home. Started to rain between 4 and 5 and
rained quite awhile and looks like more.
17 – Jennie went to market in the forenoon taking the first raspber-
ries. Mrs. Bell came back with her. Willa drove up to Greenbank
in the evening for the mail. Big thunder storm between 5 and 6.
Hoed turnips most of the day, very uneven crop.
18 – Scuffled some turnips in the morning and then went to wood-
lot at D. Cragg’s swamp and piled up some wood that was cut last
winter. Hoed turnips in the afternoon. Went to prayer meeting
with Jennie and Willa. Mrs. Edith Phair and Miss Lilly Throop
here for tea. Willa at Mark’s in the afternoon.
19 – Worked most of the day fixing the cow stable and after supper
drove with Jennie via Port Perry to Manchester to see Uncle who
has been very sick for some time. We found him quite a bit better.
Got home at 10 o’clock. Willa at a party at Akhurst’s in the eve-
ning. Silva Leask here in the afternoon for berries.
20 – A pretty warm day. Spent most of the day at the cow stable.
After supper went with Jennie, Willa and the baby over to the lake
and got one lunge. Mrs. Alex Lee here a little while after dinner.
Raspberry social at the Methodist church.
21 – Hoed a few turnips in the forenoon. Pherril, the fruit tree
man, and Mr. Bongard called. Sold the four pigs for $5.75 per 100
[pounds]. In the afternoon drove up for the mail and then took
Mrs. Bell and Willa home and from thence to Manchester. Got
home about 6:30. Mrs. Mark and Jessie here in the afternoon
picking berries, a big picking today. Brought home a new set of
single hames.
22 – A very fine day. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached.
Jennie at CE in the evening, James Miller, leader.
23 – Fine day. Spent the forenoon helping Wes Luke to start up
the binder. It did not work very well and he took the knotter to
Port Perry. In the afternoon hoed a few turnips and went to a
school trustee meeting at the schoolhouse in the evening. Miss
McRae, Maggie Brown and Mrs. A. Lee here in the forenoon.
Mrs. M. O’Neill, Roy and Lilly here picking berries and stayed to
dinner. Mrs. Mark and Jessie in the afternoon and Mrs. Luke, Eva
and Ned and Miss Mabel Throop after supper. Mrs. O’Neill got 24
boxes and Mrs. Luke 12.
24 – Went over to Luke’s in the morning to rig up the binder again
but the knotter worked worse than ever so we sent it out to Port
Perry again with Jennie. Hoed a few turnips. After dinner I took
the knotter over and put it on and it worked all right. About 2:30 it
started to rain a little and got quite hard about 3 or 4. A fine rain
and will do a lot of good except to the barley that is cut. Nothing
doing in the afternoon. Planted a few strawberries just for curios-
ity. Jessie here in the forenoon for some raspberries. Quilting bee
there this afternoon.
25 – Rain through the night. Went for the beef in the morning and
then worked at greening the potatoes until 5. Helped Wes Luke to
start cutting his rye after supper. Jennie went to prayer meeting. A
congregational meeting was held after and chose J. M. Real choir
leader.
26 – Took our 4 pigs and 2 for Wes Luke to Port Perry. Ours
weighed 785 lbs, the price was $5.75 per 100. Hoed turnips in the
afternoon. Mrs. Mark and Jessie here all day at the berries, an
immense picking today.
27 – A very fine day. Went to Greenbank in the morning for the
mail and then Jennie went to market at Port Perry while I cut the
corners of the fall wheat and hoed turnips. Went over and helped
W. Luke to repair the binder. He was cutting rye in the NE field of
the old place. Cut the fall wheat in the afternoon, George and his
horse helping. Hoed turnips after supper. Eva Luke here in the
afternoon nursing the baby.
28 – A very fine day. Hoed turnips in the forenoon and pulled peas
in the afternoon. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for dinner and Jennie
drove her home. Mrs. Mark picking berries and Eva Luke attend-
ing to baby.
29 – At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. The choir sang for
the first time for several months. Ethel Miller came home with me
for tea. George Fowlie and John Park came as we were at supper.
Jennie went to the CE. It started to rain before she got there and
continued during the evening. Much thunder and lightning.
30 – Pulling peas all day after it dried up. Eva Luke here in the
forenoon nursing. E. Mark picking berries in the afternoon and Mr
and Mrs. E. Beare and Miss May Beare here in the evening. An
exceptionally fine day.
31 – Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning with berries to send
to Newcastle and got home at 12. Pulling peas and finished at 5
o’clock. A very fine day.
AUG. 1 – A fine day. Scuffled turnips until 5 pm, some for the
first time. Eva and Ned Luke here for awhile in the forenoon.
Mrs. Luke and Mable Throop here for tea. Mrs. A. Lee and family
here for a feed of berries which are pretty near done now. Mabel
goes home tomorrow. She was telling us that Edna and Win are to
be married on the same day in a few weeks. John Leask’s new
threshing machine went to Phair’s this afternoon.
2- Threshing at Mrs. Phair’s in the forenoon. Hoeing turnips in the
afternoon. After 5 I drove to Manchester for the Legislative grant
for the public school ($66.90, then to Prince Albert and paid Miss
McBrien, then to Port Perry and called at Mrs. Bell’s and found her
not very well. Got home a little before 10.
3 – Cut oats in the field NE of the barn in the forenoon, George
helping. The knotter on the binder broke just before dinner. Went
to Port Perry after dinner and got it fixed and only worked a few
34
rounds before it played out in another place. After supper we
drawed in the fall wheat. Eva Luke here all day and Mrs. Luke and
Ned here in the afternoon picking berries.
4 – Tried to take the worn part off the binder in the morning but
failed, then drove to Port Perry for Browne but he could not come.
Got the parts required and after I got home went at it again and put
the part in all right. Started at noon and finished the field and then
drew up the peas, George helping. After 7:30 John came along
with the papers and we all fell to and finished the stocking up
about 8:45. A very fine day.
5 – A very warm day. Jennie drove out to Port Perry in the fore-
noon to see how her Mother was keeping and found her little or no
better. Walked to SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached a sermon
against the teachings of the Mormon elders who were around those
parts last week. At CE in the evening, Maggie Blair, leader. A
very good meeting. Eva and Ned Luke here for tea, Wes and Mrs.
Luke being away at Pinedale, his mother being very sick. Alex
Lee and Mrs. called in for a few minutes after 9 o’clock.
6 – A very warm day. Helping George to cut oats with his own
binder. Finished at 5 pm. Alex Lee’s boys here in the afternoon
for a feed of berries. Mr. Henders here in the morning buying
duchess apples. He is offering 40 cts. per barrel. Mrs. E. Luke
died at Pinedale today.
7 – Another very warm day. Cut the SW field of oats with
George’s help. Hoed a few turnips after 6. Mrs. Mark and Mrs.
Car here in the afternoon picking berries. Alex Lee spent the
whole day trying to get his binder to work in the south field.
8 – Another very warm day with a high NW wind in the afternoon.
Hoed turnips in the forenoon and after supper. Went to Mrs.
Luke’s funeral at Greenbank in the afternoon. Mr. McColl of Port
Perry conducted the service. 11 little pigs came to hand in the
afternoon, 1 dead.
9 – Helped George to draw in his peas in the forenoon and then
came home for a horse to help him cut, but a little shower came on,
so I spent most of the afternoon hoeing turnips. Threshed at Alex
Lee’s from 6:30 to 8 o’clock. Wes Luke called in the evening to
tell how bad the binder worked. Man here in the morning deliver-
ing books. Mrs. Luke, Alex Lee and family, and George Michie
called today.
10 – Threshing at Alex Lee’s until about 10 and then a short run at
W. Luke’s before dinner and in the afternoon until 4 o’clock.
Hoeing turnips after supper. A very hot day.
11 – Went down to George’s in the morning to help at his oats, but
he did not need me, so I hoed turnips all day with the exception of
a while after dinner when I went over to Luke’s to see what was
the matter with the binder. Finished hoeing the turnips for the first
time, the latest on record as far as I can remember. They did not
come up on account of the dry weather. Not likely they will be
hoed the second time at all. Jennie went out to Port Perry in the
forenoon to see how her mother was and found her very little bet-
ter. Young man here selling a medical book. George went to
Oshawa to bring home the girls who have been down that way for
2 weeks. A little rain in the evening.
12 – Rain through the night which made the day delightfully cool.
At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE in the evening,
Flossie Burns leader. A very good meeting.
13 – Rain through the night and all the forenoon and sometimes in
the afternoon, therefore there was no harvesting today. Threw off
a small load of peas in the barn, then swept out the granery and
then gave the shop a good ridding up, the first time for many years.
Sharped the bucksaw, fixed the bars behind the barn and brought
the young cattle up from the swamp field. After supper drove to
Greenbank for the mail.
14 – Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon. Made an arm for
the binder reel, a spring for the screen door, hoed some, cut out
field corners and cut out the old raspberry bushes and some other
chores. George here after dinner for Lucy to cut oats. Started to
rain a little between 5 and 6.
15 – At the berry bushes most of the forenoon and plowing in the
afternoon in the field west of the house for fall wheat with the new
plough for the first. Mr. Cameron and John Lee called in the after-
noon. Jennie went to prayer meeting in the evening. A fine day.
16 – A fine day. Cut the little field and the piece in the root field.
Got through at 4:30 which finishes the cutting for this year. After
supper drew in 4 loads of oats. George here helping.
17 – Drawing in oats with George’s help in the forenoon. Jessie
here keeping the baby while Jennie helped in the barn. Helping
George to draw in oats in the afternoon. A very fine day.
18 – Drawing in oats at George’s in the forenoon and here in the
afternoon. Nellie kept house while Jennie went to Port Perry in the
forenoon and Jessie here in the afternoon minding the baby.
19 – A fine day with a little rain in the afternoon. Mrs. Luke kept
house while we went to church where we got the baby baptized by
Mr. Cameron. At CE in the evening. Oliver and Eva Luke here
for a while in the evening.
20 – Some rain through the night and very dull all day but only a
few drops of rain. Spent the greater part of the forenoon talking to
Mr. Henders, the apple tree man. Plowed a while and in the after-
noon, with George’s help, drew in all the oats which finishes the
harvest all but the rakings, worked until dark. Jessie here keeping
the baby. Mrs. Ed Fisher and Mrs Aggie Bodin called after supper.
21 – A fine day. Helping George all day at his oats and finished
harvest but the rakings.
22 – Went after the beef in the morning and raked oat stubble the
rest of the day. Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon and got
the baby’s picture taken. Mrs. Bell and Willa came home with her.
At prayer meeting with Jennie and Willa.
23 – A very fine day. Raking in the forenoon. After dinner, with
Jennie’s help, drew it in and finished harvest for 1900. Plowed the
latter part of the afternoon. Went up to Alex Lee’s in the evening
to see about getting the loan of some oats. Jennie and Willa at
quilting bee at Mark’s, a large gathering.
35
24 – A very warm close day. Went up to A. Lee’s in the morning
and got the loan of 4 bags of oats and then plowed the remainder of
the forenoon. Brought Topsy colt home before dinner. In the
afternoon, with George’s help, we pumped out and cleaned the
well. We found two dead frogs and 1 dead toad in the well. We
then hitched up Topsy for the first time, tried her in the waggon
and plough and she went very quietly.
25 – A very warm day. Plowing all day. Had Topsy hitched up
again and she went very well. Had a call from A. Lee in the fore-
noon and Albert Phoenix in the afternoon. Willa drove to Green-
bank after dinner for the mail.
26 – A very warm day. At SS and church with Willa, Mr. Cam-
eron preached. Willa went to Jas. McMillan’s for tea. At CE in
the evening, a good meeting, Bella McMillan, leader.
27 – A pretty warm day. Plowing all day. Had Topsy hitched up
again and she went very well. Jennie spilled most of the cream in
the churn on account of the lid falling off. W. Luke called in the
forenoon.
28 – Another very warm day. Plowing all day. Mrs. Forbes and
Aggie Bodie here in the afternoon and for tea. Oliver Luke and
Stanley Crowle called in the forenoon.
29 – A very fine day and quite a bit cooler. Plowed in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon went over to the lake and had a little
picnic. Mrs. Luke, Oliver, Eva, and Ned, Nellie and Jessie, Willa,
Jennie and baby Annie made the company. We had quite a pleas-
ant time and got home about 8. John Lee and Bella came in just as
were starting away.
30 – Finished plowing the field west of the house and then har-
rowed it. After supper measured out for fence down at the swamp.
Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon and took her mother and
Willa home.
31 – Warm day. Gang plowed the little field and finished at 5
o’clock. Wes Luke called in the evening for some cucumbers.
SEPT. 1 – Harrowed the little field and drew out big stones in the
forenoon. Alma Black called and Tom called where I was work-
ing. At C. Gordon’s threshing in the afternoon. They did not get
started until 4 o’clock. Rode home on the tractor. James Smith,
Barbara and Jessie came in the evening. A very fine day but pretty
warm.
2 – A very warm day with a high west wind. Went to SS and
church with Jas. Smith, Mr. Cameron preached. Jennie, Barbara
and Jessie at CE in the evening and called at Sandy Gordon’s on
their way home. Will Manning died today.
3 – Somewhat cooler. A nice shower between 11 and 12 which
was badly needed but there was not near enough. Moved the old
fence between the SW field and the little field. Jas. Smith helped
to lay the new part. Jas., Barbara and Jessie at Mark’s for dinner
and left for home at 5 o’clock. John Leask, who was threshing at
Whitter’s, moved to G. Michie’s and had quite a time getting up
the sand hill.
4 – A very fine day. Threshing at George Michie’s and finished
about 3 o’clock, then to David Cragg’s and threshed him out.
They then moved to Marshall O’Neill’s.
5 – Threshing at Marshall O’Neills and finished about 10:30 and
then to Isaac O’Neill’s and made a very short before dinner. Fin-
ished about 2, then to Akhurst’s and got supper before starting run
for about ½ hour when they broke down and had to go to Green-
bank. Jennie at Port Perry in the afternoon. Mrs. Mark keeping
house while she was away. Eva Luke called in the evening.
6 – Some rain through the night. Threshing at Akhurst’s until
about 2, then to A. Lee’s at the Ewin barn and finished that in less
than 2 hours, then to his home barn, and threshed after supper until
7. Pretty warm.
7 – A beautiful day. Threshing at Alex Lee’s and finished about
10. They then came here and finished at 4:30 ($6.50 was what he
charged). They then moved to Luke’s and threshed about an hour.
Jessie Michie kept the baby.
8 – A fine day. Threshing at W. Luke’s and finished at noon,
which finishes my threshing for a time. The machine went to Mr.
[Petties?]. Was pretty well played out and did not do much in the
afternoon but clean up the barn floor. Jessie brought half of baby’s
pictures. Jennie made a miscalculation about the day of the week,
she thought this was Friday.
9 – At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. Jennie at CE, A.
McArthur, leader. A small attendance owing to the harvest home
at Saintfield.
10 – A fine day and some like rain. Went down to George’s in the
morning for some fall wheat which he got from G. Real for me.
Drew off some stones, filled up the furrows and harrowed the fall
wheat ground. In the forenoon Jennie went to Alex Lee’s to see
about getting his drill to sow the wheat but could not get it today.
W. Mark here picking up some fallen apples. Alex Lee’s boys and
Bella here for dinner. Cutting corn in the afternoon. Jennie went
to Greenbank after supper.
11 – Sowed the fall wheat in the forenoon with Alex Lee’s drill,
the ground being very dry. Cutting corn in the afternoon. Jessie
came up in the forenoon and took the baby away with her and
brought her back at 4:30. Annie Dusty came with her.
12 – A terrific wind through the night and most of the day. The
dust was terrible, blew down most of the corn shocks, some fences,
the top of A. Lee’s and Akhurst’s straw stack, the chimney of the
church, some silos, and apples by the waggon load. Picked out
some seed corn, pulled the beans and moved in the cooking stove
in the forenoon. Both picking fallen apples all afternoon, put them
in the woodshed. Edith Phair here in the afternoon and Mr. Cam-
eron for tea. Put up the apple rack and peeled some apples in the
evening, the first of the season.
13 – At the corn in the forenoon. After dinner drove up and got
Mrs. Gordon who came and kept house while Jennie and I and the
baby went to Port Perry’s Great Syndicate Fair. Got home at 7.
Afterwards drove Mrs. Gordon home. A very fine day.
36
14 – A fine day. Working at the corn all day. Jennie washing.
Jennie went to Greenbank in the evening. She heard that D.
McMillan’s little boy which has been all its days at Jas.
McMillan’s was drowned in a barrel.
15 – Cutting corn and finished at 5. The swamp fire was threaten-
ing to burn out Marshall O’Neill. Went down to see how it was
going in the afternoon and it looked pretty bad. Made a gate for
the orchard after supper. Pared apples in the evening.
16 – A good deal cooler with slight rain flurries in the afternoon
and evening. At church and SS, Mr. Cameron preached. Baptism
at the Baptist church. Jennie went to CE, R.T. Harrington, leader.
George Michie led the singing.
17 – A cool day. Finished the orchard gate and finished drawing
the old rails from the swamp field in the forenoon and helped W.
Luke to fix his horse power9
in the afternoon.
18 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon while Jennie went
to Port Perry. Isaac Clemens took away Lucy for a few days.
Helping W. Luke with his horse power in the afternoon. Pared
apples in the evening.
19 – A very foggy morning. Went for the beef and brought Mrs.
Jas. Burns to Mrs. Phair’s. Plowing in the forenoon and drawing
stone from the old fence bottom in the afternoon. Jennie went to
Greenbank in the evening and took 9 chickens.
20 – A little rain through the night which was badly needed, but
not enough to do much good. All day drawing stones from the old
fence bottom. John Lee called in the afternoon. Pared apples in
the evening.
21 – Trimmed a tree, put up some fence, fanned up some rye (5 ½
bus) at Luke’s barn, and drew stones in forenoon. Sowed rye (the
first ever sown on the place as far as I know) in the afternoon with
A. Lee’s drill. Took his oats back which was borrowed. Jessie
Michie here after dinner. Big thunderstorm in the early morning.
22 – Finished drawing stone in the morning and ploughed the
remainder of the day. Pared apples in the evening.
9
Image from ‘Turn-of-the-Century Farm Tools and
Implements, Peter Henderson & Co.’; Dover publica-
tion.
23 – A fine day. At SS and church (walked), Mr. Cameron
preached and hit hard at those that held a grudge at anyone. Jennie
at CE, Mr. Boe, leader. Mrs. Bryant and Mrs. E. Burton here in the
afternoon.
24 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Sold Lucy to Joe Burton for
$10.00. Anna Tate arrived just before dinner. She rode up from
Port Perry with Tom Michie in the waggon. Hitched up Topsy in
the buggy for the first time. Pared apples in the evening.
25 – Threatening rain in the morning but it did not come. Drawing
in corn in the forenoon, Jennie helping. Plowing in the afternoon.
Jennie and Anna at prayer meeting. Alex Lee away to Whitby as a
witness in the Frank Trebell case.
26 – A very warm day, too warm to work. Plowed all day. A hitch
in the beef ring today. One of our 6 ducks missing in the morning,
another in the afternoon, and the other 4 at night. Hunted high and
low for them but could not find them. No doubt it is the work of a
fox. Barbara Walker called in the forenoon. Jennie and Anna
dressmaking.
27- Ducks turned up all right in the morning. Much cooler today.
Plowing in the forenoon. After dinner went down to Mr. O’Neill’s
to get Fred to help at the potatoes tomorrow. They are building a
new house and I had some trouble to get him as they have so much
to do. Went with Jennie to the preparatory service in the church.
Mr. Sincler [Sinclair?], the new minister at Sonya, preached. The
new communion service got by the CE was presented to the con-
gregation. Mrs. Luke here in the afternoon and J.A. and George
Miller for tea. P. Luke started to plough on the old place. Pared
apples in the evening.
28 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes all day, Fred O’Neill help-
ing. Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon and did not get
home until about 3. Pared apples in the evening.
29 – Rain through the night and most of the forenoon, which was
badly needed. Covered up the potato pits the first thing in the
morning and worked at paving the passage in front of the cattle the
rest of the forenoon. After dinner went up to Akhurst’s to see
Albert about school money. Got ready to plough but Henry Love
came to see about the stable wall and talked a long time. Then
J.M. Real came for some apples which took some more time, so I
did not start to plough but did some more paving. Anna went
down to Mark’s in the evening. Jennie making a jacket for little
Annie.
30 – A fine day. Communion at Greenbank. Attended with
Jennie, Anna and the baby. Mr. Cameron preached. The new
communion service used for the first time. Mrs. Luke stayed while
we were away. Eva and Ned Luke here for dinner. Mrs. L. had to
go home as someone had come to their place. John Lee, Mrs. A.
Lee, and Bella called in the afternoon. At CE with Anna, a fairly
good meeting. Anna did not come home with me, a foggy night.
OCT. 1 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes all day. Alone in the
forenoon as Fred O’Neill did not turn up. Jennie helped in the
afternoon. At church managers meeting in the evening.
37
2 – Finished digging potatoes with Jennie’s help in the forenoon.
After dinner fixed the wheelbarrow and then plowed the rest of the
afternoon. Sold the apples for 60 cts. per barrel. Joe Burton and
Mr. O’Neill had a cattle sale this afternoon but I hear it did not go
off very well. A very fine day. Potatoes rather small.
3 – A very fine day. Picked the Snow apples in the forenoon.
Jennie and Anna helping. Plowing in the afternoon. John Michie
and Jessie here awhile and Mrs. Annie Gordon and Mrs. Jas. Leask
for tea and they went with me to prayer meeting in the evening.
4 – Plowing all day. Jennie and Anna dressmaking. Very fine
weather.
5 – A very warm day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with
Jennie and the baby. Hitched Topsy the first time on the road, she
went fine. Plowing in the afternoon. Liberal convention at
Whitby. W. Luke sent over to get me to go with him but I was
away at Port Perry.
6 – A very warm day. Drew the potatoes into the cellar, after
which Jennie, baby and I drove with Topsy to see G. Allan who is
down with fever. Called first at Jas. Allan’s and got tea, then to
George’s where we found him about the same. Got home about 9.
Soon after we left home Willie and Annie Smith came. They went
down to Mark’s in the evening.
7 – Some rain through the night. Willa Bell, who stayed at Mark’s
last night, came over in the forenoon. All at SS and church but
Jennie. Children’s service. A heavy shower came on a little be-
fore the service closed and more on the way home. Willa went
home with Nellie Michie. Willie and Annie Smith started for
home at 6 pm. Anna Tait at Mark’s in the evening.
8 – Bagged up 20 bags of oats and took them to Beare’s Mill and
brought home lumber for stable door jambs and drew in some corn
in the forenoon. Went for a load of building sand at Jas. McMil-
lans, then to M. O’Neill’s for 100 bricks and 50 tile, then finished
drawing in the corn. At school trustee meeting at J.M. Real’s in
the evening. Engaged W. Grey at $350.00 and Miss McBrien at
$225.00 if she will accept it. A beautiful day and a good deal
cooler.
9 – A very fine day. Drew off stones in the forenoon while John
Michie worked at taking off the claw boards of the kitchen. Both
at it all afternoon. Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon for
felt paper and took Anna out. She is going to start tomorrow at the
dressmaking with Miss Knight. Pared apples in the evening.
10 – A slight frost in the morning, the first of the season as far as I
know, which is rather an unusual thing. Pumpkin vines and such
like are still quite green. Went for the beef in the morning. Got a
new pair of boots from Sam, then went for the meal at E. Beare’s.
Putting on claw boards on kitchen in the afternoon. John at it all
day. Jessie and Eldgie Mark here in the afternoon picking up
apples.
11 – A fine day. At the felt papering all day, John acting as boss.
Jessie here for awhile in the forenoon. Mrs. Jas. Miller and Mrs. F.
Ward for dinner. Jennie went to Greenbank in the afternoon and
drove Topsy. Apple packers packed 3 barrels of Snows. Mr and
Mrs and Grace Cameron called in the afternoon.
12 – Worked at the house until the paper was spent and then picked
a few apples before dinner. Started early after dinner for Port
Perry with 3 barrels of Snow apples and got another roll of paper
and 6 [?]. Got home at 3 and then at the house and finished all we
intend doing at this time. John here all day. George came up in
the morning for some apples. Pared apples in the evening.
13 – All day picking apples, John helping. Eva and Ned Luke here
awhile in the afternoon. Mrs. A. Leask called as we were at supper
to see if they could get some sweet apples. A very fine day.
14 – At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. Drove Topsy to
church for the first time and she ran away from the gate to the barn.
No one at CE. Jennie flunked after getting ready to go.
15 – A very fine day. Plowing all day at the corn stubble. Pared
apples in the evening.
16 – A good deal cooler with some rain in the morning. Spent
most of the forenoon fixing windows. Plowing in the afternoon.
17- Quite a hard frost in the morning. Finished plowing the potato
ground and the remainder of the day plowing sod in the field NW
of barn. J.M. Real here before dinner for a barrel of sweet apples.
Mrs. Mark, Jessie and Mrs. Luke here a while in the afternoon.
18 – Thanksgiving Day. Jennie drove to Port Perry in the forenoon
with a duck for her mother, while I kept house and did a few
chores. Anna Tait and Jessie Michie came about 10:30. Went
with Jessie to the Thanksgiving service in the church, Mr. Cam-
eron preached an excellent sermon. Mrs. Luke, Eva and Ned here
in the afternoon. Anna left for Port Perry after supper.
19 – Plowing sod all day. Alex Leask came for 5 bags of sweet
apples. John Lee called. A very fine day. Pared apples in the
evening.
20 – Plowing sod all day. George Michie and Jessie here picking
apples in the forenoon. A. Lee called in the forenoon and was
telling that he has rented the Luke farm for 3 years. At Greenbank
in the evening to a political committee meeting to appoint dele-
gates to convention at Brooklin on Monday. Split in party. This is
the second convention.
21 – A very fine day. Went to SS and church, Mr. Cameron
preached. No organist and no choir. Mr. Allan presented. No CE
as there was anniversary services at the Baptist Church. Annie
Black, Allan and Emma came about 5:30.
22 – Some showers throughout the day. Before breakfast G. Real
called and gave me a blowing up about engaging an assistant
teacher. He is not at all pleased that we did not engage his girl.
Went over to W. Lukes to see about going to the convention at
Brooklin, then picked a few bags of apples, Allan Black helping.
Started at 12 and rode with Wes to Brooklin, getting there at 2.
The convention was large and feelings ran high. There was a
decided split between Burnett and Folke and after a good deal of
38
talk they dropped them both and united on R.W. Ross of Port
Perry. Went to James Smith’s for supper and got home about
11:30 feeling in better spirits than when we went away.
23 – Rain in the morning and most of the forenoon which went in
about 2. Annie, Allan and Emma started for home after dinner.
Plowed sod in the afternoon except what time I spent talking to A.
Lee, J.M. Real (on school matters) and John Lee. Pared apples in
the evening.
24 – Plowing sod all day. Had another talk with G. Real. He is in
much better humour today.
25 – Plowing sod all day and nearly finished. Jennie went down to
Mark’s for some newspapers, as we have not had any for some
days, and the election near at hand. Jack Leask’s machine went
down the road to Phair’s at dusk.
26 – Threshing at Phair’s until a little after four when it started to
rain. Some lightning and the heaviest rain for a long time, and it
was much needed. Plowing match at Bruce’s farm, Port Perry. W.
Luke, Tom Michie and Kyler Whitter left the threshing to go to the
match. Eva Luke here for supper and stayed all night.
27 – Threshed at Phair’s until 9 and finished. Several hundred
bushels of oats broke through the floor and landed in the horse
stable. Finished plowing sod before dinner. Fixed the cover of the
barn well in the afternoon while Jennie went to Port Perry. Anna
Tait came home with her. Pared apples in the evening.
28 – A very fine day. At. SS and church with Jennie. Anna kept
the baby. George Fowler and his mother here in the afternoon.
Jennie and Anna at CE, a good meeting.
29 – A foggy morning and rain in the afternoon off and on.
Threshing at W. Luke’s from about 9 to 3:30, had to stop twice for
a rain. Jack Leask here for dinner. Jennie went to Port Perry and
took Anna down, and brought her mother back. A very dark night
and lots of mud.
30 – Fanned up some wheat for a grist the first thing in the morn-
ing, then drew stones and dirt and finished fixing the barn well
platform. Drove out to Port Perry in the afternoon and took 1 ½
bags of wheat in the buggy. Mrs. Mark and Mrs. [Chuh?] of Clif-
ford here in the afternoon. W. Ross had a meeting at Greenbank
but I did not go as it was a rainy night. Got Topsy shod for the
first time.
31 – Foggy morning. Went down to Mr. O’Neill’s to get Fred to
help tomorrow at the turnips, then banked up the north end of
house. Topped turnips in the afternoon (they were very wet).
Jennie went to Greenbank and got home a little before 6. Went in
the evening with A. Lee to Mr. Ross’ meeting at Port Perry. Mr.
Lout was the speaker, a very good meeting, got home at 12.
NOV. 1 – At the turnips, Fred O’Neill helping, until about 2:30
when rain came on. W. Luke called during the rain. Smith’s meet-
ing at Greenbank tonight. Took in 5 loads of turnips – At the
turnips all day, Fred helping. Drew in 10 loads. Mrs. A. Gordon
here for dinner. Jessie and Mrs. I. O’Neill here in the afternoon.
Jennie went to Greenbank in the evening with 10 roosters.
3 – At turnips all day, Fred helping. Drew in 8 loads. H. Love
came down in the morning to do the stone job but I did not have
time to attend to him. Norman Stuward, collector, called after
dinner. Jennie drove her mother home and brought Anna Tait and
Nellie home with her. Went to political committee meeting in the
evening.
4 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Jennie. Anna kept the
baby. Mr. McDonald of Glenarm preached. Anna went to A.
Gordon’s for tea. At CE, Mr. Boe, leader, in place of M. McDon-
ald.
5 – Rain through the night and some showers in the afternoon and
evening. A little snow, the first of the season. Worked at the
turnips alone, Fred did not come. Got in 6 loads, tied up the steers
for the first time. Went to political committee meeting and took
Alex Lee with me. A warm meeting.
6 – Threw back and topped turnips in the forenoon. After dinner
went down to Mr. O’Neill’s to see why Fred did not come to help
with the turnips, too busy was the excuse. Got John Michie to help
and drew in 5 loads. Eva Luke here for supper. Presidential elec-
tion in the US, McKinley and Bryan are the candidates. (Later,
McKinley elected 2nd
time).
7 – Dominion general elections. Snow in the morning and most of
the forenoon but cleared up in the afternoon. Put up the little stove
and some other chores in the forenoon. Went to Greenbank and
voted for William Ross. Hoed a few turnips after I came home.
Did not hear who was elected tonight. (Heard next day that Ross
won by 90 something).
8 – Snow a good part of the forenoon which went nearly all away
by night. Did some chores in the forenoon and puttied up the
windows in the afternoon while Jennie went to Port Perry. W.
Luke called before supper.
9- A cold wintery day with a high NW wind. Put on the storm
windows and some other chores in the forenoon. Went over after
dinner to help W. Luke with pigs and then went at the turnips, John
helping, and got in 5 loads. Freezing pretty hard.
10 – Finished the turnips with John’s help in the afternoon (5
loads). Apple packers here in the forenoon, put up 10 barrels.
Jessie here in the forenoon. Drove to Greenbank in the evening for
the mail.
11 – At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE in the
evening, Mr. Grey led the meeting.
12 – A pretty cool day with some snow in the evening. Went up to
Alex Lee’s and bought a turnip pulper and brought it home and put
it in place. After dinner the apple packers came again and put up 2
more barrels. Jennie went to Greenbank but had a little smash up
in the lane first. Took in the apple culls while she was away.
Pared apples in the evening.
39
13 – Started to snow about 8 am and continued all day from the
east, about 6 or 8 in. A very wintery day. Took the apples (12
barrels) out to Port Perry in the forenoon. Made and hung a storm
door on the east kitchen door. WFMS social at Greenbank tonight
(or was to be) but did not go as the night was very rough.
14 – A very cold wintery day. Did the chores and made a stable
door. Pared apples in the evening.
15 – Got the sleigh out and drew all the dry wood into the wood
shed. Afterwards cleaned out the hen house. Very wintery.
16 – Drew manure for the garden and berry bushes in the forenoon
and went to J. Ward’s cattle sale at Greenbank in the afternoon.
Good sleighing.
17 – Went after a load of posts on the 11th
concession and some
other sleigh jobs in the forenoon and made cattle stable door jamb
in the afternoon. A little rain in the afternoon and evening, the
snow going. Pared apples (frozen) in the evening.
18 – Rain in the afternoon and evening and all the snow gone but
plenty of mud. At SS and church with Jennie. Mr. H. Horne of
Elora preached. Did not go to CE as it was very dark and rainy.
Anna Tait came about 10 am and left again for Mark’s before dark.
19 – Rain most of the day from the east which froze as it fell. Did
the chores and did some jobs in the shop.
20 – A good deal warmer, with fog, and a little rain. Took a load
of oats and peas over to Beare’s mill in the forenoon and pruned
the black currant bushes and some other jobs in the garden in the
afternoon while Jennie went to Greenbank.
21 – A little rain in the morning and a very high wind in the after-
noon. H. Love came about 9 am and worked at the wall all the day
while I [?] and made a door frame. H. Love stayed all night. Bible
society meeting but did not go.
22 – A very fine day but rain in the evening. Helping H. Love all
day, fixing the stable doors, and H. L. finishes his job. W. Luke
making a big push to get his turnips in.
23 – Went for the meal at Beare’s mill in the forenoon and paved
in front of the cattle stable doors in the afternoon. Pared apples in
the evening. Allan Byers called, he was taking orders for tea.
24 – Some frost in the morning and freezing towards night. Plow-
ing in the orchard in the forenoon and paving in front of the cattle
stable in the afternoon while Jennie went to Port Perry and brought
Anna Tait and Nellie Michie back with her. Nellie stayed all night.
Went over to A. Lee’s bush to get maple seed to send to Manitoba
but could not find a seed.
25 – Snow through the night but not enough for sleighing. At
church and SS with Jennie, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE with
Anna, rather a small meeting.
26 – Made a window sash for the new stable window, the first I
ever attempted to do, and in the afternoon went to Greenbank to
the farmers’ institute meeting. Mr. John McMillan, ex-M.P. of
Huron, and Miss Laura Rose of the O.A.C. were the speakers and
very good they were. The attendance was very good. Pared apples
in the evening.
27 – A very fine day but it did not thaw out any. Put in new win-
dow in stable, put in pane of glass in root house window, put the
thumb latch on storm door and some other jobs in the forenoon. In
the afternoon put the storm doors on the front of house and then
Mr. John Truax of Michigan came and I spent the greater part of
the afternoon talking to him. He lived on the Byers’ place over 40
years ago. He stayed to tea and then went to W. Luke’s.
28 – Put in some glass in the stable windows and some other
chores in the forenoon. Painted the storm door and tore down the
fence behind the wood yard. Pared apples in the evening. L.
O’Neill after a bag of apples.
29 – A very fine day. Put up the fence about the wood yard in the
forenoon and cut up the rubbish. In the afternoon Jennie went to
Port Perry. Jessie Michie and Ida Phair here in the afternoon.
30 – A very fine day. Painted the new stable doors, cleaned out
and overhauled the water closet. Mr and Mrs John Burns came just
before dinner and stayed until about 3, they were on their way to
Cannington. Got word that Flossie Burns has been given up by the
Doctors, she has been ill for some time with typhoid fever.
DEC. 1 – A fine mild day. Finished plowing the orchard and
plowed the little corn patch (which finishes for the season) and
then harrowed the orchard and then burned the old berry bushes.
Jessie here for a while in the afternoon. Pared apples in the eve-
ning. Flossie Burns died this morning.
2 – A fine mild day. Went to Flossie Burn’s funeral at 1 pm. A
very large crowd, more than the church would hold. Mr. Cameron
conducted the service. They took her to Ashburn. No SS. At CE,
a very small meeting. Lizzie McArthur took the topic. Jessie
Michie opened the meeting (1st
time) and Maud McDonald played
the organ (1st
time).
3 – A mild day and many plowing. Fixed the fence behind the
barn in the forenoon and attended the meeting of the Reach, Port
Perry and Scugog SS association at Greenbank in the afternoon. A
very small meeting, only 5 there and nothing done. Weaning baby
and Jennie laid all night on the lounge.
4 – A very dull day with sometimes a little sprinkle of rain. Cut-
ting up elm tree that stood on the old fence bottom, John Michie
helping. Pared apples in the evening. Jennie tried the bed upstairs
with the baby but had to come down to the lounge.
5 – A little snow in the morning and some drizzle through the day.
Split up the wood and trimmed the brush of the tree cut yesterday.
6 – Dug up two apple trees in the morning and cut wood the re-
mainder of the day, John helping. Mary Dusty here for dinner,
Jessie in the forenoon and Mrs. David Cragg in the afternoon get-
ting names for the autograph quilt for the Baptist Church. A fine
day.
40
7 – Cut wood with John’s help, from 10 o’clock and finished the
job.
8 – Drew away the elm brush from the trees we had been cutting
and drew some brush and wood out of the orchard and covered the
strawberries partly with maple leaves and partly with peas straw,
then drove up to Greenbank for the mail, taking the baby with me
(1st
time). Pared apples in the evening. Mrs. A. Gordon here for
dinner and most of the afternoon.
9 – A very cold wintery day with strong northwest wind. Anna
Tait and Jessie Michie came before dinner. Went to SS and church
with Jennie and Jessie, Mr. Cameron preached. Jessie came back
for tea and Anna and her left about 8 pm. Did not go to CE as it
was a very cold night.
10 – Cleaned out the pig pen and some other chores in the fore-
noon. Went down to D. Cragg’s to see a wood lot that T. Cragg
had to sell, came home by way of Isaac O’Neill’s and George
Michie’s and called at each place. Pretty cold day especially in the
morning.
11 – Jennie drove to Port Perry in the forenoon and did not get
home until 2 pm. She left the baby at her mother’s, this being her
birthday. Cut some wood in the wood shed and some other little
chores. Pared apples in the evening and wrote a letter to Scotland.
12 – Bush ranging, or hunting, for wood in the forenoon. Called at
Luke’s on my round. M. O’Neill called. Cut some old rails into
stove wood in the afternoon.
13 – A very rough windy day with snow blizzards. Cutting old
rails into firewood in the forenoon and went to Greenbank in the
afternoon. Pared apples in the evening and finished for the season.
M. O’Neill here in the morning and settled up.
14 – A fine cold day. Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon,
the principal errand was to bring home the baby, couldn’t do with-
out it. Mr. Cameron here for a short call just before supper. Cut
old rails all day and went out in the evening to Port Perry to John
Smith’s reception in the town hall on his return from the Transvaal
War. A full house and lots of speeches and fun. They presented
him with a gold watch and chain. Got home about 11 o’clock.
15 – A fine day. Drawed some manure to bank up the root house
and cut some wood in the forenoon and cut wood in the afternoon.
Wes Luke called in the afternoon and we had a settlement of ac-
counts, the first for two years. He is crippled with a lame back.
Alex Lee called. He was telling that J. Somerville and Rose Petty
are to be married on Christmas.
16 – A very fine but sharp day. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron
preached an extra good sermon. At CE in the evening, a fair meet-
ing, Jas. Miller, leader.
17 – Cut old rails most of the day. W. Luke and Silas Butt called
in the afternoon and near dark I helped A. Gordon to get his binder
into W. Luke’s barn. At church manager’s meeting in the evening.
A very fine day.
18 – A dull foggy sort of a day. Went to Beare’s mill with a load
of oats to be ground in the forenoon and worked at the wood in the
afternoon. Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon and brought
Willa home with her.
19 – A mild day. Went to Manchester in the forenoon for school
money and took a bag of wheat to mill. Jennie and Willa at quilt-
ing bee at Mark’s in the afternoon while I put a new rig on the
churn. At prayer meeting in the evening. Mr. Cameron, leader.
An after meeting to arrange for Sunday school papers. Paid both
the school teachers. A very dark night. Vic Jamison and Nellie
Burnett married.
20 – Went to the mill for the meal in the forenoon and in the after-
noon went to Greenbank. Called at Cragg’s to see Norman about
his pay for teaching, then to the school with the other trustees
where Inspector Waugh gave us a talk about improving the school
house. Jennie went to the WFMS.
21 – Cut old rails in the forenoon and fanned up a load of oats in
the afternoon. William Luke called and made a bargain for an acre
of swamp wood for $9.00. W. Luke called, he was on a hunt for
their Ned who had wandered away. Went down to Mark’s in the
evening with Willa and had a big musical evening.
22 – Went to Uxbridge with a load of oats and got a bag of oat
meal. Took the wagon, roads very hard and smooth. Got home
about 5. Anna Tait came in the evening. Willa went home with
George.
23 – A mild day with rain in the forenoon which made the roads
somewhat muddy. At SS and church with Jennie, Mr. Cameron
preached about the wise men from the east. At CE with Anna, a
good meeting, R.T. Harrington leader. Jessie played 3 pieces on
the organ, the first she ever did in public.
24 – Put on some shingles on the barn and cut wood in the fore-
noon and cut wood in the afternoon. Jennie went to Greenbank in
the afternoon and took Anna to S. Dusty’s where she stayed to tea.
Jessie here in the morning and again near night.
25 – Christmas day, a very quiet day, no one called. The weather
was colder and mud all hardened up, but hardly a bit of snow to be
seen. We have never taken down the cutter yet. A little snow in
the evening. John Somerville and Rose Petty married.
26 – A little snow on the ground and somewhat cold. Went to the
public school meeting in the forenoon, a small meeting. W. Luke
chosen trustee in my place. In the afternoon went down and settled
up with Fred O’Neill for work done. At prayer meeting in the
evening, Mr. Boe, leader. A managers meeting before which let
the caretaking to Jas. Innis for $33.00. H. Love tendered for
$36.00. At CE meeting after to elect officers for the first half of
1901. Maggie Blair, president.
27 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for the payment on the
Mara place, $65.00, and fixed the north barn door in the afternoon.
Tried to settle up with John Brown but could not agree. Alex Lee
threshing clover. Got the first egg of the season.
41
28 – Finished fixing the barn door and spent most of remainder of
the day measuring out the wood lot in Luke’s swamp. John Mi-
chie helped me in the forenoon.
29 – A fine day. Spent most of the day cutting old rails and fin-
ished the job. Jennie went to Greenbank in the evening for the
mail.
30 – A fine day with a little snow but not enough for sleighing yet.
Mrs. A. Lee, Barbara Walker, Mrs. Luke, Mrs. Rundle and Mrs.
W. Elliot called before dinner. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron
preached. No CE on account of the Methodist Anniversary.
31 – Went down to the swamp wood lot and cut a little wood in the
forenoon and in the afternoon went to Greenbank and had a settle
up with E. and S. Dusty. Oliver Luke here a while in the after-
noon. Fixed up the book shelves and counted up some interest
account in the evening. Sat up to see the new year and also the
new century come in.
And so ends the year 1900 and the nineteenth century.
1901
Jan. 1 – A very fine day but somewhat cold. Went up for Mrs. A.
Gordon at 10 o’clock and brought her here to keep house while
Jennie, baby Annie and I went to Port Perry (with the buggy) and
got dinner at Mrs. Bell’s. Miss Mary Glover, Mrs. Howey and
Anna Tait were there. Got home at 4 and took Mrs. Gordon home.
Methodist party tonight but did not go. A very bright night.
2 – Cut wood all day in the swamp and in the evening went to the
annual SS meeting, a fair attendance. A.T. Horne was elected
superintendant in place of J.M. Real. Willa Bell came just before
dinner, she rode up with A. Akhurst.
3 – Cut wood in swamp in the forenoon and went with Jennie in
the afternoon to the preparatory service in the church. Rev. Mr.
Reed of Leaskdale preached a good sermon. Mrs. Jas. Boe and
Willie Leask came in this time.
4 – Some snow in the forenoon but hardly enough to make good
sleighing. Cut wood in the swamp in the forenoon. Fernando
Perrin came from Newcastle before dinner (with the buggy). Did
very little in the afternoon but talk with Mundo, who drove out to
Port Perry after 4 o’clock. He took Willa home and brought Anna
Tait back with him. He drove Topsy and our cutter for the first
time it has been out this winter. A beautiful clear night and pretty
cold.
5 – Mundo Perrin left for home in the morning, taking Anna to
Port Perry with him (pretty cold morning). Cut wood in the swamp
in the forenoon and took a load (19 bags) to Beare’s mill in the
afternoon, got the meal home with me. Anna Tait came back again
in the evening.
6 – A fine cold day. Went with Jennie to communion service at
Wick, drove the cutter but most of the people had buggies. Mr.
Cameron preached. In the evening drove out to Port Perry and
took Anna and Nellie Michie with me. Went to the Presbyterian
church, Rev. Cooper preached a good sermon. Jas. Balfour sang a
solo. Some snow on the way home.
7 – Some snow during the night, quite rough and drifting in the
afternoon, but not very cold. Drawing wood from the elm trees on
the old fence bottom in the forenoon and took the land roller up to
W. Whiteford to get a new frame in the afternoon. Sleighing some
better.
8 – A mild day with rain in the evening. Drawing elm wood in the
forenoon and finished. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp in the
afternoon. Jennie washing.
9 – Cut wood in the swamp awhile, but broke axe handle and had
to make a new one. At the wood in the afternoon. W. Luke dig-
ging out a fox in A. Lee’s field. At annual church meeting in the
evening, a fair good turnout. A. Akhurst elected manager in place
of Thomas Phair (deceased), and for the usual term Jas. Leask; Jas.
McMillan; Alex Gordon, and R.T. Harrington. G. Michie, choir
leader. Roads pretty slippery.
10 – Drew up wood from the swamp in the forenoon. Alex Lee
called and in the afternoon went with A. Lee to James Ross’ sale at
Port Perry. Snow in the afternoon and evening which makes good
sleighing. Mr and Mrs Cameron and Oliver and Eva Luke called
in the afternoon.
12 – Several inches of snow through the night which started to drift
pretty bad in the afternoon. Finished making the bag truck and in
the afternoon went to a special meeting of the public school to
consider the repairing of the school or building a new one. There
was quite a good turnout and it was decided to remodel the old
one. James Ross from [Bradwardine..?] Manitoba came in the
afternoon and stayed all night. Had a great old talk about old
times. We were hunting up the books and find that it was just 25
years ago tonight since Barbara was married and that was the last
time he was here.
13 – A very fine day. Went to SS and church with Jas. Ross.
Election of teachers in the SS. A.T. Horne superintendent for the
first time. Rev. Mr. Martin of Cannington preached an excellent
sermon. G. Michie, choir leader for the first time. J.R. went to
Marks for tea. At CE in the evening, an extra large meeting, Mrs.
Somerville, leader. Mr. Ross came home with me and stayed all
night.
14 – Nice mild day with a little snow in the afternoon. Drew up
wood in the forenoon and went to Greenbank in the afternoon to
get the cutter fixed and some other errands. James Ross left in the
morning, he is on his way north. Mrs. Akhurst here in the after-
noon, W. Luke also. I. Wheeler here and bought the little red
heifer.
15 – A mild day. Cutting wood in the swamp in the forenoon and
drawing wood in the afternoon. Jennie washing.
16 – Rain in the morning and the snow soft, but turned colder
towards night. Spitting elm wood in the forenoon. Giving the
cattle an application of tobacco in the afternoon.
42
17 - Cut wood in the swamp in the forenoon. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the afternoon principally to get a tooth out but Mr. Murray
was drunk and she did not get it drawn. Wes Luke called in the
afternoon and I spent most of the time talking to him. At Mark’s in
the evening having a sing. Pretty cold night. Anna Tait leaves for
Newcastle this morning.
18 – Very cold day. Cutting wood in the swamp in the forenoon
and splitting in the afternoon.
19 – Coldest day so far this winter. Mended harness in the fore-
noon and threshed the beans in the afternoon.
20 – Some warmer. Went to SS and church, Mr. Cameron
preached on giving. Special collection to wipe out debt of about
$102.00, $60.43 collected. Jennie went to CE in the evening, this
being her night to take the topic.
21 – Thawing a good deal but got colder towards night. Cleaned
out the pig pen and split wood in the forenoon. Drew up wood
from the swamp in the afternoon. At church manager’s meeting in
the evening, did not get home until 12. The news is that Queen
Victoria is very low.
22 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in the swamp all day. Alex
Lee called. Mrs. Mark here in the afternoon and tea. Queen Victo-
ria died.
23 – A very fine day. Tom Michie here all day helping to cut
wood and timber for a new roof for the barn. Spent the evening
fixing Father’s old memorandum books.
24 – A dull foggy day with some snow towards night. Cutting
timber all day, Tom helping. In the evening went with Jennie to a
party at Alex Lee’s. Mrs. Mark kept house while we were away.
W. Donaldson and Willa Bell called just before we started. A
lively time and got home between 12 and 1 but there was no sign
of it breaking up then.
25 – A fine day. Bagged up some oats and some other chores in
the forenoon. Went to Beare’s mill in the afternoon and got the
meal home.
26 – Went and got George Michie’s fanning mill and fanned up
some wheat in the forenoon and took it out to Port Perry in the
cutter in the afternoon. Splendid sleighing. Mrs. A. Gordon Sr.
and Mrs. James McPhail here in the afternoon. Baby Annie has
made great progress in walking the last two or three days.
27 – A fine day with some snow in the evening. At SS and church,
Mr. Cameron preached or at least spoke about Queen Victoria.
Mrs. W. McMillan at church, the first for a long time. At CE in the
evening. A fair good meeting. Miss Bell McMillan, leader.
George, Tom and I sang a piece (the first).
28 – A pretty cold day. Went to J. Wheeler’s in the forenoon with
the heifer. Walked all the way there and back. Drawed up wood
from the swamp in the afternoon. Picked beans in the evening.
Jennie washing.
29 – A very fine day. Drawing up the timber for the barn roof,
Tom Michie helping. Jennie at Greenbank to the store in the eve-
ning. Baptist social tonight. 5 years ago today since we were
married.
30 – A fine day. Drawing out timber and cutting rafters, Tom
Michie helping. At prayer meeting in the evening, Mr. Cameron
leader, subject [was] giving. A good turnout. A beautiful night
and good sleighing.
31 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon, principal errand to see Mr.
W. Ross, MP, about the census enumeration. Brought Mrs. Bell
and Willa home with me. Drew up wood from the swamp in the
afternoon and went to Alex Lee’s in the evening and settled up
with him while Jennie and Willa went to Greenbank to the store.
FEB. 1 – Cutting wood in the swamp all day. A fine day but drift-
ing a little in the afternoon. W. Luke called in the forenoon and
Allan Wallace in the afternoon.
2 – A very fine day. As this is a holiday on account of the Queen’s
funeral there was little done. Split some wood in the morning and
went over to Luke’s before dinner. Walter Donaldson came about
10 and stayed all day and night. Went up to Greenbank in the
afternoon with W.D. and Jennie, Willa and Walter. Down at
Mark’s in the evening for a sing. A beautiful night.
3 – A cold morning (2 below zero) and some snow from the east in
the evening. At SS and church with Jennie, Mr. McDermott, a
student, preached a good sermon. At CE with Walter Donaldson
and Willa, a fair meeting, Mr. Boe, leader.
4 – Snow through the night and the forenoon from the east and
drifting a good deal. The wind turned to NW in the afternoon and
drifting badly. Jennie drove Willa and W. Donaldson out to Port
Perry in the morning. Helping Wes Luke to kill a pig in the after-
noon.
5 – Pretty rough and cold all day. Fanning up wheat in the fore-
noon. John came up for some flour (40 lbs) and helped me with
wheat. Cleaning timothy seed in the afternoon. Cecil Phair came
over with a file to sharpen their crosscut saw.
6 – 7 below zero in the morning and pretty cold all day. Sharpened
Mrs. Phair’s saw and cut some wood in the forenoon and with A.
Lee dug out the road and made a place in the root house for the big
pig. Jennie went to Port Perry and brought Willa back with her.
Prayer meeting and after that nominations for two new elders. Did
not go as I was not feeling very well and the roads bad.
7 – A very fine day. Cut wood in the forenoon and went to Green-
bank in the afternoon for the mail. Saw John Lee and he was tell-
ing me that A.T. Horne, Jas. Leask, J.M. Real, R.T. Harrington,
Jas. Blair, G. Allan, and myself were nominated for the eldership
last night. Some 10 little pigs came in the evening.
8 – A very fine day. Cut wood in the swamp in the forenoon and at
the house in the afternoon. Jennie drove her mother and Willa
home in the afternoon.
43
9 – A very rough day with heavy snow from the east in the fore-
noon. Cut some wood in the forenoon and sharpened Mrs. Phair’s
2nd
saw in the afternoon. Norman Phair came in the morning for
the first saw and Ernest brought the other one as we were at dinner.
10 – 10 below zero in the morning but turned out a very fine day.
At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. Jessie Michie played
the organ in church for the 1st
time. Ballots given out for the elec-
tion of elders. Mrs. James Ward buried this afternoon. At CE, an
extra large meeting. Maggie Blair, leader.
11 – A fine day. Cut wood in the swamp in the forenoon and drew
it home in the afternoon. Spent the evening fixing up Father’s old
memorandum books. Mr. Cameron had a young people’s [?] from
the congregation tonight.
12 – A very stormy day and snow drifting badly. Not much doing.
Cut a little wood in the afternoon and got one of my ears a little
frozen. Jennie washing.
13 – A very cold stormy day and not much doing. Made a vice to
hold saws when sharpening. Made an axe handle and sawed a little
wood. Wes Luke called before dinner. Roads mostly blocked,
especially the east and west ones.
14 – Another very rough and cold day. Rather worse than the last
two. Most of the snow is now in heaps. Very little doing. Drove
over to Luke’s after dinner and got three bags of meal as ours was
done and the roads not fit to go to mill. Getting a little warmer
towards night.
15 – A good deal warmer. Cutting wood in the swamp in the fore-
noon and drove the sleigh to Greenbank in the afternoon for the
mail. Had to break the road a good part of the way. Roads badly
drifted.
16 – A very fine mild day. Cutting wood at the house all day.
Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon. At Mark’s in the eve-
ning for a sing. Jessie Michie here in the afternoon.
17 – A fine day. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached on the
duty of elders in the church. At CE, a fair meeting, Lizzie
McArthur, leader.
18 - Fine day. Went to Cragg’s swamp and brought home load of
dry wood cut last winter and in the afternoon took 17 bags oats to
Beare’s mill but did not get it home. Hugh Jack and Dan Boe here
while I was away but met them at A. Lee’s and sold cow (Molly)
for 3 ¼ cts per pound and a dollar more, and 7 pigs at $6.25 per
100.
19 – Went after the meal at Beare’s mill in the forenoon. Fixed the
pig rack and sawed some wood in the afternoon. Jennie went
down to visit Mrs. M. O’Neill but did not find her at home.
20 – A pretty cold and somewhat rough day. Cutting wood at
house all day. Oliver Luke called in the evening with the mail.
21 – A fine day but pretty cold. Took the 2 pigs out to Port Perry
(1230 lbs) at 6 ¼. Cut wood in the afternoon while Jennie went to
Port Perry and brought her mother back with her. Went down to
Mark’s in the evening and had a sing.
22 – A fine cold day. Cleaned out the pig pen and fixed the floor
in the forenoon and killed 2 little pigs in the afternoon, Wes Luke
helping. Mrs. Luke and Ned came over with him.
23 – A very fine day. Cutting wood and sawed logs in the swamp,
John helping, but broke the saw handle about 4 o’clock. Jessie
here after dinner. Alex Lee’s cutting some wood in the swamp
also.
24 – A fine day but pretty cold. At SS and church with Jennie, Mr.
Cameron preached. Took up the ballots for elders. At CE with
Jennie, Mr. Grey, leader, a fair meeting.
25 – A fine day. Mr Miller here all day hewing timber for barn,
John Michie score hacking. Jennie at Greenbank in the afternoon.
Let the job of putting new roof on barn to Mr. Miller for $50.00.
26 – A very fine day. Took the Molly cow to Port Perry in the
forenoon. Mrs. Bell drove down and brought me home. Mr.
Miller and John finishes hewing barn timber about 4 pm and after
that drove with Jennie and the baby to G. A. McMillan’s and got
tea. Got home about 8:30, a very nice night.
27 – A fine day. Drew out the saw logs from the swamp in the
forenoon and in the afternoon cut some more with John’s help.
James Smith and Barbara came about 4:30. Went to prayer meet-
ing with Jennie, Mr. Boe leader. A fine bright night but pretty
cold.
28 – A fine day. Drew out the logs cut in the forenoon and cut
some wood in the swamp . In the afternoon Jennie drove up for
Mrs. Gordon and she stayed to tea and then she drove her home
again in the evening. Jas. Smith and I went down to Mark’s in the
evening. John in bed with [rheumatism?].
MAR. 1 – A fine day but somewhat threatening. Took a load of
saw logs to Beare’s mill in the forenoon and brought home a load
of lumber and the same in the afternoon. Let a log fall and hurt my
big toe. Jas. Smith left for home after dinner.
2 – A very fine day. Made two trips to Beare’s mill with logs and
brought lumber in return. Barbara at Mark’s in the afternoon and
stayed all night. Mrs. Bell not very well.
3 – A raw wind from the SE in the forenoon and rain in the eve-
ning but soon cleared up. Mrs. Alex Lee and Barbara Walker
called in the forenoon. Did not go to church as I could not get my
boot on but Jennie and Barbara went. Barbara stayed at Jas.
Miller’s for tea. Went to CE through the rain, a small attendance,
Mr. Boe leader. Brought Barbara home with me.
4 – A fine day and thawing quite a bit in the afternoon but turned
cold in the evening. Made a trip to Beare’s mill in the forenoon
and brought a load of lumber which finishes the job. 2000 feet 16
foot siding and 800 sheeting. Drew up the spur braces and some
rafters in the afternoon and in the evening went with Jennie to the
CE social which was quite a success. Mrs. Bell in bed most of the
day and yesterday.
44
5 – Colder and quite rough in the forenoon and with John’s help
cut shingle blocks in the afternoon. Jennie drove Barbara to Alex
Gordon’s. She had just got home when Mrs. Luke and Mrs.
Sonley came and Jennie drove Mrs. Sonley also to Gordon’s, with
Luke’s horse.
6 – Very cold and pretty rough most of the day. Drew up some
wood from the swamp in the forenoon and cut shingle blocks, John
helping in the afternoon. Annie Black and Alfie called for a short
time in the forenoon. Tom and her were on their way home from
Carden. Barbara at Mark’s for tea and stayed all night.
7 – A nice day. Drove Jennie up to Greenbank in the morning and
cut some wood in the forenoon. Drew a load of shingle blocks to
Beare’s mill and also drew up some wood in the afternoon. At
Mark’s in the evening singing. Mrs. R. Akhurst there. Barbara
visiting at Phair’s and Luke’s and stayed all night.
8 – A mild day with a little snow most of the time. Bucksawed
wood all day. Jennie drove out to Port Perry in the morning and
took her mother home. She had just gone when Norman and Flor-
ence Phair came and stayed a short time. Barbara came back in the
afternoon. Got word that I have been elected elder of the church.
9 – About 5 inches of snow through the night but a fine mild day.
Cut some wood in the woodshed in the forenoon until W. Luke
came. Cutting shingle blocks with John’s help in the afternoon.
Barbara not at all well and I am about crippled with sore toes.
10 – Somewhat rough in the forenoon which turned to heavy rain
which froze as it fell in the afternoon and evening. At SS and
church with Jennie (Barbara kept the baby), Mr. Cameron
preached. Did not go to CE on account of the rain.
11 – Thawing some all day. Went to Greenbank in the morning for
bread and other things and brought a telephone message to W.
Mark telling him that his brother-in-law, Mr. McLean of Colum-
bus, was dead. Drew a load of shingle blocks to Beare’s mill and
got some wood from the swamp in the afternoon. Tom Michie
called and invited us to a party there tomorrow night.
12 – A nice day. Cut and split wood in the shed in the forenoon
and in the afternoon went to Prince Albert to a meeting of the
executive of the Sunday school association. Jennie went to Port
Perry and did some shopping. Went with Jennie in the evening to
a party at Mark’s, a good crowd and lots of dancing. Got home
between 12 and 1.
13 – Cut wood in the forenoon and in the afternoon drove Barbara
over to Uxbridge and left her at Robert Phair’s on her way to Sut-
ton. We had only gone a little way when it began to snow very
heavy and turned out a rough afternoon.
14 – Snowing a little from the east most of the day. Bucksawing
wood all day. Jennie sewing.
15 – A fine day, bucksawing wood in the forenoon and cutting
shingle blocks with John’s help in the afternoon. W. Leask came
in the evening and we worked until after 12 at the church reports.
Party at A. Ewen’s, Uxbridge.
16 – A fine day. Took a load of shingle blocks to Beare’s mill in
the forenoon. Eva and Ned Luke here with the papers. Jennie
went to Port Perry in the afternoon and brought Maggie Bell home
with her. Mr. Cameron here in the afternoon to talk to me about
accepting the eldership. H. Jack and Dan Boe called.
17 – A very fine day. Went to SS and church, Mr. Cameron
preached an extra good sermon. At CE in the evening, a good
meeting. R.T. Harrington, leader.
18 – A very mild day and thawing fast. Cutting wood all day
except the time bagging up a grist. Jennie drove to Port Perry in
the forenoon and took Maggie home and got back at 1:30. At
Mark’s in the evening singing, preparing for the Burns’ farewell
party at A. Leask’s tomorrow night.
19 – Snowing and drifting most all day from the east, a very dis-
agreeable day. Went out to Port Perry in the forenoon with a grist
and brought Mrs. Bell home with me. Ike Wheeler called in the
afternoon and sold him the two steers at 7 cts per lb, dressed
weight (not counting the hides) and $1.00. Drove up to Greenbank
for the mail. Roads pretty heavy. Went to the Burns’ farewell at
A. Leask’s, went in George’s sleigh. A bad night but there was a
large turnout and a very pleasant time. They presented Mr and Mrs
Burns with a fine picture of Flossie, an autograph quilt, a sleigh
robe and a set of dinner dishes. Got home about 2 am.
20 – Thawing and quite a heavy rain especially in the afternoon.
Cut wood in the forenoon. Went to Beare’s mill in the afternoon
and went to Greenbank to meet Barbara who has been on a visit to
Sutton. She expected to come from Blackwater by the mail, but
the roads were blocked so she and Miss Wilson of Greenbank
came as far as Jack Stones with the [Sunderland boker?] and
walked from there to Greenbank through the slush and rain.
21 – A fine day. Splitting wood in the forenoon. Jennie went to
Port Perry and took her mother home. Her errand was to get stuff
for Annie Smith’s wedding cake which they made in the afternoon.
Took a few shingle blocks to Beare’s and brought home the meal.
22 – A fine day and thawing quite a little. Went to Port Perry in
the morning to get instructions from Mr. R. Mackey as to the du-
ties of census enumerator and did not get home until 6 pm. Bar-
bara visiting at Mr. Akhurst’s in the evening.
23 – Thawing a good deal. Cut some wood and posts in the swamp
in the forenoon. Jennie took Barbara to the 12 train at Port Perry.
Alex Ewin called about 2 pm to bid us goodbye as he starts for
Manitoba on Tuesday next. Went up to Greenbank for the mail but
there was none. Jennie got a tooth pulled and has a very sore jaw
over it.
24 – Quite a thunder storm in the early morning (the first of the
season) but not much rain. Thawing all day. At SS and church,
Mr. Cameron preached a short sermon after which Mr. A.T. Horne
and myself were ordained as elders of the church. At CE, not a
very large meeting likely on account of roads but a fair amount of
interest. I had to lead. Charlie Gibson died today.
45
25 – A mild day and thawing fast. Roads breaking up. Drew up
some wood, posts and other cedar poles from the swamp in the
forenoon and in the afternoon drove down to the woodlot at D.
Cragg’s and cut and drew out on the road about ½ cord.
26 – Thunder and rain through the night. A very mild day and
thawing fast. Took the two fat steers with Tom’s help out to Ike
Wheeler’s in the forenoon. Water rising in the swamp over parts
of the 10th
concession. Finished bucksawing wood at house in the
afternoon and pruned a few apple trees.
27 – A change to cold again and quite wintery. Cleaned out the
hen house and pigpen in the forenoon and went to Greenbank with
the cutter in the afternoon. Not so bad sleighing. Oliver and Eva
Luke here for a while in the afternoon.
28 – A pretty cold windy day. Went to Port Perry in the morning
(going by way of Mark’s on account of the water being over the
concession) to get instructions on the census but Mr. Mackie did
not come until noon. Did not get through until after 6 pm and then
we did not get all the necessary papers. Wes Luke here in the
afternoon for a long talk. Oliver and Eva came over about 10 pm
hunting for him as he had not come home. I went up to A. Lee’s
and found that he had just left for home.
29 – A cool day. Sharpened W. Luke’s bucksaw and studied up
the census in the forenoon and in the afternoon went to preparatory
service. Mr. Glasford preached, Mr. Cameron not there as he is
unwell. G.D. McMillan came home with me and stayed to tea. W.
Luke here in the evening.
30 – A very busy day. Went 3 trips to Beare’s mill for lumber
(small loads, 1100 feet in all) then to Greenbank to get the mail,
expected census papers but they did not come. Then went to Port
Perry with the sleigh (very bad sleighing) and brought Mrs. Bell
back with me. G. Allan here in the evening talking over the census
work. He left for home at 12. A beautiful night.
31 – At communion service with Jennie at Greenbank, Mr. Cam-
eron preached. Not quite so many from Wick no doubt on account
of the roads. At CE in the evening, rather small meeting, Arch
McArthur leader.
APR. 1 – Went over to see how W. Luke was and found him
around again, then made a gate in the forenoon. Went with the
sleigh in the afternoon to Greenbank expecting to get the census
papers but they had not come. Brought the buggy wheels home
and put them on. At church managers meeting in the evening. A
very fine night.
2 – Made a boat oar in the morning and pruned the orchard the rest
of the day. At Mark’s in the evening having a sing. Jennie went to
Port Perry in the morning with the buggy, first time for the season.
3 – About 2 inches of snow in the morning and more falling com-
ing from the east and continuing all day, or more like rain towards
night. Did but very little but go to Greenbank in the afternoon for
the mail, no census came yet.
4 – A little rain in the morning and soft all day. Drew the apple
brush out of the orchard in the forenoon. Went to Greenbank in
the afternoon. No census papers yet. Afterwards hung the gate
behind the barn. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for dinner. Fleet
Cragg’s baby was buried today.
5 – Good Friday. Made another gate and some other chores in the
forenoon and went to Greenbank in the afternoon and got the cen-
sus papers, then started at the census. Took W. Luke, W. Akhurst
and A. Lee. A dark night.
6 – A fine warm day. Started at 7 o’clock on census. Took Mrs.
Phair, Whetter’s, A. Wells and R. Real’s before dinner, then drove
to Wildman’s but they were not at home. Then took Burnett’s, and
Franklins. Barrett not at home, took J. Beare’s where I got supper,
then home at about 8:30. Oliver Luke called. Alex Lee had a
wood sawing bee.
7 – Easter Sunday. At SS and church, a Rev. McDaniel’s, a [Per-
sian?] preached on Mormons in his country. At CE, a fair meeting,
Maggie McMillan leader. Pretty muddy roads.
8 – At census all day. Took Jas. Burns at J.M. Real’s, then J.M.
[Real’s], Neall McArthur’s and Ralph Somerville’s for dinner, then
W. Ianson, W. Clyde’s, W. Oliver’s and Ned Barrett’s. Finished
there at 8:15 pm.
9 – Went to Port Perry in the morning to meet Mr. Mackie to show
how I am getting on with the census. Mrs. Bell went out with me
and in the afternoon took A. Gordon’s, Nottingham’s, Byers’, Petty
(supper) and Burtons. Got home at 9.
10 – At census work all day. Started at S. Dusty’s, then to Fred
Love’s, James Love, and G. Real (dinner), called at W. Reals (ab-
sent) then took T. Cragg’s, John Beare Sr. and Jr., Jas. Blair (sup-
per) and E. Beare’s. Got home at 9:30.
11 – At census all day. James Leask (absent), A. Leask, G.
McMillan, Jas. McMillan (dinner), W. Thomas, T. Salter, A. Phoe-
nix, D. Till, W. Real (supper). Got home at 8:30. W. Mark here
wanting me to make grafting wax. W. Real plowing.
12 – All day at census work, namely Jas. Leask, R. Sommerville,
D. Whalen, J. Clyde (dinner), Frank Dobson, W. Ward, D.
McDonald, J. Stone (supper), J. Wallace, W. Henry. Got home
about 9.
13 – At census work all day, started at Ben Ward, then Scott’s, Jim
Ewen (dinner), Jerry O’Leary, Joe Stone, Ball, W. McMillan (sup-
per). Come home and did our own.
14 – A very fine day. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached.
At CE in the evening, a fair meeting, W. Grey leader. Mrs. Luke
and Ned here for tea.
15 – A very fine day. At census all day. Started from home and
went to B.W. [Stoven?], then to S. McKay, A. T. Horne, J. Milner,
Jas. Graham (dinner), then to the town line. Taylors and meet with
the worst reception so far. Then called at Beaton’s but did not take
46
him, then to Gilson, Malyorn’s, Blakeley’s (supper) and again to
Beaton’s where I remained all night. Mrs. Beaton came home
from Joe Stone’s, Mrs. Stone being sick, and some time through
the night John Heron came after her.
16- Started at the village of Saintfield and finished about 4 o’clock.
Got dinner at the hotel, then drove to Wildman’s, then home for
supper, then down to Marks and took them and had a sing. Mr.
and Mrs. C. Gordon there.
17 – A fine day. Jennie drove me to Greenbank where I worked all
day at census, got dinner at Phoenix’s and supper at Mrs. Walker’s.
Did 15 houses. At prayer meeting. An after meeting about the
anniversary, walked home. John Michie working here all day.
Norman Steward here for supper. John drove Mrs. Bell home in
the evening.
18 – Jennie drove me up to near Greenbank where I worked at
census all day. Got dinner at Miller’s and supper at Boe’s. Nearly
finished. Did 18 houses, walked home at night. Rain sometimes
during the day. John here and sowed the last year’s turnip ground.
19 – John sowing oats after frost got out. Doing some odd chores
in the forenoon and working in the garden in the afternoon.
Planted some onions and potatoes.
20 – The ground white with snow in the morning and it continued
snowing from the NE nearly all day. Towards night it turned to
rain. About 3 or 4 inches of snow fell and drifts some places 3 or 4
feet deep. Did little in the forenoon but make some grafting wax
for W. Mark. Drove up to Greenbank in the afternoon and almost
finished the census job.
21 – Rain through the night and sometimes through the day. The
snow nearly all gone by night. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron
preached. Did not get to CE as it was raining. Mr. and Mrs. A.
Lee called in the evening.
22 – Showers through day, a very heavy shower from the east
between 6 and 7, everything flooded. Went to Port Perry in the
forenoon to see the drs. about the mortality schedule of the census
and in the afternoon went with the waggon and brought home the
roller that had been at Whiteford’s getting a new frame. There was
so much mud that it was very hard drawing it home.
23 – A pretty fine forenoon but it started to rain again after dinner
and continued more or less all afternoon. Worked at the berry
bushes most of the day. Took the storm windows off. Jessie Mi-
chie called in the afternoon.
24 – Some better weather today but not altogether without rain.
Did some odd chores in the forenoon and in the afternoon bagged
up 14 bags of oats and took them to Beare’s mill. Jennie cleaning
up the lane and wood house and wood yard. Mrs. Ganton’s funeral
this afternoon.
25 – Went to the mill for the meal the first thing in the morning,
then filled in some washouts and picked off some stone until din-
ner and in the afternoon harrowed what was sown just a week ago
and none too dry. Mrs. Akhurst here for tea. Went down to
Mark’s in the evening for a sing. Mr. and Mrs. C. Gordon there.
26 – A very fine day. Took the census papers to Port Perry in the
forenoon and delivered them to Mr. Mackie. Harrowing oats (that
had been sowed a week) in the afternoon.
27 – A very fine day. Harrowing oats in the forenoon and plowing
up some that was seeded last year, but not come well. Jessie and
Nellie Michie here in the evening.
28 – A beautiful warm day. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron
preached. At CE, rather a small meeting, B. McMillan leader. Eva
Luke brought us some mayflowers.
29 – A very warm day for this time of year and everything budding
out rapidly. Plowing all day. Jennie doing a big washing. Fred
O’Neill here for some berry bushes.
30 – A dull day, threatening rain several times but did not amount
to much until about 5 when it started to drizzle. Finished plowing
and then sowed oats which finishes the sowing for this year. Eva
Luke brought us a fish.
MAY 1 – A very fine day. Harrowing in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went to Port Perry with the waggon and with John Mi-
chie’s help moved Mrs. Bell’s things from the house to the little
shop nearly opposite Allan’s blacksmith shop. Got home about 7.
Mrs. Bell came with us. Young Mr. McKitrick here in the fore-
noon getting names for a recommend.
2 – Thunder and rain in the early morning but turned out a fine
day. Plowing in the orchard in the forenoon and harrowing oats
and in the orchard in the afternoon. James Miller and D. Till here
in the afternoon and started to frame the barn timber. At Mark’s in
the evening for a sing.
3 – Quite a cool day. Harrowed and partly rolled the fall wheat
and rye in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with Jennie to
Port Perry principally to see Mr. Mackie. James Miller and D. Till
working at barn timber.
4 – A fine cool day. Rolling all day. Jas. Miller and D. Till at barn
timber. Went in the evening with Jennie and baby over to E.
Beare’s to see him about shingles. Came home by Greenbank.
5 – A fine warm day. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. I
attempted to review the lesson in the SS for the first time. At CE,
one of the larger meeting we ever held. In the absence of A.
McArthur it fell to my lot to lead the meeting. Luke’s children
here in the evening. Mrs. Bell in bed most of the day, very sick.
6 – A very fine day. Put in a few grafts in apple trees, planted
early potatoes, corn, butter beans, and 4 rows of strawberries.
Jennie housecleaning. Mrs. Bell in bed all day. Mr. Miller came
in the morning and took his tools to Bob Wallace’s where they’re
to pull down two or three barns before they come back. Wes Luke
had Jess mare away with pigs at Blackwater.
7 – Quite a warm day. Rolling in the forenoon and finished. Plant-
ing maple trees and strawberries in the afternoon. Jennie house-
cleaning. Mrs. Bell out of bed but not very well yet.
47
8 – A fine warm day. Finished planting strawberries, then tied up
the berry bushes, then put on the screen doors and fixed the water-
ing spring. Went to prayer meeting with Jennie and the baby, Mr.
Cameron leader. A very dark night and some rain on the way
home. Moved the stove out before breakfast. Got a letter from
Alex Ewin, Manitoba, the first.
9 – Went to port Perry in the forenoon and ordered the SS anniver-
sary bills [flyers], got some corn, nails, and apple trees and straw-
berry plants. Planted apple and strawberries in the afternoon and
plowed in the orchard. Jennie up to Alex Lee’s, they having got a
baby girl today. Jas. Miller and D. Till came in the evening to
work at the barn. Went down to Mark’s in the evening with Mr.
Miller for a sing. A little rain in the evening.
10 – A very fine day. Planting corn in the orchard in the forenoon
and hauling out manure in the afternoon. Miller, Till and John
working at the barn timber. Mrs. A. Gordon here for dinner. Two
German pedlars stayed all night.
11 – Rain in the morning and off and on a little through the fore-
noon and a very heavy thunder shower about 2 and another very
heavy about 4, water standing in pools everywhere. Drew out
manure in the forenoon and peeling barn rafters and other chores
between showers. Mr. Miller and Till at the timber and making
pins. John did not come. George Michie and Alex Lee here while
it was raining in the afternoon. This being the Jewish Sabbath our
friends did not leave but did nothing all day and stayed all night.
Somewhat cooler since the rain.
12 – Went to SS and church . Just before starting there was a
heavy shower which made me late and a small school. Another
very heavy shower about 8. At CE in the evening, a fair meeting,
Mr. Boe leader. Stayed to choir practice after. The lightning
struck this church yesterday.
13 – A little drizzly in the morning but turned out a fine day.
Spread manure, sowed some oats where they had been covered by
the wash, fixed fence and some other jobs in the forenoon. John
came up to work but Mr. Miller did not come. After dinner I took
down the lightning rod, John thinking it was the car fenders on the
barn. Came up again, we then raising and put stone under the SW
corner of the barn and afterwards drove over to Elija Beare’s to see
how they were getting along with the shingles and found not one
made nor scarcely any sign of any being made. Planted some
cucumbers and watermelons after I got home. Mr. Miller came in
the evening for some tools as he goes to Jamieson’s near Pinedale
to make window frames. Our Jewish friends left in the morning.
14 – A very fine day but pretty cool towards night. John Michie
here all day taking roof off the barn. Went to G. Baird’s in the
forenoon for Mr. Miller’s pike poles and in the afternoon drew the
old shingles into the woodshed. Went to Greenbank in the evening
with Jennie and baby Annie for groceries for raising.
15 – A fine day, finished drawing away the old shingles and 3
loads manure in the forenoon and asking hands to the raising to-
morrow in the afternoon. At prayer meeting in the evening, Mr.
Boe leader. A meeting about anniversary after. Mr. Miller, Till,
and John at the barn. Mr. M. at SS convention at Port Perry in the
afternoon.
16 – A very fine day. Drew some manure in the forenoon. Mr.
Miller, Till and John at the barn all day. Just as we were at dinner
Mr. W. Perkins came in, he had a little spat at Jas. Leask’s in the
morning and had walked to Port Perry and this far back. A few
minutes after dinner Willa Bell dropped in quite unexpectedly from
Toronto. Barn raising in the afternoon and it went up all right and
nobody hurt. Got through about 6. The following were present:
W. Luke, Oliver Luke, Ernest Phair, Jeff Whetter, Kyler Whetter,
Anthony Wells, Jas. Blair Jr., Jas. McKitrick, Jas. Innis, John Lee,
Edward Boe, T. Salter, W. Wallace, W. Phoenix, Weston Phoenix,
G. Lee, J.M. Real, W. Real, G. Real, John Love, G. Byers, Jas.
Burton, A. Gordon, Charles Gordon, A. Akhurst, M. O’Neill, J.
O’Neill, W. Mark, Alex Lee, Tom Michie, Alex Leask, Jas. Leask,
W. McDonald, David Cragg and Mrs. Mark and Jessie Michie
helping with the supper.
17 – Somewhat showery especially in the afternoon. Went to Port
Perry in the morning with Mr. Millers democrat for Willa’s trunk,
Mrs. Bell going with me. Plowing in the afternoon for corn.
Miller, Till and John at barn. At choir practice in the evening, a
large turnout.
10
18 – Some showers through the day especially in the afternoon.
Plowing and harrowing in the forenoon and drilling and planting
horse corn in the afternoon. Mr. Miller, Mr. Till and John in at
barn, they boarded up the west end.
19 – Rain through the night from the east and some showers
through the day. At SS and church with Mrs. Bell, this being SS
anniversary Sunday. Rev. Mr. Cooper of Port Perry conducted the
service, a full house. At the evening service with Jennie, another
full house, Mr. Cameron preached. Rev. Secombe and Rev. Horne
were present, a large choir. John Michie in the choir for the first
time.
20 – Rain in the morning and several times through the day until
evening when it faired up. Drilling for corn and picking off some
stones in the forenoon. At Beare’s for more lumber in the after-
10
Although this is not an actual photo of the democ-
rat used, it would have been similar.
48
noon. John at the barn all day. Mr. Miller came just before dinner
and Till did not come at all. Went over to Beare’s with Mr. Miller
in the evening to give Eljie a blowing up about cutting the shingles
different thicknesses.
21 – A fine day, no rain. Planting corn and drawing out manure in
the forenoon and at the manure in the afternoon. Miller, Till, and
John at barn, put up the east gable end and sheeted the lower run of
rafters. W. Luke here after dinner.
22 – Rain nearly all day and everything terribly wet. The carpen-
ters only put up one set of the top run of rafters (the west end pair).
John went home before dinner and Miller and Till in the afternoon.
Went over to Beare’s and got a load of shingles, 9 ½ thousand, and
in the afternoon went to Port Perry to get strips to put under the
shingles where the bend in the roof is. Got word that Grandma
Tait was dead at Newcastle. Baby Annie sick all night and today a
rash came out which makes it quite sure that is scarletenna or scar-
let fever.
23 – A fine warm day until about 8 in the evening when there was
quite a shower. Got up before 5 and started at 6 for Port Perry to
take Mrs. Bell to the 7 train to go to Newcastle to her mother’s
funeral. Spread manure and harrowed the corn in the orchard the
remainder of the forenoon. In the afternoon drew some lumber for
the carpenters and then went to plow the potato ground. Had only
gone about 3 or 4 rounds when the Hon. J. Dryden called and we
talked about an hour on the political questions of the day. He had
hardly gone when Jas. Watson and Miss Mary Ellen Watson of
Clifford came and stayed to tea No. 1. He had hardly gone when
Mr. Pearce came about insurance and had tea No. 2. Then Annie
Smith and Lizzie Spencer came about 7 and got tea No. 3. Miller,
Till and John at barn all day. Put up the top run of rafters and
some sheeting. W. Donaldson called for a few minutes.
24 – Victoria day and a very bad day it was. Rain through the
night and all day from the east and very disagreeable. Did nothing
but dig a little garden in the forenoon and fixed Mother’s chair in
the afternoon. John here a while in the forenoon and W.
Donaldson in the afternoon. Annie Smith and Lizzie Spencer went
down to Mark’s to practice their music for the concert tonight.
About 6 o’clock went with Annie S., Lizzie S., Willa, Bella and W.
Donaldson to the SS anniversary and to our surprise there was
quite a crowd. The program was very good and consisted of music
by the orchestra; the Misses Anderson and Annie and Lizzie, reci-
tations by Willie Horne and Annie, and addresses by Revs. Horne
and Secombe. The proceeds amounted to $52. Weather some
better coming home.
25 – A fine cool day and no rain. Plowed the potato land in the
forenoon and cleared up the rubbish about the barn in the afternoon
and went to Port Perry in the evening for more nails. Miller, Till
and John at barn all day. They just got started at the shingles.
Annie Smith, Lizzie Spencer and W. Donaldson left for home
about 10. Cattle buyers called at 1 o’clock.
26 – A fine day but looking like rain. John Michie called as we
were at breakfast. Went to SS and church with Willa, Rev. Robert
Horne preached. At CE, a fair meeting, R.J. Harrington, leader.
SS and CE held in the church as the basement was not cleared up
after the 24th
as there is to be a social tomorrow night.
27 – A fine day. Drilling up for potatoes in forenoon and planting
in the afternoon. Miller, Till and John at barn, shingling. Mr.
Cameron here in the afternoon. At SS social in the evening with
Willa. A large turnout. Made about $77.00 at anniversary.
28 – A fine day until evening when it commenced to rain a little
from the east. Finished planting the potatoes in the forenoon.
Willa drove to Port Perry for mail but got none. After dinner went
to Beare’s mill for more shingles but got only 17 bunches. After-
wards covered the potatoes. Went to Greenbank in the evening to
see Jack Park. D. Till and John all day shingling barn. Mr. Miller
was at R. Wallace’s.
29 – Rain through the night from the east but cleared up and it
turned out a fairly fine day until after 6 pm when it started to rain
again. Mr. Miller came about 10. D. Till did not come at all and I
helped John at the shingling in the forenoon. Went to Beare’s mill
in the afternoon for more shingles but got only 21 bunches. They
finished shingling the south side. Beef ring started for the season.
30 – A little rain in the morning but cleared up until about 4 when
it came down in torrents for about 2 hours, the heaviest since the
roof was taken off the barn which is saying a good deal. Planted
beans, hoed berry bushes and some other chores in the forenoon
and helped then at the shingling in the afternoon until the rain
came on. Mr. Miller and John at the barn all day.
31 – Rain in the morning but cleared up a little for awhile. Helped
Mr. Miller to shingle for a short time (John did not come he being
sick) then went to Beare’s for shingles and got 21 bunches. Started
to rain while loading the shingles and rained all the rest of the day,
pretty hard sometimes. Mr. Miller went home after dinner. Went
to Greenbank in the afternoon with Jennie for some blacksmithing
and so on. Tiny cow calved.
JUNE 1 – Rain through the night and forenoon. None of the car-
penters turned up today. Cleaned out the barn or part of it.
Cleaned up the chips where the timber was framed and fixed some
fence and some other little chores. A fine afternoon.
2 – Rain in the early morning and then it faired up until between 5
and 6 pm when it came down in torrents and continued. Wind in
the NW. At church and SS with Willa, Mr. Cameron preached.
Did not go to CE on account of the rain. There were 4 evangelists
holding meetings in the Temperance Hall.
3 – A little rain in the morning but it soon cleared up and it turned
out a very fine day with a strong wind from the NW. John came in
the morning and Mr. Miller about 10 o’clock. I helped them to
shingle most of the day. About 5 o’clock went to Port Perry with
Willa to get more shingle nails and brought Mrs. Bell back with us.
Two of the evangelists called before supper. Mr. Miller went
home. Mrs. Annie Gordon and Mrs. Jas. Allan here for a few
minutes in the afternoon.
4 – A very fine day and no rain. Went to Beare’s the first thing
and got 14 bunches of shingles. Afterwards drew out some manure
but could not get along as the ground was too wet. Plowed and
planted the little plot near the barn pump. Went to Greenbank to
49
see Jack Park. Walter Donaldson here in the evening, he came on
his wheel. Miller, Till and John at barn, very near finished shin-
gling.
5 – A very fine warm growing day. No rain. Scuffled the straw-
berries and helped the carpenters in the forenoon. After dinner
went to Beare’s and got 225 feet of 16 foot siding and then cleaned
up the rubbish about the barn. Miller, Till and John at barn and
finished the job about 4:30 pm.
6 – A warm day with two quite heavy showers of rain. Fixed the
front door in the barn and some other chores in the forenoon.
Hoed strawberries and drew out some manure but the ground is too
wet. Drew some straw to try to fill up the bog. Mrs. Bell and
Willa went to Port Perry in the forenoon and Willa stayed there.
Alex Lee sowed turnips and our manure is hardly started and not a
furrow plowed.
7 – A fine day. Drawing out manure all day. Eva Luke called with
the mail.
8 – A cold drizzle of fine rain from the NW in the forenoon.
Spreading manure and plowing all day.
9 – Quite a cool day and no rain. At SS and church with Mrs. Bell.
Mr. Cameron spoke principally on Dr. McKay of Formosa who
died a few days ago. At CE alone. A good meeting, Mrs. Somer-
ville leader.
10 – A very fine summer day. Finished plowing the part of the
turnip land that was manured, then harrowed it and then drilled it
up, 40 drills.
11 – A fine warm day. Scuffled the corn in the orchard and some
other chores while Jennie went to Greenbank for turnip seed and
other things, then sowed the 40 drills of turnips before dinner.
Drawing out manure in the afternoon. Willa came back in the
afternoon, she walked, and met a man with his arm in a sling who
asked too many questions. She was saying that John [Vicpond??]
of Brooklin was taken to the hospital with smallpox.
12 – A fine summer day. Went for the beef in the morning and
drew out manure the rest of the day. At Marks in the evening
singing. W. Luke called in the evening.
13 – A fine warm day. Drawing out manure and finished about 5
pm. Willa went to Port Perry in the afternoon with Jessie Michie.
Vic Jamison here in the evening for Mr. Miller’s pike poles.
14 – A pretty warm day. Spreading manure and plowing turnip
land all day. Turned the horses out at night for the first time.
15 – A very fine day, a little cooler. Plowing turnip ground all day.
16 – A very fine day. Had a big hunt in the morning for the cows
which had got into Alex Lee’s east place on account of his horse
breaking the gate. Went to SS and church with Willa, Mr. Cam-
eron preached. And in the evening drove Jennie and baby Annie to
the Dr. at Port Perry to see her sore finger. Had the first strawber-
ries of the season for supper. John Michie came after Willa and
went off somewhere.
17 – A fine day, finished plowing the turnip land and harrowed it
twice over. After supper planted some corn where it had been
drowned out. Mrs. Bell visiting at W. Luke’s in the afternoon.
18 – Rain in the morning but soon cleared up and was a fine day..
South Ontario Farmers Institute excursion to Guelph today. Fin-
ished harrowing turnip ground, then rolled it and then drilled up
the remainder of the day. Jennie whitewashing and cleaning the
kitchen.
19 – A little rain in the morning. Drilled up a few more turnip
drills and then sowed what was drilled, 60. At road work in the
afternoon without horses. Jennie, the baby and Willa at Port Perry
in the afternoon. Jessie Michie here for a box of strawberries.
20 – Went to road work in the morning with the team but it came
on rain when there only an hour and had to come home. The rain
continued most of the forenoon. At road work with team in the
afternoon, scraping the hill between here and the 10th
concession.
Willie and Annie Smith, who were at Mark’s all night, came just
before dinner. Went down with them in the evening and had a big
sing. When I got home I found Jennie painting the floor which she
finished about 12 o’clock.
21 – At road work alone in the forenoon and two hours in the af-
ternoon with horses which finishes for the year. Willie and Annie
Smith came back before dinner and left for home about 2 o’clock.
After finishing road work I went to Port Perry with Alex Leask to
order the bills for the big strawberry festival to be held at his place
next Wednesday evening. Got home about 7. A lot of men at
work laying sidewalks in town.
22 – Finished drilling up the turnips in the forenoon and sowed
them after dinner, after which sowed some buckwheat in the or-
chard and scuffled the new strawberries. Mrs. A. Gordon here for
dinner and Mrs. Mark called in the afternoon. Oliver and Ned
Luke came for the turnip drill. A good deal of thunder in the eve-
ning and some rain.
23 – A fine cool day. Robert Akhurst who is down on a visit came
in before we had breakfast and stayed about two hours. Went to
SS and church with Mrs. Bell, Mr. Cameron preached. Went with
Willa to CE but there was not meeting as all went over to the
Methodist Church, this being Rev. Mr. Secombe’s farewell ser-
mon.
24 – A fine warm day. Went to G. Tocher in the forenoon and paid
Mary the interest on mortgage. North Ontario Farmers Institute
excursion to Guelph, a large crowd went. Scuffling and hoeing
corn in the afternoon. Jennie, Willa and Mrs. Bell picking straw-
berries, 47 boxes picked today. There has been 61 or thereabouts
picked so far. Jennie and Willa went to Port Perry in the afternoon
with berries but could not sell them all. 8 cts. was the price.
25 – A pretty warm day, thunder through the forenoon and a little
rain about 11. Hoeing corn all day. Mrs. Bell, Willa and the baby
visiting at Mark’s in the afternoon. Went to Greenbank to see Jack
Park, but he was not there.
50
26 – A very warm day. Got up at 4:30 and after breakfast went up
to Wallace’s with 31 hens, then helped to pick strawberries, 53
boxes. Mrs. Mark and John helping. Then banked up the early
potatoes and hoed corn and strawberries the remainder of the day.
In the evening drove over with Mrs. Bell and Willa to the straw-
berry festival at Alex Leask’s. A very good time there was, got
home at 12.
27 – An exceedingly warm day, 86 degrees about 1 o’clock. Hoe-
ing in the orchard and garden. Made a rack for the grape vines and
nailed the old boarding of the barn. Went down to Mr. O’Neill’s in
the evening to tell them to come for strawberries.
28 – Another very hot day. Picked 61 boxes strawberries in the
morning, L. O’Neill helped and got 15 boxes. John Lee called and
got 7. Eva Luke here all day. Jennie making her a dress for July
1st
. At 10 am I drove to Port Perry to meet Mr. Mackie and wind
up the census business. After getting through with him, which
turned out better than expected, I drove by way of the centre road
to the preparatory service in the church, Mr. Cameron preached.
D. Watson expected, but owing to the heat he did not come further
than Wick. Samuel Dusty came in by certificate. After supper
scuffled and hoed the little patch of corn at the barn.
29 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Did some odd jobs in the
morning and the remainder of the day at the cow stable floor.
Went down to the sideroad after supper to a road job letting. E.
Bryant and Jeff Whetter took the jobs. Eva Luke came after her
dress. John Michie called in the evening.
30 – A very fine day, road pretty dusty. Went to Wick with Nellie
Michie to communion and got home about 2:15. W. Donaldson
came out on his wheel and left after supper. Mrs. Bell left the
house at 10 and did not get back until after six. She was away
reading a book. Went with Mrs. Bell to the Methodist SS anniver-
sary service in the evening. Mr. Limbert, the new pastor, preached
a very good discourse to a packed house.
JULY 1 – A very warm day and very dusty. Did a little at the
stable in the forenoon. John Lee, Mrs. A. Lee and Bella here in the
morning for strawberries, then Marnie Dusty came and then
George and John. Drove Marnie home just before dinner. In the
afternoon went with Willa to the Methodist SS anniversary [picnic]
in Beare’s woods and got supper and came home. Willa stayed for
the evening. Jennie and her mother nearly all afternoon cleaning
strawberries.
2 – Another pretty warm day. Scuffled potatoes, corn and turnips
until about 3 and then hoed potatoes. At church managers meeting
in the evening. Jennie, Willa and the baby at Port Perry in the
forenoon sending off some berries to Newcastle. Mrs. Alex
Gordon and Annie Dusty here in the evening for strawberries.
Nellie and Jessie also here. Had new potatoes for supper, the first
of the season.
3 – A fine day and pretty warm. Went for the beef the first thing
and then finished hoeing the potatoes, then hoed turnips the rest of
the day. After six went with W. Luke and bought a beast for the
beef ring from R. Real for $30.00. Marnie Dusty here in the fore-
noon for strawberries and Edith Phair in the afternoon, but there
was none for her.
4 – Quite a heavy shower about 1 o’clock and pretty warm but not
so bad as some days lately. Banked up the potatoes in the fore-
noon and worked at the cattle stable in the afternoon.
5 – A rainy forenoon off and on. Hoeing turnips between showers
and at the cattle stable. James and George Allan here in the eve-
ning to see the brick in the horse stable floor. A heavy thunder
storm between 9 and 10 pm.
6 – A fine day and somewhat cooler. Went to Port Perry in the
forenoon with 4 ½ bags of wheat and got flour. Brought home a
new water trough. Hoeing turnips in the afternoon. Jennie, Willa
and baby at Greenbank shopping. Wilbert and Jim Lee here for a
feed of strawberries.
7 – Several small showers through the day. Mrs. Bell and Willa
drove to church at Port Perry, there being communion Sunday
there. I therefore had to walk to SS and got the benefit of a
shower. Mr. Cameron preached. Mrs. Bella and baby Annie drove
to church afterwards. At CE in the evening with Willa, rather a
small attendance. New officers chosen, Jas. Miller president,
Nellie McMillan v. pres., Maggie Blair sec., A. Akhurst treas.
8 – A fine cool day. Hoeing turnips until 5 o’clock when I finished
the first sowing (40 drills). After supper sprayed 10 drills of pota-
toes. Jennie and Willa picked the red and white currants. Willa
went with John Michie to a picnic at Seagrave.
9 – A fine day. Finished putting Paris green on potatoes and scuf-
fled turnips and corn (3rd
time for corn) and hoed a little after sup-
per. Went to Greenbank in the evening. Mrs. Akhurst here for tea.
Mrs. Bryant, May Bryant and two of Fred Love’s girls came for
strawberries but were too late. Willa at Mr. Akhurst’s in the eve-
ning.
10 – A fine day but pretty warm, rain a little in the morning. Hoe-
ing turnips all day. Mrs. Bella and Willa drove to J. M. Burn’s on
a visit and stayed overnight. The steer we got from R. Real went
in the beef ring today and came out 14 lbs overweight.
11 – A very fine day. A little shower before breakfast. Hoeing
turnips all day. Mr. Cameron called in the afternoon.
12 – A very fine day, not a cloud to be seen. Hoed turnips in the
forenoon and in the afternoon helped A. Lee to stack hay. Put 10
loads in one stack, and finished at 8:30. Mrs. Bella and Willa
came back from Mr. Burn’s. Orange walk at Uxbridge.
13 – A very fine clear day and not too warm. Hoeing turnips in the
forenoon and in the afternoon helping George to stack hay, put 9
loads in one long stack. Worked until 8:30. Mrs. Bell, Willa and
baby Annie at Greenbank in the evening for the mail. W. Luke
came to get me to help him gather up his hay but could not be two
places at one time.
14 – A very warm day. At SS and church with Mrs. Bell, Mr.
Cameron preached. At CE in the evening with Willa, a fair meet-
ing, Jas. Miller leader. W. Real and Leonard Cragg had a little
scrap. One of the Hood boys drowned in Lake Scugog.
51
15 – A very hot day, nearly 90 in the afternoon. Hoeing turnips in
the forenoon and in the afternoon scuffling turnips and strawberries
and hoeing strawberries after supper. Mrs. Luke called in the
evening.
16 – Another very hot day, 86 in the shade. Hoeing turnips in the
forenoon and helping George to stack hay, 6 loads. Went to
Greenbank to see Jack Park in the evening. Willa went up to the
post office in the afternoon.
17 – Another hot day, 86 in the shade. Quite a bit of thunder to the
south but no rain here. Went and brought the binder from A. Lee’s
barn, then went to W. Luke’s and got the mower and cut all the hay
(in north field) and took the mower home again. A. Lee drawing
hay from the Luke place to the home barn.
18 – A very fine day but pretty warm. Hoed turnips in the fore-
noon and raked and cocked hay (George helping) in the afternoon.
Willa away somewhere in the evening. Mrs. Annie Gordon here
for dinner. Isaac O’Neill brings back the turnip drill.
19 – A very fine day and some cooler. George and Tom Michie
helping to draw in the hay (11 loads) and finished at 4 pm. After-
wards raked the field. Willa went to Greenbank after supper. Mrs.
Luke, Eva and Ned here in the evening for black currants. Got an
invitation to Annie Smith’s wedding on the 27th
.
20 – Another very warm day. Hoeing turnips and greening pota-
toes in the forenoon and in the afternoon went to Port Perry with
Willa for binder twine and some other things. Got home at 5.
After supper, greening potatoes. Willa at Mr. Akhurst’s in the
evening. Saw the first grain cut (rye) opposite G. Dowson’s.
21 – A pretty warm day. Went to SS and church with Mrs. Bell.
Tried to review the lesson in SS (2nd
time). Mr. Cameron
preached. Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Mark went to the Baptist church.
Walter Donaldson here for tea, he came on his wheel. Willa went
off with John Michie to Wick or somewhere else. Went to CE
alone, a fair meeting, Miss Bella McMillan leader.
22 – A fine day and not so warm. Finished putting poison on
potatoes in the morning and then hoed turnips and finished (1st
time) about 4 pm. Fixed the binder roll after supper. Mrs. Bell and
Willa went to Port Perry with raspberries, the first of the season,
and got 8 cts. per box.
23 – A fine day. Scuffling turnips most of the forenoon and in the
afternoon cut the rye just west of the house, George helping. Mrs.
Bell and Willa visiting at A. Gordon’s.
24 – A fine day with a very little rain after 5. Went for the beef in
the morning and then cut the fall wheat alone with the two horses
and then shocked it up. Went over to Luke’s to tell him about
getting the binder tomorrow. Jennie and Willa picking berries.
Alex Leask’s boys here and got two pails and Willa took some to
Port Perry in the afternoon. Willa packing up her things, she starts
for Rochester in the morning.
25 – Took Willa to the train at Port Perry in the morning and scuf-
fled turnips until 5 pm and then hoed in the orchard. Started to rain
a little about 7 and continued during the evening. W. Luke came
after the binder just before dinner. A threshing machine going
over about Roses’, the first of the season.
26 – A fine cool day. Hoeing turnips (2nd
time) until 5 o’clock,
then went down to M. O’Neill’s with the stoneboat and got 100
bricks for cattle stable. Mrs. M. O’Neil here, and Lilly, Mrs. Luke,
Oliver, Eva and Ned, Nellie and Jessie Michie all here in the fore-
noon picking berries. Alex Leask’s boys came just at dinner time
for more berries, but there was none for them.
27 – Started at 7 am and drove with Nellie Michie to James
Smith’s to attend Annie Smith’s wedding. The ceremony took
place about 11, then dinner on the lawn, and then they started
about 1 for Oshawa to take the train to Buffalo to see the Pan
American Exposition. Got home safely at 5 pm. About twenty at
the wedding. Rain about 1 to 2 o’clock.
28 – Rain through the night – a little in the forenoon and several
very heavy showers in the afternoon. Went to SS and church, Mr.
Cameron preached. Had to wait after service until the rain went
over. Did not go to CE on account of rain.
29 – Rain through the night and nearly all afternoon with a very
heavy shower about 6 or 7 in the evening. Water standing in pools
everywhere. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon and got money for
census work. At stable in the afternoon. Arch McMillan and his
little niece here for berries and got dinner.
30 – A fine day and somewhat cooler. Put up the wheat shocks
that had fallen down and found the grain growing badly. Worked
at stable all day. Went over to Beare’s in the evening to settle up
but he was not at home, but left $40.00 with Harvey. Mrs. Bell at
Greenbank in the afternoon. Nellie and Jessie picking berries in
the forenoon. Oliver Luke called after dinner. Lew and Roy
O’Neill came in the evening wanting a few oats but did not have
any for them. W. Phoenix putting up windmill for Mrs. Phair.
31 – A good deal cooler, a little rain after dinner. Finished paving
stable in the morning and hoeing turnips the rest of the day.
Helped C. Gordon to get his binder (which had been in Luke’s
barn) home. Mr. Cameron here for tea.
AUG. 1 – A very fine cool day. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon
and helping W. Luke (and horse) to cut oats. Nellie and Jessie here
picking berries. Ike Wheeler here in the evening and sold him the
jersey cow for $31.00.
2 – Cut oats east of orchard and finished between 3 and 4, W. Luke
and horse helping. Then as it was threatening rain we drew in
some wheat and rye but it was in very poor order. Rain in the
evening. Eva Luke came over with the mail.
3 – Rain through the night. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon to
see lawyer Harris about making out papers for Tom to sign before
he goes to Manitoba. Cutting oats in the afternoon, W. Luke and
horse helping. Had a bad stomach and did not take any supper.
52
4 – A fine cool day. George and Tom Michie, Mr. and Mrs. Alex
Lee, Hardy, Bell and their baby here in the forenoon and Mrs.
Luke and Ned in the afternoon. At church and SS, Mr. Cameron
preached. At CE, a large meeting. R.T. Harrington leader.
5 – A fine day. Cut the oats in the field NW of barn, W. Luke and
horse helping, finished at 5. Afterward drew in the remainder of
the wheat and rye. Alex Lee finished cutting except a small piece
of peas, he is the first of the season. Anna Tait came in the eve-
ning. She came to Port Perry by train and from there by wheel.
George and Tom Michie leaves for Manitoba.
6 – A fine day. Helping W. Luke all day with horse to draw in
oats, barley and wheat. Anna Tait leaves for home.
7 – Quite a heavy rain through the night. Went to Greenbank in
the forenoon and hoed a few rows of turnips. Mr. Akhurst came
after some strawberry plants. Helping W. Luke (with horse) to cut
oats in the afternoon. Did not make very good headway. Port
Perry firemen’s excursion to Fenelon Falls. Oliver Luke at it.
About 9:30 went to W. Real’s and telephoned for Dr. Archer for
Jennie as Dr. D. Archer was not home. Dr. R. came about 11 but
sooner than necessary so we all went to bed.
8 – The Dr. was called up about 4 and between 6 and 7. [baby was
unnamed at this point11
] was born and the Dr. left for home about 8
or 9. Took Jess over to Luke’s to work on the binder and then took
the jersey cow to I. Wheeler’s. Walked all the way and got home
about 12. Cut some oats and hoed turnips in the afternoon. Nellie
Michie came up in the morning and stayed all day, also Mrs. Mark
a little while in the forenoon. Quite a high NW wind in the after-
noon.
9 – Helping W. Luke to cut oats (with horse). Rain a little in the
afternoon so that we had to quit before 5 o’clock. Nellie at Green-
bank in the afternoon. Dr. R. Archer called. Went up to A. Lee’s
in the evening.
10 – Rain through the night and a heavy splash about 1:30 pm. A.
Lee was to have threshed this afternoon (Samson Martin’s ma-
chine) but it did not come. Mr. Akhurst here for a few more
strawberry plants and Miss S. Rundle for some early apples to take
with her to Manitoba. Hoeing turnips most of the day and finished
them. Oliver Luke brought back Jess and got a ducking on the way
over. Quite cool at night with a high NW wind.
11 – A fine cool day. Nellie went home in the morning for the day.
At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. George Fowlie here for
tea, he came on his wheel. Mrs. Mark, Mr. and Mrs. A. Lee called
in the evening. At CE, a fair meeting, Maggie Blair leader. Choir
practice after meeting.
12 – A fine day. Threshing all day at Alex Lee’s (Samson Mar-
tin’s machine) and did a good job. Nellie went home in the eve-
ning.
11
Son, William, was born 8 Aug 1901, 1911 Census
in Reach Township.
13 – A fine day. Went over to Luke’s in the morning and helped
him to finish cutting, then he came here and started to cut about 10.
He stayed until 5 when he went home, there being a church meet-
ing tonight. Jessie here all day tending to Annie. Mr. Henders and
a Mr. Hamblin, general agent of the Smith nursery of Winowa,
came just before dinner and had a long talk on fruit trees but did
not give an order.
14 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Went for the beef the first
thing and then finished cutting oats except some lodged places
which will have to be cut with the scythe. We then drew in one
load of oats (W. Luke helping), then went to Mrs. Phair’s and
started to thresh about 11 (John Leask’s machine), worked til 6.
They had a bad time getting up the sand hill. W. Luke got lost in
the swamp. Mrs. John Leask Jr. here for tea.
15 – Drawing in oats until near 5 when a thunder storm came up
and stopped us. W. Luke and Oliver helping. Nellie Michie here
all day.
16 – Went to A. Lee’s and got 6 bags of oats (borrowed) then
scuffled the strawberries (4th
or 5th
time), then finished cutting oats
with scythe. In the afternoon cut the old wood out of the berry
bushes. Two Whitby men took away about ½ barrel of harvest
apples, got 35 cts. for them. Oliver Luke came after their horse
rake. Nellie here all day.
17 – A fine day and somewhat warm. Went down to M. O’Neill’s
to get Fred to help at harvest and did some other chores in the
forenoon and in the afternoon drew in oats. Fred and Oliver Luke
helping. Nellie went home in the morning.
18 – A fine day. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. At
CE, rather a small meeting. I had the topic. Choir practice after.
19 – Threatening rain several times but did not rain much. Horse
raked a little in the morning and then went to C. Gordon’s thresh-
ing. Started about 11 and finished at 3. After that drew in oats,
Fred O’Neill and Oliver Luke helping. Nellie here washing.
20 – A little rain through the night and little through the day.
Fixed the barn ventilators, cleaned out the grainery and some other
small jobs and after 5 helped W. Luke to draw in oats. Mrs. Bell at
Port Perry in the afternoon. W. Luke called in the afternoon. 13
little pigs came to town.
21 – A fine day and pretty warm. At W. Luke’s all day with
horse drawing in oats. Mrs. Jas. Allan here for dinner.
22 – A very warm day, a good deal of thunder during the afternoon
but no rain here. At. W. Luke’s all day with horse drawing in oats
and peas and finished his harvest.
23 – Went up to Greenbank the first thing in the morning for coal
oil and some other things, then drew in oats, W. Luke and Oliver
helping. Intended to finish but about 10 when we only had a small
load and some rakings left there came on a very heavy rain which
stopped operations. We all got pretty well soaked. Went to Port
Perry in the afternoon for pig feed and got a cistern pump. After
supper worked at putting in the pump.
53
24 – A fine day and some cooler. Fixed the cistern pump place in
the forenoon. Moved the few oat shocks and some other jobs in
the afternoon. Allan and Alma Black and another girl came about
4 o’clock. They went down to Mark’s all night and at 7 Mr. and
Mrs. James Masson came. Went with Mr. M. to Alex Lee’s about
9 to see Mrs. Lee who is very sick and has been for several days
but we did not hear until tonight.
25 – A very find day. Went up to A. Lee’s in the morning with
Mr. Masson to see how Mrs. Lee was and found her about the
same which was very bad. Went to SS and church and Mr. and
Mrs. Masson came to church. Mr. Cameron preached. Allan
Black came home with me and went to church in the evening.
Mrs. Bell at A. Lee’s in the afternoon. Jennie and Mr. and Mrs. M.
went up in the evening and found her no better. Mrs. M. stayed all
night.
26 – Went up to A. Lee’s the first thing in the morning and found
them a little more hopeful about Mrs. Lee, then after breakfast
drove over with Mr. Masson to James Leask’s to see the show
cattle that go to the fair tomorrow. Then drove Jennie and baby
Annie to Port Perry to see the Dr. who says it is her blood that is
thin. Intended to draw in the bit of oats but there was quite a
splash of a shower about 1 which spoiled it. Put in the cistern
pump in the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Real called and Mr. and
Mrs. Masson left for home about 5. Went up to Lee’s again about
6 and the Dr. was there and he spoke with hope yet. When I got
home Mrs. W. McMillan and a little girl of L. O’Leary’s were
here. Mrs. Bell sick in bed all afternoon. W. Luke also called.
27 – A very fine day. Picked plums, tomatoes, beans, and did
some other chores in the forenoon and in the afternoon, with W.
Luke’s and Oliver’s help, drew in the remainder of the oats and
thus finished harvest. Alma Black and Miss Becker came up from
Mark’s and stayed all night. Went up to A. Lee’s in the morning
and evening to see how Mrs. L. was, she is just about the same. A
very clear moonlight night.
28 – A fine day and pretty warm. Gang plowing all day except
what time I was talking to visitors. About 11 Mr. Cameron and his
little girl Grace came but did not stay to dinner and in the afternoon
Mr. John Throop, Mrs. Luke and Robert Akhurst and C. McLean’s
lad called. Alma Black and Miss B. went down to Mark’s. Went
up to see how Mrs. Lee was, she is just about the same.
29 – A pretty warm day, some thunder but no rain here. Gang
plowing all day. Went up to A. Lee’s in the evening and found
Mrs. Lee some better. Oliver and Eva Luke came over with the
mail in the evening. A banana social at R. Greig’s for the Baptist
church.
30 – Gang plowing all day except the time I was talking to two
Deering binder agents that called in the afternoon. At Greenbank
in the evening for sugar. Gave Mrs. S. Dusty a ride down to A.
Lee’s, she is going to sit up with Mrs. L. who is not quite so well
tonight.
31 – Gang plowing down by the 10th
concession until about 4 when
the rain which had been threatening most of the day came on from
the NE. Went up to A. Lee’s in the evening and found Alex away
for Dr. Mellow as Mrs. Lee was worse.
SEPT. 1 – A cool day and threatening rain a little in the afternoon.
At SS and church with Mrs. Bell and baby Annie, Mr. Cameron
preached. At CE, rather a small meeting, Ethel Miller leader. The
Dr. has been to see Mrs. Lee 3 times and she is no better.
2 – A fine day. Finished gang plowing the little field at the south
and then harrowed it twice. A good deal of shooting in the swamp
as this is the first day of duck shooting. Norman Phair cutting the
bands of some oats that are not in yet. Mrs. Jas. McMillan, who
has been waiting on Mrs. Lee for some days, called in the after-
noon, also Mrs. Luke. Mrs. Lee a trifle better.
3 – A pretty warm day. Harrowing in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went with Jennie and little Annie to Port Perry. Jennie
afterwards to S. Dusty’s to see if we could get Mary for a while but
did not succeed. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for dinner. Mrs. Bell
went down to Mark’s in the evening for a letter.
4 – A fine day. Went for the beef in the morning and came home
by way of E. Beare’s and got his screw jack and then put stones
under the front posts of the bar and after that harrowed some.
Went to prayer meeting with Jennie and little Annie, Mr. Cameron
leader, subject envy.
5 – One of the hottest days of the season. Went to Uxbridge in the
forenoon and got pig feed corn meal at $1.20 per hundred. Got
home about 1 o’clock and after that drew 3 loads of clay into the
pig pen. Mrs. Lee very low and her chance is very slight.
6 – Another very warm day. Went up to A. Lee’s the first thing in
the morning and again after dinner. Mrs. Lee very low. Mr. Cam-
eron there and he baptized the baby Gladys Maire. Mrs. Bell went
up in the evening and Jennie in the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs.
Gordon here in the afternoon for a bag of apples. Pumped out the
water and cleaned the well at the house with John Michie’s help in
the forenoon, and some other little chores and plowed some in the
afternoon. [note in the margin to say that President McKinley shot
at Buffalo].
7 – A very warm day until about 5 when it turned cool with a high
wind from the north and smoky. Went up to Lee’s in the morning
and found Mrs. Lee about the same, then plowed until about 10
when I went to Port Perry to get Dr. Archer for Mrs. Lee, but they
could not come til towards night. When I got back Mrs. Lee ap-
peared to be some better. Plowed in the afternoon and went to
Lee’s again in the evening to hear what Dr. Archer said but they
had not come. Mrs. Luke here for awhile in the forenoon.
8 – A very fine cool day. Went up to Lee’s the first thing and
found that the Drs. Archer did not come last night. Mrs. Lee
getting weaker all the time, they thought she was dying several
times through the day, but was living when I was up in the eve-
ning. Did not go to SS but took Jennie and little Annie to church,
Mr. Gilchrist preached. Did not go to CE. Had a long talk with
Jeff Whitter at our gate on the way home from A. Lee’s.
9 – Went up to Alex Lee’s in the morning and found Mrs. Lee still
alive but she died about 7 am. Jennie was there just after and she
came home and I unhitched from the plow to drive Mrs. Jas. and
William McMillan home but Mr. Boe was going that way and took
them home. I, however, went to Greenbank taking Mrs. Bell to
54
Lee’s. Plowed in the afternoon and went up to Lee’s in the eve-
ning with Jennie when there was a little prayer meeting led by Mr.
Boe. James Innis here in the afternoon telling us that Mrs. John
Park died today.
10 – Did not do much in the forenoon but do some paving near the
stable door. Alex Cragg called for a few minutes. Got early dinner
and started for Mrs. Park’s funeral. Called at the clerk’s office and
got the baby registered. The funeral started at about 3. Rev. Mr.
Cooper conducted the service and she was taken to Greenbank. I
then drove Mr. Cooper down to Alex Lee’s to conduct the service
there (Mr. Cameron not being at home). There was a very large
turnout. The bearers were R. Wallace, G. Allan, A. Gordon, C.
Gordon, J.M. Real and myself. Jennie went up after dinner and
made a flower wreath. Mrs. Bell went up to the house but did not
go further. Tom Black and Annie called after the funeral.
11 – Thunder and rain through the night. Plowing all day. Jennie
preserving plums. At prayer meeting, E. Boe leader, rather a small
meeting. Pretty dark night.
12 – Rain through the night and most of the forenoon. Worked at
the calf stalls in the forenoon and plowed in the afternoon.
13 – A fine cool day. Plowing all day. Mrs. Bell cleaning the little
room upstairs. Mrs. T. Rundle and Mrs. Luke called in the after-
noon.
14 – A fine day. Went to A. Lee’s in the morning and got rye, then
harrowed the rye ground and sowed it. Got down between 3 and 4
and did some other chores. Went to Greenbank in the evening with
Jennie and Annie. Mr. and Mrs. Mark here after dinner for plums.
A picture agent called after dinner. [margin note says: President
McKinley died].
15 – Rain through the night and very heavy about 1 o’clock. Mrs.
A. Cragg and Bella Lee called in the forenoon. At SS and church
with Jennie and little Annie, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE in the
evening, R.T. Harrington leader in place of V. Leask.
16 – A fine day with a very high wind. Plowing all day. W. Mark
here after dinner getting some apples for to show at Port Perry fair.
17 – Threatening rain a little in the morning but did not come to
anything. A road job drawing clay to put on the sand hill, quit at 5
o’clock and Jennie went to Port Perry to meet Barbara on the train,
but Jas. Smith, Jessie and her came by rig, they got here a little
after 6. Mrs. T. Salter died this morning.
18 – A fine day and pretty cool toward night. Mr. Mark came up
the first thing in the morning to tell us that Alex Lee’s baby had
just died. Jennie went down and helped to dress it. Picked up the
fallen apples. Jas. Smith left for home about 2 taking Mrs. Bell
with him to Port Perry, this being fair day. Barbara and Jessie are
staying for a few days. Went with Barbara to A. Lee’s baby’s
funeral which we left about 4:30 and got back about 6:30 and just
as we got home Margaret came having chanced it up from Port
Perry. P. Thompson and M. O’Neill called in the evening for help
for threshing. Moved the stove in.
19 – The first frost of the season. Went early to thrash (J. Leask’s
machine), first at M. O’Neill’s where we finished about 11:30, then
to Isaac O’Neill’s and finished in a little over 3 hours, then to
John’s and started at 4 pm. Big fire in Port Perry in the early
morning, all burned on the south of Queen Street from the Western
Bank to Allison’s Drug Store. Barbara drove Margaret to Port
Perry to the train. Mrs. Bryant here in the afternoon. Late Presi-
dent McKinley’s funeral. [According to the Scugog Township
Heritage Gallery...September 1901. At twelve o’clock midnight
Sept. 18 the baker shop of A.J. Sproule, on the south side of Queen
St. in the Purdy block was discovered to be on fire. Despite the
best efforts of the Fire Brigade the fire destroyed A. Ross & Sons,
general merchants; E.H. Purdy, produce merchant and groceries;
C.H. Allison, druggist; J.A. Murray, dentist; S.T. Cawker & Sons,
butcher; The Western Bank; S.M. Newton, publisher; W.H. Harris,
barrister and many other small businesses].
20 – A fine cool day. Threshing at John’s and finished at 10:30.
Cut some corn and finished the stable repairs and some other
chores in the afternoon. At choir practice in the evening. Mrs. A.
Gordon here for dinner and Mrs. Luke in the afternoon.
21 – A very fine day. Cut the horse corn in the little patch and
orchard. Jessie Smith down at Mark’s in the afternoon.
22 – A fine day. Walked to SS and church and Jennie, Annie and
Jessie Smith drove up to church, Mr. Cameron preached a memo-
rial sermon for Mrs. Alex Lee, a large turnout. Drove with Barbara
in the evening to Port Perry and heard Mr. Cooper preach, a very
good sermon. A beautiful clear night.
23 – A fine day. Shocked up corn in the forenoon and in the after-
noon took Barbara and Jessie to the station in Port Perry and
brought Mrs. Bell home with me. Dug a few potatoes in the or-
chard after coming home. Went over to Luke’s with Jennie in the
evening for the mail.
24 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Went up to Alex Lee’s in the
evening to see Alex Leask about cutting corn. He started after
nightfall to cut Alex Lee’s but had to quit as he could not see well
enough, although it was a moonlight night. Jessie Michie here in
the afternoon.
25 – A fine day but pretty cool in the morning. Went for the beef
in the morning and plowed the rest of the day. Had A. Lee’s horse
Sandy hitched up in the afternoon as Mrs. Bell drove out to Port
Perry to meet Jessie Bell on the train but she did not come. It was
about 9:30 when Mrs. Bell got home. A very fine moonlit night.
26 – A fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. A. Bougard called
wanting to buy pigs. He offered $7.10 per 100, sold to go two
weeks from today. Dr. D. Archer called just before dinner, he is
hunting up evidence in a law suit with Mr. Town which comes off
in Toronto next week. Threshing at Mr. Akhurst’s in the after-
noon. Started about 2:45 and worked until 7, the last ½ hour by
moonlight. Went over to Phair’s to ask them to threshing tomor-
row. Mrs. Bell went out to Port Perry just before dinner and Alex
engaged Miss Maggie Smith as housekeeper for a month on trial.
Eva Luke came over with a card saying that Jessie Bell was
55
coming on the train tonight. Mrs. Bell drove down and waited
until the last train when Jessie and Alma Perrin came. They did
not get here until after 10 pm. A very fine moonlight night.
27 – A very fine day. Jennie went out to Port Perry in the morning
for some meat and brought Jess’ trunk up. Threshing at Akhurst’s
and finished about 9:45. They then moved here and had an hour
run before dinner. Started again at 12:30 and worked till 6:30. D.
Till stayed all night.
28 – A fine day. Finished threshing in about 2 ½ hours and then
moved to W. Luke’s and finished him a little before 6. Jennie and
Jess went to Greenbank in the evening.
29 – Rain through the night and most of the forenoon. Commun-
ion at Greenbank. Went with Jennie and Jessie Bell. Mr. Cameron
preached. A small attendance on account of the rain. Did not go
to CE as the weather was not very good and I had a bad cold.
30 – A fine day, a little cool. Threshing at Phair’s all day and
finished a little before 6. Mrs. Bell and Alma Perrin went to Port
Perry in the afternoon and brought Miss Smith, A. Lee’s house-
keeper with them.
OCT. 1 – A fine day. Took 6 bags of rye and 10 of oats over to
Beare’s mill and fixed the line fence in the forenoon and drew 3
loads of clay on the road in the afternoon. Mrs. Bell and Alma
Perrin went over to Luke’s in the evening for the mail. Jennie
went to Mark’s to see about help in the house. F. Dobson and
Bella McMillan married today.
2- Thunder and rain through the night. Started at 6:30 am and
drove Mrs. Bell, Jessie Bell and Alma Perrin out to Port Perry in
the wagon to the morning train (rain most of the way out). Mrs.
Bell and Jessie are off to Rochester. Nellie Michie came this
morning to stay awhile. Went for the meal to Beare’s mill in the
afternoon and then cleaned up the barn floor. Nellie went to prayer
meeting and did not come back for the night.
3 – A pretty cool day with several flurries of rain. Plowing all day.
Kept the horses in all night for the first time.
4 – A cool day. Plowing all day. Jessie Michie and Lizzie Blight
called in the forenoon. Nellie went down to D. Cragg’s in the
evening.
5 – Several rain flurries through the day and quite a heavy shower
about 6:30. Plowing all day.
6 – A pretty cool day. At SS and church. Children’s day service
by Mr. Cameron. Mrs. Carnegie came home with me to tea. At
CE, a fair meeting, Jas. Miller leader.
7 – A fine summer-like day but a pretty hard frost in the morning.
Plowing all day. Went down to M. O’Neill’s at noon to get help at
potatoes tomorrow. Nellie left and Jessie came in the afternoon.
At church managers meeting in the evening. Brought John Lee
down with me to Alex’s. Got a new pair of short boots at S.
Dusty’s.
8 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes in the forenoon, Fred
O’Neill helping, and went to G. Byers’ sale in the afternoon.
Things went well especially the livestock. Went over to see
Charles Gordon in the evening, he has been very sick, but is now
some better. Called at I. O’Neill’s collecting for a present to Mrs.
F. Dobson. Jessie Michie here all day.
9 – Threatening rain several times but did not amount to much.
Digging potatoes in the forenoon and after dinner W. Leask cut the
corn with the corn harvester and after that drew in some of it. Fred
O’Neill helping all day. Old Isaac Truax here most of the forenoon
and stayed for dinner. Jessie Michie here all day.
10 – A very dull day and several drizzles of rain. Took the pigs to
Port Perry in the morning. Tried to lead them up alone but had to
get John to help. They (6) weighed 1100 and got $6.75 per 100.
Brought a washing machine home on trial. In the afternoon went
to Alex Lee’s surprise plowing bee. 14 plows at it. Nellie here all
day.
11 – A fine day. Digging potatoes all alone until about the middle
of the afternoon, then shocking up corn. Jennie and baby Annie
went to Port Perry and Jessie and Birdie Cragg here in the after-
noon. Nellie here all day. Pared apples in the evening, the first of
the season. Mrs. Luke here in the afternoon wanting to buy apples.
12 – A fine day, but raining a little in the evening. At the corn all
day. John Lee and Bella called in the forenoon.
13 – A very fine day. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached.
Mrs. and Mrs. John Monroe and Miss Jennie [?] were there. No
CE as this is the S. of T. sermon at the Methodist church [Sons of
Temperance].
14 – A very fine day. Picking up fallen apples and digging pota-
toes in the orchard in the forenoon and in the afternoon went to a
church managers bee to clear out the furnace pipes and nail some
boards on the sheds.
15 – A fine day but rain in the evening. Digging potatoes in the
forenoon, Jennie helping a little. In the afternoon went to Charles
Gordon’s bee helping him to dig his potatoes and mangles. Alex
Lee, A. Akhurst and Alex Gordon at it. A. Lee, E. Phair and
Oliver Luke called in the forenoon. Mr. W. Mark had our buggy
away.
16 – A fine day. Finished digging potatoes in the forenoon, Jennie
helping. She and baby Annie afterwards went to Greenbank. Jessie
Michie here for dinner. Took A. Lee’s borrowed oats home and
plowed the remainder of the afternoon. O. Luke and Isaac O’Neill
here after dinner and Mr. Cameron called in the afternoon. Went
down to Mark’s in the evening to practice singing for the W.F.M.S.
social next Tuesday evening.
17 – Intended going to Mrs. Phair’s to help shingle part of her
barn, but it rained through the night and the roof would be too wet.
Plowed in the forenoon and in the afternoon went to Mrs. Harper’s
sale. A disagreeable afternoon, some snow, the first of the season.
Tax collector W. Dobson called as we were at dinner.
56
18 – Ground white with snow in the morning. Plowing in the
forenoon and in the afternoon picked most of the apples, Nellie
helping. 3 barrels Ben Davis, 1 bag Wagners, 1 bag greenings.
Mrs. Akhurst here for the afternoon. In the evening went with W.
Luke by invitation to the meeting of the [?] League, to act as one of
the critics in a debate. The subject was which was the greater man
– Moses or Joshua, Moses son. Not a very fine night.
19 – A fine day but pretty cool with high wind in the afternoon.
Plowing in the forenoon and in the afternoon drew a load of bricks
from O’Neill’s for Mr. Purdy’s new store which was burned down
lately. Mrs. Mark and Jessie here in the afternoon picking apples
and John came after them. At Mark’s in the evening with Nellie
practicing singing.
20 – At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE, rather a
small meeting, partly on account of the anniversary services at the
Methodist church. Maggie Blair was down for leader but could not
come on account of her father being very low. Mr. Miller took the
topic.
21 – A very fine day. Cleaned out the pig pens and some other
chores and topped a few turnips which starts the turnips [harvest].
Helping Mrs. Phair to shingle a part of her barn. Jessie, Edith
Phair and Pat Thompson here today. Jennie housecleaning.
22 – A very fine day. Shingling at Mrs. Phair’s in the forenoon
and topping turnips in the afternoon, Norman Phair helping. Isaac
O’Neill had Topsy away at Uxbridge for pig feed. Jennie and baby
Annie at Greenbank in the forenoon. At. W.F.M.L. annual social,
a fine night and a good turnout. One of the principal things being a
presentation to Mrs. Frank Dobson and singing by Miss Annie
Rennie. Made over $24.00.
23 – A fine day with very high NW wind in the afternoon and lots
of dust. Harrowing out turnips in the forenoon, Norman Phair
topping, and finished them. Drew in in the afternoon alone, 5
loads. Threw back turnips in the evening.
24 – A pretty cool morning with high wind. Rowed up turnips for
awhile and drew in for the rest of the day, Jennie helping. 11
loads. Threw them back in the root house in the evening. Phair’s
boys have fires in the swamp.
25 – A very fine day. Drawing in turnips, Jennie helping. 13 loads
and finished all that was harrowed up. Threw back turnips in the
evening. A beautiful night. James Blair Sr. died, aged 76.
26 – A fine day with a pretty high wind in the afternoon. Har-
rowed out the remainder of the turnips and rowed up a few in the
forenoon and drew in 7 loads, Jennie helping. Threw back in the
evening. Jennie and baby Annie went to Sam Dusty’s in the eve-
ning to see about getting Mary for a month. We had scarcely got
to bed when Mr. and Mrs. F. Perrin, Alma and Jennie Perrin, Anna
Tait and Bella [?] came. Got to bed the second time about 11.
Nellie went home to bed.
27 – A very fine day. Anna Tait, Bella [Slemon?] and Alma Perrin
went down to Mark’s in the forenoon. Willie Smith, who came
back to Mark’s on his wheel came here about 12. Went to SS and
church with Anna and Bella, Mr. Cameron preached. Norman
Cragg addressed the SS. The Newcastle folks left for home at 5
pm. Did not go to CE. Mrs. Luke called in the afternoon.
28 – A fine day. Rowed up a few turnips in the morning and then
went to Jas. Blair’s funeral at 10 am. He was buried at Oshawa so
I did not go further than the house. Drew in turnips in the after-
noon alone, 5 loads. At Baptist church lecture in the evening.
Rev. Mr. Kennedy lectured on John Bull and liberty. A good
lecture but rather a small turnout although the night was very fine.
Had a long talk with Mr. Burnett on political questions. Nellie
here in the forenoon.
29 – A fine day. Drew in turnips alone in the forenoon, 4 loads,
which finishes for this year. 45 loads in all. I do not remember
when they came in in such good condition. In the afternoon went
with a load of turnips for John Park of Manchester from G. Byers.
Got home a little after dark. Mary Dusty came after dinner and
started her month. Had a long talk with Mr. Burnett.
30 – A fine day. Went in the forenoon with baby Annie to G.
Mark’s to see about buying calves but he had sold his, but I bought
2 from Mr. Mill’s nearby for $17. Went after them with the
waggon in the afternoon. W. Luke called and got 3 bags of apples.
Jennie and Mary Dusty went to prayer meeting.
31 – Drawing manure into the orchard in the forenoon and drew in
the horse corn in the afternoon, John Michie helping. Corn in
splendid order. Pared apples in the evening.
NOV. 1 – A very fine day. Plowing all day in the orchard. Mary
Dusty and Annie went down to Mark’s in the afternoon and Jessie
came up with them.
2 – An unusually fine day. Harrowed the orchard and threw back
the turnips from the root house door in the forenoon and plowing
sod in the afternoon. A. Mark’s in the evening having a sing.
3 - A fine day but pretty cool towards night. Mary Dusty went
home in the forenoon and came home with me in the evening. At
SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached a memorial sermon for Mr.
Blair, a large attendance. Nearly all the Baptist people were there.
At CE, rather a small meeting, R.T. Harrington leader.
4 – Rain, snow and sleet all forenoon. Went up to Joe Burton’s,
fixed the tub, churn, washing machine, apple rack and a pail and
cut some wood in the wood house in the forenoon, and plowed sod
in the afternoon. Pared apples in the evening. Quite a hard frost
tonight.
5 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Cleaned out the pigpen and
plowed sod in the forenoon and cleaned out the closet and dug
some in the orchard in the afternoon while Jennie and baby Annie
went to Port Perry. Jessie Michie here in the afternoon and her and
Mary Dusty went to S. Dusty’s in the evening.
6 – A pretty hard frost in the morning. Rather too hard to plow,
did some chores and helped to wash in the forenoon and went to
Beare’s mill in the afternoon with a load of oats to get ground. Got
the meal home with me. Jennie and Mary Dusty at prayer meeting
in the evening. Plowing match at Myrtle today.
57
7 – Rather a dull day and threatening rain but did not amount to
much. Plowing sod in the forenoon and went to Port Perry in the
afternoon with a load of turnips for Alex Lee, he having sold a car
load to Mr. Monroe. Mary Dusty at Mark’s in the evening.
8 – A little rain through the night but a fine day. Took two loads of
turnips to Port Perry for Alex Lee. Mrs. A. Gordon here for din-
ner.
9 – The King’s birthday. A raw day with several rain and snow
flurries. Plowing sod all day and in the evening drove to Port
Perry for Mrs. Bell who came back from Rochester. A pretty dark
night. A [book?] man here in the afternoon.
10 – A very hard frost in the morning which broke the handle of
the cistern pump. Mary Dusty went home for dinner and stayed
until evening. At SS and church with Jennie and Annie. Mr.
Cameron preached. At CE, a fair meeting. I was the leader, Tem-
perance subject.
11 – Rain through the forenoon and a heavy fog in the afternoon
and rain again at night. Burned off some of the barn timber chips,
picked over some apples and other chores in the forenoon and
plowed sod in the afternoon. Pared apples in the evening. A very
dark night. Put in the fattening steers for the first.
12 – Heavy rain through the night. Plowing sod in the forenoon
and in the afternoon dug out the last of the big elm stump, put a
bottom in a barrel, the first time I ever did the like, while Jennie
went to Port Perry for Mrs. Bell’s trunk.
13 – Plowing sod all day and finished. A pretty hard frost in the
morning and quite a snow towards evening. Mrs. Bell visiting
Miss Smith at A. Lee’s in the afternoon. Samson Martin moved
his threshing machine to A. Lee’s.
14 – A very rough wintery day with high NW wind and some
snow. Fixed the root house windows, dug some in the orchard,
banked up the pantry, fixed the rocking chair, got in the cabbage
and other chores. Went over to Luke’s before supper for the mail
but there was none. Pared apples in the evening. Alex Lee had a
runaway this afternoon.
15 – Snowing a little most of the day. Doing a few chores in the
forenoon and threshing (S. Martin’s machine) at Alex Lee’s in the
afternoon at the Luke place, and in the evening went over to L.
Burnett’s to have a talk on political subjects. A rough snowy
night. Mary Dusty was home for the afternoon.
16 – Threshing at A. Lee’s all day, finished the Luke barn at 9:15,
then moved to his home barn and finished it at 4:30.
17 – A fine day and thawing a little. At SS and church with Jennie
and little Annie. Mr. Cameron preached. At CE, rather a small
meeting, Mrs. W. Wallace leader. Mr. Petty and Rose called in the
afternoon.
18 – A fine day. Went out to Port Perry in the forenoon with
Jennie and Annie and in the afternoon did a few odd jobs. Alex
Lee took away 6 little pigs, 5 at $3.00 each and a runt at $1.00. At
W. Luke’s in the evening with Jennie.
19 – A fine day but not thawing much. Put on the storm windows
and some other chores in the forenoon and drew in some wood into
the woodshed with the sleigh (the first sleighing of the season, but
not very good) in the afternoon. Pared apples in the evening.
20 – A fine day. Fanned up a load of oats and 3 bags of wheat for
a grist in the forenoon and drew in one load of potatoes in the
afternoon, Jennie helping in both cases. In the evening went with
Wes Luke to Port Perry to a little meeting to try to settle the differ-
ences between John Dryden and L. Burnett. The meeting was held
at Mr. J.H. Brown’s. After much talk they decided to bury the
hatchet. Got home about 3 am.
21 – A fine day. Took the load of oats to Port Perry and got 42 cts,
and in the afternoon drew in one load of potatoes. Mrs. Bell at A.
Lee’s for tea. George and Tom Michie got home from Manitoba.
22 – Thawing a little all day and a little rain in the evening. Wes
Luke brought over a pig and we killed it and our one in the fore-
noon, and made a gate in the afternoon. Mrs. Bell went to Port
Perry in the morning and did not get home until after 4. Pared
apples in the evening.
23 – A pretty cold day with east wind. Finished making gate and
cut up the pig in the forenoon and went to Port Perry in the after-
noon to Mr. Allan’s cutter sale. Did not buy anything.
24 – Some warmer with a little rain in the afternoon which froze as
it fell. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. Did not go to
CE as Jennie and her Mother went to church at Port Perry. Jennie
and Annie went down to Mark’s before dinner to see the Manitoba
boys.
25 – About 4 inches of snow through the night and quite a wintery
day but not so very cold. Hung the gate west of the barn and put a
handle in the draw knife in the forenoon and piled up wood in the
woodshed in the afternoon. Pared apples in the evening.
26 – A very cold rough day and drifting a good deal, the lane
blocked with snow. Piled up wood in the woodshed, swept down
the cobwebs in the stable and partly made a saw horse is pretty
much about all that was done out of the house today.
27 – A very cold day, only 5 above zero in the morning which is
very severe for November. Did little but a few chores. Jennie and
Mary Dusty went to Port Perry in the afternoon with the cutter, the
first time it has been out this season, fair sleighing. William Luke
married today.
28 – Thanksgiving day, a fine day but pretty cold. Went to service
in church in the afternoon, Mr. Cameron preached. A fairly good
turnout. Took Mary Dusty home, her month being in. Pared ap-
ples in the evening, probably the last of the season.
29 – Some fresh snow through the night. Warmer and thawing a
little, but colder again towards night. Banked up the root house
with manure and drew wood into the woodhouse.
30 – A fine day. Piled up wood in the woodshed in the forenoon
and drew in one load of potatoes, Jennie helping, in the afternoon.
Quite a few frozen.
58
DEC. 1 - Warmer and thawing fast, the sleighing which has been
good for the last few days is going fast. At SS and church, Mr.
Cameron preached. The congregation was small on account of
Russell Camplin’s funeral. At CE, rather a small meeting, E. Boe
leader.
2 – Some colder. Drew in the remainder of the potatoes in the
forenoon, Jennie helping. Went down to Mark’s before dinner to
see about getting John to help felt paper the house tomorrow. At
Port Perry in the afternoon.
3 – John came up in the morning to help at putting on the felt paper
on the house but we decided that it was too cold to start the job and
he went home. I then cut down two of the apple trees behind the
woodpile and the little tamarack at the cookhouse door and in the
afternoon drew away the brush and put straw on the strawberries.
4 – Another very cold day. Made some scaffolding apparatus and
piled wood in the forenoon and finished the sawhorse and cut some
smaller trees at the north orchard fence in the afternoon. W. Luke
called in the afternoon.
5 – A very fine day but pretty cold in the morning, just at zero.
Went to Port Perry in the morning and when I got home Mr. E.
Boe, R.T. Harrington and A. Akhurst were here. They came to see
about a lecture by Mr. McMillan of Lindsay. They all stayed to
dinner. Jessie came just as they were going away. Trimmed the
trees east of the barn pump in the afternoon and in the evening
went down to Mark’s to see Miss Annie Rennie about helping at
the lectures and had a lesson in music.
6 – A very fine day. Drew off the brush and the wood that I cut
yesterday in the forenoon and in the afternoon started at putting the
paper under the clapboard of the house, John helping. In the eve-
ning went with Jennie to Mr. and Mrs. A. Gordon’s golden wed-
ding, about 40 at it, and quite a good time. They gave Mr. G. A
watch and Mrs. a shawl and hood. Got home at 12:30. Oliver and
Eva called in the evening.
7 – Rather a dull day. All day at papering house, John helping.
8 – Started to snow heavily at 11 am, which turned to a misty rain
during the afternoon. At SS and church with Jennie, Mr. Cameron
preached, giving his personal experiences of the evil of strong
drink. Temperance pledge cards given out in the SS. Did not go to
CE as it was a very dark night.
9 – Went out to Port Perry in the forenoon with little Annie to
change the date on the lecture bills. Cleaned out the pigpen, sharp-
ened the bucksaw and cut some wood in the afternoon. Went
down to Mark’s in the evening and had a sing. Snowing from the
east in the evening.
10 – Several inches of snow through the night and a little falling
through the day but not so very cold. Did very little but a few odd
jobs.
11 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry (with the cutter) with Jennie
and little Annie in the forenoon. At papering house in the after-
noon, John helping. Jennie and Annie went to WFM meeting and
Nellie Michie came home with her and stayed for supper.
12 – A very fine day. At papering the house all day, John helping,
and finished the job.
13 – Thawing, started to rain about noon and continued most of the
afternoon which played mischief with the sleighing which was
very good. Put thumb latch on cattle stable door, put storm win-
dows on Mother’s room and some other odd jobs.
14 – Heavy rain all forenoon and until about the middle of the
afternoon when it turned to sleet and hail and finally to a little
snow. A decidedly bad day. Did nothing but a few chores. Saw
nobody.
15 – A good deal colder. Walked to SS and church, Mr. Cameron
preached. Some wheels and some sleighs, wheels rather the best.
Did not go to CE.
16 – A fine day and pretty cold. Cut some wood in the forenoon
and drew a load of manure for the garden and drew in some wood
to the woodshed in the afternoon. In the evening went with Mrs.
Bell to a lecture in the church by Mr. McMillan of Lindsay. I liked
the lecture well, but Mrs. Bell not at all. Made $20.15 which left
$2.15 to the good.
17 – Fixed the clothes line and cut wood in the swamp all day, the
first of the season. At church managers meeting in the evening.
James Innis was expressing his dislike of the lecture last night.
Snowing a little in the afternoon and evening.
18 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in the swamp in the forenoon
and went to E. Beare’s mill in the afternoon with 14 bags of oats
and got them ground. Mr. Henders here for dinner and took an
order for 3 apple trees. Miss A. Watson married today.
Image above of Beare’s Mill, c1900.
19 – 4 below zero in the morning but turned out a nice day. Cut
wood in the swamp in the forenoon. In the afternoon did little, but
started at 5:45 pm and drove with Jennie to Uxbridge, it being the
opening of their new town hall. A very good concert on the whole.
59
There was over 70 in the chorus, also orchestra, and band, and a
full house. Went with the cutter but the sleighing was rather thin.
Got home at 1 am. Mrs. Bell kept the children.
20 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in the swamp all day. Saw
nobody.
21 – 6 below zero in the morning and a very fine day. Cutting
wood in the swamp all day. At Mark’s in the evening having a
sing.
22 – Warmer, with quite a wind from the SW. At SS and church
with Mrs. Bell, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE, a very small meet-
ing, leader Nellie McMillan did not turn up.
23 – A very fine day. Cut wood in the swamp in the forenoon and
in the afternoon went out to Port Perry with Jennie and little Annie
for some Christmas things. Took the cutter but it was rather poor
sleighing. In the evening went to the annual SS meeting. Not a
very large turnout. They put me in for superintendant. A little
snow in the evening.
24 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in the swamp in the forenoon
and picking over potatoes in the cellar in the afternoon. Mrs. Bell
drove out to Port Perry in the afternoon. In the evening went to a
concert by the S. of T., a fairly good time. $10.60 was the pro-
ceeds. A very fine night.
25 – Christmas, and a very fine day. Went down to Mark’s and got
John to do the chores, and started about 10 am with Jennie, little
Annie, and baby Willie (the first time he was ever off the place)
and got to James Smith’s about 1. Tom Black and all the family
including Alan who has been very sick with typhoid fever, George
and Tom Michie and James C. Masson, and also Mrs. Hallet were
there. Put in a very pleasant afternoon and evening with music and
talk and went to bed about 12. George and Tom left for home at
11. Went with the buggy.
26 – Another very fine day. Intended to be home for dinner but
Willie Smith and Jas. Masson went to Whitby expecting to get a
gramophone that he had bought as a present to Annie his wife, and
we stayed to hear it, but they did not get it, so we got dinner and
started about 3 and got home as it was getting dark. Found that
Mother had been very sick last night when Mrs. Bell was here
alone.
27 – A nice day. Finished picking over the potatoes in the cellar in
the forenoon and in the afternoon went to Greenbank with little
Annie for coal oil. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for dinner. Alex Lee
got a barrel of apples.
28 – A fine day and thawing a little. Cutting wood in the swamp
all day. Mrs. Bell went to Port Perry in the afternoon.
29 – A little snow during the afternoon. At SS and church with
Jennie and little Annie, Mr. Cameron preached, an extra large
congregation. No CE as there is anniversary services in the Meth-
odist church. Mrs. Bell went up to visit Miss Smith in the evening.
30 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in the swamp all day. Went
down to Mark’s in the evening to see William who was hurt with a
tree falling on him last Tuesday. He is getting better. Dusty’s girls
were there. Sandy and Mrs. Alex Gordon here for some apples.
31 – Snowing and very rough with a high NW wind and much
colder. Cutting wood in the swamp most of the day. An Indian
here for dinner, he was selling little picture stands.
1902
Jan. 1 – A very fine day but pretty cold. Went up to Greenbank in
the afternoon with little Annie for some tea. Wes Luke called after
dinner with the mail. Made a gate for the field east of the orchard.
Hot supper in the Methodist church but did not go. Made $130.00.
2 – A fairly fine day with quite a snow storm in the evening. Cut-
ting wood in the swamp all day. G. Michie came up with the team
for a wood rack, but there was none here.
3 – A very cold day (3 to 6 above zero) and rough. Cut wood in
the swamp in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with Jennie to
the preparatory service in the church. Rev. Mr. Wishart of Beaver-
ton preached to a fair congregation. At Mark’s in the evening
having a sing.
4 – 6 below zero in the morning but got warmer during the day.
Cut wood in the swamp in the morning and after dinner took
Jennie and the two babies up to Alex Gordon’s for a visit and went
after them at 5 o’clock. George Fowlie here for dinner and stayed
the afternoon.
5 – A fine day. Went with Mrs. Bell to communion service at
Wick, Mr. Cameron conducted the service. Mrs. Luke here in the
afternoon. At service in the evening, Rev. Mr. Lumbert preached
to a large congregation, there being no service at the Methodist
church. Mr. Cameron preached at Saintfield.
6 – A fine day. Cut wood in the swamp in the forenoon and in the
afternoon drove to Greenbank to vote for councilmen. Voted for
R. Holtby for reeve and Jas. Munroe, Jas. McCullah and W.
Stephens for councilmen.
7 – A fine day. Cut wood in the swamp in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went to Port Perry with Jennie and little Annie. Got little
Annie’s photo taken (2nd
time). Mr. and Mrs. Cameron here while
we were away.
8 – Snowing a little from the east most of the day. Cutting wood in
the swamp in the forenoon but did not go in the afternoon as it was
too wet. Put on some buttings on the shop. In the evening went
with Jennie to the annual church meeting, a fair turnout. Money
matters came out $49.00 ahead. Managers elected. A. Akhurst,
W. Wallace, A. Leask, and John Somerville.
9 – A mild day. Put on some more buttings on the shop in the
forenoon and in the afternoon made a door for the cupboard under
chimney.
10 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in the swamp all day. Had the
[?] down in the evening, the first for a long time.
60
11 – Snow through the night and off and on most of the day which
will make fine sleighing if it does not drift. Drew up some wood
from the swamp in the forenoon (the first of the season) but the
afternoon was snowy. Fixed the back of the sleigh and went over
to W. Luke’s, at least nearly got there and met Oliver and Eva in
the cutter who said Mr. L. was not at home so I rode back with
them.
12 – A very cold rough day. At SS and church with Jennie and
little Annie , the first Sunday that I acted as superintendant. Some
trouble getting teachers. Mr. Cameron preached. Did not go to CE
as it was a rough cold night.
13 – Another very cold day. Cutting wood in the swamp all day.
At church managers meeting in the evening and did not get home
until very near 12. The roads are pretty badly drifted.
14 – A fine day and much warmer. Cut wood in the swamp in the
forenoon and went out to Port Perry with Jennie and little Annie in
the afternoon. Had some oysters for supper, the first for a long
time.
15 – A very fine mild day. Cutting wood in the swamp all day.
Jennie and Annie went out to Port Perry in the afternoon to get
Annie’s photo taken again, they did not like the first proof very
well.
16 – A very nice day. Spent most of the forenoon with W. Luke in
looking at another wood lot and finally bought one for $10.00 and
in the afternoon cut some wood. Went down to Mark’s in the
evening with a letter for John and to get the 2 inch auger. A very
fine clear night. First day of Port Perry races.
17 – A very fine day. 6 below zero in the morning. Drawing wood
from the swamp all day. Mrs. Bell not very well and Mother had a
bad time with sore feet.
18 – A very fine day, but a little rough in the evening. Cut wood in
the swamp all day, Tom Michie helping to saw. Got supper and
was at the chorus when John Michie of Scott, Mrs. R. Greaves and
Gertie Greaves came, and soon after Mr. and Mrs. James C. Mas-
son came and they all stayed all night. Spent most of the evening
until near 12 listening to Mr. M’s gramophone and enjoyed it very
much.
19 – 2 below zero in the morning but got some warmer through the
day. J. Michie and Mrs. Grieves left about 10 am. Went to SS and
church alone. Afterwards Mr. and Mrs. M. and Jennie came to
church, Mr. Sinclair of Sonya preached. At CE with Mrs. Masson,
a fairly good turnout as there had been meeting for some time, it
was election of officers. They put me in for president; R.T. Har-
rington, vice pres. A very bright clear night, road pretty tipsy in
some places.
20 – A fine day and a holiday as nothing was done but listen to the
music of the gramophone, this was music day for sure. Jennie and
Mrs. Masson went to Port Perry in the forenoon. Mr. and Mrs.
Sandy Gordon came down in the morning and Mr. Gordon stayed a
while to hear the music and Mrs. G. stayed until about 4 o’clock
when I drove her home and then went to Greenbank for some
coffee for lunch in the evening. In the evening there was a big
concert which continued until after 12 and everyone was delighted.
The following were present: George, Tom, Nellie and Jessie Mi-
chie; Mr. and Mrs. Luke and Oliver, Eva and Ned; A. Gordon Sr.
and A. Gordon Jr.; Mrs. Alex Gordon and Bessie; Annie and Mary
Dusty; A. Akhurst; Tennie McPhail; Alex Lee; and Miss Smith
and George Lane.
21 – Another day pretty much the same as yesterday. Music until
about 3 when Mr. and Mrs. Masson left for home, taking the music
box with them. They were down at Mark’s awhile in the forenoon.
Started to storm some from the east just when they left.
22 – A great snow through the night from the NE and continued
most of the day. There must be about 14 [inches] at least of new
snow fell and quite a bit of drifting. Helped at washing in the
forenoon, hung the clothes in the kitchen. Fixing the turnip drill in
the afternoon.
23 – A fine day. Went down to the swamp in the forenoon and dug
up some of the wood last cut out of the snow which is over knee
deep. Spent all afternoon with the team breaking roads which are
very heavy.
24 – A fine day. Drawing wood from the swamp. Very heavy
work on account of the snow. Alex Lee brought the mail. No mail
to Greenbank for two or three days.
25 – A very fine day. Cleaned out the pig house in the forenoon
while Mrs. Bell went to Port Perry and in the afternoon drove with
the sleigh to Greenbank with Jennie and little Annie (roads pretty
bad). Got tea at John Lee’s.
26 – A little snow in the morning from the SW which turned to
sleet and then almost to rain, which settled the snow some. At SS
and church alone, Mr. Cameron preached. Mr. James Allan and
family were absent, a very rare thing. Did not go to CE as the
roads, especially through the fields, were very heavy.
27 – Colder and a pretty high wind from the west but not drifting.
Bagged up a grist of oats (16 bags) and helped with the washing in
the forenoon and in the afternoon went with the oats to Port Perry
and got them ground and brought them home.
28 – A very fine day, 2 below zero in the morning. Split some
wood and fixed the turnip drill and some other chores. About 4:30
Willie Smith and his mother came, bringing the gramophone, and
we drove up with the sleigh (Jennie went also) to the church and
gave an entertainment of over 2 hours to a full house and highly
appreciated as far as I could learn. A collection was taken up for
the children’s hospital in Toronto. Between 9 and 10 dollars was
taken up.
29 – A very fine day. Very little done but listen to the gramo-
phone. Willie Smith went down to Mark’s and stayed for dinner.
They left for home about 3. Jennie and little Annie went to Port
Perry at the same time. John Lee called in the evening and had a
talk principally on church matters. 6 years ago tonight since we
started on married life. Fred Love’s baby buried today.
61
30 – A fine day, at zero in the morning. Drew wood from the
swamp and dry wood into the shed all day. W. Luke called with
the mail.
31 – A fine day in the forenoon but snowing from the east in the
afternoon and evening. Drew up wood from the swamp in the
forenoon and in the afternoon went to the District Division of the
S. of T. at Greenbank. A very good attendance. Went with Jennie
and little Annie in the evening to W. Luke’s and had tea and spent
the evening. Alex Lee and Miss Smith were there also.
FEB. 1 - A fine day. Went down to the 11th
conc. and brought
home the last of the wood on the Cragg lot. In the afternoon took
Mrs. Bell to Port Perry on the way to Newcastle. When I got home
Mr. Jas. Miller was here and we went at the report on church life
and work and finished in about 2 hours.
2 – Snowing a little in the forenoon which in the afternoon turned
to a NW blizzard. A perfect terror of a night, the worst this winter
so far. Went to SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. Had all
we could do getting home on account of the drifts. A. Lee rode up
with and home with me. No CE tonight.
3 – Drifting all through the night and all day which makes drifts
from 6 to 8 feet high in some places. Roads all blocked up. No
trains. Did little but the chores. Saw no one expect those of our
own house today.
4 – A finer day and pretty cold. Spent the afternoon in breaking
roads. First time got through at 6 pm. Side road not open at 3 pm.
5 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in the wood shed most of the
day. Went down to Mark’s after dinner.
6 – A very fine day. Cutting wood all day in the swamp with the
saw, Tom Michie helping.
7 – Snowing a little during the day and got quite rough towards
night. Cutting wood all day in the swamp, Tom helping, and fin-
ished the old lot.
8 – Snowing and drifting most of the day, especially towards night
when it got very rough. To all appearances the roads are all
blocked up again. Had Tom helping to cut down the big apple
trees behind the woodpile and the big one near the east fence.
Worked until about the middle of the afternoon when it got too
rough. Nancy cow got a calf in the evening.
9 – Drifting all day and pretty cold. Alex Lee came down in the
morning with the mail which he got yesterday and Oliver came
over in the forenoon on horseback. No one out anywhere on ac-
count of the roads which are all blocked with snow.
10 – 4 below zero in the morning and a cutting NW wind and
drifting a little most of the day. Helping at the washing in fore-
noon and trimming up tree tops in the swamp in the afternoon.
Wes Luke called in the afternoon towards evening.
11 – A somewhat finer day but drifting some in the afternoon.
With Tom’s help we cut some saw logs on the new lot in the
swamp (the first at another new lot). Cut the green pines. In the
afternoon drove with the sleigh to Port Perry for coal oil and some
other things.
12 – Snowing a little most of the day and drifting some. Spent the
day in the shop making a wash stand. Tom came up in the morn-
ing and went to the swamp to cut logs but I did not know that he
was there. He came up about 10 and then went to A. Lee’s and did
not come back.
13 – A much finer day. Cutting saw logs in the swamp with Tom
all day but did not make much headway. Wes Luke tried to take a
load of turnips to the Byers’ place but did not get further than A.
Lee’s and had to turn back.
14 – The finest day for quite a while. Sawing logs in the swamp in
the forenoon, Tom helping, and in the afternoon cut down the big
maple which stood between here and Alex Lee’s. It made 3 fine
12 foot logs which I intend taking to the sawmill to be cut into
flooring.
15 – A most beautiful day. All the trees covered with hoar frost in
the morning and looked something grand. With Tom’s help fin-
ished cutting the maple and then cut the apple tree near the clothes-
line. Tom went home after dinner. In the afternoon I finished and
painted the washstand.
16 – A very fine day. Went to SS and church, Mr. Cameron
preached. At CE in the evening, rather a small meeting. Lizzie
McArthur was to have been leader but failed to appear so the lot
fell to me. A beautiful evening.
17 – A very nice day. Helped at the washing and some other
chores in the forenoon and in the afternoon went to Port Perry with
little Annie (got her photos). Nellie Michie called in the afternoon.
Wes Luke moved to the Byers’ place today.
18 – A pretty cold rough day and drifting some. Cutting wood in
the swamp all day. Alex Lee came down in the evening with the
mail, 5 letters and a postcard.
19 – A very cold morning, 2 below zero and a high NW wind.
Things frozen up in the house, the worst this winter. It got some
milder as the day wore on. Did very little in the forenoon, did the
chores early expecting A. Akhurst to come with his team and go to
a wood cutting bee for the church at Whetter’s, but he did not
come. Cutting in the swamp in the afternoon.
20 – A very fine day. Started to cut the wood pile. Started to do
the chores before dinner when Oliver Luke came in wanting me to
help him out with a colt that got stuck in the snow in Fair’s swamp.
He was taking the colt up to the Byers’ place. After dinner went
with Albert Akhurst’s sleigh, along with Alex Gordon, John and
Tom Michie, to the wood cutting bee for the church at Whetter’s.
Had to walk home alone.
62
21 – A very fine day. Trees covered with hoar frost in the morn-
ing. Drew up wood from the swamp in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went to John Burke’s sale, lot 11, conc. 8. A fair sale
especially cattle and pigs. Did not buy anything. Gave A. Lee a
ride home. Some terrible snow drifts on the roads.
22 – A very fine day. Drawing wood from the swamp and the
orchard all day. Wilbert Lee came down with the mail in the after-
noon.
23 – A very fine day. All the trees covered with hoar frost in the
morning. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. Jas. Allan,
Jas. Leask and G.A. McMillan appointed delegates to prohibition
convention at Toronto on Tuesday. At CE, a fair meeting, R.T.
Harrington leader. G.A. McMillan delegate to convention.
24 – A nice day and thawing a little. Drawing out saw logs from
the swamp in the forenoon. Did a few chores in the afternoon and
then went with little Annie to Port Perry to meet Annie Tait who
came on the train. Wilbert Lee came down with the mail. D.
Perkins had Joe Phoenix before J. Nott today charged with shoot-
ing through his window some time ago. Decision reserved.
25 – A very nice day and thawing a little. Drawing out logs from
the wood lot all day. Anna Tait went with Wes and Mrs. Luke just
before dinner to help them to put down a new parlor carpet and
stayed all night.
26 – A very nice day. Drawing out logs and wood in the forenoon.
When I came home to dinner I found 9 little pigs alive and 1 dead
in the shed. After dinner A. Akhurst and I tried for about an hour
to get the old pig into the root house but failed. Jennie, however,
got her in during the afternoon. We then went to the church wood
bee. I drove with the cutter. Had a stomach ache in the evening
and Jennie and Anna did the chores. Ned Luke here a while in the
afternoon. Thawing quite a bit and roads getting soft.
27 – Thawing quite a bit. Went 3 trips to Beare’s mill with saw
logs, 6 at each load. Jessie Michie here in the forenoon asking
Annie Tait to a party tonight at Fred Bryant’s but Annie took sick
in the afternoon and did not go.
28 – Great rain through the night and off and on all day. Snow
going very fast, bare ground to be seen everywhere, roads impossi-
ble. Did little but a few odd jobs. Jennie started a mat.
MAR – 1 A little rain in the forenoon and thawing some all day.
Split some wood in the shed and some other chores in the forenoon
and in the afternoon drove to Greenbank. Roads very bad after the
thaw, the first to travel most of the road since the break up. No
mail today or yesterday. Gave A. Akhurst a ride home. Saw Mrs.
J. Turner at W. Real’s.
2 – A little rain quite a lot of the day. Turned some colder in the
evening. Nobody out at all today on account of the roads. A long
day to me.
3 – Colder and a little snow and pretty rough day. Spent most of
the day making new rollers for the turnip drill. Anna Tait walked
to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail but someone had got it
before she got there.
4 – A fine day. Cut wood with buck saw most of the day. Anna
went down to Mark’s in the morning with the mail and Nellie came
up with her and stayed until after tea helping hook a mat. Anna
and Nellie went up to A. Lee’s and S. Dusty’s in the evening. Wes
Luke called in the afternoon. He was looking at the roads but the
prospect was not good, in fact there is no passable roads since the
thaw.
5 – A fine day. Cutting wood with buck saw most of the time.
Anna went to Port Perry with G. and Nellie Michie in the after-
noon. Nellie here in the forenoon. Wilbert Lee came with the
mail. Alex Ewen [Ewing?] married.
6 – A fine day. Buck sawed wood in the forenoon. Mrs. Annie
Gordon here for dinner. In the afternoon went with the sleigh to
Port Perry with 10 bags of rye and oats to get ground but did not
get it home. Took Jennie, little Annie and baby down on a visit to
Marshall O’Neill’s and brought them home again. Jessie Michie
here with Anna. They both, with others, went to spend the evening
at Alex Leask’s. Wes Luke called with the mail. Anna did not
come back but stayed at Mark’s all night.
7 – A fine day and thawing quite a bit. Fanned up 15 bags of oats
(Jennie helping a little) in the forenoon and in the afternoon took
them out to Port Perry, the sleighing being very poor. Got 38 cts.
When I got home Mr. F. Franklin and John Park were here horse
collecting and they stayed for supper. Anna came back in the
evening.
8 – Colder with east wind, threatening snow all afternoon but did
not amount to anything. Drawing out wood and poles from the
wood lot all day. Alex Lee had a runaway.
9 – A fine day, some snow through the night but was mostly gone
before night. Went to SS and church with Jennie and little Annie.
Mr. Cameron preached about the recent student’s missionary con-
vention at Toronto. At CE in the evening with Anna, rather a small
meeting. Mrs. Somerville was down for leader but was absent.
10 – A fine day. Drove over with the sleigh as far as Phair’s to see
how the roads were and then went with our maple log to Beare’s
mill. In the afternoon went to the wood sawing bee at the church.
Got tea at John Lee’s (Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gordon Sr. and Mr. and
Mrs. E. Boe were there also) and spent the evening with R.T. Har-
rington and W. Wallace at the church reports. John Lee came
down with me to Alex’s.
11 – Some rain in the forenoon but cleared up about noon. Got up
early and drove Anna Tait to the early train at Port Perry on her
way home, as they are to have a party there tonight. When I got
home Isaac O’Neill was here, the first for a long time. He was just
70 years old today. In the afternoon went to Jas. [Wadel’s ?] sale
near Wick, a very large turnout and good prices, especially live-
stock. Tom Michie went with me. We went by the side road and
came home by the centre road, the side road was far the best
sleighing. Got home at 7. A dark night, thunder and rain.
12 – Rain through the night and some in the forenoon. Thrashed
the beans and cut wood in the forenoon and in the afternoon helped
to shovel out the road. W. Luke, W. Akhurst and Ernest Phair also
at it.
63
13 – Threatening snow a little in the forenoon but did not come to
anything. Sharped the buck saw and cut wood in the forenoon and
went to the church wood cutting bee in the afternoon and finished
the job. Nellie Michie here in the afternoon.
14 – A very fine day and thawing a good deal. Went two trips to
Beare’s mill and took 2 maple logs and brought home some scant-
ling and lumber for pig house. Sleighing very bad in some places.
Alex Lee called before dinner.
15 – A fine day. Went over to Beare’s mill in the morning with the
last maple log and a cedar one. After dinner I started for George
Rose’s sale at Wick with the cutter but turned near D. Cragg’s as
there was no sleighing. I then drove to Port Perry with the buggy
for Mrs. Bell who came back from Newcastle on the 5:30 train.
Isaac O’Neill here after dinner for some turnips.
16 – Thawing and rain. Went to SS and church with Annie and
Jennie, took the cutter but it was very poor sleighing. Small atten-
dance both at SS and church. Mr. Cameron preached. Did not go
to CE on account of the roads.
17 – Colder and a little snow in the afternoon. Drew the brush of
the big maple out of the orchard in the forenoon and cut rafters and
other poles in the afternoon. Jennie washing.
18 – Went three trips to Beare’s mill with logs, sleighing very
poor. Also drew up the remainder of the rafters. Pretty cold day.
19 – A pretty cold day and a good deal of dust. Went two trips to
Beare’s mill with logs and drew away all the lumber from the mill
as they cut it. John Lee called with the mail.
20 – A fine day. Cutting wood in the swamp all day, almost en-
tirely cedar and cut down the last tree on the old lot. Jennie went
to Port Perry in the forenoon. Wes Luke called in the afternoon,
Nellie Michie in the forenoon.
21 – A fine spring-like day. Drew out poles from swamp with the
chain in the forenoon and in the afternoon wood with the sleigh
and finished the old lot.
22 – Another very fine day. Cut wood and some other jobs in the
forenoon and in the afternoon fanned up 23 bags of oats and four
of wheat, Jennie helping. Alex Lee called with the mail and
brought a letter from Aberdeen saying that Mrs. Peter Davidson
and Uncle George Tough had died since New Years. The assessor,
Jas. Moore, called at dusk and Miss Maggie Smith in the evening.
23 – A very fine day. Went to SS and church with Jennie (with the
buggy), Mr. Cameron preached. Did not go to CE as the roads
were very bad.
24 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with a
grist of 4 bags of wheat and 21 bags of oats for sale, got 38 cts.
Got nails etc. for the pig house. In the afternoon took a load of
oats and rye to Beare’s mill to get ground and brought home some
lumber.
25 – A fine day. Went for the meal at Beare’s mill and picked off
some stones in the forenoon and buck sawed wood in the after-
noon. Jennie and little Annie went to Greenbank in the afternoon.
26 – A very fine day. Drew stones for the pig house in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon took 4 old cedar logs on the waggon to
Beare’s mill and got them sawed into planks and brought them
home again with some more lumber. Jennie picking potatoes in
the cellar. Mr. Cameron called in the afternoon. Went to prayer
meeting, not many there.
27 – A very nice day, a little rain in the morning. Cut wood in the
forenoon. W. Mark called and I let the job of finishing cutting
wood for $4.00. In the afternoon went with Jennie to Port Perry
with 18 bags of potatoes and got a suit of clothes for them.
Brought home a load of Mrs. Bell’s things but did not take them
off the wagon as it was 7 before we got home, the roads in some
places being bad.
28 – Good Friday. Somewhat dull and rain in the evening.
Worked at the raspberry bushes and planted a pail of potatoes in
the forenoon and in the afternoon went to preparatory service, Mr.
Cameron preached. Miss Mary Ann Carnegie and Miss Lella
Horne were accepted. Jennie and her mother busy most of the day
putting away the things. George Michie clover threshing.
29 – Rain through the night and most of the forenoon but cleared
up and got colder in the afternoon. Painted the turnip drill and cut
wood in the shed most of the day. A. Butt called and bought the
little heifer for $31.00. Jennie fixing the baby carriage. A. Lee
started to plough.
30 – Easter Sunday. A fine day until about 4 when it started to rain
hard. Went with Jennie to communion service at Greenbank, Mr.
Cameron preached, a fair turnout. Mr. Howard Parker of Orillia
called in the afternoon. Mrs. Bell made a little visit to her friend
Miss Smith at A. Lee’s. Jennie Muntz is there now. Did not go to
CE on account of the rain.
31 – A fine day. Helped Mr. Jas. Miller to frame rafters for pig
house, finished about the middle of the afternoon and I then hung
the gate into the field east of the orchard. Jennie washing and
churning.
APR. 1 – Snow through the night and most of the forenoon but did
not lay long. Finished splitting wood in the shed and trimmed the
black currant bushes in the forenoon and scuffled the raspberry
bushes (with George’s scuffler) and planted some in the afternoon.
McLauchlin buggy agent called in the evening but I did not buy.
Alex Lee called with the mail.
2 – A rather cold raw day, some snow. Went to Port Perry in the
forenoon with Jennie and brought back the remainder of Mrs.
Bell’s things. Roads pretty bad. Put up stones and dug part of the
foundation of pig house in the afternoon. Mrs. Mark here in the
afternoon.
3 – A cool day. Drawing stone all day for the pig house.
64
4 – A very fine day. Digging trench and drawing stone for pig
house until about 4, then raked straw off the strawberries while
Jennie and little Annie went to Greenbank to see H. Love about the
mason work but she did not see him.
5 – A very fine day, quite a hard frost in the morning. Went 2 trips
for sand at McMillan’s in the forenoon and in the afternoon went
to Port Perry for lime and plank. Alfred Butt came after the heifer
but could not take her away.
6 – A very fine day. Jennie and Annie and Willie drove Mrs. Bell
to Port Perry (or nearly there) it being communion Sunday at Port
Perry. One of the buggy wheels played out and she had to borrow
one from E. Taylor. Went to SS and church, extra large turnout at
both. Mr. Cameron preached on the Sabbath. At CE, a fair meet-
ing, had to take the lead.
7 – A very fine day. Henry Love all day building foundation of pig
house and I was mixing the mortar. At church managers meeting
in the evening.
8 – Rather dull day with quite a high east wind especially in the
afternoon. Henry Love at the stone work in the forenoon and
finished the job. Miss Ida Phair came on a visit after dinner, also
Hugh Jack and Dan Boe. They bought the two steers one at 4 cts,
the other at 4 ½. Went to Port Perry to take the borrowed buggy
wheel back and bring Mrs. Bell home.
9 – Rain and snow from the east a good part of the day. Cleaned
out the root house, laid the [sills?] of the pig house and some other
chores. A. Butt came for the heifer and had quite a time of it,
helped him. At prayer meeting, not many out, Mr. Boe leader. An
after meeting was held about the SS anniversary and it was decided
to hold it on May 24.
10 –A little rain about 5 pm. Worked all day at pig house. Nellie
and Jessie here in the forenoon picking up some potatoes and
George came after them in the afternoon. Fowlie heifer calved this
morning.
11 – Worked at pig house until about 4 and got the sides raised,
Jennie helping. Then tied up berry bushes. Jennie cleaning out
cellar. Went down to M. O’Neills in the evening to settle with
Fred but he was not at home.
12 – A little rain and hail several times during the day. Plowing
(1st
of the season) in the orchard and filling furrows and tied up
berry bushes. M. O’Neill and Joseph Ward called wanting to buy
young cattle. Barbara and Willie Smith came about 5 pm for
strawberry plants.
13 – Some rain in the morning but cleared up and got a good deal
colder. Barbara and Willie went down to Mark’s for dinner and
left for home about 2:30. Went to SS and church, Rev. R.P.
McKay, Foreign Missionary Sec., preached on missions. At CE, a
fair meeting. Mr. Boe leader.
14 – A fine day but quite a hard frost in the morning. Fixed the
fence between the house and barn that was blown down. Peeled
some rafters and other chores in the forenoon. Sowed the field
NW of barn, the first of the season.
15 – A fine day. Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry in the fore-
noon while I worked at the berry bushes. Sowed the north field in
the afternoon. W. Mark cutting wood in the afternoon with buck
saw. A. Bongard called and bought the pigs at $6.00 and the [?] to
go in 2 weeks.
16 – A very fine day with some frost in the morning. Mr. Marshall
of Port Perry called in the forenoon to sell a buggy but did not
make a sale. Harrowing the remainder of the day and walked to
prayer meeting in the evening, Mr. Cameron leader.
17 – A fine day. Harrowing and filling in furrows and went down
to Isaac O’Neill’s in the evening and called at Mark’s. W. Mark
here cutting wood in the afternoon and Jessie picking up some
potatoes. Mrs. Isaac O’Neill and their little boy here in the fore-
noon.
18 – A fine day. Took a load of oats to Beare’s mill and brought
home lumber, then worked in the garden. Isaac O’Neill here after
dinner and I then went down to his place and helped him with pigs.
W. Mark cutting wood all day. At political caucus in Greenbank to
choose delegates to convention at Brooklin tomorrow.
19 – Went to Beare’s mill in the morning for the meal, then culti-
vated the last year’s root land which took the rest of the day. W.
Mark cutting wood in the forenoon and finished the job. Thunder
in the afternoon but no rain, but some rain in the evening. Liberal
convention at Brooklin today, John Dryden nominated.
20 – A fine day. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. At
CE, a small attendance. Mr. Miller, who was to have taken the
topic, was unable to attend on account of Mrs. Miller being sick, so
the lot fell to me again.
21 – A little rain in the morning. Jennie and little Annie went to
Port Perry for the apple trees from the Wenona nurseries. Split and
piled wood, planted some potatoes, planted trees and some other
chores. Fred O’Neill called in the evening and I settled up with
him.
22 – A very warm day. Sowing all day and finished for the season.
Jessie Michie came with the mail. 2 cattle buyers called. The
warmest day of the season, high west wind.
23 – A very high wind with much dust and a good deal colder.
Harrowed in the forenoon. After dinner fanned up 10 bags of oats
for Isaac O’Neill, Pat Thompson helping. Afterwards split wood.
At prayer meeting, Mr. Cameron leader, and after meeting about
the SS anniversary.
24 – Went over and got the maple flooring from Beare’s mill and
piled it up at the foot of our side line, 489 feet. Then drew some
chips into the wood shed and rolled the new grass in the afternoon.
Mrs. W. Luke here for tea. A high wind and pretty cold.
25 – A very fine day until about 6 pm when it started to rain and
drizzled on through the evening. Took the 2 steers out to Port
Perry in the morning with John Michie’s help. Jennie drove down
for me. Planted some potatoes and corn in the orchard and split
wood in the afternoon. A. McKinnon, the medicine man, called
after dinner.
65
26 – A great rain and heavy thunder through the night and some
rain in the forenoon. Sowed some grass seed on the bare places on
the hay field. Made a door for the pig house and split wood in the
forenoon. In the afternoon Jennie and Annie went to Greenbank
and I went with them to Wes Luke’s and spent the afternoon at his
raspberry bushes. A very high wind and rather raw.
27 – A fine day but pretty cool. Went to SS and church, Mr. Cam-
eron preached. At CE, a good meeting, G.A. McMillan leader.
28 – A very fine day. Splitting wood in the forenoon and finished
the job. John Michie came up for some tools. Alex Lee cutting
wood with E. Beare’s circular saw. Pruning the orchard in the
afternoon. Jennie housecleaning.
29 – A fine day until about 5 pm when it started to rain and contin-
ued through the evening. Took the 6 pigs to Port Perry in the
morning and got $6.25, they weighed 1010. Drew the brush out of
the orchard in the afternoon. Jennie housecleaning. Mrs. Bell,
who has been very poorly lately, was rather worse today.
30 – A fine day but rather cool. Took off the storm doors and
windows and put on the screens and some other chores in the fore-
noon and worked at the new pig house in the afternoon. At prayer
meeting, anniversary meeting, and choir practice after.
MAY 1 – A fine day but pretty cool. Finished rolling the hay field
and also the field NW of the barn. Alex Lee here after dinner and
helped to kill a pig. Mrs. A. Gordon here for dinner.
2 – Cut up the pig and then went to Beare’s mill and got 6000
shingles at $1.60, then drew out 2 loads of manure. Mr. Akhurst
called in the forenoon, also George and John Michie for the turnip
drill to sow mangels. After dinner Mrs. and Emma Black came
and I did very little all afternoon as it rained off and on a good part
of the time. They left for home about 4 pm.
3 – A very fine day. Drew out manure in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went with Alex Lee to Port Perry to buy a buggy each,
but after looking at the different makes, we did not buy.
4 – Some showers through the day. Went to church and SS, Mr.
Cameron preached a strong doctrinal sermon. At CE, a good meet-
ing, Maggie Blair leader. On the way up I telephoned for the Dr.
for Mrs. Bell. Dr. R. Archer came, he says the trouble is malaria.
5 – A fine day. Went down to Mark’s in the morning to get Nellie
to help for a day or two. She came in the afternoon. Drawing out
manure most of the day. Alex Lee called after dinner with the mail
and put rings in the old sow’s nose.
6 – Some rain about noon and a heavy thunder shower between 6
and 7. Spread manure and some other chores in the forenoon while
Jennie and little Annie went to Port Perry principally to see the Dr.
about Mrs. Bell who is no better. Nellie Michie here all day.
Plowing mangle ground in the afternoon.
7 – A fine day. Drilling up for mangles. At prayer meeting. Mr
Cameron not there as he is supposed to be marrying Albert Akhurst
and Annie Dusty. Nellie Michie here all day. Pat Thompson here
after dinner for some strawberry plants.
8 – Sowed the mangels in the forenoon and in the afternoon went
to Port Perry for the window sash and some lumber. Rain on the
way out and quite a thunderstorm about 8. Parkins, the old iron
man, here for dinner and Mrs. A. Akhurst in the afternoon and for
tea.
9 – Quite cold and raw with a very high NW wind. Went to
Beare’s for 400 feet of lumber in the forenoon and tore down the
old pig pen in the afternoon. Jennie papering the south bedroom
upstairs. Went up to Alex Lee’s in the evening, he had a cow
which they killed last night for tuberculosis. George here in the
morning for the roller.
10 – A hard frost in the morning. Drew out manure for corn in the
forenoon and plowed in the afternoon. A. Lee called with the mail
and George Michie for some music.
11 – A fine day but somewhat cool. At SS and church. A college
student, Mr. Henderson, preached in the interest of the student’s
missionary movement. At CE with little Annie, a good meeting.
Mrs. G. A. McMillan leader. Jennie up to A Lee’s in the forenoon.
Mrs. Luke here in the afternoon and Miss Maggie Smith in the
evening.
12 – Went out to Port Perry in the morning to order the SS anni-
versary bills. Plowing in the afternoon, rain off and on during the
afternoon.
13 – A fine day. Planted strawberries in the forenoon, Jennie help-
ing. A. Lee called and in the afternoon went with Jennie and little
Annie to Port Perry for the anniversary bills and ordered a
McLauchlin buggy. Went to Greenbank in the evening to hear an
address on foreign missions by Mr. Henderson and a very good
one it was. Gave Nellie and Jessie a ride home. Mrs. Wright and
Edith Phair called in the afternoon. Isaac O’Neill came after 2
bags of oats. Reach council around looking at roads.
14 – A fine day but somewhat cool. Planting strawberries in the
forenoon, Jennie helping, and finished. Finished tearing down the
old pig house and worked a little at the new one. A choir practice
in the evening.
15 – A very fine day. Working all day at the pig house, John Mi-
chie helping. W. Perkins called and Jas. McKitrick selling binder
cord.
16 – A very nice day. Rolling the north field in the forenoon and in
the afternoon took 10 bags of oats to Beare’s mill and brought
home 300 feet of lumber. Rolled a little after I got home. Isaac
O’Neill here for the turnip drill.
17 – A beautiful day. Rolling in the forenoon and in the afternoon
harrowed and rolled the corn ground and then planted some horse
corn in the orchard. Jennie, Annie and Willa went to Greenbank.
18 – A very fine day. At SS and church, this being anniversary
Sunday. Mr. Sinclair of Sonya conducted the services both after-
noon and evening. Very large turnout at both, and good sermons.
Annie Rennie and Mrs. Cameron helped in the choir.
66
19 – A fine day and very warm. Went to Beare’s mill in the morn-
ing for the meal and drew out manure for potatoes the rest of the
day.
20 – A very fine day. Drilling up for corn in the forenoon and
planted it in the afternoon. Nellie and Jessie called in the evening.
R. Balfour broke his cream waggon and also A. Lee’s.
21 – A very fine day. Plowing awhile in the morning, then Jennie
and little Annie went to Port Perry principally for baking material
for the anniversary. Plowing potato land in the afternoon, little
Annie riding on the plough for the first time. Walked to prayer
meeting, Mr. Cameron leader.
22 – A very warm day and a good deal of thunder during the after-
noon. Started to rain about 3:30 and continued off and on until
about 7. A very heavy storm between 6 and 7. Harrowed the
potato ground in the morning and then drew manure until stopped
by the rain. Things are growing very rapidly these days. This is
nomination day for the Ontario General Elections. Alex Lee and I
had it arranged to go to Port Perry to a meeting tonight but the rain
prevented us. It was Mr. Dryden’s meeting.
23 – Very warm. A terrific thunder storm with some hail about 11.
A good deal of thunder in the afternoon and some very heavy rain
to the south. Drew out manure until about 3 pm when the Jess
mare had a colt. Worked at the pig house the rest of the afternoon.
24 – A dull morning and rain several times but cleared up in the
afternoon. Working at the pig house in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went with Jennie and little Annie to the SS Anniversary,
a large turnout and a big success. The following took part: the
orchestra; Miss Mitchell of Toronto; Miss Gould and Miss Graham
of Uxbridge; Miss Rennie; W. Horne; Rev. Mr. Lambert; and A.
McMillan. Made $120.00.
25 – A very fine day except a little rain about 5 and 6 pm. At SS
and church with Jennie and Annie. SS held in the church. Mr.
Arch McMillan of Sonya preached a good sermon. No CE tonight.
26 – A heavy rain between 11 and 12. Working at the pig house
all day, John Michie helping, and at 6 o’clock went with Jennie
and Annie to the after social at the church. Quite a good turnout
and made about $14.00.
27 – A very dull day, rain off and on most of the day and pretty
raw. Working all day at the pig house, John helping. Jennie went
to Port Perry in the forenoon. M. O’Neill called in the evening.
28 – A very cold raw day with some snow in the forenoon. Work-
ing at pig house in the forenoon and putting new windows in house
in the afternoon. At prayer meeting in the evening, Mr. Cameron
leader, meeting very small. Rev. Mr. Dixon of Seagrave held a
meeting in the hall to tell his views on the prohibition question.
Rather a small turnout, did not stay to hear him. Mrs. Isaac
O’Neill and the little boy here in the forenoon.
29 – A fine cool day. Put in the last window in the room (the west
one) and then went to Greenbank and voted for Mr. Dryden, this
being Ontario General Elections. Called at W. Luke’s for some
eggs but did not get any. Hoed in the orchard in the afternoon and
in the evening went to Port Perry to hear the election news. Dry-
den elected but it was uncertain about the government, the last
report puts them 4 or 5 ahead. A very dark night. Mrs. I. O’Neill
here in the morning.
30 – A fairly fine day with a little rain in the afternoon. Went
down to George’s in the morning and got the lend of a horse, then
plowed and planted with corn the little plot near the barn pump,
then made a few drills for potatoes. In the afternoon went to Port
Perry principally to bring home the new buggy but did not do so as
the roads were pretty muddy and the buggy was not according to
order. Jennie went to W. Luke’s in the evening for eggs and to
O’Neill’s for cooking hens. Government majority 5 according to
the Globe and Mail today.
31 – A very fine day. Drilling up for potatoes in the forenoon and
drawing out manure in the afternoon. Quit at 4:30 and then went
to Port Perry with Jennie and little Willie to see Mr. Marchall
about the new buggy. James Wallace called when we were away
wanting to buy the colt. Jessie called.
JUNE 1 – A very fine warm day. Went to SS and church with
Jennie and little Annie, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE with Jennie
and little Willie. R.T. Harrington was to have been leader but did
not come, therefore it fell to me.
2 – A fine day with a few drops of rain in the forenoon. In the
morning went with the waggon to Greenbank for a barrel of sugar,
the first ever brought on the place. Little Annie went with me.
Drawing out manure the rest of the day. Alex Lee sowing turnips.
Tom Michie away to Victoria Corners to an anniversary. Jennie
housecleaning the kitchen. Started to send the cream to the Port
Perry creamery, the first ever sent off the place. Big thunder storm
after we had gone to bed.
3 – Rain the first thing in the morning, a thunder shower. Drawing
out manure in the forenoon and finished the job. Plowing in the
afternoon. Word that the war in South Africa is over.
4 – Quite cool again. Planted potatoes in field, 26 drills and 8
drills of corn. At prayer meeting in the evening, Mr. Cameron
leader. Gave John Lee a ride down to Alex’s.
5 – A most beautiful day, clear and not a cloud to be seen. Plow-
ing all day at turnip land. Jennie most of the day at the weeds in
the garden. James Smith came at 6 pm. Isaac O’Neill brought
back the turnip drill.
6 – A fine day but somewhat dull towards night. Jas. Smith went
to Fred Love’s in the forenoon to see him about shingles. He left
for home after dinner. Plowing until about 4 when I went to Port
Perry for the new buggy, but went on a fool’s errand.
7 – A very fine day, but rain through the night. Finished plowing
the turnip ground, then plowed in the orchard, then harrowed the
turnip land. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for tea. Dug in the garden
after supper.
67
8 – Quite a cool day. Went to SS and church with Jennie and little
Annie, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE, Mrs. W. Wallace was to
have been the leader but failed to appear so it fell to me again.
Mrs. Bell at A. Lee’s in the evening.
9 – Another pretty cool day. Harrowing turnip land in the fore-
noon. Took George’s horse home after dinner then went to Man-
chester for the road list. Called at Uncle’s. Mrs. Bell went with
me as far as Port Perry. In the evening called at A. Lee’s and A.
Akhurst’s and went up to the concession and stuck up a road job
bill.
10 – A cool day with some rain flurries in the forenoon. Enlarged
the calf pasture, rolled part of the turnip land, and then drilled up
and sowed 44 drills of turnips (the 1st
of the season). George took
away the drill. Mrs. Luke called on her way to Port Perry.
11 – Pretty cool day. Went for the beef in the morning, then scuf-
fled the strawberries and potatoes in the orchard, then hoed the
strawberries and part of the raspberry bushes, Jennie helping. Mr.
and Mrs. Cameron came at 4:30 and stayed to tea. Went to prayer
meeting. Some rain just after I got home.
12 – A fine day, a little rain at 9 pm. Hoed in the orchard and in
the afternoon finished rolling the turnip land and harrowed the
corn. Alex Lee brought our new buggy from Port Perry. Jennie,
Mrs. Bell and the two children at W.F.M. meeting at Mrs. Mark’s.
Job letting on the concession in the evening. John Watson’s barn
raising this afternoon.
13 – Some rain through the night but a fine day. Scuffled the
mangoles and some other chores in the forenoon and in the after-
noon went to Manchester for pipe for road culverts. G. Michie
came up in the evening to see about the turnip drill but it was at W.
Luke’s. Jennie and the children visiting at Lee’s and Akhurst’s in
the afternoon.
14 – A very fine day. Working all day on the road, spreading
gravel and cutting brush along the road. The gravel drawers were
on a $10.00 job but I was doing road work. Mrs. Bell went to Port
Perry with the new buggy, the first time out. Carnegie’s Mill12
At
Port Perry burned early this morning.
15 – Quite a warm day. At SS and church, Rev. Mr. Nixon of
Ayre preached an excellent sermon. Mrs. Bell rode up to church
but on the way she lost her book and she walked all the way back
looking for it and found it near our gate. At CE with Jennie and
Annie, G.D. McMillan leader. Jas. Allan not at church. At assem-
bly meeting.
16 – Some thunder through the night and morning. A drizzly rain
most of the forenoon but cleared up. Got cooler with a high NW
wind. Drilled up 60 turnip drills and sowed them. John brought
the sower home. George and Tom away to [?] to play. We had the
first strawberries of the season for tea.
12
Carnegie Flouring Mill and Planing Mill
17 – A pretty cool day with high NW wind. Hoeing mangels most
of the day. Jennie and little Annie went to Greenbank in the morn-
ing, and Jennie, Mrs. Bell, and the children visiting at W. Luke’s in
the afternoon.
18 – A very fine day. Working all day at pig house, John helping.
Put on the sheeting. At prayer meeting, Mr. Cameron leader. An
after meeting about SS matters.
19 – Working all day at pig house, John helping, and got about ½
of north side shingled. In the evening went with Jennie and little
Annie to lawn concert at Wick, rather cool night, but a very good
time. The Uxbridge orchestra; Miss Mitchell of Toronto and the
great Jim Fax were the performers. Fax was the star and did his
part well. They took in $66.00. We got home about 12 o’clock.
20 – Finished drilling and sowing turnips and harrowed the pota-
toes and corn. At Mark’s a little while in the evening asking hands
to a shingling bee tomorrow and having a little sing. Jennie and
little Annie went to Port Perry in the afternoon with 5 boxes of
strawberries, the first of the season.
21 – Rain through the night and most of the forenoon drizzling a
little, but cleared up and a fine afternoon. Hoed a few mangols in
the morning and then hung the pig house door. In the afternoon a
shingling bee. Norman Phair, Albert Akhurst, Tom Michie (from
A. Lee’s) and George and John Michie were at it (all that were
asked). Got along very well but hardly finished as the nails went
down.
22 – A very cool day for the time of year. Overcoats were quite
common. At SS and church with Mrs. Bell, Mr. Cameron
preached. G. and T. Michie, Mrs. W.H. Leask and I sang a piece
in SS (the 1st
). At CE with Jennie and little Annie, Arch McArthur
leader. Officers elected for next half year, Maggie Blair president,
G. Michie Vice. Pres., W. A. Leask sec., and A. Akhurst treas.
23 – Another very cool day. Hoed mangols in the forenoon and in
the afternoon went to Port Perry on some business and waiting for
the 5:30 train expecting Willa Bell from Rochester but she did not
come.
24 – Quite a bit of thunder and some rain in the forenoon and a
little in the afternoon. Hoeing mangols and finished. Jennie and
little Annie went to Port Perry in the forenoon with strawberries
and to meet Willa but she did not come. They went again in the
afternoon with the same success. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Love called
in the afternoon and brought some cabbage plants and Mr. and
Mrs. J.M. Burns called in the evening on their way home from
Cannington.
25 – Went in the forenoon to George Tocher’s near Blackwater and
got home just before dinner. Willa Bell arrived a few minutes
after, she came to Port Perry last night and got a ride out today.
Shingled at the pig house for a while when I had to stop for the rain
and then hung the hen house door. Jennie went to Port Perry for
Willa’s trunk. It started to rain very soon after leaving and rained
all the way there and back and all through the evening. She heard
in Port Perry that King Edward VII was sinking fast and there
68
would be no coronation tomorrow. William Beaton and Robie
McLeod married this afternoon, there is said to be 200 invitations
out and the supper was to be on the lawn but the rain would spoil
this part of it. Edith Phair here for strawberries.
26 – Another pretty cool day. Went to Greenbank in the morning
to see the horse man and the rest of the day made and hung the
door on the buggy house. Wes Luke called in the afternoon, also
Ned. This was to have been the coronation of Edward VII. Alex
Gordon called in the morning to see about strawberries and Alex
Lee with the road money.
27 – A fine day but still pretty cool. Worked at the pig house in
the forenoon and finished the shingling. In the afternoon went
with Jennie and little Annie to the preparatory service in the
church, Mr. Cameron preached. Mrs. Alex Gordon came in by
certificate. Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon with straw-
berries.
28 – A very fine day and some warmer. Excursion to Guelph
today. Sowed some buckwheat in the orchard, scuffled the straw-
berries and potatoes and corn in the orchard. Drew away the rub-
bish about the new building and put windows in new hen house.
Jennie went to Port Perry before dinner with strawberries. Mrs.
Phair and Mrs. Wright called in the afternoon for strawberries, also
Oliver, Eva and Ned Luke for the same purpose in the evening.
Between 8 and 9 Mundo Perrin, Alma and Bella Slemon came and
stayed all night.
29 - A cool morning with east wind and a little rain about noon but
cleared up and was a fine afternoon. Went with Mrs. Bell to
Communion service at Wick, not quite so many as usual out, espe-
cially from Greenbank. Mundo Perrin went to Uxbridge to see
some friends. In the evening went with Willa Bell and Bella
Slemon to the Methodist SS anniversary at Greenbank. Rev. Mr.
Jollife [Jocliffe?] preached a good sermon but rather long. Willa
thinks he was too slangy. A full house.
30 – Went down to Mark’s the first thing in the morning and got
the key of the boat and two trolling lines, then Mundo Perrin, Bella
Slemon and I went over to the lake but did not get even a bite.
Rain came on a little when we were there. After dinner all hands
went at picking strawberries and picked altogether 70 boxes, rain-
ing most of the time and all got pretty wet. Mildred Love came
and got 3 boxes and Oliver Luke 1 box for themselves and 6 for
Mrs. Stone. John Michie came up in the evening for 2 bags of
oats. The Newcastle folks left for home at 5 pm, the weather not at
all bright, but it turned out not so bad.
JUL. 1 – Rather dull in the morning but soon cleared up and was a
very fine day. Started at 9 with Jennie and little Annie for Ux-
bridge to attend the Old Boy’s reunion demonstration. We went
principally to hear the 48th
Highlanders band of Toronto, but heard
but very little of them. There was a very large crowd. Got home
between 5 and 6. The Methodist SS anniversary was held in the
church and grounds, not in the bush as usual.
2 – A fine day. Hoed the strawberries and corn in the orchard and
scuffled the corn in the field. Nellie Michie helping to pick straw-
berries, a big picking of about 120 boxes. Mrs. H. Love and James
Ewin came for berries before dinner and just after dinner Tom
Black and Annie and Ralph came. Tom went to G. Frankling’s
with A. Lee and Annie went down to Mark’s awhile in the after-
noon. They left for home between 6 and 7. Alex Lee brought the
beef and came again after dinner for the horse rake. Went to
Greenbank in the evening to see the horse man. Mrs. Bell and
Willa drove down to J.M. Burn’s with strawberries and stayed all
night.
3 – A heavy rain through the night. Worked at the new building
most of the day. Went down to George’s to see about a yearling
heifer that has got out of the field. Mrs. Bell and Willa came back
about 8 pm.
4 – Quite a warm day with thunder in the evening. Hoeing all day
at the corn. G. Rose called in the afternoon and talked life insur-
ance. Nellie Michie all day picking strawberries and Jessie awhile
in the afternoon. John Lee and Bella called in the forenoon for
berries and Mrs. G.A. McMillan, John Lee, and Elgie and Mrs. W.
Real in the afternoon and evening. Jennie drove up to Luke’s, M.
O’Neill’s and A. Gordon’s with berries in the evening. Picked 130
boxes, the biggest on record. Big thunder storm after 9.
5 – Very warm and sultry with thunder most all day, especially in
the evening. Several showers in the evening. Jennie went to Port
Perry the first thing in the morning with strawberries. Drew 2
loads of brick 1400 from M. O’Neill’s for the floor of the pig
house, then 2 loads of dirt for the same. After supper I went over
to John Watson’s to see about getting berry boxes. He had none so
I went down to Seagrave and got 250 from R. Thompson. Rain on
the way there and just after I got home. Very muddy roads.
6 – A fine day but some thunder but no rain here. Went to SS and
church with Jennie, Willa and little Annie, Mr. Cameron preached.
At CE in the evening with Willa but she did not come home with
me. Maggie Blair was leader.
7 – Pretty close and warm with thunder in the forenoon and in the
afternoon more and more until between 3 and 5 a most terrific
thunderstorm. The lightning was terrible and the rain in deluges
but very little wind and no hail. Nellie Michie here all day picking
berries, 142 boxes, but had to stop on account of the rain. Nellie
McMillan and Mrs. T. Lamb here before dinner for berries, Mr.
and Mrs. R. Monroe of Manchester after dinner, and Mrs. W. Real,
Mrs. C. Gordon and Isaac Beare later on. Jennie and little Annie
went to Port Perry with berries and got a new set of dishes. They
had to go into G. Dowson’s on the way home for shelter from the
storm. Barbara and Jessie Smith and Alma Black came just after
dinner and stayed all night. Worked most of the day laying the
brick floor in the pig house. John Lee and Bella called before
supper. Went to church managers meeting in the evening but there
was no business to do.
8 – A very fine day and much cooler. E. Beare called in the morn-
ing for strawberries but got none. He told me that the road was
washed out at the corner so I went down and fixed it the first thing,
then scuffled a few drills of turnips but it was very wet. Then hoed
turnips most of the remainder of the day. Nellie Michie came up
and helped to finish picking the strawberries, about 60 boxes.
Willa took some up to Burton’s and W. Real’s. The Columbus
folks left for home between 9 and 10.
69
9 – Went after the beef the first thing in the morning, then went to
A. Lee’s to help him with his hay that has been out all through the
rain lately, but we had only got a little in when the rain came on
again and stopped us. I then finished laying the floor of the pig
house. Nellie Michie here helping at the berries until the rain came
on. Just after we had dinner Uncle from Manchester and Barbara
(Mrs. Lamb) and her two children came and stayed about two
hours. The W.F.M.S. met here in the afternoon, also the two
youngest classes in the SS, to get a feed of strawberries. There was
a good turnout, 53 in all. Mrs. J. Campbell of Woodville was the
principal speaker in the W.F.M.S. The children had supper out in
the lane but the rain came on just as the lady’s table was being set
so they had to come inside. Leslie Phoenix and Mrs. Jas. Boe
called for berries but did not get any. Had the first new potatoes of
the season.
10 – A fine cool bright day and no rain. Scuffled and hoed turnips
in the forenoon and helped A. Lee with his hay in the afternoon.
May Beare, Mrs. W. McMillan and Willie O’Neill called for ber-
ries. Willa visiting at A. Lee’s in the evening. Nellie and Jessie
picking berries.
11 – A very fine day, cool. Hoed turnips all day. Mildred Love
called in the afternoon, and George, John, Tom, Nellie and Jessie
Michie, and Miss Jennie Munty here in the evening getting a feed
of strawberries.
12 – A very fine bright day and cool. Hoed turnips until about 4
pm and finished the first sowing which is all that is ready. Then
put in the trough in the new pig house and got the pigs in for the
first time. Washed the buggy after sundown. Nellie Michie help-
ing to pick berries, about 60 boxes picked. This will be the last of
any account. Jennie and little Annie at Port Perry in the forenoon
and Greenbank in the afternoon. Mrs. W. Real and Mr. and Mrs.
Peter Lambe called in the afternoon and got 4 boxes of berries and
Ed McArthur, Lizzie and May Peter in the evening for the same
purpose but they got none. Big afternoon preserving strawberries
and got through about 10 o’clock.
13 – A very fine day but pretty warm, about 80. At SS and church
with Mrs. Bell, Mr. Cameron preached. His text was “Lo, I am
with you always”. Mrs. Bell went to the Baptist church. At CE
with Jennie and Willa. Jennie was leader and a good meeting.
Some talk after about a social.
14 – Thunder all day with a few drops of rain at 1 pm. and quite a
shower between 7 and 8. Hoeing the berry bushes in the forenoon
and scuffling turnips, corn and mangols in the afternoon. Jennie
and Willa picked the gooseberries and some black currants and 17
boxes of strawberries.
15 – A fine day, some thunder but no rain here. Hoeing turnips all
day. Put up the gate west of the new building after 6:30. Jennie
went to Port Perry in the forenoon with strawberries, gooseberries,
black currants, and new potatoes (1st
of the season). Picked 48
boxes strawberries today, pretty near done now.
16 – A fine day. Bagged up 10 bags of oats in the morning and
took them to Beare’s mill, then went on to Uxbridge and got 10
bags of pig feed. Got back home about 1. Hoeing turnips in the
afternoon. G. Ross called again about life insurance but did no
business with me. Jennie took little Annie to the Dr. in the after-
noon as she has not been well for the last 2 or 3 days. The Dr. says
it is an epidemic among the children but she will be all right again
in a few days. At prayer meeting with Willa, a fair meeting, Mr.
Cameron leader. An after meeting to make arrangements about the
berry social. It was decided to hold it 2 weeks from tomorrow.
The first raspberries of the season.
17- A very fine day but somewhat dull in the morning. Quite a
high NW wind in the afternoon. Some rain through the night.
Hoeing turnips in the forenoon and scuffling mangols, turnips,
strawberries and corn in the afternoon. Hoed the little corn patch
near the barn after supper. Willa picked the cherries, not very
many. Baby Willie pretty sick with the epidemic today. Willa
went down to Mark’s in the evening to see how John was, he has
had another sick spell, but is some better again.
18 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips until 3 pm when I went to
help Alex Lee with his hay and worked until 8:30. Mr. and Mrs.
W. Marshall here in the afternoon with the whip holder for the
buggy.
19 – Threatening rain most of the forenoon but it did not amount to
much, but in the afternoon it was a regular down-easter rain. Hoed
turnips in the forenoon and after dinner went down and got John
and we worked the afternoon enlarging the grainery. Annie and
Willie both pretty sick but they appear to be a little better at night.
20 – At SS and church with Mrs. Bell, Mr. Cameron preached.
Did not go to CE as I was not feeling very well. Quite a heavy rain
in the evening.
21 – Rain through the night and the greater part of the day from the
east. Cleared up towards night. At the grainery until supper, John
helping, and finished the job. After supper put up part of the pig
yard fence. Alex Lee called in the forenoon.
22 – A very fine day and no rain. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon
and finished scuffling them in the afternoon. Hoeing again after
supper. Jennie, Willa and the two children at Port Perry in the
afternoon. Mrs. Bell washed the single harness. George and Tom
Michie at Toronto getting musical instruments.
23 – Rain at 12 and a lot of thunder during the afternoon but no
rain. Hoeing turnips all day. At prayer meeting with Willa. Meet-
ing after about the social at A. Leask’s. Mrs. Bell visiting at Mr.
Akhurst’s.
24 – A fine day, no rain here. Hoed turnips all day and finished for
the first time. Willa went to Port Perry in the morning to order the
bills for the social and again in the afternoon with berries. Whetter
Bros. cut barley today, the first grain cutting that I have heard of.
25 – A very fine clear day. Paris greened the potatoes in the fore-
noon and helped George with hay (on the Luke place) in the after-
noon. Drove up to W. Luke’s in the evening to see about getting
the mower to cut hay. Mrs. Phair and Mrs. Ferguson of Port Perry
called in the evening. Mrs. Bell, Willa and little Annie at A. Lee’s
in the evening.
70
26 – A fine day and pretty warm. Quite a lot of thunder but no rain
here. Got W. Luke’s mower and cut the hay east of the orchard (a
heavy crop). Took the mower home and got back in time for sup-
per. Hoed strawberries after supper. Jennie and little Annie went
to Port Perry after dinner with berries and for bread. Mrs. Bell
visiting at Mrs. Phair’s.
27 – A very heavy thunder storm between 1 and 2 pm. At SS and
church with Willa, Mr. Cameron preached. A young man, Purvis
of Toronto, sang a solo. At CE with Willa, a fair meeting, Ethel
Miller leader. George, John and Tom Michie sang a piece. The
rain has lodged the grain a good deal.
28 – A fine day and no rain. Fixed the gate and made the fence
about the pig pen. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon with berries
and to get some repairs for the binder. Turned some of the hay
after supper.
29 – A very fine day. Turning hay and plowing and hoeing straw-
berries in the forenoon. Raking and cocking hay, Jennie helping, in
the afternoon. George helped after supper and got in 4 loads.
Went up to Lee’s in the evening to get help for tomorrow. Willa
went to Greenbank in the afternoon for bread.
30 – Another very fine day. Drew in hay, 8 loads, George and
Tom Michie helping and finished what was cut. Raked it over
after dinner and Jennie and little Annie went to Port Perry with
berries. When they came home I drove up to W. Luke’s to see
about getting his mower and drew it home behind the buggy. After
supper started to cut hay but had to quit as the knives were too dull.
With Jennie’s help we took in the load of rakings. Jessie Michie
here in the afternoon picking berries, a big picking, 52 boxes.
31 – A fine day. Cut the last half of the hay in the forenoon, took
the mower home after dinner, then scuffled the mangols and some
turnips. Quit at 5 and with Mrs. Bell (Willa went earlier) went to
the lawn social at Alex Leask’s in connection with the CE. There
was a large crowd and about $120.00 was taken in. The Claremont
Band and James Fax supplied the music. Port Perry and Green-
bank football teams played and got 1 goal each. Just as the concert
closed it started to rain very heavy and continued for a long time
and a great many remained until the rain was over. It was very
dark, we got home at 1:30.
AUG. 1 – A very fine day. Went the first thing in the morning to
Seagrave for binder cord. Had a long talk with R. Thompson on
prohibition. When we got home W. Luke was here for the binder.
After dinner Mrs. Bell drove to A. Leask’s, then to Greenbank,
then Jennie went to Port Perry with berries while I helped W. Luke
to cut fall wheat. Did not get along very well. Eva drove me
home. Jessie Michie here picking berries, 68 boxes picked. Mrs.
M. O’Neill, Lew and Lillie here for berries.
2 – A very fine day. Did some hoeing and turned some hay and
then Jennie horse raked while I cocked up. In the afternoon John
and Tom helped to draw in hay, 8 loads. 14 boxes berries picked
today. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for dinner. Alex Lee and Maggie
Smith were married tonight. They drove back to Mr. Cameron
who did the job.
3 – A very fine day. Thunder in the morning but no rain. Mrs.
Bell and Willa went up to church at Pert Perry so I had to walk to
SS. G. Miller reviewed the lesson. Mr. Cameron preached. At CE
with Jennie and Willa, Nellie McMillan leader, an extra large
turnout.
4 – A very fine day. George came up in the morning and helped to
draw in the last of the hay. I then raked it and drew it in with
Jennie’s help and so finished haying. Hoed mangols the remainder
of the day. Jessie Michie, Mrs. Alex Gordon and little Bessie here
picking berries and all stayed for dinner. Willa drove her mother
to Port Perry in the forenoon on her way to Newcastle. Drove up
with Willa and the two children to Luke’s in the evening and called
to see Mr. Akhurst who is in bed sick.
5 – Went to W. Luke’s for the binder in the morning and did some
repairing to it. John came up with a horse to help but we only got
one round of the bit of rye before dinner. After dinner rain came
on and nothing more was done in cutting. E.D. Weeks, driven by
G. Real of Port Perry, called taking subscriptions for the new tem-
perance paper, The Pioneer. Went to Greenbank with Willa to see
a football match and a meeting about organizing a band. It was
decided to go on with the band. Scuffled turnips in the afternoon.
6 – A fine day. Scuffled turnips awhile in the morning, then with
George Michie’s help, cut the rye. Got done between 3 and 4.
Shocked it up and hoed a few mangols. Mrs. Alex Gordon here
picking berries and stayed for dinner. Annie Black, Emma and
Alfred came about 10 and picked berries. They left for home after
supper. Went to prayer meeting with Willa, Mr. Cameron leader.
Excursion to Niagara Falls, quite a number from here went.
7 – A fine day until evening when it started to drizzle a little.
Scuffled the remainder of the turnips the second time, the mangols
again and the strawberries and hoed some mangols.
8 – A fine day except a little drizzle for a short time in the after-
noon. Hoeing mangols and finished 2nd
time, then hoed strawber-
ries. Hughie Leask here for berries and Mrs. Bryant likewise but
she did not get any. George called for the horse rake. A. Lee also
called.
9 – A fine day. Drew in the rye in the forenoon with George’s help
and in the afternoon went with Jennie and the two children to Port
Perry partly to see about repairs to binder. Quite a large crowd out
as the Pan American Circus was there. Mrs. Bell who came to Port
Perry yesterday from Newcastle rode home, so I had to walk. Mrs.
E. Ward here in the afternoon for berries but only got 5 boxes.
This is coronation day King Edward VII.
10 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Willa and
little Annie, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE with Mrs. Bell, a fair
meeting. I was leader of the topic, talked about disposing of the
social money but nothing done.
11 – A fine day and cool. Wes Luke came down in the forenoon
and we spent quite awhile looking at the binder. I then drove the
binder up to Luke’s gate. He was to take it to Greenbank to see if
the blacksmith could fix it but just before he got started John
Browne and Fred Taggart came trying to sell a new binder. Talked
with them, they then, with Wes, came here and we talked for a
71
long time but no sale. I afterwards raked the rye and drew it in
with Jennie’s help. Scuffled turnips (3rd
time) after supper. Nellie
Michie here picking berries, they are getting nearly done.
12 – A beautiful day. Scuffled the remainder of the turnips for the
3rd
time in the forenoon. Willa and little Annie went to Port Perry
for bread. Worked at pig house, put on the gate to the pig yard in
the afternoon.
13 – A very fine day. Went for the beef. Plugged up the mouse
holes in the grainery and other chores in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went with Jennie and the two children to Manchester
with the road list. Called at Uncle’s and then to J.M. Burn’s and
had tea and a nice visit. Got home at 9:30. Willa went to prayer
meeting.
14 – A very fine day. Did quite a number of small jobs including
throwing out straw, fixing up cutting box, cleaning out pig house,
cutting weeds along the roadside, and piling up wood in swamp
field. Went with little Annie to W. Luke’s in the evening to see
how he was getting along cutting. Rev. Mr. Cameron and John and
Gracie Cameron called in the afternoon.
15 – A fine day. Did a few odd jobs in the forenoon and in the
afternoon cut oats in the SW field, George Michie helping. Got
along fairly well. Mrs. Bell and little Annie at Port Perry in the
forenoon.
16 – A most beautiful cool day. Cutting oats all day, George help-
ing. Willa went to Greenbank after supper for bread. Mr. Petty
threshing, the first in Egypt, but the machines have been going for
a week or more. Oliver Luke came in the evening for two bags of
oats.
17 – A fine day but a little drizzle in the evening. At SS and
church, Mr. Cameron preached. Jennie, Willa and little Annie
there also. At CE, a good meeting, A. McArthur leader.
18 – Rain through the night and a little through the day. No har-
vesting. Willa went down to see Tom Michie who is very ill, the
cause being an ulcerated tooth. Blood poisoning has set in and he
is in critical condition. Put in a new post to the gate at the barn and
cleaned up the bottom of the old pig house. Jennie, Mrs. Bell and
little Annie went to Port Perry in the afternoon to get a ticket for
Manitoba. Mrs. Bell intends to start for there on Wednesday.
Henry Love and Charley called and conditionally bought our 2
year old colt. Went down with Jennie in the evening to see Tom,
he is no better. Rain coming home.
19 – Rain through the night so there was no harvesting in the fore-
noon. Went down the first thing to see how Tom was, he was no
better. Then finished cleaning out the old pig house bottom and
some other chores. In the afternoon, with George’s help, finished
cutting the north field. Jennie down in the afternoon to see Tom.
The Dr. did not lance the abscess, it not being ready. After supper
got Alex Lee’s double buggy and drove Mrs. Bell to Port Perry on
her way to Manitoba. She starts from Port Perry tomorrow morn-
ing. Willa at Mark’s all night.
20 – A fine day. Willa came home and reports Tom improving.
Cutting oats with George’s help in the forenoon and cutting some
lodged oats with the scythe in the afternoon and finished cutting
for the year, the first in Egypt. Jennie went down in the evening to
see how Tom was getting on and found him doing well.
21 – A very fine cool day. Helping Wes Luke all day shocking
oats, a very heavy crop. Willa at Greenbank and Port Perry.
22 – Helping Alex Lee to shock up oats. Rain at 11 and again at 6
which spoiled the day somewhat for harvesting. Jennie and little
Annie went to Port Perry in the afternoon to see the Dr. about
Willie who is not very well. Willa at Marks in the evening.
23 – A very fine cool day. Helping Wes Luke to cut oats and
wheat.
24 – A beautiful fine day. At SS and church with Willa and little
Annie, Rev. R. Leask preached. At Port Perry in the evening to the
reopening of the Presbyterian Church, A Mr. Robinson of Toronto
preached. A full house, a fair sermon. Willa was also there but
she did not go with me.
25 – Another very fine day. Helping Alex Lee to draw in rye.
Willa and Annie at Greenbank.
26 – A fine day. Helping Alex Lee to draw in all day. Jennie and
Annie went to Port Perry for pig feed and other things. 10 little
pigs came.
27 – A fine day. Drawing in oats, George helping. Jennie helping
in the barn. Oliver Luke brought back the binder, they having
finished cutting today. R. Balfour, the cream man, called for the
last time of the season.
28 – A most beautiful day. Drawing in oats all day, George and
Jennie helping, and finished except the rakings and a little loose
stuff. Mrs. Annie Gordon, Barbara Walker, and Miss McRae and
Miss Maggie Brown of Toronto called in the afternoon.
29 – A fine day. Raked stubble and with Jennie’s help drew it and
the loose stuff in except about half a load which slid off after it was
pitched on. Alex Lee called in the evening.
30 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Drew in the last of the
rakings in the morning and so finished harvest, the first in this
locality. A. Lee and A. Akhurst finished later in the day. At 9 am
I went to Phair’s for A. Lee and worked at stacking oats until 8 pm.
Put 22 loads in one stack. Bert Asling and Mrs. at Phair’s. Willa
washed the buggy.
31 – A fine but pretty warm day. Some thunder in the evening but
no rain here. At SS and church with Willa and little Annie, Mr.
Mustard preached. Jennie and Willa at CE, a fair meeting, Mr.
Boe leader.
SEPT. 1 – A fine day. Scuffled the strawberries and cut the old
wood out of the raspberry bushes. Jennie washing. Went to
Greenbank after supper to get some blacksmithing done, but was
too late.
72
2 – A very fine day. Went to Uxbridge for pig feed and got home
at 2:30, then put up the fence where the old pig house stood.
3 – A fine day. Went for the beef in the morning and did a number
of small jobs during the rest of the day. Willa and Annie went to
Greenbank in the afternoon and asked some people to the picnic
which is proposed to hold at the lake tomorrow.
4 – Gang plowing in the north field. The picnic at the lake did not
come off as it was too cool and windy and there was several show-
ers, especially in the forenoon.
5 – A very nice day. Helping Wes Luke all day to thresh (W.
Taylor’s). Willa and Annie visiting at Mark’s.
6 – Threshing all day at Phair’s. A fine day.
7 – Some thunder through the night but little rain here. At SS and
church with Jennie and little Annie. Mr. Mustard preached. Jennie
and Willa went to Port Perry church in the evening.
8 – A very fine day. Threshing all day at Phair’s and finished the
job. Willa and Annie at Greenbank and Port Perry.
9 – Drove with buggy along with little Annie the first thing in the
morning to Wes Luke’s to see about getting some rye for pig feed
but before we got there a terrific thunderstorm burst. The rain
continued all the forenoon and a little about half the afternoon and
there is mud in plenty. Cleaned out the grainery in the forenoon
and put in a spout to carry oats from the grainery to the feed pas-
sage in the afternoon. Drove Willa over to M. O’Neill’s in the
evening there being a birthday party there. Willie O’Neill coming
of age today.
10 – A fine day. Went to Wes Luke’s and got 4 bags of rye then to
Beare’s mill and got it ground. Plowing sod NE of the barn in the
afternoon. Used a skimmer for the first time. Willa got out of bed
at 11.
11 – Plowing sod most of the day. Jennie, with little Annie and
Willie, drove Willa to Port Perry to the noon train on her way to
Newcastle. Annie was to have gone with her but flunked at the
last. Mrs. Luke called on her way home from Port Perry to see
about plums.
12 – A slight drizzle of rain most all the afternoon which turned
into a heavy down-easter in the evening. Plowing sod all day.
13 – A fine cool day. Finished plowing the rye land and then
harrowed it over 4 times. Mrs. Luke here in the afternoon for
plums and stayed for tea. Wes called for her at 9:30 on his way
home from Port Perry.
14 – A fine day and pretty cool. At church and SS with little An-
nie, Mr. Cameron preached on the Lord’s Supper. Nellie Michie
came home with me for tea and her, Jennie and Annie went to CE.
15 – Went to W. Luke’s the first thing and got 3 bags of rye,
fanned it, got George’s drill, sowed and harrowed the ground in the
forenoon. After dinner went over to help A. Lee thresh at the
Throop place, but there was no threshing done, the engine being
out of repair. Came home and dug the potatoes in the orchard.
Jennie, Annie and little Willie went to Greenbank.
16 – A very fine day, threshing until 5:30 for A. Lee at the Throop
place and finished the barn and moved to Alex’s home place.
Jennie washing and baking.
17 – A fine day. Gang plowing most of the forenoon and threshing
at Alex Lee’s in the afternoon. E. Bryant married.
18 – A fine day. Threshing at A. Lee’s until about 2 pm, then at
Akhurst’s the rest of the day. Walter Bratley came at noon. Mrs.
I. O’Neill here for crab apples.
19 – Threatening rain during the forenoon and quite a bit some-
times in the afternoon. Threshing at Akhurst’s in the forenoon and
moved the machine here but did not thresh as the boys wanted to
go to Port Perry fair. Went to the fair which was almost a failure,
very few there and few exhibits. Went for a tank of water after
supper.
20 – A very fine day. Threshing at home and finished at 4 pm. W.
Luke; Norman and Ernest Phair; A. Akhurst; Alex Lee; George,
John and Tom Michie; Will O’Neill and I. O’Neill helping. They
moved over to George’s at the Luke barn and threshed some there.
Nellie Michie helping in the house.
21 – A very fine day. At SS and church with little Annie. G.
Miller reviewed the lesson in SS, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE, a
fair attendance, R.T. Harrington leader. A short business meeting
after.
22 – A very fine day and pretty warm. In the forenoon went to
Blackwater with 6 hogs and got $6.75, they weighed 1150 lbs.
Helping George to thresh in the afternoon. They finished the Luke
barn about 2:30 then moved to the home barn. Some thunder to
the south in the afternoon but no rain here.
23 – Helping George to thresh and finished at noon. They then
moved to Isaac O’Neill’s and finished him at 4 pm, then to M.
O’Neill’s but rain came on when ready to start so only threshed
about ½ hour. Mary Dusty here picking up fallen apples.
24 – Threshing at M. O’Neill’s and finished at 4:30. A cool day.
25 – Harrowing in the forenoon and drawing out manure in the
afternoon. Threatening rain from the east sometimes.
26 – Rain through the night and rather dull all day. Drew out 5
loads of manure which was all there was. Plowed until 4:30, then
drove with little Annie to Port Perry and brought Willa who came
from Newcastle.
27 – [written by Jennie] – A warm dull day. Cut out Annie’s new
red winter coat and dress in the forenoon. Mrs. Robert Wilson of
North Dakota called. Robert and Annie gone to Columbus. [writ-
ten by Robert] – Stopped at T. Black’s and got tea then went on to
Jas. Smith’s for the night. Mrs. J.C. Mason is home.
73
28 – Went to Brooklin SS and church with Barbara and little An-
nie. Jas. Smith, superintendant, reviewed the last quarters lesson.
Children’s service in the church which went off very well. Drove
via Jas. Smith’s to Tom Black’s for tea, just got there when it
started to rain hard. It cleared up and we got home at about 10.
Willa at SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. Jubilee services at
Sonya today.
29 – Plowing in the forenoon and in the afternoon made an oat
box. Jennie, Willa and the two children at Port Perry. A very fine
day.
30 – A dull day with a little rain in the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs.
Akhurst called on their way home from Port Perry. Plowing all
day. Willa trimming Mrs. Akhurst’s bonnet. Jennie washing. L.
Sebert of Port Perry died last night13
.
OCT. 1 – A cold rain most of the forenoon. Went for the beef in
the morning and did some other chores in the forenoon and plowed
in the afternoon. Went to prayer meeting, Mr. Cameron leader.
Willa making bonnet for Annie in the evening.
2 – A very fine day but pretty cool in the morning. Took Willa out
to Port Perry in the morning on her way to Rochester. Plowed the
remainder of the day.
3 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and at preparatory
service in the afternoon, Mr. Cameron preached. Mrs. Alex Lee
came in by certificate. Jennie making a dress for little Annie. G.
Welch’s baby buried today.
4 – A very fine day. Cutting corn in the forenoon with the binder
but it did not work very well so I quit it. Drew the cut corn and the
pumpkins in the afternoon. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for dinner and
Lew O’Neill for crab apples.
5 – At communion service at Greenbank, a fair attendance, Mr.
Cameron conducted. A raw east wind and almost rain most of the
day until about 4 when there was a thunder shower and the rain
continued during the evening so did not go to CE.
6 – Rain through the night and in the morning. Fixed the eves
troughs and put in some glass in the forenoon and cut the little plot
of corn at the barn pump. Alex Lee called in the morning and Wes
Luke and Ned and M. O’Neill in the afternoon. G. Real came
about 5 pm with G. McKay’s corn cutter and cut what corn was
left. He stayed to supper. Went to managers meeting in the eve-
ning. G. Currie buried today.
7 – Rain after breakfast and again in the evening. Threshing all
day at W. Luke’s. Mrs. Mark and Mrs. C. McLean here in the
afternoon.
8 – A fine day but a little rain in the evening. Jennie and the two
children went to Port Perry in the forenoon while I set up corn and
some other chores. In the afternoon took 12 bags of oats and rye to
13
Louis Sebert, owner of Sebert House, in his 45th
year.
Beare’s mill, then drew corn and set it up against the fence. Mrs.
Isaac O’Neill and Clarence here in the afternoon for crab apples.
Beef meeting tonight.
9 – A pretty cool day. Went to Beare’s mill for the meal in the
morning then drew off the remainder of the corn. Started to dig the
potatoes, a very poor crop. I think the worst I ever saw on the
place. Went up to Greenbank after dinner with Annie for the mail.
Isaac and Mary O’Neill here for a lot of fallen apples.
10 – A hard frost in the morning and a very fine day. Digging
potatoes all day alone and took in 8 bags on the stone boat.
11 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes all day alone and got in 7
½ bags. Went to Port Perry in the evening to meet Margaret Bell
who was expected from Rochester but she did not come.
12 – Rather a dull day with some rain in the evening. At SS and
church with little Annie. Children’s Day service which went off
very well. No CE tonight as there is anniversary services in the
Baptist church.
13 – Very heavy rain through the night and part of the forenoon.
Did some small jobs in the forenoon and dug potatoes in the after-
noon. Got in 3 ½ bags. Baptist tea tonight.
14 – A fine day. Digging potatoes all day alone and got in 6 bags.
Jennie and the children went to Greenbank in the afternoon for the
mail. Started for Port Perry in the evening to meet Maggie Bell but
only got to the side road when I met her walking, she having come
by the 5:30 train. I then went down to George’s for Topsy, they
having had her working a few days.
15 – Somewhat dull. Picked up 6 bags of apples and took them to
Port Perry and got them made into cider for vinegar, 16 gallons,
and brought Margaret Bell’s trunk. Finished digging potatoes, 3
bags, in the afternoon. Tax collector Dobson called. $11.20 was
the sum he wanted.
16 – Thanksgiving day. A fine day but pretty cool. Plowed in the
corn land in the forenoon and did little in the afternoon. Jennie,
Margaret and little Annie left at 4 pm for Brooklin to attend the
party in the church there. Nellie Michie came up and did the milk-
ing and got supper. They got home at 12.
17 – A very fine day. At the mangols and got in 4 loads. Jennie
and Margaret dress making.
18 – Rain off and on most of the day. Finished drawing in man-
gols, 3 loads, and some other small jobs. Jennie went to Port Perry
after 4 pm.
19 – At SS and church with Jennie and little Annie, Mr. Cameron
preached. A heavy shower of rain just after we got home. At CE
with Margaret Bell, only 11 out, Mr. Miller leader. Roads pretty
muddy.
20 – A cool day with some rain scurries in the afternoon. Plowing
all day in the north field and in the evening went with Jennie to the
W.F.M.S. social which was quite a success. The Egyptian band
appeared for the first time and did very well.
74
21 – A fine day. Plowing in the north field. Went with Jennie in
the evening to Port Perry and heard the Canadian Jubilee singers.
Liked them very well. Got home at 11.
22 – Went down to I. O’Neill’s in the morning to get Mary to help
pick apples. Drew in a load of clay into the old hen house. Picked
3 bags of apples, cleaned out the cistern, repaired stable floor,
cleaned out pig house and some other chores. Started to rain a
little about 10 and drizzled a little most of the afternoon and quite
heavy in the evening.
23 – Plowing in the forenoon. Picking apples in the afternoon,
Margaret Bell and Mrs. I. O’Neill helping. Nellie O’Neill and
Clarence was also here. In the evening went with Jennie to Green-
bank and called at W. Luke’s and got 12 pullets. Quite a cool
night.
24 – Picked apples in the forenoon, Margaret helping, but rain
came on about 10 (a thunder shower) and stopped us. Alex Lee
came after dinner and helped to kill the pig. Then picked apples,
Margaret and Mary O’Neill helping. A Lee’s boys also picking for
themselves. Weaned the little pigs. Margaret made candy in the
evening.
25 – A very fine day. Picking all day at the apples, Margaret help-
ing, and finished pretty near. Went down to M. O’Neill’s to see
about help for turnip picking. Called also at I. O’Neill’s. Mrs.
Akhurst here for tea.
26 – At SS and church with Jennie and little Annie, Mr. Cameron
preached. At CE with Margaret Bell, not a very large meeting. I
was the leader. Rain and very dark on the way home.
27 – A fine day. Did a few chores in the forenoon. Jennie, Marga-
ret and the children went to Port Perry and Margaret got her ticket
for Manitoba ($22.00). Started the turnips, Fred O’Neill helping,
in the afternoon. Isaac and Mary O’Neill picking up the remnant
of the apples. Calf died.
28 – At turnips all day and got in 5 loads, Fred O’Neill helping.
Mr. Monroe called and sold him the apples at 75 cts for 1sts and 50
for 2nds. W. Taylor is moving into the Throop house today. Put
up 2 barrels of apples for Manitoba.
29 – A pretty cold raw day. Took Margaret Bell to Port Perry to
the morning train where she started for Manitoba. She took 2
barrels of apples, the freight charges was $2.64. Brought 20 apple
barrels home. Drew in 11 loads of turnips in the afternoon, Fred
O’Neill helping all day. Isaac and Mary O’Neill here in the after-
noon for apples.
30 – At the turnips, Fred O’Neill helping, and got in 8 loads. Rain
came on at 11 and there was several small showers during the
afternoon and evening, also some thunder. Jennie washing.
31 – A very fine warm day. At turnips all day, Fred O’Neill help-
ing, and got in 17 loads, which finishes the job. Apple packers
here for dinner, they put up 20 barrels. They were Mr. Monroe, G.
Vansickler, and a Toronto man.
NOV. 1 – A very nice day. In the forenoon took the apples (20
barrels) to Port Perry and load enough it was as the roads were
pretty bad. After dinner went to Greenbank with Annie for coal oil
and the mail, and then picked up the culled apples.
2 – A very fine day. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached. At
CE, rather a small meeting, Mr. Boe leader.
3 – A most beautiful day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing and
churning.
4 – A very fine day. Plowing in the north field in the forenoon and
finished it and in the afternoon plowing in the orchard. D. Cragg’s
little girl here getting signatures to a temperance pledge.
5 – A fine day. Finished plowing orchard then the little plot at the
barn, then at the potato land. Tom Michie away to Raglan to plow
at the match tomorrow. Wes Luke went with him. He had W.
Real’s team. At prayer meeting, quite a good turnout, Mr. Cam-
eron leader. The 5 elders each spoke on the questions of the as-
sembly. A very dark night and raining a little.
6 – Plowing and putting up small stoves in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went with Alex Lee to the plowing match at Raglan,
there was 16 plows. Tom did not get anything for plowing but 1st
for groomed team and 1st
for outfit. Got supper at T. Black’s and
got home about 9, the roads pretty muddy. After I got home I went
out to feed the horses and got kicked on the stomach by Jess. A 11
½ lb. boy was born to Mrs. Jas. Mason yesterday morning. Mr.
and Mrs. W. Akhurst moved to Greenbank.
7 – A very fine day. Finished plowing potato and corn land and
some sod. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron here for dinner.
8 – Quite a frost in the morning and a very fine day. Plowing sod
all day.
9 – Some frost in the morning but a very fine day. At SS and
church with Annie, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE, a fair meeting,
G.A. McMillan leader.
10 – A fine day. Plowing sod all day. Jennie washing and churn-
ing. R. Wallace called after dinner, wanted to buy colt, but could
not agree on price. He offered $90.00 and I wanted $95.00.
11 – Frost in the morning and pretty cool all day. Finished plow-
ing for the season in the forenoon and drew in some corn and out
some manure and other chores in the afternoon.
12 – A big rain through the night but a warm day. Rain again from
the east in the evening. Went to Port Perry with the waggon in the
forenoon with the chickens. Drew 6 loads of dirt in the afternoon
to fill up some holes in the barnyard. Went to prayer meeting but
only 5 were there so there was no meeting but a meeting was held
in the hall about the referendum vote. Very muddy roads.
13 – A foggy dull day. Brought the big colt home from A. Lee’s
where it has been pasturing for the summer. Cleaned out the pig
and hen house and threw back the turnips from the door of the root
house.
75
14 – A mild day. Dug around the apple trees, made a pump spout
and several other small chores.
15 – A fine day. Put on the storm doors and windows and some
other chores. Tied up the young cattle for the first of the season.
16 – A fine day. Went to SS and church with Annie. A stranger
preached, I think his name was McPhaden from Toronto. Mr.
Cameron was conducting anniversary services at Lesleyville.
James Smith brought Mrs. Mark home last night (she has been
waiting on Annie Mason). He attended SS and church and came
here for tea and remained all night. Did not go to CE.
17 – Rather raw morning with a little rain from the east but cleared
up during the day and started again in the evening. Jas. Smith left
for home about 8 am. Spent all forenoon in taking pig up to G.
Lee’s. Mrs. A. Gordon here for dinner. Just before dinner Tom
Bell dropped in after an absence of over 3 years in Manitoba. We
were not expecting him. In the afternoon he went to Port Perry
with the waggon for his trunk. Did not do much in the afternoon.
Jennie washing and churning.
18 - A very dull foggy day, threatening rain sometimes. Put a
horse manger in the old hen house and put in posts for a hen yard,
Tom Bell helping.
19 – A bright fine sunny day. Jennie, Tom and little Annie went to
Port Perry in the forenoon while I stayed at home and kept Willie.
At the hen yard fence in the afternoon, Tom helping. Sandy and
Arthur Gordon came for a bag of apples.
20 – A very fine day. Tom and Annie went to Greenbank in the
morning for the mail. We drew in the remainder of the corn and
several other small jobs.
21 – A fine day. Went and got George’s saw and with Tom’s help,
cut down the mountain ashes west of the house, one apple tree and
some other cutting.
22 – Quite a high wind with some rain flurries and some hail in the
evening. With Tom’s help cut up some old logs and rails about the
barn.
23 – A little snow on the ground in the morning, the first of the
season. At SS and church with Annie, Mr. Cameron preached on
the temperance question. At CE but there was not enough gathered
to hold a meeting.
24 – A very firm day. With Tom’s help, drew in the wood we cut
last week, drew off the brush from the orchard and covered the
strawberries with straw. Jennie washing.
25 – A fine day. Tom went to Port Perry in the forenoon and to
Greenbank for the mail in the afternoon. Did a few odd chores, put
in some window glass.
26 – Started to snow from the east about 10 am and continued the
remainder of the day. Tom went to Beare’s mill with 20 bags of
oats. Did a few chores. Isaac O’Neill here in the afternoon. Pro-
hibition meeting at Greenbank tonight but did not go as it was a
bad night.
27 – Did a number of small jobs. Tom went for the meal at
Beare’s mill. He took the waggon, but he says there is some
sleighs on the road.
28 – Pretty cold in the morning but got milder towards night. Tom
went up to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail. He took the
cutter, the first time out for the season. Henry Love and E. Boe
called with the sleigh colleting things for Jas. Cross to give him a
start at housekeeping.
29 – Thawing and some rain in the afternoon and evening. In the
forenoon drew in wood into the woodshed, Tom helping. Went
down to Isaac O’Neill’s after dinner. Tom and little Annie went to
Greenbank for the mail and then in the evening he went to Port
Perry to meet his sister Margaret who is expected from Manitoba,
but she did not come.
30 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie, Mr. Cameron
preached. At CE, rather a small meeting, Maggie Blair leader.
DEC. 1 – A very fine day. Went down to Isaac O’Neill’s in the
morning. In the afternoon, with Tom’s help, drew in wood and
filled the woodshed to the door but did not get all the dry wood in.
Jennie washing.
2 – A very fine day. With Tom’s help cut some wood in the
swamp field. Wes Luke called, he was wanting me to help him fix
his hen house. Went in the afternoon with Tom to Jas. Monroe’s
wood sale on lot 20, conc. 13. Prices went as high as $51.00 for ¼
acre lots. Tom went to Greenbank on the way home.
3 – A dull somewhat rough day. All day helping Wes Luke with
his hen house. John Michie also helping. Tom Bell at Greenbank
in the afternoon. Alex Gordon and Jim Ewin and another man here
looking at the colt.
4 – A very fine day. Took Isaac O’Neill to Seagrave to vote on the
referendum, then went to Greenbank and voted myself. At Wes
Luke’s hen house in the afternoon. Mrs. Mark and Mrs. M.
O’Neill here for tea. Oliver and Ned Luke after some poles for
rafters. Tom Bell went to Greenbank for the mail.
5 – A pretty cold day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for flour
and other things and at Wes Luke’s hen house in the afternoon.
Tom went up after the mail. Wes Luke had a runaway near the
railway track.
6 – A pretty cold day. At Wes Luke’s hen house all day. Tom
went to Greenbank for the mail. Jas. McMillan called in the after-
noon.
7 – Some snow through the night but not enough to make good
sleighing. At SS and church with Annie, Mr. Cameron preached.
Did not go to CE.
8 – A very cold rough day, 6 below zero in the evening. Jennie
washing. Did very little but a few odd jobs.
9 – 6 below zero in the morning but got some warmer during the
day. Did very little in the forenoon and in the afternoon, with
Tom’s help, cut some old cedar logs in the swamp field. Jennie
housecleaned the pantry.
76
10 – Rather rough but not so cold. At Wes Luke’s all day princi-
pally fixing horse stable door. Tom went to Greenbank for mail.
Ernest Phair had a runaway today.
11 – A pretty cold day. Banked up the root house in the afternoon.
Tom Bell went to Port Perry in the afternoon.
12 – 7 below zero in the morning but fine and clear. With Tom’s
help cut some old cedar logs. Jennie housecleaning.
13 – A very cold day with snow from the east. Cut some wood in
the swamp with Tom’s help in the forenoon and some chores in the
afternoon. Tom went up for the mail but got none.
14 – Coldest morning yet, 10 below zero, but turned out a nice day.
At SS and church with Annie, Mr. Cameron preached. Jas. Walker
was there after an absence in the W.W. for nearly 21 years. At CE,
a fair meeting, R.T. Harrington leader.
15 – Somewhat warmer and pretty rough in the evening. Tom split
some wood in the swamp field. James Walker of Minnesota came
in about 9 and stayed until after dinner. He has been away nearly
21 years and I did nothing but talk to him principally on the tariff
question. At church managers meeting in the evening.
16 – Some rain through the night and the forenoon. The snow a
good deal gone. Helped with the washing. Jennie went to Port
Perry and took Tom on his way to Newcastle.
17 – Went down to Mark’s in the forenoon to see John about going
to finish W. Luke’s hen house. Did very little but the chores. At
prayer meeting, Mr. Cameron leader. A meeting after about SS
helps and papers.
18 – A fairly fine day. Cut a little wood in the swamp in the fore-
noon. Alex Gordon called to say that his sister Mrs. McCorcodale
of Orillia died last evening. At Wes Luke’s hen house in the after-
noon and finished the job. Made cedar decoration for SS room in
the evening.
19 – A fine day and thawing a little. Did very little in the forenoon
and in the afternoon went to Mrs. McCorcodale’s funeral which
was from S. Dusty’s house. I acted as one of the bearers, the oth-
ers were Jas. Burton, Alex Lee, Jas. Leask, J.M. Real, and Geo.
Byers. At Mark’s in the evening having a sing. James A. Michie
of Griswold Manitoba arrived today.
20 – A fine day. Cut brush and made decoration in the forenoon
and in the afternoon drove the team with brush to the church and
helped to decorate the SS room. Nellie Michie went with me. E.
Boe, John Lee, D. Till, R.T. Harrington, A. Akhurst, Maggie Blair,
Bella Innis and Ethel [?] helping. Jas. A. Michie here in the after-
noon.
21 – Rain through the night and a good part of the day. Roads very
icy and sloppy. At SS and church with Annie, Mr. Cameron
preached. A large SS in spite of the bad day. Presents given to the
primary class. Did not get to CE as it was a very dark night.
22 – Soft in the morning but turned quite cold towards night. Did
the chores and helped Jennie at the washing.
23 – A very fine day. Cut some wood in the swamp in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon went to Port Perry with the buggy. Fine
wheeling but rather icy. Wes Luke called and stayed for tea.
24 – Cut some wood in the swamp in the forenoon. Mrs. A.
Gordon here for dinner. After dinner Walter and Ethel Bratley
came and stayed all night. Nellie Michie called in the afternoon.
Snowed in the evening.
25 – About 3 or 4 inches of snow but rather thin to make good
sleighing. Went to L. Beare’s and G. Lee’s in the forenoon. Wal-
ter Bratley went to W. Luke’s and stayed until near night. Drove
up to Greenbank with the cutter with Ethel, Annie and Willie.
Walter and Ethel went down to Mark’s in the evening and Ethel
stayed there all night. Tom Bell came from Newcastle at 10 pm.
Peter Gibson and Clara Love are getting married today.
26 – A pretty cold day and snowing a little. Tom Bell went to Port
Perry with the sleigh and 12 bags of oats to get ground. Walter and
Ethel Bratley went with him on their way home. Walked up to
preparatory service. Mr. Campbell of Quaker Hill preached. Mr.
and Mrs. Jas. Cross and Maggie McMillan came into the church
this time. 4 babies were baptised, namely John Somerville’s, Alex
Boe’s, G. Allan’s and Peter Leask’s. Jim Michie called in the
afternoon.
27 – A fine day but pretty cold. Went down with little Annie to
Mark’s for dinner, there being quite a gathering there. Tom Bell
went to Port Perry for the meal. Tom Black and Annie came in the
afternoon.
28 – A fine but pretty cold day. Went to communion at Wick, Mr.
Cameron preached, about the usual attendance. Sleighing good.
29 – Snowing a little most of the day. Fanned up 20 bags of oats in
the forenoon and Tom went to Port Perry with them in the after-
noon. Jennie washing. At annual SS meeting in the evening, a
large meeting. Chosen for second year as superintendent. The
other officers are Jas. Miller, assist. super.; Jas. Leask, treas.; Ar-
mour McMillan and John McDonald, sec., Jessie Michie, organist;
and Annie [?], organist. Refreshments served after the meeting.
30 – A fine day. Helped Tom to hitch up the Fly colt for the first
time. She went very well. A. Gordon Sr. called for 2 bags of
apples. George Fowlie here for dinner. He has been laid up for
over a month with a felon on his thumb. Tom went in the after-
noon to a bee drawing timber for C. Gordon and had a big time.
He did not get home until 8:30.
31 – A very fine clear day. A little after 12 in the morning Jennie
took a chill while in bed and Tom went down and got Mrs. Mark
who stayed all day. In the morning I went to Port Perry and got
Dr. R. Archer. He pronounced the trouble not very serious and
Jennie got up for dinner. Tom went to Greenbank in the afternoon
to get some harness mended and when away Milton Henders and
his brother came to see him. Then W. Luke and John Throop came
and stayed a short time, then W. Mark.
77
1903
Jan. 1 – A very fine bright day. Nellie Michie came up in the
morning and stayed awhile. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gordon Sr. called.
Went with little Annie to Tom Black’s for dinner and got home
again at 6. Jas. Smith and family were there also. Good sleighing.
2 – A fine day. Went to Uxbridge in the forenoon to see about
getting more maple flooring, fine sleighing. Tom went to Port
Perry in the afternoon to see Milton Henders but he was not at
home. Alex Lee’s party tonight but did not go.
3 – A soft day, rain through the night and forenoon. Got a little
colder towards night, the snow has gone a good deal. Washed the
buggy. Tom hitched up the colt for the 2nd
time and again in the
afternoon and drew up some wood. He went to Port Perry in the
evening. Nellie Michie here in the forenoon.
4 – A fine day. At SS election of teacher. Mr. Cameron preached
in the church service. Joseph Watson of Clifford was there. At
CE, a fair meeting. Jas. Miller leader. It was decided to continue
the meetings and the new officers were elected.
5 – A fine day, a very little snow in the afternoon. Cut some wood
in the swamp lot in the forenoon. Nellie here washing. After
dinner drove up to W. Real’s and telephoned for the Dr. for Jennie.
He (Dr. D. Archer) came about 3 and about 5 a son was born but it
was stillborn. It had been dead for over a week. Mrs. Mark here
helping. Tom went to Port Perry in the evening to a hockey match.
6 – Snowing a good part of the day. Mrs. Mark went home after
dinner as there is to be a big party there tonight and I had to be
housekeeper and nurse. Tom drew up some wood and went to the
party at night.
7 – Snowing a good part of the day from the NE. This has been
callers day with us. First came James A. Michie, then just before
dinner came Jack Park and George Fowlie with the word that Aunt,
Mrs. Fowlie, died last night at the age of 76 after about 10 days
illness. The three stayed to dinner. Then came Mrs. G.A.
McMillan and stayed most of the afternoon. Then about 5 came
Dr. Archer and with him Mrs. Archer. He had scarcely got here
before J. M. Real came for him for his wife. Then after we had our
supper came Mr. and Mrs. Cameron. Tom went to Greenbank in
the afternoon for the mail. In the evening went to the annual
church meeting, a fair attendance. The managers elected were
John Lee; J.M. Real, W.H. Leask and myself. The books show a
balance on hand of about $64.00.
8 – A very cold day with a sharp NW wind. Went to Port Perry in
the forenoon for some stuff for Jennie’s leg and in the afternoon
went to Mrs. Fowlie’s funeral. Not many there. Mrs. Mark went
home for the night.
9 – A very cold rough day and drifting quite a big from the NW.
Did very little but the chores. Bagged up some oats for meal. Jas.
Michie here in the evening.
10 – A pretty rough cold day. Did little but the chores. Tom went
to Port Perry in the morning with oats and rye to get ground and
did not get home until 6 pm and did not get the meal. Managers
meeting tonight but did not go as Annie was not very well and we
had a bad night with both her and Willie. Croup or something like
it was the trouble.
11 – Snowing from the NE most of the day. At SS and church.
Mr. Reid of Leaskdale was expected but was unable owing to
illness to attend so Mr. Cameron conducted the service. Spent a
good part of the time in the SS in electing teachers. At CE a pretty
good attendance as there was no Methodist service. Nellie
McMillan and I were to take the topic but she did not come so it all
fell on me. This is the first night under the new plan of having two
to take the topic without any help from those present.
12 – Snowing and drifting all day and the road from here north
blocked. Tom went to Port Perry in the afternoon for the meal and
found the roads very heavy. There is special services at the church
this week but I did not go tonight on account of the roads.
13 – A fine day. Went up as far as Alex Lee’s in the forenoon to
open the road through the fields. Tom drove the team up that far in
the afternoon and then took Mrs. Mark home and brought Nellie
here. Tom and Nellie went to the special service in the church in
the evening.
14 – A fine day. Tom cutting wood in the afternoon in the swamp.
Jennie got out of bed again in the afternoon. At special service in
the church with Nellie, a fair attendance, Mr. Cameron conducted.
15 – A fine day. Tom cutting wood in the forenoon and at Port
Perry (races) in the afternoon and him and Nellie at special ser-
vices in the evening. Mr. Wishart of Beaverton was leader,
16 - Went to Uxbridge with maple lumber to get dressed, got home
about 4. At special service with Nellie. Mr. Wishart conducted, a
very good address, and a good attendance.
17 – Somewhat rough day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon and
called on the Dr. see him about Jennie’s leg which is not doing
very well. Cleaned out the pig and hen house in the afternoon.
Tom chopping wood in the swamp.
18 – A very cold day, 6 below zero. At SS and church, Mr. Cam-
eron preached an extra good sermon. At CE, rather a small turn-
out, G.A. McMillan and Ethel Miller leaders.
19 – Six below zero in the morning. Went to Uxbridge and got the
flooring from the planing mill. Tom cutting wood in the swamp.
Nellie Michie came up in the morning and helped to wash and
went home in the afternoon.
20 – A very fine day. Making gate in the forenoon. Tom cutting
wood in the swamp. In the afternoon went with Tom to farmers
institute meeting at Greenbank. About the usual number present.
Mr. Orr spoke on fruit and Mr. Guardhouse on heavy horses, both
were good. Tom went to the evening meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Alex
Lee and Miss Ettie Phair called in the afternoon.
21 – About 3 or 4 inches of snow fell through the night. Tom
drove Jennie to Port Perry in the forenoon to see the Dr. about her
leg which is worse. In the afternoon Tom hitched up Topsy and
78
the Fly colt and drove them to Port Perry. He went down to
Mark’s in the evening to a musical meeting.
22 – A fine day. Jennie’s leg pretty bad so I had to do housework.
After dinner went to Greenbank to get Barbara Walker but she
could not come, then went down to Mark’s. Mr. and Mrs. A.
Gordon here in the morning and Mrs. Luke in the evening.
23 – A very fine day. Tom drove down in the morning and
brought Nellie Michie to help with the work while Jennie rests her
leg. Painted the gate in the forenoon. After dinner Tom hitched up
and drew up two loads of wood, then he drove to Greenbank.
Geordie McMillan of Port Perry called and bought Topsy horse for
$108.00.
24 – A very cold day. 10 below zero in the morning. We had just
got breakfast when Tom and Ralph Black called on their way
north. Took the Topsy mare out to Port Perry to G. McMillan. In
the afternoon went down to M. O’Neill’s and left some money for
[?]. Tom in the swamp. James S. Lee called in the afternoon.
25 – Somewhat cold with an east wind. Tom drove Nellie home in
the forenoon. Went to SS and church with little Annie, Mr. Cam-
eron preached. John Stone’s little boy was buried today, he died of
diphtheria. Little Mary and the hired man are also very bad. At
CE, a fair meeting. R.T. Harrington and Russell Wallace leaders.
26 – Laying new maple floor in the kitchen all day, Tom helping
and doing the chores. Nellie washing. G.A. McMillan called after
dinner.
27 – Thawing and a little rain in the afternoon. Laying floor all
day. Tom helping in the forenoon and in the afternoon he went to
Greenbank and in the evening to Port Perry. Mr. and Mrs. Alex
Rennie called about 4 pm.
28 – Thawing a little all day. Tom went to Port Perry in the morn-
ing for nails for floor. Laying floor all day. Alex Lee called to tell
us that little Mary Stone died today. Nellie went home for the
night.
29 – Thawing a good deal and raining. Some thunder after dinner
and in the evening. Working at the floor all day. Tom went to
Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail. Nellie went home for the
night, there being a party at Jas. Leask’s. An unusual number of
trains on our line today. The 7th
anniversary of our wedding.
30 – Colder and blowing and snowing. A blizzard from the NW
most of the day. Put the finishing touches on the new floor in the
forenoon and dosed the cattle with tobacco for lice in the after-
noon. James Michie came up in the morning to say that Nellie
could not come today as her mother was sick in bed.
31 – Much milder day. Tom went to Greenbank in the forenoon
for coal oil and other things and in the afternoon went with A. Lee
to Port Perry. Alex Lee called in the forenoon and Nellie Michie
in the afternoon.
FEB. 1 – A mild day, some foggy at night. At SS and church, Mr.
Cameron preached one of the best sermons he has given here.
Both SS and church smaller than usual on account of the fear of
diphtheria. Jennie and Tom went to CE in the evening, Mr. Miller
leader.
2 – Thawing with rain in the afternoon but colder in the evening.
Tom went to Port Perry with 10 bags to the mill and got back about
3:30. A high wind in the evening. Jennie washing. I did very
little but chores.
3 – A fine day. Cut and split wood in the yard. Tom went to A.
Lee’s to help him cut wood but only stayed a short time for want of
an axe. He went to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail.
4 – Soft and a little rain in the forenoon. In the afternoon went to
Greenbank with Jennie and the two children. Called at J.M.
Real’s, Alex Gordon’s, Charles Gordon’s who is sick in bed, and
W. Mark’s.
5 – A pretty rough cold day. Did nothing but chores. Tom helping
A. Lee to cut wood in the afternoon.
6 – A fine day, a little snow in the afternoon. Tom helping A. Lee
in the afternoon and went to Port Perry in the evening. R. Wallace
called after dinner to buy the Fly colt but she was not for sale. He
was telling me that Robert Gregg was killed the day before yester-
day by a tree. Went over to Lige Beare’s and settled up with him
then to Greenbank. Jessie Michie and Mary Dusty called in the
afternoon.
7 – An extra fine day. Cutting wood in the swamp all day. Tom
drawing it up to the house.
8 – Snowing from the east most of the forenoon, then turned to a
blizzard from the NW towards night. At SS and church, rather
small SS and very few at church as Mr. R. Gregg’s funeral sermon
was preached in the Baptist church. Mr. Cameron preached a good
sermon. No one at CE.
9 – Snowing most of the forenoon. Putting partition in pig house
in the forenoon and in the afternoon drove over to C. Gordon’s to
see how he was and found him a little better. Took Jennie and the
two children to Mark’s while I was at Charlie’s. After that Tom
went to Greenbank for bread and to Port Perry in the evening.
10 – A fine day and thawing a little in the afternoon. We intended
to start for Newcastle in the morning but Jim Michie came up to
say that his mother could not come to keep house as John was ill.
He got the horse and cutter and went to the Dr at Port Perry and
was here for dinner. However John got better and Tom Bell went
down for Mrs. Mark and Jennie and I and the children started in
the afternoon and went as far as Tom Black’s at Raglan and stayed
there all night. Barbara and Willie Smith were there in the eve-
ning.
11 – Soft weather. Started from Tom Black’s and drove over to
Joe Bell’s at Enniskillen and had just got dinner when it started to
rain and continued through the afternoon so we did not go any
further. A neighbour, Mr. Clark, brought over his gramophone and
gave us some very nice music. In the evening went down to the
village with Annie and Maggie Bell to a meeting of Bowmanville
and Darlington SS Association. A good meeting, addressed by
79
Mr. Trebelcock of Bowmanville and Mr. Yellowlees of Toronto
and a very good address they were. Turned some colder in the
evening. County poor house opened.
12 – Started in the morning taking Uncle Joe’s buggy as there as
very poor sleighing from there south and got to F. Perrin’s a little
after noon and met Fred Patton for the first time. He and Mundo
Perrin had quite a time hitching up a kicking colt for the first. T.
Martin and family and Jas. Douglass and daughter of Manitoba
came in the evening. Marshall O’Neill got his leg broken with a
tree today.
13 – Some colder. Started for home and got to Uncle Joe’s for
dinner and then home by way of Blackstock. Got home about 6.
After supper Tom drove Mr. Mark home. Harry Martin the tramp
here all night.
14 – A very fine day. Tom went to Port Perry with some grain to
the mill but did not get it home. Cut a little wood and went down
to see M. O’Neill in the afternoon. Harry Martin left before break-
fast.
15 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie, Mr. Cameron
preached. At CE, rather a small meeting. G.A. McMillan and Jas.
Miller and myself leaders. Snowing a little on the way home.
16 – A fine day. Milton Henders came as we were at breakfast and
Tom went with him on a fox hunt. They got 1 fox. In the after-
noon went with A. Lee to a bee cutting wood for the church at
Whitter’s. 5 loads drawn today. In the evening went to Greenbank
and with Alex Leask and W. Wallace made out the church report
for the printer. A very cold night.
17 – 10 below zero in the morning with a cutting north wind. It
never got above zero all day. Did nothing but the chores. Baby
Willie has been somewhat sick the last 2 or 3 days.
18 – 4 below zero in the morning and pretty rough especially in the
evening. Tom went to Port Perry in the afternoon for the meal but
only got part of it. He did not get home until nearly 9 pm. There
was a fire in town. Wes Luke called in the afternoon.
19 – A very nice day but pretty cold. Cut some wood in the yard in
the forenoon. In the afternoon Tom and Jennie went to Port Perry.
Tom went to Greenbank in the evening for the mail.
20 – A very fine day. Cut wood in the yard and cleaned out the pig
house. Milton Henders and Tom all day hunting in the swamp but
got nothing. Tom drove Milt home in the evening and stayed all
night.
21 – A fine day with a little snow in the afternoon. Cut some wood
in the forenoon and went to Greenbank in the afternoon. Tom
came home about 10 am.
22 – A fine day. At church and SS, Mr. Cameron preached. At
CE, a very small meeting. Jennie was to be leader but she did not
go so it fell on others.
23 – A fine day. Cutting wood all day in the swamp. Jennie wash-
ing.
24 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in the swamp in the forenoon
and in the yard in the afternoon. Tom went to Greenbank after
dinner, then hitched up Fly to the cutter, the first time single, then
walked to Port Perry and stayed all night.
25 – Very fine day. Cut some wood in the forenoon. Tom came
back before dinner and he and Jennie went to Port Perry in the
afternoon for lunch on his way to Manitoba as he is to start tomor-
row morning. Mr. Stonehouse called and spent a good part of the
afternoon talking cream separator. A. Lee called after dinner.
26 – A very fine day and thawing some. Got up at 5 am and took
Tom Bell to the morning train at Port Perry on the way to Mani-
toba. Went to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail. Little
Annie on the sick list.
27 – A very nice day and thawing some. Cutting wood in the
swamp all day. Annie some better.
28 – Thawing all day, rain in the afternoon. Cleaned out the pig
and hen house and cut a bit of wood in the yard. Barbara and
Willie Smith came about 3:30 and stayed all night. They were at
Mark’s last night.
MAR. 1 – A fine day but much colder. Walked to SS and church,
Mr. Cameron preached. Did not go to CE.
2 – A fine day. Willie Smith went down to Mark’s for dinner.
They left for home about 3 pm. Went to G. Franklin’s sale in the
afternoon, a good crowd and prices.
3 - A fine day. Cutting wood all day in swamp. Jennie washing.
4 – A very fine day and thawing some. Jim Michie came up in the
forenoon to say goodbye as he starts for Manitoba tomorrow.
Went to Morrison [?] sale in the afternoon with the buggy, fair
wheeling. The assessor, Jas. Moon, called.
5 – A fine day. 1 ½ inches of snow fell through the night but went
away during the day. Bagged up some oats and took them to the
mill at Port Perry with the waggon in the afternoon.
6 – A very fine day and thawing some. Went for the meal to Port
Perry in the forenoon. Mrs. A. Gordon here for dinner. In the
afternoon Jennie, with the two children, drove Mrs. Gordon home
and to Greenbank for the mail.
7 – Cutting wood in the swamp until about 3:30 when it started to
rain and continued during the evening.
8 – A little rain in the forenoon. At SS and church with Annie, Mr.
Cameron preached. No CE on account of the bad state of the
roads.
9 – Went up in the forenoon and with Alex Lee dug out a bit of the
road. There is not so much snow as usual this spring. Drawing out
wood from Luke’s swamp in the afternoon and very rough work it
was as there is scarcely a speck of snow. Florence and Edith Phair
called in the afternoon.
80
10 – Buck sawing wood all day in the swamp field and cut 3 cords
of 4 foot wood in two. I think this is about the most I ever cut in
one day. Rain in the evening. W. Taylor cutting wood by steam at
his house. Jas. Lee went to Port Perry to meet Mr. Throop about
the sale of his Egypt farm. North Ontario by-elections for Domin-
ion house. Grant elected.
11 – Splitting wood in the forenoon and keeping house in the af-
ternoon while Jennie and Annie went to missionary meeting at the
church. Roads very muddy.
12 – A fine warm day. Split wood in the forenoon and some
chores in the afternoon. Jennie sewing carpet rags. Young Cawker
the butcher called before dinner wanting to buy cattle. He did not
buy them but came again and got a steer at 7 cts dressed weight.
He took him away with him. Wes Luke called before supper.
13 – A fine warm day. Pruning apple trees. Beggar man called
after dinner. James Lee called in the evening. First robin of the
season today.
14 – A fine warm day. Pruning apple trees all day and finished the
job. Jennie and the children started for Mark’s in the afternoon but
turned back on account of mud. Mrs. A. Akhurst [had] a daughter.
15 – A fine spring day. At SS and church with Annie, Mr. Cam-
eron preached. No CE on account of the very bad roads.
16 – A fine warm day. Drew out the brush from the orchard in the
forenoon and at the berry bushes in the afternoon while Jennie and
baby Willie went to Port Perry. She reports very bad roads, no
bottom to them. At Mark’s in the evening having a sing. A very
dark night and raining some. James Lee was also at Mark’s.
17 – Another fine day. Cleaned out the colts pen and planted a few
potatoes in the forenoon and cut down the apple tree in the garden.
Went over to the Luke barn and got settled up with G. Michie, the
first time for several years. Little Jim Lee brought the mail. Jennie
dying carpet rags.
18 – A fine warm day. Made some nests in the hen house and at
the berry bushes. At prayer meeting, Mr. Boe leader. An after
meeting about the SS anniversary. It was decided to have one on
the 24 and 25 of May. Roads very bad. Drove Mrs. Gordon to her
gate. Lightning in the evening.
19 – A very warm spring day. Plowed and trimmed at the berry
bushes all day. Jessie Michie came up in the forenoon and little
Annie went down with her and Jennie and Willie went after her in
the afternoon. Isaac O’Neill called in the afternoon. Young
Cawker called.
20 – A very warm day for this time of year. At the berry bushes in
the forenoon and drew some manure to the garden and orchard in
the afternoon. Joseph Burton called before dinner to see about
building a new hen house. John Lee called in the afternoon.
Wilbert Lee brought the mail. Thunder storm at 7 pm (the first of
the season). Rain through the evening.
21 – Another nice day. Got cooler towards night. Plowed the
garden (the first time since it was a garden as far as I know) and
part of the orchard and finished fixing the raspberry bushes.
22 – A fine day, some frost in the morning. At SS and church with
Annie, Mr. Cameron preached. No CE.
23 – A drizzling rain from the east most of the day. Did a few
chores and raked the straw off the strawberries.
24 – Somewhat cooler towards night. Mr. W. Akhurst here in the
forenoon for some berry bushes. Went to Port Perry in the after-
noon with 14 bags to get ground and got it home. Roads very bad,
especially south from the 7th
concession. A. Lee called with the
mail.
25 – Rather rough with snow flurries most of the day. Drawing
wood out of the wood lot in the swamp in the forenoon and in the
afternoon kept house while Jennie and little Annie went to Port
Perry with carpet rags.
26 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Buck sawed wood and cut
nearly 3 cords. Isaac O’Neill and Clarence came for a bag of oats.
Tom Michie brought Mrs. J.C. Mason and baby, who has been at
Mr. Mark’s for a day or two. About 6:30 Tom Black came with
his tram. He got supper and went down to Mark’s for the night.
27 – A fine day. Cleaned out the pig house and a few other chores
in the forenoon. Tom Black got some seed oats at A. Akhurst’s
and left for home after dinner. At preparatory service at the
church, Mr. Limbert preached, a fair turnout. Mr. D. Till became a
member. Jennie and Mrs. Mason making a dress for Willie.
28 – Somewhat colder with a little snow flurries in the afternoon.
Went up to A. Lee’s and got a piece of an old seeder to replace one
broken on ours. In the afternoon kept house while Jennie, Willie,
Mrs. Mason and baby Mason went to Port Perry and got the two
children’s pictures taken. Mrs. M. also got hers.
29 – A very fine clear day. Mrs. Mason kept house while Jennie,
Annie and I went to communion service. About the usual atten-
dance. Mr. Cameron preached. AT CE with Jennie, rather a larger
meeting than usual. I was leader.
30 – A very fine day. Took Mrs. Mason and baby to Port Perry on
her way home. Brought Mr. John Throop (who is canvassing for
beets for the Peterborough Sugar Co.) home with me and he stayed
for dinner. Put up the poultry netting about the hen yard. Jessie
Michie called in the morning and Alex Lee.
31 – A very fine day with high NW wind in the afternoon. Fin-
ished the hen yard fence, drew off stones from the fields and put in
post for new gate at road. Jennie washed, churned and went to
Greenbank with Willie. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron called while she
was away.
APR. 1 – A fine day. Spent all the day fixing the gate at the road.
W. Luke drawing wood. Ned paid us a visit. At prayer meeting, a
good turnout, Mr. Cameron leader. An after meeting about anni-
versary.
81
2 – A very fine day with quite a high wind in the afternoon. Spent
most of the day putting in garden stuff, Jennie helping. Also
planted some potatoes (2nd
lot) in the orchard.
3 – Rain all forenoon. About 2 pm it turned to snow and continued
the rest of the day until the ground was white. Bagged up some
oats for meal and found some for seed and made a whiffle tree.
Andrew Ross’ sale today. He and Mrs. Ross are going to Mani-
toba to spend the remainder of their days.
4 – About 2 or 3 inches of snow on the ground and very cold and
wintery all day. Did very little but the chores. Jennie and little
Annie went to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail. Got a
letter from Mrs. John Bell of Edinburgh.
5 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie, Mr. Cameron
preached. Jennie went to CE, a fine turnout, R.T. Harrington
leader.
6 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Took the 8 pigs to Blackwa-
ter and got $5.90 (a drop from $6.35 last week). They weighed
1520 lbs or 190 each. At church managers meeting in the evening.
Raining a little on the way home.
7 – A fine day with quite a high wind. Did a few odd jobs in the
forenoon and in the afternoon went to Port Perry with 15 bags of
oats to get ground and got it home with me. Jessie Michie called in
the forenoon.
8 – A very fine day. Split and piled wood in the forenoon and in
the afternoon took off storm windows and doors while Jennie and
the two children went to Port Perry. Jessie Michie brought the
mail. Jennie went to prayer meeting, Mr. Boe leader.
9 – Went up to A. Lee’s in the morning to get him to kill a pig
tomorrow, then finished splitting wood near the swamp. In the
afternoon it rained some from the NE and I went up to A. Lee’s
again to fan up some seed oats but he was down at the other place.
Terry cow had a calf.
10 – Good Friday. A fine day but a little cool. Alex Lee came
down in the morning and we killed the pig. I then went up with
him and fanned up 12 bags of seed oats. Plowed and harrowed in
the orchard in the afternoon.
11 – A fine day. Took half of the pig 78 lbs. up to Alex Lee and
brought home the seed oats, then cultivated the field west of the
house, the first spring work of the season. Then Jennie and the two
children went to Greenbank. Mamey Dusty called.
12 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Annie, Mr. Cameron
preached. Jennie at CE, G.A. McMillan leader.
13 – A fine day with a high east wind. Sowed the field west of the
house, the first of the season. Jennie washing and making head
cheese.
14 – Rain a little in the morning until about 10 when it set in in
earnest and continued most of the day. Sowed 3 acres north of the
barn when the rain came on. Alex Lee here in the afternoon bag-
ging up oats. Granny cow dropped a calf.
15 – Rain through the night and threatening all day. Too wet for
doing anything on the land. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon.
Jennie and Annie went to Wes Luke’s in the afternoon for eggs for
hatching. Went to prayer meeting, only 13 there. Roads very bad
and very dark night.
16 – A fine day. Kept house and read the evidence in the [Gar-
ney?] charges in the forenoon while Jennie whitewashed the cellar.
About 2 pm Willie boy got his left hand fingers badly bruised in
the door between the kitchen and woodshed. Mrs. A. Gordon
called in the afternoon. Plowed and harrowed in the orchard.
17 – A fine day but rather cool. Harrowing all day. Jennie var-
nishing some of the furniture.
18 – A fine day but rather cool. Did not go to bed until about 3 am
as I was watching the sow, 12 little pigs, but 1 dead. Harrowed
and picked off stones in the forenoon. In the afternoon drove with
little Annie to Greenbank for the mail. Just after supper Joe Stone
came in and bought the two steers for 4 ½ cents. Just at the same
time came Jas. A. Miller, B.A., who has just got through his col-
lege course and is going as a missionary to Depot Harbour for a
year. He stayed for tea and we had quite a talk.14
19 – A fine day. In the forenoon went over to A. Lee’s bush with
the children and got some mayflowers and found a partridge nest,
the first I ever saw. At SS and church with Annie. Jas. A. Miller
spoke at the SS. Mr. Cameron preached. Jennie went to CE, a
good meeting, she and A. McArthur took the topic. Sir Oliver
Mowat died this morning.15
20 – Some frost in the morning but a nice day. Drew out manure
all day. Jennie housecleaning upstairs. Went up to A. Akhurst’s in
the evening to see about the seeder. Mrs. Edly Stone died last
night.
21 – Some snow flurries in the forenoon. Plowing for mangels in
the forenoon and at Port Perry in the afternoon. Tom Black and
Ralph came just before dinner for a load of turnips. Isaac O’Neill
called in the evening for a loan of $5.00. Wilbert Lee brought the
mail in the morning.
22 – Cultivating in the forenoon and sowing oats in the afternoon.
At prayer meeting, Mr. Cameron leader. Choir practice after.
Jennie washing and housecleaning. Alex Lee called in the eve-
ning.
23 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon and got a
bushel of Speltz and sowed it in the afternoon, the first ever sown
on the place and the first in the locality as far as I know. Sowed
also a few oats which finishes for the season. Jennie houseclean-
ing upstairs.
24 – A very fine day. Harrowing and picking off stones until about
4 pm when Jennie and the children went to W. Luke’s for 2 set-
tings of eggs. Alex Lee called with the mail.
14
Depot Harbour, currently a ghost town, was just
west of Parry Sound, Ontario in Wasauksing Ojibway
First Nations territory on Parry Island.
15
Sir Oliver Mowat was the third premier of Ontario.
82
25 – A very nice day. Plowing in the forenoon. Alex Lee brought
the Three Rivers strawberries and I planted them in the afternoon.
In the evening went to Port Perry for Willemina Bell who came
from Rochester. George and Eva Leask called for some strawberry
plants but did not get any. J. Lee brought the mail.
26 – A very fine day. All went over to A. Lee’s bush in the fore-
noon for flowers. At SS and church with Willa and Annie, Mr.
Cameron preached. Willa and Jennie at CE, G.D. McMillan
leader, a good meeting.
27 – An extra fine day. Took the two steers to Blackwater. A
Akhurst took 1 and W. Luke 2. We all went together. Albert
drove his rig. Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry for the new rag
carpet.
28 – A very fine warm day. Worked all day drawing stones to
repair the road into the barn. W. Taylor called about potatoes.
Went up to A. Lee’s in the evening to get the news of the trial.
Jennie and Willa put down the new carpet in the best bedroom.
29 – A fine warm day and things starting to grow a little. Planted
potatoes in the orchard and some other chores in the forenoon and
rolled the hay field in the afternoon. At prayer meeting with Willa,
Mr. Cameron leader. Choir practice. Jennie housecleaning.
30 – A fine forenoon but a big rain in the afternoon. Willa drove
me out to Port Perry to the morning train by which I went to To-
ronto. Heard the [Ga....?] trial for awhile, then went to the horse
show and liked it very well. Walked home from Port Perry and a
bad walk it was with rain and mud. Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. Akhurst
and Mrs. Mark here in the afternoon. Jennie drove them home.
MAY 1 - A very cold day, hard frost in the morning. Fixed fences
and some other chores in the forenoon and in the afternoon went to
Port Perry with oats to get ground. Jennie went also. W. Taylor
called for potatoes. Keith Lee brought papers.
2 – A rather cool day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for the
meal and in the afternoon cultivated and harrowed the mangold
ground. Willa and the two children at Mark’s. Jimmie Lee
brought the mail.
3 – Rain in the afternoon. At SS and church with Jennie and An-
nie, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE, a fair meeting. Jas Miller and
Nellie McMillan leaders.
4 – A fine day. Planting strawberries all day. Jennie digging the
plants and Annie carrying them. Jennie and Annie went to W.
Luke’s for setting eggs and Willa and Annie to Port Perry for
strawberries. L. and Fred O’Neill called in the evening, also A.
Lee.
5 – Quite a frost in the morning but a very fine day. Finished
planting strawberries in the forenoon and rolled in the afternoon.
Jennie washed the buggy. At choir practice in the evening.
6 – A very nice warm day. Jennie and the two children went to Port
Perry in the forenoon (got 3 cherry trees) while I planted some
corn and other chores. Rolled in the afternoon.
7 – A fine day. Drilled up for mangolds in the forenoon. A. Lee
brought the mail among which was a letter from Mrs. Archer say-
ing she could not help us at our anniversary as expected so in the
afternoon Willa went to Port Perry to see about getting someone to
take her place and partly succeeded in getting Mr. McQueen.
While she was away Mrs. W. Wallace drove down to say that the
Claremont people that we expected were not coming.
8 – A very fine day. Finished drilling and then sowed the man-
golds in the forenoon. After dinner hitched up the Fly colt in the
old buggy to go to Greenbank but I completely lost control of her
going up the lane and nearly went through the gate. I then hitched
up Jess and with little Annie went up to see Mrs. W. Wallace about
getting help for SS anniversary concert. When I got home Aunt
Janet Tait of Whitby was here. She had walked from Port Perry as
we had not got her letter saying when she was to come. Mrs. Mark
was also here for some rose bushes. Drew out manure the remain-
der of the afternoon. Willa down to Mark’s in the evening.
9 – A fine day. Drawing out manure all day. At Greenbank in the
evening at band practice, the first time for one. Tried to beat the
drums. A very fine night.
10 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Willa and Annie, Mr.
Cameron preached. Jennie, Willa and Aunt Janet at CE, a good
meeting, Maggie Blair leader.
11 – A fine warm day. Plowing all day except after dinner when I
went up to Greenbank to see Mrs. Wallace about the anniversary
concert. Aunt Janet, Willa and little Annie visiting at Mark’s.
Alex Lee called in the evening to fill up 2 bags of potatoes for A.
Cragg.
12 – A very fine warm day. Fixed the watering place at the spring
and then took Aunt Janet to Port Perry on her way home. Willa
also went. Tried to make some arrangement for help at the SS
anniversary at Port Perry but failed, then drove to Myrtle and got
the promise of Miss Armiston. Called at Uncle’s and learned that
John Park was burned out a week ago last Sunday. Got home
about 5 and walked to Greenbank in the evening to choir practice.
Gramophone concert in the hall. Joe Wallace came down on his
wheel in the morning. Willa at W. Lukes in the evening for eggs.
13 – A very fine day. Drawing out manure all day. At prayer
meeting, Mr. Miller leader. An after meeting to make final ar-
rangements about the anniversary. Brought Maggie Blair down to
A. Gordon’s.
14 – A fine day. Planted corn in the orchard and spread manure
while Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry to market, the first time
since it started again. A large turnout but butter only 14 cts.
Planted corn in the little plot near the pump and plowed in the
afternoon.
15 – A fine day and things growing nicely. Finished plowing the
corn and potato land and harrowed it twice. Isaac O’Neill called
after dinner. Willa went to Greenbank in the evening and I called
at A. Lee’s.
16 – A very fine day. Harrowed and planted the horse corn with
A. Lee’s drill. Little Annie went down to Mark’s alone for the first
83
time but Willa and little Willie had to go after her. Silas Butt here
for tea. He off work as he is not very well. At band practice and
did not get home until past 12.
17 – A very warm summer like day. At SS and church with
Jennie, Annie and baby Willie (he for the first time). Mr. Cameron
preached. At CE with Willa, a fair meeting, R.T. Harrington
leader.
18 – A pretty warm day. Thundering most of the day until about 3
pm when there was a very heavy rain with some very sharp light-
ning. Drawing out manure until the rain came on. Anna Tait came
about 7, she wheeled out from Port Perry and pretty bad roads it
was. At choir practice in the evening.
19 – A fine warm day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with
Jennie and rolled in the afternoon.
20 – A very fine day and cooler. Drawing out manure all day.
Jennie washing. John came up for the roller. At band practice in
the evening. Willa and Annie went with me as far as W. Luke’s
for eggs.
21 – A fine day, some thunder after dinner but no rain here. Fin-
ished drawing out the manure, filled up holes in the barnyard and
the barn bridge, and took the colt over to Alex Lee’s for pasture.
Alex Lee called for scaffolding squares.
22 – A beautiful day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with
Willa for packing boxes and scuffler [?]. Scuffled and hoed straw-
berries in the afternoon. Planned to go with Jennie to SS conven-
tion at Port Perry in the evening but little Annie was not well so we
did not go.
23 – A fine day and some cooler. Hoed the berry bushes and at 4
pm with Jennie and the two children went down to the creek and
got a boat ride. At band practice in the evening. A little rain on
the way home.
24 – A very fine day but somewhat cool. At SS and church with
Jennie, Willa and little Annie. Anniversary services conducted by
Rev. Mr. Best of Beaverton. A very full house and a good address.
At church again in the evening with Anna (Willa stayed for tea at
Mr. Akhurst’s). Mr. Best preached again and to another very full
house. Collection of $18.64, the largest on record.
25 – A very fine cool day. Hoed in the orchard in the forenoon.
At the SS anniversary in the afternoon. Walked up while Jennie,
Anna and the two children came after. Jennie and the children
came home with John and he brought Willa up. There was a tre-
mendous crowd, the largest we ever had, and everything went off
well. The Greenbank Band appeared for the first time. The pro-
ceeds so far are $137.00 with a social tomorrow.
26 – Cutting seed potatoes in the cellar all day. Willa drove Jennie
and little Annie up to the church in the afternoon to help clean up
the anniversary dishes. I drove up after 6 o’clock, there was not
very many out. A big thunder storm came up as we were at tea.
27 – Drilled up for potatoes in the forenoon and plowed in the
afternoon until about 3:30 when a thunder shower came up but it
did not rain much. Started about 5:45 and drove over to Shaw’s
Church to a social. The band played. A thunderstorm was on most
of the evening. Got home at 11. Beef ring started.
28 – Cooler with high NW wind. Planted potatoes in field. B.
Cragg called asking hands for D. Whalen’s raising tomorrow.
John Lee and Bella called.
29 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Nellie Michie called and
Anna and her went to visit at A. Akhurst’s.
30 – A fine cool day. Plowing all day. Mrs. J.M. Real and her
mother Mrs. Leask called in the afternoon. At band practice.
Anna and Willa went up to Greenbank with me and walked home.
31 – A very fine cool day. At SS and church with Anna, Willa and
little Annie, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE with Jennie and Anna,
a fair meeting. E. Miller and I leaders.
JUNE 1 – A very fine day. Finished plowing the turnip land in the
forenoon, and in the afternoon went with Jennie and the two chil-
dren to Seagrave to see R. Thompson about berry boxes.
2 – An extra fine day and evening. Scuffled the strawberries, corn
and mangels and in the afternoon went to Port Perry with Jennie
and little Annie. Johnnie Carneggie came for a bag of oats.
3 – A very fine day. Went to Greenbank in the morning for the
beef, then to E. Beare’s for 8 thousand shingles. Drilled up for
turnips in the afternoon. The women scraping off the paint and
paper on the front room. At prayer meeting with Willa, an after
meeting about SS money and the CE social.
4 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry with little Annie, then
sowed 24 drills of turnips and scuffled the mangolds. Alex Lee got
20 bushels of oats. In the afternoon helped to paper the ceiling and
paint the woodwork of the front room. John Lee and Adam Hislop
of Brooklin called. Willa and the two children went down to
Mark’s to see how John was, he having been under the weather.
They report him better.
5 – Another fine day. Harrowing in the forenoon and hoeing in the
orchard in the afternoon. Willa in bed all day. At choir practice in
the evening. Judges gave their decision in the [Gamcy?] charges
yesterday. Charges not proven. John Lee called in the forenoon.
6 – A fine day. Finished harrowing and then rolled the turnip
ground. Hoed in the orchard and helped to paint in the afternoon.
Nellie Michie here for tea. A. Lee called with the mail. At band
practice at night.
7 – A fine day. At SS and church with Willa and Anna, Mr. Cam-
eron preached. Anna stayed at Mr. Akhurst’s for tea. Jennie at
CE, Mr. Miller leader.
8 – A little rain in the forenoon. Hoeing mangolds all day, a pretty
even crop. Women folk papering the front room. Had the first
strawberries of the season for supper.
84
9 – A fine warm day, some thunder in the afternoon but no rain
here. Drawing gravel all day from Jas. McMillan’s pit to the 10th
concession just east of where the spring runs out. 6 teams drawing.
This is the first year under the new plan of road work. We get 30
cts. per hour. W. Real is commissioner for this section. Willa
went to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail. Mrs. Annie
Gordon called in the afternoon.
10 – A very fine day. Drawing gravel in the forenoon and helping
Charles Gordon to lay the foundation of his barn. Willa and little
Annie went to Port Perry with the first strawberries, 16 boxes and
got 12 ½ cts for them. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron here for tea. At
prayer meeting with Anna, Mr. Cameron leader.
11 – Rain through the night which did a lot of good as things were
getting somewhat dry. Went to Seagrave in the forenoon for berry
boxes at R. Thompson’s but did not get them as they had not got
there yet. At Charles Gordon’s barn raising in the afternoon. John
Monroe and John Brown were captains. Brown’s side won by a
very close margin. I was, as usual, on the winning side. Jennie at
W.F.M.L. meeting at John Stone’s.
12 – Drilling up for turnips in the forenoon. After dinner Jennie
went to Port Perry with strawberries while I sowed turnips with
Fly, the first time at such work. Then drilled up some more. A
little drizzle from the NE most of the afternoon.
13 – A cool day. A heavy rain through the night. Took 4 young
cattle to W. Luke’s to cut down his clover field, then sowed 20
drills of turnips. Hoed mangolds in the afternoon. Joe Burton
came for the drill and had just gone when George Michie came
wanting it. At Greenbank in the evening. Went for band practice
but there was no drum so I went to the S.O.T16
., the first time for
several years. Gave W. Taylor a ride home.
14 – A fine day but very cool. At SS and church with Jennie,
Willa and little Annie. At CE with Jennie and Anna, G.A.
McMillan leader.
15 – A very fine day. Shingling the kitchen, John Michie helping.
Did the east side. Jennie washing. Anna and Willa picking straw-
berries and then after 4 o’clock took them to Port Perry. G.A.
McMillan came in about 9 o’clock to consult about the missionary
views on Thursday.
16 – A fine day, a little rain in the evening. Shingling the west side
of the kitchen, John Michie helping. Jennie and the two children
went to Greenbank in the morning to telephone about the mission-
ary views and visited at Mrs. Akhurst’s and John Lee’s and got
home about 3:30. Wes Luke brought the turnip drill home and we
had a settle up, the first for two years. Anna and Willa at Mark’s
for tea. Went to Port Perry and got 100 berry boxes from Mr.
Kellet. A. Lee is shingling his house today.
17 – A little drizzling rain in the afternoon. Drilling up for turnips
and finished at 4 pm. Jennie then went to Port Perry with straw-
berries while I finished the roof of the kitchen. Nellie Michie,
Anna and Jennie picking berries. R. Thompson’s boy came with
500 berry boxes. Frank Dobson’s raising.
16
Sons of Temperance.
18 – Finished sowing turnips, scuffled the corn and strawberries in
the forenoon and hoeing mangolds in the afternoon. Women
housecleaning the kitchen. William Luke called wishing to rent his
farm. At Greenbank with Jennie to a magic lantern [?] on For-
mosa, a fair turnout, proceeds $9.31.
19 – A very fine cool day. Finished hoeing mangolds and then
hoed in the orchard. Nellie Michie here picking strawberries.
Jennie and the two children took them to Port Perry in the after-
noon. G.D., Nellie and Maggie McMillan here in the evening. A
tramp got breakfast.
20 – A very fine day. Hoeing in the orchard most of the day. Mrs.
W. Real Jr. and Mrs. W. Real called for strawberries. Willa went
to Greenbank after supper on the wheel. At band practice but there
was no drum there yet. Had a few new potatoes for dinner, the
first of the season.
21 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Anna and
little Annie. G. Miller addressed the SS, Mr. Cameron preached.
At CE with Anna and Willa, rather a small meeting, Willa was
leader.
22 – A fine day with a little rain in the evening. Went after the
cattle that had been at W. Luke’s for 9 days and then scuffled the
mangolds in the forenoon. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb of Manchester
came after dinner, A. Lee and John Lee for berries, and Jim Taylor
to get an eat of berries. Nellie and Jessie helping to pick. Oliver
and Eva Luke called in the evening for berries. John Michie also
called in the evening but not for berries. Jennie and little Annie
went to Port Perry in the afternoon with berries. A big picking
today. After Lamb’s left for home I hoed some corn.
23 – A terrible rain from the SE during the night which killed 9
chickens in the coops. Did a few odd chores in the forenoon and
went to Port Perry in the afternoon. Willa went with me. E. Stone
and G. Lee called for strawberries. Jennie, Willa and Anna at
meeting in connection with District Division of S.O.T.
24 – Rain through the night and most all the day. Threw out some
of the spare straw in the barn and then started to replace the kitchen
floor, Jennie helping. At band practice in the evening, the first
play on the new drum, and also the first time over the blacksmith
shop. Alex Lee here in the afternoon making a stoneboat. Little
Annie on the sick list.
25 – A very fine day but somewhat dull in the morning. Almost
went for the Dr. for Annie in the morning but she got better. At the
kitchen floor all day, Jennie helping part of the time, but hardly
finished. Anna, Nellie and Jessie picking strawberries. Anna took
a lot to Greenbank and intermediate places. L. O’Neill, Mrs. W.
Real, Maggie Blair and Mrs. S. Dusty, John and Bella Lee called
for berries. Bob Nelson called wanting to buy cattle. South On-
tario F.E. excursion to Guelph.
26 – A fine cool day. Went with little Annie to George Tocher’s in
the forenoon and in the afternoon attended preparatory service at
the church. Rev. Mr. Reid of Leaskdale preached. We got Wil-
liam Cameron baptized. There was also baptized A. Gordon’s girl
(Annie Isabella), W. H. Leask’s girl (Cathleen Eugene) and J.M.
85
Real’s girl (Mary Ledingham). Maggie McMillan and her niece
Miss Leask came after strawberries. Finished laying the kitchen
floor after supper.
27 – A fine day. Did several little chores in the forenoon and in
the afternoon went to Port Perry with 12 bags of oats to get ground.
Willa went with me but came home on the wheel. At band practice
in the evening. Jessie Michie here picking strawberries. Mary
Dusty and Jennie Gordon, Mrs. J.M. Real, and W. Real called for
berries. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe of Manchester came for berries but
got none.
28 – A very nice day. Went with Jennie and Anna to communion
at Wick. Mr. Cameron preached. Hardly as large a turnout as
usual. I stayed for dinner at John Lee’s and went to the Methodist
SS anniversary service. Mr. Emory of Whitby was the chair, the
speakers were Mr. Cameron and W. Ross, MP, and a very good
meeting. Willa and Anna walked up and Anna went to Mark’s for
tea. Jennie and Willa went to the evening meeting. Mr. Emory
preached to a large house.
29 – A nice day with quite a shower in the afternoon. Scuffling
potatoes and hoeing in the orchard in the forenoon. C. Gordon
called wanting me to help him shingle his new barn but I could not
go. Nellie Michie picking strawberries. In the afternoon helping
Alex Lee to paint John Lee’s house. Willa went to Port Perry with
berries to send to Newcastle and then took some to Greenbank. E.
Stone came for berries and Mr. and Mrs. John Beaton but they did
not get any. Barbara, Mrs. J.C. Mason and baby Kennedy Mason
came about 7 pm. Uncle Tom’s Cabin show at Port Perry tonight.
30 – Willa drove Anna to the morning train on her way to Whitby,
perhaps for Winnipeg. Helped Alex Lee to paper the east end of
Jim’s house in the forenoon. At Port Perry in the afternoon and did
not get home until 8:30. Barbara and little Annie at Mark’s in the
evening. Had the first meal of new potatoes today.
JUL 1 – A big rain through the night. Went for the beef in the
morning, then picked strawberries. Jennie, Barbara, Mrs. Mason
and Jessie and Nellie Michie also helping, Barbara, Mrs. M. and
Master M. left for home about 3 pm. Went with Willa to the
Methodist SS anniversary which was held in the church and sheds.
The speakers in the afternoon were Rev. Buckles, Barber and Har-
ris. Band played several pieces. Did not stop to the evening show.
A thunder storm came up just after I got home. Very warm day.
Made $1.69.
2 – A very fine cool day. Scuffling in the forenoon and hoeing
corn and potatoes in the afternoon. Nellie and Jessie here picking
black currants.
3 – Jennie and the two children went to Port Perry in the forenoon.
Rain all the way. C. Calacut and Angus ____ for Mr. Parish, put
eves troughs on the barn. Nellie McMillan came for berries.
Nellie and Jessie Michie picking berries. Wes Luke, John
McKinnon; and Master McKinnon of Buffalo called in the after-
noon. Sandy Gordon came for berries in the evening. Alan and
Emma Black came in the afternoon and stayed all night. At choir
practice in the evening.
4 – A fine cool day. Alan and Emma Black left for home in the
forenoon. Experimented in poisoning groundhogs in the morning
and hoed turnips the remainder of the day. Hoed the garden after
supper.
5 – At SS and church with Willa and little Annie, Mr. Cameron
preached. Lizzie McArthur came home for tea. At CE with Willa,
rather a small meeting, E. Boe leader. G. Miller spoke. A very
heavy shower about 3 pm.
6 - A very fine cool day and no rain. Scuffling in the forenoon
and hoeing in the afternoon. Nellie and Jessie picking strawber-
ries. Jennie washing. At managers meeting in the evening.
7 – A very fine day. At Port Perry in the forenoon and finished
hoeing the mangolds, 2nd
time, in the afternoon. At band practice
in the evening but very few out. Willa at Mark’s arranging for
picnic.
8 – A very warm day. Painting all day at house. Willa went to
Port Perry in the afternoon for more paint. At prayer meeting with
Willa, Mr. Cameron leader. An after meeting about the CE.
9 – Very warm. Painting at house until about 5 when a big thunder
storm came on. Jennie, Willa and the two children at W.F.M.S. at
Mr. Mark’s.
10 – A fine cool day. Scuffled turnips awhile in the morning and
then about 10, with Jennie, Willa and the children went over to
orchards and rowed across to 7 Mile Island and had a very pleasant
time. George, Nellie and Jessie Michie and Wes Luke, Oliver, Eva
and Ned were the crowd. Got home at 7. Mrs. Mark stayed here
while we were away. Alex Lee called in the evening for some
butter.
11 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips all day. At band practice in
the evening.
12 – A very fine cool day. At SS and church with Jennie and little
Annie, Mr. Cameron preached and spoke strongly of our duty to
the CE and the like. Maggie Blair came home with us to tea. At
CE with Maggie B. and Willa, a fair meeting. G.D. McMillan, our
new president, leader.
13 – A very fine day. Scuffling corn, potatoes and turnips in the
forenoon and hoeing turnips in the afternoon. Jennie washing.
Willa visiting at Mark’s.
14 – Some little rain flurries during the day. Hoed turnips in the
forenoon and in the afternoon went with the Greenbank band to the
Seagrave SS picnic. Had a very good time. The principal singer at
the concert was a Mr. McGregor of Toronto. Got home a little
before 12. Willa went to Greenbank in the afternoon.
15 – A fine day. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie and Willa at
prayer meeting.
16 – A shower about 12 which would wet cut hay. At the turnips
all day. Jennie and Annie at market at Port Perry. Mrs. W. Ianson,
old Mrs. Byers and Mrs. Harper called in the afternoon.
86
17 – A fine day. At the turnips all day. Isaac O’Neill got the horse
rake to rake up his hay.
18 – A very dull day with rain in the evening. Hoed turnips in the
forenoon and finished, and Paris Greened the potatoes in the after-
noon. At band practice in the evening.
19 – Rain in the afternoon and evening. At SS and church with
Willa and little Annie, Mr. Cameron preached. Got ready to go to
CE but rain came on.
20 – A good deal of thunder all day but not very much rain. Some
very sharp lightning about 2 pm. Hoeing in the orchard in the
forenoon and painting the kitchen (outside) in the afternoon.
Jennie cleaning the hen house in the afternoon which is very bad
with vermin. Jennie, Willa and the two children at Greenbank in
the evening for bread.
21 – A fine day. Some thunder but only a drop of rain. Painting
most of the day. Went to W. Luke’s before dinner to see about the
mower. Willa and Jennie picking berries. Willa at Mark’s in the
evening.
22 – Rain through the night, thunder and a little rain several times
through the day and a very heavy shower about 7 pm. Went to
Port Perry in the forenoon and scuffling turnips in the afternoon.
Went to prayer meeting but there was no one.
23 – A fine day. Cut thistles on roadside and then painted at the
house. After supper took the team and went to Greenbank and
brought home Mr. Dusty’s cow and calf. Went by way of E.
Beare’s and took back 7 bunches of shingles. Jennie and Willa
picking berries and then Willa and little Annie went to Port Perry
with them.
24 – A very fine day. Went to Luke’s in the morning for his
mower and cut hay all day. Willa at Mark’s for tea.
25 – Finished cutting hay and took the mower home in the fore-
noon. In the afternoon went down to Isaac’s for the horse rake,
then raked up some of the hay. At band practice in the evening.
26 – A very fine cool day. At SS and church with Jennie and little
Annie, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE with Willa, a fair meeting,
R.T. Harrington leader. William Perkins died this morning.
27 – A fine cool day. At hay all day, A. Akhurst helping and
George about 2 hours. Broke the waggon and had to get Albert’s.
Jennie at W. Perkin’s funeral at Jas. Leask’s.
28 – A fine cool day, threatening rain a little but only a few drops.
At the hay, A. Akhurst and John Michie helping, and finished
except the rakings at 5 pm. 17 loads in all. Jennie washing. Mrs.
Bush buried today.
29 – Thunder and much rain through the night and the forenoon.
Went for the beef and painted on the house the most of the day.
Jennie and little Annie went to Port Perry. Mrs. A. Gordon called
and Willa visiting at Jas. McMillan’s. John Michie had a runaway
with the binder.
30 – A fine cool day. Finished raking hay stubble and then went
with George to Port Perry to order the bills for the Band lawn
party. Drew in the rakings and then rigged up the binder a bit.
Willa went to Port Perry with berries.
31 – A very fine day. Scuffling turnips in the forenoon and put
Paris Green on potatoes in the afternoon. Willa at Greenbank for
green. Jennie and the children visiting at G.A. McMillan’s and W.
Luke’s.
AUG. 1 – A very fine day. Cut the rye in the forenoon, John help-
ing, and did some chores and painted in the afternoon. Jennie and
the 2 children took Willa to Port Perry. She is to stay to the Old
Boys show on Monday. At band practice. Gave Alex Lee a ride
up and back.
2 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Annie, Mr. Cameron
preached. At CE, rather a good meeting. I acted as leader.
3 – Some dull in the morning but turned out a fine day. Did a few
chores in the forenoon and in the afternoon went to Port Perry Old
Boys17
demonstration, which was quite a success. A good crowd.
Our band was there and won 2nd
in competition with Epsom and
Layton. Did not stay for the concert. Mrs. Luke and Ned here in
the afternoon.
4 – Great rain from the east through the night and all forenoon.
Did some chores in the barn in the forenoon and painted the house
in the afternoon. Put on the trimming paint. J. Lee called with the
mail.
5 – Somewhat dull day. Jennie and little Annie drove to Port Perry
where they went to Brooklin by train to see her father’s grave as
Aunt Janet is to put up a stone, but she could not find it. Willa
brought the horse home. Painting most of the day. Went down to
Port Perry with Willie for Jennie and Annie. At prayer meeting
with Willa, larger meeting than usual. James Monroe gave an
account of his trip to Vancouver to the general assembly.
6 – A dull morning with 2 or 3 thunder showers. Went up to A.
Lee’s in the morning for some felt paper and then boarded up the
west door of the kitchen. Alex Lee started his new binder, the first
he has cut.
7 – A very fine day. Painting house in the forenoon. At strawber-
ries in the afternoon. Went up and saw A. Lee’s new binder work-
ing. Jas. McKitrick called asking hands to his raising. Willa and
the children at Mark’s in the afternoon and her and Jessie went to
the Epworth League in the evening18
.
8 – A fine day. Painting most of the forenoon and finished the job.
Jennie and little Annie went to Port Perry. After dinner Willa and
Annie drove me to Greenbank to McKitrick’s barn raising. At
band practice in the evening. Got a ride home with C. Gordon.
Little Willie 2 years old today.
17
Perhaps referring to the Home Comer’s Reunion?
18
Epworth League is a Methodist young adults asso-
ciation for ages 18-35.
87
9 – A fine cool day. At SS and church with Jennie and little Annie,
G. Miller addressed the SS, Mr. Cameron preached. At C.E. with
Willa, a fair meeting, G.A. McMillan leader.
10 – A fine day. Plowed sod east of the orchard in the forenoon.
About 3 o’clock John came and we drew in rye. In the evening
went to Greenbank and helped to fix up the ground for the party at
W. Real’s. Organ tuner called and tuned the church and SS organs.
11 – A fine day and pretty cool. George came up in the morning
and took in the rest of the rye and then cut oats until 5 pm when we
quit and with Willa went to the band lawn party at W. Real’s,
which turned out a big success. Harry Bennett of Toronto was the
star. Got home about 11:30.
12 – John came about an hour in the morning and finished the field
then Oliver Luke came for the binder. Raked the rye stubble and
then took Willa to Port Perry on her way to Newcastle. Plowed a
bit in the afternoon and in the evening went up and helped to clean
up after the party. Bella Gordon of Boston and Annie McMillan,
John and Bella Lee called in the afternoon.
13 – A very fine day. Plowed and harrowed in the forenoon.
Drew in the rye rakings and put in new posts for the gate down the
east lane.
14 – A very fine day. Spent the whole day in doing a number of
small jobs. Everybody around cutting grain.
15 – A fine day and pretty warm. Spent all the day filling up the
big wash out in the pasture field SW of the orchard. At band prac-
tice in the evening. Wes Luke called on his way to Port Perry for
repairs to binder and sold me his share for $15.00. Ned Luke
stayed here while he was away.
16 – A very fine day. At SS and church with little Annie, Mr.
Cameron preached. Did not go to CE. Mother has been very
poorly the last few days. Mr. Mark called in the evening.
17 – A very fine day. Went down to George’s in the morning to
make arrangements about cutting and did some other chores in the
forenoon. Mrs. Gordon here for dinner. In the afternoon starting
about 3 threshing at Mrs. Phair’s. Jason Stone’s new machine with
a straw blower, the first in these parts, and it works very well.
Mrs. Mark came and stayed while Jennie and little Willie went to
Port Perry to meet Jessie Bell and Alma Perrin who came from
Newcastle. Dr. D. Archer came in the evening to see Mother.
18 – A very fine day. At Mrs. Phair’s threshing and finished at
noon. After dinner got A. Lee’s double buggy and went to Port
Perry for Jessie Bell’s trunk, then went to W. Luke’s for the binder
and cut a little after supper. John came up in the morning to help
but went home again. Alma and little Annie went down to Mark’s
in the afternoon.
19 – Cutting oats with John’s help in the forenoon. After dinner
there was some rain and there was no cutting until after supper.
20 – A very fine day. Finished cutting (with John’s help) for the
season in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with Alma Perrin
and little Annie to Seagrave and home by Saintfield and Green-
bank.
21 – A fine day. Helping W. Luke all day at harvest.
22 – At W. Luke’s with horse all day and finished his cutting. A
little before 9 pm Mundo Perrin, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Patton and two
children came and stayed all night. Willa also came with them.
23 – A fine day. At SS and church with Willa, Alma Perrin and
little Annie. George Miller preached, Mr. Cameron being away on
his holidays. At CE with Jennie, Willa and little Willie, a fair
meeting. I was in for leader as Maggie Blair did not turn up.
24 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry the first thing in the
morning for provisions. Mundo Perrin, Alma and Fred Patton
started for home before I got home. Drew in oats the remainder of
the day, George helping. Jennie helping in the barn. Mary Patton
washing and Jessie keeping house.
25 – A great rain through the night and part of the forenoon and
everything soaked, so there was no harvesting today. Cleaned up
the grainery and a few odd jobs. At band practice in the evening.
Expected Mr. Goldring of Port Perry to lead, but he did not come.
26 – A fine day. Went after the beef in the morning and scuffled
the strawberries. In the afternoon went with Jennie to the grave-
yard on the 12th
concession.
27 – A fine day, but pretty cool. Gang plowed in the forenoon and
in the afternoon went with Jennie and the two children to James
Smith’s, calling for supper at Tom Black’s. Jas. C. Mason was
there and we talked until near midnight.
28 – A cool day and threatening rain from the east but did not
come. Jas. Mason went to Toronto and we started for home after
dinner and got here about 5. Mr. Henders called today wanting to
buy apples.
29 – A sort of a mist all day from the east but hardly amounted to
rain. Plowing most of the day.
30 – Heavy rain through the night and off and on through the day
and very heavy in the evening. At SS and church with Jennie,
Mary (Mrs. Patton) and little Annie. G. Miller preached. Did not
go to CE on account of the rain. Lots of grain out yet and badly
soaked again.
31 – A fine day but rather close and damp. Some thunder but no
rain here. Plowing and harrowing in the forenoon and from about
3 pm threshing at A. Lee’s, Jason Stone’s machine. Mr. and Mrs.
Alex Cragg there. Mr. Lyle the new tenant of the place was there
also. Jennie and Mary Patton at Port Perry getting the Patton chil-
dren’s picture taken.
SEPT. 1 – Dull most of the day but cleared up some towards eve-
ning. Jessie Bell drove Mary and her children to Port Perry to the
morning train on their way to Newcastle. Threshing at A. Lee’s
88
until about 3:30 and finished. At band practice in the evening. Mr.
Goldring was there for the first time. Rode up and back with Nor-
man Phair.
2 – A fine day, no rain. Reset all the oat shocks in the forenoon
and found them growing pretty bad. Drew out manure and some
other chores in the afternoon. Mrs. O’Neill and Mrs. Carneggie
here in the afternoon. They were after crab apples but we have
none this year.
3 – A fine day. Finished drawing out manure. Got 6 bags of oats
from A. Lee and did some other small jobs. Some of the
neighbours drawing in grain, it cannot be very dry. Willa and the
2 children at Mark’s and after supper at Greenbank for the mail.
4 – A dry day. A thunder storm went round in the afternoon but
only a few drops of rain here. Drawing in oats all day, in the fore-
noon with Jennie’s help and Albert Akhurst and Jennie in the af-
ternoon. Finished harvest, late this year on account of the rain.
5 – A very fine cool day. Plowing in the forenoon and did some
odd jobs in the afternoon while Jennie, Willa and the two children
went to Port Perry. Took little Annie to the Dr. as she has not been
doing very well lately.
6 – A fine cool day. At SS and church with Jennie, G. Miller
preached. J.M. Real was at SS, the first time this year. At CE, a
fair meeting, C. Gordon leader.
7 – Jess drove Jennie and I to Port Perry to the morning train and
we went to Toronto to the Dominion Industrial Fair.19
Went first to
Jas. Masons, 88 Winchester Street, and then to the fair. An im-
mense crowd. One of the big attractions is the Queen Victoria
Jubilee presents. Did not stay to the fireworks as it was raining a
little. Stayed at Mason’s all night.
8 – Went first to see the zoo in Riverside Park and then to the Fair
again. Another very large crowd. The great attraction was the
Coldstream Guards Band of London, England. They played very
fine. Left the grounds about 3:30, went to Mason’s again. Train
about an hour late in getting to Port Perry. Jessie drove down for
us. Willa and the two children at Port Perry in the forenoon.
9 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. J. Goldring called wishing
to sell a sewing machine.
10 – A fine day. Some thunder in the afternoon but very little rain.
Plowing all day.
11 – A fine day. Doing some odd chores in the forenoon while
Jennie went to Port Perry. Plowing in the afternoon. Willa walked
to Greenbank.
12 – A fine day and pretty warm. Plowing all day. Edith Phair,
Lilley Throop of Keene, and A. McArthur here in the evening.
19
The Dominion Industrial Fair started in 1879. The
name was later changed to the Canadian National
Exhibition.
13 – A fine day and pretty warm. At SS and church with Jessie,
Willa and little Annie. Mr. Cameron preached. At CE with Jennie
and little Willie. Jas A. Miller was leader.
14 – A very fine day. Plowing and harrowing. Went to Greenbank
after dinner. Neighbour Lyle started plowing.
15 - A very fine day. I think about the warmest this year, 80 in the
shade. Gang plowing all day. Went up to Wes Luke’s after din-
ner. Walked to band practice in the evening.
16 – Another very warm day. Plowing and harrowing in the fore-
noon and picking up apples in the afternoon. At prayer meeting, E.
Boe leader. A good deal of thunder in the afternoon but no rain.
17 – Rain off and on most of the forenoon, some better in the af-
ternoon. 32 degrees colder than yesterday. Did very little but a
few odd chores. W. Luke here in the afternoon.
18 – A fine day, a few little sun showers. Threshing at A. Ak-
hurst’s (J. Leask’s machine) in the forenoon and at George’s
(Luke’s barn) in the afternoon. Jennie, Willa and the two children
at Port Perry in the forenoon. Mrs. Jas. Leask and Mrs. Annie
Gordon here in the afternoon.
19 – Quite a hard frost in the morning, the first of the season.
Threshing at George’s until about 9 and finished the barn, then to
D. Cragg’s and I went and built his stack. Mr. Henders called
buying apples.
20 – A fine day. At SS and church, Mr. Cameron preached.
Jessie and Willa went to church at Port Perry. George Fowlie here
for dinner and he and Willa and little Annie went to church. At CE
with Jennie and little Willie, a good turnout, E. Boe leader.
21 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes all day. Jennie picked up
nearly all that were dug. Willa and Nellie Michie went down to
James Smith’s for Mrs. Mason’s gramophone. They got home
about 8:30. Norman Phair, Armour McMillan and Arch McArthur
called in (having been down to Mark’s) to hear a few tunes on the
gramophone.
22 – Another very fine day. At the potatoes all day alone. Went
down to Port Perry in the evening for Mrs. Joyce who had been at
J. Smith’s for a few days. Spent the evening with music on the
gramophone.
23 – A fine day, but some rain and rough towards night and in the
evening. Went for the beef in the morning, then at the potatoes.
Mrs. Joyce, Jessie and the two children visiting at Mark’s. Mr. and
Mrs. Cameron called in the afternoon. Jennie, Mrs. Joyce and the
two children at tea at Wes Luke’s. Music in the evening.
24 – A pretty cool day. Picked up apples in the forenoon and took
them (21 bags) to Port Perry evaporators in the afternoon. Mrs.
Gordon here for dinner and Mrs. Joyce went with her to S. Dusty’s.
After supper I took her from there to Greenbank. Port Perry’s new
electric light system starts tonight.
25 – A fine day. Finished the potato digging in the forenoon and in
the afternoon at preparatory service in the church. Rev. ____ of
Sunderland preached a great sermon. Jennie and Annie also there.
89
In the evening there was a concert until about 11 pm. Sandy
Gordon, Mrs. Alex Lee and all the children, all the Michie crowd,
and Phair’s young folks, A. Dusty, Albert and Mrs. A. [Akhurst],
and E. And Ernie Salter were the crowd.
26 – A very fine day. Harrowing in the forenoon. Cut the corn in
the little plot near the pump. Then drove with the waggon to Port
Perry for the meal and waiting until the 8 train for Aunt Janet but
she did not come. Arch McArthur here in the evening.
27 – A pretty raw day with high wind. At communion with Jennie
at Greenbank, Mr. Cameron preached. John Lee called in the
afternoon. At CE with Willa and Jessie, an extra large meeting.
Ethel Miller leader. Special collection to make up the balance of
$50.00 to help a student in the north west.
28 – A pretty cool day. Took Jessie Bell to the morning train on
her way back to Rochester after being here 6 weeks. Harrowed the
remainder of the forenoon. Cleaned the clock and cut corn in the
orchard in the afternoon. Gramophone concert in the evening.
29 – A very fine day. Cutting corn most of the day. Jennie and
little Annie at Port Perry in the afternoon.
30 – Cutting corn all day and finished the job. At gramophone
concert with Willa in the basement of church for the W.F.M.S., a
full house and lasted 2 ½ hours. Proceeds $22.00. 11 little pigs
came, two dead.
OCT. 1 – Rain through the night, a little at midday, and quite
heavy in the evening. Binding corn in the forenoon and in the
afternoon drawing it to the fence side. Very wet and heavy to
handle.
2 – A fine clear day. Finished setting up the corn in the forenoon.
After dinner went with Annie to Greenbank for the mail and then
plowed at the corn ground. G. Rose called and talked life insur-
ance.
3 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Mrs. and Mrs. A. Lee and
children here in the evening to hear the gramophone.
4 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie. Children’s service,
which went off very well. No CE as S. of T. sermon was preached
in Methodist church. Did not go out in the evening.
5 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Silas Butt called to tell about
threshing at W. Luke’s tomorrow. At church managers meeting in
the evening. Mr. Mills of Port Perry put a stair in the basement
today.
6 – At W. Luke’s threshing all day (Jason Stone’s machine) and at
band practice at night. Willa and Annie at Greenbank in the after-
noon.
7 – Some little showers in the forenoon. James Smith, who had
been at Mark’s last night, came up in the morning and stayed about
2 hours. Plowing all day.
8 – A fine day, pretty cool in the evening. Plowing until about 5
pm when I went with George’s team with 11 others of the band to
Sonya to help at a concert for the Layton band. Not a very large
turnout but a fair time. Got home at 1 o’clock.
9 – A fine day but pretty cool. Threshing all day at Mrs. Phair’s
(Ben Ward’s machine). Jennie and little Annie at Port Perry in the
afternoon.
10 – Threshing at R. Nottingham’s in the forenoon (Ben Ward’s
machine) and plowing in the afternoon. Went down to Mark’s in
the evening to talk over Nellie’s wedding. A fine day.
11 – A fine day. At SS and church with Willa and Annie, Mr.
Cameron preached. At CE, a good meeting, Miss Lizzie Baird
leader.
12 – A fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. Jennie, Willa and the
children went to Port Perry in the afternoon. They sent a box to
Anna Tait at Winnipeg. Topped a few mangolds.
13 – A beautiful day. Threshing all day at Joe Burton’s (for W.
Luke). Jennie and Willa baking for Nellie’s wedding. Jennie and
little Annie at Mark’s fixing the wedding cake. Nellie and Jessie
called in the evening.
14 – A very fine day. Went up to A. Lee’s and got 5 bags of oats
then plowed the rest of the forenoon. Willa at Mark’s preparing
for the wedding. Nellie and Jessie up for cakes. At 4 o’clock
Willa, Annie and I at Nellie’s wedding, married to Willie O’Neill
by Rev. J. M. Cameron. About 65 or more present. Came home
early. Tom Black came up with me and stayed awhile. Walter
Bratley stayed all night. [margin note: Willie O’Neill and Nellie
Michie married].
15 – Thanksgiving day. Foggy in the morning and a thunder storm
in the evening. Plowing in the forenoon. Walter left for home. In
the afternoon went to Thanksgiving service in the church with
Jennie and Annie. Rev. Mr. Sparks, Church of England minister of
Sunderland, preached to a pretty good congregation.
16 – A fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and taking in potatoes (2
loads) in the afternoon.
17 – Plowing in the forenoon. Topping mangolds awhile in the
afternoon until rain came on. Then with the two children went to
Greenbank for the mail. More rain in the evening, some thunder.
18 – A pretty cool day with some rain flurries. At SS and church
with Willa and Annie, Mr. Cameron preached. Fred Vesey, who
has been in England for 27 years, was there. Did not go to CE.
19 – A fine day. At the mangolds all day and got in 6 loads.
Jennie washing. A one legged man here for dinner.
20 – At the mangolds all day and finished, 10 loads today. Went to
band practice in the evening but when I got to Greenbank I heard
that Joseph Watson died this evening so I went over to the house
with Albert Phoenix. Called in at Luke’s on the way home.
90
21 – A fine day. At Port Perry in the forenoon with Jennie and
little Willie. All hands picking apples in the afternoon. At prayer
meeting with Willa, large meeting, Mr. Cameron leader. Tax
collector called.
22 – A fine day with a high wind in the afternoon. In the forenoon
took out to the evaporator at Port Perry 24 bags of apples. In the
afternoon went to Jas. Watson’s funeral. There was a very large
turnout. The service was held in the Presbyterian church, Rev. Mr.
McFarlane conducted the service. There was also present Revs.
Holts, Cowan, Limbert and Cameron.
23 – A pretty cool day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with a
load of apples. Alex and Melinda Gordon here for some apples.
Mrs. Gordon Sr. came with them and stayed all afternoon and night
as Mother has been sinking for the last few days and is now very
low. Mrs. Mark came up after dinner and helped us to finish pick-
ing the apples. George, Jessie and Nellie also came for some ap-
ples. Mr. Cameron called about 4 o’clock.
24 – A pretty cool day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with
apples (the rest of them). Mrs. Gordon stayed all day and night
and Mrs. Mark came in the evening and stayed all night. We
watched at Mother’s bed most of the afternoon and she died about
6:45 pm. After supper Willa went down to tell George to go to
Greenbank to make some arrangements about the funeral while I
went to Port Perry to telephone to Whitby, Raglan and Toronto.
Then went to Manchester to get the death registered, got home
about 10.
25 – A very fine day. George Michie and Norman Phair called in
the forenoon. Took Mrs. Gordon home in the morning and called
at W. Luke’s and Mr. Nottingham’s. Albert Akhurst and Mrs.
Akhurst and Maggie and Mamy Dusty called. J.W. Nott and son
came at noon with the coffin. Mr. Luke and Mrs. and Mrs. Lamb
and son of Manchester called in the afternoon, and Mr. and Mrs.
Alex Gordon Jr., Arthur, Jennie and Bessie Gordon, and Mrs.
Dusty, Allie, Jim and Ray Dusty called in the evening. This has
been a strange Sunday to me.
26 – A very raw cold day with high wind from the NW. Went up
to the graveyard to see Mr. Till about digging Mother’s grave.
Nellie O’Neill went to Port Perry to meet the 10 train and brought
up Margaret Bratley. James Smith’s, and Annie Black came at
noon. Barbara did not as she is in Toronto taking care of little
Kennedy Mason who is very ill. Funeral in the afternoon. Mr.
Cameron conducted the service. W.J. Nott undertaker. The bear-
ers were Alex Gordon Sr., John Lee, W. Akhurst, E. Boe, R. Not-
tingham and Jas. McMillan. Service at the church, Rev. Mr. Lam-
bert assisted. Jas. Smith and Annie Black left for home about 5.
Margaret stayed all night.
27 – Quite a snow drizzle a good part of the afternoon. Topped
some turnips in the forenoon and threshed at home in the afternoon
(Stone’s machine). Drove out to Port Perry in the evening through
the rain to hear the great Mark Guy Pearce lecture in the Methodist
church. Liked it very well but there was some of it I could not
catch as he spoke very fast. Jason Stone and _____ Bush stayed all
night. Willa drove Margaret to Port Perry on her way home.
28 – A very fine day. Finished threshing in about 2 hours and then
they moved to George’s. They broke the king bolt of the cleaner
trucks and the front wheels came out in our lane east of the barn.
Helping George to thresh the remainder of the day. Jennie and
little Willie went to Port Perry to see the Dr. Willa went with
Norman Phair to Port Perry in the evening to hear Mark Grey
Pearce.
29 – A very fine day. Threshing at George’s until about 10 when
they finished. Topping turnips in the afternoon. Willa and Annie
went to Greenbank for the mail. Jennie and Willa making quilts.
30 – A fine day. At the turnips all day alone and got in 6 loads.
Joe Burton got away with the ladders to paint his house.
31 – Several little showers during the day. At turnips all day alone,
got in 8 loads.
NOV. 1 - A very fine day. At SS and church with Annie, Mr.
Cameron preached. Willa walked to CE in the evening. Jennie
had bad chills through last night.
2 – A beautiful day. At the turnips all day alone and got in 11
loads.
3 – A very fine day. Topping turnips alone all day and finished.
Jennie and little Willie at Port Perry in the forenoon, her principal
errand being to see the Dr.
4 – A very fine day. At turnips all day along and got in 8 loads.
Jessie Michie came up after to invite Willa to a party at William’s
on the 7th
concession but she did not go. Willa walked to Green-
bank in the afternoon for the mail. Jennie took sick in the evening
and about 8 o’clock I went to W. Real’s and telephoned for the Dr.
He came right away. Willa went for Mrs. Mark but there was no
immediate need and they all went to bed for awhile.
5 – Rain about 1 am. The Dr. got out of bed about 2 and between
that and 3 a stillborn girl was born. We fully expected it to be so.
Got very little sleep. At the turnips part of the forenoon and got in
3 loads. After dinner took the baby to the graveyard and came
home by the 12th
conc. and called at D. Cragg’s to see if some help
could be got at the turnips. Jennie doing as well as could be ex-
pected. Willa acting as nurse, cook and housekeeper.
6 – A pretty hard frost in the morning and cold all day. Finished
rowing up the turnips and plowed a bit in the orchard in the fore-
noon. Dr. D. Archer called at 10 am. At the turnips in the after-
noon, Wes Cragg helping, and got in 9 loads. Jessie Michie and
Mrs. Gordon here in the afternoon.
7 – A pretty cold day. Threshing at George’s all day (clover and
buckwheat at the Luke barn, J. Leask’s machine). Went to Port
Perry in the evening to meet Aunt Janet who was coming to stay a
few days but she did not come.
8 – A fine day but cool. At SS and church with Annie, Mr. Cam-
eron preached. Willa drove to CE in the evening.
91
9 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry with the two children in the
forenoon for Aunt Janet but it was another fool’s errand as she did
not come. At the turnips in the afternoon and finished the job, 6
loads into a pit. 51 loads in all.
10 – A fine day. Plowing and harrowing in the orchard. Alex Lee
called on his way to Port Perry and brought the [?] which he bor-
rowed in the spring.
11 – A fine day. Plowing sod (last of the orchard) most of the day.
Aunt Janet came just before dinner, she walked out from Port
Perry. At Greenbank in the evening with Willa to hear Mr.
McKay, a Knox College student, give an address on his work as a
missionary in the north west. A fair turnout and quite interesting.
Very dark rainy night coming home.
12 – A fine day. Plowing sod all day. Aunt Janet washing. Jennie
not so well today.
13 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning to see the Dr.
about Jennie who has bad pains in her breast and shoulder. The
Dr. did not come but sent some stuff to rub on. Cleaned out the pig
house and in the afternoon plowed sod. Mrs. A. Lee called just
before dinner.
14 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Went after the colt which
has been pasturing at A. Lee’s during the summer. Talked to a
scale pedlar and plowed the rest of the day. Willa at Mrs.
Gordon’s with a bonnet she had been fixing for her. A snow storm
in the forenoon.
15 – A fine day but pretty cold. At SS and church with Willa and
Annie, Rev. Mr. Fizzell of East Church, Toronto preached a fine
sermon. Mr. Cameron was preaching for Mr. Fizzell. At CE with
Willa. An extra large meeting, I took the topic.
16 – A little drizzle from the east which froze as it fell and contin-
ued most of the day. Got all the cattle tied up. Covered the turnip
pit, cleaned out the pig and hen house and several other chores.
17 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with Willa. Plowing in the
afternoon. Alex Lee called with the mail.
18 – Hard frost, too hard to plough. Did a number of small jobs
during the day. John Lee called in the afternoon with the papers.
Aunt Janet washing. Quite a snow storm about 4 o’clock.
19 – A fine day. Worked at the root house most of the forenoon
and in the afternoon went to Port Perry with 17 bags of oats and
rye to get ground. Took the waggon as there was not snow enough
for sleighing. Alex Lee threshing clover.
20 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for the meal
and took Aunt Janet to the station on her way home. Putting straw
on the strawberries in the afternoon. Willa down to Mark’s in the
afternoon.
21 – A fine day. Finished covering the strawberries in the fore-
noon. Slipped off the load of straw and sprained my thumb, the
horses ran away around the barn. At Greenbank in the afternoon to
get the old sleigh shod. Babies and Willa somewhat laid up with
the cold.
22 – A very fine day, inclined to thaw. At SS and church alone
(Willa and the two children being laid up with colds). Mr. Cam-
eron preached. At CE, a good attendance and a good meeting,
Lizzie Forfar leader. Willie had croup in the evening.
23 – Had quite a time with Willie with the croup through the night.
Willa in bed most of the day. Snowing in the forenoon which
turned to a drizzle of rain. Spent the day in a number of small
jobs.
24 – Much colder and quite winter-like. Did some odd chores.
Jennie and Willa mending the old cutter robe. Jessie Michie called
in the forenoon.
25 – A beautiful day. Choring in the forenoon and threshing at A.
Lee’s (Jim Lee place) in the afternoon. Willa drove to Greenbank
in the afternoon for the mail.
26 – Very cold morning, 2 above zero. Threshing at A. Lee’s until
an hour after dinner, then went to Greenbank with the waggon for
the part of the sleigh. Jennie and Willa washing woodwork in the
kitchen.
27 – A very fine day. Drawing up wood from the swamp field
(with the sleigh) to the woodshed. After dinner started for a stone
drawing bee for Isaac O’Neill but met Mrs. Mark who said the bee
was put off.
28 – A fine day. Drawing wood into the woodshed all day. W.
Petty called in just before dinner. Joe Burton came in the after-
noon with the sleigh bringing back the ladders which he had paint-
ing his house. Wilbert Lee brought the mail in the evening.
29 – A fine day, some snow in the forenoon. At SS and church
with Jennie and Annie, Mr. Cameron preached. At CE alone, a fair
meeting , Mrs. W. Wallace leader. Decided to have a social on the
15th
Dec.
30 – A very nice day. Cleaned the stove pipes and drew in some
wood in the forenoon. Jennie washing. In the afternoon all hands
at Port Perry with the sleigh. At Mark’s in the evening with Willa
having a sing.
DEC. 1 – A fine day. Choring about the barn all day. At band
practice in the evening.
2 – A very fine day. Drew in some corn and other chores. Mr. and
Mrs. McLaren of Columbus came about 4 pm and Mr. Cameron
and son John came just before supper. In the evening went up with
Mr. McLaren and Willa to the church where Mr. McLaren gave a
lecture. There was a good turnout and the lecture was good, col-
lection $6.13. Mr. and Mrs. McLaren stayed all night.
3 – A very fine day. Mr. and Mrs. McLaren left for home about 9
am, calling at A. Lee’s first. Did some chores in the forenoon and
in the afternoon went (with the cutter) with Willa to Port Perry.
4 – A fine day, some snow in the evening. Drew in the remainder
of the corn with Jennie’s help in the forenoon. Cutting wood in the
swamp in the afternoon. At Mark’s in the evening having a sing.
Willa visiting at W. O’Neill’s.
92
5 – Some snow in the forenoon and wintery like. Chored in the
forenoon and went to Greenbank for the mail in the afternoon.
6 – A fair day, drifting a little. All hands at SS and church (the
first time for several years), Mr. Cameron preached. At CE in the
evening alone, rather small meeting, E. Boe leader. Willa and John
Michie at Bethesda.
7 – A fine day. Cutting wood in the swamp all day. Jennie wash-
ing. Seeder agents and scales pedlar called in the evening. Rode
up with Norman Phair.
8 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry with the sleigh in the
morning and met Barbara, Annie Mason and Kennedy. Cut some
wood in the swamp in the afternoon. At Mark’s in the evening
having a sing. Willa went with a load on Phair’s sleigh to Be-
thesda’s hot supper. A very fine evening.
9 – Rather an unpleasant day, snowing a little from the east.
Choring all day. Jennie and Barbara went to the W.F.M.S. meeting
at Mrs. Walker’s. Barbara went home with Mrs. Mark for tea. I
took Mrs. Mason and Kennedy down to Mark’s on my way to
prayer meeting and called for them on my way home. E. Boe
leader of the meeting. An after meeting about SS helps, a small
attendance.
10 – Somewhat cold and stormy. Took Barbara, Mrs. Mason and
Kennedy to Port Perry to the train on their way home. Jennie and
little Annie went with us. Willa at Mark’s in the evening.
11 – Somewhat wintery. Cutting wood in the swamp most of the
day. At Mark’s in the evening singing. Joe Coldring called in the
forenoon wanting to sell an organ. Mrs. Mark, Mrs. W. O’Neill
and Jessie Michie here for tea, it being little Annie’s birthday, 4
years old.
12 – Cut wood in the swamp in the forenoon. Snowed some in the
forenoon and in the afternoon it settled down to a regular snow
storm from the south and about 4 to 6 inches fell. In the evening it
turned to rain. We were expecting Mrs. Perrin up from Newcastle
but she did not come.
13 – Rain through the night but quite cold in the morning and
getting colder all day with high NW wind. All hands at SS and
church, Mr. Cameron preached. The church pretty cold as only
one furnace was going on account of the west one smoking. No
one from here at CE.
14 – A cold day, just zero in the morning with a high NW wind,
but got some milder during the day. Cutting wood in the swamp
and at band practice in the evening.
15 – A pretty cold day. Cutting wood in the swamp in the fore-
noon, choring in the afternoon. G. Rose called and talked life
insurance. At Greenbank in the evening with Willa to a CE social
in the basement. The young people of the other churches were
there and quite a good time.
16 – A pretty cold day, snow in the forenoon. Cutting wood in the
forenoon. In the afternoon went with the sleigh to Port Perry and
took out 14 old hens. Took Jennie and the children down to
Mark’s on the way and called for them on the way home. Willa
went to Port Perry.
17 – A very fine day. Jennie washing. Made some decoration rope
in the forenoon and at Greenbank in the afternoon getting horse
shod. Called at E. Boe’s, J. Lee’s and W. Akhurst’s. Willa visit-
ing at Mark’s.
18 – A very fine day. Did a few chores and bagged up some oats
and rye with Jennie’s help and took them to the mill at Port Perry
in the afternoon. Made decoration rope for SS in the evening.
Willa gone with a load to public school concert at Saintfield.
19 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for the
meal and in the afternoon went with Willa and little Annie to deco-
rate the SS room. George and Jessie Michie, Mary Dusty, Lizzie
Forfar, D. Till, J. Lee, W. Akhurst, Maggie Blair, Ethel Miller and
Jas. Miller helping. W. Gordon called selling pictures. Snowing in
the evening.
20 – Snow through the night and most of the day and evening.
Somewhat soft but got colder at night. All hands at SS and church,
Mr. Cameron preached. 118 at SS, the largest number that I re-
member. Prizes given to primary class. Little Annie came in 7th
and got a nice book.
21 – Fair weather with a little snow. Cut wood in the swamp in the
forenoon and in the afternoon helped to pick 16 chickens for the
Christmas market. At church managers meeting and band practice
in the evening.
22 – A very rough cold day in the morning but it turned out a fine
day. Kept house while Jennie and Willa went to Port Perry fair
with chickens and butter. There was a big turnout. They got home
after 3. At Mark’s in the evening singing.
23 – A fine day. Choring in the forenoon. Jennie washing. At
preparatory service in the afternoon with Jennie. Rev. Mr. Sinclair
of Sonya preached. W. Taylor moves out of James Lee’s house.
24 – A somewhat wet rainy day. Cutting wood in the swamp in the
forenoon and doing little in the afternoon as it was wet. At Green-
bank in the evening to a S. of T. concert, which turned out to be
quite a pleasant time. The band took part.
25 – A very fine bright Christmas day. All hands went to Wes
Luke’s for dinner and got home (after a pleasant afternoon) about 5
pm. Willa went to Christmas tree at Seagrave in the evening with
John Michie.
26 – The coldest day of the season so far, 15 below zero in the
morning and kept below all day. Bright and clear. Did nothing but
the chores. Jennie [?] leaves today for Manitoba to teach school
there.
27 – Snowing, blowing from the west and drifting all day. Went
with Jennie to communion at Wick, Mr. Cameron preached. There
was a poor turnout from Greenbank, likely on account of the
weather. Did not go out in the evening. John Michie here in the
evening.
93
28 – 16 below zero in the morning and it did not get above zero all
day. Cut wood in the swamp in the afternoon. Jennie washing. At
band practice in the evening.
29 – Snowing most of the day especially about noon. Cleaned out
the pig house, banked up the root house and several other chores.
Silas Butt called in the forenoon with Sandy Gordon and got the
loan of the invalids chair. Silas is looking bad and is not long for
this world to all appearances.
30 – A fine day but pretty cold. Went to Port Perry in the after-
noon with Jennie. At annual Sunday School meeting with Jennie
in the evening, a pretty fair turnout. Was chosen superintendant
for the third time.
31 – Snowing again in the forenoon. Cut some wood in the swamp
in the afternoon. Snow pretty deep in the swamp.
1904
JAN. 1 – Somewhat rough in the morning but turned out a fine day
but pretty cold. All hands went down to Mark’s for dinner. W.
Akhurst, Alex Lee and all his family, and James Lee (who came
home from [?] last night) were there, and in the evening went to
the Methodist supper and concert. The band played some after
supper then the cantata ‘Under the Palms’ was given and went off
very well. A good turnout, took in $141.00.
2 – A very cold day, 8 below in the morning and kept below all
day. Chored in the forenoon and went to Port Perry in the after-
noon and sold the pigs for $5.00 per cwt.
3 – A pretty cold day. At SS and church with Willa and Annie.
Election of teachers. Mr. Cameron preached. Jennie and Willa at
CE, Willa chosen president for the next half year.
4 – A very cold day, 20 below zero in the morning and never
higher than 6 below, but there was almost no wind. Went to Port
Perry in the forenoon with 10 pigs, which weighed 1910 lbs. at
$5.00 per cwt. Election for reeve in the township between Norman
Stewart and John Doble. Did not go out to vote. (Stewart elected).
Willa at Mark’s awhile in the afternoon.
5 – A fine day, 8 below zero in the morning but got warmer during
the day. Did little but the chores. Jennie and Willa baking and
churning. G.D. McMillan, wife and family here in the afternoon
and for tea. John Michie and Norman Phair called in the evening.
6 – A fine mild day. Cutting wood in the swamp. Jennie, Willa
and the children visiting at A. Gordon’s in the afternoon and upset
on the way home. At annual church meeting in the evening, a
good turnout. A. Gordon, Jas. Leask, Jas. McMillan, and P. Leask
(1st
time) were chosen managers. $24.00 cash on hand.
7 – A fine day. Cutting wood in the swamp. Jennie, Willa and the
children visiting at W. H. Leask’s.
8 – A good deal milder, snow through the night and off and on
through the day. W. Mark came up after dinner to ask Willa to a
party at W. McMillans at Saintfield. Jennie, Willa and I went to
W. Thomas’ for a visit in the afternoon. We went by Greenbank
and just as we got there Edward Phoenix’s funeral was going up
the hill to the graveyard. We had not heard that he was dead. Got
home at 6 pm. Willa went with George Michie in the sleigh to the
party.
9 – Rather a rough stormy day. Cut a little wood in the swamp in
the forenoon and nothing but chores in the afternoon. Jennie com-
plaining of sore throat.
10 – A fine day but pretty cold. At church and SS with Willa and
Annie, Mr. Cameron preached against swearing. At CE with
Willa, a good meeting, G.D. McMillan leader.
11 – A fine day. Cut some wood in the swamp in the afternoon.
Had a bad cold. At managers meeting in the evening. W.H. Leask
elected chairman, J.W. Real sec. N. Mitchell of Seagrave called
selling binder twine.
12 – A fine day, but pretty cold. Bagged up 21 bags of mixed
grain in the forenoon and took them to the mill at Port Perry in the
afternoon. Jennie went out with me. Alex Lee called in the morn-
ing.
13 – Milder until about the middle of the afternoon when it started
to snow hard from the NE. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for
the meal and in the afternoon drove Jennie to the W.F.M.S. meet-
ing at the church.
14 – A very rough stormy day and drifting from the NW all day.
Expect the roads are blocked. Did chores and put up some shelves
where the west kitchen door used to be.
15 – A fine clear day, roads pretty badly blocked. Went up as far
as A. Lee’s to see about the road in the forenoon and broke roads
in the afternoon. John Michie here in the evening.
16 – Some snow off and on during the day which turned to a regu-
lar hurricane from the NW in the evening. Did very little but the
chores. Cleaned out the pig and hen houses. John Michie and his
mother called on their way home from Greenbank with the mail.
Little Annie sick with the cold. Willie has been bad but is improv-
ing.
17 – A very cold day, below zero most of the time with quite a NW
wind. It drifted all night and the roads in many places are impass-
able. I walked to SS alone as the concession is blocked. There
was 28 present. A.T. Harris’s was the only rig there, all the rest
walked. There was no church service as Mr. Cameron did not
come. No CE.
18 – The coldest day so far, 18 below zero in the morning and
never I think higher than about 10 all day. Clear with a light wind
from the NW. Did nothing but the chores. K. Lee came down
with the mail.
19 – Pretty cold, about 8 or 10 below zero in the morning but got
to about 10 above in the afternoon but pretty rough, the wind being
from the south. Went to Greenbank in the afternoon.
20 - Thawing a very little all day. Did nothing but the chores as I
was somewhat out of turn. Little Willie pretty sick in the evening.
Willa went to Port Perry in the afternoon.
94
21 – A pretty raw day with an east wind and threatening snow
sometimes. Went to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail and
called in to see Mr. and Mrs. Akhurst who are both in bed sick.
Mrs. Mark is waiting on them. John Michie here in the evening.
22 – Hail through the night and thawing all day, rain towards night.
This is the first thaw of any account since winter set in. Did the
chores and made new shafts for the horse rake.
23 – The thaw is over, colder today and fine. Alex Lee came down
in the afternoon and bossed the killing of a pig. He was saying that
Jim Lee had rented his farm to Richard Cragg for 5 years.
24 – A cold day with a high west wind. At SS and church with
Willa, Robert Leask preached as Mr. Cameron has been sick the
last few days. Willa went to Mark’s for tea. At CE, a fair meeting,
I was the leader. R. Akhurst was at church. Took up collection in
SS for children’s hospital, got between $4.00 and 5.
25 – A very cold day, about zero all day but clear. George Michie
called in the forenoon. Did the chores and cut down the pig and
cut a keyhole in the north kitchen door.
26 – A rough day and snowing from the east and about zero all
day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon and up to Burton’s in the
afternoon, roads heavy.
27 – A fine clear day but sharp frost. Went down to Mark’s in the
forenoon to practice for the social at W. McMillan’s. Alex Lee
here when I was away. Went with Willa in John Michie’s sleigh to
the CE social at W. McMillans. It was a beautiful clear moonlight
night, but the roads were rather heavy. There was a quite a good
turnout and a pleasant time. About $15.00 taken in. Got home at 1
am. Dr. Langester of Port Perry died in Toronto today and word
came that Andrew Ross is dead in Manitoba.
28 - A very fine clear but cold day, 10 below zero in the morning.
Went to Port Perry with Jennie in the forenoon and fixed a place in
the woodshed for coal in the afternoon. Joe Stone, the drover,
called. Jennie baking for party.
29 – A very fine day but cold, below zero most all day. Went to
Port Perry in the forenoon to see the remains of Andrew Ross
which is laying in the Presbyterian church. In the afternoon went
to Alex Lee’s for some dishes. In the evening there was an oyster
supper and dance under the management of Jas. Lee. There was
just 50 present and all appeared to have a good time. It broke up
between 2 and 3 am.
30 – A fine day and a little warmer. Went to Port Perry in the
afternoon for coal for the cook stove, the first ever got for that
purpose on this place. Jennie and Willa cleaning up after the party.
31 – A fair day, some little snow towards night and in the evening.
All hands at SS and church, a Mr. McLaren of Toronto preached a
good sermon on home missions. Jennie and Willa at CE.
FEB. 1 – A very cold day with a sharp wind from the NW, below
zero most of the day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for some
medicine for sick cow. Cleaned the stove pipes in the afternoon.
Jennie washing. Our coal burning experience so far has not been
very satisfactory. 15 below zero when we went to bed.
2 – Did nothing but the chores. Snowing a little all day from the
east. John Michie called in the evening.
3 – Snowing and drifting a little most of the day. George Michie
and his mother here in the forenoon for bedding for John who is to
have an operation next Monday. Alex Lee here in the afternoon
bagging up oats. Jennie baking.
4 – Another very cold day, drifting some all day. Did nothing but
the chores, nursing toothache. Alex Lee came for his oats.
5 – Cold day. Drove Jennie down to Mark’s in the afternoon, then
up as far as A. Lee’s to break the road. John in bed again with the
old trouble.
6 – About 4 inches of fresh snow fell during the night. A good
deal warmer and thawing all day. James S. Lee called in the morn-
ing with the papers. Drove Jennie down to Mark’s after dinner to
help them with the work and then went to Greenbank. Roads
heavy and snow very deep.
7 – Rain through the night and in forenoon which settled the snow
quite a bit but it got colder towards night with a high NW wind,
roads bad. At SS with Willa and Annie. There was no church
service as the minister did not come. No CE on account of the
roads. Down to zero at bedtime.
8 – About 14 below zero in the morning and very cold all day with
a bitter NW wind which is getting into the root house worse than
anytime so far this winter. Jennie went down to Mark’s in the
morning to help at John’s operation which was performed by Drs.
R. and D. Archer, assisted by Dr. Proctor and nurse Miss Jennison
between 10 and 12 o’clock. The Drs. said it was one of the worst
cases they ever had. Jim Lee was also there. Went up to Green-
bank in the afternoon to meet A. Leask and W. Wallace to make
out the church report for the printer. Went down to Mark’s in the
evening to see how John was. He had suffered very much during
the afternoon. News today that war has commenced between
Russia and Japan.
9 – A very cold day but cannot tell just how cold as George got the
thermometer away yesterday. Went down with Jennie to Mark’s in
the morning to see how John was. He had put in a bad night but
the Dr. said he was doing as well as could be expected. Jennie
stayed all day and helped them to wash. Robert Akhurst here in
the forenoon and for dinner. James Smith came about 5 pm and
brought a fine silver tea service and a fur collar for Jennie, a pre-
sent from George Michie of Griswold, Annie Black, Annie Mason
and Barbara Smith. About 8 pm G.D. McMillan and Willie Leask
came over to make arrangements about getting a Scotch concert
company in connection with the CE. They left for home between
10 and 11.
95
10 – Another very cold day. Went down to Mark’s in the morning
with Jas. Smith. John had put in another bad night but the Dr.
when he came at noon said he was doing first rate. James Smith
left for home after dinner. Drove up and got Mrs. Gordon to come
and keep Willa company in the evening while Jennie and I went to
the band concert at Port Perry. Liked the concert pretty well. The
star was a Mrs. Morrow who sang very nicely. A very cold night.
Willa down at Mark’s awhile in the afternoon. Henders, the
horseman, called.
11 – Clear cold day. Drove Mrs. Gordon to Greenbank in the
morning and got the mail. Cleaned out the pig house in the after-
noon. Willa down in the forenoon to see how John was. He is still
doing all right.
12 - Another pretty cold day, but bright and clear. Went with
Jennie to Port Perry in the forenoon. Called at Mark’s on the way
to hear how John was, he is doing all right. Wilbert Lee came
down with the mail. The papers say Japan is getting the best of the
war so far.
13 – Some milder. Drawing up wood from the swamp, the first of
the year. Snow very deep and bad to get through. George called
after dinner, he says John is getting along fine. The Dr. was there
today and said there was no need for the nurse any longer, so she
goes home tonight.
14 – Somewhat milder but it got very rough at night. All hands at
SS and church. Mr. Cameron is still unable to come, so Mr. Boe
conducted the service. Willa went to Jas. McMillan’s for tea.
Jennie went to CE, rough night but a fair meeting, Mrs. Jas. Leask
leader.
15 – Very cold and drifting badly in the afternoon. Drove Jennie
down to Mark’s to help with the washing, then drew up wood in
the forenoon. George brought Jennie home.
16 – A terrible day of cold with a high NW wind and drifting bad.
The worst block up of the season I think. Did nothing but the
chores. Saw no one except those at home. A. Gordon was to have
called for me to go to a church wood bee at Whetter’s swamp but
he did not come. Fowlie cow dropped a calf in the morning.
17 – Another very cold day in the morning but got some milder
towards night. Alex Lee called in the afternoon . No trains the last
two days.
18 – A good deal milder and a fine day. Drew up wood from the
swamp. James S. Lee called in the evening with the papers. The
snow plough on the railroad went south at 2 pm.
19 – A fine day but cold. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with
oats for meal. Jennie went also and took Willie to the Dr. for a
sore on his leg. Drawing up wood in the afternoon. Willa visiting
at Mark’s.
20 – The finest day for some time. Went to Port Perry in the fore-
noon for the meal. Had quite a time meeting another sleigh in the
deep snow a little north of Isaac Well’s. Drawing up wood in the
afternoon.
21 – Thawing a little, rain in the evening. At SS and church with
Jennie and little Annie. Extra large SS 115. Mr. Cameron
preached, the first time for several weeks. Lizzie McArthur here
for tea. At CE with Jennie, rather a small meeting., Annie
McMillan leader. Used the silver tea service the first time.
22 – Colder again with high NW wind. Drawing up wood from the
swamp and got up all that was cut. Jennie at Mark’s helping to
wash. Willa at Mark’s in the afternoon.
23 – Some snow in the forenoon. Cleaned out the pig house and
some other chores in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with
Alex Gordon to church wood bee at Whetter’s swamp.
24 – Some snow in the morning and pretty rough. Cold and drift-
ing in the afternoon and evening. Went to L. Burnett’s sale. There
was a large crowd and pretty good prices. Tom Black came from
the sale and remained here all night. He was up at A. Lee’s in the
evening.
25 – A very cold rough day and drifting pretty bad. Tom Black
was down at Mark’s most of the forenoon and left for home after
dinner. No trains today.
26 – Quite a fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with
Jennie. Sharpened the buck saw in the afternoon. Willa and little
Annie at Mark’s in the afternoon. They went down with a package
of papers for John which came from Mrs. Mason.
27 – A fine day. Went up to A. Lee’s in the morning to see about
taking a load for him to the Burnett place. Took a load of turnips
for him in the afternoon. Jas. Moore, assessor, called in the fore-
noon.
28 – Rain through the night and thunder and thawing a little all day
but got cooler towards night. All hands at SS (105 present) and
church, Mr. Cameron preached. The organ being out of repair it
fell to my lot to start the singing. Jennie and Willa at CE, a good
meeting, Jennie was leader.
29 – Talked about getting up some present to Alex Lee before he
left for Burnett’s place, so after breakfast drove with Jennie to Wes
Luke’s and got his views which were favourable. We then called
at or saw all the Egyptians except Mrs. Phair before dinner. Then
we drove to Port Perry, calling first at Mrs. Phair’s. Got 2 rocking
chairs at W. Nott’s, costing $9.90. The weather on the way to Port
Perry got very rough, a terrible snow and drift from the east. A
little north of the 7th
concession we turned out for a sleigh and had
to unhitch the horse. I was intended to have a presentation of the
chairs at A. Lee’s tonight but the weather was too bad.
MAR. 1 – Snow and hail through the night and thunder. Went up
to A. Lee’s to see about him moving. Roads pretty badly drifted.
G. Michie called for a few minutes in the evening and then James
Lee came and stayed until 11 o’clock. No trains today.
2 – A fine day and thawing a little. Cleaned out the pig pen and
fixed the pig house floor in the forenoon and in the afternoon went
with a load (of calves) for Alex Lee. There were 11 teams and
moved him, bag and baggage, to Burnett’s farm. Jas. Blair Jr.,
96
Alex Gordon, A. Akhurst, Jas. Burton, G. Michie, E. Phair, P.
Leask, A. McMillan and Oliver Luke were the men. Got over all
right, the snow very deep.
3 – Rain and thunder through the night and some rain in the morn-
ing which turned to snow and a hurricane from the NW. The
roughest day this winter so far. Saw no one. The wind blew down
the east chimney of the church which smashed through the roof.
Silas Butt died this morning.
4 – A very fine day, 5 below zero in the morning. Went up to A.
Lee’s late residence to see how the roads were and helped Alex to
load up some traps. At Greenbank in the afternoon. G. Michie
called after supper.
5 – Somewhat raw day. Cut some wood and other chores in the
forenoon and in the afternoon went with Jennie to Silas Butt’s
funeral at T. Rundel’s, Port Perry. The bearers were all Greenbank
Forresters, Jas. Burton, Sam Dusty, J.M. Real, Geo. Lee, T.L.
Salter and Albert Phoenix. Sleighing very good.
6 – Mild day and thawing a little. All hands at SS and church,
extra large SS, 118. Mr. Cameron preached on the Bible Society,
it being 100 years since it was started. At CE with Willa, an extra
large meeting, Miss Forfar leader.
7 – Rain off and on all day and the snow going quite a bit. Did
little but the chores. In the evening all hands went to Alex Lee’s to
the surprise and presentation. G. Michie drove the sleigh with 15
big and little [people]. The roads cut up very bad and made it hard
on the horses. Upset altogether once. Got there a little after 9, all
in bed but Jim and Alex. Expected all the rest of the Egyptians
there but they did not come. Had quite a nice time and got home
about 2 am.
8 – A fine day. At Port Perry with Willa in the forenoon and buck
sawing wood in the afternoon. Jennie down at Mark’s helping to
paper the house. Willa at Fred O’Neill’s birthday (21) party in the
evening.
9 – Pretty rough and cold through the night and all day. Did very
little but the chores. Willa got home at 2 am from F. O’Neill’s
party. Think Mr. Lyle moved in today.
10 – A fine day, a little snow in the afternoon. Jennie and little
Annie at Mark’s all day helping to paper. George brought her
home and the bed that John had been using. Went to Port Perry in
the afternoon with oats to the mill and brought home 1730 lbs of
coal @ $6.75. Tom Black and Ralph came about 6 pm. He has
come for the horse power he bought from Alex Lee.
11 – Some rough through the night and forenoon, drifting some
from the east. Tom Black and Ralph went down to Mark’s in the
forenoon and started for home after dinner. Went to Port Perry in
the afternoon for meal and afterwards Willa went to Greenbank for
the mail. James Lee came home with her and stayed for tea. He
and Willa went down to Mark’s for the evening. He came back
and stayed all night.
12 – A fine day. Cut wood and did the chores. James Lee left for
Greenbank after breakfast.
13 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. An extra large
school (114). Mr. Cameron preached. Willa went to W.
McMillan’s for tea. Jennie at CE, R.T. Harrington leader. John
Michie at church for the first time since his operation.
14 – Fine until towards night when it got rough from the east. Cut
a little wood in the forenoon and in the afternoon attended Jas.
McKitrick’s sale. A good crowd and fair prices. J. Baird and
Abbot auctioneers.
15 – A fine day with a little snow in the forenoon. Went down to
Mark’s to get Jessie to come and stay with Willa while Jennie, the
two children and I went to Columbus. Started at 2, called at T.
Black’s and then on to Jas. Smith’s where we stayed all night. Had
music from the gramophone. Jessie Michie stayed with Willa.
16 – A fine day. Started from Smith’s at 11 and got dinner at
Black’s and got home at 5 pm. Called at Port Perry on the way.
Sleighing pretty good, snow above the fences some places. Went
in the evening with Willa and Jessie to a SS meeting to decide
about an anniversary. A fair turnout and a start made.
17 – A very fine day. Zero in the morning. Cut wood in the
swamp in the forenoon. Wes Luke came after dinner and we
talked all afternoon. He wanted to buy the Fan colt. G.D. and
Nellie McMillan, and Willie and Silva Leask came for tea and
spent the evening, leaving for home at 11 pm.
18 – About 2 inches of snow fell through the night. A very fine
day and thawing some. Cutting wood all day in the swamp. Jessie
Michie came up after dinner and Willa went to Greenbank. Party
at G. Dowson’s tonight.
19 – Cutting wood in the forenoon in the swamp. Snowing from
the south in the afternoon. At Mark’s in the evening practising
singing for McMillan’s social next Monday.
20 – A fine day but pretty cool for the time of year. At SS with
Willa, 116 present. Mr Cameron being ill he was not able to come,
so Mr. Boe conducted the service. Annie McMillan came for tea
and Jennie and Willa went to CE, Mr. Boe leader.
21 – A raw east wind which turned warmer towards night. Went
with Jennie to Wick to see Mr. Cameron who is very ill. We were
not allowed to see him. Cut wood in the afternoon and in the eve-
ning went with Willa to the parlor social at Jas. McMillan’s. A
good turnout, made $14.00. Good sleighing.
22 – Rain through the night and thunder about 7 in the morning
and thawing all day. Drew out of the swamp the bit of wood that
was cut in the forenoon and buck sawed wood in the afternoon.
Willa went with John and Jessie Michie about 3 pm to Alex Lee’s
party.
23 – A fine day and thawing fast. Cutting wood all day on the
wood lot in Luke’s swamp.
24 – Thawing all day. Uncovered the turnip pit and cut wood in
the forenoon while Jennie went to Port Perry. Lyles got stuck with
the sleigh in our field and had to get our sleigh to take off the load.
Went to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail.
97
25 – Rain in the forenoon and again in the evening. Cleaned out
the pig house, drew out the last of the wood that is cut from the
swamp and drew in one load of turnips from the pit. The second
load had to leave in the field as the horses got down in the snow.
Jennie and Willa finished the patchwork for Mrs. Mason’s quilt.
Thawing rapidly and roads in a bad state.
26 – Colder all day. Sawed wood in the forenoon. In the afternoon
drove to Greenbank for the mail but there has been no mail today
or yesterday on account of the roads which are very bad, on the
centre road especially. Word that Mr. Cameron is still no better.
27 – A fine day. At SS and church with Jennie and Annie. As Mr.
Cameron is still very ill there was no minister. Mr. Boe led the
service. The greater part of the congregation went to the other
churches. There was no minister at the Baptist church also. No
one from here at CE on account of bad roads. Saw the first robins
of the season.
28 – Some snow in the afternoon. Cut wood with buck saw most
of the day. Mr. Lyle tried to go to Port Perry by the 10th
conces-
sion but could not go. John Michie here in the evening, the first
time since his operation.
29 – A fine day and thawing a little. Buck sawing wood in the
forenoon and drew in the remainder of the turnips in the pit in the
afternoon.
30 – A fine day and thawing. At Port Perry with Jennie in the
forenoon. Went with cutter via G. Michie’s. Water over the road
but sleighing fair. At Greenbank in the afternoon for mail. Mr.
Cameron reported a little better.
31 – Thawing all day, some rain in the forenoon. Drawing out
manure all day. Jennie preparing to go to Toronto tomorrow.
APR. 1 – Good Friday. Rain through the night. Got up early and
took Jennie and the two children to the morning train at Port Perry
on their way to visit Mrs. J. C. Mason at Toronto. We took the
cutter and most of the way there was fair sleighing. It rained all
the way to Port Perry and back and the snow going fast. Jessie
Michie and Mary Dusty also went to Toronto. Went up to A.
Akhurst’s in the afternoon to ask for their baby which has been
sick and to get some salts for a sick heifer and then cut some wood.
Willa is to be housekeeper while Jennie is away.
2 – Thawing some but got cold towards night. Piled up wood in
the yard in the forenoon and went to Greenbank for the mail in the
afternoon. Drove the cutter and not so bad sleighing.
3 – Pretty cold day. At SS (101) and church with Willa. A stu-
dent, think his name is Wakeup, preached and did very well. Mr.
Cameron is some better. John Michie called for Willa and they
walked to CE but there was no meeting so they went to the Meth-
odist church. John called in on his way home.
4 – A fine day and thawing some. Drew out some manure in the
forenoon. R. Cragg got some oats changed. Split wood in the
afternoon. At church managers meeting in the evening. Had the
cutter.
5 – A very mild spring-like day. Splitting and piling wood all day.
Willa washing and churning.
6 – Another fine spring day. Went up to Lyle’s and Akhurst’s in
the morning to arrange for digging out the road in the afternoon
which was done. Ed Lyle with team and A. Akhurst with shovels.
Finished splitting and piling the wood in the yard.
7 – A fine warm day and the snow going fast. Buck sawed wood
in the swamp field in the forenoon and in the afternoon walked to
Greenbank for the mail. Got a ride home with Joe Burton in his
cart, the first ride on wheels this spring. John Michie called in the
evening and he and Willa went up to A. Akhurst’s.
8 – Fine until about 4 pm when it started to rain from the SE. Buck
sawing wood in the forenoon. G. Michie called to see about berry
bushes. Went to Greenbank in the afternoon with the buggy, the
first time out for the season.
9 – A foggy morning and quite warm day, some thunder but very
little rain. Hitched up the waggon (the first time for the season)
and took 9 bags of oats to Port Perry mill, went by the 10th
conces-
sion. The first one through since the break up, roads pretty bad.
Brought Jennie and the children home from their trip to Toronto
and Newcastle. Worked some in the berry bushes in the afternoon.
10 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. I walked up, the rest
came in the buggy. 112 at SS. A student, Mr. Eadie, preached a
good sermon. Willa went to Mark’s for tea and from there to CE,
John Love leader. Did not go on account of bad roads.
11 – A fine day. At berry bushes in the forenoon and at bee at
church cutting wood. Between 25 and 30 at it and cut all the
wood. Rode up and home with John Michie.
12 – Snowing a little from the NW most of the day. Got much
colder towards night. Working at berry bushes all day. Jennie
washing.
13 – Quite a hard frost in the morning and pretty cold towards
night. Went with Jennie to Port Perry in the forenoon. At the
berry bushes in the afternoon. Willa drove to Greenbank for the
mail.
14 – A pretty hard frost which did not entirely thaw out all day.
Buck sawing wood all day and finished the job. Mrs. Gordon here
for dinner, she was getting a dress made. G. Michie came up after
dinner to see about berry bushes. John Michie here in the evening.
Mr. Edward Bewell buried today.
15 – Went up with John to Mr. Lyle’s to shingle the north side of
his house and worked until between 4 and 5 when it started to
snow and got so cold that we had to quit. The ground covered with
snow in the evening.
16 – Quite cold all day, not warm enough to melt all the snow that
fell last night. Splitting and piling wood in the swamp field and
finished. Jennie and Annie at Greenbank and A. Gordon’s in the
afternoon.
98
17 – A fine day and some warmer. All hands at SS and church.
Willa walked. 116 at SS, Mr. Eadie preached. Willa went to Jas.
Leask’s for tea. Jennie at CE, reports a good meeting.
18 – A fair day. Pruning orchard and berry bushes in the forenoon
and with John, finished Mr. Lyle’s house shingling in the after-
noon. Jennie, Willa and the two children visiting at Mrs. W.
O’Neill’s.
19 – About 2 inches of snow in the morning and continued off and
on during the day with high NW wind. A regular winter day.
Taking out the rotten turnips out of the root house (and a large lot
there was) in the forenoon. Doing a few chores in the afternoon.
20 – A very rough night and snow drifts 3 feet deep some places
and very rough in the forenoon, but it got warmer towards night.
Norman Phair came over in the forenoon to fan up some oats to
exchange. Drove over to W. Luke’s after dinner for eggs, clover
and timothy seed, and then planted some potatoes (the first) in the
orchard. In the evening drove with Jennie to prayer meeting.
Anniversary meeting after and then choir practice. Big fire in
Toronto last night.20
21 – A very fine day and much warmer. Went to Port Perry with
15 bags and got them ground at Vickery’s. Willa went with me.
While away W. Luke and A. Butt called. Plowed sod east of the
orchard in the afternoon, the first of the season. Willa went with
John Michie to bell ringers at Greenbank, they report a splendid
time.
22 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and harrowing in
the afternoon. Intended to sew some but Albert came for the drill,
Ernest Phair came with some oats to change, G. Michie for berry
bushes, and Mr. J. O’Neill to get turnips. Minnie Martin, who has
been sick for a long time at Jas. Miller’s, was taken home today.
23 – A very fine warm spring day. Plowed in furrows in the fore-
noon and harrowed in the afternoon. A. Bongard called. Sold him
old Nancy cow for 3 cts lb, and Dusty cow for 3 ½. Willa went to
Greenbank in the evening for the mail.
24 – A warm day with quite a rain about 1 pm. All hands at SS
and church. Willa walked. 122 at SS, the largest number on re-
cord as far as I remember. Mr. Eadie preached. John Michie here
for tea. At CE with Willa and John, a pretty good turnout, G.A.
McMillan leader. Special collection to make up the balance of the
$50.00 to Knox College Missionary Society. Got enough to make
the $50.00.
25 – A fine day. Went up to Akhurst’s in the morning for the drill
and sowed oats (the first) east of the orchard and cultivated last
year’s turnip ground in the afternoon. Mrs. G. Watson died today.
20
The fire originated in the Currie building on the
north side of Wellington St. and spread to Bay Street
and Yonge St. and as far south as The Esplanade,
destroying over 100 buildings, putting over 5000
people out of work and causing over $10,000 in dam-
ages.
26 – A fine day. Plowed the garden then harrowed in the forenoon
and in the afternoon plowed sod south of the house. Mrs. Gordon
here for dinner and tea. She was getting a waist made. After sup-
per John Michie came up and we hitched up Fly to the buggy. She
went fairly well.
27 – A fine day. Plowing sod in the forenoon. After dinner Mr.
Rail of Mara came and I went with him to Port Perry to see the
lawyers about the Mara place. At prayer meeting in the evening
with Jennie, quite a good turnout, Mr. Eadie leader. Choir practice
after. Hugh Jack and D. Boe called in the forenoon wanting to buy
the 2 steers but did not do so. Then I saw High however at Port
Perry and sold them to him, one at 4 ½ and the other at 4 ¼.
28 – A little rain in the morning and threatening most of the day.
Fanned up some seed, took the straw off the strawberries, and then
sowed the field north of the barn with mixed grain.
29 – Rain through the night. Plowing sod in the forenoon. Mr. and
Mrs. A. Gordon called for 3 bags of apples, also a man selling
cloth. In the afternoon Jennie, Willa and the children went to Port
Perry while I planted some potatoes, black currant bushes and
some other chores.
30 – Some rain through the night. Harrowed the field north of the
barn but it was too wet. Got George’s drill and started after dinner
to sow but rain came on and it would not work. Jessie Michie
called and took Jennie and Annie to children’s practice at the
church.
MAY 1 - A very fine warm day. All hands at SS and church
(Willa walked). 117 at SS, Mr. Eadie preached. Did not go to CE.
Willa stayed somewhere for tea.
2 – A very fine warm day. Finished sowing the field NW of barn
with George’s drill and then harrowed the greater part of it.
Hitched up Fly again in the evening. Jennie washing.
3 – A decidedly warm day. Harrowed a while and then plowed
sod the rest of the day. Jennie and Willa papered the south bed-
room down stairs. G. Michie came after a few bricks.
4 – A fine warm day. Finished plowing sod and then harrowed
some. Walked with Jennie to prayer meeting, Mr. Eadie leader, a
pretty good attendance.
5 – A fine warm day. Went up after the drill and then sowed the
hill which finishes sowing for the year. James Lee here in the
evening for berry bushes. G. Michie here after dinner.
6 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with 14 bags to
make meal. Broke a wheel off the waggon just as I turned on the
side road and had to borrow Isaac O’Neill’s waggon. Willa went
to Whitby on her way to Newcastle. Mrs. Gordon here for dinner
and tea. Took the broken waggon wheel to Greenbank and then
took O’Neill’s home.
7 – A fine day and everything growing fast. Harrowed most of the
day and finished the seeding except rolling, and then after supper
99
drove Fly in the buggy (the first to Port Perry in buggy) for the SS
anniversary bills. Annie went with Jessie Michie to practice at the
church in the afternoon.
8 – A very fine warm day. All at SS and church. Drove Fly the
first time to church. 120 at SS. Mr. Eadie addressed the school
and preached. Special foreign mission collection $27.20. McDon-
ald’s broke their buggy going out at the church gate. None from
here at CE.
9 – Some rain in the forenoon. Cultivated, rolled and marked out
the strawberry patch for this year east of the orchard. It will take
over 5600 plants. Jennie papering and house cleaning.
10 – A fine day. All hands planting strawberries. Got in 15 rows
in patch east of the orchard. Pretty cool towards night.
11 – Quite a bit colder all day. All hands at strawberry planting
until we got 30 drills in all when we thought it enough. At prayer
meeting in the evening, E. Boe leader. Anniversary meeting after,
then choir practice.
12 – A fine day. Drilled up and sowed with mangolds the part of
the strawberry lot that we did not plant and in the afternoon got
Mr. Lyle’s waggon and went to Greenbank for the waggon wheel
which was being repaired. Jennie whitewashing and cleaning the
kitchen.
13 – A fine warm day. Took the two steers and the Dusty cow and
old Nancy cow to Port Perry, George Michie helping. Rode home
with Mr. Petty. In the afternoon took off the storm windows and
doors, planted some corn in the orchard and some other chores.
Jennie house cleaning the kitchen and pantry.
14 – Rain off and on all day which is doing a lot of good. Cleaned
out the calf and pig pens and some other chores in the forenoon.
R. Cragg called for berry bushes. In the afternoon went with little
Annie to W. Luke’s for eggs for hatching. Rain in the afternoon.
15 – At SS with Jennie and the two children, 118 at SS, Mr. Eadie
preached. Did not go to CE as it was a wet night.
16 – A little raw in the forenoon. Went with Jennie and the two
children to Port Perry in the forenoon and drew out manure in the
afternoon. Little Annie went down to practice singing with Jessie.
17 – A fine day, a little frost in the morning. Drawing out manure
in the forenoon and plowing in the afternoon. Jennie washing.
Annie went with Jessie to practice.
18 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for 6 bags of potatoes
which came from F. Perrin’s at Newcastle. Plowing some in the
afternoon but it was very wet and disagreeable. Mr. Eadie came
for tea. He went to prayer meeting but it was very wet and I did not
go.
19 – Rain through the night and everything pretty well soaked.
Did some chores in the forenoon and put in posts for fence at the
bottom of the garden in the afternoon. Jennie took Annie to
Greenbank for practice. Willie went with them. Jessie sick in bed.
Turned the young cattle out to pasture.
20 – Cool day with some rain in the afternoon. Finished plowing
mangold [land] which is very wet and plowed the little patch near
the barn pump and some other small chores. Jennie went down in
the evening to see how Jessie was, she is some better. 13 little pigs
came, 1 dead.
21 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning and then
put up the picket fence south of the garden. At choir practice (for
tomorrow) in the evening.
22 – Some rain in the afternoon and evening. All at SS and
church, 132 at SS. Rev. Mr. McKerroll of Sutton West conducted
SS anniversary services afternoon and evening to full houses. Not
quite so many at night on account of the rain. Mr. McK. did us a
good service. Collection of $17.00.
23 – Thunder and rain through the night and some droppy most of
the forenoon. Making a lane to the pasture field in the forenoon
and rolling in the afternoon. Jennie baking for the SS anniversary.
24 – A beautiful morning and a nice warm day. Hitched up colt
and rolled with her and Fly, the first work she ever did, and then
scuffled the strawberries. Tom Black and Annie came at 1 pm.
All hands at the SS anniversary. A big crowd in the afternoon.
The children were led by Miss Ettie Salter. The band was there
and in the evening Rev. Mr. [?] lectured and Annie Rennie sang.
Proceeds $132.00.
25 – A very warm day. A sharp thunder storm at 5 am, and thun-
der several times through the day. Harrowed, drilled and sowed
the mangolds. Mr. Pearce called about renewing insurance. All at
social in the evening, a very small attendance. $4.00. Some sharp
lightning on the way home.
26 – All hands went to Port Perry in the forenoon with 11 bags of
rye and oats. Drew out manure in the afternoon. Rain came on
about 6 and continued until 8.
27 – Quite a cool day. Drawing out manure all day. All hands
drove to Seagrave in the evening to see about berry boxes. Got
home at 9:15.
28 – A beautiful day. Planted corn in the little plot near the barn
pump and drew out manure the rest of the day.
29 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church, 110 at SS. G. Miller
addressed the school. A stranger, an old man, preached. When we
got home the Jess mare was sick. Went first for A. Gordon, then
went to W. Real’s and telephoned for Cotes the vet. He came but
could not get the colt away so he drove to Port Perry for Elliot and
together they got it away but it was dead. Drove Mr. Gordon home
and it was after midnight when I got back.
30 – A very fine day. Went up to W. Real’s in the morning to
telephone to vet Cotes then went on to Greenbank. Cotes came
about 10 am. Spread manure and then rolled a bit with Fan colt
and Fly. Jennie house cleaning upstairs. Wes Luke and G. Michie
called in the forenoon.
100
31 – A fine cool day. A little rain in the evening. Got George’s
Dick horse and plowed all day at corn and potato land. Jennie
housecleaning upstairs.
JUNE 1 – A great downpour of rain from the east through the
night and everything soaked. Went down to George’s and brought
home 4 bags of potatoes that he brought from Jas. Smith’s and then
finished plowing the corn land which is very wet. Cut potatoes in
the woodshed in the forenoon, Jennie helping. Albert Akhurst
brought the beef (the first of the season). He was telling us that
Mrs. Jas. Blair was seriously ill. All hands went to Greenbank but
there was no prayer meeting as it rained very hard. Miss Edith
Phair has a birthday party tonight, a very poor night for such a
thing.
2 – Rain all forenoon. Cleaned out the calf and pig pen and cut
some wood in the shed. Hoed strawberries and scuffled some in
the afternoon. At W. Luke’s in the evening. Jennie making pil-
lowcases.
3 – A fine day but somewhat dull. Appeared to be making up for
some rain. Scuffled the strawberries, raspberries and potatoes in
the orchard in the forenoon, and harrowed the corn and potato land
in the afternoon. The ground very wet, water running across it.
Jennie washing.
4 – All hands at Port Perry in the forenoon. Sold the 7 pigs for
$5.00 and the rise if any. A heavy rain at noon. Hoed at berry
bushes and poisoned woodchucks in the afternoon. In the evening
Jennie drove Fly (for the first time) to Greenbank to the first meet-
ing of the singing class in our church by Mr. Selby of Toronto. 42
names were given as members, a good teacher.
5 – A fine warm growing day, threatening rain a little but did not
come to much. All hands at SS and church, 114 at SS. An old
man, a stranger, preached. Mr. Selby sang in the choir. At CE, a
fair meeting, Miss Forfar leader. Gave Mrs. A. Gordon Jr. a ride
up and back.
6 – A fine day, threatening rain about 5 pm. Drilled up for pota-
toes in the forenoon and planted them in the afternoon, Jennie
helping. At Mark’s in the evening having a sing.
7 – A dull day but no rain. Drilled and planted horse corn (ground
in places very wet), then drew out some manure. Jennie house-
cleaning the cellar which finishes the housecleaning for the season.
8 – It started to rain about 5 am and never let up until about 7 pm.
Everything terribly wet and a good deal of damage being done I
think. Spent most of the day crating Mrs. Bell’s things which are
to be sent to Winnipeg. Jennie packing. At Greenbank in the
evening but there was no meeting. K. Whetter and Nellie Steel
married.
9 – Several little showers through the day. Finished packing up
Mrs. Bell’s things in the forenoon and took them to Port Perry in
the afternoon. George and John Michie helped to load them up and
took some on their waggon. Mrs. Mark here in the afternoon.
10 – A fine cool day, no rain. Went to Saintfield in the morning to
see Jack Park’s horse and by the way Jack was not there as he is on
the sick list and another man is handling the horses. In the after-
noon put up a piece of fence south of the orchard, G. Michie man-
aging the job.
11 – A very fine warm day. George came up in the morning and
we finished the fence south of the orchard, then put up a piece of
the line fence at the swamp, but we could not put up what we
wanted as there was so much water on the ground. Finished about
3 pm, after which I scuffled in the orchard. Jennie at singing class
in the evening.
12 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church, 109 at SS. A
stranger preached a good discourse. At CE, rather a small meeting,
Mr. Miller leader.
13 – A very fine day. Got George’s waggon and with his help
drew out manure. George left at 4 pm to go with the band to Be-
thesda SS anniversary. Alex Gordon and Jim Ewin called at 6.
They wanted to buy the Fan colt and offered $125.00. Agent
Rundle called near dusk and talked binder.
14 – Got up early and took the 7 pigs to Port Perry. Got $5.00 per
hundred. They weighed 1520, the heaviest hogs that I ever sold I
think. Got home a little after 9 and then drew out manure, G.
Michie helping until noon. Drew alone in the afternoon and fin-
ished, then took George’s Dick horse and waggon home. Spread
18 loads of manure after supper. Jennie making shirts. A thunder
storm in the afternoon but it was only a slight drizzle here.
15 – A very fine day. Got up early and went for the fill the first
thing and got back at 7, then plowed all day at the turnip ground
and very wet and weedy it was. All at prayer meeting in the eve-
ning, a SS meeting after.
16 – A very fine day. Plowing all day at turnip ground and fin-
ished. Jennie washing.
17 – Very fine day. Worked all day at turnip ground, harrowed
and rolled it. Sonya Sons of Scotland ran an excursion to Niagara
Falls today. Got the first ripe strawberry.
18 – A very fine day. Drilled up and sowed 32 drills of turnips.
Jennie at singing class in the evening. She washed the buggy.
19 – A very fine warm day. All hands at SS and church, a stranger
from Fergus preached. 109 at SS. As this is Rev. Mr. Limbert’s
farewell it was decided not to have CE so we all went to Port Perry
expecting to hear Mr. Cooper but Mr. McFarlane preached. Mrs.
Nottingham died.
20 – A warm day, some thunder after dinner but only a few drops
of rain here. Drilled up for turnips in the forenoon and sowed them
after dinner. Then we all went to Port Perry, the principal errand
being Jennie to see the Dr. about her throat (2nd
time). Took out 2
boxes of strawberries, the first of the season. John Lee here for
dinner. Road workmen plowing up road at gate.
101
21 – A very warm day. Harrowed the corn and potatoes and
plowed turnip land in the forenoon and after dinner went to Mrs. R.
Nottingham’s funeral service at the house by Rev. W. Limbert.
They took her to Prince Albert. Went to Greenbank for the mail
and then scuffled strawberries and mangolds. At 6 o’clock a terrific
thunderstorm came on, then a short lull and then another very
heavy rain. Water standing in every hollow.
22 – Quite a cool day. Went to Seagrave in the forenoon and got
from R. Thompson 750 berry boxes at 47 cts per 100. Did a few
chores in the afternoon. Jennie and little Willie went to Port Perry
with strawberries. Road machines working on our road.
23 – A very fine cloudless day. Hoeing mangolds and corn all day.
Jennie at Greenbank to a W.F.M. meeting. Mrs. Stewart of Lind-
say was the speaker and she was good but only 14 present.
24 – A fine warm day. Went to Saintfield to see John Park (but he
is still on the sick list), then on to G. Tocher’s, neither he nor Mary
were at home. Came home the side road. After dinner Jennie and
the 2 children went to Port Perry with berries. They got home a
little before 4, then we all drove over to Alex Lee’s Hillside for a
visit. Things are looking well. Got home after 9 and found Willa,
Aunt Mary (Mrs. Slemon) and Arthur Slemon of Port Hope. They
drove from Newcastle today.
25 – A very close warm day although there was quite a breeze.
Finished plowing the turnip ground, harrowed drilled and sowed
them after supper. Jennie and Willa at singing class in the evening.
Jim and Ray Dusty and Arthur Gordon came for strawberries.
26 – A very fine cool day. Slemon’s horse, which was turned into
the pasture, was found to be missing and Jennie and Aunt Mary
with little Willie went in search. They went to Beare’s Mill, then
to Port Perry but found no trace of him. At SS with Annie, 106
present. Went from there to the Methodist SS anniversary ser-
vices. Rev. Mr. Crossley of Bowmanville was the principal
speaker. James Lee came home for tea and with Willa went again
to the Methodist service. Mr. Crossley was the preacher, a good
turnout on both occasions.
27 – A very fine cool day. Scuffling mangolds in the forenoon and
hoeing in the afternoon. Mrs. Mark, Jessie, Aunt Mary and Jennie
picking strawberries. After dinner Jennie and Arthur Slemon went
to Port Perry with berries. They took the two rigs as there was not
room in one. After supper Jennie and the two children went to
Greenbank to telephone to Port Hope to hear if there was any word
about the missing horse but they could not get the one they wanted
to speak to. Willa in bed most of the day.
28 – A very fine cool day. Hoeing mangolds all day. Jennie wash-
ing. Jennie and the children went to Greenbank after dinner and
telephoned again to Port Hope. Edith Phair came for some straw-
berries. Willa in bed most of the day. Albert Akhurst stacking
hay. S. Ontario Farmers Institute excursion to Guelph today.
29 – A fine day. Hoeing mangolds in the forenoon and finished.
Jennie, Mrs. Mark and Aunt Mary picking strawberries. After
dinner I went to Greenbank and spoke over the telephone to W.
Slemon of Port Hope. No word of the lost horse. After that Jennie
and Arthur went to Port Perry with berries. Mrs. A. Lee called for
berries on her way home from Port Perry. Scuffled in the orchard
and the new strawberries.
30 – Quite a rain through the night. Hitched up in the morning and
went to hunt for the lost horse. Stopped at Port Perry and got Fly
shod for the first time, then went across to near Blackstock but
could hear no word of it. Went with Jennie and little Willie to
preparatory service. Mr. Cameron preached for the first time since
his illness, not many out. Hoed strawberries after supper. Mr. and
Mrs. Sandy Gordon and Arthur here in the evening to see about
strawberries also Wes Luke on his way to Port Perry for the same
reason. Britton Love drove down with a message saying that the
horse had got home to Port Hope.
JULY 1 – Went to Saintfield the first thing to see J. Park, but he
was not there. Hoed some after I got home. Mrs. Mark, Jessie
Michie, Nellie O’Neill, Aunt Mary and Jennie picking strawber-
ries, got about 160 boxes. After dinner there was quite a heavy
shower and then several more small showers all the afternoon.
Went with Jennie and the two children to the Methodist SS anni-
versary. Went first to Blair’s with strawberries, then to the church
and heard part of the program. Although the weather was so bad
there was quite a crowd. It was intended to have the tea in Beare’s
woods but the rain prevented it. Did not stay to the evening meet-
ing. James Ewin and Sandy Gordon called for berries.
2 – A fine cool day. Finished hoeing the strawberries in the fore-
noon and scuffled in the afternoon. E. Love came for berries.
Jennie and Willa at singing class in the evening. Willa and Arthur
Slemon at Port Perry in the forenoon. Willa went to see the Dr.
3 – A pretty cool day and very fine. At communion at Wick with
Jennie, Mr. Cameron conducted the services. At church service at
Greenbank with Willa in the evening. Mr. Arnold, a city mission-
ary of Toronto, preached. Mr. Petty was having a swarm of bees
near his house.
4 – Warm day with a high wind, a heavy thunder shower at 7 pm.
Scuffled the mangolds in the forenoon. Jennie and the 2 children
at Port Perry with berries to Mrs. Patton of Port Hope. Mrs. Mark,
Jessie Michie, Aunt Mary, Willa, Mrs. Alex Gordon, and Jennie
picking berries, 211 boxes. Allan, Emma and Alf. Black came
before dinner and left for home after tea. Mrs. R. Cragg and Mrs.
W. Real called for berries and Donald and Lizzie McArthur in the
evening. At managers meeting.
5 – A very fine day. Wes Luke called in the morning for berries
and had a long talk about SS’s church union and other things. I
then scuffled corn and potatoes. After dinner went to Mark’s for
cabbage plants and hoed corn. Willa and Arthur Slemon went to
Greenbank for bread. After supper sowed some turnips in a part
of the potato ground that did not come up on account of the wet.
Mrs. W.H. Leask came for strawberries. Mundo Perrin, Norman
and George Slemon arrived with the horse that went home to Port
Hope. They all stayed all night. Then G.A. McMillan and Mrs.
called about berries. Then James Blair, Maggie Blair and Rosie
Hall called and stayed awhile.
102
6 – Rain all forenoon and until about 1 pm when it cleared up and
was fine. Went with Jennie and the two children to the Saintfield
Wick SS picnic at Ed Ferguson’s on the town line, which turned
out to be quite a good time. Went for the beef in the morning.
Mundo Perrin, Norman and George Sleman left for home after
dinner.
7 – A very fine day. Hoeing corn and potatoes all day. Mrs. Mark,
Mrs. W. O’Neill, Aunt Mary, Willa and Jennie picking strawber-
ries, 130 boxes. Mrs. Smith and G.A. McMillan’s two boys called
for berries. Archie McArthur called in the evening.
8 – A very fine day. Went to Saintfield early in the morning, then
made a trip to W. Luke’s. Scuffled mangolds, corn and strawber-
ries in the afternoon. Aunt Mary and Arthur left for home in the
morning. George, Jessie and John Michie, Jim Lee, Ida Phair and
Mamey Dusty here in the evening getting a feed of berries.
9 – A warm sticky forenoon, thunder shower at 1 pm and some
rain most of the afternoon and quite heavy in the evening. Helping
G. Michie to draw in hay in the forenoon and picking over straw-
berries in the afternoon. Mrs. Mark, Jessie Michie, Willa and
Jennie picking strawberries, 66 boxes. Jennie and Willa at singing
class in the evening. Theodore Salter had all 4 of his horses killed
by lightning.
10 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church, 101 at SS. Mr.
Cameron preached. Willa stayed at Dusty’s for tea. All at CE, a
good turnout, Willa leader. Nellie McMillan elected president for
the next six months. Miss E. Baird, vice president; Lizzie
McArthur, sec.; and A. Akhurst, treas.
11 – Rain after dinner, pretty warm. Scuffling turnips until 5 when
we got supper and all went to Elijah Beare’s barn raising near Port
Perry. A big crowd but it was not all put up although we worked
until dark. Got home at 10 pm. Willa stayed and came home with
someone.
12 – A very heavy thunder storm towards morning and after day-
light and it continued to rain some nearly all forenoon. Cleared up
and a fine afternoon and pretty cool. Cut some wood in the shed in
the forenoon. Mrs. Mark and Jessie came up and they and Willa
picked berries. I went to Greenbank after dinner for sugar and tea.
In the afternoon the W.F.M.S. met here and the 3 youngest SS
classes to get a feast of strawberries. About 50 old and young were
here and seemed to enjoy themselves well.
13 – A very fine day. No rain. Hoed mangolds, 2nd
time, most of
the day. Mrs. Mark and Willa picked the strawberries, probably
for the last time this season. Willa went to Port Perry in the after-
noon and then to Greenbank after supper. Rode up with her to W.
Luke’s. Saw Jim Bush and had a talk with him.
14 – A fine day, some like rain but did not come. All day helping
W. Luke to stack hay. Put up a big stack south of the barn. Oliver
got hurt by falling from the load. Willa at Phair’s in the evening.
15 – A very fine day. Went to Saintfield in the morning and hoed
mangolds and turnips (the first) the rest of the day. Jennie helping
awhile in the afternoon. Norman Phair called in the evening to see
about help for the band party.
16 – A beautiful day. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie and Willa at
singing class in the evening. Had the worse time shaving with a
dull razor that I ever had in my life.
17 – A very warm day. All hands at SS and church (96 at SS).
Willa went to McArthur’s for tea. All at CE, a fair meeting, Jas.
Miller leader.
18 – Fine day and pretty warm. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie and
Willa picking berries and Jennie went to Port Perry with them in
the afternoon.
19 – A very warm day in the forenoon, but a heavy thunder shower
came at 2 pm and after that it was much cooler. Hoeing turnips.
Jennie Paris greened the potatoes in the forenoon. Barbara Smith,
Mrs. Mason and Kennedy came at 12. Barbara, Annie M. and
Jennie at Mark’s in the evening. Arch McArthur called in the
evening.
20 – A very fine cool day. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon and
helping G. Michie to stack hay in the afternoon. Barbara, Mrs.
Mason and Kennedy M. left for home about 7 pm. Mrs. Isaac
O’Neill cut herself badly with a scythe.
21 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips until 5 pm when after supper
we all went to the brass band lawn party at W. Real’s, which went
off very well, a large crowd. Mr. Bert Harvey of Toronto was the
star and very good he was. Got home near midnight. Willa went
to Port Perry in the afternoon.
22 – A fine day, some thunder in the evening but no rain. Scuf-
fling in the forenoon and hoeing turnips in the afternoon. Willa
and Annie at Mark’s in the evening.
23 – Helping G. Michie to stack hay until about 9:30 when it came
on a drizzly rain which continued until noon. Hoed strawberries in
the afternoon. Jennie and Willa at singing class. Rain again in the
evening.
24 – A very fine day. All at SS and church, 108 at SS, Mr. Arnold
preached. All at CE, a good turnout, Jennie was leader.
25 – A fine day. Helping George with the hay in the forenoon and
hoeing turnips in the afternoon. Jennie and Willa picking berries
and Willa went to Port Perry with them. Jennie, Willa and the
children at I. O’Neill’s in the evening.
26 – A fine day, some thunder after dinner but no rain here. Got 2
bags of buckwheat from George and hoed turnips. During the day
Willa at Isaac O’Neill’s picking berries as Mrs. O’Neill is laid up
with a cut.
27 – A fine day and pretty warm. Went for the beef in the morning
and then got Albert Akhurst’s mower and cut the hay in the field
west of the house. Got done at 5 pm an then went to a little bee at
I. O’Neill’s. George, John, Fred O’Neill and I were the crowd.
Drew in 4 loads of hay for him. Thunder and threatening rain but
only a few drops. A. Akhurst cut fall wheat, the first of the season.
103
28 – Rain through the night which soaked the hay and continued
some through the forenoon. Took the mower home and then scuf-
fled until the rain came on and stopped me. At Albert Phoenix’s
barn raising in the afternoon. Went up all right and got done at
sundown. Isaac Clemens got hurt by a spur brace falling on him.
29 – A very fine day. Finished hoeing turnips except a few where
the potatoes was killed, then raked up hay. Jennie and the children
at Port Perry. Willa picking berries at home in the forenoon and
with Jessie Michie in Lyle’s bush in the afternoon. A. McArthur
here in the evening. G. Michie starts his new binder today.
30 – A fine day but dull and like rain. At the hay and got in 11
loads, John Michie helping all day and George in the afternoon.
Jennie helping all forenoon and part of the afternoon. Alex and
Jim Lee here for tea. Jim is pretty badly crippled with a sore foot
which got stabbed with a fork. He has to go on crutches. Jennie
and Willa at singing class in the evening.
31 – Rain through the night and some threatening during the day
but did not come. All hands at SS and church (106 at SS). Mr.
Cameron preached. At CE with Willa, an extra large turnout as
there was no service at the Methodist church. Willa was leader.
Choir practice after.
AUG. 1 – A very fine day. George and John Michie came up in
the morning and we finished drawing in the hay at 10 o’clock. I
then raked the ground and with Jennie’s help drew them in. Jennie
and the two children went to Port Perry after dinner with berries to
send to Mary Patton, Port Hope. Willa picking berries most of the
day. After supper I hoed the turnips where the potatoes were
killed out and so finished hoeing turnips for the first time.
2 – A beautiful day. Got up early as we had some notion of going
to the Port Perry firemen’s excursion to Niagara Falls but we did
not go. Scuffling all day, turnips, mangolds, corn, strawberries and
raspberries. Jennie and the two children at Greenbank after supper.
George cut his barley.
3 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips (2nd
time) all day. Jennie
cleaned out the hen house. Willa washed the buggy and went to
Greenbank after supper for the mail. Joe Burton threshing clover.
I. O’Neill came for the horse rake.
4 – A very fine warm day. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie and
Willa picking berries. Willa and little Annie went to Port Perry
with them in the afternoon.
5 – A very fine day. Hoeing and greening the potatoes all day.
Mrs. Phair threshing clover. Arch McArthur here in the evening.
6 – A very fine day, quite a high wind in the afternoon. Went
through the mangolds for the 3rd
and last time in the forenoon and
in the afternoon went with little Annie to Thompson’s at Seagrave
for binder twine (14 cts per lb). Willa picking berries all day.
Jennie preserving. Jennie and Willa at singing class in the evening.
7 – All hands at SS and church (120 at SS), Mr. Cameron
preached. A heavy thunder shower on the way home, ducked us
all pretty well. Rain continued until about 7. Willa at Mark’s for
tea.
8 – A very fine day. Took out to Port Perry mill 6 bags of rye for
meal in the forenoon and in the afternoon drew some dirt to fill up
the horse mangers and the box stall. At Greenbank in the evening
to see John Lee about [carsom....?] the SS room. Mrs. Alex
Gordon and Jessie Michie here picking berries. Jennie washing
and ironing.
9 – A very fine day, quite cool in the morning. Drove Jennie and
little Annie to the early train at Port Perry on their way to Toronto.
Put ledger plates in the binder guards in the forenoon and hoed the
strawberries and some other chores in the afternoon. G. and J.
Michie are shingling the south part of their barn today and yester-
day.
10 – A thunder shower between 12 and 1. Fixing the roof of the
kitchen to keep the rain from coming into the pantry. Jessie here
picking berries and stayed to dinner. After dinner went to Green-
bank for the mail and measured the church basement for the paint-
ers. In the evening went to Port Perry for Jennie and Annie. Jessie
Bell came with them.
11 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning for
Jessie’s trunk. Willa also going. Wes, Oliver and Ned Luke called
after dinner wishing to buy the Fanny colt but she was already sold
to F. Perrin. Spent most of the afternoon in scuffling the old
strawberry patch. Willa at Gordon’s in the evening with a hat.
Arch McArthur called in the evening.
12 – A fine day. Went to W. Luke’s morning and evening. Put up
bars in the north field and some other little jobs. George cutting
oats, the first in Egypt.
13 – Got up early and with Jennie started with the Fanny colt for
Enniskillen to meet Mundo Perrin to whom she is sold for $145.00.
Got there about noon. Got dinner at Mrs. Joe Bell’s and got home
again at 7 pm. Went by way of Blackstock and came home over
the hills by Raglan. Thunder and rain most of the way as far as
Blackstock and thunder and a few drops of rain half the way home.
Jennie and Willa at singing class. G. Michie here for the scales.
14 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Willa and the
two children (111 at SS), Mr. Cameron preached. Mr. Selby sang
a piece in SS. Jennie, Willa and Jessie at CE, Mrs. J.M. Real
leader.
15 – A fine day and pretty warm. Went down to George’s in the
morning to see about getting help to cut oats, but could not get any
today. Cut out the corners of the fields, cut thistles on the road-
side, ground the binder knives and other things. Willa picking
berries, Jennie washing. Jennie, Jessie and the two children went
to Port Perry after 4 o’clock.
16 – Rain through the night and morning, then about 3 a thunder
storm came up. It got very dark but there was not so much rain but
it drizzled on quite a while. Cut some old rails in the woodshed in
the forenoon. After dinner went with Willa to Greenbank for the
mail. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for dinner and tea. Jessie dress-
making, Jennie ironing. Willa hat making.
17 – A fine cool day. Went for the beef in the morning then scuf-
fled and hoed some strawberries in the forenoon and in the after-
104
noon started to cut oats in the field north of the barn. Worked with
two horses until 6:30 when George came with a horse. Willa
walked to Greenbank in the evening for the mail.
18 - A very fine day and pretty cool. Cutting oats all day, George
and horse helping. Jennie drove the binder most of the afternoon.
Willa at W. O’Neill’s in the evening.
19 – A fine day but a little rain in the evening. Cutting oats in the
forenoon, George helping, and in the afternoon cut some clover.
Jessie and Jennie dressmaking.
20 – A terrible rain from the south through the night and morning
and everything very much soaked. Drove Willa out to Port Perry
to the 11 train on her way to Whitby to see her aunt Janet. Went
after her again at 5:30. That was about all I did. Jessie dressmak-
ing, Jennie scrubbing. Jessie and Willa at singing class in the
evening. Lizzie McArthur came home with them. Lige Beare
called looking for a beef syndicate.
21 – A very fine day, somewhat warm. At SS and church with
Jennie and the two children. Willa and Lizzie McArthur walked.
Jessie walked to church. 116 at SS. Mr. Selby sang a piece. Mr.
Cameron preached and announced his resignation as pastor of the
congregation. Willa and Jessie went to the Baptist church and
Willa went to McArthur’s for tea. At CE with Jessie, a good turn-
out, Maggie Blair leader. A. McArthur drove Willa home and
stayed awhile.
22 – A heavy thunder shower between 3 and 4 in the morning and
another about the middle of the afternoon which soaked everything
badly. Spent the day in doing a few odd jobs. Jessie making dress
for Margaret.
23 – A fine cool day. Moved the fence south of the calf pasture
and took it to fence the strawberry patch east of the orchard. Hoed
the strawberries again. Willa went to Port Perry in the afternoon.
Jennie washing, Jessie dressmaking. Arch McArthur here in the
evening.
24 – A fine day. John and horse came up in the morning and we
cut the hill south of the house (which was very hard to do) and then
the patch of wheat in the field W of the barn (badly rusted) which
finishes the cutting for the year. Jennie and Jessie packing up
Willa’s things as she starts for Winnipeg tomorrow.
25 – Got up at 4:30 am and took Willa to Port Perry on her way to
Winnipeg. Mr. Gerrow of Scugog here for dinner, he was selling
strawberry plants. Went to Greenbank in the afternoon for the
mail. That is about all I did as there was a heavy thunder shower at
1 pm and another between 5 and 6 pm. Some of the neighbours
drawing in a little before the rain.
26 – A high wind through the night and a fine cool drying day.
Made and hung a door for the box stall and after supper, with
Jennie’s help, drew in the wheat and a load of oats. Little Annie
and Willie went down to Mark’s after dinner.
27 – A very fine day. Threw out some shocks in the morning and
drew in the rest of the day with Jennie’s help. Sheaves not in very
good order. Jennie at singing class in the evening. Jessie house-
keeping.
28 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Jennie and the two
children (105 at SS), Mr. Cameron preached. (G. Wallace sat with
his wife). At CE with Jennie, a very small meeting, only 9 all told,
I was leader. The subject John Calvin and his lectures. Special
service at Methodist [church]21
.
29 – A very fine cool day. Drawing in oats all day, Jennie helping.
Jessie housekeeping. Painter Tremeer of Port Perry called in the
afternoon to see about [calsoming?] the basement of the church.
Let the job for $20.00.
30 – A very fine day. Drawing in oats all day with Jennie’s help
and finished harvest except the rakings.
31 – A fine cool day. Went to Greenbank in the morning to see the
men who are [calsoming?] the SS room, then raked the stubble the
rest of the day. Jennie washing in the forenoon and in the after-
noon went to Port Perry with the two children, then came home by
Greenbank for the mail.
SEPT. 1 – Rain in the morning and pretty dull all day, close and
warm. Did a number of small jobs in the forenoon and in the af-
ternoon, with Jennie’s help, drew in two loads of rakings which
finishes harvest.
2 – Rain through [the night] and a little off and on during the fore-
noon, thunder during the afternoon but no rain here. Cut some old
rails in the woodshed in the forenoon and plowed south of the hill
in the afternoon. At Greenbank in the evening. Pretty dark and
lots of lightning. Gave Jim Dusty a ride home. Called at A. Ak-
hurst’s. Jennie making shorts. Jessie making a blue suit for Willie.
3 – A fine day, pretty warm. Plowing all day.
4 – A fine cool day. At SS and church with Jennie and the children
(103 at SS), Mr. Cameron preached. At CE with Jennie, a fair
turnout, Arch McArthur leader. Called at John Lee’s and W. Ak-
hurst’s to see Mrs. A. before meeting.
5 – A very fine day. Jennie with little Willie drove me to Port
Perry on the way to Toronto Fair. Got dinner at Jas. Mason’s and
at the fair in the afternoon. An immense crowd said to be 130,000.
The chief attraction was the Black Watch Band of Scotland.
Stayed for the fireworks which was good. Got back to Mason’s at
11 pm.
6 – Another very fine day. Went to the fair with Jas. Mason and
heard the Black Watch Band which was very fine. Jessie Bell
drove to Port Perry in the morning and left the horse and went to
the fair also. We got home about 9 p.m.
21
John Calvin, 1509-1564, was a French theologian
and pastor during the Protestant Reformation and
influenced the founding of Calvinism.
105
7 – A fine day but somewhat dull and threatening rain in the eve-
ning. Plowing all day.
8 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Scale pedlar called after dinner.
Jennie, Jessie and the two children visiting at A. Gordon’s. Jennie
walked first to Greenbank for the mail and stayed for the W.F.M.S.
9 – A very fine day. Helping Mr. Lyle to thresh all day, John
Leask’s machine, with blower and self feeder, the first self feeder I
ever saw and the first one that was ever in these parts. Jennie and
the two children at Port Perry in the forenoon. Jessie bad with hay
fever.
10 – A very fine day. Threshing at Lyle’s in the morning and
finished in about 1 ½ hours, then they went to A. Akhurst’s and
finished him about 7 pm. They then moved to our barn. Jennie at
Port Perry in the forenoon.
11 – A fine day. At SS with Jennie, Jessie and the children. I
walked up while they drove (108 at SS). Mr. Cameron preached.
No one from here at CE.
12 – A fine day. Threshing at home and finished at 3:30, then they
went to George’s (home barn) and worked til dark. Rather more
grain, at least in bulk, than last year.
13 – A very fine day. Threshing at George’s and finished at noon,
then went to D. Cragg’s and helped to raise a new driving shed and
grainery.
14 – Went for the beef in the morning, then scuffled the strawber-
ries, but before I got done it started to rain and rained off and on
most of the remainder of the day. Cleaned out the calf pen, the
root house, the barn floor and some other small jobs. Jennie churn-
ing.
15 – Plowing all day. Some rain in the forenoon. Jessie Michie
called in the forenoon. Jennie at singing class (1st
night of 2nd
class) in the evening.
16 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie, Jessie and the two chil-
dren at quilting bee at Mrs. Mark’s in the afternoon.
17 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jessie making coats for Annie
and Willie.
18 – Threatening rain a little about noon. At SS and church with
Jennie and the children (106 at SS), Mr. Cameron preached.
Jennie and Jessie at CE, Mr. Boe leader.
19 – A fine day. Plowed until about 10 am, then went to Port Perry
with Jennie, Jessie and the two children in the waggon and took
Jessie’s trunk and she started on her way back to Rochester. A
steam dredge working at the foot of Queen Street.
20 – Quite cool with a little rain in the forenoon, some thunder at
noon. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. I. O’Neill threshing.
21 – Quite a hard frost in the morning and pretty cold all day.
Plowing in the forenoon and keeping house in the afternoon while
Jennie went to Port Perry to see the Dr. about a lump on her knee
and got it lanced. Went down to George’s after she came home.
22 – A fine day. Plowed until 9 when I went to Phair’s to thresh.
Jennie and the children at preparatory services in the church. Rev.
Peckover of Sunderland preached. Edgar Leask was admitted to
the church.
23 – A fine day. Threshing at Mrs. Phair’s until 9:30 when Tom
Lambe came to put up the new feeder, so a stop was made until
after 1 pm. Finished there and moved down to R. Cragg’s (in Jim
Lee’s place) and threshed about 2 hours. New feeder works pretty
well.
24 – Threshing at R. Cragg’s. Rain came on before we got started
in the morning and several times through the day. The new feeder
did not work very well so slow progress was made. Finished
about 5 pm. Some thunder in the morning and evening.
25 – A fine day. At church with Jennie and the two children.
Communion at Greenbank, about the usual attendance. Mr. Cam-
eron preached. At CE with Jennie and the two children, a pretty
good turnout, Miss Baird leader.
26 – Rain in the morning and a little a few times in the forenoon.
Plowing all day. At congregational meeting in the evening to
consider about the singing class, a small meeting and nothing done.
27 – A fine day. Cutting corn in the forenoon while Jennie and
little Willie went to Port Perry. Annie stayed with me. In the
afternoon we all went on a visit to Rev. J. M. Cameron at Wick.
Mr. Cameron is leaving next week to reside near Hamilton after
being our pastor for nearly 10 years.
28 – A fine day. Went for the beef in the morning and cut corn the
rest of the day. Sunderland fair.
29 – Rain off and on during the forenoon. Plowed a little. Fin-
ished cutting corn in the afternoon. Jennie and the children went
for the mail.
30 – Drawing in corn in the forenoon and in the afternoon drawing
out manure for the next years strawberry patch. A very high wind
from the NW all day. A lot of apples blown down. R. Wallace’s
barn burned this morning.
OCT. 1 – A pretty cool day with a high NW wind. Plowing all
day. Mrs. A. Gordon Jr. came down in the afternoon and picked
up a bag of crab apples and Alex came after them in the evening.
Jennie making a dress for little Annie.
2 – A pretty cool day with high NW wind and some cold rain flur-
ries. At SS and church with Jennie and the two children (108 at
SS). It was children’s day and there was a large turnout as this was
Mr. Cameron’s last Sunday as pastor of the church. He moves this
week to near Hamilton. Did not go to CE.
3 – A fine day and some cool. Harrowing all day. Jennie washing
and mending grain bags. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Lee here in the after-
noon for 8 bags of oats.
4 – A fine day with a little rain at noon. Went to Port Perry with
21 bags to grind. Harrowing in the afternoon. At church managers
meeting in the evening, rather dark night.
106
5 – Went to Port Perry in the morning for the meal and took out 21
hens. Started to rain before I got home and rained off and on most
of the afternoon. Made an apple drying rack in the afternoon and
in the evening pared apples, the first for years.
6 – Rather cold day with NW wind. All hands picking up the
fallen apples in the forenoon and a lot of them there is, and all
picking potatoes in the afternoon. A pretty good crop and not so
badly rotten as might be expected from reports. Went to Green-
bank in the evening for mail.
7 – A very hard frost in the morning, too hard to dig potatoes until
it thawed out some. After that all hands were at the potatoes. G.
Michie came up after dinner for the scales. John away at Markham
fair.
8 – Rain off and on several times through the day. Finished dig-
ging potatoes in the forenoon. Moved the bed down from upstairs
and put up the room stove and some other chores in the afternoon.
Pared apples in the evening.
9 – Some rain in the morning and evening. All hands at SS and
church (100 at SS). Rev. Mr. Duncan preached a good sermon and
officially declared the congregation vacant. No CE on account of
the S. of T. annual sermon at the Methodist church. A very dark
night.
10 – Rain and wind through the night and some in the forenoon
and again in the evening with thunder. Plowed sod in the forenoon
and topped mangolds in the afternoon. Jennie churning.
11 – A fine day. Harrowed up the mangolds and then all hands
drawing them in. Got in 8 loads. Not near so good a crop as last
year. Mrs. A. Gordon Jr. and Miss Mary Dusty here picking ap-
ples in the afternoon and Alex came for them towards night. Mrs.
Mark brought the mail.
12- A cold rain from the east (but never very hard) most of the day.
Finished drawing in the mangolds and plowed the rest of the day.
Jennie washing. Mr. and Mrs. C. Gordon came for 2 barrels of
sweet apples.
13 – A fine day, pretty cool in the morning. All hands went to Port
Perry with the waggon in the forenoon. Plowing in the afternoon.
Jennie picking apples to send to Winnipeg and went to Greenbank
for the mail in the evening.
14 – A fine day, cool. Plowing sod all day.
15 – A beautiful day. Plowing sod all day. The children out in the
field most of the time. David Cragg called in the forenoon to see
about apples. His two girls and a grandson came in the afternoon
and picked several bags and Wes Cragg came for them with the
waggon.
16 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church, an extra large
school (127). E. Bewell and G. Miller gave a few words. Rev. Mr.
Duncan preached another good sermon. All at CE, rather a small
turnout, perhaps on account of the Baptist anniversary services. G.
Miller leader, and he did well.
17 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with
about 20 chickens and four barrels of apples for Mrs. Bell, Winni-
peg. On the way home a little south of the 8th
concession I wit-
nessed a bad runaway and smash. There were 4 in the rig, Mrs.
Walter Mark, her two girls and her boy. The horse ran them
against a telegraph pole and smashed the rig badly and threw them
all out against the fence. Mr. Cawker, who was on the road, drove
with all speed for a Dr. while I carried the boy who is badly hurt to
Mr. Fidgets. One of the girls was also hurt but with Mr. Fidget’s
help she was able to walk to his house. I then turned back to Port
Perry and telephoned to Mr. Mark at Seagrave. Albert Akhurst
also came along just after it happened. All hands at taking in pota-
toes in the afternoon and did the job. Pared apples in the evening.
[margin note – Roy Mark died from injuries received at runaway.
A son born to Mr. and Mrs. W. O’Neill.]
18 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. After dinner went
down to George’s to see about going to Laurier meeting at Ux-
bridge tonight, then drew some brush into wash outs in the SW
field. Went with George to the meeting at Uxbridge. A very large
crowd and an orderly meeting. The speakers were J. Gould, Mr.
Grant, and Laurier22
. A splendid meeting. Got home a little after
12.
19 - A very fine and warm day. Plowing in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went to Roy Mark’s funeral. There was a large turnout.
Rev. Mr. Tricker conducted the service. Jennie and the two chil-
dren went with me as far as M. O’Neill’s to see Nellie and her new
baby boy. I called for them on my way home and first went to
Greenbank for the mail. Pared apples in the evening. Plowing
match on E. Beare’s place.
20 – A very fine warm day. Plowing in the forenoon and all hands
picking apples in the afternoon. Jennie and the children helping
Mrs. Mark in the forenoon.
21 – Rain through the night. Plowing in the forenoon. All hands
picking apples in the afternoon until about 4 pm when there came
up a thunder shower. Several showers during the evening. Went
down to I. O’Neill’s to tell them to come for some apples. Pared
apples in the evening.
22 – Rain through the night and until about 8 in the morning.
Plowing sod most of the day. Mrs. I. O’Neill came up in the fore-
noon to see about apples. She came again in the afternoon with
Isaac. Mrs. Carneggie and the two children picked up and took
away several bags. Mr. Lyle came for auger. Cleaned stove pipes
after dinner.
23 – A fine day but somewhat cold. All at SS and church (105 at
SS). A student, Mr. Robertson, preached. No CE as this is the
Baptist anniversary services. After supper I drove down to P.
Fidgets to see how the Mark’s girl was who was hurt in the run-
away. She was thought to be a little better but still in a very criti-
cal state.
24 – A fine day. Finished throwing back the mangolds in the
morning, then topped some turnips. Jennie washing. In the after-
22
Wilfred Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada, 1896-
1911.
107
noon went to A. T. Horne’s sale, rather a small crowd, things went
fair. Jennie and the children went as far as Greenbank and visited
at Mrs. Walker’s, Mr. Akhurst’s and John Lee’s, then we all got
tea at the Baptist social but did not stop [for] the concert.
25 – A fine day. All hands all day picking apples. W. Love came
for some sweet apples. Pared apples in the evening.
26 – Rain through the night and morning. Plowing in the forenoon
and topping turnips in the afternoon. Quite a snow storm in the
afternoon, the first snow for the season, which made the turnips
very wet.
27 – Ground white with snow in the morning which did not go
entirely away in shady places during the day. Jennie went to
Greenbank in the morning and all I did in the forenoon was to
clean out the pig house. Harrowing up turnips in the afternoon.
Pared apples in the evening. W. Ross held a political meeting at
Greenbank tonight. Nomination day.
28 – A fine day. At the turnips all day. Jennie helping part of the
time, got in 10 loads.
29 – A very fine day. At turnips all day. Jennie helping most of
the time, got in 11 loads.
30 – Quite a hard frost and pretty cool all day but fine. All at SS
and church (115 at SS). A student preached. Mr. Robinson of
Detroit who is on his wedding trip, sang in the SS and also the
church. At CE, a fair meeting. I was the leader, baptism the topic.
31 – Quite a hard frost. Topping turnips and finished about 4 pm,
then harrowed up some but did not finish. Jennie washing. Pared
apples in the evening.
NOV. 1 – A very fine day. Finished harrowing up the turnips and
then drew in 10 loads, Jennie helping. Down to George’s in the
evening practising singing for W.F.M.S. tomorrow night.
2 – A very fine day. At turnips and got in 7 loads which finishes,
38 loads in all. Jennie helping in the forenoon. All hands at the
W.F.M.S. meeting in the evening, a pretty good turnout. Mr. Jami-
son of Knox College was the speaker and good he was. Collection
$22.00.
3 – A fine day and pretty dark night. Jennie and the children went
to Port Perry in the forenoon while I did little but throw back some
turnips in the root house. Not feeling well all day. After dinner
went to Greenbank to vote as this is the general election day for the
Dominion house. W. Ross and Peter Christie are the candidates in
this riding. I think it has been about [the] quietest election that I
remember of. M. Stonehouse called in the afternoon wanting to
buy chickens. Christie elected by 96 it is said. [margin note -
Laurier government sustained by over 70].
4 – Plowing sod in the forenoon and finished. Plowing turnip
ground in the afternoon. Jennie making clothes for Willie. Pared
apples in the evening. A drizzling rain at night and very dark.
5 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Went up to W. Luke’s after sup-
per to get the election news which was very satisfactory with the
exception of South Ontario.
6 – A pretty hard frost in the morning which did not slacken all
day. All at SS and church (115 at SS). A Mr. Tough preached.
No one from here at CE.
7 – Another hard frost and cold all day. Drew in the corn in the
forenoon, Jennie helping. Apple packers, Cephas Sleep and two
boys, packed 12 barrels. Drew straw to cover strawberry plants in
the afternoon. Pared apples in the evening.
8 – A hard frost and a fine day. Finished covering strawberries and
threw back turnips in the forenoon. Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. here for
dinner, she was getting some sewing done. Jennie and the children
went up to visit Mrs. Lyle but she was not at home. Took the 12
barrels of apples to Port Perry in the afternoon. [margin note –
U.S. Presidential election, Roosevelt and Parker, Roosevelt
elected.]
9 – A hard frost, too hard to plough. Spent most of the day pruning
apple trees. Jennie washing. Afterward with the children she went
to Greenbank for mail.
10 – Too hard frost to plough. A fine day. Pruning orchard.
Jennie went to W.F.M.S. at Jas. Miller’s. Pared apples in the eve-
ning.
11 – Frost too hard to plough. Did a few chores in the forenoon
and drew away the brush in the orchard in the afternoon. Mrs.
Mark called after dinner. Jennie making coat for Willie.
12 – A fine day with a high wind in the afternoon. Went to Port
Perry in the forenoon and put in glass in stable windows in the
afternoon.
13 – A fine day but pretty cool with high wind. All at SS and
church (103 at SS). Rev. Mr. Campbell of Penetang preached. No
one from here at CE. John Michie ran into W. Luke’s buggy and
upset them at Luke’s gate.
14 – Cold with high wind. Drawing apple limbs and old rails to
woodshed in the forenoon and in the afternoon drew a load of
gravel from McMillan’s pit to level up the church sheds. Put up a
box on the 11th
conc. at the head of our sideroad to put the mail
into. Mr. A. Gordon’s children are to bring it down from Green-
bank. Pared apples in the evening.
15 – A fine day and some warmer. Drew up some old rails for
wood in the forenoon and made a coal bin in the afternoon.
16 – A very fine day but did not thaw out enough to plough. Went
to Port Perry in the forenoon with 22 bags to grind for meal and
brought home 1600 of coal. Moving gate NW of barn in the after-
noon. At Greenbank in the evening to a SS meeting to see about
lesson helpers for next year. Decided to have a Christmas tree.
Just 12 out all told.
17 – Still cold. Thanksgiving day but as there was no church ser-
vice, we did not leave home. Finished fixing gate and threw out
old fence SW of house. Pared apples in the evening.
18 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for the meal
and drew old rails in the afternoon. Jennie has a sore leg.
108
19 – A fine day and some warmer, fog in the forenoon. Jennie
went to Port Perry in the morning to see the Dr. about her sore leg
while I cut wood in the woodshed. Went to Greenbank in the
afternoon. Called at T.E. Cragg’s to see about the Liberal conven-
tion at Toronto next week and came home by the mill. Pared ap-
ples in the evening. Thunder in the evening and rain after we had
gone to bed.
20 – Warmer. All hands at SS and church (100 at SS), Mr. Hunter
preached. Alex Gordon’s buggy tongue broke in the shed. At CE,
not very large meeting, Silva Leask leader. Raining a little on the
way home.
21 – A fine day. Plowing all day at turnip land. Jennie covering
the lounge. Pared apples in the evening.
22 – A very fine day. Plowing all day, finished turnip ground and
plowed a little in orchard. At George’s in the evening singing.
23 – Got up early and Jennie and the children drove me to Port
Perry on my way to the great Liberal convention at Toronto. Got
there between 9 and 10. There was morning, afternoon and eve-
ning meetings in Massey Hall. An immense crowd. Hon. G.W.
Ross23
was the principal speaker in the evening. Got meals and
stayed all night at Mrs. J.C. Mason’s.
24 – Cooler and some snow. Attended the morning meeting of
convention and left for home at 2 pm. Got to Port Perry at 6 when
Jennie and the children met me. Band concert at Greenbank but
did not go to it as it was rather late.
25 – Plowing the orchard and finished I suppose for the season.
George Michie took away the cutting box. Jennie complaining
badly of sore leg. Pared apples in the evening. Bible society meet-
ing at Greenbank.
26 – A fine day with a little snow about 4 pm. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the morning to see the Dr. about her leg which is worse.
Did a few chores. Put on the storm windows. Not feeling very
well.
27 – A fine day but pretty cold. At SS and church with Annie.
Jennie did not go as she was not feeling well. (105 at SS), Mr.
Hunter preached. At CE, a fair meeting, Mrs. J.M. Real leader.
28 – A fine day but cold, nearly down to zero in the morning.
Went with Albert Akhurst and W. Mark to the church wood lot at
Whetter’s swamp. Came home by Greenbank. Pared apples in the
evening.
29 – A high wind through the night and thawing most of the day.
Helping George to thresh from about 11 am to 5 pm at the Luke
barn, Samson Martin’s machine. Jennies leg rather worse.
30 – A fine day with a little snow in the afternoon. Went to Port
Perry to see the Dr. about Jennie’s leg. Brought Joe Burton and
23
Hon. George W. Ross was Minister of Education.
Jas. Lee on their way home from the world’s fair at St. Louis. Mrs.
Mark here in the afternoon. A traveller got supper and stayed all
night.
DEC. 1 – A fine day with a high wind and a little snow towards
night and in the evening. Jennie’s leg pretty bad so I did little but
the chores. Went to Port Perry to the 5:30 train in the hopes that
Aunt Janet was coming for a time but she did not come. Mrs.
Albert Akhurst called in the forenoon. Our traveller that stayed all
night left after breakfast.
2 – A fine cold day. Sandy Gordon and Mrs. came down in the
morning and Mrs. Gordon stayed all day and night. Jennie’s leg
some better. Cut wood in the shed in the forenoon. In the after-
noon got out the sleigh and drew some wood into the woodshed
and then drove up to Gordon’s with the sleigh.
3 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning principally to
see the Dr. about Jennie. Finished drawing the wood into the shed.
Mrs. Gordon stayed all day and I drove her home after supper.
4 – A very fine day but pretty cold. At SS with Annie (102 pre-
sent). Came home and did not stay for church as Jennie was bad
with her leg. Did not go to CE as I had all the chores to do outside
and in.
5 – A pretty cold day. Went after Mrs. Gordon in the morning who
stayed all day and night. I then went to Port Perry to see the Dr.
about Jennie. Did a few chores in the afternoon. A little snow.
6 – A fine day. Swept the cobwebs from the stable and a few other
chores. Went to Port Perry to the 5:30 train and met Aunt Janet
who is to stay here a while. Fine roads.
7 – Rather a rough day with several snow flurries. Took Mrs.
Gordon home the first thing and then went to Port Perry for Aunt
Janet’s trunks. In the afternoon went to R. Nottingham’s sale,
which passed off fairly well. C. Calder nominated by the Tory
convention yesterday.
8 – A very rough wintery day. Drifting from the NW. Did little
but the chores. Lyle’s had a wood bee today.
9 –Zero at sunrise and very sharp all day but clear. Wes Luke
came and killed the pig and stayed for dinner. Cut up pig in the
afternoon. Aunt Janet washing.
10 – 4 below zero in the morning and never got much above it all
day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon and did the chores and in
the afternoon started coal in the kitchen stove.
11 – Pretty cold with some snow. At SS and church with Aunt
Janet and Annie (99 at SS). Rev. Mr. Keath preached a good ser-
mon. No one from here at CE. Annie’s birthday, 5 years old.
12 – A pretty cold day with some snow in the evening. Ethel
Miller and Miss Gibson called collecting for the Bible Society. In
the afternoon cut down the old apple tree (Johnnie’s tree). At
church managers meeting in the evening with the buggy.
109
13 – Cold day. In the forenoon cut down the burnt apple tree and
the basswood tree nearby. In the afternoon banked up the root
house and drew away some brush. Aunt Janet washing. Alex Lee
and wife here for tea. At Mark’s in the evening singing.
14 – A fine day but pretty cold. Went to Port Perry in the after-
noon with Jennie. Rev. Mr. Keath and Mr. E. Boe here for tea.
15 – A very fine day, zero in the morning. Drew away apple brush
in the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon called in the evening.
Annie has a bad cold.
16 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with Aunt
Janet. George, John and Jessie Michie and James Lee here in the
evening making rope for decorating the SS room.
17 – A fine day. Did very little but the chores.
18 – A fine cold day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet and little
Annie (108 at SS). Rev. Mr. Keath preached. No one from here at
CE.
19 – Some snow in the afternoon. Cutting wood all day, John
Michie helping. Aunt Janet washing. Russian pedlar stopped for
dinner.
20 – Snowing all day. Cutting wood in the swamp, John Michie
helping in the forenoon but not in the afternoon as it was too rough
and snowy. Uxbridge Christmas Fair and Liberal convention at
Whitby.
21 – A very fine day. At Port Perry in the afternoon to the Christ-
mas Fair which was quite a success. Took the cutter the first time
this season. Alex Gordon Sr. fell at Port Perry and cut his head.
22 – A very fine day, some snow in the forenoon. At Greenbank in
the afternoon with the sleigh decorating the Sunday School room
for the Christmas Tree on Saturday eve next.
23 – A dull day and thawing enough to spoil the sleighing. Sandy
and Arthur Gordon brought yesterday’s mail. Cleaned out the hen
house. At preparatory service in the church in the afternoon, Rev.
P. Sinclair of Sonya preached. The attendance was rather better
than usual. Rev. Mr. Keath was also present.
24 – A very cold day with east wind. Went to Port Perry with the
buggy in the morning for Walter and Ethel Bratley who came up
on the train and in the evening all hands went with the sleigh (very
poor sleighing) to the Christmas Tree in connection with the Sun-
day School which was quite a success. A full house and a very
large number of presents given, among which was a purse to
Maggie Blair (who was not present), a chair to Jas Miller and a
cutter robe to me. The proceeds came to about $14.00.
25 – Another cold day, below zero in the morning with east wind.
Went alone to communion at Wick, roads pretty slippery. The
attendance was the smallest I ever saw there especially of those
from Greenbank. Rev. Mr. Keath conducted the service in a very
nice way. Service at Greenbank in the evening but did not go.
26 – A fine day but pretty cold. Dinner party at Mark’s to which
we were all invited but by mistake we thought it was to be on New
Year’s day so did not go. Alex Lee called after dinner. Went to
Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail. Walter and Ethel Bratley
came up from Mark’s in the evening and stayed all night
27 – Rain through the night which froze as it fell making the roads
very slippery. Took Walter and Ethel Bratley to Port Perry on their
way home. Had to get horse shod on account of the ice. Went to
congressional meeting in the afternoon. Rev. Mr. Sinclair of
Sonya in the chair, not a very large meeting. Decided to give a call
to Rev. Mr. Keath of Leamington. Rain most of the day.
28 – A very rough cold day and drifting, wind in the SW and to-
wards night turned to NW. Drove with the buggy in the afternoon
to Wick (Mr. E. Boe going with me) to the meeting to call a minis-
ter. Jas. Miller, Jas. Leask and J.M. Real were also there from
Greenbank. Decided to call Mr. Keath and give him $900.00.
Wick to pay $500.00 and Greenbank $400.00. This was to have
been the annual SS meeting but we decided to call it off on account
of the weather. Public school meeting chose W. Real as trustee.
29 – Snowing and drifting from the NW off and on all day. Did
very little but the chores. Aunt Jennie washing.
30 – A fine day and quite mild. Went to Greenbank with the cutter
in the afternoon for the mail. Several municipal candidates on the
war path.
31 – A mild day and thawing a little. Repaired horse stable and
bagged up some oats.
1905
JAN. 1 – Quite mild day and thawing which nearly spoiled the
sleighing. At SS and church with Aunt Janet and little Annie (104
I think at SS). Time all spent in choosing teachers. Rev. Jas. A.
Miller preached and did very well. This is the first time he ever
preached in our church. The call to Rev. Mr. Keath was being
signed. No one from here out a night.
2 – A mild day and thawing, a little snow from the NE, colder
towards night. Cut ventilator in the pig and hen house and put
some glass on bedroom window in the forenoon, and in the after-
noon went to vote at Greenbank. Voted for R. Holtby and Jas.
Carneggie for county council; Norman Stewart for reeve and A.
Leask, Jas. Graham and McIntyre for council. The Methodists
have a tea and concert tonight but did not go. Carneggie and
Holtby elected. Also Doble, Leask, McIntyre, Graham and
Crozier. Port Arthur surrendered to the Japs24
.
3 – Very cold all day, 4 below zero in the morning. Went to Port
Perry in the afternoon with oats to get ground and brought home
1200 lbs. of coal. Sleighing not so bad except a few places but it is
very thin.
4 – Very cold, about 10 below in the morning. Went to Manches-
ter in the afternoon to a Liberal organization meeting. T.E. Cragg
24
Port Arthur was a Russian naval base at the tip of
the Liaotung Peninsula in Manchuria.
110
in the chair and W. Phoenix sec. In the evening went to the annual
church meeting. A. Akhurst; A. Leask; G.A. McMillan and W.
Wallace chosen managers. A fair turnout, nearly $60.00 in debt.
5 – Very cold, below zero most of the day. Went to Port Perry
with the sleigh in the afternoon for the meal.
6 – Very cold and snowing a little with rough east wind. Did very
little but the chores. Alex Gordon called for a barrel of apples. In
the evening went to the postponed SS meeting. As it was a bad
night there were only about 25 present. I was again chosen super
(for the fourth time); Jas. Miller, asst. super.; Russell Wallace, sec.;
Dave McMillan, asst. sec.; Jas. Leask, treas.; R.T. Harrington, lib.;
Silva Leask, organist; Jessie Michie, asst. organist.
7 – A lot of snow fell through the night and a little during the day
with NW wind drifting it pretty bad. Did nothing but the chores.
Pared apples in the forenoon.
8 – A pretty cold and rough afternoon. Went up as far as Mr.
Lyle’s in the morning to see about the road out which goes through
the fields from there to the concession. At SS and church with
Jennie and little Annie, a Mr. Shaw preached. He was late in get-
ting there and made it late getting home. Annie Rennie took
charge of the choir. 106 at SS. A. Gordon takes a new class and
two classes have not yet got a teacher. Called at Gordon’s on the
way home for the mail. No CE.
9 – Snowy afternoon and very rough evening. Went to Port Perry
in the afternoon with Jennie and little Willie and got his photo
taken. At church managers meeting in the evening.
10 – A rough day, snowing a little and drifting some all day. Did
chores and cleaned out pig house. Aunt Janet washing. Pared
apples in the evening. Saw no one.
11 – Snowing a little and drifting some from the east and nearly
down to zero all day. Did nothing but the chores. Pared apples in
the evening.
12 – Hail and rain through the night which made a crust on the
snow. Took Aunt Janet to Port Perry on her way to Newcastle and
Port Hope. Drove up to the mail box in the afternoon which turned
colder and pretty rough. Isaac Wells buried today. 2nd
day of Port
Perry races.
13 – Cold but clear day. Went to Greenbank in the afternoon.
Called at the school house to see Miss Baird about taking a SS
class but failed to get her assent. Brought Mrs. Gordon home from
S. Dusty’s.
14 – Very cold, 10 below zero in the morning and below nearly all
day, clear and sharp. Cleaned out pig house. Bee drawing wood
for church but did not go as it was so cold. At choir practice in the
evening, Miss Annie Rennie leader, her second night, all the choir
out.
15 – Very rough and drifting from the SW and cold. AT SS and
church with little Annie. Notwithstanding the weather there was
96 at SS. A student (I think he was) preached. He announced that
Rev. Mr. Keath would be inducted on the 24th
. A special appeal to
wipe off the deficit in the church account next Sunday. No CE.
16 – Somewhat cold and rough. In the afternoon went to Whetter’s
swamp and took a load of wood up to the church.
17 – A very fine day and warmer. Drew up some wood from
Luke’s swamp in the afternoon.
18 – Drawing up wood from Luke’s swamp. Started to snow about
4 pm and continued through the evening. Nominations for Ontario
General elections.
19 – Thawing in the morning but got colder towards night. Went
to Port Perry in the afternoon. Got proof of Willie’s photos.
Called on Rev. Mr. Cooper.
20 – A very fine bright day. In the afternoon went with Jennie and
the two children to visit Mr. A.T. Horne at Saintfield who has been
ill since the beginning of the winter. We did not find him much
better.
21 – A fine mild day. Did nothing but the chores. Not feeling very
well. 13 little pigs came but 9 of them are dead. Did not go to
choir practice.
22 – A very fine day, some snow about 4 pm. At SS and church
with Annie (94 at SS). A student preached. A special appeal to
wipe out arrears in church account brought $34.00. Did not go to
CE as I was not feeling well.
23- A very fine day. Split some wood in door yard. Jennie wash-
ing.
24 – Snowing a little and blowing from the east all day. Went to
Port Perry in the morning with the sleigh and 14 bags of oats to
grind. Met the train and brought home Mrs. F. Perrin and Jennie
Perrin of Newcastle. Rev. Mr. Keath inducted into the Wick and
Greenbank congregations today but did not go as I was not feeling
well and the weather rough. News of terrible times in St. Peters-
burg, Russia.25
25 – A very rough cold day, down to about zero all day with a high
NE wind and drifting. This is the Ontario General election day.
Dryden and Calder are running here. Went up after dinner and
voted. At the time of writing we have no news but I feel that the
government is going under today. [margin note – Calder elected
and government snowed under.]
26 – A very cold day, 13 below zero in the morning and never
hardly above all day. George Michie came up after dinner and
gave us the election news as far as he knew. Wes Luke called on
his way to Port Perry and left Mrs. Luke and Ned here and then he
stopped on his way home for supper.
25
Jan. 22, 1905, known as Bloody Sunday, unarmed
demonstrators intending to present a petition to Tsar
Nicholas II were gunned down by the Imperial
Guard.
111
27 – A good deal milder but drifting and snowing some from the
SW. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon with Jennie for the meal
and to see the Dr. for myself.
28 – Pretty cold in the morning. Drove Mrs. Perrin and Jennie
Perrin to Port Perry on their way home to Newcastle.
29 – Pretty cold in the morning but a fine day. At SS and church
with Annie (113 at SS), Rev. Mr. Keath preached his first sermon
as pastor to a good audience and did very well. Mrs. Keath was
with him. Did not go to CE. 9 years tonight since we were mar-
ried.
30 – A very fine day. Cut and split some wood in the door yard.
S. Sleep of Seagrave called after dinner and bought our 8 pigs.
31 – A very fine day, a little snow in the afternoon. Split some
wood in door yard. Greenbank Band goes to Wilfred tonight.
FEB. 1 – A fine day, a little snow in the afternoon. Split wood in
the forenoon and went to Port Perry in the afternoon for coal. At
prayer meeting in the evening, Rev. Mr. Keath, leader.
2 – Cold day. Tom Black, Alma and Ralph came from Mark’s
where they had been all night and got dinner. After dinner Tom
and I drove over to Alex Lee’s and got back about 7 pm. A very
rough cold afternoon. Tom then went down to Mark’s for the
night. Alma and Ralph went after dinner.
3 – 12 below zero in the morning and never above all day with a
cutting NW wind. Turnips freezing in root house. Did nothing but
the chores. Saw no one.
4 – 12 below zero in the morning but a fine clear day. Did nothing
but the chores. Suffering with a sore hip.
5 – A pretty cold day with bleak east wind. At SS and church with
Annie (109 at SS), Rev. Mr. Keath preached. At CE, rather a small
turnout, Silva Leask and I, leaders.
6 – Cold and snowing a little. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon
with 18 bags of oats to the mill. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gordon Jr.
here in the evening preparing the church report for the printer.
7 – A very cold day, below zero most of the time. Did the chores
and a little at a new water closet26
.
8 – 14 below zero in the morning, clear and still. Got warmer
towards night with some snow in the evening. Went to Port Perry
in the forenoon for the meal. At prayer meeting in the evening,
Rev. Mr. Keath leader.
9 – Quite a lot of snow through the night and thawing a little all
day. Working in the shop making a new little house.
10 – A rough day, snowing and drifting all day. Working in shop
most of the day. Mrs. Gordon came about 10 and I drove her home
about 5 pm.
26
“Water closet” – outhouse.
11 – Cold in the morning but calm and clear. Cleaned out the pig
house. John Michie, his mother and Nellie O’Neill came for
awhile in the afternoon. He drove with the sleigh around by the
11th
concession as there has been no road through the fields this
winter so far.
12 – Snow in the afternoon from the SE. At SS and church with
Annie (108 at SS). Rev. Mr. Keath preached on blind Bartemus.
No CE.
13 – A very cold day, about zero all day with a stiff wind from NW
and drifting snow. Did the chores. Jennie washing. Saw no one.
14 – 10 below zero in the morning and never much above all day
with a high SW wind and drifting. Did chores and saw no one but
our own folks.
15 – Very cold, never above zero all day with a cutting NW wind.
Went up as far as the 11th
concession in the morning. Mr. Sleep
came to tell me to take the pigs to Seagrave tomorrow. Went down
to George’s to get help with the pigs tomorrow.
16 – Below zero in the morning with high SW wind and drifting
badly. Took 7 pigs to Seagrave, sold to Sleep Bros. John Michie
went with me and we had a hard time getting there as the roads
were very bad. The 7 weighed 1660 lbs at $5.25 per hundred.
17- Snowing and drifting most of the day from the SW which
turned to a NW blizzard at night. Broke roads and went to Green-
bank in the afternoon. Roads very heavy.
18 – Very cold with high NW wind and drifting badly. Calmed
down towards night. No RR trains today.
19 – Cold in the morning, 6 below, but calm and clear. Went up as
far as Akhurst’s to see if the road was open. At SS and church
with Annie, the roads pretty bad, indeed they are blocked some
places, but there was 103 at SS. Rev. Mr. Keath preached. He was
somewhat behind as he had trouble getting down the centre road.
Did not go to CE.
20 – Much warmer, almost thawing. Went to Port Perry in the
forenoon with the sleigh hoping to meet Aunt Janet at the train but
she did not come. Roads not very good. Brought home some
lumber for little house and worked at it in the afternoon. Tory
demonstration at Port Perry tonight.
21 – A fine day and almost thawing. Working most of the day in
the shop. George Michie came up after dinner to ask me to a party
there tonight. We tried to take a heifer away but failed. At
George’s party for a short time in the evening. A good crowd and
a lively time.
22 – Snow through the night and off and on during the day from
the SE. Working in the shop.
23 – A fine mild day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon to meet
Aunt Janet who came from Newcastle this morning. Working in
the shop awhile. Jennie and Aunt Janet making quilt.
24 – A beautiful mild day. All hands drove to Alex Gordon’s for
the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. C. Gordon; Mrs. Bryant and L. Bryant
112
were also there. Had an upset coming home on the 11th
concession
turning into Akhurst’s field. While we were away Mrs. W.H.
Leask and Laura [Golden, Golder?] called.
25 – A beautiful clear mild day. Had a bad cold and did not get out
of bed until noon and hardly out of the house the remainder of the
day. Jennie and Aunt Janet did the chores.
26 – Quite cold and rough all day. At SS and church with Annie
(103 at SS). Mr. Keith preached. Did not go to CE as I was not
feeling well. [Note: Prior to this point in the diary Mr. Keith was
spelled as ‘Keath’].
27 – A fine day. Not feeling well and did nothing but go up to the
mail box. Jennie and Aunt Janet quilting. Aunt Janet and little
Annie taking the cold. Farmer’s Institute meeting at Greenbank.
28 – Clear but pretty cold and drifting some. George Michie called
in the forenoon. Sat in the house all day except helping to bag up
some oats. CE social at Jas. Leask’s tonight but did not go, was
not well enough. Took in $22.00.
MAR. 1 – A clear day but pretty cold, 4 below zero in the morn-
ing. John Michie took load of oats to mill in the forenoon and got
the meal home with him. Jennie added to list of sick with cold.
2 – A beautiful day but pretty cold. All more or less sick with cold
or grippe. Nothing doing. Jennie the worst today.
3 – A very fine day. All more or less sick with grippe. Jennie is
the worst. G. Michie called in the forenoon. In the afternoon went
to preparatory service in the church, Rev. Mr. Keith preached to a
fairly good congregation.
4 – A fine clear day but pretty cold and drifting some. Did little
but the chores. Made a doubletree. All a little better today.
5 – Snowing a little from the SW and rather disagreeable. At
communion at Greenbank, a fair turnout. Rev. Mr. Keith con-
ducted the service. Did not go to CE. All at home a little on the
mend.
6 – A very fine clear day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for
coal. Made a doubletree in the afternoon. Bee at church cutting
wood, did not go.
7 – A beautiful day and thawing a little. Made whiffletrees and
cleaned out pig and calf pens.
8 – A very fine clear day. In the afternoon went with Jennie to
Thompson’s store at Seagrave. Jas. Michie married.
9 – Not quite as fine a day, not thawing any. Rev. N.D. Keith and
Mr. E. Boe called about 11 am. We all got an invitation to tea at
Jas. Burton’s tonight, but did not go.
10 – Nearly down to zero and very cold all day. Did nothing but
the chores.
11 – A very fine day but pretty cold. Went up to Luke’s in the
morning. Went to Port Perry with the cutter in the afternoon.
Oliver Luke called.
12 – Clear but pretty cold. At SS and church with Aunt Janet and
little Annie (118 at SS). Mr. Keith preached. Did not go to CE.
Mrs. Jas. H. Leask, Barbara and Annie Mason and Kennedy were
there.
13 – Cold, 4 below zero in the morning but got warmer. George
Michie brought up Barbara, Annie Mason, Kennedy Mason and his
mother about 10:30. Went to session meeting in the church in the
afternoon to revise the church roll.
14 – A very fine day and thawing a little. Went up for Mrs.
Gordon Sr. in the morning. After dinner took Barbara and Annie
Mason and Kennedy to Port Perry on their way home and stopped
awhile at the stock sale in the curling rink which went off rather
dull.
15 – A very fine clear day, 4 below zero in the morning. Fanned
up a load of oats with Aunt Janet’s help in the forenoon. In the
afternoon went to Frank Dobson’s sale, a large turnout and pretty
good prices. At prayer meeting in the evening, Mr. Keith leader.
He took up the first question in the shorter catechism and the first
deadly sin “Pride”. A SS meeting after when it was decided to
hold an anniversary on May 24.
16 – A little snow from the east. Went to Port Perry in the fore-
noon with 60 bus. oats and sold them for 40 cts. per bus. In the
afternoon fanned up another load, Jennie helping.
17 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with 63
bus. oats and got 41 ½ cts. per bus. In the afternoon went to the
manse in Wick on the invitation of Mr. Keith, together with the
rest of the session, and got tea and spent the evening. We had a
very good time. A beautiful night.
18 – Some rain through the night and off and on through the day,
quite heavy in the evening. Snow going fast and roads getting bad.
This is the first thaw of any account since before Christmas. Went
to Port Perry in the forenoon with 16 bags of oats and got them
ground and home again. Up to Joe Burton’s in the afternoon.
Jennie on the sick list.
19 – A fine day and freezing a little. Started for SS with the horse
and cutter but the roads were dreadful and we only got as far as W.
Luke’s where I left Annie and the horse and walked the rest of the
way. There was 82 there but not a single rig. Mr. Keith walked
down from Wick. I did not stop for the church service but came
home. Got the horse down in Lyle’s field. After supper walked to
W. Real’s and telephoned for the Dr. for Jennie. Dr. D. Archer
came about 7:30. He drove up as far as O’Neill’s and walked
across the fields. He reports Jennie not so bad as we feared.
20 – A very fine day, snow hard in the morning but thawing some
in the afternoon. Did very little but the chores. Aunt Janet wash-
ing. Jennie in bed all day but she thinks herself some better.
21 – A fine day, hard in the morning but thawing in the afternoon.
Mrs. Mark and Mrs. A. Gordon Jr. called in the forenoon, also W.
Slovin, the assessor. Jennie sat up a while in the afternoon.
113
22 – A fine day and thawing some all day. Drawing wood from
the swamp field to the woodshed. Saw the first robin. Jennie some
better, up all afternoon.
23 – Thawing fast all day. Walked to Greenbank in the forenoon
and bad walking it was. Jennie up most of the day.
24 – A fine day and thawing, a little rain about noon, foggy in the
evening. Drew out some cedar posts from the swamp lot with one
horse, the water rising fast. Went down to George’s after dinner
for some black currants for Jennie who has been up most of the day
and is a little better. Mr. D. Lyle called in the morning.
25 – A fine warm day and the snow going fast. Went to W. Luke’s
in the forenoon, roads very bad. Tapped 6 maple trees along the
lane. Broke the road on horseback from our gate south. Jennie
quite a bit better all day. Her and Aunt Janet sewing carpet rags.
26 – A warm day, thawing with a little rain in the afternoon.
Walked to SS and church. In SS only 76 present as the roads were
so bad. Rev. Mr. Keith walked down again but did not go home
tonight. He preached an extra good sermon. Did not go to CE. A
pretty dark night.
27 – A fine day and thawing. Wes Luke came after dinner and
helped to kill pig. Jennie and Aunt Janet washing and at carpet
rags.
28 – A thunder shower, the first of the season, in the forenoon.
Warm and the snow settling fast. Helped Jennie to cut up the pig.
Made some shingles for the little house.
29 – A very fine warm spring-like day. Made some shingles in the
forenoon. Isaac O’Neill called wanting some straw. Walked to
Greenbank in the afternoon. Called at W. Akhurst’s, J. Lee’s and
J.M. Real’s and in the evening went down to see George about
music for the anniversary on the 24 May.
30 – Thunder in the morning, not so warm today. Plowed a little in
the orchard, the first of the season either here or any place near that
I know of.
31 – Cooler, some frost in the morning. Did some jobs with the
sleigh in the forenoon. Sleep Bros. called and bought fat cattle at
4, 4 ¼ and 4 ½. In the afternoon went with the waggon with Aunt
Janet and little Willie to Greenbank. Isaac O’Neill came for a
small load of straw. A little rain in the afternoon.
APR. 1 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Drew out some ma-
nure in the forenoon and planted some potatoes in the orchard, the
first planting of the season. Isaac O’Neill and W. Mark came for a
small load of straw.
2 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet and Annie
(108 at SS). Rev. Mr. Nevell, Methodist minister, preached. Did
not go to CE.
3 – Took the fat cattle to Seagrave with John Michie’s help.
Started away with 3 but one heifer ran back after we had got as far
as Alex Gordon’s and came home. No doing anything with her.
Jennie drove and brought us home. Set up the new closet in the
afternoon. At church manager’s meeting in the evening.
4 – A fine warm day with high SW wind in the afternoon. Tore
down the old closet and some other chores. Willie Carneggie
called asking to his moving tomorrow.
5 – A fine day. Worked in the garden and at the berry bushes in
the forenoon. Alex Lee came with the oats that he borrowed last
fall. In the afternoon helped to move Mrs. Carneggie from the
house on the 11th
concession near the RR track to the house on the
sideroad on 9th
conc. near the RR track. At prayer meeting, Mr.
Keith leader, a pretty good turnout. Old Mrs. Samuel Byers was
buried at Greenbank today.
6 – A fine day but quite cool. Went to Port Perry with the waggon
in the morning with Aunt Janet to the market. A big turnout. Got
home at 1:30. At berry bushes in the afternoon. Hugh Jack and
Dan Boe called buying cattle.
7 – Quite a hard frost in the morning and cool all day. At berry
bushes all day.
8 – A hard frost and so cold that it did not fully thaw out all day. A
few flakes of snow in the forenoon. Helping John and George to
fan up seed oats in our barn. Bagged up 98 bushels. In the after-
noon drove Annie and Willie to anniversary practice for the little
folks at the church, Miss Annie Rennie leader. A. Butt called, sold
him the wild heifer at 6 ¼ cts per pound dressed.
9 – A fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and
Willie (114 at SS). Rev. Mr. Wright, late missionary in the Yukon
preached. His mission now is the collection for Queen’s College
endowment fund. At CE with Jennie, a fair turnout, Nellie
McMillan and Miss Forfar leaders.
10 – Rain off and on the fore part of the day. G. and J. Michie
came after oats. Alfred Butt and J. Vernon came for dinner and
killed the wild heifer. Plowed over the strawberry ground.
11 – A fine day. Went in the morning with Annie and Willie to
hunt for eggs for hatching. First went to W. Luke’s, then to G.
Real’s, and finally got them at J.M. Real’s. Gang plowing the rest
of the day. A. Butt and J. Vernon came for the beef.
12 – A hard frost in the morning but a very fine day. Sowed east
of the orchard, the first of the season, and harrowed in the after-
noon. Mrs. A. Gordon here for dinner. A. Akhurst called in the
afternoon. At prayer meeting, Rev. Mr. Keith leader, a good meet-
ing. SS anniversary meeting after. Rev. Mr. Wright was present.
13 – Frost in the morning and a cool day. Went to Port Perry in the
morning with Jennie and little Willie to market. Harrowing in the
afternoon. Isaac O’Neill and Mrs. came for a load of turnips.
14 – A fine day, cool. Took straw off strawberries and some other
jobs in the forenoon. Sowed oats in the north field in the after-
noon. Mrs. Mark called after dinner.
15 – A hard frost in the morning. Finished sowing the north field
in the forenoon. In the afternoon went to Whetter Bros. barn rais-
ing. Pretty cold and snowing a good deal of the time, which made
114
it some disagreeable. Did not get any of the rafters or the collar
beams up. Aunt Janet drove Annie and Willie to practice in the
church.
16 – A hard frost which did not thaw out all day. High NW wind
and pretty wintry. At SS and church (107 at SS). Mr. Keith
preached. Decided in SS to get the Sherlock quartet for anniver-
sary. At CE, a fair meeting, Silva Leask and I, leaders.
17 – Cold with high NW wind, frost did not go out enough to make
the land workable. Some snow and quite wintery. Finished tying
up the berry bushes and several small jobs. Aunt Janet washing,
Jennie sewing.
18 – Another cold day, frost did not get out of ground. Picked over
the turnips in root house and wheeled out the rotten ones. Did
some odd jobs in the afternoon. Isaac O’Neill and Mrs. called in
the forenoon and Mrs. O’Neill came again in the evening for 2
hens and a rooster.
19 – Making bars and some other jobs in the forenoon. D. Lyle
called to get holes made in waggon [?]. Harrowing in the after-
noon what was sown on Saturday and it did not work very well on
account of frost. A very high wind and lots of dust. At prayer
meeting, a good turnout, Mr. Keith leader.
20 - Warmer with a few drops of rain in the afternoon. Went to
Port Perry in the forenoon with Jennie and little Annie. Sowing
oats in SW field in the afternoon.
21 – Good Friday. Snow through the night from the east and con-
tinued through the forenoon until there was about 3 inches. It did
not thaw very much during the day. Did very little but a few odd
jobs.
22 – Warmer, the snow nearly all gone by night. Drew out some
manure and took Annie and Willie down to George’s to practice
with A. Gordon’s children for SS anniversary. In the afternoon
finished sewing the SW field. Isaac O’Neill came for a load of
straw.
23 – Easter Sunday. A very fine clear day but cool. At SS and
church with Aunt Janet, Willie and Annie (107 at SS), Mr. Keith
preached. At Port Perry Presbyterian church in the evening. A
Miss Macintosh of the Toronto City Mission gave a very interest-
ing address. Snow not quite all gone yet.
24 – Warmer. Gang plowing in the forenoon and harrowing in the
afternoon. Jennie and Aunt Janet housecleaning upstairs.
25 – A fine warm spring day. Harrowing and gang plowing.
Jennie and Aunt Janet housecleaning.
26 – A warm day. Gang plowing all day. Jennie and Aunt Janet
churning and housecleaning. At prayer meeting, a fair turnout, Mr.
Keith leader.
27 – A fine warm day. Harrowing in the forenoon and sowing in
the afternoon which finishes the sowing except the orchard. Jennie
and Aunt Janet cleaning the cellar.
28 – A very fine warm day. Harrowing in the forenoon and plow-
ing in the orchard in the afternoon. Separator agent called and
talked a long time. D. Lyle cutting wood with Stone’s machine.
29 – A fine day with high wind in the afternoon and lots of dust,
some thunder and a little rain through the night. Plowing in the
orchard in the forenoon. Did a number of small jobs in the after-
noon while Jessie Michie drove old Jess in the buggy and took
Annie to anniversary practice. Aunt Janet took Annie and Willie
down to George’s to practice in the forenoon.
30 – A fine day but cool. Went over to Lyle’s bush in the forenoon
with Jennie, Annie and Willie and got some May flowers. At SS
and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (122 at SS). Mr.
Keith preached on the Sabbath. Did not go out in the evening.
MAY 1 – Pretty cold and raw. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon
with Aunt Janet. Harrowed in the orchard in the afternoon.
2 – Snow from the south most of the forenoon and rain off and on
during the afternoon. Picked stones off the fields in the forenoon.
Aunt Janet washing. Jennie making Annie a white dress.
3 – Rain a little off and on all day, a big thunder shower at 4, an-
other at 7 and all the evening. Whitewashed the kitchen. Jennie
and Aunt Janet housecleaning. At prayer meeting in the evening.
Mr. Keith did not get there and a very few out but we had a little
anniversary meeting. Very dark night. George Wallace Sr. buried
today.
4 – Rain, heavy through the night and morning. Went to Port Perry
in the forenoon to market and order the SS anniversary bills.
Plowing in the afternoon. Put up a bigger mail box at the head of
the road. Jennie and Aunt Janet cleaning the pantry.
5 – Another big rain through the night which makes it pretty wet in
low places. Fixed floor over the cistern, planted potatoes in the
orchard in the forenoon and drew out manure in the afternoon.
Jennie and Aunt Janet housecleaning.
6 – Drew out manure in the forenoon. Annie went down to
George’s to practice. Started to rain after dinner and rained all
afternoon. Jessie Michie drove Old Jess and took Annie to practice
at the church, but Annie Rennie did not come.
7 – A fine day and some cool. At SS and church with Aunt Janet,
Annie and Willie (103 at SS). Mr. Keith preached. John Sommer-
ville’s boy and O’Neill’s boy and girl were baptized. Several
immigrants, Scotch I think, were present. Mr. and Mrs. Edgar
Horne were there.
8 – Drawing out manure until about 3 pm when it started to rain.
Jennie and Aunt Janet housecleaning and finished the job.
9 – A fine day and pretty cool. Went to Port Perry in the morning
with 14 bags of oats to the mill. Got the meal home, also brought
the new room carpet home. Drawing out and spreading manure in
the afternoon. Jennie and Aunt Janet putting down new carpet.
115
10 – A fine day. Plowing and spreading manure all day. Jennie
and Aunt Janet laying carpet. At prayer meeting, Mr. Boe leader.
Anniversary meeting after. Barbara and Willie Smith came in the
evening.
11 – A fine warm growing day, threatening rain in the afternoon.
Dug up strawberry plants for Willie Smith and spread manure in
the forenoon. Man hunting work got his dinner here. Barbara and
Willie Smith left for home at 2 pm. Aunt Janet went to Port Perry
market.
12 – A fine warm day. Plowing in the forenoon and harrowing in
the afternoon. James Stonehouse came just before dinner with a
cream separator and left one for a few days on trial.
13 – A very fine day. Planting strawberries. Aunt Janet digging
up the plants. Got 12 rows in. Annie and Willie went down to
George’s in the forenoon to sing and in the afternoon Jessie Michie
drove up with Annie to practice at the church. Jessie brought up
some suckers.
14 – A little rain about noon. At SS and church with Aunt Janet,
Annie and Willie (105 at SS). Mr. Keith preached. At CE, a fair
meeting, Mrs. Jas. Leask and I, leaders.
15 – A fine day. Planting strawberries all day, Aunt Janet digging
the plants. Put in 14 rows. Two men called and delivered the
strawberry and raspberry plants ordered last fall.
16 – A fine day. Aunt Janet and little Annie went to Port Perry in
the morning while I was planting strawberries. Finished planting
in the afternoon and then harrowed a little. Mr. and Mrs. A.
Gordon Sr. called in the morning for some strawberries for Mrs.
Beacroft.
17 – Harrowing corn and potato ground in the forenoon and in the
afternoon putting up fence, George Michie helping. At prayer
meeting. Mr. Keith spoke on John Knox,27
this being 400 years
since his birth. Mrs. Mark, Mrs. W. O’Neill, baby O’Neill, and
Jessie Michie called in the evening.
18 – A fine cool day. Rolled, drilled up and sowed the mangolds,
34 drills. Jessie Michie drove up Annie to practice at Greenbank.
John came after the turnip drill to sow mangolds. Isaac, Mary and
the 2 children came for 3 bags of oats, 7 ½ bus. at 40cts.
19 – A fine day and cool. Went to Port Perry with Willie in the
forenoon for the matting for the spare bedroom. Scuffled the berry
bushes, strawberries (1st
time) and hoed in the afternoon. Jennie
and Aunt Janet laying carpet.
20 – A fine day but pretty cool. At fence building in the forenoon,
John Michie helping. Cut some potatoes in the afternoon, Jennie
and Aunt Janet helping. James Stonehouse called to see about
separator, we have bought it. Jessie Michie and Annie went to
practice at Greenbank. Washed the buggy.
27
John Knox, Scottish clergyman and leader of Prot-
estant reformation.
Cream separator would have looked similar to
this one manufactured in the early 1900’s.
21 – A beautiful day, a little cool. At SS with Aunt Janet, Annie
and Willie (115 at SS). After SS was our Anniversary Sunday and
R.J. Wallace preached to a very full house. At evening service
with Aunt Janet, another even bigger crowd. W. Wallace preached
on John Knox. Collections $18.50. Mrs. Mark rode home with us
and called in on her way home.
22 – A very fine day but cool. Drilling up potato drills in the fore-
noon. Put the young cattle down to swamp field, the grass not at
all good. At Phair’s in the afternoon helping to lay foundation of
the new part of barn. Jennie and Aunt Janet washed, churned
twice, and cut seed potatoes. Mr. Ballard of Port Perry called in
the afternoon and Mrs. Mark in the evening.
23 – A beautiful clear cool day. Planted the field potatoes in the
forenoon and covered them up and drilled up some for corn in the
afternoon. Aunt Janet went to Port Perry in the forenoon and did
not get back until after 1 pm. Jennie baking some for anniversary.
24 – A fine day and some warmer than usual. Drilled up for corn
in the forenoon. Allan Black came at dinner. All hands except
Jennie at the Sunday School anniversary. There was a programme
by the young people and an address by Rev. Mr. Hagen and music
by the band. A large turnout. The concert was in the Methodist
church which was crowded. The Sherlock Quartet gave the music
and it was fine. The proceeds were $210.00.
25 – A fine warm day with high SW wind in the afternoon. Allan
Black left for home in the morning. Rolled until about 10 when
Aunt Janet went to Port Perry Market. Went in the afternoon to
Phair’s barn raising, which went up without any accident.
26 – Rain through the night and a cool day. Rolling all day and
with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie, went to the after social at the
church. Not a very large turnout. Made about $7.00.
27 – A very fine day. Rolling most of the day and finished, then
harrowed the orchard. Poisoned woodchucks in the evening. Saw
a porcupine near the swamp.
28 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Annie (113 at SS),
Mr. Keith preached. Went to Port Perry in the evening principally
to see the Dr. about Jennie. Went first to the Methodist church
(there being no Presbyterian). The Sons of England were out.
29 – Planted horse corn in the forenoon. Started to rain at noon
and rained all afternoon. Fixing a place in the stable for the sepa-
rator. Aunt Janet washing. Jennie fixing the lounge. Marsh Hill
SS anniversary.
116
30 – A very fine day. In the morning Aunt Janet drove me to
Greenbank where I rode to Blackwater with Mr. Dusty and then to
Presbytery meetings at Lindsay, the first for me. Aunt Janet drove
again and met me in the evening south of Saintfield. News of the
great navel battle between Russia and Japan in which Japan was
victorious.28
31 – A very fine day. Put the separator in the stable and drew out
manure. Albert Akhurst brought the beef, the first this season.
Road machine working down our line a while in the afternoon.
JUNE 1 – A very fine day, a little shower at 6 pm. Drew out 2
loads of manure in the morning and not feeling at all well. I went
to Port Perry with Aunt Janet and little Annie, they to market and I
to see the Dr. Hung stable door and spread some manure in the
afternoon. Mrs. O’Neill came for a bag of oats.
2 – A fine cool day with somewhat high wind from the NW. Drew
out manure in the forenoon and in the afternoon with Aunt Janet
and little Willie went to preparatory service at the church, Rev. Mr.
Young of Eldon preached. Miss Cora Blair received as a member.
3 – A very fine day. Plowing turnip land all day. Aunt Janet
scrubbing.
4 – Rain in the morning from the SW. Went alone to communion
at Wick, some rain on the way. Not so many as usual from Green-
bank. Rev. Mr. Keith preached. At evening service at Greenbank
with Aunt Janet and little Annie, Mr. Keith preached. An unusual
large turnout as there was no service in the Methodist church on
account of Mr. Neville being away at conference.
5 – Drew out manure until about 4 pm when a thunder shower
came up which turned into a down Easter. Aunt Janet churning
and spilled the butter out of the churn onto the grass.
6 – Went to Greenbank in the morning to see Jack Park and spread
some manure in the forenoon. Drawing out manure in the after-
noon. Threatening rain off and on all day but did not amount to
much. Mr. Williams called wanting to buy young cattle. George
sowed turnips, the first.
7 – In the morning went for the beef with little Willie, rain all the
way and until about the middle of the afternoon. Fixing separator
room and spread manure. Jennie baking fruit cake. Isaac Beare
had a runaway and broke his buggy pretty bad.
8 – A very fine day. Plowing all day.
9 – A fine warm day, the most summery day this season. Plowing,
harrowing and rolling turnip land. Got an invitation to John
Leask’s raising tomorrow. Sonya SOS excursion to Niagara Falls
today.
10 – Drilled and sowed 60 rows of turnips. A little rain at noon
and in the evening.
28
Battle of Tsushima
11 – Rain through the night and dull all day. At SS and church
with little Annie (107 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. Did not go to
CE.
12 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning to see the Dr.
for Jennie and myself. Called in and saw through E. Beare’s new
house and stables. Scuffling and hoeing strawberries, raspberries
and potatoes. J.M. Real, wife and little girl called in the afternoon
for some strawberry plants to take to Jas. Burns, Albert. Mrs. Real
leaves for there tomorrow. Her mother and Mrs. John Stone are
also going.
13 – A very fine day. Went to Greenbank in the morning to see
Jack Park. Drew out manure and finished the job. Plowing in the
afternoon.
14 – A very fine day, the warmest of the season. Took off under-
shirt. Plowing and harrowing most of the day. At prayer meeting
in the evening, a good turnout, Mr. Keith leader. A meeting after
about spending SS money but little done.
15 – A fine day and pretty warm. Aunt Janet went to Port Perry
market while I hoed strawberries. Rolling turnip land and drew old
rails to house for firewood. Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. here for tea.
Drove her home in the evening.
16 – A heavy rain in the night and drizzling nearly all day. Drilled
up for turnips, but it was too wet to sow them. Had to quit about 5
pm on account of the rain. The band was to go to Oakwood to-
night but I think they did not go.
17 – Went to Greenbank in the morning calling at S. Dusty’s and
J.M. Real’s. Sowed turnips after dinner, then scuffled mangolds
and strawberries. As we were at supper Mary Patton and two
children came. We did not get word to meet them at Port Perry so
a liveryman drove them out. Pretty warm.
18 – A pretty warm day, thunder and rain about 1 and off and on
during the afternoon. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie
and Willie (103 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. Did not go to CE, a
foggy evening.
19 – Very warm, thundering most of the afternoon but only a few
drops of rain. Finished drilling for turnips and sowed them after
dinner, then plowed in the orchard. Aunt Janet churning.
20 – A fine day and not so warm. Went to Greenbank in the morn-
ing to see J. Park. On the way hired Jim Dusty for a month at
$8.00. Had to go back again at 11 and called in and got J.M.
Real’s democrat to draw out berries and in the afternoon went to
Port Perry with Aunt Janet and little Willie and got some berry
cases and boxes. Scuffled some in the evening. Aunt Janet and
Mary Patton washing. Fred Love cutting hay, the first of the sea-
son.
21 – A fine day and pretty warm. Finished plowing the orchard
and harrowed it. Scuffling corn and potatoes in the afternoon.
Wick SS picnic this afternoon.
22 – A very fine cool day. Hoeing mangolds all day. G. Rose
called in the evening for 2 bags of oats.
117
23 – A fine day. Hoeing all day. At prayer meeting, a fair turnout,
Mr. Keith leader. A SS meeting after. S.O. Farmer’s Institute
excursion to Guelph today.
24 – A very fine day. In the morning went with Annie and Willie
to Seagrave and got 750 berry boxes. Hoed strawberries the rest of
the day. Picked 4 boxes of strawberries, the first of the season.
Little Jennie Gordon came and got 2 boxes. Washed the buggy.
25 – A very warm day. At SS and Methodist SS anniversary with
Aunt Janet and Annie (100 at SS). A full house at Methodist
Church. Rev. M. Keith and W. Ross, ex MP, were the speakers
and they both did very well. Did not go out at night. A terrific
thunder storm between 7 and 8.
26 – A fine cool day. Went to Port Perry in the morning and got a
new waggon rack from A. Campbell and gave $10.00 for it. Mary
Patton picked 16 boxes of strawberries and Aunt Janet took them
to Port Perry, the first sold, got 15 cts. per box.
27 – Quite a cool day. Went to Greenbank in the morning to see
Jack Park. Put a new rack into the waggon and fixed the new rack
and hoed mangolds. Tom Black and Alf came before dinner.
They were on their way to John Black’s back in Carden. Mrs.
Mark called in the afternoon. Mrs. Slemyn and Mrs. Patton picked
20 boxes of strawberries.
28 – A fine cool day. Went after the beef and to Port Perry with
berries (Annie with me) in the forenoon. Scuffled in the afternoon.
The two Mary’s picked 40 boxes of strawberries. At prayer meet-
ing, Mr. Keith leader. An after meeting about SS library.
29 – A very fine day. Scuffling in the forenoon while Aunt Janet
and Arthur went to Port Perry with berries and to the market. The
two Mary’s picked 36 boxes of berries in the afternoon while I
hoed corn. Took Jennie out for a drive in the evening. McArthur’s
barn raising today.
30 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with
berries. Hoed corn and potatoes and painted part of the rack.
Arthur and Mary Patton went to Port Perry in the afternoon.
JULY 1 – A very dull day with a little rain about 3 pm. The two
Mary’s and I picking berries in the forenoon. At Methodist SS
anniversary in the afternoon. Mary Patton and Arthur Slemyn also
went together. I came home after tea and went back again. There
was a good turnout but I did not think a great deal of the concert.
Mr. Benrose, the male singer was NG. Miss Alexander was fairly
good. Proceeds $231.00.
2 – A pretty warm day, some rain through the night. At SS and
church with Aunt Janet, Annie, Willie and Elsie (105 at SS), Mr.
Keith preached. Jennie very bad with ear ache. Went to Port Perry
after supper and got some stuff from Dr. which eased it some.
Arthur and Mary Patton and children went for a drive in the eve-
ning.
3 – A pretty warm day. Got up at 4 am and went to W. Real’s and
telephoned for the Dr. for Jennie. At about 8:30 am a son was
born. A big day at the strawberries. Mrs. Mark, Jessie Michie,
Mrs. A. Gordon, Mary Dusty, Vida Cragg, Miss Lyle, D. Cragg’s
two girls, Mary Patton, Eva Luke and Jim Dusty picking and alto-
gether picked over 500 boxes. I went with Arthur Slemyn to Port
Perry after dinner with a load of berries and Jim Dusty, who starts
his month, went to Greenbank with some. At Managers meeting in
the evening. Jim Lee, Mona Leask and Alma Harmon called.
[margin note: James Gordon Michie born]
4 – Rain through the night and some thunder and rain after 6 pm.
Scuffled turnips in the forenoon while Jim Dusty went to Seagrave
for more berry boxes. Hoed turnips in the afternoon while Jim
scuffled. About the middle of the afternoon Dr. Archer came and
with him Jessie Bell who came to see Jennie thinking her to be
seriously ill. Cecil Phair called in the evening for berries but did
not get any.
5 – A very fine day. Took Jessie Bell to the 7 am train at Port
Perry on her way back to Rochester. When I got home I turned
and went back for the Dr. as Jennie had taken a bad cramp in her
leg. Neither of the Archers were at home so I got Dr. Proctor to
come but she was very much better before he got here. Another
big day at the strawberries. The same pickers as Monday but Mrs.
G. Lyle came in place of Miss J. Lyle and also Mrs. Beacroft.
Picked 500 boxes again. Jim Dusty took 5 cases to Port Perry and
some up the way of Greenbank. Mrs. A. Lee, Ed Lyle and Jas.
McMillan came for berries. At prayer meeting, a fair turnout, Rev.
Mr. Keith leader.
6 – A fine day and pretty warm. Hoeing turnips all day. Jim scuf-
fling and hoed strawberries. He went up to Greenbank after sup-
per. Rev. Mr. Neville called and had a long talk. He was after
berries for Saintfield berry social. Arthur Slemyn and Mary Patton
went to Port Perry in the afternoon.
7 – Very warm, a thunder shower at about 9:30 am. Annie Black
and Ralph and George came in the forenoon. Picking strawberries,
a whole gang, but the rain kept things back somewhat. Went to
Port Perry in the afternoon with 3 cases of berries. Rev. Mr.
Neville called for berries for festival at Saintfield tonight. J. Stone,
John Beare and Mr. Baird of Manchester called for berries. Picked
425 boxes.
8 – A warm day. Thunder most of the afternoon but no rain. Hoed
turnips most of the day. Jim Dusty went to Port Perry in the morn-
ing with berries and scuffled most of the remainder of the day.
Arthur Slemyn and Mary Patton and two children left for home in
the forenoon. E. Boe, R. Barrett and --- Holdershaw called for
berries but did not get any.
9 – A very fine day. At SS and church with little Annie and Elsie
Slemyn (111 at SS). Mr. Keith preached. An [excursion?] in the
Baptist church took quite a number away.
10 – Rain until about 9. Dull and warm the rest of the day.
Painted rack, hoed turnips and poisoned bugs. A good gang of
berry pickers but only in the afternoon. Annie Park of Manchester,
her sister and little brother came at dinner. Willie Beaton, Mr. and
Mrs. R. Holdershaw and G. Barrett (and with him R. McDonald
and Fred O’Neill) came for berries. Jim Dusty went to Port Perry
with three cases, two to be sent to Port Hope and one left with Mr.
Brock. Picked about 370 boxes. 9 little pigs living and 4 dead.
118
11 – A very warm day. Went to Greenbank in the morning and
hoeing turnips the rest of the day. Mrs. Beacroft, Mary Dusty,
Jennie Garston and Mrs. Mark came in the morning and finished
picking over the strawberry patch. Mrs. G. Lyle and a Miss Mark
also came and picked some. They also picked the old patch in the
orchard. Jim Dusty went to Port Perry in the morning with berries.
Mrs. [Spafford or Stafford?] and Mrs. Blake Cragg came after
berries and Mrs. John McCulley of Wick and with her Miss Ack-
ney. They wanted berries but had to pick them themselves and
then they did not get as many as they wanted. They stayed for tea.
12 – Hoed turnips a while in the morning but rain came on and we
had to quit. Quite a heavy rain from 10 to 1. Cut weeds in the
fence corners in the afternoon while Jim Dusty went to Greenbank
and got Jess shod. Mrs. Mark came up in the morning to pick
berries but it was too wet. At prayer meeting, a fair turnout, Mr.
Keith leader. Faith was the subject. A very warm night. Orange
walk at Uxbridge.
13 – A warm day. Hoeing turnips most of the day. The berry
picking gang went over the patch for the last time and got 175
boxes. A thunder storm came up about 3 pm. Jim Dusty took
some berries to Greenbank and other places between here and
there.
14 – Jim Dusty went to Port Perry in the morning with the last of
the strawberries. Hoeing all day. Jim scuffling. A thunder shower
between 1 and 2 pm. Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. here for dinner and tea.
15 – A fine day and no rain. Drove Aunt Mary and Elsie to Port
Perry to the morning train on their way home to Port Hope. Hoed
turnips the rest of the day. Jim Dusty took J.M. Real’s democrat
home after dinner. Mrs. Mark and Jessie, Mrs. A. Gordon and
Jennie picked over the strawberry patch and got all they picked.
They got about 90 boxes.
16 – A fine day. Rain in the morning. Little Annie got one of her
feet scalded in the morning so she was not able to go out. At SS
and church with Aunt Janet and little Willie (58 at SS), Mr. Keith
preached. Jas. Allan and wife were out for the first time since they
came from the NW. No CE. Went to Port Perry in the evening to
the reopening service in the Methodist church, Rev. E.R. Young
preached an excellent sermon.
17 – A fine day and pretty warm. Scuffled and hoed the straw-
berry patch and harrowed the orchard. Jim Dusty picked the cher-
ries. Aunt Janet washing. Jennie preserving. Little Annie in the
house all day with her sore foot.
18 – A very warm day, about 85 in the shade. Went to Greenbank
in the morning. Poisoned bugs and hoed turnips the rest of the day.
Jim Dusty hoeing mangolds. Mrs. Mark, Jessie, Mrs. Gordon and
Jennie picked over the strawberry patch for the last time. They got
about 40 boxes. Aunt Janet picked the currants. Almost every-
body at the hay. John Lee and R.T. Harrington are painting the
basement of the church.
19 – A fine day and not so warm. Finished hoeing turnips first
time and hoed potatoes 2nd
time. Jim Dusty hoeing mangolds and
scuffling. Mr. and Mrs. Keith called in the afternoon. At prayer
meeting, a fair turnout. Mr. Keith leader, subject Hope.
20 – A fine day and cooler. Went to Port Perry in the morning
while Jim Dusty hoed. In the afternoon plowed up the old straw-
berry patch. Jim went to Greenbank in the evening. Aunt Janet
and Jennie making jelly.
21 – A very fine day. Plowed a bit in the orchard and Jim har-
rowed the old berry patch. Cleaned out the barn floor and other
jobs. Took Jennie and Willie out for a drive to Greenbank in the
evening.
22 – A fine day and cool. Got A. Akhurst’s mower and Jim Dusty
cut all the hay while I cut the fence corners and hoed corn.
23 – A dull morning and quite a dash of rain about 10 am. At SS
and church with Aunt Janet and little Willie (110 at SS), Mr. Keith
preached. SS held in the church as the new paint in the basement
was not dry enough. At CE, a fair turnout. I was the leader. An-
nie Rennie sang a solo.
24 – Rain through the night and little showers off and on through
the day, the hay lying untouched and spoiling. Went to Port Perry
in the morning with Jennie to the Dr. Jim Dusty scuffling turnips.
Both hoeing turnips, 2nd
time, in the afternoon.
25 – A fine day with high NW wind which soon dried out the hay.
George and John Michie came up at 10 and we raked the hay and
then in the afternoon got in – loads. Quit at 6 pm to let them go to
play with the Greenbank band at James Love’s golden wedding.
Drove up to Greenbank in the evening with Jennie, Annie and
Willie
26 – A very fine day and cool. John and George at the hay in the
forenoon. George left at noon to go to A. Gordon’s to help him
with his hay. Finished drawing, 17 loads in all, about 3 pm. Then
Jim Dusty raked the field and after supper drew in one load. An
apple buyer called (Mr. Conlon) and sold him all the apples for
$20.00. At prayer meeting in the evening, Mr. Keith leader, sub-
ject Love. An extra good address.
27 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry with Aunt Janet in the
waggon. Jim Dusty hoeing. Fixed fences and some other chores
in the afternoon. Mrs. A. Gordon Jr. and Jennie called.
28 – A fine day and pretty warm. George Michie came up in the
morning to help in with the pump but we broke the sucker before
we got it in so we went no further. Hoed turnips in the forenoon
while Mrs. Mark, Jessie, Aunt Janet and Jim Dusty picked raspber-
ries. I went to Port Perry in the afternoon with a case of berries
and ordered a new pump for the house well. Mrs. Allan Wallace
buried today.
29 – A rather dull day and sometimes threatening rain from the
east but it did not come. Finished hoeing the turnips, 2nd
time, and
then at the strawberries.
30 – Rain through the night and in the day a wet mist, almost rain,
from the N. At SS and church (106 at SS), Mr. Keith preached.
Aunt Janet, Annie and Willa were also out.
31 – A nice day. Some thunder and little rain in the afternoon. At
berry picking until about 3 when rain came on. Mrs. Mark, Jessie
119
Michie, Mrs. A. Gordon Jr., and Jennie and Jim Dusty at it also.
Jim Dusty went to Port Perry in the afternoon with berries. He
then drove Mrs. Gordon home. Aunt Janet churning.
AUG. 1 – A very fine day and pretty cool. Picked berries, fixed
the watering place at the spring and several other jobs. Aunt Janet
washing. Went with Jennie, Willie and Annie to Greenbank in the
evening for the mail.
2 – A very fine day, cool. Picking berries most of the day. Mrs.
Mark, Jessie, Jim Dusty and Aunt Janet picking but did not get
over the patch. Jennie, Annie and Willie went to Port Perry in the
morning. Jim Dusty went with some berries to Mary Patton. John
Irving and G. Welch came in the afternoon and put in a new pump
at the house. At prayer meeting, a good turnout, Mr. Keith leader.
3 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Went over to R. Cragg’s in
the forenoon to help him put some posts under the barn. Jennie,
Annie and Willie went to Port Perry market. Got out the binder
and some other chores in the afternoon.
4 – Raised up the binder in the forenoon with Jim Dusty’s help and
in the afternoon cut the oats east of the orchard, the first cutting we
have done this season (but there is a good deal cut around the
settlement). I. O’Neill was threshing barley and fall wheat today
which turned out very well). Got the piece cut about 3:30 when a
drizzle of rain came on. Jim D. drove the binder, the first time for
him. George Michie helped about 2 hours, also his horse. Isaac
O’Neill came up in the forenoon for the lend of horse rake. Aunt
Janet and Jennie preserving berries. Mrs. Mark, Jessie and Mrs.
Gordon here picking berries. Ed Lyle came down and wanted me
to help them thresh clover. The machine (J. Leask’s) came about 4
pm but as they intended threshing in the field, the rain stopped
them. Jim Dusty left, having put in his month.
5 – A warm day with a high SW wind, some thunder and a little
splash of rain about 3:30. Went to Greenbank in the morning with
Annie and Willie for binder cord. Plowing the orchard the rest of
the day. E. Luke got a piece of the binder.
6 – A fine day. Some showers went around in the afternoon but
none here. At SS and church with Aunt Janet and Annie and Wil-
lie (124 at SS, the largest attendance of the year, so far). Mr. Keith
preached. Maggie McMillan sang a solo. Mrs. J.M. Real got
home last night. Went up to the post office in the evening with
Jennie, Annie and Willie.
7 – Cut corners of field and some downed oats in the forenoon and
in the afternoon went to help D. Lyle to thresh clover in the field
opposite our north field (J. Leask’s machine) but about 3:30 a
smart shower came up and stopped us. There was also another
heavier shower about an hour after. Mrs. A. Gordon and Jennie
Gordon, Mrs. Mark, Jessie and Nellie O’Neill here picking berries
all day until the rain came on and Mrs. M. O’Neill and baby Willie
O’Neill here in the afternoon. Aunt Janet churning, Jennie pre-
serving.
8 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with Annie
and Willie. In the afternoon cut 5 rounds in the north field with the
two horses and then shocked up some. In the evening went with
Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie to the band concert at R. [Fle-
well’s?]. There was a large turnout and Harvey [?], a boy Rich, and
a girl, all from Toronto, gave the program which was oddly mud-
dling to my notion. There was $123.00 took in. John Lee and I
sold the tickets.
9 – A fine day and pretty warm. Went for the beef in the morning,
then got a horse from George and cut the rest of the north field.
Got done at 4 pm, then shocked up til dark. Mr. Mark, Jessie Mi-
chie, Mrs. A. Gordon, Jennie and Bessie Gordon here picking
berries.
10 – A very warm day, about 80 in the shade. There was some
thunder through the night and again about 5 pm but no rain here.
Shocked up the rest of the N field in the forenoon. After dinner
went down to George’s for a horse but did not get one, so had to do
the best I could in the SW field with two horses. Aunt Janet went
to Port Perry market in the forenoon. Jennie making pickles.
11 – A fine day and pretty warm. Got a horse from George and
finished cutting the SW field. Jennie making raspberry vinegar.
12 – Very warm and close. Shocking up in the SW field until
about 2:30 when a terrific thunderstorm came up, the most severe
of the season. A very high wind broke down some limbs of trees
and blew down the chimley on the kitchen. We had just got supper
when Jack Lee, his wife and little girl (1 ½ years old) came and got
their tea. Mrs. Mark, Jessie and Mrs. Gordon picking berries, the
last of the season. Everything pretty well soaked.
13 – A fine cool day. At church and SS with Aunt Janet, Annie
and Willie (112 at SS), Rev. R. Leask preached. Tom Black, An-
nie and little Jessie came just before dinner. They went to church
and then to Mark’s for tea. At CE with Jennie and Willie, a good
meeting, Maggie McMillan leader.
14 – A fine day. Shocked up oats in the forenoon while Jennie,
Annie and Willie went to Port Perry. Got a horse from George and
cut the hill but did not quite finish. Mrs. Mark here for green
beans.
15 – Started to rain from the east sometime through the night and
never let up until about 5 pm, sometimes it fairly poured. The
biggest rain for many a day, everything well soaked. Nothing
doing outside. Went to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail.
16 – A fine clear cool day. Shocking oats in the forenoon, they
were very wet. Finished cutting just after dinner then went to Mr.
Lyle’s to help him thresh. Aunt Janet washing.
17 – A very fine day. Threshing clover all day, worked until 8:15
pm. Aunt Janet went to Port Perry market in the forenoon.
18 – A very fine day. Cut the little bit of oats near the barn pump
and so finished cutting for 1905. Harrowed the orchard and scuf-
fled the strawberry patch in the afternoon. Went up in the evening
to get Jim Dusty to help draw in but he is engaged. Everyone
drawing in about here.
19 – Put away the binder and then drew in some oats alone. I think
it is the first time I ever did so, until about 4 pm when I went with
120
the waggon to Port Perry to meet Jessie Bell. Got there in time for
the 5:30 train but she did not come on it. I waited for the next train
and she got there all right. Rained nearly all the way home. Heard
that George Stone was killed last night by being crushed between
the machine and engine.
20 – A very fine day. Went with Aunt Janet to George Stone’s
funeral, which was very largely attended. The Methodist church
could not hold all. We had no SS. Rev. R. Leask preached to
about 8 or 10 (so it was said) in our church. Mr. Neville and Mr.
Young, the minister at Seagrave, conducted the funeral. In the
evening went with Jennie to church at Port Perry. Rev. Mr. Cooper
preached a good sermon.
21 – All hands went and pumped and cleaned out the well in the
morning, then I hoed at the strawberry patch most of the remainder
of the day. Jennie went up to Gordon’s in the afternoon and got
the lend of their sewing machine. After supper went to Port Perry
for Jessie Bell’s trunk. Vivid lightning on the way home and just
as I got home there was quite a splash of rain.
22 – A very fine clear day. Finished hoeing strawberries in the
forenoon and some other chores, and in the afternoon drew manure
on the next years berry patch. Went up to Dusty’s in the evening
to get Jim to help tomorrow. Aunt Janet washing. Aunt Jessie
made a hummock. Little Willie has quite a high fever.
23 – A fine day. Turning out oat shocks in the forenoon and with
W. Mark’s help drew in the north field in the afternoon. Aunt
Janet churning, Jessie making dolls for the children.
24 – A fine cool day. Went on a hunt for a man to help draw in.
Tried Lyle’s, then Akhurst’s and then got Alex Gordon. Then
threw out the shocks in the SW field. Jennie with Willie and An-
nie to Seagrave to see about selling chickens. Drew in in the after-
noon with Alex Gordon’s help and got the most of the field in.
Lyle’s finished today.
25 – A very fine clear day. Threw out the remainder of the oat
shocks in the morning, then went to Greenbank to telephone to the
Dr. for Annie who has been in a fever all night. The Dr. (D.
Archer) came just before dinner. He says the trouble is tonsillitis.
In the afternoon, with G. Michie’s help, drew in the rest of the oats
and so finished the harvest of 1905 except the rakings. A. Akhurst
called wanting help at threshing tomorrow. Jennie and Aunt Jess
went to Greenbank in the evening.
26 – Horse raked some in the forenoon. Alex Gordon called want-
ing help with his harvest. Went in the afternoon and built a stack
of oats, 10 loads. Several local thunder showers went round but
only a few drops here. Annie is better, she was up for dinner.
27 – A fine cool day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet and little
Willie (98 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. In the evening went down
to see Mr. Isaac O’Neill who was hurt last evening by falling from
a load of grain, the horses having run away. He got one of his
fingers broke and also put out of joint and his neck hurt but he is
doing pretty well as far as I could see. Jennie and Aunt Jessie went
to church at Port Perry in the evening.
28 – Helping Alex Gordon to stack oats in the forenoon and help-
ing A. Akhurst to thresh in the afternoon. A shower came up when
about to quit. Jennie went to Seagrave in the morning with chick-
ens. Arthur Gordon sick with appendicitis.
29 – A very fine day. Threshing at Akhurst’s and finished a little
after 12. They then moved to George Michie’s and threshed until
nearly 8 and then moved out and left the straw stack open. Jennie
and Willie took Aunt Janet and little Annie to Port Perry on their
way to Newcastle for a two week visit. Jennie then drove up to see
Arthur Gordon who is no better.
30 – A great deal of thunder and lightning through the night and
some rain. Had the stomach ache during the night and most of the
day and did nothing. Jennie and little Willie went for the beef.
She called in to inquire for Arthur Gordon and found him about the
same.
31 – A very fine cool day. Went up to Gordon’s in the morning to
ask for Arthur. No change. Then horse raked and in the afternoon
drew in rakings alone. Jessie went up to Gordon’s in the evening.
They think Arthur a very little better.
SEPT. 1 – A very fine day. Oliver Luke came down in the morn-
ing wanting me to help them to stack oats but I did not go as I was
not feeling very well. After that went to Seagrave with Jennie and
little Willie, called at Gordon’s to ask for Arthur and found him
about the same. Dug the potatoes in the orchard in the afternoon.
2 – Plowing all day until 5 when I went to Greenbank. Called at
Gordon’s and they thought Arthur was worse. They have about
given up hope. Threatening rain all afternoon but it did not amount
to much.
3 – A fine day. At SS and church with Jennie and little Willie, the
first time for Jennie for a long time. (121 at SS), Mr. Keith
preached. Called at Gordon’s on the way there and found Arthur a
little better. Dr. Bascomb of Uxbridge was there today. Went
down in the evening to see Lu O’Neill who is also sick. He is
doing fairly well. Called at Isaac’s and he is getting along pretty
well.
4 – This is labor day and I kept it by plowing all day. Some rain in
the forenoon.
5 – Plowing in the forenoon until about 10:30 when I broke the
plough point. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon. Alex Gordon’s
children stayed here today. Jennie Gordon was quite sick. Alex
Gordon Sr. came after them in the evening. Showery in the after-
noon.
6 – Rain in the early morning but turned out a fine cool day. Plow-
ing all day. Went up to Gordon’s in the evening. Arthur is about
the same. Jennie no better.
7 – Scuffling and hoeing strawberries in the forenoon while Jennie
and little Willie went to Port Perry market. Plowing in the after-
noon. A fine day.
121
8 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Went to Greenbank after
dinner with Willie for the mail. Called at Gordon’s. Arthur a little
better. Jennie and Bessie in bed.
9 – A very fine warm day. Plowed until about 4 pm when I went
to Port Perry to meet Aunt Janet and little Annie on the 5:30 train.
Later Mundo Perrin, Mrs. Perrin, Alma and Jennie Perrin, Bella
Slemyn and Anna Tait came by buggy. Jessie Harmon died last
night.
10 – A very fine warm day. Hitched up the team to Mundo
Perrin’s rig and Mundo, Anna Tait, Alma and Jennie Perrin, Bella
Slemyn, Jennie and Annie, Willie and I went to SS and church.
Owing to it being Jess Harmon’s funeral there was a small atten-
dance (85), Mr. Keith preached. Perrin’s left for home about 5:30.
At CE in the evening with Anna Tait, a fair meeting, Silva Leask
leader.
11 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning for Anna
Tait’s trunk and then hoed strawberries until noon. Plowing in the
afternoon. Jessie and Anna sewing.
12 – Plowing all day. Warm, quite a lot of thunder in the afternoon
and evening but little rain here.
13 – A very fine cool day with pretty high wind. Plowed a while
in the morning when W.H. Leask came and cut the corn with his
new corn harvester. In the afternoon Jennie, Jessie and little Willie
went to Port Perry. After that Jessie, Anna and little Annie went to
Greenbank for the mail. Hoed strawberries and some other little
jobs in the afternoon.
14 – A hard frost, the first of the season, in the morning and a very
fine day. Anna went to Greenbank to post a letter by the morning
mail. Plowed in the forenoon and drew off corn in the afternoon.
Mrs. [Hately?] and son, of Layton, came for some plums.
15 – A fine day. Finished drawing the corn in the forenoon. At
preparatory service in the afternoon, a fair meeting. Rev. Mr.
McEchern of Leaskdale preached. Archie McMillan, David
McMillan, Russell Wallace, Joseph Wallace, Cecil Leask, Mona
Leask, Mary Dusty and Allie Dusty came in on profession of faith;
Janet Tait by certificate, and Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Allan were rein-
stated, not having used their certificate from this congregation.
Jessie Bell and Anna Tait making new yellow dress.
16 – A foggy morning and a very nice day. Plowed in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon went with Jennie to the Dr. at Port Perry,
she having a sore toe. Anna, Annie and Willie at Mark’s in the
forenoon.
17 – At communion at Greenbank with Aunt Janet and Anna Tait.
There was a pretty good turnout, Rev. Mr. Keith conducted the
service. It was raining when church came out and continued all
afternoon and evening. John Michie and James S. Lee called and
stayed for tea.
18 – A fine day and pretty warm. Plowing all day. Anna went to
Greenbank in the afternoon. Jessie making a coat for Aunt Janet.
19 – Went to presbytery meeting at Lindsay. Anna with little
Annie and Willie drove me to Greenbank, from there to Blackwa-
ter with Mr. Dusty. Coming home I walked from Wick. Alex
Gordon was to have given me a ride but we did not connect.
Lightning most of the time on the way which turned out to be quite
a rain a few minutes after I got home.
20 – A fine day. Went for the beef in the morning with Annie and
Willie. Plowing the rest of the day. Jessie and Anna visiting at
Gordon’s in the afternoon. Annie and Willie were with them.
21 – A fine day. Plowing all day except the time Aunt Janet went
to Port Perry market. Mrs. Mark here in the afternoon for plums.
22 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jessie packing trunk to start for
Rochester tomorrow.
23 – A fine day and cool. Took Jessie Bell to the morning train at
Port Perry on her way back to Rochester. Plowing the rest of the
day. Went down to George’s after dinner and got 4 bags of oats.
John Mark called wanting to buy pigs but I had none to sell.
24 – A fine cool day. At SS and church. Walked while Jennie,
Anna, Annie and Willie drove. Rally day at SS but there was only
the usual number (112). It was children’s day service and it went
off very well. Aunt Janet and Anna went to the Methodist church
in the evening, George Miller preached.
25 – Pretty cool in the morning and a fine day. Harrowing all day.
26 – A fine day. Digging potatoes most of the day. Jennie, with
Annie and Willie, went to Port Perry in the morning for express
parcel. Jennie and Anna dressmaking in the afternoon.
27 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes all day and with Jennie
went to prayer meeting. A fair turnout, Mr. Keith leader. When
we came home we were surprised to find the threshing machine (J.
Leask’s) in the barn. We were not looking for them. J. Leask and
Alex McArthur stayed all night.
28 – A beautiful day. Threshing finished a little after 1 pm. R.
Cragg, Norman and Ernest Phair, E. Lyle, A. Akhurst, and Wes
Cragg (for G. Michie). The machine then went to G. Michie’s
(Luke’s place) and I went with them. The crops are not as good as
last year.
29 – A very fine day and quite warm. Threshing at George’s until
about 10 am, when they finished. They then moved to Lyle’s.
Digging potatoes in the afternoon. Jennie, Anna and little Willie at
Port Perry in the forenoon. SS convention at Port Perry today.
30 – A decidedly warm day. Digging potatoes in the forenoon and
threshing at Phair’s in the afternoon (Jason Stone’s machine).
Jennie and Anna dressmaking.
OCT. 1 – A fine day and very warm. Walked to SS. Aunt Janet,
Anna, Annie and Willie drove in buggy. 117 at SS, Mr. Keith
preached. Anna went to G. Michie’s to tea. At CE with Jennie, a
pretty good turnout, G.A. McMillan leader.
122
2 – A dull foggy morning. Threshing at Phair’s. A little rain came
on about 8:30 and nothing more done until after dinner. At church
managers meeting in the evening. Jas. Burton rented his farm
today.
3 – A fine day. Threshing at Phair’s and finished about 10 am,
then to Richard Cragg’s and worked until night but did not finish.
Jennie, Anne and Annie visiting at Greenbank in the afternoon.
Anna went down to visit O’Neill’s in the evening. Mrs. A. Gordon
here for dinner.
4 – A fine day. Digging potatoes most of the day. Went to Port
Perry after dinner with Annie and Willie to get Anna’s ticket to
Winnipeg. At prayer meeting, a good turnout, Mr. Keith leader.
His subject was on Lancelot Andrewes’s29
private devotions and
the first lesson on the SS teacher’s training course. There was also
an after meeting to consider about a tea party. It was decided not to
have any but to raise the money required for church purposes by
subscriptions. Anna packing up to start for Winnipeg tomorrow.
5 – A very fine day. Took Anna down to Port Perry to the morning
train on her way to Winnipeg. Took out 12 bags of oats and got
them ground. When I got home Aunt Janet and little Annie went
to Port Perry market. Finished digging potatoes. Drawing out
manure in the afternoon.
6 – A very fine day. Plowing strawberry patch in the forenoon. In
the afternoon went down to James Smith’s with Jennie, Annie,
Willie and James (the first time James was on the road). Got there
between 5 and 6. Barbara was away at Whitby and did not get
back until after 8 pm, then had a long talk about her trip to Mani-
toba. She is highly pleased with the country.
7 – Came to Tom Black’s for dinner and started for home at 3:30
and got home about 6. Aunt Janet kept house while we were away.
8 – A very fine summer-like day. At SS and church with Aunt
Janet, Annie and Willie (118 at SS), Rev. Mr. Crozier of Ashburn
preached. At CE with Jennie, a fairly good turnout, Jennie was
leader.
9 – A fine summer day. Plowing all day. Jennie making pickles.
At George’s in the evening having a sing.
10 – A very fine day and quite warm and summer-like. Harrowing
all day except after dinner when I went to Port Perry for bread and
flour. 6 apple pickers came about 10 am, 3 men and 3 boys, all
from Oshawa. They picked all afternoon and then all went to Port
Perry. They got back about 11.
11 – Rain through the night and all forenoon and some in the after-
noon. Very little doing. The apple pickers hung around all fore-
noon and left after dinner. At prayer meeting with Jennie, Mr.
Keith leader. Beef meeting tonight also. Roads pretty muddy.
29
Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626) was a prominent
English bishop in the Church of England during the
reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. His
best known work is the ‘Manual of Private Devo-
tions’.
12 – Somewhat raw in the morning but turned out warmer with
some little rain flurries in the afternoon. Harrowing in the fore-
noon and topping mangolds in the afternoon. Sunderland fair day.
13 – A fine day. Plowing sod in the forenoon and in the afternoon
harrowed up the mangolds and drew in 5 loads. At W.F.M.S.
thank offering meeting, a fair turnout. The principal number on the
program was an address by Mr. Black of Toronto which was very
good. Collection about $15.00. A beautiful clear night.
14 – A beautiful day. Drawing in mangolds, 8 loads. 13 in all and
finished.
15 – A fine day until about 6 pm when it rained a little. At SS with
Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (115 at SS). I then went over on
invitation to the Methodist SS, it being their rally day (144 at it).
Did not go out at night.
16 – A fine day but cooler. With Jennie’s help took in the potatoes
(quite a few rotten), then went to Port Perry with Jennie and baby
James to see the Dr. as James has had a sore throat for some days.
The Dr. says it is nothing dangerous. Apple packers came (5)
about 9 am and worked the rest of the day but did not finish. Three
of them went to Port Perry in the evening. Bible society meeting
tonight in our church but did not go.
17 – A fine day. The apple packers finished their job before dinner
and left. They put up 50 barrels. Went two trips to Port Perry with
apples, 19 barrels the first time and 18 the next. Jennie, Aunt Janet
and the three children on a quilting bee and birthday party for little
Willie O’Neill at Mrs. Mark’s.
18 – Took out to Port Perry the remainder of the apples, 13 barrels.
When about half way there it started to rain and continued the most
of the day and evening. Did a few indoor chores.
19 – Plowed a while in the morning then Jennie went to Port Perry
market while I picked apples for the evaporator. In the afternoon
at apples, Jennie helping. Worked until dark. A little rain in the
evening.
20 – Rain through the night and some little drizzles in the after-
noon with high wind and getting colder. Plowing all day. Jennie
and Aunt Janet washing.
21 – The ground white with snow this morning (the first of the
season) and a little more during the forenoon but it was nearly all
gone by noon. Tax collector Dobson called. In the afternoon took
out to the evaporator at Port Perry 30 bags of apples and got 25 cts
per 100 lbs. The load came to $6.10. Brought home 1500 lbs. of
coal.
22 – At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (126 at SS,
the most for this year so far). Mr. Keith preached. Anniversary at
the Baptist church took away some. A very dull afternoon and
rain. No CE.
23 – Plowed until about 4 pm when Aunt Janet and little Willie
drove me to Port Perry where I took the 6 train on my way to the
Provincial S. School convention at London. Went via Manilla as
123
far as Toronto and stayed with Annie Mason. Saw Annie E. Mi-
chie, the first time since she came to those parts. A Scotch concert
in St. Enoch’s church. Mrs. Gordon here getting coat made.
24 – At meetings of convention, morning, afternoon and evening.
Mrs. Lawrence was the star. Fine meetings. James Dusty and
Jennie topping turnips in the afternoon
25 – Thanksgiving day. At convention meetings, three sessions,
which closed the convention, which I enjoyed very much all
through. Did not get back to Mr. Armstrong’s but went to the RR
station on my way home.
26 – Started from London at about 1:30 am and got into Hamilton
about 3:30. Waited at the train station until daylight and then took
electric car and called on Rev. J.M. Cameron whom I found all
well. Got back to Port Perry again on the 8 o’clock train. Jennie
and little Annie met me at station. A pretty dark night. Some rain
during the day.
27 – Harrowed up turnips in the forenoon and threw in 7 loads in
the afternoon. Some snow in the afternoon.
28 – Snow a little through the night which did not altogether go
away in shady places. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Willie
and Annie (116 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. At CE with Jennie, a
fairly good meeting. I was leader.
29 – A fine day. Drew in turnips in the forenoon, 5 loads, Jennie
helping in the root house. In the afternoon went to Port Perry with
15 bags of apples to the evaporator. Jennie topping turnips.
30 – A little snow in the morning. At turnips all day and got in 9
loads. Jennie helping in the afternoon.
NOV. 1 – Rather cold and rough with several snow blizzards. In
the morning took Fowlie cow to Port Perry, sold to I. Wheeler.
Jennie came in the buggy. Plowing in the afternoon. At prayer
meeting in the evening, not a very large turnout. Mr. Keith was
there but I took up most of the time giving a report of the SS con-
vention at London.
2 – There was about 2 in. of snow in the morning which did not go
away more than about half all day. Plowing sod all day.
3 – Topped a few turnips in the morning but rain soon came on and
nothing more was done during the forenoon. Plowing sod in the
afternoon. Jennie cleaning the cupboard.
4 – At turnips all day, Jennie helping, got in 10 loads. Fair
weather.
5 – At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (124 at SS),
Mr. Keith preached. It was a special service for the CE. John
Michie, Miss Forfar and Mary Dusty here for tea. No CE as there
is a revivalist in the Methodist church.
6 – Rain and snow through the night and all the forenoon. Plowing
in the afternoon. James Smith and Mrs. Joyce of Sutton came just
at dark.
7 – A dull day with a little drizzle in the afternoon. At the turnips
and got in 6 loads, Jennie helping. James Smith left for home in
the forenoon. Mrs. Joyce visiting at Gordon’s but came back at
night. Isaac O’Neill here for a load of turnips for Mrs. Carnegie.
8 – Snow again through the night which went off about noon.
Plowed in the forenoon and finished topping turnips in the after-
noon. Took Jennie and Mrs. Joyce to S. Dusty’s after dinner and
called for them at W. Luke’s on the way home from prayer meet-
ing. A fair turnout at PM, Mr. Keith leader. An after meeting
decided to have a Christmas tree on Friday before Christmas.
9 – Several little snow showers during the day. At turnips alone
and got in 6 loads. Jennie and Mrs. Joyce at Port Perry market in
the forenoon. Drove Mrs. Joyce to Greenbank in the evening on
her way home.
10 – Snowing a little several times through the day. At turnips all
day and finished, Jennie helping, 10 loads. 53 loads in all. Isaac
O’Neill came for a load but his horses got stuck and he had to
throw off part of his load.
124
11 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Finished the sod field and
plowed a little in the orchard. Jennie putting up the room stove.
12 – Fine day. At church and SS with Aunt Janet, Annie and Wil-
lie (123 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. Missionary subject. No CE.
13 – Went down to Isaac O’Neill’s in the morning then with Jennie
went on a cow hunt. Drove over to Mr. [?] but they had none to
sell, then to Hoey’s at Port Perry but he had not the kind we
wanted, then home. Snowing and rough all the time. Plowing in
the orchard in the afternoon. Got all the cattle in for the first of the
season. Quite cold and winter-like.
14 – Did some chores in the forenoon and in the afternoon took 19
bags of oats to Port Perry mill and then went on to Jas. Smith’s for
cow. Got there a little after dark and stayed all night. Mrs. W.H.
Leask and little Roy here in the afternoon and Will called for them
on his way home from Port Perry and stayed for tea.
15 – Started from Jas. Smith’s with cow and calf in waggon and
got home between 1 and 2 pm. Snowing from the SW all the way
home. Went up to Joe Burton’s and had a talk with Harry Muckel-
stine who has just came with his wife from England. 10 years
since he left those parts.
16 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for meal. At G. Lee’s in
the afternoon. Aunt Janet at Greenbank. Thawing a little.
17 – Snowing from the SW nearly all day and rather disagreeable
outside. Put straw on the strawberry patch.
18 – Cleaned out pig and calf pens and several other chores. Put
on storm windows. Thawing a little.
19 – A fine clear day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie
and Willie (125 at SS). Rev. Mr. Sinclair of Sonya preached on SS
work. Mr. [?] is leaving for Winnipeg shortly. No CE.
20 – A fine clear day. Jim Lee called in the morning. Pruning
apple trees. Jennie washing.
21 – A very fine day and thawing a little. Drew the brush out of
the orchard and some wood into the shed.
22 – A very fine day. Drawing out manure most of the day. At
prayer meeting in the evening, Rev. Mr. Keith leader, a fair atten-
dance.
23 – A fine day and thawing some. Went over to R. Cragg’s in the
morning with the sleigh for some mortar and spent the rest of the
day rebuilding chimley on kitchen which was blown down last
summer. Mrs. Mark and her sister Mrs. Hughes called in the after-
noon.
24 – Got up early and drove Jennie and little Willie to the morning
train on their way to Toronto. Finished the chimley and cleaned
the pig and hen house and spread manure. Went down again to
meet the 8 pm train. A terrible dark night and muddy. Some rain
in the forenoon.
25 – A fine mild day. Plowing in the orchard and harrowing after
several days of freeze up.
26 – A fine day but some colder towards night. At SS and church
with Jennie, Annie and Willie (127 at SS). Rev. Mr. Keith
preached. Did not go to CE.
27 – A fine day, a very little snow on the ground in the morning.
Drew out some manure in the forenoon with the sleigh. Plowed in
the afternoon. Went down to George’s in the evening for a sing.
28 – Started to snow from the SE about 8 am and continued very
rough all forenoon which turned to rain about noon. Drew in some
corn stalks and did some other chores.
29 – Warmer through the night and frost nearly all out. Plowing
all day. At prayer meeting in the evening, a pretty good turnout
considering the night which was rough and cold. Mr. Keith
leader. A SS meeting to see about papers and lesson helps.
30 – Very cold (6 above zero) and rough in the forenoon. Jennie
went to Port Perry market. Mrs. [Tukesbury?] of Prince Albert
called in the afternoon taking orders for books. Did a few chores.
DEC. 1 – A pretty cold day but clear. Drew in some corn stalks in
the forenoon. In the afternoon attended preparatory service at the
church. An extra large attendance, Rev. Mr. Canaman of Wood-
ville preached. The following new members were received:
Marion Moore (Allan) by certificate, and by profession of faith
Donald McArthur; John McArthur; John McMillan; Stanley
McMillan; Everett Love; Jewell Love; Stanley Real; Harvey Real;
George Real; Oscar Real; James Dusty; Mabel Gordon; George
Leask; Eva Leask; Willie Golden; Maude Berchard; Sarah Smith;
Ray Stone; Gordon Wallace; John McDonald; and Ethel McDon-
ald. 22 in all, the largest number at any one time in my recollec-
tion.
2 – Snow in the morning which turned to rain about 11 am and
sloppy and dull during the rest of the day. Went down to George’s
with little Annie for a practice for the Christmas tree.
3 – A nice day. At communion service at Wick with Aunt Janet.
There was a good turnout, Rev. Mr. Keith conducted the service.
At evening meeting at Greenbank with Jennie. There was an extra
large turnout. Rev. Mr. Wishart of Beaverton preached an excel-
lent sermon.
4 – A pretty rough cold day. Took in the last of the corn stalks and
some other little chores. Aunt Janet and little Annie at Mrs.
Mark’s in the afternoon.
5 – A fine day. At Port Perry in the forenoon and in the afternoon
pulled down the fence on the west side of the lane to the barn. At
George’s in the evening singing. Sephas Sleep called and bought
two pigs at $6.00 per 100.
6 – A very fine day. Drew away the rest of the lane fence and then
drew out some manure. At prayer meeting with Aunt Janet, a
pretty good turnout, Mr. Keith leader.
7 – A very fine mild day and thawing a little. Putting in some
glass in the forenoon and in the afternoon, with Jennie, went with
the buggy and called first at D. Cragg’s, where their youngest girl
is down with typhoid fever. She is very little better. Then we
125
called at W.H. Leask’s where Mrs. Jas. Horn is laid up with bad
feet, she is about the same. Then to G. McMillan’s where little
Harry and the little girl are in the typhoid fever also. They are both
some better. Then we went to Greenbank.
8 – A fine day and thawing a little. Putting in some glass and other
little chores. Jim Lee called in the morning.
9 – A fine day and thawing a little. Went to Port Perry in the after-
noon with the waggon and 20 bags of oats to the mill and brought
home 1580 lbs coal at 6.75 per 100. Aunt Janet and the children at
George’s in the afternoon at singing practice for Christmas tree.
10 – Very much colder with high NW wind. At SS and church
with Jennie, Annie and Willie (114 at SS). Rev. J.M. Cameron,
our late pastor, preached a good sermon. This is Wick anniversary
service. No CE announced.
11 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with the
waggon for the meal and did some odd jobs in the afternoon.
George Michie called wanting help to thresh tomorrow. New
government formed in London, Bannerman leader.
12 – A pretty cold morning with a little snow from the east but got
some warmer. Threshing clover at George’s (John Leask’s ma-
chine) in the forenoon and in the afternoon attended Jas. Burton’s
sale. There was a large turnout and things went pretty well. Tom
Black, Annie and little Jessie came about 2 pm. Tom bought the
cream separator at the sale for $41.00. They left for home about 7.
13 – Threshing all day. At George’s clover in the forenoon and
oats in the afternoon. 19 bags of clover and it is $7.25 per bus. A
little snow but not enough for sleighing yet. At prayer meeting, a
fair meeting, Rev. Mr. Keith leader. His subject was the Book of
Psalms.
14 – The coldest day of the season, about zero in the morning.
Went to Port Perry in the morning with Aunt Janet and little Annie
to the market and got some Christmas things. Tom Black and Alf
came about 2:30 pm. They came for their separator at Joe Bur-
ton’s. Nellie McMillan and Silva Leask called collecting for the
Bible Society.
15 – The coldest day so far of the season, 6 below zero. Went to
Port Perry in the morning with Jennie to the Dr. with her toe.
Went down to Phair’s swamp in the afternoon and cut brush for
Christmas decorations. At George’s in the evening singing.
16 – A very fine bright day. Cleaned out pig house in the fore-
noon. Went down to George’s after dinner with Annie and Willie
to practice singing.
17 – A beautiful day, trees covered with hoar frost. At church and
SS with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (122 at SS), Mr. Keith
preached. No CE.
18 – A fine day and thawing a little. Got up early and took 2 pigs
to Seagrave with the waggon ( a little snow but not enough for
sleighing). Took a calf for Albert Akhurst to Seagrave. The pigs
weighed 510 lbs @ $6.25. In the afternoon went to Mrs. Josh
Horn’s funeral, Rev. Mr. Argue preached in the church, Mr. Keith
also took part. At church manager’s meeting in the evening and
got home at 11:30.
19 – A fine day, somewhat foggy. Went to Phair’s swamp and got
a Christmas tree and brush and drew out manure the rest of the
day. John, George and Jessie Michie; Jas. Lee; Miss May Blair;
Miss E. Forfar; Mary and Allie Dusty here in the evening making
decorations.
20 – A fine day and thawing a little. Did a few chores in the morn-
ing. Mrs. A. Gordon here for dinner. In the afternoon went to
Greenbank with the waggon and helped to decorate the basement
for the Christmas tree. Those there were E. Boe; J. Lee; Jas.
Miller; Joe and Russell Wallace; John Michie; Jessie Michie. Mrs.
John Slovin of Bethesda was buried at Greenbank today.
21 – Snow through the night and awhile in the morning, which
turned to rain in the afternoon. Went down to Isaac O’Neill’s in
the morning and got two geese for Christmas dinner. In the after-
noon went with Jennie to Port Perry, this being their Christmas fair
and a bad day they have. Went with the cutter, the first time we
have had it out this season. Some had wheels.
22 – Thawing all day and the sleighing pretty well gone. Did little
but the chores. In the evening, with Jennie , Annie and Willie went
to the Christmas tree in connection with our SS, which was quite a
success in every way, a full house. Jessie Michie was given a
purse of between $9 and $10. Little Annie and Willie both sang
pieces alone for the first time. Annie Rennie sang. She is leaving
us to go to Smith’s Falls. A balloon was sent up at the close.
Proceeds $13.00.
23 – Got a little colder towards night, a very little snow. Not feel-
ing very well and did nothing but the chores. Jennie and Aunt
Janet baking and getting ready for Christmas.
24 – A fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and
Willie (121 at SS). George Miller addressed the school, Rev. Mr.
Keith preached. A song service was held in the evening, J.A.
Miller in the pulpit, and the singing led by Miss Annie Rennie, this
being her last Sunday here. A very nice service but not many out.
Jennie and Aunt Janet were at it.
25 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning to meet Annie
Elsie Michie, who is now attending a Ladies College at Toronto,
but she did not come by train. She, however, came with Willie and
Jessie Smith. Alma and Allan Black; Mrs. Mark; George, John
and Jessie Michie; Willie O’Neill; Nellie and little Willie O’Neill,
here were for dinner and all for supper including James Lee.
26 – A fine day and thawing a little in the afternoon. Willie Smith
and Jessie, Alan Black and Annie E. Michie went down to
George’s in the forenoon and all except Annie E. left for home
after dinner. Drove to Greenbank for the mail with Annie E, little
Annie and Willie.
27 – A fine day and thawing a little. Went to public school meet-
ing in the forenoon, about 25 present. No burning question on
126
hand. Isaac Beare elected trustee. Jas. A. and George Miller here
for tea. At prayer meeting with Annie E., small turnout, Mr. Keith
leader.
28 – A fine day and thawing. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon
with Jennie and Annie E. Annie E. went in the afternoon to visit
Mrs. W. O’Neill and did not come back.
29 – Foggy and dull with some rain in the forenoon. Did little but
the chores. G. Michie called after dinner.
30 – Colder, with a high west wind. Did the chores. Annie E.
Michie came up from George’s for dinner and went back for sup-
per and here again for the night.
31 – A very fine day. Walked to SS while Jennie, Anne E. and
little Annie and Willie went in the buggy (125 at SS). Miss
Maggie McMillan sang a solo. Rev. Mr. Keith preached a sermon
on old age. George Michie here for tea. He then drove Annie E.
up to the Methodist church in the evening. Word came that Mrs.
Reynolds died. Miss Emily Baird is dead in Calgary.
1906
JAN. 1 – Rather a rough cold day with NW wind, some snow most
of the afternoon. John Michie came in the morning and Annie E.
Michie and he went to T. Black’s at Raglan for dinner. Went to
Greenbank in the afternoon to vote for councilmen. Voted for
Norman Steward for reeve and A. Leask, Jas. Graham and –
Walker for councilmen. The usual Methodist church party tonight
but did not go.
2 – A very fine mild day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with
Jennie, principally to get groceries for the party. I went to see Dr.
Archer and he pronounced my trouble lumbago. Went to Green-
bank in the afternoon to attend Mrs. Reynold’s funeral but it is not
to be until tomorrow. Alex Lee and John Michie here when I came
home. Annie E. came in the evening. George came with her. A
very fine night.
3 – Hail from the SE most of the day and evening which turned
almost to rain. Wes Luke here for a pig in the forenoon. At
Greenbank in the evening with Jennie to the annual SS meeting. A
fair turnout considering the weather. Mr. Keith in the chair. I was
again chosen superintendant, for the 5th
year. G.A. McMillan, asst.
super.; R. Wallace, sec.; Jas. Leask, treas.
4 – Rather stormy all day with many snow flurries but not very
cold. Did little but the chores. Went down to George Michie’s for
some coal oil. Jess here awhile helping to make sandwiches for the
party tonight which was quite a success and everything went off
nicely. As near as I can remember the following were present:
Jas. S. Lee; Donald and Archie McArthur; Milton Harrington;
Mary, Allie and Maggie Dusty; Roy and Ethel McDonald; John,
David and Annie McMillan; Charles Love (musician); John,
George and Jessie Michie; Willie O’Neill and Nellie, and L.
O’Neill; Willie and Annie Rennie; Mr. and Mrs. John Leask Jr.
and their Willie; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Leask; Mr. and Mrs. Alex
Boe; Willie, Edgar and Silva Leask; Mono Leask; Archie and
Nellie McMillan; James Blair Jr.; Russell and Joe Wallace; and
Annie Elsie Michie. Broke up about 2 am.
5 – Took Annie E. Michie to the train at Port Perry on her way
back to Toronto. She goes to Brooklin today. Took some dishes
back to Mrs. Mark in the afternoon.
6 – Rather rough with snow flurries and high NW wind. Went to
Greenbank in the afternoon.
7 – Rough and snowing and drifting until about noon when it got
some better. At church and SS (with the buggy) with Jennie, An-
nie and Willie, (113 at SS). Election of teachers, did not get all the
classes supplied. Rev. Mr. McEachrin of Leaskdale preached. Mr.
Keith is at Leaskdale preaching anniversary sermons.
8 – Cold and clear, 6 below zero. Jennie washing. Went to Port
Perry in the afternoon with 20 bags of oats to be ground. Took the
sleigh but the sleighing was rather thin some places. A beautiful
night.
9 – A very cold stormy day in the forenoon but got some better in
the afternoon. Went to Port Perry in the morning with the old sow
(she weighed 450 lbs @ $4.25). First day of Port Perry races.
10 – A very fine day. Drove up to Greenbank in the afternoon with
Jennie who went to the W.F.M.S. while I got harness fixed. At
annual church meeting in the evening, a fair turnout. Jas. Blair;
J.M. Real; John Lee and I were chosen managers. It was decided
to cooperate with Wick in building a new manse.
11 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with the sleigh and got
1100 of coal. Not very good sleighing. In the afternoon went with
Jennie and little Willie to R. Thompson’s store at Seagrave.
12 – A very fine mild day. Wes Luke here in the afternoon helping
to kill a pig. Mrs. Luke and Ed came with them and they stayed
for tea and until about 9. A very fine evening.
13 – A fine day but some raw. Cut up the pig in the forenoon and
went to Greenbank in the afternoon. Word that Art Ward is dead.
14 – Raining a little off and on. At SS and church with Aunt Janet,
Annie and Willie (114 at SS). Mr. Keith preached. Finished elect-
ing teachers for SS. Art Ward buried today.
15 – A mild day. Did very little but the chores. A church manag-
ers meeting in the evening. Chosen chairman of board. A very
rainy night.
16 – Snowing a little most of the day with high wind from the SW.
Did a few odd jobs. Aunt Janet making head cheese. Invited to a
party at W. McMillan’s tonight but did not go as the weather was
unpleasant.
17 – Rather rough and snowing some most of the day. Cut some
wood in the afternoon. At adjourned congregational meeting, a
fair turnout. The manse question was laid over until it was found
how the congregation responded as to money.
18 – Mild day. At Port Perry in the forenoon with Jennie and
Annie. Went with the cutter, good sleighing. Jennie, Aunt Janet
and the three children visiting at Gordon’s in the afternoon.
127
19 – A fine mild day. Went to James Leask’s for a visit in the
afternoon with Jennie and wee James. Got home about 9. Had a
very pleasant time. Albert Akhurst here in the afternoon to get me
to make a box for their wee baby girl that was born yesterday and
died today.
20 – A soft day and the snow going fast which is spoiling the
sleighing. Made a little box for Albert Akhurst’s baby and with
Jennie took it up and Jennie dressed it and put it in the box. A nice
little baby it was. Sawed some wood in the afternoon. John Mi-
chie, James Lee, Jessie Michie, Laura Colder and Tom Michie,
who came home from Manitoba yesterday [?].
21 – As warm as a spring day. All the snow gone except where
there were drifts, and the mud very bad. The frost appears to be all
out some places. At church and SS with Jennie, Annie and Willie
(135 at SS, the largest number perhaps in the history of the school).
Mr. and Mrs. John Wallace of Dakota and Laura Colder were
among the visitors. Rev. Mr. Keith preached one of his best ser-
mons. CE announced for tonight after being dormant for some
weeks. Did not go as I was not feeling very well and the roads
were so bad.
22 – Another warm spring-like day with any quantity of mud.
Spread manure part of the day. Raw in the evening.
23 – Warm and rainy in the forenoon but got colder and began to
freeze towards night with high NW wind. At W. Luke’s in the
afternoon. Jennie sewing.
24 – Colder, with NW wind. Cleaned out pig house. Shifted tur-
nips that were rotting in root house and cut some wood. Jennie
making Annie a new dress. At S. Dusty’s in the evening with
letters to post. [C. Jennison or Jemison?] and Ettie Salter married
today.
25 – A bright and clear day and pretty cold. Cut wood part of the
day. Jennie sewing preparing to visit Toronto tomorrow.
26 – A beautiful clear day. Got up early and drove Jennie, Annie
and wee James to the evening train at Port Perry. They are off to
Toronto for a weeks visit. Sawing wood part of the day.
27 – A beautiful clear mild day. Cutting old rails for wood and
finished the job. Aunt Janet scrubbing. Willie playing outside all
day. No snow on the ground.
28 – A pretty fine day but a little colder. At SS and church with
Aunt Janet and Willie (130 at SS). Among the visitors were G.D.
McMillan who said a few words. Mr. Keith preached. At CE, a
fair turnout. I was leader if there was such a thing as leader.
29 – A good deal colder with high SE wind. Did very little but the
chores. Aunt Janet washing. The 10th
anniversary of our wedding
day.
30 – A fine day. At Farmer’s Institute meeting at Greenbank in the
afternoon, a fair turnout. Mr. Annis of Scarborough and Mr. Sloan
I think it was, spoke and they were very good. The women’s insti-
tute met in the basement of the Presbyterian church. Met with
Tommy Foster of Manitoba.
31 – A fine day but a little colder. Went down to John Michie’s in
the forenoon. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp, John helping, in the
afternoon. Tom Black and Tom Michie called in the afternoon. At
adjourned congregational meeting in the evening principally to
consider the manse question. The motion to build was voted down
13 to 8, I think were the figures.
FEB. 1 – A little snow through the night and snowing a little in the
forenoon. The afternoon was quite rough with high NW wind and
colder. The most wintry day for a long time. John helping for
about two hours to cut wood in Luke’s swamp and finished the job.
2 – 20 below zero at sunrise and never above 6 below all day with
a cutting north wind. Went down to Port Perry to the 10 train for
Jennie, Annie and James who came home from Toronto and we
were pretty cold before we got home. Edward and Mary Joyce of
Sutton came about 5 pm from Mrs. Mark’s where they had been
for two days and stayed all night.
3 – Snowing and pretty rough with high S wind. Jennie and Mary
Joyce went to Greenbank in the afternoon.
4 – Rough through the night but warmer, snowing a little from the
SW most of the day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie,
Mary Joyce and Ed Joyce. Ed and I walked. 119 at SS. Rev. Mr.
Peckover of Sunderland preached a rousing sermon. Mary went
home with John Michie for tea. At CE with Edward, an extra good
turnout as there was no Methodist church.
5 – Below zero all day, 13 about 9 am, with a pretty good north
wind. Did very little but the chores.
6 – Below zero all day, 19 in the morning, but still and clear. Took
Mary and Ed Joyce to Greenbank on their way home. Called on
John Lee.
7 – Pretty cold and clear. Frank and Russell Watson’s sale. Did
not go. At prayer meeting with Jennie. Rather small turnout. Mr.
Keith leader.
128
8 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with 20
bags of oats to be ground and brought home some coal. Mr. and
Mrs. Alex Gordon here in the evening making up church report.
9 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for the
meal. About 3 pm Herb Bratley came and stayed about an hour
when he went down to John Michie’s. At 6 Tom Black came,
bringing with him Thomas Foster of Manitoba. They stayed all
night.
10 – Some rough with several snow flurries and getting colder.
Tom Black and Tom Foster left about 10 am for Greenbank. Tom
B. came back for dinner and left for home about 2. Jennie drove
up to Greenbank while I went to W. Luke’s.
11 – A very fine day but cold. At SS and church (with buggy) with
Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (124 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. At
CE with Jennie, a good turnout. G.A. McMillan and Ethel Miller
leaders.
12 – A very fine day and thawing a little. Drawing out manure
most of the day. At joint congregational meeting of Wick and
Greenbank to consider the manse question. Question not settled
but put off until next Monday evening. Jennie was also there. Got
home near 12 o’clock.
13 – A very fine, almost spring-like day. Drawing out manure.
Jennie, Annie, Willie and James visiting at Mrs. Mark’s in the
afternoon.
14 – A little snow most of the day but not enough for sleighing.
Pretty cold. Did very little but the chores. W. Oliver’s sale, did
not go.
15 – 10 below zero in the morning, clear with wind N. Jenny went
to W.F.M.S. meeting at W.H. Leask’s. At John Michie’s in the
evening singing.
16 – A very fine clear day and not very cold. Drew out manure in
the forenoon. At W. Luke’s in the afternoon. Herb Bratley here
for tea.
17 – A beautiful day and mild. Drawing out manure most of the
day and in the evening went to the Sons of Temperance Division,
the first time for a long while. About 20 present.
18 – A very fine day, a little snow in the evening. At church and
SS with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (133 at SS). Mr. Keith
preached on parents duty to their children.
19 – A beautiful clear day and thawing a little. Drew up the last of
the wood from lot in Luke’s swamp. At congregational meeting
about the manse, not many out. Made Wick an offer as to building
new manse. Afterwards went to oyster supper at Joseph Burton’s.
Jennie there also.
20 – A fine day and thawing a little, rain towards night, and mud
getting deep. Went to Port Perry in the morning with Annie and
Willie. In the evening went with Jennie to oyster supper at W.
Wallace’s at Greenbank. Church managers and wives were the
principal guests.
21 – A mild day and a little rain. After dinner started for Alex
Lee’s with Jennie, Annie and James but the roads were so bad with
mud that we did not go further than Greenbank and visited at Mrs.
Walker’s and John Lee’s. Oyster supper at A. Akhurst’s tonight
but did not get a bid.
22 – Froze a little in the morning but as muddy again towards
night. Jennie and little Willie drove me down to Port Perry in the
morning and I went by train to Whitby to see Margaret about sign-
ing deed of Mara place. Got there at 1:30 and came home by the
5:30 train. Aunt Janet met me at Port Perry.
23 – A little frost in the morning but very mild all day. Sawing
and splitting wood most of the day.
24 – A very warm spring-like day. Splitting wood most of the day.
In the evening went to S. of T., there were 10 new members in-
ducted: Alex Gordon; Vida Cragg; Maggie, Mary and Allie Dusty;
Willie and May Petty; Eva Luke; Ed Lyle and Miss [Parish?]. The
Rev. Mr. Brace30
was present. A very dark night and muddy.
25 – A dull day with some rain about noon. At SS and church with
Jennie, Annie and Willie (105 at SS). Rev. Mr. Keith preached an
extra good sermon. No CE as the roads are very bad and Rev. Mr.
Brace preaches to the S. of T. in the Methodist church tonight.
26 – Snow through the night but hardly enough to cover the
ground. Colder with high NW wind. Went up to see Ray Dusty
who has been laid up with sore leg. Found him a little better. Mr.
Town is moving into the Burton place today. Temperance lecture
tonight, did not go.
27 – About zero in the morning, clear day, with sharp N wind.
Started at 10:30 am with Jennie, Annie and Willie for Alex Lee’s.
Roads rough (had the buggy). Got dinner and got home again
about 5:30 pm.
28 – Below zero in the morning and quite a wind. Did little but the
chores. Went up to A. Gordon’s awhile in the afternoon. Only
Mrs. Gordon and the two youngest girls were in.
MAR. 1 – A fine bright day. At Port Perry market in the forenoon
with Jennie. Had the buggy, roads pretty rough. In the afternoon
went over to Jim Lee’s swamp to see about some wood. Jennie,
Annie and Willie visiting at Marshal O’Neill’s and Isaac O’Neill’s.
2 – A fine day but somewhat raw. At preparatory service in the
church. Rev. Mr. Pickover of Sunderland preached. John Carne-
gie received into membership. Aunt Janet was there also. At
John’s in the evening for a sing.
3 – Rain through the night. Cleaned out calf and pig pens in the
forenoon. Intention in the afternoon to go out to see what money
could be raised for the support of the Sunday School instead of an
anniversary but it started to rain from the SE. The rain froze as it
fell.
30
Rev. Adam P. Brace, 1860-1941, was field secre-
tary of the Sons of Temperance.
129
4 – Roads a little icy but not very cold. At communion with Jennie
at Greenbank. Mr. Keith conducted the service. There was the
smallest attendance I ever saw in the church I think. Very few from
Wick and a good many absent from our own. In the evening went
with Jennie to the CE but there was no meeting as there was a male
choir at the Methodist church.
5 – A fine day and thawing some. Went down to John Michie’s in
the forenoon with Annie and Willie. After dinner, with Jennie,
drove around to see supporters of Sunday School. Called at W.
Wallace’s; S. Dusty’s; Jim Blair’s; John Lee; R. Somerville; D.
McArthur; D. McDonald; John Stone; H. Love; Jas. Innis; and E.
Boe’s. Was pretty successful in getting the promise of money
instead of holding an anniversary.
6 – A very fine day and thawing in the afternoon which made it
some muddy. Went with sleigh in the morning to Jim Lee’s
swamp and drew out some wood into his lane. Snow nearly all
gone. In the afternoon went, with Jennie, Annie and Willie to
W.H. Leask’s. Left them there while I went on collecting for SS.
Called at Alex Leask’s but he was not at home, then to W. Tho-
mas’, then to Jas. McMillan’s and then back to Will Leask’s. Went
back to the woods where Marshall O’Neill’s sawmill is running,
then stayed to tea. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dobson were there also.
Called at C. Gordon’s on the way home. Got home about 8 pm.
7 – A fine day. Drew out the remainder of the wood from Jim
Lee’s swamp (3 ½ cords) in the forenoon. Making gate in the
afternoon. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for dinner and tea and Mrs. D.
Lyle here in the afternoon and for tea. In the evening went with
Aunt Janet to prayer meeting. Not a very good turnout, perhaps
somewhat on account of a party at R. Wallace’s. Mr. Keith leader.
An after meeting was held about an anniversary for the SS. It was
carried to have no anniversary as there is enough pledged to carry
the school. $109.50 to the present time.
8 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry market with Jennie ( a pretty
good market) and in the afternoon went to James Wallace’s sale.
Took Jennie and little James up to J.M. Real’s where she stayed
while I was away. Called in on my way home and got tea there.
When we got home Barbara and Willie Smith were here. They
stayed all night.
9 – A nice day. Barbara and Willie Smith left after dinner and
went down to John Michie’s. Went out to Port Perry in the after-
noon with 20 bags of oats to be ground and brought home 1580
lbs. of coal. Roads getting pretty muddy.
10 – Somewhat colder in the morning with quite a wind. Went up
to Alex Gordon’s in the forenoon, Annie and Willie going with me,
with a rooster. After dinner went to Port Perry for the meal. Took
Aunt Janet down to station on her way to Whitby for a two week
visit. Then went up to W. Luke’s. Mark’s Bros. called in the
forenoon and C. Sleep towards evening, both wanting to buy cattle.
Did not sell.
11 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie and Willie (116 at
SS), Mr. Keith preached a good sermon. Did not go to CE. Mrs.
Mark and Emma Black here awhile in the evening. Daisy cow
dropped a calf in the early morning.
12 – Quite a lot colder. Jennie washing. Went to Greenbank in the
afternoon on some little errands. Took down the decorations in SS
room.
13 – A fine day. James Lee called in the morning and I went with
him to his farm and helped him to start the bricking of his hog pen
floors. Got dinner at R. Cragg’s. Making a gate in the afternoon.
14 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon to see the vet about cow.
He came back (Coates) after dinner. W. [S---?], assessor, called
after dinner. Snow most of the afternoon.
15 – A fine day but colder. Did a few chores. Hung gate at NW
corner of woodshed. Mrs. Annie Gordon here for dinner and tea.
A. Butt called wanting to buy cattle. George Michie here for tea.
Drove Mrs. Gordon home in the evening.
16 – Snowing a little in the afternoon. Allan and Alma Black came
about 7 pm and got tea, then to party at John Michie’s. I went
down for awhile. Quite a lively crowd. Sandy McGregor the
horseman called.
17 – A fine day but pretty cold. Did little but the chores. Allan
and Alma Black left for home about 3 pm. At Greenbank in the
evening to the S. of T. Quite a number there, several from Sea-
grave. A pretty good program. The band was also there.
18 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie and Willie (115 at
SS), Mr. Keith preached. At CE, a fair turnout. Mrs. Jas. Leask
leader. Arch McMillan sang a piece.
19 – Snowing a little most of the day from the E, about the most
wintery day for some time. Mrs. Annie Gordon here all day.
Jennie washing. Wes Luke called in the forenoon to get buck saw
sharped.
20 – Somewhat rough and stormy. G. Michie, Arch McMillan,
Dave McMillan, G. Barret, and the Oliver family left for the north
west this morning. Went to Greenbank in the afternoon and called
at Jas. Innis’s, H. Love’s, J. Lee’s, W. Akhurst’s, and Mrs. Walker.
21- Snowing and storming off and on most of the day from the W
and SW. Did little but the chores. Did not go to prayer meeting as
it was pretty rough.
22 – Pretty cold and stormy, especially in the afternoon. Some
snow. Went to Port Perry market in the forenoon. Aunt Janet
came back from her two weeks visit to Whitby. Went up to S.
Dusty’s in the afternoon to see Ray and found him some better.
23 – A pretty cold day and some stormy in the afternoon. Went to
Greenbank in the afternoon and got Fly mare shod.
24 – Below zero in the morning but got warmer and bright. Went
to Port Perry in the morning and met Mrs. Mason and Kennedy.
Drew two very small loads of wood from Jim Lee’s place in the
afternoon. Drew it with the sleigh but there was very poor sleigh-
ing. Jennie and Mrs. Mason went down to Mrs. Mark’s in the
evening. Jim Dusty called in the morning and Tom Michie after
dinner.
130
25 – A fine day, thawing, which made the roads very muddy.
Jennie, Annie Mason, and Annie and Willie drove to church and
SS while I walked. (120 at SS). Annie Mason sang a solo, Mr.
Keith preached. Did not go to CE.
26 – Some frost in the morning but it soon started to thaw and
there was lots of mud. Drew out manure in the forenoon. In the
afternoon went with Jennie, Annie Mason, Kennedy Mason and
little Willie to Alex Gordon’s to an oyster supper at 5 pm. In the
evening went with Jennie and Annie Mason to John Michie’s for a
sing. Jim Lee was there also. Saw W. Mark for the first time since
he came home from New Jersey. A very dark and rainy night.
27 – Rain all forenoon and until about the middle of the afternoon
when it got some colder and there was enough snow to make the
ground white. Drove Annie Mason and Kennedy to Port Perry on
their way home. There was lots of mud on the roads and rain most
of the way. Tom Michie called in the forenoon. Party at D. Lyle’s
tonight.
28 – A little frost in the morning but it soon got warm and all the
bit of snow was gone by noon. Drew out manure until it got too
muddy. D. Lyle called, he was inviting us up to his place for tea
tomorrow.
29 – A little frost in the morning but soon muddy enough. Aunt
Janet and little Annie went to Greenbank in the morning. Cutting
wood in the forenoon. In the afternoon, with Jennie, went up to
Mr. D. Lyle’s for tea. Mr. and Mrs. W. Mark; Mr. and Mrs. Alex
Gordon; Mr. and Mrs. A. Akhurst, and Mrs. S. Dusty were also
there.
30 – A fine day and any amount of mud. Split wood and some
little chores. In the evening went to box social in the hall by the S.
of T. A full house and a good program, only too long. $15 taken
at the door besides the sale of the boxes. $36.00 in all.
31 – A fine day but pretty cold with high NE wind. Went to Port
Perry in the morning with Jennie and little Willie. S. Sleep called
in the evening and bought the 2 steers for 5 cts per lb, $1.00 rebate,
to go next Friday.
APR. 1 – A very fine clear day. At SS and church with Aunt
Janet, Annie and Willie (121 at SS). Rev. Mr. Keith preached. At
CE, a fair turnout. I had to lead in place of Jennie who was not
able to go on account of a cold. A beautiful night, roads improving
greatly.
2 – A beautiful day. Bagged up some oats in the forenoon and
took them to Port Perry in the afternoon to be ground and brought
home some coal. At church manager’s meeting in the evening.
W. Luke and Norman Lyle called in the forenoon and Jim Lee after
breakfast.
3 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning for the
meal. Went up to Alex Gordon’s after dinner and then scuffled the
raspberry bushes, the first in the way of work on the land that I
have seen this season. Tom Michie around shooting woodchucks.
4 – A fine day with high NW wind. At the raspberry bushes all
day. A little rain about noon.
5 – Went to Port Perry market in the forenoon with Jennie and
Annie (a big market). Annie got two teeth pulled. At berry bushes
in the afternoon. Started to snow about 4 pm and soon the ground
was covered.
6 – With John Michie’s help, took 2 steers to Seagrave, S. Sleep
being the buyer. They weighed 2275 lbs at 5 cts per lb, $1.00
rebate. Mr. S. says he will lose money on them. Jennie came after
us with the buggy. Mr. Town called wanting to get a [?] fixed.
Tom Michie called in the afternoon to say goodbye. He intends
starting for Edmonton tomorrow. Worked on the berry bushes
awhile in the afternoon.
7 – Did not do much but the chores as I was half sick with the cold.
Went up to A. Gordon’s in the afternoon. Snowing a little, some-
times raw.
8 – A fine day but somewhat raw. At SS and church with Jennie,
Annie and Willie (116 at SS). Took up collection in SS for the
Japan famine fund and got $8.34. Henry Roy and Cathleen Leask
sang, Rev. Mr. Keith preached. Roads not as good as last Sunday.
Did not get to CE.
9 – Rain nearly all day from the SE and very raw and disagreeable.
Made a pole gate to put between the house lane and the barnyard.
10 – A dull day and threatening rain most of the time. Went to
Greenbank in forenoon with the waggon, mud bad. Blake Cragg
and G. Till called about a debate in connection with the S. of T.
11 – A dull day and threatening rain in the forenoon. Cleaned out
calf and pig pens and some other little chores. Jennie drove to
Greenbank to W.F.M.S. She went around by John Michie’s and
took up Mrs. Mark. Roads very bad.
12 – A fine day and the land dried up a good deal. Went with
Jennie to Port Perry market in the forenoon. A big market, roads
very bad. Took the straw off the strawberry plants in the after-
noon. Feeling more like spring towards night. Heard the first
frogs of the season.
13 - Good Friday. A very fine bright day. Hung new gate between
house and barn in the forenoon. In the afternoon plowed a bit of
the orchard and then the potato and mangold land east of the or-
chard. I have not seen anyone else working on the land yet.
14 – Plowing until about 11 am when it started to rain and contin-
ued till about 2 pm. Plowed a while after that. Everything pretty
wet again.
15 – A little rain. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie
(116 at SS). Maggie McMillan sang a piece at SS. Rev. Mr.
Neville of the Methodist church preached. Mr. Keith preaches
tonight in the Methodist church. Did not go, roads very bad, worse
than last Sunday.
16 – Took off the storm windows and spread manure in the fore-
noon. Plowed strawberry ground in the afternoon. Jennie washing
and churning. Ed Luke here for dinner. He came for the plough
skimmer. G. Till and G. Mitchell called in the evening about de-
bate.
131
17 – A very fine spring day. Planted potatoes in the orchard in the
forenoon and planted raspberry bushes in the afternoon. Jennie
went to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail. Ed Lyle sowing,
the first that have heard of. John Michie brought back the cutting
box which they have had a long time.
18 – A very fine day, the warmest of the season. Cultivating most
of the day (not in any too good a state). At prayer meeting, rather a
small turnout. An after meeting consider a party on May 24, de-
cided to leave it to the managers. W. Akhurst here in the morning
for some berry bushes. Mrs. I. O’Neill and little girl wanting tur-
nips. A Mr. Lang came in the evening looking for work and stayed
all night.
19 – A fine warm day. Did some chores in the forenoon while
Jennie, Annie and Willie went to Port Perry market. Mrs. A.
Gordon Sr. here for dinner and the afternoon. Mrs. Mark called.
Sowed oats in the field north of the barn in the afternoon, the first
of the season.
20 – A very fine day, a little foggy in the morning. Sowing and
harrowing all day. Henry and Cathlene Leask came over with their
pony in the afternoon and two of R. Real’s boys to see about get-
ting some strawberry plants. News in the papers about the great
earthquake in San Francisco31
.
21 – Harrowing in the forenoon and sowing the field W of the barn
in the afternoon. A little rain between 10 and 12. Jennie making
garden. Nels Mitchell called taking orders for binder cord.
22 – Cooler. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie
(120 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. Maggie McMillan sang a solo.
Did not go to CE but with Jennie and Willie went down to see John
Michie who is laid up with sciatica. He was a little better. Raining
a little on our way home.
23 – Much cooler with high N wind, pretty raw. Went to Seagrave
in the forenoon with 4 pigs. They weighed 840 lbs., price $7.00
per hundred. Sowing and harrowing in the afternoon.
24 – Frost so hard that nothing could be done on the land. Spread
manure in the forenoon. Harrowed in the afternoon. Aunt Janet
and little Annie visiting at Gordon’s in the afternoon.
25 – A beautiful day. Gang plowing all day in the SW field. Aunt
Janet went up to S. Dusty’s in the evening with a letter. Jennie
making dress for Annie.
26 – A beautiful day. Gang plowing all day. Jennie making
clothes for Willie Cameron.
27 – A very fine day. Finished gang plowing in the forenoon and
went to Port Perry in the afternoon. Jennie sewing.
31
Earthquake of 7.9 magnitude struck San Francisco
and the northern California coast at 5:12 am on April
18. The damage and resulting fire are remembered as
one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the
United States.
28 – A beautiful day. Harrowed a little in the morning and then
sowing the SW field which finishes the sowing for the year. Jennie
washing windows and buggy. Pascoe Luke called in the afternoon
to see about boarding the men that are to fix the barn on the Luke
place.
29 – A nice day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie
(124 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. There was a little meeting of the
managers after when it was decided to have a lecture on May 24th
.
At CE, not many out. I was leader, the subject missions in Honan
[China]. A good deal of thunder and lightning in the evening but
no rain here.
30 – A very fine day. Harrowing all day which finishes seeding
except the rolling. Jennie house cleaning. Annie started this morn-
ing, for the first, at public school.
MAY 1 – A very fine day. Plowing in the orchard in the forenoon.
Jennie housecleaning. Isaac O’Neill came up for a bag of oats. In
the afternoon went with Jennie to the induction of Rev. Mr. Leitch
to Sonya church. There was a full house. Rev. Mr. McKecheren
preached. Rev. Mr. Wallace addressed the minister and Rev. Mr.
Peckover the congregation. Rev. Mr. Keith presided. Each did
their part well and everything went off first rate. Got tea in the
basement and started for home. Cooler on the way home.
2 – A thunder shower in the morning and again about 4 pm. Plow-
ing and harrowing in the orchard and the strawberry ground.
Jennie washing. P. Luke called to see about boarding the men
repairing the Luke barn. At prayer meeting with Jennie, a very
small turnout. Mr. Keith leader. Annie at school.
3 – Threatening and raining a little in the morning. Jennie and
Willie went to Port Perry market while I scuffled raspberry bushes.
Jas. Miller, who is working at Luke’s barn, here for dinner. Went
to Port Perry in the afternoon with 15 bags of oats to grind but did
not get it home. Jas. Miller, Jim Lee, R. Raines, A. McMillan and
Pascoe Luke here for supper. Jim Lee, A. McM. and P. Luke
stayed all night. Went down with Jennie to I. O’Neill’s in the
evening to see their little girl Irene who got hurt on the head today
with John Michie’s colt. She is doing well.
4 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning for the meal and
had to wait awhile for it. Fixing fences in the afternoon. Carpen-
ters at Luke’s barn here. Arbour day, no school.
5 – A fine day. Fixing fence in the forenoon. Drawing manure and
old rails in the afternoon. Jennie scrubbing. Luke’s barn carpen-
ters here for meals.
6 – A little rain in the morning but turned out a fine day. At SS
and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (119 at SS), Mr.
Keith preached. At CE with Jennie, a pretty good turnout. Jennie
was leader. Miss Bryan and Nellie McMillan sang a piece.
7 – A fine day but quite cool. Drawing out manure in the fore-
noon. In the afternoon at Luke’s barn raising. Jennie also over
helping. Went up without a hitch. G.D. McMillan called in the
evening. A. McMillan, Jas. Lee, and John McArthur here all night.
Annie at school. Miss Dollie Sonley of Pinedale called in the
afternoon.
132
8 – Pretty cold and raw. Started to rain a little about 5 pm. Jennie
went to Port Perry in the morning while I spread manure. Drew
out manure the rest of the day. Carpenters here for meals. Jim Lee
and John McArthur stayed all night. Annie at school.
9 – Drew out manure until rain came on about 10 am. Spread a
little manure and went with the rig to meet Annie at school. Rain
off and on all afternoon, quite cold and raw. Luke’s carpenters all
went home after dinner.
10 – Quite cold all day with a NW wind and very little growth so
far this spring. Drawing out manure all day and finished the job
which is the earliest on record as far as I can remember. Luke’s
barn men here for meals and Jim Lee and A. McMillan stayed all
night. Jennie putting in some garden stuff. Annie at school.
11 – Quite a hard frost in the morning but warmed up a little.
Helping Pascoe Luke to make 2 gates (Norman Lyle also helping)
and afterwards spread manure. Willie Smith came about 10 am
and left for home again about 4. He was after strawberry plants.
Annie at school. At prayer meeting with John McArthur, a fair
turnout. Mr. Keith gave an address. G.A. McMillan opened. Car-
penters at Luke’s barn got meals here. John McArthur, Jim Lee
and A. McMillan stayed all night.
12 – Quite a bit of thunder and two or three small showers during
the day with high wind and lots of dust. Helping P. Luke in the
forenoon to hang gates. Plowing root land in the afternoon.
Luke’s barn carpenters here for meals. In the evening went to
Greenbank to the S. of T. (E. Lyle rode up with me), the principal
thing being a debate between Greenbank and Prince Albert. The
subject was the comparative evils of tobacco and liquor. There
was a good turnout, some being there from Prince Albert, Port
Perry, Scugog and Seagrave divisions.
13 – Rain through the night and a drizzle most of the forenoon
which is just what is needed. Things are beginning to grow a little.
At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (106 at SS), Mr.
Keith preached. Did not go to CE. A very fine evening.
14 – Some raw in the morning but got warm and a very fine day.
Harrowed mangold ground in the forenoon and drilled it up in the
afternoon. John Love called for two bags of oats. Mrs. Isaac
O’Neill also called. Annie at school. Luke’s barn carpenters here
for meals. They go to M. O’Neill’s tomorrow as the supply of
shingles has run short.
15 – A very fine warm growing day. Went to Greenbank in the
morning and took Annie to school, then sowed the mangolds.
Planted strawberry plants in the afternoon. Jennie digging plants.
Two Scotch cloth pedlars called and we got cloth for a suit of
clothes and a dress for Jennie.
16 – Quite warm. About 2 pm a thunder storm came up with
heavy hail. Then it came a second time, also with hail, which
drenched things pretty well. Went up to the school for Annie.
Luke’s barn carpenters left after the rain as there is no material. At
prayer meeting, rather a small turnout, Mr. Keith leader. Donald
Ianson married.
17 – Quite warm. A good deal of thunder during the afternoon and
a shower about 3. At Port Perry in the forenoon with Jennie.
Plowing and harrowing in the orchard in the afternoon. Annie at
school. W. Luke called.
18 – About 2 am Willie got very restless and in a high fever and
we decided to call the Dr. So I went to W. Real’s to call him up
but the telephone would not work so I had to drive to Port Perry.
A beautiful morning. Dr. D. Archer got here about 6 am and he
thinks Willie will be all right in a day or two. He was pretty sick in
the forenoon but much better towards night. Planting strawberries
alone most of the day. Thunder all the afternoon with a big shower
about 2:30. Annie at school.
19 – A good deal cooler and a fine day. Plowing root land in the
forenoon and planting strawberry plants in the afternoon, Jennie
helping a little while. Luke’s barn carpenters got meals here. T.
Rundle died.
20 – A very fine day and somewhat cool. At SS and church with
Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (126 at SS). The church service was
special. It was expected that Rev. Mr. Peckover of Sunderland
would preach but he could not come. Mr. Keith preached, a full
house. At church service again in the evening with Jennie. Mr.
Keith again preached with a full house. A union choir, Methodist
and Presbyterian, at each service.
21 – A very fine day. Plowing corn land in the forenoon. Sowed
flax seed in the orchard after dinner and then harrowed corn
ground. P. Luke called in the forenoon to settle up about the car-
penters (who have been at the barn) board. They finished the job
except the grainery which is to be done at a later time.
22 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning. Drilled
up for potatoes in the afternoon. Jennie picking over potatoes.
Mrs. Isaac O’Neill called. Annie at school. In the evening went
with G.A. McMillan to the manse at Wick to see about a new
cistern. Met the Wick managers and decided to put in new cistern.
23 – Rain with thunder and lightning through the night. Went to
Greenbank for the beef in the morning taking Annie to school, and
planted the potatoes in the field east of the orchard. Ethel Bratley
came about 7 pm. She came to Port Perry by train and wheeled out
from there. A pretty warm day. Jennie washing.
24 – A very fine day and quite warm. Plowed and planted the little
plot beside the barn pump (in corn) and planted some corn in the
orchard. In the evening went with Aunt Janet to a lecture in the
church by Rev. Mr. Silcox of Toronto. The lecture was good but
the attendance very small. Annie Rennie and Miss Bowes of Lind-
say sang. Proceeds about $24.00.
25 – Very warm day. Harrowed corn land in the forenoon and
rolled it in the afternoon. A thunder shower came up about 3 and it
rained off and on the rest of the day. Jennie whitewashing the
cellar. She drove up to meet Annie on her way home from school.
Ethel Bratley left for home. Apple trees are now out in blossom
which is pretty plentiful.
133
26 – Somewhat dull day. Thunder in the afternoon but no rain
here. Cooler towards night. Drilled up and planted horse corn.
Jennie cleaning pantry. Mrs. I. O’Neill, with Clarence and Irene,
here in the forenoon for a bag of oats and some strawberry plants.
27 – Quite cool with east wind. At church and SS with Jennie,
Annie and Willie (116 at SS). Mr. Keith preached an excellent
sermon from the 7th
commandment. At CE with Aunt Janet, a fair
turnout, Annie McMillan and I were leaders.
28 – Rain a little in the morning. Annie did not go to school.
Went to Port Perry with Jennie in the forenoon and in the afternoon
with Jennie scraped the whitewash off the kitchen walls. Mrs. I.
O’Neill and Mabel Gordon here for strawberry plants. A very fine
evening.
29 – A fine day and pretty cool. Jennie went to Greenbank in the
morning and took Annie to school. At D. Lyle’s in the forenoon
helping to make two gates. Whitewashing the ceiling of the
kitchen in the afternoon. Went down with Jennie to Isaac
O’Neill’s in the evening and bought a cow for $45.00. A very fine
evening but pretty cool.
30 – A very fine day. Went down to I. O’Neill’s in the morning
and brought home the cow that we bought last night, then rolled
the rest of the forenoon. In the afternoon helped Jennie to paper
the kitchen, the first time it was ever papered. At prayer meeting
in the evening, a fair turnout, Mr. Keith leader.
31 – A very fine cool day. Rolling oat fields all day (and finished).
Jennie finished papering kitchen. Mrs. I. O’Neill and boy and girl
here in the afternoon. Annie at school.
JUNE 1 – A beautiful day. Drilled up 24 turnip drills in the fore-
noon. Hugh Jack and Dan Boe called and --- the two dry cows. In
the afternoon went to the preparatory service in the church. Rev.
Mr. McEachrin of Leaskdale preached. G.D. McMillan and Laura
Golder were received by certificate. After the meeting went to
Port Perry for suit of clothes at D. Perkin’s but they were not
ready. Jennie washing and scrubbing. Annie at school.
2 – A very fine day. Sowed 24 drills of turnips and plowed in the
forenoon and in the afternoon scuffled strawberries, raspberries
and early potatoes while Jennie, Aunt Janet and little James went
to Port Perry. Jennie washed the buggy.
3 – A very fine day. At communion at Wick with Aunt Janet and
Annie. A fair turnout, Mr. Keith conducted the service. At church
in the evening at Greenbank with Jennie and Willie. Mr. Keith
preached, not a very large turnout.
4 – A very fine day. Plowing turnip land all day. Jennie house
cleaning. Annie at school.
5 – A fine day and pretty warm. Plowing turnip land until about
4:30 when a thunder storm came up but it only rained a few drops.
Jennie house cleaning. Annie at school.
6 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning then har-
rowed the corn and potatoes. Plowing turnip land in the afternoon.
Jennie papering sitting room. Annie at school. At prayer meeting,
16 present. An after meeting to arrange for SS picnic.
7 – A fine day. Thundering off and on all day. There was a nice
little shower between 11 and 12. Plowing turnip land all day and
finished. Jennie house cleaning and about finished I think. Annie
at school.
8 – A big thunder storm through the night and thunder off and on
during the day which finished with a terrific thunder storm be-
tween 9 and 10, raining hard while writing. Went to Port Perry in
the morning with 2 cows to Jack and Boe. Ned Lyle going also
with 1 cow. Jennie drove down for me. Methodist church confer-
ence in session at Port Perry now. Went to G. Lee’s after dinner
and then drew off some stones from turnip land. L. O’Neill called
for a bag of oats. Annie at school.
9 – Things pretty wet after the rain. Tried to harrow but it did not
work very well so I quit and put a new post in for the gate between
the house and barn. Harrowed turnip land in the afternoon. About
the middle of the afternoon I was called over to see three young
cattle of D. Lyle’s that had been killed by lightning last night.
They had been pasturing in Luke’s swamp (the farm being now
rented by Norman Lyle). W Luke was also called in to value the
cattle and we put them at $100.00. A. Graham, VS, was also there.
Finished hoeing the strawberry patch for the first time. Rain in the
evening.
10 – Rain through the night with lightning. At church and SS \with
Jennie, Annie and Willie. Raining a little when we started and
very threatening after we got there but not much rain. Only 63 at
SS, the smallest number for a long time. Only 3 of the teachers
present. Rev. Joseph Real preached, Mr. Keith being away at the
assembly at London. Rev. R.H. Leitch was also present. Did not
go out at night. Much cooler.
11 – A fine day and cooler. Got up at 4 am and Aunt Janet drove
Jennie, Willie and I to Port Perry where we took train for Port
Hope. Got there about 10 and got dinner at Fred Patton’s. Found
Mrs. Bell pretty helpless but not looking quite as bad as we ex-
pected. Strolled around the town with Fred and in the evening he
drove us out to P. Sleemons. Stayed there all night. Mrs. Gordon
here all night.
12 – Frost in the morning but a very fine day. Bella Sleemon
drove us in to town and drove Willie and I around the town. Got
dinner at Patton’s and then started for home. Aunt Janet met us at
Port Perry. Got home about 7. Mrs. Mark here in the evening.
13 – A very fine day. Harrowing and gang plowing turnip land.
Annie at school. At prayer meeting, not very large turnout, Mr.
Boe leader.
14 – A fine day and pretty warm. Scuffled mangolds in the fore-
noon while Aunt Janet went to Port Perry market. In the afternoon
sowed some buckwheat in the SW corner of the SW field. Used
Lyle’s seeder. In the evening went with Jennie to hunt up berry
pickers. Got the first ripe berries today. Annie at school.
134
15 – A fine day and pretty warm. Harrowed and rolled the turnip
land and then drilled up some. In the evening went with D. Lyle
and W. Luke to Jas. Monroe’s to make a declaration about Mr.
Lyle’s cattle that were killed by lightning. Annie at school.
16 – A fine day, warm, a little rain in the evening. Drilled up
turnips in the forenoon and sowed them after dinner. At Green-
bank in the evening with Jennie. Started to go to see Roy McDon-
ald but did not go further than Greenbank. Planted Eddorside
potatoes, 1 lb. cost $1.00 and 25 cts freight, 8 potatoes. Mrs. R.
Cragg called for some eggs to set.
17 – Rain through the night and a little drizzle most of the day
except awhile from 9 to 1. At SS and church with Aunt Janet,
Annie and Willie (118 at SS). Mr. Keith preached, he gave a re-
port of the assembly meeting at London which he attended. Did
not go out in the evening. Rev. P. Nevill, the pastor of the Meth-
odist church, preached.
18 – Dull and threatening rain from the east in the morning but did
not come to much. Scuffling corn, strawberries and potatoes and
then hoeing mangolds. Annie did not go to school on account of
the threatening weather. Mr. and Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. called after
dinner. Jennie washing in the forenoon and went to Port Perry in
the afternoon. Had strawberries for supper.
19 – A fine day. Hoeing mangolds all day and finished. Jennie
baking for picnic. Annie at school. Mr. Isaac O’Neill called for
bag of oats.
20 – A dull day. Drilling up for turnips in the forenoon. In the
afternoon went with Jennie, Annie and Willie at Sunday School
picnic at Haddon’s bush on the town line. Wick, Saintfield and
Greenbank Presbyterian in it. There was a good turnout and it
went off very well. Layton band gave music. A tug of war be-
tween Greenbank and Wick resulted in a victory for Wick. We got
a big rain on the way home. Old Mrs. Dusty was buried today.
21 – A fine day. A thunder shower went round about 4 pm but no
rain here. Went to Greenbank in the morning to get some staples
for wire fence and took Annie to school. Aunt Janet went to mar-
ket at Port Perry and took out 16 boxes of strawberries, the first of
the season for us. Finished drilling and sowing the turnips. Mrs.
A. Gordon Sr. and Mrs. Jas. Allan here for dinner. Went over to R.
Monroe’s after supper for fence wire.
22 – A nice day, two or three little rain showers and quite cool.
Scuffled some and helped Hugh Monroe to put up wire fence on W
side of lane from the house to the barn, the first wire fence put up
on the place. He did not have wire enough to finish so he went to
G. Real’s to finish some he is putting up for him. W. Akhurst
called in the forenoon. Annie at school. Jennie picked some
strawberries.
23 – Rain about 10 and a big shower about 3. Picked strawberries,
scuffled mangolds and hoed. Mended baby carriage. Aunt Janet
went to Port Perry with 50 boxes of berries. Mrs. A. Gordon Sr.
here for dinner and the afternoon getting a skirt made. Went to
Seagrave in the evening for berry boxes.
24 – A fine cool day, no rain. At church and SS with Jennie, An-
nie and Willie (122 at SS), Rev. Mr. Keith preached on Thou shalt
not steal. At CE with Aunt Janet, a fair turnout, G.D. McMillan
leader.
25 – A very fine day. Hoeing corn all day. Jennie picking berries.
W. Akhurst; Mrs. A. Gordon and Jennie Gordon; Mary, Allie and
Jim Dusty; Lillie O’Neill; Mabel, Gordon and Luella Cragg pick-
ing. They got done at noon. Jim Dusty went twice to Port Perry
with berries. E. Boe called for some berries.
26 – A very fine day. Hoeing corn and strawberries. Jim Dusty
scuffling most of the day. We pulled down the east lane fence
between the house and the barn. Silva Leask came over for some
berries. Mr. A. Akhurst and [Zetta?] called in the evening. Jennie
washing. Annie at school.
27 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Putting in posts for new
fence on east side of lane. W. Akhurst; Mary and Allie Dusty;
Mrs. A. and Jennie Gordon; Mabel Gordon; Luella Cragg; and S.
O’Neill picking berries in the forenoon. Jim Dusty went to Port
Perry and then to Greenbank with berries. At prayer meeting with
Jennie in the evening. Mr. Boe leader, not many out. S. Ontario
excursion to Guelph today.
28 – A very warm day. Went over to T. Dewey’s in the morning.
Spent most of the day making stone walk in the barn yard. Aunt
Janet went to Port Perry market. Annie at school. A thunder
shower came up between 3 and 4. Jennie drove up and met Annie.
Jim Lee; Bertha Till and Ethel Miller called in the evening for a
feed of strawberries. Mrs. W. Real and O. Luke also to see about
berries. Another big thunder storm in the evening.
29 – A warm close day. Thunder in the forenoon but no rain.
Picking strawberries. Jennie; Mrs. Gordon and Jennie Gordon;
Allie Dusty; Mrs. W. O’Neill at it. Jim Dusty came just before
dinner and took berries to Port Perry and then to Greenbank. Went
to J.M. Real’s barn raising in the afternoon. There was a large
number there. It went up all right. Was on the losing side, but it
was very close race. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Beare called in the eve-
ning for berries. Miss E. Baird and Maggie Blair called for berries.
Thunder storm between 8 and 9.
30 - Ernest Phair called about 8 am and brought the news that J.
M. Real’s barn that was raised yesterday was blown down by the
storm last evening. Hitched up and drove up, A. Akhurst going
with me. Helped them awhile to straighten the timber up. A quite
a few sticks broken. Jim Dusty took Fly to Greenbank and got
front shoes set. Picked strawberries with Jennie until dinner and a
little while after when rain came on very heavy which turned out to
be a north easter and continued nearly all afternoon. Jim Dusty
went to Seagrave for berry boxes and then took some berries up the
way of Greenbank. Mrs. R. Gregg; Britton and L. Love; Jennie
and Bessie Gordon called for berries. Jennie put up 19 jars of
berries.
JULY 1 – A fine day. No rain but pretty close. At SS with Jennie
and Willie (Annie stayed at home as she was not very well). 118 at
SS. A close of SS, all went over to the Methodist SS anniversary.
Mr. Keith, Mr. Hagen and Mr. [?] were the speakers. A good
crowd and good meeting. Jim Lee came home with us for tea. At
135
Methodist meeting again in the evening, a very full house. Mr.
McCombe preached. Margaret, who came to John Michie’s yes-
terday, came home with me from the meeting. George Bratley
came up from John’s.
2 – A very fine day. Picking strawberries in the forenoon. Jennie;
Alex Gordon; Mrs. Gordon; Jennie Gordon; W. Akhurst; Mrs. A.
Akhurst; Allie Dusty; Lewella Cragg; L. O’Neill; G. Bratley; Mr.
and Mrs. Les Lamb and two children helping, and near noon Tom
Black, Annie and little Jessie Black came. Picked about 300 in all.
Alex Lee came for some after dinner. He took Margaret to Green-
bank. Miss Gregg and Mrs. Jas. Ewen also called for berries. Tom
Black left for home about 6. In the evening went with Jennie to the
Methodist SS anniversary. A very full house. The Harmony Quar-
tet were the principal attraction. They took in about $260.00.
Margaret came home with us.
3 – Allie Dusty came down in the morning to tell us that Jim was
not coming, so I went to Port Perry with a case of berries. The
water over the 10th
concession nearly 2 feet deep at the deepest
place. Quite a heavy rain between 12 and 1. Jennie drove Marga-
ret and George B. to Port Perry on their way home. Scuffled man-
golds and part of the corn but it is too wet. After supper drove to
Port Perry (the 3rd
trip for the horse today) to meet Annie Elsie
Michie who came on the 8 o’clock train from Toronto. Got home
after 9. Rain after that.
4 – A fine day. A very heavy rain through the night. Went for the
beef in the morning with Willie. Then picked berries the rest of
the day. No pickers came but Mrs. Mark awhile in the afternoon.
Hugh Leask, Eva and Ned Luke, Jennie and Arthur Gordon, Mrs.
E. Ward, O. Luke and Maggie Dusty, Miss Lyle called for berries.
5 – A very fine day and cool. Hoed turnips in the forenoon. Aunt
Janet went to Port Perry market. Mrs. Gordon and Jennie Gordon
picking strawberries. Jim Dusty called, he is laid up with boil on
knee. In the afternoon went to J.M. Real’s barn raising (2nd
time)
which went up all right. Jennie and Annie E. drove up for me.
Mundo Perrin called, he is taking a load for his brother who is
moving to a farm on the 13th
of Reach. G.D. Nettie and Maggie
McMillan here in the evening. A very fine evening.
6 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie went to Port
Perry with Annie and Willie with a crate of berries for Port Hope.
Mr. A. Gordon and Allie Dusty picking. Mrs. Baird and son of
Manchester came for berries. Mr. W.H. Leask and Henry stayed
for dinner. George and Oscar Real; Mrs. E. Barret; Mrs. T. Phair
and Norman, all got berries and Mrs. and Mrs. Sephas Butt came in
the evening but did not get any. Anne E. Michie went down to
John’s in the afternoon. Mundo Perrin called and got dinner on his
way home from moving his brother Sam.
7 – Scuffled in the forenoon and hoed a little in the afternoon.
Thundered a good deal in the afternoon and a drizzle for awhile.
Annie E. came back from John’s. Jennie scrubbing etc.
8 – Pretty warm with a good deal of thunder and some rain.
Walked to SS while Aunt Janet, Annie E., Annie and Willie came
in the rig. Only 93 at SS. Mr. Williams of Prince Albert visited
the school in behalf of the SS association. A Mr. Barker, a retired
minister of Toronto, preached, Mr. Keith being away on his holi-
days.
9 – A fine day, some thunder in the afternoon but no rain here.
Paris greening potatoes in the forenoon and hoeing turnips in the
afternoon. Mrs. A. Gordon; Allie Dusty; Mabel Gordon; Mrs. G.
Lyle and boy; and Miss Mark picking berries. Jennie baking for
the women’s meeting. After dinner she went to Port Perry. Miss
Ada Butt called for berries. At church managers meeting in the
evening but there were only four there (John Lee, A. Akhurst, A.
Gordon and I) so no business was done.
10 – A very fine day. Some thunder but no rain here. Scuffling in
the forenoon. Mrs. Blair; Mrs. A. Gordon; Allie Dusty; Jessie
Michie and Annie E. Michie picking berries. In the afternoon the
W.F.M.S. met here also the 4 smaller SS classes, about 60 all told
and had quite a pleasant time as far as I could see.
11 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie washing.
Jessie Michie picked a pail of strawberries in the forenoon. Mrs.
W. Real called in the evening.
12 – A fine day and not too warm. Hoeing turnips most of the day.
Jessie Michie picking strawberries. In the forenoon Jennie at Port
Perry market. Aunt Janet went to Greenbank after dinner. Jennie
and Annie E. Michie visiting at Mrs. Phair’s. Orange celebration
at Beaverton. The Greenbank band attended.
13 – A fine day and pretty warm. Hoeing all day at mangolds (2nd
time) and berry bushes. Jennie Gordon called in the forenoon and
little Annie went home with her. Jennie, Anne E. and Willie visit-
ing at J. M. Real’s. Mrs. Gordon Sr. came down for dress pattern
but did not get it.
14 – A fine day and very warm. Hoeing and scuffling strawber-
ries. Jennie, Jessie and Annie E. Michie picking berries. Mrs.
Alex Gordon and Arthur called in the morning for some potatoes.
W. Real called in the evening for strawberries.
15 – A fine warm day, somewhat dull but no rain. At SS and
church with Jennie and Annie. Willie was not allowed to go as he
had some sore spots on him (113 at SS); Mr. Arnold, a Toronto
city missionary, preached.
16 – Hoeing turnips in the forenoon. R. Thompson’s son called
with binder twine. After dinner, with Jennie and little James, went
to Greenbank. Rain came on then and there was a nice shower.
Jennie and Annie E. went to Gordon’s for tea. Then in the eve-
ning, with Jennie and Annie E., went to Jas. McMillan’s. Got
home after 12.
17 – A very fine day and much cooler. Hoeing turnips in the fore-
noon and scuffling in the afternoon. Jennie, James and Annie E.
went to Greenbank in the evening for the mail. Hugh Monroe
called in the evening.
18 – A fine day. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon and helping John
Michie with his hay in the afternoon. Jennie and Annie E. at
prayer meeting.
136
19 – A fine day and pretty warm. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie
and Annie E. went to Port Perry market. Annie E. went down to
John Michie’s for the night.
20 – Rather dull all day, some thunder and a little rain in the fore-
noon and about 7 pm. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon and helping
John Michie with his hay in the afternoon. As we were at dinner
W. Kerr of Brooklin came bringing Mrs. Joseph Bell of Roland,
Manitoba, and her 3 children Jessie, Mabel and Willie.
21 – A very warm day. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon and fin-
ished 1st
time. Started to bug kill after dinner but a shower came
on and I worked at new stair in the barn. Annie E. visiting at Mr.
Dusty’s.
22 – A thunder storm in the early morning and a very warm day.
Walked to SS while Aunt Janet, Annie, Willie, Anne E. and Jessie
Bell drove in the buggy. (115 at SS). Mrs. Johnston and Maggie
McMillan sang a piece. Mr. Arnold preached. At church at Port
Perry with Jennie in the evening, G. Miller preached. Rather a wild
night on the way home but very little rain until later.
23 – A fine day and much cooler. Scuffled in the forenoon.
Jennie, with Jessie and Mabel Bell, drove Annie E. Michie to Port
Perry on her way home to Griswold. Cutting hay in the afternoon
with A. Akhurst’s mower. Jim Lee called in the evening.
24 – A fine cool day. Finished cutting hay and the old strawberry
patch. Raked out some hay after supper. Jennie and Mrs. J. Bell
and little Willie Bell visiting at John Lee’s.
25 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning with little
Willie. Drawing in hay, John Michie and W. Mark helping. Got in
9 loads in good shape. Mrs. W. Akhurst here in the afternoon.
26 – A very fine day. Drawing in hay in the forenoon, John Mi-
chie and Ed Lyle helping, got in 5 loads. In the afternoon raked
the field and with Jennie’s help got it in, 15 loads in all, without a
drop of rain and in fine order. Jennie and the children went to
Greenbank in the afternoon. The Baptist church have a social
tonight at Mrs. Jos. Watson’s. Albert Akhurst has a very sick
horse.
27 – A fine day and pretty warm. With Jennie’s help drew in the
hay on strawberry patch. Scuffled corn and turnips in the after-
noon. Mrs. W.H. Leask here in the morning for raspberries.
28 – A fine day. Hoeing all day principally at the corn. Jennie
drove Mrs. J. Bell and three children to the train at Port Perry on
their way back to Brooklin.
29 – At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie. A shower
came on just before we got there. J.A. Miller gave a few words
(only 92 present). Rev. R. Leask preached to rather a small con-
gregation. We had a hard job to get home in time to escape a terri-
fic thunderstorm. The lightning was fearful and the rain in deluge,
which did much damage to crops, a good part being as flat as if a
roller had gone over it.
30 – A very fine cool day. Crops looking pretty bad after the
storm. Moving and repairing fences in the forenoon and plowing
old strawberry patch in the afternoon. Jennie picking and preserv-
ing raspberries. D. Lyle is getting the north side of his barn shin-
gled today.
31 – A fine day and quite cool. Finished plowing strawberry
patch, harrowed it, finished scuffling turnips 2nd
time, and hoed
turnips. Jennie washing. Port Perry firemen’s excursion to Niag-
ara Falls today. We talked of going but that was all it amounted to.
A threshing machine heard between here and Greenbank, the first
of the season.
AUG. 1 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips, 2nd
time, all day. Mr.
Henders called buying early apples. Mrs. Jas. Miller and James A.
Miller called and took tea. Little James pretty sick with chicken
pox.
2 – A fine day. Finished hoeing turnips in the forenoon while
Jennie and Aunt Janet went to Port Perry market. They took little
James to the Dr. but he pronounced it only chicken pox and noth-
ing serious. In the afternoon took 8 bags of oats to mill at Port
Perry to grind. Annie and Willie went with me.
3 – A very fine day. Working all day at new stair in stable.
4 – A very fine day. Hoeing all day at strawberries and other
things. Got the hoeing pretty well up. Jennie picking and preserv-
ing berries.
5 – A very warm day, the most oppressive this season I think. A
little thunder shower about 5 pm. At SS and church with Aunt
Janet, Annie and Willie (109 at SS); a special collection to make
up the $50 for Knox College Student Missionary Society,
amounted to $22.47, more than enough to make up the balance.
Mr. Keith preached on ‘thou shalt not bear false witness’. Miss
Forfar was present.
6 – A very fine day and much cooler. Did a number of small jobs.
About 1 pm John [Heslop?] of Whitby with his wife and two little
girls came and stayed about 2 ½ hours. They were on their way to
visit friends in Mariposa. D. Lyle cutting alsake clover.
7 – A fine cool day. Rigging up the binder in the forenoon and in
the afternoon with Jennie, Annie and Willie went to Port Perry and
then on to Manchester to see Uncle who has been in bed 7 months.
He is a little better today but not able to be out of bed. Came home
by Prince Albert. Went down to John’s in the evening to see about
help to cut. Miss Forfar was there.
8 – A fine day. Rigged up binder and other jobs in the forenoon
and in the afternoon cut part of the field N of the barn, John Michie
helping with horse. Pretty bad cutting as it is down badly. About
8 pm Mrs. Joyce of Sutton and Mrs. John Foster of Manitoba and
boy came. It is about 32 years since she was here.
9 – A fine day and pretty warm. Went to Port Perry in the morning
for some repairs for binder and took Mrs. Foster down to Charles
Taylor’s for a visit. After putting the repairs on cut a very little
before dinner. After dinner cut the rest of the field north of the
barn, John Michie helping. Mrs. Joyce and Mrs. Foster at Mrs.
Mark’s for tea. In the evening took them to Greenbank and stayed
to the annual band concert at R. Flewell’s. There was a fair turnout
137
but not quite as many as last year I think. Mr. Pearce (I think his
name is) and the Uxbridge band gave the programme which was
fair. Sale of tickets $62.75. A dark night and raining a little on the
way home.
10 – A great rain through the night which soaked things well.
Some rain in the forenoon and thunder all day. Did some tinkering
jobs and shocked up some oats.
11 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with Jennie and
little Willie and brought Emma Black home with us. In the after-
noon went over to M. O’Neill’s and helped them to lay the founda-
tion of the new barn. Emma Black went with me. Called first at
R. Monroe’s who is very ill and not expected to last long. In the
evening went to S. of T., the question of selling the sheds and
grounds being up. It was decided not to sell.
12 – A very fine day and quite cool. At SS and church with Jennie,
Annie and Willie (117 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. His subject was
the 10th
commandment. In the evening went to church at Port
Perry, Mr. Cooper preached. A beautiful evening.
13 – A very fine day and cool. Hoeing some in the forenoon and
helping John Michie with his oats in the afternoon. Jennie, Annie
and Willie at Port Perry in the afternoon.
14 – A fine cool day. Hoeing strawberries in the forenoon. Cut-
ting oats in the afternoon, John Michie helping. Had a bad stom-
ach ache in the afternoon and evening.
15 – A fine day. Jennie, with Annie and Willie, went for the beef.
Cutting oats, John Michie helping. Cutting bad owing to grain
being lodged. Jennie walked to W.F.M.S. meeting at W. Wal-
lace’s. Jew Turner called and got some hens. L. O’Neill called
asking hands for barn raising tomorrow. [margin note – Willa Bell
married today at Winnipeg].
16 – A very fine day. Cutting oats, John Michie helping, in the
forenoon. Cut until about 4 when, with Jennie and Willie, went to
Marshall O’Neill’s barn raising. Got home again about 9. Went
up all right, the only one hurt was J.M. Real who got his leg cut
with an adze. Aunt Janet, Annie and little James at Alex Gordon’s.
17 – A fine day but pretty close and warm. John Michie came up
and we finished cutting at 10. Then cut with the scythe some
places that were missed. After 5 went to Port Perry with Jennie,
Willie and James. Brought Jessie Bell’s trunk home. Aunt Janet
and Annie at party at Albert Akhurst’s.
18 – A fine day and pretty warm. Cutting flax in the orchard with
the scythe in the forenoon. Emma Black here for dinner. She left
after dinner for Port Perry on her way home. In the afternoon, with
Jennie’s help, drew in 6 loads of oats.
19 – A fine day and very warm. At SS and church with Aunt
Janet, Annie and Willie (113 at SS), Rev. Mr. McEachrin of
Leaskdale preached.
20 – Pretty warm, a good deal of thunder and a little rain about 4
but not enough to stop drawing in. Drawing in most of the day
with Jennie’s help. Annie at school, the first since holidays. Isaac
O’Neill here in the morning for some binder twine. He says he has
the biggest crop that ever he saw.
21 – A very warm day. Drawing in oats all day with Jennie’s help.
Annie at school.
22 – Another scorching hot day, a very heavy dew in the morning.
Drawing in oats, Jennie helping, until about 3 pm when a thunder
shower came on enough to stop drawing. Annie at school.
23 – Very warm in the forenoon but much cooler towards night.
Raking stubble until about 4 pm when, with Jennie’s help, drew in
some oats. Jennie and Willie at Port Perry market with chickens,
butter and eggs. Annie at school. D. Lyle threshing in the after-
noon.
24 – A fine day and quite cool. Drawing in oats with Jennie’s help
and finished harvest except some rakings.
25 – A fine day and cool. Before I got out of bed Wes Luke came
for me to help stack oats. Was there all day. Wes Real and
Gordon Lang also helping.
26 – A fine day and pretty warm. At SS and church with Jennie,
Annie and Willie (105 at SS), Rev. Mr. Keith preached. In the
evening, with Jennie, drove to R. Monroe’s to ask for him and
found him a little better. Then we went to church at Seagrave,
Rev. Mr. Young preached. A beautiful night.
27 – Rain through the night and a little after daylight. Drove An-
nie to school and a few other chores in the forenoon. In the after-
noon finished raking stubble and then drew it in which finishes the
harvest for 1906. Tom Dewey’s barn and contents were burned
down. It was caused by a spark from Allan Goode’s threshing
machine. Went over in the evening to see the ruins and a hard
looking sight it was.
28 – A very fine day. Finished cutting flax in the orchard in the
forenoon and in the afternoon, with Jennie’s help, pumped and
cleaned out the well at the house. Annie at school. A tramp called
in the morning.
29 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. Annie at
school. Made a call at Isaac O’Neill’s in the evening.
30 – A very fine cool day. Helping D. Lyle with team and waggon
to draw in oats. Went to Port Perry to meet the 8 o’clock train
expecting Jessie Bell but she was not there. Annie at school.
31 – A fine day and cool with high wind in the afternoon. Plowing
in the forenoon. Isaac O’Neill came up for the lend of the horse
rake. In the afternoon went with Jennie and little James to prepara-
tory service in the church. Rev. Mr. Cooper of Port Perry
preached. We got James baptized. Annie at school. After supper
Jennie went to Port Perry and met Jessie Bell on her way out, she
had come on the 6 o’clock train.
SEPT. 1 - A fine clear and cool day. Plowing most of the day.
After dinner, with Jennie’s help, drew in flax in the orchard. Went
down to John Michie’s in the evening. Jessie Bell dressing An-
nie’s new doll.
138
2 – A pretty warm day. Some thunder and a little rain in the eve-
ning. At communion at Greenbank in the evening with Jennie, a
fair turnout, Mr. Keith conducted the services. After dinner went
to the Methodist SS, 95 present.
3 – Rain through the night. Jennie went up to Gordon’s in the
morning for their sewing machine. Plowing the rest of the day.
Jennie Gordon here for tea. Labor day.
4 – A very fine day and pretty cold in the morning. Jennie and
Jessie drove me to Port Perry and I went to the fair at Toronto.
Spent all the time until about 10 pm on the grounds. Saw the fire-
works and stayed all night at Annie Mason’s. Barbara and Willie
Smith and Annie and Emma Black were there also. Jennie went to
the Dr. for James.
5 – A very fine day. Spent the day until about 4 at the fair. Jennie,
Annie and Willie met me at Port Perry. Jennie went for the beef in
the morning. Annie at school.
6 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Annie at school.
7 – A fine day and pretty warm. Plowing until supper, then scuf-
fled strawberry patch. Jennie washing.
8 – A very warm day. Hoeing strawberries nearly all day. Jennie
sewing.
9 – A very warm day. At SS and church. Aunt Janet, Jennie,
Annie and Willie drove and I walked (107 at SS). Mr. Keith
preached. Did not go out in the evening.
10 – Another warm day. Spent all forenoon at Greenbank getting 2
shoes on Fly. Cutting buckwheat in the afternoon. Jennie and
Jessie Bell at Gordon’s for tea and the evening. Annie at school.
11 – A fine day and pretty warm. Went with Alex Gordon collect-
ing funds for repairing the Temperance Hall shed. Drove all day,
got dinner at D. Whalen’s and supper at S. Dusty’s, then went to
meeting at church to consider the question of forming guild or
something of that sort. Not a very large turnout but the sentiment
was in favour of doing something of that kind. Jennie at Port Perry
in the afternoon. Annie at school. Eva Leask came home with her
and stayed all night.
12 – Another very warm day. Went up as far as Petties in the
morning (taking Annie and Eva Luke on their way to school) to see
W.H. Leask about cutting corn. He came about 10 with his corn
cutter and finished a little after dinner. Cut some of the buckwheat
and in the evening went to a meeting of the church session and did
not get home until near 12. Mrs. Mark, Mrs. W. O’Neill and little
Willie O’Neill here for tea. Annie at school.
13 – Warm in the forenoon. A big thunder shower about 1 pm and
two smaller showers later and was very welcome as things were
pretty dry. In the morning drove Jennie, Willie, little James and
Jessie Bell to the morning train at Port Perry on their way to New-
castle. Then drew off some corn. Cleaning up the grainery and
some other little jobs in the afternoon. Went over to Phair’s and
Cragg’s in the evening to collect for repairing hall shed. Much
cooler. Annie at school.
14 – Much cooler. Finished cutting buckwheat in the forenoon and
finished drawing of corn in the afternoon. At John Michie’s in the
evening.
15 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Annie down at John Michie’s in
the afternoon. Went to S. of T. in the evening to report about col-
lecting for shed repairs.
16 – A very fine cool day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet and
Annie (100 at SS). Rev. Mr. Campbell of Quaker Hill preached.
Went to church at Port Perry in the evening with Aunt Janet and
Annie, Mr. Cooper preached.
17 – A fine day and pretty warm. Plowing most of the day. Went
over to W. Leask’s in the evening but did not succeed in my mis-
sion on account of G.A. being away at Whitby. Annie at school.
18 – A very warm day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for
Jennie, Willie and James and Jessie Bell on their way back from
Newcastle. Plowing in the afternoon. Annie at school.
19 – Another very warm day. Plowing in the forenoon. In the
afternoon, with Jennie’s help, drew in two little loads of buck-
wheat. After supper Jennie took Jessie Bell’s trunk to Port Perry.
Annie at school.
20 – Drove Jessie Bell to Port Perry in the morning on her way to
Rochester. Aunt Janet and Annie also went by train to Brooklin to
see Mrs. Jas. Bell before she left for Manitoba. Plowed until about
4:30. Got supper and drove to Port Perry to meet Aunt Janet and
Annie. Started to rain when about half way there and a big rain it
was. Had to wait at Port Perry quite awhile and then it drizzled
most of the way home.
21 – Another hot day. Plowing all day. At prayer meeting with
Jennie in the evening, Mr. Keith leader.
22 – Heavy rain through the night and again about 3:30 pm and
again at 6. Plowing until the rain came. Went over to W.H.
Leask’s in the evening and he and I went over to G. A. McMillan’s
and talked over the trouble between them. They agreed to drop the
trouble and be friends again. A lame man here for dinner.
23 – A good deal cooler. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and
Willie (107 at SS), Mr. Keith preached and extra good sermon. A
little committee meeting after to nominate officers for the newly
formed guild. In the evening went with Aunt Janet to the Method-
ist church at Greenbank. Mr. Honey preached a special sermon to
the S. of T. which turned out fairly well.
24 – A very fine cool day, quite a frost in the morning. Went up to
D. Lyle’s in the morning and got the loan of 4 bags of oats. Plow-
ing in the forenoon. In the afternoon, with Jennie’s help, drew in
the last load of buckwheat. Went down to John Michie’s in the
evening for a sing. Annie at school.
25 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes all day, Jennie helping.
Not a very heavy crop but clean and scarcely any rotten. Mrs.
Mark here in the afternoon picking up fallen apples. At W. Luke’s
in the evening settling up about beef.
139
26 – At potatoes, Jennie helping. Rain about 10:30. About the
middle of the afternoon went to help A. Akhurst thresh, Allan
Goode’s machine. At guild meeting in the evening with Jennie. A
very heavy rain during the meeting. Not a very large turnout.
Elected officers: G.D. McMillan, president. Beef ring meeting.
Annie not at school today.
27 – A very fine day. Threshing at A. Akhurst’s until about 3:30,
then at Norman Lyle’s. Jennie and little Willie at Port Perry mar-
ket. Annie at school. Jennie, Annie and Willie at O’Neill’s for
tomatoes. Down to John Michie’s in the evening having a sing.
28 – A fine day. Threshing at Norman Lyle’s and finished about 4
pm. They then moved (A. Goode) to Whetter’s. Scuffled the
strawberries. Annie at school.
29 – Rain in the morning. Plowed until about 11 when rain started
again and continued off and on all day. At Division S. of T. in the
evening. 48 years tonight since division was organized.
30 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church. This being rally
day, there were 142 present. Among the visitors being R. Cragg,
super of Methodist SS; W. Luke, ex super.; Jas. Monroe, super of
Bethel SS, each of which gave a short address. Solos were given
by Jewell Love (first time); R. [Mintron?] (1st
time); and Harry
Leask. It was children’s day in the church. Mr. Keith gave the
address. In the evening, with Jennie, Annie and Willie, went to see
Maggie Blair who is just home after being in Toronto hospital for 5
weeks. Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Leask were also there. A very fine
clear night.
OCT. 1 – A fine day, frost in the morning. Threshing at R.
Cragg’s. Started about 9 and finished at 5:30. At church managers
meeting in the evening. Jessie Michie here helping Jennie to pick
the Snow apples.
2 – A very fine day. Threshing all day at Mrs. Phair’s. Jennie
finished picking Snow apples. Annie at school. The new Method-
ist minister came to town today. They are having a reception to-
night.
3 – A very fine day. Threshing at Mrs. Phair’s until about 3:30
when they moved to John Michie’s and had a short run. Annie at
school. At guild meeting in the evening with Aunt Janet. A fair
turnout.. Jennie at W.F.M.S. at the church.
4 – Rather dull and started to rain a little about 4:30 and continued
all the evening. Threshing at John Michie’s until 4 and finished.
Threshers then went to C. Gordon’s. Jennie and Willie at Port
Perry market. Annie at school. Aunt Janet and little James at S.
Dusty’s in the afternoon.
5 – Rather dull in the morning but brightened up. Finished plow-
ing SW field and then harrowed field W of house. Annie at school.
Two men packing Snow apples in the afternoon.
6 – Went to Port Perry in the morning with 8 barrels of Snow ap-
ples. A drizzling rain from the NE nearly all the way. In the after-
noon went to help D. Lyle thresh but only worked about an hour as
the rain came on too heavy and continued most of the afternoon.
Annie and Willie up to Gordon’s in the forenoon.
7 – Quite cold day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and
Willie (113 at SS). Mr. Keith preached. Quite a number went over
to the Methodist SS rally day.
8 – A fine day, somewhat dull. Threshing at D. Lyle’s until about
1:30 then they came here. J. Roach, G. Welch and R. Wallace are
the threshers (A. Goode’s machine). Jennie and Willie at Port
Perry in the forenoon. D. Campbell of Port Perry died last night.
Annie at school.
9 – A very heavy rain through the night. Started to thresh but only
threshed 15 minutes when the rain came on heavy and had to quit.
Started again at 9 and finished about 2, about 8 hours in all. They
then moved to A. Gordon’s. Annie did not go to school.
10 – A fine day but rather cold, frost in the morning. Went to Port
Perry in the morning with 20 bags to get ground and got it home
with me. Harrowing in the afternoon. Jennie picking apples.
Annie at school. At guild meeting in the evening with Jennie, a
fair turnout, Mr. Keith leader.
11 – Pretty cold, a very little snow, the ridges looked white. Went
to Port Perry with Jennie and Willie with some apples to the
evaporator. In the afternoon plowing the corn ground. Jennie
picking apples. Annie at school.
12 – The hardest frost of the season, almost too hard to plough.
Plowing in the forenoon, helping Jennie to pick apples in the after-
noon. Annie at school. James fell down the cellar stair. At John
Michie’s in the evening having a sing but it was not much of a
success as all had the cold.
13 – A fine day. Helping Jennie to pick apples in the forenoon and
topped mangolds in the afternoon. At S. of T. in the evening. Mrs.
W.H. Leask; Henry, Roy and Cathlene Leask and Willie Golden
here in the afternoon picking Tolmon Sweets. W.H. Leask came
with barrels in the morning.
14 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie
and Willie (121 at SS). Mr. Robertson, a student, preached a good
sermon. In the evening went to Baptist anniversary. Rev. Mr.
Cooper of Port Perry preached to a full house.
15 – A very fine day and warm to excess, more like July than
October. With Jennie’s help drew in the mangolds, 12 loads. Mrs.
Mark called in the afternoon. Annie at school.
16 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Threw back mangolds and
cleaned out root house while Jennie and Jessie Michie went to Port
Perry market. Drew out manure in the afternoon on next years
strawberry patch.
17 – A fine day. In the morning took Aunt Janet and Annie to Port
Perry on their way to Newcastle, then drew out manure until noon
and finished. Jennie washing. Plowing in the afternoon until about
4 pm when John Bradley of Port Perry came and I helped him to
put up the wires on the fence on the east side of the lane between
the house and barn. At guild meeting in the evening, a fair turnout,
Mr. Keith leader.
140
18 – A fine day. Thanksgiving day. Kept it by plowing all day.
Jennie washing. Social in the Baptist church but did not go. Mr.
and Mrs. Mark here picking some apples for themselves.
19 – Rain through the night and all day until about 4 pm. Cutting
wood in the wood shed in the forenoon. Went to Port Perry to
meet Aunt Janet and Annie on their way home from Newcastle.
Roads pretty muddy.
20 – A fine day. Plowing all day. John Michie came for apples.
21 - A very fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and
Willie (122 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. James Allan is home from
the NW and was out.
22 – Rather a dull day. Plowing all day. Mrs. S. Dusty and Mrs.
A. Akhurst here for tea. Annie at school.
23 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Annie at school. G. Franklin
and --- Collins here packing applies, put up 8 brls which was all
they had. Fred Love called wanting to buy apples. At Greenbank
in the evening with Jennie to a singing practice at W. Wallace’s.
24 – Rather a dull day. Topping turnips all day, Jennie helping. In
the evening, with Jennie, went to the W.F.M.S. thanksgiving social
in the church. Just as we were ready to start a thunder shower
came up and we had to wait some time and then we had rain all the
way there. However there was about 40 there and a good address
from our missionary student, Mr. Overcutt. About $15.00 col-
lected. After 12 when we got home.
25 – Plowing in the forenoon and harrowing up turnips in the af-
ternoon. Jennie washing. Mrs. A. Gordon and Jennie and Mabel
Gordon here picking apples. Annie at school. Boys brought apple
barrels.
26 – A fine day. Drawing in turnips all day, Jennie helping, got in
20 loads. Sandy Gordon and Charles Gordon came for apples.
Franklin and Collins packed the rest of the apples, 20 barrels in all.
27 – Went to Port Perry in the morning with the apples (20 barrels)
and brought up a load of shingles for the S. of T. shed. Rain nearly
all afternoon. Took the shingles to Greenbank. Jennie finished
topping turnips and picked up apples in the orchard. Tax collector
Wier called.
28 – A cold blustery day with snow flurries from the NW. At SS
and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (101 at SS), Mr.
Keith preached. After service Mr. Keith and James Leask of Wick
came here for tea. They were on their way to the jubilee services
in the Presbyterian church, Port Perry. Maggie Blair out 1st
time
since operation.
29 – Ground covered lightly with snow but it was all gone by
noon, but the hills to the south were white all day. Harrowed up
the last of the turnips in the forenoon and drew in 7 loads in the
afternoon, Jennie helping. Annie at school.
30 – Ground white with snow and it snowed a little most of the
day. Did a number of little jobs while Jennie and Mrs. A. Gordon
went to see a destitute family on the 12th
concession. In the after-
noon she went to John Leask’s to get them to take a load of wood
to the family. Annie at school.
31 – Snow lay on the ground all day, pretty raw and freezing hard
towards night. Plowing sod all day. Went to guild meeting with
Aunt Janet, a fair turnout, Mr. Keith was there. Annie did not go
to school.
NOV. 1 – A pretty hard frost in the morning which took all day to
thaw out. Some however were plowing sod. Rowing up turnips all
day. Jennie went to Port Perry with Mrs. Mark and in the after-
noon, with Annie, went to Greenbank and other places. In the
evening went over to R. Cragg’s to see about the SS convention at
Greenbank on Friday of next week. A very fine night.
2 – A fine day. Drawing in turnips all day, Jennie helping. Got in
15 loads. Annie at school.
3 – A very fine day. Drawing in turnips all day, Jennie helping,
and finished the job, 16 loads today. Aunt Janet scrubbing etc.
W.H. Leask came for his apples. I. O’Neill called in the forenoon.
4 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Jennie and Willie.
Annie was not very well and did not go. (113 at SS), Mr. Keith
preached.
5 – Rather raw in the morning but it turned out a fine day. Plow-
ing all day. Jennie washing.
6 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie finishes picking up the
apples. Corner stone of the new Methodist church at Seagrave laid
today. Plowing match at Saintfield.
7 – A hard frost. Threw back turnips and other jobs in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon went to Port Perry with apples to the
evaporator and brought home a load of coal. At guild meeting in
the evening with Jennie, Mr. Keith leader.
8 – A fine day, hard frost in the morning. Went to Port Perry in the
morning for Mrs. Bell who came on the train from Newcastle.
Drew in corn in the afternoon with Jennie’s help. Annie at school.
Mrs. Mark and Jessie called in the evening.
9 – Plowed in the forenoon. In the afternoon went with Jennie to
Reach, Port Perry and Scugog SS association convention in our
church. Rain came on after dinner. It was very gloomy all after-
noon but still there was a pretty good turnout. Rev. Mr. Cooper
and Mr. Yellowlees were the speakers and a good meeting it was.
Jennie then came home. Got tea in the basement of the Methodist
church. The evening meeting was in the Methodist church. Rev.
Mr. Hagen and Mr. Yellowlees were the speakers, Rev. Mr. Tarrel
in the chair. James Smith and Mrs. Mason and Kennedy came
about dark. Walked home from the convention. A pretty dark
night.
10 – Rather a dull day, threatening snow several times. Jas. Smith
went down to John Michie’s in the forenoon and left for home after
dinner. Plowing most of the day.
11 – Rather a disagreeable day, snowing a little and melting as it
fell. Roads sloppy. At SS and church. I walked while Jennie,
141
Annie, Willie, Annie Mason and Kennedy Mason went in the
buggy (109 at SS). Annie Mason gave a solo. Mr. Keith preached
an extra good sermon.
12 – A pretty cold wintery day, snowing a little sometimes. Plow-
ing sod most of the day. In the evening went with Annie Mason
and Jennie down to John Michie’s and had a sing. Russell, Joe and
Lottie Wallace were there also.
13 – A pretty cold day. Did not plow. Tied in cattle and other
little chores. After dinner took Annie Mason and Kennedy to Port
Perry on their way home. Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. here for dinner. I
drove her home.
14 – A very fine day. Covered the strawberry plants with straw in
the forenoon and cut down some apple trees in the afternoon.
Jennie at W.F.M.S. meeting in church. At guild meeting with
Jennie, a pretty good turnout. Annie at school.
15 – A fine day but did not thaw very much. Put on storm doors
and windows and several other little chores. Jennie, with Annie
and Willie, went to Port Perry market in the forenoon.
16 – Fine clear day. Did several little chores. Cut down some
apple trees. Jim Lee called, first time since coming from Mani-
toba.
17 – Very dull and a little rain in the forenoon. Drew brush out of
the orchard and some other chores. At S. of T. in the evening. A
very dark night.
18 – Rather a dull day, thawing out and roads pretty muddy. At SS
and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (113 at SS), Mr.
Keith preached. An after meeting was held of the managers and
elders.
19 – A fine day. Plowing sod all day. In the evening went with
Jennie, Annie and Willie to an apron concert and social in connec-
tion with the band. A full house but the programme was nothing
very great. Mr. Keith called in the forenoon.
20 – Rather dull and threatening rain several times. Plowing all
day and finished sod. Mr. A. Gordon Jr. here in the afternoon.
Bible Society meeting at Greenbank tonight but did not go.
21 – Rain nearly all day from the east which froze as it fell. Did a
few chores and small jobs. Guild social evening tonight but did
not go as it was a very dark wet night.
22 – Rather rough and threatening rain several times. Cut some
wood in the forenoon and in the afternoon went to Port Perry with
12 bags of oats to be ground and got them home with me. Roads
pretty muddy.
23 – Ground a little white with snow but very little frost. Plowing
in the orchard all day.
24 – A fine day and freezing towards night. Finished plowing the
orchard which finishes the plowing for this year I suppose. At S.
of T. in the evening, a fine clear night but the roads rather rough.
25 – A fine day, the frost nearly all out by night and lots of mud.
At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (115 at SS). Mr.
Keith preached on giving, a good sermon.
26 – I intended to go to Greenbank to help Mr. Miller with the hall
shed but there was snow in the morning and rain all afternoon so I
did not go but spent the day enlarging the separator room at the
barn. A very gloomy day and mud galore.
27 – All day at Greenbank helping to repair the hall sheds. James
Miller all day and John Michie in the afternoon. Got dinner at
John Lee’s. Jennie did the chores at home. Roads very bad. A
little drizzle several times during the day.
28 – Ground white with snow in the morning and several flurries
during the day. Got quite cold towards night. Cleaned out pig
pens in the forenoon. In the afternoon went down with Annie and
Willie to practice singing for Christmas tree with Gordon’s girls.
Jennie washing. Albert Phoenix and Nellie Real married today.
29 – Pretty cold in the morning but turned out a fine day. James
Leask came over and I went with him canvassing for church ex-
penses for next and succeeding years. Got dinner at A. Lee’s and
supper at John Stone’s. Jennie at Port Perry market. Russell
McDonald here for dinner. He is buying hogs.
30 – A fine day. Did a few chores in the forenoon and in the after-
noon went to preparatory service at the church with Aunt Janet. A
fair turnout, Rev. Mr. Webster of Cambray preached. No new
members. R. Cragg called.
DEC. 1 – Rather a rough day with high wind and snow flurries.
Out all day with James Leask canvassing the congregation and
with the exception of two or three finished the job. Got dinner at
G.A. McMillans. Jennie at Port Perry in the forenoon.
2 – A pretty cold day, nearly down to zero in the morning. Went
with Aunt Janet to communion at Wick (went with buggy). A fair
turnout. At church with Jennie at Greenbank in the evening, Mr.
Keith preached.
3 – A very cold and rough winter day, down to zero in the evening.
Did nothing but the chores and cleaned out the hen house.
4 – Cold morning, 6 below zero, some snow in the afternoon.
Went up to W. Luke’s in the morning to get him to kill a pig.
Called at S. Dusty’s.
5 – A fine day until toward evening when it started to snow from
the east. Wes Luke came and killed the pig. At guild meeting in
the evening with Aunt Janet, a fair turnout, Mr. Keith gave an
address. Rough night coming home.
6 – Snow and hail through the night and the forenoon and rough in
the afternoon. Did little but the chores.
7 – Winter day for sure. 9 below zero in the morning and it did not
go higher than 5 below all day with a cutting north wind. Did
nothing but the chores. Jennie washing and making head cheese.
8 – 9 below zero in the morning and never got above it all day. A
little snow in the afternoon. Went up to G. Lee’s in the morning
142
with the sleigh (fairly good sleighing). At John Michie’s with
Annie and Willie to sing, with Gordon’s girls. Cleaned out pig
house.
9 – A fine day and not so cold. At SS and church with Jennie,
Annie and Willie (in the cutter, the first time out for the season).
108 at SS, Rev. Mr. Leitch of Sonya preached, this being anniver-
sary services at Wick.
10 – Some snow in the forenoon. Went to Port Perry in the after-
noon with 15 bags of oats to the mill and brought home 1750 lbs.
of coal. Sleighing pretty good.
11 – Zero in the morning but a very bright calm day. Went to Port
Perry in the morning for the meal and in the afternoon drew two
small loads of wood from Jim Lee’s place. Jennie washing.
12 - A fine day and much warmer. Drew 2 loads of wood from
Jim Lee’s and finished the job in the forenoon. Jennie and Annie
at W.F.M.S. meeting at Mrs. W. Akhurst’s. Jennie elected presi-
dent. Went with Jennie in the evening to guild meeting.
13 – A fine day but dull with a little snow towards night. Went
with Jennie, Annie and Willie in the sleigh to Tom Black’s at
Raglan for new Singer sewing machine. Good sleighing. Got
home about 6. Aunt Janet and Mrs. Bell kept house.
Sewing machine of that time period...
14 – Much milder, hail in the afternoon and evening. Cleaned out
pig pen. Down to John’s in the evening singing. Jennie trying new
sewing machine.
15 – Soft, a little rain sometimes, colder towards night. Went
down to John Michie’s with Annie and Willie to practice singing.
16 – A very fine day. At church and SS with Aunt Janet, Anne and
Willie (122 at SS). John Somerville, wife and family were at SS.
Rev. Mr. Keith preached. In the evening went to Port Perry with
Jennie, Mr. Cooper preached a good sermon. A beautiful evening.
17 – A fine day. Went over to Whetter’s swamp in the forenoon to
see church wood lot. Put up new hen roosts in the afternoon and
attended church managers meeting in the evening. Jennie washing.
18 – Cold, but very fine and clear day. Cut a little wood in the
shed. Aunt Janet, Jennie, Annie, Willie and James went to Port
Perry in the afternoon and Aunt Janet and James got their picture
taken.
19 – A beautiful clear day. Cleaned out pig pens and in the after-
noon went to Phair’s swamp for a load of brush for the Christmas
tree. At SS meeting to see about supplies for next year.
20 – A fine day, a little snow in the afternoon. Went to Port Perry
fair with Jennie. Jim Lee; John and Jessie Michie; Mary and Allie
Dusty here in the evening making decorations.
21 – A fine day. Went up to the church in the afternoon to help
decorate the SS room for the Christmas tree. At John Michie’s in
the evening singing. Russell and Joe Wallace here also. George
W. Michie came home from Manitoba last night.
22 – A fine day but pretty cold. Went down to John Michie’s with
Annie and Willie to practice singing.
23 – A clear day but very cold, about zero with quite a cutting NW
wind. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (122 at SS),
Mr. Keith preached.
24 – A little below zero most of the day with a cutting N wind.
Went to Port Perry to meet the 5:30 train with the sleigh and
brought home Jessie Bell; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Patton and Helen and
Douglas; and Alma and Jennie Perrin. Got supper in haste and
then drove to our Christmas tree. Jennie, Annie, Willie, Jessie
Bell, Alma Perrin and Fred Patton in the sleigh. There was a full
house and everything went off well but a fire burnt some of the
presents. Over $13.00 took in. J.A. and G. Miller made addresses.
Margaret Bell and Mrs. Laidlaw of Winnipeg here when we got
home.
25 – A very cold day with N wind. A big day here. Jessie Bell had
a Christmas tree which was a grand success, presents galore.
Drove up to Greenbank about noon for the mail. Mrs. Laidlaw
went with me as far as J.M. Real’s.
26 – A fine day and much milder. Went to Port Perry in the fore-
noon and took Fred Patton, Alma and Jennie Perrin on their way
home, also Aunt Janet on her way to Newcastle for a visit. Jessie
Bell, Douglas Patton and our Willie also went to Port Perry. Went
up to Alex Gordon’s in the evening to help Alex with church
books. Jim Gordon came while I was there.
27 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon for meal.
Jessie and Margaret Bell, Helen and Douglas Patton and Annie and
Willie went with me. Did not get my own grist but a Mr. Pearce’s.
Jennie and Jessie went to Greenbank in the evening.
28 – A fine day. Went to Greenbank to get a new [?] on sleigh.
Jennie and Margaret went to Port Perry in the afternoon visiting.
Ethel Miller and Miss Slovin called for the Bible Society.
29 – A fine day, mild almost thawing. Went to Greenbank in the
afternoon for the sleigh and the mail.
30 – A fine day and thawing a little towards night. At SS and
church with Jennie, Annie, Willie, Jessie Bell, Margaret Bell and
Mrs. Laidlaw (took the sleigh). (128 at SS), Mr. Keith preached.
He repeated the whole of the shorter catechism.
143
31 – Rain all through the night and thawing all day which pretty
well spoils the sleighing. Went to Greenbank with the cutter in the
forenoon. Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. here for tea. I drove her home in the
evening. Jessie, Margaret and Willa making dress for Jennie.
1907
JAN. 1 – A mild day. Went to Greenbank for the mail after din-
ner. Went with the cutter but rather poor sleighing. Tea party at
the Methodist church but did not go.
2 – A fine mild day. Went to Greenbank in the forenoon with Mrs.
Laidlaw to telephone to Mrs. Perrin. Went to Port Perry to meet
the 5:30 train and brought home Mrs. Perrin.
3 – Rain through the night which froze as it fell which made it very
slippery. The crowd were to go to Port Perry to get their photo
taken but it rained nearly all day. Jennie and Mrs. Perrin went to
Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail.
4 – A fine day. Went down and borrowed John Michie’s horse and
buggy and with the two rigs Jennie; Jessie and Margaret Bell; Mrs.
Perrin, Mrs. Patton and Mrs. Laidlaw went to Port Perry and got
their picture taken. Margaret and Mrs. Laidlaw stayed and visited
a while at Port Perry and Mrs. Perrin took the train for home. In
the evening went with Jennie to annual SS meeting, a fair turnout.
G.D. McMillan elected superintendant, J.M. Real assistant.
5 – A very fine day. Got up early and Jessie and Margaret Bell and
Mrs. Laidlaw drove in the buggy to Port Perry on their way home
and I walked to Port Perry and brought the rig home. Then Jennie
drove Mrs. Patton and Helen and Douglas to the next train and this
clears out all our visitors. R. Holtby called canvassing votes.
George Michie came up in the afternoon. In the evening went to S.
of T. and installed the officers. The first time that I acted as
D.G.W.P.
6 – A beautiful day and thawing in the afternoon. At SS and
church with Annie and Willie. G.D. McMillan acted as superin-
tendant for the first time. No lesson as all the time was taken up
with the election of teachers and that was only partly done (106
reported present). Rev. Mr. Keith preached to a more than usual
full house.
7 – A very dull day rain most of the afternoon. Jennie washing
most of the day. Went to Greenbank in the afternoon to vote.
Voted for Holtby for reeve, McIntyre for deputy reeve, and Leask
and Thompson for councillors. There was to have been a shingling
bee on the hall sheds but the rain prevented it. I had got home but
a few minutes (about 4 pm) when Mrs. Bell fell on the ice at the
east door and broke her right arm above the elbow. I drove imme-
diately to Port Perry and both Dr. D. and R. Archer came out and
set it. We were invited to tea to John Michie’s but the accident
prevented us going. A very dark night. 10th
concession flooded in
the swamp.
8 – A rather dull day, almost raining sometimes. Did very little but
the chores. G. Michie and Mr. and Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. called to
ask for Mrs. Bell who is pretty poorly on account of the broken
arm. Dr. D. Archer called about 5 pm. Went to Port Perry to get
Aunt Janet on the 5:30 train. She has been at Newcastle for about
2 weeks. A pretty dark night.
9 – A good deal colder and pretty rough in the forenoon. Miss
Lyle, Mary Dusty and G. Michie called to ask for Mrs. Bell. At
annual congregational meeting in the evening, a fair turnout. Ac-
counts came out by about $45.00 behind. Mr. Keith in the chair.
10 – Pretty rough, high wind from W. Dr. D. Archer called in the
forenoon to see Mrs. Bell. She put in rather a bad afternoon with
rheumatism.
11 – A fine mild day. Got a horse from John Michie and in the
afternoon took 15 bags of oats to be ground in Port Perry. Races
there today. Mrs. Mark here in the afternoon.
12 – Some snow through the night and pretty rough all forenoon.
Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for the meal. Took John’s
horse home. Jennie sick in bed with sore throat and headache.
13 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie and Willie (123 at
SS). Some time spent in choosing teachers, one class yet to fill.
Mr. Keith preached. My first Sunday as choir leader. S. Allan was
there from the NW.
14 – A fine day. Did little but the chores. Mr. and Mrs. Alex
Gordon Sr. called in the afternoon and Mrs. Phair and Norman
towards night, all to ask for Mrs. Bell. Dr. R. and D. Archer called
at noon. At church managers meeting in the evening, four of the
12 present. I was chosen chairman for the 3rd
time; G.A. McMillan
sec.; J.M. Real, financial sec.; and Alex Leask treas.
[Margin note – Tuesday missed writing].
16 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with Jennie. Tom Black
and Allan here for dinner. At guild meeting in the evening, not a
very large turnout, Mr. Keith leader. Choir practice after. Word
came that Mr. Andrew Ross is dead.
17 – 6 below zero in the morning but got milder towards night.
Did the chores. Not feeling very well. At John Michie’s in the
evening singing.
18 – A fine mild day. A district division S. of T. at Greenbank in
the afternoon and evening. Came home for supper. Quite good
meetings. Blake Cragg, D.W.P. and Ethel Miller, [?].
19 – Rain from the SE in the night and heavy in the forenoon.
Foggy all day. Very icy and slippery.
20 – A very high wind all day from the W. Getting colder towards
night and a little snow. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie
and Willie (99 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. R. Akhurst at SS and
church.
21 – A fine day and not too cold. Got a horse from John and went
to Port Perry with the waggon for a load of coal. Went in time to
attend Mrs. Andrew Ross’ funeral but they did not get to Port Perry
with the body. Expected tomorrow. In the evening went with
Jennie to Greenbank to a little surprise party at John Lee’s. The
church managers got it up. He was presented with a chair. Those
144
present were: Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Real; Mr. and Mrs. A. Akhurst;
Mr. and Mrs. C. Gordon; Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Leask; Mr. and Mrs. G.
A. McMillan; Mrs. and Mrs. W. Wallace; Alex Leask; Jas.
McMillan; Barbara Walker; Robert Akhurst; Jim Lee and John
Lee. Had a very pleasant evening. A beautiful night.
[note: On the 21st
the diary states that Robert went to attend MRS.
Andrew Ross’ funeral, but on the 16th
he states that he got word
that MR. Andrew Ross had died.]
22 – Much colder and wintery, about zero all day. Did chores.
Cleaned out pig house. Jennie making a dress for James.
23 – Cold, 12 below zero in the morning and never higher than 4
below all day. Clear and calm. Cut a little wood in the woodshed.
At guild meeting with Jennie, a fair turnout, Mr. Keith not present.
Choir practice after.
24 – Very cold, 16 below zero in the morning and never got above
zero all day, wind in the NE. Went with Jennie to market in Port
Perry.
25 – Below zero most of the day but clear. Did the chores and cut
a little wood. In the evening drove with the cutter (sleighing not
very good) with Jennie and Annie to Alex Gordon’s to make out
church report. A very fine night.
26 – A fine day, cold and clear. Did little but the chores. Dr. D.
Archer called to see Mrs. Bell.
27 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie
and Willie (116 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. Drove in the cutter
but it was not very good sleighing.
28 – A very fine winter day. Went to Port Perry with 15 bags of
oats to be ground. Took the waggon.
29 – A fine day with a very little snow in the afternoon. Did noth-
ing but the chores. Half sick with cold, so is Willie, Annie and
Jennie.
30 – A very fine clear day but pretty cold. Went to Port Perry in
the forenoon for the meal. Took the waggon although there is
more sleighs on the road. Wes Luke and family called on their
way to Jas. Ross’ to a supper gathering. He was saying he in-
tended to have a sale on the 23 of next month. Did not go to guild
meeting as we are all more or less under the weather. James had
the croup last night.
31 – A fine mild day, a little snow in the afternoon. Did nothing
but the chores. Nursing the grippe.
FEB. 1 – A fine day. Nursing the grippe. All improving a little.
John and Jas. Lee called about 2 pm and Mr. A. Melice taking
orders for different articles. Cattle buyer Parrot of Myrtle called
just at dark. Mr. Melice was telling us that Mr. T. Eaton, the great
Toronto merchant, is dead.32
32
Timothy Eaton, Mar. 1834-Jan. 31, 1907, founder
of Eaton’s Department Store.
2 – Quite mild all day and nearly raining sometimes but got colder
at night. Nursing grippe. A very great many people have it now.
Allie Dusty called in the afternoon.
3 – A very high wind through the night. Mr. Wallace’s store at
Greenbank and the Harrington house occupied by the Fair brothers
were burned about 2 this morning. Everything burned in the store
but a barrel of coal oil. Cause of the fire unknown. Went to SS
and church alone as the rest were not fit to go and perhaps I was
not either as it was very cold. (101 at SS), Mr. Keith preached.
Allan and Emma Black called a minute on their way home. They
came up to John Michie’s last night. Mrs. Bell sat up by the stove
a little while today, the first since she broke her arm.
4 – A very fine winter day. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Rennie of Port
Perry here for tea. Allie Butt called, he was looking for cattle.
5 – Very cold with wind from NE with a very little snow.
6 – Pretty cold all day. R. Cragg called in the morning wanting the
scales. Aunt Janet went up to S. Dusty’s with letters.
7 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning to market
with Aunt Janet. Called at the Dr. and got some medicine for
myself.
8 – A fine day. Went up to D. Lyle’s in the morning to see if he
wants to take a share in the beef ring. Isaac O’Neill called. In the
afternoon drove with Jennie, Annie, Willie and James to Green-
bank, the first time there since the fire. Jennie washing.
9 – A very fine mild day, almost thawing. Went down to John
Michie’s in the morning to see him about beef ring. Mrs. A.
Gordon Sr. and Arthur called, also Mrs. Phair.
10 – Snowing about noon which turned into a blizzard towards
night, the roughest night this winter I think. At SS and church with
Jennie, Annie and Willie (121 at SS). Mr. Keith is away. A stu-
dent, a Mr. Cameron I think his name is, preached.
11 – Very cold with cutting NW wind, 6 below zero in the morning
and never got above that all day, 12 below at bedtime. Cleaned out
pig and calf houses. Dr. D. Archer called in the afternoon to see
Mrs. Bell.
12 – Below zero nearly all day but not so rough as yesterday.
13 – A fine day. Bagged up some oats in the forenoon. Went to
Greenbank with Jennie to W.F.M.S. meeting. At prayer meeting in
the evening with Aunt Janet, Mr. Keith leader.
14 – A nice day, not so cold. Went to Port Perry in the morning
with 20 bags of oats to be ground and brought home 1300 lbs coal.
Sleighing fairly good. W. Mark called, he was taking orders for
binder twine. Heard that the Rev. Mr. Young of Seagrave is dead.
15 – Snow from the SW most of the afternoon. At Port Perry in
the forenoon for the meal. At John Michie’s in the evening having
a sing.
145
16 – A mild day. Drew up a maple tree from near the road and
then with Aunt Janet and the children drove up to Alex Gordon’s.
In the afternoon went to W. O’Neill’s lumber camp at W.H.
Leask’s and got a load of birch slabs at $2.75 per cord.
17 – Colder. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie
(116 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. George, John, Jessie and I sang a
piece, the first time we ever did so in church, except when once R.
Wallace sang instead of George on a Sunday evening.
18 – 6 below zero in the morning but soon got warmer. Went for
wood twice to M. O’Neill’s camp. Annie went up to A. Gordon’s
for yeast cake. Jim Lee and Jim Kerr of Brooklin called just after
dinner. Jim Kerr is leaving for the west tomorrow.
19 – A little rain from the south in the forenoon which turned to
snow from the NW in the afternoon and very rough, but a beautiful
evening. Drew two loads of wood from M. O’Neill’s camp at
W.H. Leask’s. At John Michie’s in the evening singing.
20 – A very fine forenoon, warm sun. In the afternoon it snowed a
little and in the evening it was very rough, snowing and drifting.
Drew 1 load of wood from W.H. Leask’s and 2 loads from Jim
Lee’s swamp. In the evening went with Jennie, Annie and Willie
to lecture in the church by Mr. Keith on his trips to the old land.
Not so bad a turnout considering the night and the lecture was
good. Collection near $8.00.
21 – Cold, about 6 below zero in the morning with quite a wind
from the NW. Went with Jennie to Port Perry market. Fixed the
clock in the afternoon.
22 – Cold and clear, 12 below zero in the morning and it hardly got
up to zero all day. Cut some wood in the shed.
23 – Clear and cold, 10 below zero in the morning. Cleaned out
pig pen in the morning. Tom Black came just after dinner and we
went to Wes Luke’s sale. There was a large crowd and pretty good
prices.
24 – Rather stormy and snowing a little from the south. At SS and
church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (113 at SS), Mr. Keith
preached.
25 – A high wind all night and continued during the day from the
NW, drifting but not snowing. Cut some wood in shed. Allan
Black came about 7:30, he walked from Port Perry, came by train
from Oshawa, and him and I went to special meeting in our church.
Roads rather bad. Rev. Mr. McEachrin and Mr. Keith spoke.
Allan went to see Mr. Miller about working for him at the carpen-
ter work next summer and made a bargain.
26 – Below zero in the morning. Took Allan Black to Port Perry
on his way home. In the evening went with Jennie to special meet-
ing. Mr. McEachrin and Mr. Keith spoke. Somewhat better turn-
out tonight. A very fine night. Dr. D. Archer called and took the
splints off from Mrs. Bell’s arm. He was well pleased with the
way it had united.
27 – A very fine clear day. Drew a load of wood from J. Lee’s
swamp in the forenoon and in the afternoon drew a load of wood
for the church from the Gregg bush. R.T. Harrington went with
me. In the evening went with Jennie to the special meeting in the
basement of church. A rather better turnout. Mr. McEachrin and
Mr. Keith spoke and Rev. Mr. Terral a few words. A beautiful
evening.
28 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with 15
bags of oats to be ground. Jennie went with me to market. In the
afternoon went up to W. Luke’s for Tom Black’s sleigh box and
then went to Jim Lee’s for a load of wood. In the evening went to
special meeting with Aunt Janet. About the same number as last
night. Mr. McEachrin spoke. Birthday party at O’Neill’s in honor
of [Lue’s?] majority. Wes Luke moved to the house at the foot of
Greenbank hill.
MAR. 1 – A very fine day until evening when it started to rain
from the SE. Went to Port Perry in the morning for the meal but it
was not ready. Drew a load of wood from Jim Lee’s swamp. In
the evening went with Jennie to the preparatory service in the
church. Rev. Mr. McEachrin spoke. A larger turnout than the
other meetings. Ida McKitrick and Bella Innis united with the
church this time.
2 – Thawing a little in the forenoon which turned colder in the
afternoon with high NW wind and a little snow. Went to Port
Perry in the forenoon for the meal.
3 – Some cold and rough. Went with Jennie to communion at
Greenbank. Rev. Mr. Keith conducted the service. Not many from
Wick.
4 – A fine day. Drew 3 loads of wood from Jim Lee’s swamp (4 ½
cord in all) and drew out some manure. Jennie washing. Mrs. Bell
out to the kitchen for supper, the first time since she broke her arm.
5 – A fine day until evening when it started to snow hard from the
E. Drawing out manure. Jack and Boe called in the forenoon and
bought the Dusty cow for 3 ¾ cents per lb., and Mr. and Mrs.
McNight of Port Perry called about 2 pm. Social at S. of T. to-
night, intended to go but a bad night.
6 – A pretty cold wintery day. Cleaned out calf pen and sawed
some wood. Went with Aunt Janet to prayer meeting. About the
usual turnout, Mr. Boe leader.
7 – 6 below zero in the morning but got much milder. Threw out
turnips in the root house in the forenoon and in the afternoon went
with Willie to Greenbank to get new waggon tongue made. Called
at A. Akhurst’s and found Mr. A. a little better.
8 – A fine day. Took Dusty cow to Port Perry, Norman Lyle going
with me with 3 cattle of his. They got there without any trouble.
Jennie and Annie came down for me with the cutter, splendid
sleighing. In the afternoon sawed some wood while Jennie went
up to [Meshfords?] and Somerville’s. Mr. Malice called delivering
some things ordered.
9 – A fine day. Went down to John Michie’s and we went up to A.
Akhurst’s and arranged with him to fill our beef ticket for 6 cts. per
lb dressed beef. Drew out manure in the afternoon.
146
10 – A very fine day and thawing some in the afternoon. At SS
and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (11 at SS), Mr.
Keith preached. After the service Mr. E. Boe rose and announced
his resignation as elder. James boy not well, he has a sore mouth.
11 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with the
sleigh for coal (sleighing going pretty fast) but as there is a scarcity
of coal I only got ½ ton. Drew out manure in the afternoon.
12 – Drew out manure until about 11 when it started to rain from
the SE and it drizzled most of the afternoon. Alex Lee and Mrs.
came just before dinner and stayed until about 3. George Michie
called in the forenoon. Aunt Janet visiting at William O’Neill’s.
At John Michie’s in the evening singing, pretty dark.
13 – Thawing all day. Drew out manure in the forenoon. Cut
wood in the afternoon while Jennie and Annie went to the
W.F.M.S. meeting in the church. At prayer meeting. Session
meeting after to consider Mr. Boe’s resignation. Roads not very
good. Jessie Michie came of age.
14 – A little wet snow though the night. Mrs. A. Gordon Jr. called
in the morning. Went to Port Perry market with Jennie with the
cutter but it was not very good sleighing. Got something from the
Dr. for James who has been poorly for some days. Got (Jessie or
Jennie?] to sign quit claim deed for this and the Mara place. Tom
Black came about 3 with his team for the sleigh box that he got at
Luke’s sale. John Michie called. At box social by the S. of T. in
the evening. Not a very large turnout but a fairly good time.
15 – Thawed a little in the forenoon but turned colder towards
night with high NW wind. Drew out manure in the forenoon and
cut some wood in the afternoon. Jessie Michie called in the morn-
ing to arrange about her birthday party to be held here tonight.
John and his mother came up with the sleigh bringing the provi-
sions etc. The party came off and was quite a pleasant affair.
Those present were: Willie O’Neill, wife and son Lu; Roy and
Lillie O’Neill; Albert Akhurst and wife; John, Dave, Armour,
Annie and Nellie McMillan; W.A. Edgar and Sylvia Leask; John
Leask Jr. and wife; Willie and Annie Rennie; W. McDonald; Roy
and Ethel McDonald; Mary Carneggie; Jim Blair Jr.; Jim Lee;
Clarence Town; Miss Dowson and brother; N. Baird; Donald
McArthur; Russell and Joe Wallace; John, George and Jessie Mi-
chie; Willie and Lora Golder. Andrew Gordon supplied the music.
He has not been here for many years. When the party dispersed he
remained here overnight.
16 – Thawing all day with high SW wind. Took Andrew Gordon
to C. Gordon’s in the forenoon and cut wood in the afternoon.
17 – Rain through the night and thawing most of the day. At SS
and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie. Took the buggy, roads
pretty bad. Broke the harness near Mr. Lyle’s. (113 at SS), Rev.
Mr. Terrill preached. He exchanged with Mr. Keith on account of
the roads.
18 – A fine day and thawing. Hunted for a waggon and got A.
Akhurst’s and took out 15 bags of oats to Port Perry and got them
home again. Got a new set of single harness. 10th
concession
flooded, had to come home by J. Michie’s, lots of mud.
19 – Rather dull all day and sometimes almost raining. Went to
Greenbank in the morning with A. Akhurst’s waggon for waggon
tongue but it was not ready. Buck sawed wood the rest of the day.
Colder towards night. Jennie and Aunt Janet quilting.
20 – A high NW wind until evening and pretty raw. Buck sawing
wood all day. At prayer meeting in the evening. An after meeting
on the question of holding a SS anniversary. It was decided to
hold one on the 24th
May.
21 – Thawing a little all day. Cut wood in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went to Greenbank with A. Akhurst’s waggon and got
new waggon tongue.
22 – A fine warm spring like day, the snow all away but the fence
corners and mud galore. Buck sawing wood. Tapped 6 maple
trees between the house and the barn. W. [S---?] assessor called.
23 – Warm day. Mud, lots of it. Buck sawing wood.
24 – Soft all day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and
Willie (120 at SS), Mr. Arnold, city missionary of Toronto,
preached. Road very very bad. Thunder and rain through the
night.
25 – A fine mild day. Cutting wood most of the day. Went with
Jennie up to Alex Gordon’s for supper and got home about 11:30.
J.M. Real and wife and little Mary; also Jim Clark and Mr. Hayes
were there.
26 – Thunder and rain through the night or early morning and dull
all day and somewhat raw. Cleaned out pig pens etc. in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon went to shingling bee at hall shed. 6
present and got a little done but there is still more than half to do.
Roads very bad.
27 – Thunder and rain through the night and rain through most of
the afternoon. Cut wood in the forenoon.
28 – Warm day. Cutting wood most of the time. Jennie and Willie
went to Port Perry market. They went by the 11th
concession on
account of water. Roads very bad. Nearly 3 pm before they got
home. Annie went up to Gordon’s and stayed there until Jennie
came home. Mr. Sleep of Seagrave called and bought pigs to go
any time I like, price $6.60 and the rise if any.
29 – Good Friday. Rather dull and almost rain several times. Kept
holiday by buck sawing wood. Jennie making dress for Annie.
30 – A fine day. Split wood and scuffled the raspberry bushes in
the forenoon. Plowed a bit of the orchard and cut wood in the
afternoon, John and George Michie helping.
31 – Easter Sunday. Frozen up this morning and thawed very little
all day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (130 at
SS). Annie and Willie sang a piece and G. Miller gave an address
at SS. Mr. Keith preached. Maggie McMillan sang a solo. Robert
Monroe died today.
APR.1 – Pretty cool with high NW wind. Split wood in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon went to Greenbank with Jennie, Annie
and Willie. Jennie to the W.F.M.S. meeting and I to church wood
147
cutting bee. There was a fair turnout at the bee. Got rather more
than half cut. The W.F.M.S. got supper for the men and then there
was a managers meeting held. The women collected about $4.00.
2 – Went to Port Perry in the morning with oats to be ground and
did not get home until about 3 pm. Jennie washing. 11 little pigs
came.
3 – Dull day. Drawing out manure for potatoes. At prayer meeting
with Jennie, roads very bad. Not many out. Anniversary meeting
after but nothing done.
4 – Rather dull day. Drawing out manure and making lane fence
that the cattle may go to the N field during the summer.
5 – Somewhat raw with E wind. Split wood in the forenoon and in
the afternoon went to the church at Greenbank and with Alex
Gordon and Harvey Real drew into the shed most of the wood that
has been cut at the bees.
6 – A fine clear day with raw wind from the east. Drawing rails to
pasture lane fence in the forenoon. Went to Port Perry with Jennie
in the afternoon. At S. of T. in the evening, installed the officers.
7 – Rather raw with high SE wind which turned to rain in the eve-
ning. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (116 at
SS), Mr. Keith preached. A.T. Horne and wife of Uxbridge were
there.
8 – A dull day, rain off and on during the forenoon. Spread ma-
nure in the forenoon and in the afternoon went to church wood
cutting bee. About 14 there and we got it all cut, but not all piled
up.
9 – A fine day. At work all day at raspberry bushes. Hugh Jack
and Dan Boe called. Jennie making Willie a suit of summer
clothes.
10 – Ground white with snow in the morning and some fell during
the forenoon. Spread some manure and other chores. Jennie and
Annie walked to Mission Band meeting and stayed for prayer
meeting. Anniversary meeting after. Roads pretty bad. George
Michie and Dave McMillan loading car for to start for the west.
11 – Frozen quite hard in the morning. Went to Port Perry in the
morning with 15 bags of oats to grind. Jennie went to market. Did
not get meal home. Plowed some in the afternoon east of orchard
for potatoes. The plow running on top of the frost a good part of
the time. Conlin Bros., cattle buyers, called.
12 – Snowing a little in the forenoon and very dull all day. Went
to Port Perry in the forenoon for the meal. Road not very good.
Plowed a little in the afternoon.
13 – Snowing a little most of the day which melted almost as soon
as it fell. Planted raspberry bushes and plowed a little. Mr. Sleep
of Seagrave called about 5 pm. G. Michie called early in the morn-
ing to say goodbye. He and Dave McMillan is leaving today for
the north west.
14 – A hard frost and high NW wind, frost did not go out where it
was shaded. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie
(119 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. Sylvia Leask and Nellie
McMillan sang a duet.
15 – Frozen hard which scarcely thawed out all day. Drawing out
manure most of the day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon and
met Mr. and Mrs. Bushaw of Mara and wound up the business
about the Mara place. At John Michie’s in the evening picking out
some pieces for the SS anniversary.
16 – Snow on the ground in the morning and continued off and on
during the day, in the afternoon quite heavy, and at night there was
about 1 ½ inches on the level. Nothing done on the seeding yet.
Mrs. John Real died.
17 – Went to G. Love’s and then drew out 3 loads of manure all
with the sleigh which slipped not so bad. The snow soon went off
except where it was shady. Plowed in the afternoon for potatoes
and strawberries. At prayer meeting in the evening with Jennie.
18 – Frozen hard in the morning. Drew out manure in the fore-
noon and spread some in the afternoon. Jennie and Mrs. Alex
Gordon visiting at W.H. and Alex Leask’s. Annie went up to
Gordon’s.
19 – Frozen hard in the morning and never got very warm. Before
we got breakfast Mr. Sleep came to tell me to take pigs to Sea-
grave, so I went. Took 5 which weighed 925 lbs at $6.60. Went to
Port Perry in the afternoon with 10 bags to be ground. Got meal
home. Got some shorts. Mrs. Mark and Mrs. M. O’Neill here in
the afternoon.
20 – Frozen hard in the morning which hardly thawed out all day.
High NW wind. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with Jennie
and Annie. Sent away proceeds of Mara place to the heirs. Did a
few odd jobs in the afternoon. About 5 pm Tom Black came. He
brought Allan, who is going to work for Mr. Jas. Miller this sum-
mer. He went down to John Michie’s and stayed all night.
21 – A little warmer, especially towards night. At church and SS
with Jennie, Annie and Willie (130 at SS), Mr. Keith preached.
After church there was a meeting of session and Mr. Boe’s resigna-
tion as elder was accepted and it was decided to call for the elec-
tion of three new elders. Allan Black stayed here all night.
22 – Much warmer and something like spring with high SW wind.
Took 2 steers to Seagrave with John Michie’s help. After a long
run and tussle to get started Norman Lyle helped us. Jennie took
Annie and Willie to school. This is Willie’s first day at school and
Annie’s first day for this season. The teacher, Mr. Woon, put her
in the second part first. Jennie then drove to Seagrave and brought
John and I home. Called at W. O’Neill’s on the way home. In the
afternoon did the first sowing in the field W of the house.
23 – Sowing in the forenoon and harrowing in the afternoon.
Jennie washing and churning. Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. here most of the
day. Annie and Willie at school.
24 – A fine day. Harrowing in the forenoon and sowing in the
afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
148
25 – Some rain through the night. Sowing and harrowing all day.
Annie and Willie at school.
26 – A fine day, a little raw in the forenoon. Harrowing and filling
in washouts. Annie and Willie at school.
27 – A very fine spring day. Gang plowing on the hill in the fore-
noon which was none too dry. Put in some potatoes in the orchard
in the afternoon. Jennie planted some onions. Picture pedlar
called. Up at Lyle’s in the evening.
28 – A beautiful spring day. Allan Black came in just before din-
ner and went to church. He was here again and stayed all night.
At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (127 at SS), Mr.
Keith preached. Went over to Lyle’s woods after supper with
Jennie and the children and got the first wild flowers.
29 – Thunder shower about 7 am and another about 7 pm. Drove
Annie and Willie to school. Eva Luke starts to teach in the little
room. Then went with Jennie in the waggon to Port Perry for corn
meal but did not get any. Got a new bed. Gang plowed the rest of
the day. Sam Dusty called and we had a settlement of accounts.
30 – Rain heavy in the early morning and forenoon. Fanned oats
and cleaned out pig and calf pens in the forenoon. Went to Port
Perry for corn meal, roads pretty bad. Jennie went up to Alex
Gordon’s to ask for Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. who has been under the
Drs. care. She is some better.
MAY 1 – A fine day. Could not do anything on land on account of
the wet. Spread manure in the forenoon and some odd jobs in the
afternoon. At prayer meeting in the evening, Rev. Mr. Keith
leader. SS anniversary meeting after, then choir practice which
made it rather late. Annie and Willie did not go to school as Annie
had a sore throat.
2 – A very fine day. Frost in the morning. Did a number of odd
jobs. Mr. Wilson, medicine man, of Brooklin, called. Sephis Butt
called and bought the litter (11) of pigs. Aunt Janet and James
went down to J. Michie’s. Annie and Willie at school.
3 – A very fine day. Gang plowing and filling up washouts. Annie
and Willie at school and then at practice for SS anniversary. Aunt
Janet and little James at Gordon’s in the afternoon. Jennie house-
cleaning the cellar.
4 – About 3 inches of snow on the ground and still snowing, a
regular blizzard from the NE. Very wintery like. Nothing doing
on the land. Snow did not all go off during the day. Allan Black,
who has been working near Uxbridge, came here about 10 am as
they could not work on account of the weather. Went down to
John Michie’s in the afternoon and had a settlement of accounts.
5 – A fine day but not warm enough to melt all the snow. At SS
and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (113 at SS), Mr.
Keith preached. Annie and Willie sick in the evening.
6 – A fine day and much warmer. Too wet to do anything on the
land so put in most of the day trying to level up the lane between
the house and barn. Sandy Gordon came in the afternoon for 2
bags of potatoes. Annie and Willie at home.
7 – A fine day. Harrowed potato and strawberry land and in the
afternoon plowed a little for corn. Rev. Mr. Keith came about 5
pm and stayed for tea. G. Till and Blake Cragg called in the eve-
ning to see about shingling hall.
8 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie at W.F.M.S. meeting at
J.M. Real’s. Willie Rennie called for strawberry plants. David
Cragg called just after dinner. Old Mrs. Harrington was buried
today.
9 – A fine spring day. At Port Perry in the forenoon with Jennie to
market. Got 9 apple trees from E.D. Smith’s. Sowing in the after-
noon. Jennie housecleaning.
10 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Finished sowing in the
forenoon and harrowed in the afternoon, most of the time with
mitts on. Jennie at Gordon’s helping them to paper the house. At
choir practice in the evening.
11 – Hard frost and cold all day. Harrowed and plowed most of
the time with mitts on, but in spite of the cold the first sown grain
is coming up. Jennie housecleaning.
12 – Somewhat raw. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and
Willie. Allan Black walked. (127 at SS). A student, Mr. Thorn-
ton, preached and also sang a solo. Mrs. Mark and Jessie called in
the evening.
13 – Quite warm with high SW wind and some dust. Harrowing
and plowing. Jennie housecleaning upstairs. Annie and Willie at
school. Sephus Butt came after dinner and got his 11 little pigs.
14 – A fine warm day and things are starting to grow. Harrowing
in the forenoon, rolling in the afternoon. Jennie housecleaning.
Annie and Willie at school. Anniversary practice after school
which made it rather late when they got home.
15 – A warm day. Rolled in the forenoon. In the afternoon it
rained a very light drizzle most of the time. Drilled up for man-
golds awhile and then went to school and brought home Annie and
Willie. Jennie housecleaning. Marney not very well.
16 – Not so warm. At Port Perry in the forenoon. Drilled up and
sowed mangolds in the afternoon. Norman Lyle got the lend of the
roller. Annie and Willie at school. Practice for anniversary after.
17 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry with the waggon for corn for
pigs. Patched roof of house and grafted an apple tree. At prayer
meeting, Mr. Keith leader. Session meeting after. Counted ballots
for elders. James Leask, J.M. Real and G.D. McMillan were the
highest. Choir practice after that. They are moving Linton’s old
harness shop to the place where Dusty’s shop stood. Annie and
Willie at school. Anniversary practice after. Aunt Janet went after
them about 5 pm.
18 – A fine spring day, some like rain in the forenoon. Drilled up
for potatoes, planted and covered them without any help. Jennie,
little James and Marney went to Greenbank the first time Marney
has been out from the place since she came last fall.
19 – A fine day and somewhat cool towards night. At SS and
church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (133 at SS). Sunday School
149
anniversary . Rev. Mr. Turner of Kirkfield preached. At the eve-
ning meeting with Jennie. Mr. Turner again, a packed house each
time.
20 – Cold, so cold that there was little snow about 8 am and again
about 5 pm with high NW wind. Went up to G. Love’s in the
morning. Planted some strawberries in the afternoon. Jennie
washing in the forenoon and went to Port Perry in the afternoon.
Annie and Willie started for school but they turned back as Annie
had a headache. Clarence O’Neill started to school. Isaac brought
him up here in the morning.
21 – Cold all day with high NW wind. Ice on the water in the
morning. Planting strawberry plants, Jennie helping. Annie and
Willie at school. Practice after, Jennie drove up after them. Allie
Dusty called for some eggs.
22 – A fine day and some warmer. Finished planting strawberry
plants in the field, Jennie helping. Then put the young cattle to the
swamp field. Albert Akhurst brought beef, the first of the season.
A. Bongard called about the pigs. Edna Gordon here most of the
day, there being no school today. Aunt Janet and little James at
Akhurst’s. At prayer meeting with Jennie, Mr. Keith leader. Not a
very large turnout.
23 – A fine day. Got A. Akhurst’s drill and sowed the horse corn
in the forenoon. Rolling in the afternoon. Jennie baking for anni-
versary. Annie and Willie at school. Practice for anniversary after
school.
24 – A beautiful day in every respect. Put in the little plot near the
barn pump in corn in the forenoon. Tom Black and Annie and
Jessie came about 2 pm. Went with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie
to SS anniversary. Aunt Janet came home after tea and then Jennie
came up for the concert. G. Fox sang, Miss Crabtree recited and
Miss August gave instrumentals. A packed house. The singing
was all [?] and not the thing for a church to my thinking. $142.00
taken in and a social tomorrow night.
25 – A fine day but somewhat cool. Tom Black and Annie left for
home in the morning. Did some grafting and scuffled strawberries
in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with Jennie and little
James to Manchester for road list. Called at Uncle’s and found
him still in bed and not any better.
26 – Rain through the night which will do good as things were
getting dry. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie
(124 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. George Watt of Iowa was there.
Thunder shower about 8 pm.
27 – Foggy in the morning. Went to Seagrave with 6 hogs which
weighed 1030 lbs and got $6.75 per 100 lbs. On the way home it
rained pretty heavy for awhile. Aunt Janet then went to Port Perry
expecting to meet Mrs. F. Perrin who was coming from Lindsay
but she did not come. Planted strawberries in the orchard in the
afternoon. Got colder towards night and there was some snow in
the evening. Annie and Willie at school.
28 – High wind through the night and the ground white with snow
in the morning but it soon disappeared. It never got anything like
warm all day. Went to Port Perry in the morning for pig feed.
Drew out manure in the afternoon. Hugh Monroe came to finish
wire fence but did not have wire enough. Annie and Willie at
school.
29 – A fine day and a little warmer. Went for the beef in the morn-
ing taking Annie and Willie to school. Drawing out manure the
rest of the day. Bang agent called in the afternoon. Mr. Pearce
here for supper, renewed the insurance on buildings $1700.00 in
all. Isaac O’Neill came for turnip drill.
30 – A very fine day. A little warmer. Drawing out manure all
day. Jennie housecleaning the closet. Isaac O’Neill brings back
turnip drill. Annie and Willie at school.
31 – A fine day and fairly warm. Drew out manure in the forenoon
and in the afternoon went with Jennie to preparatory service in the
church. Rev. Mr. Leitch of Sonya preached an extra good sermon.
Annie and Willie at school.
JUNE 1 – A fine day but some dull in the afternoon. Drawing out
manure all day. About 8 pm Tom Bell of Oshawa came. He
walked from Port Perry via Greenbank.
2 – A very fine day. Went alone to communion at Wick. Gave
Oliver Luke, who is working at John Beaton’s, a ride back. Mr.
Keith conducted the service, a pretty good turnout. Jennie, with
Annie and Willie, drove Tom Bell down as far as the ridges on his
way home. Went to church at Greenbank in the evening. Mr.
Keith preached to a fair audience. Got a ride from and to the end
of the road with John Michie and Allan Black.
3 – A fine warm day and everything growing fine. Spread manure
in the forenoon while Jennie and her mother went to Port Perry.
Drawing out manure in the afternoon. E. Bungard called. Annie
and Willie at school. C. Gordon called. Nellie McMillan and
Willie Rennie married today.
4 – Dull and threatening rain all afternoon which turned into a
south eastern rain in the evening. Drawing out manure in the fore-
noon and finished the job. Plowing turnip land in the afternoon.
Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. here for dinner. Jennie gone to W.F.M.S.
meeting at Lindsay and will be away until tomorrow night. Annie
and Willie at school.
5 – A great rain through the night and it started again about 5 pm
and turned out a very wet night. Plowing all day and in the eve-
ning went to Greenbank to prayer meeting but there was none.
Brought Jennie home. Annie and Willie at school.
6 – Pretty cool all day. Almost rain in the forenoon. Went to Port
Perry in the morning with 6 pigs to Mr. Bungard and got $7.00 per
hundred. Plowing and harrowing in the afternoon. Jennie wash-
ing. Annie and Willie at school.
7 – A fine day and a little warmer. Drilled up for turnips most of
the day, 56 drills. Annie and Willie at school. Annie went home
with Eva Leask and stayed all night.
8 – A nice day. Sowed turnips in the morning. Rolled grain in the
afternoon. Broke the roller tongue. Jennie housecleaning kitchen
and pantry. Annie came home after dinner from Jas. Leask’s and
150
went to bed sick without supper. Went down to M. O’Neill’s in
the evening to settle about fire wood and heard that Mrs. Jas. Cross
died yesterday and that S. Moon of Seagrave was killed today by a
stone slipping on him.
9 – A very fine day but not very warm. At SS and church with
Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (133 at SS). Rev. Mr. Leitch of
Sonya visited the school, also Jas. H. Leask, super. of Sonya SS.
Mrs. Cross’ funeral service was conducted by Mr. Keith. In the
evening went with Jennie to hear Mr. Cooper at Port Perry but it
turned out to be a union service in the Methodist church. Rev. Mr.
Philp preached a very good sermon.
10 – A fine day. Annie and Willie at school. Hugh Monroe came
in the forenoon and finished the wire fence between the house and
barn. Plowing turnip land the rest of the day. Mr. Stonehouse
called.
11 – A very fine day. Plowing turnip land all day. Jennie house-
cleaning. Annie and Willie at school. Isaac O’Neill called in the
forenoon.
12 – A fine day. Finished plowing turnip land but there is part of
buckwheat land to plough. Annie and Willie at school. Isaac
O’Neill and Bill Lewis came for the turnip drill. This is a great
day for weddings, someone has counted 8 for today. Among them
are G.D. McMillan to J.A. Watson; Elgin Real; Laura Camplin and
Flo McHadden.
13 – A very fine day. Scuffling and hoeing strawberries and other
things all day while Jennie, with Annie and Willie, went to Port
Perry market. In the afternoon Jennie went to W.F.M.S. meeting at
John Stone’s. Isaac O’Neill brought home the turnip drill. About
6:30 James Smith and Mrs. Annie Mason came and stayed all
night.
14 – The most summer like day of the season. Harrowing, rolling
and drilling turnip land. Jas. Smith and Annie Mason went down
to John’s for dinner and left for home about 3 pm. Annie and
Willie at school. Mrs. Annie and little Annie Gordon here for tea.
John Michie got turnip drill.
15 – A fine day. Drilling and sowing turnips and plowing the
orchard. Jennie painting pantry floor and oiling kitchen floor.
Greenbank band away to a picnic at Brougham today.
16 – A fine warm day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and
Willie (124 at SS). J.M. Real was superintendant as G.D. McM.
was away on his wedding trip. Mr. Keith preached. Choir rather
small today.
17 – Pretty warm. 84 in the shade in the afternoon. Plowing and
harrowing in the orchard. James not well and about 11 I went to
Port Perry and got Dr. D. Archer and he thinks it is membrane
croup. R. Cragg came over for the lend of saw set. South Ontario
Farmer’s Institute excursion to Guelph today. Jennie painted pan-
try floor.
18 – A warm day. Plowing and harrowing buckwheat land. Made
a new stoneboat. Anne and Willie at school. Jennie washing.
Thunder storm about 4 pm but only a little rain here.
19 – A fine warm day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for
buckwheat and sowed the S end of the root field and harrowed it.
About 4 pm a thunder shower came on, very moderate, and contin-
ued quite awhile which will do a lot of good. Went after Annie
and Willie who were at school. Moved out the range into the
woodshed in the morning. Syler Whitter’s baby was buried this
afternoon. Over at Cragg’s and Phair’s in the evening warning
them out for roadwork.
20 – A fine growing day. Rolled buckwheat and finished sowing
turnips. Annie and Willie at school.
21 – Pretty warm. Quite a lot of thunder in the afternoon but only
a little sprinkle of rain. At roadwork, drawing dirt to raise the road
at the far creek. Mr. and Mrs. W. Luke called in the evening.
Annie and Willie at school.
22 – A fine day and very warm. A lot of thunder in the afternoon
but no rain here. Scuffling all day at strawberries, potatoes, man-
golds and corn. Jennie went to Greenbank in the afternoon. Willie
went with her and Annie to Gordon’s. The Greenbank Band are to
play at Uxbridge tonight.
23 – A thunder shower about 8 am and again about 5 pm, warm
and growing. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie
(133 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. G.A. McMillan superintendant,
out for the first time since his marriage.
24 – Got up at 3:30 am and, with Jennie, drove to Uxbridge and
went to Toronto on the North Ontario Farmer’s Institute excursion.
Fell in with Scotch Alex Ledingham. Spent most of the day look-
ing at pianos but did not get one as they cost too much. Got home
again about 9:30. A pretty warm day. Annie and Willie did not go
to school as it rained in the morning. Jas. Blair’s barn raised today.
25 – A pretty warm day. Took Tiny cow to A. Bungard at Port
Perry in the morning. Jennie came down later and gave me a ride
home. Hoeing mangolds in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at
school.
26 – Big thunder storm through the night and drizzle of rain most
of the forenoon which soaked things pretty well. Made new gar-
den gate and hung it and hoed mangolds. At prayer meeting with
Jennie, a fair turnout. Mr. Keith leader. This is to be the last meet-
ing for some time. Annie and Willie did not go to school as it was
raining about the time for starting. Mammy in bed all day, she has
been very poorly for the last few days. Jew man took away the old
stove.
27 – A very fine day. Hoeing mangolds and finished at 4 pm, then
hoed corn. Annie and Willie at school.
28 – A very fine day. Hoeing all day at corn, potatoes and straw-
berries. Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school. The last day
of school before the holidays.
29 – A nice day, a few drops of rain in the evening. Hoed until
about 2 when, with Annie and Willie, went to Port Perry with 7
boxes of berries (the first of the season) and brought home 1000
empty boxes. Mrs. W. Real called for berries and also Bessie
Gordon. Jennie ironing and picking berries.
151
30 – A fine warm day, some rain through the night. At SS with
Jennie, Annie and Willie (117 present). After SS went to Method-
ist anniversary service, a full house. Rev. Mr. Hager and Rev. J.A.
Miller were the speakers.
JULY 1 – Scuffled turnips in the forenoon. Jennie picking berries.
A little rain in the forenoon. A fierce thunderstorm about 1:30 and
rain again between 6 and 7. Went with Jennie, Annie and Willie to
Greenbank to hear Bengough33
but having to wait until the rain was
over it was late when we got there. The church was so full that we
could not get in so we came home without hearing him, only a few
minutes at the door. The cream collector called for the first time.
2 – Very cool day for the time of year. Went to Port Perry in the
morning with a case of strawberries and got 12 cts per box. Scuf-
fling corn and mangolds in the afternoon and started to hoe the
turnips after supper. Jennie washing. Mammy still in bed. Jew
man got some hens.
3 – A fine cool day. Went for the beef with Annie and Willie and
hoed turnips in the forenoon. Helped Jennie to pick berries and
then took them (1 case) to Port Perry. Mrs. W. Luke here when I
left and J.A. and Ethel Miller came while I was away. Had a long
talk with J.A. and it was 10 pm before we got in from milking.
Wes Luke drove down for Mrs. Luke.
4 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips and picking berries. Jennie
went to Port Perry with berries.
5 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Scuffling most of the fore-
noon. Jennie, Annie and Jessie Michie picking berries (114
boxes). Jennie went to Port Perry with 2 cases. R. Barrett and
White called in the evening for berries.
6 – A fine shower about 7 am. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon.
Picked strawberries and stemmed them all after. Jennie preserving.
Jennie Gordon called for berries. At S. of T. in the evening.
7 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and
Willie (133 at SS), Rev. Mr. Menzies preached on the Point aux
Trembles School. James Lee and Miss Ida Phair here in the eve-
ning for a feed of strawberries.
8 – At berries nearly all day. Mrs. A. Gordon; Jennie Gordon;
Mary Dusty; Jim Dusty; Mr. W. Akhurst; Mrs. G. Lyle; Jessie
Michie and Jennie picking. Picked about 375 boxes. About 8 am a
terrific thunderstorm came up. Mary Dusty with others ran to the
shop when she was stunned with lightning. She was unconscious
for some time. After dinner Jim drove her home. Jim Dusty went
to Port Perry with 4 crates of berries and then to Greenbank with
some. G. Love and P. Gibson and Fred Ward and wife called
about berries. Another thunder shower about 1 pm.
33
The Bengough referred to here is most likely J.W.
Bengough (1851-1923), founder of the ‘Grip’ maga-
zine where he was editor and cartoonist. He also
drew cartoons for the Montreal Star, the Toronto
Globe and others. He was also an alderman in To-
ronto in the early 1900’s.
9 – A beautiful clear cool day. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie,
Annie and Willie went to Port Perry in the morning with a crate of
berries. Jennie washing in the afternoon. E. Barrett called for
some berries.
10 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips most of the day. At berry
picking: Jennie; Mrs. Gordon; Jennie Gordon; Jessie Michie; Mr.
Akhurst; Jim and Allie Dusty; Lillie O’Neill and Gertie Town.
Picked 275 boxes. Jim went to Port Perry and to Greenbank twice
with berries. In the evening went with Jennie, Annie and Willie to
lawn social at the manse Port Perry and had a very good time. A
beautiful night.
11 – Rain awhile in the morning and drizzle most of the afternoon
and evening. Scuffling turnips in the forenoon. Mr. and Mrs. and
Catherine Keith here for tea. Lawn social at Jas. Monroe’s tonight
was postponed for weather.
12 – Rain through the night and morning but cleared up and was a
fine cool day. Picking berries in the forenoon (wet). Hoeing tur-
nips in the afternoon. Jessie Michie; Mrs. Gordon and Jennie
Gordon; Allie Dusty; Jim Dusty picking. Jim Dusty went to
Greenbank twice with berries. Mrs. John Stone; Mrs. D. McDon-
ald; Cora Asling; Mrs. J. Beare; Alex Lee and wife; and Bella all
wanting berries. Rev. Mr. Menzies called. He is collecting for the
Point Aux Trembles schools. Mr. Young was driving him.
13 – A very fine day. Paris greening potatoes in the forenoon,
hoeing turnips in the afternoon. Jennie, Annie and James at Port
Perry in the afternoon. Eva Leask came and got 4 boxes of berries.
Miss O’Leary also wanted berries but did not get any today. When
all were in bed but I, Fred Patton and Mary, Helen and Douglas
and Lizzie Perrin came. They drove Mundo’s team and democrat.
14 – A fine day and pretty warm. Fred Patton drove up to SS and
church Jennie, Annie, Willie, Mary Patton, Douglas and I (145 at
SS). Rev. Mr. Davison of Seabright preached.
15 – A fine day and pretty warm. Hoeing turnips all day, John
Michie helping. Fred Patton and Mrs. Patton; Mrs. Perrin; Mrs. W.
O’Neill; Jessie Michie; Mrs. Gordon; Mrs. G. Lyle picking berries
(400 boxes). Several parties called for berries. Jennie and Fred
Patton went to Greenbank after supper with berries.
16 – A lot of rain through the night and a little shower after dinner,
pretty warm. The Port Hope and Newcastle people left for home
about 9 am. Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning with 2 crates
of berries. Scuffling in the forenoon and hoeing turnips in the
afternoon. Jennie baking for W.F.M.S. meeting tomorrow. Lawn
party at Jas. Monroe’s. Mammy not as well today. Mosquitoes
very bad in the evening.
17 – A very warm day. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon. Mrs.
Gordon; Jessie Michie and Mary Dusty picking strawberries.
Barbara Walker helping Jennie preparing for the afternoon. In the
afternoon was held our annual meeting of the W.F.M.S. The 4
youngest classes in the SS were also present. About 75 in all at
supper.
18 – A pretty warm day. Hoeing turnips until about 2 pm when I
finished for the first time. Then went to Greenbank for the mail,
152
then scuffled. Jennie and Jessie Michie picking berries. Jennie,
with Willie, then went to Port Perry with a crate of berries for
Mary Patton of Port Hope. Mrs. Gordon called in the evening.
19 – A very warm day, somewhat dull and like rain. Most of the
neighbours at their hay. Hoed the mangolds 2nd
time. Mrs.
Gordon, Jennie and Bessie Gordon picking berries in the forenoon.
Jennie picking in the afternoon and went to Greenbank with them
in the evening.
20 – Somewhat warm and thundering in the forenoon which termi-
nated in a heavy shower between twelve and one. After that it was
much cooler. Hoeing potatoes, strawberries and the garden.
Henry, Roy and Cathleen Leask came for strawberries and stayed
for dinner.
21 – A fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and
Willie (147 at SS), Rev. Mr. Keith preached. After the sermon Jas.
Leask, J.M. Real and G.D. McMillan were ordained as elders. A
short session meeting after service. In the evening went with
Jennie and Willie to Port Perry and heard Mr. Cooper.
22 – Rain through the night and most of the forenoon. Did very
little in the forenoon. Picked cherries and strawberries in the after-
noon. Jennie; Mrs. Gordon; Jennie Gordon and Jessie Michie also
picking which will likely be the last time over. Alex Gordon and
all the family down in the evening.
23 – A fine warm day, thunder around about 5 and 6 pm but no
rain here. Scuffling turnips until 5 pm. Jennie and Jessie Michie
picking strawberries in the forenoon. W. Monet and C. Henders
called in the evening buying apples.
24 – Went to Port Perry in the morning with Jennie, Annie, Willie
and James in the waggon. Quite a heavy thunder shower while we
were at Port Perry and much thunder during the afternoon but no
rain here. Hoeing strawberries in the afternoon. Aunt Janet and
Willie went to Greenbank for the mail. Mrs. Gordon Sr. here for
tea.
25 – A fine day. Paris greening potatoes in the forenoon. Hoeing
turnips (2nd
time) in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Mary and
Allie Dusty picking strawberries in the forenoon. Annie and Willie
at Gordon’s. Aunt Janet at Port Perry market with eggs.
26 – Rain through the night and much cooler during the day with
high NW wind. Finished scuffling turnips 2nd
time in the forenoon.
Jennie picking berries. Made new pig troughs for pig house.
27 – A quite cool day with a good breeze from NW. Hoeing tur-
nips until 5 when I went to Port Perry. Jennie picking cherries,
black currants and the very last of the strawberries. Annie and
Willie at John Michie’s and A. Akhurst’s.
28 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and
Willie (133 at SS), Mr. Keith preached.
29 – Threatening all forenoon, thunder shower about 12, then
much cooler. Hoeing turnips until about 4 when I got A. Akhurst’s
mower and cut hay until 8. Young Gregg called asking hands to
barn raising tomorrow. Jennie preserving cherries and black cur-
rants.
30 – A fine day. Cutting hay in the forenoon and in the afternoon
went with John Michie to Mrs. Gregg’s raising. Got home a little
before 10. Port Perry fireman’s excursion to Niagara Falls. Mr.
and Mrs. Mark and Jessie Michie went.
31 – This has been rather a blue day. Raked up hay in the fore-
noon, John Michie cocking it up, got done at noon when a heavy
thunder shower came on and soaked it well. Then another terrific
thunder storm at 1 pm, some very sharp lightning. Thunder all
afternoon and little more rain about 5. Did very little in the after-
noon. Jennie washing. Allan Black here for dinner. He was at the
Niagara excursion yesterday. James had a bad attack of croup in
the evening.
AUG. 1 – A fine day but threatening towards night. Thunder and
rain in the evening. Threw out hay in the forenoon that was in the
rows (very wet) and in the afternoon, with John Michie’s help,
drew in 7 loads. Jennie helping in the field all afternoon. Lilly
O’Neill and a Miss --- and Mrs. W.H. Leask and Henry called
about berries. Jennie picking raspberries in the forenoon.
2 – Heavy rain through the night. In the morning went to Port
Perry with Jennie, then on to Manchester with road list. Threw out
hay cocks after dinner and drew in the rest of the hay, A. Akhurst
helping, 11 loads in all. Mr. Sleep of Seagrave and Mr. Davis of
Oshawa called buying apples. Aunt Janet went to Greenbank for
the mail.
3 – A very fine day. Raked the hay field and with Jennie’s help
drew in the rakings, also the weeds on the old strawberry patch. In
the afternoon plowed and harrowed it. Jennie went to Greenbank
in the morning to telephone to Jessie Bell.
4 – A very fine day but pretty cool. At SS and church with Aunt
Janet, Annie and Willie (147 at SS). Rev. Mr. R. Leask preached.
Tom Black, Annie and Jessie at church and here for tea.
5 – A fine day, somewhat dull. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie,
Mrs. Gordon and Jessie Michie picking raspberries and in the
afternoon Jennie went to Port Perry with berries and met Jessie
Bell who came home for her summer holidays.
6 – A very fine day. Finished hoeing turnips 2nd
time and scuffled
strawberries. Jennie and Jessie Bell picking black currants. After
dinner hitched up and with Jennie and Willie started for Sutton
West. Drove by way of Sunderland and Valentyne to Edgar
Horne’s where we got about 5 pm. Edgar was away at a barn
raising. Stayed there all night. The crops thereabouts are a good
deal nearer ripe and of better quality than here.
7 – Rather dull in the morning but turned out a beautiful day.
Started from E. Horne’s about 8 am and went by Wildred (calling
at Mr. Chamberlain’s), Pefferlaw and got to Sutton at noon and
found the Joyce family all well. In the afternoon, with Mrs. Joyce,
we went to Jackson’s Point and spent the afternoon. It is a very
nice place for camping and a lot of people were there.
153
8 – Another very fine day, but pretty warm. Started from Sutton at
8:30 am for home. Came by way of Udora to Alex Leask’s at
Leaskdale and got there at noon. Mr. L. was away at Uxbridge.
Mrs. L. and Miss Morrison got us dinner and we started again at
2:30. Called at Rev. Mr. McKechran, came by way of Victoria
Corners and got home a little after 6. Mrs. Gordon and Jessie
Michie here picking berries in the forenoon. W.H. Leask’s barn
raising in the afternoon. Mr. Honey over the swamp is threshing,
the first of the season.
9 – A very fine day but pretty warm. Hoeing strawberries and
other things. Aunt Janet went to Port Perry with berries. Jennie
washing. Jennie Gordon here in the evening. Jessie Bell made
James a pair of blue pants. 12 little pigs came.
10 - A very warm day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with
Aunt Janet, Willie and James in the waggon for corn. Cleaning out
old strawberry patch in the orchard. Jennie and Jessie Michie
picking raspberries, 66 boxes. Preserving in the evening. All the
jars full. Aunt Janet went up to Akhurst’s with some berries.
11 – A very warm day, some like rain towards night. At SS and
church. Walked up while Jennie, Jessie B, Annie and Willie drove
(130 at SS). A. Ledingham addressed the school. Rev. Mr. Keith
preached.
12 – A fine day, a very little rain through the night, some cooler.
Hoeing strawberries most of the day. Jennie, Jessie Michie and
Mrs. Gordon picking berries. Jennie went to Greenbank in the
afternoon. Jessie Bell making dress for Annie. Henry and Roy
Leask came for berries.
13 – A fine day and cooler with high wind from the NW in the
afternoon and dirt flying. Went to Port Perry in the morning to the
early train with Jessie Bell and Annie who are on their way to
Toronto, Port Hope and Newcastle, etc. The Port Perry Band have
an excursion to Peterborough today. Jim Lee and Ida Phair are in
it. Got out the binder in the afternoon while Jennie went to Sea-
grave with some hens. John Michie called in the evening.
14 – A fine day and cool. Cleaned up grainery. Made watering
stand for hens and some other small jobs. Jennie washing in fore-
noon and at W.F.M.S. meeting at G.A. McMillan’s. John Michie
got Fly to help cut oats. Isaac O’Neill got his house damaged by
fire this afternoon. James fell down the cellar stairs and hurt his
face.
15 – A fine day. Fixing fence along the road in the forenoon and a
few little jobs in the afternoon. Mrs. A. Gordon, Jessie Michie and
Jennie picking berries. George Fowlie, Mary and George Lamb
came for berries. They were here for dinner. In the evening went
with Aunt Janet and Willie to Band concert at R. Flewell’s. There
was a large turnout. G. Fox and a ventriloquist from Toronto were
the performers. Mr. F. Folke of Oshawa was chairman. A. Ak-
hurst and I sold the tickets which amounted to $119.00. The re-
freshment stand took in about $30.00. A fine evening and lots of
dust.
16 – John Michie with horse came up in the morning and we cut in
field west of house until about 11 am when we had to stop as it
started a little drizzle of rain, which will be a good thing for roots
and pasture, and quite a heavy thunder between 12 and 1. After it
cleared up a little went to Port Perry with the waggon and Jennie
and Willie. Some rain again on the way home. Jennie making me
a smock in the evening.
17 – A fine cool day with wind from NW. Did a few odd jobs in
the forenoon and in the afternoon, with John Michie’s help and his
horse, finished cutting field W of house about 5. After supper
went to Port Perry. Jennie picking berries and preserving. Jennie
Gordon brought the mail.
18 – A beautiful day, clear and cool. At SS and church with Aunt
Janet and Willie (131 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. The Wick
church was reopened after being renovated.
19 – A very fine cool day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with
Willie and the waggon for Jessie Bell’s Toronto purchases. Jessie
Michie, Emma Black and Jennie picking berries in the forenoon.
Puttying up windows in the afternoon. Jennie making me a smock
and a pair of pants. Put up the mail box at the head of the road. It
was carried away by some smarty on Thursday night, the night of
the band concert.
20 – A fine day, cool, a few drops of rain after dinner. Scuffled
strawberries and hoed some in the forenoon. In the afternoon went
to Greenbank with Jennie, Willie and James for the mail and got
tea at John Lee’s. Everybody harvesting but not very ripe at home.
In the evening went with Jennie over to R. Cragg’s.
21 – A very fine day and pretty cool. Did a few little jobs in the
forenoon. In the afternoon, with John Michie and horse, cut most
of the field NW of barn. Norman Phair called wanting help to
thresh tomorrow and John Whiteford asking hand to raising at
Baker’s on the 14th
concession. Jennie making pants for Willie.
John Michie, R. Cragg and A. Akhurst (except peas) finished cut-
ting today.
22 – A very fine day. Helping Phair’s to thresh in the forenoon at
the Petty place (W. Taylor’s machine). Grain turned out pretty
well they thought. In the afternoon finished cutting field NW of
barn. Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning and met Jessie Bell
and Annie who have been away for over a week.
23 – A fine cool day. Cut the hill field with John Michie’s help.
In the evening rode up with John to Greenbank to take part in a
debate between 3 from the S. of T. and 3 from the Epworth
League.34
It was held in the basement of the Methodist church.
T.E. Cragg chairman and associated with him as critics were Ar-
vella Real and Bertha Till. The subject was resolved that a young
man with $2,000.00 capital would be better to remain in the rural
districts of Ontario than to go the western provinces to settle. The
League debaters were R. Cragg, Bert Beare and school teacher
Woon. Those from the S. of T. were Les Phoenix, G. Till and I.
There was a good attendance and the affirmation taken by the S. of
T. were the winners. A lunch was then served.
34
The Epworth League was a Methodist young adult
association.
154
24 – Some little rain showers in the forenoon. In the afternoon
with Jennie’s help drew in the field W of the house. A tire came
off the waggon wheel and it was pretty dark before we got through.
25 – A fine cool day. Walked to SS while Jennie, Annie, Willie
and Jessie Bell drove in the buggy (143 at SS). A Mr. Grant, a
returned missionary to China, preached. Alex Ledingham, better
known as Scotch Alex, came home with me for tea and stayed until
about 9:30 when I drove him most of the way home to Alex
Leask’s. A pretty cool night.
26 – A fine cool day, high NW wind. Raked the field W of house
and drew it in the forenoon. Jessie Bell went to Greenbank and
took Annie and Willie to school, the first day since holidays.
Drawing in oats in the afternoon with Jennie’s help. Jessie visiting
at A. Gordon’s. Annie and Willie went there from school. D. Lyle
threshing after about 6 o’clock.
27 – Rather dull and threatening rain a little most of the day which
started to rain in earnest about 4 and drizzled for awhile. With
Jennie’s help drew in what was left of the field NW of the barn.
Raked it and drew in rakings and went as far as Dusty’s to meet
Annie and Willie coming home from school.
28 – A little dull in the morning but turned out a fine day. Started
for beef but met Ernest Phair with it. Plowing in field NW of barn
all day. Annie and Willie at school and at Mission Band after.
Aunt Janet and James went down to John Michie’s in the after-
noon.
29 – A fine cool day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. Annie and
Willie at school. Miss Maggie Brown of Toronto called in the
afternoon. [margin note: Quebec bridge disaster]35
30 – A fine day, somewhat dull in the morning. Drawing in the
hill field all day, Jennie helping, which finishes harvest except a bit
of buckwheat. A light crop on the whole. Port Perry High School
held an old pupils reunion today.
31 – A fine day. Made fence S of strawberry patch in the fore-
noon. Cut buckwheat in orchard in the afternoon. Jennie, Jessie
and little James at Port Perry. Annie and Willie at Gordon’s and
did not get home until near dark.
SEPT. 1 – A fine day, warm about noon, a little rain in the evening
thunder shower. Walked to church while Jennie, Aunt Janet, An-
nie and Willie rode (123 at SS). Rev. J.M. Cameron, the former
pastor of the church, preached.
2 – Thunder shower through the night. Plowing all day. Got the
loan of 5 bags of oats from D. Lyle. Annie and Willie at school.
Aunt Janet and little James visiting at John Michie’s.
3 – A fine day. Plowed until about 9:30 when I scuffled the straw-
berries while Jessie Bell drove Aunt Janet to Port Perry on her way
35
A large uncompleted span of the St. Lawrence can-
tilever bridge near Quebec fell into the river, killing
over 75 men.
to Port Hope on a visit. In the afternoon, with Jennie’s help, cut
the buckwheat at the foot of the turnips in the SW field. A pretty
good crop I think. Annie and Willie at school.
4 – A little rain in the morning. Jennie went to Greenbank taking
Annie and Willie to school. Plowing until 5 pm, then finished
shocking up buckwheat. Rev. J.M. Cameron of Hamilton called
about 4 pm. Mr. E. Boe was with him.
5 – A wild thunder storm about 8 so Annie and Willie did not go to
school. Rained off and on all forenoon. Thunder in the afternoon
but little rain. Thunder and heavy rain again in the evening. A fire
away to the NE. Plowing in the afternoon.
6 – A few little rain flurries in the afternoon, cool. Plowing all
day. Annie and Willie at school.
7 – A fine day. Plowing until about 4:30 when we got supper and
with Jennie went to Port Perry. Jennie, Edna and Annie Gordon
here for tea.
8 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie and Willie (110 at
SS), Rev. J.M. Cameron preached. Jennie in bed all day. Allan
Black called in the evening.
9 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Annie and Willie at school.
Jessie Bell housekeeping. N. Lyle finishes harvest.
10 – Plowing until about 3 when it started to rain and rain it did.
Heavy from the SE, thunder in the evening and heavy rain. Annie
and Willie at school.
11 – Went for beef in the morning taking Annie and Willie to
school, then plowing until noon. Hoed some and other jobs while
Jennie went to W.F.M.S. meeting at James Leask’s. 9 little pigs
arrived, 1 dead.
12 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. A choir practice in the
evening. Annie and Willie at school.
13 – A fine day, pretty warm. Plowing in the forenoon. Went to
Port Perry in the afternoon for pig feed. Jennie washing. Annie
and Willie at school. Mrs. Bell has been out of bed the last three
days.
14 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and in the after-
noon, with John Michie’s help, drew in the buckwheat which ap-
pears to be a pretty good crop. After supper went with Annie and
Willie down to the creek to get a boat ride but the boat was too
leaky. Tory demonstration at Beaverton today. R. Borden is to be
there.
15 – A very fine day but pretty warm. At SS and church with
Jennie, Annie and Willie (112 at SS), Mr. Keith preached the first
since his holidays. John McMillan and Willie Rennie 1st
time in
choir. Harvest Home services at Saintfield tonight. Jennie and
James at Mrs. Mark’s in the evening.
16 – A pretty warm day. Finished plowing field W of house and
then harrowed the rest of the day. Annie and Willie at school.
155
17 – A cool day. Harrowing in the forenoon and plowing where
the buckwheat grew in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
18 – A fine day. Plowing until about 4 when I scuffled the straw-
berries while Jennie and little James went to Port Perry to meet
Aunt Janet. In the evening went to church session meeting. Willie
not very well through the night. Willie and Annie at school.
19 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Annie at school. Got ready
to go to choir practice in the evening but the rain came on at the
time of starting but soon cleared off again.
20 – A nice day. Plowed a little while and about 9 am went to help
John Michie to thresh (W. Taylor’s machine) and finished about
3:30, then went to A. Akhurst’s and had a run. Annie at school.
21 – A fine day. At A. Akhurst’s threshing and finished about
1:30. The machine then went to D. Lyle’s but I did not follow
them. Jessie Bell left on the morning train for Rochester. Jennie
drove her down to Port Perry. In the evening went to open division
in the hall. Not a very big turnout but it went off fairly well.
22 – A beautiful day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie
and Willie (120 at SS). Mr. Keith conducted children’s service.
23 – A fine day. A little thunder in the afternoon and evening but
no rain here. Helping D. Lyle to thresh until about 10 am when
they finished (the machine then went to Whitter’s). Went down to
J. Michie’s to see about corn cutter which came at 2 pm. W.H.
Leask’s machine run by G. Dowson. Finished cutting at 4. I then
had to take the binder to Orchard’s on the 12th
concession near the
lake. After dark when I got home. Jennie washing in the forenoon
and in the afternoon I helped her to pick apples. Annie and Willie
at school. A man brought 30 apple barrels for Lane who has
bought our apples.
24 – Picking apples until about 10 am when I went to R. Cragg’s
threshing, finished at 6. Annie and Willie at school. Aunt Janet in
bed all day.
25 – Drawing corn from the field to the E orchard fence in the
forenoon. Some little rain flurries and in the afternoon several
quite heavy showers. Picked apples and other jobs. Annie and
Willie at school. Edith Phair called while we were at dinner.
26 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with
Jennie. In the afternoon W. Taylor’s threshing machine came from
Phair’s and started at 1:30 and worked until 6:30. Jim Blair and
Fred Ward are the threshers. In the evening went to choir practice.
Gave Jim Blair a ride up and back. Annie and Willie at school.
Taylor and Blair stayed all night.
27 – A fine day. Started to thresh but had only worked a few min-
utes when the blower plugged, the belt came off and wound around
the cylinder which smashed the table and sprung the cylinder shaft.
They had to take it to Sunderland. Got back about 6:30 and put it
in in the evening. In the forenoon pumped out and cleaned the
well at the house. N. Lyle took a tank full of the water. In the
afternoon attended preparatory service in the church. Rev. Mr.
Wesley of Sunderland preached. No new members this time.
Annie and Willie at school.
28 – Finished threshing in about an hour and a half and they then
moved to Norman Lyle’s. Raining all forenoon from the east.
Rain all afternoon too heavy to thresh so I did very little.
29 – Somewhat dull and raw. Went with Jennie to communion at
Greenbank. A pretty good turnout, Mr. Keith conducted the ser-
vice. Allan Black here for dinner. Did not go out in the evening as
it was threatening rain and very dark.
30 – Rain in the morning but turned out a fine day. Threshing at
Norman Lyle’s and finished about 12:30 (they then moved to Alex
Gordon’s). Drawing corn in the afternoon. Apple packers came
about 4:30 and put up 8 barrels of fall apples. Willie and Annie at
school. At John Michie’s in the evening singing, Jennie also.
OCT. 1 – A beautiful day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with
8 barrels of apples for Lane and 10 bags to Bigelow’s evaporator.
In the afternoon went to John Monroe’s sale which went off rather
dull. Jennie and little James went with me to A. Gordon’s. In the
evening went with Jennie to practice at W. Wallace’s for the
W.F.M.S. social. Annie and Willie at school.
2 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes all day, Jennie helping. A
very good crop, got in nearly [?] loads. Jennie and Aunt Janet at
prayer meeting. Annie and Willie at school. Nursing a sore eye all
day.
3 – A fine day until evening when there was some rain, quite
warm. Jennie went to Port Perry market with chickens. Digging
potatoes all day, Jennie helping in the afternoon. Got in another 2
loads. Annie and Willie at school.
4 – A fine day and some cooler. Digging potatoes all day, Jennie
helping in the afternoon, got in 2 more loads. Annie and Willie at
school.
5 – Several showers during the day and evening. Finished the
potatoes, another load. At S. of T. in the evening, pretty muddy
roads.
6 – At church and SS with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (130 at
SS), Mr. Keith preached. Rain coming home and all the evening
and very dark.
7 – Plowing corn ground and had only one round to finish (about 4
o’clock) when a heavy shower came up from the SE and I got the
worst ducking this year. Annie and Willie at school.
8 – A good deal colder with high N wind. Did several small jobs
in the forenoon while Jennie and Willie went to Port Perry.
Topped mangolds in the afternoon. Annie at school.
9 – A fine day. Drew in the mangolds, Jennie helping. 11 loads,
not a very big crop, too many small ones. Annie and Willie at
school. At prayer meeting with Jennie, a fair turnout, Mr. Keith
leader.
10 – A little rain through the night. Went to Port Perry in the fore-
noon with 8 bags of oats to be ground and 6 bags of apples to the
evaporator. 2 performing bears in town. Drew out manure in the
afternoon. Jennie visiting at Mr. Lyle’s.
156
11 – Quite a heavy thunder shower through the night and several
little showers during the day. Plowed the old potato ground.
Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school. Annie has been head
of her class for more than three weeks now.
12 – A fine day, some little showers. Plowing all day. At S. of T.
in the evening.
13 – The coldest day of the season. At SS and church with Jennie
and Annie and Willie (129 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. A male
choir at the Methodist church tonight.
14 – Quite a hard frost and a fine day. Picking apples all day,
Jennie also. Annie and Willie at school. At church manager’s
meeting in the evening. C. Gordon had a break down coming
down the hill.
15 – A beautiful day. Picking apples all day, Jennie helping. At
John Michie’s in the evening singing with Russell and Joe Wal-
lace. Annie and Willie at school.
16 – Another very fine day. Wes Luke came and helped to kill pig
in the forenoon. Picking apples, Jennie helping, in the afternoon.
At prayer meeting with Jennie, a fair turnout, Mr. Keith leader.
Annie and Willie at school.
17 – A beautiful day. Cut up the pig and picked apples the rest of
the day alone. Jennie at W.F.M.S. meeting at Mrs. James
McMillan’s at Greenbank. Mr. McGregor of Lindsay was present.
Annie and Willie at school. Methodist church have an old folks
social tonight.
18 – A fine day but cooler. Picking apples all day, Jennie helping
a little in the forenoon. She was at a quilting bee at Mrs. Mark’s in
the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school. Mr. Lang of ---- here
overnight.
19 – Somewhat cool all day. Picking apples all day, Jennie helping
awhile in the afternoon. Went to Port Perry in the evening with
Jennie. Mr. A. Gordon Sr. and Edna here for dinner. Annie, Wil-
lie and Edna went down to John Michie’s to practice for the
W.F.M. social. Mr. Lang went away after breakfast.
20 – A fine day but pretty cold, quite a hard frost in the evening.
At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (111 at SS), Mr.
Keith preached. In the evening went with Jennie to Seagrave to the
opening of the new Methodist church. The church was packed to
the doors and a good sermon by Rev. Dr. Williamson of Hamilton,
who also did the begging and did it well. More than enough prom-
ised. A beautiful night.
21 – Pretty hard frost in the morning but a very fine day. Picking
apples most of the day, Jennie helping in the afternoon, washing in
the forenoon. Annie and Willie at school.
22 – Somewhat raw. Picked apples in the forenoon, Jennie help-
ing, and finished the job. In the afternoon with Jennie and little
James went to Port Perry with apples to the evaporator and 3 bar-
rels to Winnipeg and 1 to Hanley. Annie and Willie at school.
They then went down to Jessie to practice for the W.F.M. social.
23 – A fine day and pretty cool. Plowing all day. Annie and Wil-
lie at school. In the evening, with Jennie, Annie and Willie, went
to the W.F.M. social in the church. A fine night and a good turn-
out, Mr. Keith chairman. The programme all old pieces and pretty
good. Lunch served by the ladies in white caps and shawls, pro-
ceeds $28.75.
24 – A pretty hard frost, too hard to plough. Jennie drove Annie
and Willie to school and went on to the church where she helped to
clean up after the social. Cleaned out hen house and pig pens. In
the afternoon topped turnips, Jennie helping.
25 – Pretty raw and cold with high NW wind. At turnips all day,
Jennie helping. Got about half harrowed up and 4 loads in. Annie
and Willie at school.
26 – A hard frost in the morning. Drawing in turnips, Jennie help-
ing. Got in 15 loads. A fire in the evening to the W.N.W.
27 – Rain through the night and a little more or less all through the
day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (105 at
SS), Mr. Keith preached.
28 – Rather cold with high N wind. At turnips all day, Jennie
helping. Got in 13 loads. Annie and Willie at school.
29 – Pretty cold and raw with high N wind. Finished topping and
harrowing up turnips and got 6 loads in, Jennie helping. Annie and
Willie at school.
30 – A very hard frost in the morning. Drawing in turnips, Jennie
helping. Got in 12 loads. Annie and Willie at school. At prayer
meeting with Jennie, a fair turnout, Mr. Keith leader.
31 – Thanksgiving day. Celebrated here by working all day at
turnips, Jennie helping. Took in 12 loads and finished the job, 62
loads in all. Edna Gordon here most of the day playing with Annie
and Willie. Baptist social tonight.
NOV. 1 – A beautiful day. Plowing. Jennie washing. Annie and
Willie at school.
2 – Rain through the night and all day. It never let up. It came
from the south, mud everywhere. Did a few jobs about the barn.
3 – Heavy rain through the night. High NW wind during the day
and colder. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (112
at SS), Mr. Keith preached. Muddy roads.
4 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Went to Port Perry in the
forenoon with Jennie. Plowing sod in the north field in the after-
noon. Annie and Willie at school.
5 – A fine day. Plowing sod all day. Mrs. O’Neill came and got 3
little pigs at $2.00 each. Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at
school.
6 – Dull and drizzling the greater part of the day from the E, with
quite heavy rain in the evening. Plowing sod. Annie and Willie at
school. Man came with 40 more apple barrels. Billie Lewis came
for calf for Mrs. O’Neill.
157
7 – A little snow on the ground in the morning (the first of the
season) and it continued to snow nearly all day with high NW
wind. Jennie went to Greenbank taking Annie and Willie to school
and I went after them in the afternoon. Roads very bad. There is
drifts in the lane over 3 feet deep and it was all the horse could do
to get through. Got the young cattle in for the first. The apple
packers came but could not work out in the orchard.
8 – Mild day but the snow did not melt very fast. Plowing most of
the day. Annie at school alone.
9 – Tried to plough in the morning but it was too hard so I went to
Port Perry with 6 bags of oats to the mill and brought home a new
Bell root pulper ($12.00). Annie and Willie went with me.
Plowed a little in the afternoon.
The Bell root pulper would have been similar to this one...
10 – A fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and
Willie (113 at SS). Mrs. Jas. McMillan reported on her trip to
Bobcaygeon to the SS convention. Mr. Keith preached. Tom and
Allan Black here for supper.
11 – A fine day, some frost in the morning. Plowing sod most of
the day. Jennie washing in the forenoon. She went up to Gordon’s
in the afternoon to see Alex Gordon Sr. who got hurt on Saturday
by falling from a load of straw. He is better and was able to be up
at S. Dusty’s. Annie and Willie at school.
12 – A pretty hard frost in the morning. Drew in the corn and out
straw to cover strawberries, Jennie helping. Tax collector Wier
called. Apple packers Collins came a little before dinner and put
up 20 barrels. Annie and Willie at school.
13 – Pretty cold with high W wind. Finished covering strawber-
ries, pruned apple trees and other jobs. Jennie at W.F.M.S. meet-
ing at Mrs. Wallace’s. Annie and Willie at school. Luke and
Henry called. They wanted to sell a waggon. Apple packers did
not turn up.
14 – Hard frost. With Jennie’s help, drew in 19 barrels of apples
into the barn with the stoneboat. In the afternoon got John Mi-
chie’s waggon and took 20 barrels of apples to Port Perry. Annie
at school.
15 – A fine and much milder day. Put on storm windows and
doors. Helped to put up room stove and few other jobs. Collins
apple packers put up 26 barrels of apples. Annie at school. She
has been head of her class for two weeks.
16 – A beautiful day. Went 2 trips to Port Perry with 20 barrels of
apples each time. Collins here all day packing. Annie and Willie
at Gordon’s playing.
17 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie
and Willie (125 at SS), Mr. Keith preached on baptism. Thawing
some.
18 – A very fine day. Picking up the cull apples in the forenoon,
Jennie helping, and in the afternoon took 22 bags to Port Perry
evaporator. Jennie, Willie and James went also. Collins came in
the afternoon and finished packing the apples about 8 pm, 20 bar-
rels more, 80 in all. Annie at school.
19 – A very fine day. Took the last 20 barrels of apples to Port
Perry in the morning but did not get the money as there is trouble
between Mr. Lane and the firm he is buying for. Covered orchard
strawberries in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Annie at school.
She dropped to 2nd
place after being head for 2 weeks and one day.
20 – A fine day with rather raw wind from SE. Helping Norman
Phair to thresh at Petty place in the forenoon. Pruning apple trees
in the afternoon. Jennie and Willie went to Mission Band meeting
and did not get home until after dark. Annie at school. Head of
class again.
21 – Rain through the night and half the forenoon which kept An-
nie home from school. Plowing in the north field (sod) and fin-
ished it at dark. Aunt Janet visiting at S. Dusty’s.
22 – A fine day. Plowing little plot near pump and in the orchard.
Jennie at quilting bee at Alex Gordon’s. Annie at school, got head
of class again at one bound.
23 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry with Aunt Janet, principally to
see Mr. Lane about the pay for apples but got poor encouragement.
Went to G. Love’s in the afternoon. Aunt Janet and little James
visiting at Mrs. Mark’s. Edna and Annie Gordon here playing with
Annie and Willie.
24 – A fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie
(131 at SS). Rev. Dr. McLaren, Home Mission secretary, preached
a fine sermon on home mission work.
25 – A fine day. Banking house and putting in wood. Went to
Lang’s sale on the 7th
concession in the afternoon. Did not buy
anything. Jennie housecleaning kitchen. Annie at school.
26 – Ground white with snow in the morning and snowing a little
most of the day. Drove Annie to school and went on to Greenbank
and went for her at night. Jennie housecleaning.
27 – A fine day. Drawing in wood from the yard and limbs from
the orchard trees. Jennie washing. Annie at school.
28 – Snow through the night and a little rain in the forenoon.
Drove Annie up to concession on her way to school when she got a
ride with Alex Gordon. Pruning apple trees in the afternoon.
158
29 – A fine day. Pruning apple trees in the forenoon. In the after-
noon, with Aunt Janet, went to preparatory service in the church,
Mr. Keith preached. Mrs. G.D. McMillan and Archie Paige came
in this time. Annie at school.
30 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with Jennie
and Annie, principally to inquire about the pay for apples but got
very poor comfort. Took the cutter but the sleighing was rather
thin. Drew brush from the orchard in the afternoon. Mrs. Bell in
bed all day, worse than usual.
DEC. 1 – A fine day. Went with Aunt Janet to the communion
service at Wick. Took the cutter, sleighing a little thin. At church
with Jennie and Annie. A Mr. Watson, a Knox College student,
preached on mission work in the west.
2 – A fine day. Finished drawing brush from the orchard in the
forenoon. In the afternoon drove over to see John Monroe but
there was nobody at his house. Called at W. O’Neill’s. Annie at
school.
3 – A fine day and pretty cold and wintery like. Did a few odd
jobs. Jennie at Greenbank in the afternoon. Annie at school. Jim
Dusty called with some money.
4 – Pretty cold in the morning, 1 below zero. Banked up the root
house in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with Jennie and
Annie to Port Perry where Annie got two teeth pulled and I went to
the afternoon and evening sessions of the Grand Division S. of T.
There was a fair attendance in the afternoon and the public meeting
in the evening was a full house. The principal speakers were Mr.
Alviston of Philadelphia, Most Worthy Patriarch; and Joseph
Gipson of Ingersol, which were good. After 11 before the meeting
closed. I then walked all the way home.
5 – A very fine day. Aunt Janet drove me part way to Port Perry
where I attended the morning and afternoon sessions of the Grand
Division. Rev. Mr. Brace of Richmond Hill was chosen G.W.P.
An initiation team from Orillia gave an exhibition and did it very
well. Jennie drove down and met me at Pat [Figets?]. Jennie
washing. Annie at school.
6 – A very fine day. Went over to John Monroe’s in the afternoon
and had a talk with him about our apple losses. We decided to go
over to Uxbridge on Tuesday next and get legal advice. Annie at
school.
7 – A fine day and almost thawing. Went to Port Perry in the
afternoon with 10 bags of oats to be ground but did not get them
home. Took the sleigh but the sleighing is rather thin. Saw J. Lane
about the apples. He has made an assignment.
8 – A fine day, thawing some and the sleighing rather poor. At SS
and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (124 at SS). Mr. Keith
preached on giving and did some pretty plain talking. A son born
to Mr. and Mrs. Alex Lee.
9 – Went to Port Perry with the waggon in the morning for the
meal. Annie at school. The teacher Mr. Woon was not there ow-
ing to sore throat. Jennie washing. Rain from about 4 pm on in the
evening.
10 – Thawing most of the day and the result is mud. Went over
with John Monroe to Uxbridge to get legal advice about the price
of apples sold to Lane and got little encouragement. Annie at
school.
11 – Snowing a little from the NW most of the day but not enough
to make good sleighing. Jennie and Willie at annual meeting of
W.F.M.S. at W. Akhurst’s. Jennie elected president for the second
time. Mission Band meeting also. Annie at school. Did very little
but the chores.
12 – Pretty cold day. Cut some wood in the shed. Jennie and Aunt
Janet quilting. Annie at school.
13 – A fine mild day. Cleaned out the hen house and cut wood.
Jennie and Aunt Janet quilting. Annie at school. Went down to
John Michie’s for a sing but John was not at home.
14 – Snowing all day from the E. Alex Gordon Sr. brought Edna
and Annie Bell down in the morning. The plan was that they were
to go down to John Michie’s to practice for the Christmas tree but
it was so rough that they did not go. I drove them home about
4:30.
15 – Snow through the night from the E. At church and SS with
Jennie, Annie and Willie. Roads up by Lyle’s pretty well drifted.
(111 at SS), Rev. Mr. Cooper of Port Perry preached, this being
Wick anniversary.
16 – Somewhat wintery. Drove Annie to school and went for her
and did the chores. Jennie washing.
17 – Drove Annie to school. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon
with Jennie and Willie, principally to put in claim for apples. Did
chores early and then with Jennie and Annie went and spent the
evening at W. H. Leask’s. A very fine night.
18 – Drove Annie to school. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon
with the sleigh and got 1925 lbs of coal @ $7.25. In the evening
went to Port Perry to chorus practice in Methodist church under the
leadership of Jos. Goldering. Perhaps about 80 there. A fine night.
Wes Luke got badly hurt in the face at Sunderland Christmas fair.
19 – Port Perry and Uxbridge Christmas fairs. Drove Annie to
school. In the evening went with Jennie to concert in Methodist
church, Port Perry, which was fine. The house was packed. The
principal attraction was the Sherlock Quartet of Toronto, Miss
Beacock of Toronto and the chorus of 80 or 100 voices.
20 – A fine day. Drove Annie to school and then to meeting of
creditors of J. Lane at Port Perry. Was appointed one of the in-
spectors of the estate. Jennie went after Annie and called to see W.
Luke and found him doing as well as could be expected. This is
the last day of school for the year. Mr. Woon dropped out.
21 – A fine day. Did the chores and went down to John Michie’s
in the afternoon with Annie, Willie and James to practice for
Christmas tree and in the evening also with Russell and Joe Wal-
lace.
22 – A fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie
(105 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. Maggie McMillan sang a solo.
159
23 – Went to Port Perry in the afternoon with Jennie, Annie and
Willie. Heavy snow all afternoon and some in the evening. At
church manager’s meeting at the church. G. and W. Collins called
in the forenoon to talk of J. Lane’s apple account.
24 – Somewhat inclined to snow. Went to Port Perry to the 10
o’clock train and brought up Alma and Jennie Perrin from Newcas-
tle. Went again to the 5:30 train for Jessie Bell. Then down with
the sleigh to Christmas tree at the church. Jennie, Annie, Willie
and Alma and Jennie Perrin went with me. There was a fair turn-
out and a pretty good time. Mr. Keith chairman.
25 – Almost thawing all day, some snow in the afternoon. At
home all day. John and Jessie up for dinner. A Christmas tree in
the parlour. Quite a big day for the little ones.
26 – A nice day. Went to the public school meeting in the fore-
noon, a fair turnout. J.M. Real chosen trustee. New school house
spoken of. Jennie and Jessie Bell went to Port Perry in the after-
noon. Mrs. Alex Horne buried today.
27 – Thawing all day with SW wind and a little rain sometimes.
Jennie and Willie drove with the cutter to James Smith’s for a
pattern for Jessie’s coat. They got back about 8 pm, a pretty dark
night. Jennie and Edna Gordon here in the afternoon.
28 – Drove Alma and Jennie Perrin to Port Perry to the train on
their way home. Sleighing not very good. Walter Bratley came up
from John Michie’s. In the afternoon drove up to Greenbank for
the mail. Walter went with me. Freezing towards night.
29 – A fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and
Willie (122 at SS), Mr. Keith preached on [local?] option. Walter
Bratley went down to John Michie’s for supper.
30 – Snow and rain through the night which improves the sleigh-
ing. Jessie Bell went to Port Perry to get her coat fitted. Walter
Bratley went with her on his way home. In the evening, with
Jennie, went to the annual SS meeting. A rough night, but there
was not a bad turnout, but when it came to elect the officers there
was a dead lock and nothing was done when we left for home
about 10:30.
31 – Rather a fine day. Went down and called on Isaac O’Neill in
the forenoon. Mr. and Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. called in the afternoon
and Mr. and Mrs. A. Gordon Jr. called in time for tea and spent the
evening. Jessie B. making her coat.
1908
JAN. 1 – A pretty fine day and pretty quiet here. Rev. Mr. Terrill
called in the forenoon wanting me to help at a tea party at Saint-
field. In the afternoon, with Annie and Willie, went to Greenbank.
Called at J.M. Real’s, John Lee’s and W. Akhurst’s. Methodist
anniversary tonight.
2 – A fine day. Jessie Bell went to Port Perry in the morning with
her coat to the tailor. I went to Port Perry in the afternoon with 12
bags of oats to be ground but did not get it home. Water across the
10th
concession.
3 – A most beautiful bright day, a little snow during the night.
Went to Port Perry with the sleigh and took Jessie Bell to the train
on her way back to Rochester. Willie went with me. In the after-
noon drove with Annie and Willie to Greenbank for the mail.
4 – Snowing a little in the morning and afterwards almost raining,
then towards night turned colder with high NW wind. Did very
little but the chores. Jennie making pinnies for Annie.
5 – Zero in the morning, clear. At SS and church with Jennie,
Annie and Willie (122 at SS). No lesson as all the time was taken
up with choosing teachers. Mr. Keith preached.
6 – A very fine day. Drove Annie to school. Two new teachers,
Miss B. Real and Miss Slovin start today. Did chores. Jennie
washing.
7 – A very fine mild day. Threw back some turnips in the root
house that were beginning to rot and sawed some wood. Jennie
churning and ironing. Annie at school.
8 – A pretty fine day. Annie at school. Drove Jennie and Willa up
to W.F.M.S. in the afternoon. They stayed for Mission Band and
got tea at Mrs. Walker’s. In the evening went to the annual church
meeting. There was a fairly good turnout and everything went off
smoothly. The funds came out $9.00 to the good. A. Akhurst; W.
Wallace; A. Leask and G.A. McMillan were chosen managers.
Renovating the church was the principal question.
9 – Pretty cold day. Drove Annie to school, then, with Jennie,
went to Port Perry market (2nd
day of horse races). In the evening,
with Jennie, went to union meeting in our church in connection
with the week of prayer. Rev. Mr. Terrill preached, a pretty good
turnout. A very bright clear night.
10 – A fine day but cold. Annie at school. She came home highly
pleased as she has got into the second book. Those that went in
with her are Austin Bundy; Fred Real; Alex Real; Ed Luke; Henry
Leask and Lester Taylor. Jennie and Willie visiting at A. Ak-
hurst’s. Went over to Akhurst’s swamp to see Albert about some
firewood.
11 – A very fine day. Drew 4 small loads of wood from A. Ak-
hurst’s swamp just north of John Michie’s barn. James Lee called
in the afternoon. At S. of T. in the evening. A very fine night.
12 – Rain through the night which turned to hail, which about 10
am turned to snow and snow it did in earnest from the NE the rest
of the day and drifted badly. At SS and church with Aunt Janet,
Annie and Willie. The attendance at SS was lower than usual, 84 I
think it was. Mr. Keith preached. We had all we could do to get
down the sideroad on the way home. The snow drifts were high
but very soft.
13 – Snow too deep for Annie to go to school. Threw back turnips
in the root house, some rotting pretty bad. Broke roads in the
afternoon.
14 – A fine day. Drove Annie to school and went on to Green-
bank. Drew one load of wood from A. Akhurst’s swamp. At
church managers meeting in the evening. A very fine night.
160
15 – Drew 2 loads of wood from A. Akhurst’s swamp in the fore-
noon. In the afternoon, with Annie and Willie, went to Port Perry.
In the evening, with Jennie, started to go to prayer meeting but
turned at S. Dusty’s as it was very rough and drifting badly.
16 – Rough, cold and drifting most of the day. Not out anywhere
and saw no one. Trying the new buck saw in the woodshed. An-
nie not at school.
17 – A fine day. Broke the road through the fields and drew home
4 loads of wood from A. Akhurst’s swamp.
18 – Drifting more or less all day but not so very cold. Drew 5
loads of wood from A. Akhurst’s swamp. Allan Black here for
dinner.
19 – A fine day but somewhat raw and cold. At SS and church
with Jennie, Annie and Willie, Mr. Keith preached (123 at SS).
Road somewhat heavy.
20 – A fine day. Drove Jennie down to John Michie’s to help
Jessie with the work, her mother being at Mrs. Akhurst’s who is
very ill. Then took Annie to school and went on to Greenbank,
then to D. Cragg’s and got his froe36
and spent the afternoon trying
to make shingles in the woodshed for A. Akhurst’s barn. Got word
from Winnipeg saying that William is in the hospital.
21 – Thawing some, rain in the afternoon and evening. At the
shingle making most of the day. Drew up some blocks from A.
Akhurst’s swamp. Jennie churning and washing. Annie at school.
Whitter’s house burned down.
22 – Somewhat rough with high NW wind. Drove Annie part way
to school. In the afternoon took 12 bags of oats to Port Perry to be
ground and brought home a load of coal. At prayer meeting in the
evening with Jennie. Alex Lee’s baby died this evening.
23 – A blizzard from the NE all day. Drove Annie to school and
went after her part way. At the shingles the rest of the day.
24 – 10 below zero in the morning. Annie did not go to school.
Worked at shingles awhile when W. Wallace came with a Mr.
Cuff, agent of the Morris Piano Co. and he talked piano until after
12 o’clock. In the afternoon went with Jennie to Greenbank and
attended Alex Lee’s baby’s funeral.
25 – Somewhat raw wind from SW. Went to Port Perry in the
forenoon for the meal. R. Akhurst here for dinner. At the shingles
in the afternoon.
26 – Snowing and blowing nearly all day from the east and rough.
At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (108 at SS), Mr.
Keith preached an extra good sermon. Annie received a diploma
for reciting verses.
27 – Zero with a high NW wind, snow drifting badly, a wild day.
Worked at shingles in the wood shed.
36
A froe is a L-shaped tool used in combination with
a wooden mallet to split timber or to make shingles.
28 – Spent the forenoon making roads. Made a road to the south,
then away up past R. Cragg’s. In the afternoon went with Jennie to
Port Perry. Roads very heavy and weather decidedly bad. Snow-
ing and drifting from the south west.
29 – Ten below zero in the morning and never higher than 4 below
all day with quite a high wind from the NW. At the shingles in the
wood shed part of the day.
30 – Twenty below zero in the morning and a bright day. Went up
to Alex Gordon’s for the mail. Called at A. Akhurst’s. Made
shingles in the afternoon. G.A. McMillan called. Called at A.
Akhurst’s and D. Lyle’s in the evening to talk over new school
house.
31 – Somewhat raw, especially towards night. Drove Annie to
school, the only day she was there this week. At the shingles.
FEB. 1 – Rough all night and snowing and drifting from the S
which turned to a hurricane from the NW towards night. Down at
John Michie’s in the forenoon. Walked in the afternoon through
the snow to meeting at school house about building new school
house. There was a good turnout. Wes Luke in the chair and Rev.
Mr. Terrill secretary. The whole time of the meeting was spent in
talking where the new school should be built. It was decided to
have a pool a week from next Monday. Rode home with Lyle’s in
the sleigh and a bad night it was.
2 – Blowing and storming all night and some all day. 4 below zero
in the morning. Roads all blocked. Walked over the drifts to the
SS. A small turnout, 34 I think it was. The Super not being there
it fell to me to act. We had only one class taught by R.T. Harring-
ton. Mr Keith did not get down so there was no church service.
About 8:30 a fire was seen in the direction of Greenbank which
proved to be Bundy’s store and dwelling house. Very little was
saved but the piano. $2200.00 of insurance.
3 – Got somewhat rough and stormy in the afternoon. Dug out
roads in the morning. A. Akhurst brought some shingle timber and
took away 7 bunches that were made. Worked at the shingles a
little while when Jas. and Will Leask came. They walked across
the fields and came to talk about school matters. They are quite
warm on dividing the section should the new school be built at
Greenbank. They stayed for supper and until about 7 o’clock.
4 – Twenty below zero in the morning and it never got above about
8 below all day. Clear and bright. Did very little but the chores as
it was too cold to work at shingles and I was not feeling very well.
5 – 16 below zero in the morning with E wind which got very
rough towards night, snowing also. Did a little at the shingles but
it was too cold. J.M. Real here in the afternoon getting out church
report. 12 little pigs came in the evening.
6 – Storming most of the night from the E and pretty rough all day.
Intended going out to Port Perry market but did not start as we
were afraid the roads were not passable. No trains on this line.
Did not do much as I was not very well. Jennie washing.
161
7 – Below zero in the morning with a high wind from the NW and
drifting. Went up as far as S. Dusty’s in the afternoon. No mail at
Greenbank since Tuesday. No trains on this line today.
8 – Twelve below zero in the morning and never higher than about
5 below with a cutting NW wind. Did a little at the shingles. Tom
Black came. He came for Mr. Town’s sale but it was postponed on
account of cold and roads. Tom stayed all night.
9 – Below zero in the morning but bright with almost no wind and
it got warmer. At SS with Jennie, Anne and Willie (96 at SS), Mr.
Keith preached. Roads rather bad.
10 – A very fine bright day. Went to Greenbank in the morning
with Jennie and voted at the school house on the question of a site
for a new school house. Mrs. John Joyce of Sutton came down
from Greenbank with us. [margin note: School pool, west side, 3
ahead].
11 – A beautiful day. Drove with Mrs. Joyce and got dinner at
Tom Black’s at Raglan and then on to James Smith’s and talked
until midnight and stayed all night. Roads in rather bad state.
Through the fields the greater part of the way.
12 – A fine day until near night when it threatened rain from the
SE. Talked all forenoon and after dinner started for home and got
there about 6. Jennie walked to W.F.M.S. at Greenbank. James
Lee married to Ida Phair today.
13 – Thawing all day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with
Jennie and Willie to market and took 10 bags of oats to the mill.
Roads getting soft. Mrs. Joyce went up to Gordon’s and Alex
drove her back about 6. She got her things and went with him to
Sam Dusty’s where she will start for home tomorrow.
14 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for the meal. In the after-
noon attended Mr. R. Town’s sale (on the Burton place). Started to
rain from the east soon after the sale started and rained all after-
noon and evening but there was a pretty good turnout and fair
prices. Tom Black came up with Annie. He went to the sale and
bought a horse. They got tea here and went down to John Michie’s
for the night.
15 – Rain through the night and forenoon. About noon it turned to
snow and a high NW wind, the snow sticking to everything. At the
shingles most of the day. Jennie making a dress for Annie.
16 – A bright clear day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and
Willie. Roads pretty bad with water over the road near the new
road. (84 I think at SS). Mr. Keith did not come. Mr. Terrill was
to have taken his place but by some misunderstanding both he and
Mr. Keith were at Saintfield.
17 – A very fine clear day but pretty sharp. Drove with Jennie to
Tom Black’s at Raglan to attend his sale which went off fairly
well. Bought his cultivator for $8.50. Got home again a little after
8 pm. Road not very good in places.
18 – A fine day. At the shingles most of the time. Jennie at Meth-
odist Ladies Aid meeting at R. Town’s in the afternoon.
19 – Snowing and drifting from the E all day. At the shingles most
of the day. Bible Society meeting in our church tonight but did not
go on account of the weather.
20 – Drifting a little most of the day. Making shingles. At choir
practice in the evening at W.H. Leask’s. Tom Black came.
21 – Snowing some and drifting all day. Tom Black went with S.
Dusty to Blackwater on his way to visit his brother back north. He
left his horse here. At shingles in the forenoon. In the afternoon,
with Jennie, to A. Lee’s and found Mrs. Lee rather poorly. They
have a case of smallpox not far away. A young man, Palmer, is
very bad. Got home at 7. Snowing most of the way.
22 – A fine day but pretty cold. Making shingles most of the day.
23 – A fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie
(99 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. Allan Black here for tea.
24 – A fine day. Cleaned out pig house in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went to Port Perry with 10 bags of oats to be ground and
brought home some coal. They did not have any nut coal so I had
to get slow and pea coal. Jennie washing. Tom Black came from
the north. Took his horse and went somewhere.
25 – A mild day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with Annie
and Willie for the meal. Made shingles in the afternoon. About 5
pm it started to snow from the SE and turned out a very rough
night, but not so very cold.
26 – Snowing all night and most of the day from the SE. Made
some shingles. At choir practice at the church in the evening.
Road pretty heavy. Bert Beare and Arvella Real married today.
27 – A pretty cold day. Went to Port Perry market in the sleigh
and Jennie, Annie and Willie. Annie got two teeth pulled at the
Drs. In the evening went with Jennie to Willie Rennie’s. Alex
Gordon and Mrs. were also there. Spent a very pleasant evening
and got home about 1 am. Roads very heavy. A big surprise fare-
well oyster supper at R. Town’s. Got an invitation but could not be
at two places at the same time.
28 – Cold day. At preparatory service in the church with Jennie.
Not a very large turnout. Rev. Mr. Monroe of Cambray preached.
Willie Rennie came in by certificate. Stayed up until about 12
o’clock watching the O’Neill cow which is expected to be dead
before morning.
29 – Clear and sharp. Found the cow still alive. Went to Port
Perry in the morning to consult vet Graham but he was at Jack
Beare’s so I drove home by Greenbank and met him near R.
Real’s. In the afternoon I again went to Port Perry and got Graham
to come out to see the cow. He has no hopes of her. Meeting at
the school house this afternoon about a new school house, was not
able to attend. Went to the stable about 9:15 and found the O’Neill
cow dead. Went down to John Michie’s and got him out of bed to
come up and help to skin her. Jennie helping by holding the light.
I think she was the best cow we ever had.
162
MAR. 1 – At communion service at Greenbank with Jennie. There
was a good turnout considering the weather. Mr. Keith conducted
the services. Coming home we had to face one of the worse storms
of snow with high east wind.
2 – Some snow in the morning. Drew away the dead cow and
cleaned out pig pen and finished the shingles in the afternoon. R.
Town called. No RR trains.
3 – Pretty cold day and drifting some. Cleaned out calf pen in the
forenoon and in the afternoon at D. McDonald’s sale of cattle and
horses, which went at fair prices. Jennie quilting.
4 – A beautiful day. Helping Jennie to pick over the potatoes in
the cellar. At choir practice at the church in the evening.
5 – A beautiful day. Went with Jennie to Port Perry market. An-
nie at school, the first day for over a month.
6 – A very bad day. A blizzard from the SE which turned to a
slight rain in the afternoon. Threw back turnips and did the chores.
No trains since morning.
7 – Colder but thawing a little in sunny spots. Did little but the
chores. Mrs. O’Neill and Clarence called in the afternoon.
8 – A very fine day and thawing a little. At SS and church with
Jennie and Willie (Annie, not being well, did not go). G.D.
McMillan being unwell was not at SS so it fell to me to act as
superintendant. 115 I think present. Mr. Keith preached. Mrs.
W.H. Leask, Mrs. W. Rennie and Miss Mona Leask sang a trio.
9 – Colder but a bright clear day. Went with the sleigh to Tom
Black’s at Raglan for the cultivator that I bought at his sale. Mrs.
Mark went with me and stayed to help them pack up for Manitoba.
They are to load their cars (2) tomorrow. Walter Bratley was there
helping them. Got home about 6 pm. Roads good, snow in abun-
dance. Jennie and Willie did the chores.
10 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for the
meal. Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. here for dinner. Drove her home about
5. Jennie washing and churning.
11 – A beautiful day. Not feeling very well, bad cold. Jennie went
to W.F.M.S. meeting at Jas. McMillan’s. About 4 pm M. Perrin
came with the sleigh and with him was Mary Bell of Inniskillen
and about 7 pm Mr. Jennings of Whitby to see Aunt Janet. He
came from Port Perry where he had some cattle at the stock sale
held there today. Thawing some all day and the snow getting quite
soft.
12 – A very fine day and thawing. M. Perrin, Mary Bell and Mr.
Jennings left for home in the morning. Then I, with Jennie and
Willie, went to Port Perry market with the sleigh and brought home
some coal. In the afternoon we had a visit from Alex Lee and
wife. They stayed until after tea.
13 – Thawing until towards night when it got colder. Got ready
early after dinner to go to sale at L. Beaton’s old place but it started
to rain. After waiting around started with Jennie but the going was
so bad we did not go further than the mail box at the 11th
conces-
sion.
14 – Thawing most of the day. Visiting at John Michie’s and F.
O’Neill’s in the forenoon. Buck sawing wood in the afternoon.
W. Mark came with hand sleigh for shingle packing box.
15 – Rain through the night and until about the middle of the after-
noon and then some snow. Walked to SS and church, it raining all
the way and got pretty wet. Alex Gordon; Arthur and Jennie
Gordon, and Ray Dusty were all from this corner. There were 24
at SS and Mr. Harrington taught all that came. Mr. Arnold of the
Toronto Mission preached in the basement.
16 – Started to snow about 8 am and came down heavy for awhile,
then came a high NW wind and it was pretty rough for most of the
day. Picking over turnips in the forenoon. Sawing wood in the
afternoon.
17 – Snowing from the E a good part of the day. Cut a little wood.
14 little pigs came.
18 – A fine day. Went to Greenbank in the forenoon and made
several calls. Cut wood in the afternoon.
19 – A fine day but pretty cold. Went with Jennie and Annie to
Port Perry market. Splendid sleighing. Cut some wood.
20 – A beautiful day. Went to Greenbank in the morning with the
sleigh taking Annie to school. Took the old waggon wheels to let
Mr. [Whiteford?] see them but he thought they were not worth
cutting down so I brought them home again. In the afternoon went
with Willie to Port Perry with 14 bags of oats to be ground and got
it home again. The assessor John Johnson called.
21 – A very fine day. Cut wood and some other jobs. George Lee
here changing some oats for seed. At John Michie’s in the evening
having a sing. Annie and Willie at Gordon’s in the afternoon.
22 – A fine day and thawing a little. At SS and church with Jennie,
Annie and Willie (110 I think at SS). Rev. Mr. Mustard preached,
an extra large turnout. Albert Stone, who has lately moved to the
Penhal place, was there with all his family.
23 – A fine mild day, thawing. Went to G. Love’s in the forenoon.
Cutting wood in the afternoon. Jennie and Annie, with Mrs. Mark,
visiting at W. O’Neill’s.
24 – Thawing a little but turned quite cold towards night. Cutting
wood. James Lee called. He was after potatoes. Annie at school.
25 – A fine day but somewhat raw wind from SE. Cutting wood
most of day. Annie at school.
26 – Thawing rapidly all day. Rain in the evening. Buck sawing
wood. Annie at school. Got to the head of her class but had a job
getting home as the water was over the road at the new road.
Mammy has been very poorly for the last few days.
27 – Not thawing very much. At the wood most of the day. Jennie
washing.
28 – A good deal of thunder and rain through the night and thaw-
ing until towards night when it got colder. Cutting wood in the
forenoon. Went up as for as S. Dusty’s in the afternoon.
163
29 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie. Walked as there is
almost no road through the fields. (117 at SS), Mr. Keith preached.
30 – A fine day. Water in cellar. Trying to open drain etc. and cut
some wood. Willie got stuck in snow bank. James Lee came on
horseback for some potatoes.
31 – A little frost in the morning. Drawing out manure in the
forenoon. Jennie washing. Rain most of the afternoon. Mending
harness.
APR. 1 – Rather dull most of the day. Rain from the SE in the
evening. Drawing out manure in the forenoon. Cleaning out pig
house and other chores in the afternoon. Jennie making clothes for
Willie.
2 – Cold with high NW wind and frequent snow blizzards. At the
wood most of the day. Jennie, Annie and Willie up to S. Dusty’s
in the morning.
3 – Cold and rough, wintery like. At wood part of the day. Jennie
making mat.
4 – A fine day but pretty cold. Went down to J. Michie’s and I
O’Neill’s in the morning to see about the road through the swamp
as we would like to get out to Port Perry. In the afternoon went
with Jennie to Port Perry. Took the buggy, drove down the lane on
top of the snow banks. Saw Dr. D. Archer and sent him out to see
Mammy who has been bad for several days. Got home about 6.
5 – Thawing all day, rain in the afternoon. Walked to SS and
church with Annie (109 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. After service
there was a meeting to consider having a SS anniversary. A few
stayed and it was decided to have an anniversary as usual. Com-
mittees were appointed.
6 – Thawing most of the day. Drawing out manure for awhile in
the morning. Cutting wood in the afternoon. At church managers
meeting in the evening. Church renovation was the question.
Annie at school. Jennie Gordon called in the morning. Mammy
very ill.
7 – Thawing all day. Annie at school. Went to Port Perry in the
forenoon with Willie principally to tell the Dr. how Mammy was
(roads pretty bad). Mrs. Alex Gordon Jr. here in the afternoon.
Isaac O’Neill also called I think to tell us of the operation that his
wife is undergoing soon. Mammy very poorly.
8 – Rain through the night which froze as it fell. Rain most of the
forenoon, the ice did not melt all day and it got colder towards
night. At the wood a little while. Jessie Michie called after dinner.
Jennie churning. Mammy a little better today.
9 – Thawing all day. Spent the forenoon trying to get an outlet for
the water in the cellar and in the afternoon went to W. Boe’s sale.
Roads pretty bad, lots of snow some places. Annie at school.
About 7 pm. Mary Patton and Helen and Douglas came. A livery
man drove them out from Port Perry.
10 – A very fine day, thawing and lots of mud. Went with Jennie
to Port Perry with eggs and butter. Cutting wood in the afternoon.
John Michie called in the evening.
11 – A very high NW wind. Took 8 bags of oats to Gibson’s mill,
the first time that I have been there since Gibson ran the mill.
Roads pretty bad.
12 – Snowing a little in the afternoon. AT SS and church with
Jennie, Annie and Willie and Helen Patton (131 at SS), Mr. Keith
preached. His text was There shall be no more sea. Roads very
muddy.
13 – The most spring like day of the season. At the raspberry
bushes all day. Jennie and Mary Patton washing in the forenoon.
Annie went up to S. Dusty’s in the morning. Jennie at I. O’Neill’s
in the afternoon. Mrs. O’Neill is to have an operation tomorrow.
Mammy very poorly.
14 – A very fine day. At the raspberry bushes in the forenoon and
plowing in the orchard in the afternoon. Norman Lyle started to
plough. Jennie went down to Isaac O’Neill’s in the morning to the
operation on Mrs. O’Neill but the Dr’s decided to wait until tomor-
row and try and get a Toronto Dr. Jennie also went up to
Gordon’s. Went to Greenbank in the evening to practice with
Methodist choir but it was not until tomorrow night. Stayed to
band practice. Mr. Sleep here after dinner and bought the two
steers at 4 ½ cts per lb.
15 – A very fine day. Colder towards night. Planting raspberry
bushes in the forenoon and cleaning off the old bushes in the after-
noon. N. Lyle came and got 25 bushels of turnips. Hugh Jack and
Dan Boe called wanting to buy cattle. Jennie went down to Isaac
O’Neill’s and Mrs. O’Neill was operated on and a bad tumour was
cut out of her abdomen. Dr. Hayes of Toronto was the operator.
Dr. Mellow of Port Perry; Dr. Barry of Port Perry and Dr. Mellow
of Saintfield and a trained nurse. Jennie saw the whole thing. A
bad case and Mrs. O’Neill has but a slim chance. Went down in
the evening.
16 – Hard frost in the morning and a fine day. Cut wood, planted
early potatoes in the orchard and planted 6 apple trees. Jennie at
Isaac O’Neill’s all day washing up the clothes after the operation.
Mrs. O’Neill doing well as far as can be seen. Rundle of Port
Perry and another man called trying to sell a waggon.
17 – Some frost in the morning but a very fine day. Went up and
settled with D. Lyle and A. Akhurst and then, with Jennie, went to
Port Perry but as it was Good Friday the stores were shut and we
did not get the things we wanted. Did a few odd chores in the
afternoon. Methodist Missionary banquet tonight and a very fine
night.
18 – Mild, rain in the afternoon. Water coming into cellar again.
Spent forenoon cleaning out drain. Spread manure in the after-
noon. Mary Patton went to Port Perry to the 5:30 train and met
Mrs. Perrin and Alma. Jennie went down to I. O’Neill’s and finds
Mrs. O’Neill doing very well.
19 – Rain through the night. A fine day but rather raw. At SS and
church with Jennie, Annie, Willie and Helen Patton (128 at SS),
Rev. J.A. Miller preached. Went down to see Mrs. O’Neill in the
evening. She is getting along pretty well.
164
20 – Snowing in the morning until there was about 2 inches. In the
forenoon took the two steers to Seagrave. Went with E. Lyle and
W. Petty who took two each. Rather bad walking. In the after-
noon went to Gibson’s mill with 10 bags of oats to be ground and
got it home. Mary Patton drove L. and Alma Perrin to Port Perry
on their way home.
21 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Drew out manure in the
forenoon for potatoes. In the afternoon walked over to Harrison’s
sale but there was no sale as the family came to a settlement and
divided the property. There were not many there. Mrs. Mark and
Mrs. R. Cragg called in the afternoon. Jennie almost laid up with
the cold.
22 – A very fine day. Plowing potato land in the forenoon. Went
to Port Perry in the afternoon and met the train and brought Bar-
bara up for a visit. Jennie called at Isaac O’Neill’s and found Mary
getting along well. Annie and Willie at Greenbank for practice for
SS anniversary.
23 – A fine warm day. Plowing all day. Mr. Henry of the Massey
Harris Co. called trying to sell a waggon.
24 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for corn
for pigs and got it ground. Cultivating in the afternoon but it is too
wet. Jennie and Barbara visiting at Mrs. Mark’s. I went down in
the evening for a sing.
25 – Cultivating until about 10 when it started to rain and contin-
ued until about noon. After dinner took straw off strawberry plants
and then cultivated. Thunder shower at 6 o’clock. Barbara at John
Michie’s.
26 – A very fine spring day. Went over to Lyle’s woods with the
children and got about 5 or 6 flowers, the first of the season.
Walked, with Annie, to SS. Jennie, Barbara, Helen and Willie
rode in buggy. (136 at SS), Mr. Keith preached on the Lord’s Day.
I made the attempt to sing a solo. Barbara stayed at Mrs. Walker’s.
Mrs. Mark and Miss Duggan the nurse that has been attending Mrs.
O’Neill called in the evening. Miss D. is leaving for home tomor-
row.
27 – Sowed mixture of grain until noon when Jennie drove Barbara
to Port Perry on her way home. Raining when they started, with
thunder. Cleaned out calf and pig pens and ploughed the garden.
Annie, Willie and Helen Patton at school.
28 – Harrowing, sowing and cultivating. George Jackson here for
dinner. He was wanting to sell a waggon. Jennie and Mary Patton
house cleaning. Annie and Willie at school. Threatening rain
several times during the day and some rain in the evening. Isaac
O’Neill called.
29 – Rather raw and several little showers. Annie and Willie to
school. Got an old waggon wheel from Mr. Whiteford. Had a talk
with Bain and [Speight?], waggon agents. Cultivated a little in the
afternoon but it almost mired the horses. At prayer meeting in the
evening. An after meeting held to send delegates to the Presbytery
to consider the call of Mr. Keith to Prescott. J.M. Real and Jas.
Leask chosen. Jennie and Mary Patton house cleaning and wash-
ing.
30 – A fine morning. Got up early and with Jennie and Willie
went to Port Perry (Mary Patton drove us down) and took the train
for Toronto. Got dinner at Mrs. Mason’s (who was houseclean-
ing). In the afternoon it started to snow and rain and a miserable
day. Went to the horse show in the St. Lawrence arena. A fine
show of horses but a poor attendance. Stayed at Mason’s all night.
Did not go out in the evening.
MAY 1 – Very raw with high NW wind and some little rain and
snow. Went with Jennie, Willie and Annie Mason down to Eaton’s
and spent the time until train time. The train late in getting to Port
Perry. Mary Patton was there for us. At choir practice at John
Michie’s in the evening. Alex Lee and Mrs. called.
2 – Fixed fences in the forenoon and in the afternoon, with Jennie
and Mary Patton’s help, bagged up 30 bags of potatoes. Snow in
the afternoon, ground white.
3 – Snow all gone about noon, bright day. At SS and church with
Aunt Janet and Willie (Annie did not go on account of a pain in her
side). (128 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Lee
called in the evening.
4 – A fine day and a little warmer. No rain. Went to Port Perry in
the forenoon with 20 bags of potatoes and in the afternoon with 12
bags. Mary Patton went with me in the afternoon. Annie and
Willie at school.
5 – A very fine day. Sowed part of the SW field, the lower part
being too wet. Jennie down at Mrs. O’Neill’s with Mrs. R. Cragg.
Mrs. O’Neill improving. Aunt Janet at S. Dusty’s for tea. Annie
and Willie at school and at anniversary practice after. One of the
finest days this spring.
6 – Harrowing until about 10:30 when it started to rain from the SE
and continued off and on the rest of the day. Annie and Willie at
school. Jennie went after them in the rain. Jennie and Mary sew-
ing.
7 – A very bad day. Rain through the night and all day from the
SE. Water standing everywhere. Went down to John Michie’s and
settled up with him for last summer’s work. Mary Patton went up
to S. Dusty’s for the mail. Jennie and Mary sewing.
8 – Rain from the east off and on all day. Cleaned out pig house
and tied up berry bushes. Jennie and Mary Patton sewing. Aunt
Janet sick.
9 – Rather a fine day with high NW wind which dried things up a
little and badly is it needed. One little shower about 2 pm. Went
to Port Perry in the morning with 4 bags of oats to be ground and
got 8 bags of corn for the pigs. Waited to get it ground and did not
get home until after 4 pm. Aunt Janet sick in bed all day.
10 – A fine day but rather cold NW wind. At SS and church with
Jennie, Annie, Willie and James. This is James’ 1st
time since he
was baptised I think. (130 at SS), Mr. Keith preached. Annie
Leask sang a solo very nicely.
11 – A fine warm spring like day. Spent the forenoon putting in
the garden and the afternoon planting potatoes and hoeing straw-
165
berries. Annie and Willie at school but came home after dinner as
this is arbour day. Annie took a note to Mrs. W. Real to telephone
for the Dr. for Aunt Janet who is no better. Dr. R. Archer came
about 10 am. He thinks it is gall stones that is the trouble. Alex
Lee and wife came about 5 o’clock on their way home from Port
Perry. Alex wanted to get instructions in grafting. They got their
tea before they went home. Mrs. Alex Gordon called in the eve-
ning. She was wanting some help in getting up the topic for the
W.F.M.S. meeting. The topic is the Sandwich Islands. Mary
Patton washing. Some rain in the evening.
12 – Rain most of the forenoon. Mary Patton drove Annie and
Willie to school. Hoeing strawberries and raspberries in the after-
noon. Aunt Janet in bed all day.
13 – Went to Port Perry with Jennie in the forenoon. Cultivated in
the north field in the afternoon (very wet it is). Jennie at W.F.M.S.
at J.M. Real’s. Annie and Willie at school. Willie head of class.
Isaac O’Neill came for 2 little pigs. A little rain in the afternoon
and evening.
14 – Heavy rain through the night. Jennie drove Annie and Willie
to school and brought Mrs. Gordon Sr. who stayed until after tea.
Let off water in fields, sowed some grass seed on pasture field, and
grafted some.
15 – Drizzled rain from the SE. Sowed the south end of the SW
field (very wet) and harrowed it. Annie and Willie at school.
Jennie and Mary housecleaning the cellar. At choir practice at
James Leask’s in the evening.
16 – Drawing out manure for mangolds in the forenoon and plow-
ing it in the afternoon. Thunder shower about 5 pm. Jennie and
Mary Patton housecleaning. Annie down to Jessie’s practicing
singing. Wanderer Lang here for supper.
17 – A very fine spring day, warm and no rain. At SS and church
with Jennie, Annie, Helen and Willie (140 at SS), Mr. Keith
preached. In the evening went with Jennie down to see Mrs.
O’Neill and found her improving greatly.
18 – A fine warm day and things are beginning to look green.
Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with 8 pigs ($5.75 per 100). On
the way home gave an English immigrant a ride. He is on his way
to Jas. Leask’s. In the afternoon sowed the north field which is
still none too dry and this finishes the sowing, the latest that I
remember of. Jennie washing. Aunt Janet down in the kitchen
today for a short time.
19 – Harrowing the N field. Annie and Willie at school. Isaac
O’Neill came for the turnip drill. A little rain during the afternoon
and evening.
20 – A fine warm day. Cultivated the strawberry and potato ground
in the forenoon and started to plant strawberries in the afternoon.
Jennie digging the plants. Jennie and Mary housecleaning upstairs.
At choir practice in the evening at the church. Annie, Willie and
Helen Patton at school and then at practice and did not get home
until nearly 8 o’clock. Beef ring started. A. Akhurst made the trip.
R. Cragg called. He was wanting a saw. Aunt Janet out of bed
most of the day.
21 – Rain from the E most of the forenoon. Went to Port Perry in
the forenoon with Jennie. Planting strawberry plants in the after-
noon, Jennie helping. Mary housecleaning upstairs.
22 – A fine day. At planting strawberries all day, Jennie helping,
and finished the job. Annie, Willie and Helen Patton at school.
Singing practice after school. At choir practice in the evening at
Alex Leask’s. Walked over and it was 1 o’clock when I got home.
23 – A very fine day. All day at mangold ground, drilled up a few.
Jennie baking. Moved out the stove. At band practice at Green-
bank in the evening. Rode up with John Michie.
24 – A beautiful day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie
and Helen Patton. An extra large turnout to SS. 148 present, this
being anniversary day. Rev. Mr. Finley of Cannington preached.
At the service again in the evening with Jennie. Mr. Finley
preached to full houses both times.
25 – A beautiful day. Finished drilling the mangolds and then
sowed them in the forenoon. Jennie and Mary cooking for the
anniversary. In the afternoon, with Jennie, Annie, Willie and
Helen Patton attended the SS anniversary. A large turnout. The
Queen City Quartet gave the programme which was fairly good.
About $134.00 took in.
26 – Drilled up for potatoes in the forenoon. Rain about 11.
Planted potatoes in the afternoon. Got ready to go to Wick to a
joint session meeting. I was to ride back with J.M. Real but a
thunder shower came up and it was after 8 before it quit raining so
I did not go. Jennie washing. James Carnegie of Port Perry, the
Liberal candidate for the Ontario Legislature, called and got his
dinner.
27 – A very fine day and everything growing fine. Went for the
beef in the morning and took Annie and Willie to school. Finished
planting potatoes and planted corn in the little plot by the barn
pump. Jennie and Mary Patton housecleaning the kitchen.
28 – A fine day and pretty warm. Thunder after supper but only a
few drops of rain. Rolling in the forenoon. In the afternoon, with
Jennie, James and Helen Patton, attended preparatory service.
Rather a small turnout, Rev. Mr. Leach of Sonya preached. After
social in the evening. Annie and Willie at school. Scuffled rasp-
berry bushes after supper.
29 – A fine warm day, a little rain between 1 and 2 o’clock. Jennie
drove Mary Patton and children to Port Perry to the morning train
on their way home to Port Hope. They had been here about 2
months. Annie and Willie at school. Hoed berry bushes in the
forenoon and rolled in the afternoon.
30 – A terrific thunder storm about 1 and 2 o’clock in the morning
and rain nearly all forenoon and everything is very much soaked.
When I went to the barn I found that Fly had a colt. Cleaned out
pig house and root house in the forenoon and in the afternoon went
down to Isaac O’Neill’s to hunt a horse for a few days. Called at
John Michie’s. Jennie scrubbing. Thunder and rain again in the
evening. W. Wallace and Mr. Cuff the piano man called.
166
31 – At communion at Wick with Jennie, an extra good turnout. A
thunder shower during the service. At church at Greenbank in the
evening. A full house as this was Mr. Keith’s farewell sermon. He
leaves tomorrow for Prescott. Drizzling rain from the east.
JUNE 1 – A very fine cool day. Went down to Isaac O’Neill’s and
got a horse and drew out manure all day. David Cragg called in
the afternoon and bought 2 pigs for $5.00. Annie and Willie at
school. Nomination day for Ontario Legislature.
2 – A fine cool day. Drawing out manure in the forenoon and
rolling in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school. Roy O’Neill
called.
3 – A very fine day. Took Isaac O’Neill’s horse home and got one
from John M. and plowed all day. Annie and Willie at school.
Jennie and little James visiting at W. Thomas’s.
4 – A fine day and pretty warm. Cultivated the corn ground and
sowed corn. Harrowed potatoes. D. Cragg came for 2 pigs.
Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school, both head of their
classes tonight.
5 – A very fine day. Went, with Jennie, in the waggon to Port
Perry with 6 bags of potatoes but could not sell them, so had to
bring them home. Got 5 bags of corn for pigs. Scuffled strawber-
ries in the afternoon. Not feeling very well. Annie and Willie at
school. Liberal meeting at Port Perry tonight.
6 – A very fine day but pretty warm. Drawing out manure all day.
Jennie scrubbing and oiling the floor. Edna and Annie Gordon
here in the afternoon playing with the children.
7 – A fine day and pretty warm. At SS and church with Aunt
Janet, Annie and Willie. Rev. Mr. Wood, late of Dunbarton,
preached and declared the pulpit vacant.
8 – A fine day and pretty warm with high SW wind. Provincial
election today. Drew out manure in the forenoon and in the after-
noon went to Greenbank to vote. Jas. Carnegie, Lib., and C. Cal-
der, Con. are the candidates. Hoed strawberries. Annie and Willie
at school. Jennie washing. Calder elected and Whitney govern-
ment sustained by great majority.
9 – A beautiful day. Drawing out manure all day (and finished the
job). Annie and Willie at school. Jennie calling at John Michie’s
and A. Akhurst’s. Jas. Leask; J.M. Real, Mr. and Mrs. W.
McMillan leave today for a trip to the north west.
10 – A very fine day and quite cool. Plowing in the forenoon and
spreading manure in the afternoon. Jennie at W.F.M.S. at John
Stone’s. Annie and Willie at school. Carpenters took the roof off
A. Akhurst’s barn today.
11 – A very fine day. Plowed until 9 am when I went to Albert
Akhurst’s barn raising. Jennie and little James came in the after-
noon. Everything went up very well. Annie and Willie at school.
Mrs. Alex Lee here in the afternoon while Alex was at the raising.
12 – A beautiful day. Cultivating, harrowing, rolling and drilling
up turnip land. Annie and Willie at school. James Perrie of
Whitby and Joe Phoenix here in the evening. Jennie up to A. Ak-
hurst’s in the forenoon. Aunt Janet in bed again.
13 – A beautiful fine day and not too warm. Drilled up for turnips
(62 drills) in the forenoon and sowed them in the afternoon. Isaac
O’Neill came for a bag of potatoes. Annie and Willie at Gordon’s
in the afternoon.
14 – A fine day. A nice shower about 5 o’clock which will do
good. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie and James (101
at SS). G.D. McMillan, the superintendent, being absent, I had to
act in his place. Mr. --- preached. 1st
strawberries of the season.
15 – A fine cool day. John Michie came for his horse so I plowed
in the forenoon with Fly. Scuffled mangolds etc. In the afternoon.
Jennie washing and churning. Annie and Willie at school. Mr.
Cragg called in the forenoon.
16 – A fine day and pretty cool. Plowing until middle of afternoon
when Jennie went to Port Perry with 11 boxes of strawberries, the
first of the season. Willie and James went with her. Billy Lewis
got turnip drill to sow Isaac O’Neill’s turnips. Annie and Willie at
school.
17 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie making pants for
Willie and picking strawberries. Annie and Willie at school. In
the evening went with John Michie and Jessie to choir practice at
W. McMillan’s at Saintfield. Did not get home until 1 am.
18 – A few drops of rain but not enough to do any good. Scuffling
potatoes and cultivating. Jennie at Port Perry in the forenoon.
Annie and Willie at school.
19 – A pretty warm day with high SW wind. Harrowed, rolled and
drilled up turnips. Jennie picking berries and left at 4 o’clock and
took them to Port Perry (1 case). She had to hurry home to escape
a heavy thunder shower which will do a lot of good to the crops.
Annie and Willie at school.
20 – A very fine cool day. Finished drilling and sowing turnips.
Jennie picking berries. Mrs. Mark picking awhile. Vera Cragg
called for berries. Mrs. W. Real called in the evening for berries.
Jennie went up to Gordon’s. Preserving strawberries after supper.
21 – Very warm day. I think it is the warmest of the season. At
church and SS with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (106 I think at
SS). Rev. Mr. Ross preached. Choir rather small and G.D.
McMillan and Mrs. W.H. Leask gave a duet.
22 – A very warm day. Started early and took 6 pigs to Port Perry
($6.00 per 100) and brought home berry boxes. In the afternoon
got S. Dusty’s democrat and took 5 cases of strawberries to Port
Perry. In the evening at special meeting of church managers to do
something to repair the church. While at the meeting a thunder
storm came up and we had to wait for some time until it was over.
A very wild night. Jennie picking berries. Jessie Michie; Edith
Phair; Miss Lyle and Vera Cragg helping. Over 300 boxes picked.
John Michie; Jas. Lee; Oliver Luke and Wes Real here in the eve-
ning for a feed. Mrs. W. Real for some berries. Annie and Willie
167
at school. The inspector and Dr. Mellow, sanitary inspector, vis-
ited the school and gave orders that a new school must go up be-
fore the 1st
day of October or the government grants will be with-
held. South Ontario F.I. excursion.
23 – A close thundery day. A big thunder shower at noon, another
about 2, and another big downpour about 4. Everything thor-
oughly soaked, water standing in the field. Sowed some buck-
wheat and scuffled corn in the forenoon and few odd chores in the
afternoon. Jennie washing in the forenoon. She intended to go to
Port Perry with a case of berries but did not go on account of the
rain, so had to preserve the most of them. Annie and Willie at
school.
24 – A great rain through the night and a very fine day and much
cooler. Picked strawberries in the forenoon. In the afternoon got
S. Dusty’s rig and took 5 cases of berries to Port Perry, all of
which were shipped to Peterborough as Mr. Brock’s daughter Mrs.
Sangster is dead and the store will be closed for some days. In the
evening went to C. Gordon’s for to get Jim Dusty for Friday.
Called at M. O’Neill’s and I. O’Neill’s. Jennie picking berries.
Helping were Jessie Michie; Mrs. Mark; Mrs. W. O’Neill; Vera
Cragg; Edith Phair and Mrs. A. Gordon. Lillie O’Neill came for
berries. Norman Phair called in the evening. Annie and Willie at
school.
25 – A very fine cool day. Hoeing mangolds all day, Billie Lewis
helping. Jennie at Greenbank in the afternoon. Annie and Willie
at school.
26 – A very fine clear day. Hoeing mangolds, W. Lewis helping,
and finished the job. Jennie picking berries. Mrs. Jas. Lee; Vera
Cragg; Jessie Michie; Jim Dusty; and W. Mark and I helping. Also
Mrs. M. O’Neill and Lillie. Jim Dusty went twice to Greenbank
with berries (331 boxes picked). Jim Lee and Mr. and Mrs. R.
Cragg here in the evening. Annie and Willie at school, the last day
before holidays.
27 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning for berry
cases. Scuffling all afternoon. Jennie picking and preserving
berries, Vera Cragg helping. In the evening Jennie, Annie, Willie
and James went to Greenbank with the berries.
28 – A very fine day. At SS with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie
(105 at SS), then went to anniversary service at the Methodist
church. There was a full house. Rev. Mr. Hagen and Rev. Mr.
Ross (the man that was to have preached at our church) were the
speakers.
29 – A very fine day. Hoed strawberries in the forenoon and in the
afternoon got S. Dusty’s rig and took 6 cases of berries to Port
Perry. Jennie picking berries and there was picking Maggie Blair;
Vera Cragg; Edith Phair; Jessie Michie; Mrs. Mark; Lillie O’Neill;
Elizabeth Forfar; Mrs. Gordon and Bessie; and Mrs. Jas. Lee. Jim
Blair brought Maggie in the morning and got a feed. Mrs. A. Lee
and Wilmot Asling called for berries. Jim Lee, John Whiteford
and Russell Thomas came in the evening for an eat. Over 500
boxes picked and some not picked yet. A little rain in the evening.
30 – A fine day, threatening rain sometimes. Went to Port Perry in
the forenoon with 2 crates of berries. Scuffling in the afternoon.
Jennie went to Greenbank with berries before dinner. All three
children went with her. Washing in the afternoon.
JULY 1 – A fine day, a little threatening in the morning. Went for
the beef in the morning and picked berries. Mrs. A. Gordon and
Mr. and Mrs. Beacroft here awhile picking. Mr. W. Real called for
berries and George Fowlie and Barbara and George Lambe came
for berries and stayed until after dinner. Went with Annie and
Willie to Methodist SS anniversary. There was a good crowd. We
came home after supper.
2 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning to the
market and to take some berries to John Burns. In the afternoon
Alex Leask, wife, and family of four, from Leaskdale came about 1
o’clock and stayed until about 5 pm. Spent the afternoon with
them. Picking strawberries: W. Mark; Mrs. Mark; Jessie Michie;
Elizabeth Forfar; Mrs. A. Gordon; Bessie Gordon; Mabel Gordon;
and Lillie O’Neill and Mrs. W. O’Neill. After supper went to
Greenbank with berries. Willie went with me. Willie Beaton,
Isaac Beare and Mrs. Jas Leask came for berries.
3 – A very fine day. Went to Greenbank early with berries, then
Jennie and Annie and James (James’ birthday) went to Port Perry
with a crate of berries for Mr. Patton, Port Hope. Hoeing in the
forenoon and scuffling turnips in the afternoon. Hoed 4 drills of
turnips (the first) after supper. Mrs. A. Gordon; Mrs. Jas. Ewen;
Mrs. John Park; and George Park here picking strawberries and
stayed for dinner. Miss Gregg and Ethel McDonald came for
berries but did not get any. Norman Lyle called in the evening.
Isaac O’Neill came for a few potatoes.
4 – A little rain about 11 and again about 4. Hoed until about 9:30
and then went to school meeting held to vote debentures for a new
school house. There were about 40 present but the debentures
were voted down. The vote was 18 for and 21 against. After the
meeting went to Greenbank. Hoed mangolds (2nd
time) in the
afternoon. Jennie and Bessie Gordon here for some berries.
5 – Big thunderstorm through the night and a fine day. At SS and
church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (111 at SS). A Rev. Mr.
McMillan preached.
6 – A fine day but very warm. Hoed turnips and Paris greened
potatoes. Mr. Gordon and Jessie Michie picking berries in the
forenoon. Aunt Janet and Annie went to Greenbank in the after-
noon. Young Gregg; Mrs. and Gordon McDonald; Roy and Cath-
leen Leask; and Eva Luke came for berries. Clara and [Alatha?]
Barret came in the evening but did not get any.
7 – At road work with waggon drawing dirt on the concession.
Rain in the afternoon and got pretty well soaked and had to quit
about 4. At Greenbank in the evening. Mr. Gordon; Mrs. Mark;
Jessie Michie; and Jennie picking berries in the afternoon but did
not do much on account of the rain.
8 – Quite cool all day with NW wind. Picked strawberries alone in
the forenoon. Maggie Blair and Barbara Walker helping Jennie.
In the afternoon was our annual W.F.M.S. meeting and the SS
children gathering which passed off without a hitch. About 70 old
and young sat down to supper. Among them was Mr. Robert
168
Miller of Manitoba and Mrs. A. Leask of Cannington. Aunt Janet,
with Willie, drove Barbara Walker home. Alex Gordon’s horse
buggy and harness stolen last night.
9 – A fine day and some warmer. At road work in the forenoon
and finished. Hoeing turnips in the afternoon. Jennie and Jessie
Michie picking strawberries in the forenoon (pretty near done) and
in the afternoon, with Willie and James, went to Port Perry. Annie
at Gordon’s.
10 – A very nice day. Hoeing turnips and Paris greening potatoes.
Mrs. A. Gordon, Jennie and Bessie picking strawberries (likely the
last of the season). Alex Gordon called on his way home from Port
Perry where he had been getting cards printed to recover his horse
and buggy. Mrs. M. O’Neill called after dinner. She was on her
way home from raspberry picking. Jennie picked the cherries and
made currant jelly.
11 – A very warm day. Hoed turnips in the forenoon and scuffled
in the afternoon. Went to Port Perry after supper. Jennie preserv-
ing cherries.
12 – A fine day and pretty warm with high NW wind. At SS and
church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie. Mr. McMillan
preached. Maggie McMillan sang a solo.
13 – A very fine day, quite a dash of a shower at 5 pm. Went to
Port Perry early in the morning and hoed turnips the rest of the
day. Jennie preserving black currants. In the evening went to
Greenbank to joint session and managers of Wick and Greenbank
congregations. Rev. Mr. Fraser of Uxbridge was in the chair and
nearly all the members were present. The chief subject was a new
manse. No decision came to.
14 – A beautiful day. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie churning and
preserving. Aunt Janet, Annie, Willie and James at John Michie’s.
15 – A beautiful clear cool day. Hoeing turnips all day, W. Mark
helping. Jennie churning and ironing. Aunt Janet, Annie, Willie
and James visiting at A. Gordon’s.
16 – A beautiful fine day. Finished hoeing turnips 1st
time in the
forenoon. Jennie, with Annie, Willie and James, went to Port
Perry market and got the children’s pictures taken. Scuffling and
hoeing in the afternoon.
17 – Started to rain about 5 am and continued off and on all day,
sometimes pretty hard. Did some chores about the shop and barn.
After supper went up to the mail box and called in to A. Akhurst’s
and had a long talk with Mr. John McCorkidale on Bible subjects.
18 – A thunder shower in the early morning and a clear cool day.
Went to Port Perry in the morning. Paris greened potatoes in the
afternoon and went to Greenbank to the S. of T. but there was no
meeting. Jennie making black currant jelly.
19 – A fine cool day, a little rain about 4 pm. At SS and church
with Jennie, Annie, Willie and James (132 at SS). W. McMillan,
who was just returned from a trip to the NW, gave a short address.
G. Wallace at SS. Mr. Duncan of the Soo preached.
20 – A very fine day. Hoeing strawberries in the forenoon and
scuffling corn and mangolds in the afternoon. Jennie washing and
ironing. Aunt Janet went to Port Perry and got two teeth out.
21 – A drizzling rain all forenoon. Cutting thistles on the road and
in the pasture field in the afternoon. Jennie churning.
22 – A very fine day. Hoeing corn in the forenoon and scuffling in
the afternoon. Jennie picking raspberries in the forenoon and with
the 3 children went to Port Perry in the afternoon. Pat Thompson
of Whitby called in the afternoon. He is looking well.
23 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Got A. Akhurst’s mower
and cut hay in the forenoon and cut the strawberry patch in the
afternoon. After supper went with Jennie and the three children
down to the bridge on the sideroad fishing. Got a few fish. Isaac
O’Neill called in the morning.
24 – A fine day and pretty warm. With John Michie’s help drew in
the hay that was cut. Jennie picking berries and preserving. Rev.
Mr. Duncan called.
Photo of Annie, Willie and James Michie date unknown.
25 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning and cut the rest
of the hay in the afternoon. Clarence and Irene O’Neill here for
supper. Went to S. of T. in the evening. Saw the first grain cut
today.
26 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie
and Willie (106 at SS). Rev. Mr. Frazer of Uxbridge preached.
Aunt Janet went down to see Mrs. Mark in the evening who is bad
with [?].
169
27 – A very fine day. At the hay, John Michie helping. About
3:30 W. Wallace and Rev. Mr. Fraser called and we had a talk
about a new manse. He wanted the managers to go to Wick to-
night to see the manse. So after supper John drove and I went with
him and we, with others, saw the building and found it better than
we expected. Jennie picking berries and after supper Aunt Janet
took them to Port Perry. Annie walked to Greenbank to Mission
Band.
28 – A fine day but very warm. With John Michie’s help drew in
the last of the hay. In the afternoon, with the waggon and Willie,
went to Port Perry for pig feed and a new bed which came from
Eaton’s. In the evening at congregational meeting to consider the
question of building a new manse. After a somewhat warm debate
it was decided to take no action.
29 – A fine day but very warm. Scuffled turnips and strawberries
all day. Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. here most of the day.
30 – An awful hot day. Hoeing turnips 2nd
time all day. At choir
practice in the evening. Only 6 turned out. Aunt Janet at Port
Perry market. Word came to Greenbank that G. Barrett is dead by
being suffocated in a well at Swift Current, Sask.
31 – Quite a lot cooler. Hoeing turnips and strawberries all day
and got the hoeing pretty well up for a time. Annie at Gordon’s
and Willie at R. Cragg’s playing. Jennie picking and preserving
berries.
AUG. 1 – A very fine day and not so warm. Ploughed the old
strawberry patch. Went to Port Perry after supper.
2 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and
Willie (118 at SS), Mr. Duncan preached. In the evening, with
Jennie, Annie and Willie, went to church at Port Perry. A Mr.
McInnis preached.
3 – A fine day. Looked a little like rain several times but did not
come. At the old strawberry patch in the forenoon. Rigging up
binder in the afternoon. After supper, with Annie and Willie, went
to Greenbank. Called at John Lee’s. Most of people cutting grain.
4 – Thunder through the night but only a little sprinkle about 6 am.
Threatening most of the day with another little sprinkle in the
evening. Very close and warm all day. Rigged up binder, fixed
fences and hoed mangolds. Jennie washing. George Barrett’s
funeral. A big thunder storm about 10 and rain most of the night
which soaked things pretty well and it was needed as things were
very dry. Jim Dixon’s barn near Myrtle and Pars barn in Cartright
struck by lightning and burned.
5 – Went for the beef in the morning with James. Cleaned out pig
house and some other little jobs. Mrs. Alex Lee and Keith called
in the forenoon. After 4 o’clock supper went with Jennie and the 3
children to Manchester. Called at Fowlie’s and John Park’s.
6 – A very fine day. Did some chores in the forenoon. In the
afternoon, with John Michie’s help (and his horse), cut oats, the
first, and in the evening attended band concert at R. Flewell’s. It
was a beautiful evening but not so many out as at other times. P.
Christie, M.P., was chairman and Teddy Pigot and Barton singers.
Proceeds about $62.00 by sale of tickets. Book agent here for
dinner.
7 – Several thunder showers went around but only a few drops
here. Cutting oats in the forenoon, John Michie and horse helping.
Scuffling strawberries and hoeing in the afternoon. Mr. Henders
called and bought apples.
8 – A very fine cool day. Did some chores and hoed mangolds in
the forenoon and fixed fence at the spring in the afternoon. This
being Willie’s birthday (7 years old) he and Annie had a little
party. Jennie, Edna and Annie Gordon; Wilmot Cragg; Fred and
Leslie Real; and Erma and Harold Salter. Jennie went to Green-
bank after supper.
9 – A beautiful day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and
Willie (135 at SS), Rev. Mr. Alexander, late of Manitoba,
preached.
10 – Cutting oats with John Michie’s help. Rain came on at 2 pm
and stopped work until about 5. Jennie washing. Jennie Gordon
came with the mail. She is not able to do much on account of a
sore arm.
11 – About 2 hours work, John Michie helping, finished cutting the
field NW of barn and then John went home to cut. Hoed the
strawberries all over. Jennie and Aunt Janet picking berries.
12 – Foggy morning. Went with Willie to Port Perry. Started to
rain on the way down and quite hard on the way home and kept on
until about noon. High wind in the afternoon and more rain about
6 pm. Put in some glass in cellar windows. Jennie and Annie at
W.F.M.S. meeting at Jas. Blair’s.
13 – Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry market while I made a
new mail box, the old one having been carried off. Did a few odd
chores and went down to John Michie’s to see how he was getting
along at cutting. Rain about midday. Clear evening.
14 – A fine cool day. Did some chores in the forenoon. After
dinner John Michie came with the horses and helped to start cut the
N field and then went home, but came back after supper. Mrs.
Wes Luke called in the evening.
15 – A very fine day. John Michie came up to help with the cut-
ting but R. Cragg came wanting help and he went with him while I
finished cutting. At 5 pm John and Richard came and helped me to
finish shocking. Aunt Janet called on Mrs. Mark who has been
very bad with [eczema?]. Annie and Willie went up to Gordon’s in
the afternoon but did not stay long as the children were just about
to go to a little party at C. Gordon’s.
16 – A very fine day, somewhat dull towards night and a few drops
of rain when we were coming home from church. At SS and
church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (123 at SS), Rev. Mr.
Alexander preached. Russell Wallace and Maggie McMillan sang
a duet, very nicely.
17 – Started early with sow and smaller hog but when a little past
the Nonquon bridge the sow broke out and I had to drive her home
170
and load her up the second time. Got along all right then. In the
afternoon, with Jennie’s help, drew in 5 loads of oats. Annie and
Willie at school, the first day since holidays. Miss Real is teaching
the whole school as Miss Slovin has to be at home attending to no
less than four down with typhoid fever.
18 – A very fine cool day. Drawing in oats all day, Jennie helping.
Annie and Willie at school.
19 – A little rain about 6 to 8 o’clock made it too wet for drawing
in so I drove Annie and Willie to school. Drew in the rest of the
day, Jennie helping.
20 – A very fine day and quite cool. Drawing in, Jennie helping,
until about 2:30 when we finished harvest. Then went to Port
Perry with Jennie and James. Annie and Willie at school. Norman
Lyle; D. Lyle and John Michie also finished harvest today.
21 – A very fine cool day. Plowing all day. Annie and Willie at
school.
22 – A fine cool day. Plowing until about 3:30 when Jennie and
little James went to Port Perry to meet Jessie Bell and Milton
Clare. They got back after 7. Scuffled the strawberries.
23 – A fine cool day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie
and Milton Clare (130 at SS), Rev. Mr. McInnis preached. He has
just received a call to Port Perry. Maggie McMillan sang a solo.
24 – A very fine cool day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. At
managers meeting in the evening. Walked up, got a ride home part
way with C. Gordon.
25 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. Annie and Willie
at school. After dinner, with Jennie and little James, drove to
James Smith’s. Got there about 7 and stayed all night. Mary Joyce
was there.
26 – Another very fine day. Visited all forenoon and about 2 pm
started for home. Annie and Willie at school. Jessie Bell sewing.
27 – A fine day. Plowing until about 4 pm when I went to help D.
Lyle to thresh (W. Taylor’s machine). Annie and Willie at school.
28 – A fine day. Threshing at D. Lyle’s until a little after 9 when
the machine went to Alex Gordon’s. Went over to A. Akhurst’s
where Mr. Wadell and his men are putting in cement stable floors.
Did a few chores in the afternoon. Jennie; Jessie Bell; Milton
Clare; Annie; Willie and James took a trip over to the Indian Re-
serve on Scugog Island. They got back about 6:30. G. Jackson
called wanting to sell me a waggon.
29 – A fine day. Plowed a while in the morning then took Aunt
Janet to Port Perry on her way to Newcastle on a visit. Got buggy
tires set. Plowed in the afternoon. Got 5 bags of oats from D. Lyle
(borrowed).
30 – A very fine warm day, very dry and dusty and rain would be
very welcome. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie and
Milton Clare (123 at SS), Rev. Mr. Campbell of Toronto preached.
31 – A fine warm day, no rain yet. Plowing all day, ground very
hard. Annie and Willie at school.
SEPT. 1 – Pretty warm. Plowed until about 5 pm when rain came
on. There was two or three nice showers which was very welcome
as things were getting very dry. Annie and Willie at school. Mil-
ton Clare went to Greenbank with letters to post. Men are shin-
gling our church.
2 – Quite a cool day, a great change from yesterday. Went for the
beef in the morning, taking Annie and Willie to school. Milton
Clare also went. Plowing the rest of the day.
3 – A very fine cool day. Jennie and Milton Clare went to Port
Perry market while I cleaned out pig pens and grainery. Plowing
in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school. Silversides, the
Uxbridge medicine man, called in the morning. Mrs. A. Gordon
and Jennie called in the evening.
4 – A very nice day. Plowing all day. Annie and Willie at school.
Jennie Gordon here most of the day getting Jessie Bell to fit some
clothing. Milton Clare went to the post office with letters.
5 – A fine day and pretty warm. Plowing all day.
6 – Dull and cloudy in the forenoon, a shower about 12, then
cooler with high NW wind. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie,
Willie and Milton Clare (123 at SS), Mr. Currie preached a good
sermon. James A. Miller addressed the SS.
7 – A fine day. Went down to John Michie’s and got a horse and
G. Dowson cut the corn (W. Leask’s binder) while I hoed straw-
berries. After dinner took the corn binder to Dowson’s and then
drew off two loads of corn. Mr. and Mrs. R. McKnight called to
see Mrs. Bell. At managers meeting in the evening. Annie and
Willie at school.
8 – A very fine day. Hoed strawberries until the dew was off then
drew off corn and finished. Went up for Mrs. Gordon Sr. to stay
here while we are away at the exhibition tomorrow. Annie and
Willie at school.
9 – Jessie Bell drove Jennie, Annie and Milton Clare while I
walked to Port Perry on our way to Toronto Exhibition. We went
straight to the grounds and stayed until all was over after 10 at
night, an immense crowd. Stayed with Annie Mason all night.
Jessie and Mrs. Gordon ran things at home very satisfactorily. A
very fine day.
10 – Went to the fair the first thing and stayed until about 9 at
night. Another very large crowd. Jennie did some shopping and
saw Milton Clare off for home on the boat to Kingston. Stayed at
Mason’s all night. A fine day.
11 – Another very warm close day and quite smoky and oppres-
sive. All took the morning train and got to Port Perry about 10.
Jessie Bell drove down for us but I walked and got home before
them. Drove Mrs. Gordon home after supper. [Here the diary says
that Joseph Ward’s barn burned, but the words are also crossed
out].
171
12 – A little cooler but smoky. Harrowing most of the day. Not
feeling very well.
13 – A fine day but very dry and smoky. At SS and church with
Jennie, Annie, Willie and James (105 at SS). Rev. Mr. Currie
preached. After service there was a congregational meeting which
decided to give Mr. Currie a call.
14 – A very fine day. Cultivating in the forenoon and in the after-
noon cut the buckwheat which appears to be a fair crop. Annie and
Willie at school. Mrs. Gordon and Arthur here picking crab ap-
ples.
15 – Cultivating in the forenoon and went to Port Perry in the
afternoon and went to Fred Dawson’s sale but did not buy any-
thing. Annie and Willie at school. Sandy Gordon came for crab
apples. Jessie Bell sewing.
16 – A fine day, very smoky and dry. Cultivated in the forenoon,
scuffled strawberries in the afternoon. Jennie at W.F.M.S. meeting
at the church. Annie and Willie at school.
17 – Very smoky day. Jennie went to Port Perry market and
brought Aunt Janet home from her visit to Newcastle. Plowing
corn land in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
18 – Very smoky. A little rain in the evening but not enough to
make it run off the roof. Plowing in the forenoon. In the after-
noon, with Jennie, attended preparatory service in the church. Rev.
Mr. McEachern preached, a fair turnout. After the meeting we
went to W. Wallace’s for tea and spent the evening. Annie and
Willie at school.
19 – Some rain through the night and some from the E in the morn-
ing but not enough to do much good. Plowing the old strawberry
patch, 2nd
time, in the forenoon and drew off the pumpkins from
the potato patch and hoed in the afternoon. Mrs. Phair called in the
afternoon. Jennie scrubbing, etc.
20 – A very fine day. Went with Jennie and Aunt Janet to com-
munion at Greenbank. There was an extra good turnout. Rev. J.M.
Cameron of Hamilton conducted the service which was very help-
ful. Jessie Bell, Annie and Willie went down to see Mrs. Mark in
the evening. M. Harrington called. Had a bad tooth ache all night
and day.
21 – Aunt Janet drove Jessie Bell to the morning train at Port Perry
on her way to Newcastle for a week. Annie and Willie at school. I
lay in bed most of the forenoon with headache. Hoed some in the
afternoon. Thunder in the afternoon but no rain here.
22 – Fine but very smoky, with a thick fog in the morning.
Walked up as far as the new road and met Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Leask
and went with them to Uxbridge to prosecute the call to Mr. Currie
before the Presbytery meeting held there. The prospects of getting
Mr. Currie do not appear very bright. Got dinner at Rev. Mr. Fra-
ser’s and got back to Greenbank just in time to be too late to attend
the wedding of J.G. Miller and Maggie McMillan which was held
in the church (the 1st
ever held therein). A large number turned out
to see and hear. Annie and Willie at school.
23 – Pretty warm and smoky, no rain. Digging potatoes all day,
Jennie helping (rather poor crop). Mr. E. Boe and Rev. J.M. Cam-
eron called in the forenoon. Two boys came with apple barrels and
later Mr. Henders called to tell us to pick the snow apples. Annie
and Willie at school.
24 – A very warm dry smoky day. Picking snow apples, Jennie
helping, all day and finished. Annie and Willie at school.
25 – Another very warm dry day. Helping Jennie to wash in the
forenoon and in the afternoon, with Jennie’s help, drew in the bit
of buckwheat, then cultivated some. [Derring?] agents called.
Annie and Willie at school.
26 – Hot dry smoky. Aunt Janet drove to Port Perry to meet Jessie
Bell who came back from Newcastle. Digging potatoes all day.
Annie and Willie picked up nearly all that I dug. Jennie scrubbing
and ironing.
27 – Hot dry smoky. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and
Willie. The SS took the form of a children’s service. At church
service, Rev. J.M. Cameron preached a good sermon. Willie not
very well. In the evening went with Aunt Janet and Annie to the S.
of T. annual sermon (the 50th
) at which Mr. Cameron again
preached to a full house. Word came that Mr. Currie has not ac-
cepted the call to Wick and Greenbank.
28 – A wee little rain in the morning and threatening off and on
during the forenoon and in the afternoon there was a downpour in
earnest which was very welcome. A high wind knocked off a lot
of apples. Annie at school. Willie did not go as he was not very
well. Dug potatoes in the forenoon. Went for Annie in the rain.
29 – A fine day but pretty cool. Drove Annie and Willie to school
and went on to the church where I met James Leask, John Michie
and James Miller and talked over the choir seats in the church and
decided to change them. In the afternoon took several bags of
fallen apples to the evaporator and Jessie Bell’s trunk to the sta-
tion. In the evening went to S. of T. Jubilee celebration in Method-
ist church (50 years since its organization). There was not as large
a turnout as expected. Rev. Mr. Terrill presided. Rev. J.A. Miller
gave a sketch of the Division since its inception and addresses
were given by Joseph Ward; Jas. Miller; W. Luke; T.E. Cragg; G.
Lee; R. Cragg; G. Miller and myself. Several songs were sung by
a Mr. Davis of Toronto. It was nearly midnight before it closed.
Apple packers came to pack the snow apples but they only made 4
barrels where there ought to have been at least 12 or 14, the worst
culling that we ever had.
30 – Pretty cool with high SW wind. Jennie drove Jessie Bell to
the morning train on her way back to Rochester. I dug some pota-
toes, moved in the stove. Albert Akhurst took the 4 barrels of
apples to Port Perry. Spent the rest of the day with Jennie picking
up the cull apples for the evaporator and packing 3 barrels for
Winnipeg. Annie and Willie at school.
OCT. 1 – A fine cool day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with
apples for the evaporator and 3 barrels for Winnipeg. In the after-
noon went with Jennie to Greenbank, she to meet with other ladies
of the church to consult with the painter about the tents on the
church and I to see how Mr. Miller was getting along with the new
172
choir place. Annie and Willie at school. They did not come home
but stayed all night at Theodore Salter’s. While we were at Green-
bank Mammy had a very bad turn.
2 – A very fine day and pretty cool. Digging potatoes in the fore-
noon and finished. At John Michie’s threshing (W. Taylor’s ma-
chine) in the afternoon and cleaned him out. They then moved up
to A. Akhurst’s. Annie and Willie at school.
3 – A very fine cool day. Threshing at A. Akhurst’s until about the
middle of the afternoon when they moved to Norman Lyle’s and
worked until dark. Jennie, Annie, Willie and James at Port Perry
in the later part of the afternoon. Mr. Isaac O’Neill and children
called.
4 – A fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and
Willie (116 at SS), Rev. Mr. Smith of Toronto preached a good
sermon. New choir seats used for the first time.
5 – A beautiful day, foggy in the morning. Threshing at Norman
Lyle’s until about 10:30 when they moved here and had a short run
before dinner. Finished about 5 pm. Annie and Willie at school.
6 – A very fine day. Plowing buckwheat patch in the forenoon and
in the afternoon, with Jennie’s help, cleaned out the cistern. Annie
and Willie at school. Mr. Folke, the liberal candidate for the house
of commons, has a meeting at Greenbank. Did not go.
7 – A fine day. Plowing awhile and then threshing at R. Cragg’s
and finished but had to use lanterns. In the evening at congrega-
tional meeting to make arrangements for the reopening of the
church. Jennie and James at Port Perry in the afternoon. Annie
and Willie at school.
8 – A very fine day. Threshing in the forenoon at Phair’s. In the
afternoon John Michie took my place while I went to Mrs. White-
way’s sale. Went to buy a cow but did not do so. Norman Lyle
went with me. Annie and Willie at school.
9 – A very fine day. Went over to Phair’s in the morning to thresh
but they did not need me. Picking apples most of the day, Jennie
helping awhile. Mammy had a bad turn and Aunt Janet drove out
for the Dr. He came (Dr. D. Archer) in his automobile driven by
Archie Black (the first time that it has been here). Alex Leask
came for 2 barrels of sweet apples. Mrs. Isaac O’Neill and chil-
dren called. Apple packers came after but the apples were not
ready. Les Lamb was in the gang. R.T. Harrington called in the
afternoon for some strawberry plants. Mrs. Mark also called.
Annie and Willie at school. At choir practice at the church in the
evening. A beautiful clear night.
10 – Fine during the day, rain in the evening. Picking apples all
day, Jennie helping. At S. of T. in the evening.
11 – Quite cold with high NW wind. At SS and church with Aunt
Janet, Annie and Willie (116 at SS). Mr. Arnold, city missionary
of Toronto, preached. The service was held in the basement on
account of the painting of the church.
12 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Plowed awhile and picked
apples the rest of the day, Jennie helping, and finished. Annie and
Willie at school.
13 – A fine day. At mangolds all day and got in 3 loads, Jennie
helping to draw. Annie and Willie at school. Mrs. Alex Gordon
and Barbara Walker called in the afternoon. Sandy Gordon came
for a bag of apples.
14 – A fine day. Drawing in mangolds, Jennie helping and fin-
ished at 2 pm. Jennie then went to W.F.M.S. meeting in the church
while I scuffled the strawberries. Annie and Willie at school. At
congregational meeting to arrange for church reopening in the
evening.
15 – A very fine day. Drawing out manure in the forenoon. Two
apple packers came about 9:30 and worked until about 4 when the
barrels gave out. Went to Port Perry with 13 barrels of apples and
brought home 7 empty.
16 – A very fine day. Drew out manure in the forenoon and plow-
ing in the afternoon. At choir practice in the evening. Annie and
Willie at school.
17 – A beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon. Apple packers
came and finished and I took them with the last of the apples to
Port Perry. Wes Luke came for some sweet apples.
18 – A fine day, very smoky in the evening. At SS and church
with Jennie, Annie, Willie, and James (110 at SS). Rev. Mr. Beck-
--? Preached in the basement.
19 – Somewhat cooler. Picking up cull apples in the forenoon and
in the afternoon took them, with 12 bags of oats, to Port Perry. Got
meal home. Annie and Willie at school. Mission band after.
20 – Rather cool and very smoky. Cultivating all day. Annie and
Willie at school.
21 – Somewhat cool. Cultivating in the forenoon and in the after-
noon went to Thomas’ sale at Layton and bought a cow for $40.00.
Annie and Willie at school.
22 – A very fine day. Went to Josiah Thomas’ at Layton for the
cow. W. Thomas went with me, he having 3 cattle to bring home.
Cultivating in the afternoon. Jennie housecleaning. Annie and
Willie at school.
23 – A fine day. Cultivating in the forenoon and went to James
Ross’ sale. At choir practice in the evening. Annie and Willie at
school.
24 – Topped turnips for awhile in the morning and then took
Jennie and James to the train at Port Perry. She went to see Mary
Bell at Brooklin. Willie went with me to Port Perry. Cultivated
awhile until about 4 when it started to rain but it stopped too soon.
Went to Port Perry again in the evening for Jennie. Mabel Bell
came with her.
25 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie,
Willie and Mabel Bell (115 at SS), Rev. Mr. [?] preached in the
basement. Mrs. W. Rennie sang solo.
173
26 – Rain through the night and very dull during the forenoon.
Went to Greenbank in the morning to vote, this being the Domin-
ion Election day. Folke and Christie the candidates. Cultivated
and hoed strawberries the rest of the day. Annie, Willie and Mabel
Bell at school. Folke elected by 400.
27 – Very dull and foggy in the forenoon. Norman Lyle brought
the news that Folke was elected. Went to Port Perry in the fore-
noon, partly to hear election news. Government sustained by about
50 of a majority. Annie, Willie and Mabel Bell at school.
28 – Took Jennie to the church to a scrubbing bee to clean up after
painter. Took Annie, Willie and Mabel Bell to school. Topped
turnips the rest of the forenoon, they being very wet. In the after-
noon plowed a little until rain came on. I then went to Greenbank
again for Jennie.
29 – A fine day. Topping, harrowing and drawing turnips, Jennie
helping to draw. Got in 3 loads. Annie, Willie and Mabel Bell at
school.
30 – Colder with high wind, some snow flurries in the afternoon
(the first of the season). Drawing in turnips, Jennie helping, 16
loads. At choir practice in the evening. Annie, Willie and Mabel
at school.
31 – The hardest frost so far and pretty cold all day with high N
wind. Finished topping and harrowing out turnips in the forenoon
and with Jennie’s help drew in 9 loads in the afternoon.
NOV. 1 - Pretty cold with high NW wind. At SS and church with
Jennie, Annie, Willie and Mabel (124 at SS), Rev. Mr. Campbell
of St. David’s preached in the basement.
2 – A fine day. Drawing in turnips, Jennie helping, 12 loads, 40
loads in all, and finished. Annie, Willie and Mabel at school. At
managers meeting in the evening and did not get home until after
midnight as there was a lot of business about the church renovation
which has been going on lately.
3 – A very fine day. Plowing sod all day. Annie, Willie and
Mabel at school. U.S. Presidential election. Taft and Bryan are
the candidates. Taft elected.
4 – Hard frost and rough with high NW wind. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the morning and brought up Mrs. Jos. Bell and little Willie
and Andrew Bell. Jennie at W.F.M.S. meeting at the church in the
afternoon. Annie, Willie and Mabel at school. Threw back turnips
in root house and some other chores.
5 – Very cold. Drawing in corn, Jennie helping. High NW wind
which reached almost a hurricane at noon. Jennie got knocked
down with the barn door. Annie, Willie and Mabel at school.
Went to Greenbank in the afternoon.
6 – Snowing a little in the forenoon. Wes Luke came down and
killed a pig. Plowing in the afternoon. Annie, Willie and Mabel at
school.
7 – A fine day. Cut up pig and plowed until about 3 when I went
to Port Perry for Mr. and Mrs. Philip Slemon of Port Hope. At
choir practice in the evening. Mrs. Bell had rather a bad day.
Jennie baking for the church reopening.
8 – A little dull in the morning but turned out a fine day. Went to
morning service of church reopening with Mary Bell, Aunt Janet,
Annie and Mabel. Went to John Lee’s for dinner, then again to
afternoon service. Got supper at J.M. Real’s and then to evening
service. Mr. Campbell preached morning and evening and Mr.
J.M. Cameron in the afternoon. Church crowded in the afternoon
and evening. Mr. Archer sang a solo at each service. Jennie and
Annie, Willie and Mabel at the evening meeting.
9 – Thanksgiving day and fine but cool. Plowed awhile in the
forenoon. After dinner went with Philip Slemon and the tea meet-
ing vitals to Greenbank, then walked up to the party with Annie,
Willie and Mabel while Mr. and Mrs. Slemon and Mrs. Jos. Bell
came in the rig later. There was an immense turnout and we had a
big time getting them fed. It took from about 5:15 to 9:15 and
quite a number could not get into the church for the concert. J.M.
Sherlock; Mrs. Archer; a Miss ----- from Whitby O.L.C. gave the
programme but I did not hear very much of it. Rev. J.M. Cameron
was chairman. The proceeds with Sunday collections was about
$210.00. Mr. and Mrs. R. McKnight and Mr. E. Boe and Rev. J.M.
Cameron called in the afternoon. M. Harrington brought out Miss
Lyle to the party.
10 – Took Mr. and Mrs. Slemon to the morning train on their way
home and plowed sod the rest of the day. Jennie went up to the
church to help clean up. Annie and Mabel at school. Mr. and Mrs.
Alex Lee called in the afternoon.
11 – Rain through the night and most of the forenoon. Drove
Annie, Willie and Mabel to school and then Jennie and Mary Bell
went to Port Perry principally to see the Dr. about Mary’s eyes.
Plowing sod in the afternoon. Colder towards night.
12 – Hard frost. Drew out some straw for strawberries in the fore-
noon. Plowing sod in the afternoon. Annie, Willie and Mabel at
school. Mrs. Wes and Mrs. Pascoe Luke called. Jennie washing.
P. Luke drawing material for house on Luke’s farm. Some snow
flurries.
13 – Hard frost. Drew in the last of the corn, Jennie helping, and
drew out straw for strawberries. Plowing sod in the afternoon.
Annie, Willie and Mabel at school. P. Luke brought 3 loads for
his house.
14 – Hard frost in the morning. Spreading straw on strawberry
patch in the forenoon. Plowing awhile in the afternoon. Went to
Port Perry in the evening for morphine for Mammy. Mr. Alex
Gordon Sr. and Edna called.
15 – Snow through the night and pretty wintery all day. At SS and
church with Aunt Janet, Annie, Willie and Mabel (124 at SS). A
Mr. McKay of Nova Scotia preached.
174
16 – Snowing a little off and on most of the day. Jennie drove
Mary Bell and her three children Mabel, Willie and Andrew to Port
Perry to the train on their way to Brooklin. Went to G. Lee’s in the
afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
17 – Pretty wintery day. Did a few odd jobs about the stables.
Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school.
18 – Snow through the night which partly thawed during the day.
Put on storm windows in the forenoon. Plowed sod in the after-
noon. At choir practice at W.H. Leask’s in the evening. Rode over
with John and Jessie Michie. Annie and Willie at school.
19 – Thawing a little most of the day. Plowing sod and in the
orchard. Annie and Willie at school.
20 – A very fine day. Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning
while I made a saw horse. Plowing in the afternoon. Annie and
Willie at school. Mrs. G.A. McMillan and daughter Mabel called
in the afternoon.
21 – A beautiful Indian Summer day. Plowing all day which fin-
ishes for the season, unless I decide to plough the turnip land.
Jennie cleaned out the pantry. P. Luke tore down the stoop part of
the old log house.
22 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie
and Willie (130 at SS), Rev. Mr. McKay preached.
23 – A very fine day. Pruned some apple trees in the forenoon and
in the afternoon took 14 bags of oats to Port Perry to be ground and
got them home. They are staking out the buildings for the Weber
Engine Works. Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school. We
were just ready to go to bed when in came W.H. Leask, G.A.
McMillan and John Michie to see about putting new glass in
church windows.
24 – A very fine warm day until the evening when it started to rain.
Buck sawing wood in the forenoon. Pruning apple trees in the
afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
25 – A fine warm day. Puttied up stable windows in the forenoon
and pruned trees in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
About 7 pm Mrs. F. Perrin and Jennie came in. They drove up.
26 – Dull in the forenoon, cleared up and a high W wind in the
afternoon. Pruning apple trees and drawing off the brush. Annie
and Willie at school. Just as we were at supper Edgar Horne, wife
and daughter Elsie came and they stayed all night.
27 – Somewhat colder with high wind. Mrs. Perrin and Jennie
Perrin left for home in the morning and also Edgar Horne, wife and
daughter, who were on their way to R. Somerville’s sale. Finished
drawing out brush in the orchard and in the afternoon went to
Emerson Bolton’s sale, a very small attendance. Jennie at prepara-
tory service in the church, Rev. Mr. McKay preached. Annie and
Willie at school.
28 – A fine day. Bucksawing wood in the forenoon and harrowing
sod in the afternoon. Bessie Gordon called in the morning. Jennie
cleaned the kitchen and oiling the floor.
29 – A very fine day. At communion service at Wick with Jennie
and Annie. Mr. Fraser of Uxbridge conducted the service. At
church at Greenbank in the evening with Willie, Mr. Fraser
preached.
30 – A decidedly bad day, rain most of the time. John Michie
drove me up in the morning to the church where we worked until
after 4 pm putting the new glass into the windows and a bad job it
is and not very much to show for our days work. Annie and Willie
at school. Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon.
DEC. 1 – Very rough and cold especially in the afternoon. Went
up with John Michie and helped at church windows in the forenoon
and went to Ed Wildman’s sale in the afternoon. Pretty good turn-
out, but the high wind and cold made it disagreeable. Annie and
Willie at school. Ethel Miller and Clara Barrett called collecting
for the Bible Society.
2 – Pretty cold with high NW wind and snowing off and on most
of the day. With John Michie, putting in glass in church windows.
At choir practice in the evening, went up with John. Annie and
Willie at school.
3 – A fine winter day. Cutting wood in woodshed in the forenoon
and banking up the house in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Annie
and Willie at school. A. Akhurst and John Michie clover thresh-
ing.
4 – A fine day, snowy in the morning. Drove Annie and Willie to
school and cut wood in the forenoon. In the afternoon at the
church with John Michie putting glass in windows.
5 – A very fine day. All day with John Michie putting new glass in
church windows. Jennie, Annie and Willie at Port Perry. Sleigh-
ing on the roads but not very good.
6 – Pretty cold with E wind and a little snow in the afternoon. At
SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie and James. James, An-
nie and Willie recited Bible verses. Superintendant G.D.
McMillan not being present I had to act in his place. Rev. Mr.
McRae of Beaverton preached on the forward movement in mis-
sions. He started the service before the choir got up and after the
service he had a consultation with the elders and managers about
improving our givings to missions. I was near stark before we got
home.
7 – Snow through the night which makes pretty good sleighing. At
the church all day with John Michie putting in glass in windows.
Jennie and James at Greenbank in the forenoon. Annie and Willie
at school and Mission Band after.
8 – A nice day but pretty cold. At the church with John Michie
putting in glass in windows and finished the job about 11 am. At
G. Dowson’s sale in the afternoon, a good turnout and fair prices.
Annie and Willie at school. Jennie and James at Greenbank in the
forenoon.
9 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in the shed in the forenoon and
in the afternoon drove with the cutter to Emerson Bolton’s to see
175
about buying his waggon but Emerson was not at home. Aunt
Janet and James went with me as far as Billie O’Neill’s. Annie
and Willie at school.
10 – Coldest of the season, 6 below zero in the morning. Drove
Annie and Willie to school. Went with Jennie to Port Perry in the
afternoon. Quite a number of men are at work building the new
Webber Engine Works.
11 – Some snow through the night and rain in the morning. Jennie
drove Annie and Willie to school and went to Blair’s to see about
paying for the new church pulpit. Rigged up the sleigh and a few
other chores. At choir practice in the evening in the church. Annie
9 years old today.
12 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon with 14 bags
of oats to be ground but did not get the meal home as the mill was
overfull of bags on account of being shut down for a time to put up
a new smoke stack. Brought home 1820 lbs of coal from Rundle
and Turner at $6.50 per ton. Emerson Bolton called and I bought
his waggon for $31.00.
13 – A fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and
Willie (112 at SS). A student, I do not know his name, preached.
14 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon for the
meal. Annie and Willie at school. Annie went to F. Howsam’s for
the night. Jennie washing.
15 – A very fine day, too fine for the sleighing which is pretty well
gone. Went over with the sleigh to E. Bolton’s for waggon. Aunt
Janet to Port Perry with the cutter in the afternoon. Annie and
Willie at school.
16 – A very fine day. Did some odd jobs. Jennie at W.F.M.S. at
the church. Annie and Willie at school (the inspector visited the
school). At choir practice in the evening. Word came that Willie
Gordon is dead.
17 – A fine day but somewhat raw E wind. Did very little but the
chores. Bob Akhurst here most of the forenoon and for dinner.
Just after supper two men came to the door which turned out to be
W.H. Leask of Seagrave and Dan McPhail of Allandale who is
now repairing a RR bridge near Seagrave. It must be near 30 years
since I saw Dan. Had a long talk and they left near 11 o’clock.
Annie and Willie at school.
18 – Some stormy in the morning. Drove Annie and Willie to
school. At Port Perry in the evening at singing practice for big
concert, Jas. Goldering leader.
19 – A pretty nice day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with
Jennie, Annie, Willie and James. Went down to John Michie’s in
the evening and had a sing. They are looking some for George
home from the west. Got lost in Lyle’s field on my way down.
20 – At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (117 at SS),
Mr. Moir preached. Presents were given to the primary class in the
SS. Annie got the first prize.
21 – Somewhat rough in the morning. Drove Annie and Willie to
school and went after them. At managers meeting in the evening.
Did little but the chores.
22 – Clear cold day. Annie and Willie at school. At Port Perry
Christmas fair in the afternoon, a good turnout, a big show of
horses. Last day of school before Christmas.
23 – A very fine day, a little below zero in the morning. Did little
but the chores. Christmas tea in the Baptist church.
24 – A fine day. Went down to John Michie’s and to A. Akhurst’s
swamp where him and John were cutting wood and bought some at
$1.00 per cord. G.W. Michie came home from the north west and
he called here for a short visit. Went with Annie and Willie for the
mail to Greenbank in the afternoon and then, with the sleigh, with
Jennie and the 3 children to Port Perry to meet Jessie Bell, Alma
and Jennie Perrin, and Helen and Douglas Patton of Buffalo.
Brought home George W. Michie’s trunk from the station. Fixed
up Christmas tree.
25 – Rather a dull day and a little soft. Spent all day at home with
the visitors and children and had a pretty good time. James Allan
and Marion called.
26 – More wintery like day, high NW wind and much colder.
Went to Greenbank with Alma Perrin for the mail. Jessie Bell and
Jennie sewing.
27 – More wintery, especially in the afternoon. Drove the sleigh
with Jennie, Annie, Willie, Jessie Bell, and Alma Perrin to SS and
church (131 at SS), a Mr. Rowin preached. This is the Methodist
anniversary day, Rev. Joseph Real is the minister.
28 – A very fine day. Drove Alma and Jennie Perrin to Port Perry
on their way home. Tom Black, who has been in Manitoba since
spring and is now in Ontario on a visit, came up from John Mi-
chie’s about the middle of the afternoon and stayed until after
supper and we had a great talk about the NW. Went to special
church managers meeting to consider the manse question. On the
way up took Jennie and Jessie Bell up to Alex Gordon’s and called
for them on my way home. It was after 12 by that time. Snowing
a little then.
29 – A beautiful day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with
Willie to get new shoes on the cutter, one of which broke last
night. While we were away, G.A. McMillan called to talk over
public school questions. In the afternoon drove around canvassing
the people to turn out to school meeting tomorrow. Called at R.
Cragg’s; Phair’s; Lyle’s; Akhurst’s; J. Michie’s; and M. O’Neill’s.
Mrs. Phair called in the afternoon.
30 – A little rain in the forenoon. Went to public school meeting.
Gave John and George Michie a ride up. There was a big turnout.
There was a straight fight between D. McDonald and I for trustee
and he won by the casting vote of the chairman Jas. McKitrick.
The meeting, contrary to expectations, went off without any seri-
ous disorder. Cleaned out pig and hen house in the afternoon and
in the evening went with Jennie to the annual SS meeting. Not
very large turnout but a much better meeting than last year. G.D.
McMillan was again chosen superintendant.
176
31 – Somewhat rough and cold with a little snow sometimes.
Went to Port Perry with Jessie Bell principally to see the Dr. for
Mammy. Dr. D. Archer came out after dinner and gave her a hy-
podermic injection to allay the pain. Emma Black here for dinner.
She has been at John Michie’s since Saturday last. Edna and An-
nie Gordon also here in the afternoon.
1909
JAN. 1 – A pretty rough cold day with snow flurries. Went up to
Greenbank with Willie and Douglas Patton in the afternoon for the
mail. Mr. and Mrs. R. McKnight of Port Perry called after dinner
to see Mrs. Bell who has been very ill for several days.
2 – A pretty nice day. Jennie and Willie went to Port Perry in the
forenoon and after dinner she drove Annie, Willie and Helen Pat-
ton up to Gordon’s. In the evening I went to S. of T. and installed
the new officers. There was quite a number out and there was an
after social at the Methodist church and the people there came over
to the entertainment. P. McKay gave an address.
3 – A fine day and thawing some which is spoiling the sleighing as
there is no snow to spare. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Wil-
lie and Helen Patton. Annie did not go as she was not very well.
Most of the time in SS was taken up with choosing teachers which
came out better than sometimes. The preacher for the day was I
think a Mr. Gilchrist. R. And J. Wallace and John and George
Michie gave a quartet.
4 – Thawing all day which is spoiling the sleighing. Went up to
Greenbank to vote. Voted for Ward, Mark and McIntyre for coun-
cil and for the good roads by-law. In the afternoon drew two small
loads of wood from A. Akhurst’s swamp.
5 – Rain through the night and morning which has pretty well
spoiled the sleighing. Washed the waggon ready for painting and
pinched my finger. Pack man called. John Michie called after
dinner. At John Michie’s in the evening having a sing.
6 – Pretty rough, blowing from the NW and snowing some but
cleared up in the evening. Did the chores and sawed some wood
and in the evening went with Jennie to the annual congregational
meeting in the church. Rather a slim turnout. The managers
elected were: J.M. Real; W. Rennie; Jas. Lee; and W.H. Leask and
I was dropped. The manse question discussed and it was left for
the managers to meet the Wick people and arrange as best they
can.
7 – Eight below zero in the morning and did not get higher than
about 2 above all day. Did little but the chores.
8 – Quite a lot warmer and a very fine day. Went to Port Perry in
the afternoon with 10 bags of oats to grind and got it home. This is
the second day of the races and there was quite a few out.
9 – A dull day and almost rain sometimes. Took Jessie Bell and
Helen and Douglas Patton to the morning train on their way home,
and afterwards drew 1 load of wood from A. Akhurst’s swamp. In
the afternoon went to Greenbank for the mail and drew home 1
load of wood.
10 – A dull day and thawing a little. At SS and church with Aunt
Janet, Annie and Willie (125 at SS). Rev. Mr. Gilchrist preached
an extra good sermon. G. Michie and I gave a duet.
11 – Sometimes a little rough. Drawing wood from A. Akhurst’s
swamp. Had a long talk with Wilmot Asling on the Wick manse
question. Annie and Willie at school. At the evening attended
joint congregational meeting of Wick and Greenbank, about 15
from each place. Rev. Mr. Fraser in the chair. The manse question
not taken up. It was decided to give a call to Rev. Mr. McKay.
12 – Snowing a little from the E in the morning. Drawing wood
from Akhurst’s swamp. Annie and Willie at school. Had a call
from Alex and Mrs. Lee in the afternoon and had a talk about their
troubles. Mr. Henders called. Got invitation to G.W. Michie’s
wedding. Got word that Mr. and Mrs. S. Laidlaw of Winnipeg had
got a son.
13 – 4 below zero in the morning and very cold all day. Drawing
wood from A. Akhurst’s swamp. Annie and Willie at school.
14 – Dull day, foggy and some rain in the evening. Drove Annie
and Willie to school and in the afternoon with Jennie to Port Perry
and brought home coal, 1600 lbs.
15 – A fine day and pretty cold. Drove Annie and Willie to school.
Mrs. A. Gordon and Jennie Gordon here for dinner and the after-
noon. Went in the afternoon to special public school meeting.
There was a very large turnout. The object was to vote the money
to build a new school house (but the motion was lost by a majority
of 21). Jas. McKitrick in the chair.
16 – 6 below zero in the morning and it did not go above zero all
day. Wind in the E. Did little but the chores. Hard to keep warm
in the house.
17 – A fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie
(114 at SS). A student, Mr. Bain, preached. Mona Leask gave a
solo. Signing the call to Mr. McKay.
18 – 8 below zero in the morning and never more than 4 above all
day. Clear with NW wind. Children did not go to school. Did
little but the chores.
19 – A fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and went to
Greenbank, then went to Port Perry and in the afternoon went
down to John Michie’s with wedding presents for George. Jennie
at W.F.M.S. meeting at Jas. McMillan’s. Farmers institute meet-
ings at Greenbank.
20 – A very fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school. In the
afternoon, with Jennie, went to George Michie’s and Annie
McMillan’s wedding at W. McMillans at Saintfield. Albert Ak-
hurst drove the sleigh and took Tom Black; Mrs. Mark; Mrs. Jas.
Smith and Willie Smith; Mr. Frank Bratley and Ethel Bratley;
Maggie and Mamie Dusty; Mrs. A. Akhurst and John Michie.
Sleighing fine. The ceremony took place at 3 pm. Rev. J.A. Miller
acting. There was about 100 present and everything went off all
right. We got home about 1 am. Barbara and Willie Smith came
here for the night.
177
21 – Rain in the forenoon and thawing all day. Rain again in the
evening. Drove Annie and Willie to school. Barbara and Willie
Smith and Emma Black left for home in the afternoon.
22 – Rain and fog all day and thawing fast. Sleighing pretty well
gone. Annie and Willie at school. Painting the waggon but the
paint went down before the waggon was covered.
23 – Rain and fog all day and thawing. Ice, mud and water is the
result. Did nothing but the chores. Jennie hooking a mat. Mrs.
Alex Gordon Jr. here in the afternoon for a rooster.
24 – Thunder in the morning to the S. Foggy and warm until about
6 pm when it cleared up and got colder. At SS and church with
Annie and Willie. Took the buggy and lots of mud. (114 at SS), a
Mr. Dixon preached.
25 – A little cooler but not freezing any. Annie at school. Went to
Seagrave with one hog. Took the old waggon. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the afternoon. At John Michie’s in the evening having a
sing.
26 – A very fine bright day. Took Annie and Willie to school and
went off to Presbytery meeting at Wick. It was a special meeting
to present a call from Wick and Greenbank to Rev. Mr. W.
McKay. There were W.H. Leask, G.D. McMillan and I from
Greenbank. Got dinner at John Beaton’s and then we bartered all
afternoon until dusk about the proportion of the ministers salary to
be paid by each congregation and the manse question. Stopped at
W. Wallace’s at Greenbank and got supper and told him all that
was done and then went to the pie social at the hall given by the S.
of T. There was quite a fair turnout and the programme went off
well. W. Real was chairman. W.H. Leask called in the morning.
27 – High NW wind with snow flurries. Went to Port Perry in the
afternoon with the waggon and oats to be ground and got the meal
home. Annie and Willie at school.
28 – Pretty cold most of the day with high wind, clear. Wes Luke
came in the afternoon and helped to kill pig. Annie and Willie at
school. Erma and Harold Salter came home with them and stayed
all night.
29 – Pretty rough in the afternoon. Cut up pig and did the chores.
Not feeling very well. Jennie went to Greenbank in the afternoon
and brought Annie and Willie home from school.
30 – A pretty rough wintery day. Not feeling very well. Did
nothing but the chores. Jennie hooking mat. (Annie Bell Gordon
got arm broke).
31 – 4 below zero with a high NW wind which made about the
worst day this winter. At SS and church with Annie. A man from
Mimico preached. George W. Michie and I gave a duet. Aunt
Janet somewhat unwell. Richard Real, who has been sick for over
a week, is seriously ill.
FEB. 1 – About 10 below zero in the morning but got warmer.
After dinner I took Jennie and Annie to Gordon’s and then went to
Port Perry.
2 – Very rough and wintery day, a little snow but not enough for
sleighing. Nobody out much.
3 – A very fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school (Annie’s
first day in 3rd
Reader). Went on to Greenbank and called at Alex
Gordon’s. Cut some wood in the afternoon.
4 – A very fine day. Spent the afternoon with A. Akhurst collect-
ing for help for Alex Gordon to recover his stolen horse. We went
as far as R. Baird’s and John Leask Jr’s. Got tea at W.H. Leask’s
and had choir practice in the evening there. Annie and Willie at
school. Mrs. Dusty, Mrs. A. Akhurst and Barbara Walker called in
the afternoon.
5 – Mild and thawing, some rain about 5 pm, mud everywhere.
John Michie here in the afternoon helping to cut cherry tree near
barn pump and white ashes in lane near the hen house. Annie and
Willie at school.
6 – Rain through the night but started to freeze in the morning with
very high NW wind. Jennie and little James went to Port Perry to
meet Mrs. Perrin of Newcastle. [Mutch?] Harrington called and
bought cow. Mr. Parrott also called on the same business. Wes
Luke and J.G. Lee also called. In the afternoon John Michie
helped to cut down the butternut tree at the foot of the garden.
7 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Annie and Willie.
Jennie could not go as Mammy was very poorly. (128 at SS), the
minister from Mimico preached again.
8 – Drove Mrs. Perrin to the morning train at Port Perry. John
Michie here in the afternoon helping to cut wood in the swamp
field. Mrs. Mark called. W. Wallace, wife and Ella here for tea
and spent the evening. Annie and Willie at school. Mission band
meeting. Alex Gordon has gone to Montreal for his horse.
9 – Pretty cold with E wind, snowing in the afternoon. Did chores.
Cleaned out pig house and split some wood and went to the school
for Annie and Willie. Mammy very bad in the afternoon.
10 – Snowing and sometimes very rough in the forenoon. Annie
went to school. Took little cow to Greenbank to M. Harrington. In
the afternoon George W. Michie and wife and Jessie Michie called
and spent the afternoon and got supper. [margin note: Mrs. W.
Real got arm broke in runaway accident.].
11 – Drove Annie and Willie to school and then, with Jennie, went
to Port Perry market. Very rough and snowy coming come. James
Lee called. Alex Gordon got home from Montreal but did not get
his horse.
12 – A very fine day, thawing some. Drove Annie and Willie part
way to school and then called at Alex Gordon’s and found that he
had not got any trace of his horse. Went to Port Perry in the after-
noon with 12 bags of oats to be ground and got it home. Tom
Black came home with me and stayed all night.
13 – A fine day but pretty cold. Drove Tom Black to catch the
mail at Greenbank. He is going back to his brother John. Went to
Port Perry with the waggon in the afternoon for a load of coal.
Willie at R. Cragg’s in the afternoon.
178
14 – At church and SS with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie. Mrs.
and Mrs. G. Michie and John and Jessie Michie sang quartet in SS.
The man from Mimico preached again. Mona Leask gave solo. A
very rough afternoon snowing and blowing from the east.
15 – Some rough and cold in the forenoon. Drove Annie and Wil-
lie to school, then Jennie went to Port Perry. Making waggon box
most of the day.
16 – Drove Annie and Willie to school and went on to Greenbank
to the blacksmith shop. At waggon box in the afternoon. Snowing
hard from the NE and rough. Tom Black here all night, he came
from the north.
17 – More snow through the night. Drove Annie and Willie part
way to school. Tom Black leaves about 10 am for John Michie’s.
Alex Lee and wife here in the afternoon and had a long talk about
her troubles. Annie went to Miss Stoven’s for the night.
18 – A fine day. Drove Willie part way to school. Finished and
painted waggon box. Jennie making quilt.
19 – Thawing most of the day, rain a little in the afternoon. Drove
Anne and Willie part way to school and drew up some wood.
Annie went from school to W. Wallace’s and stayed there all night.
In the evening went to a party at John Michie’s given as a farewell
to G. Michie and wife. A good crowd and it went off very good.
20 – Colder. Drew up the rest of the wood and painted waggon
box and some other chores.
21 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie
and Willie (131 at SS). The man from Mimico preached again.
Russell and Joe Wallace gave a duet. It was announced that Mr.
McKay has accepted the call.
22 – A very fine day, too fine for the sleighing as the snow is going
fast. Drew 2 loads of wood from A. Akhurst’s swamp in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon went to Port Perry to a Farmers Fruit
Institute in the town hall. There were two speakers and they were
very good. Apple, strawberry and raspberry culture were the sub-
jects taken up. Saw George Fowlie and he was telling me that his
father died this afternoon. Annie and Willie at school. James
Monroe’s sale. [William Fowlie died].
23 – Thawing with rain from the SE in the afternoon. Did little but
the chores. Went down to John Michie’s before dinner. George
W. Michie and wife and John McMillan were there. They are
sending off their things to the west ahead so they will be in Swift
Current when they get there. Annie and Willie did not go to school
as Annie has a bad cough, as has also Jennie. Jennie quilting. Mr.
Harris’ sale today.
24 – Heavy rain through the night which has spoiled the sleighing
which was not over good, water standing everywhere. Down at
John Michie’s in the forenoon. In the afternoon went with Mrs.
Mark to Uncle W. Fowlie’s funeral at Manchester. He was buried
at Greenbank. Water over the roads in some places. Jennie quilt-
ing. Annie and Willie did not go to school.
25 – Very cold and rough with high NW wind. Did nothing but the
chores. Jennie making quilt. Annie and Willie not at school.
Maggie Dusty and Norman Blakely married today.
26 – A fine day. Helping Jennie to wash in forenoon and in the
afternoon we went to Port Perry with the buggy.
27 – A nice day, a little snow through the night. Did chores,
cleaned out pig house and went down and settled up with John
Michie.
28 – A fine day and pretty cold. At SS and church with Jennie,
Annie and Willie. (130 at SS), Rev. Mr. Wesley of Sunderland
preached to an extra large congregation.
MAR. 1 – Some snow from the SE in the afternoon. Went to Port
Perry in the afternoon with 12 bags of oats to be ground and got
the meal home. Took the sleigh but the sleighing was not very
good. Jennie quilting. Joe Wallace and Mona Leask called col-
lecting for a present for Jessie Michie. I went up with them to the
mail box and called at Akhurst’s on my way back.
2 – A very fine day. Not feeling very well and did nothing but the
chores. Ray Stone and Ethel McDonald called collecting for a
present to Mrs. G. Michie. Drover Sleep called. Jennie, Annie,
Willie and I down at John Michie’s. Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Lee were
there.
3 – Annie went to school again. Jennie washing. After dinner I
got ready and hitched up to go to the induction of Rev. Mr. McKay
at Wick but just then it started to get rough and snow from the E so
I did not go. Went to Greenbank later on and brought Annie home.
Heavy snow in the evening.
4 – A lot of new snow through the night and the wind got high
from the NW and it was about the roughest day of the winter, but
not so very cold. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for morphine
for Mammy. Afternoon very rough. There was to be a social
gathering at the church tonight to present Jessie Michie and Mrs.
G.W. Michie with presents before they left for the NW but we did
not go as the roads and weather were bad. President Taft of the US
inaugurated today.
5 – Pretty rough and cold in the morning but got milder towards
night. Went down to John Michie’s to bid George and Jessie
goodbye. They go as far as W. McMillan’s at Saintfield tonight
and are to take the train to Blackwater tomorrow. Jennie quilting.
The presentation came off all right last night.
6 – A fine day and thawing in the afternoon. In the forenoon went
up to see about the roads and in the afternoon, with Jennie, Annie,
Willie and James, drove over to W.H. Leask’s to see Mrs. Leask
about playing the organ in church. Jennie quilting the rest of the
day.
7 – A fine day but drifting some in the afternoon. At SS and
church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (125 at SS I think). Rev.
Mr. McKay preached for the first time as pastor. Mrs. W.H. Leask
played the organ and I sang solo.
179
8 – A beautiful day. Drove Annie and Willie to school. Jennie
washing. Just before dinner we were surprised by a call from Mrs.
Ed Fisher of Ashburn and Mrs. Copeland nee Barbara Bodie of
Teaswater. They stayed for dinner and we had a great old talk. In
the afternoon, with Jennie and James, drove over for a visit at W.
O’Neill’s and stayed for tea. Annie and Willie at Mission Band
after school.
9 – Almost rain from the E a good part of the day. Willie went to
school alone. Annie did not go as she had a boil on her ankle. Did
very little but the chores.
10 – Drove Annie and Willie to school. Stormy day. Jennie at
W.F.M.S. meeting at the church. At choir practice at W.H.
Leask’s in the evening. John Michie went with me.
11 – Pretty cold and windy day. Drove Annie and Willie to school
and did the chores. Jennie making suit for James.
12 – A very fine day and thawing. Drove Annie and Willie to
school and then, with Jennie and James, went to Port Perry. T.
Salter’s sister Mrs. Price was buried today. She died at E. Ward’s
and they took her to Port Perry on the way to Bowmanville. Went
down to John Michie’s in the afternoon.
13 – A beautiful day and thawing in the afternoon. Drawing out
manure on potato ground. Aunt Janet and the three children at
Mrs. Mark’s in the forenoon. Jennie and Willie at Gordon’s and
Akhurst’s in the afternoon.
14 – A beautiful day and thawing. At SS and church with Jennie,
Annie, Willie and James. Rev. Mr. McKay gave out the diplomas
for catechism and memory verses. Ethel McDonald; Mona Leask;
Pearl Ewin and John Golden for catechism and Annie; Willie;
James and Mary Real for memorizing scriptures. Rev. Mr. McKay
preached. G.D. McMillan gave solo.
15 – A very fine day. Drawing out manure all day. Annie and
Willie at school. Jennie quilting.
16 – Annie and Willie at school. Did little but the chores. Got
ready to go to Port Perry to the mill but it turned out a rough day
and I did not go. Jennie quilting.
17 – Very rough all day with high NW wind and drifting, the
roughest day this winter but not so very cold. Split some in the
shed. Jennie finishes quilting. The assessor called.
18 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry with the sleigh and 12
bags of oats to be ground but did not get it home, but I brought
home some coal. In the afternoon went down to I. O’Neill’s with
all the children to hear their gramophone and in the evening went
with John Michie to choir practice at W.H. Leask’s.
19 – A nice day and sometimes snowing a little. Went to Port
Perry with Willie in the sleigh for the meal and in the afternoon
with Jennie went to preparatory service. There was more than
usual out. Rev. Mr. Wesley of Sunderland preached. Mrs. James
Lee came in by certificate from the Greenbank Methodist church.
Mrs. W. Real brought home from her father’s on Scugog where she
has been since the accident.
20 – A very fine day. Split some wood and cleaned out pig house.
Aunt Janet drove with Annie, Willie and James up to Gordon’s
with the cutter. Alex Gordon has returned from Cobourg on his
horse hunt but has not yet got his horse.
21 – A beautiful day. At communion at Greenbank with Jennie
and Annie. A pretty good turnout. Mr. McKay conducted the
service.
22 – A very fine day. Buck sawing wood until about 4 when Mr.
Malice of Port Perry came and he stayed all night. Had a big talk.
Annie and Willie at school.
23 – A very fine day. Mrs. Mark called in the morning and told
about her visit to Alex Lee’s yesterday. Sawed and split wood.
Jennie at quilting bee at W. Wallace’s. Sleighing getting bad.
Annie and Willie at school.
24 – Started to snow about 2 pm and continued until evening when
it turned to rain from the SE. Cutting and splitting wood most of
the day. Annie and Willie at school.
25 – Somewhat colder. Went with Jennie to Port Perry in the
forenoon. Took the cutter but it was not very good sleighing.
Cutting wood in the afternoon. Annie and Willie did not go to
school.
26 – High wind through the night and most of the day. Helping
Jennie to whitewash and paper the kitchen.
27 – A fierce snowstorm from the SE in the forenoon. Got warmer
and a good part of it was gone before night. Helping Jennie to
paper the kitchen and finished at noon.
28 – A very fine day and thawing some in the afternoon. At SS
and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (131 at SS); Rev.
Mr. McKay preached. An extra large congregation.
29 – A fine day. Cutting wood. Jennie housecleaning the pantry.
Aunt Janet went to Port Perry in the afternoon for morphine. An-
nie and Willie at school.
30 – A fine day. Cutting wood in the forenoon. Jennie washing.
In the afternoon took Jennie and James to Greenbank in the buggy
and went on to Richard Real’s sale which went off very well. Got
tea at W. Wallace’s.
31 – A fine day. Cutting wood most of the day. Mr. and Mrs. R.
Cragg called in the evening.
APR. 1 – A fine day. Cutting wood most of the day and in the
evening went with John Michie to choir practice at W.H. Leask’s.
A beautiful night, went with the buggy.
2 – Fine in the forenoon and almost snowing from the S in the
afternoon. Went down to Isaac O’Neill’s in the morning to see
him, he having got his head cut by falling from a load of hay.
Found him smoking. Cut wood and picked over turnips in the root
house the rest of the day.
180
3 – Went with the waggon (roads very bad) to Gibson’s mill with
12 bags of oats to be ground. Annie, Willie and James went with
me. Did not get meal home as they were running saw mill. Fixed
floor in horse stall in the afternoon.
4 – A very fine day. Roads very bad. At church and SS with
Jennie, Annie and Willie. Rev. Mr. McKay preached. He spoke
on the [?] Missionary Congress at Toronto last week and did well.
5 – A very fine day. Annie at school. Jennie went to Port Perry in
the forenoon while I worked at the raspberry bushes. In the after-
noon went to Gibson’s mill for the meal. James went with me.
Willie went as far as Greenbank to the Mission Band. Medicine
company have a free show in the hall tonight. Parrot, the cattle
buyer, called after dinner.
6 – Quite warm and spring like. At berry bushes in the forenoon.
Jennie washing. Afternoon made grafting wax and took off storm
windows. Annie and Willie at school.
7 – Very high W wind and some rain squalls. Scuffled berry
bushes and plowed a patch for early potatoes (the first work on the
land that I know of in these parts). Annie and Willie at school.
8 – A very fine day. Pretty windy in the morning. Cutting wood in
the forenoon. Jennie at A. Gordon’s. In the afternoon, with
Jennie, drove to see Mr. Jas. Allan who has been ill for some time,
the affects of a fall from a waggon. We found him a little better.
Annie and Willie at school. Mr. A. Melis called with goods or-
dered. Saw several teams working in the fields.
9 – Good Friday. Surprised to find about two inches of snow on
the ground in the morning and it did not warm up enough to thaw it
out all day and some more came in the afternoon and got much
colder. Went to Port Perry in the morning with the waggon, Annie
and Willie with me and met the train and brought out Mrs. Perrin,
Mrs. Jas. Bell and Mabel, Willie and Gordon Bell. Cut some wood
in the afternoon. Women sewing.
10 – Very cold and wintery day. Cutting wood in the shed in the
forenoon. Went to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail.
Women sewing.
11 – A fine day. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie, Willie
and Mabel Bell. (130 at SS); Rev. Mr. McKay preached.
12 – A very fine day. Drove Mrs. Perrin to Port Perry to the 11 am
train on her way home. James went with us. Cut wood in the
afternoon. Vera and Wilmot Cragg here in the afternoon. Hugh
Jack and Dan Boe called buying cattle. Did not sell.
13 – Loaded butternut and white ash logs on the waggon and took
them to Gibson’s mill and got them sawn. Willie went as far as R.
Cragg’s and played with Wilmot. In the afternoon drew a little
brush when it started to rain and continued all the afternoon and
evening. Jennie and Mary Bell dressmaking. Saw Alex Lee at the
mill and had a talk with him.
14 – A very fine day. Letting off water and some other little jobs.
Planted potatoes in the orchard in the afternoon. Jennie and Mary
Bell at W.F.M.S. at Greenbank in the afternoon and at Alex
Gordon’s to see his mother who is ill in the evening. They found
her a little better. Sleep, the drover, called and bought the two fat
beasts at 5 cts per pound and I to give back a dollar.
15 – A fine day. Plowed the potato land and some of the orchard.
Robert Wallace called for some raspberry bushes. Went to Port
Perry in the evening to get something for sick steer and did not get
home until after 11 pm.
16 – Cultivating most of the day. A little rain after dinner and in
the evening. Isaac O’Neill called. Annie and Mabel went up to
enquire for Mrs. Gordon Sr. She is a little better.
17 – A beautiful day. Cultivating in the forenoon and taking straw
off the strawberries in the afternoon. Jennie took Mabel Bell to
Port Perry on her way home to Brooklin. Annie, Willie, James and
Willie Bell went with her. At S. of T. in the evening, very small
turnout.
18 – At SS and church with Jennie, Willie and James (105 at SS),
Mr. McKay preached. Mona Leask gave solo. Rain in the fore-
noon, afternoon and evening.
19 – Rain through the night and off and on all day. Nothing doing
on the land. Fanned up some seed grain. Went down to John
Michie’s and up to see Mrs. Gordon Sr. and found her in bed and
about the same. Mr. W. Akhurst called for some berry bushes.
20 – A beautiful day. Cultivating in the forenoon, sowing oats in
the afternoon (the first sowing). Jennie up at Akhurst’s and
Gordon’s seeing the sick folks. Daisy Howsam came home from
school with Annie and Willie and stayed all night.
21 – Dull all forenoon and threatening rain which came in earnest
about noon. Finished sowing field W of the house. Did nothing in
the afternoon but go for Annie and Willie at school. Thunder
shower on the way and mud galore.
22 – Did a few odd jobs. Plowed the garden in the forenoon.
Harrowed in the afternoon. At choir practice in the church in the
evening. Aunt Janet went to John Michie’s and found Mrs. Mark
in bed and to Gordon’s and found Mrs. Gordon Sr. very ill. Jennie
at J. Michie’s in the evening. Isaac O’Neill came for a little straw.
23 – A fine day but pretty cool. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon
with one hog and got $7.25 per hundred, the highest that I ever got.
Took six bags of oats to be ground and got it home. When I got
home and backed the waggon into the shed I fell on my side on a
board and was hurt so bad that I did nothing the rest of the day.
Jennie did the chores. Aunt Janet at John Michie’s all day taking
care of Mrs. Mark while John went to Port Perry with pigs. Jennie
went up to see Mrs. Gordon in the evening and found her about the
same. Annie and Willie at school and at SS anniversary practice
after.
24 – Hard frost in the morning and very cold all day. Did nothing
but nurse lame side. Aunt Janet at John Michie’s all day. John
called in the evening. Mary Bell and Annie went to Greenbank in
the evening. Jennie did the chores.
181
25 – A little rain about 11 and 12 and then got colder with high
NW wind. At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie.
Mr. McKay preached. Mrs. Jas. Blair and Mamie Dusty new
members in the choir.
26 – A fine day and a little warmer. John Michie and Norman Lyle
took the 2 fat cattle to Seagrave and Jennie drove for them. I was
not able to go. Did nothing but tie up some berry bushes in the
afternoon. Aunt Janet planted some potatoes in the orchard. Annie
and Willie at school and anniversary practice.
27 – Fine in the forenoon. A warm rain started after dinner and
continued most of the afternoon but the wind changed to NW and
got colder again. Did nothing on account of side. Went up to ask
for Mrs. Gordon, she is not so well today. Aunt Janet at Port Perry
in the forenoon. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie went after
them in the rain. Alex Gordon called for morphine.
28 – A hard frost and quite cold with high NW wind. Annie and
Willie at school and anniversary practice. Did almost nothing on
account of side. Aunt Janet called at Mark’s. Jennie and Mary
Bell, with James and Willie Bell, drove to Greenbank to see John
Lee who is seriously ill. Word came that John Kerr, Mary’s uncle,
was killed at a barn raising on Monday.
29 – Hard frost and raw wind from the SE in the forenoon. About
noon it started to snow and continued nearly all afternoon until the
ground was covered. Drifts a foot deep in some places. At John
Michie’s in the morning. Did nothing but help a little with the
chores. Aunt Janet drove Mary Bell and Willie and Gordon Bell to
the morning train on their way to Brooklin. Annie and Willie at
school.
30 – A great rain with lightning through the night but snow did not
all melt during the day, but it got some warmer towards night.
Annie and Willie did not go to school. Alex Gordon called in the
forenoon for eggs. Aunt Janet up to Gordon’s in the afternoon.
Jennie making dress for Annie.
MAY 1 – A little warmer but not very much. Tied up berry
bushes. Jennie pruned black currant bushes. Annie and Willie at
anniversary practice. Billy Lewis came for a [?] of straw for Isaac
O’Neill. Mrs. R. Cragg and Wilmot called. She wanted to change
some eggs for hatching but we did not have any today.
2 – Very cool and snow about 11 am and in the afternoon. At SS
and church with Jennie, Annie and Willie (131 at SS), Mr. McKay
preached and his text was “and there were other little ships with
Him”.
3 – A heavy snow storm in the forenoon but it soon went off and
was a little warmer. Did little but a few chores. Jennie and little
James went to Port Perry in the afternoon and then I went via Jim
Gibson’s to Greenbank. Called at Gibson’s to talk band for the SS
anniversary on May 24 but found that it was in a disorganized
state. Called to see John Lee who is seriously ill. Called at E.
Boe’s.
4 – A fine day and got a little warmed up. Sowed the field NE of
the barn. Jennie house cleaning upstairs. Annie and Willie at
school. Bible Society meeting tonight but I did not go.
5 – A fine day. More like spring than so far. Harrowing and culti-
vating. A little rain about 5 pm. Mr. John Horne and Barbara
Walker called for some strawberry plants. Rev. Mr. McKay called
and took tea, the first time that he has been here. He is very good
company. Annie and Willie at school and practice.
6 – A fine day and something like spring. Cultivated in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon, with Jennie and James, took 6 bags of
oats to Port Perry to be ground and got 4 bags of corn. At choir
practice at the church in the evening. Rode up with John Michie.
Lots of lightning in the evening but very little rain. Annie and
Willie at school.
7 – A very fine day. Sowed the N field and so finishes the sowing
for this year. Jennie putting in garden and house cleaning. Arbour
Day at school and Annie and Willie did not go. Annie went up to
Gordon’s for butter. Willie Rennie came for some strawberry
plants.
8 – A fine spring day. Harrowing in the forenoon and cultivating
land for strawberries in the afternoon.
9 – Rain in the morning and again in the evening but a fine day.
At SS and church with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie (125 at SS).
Mr. McKay preached.
10 – Rain through the night and nearly all day from the NE and
everything well soaked. Helping Jennie to paper our bedroom.
W.H. Leask and wife and baby here in the afternoon for strawberry
plants.
11 – A fine day with high wind which dried the land up considera-
bly. Sowed some grass seed, fixed fences and picked stones from
hay field. Jennie house cleaning. Aunt Janet at Mrs. Mark’s in the
forenoon and Mrs. Mark called in the afternoon. Annie and Willie
at school and practice.
12 – A very fine warm day, the most spring-like yet, so far. Culti-
vating and harrowing potato and strawberry land in the forenoon.
Grafting apple trees in the afternoon. Jennie housecleaning and at
the W.F.M.S. at J.M. Real’s. Mrs. R. Cragg called for some eggs.
Annie and Willie at school.
13 – A beautiful warm day which is making things start to grow.
Went over to R. Cragg’s to see Jas. Lee (who is shingling his
kitchen) about getting him to help draw out manure. Grafting
apple trees most of the day. Aunt Janet at Port Perry in the fore-
noon with carpet rags. Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school.
14 – A very fine warm day, a little rain towards night and in the
evening. Drove Jennie and Annie to the morning train at Port
Perry on their way to Toronto and went for them again in the eve-
ning. Marked out the strawberry patch in the forenoon and helped
Jim Lee to shingle his kitchen in the afternoon. Willie at school.
15 – A warm day. James Lee here all day drawing out manure
while I planted strawberries. Worked at it alone and got in 11
rows. Annie at practice at Greenbank. Jennie trimming hats.
Thunder shower between 9 and 10 pm.
182
16 – Things looking green after the rain. Turned quite cool to-
wards night. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie and
James (130 at SS), Rev. Mr. McKay preached.
17 – Cool day. A foggy drizzle from the NW about 4 o’clock on.
Plowing corn and mangold land and drilled up potato land. Jennie
washing. Annie and Willie at school and practice.
18 – A very fine day. James Lee here drawing out manure. Plant-
ing strawberries all day, Jennie helping, and put in 9 ½ rows.
Annie and Willie at school. Jennie Gordon called in the afternoon.
Billy Lewis came for the turnip drill to sow mangolds.
19 – A beautiful day. Planting strawberries, Jennie helping, and
finished after dinner. Plowing root land in the afternoon. Annie
and Willie at school and practice.
20 – A beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon and in the afternoon
with Jennie and James in the waggon went to Port Perry principally
for pig feed. Willie at school. Annie at home on account of a
cough. At choir practice at the church in the evening.
21 – A beautiful day. Cultivated, harrowed, drilled and sowed
mangolds – 40 drills. Willie at school. Annie better.
22 – A very fine day. Planted potatoes in the forenoon, Annie and
Willie helping. R.T. Harrington called for some strawberry plants.
In the afternoon went up to G. Lee’s and drew out 3 loads of ma-
nure. Annie and Willie at anniversary practice in the church.
23 – A little rain in the afternoon. At SS and church with Jennie,
Annie, Willie and James (149 at SS). This being anniversary Sun-
day there was a very full house. Mr. McKay preached. The chil-
dren sang led by Miss Stovin. At church again in the evening with
Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie. Mr. McKay preached again to a
packed house.
24 – A beautiful day. Put the little plot near the barn pump into
corn and plowed a bit in the orchard in the forenoon. In the after-
noon, with Aunt Janet, Annie and Willie, went to our Sunday
school anniversary. The afternoon programme was by the children
led by Miss Stovin and they did very well. In the evening the
concert was given by the Doric quartet of Toronto and they were
well received. Miss [?] recited. Mr. McKay, chairman. A packed
house. Proceeds with Sunday $138.00.
25 – A very fine day. Rolling until 5:30 when with James went to
after social of anniversary. Jennie went up earlier to help wash up
and Annie and Willie went from school. There was not many out.
Made about $5.00.
26 – A beautiful day. Rolling all day and finished. Jennie house-
cleaning the woodshed. Annie and Willie at school.
27 – Scuffling raspberries and strawberries until about 9 when it
started to rain from the SE and continued until about noon.
Cleaned out root house, pig house, colts house and hen house and
painted bedroom 2nd
time. Annie and Willie at school.
28 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with Jennie. Cultivating
for corn in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie at
Gordon’s in the evening for butter.
29 – A beautiful day. Drew out 2 loads of manure in the morning.
About 8 am Mrs. Bell took a bad turn and in less than an hour she
was dead. Went to Greenbank to telephone to Newcastle. Annie
and Willie with me, then to Port Perry and telegraphed to Jessie
Bell and Mrs. Patton and W. Kerr, and got Mr. Stonehouse to
attend to the undertaking. Mrs. Jas McMillan; Barbara Walker;
Mrs. A. Akhurst; Mrs. Mark; Mrs. R. Cragg; and Miss Lyle called.
Mundo Perrin; Mrs. Perrin; Jennie Perrin; and Charlie Perrin came
about 5 pm. I then went again to Greenbank taking home Mrs.
McMillan and B. Walker and did some more telephoning. Alex
Gordon and wife called in the evening.
30 – A beautiful warm spring day. Mundo, Charlie and Jennie
Perrin left for S. Perrin’s about 10. I walked up to church to see
Mr. McKay. Got into SS a little before the close. Called at W.
Luke’s on the way home. Jas. Lee and wife; G.D. McMillan and
wife; Mrs. S. Dusty; Mrs. W. and Russell Thomas called in the
evening.
31 – A very fine day and warm. Did little in the forenoon. James
Smith and Alex Ketchen came up to Mrs. Bell’s funeral. Alex
Gordon drove his double rig to Port Perry train and brought out
Jessie Bell and Mary Patton and Helen and Douglas. Funeral in
the afternoon. M. Stonehouse was the undertaker. E. Boe; Jas.
McMillan; S. Dusty; W. Luke; D. Lyle; and W. Mark. Rev. Mr.
McKay conducted the service here and Rev. Mr. Boreland at the
grave. Went by way of Greenbank to Groveside Cemetery, Brook-
lin. Got there a little before 4 o’clock. Went with Jennie to Jas.
Smith’s for supper and it was nearly midnight before we got home.
Jessie B. and Mrs. Patton came to Port Perry by train and John
Michie met them and brought them out. Little Willie Bell came
with them. The Perrin’s went by way of Whitby home. Alex
Rennie and wife of Port Perry were at the funeral.
JUNE 1 – A very fine day, a little rain in the evening. Went for
the beef in the morning but R. Cragg got there before me, a misun-
derstanding as to who should go. Went on to Greenbank, then
while I hoed in the orchard, Jennie and Mary Patton took Douglas
to see Dr. R. Archer about his nose. Rolled and sowed the horse
corn. Used A. Akhurst’s drill. Ran short of seed and got about 25
cts worth from John Michie. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie
Gordon called. Billie Lewis came for some seed potatoes.
2 – A very fine day. Harrowed corn and potatoes in the morning
and drew out manure the rest of the day. About 9 am. Drs. R. and
D. Archer came in their automobile and operated on Douglas Pat-
ton for trouble in throat and nose. Moved out the stove. Annie and
Willie at school.
3 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Went to Port Perry to see
Hugh Jack as to taking pigs, then took 7 out and got $7.75 per 100,
the highest that I ever got. Drawing out manure in the afternoon.
Annie and Willie at school. Jessie Bell and Mary Patton at
Gordon’s in the evening. Eclipse of the moon in the evening.
4 – A beautiful day. Drawing out manure and finished, then
plowed some. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie at Mrs. Mark’s
for tea. Jessie Bell making suit for Willie.
183
5 – A very fine day. Plowing and hoeing strawberries. Jennie
drove Jessie Bell, Mary Patton, Helen and Douglas Patton and
Willie Bell to Port Perry on their way home.
6 – A fine day but pretty cool. At SS and church with Jennie,
Annie, Willie and James (127 at SS). A blind man preached a very
good sermon.
7 – A beautiful day. Plowing turnip land all day. Jennie washing.
Annie and Willie at school.
8 – A beautiful day. Went for the beef in the morning taking An-
nie and Willie to school. Plowing the rest of the day. Jennie at
Gordon’s and Akhurst’s in the afternoon.
9 – A beautiful day with a little raw wind from the E. Started
before 8 am and with Jennie drove to Uxbridge and took train to
Agincourt to John Michie’s wedding37
. Was met at the station by
Mr. Forfar and got to their house a little before noon. Got dinner
and spent the afternoon in chat. The wedding took place at 4 pm.
James A. Miller did the job. Got supper and then to the station and
got home about 9. Mrs. Mark; A. Akhurst and wife; Alex Lee and
wife; W. O’Neill and wife; and Mary Dusty were present from
these parts and quite a number of the neighbours and relatives of
the bride and everything passed off fine. Annie and Willie at
school. Aunt Janet keeping house.
37
William JOHN Michie, born 16 Aug 1878, died 9
Feb 1969 - married ELIZABETH White Forfar,
born 28 Oct 1884, died 30 July 1968.
10 – Another very fine day. Harrowing turnip land all day and in
the evening walked to choir practice at the church, rather a small
turnout. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie, Annie and Willie at
Mr. and Mrs. John Michie’s wedding reception.
11 – A very fine day. Rolled turnip land and then drove Aunt Janet
to Port Perry on her way to Newcastle for a visit, James went with
me. Drilling up turnips in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Annie
and Willie at school.
12 – A very fine day. Putting up turnip drills in the forenoon,
sowed them after dinner, but did not have seed enough. Then
scuffled strawberries and corn. Annie at Gordon’s for butter. All
down at the bridge in the evening fishing. Mosquitoes very bad.
13 – Some rain after dinner and a thunder shower in the evening
which will do a lot of good as things were getting somewhat dry.
At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie and James. G.D.
McMillan took my class in SS. Mr. McKay preached, rather thin
attendance, I suppose on account of the rain.
14 – A fine day and pretty cool. Went to Greenbank in the morn-
ing for turnip seed taking Annie and Willie to school, then sowed
16 drills. Then put down some stone pavement at the box stall
door and tried to fix cistern pump but failed. Mrs. Mark called and
Pascoe Luke wanting Jennie to board the men that are to put up his
house but she did not consent to do it. After supper, with Annie,
Willie and James, went down to John Michie’s for some cabbage
plants.
15 – A beautiful day. Went over to R. Cragg’s in the morning to
see about road work. Rigged up waggon and in the afternoon went
with Jennie and James to Port Perry. Annie and Willie at school.
R. Cragg called in the evening. Pascoe Luke pulled down the old
log house on his place, the oldest house in these parts.
16 – A very fine day. Drawing gravel on road work, 1 load from
Flewell’s and 2 from McMillan’s pit. At choir practice at the
church. Annie and Willie at school. The inspector visited the
school.
17 – Went for load of gravel to McMillan’s pit and finished road
work. It rained most of the way and I got pretty wet. It rained
about ½ the afternoon. Drilling up for turnips after it quit raining.
Annie and Willie at school. Eclipse of the sun a little before sun-
set.
18 – Very cold for the time of year with high NW wind. Finished
drilling and sowing turnips in the forenoon. In the afternoon went
with Jennie and James to preparatory service in the church. Rev.
Mr. Conkle of Sonya preached. About the usual turnout. There
was another minister, a Mr. McDonald, present. Annie and Willie
at school. Mrs. Mark called in the forenoon.
19 – A very fine day and warmer. Scuffling, cultivating and hoe-
ing and other jobs. Jennie oiled kitchen floor. Annie and Willie at
W. Thomas’ and A. Gordon’s in the afternoon.
20 – A beautiful day. Went with Annie to communion at Wick. A
pretty good turnout. Mr. McKay conducted the service. At church
184
again in the evening at Greenbank, all the family out. Mr. McKay
preached. Rev. Mr. Terrill preaches his farewell.
21 – A fine day and pretty warm. Went with Jennie and James to
Port Perry in the morning. Plowing buckwheat land second time in
the afternoon. Ray Dusty called to change some eggs. Annie and
Willie at school.
22 – A fine day and pretty warm. Got up at 4 am and went to Port
Perry to Henders. Scuffling and plowing the rest of the day.
Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school. John Michie and
wife called in the evening, the first time since their marriage.
23 – A fine day and very warm, some thunder about noon but only
a few drops of rain. Scuffling mangolds and hoeing. Jennie iron-
ing. Annie and Willie at school. Farmers Institute excursion to
Guelph today. Got a few ripe strawberries, the first of the season.
24 – A fine day and very warm. Hoeing corn, mangolds and
strawberries. Jennie making clothes for James. Annie and Willie
at school. Mrs. Dusty and Ray called in the evening for a setting
of eggs.
25 – A fine day, a little sprinkle of rain in the afternoon. Cultivat-
ing, and sowed the bit of buckwheat and hoed. Jennie washing.
Annie and Willie at school.
26 – A very nice warm day. Hoed awhile at the mangolds and
then, with Jennie and children, picked strawberries, the first of any
account, 40 boxes. After dinner, with Willie, took 24 to Brock’s
(2 for 25). Then Jennie and Annie and James went to Greenbank
with some. Sandy Gordon and Jennie came for some potatoes.
27 – A fine day but very warm. At SS with Jennie and the children
(100 present), then at Methodist SS anniversary service. Mr.
McKay and the new Baptist minister were the speakers. Church
nicely filled.
28 – Very warm and dry. Picking strawberries in the forenoon.
Took 2 cases to Port Perry. Jennie, Mrs. John Michie and Mrs.
Mark also picking. Annie went to Greenbank after dinner for the
mail. Mr. Stovin of Port Perry started to overhaul the schoolhouse.
D. Lyle cutting wood with steam power.
29 – A fine day and not quite so warm. Went for the beef in the
morning then to Port Perry with 2 crates of berries and brought
home some empty boxes. Hoeing mangolds in the afternoon. In
the evening, with Willie, went to Greenbank to get S. Dusty’s light
waggon but did not get it. Jennie churning, washing and ironing.
30 – A fine day and very warm. Picked strawberries awhile in the
morning then went with 2 crates to Mr. Monet’s, Port Perry, and
brought home Aunt Janet from her visit to Newcastle. She is very
poorly. Aunt Mary Slemon came with her. Berry pickers today:
Jennie; Mrs. John Michie; Vera Cragg; Mrs. Mark; Mr. Akhurst;
Lillie O’Neill; Mrs. W. O’Neill; Mrs. Gordon. About 438 boxes
picked. In the afternoon went again to Port Perry with 2 crates to
Monet. Miss Simpson of Wick called for berries. In the evening
went to Greenbank to deliver berries and attend church session and
it was after midnight before I got home. Alex Gordon called in the
evening.
JULY 1 - A fine day and warm, with high NW wind and very
dusty. Hoed mangolds in the forenoon. James Lee and wife called
for a feed of berries and got them. Hugh Leask also for berries.
Jennie preserving. In the afternoon went with Annie and Willie to
the Methodist SS anniversary and stayed for the afternoon pro-
gramme and tea. There did not appear to be as big a crowd as
some years. Aunt Janet in bed all day.
2 – Finished hoeing mangolds in the forenoon, then picked straw-
berries. Jennie; Mrs. Mark; W. Mark; W. Akhurst; Lillie O’Neill;
Maggie Blair; Mrs. Jas. Lee. About 2 pm it started to rain a little
but not enough to stop the picking. 361 boxes and 18 rows yet to
pick. Went to Port Perry with 4 crates and to Greenbank with
more in the evening. Got a good shower before I got home which
is badly needed.
3 – Rain through the night, cool day. Picked berries for awhile in
the morning and then went to Port Perry with 2 crates. W. Mark;
Mrs. Mark; Eva Luke; and Jennie picking. Wilmot Asling and
wife called for berries and in the afternoon Mrs. J.M. Real and
Allie Dusty; Ned Luke; Wilmot Cragg and all of the Gordon’s girls
here playing. Scuffling corn and turnips in the afternoon. Aunt
Janet in bed all day.
4 – A very fine day and quite cool. At SS and church with Jennie
and the children. Called at W. Real’s and telephoned for Dr.
Archer to come and see Aunt Janet. Mr. McKay preached. The
Dr. came in his automobile and says that Aunt Janet is seriously ill.
James Lee and wife here in the evening for a feed of berries.
5 – A beautiful day. Scuffling until 5 pm. A big day in the straw-
berries, the biggest gang that ever was in the patch. W. Mark;
Mrs. Mark; Mrs. John Michie; Vera Cragg; Edith Phair; Miss
Gertie Stovin; Mrs. Stovin; Maggie Blair; Mrs. Jas. Lee; Ida
McKitrick; Eva Luke; Lillie O’Neill; Mrs. M. O’Neill; Mrs. W.
O’Neill; W. Akhurst; Mrs. A. Akhurst; Mrs. Norman Phair; Mrs.
Norman Blakely; Russell, Lottie and Ella Wallace were the pick-
ers. 490 boxes picked. Several called for berries. Dr. D. Archer
came in his automobile to see Aunt Janet who is a very little better.
Arch Black drove the automobile.
6 – A beautiful day. Paris greened the potatoes in the forenoon and
started to hoe the turnips in the afternoon. Jennie washed and then
went to market at Port Perry. Dr. D. Archer called to see Aunt
Janet. Wilmot Cragg; Erma Salter; Edna Gordon; Henry Thomas
and Laura Thomas here in the afternoon. Joe Baird called for
berries, also Mrs. O’Leary and Mrs. Frank Dobson. John and
Lizzie Michie called in the evening.
7 – A beautiful day. Hoeing turnips all day. Another day at the
strawberries. Those picking were Mrs Mark; Mrs. John Michie;
Mrs. R. Wallace; Mrs. Jas. Ewin; Mrs. Broom; Mrs. A. Gordon;
Vera Cragg; Mr. Les Lamb; Mr. and Mrs. McMaster and Ray
Dusty. Mrs. W.H. Leask; Mona Leask; Bella Innis; Mrs. John
Leask; Miss Gregg and perhaps others called for berries. Ray
Dusty went to Greenbank after dinner with berries. Rev. Mr.
McKay called in the evening. Went with Jennie to prayer meeting
in the evening, the first since Mr. McKay came. A pretty good
turnout.
185
8 – A fine day and very dry and warm. Scuffled in the forenoon
and in the afternoon, with Jennie and the children, drove over to
Lake Scugog at the 9th
concession and the children had a paddle in
the water. While we were away Mrs. Albert Stone came for straw-
berries and picked them herself and almost at dark George Hadden
and Miss Duff came for berries. We got 8 boxes picked when it
got too dark.
9 – A very fine day and still dry. Hoeing mangolds in the fore-
noon, 2nd
time. Picking strawberries in the afternoon. The pickers
today were Mrs. A. Gordon; Bessie Gordon; Vera Cragg; Mrs.
Mark; Mrs. John Michie; Emma Black and for awhile Mrs. R.
Cragg and W. Beare’s 2 girls. Mr. and Mrs. McCullah; Miss
Beare; Lewis Beaton; Mrs. T.E. and Mrs. Blake Cragg; Morley
Ward called for berries. After supper with Annie and Willie went
to Greenbank with berries. Dr. D. Archer called to see Aunt Janet
and pronounces her in a serious condition.
10 – Hoed turnips for awhile in the morning when it started to rain
a little drizzle but not enough to make it drop from the roofs, but at
2 there was a heavy thunder shower and between 4 and 5 a terrific
shower and another about 7, so everything is well soaked at last
and things were needing it badly. Willie Petty called for berries
and Mrs. G. Wallace called and ordered some for Monday. John
Michie and wife and Emma Black who were in the berry patch
took refuge from the rain. Dr. D. Archer called and thought Aunt
Janet was some better.
11 – A fine day and pretty warm, some rain about the middle of the
afternoon. At SS and church with Jennie and the children. Mr.
McKay preached of John Calvin. In the evening went with Jennie
up to see Mrs. Gordon. Dr. Archer called.
12 – Rain through the night and drizzled a little most of the fore-
noon but cleared up and turned out fine. Some thunder again in the
evening. Jennie washing. Picked strawberries in the forenoon, W.
and A. Akhurst also helping. Amos Rodd called wanting berries
for the Baptist festival on Thursday evening next. After dinner
went to Port Perry with a crate of berries (James went with me) and
got there just in time to see the Orange procession. The Cartwright
lodges were the only ones present. There was quite a turnout of
spectators. Jennie, Mrs. Gordon and Vera Cragg picking in the
afternoon. After supper Jennie and little James went to Greenbank.
They brought word that Sidney Fairbrother was drowned some-
where in New Ontario. Annie and Willie were at a little party at R.
Cragg’s.
13 – A very fine day, much cooler. Took S. Dusty’s rig home in
the morning and then, with Annie, took a crate of berries to Port
Perry and met Mabel Bell who comes for a visit. Hoeing turnips in
the afternoon. Mrs. Mark and Aunt Mary picking strawberries.
Jennie cooking for the meeting tomorrow.
14 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Hoed turnips awhile in the
morning. Mr. Mark; Mrs. John Michie; Mrs. Gordon; Vera Cragg;
Aunt Mary; Lillie O’Neill; and a Miss Weir picking berries for the
Baptist party and I took them to Greenbank before dinner. Maggie
Blair and Barbara Walker stemming berries. In the afternoon the
big W.F.M.S. meeting, a good attendance of old and young; about
75 at supper. 19 horses in the stable. All appeared to have a good
time. In the evening, with Jennie, went to prayer meeting. A good
turnout and a good meeting.
15 – Rain between 3 and 4 pm. Hoeing turnips. In the evening
Jennie and the children went to Greenbank to G.A. McMillan’s to
see about blackberries but they were away at the Baptist party at A.
Ross’. Aunt Janet able to be out of bed a little. Dr. D. Archer
called in the forenoon.
16 – A very fine day. Several local thunder showers and a little
rain about noon. Hoeing turnips until supper, then Paris greening
the potatoes. Aunt Mary and Jennie picking strawberries most of
the day. Mrs. Mark; Emma Black and George Bratley picking in
the evening. W. McMillan called for berries but did not get many.
17 – A beautiful day. Hoeing turnips and finished 1st
time. Mrs.
Mark, George Bratley and Jennie picking strawberries. Took Aunt
Mary to the morning train for home. Emma Black here for tea. In
the evening Jennie, with Annie and Mabel Bell, went to Greenbank
with berries.
18 – A fine day, some little rain and very cool for the time of year.
At SS and church with Annie, Willie and Mabel. Took up collec-
tion in SS for the Knox College Student’s Missionary Society and
got $17. Mr. McKay preached.
19 – A beautiful day. Went down to John Michie’s in the morning
and scuffling the rest of the day. Jennie and the children picking
and preserving cherries.
20 – A very fine day and somewhat warmer. Jennie, with Willie
and James, went to Port Perry market while I hoed and did several
small chores. Cutting hay in the afternoon (A. Akhurst’s mower).
Mr. and Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. called, the first time since Mrs.
Gordon’s illness. Annie and Mabel at Gordon’s.
21 – A little rain several times during the forenoon and steady the
first part of the afternoon so there was no haying today. Hoed
strawberries and rigged up waggon rack. Jennie washing. Cleaned
out the well at the house. Went to prayer meeting with Annie and
Mabel. Mr. McKay, leader. A large turnout. Mrs. Mark and Mrs.
A. Gordon and G. Bratley picking strawberries for the last time, 29
boxes.
22 – Rain in the morning and threatening off and on all day. Cut
thistles on the roadside and in the pasture field in the forenoon and
scuffling turnips, second time, in the afternoon. John Michie
called for an auger.
23 – Heavy rain through the night. Went to Greenbank with
Mabel, Willie and James. Heavy rains in the afternoon and very
little doing.
24 – Shook out the thick places in the hay in the forenoon. After
dinner it started to rain and continued without stopping until we
went to bed. Wind from the NW and pretty cool. Do not remem-
ber such a rain from that quarter and so cold in July. Had a time
with a hen and chickens. 10 chickens perished with wet and cold.
186
25 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie, Willie and Mabel
Bell. Mr. McKay preached.
26 – A very fine day. At the hay all day, John Michie helping,
from about 10 am. Got in 6 loads. Broke the horse rake and had to
get John’s. Jennie, Annie and Mabel at Port Perry in the morning.
27 - A fine day and pretty warm. Cut the rest of the hay and the
strawberry patch and raked what was drawn in yesterday. Jennie
picking black currants. Annie and Mabel went to Greenbank after
supper for the mail.
28 – A fine day and very warm. Scuffled turnips in the morning
then raked up the last of the hay and in the afternoon, with John
Michie’s help, drew it in. Jennie washing. In the evening, with
Annie, Willie and Mabel Bell, went to prayer meeting. There was
a good turnout, Mr. McKay leader.
29 – Several very warm showers during the forenoon. The after-
noon very warm. Scuffled strawberries in the forenoon, raked the
hay stubble and the old berry patch. Jennie, Willie and James at
Port Perry. Went down to John Michie’s in the evening to see
about help to pick berries.
30 – A beautiful day. Drew in hay rakings and the weeds from the
strawberry patch, Jennie and the children helping. J. M. Real
called. Then went to public school meeting to consider the voting
of debentures for paying the repairs of schoolhouse. There were
81 voters present; R. Cragg in the chair. $125.00 was asked and
the vote stood 41 for to 39 against. Joe Phoenix and John Clyde
demanded a pool which is to take place a week from Saturday next.
Plowing strawberry patch in the afternoon. Jennie and the children
and Mrs. I. O’Neill, Billie Lewis, Clarence and Irene also helping
[?]. Mrs. Jas. Graham of Saintfield called in the evening to get
berries.
31 – A very fine day. Finished plowing the strawberry ground.
Scuffling turnips in the afternoon. Jennie, Willie and James at
Greenbank and G.A. McMillan’s for blackberries. Mrs. Mark and
Mrs. R. Cragg called in the afternoon.
AUG. 1 – A beautiful day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie,
Willie, James and Mabel (Annie and Mabel walked up). 131 at
SS; Rev. Mr. McKay preached. We had just got home when
George Fowlie and Mrs. Lamb came and got supper. Hon. John
Dryden buried at Brooklin today. Several of our congregation at
the funeral.
2 – A very fine day. Scuffling turnips in the forenoon. In the
afternoon, with Annie and Mabel, went to Port Perry with berries.
Hoed turnips after supper. Jennie and Mrs. Mark picking berries
all day. Old Mrs. Akhurst here for tea, the first time for a long
time. Mary Graham called for berries. Mr. Parrot called. D. Lyle
threshing, the first threshing of the season in these parts.
3 – Very warm. Went for the beef in the morning and hoed turnips
most of the rest of the day. Jennie and Mrs. Mark picking berries.
In the evening drove over to G.A. McMillan’s (John Michie going
with me) to a little meeting to consider the school question.
Jennie, with Willie and James, at Port Perry market in the after-
noon.
4 – A fine day and pretty warm, some thunder in the afternoon but
no rain. Got up early and Jennie took Annie and Mabel to Port
Perry on their way to Newcastle for a visit. Mrs. W. Luke here all
day picking berries. Mrs. Mark and William also picking. At
prayer meeting in the evening with Willie. Hoeing turnips all day.
5 – A fine day and pretty warm. Hoeing turnips and mangolds all
day and finished the job. Jennie washing.
6 – A very fine day and very warm. Hoeing strawberries in the
forenoon. Mrs. Mark; Mrs. W. O’Neill; and Jennie picking rasp-
berries. Jas. McMillan and Rev. J.A. Miller here for dinner.
Picked berries in the afternoon and went to Port Perry with a crate
to ship to Toronto. Methodist choir concert at R. Flewell’s tonight
but did not go.
7 – A very warm day, I think the warmest of the season. Hoed in
the forenoon and got it all done for a time. In the afternoon went
to Greenbank to vote on the school repair debenture (vote 52 for,
57 against). In the evening went down to John Michie’s and had a
sing, the first since John was married. Russell Wallace and Miss
Aggie Forfar were there. They had all been out at Port Perry get-
ting their picture taken.
8 – A very warm day. At SS and church with Jennie, Willie and
James. Rev. Mr. McKay preached. Rev. J.A. Miller addressed the
SS. John Michie and wife and Miss Aggie Forfar here for tea.
Russell Wallace called and took Miss Aggie away to Sonya per-
haps.
9 – A very fine day. Picking berries until about 4 pm when I went
to Port Perry with 2 crates of berries. John Michie and wife; Mrs.
A. Gordon and Jennie also picking. About 150 boxes picked.
Jennie drove Mrs. Gordon home in the evening. D. Lyle cutting
oats, the first that I have heard of.
10 – A very fine day. Did some chores and rigged up the binder.
After supper went to Greenbank with Willie for the mail. Jennie
washing. Rev. Mr. Cameron inducted in Port Perry today. Nor-
man Lyle started cutting oats.
11 – A very fine cool day. Hoeing strawberries most of the day.
Down at John Michie’s in the morning to see about cutting. Jennie
at W.F.M.S. meeting at John Michie’s. At prayer meeting in the
evening with Jennie and Willie. Clarence O’Neill called for some
berry boxes.
12 – A beautiful day. Jennie; Mrs. Mark; W. Mark; and I picking
berries; over 100 boxes. Went with Willie and James to Port Perry
with a crate of berries. Miss McRae and Maggie Brown of To-
ronto here for tea.
13 – A beautiful day. Started harvest by cutting field W of house,
John Michie and horse helping. Mrs. Mark here most of the day
getting Jennie to make her a wrapper. Willie went to Greenbank in
the afternoon for the mail.
14 – A fine day. Scuffled strawberry patch in the forenoon and
with Jennie, Willie and James went to Port Perry in the afternoon.
R.T. Harrington called in the forenoon.
187
15 – A sort of a misty rain from the S all day until about 4:30 when
there was a quick thunder shower. At SS and church with Jennie,
Willie and James. The Misses Johnston of Toronto gave a duet in
SS. Rev. Mr. McKay preached.
16 – Rain through the night and several times during the day.
Thunder shower after dinner. G. Wallace had a horse killed by
lightning in the stable. Hoed a little at the strawberries and after
supper went with Willie and James to Greenbank. At John Mi-
chie’s in the evening having a sing. Jennie making me some work
clothes.
17 – A very fine day. Hoeing and picking berries in the forenoon
while Jennie went to Port Perry market and brought Annie home
from Newcastle. In the afternoon, with John Michie’s help, cut
part of the field N of the barn. Annie and Willie at Mission band
in the church.
18 – A very fine day. With John Michie, finished cutting field N
of barn in the forenoon. Hoeing the afternoon. Mrs. Gordon here
picking berries. In the evening, with Jennie and the children, went
to Greenbank to the first social evening. There was a good turnout
and a very pleasant time. Mr. McKay in the chair. Mr. Leach of
US and the Misses Johnston of Toronto sang. A. Akhurst finished
cutting.
19 – A beautiful day. Hoeing strawberries in the forenoon and
fixing line fence between us and Luke’s place in the afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Mark picking berries and Eva Luke in the forenoon
and Jennie Gordon and Bessie in the afternoon. P. Luke called to
see about board for men building his house.
20 – A fine day, some light local showers. With Jennie’s help
drew in the oats W of the house (6 loads). After supper Annie
went to Greenbank for the mail.
21 – A beautiful day. With John Michie’s (and horse) help cut the
N field which finishes cutting. Just as we finished I was thrown
from the binder seat and cut my forehead against the reel leaver.
Annie at Gordon’s for supper.
22 – A beautiful day. At church and SS with Jennie, Annie, Willie
and James (139 at SS), Mr. McKay preached. Miss Johnston of
Toronto gave a solo. In the evening, with Jennie and Annie went
to Port Perry and heard Mr. Cameron, their new minister, and liked
him very well.
23 – A very fine day. With Jennie’s help drew in field N of barn.
Got done about 3 pm, then horse raked while Jennie and the 3
children went to Port Perry and did not get home until dark.
24 – A very fine and warm day. Finished raking field N of the
barn and drew it in, Jennie helping. She had a fall on the cutting
box and hurt her hip. Did several jobs in the afternoon. Mr. Brent
called wanting to buy apples, but he was too late. A man brought
40 apple barrels for Mr. Monet. Jennie making ketchup.
25 – A fine day but very warm, said to be 90 in the shade, but there
was a good breeze. Jennie, with James, went to Saintfield with
chickens while I scuffled the strawberries and helped Pascoe Luke
to square the cellar wall of his new house. Plowing in the after-
noon. In the evening, with Jennie, Annie and Willie went to prayer
meeting, Mr. McKay leader. Not so many out as everybody is
drawing in grain. Albert Akhurst fractured his leg by falling into a
groundhog hole.
26 – A fine day, high NW wind. With Jennie’s help drew in the
grain in the N field and so finished harvest. After supper went
with James and Willie to Greenbank for a plough point but did not
get one.
27 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. W. Mark
called in the evening.
28 – A fine day, a very little sprinkle after dinner and in the eve-
ning. Plowing until 5 pm when, with Jennie, Annie and James,
went to Greenbank for the mail. Wilmot Cragg here for dinner and
Willie went home with him for the afternoon.
29 – Thunder shower through the night but not enough to go in
very far. A very fine day and quite cool towards night. At SS and
church with Jennie, Annie, Willie and James. Miss Robinson of
Detroit sang a solo in SS. Rev. Mr. McKae of Beaverton
preached.
30 – A fine day. Plowing until 5 pm when, with Annie and Willie
in the waggon, went to Port Perry to the 8 train and brought Jessie
Bell here. Annie and Willie at school, the first day in the remod-
elled school and the first day of the new series of readers.
31 – Threshing at Lyle’s in the forenoon (W. Taylor’s machine)
and at A. Akhurst’s in the afternoon. Rain between 5 and 6 and
thunder showers in the evening. Annie and Willie at school. Aunt
Janet visiting at Gordon’s.
SEPT. 1 – Fine day and pretty cool. At A. Akhurst’s threshing for
a little over an hour and finished him. Plowing the rest of the day.
At prayer meeting in the evening with Jennie, Mr. McKay leader.
John Lee here for dinner.
2 - A very fine day, frost in the morning. Plowing. Annie and
Willie at school.
3 – Very fine day. Harrowing and plowing all day. Annie and
Willie at school. A. Malace here for dinner.
4 – Rain through the night and a sort of a drizzle most of the day.
Got up early and took Jennie and James to Port Perry to the morn-
ing train on their way to Newcastle. Plowed a little in the after-
noon and got 5 bags of oats from D. Lyle.
5 – A fine day and pretty cool. At SS and church with Aunt Janet,
Annie and Willie. Mr. McKay preached.
6 – A beautiful day. Went to Greenbank in the morning with the
beef ring heifer. Willie went with me. Plowing in the afternoon.
Labour day. Annie and Willie did not go to school as they thought
it was a holiday.
7 – A beautiful day. Went for the beef in the morning. Beast 25
lbs. over. Then Jessie Bell went to Port Perry for Jennie and
James, also Helen and Douglas Patton. James very sick and in bed
188
all afternoon. Annie and Willie at school. Plowing in the after-
noon.
8 – Frosty morning. Got up early and Jessie Bell drove me to Port
Perry on my way to Toronto fair. She then drove Annie and Willie
to school, then drove Aunt Janet to Port Perry on her way to
Brooklin and went after her again at the 6 train. Then Jennie and
Aunt Janet went to prayer meeting. I got to the fair about 10:30
and stayed until the close of the evening show. There was an im-
mense crowd and a very good time. Spent the night at Mrs. Ma-
son’s.
9 – A fine day. At the fair until about 3:30, then went down and
got some things and home. Jennie, Willie and James met me at
Port Perry. Jessie Bell was out with Helen and Douglas Patton and
got them vaccinated by Dr. Archer. Jennie at W.F.M. meeting at
James Leask’s. She went over before dinner as there was quilting
to be done. Annie and Willie at school.
10 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Mrs. John Michie called.
Annie and Willie at school. Fred Wilkinson’s little boy got his arm
broke by a fall at school.
11 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Wilmot Cragg here in the
forenoon.
12 – A fine cool day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and
Helen Patton. Mr. McKay preached. G.D. McMillan gave a solo.
In the evening went with Jennie to Port Perry church, the minister
from Blackstock preached.
13 – A fine day and pretty warm. Plowing all day. Annie at
school. Mrs. James Burns and Mrs. J.M. Real called in the after-
noon.
14 – A fine day and very warm and oppressive. Plowing all day
and finished north field. Annie at school. She took a note to Mrs.
W. Real to telephone to Dr. Archer to come to see Willie. He
came in the forenoon but is not very sure what is the matter. His
temperature was 105 by then but he appears to be a little better at
night. About 11 pm a terrific thunder storm came up and contin-
ued until about 1. A terrible night and several buildings burned.
The S. of T. hall was struck.
15 – Harrowing N field in the forenoon and in the afternoon scuf-
fled the strawberries. Rain came on about 4. At prayer meeting
with Aunt Janet; Jas. Miller leader. Pascoe Luke drew three loads
of stone from our pasture field for his house cellar. Annie at
school. Willie better.
16 – A very fine cool day. Hoeing strawberries all day. W. Mark
here in the afternoon cutting corn. Annie at school. Jessie Bell
and Aunt Janet at Port Perry in the afternoon.
17 – A very fine cool day. W. Mark cutting corn all day and I
binding it. Annie at school. Aunt Janet visiting at A. Akhurst’s.
18 – A beautiful day. A little frost in the morning. Binding corn in
the forenoon and drawing it off in the afternoon.
19 – A fine day. Got up early and Jennie, Jessie Bell, Douglas
Patton and James drove to Brooklin and did not get back until
about 8 pm. At SS and church with Willie (walked). Mr. McRae
of Toronto preached. Russell Wallace and Mrs. W. Rennie gave a
duet.
20 – A beautiful day. Drawing and binding corn all day. W. Mark
here cutting and finished a little after dinner. Willie at school.
Annie not very well. Jessie Bell bad with hay fever after her trip to
Brooklin yesterday. Mrs. Mark here for tea.
21 – A very fine day. At corn all day and got it all drawn away
from the field. Jessie Bell went to Port Perry in the forenoon.
Willie at school. Annie sick.
22 – Some dull and threatening rain several times but did not
amount to anything. Picking apples and early potatoes, Jennie
helping. Willie at school. Drs. D. and R. Archer came and oper-
ated on Helen Patton for [adanites?...could mean adenoids?]. They
got here and found they had forgotten their instruments and R. had
to go back for them. At prayer meeting with Jennie, 16 all told
were out, Mr. Boe leader.
23 – A little rain in the morning and in the afternoon. Did some
odd jobs in the forenoon. Jennie and Jessie packing up Aunt
Janet’s things and in the afternoon I took them in the waggon to
Port Perry station. Annie and Willie at school.
24 – A fine morning. Got up early and Jessie Bell drove Aunt
Janet to the morning train at Port Perry on her way to the North
West. Helen and Douglas Patton went to Port Perry to get vacci-
nated (2nd
time) but did not get it done as the Dr. did not have the
proper vaccine. Hoed strawberries in the forenoon and got the
binder ready after dinner to cut the buckwheat but a little shower
came on and I did not start. Apple packers came in the morning
and put up 5 barrels of fall apples. Annie and Willie at school.
Jennie washing.
25 – Spent the forenoon in scraping water runs in the north field.
In the afternoon tried to cut the bit of buckwheat, but made very
slow progress as it is very heavy, until about 3:30 when it started to
rain.
26 – A fine day and pretty cold towards night. Jessie Bell drove
Helen and Douglas Patton to Port Perry and got them vaccinated
again. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie and James.
Children’s day service instead of SS. Jennie and Jessie B. at
Gordon’s in the evening.
27 – Cool day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with 5 barrels of
apples for Monet and in the afternoon finished cutting the buck-
wheat, Jennie helping. Mrs. A. Gordon Sr. here for tea. Annie and
Willie at school.
28 – Pretty hard frost in the morning and a very fine day. Plowing
all day at corn stubble. Annie and Willie at school. Jessie Bell
packing up to start for Rochester tomorrow. Mrs. J. Michie called
in the forenoon.
29 – Got up early and with the waggon took Jessie Bell, Helen and
Douglas Patton to Port Perry on their way home. Annie went to
189
Port Perry. Rain before we got home and until about the middle of
the afternoon. At prayer meeting in the evening. About 35 out. I
was the leader. How can we help our pastor was the subject.
30 – Rain off and on during the forenoon and some flurries in the
afternoon. Putting up stove in kitchen, Jennie helping, in the fore-
noon. Plowing in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
OCT. 1 – A very disagreeable day. A gusty sort of rain several
times from the NW. Plowing all day. Annie and Willie at school.
Mr. Malace of Port Perry called in the afternoon with some things
ordered some time ago.
2 – All hands digging potatoes which were a pretty fair crop and
got over hardly half the ground. Somewhat cold. Mrs. Alex
Gordon here for tomatoes.
3 – A fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie and
James. Rev. Mr. McRae of Toronto preached. Rally day at the
Methodist SS and several went to it from our church.
4 – A very fine day. All hands at potatoes and finished, 4 loads in
all. Annie and Willie stayed from school to help. James Miller
started at P. Luke’s house.
5 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon, scuffling strawber-
ries and topping mangolds in the afternoon. Jennie washing in the
forenoon and with James at Port Perry in the afternoon. Annie and
Willie at school.
6 – A beautiful day. Topped, harrowed and drew in 3 loads of
mangolds; pretty small in size. At prayer meeting, a fair good
turnout. G.D. McMillan leader. Annie and Willie at school.
7 – A beautiful warm day. Drawing mangolds all day and finished
8 loads; 11 loads in all. Annie and Willie at school. Mrs. A.
Gordon Jr. called in the afternoon and Mrs. Mark in the forenoon.
8 – A beautiful day. Spent all day with Jennie picking and packing
5 barrels of apples to Mrs. Laidlaw of Winnipeg and 1 to G.W.
Michie. Annie and Willie at school. Mrs. Mark called in the fore-
noon.
9 – A very fine day. In the forenoon went to Port Perry with the
apples for Manitoba. Willie and James went with me and in the
afternoon, with Jennie’s help, drew in the buckwheat. Jennie
Gordon and Wilmot Cragg called. Annie at Gordon’s in the after-
noon.
10 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie
and James (115 at SS). Mr. McDonald preached on the Knox
College Student Missionary Society.
11 – Took old Spot cow to Port Perry, sold to Parrot. Jennie and
James came for me. Rain a little before we got home and a little
most of the afternoon and evening. Did some cleaning out in the
afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
12 – Plowing all day. Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school.
A little rain in the morning and just after dinner a heavy rain and
hail or almost snow; colder. John Michie called asking hands to
thresh tomorrow.
13 – A raw cold day and sometimes threatening snow. At John
Michie’s threshing (W. Taylor’s machine) until 3:30, then they
moved here and threshed about 1 ½ hours. W. Taylor stayed all
night. Jennie went up to Gordon’s in the morning for some meat.
Annie and Willie at school.
14 – Some warmer. Finished threshing at 11:30 and I then went
with them to R. Cragg’s and worked the afternoon. Annie and
Willie at school.
15 – A fine day. Threshing at R. Cragg’s for about 2 ½ hours.
Picking apples the rest of the day, Jennie helping in the afternoon.
At A. Akhurst’s in the evening. He has a sick horse. Annie and
Willie at school.
16 – Picking apples until about 10 am when I went to Phair’s
threshing. Quite a snowstorm in the afternoon. Jennie Gordon
called. Annie not very well.
17 – Not a nice day. Several snow storms. At SS and church with
Willie. Annie not being very well, the rest did not go. Mr. McKay
preached the first time since his marriage. Mrs. McKay was with
him. At John Michie’s in the evening having a sing.
18 – Threshing at Mrs. Phair’s and finished about 3 pm. They then
moved to Norman Lyle’s and threshed until dark. Rain and snow
off and on all day. A heavy shower just before we started at Nor-
man’s. Annie and Willie at school.
19 – A fine day and some warmer. Threshing at Norman Lyle’s
until noon and finished. Jennie, Willie and James at Port Perry.
Annie at school. In the afternoon picking apples. Put them in
barrels and drew them into the barn. Got in 10 barrels.
20 – A fine day. Picking apples all day, Jennie helping. Annie and
Willie at school. In the evening all hands went to the reception in
the church to Mr. and Mrs. McKay on their return from their mar-
riage. There was a good turnout of the congregation. Two chairs
were presented and tea in the basement. Rev. Mr. McCullah pre-
sided. The speakers were Rev. Mr. Cameron and Rev. Mr. Hod-
son; Jas. Leask; E. Boe; Jas. Forman; M. Stonehouse; Jas. Miller
and G.D. McMillan.
21 – Rain through the night and some during the forenoon. Thun-
der shower at 6:30 pm. Took in the apples picked yesterday and
plowed the rest of the day. No school.
22 – Drizzly rain almost all day. Plowing in the forenoon and
picking apples in the afternoon, Jennie helping. Wet weather. No
school.
23 – A fine day and cool. Picking apples all day, Jennie and the
children helping. In the evening went to S. of T. meeting. This is
the first meeting held since July 17 and the question was whether
the Division should go on or not. There were about 15 out and it
was decided to make another attempt.
24 – A very fine day. All at SS and church, Mr. McKay preached
a thanksgiving sermon.
25 – Thanksgiving day. A fine day. Picking apples most of the
day and about finished the job. Jennie drove up to Greenbank and
190
brought down Mrs. Walker for dinner, then in the afternoon Mrs.
Gordon Sr. and Mrs. J. Joyce (of Sutton) came and all were here
for supper. I drove Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Joyce to Greenbank in
the evening. Miss McLaughlin of Toronto, a niece of Mrs.
Gordon, also called.
26 – Some rain through the night but very fine day. Plowing in the
forenoon. Apple packers came in the morning and put up 28 bar-
rels, all that were here. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon with 19
barrels and brought home 25 empties. Annie and Willie at school.
27 – A fine day but pretty cool. Plowing all day and finished field
N of barn. Annie and Willie at school. Annie at F. Howsam’s
overnight. Jennie making overcoat for Willie. At prayer meeting,
Mr. McKay leader. Jas. Miller and T. Watson putting rafters on P.
Luke’s house.
28 – Cold windy day. Topping turnips and got about ½ done.
Annie and Willie at school. Jennie washing.
29 – Hard frost. Apples on the trees frozen. Harrowed up some
turnips after the frost got out a little. Apple packers came and
worked until about 3 when there were no more barrels. Went to
Port Perry with 21 barrels in the afternoon. Jennie making
chopped up pickles. Annie and Willie at school.
30 – Hard frost in the morning which hardly came out of the tur-
nips all day. Drawing in turnips. Jennie and children helping in
the afternoon. Apple packers came in the forenoon and finished
the job; 58 barrels in all. C. Gordon came for sweet apples. Annie
went to Greenbank for bread towards night.
31 – A fine day and warm. At SS and church with Jennie and the
children (132 at SS), Mr. McKay preached.
NOV. 1 – A fine warm day. At turnips all day, Jennie helping, and
got in 11 loads. Annie and Willie at school. Tax collector R.
Hartry called. Taxes are nearly $9 more than last year on account
of school repairs.
2 – Rain through the night. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon
with the last of the barrelled apples. In the afternoon, with Jennie’s
help, at the turnips but only got 3 loads in when rain came on.
Annie and Willie at school.
3 – Some rain during the forenoon. At turnips, Jennie helping, got
in 7 loads. Got all topped and harrowed out. Annie and Willie at
school. Jennie and Willie at prayer meeting. Very dark night.
4 – Rain through the night and morning which turned to snow.
Annie and Willie did not go to school. Threw back turnips and
packed 2 barrels of apples in cellar in the forenoon and in the af-
ternoon got in 10 loads of turnips, Jennie helping.
5 – A fine day. At turnips in the forenoon, Jennie helping some,
got in 5 loads and finished. 47 loads in all. In the afternoon, with
Jennie and James, went to preparatory service. Rev. Mr. Miller of
Quaker Hill preached. Mrs. John Michie and Mr. and Mrs. Brown
came in by certificate. Annie and Willie at school. At John Mi-
chie’s in the evening having a sing.
6 – A beautiful day. All hands went to Port Perry in the morning
with 27 bags of apples for the evaporator, got 35 cts per 100 lbs.
Drawing out manure on the strawberry land in the afternoon.
Wilmot Cragg here playing.
7 – A fine day. All hands at communion service at Greenbank. A
good turnout, Mr. McKay officiated.
8 – Rain through the night and most of the forenoon. Annie and
Willie did not go to school. Threw back the turnips, cleaned out
pig house and other chores in the forenoon. Drawing out manure
in the afternoon. Jennie making dress for Annie.
9 – Pretty hard frost in the morning. Plowed next year’s strawberry
ground, the potato patch in the orchard and started sod field on the
big hill. Annie and Willie at school.
10 – Dull, somewhat foggy day. Plowing sod all day. Annie and
Willie at school. Jennie at W.F.M.S. meeting at W. Wallace’s.
Did not go to prayer meeting.
11 – Dull day. Plowing sod all day. Jennie washing. Annie and
Willie at school.
12 – Some rain in the morning. Plowing sod all day. Annie and
Willie at school. Jennie making dress for Annie.
13 – A very fine warm day. Plowing sod all day. Edna and Annie
Gordon here most of the day.
14 – A beautiful Indian Summer day. All hands at SS and church.
G.A. McMillan superintendant; Rev. Mr. McKay preached.
15 – A fine day and getting colder towards night. Plowing all day.
Annie and Willie at school.
16 – Did a number of little jobs while Jennie and James went to
Port Perry. Plowing in the afternoon awhile until about 4 until I
got wet with rain (from SE) and quit about 4. Rain continued
during the evening. Annie and Willie at school.
17 – Colder. Finished plowing sod about middle of afternoon, then
harrowed some. Snowing in the evening. Annie and Willie at
school.
18 – Hard frost which did not soften all day. Took Annie and Wil-
lie to school and went on to Greenbank. Filled washout at the foot
of hill with scraper in the afternoon. Jennie making coat for Annie.
Mrs. Mark here for tea.
19 – Some more snow through the night. Went to Port Perry in the
afternoon with 12 bags of oats to grind. Annie and Willie at
school. Jennie washing. C. Gordon called.
20 – A fine day and warmer, frost all out of ground. Drew in corn
and oat straw for strawberries in the forenoon and making water
runs with scraper in the root field in the afternoon.
21 – A fine day. At SS and church, all hands. Mr. McKay
preached.
191
22 – A terrible bad day. Rain started in the morning from the E
which froze as it fell and continued all day and evening and made
awful bad wreck of many trees. Drove Annie and Willie to school
in the rain and they were good and wet when they got home. Did
not do much but the chores.
23 – A fine day and cold. The ice on the trees is beautiful but
many are badly wrecked. It did not get warm enough to take it off.
Did little but the chores. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie at
Methodist W.M.S. meeting at D. Lyle’s.
24 – A fine day but no thaw and the ice on the trees hardly moved.
Drove Annie and Willie to school and went on to Greenbank. Put
up parlor stove and cut some limbs which were broken off trees
with the ice.
25 – Cold clear day. Ice on trees scarcely moved at all. Did little
but the chores. Jennie washing and house cleaning. E. Lyle called
for smock pattern. He is limping having fell on the ice last night.
Annie and Willie at school.
26 – A very fine day, enough warmth to relieve the trees from the
ice. Did a few odd chores. Anne and Willie at school. All hands
at W.F.M.S. annual thank-offering social. Rev. Mr. Wesley of
Sunderland gave quite a number of scenes (with magic lantern) in
[Howan?] China. A pretty good turnout. Collection $20.60.
27 – Another fine day and thawing. Got out the sleigh and worked
all day drawing away brush from trees broke with the ice. Drew
limbs to woodshed and drew leaves for strawberries. Annie at
Gordon’s playing. Jennie at J. Michie’s for some bread.
28 – Dull day, a little rain in the evening. At SS and church with
Annie. Mr. McKay preached on the vine and the branches. Willie
and James somewhat unwell.
29 – A beautiful day. Spread straw on strawberry plants in the
forenoon and in the afternoon sawed wood while Jennie went to
Port Perry. Went down to John Michie’s after dinner. He was at
W. Thomas’ putting up a driving shed. Annie at school.
30 – A very fine day. All day mulching strawberry patch and
drawing in corn. Got a load of buckwheat straw from D. Lyle.
Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school.
DEC. 1 – A beautiful day. Finished covering strawberries in the
forenoon and drew in corn in the afternoon and went to prayer
meeting in the evening. A fair turnout, Mr. McKay leader. Annie
and Willie at school.
2 – A beautiful mild clear day. Finished drawing in corn, Jennie
helping to unload. Put on storm windows. Annie and Willie at
school.
3 – A very fine day. Took Annie and Willie to school and went on
to Greenbank. Most of the afternoon cutting limbs from maple
trees along the road that had been broken with the ice. Men build-
ing chimbley on Luke’s house.
4 – A fine day. Sawed wood in the forenoon and drew in cord-
wood in the afternoon with the stoneboat.
5 – Fine in the forenoon, very dull raw and foggy towards night
with wind SE. All hands at SS and church, Mr. McKay preached.
6 – Somewhat cold. Cutting limbs in the forenoon and in the af-
ternoon went to James Lee’s plowing bee. Plowed sod in field SE
of his barn. Some places rather hard with frost. R. Cragg; E.
Phair; Norman Lyle and I were the ploughmen. Annie at school.
Willie has a cold. Jennie housecleaning the pantry.
7 – High SE wind and threatening snow in the forenoon which
started after dinner then turned to sleet, then to rain. Pruning or-
chard. Went to Greenbank and brought Annie home from school.
Jennie washing.
8 – High wind, cold and rough. Drew brush from orchard in the
forenoon and went with Norman Lyle to Walt Weir’s sale in the
afternoon. Annie at school. Mrs. Mark called. John Michie
threshing clover.
9 – Pretty cold and windy. Drove Annie and Willie to school and
went on to G. Lee’s to see about a pig. Drew brush in the sleigh in
the afternoon. Oliver Luke drove Annie and Willie home from
school and stayed a while. He came to ask us to tea tomorrow
evening.
10 – A fine day. In the afternoon went to sale of cows at Port
Perry and got a cow. Took out 14 bags of oats to be ground. An-
nie and Willie at school. All hands at Wes Luke’s for the evening.
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gordon and Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Lee were there
also.
11 – Took Jennie, Willie and James to Port Perry to the 11 train on
their way to Toronto. Cut some wood in the afternoon. Mrs. Mark
here to keep house while they are away. Edna and Annie Gordon
here most of the day.
12 – Somewhat raw and cold. At SS and church with Mrs. Mark
and Annie. Mr. McKay preached.
13 – Some snow through the night which turned to rain from the
SE and continued all day. A very disagreeable day. Went to Port
Perry with the wagon in the forenoon for the meal. Annie at
school.
14 – High wind from SW and a little snow sometimes. Repairing
strawberry crates. G.D. McMillan called looking for a horse that
strayed away last night. C. Gordon called. In the evening went to
Port Perry for Jennie and the boys on their way home from To-
ronto.
15 – Snowing some in the afternoon. Took Jennie and James to
W.F.M.S. meeting at Jas. McMillan’s and went on to Mr. [blank]
sale went of Saintfield. Annie and Willie at school.
16 – A fine day. Cutting wood in the forenoon and helping Jim
Lee to cut cedar in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Annie and
Willie at school.
17 – Put in some glass in windows in the forenoon and in the after-
noon went to help Jim Lee in his swamp but was only there a short
192
time when a heavy snow came on and we quit work. Mr. A. Mal-
ice called with some things that had been ordered. He was drawing
a horse and cutter. Jim Dusty called. Annie and Willie at school.
18 – Snowing a little sometimes. Got the cutter down and went to
Greenbank with Willie. Cleaned out pig and hen house and cut
some wood.
19 – Somewhat cold. All hands at SS and church. Mr. McKay
preached on Home Missions.
20 – A fine day, pretty cold in the morning but got warmer towards
night. Wes Luke came down and helped to kill a pig and Mrs. Luke
came with him. They stayed until about 5 pm. Annie and Willie at
school. Mission Band meeting after.
21 – A beautiful day. Annie and Willie started for school but
Willie came back with earache. Cut up pig in the morning and
then went with Jennie, Willie and James to Port Perry Christmas
Fair. Got home early and then Jennie drove up to Gordon’s to take
back some pork that had been borrowed.
22 – Somewhat colder. Helping Jennie to wash in the forenoon
and helping Jim Lee in the afternoon. At prayer meeting in the
evening, Mr. McKay leader. A fair turnout.
23 – Rather nice day. Threw out turnips in root house that were
getting warm. In the afternoon cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp.
Annie and Willie at school. The whole day spent in practicing for
concert tomorrow night.
24 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry with the cutter to the train and
got Mrs. Jas. Bell and Mabel, Willie and Gordon. Willie and An-
nie went to Greenbank to practice for concert. In the evening went
with Annie, Mabel and Willie to public school concert in the hall.
The hall was crowded to the doors. Miss Real and Miss Stovin
conducted it and all did very well. J.M. Real in the chair. Pro-
ceeds $24.00.
25 – Rather a disagreeable day for Christmas. A drizzling snow
from the E all day. Saw no one but those in the house but there
was any amount of noise. We had a Christmas tree. This is Mr.
and Mrs. W. Akhurst’s diamond wedding (60 years).
26 – Quite a bit colder. At SS and church with Mrs. Jas. Bell,
Mabel, Annie and Willie. Mr. McKay preached. Russell and Joe
Wallace sang a duet.
27 – A fine day. Topsy colt ran away and I had to go to Weston
Phoenix’s for her. In the afternoon went to Port Perry with the
sleigh (good sleighing) for a load of coal. Annie, Willie and Mabel
went with me. Mr. Town of Saintfield called selling fruit trees.
28 – A little below zero in the morning. Went to Port Perry in the
forenoon for a load of coal and to Greenbank in the afternoon for
the mail. Annie, Willie and Mabel went with me. Jas. Blair Jr. and
Edgar called in the evening.
29 – Below zero a little in the morning and very sharp all day. At
public school meeting. Jennie and James went with me to W.
Luke’s. The meeting was, contrary to expectations, very quiet.
G.D. McMillan was the retiring trustee and reported the expendi-
ture in repairing the school. The meeting refused to give him
anything for acting as trustee. Richard Cragg was chosen trustee
by the vote of the chairman W. Real. Got dinner at W. Luke’s and
stayed most of the afternoon. Joseph Burton and Mrs. Bryant were
there also. In the evening attended annual SS meeting. There was
a fair turnout, although it was a very cold night. Superintendant
G.D. McMillan was not present. Rev. Mr. McKay in the chair.
The meeting was very harmonious; most of the old officers were
re- elected. The average attendance this year was 123.
30 – Below zero and very cold and clear all day. Did little but the
chores. Jennie washing.
31 – Pretty cold but clear day. Drove to Port Perry with the sleigh
and all hands and Mary Bell and three children got their pictures
taken.
1910
JAN. 1 – Cold in the morning which turned to fog with high SW
wind in the afternoon and rain in the evening. In the forenoon
went to Port Perry for express parcel from Winnipeg. Annie,
Mabel B. and Willie went also. In the afternoon went to Green-
bank for the mail.
2 – A fine day and colder. Stewart and Ethel Bratley came up from
John Michie’s about 10 am and got dinner. They stayed until
about 3:30. At SS and church. Election of teachers and the usual
trouble. Several classes not yet supplied. Mr. McKay preached to
an extra full church.
3 – Went to Port Perry in the morning with 14 bags of oats to
grind. Took Mabel Bell to the station on her way home. Election
day. Local option vote at Port Perry (lost). Reach election for
Reeve only between Jas. Graham and John Boys (Graham elected).
Very rough in the afternoon and evening and did not go to vote.
Annie and Willie at school. Jennie washing.
4 – About 10 below zero in the morning and kept below all day.
Drove Annie and Willie to school (sideline pretty well drifted). In
the afternoon went to Port Perry for the meal.
5 – A very bad day. Hail and rain from SE but got colder towards
night. Did little but the chores. At W. Thomas’ in the afternoon.
At annual church meeting in the evening. There was a fair turnout.
G.A. McMillan in the chair and a very quiet agreeable meeting.
Managers elected Jas McMillan; Alex Gordon; R.T. Harrington;
and I for 4 year term and Jas. Leask to fill Jas. Lee turn 2 years.
$102.00 on hand.
6 – A fine day. In the afternoon took old sow to Charles Gordon’s,
424 lbs. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie making Willie Bell
some clothes.
7 – A fine day. Cleaned out pig house in forenoon and in the af-
ternoon, with Jennie and James, attended preparatory service in the
church. There was a fair turnout. Rev. Mr. Grant of Markham
preached. Minnie and Campbell Stone received into membership.
Peter Leask’s and D. Brown’s baby girls baptized. Annie and
Willie at school.
193
8 – Rather cold and rough. Helping Jim Lee in his swamp in the
afternoon. At S. of T. in the evening to install the officers, E. Lyle
W.P.
9 – Went with Jennie to communion at Wick. Mr. McKay con-
ducted the service. Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Lee here in the afternoon. At
church in the evening with Willie. Mr. McKay preached, a fair
turnout.
10 – Below zero in the morning. Drove Annie and Willie to school
and went up to the hall and got my specs which I left there on
Saturday. Helping Jim Lee to swamp out wood poles in the after-
noon. In the evening went to church managers meeting at Jas.
McMillan’s. All present but Jas. Leask and W. Rennie. The
manse question came up but no action taken.
11 – A very fine day. Drove Mary Bell to Port Perry to the Dr. in
the forenoon. Helping Jim Lee to swamp out wood in the after-
noon. Jennie at W.F.M.S. at Greenbank. Annie and Willie at
school.
12 – Drove Annie and Willie to school and went on to Greenbank.
Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the afternoon. Jennie and
Mary washing. Went to prayer meeting in the evening but got
there just as Mr. McKay left for home there not being enough to
start. Ida McKitrick married to a Mr. Mackie. Mrs. A. Gordon
called.
13 – Rather raw and cold with wind from E. Drawing out wood
for Jim Lee in the afternoon.
14 – Cold and rough with some snow from the E. Went to Jim
Lee’s swamp for load of old posts for threshing wood. Went for
Annie and Willie at school.
15 – A beautiful day. Taking out gaps in fences in the forenoon.
Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the afternoon.
16 – A very fine day. All the trees beautiful with hoar frost. At SS
and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie and James. Rev. Mr.
McKay preached.
17 – Some warmer, almost rain towards night. Drew 2 loads of
poles from Jim Lee’s swamp in the forenoon and cutting in the
afternoon. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie, with James and
Willie Bell, went to Greenbank and called at J.M. Real’s.
18 – Rain through the night. Went for load of poles to Jim Lee’s
swamp, then it started to rain and rained hard until about noon.
Went for another load in the afternoon. Snow very soft. Annie
and Willie did not go to school. Andrew T. Horne buried today at
Uxbridge.
19 – A fine day. Drew 3 loads of cordwood home from Jim Lee’s
swamp. Annie and Willie at school. At prayer meeting in the
evening, a fair turnout, Mr. McKay leader.
20 – A fine day, thawing a little towards night. Jennie and Mary
Bell and 3 children at Port Perry in the morning. Swamping out
wood for Jim Lee in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
21 – Started to rain a little about 8 am which turned to snow which
continued all day. Cut some wood in woodshed. Annie and Willie
did not go to school. Jennie and Mary sewing.
22 – Rain through the night, then hail in the morning, then snow
from the S all day. A terrible day. In the shop making berry
crates.
23 – Somewhat finer, some snow in the afternoon. At SS and
church with Jennie, Annie, Willie and James. Mr. Fraser of Ux-
bridge preached an excellent sermon. Wick anniversary Sunday.
Mr. McKay preaches at Uxbridge.
24 – A beautiful day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and went
on to Greenbank. Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the after-
noon. Jennie washing. Wick tea party tonight.
25 – A very beautiful day. Drove Annie and Willie part way to
school then, with Jennie, went to Port Perry. Joseph Town here for
dinner. He was taking orders for fruit trees. Jennie, Mary Bell and
the three boys visiting at Jim Lee’s at Greenbank.
26 – Somewhat rough with wind SE, snow in the evening. Making
berry crates in shop. Annie and Willie at school.
27 – Almost soft in the morning. Drove Annie and Willie part way
to school. In the afternoon went to Jim Lee’s swamp to cut wood
but there was too much water.
28 – A beautiful winter day. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon
with 14 bags of oats to grind and got it home. Annie and Willie at
school. Levi Parrish died yesterday. Comet in the west a little
after sundown.
29 – A beautiful clear day. Visited at John Michie’s and Isaac
O’Neill’s in the forenoon. James Lee and Ida called. Annie and
Willie at Gordon’s in the afternoon.
30 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Wil-
lie, James and Willie Bell. Mr. McKay preached. Went with
Jennie in the evening to Alex Gordon’s to see his mother who is
rather worse than usual. Mrs. Wood of Newtonville and Mrs.
Andy McPhail and son of Uxbridge were there.
31 – Snowing a little from the E in the forenoon. Helping Jim Lee
to cut wood in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie
and Mary washing.
FEB. 1 – A very fine day. Making sawing horse in the forenoon.
Helping Jim Lee to cut wood in the afternoon. Jennie went to
Greenbank in the afternoon. James and Willie Bell went with her.
Annie and Willie at school.
2 – A fine day. Went for load of wood to Jim Lee’s swamp. At R.
Flewell’s sale in the afternoon. A big turnout and things went
pretty well. Marquis auctioneer. Annie and Willie at school.
Snowing from the E in the evening.
3 – Snowing from the east through the night and nearly all day. A
decidedly bad day. Did little but the chores and figured at the
church report. Annie and Willie did not go to school.
194
4 – A fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and went on to
Greenbank. John Michie helping to cut trees near the barn pump.
5 – About zero with high NW wind and drifting some. Splitting
the tree we got yesterday in the forenoon and John Michie helping
to cut in the afternoon. Gordon Bell burned his hand on the poker.
6 – About 16 or 18 below zero in the morning and a cutting NW
wind and drifting. At SS and church alone (98 at SS), Mr. McKay
preached. Roads heavy.
7 – Somewhat warmer, snowing some in the forenoon. Annie and
Willie did not go to school. Splitting wood. Expected Mr. and
Mrs. McKay but they did not come.
8 – A very fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and went
on to Greenbank. John Lee and James here for dinner. They had
been at Port Perry. Jennie drove Mr. Lee up to Gordon’s. John
Michie helping me to cut trees.
9 – A fine day until about 4 when it started to snow. Splitting
wood in the forenoon and cutting trees in the afternoon, John Mi-
chie helping. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie at W.F.M.S. at
Greenbank. Mrs. and Mrs. McKay came about 4:30 and stayed for
tea. Pretty rough when they started for home. Topsy colt ran away
and I went hunting her as far as Phair’s but did not find her. John
McMillan married.
10 – Zero in the morning and very cold and pretty rough all day.
Splitting wood in the forenoon and, John Michie helping, cut trees
in the afternoon. Cut the beech that has stood so long in the NE
corner of the orchard. Annie and Willie did not go to school.
Topsy colt was back in the morning.
11 – 16 below zero in the morning. Drove Annie and Willie to
school and went on to Greenbank for an axe handle. Finished
cutting tree in the afternoon, John Michie helping. Stanley
McMillan called.
12 – Snowing more or less all day from the NE. Splitting wood in
the forenoon.
13 – A nice day. At SS and church with Mary Bell and our Willie.
Mr. McKay preached. Mona Leask sang a solo.
14 – Fine day. Went to Jim Lee’s swamp for load of poles for
wood in the forenoon (roads very heavy) and in the afternoon, with
Jennie and James, went to Port Perry. Annie and Willie did not go
to school as Annie had a cold. Reception at W. McMillan’s for
John who is coming home after his wedding trip. Oyster supper at
M. O’Neill’s.
15 – Went to Jim Lee’s swamp for load of wood (all that is cut).
Went to Greenbank for mail in the afternoon and very disagree-
able. No one at school. Annie laid up with cold.
16 – Thaw in the night but it turned cold and was pretty rough
most of the day. Did some odd jobs. At prayer meeting in the
evening, 20 out, Mr. McKay leader. Annie and Willie sick with
cold.
17 – A very fine day. In the afternoon went with John Michie to
Joe Holdershaw’s swamp and cut firewood for church.
18 – Pretty cold but nice day. Did some odd chores. Went with
Jennie to Greenbank in the afternoon.
19 – Rather raw with SW wind. Drawing wood from near the barn
pump in the afternoon. Mary Bell and children intended to go
home to Brooklin but Willie was sick in bed all day.
20 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Annie and Willie.
Willie Bell was pretty sick all day so we got Norman Lyle to tele-
phone for the Dr. He came about 8:30 (Dr. D. Archer) and not so
serious as thought.
21 – Some more snow during the night. Cut wood in woodshed.
Annie and Willie at school. Jennie up at Gordon’s in the after-
noon. Willie Bell some better. Pie social tonight at S. of T.
22 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon with 10
bags of oats to be ground and went to farmers stock judging class.
Roads good but snow deep and bad for turning out. Annie and
Willie at school.
23 – A terrible day. High NW wind and drifting all day, some-
times snowing a little. Nobody out nor in. Making ladder for
picking apples. James in bed sick all day.
24 – A very fine day. Making ladder in the forenoon. Went to
Port Perry for meal in the afternoon. Willie went with me.
25 – A beautiful day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and went
on to Greenbank. Making second ladder in the afternoon. Topsy
colt ran away again but came back about 10 o’clock. Alex Gordon
came at that time for Jennie as Mrs. G. was sick.
26 – Mild day. Snow in the afternoon which turned to rain in the
evening. Jennie all night at A. Gordon’s. A son born to them.
Sawing wood most of the day in the woodshed.
27 – Rain through the night and most of the forenoon which made
the roads pretty soft. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie and
Willie. Mr. McKay preached. G.D. McMillan and Mrs. Rennie
gave a duet.
28 – A fine day. Doing some odd jobs. Jennie and Mary washing.
Annie and Willie at school. In the evening went with Jennie to
dance party at John Michie’s. A nice crowd. Andrew Gordon and
[?] McMillan players. Thawing all day.
MAR. 1 – A very fine day. Jennie took Mary Bell and two chil-
dren (who have been here since Dec. 24) to Port Perry on their way
home to Brooklin. Annie and Willie at school. Thawing, roads
pretty soft. R. Cragg moving from Jim Lee’s place to R. Flewell’s
at Greenbank.
2 – A beautiful day and thawing. Spent most of the day making
ladder in shop. Annie and Willie at school. Wes Luke moved to
their farm N of Sonya today and Jim Lee is moving to their farm
(the R. Phair place).
195
3 – A very fine day and thawing. Drawing wood from near barn
pump. Jennie and James went up to Gordon’s in the morning.
Mrs. Gordon Sr. is pretty bad. Annie and Willie at school.
4 – A beautiful day. Drawing away brush of trees near barn. An-
nie at school. Edna and Annie Gordon came home with her and
stayed all night.
5 – A very fine almost summer-like day and thawing fast. In the
afternoon went with Norman Lyle to Mrs. R. Monroe’s sale. There
as a large turnout and pretty good prices especially little pigs. One
litter not yet weaned sold for $4.00 each and another for $5.00
each. Edna Gordon and Annie here all day and stayed all night.
Mrs. John Michie and her sister here for tea.
6 – Edna and Annie went home in the morning. The first thunder
of the season about 11 am and again from 4 to about 8. Some
heavy thunder in the evening but not much rain. At SS and church
with Jennie, Annie, Willie and James. Mr. McKay preached.
7 – Colder and rough with some snow. Cleaned out hen house.
Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school.
8 – Some snow during the day and wintery. Annie and Willie
started for school but Willie came back on account of earache.
Went up to Akhurst’s and Alex Gordon’s. Old Mrs. Gordon is
very poorly. Mrs. Jim Lee called and got some butter and two
hens. Got letter from Aberdeenshire.
9 – A fine day. Albert Akhurst came down in the morning and
killed a pig. Jennie at W.F.M.S. meeting at Greenbank. Annie and
Willie at school. At prayer meeting in the evening, Mr. McKay
leader.
10 – A very fine day. Annie at school. Cut up pig and in the after-
noon went with James Lee and wife to Port Perry. Roads pretty
poor.
11 – A very fine day. Drawing out manure on potato ground in the
forenoon. In the afternoon went to preparatory services, a fair
turnout. Rev. Mr. Lord of Fenelon Falls preached a good sermon.
Annie at school. Jennie making head cheese.
12 – A beautiful day. Drawing out manure in the forenoon and
cutting wood in the afternoon, Jas. Lee helping.
13 – All at communion service at Greenbank. Roads pretty bad
and not very many down from Wick. Mr. McKay preached. Rain
on the way home, then snow with high NW wind.
14 – A decidedly bad day. High NW wind and sometimes a little
snow and pretty cold. Cut and split wood all day in woodshed.
15 – A very fine day but pretty cold in the morning. Buck sawing
wood in the forenoon and Jim Lee helping in the afternoon. Annie
at school.
16 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry with the waggon and 10 bags
of oats to be ground. Attended SS convention in Presbyterian
church. Rev. W.A. McKay and Rev. Mr. Glassford were the prin-
cipal speakers. Annie at school. Jennie washing and ironing.
17 – A beautiful day. Went to Port Perry with the buggy (the first
time out) to train for Barbara Smith and Annie Michie of Griswold
Manitoba and in the afternoon they, with Jennie, went over on a
visit to Mrs. Phair. Annie at school. The assessor called.
18 – A beautiful day. Cutting wood in the yard. Annie at school.
Jennie at Alex Gordon’s helping. Barbara and Annie Michie at
John Michie’s for tea.
19 – A nice day. Took Barbara to Port Perry on her way home.
Went by way of Alex Gordon’s to see his mother who is nearing
her last. Made some racks for berry crates in the afternoon.
20 – Thunder and rain through the early morning but a fine day.
At SS and church. Willie and I walked while Jennie, Annie, James
and Annie E. Michie drove in the buggy. Roads pretty bad, lots of
mud. Mr. McKay preached. Annie E. went with Mrs. Mark to
Fred O’Neill’s for tea.
21 – A fine day. Drew out 2 loads of manure and off some brush.
Jennie and Annie E. Michie visiting at G.D. McMillan’s and Willie
Rennie’s. Annie and Willie at school.
22 – No frost and a very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the fore-
noon to the market. Roads pretty bad. Jennie and Annie E. Michie
started to go to Willie O’Neill’s but there was so much water over
the road that they did not go. They called to see Mrs. Gordon who
is very low and also at John Michie’s. Annie and Willie at school.
Splitting wood in the afternoon.
23 – A very fine day. Drew out 2 loads of manure and plowed a
little in the orchard (the first) and in the afternoon planted potatoes.
Split wood after. Mrs. G. Real came for Annie E. Michie to go
there for dinner. In the afternoon Jennie went up and took Annie
E. to Jas. McMillan’s and J.M. Real’s and then to prayer meeting
in the evening but Mr. McKay went home before the meeting
started. Mr. Boe leader. Annie and Willie at school.
24 – Warm like a summer day. At the wood pile most of the day.
John Michie took Annie E. Michie to Port Perry on her way home.
Annie and Willie at school. Mr. W. Akhurst called in the fore-
noon. Edna and Annie Gordon here all night.
25 – Good Friday. A very fine day, cooler with high NW wind.
Went down to J. O’Neill’s in the morning. At the woodpile
awhile. After dinner Jim Lee came for load of turnips and Robert
Akhurst came in and stayed all afternoon. Jennie at Greenbank.
Edna and Annie Gordon here all day. At wood pile all day.
26 – A very fine day. At wood pile all day. Annie and Edna and
Annie Gordon at Akhurst’s in the afternoon. Tapped 6 maple
trees.
27 – A very fine day. Bob Akhurst came down in the morning to
tell us that Mrs. Gordon Sr. died at 6 am. Edna and Annie Gordon
stayed until about 11 when Jennie went up with them and they met
us at the corner. All at SS and church. Mr. McKay preached an
Easter sermon.
196
28 – A very fine warm day with high NW wind. At the wood all
day. Bessie, Edna and Annie Gordon came down in the forenoon
and Edna and Annie stayed all day and night. Dan Boe called and
bought steer at 5 ½ + $1.00.
29 – A very fine spring day. Roads dusty in some places. At the
wood in the forenoon. Boiled down some maple sap in kettle in
the door yard. In the afternoon, with Jennie and James, at Mrs.
Gordon’s funeral. Annie and Willie stayed at A. Akhurst’s. There
was a large turnout. Mr. McKay and Mr. Fraser conducted the
service. There was a short service in the church. The bearers were
Jas. Allan; Jas. Miller; E. Boe; C. Rennie; W. Petty; and W.
McMillan. The undertaker was Mr. Stonehouse.
30 – A very fine day and warm enough for June. Thunder in the
forenoon but only a few drops of rain. At the raspberry bushes all
day, Jennie and the children helping. Clarence and Irene O’Neill
here twice. Norman Lyle plowing and Ed Lyle sowing oats.
31 – A fine day and much cooler. A lot of thunder in the early
morning but not very much rain. Fanned up 13 bags of oats and all
hands took them over to Jim Lee’s and got them changed and in
the afternoon all hands went to Port Perry with 10 bags to be
ground. W. Akhurst came for berry bushes.
APR.1 – A very fine day. Plowing potato and strawberry land.
Annie at Gordon’s and at Greenbank for the mail.
2 – A beautiful day. Went to Port Perry in the morning for Annie
Masson, Kennedy and Ruth. Plowing and uncovering strawberries
in the afternoon. At S. of T. in the evening. Rode up with E. Lyle.
Only 7 out, the Division is in pretty low water.
3 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Annie, Willie and Ken
Masson. Mr. James, Mr. McKay’s father-in-law, preached a good
sermon. John Michie and Mrs. here for tea.
4 – A very fine day. Plowing and uncovering strawberries. Jennie
drove Annie Masson and family to Port Perry on their way home.
Annie and Willie at school. Walked to church managers meeting
in the evening. Foggy night and warm.
5 – A fine day, warm as summer. Plowing and cultivating. Mr.
Lyle took our butter to market. Annie and Willie at school.
6 – Threatening rain several times during the forenoon but did not
amount to much. Got Norman Lyle’s new seed drill and sowed
field NW of barn (the first of the season). Annie and Willie at
school. W. Phoenix and Emma Lee married.
7 – Ground covered with snow in the morning which did not all go
off during the day. High NW wind and decidedly cold. Wheeled
out rotten turnips in the forenoon. Jennie drove Annie and Willie
to school and went on to Greenbank. Mrs. O’Neill and Jas. Lee
called. Harrowing in the afternoon.
8 – A pretty hard frost in the morning. At berry bushes in the
forenoon and harrowing and cultivating in the afternoon. Jennie
pruning currant bushes. Annie and Willie at school.
9 – Cool day with high NW wind. Cultivating in the forenoon and
in the afternoon Jennie and the children went to Port Perry while I
went to G.D. McMillan’s sale. A pretty good turnout and good
prices.
10 – A fine day and pretty cool. All hands at SS and church. Mr.
McKay preached.
11 – Went to Seagrave with 3 pigs. It started to snow when I
started and continued all the way there and back. About 5 inches
which made the roads bad. Fanning some seed oats in the after-
noon, Jennie helping. Jennie washing in forenoon. Annie and
Willie at school.
12 – Most of the snow gone before night but pretty cool still. At
work in the woodshed and helping Jennie to houseclean the spare
bedroom. Annie and Willie at school. John Park and Mr.
Vanstone called wanting to buy cattle.
13 – A fine day and some warmer. Scuffled berry bushes in the
forenoon and sowing in the field N of barn in the afternoon. Jennie
at W.F.M. meeting at Greenbank. Annie and Willie at school. D.
Lyle cutting wood, W. Taylor’s machine.
14 – A very fine day. Finished sowing and harrowing field N of
barn. Annie and Willie at school Jennie housecleaning upstairs.
15 – A fine day. In the forenoon went to Port Perry with steer.
John Michie took two. Jennie and James drove down. Cultivating
in the afternoon. Jennie painting. Annie and Willie at school.
Rain in the evening. Got word that William Mitchell of Scotland
was coming out here.
16 – Somewhat dull with high SE wind in the evening. Sowed the
hill field which finishes sowing for this season, which is remark-
able early. Willie at W. Thomas’ in the afternoon.
17 – High SE wind all day and a fine misty rain in the afternoon.
All at SS and church, Mr. McKay preached. The question of hav-
ing an anniversary came up in the Sunday School but laid over
until Wednesday evening.
18 – Dull and a little rain in the forenoon. Harrowing all day in the
hill field. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie painting and house-
cleaning. Mrs. Smith called with some blackberry bushes from
G.A. McMillan’s.
19 – Cultivating in the orchard until rain came on. Helping Jennie
in the afternoon to paper spare bedroom. G.D. McMillan called.
Annie and Willie at school.
20 – Plowed the little plot near barn pump and cultivated. Lilly
and Irene O’Neill and Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. James Ewen called.
Annie and Willie at school. Walked to prayer meeting; a fair turn-
out; Mr. McKay leader. A meeting after decided to have a SS
anniversary on May 24.
21 – A fine day. Plowed the garden and in the afternoon went to
Port Perry with 10 bags of oats and got them ground. Annie and
Willie at school.
197
22 – A beautiful day. Drove over to Mr. [Bedel’s?] on the Raten-
bury farm to see if he wanted a man, a place for W. Mitchell who
is now on his way out from Scotland. Called at Isaac O’Neill’s
and got 2 pigs at $4.00 each. In the afternoon planted apple trees
in the little plot near the barn pump, 20 trees in all. Alex Boe
called in the evening to see about getting W. Mitchell when he
comes. Annie and Willie at school.
23 – Cultivating strawberry ground in the forenoon. Cleaning out
root house in the afternoon and woodshed. Mrs. Jas. Lee called,
also Clarence and Irene O’Neill. Annie at Gordon’s. Alex Horne
buried today at Greenbank.
24 – Heavy rain through the night and more of the forenoon. All at
SS and church. A Mr. Sterling of P.E.I. preached.
25 – Rain through the night and off and on during the forenoon.
Annie at school. Willie turned back on account of the rain.
Cleaned the clock in the forenoon and helped Jennie to pick over
potatoes in cellar in the afternoon. Billy Lewis came for 5 bags of
potatoes and some turnips.
26 – Very heavy rain through the night with lightning and at about
7 am. Ground very wet, water standing in all low places. Went
with Jennie, Annie and James to Port Perry market. Willie at
school.
27 – A fine day and quite cool towards night. Made a gate in the
forenoon and in the afternoon went to Port Perry to O. Graham’s
sale of household stuff. Jennie and James all day at Alex Gordon
helping Mrs. G. to make a dress for Jennie Gordon. Annie and
Willie at school.
28 – Quite a frost in the morning but a fine day. Went to Port
Perry with the waggon for table and mattress that I bought at O.
Graham’s sale yesterday and meet W. Mitchell of Aberdeenshire
Scotland. In the afternoon drove him over to Alex Boe’s and Mr.
Bedel’s but he did not engage with either of them as he asked too
much wages to suit them. Annie and Willie at school.
29 – Rain off and on most of the day and I did nothing but the
chores. W. Mitchell in bed most of the day as he is not very well.
Annie and Willie did not go to school.
30 – A fine day and no rain. Cut wood behind the barn for thresh-
ing. Mr. Town came with 8 apple trees which I planted. Hoed
berry bushes in the afternoon. W. Mitchell is much better today.
Edna and Annie Gordon called.
MAY 1 – Rain again in the afternoon. At SS and church with W.
Mitchell and Annie. Mr. McKay preached. Mona Leask sang a
solo.
2 – Warm morning. Did little but graft apple trees. Rain came on
about 10 am and rained off and on (mostly on) all afternoon and
evening, a deluge. Thunder about 4 to 6. Fields flooded and eve-
rything soaked. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie washing.
3 – A fine day. No rain. Went with W. Mitchell to Port Perry to
see about his trunk which has been there for some days. Saw G.
Rose about a place for him. He sent us to Mr. Wales near
Prospect. We went there but Mr. W. was not at home. Got home
about 5:30. Annie and Willie did not go to school as it was threat-
ening rain in the morning.
4 – A fine day and some cool towards night. Went down to M.
O’Neill’s with W. Mitchell and he hired with him for six months.
$18.00 for the first month and 20 for the rest. Harrowed and
marked out strawberry patch. At prayer meeting (walked). A
pretty good turnout. Mr. McKay leader. Choir practice after.
Annie and Willie at school. Inspector at school.
5 – A very fine day. All day planting strawberries, Jennie, James
and W. Mitchell helping. Mr. Wales of Prospect came at 1 pm to
hire W. Mitchell but he was too late. Mrs. A. Gordon called in the
evening. Jennie went over to Jim Lee’s but they were not at home.
6 – A beautiful day. Planting strawberries all day, Jennie and W.
Mitchell helping. W.M. went to Port Perry with the waggon for his
kit. Annie at school. Arbour day and Willie did not go. Albert
Stone called for raspberry and strawberry bushes. [Margin note –
King Edward VII died].
7 – A beautiful fine day. Went to Greenbank in the morning for
groceries and then finished planting strawberries, W. Mitchell
helping. In the afternoon hoeing berry bushes while W.M. rolled
the grass field.
8 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. Heard of King
Edward VII’s death. Mr. McKay preached a memorial sermon in
memory of the late king. W. Mitchell went home with John Mi-
chie for tea. All over at Jim Lee’s in the evening.
9 – A very fine day. Making lane fence to pasture field and roll-
ing. Jennie washing and housecleaning. Annie and Willie at
school. W. Mitchell started work at Mr. O’Neill’s. Mr. and Mrs.
W. Thomas and Henry and Laura called in the evening.
10 – High wind and a few drops of rain sometimes. Jennie went to
Port Perry while I fixed fence near barn pump. Annie and Willie at
school. Drawing out manure in the afternoon. G.A. McMillan
came after more strawberry plants.
11 – A fine day. Drawing out manure all day. Jennie at W.F.M.
meeting at the church. Annie and Willie at school. Walked to
choir practice at the church in the evening. W. Mitchell called in
the evening.
12 – A fine cool day. Was surprised in the morning to find that Fly
had a colt. Went down to John Michie’s to see about getting a
horse and spent the day putting up new fence near barn pump.
Jennie and James went to Greenbank. Annie and Willie at school.
Mr. Grose of Raglan here for dinner. Alex Gordon and Mrs. called
in the evening.
13 – Drew out 3 loads of manure with John Michie’s horse when it
started to rain and snow. Cultivating potato patch in the afternoon.
At W. Thomas’ to see about getting some hay. Annie at school.
Willie started but lost his dinner and turned back. Jennie varnish-
ing furniture. Has sore finger.
198
14 – A fine day. Went to W. Thomas’ in the morning and got 600
lbs of hay, the first that I ever remember buying. Plowing the rest
of the day.
15 – A beautiful day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie,
James and W. Mitchell (who came up from M. O’Neill’s and was
also here for tea). Rev. Mr. Hazard, the agent of the Bible Society,
preached a splendid sermon and a subscription was taken up which
amounted to near $42.00.
16 – A very fine day and some warmer. Plowing and harrowing
corn land. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie washing. Mrs. Jas.
Lee called in the afternoon.
17 – Jennie and James went to Port Perry market while I planted
corn in the orchard near the barn pump. In the afternoon went to
Port Perry with the waggon for two boxes of stuff from Winnipeg.
Walked to choir practice in the evening, rain on the way home and
during the night. Annie and Willie at school.
18 – Cool day and some rain in the forenoon. Went for the beef
taking Annie and Willie to school. Mrs. I. O’Neill and children
came for strawberry plants. Drilling up for potatoes and mangolds
in the afternoon. Daisy Howsam came home with Annie and
stayed all night. W. Mitchell called in the evening. Haley’s Comet
passes between the earth and sun tonight.
19 – A beautiful day. Nothing serious happened to the earth last
night on account of the comet. Jennie went to Greenbank in the
morning, taking Annie and Willie to school. Sowed mangolds on
last year’s strawberry patch. Drawing out manure in the afternoon.
Jennie and Annie at Gordon’s in the evening.
20 – Warm growing day. With the help of the children planted
potatoes in the N field. Plowed in the afternoon until about 5 when
a gentle warm rain started and continued during the evening which
is making things grow nicely. John Michie got drill to sow man-
golds. No school today as this is King Edward’s funeral.
21 – Drew out some manure on the cultivated corn ground, then
got N. Lyle’s drill and sowed it. Walked to choir practice in the
evening. Edna and Annie Gordon here and they, with Annie, went
over and visited Mrs. Jas. Lee. Willie at W. Thomas’. W. Mitchell
came up in the evening and stayed all night.
22 – All hands at SS and church. This being anniversary day there
was a packed house. Rev. Mr. Grant of Markham preached. Miss
McGill of Port Perry gave a solo. W. Mitchell at John Michie’s for
tea. All out again in the evening and another full house. Mitchell
came here and stayed all night.
23 – Warm growing day and rain several times in the afternoon.
Drawing out manure. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie baking
for SS anniversary. Apple tree agent called in the forenoon.
24 – A fine day and cool. Drew out manure in the forenoon and in
the afternoon all hands, including W. Mitchell, at SS anniversary.
There was no programme in the afternoon but a football match
between Scugog and Greenbank which was won by Greenbank 4
to 1. There was a full house in the evening. Miss McGill of Port
Perry; Miss Johnston of Toronto; Miss Lapp of Little Britain; and
the Leask family furnished the programme which was quite good.
Over $140.00 taken in.
25 – Cool day with a little rain about 1 pm. Drawing out manure.
Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school.
26 – A fine day. Drawing out manure in the forenoon and finished
job. Plowing in afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
27 – A very fine day and cool. A little rain in the morning. Jennie
drove Annie and Willie to school and went on to Greenbank while
I hoed and planted potatoes. Plowing in the afternoon.
28 – A fine day. Plowing turnip land all day. Moved the stove
out.
29 – Somewhat dull and threatening rain several times but did not
come to much. At SS and church with Annie and W. Mitchell
(Willie being somewhat on the sick list). Rev. E. Cockburn
preached in behalf of the Dominion Alliance.
30 – Drizzling rain most of the afternoon. Whitewashed kitchen
ceiling in the forenoon. Plowing in the afternoon. Jennie house-
cleaning. Annie at school. Mr. Pearce called talking insurance.
31 – Cool day. Hoeing while Jennie and James went to Port Perry.
Plowing in the afternoon. Annie at school. Willie in bed all day
with the measles.
JUNE 1 – Cool day. Some little drizzles of rain in the afternoon.
Plowing and harrowing. Jennie cleaning cellar. Annie at school.
Willie in bed. W. Mitchell called in the evening.
2 – Cool day. Hoeing strawberries in the forenoon. Apple tree
man called again. Jennie washing. Annie at school. Repairing
line fence between A. Akhurst and this place in the afternoon.
3 – Another very cool day. Jennie went to Greenbank in the morn-
ing taking Annie to school while I fixed horse stable floor. Culti-
vating turnip ground in the afternoon. Jew called and bought some
hens.
4 – A fine cool day. Rolling grain all day and finished. W.
Mitchell here all night.
5 – Cool and rain about church time. At SS and church with W.
Mitchell. G.A. McMillan superintendant as G.D. McMillan is
away to Vancouver. Mr. McKay preached. Rain on the way
home.
6 – Cool day and a few drops of rain. At road work with team
drawing dirt on the concession from this side of Jim Lee’s. A.
Akhurst, pathmaster. Annie and Willie at school.
7 – Another very cool day. Went for one load of gravel at
McMillan’s pit and got rained on. Then Jennie went to Port Perry
market. Cultivating turnip land in the afternoon. Annie and Willie
at school.
199
8 – Much warmer and very fine day. Drawing gravel on road job.
Made 4 trips from McMillan’s pit. Annie and Willie at school.
James lost for awhile in the afternoon. W. Mitchell here in the
evening.
9 – A fine warm day. Drawing gravel on 10th
concession, 3 loads.
Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school.
10 - A beautiful day. Harrowing in the forenoon and in the after-
noon at preparatory service. There was rather a small attendance.
Rev. Mr. Mann of Woodville preached. Arthur Gordon and
George Baird received and Mrs. John McMillan by certificate.
Annie and Willie at school. Jennie painting kitchen.
11 – Rolled turnip ground and got a few drills made but it rained
from the east nearly all afternoon. Cleaned out pig pen etc. Jennie
finished painting kitchen 1st
time. There was to have been a public
school picnic in Beare’s woods but for the rain.
12 – Cool day and some rain in the afternoon. At communion at
Wick. At church in the evening with Willie and William Mitchell.
Rev. Mr. McKay preached. A fine evening.
13 – A fine warm day. Drilling up for turnips and sowed them.
Annie and Willie at school.
14 – A decidedly warm day. Got up early and, with Jennie and
Willie’s help, fanned up 27 bags of oats and took them to Port
Perry and got 30 cts per bus. Helping Jennie to paint kitchen 2nd
time. Willie at school. Annie has the measles but not very bad.
Took John Michie’s horse home. Mrs. W. Mark and Mrs. Forfar
called in the forenoon. George Park came for the lend of the roller
for W. Thomas. Jas. McMillan died.
15 – A very warm day. Finished painting kitchen in the forenoon.
In the afternoon Jennie, with Mrs. Mark, went to W.F.M. meeting
at Jas. Blair’s while I and Annie and James went down to M.
O’Neill’s to see them making tile. Willie at school. Jas. Lee came
for turnip drill.
16 – Another very warm day. Scuffled strawberries and corn and
mangolds in the forenoon. Hoeing in the afternoon. Jennie oiling
floor. Conlin bought 3 steers for $120.00. Annie and Willie at
school. Willie found $11.00 on the road. W. Mitchell called in the
evening. Thunder storms in the afternoon but no rain here.
17 – Another very warm day. Took 2 heifers to James Lee for
pasture and helped Jim all forenoon to fix fences in swamp. In the
afternoon went to Jas. McMillan’s funeral. There was a large
attendance. Mr. McKay conducted the services. The bearers were
George, Richard and J.M. Real; Jas. and Alex Real; and John
Stone. Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school. Thunder
showers going round all afternoon and a light shower about 5.
18 – A fine day and pretty warm. Drilled up and sowed the re-
mainder of the turnips and scuffled the potatoes and in the evening
went to Greenbank to see about getting a rig to draw strawberries.
Annie at school picnic in Beare’s woods. W. Mitchell came up in
the evening and stayed all night.
19 – A pretty warm day. All at church and SS, Mr. McKay
preached. W. Mitchell at John Michie’s for tea. Augmentation
collection.
20 – Very warm clear day. John Michie helped me to take 3 steers
to Seagrave for Mr. Conlin. Jennie and James drove over for us.
Hoeing mangolds in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
Willie confessed to taking the money he found on the road and got
a good whipping.
21 – A fine day and pretty warm. Jennie and Annie went to Port
Perry market while I hoed mangolds. In the afternoon, with An-
nie’s help, put in more corn where it has not come up. Willie at
school. 1st
strawberries for tea.
22 – A pretty warm day. Went for the beef in the morning, then all
hands drove to W. Luke’s north of Sonya. We got there at 12 but
he and Mrs. Luke had gone to Sunderland and they were not back
when we left for home at 3:30. Caught some fish at the creek and
got home about 6:30. Then walked to Greenbank to prayer meet-
ing. There was a SS meeting after but not many were out and little
done.
23 – Another warm day but some cooler towards night. Hoed in
the forenoon and scuffled corn in the afternoon. Willie at school.
Annie at home with sore leg. R.L. Borden, leader of opposition,
was at Port Perry at a picnic today.
24 – A fine day and some cooler. Plowing buckwheat land in the
forenoon and in the afternoon helping Jennie and Annie to pick
strawberries, 68 boxes. Willie at school.
25 – Went to Port Perry in the morning with the first strawberries.
Plowing in the afternoon. Went to Greenbank in the evening, W.
Mitchell with me, and brought down James Miller’s waggon to
draw berries. Mr. McCullagh Jr. and some children and Ervil Real
called for berries. Edna and Annie Gordon here playing. Mrs.
John Michie and Lillie O’Neill also called.
26 – Another very warm day. All hands at SS and the Methodist
SS anniversary services. A fairly good turnout. The Baptist minis-
ter, Mr. McKay and another E.L. man spoke. W. Mitchell went
home with John Michie for tea. John and Mrs. here for feed of
strawberries.
27 – A pretty warm day. Plowing and harrowing buckwheat land.
Mrs. Mark; Vera Cragg; Mary Dusty; Lillie O’Neill and Jennie
picking berries. A very light rain came on about 2;30 and stopped
them. I then went to Port Perry with 2 crates. Mrs. R. Cragg
called. Mr. Heron Jr. called in the evening for berries for social to
be held at Jas. Rennie’s tomorrow night. Annie and Willie at
school.
28 – A fine day. Finished plowing buckwheat land and got some
seed from Norman Lyle and sowed it in the afternoon. Jennie and
Mrs. Mark picking strawberries. Pat Thompson here for dinner.
Annie and Willie at school. Miss Grieg called to order berries for
their party. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Gordon called in the evening.
29 – Another very warm dry day. Went to Port Perry in the morn-
ing with 2 crates of berries. Jennie; Mrs. Mark; Lille O’Neill; Vera
200
Cragg; Mrs. A. Akhurst; Mary Dusty; Jennie Gordon; and Cragg’s
girls picking berries. Went to Port Perry again in the afternoon
with three crates. G. Love called for berries. Jim Lee and Cecil
Leask called in the evening. Annie and Willie at school. Annie is
to be promoted to the Sen. 4th
without going through the Jr. 4th
.
Willie is promoted to the 2nd
book.
30 – Very warm and dry. Went to Port Perry with James and Wil-
lie and 3 crates of berries. Picked berries in the afternoon. W.
Beaton and G. Baird called for berries. Went to Greenbank in the
evening with berries. Annie went with me. Jennie washing.
JULY 1 – Another dry warm smoky day. This was strawberry day
for sure. Mrs. Mark; Mrs. Jas. Lee; Vera Cragg; Mary Dusty; Mrs.
A. Akhurst; Jennie and Bessie Gordon; Lillie O’Neill; Mrs. W.A.
O’Neill picking. Most of them quit at noon and I and James went
to Port Perry with 3 crates. Alex Gordon and Mrs. G. Baird came
for berries, also W. O’Neill. Annie got ready to go to the Method-
ist SS anniversary. She waited for Jim Lee but he did not come.
Frank Yeigh lectures at the Methodist Church tonight.
2 – Another hotter and dryer than ever day. Went to Port Perry
with 2 crates of berries and spent the afternoon picking. Jennie and
Mrs. Mark picking. Jennie and Annie went to Greenbank. Mrs.
Jas. Haddon and Mrs. --- called in the evening for berries.
3 – Very warm in the forenoon but turned much cooler towards
night. All at SS and church, Mr. McKay preached. James Lee and
Ida here in the evening for strawberries. Willie Mitchell here all
night.
4 – A little cooler but still dry. This has been a great strawberry
day. The following were some of the pickers: Mrs. Mark; Mrs.
Akhurst; Mrs. Jas. Lee; Edith Phair; Mrs. N. Phair; Vera Cragg;
Maude and Luella Cragg; Janet Wright; Jennie and Bessie Gordon;
Mary Dusty; Florence and --- Lee; Eda and Flo Taylor; L. Lamb
and wife; Austin Bundy; --- Fairbrother; besides several that came
for berries picked awhile such as Jas. Graham and wife; Mrs. and
Ethel McDonald; Mrs. Jas. Ewin; Misses Beare and others; Jas.
Baird; Nellie Beaton; Miss Ackney; Mrs. Ferguson. Between 13
and 14 hundred boxes were picked and then they were not all gone
over. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon with berries and to
Greenbank in the evening and stayed to managers meeting. Miss
Stovin took snapshot of berry pickers. Prize fight today between
Johnson and Jefferies. Johnson won.
5 – Another dry warm day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon
with 4 crates of strawberries, then with Jennie and Mrs. Mark’s
help picked another crate and took it to Port Perry. Willie and
James going with me. Mrs. Knight; Mrs. Alex Boe; and Mr. and
Mrs. John McMillan called for berries. Annie at Gordon’s and D.
Cragg’s. W. Mitchell here in the evening.
6 – Another very warm dry day. Paris Greened potatoes in the
forenoon. Hoed strawberries in the afternoon. Mrs. Mark; Vera
Cragg; Ethel McDonald; Edie Taylor; Edith Phair; Mary Dusty;
Mrs. Akhurst; Jennie and Bessie Gordon; D. Cragg’s girls; at the
strawberries. Mrs. H. Love; Rev. Mr. McKay; Miss Asling and
Frank Bratley called for berries.
7 – A little rain through the night and a shower about 6 am which
is very badly needed but not enough to be much good. Went to
Port Perry with berries. When I got back W. McMillan and wife
were here for berries to send west. They stayed for dinner. Hoed
corn in the afternoon, John Michie helping. Mrs. John Michie and
sister here. In the evening all went to strawberry festival for the
Baptist church at A. Rodd’s which was a very pleasant affair.
8 – Pretty warm day. Hoeing corn in the forenoon, John Michie
helping. Picking berries in the afternoon. Jennie; Mrs. Mark; Mrs.
Akhurst; Mrs. A. Gordon and Mary Dusty picking. Edna and
Annie Gordon and baby Gordon here also. Mrs. John Stone; Frank
Dobson Sr. and Mrs. J.C. Pierce called for berries. W. Mitchell
here in the evening.
9 – The hottest day of all with high wind. Went to Port Perry with
2 crates of berries for Peterborough. Picked and hoed in the after-
noon. Jennie, Willie and James went to Port Perry in the after-
noon. Annie at Greenbank for mail. Mrs. Mark all day picking
berries. Bert Dobson; Mrs. Till; Miss Beare and young McCullah
called for berries. W. Mitchell here all night.
10 – The long wished for rain has come at last. There was a little
shower about noon and Willie Mitchell, Willie and I started for
church but we went in to Norman Phair’s to escape a big thunder
shower and it was a soaker to be sure. There was no lesson at SS;
it was so late when they got there, but there were about 40 at SS.
A few more came to church. Mr. McKay preached. No organist or
choir. Another heavy rain about 7:30 in the evening. Dr. J.N.
Byers buried at Greenbank today.
11 – A fine day. Scuffling turnips in the forenoon. Went to Port
Perry in the afternoon with berries and then hoed turnips until near
dark. Jennie cleaning, washing and picking berries. Mrs. Mark;
Vera, Luella and --- Cragg; Mrs. Akhurst; Mary Dusty and Jennifer
Gordon picking. Mrs. Till; Miss Gregg and Mr. McCullah called
for berries.
12 – Rather dull. Drizzle most of the forenoon and after dinner
and again in the evening. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie, Willie
and James went to Port Perry in the morning. Barbara and Lillie
Walker came down and stayed overnight. Mrs. Mark here all day
picking berries. Jennie and Barbara Walker at Greenbank in the
evening. A rainy night. Mrs. Jas. Lee called.
13 – A very fine cool day. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon. Mrs.
Mark picking strawberries. Mrs. John Michie and Mrs. Empring-
ham stemming berries. Jennie and Barbara Walker preparing for
the W.F.M. meeting which came off in the afternoon. There was
about 60 or 70 at least, among which were Mr. McKay and Mrs. A.
Leask Sr. Jennie went to prayer meeting in the evening. Archie
McLaughlin was hung today at Whitby for the murder of his wife
at Uxbridge last fall. This is the first time such a thing took place
at Whitby.
14 – A beautiful day. Hoeing turnips all day. Mrs. G. Real and
Bert came for berries and picked 18 boxes. Mrs. Mark here most
of the day. Jennie making her a dress. After we had just got to bed
we had a call from Stanley McMillan; Edgar and George Leask.
They came for strawberries. They got the lantern and went over to
the patch.
201
15 – A very fine day. Helping John Michie all day to draw hay.
Jennie and Bessie Gordon; Mrs. Akhurst; and Mary Dusty picking
small berries. Miss Cragg and Mrs. Thomas Cragg called and
picked some berries. Mrs. Mark here getting dress made.
16 – Heavy rain in the early morning and off and on during the
forenoon. Went to Port Perry for Mabel Bell who is here for a
visit. Hoeing turnips in the afternoon. Took James Miller’s rig
home in the evening. Have had it three weeks drawing strawber-
ries. G. Love; Mrs. T. Cragg; Luella and Maude Cragg picking
small berries. Jennie finishes Mrs. Mark’s dress. W. Mitchell here
all night.
17 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. Rev. Mr.
Conkle of Sonya preached. W. Mitchell at John Michie’s for tea.
18 – A very fine day. Paris Greened the potatoes (2nd
time) in the
forenoon. Scuffling and hoeing turnips in the afternoon. Mrs.
Norman Phair picking small strawberries. George Park called in
the evening to see about raspberries. Annie and Mabel Bell at
Mission Band.
19 – A beautiful day. Hoeing turnips all day. About 10 am a
swarm of bees passed near where I was hoeing. They were going
north. Jennie, Annie and Mabel Bell at Port Perry. Big strike on
Grand Trunk Railway. No trains on this line. D. Lyle cutting
Alsace clover.
20 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning. Then got
Norman Lyle’s mower and cut part of the field of hay. Annie and
Mabel Bell at Gordon’s. Jennie almost laid up with a bad cough.
W. Mitchell up in the evening. A. Akhurst and wife and John
Michie and his mother at Charles McLean’s funeral at Derryville.
21 – A fine day. Jennie in bed part of the day. Turned hay and
went to Port Perry in the forenoon. Raked up hay, John Michie
helping, and got in 3 loads. Fred Patton of Buffalo came about 4
o’clock. He walked out from Port Perry. He has been delayed on
the way by the G.T.R. strike.
22 – A very fine day. Finished hoeing turnips first time in the
forenoon. In the afternoon, with John Michie’s help, drew in 3
loads of hay, all that is cut. Finished about 4 pm. Mrs. Mark and
Fred Patton picking raspberries. Jennie some better.
23 – A nice day. Cut the last of the hay and the strawberry patch
and scuffled some. Fred Patton left at about 10. He walked to Port
Perry. Willie Mitchell here all night. Annie went to Greenbank
for the mail.
24 – Quite warm with high SW wind. Rain between 5 and 6. At
SS and church with Willie Mitchell and Willie. Mr. McKay
preached. He is going off for 3 weeks holidays.
25 – A very fine day and much cooler. Hoed mangolds while
Jennie, Willie and James went to Port Perry to see about shipping
raspberries. Mrs. Mark and Mary Dusty picking all day and a lot
of berries there are. In the afternoon raked up the hay and with
John Michie’s help, drew in 5 loads. Jennie, Annie and Mabel Bell
went to Port Perry with a crate of berries. Mrs. Masters of Man-
chester called for berries.
26 – A very fine day. Raked hay in the forenoon. Jennie went
over to Mr. Turnmoud’s with berries. Lillie O’Neill here picking
berries, stayed for dinner. With John Michie’s help, drew in the
last of the hay. Annie at Greenbank for mail.
27 – Hoeing strawberries in the forenoon. John Lee called on a
little visit. Mrs. Mark and Mary Dusty picking berries. Scuffling
turnips in the afternoon until about 4 pm when a terrific thunder-
shower came on with quite a lot of hail. Jennie, Willie and James
at Port Perry after dinner with berries. W. Mitchell here in the
evening.
28 – A beautiful clear day. Scuffled turnips and then, with Annie
and Mabel, went to Port Perry with crate of berries. Plowed straw-
berry rows and scuffled turnips in the afternoon. Mrs. Mark and
Jennie picking berries. Annie and Mabel went for the mail.
29 – Picked berries and finished scuffling turnips 2nd
time in the
forenoon. Cleaned out strawberry rows until about 4 o’clock when
a thunder shower came on and it rained about an hour or more.
Jennie, Willie and James went to Port Perry with crate of berries.
Mrs. Mark and Mary Dusty picking. Mrs. R. Cragg and Wilmot
came for some berries and stayed for supper and until the rain was
nearly over. A. Akhurst’s horses ran away with the binder.
30 – A very fine day and quite cool. Plowing up old strawberry
patch in the forenoon and cleaning out some in the afternoon.
Jennie, Willie and James at Greenbank in the evening for the mail.
W. Mitchell here all night.
31 – A beautiful clear cool day. All hands at SS and church. Mr.
Brown of Montreal preached as Mr. McKay is now away on his
holidays. Miss Garbot sang a solo.
AUG. 1 - A cool day. A shower about 11 and another about 3.
Hoeing old strawberry patch all day. Mrs. Mark, Mary Dusty and
Jennie picking berries between showers. D. Lyle threshing Alsace
clover (Stone’s machine), the first threshing of the season in this
locality.
2 – A very fine day. Hoeing strawberries in the forenoon while
Jennie, Annie and Mabel Bell went to Port Perry. Mrs. Mark and
Mary Dusty picking berries. Rigging out binder in the afternoon.
Jennie went for the mail. James Lee and Ida called in the evening.
3 – Rather dull close warm day. Some thunder in the west but no
rain here. Went down to John Michie’s to see about getting horse
to cut oats and finished cleaning out strawberries in the forenoon.
Mrs. Mark picking berries. In the afternoon got horse from John
and cut part of the field NW of barn. Jennie drove binder most of
the time. Mrs. G.A. McMillan came after raspberries. Thunder
shower before we went to bed.
4 – Thunder, lightning and rain almost all night. Hoed turnips in
the forenoon. A terrific thunder storm about 11:30; high wind, rain
and hail which threshed out the standing oats some places. Scuf-
fling in the afternoon. Annie went to Greenbank for the mail.
202
5 – Quite cool with several little rain flurries. Finished cutting
field NW of barn, John Michie helping. Mrs. Mark picking rasp-
berries. In the afternoon, with Jennie and Willie, went to Port
Perry.
6 – Cool day. Scuffling turnips (3rd
time) in the forenoon and
hoeing in the afternoon. Went with Annie and Mabel for the mail
after supper. W. Mitchell here all night.
7 – A very fine cool day. All hands at SS and church. Mr. --- of
Mimico I think preached.
8 – A very fine day. Cut most of the field NE of barn (and a pretty
light crop). Got John Michie’s horse and Jennie drove most of the
afternoon. Mrs. Mark picking raspberries. John Michie cutting at
Jas. Lee’s.
9 – Finished cutting field NE of barn, Jennie driving the binder.
After dinner got one round the hill field when it started to rain.
Not very much but drizzled long enough to stop harvesting. Rain
again in the evening. Hoed strawberries. Jennie went to Methodist
Ladies’ Aid at M.O. O’Neill’s.
10 – A very fine day. Rain through the night. Hoed turnips in the
forenoon. Cutting the hill field in the afternoon. Jennie at
W.F.M.S. at Greenbank. Jessie Salter of Hampton called to get
information about strawberry culture.
11 – A beautiful day. Finished cutting hill field which finishes the
cutting for this year (a very light crop). Edna Gordon, Annie
Gordon and Marie Akhurst here playing in the afternoon.
12 – A beautiful day. Went to Port Perry in the morning and
brought home Alma and Jennie Perrin and Helen and Douglas
Patton. Bought from Beatty a new set of team harness. Finished
shocking and hoed strawberries in the afternoon. Annie and Mabel
Bell at A. Akhurst’s. Alma and James went for the mail.
13 – A very fine day. With Jennie’s help drew in 3 loads of oats.
After dinner Jennie took Mabel Bell to Port Perry on her way
home. I expected to go to Lyle’s to thresh but the machine did not
come so I hoed some. W. Mitchell here all night.
14 – A very fine warm day. All hands at SS and church. A Mr. ---
from Oklahoma preached.
15 – Pretty warm day. Thunder most of the afternoon in the west
but no rain here. Drawing in oats with Jennie’s help. Annie and
Willie at school; first day for new teacher [Fatchet or Patchet?].
Alma Perrin picked some berries.
16 – A pretty warm day. Drawing in oats, Jennie helping. Annie
and Willie at school. Jennie and Alma Perrin up to Gordon’s in the
evening. W. Mitchell here in the evening. Jennie Perrin bad with
the toothache all day. A little rain in the evening.
17 – Some rain through the night, warm day. Jennie drove Alma
and Jennie Perrin and Helen and Douglas Patton to Port Perry
while I horse raked. Annie and Willie at school. In the afternoon,
with Jennie’s help, drew in oats and finished harvest except rak-
ings.
18 – Heavy rain through the night and threatening and dull all day.
Nothing doing in the harvest line. Jennie went to Saintfield with
chickens and took Annie and Willie to school while I scuffled
strawberries. Hoed turnips in the afternoon.
19 – A fine day. Hoeing most of the forenoon and in the afternoon
helping D. Lyle to thresh (W. Taylor’s machine). Fall wheat good
crop. Broke down at 5; let the crow bar into the blower. Annie
and Willie at school. All hands at band concert in the evening at
G. Lee’s. Mr. White and Miss Wright were the performers and
took pretty well. There was a good turnout. W. Mitchell came
home with us and stayed all night.
20 – A beautiful day. Threshing at Lyle’s until about 9, then rak-
ing and, with Jennie’s help, drew it in which finishes harvest. W.
Mitchell here all night.
21 – A beautiful day. At SS and church with Willie and Willie
Mitchell. Annie not being very well kept Jennie and James at
home. A Mr. Whalen or something like it preached. Spoke too
high. Russell and Joe Wallace sang.
22 – Rain in the morning so that Annie and Willie did not go to
school. Hoed all day at strawberries and turnips.
23 – Very warm and close all day. Between 11 and 12 there was a
good deal of thunder but not much rain. Plowing in hill field.
Annie and Willie at school. Mrs. Les Lamb and Mrs. Masters of
Manchester called. W. Mitchell here in the evening.
24 – Pretty warm and close all day. Thunder several times but no
rain here. Went for beef in the morning but went on John Michie’s
turn by mistake. Hoeing in the forenoon. Plowing in the after-
noon. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie at J. Michie’s in the
afternoon.
25 – Dull all day with high SW wind. Thunder and rain in the
evening. Hoeing strawberries while Jennie went to Port Perry
market. Plowing in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
26 – Much cooler with high NW wind. Plowing all day. Jennie
making pickles. Annie and Willie at school.
27 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Annie at Gordon’s and
Willie at W. Thomas’. W. Mitchell here all night.
28 – A very fine day. All at SS and church. Mr. McKay has got
back from his holiday trip down east. All at church at Port Perry in
the evening. Mr. Cameron, who has lately been on his wedding
trip to Scotland, preached.
29 – A fine cool day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. Annie and
Willie at school. William Akhurst called in the forenoon.
30 – A fine day. Hoed strawberries while Jennie went to Port
Perry principally for some plums from Newcastle but they did not
come. Plowing in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school. Mrs.
Gordon, Arthur and little James called in the evening. W. Mitchell
called.
31 – A fine day. Went for beef and hoed in the forenoon. Plowed
in afternoon. All hands at prayer meeting in the evening. Mr.
203
McKay leader; a fair turnout. Decided to have a social evening in
two weeks. Annie and Willie at school.
SEPT. 1 – A very fine day. Jennie went to Port Perry market and
got plums from Newcastle while I hoed. Got N. Lyle’s gang
plough and soon broke a point and with James went to Port Perry
for another but did not get any. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie
preserving plums. W. Mitchell here in the evening.
2 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. Jennie making dress for
baby Gordon. Annie and Willie at school.
3 – Rain in the morning and some thunder in the afternoon but only
a few drops of rain. Plowing most of the day. W. Mitchell here all
night.
4 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church, Mr. McKay preached.
Jas. Lee and Mrs. here for tea.
5 – Got up early to go to Toronto Fair but it was raining a little,
however Willie Mitchell and I started. Jennie drove us down and it
rained heavy all the way to Toronto. It cleared up a little and we
went up to the fair and there was a heavy downpour about 11 and
again about 5. There was not a full performance at the grandstand.
We went to Masson’s for the night.
6 – Thunder storm through the night. At the fair until about 3:30
when I went back to Masson’s for part of his gramophone which
he is giving to us. Jennie and the children came to Port Perry for
me. Willie Mitchell stayed over at Toronto. Annie and Willie did
not go to school on account of the rain.
7 – A fine day. Scuffling strawberries in the forenoon and plowing
in the afternoon. Went to Port Perry in the evening for W.
Mitchell. Annie and Willie at school. Mrs. Jas. and Maggie Blair
called for crab apples.
8 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Annie and Willie at school.
Albert Akhurst threshing.
9 – A fine day and cool. Plowing in the forenoon and in the after-
noon, with Jennie and James, attended preparatory service in the
church. Rev. Mr. McDonald of Leaskdale preached. Four babies
were baptized; Peter Leask’s; Alex Gordon’s; Nels. Baird’s; and
Norman Blakeley’s. I then, with Annie and Willie, went to Port
Perry for communion wine but got only one bottle. Annie and
Willie at school.
10 – A very fine day. John Michie came for Jennie about 11
o’clock and about 10 am a daughter was born to them38
. Dr. Mel-
low of Saintfield was in attendance. Did some chores in the fore-
noon and harrowed in the afternoon. John Horn of Saintfield came
about 5 and cut corn for about an hour. Edna and Annie Gordon,
Marie Akhurst and Henry Thomas here playing. George Fowlie
called to tell us that John Park died suddenly yesterday.
11 – A beautiful day. All but W. Mitchell at communion service at
Greenbank. A fair turnout, Mr. McKay preached. Jennie and the
38
Jean Isabelle Michie, born 10 Sept 1910, died 18
May 1983.
children came home while I went to Mrs. Walker’s for dinner and
in the afternoon attended John Park’s funeral. W. Mitchell came
up with the rig. Jennie and the children down at John Michie’s.
12 – Foggy morning but a fine day. John Horn came and finished
cutting corn before dinner. He could not cut sooner on account of
being wet. In the afternoon went to Port Perry with Jennie and
James. Annie and Willie at school.
13 – A fine cool day. Drawing off corn all day. Annie and Willie
at school. W. Mitchell here in the evening. Jennie at John Mi-
chie’s in the evening.
14 – A fine day. Drawing corn and harrowing. Jennie helping at
John Michie’s in the forenoon and with James walked to W.F.M.
meeting. She stayed for tea at Mrs. Walker’s, also Willie went
there from school; then in the evening Annie and I went up to the
church to a social evening which turned out pretty well. All the
pieces being Irish. Mr. McKay in the chair. Annie and Willie at
school.
15 – A very fine day. Jennie went to Port Perry market while I
hoed strawberries. Cultivating in the afternoon. Jennie brought
home from the station the last of Jas. Masson’s gramophone and
we set it going. Annie and Willie at school.
16 – A beautiful bright day. Cultivating hill field all day. Port
Perry fair day. Did not go. Willie at school. Annie’s room a
holiday as the teacher Mr. Fitchett plays with Greenbank band at
the fair. Jennie helping Mrs. Mark in the forenoon.
17 – A beautiful day. Cultivating and harrowing. Went down to
Mrs. O’Neill’s before dinner for 2 pigs but she was not at home so
went down again in the evening and got them; $3.25 each. Jennie
up to Lyle’s and Annie at Akhurst’s in the afternoon. Sister Mar-
garet came about 5 pm and stayed all night.
18 – A very fine day. All at SS and church except Jennie and
James. After supper I drove Margaret to Les Lamb’s at Manches-
ter on her way home.
19 – A beautiful day. Plowing corn land. Jennie helping Mrs.
Mark in the forenoon. Annie and Willie at school. Moved in the
stove.
20 – A fine day. Digging potatoes all day, Jennie helping. A good
many of the potatoes rotten more or less. Annie at school. Willie
not very well and did not go. W. Mitchell here in the evening.
21 – A very fine day but cool. At potatoes all day. Jennie, Willie
and James helping. Annie at school. Jennie and Annie at prayer
meeting.
22 – A very fine day. Quite a hard frost in the morning. At pota-
toes in the forenoon and finished the job. Plowing in the after-
noon. Jennie washing and at James Lee’s to see Ida who is in bed
with typhoid fever of a mild type. Annie at school.
23 – A very fine day. Went over to McMillan’s gravel pit for road
scraper but it was not there. Scuffled strawberries and dug pota-
toes in orchard. Annie and Willie at school.
204
24 – Threatening rain from the E all day but it did not amount to
anything. Plowing all day. Annie went to Greenbank for the mail.
25 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. It was children’s
day.
26 – A fine day but dull. Plowing in the forenoon. Jennie wash-
ing. Afternoon, with Jennie’s help, cut the buckwheat which ap-
pears to be a fair crop. Annie and Willie at school.
27 – Rain in the morning. Started to plough but rain came on.
Thunder shower about 1 pm. Swept grainery, pumped out the well
at the house, and plowed. Annie and Willie started for school but
turned back on account of the rain. Jennie made me a smock.
28 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie and Annie at prayer
meeting. Annie and Willie at school. Harry Jeffery, a home boy
who has been living at George Love’s, died this morning of ty-
phoid fever.
29 – A very fine day. Jennie went up to Port Perry market while I
hoed strawberries. Plowing in the afternoon. Mrs. Joyce of Sutton
came about 3 pm. Mrs. Hudson drove her back. Annie and Willie
at school. They attended Harry Jeffery’s funeral.
30 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Annie and Willie at school.
Jennie and Mrs. Joyce visiting at Alex Gordon’s and John Mi-
chie’s. W. Wallace and wife called wanting to sell their piano.
Jennie, Bessie and Arthur Gordon here for crab apples. Drove
Mrs. Joyce to Greenbank in the evening. Heavy thunder through
the night but not very much rain.
OCT. 1 – Very high NW wind especially in the afternoon, which
shook off a lot of the apples. Plowing all day. Annie at Gordon’s.
W. Mitchell here all night.
2 – Pretty cold in the morning. At SS and church with Annie and
Willie Mitchell. Jennie stayed at home with Willie who has a bad
cough. Mr. McKay preached.
3 – A fine day. Picked up fallen apples; 25 bags; Jennie helping;
and took them to the evaporator at Port Perry. At church man-
ager’s meeting in the evening but there was only 5 out, not enough
to do business. Annie at school. Ethel Miller and Clara Barrett
here for dinner. They were collecting for the Bible Society.
4 – Annie at school. With Jennie’s help drew in the buckwheat in
the morning. Started to rain before we got finished and rained a
little until about 1. Plowed awhile in the afternoon. Several little
showers; quite heavy rain in the evening. This was the night of the
W.F.M.S. thank offering social but we did not go. Mrs. S. Dusty
and Marie here for crab apples. Mrs. Mark called in the afternoon.
5 – Rather dull all day and rain in the evening. Plowing all day.
Jennie churning etc. Annie at school. Elsie Real here for crab
apples for Mrs. Jas. Lee who is still in bed with fever but is im-
proving. Roy O’Neill and Miss H. Oke married today.
6 – A decidedly bad day. It rained all day from the NE and not
much doing. Down to John Michie’s on an errand.
7 – A fine day. Annie and Willie at school. Plowing in the fore-
noon and topping mangolds in the afternoon. Jennie and James at
J. Michie’s. All hands at W.F.M. thank offering social in the
church. Mr. Davidson, a returned missionary from India, gave
lantern views39
which were good. The Bethesda Quartet sang.
There was a pretty good turnout. $28.00 was collected.
8 – A fine day. With the children’s help drew in the mangolds;
nearly 10 loads. Jennie went over to see Mrs. Jas. Lee who is still
in bed from the fever but is improving.
9 – A fine day. All at SS and church. Mr. McKay preached.
George Fowlie of Manchester here for tea.
10 – A fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. In the afternoon, with
Jennie’s help, drew in the potatoes; 2 waggon box fulls. Quite a lot
rotten in the west pit. Annie and Willie at school. Cecil and Mona
Leask here and picked and took away 5 bags of sweet apples.
11 – A fine day. Jennie went to Saintfield with chickens while I
did some odd jobs. Annie and Willie at school. Plowing in the
afternoon.
12 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Annie and Willie at school.
Jennie at W.F.M. meeting at the church. Charles Love, who came
to plaster P. Luke’s house, here for dinner. W. Mitchell here in the
evening.
13 – A fine day. Drawing manure on the next years strawberry
patch. Jennie went to Port Perry market with Mrs. John Michie.
Annie and Willie at school.
14 – A very fine warm day. Picking apples all day, Jennie helping.
A very poor quality of apples. Annie and Willie at school. Annie
won out in spelling match.
15 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with 12 bags
of apples for the evaporator and 2 barrels for Winnipeg. Willie and
James went with me. Plowing in the afternoon. Edna and Annie
Gordon and Marie Akhurst here playing. Mrs. Mark and Mrs.
John Michie here for tea, also the baby. W. Mitchell here all night.
16 – A very fine day. All at SS and church, Mr. McKay preached.
Mrs. Sandy Robinson was there.
17 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. Annie and
Willie at school.
18 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. Annie and Willie at school.
Jennie visiting at A. Akhurst’s.
19 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Annie and Willie at school.
All at prayer meeting in the evening. A fair turnout; Mr. McKay
leader. [Bagshaw?] and Jewell Love married.
39
Lantern slides were small glass transparencies
about 3 ¼ x 4” in size, shown through a projector.
They were sometimes hand coloured.
205
20 – A little rain about 10 am. Threshing at John Michie’s until
about 3:30. Jennie and the children at Port Perry, there being no
school on account of teacher’s convention. W. Mitchell here in the
evening.
21 – A fine day. Plowing until about 10:30 then at Norman Lyle’s
threshing (W. Taylor’s machine). Finished about 5:30. They then
moved here and William and James Taylor stayed here all night.
22 – Threatening rain a little and dull all day. Finished threshing
about 1:30. They then moved to James Lee’s and I went with
them. Mrs. Mark here helping Jennie at dinner. Annie went with
Mrs. Mark to Greenbank for mail. Jennie got letter from Buffalo
with news.
23 – A fine day but pretty cool. At SS and church with Annie,
Willie and W. Mitchell. Mr. McKay preached.
24 – Threshing at Jas. Lee’s until about 9:30 and finished. Plow-
ing in afternoon. Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at school. P.
Luke is getting a new well dug.
25 – Cool day. Threshing all day at Phair’s. Jennie and James at
Port Perry. Annie and Willie at school.
26 – A fine day. Threshing at Phair’s and finished a little after
dinner. Topped turnips the rest of the day. Annie and Willie at
school.
27 – Heavy rain with thunder through the night. Plowing where
the buckwheat grew until about 4:30 when it got too wet. Annie
and Willie at school. Jas. Lee called.
28 – Snowing most of the forenoon, the first of the season. Scuf-
fled the strawberries, probably for the last time this season. Plow-
ing in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school. John Michie
called in the forenoon and we had a settle up to date.
29 – About an inch of snow in the morning which did not go off all
during the day. Finished plowing buckwheat land and the orchard.
After dinner, with the children, went over to Jim Lee’s and brought
home the two heifers that had been pasturing there. Mrs. Jim Lee
called. After supper Pascoe Luke called for some stovepipes and I
went over to his house and helped him to set up a stove to dry the
plastering. W. Mitchell here all night.
30 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. Mr. Graham,
our missionary, spoke. In the evening, with Annie, Willie and
Willie Mitchell, went to Baptist thank offering. Rev. Mr. Cook of
Fenelon Falls preached a very flowery sermon. A full house.
31 – Thanksgiving day. A very fine day. At topping turnips all
day, Willie helping, and finished. Annie at Greenbank for mail.
NOV. 1 – A fine day. Harrowed all the turnips in the forenoon and
with Jennie’s help got in 7 loads in the afternoon. Tax collector
Thomas Ward called. Annie and Willie at school.
2 – Somewhat cool. At turnips all day, Jennie helping; got in 11
loads. Annie and Willie at school. W. Mitchell here in the eve-
ning.
3 – A very fine day. At turnips all day, Jennie helping, and got in
14 loads. Annie and Willie at school.
4 – A pretty hard frost which hardly went out all day. Drew in the
last of the turnips, Jennie helping; 8 loads; 40 loads in all. Annie
and Willie at school.
5 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Started to plough sod. Went
to W. Wallace’s sale in the afternoon; a fair turnout and good
prices. Willie at W. Thomas’ in the afternoon. W. Mitchell here
all night.
6 – At SS and church with Annie, Willie and Willie Mitchell.
Went facing a snowstorm which continued during the afternoon.
R.T. Harrington gave a report in the SS of the Sunday School
convention at Oshawa. Rev. Mr. McKay preached. Russell and
Joe Wallace and the two Mrs. [Mc?], the new store keepers, sang a
duet. E. Bratley here for tea and all night.
7 – Snow thawed a little but did not all go off. Threw back turnips
in root house in the forenoon and in the afternoon drove Ethel
Bratley to Port Perry on her way home. Annie and Willie at
school.
8 – Plowing sod most of the day but the snow is still on the ground.
Jim Dusty and Alex Gordon called wanting to buy the young colt.
Annie and Willie at school. Jennie washing. Willie Mitchell, who
has finished his 6 months at Marshall O’Neill’s, is here all night.
9 – Some dull with a little rain and a little snow. Plowing sod all
day. W. Mitchell went to Jim Lee’s to help him to dig drains.
Annie and Willie at school. Jennie went with Mrs. Mark to
W.F.M. meeting at the church. James went with her and visited
the school (the first time there).
10 – Rain through the night and all forenoon then it turned to snow
from the NW. A decidedly bad day. W. Mitchell came back from
Jim Lee’s. No school. Very little doing.
11 – W. Mitchell went to Jim Lee’s. Plowing sod until about 5
when it got too bad with snow. Annie and Willie at school.
12 – A fine day and thawing a very little. W. Mitchell came back
from Jim Lee’s in the morning and he helped me to draw a load of
straw from D. Lyle’s for the strawberries. Jennie and him went to
Port Perry in the afternoon while I spread the straw. W. Wallace
and wife called in the evening wanting to sell piano.
13 – Some rough and cold. All hands at SS and church; Mr.
McKay preached.
14 – A very fine day. Plowing sod all day. Jennie washing. Annie
and Willie at school and Mission Band. W. Mitchell at Jim Lee’s.
15 – Quite a frost but was able to plough all day. Annie and Willie
at school.
16 – Somewhat cool with a little snow sometimes. Plowing sod all
day. Annie and Willie at school. At prayer meeting; a fair turnout;
Mr. McKay leader.
206
17 – A fine day. Plowing and finished, then put on storm windows
and doors and put up parlour stove. Annie and Willie at school.
W. Mitchell came back from Jim Lee’s having finished his job of
draining.
18 – A little snow in the afternoon. With W. Mitchell’s help drew
in the corn and finished covering strawberries. Annie and Willie at
school. John Michie and Robert Akhurst called in the afternoon.
19 – A very nice day. Went to Marshall O’Neill’s, two trips, for
drain tile (422) and then, under W. Mitchell’s directions, worked at
draining. Alex and Mrs. Gordon and Wes and Mrs. Luke here for
tea and the evening.
20 – A fine day. All at SS and church. Mr. McKay preached an
extra good sermon.
21 – A fine day. At the ditching all day with W. Mitchell. We
were working where the brush was put in and it was very muddy.
Jennie and James visiting at Akhurst’s. Annie and Willie at school.
22 – A beautiful day. At the ditching all day with W. Mitchell.
Got another load of tile. Jennie and James at Port Perry. Annie
and Willie at school.
23 – A fine day but rain in the evening. Got another load of tiles
from M. O’Neill; 830 in all. At the draining with W. Mitchell.
Annie and Willie at school.
24 – A very fine day. Went over to Jim Lee’s in the morning for a
road scraper. At the draining and filling up holes, W. Mitchell
helping. Annie and Willie at school.
25 – Scraping water runs in the fields and on the side of the road,
W. Mitchell helping. Jennie house cleaning. Annie and Willie at
school. Rain in the afternoon.
26 – A little snow but a fine day. All day scraping water run on the
road south of red gate, W. Mitchell helping.
27 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church, Mr. McKay
preached.
28 – Colder with raw wind from the E. Helped W. Mitchell to
hitch up Topsy colt for the first time. Drew some rails on the
sleigh and she went very well. Sharpened Jim Lee’s saw in the
afternoon and cut a little wood when hail and rain came on which
turned to snow in the evening. Jennie at Gordon’s to see how the
baby was which is sick. Annie and Willie at school.
29 – About 8 or 10 inches of snow on the level and a little some-
times during the day. Annie and Willie did not go to school. Little
doing. Ground axe in forenoon.
30 – Rather a fine day. W. Mitchell drove Annie and Willie to
school. Went to Port Perry with Jennie and James. At prayer
meeting in the evening with W. Mitchell. Mr. McKay leader.
DEC. 1 – Pretty cold. W. Mitchell drove Annie and Willie to
school. Bagged up 12 bags of oats and in the afternoon, with
W.M., hitched up Fly and Topsy and took oats to Port Perry but
did not get them home. This is the first time Topsy was on the
road. Splendid sleighing.
2 – Pretty cold. W. Mitchell drove Annie and Willie to school
while I went down to John Michie’s. Both went to Port Perry in
the afternoon for meal.
3 – A fine mild day. With W. Mitchell’s help buried two big
stones in the forenoon and cut some wood in the afternoon. Hend-
ers called wanting to sell apple trees.
4 – A fine day but cold. At SS and church with Annie, James and
W. Mitchell. Mr. McKay preached. Miss Eva McGill of Port
Perry gave a solo. Willie had a cold and Jennie stayed at home
with him.
5 – Zero in the morning but a very fine day. W. Mitchell drove
Annie to school and in the afternoon we drew in the wood in the
yard. Jennie washing and oiling the kitchen floor.
6 – 4 below zero in the morning and a very nice clear day. In the
afternoon, with W. Mitchell, went for a load of wood for the
church from Holdershaw’s woods. Went by W. Rennie’s and
came home by Saintfield. Splendid sleighing.
7 – 8 below zero in the morning. A little snow from the SW in the
afternoon. Sharpened Jim Lee’s saw in the forenoon and took it
home in the afternoon. W. Mitchell went also. W.M. drove Annie
and Willie to school. At prayer meeting in the evening with W.
Mitchell and Annie, Mr. McKay leader.
8 – Snowing most of the afternoon. W. Mitchell drove Annie and
Willie to school then hitched up Topsy to the cutter for the first
time and she went very well. Peter Leask called and hired W.
Mitchell for a year for $2.40 and washing, to start next Monday.
9 – Below zero in the morning and pretty sharp all day. W.
Mitchell drove Annie and Willie to school. In the afternoon, with
Jennie and James, went to preparatory services in the church. Rev.
Mr. --- of Cannington preached.
10 – Below zero in the morning. Split wood in the woodshed in
the forenoon and in the afternoon went with W. Mitchell to Port
Perry. Drove Topsy in the cutter, the first time she was to Port
Perry single.
11 – Below zero and wind from the E made it pretty cold. Went
alone to communion at Wick. Not quite as many out as usual. In
the afternoon Annie and Willie went over to Jas. Lee’s and Annie
repeated to Mrs. Lee the Shorter Catechism for the Assembly’s
diploma. This is her birthday (11 years of age). In the evening
went with Annie, Willie and Willie Mitchell to church. Mr.
McKay preached. C. McKague gave a solo. James on the sick list.
12 – James put in rather a bad night so I got up at 5 am and went to
Port Perry for the Dr. Dr. D. Archer came and pronounced the
trouble bronchitis. Drove Willie Mitchell and his trunk over to
Peter Leask’s for dinner. Willie at school. Inspector Walks visited
the school. We think James is some better in the evening. A beau-
tiful day.
207
13 – A fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and called to
see J.M. Real who has been sick but is now better. Did little but
the chores and sit with James who is some better. Jennie washing.
14 – A fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and did a few
chores. Stayed with James (who is out of bed again) while Jennie
went to W.F.M.S. meeting at Mrs. Jas. McMillan’s; a good meet-
ing. Mrs. D. McDonald elected president, Mrs. Jas. Lee, sec.
15 – A decidedly bad day. Snowing and drifting all day and
colder. None at school. Made some berry carriers and did the
chores.
16 – Below zero most of the day. Drove Annie and Willie to
school and went on to Greenbank. Making berry carriers the rest
of the time, except when I was in the house.
17 – A fine day and not so cold. Did chores and in the afternoon,
with Annie and Willie, went up for the mail. Skating rink at
Greenbank (the first ever made there) under the management of
Stanley Stoven; opened tonight.
18 – A fine day and milder, thawing a little in the evening. At SS
and church with Annie and Willie. G.A. McMillan, the superin-
tendant, was absent and I had to act. Mr. McKay preached. Fred
and Charles McKague, Mrs. G. Miller and Mona Leask gave a
quartet.
19 - A fine day. Some snow in the afternoon. Drove Annie and
Willie to school. At managers meeting in the evening. A beautiful
night. [margin note: D. McMillan buried today].
20 – Wintery day with NW wind and drifting some. Drove Annie
and Willie to school. Jennie went up to Greenbank in time to bring
them home. Mission Band meeting.
21 – Below zero nearly all day with a cutting NW wind. Drove
Annie and Willie to school, the last day before Christmas holidays.
Making berry carriers. Got Christmas presents from Jessie Bell.
22 – A very nice day and much warmer. All hands went to Port
Perry Christmas fair. Got home about 1 and in the afternoon, with
Willie, went to Greenbank to post Christmas presents and get the
mail.
23 – Warmer, almost rain, and snow in the afternoon. Did little but
the chores. Jennie baking for Christmas.
24 – A very nice day. Jim Lee called in the forenoon. In the after-
noon, with Annie and Willie, went to Greenbank for mail.
25 – An ideal winter day, bright and clear but cold. 8 below zero
in the morning. All at SS and church, Mr. McKay preached.
Mona Leask gave a solo.
26 – Snowing a little in the forenoon but quite mild. John Michie
and his mother here for dinner. Jennie and Annie went up to J.M.
Real’s and called to see old Mrs. Akhurst who has been unwell.
She thinks she is a little better.
27 – A fine mild day. Swept down the cobwebs in the stable and
in the afternoon went down to Isaac O’Neill’s. Jennie washing.
Ernest Phair called wanting to buy the colts. Roy Leask called
asking us to dinner on Friday.
28 – Heavy snow from the E in the forenoon. Went to public
school meeting (E. Lyle rode with me). A small turnout, only 17
there, and very quiet. J.M. Real was the retiring trustee and I was
chosen to fill his place. In the evening attended annual SS meet-
ing. Not very large turnout but it went off pretty well. Mr. McKay
was in the chair. J.M. Real was chosen superintendant for next
year; I assistant; Harvey Real, sec.; Stanley McMillan, asst. sec.;
Jas. Leask, treas. The average attendance was 112.
29 – A fine day. A little snow towards night. Jennie and Annie
went to Port Perry market. Cleaned out pig pen in the afternoon.
30 – High wind through the night and all day from the NW. The
snow drifting most of the time. Down to 10 below zero in the
evening. Jennie making dress for Annie. We intended all hands to
go to W.H. Leask’s for dinner but the weather was too severe. No
trains on RR today.
31 – A fine day. Went down to John Michie’s in the forenoon and
to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail. John Michie called for
his mail. Jennie baking etc.
1911
JAN. 1 - A fine day and thawing towards night. All at SS and
church, Mr. McKay preached. An extra large turnout as there was
no SS at the Methodist church. Election of teachers in SS which
passed off rather better than usual as all the classes appear to have
got teachers. I was chosen for my old class and Jennie for J.M.
Real’s class.
2 – Thawing all day until almost evening when it turned cooler.
Norman Lyle called in the morning. Went with Jennie, Willie and
James to W.H. Leask’s for dinner and stayed until about 4:30.
Annie went to Annie Gordon’s birthday party. This should have
been municipal election day but the council went in without a vote.
Alex Leask, reeve; J. Mark, deputy reeve; and McIntyre, Dobson
and Goode, councillors. Rev. C.O. Johnson lectured in the Meth-
odist church tonight.
3 – Colder with a little snow in the afternoon. Drove Annie and
Willie to school and went on to Greenbank. Jim Lee called.
Jennie washing. At Jim Lee’s swamp in the afternoon cutting
wood. Clarence O’Neill called to ask me to a wood cutting bee
tomorrow. The roof of the west wing of the church sheds has fell
in.
4 – 12 below zero in the morning and clear. Drove Annie and
Willie to school and in the afternoon took 10 bags of oats to Port
Perry mill but did not get them home. Brought up lumber to make
platforms in school house.
5 – Very rough with high W wind and drifting all day. Drove
Annie and Willie to school in the sleigh and took the lumber up for
school platform. Did little but the chores. We intended to go to
Alex Leask’s for tea but on account of the weather and roads did
not go.
208
6 – Snowing a little from the E nearly all day and pretty cold.
Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for meal. Annie and Willie did
not go to school. Jennie making dress for Annie. Port Perry races
which should have come off yesterday are on today.
7 – A fine day and milder. Cleaned out hen and pig house in the
forenoon and in the afternoon drew in some wood and then with
the children went to Greenbank for the mail.
8 – Rain in the afternoon. All at SS and church. Mr. McKay
preached.
9 – A decidedly rough day. High NW wind and drifting all day.
Annie and Willie did not go to school. James Lee called and took
away the young kitten. R. McKnight40
of Port Perry died suddenly
this morning.
10 – A fine day and much milder. Drove Annie and Willie to
school but did not get further than Sam Dusty’s as the roads were
drifted full in some places. Willie Rennie and Mrs. here for the
afternoon.
11 – Soft in the morning. Rain in the afternoon and snow in the
evening. Drove Annie and Willie to school. In the afternoon
Jennie went to W.F.M. meeting at Greenbank. James went with
her to the school. In the evening went to annual congregation
meeting in the church. A fair turnout. Mr. McKay in the chair.
Ale\x Leask, G.A. McMillan, A Akhurst, and John Michie elected
managers and Alex Boe to fill out Jas. McMillan’s time. J.M. Real
and I put in to get choir leader. James Miller and J.M. Real to
canvas congregation for manse fund.
12 – A fine day and mild. Drove Annie and Willie to school and
called in to J.M. Real’s to talk over choir matters. In the afternoon
went over to W. O’Neill’s (Mrs. Mark went with me) and got Mrs.
Willie O. and Miss Annan’s promise of help in the church choir.
13 – A fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and called at
J.M. Real’s. Then brought A. Akhurst down and he helped me to
kill a pig. In the afternoon, with Jennie and James, went to Port
Perry to Robert McKnight’s funeral which was held in the town
hall, which was more than full, and Rev. Mr. Cameron gave an
address which was a masterpiece of eloquence. Called on Dr. D.
Archer and got a bottle of medicine.
14 – A nice mild day. Cut up the pig in the morning. Clarence and
Irene O’Neill called. Edna Gordon here in the afternoon.
15 – A fine day. A little more snow. All at church and SS. Three
new members in choir J.M. Real; Mr. W. O’Neill and Miss Annan.
16 – A very fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and went
on to Greenbank. R. Cragg called after dinner on his way to Port
Perry. Annie at Mission Band. At church manager’s meeting in
the evening. All there but Harrington and Alex Boe. No disquiet-
ing question came up.
40
Robert McNight – town constable and street com-
missioner for Port Perry.
17 – A beautiful day. Drove Annie and Willie to school. Cutting
wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the afternoon. No school in the after-
noon. The children at Irene Butcher’s funeral. Norman Lyle here
in the evening.
18 – A beautiful day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and drew
1 load of pole wood from Jim Lee’s swamp. Cutting wood in
Lee’s swamp in the afternoon. Jennie and James at Isaac
O’Neill’s. Jennie at prayer meeting in the evening.
19 – Somewhat rough and stormy. Jennie drove Annie and Willie
to school and went on to Greenbank. Drew 2 loads of wood in the
afternoon from Jim Lee’s swamp.
20 – A fine day and warmer, snowing some in the afternoon.
Drove Annie and Willie to school and went on to Greenbank.
Called at Jim Lee’s. Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the
afternoon.
21 – A high NW wind and colder. Drew a load of poles from Jim
Lee’s swamp. Cutting wood in the afternoon. Annie up to
Gordon’s in the forenoon and Edna and Annie Gordon here in the
afternoon.
22 – A fine day. All at SS and church, Mr. McKay preached.
McCague bros. gave a duet.
23 – A fine day. Went for two loads of wood from Jim Lee’s
swamp in the forenoon and cutting in the afternoon. Annie and
Willie at school.
24 – A very fine day and a little inclined to thaw. Drew 2 loads of
wood from Jim Lee’s swamp. Cutting wood in the afternoon.
Jennie and James went to Port Perry. Annie and Willie at school.
25 – A fine day. Went for load of wood from Jim Lee’s swamp in
the forenoon. Splitting wood in the afternoon. Jennie washing.
Annie and Willie at school. At prayer meeting in the evening. Not
a very big turnout. Mr. McKay leader. Choir practice after.
26 – A little snow and foggy. Did some chores. Annie and Willie
at school. Irene O’Neill here getting dress that Jennie is making
for her fitted on. Mrs. A. Gordon called.
27 – Foggy and a little rain sometimes and thawing. When I went
to the stable in the morning I found old Jess mare dead and in the
forenoon with Norman Lyle’s help drawed her down into his
swamp. She was nearly 22 years of age. Annie and Willie at
school. Cutting wood on Jim Lee’s swamp in the afternoon.
28 – A high NW wind and much colder. Went for load of wood to
Lee’s swamp in the forenoon. Willie and James went with me.
Cutting wood in swamp in the afternoon. Annie at Akhurst’s and
Willie at Thomas’. Irene O’Neill came for her dress.
29 – Mild and thawing some with a little rain. All at SS and
church, Mr. McKay preached. Diplomas for attendance given out
in SS.
30 – A perfect terror of a day. Very high NW wind and a little
snow and the temperature going down. Nothing doing but Jennie
making quilt. Calmed down in the evening.
209
31 – Fine day and pretty cold. Drove Annie and Willie to school
and went on to Greenbank. Jennie washing. In the afternoon went
with Jennie and James to Port Perry. Farmers Institute meeting at
Greenbank.
FEB. 1 – Went for load of wood to Jim Lee’s swamp. Mr. and
Mrs. McKay came about 4 pm. They then walked over to James
Lee’s and came back for supper. I got ready to go to prayer meet-
ing but the weather turned rough and I did not go. Annie and
Willie at school. Went down to Isaac O’Neill’s in the forenoon.
2 – Pretty cold day and some rough. Drove Annie and Willie to
school and split wood in the forenoon Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s
swamp in the afternoon and broke axe handle. Mrs. James Ewin
died this morning.
3 – Somewhat rough and cold. SE wind. Drove Annie and Willie
to school. Bagged up 12 bags of oats and took them to Port Perry
in the afternoon. Got Topsy colt shod for the first time.
4 – Snow through the night and drifting some in the afternoon.
Went to Port Perry in the morning for the meal; Annie, Willie and
James going with me. Russell Thomas here a little while. In the
afternoon, with Jennie, went to Mrs. Jas. Ewan’s funeral. There
was quite a number at it. Rev. Mr. Cameron conducted the ser-
vices. We left the children with Mrs. John Michie. Snow again in
the evening.
5 – About 6 below zero in the morning and very sharp all day. All
hands at SS and church. J.M. Real was not present and I had to act
as superintendant. The new piano used for the first time. Rev. Mr.
Cameron of Port Perry preached, this being anniversary at Wick
and Mr. McKay and he exchanged pulpits.
6 – A perfect terror of a day. Snowing and blowing all the day
from the E. Went to Port Perry in the morning with the one pig
which got out of the sleigh at W. Tummond’s and had quite a job
getting it in again. Weighed 290 lbs @ $7.00. Annie and Willie
did not go to school. Annie has sore throat. David Perkins died
about noon today.
7 – Weather better. Went to Greenbank for mail in the afternoon.
Annie and Willie did not go to school. In the evening all went to
Alex Leask’s for tea and spent the evening. A fine night.
8 – A fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and called at
J.M. Real’s. Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the afternoon.
Jennie at W.F.M.S. at Mrs. Jas. McMillan’s. James went with her
to school. At prayer meeting in the evening. Not a very large
turnout. Mr. McKay leader.
9 – A fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and then to Mrs.
Carnegie’s to see Mary who has been unwell. Helping Jim Lee to
cut cedar for shingles in the afternoon. Annie stayed at Weston
Phoenix’s all night.
10 – Some snow and drifting some but not so very cold. Drew 2
loads of wood from Jim Lee’s swamp in the forenoon and with Jim
Lee went in the afternoon to James Graham’s sale. There was a
big turnout and good prices.
11 – A fine mild day. All hands went to Port Perry in the fore-
noon.
12 – A fine mild day, almost rain in the afternoon. All at SS and
church, Mr. McKay preached.
13 – A fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and went on to
Greenbank. Helping Jim Lee in the afternoon.
14 – A high raw wind from the east and snowing and drifting in the
afternoon and evening. Drove Annie and Willie to school.
15 – A fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and went on to
Greenbank. Called on Mr. and Mrs. Somerville, D. McArthur and
John Lee. Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the afternoon.
Went to prayer meeting in the evening. Mr. McKay did not come;
there was 11 there. May Beare married.
16 – A fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school and went on to
Greenbank and then went for load of wood to Jim Lee’s swamp.
Cutting wood in the afternoon.
17 – Rain through the night and morning which kept Annie and
Willie from school. Cleaned out pig and colt pens and went down
to John Michie’s for 2 little pigs. Helping Jim Lee to cut wood in
the afternoon. Thawing some all day. Colder towards night.
18 – A fine day. Drew 2 loads of wood from Jim Lee’s swamp in
the forenoon. In the afternoon went to R. Branning’s sale on the
town line between Reach and Brock. Quite a good turnout and
good prices. When I was away Edger Horne called and then Ar-
chey Black and wife called bringing Alma Black of Manitoba.
Alma stayed here.
19 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie, Willie, James and
Alma Black. Mr. McKay preached. Alma B. went to J.M. Real’s
for tea.
20 – A fine day but raw. Drove Annie and Willie to school and
went on to Greenbank. Helping Jim Lee to cut wood in the after-
noon. Alma Black down to John Michie’s for tea.
21 – A little below zero in the morning. Willie went to school.
Annie at home on account of a cold. Drew one load of wood from
Jim Lee’s swamp. Cutting wood in the afternoon. Wes Real
called in the evening and took Alma Black to the skating rink at
Greenbank.
22 – Willie at school. Drew 2 loads of wood from Jim Lee’s
swamp in the forenoon. G. Real brought Alma Black back and I
drove her over to W. O’Neill’s (Mrs. Mark going with us) in a big
snowstorm.
23 – Drove Willie to school and went on to Greenbank for mail.
Helping Jim Lee to cut wood in the afternoon.
24 – A fine day. Drove Annie and Willie to school. Went over
after dinner to see N. Lyle but he was not at home.
25 – A fine day and the snow going fast in the afternoon. Split
some wood in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with Annie
and Willie to Port Perry. Assessor J.M. Real called.
210
26 – A fine day and thawing; some rain about noon. All at SS and
church. Mr. McKay preached.
27 – Drove Annie to school and went on to Greenbank. Willie did
not go on account of a cold. High NW wind all day. Split wood in
woodshed.
28 – A fine day. Annie and Willie at school. Cutting wood in the
forenoon and in the afternoon at session meeting in the church.
Mrs. John Michie and baby here for dinner and tea. Jennie is mak-
ing a dress for her baby.
MAR. 1 – Rather rough and stormy all day. Annie and Willie at
school. Cutting wood most of the day. Went to prayer meeting in
the evening. There was not a very large turnout. Mr. McKay was
not there and it fell to me to lead. No choir practice and there were
few out.
2 – Cut wood in the forenoon and went to Port Perry in the after-
noon to Sunday school convention. There was a fair turnout. Rev.
Mr. Delve of Seagrave and Mr. Hapenny, Provincial SS sec., were
the principal speakers which were good. Mr. Murray in the chair.
Alma Black came back from her visit to Mara and went down to
John Michie’s for tea but came back for the night. Annie and
Willie at school.
3 – A very fine day. Annie and Willie at school. Sawing wood in
the forenoon and in the afternoon at preparatory service. Rev. Mr.
Symington of Beaverton preached. Andrew Miller and Margaret
Miller united with the church and John Michie’s and Albert
Stone’s babies were baptised. Alma Black went down to John’s to
a party at James Armstrong’s.
4 – A very fine day. Went in the forenoon to Albert Stone’s woods
for a load of wood for Mrs. Walker and cut wood in the afternoon.
Alma Black came back for dinner. Bessie and Edna Gordon here
in the afternoon. Willie at W. Thomas’.
5 – A very fine day and cold in the morning. Went with Jennie to
communion at Greenbank. There was a pretty good turnout. Mr.
McKay conducted the service. Mrs. Mark came home with us and
she and Alma Black went over to Jim Lee’s for tea.
6 – A fine day, about 3 inches of snow through the night. Drove
Annie and Willie to school and went on to Greenbank. Cutting
wood the rest of the day. Jennie washing. Alma Black visiting at
Albert Akhurst’s in the afternoon and went in the evening with
John Michie to an oyster supper at Frank Dobson’s.
7 – A fine day with E wind. Cutting wood all day. Annie and
Willie at school.
8 – A fine day. Cutting wood in the forenoon and in the afternoon
drove Alma Black to Port Perry on her way to Oshawa and home.
James went to Port Perry with me. Jennie went up to W.F.M.S.
with James Lee and Ida. Annie and Willie at school. In the eve-
ning went to prayer meeting, 14 out. Mr. McKay leader. No choir
practice.
9 – A fine day and thawing, rain in the evening. Annie and Willie
at school. Went with Jennie and James with 12 bags of oats to
grind. Cutting wood in the afternoon.
10 – Mild and thawing all day and snow going fast. Cut wood in
the forenoon. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon for the meal.
Roads getting pretty bare in places. Annie and Willie at school.
11 – Thawing most of the day. Children had fine time skating in
the morning. Cutting wood most of the day. Jennie visiting at
Akhurst’s and Annie at Gordon’s. Thunder and lightning about 10
and 11 o’clock (the first of the season) but not much rain.
12 – Some rain during the forenoon. Jennie sick all day with
grippe (we suppose). At SS and church with Annie, Willie and
James. Mr. McKay preached. He gave us a talking to about not
turning out to prayer meeting.
13 – A very fine day. Annie and Willie at school. Jennie in bed all
day with grippe or sore throat. Cutting wood.
14 – Cutting wood most of the day.
15 – A high NW wind most of the day and much colder towards
night. Drove Annie and Willie to school in the buggy (first time of
the season) and went on to Donald Ianson’s and bought a cow for
$62.50. Cutting wood in the afternoon. Annie at Mission Band.
16 – 4 below zero in the morning and a terrific wind from the NW
all day and dust in abundance. Annie and Willie did not go to
school. Not much doing. Splitting wood awhile in the wood shed.
Jennie much better.
17 – Drove Annie to school and with Willie went to Donald
Ianson’s for cow. Cut wood in the afternoon. Alex Gordon and
wife called in the evening on their way home from Jim Lee’s.
18 – A very fine day. Cutting, splitting and piling wood all day.
W. Mitchell here in the evening, the first time since he went to P.
Leask’s. He got his hair cut.
19 – A fine day. All at SS and church with the buggy. Mr. McKay
preached. McCague brothers sang a duet. A snow shower just
after we got home from church.
20 – A fine day. Splitting wood most of the day. Jim Lee came
along and I went with him over to Norman Lyle’s. Annie and
Willie at school. W. Beare called. He was wanting to hire Sandy
Mitchell who is expected here in a few days.
21 – A fine day. Splitting wood most of the day and finished the
job. All hands at D. Lyle’s for supper and to spend the evening.
Mr. S. Dusty and wife, W. Thomas and wife, and A. Akhurst and
wife were there also.
22 – Some rough towards night; snow. Went to Port Perry princi-
pally to meet Sandy Mitchell but he did not come. But about 9
o’clock pm he came with Willie Mitchell and Peter Leask’s horse
and buggy. He put in the horse and stayed all night. Annie and
Willie at school. Tapped some maple trees and was down to John
Michie’s.
211
23 – Pretty cold, rough and winter-like. Drove Sandy Mitchell
over to James Leask’s where he hired for $18.00 for first month
and $20.00 after. Did little but the chores. Annie and Willie at
school.
24 – A fine day but pretty cold. Helping Jim Lee to cut wood in
the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school. E. Barrett called. He
was wanting to hire Sandy Mitchell but he was too late.
25 – A very fine day. Pruning apple trees most of the day. Mar-
shall O’Neill called.
26 – A fine day. Alex Mitchell and I walked to SS and church
while the rest drove in the buggy. Mr. McKay preached. Alex
Mitchell went with John Michie for tea and stayed all night as it
was very dark.
27 – Rain through the night and off and on during the day; very
heavy about noon and some thunder. Annie and Willie at school.
A. Mitchell came up from J. Michie’s and then went to James
Leask’s to start work. Repairing berry crates and boiling down
maple sap.
28 – Quite cold with high NW wind all day. Drove Annie and
Willie to school. Repairing berry crates.
29 – Everything quite hard frozen again. Annie and Willie at
school. Drew off brush from the orchard and manure. S. Sleep
called wanting to buy cow but did not sell. Jennie and Annie at
meeting in church to decide about Sunday School anniversary. Not
many out; decided to have one.
30 – Some snow in the forenoon. Went to Port Perry market in the
forenoon. Jennie quilting. Annie and Willie at school.
31 – Cold raw day with high NW wind. Annie and Willie started
for school but Willie turned back with earache. Moving turnips in
root house in the forenoon and called to see old Mrs. Akhurst in
the afternoon. Jennie quilting.
APR. 1 – Quite cold with high NW wind. Pruning apple trees
most of the day. Jennie visiting at John Michie’s in the afternoon.
Edna and Annie Gordon here playing.
2 – A fine but cold day with high wind. All at SS and church. Mr.
McKay preached.
3 – A fine day. Jennie washing. Drew off brush from the orchard
and moved fence south of the strawberry patch. Annie and Willie
at school but they got out at noon as the teachers were going with
the Methodist choir to Port Perry to get their picture taken. Willie
stayed at W. Thomas’ all night. Went to church managers meeting
in the evening. The manse question was discussed and it was
decided to offer Wick all our claim on the manse and buildings and
pay 48 per cent of salary.
4 – Went to Port Perry in the afternoon with 10 bags of oats and
got them ground and home again. Annie and Willie at school.
Rain from the SE in the afternoon.
5 – Big rain through the night but cold; some more rain in the
forenoon. Went down to John Michie’s in the morning. Annie and
Willie at school. Pascoe Luke and Mrs. Isaac O’Neill had a row
over a horse, pig and cattle deal.
6 – Rain in the morning and again in the evening. Some thunder in
the afternoon. Boiling maple sap. Jennie making SS curtains.
Went to Greenbank in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at school.
7 – A fine day but pretty cool. Went down to John Michie’s in the
morning and in the afternoon, with John, went up to the church and
put up the poles for the curtains in the SS. Annie and Willie at
school. James Lee called in the forenoon.
8 – A very fine day. Cleaning out berry bushes in the forenoon and
in the afternoon helping Jim Lee to cut wood. Jennie making
curtains for SS.
9 – A very fine day. All at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached.
10 – A beautiful day. At the berry bushes all day. Jennie washing
and pruning currant bushes. Boiling sap. Annie and Willie at
school and Mission Band.
11 – A very fine day. Scuffled the berry bushes in the forenoon
and in the afternoon, with James, went to Port Perry. Jennie mak-
ing night gowns. Annie and Willie at school.
12 – A nice day. Plowed in orchard in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went to bee shingling the church shed that fell in with
snow last winter. Jennie went to W.F.M. meeting at D. McDon-
ald’s (a big meeting). Annie and Willie at school and James stayed
at the school while Jennie was at meeting.
13 – A fine day. A little rain towards night. Planted potatoes and
raspberry bushes in the orchard. Jennie went to Port Perry in the
morning and met Mrs. J. Bell and Mabel, Willie and Gordon.
Annie and Willie at school. Alex Leask and George Real called
getting subscriptions to independent telephone company.
14 – Good Friday. Rain in the forenoon. In the afternoon, with
Jennie, went to Greenbank to the store. Annie and Mabel at John
Michie’s. Mrs. Jas. Lee called.
15 – Cold with snow flurries and high wind in the afternoon. Put-
ting up fence S of strawberry patch in the forenoon and helping
Jim Lee to put up fence in the afternoon. Annie and Mabel Bell at
Gordon’s most of the day.
16 – A very hard frost which did not get out all day. At SS and
church with Jennie, Annie, Willie, James and Mabel Bell. Curtains
used in SS for first time. Mr. McKay preached. C. McCague sang
solo.
17 – A very hard frost in the morning. Made bars S of strawberry
patch and in the afternoon started to plow strawberry land, the first
plowing for Topsy horse. Sam Dusty called to settle up account.
All hands including Mary Bell and family at Alex Gordon’s for
supper.
18 – Frost in the morning. Plowing the strawberry land and fin-
ished. Edna and Annie Gordon and Marie Akhurst here most of
the day playing. Sandy Gordon called.
212
19 – A fine day. Plowing all day the sod that was drained last fall.
Jennie and Mary Bell sewing. Mrs. Mark and Nellie O’Neill
called. They got some berry bushes. At choir practice in church in
the evening. Practice for SS anniversary.
20 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and cultivating N
field in the afternoon. Jennie sewing. Conlin called and bought big
cow. Jack and Boe called later. Annie and Mabel up at Gordon’s.
21 – Finished cultivating N field and got Norman Lyle’s seeder to
sow it in the afternoon but there was several showers of rain be-
tween 11 and 2 o’clock and I did not start it but cultivated some.
Annie, Willie and Mabel at practice at the church for SS anniver-
sary. Jennie washing and sewing.
22 – Somewhat cool with E wind. Sowed and harrowed the N
field. Annie and Mabel Bell at W.H. Leask’s practising singing.
Jennie, Mary Bell and the four boys visiting at Jas. Lee’s.
23 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Mr. McKay
preached.
24 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with 10
bags of oats. Jennie went with me, also Mabel Bell who went
home. Annie, Willie and James at school, the first day for James.
25 – A very fine day. Cultivating all day and broke the tongue of
the cultivator. Annie, Willie and James at school. Jennie and
Mary Bell at John Lee’s in the evening,.
26 – A very fine day. Sowed the hill field. Jennie and Mary Bell
washing. They went up to Akhurst’s in the evening. Mrs. A.
Akhurst called and John and Mrs. John Michie called in the eve-
ning. Annie, Willie and James at school.
27 – A very fine warm day, the most spring-like day. Took big
cow to Port Perry. Mr. Lyle taking a steer along. Jennie drove out,
bringing Mary Bell and boys on their way home. Harrowing in the
afternoon. Annie, Willie and James at school. Mrs. Mark called.
28 – A fine and quite warm day. Took 6 bags of oats to John Mi-
chie’s and got them changed and then got Norman Lyle’s drill and
sowed the SW field which finishes the sowing, then plowed the
garden. Jennie housecleaning. Annie, Willie and James at school.
29 – A fine day and very warm for the time of year. Harrowing
nearly all day. Jennie cleaning up door yard etc.
30 – Several warm showers during the day which is making things
grow fine. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached.
Mona Leask sang solo.
MAY 1 – Several showers during the day; thunder about 4 o’clock.
Jennie drove the children to school and went on to Greenbank. Got
the shawl from Scotland. Cleaned out rotten turnips; cleaned the
pig house and fenced some and nursed sore eyes. Jennie went after
Annie as it was raining. She was at John Michie’s with the mail in
the evening.
2 – A great drop in temperature with high wind all day. Finished
fence south of strawberry patch and plowed piece of land and in
orchard. Annie and Willie at school. Half used up with sore eyes.
3 – Ground white with snow in the morning and cold all day.
Drove Annie and Willie to school. Fencing in the swamp fields
most of the day. W. Wallace of Toronto called in the evening.
4 – Still pretty cold. Fencing in the forenoon. Cultivating straw-
berry patch in the afternoon. Jennie housecleaning upstairs. An-
nie, Willie and James at school.
5 – A fine day. Planted potatoes in orchard and fixed fences in the
forenoon and rolled new grass in the afternoon. Jennie houseclean-
ing upstairs. Arbour day. Annie, Willie and James at school and
then at practice for anniversary and they did not get home until
after 7 o’clock.
6 – A very fine day. Rolled the N field in the forenoon and in the
afternoon worked at the berry bushes while Jennie and Annie went
to Port Perry. In the evening went to choir practice in the church.
7 – All at SS and church. Mr. McKay preached on the reign of
peace. Went over to Norman Lyle’s in the evening; he has a sick
colt.
8 – A very fine warm day. Planted corn and beans in the orchard
in the forenoon and rolled grain in the afternoon. Jennie washing
and churning. Annie, Willie and James at school and Willie and
James at Mission Band. Mrs. Alex Gordon here in the evening.
9 – A very fine warm dry day. Rolled the hill field in the forenoon
and harrowed strawberry patch in the afternoon. Jennie cleaning
woodshed. All the children at school.
10 – A beautiful day. Went to Port Perry in the morning and got
some (100) strawberry plants from Mr. Kellet and planted straw-
berries in the afternoon. Jennie at W.F.M. meeting at J.M. Real’s.
All the children at school. John Michie called in the afternoon.
Beef ring started today.
11 – Planting strawberries all day. Jennie digging the plants.
Children all at school. J.M. Real called on his way to Port Perry to
consult about SS anniversary. Irene O’Neill here for supper. A
very high SW wind and a terrible dust. Thunder about 7 pm but
only a little rain.
12 – Another terrible day of wind and dust. Planting strawberries;
Jennie digging the plants; until about 5 pm when my wrist gave
out. Children at school. Anniversary practice after.
13 – Quite cold in the morning. At strawberries and finished plant-
ing about 3. At choir practice in the evening.
14 – A very fine day. Frost in the morning. All but Jennie at SS
and church (Jennie has sore eyes). Rev. Mr. Wesley of Sunderland
preached.
15 – A very fine day, a little rain after dinner and in the evening.
Spent most of the forenoon down at O’Neill’s looking at her fruit
trees. Jennie washing. In the afternoon went with Jennie to Port
Perry. Children all at school. Planted 6 apple trees.
16 – A little drizzle of rain during the afternoon and evening which
is doing much good. Plowed potato ground and the little plot near
213
the pump. Mr. W. Akhurst called and Mrs. John Michie to get a
coat cut for their baby. Mr. and Mrs. D. Lyle moved to Uxbridge.
17 – A fine day. Went for the beef taking the children to school,
then planted corn in the little plot near the barn pump. In the after-
noon drilled up for potatoes. Jennie making dress for Irene
O’Neill. At choir practice in the evening. Lightning on the way
home.
18 – Thunder shower through the night. Drawing out manure on
potato land. G.A. McMillan called with some berry bushes.
Jennie dressmaking. Mr. A. Gordon and Bessie and Edna called in
the evening. Children at school. Took Fanny colt to Jim Lee’s for
pasture.
19 –Very warm day, several thunder showers went round but only
a few drops of rain here. Planted potatoes and scuffled strawber-
ries first time. Jennie making dress for Annie. Children at school.
Jew pedlar from Blackwater called.
20 – Very warm day. Drawing out manure all day. Sharpened saw
for Mrs. Phair. Annie went down to John Michie’s with mail.
Irene O’Neill here getting her dress fitted. A terrible evening of
thunder and lightning but little rain here.
21 – A fine day but very warm. All hands at SS and church. This
being SS anniversary Sunday there was a full house. Rev. Dr.
Robertson, general secretary of Presbyterian SS, was the speaker.
The children sang. All out again in the evening and again a full
house. Mr. Robertson preached. Miss McGill of Port Perry sang a
solo.
22 – Jennie went to Greenbank for groceries in the morning taking
the children to school. Drew out 4 loads of manure and plowed
some. Very warm growing weather.
23 – Another terrible night of lightning and heavy rain. A fine day
but pretty warm. Plowing land for corn. Jennie baking for anni-
versary. Mrs. John Michie here in the afternoon getting coat made
for her baby. Children at school.
24 – A beautiful day. When we got up we saw that the Ianson cow
had one of her teats nearly torn off. So I went to Port Perry and got
vet Coates who sewed it up. In the afternoon Annie, Willie and
James walked up to SS anniversary while Jennie and I went later.
There was a pretty fair turnout but not as many as some years.
Miss McGill of Port Perry; Miss Root of Toronto; F. [McCanny];
and the Leask trio of Greenbank gave the programme. Took in
about $145.00.
25 – A very fine day and much cooler. Took the beef ring heifer
down to John Michie’s and got her weighed (730 lbs), then har-
rowed, rolled and sowed corn but seed run out and, with Willie,
James and Annie, went to Greenbank for more. Got supper at
anniversary social (not many out).
26 – A very fine day. Finished planting corn and then drew out
manure the rest of the day. At school trustee meeting at Richard
Cragg’s at Greenbank. Children at school.
27 – A beautiful day. Drawing out manure all day. Moved the
cook stove out. John Michie’s horse died last night.
28 – A very warm day but got cooler towards night. All at SS and
church. Rev. Mr. McCullah preached; Mr. McKay preached at
Marsh Hall.
29 – Very much cooler and fine day. Drawing out manure all day.
Jennie housecleaning pantry. Children at school.
30 – A very fine cool day. Finished drawing out manure and then
scuffled and in the afternoon plowing. Jennie housecleaning the
cellar. Children at school. James Lee called in the evening to
warn about road work.
31 – Rain from about 1:30 to 3; some thunder. Plowing turnip
land. Children at school.
JUNE 1 – A fine day and quite cool. At road work helping to fill
dirt in the forenoon and drew one load of gravel from G.A.
McMillan’s pit in the afternoon. Jennie at Port Perry market.
Children at school.
2 – A fine cool day. Drew 2 loads of gravel in the forenoon and
hoed strawberries in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Children at
school.
3 – A very fine day. Hoeing in the forenoon and plowing in the
afternoon. Jennie housecleaning the parlour. Henry Thomas here
playing. Annie at Gordon’s.
4 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Mr. Miller of
Bolsover at SS. Mr. McKay preached. Norman Lyle called in the
evening.
5 – Dull and foggy all day; some thunder in the E in the evening.
Took 2 pigs and 1 cow to Sleep of Seagrave in the morning, John
Michie helping. Whitewashed kitchen ceiling and helped to paper.
Jennie housecleaning. Annie and James at school. Willie has sore
leg.
6 – A fine day. Helped Jennie to paper the kitchen in the forenoon
and plowed in the afternoon. In the evening at session meeting in
the church. Children at school.
7 – Dull day and a little rain about 7 pm. Plowing all day. Jennie
housecleaning. Children at school.
8 – A fine warm day. In the forenoon went to Port Perry with
Jennie. Plowing and harrowing in the afternoon. Jennie house-
cleaning the parlour. Children at school.
9 – A fine day; quite a lot of thunder after supper but no rain here.
Harrowing in the forenoon. Jennie washing. At preparatory ser-
vice with Jennie in the afternoon. Not many out. Mr. Wesley of
Sunderland preached. Mrs. W.A. Leask and W. Hill received into
membership. Children at school. Had first strawberries of the
season for supper.
10 – A very warm day. Rolled turnip land until about 10:30 when
a thunder shower came up but there was not a great deal of rain. In
the afternoon all went to public school picnic in Beare’s woods and
214
Anthony Well’s field. Quite a crowd out and a good time. A
terrific thunder storm in the evening but not a great deal of rain.
Several barns burned.
11 – Pretty warm day and another terrific thunder storm about 5
pm. Went with Annie to communion at Wick, Mr. McKay
preached. All at church in the evening; Mr. McKay preached. The
Leask trio sang.
12 – Drilling up for turnips. Another thunder shower about 1
o’clock and again at 5 o’clock. Started to sow turnips but rain
came on. Children at school and Willie and James at Mission
Band and got wet on their way home. R.T. Harrington, census
taker, here all night. Mrs. Harry Bewell buried today.
13 – Much cooler with misty showers sometimes. R.T. Harrington
spent the morning taking the census. I then sowed turnips. Scuf-
fled in the afternoon while Jennie went to Port Perry with the first
strawberries. Took syndicate heifer down to John Michie’s to get
her weighed, she went 800 lbs. Children at school.
14 – A fine cool day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with the
waggon for berry boxes but only got 1000 instead of 4000 as ex-
pected. Made calf pen in orchard and scuffled corn in the after-
noon. John Michie sowed his turnips. Children at school. At SS
meeting in the evening, 6 present, decided to pay $50.00 on piano.
15 – A fine day. Helped Jennie to pick strawberries in the morn-
ing, then she took them to Port Perry. Drilling up in the afternoon.
Children at school.
16 – A beautiful day. Finished drilling turnips in the forenoon and
sowed them in the afternoon and picked strawberries. Jennie
washing and oiling the kitchen floor. Children at school.
17 – A beautiful cool day. Went to Port Perry in the early morning
with berries, then all hands drove to Wes Luke’s, Sonya. Alex
Gordon, wife and Edna and Annie. Got home about 7 pm. Crops
look pretty good.
18 – A very fine day. All at SS and church. Mr. Bailey of the
Dominion Alliance preached. Choir small. All at Port Perry at
church in the evening. The Orangemen were out to the Methodist
church. The Greenbank Band played and Mr. Leitch preached his
farewell sermon, but we went to the Presbyterian church.
19 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie to pick strawberries all day.
Les and Mrs. Lamb came before dinner and got berries. Mrs. John
Michie and Jean here for supper. In the evening took the syndicate
heifer to Greenbank, Willie going with the rig. Had a school trus-
tee meeting at R. Cragg’s. Called at Andrew Miller’s on the way
home. Andrew is very low.
20 – A very fine day. High wind in the afternoon. Went to Port
Perry with berries, then Jennie went to Greenbank with berries
while I churned. Hoed strawberries in the afternoon. Children at
school.
21 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning. Beast
went 20 lbs over. Then plowed the land near the berry patch and
sowed it with buckwheat. Jennie at W.F.M.S. at Alex Boe’s.
Children at school. Mrs. G. Baird called for berries. In the eve-
ning went to meeting at Port Perry on reciprocity by Mr. Fowlk
and Hon. Mr. Fisher. There was a full house.
22 – This is coronation day in London. A very fine day. Plowed
buckwheat land in the forenoon. Jennie; Vera Cragg; Maud Cragg;
and Jennie Gordon picking berries. I helped in the afternoon. In
the evening went with the 150 boxes of strawberries to Wick festi-
val. Peter Leask and Willie Mitchell here in the evening.
23 – A fine day but very cool for the time of year, some little rain
but not enough to do any good. G. Bark and Mrs. VanNess of
Myrtle came for berries before we had breakfast. Finished plowing
and then sowed the buckwheat and scuffled. Children at school
and got a school picture taken.
24 – Another fine day. Hoeing in the forenoon and moving fence
in the swamp field in the afternoon. Jennie picking berries. Mrs.
John Michie; Mrs. Dusty; Jennie Gordon; Mrs. A. Akhurst; Mrs.
W. O’Neill; Mrs. Roy O’Neill; and Miss Annand here in the after-
noon for berries and Mr. and Mrs. G. Hadden here in the evening
for berries. Annie at school special in preparation for entrance
exam. Willie and James at W. Thomas’. Andrew Miller died this
morning.
25 – A fine day. All at SS and at the Methodist SS anniversary
services in the afternoon. Rev. Mr. McKay and Rev. Mr. Laidlaw
of Epsom were the speakers. There was not as many out as some
times. On the way home John Michie’s horse bolted over J.M.
Real’s fence leaving the buggy half way over the fence. Nothing
broke but the harness.
26 – A fine day. Threatening rain several times and a little shower
between 8 and 9 in the evening. Took Annie to Port Perry in the
morning to the entrance examination. Jennie; Maud Cragg; Mrs.
A. Akhurst; and Jennie Gordon picking strawberries. Miss Simp-
son; Mrs. John Leask; Geo. Till; R. Baird; Joe Baird; Mrs. B.
Cragg; Roy O’Neill; and Mr. and Mrs. Firman for berries. I was
helping in the afternoon. Willie and James at school.
27 – Warm; some thunder showers went round in the afternoon but
no rain here. Spent most of the day picking small strawberries for
home use. W. Real; Mrs. [?]; Mrs. Till, and Maggie and Mary
Blair called. Willie and James at school.
28 – Very much cooler. Hoeing corn most of the day. Jennie
picking berries in the forenoon and in the afternoon went to Port
Perry for Annie who has been at the entrance exams. At Green-
bank in the evening to school trustee meeting. G. Till; Garnet
Wright; Mrs. Jas. Rennie; Mrs. Jas. Blair; Mr. and Mrs. Rev.
McKay; and Mr. and Mrs. D. McDonald called for strawberries but
most of them did not get any. Willie and James at school, the last
day until after holidays. Mrs. A. Akhurst and Mary Dusty picking
berries in the afternoon.
29 - Another fine cool day and no rain. Went to Port Perry market
in the morning with Willie and James. Jennie and Maud Cragg
picking berries all day. I helping in the afternoon. Mrs. J.M. Real
and Mary here for berries.
215
30 – A warm day and no rain. Scuffled corn and potatoes in the
forenoon and in the afternoon patched the roof of the house.
Jennie went to Greenbank in the evening for the mail and she had
hardly started when Mary, Helen and Douglas Patton came. They
had walked up from Port Perry as we had not got her letter. Mrs.
John Michie and Jean here in the afternoon picking strawberries.
JULY 1 – A very warm day, perhaps the warmest this summer
with a dry NW wind. Cut thistles on the roadside and pasture in
the forenoon and in the afternoon, with Annie, Willie and Helen
Patton, went to Methodist SS anniversary. Jennie and Bessie
Gordon here in the forenoon picking berries.
2 – Another terrible hot day; over 90 in the shade; 101 at Toronto.
At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Willie and James. Rather
small attendance at SS. Mr. McKay preached. McKague bros.
gave a duet.
3 – Another terrible hot day, the hottest yet and everything is with-
ering up. Unless rain comes soon the crops will be nothing. Hoe-
ing strawberries in the forenoon and putting Paris Green on pota-
toes in the afternoon. At church managers meeting in the evening.
Only 5 managers out. R. Baird and John McCullery from Wick
congregation were there in reference to manse. No action taken as
there were so few out.
4 – Jennie drove Mary Patton to the early train at Port Perry on her
way home. Another terribly dry day but not quite so warm. Fin-
ished Paris Greening potatoes and some other little jobs.
5 – Another very hot day, up to 92 about 2 pm when there was
some sharp lightning and a fine little shower but it did not last long
enough to do any good. There was thunder all around most of the
afternoon but no more rain. Did a few odd jobs. Jennie washing.
6 – Was much surprised to wake up at 5 am to hear it raining.
Some sharp lightning and a good shower which will do a lot of
good but too late for some things. After breakfast went over to see
Jim Lee who got hurt yesterday at John Somerville’s raising by a
stick falling on his shoulder. He is not badly hurt but had a narrow
escape. Then, with Jennie’s help, pumped out the well at the
house. Paris Greened potatoes (2nd
time) in the afternoon. Jennie
ironing. Annie and Helen Patton at Greenbank for mail. Irene
O’Neill here for dinner.
7 – A very fine clear day. Helping Jim Lee to hoe turnips all day.
Mrs. John Michie called in the evening for some castor oil for the
baby.
8 – A fine day and pretty warm. Went to Port Perry in the morning
for turnip seed as the first sown has not came up. Then redrilled
over 40 drills and sowed Greystone seed, also seeded some places
in the part that was left where there were misses. Annie and Helen
at Greenbank for mail.
9 – Another very hot day. All hands at SS and church. Rather
small attendance; Mr. McKay preached. James Lee and Ida called
in the evening and got a feed of strawberries, the last of the season.
Thunder to the N most of the afternoon but no rain here.
10 – Very warm and close in the forenoon. Went to Port Perry in
the morning for corn to sow where the turnips did not come up,
then cultivated the drills down. A little after 1 o’clock we had a
heavy thunder shower or more correctly 3 or 4 showers. The sec-
ond was terrific with wind and hail which flattened the grain badly
and blew down a maple tree across N. Lyle’s lane near the barn
pump. Water standing in pools in many places. Dan McDonald
called asking hands for barn raising tomorrow.
11 – Got N. Lyle’s seed drill and sowed corn where the turnips did
not come up. Fixed fences rest of the day. Jennie sewing. Annie
and Helen Patton went for the mail. Another heavy thunder
shower about 2 pm. D. McDonald’s raising.
12 – A beautiful clear cool day. Scuffling all day. Jennie washing.
Edna and Annie Gordon here most of the day. Mrs. Gordon also
called.
13 – Another nice day. A lot of thunder after dinner and a small
shower. Jennie, with Willie and Douglas Patton, at Port Perry
market. Hoeing turnips and other jobs. Willie at Greenbank for
the mail. Cecil and Mona Leask called about raspberries.
14 – Paris Greening potatoes in the forenoon and with Annie and
Helen went to Port Perry in the afternoon with raspberries. Heavy
thunder shower about 8 pm. and again about midnight.
15 – A fine day. Finished potatoes and hoed strawberries. Annie
and Helen went for mail.
16 – Rain through the night and morning and again from about 10
to middle of afternoon. At SS and church with Annie, Willie and
James. Mr. McKay preached. Rain again before midnight.
17 – Rain all the morning and again about 4 pm. Put in some
window glass in the forenoon and went to Port Perry in the after-
noon. At managers meeting in the evening. A special meeting to
consider the manse question where it was decided not to make an
advance in the previous offer, namely 58% of ministers salary.
Annie, Willie and Helen at Mission Band and got wet on their way
home. Mrs. R. Cragg and Wilmot and Mrs. Mark called in the
afternoon.
18 – A fine day. All hands picking raspberries and Mrs. John
Michie. I then took a case to Port Perry and shipped it to E. Stone,
Toronto. James went also. Cleaned out hen house in the after-
noon. After supper all hands went down to the creek at the bridge
to fish. Got a few small fish.
19 – Got Norman Lyle’s mower and cut the strawberry patch and
the orchard in the forenoon. It looked so much like rain that I did
not cut in the afternoon. Rain came a little at about 3 and another
heavy thunder shower between 6 and 7. Mrs. W. Real came for
berries but did not get any today. Jennie at W.F.M. meeting in the
church.
20 – A very fine day. Cut the hay field with N. Lyle’s mower.
Jennie, Annie, Helen and Mrs. John Michie picking raspberries.
Mrs. W. Real and Mona Leask called for berries. Baptist social at
A. Rodd’s tonight.
216
21 – Dull in the morning and a few drops of rain but cleared up and
was a very fine day. Got John Michie’s horse rake and with John’s
help drew in 8 loads. Not so bad a crop for this year as hay is very
poor about here.
22 – A very fine day. Raked hay field in the forenoon and with
John Michie’s help drew in the rest of hay. Mrs. John Michie here
helping Jennie to pick berries. Annie at Greenbank for mail.
23 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. Mr. McKay
preached. A better turnout since the hot spell.
24 – Some rain through the night but cleared up in the morning.
Went to Port Perry in the forenoon and heard that Annie has passed
the entrance examination. Plowing old strawberry patch in the
afternoon. Mrs. John Michie helping Jennie to pick berries. Roy,
Cathleen and Lucell Leask came for berries.
25 – A cool day with high NW wind and some rain flurries. At
road job drawing dirt on 10th
concession all day. Jennie washing.
Willie at Greenbank for mail. Annie and Helen at Gordon’s.
26 – A fine cool day. Went for the beef in the morning and scuf-
fled turnips, plowed and harrowed old strawberry patch. Annie got
entrance certificate. W.H. Rundle called selling fruit trees. Jennie
and Mrs. John Michie picking berries.
27 – A very fine day. Scuffled turnips, potatoes and strawberries
and hoed. Jennie went to Port Perry market with Willie and Doug-
las in the forenoon and, with Annie and Helen, went to G.A.
McMillan’s and Greenbank.
28 – A fine day and pretty warm. Repairing binder canvas in the
forenoon and in the afternoon, with James, went to Port Perry for
some more repairs. R. Cragg called in the evening to consult about
hiring teacher.
29 – A fine day, some little showers the latter part of the afternoon.
Hoeing turnips most of the day. Jennie and Mrs. John Michie
picking raspberries. E. Lyle called to get two pitch forks handled.
30 – Pretty warm day, some rain in the afternoon and thunder. All
hands at SS and church. Mr. McKay preached. Mrs. Mark called
in the evening.
31 – A fine day and pretty warm. Hoeing turnips (mostly Grey-
stones) all day. Jennie washing. Annie and Helen at Post Office in
the afternoon. News of General Dominion election on 21st
Sep-
tember. Reciprocity is the question.
AUG. 1 – Hoeing turnips most of the day; very warm. Jennie and
Mrs. John Michie picking berries. Mrs. Mark and Jean Michie
called after dinner.
2 – Another pretty warm day. Jennie went to Greenbank with
Douglas in the morning. After dinner started to cut the north field.
Afterwards John Michie, who has been cutting for Jim Lee, came
and put on his one horse. We expected a big time with Topsy colt
but she did not do so bad. Crop very poor. A second growth has
come up which is quite green. Went to Greenbank in the evening
to school trustee meeting. We think we have secured Miss Arm-
strong of Brookville as teacher.
3 – Some rain through the night and foggy in the morning. John
Michie came up in the morning but did not get started until after
10. Used John’s binder and finished the N field before dinner and
in the afternoon at the SW field. Very close and warm. Edna and
Annie Gordon and Marie Akhurst here in the afternoon.
4 – Another fine day but pretty warm and close. John Michie and
horse and binder cutting oats. Wet in the morning and did not get
started until about 10.
5 – Another very warm day. Went to Port Perry in the morning
with Annie and Helen and with John Michie’s help cut oats and
finished cutting about 3:30. John then took his binder home.
Jennie, Willie and Douglas went for the mail after supper.
6 – Warm day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached.
Just before church there was a heavy thunder storm with some
vivid lightning which struck and burned Mrs. Webster’s barn on
the 10th
concession. It also struck and burned a shock of oats in Ed
Lyle’s north field. All hands over at Jim Lee’s in the evening.
7 – A fine day and pretty warm. Hoed turnips 1st
time and fin-
ished, then strawberries. Jennie washing. Annie and Helen at John
Michie’s.
8 – A fine day and pretty warm. Cooler at night. Hoeing and
cutting thistles etc. Jennie washing. Willie went to Greenbank for
the mail. Willie’s birthday (10 years old). Norman Lyle started to
cut.
9 – A fine day. Scuffling in the forenoon and helping Jim Lee to
draw in in the afternoon. Jennie and Annie at missionary meeting
at Mrs. Jas. McMillan’s. The boys at J. Michie’s.
10 – A fine day and pretty warm. Scuffling turnips in the forenoon
and helping Jim Lee in the afternoon. Annie and Helen at A. Ak-
hurst’s at a girls party. Rain and thunder about 11 pm.
11 – Went to Port Perry with Jennie in the forenoon and fixing line
fence in the afternoon. In the evening all hands at band concert at
G. Lee’s. A pretty good crowd. Teddy Piggott of Toronto was the
star. Rather chilly evening.
12 – Finished fixing line fence in the forenoon and helping Jim Lee
to draw in in the afternoon.
13 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Archie McMillan
gave a short address in SS. Rev. Mr. Steel of Glenarm preached,
Mr. McKay being away on his holidays. Just before supper Bar-
bara and Willie Smith came and stayed all night.
14 – A very fine day. James Lee helping me to draw in oats all
day. Mrs. Mark called after dinner. Barbara and Willie Smith left
for home in the afternoon. Annie, Helen and Willie at Mission
Band meeting in the church.
15 – James Lee came over in the morning and we drew in until
about 10:30 when a little shower stopped us. Started again after
dinner and drew in until night. Cool afternoon. E. Lyle threshing.
217
16 – A fine day. In the forenoon, with Jennie’s help, drew in 2
loads of oats which finishes harvest but the rakings. In the after-
noon helping Jim Lee to finish harvest. Mrs. John Michie called.
17 – A very fine day. Got N. Lyle’s horse rake and raked all the
stubble and drew it in after supper. Jennie washing. Annie and
Helen went for the mail.
18 – Jennie, Annie and Helen went to Port Perry in the forenoon
while I and the boys did some cleaning up in the lane. In the after-
noon started to plow down the piece of buckwheat S of the berry
patch but a light thunder shower came on and I then hoed strawber-
ries. Annie and Helen at Edna Gordon’s birthday party. Cool
evening.
19 – A very fine day. Plowing old strawberry patch 2nd
time.
Went to Greenbank after supper. Annie and Helen visiting at John
Michie’s.
20 – A very fine cool dry day. All hands at SS and church. Rev.
J.A. Miller gave an address in SS. A student of Queen’s preached.
Mrs. Mark called in the evening.
21 – A beautiful day. Plowing and harrowing most of the day. Mr.
Grose of Raglan here for dinner.
22 – Plowing all day. Willie went for mail. A few drops of rain
about 5 pm.
23 – A very fine day. Went down to John Michie’s in the morning
with the boys and got two little pigs. Plowing the rest of the day.
Mr. Henry of Port Perry, Massey Harris agent, here for dinner. Mr.
John Mark, deputy reeve, called to see about board to the men who
are to put up new bridge on sideroad over Nonquon creek. Mrs.
John Michie called on her way home from Jas. Lee’s.
24 – A very fine day. Went with Jennie to Port Perry in the morn-
ing and got buggy tires set and got boarding place at Mr. Henery’s
for Annie at High School at $2.50 per week. Children at John
Michie’s while we were away. In the afternoon went with Willie
and Douglas to Greenbank.
25 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie preserving crab apples.
26 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Plowing all day. Annie
went for the mail.
27 – All hands at SS and church. J.M. Real was not there so I had
to act as superintendant. Mr. Smith preached. A little rain on the
way home.
28 – Plowing in the forenoon and harrowing in the afternoon. Had
to quit about 4 o’clock on account of rain which is badly needed.
Jennie washing. Willie went for mail and got wet on his way
home.
29 – A very fine day and pretty cool. Harrowing in the forenoon
and scuffled strawberries and hoed while Jennie went to Green-
bank with hens. Edna and Annie Gordon and Marie Akhurst here
in the afternoon. Went down to the creek where they have just
started to build a new cement and steel bridge.
30 – A fine cool day. Frost in the morning. Went for beef and
took crate of hens to McCague’s. Plowing in the afternoon. Jennie
preserving crab apples. Mrs. John Michie and Jean called in the
afternoon.
31 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Went down in the afternoon to
see them building the new bridge. Not getting along very fast.
SEPT. 1 – A fine day. Plowed until about 3 pm when I went to
Port Perry by the east road on account of building new bridge, for
Mary Patton who came on the 5:30 train. While I was away John
Horn came with his corn cutter and had nearly all the corn cut (in
field N of barn) when I got home. John Michie helped him out.
He stayed all night.
2 – Got up early and Jennie drove Mary, Helen and Douglas Patton
to Port Perry on their way home to Buffalo. Rain in the forenoon.
Very dark and thunder but not very heavy rain. Jennie stopped at
Billy O’Neill’s until the rain was over. Plowing in the afternoon.
Norman Lyle had a runaway while breaking colt in the waggon.
3 – A very fine cool day. All hands at SS and church. Mr. Wesley
of Sunderland preached. All went down to see the new bridge
work in the evening.
4 – A fine day. Drawing off corn all day. Jennie washing. Annie
down at John Michie’s keeping the baby. At Greenbank in the
evening.
5 – Got up early and Jennie drove to Port Perry with Annie to High
School (1st
day) and I to go to Toronto Fair. Got to the fair about
10 and stayed until after the evening performance which was
spoiled by rain which came on about 5 pm. Stayed at James Ma-
son’s all night. The Coldstream Guards Band was the attraction
for me. Jennie also brought home Jessie Bell from Port Perry. The
boys stayed at John Michie’s.
6 – At the fair all day and got to Port Perry on the last train. Jennie
and James were at Port Perry to meet me. Willie and James at
school.
7 – Cool day with E wind and threatening rain but did not come.
Finished drawing corn in the forenoon and plowing in the after-
noon. Willie and James at school.
8 – A fine day and pretty cool in the morning. Took up the beans
while Jennie went to Greenbank taking Willie and James to school.
Plowing in the afternoon until about 4:30 when I went as far as
[Trummond’s?] to meet Annie from Port Perry school. Crossed
the creek on a raft.
9 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie at John Michie’s in the
afternoon helping Mrs. John to make pickles.
10 – A very fine day. All but Jessie Bell at SS and church. Mr.
McKay preached.
11 – Scuffled and hoed strawberries while Jennie took Annie to
Port Perry school. She went by Gibson’s Mill and came home by
the east road as the swamp bridge is still on the way. Plowing in
the afternoon. Thunder and a little rain about 4:30. Willie and
James at school. Another terrific thunder storm about 10 or 11.
218
12 – A fine day and pretty cool. Finished plowing the hill field and
part of the corn patch. Jennie washing. Willie and James at
school.
13 – A fine day. Plowing corn stubble and finished and drew off
some stones. Mr. S. Henry and general agent called to sell me a
Massey Harris binder but did not do so. Jennie at W.F.M. meeting
at the church and got tea at Mrs. Walker’s. Willie and James at
school. In the evening at session meeting in hall in behalf of Fred
Fowke41
. The hall was crowded. A. Leask in the chair. The
speakers were Mr. Fowke; Mr. Eaton; Mr. Mohray; Mr. Veapond
and Mr. Haycraft. A grand meeting.
14 – Nomination day. A hard white frost in the morning. Did little
in the forenoon but help in with the cook stove. Harrowing the hill
field in the afternoon. Went down to see the men building new
bridge. They have got the N pier nearly finished. Jennie and
Jessie Bell picking up fallen apples. Willie and James at school.
15 – Raining a little in the morning and dull all forenoon. Willie
and James did not go to school. Hoed strawberries in the forenoon
and after dinner, with Willie and James, went to meet Annie; the
high school having a half holiday on account of the Port Perry fair.
The bridge men have just finished the north pier. Drew some
wood to burn big stones in the hill field and in the evening fired
it.42
16 – A very fine day. Drew away the big stone in the hill field that
was burned last night and several other stones. In the afternoon,
with Jennie’s help, cut the buckwheat which is very dry and
shelled out badly while cutting. Willie went for the mail.
17 – A very fine day. All but Jessie Bell at SS and church; Mr.
McKay preached.
18 – A very fine day. Jim Lee came before I was out of bed and
wanted me to go to Roy O’Neill’s to thresh in place of John Michie
who is to cut Jim’s buckwheat so I went. Got done at Roy’s before
dinner and then to Isaac O’Neill’s and finished him at 3:30, then
went down to the bridge. They have just finished putting on the
steel. Jennie drove Annie to Port Perry High School. Willie did
not go to school as he took sick, so James went alone for the first
time. Had a short talk with Mr. Fowke who was down to see Nor-
man Lyle. Mr. F. thinks his election is sure.
19 – A dull morning and some showers in the forenoon. Shocked
up the buckwheat and threshed the beans. Threshing at A. Ak-
hurst’s in the afternoon. James at school. Willie not very well.
20 – A fine day. Threshing until noon at A. Akhurst’s and fin-
ished. Did some odd jobs in the afternoon. In the evening went
with Jennie to prayer meeting; the first meeting held since spring.
It was decided to start something in the shape of a guild; Mr.
41
Frederick Luther Fowke (1857-1939) Liberal rep-
resentative of Ontario South in the House of Com-
mons from 1908-1911.
42
Burning stones – farmers would build a fire around
large rocks until they cracked into pieces they were
able to draw away.
McKay president; vice presidents Mona Leask; Laura Baird;
Stanley Real and Miss Watson (teacher).; W. Hill, sec.; and Arthur
Gordon, Treas. A fair turnout. Willie and James at school.
Port Perry High School, c1900
21 – Election day for the Dominion House. Went up with Jennie
in the morning taking Willie and James to school and voted for
Fred Fowke as MP. In the afternoon got N. Lyle’s mower and cut
the corn sown where the turnips failed to grow. Not much of a
crop. Rain came on before I got it cut. Medicine man called. Mrs.
A. Gordon called in the evening. Drove to Greenbank in the eve-
ning to hear the election news, which proved to be very bitter to
take as Smith is elected by a large majority and the government
completely snowed under on the reciprocity question.43
22 – Dull foggy morning but turned out a fine day. At Norman
Phair’s helping to fill his silo and got all the corn in by about 4:30;
Mr. Walkers machine and W. Taylor’s engine. Willie and James at
school. Jennie went to meet Annie. Smith has a big blow out at
Port Perry tonight but did not go to it.
23 – A beautiful day and very warm. Digging potatoes all day; the
children picking them up. Jessie Bell and Annie went for the mail
in the evening.
24 – A fine day. All but Jessie Bell at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. Bob Ledingham was present. John Michie and wife
here for supper.
43
The reciprocity question most probably referred to
setting up free trade with the United States.
219
25 – Rain through the night and morning. Drove Annie to High
School. Went by the east road and did not get home until nearly
dinner. Digging potatoes alone in the afternoon. Jessie Bell went
up for the mail. Willie and James at school.
26 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. Jennie and Jessie up to
Gordon’s for dinner and the afternoon. Mrs. Mark called in the
evening. Willie and James at school.
27 – A rainy day most of the forenoon so the boys did not go to
school. Swept out the grainery and plowed in the afternoon.
Jennie and Jess making dress for Jennie. At Guild meeting in the
evening; about 30 out; Mr. McKay leader. Laura Baird and I took
the topic.
28 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. Boys at school. Jennie and
Jessie making dress.
29 – Rain through the night from the E and drizzly most of the day.
At Phair’s threshing (Milton Stone’s machine) and finished about
3:30, then moved to Jim Lee’s. Jennie drove Jessie Bell to Port
Perry on her way home and brought home Annie. Boys at school.
Preparatory services in the church but did not get to it. Jennie
Gordon seriously ill.
30 – A very fine day. Threshing at Jim Lee’s and finished about
10, then they moved to the Whetter place which Phair’s work this
year and we finished there at dark. Edna Gordon and baby Gordon
here in the afternoon. Mrs. John Michie called.
OCT. 1 – Rain all forenoon from the E. Jennie went up to see
Jennie Gordon who is some better. At communion at Greenbank;
Mr. McKay preached. On account of the rain there was a small
attendance.
2 – A fine day. Scuffled strawberries etc. while Jennie drove An-
nie to Port Perry High School and in the afternoon, with Jennie’s
help, finished digging potatoes. Boys at school.
3 – Picking apples in the forenoon, Jennie helping, then drew in the
2 loads of buckwheat. Mrs. Mark and Jean Michie called. In the
afternoon helping Jim Lee to draw and thresh his buckwheat but
they did not get started to thresh until about 4 pm and rain came on
and made things bad so the job is not finished. Boys at school.
4 – Heavy rain through the night with thunder. Went over and
helped Jim Lee to thresh the rest of the buckwheat that was got in
yesterday and then the machine moved to John Michie’s. They
went by the 10th
concession to the side road and up to John’s.
Threshed there from 11:30 until near dark. Edna and baby Gordon
here in the afternoon. Boys at school.
5 – A very fine day. Threshing at John Michie’s and finished
about 9:30. They then moved here and finished about 4:30. They
had got about half way between our gate and E. Lyle’s when en-
gine broke down and they left the whole outfit on the road. It will
likely take two days to get it repaired. Boys at school.
6 – Plowing until about 11 when it started to rain from the SE.
Went to Port Perry in the afternoon for Annie. It rained heavy all
the time which turned to snow (the first of the season); a miserable
day. Went over the new bridge for the first time. Jennie making
clothes for James. Boys at school and got wet on their way home.
7 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie making suit for
James. Annie went for the mail.
8 – A very fine day. All at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached.
Jas. Lee and wife called in the evening. A beautiful moonlit night.
9 – A very fine day. Jennie drove Annie to Port Perry while I
picked apples. Helping Jim Lee in the afternoon to draw in his
buckwheat and finished about 4:30. Richard Cragg called. He is
going on a crutch having hurt his ankle by falling from an apple
tree. Jennie down to John Michie’s. At church managers meeting
in the evening. A beautiful night. Boys at school.
10 – A very fine warm day. Picking apples all day, Jennie helping.
Boys at school.
11 – Rain through the night. Picking apples in the forenoon,
Jennie helping, and in the afternoon took load of apples to evapora-
tor at Port Perry. Jennie at W.F.M. meeting at Greenbank. Boys at
school. At prayer meeting in the evening.
12 – A fine day. With Jennie’s help packed 4 barrels of apples for
Mrs. Laidlaw, Winnipeg, and picked apples in the afternoon. We
shook the Ben Davis apples as they were badly bruised with hail.
Boys at school.
13 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon while Jennie
washed and churned. Both at Port Perry in the afternoon with load
of apples to evaporator and brought Annie home. Boys at school.
14 – A very fine day. All day at Jim Lee’s helping him to draw in
corn.
15 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. Laura Baird played the organ, 1st
time. In the evening
all went to church at Port Perry; Mr. Cameron preached. Left
Annie at Port Perry.
16 – A very fine day, foggy in the morning. Plowing in the fore-
noon. Jennie washing. Picking apples in the afternoon, Jennie
helping. Boys at school.
17 – Went to Port Perry in the morning with load of apples for
evaporator; 42 bags, 3300 lbs. at 45 cts per 100 lbs. Rain started
when I got unloaded and rained all the way home and all afternoon
and evening. Boys at school. Jennie went after them in the rain.
18 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Rev. Mr. McKay and wife
called on their way to Jas. Lee’s about 5 pm. Willie at school.
James not very well in the morning. All at social evening in the
church; a pretty good turnout and went off all right.
19 – A beautiful day. Plowing sod all day. Tax collector, Crozier,
called. Boys at school.
20 – A fine day. Foggy in the morning. Plowing until about 2:30
when I went to Port Perry for Annie. Jennie finishing her new
dress.
220
21 – A fine day. Plowing sod all day. Annie laying around sick all
day.
22 – All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached. Very dull
in church and rain came on when we got out and on the way home.
23 – Some little rain flurries in the afternoon. Plowing sod all day.
Boys at school. Annie not well enough to go to High School.
Jennie making dress for Annie.
24 – A little rain in the morning but a fine day. Plowing sod all
day. Boys at school. Annie at home, some better, but not fit to go
to High School.
25 – A fine day. With Jennie’s help took in the potatoes (2 heap-
ing full waggon boxes). After dinner Mrs. Jas. Lee came over and
I drove over to Lee’s for a load of turnips that Jim gave me. Annie
went with me. Then drew in corn. In the evening, with Annie,
went to prayer meeting, about 20 out; Mr. McKay leader. Boys at
school.
26 – A fine day. With Jennie’s help drew in the rest of the corn in
the forenoon. Plowing sod in the afternoon. Children topping
turnips. No school as there is a teachers convention.
27 – Ground white with snow in the morning and pretty cool all
day. Finished plowing sod and then at potato ground and buck-
wheat. Boys taking in wood pile. Jennie washing.
28 – Hard frost in the morning and pretty cool all day. Went with
Annie and Willie to Jim Lee’s and brought home the Fanny colt
which has been pasturing there during the summer. Then got John
Michie’s horse rake and raked up the late corn which was cut over
a month ago and drew it in after dinner, Jennie helping. Then
topped turnips. Annie at Gordon’s. Willie up for the mail.
29 – Somewhat cool all day. All at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached a Thanksgiving sermon.
30 – Thanksgiving day. All hands started about 9:30 am for Co-
lumbus. Roads good, but it was rather a raw ride. Got to James
Smith’s about 12 and got dinner and stayed until about 4:30 (saw
and heard Jessie Smith’s new piano), then drove to W. Kerr’s at
Brooklin and stayed until about 6:30 when we all went to the
W.F.M.S. social in the Presbyterian church. There was a full
house and a splendid supper. The speaker of the evening was Rev.
Mr. Stephens of Toronto and he did fine. His subject was British
Columbia. A singer and a reciter from Toronto were also there. I
did not think much of the singer but the reciter was good. Then
went back to James Smith’s. A very dark and rainy night. Annie
Mason and children were there also. Norman Lyle did the chores
while we were away. Annie stayed all night at Kerr’s to take the
morning train to Port Perry school.
31 – Rain through the night. Annie Mason started for home by the
morning train and we started about 9. A dull foggy day and very
raw which grew worse as we got near home until it was raining
which continued through the afternoon. Got home about noon.
Did some odd jobs in the afternoon.
NOV. 1 – A hard frost in the morning. Topping turnips and fin-
ished. In the afternoon raked up the tops and drew two loads to
cover the strawberry patch. In the evening Jennie went to prayer
meeting. Snowing from the east.
2 – Cold wintery day; ground covered with about 3 inches of snow
which did not thaw any all day. Went over to Jim Lee’s in the
morning and got 2 little pigs. Norman Lyle called in and stayed
for dinner. Plowing in the afternoon awhile. Boys at school.
3 – Some warmer and the snow nearly all gone by night. Drew off
the turnip tops in the forenoon and spread some of them while
Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school.
4 – Hard frost in the morning. Drew out straw for strawberries and
then harrowed up turnips and got in 5 loads; Jennie and children
helping. Very poor crop. John Michie called.
5 – A fine day but dull. All at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached.
6 – Jennie took Annie to Port Perry school while I finished spread-
ing the covering on strawberry patch, then went to John Michie’s
for load of turnips. Went for another load after dinner. Then, with
Jennie’s help, drew in 5 loads of Greystone turnips. It was raining
all the time and we worked until about 3:30. By that time we had
got pretty well soaked. Boys at school. They got wet on the way
home.
7 – Rain several times during the day, especially in the forenoon.
With Jennie’s help drew in 7 loads of turnips (5 load of Grey-
stones) which finishes the job. 17 loads in all, the poorest crop
ever grown on the place as far as I can remember. Plowing in the
afternoon. Boys at school.
8 – Plowing all day. Boys went to school but came home again as
Miss Watson is sick and not able to teach. Jennie went for dinner
to Mrs. Walker’s and stayed for women’s missionary meeting.
9 – A fine day. Threshing at E. Lyle’s in the forenoon, then plow-
ing until about 4, when the machine (W. Taylor’s) moved to Nor-
man Lyle’s and threshed there until dark. Boys at school. Jennie
house cleaning parlour and downstairs bedrooms.
10 – Heavy rain through the night and morning. Threshing at
Norman Lyle’s and finished about 2 pm when I went to Port Perry
for Annie. Boys at school. Jennie visiting at C. Gordon’s in the
afternoon.
11 – A fine mild day. Plowing all day in the orchard principally.
Put up parlour stove at noon. Thunder shower about 10:30.
12 – Heavy rain through the night and all forenoon. All at SS and
church. Drove up in the face of a snowstorm. Not many at SS;
Mr. McKay preached. C. McKague gave solo. Colder towards
night and freezing.
13 – Very high cold wind through the night and most of the day.
Drove Annie to Port Perry school and did several little jobs in the
afternoon. Jennie cleaning kitchen. Willie at school and Mission
Band. Things frozen up hard.
221
14 – Some warmer. Drawing manure on next years strawberry
patch. Jennie washing. Boys at school. E. Lyle got the lend of
waggon. Snowing a little in the evening.
15 – Snow through the night, about 3 inches. Did nothing but the
chores as I was somewhat on the sick list. Willie at school. Mrs.
John Michie and little Jean here in the afternoon. Jennie at prayer
meeting in the evening.
16 – Colder. Did not get out of bed until about 10 and not out of
the house all day. Completely used up. Jennie did the chores.
Norman Lyle came in and stayed for dinner. Willie at school.
17 – Rather a bad day. Completely laid up with lumbago or some-
thing, not able to turn in bed. John Michie called on his way to
Greenbank and in the afternoon they left Jean here while they went
to Port Perry. They brought Annie home. A very stormy after-
noon.
18 – Another rather bad day. Snowing and raining a good part of
the time. Not able to turn myself in bed. Jennie doing the chores.
Edna and Annie Gordon and Marie Akhurst here in the afternoon.
19 – John Michie’s rig took children to Sunday School while I and
Jennie had to stay at home as I was hardly able to walk alone. This
is the first time I have been absent for over 8 years.
20 – Mild day. John Michie drove Annie to Port Perry and Willie
went to school. Not able to do anything all day. Norman Lyle, Jim
Lee and J.M. Real called to see me. Willie reports a small school
as there is measles in many houses.
21 – Mrs. Mark came up and stayed with me while Jennie went to
Port Perry and saw the Dr and he came out about 4 o’clock and
pronounces my trouble inflammatory rheumatism in a mild form.
Mr. E. Boe called to see me. School closed on account of measles.
22 – A beautiful morning and cold. John Michie called. He came
up to milk heifer that has just come in and is a very bad kicker.
Norman Lyle called in the evening and then Willie and Alex
Mitchell and stayed until about 10. Willie went to Greenbank for
mail.
23 – Not so cold. Rain and sleet in the afternoon. John Michie
came up to milk the heifer. Tom Watson of Epsom who, with
others, are overhauling Luke’s stables called for bread.
24 – Fine day. Thawing and colder. Not able to be out. John
Michie went for Annie. R. Cragg and wife called on their way
home from Port Perry.
25 – Snowy and rough. Robert Akhurst called and stayed for
dinner. Mrs. A. Gordon and Mr. McKay called.
26 – A very fine day. Annie and Willie sick with measles and
James was the only one out to SS and church. He went up with
Mrs. Mark. John Michie and mother and Jim Lee and wife called
after church and Albert Akhurst and wife in the evening.
27 – Thawing. Annie in bed all day. Barbara Walker came and
stayed all night and J.M. Real called.
28 – Rain in the forenoon. Willie and Annie sick with measles.
Barbara Walker stayed all day. Mr. S. Henry called. Sandy
Mitchell here all afternoon and Jim Lee called. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the afternoon which was very dull and foggy.
29 – Colder and very fine day. Barbara Walker washed in the
forenoon and Jennie drove her home in the afternoon. Annie some
better. Willie has the measles out well today.
30 – Cold day. E. Jamison and another man called and talked up
telephone. Willie in bed all day. Annie able to be up.
DEC. 1 – Colder and snowing some. J. Michie came up and
cleaned out the pig house and put on the storm windows. Mr. Boe
called. Think I am a wee bit better. Norman Lyle called.
2 – Blustery day. Jennie went to Greenbank in the afternoon for
the mail. Do not think I am quite so well today but was able to
shave myself.
3 – A fine day. James was again the only one able to go to SS and
church. He went up with John Michie.
4 – Snowing a little. Had a bad night and legs worse today. Jennie
went to Port Perry in the forenoon. After 1 o’clock before she got
home. Topsy horse ran away in the evening but came back again.
5 – A fine day. Feeling quite a bit better. Jennie killed 2 chickens
and took them to Port Perry in the afternoon. Mr. Grose of Raglan
called just before dinner but did not stay for dinner. John Michie
called on his way home from the mill and his horses nearly ran
away. Maggie Miller died this morning.
6 – A very fine day. Put in the best night since laid up. J.M. and
Stanley Real called in the morning and Mrs. Jas. Lee in the after-
noon. John Michie brought us a load of coal from Port Perry. It
was dark before he got here. James in bed all day with measles but
they have not come out much yet.
7 – A beautiful mild day. Jennie got the grates in the stove and
started coal fire. R. Cragg called to talk school teachers. Mrs.
Isaac O’Neill and Irene called.
8 – A very fine day. James put in a pretty bad night and was in bed
all day. Jas. Blair Jr., Maggie Blair and Edith Blair called and John
Michie and his mother called. Was outdoors a few minutes for the
first time. Felt some better but very weak. Maggie Miller buried
today.
9 – Rain through the night and thawing all day and lots of mud.
James in bed all day. John Michie called before dinner and Alex
Gordon about 4 pm. He reports Arthur, Jennie and Bessie sick
with the measles. Jennie cooking. Fleet Beare is having a birthday
party today.
10 – Mild day. Jas. Lee called in the forenoon. James in bed all
day. Annie and Willie went up with John Michie to SS and
church. Rev. Mr. McCullah preached a Bible Society sermon.
11 – Thawing and raining nearly all day. Had a bad night with
right foot. Could not put it to the ground. Annie’s birthday (12
years old). John Michie drove her to Port Perry to High School but
222
they consulted Dr. Barry. He did not think it advisable for her to
start so soon after having the measles so she came home again.
James out of bed. This the general Provincial election day. The
candidates here are Calder and Sinclair. Was not able to get out to
vote the first time that I remember since I ever had a vote. [margin
note - Sinclair elected].
12 – Dull mild day. Foot better. John Michie called in the morn-
ing. Have not heard all day how the election went.
13 – A very fine mild day. Ground covered with snow in the
morning but all away before night. Ernest Phair called before
dinner. Jennie at W.F.M. meeting at Mrs. Jas. McMillan’s. Mrs.
Mark went up with her. J.M. Real called when she was away.
14 – Another mild day. Feeling a little better but weak. Jennie
killed 3 chickens in the forenoon and took them to Port Perry in the
afternoon. Willie went with her. R.T. Harrington called and Wil-
lie Mitchell and stayed all night.
15 – Mild day, snow on ground. Jennie and Willie Mitchell took
down and cleaned kitchen stovepipes to try to get better draught for
coal which does not burn well. John Lee and Mrs. Jas. Lee called
before dinner. Willie Mitchell went over to Jim Lee’s in the after-
noon and hired with him for two weeks. John Love called about 5
pm and stayed and talked until about 9. Feeling a little better to-
day.
16 – Wind from the E and some more snow and almost rain. Wil-
lie Mitchell went with the waggon to Peter Leask’s and brought his
trunk here. He went to Port Perry in the afternoon and to Green-
bank in the evening. Norman Lyle called and stayed most of the
afternoon.
17 – A fine day. Willie Mitchell and the children at SS and
church. Mr. Wilkie, returned missionary to India, preached a long
sermon.
18 – Colder. Willie Mitchell drove Annie to Port Perry school in
the morning and went to work for Jim Lee in the afternoon. Ernest
Phair brought us over some wood for the box stove. Went up as
far as the barn today, the first time in nearly five weeks.
19 – A fine day. James Smith came a little after noon and stayed
overnight. Feeling a little better but very slow. Had a great talk
with Jas. Smith.
20 – A beautiful clear and sharp day. John Michie and little Jean
called in the forenoon and J. Smith went down with him but came
back in time for dinner and started for home about 1 pm taking the
gramophone for a school concert at Dryden’s where Jessie Smith is
teaching. J.M. Real called before dinner and Richard Cragg after
and gave me the news of hiring the new school teachers; Miss
Tool and Miss Warren. Rev. Mr. McKay called and Willie rode up
part way to Greenbank with him for the mail. Cecil and Hugh
Leask also called.
21 – Raw E wind which turned to a little rain drizzle in the after-
noon. Willie Mitchell came over from Jim Lee’s and went to Port
Perry in the afternoon, this being Christmas fair day. Did not get
home until about 11 pm.
22 – Foggy in the morning and rain in the afternoon. W. Mitchell
came from Jim Lee’s after dinner as it was too wet to work. Jennie
and the boys went to Port Perry for Annie. Mrs. John Michie
called. In the evening W. Mitchell and Annie and Willie went to
Christmas tree in church. They report a fine time; a good crowd
although a dark night. My class made me a present of a purse and
$6.00.
23 – Colder day. W. Mitchell at Jim Lee’s in the afternoon. Did
not get up in time in the morning. John Michie took 10 bags of
oats to Gibson’s mill and got them ground. Got out as far as the
barn. Children got catching gloves from Aunt Jess.
24 – A fine day. All but me at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached.
25 – A very fine day. All hands went down to John Michie’s for
Christmas dinner. W. O’Neill and Nellie were there also. Stayed
the afternoon and for supper and came home in the evening. J.M.
Real appears to have called while we were away.
26 – A raw E wind most of the day. Jennie washing. John Michie
called. Went up as far as the barn. W. Mitchell went to Jas. Lee’s.
27 – Albert Akhurst and John Michie came and killed a pig for us.
Pretty rough in the afternoon. Snow flurries often. Jack Beare’s
windmill blown down. Annual SS meeting but no one from here.
28 – Rough cold wintery day, high NW wind and drifting. Jennie
busy cooking and cutting up the pig. Norman Lyle called in the
afternoon, W. Mitchell in the evening.
29 – Colder, down to near zero in the evening. Went in the cutter
with W. Mitchell in the afternoon to Greenbank for the mail.
Called at John Lee’s. Jennie making head cheese. Had to take the
fields most of the way up to the 11th
concession.
30 – Somewhat raw E wind. Willie Mitchell hitched up the sleigh
and got a load of dry wood from A. Akhurst. In the afternoon went
with W. Mitchell to Port Perry. Pretty good sleighing.
31 – At SS and church with W. Mitchell, Annie and Willie. Elec-
tion of teachers in SS. Mr. McDonald of Leaskdale preached.
Rain in the afternoon but colder again at night.
1912
JAN. 1 – A fine day and some cold. John Michie, wife and Jean
and Mrs. Mark here for dinner and tea. In the afternoon went up
with John to vote for councillors. Voted for Alex Leask for reeve;
McIntyre for deputy and John Stone for council. (All elected).
Willie Mitchell went to Methodist church concert in the evening.
2 – A very fine day. After dinner drove over with W. Mitchell to
Jim Lee’s to see about wood but he was not at home. Edna and
Annie Gordon called and then our Annie went up with them.
Russell and Henry Thomas here playing with Willie. Jennie mak-
ing me a nightgown.
223
3 – A fine day. Jennie drove Annie to Port Perry and I went with
them and then by train to Brooklin. Got dinner at W. Kerr’s and
Willie Smith came over after me. Willie at school. 2 new teach-
ers.
4 – At Jas. Smith’s all day. At prayer meeting at Brooklin with
J.S. Mrs. Mark here helping Jennie to sew.
5 – Went with Jas. Smith to Oshawa with the buggy and went
through the McLaughlin works. A very cold day coming back.
Mrs. Mark here helping Jennie. W. Mitchell went to Port Perry for
Annie.
6 – Cold, down below zero. W. Mitchell at Port Perry.
7 – Very cold day. At Brooklin SS and church; Mr. Haig
preached. G. and W. Holliday sang duet. This is communion at
Wick but no one from here at it or at the meeting in the evening.
8 – Took train at Brooklin for home. W. Mitchell drove Annie to
Port Perry and I drove the rig home while he stayed at Port Perry to
look for a job. Willie at school.
9 – A very stormy day especially in the evening. Snow drifting
badly. Jennie washing.
10 – Very stormy; drifting from W and below zero nearly all day.
Annual church meeting was to be tonight but it did not come off.
Cut some wood in the woodshed; the first work that I have done
since laid up.
11 – Very cold. Below zero all day. Helped some with the chores
and helped to open out gaps. Jennie went for the mail in the after-
noon.
12 – Below zero all day; 16 below in the morning; clear day.
Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon for Annie.
13 – Cold and clear; 20 below zero in the morning and below all
day. John Michie called in the morning. Went to Greenbank for
mail in the afternoon with Annie and Willie. Willie Mitchell, who
has been working at the new post office drain at Port Perry all the
week, came back in the evening.
14 – A fine day. All at SS and church but Willie Mitchell. Mr.
McKay preached. [margin note – Miss Baker takes poison].
15 – Cold day. Drove Annie to Port Perry and Willie Mitchell to
work. Jennie washing. All afternoon trying to thaw out the house
pump but did not succeed. John Michie brought load of wood.
16 – High wind and very cold through the night and all day; below
zero most of the time. Trying all day to thaw out house pump but
did not succeed. Charles Gordon’s sale day. Did not see anyone
except our own family.
17 – Milder day. John Michie came up in the forenoon and we
took out part of the house pump and got it thawed out. He went to
Gibson’s mill in the afternoon with 10 bags of oats and got them
home again. Willie went with him. Jennie at W.F.M. meeting at
the church. Annual church meeting tonight but did not go.
18 – Raining a little most of the day and the snow going. Willie at
school. Helping at the chores.
19 – Colder again and drifting. Willie started for school but got
into water and wet his feet and came back. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the afternoon for Annie.
20 – Fine day. Cut some wood in the forenoon and went to Green-
bank for the mail in the afternoon. Called at R. Cragg’s and saw
for the first time the new school teachers.
21 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. The choir had a meeting and chose Mona Leask as
leader for this year.
22 – A nice mild day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school and just
got home when Mr. and Mrs. W. McMillan and Mrs. George Mi-
chie and her two children came in the sleigh and had dinner.
Jennie went with them as far as A. Akhurst’s (whose mother is
very unwell) and to John Michie’s. Just before dark William
Smith came with team and sleigh and stayed all night. He is come
for a load of timber for Mr. Groat of Brooklin. The timber is the
old barns that stood over the swamp what we used to call hard-
scrabble. Willie at school.
23 – Some snow through the night and a little sprinkle most of the
day. Got some colder at night. Willie Smith left about 10 am.
Willie at school. Jennie cut her finger when cutting a fish. Skating
carnival at Greenbank.
24 – A fine day. Jennie washing. Willie at school. Did chores.
25 – Cold; 16 below zero in the morning. Willie at school. Topsy
colt ran over to Phair’s. I went over as far as Jim Lee’s and bought
some wood. Topsy kicked Jim Lee’s dog. John Michie went to
Port Perry in the afternoon for some coal for us but he could not
get anything but pea coal so he took what he got home for his own
use.
26 – Very cold; 20 below in the morning. Went over and had a
visit with Norman Lyle in the forenoon. Jennie went to Port Perry
in the afternoon for Annie.
27 – Another clear cold day; below zero most of the time. Sprayed
cattle in the forenoon for lice. Went with Annie to Greenbank in
the afternoon for mail.
28 – A fine day. All at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached.
Mona Leask sang solo. When we got home Willie Mitchell was
here. He had walked out from Port Perry. He was here all night.
29 – 16th
anniversary of our wedding. Snow from the E, then hail
and almost rain. Drove Annie and W. Mitchell to Port Perry in the
morning. At church managers meeting in the evening. W.H.
Leask chosen chairman; R. Michie, sec; Jas. Leask, envelope sec.;
Alex Leask, treasurer. Charles Gordon moved to post office at
Scugog Island today.
30 – Snowing a little in the forenoon. Willie at school.
224
31 – Somewhat cold and drifting some from the NW. Went to Port
Perry in the afternoon and got ½ ton of coal. Could not get more
as there is a coal famine. Willie at school.
FEB. 1 – A very fine day. Willie did not go to school as he has a
cold. Spent the forenoon in visiting Isaac O’Neill and John Mi-
chie. W. Mitchell came up from Port Perry just at dinner time and
in the afternoon we drew three loads of wood from Jim Lee’s
swamp. Snow pretty deep in swamp.
2 – A fine day. Helped W. Mitchell to draw 3 loads of wood from
Jim Lee’s. Jennie and James went to Port Perry in the afternoon
for Annie. Willie Mitchell went over to Jas. Leask’s to see his
brother Alex. Farmers Institute at Greenbank but did not go.
3 – Cold day. Sharpened buck saw for Ed Lyle and helped Willie
Mitchell to draw wood from Jim Lee’s. Edna and Annie Gordon
here playing.
4 – Pretty cold drifting day. All hands at SS and church. Drove
the sleigh (the first time for years). Mr. McKay preached.
McKague bros. and W.H. Leask and wife gave a quartet.
5- Cold day. Drove Annie and Willie Mitchell to Port Perry (broke
the road on the way). There was nothing doing at the post office
drain so W.M. engaged with Carnegie Bros. to get timber in the
bush. Willie and James in bed all day with the cold. Jennie making
dress for Annie.
6 – Snowing a little most of the day. Did little but the chores.
James in bed all day. Willie not at school, had bad earache in the
evening. W. Phoenix called assessing. We had just got to bed
when James took earache and we worked with him about 2 hours
before he got asleep.
7 – John Michie came up for Jennie about 4 o’clock in the morning
and about 7 a girl baby was born to them44
. Dr. Mellow of Saint-
field was in attendance. Jennie came home about 10 and went
back again in the afternoon. James better and able to be up.
Snowing and blowing from the SW. Cleaned the separator.
8 – Cold and stormy in the afternoon. Drove Willie to school and
went on to Greenbank for the mail, the first we have had since
Friday. Jennie washing, baking and ironing.
9 – Cold; 8 below zero in the morning. Drove Willie to school and
then Jennie drove down to John Michie’s and helped to wash and
clean up. Then in the afternoon, while it was 4 below and blowing
and drifting from the NW, she went to Port Perry for Annie.
10 – Coldest yet; somewhere about 26 below zero in the morning
and never higher than about 10 below all day. Did the chores and
had a hard job to keep warm in the house. Jennie making dress for
Annie. Jim Lee called in the forenoon on his way to John Mi-
chie’s.
44
Mary RUTH Michie, b. 7 Feb. 1912, d. 15 Mar.
1990.
11 – Below zero in the forenoon and a fine day. Annie and Willie
went down to John Michie’s to see the baby. All hands at SS and
church. Mr. McKay spoke on church union. C. McKague gave a
solo.
12 – Cold; 8 below zero in the morning. Drove Annie to Port
Perry school. Pretty good roads. Jennie washing. She went down
to John Michie’s in the afternoon and washed for them. John here
in the afternoon sharpening saws for Jim Lee.
13 – A beautiful clear day and not so cold. Willie at school. In the
afternoon took 10 bags of oats to Gibson’s mill but did not get
them home.
14 – A very fine day. Went for a load of wood to Jim Lee’s in the
forenoon and tarred the small apple trees as the wild rabbits are
barking them. In the afternoon drove by way of Gibson’s mill (and
got the meal) with Jennie and James to Greenbank. Jennie went to
the F.M.S. meeting and I to session meeting. Willie at school.
15 – A fine day and mild. Drew 2 loads of wood from Jim Lee’s.
Cleaned out pig house in the afternoon. Willie at school. Ed
Ward's sale this afternoon.
16 – Fine mild day and almost thawing. Jennie went down to John
Michie’s to help wash. She then went to Port Perry for Annie. Cut
some wood in the afternoon. Willie at school.
17 – A fine mild day and thawing a little. Willie at W. Thomas’.
All the rest at W. McMillan’s at Saintfield principally to see Mrs.
G.W. Michie who is leaving for her home in the NW in a few
weeks. Roads pretty bad with pitch holes. Got home about 6 pm.
18 – A fine day and mild; thawing a little. Annie, Willie and
James down to John Michie’s in the forenoon to see the baby. All
hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached again on church
union. Had a tip out in our own field on the way home.
19 – A nice day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school and buck
sawed wood. Jennie washing. In the evening at church managers
meeting. A special meeting to consider the manse question. De-
cided not to go any further than the first offer. Willie at school and
Mission Band. Mrs. T. Guller died in Uxbridge. Thawing.
20 – Colder with raw NW wind. Drew home 4 loads of wood from
A. Akhurst’s. James sick most of the day. Peter Leask called to
get his axe that has been here for some time. Willie at school.
21 – A terrible day of snow and wind from the E. Went to Port
Perry in the morning to see the Dr. about James who was sick all
night. The Dr. did not come out but I went as far as W. [Tuna-
mons?] about 5 o’clock and telephoned to him how he was doing.
He seems to be some better.
22 – High wind all night but in the morning it was from the NW
which blew a gale all day; drifting badly and colder. All roads
blocked; no trains. Norman Lyle here most of the afternoon.
James in bed all day and quite a bit better.
225
23 – Much warmer and calm. Shovelled out the gaps and called in
to see Mrs. Akhurst in the forenoon and went to Port Perry in the
afternoon for Annie. James better. No trains today. Roads very
heavy.
24 – Mild day; thawing some. Cutting wood in the forenoon and
in the afternoon at W. Petty’s sale which went off pretty well.
Willie at school. Annie at Gordon’s. Jennie remaking Annie’s
dress. Railway trains again in the afternoon.
25 – A mild thawing day. All hands at SS and church. Mr. Best of
Beaverton preached.
26 – Snow from the E then hail. About 2 pm there was a peal of
thunder, a very strange thing as just before it was snowing and
drifting. Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning with Annie.
Willie at school. James sick again. Wick anniversary tonight.
27 – Another very rough cold day and drifting from the NW all
day. Not much doing. Jennie making pants for the boys. James
better.
28 – A fine day. Jennie washing in the forenoon and in the after-
noon Mrs. Mark was here getting a waist made. I went up to
Greenbank in the forenoon and cut some wood in the afternoon. In
the evening at meeting at church to consider church union but only
4 were there; Mr. McKay, Jas. Miller, Alex Leask and I, so we had
a little talk and came home. Alex Gordon, S. Dusty and W. Petty
made a three cornered move today. Also 3 weddings: Ethel
McDonald, Donald McArthur and Jennie Clyde.
29 – A beautiful day. James was bad again through the night and
Jennie took him out to the Dr. who says it is appendicitis. Drew
the last of the wood which I bought from A. Akhurst. Alex
Mitchell came about 4 pm. He has left Jim Leask’s for good and is
planning to start for the NW next week. John Michie and all the
family at Jim Lee’s for supper and Mrs. G. Michie called here in
the evening looking for Mrs. Mark. A beautiful evening.
MAR. 1 – A beautiful day. Cut some wood in the forenoon while
A. Mitchell went over with the sleigh to James Leask’s for his
trunk. At Port Perry in the afternoon for Annie. Jennie baking.
James in bed all day. He appears to be some better but he was bad
for a short time last night.
2 – About zero in the morning and sharp all day. Cut some wood
in the forenoon. A. Mitchell went for the mail in the evening.
3 – A very fine day. James in bed all day and Jennie stayed at
home with him. At SS and church with Annie, Willie and Alex
Mitchell. Mr. McKay preached. W. Mitchell came at noon from
Carnegie’s camp and then went over to see Roy Bryant and stayed
with W. O’Neill all night.
4 – About 12 below zero in the morning. Drove Annie to Port
Perry school and waiting until noon for Mary Bell and Gordon; the
train being very late on account of snow. In the afternoon went for
½ ton of coal. Willie at school. James out of bed in the afternoon.
W. and Alex Mitchell came in the evening and stayed all night.
Willie has hired with Joe Burton to manage his farm for $37.00 per
month and Alex is going to Griswold.
5 – Below zero in the morning and a bright day. W. Mitchell and
Alex took A. M.’s trunk to Seagrave and put it on Roy Bryant’s car
bound for Manitoba. Willie Mitchell stayed on the way back at P.
Leask’s. Willie at school. Spent most of the afternoon writing up
church books.
6 – Below zero in the morning. Drove Willie and Alex Mitchell to
Port Perry in the sleigh on their way to Manitoba. Went down and
visited Mrs. John Michie and I. O’Neill. While I was away Hugh
Leask came for 3 sacks of potatoes and Rev. Mr. McKay called.
Willie at school.
7 – A beautiful day and thawing some. Cutting wood most of the
day. John Michie called and Mrs. Mark to get waist fitted. James
had several short pains during the day. Willie at school. Jennie
sewing.
8 – A very fine day; snowing a little in the evening. Cutting wood
in the forenoon and at preparatory service in the church in the
afternoon; Mr. McKay preached. I then drove to Port Perry for
Annie. Willie at school. Mrs. Mark here for dinner getting her
waist finished.
9 – Colder and drifting from the NW. Split wood in the forenoon
and in the afternoon, with Willie, took 10 bags of oats to Gibson’s
mill and got them home again. We tried to go by the 10th
conces-
sion and got as far as Whetter’s barn but had to turn back and we
went through by Weston Phoenix’s and round by Greenbank.
Roads pretty heavy. Irene O’Neill here getting a pinnie made.
10 – A very fine day. At communion at Greenbank with Jennie
and Willie. A pretty good turnout; Mr. McKay preached.
11 – A very fine day and thawing some. Jennie drove Annie to
Port Perry school and making some clothes for Mary Bell. At the
wood pile all day. Willie at school.
12 – Snow during the night and forenoon. At the wood most of the
day. Jennie making waist for Mary Bell. Willie at school.
13 – A very fine day. At the wood most of the day. Jennie and
Mary Bell sewing. Willie at school. George Love’s sale today. In
the evening at session meeting to count the ballots on church un-
ion. The result was 97 for union and 9 against.
14 – A fine day and thawing some. At the wood. Jennie making
dress for Mary Bell. Willie at school.
15 – Snow through the night and all day from the E. A terrible day
of snow. I think more snow than anytime all winter. Jennie and
Mary Bell dressmaking. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon for
Annie. Roads very heavy.
16 – A fine day. Cut some wood in the forenoon and went for the
mail in the afternoon. Jennie and Mary Bell dressmaking.
17 – A very fine day and thawing a little. All hands at SS and
church. Drove the sleigh. James Lee and Ida here for tea also
Herb and George Bratley, who stayed all night.
18 – Snow settled quite a lot during the night and thawing all day.
Hitched up the sleigh and took Mary Bell and Gordon and Herb
226
and George Bratley to Port Perry on their way home and Annie to
school. Cleaned out calf pens. Jennie cutting mat rags.
19 – A fine day and thawing a good deal. At the wood pile. Jennie
washing. Willie at school.
20 – Colder in the morning but a fine day. Cutting wood in the
forenoon and in the afternoon went to Port Perry with the sleigh for
coal and got 1500 lbs. Willie at school and Mission Band.
21 – Snowing and drifting most of the day from the E especially in
the forenoon. Helped Jennie to pick over and bag up potatoes in
the cellar.
22 – Somewhat rough and cold. Drove Willie to school and went
on to Greenbank. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon for Annie.
23 – A mild day and thawing a little. At the wood pile part of the
day. Jennie making a pinnie for Irene O’Neill who was here most
of the day. Annie at Alex Gordon’s. W. Phoenix and William
Love called to get me to sign a quit claim deed of the old school
site west of Greenbank.
24 – A very fine day but pretty cold. All hands at SS and church
(drove the sleigh); Mr. McKay preached on ‘not to worry’. Jennie
at Mrs. Walker’s during church time.
25 – A very fine day and thawing a little in the afternoon. Drove
Annie to Port Perry school and brought George Lane home for
dinner. Jennie and James visiting at John Michie’s in the after-
noon. Willie at school. Cutting wood in the afternoon.
26 – A fine morning; snowing in the afternoon. Took 11 bags of
potatoes to W. Money, Port Perry, and got $1.50 per bag. Hugh
Jack and Dan Boe called and bought 2 pigs. Willie at school.
27 – A fine day. Drove Willie to school and went on to Greenbank
expecting to bring down Barbara Walker but she was not very well
so did not come. Went to Gibson’s mill in the afternoon with 10
bags of oats and got them ground. At guild in the evening and took
the topic with Allie Dusty. Jennie making dress for Annie.
28 – Thawing fast all day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with
two hogs and got $7.75 per 100. In the afternoon went to Port
Perry for Annie. Willie at school. Jennie half sick with cold in
head.
29 – Colder in the morning but thawing later. Pruning apple trees
in the forenoon. Went to Greenbank for mail after dinner.
30 – Thawing some. Rain in the afternoon. All hands at SS and
church; Mr. McKay preached on foreign missions. Decided to
hold a SS anniversary on May 24th
.
APR. 1 – Frozen hard. Took Annie to Port Perry school (pretty
good sleighing). James Lee came over in the afternoon and I
sharpened his saw. Jennie washing. In the evening went to church
managers meeting but only 4 turned out and no meeting was held.
Brought Barbara Walker home with me. Snowing in the evening.
Willie at school.
2 – Did not thaw very much all day. At the wood most all day.
Jennie and Barbara Walker hooking mat. I went over to Jim Lee’s
for mat hook. Willie at school.
3 – Pretty cold day; thawed very little; snow many places higher
than the fences. Went up to Sam Dusty’s to get pair of shoes
mended. Cutting wood rest of the day. Jennie and Barbara Walker
hooking mat. Willie at school.
4 – Milder and thawing more. Cutting wood in the forenoon and
went to Port Perry in the afternoon for Annie. Mabel Bell came up
from Brooklin on the morning train and came home with us.
Jennie and Barbara Walker hooking mat. Drove Barbara home in
the evening. Sleighing getting poor. Willie at school.
5 – Good Friday. The most spring-like day of the season and
thawing fast all day. Finished cut wood pile in the forenoon and
tapped some maple trees in the afternoon. Had to shovel the snow
away from each tree. Jennie finished mat and churned.
6 – Another mild day and the snow going fast. Fixed the clock in
the forenoon and let off some water in the afternoon. John Michie
called in the forenoon. Annie and Mabel Bell making aprons.
7 – Easter Sunday. Rain through the night and until about 11 am
when it snowed for awhile, then turned cold with a high NW wind.
Nobody out to church on account of weather and roads. All went
down to the swamp in the afternoon to see the water which is
higher than I ever remember seeing.
8 – Cold day. Snow did not thaw very much all day. Went up to
S. Dusty’s for shoes but he had not mended them. I then went on
to Greenbank for mail. Willie Petty tried to go to Port Perry but
had to turn back on account of water over the road. Cutting thresh-
ing wood in the afternoon. Jennie making dress for Mabel.
9 – Snow through the night and some through the forenoon. Went
down to John Michie’s and settled up with him for the year. Jennie
making dresses for Mabel and Annie.
10 – Thawing some most of the day. Pruning apple trees. Jennie
making dress for Mabel. Annie and Mabel went to Greenbank for
the mail. Boiled maple sap (1st
time) in the door yard. Jim Lee
called.
11 – Snow in the night and morning which disappeared about
noon. Pruning apple trees in the afternoon. Jennie dressmaking.
Mrs. O’Neill, Clarence and Irene called in the forenoon and Mrs.
John Michie and children and her Mary visiting here in the after-
noon.
12 – A mild day and thawing. Finished pruning orchard in the
forenoon and helping to dig snow on the road in the afternoon.
Edna and Annie Gordon here playing.
13 – A fine day. Drew brush out of the orchard in the forenoon.
Sharpened saws for Phair’s and about 4 o’clock hitched up and
started to plough strawberry land, the first work on the land that
has been done in these parts as far as I know.
227
14 – Rain in the forenoon and most of the afternoon. At SS and
church with Annie and Mabel Bell. Drove the buggy for the first
time. Roads very bad. Mr. McKay preached.
15 – A fine day. A thunder shower during the night. Went to Port
Perry in the morning with Annie and Mabel Bell on her way home.
Roads very bad. Plowing in the afternoon. A. Akhurst came for
setting of eggs. Jennie visiting at Jas. Lee’s. Road washed out
badly on hill. Thunder in the afternoon and evening but no rain
here. [margin note: Steamer Titanic went down, 1635 lost].
16 – A fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and planting potatoes in
the afternoon. Mrs. John Michie called.
17 – A fine day; frost in the morning. All day at raspberry bushes.
Jennie at W.F.M. meeting at Mrs. McMillan’s. Willie at school
and Mission Band. A. Akhurst called for some eggs. Just got
word of the terrible disaster; the loss of the Titanic.
18 – Heavy rain through the night; a dull day. At berry bushes all
day. Norman called and I bought 3 bags of corn meal from him.
19 – A fine day; colder towards night. At berry bushes in the
forenoon and letting off water in the afternoon. Jennie and Willie
went to Port Perry for Annie.
20 – Frost in the morning; a fine day. Took straw off strawberries.
Willie and James at John Michie’s. Annie not very well. Norman
Lyle called in the evening.
21 – A fine spring-like day. Annie in bed all day with sore throat.
Jennie, Willie and James at SS and church while I stayed home
with Annie. Mr. McKay preached. James Lee and wife called in
the evening.
22 – A spring day. Several small showers. Drew manure on gar-
den and strawberry patch and plowed garden. Annie in bed all
day. Willie at school.
23 – Snow through the night and very wintery. Willie at school.
Annie laying around half sick. Plowed strawberry patch in the
afternoon. In the evening Topsy mare sick and Jennie went up to
Norman Phair’s and telephoned to vet Coates. A. Akhurst came
down. Coates got here about 10:30. He says a light touch of indi-
gestion.
24 – Rather raw and cold. Did several small jobs in the forenoon
and with Jennie’s help cleaned up some seed oats in the afternoon.
Willie at school.
25 – A very fine spring day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school.
Cultivated in field N of barn in the afternoon. Willie at school.
Alex Gordon and wife called in the evening.
26 – Took steer to Port Perry, Willie helping. Jennie and James
came part way to meet us. Jennie went to Port Perry in the after-
noon for Annie. Rain in the afternoon.
27 – Cultivating in the forenoon and in the afternoon got N. Lyle’s
drill and sowed part of field N of barn (the first of the season). A
high wind and got very cold towards night. Annie at W. Leask’s
practising for SS anniversary. James somewhat poorly.
28 – Frozen quite hard in the morning. James in bed all day. At
SS and church with Annie and Willie. Mr. McKay preached.
29 – A fairly fine day but pretty raw in the morning. James had
rather a bad night. Drove Annie to Port Perry school then finished
sowing field N of barn and harrowed it. James out of bed in the
forenoon but back again in the afternoon and very sick. Willie at
school. He appears to be taking the trouble Annie and James have
had.
30 – A beautiful day and warm. Harrowing, cultivating and sow-
ing. Jennie gardening. Willie and James in bed in the forenoon.
MAY 1 – A very fine warm day. Sowing and harrowing all day.
Jennie walked to Greenbank and went with Ethel Miller and Mrs.
J.M. Real to the Presbyterial W.F.M. at Uxbridge. She did not get
home until about 9 pm. Mrs. Jas. Lee called with parcel from
Eaton’s.
2 – A fine day. Harrowing and cultivating. Jennie making Annie
dress. Mrs. Alex Gordon called in the evening.
3 – A very fine day. Cultivating in the forenoon and tying up berry
bushes in the afternoon while Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie.
Mrs. A. Gordon went with her.
4 – A fine day. Sowed the SW field which finishes sowing for the
season. Annie at Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail.
5 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church (Annie walked). Mr.
McKay preached.
6 – A fine warm day; some rain through the night. Took Annie to
Port Perry school in the forenoon and harrowing in the afternoon.
Willie and James at school (first day for James this season). Jennie
sewing and gardening.
7 – A fine warm day. Harrowing in the forenoon and cultivating
strawberry patch in the afternoon. Jennie sewing. Willie and
James at school. Thunder in the evening but no rain here.
8 – A fine day. Drilled up and sowed mangolds where the straw-
berries were last year. Rolling hay field in the afternoon. Several
thunder showers went round but only a few drops here. Jennie at
W.F.M.S. meeting at J.M. Real’s. Willie and James at school. Mr.
Akhurst brought the first beef of the season. D. Cragg and wife
called for some berry bushes. Jennie at Gordon’s for dinner.
9 – Rain through the night and in the afternoon. Sowed grass seed,
cleaned out drain that was blocked, took off storm windows and
other jobs. Jennie washing. Willie and James at school. Mrs.
Alex Gordon, Arthur Gordon and Olive Real here in the evening
for a bag of apples.
10 – A beautiful day. Went down to I. O’Neill’s and got 12 apple
trees and planted them and in the afternoon, with Jennie, went to
Port Perry for Annie. Willie and James at school and anniversary
practice.
11 – Warm and a little drizzle in the afternoon. Rolled the field N
of barn and Willie and Annie rolled most of the field W of house in
228
the afternoon. Jennie making white dress for Mabel Bell. Planted
more potatoes in the orchard.
12 - All hands at SS and church; Rev. Mr. Edmonson, Home Mis-
sion Superintendant, gave a rousing address. Rain in the forenoon
and on the way home from church.
13 – Drove Annie to Port Perry and met J.M. Real and arranged for
printing anniversary bills. Rain a little most of the forenoon and
getting colder. About the middle of the afternoon it turned to
snow. A decidedly bad day. Jennie sewing. Willie and James at
school.
14 – Frost in the morning but turned out a very fine day. Planting
strawberries. Jennie digging plants. Got 13 rows planted. Willie
and James at school.
15 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning and then
planted strawberries; Jennie digging the plants, and finished the
job; 24 rows. Willie and James at school and Mission Band. Mrs.
John Michie and children here in the evening while John was at
choir practice.
16 – Drew out 4 loads of manure when it started to rain from the E
and continued until about noon. The high wind blew over 2 places
of the fence by the road which had to be fixed. Then at the ma-
nure. Jennie washing. Willie and James at school.
17 – Rain all day until about 4 pm. Not much doing. Jennie went
to Port Perry for Annie. Norman called in the afternoon.
18 – A fine day; some thunder in the afternoon but very little rain
here. Drilled up and planted potatoes, Willie and James helping,
and planted corn in the little plot near the barn pump. Jennie mak-
ing Annie white dress. Annie, Willie and James at Greenbank in
the afternoon to anniversary practice.
19 – Quite cool day. All hands at SS and anniversary service.
Rev. Mr. Symington of Beaverton preached; a good turnout; chil-
dren sang. At church in the evening with Willie. Mr. S. preached
again; a splendid sermon and a packed house. Annie Leask and
Miss Ferguson of Sonya; Wes Real; John Whiteford and Fred
McKague helped the choir. John Michie left his girls here while he
and wife were at church.
20 – Heavy rain through the night and until about 9. Took big pig
to Port Perry. Annie went with me but she was late as we were
waiting for the rain to quit. Heavy rain with thunder again started
about 3 pm. Things terribly soaked now. Jennie housecleaning
the downstairs bedrooms.
21 - Rain again through the night and almost without ceasing until
about 4 pm. Things terribly soaked. Pulled down fence E of the
orchard. Jennie washing and housecleaning. Norman Lyle came
over for a visit and stayed for dinner.
22 – Drove Willie and James to school and went on to Greenbank.
It started to rain before I got to the school and continued all fore-
noon. Water running and standing everywhere. In the afternoon
drew off the fence E of the orchard. Jennie washing.
23 – A fine warm day and no rain. Ploughed where the fence was
E of the orchard in the forenoon and went to Port Perry in the
afternoon for Annie. Eva and Gertie Henry came home with us.
Mrs. John Michie and Jennie Gordon called. Willie and James at
school.
24 – A great deal of thunder through the night but not much rain
here. The afternoon turned out fine with high NW wind. Planted
potatoes on place where fence stood E of orchard in the forenoon
and in the afternoon all at SS anniversary; a fairly good turnout.
Those that took part were the Leask trio; Fred McKague; Charlie
Rennie; Miss Tool and Miss Buch. Proceeds $115.00.
25 – A beautiful day. Scuffled raspberries and strawberries and
hoed. Mr. Henry called and took his girls home. Jennie and Willie
down to John Michie’s. After social tonight but did not go.
26 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Annie went with A.
Akhurst. Mr. McKay preached.
27 – Drove Annie to Port Perry school. Drew out manure in the
afternoon. John Michie came for the drill to sow his mangolds.
Mrs. A. Gordon made a hurry call for eggs. Jennie housecleaning
upstairs. Thunder shower between 6 and 7.
28 – Drawing out manure in the forenoon. After dinner Fly mare
had a colt. I went down and got John Michie’s Lark and got one
load out when a heavy thunder shower came on and another still
heavier about an hour later. John Michie and wife left their chil-
dren here while they went to Port Perry. Jennie housecleaning.
Willie and James at school. James Lee called in the evening.
29 – Got one load of manure out in the mud when it started to rain
from the NE and I got pretty well wet. The rain continued more or
less (mostly more) all day and the ground is one mud puddle; water
running everywhere. Jennie over to James Lee’s to see Mrs. Lee
who is unwell. Boys not at school.
30 – Heavy rains through the night; cleared up in the morning and
turned out a fine day. Spent most of the forenoon letting off water
and plowed in the afternoon; pretty muddy. Jennie housecleaning.
31 – A beautiful day. Drew out 3 loads of manure and then plowed
until 3 when Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. Jennie washing.
Willie and James at school.
JUNE 1 – A very fine day and warm. Finished plowing corn land
and harrowed it. Jennie cleaning cellar. John Michie called.
2 – All hands at SS and church. A Mr. Groves (I think) gave an
address for the Ontario Alliance. Rain about 12 and off and on all
afternoon and evening.
3 – Rain through the night. Scuffled potatoes in the orchard and
cultivated corn land and in the afternoon got N. Lyle’s drill and
sowed corn. Took John Michie’s horse home. Jennie papering big
room upstairs. This is the King’s birthday and there is no school.
Big time at Port Perry.
4 – A fine cool day. No rain. Drove Annie to Port Perry school
and hoed strawberries. Jennie churning and sewing. Willie and
James at school.
229
5 – A fine day and quite cool. Scuffled and hoed nearly all day.
Jennie at quilting at Mrs. Walker’s at Greenbank. Willie and
James at school.
6 – Rain the fore part of the forenoon. Did some small jobs. Drew
out manure for turnips in the afternoon. Jennie sewing. Boys not
at school.
7 – Rain in the morning; afterwards a fine day and quite cool.
Drew out manure until 3 pm when I went to Port Perry for Annie.
Jennie washing. Boys at school.
8 – A fine cool day. Drawing out manure all day. Willie and
James at W. Thomas’ in the afternoon.
9 – A fine day and quite cool. All at SS and church. Rev. Mr.
Cameron of Port Perry preached. All over at Jas. Lee’s in the
evening. Abe Cragg and wife were there.
10 – A fine cool day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school, then drew
out manure until dinner. Plowing in the afternoon. Willie and
James at school. Norman Cragg buried today.
11 – A fine day; the warmest for some time. Plowing turnip land.
Boys at school.
12 – A fine day. Harrowing turnip land in the forenoon and drill-
ing up in the afternoon. Boys at school. Jennie at John Michie’s in
the afternoon. Moved the stove out in the evening. Jim Lee called.
13 – A fine day and quite cool. Drilled up in the forenoon and
sowed turnips in the afternoon. Run out of seed and got some more
from N. Lyle. Jennie housecleaning the kitchen. Boys at school.
14 – A very fine day. Drew out manure until 3 pm when Jennie
went to Port Perry for Annie. Jennie finished cleaning kitchen.
Boys at school.
15 – Drawing out manure in the forenoon in a drizzling rain most
of the time and finished the job. Plowing awhile in the afternoon
until rain came on in earnest and continued until night. Children
went down to John Michie’s with hen and chickens and got wet
coming home.
16 – A fine day; the most summer-like day for some time. Mrs. J.
Michie called to get advice about her baby who is not very well.
All hands at SS. No church service as Mr. McKay has not yet
returned from the assembly. Willie, James and I went to Baptist
church; Jennie to Methodist SS and Annie went to A. Gordon’s.
All down to J. Michie’s in the evening. Jas. Lee and Ida were there
also.
17 – A fine day and cool. Drove Annie to Port Perry school and
plowed the rest of the day. Jennie washing, oiling the kitchen floor
and visited at A. Akhurst’s. Boys at school.
18 – A fine day and very cool. Harrowing and drilling for turnips
until about 3:30 when Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie who
came home as the room is needed for entrance exams. Florence
Lee came with them and stayed for supper. Finished hoeing man-
golds. Les Lamb and wife and boy George here for dinner. Mrs.
John Michie called in the evening.
19 – A fine day and cool. Went for the beef in the morning, then
finished drilling and sowing the turnips. Boys at school. Annie at
public school on a visit. All the children at Mission Band. Mr.
Grose of Raglan here for dinner.
20 – A very fine day and a little warmer. Plowing all day for
buckwheat. Jennie sewing. Boys at school. Albert Akhurst called
in the evening.
21 – A beautiful day and a little warmer. Plowing and harrowing
all day. Boys at school. Jennie making dress. Annie took chick-
ens down to J. Michie’s. Sidney here in the evening.
22 – A beautiful day and warm. Spent the forenoon with Annie
and Willie planting corn where there is gaps and many there are.
Scuffling in the afternoon. In the evening went with Annie and
Willie to Greenbank. Jennie making dress. Willie Leask went
under an operation and is in a critical condition.
23 – A very fine day. All at SS and church. Mr. McKay gave an
account of his trip to Edmonton to the assembly meeting. James
Lee and wife here for supper. Sidney Canning here in the evening.
24 – The warmest day of the season. At road work all day. Jennie
drove Annie to Port Perry. Willie and James at school. The last
day for James before the holidays. Jennie drove to see Mrs. R.
Somerville who is very ill. Norman Lyle and Sidney Canning here
in the evening.
25 – A very fine day. At road work in the forenoon and cultivating
buckwheat land in the afternoon. Jennie washing and after dinner
she went to D. Cragg’s and S. Dusty’s looking for strawberry
pickers. She got to Cragg’s just before the marriage of Luella
Cragg to a man named Donald Duff from New Ontario. She got
supper at S. Dusty’s. Young [Turner or Thurner?], the Jew, called.
Willie at school. Frank Dobson’s barn raising today.
26 – A very fine day. Took Fanny colt to E. Lyle’s for pasture.
Sowed, harrowed and rolled buckwheat and fixed fence along the
road. Jennie sewing. Willie at school. Had the first strawberries
of the season for dinner.
27 – A beautiful day. Hoeing all day. Jennie and James picked
strawberries and Jennie took them to Port Perry (the 1st
) and
brought Annie home, the school being closed for holidays. Willie
at school. Mrs. J. Michie called in the evening. Willie A. Leask
died this morning.
28 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Hoeing and fixing line
fence in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with Jennie to
Willie A. Leask’s funeral. A very big turnout. Mr. McKay con-
ducted the service. Willie at school and got promoted to the Sen.
2nd
class. Mrs. Gordon and Edna called in the evening.
29 – A fine day and warm and dry. Scuffled the corn in the fore-
noon while Jennie and the children picked strawberries. In the
afternoon went to Port Perry with berries but sold them all to Mrs.
Thummins. Jennie and Annie at Greenbank in the evening. Jennie
and Bessie Gordon called, also W. Petty.
230
30 – A beautiful day and quite cool. All at SS. Jennie went to see
Henry Love who is very ill; the rest to the Methodist SS anniver-
sary services. Revs. Mr. McKay, Forde and Jordon of Stouffville
were the speakers. George Fowlie and Mary Lamb here for sup-
per.
JULY 1 – A beautiful day. Paris greened potatoes in orchard and
picked berries. Jennie and the children; Mrs. O’Neill; Clarence;
Irene and Billy Lewis at the berries. Mrs. John Michie and boy
Empringham at them for a little while. W. Real; Mrs. G. Baird;
Ray Dusty; and Willie Hill called for berries. After dinner went to
Greenbank and got James Miller’s waggon and then took 4 crates
of berries to Port Perry to ship to Peterborough. Methodist SS
anniversary but did not go. Edna and Annie Gordon here most of
the day.
2 – Another very dry warm day with no sign of rain. Went to Port
Perry in the morning with 2 pigs (the only ones on the place) and
bought an old horse rake for $5.00. Out again in the afternoon
with berries. Annie went with me. Maud Cragg; Mrs. A. Akhurst;
Mame Dusty; Minney Lyle and Sidney Canning picking berries.
Jennie preserving. Jas. Dusty came for Annie and Mame as their
mother was taken suddenly ill.
3 – Another warm day; some thunder to the north but no rain here.
Hoed corn while Jennie; Maud Cragg; Vera Cragg; Mrs. Les Lamb
and children; and Mr. McClintock of Manchester; Jennie Gordon;
Mrs. Akhurst; Sidney Canning were picking berries. Finished
picking at noon. I then went to Greenbank for the mail and bread.
Henry Thomas and Laura here playing. Mr. Hatley and another
young man came for berries for Wick festival tomorrow night.
4 – Hoed corn and finished at noon. Jennie washing. At about 2
o’clock a heavy thunder storm set in which drenched things pretty
well and it was badly needed. N. Lyle; E. Lyle and John Michie
came for a feed of strawberries. A lot of thunder to the north in the
evening but no more rain here. Mr. Blake Cragg and Mrs. W. and
A. Boe called for berries but did not get any; and Mr. Raines for to
see about berries for festival at Saintfield but I did not promise him
any. E. Lyle, A. Akhurst and Mr. Hope, agent for the Fagen home,
called to get a feed of berries.
5 – A big day at the strawberries. Mrs. Van Ness, son and daugh-
ter; Maud Cragg; Vera Cragg; Mrs. Gordon and Jennie; Sidney
Canning; Mame Dusty; Mrs. Akhurst picking and several called
for berries. Went to Greenbank with a crate and to Port Perry with
a load. A big thunder storm came on about 2 o’clock and stopped
the picking.
6 – A fine day and very warm but no rain. Picked a few boxes of
berries and went to Port Perry with 2 crates, one for Peterborough
and one to Mr. Brock. Mr. Gordon; Mrs. Akhurst; Mame Dusty
and Sidney Canning finished picking the berry patch. I then drove
them home with their berries. Stemming berries in the afternoon
while Jennie preserved them. Mrs. John Michie and children here
in the afternoon picking. Mr. Swanick came for berries about 5:30.
Went to Greenbank with the children in the evening. John Michie
called in the evening.
7 – Another warm day. All hands at SS and church. J.M. Real
took my class while I acted as superintendant. Rather small turn-
out. Mr. McKay preached.
8 – A very warm day. Heavy thunder to the N about 2 pm and all
the afternoon but no rain here. Strawberry picking was the order of
the day. Maggie Blair; Maud Cragg; Vera Cragg; Mame Dusty;
Mrs. Gordon and Bessie; Mrs. A. Akhurst; Sidney Canning; Olive
and Florence Lee and others picking and finished about 2:30.
Quite a number called for berries including a man for the 1200
boxes for the Pinedale party. Went to Port Perry with berries.
Willie and James went with me. In the evening drove Maggie
Blair home and went to the church for managers meeting but only
4 were out and no meeting. Saintfield berry festival tonight.
9 – Very warm; a splash of a shower about 2 and thunder showers
locally most of the day. Scuffling nearly all day, potatoes, turnips
and corn. Jennie picking and preserving berries. Mrs. Hooper and
Mrs. O’Leary called and got berries and Mr. McCullah and Mrs.
McDonald did not get any.
10 – Another very warm day with heavy thunder around most of
the day. A shower about 3 and again about 7. Hoeing turnips part
of the time. Mrs. P. Leask here for berries. Maud Cragg picked
some for herself. Jennie and Annie at W.F.M. meeting at the
church. A Mr. Shaw selling lightning rods called and stayed dur-
ing the storm. Then Amos Rodd came about berries. Mr. Mark
Howsam brought back the berry crates from the Pinedale and Wick
strawberry festivals. Mrs. D. Cragg brought us some rhubarb.
11 – A fine day and some cooler. Paris greened the potatoes in the
forenoon and hoed turnips in the afternoon. Mame Dusty; Jennie
and Bessie Gordon; and Sidney Canning picking strawberries.
John Rennie; --- Baird, and Mrs. Frank Dobson came for berries
and after supper Jennie took some to Greenbank. About 9 o’clock
Mrs. Wes Luke and [Perel?] Ewin from Sonya called.
12 – A cooler day. Jennie and Willie went to Port Perry with ber-
ries while I hoed turnips. Jennie and Bessie Gordon; Mame Dusty;
and Sidney Canning picking berries. In the afternoon at prepara-
tory services in the church; a small attendance. John Michie got
his baby girl baptized. Wilbert, James, Keith and Bella Lee joined
the church. Rev. Mr. McCullah preached. A little shower just as
the service was over. While I was at the meeting three men put
lightning rods on the barn. They cost $32.00. Edna and Annie
Gordon and Marie Akhurst here playing.
13 – Dull in the morning. Several showers in the afternoon. Hoe-
ing turnips until the rain came on. Jennie doing housework. After
early supper went with Willie and James for the empty berry
crates. Annie at Akhurst’s. Mrs. W. Real called for berries.
14 – A very fine day. At communion service at Wick with Jennie
and James. Mr. McKay preached. Annie and Willie were at John
Michie’s. At church in the evening with Annie and Willie. Mrs.
John M. left her children here while at church.
15 – Warm and close with thunder most of the day. About 3 a bad
looking storm came up but there was only a few drops here. It then
turned much cooler and the evening was quite chilly. Took James
Miller’s democrat home in the morning and hoed turnips the rest of
231
the day. Mrs. Gordon; Mrs. W. Luke; Jennie Gordon and Sid
Canning picking berries. Mrs. Luke and Mrs. Gordon stayed for
dinner. Mame Dusty here all day helping Jennie to cook for the SS
class supper in the evening which was quite a success, about 40
being here. They stayed until about 11:30. Those that were here
were Peter Leask and wife; A. Akhurst and wife; J. Michie and
wife; Nelson Baird and wife; George, Eva, Cecil, Hugh and Mona
Leask; Stanley and Olive Real; James, Mame and Allie Dusty;
James Lee; Laura Baird; Charles McKague; Ethel Miller; Lilly
O’Neill; Willie Rennie and wife; Harry Guy; James Blair Jr.;
Campbell and Minnie Stone; Roy McDonald; Donald McArthur
and wife; Willie [Cafeley or Capeley?]; --- Baird.
16 – A very fine day. Scuffling in the forenoon. Hoeing turnips in
the afternoon. Jennie cleaning up after the party and picking ber-
ries. She went with Willie and Annie to Greenbank in the evening
with some berries. Mrs. Jas. Lee here for tea.
17 – A beautiful day and not too warm. Turnip hoeing all day.
Jennie picked some berries and went to Port Perry and sent them to
Mary Bell at Brooklin. Annie at Mission Band in the afternoon.
Jennie and children at John Michie’s in the evening with the dishes
she had at the class party.
18 – Hoeing turnips in the forenoon and scuffling mangolds and
corn until rain came on about 3 o’clock. Jennie washing.
19 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips most of the day and scuf-
fling. Jennie went with Mame Dusty to visit Mrs. Willie A. Leask.
20 – A fine day and somewhat dull. Paris greened potatoes in the
forenoon and hoeing turnips in the afternoon. At Port Perry in the
evening. Jennie picking and preserving strawberries.
21 – Rain started about 4 am and a heavy downpour lasted until
about 9. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached.
22 – A fine cool day. Hoeing turnips and finished the first time.
Jennie washing. Annie at Greenbank for mail. Jennie and Bessie
Gordon picking strawberries; about the last of them for the season.
Mrs. John Michie also picking.
23 – A fine cool day. Hoeing corn in the forenoon and helping E.
Lyle to cut his Alsace clover in the afternoon. Jennie picking and
preserving cherries. Annie went for the mail. Sold Donald cow to
Cawker. Boys took in a little firewood.
24 – A very fine cool day; somewhat dull in the morning. Went
for the beef in the morning with Willie and James. Then got Nor-
man Lyle’s mower and cut the strawberry patch and half of the hay
field. Jennie preserving cherries and picking black currants.
Jennie and Annie at prayer meeting at Mrs. Walker’s at Green-
bank. Mr. Brown called wanting berries for the festival at Rodd’s.
25 – Scuffled turnips 2nd
time in the forenoon. In the afternoon,
with the boys, turned hay and as we were hitching up to rake it up,
it started to rain. Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry and brought
Margaret Bell of Winnipeg and Willie Bell of Brooklin.
26 – A fine day and cool. Went with the waggon to Port Perry for
Margaret Bell’s trunk. Willie went with me. Shook out hay and
raked it up, the boys helping. Jennie and Margaret picking and
preserving cherries and black currants. N. Lyle cut his rye, the first
harvest work that I know of.
27 – A very fine cool day. John Michie came up and helped to
draw in the hay that was cut and finished at noon. Cut the rest in
the afternoon with N. Lyle’s mower. Annie at Akhurst’s in the
afternoon.
28 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. M. Bell; Annie and
Willie walked. Mr. McKay preached. George Miller addressed
the SS.
29 – Heavy thunder shower towards morning which soaked the hay
that was cut. Took Donald cow to Port Perry in the morning.
Willie drove down in the buggy. We expected to meet Jessie Bell
but she did not come. Turning out hay in the afternoon while
Willie raked what was drew in on Saturday. Margaret Bell went to
Port Perry and got Jessie Bell on the 5:30 train.
30 – A beautiful day and cool. Scuffled turnips in the morning
then raked up the hay and in the afternoon John Michie helped and
drew in 7 loads which finishes the haying except rakings. Annie at
Greenbank for mail and at Akhurst’s. Jessie Bell dressmaking. R.
Cragg called about school matters.
31 – Hoeing strawberries in the forenoon while Willie raked the
last of the hay field. Drew it in after dinner, then scuffled corn and
mangolds. A little shower about 6:30. Jennie, Jessie Bell, Marga-
ret Bell and Mame Dusty picking berries for Baptist social.
AUG. 1 – A fine day. Plowed the old strawberry patch in the
forenoon. Hoeing in the afternoon. Marg and Jess and Jennie
picking berries and Jennie took 100 boxes to Greenbank for the
Baptist social tonight. R.T. Harrington called after dinner selling
things. Some local thunder showers going around but only a few
drops here.
2 – A fine day. Paris greened the potatoes in the forenoon and
hoed corn in the afternoon. Jennie, Jessie, Marg and Mame Dusty
picking berries. Jennie and James went to Port Perry with a crate
of berries for Mrs. Lamb of Toronto. Mrs. R. Cragg and Wilmot
called in the afternoon. A little rain about 1 pm.
3 – A fine cool day. Marg Bell drove Jessie B. to the morning train
at Port Perry on her way back to Rochester. Scuffling turnips and
hoeing corn and potatoes. Marg and Annie went for the mail in
the afternoon. John Michie and wife went to Port Perry and left
their children here while they were away and got their supper here
on their way home. David Lyle of Uxbridge called.
4 – Some little showers. All hands at SS and church. Marg Bell;
Annie and Willie walked and we were some late. Rev. Mr. Wesley
of Sunderland preached, Mr. McKay being at Sunderland preach-
ing. The pulpit vacant, Mr. W. is leaving. Willie and James got
stung with wasps in the pasture field.
5 – A fine day and quite cool. Hoed most of the day cleaning out
old strawberries. Jennie, Marg and Mary Dusty picking berries all
232
day. John Leask Jr. came for berries and stayed for supper. Mrs.
Smith came for berries. Mr. W. Akhurst and Mr. Edwards called
in the forenoon.
6 – A very fine day and a little warmer. Took 2 crates of berries to
Port Perry to ship to Toronto and met sister Annie Black at the
station. Hoeing strawberries the rest of the day. Annie B. and
Marg Bell picking berries. Jennie and Annie B. at James Lee’s in
the evening. Roy O’Neill and wife called for to see about berries.
7 – A very fine day. Drove Marg Bell, Willie Bell and Annie to
Port Perry to the train on their way to Newcastle. Marg, Jennie,
Annie Black and Mame Dusty picking berries. Hoeing most of the
day. Annie Black and Jessie B. at John Michie’s for the afternoon.
Jennie and Willie at Greenbank in the evening with berries. Mrs.
W. Real called for berries. Annie Black got a letter from her home
saying they had been hailed out badly.
8 – Rain through the night and all through the forenoon until about
1 o’clock. Did little but clean out the pig and hen house. Jennie
and Annie Black went over to Willie O’Neill’s for tea. When they
came home John Leask was here for berries but did not get any.
He took Annie Black home with him.
9 – Jas. Lee came after Jennie about 3:30 am and she came back
for an hour or two then went back until the middle of the afternoon
when she came home for awhile, when Jim came again in haste for
her and she did not get home until morning. Mrs. Lee got a daugh-
ter. Mrs. Dusty and Mame picking berries in the afternoon. Spent
most of the day fixing the fence on the concession. Some little
showers in the afternoon and heavy rains in the evening.
10 – Fearful rain all through the night and everything very wet.
Jennie came home from Jim Lee’s and I drove over to James
Leask’s and got Annie Black. In the afternoon went to Greenbank
and got 12 cement tiles for the road. Willie and James went with
me. Went to Port Perry in the evening. Mrs. Dusty and Mame
here in the afternoon picking berries. Jennie and Annie B. picking
and preserving berries. A little rain about 4:30.
11 – Rain most of the day off and on. We all got ready for church
but it was raining about starting time so Jennie and James did not
go. J.M. Real was not there so it fell to me to act as superinten-
dent. There was a small attendance. Mr. McKay preached. Annie
Black and Jessie B. went to Mrs. Walker’s for the night. They are
going to Mara tomorrow. Went over with Jennie and the boys to
Jim Lee’s in the evening and saw the new baby.
12 – Very little rain today. In the morning, with Willie, hunted up
the cattle in Norman Lyle’s swamp, then went down to J. Michie’s
and then picked berries. Afternoon went with John Michie to a bee
to clean up the graveyard on the 12th
concession. Those present
were Jas. Leask; Jas. H. Leask; Peter Leask; Robbie Leask; Jas.
Blair; Nelse Baird; W. Hall; John Michie; and I. and D. McArthur.
Jennie; Mrs. S. Dusty; Mame Dusty and Mrs. A. Akhurst picking
berries.
13 – A fine day and no rain. Went to Port Perry in the morning
with berries, then scuffled turnips 3rd
time and strawberries. Jennie
washing and picking and preserving berries and getting up her
topic for the W.F.M. meeting which is to be held at Mrs. D.
McDonald’s tomorrow. Miss Gertie Stovin called in the evening
for berries but did not get any. E. Lyle threshing his Alsace clover.
14 – A very fine day. Got up at 4 am and drove Jennie to Port
Perry on her way to excursion to Niagara Falls. She is to join
Annie, Margaret Bell, Mabel Bell and Helen and Douglas Patton at
Brooklin. Willie and James went with me to Port Perry. Hoed
turnips in the forenoon. Mame Dusty here until after dinner. In
the afternoon, with horse, was helping John Michie to cut oats.
The boys were there also. Just as we were started to John’s a man
called and got dinner. He says he was looking for work.
15 – A very fine day. Helping John Michie to cut from 9 to 5, then
went to Port Perry for Jennie, Margaret Bell and Annie. Mame
Dusty here all day picking berries and Mrs. Dusty in the afternoon.
Drove Mame Dusty home after I got home from Port Perry. Annie
and Jessie came from the north.
16 – A beautiful day. John Michie came up in the morning with
his binder and cut the field N of the barn and finished about 4 pm.
He then went to Jim Lee’s. Jennie drove Annie and Jessie Black to
Archie Black’s on Scugog. Marg picking berries. Boys down at
John Michie’s.
17 – Hoeing turnips, 2nd
time, all day. Started to rain about 6:30
pm. Marg making dress for Mary Patton. Annie went for the mail.
Boys at John Michie’s after supper.
18 – Rain through the night and some in the afternoon. All but
Marg at SS and church. Mr. McKay preached. Russell Wallace of
Toronto sang a solo.
19 – A fine day and harvesting going on all around. Hoeing tur-
nips, 2nd
time, and finished the job. Jennie and Marg Bell picking
berries and dressmaking. Annie and Willie at Mission Band.
20 – A very foggy morning and harvesting was late in starting.
John Michie came up with horse and cut the SW field while I
shocked it up. Marg Bell dressmaking.
21 – A very fine day though somewhat dull. John Michie came up
and we cut the field W of house and finished about 3:30. We then
went down to John’s and cut until about 7. Marg Bell dressmak-
ing. Annie at Akhurst’s. Willie went for the mail.
22 – A little rain in the morning. Helped John Michie at cutting
oats from 9 to 5 and he finished cutting. Jennie and Annie started
for Port Perry about 4 pm but discovered that 5 cattle had got out
of the swamp field so they drove around to John’s and after getting
supper, Annie came home while Jennie and I went on the hunt.
We found them over near Tim Cragg’s house and 2 in Phair’s
pasture.. Rain came on while on the road and we took shelter in
Jim Lee’s barn. Marg Bell milked the cows. Willie at John’s
during the rain.
23 – Several quite heavy showers and cool. Hoeing strawberries
all day and finished. Jennie and Annie at Port Perry in the after-
noon. Marg Bell dressmaking.
233
24 – Not so bad looking in the morning but there was rain before
noon and after. Harrowed old strawberry patch. In the afternoon
went to Greenbank for the mail and while there a heavy thunder
shower passed over while I took shelter in the hall shed. Took the
stove in from the woodshed.
25 – A high wind during the night and a fine day and no rain. All
at SS and church. Marg and Annie walked. Mr. Mann of Wood-
ville preached. Marg stayed at J.M. Real’s for tea and Willie and I
went for her after supper. Jennie, Annie and James at Jas. Lee’s
and I went for them after.
26 – Spent most of the day setting up oat shocks and many of them
were growing. Got done about 3 o’clock and at 5 a terrific thunder
storm came up with a very high wind which blew them all over
again and blew down one of the maple trees between the house and
barn. It was very dark at supper time and the lamp was lit. Mrs.
John Michie and children here in the afternoon getting a dress
fitted.
27 – A very fine cool day and no rain. Set up shocks again.
Trimmed up the tree blown down yesterday. Reconstructed piece
of line fence and other things. Jennie and Marg down to John
Michie’s making dress for Mrs. M. Annie at Greenbank for the
mail.
28 – Went for the beef in the morning. Willie went with me. We
then drew in 2 little loads of oats (the first of the season) but it was
in poor order. After dinner Jennie, Margaret Bell and Annie went
to Port Perry. While they were away it started a fine drizzle of
rain. When they came home we drew in one more load while it
was raining. Willie and James at W. Thomas’ playing. Marg
packing up to start for Winnipeg tomorrow.
29 – A very fine day and no rain. Got up early and took Margaret
Bell to the morning train at Port Perry on her way back to Winni-
peg. Then finished hoeing strawberries. After dinner threw out
some oat shocks and went over to Jim Lee’s to offer him help to
draw in but he thought it was not very fit so I came home and with
the boys help drew in 3 little loads. Edna and Annie Gordon,
Marie Akhurst, Laura Thomas and Gertie Phoenix here playing.
30 – A beautiful day. James Lee helping all day to draw in oats.
Annie went for the mail and did not get home until after six and
there was word from Jessie Bell saying she was coming on the six
train. I started to go to Port Perry for her but met her in the swamp
walking. Jennie making pants for Willie.
31 – A little rain through the night and morning. Went over to Jim
Lee’s to draw in but it was not fit so I went to Port Perry for Jessie
Bell’s trunk. At Jim Lee’s in the afternoon drawing in.
SEPT. 1 – Thunder shower about 3 am and again about 6 and
more later on. All but Jessie Bell at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached.
2 – Foggy and warm. Heavy thunder shower about 11:30 and a
little rain in the afternoon. Set up oat shocks in the forenoon while
Willie raked the field W of the house. Put in the tile across the
road about directly west of our house in the afternoon. About 5
o’clock Mr. and Mrs. S. Henry of Port Perry came and stayed for
tea. Annie at S. Dusty’s and went to Port Perry with Mr. Henry to
start High School tomorrow. Jess Bell making coat. Jennie wash-
ing and churning.
3 – Got up early and Jessie Bell drove Jennie, the boys and I to
Port Perry to the morning train on our way to Toronto fair. Got to
the grounds about 10:30 and stayed until the fireworks at night,
then by car to Mrs. Jas. Mason’s and stayed all night. Big crowds
and a great show. The Scots Guards band and Bessos of the Barn
band was the chief attraction in the music line. The Siege of Del-
phi was shown at night. No rain but threatening most of the day.
4 – Jennie and the boys stayed at Mason’s and about the city while
I went to the fair. Met them at Eaton’s at 4 o’clock and I and the
boys came home while Jennie stayed. Jessie Bell met us at Port
Perry.
5 – Jim Lee came over in the morning to see about drawing in.
Threw out the shocks in the SW field in the forenoon and helped
Jim Lee to draw in in the afternoon. Just as we got off the last load
about 6:15 a thunder storm started and there was quite a rain and
much lightning.
6 – Very warm and thunder between 4 and 5 pm but no rain here.
Scuffled the strawberries in the forenoon and in the afternoon set
up the sheaves that I threw out yesterday. In the evening went to
Port Perry for Jennie and Annie. Young Jessie Bell who came up
from Brooklin on the morning train also came with us. Mrs. Ralph
Somerville died.
7 – A beautiful cool day with drying NW wind and no rain; the
finest day for quite awhile. Plowing most of the day. After supper
drew in a load of oats. Willie burst the load. Annie and Jessie Bell
Jr. went for the mail.
8 – A very fine day. At SS with Jennie, Annie and Jessie Bell Jr.
James did not go as he was not very well. Mrs. Ralph Somerville’s
funeral was held. There was a large turnout. Mr. McKay con-
ducted the service. In the evening I drove Annie to Port Perry for
school tomorrow and attended the Presbyterian service which was
held in the basement as they are painting the church. Rev. Mr.
Richards, a retired Methodist minister, preached and a good ser-
mon it was.
9 – Another very fine day. Jim Lee came over and helped to draw
in the last of the oats. Finished about 2 pm. I then went over and
helped him to finish about 6 o’clock. Jennie and Jessie Bell Jr. at
Greenbank in the afternoon. Boys at school.
10 – A fine day and very warm. Raked part of SW field and drew
it in which finishes harvest. Plowing in the afternoon. Jessie Bell
dressmaking. Boys at school. Jennie washing.
11 – A little rain in the morning but soon cleared up and a fine day.
Plowing all day. Jennie and Jessie Bell Jr. at missionary meeting
at Mrs. Jas. McMillan’s; a quilt on hand. Boys at school.
12 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jessie Bell Jr. went for the
mail. Boys at school. Mrs. John Michie called in the afternoon.
234
13 – A beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon. Intended to go to
A. Akhurst’s threshing in the afternoon but did not hear the whistle
so did not go but hoed strawberries while Jennie and Jessie Bell Jr.
went to Port Perry for Annie. This is Port Perry fair. Jennie, An-
nie and Jessie Bell Jr. at Jim Lee’s in the evening.
14 – A beautiful day. Threshing at A. Akhurst’s in the forenoon
and about an hour after, then at Norman Lyle’s (W. Taylor’s ma-
chine). Jessie Bell and Jennie dressmaking.
15 – At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, James and Jessie Bell
Jr. Rained most of the way going and about all the time while
there and heavily while coming home. Mr. McKay preached.
Willie did not go as he was not very well.
16 – A very fine day. Threshing at Norman Lyle’s in the forenoon
and at James S. Lee’s in the afternoon and finished him. Jennie
drove Annie to Port Perry school. Boys at school. Willie at Mis-
sion Band practice.
17 – A fine day. Cut track round corn in the morning and plowed
awhile then Norman Lyle came with his corn binder and cut a little
before dinner. Finished in the afternoon, then drew some of it to
the fence side. Boys at school. Jessie Bell Jr. went down to John
Michie’s for bread.
18 – Rain in the early morning. Plowing all day. Mrs. A. Gordon
and Jennie Gordon here for tea. Boys at school. John Michie
came with beef. He was at the beef ring meeting last night and
drew No. 3. The ring to start on the 3rd
week in May next year.
19 – Heavy thunder shower about 5 in the morning. Plowing in the
forenoon and drawing off corn in the afternoon. Boys at school.
Willie came home covered with the hives. Jessie Bell Jr. at
Gordon’s for bread.
20 – A little rain through the night. Plowing in the morning, then
Jennie took Jessie Bell Jr. to Port Perry on her way home and
brought Annie home. Then in the afternoon went with Jennie and
Annie to preparatory service in the church; Rev. G. Millar of P.E.I.
preached. Mrs. [Oxatley?] joined by certificate. After the Mission
Band held a meeting. James at school. Willie not very well.
21 – A fine day. Drawing corn in the forenoon and finished the
job. In the afternoon got N. Lyle’s mower and with Jennie’s help
cut the buckwheat which appears to be a pretty good crop. Edna
Gordon here for supper.
22 – Went with Jennie to communion service at Greenbank. A
pretty good turnout; Mr. McKay preached. Heavy rain started
about 5:30 and continued through the evening.
23 – A terrible rain through the night. Went to Port Perry in the
morning with Annie to school and met Lizzie Perrin on the train
and brought her home. In the afternoon, with John Michie, helped
Norman Lyle to cut the buckwheat and corn that we bought from
him. The mower was almost mired in the mud some places. Boys
at school. Jessie Bell dressmaking. A very fine evening.
24 – Rain through the night and all day. It kept up a sort of a fine
drizzle from the S. Plowed until about 11 by which time I was
getting pretty wet. Cleaned out pig house and grainery in the af-
ternoon. Norman Lyle called for a visit. Boys at school. Jennie
went after them.
25 – Drove Lizzie Perrin to morning train at Port Perry. Water
over the concession almost up to the front axle of the buggy.
Plowing the rest of the day. Boys at school. Jessie Bell making
lining for Jennie’s fur coat.
26 – Plowing all day. Rain about 8 in the morning. Boys started to
school but turned back when the rain came on. Jessie Bell making
silk dress for Jennie.
27 – A fine day and no rain. Plowed until 3 pm when Jennie went
to Port Perry for Annie and took Jessie Bell’s trunk. Turned the
buckwheat which was growing where it lay on the ground. Boys at
school. Jessie Bell making Jennie’s dress.
28 – Dull all day and almost at the point of raining anytime and
started about 6 pm and drizzled through the evening. Drove Jessie
Bell to Port Perry in the morning to the train on her way home to
Rochester. Willie and Annie harrowed the field west of the house
twice over. Dug the early potatoes in the orchard and Jennie and
the children helped to pick them up; about 20 bags; a good crop.
29 – Rain most of the night but turned out a fine day but pretty
cool. All hands at SS and church. Children’s day service.
30 – Rain about 11 and some in the afternoon and evening. Drove
Annie to Port Perry school and then went to Manchester with road
list. Called at Les Lamb’s. Digging potatoes in the afternoon,
Jennie helping. Boys at school. Cutting off green corn for canning
in the evening.
OCT. 1 – Rain off and on all night but turned out a fine day but
pretty cool. Plowing in the forenoon and digging potatoes, Jennie
helping. Got in about 20 bags, good crop. Jennie making bread,
chili sauce and canning corn. Boys at school.
2 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes all day, Jennie helping, and
got in 31 bags which finishes the job; a very good crop. Boys at
school. Mr. David Lyle of Uxbridge called.
3 – A fine day with a little rain about 5 pm. Scuffled strawberries
and turned buckwheat in the forenoon and plowing in the after-
noon. Finished the SW field. John Michie called. Jennie making
pickles. Boys at school.
4 – A beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon and in the afternoon
drew home the corn that grew among the buckwheat at Norman
Lyle’s and cut what was left of the corn near the barn pump.
Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school.
5 – A beautiful warm day. Plowing in the forenoon. In the after-
noon, with Jennie’s help, drew in some buckwheat but did not
finish. Annie at Akhurst’s. Henry Thomas here in the afternoon.
Mrs. John Michie left Jean here while she went to Greenbank.
6 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. All at Port Perry in the evening and at Presbyterian
church; a stranger preached. Their church looks very nice being
newly painted inside. We left Annie at Port Perry for school.
235
7 – A very fine day with high NW wind. With Jennie’s help drew
in the last of the buckwheat in the forenoon. In the afternoon John
Michie helped me to draw over the buckwheat which we bought
from Norman Lyle (2 little loads). Mrs. John and children also
here. At church managers meeting in the evening. All were pre-
sent. The Wick manse question was up, no action taken. Boys at
school.
8 – A very fine day. At the mangolds all day and got them all in; 8
loads. Jennie washing. Boys at school. About 8 pm. Rev. W.A.
McKay came and stayed all night.
9 – Mr. McKay left for Jim Lee’s about 9 am. Plowing the rest of
the forenoon. Rain started about noon and continued all afternoon.
Jennie intended to go to W.F.M. meeting but the rain stopped her,
but she went to meet the boys at school. Throwing back mangolds
in the root house.
10 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. No school; teachers con-
vention at Port Perry. A. Akhurst brought Annie home from
school. Jennie and children picked up the down apples. R.T.
Harrington here for dinner. He was taking orders for different
articles.
11 – A dull day and threatening rain several times. Went to
Greenbank in the morning to get the buggy wheel fixed but did not
get it done, then plowed until about 11 when I went to E. Lyle’s
and helped to thresh until dark (W. Taylor’s machine). Jennie
went to Port Perry in the afternoon and brought out Jessie Smith
who had been attending the teachers convention.
12 – Very heavy thunder shower between 1 and 2 am. A very high
wind most of the day. Threshing at E. Lyle’s and finished about
9:30, then at Sam Dusty’s. The high wind made it almost impossi-
ble to make a straw stack; thought they would have to quit. Jennie,
Annie and Jessie Smith at Greenbank in the afternoon.
13 – Cool and a little rain about 12:30. All at SS and church. I
walked. Annie went with A. Akhurst and Jennie, Willie, James
and Jessie Smith in the buggy. A Mr. Best, a student, preached a
very good sermon. John Michie, wife and children here for tea.
14 – A beautiful day. Took Annie and Jessie Smith to Port Perry
in the morning. Got home and just hitched up to plow when Nor-
man Lyle came over and wanted me to go for him to W. Thomas’
threshing so I threshed from about 10 am until 6 pm. Boys at
school. Jennie making dress for herself.
15 – A very fine day but quite cool. Threshing at W. Thomas’ and
finished a little before 5 pm. Jennie at quilting bee at E. Lyle’s.
Boys at school.
16 – A beautiful day. Quite a hard frost in the morning. Plowing
in the forenoon and picking up fallen apples in the afternoon. Boys
at school. Mrs. John Michie brought her baby and left her here
while she went to Port Perry.
17 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with a
load of apples to the evaporator and in the afternoon, with Jennie,
picked and packed 3 barrels of apples for Winnipeg. In the eve-
ning at school trustee meeting at R. Cragg’s. Engaged Miss Toole
again until next midsummer at the rate of $600.00 and Miss War-
ren for a year for $450.00. A beautiful evening. Boys at school.
18 – A very fine day. Picking apples with Jennie in the forenoon
and in the afternoon took them to the evaporator. Jennie went with
me. Brought Annie home. Boys at school. Rain in the evening.
19 – Rain through the night. A fine day. Plowing mangold and
potato ground. Jennie at John Michie’s in the afternoon. Children
at W. Thomas’.
20 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. Sidney Kenney here in the evening. [Note: prior to this
in the diary Robert noted Sidney’s last name as being Canning].
21 – A beautiful Indian summer day. Drove Annie to Port Perry
school in the morning. Drew out manure the rest of the day. Boys
at school.
22 – Plowing in the forenoon and a little while after dinner. A
little drizzle of rain most of the afternoon and evening. Picked
over some of the potatoes in the cellar as there is a great deal of
rotten potatoes this fall. We only found about half a dozen in an
hour picking. Boys at school. Jennie went down to John Michie’s.
23 – Rain most of the night and until about 9 am; cool day. Plow-
ing sod. Boys did not go to school. Jennie at W.F.M. meeting at
the church. Got word that Rev. J.M. Cameron is dead.
24 – Plowing sod until about 10 am when a cold rain from the N
came on and continued until about the middle of the afternoon.
Plowed awhile after the rain ceased. Jennie making shirts for me
and the boys. Boys at school.
25 – Dull day and threatening rain often and some drizzly mist.
Plowing sod in the forenoon. Went to Annie at Port Perry in the
afternoon. Boys at school. In the evening all hands at W.F.M.
thank offering social in the church. A fairly good turnout; Rev.
Mr. Rohold of the Toronto Jewish Mission gave a very interesting
address and Andy McPhail of Uxbridge sang. $28.75 was the
proceeds.
26 – A fine day and no rain. Plowing in the forenoon and in the
afternoon, with Jennie and the children, finished picking the ap-
ples.
27 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. Mrs. James Lee and baby came in for tea and Jim came
over for them later. Sidney Kenney here in the evening.
28 – Thanksgiving day which was spent by working all day. Plow-
ing in the forenoon and topping turnips in the afternoon, Jennie and
the boys helping. Annie at A. Gordon’s in the afternoon. The
Methodist League have a chicken pie social.
29 – A very fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school. At
Phair’s in the afternoon helping to draw corn. Jennie baking.
Boys at school.
30 – Colder with high NW wind. Harrowed out turnips in the
forenoon and drew in in the afternoon, Jennie helping. Got in 7
236
loads. Willie at school. James did not go as he has what appears
to be a ringworm on his cheek.
31 – A very fine day. Drew in one load of turnips when John
Michie brought word that the threshing machine was coming after
dinner so I had to warn the hands while Jennie and James went to
Port Perry for meat etc. She took James to the Dr. and got some
stuff for the ringworm on his face. The machine came and started
to thresh about 2:30 and worked until dark. James Blair Jr. stayed
all night.
NOV. 1 – Rain through the night and until about 9 am so we could
not thresh until then. Finished about 2 pm. They then started for
John Michie’s. They decided to go around by the 10th
concession.
They got along all right until going in John’s lane when they got
bogged in the mud twice and spent all afternoon getting out.
Threshed about half an hour. Jennie and James went to Port Perry
for Annie. She then came down to John’s to help get the supper.
2 – A quite hard frost in the morning which did not thaw out all
day. Threshing at John Michie’s and finished about 4:30 pm.
They then moved to Isaac O’Neill’s. Jennie and the children were
also there.
3 – Pretty cold day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. Ground white with snow in the morning.
4 – Pretty cool day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school in the morn-
ing. Just got home when Mrs. Joyce of Sutton came and in the
afternoon Jennie and her were visiting at John Michie’s and Sam
Dusty’s. Willie at school. Drew in 7 loads of turnips alone. W.
Whiteford came down with a made over democrat buggy which I
bought for $20.00.
5 – A very fine day. At the turnips all day; the boys helping all day
and Jennie in the afternoon. Got in 12 loads. Mrs. Joyce left after
dinner for Mrs. Phair’s and Alex Gordon’s. I drove her up to Mrs.
Walker’s in the evening. This is U.S. presidential election day.
The candidates are Taft, Roosevelt and Wilson. [margin note:
Wilson elected president of U.S.].
6 – At turnips, Jennie and the boys helping. Got in 9 loads. Rain
came on about 3 pm and we had to quit. Rain in the evening and
very dark.
7 – Rain through the night made the ground so wet that nothing
could be done on the land. Filled in some washouts on the road
hill and several other little jobs. Boys at school.
8 – Some frost in the morning. At the turnips; Jennie helping; and
got in 8 loads which finished the job. Got done about 3 pm. I then
drove to Port Perry for Annie. Water quite deep across concession.
Boys at school.
9 – Rather a fine day. Plowing until about 3 when, with the boys, I
went to Greenbank for the mail. Took W. Whiteford 2 bags of
potatoes. Annie at A. Akhurst’s.
10 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Mr. Ford of Baptist
church preached on Bible Society work.
11 – A very fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school then scuf-
fled strawberry patch. Jennie washing. Boys went to school but
Miss Warren, their teacher, was sick so they came home again. In
the afternoon, with Jennie and the boys help, drew in some of the
corn.
12 – Drawing in corn in the morning, Jennie helping, and finished
the job. Boys went to school but came home again as Miss Warren
is still on the sick list. In the afternoon went to Mrs. Adam’s sale
on Lot 13 on the 7th
concession. It started to rain a little before I
got there and quite hard most of the time the sale was going on and
all the way home. Came home by the 8th
concession, a road I never
travelled before. A pretty good turnout and cattle went high.
13 – Great rain through the night and off and on all day from the E;
a very dull dreary day. Threw back the turnips in the root house
and got the young cattle tied up. About 1 o’clock Clarence O’Neill
came up to tell us that old Isaac had just died. I went down with
him and with Marshall O’Neill, David Cragg and John Michie
helped to lay him out. John Michie brought the mail.
14 – Clear in the morning but soon got dull and most of the after-
noon it was sprinkling rain. Spreading straw on strawberry plants
in the forenoon and drawing out more straw in the afternoon; boys
helping. Jennie down to Mrs. O’Neill’s in the forenoon.
15 – Pretty cold day. Spread the last of straw on strawberry patch
in the forenoon. In the afternoon, with Jennie, at Isaac O’Neill’s
funeral. Not a very large turnout. Mr. McKay conducted the ser-
vice. Went to graveyard with John Michie while Jennie and the
boys went to Port Perry for Annie. Freezing hard.
16 – Hard frost in the morning. Put on storm doors and windows.
Children taking in firewood in the forenoon. Helping Jim Lee to
draw in corn in the afternoon. Annie at Greenbank for mail.
17 – Pretty cold day and hailing a little sometimes. All hands at SS
and church; Mr. McKay preached.
18 – Frost in the morning. Drove Annie to Port Perry school.
Plowing orchard in the afternoon. Jennie washing and down at
John Michie’s making a dress for Jean. Boys at school.
19 – A very fine day. Plowing sod (water pretty deep some
places). Jennie housecleaning. Boys at school. The Bell tele-
phone men putting up poles on the road by this place.
20 – A very fine day. Plowing sod most of the day. After dinner
went up to W. Thomas’ and helped to raise the superstructure over
his new pig house. Jennie at W.F.M.S. meeting at the church and
stayed at Mrs. Walker’s for the evening when I and the boys went
to the guild meeting which was fairly well attended. After the
meeting had a talk with Mr. McKay on the manse question. Boys
at school.
21 – Another beautiful day. Plowing all day. Jennie houseclean-
ing. Boys at school.
22 – A beautiful day. Drove boys to school and Jennie as far as A.
Gordon’s and went on to Greenbank and got another seat put on
237
the democrat which took all forenoon. Plowed awhile after dinner
and then drove to Port Perry for Annie.
23 – A fine day and somewhat raw. Plowing all day. Jennie half
laid up with sore throat.
24 – Started to snow from the E and continued all day; a nasty day.
Jennie did not go to church as she had a sore throat. All the rest
there; Mr. McKay preached. A managers meeting after.
25 – Snow through the night and drifts with NW wind. Drove
Annie to Port Perry school (roads very bad). Did not do much in
the afternoon. Norman Lyle called and got 11 pullets and brought
over a rooster. Boys did not go to school. A winter-like day.
26 – Boys at school. Did some little jobs in the forenoon and put
tar paper around little apple trees in the afternoon. Jennie making
pants for James. Norman Lyle called and got 4 hens.
27 – Cold day and snowing sometimes. Drove the boys to school
and cleaned up the shop in the afternoon.
28 – A fine sharp day. Cleaned out hen and pig houses and a num-
ber of other little jobs. Willie at school. James did not go as he
had a pain in his stomach. Mrs. Isaac O’Neill and Irene called.
Jennie sewing.
29 – A fine day; some snow in the evening. Drew in what was left
of the wood pile and did some other chores. Jennie went to Port
Perry for Annie and took 3 sacks of potatoes to go to Mary Bell.
Boys at school.
30 – Rather fine day. Cleaned out colt’s pen and a few little jobs.
After dinner the children went to W.H. Leask’s to practice for the
Christmas tree. They drove over in the cutter which is the first
time they ever were away from home with a horse alone. Irene
O’Neill came up and Jennie made her a dress (nearly). The tele-
phone men put up the wires along our road today and Mrs. Phair,
E. Lyle; A. Akhurst and John Michie got phones in.
DEC. 1 – A fine mild day; thawing a little. All hands at SS and
church; Mr. McKay preached.
2 – Rain in the morning. Waited to see if it would cease but started
late to Port Perry with Annie. Did some chores in the afternoon.
In the evening (a very dark night) at special managers meeting in
the church to again consider the manse question. John Herren and
R. Baird were there from Wick. A settlement looks more probable.
Did not get home until after 12. Irene O’Neill here in the after-
noon and Jennie making her a dress.
3 – Some frost in the morning and a fine day. E. Lyle came down
in the morning and wanted me to put in cement tile across the road
near A. Akhurst’s gate which he was to do as road work so I put
them in. At farmers institute meeting in the Temperance Hall. Not
many out. Professor Shaw was the speaker and was good. Jennie
washing. Boys at school.
4 – A very fine mild day. Plowing all day. Boys at school. Jennie
sewing.
Greenbank Temperance Hall, c1900
5 – A beautiful mild day; a little frost in the morning. Plowing all
day. Mary Dusty here getting Jennie to cut out a dress for her.
Ethel Miller and Olive Lee called, they were collecting for the
Bible Society. John Michie bought from James Lee a heifer for
next year’s beef ring for $26.00. Boys at school.
6 – Plowed in the forenoon. In the afternoon Jennie went to Port
Perry for Annie while I walked to preparatory service in the
church. Rev. Mr. Miller of Quaker Hill preached. Jennie and
Bessie Gordon united with the church and James S. Lee’s and Tom
Claught’s babies were baptized. Boys at school.
7 – A little snow on the ground in the morning and a little frost.
Plowing most of the day. Some colder towards night.
8 – Mild in the morning but got very cold and rough with high NW
wind. Went alone to communion at Wick. Not out at night on
account of the rough night.
9 – Cold day with high NW wind. Drove Annie to Port Perry
school (roads pretty rough). Cut down some dead trees in the
orchard and drew them to the wood shed. Jennie washing. Boys at
school. Norman Lyle here for dinner.
10 – Got up early and met Mary Dusty at the head of our road at 5
am and she drove Allie Dusty and I to Blackwater; then by train to
Lindsay to attend conference on SS work. Was disappointed with
result as there was so little time left to that end. R. Baird; Nellie
Beaton and Mr. McKay were there from their congregations. Jim
Dusty came to Blackwater for us (pretty dark night). Boys at
school. High SW wind.
11 – A fine day. Went over in the morning to see Jim Lee, then S.
Sleep came and stayed for dinner and bought old Ned cow.
Bagged up 12 bags of oats and took them (on the waggon) to Gib-
son’s mill but did not get it home. Took Jennie up to W.F.M.
meeting at Jas. Miller’s. This is the annual meeting. Mrs. R. Real
was chosen president. John Michie and A. Akhurst just finished
putting partitions across the church sheds. John Leask and wife
moved today to James Blair’s to spend the remainder of their days
if they are content to stay there. Boys at school.
12 – Snowing some several times during the day. Went to Gib-
son’s mill for the meal in the morning. Jennie went to Greenbank
in the afternoon with yarn for Mrs. Walker to knit. Boys at school.
238
13 – Snowing a little sometimes. Drove the boys to school and
called at J.M. Real’s. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon for An-
nie.
14 – A fine mild day. Spent the forenoon visiting Norman Lyle
and Mrs. I. O’Neill. Jessie Michie called to see us. She, with her
mother, returned from the NW yesterday. Edna Gordon and the
children spent the forenoon skating on the pond in the swamp field.
In the afternoon went with Willie to cow sale at Port Perry but did
not buy any. Annie at Christmas tree practice in the church.
15 – A fine mild day; a little rain sometimes. All hands at SS and
church. Mr. Dickie of Toronto preached.
16 – A fine day. Took Ned Bones cow to Seagrave. Jennie took
Annie to Port Perry school and then drove to meet me. In the
afternoon got 2 little pigs from John Michie and ground the axe.
At managers meeting in the evening. Boys at school.
17 – Somewhat raw with E wind. Cutting wood for E. Lyle on the
Luke place near the sideroad. Jennie at Alex Gordon’s all day
making the girls dresses. Boys at school.
18 – A very fine day and thawing some. Cutting wood for E. Lyle.
Jennie at Gordon’s making dress for Bessie. Boys at school. In
the evening went with Jennie and the boys to Guild meeting in
church. Went up to R. Cragg’s before the meeting and had a talk
on school matters. An after meeting to choose SS helps for next
year. A pretty good turnout.
19 – About 5 inches of snow on the ground and somewhat rough in
the forenoon. Boys did not go to school. Did some little jobs.
Bessie Gordon here in the afternoon getting her dress finished.
Arthur called for her on his way home from Port Perry.
20 – A very fine day. Making hand sleigh in the forenoon and in
the afternoon, with Jennie and the boys, went to Port Perry Christ-
mas fair. A big turnout. Everybody from those parts there.
Brought Annie home. Henry Love died.
21 – A very fine day and snowing a very little sometimes. Work-
ing at hand sleigh in the forenoon and in the afternoon at bee at
church cutting the logs that have lain behind the church for some
time. Got it all cut up. The children at practice at the church for
the Christmas tree.
22 – Somewhat cold and rough. All hands at SS and church. This
was Henry Love’s funeral and the church was full. Mr. McKay
preached. Rev. Mr. Ford was also present.
23 – A fine day. In the morning went with Jennie to the church
and helped to decorate for Christmas tree. Got home about 1
o’clock. All hands at Christmas tree in the evening. The basement
was packed and it went off all right. My class gave me a fine
wicker rocking chair and Jennie’s class gave her a fruit set. Pro-
ceeds about $21.00.
24 – A beautiful day. Spent all day with James Leask canvassing
the congregation for minister’s stipend. Started at A. Akhurst’s
then up to new road then to the 12th
concession, then east, and got
dinner at W. Rennie’s. Then west along the 14th
and got as far as
D. McDonald’s when night came on.
25 - A beautiful day and a very quiet Christmas here. Finished
hand sleigh in the forenoon. Jim Lee and his father called. John
Michie, wife and children here for dinner. Then Jennie and Mrs.
John went to Greenbank for the mail. A parcel came from Jessie
Bell with watches for the boys.
26 – A very fine day. Walked up in the forenoon to the public
school meeting. There was a very small attendance. R. Cragg, the
retiring trustee, was re-elected. Jim Burns, who has been living for
several years in the NW, was there. Got dinner at J.M. Real’s and
in the afternoon, with James Leask, did some more canvassing for
church funds. Went on the 11th
and 12th
concessions west of
Greenbank and then to Jas. Blair’s where we got supper, then
home. Jennie and the children went to Port Perry. They got an
express parcel from Marg Bell of Winnipeg which turned out to be
a small electric motor.
27 – A fine morning but got somewhat rough during the afternoon.
Met James Leask at the new road and we canvassed the village for
church funds and finished the job about 2 o’clock. Got dinner at
John Lee’s. Edna and Annie Gordon and Marie Akhurst here most
of the day.
28 – A very fine day. Cutting wood for E. Lyle in the swamp all
day. Children did most of the chores.
29 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. Mrs. and Mrs. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Maitland
and two sons and several other visitors were present.
30 – Snowing a little most of the day. Cutting wood in the wood-
shed. About 1 pm John Michie, who went to Port Perry with the
sleigh for his mother and Jessie, brought Aunt Mary Slemen and
Mabel of Port Hope. Annie and Willie drove to Mission Band
meeting at Mrs. McMillan’s. In the evening went with Jennie to
annual Sunday School meeting. Not a very large turnout. J.M.
Real was re-elected superintendant.
31 – A fine day and thawing a little. Cutting wood all day for E.
Lyle in the Luke’s swamp. Annie at A. Akhurst’s most of the day.
Alex Gordon and wife called for a bag of potatoes.
1913
JAN. 1 – A beautiful day. Cutting wood for E. Lyle in Luke’s
swamp in the forenoon and in the afternoon hitched up the sleigh
and took all the family and Aunt Mary Slemon and Mabel to
Greenbank for the mail and came home around by the 12th
conces-
sion.
2 – A very fine day. Cutting wood for E. Lyle all day. Annie at
Gordon’s. Henry Thomas here in the afternoon. Thawing some.
3 – Drove Aunt Mary Slemon and Mabel to Port Perry on their
way home. James went with us. Took the democrat as the sleigh-
ing is somewhat thin. Started to snow a little before we got
239
to Port Perry and coming home it was pretty bad, which continued
all afternoon and evening. Cut some wood in the woodshed.
Jennie sewing.
4 – Colder and somewhat rough. Took 12 bags of oats to Gibson’s
mill and got them ground. Roads some drifted.
5 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church (drove sleigh). Mr.
McKay preached. Choosing teachers in SS.
6 – Rain through the night and pretty soft and slushy. Drove the
boys to school and went on to Greenbank to vote for councilmen.
Voted for McIntyre for reeve and Stone, Baird and Bowles for
council. Jennie drove Annie to Port Perry school while I put new
bottom in washing machine. Colder towards night.
7 – Snowing from the E during the forenoon. Towards night it
turned to hail. Boys did not go to school.
8 – Pretty cold day. Drove the boys to school and on to Greenbank
for the mail. Cutting wood for E. Lyle in Luke’s swamp in the
afternoon and finished the job. In the evening at congregational
meeting in church. Not a very large turnout. $55.00 to the good in
funds. Managers elected for 3 year term: Jas. Leask, Alex Gordon
and R. Michie and for 2 year term: Alex Boe, Nels. Baird and
W.H. Leask. Choir leader left to the session to appoint.
9 – About 8 below zero in the morning, the first zero weather this
winter so far. Jennie drove the boys to school. Cutting own wood
in Luke’s swamp all day.
10 – A beautiful day. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp all day.
Boys at school. Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon for
Annie. Got word that Andrew Gordon died yesterday.
11 – A fine day but thawing; snow quite soft. Cutting wood all day
in Luke’s swamp. Jennie and the children went for the mail in the
afternoon.
12 – A cold rough day. Drove all hands with the sleigh to SS and
church; Mr. McKay preached. Not as many out as usual.
13 – A fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school in the forenoon.
Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp in the afternoon. At church man-
ager’s meeting in the evening. Was put in for church treasurer.
Boys at school.
14 – A very fine day. Kept in the house a good deal as I have a
cold. Jennie also half sick with the cold. Boys at school.
15 – A mild day and raining towards night. A little before 5
o’clock in the morning Roy O’Neill and Allie Dusty came after
Jennie as Mrs. Roy was sick. She did not get back home until
about 1 o’clock. About 11 am a daughter was born to Mrs.
O’Neill. Jennie then went to the W.F.M. meeting at the church
while I went over to see Jim Lee who is laid up with neuralgia.
Boys at school and afterwards at Mission Band.
16 – Soft and snow thawing fast. Boys at school. Cutting wood all
day in Luke’s swamp. Jennie washing.
17 – Soft day and thawing all day. Drove the boys to school and
then to Greenbank for mail. In the afternoon drove to a cow sale at
Seagrave but did not buy any, then drove to Port Perry for Annie
and did not get home until after dark. Road a glare of ice except
some places where it is bare ground.
18 – A little rain in the morning which turned to snow which con-
tinued most of the day and made good sleighing again. Colder
towards night. Did little but the chores.
19 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached.
20 – Somewhat soft and very heavy rain started about the middle
of the afternoon which turned to snow in the evening. Drove An-
nie to Port Perry school in the forenoon. Threshed the beans in the
afternoon. Boys at school. Jennie went for them through the rain.
21 – Colder. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp. Jennie and Maggie
Blair drove back to visit Mrs. McKay at the manse and did not get
home until about 9:30. Boys at school.
22 – A fine day and somewhat cold. Cutting wood in Luke’s
swamp most of the day. Bought a cow from Mrs. O’Neill for
$50.00 and a load of straw. Boys at school. Sidney Caney [Can-
ning?] came here in the evening. A beautiful moonlit night.
23 – Snowing a little from the SE in the morning which turned to
rain in the afternoon. Cleaned up some oats in the forenoon for
Jim Lee, Jennie helping. Boys at school. Norman Lyle visited in
the afternoon.
24 – A beautiful day. John Michie took pig to Port Perry with one
of his own. Went up to Akhurst’s in the forenoon to get Albert to
come to help kill a pig. He came in the afternoon. Jennie went to
Port Perry for Annie. Jas. Blair Sr. and Jas. Blair Jr. called to buy
colt but did not do so. Boys at school.
25 – A beautiful day. Helped Jennie to cut up pig. Willie went up
to Lyle’s and got Ed’s skates and we skated in the fields until
noon. After dinner the children and I went down to the swamp and
skated down as far as the 11th
concession. The ice was in fine
shape for skating. Jennie baking bread.
26 – A fine day and thawing fast in the afternoon which is making
the sleighing poor. All hands at SS and church. Dave McMillan,
who has just returned from the NW, was at SS and church. Mr.
McKay preached to an unusually full church.
27 – A very fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school. Took the
cutter but the sleighing was not very good. Cutting wood in
Luke’s swamp in the afternoon. Jennie washing and at Jim Lee’s.
Boys at school.
28 – A fine day and colder. Cutting wood all day in Luke’s swamp
and finished the job. Boys at school. Jennie making head cheese.
E. Lyle threshing red clover.
29 – Pretty cold with E wind. Drove boys to school and went on to
Greenbank. Cut down tree at NW corner of woodshed in the
240
afternoon. Jennie making quilt. 17 years married today and we
celebrated by some oysters for supper.
30 – A very nice day and thawing a little in the afternoon. Willie
at school. James did not go as we were afraid he was going to
have an attack of appendicitis but it did not come to anything.
Went to Gibson’s mill with 12 bags of oats and got them ground.
Sleighing not very good. Mrs. Mark here in the afternoon and tea.
Alex Gordon and wife called for a bag of potatoes.
31 – Heavy rain in the forenoon but turned cold towards night.
Went for Annie with the democrat in the afternoon; wheeling fine.
A. Akhurst and Jas. Lee called after dinner. Willie at school. In
the evening, with Annie and Willie, went down to John Michie’s
and had a sing with Jessie. Dave McMillan was there also and
appeared to be staying all night. Alfred Butt was buried at Prince
Albert today. He died in the hospital at Toronto.
FEB. 1 – Cold, about zero all day, with high NW wind. Did little
but the chores. Jennie baking.
2 – A pretty cold rough day. All hands at SS and church; Mr.
McKay preached. Not so large a turnout.
3 – A fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school. Jennie washing.
Boys at school. Did some little jobs in the afternoon.
4 – Somewhat rough and cold. Willie at school. James had an ear
ache last night and did not go to school. Barbara Walker came
down in the morning to get a waist cut out. She went home after
tea. Cut some old rails behind the barn.
5 – A very cold day with high W wind. Did some jobs in the shop.
Willie at school. Jennie finishing new dress.
6 – A very cold rough day. High W wind and clouds of dust. Did
little but the chores. Boys did not go to school. Jennie finished
making her blue silk dress.
7 – Another rough windy day and dust galore and pretty cold.
Drew one load of poles from Luke’s swamp but it was so rough
and icy. Went for Annie in the afternoon. Boys at school.
8 – Another rough day; high wind and snow blizzards. Put lice
powder on the cattle in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with
the boys skating on the creek. Norman Lyle and James Lee called.
9 – Some snow through the night and a rather fine day. All hands
at SS and church (drove the sleigh). Mr. McKay preached.
George Burns and his bride of Alberta who is down on his honey-
moon was present.
10 – Very cold; 13 below zero in the morning. Jennie drove Annie
to Port Perry. They went to Dentist Murray and got two of Annie’s
teeth filled. Boys did not go to school as it was too cold. Drew 5
loads of wood poles from Luke’s swamp near the side road in the
afternoon. J. Lee called for some oats for seed.
11 – Milder in the morning but got colder and very rough in the
afternoon. Drew wood poles until about the middle of the after-
noon when it got too rough. Boys at school. John Michie and
wife here in the evening, the principal thing to make arrangement
for Jessie’s wedding which is to come off on the 19th
of this month.
12 – Cold; about 8 below zero in the morning, and did not get
above zero all day. Drove the boys to school and went after them
and did the chores. Norman Lyle called in the afternoon.
13 – Very cold. Jennie drove the boys to school. In the afternoon
went to Greenbank with Jennie; she to the W.F.M. meeting and I to
a session meeting which lasted most of the afternoon. The Mission
Band met also. We all got supper at Mrs. Walker’s and in the eve-
ning went to a lecture with views by Rev. Mr. Dickey on his life in
the Yukon. There was a fairly good turnout and the lecture good.
14 – Not so cold. Drew 3 loads of poles from Luke’s swamp in the
forenoon. Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. She ran against the
line fence at the gap and broke the cutter and she had to get Nor-
man Lyle’s while I spent the afternoon mending cutter. Boys at
school.
15 – Rough with a little snow from the E. Finished fixing the
cutter. Jennie baking and cleaning. S. Sleep of Seagrave and ---
Fishley came in the afternoon and bought the Fanny colt for
$185.00 and took her away.
16 – A very fine day. Some below zero in the morning. All hands
at SS and church. Mr. Pugh, a student, preached.
17 – A fine day and pretty cold. Drove Annie to Port Perry school
in the morning. While I was away Billie Lewis and Clarence
O’Neill came for the load of straw which was part of the price of
the cow which I got from Mrs. O’Neill. Irene O’Neill also called
selling blueing. Jennie churning and washing in the forenoon and
at John Michie’s in the afternoon helping to bake for Jessie’s wed-
ding. Boys at school.
18 – About zero in the morning but a beautiful clear day. Drove
the boys part way to school and drew into the woodshed the old
posts behind the barn. Jennie all day at John Michie’s baking for
the wedding tomorrow. Little Daisy cow had calf.
19 – A beautiful day and quite mild; a little rain in the evening.
Drove the sleigh to Port Perry in the morning (the boys going with
me) to meet the train and brought home Barbara Smith, Russell
and Lottie Wallace and our Annie. Jennie down at J. Michie’s
helping to get ready for the wedding. In the afternoon all hands at
Jessie’s wedding. Dave McMillan and her were married about
3:30 by Rev. W.A. McKay. Jean Michie and ---- Beare acting as
flower girls. About 65 sat down for supper and in the evening
some more young people came in and dancing was kept up until
after midnight. Everything went off without a hitch.
20 – Got up somewhat late and drove Annie to Port Perry. Jennie
going down to J. Michie’s to help clean up. J.M. and Dave
McMillan brought home the chairs and things that were down
there. Barbara went down for tea and Dave brought her back.
21 – Somewhat fine day with a little rain in evening. Boys at
school. Took Barbara to station and brought Annie home. James
Lee and Ida and the baby here for dinner. Jim went home and
came back for Ida and stayed for supper.
241
David McMillan, b. 12 Dec. 1887, d. 7 Feb. 1979, married
Jessie Rowena Michie, b. 13 Mar. 1886, d. 20 Nov. 1970,
married 19 Feb. 1913
22 – Rain and hail through the night and a good part of the day.
Made a pair of whiffletrees and did the chores. Boys skating part
of the time.
23 – Very cold and rough with high NW wind. Nearly zero all
day. All hands at SS and church. Not as many as usual out; Mr.
McKay preached.
24 – A fine day; about 8 below zero in the morning. Drove Annie
to Port Perry school in the morning. Drawing wood from Luke’s
swamp in the afternoon and finished the job. Willie at school.
James was not very well. In the evening at pie social in the hall for
S. of T. A nice little crowd and lots of fun. Help from Prince
Albert Division on the program. Jas. McKitrick had his phono-
graph. A very fine night.
25 – A fine clear day. Zero in the morning. Fixed the sleigh in the
forenoon and cut some wood in the afternoon. Jennie washing.
Boys at school.
26 – A very fine day. Fanned up load of oats, Jennie helping, in
the forenoon and took them to Port Perry in the afternoon. Boys at
school.
27 – A fine day. East wind and some raw. Fanned up load of oats
in the forenoon, Jennie helping, and took them to Port Perry in the
afternoon. Boys at school.
28 – A very fine day. Almost on the sick list with a cold. Helped
Jennie to fan up some oats in the morning. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the afternoon for Annie. Boys at school. In the evening
Jennie and children went to concert in the hall for the piano fund of
our SS. Sonya orchestra present and 2 plays were given.
MAR. 1 – Snowing a little sometimes. Cut some wood in the
shed. Alex Gordon and wife and Edna and Annie came in the
forenoon for a bag of potatoes. The girls stayed all day. Jennie
scrubbing and baking.
2 – A very rough day with high NW wind. All hands at SS and
church. Not quite as many out as usual; Mr. McKay preached.
3 – Snowing from the W off and on most of the day. Drove Annie
to Port Perry school. Dave McMillan and Jessie here for dinner.
They left about 2 o’clock. Jim Lee called in the forenoon and
Norman Lyle was here most of the afternoon and for tea. Boys did
not go to school.
4 – A very fine day. Boys not at school. Drove to the manse at
Wick in the morning and left my horse and Mr. McKay drove to
Blackwater then by rail to presbytery meeting at Lindsay. Got
supper at the manse on the way home. Got home about 10 o’clock.
Dave McMillan and Jessie left for the west today. Woodrow Wil-
son inaugurated President of U.S. today.
5 – A very fine day. Cut some wood in shed. John Michie called.
Went to Gibson’s mill in the afternoon and got the meal home.
Boys at school. Jennie sewing. Party at W. O’Neill’s.
6 – A very rough stormy day with high NW wind. Did little but
the chores. Cut a little wood. Boys not at school.
7 – About 10 below zero in the morning and very cold all day.
Went to Port Perry in the afternoon for Annie. Willie O’Neill and
John Michie came for 6 bags of potatoes. Boys not at school.
8 – A fine day, somewhat raw. Cut some pole wood. Jennie and
the children went to Greenbank for the mail. S. Sleep called. Roy
O’Neill called for potatoes but he did not get them as they were not
picked up.
9 – Rain in the forenoon and thawing all day. All hands at SS and
church; Mr. McKay preached. At SS it was decided to have an
anniversary on May 24th
.
10 – A fine day, thawing in the afternoon. Drove Annie to Port
Perry school. Jennie washing. Picked up potatoes for Roy O’Neill
in the afternoon. Boys at school.
11 – A fine day and thawing in the afternoon. Drew home a cord
of wood from E. Lyle’s in the forenoon and in the afternoon at W.
Baird’s sale near Blackwater. A big turnout. Roads getting bad.
242
Roy O’Neill came for his potatoes. The assessor, Mr. Johnson
called. Boys at school and came home with wet feet as there is
water across the road.
12 – Hard in the morning but thawing most of the day. Boys at
school. Fixing manger in horse stable in forenoon. Mrs. Isaac
O’Neill called. In the afternoon drove Jennie to W.F.M. meeting
in the church. I intended to go to Greig’s sale but it was delayed
and the roads were so bad (the sleighing being nearly all gone) that
I did not go further than Greenbank. Spent most of my time at Mr.
Miller’s. Mission Band meeting after the W.F.M. meeting.
13 – Rain in the morning and thawing all day. Made water wheel
for the boys. Helped Jennie in the afternoon to pick over potatoes.
Boys not at school.
14 – A very mild spring-like day. Boys not at school. Helping
Jennie to pick over the potatoes. Jennie went to Port Perry for
Annie. Water in the swamp very high. Opening out the road in the
afternoon. Thunder and lightning before midnight and a little rain.
15 – Rain off and on during the forenoon. Norman Lyle came over
and got his buck saw sharpened. He was over to Seagrave last
night and had a serious time coming home as the water was over
the road. Went to Greenbank in the afternoon for the mail. Roads
very bad. Jennie making Annie a dress. Cook, the soda water man
of Port Perry, lost one of his horses in the water on the 11th
conces-
sion bout 9 pm.
16 – Cold rough day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. Went down to the sideroad after supper to see if the
water had abated and found that it had. Mrs. John Michie called in
the evening.
17 – Pretty cold in the morning but got warmer. Drove Annie to
Port Perry school. Some water over the road on the sideroad. Cut
some wood in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Boys at school.
18 – A fine day and thawing with high wind. Boys at school.
Cutting wood most of the time. Jennie visiting at A. Akhurst’s in
the afternoon.
19 – A fine day. Cutting wood most of the day. Boys at school.
Mrs. James Lee and baby here in the afternoon. She was getting
Jennie to help her to cut out a dress. Jim came after her and stayed
for supper.
20 – A fine spring-like day. Cutting wood. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the afternoon for Annie and brought home Mabel and
Gordon Bell. Boys at school.
21 – Good Friday. Rain in the forenoon and until about 2 pm with
terrific wind from the SW, which later turned to NW. It blew off
the roof of the hall sheds. Cut some wood in the forenoon. In the
afternoon at preparatory service in the church. The attendance was
small; Rev. Mr. Konkle of Sonya preached. Mrs. D. McArthur,
Mrs. R. Horn, Claude Horn and Mono Horn were received. Roads
very bad. Jennie making Mabel Bell a dress.
22 – A fine day but pretty windy. Cut wood most of the day.
Jennie baking and scrubbing. Annie and Mabel Bell at Gordon’s.
23 – A raw E wind which turned to a fine rain from the S towards
night. Went with Jennie to communion at Greenbank; Mr. McKay
preached. Not as many from Wick as usual.
24 – A terrible rain through the night and some in the forenoon
with high wind. Cut wood in the afternoon. Jennie making dress
for Mabel Bell. Had a time with a kicking cow in the evening.
25 – Rain through the night and most of the day. There was a
slight drizzle from the E which froze as it fell. Cut some wood in
the afternoon awhile. Jennie sewing for Mabel Bell.
26 – Everything covered with ice. It thawed a little in the middle
of the day but not enough to bring much of the ice down. Did little
but the chores. Annie and Mabel Bell went to Greenbank for the
mail. Jennie sewing for Mabel.
27 – About 2 or 3 inches of snow on the ground in the morning and
a little more came in the forenoon and quite rough in the afternoon.
Did little but the chores. Jennie sewing for Mabel Bell. Bob Ak-
hurst of Cannington here most of the afternoon and for supper.
28 – A fine day. Cut some wood in the forenoon and in the after-
noon went with the waggon to Gibson’s mill with 12 bags of oats
and got them home. Willie went with me. Jennie washing, churn-
ing and baking. Weston Phoenix’s boy came for a bag of potatoes.
29 – A very fine day and thawing but not enough to take away all
the snow. Cutting wood most of the day. Went down with Jim
Lee and cut out a tree across the road at the first creek. Jennie
making Gordon Bell’s pants. Annie and Mabel Bell at J. Michie’s.
Alex Gordon and wife called to get a bag of potatoes.
30 – A very fine day and thawing all day. All hands at SS and
church. Annie, Willie and Mabel Bell walked. Roads very bad.
Mr. McKay preached on the budget. Mrs. John Michie called in
the evening.
31 – A fine day with high NW wind. Drove Annie to Port Perry
school and took Mabel and Gordon Bell on their way home. Jas.
S. Lee here in the afternoon helping me to cut wood. Willie started
to school but got into a water hole and got his feet wet and turned
back. Albert Akhurst and Norman Lyle called in the forenoon.
APR. 1 – Pretty hard frost in the morning and a very high blustery
NW wind all day. Boys at school. Splitting wood in the forenoon
and in the afternoon helping Jim Lee to cut wood. Jennie at John
Michie’s helping his Lizzie to make a dress.
2 – A fine day. Drawing rails and stakes and wood in the sleigh in
the forenoon it being frozen hard. Drover Sleep called and bought
the heifer. In the afternoon at Jim Lee’s cutting wood. Jennie also
went over and helped Mrs. Lee with her dress. Boys at school. In
the evening all at Greenbank. Jennie and the boys at prayer meet-
ing. I at R. Cragg’s to talk over school matters. A very dark night
and bad roads.
3 – Rain and snow through the night. Started to rain just after
dinner and continued all afternoon and evening. Did little but the
chores. Jennie at Mrs. Lee’s dress. Boys at school.
243
4 – Rain through the night and part of the forenoon. Boys did not
go to school. Splitting wood in the forenoon and spent most of the
afternoon making dam in the swamp field for a swimming pool
while Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. Roads very bad.
5 – Frozen in the morning and a fine day. Finished splitting wood
and sawed some more. Jennie Gordon called in the afternoon.
Fixed some fences. Jennie baking.
6 – Pretty cold and windy. All hands at SS and church; Mr.
McKay preached.
7 – A fine day. Jennie drove Annie to Port Perry school while I
took fat heifer to Seagrave. Jennie came to Seagrave for me. At
raspberry bushes in the afternoon and at church manager’s meeting
in the evening. Roads very bad. Boys at school.
8 – Hard frost in the morning and a very fine day. At berry bushes
in the forenoon and helping Jim Lee to cut wood in the afternoon.
Alex Leask and wife at Jim Lee’s for tea. Jennie washing. Boys at
school.
9 – A beautiful spring-like day. All day at berry bushes. Jennie at
W.F.M. meeting at the church. Boys at school. Jennie at Jas.
Lee’s in the forenoon finishing Mrs. Lee’s dress.
10 – Raw E wind, rain after dinner and again towards evening. At
the berry bushes except when it was raining. Boys at school. Allie
Dusty here most of the day getting a coat cut out and fitted.
11 – A fine spring-like day. At berry bushes in the forenoon and
went to Port Perry for Annie in the afternoon. Willie at school.
James not well all day. Mrs. I. O’Neill here in the afternoon get-
ting dress cut. J.M. Real and Stanley here for some potatoes.
12 – A fine day. In the forenoon cultivated part of the orchard and
planted 3 rows of potatoes. At the berry bushes in the afternoon
(scuffled them). James Lee and his man Arthur Chapman, just out
from Yorkshire England, came for a waggon load of turnips.
James on the sick list, also Jennie not very well, also myself.
13 – A fine spring-like day. All hands at SS and church; Mr.
McKay preached. Very bad roads.
14 – A very fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school and in the
afternoon finished planting raspberry bushes and took the straw off
the strawberries, Willie and James helping. Jennie sewing. No
school today as Miss Warren’s father is very ill.
15 – A beautiful spring day and quite warm. Mr. Akhurst came
down in the morning to tell of wood bee at church. W. Taylor’s rig
did the cutting and there were men enough to finish the job. Mak-
ing hen coops in the barn in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Willie
at school.
16 – A beautiful day. Finished hen coops, plowed the garden and
pruned some apple trees. Jennie sewing. Boys at school and Mis-
sion Band.
17 – A beautiful day. Drawing out manure in the strawberry patch
in the forenoon and plowed it in in the afternoon. Jennie sewing.
Boys at school. A. Akhurst was getting a window put in the S end
of his house.
18 – A very fine day. Drawing out manure on potato land in the
forenoon and pruning orchard in the afternoon while Jennie went
to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school. A thunder storm in the
evening.
19 – Much colder with high NW wind. Drew out manure on po-
tato land (Willie helping) in the forenoon and plowed it under in
the afternoon. Jennie making Annie a dress. Mrs. A. Gordon
came for a bag of potatoes.
20 – A very hard frost in the morning and continued cold all day
with high NW wind. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. He also took my class in the SS, the first time he ever
did so.
21 – A fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school and plowed in
the afternoon just W of the house. Jennie washing and houseclean-
ing. Boys at school.
22 – A fine day, spring-like. Plowing and filling in furrows all
day. Jennie housecleaning. Boys at school. Sawing machine at E.
Lyle’s in the afternoon.
23 – A fine warm day; a few sprinkles of rain in the forenoon.
Cultivating all day. Jennie quilting and making garden. Mr.
McKay came for dinner. Boys at school. Made a raft in the eve-
ning at the pond in the swamp field.
24 – A very warm spring day. Got N. Lyle’s seed drill and sowed
the field NW of the barn. Jennie making garden. Boys at school.
They went into the pond in the swamp field naked after they came
home which is early for the season. Alex Gordon and wife called
on their way home from Port Perry. Mrs. Gordon wanted to see
Jennie but she did not as Jennie was working in the garden. The
wood cutters that have been working at E. Lyle’s moved to Phair’s
at noon.
25 – A fine day and quite warm. Harrowed in the forenoon and in
the afternoon tied up berry bushes and other things while Jennie
went to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school. [Pearl?] Ward bur-
ied at Greenbank today.
26 – A fine day. Fixing fences while Willie harrowed and culti-
vated. After dinner took 12 bags of oats to Gibson’s mill and got it
back. Jennie making dress for Annie. Mrs. John Michie and chil-
dren here in the afternoon. Thunder in the evening to the SE, no
rain here.
27 – Rain through the night and all the day, more or less. All
hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached.
28 – Annie sick through the night. Took her to Port Perry school
but somewhat late. Got 6 apple trees and planted them in the af-
ternoon and some other jobs. Land too wet to work. Boys at
school.
29 – A very fine day. Cleaning rotten turnips out of root house in
the forenoon and cultivating strawberry and potato patch in the
244
afternoon. Broke cultivator tongue. Jennie washing and putting in
garden. Boys at school.
30 – A very fine day. Fixing fences in the forenoon and in the
afternoon drew out 5 loads of manure on the mangold patch and
ploughed it in. Jennie washing. Boys at school. All at prayer
meeting in the evening. Mr. McKay was leader and spoke on Dr.
Livingston.
MAY 1 – A beautiful spring day. Sowed the field W of the house
(not any too dry). Jennie housecleaning the pantry. Boys at
school. James Lee, wife and baby called in the afternoon for drain-
ing tools.
2 – A beautiful and warm day. This being Arbor Day the boys did
not go to school. Willie harrowed while I fixed fences. Jennie
housecleaning upstairs. In the afternoon Jennie and the boys went
to Port Perry for Annie while I did some chores.
3 – A very warm day and the trees could almost be seen leafing
out. A little thunder to the S about 1 pm but no rain here. Willie
finished harrowing field W of house while I did some small jobs.
Cultivating hill field in the afternoon. Jennie making dress for
Annie. Children at practice for SS anniversary at Greenbank.
4 – A beautiful warm day. All hands at SS and church; Mr.
McKay preached. All went down to John Michie’s in the evening.
5 – A very fine day and quite warm. Took Annie to Port Perry
school and cultivated the rest of the day. Jennie washing and
housecleaning wood shed. Boys at school. Mrs. A. Gordon and
Edna called in the evening for a bag of potatoes.
6 – A fine day with high NW wind in the afternoon with much
dust. Cooler towards night. Sowed the hill field which finishes for
the year. Jennie housecleaning the cellar. Boys at school. Mrs.
Mark and little Jean called in the afternoon.
7 – Quite cool all day. Willie harrowed the hill field twice while I
planted corn in the little plot near the barn pump and hoed rasp-
berry bushes. Jennie housecleaning upstairs. Jennie and the boys
at prayer meeting.
8 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Willie rolling most of the
day while Jennie and I planted strawberries; got in 14 rows. James
at school. Nearly laid up with pain in back.
9 – Decidedly cool all day. Boys not at school. Started in the
morning to plant strawberries but it was so cold that we quit until
after noon. Worked at it most of the afternoon. Willie and James
drove to Port Perry for Annie, the first time they ever drove alone.
Conlin, the drover, called and bought cow.
10 – A very hard frost for the time of year and cold all day with
high NW wind. Did nothing as I am completely used up with lame
back. Jennie making dress for Annie. Boys at W. Thomas’ in the
afternoon. Annie at Greenbank for the mail.
11 – Another hard frost in the morning. All hands at SS and
church; Mr. McKay preached.
12 – Frost again in the morning. Took cow to Port Perry while
Jennie drove Annie to school. Boys at school. In the afternoon
drilled up for mangolds and potatoes and sowed mangolds. Jennie
bagging up seed potatoes and cleaning cellar. John Michie called.
13 – A little rain in the night and cool all day. With Willie’s help
planted the potatoes and some corn in the orchard. Jennie making
suit for James. James at school.
14 – A beautiful bright day. Scuffled raspberry bushes and fin-
ished planting strawberries. Mrs. John Michie here for dinner.
She was getting Jennie to help her to make over a dress. A
Frenchman selling dress goods here for dinner. Boys at school.
Norman Lyle and Flossie Midgley of Seagrave married today.
15 – Rather a raw E wind and a few drops of rain a few times.
Drawing out manure for corn. Jennie washing and churning. Boys
at school.
16 – Although a cool E wind was blowing all day there was a
thunder storm from the E during the night. The rain was needed.
Drawing out manure in the forenoon. Fixing fence in the afternoon
while Jennie and James (who did not go to school) went to Port
Perry for Annie. Alex Gordon came for potatoes. Mrs. O’Neill
called. Willie at school.
17 – A fine day. Willie rolled field W of house while I fixed the
stoop sill. Drawing out manure in the afternoon. Children at
Greenbank to practice and Mission Band. Jennie making dress for
Annie. Clarence O’Neill and Billy Lewis came for 3 bags of pota-
toes. Rain in the evening.
18 – Several little thunder showers from 12 to about 3 but little rain
here. All hands at SS and SS anniversary services. Not a very full
house in the afternoon on account perhaps of the uncertain
weather. Mr. Best, student, spoke and did very well. The children
sang. All hands out again in the evening, a packed house. Mr.
Best preached again; a splendid sermon. Mrs. D. Archer of Port
Perry sang two solos.
19 – Near frost in the morning and quite cool all day. Drove Annie
to Port Perry school and drew out manure the rest of the day.
Jennie housecleaning the kitchen. Boys at school.
20 – A very fine day. Plowing corn land all day. Jennie papering
kitchen. Boys at school.
21 – Finished plowing corn land and started to roll the hill field but
rain came on from the SE and I had to quit. Jennie washing and
churning. Boys at school. Beef ring started. Norman Lyle
brought his wife over to his house today.
22 – A very fine day. Harrowed the corn land and rolled it, then
rolled the hill field. Jennie finished cleaning kitchen. Boys at
school. Cecil Phair called for some strawberry plants. Mrs. Mark
and Mrs. C. McLean called in the evening.
23 – A fine day. Made lane back to the long field for pasture in the
forenoon and went to Port Perry in the afternoon for Annie. Eva
and Gertie Henry came back with her. Jennie baking for anniver-
sary. Boys at school.
245
24 – A beautiful day. Got Norman Lyle’s drill and sowed the corn
and harrowed the potatoes. In the afternoon all hands, including
the Henry girls, at SS anniversary tea and concert. There was not
quite as large a crowd as sometimes. The concern was given by
Russell and Joe Wallace and Three Friends from Toronto and was
all right. $120.00 was taken in.
25 – Another very fine day and quite cool. All hands at SS which
was held in the church as the basement was not cleaned up. Mr.
McKay phoned that he would not be down on account of illness so
there was held an impromptu sing service. The Toronto Friends
doing the singing.
26 – Quite a frost in the morning and a beautiful day. Jennie drove
Annie and the Henry girls to Port Perry school while I scuffled and
some other jobs. S. Dusty called to get Jennie to get some things at
Port Perry but he was too late, however they telephoned to her at
Port. Drawing out manure the rest of the day. Boys at school.
27 – Raw E wind and threatening rain all day and a little rain
sometimes. Drawing out manure. James Ward called and took
insurance on the buildings etc. Jennie at Methodist Missionary
meeting at E. Lyle’s. Boys not at school as it was raining about the
time they should have started. Jim Lee called.
28 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning and
brought home the buggy which has been at W. Whiteford’s since
last fall getting painted. Then helped Jennie paper ceiling of par-
lour. Then plowed the turnip ground. Mrs. John Michie called.
Boys at school.
29 – A beautiful day. Drawing out manure all day and finished the
job. Jennie washing, churning and painting. Boys at school.
Norman Lyle came over for some potatoes but did not get any.
30 – A beautiful day and cool. Plowing until 3 o’clock when
Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie while I went down to John
Michie’s to see him about pasturing the colt. Boys at school.
31 – A very fine day. Finished plowing turnip land and harrowed
corn in the forenoon and in the afternoon, with Willie, went to
Greenbank for cement tile for road and hoed strawberries. Took
Fanny colt to John Michie’s for pasture. Annie not very well.
JUNE 1 – A fine day except some little showers towards night.
All hands at SS and church. Mr. McKay preached. No girls in
choir.
2 - 10 – Jennie drove Annie to Port Perry school and I to the morn-
ing train to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church at
Toronto. Got there all right and put up at Annie Mason’s during
all the meetings. The congress and assembly meetings were held
in Massey Hall which could not hold all at several of the meetings.
Great speakers and enthusiasm. The General Assembly started on
Wednesday evening and met until Saturday noon. In the afternoon
a reception by the city council at the University quadrangle and a
large crowd attended. Sunday morning at Cook’s Church when
Rev. John McNeill preached. In the afternoon attended Riverdale
Sunday School, Rev. J.A. Miller’s church, and in the evening at St.
Andrews church. Monday at assembly meetings again. The ques-
tion of church union is the burning question and has not come to a
vote yet. Jennie and the children came to Port Perry for me but I
was not there. Monday morning started for home. Jennie and
Annie met me at Port Perry. Willie at school all week and James
missed 2 days. Annie home on Friday from school until after
holidays. Harrowing turnip land on Tuesday afternoon. All hands
over at Norman Lyle’s in the evening. My brother George whom I
have not seen for 13 years and uncle were in Toronto while I was
and he attended most of the meetings.
11 – A beautiful day. Scuffling in the forenoon and plowing in the
afternoon. Jennie at W.F.M. meeting at Richard Real’s. Boys at
school.
12 – A very fine day and some warmer. Working all day at turnip
land. Brother George of Griswold Manitoba came about 3 o’clock.
He walked up from Port Perry. Boys at school.
13 – A fine warm day. George and Annie went to Port Perry for
his suitcase while I scuffled. At turnip land in the afternoon.
George went down to John Michie’s and Willie O’Neill’s. Boys at
school. Moved the stove out.
14 – A fine warm day. Drilling up for turnips and sowed them.
George hoeing strawberries.
15 – Warmer. All hands at SS and church. A Mr. Allan of Al-
berta, who has been attending the general assembly, preached.
During the service two heavy thunder showers with some sharp
lightning. Sidney Kenny here in the evening.
16 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning and
drilled up the rest of the turnips in the afternoon. At Jim Lee’s,
Lyle’s and Akhurst’s in the evening warning them out to road
work. George hoeing strawberries. Jennie washing. Boys at
school. John Michie came for turnip drill.
17 – A very fine day. Harrowed the corn. Finished sowing the
turnips and plowed some of buckwheat land. George hoeing. He
went up to S. Dusty’s in the evening and while there word came
that Ray had got hurt while playing football at Seagrave. Jennie
ironing. Boys at school. Had first strawberries of the season for
breakfast.
18 – A beautiful day. At road work all day putting dirt on the con-
cession in the swamp. George had the horse and buggy away
visiting at Jas. and Alex Leask’s and J.M. Real’s. Boys at school
and Mission Band. Annie also at Band. Walked to Greenbank to
school trustee meeting at R. Cragg’s. Mrs. John Michie and chil-
dren here in the afternoon.
19 – At road work for about 2 hours when rain came on and we
had to quit until after dinner. At road work again in the afternoon
and after supper put in tile across road S of E. Lyle’s gate; A. Ak-
hurst helping. George away most of the day visiting. Boys at
school.
20 – Raining a little a good part of the day. Plowing in the fore-
noon. At preparatory services in the church. Rev. Mr. Fraser of
Uxbridge preached. Alex Boe got their baby baptized. Jennie at
John Michie’s helping her with a dress. Boys at school. Went up
to the road and, with A. Akhurst, put in tile crossing after supper.
246
21 – A beautiful day. Plowing and scuffling in the forenoon.
George hoeing. Hoeing corn in the afternoon while Willie har-
rowed. About 4 pm Will Leask and wife and Roy came and stayed
until about 10 pm. Quite cool in the evening. Willie Petty called.
22 – Another very fine day. Went with George to communion at
Wick; Mr. McKay preached; not many out from Greenbank.
Stayed for dinner at John Beaton’s and took in the service at
Greenbank on the way home. Jennie and the children walked up.
23 – A beautiful day. Went to Port Perry in the morning to see Mr.
Henders. Cultivating buckwheat land in the afternoon. George
hoeing corn. Jennie and Annie picking strawberries. Willie at
school. Jennie and I went up to Dusty’s to see Ray who is in bed
with injured leg. Dr. Henders of Saintfield came for strawberries
for the party tomorrow evening.
24 – A fine warm day. Scuffled corn in the forenoon. Jennie and
Annie picked some strawberries and then took them to Port Perry.
George cutting thistles. Willie at school. Afternoon hoeing corn.
Annie and James went with Mrs. Mark down to the creek and got a
few fish. George went off somewhere with horse and buggy. Mrs.
A. Akhurst called.
25 – Quite warm all day. Hoeing corn and finished then scuffled
some. Jennie washing in the forenoon and at Methodist Women’s
Missionary meeting at Mrs. Phair’s. Willie at school. Sidney
Kenny here in the evening. Rain in the evening a little.
26 – A very warm day. Some rain through the night. Jennie and
Mrs. John Michie and Annie picking strawberries and I helping.
Took them to Port Perry; one crate to Brock’s and 2 to Peterbor-
ough. George came back from his visit to Wick just before dinner.
He went up to A. Gordon’s in the evening. Willie at school.
27 – A fine day. Thunder shower about 2 in the morning. Sowed
the buckwheat and fixed fence on the concession. George cutting
thistles. Willie and James at school, the last day before holidays
and the last day for Miss Toole and Miss Warren. Jennie churning
and ironing. She went down to John Michie’s in the evening.
Willie has been promoted into the 3rd
book and James in the 2nd
.
28 – A very fine day and not so warm. Jennie; Mary Dusty, Mrs.
John Michie; Annie and I all day at the strawberries. John Michie
called with the buggy and took home a crate of berries. Edna
Gordon and Annie and Marie Akhurst and Willie Petty called for
berries and Jennie took some to several people at Greenbank; then
preserved the rest and it was after 10 pm when she got through.
Annie and Willie went to Port Perry in the forenoon with berries
and they took George on his way back to Brooklin.
29 – Quite a warm day. All hands at SS and at Methodist SS anni-
versary services. Mr. Bamforth, Mr. Ford and Mr. McKay were
the speakers. Not as full a house as sometimes.
30 – Another warm day. Scuffling and hoeing in the forenoon and
fixing fence on the 10th
concession in the afternoon. Jennie wash-
ing and ironing. W. Akhurst and Mr. Edwards called in the fore-
noon. Gertie Phoenix, Edna and Annie Gordon called in the eve-
ning for berries, and Frank Fairbrothers in the afternoon.
JULY 1 – A fine day and very warm. Helping to pick strawberries
nearly all day. Jennie; Mrs. John Michie; Mary Dusty and Annie
picking. Mr. Edwards called and James Lee’s wife and child
called in the evening.
2 – A fine day and not so warm. Paris greened the potatoes.
Jennie, Mrs. John Michie and Mary Dusty picking strawberries.
Annie and Willie went to Port Perry in the morning with berries
and after dinner to Greenbank for the mail; then Jennie and James
went to Port Perry with berries and then I went to Port Perry to the
8 pm train and met George and Eunice. A beautiful evening. Mr.
Braden of Saintfield called for berries. John Michie called.
3 – A very fine day. Scuffling corn in the forenoon and hoeing
corn in the afternoon. George hoeing strawberries. Mrs. H. Hick-
man here picking berries for herself and stayed for dinner. We had
just finished dinner when Mrs. Jas. Stone and May Stone of Wick
came and got dinner and then picked berries. Eunice at Greenbank
in the afternoon with Mrs. Mark and in the evening Jennie, Eunice,
and Annie went to Greenbank.
4 – Quite warm. Scuffling turnips in the forenoon. George cutting
thistles. Jennie; Mrs. John Michie; Mrs. W. O’Neill; Mary Dusty
and Annie picking strawberries. W. Beaton came for some and
Miss Simpson from Wick. She stayed for dinner. About 2 o’clock
a thunder storm came up and it continued a nice rain until about 5.
J. Michie came for his wife and Jim Dusty came for Mary. Miss
Simpson stayed for tea. George and Eunice at Jim Lee’s in the
evening.
5 – A pretty warm day. Hoeing turnips all day. George hoeing.
Mrs. O’Leary; Mrs. W. Real; Mrs. Gordon; and Mary Dusty called
for berries. Thunder in the evening. Eunice and Annie went to
Port Perry in the forenoon and Willie and James went to Green-
bank for mail.
6 – A fine day but got very cool towards night with high wind. All
hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached on the congress
lately held in Toronto. Mr. McKay leaves tomorrow for Nova
Scotia. Eunice stayed for tea at J.M. Real’s.
7 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips most of the day, George help-
ing. Mrs. John Michie and Mary Dusty here helping Jennie to pick
strawberries. A number called for berries: Mr. Gorrill; Mrs. D.
McDonald; Jas. Rennie; John McCully and wife; Mrs. A. Boe; and
others. Annie and Eunice at Greenbank in the afternoon. At
church managers meeting in the evening.
8 – A beautiful day. Hoeing turnips all day, George helping.
Jennie washing. Mrs. T. Swanick called for berries and stayed for
dinner. Eunice at Dusty’s in the afternoon and evening.
9 – Went for the beef in the morning, then scuffled the turnips.
George hoeing turnips. Hoeing until about 4 pm when a thunder
storm came up. Jennie washing. George and Eunice at W.
O’Neill’s in the afternoon. Eunice and Annie and Willie at Port
Perry in the forenoon.
247
10 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips, George helping, and fin-
ished about 4 pm. Jennie and Mary Dusty picking strawberries. In
the evening went with Annie and Willie to garden party for the
Baptist church at Mrs. Gregg’s. Eunice went with Jim Dusty.
George went as far as Greenbank with us.
11 – A beautiful day. Went to Port Perry in the morning. George
away somewhere for dinner. Hoeing in the afternoon. Jennie and
Eunice away to W. McMillan’s and Willie Rennie’s. Had vet
Coates up to Whitey cow.
12 – Spent most of the forenoon Paris greening potatoes and about
11:30 rain came on and rained heavy for awhile. George down at
John Michie’s, also Eunice. At 12:30 I drove them to Port Perry
(through the rain) to the train on their way for home. There was
quite a big Orange walk at Port Perry and I took it in before I came
home. James Lee, wife and girl here in the evening.
13 – A fine day and pretty cool. All hands at SS and church. Mr.
Duggan for the Alliance preached.
14 – A very fine cool day. Went to Port Perry in the morning.
Hoed potatoes in the afternoon. Jennie, Mrs. John Michie and
Mary Dusty picking strawberries which will be the last of any
account for the season. Annie at Greenbank for the mail. Arthur
Chapman, Jim Lee’s man, called in the evening.
15 – A beautiful day. Went two trips to Mr. Henders, Port Perry,
for 2 loads of manure for strawberry patch. Jennie washing and
churning, children helping.
16 – Another very fine day and some warmer. Made two trips to
Port Perry for manure for strawberry patch. Jennie and children
picking cherries. Mrs. Les Lamb and George Lamb and Annie
Masters’ little girl here for dinner.
17 – A fine day and pretty warm. Scuffling corn, strawberries and
potatoes. Jennie and Annie at Port Perry in the forenoon. Picking
cherries in the afternoon and, with the children, at Greenbank in
the evening.
18 – A beautiful day. Picked cherries and cleaned out old straw-
berries. Jennie preserving, and in the afternoon picked strawber-
ries for the last time; Mrs. Norman Lyle helping her. Annie and
Willie went down to J. Michie’s for sugar.
19 – A very fine day. Got Norman Lyle’s mower and cut the
strawberry patch and the orchard and in the afternoon, with the
scythe, cut what was left and some fence corners. Jennie preserv-
ing. At school trustee meeting at D. McDonald’s in the evening.
Willie went with me as far as Greenbank.
20 – Several loud thunder showers went round and quite a shower
about 6 pm. All hands at SS and church; Mr. Fraser of Fenelon
Falls preached.
21 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning and in the
afternoon raked up and drew in the hay in the orchard and straw-
berry patch, the boys helping. Jennie washing. Annie at Mission
Band. Went down to John Michie’s in the evening to see him
about helping to harvest the hay. Mrs. John Leask died at 9 pm.
22 – A very fine day. Helping John Michie with his hay all day.
Edna and Annie Gordon, Marie Akhurst and Laura Thomas here
playing.
23 – Close and warm. Paris greened some potatoes and plowed old
strawberry patch. About 2:30 a wild thunder storm came up but
there was not a great deal of rain here. There was some more rain
in the evening. Nelson Baird’s sale today.
24 – A very fine day. Scuffled turnips 2nd
time in the forenoon.
Jennie and Annie picking raspberries for Methodist lawn social at
G. Lee’s tonight. In the afternoon, with Jennie, attended Mrs. John
Leask’s funeral at Jas. Blair’s. There was a large turnout. Mr.
Fraser of Uxbridge conducted the services. When we got home,
Eva and Gertie Henry and their uncle Mr. Little of Toronto were
here and stayed for supper. In the evening Willie Caffley came in
with some of his gramophone records and we had music. Jennie
used up with a cold in her head.
25 – A beautiful day. Got Norman Lyle’s mower and cut the hay
which is pretty light crop in some places. Boys at John Michie’s
for bread.
26 – A beautiful day. Hoed strawberries in the morning, then
raked up and drew in hay. John Michie came up after dinner but
Arthur Chapman from Jas. Lee’s exchanged with him as John was
wanted by Jim to make a cement trough. Annie at Greenbank for
the mail.
27 – A very warm close day with high SW wind. All hands at SS
and church. Mr. Fraser of Fenelon Falls preached. On the way
home thunder was heard to the N and about 6 o’clock there was a
heavy rain which continued during the evening. A wild night.
28 – Very warm day, the warmest of the season I think. Threw out
the hay cocks and hoed in the forenoon. Scuffled turnips and went
to Port Perry with berries in the afternoon. Jennie, Mary Dusty and
Mrs. A. Gordon picking berries all day and picked 158 boxes. Ray
Dusty, who is now able to be around, and Marie Akhurst here for
tea.
29 – A very fine but warm day. John Michie came up and finished
the hay drawing at noon. Went to Port Perry with crate of berries
for Mrs. Frank Wells, Lindsay, while Willie raked hay field. Drew
in rakings after supper. Jennie and Mrs. John Michie picking
berries nearly all day. Mrs. R. Cragg and Mr. and Mrs. White
called for berries.
30 – A fine but warm day. Hoed turnips, the boys helping, in the
forenoon and in the afternoon, with John Michie, went to Man-
chester to the nominations to fill the vacancy caused by the resig-
nation of Johnston and Baird. We got there too late. There were 7
nominated. Jennie, Mrs. A. Gordon, Mrs. John Michie and Mary
Dusty picking berries. Jennie, Annie and James at Greenbank in
the evening. Mrs. W.H. Leask and girls called for berries.
31 – A fine day and very warm. All day at E. Lyle’s helping him
draw in his Alsace clover. Jennie and Willie at Port Perry in the
morning. Children at the creek fishing in the evening.
248
AUG. 1 - A beautiful day. Scuffled the berry patch and hoed
turnips in the forenoon and helped Norman Lyle to hoe turnips, 1st
time and very weedy. Jennie, Mrs. Gordon, Mary Dusty and Mrs.
John Michie picking all day at the raspberries; about 170 boxes.
Annie and Willie went over with some berries for Mrs. Jas. Lee but
they were not at home so they brought them home again. Arthur
Chapman cut his foot.
2 – Another beautiful day. Helping Norman Lyle to hoe turnips in
the forenoon. Annie and Willie went to Greenbank in the morning.
Hoeing turnips, 2nd
time, in the afternoon, boys helping, and fin-
ished. Jennie preserving raspberries.
3 – A fine day. A little sprinkle of rain about 2:30. All hands at
SS and church. Mr. Fraser of Fenelon Falls preached.
4 – A beautiful cool day. Cleaning out old strawberry patch in the
forenoon and went to Port Perry in the afternoon with berries.
Jennie, Mrs. Gordon, Mrs. John Michie and Mary Dusty picking
berries all day and picked 175 boxes. Les Lamb, wife and George
came about 4 pm. Jim Lee called for berries. Annie went for the
mail. Ray Dusty came down for Mary. E. Lyle cutting barley and
oats.
5 – A very fine day. Cleaning out old strawberry patch all day.
Jennie washing, ironing, churning, baking and scrubbing, also
preserving. Annie and James went to Port Perry with a crate of
berries but did not get there on time for the train. Mrs. Smith and
Mabel McMillan and the McMillan baby came over with some
blackberries.
6 – A very fine day. All day fixing the pig house floor. Mrs. John
Michie and Mary Dusty picking berries. Annie went to Port Perry
alone for the first time. Jennie preparing for the SS class social in
the evening which came off good. About 45 sat down to supper
and all appeared to have a good time. Among those present were
Peter Maitland and 2 sons and Nelson Baird came all the way from
Oshawa in his auto. He took us out for a ride, the first I ever had in
an auto.
7 – A very fine day. All day hoeing strawberries. Jennie, Mrs.
John Michie, and Bessie Gordon picking berries. Mrs. Swanick
and Mrs. Graham called for berries. Willie drove Mrs. John M.
home, the first time he drove the horse alone on the road.
8 – A fine day but close evening with a high SW wind. Hoed in
the forenoon while Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry. Scuffled
the turnips, 3rd
time, in the afternoon. Annie at Gordon’s. R.
Cragg and wife called while we were at supper. All hands over at
Norman Lyle’s in the evening.
9 – A little drizzle of rain off and on during the forenoon. Cleaned
out hen house and hoed in the forenoon and in the afternoon helped
John Michie to cut oats east of his barn with horse.
10 – A very fine day and quite cool. All hands at SS and church.
Mr. Fraser of Uxbridge preached.
11 – A beautiful day. Helping John Michie to cut (with horse) in
the forenoon and then he came and cut our field NE of barn. Mr.
S. Henry of Port Perry, who was going to Joe Stone’s, brought
Mrs. Henry here and she stayed until evening. Mary Dusty, Bessie
Gordon, (Mrs. John Michie in the afternoon) and Jennie picking
berries; 76 boxes. This will be the last of any account.
12 – A very fine day. Jim Lee called in the morning to see John
Michie about cutting. John, with his binder, cut field W of the
house. He finished about 3:30. He then went to Jim Lee’s. Annie
at Greenbank for mail. Boys went down to John’s in the evening
to get bread from the baker but the baker did not come.
13 – A very fine day. The decree went forth that the cistern must
be cleaned out as the water is bad, so I went to Greenbank and got
132 bricks from the ruins of Wallace’s store. Willie and James
went with me and I spent most of the day making a larger inlet, and
hoed some. Jennie went with Mrs. John Michie and children to the
W.F.M. meeting at Mrs. D. McDonald’s. Annie at J. Michie’s in
the evening. Sidney Kenney called in the evening. Jennie washed
in the forenoon.
14 – A very fine but warm and smoky day. John Michie came up
with horse and we cut the hill field, finishing at 5 o’clock, which
finishes the cutting. Jennie ironing and other things.
15 – A very fine day and very warm and smoky. Helping John
Michie to cut oats all day. Jennie picking berries. Annie at Green-
bank for the mail.
16 – A very warm day; about 90 in the afternoon. Helping John
Michie to draw in oats until about 5 o’clock when a thunder storm
came up and it rained off and on until about 8. There was much
vivid lightning. Annie was at Akhurst’s and Jennie had to go after
her. Annie and Willie at Greenbank in the forenoon. R.T. Har-
rington’s barn struck by lightning and burned, and 2 or 3 others to
the SE.
17 – Another very warm day. All hands at SS and church. Rev.
Mr. Wesley, late of Sunderland, preached. A male choir. All over
at Jas. Lee’s in the evening.
18 – Another very warm day with E wind and very smoky. Help-
ing John Michie to cut wheat and oats and finished his cutting
about 5 o’clock. Annie at Mission Band at Greenbank.
19 – A very fine day and cooler. Drawing in oats all day, John
Michie helping. Jennie went to 8 pm train to meet Jessie Bell and
Willie Bell.
20 – A very fine day. Helping John Michie to draw in oats while
Annie and Jessie Bell went for the beef. In the afternoon had Ar-
thur Chapman helping to draw in oats. The tire came off one of the
waggon wheels.
21 – A very fine day. Arthur Chapman came over from Jim Lee’s
and we drew in the last of the oats and finished harvest at noon. In
the afternoon helping A. Akhurst to draw in while Jennie, with
James and Willie Bell, went to Port Perry. In the evening, with
Annie, Willie and Jessie Bell, at the band concert at W. Real’s.
There was a pretty good turnout. The star was Mr. White of To-
ronto. Fred McKague sang and Alethra Barrett recited. About an
average in quality. We had just got home when there was quite a
splash of a shower.
249
22 – More rain towards morning and in the forenoon and every-
thing well soaked. After dinner got out the old gang plough and
ploughed some in the field NW of barn. Thundering most of the
afternoon which turned to a terrific storm about 7 pm. Jennie
sewing for Jessie Bell. Mrs. John Michie and girls here while John
went to Greenbank to get his horse shod.
23 – Lots of rain through the night. Gang ploughing in the fore-
noon and helping Sam Dusty to thresh in the afternoon. Crops
turned out well. Annie and Jessie Bell at Greenbank in the after-
noon. Jennie sewing.
24 – A fine day and quite cool; a little splash of rain about 11 am.
All hands at SS and church. Rev. Mr. Wesley preached but I did
not agree with all he said.
25 – A beautiful day. At Dusty’s threshing and finished about 9
am. Jim Dusty had to go for A. Akhurst’s ladder before Sam and I
could get off the straw stack. The rest of the forenoon was spent in
relaying the brick in the pig house that the pigs dug up yesterday.
Gang plowing in the afternoon. Jennie and all the children down at
the bridge fishing and had good success. Norman Lyle and John
Michie drawing in.
26 – A fine day. A splash of a shower about 1 o’clock. Gang
plowing all day and finished the field NW of barn. Jennie sewing.
Willie went down to John Michie’s for bread.
27 – A very fine cool day. Spent the day in making, with Jennie, a
trip to Charles Gordon’s, Scugog. We had a very pleasant visit.
Got there about 12 and left for home at 5. Quite a lot of grain out
yet.
28 – At E. Lyle’s threshing all day until quite dark and finished,
Annie and Jessie Bell at Greenbank in the forenoon with hens.
Jennie sewing. Thunder and rain in the evening.
29 – Cool day and some rain in the evening. Hoed strawberries
while Willie harrowed in the forenoon. Gang plowing in the after-
noon. Annie and Jessie Bell at Greenbank for mail. Jennie making
Jessie B. a dress.
30 – A very fine cool day. Hoeing most of the day while the boys
gang plowed in the field W of the house. Jennie making dress for
Jessie Bell.
31 – Another very fine day. All hands at SS and church (boys
walked). Mr. McKay, who is just back from his trip to Nova Sco-
tia, preached.
SEPT. 1 – A beautiful day (Labour day). Threshing all day at
Albert Akhurst’s (W. Taylor’s machine) and got done about 5:30.
A good turnout. Boys gang plowing most of the day. Jennie mak-
ing dress for Jessie Bell.
2 – A very fine and very warm day. Threshing at John Michie’s
and finished at about 2 pm. Jennie drove Annie to Port Perry
school and then helped Mrs. J. Michie with dinner. Boys at school,
first day. Miss Warren and Miss Stoven teachers. Finished gang
plowing field west of house.
3 – Thunder in the early morning but no rain here. Very warm day
until towards night when the wind turned to the E and it almost
rained. Drew a load of stones to fill hole in the road on hill and
brought home load of wood from fence along 10th
concession. At
James Lee’s threshing in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Boys at
school.
4 – A little rain through the night and a very fine day. Threshing at
Jas. Lee’s and finished about 10 am; then at Mrs. Phair’s the rest of
the day. Jennie sewing. Mrs. Gordon and Bessie; Mrs. Mark and
Russell Thomas called.
5 – A very fine day and very warm. Threshing at Phair’s and
finished at noon. Then scuffled and hoed strawberries while Jennie
and Willie Bell went to Port Perry for Annie. She took Mrs. John
Michie and children to the train on their way to Agincourt. Boys at
school.
6 – A beautiful and pretty warm day. Hoeing while Willie har-
rowed and in the afternoon with the boys drew two loads of drain
tile from Roy O’Neill’s (425 3 inch and 125 2/12 inch). E. Lyle
called to borrow some bags.
7 – A very warm day. All hands at SS and church. Mr. McKay
preached. In the evening took Annie to Port Perry and Willie Bell
on his way home to take the train in the morning. Jessie Bell went
with us and all attended church. Mr. West preached, the first time
that I heard him.
8 – A very fine day. Thunder and a little rain through the night.
All day putting in drain tile in the field W of house. Jennie went to
Port Perry in the forenoon. Boys at school.
9 – A very fine cool day. All day at drain and did not get on as far
as yesterday. Jennie washing. Boys at school.
10 – A very fine cool day; quite a hard frost in the morning. At
drain all day. Jennie and Jessie Bell at W.F.M. meeting at Green-
bank. Boys at school. W. [Caffley?] and Russell Thomas called in
the evening.
11 – A beautiful day; quite a hard frost in the morning. All day at
drain. Went down to tile yard after dinner and got 200 more tiles.
Jennie sewing. Boys at school.
12 – A very fine day. At the drain most of the forenoon while
Willie harrowed. In the afternoon went with Willie, James, Jessie
Bell and Sidney Kenney to Port Perry fair. There was a good
turnout. The principal attraction was to be an airplane flight but it
did not fly although the machine was there. Brought Annie home.
13 – A high NW wind, lots of dust and quite cold. Harrowed in the
morning and then Norman Lyle came with his corn binder and cut
the corn and finished about 3 pm (the first he has cut this year). I
then drew in a load to the stable. Jennie sewing. Annie went to
Greenbank with Mrs. N. Lyle for the papers. Moved in the stove.
14 – A fine day and very cool. All hands at SS and church; Mr.
McKay preached. Mrs. Mark called after supper.
15 – Frost in the morning and a very fine cool day. Went to Port
Perry in the morning with Annie. In the afternoon E. Lyle came
250
with Norman’s binder and cut the buckwheat and I shocked it up.
Jennie washing. Boys at school. Mrs. John Michie called to see
about making a dress.
16 – A fine day. Drove to the manse at Wick and left horse and
Mr. McKay drove to Blackwater and then by rail to Lindsay to
Presbytery meeting. The attendance was rather small. The chief
business was Mr. Michener of Sunderland’s resignation. He was
only placed there in February. A little rain in the evening. Got
home about 11. Boys at school. Jennie sewing.
17 – Almost rain in the morning. Putting in drain across the NE
corner of SW field. After dinner rigged up to draw corn but rain
came on. Jennie and Jessie Bell went over to visit Mrs. Jas. Lee
but she was not at home. Boys at school. Some thunder to the NW
towards evening.
18 – A very fine day. Went down to John Michie’s in the morning
to see about a lump that is on the colts leg. Then finished the
drain. In the afternoon drew off corn and put it along the fence.
Jennie sewing. Boys at school.
19 – A very fine day. Drawing off corn in the forenoon. In the
afternoon Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie and took Jessie Bell
to the station on her way home. I worked all afternoon shocking
up Norman Lyle’s buckwheat while he was cutting corn at A.
Akhurst’s. Boys at school.
20 – Finished drawing off the corn in the forenoon and plowing
corn stubble in the afternoon. Children cleaned up the shop. Sid-
ney Kenney came for some crab apples.
21 - Some rain through the night and off and on through the day.
All hands at SS and church. Jennie visited at Mrs. Walker’s and
Jas. Miller’s.
22 – A fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school. Plowing corn
stubble in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Boys at school.
23 – A very fine day. Finished plowing corn stubble in the fore-
noon and digging potatoes in the afternoon, Jennie helping. Boys
at school. John Michie, wife and Jean here in the forenoon for crab
apples to send to Manitoba.
24 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes all day, Jennie helping.
Boys at school. Mr. O’Neill borrowed the democrat.
25 – A fine day. All day at potatoes, Jennie helping. Boys at
school. Mrs. O’Neill and Irene called in the evening.
26 – With Jennie’s help drew in the buckwheat and just in time as
rain came on as we were taking off the last load but it did not
amount to much. Digging potatoes in the afternoon. Boys at
school. Willie came home at noon and went with Jennie to Port
Perry for Annie. Willie Caffley45
called in the evening to see An-
nie about the studies in the high school as he intends to start soon.
45
Editors note: The name ‘Caffley’ has been spelled
in several different ways in the original
27 – A beautiful day. Digging potatoes in the forenoon, boys
helping, and finished the job. Most of the afternoon spent in
picking and packing crab apples to send to Manitoba. Jennie pre-
serving pears. Willie went with John Michie to Gibson’s mill. Jim
Ward called wanting to sell [aprons?].
28 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. Children’s day.
Service conducted by Mr. McKay. Mrs. John Michie called in the
forenoon.
29 – A beautiful day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school and took
box of apples for Annie Black, Manitoba. Then went to Weston
Phoenix’s and got road scraper. In the afternoon scraped out water
run in the SW field. Jennie washing in the forenoon and visiting at
A. Akhurst’s in the afternoon. Boys at school.
30 – A beautiful day. All day drawing muck from the hole in the
swamp field to the strawberry patch and other places. Boys at
school. Mr. McKay came for tea. Left his horse and went over to
Jas. Lee’s and stayed all night. Mrs. John Michie called after
dinner.
OCT. 1 – A beautiful day. Drawing swamp muck in the forenoon
and plowing buckwheat stubble in the afternoon. Mr. McKay
came back from Jas. Lee’s and left about 9 am. John Michie came
to borrow the cultivator. In the evening all at Greenbank. Jennie
and the boys to prayer meeting and I to beef ring meeting. Drew
no. 2 ticket. Boys at school. E. Ferguson’s burned out.
2 – Dull foggy morning, almost like rain. Plowing until about 9
when it started to rain in earnest and continued until near noon off
and on and it was badly needed. Plowing again in the afternoon,
then went up to the schoolhouse to meet the other trustees about
repairing fence, woodshed, etc. Jennie making pickles. Boys not
at school as the teachers are at teachers convention.
3 – A very fine day. Finished plowing buckwheat stubble in the
forenoon. Jennie and the boys picking up apples and in the after-
noon went with Jennie and the boys in the waggon to Port Perry
with apples to evaporator and brought Annie home. In the evening
Willie Caffley came down with his gramophone and played until
after 11 o’clock. Albert Akhurst, wife and Marie, also Arthur
Chapman, were in.
4 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. Jennie making dress for
Annie. Willie went for mail. Norman Lyle borrowed 3 bags of
oats.
5 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. James
preached. Mrs. John Michie called in the evening.
6 – A fine day and very warm. Drove Annie to Port Perry school
and plowed the rest of the day. Jennie washing and ironing. Boys
at school. Went to Greenbank in the evening to church managers
meeting but only Alex Boe and I turned up so there was no meet-
ing.
text...’Cofley’, ‘Cafeley’ ‘Caffeley’ are used. I have
transcribed whichever version Robert used each time.
251
7 – Another fine and very warm day. Plowing in the forenoon and
picked the apples in the afternoon, Jennie helping part of the time.
Boys at school.
8 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie making Mrs. John
Michie’s dress and she and the children were here most of the day.
Jennie and the boys at prayer meeting in the evening. Jennie had
the topic.
9 – A fine day and very warm. Plowing all day and in the evening
drove over to W.H. Leask’s to practice two pieces for the W.F.M.
social. A beautiful night. Jennie making Mrs. J. Michie’s dress.
Boys at school.
10 – Another very warm day. Plowing in the forenoon and in the
afternoon walked to preparatory service at the church. Mr. Watts
of Oakwood preached. Amos Stone, Verna Stone and Mabel Real
joined the church at this time. Jennie making dress in forenoon
and at Port Perry for Annie in the afternoon. Boys at school.
11 – Plowing in the forenoon. Rain started at dinner time and
continued all afternoon. Cleaned out pig house and grainery. John
Michie and E. Lyle called. Jennie finished Mrs. John’s dress and
started one for Annie. Boys topped mangolds in the forenoon.
Log pig house at Robert’s farm, undated photo
12 – A very fine day but cool. At communion at Greenbank. An
unusually good attendance. Mr. McKay preached. C. McKague
sang solo. Jennie did not go as she had a bad cough. Willie went
with me.
13 – A good deal colder. Plowing most of the day. Annie did not
go to Port Perry in the morning as Jennie was making her a dress.
Jennie drove her down at noon. Boys at school.
14 – A very fine day. Drew in the mangolds, 3 loads, in the fore-
noon. After dinner picked apples for awhile, Jennie helping, then
went with team and waggon to Phair’s to help them fill their silo.
Boys at school.
15 – A beautiful day. At Phair’s helping to fill silo and finished
about 3 pm. Picking apples rest of day, Jennie helping. Boys at
school.
16 – A beautiful fine warm day. Picking apples all day, Jennie
helping. Boys at school
17 – A fine day until about 5 pm when it started to rain a little from
the SE and continued during the evening. Picking apples all day,
Jennie helping in the afternoon. She was all forenoon churning.
John Michie, wife and children came up for 2 barrels of apples.
Boys at school. Intended to go to J.M. Real’s to practice for
W.F.M. social but waited until too late for the rain to clear. Jim
Dusty called and Norman Lyle for a bag of oats.
18 – Quite a heavy rain just before daylight in the morning. Cooler
through the day. Plowing most of the day. Jennie cleaning up
house.
19 – Somewhat cold and raw with E wind. All hands at SS and
church; Mr. McKay preached a thanksgiving sermon. A little rain
in the evening.
20 – Thanksgiving day. Almost or altogether raining most of the
forenoon but cleared up in the afternoon. Did a few odd jobs in the
forenoon and with the boys went to Jim Lee’s swamp and got a
load of threshing wood. In the evening Sid Caney came down and
we had a musical evening with Willie Cafeley’s gramophone.
21 – The first snow of the season. Snowed off and on most of the
forenoon but did not lay any time. Went to Greenbank in the
morning taking the boys to school. W. Taylor’s threshing machine
came from Dusty’s and got into the barn before dinner and
threshed us out by working until after dark. Jennie cooking for the
threshers. Those here were Norman Lyle; E. Lyle; John Michie;
A. Akhurst; Jim Dusty; Arthur Chapman (for Jas. Lee); and Cecil
Phair. Made a doubletree for E. Lyle in the evening.
22 – A fine day. Threshing at Norman Lyle’s and finished a little
after dinner. Plowing rest of day. Jennie washing and visiting at
John Michie’s. Boys at school. In the evening, with Jennie and
the boys, attended the W.F.M. social in the church. A very dark
night and some rain but there were a few out. Rev. Mr. Miller of
the Methodist church spoke of his work among the foreigners of
British Columbia. Collection $21.00. Lu O’Neill and Margaret
Ward married.
23 - A fine day. Went down to John Michie’s for two apple bar-
rels and with Jennie’s help packed them for Mr. Laidlaw of Winni-
peg and spent the rest of the day picking the last of the apples and
finished the job.
24 – Started to rain about 8:30 in the morning and continued nearly
all day. Plowed awhile in the morning but had to quit for the rain.
Intended to go to Port Perry with load of evaporator apples but
took the buggy for Annie. Roads muddy. Boys at school. Jennie
churning. Jas. Lee and Irene O’Neill called.
252
25 – A fine day. Plowing E of the orchard all day. Willie went
with John Michie to Gibson’s mill and Greenbank. Mrs. John
Michie and Ruth called in the afternoon.
26 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Miss Clarahue, a
returned missionary from India, spoke and gave a splendid address.
27 – Somewhat dull morning. In the forenoon went with Jennie
and Annie in the waggon to Port Perry. Took 2 barrels of apples
for Winnipeg and 15 bags to evaporator. Topping turnips in the
afternoon, Jennie helping. Boys at school.
28 – Heavy rain in the morning and most of the forenoon. Jennie
drove the boys to school and went on to Greenbank while I did
some little jobs. Harrowing out turnips in the afternoon. Norman
Lyle came over to borrow the democrat.
29 – Rather a dull day and almost rain sometimes. Drawing in
turnips all day, Jennie helping; got in 14 loads. Boys at school.
30 – A fine day but cool. All day drawing in turnips, Jennie help-
ing; got in 13 loads. Boys at school.
31 – A very hard frost which did not thaw out in some places all
day. Topped the last of the turnips in the forenoon and harrowed
them after dinner. Jennie then went to Port Perry for Annie while I
cleaned out hen and pig house. Boys at school. Willie Cafelly
called in the evening and sharpened 2 razors.
NOV. 1 – Somewhat cold and windy all day. Drawing in turnips,
Jennie and the children helping; drew in 17 loads, which finishes
the job. 44 loads in all.
2 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Willie and James
walked. Mr. McKay preached on turning swords into plough-
shares. Special collection in SS for Knox College Missionary Soci-
ety.
3 – Rather dull and raw day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school.
Jennie washing. In the afternoon drawing in corn, Jennie helping.
Boys at school. Some rain in the evening. Willie Caffley started
to high school today.
4 – Some hail in the morning and several hail and snow flurries
during the day. Plowing in long field (sod) all day. Boys at school.
5 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. Jennie sewing. Boys at
school.
6 – A beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon and in the afternoon,
with Jennie’s help, drew in the rest of the corn. Mrs. John Michie
and children called. Boys at school.
7 – A beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon. Went to Port Perry
in the afternoon for Annie and brought Barbara Smith from the
station. Jennie cleaning and baking. Boys at school.
8 – Rain all forenoon. Did a number of inside jobs. Plowing in the
afternoon. Barbara and Jennie down to John Michie’s for supper.
9 – A terrible day of rain from the NE all day. At SS and church
with the children. J.A. Miller preached on his works to strangers.
A small turnout; only 42 at SS. [margin note: Terrible disaster on
the lakes, especially Lake Huron].46
10 – High wind through the night and snow in the morning. Drove
Barbara to train for home and Annie to Port Perry school. Plowing
awhile in the afternoon but it got rough and stormy with snow.
Jennie washing. Boys at school. Mrs. Mark left for Saskatchewan.
11 – Quite cold and wintery all day. Plowing sod all day and
nearly finished (long field). Boys at school.
12 – Hard frost in the morning but thawed out during the day.
Finished plowing sod and plowed some in field W of house.
Monet’s men brought 20 apple barrels. Jennie at W.F.M. meeting
at Alex Leask’s. Boys at school. Teachers had a big row with
Frank Fairbrother.
13 – Dark dull morning. John Warren, Mr. Woodley and Mr. ----
came to pack apples but it started to rain. Cleared up about 10.
We all went to work and took all the apples into the barn. They
then packed a few barrels while I plowed. Boys at school.
14 – A fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and went to Port Perry
for Annie in the afternoon. Gave Willie Caffley a ride home. Ap-
ple packers (3 men) here all day. Boys at school.
15 – A very fine day. In the forenoon drew turnip tops to cover
strawberries, boys helping. In the afternoon took 19 barrels of
apples to Port Perry. Willie went with me. Two men packing
apples and finished with lantern.
16 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Mr. McKay
preached on Home Missions. John Michie, wife and family called
in the evening.
17 – A fine day. Got up early and took the last of the apples (18
barrels) to Port Perry, Annie going with me. In the afternoon, with
Jennie’s help, picked up the cull apples in the barn. Mr. John
Michie and children picking some for themselves. Went down to
John Michie’s for the Fanny colt which has been pasturing there
during the summer. Boys at school.
18 – Very dull day, especially in the afternoon. Went to Port Perry
in the morning with evaporator apples and did some little jobs in
the afternoon. Jennie making me a smock.
19 – A terrible day of rain. Cleaned out pig and calf pens and hung
gate into orchard at the house and some other jobs. Jennie went
down to John Michie’s to telephone about going to Toronto tomor-
row. John Michie called in the afternoon. Boys did not go to
school. All hands went to Greenbank in the evening to prayer
meeting through the darkness and rain, but there was no meeting.
Buggy wheel played out just as we got home.
46
Two weather systems met over the Great Lakes and
there was a storm that lasted more than sixteen hours
continuously with waves at least 35’ high. 235 peo-
ple lost their lives. Eight large freighters sank,
mostly in Lake Huron.
253
20 – A fine day. Drove Jennie to Port Perry on her way to To-
ronto. Took 12 bags of oats to Gibson’s mill and got it ground in
the afternoon. Boys at school. Mary Dusty came down and
milked the cows.
21 – Some rain through the night; a very fine day. Mary Dusty
came in the morning and stayed all day. Plowing in the forenoon
and went to Port Perry for Annie in the afternoon. Boys at school.
22 – A fine day and almost like summer. Drawing out manure on
next years strawberry patch. Mary Dusty went home but came
back near night and stayed all night. S. Sleep called.
23 – Much colder with high NW wind; rain through the night.
Mary Dusty went home after breakfast. At SS and church with the
children. Had Jennie’s class in with mine at SS. Mr. McKay
preached. John Michie came up and helped to milk the cows.
24 – Several snow flurries during the forenoon. Drove Annie to
Port Perry school and met Jennie on her way home from Toronto
and Newcastle. Plowing in the afternoon. Boys at school.
25 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. Boys at school.
Fire away to the NW in the evening.
26 – A fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and drawing out manure
for strawberries in the afternoon. Jennie killing and dressing
chickens. Boys at school. All at prayer meeting in the evening.
Leaders of the topic were Jennie Gordon, Edgar Leask and Mr.
McKay. Jas. Lee, wife and baby called.
27 – Quite a hard frost which never thawed out. Plowed the piece
manured yesterday which finishes plowing for this season. Jennie
went to Port Perry market while I put on storm windows and some
other little jobs. Boys at school.
28 – A very fine day. Drew out straw to cover strawberries in the
forenoon and spread it in the afternoon. Jennie went to Port Perry
for Annie. Boys at school.
29 – Rather dull day. Spent all day doing small jobs principally
putting in glass and puttying windows. Jennie making dress for
Annie.
30 – A very fine mild day. All hands at SS and church. Mr.
McKay preached. Norman Lyle called with the mail about noon.
DEC. 1 – Jennie had to finish Annie’s dress before she started to
school so I did not get her in time for the forenoon session. Har-
rowing sod in the afternoon, a very rare thing for this time of year.
It was as warm today as June. Boys at school. Fairbrother’s fam-
ily are moving away today to Niagara.
2 – Rather dull most of the day. Harrowing and drawing of stones.
Jennie washing. Boys at school.
3 – A fine day. Spent all day relaying the pig house floor which
was dug up yesterday. W. Akhurst here in the afternoon getting
his hair cut. Sidney Kenney; A. Gordon and Mrs. O’Neill called.
All at prayer meeting in the evening; Mr. McKay leader. Boys at
school.
4 – A fine day. Jennie all day at Gordon’s helping to make dresses
for girls. Patching the shingling of the house roof. Boys at school.
5 – A beautiful mild summer-like day. All day deepening a part of
the drain put in last fall. Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie.
Boys at school.
6 – A very fine day. Finished deepening drain in the forenoon, the
boys helping. In the afternoon started to fit in window sash into
the west upstairs windows but found they were not the right size,
then puttied up the E windows. Children at Greenbank practicing
for Christmas tree.
7 – A fine day and a good deal colder towards night. All hands at
SS and church; Rev. Mr. McKay preached on Bible Society work.
8 – A very rough wintery day especially in the morning. Drove
Annie to Port Perry. Got window sash changed and fitted them in
in the afternoon. Jennie making coat for Willie. Boys started for
school but turned back at A. Akhurst’s.
9 – Not quite so cold. Did some little jobs in the forenoon and in
the afternoon went to Jim Lee’s with the waggon for load of wood
and a load of cedar sticks from the swamp field. Jennie washing
and churning. Mrs. John Michie called to get some aprons cut out.
Boys at school.
10 – A fine day. Spent most of the day helping Jennie to pick
chickens. All at prayer meeting in the evening. Laura Baird and
Mr. McKay were leaders. Boys at school.
11 – Fine day but pretty cold. Went to Port Perry market with
Jennie and James. Willie at school and went to W.H. Leask’s for
supper and Jennie, James and I also went for supper and had a
musical evening. Willie stayed all night. A beautiful clear night.
12 – A very fine day. Put glass in new upstairs windows and went
to Port Perry for Annie. When I came home Robert Akhurst and
wife were here and stayed for tea. Jennie washing woodwork of
kitchen and oiling the floor. Boys at school.
13 – A very fine warm day. Went to W. O’Neill’s in the forenoon
and in the afternoon took 12 bags of oats to Gibson’s mill and got
them ground. Children at Greenbank to practice for Christmas
tree.
14 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Mr. --- of Woodville
preached. All went to John Michie’s for supper.
15 – A fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school. Jennie wash-
ing. Spent most of the afternoon counting up church accounts.
Jennie at John Michie’s quilting a quilt for Mrs. O’Neill. Boys at
school. John Michie came up in the evening and brought his wife
and girls and left them here while we went to church managers
meeting in the church.
16 – Dull day and almost raining most of the day. Drove to the
manse at Wick and left horse there and Mr. McKay drove to
Blackwater and by train to the presbytery meeting at Lindsay. Got
supper at the manse on my way home. Boys at school. Christmas
fair day.
254
17 – A very fine mild day. Got John Michie’s buggy and Jennie
and Maggie Blair canvassed the congregation for Christmas pre-
sents for J.M. Real and Mr. McKay. She was not very well pleased
with the result. Spent most of the day puttying upstairs windows.
18 – Quite cold all day. A little snow through the night. Did some
small jobs about the barn. Mrs. James Lee and Olive Real here for
tea. Boys at school.
19 – A beautiful day. All hands at Port Perry fair in the afternoon.
A large turnout.
20 – A beautiful mild day. Jennie went over to W.H. Leask’s for a
Christmas goose. Drawing out manure in the afternoon. Children
at practice in the church and to Mission Band.
21 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. Saw dandelions in bloom.
22 – A fine day. Drawing out manure all day. Jennie washing and
dressing goose. Boys at school. Went to Greenbank in the eve-
ning to school trustee meeting at R. Cragg’s. Called at R.T. Har-
rington’s, Mrs. Walker’s, and got buggy wheel at Whiteford’s.
23 – Jennie and Maggie Blair went to Port Perry and got a chair
$9.00 as a present for J.M. Real. They went with the democrat but
it started to snow about 10 o’clock and before they got back there
was sleighing. I drove Maggie Blair home with the cutter and still
it was snowing; about 8 inches deep.
24 – A nice day; almost rain towards night. Did some odd jobs.
All hands at Christmas tree in the evening. There was a full house
and everything went off very well. Mr. McKay presented chair to
J.M. Real. About $15.00 taken in. James sang a piece alone.
25 – A nice mild day. Spent a very quiet Christmas. Sidney
Kenney was here for dinner and supper.
26 – Much colder day. Went with Jennie to preparatory service in
the church; Mr. McKay preached.
27 – About 8 below zero in the morning but a bright winter day.
Drove to Greenbank in the afternoon with the children.
28 – A fine day. Went with Jennie to communion service at Wick;
Mr. McKay preached. Not as many as usual from Greenbank. We
went by Greenbank and came home by the side road; sleighing
rather thin. All hands at the Methodist service at Greenbank in the
evening (special); Mr. Wellwood of Sunderland preached.
29 – Some colder. Jennie washing. Drove to Port Perry in the
afternoon with the children and in the evening all hands at annual
Sunday School meeting. There was a fair turnout. The pull was
electing a superintendant and did not succeed.
30 – A beautiful day. In the afternoon took 14 bags of oats to
Gibson’s mill (boys going with me). Mill not running. Jim Blair
takes possession tomorrow. Edna and Annie Gordon and Marie
Akhurst here most of the day. John Michie, wife and children, and
Misses Aggie and Margaret Forfar called a few minutes.
31 – A very fine day. Went to public school meeting; not very
large turnout. Was re-elected trustee. Went to Blair’s mill in the
afternoon for the meal, boys going with me.
1914
JAN. 1 – About zero in the morning and a fine day. Ed Lyle called
in the morning to tell us that Mr. W. Petty died suddenly just as the
new year came in. All hands at John Michie’s for dinner and tea.
W. O’Neill and wife and Margaret and Aggie Forfar were there
also.
2 – A fine day but rather raw. Did the chores and went down to N.
Lyle’s swamp to see a wood lot that he wants to sell. Annie at
Gordon’s. Jennie churning.
3 – Snowing a little most of the day from the E. Went down to N.
Lyle’s and bought firewood lot. In the afternoon went with Jennie
to W. Petty’s funeral. There was a good turnout. Mr. Balfour
conducted the services.
4 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached.
Started as superintendant of SS.
5 – A very fine day and pretty sharp in the morning. Drove Annie
to Port Perry school and in the afternoon down to Norman Lyle’s
swamp to cut wood but James Leask and wife came and stayed to
tea. We counting up the church account books. Jennie washing.
Willie at school. James did not go as Miss Warren is sick.
6 – A very fine day but rather raw. All day cutting wood in Lyle’s
swamp, James also. Willie at school.
7 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in Lyle’s swamp all day. Wil-
lie at school. James started to go but heard that Miss Warren was
still unable to teach. Went to annual congregational meeting in the
evening; a fair turnout and things went off fairly well. Alex Leask,
John Michie and Jas. Baird elected managers. $102.00 on hand.
8 – Some more snow through the night which helped the sleighing.
Drove Willie towards school and called at Alex Gordon’s and we
went up to the church and hired Mr. Cutler as caretaker of the
church. Cutting wood in the swamp in the afternoon.
9 – Cutting wood in Lyle’s swamp in the forenoon. Went to Port
Perry in the afternoon for Annie. Almost raining in the afternoon.
Boys at school. In the evening at Hydro Electric meeting in the
hall at Greenbank. There was a full house and a very good address
about the proposed Radial railroad and power.
10 – I think the coldest day this winter. Spent most of the day
cutting and splitting wood in the woodshed. Mr. Sleep called.
11 – About 6 below zero in the morning and very cold all day. All
hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached. J.M. Real and I
changed places in the SS; he taking the superintendant place and I
back as teacher in the corner class.
12 – Cold and rough NW wind. Drove Annie to Port Perry school
and spent the afternoon making out church report for printer. Boys
255
did not go to school. Below zero most of the day; 14 below when
we went to bed.
13 – Somewhere about 30 below zero in the morning and did not
get higher than 14 below all day. 18 below when we went to bed.
Kept in the house most of the day. Boys not at school.
14 – About 16 below zero in the morning but got warmer as the
day passed. A little snow from the SW in the afternoon. Jennie at
W.F.M. meeting at the church and got supper at Mrs. Walker’s.
Visited at Norman Lyle’s in the afternoon.
15 – Quite mild all day. A little snow in the morning. Went to
Seagrave with pig for S. Sleep and brought home a load of coal.
Got coal started in the stove. Jennie washing. Boys at school.
Stanley Real and Laura Baird married today.
16 – Quite mild. Cutting wood in Lyle’s swamp in the forenoon
and in the afternoon while Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie I
went to Mrs. Petty’s sale. There was a largest crowd that I have
seen for a long time at a sale and things went very well. Snow
from the E all afternoon. Boys at school.
17 – Colder and drifting especially in the afternoon. Went with the
boys up to Mrs. Petty’s for picture frames bought at the sale yes-
terday. Went to Blair’s mill in the afternoon and got the meal
home.
18 – About 8 below zero in the morning but a very fine day. All
hands at SS and church (drove the sleigh). Mr. McKay preached.
19 – Drove Annie to Port Perry; took the sleigh and got some
lumber to put partition upstairs in the house. After dinner went
over to N. Lyle’s to see him about the wood lot in the swamp as P.
Luke has forbidden me to take any wood off. Then went to Green-
bank to borrow Mr. Miller’s matching planes. Jennie washing.
Boys at school.
20 – Snowing a little most of the day from the E and quite rough
towards night and in the evening. Spent the day putting partition
upstairs. Boys at school. Jennie went for them and found the
roads nearly blocked with snow.
21 – Colder and drifting some all day. Working at partition up-
stairs in the forenoon and at managers meeting in the church in the
afternoon. John Michie brought his wife and family up and I rode
up to the meeting with him. Mrs. M. was getting a dress cut out.
Boys not at school. Roads through the fields and snow very deep.
22 – A fine day. All day at the partition upstairs. Boys not at
school.
23 – A fine day and got quite soft towards night. Went with Jennie
to John Michie’s and got 85 lbs of pork from him at 12 cts per
pound. The rest of the day at the partition upstairs. Jennie went to
Port Perry for Annie. Boys not at school.
24 – Rain through the night which settled the snow pretty well but
got colder towards night. Finished the upstairs job in the forenoon
and went for the mail in the afternoon. Annie went with me as far
as Gordon’s.
25 – Pretty cold but clear day. All hands at SS and church; Mr.
McKay preached.
26 – Some more snow through the night and a fine day. Drove
Annie to Port Perry school. Putting a cupboard under the E. chim-
bly in the house in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Boys at school.
Alex Gordon drove his wife, Mrs. Charles Gordon and Mrs. S.
Dusty here and they stayed for tea.
27 – Soft day; rain in the evening. Finished the cupboard upstairs
and painted the new room. Towards evening went over to N.
Lyle’s to help in with Mrs. Lyle’s piano. Jennie making house-
dress. Boys at school.
28 – Thawing all day. Did some jobs in the shop and cleaned out
the pig house. At guild meeting in the evening; Mr. McKay in the
chair. Harvey Real and I had the topic. Very small meeting. Boys
at school.
29 – Snow going rapidly all day. Put on old newspapers on the
new partition upstairs. Jennie down to John Michie’s in the after-
noon. W. Henders called. Boys at school.
30 – Colder. Spent the forenoon visiting Mr. O’Neill. Jennie went
to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school.
31 – Not so cold but a very rough day with hail and snow from the
E. Painting upstairs most of the day.
FEB. 1 – Rather rough but not so very cold. All hands at SS and
church; Mr. McKay preached.
2 – Milder. Drove Annie to Port Perry school. Jennie washing.
Helping Jennie paper room upstairs in the afternoon. Boys at
school.
3 – Mild and thawing most of the day. Helping Jennie all day to
paper room upstairs. Boys at school.
4 – Quite a bit colder and somewhat rough. Helping Jennie to
paper upstairs. Boys at school.
5 – A beautiful winter day. Took 14 bags of oats to Blair’s mill
but did not get anyone there. Jennie cleaning upstairs. Boys at
school.
6 – Colder and very rough in the afternoon with snow from the E.
Went to Blair’s mill for chop in the forenoon. Jennie went to Port
Perry for Annie.
7 – Rain through the night but it turned cold and in the afternoon it
was very rough and snowing from the NW. Painted the stair.
Jennie baking.
8 – A little below zero in the morning but calm, but before long it
was blowing strong from the W and rough. All hands at SS and
church; Mr. McKay preached.
9 – Four below zero in the morning and a high WSW wind all day.
It did not get very far above zero. Drove Annie to Port Perry
school. Boys did not go to school. Jennie knitting mitts.
256
10 – Below zero in the morning and hardly got above all day.
Boys at school. Jennie washing in the forenoon and at Jim Lee’s in
the afternoon. Did little but the chores.
11 – 20 below zero in the morning and did not get higher than
about 10 below all day. Boys did not go to school. In the after-
noon drove with Jennie as far as the new road. She driving on to
W.F.M. meeting at W.H. Leask’s and I to session meeting in the
church. A full meeting of session and a big women’s meeting.
12 – Another terrible cold day; 24 below zero in the morning and
did not get higher than about 8 below. Did the chores and visited
at Norman Lyle’s in the afternoon. Boys not at school. R. Branton
buried.
13 – Another very cold day; 12 below zero in the morning and did
not get higher than about zero all day. Went to Port Perry in the
afternoon for Annie. Boys not at school.
14 – About zero in the morning but got warmer but rough. Went to
Greenbank for the mail in the afternoon. Called at John Lee’s,
J.M. Real’s and Alex Gordon’s. John Michie and wife went to
Port Perry and left their girls here while they were away.
15 – About 8 below zero in the morning but got warmer and a fine
day. Walked up to the 11th
concession and met J.M. Real and we
went to Wick church to visit their Sunday School, James Leask,
superintendant and teacher of bible class. We came back to J.M.’s
for dinner and then to SS and church (Jennie and the children
drove up); Mr. McKay preached from the same text that Robert
Leask preached from at the opening of the church.
16 – About zero in the morning and pretty cold all day. Drove
Annie to Port Perry school. In the afternoon at John Michie’s and
Mrs. O’Neill’s. Jennie washing. Boys at school.
17 – Pretty cold in the morning but a very fine day. Boys at
school. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon and got a load of coal;
2175 lbs. John Michie here in the afternoon helping to cut apple
trees in the orchard. Mrs. John and girls here also.
18 – A very fine day. Took the boys to school and went on to
Greenbank and brought Barbara Walker home with me and Jennie
and her quilted a quilt. John Michie here in the afternoon cutting
apple tree wood. Party at E. Lyle’s tonight. It is said that Joe
Phoenix and [Peril?] Real were married in Toronto today.
19 – A fine day; colder towards night. Drew in the woodshed the
wood out of the orchard. Jennie and Barbara Walker quilting.
Jennie drove her home after supper. Boys at school.
20 – A little below zero in the morning but a beautiful day. Split
wood in the woodshed most of the day. Jennie went to Port Perry
for Annie. Boys at school.
21– A fine day but pretty cold. Split wood in woodshed in fore-
noon. After dinner drove Jennie and James to Port Perry on their
way to Brooklin. Cow sale at Port Perry.
22 – A pretty cold rough day. At SS and church with Annie and
Willie; Mr. McKay preached.
23 – About 15 below zero in the morning and very little above all
day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school and brought Jennie and
James home from Brooklin. Willie at school. W. Akhurst called
in the afternoon to get his hair cut and for some things we got for
him at Port Perry. Alex Gordon and wife called on their way home
from Port Perry. She was wanting help with a waist to go to Allie
Dusty’s wedding.
24 – Below zero in the morning but a beautiful clear day. Boys at
school. Arthur Gordon called on his way to Port Perry to say that
his mother was not able to come to get her waist made. About 11
W.H. Leask and wife came and stayed until about 5 pm. They
came principally to talk church choir and we threshed it out pretty
well.
25 – A very fine day. Took oats to Blair’s mill but there was no
one there. A notice on the door said the mill will not be running
until Thursday afternoon on account of the bursting of a steam
pipe, but there may be at least another reason as Jim is getting
married to Allie Dusty today. Drawing off brush from the orchard
in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Boys at school.
26 – A very fine day and thawing some. Went down to J. Michie’s
and telephoned to P. Luke of Epsom about wood lot but could not
understand him but he promised to come over next week. Over at
W. O’Neill’s in the afternoon. Marshall O’Neill is rebuilding
bridge across Nonquon on 11th
concession. Boys at school.
27 – A very fine day and thawing quite a bit. Went to Blair’s mill
in the forenoon for the meal (no one at the mill). In the afternoon
drove over to Epsom to see P. Luke about wood lot but he was not
at home. I then drove to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school.
Sleighing going.
28 – A fine day and thawing. Cutting wood in the woodshed in the
forenoon and in the afternoon with Willie and James went over to
Jim Lee’s to see about getting wood. Annie at Gordon’s in the
afternoon. Boys making windmill.
MAR. 1 – Colder and very rough especially towards night; high
NW wind. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached.
George Lee lost his third horse today with some mysterious dis-
ease.
2 – A terrible high wind all night and all day from the NW with a
little snow which was blown into heaps. Drove Annie to Port
Perry but not in time for school in the forenoon. Cutting wood in
woodshed in the afternoon. Jennie quilting. Boys not at school.
3 – Pretty cold in the morning but a fine day and thawing some.
Cleaned out hen house and fixed some doors. Jennie quilting.
Willie at school. W. Phoenix called.
4 – A very fine day. Drove cutter to Jim Lee’s swamp and cut
wood; home to dinner; and back again in the afternoon. Willie at
school. Jennie finished quilt. J.M. Real got his arm broke today
by getting it caught in his windmill.
5 – Went with Jennie in the sleigh to Port Perry market and to get
the horses shod. When we got home Mrs. Gordon was here and
257
Jennie helped her in the afternoon to make a waist. Drew two
little loads of wood from Jim Lee’s swamp. Boys at school.
6 – A little snow from the E nearly all day. Boys did not go to
school as they have the cold. Over at W. O’Neill’s in the forenoon
and in the afternoon drew two loads of wood from Jim Lee’s
swamp. Alex and Mrs. Gordon here most of the afternoon getting
Mrs. G’s waist finished. Did not go for Annie as she is going over
to Scugog with her roommate Veta Platton.
7 – Snowing a little in the morning but a fine day. Picked over
turnips in the root house in the forenoon and, with Willie, drove to
Greenbank for the mail. Called at J.M. Real’s to see him as he got
his arm broke a short time ago. He is doing well. When doing the
chores we saw that the little red cow was sick. Willie and James
went down to John Michie’s and phoned for vet Coates of Port
Perry who came up in about an hour and pronounced it indigestion.
8 – A pretty cold stormy day. All at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. Had a little choir practice after service.
9 – A fine day but cold. Drove to Port Perry to meet Mary Bell
and Gordon. Jennie washing. Boys not at school. Afternoon at
Jim Lee’s swamp cutting wood. Jennie and Mary Bell sewing.
The third night of Queen Esther concerts at Port Perry tonight.
10 – A fine day. Drawing and cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp.
Jennie and Mary sewing. John Michie and family called in the
afternoon. Boys at school. In the evening all hands at Greenbank
to the Ten Nights In a Barroom in the hall; a packed house and it
was pretty well done. W. Phoenix; Blake Cragg; Vera Cragg;
Irwin Bagshaw and wife; Ernie Salter; L. O’Neill; Frank Dobson;
--- Real and --- were the actors.
11 – Another fine day but very cold. Cutting wood in Lee’s
swamp. Jennie and Mary sewing. Willie at school. James started
but turned back owing to cold.
12 – A very fine day. Drew two loads of wood from Jim Lee’s
swamp and cut wood in the afternoon. Mary Bell and Gordon at
Jim Lee’s in the afternoon. Boys at school. Assessor Johnston
called and got dinner here.
13 – A beautiful day and thawing a little in the afternoon. Drew 3
loads of wood from Jim Lee’s. John Michie came up with some
butter and went with me to the swamp and cut some wood. Jennie
and Mary and Gordon Bell went to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at
school. The churn broke down and we got Norman Lyle’s. Mr.
W. Akhurst called, also Norman Lyle.
14 – A very fine day and thawing quite a bit in the afternoon.
Drew 2 loads of wood from Lee’s swamp in the forenoon. Went to
the mill in the afternoon but did not get the meal home. Went by
Greenbank for the mail. Boys went with me. Pascoe Luke called
just after dinner.
15 – A fine day and thawing. All hands at SS and church (drove
the sleigh). Mr. McKay preached on giving. Choir practice after.
16 – Thawing fast all day. Took 2 pigs to Port Perry in the morn-
ing; got 9 cts. Took Annie to school. In the afternoon went to
Blair’s mill for the meal, then to Jim Lee’s swamp for 5 telephone
poles. Water rising in the swamp and roads getting muddy. Jennie
and Mary Bell sewing. Boys at school and they came home wet as
the water is across the road.
17 – Thawing all day. Drove the boys including Gordon Bell to
school and went on to Greenbank. Cleaned out pig house in the
afternoon. Jennie and Mary sewing.
18 – Snowing all day and very rough towards night. Did little but
the chores. Fixed the churn. Jennie making Mary Bell a dress.
Boys not at school.
19 – Another all rough cold drifting day. Did the chores and vis-
ited awhile at Norman Lyle’s. Mary Bell in bed most of the day
sick. Willie had a bad time with earache during the night. Boys
not at school.
20 – Very cold day. Went down to see the road in the morning,
then to Greenbank for mail. In the afternoon Jennie drove Mary
Bell and Gordon to Port Perry on their way home and brought
Annie home. The boys at John Michie’s while I went to wood
cutting bee at the church. Rode up with John Michie. Alex
Leask’s sawing rig; and cut all that was drawn up.
21 – A fine day but not very warm. In the forenoon went with the
children skating on the flats by the Nonquon. A fine ice it was.
Pruned apple trees awhile in the afternoon. Miss Irma Bartuous
here for tea.
22 – A fine day. All hands at SS. We had no service as Mr.
McKay was ill. We went to the Baptist service; Rev. Mr. Ford
preached. Not a very large congregation.
23 – A very fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry with the cutter;
not very good sleighing. Helping Phair’s to cut wood in the after-
noon (Alex Leask’s machine). Jennie washing. Boys at school.
R. Flewell and Net Barrett called collecting for help for G. Lee
who has lost 3 horses lately.
24 – A very fine day and thawing quite a lot. Helping Phair’s to
cut wood in the forenoon and finished. They then moved here and
cut until 6 pm. Alex and Robbie Leask; E. Lyle; Norman Lyle;
John Michie and Cecil Phair were the help. Boys at school.
25 – Finished cutting wood here about 10 then moved to N. Lyle’s
and finished cutting his about 3; then to John Michie’s and we had
to quit. Jennie dressmaking and she was down to J. Michie’s in the
afternoon. Boys at school and came home pretty wet. Norman
Lyle and wife called in the evening.
26 – A soft day. Mud everywhere. Helping John Michie to cut
wood and finished about 3:30. Jennie sewing. Boys not at school.
12 little pigs came; 5 alive at night.
27 – Mild day. Split some wood in the forenoon. After dinner
went to church for session meeting. Did not stay for preparatory
service (Mr. Dodds of Sonya preached) but went on to Port Perry
for Annie. Veta Platton came home with us. Roads very muddy;
water up to the front axle of buggy on sideroad. Boys not at
school.
258
28 – A fine day; a little frost in the morning. Splitting and piling
wood most of the day. Annie and Veta Platton at John Michie’s.
Jim Lee called. A little white dog came and stayed around.
29 – A fine day. At communion at Greenbank with Annie and
Veta Platton; Mr. McKay preached. Not a very large turnout as the
roads were very bad. After dinner Clarence and Irene O’Neill and
the 4 Brisco girls came and took away the dog that was here last
night.
30 – Rain in the morning and most of the forenoon. Drove Annie
and Veta Platton to Port Perry school; roads very bad. Piled wood
in the afternoon. Jennie making herself a coat. Boys not at school
Ordered a telephone at Port Perry.
31 – A very fine day. Took 15 bags of oats to Blair’s mill; went by
way of Greenbank. Got Alex Gordon to go up to see Mr. Bedam
about church caretaking but he did not wish to do it. I then went
on and let the job to James Miller to fill out Mr. Cuttlers term for
$38.00. Went back after dinner for the meal. Mrs. James S. Lee
here getting dress cut and stayed for tea.
APR. 1 – A very dull day with rain off and on most of the time.
Finished piling up the firewood. Jennie washing, churning, baking
and some other things. Boys not at school. We had rather a bad
night with Willie with earache and James with a cough.
2 – Snow most of the forenoon. Went down to John Michie’s and
made a settlement for work etc. for the last 2 years. After dinner
went down again for a telephone pole and telephoned to vet Coates
who came about 3:30. He gave the heifer a dose and in an hour or
thereabouts she was dead. Got Norman Lyle to help to skin her.
Jennie making coat. Boys not at school. Pruned apple trees.
3 – Quite a hard frost in the morning and cold all day. Drew the
dead heifer to Lyle’s swamp and Norman and I opened her; then
wheeled out rotten turnips out of the root house. In the afternoon,
with Jennie, went to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school.
4 – Somewhat cold with several little snow flurries. Most of the
day pruning orchard. Mrs. Phair and Mrs. Bryant called in the
afternoon. In the evening went with Annie to choir practice in the
church.
5 – Pretty cold windy day. All hands at SS and church. After
supper Jennie and James drove Annie to Port Perry. Mrs. Jas. Lee
called while they were away.
6 – A very fine day. Pruning apple trees most of the day. About 9
am three men came; one of which was Nate Carr and another (the
boss) was named Lincoln; and they put in our telephone. They
finished about 4 pm. James at school. Willie on the sick list. In
the evening at church managers meeting in the church.
7 – A very fine day. All day in orchard pruning and drawing away
the brush. Hitched on to the cultivator and rooted a piece in the
orchard for potatoes but the frost was not out. This is the first
spring work that I know of. James at school. Willie not well.
Jennie quite sick towards night. John Beare buried at Greenbank
today.
8 – A fine day but not very warm. Nearly all day cleaning out
raspberry bushes. Jennie not able to do much but lay on the
lounge. Boys at school.
9 – Cold with several snow flurries. At berry bushes in the fore-
noon and went for Annie in the afternoon. Waited for the 5:30
train for Mabel and Willie Bell. Boys at school. Jennie quite a bit
better today.
10 – Pretty cold in the morning. All day at raspberry bushes and
finished cleaning them out and burning the brush. Jennie making
coat for Annie. At choir practice at S. Dusty’s in the evening.
Good Friday.
11 – A fine day but still quite cold. Scuffled berry bushes in the
forenoon while Jennie and Mabel Bell went to Port Perry. They
went by John Michie’s to get some things and on the way home
Mrs. O’Neill’s dog jumped at Fly and she broke the whiffletree of
the buggy. In the afternoon went with John Michie to bee at
church to finish cutting the firewood.
12 – A very rough day with high NW wind. All hands at SS.
Willie, Annie and Mabel walked. Mr. McKay preached. Church
smoky.
13 – A very hard frost in the morning but a very fine day. Drawing
out manure all day, Willie helping. Jennie washing.
14 – Pretty hard frost in the morning but a beautiful day. Drawing
out manure all day, Willie helping. Jennie making dress for
Mabel. Annie and Mabel at Gordon’s in the afternoon. Hugh Jack
and Dan Boe called and bought steer for 8 cts per lb minus $2.00.
15 – A very fine day. Plowing all day potato and strawberry
ground. Frost not very well out yet. Jennie sewing for Mabel.
Annie, Mabel, Willie and James at Mission Band at the church.
259
16 – A little rain in the morning and spitting a little most of the
forenoon. Plowing all day. Jennie dressmaking.
17 – A very fine warm day; like summer. Willie cultivated the
field NW of barn and about 4 o’clock I started to sow it; the first of
the season. Jennie making muslin dress for Mabel. About 7
o’clock the calf choked with a turnip; We got over Norman Lyle
and then phoned for vet Coates, but before he got here the calf was
all right.
18 – A very fine warm day. Sowing oats in the forenoon and fin-
ished the field. Willie harrowed it while I went to E. Barrett’s sale.
He has sold his farm to Ernest Phair. There was a good turnout at
the sale and things went very well. Jennie dressmaking.
19 – Boys walked to SS and got wet with rain. Jennie and I drove
later. Annie and Mabel got ready but did not go as a little rain
came up when it was time to start. Mr. McKay preached. Choir
practice after service.
20 – A little rain off and on most of the day. Drove Annie to Port
Perry, also Mabel and Willie Bell on their way home. Harrowing
and plowing in the afternoon. Jennie at John Michie’s in the after-
noon. Boys at school.
21 – A fine day. Plowing and cultivating all day. Jennie washing.
Boys at school.
22 – High wind and pretty cool. Cultivating most of the day. Boys
at school. Mr. Porteous called in the afternoon.
23 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Got Norman Lyle’s seeder
and sowed the SW field. Boys at school.
24 – A fine day. Cultivated N field in the forenoon. Went to
Blair’s mill with 12 bags of oats, then uncovered strawberries
while Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school.
25 – A little drizzle of rain most of the day. Willie harrowed the
SW field while I did some chores. After dinner went to Blair’s
mill for the meal. Irene O’Neill here in the afternoon getting dress
made.
26 – A fine day but rather cool. All hands at SS and church. Rev.
Mr. Laird; sec. Of the finance board, spoke on the budget. An after
meeting of the session and board of management. Decided to
canvas the congregation.
27 – A fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school. Plowed the
garden and several other jobs in the afternoon. Jennie houseclean-
ing bedrooms upstairs. Boys at school. Norman Lyle called to
telephone.
28 – A very fine warm day. Sowed the N field which finishes the
sowing, then harrowed. Jennie housecleaning. Boys at school.
29 – Rain from the E most of the day. Most of the day helping to
pick potatoes in the cellar. Boys not at school. James not very
well. Irene O’Neill here in the afternoon. In the evening, with
Willie, went to prayer meeting. An after meeting decided to can-
vas the congregation for missions.
30 – A fine day. All day harrowing. Jennie housecleaning and
painting. Willie at school. James some better.
MAY 1 – A very fine day. Moved the fence from the lane N to the
long field in the forenoon and in the afternoon, with Jennie and the
boys, went to Port Perry with 19 bags of potatoes.
2 – A beautiful day. All day helping Jennie to paper upstairs bed-
rooms. Boys went up to Alex Gordon’s for the mail.
3 – A beautiful fine day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. Nels Baird, wife and boy were up from Oshawa in his
auto.
4 – A fine day. A few drops of rain in the forenoon. Drove Annie
to Port Perry. Got 3 apple trees. Rolling grass field in the after-
noon. Jennie putting in garden seeds. Boys at school.
5 – A very fine day. Rolling all day. Jennie papering boys room
upstairs. Boys at school.
6 - A fine day. A nice warm rain in the evening. Rolling, cultivat-
ing, drilling up and sowed mangolds. Jennie housecleaning. Boys
at school.
7 – A beautiful day. Drawing out manure all day. Jennie washing
and housecleaning. Boys at school. At a meeting at A. Akhurst’s
in the evening about the division of the telephone line. Settled
satisfactorily.
8 – A beautiful day. Took the fat steer Joe to Port Perry. Went
with John Michie who took 3 cattle. Jennie drove down for me
and we brought Annie home. Drawing out manure in the after-
noon. Boys at school.
9 – A beautiful day. Willie rolled the N field while I tied up rasp-
berry bushes and some other little chores. In the afternoon went to
Blair’s mill with 12 bags of oats and got them ground. Went to
Greenbank for mail and had a long talk with T.E. Cragg. Jennie
making dress for Annie.
10 – A fine day. A few drops of rain about noon. All hands at SS
and church; Mr. McKay preached. All over at Norman Lyle’s in
the evening.
11 – A fine day. Took Annie to Port Perry in the forenoon. Plow-
ing in the afternoon. Jennie washing and housecleaning. Boys at
school.
12 – Rather raw and spitting rain from the E most of the day but
did not amount to much. Cultivating corn ground. Jennie house-
cleaning the pantry. Mr. O’Neill called in the afternoon. Boys at
school.
13 – A very fine day. Drilling up for potatoes in the forenoon.
Jennie housecleaning. Boys at school. In the afternoon out can-
vassing with Alex Gordon for church budget. Called at Jim Lee’s;
Mrs. O’Neill’s; John Michie’s; W. O’Neill’s; S. Dusty’s; and W.
Thomas’. In the evening at prayer meeting. Dr. Henders gave an
address on health hints. The three other pairs of canvassers re-
ported quite an improvement on last year. Jennie at W.F.M. meet-
ing in the afternoon and with the boys at prayer meeting.
260
14 – A beautiful day. Drawing out manure all day. Jennie clean-
ing the cellar. Boys at school. Arthur Chapman came over for the
roller for Jim Lee.
15 – A very fine cool day. Drawing out manure in the forenoon
while Jennie cleaned the cellar. John Michie and his girls came up
with butter to send to Agincourt. In the afternoon Jennie went to
Port Perry for Annie while I hoed the raspberry bushes. Boys at
school. In the evening Jennie and the children went down to the
bridge to fish but only got two mudcats.
16 – A beautiful day. With the children’s help planted the potatoes
and some horse corn, etc. Jennie housecleaning. Annie at Mr.
Porteous’ in the afternoon. Albert Beacroft and Alex Gordon
called for strawberry plants.
17 – A beautiful fine day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached.
18 – A very fine day and quite warm and dry. It looks as if it was
in for a long dry spell. Drove Annie to Port Perry school. Jennie
washing. In the afternoon planting strawberries; Jennie digging up
the plants. Boys at school.
19 – A very warm dry day. Rolled the corn ground then got Nor-
man Lyle’s drill and sowed the horse corn. Planting strawberries
in the afternoon; Jennie digging the plants. Boys at school.
20 – Another very warm dry day. Planting strawberries; Jennie
digging the plants. Very dry and not very hopeful of them grow-
ing. Boys at school. W. Akhurst called. A. Akhurst brought the
beef, the first of the season.
21 – Another very warm dry day. Got John Michie’s horse and
went with the waggon to G. Lee’s. Scuffled and some other chores
while Jennie went to Port Perry and brought Annie home. Boys at
school.
22 – A little rain, hardly enough to make the roofs drop before
dinner and a sort of mist during most of the afternoon; a good deal
cooler. Drawing out manure all day. Boys at school. Jennie mak-
ing dress for Annie.
23 – Cool day. Drawing out manure in the forenoon and finished.
Went to Greenbank in the afternoon with the boys and got our rural
mail box. Jennie making dress for Annie. A. Akhurst; Mr. O’Neill
and Irene O’Neill called in the forenoon.
24 – A fine day and somewhat dull. All hands at SS and church.
A student named Patton preached. I walked home after SS to
watch the mare and a colt came about 8 pm. Sidney Kenney here
in the evening. Mr. McKay was away at Gamebridge. Mona
Leask had an operation for appendicitis about midnight.
25 – Some rain in the forenoon and thunder about 11 am but did
not come here. Afternoon fine. Spent until about 2 o’clock trying
to get the colt to suck. Ray Dusty; Norman Lyle and John Michie
called. Jennie washing. In the evening all hands drove down to
the bridge to fish but did not have much success. The mosquitoes
were very bad.
26 – A very warm day. Annie went to Port Perry with Albert
Akhurst while I helped to move out the stove and whitewashed the
kitchen. After dinner, with Albert Akhurst, put up our rural mail
boxes on the 11th
concession. Jennie housecleaning. Boys at
school. About 8 pm. a terrific storm came up; the biggest hail I
think I ever saw. It broke 5 panes in the north kitchen window.
27 – Another thunder shower about 10:30 but no hail. Harrowed
the corn with one horse and hoeing. Jennie churning and baking.
Boys at school.
28 – A beautiful day. Hoeing strawberries in the forenoon. Jennie
got a call to John Michie’s about 1 pm and soon after another baby
girl was born.47
I went to Greenbank and got Barbara Walker to
come here to keep house while Jennie takes care of Mrs. John. All
hands down to John’s in the evening. Boys at school.
29 – A fine day. Made hen coops in the forenoon and went to Port
Perry in the afternoon for Annie. Boys at school. News of the
sinking of the Empress of Ireland in the St. Lawrence River; 1000
drowned.48
EMPRESS OF IRELAND
30 – A very fine day. Fixing fence on the concession in the fore-
noon. Drove Barbara Walker home in the afternoon and brought
her back, then put in the glass that was broken in the hail storm.
Annie went down to J. Michie’s.
31 – Cooler. All hands, but Jennie who is at John Michie’s, at SS
and church. Mr. S. Farmer of Port Perry gave an address to the
school instead of the regular classes. Mr. McKay preached. Choir
practice after. A little rain about 1 pm and thunder in the evening.
JUNE 1 – A very fine and cool day. Fixing fence at concession in
the forenoon. Plowing turnip land in the afternoon. Barbara
Walker washing and churning. Boys at school. In the evening,
with John Michie, took the beef heifer to Greenbank. Boys went
with us. First day of the rural mail delivery from Seagrave. W.
Stovin is the carrier.
47
Olive Beatrice Michie, b. 28 May 1914, d. 12 Feb.
1981; m. Robert William Brown.
48
The Empress of Ireland was in a collision with the
Norwegian collier Storstad under foggy conditions in
the early hours of 29 May 1914. 840 passengers and
172 crew members lost their lives.
261
2 – A very fine day. Plowing most of the day. Boys at school.
Mr. and Mrs. McKay and daughter called just before supper but
they went on to Jim Lee’s.
3 – A fine day but somewhat dull. Went to Greenbank in the
morning for the beef. Our beast turned out 19 lbs over. Plowing in
the afternoon. In the evening, with the boys, went to Sunday
School meeting to devise a plan to finance the school but not
enough came to do any business but Mr. McKay had a communi-
cants class of seven. Mr. and Mrs. McKay and child called in the
forenoon. This is the King’s birthday and there was a big time at
Port Perry; an old boys reunion. Norman Lyle came over for a few
potatoes to finish planting.
4 – Very like rain from the E all forenoon but it did not amount to
much. Plowing most of the day. Took Fanny colt down to John
Michie’s for pasture. Boys at school. Barbara Walker and Annie
at John Michie’s in the afternoon.
5 – A very fine day. Plowing and harrowing turnip ground. Boys
at school.
6 – A very fine day; a little frost in the morning. Did some chores
while Willie and Annie harrowed and rolled the turnip land. Drove
Barbara Walker home after dinner, then scuffled in orchard.
Jennie came home about 5 pm.
7 – Some thunder in the forenoon and about 1 pm but no rain here
which is much needed. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. Sidney Kenney here in the evening.
8 – A very warm day; about 88 in the shade. Scuffled corn in the
forenoon and made window screen in the afternoon. Jennie wash-
ing, ironing and churning. Put some water on the strawberries after
supper; they are withering up. Boys at school.
9 – Another terrible warm dry day and no sign of rain. Went with
Jennie to Greenbank store. Scuffled potatoes and drew water for
strawberries. Boys at school. Jennie making dress for Annie.
10 – Another terrible dry day but cool. Cultivated buckwheat land
and then drilled up 32 turnip drills and sowed them, although there
is little prospect of them ever coming up. At the school house in
the evening to trustee meeting. Jennie dressmaking. Boys at
school. Mrs. A. Gordon, Arthur and Lex, also Mrs. O’Neill and
Irene here in the evening.
11 – Another very warm dry day; no sign of rain; things withering
up. Plowing buckwheat land most of the day. Jennie dressmaking.
Boys at school. Mr. O’Neill and Irene here in the evening for a
hen.
12 – Another very dry day with high NW wind but much cooler;
no sign of rain yet. At road work. Drew 2 loads of gravel from G.
McMillan’s pit. Hoed mangolds and sawed wood. Jennie sewing.
Boys at school.
13 – Another terrible dry day with NW wind; no sign of rain.
Watered strawberries and hoed mangolds while Jennie and Annie
went to Port Perry. They also took Barbara Walker to the train on
her way to Oshawa to see her sister Mrs. J. Horn. They had a
fracas with a broken shaft on the buggy. Drilled up a few more
turnip drills and sowed them in the afternoon.
14 – Another very dry day with no sign of rain but not so very
warm. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached. The
Englishman that works at Woon’s sang a solo part and did it well.
Jennie and Annie at John Michie’s in the evening. Sidney Kenney
here in the evening. Amos Stone died.
15 – A high N wind all day and much dust and quite cool, cloudy
and a few drops of rain in the evening. Drew 2 loads of gravel
from G. McMillan’s pit for road work. Got N. Lyle’s drill and
sowed 18 more drills of corn, watered strawberries in orchard.
Jennie washing and churning. Boys at school. Sidney Kenney
here in the evening while we were away at Seagrave Anniversary.
After we went to bed there was a little shower but not enough to
make the roof run.
16 – Another terrible dry day with high N wind and quite cool.
Sowed and harrowed buckwheat land. Jennie sewing. John Mi-
chie came up for the turnip drill to sow his first turnips. He
brought Jean and Ruth and they stayed all afternoon. Boys at
school. Amos Stone’s funeral.
17 – Another terrible dry day and much warmer. No sign of rain
except that the wind was sometimes in the SW. Cultivated, sowed
and harrowed buckwheat. Jennie sewing and picking berries.
Charles Gordon here for dinner. Boys at school. Annie and the
boys at Mission Band.
18 – Another terrible dry day with SW wind. Went with Jennie to
Port Perry in the forenoon; took 24 boxes of strawberries, the first
sold this season. Scuffled the corn second time. Some clouds
came up in the evening but it was the same old story; no rain.
Boys at school.
19 – Cloudy in the morning. Drew water on the strawberries until
about 10 when it started to rain a nice mild shower and continued a
little drizzle until about noon. A grand rain and very welcome as
things were suffering very much. At preparatory services in the
church with Jennie. Rev. Mr. Black of Sunderland preached. 9
new members received: Dorothy Markwick; Henry Leask; Hugh
Leask; Alex Real; Leslie Real; Fred Real; Harry Guy; Oswald
Love; and Gordon McDonald. In the evening went with Annie to
choir practice at S. Dusty’s. Boys at school.
20 – Quite a hard frost in the morning but it did not appear to do
any damage. Drilled up the last of the turnips and sowed them.
John Michie brought the drill home. Hoeing in the afternoon.
Clarence and Irene O’Neill came for the turnip drill. Eva Leask,
Mary Dusty and E. Lyle called for strawberries.
21 – Went with Jennie to communion at Wick. A little rain on the
way home and a little dropping most of the afternoon. All hands at
church in the evening; Mr. McKay preached.
22 – A fine day. Helping Jennie, Annie, and Mary Dusty to pick
strawberries. Took 150 boxes to Greenbank for the Saintfield
festival. Boys at school. Jas. Blair Jr. and wife called in the eve-
ning.
262
23 – Picked a few berries and, with Annie, took them to Port Perry;
one crate going to Peterborough. Rolled buckwheat and hoed in
the afternoon. Rain all the way home from Port Perry; very warm
in the afternoon. Jennie churning and washing. [Minnie?] Lyle
called for some berries and Mrs. John Michie, Jean and Ruth here
in the evening. Strawberry festival at Saintfield and a beautiful
evening.
24 – A fine day; a little shower about 3 o’clock. Hoeing corn
nearly all day. Jennie at Methodist women’s meeting at Mrs.
Phair’s. Miss G. Stoven and Miss Warren, the school teachers,
came home with her and stayed all night. I went to political meet-
ing at Greenbank in the evening. Mr. [Linclar or Sinclair?] was the
speaker; a fair turnout. I had the honor of being chairman.
25 – A very fine day (too fine). Hoed corn most of the forenoon.
Jennie; Mary Dusty; Jennie Gordon; Sid Caney and Annie picking
strawberries. I helped in the afternoon and went to Port Perry with
3 crates to [?]. E. Lyle called in the afternoon; Mrs. John Michie
and W. Taylor in the evening, also Mrs. Jas. Blair Jr. Annie drove
the school teachers and the boys to school.
26 – A very fine day. Helped Jennie and Mrs. Dusty to pick
strawberries in the forenoon. Annie took some to Port Perry. Boys
at school in the forenoon; closed for holidays. In the afternoon all
hands at Union Sunday School picnic at Bert Beron’s grove on the
town line. There was quite a good turnout and a good time. Mrs.
O’Leary and Mr. Kennelly came for berries when we were away.
27 – Threatening rain a little sometimes but no rain. Hoeing in the
forenoon and scuffling in the afternoon. Jennie picking berries
most of the day. Mrs. W. Real; Mrs. Smith; Mrs. Gordon and
Arthur; Mrs. John Michie and girls called for berries. Norman
Lyle borrowed the buggy.
28 – All hands at SS and Methodist SS anniversary. A fair turnout.
Mr. McKay and Mr. Partridge of Uxbridge were the speakers.
Raining a little when we came out and continued most of the night
which will do a lot of good.
29 – Ontario election day. Rain off and on most of the day espe-
cially in the afternoon. Went up to Greenbank to vote before din-
ner. Did little all day. Calder and Sinclair running; Calder elected.
30 – A very fine cool day. Helping pick strawberries. Jennie;
Mary Dusty; Jennie Gordon; and Nellie O’Neill picking. Annie
took crate to Port Perry to ship to Mrs. Frank Wells, Lindsay.
Several parties called for berries.
JULY 1 – Dull day and a few drops of rain in the afternoon. Went
for the beef in the morning, boys going with me. Annie at
Gordon’s all night. At Methodist SS anniversary with Jennie and
the boys. A fair turnout and programme. The Port Perry male
quartet was the principal thing. Mrs. W. Real called for berries.
2 – A heavy rain in the morning. Scuffling in the forenoon and
picking strawberries and hoeing in the afternoon. Mary Dusty and
Miss Hopper picking berries. James Rennie and R. Braden called
for berries.
3 – A very fine day. Scuffled the corn and turnips. Mr.
McClintock and Mrs. Les Lamb here most of the day picking
strawberries. Mary Dusty and Jennie picking. Annie went to Port
Perry in the afternoon and brought Eva and Gertie Henry home
with her. Jim Dusty came down for Mary. Mrs. John Michie and
girls called at the berry patch.
4 – A very fine day. At Port Perry in the forenoon and at Blair’s
mill in the afternoon with 10 bags of oats and got them ground.
Boys went with me. Mrs. Gordon called for berries. Jim Dusty,
Sam Dusty and George Leask called in the evening. Man repaired
telephone.
5 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. Mr. Dodds of
Sonya preached as Mr. McKay was at Mrs. Oxtoby’s funeral.
Jennie, Annie and the Henry girls at the Methodist church in the
evening; it being Rev. Mr. Rowland’s first Sunday in Greenbank.
While they were away Mr. and Mrs. Forfar; Mrs. John Michie,
Jean and Ruth; James Lee, wife and girl called for a feed of straw-
berries.
6 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Paris greened the potatoes in
the forenoon. Picked strawberries. Jennie; Mary Dusty; Eva
Henry picking all day. Mr. John Michie called after dinner. Annie
and the Henry girls went to Greenbank with berries.
7 – A very fine day and warm. Picking berries and churning in the
forenoon. Hoeing in the afternoon. Willie and James went to
Greenbank with berries for McKague’s. J. Swanick came for
berries. Jennie preserving.
8 – A fine day and very warm. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie
washing and at W.F.M. meeting at Greenbank. A back pedlar from
Damascus here for dinner. Roy and Cathleen Leask here most of
the afternoon. Sidney Kenny here in the evening.
9 – A very fine and warm day. Cleaned out the strawberry patch in
the orchard. Jennie; Mary Dusty; Jennie Gordon picking strawber-
ries. The children and the Henry girls at W.H. Leask’s for supper.
10 – Very warm day. Hoeing turnips most of the day. Mary Dusty
here in the forenoon helping cook for the evening. Annie and
Gertie Henry went down to John Michie’s for dishes. In the eve-
ning the annual SS class gathering was held. About 60 were pre-
sent including Rev. W.A. McKay and all appeared to enjoy them-
selves. Music by Mr. Cook. A beautiful evening. After midnight
when it broke up.
11 – Another very warm dry day. Spent the forenoon greening the
potatoes, 2nd
time. Helped Jennie to pick strawberries in the after-
noon. Annie drove the Henry girls home in the afternoon and
brought from the train Willie Bell.
12 – A fine warm day. A little sprinkle of rain towards night. All
hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached. Mr. McLean and
boys and Mrs. John McLean of Brougham called in the forenoon.
13 – A fine day. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie washing and pick-
ing strawberries, probably the last picking for the season. Alex
Lee’s barn raising today. Did not get an invitation.
263
14 – A fine day and very warm. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie
picking black currants. Children all at Mission Band at the church.
Norman Lyle came over to telephone for the Dr. for his wife.
15- A fine and very warm day. Hoeing turnips and finished. Hoed
corn. Norman Lyle came over about 8 am and telephoned for the
Dr. and again about 2 pm. Jennie went over in the forenoon and
again after dinner and stayed until after 6. A baby girl was born
about 5.
16 – Another very warm day; looked like rain in the evening. Got
Norman Lyle’s mower and cut the hay and the strawberry patch.
Map agent from Whitby called.
17 – A fine day. A few drops of rain at noon. Raked up hay in the
forenoon while Jennie went to Port Perry with Annie who is going
to Platton’s on Scugog for a few days. Drew in 4 loads of hay in
the afternoon, Albert Akhurst helping.
18 – A fine cool day; a little drizzle in the evening. Drew in the
rest of the hay in the forenoon, John Michie helping; and in the
afternoon helping John Michie to finish his haying. Jennie pre-
serving black currants and rhubarb.
19 – A very fine cool day with high wind. All hands at SS and
church; Mr. McKay preached.
20 – Another dry day but not very warm. Got N. Lyle’s mower
and cut the hay in the orchard, then scuffled. Drew in the straw-
berry hay in the afternoon. Jennie and the boys picking raspberries
in the forenoon and preserved them in the afternoon. Old man
Dusty was buried today.
21 – A little rain about 9 am but it was soon dried up; rain is badly
needed. Plowing old strawberry patch and hoeing. Jennie wash-
ing. Mary Dusty here picking black currants. Boys at Greenbank
in the afternoon. Norman Lyle and Mrs. A. Gordon called in the
evening.
22 – Another dry day but not so very warm. Cleaning out old
strawberries most of the day. Jennie picking berries in the after-
noon. Got word that the army worm49
is over at James Leask’s and
locality.
23 – Rain in the forenoon and a sort of a drizzle most of the after-
noon which was very much needed. Finished plowing and har-
rowed old strawberry patch. Drove up to S. Dusty’s with Willie to
see the army worms work near W. Thomas’ woods. Not so many
as I expected to see but the rain has quietened them.
24 – Somewhat dull and cloudy but no rain. Scuffled turnips in the
forenoon. Albert Akhurst brought Annie home from Port Perry.
Jennie and Mary Dusty picking berries all day and I was helping
them in the afternoon. Annie and Willie Bell at Port Perry with
berries. Peter Leask and wife called in the evening for berries.
49
Army worms would wreak havoc with crops, eat-
ing everything in an area and then moving on to the
next food source.
25 – A very fine day. Finished scuffling turnips in the forenoon.
Jennie and Mary Dusty finished picking berries at noon. Mrs.
Dusty came for Mary. Annie and Willie Bell went to Port Perry in
the morning with berries. Hoeing in the afternoon.
26 – A very fine day but pretty warm. All hands at SS and church.
Mr. ---, the Dominion Alliance man, preached a good discourse.
27 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon. Jennie wash-
ing. Went to Port Perry again with the waggon for 7000 shingles
for the house at $4.00 per 1000. At W.H. Leask’s in the evening to
have a practice for a concert on Scugog. A little rain in the eve-
ning and a pretty dark night.
28 – A very fine day and quite cool in the evening. With the help
of John Michie we shingled the S side of the house. Jennie and
Mary Dusty, and in the afternoon Mrs. Dusty and Jessie McCorka-
dale, picking berries for the Methodist Ladies Aid social at G.
Lee’s. Sidney Kenney here in the evening.
29 – A very fine day. Shingling N side of house, John Michie
helping. Boys wheeling away old shingles. Jennie picking berries
in the afternoon. Annie and Willie Bell at Greenbank in the eve-
ning.
30 – A very fine day. Finished shingling house in the forenoon.
Jennie and Mary Dusty picking berries. Annie went to Greenbank
for Barbara Walker to stay while Jennie and I went to Scugog. We
started about 4 o’clock and got to Charles Gordon’s for supper,
then to the Centre Church to the ice cream social. There was a nice
turnout. The Leask trio sang and I was in for 3 pieces. We got
home at 1 am.
31 – Another fine day. Scuffling and hoeing most of the day. At
Greenbank in the evening for binder twine. Jennie, Mary Dusty
and Jessie McCorkadale picking berries in the afternoon. James
Baird died.
AUG. 1 – A fine and pretty warm day. Hoeing turnips second time
most of the day, the boys helping. Willie and James went to Port
Perry to the six train and met Jessie Bell of Rochester.
2 – A very fine day and warm and dry. John Michie, wife and
family came up at noon and he went with Jennie to James Baird’s
funeral. I was one of the bearers; the others were William McDon-
ald; Edley Stone; John McCully; Alex Leask and J.M. Real. Mr.
McKay conducted the services which were held in our church. A
very large turnout. Could not all get in the church. Sidney Kenney
here in the evening.
3 – A very fine day. At John Michie’s all day with horse cutting
oats. Jennie, Jessie Bell and Mary Dusty picking berries.
4 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Cutting at John Michie’s
until about 10, then moved up here and cut until almost 7 pm.
Jennie and Willie Bell at Port Perry in the afternoon. Mr. W. Ak-
hurst called in afternoon getting his hair cut.
5 – Another very warm dry day, no sign of rain. Went for the beef
in the morning, then cutting oats, John Michie helping. Peter
264
Maitland and Willie Rennie called wanting to sell a piano. News
that Britain has declared war with Germany.
6 – Another terrible dry warm day. John Michie came up and we
finished cutting about 3 pm, then I went to John’s and helped him.
Jennie and Jessie Bell picking berries all day. Norman got lend of
democrat.
7 – Another terrible hot dry day. Helping John Michie cut oats.
Jennie and Jessie Bell churning and preserving.
8 – Another terrible hot dry day. Spent most of the day cutting
marsh grass down near the creek, the first time I ever did so. An-
nie and Willie Bell went to Port Perry in the forenoon. No sign of
rain.
9 – Another terrible hot dry day with high SW wind which
scorches things up. All hands at SS and church. Jessie Bell and
Annie walked up and the boys walked home. No sign of rain.
10 – A wee little rain through the night and another dry day but
some cooler. Went with Willie for marsh hay cut on Saturday,
then for the rest of the day helping Norman Lyle to draw in grain.
11 – A fine day and quite cool with high N wind. Norman Lyle
helping me all day drawing in oats. Drew in field NW of barn and
the long field; 10 loads. Word came that George Lee’s youngest
boy Horace was found dead in the hay mow this morning. He had
been in the habit of taking fits.
12 – Another dry day and cool. Drew in the SW field, Norman
Lyle helping. Finished about 3 pm which finishes the harvest
except rakings. Then went to Norman’s and helped him to draw
in. Jennie went to Horace Lee’s funeral. She went with Mary
Dusty. Willie raking in the afternoon. Mrs. George Baird was also
buried today.
13 – A fine day. A little rain about 1 pm but not enough to do any
good. Helping Norman Lyle draw in and finished about 11 am.
Hoed and some other jobs in the afternoon. Willie raked long field
and drew in rakings. Jessie Bell and Jennie dressmaking. Sam
Dusty threshing.
14 – Quite a fine rain through the night which was very badly
needed. Went to Port Perry in the morning with Jessie Bell and
Annie on their way to Newcastle. Hoeing strawberry patch in the
afternoon. Expected to be at Ed Lyle’s threshing but the engine
needed repairs. Mrs. E. Boe died.
15 – A very fine day and cool. At Ed Lyle’s in the forenoon
threshing (Howsam’s machine). Fixing fence and some other jobs
in the afternoon. Jennie ironing. James and Alex Boe called want-
ing me to act as one of the bearers at their mothers funeral tomor-
row. John Michie and wife called in the evening and left their
children while they went to Greenbank.
16 – A fine morning. Left home at 12 and Willie went with me to
Mrs. E. Boe’s funeral at Greenbank. Service was held in the
church by Mr. McKay and a pretty good turnout. Being one of the
bearers, we went to Prince Albert where she was buried. The other
bearers were George Wallace; Jas. Blair; J.M. Real; D. McDonald;
and W. Phoenix and Edgar Leask drove. It started to rain about 1
pm and poured all the way to Prince Albert and back. Letcher was
the undertaker.
17 – Started to plow in the N field but had to quit as a thunder
shower came up. A fine rain. Plowing again in the afternoon.
18 – Between 3 and 5 in the morning there was a thunder storm
and a great downpour of rain which soaked things pretty well, and
another little shower at 1 pm. Plowing all day in the N field.
Jennie washing. Jennie and the boys at Norman Lyle’s in the
evening.
19 – Plowed in the N field until about 9:30 when a telephone mes-
sage came saying that Jessie Bell, Annie, and Helen and Douglas
Patton were at Port Perry. Willie went for them and got back about
noon. Plowing in the afternoon. Warm and close. E. Lyle was
saying that his oats that are cut are growing in the sheaf.
20 – Plowing until about 11 am when rain came on. Rain the first
part of afternoon and did not hitch up but hoed some. Jessie Bell
and Jennie sewing. War news is that a great battle is on in Bel-
gium, also that the Pope is dead50
. Greenbank band concert to-
night, no one went from here.51
21 – A great night of thunder and rain. Between 1 and 3 am very
heavy rain. A fine day. Plowing all day in the N field. Jessie Bell
and Jennie sewing. Annie and Helen Patton at John Michie’s in
the afternoon. Mrs. Alex Gordon and Mrs. Wes Luke here for tea.
War news: the Germans have captured Brussels in Belgium.
22 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Plowing all day. Jessie
Bell went down to John Michie’s after dinner for the paper and
Mrs. John and the children came up with her. The children here
had a great day down in the pond splashing. Jennie and Jessie Bell
sewing.
23 – A fine day. Looked like rain but no rain came. All but Jessie
Bell at SS and church (the boys walked). Mr. McKay preached on
the war. No war news today.
24 – A fine day and cool. Went with Jennie to Port Perry in the
forenoon. Gang plowing in the afternoon. Annie and Helen Patton
went to Greenbank. Jennie and Jessie Bell sewing. Mr. McKay
came in the evening and stayed all night. War news: A great battle
in Belgium between the Germans and the French and British.
Japan declares war on Germany. Russia claims successes.
25 – A beautiful day. Mr. McKay left about 9 am. Plowing rest of
day. Jennie and Jessie Bell sewing. The children had a big day
picnicking down at Norman Lyle’s spring. War news: The Ger-
mans appear to have driven the Allies back in Belgium. Russian
successes claimed. Canadian contingent getting ready to go to the
front.
26 – A beautiful fine day. Willie and Douglas Patton finished gang
plowing and harrowed while I hoed berry bushes. Jennie washing.
50
Pope Pius, 2 June 1835-20 Aug. 1914.
51
‘Battle of Liege’ ran for 12 days from Aug. 5-16th
,
the first land battle of the war.
265
Jessie Bell sewing. John Michie brought the beef. War news not
at all good except that the Russians appear to be gaining ground.
27 – A very fine day. About 8:30 am, with Jennie, started for
Brooklin taking Willie Bell home. We got there about noon and
got dinner at W. Kerr’s. Jennie went over to [?] while I went up to
the town and saw J. Whiteford. We went over to Jas. Smith’s in
time for supper, after which W. Stokes took us for an auto ride to
Brooklin and Columbus. We then called at Stokes’ and had a sing.
Mr. Hallet was there. War news: The great ship Kaiser William de
Goss52
sunk by British. Jessie Bell keeping house at home. [mar-
gin note: Willie Carnegie shoots Frank Whitfield].
28 – A fine day. We drove down to Frank Bratley’s passing a
wreck on the CNR where there were 5 cars off the track. Got to
Frank’s about 11 and got dinner there. The new electric RR has
made a bad mess of their place. Started for Oshawa about 2
o’clock. Called at Nelson Baird’s and he took us for an auto ride
down to the lake. Got back to Jas. Smith’s about 6:30 and stayed
there all night. No news; Russians advancing.
29 – Rain through the night and morning but cleared up and we
started for home where we arrived about 1 pm. Rain more or less
all afternoon and so did not do much. When we got to Port Perry
we heard that Willie Carnegie shot Whitefield’s boy last Thursday
and is to be taken to gaol today. War news: Four German war
ships sink near the mouth of the Elbe. Germans pushing on to-
wards Paris.
30 – All but Jessie Bell at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached.
Rev. J.A. Miller addressed the Sunday School. Quite a heavy rain
during service. War news: 2000 British trapped and nearly wiped
out.
31 – Jessie Bell and Douglas Patton went to Port Perry in the
morning while I scuffled the strawberry patch. Harrowing and
plowing in the afternoon until about 4 when a thunder shower
came on. Jennie making boys pants. War news: Russians captured
Koningsberg.
SEPT. 1 – Plowing and harrowing in the forenoon. Rain came on
about noon and continued most of the afternoon; very heavy be-
tween 3 and 4. Jennie and Jessie Bell sewing. Boys started to
school. Jim Dusty and Alex Gordon called in the evening to buy 2
year old colt but did not come up to my price. War news: French
claim a victory.
2 – Hoeing strawberry patch most of the day. A little rain about 2
o’clock; cooler in the evening. Jennie washing and canning corn.
Jessie Bell sewing. Boys at school. Annie and Helen Patton at
John Michie’s in the afternoon. War news: Russians claim a great
victory over Germany and Austria. A great battle on in France
between the Germans and the French and British.
3 – Rain about 3:30 and thunder. Hoeing and fixing woodshed
door. Boys at school. Annie and Helen Patton at John Michie’s.
Jennie making pickles. Jessie Bell sewing. War news: Russians
52
The German vessel Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse was
sunk at the Battle of Rio de Oro.
win a great victory over Austria. Germans still advancing on Paris.
Turkey said to have declared war on Russia.
4 – A fine cool day. A few drops of rain after dinner. Fixing gar-
den gate and the line fence between Norman Lyle and our place.
Boys at school. Mrs. O’Neill called; she was looking for a lost
heifer belonging to Willie Carnegie. War news: German advance
on Paris appears to be somewhat checked. Report that Russian
troops have been landed at Aberdeen, Scotland to help the allies in
France.
5 – A very fine cool day. Bagged up some oats (10 bags) and took
them to Blair’s mill; boys went with me; but did not get it home.
Went after it after dinner and that was about all I did. After supper
Annie and Helen Patton went to Port Perry to meet Mary Patton
and a man names Root from Buffalo. War news: Germans almost
passing Paris. Russians advancing.
6 – At church and SS with Jennie and our children and Helen Pat-
ton. Mr. McKay preached on the war. A heavy rain about 1 to 3.
War news: it is reported that 100,000 of the allies and 150,000
Germans were killed in the battle just closed.
7 – Cool and almost rain several times. Got up early and Willie
drove Mary, Helen and Douglas Patton and Mr. Root to Port Perry
to the morning train on their way home to Buffalo. Fixing line
fence near the 10th
concession and finished the job. Jennie wash-
ing. Jessie Bell sewing. E. Lyle called to see about corn cutting.
He has, with E. Jennison, bought a new corn binder. Mary Dusty
called for butter. War news: not of very much importance.
8 – A fine day and pretty cool. Took Annie to Port Perry to start
high school again. Alex Real also starts. While I was away Jennie
and Jessie Bell moved the stove in. Drew up the rubbish from the
line fence to the house for wood and cut some. Boys at school.
War news: The Germans being driven back.
9 – A fine day and pretty cool. Went for the beef in the morning
taking the boys to school. Jennie went also to Mrs. Walker’s about
the knitting. John Lee came down with us to Jim’s. Plowing 2nd
time in the afternoon. E. Lyle goes to Port Perry for new corn
binder. War news: Allies driving the Germans back all along the
line.
10 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie at John Michie’s
making a skirt for Elizabeth. Boys at school. War news: Germans
being driven back. Another Russian victory.
11 – A very fine day. Plowing until about 3 pm when Jennie went
to Port Perry for Annie while I scuffled strawberries. Boys at
school. E. Lyle got corn binder set up at Norman’s and cut his
corn. E. Lyle called in the evening. War news: Driving Germans
back.
12 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jessie Bell making herself
a dress. War news: Germans still being driven back. Russians get
a check.
13 – A beautiful fine day. At SS and church with the children.
Jennie stayed at home to keep John Michie’s baby while she went
266
to church. Mr. McKay preached. What is left of Mr. Harrington’s
class came into mine today. No war news.
14 – Another very fine day. Jennie took Annie to Port Perry
school while I watched the sow (only two little pigs) and hoed.
Plowing in the afternoon. Boys at school. A partridge flew
through the N kitchen window breaking a pane of glass. Jessie
Bell dressmaking. War news: Germans still being driven back and
Russians advancing.
15 – A very fine day. Plowing until about 3 pm when E. Lyle
came from John Michie’s with the corn cutter and started at 15
minutes to 4 and cut the biggest piece of corn. Jennie washing.
Boys at school. War news: Germans still moving back.
16 – A beautiful day. E. Lyle finished cutting corn in ½ hour. I
then took him to Weston Phoenix’s. Drew off corn the rest of the
day. Boys at school. War news: Germans still retreating but are
expected to make another stand soon.
17 – A very fine day and very warm. All day drawing off corn.
Mrs. John Michie and baby here in the afternoon. Boys at school.
War news: about the same as yesterday.
18 – A very fine day. Drawing off corn and finished in the fore-
noon. In the afternoon at preparatory service in the church. Rev.
Mr. West of Port Perry preached. After service I drove Mr. West
home and brought Annie home. Boys at school. War news: A
great battle on.
19 – A beautiful day and pretty warm. Plowing corn stubble most
of the day. War news: Great battle still on.
20 – A very warm and fine day. At communion at Greenbank with
Jennie. A good turnout; Mr. McKay preached. Jas. Lee, wife and
Ruby called in the evening. John Michie’s girls here while they
were at church.
21 – Another fine and very warm day. Took Annie to Port Perry
school in the forenoon. In the afternoon had Norman Lyle cut the
buckwheat. Boys at school. War news: Big battle still on; both
sides appear to be exhausted.
22 – A fine day and very warm. Shocked up the buckwheat and
then plowed until about 3 pm when I went to help Albert Akhurst
to thresh (John Howsam’s machine). Lightning in the evening but
no rain. Jennie at John Michie’s in the forenoon looking after
things as Mrs. John is away on a visit to her birth place. Boys at
school. Mr. W. Akhurst called in the forenoon. Another partridge
flew through the N window breaking a pane of glass. War news:
Big battle still going on. A heavy thunder shower about 11 pm.
23 – Some rain in the forenoon and about 2:30. Helping A. Ak-
hurst to thresh and finished at 10 am. Plowing corn stubble the rest
of the day. Boys at school. Jessie Bell dressmaking. War news: 3
British cruisers sunk by Germans53
. Allies claim a little advance in
France. Russians claim another victory.
24- A fine day and cooler. Plowing all day in the N field. Boys at
school. Jennie Gordon, who is keeping house for John Michie,
was here with Jean and Ruth for dinner and tea. Jennie and Jessie
making the girls dresses. Roy O’Neill; D. Cragg; Mr. Brisco; and
Mrs. I. O’Neill threshed today. War news: Allies drawing the
Germans back a little. Russians have captured important town in
Austria.
25 – Quite cool all day. All but Jessie Bell at Port Perry fair. Got
there about 9:30 in time to be at the patriotic demonstration near
the post office. Mr. Hutchison and Murray were the speakers. We
got dinner at Mr. Henry’s and then to the fair. There was a pretty
good turnout. The great attraction was a [?] by women, which
came off all right. War news: not much of importance.
26 – A fine day and pretty cool and dull. Plowing all day in N
field. Jennie churning, ironing, baking, etc. Annie at John Mi-
chie’s in the afternoon. War news: Allies claim to be driving Ger-
mans back a little in one place and the Germans gain a little in
another.
27 – A fine day and pretty cool. All hands but Jessie Bell at SS.
Mr. McKay did not come so there was no church service. Willie
went up with Sidney Kenney to the Methodist SS rally in the fore-
noon and got dinner at G. Lee’s. All hands over at Jim Lee’s. No
war news today.
28 – A fine day. Quite a hard frost in the morning. Took Annie to
Port Perry school and met Mrs. J. Joyce who came up from Brook-
lin and brought her here. In the afternoon, with Norman Lyle,
went to W. Carnegie’s sale. We spent most of our time there col-
lecting to help Mrs. O’Neill who lost a cow on the RR crossing last
week. In the evening took Mrs. Joyce to Mrs. Walker’s at Green-
bank. Boys at school. Jessie Bell making apple jelly. Jennie
washing. War news: Germans still being driven a little back.
29 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. In the afternoon,
with Norman Lyle, collecting for Mrs. O’Neill. We went as far
back as Woon’s, then to P. Leask; W.H. Leask; Jas. Leask; G.A.
McMillan’s; Alex Leask; G. Real; J.M. Ross and Greenbank. Got
about $21.00 in all. Boys at school. War news: Allies still holding
their position.
30 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. Hoeing strawber-
ries in the afternoon while Jennie and Jessie Bell went to Mission
Band meeting and to Dusty’s; Walker’s and Akhurst’s. Boys at
school. Jessie Bell and Willie at John Michie’s in the evening
while John went to beef ring meeting. Norman Lyle got their baby
baptized this afternoon. War news: Reports of a victory for the
allies but the story is not trustworthy.
OCT. 1 – A beautiful clear day. Plowing all day. Boys at school.
Jennie and Jessie Bell visiting at Akhurst’s and Gordon’s. Nothing
new in war news. C. Whetter married.
53
The Royal Navy cruisers were the Aboukir; Hogue;
and the Cressy. Approximately 1450 sailors lost their
lives.
267
2 – Another beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon. Hoeing
strawberry patch in the afternoon while Jennie went to Port Perry
for Annie. Mary Dusty here in the afternoon and for tea. She was
getting a waist made I think. Mrs. N. Lyle and baby called. Boys
at school.
3 – A beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon and drew in the
buckwheat in the afternoon, the boys helping. S. Henry and Leo-
nard here in the forenoon for snow apples and Roy and Cathleen
Leask for some in the afternoon. Mary Dusty and Jennie and
Bessie Gordon here for tea. War news: very little change.
4 – A very fine day. All hands including Jessie Bell at SS and it
was rally day service. No war news.
5 – A very fine day and quite warm. Drove Annie to Port Perry
school. Plowing in the afternoon. Went with John Michie to man-
agers meeting in the church. Mrs. John and children stayed here
while we were away. Jennie washing. Boys at school. War news:
nothing decisive.
6 – Another beautiful day. Spent an hour plowing in ruts in the hill
on the road, then plowed until about 3 pm when Jennie and Jessie
Bell went to W.H. Leask’s for tea. Boys at school. War news
about the same. The Allies have had to give way in one place.
7 – A very fine day. Jennie drove Jessie Bell and her trunk to Port
Perry on her way back to Rochester while I cut wood. Plowing in
the afternoon. John Michie here picking apples. Boys at school.
Jennie at W.M. meeting at J.M. Real’s in the afternoon. War news
not very encouraging. Roy O’Neill moved to Port Perry today.
8 – Some rain in the forenoon. All day drawing gravel from W.
Thomas’ pit to the 10th
concession near the side road and on the
hill on our sideroad; 5 teams drawing. John Michie, wife and girls
here in the afternoon for some apples. No school as teachers con-
vention is on. Boys at Thomas’ in the afternoon. War news still
very scarce and not too good.
9 – Drawing gravel from W. Thomas’ pit for next year’s road
work. Drew 6 loads to the hill. A thunder shower came on about 3
and lasted for an hour (I was in Thomas’ stable). Jennie and the
boys picking apples awhile in the afternoon. Annie came home
with John Michie in the waggon. War news: Antwerp bombarded
and is likely to be taken by the Germans.
10 – Rain through the night and in the morning. Went up to the
school house to see the new [calsomining ?], then to R. Cragg’s.
Plowing sod in the afternoon. Thunder shower between 6 and 7.
Annie went to a SS class party at Mrs. Jas. McMillan’s and on
account of the rain did not get home but stayed all night at Mrs.
McMillan’s. Albert Akhurst and Marie came for 2 bags of Talmon
Sweets. James making hen coop for the school fair. War news:
Antwerp still holds out.
11 – A fine day and cooler. All hands at SS and church; Mr.
McKay preached a thanksgiving and patriotic sermon.
12 – A very fine day. This is Thanksgiving and we celebrated it by
all hands digging potatoes (the poorest crop for many years).
Sidney Kenney here in the evening. War news bad. Antwerp has
been captured by the Germans but the Allies have made advances
in France.
13 – Quite a cold day. Took Annie to Port Perry school and with
Jennie finished digging potatoes in the afternoon. Boys at school.
War news not very good. Russian cruiser sunk and they have had
to retire in some parts.
14 – A little cold in the morning but a very fine day. Topped,
harrowed out, and drew in mangolds (6 ½ loads); Jennie helping to
draw in. Jennie washing. Boys at school. War news not at all
good.
15 – Picking apples, Jennie helping, and in the afternoon at Green-
bank to a hydro electric railway meeting in the hall. Sir Adam
Beck was the speaker54
. There was a fair attendance and a very
good address. Boys at school. War news: Germans advance on
Ostend.
16 – An E wind and misty and rainy most of the day. The boys
drove up to the school house with their stuff for the school fair.
James brought the rig home while I packed and picked apples. In
the afternoon, with Jennie and James, at the school fair which was
quite a success. A good turnout which would have been better but
for the weather. A large exhibit. Willie got 2nd
on mangolds and
3rd
on his plot. James got 6th
on his corn and 1st
on the plot and 4th
on hen coop. Annie came home with Mrs. R. Cragg. War news a
little better. Austrian dreadnaught just finished; burned; and the
Allies make some gains but the Germans are advancing on Ostend.
17 – Rain through the night and a very heavy shower between 6
and 7 in the morning. Plowing most of the day. Jennie making
dress for Annie. Annie and the boys picking apples in the after-
noon. Roy, Cathleen and Lucille Leask came for some snow ap-
ples. War news: British cruiser Hawk sunk by German submarine.
Allies gaining a little in France.
18 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. Rev. Mr. Smith
of Bobcaygeon preached. Went over to visit Norman Lyle in the
evening but there was no one there. No war news today.
19 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with
Annie and two barrels of apples for Winnipeg. Afternoon went
with Jennie to Greenbank to vote for the Radial Railway by-law
(voted for the RR), then picked apples, Jennie and the boys help-
ing. Jim Dusty here in the forenoon for apples. Boys at school.
War news somewhat better. 4 German torpedo boats sunk and
Allies gaining.
20 – A very fine day. Foggy in the morning. Plowing all day.
Mrs. S. Dusty called in the afternoon and Norman Lyle in the
evening. Boys at school. War news: not much of importance.
Radial Railway vote went strongly in favour.
21 – A very fine day. Plowing sod all day. Russell Thomas here
in the afternoon for apples. Boys at school. Mrs. A. Akhurst here
54
Sir Adam Beck (1857-1925) was a politician and
founder of the Hydro Electric Power Commission of
Ontario.
268
in the afternoon getting waist cut. War news: a fierce German
attack but Allies hold.
22 – A very fine day. Plowing sod all day. W. Akhurst here in the
forenoon. Alex Gordon, wife and Lex here for apples and stayed
for dinner. Boys at school. War news some better. Belgians doing
some good fighting and Russians claim a big victory on the Vistula
River.
23 – A very fine day. Plowing sod until about 2:30 and finished,
then scuffled strawberries while Jennie went to Port Perry for
Annie. William Leask and wife came for apples. S. Sleep called.
Boys at school. War news: Allies holding and gaining a little.
24 – A very fine day and somewhat cool. Cleaning out grainery
and pig house while Willie harrowed. Jennie making Annie a coat.
Plowing in the afternoon. C. Love’s two boys here for apples. J.
Leask’s threshing machine went down to Jim Lee’s in the evening.
War news: gains and losses on both sides.
25 – Quite a cool but fine day. All hands at SS and church. Mr.
McKay preached. Charley Blair of Ottawa and Jas. Watson of
Clifford were there. G. Wallace sat with his wife. No war news.
26 – Cold raw day with some snow in the afternoon (the first of the
season); freezing hard. Jennie took Annie to Port Perry school
while I went to Jim Lee’s threshing; finished about 3:30. They
then moved to Mrs. Phair’s and threshed until dark. Boys at
school. James came home at first recess as Miss Warren was ill.
War news: terrible battle in Belgium with no decisive result. Rus-
sians claim big victory.
27 – A very hard frost for the time of year and pretty cold until
towards night when it got milder. Threshing all day until after dark
at Mrs. Phair’s and finished. Machine moved to Jim Gibson’s.
Boys at school but James came home as Miss Warren is still ill.
War news some better. Allies holding; Indian troops distinguish
themselves.
28 – A fine day and somewhat cool. Picking Ben Davis apples in
the forenoon. Jennie washing. James drawing in wood. Willie at
school. In the afternoon Jack Leask’s threshing machine came
about 2 o’clock and threshed until dark. Jack and Robbie Leask
stayed all night. War news: Allies holding. A serious rebellion in
South Africa under Gen. DeWitt.
29 – Finished threshing about 9 am. They then moved to N.
Lyle’s. Ernest Phair went in my place until noon and I until they
finished about 4. Rained more or less all the time. They then
moved to John Michie’s but did not thresh. Willie at school. War
news said to be satisfactory. Allies hold and gain some and even
the Germans admit that the Russians have driven them back.
30 – A very fine day. Threshing at John Michie’s and finished
about 2 o’clock. Jennie and James helping Mrs. John. Jennie and
James went to Port Perry for Annie. Willie at school. In the eve-
ning all hands at the women’s missionary thank offering social. A
very fine evening and a good turnout. Rev. Mr. McKay was the
speaker of the evening. Those who took part were the Leask trio;
Jennie Gordon; Mona Leask; Gertie Phoenix. War news: Turkey
starts war with Russia. Allies holding their own.
31 – A fine day. Willie harrowing while I took Ben Davis apples.
Jennie coat making. In the afternoon with the children picked the
remaining Ben Davis’ for the evaporator, then we topped some
turnips. War news: Allies gain all along the line.
NOV. 1 – All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached.
When church was dismissed a thunder shower was on and we got
some wet before we got home. No war news.
2 – Somewhat cool all day. Took Annie and a load of apples to
Port Perry in the morning. Jennie washing. In the afternoon
topped turnips. Mrs. O’Neill and Irene called in the afternoon.
Boys at school. War news: Another British cruiser sunk in the
Straits of Dover. Allies advance a little. Turkey in the fight for
sure.
3 – All hands at turnips and got in 10 loads. A little rain after
dinner. Mr. O’Neill and Irene came up to help with turnips. War
news: Allies holding and advancing some places.
4 – A high wind most of the day. All hands at turnips in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon Jennie went with Mrs. A. Akhurst and
Mary Dusty to women’s missionary meeting at Jas. Boe’s while I
and the boys drew in turnips; got in 10 loads. War news: British
got a bad smash in naval battle in the South Pacific; also lost a
submarine in the North Sea. Allies holding all along the line.
5 – A very disagreeable day with many little showers from the
NW. With Jennie’s help, finished drawing in turnips in the fore-
noon; 5 loads; 27 loads in all. Did some small jobs in the after-
noon. Boys at school. War news: Allies advancing; Russians
advancing.
6 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie down to John Michie’s to
keep the children while they were at Port Perry. They brought
Annie home. Boys at school. Willie came home after dinner as
Miss Stoven went home as her brother Stanley is very ill. James
brought a rabbit home. War news: Allies still holding. Germans
retreating before the Russians.
7 – A thunder shower in the forenoon. Went with the boys and 12
bags of oats to Blair’s mill and got them ground. Brought Fanny
colt home from John Michie’s where she has been pasturing since
June 4th
. Stanley Stoven died this morning. War news: Allies
holding and gaining. Russians driving Germans back. Japan cap-
ture the German city in China.
8 – A fine day but pretty cool. All hands at SS and church; Mr.
McKay preached. No war news.
9 – A very fine day. Annie went to Port Perry with Albert Ak-
hurst. Drawing out manure and plowing berry patch for next year.
Jennie washing. Jennie went with Mrs. Akhurst to Stanley
Stoven’s funeral. No school today. War news: everything looks
better.
10 – A fine day until noon when it started to snow from the S and
continued all afternoon. Drawing in corn, Jennie and Willie help-
ing until about 2 o’clock. Jennie then went to Ladies’ Aid of the
Methodist Church at E. Lyle’s. War news about the same as yes-
terday.
269
11 – Rather cool day; snow did not all go away. Plowing in the
forenoon. Went over to F. Bratley’s in the afternoon. James not
very well and not at school. Willie went to school but came home
as there was no school. War news: The principal thing is the sink-
ing of the German cruiser Emden which has sunk 24 British ships
and the Konigsberg bottled up. Allies holding the lines.
12 – A fine day but cool. Jennie went to market at Port Perry
while I raked up the turnip tops and in the afternoon, with Willie’s
help, drew some of them to cover the strawberry plants. James not
at school. War news not so good. The Germans have captured
Dixmude, an important point on the lines. A British gunboat sank
by a torpedo.
13 – About 2 inches of snow fell through the night, then rain in the
morning, which took away most of the snow. Colder towards night
with high wind. Did quite a number of small jobs. Jennie finish-
ing coat for Mabel Bell. Willie went to Port Perry for Annie.
James S. Lee called in the afternoon. War news: Allies holding all
along the line. Russians advancing.
14 – A fine day. Drew the rest of the turnip tops on the strawberry
patch, Willie helping, then 3 loads of manure, then 1 load of corn.
James Lee and Arthur Chapman came for the cutting box. War
news better today. Allies reported to have retaken Dixmude.
Russians advancing; 2 German submarines sunk.
15 – A decidedly bad day; rain all day from the S. At SS and
church with the children. Mr. Bruce, a returned missionary from
Homan, preached. No war news.
16 – A fine day and getting colder towards night. Went with An-
nie to Port Perry and brought back with me Barbara Walker. She
came on the train from Oshawa. She stayed to dinner and Jennie
drove her home. Plowing in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Boys
at school. War news: Allies holding; Russians advancing. Gen-
eral Roberts dead.
17 – A very rough day with many snow flurries and high NW
wind. Took in some of the wood into the shed and put up little
stoves. John Michie called in the forenoon. Boys at school. War
news: nothing of much importance.
18 – A little snow with high wind. Finished taking in the wood.
Mr. Grove of Raglan called. Went over to Jim Lee’s in the fore-
noon. Jennie housecleaning. Boys at school. In the evening at
school trustee meeting at R. Cragg’s while Jennie and the boys
were at prayer meeting in the church. War news: nothing new.
19 – A fine mild day. Finished drawing in the corn, Jennie help-
ing, and drew a load of buckwheat straw on the strawberry patch.
Boys at school. War news: Allies holding. Boys got their money
for prizes at school fair.
20 – Somewhat cold all day. Spread the straw on the strawberries
and put up storm windows and doors. Went to Port Perry in the
afternoon for Annie. Jim Lee brought over steer we bought for
beef ring. John Michie called. Boys at school. War news: not very
good; Germans driving Russians back at one place at least.
21 – A rather nice day. Spent most of the day relaying pig house
floor. Edna Gordon here for supper and stayed all night. War
news: Germans still driving Russians back. Allies holding in the
west.
22 – Quite a snow storm in the morning and a little off and on
during the day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay preached.
No war news. A little before midnight Jas. Blair Jr. came for
Jennie as his wife was unwell.
23 – A pretty sharp morning. Drove Annie to Port Perry school.
Took the buggy but there were some cutters and sleighs on the
road. Jennie did not get home until about 3 pm (a baby boy born at
Blair’s). Spent most of the afternoon relaying floor in pig house.
Boys at school. War news: Russians claim to have checked the
German advance in Poland. Allies holding in the west.
24 – Snow a little sometimes and quite dull all day. Did some odd
jobs. Jennie washing. Boys at school. War news: Russians driv-
ing the Germans back. Allies holding in the west. German subma-
rine sunk.
25 – A fine day and the snow going fast. Did a few odd jobs and
whitewashed the pantry. Jennie housecleaning. In the afternoon
Jennie went with Mrs. J.M. Real to visit Mrs. Jas. Baird at Saint-
field. Boys at school. In the evening at Richard Cragg’s to a
school trustee meeting to consider applications for teacher; nine in
number
26 – Quite mild all day and snow nearly all gone. Put tar paper
around the little apple trees and cleaned out drain mouths. Boys at
school. W. Phoenix called. Norman Lyle digging potatoes. War
news: Russians driving Germans back again in [Balaind?]. Allies
advancing in the west.
27 – A fine day. Drew out some stones and plowed a little then
went to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school. In the evening went
with the boys to the church to see the war pictures by a Mr. Win-
chester of Toronto. There was a fair turnout and the speaking was
good but the pictures were too dim. $30.65 taken in; expenses
$17.50. War news: British battle strip blown up in the mouth of
the Thames. Allies holding in the west. Russians claim victory.
28 – A very fine day. Put in some window glass and some other
little jobs. Irene O’Neill up getting dress fitted. Boys down to
John Michie’s. In the evening at Sons of Temperance division
which has not met for a long time. There was about 15 new mem-
bers came in and it is hoped that it is to have a new start. War
news about the same as yesterday.
29 – A beautiful day. At SS with the children. Jennie stayed at
home to keep Mrs. John Michie’s baby and Jean. After SS I went
over to the Baptist church, it being anniversary there. The speaker
was Mr. Pearcy who gave a recital of Elijah and the prophets of
Bale and two others, which were very fine. John Michie and family
stayed for tea. Jennie and Willie went to the Baptist in the eve-
ning.
30 – A muggy rainy day. Did little but the chores. Jennie took
Annie to Port Perry. Boys at school. War news: very little to
report.
270
DEC. 1 – A dull foggy day and quite mild. Plowing all day.
Jennie washing and making dress for Irene O’Neill. Boys at
school. War news about the same as the last few days.
2 – Another muggy foggy almost rainy but mild day. Plowing all
day and finished the turnip field just W of the house. Jennie oiling
kitchen floor. Irene O’Neill here in the afternoon for her dress.
Boys at school. War news: The Germans holding in Poland.
Dance in the hall at Greenbank.
3 - A very fine day. Freezing a little towards night. Plowing in
the orchard in the forenoon and pruning apple trees in the after-
noon. Boys at school. Norman Lyle finishes digging potatoes I
think. War news: Austrians capture Belgrade, Serbia. Heavy
fighting in Poland; both claim victories. [Dew Wit?] captured in
South Africa. Germans claim to have advanced about Diksmuide.
4 – A pretty cold raw day. Pruning apple trees in the forenoon. W.
Akhurst called. Boys at school. In the afternoon went with Jennie
to preparatory service in the church; Rev. Mr. Graham of Eldon
preached. In the evening Jennie and the boys at Bible Society
meeting in our church. Rev. Mr. Hassard was the speaker. War
news: little of any importance.
5 – Cold raw wind from the E. Pruning apple trees in the forenoon
while the boys went to Port Perry for Annie who did not come
home yesterday as the high school concert was held last night.
Veta Platton came with her. Edna Gordon called after dinner. In
the afternoon went with 12 bags of oats to Blair’s mill and got
them ground. Jennie went with me to visit Allie Blair. War news:
Things looking rather better.
6 – A very raw E wind all day. With Jennie went to communion at
Wick church. Pretty good wheeling. In the evening at church with
Annie, Willie and Veta Platton. Mr. McKay preached. John Mi-
chie and wife brought their children here while they were at
church. No war news.
7 – Another raw day with E wind. Drove Annie and Veta Platton
to Port Perry in the forenoon. Pruned apple trees awhile in the
afternoon. Jennie visiting at Mr. Akhurst’s in the afternoon. Boys
at school. War news: Germans have retaken Lodz in Poland.
Allies holding in the west.
8 – Another raw cold day with E wind. Finished pruning the or-
chard. Annie phoned at noon saying she needed another dress and
Jennie went to Port Perry with it after trying all the neighbours by
phone. Boys at school. War news: little of importance.
9 – Did some little jobs in the forenoon. Jennie went to W.M.
meeting at Mrs. Jas. McMillan’s. Snowing a little all afternoon
from the E. Boys at school. In the evening all hands at Guild
meeting in the church; Mr. McKay leader. Choir practice after.
War news: what little there was; not very satisfactory.
10 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in woodshed in the forenoon
and in the afternoon cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp. Mrs. Jas.
Lee and Ruby here in the afternoon getting a dress cut for Ruby.
Boys at school. War news: Three German war ships sunk in the
South Atlantic. Turks surrender near Persian Gulf and Serbians
claim a victory. Reported that German bombs have been dropped
on Dover, England.
11 – A beautiful fine day. Choring in the forenoon. Cutting wood
in Jim Lee’s swamp in the afternoon. Jennie went to Port Perry for
Annie. Boys at school. War news: Another German war ship sunk
in the South American naval battle. Reports that 3 German subma-
rines have been sunk.
12 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp all day
(took dinner with me). Children at Mission Band and Christmas
tree practice at Greenbank. Miss Warren, teacher, and Vera Cragg
here for tea. War news: nothing of much importance.
13 – A little snow in the afternoon and evening. All hands at SS
and church. Mr. Currie of Beaverton preached. No war news.
14 – A very rough cold day. Snowing in the forenoon. Drove
Annie to Port Perry in the morning. Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s
swamp in the afternoon. Boys not at school. War news: little of
importance.
15 – A very rough cold day with high NW wind. Most of the snow
drifted into heaps. Did little but the chores. Boys not at school.
War news: British submarine dived under mines and blew up Turk-
ish warship. Serbians recapture Belgrade.
16 – Pretty cold all day. Opening out drifted roads in the forenoon
and in the afternoon Albert Akhurst came down and we killed a
pig. Jennie washing. Boys at school. In the evening at Guild
meeting. Campbell Stone and I took the topic. A SS meeting after
that about lesson helps. War news: little to report.
17 – A very fine day. Cutting up the pig in the forenoon. Cutting
wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the afternoon. Boys at school. War
news: Five German war ships bombard for an hour the coast of
England. Hartlepol, Scarborough and Whitby attacked and a num-
ber killed. Russians appear to be retiring about Cracow. Serbians
claim to have drove all the Austrians out of their country.
18 – A fine day. Shovelling out the roads in the forenoon and in
the afternoon went to Port Perry for Annie. Miss May Bruce, one
of her girl friends, came home with her. Boys at school. Jennie
making head cheese. War news: Russians being driven back.
Raiding German warships escape.
19 – Rough and stormy in the forenoon, finer in the afternoon.
Went with the boys to Christmas tree practice in the church; there
was a good turnout and went off well. John Michie and wife left
their children while they went to Port Perry. War news: Russians
claim that the Germans overestimate their victory in Poland. Brit-
ain appoints new Sultan of Egypt.
20 – A fine winter day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached. Drove the sleigh for the first time; not very good sleigh-
ing. No war news.
21 – Rough with snow through the night and all forenoon and
rough all day. Drove Annie and May Bruce to Port Perry in the
morning with the cutter. Jennie washing. Boys went to school but
271
the furnace smoked so bad that they were sent home. Did little but
the chores in the afternoon. War news: Reported but not con-
firmed that a British dreadnaught sunk in the North Sea. Allies
gaining in Flanders.
22 – A decidedly rough snowy day. All hands at Port Perry
Christmas fair in the afternoon. Drove the sleigh in a snowstorm.
Sidney Kenney went with us. Quite a few there considering the
day. Brought Annie home as the school has closed for the Christ-
mas holidays. War news: little of importance.
23 – A fine day but cold; a little below zero in the evening. At
Greenbank in the afternoon with Annie to church managers meet-
ing and Annie to help to decorate for the Christmas tree, but there
were only 4 managers present so there was no meeting. Jennie
making Christmas cake. Christmas gifts came from Winnipeg.
War news: Allies advancing in Flanders. Russians fighting des-
perately near Warsaw. [Margin note: Eunice Michie married].
24 – A fine day and cold; a little below zero in the evening. Did
little but the chores. All hands at SS Christmas tree in the evening
(drove the sleigh). There was a good turnout and it went off good.
About $17.00 was taken in. War news: Rather favourable but not
much of importance.
25 – Below zero all day and clear and bright. Arthur Chapman and
Sidney Kenney here for dinner and tea. War news favourable.
First bomb dropped in England at Dover; no damage done.
26 – About 20 below zero in the morning but got warmer as the
day went by and very clear. Annie and Willie went down to John
Michie’s to warm up the house for John, wife and family who have
been spending Christmas at her folks at Agincourt. Went to Blair’s
mill in the afternoon with 12 bags of oats and got them ground.
War news: not much of importance but of a cheerful tone.
27 – A fine day and pretty cold. All hands at SS and church (drove
the sleigh). Instead of the regular lesson Rev. J.A. Miller gave an
address on his work in Toronto. Mr. James preached at the church
service. Edna Gordon came home with us and stayed all night.
28 – A good deal milder. Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the
afternoon. Willie went with me. Jennie making Annie a dress.
War news: Allies claim to be advancing. Russians claim victories.
British make naval attack on Wilhelmshaven but did not accom-
plish much. Got word of the marriage of Eunice Michie.
29 – Went to cut wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the morning taking
dinner with me, but snow came on and I came home about 2:30
pretty wet. Jennie making Annie a dress. War news: little to re-
port.
30 – Fine and cold. At public school meeting in the forenoon;
about 14 at it. G.A. McMillan elected trustee in place of D.
McDonald. Jas. Ewin and Alex Gordon called in the morning to
buy colt. In the evening all hands at Sunday School meeting; a fair
turnout and the usual discouraging things. I was chosen superin-
tendant. All the other officers were re-elected. Funds $10.00
behind.
31 – A beautiful day. Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the
afternoon. War news: Allies advancing a little. Austrians get
another smashing.
1915
JAN. 1 – A fine day. Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the
afternoon. Jennie over to Jim Lee’s to see Ruby who is sick.
Snowing a little in the evening. Doings at Methodist church but
did not go. Mr. Weir called towards night canvassing for council
election. War news: Austrians appear to have got a good beating.
Allies claim to have gained in Alsace.
2 – Drove to Blackwater to meet Miss Seahaven, our new public
school teacher, and brought her to R. Cragg’s. Roads quite heavy
and drifting. Very rough and cold in the afternoon. War news:
Another British war vessel sunk in the channel (the Formidable).
Allies holding.
3 – Quite cold; about 8 below zero in the morning but a nice day.
All hands at SS and church. It was election of teachers and three
classes have yet to get them. Mr. McKay preached.
4 – A very fine day. Went to Greenbank in the morning to vote for
councilmen. Voted for John Stone for deputy reeve; W. Phoenix,
Allan Goode and W. Weir for councillors, and won every vote.
Called at some places in the village. In the afternoon drove Annie
to Port Perry to commence high school tomorrow. Boys at school.
James first day in Sen. room and Miss Seahaven’s first day teach-
ing. War news: Russians claim to be smashing the Austrians
badly. Allies claim to be advancing in Alsace.
5 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp. Jennie
doing the noon chores. Jennie washing. Boys at school. War
news: not much of importance.
6 – Cutting wood all day in Jim Lee’s swamp. Dull all day and
started to rain about the middle of the afternoon. Boys at school.
Jennie churning. War news: Russians have gained a great victory
over the Turks.
7 – Heavy rain through the night and the snow greatly reduced but
it got colder as the day advanced. Did little but the chores. Boys
started for school but got their feet wet and came back. War news:
nothing new.
8 – Colder. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon for Annie. Not
very good sleighing. Willie Coffley rode up with us. War news:
Italy issues an ultimatum to Turkey. Allies claim a little advance.
9 – A very fine day. All day cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp.
Got phone call from Bella Gordon who is at W. McMillan’s. War
news favourable.
10 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Annie and Willie
walked as the roads were icy. Mr. McKay preached. A large #
(130). Mrs. John McKitrick has taken Alex Gordon’s class. Jas.
Blair’s class has been merged with the young men of my class and
a married men’s class formed.
272
11 – A fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry in the morning. Met
W.H. Leask on the way home and had a talk with him and after
dinner, with Jennie, drove over to Peter Leask’s and got supper
there. Boys at school. They went also to Peter’s. Got home about
9. War news: nothing new.
12 – A fine day. In the afternoon went with John Michie and Ar-
thur Chapman to church wood cutting bee at Woon’s swamp. The
bee was a good one; 22 men being at it; and cut all that was left of
the lot. I stopped on the way home at S. Dusty’s for supper.
Jennie and the boys came up. Got home about 11:30. Willie at
school.
13 – Another fine day. Cutting wood all day at Jim Lee’s swamp.
Jennie went to the W.F.M.S. at the church and stayed to tea at Mrs.
Walker’s and the boys and I went up to the annual congregational
meeting. There was a fair turnout and the business went off pretty
well. A. Akhurst; Alex Boe; and John Somerville chosen manag-
ers and A. Stone to fill out Jas. Baird’s turn. Balance on hand
$80.00. Boys at school.
14 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in the afternoon in Jim Lee’s
swamp. Boys at school. War news: not so good. Germans gain
some in France. News of a great earthquake in Italy. Boys at
school.
15 – A very fine day. Cutting wood all day in Jim Lee’s swamp.
Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie and got hockey skates for the
boys. Boys at school. War news: nothing new.
16 – A nice day. Put on the boys hockey skates in the forenoon
and went to Blair’s mill in the afternoon. Children at Mission
Band. In the evening at S. of T. Division, there being a debate on
hand. The subject was Education for Money. The money side
won. There was quite a nice turnout. War news: nothing of much
importance.
17 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Annie and Willie
walked. Over a hundred at SS. Mr. McKay preached. A thaw and
most of the snow gone.
18 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with 2 pigs.
Annie going with me to school. Cleaned out pig house in the af-
ternoon. At church managers meeting in the evening. Alex Leask
chosen chairman; A. Stone, sec.; John Somerville, Fin. Sec.; and I
was rechosen treasurer. Boys at school.
19 – Another fine day. About six or eight inches of snow fell
through the night which makes good sleighing. Drove the boys to
school. Jim Lee brought over Bella Gordon who stayed to dinner
and the afternoon and in the evening all went over to Jim Lee’s for
supper and spent the evening. Alex Gordon and wife were also
there. Got home a little before midnight. War news: Russians
claim to have given the Turks another beating.
20 – A very fine day. Drove the boys to school and at Jim Lee’s
swamp cutting wood. Jennie dressing chickens. War news: Zep-
pelin raid on England, the first; did considerable damage.
21 – A fine day and much colder towards night. Jennie went to
Port Perry market with chickens. Drew 2 loads of wood from Jim
Lee’s swamp in the afternoon. Boys at school. War news: nothing
new.
22 – A fine day. Drew 4 loads of wood from Jim Lee’s swamp.
Annie came home with Ed Lyle. Boys at school.
23 – Another very fine day but cold. Drew 3 loads of wood from
Jim Lee’s. Jennie in bed all day.
24 – A very fine day. All but Jennie at SS and church. 112 at SS.
Mr. McKay preached. Decided to have an anniversary.
25 – A big snow from the E during the night and most of the fore-
noon. Drove Annie to Port Perry school and in the afternoon went
with Willie to W. Thomas’ for some gravel for the hens. Boys not
at school. War news: German war ship sunk. They were on their
way to raid England but had to turn tail and run for home.
26 – A very fine day. Drew 4 loads of wood from Jim Lee’s
swamp. War news: not much of importance.
27 – A beautiful day. Drew 2 loads of wood from Jim Lee’s
swamp in the forenoon and in the afternoon at session meeting in
the church. Jennie washing. Boys at school. War news: little of
importance.
28 – A fine day and very cold. Drew 3 loads of wood from Jim
Lee’s. Boys at school. War news: not much of importance.
29 – A very fine but very cold day. Drew 2 loads of wood from
Jim Lee’s swamp and went to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at
school. War news: Fierce fighting in France.
30 – A very fine day and quite cold; about zero in the morning.
Drew 4 loads of wood from Jim Lee’s swamp. John Michie called.
War news: Germans fail to cross the Aisne.
31 – A fine day; snowing in the evening. All hands at SS and
church (103 at SS); Mr. McKay preached. Willie drove Annie to
Port Perry after supper.
FEB. 1 – A great snow through the night and drifting some all the
day from the E. Did little but the chores. Jennie washing. Boys at
school. Went after them from school. War news: 5 British mer-
chant ships sunk by German torpedoes.
2 – Snowing and storming all night and the whole day and about
zero all day. Huge drifts everywhere. Roads blocked; trains
stopped; no mail; saw no one. Did nothing but the chores. Jennie
making quilt. House pump frozen up.
3 – A very fine day. Spent the forenoon shovelling the snow in the
gaps and in the afternoon went with Willie to a sale of furniture
etc. of the late Amos Stone, Greenbank. While we were away
Cecil and Mona Leask called. They have been storm stayed at Jim
Lee’s since Monday and upset in our field on their way home.
Trains running but we got no mail today.
4 – A very fine day. Drove the boys most of the way to school and
broke roads in the forenoon. At church reports in the afternoon.
Jennie making quilt. War news: Turks defeated near Suez Canal.
273
5 – Mild with some rain and snow in the afternoon and evening. In
the afternoon went with John Michie to Frank Howsam’s sale.
There was a large turnout and prices of cattle good but horses not
so good. Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie and brought Wilmot
Cragg up this far and his father came here for him. Boys at school.
War news: Turks again defeated at Suez Canal.
6 – Thawing a little most of the day. Drew 2 small loads of wood
from Jim Lee’s swamp; went principally to break the road. John
Michie and wife went to Port Perry and left their children here
while they were away. Jennie hardly able to speak. War news:
Russians claim to have beaten Germans with great loss.
7 – A fine day. All but Jennie at SS and church. Jennie kept John
Michie’s baby while they went to SS and church. There was 103
at SS. Mr. McKay preached.
8 – A fine day but colder and some rough towards night. Drove
Annie to Port Perry in the forenoon and in the afternoon drew 2
loads of wood from Jim Lee’s swamp. Jennie quilting. Boys at
school. War news: Turks beaten again at Suez Canal.
9 – About zero in the morning and did not get much above it all
day. Did little but the chores. Jennie quilting. Boys at school.
War news: Russians claim gains.
10 – Eight below zero in the morning but a very fine day. Made
Norman Lyle a visit in the forenoon and in the afternoon took 12
bags of oats to Blair’s mill and got them ground while Jennie went
with Jim Dusty and a sleigh load of women to W.F.M. meeting at
W.H. Leask’s at which there was a large meeting. War news:
Russians appear to be moving back in [Buckawana?].
11 – Thawing a little all day. Drew 4 loads of wood from Jim
Lee’s swamp; old stuff cut from the part cut last winter. Jennie
washing. Boys at school. War news: Russians claim victory.
12 – A fine day; thawing all day. Drew 1 load of wood and broke
the sleigh tongue. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon for Annie.
Boys at school. They had a valentine concert there. War news:
Not much of any account but the Canadian War Tax announced.55
Example of war tax stamps
13 – A very fine day. Drew 4 loads of old wood from Jim Lee’s.
War news: British make great air raid on the Germans. Russians
being driven back from East Prussia.
14 – Thawing all day and some rain in the afternoon. Drove the
sleigh and all hands to SS and church; 115 at SS; Mr. McKay
55
The War Tax was used to defray the costs of war
and were added to regular postage.
preached. Jennie Gordon sang in SS. Stewart Bratley, who has
been at John Michie’s, came up for tea and stayed all night.
15 – Thawing through the night and most of the day. Got colder
towards night. Drove Annie to Port Perry in the morning; Stewart
Bratley going with us on his way home. Jennie washing. Willie
started for school but got his feet wet and turned back. John Mi-
chie called in the afternoon. Mr. Bell of the brickyard called in the
evening. He was going home from E. Lyle’s and lost his way.
War news: Ottawa threatened with an air raid. Germans gain in
France.
16 – A very fine day. Did very little but the chores. Boys at
school. Jennie quilting. W. Akhurst called in the forenoon to get
his hair cut. War news: little of importance.
17 – A very fine day. Visited at Mrs. O’Neill’s in the forenoon
and cutting wood in Jim Lee’s swamp in the afternoon. Joseph
Burton called about 1 pm. Jennie quilting at home in the forenoon
and at John Michie’s in the afternoon. Mrs. Alex Gordon called in
the evening to get help to make Jennie Gordon a new dress to go to
Minnie Stone’s wedding next Wednesday. Boys at school. War
news: not much of importance.
18 – A beautiful day. Drew 4 loads of wood from Jim Lee’s
swamp. Jennie all day at A. Gordon’s dressmaking. Boys at
school. Norman Lyle called for a loaf of bread. War news: Ger-
mans appear to be driving the Russians back in East Prussia.
French gain some. This is the day that the German submarine
blockade of Britain starts.56
19 – A very fine day. Drew 2 loads of wood from Jim Lee’s
woods in the forenoon and went to Port Perry in the afternoon for
Annie. Boys at school. In the evening all hands went to the patri-
otic concert in the Methodist church given by Port Perry ladies
called the Cross Roads Ladies Meeting. There was a fair turnout
and I liked it fairly well.
20 – A beautiful day. Drew one load of wood from Jim Lee’s and
in the afternoon helping him to load some sawlogs. Children at
Mission Band at Mr. McMillan’s. Thomas boys came for apples.
War news: little of interest.
21 – A very fine day and thawing most of the time. All hands at
SS and church; 115 at SS; Mr. McKay preached.
22 – A quite mild day and almost raining sometimes. Jennie drove
Annie to Port Perry in the morning while I went to John Michie’s
to help him cut his wood; Alex Leask’s machine. They finished
about 3 o’clock and then moved here and cut about 2 hours. Ed
Lyle; Norman Lyle; Albert Akhurst; and John Michie helping.
Boys at school. War news: Russians being driven back. Two
British merchant ships sunk.
23 – Started to saw wood a little before 9 am and worked until
dinner time when rain came on and continued all afternoon and
56
The Germans announced that effective this date all
approaching ships in the waters surrounding Britain,
including the English Channel, would be considered
targets
274
evening and the men went home. Albert Akhurst came for some
apples. Boys at school. War news: Allies claim to be forcing the
Dardanelles.
24 – Rain all night and the forenoon. Boys did not go to school.
After dinner Alex Leask and Robbie came and we cut wood until
about 5 when rain came on again and we quit. Stanley Doble and
Minnie Stone married today. War news: Russians gaining ground
again. Three more vessels sunk by Germans.
25 – Mild until near night when it began to freeze. Alex Leask did
not come to cut wood. Spent most of the day piling up wood.
Boys not at school. Jennie washing. War news: 4 more British
ships sunk. The attitude of Italy is causing anxiety to Germans.
26 – Very cold rough day; high NW wind. Went to Port Perry in
the afternoon for Annie. Boys not at school. Jim Lee called in the
afternoon. War news: Outer forts of the Dardanelles forced. One
more British ship sunk. Got a letter from W. Mitchell.
27 – A very rough windy cold day. Piled up some wood in the
forenoon. Annie and Willie at the new road skating. War news:
little of importance.
28 – A fine day but very cold with high NW wind. All hands at SS
and church (100 at SS); Mr. McKay preached. Arthur and Jennie
Gordon came down for music books.
MAR. 1 – Pretty cold but a very fine day. Jennie drove Annie to
Port Perry school while Alex Leask’s sawing machine finished
cutting the wood. Finished about 10 o’clock; charged $8.50.
Repaired the cutter in the afternoon. Boys at school. War news:
British have advanced some distance in the Dardanelles. Prussians
claim a victory in Poland.
2 – Cold and very rough with many snow flurries. Split and piled
up some wood. Jennie washing. Boys at school. In the evening
all at Alex Gordon’s for supper and the evening and a very musical
evening it was. Mr. and Mrs. A. Gordon; Miss Jackson and James
McPhail were there. James got his hand bit with Gordon’s dog.
War news: Progressing in the Dardanelles. Russians advancing.
3 – Very cold and windy all day. Piled some wood. Boys at
school. In the afternoon went with Jennie to the church; she to
W.M. meeting at which they quilted 2 quilts and I to wood cutting
bee which was well attended and finished up the job. After the
wood was cut the women put up an oyster supper for all hands. I
came home but Jennie and the boys stayed to a social evening
given by the guild to which were invited the Methodist Epworth
League. They report a big crowd and a good time. War news:
little of importance. British declared a blockage of all German
parts.
4 – A very fine day. Split wood while Jennie and the boys went to
Port Perry to get them suits of clothes. In the afternoon went with
the boys skating on the creek and flats. Went down as far as the
11th
concession. War news: Russians still claim to be advancing.
Allies getting nearer Constantinople.
5 – A fine day. Split some wood. Jennie baking bread. Boys at
school. In the afternoon Jennie went down to John Michie’s to
keep the children while they went to Port Perry. Annie came home
with them. All hands at John Michie’s for supper (oysters). War
news: about the same as yesterday.
6 – Snowing from the E most of the day. Went to Blair’s mill in
the afternoon with 12 bags of oats and got them ground. Robert
Akhurst here in the afternoon. He walked out from Port Perry.
War news: 2 German submarines sunk. Food in the German army
reduced.
7 – A very fine day. All hands at SS; 109 at SS; Mr. McKay
preached.
8 – A very fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school and in the
afternoon went for a load of wood to Jim Lee’s swamp. Jennie
washing. Boys at school. W. Henders called and Stanley Baker
who wanted to buy the colt. War news: Operations continue on
the Dardanelles. Greece likely to enter war.
9 – A very fine day. Helping Norman Lyle to cut wood (C. Dur-
ward’s machine) and finished about 2 pm; then split some wood.
Boys at school. Jennie down to John Michie’s in the afternoon and
picking hens in the evening. War news: Allies advancing in the
Dardanelles.
10 – A very fine day. Churned and split wood in the forenoon and
in the afternoon with Jennie to the Reach, Port Perry and Scugog
Sunday School convention held in our church. There was a very
good turnout. Mr. S. Farmer was in the chair and the principal
speaker was Miss Leany of Toronto. Jennie came home and the
boys who were at school and did the chores while I stayed for
supper which was served in the basement. Jennie and the boys
came back to the evening meeting which packed the church. The
speakers were Mr. Bamforth of Port Perry; Mr. Foley of Brooklin
and Miss Leany. I was rather disappointed with the evening meet-
ing. The Bethesda Quartet and the Port Perry orchestra furnished
the music. E. Lyle and Miss N. Porteous were married by Rev.
Mr. Rowland this afternoon. War news: Three more British ships
sunk by Germans.
11 – A very fine day and thawing a little. Went with Jennie to Port
Perry market. Split some wood. Boys at school. Jennie made me
a smock. War news: Another ship lost. German submarine sunk.
12 – A very fine day. Piled up some wood. Went to Port Perry for
Annie. Met the 5:30 train and met James Smith who came home
with us. Boys at school. Mrs. James Lee and Ruby here in the
afternoon. War news: Little of importance.
13 – A fine day and thawing some. Spent the forenoon talking to
Jas. Smith. After dinner Jas. Smith and the boys went down to
John Michie’s where James S. stayed for supper while I piled up
wood. War news: Rather bad. A British cruiser sunk. A French
ship sunk and the Russians being driven back. Italy’s position
causing uneasiness.
14 – A very fine day and thawing. All hands, including Jas. Smith
at SS and church; 110 at SS. A committee appointed to report on a
home department in the SS. Mr. McKay preached. William
O’Neill and wife came home with us for supper.
275
15 – A fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry, taking James Smith
on his way home. Jennie washing. Boys at school. In the after-
noon tapped some maple trees along the lane. War news: Some-
what brighter. British and French gain; Russians make a stand.
More British ships sunk.
16 – A very fine day and colder. Cut down 5 maple trees near the
road that were dead and drew them to the house. Jennie visiting at
Akhurst’s in the afternoon. Boys at school. Assessor J. Johnson
called. War news: German cruiser Dresden sunk off South Amer-
ica. Victories on the Western lines. [NOTE: There is a copy of
this assessment notice in the photo section of this book].
17 – A fine day and cold. Cleaned out pig house and piled wood.
Jennie making quilt. Boys at school. War news: Turks damage
ship and kill a number of men in the Dardanelles. Russians claim
success.
18 – A very fine day. Splitting wood most of the day. Jennie mak-
ing quilt. Boys at school. Damascus pedlar here for supper and
stayed all night. War news: 5 more British ships sunk.
19 – A very fine day. Took cow out to Port Perry. Went with
Phair’s who took out 5 cattle. Was to ride home with them but the
horse got sick when about the 8th
concession and Cecil went back
to Port Perry and I walked home. Split wood in the afternoon.
Boys at school. War news: More cheerful. Russians winning.
20 – A fine day. The boys went over to Jim Lee’s and got his saw
and we cut the logs that I got at Jim Lee’s since the rest was cut.
Three of Charles Love’s boys came for 4 bags of apples and stayed
for dinner. War news: Bad for Allies; 2 British and one French
battleship sunk and 2 more disabled in the Dardanelles.
21 – Somewhat rough with a little snow. All hands (but Annie
who is visiting at Mr. Bruce’s in Cartwright) at SS and church; 100
at SS. Mr. McKay preached.
22 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry with Jennie for groceries.
Boys at school. Boiling down maple sap in the afternoon. War
news: Another British ship sunk. Zeppelin raid on Paris but of
little account. Italy appears to be getting ready for war.
23 – A very fine day. Most of the time at the wood. Jennie wash-
ing, ironing and baking. Boys at school. War news: Przemysl,
after a long siege, surrenders 120 thousand men.
24 – A very fine day; looking like rain towards night. Whitewash-
ing kitchen while Jennie pulled off the old paper. Piling wood and
boiling sap in the afternoon. Mrs. Norman Lyle and baby here in
the afternoon and Norman came over to supper. Boys at school.
War news: little of importance.
25 – A little rain off and on most of the day. Colder towards night.
All day helping Jennie to paper the kitchen. Boys at school. War
news: Big battle in the Carpathians.
26 – Cold and rough with high NW wind. At the wood in the
forenoon. Jennie housecleaning. In the afternoon Jennie went to
Port Perry for Annie while I went (walked) to the church to pre-
paratory services. Rev. Mr. McDonald of Leaskdale preached. D.
McDonald and Miss Alice May [Seehaver or Leehaver?] came in
by profession of faith. Boys at school. War news: German sub-
marine sunk. Russians claim victory.
27 – A very fine day. Went to Seagrave station in the forenoon for
berry boxes and had quite a time getting them home as they were
very poorly packed. Willie went with me. In the afternoon went
with Willie to Blair’s mill with 12 bags of oats but did not get it
home as they were sawing. Mrs. O’Neill, Clarence and Irene here
in the afternoon. War news: Russians claim to be advancing.
28 – At communion service in the church with Jennie. Mr. McKay
preached and there was a pretty good turnout. Annie and the boys
went down to John Michie’s and kept their children while they
were at church. Sidney Kenney here in the evening. Snowing
some in the evening.
29 – Rather rough and cold with frequent snow flurries. Went to
Port Perry in the morning with Annie and also Florence Lee. A
little water over the sideroad. Went to Blair’s mill in the afternoon
for the meal, Jennie going with me as far as Jim Lee’s. Jim Lee
called and paid his church money. Boys at school. War news:
French and Russians claim advances.
30 – Rather a cold blustery day. Splitting and piling wood most of
the day. Willie at school. James did not go as he thought he was
sick in the morning. Mr. Parrot, cattle dealer, called. Big row at
school. Mr. Lawton was there. War news: 2 British ships sunk
and many lives lost. Russians claim to be gaining.
31 – A fine day. Finished splitting and piling the wood. Jennie
making quilt. Boys at school. N. Lyle called. At guild meeting in
the evening with Jennie and the boys. War news: Not much of
importance.
APR. 1 – A fine day. Making stoneboat. Jennie went down to
John Michie’s and kept the children while they were at Port Perry.
Then she went to Port Perry for Annie and to the train and got
Mabel and Gordon Bell of Brooklin. Boys at school. War news:
nothing important.
Example of a stoneboat, c1900
2 – Good Friday. A little snow through the night and forenoon.
Finished making stoneboat and cut wood in the woodshed. Jennie
making Mabel a dress. No school. War news: 1 British and 1
French boat sunk by Germans. Big battle in the Carpathians.
3 – A fine day but not very warm. Cutting and splitting wood in
the woodshed and finished the job. Jennie baking and making
Mabel Bell a dress. Boys tried to burn the brush heap. War news:
Russians gain. More Allied ships sunk. Herb Hook and Olive Lee
married.
276
4 – A very fine day (Easter Sunday). All hands at SS and church
(Annie and Mabel Bell walked). 108 at SS. Willie played the
violin for the first time and did very well. Mr. McKay preached.
Henry Leask; Les Real and Alex Real in the choir for the first time.
5 – A fine day but rainy and very dark in the evening. Did a few
little jobs and boiled down sap. Jennie dressmaking. In the eve-
ning, with Annie, Willie and Mabel Bell, went to Greenbank to a
drama in the hall by S. of T. members. There was a full house and
the show went off very well. Mr. Anderson, Grand Worthy Patri-
arch was chairman. A box social followed. War news: little that
was new.
6 – A fine day. Drew off the brush from the orchards and culti-
vated a little in the forenoon and drew manure on the strawberry
patch in the afternoon, Willie helping. D. Boe and Hugh Jack
called. Annie and Mabel did the washing. Jennie sewing. Mail
did not come until near six o’clock. War news: French advance.
7 – A fine day. Drew out manure, Willie helping. Jennie sewing.
Pretty well laid up with bad leg. In the evening went with Willie to
Guild meeting in church. Afterwards there was a meeting about
SS anniversary. A fair turnout. Then after that a meeting to organ-
ize open SS class. W. Caffley was chosen president; Edgar Leask,
vice president; G. Leask, sec.; and Harvey Real, treas.
8 – A very fine day and the most spring-like this year. Cleaning
out the raspberry bushes. Jennie and Mabel Bell went to Port Perry
market and to see the Dr. about her leg. Sidney Kenney here in the
evening. Pianoforte performed at Port Perry tonight. War news:
Russians advancing.
9 – A fine day until about 6 pm when it began to rain some. Clean-
ing out the raspberry bushes all day. Jennie sewing. In the eve-
ning, with Jennie, went to Port Perry to hear the opera pianoforte
given by the Port Perry choral society. It went off very well; a full
house; and it was the 2nd
night. Raining on the way home and very
dark and deep mud many places.
10 – A fine warm day and several times a little rain. Cleaning out
berry bushes and uncovering strawberries. Mary Dusty here in the
afternoon putting a quilt together. Annie and Mabel Bell at John
Michie’s and then to Alex Gordon’s for supper.
11 – A nice spring day. Thunder about 5 pm and a little rain. All
hands at SS and church; 119 at SS; Mr. McKay preached.
12 – Not a very fine day; almost rain sometimes. Went to Port
Perry in the morning taking Annie to school and Mabel and
Gordon Bell on their way home. At berry bushes in the afternoon.
Jennie washing. Willie at school. At managers meeting in the
evening.
13 – A very fine day; frost in the morning. Finished cleaning out
berry bushes and scuffled them. Boys at school. Mr. and Mrs.
McKay and girl here in the evening and stayed all night. War
news: Russians gain.
14 – A beautiful day. Mr. and Mrs. McKay left about 9 and then
John Lee came for a visit so I did not do much in the forenoon.
Uncovering the strawberry plants in the afternoon. Jennie went to
W.M.S. meeting in the church; 6 quilts were quilted. W. Phoenix
called to take the church insurance. Boys at school. N. Lyle and
Irene O’Neill called. Word came that Mrs. Blakely (Maggie
Dusty) was very ill. War news: little new.
15 – Another beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon and cultivat-
ing in field W of house. Jennie boiling sap and cleaning yard and
churning. Boys at school. War news: German air raid on north of
England.
16 – A somewhat misty and almost rainy day. Cultivated in the
forenoon. Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school.
War news: Another airship raid on England near London. Ger-
mans sink Dutch ship.
17 – A beautiful day. Got Norman Lyle’s drill and sowed the field
W of the house which went in good. Annie and the boys at Mis-
sion Band at the church. Irene O’Neill here for dinner. She was
getting a dress made. War news: Turks defeated by British in
Mesopotamia.
18 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 117 at SS; Mr.
McKay preached. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
19 – A very fine day and quite warm. Drove Annie to Port Perry in
the forenoon. Harrowing and cultivating in the afternoon. Jennie
washing. Boys at school. Mrs. N. Lyle and Irene O’Neill called.
War news: French advance.
20 – A beautiful day. Went to Blair’s mill with 12 bags of oats and
got them ground. Cultivating in the afternoon. Jennie houseclean-
ing in the forenoon and at S. Dusty’s in the afternoon. Dusty’s got
word by telegraph that Maggie was improving. Boys at school.
War news: British win an advance. David Lyle and W. Beare
called.
21 – A very fine day. Frost in the morning. Sowed field N of
barn. Jennie housecleaning upstairs. Boys at school. Jennie and
the boys at Guild meeting in the evening.
22 – A fine day; a few drops of rain sometimes. Harrowing and
cultivating. Jennie housecleaning. Boys at school..
23 – A very fine day and quite warm. Cultivating in the forenoon
and in the afternoon went to Mrs. Chambers’ (D. McDonald’s
sister) funeral. Walked up to J.M. Real’s and went with him and
acted as a bearer. She was buried at Wick. Got supper at Mr.
McDonald’s. Jennie at Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school.
24 – A very fine day and quite warm. Sowed the N field which
finishes the sowing. Jennie at S. Dusty’s making a waist for Mrs.
Dusty who is going to the west next week. War news: Germans
gain by deadly gas.57
25 – Very warm day. A lot of thunder in the evening but not much
rain. All hands at SS and church. 133 at SS. Jas. [H---?] sang.
Mr. McKay preached.
57
Chlorine gas spread rapidly and close to the
ground, destroying respiratory organs which lead to
slow death by asphyxiation.
277
26 – Another very warm day. Drove Annie to Port Perry. Harrow-
ing in the afternoon. Jennie washing and housecleaning. Boys at
school. War news: Many Canadians lost in great battle in France.
27 – Another very warm day. Plowed the garden and rolled the N
field then harrowed it until about 4 o’clock when a thunder storm
came up and there was a nice shower which was very welcome.
Jennie housecleaning the cellar. Boys at school. Willie went over
to Jim Lee’s in the morning and got some suckers. Mrs. Dusty and
Mrs. Akhurst left for the west. War news: Germans gain in two
places in France. British land near the Dardanelles. Canadians
doing fine.
28 – Another warm day. Rolling grass and oat fields all day.
Jennie housecleaning the cellar. Boys at school. War news: Bitter
German advance stayed and operations resumed at the Dardanelles.
29 – A fine day and some cooler. Plowing the potato and straw-
berry patches. Jennie churning and baking. Boys at school. War
news: Advancing in the Dardanelles.
30 – Much cooler and a little rain in the afternoon and evening.
Took O’Neill cow to Port Perry. Jennie drove down for me. Har-
rowing and cultivating potato and strawberry patches. Jennie
sewing. Annie came home with Mrs. Cragg. Boys at school.
War news: Active advance at the Dardanelles. Russians claim to
have captured an important village.
MAY 1 – Rain through the night and a fine day. All day at the
raspberry bushes. Jennie making Annie a dress. Children at anni-
versary practice at the church. Mrs. John Michie and baby called
in the afternoon. Every bar room would have been closed today if
Rowell had won the day last 29th
of June.58
War news: Great
fighting on the Dardanelles.
2 – A fine day and quite cool. All hands at SS and church, 118 at
SS; Mr. McKay preached. Eva Leask sang a solo part in the choir,
the first time.
3 – Quite a frost in the morning. Drove Annie to Port Perry.
Jennie washing. Most of the afternoon helping Jennie to plant the
garden. Boys at school. Went over with the boys in the evening
and got some trees to plant along the road. War news: Germans
sunk 5 vessels; 2 German destroyers sunk and 1 British destroyer.
4 – A very fine day. Planted shade trees along the road in the
forenoon. Hoed raspberry bushes in the afternoon except the time
I was talking to Mr. Sleep and a piano man from Toronto. Jennie
housecleaning the spare bedroom. Boys at school. War news;
Germans claim great victory over the Russians. Austria and Italy
appear near a rupture.
5 – A very fine day. Rolled field N of barn. Boys took Peggy colt
to John Michie’s for pasture. Jennie housecleaning. Boys at
school. In the evening all went to Guild meeting in the church. A
school trustee meeting first. Jennie called to see Miss [Seehaven?]
58
Newton Rowell, Liberal Party House Leader, made
abolishing the bars the main party platform in the
election of 1914. His party lost the vote by a narrow
margin.
who is ill. Some smarty took one of the lines of harness in the
shed. War news: Not of much importance.
6 – A very fine spring day and things growing fine. Planted some
peas, beans, corn and potatoes. Jennie housecleaning pantry. Boys
at school. Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon for Annie
who has the German measles.
7 – Started to draw out manure but got but one load out when it
started to rain and continued off and on all day and things are
growing fine. Fixed the north shop door in the afternoon. Jennie
sewing. N. Lyle and John Michie called in the afternoon. Boys
did not go to school as this is Arbour Day. War news: Russians
being driven back. Allies gaining at the Dardanelles.
8 – When we got up we found that someone had been in the grain-
ery and carried away the lock. This being one of several times that
it has been entered so I, with Willie and Norman Lyle, spent most
of the forenoon trying to track the thief. We tracked him east to
the sideroad. Drawing out manure the rest of the day. Jennie
making Annie a dress. Boys at anniversary practice in the after-
noon. A good deal of thunder and some rain after 6 pm. War
news: The great ship Lusitania sunk by German torpedoes and
perhaps 1400 lives lost.
9 – Rain through the night and quite cool all day. All but Annie at
SS and church; 120 at SS. The Englishmen gave a piece of music.
Mr. McKay preached. When we got home we found that someone
had been in the grainery again.
10 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Drove Annie to Port Perry
in the morning. Drawing out manure in the afternoon. Jennie
washing. Boys at school. In the evening Norman Lyle and I lay in
the barn until 12:30 watching for the grain thieves that have been
visiting our grainery but we saw no one. Mr. O’Neill and Irene
called. War news: Russians retreating and everything pretty blue.
11 – A very fine day. Planting strawberries, Jennie digging up the
plants. Boys at school. After dinner went with the waggon to Jim
Lee’s for some corn stalks. War news: some brighter. French
claim to be advancing. Jennie and the boys watched in the barn.
12 – A fine day. Planting strawberries in the forenoon, Jennie
helping, and in the afternoon went to Blair’s mill with 12 bags of
oats and got them ground while Jennie went to W.M.S. meeting at
Peter Leask’s. Boys at school. Rain in the afternoon and evening.
War news: French claim quite an advance.
13 – A very fine day. A lot of rain through the night. Went to
Greenbank with the waggon taking up Jennie and the new carpets
for the church. Stayed and helped for awhile and got home at
noon. Jennie, with Mrs. Blair and Mrs. J.M. Real, stayed all after-
noon putting it down. Plowed for corn in the afternoon. Boys at
school. War news: Somewhat brighter. Looks as if Italy is going
into it. Roblin government in Manitoba busted.
14 – A very fine day. Went to Seagrave in the forenoon with Jim
Lee’s steer. The boys drove the buggy. Planting strawberries in
the afternoon, Willie digging the plants, while Jennie and James
went to Port Perry for Annie. Annie Gordon here for supper.
278
Norman Lyle called in the evening. War news: British war ship
the Goliath sunk, 500 lost. French claim a victory. Russians ap-
pear to be doing better.
15 – Quite a frost in the morning and cool all day. Planted straw-
berries and finished, the boys digging the plants, in the forenoon
and Jennie in the afternoon. Boys at practice. Jean and Ruth Mi-
chie here while their Father and Mother went to Port Perry. W.
Caffley called with war book. W. Akhurst called. War news:
Russians claim some success. Italy in a turmoil.
16 – A very raw E wind which turned to rain in the afternoon and
evening. All hands at SS and church; 123 at SS; Mr. McKay
preached. Mrs. John McKitrick sang a solo. Sidney Caney here in
the evening. Ed Lyle here in the afternoon watching for grain
thieves but saw nothing.
17 – Pretty cool day. Drove Annie to Port Perry. Sowed some
mangolds and drilled up for potatoes in the afternoon. Boys at
school. Jennie all day at John Michie’s making the girls dresses.
War news: Quite a bit better. British make a good gain of a mill,
also French gains. Italy has had a little skirmish with Austria.
18 – Quite a hard frost in the morning and cool all day. Drawing
out manure all day. Jennie at John Michie’s making a waist for
Mrs. John. Boys at school. War news: Italy on the verge of war.
Zeppelin destroyed in France. Allies gain in the west.
19 – A fine day. Plowing corn ground all day. Jennie washing and
painting. Boys at school. All hands at Guild meeting. Robert
Burns was the subject. War news: little of interest.
20 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie papering north downstairs
bedroom and painting. Boys at school. War news: Russians being
driven back. Cabinet crisis in London. Italy to decide today what
they will do.
21 – Harrowing corn land in the forenoon. Rain after dinner and
through the afternoon. Went to Port Perry for Annie. E. Lyle had
the buggy to go to Port Perry. Boys at school. War news: Italy
takes the plunge.
22 – A very fine cool day. With the boys help, planted about half
of the potatoes in the forenoon. After dinner got N. Lyle’s seeder
and sowed corn in the plot by the barn pump and then cultivated
the corn ground in the field. Children at practice at the church.
Jennie housecleaning and other things. War news: Advancing at
the Dardanelles. Italy in great excitement.
23 – A little misty in the morning but a very fine day. All hands at
SS. There was 163 present, probably the largest number in its
history. Jennie Gordon sang a solo. Rev. Mr. Best of Toronto, late
of Beaverton, preached anniversary sermon to a full house and the
children sang. All hands again in the evening when Mr. Best
preached again to a full house.
24 – A very fine day. Rolled the corn land and sowed most of the
corn but the seed ran out. All hands at SS anniversary in the after-
noon. A football match between British-born and Canadian boys
resulted in a victory 3 to 1 for the British. The church was full at
the concert which was good. Mr. D. Archer; Rev. Mr. Rowland;
R. Barker; and a reciter Miss Patterson from Toronto were the
talent. Proceeds about $160.00. War news: Italy declares war.
25 – A fine day but cool. Took Annie to Port Perry school. Fin-
ished sowing the corn and drew out manure in the afternoon. Alma
and Jennie Perrin and their cousin Vina Perrin were here for dinner
and stayed until about 4 o’clock. They are on their way to Mus-
koka on a visit to their uncle. Boys at school. All at after social in
the church in the evening. There was not very many out. A little
rain when we were there. War news: appears more hopeful.
26 – Quite cold and a high N wind. Went for the beef in the morn-
ing and brought John Lee down to Jim Lee’s. Drawing out manure
the rest of the day. Boys at school. Mrs. John Michie here in the
afternoon getting horseradish ground. War news: Both Germans
and Russians claim gains. The new coalition cabinet announced.
27 – Quite a hard frost in the morning which nipped things pretty
well. Drawing out manure in the forenoon and scuffling and some
other jobs in the afternoon while Jennie drove with Mrs. John
Michie and Mrs. J.M. Real to W.M. meeting at the manse at Wick.
Boys at school. War news: another British warship sunk at the
Dardanelles. W. Graysmark called in the evening.
28 – A fine day. Finished drawing out manure. At school trustee
meeting in the evening. Boys at school.
29 – A very fine day. With the boys help we planted the remainder
of the potatoes in the forenoon. Plowing turnip land in the after-
noon. E. Lyle had our democrat to Uxbridge. Boys at E. Lyle’s in
the afternoon. A man said to be killed in Greenbank today, drunk.
War news: Italians advancing.
30 - A beautiful fine day. All hands at SS and church; 140 at SS.
Rev. Mr. Steel of Glenarm preached. Sidney Caney here in the
evening.
31 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with
Annie. Plowing in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Boys at school.
War news: Italians advancing.
JUNE 1 – A beautiful warm day. Went up to S. Dusty’s in the
morning and got 500 lbs of hay at $1 per hundred. Plowing the
rest of the day. Jennie went with Mrs. D. McDonald; Mrs. John
Stone; and Mrs. J.M. Real in W. McDonald’s auto to the W.M.
meeting at Cannington. She had a big time and got home about 8
pm. Boys at school. Sidney Caney here in the evening. War
news: Zeppelin raid on London. Russians claim to have stayed
German advance.
2 – A beautiful day. Plowing and harrowing all day. Boys at
school. War news: Germans pushing the Russians back.
3 – A beautiful day. When I went to the stable I found that Fly had
a colt. Hoed strawberries most of the day. After dinner we hitched
up Fanny colt for the first time and she went very well. This being
the King’s birthday, there was no school. Sidney Caney here in the
afternoon playing with the boys. A demonstration at Port Perry.
Minney Lyle and Marie Akhurst called.
279
4 – A very fine warm day. Cultivating (with Fanny colt) in the
forenoon and hoeing strawberries in the afternoon while Jennie
went to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school. War news not at all
good. Germans recapture [ Przemysl?]. Italians winning.
5 – A very fine and warm day. Harrowing and hoeing raspberry
bushes. Moved the stove out. John Michie came up with his baby
Olive and left her here while they went to Port Perry. War news:
no better than yesterday.
6 – A fine warm day. All hands at SS; the attendance made a big
drop to 102. As Mr. McKay is away at the General Assembly at
Kingston there was no preaching service. Cecil Phair and W.
Phoenix here while we were away at SS watching for the thief that
has been stealing tools etc. lately but they saw nothing. W. Phoe-
nix stayed to supper. In the evening Norman Lyle and I watched
until near 12 but saw nothing, but in the morning we discovered
that 8 more tomato plants were pulled. Willie drove Annie to Port
Perry.
7 – Warm day. Got John Michie’s horse Lark and took the big sow
to Port Perry. She weighed 450 lbs. Repairing floor in pig house
in the afternoon. Jim Lee, wife and girl here for tea. Boys at
school. In the evening there was a splendid rain which was needed
pretty badly. Norman Lyle called. Jennie washing. War news
somewhat brighter.
8 – Quite cool all day. Finished the pig house floor in the forenoon
and cultivating in the afternoon. Boys at school. Watched at the
barn until after 12 for thieves but saw or heard nothing. War news
some better.
9 – Quite cool all day. Rain just after dinner. Rolled turnip land in
the forenoon and did some little jobs in the afternoon while Jennie
went to W.M. meeting at D. McDonald’s. Mrs. Jas. Lee and Ruby
went with her. John Lee also went home with them. Boys at
school. War news about the same.
10 – Pretty cool day. Drilling up for turnips and sowed them after
supper. Boys at school. W. Akhurst called. War news: French
advance. Annie came home from school as there is exams in the
other forms.
11 – Warmer with 2 fine showers. Finished drilling and sowing
turnips. John Michie also sowed his. Boys at school. Sidney
Caney here in the evening.
12 – A very fine day. Scuffling berries and other things in the
forenoon and in the afternoon went to Blair’s mill with oats and
got them ground. Jennie oiled the kitchen floor. S. of T. picnic at
Uxbridge today and E. Lyle and wife went and Sidney Caney spent
the afternoon and evening here. W. Akhurst called. War news:
Pretty good all along the lines.
13 – A warm day. A wild thunder storm came up about 7:30 pm
but not much rain. All hands at SS and church; 130 at SS; Mr.
McKay preached. He gave some account of the assembly meeting.
When we got home we found that someone had been here and took
away the robe but we found it in the berry bushes. W. Phoenix, we
heard, was watching down at the swamp.
14 – A nice day. Went to Greenbank in the morning (taking the
boys to school) to try to find the grainery key and to see W. Phoe-
nix and did neither. Plowing buckwheat land in the afternoon.
Jennie painting the buggy. In the evening Alex Gordon; Jas. Dusty
and I watched at the barn for the thief but saw nothing. Some
thunder but no rain here. War news fairly good.
15 – A thunder shower between 4 and 5 in the morning. Plowing
until about 9:30 when it got too wet. S. Porteous had a visit. In the
afternoon went to Port Perry with Annie who is to have exams for
the next 3 days. Boys at school. Mary Dusty and Marie Akhurst
called in the evening looking for strawberries and they got a few.
War news about the same as last few days.
16 – A beautiful day. Went for the beef in the morning in place of
John Michie who had to go to Port Perry with cattle. At road work
in the afternoon and did all that was left as we did most of the
drawing gravel last fall. Boys at school. Jennie making herself a
dress. War news about the same as last few days. It is announced
that the war is costing Britain $15,000.00 per day.
17 – A very fine day. Plowing buckwheat land in the forenoon and
in the afternoon went to Port Perry to a Sunday School conference
in the Methodist church. There was a small attendance. Mrs. John
Michie came up after dinner and Jennie went back with her. Boys
at school. Watched up at the barn but saw nothing. Cool evening.
War news: Russians being driven back. French gaining.
18 – A fine day. Thunder in the evening but no rain here. Plowing
and cultivating in the forenoon. Jennie churning. Hoeing man-
golds in the afternoon while Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie
who finishes school for this term. Boys at school. Beaton and
Robertson of Wick called to see about strawberries for their festi-
val a week from next Tuesday. War news about the same as yes-
terday. One hundred years ago today since the Battle of Waterloo.
19 – A fine day. Sowed and rolled the buckwheat in the forenoon
and scuffling potatoes and corn in the afternoon. Watched at the
barn in the evening for the thief but saw none. War news: Rus-
sians still retreating. French and British gain a little.
20 – A very fine day. Discovered that someone had been here
during the night and done some tricks and just before we went to
church someone tore some holes in Willie’s school plot of man-
golds. All hands at SS and church; 121 at SS; Mr. McKay
preached. W. Phoenix; Blake Cragg; Ernest Phair and S. Porteous
watched while we were away but saw nothing. Phoenix, Cragg,
and Porteous stayed for supper. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
21 – A very fine day. Scuffling corn and strawberries and some
other jobs. Jennie making Annie a dress and washing. Boys at
school. James got hit with a ball and they drove him home but it
does not appear to be very serious. Norman Lyle called and Miney
Lyle. Sidney Caney here in the evening. War news: Russians still
being driven back. French and British gain some.
22 – Some thunder after dinner but not any rain here. Did a few
small jobs after dinner. John Michie, wife and girls came up to
help me to take up the pump at the barn that has not been working
280
right lately. Boys at school. Mrs. S. Dusty and Mrs. A. Akhurst
came home after their trip to the west. Word came that Aunty Real
is dead. War news very much the same as the last few days.
23 – Very cold for the time of year with high NW wind and some-
times a few drops of rain. Went up to A. Akhurst’s for pump
sucker leather and got the news from the west from Mrs. A. who
got home last night. Then , when I tryed to put on the leather, I
broke the sucker and had to go to Port Perry for a new one. In the
afternoon went with John Michie to the church to take the things
out of the basement as Mr. D. Sullivan has started to clean up the
walls. Boys at school. War news very much the same.
24 – Very cold in the morning but turned out a nice day. Did some
little jobs in the forenoon. Boys churning. In the afternoon all
hands went to the Wick picnic in Horne’s grove on the town line.
There were quite a few out and a nice time. Annie’s coat was
taken out of the rig and not returned. Mrs. W. Real Sr. buried at
Greenbank today. War news: Limburg recaptured by the Austrian
Germans. French claim a small advance.
25 – A very fine day and some warmer. Jennie and Annie went to
Port Perry in the forenoon. Mr. Porteous called for a visit. Boys at
school. In the afternoon, with Jennie, went to preparatory service
in the church. Rev. Mr. Mackintosh, the new minister of Lindsay,
preached and gave a good sermon. James Herriot; John Love;
Robbie Leask and Howard McMillan came in.
26 – A very fine day. Hoeing most of the day. Jennie, Annie and
the boys and Mary Dusty picking strawberries, the first; 22 boxes.
Annie and Willie went to Greenbank after supper with berries.
War news: a little better looking.
27 – A beautiful fine day. Got up at 4 am to watch. Went to
communion at Wick. Mr. James Miller went with me. A pretty
good turnout from Greenbank. Stayed for dinner at Mr. Millers
and went to the Methodist SS anniversary service which was not as
good as has been. Boys were there also. Jennie and the children at
the evening service. W. Phoenix, Blake Cragg and Mr. Porteous
here watching but they saw nothing.
28 – A very fine day and warm. Cutting thistles on the roadside in
the forenoon. After dinner went to McKagues with 20 hens.
Jennie and Annie picking strawberries which is almost a total
failure this year. Norman Lyle came after 20 hens. Boys at
school. War news: nothing cheering. Russians still retreating.
29 – A fine and quite warm day. Fixing fences in the forenoon.
Annie went to Port Perry with strawberries. In the afternoon, with
Jennie, attended W. Wallace’s funeral. There was a large atten-
dance. Mr. McKay conducted the service. Boys at school which
closes for the holidays. E. Lyle and wife and Sidney Caney here in
the evening. War news: nothing of much importance.
30 – A fine and warm day. Helping Jennie to pick strawberries in
the forenoon. Fixing fences in the afternoon. Jennie at the church
in the afternoon helping to scrub the basement. W. Greyswark;
Fred Caldwell and Sidney Caney here in the evening. War news:
Gloomy. Russians being driven back.
JULY 1 – Quite a warm day; much thunder in the afternoon but
very little rain here. Hoeing corn in the forenoon. After supper all
hands went to the Methodist SS anniversary concert. There was a
full house. The programme was given by the band, assisted by a
Mr. McKinnon, a reciter. The band played well but some fo the
rest was not of much account. $205.00 taken in.
2 – Hoeing corn and picking berries in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went with Jennie to Port Perry. Almost 11 am the
Catholic church at Port Perry was struck by lightning and dam-
aged. War news: little of interest.
3 – Went down with the boys and the democrat to John Michie’s
and got some plank and made a trough for the spring (Cecil Phair
is putting in piping). It started to rain about 10:30 and rained and
rained until about the middle of the afternoon and soaked things
pretty well which was needed badly. Some very sharp lightning
about noon. Jean and Ruth Michie here all day and stayed all
night. Sidney Caney here for supper. Edna and Annie Gordon
came for some strawberries. War news: little of interest.
4 – A very fine day. About 10 am someone called at the barn and
took a few oats out of the box. Jennie stayed at home to watch
while the rest went to SS and church; 121 at SS. Mr. McKay
preached. Mr. Porteous here in the afternoon watching but saw
nothing.
5 – A heavy thunder shower about 1 in the morning and several
showers in the afternoon. Scuffling turnips and corn. Jennie wash-
ing. About 5 pm Mr. S. Henry came with his girls Eva and Gertie
and got supper and the girls stayed all night. In the evening went
to managers meeting but there was none held as only 4 turned out.
War news: Russians still retreating.
6 – A very fine day. Hoeing and picking strawberries in the fore-
noon and went to Port Perry in the afternoon taking the Henry girls
home. James Allan called for berries. Mrs. John Michie and girls;
Mary and Ray Dusty; and Eva Leask called. Mr. Watson of Sea-
grave came for berries in an auto. War news: about the same as
the last few days.
7 – Scuffling potatoes, corn and strawberries until about 3 when it
started to rain and continued all the evening. Jennie ironing and
churning. Strawberry festival at A. Rodd’s tonight was to be. War
news: little of interest.
8 – Rain all through the night. About 2:30 am there was a noise in
the hen coops and we found 4 dead chickens. Went to Greenbank
with the boys in the forenoon for groceries. Helping Jennie and
Annie to pick strawberries in the afternoon. Jennie Gordon and
Eva Luke called and George Clemens for berries. Killed skunk in
hen coop. War news: little of importance. Terrible accident at
Queenston Heights.59
9 – A beautiful day. Scuffling corn in the forenoon and in the
afternoon hoeing potatoes while Jennie and Annie went to Port
59
Streetcar slid off tracks at Queenston Heights due
to heavy rain and rolled down escarpment, killing 15
members of two Toronto churches who were attend-
ing a picnic.
281
Perry. Mrs. [?] called to get berries but got none. Sidney Caney
here in the evening. War news: not much of importance.
10 – A beautiful day. Hoeing and scuffling and greening potatoes.
Mrs. John Michie and children here in the afternoon for berries and
Edna Gordon in the evening. The boys drove Jennie to Port Perry
in the morning to the train for Bobcaygeon. War news: some
better. The Russians are doing better.
11 – A beautiful day. All hands that were home at SS and church;
118 at SS. A special collection to pay for cleaning the basement
brought $17.45. Mr. McKay preached. He goes east for his holi-
days tomorrow. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
12 – A fine day. A little shower about 1 o’clock. Hoeing turnips
all day. Alex Gordon and wife and Lex and E. Lyle here for ber-
ries. Annie picking strawberries most of the day and the boys in
the afternoon. War news: Russians appear to be doing better.
French gain some.
13 – A very heavy rain and some sharp lightning between 12 and
1. Hoeing turnips most of the day. War news: not much of inter-
est.
14 – A fine and warm day. Went to Port Perry in the morning to
meet Jennie on her way home from Bobcaygeon. Jennie and An-
nie at W.M. meeting at S. Dusty’s while I Paris greened potatoes.
15 – A fine day but close and warm. Some thunder to the SW but
no rain here. Hoeing turnips all day. Jennie and Annie picking
strawberries. Mrs. John Michie and family here in the afternoon
getting some berries. War news: Germans advance some in
France.
16 – Hoeing turnips most of the day. A shower came up about
3:30 and again in the evening. Jennie picking and preserving black
currants. Peter Leask and Ernie Grayswark called for some cher-
ries. Sidney Caney here in the evening. War news not very good.
17 – A fine and cool day. Hoeing turnips all day and finished
except two drills that were replanted. Jennie preserving and bak-
ing. Annie and Willie went to Port Perry. John Michie, wife and
family here in the evening.
18 – Rain about 4 am but a very fine day. All hands at SS and
church; 112 at SS. The Dominion Alliance man Mr. McQuarrie
preached. Collection $27.60. Mrs. Jas. Lee and Ruby here for
supper and Jim came over after.
19 – Rain about 3 o’clock and most of the forenoon and a little
shower or two in the afternoon. Tried to fix the cistern pump but
found the pipe disconnected. Helped N. Lyle to grind mower
knives. Hoeing strawberries in the afternoon. W. Akhurst called.
Sidney Caney here in the evening. War news: Not at all good.
Russians being driven back.
20 – A very fine day. Hoeing all day. Jennie and the children
picked the strawberry patch for the last time. War news: Russians
being badly beaten.
21 – Several local thunder showers went round and some rain here
about 2 pm and later. Scuffling turnips 2nd
time. Jennie picking
and preserving cherries. Children at Mission Band. War news:
Germans almost into Warsaw. Italians win.
22 – Went with Jennie to Port Perry in the morning. Scuffling in
the afternoon. Rain after dinner and several local thunder showers
went around. Sidney Caney here in the evening. War news: Not
very good. Saw the first harvesting of the season; Mr. Whitfield is
cutting his peas.
23 – A fine day and no rain. Scuffled field corn for the third time.
Jennie picking and preserving cherries. Got word that Annie has
passed her departmental exams. War news: about the same as
yesterday.
24 – Quite a little warmer and no rain although it looked like it
several times. Did a little hoeing. Not feeling very well. The boys
went to Greenbank in the forenoon for sugar. Jean and Ruth Mi-
chie here in the afternoon. War news: Warsaw still holds out.
25 – Rain in the early morning and again about 9 in the evening.
All hands at SS and church; 109 at SS. Mr. Pilkey preached.
Sidney Caney here for supper. All went over to Norman Lyle’s in
the evening.
26 – Rain in the morning and most of the forenoon. Annie and
James went to Port Perry for parcel from Eaton’s. Jennie washing.
Paris greening potatoes. War news: Warsaw still holds out. Ital-
ians gain. A great disaster at Chicago; steamer Eastland turns
turtle and 1000 drowned.
27 – A fine day and no rain. Finished greening potatoes. Jennie,
Annie and Mary Dusty picking raspberries for the Methodist social
at the parsonage tonight. Willie took them to Greenbank. Helping
Norman Lyle draw in the hay in the afternoon. War news: not
much that is new.
28 – Rain off and on several times. Hoed some and some little
jobs. Jennie churning. Boys drawing in wood. Annie went to Port
Perry in the forenoon for Emma Black of Kenton Manitoba. War
news: little of importance.
29 – A very fine warm day. Got Norman Lyle’s mower and cut
about half of the hay field and then (about 3:30) helped N. Lyle to
draw in his hay. Emma Black went down to John Michie’s. War
news: Russians appear to be checking the German advance.
30 – A very warm day. Turning hay in the forenoon, the boys
helping. In the afternoon raked it up and Norman Lyle came about
3 o’clock and we got in 3 loads. A little rain in the evening.
Jennie, Annie, Mary Dusty and Emma Black picking raspberries;
104 boxes picked. Annie and Emma Black went to Port Perry with
berries for Toronto. In the evening Annie and Emma went up to
Dusty’s. War news: Warsaw evacuated by the Russians.
31 – Some rain about 8 am. Did little in the forenoon. Mrs. W.
and J.M. Real called for berries. After dinner cut 3 rounds with the
mower when a thunder shower came on. Sidney Caney here in the
evening. War news: Warsaw left by the Russians. Germans drove
the British back in one place.
282
AUG. 1 – A very warm day. A few drops of rain about 3 pm. All
hands at SS and church; 121 at SS. G. Lee was present and gave a
few words. Rev. Mr. Rowland preached. Emma Black went to
Dusty’s for supper. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
2 – A rather dull day; a few drops of rain several times. Cut the
last of the hay in the forenoon and with Willie’s help drew in one
small load and the strawberry hay. Willie drove Emma Black over
to W. O’Neill’s after dinner. Jennie, Annie, Mary Dusty, Mrs. E.
Lyle and Emma Black picking raspberries; 162 boxes. Willie and
James went to Port Perry with berries for Toronto and brought
home Mary Bell and Willie and Gordon. Sidney Caney here in the
evening. Norman Lyle cutting his rye. War news: not good.
3 – A bad disastrous day. A high E wind all night and in the fore-
noon a little sprinkle but about noon it started for sure from the E
with high beating wind which reached a climax about 4. The oats
beaten down as it if had been rolled. Corn also down badly.
Jennie washing. Willie and Gordon Bell went to Greenbank with
berries. War news: a little brighter.
4 – Rain through the night and almost raining most of the forenoon
and very dull all day. Went for the beef in the morning and a blue
lot of farmers were there. Wilmot Cragg came down with me and
stayed all day. N. Lyle called. Plowing the old strawberry patch in
the afternoon. War news: little of importance.
5 – Foggy in the morning but cleared up and a fine afternoon.
Finished plowing strawberry patch in the forenoon. Turning and
raking up hay in the afternoon. Jennie; Annie; Mary Bell; Mary
Dusty; Mrs. Akhurst; Mrs. E. Lyle picking raspberries; 80 boxes.
Hugh Leask and Jas. Blair called in the evening for berries. War
news: little of importance.
6 – A fine day and no rain until about 9 pm. John Michie came up
in the morning for berries and helped me to fix the barn pump. In
the afternoon, with Norman Lyle’s help, finished drawing in the
hay; 5 small loads. Jennie, Annie and Mary Bell picking berries.
Sidney Caney here in the evening. War news: Warsaw occupied
by the Germans. Tyson Lee came for berries after we had gone to
bed. [Margin note: Manitoba election; Norris sweeps everything].
7 – Several showers during the day. Went to Port Perry with
Jennie in the morning. Raked the hay field in the afternoon but did
not get it in as it was too wet. War news: little of importance.
8 – Several little showers during the day; some thunder. All hands
at SS and church (the boys walked); 138 at SS. Alex Leask of
Leaskdale was present and made a little speech. Mr. Arnold of
Toronto preached. Jennie Gordon sang. Mary Bell went to Jim
Lee’s for supper and Jennie, Annie and Willie Bell went over for
her in the evening. Sidney Caney here.
9 – No rain here but there was thunder to the E. Hoeing strawberry
patch most of the day. Drew in the hay rakings which finishes the
haying. In the evening, with John Michie’s help, took the syndi-
cate heifer to Greenbank. Willie drove up the rig. Jennie, Annie,
Mary Bell and Mary Dusty picking raspberries (112 boxes). Annie
drove Mary Dusty home. Sidney Caney here 3 times. War news:
Russians still going back. Germany is reported to have offered
Russia peace terms but it was refused.
10 – A fine day and no rain. Hoeing strawberry patch. After din-
ner helped Norman Lyle to draw in 3 loads of rye which was not at
all dry. Jennie preserving berries. Had a call from Mrs. O’Neill.
War news: Rather brighter today.
11 – A fine day and no rain. Went for the beef in the morning and
our heifer turned out 10 lbs short. Willie went up with me and
stayed at R. Cragg’s all day. Hoed strawberry patch most of the
rest of the day. Jennie, Annie and Mary Bell at W.M. meeting at
Alex Gordon’s. Jim Dusty and Willie Caffley here in the evening
arranging for a patriotic concert by the young men’s class of the
SS. War news: not at all good.
12 – Started to rain about 6 in the morning and continued until
after dinner and everything is soaked as bad as ever. Did little but
a few odd jobs. Jennie making headcheese. War news: a little
gloomier than usual. Russians retreating all along the line.
13 – A fine day until about 1:30 when there was another heavy
shower. Scuffling strawberries and turnips in the forenoon. Did
little in the afternoon. Jennie; Annie; Mary Dusty and Mary Bell
picking raspberries and Annie and Mary Bell went to Port Perry
with some. John Michie came for some berries. Sidney Caney
here in the afternoon. He is said to have left Ed Lyle’s. War news:
not much of importance.
14 – A fine day and no rain. Hoed some turnips in the forenoon.
After dinner got Norman Lyle’s binder and he cut part of the field
W of the house. Could not cut on the N side on account of it being
so badly lodged. Got supper and Norman heard by phone that 9 of
his cattle had been taken to the pound by the railway men to E.
Beare’s. Willie went with him to bring them home. It cost him
$4.50 to get them out. Jennie and Mary picking and preserving
raspberries. War news: not much of account.
15 – A little rain in the early morning and a thunder shower about
3 pm. All hands at SS and church; 128 at SS. Miss Robinson of
Detroit sang a piece. Rev. Mr. Campbell of Pittsburgh preached.
Mrs. D. Archer sang 2 solos.
16 – A day of rain; a little about 9:30. Norman Lyle came over
and cut about 1 ½ hours before dinner, then after dinner there was
a big shower and then a while after another one and again another
thunder shower about seven and of course there was no harvesting.
All but me down to the pond in the evening. Jennie and Mary Bell
washing in the forenoon. War news: little of interest. Great storm
yesterday at Oshawa and neighbourhood.
17 – A fine cool day and no rain. Did a few jobs in the forenoon.
In the afternoon Norman Lyle came up and finished cutting the
field W of the house and then started the field NE of the barn
which is very badly lodged but got along not so bad. Jennie, Annie
and Mary Bell picking berries. War news some better.
18 – A very fine cool day. Shocking oats all day while Norman
Lyle cut. He finished the field NE of the barn about 2:30, then
went home to cut some for himself. Did a pretty good job consid-
ering the state of the grain. Jennie and Mary Bell went to Green-
bank to visit John Lee. War news: Transport Royal Edward sunk
in the Aegean Sea and 100 lives lost. Russians still going back.
283
19 – A very fine cool day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon.
Helped Norman Lyle to draw in 2 loads of rye. Hoed and scuffled
turnips. Jennie dressmaking. Jennie, Annie and Mary Bell at
Akhurst’s in the evening. War news: Kovna captured by the Ger-
mans.
20 – A very fine day. Finished scuffling turnips, 3rd time, in the
forenoon. After dinner N. Lyle came with his binder and cut part
of the N field which is very badly down and in one place it was too
soft; the drive wheel slipped. All the children at Mission Band.
War news: Arabic liner sunk by German torpedo.
21 – Dull in the morning and about 9:30 it started to rain a little
from the SE and continued all day off and on; never very heavy.
Shocked up oats in the morning. Went to Port Perry with Mary
Bell on her way home. That was about all I did. Jennie making
pickles. Boys taking the old binder apart. War news: Gloomier
than ever. Germans capture another Russian stronghold and
85,000 men and many more vessels sunk.
22 – Dull all day and a little rain sometimes. All hands at SS and
church; 115 at SS. Rev. J.A. Miller preached for the Lord’s Day
Alliance. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
23 – A fine day and warm. Shocked up and other things in the
forenoon. After dinner Norman Lyle came and finished cutting the
N field at 5 o’clock, which finishes cutting. Jennie washing. War
news: Better. Eleven German ships sunk in the Gulf of Riga.
Italy declares war on Turkey.
24 – Went to Norman Lyle’s and drew in 2 loads of loose barley
when Ed Lyle came saying his binder was broken down and
wanted Norman to go and cut with his binder, so Ed stayed and
drew in another 2 loads of barley. After dinner before we got the
load off there was a thunder shower which stopped the harvesting.
There was another thunder shower about an hour after. Jennie took
19 chickens to Watson’s at Seagrave. James and Gordon Bell went
with her. Very little doing in the afternoon. War news: not so
good.
25 – A fine cool day. Hoed turnips in the forenoon and in the
afternoon helping E. Lyle to thresh (John Howsam’s machine).
Built the stack. Grain turned out pretty well. W. Greyswark here
in the evening. War news: not much of importance.
27 – Quite a frost in the morning, the first of the season, and a
beautiful day. James went to Phair’s to drive the sling horse, the
first day away from home. Drawing in all day, Jennie and the
children helping. War news: Germans capture another Russian
city.
28 – A beautiful day. All hands drawing in oats all day. James
helping Phair’s to draw in. War news: Italians claim to be gain-
ing. Russians still retreating.
29 – A little rain through the night and forenoon. All hands at SS
and church; 137 at SS. Mr. T. Yellowlees preached. Some thun-
der in the evening. Started to rain heavy about 10:30 and rained
off and on all night.
30 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with Jennie, Annie and the
Bell boys on their way home much against their will. Hoeing
turnips in the afternoon while Willie raked stubble. John Michie’s
three girls here in the afternoon while they were at Port Perry. War
news: Nothing good. Russians still retreating.
31 – Frost in the morning; a very fine day. Raked and drew in
straw in the forenoon. Cultivating in the afternoon. Jennie wash-
ing. War news: about the same as the last few days.
SEPT. 1 - A beautiful day. About daylight there was great shoot-
ing down at the creek as this is the first day of duck shooting.
Ducks are quite plentiful. With the boys help drew in the last three
loads of sheaves. Then after dinner the boys raked the field and we
drew it in, which finishes the harvest, which is the first done in this
corner. Hoed some turnips. Jennie making dress for Annie. War
news a little brighter.
2 – A very fine and warm day. Scuffled the strawberry patch and
then plowed with Fanny colt. Jennie dressmaking. Boys at school.
War news: British success at Dardanelles.
3 – Another fine and very warm day. All day helping Norman
Lyle to draw in oats. Jennie and Annie at the church in the after-
noon cleaning up the basement. Boys at school. War news: little
of interest.
4 – Another very warm fine day. Gang plowing in the forenoon.
Helping Norman Lyle to draw in his oats and finished except rak-
ings about dark. Mrs. W. Real and Miss Seehaven called on their
way home from Port Perry. War news: Russians appear to be
doing some better.
5 – Some rain in the afternoon and evening. All hands at SS and
church; 119 at SS. Mr. McKay, who has just returned from his
holiday trip to Nova Scotia, preached. Sidney Caney here in the
evening.
6 – A fine day. Gang plowing until supper when I went over to
Norman Lyle’s to help him to draw in rakings. We got in one load
when rain came on and stopped us. War news: Hesperian torpe-
doed but not sunk.
7 – Threatening rain in the morning but turned out a fine day. Got
up quite early and Jennie drove Annie and I to Port Perry; Annie to
start again at the high school and I took the train for Toronto fair.
Went up in company with Charlie Wells. Spent all day until after
10 pm on the grounds. There was a big crowd and the evening
show was good. Went to Mason’s to stay all night but there did
not appear to be anybody there so I had to go elsewhere for the
night. Boys at school.
8 – A fine warm day; a few drops of rain about 10 am in Toronto
(but a heavy rain here). Got into the fair grounds at 7 am and
stayed until about 4. Another large crowd. Got to Port Perry about
8. Jennie and the boys came for me. Jennie all day helping to
paint the church basement. Boys at school.
9 – Foggy morning and a fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie pre-
serving plums. Boys at school. Norman Lyle called. War news a
little brighter.
284
10 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie went to Port Perry
in the afternoon for Annie, taking W. [Greeswarks?] trunk, he
having enlisted. Boys at school. W. Caffley here in the evening
seeing about the concert next Thursday. War news: Austrian
ambassador to US recalled.
11 – A very fine day. Willie harrowing while I hoed strawberry
patch in the forenoon. Plowing in the afternoon. Willie went to
help Phair’s at harvest. Jennie and James went over in the evening
to meet him. War news: little of importance.
12 – Dull and rain several times during the day. All hands at SS
and church; 118 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. John Michie, wife
and family here for supper. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
13 – A very close warm day. Drove Annie to Port Perry. Brought
Mrs. J. Joyce of Sutton from the station and she stayed overnight.
Plowing in the afternoon. About 2 pm thunder was heard to the N
and until 6. It never ceased rumbling. At 6 there was some very
sharp flashes and some rain. Boys at school. Sidney Caney here in
the evening. War news: depressing especially Lloyd George’s
opinions on the war.60
14 – A very warm day; 80 in the shade some of the time; no rain.
Drove Mrs. Joyce to Mrs. Walker’s, taking the boys to school.
Plowing until the middle of the afternoon when Jennie went to Port
Perry and brought Annie home, she being unwell. They called at
the Dr. War news: $1,000,000,000 loan for the Allies from the
US.
15 – Very warm in the forenoon. After dinner there was a thunder
shower when the wind turned to the NW and it was cooler. Plow-
ing in the N field. Jennie washing and canning corn. Boys at
school. War news: Bulgaria appears about to join with Germany.
16 – Another pretty warm day. Plowing all day. Jennie baking.
Boys at school. In the evening all hands went to the patriotic con-
cert in the church. It was thundering to the N when we went away
but the rain kept off until the concert was nearly over, but we got a
ducking coming home. Owing to the threatening weather there
was a rather small attendance but the programme was good. About
$60.00 was taken in.
17 - A fine and cool day. Plowing and harrowing. Jennie most of
the day at John Michie’s helping to make dresses for the children.
Boys not at school as they did not get up in time. War news: not
at all bright.
18 – A very fine day and not so warm. Hoed until 10 am then
helped A. Akhurst to thresh (John Howsam’s machine). Boys
drove to Greenbank for bread. Jennie over at Jim Lee’s to see
Ruby who is not very well. War news: Yet more gloomy every
day. Germans occupy Neva, another city in Russia.
19 – A very fine and cool day. All hands at SS and church. Rev.
P. Sinclair, that was once at Sonya, preached. 124 at SS. Sidney
Caney here in the evening.
60
David LLOYD George was Prime Minister of
Great Britain from Dec. 1916 – Oct. 1922.
20 – A very fine day. Helped A. Akhurst to finish threshing; about
an hour’s work. Then N. Lyle came with his binder and cut part of
the buckwheat. Some of it he could not cut on account of the
softness of the ground. I finished cutting it after dinner with the
mower. About 4 pm went to John Michie’s to thresh and worked
until dark. Jennie took Annie to Port Perry in the morning and
helped Mrs. John Michie in the afternoon. Boys at school. War
news: Vilna captured by Germans and things do not look too
bright.
21 – A fine cool day with high NW wind. Rain in the early morn-
ing. Finished threshing at John Michie’s at noon. Hoed strawber-
ries in the afternoon. Jennie helping Mrs. John with the dinner.
Moved the stove in from the cook house. Boys at school. War
news: Germans attack Serbia.
22 – A very fine day. The boys stayed at home from school and
helped to draw in the buckwheat. Expected to help thresh at
Dusty’s in E. Lyle’s place but the machine broke down and they
did not get started until 5:30. War news: The Balkan situation
getting serious.
23 – A fine day but a little rain in the evening. Threshing at
Dusty’s in the forenoon and finished at noon. The machine (John
Howsam’s) then moved here and threshed until dark. John
Howsam and Robbie Leask stayed all night. Boys went to Green-
bank in the morning for peaches. War news: Balkan’s crisis.
24 – A fine day. Finished threshing in about 1 ½ hours, then
moved to Norman Lyle’s and finished him about 3 pm. Then they
moved to Mrs. Phair’s and threshed until dark. Jennie went to Port
Perry for Annie and in the evening, with the boys, attended the
women’s annual thank offering social at the church. War news:
800,000 Germans to invade Serbia.
25 – A very fine day. Threshing all day at Phair’s. Man called
looking for cattle. War news: Better. Russians gain some.
26 – A heavy rain through the night and forenoon with very high
wind which turned quite cold towards night. All hands at SS and
church. This is rally day in the SS and the service was instead of
the regular meeting. It went off fairly well but rather stiff. There
was 140 present. After supper Willie drove Annie to Port Perry for
school tomorrow. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
27 – A very fine day but pretty cold in the morning. Threshing at
Mrs. Phair’s and finished in about 2 hours. They then moved to
Jim Lee’s and threshed until dark. Jennie washing. Boys at
school. They came home early expecting to go to Port Perry to
meet Jessie Bell but a phone message came saying she was not
coming today. War news: Good victory by French and British, the
most important for a long time.
28 – Somewhat cold in the morning but a very fine day. Threshing
at Jas. Lee’s and finished in about 1 ½ hours. Then cut around
corn patch. In the afternoon digging potatoes, Jennie helping, and
a very poor crop they are. Boys at school. War news: Allies
holding; gains made.
285
29 – A beautiful day. Digging potatoes all day, Jennie and the
boys helping. Boys burned the brush heap in the evening. Beef
ring meeting. Blackstock fair. War news: fairly good.
30 – A beautiful day. Finished the potatoes in the forenoon, Jennie
helping. Plowing in the afternoon. Boys at school. They came
home early and went to Port Perry to meet the train and brought
Jessie Bell of Rochester and Mabel Bell of Brooklin. Jennie
Gordon and Mrs. John Michie and girls here in the afternoon. War
news: Allies still advancing a little.
OCT. 1 – East wind and raw all day and started to rain about 5
o’clock. Plowing all day. Jennie, the boys, Mabel Bell and Sidney
Caney at Port Perry fair in the afternoon. They report a small
affair. War news: little of interest.
2 – Rain through the night but a fine day. Plowing all day. Cattle
broke into the orchard in the evening. War news: Bulgaria has
joined with the Germans.
3 – A very fine day. All hands but Jessie Bell at SS and church;
130 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Well at barn caved in.
4 – Drove to Port Perry in the morning taking Annie to school,
Jessie Bell on her way to Toronto, and Mabel Bell on her way
home. Helping Norman Lyle to draw in buckwheat in the after-
noon. Jennie washing. Boys at school. In the evening Jennie went
to Port Perry for Jessie and I went with John Michie to managers
meeting but only I and A. Akhurst were there and no business
done. Mrs. John and children stayed here while we were away. A
very dark night with lots of lightning and some rain. J.W. Mel-
varry buried today. War news: Russia sends ultimatum to Bul-
garia.
5 – Somewhat dull all day. Plowing all day. About 5:30 E. Lyle
came with his corn binder and cut four rounds. Boys at school.
War news: No word from Bulgaria. Fierce fighting on the West-
ern front. Russians appear to be holding their own.
6 – A very fine day. E. Lyle finished cutting the corn about 2:30
and charged $3.75. I then had to take the binder to W. Real’s.
Boys at school. Jean and Ruth Michie here for supper. This is the
first time they came up alone I think. War news: Greece uncertain
where she is.
7 – A very fine day. All day drawing off corn; very heavy work.
Boys at school. Mary Dusty here in the afternoon. War news:
French made advance. Greece to remain neutral.
8 – A very fine day. Drawing off corn in the forenoon and in the
afternoon, with Jennie, to preparatory service in the church. Mr.
J.R. Fraser of Uxbridge preached. Mr. and Mrs. John McKitrick
came in by certificate. There was a fair attendance. Jessie Bell
went to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school. Recruiting meeting
at Greenbank tonight. War news: Germans start the invasion of
Serbia. Russians bombard Bulgaria.
9 – A fine day and pretty cool. All day drawing off corn and fin-
ished the job; the most corn we ever had. Willie at Phair’s in the
afternoon helping to draw in buckwheat. Jennie and James over to
Jas. Lee’s in the evening. James brings home a pair of pigeons.
Jessie Bell drove Annie to Port Perry to the train for Brooklin for
thanksgiving. War news: Germans start the invasion of Serbia.
10 – A beautiful day. At communion at the church with Jennie and
Jessie Bell; boys stayed at home. Mr. McKay preached and Rev.
Mr. Keith, a former pastor, spoke a few words. There was a pretty
good attendance. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
11 – Thanksgiving day, and a fine day. Drew in the last of the
corn, the sunflowers, and took the potatoes from the pits to the
cellar and plowed some. Jennie and Mary Dusty left after dinner
for Brooklin thanksgiving supper. Sidney Caney here in the eve-
ning. War news: Germans capture Belgrade.
12 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. Jessie Bell housekeeping.
Boys at school. Jennie and Mary Dusty came home from Brooklin
about 7 pm. Rev. Mr. and Mrs. McKay and girl called for about an
hour in the evening. Jennie Gordon here in the afternoon. War
news: Heavy fighting in Serbia.
13 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Boys at school. Jennie
washing. Jennie at W.M. meeting and Mission Band in the after-
noon. War news: Germans advance in Serbia.
14 – Rain through the night but a fine day. Plowing all day.
Jennie at Jim Lee’s in the afternoon getting apples to send to Win-
nipeg. Boys at school. Norman Lyle I think starts to plough on his
new place near Port Perry. War news: Heavy fighting in Serbia.
15 – Rather dull with raw E wind. Plowing in the forenoon. Boys
took their corn and potatoes to the school fair. Willie stayed. In
the afternoon went with James to the school fair. There was a fine
attendance and it went off good. Willie got third on his war pota-
toes. Annie came home from Port Perry with Norman Lyle. In the
evening, with Jennie and the boys, went to the church and heard
Miss Rettie of Toronto on Rescue Work. There was a fair turnout
and the address was good. War news: Germans advance in Serbia.
16 – A beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon. In the afternoon
went with the boys to Blair’s mill with 10 bags of oats and got
them ground. War news: Looks a little better.
17 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie and the boys
(Jennie did not go as she had a cold in her head); 126 at SS. Rev.
Mr. Russell, who has been a missionary in India for 22 years,
preached giving some account of his work there. In the evening I
took Annie to Port Perry and stayed to church. Rev. Mr. Yule of
Oshawa preached a good sermon. Sidney Caney here in the eve-
ning.
18 – Somewhat dull and almost rain sometimes. Got up early and
took Jessie Bell to the early train at Port Perry on her way back to
Rochester, then took two pigs to Port Perry and got home at noon.
Jennie washing. In the afternoon, with Jennie’s help, packed 4
barrels of apples for Winnipeg. Boys at school. War news: Ger-
mans still advancing in Serbia but several other things seem fa-
vourable to the Allies.
19 – A beautiful October day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon
with 4 barrels of apples for Winnipeg. Jennie ironing. Afternoon
packing apples, Jennie helping. Boys at school. War news: Cabi-
286
net crisis in London. Carson has resigned. Serbians doing better
also the Russians.
20 – A fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and in the afternoon
went with John Michie to John Leask’s sale on the Stewart place.
There was a really large turnout and pretty good prices. Boys at
school. War news: Italy joins the war against Bulgaria.
21 – A very fine day. Spent the whole day canvassing for the
patriotic and Red Cross funds with Isaac Beare. Started at Jim
Gibson’s and finished at J.M. Real’s. Collected about $385.00.
Got dinner at Jas. Leask’s and supper at J.M. Real’s. Walked
home from there and found Mr. Porteous with a $12.00 subscrip-
tion. Boys not at school as the teachers convention is on. Jennie
went to Port Perry for Annie. War news: Cyprus offered to
Greece.
22 – A fine day but rather raw with high NW wind. Plowing in the
forenoon and in the afternoon, with the boys help, draw in the
mangolds; 2 loads; then scuffled the strawberry path (which is very
weedy) with Fanny colt, the first time driven single. Annie went to
Port Perry for Jessie Smith who has been attending the teachers
convention. Mrs. Jas. Lee and Ruby called after dinner. War
news: Bulgarians advancing in Serbia rapidly.
23 – Quite a frost in the morning and pretty cold all day. Plowing
sod on hill field all day. Boys up to E. Lyle’s seeing them fill the
silo. William Smith came about 7 pm. War news: Greece refuses
to help the Allies. Other news not so bad.
24 – A fine day but somewhat cold. All hands, including Willie
and Jessie Smith, at SS and church; 130 at SS. Rev. Mr. Black of
Sunderland preached. After supper Willie and Jessie left for home
and Annie went with them to Port Perry.
25 – A hard frost in the morning but a very fine day. Plowing sod
in the forenoon and in the afternoon at Mrs. Phair’s helping to fill
silo in Norman Lyle’s place. Did not finish. Boys at school. War
news: Italians make quite an advance. Bulgarians make gains in
Serbia.
26 – A very fine day. Helping Phair’s to fill silo and finished
about 10 am. Drawing in corn in the afternoon, Jennie helping.
Boys at school. Sidney Caney called in the evening. War news:
Italians claim big advance.
27 – A fine day. Drawing in corn all day, Jennie helping. The first
load Topsy mare broke through the trap door and slid into the cow
stable; not much hurt. Mr. Stevenson’s house across the swamp on
the E road was burned between 3 and 4 pm. James McFarland
near Seagrave dies suddenly. Boys at school. War news: little of
importance.
28 – A very fine day. Plowing sod all day. Jennie at the church in
the afternoon finishing painting the basement. Boys at school.
War news: Germans and Bulgarians unite their forces in Serbia.
29 – Somewhat cold and raw. Topping turnips in the forenoon,
boys helping. After dinner harrowed up all the turnips which are a
very poor crop and got in one load. Jennie went to Port Perry for
Annie. War news not very good.
30 – Rather cold and several little rain flurries. Drawing in turnips
all day, the boys helping; Jennie helping in the afternoon. Jean and
Ruth Michie here in the afternoon while their parents were at Port
Perry. Got in 9 loads of turnips. War news: some brighter.
Photo of Elizabeth Akhurst Michie with
Jean Michie and Ruth Michie,
undated.
31 – A fine day and somewhat cool. All hands at SS and church;
125 at SS; Mr. McKay preached.
NOV. 1 – A very fine day. Drew in the last 2 loads of turnips;
only 12 loads in all, the poorest crop I think that we ever had.
Jennie took Annie to Port Perry. Boys at school. Jennie at the
church in the afternoon finishing the painting. War news: Ger-
mans make gains in France.
2 – Quite cool with many rain and sleet flurries. Plowing sod all
day. Boys at school. Jennie washing and ironing. Collins, the
Port Perry barber, called about 5 pm with a Premier separator and
he ran the evening’s milk through but we did not buy. War news:
Germans capture Serbian arsenal. Russians land in Bulgaria.
3 – A fine day and cool. Plowing sod all day. Boys at school.
Jennie making a tam for Annie. Norman Lyle here in the fore-
noon. War news: All bad. Getting more gloomy every day.
4 – A disagreeable day. Plowing sod in the forenoon while it driz-
zled from the S. In the afternoon it rained nearly all the time while
I did some repairing about the stable and got all the cattle in for the
287
first time. Jennie churning. Boys at school. War news some bet-
ter. Russians appear to be driving the Germans back some places.
5 – A fine day but dull. Plowing all day and finished the hill field.
Jennie housecleaning. Boys at school. War news: Greece gov-
ernment defeated. Russians claim victories. Germans advance in
Serbia. Annie did not come home; she went to Mr. Bruce’s in
Cartwright over Sunday.
6 – A fine day. Willie harrowing while I and Jennie and James
finished picking the apples. After dinner Jennie and the boys went
to Port Perry while I harrowed. War news: Russians claim to be
winning.
7 – A very fine day and cool. All hands (but Annie, who is away)
at SS and church; 125 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Fanny colt
over at Norman Lyle’s and we had a hunt for her.
8 - A fine day. Drawing out manure. Jennie housecleaning up-
stairs. Boys at school. Norman Lyle got the loan of some hay.
War news: little of importance.
9 – A fine day but somewhat cold. Harrowing and plowing all day.
Jennie housecleaning. Boys at school. War news: little of impor-
tance.
10 – A very fine day. Quite a hard frost in the morning. Plowing
potato land and orchard. Jennie housecleaning. Boys at school.
John Michie came up for a barrel of apples. War news: Bulgari-
ans threaten Greece.
11 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Boys at school. War news: 4
Allied transports sunk. Russians gaining.
12 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Mrs. A. Gordon and Edna
here for dinner. They were getting Jennie to help her with a coat
for Edna. Boys at school. Annie came home from Port Perry with
John Michie. War news: Conscription to be in Britain.
13 – A very fine day and somewhat cool. Plowing in the forenoon
and finished for the season I suppose. In the afternoon John Mi-
chie came up and we cleaned up the rubbish at the barn well that
caved in some time ago and a bad looking place it is. War news:
Churchill leaves cabinet and goes to the front. Russians gaining.
Reported that Greece is playing traitor.
14 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 135 at SS. Mr.
McKay preached on Home Missions and a good sermon it was.
Jennie went home with Lilley O’Neill for tea and the boys went
after her in the evening and attended the Methodist church where
Rev. Mr. Rodgers of Port Perry preached.
15 – Rain in the morning which turned to snow in the afternoon
until the ground was white (the first snow of the season). Took
Annie to Port Perry in the morning and in the afternoon went to the
school house to a trustee meeting about the school furnace. Jennie
washing. Boys at school. War news: little of importance.
16 – Snowing several times during the day. John Michie helping
me with the barn well in the forenoon and Jennie helping in the
afternoon. Boys at school. War news: little of importance.
17 – A nice clear day; the snow did not thaw very much. It looks
like a freeze-up. Spent most of the day fixing the barn well and
making water furrows. Boys at school. Brought Peggy colt home
from John Michie’s where it has been pasturing all summer. War
news: French beat the Bulgers. Russia gaining. Trouble in Persia.
18 – Pretty sharp in the morning but thawed in the afternoon. All
day drawing gravel from W. Thomas’ pit to the swamp on 10th
concession. Went 5 trips and there was 5 teams: Ed and Norman
Lyle; A. Akhurst; Russell Thomas. Mr. S. Porteous shovelled in
the pit. Boys at school. War news: The Allies are very doubtful
of Greece. Germans and Bulgars advance in Serbia.
19 – Rain through the night and almost all day, mostly from the
SE. Did little but a few little jobs about the barn. Boys not at
school. Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. War news: Ru-
moured that Teddy Roosevelt is going to fight with the Allies.
Germans and Bulgers smashing through Serbia.
20 – A decidedly bad day. Rained or snowed nearly all day. Did
little but the chores. War news: very gloomy.
21 – A fine day but pretty cool. All hands at SS and church; 140 at
SS. T.H. Watson, superintendant of Sonya SS, was present and
spoke a few words. Mr. McKay preached.
22 – Rather cold and rough with snow flurries. Drawing gravel
from W. Thomas’ pit to the 10th
concession and finished. Boys at
school. In the evening at school trustee meeting at R. Cragg’s to
engage a teacher. War news: Greece appears to be going to the
German side. Jennie took Annie to Port Perry.
23 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon to meet G.A.
McMillan and we saw a Miss Wilson who applied for teacher and
almost engaged her. Jennie washing. Fixing fences in the after-
noon. Boys at school. War news: little of importance.
24 – A very fine mild day. Frank Raines and son came about 9 am
to clean out the barn well and we finished about 4 pm. Took out
more than ten feet of bricks and mud. He charged $7.00 for the
job. Boys at school. Collins and the general agent of the Premier
Separator called and tried to sell a separator but did not do it. Jew
Jacobs of Port Perry called. Eye specialist called. Jennie and the
boys at Guild meeting in the evening. War news: Quite a bit
better in tone.
25 – A fine day and quite mild. Picking up the bricks and cleaning
out the pump at the barn well. About 3:30 Frank Raines came with
a second-hand pump top which he got about Prince Albert and put
the pump in working order again. Jennie down at John Michie’s in
the afternoon keeping the children while John and wife were at
Port Perry. Boys at school. War news brighter. Italians claim a
victory.
26 – A very fine mild day. Went down to John Michie’s in the
morning and got 4 cedar planks and spent all day putting a new
platform on the barn well. Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie.
Boys at school. War news: Italians win and things look better.
27 – Some rain in the forenoon. With the boys help, drew in the
last of the corn and a load of straw on the strawberries. Went to
288
Blair’s mill in the afternoon with 10 bags of oats. Boys went also.
War news: somewhat brighter. E. Lyle threshing.
28 – A fine but rather raw day. All hands at SS and church; 138 at
SS; Mr. McKay preached. Ballots on church union counted; the
vote was Elders for 3, against 2; members for 42, against 32; and
[applicants?] for 7, against 2.
29 – Some rain through the night but a fine day but somewhat cold.
Harrowed and fixed fences. Jennie took Annie to Port Perry in the
morning. Boys at school. War news: little of importance. Ottawa
government commandeers large amount of wheat.
30 – Pretty rough cold day; some little snow flurries. Bricked
horse stall and several other little jobs. Jennie washing. Boys at
school. War news: Romania likely to join the Allies.
DEC, 1 – A fine day; snowing a little in the evening. Did a num-
ber of small jobs. Boys at school. War news: little of importance.
2 – About 2 or 3 inches of snow on the ground in the morning
which did not melt much during the day. Sharpened knives of
turnip pulper and some other little jobs. Boys at school. Jim Lee
called in the afternoon. War news: little of interest.
3 – Rather a fine day with some little snow. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the forenoon for Annie as she wanted to make her a coat.
At preparatory service in the church in the afternoon. Rev. Mr.
[Coun?] of Cannington preached. Mrs. Alex Leask Sr. came in by
certificate. After the service went to Farmer’s Institute meeting in
the hall. Boys at school.
4 – A fine milder day. The boys drew in some wood and I helped.
Jennie making Annie a coat. War news: little.
5 – A fine day. Went with Jennie to communion at Wick (went
with buggy). Mr. McKay preached. Not a very good turnout from
Greenbank. We stayed for dinner at the manse. No service at
Greenbank as Mr. McKay had a sore throat. The children kept
house.
6 – A fine day but pretty raw and cold. Took Annie to Port Perry.
About 90 new recruits walked over from Uxbridge. Jennie wash-
ing. Boys at school. Mrs. Dr. R. Archer died last night. War
news: British driven back from Bagdad. Romania appears to be
preparing to get into the war but nobody knows on which side.
7 – A very fine day. Spent most of the day fixing the trapdoor in
the barn floor. Jennie at John Michie’s in the afternoon making a
coat for Jean. Boys at school. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
He was telling of Charles Durwood getting the thumb and first
finger of his left hand taken off by getting them into the cog wheels
of the cutting box while working at Ed Lyle’s. War news: Greece
appears to be going bad again.
8 – Some snow in the morning and a mild day. Helping Ed Lyle to
cut feed in the forenoon. Fixing things about the stable in the
afternoon. Boys at school. Jennie and the boys at Guild meeting
in the evening. War news: unimportant.
9 – The coldest day of the season with high wind. Did some little
jobs about the barn. Jennie down at John Michie’s in the afternoon
making Jean’s coat. Boys at school.
10 – A fine winter day. Did little but the chores. Boys at school.
Jennie at John Michie’s in the afternoon while they were at Port
Perry. Annie came home with John. War news: Decidedly
gloomy. Allies retreating at Macedonia.
11 – A very fine bright day. Helping the boys to draw in wood in
the forenoon and went up with the children to Christmas tree prac-
tice at which there was a pretty good turnout. Jennie went down to
R. Barker’s towards evening as Mrs. B. expected to have her arm,
which was hurt some time ago, reset but the Drs. decided to let it
be as it is so Jennie came home without staying. War news: Allies
still retreating.
12 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 135 at SS. Rev. Mr.
Rae of Unionville preached as Mr. McKay was preaching for him.
Mr. and Mrs. James Burns from the west were at SS and W. Grey-
swark and John Hicks, who lately enlisted and are now at Oshawa,
were at church.
13 – Some snow through the night and forenoon. Took Annie to
Port Perry in the forenoon. Jennie washing. Boys at school. Jim
Lee brought back the cutting box which he has had for some time.
War news: little of interest.
14 – Quite a stormy cold day. Did little but the chores. Visited
awhile at N. Lyle’s. Sidney Caney here in the evening. Boys at
school. War news: unimportant.
15 – Pretty cold day. Jennie at W. Missionary meeting at John
Stone’s. Boys at school. Put iron shoes on the boys hand sleigh in
the afternoon. Pascoe Luke’s sale day. War news: little of impor-
tance.
16 – A fine day. Went down to John Michie’s in the morning and
Jean and Ruth came up with me and stayed all day. Did little else
but the chores. In the evening went down again with the boys to
John Michie’s to a practice for the Christmas tree. Mona Leask
and Hugh Leask, Campbell Stone and Verna, and Arthur and
Jennie Gordon were there and there was lots of noise at least. War
news unimportant.
17 – Rain through the night and more or less all day, especially in
the afternoon. Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at
school.
18 – A fine day. Called on Norman Lyle in the forenoon. At
Blair’s mill in the afternoon with 12 bags of oats and got them
ground. Annie and the boys at the church in the afternoon at Mis-
sion Band and practice for Christmas tree. Jew man called in the
forenoon and Jennie sold him the old coal stove for $2.00. John
Michie came for Willie’s war potatoes. Jennie churning. James
got drake from Dusty’s. War news: Plot to blow up the Welland
canal.
19 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church (drove the sleigh);
135 at SS. Rev. Mr. McMillan of Toronto preached on praise in
God’s service. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
289
20 – A very nice day except a little drifty about noon. Drove An-
nie to Port Perry in the forenoon. Jennie washing. In the afternoon
went with Jennie to the church. She, with Mrs. Jas. Blair, to var-
nish the furnace pipes, and I to fix the pipes. Boys at school. War
news: German cruiser sank in the Baltic. Germans make a strong
offensive on the Eastern front.
21 – A very fine day. Fixing the shoes of the sleigh in the fore-
noon. At Port Perry Christmas fair with the boys in the afternoon.
There was a large turnout. Jennie washing woodwork of kitchen.
War news: Allies withdrawing from Gallipoli.
22 – A little snow sometimes. Did little but the chores. Jennie
went to Port Perry for Annie, the school being closed for Christmas
holidays. Boys at school. War news: Russians said to have cap-
tured Vilna, a Bulgarian port on the Black sea.
23 – Somewhat mild. Went up with the children to practice.
Called at R. Cragg’s. Helped to decorate a little. The children
came home while I stayed for supper at Mrs. Walker’s and had a
practice at the church with Arthur Gordon, John Michie, Mona and
Hugh Leask, and Jennie Gordon (instrumental music). Mrs. John
and their girls stayed here. Jean and Ruth stayed all night.
24 – A fine day. Did little but the chores. All hands at the Christ-
mas tree (went in the sleigh). There was a full house and a splen-
did programme. A Mr. McDonald played on cello. About $19.00
was taken in.
25 – Rough and snowing in the forenoon. John Michie, wife and
family here for dinner and supper and Sidney Caney here also and
in the evening. No mail today.
26 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 135 at SS; Mr.
McKay preached a Christmas sermon.
27 – A fine mild day. Did little but the chores. Jennie washing.
Sidney Caney here in the evening.
28 – A very fine day. Did the chores. Jennie making dress for
Annie. Children at Greenbank in the afternoon. War news: Sev-
eral ships sunk by the Germans.
29 – Rather a raw cold day with E wind and drifting some. At
public school meeting in the forenoon; not many out. Albert
Phoenix elected trustee in place of R. Cragg. At annual Sunday
School meeting in the evening with Jennie and the children; a fair
turnout. All the old officers re-elected.
30 – A very fine day. Did little but the chores. Jennie making
Willie a pair of pants. War news a little brighter today.
31 – A very fine day. Annie went to Port Perry in the morning for
Mabel Bell and Jennie and Willie went in the afternoon for express
parcel. Vet Coates came out in the evening to see Fly mare which
has not been eating today. Indigestion he says. War news: little
of importance.
1916
JAN. 1 – Quite mild and thawing all day. All hands at John Mi-
chie’s for dinner and supper. W. O’Neill, wife, and son were also
there. War news: British cruiser blown up by internal explosion.
2 – Somewhat soft. All hands at SS and church; 136 at SS. Elec-
tion of teachers; the usual trouble. Mr. McKay preached on the
war and rather gloomy outlook.
3 – A good deal colder and pretty rough. Did little but the chores.
Jennie making dress for Mabel Bell. Local option carried today in
Port Perry and Uxbridge. War news: British steamer Persia sunk
near Crete. Many lives lost.
4 – A fine day. Took Annie to Port Perry, Jennie going also.
Mabel housekeeping. Boys at school. Cleaned out hen house in
the afternoon. Jennie dressmaking. War news: Another British
ship sunk.
5 – Soft day; rain sometimes. Did little but the chores. Jennie
dressmaking. Boys at school. War news: Russians claim success.
6 – Hard frost all day. Did chores. Jennie dressmaking. Boys at
school. Mabel got word by phone that her mother has probably
broke her arm. War news: little of importance.
7 – A fine day and pretty sharp. Took Mabel Bell to the train at
Port Perry and brought Annie home. Boys at school. War news:
Conscription passed 1st
reading in London.
8 – A fine day and pretty cold. Took 12 bags of oats to Blair’s mill
and got them ground. Jennie down at John Michie’s as Lizzie is
unwell. Boys skating at the new road in the afternoon. War news:
Germany reported to have offered France and Russia separate
peace.
9 – A very fine day and mild. All hands at SS and church; 110 at
SS; Mr. McKay preached. Jean and Ruth came up and went with
us and stayed all night.
10 - Soft and some rain and roads very slippery. Drove Annie to
Port Perry. Jennie at John Michie’s washing. Boys at school.
Making up church books in the afternoon. War news: British war
ship sunk; no lives lost.
11 – A fine day. Did little but the chores. Jennie washing in the
forenoon and in the afternoon drove with Mary Dusty to Presbyte-
rial W.M.S. at Wick (very icy roads). She got home about 8:30.
Boys at school.
12 – A very rough day with high SE wind and snow, hail and rain.
Did little but the chores. Boys at school. Jennie went with Mary
Dusty to W.M. meeting at Mrs. W.A. Leask’s. The annual church
meeting was to be held tonight but was called off.
13 – Pretty cold all day with a little snow in the evening. Jennie
churning. Boys at school. In the evening went with A. Akhurst to
a birthday party given by R.T. Harrington to his SS class. A fine
supper, including oysters, then speeches and music. Those present
were: Jas. Miller; John McKitrick; John Stone; James, Peter and
290
W.H. Leask; J.M. Real; George Mitchell; Jas. Blair; James A.
Blair; Alex Lee; Alex Gordon; Arthur Gordon; John Michie;
George Allan; Richard Real; Albert Akhurst and I. Ethel Miller
and Mrs. J. McKitrick cooked the oysters. Broke up about 11
o’clock. Roads very slippery.
14 – About 10 or 12 below zero all day. Boys started to go to
school but turned back on account of the cold. Went for Annie to
Port Perry in the afternoon.
15 – A pretty cold day. Did little but the chores. Boys and Annie
skating. Jennie sewing. War news: Cetinje, capital of Montene-
gro, taken by the Austrians. Austrian cruiser sunk.
16 – A pretty rough stormy day. All hands at SS and church; 101
at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
Annie got supper at A. Gordon’s.
17 – Drove Annie to Port Perry in the forenoon. Boys at school.
18 – A very rough day; high W wind and drifting. Boys did not go
to school. Jennie making a mat.
19 – Some rough in the morning but a very fine afternoon and
evening. Willie went to Port Perry in the morning for Annie who
has been out of school since Monday with the grippe or something
like it. James not at school. Jennie hooking mat. In the evening
went with Willie to the annual church meeting. There was not a
very large turnout and no burning question. $61.00 ahead in the
general account. R.T. Harrington was elected manager in my
place. John Michie and James Leask were the other two.
20 – Some snow through the night and quite mild all day; almost
rain sometimes. Drove the boys to school in the morning. Jennie
making mat. Annie some better.
21 – Rain in the morning and thawing all day which is destroying
the sleighing. Drove the boy to school. Jennie making mat. War
news: Heavy fighting on Russian front.
22 – Quite mild and thawing all day; the snow almost all gone.
Colder in the evening. To save time and work we had no dinner.
War news: Russians claim victory over Turks.
23 – A fine day. All but Willie (who is somewhat sick) at SS and
church; only 96 at SS today on account of so many people having
the grippe. Mr. McKay preached on Ontario prohibition.
24 – A very fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry in the morning.
Jennie washing. Boys at school. Thawing in the afternoon.
25 – Quite mild and thawing all day. Took the 2 pigs to Port Perry
in the waggon and sold them to Les Hall. They weighed 610 lbs
and brought $56.46. James at school. Willie at home with cold.
Jennie making mat. War news: Austrians capture Scutari.
26 – Quite mild and thawing all day. Went to Blair’s mill in the
forenoon with 12 bags of oats and got them ground. A session
meeting in the church in the afternoon. Boys both at home laid up
with cold. Jennie making mat. Norman Lyle borrowed democrat.
War news: Heavy fighting on Western front.
27 – A rainy foggy dull day; water and mud in abundance. Hardly
went out of the house. Had a bad cold in head. Jennie and Willie
did the chores. James, who was bad through the night, is some
better. Jennie making mat. James A. Blair called in the afternoon
with petition to close all the barrooms in Ontario.
28 – Colder and freezing again. When we got up we got phone call
that old Mrs. William Akhurst had just died and Jennie went up to
help lay her out. Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon and
met the train and brought Tom Black of Manitoba home. Annie
came home with Ray Dusty.
29 – A fine and cold day. Did some chores again. Tom Black
went over to visit Jim Lee’s. Boys skating. War news: Russians
beat the Turks.
30 – Soft and raining most of the day. At SS and church with
Jennie, Annie and James. Tom Black and Willie stayed at home.
Only 80 at SS; so many sick and the weather. Mr. McWilliams
preached for the Camp Reading Association and quite an interest-
ing address it was.
31 – Heavy rain through the night. About 1 am I took sick at the
stomach and was quite sick all day and did not eat any until eve-
ning. Willie drove Annie to Port Perry. Jennie and Tom Black at
Mrs. Akhurst’s funeral. Got word that Mrs. George W. Michie of
Plumbridge Saskatchewan was very low. War news: Germans
win some in France and the Russians beat the Turks.
FEB. 1 – Quite cold again and some rough. Stayed in bed in the
forenoon and did not go out of the house all day. Jennie and the
boys did the chores. Tom Black went away in the morning to Alex
Lee’s and other places. Word came that Mrs. G.W. Michie of
Plumbridge died today.61
2 – A very fine day. Boys at school. Jennie making mat. I got out
at the chores a little today. War news: British liner captured by
Germans and brought to the US.
3 – Pretty cold and rough and dusty. Helped a little with the
chores. Jim Lee called after dinner. Boys at school. [margin note:
Parliament buildings at Ottawa burned].62
4 – A pretty cold rough day. Boys at school. Jennie went to Port
Perry for Annie. Sidney Caney here in the evening. News came of
the burning of the parliament buildings at Ottawa. War news:
little of interest.
5 – A little snow from the SE. Children skating down at the
swamp. No daily papers.
6 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Annie went with John
Michie and got supper there on her way home. Mr. McKay
preached; 105 at SS. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
61
Annie Isabella (McMillan) Michie, w/o George
Walter Michie, b. 13 Feb 1882, d. 1 Feb 1916.
62
The centre block of the Parliament buildings was
destroyed; 7 died. Rumors that it was enemy sabo-
tage were found to be untrue.
291
7 – Rough and high wind from the W; got worse in the afternoon.
Drove Annie to Port Perry in the morning. Went up for the mail
after dinner and called in to see Mr. Akhurst who is in bed sick.
Boys did not go to school.
8 – A nice day with some snow in the afternoon. Boys at school.
Jennie washing in the forenoon and visiting at Norman Lyle’s in
the afternoon. Tom Black came back from the north. Alex Robin-
son of Wick drove him down. Expected to go to Mrs. G.W. Mi-
chie’s funeral but it is going to be tomorrow. War news: little of
interest.
9 – Rather cold day. Boys at school. Tom Black went down to J.
Michie’s. Went with Jennie by the buggy to Mrs. G.W. Michie’s
funeral which was held from W. McMillan’s at Saintfield. There
was a short service at the house, then went to the church at Wick
where another service was held. There was a full house and Mr.
McKay preached. She was buried in McNeil’s cemetery. George
Michie and Dave McMillan came with the body from the west.
Tom Black here all night.
Photo of George Walter Michie,
undated.
10 – Rather a fine but cold day. Tom Black drove over to Alex
Lee’s and bought a bull. After dinner I drove him to Port Perry on
his way home. Coming home I gave John Love a ride. Boys at
school.
11 – A fine but cold day. Jennie churning. Boys did not go to
school. In the afternoon Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. Just
as she started George W. Michie and Dave McMillan came and
they stayed until after supper and we had a great talk. They went
to W. O’Neill’s for the night. War news: Great battle on the West
front.
12 – A nice day and snowing a very little. Did little but the chores.
Jennie sewing. Norman Lyle called. War news: Russians claim
some success.
13 – Very cold day. Drove the sleigh with all hands to SS and
church; 104 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Willie Caffley was at
church in uniform, 1st
time.
14 – About 14 below zero in the morning. Drove Annie to Port
Perry school. Mary Dusty here in the afternoon getting dress cut.
War news: Heavy fighting on Western front.
15 – Much milder day. Did the chores; had a very dizzy head all
day. Boys at school. Jennie called over to N. Lyle’s about 6 pm
and a son was born to them about 9. Jennie stayed all night.
16 – Quite a mild day. Boys at school. Jennie did not get home
until about 4 pm and went back again about 7 for the night. Nor-
man Lyle here twice today.
17 – Quite mild and thawing a little. Jennie came home from N.
Lyle’s about 10 am. Went to Blair’s mill in the afternoon and got
12 bags of oats ground. Boys at school. War news: Russians
capture Erzerum.
18 – Mild in the morning but turned out quite rough, cold and
drifting. Boys at school. Drove up to Dusty’s for bread and for the
boys. War news: little of importance.
19 – Very cold and rough. Willie went to Port Perry for Annie
after dinner. She did not come home yesterday as there was a
party at Mr. Follock’s, the principal of the school. Jennie over at
N. Lyle’s awhile in the afternoon.
20 – A fine day and some milder. All hands at SS (drove the
sleigh) and church; 106 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Sidney
Caney here in the evening.
21 – About 15 below zero in the morning. Drove Annie to Port
Perry in the morning. Boys started for school but turned back on
account of the cold. Mary Dusty here in the afternoon getting help
with her dress. N. Lyle called in the evening.
22 – A fine day. Went over to Jim Lee’s and helped him to fix his
sleigh. Mrs. John Michie and family here in the afternoon. Boys
at school.
23 – A fine and quite mild day. After dinner went to Jim Lee’s and
got 3 little pigs. Jennie went with Ray Dusty in a sleigh load to
292
W.M. meeting at W.H. Leask’s; a big meeting. Boys at school.
N. Lyle called in the evening. War news: Germans gain in France.
24 – A fine mild day. In the afternoon went with John Michie to
John Hadden’s sale at Wick. There was a large turnout and pretty
good prices especially cattle and pigs. Boys at school. War news:
Germans make quite a gain near Verdun.
25 – Snow, about 6 in., through the night and continued a little
most of the day. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon for Annie.
Quite a number of soldiers drilling in the fair grounds. Boys at
school.
26 – Snowing and storming all day. Nobody to be seen. No mail.
Jennie making dress for Annie.
27 – Snowing and storming all night and drifting and snowing all
day. No SS or church; called off by phone. Roads blocked.
28 – Fine but pretty cold. Shovelling out roads in the forenoon.
After dinner drove Annie to Port Perry school; broke the roads part
of the way. Jennie making dress for Annie. N. Lyle called in the
afternoon. War news: Germans still advancing on Verdun.
29 – A fine day. Boys at school. Jennie at N. Lyle’s awhile in the
afternoon. While she was there Sandy Michie and wife of Lenore,
Manitoba, came and we talked til about 11 pm. Pascoe Luke of
Epsom, who is moving on his place, brought over 5 loads today.
MAR. 1 – A beautiful clear day. Spent most of the forenoon talk-
ing to Sandy Michie and wife. They left about 10:30 for dinner at
Alex Gordon’s. Norman Lyle called. He took Mrs. Lyle and
children to Port Perry today. Boys at school. War news: French
cruiser sunk; 1000 lost.
2 – A very fine day. Jennie went over to Norman Lyle’s in the
morning to help pack up for moving. In the afternoon took a load
for him to his new farm, the Bruce place, near Port Perry. John
Michie; E. Lyle; A. Akhurst and G. Lyle took loads. Boys at
school. War news: German advance on Verdun appears to have
slackened somewhat.
3 – A very fine day. Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon for
Annie and May Bruce came home with her. Boys at school. Sid-
ney Caney here in the evening. Pascoe Luke moved into his place
today. War news: Some brighter today.
4 – A fine day. Went to Blair’s mill with 14 bags of oats and got
them ground. Boys went with me. Annie and May Bruce went to
Greenbank. Jennie making dress for Annie. War news: French
holding. Mrs. Joseph Stone died.
5 – Fine in the morning but pretty rough in the afternoon. All
hands, including May Bruce, at SS and church; 115 at SS; Mr.
McKay preached a recruiting sermon.
6 – A fine morning but turned out a very rough day, snowing and
drifting from the E. Drove Annie and May Bruce to Port Perry.
Pascoe Luke called. Boys at school. War news: Verdun still
holding out.
7 – Snow and rain through the night; day quite mild. Boys did not
go to school as we expected the roads to be blocked. Did some
little jobs and the chores. P. Luke called in the afternoon. War
news: Germans make some more gain near Verdun. Russians
gaining.
8 – Mild and snowing towards night. Called at P. Luke’s in the
forenoon. Cleaned out hen house in the afternoon. Jennie sewing.
P. Luke called about 6 pm. Boys at school. War news: Germans
still advancing near Verdun.
9 – Pretty cold day and some rough. Boys started to school but
turned back on account of the cold. Did little but chores. Jennie
sewing. Pascoe Luke here in the evening and had a long talk. War
news: Some better. French holding at Verdun. Russians still
smashing the Turks.
10 – A terror of a day. High NW wind and snowing and drifting
all day. Roads blocked; no mail. Saw no one. Jennie sewing.
11 – A very fine day. Shovelling snow in the forenoon. Went to
Port Perry with the sleigh in the afternoon for Annie; the boys also
went. Willie Caffley came out with us. Miss Myrtle Luke came
over in the evening to telephone (the first time she was here). War
news: Germany declares war on Portugal. French still holding at
Verdun.
12 – Snowing some in the forenoon. All hands at SS and church;
118 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Miss Myrtle and Gladys went
up with us. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
13 – Quite a fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry in the morning
(roads pretty heavy). Helping John Michie to saw wood in the
afternoon (C. Durwood’s machine). Jennie washing. Boys at
school. War news: French still holding at Verdun.
14 – A very fine day. Helping John Michie to cut wood in the
forenoon. Jennie visiting at James Lee’s. Boys at school. Mani-
toba voted out the bar yesterday. War news: Not of much account.
15 – Pretty cold raw day with NE wind. Over at P. Luke’s putting
in some shelves in bedroom closets. Jennie called on them in the
afternoon. Willie at school. War news: Germans gain a little at
Verdun in desperate attack.
16 – Zero in the morning and pretty cold all day. Spent most of the
day helping Jennie to pick over potatoes and apples in the cellar.
Boys at school. War news: somewhat quieter at Verdun.
17 – Four below zero in the morning with high NW wind and
drifting. Boys did not go to school. Jennie at A. Akhurst’s in the
afternoon helping to quilt missionary quilt. I went to Port Perry for
Annie. War news some better.
18 – About 6 below zero in the morning but a very fine day. Did
little but the chores. Norman Lyle of Port Perry called in the after-
noon. War news: looks better.
19 – A very fine morning but turned out quite rough and stormy in
the afternoon. All hands at SS and church. Gladys and Leola Luke
293
and Sidney Caney rode up with us. 130 at SS; Mr. McKay
preached. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
20 – Rather a fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry school in the
morning. Boys at school. Jennie washing. War news: French still
holding Verdun.
21 – A very fine day and thawing some. Boys at school. Did a
few little jobs and the chores. Was called out of bed in the morn-
ing by a phone call saying that Mrs. Ward’s stable at Greenbank
was on fire. War news: Germans making a new attempt at Ver-
dun.
22 – A little rough and snowing in the morning but turned out a
fine day. Boys at school. Went to Blair’s mill with 14 bags of oats
and got them ground. In the afternoon Jennie went to the W.M.
meeting at the church where there was quilting. In the evening
went with Willie to Guild meeting in the church as I was down to
help with the topic. There was not a very large turnout. Mr.
McKay was telling me that he has enlisted. Armour McMillan and
Edith Phair married.
23 – A beautiful but cold day. Churned and wrote a letter to
brother George. Boys at school.
24 – A very fine day and thawing a little. Boys at school. Mr. W.
Akhurst here on a visit and stayed for dinner. Jew man called. In
the afternoon at preparatory service in the church. Walked up and
rode home with A. Akhurst. Mr. Dodds of Sonya preached.
Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. Assessor Johnston called.
War news: Germans preparing for another drive on Verdun.
25 – A fine day and thawing all day. Willie and I went to P.
Luke’s for hay that N. Lyle borrowed last fall. Then we hitched up
Peggy colt for the first and she went very quiet in the sleigh with
Topsy. Then I went over and put up a clock shelf for Mrs. Luke.
In the afternoon hitched up Fanny colt single for the first time.
Jean and Ruth Michie here all afternoon. Myrtle Luke called in the
evening. War news better.
26 – A fine day. Went with Jennie to communion service at
Greenbank. There was an extra good turnout and Mr. McKay
preached. Roads breaking up badly. All hands over at P. Luke’s
in the evening.
27 – Raining quite a bit especially in the forenoon. Drove Annie to
Port Perry and then to Manchester for my sister, Mrs. Bratley.
Roads very bad and it was after 1 pm when we got home. Boys
not at school. John Michie came up for bread.
28 – A fine mild day and the snow going fast. Boys not at school.
Jennie and Margaret drove in the buggy to John Michie’s and
called at Luke’s. I helping to dig out the snow in the road.
29 – Quite warm and snow going fast. Boys at school and Mission
Band. Hitched the cutter and tried to take Margaret to W.
O’Neill’s but we did not get further than the bridge; water too
deep. Filed P. Luke’s buck saw and pruned some apple trees.
30 – A very fine day; a little cooler. Boys at school. Drove Mar-
garet to Port Perry on her way home. Took the buggy; the water
being over the axles at one place. Culvert cover floating and mail
carrier Steven got into the hole and had to leave his buggy. A.
Akhurst and W. Thomas had to come home by Greenbank. War
news: Both Germans and French make gains.
31 – A fine warm day. Boys at school. Took off the storm win-
dows and pruned apple trees. P. Luke borrowed waggon to go to
Blair’s mill. Jennie housecleaning upstairs. Alex Gordon and
Jennie Gordon came after supper to get help to fix a dress. Elijah
Beare’s sale today. No mail today.
APR. 1 –Some rain in the forenoon and got colder towards night.
Pruning apple trees and tried to fix the cistern pump but failed.
Myrtle Luke called in the forenoon and I went over with her to fix
cellar door. Mail got in today about 6 pm. War news: Gloomy.
Germans gain at Verdun. Zeppelin raids on England.
2 – Thawing but somewhat raw. All hands at SS and church; 118
at SS; Mr. McKay preached. He is not going to the war at least
for a time. Oscar Real and --- Hewitt were out; they expect to go
to England this week. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
3 – A very fine day. Pruning apple trees most of the day. Broke
the snow drifts in the lane. Jennie washing. Boys at school. E.
Lyle came for a bag of apples. Myrtle Luke had the buggy to go to
Port Perry. War news: Zeppelin raids on England and Scotland.
Germans gain at Verdun.
4 – A very fine day. All day pruning apple trees. John Michie and
Jean and Ruth came up with the stoneboat for 3 bags of potatoes
and a bag of apples. Boys at school. War news: some better.
French drive Germans back at Verdun.
5 – Fine day. Pruning and burning apple brush. Boys at school.
All hands at Guild meeting in the evening. Roads pretty bad.
Boys at school.
6 – Snowing most of the forenoon but it soon disappeared. At R.
Barker’s sale (at the tile yard) in the afternoon. A pretty good
turnout. Some things went rather cheap. Boys at school. Jennie
sewing. War news rather brighter.
7 – Some cold in the morning but a nice day. Churned in the fore-
noon. Eva Luke of Sonya called. Burned orchard brush in the
afternoon while Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. Erma Porte-
ous came for some apples. Boys at school. Mr. Parrot called and
bought steer and heifer. War news: Germans gain some at Ver-
dun.
8 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Most of the day cleaning out
raspberry bushes, boys helping. Boys went to John Michie’s for
little pig. Started to snow from E about 5:30 pm. No paper today.
9 – A fine but rather raw day. All hands at SS (Annie rode up with
John Michie) and church; 110 at SS; Mr. McKay preached a
rousing sermon on Foreign Missions. Mrs. P. Luke and Gladys
and Leola called in the evening.
10 – A very fine day. Drove Annie to Port Perry in the forenoon.
In the afternoon went to Blair’s mill with 14 bags of oats but did
294
not get them home. Jennie washing. Boys at school. Myrtle Luke
called in the morning. War news: nothing important.
11 – Went to Blair’s mill in the morning for the meal and in the
afternoon went to wood chopping bee at P. Luke’s but rain came
on about 3:30 and we had to quit. Those at the bee were: Jas. Lee;
E. Lyle; A. Akhurst; Jas. Dusty; Clarence O’Neill; Jim Gibson; and
---- Secombe from Phair’s. Jennie went for the boys at school.
War news: Terrible fight at Verdun.
12 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie to paper our bedroom in the
forenoon and in the afternoon at bee at P. Luke’s cutting wood as
yesterday turned out wet. Jennie at W.M. meeting at the church.
Boys at school. In the evening Jennie and the boys went to Guild
meeting. War news: about the same. Cecil Phair and Mabel
Woon married. Jennie brought home word that George Haddon Sr.,
aged 94, had hung himself this afternoon.
13 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie to paper bedroom in the
forenoon. At berry bushes in the afternoon. Boys at school. War
news: Little of importance. Was called out of bed by the phone to
speak to Ed and Henry Buwell who were at J.M. Real’s.
14 – A very heavy rain in the forenoon. The pond in the swamp
field broke out. At the berry bushes while Jennie went to Port
Perry for Annie. Gladys and Myrtle Luke called.
15 – A very fine spring-like day. At the berry bushes all day, boys
helping. Got them all cleaned out and scuffled. Jean, Ruth and
Olive Michie here for supper and stayed all night. Marie Akhurst
also here for supper. P. Luke cutting wood (Fred Lyle’s machine).
War news more cheerful.
16 – Warm with a little rain about 4 pm. All hands at SS and
church. Annie went with John Michie. 135 at SS; Mr. James
preached, Mr. McKay being at Gamebridge. Willie drove Annie to
Port Perry after supper.
17 – Foggy morning and several little rain showers. Spent the day
in taking the Christopher steer and a heifer to Uxbridge, Jennie
and the boys helping. The first time the boys were at Uxbridge.
Roads very bad in places. Got there at 11 am and called on Mr.
James Allan’s and got dinner there. Then saw about 400 soldiers
parade. Called at D. Lyle’s and got home about 5. War news
somewhat better.
18 – Some snow in the morning and a high NW wind all day.
Cultivated some in the orchard in the forenoon and at S. Porteous’
sale in the afternoon. Rather a small sale. Jennie washing. Boys
at school.
19 – Some cold in the morning but a fine day. Planting potatoes in
the orchard. Jennie housecleaning upstairs. Boys at school. At
Guild meeting in the evening with Willie. After the Guild meeting
there was a meeting to arrange for SS anniversary. There were 25
present and several committees appointed. War news: Russians
capture Trebizond.
20 – Some rain through the night and morning and some thunder.
Finished planting potatoes. Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie.
She pronounces the roads very bad. Boys at school. E. Lyle got
lend of democrat. War news: United States send ultimatum to
Germany.
21 – Good Friday. Some rain in the morning. Went up to the
schoolhouse to meet G.A. McMillan and Albert Phoenix and the
other trustees to see about the closets and other things. Drawing
out manure on potato patch in the afternoon. In the evening all
hands at P. Luke’s for a sing. Miss Blanch Luke of Toronto was
home.
22 – A terrible rain all through the night. Spent most of the fore-
noon repairing the pond which broke out in the night, boys helping.
Plowing strawberry patch in the afternoon. Jennie housecleaning.
Boys cleaned out the shop.
23 – A little rain several times during the day. All hands at SS and
church (the boys walked). 105 at SS; Mr. McKay preached.
Phoned to Vet Moon to come to sick cow. W. O’Neill drove him
over. The water on the 11th
was so deep that it was coming into the
box of the buggy. The cow not very bad apparently.
24 – Dull day and almost rain sometimes. All day tying up rasp-
berry bushes, the boys helping some. Annie, the boys and Gladys
Luke at pie social in the hall given by the Women’s Institute for
the Red Cross fund. They did not get home until nearly 1 am.
They report a good crowd and a good time.
25 – Rather dull; rain in the morning and a few little sprinkles
during the day. Sharped P. Luke’s handsaw. Most of the day
making garden and fixing the W garden fence. Jennie and Willie
at Greenbank in the afternoon. War news: Sir Roger Casement
captured while trying to land arms on Ireland. When we were
about to go to bed Mr. and Mrs. McKay came and they stayed all
night.
26 – The forenoon was quite fine and warm but about 1:30 a thun-
der shower came up from the NE and another little shower about 4
pm. Mr. and Mrs. McKay left about 9 a.m. for J.L. Lee’s. Dug in
the garden, Jennie helping. Did little in the afternoon but saw
some wood in the woodshed. War news: Air raids on England.
Riot in Dublin.
27 – A very fine spring-like day and no rain. Drawing out manure
and plowing potato patch. Jennie churning and sewing. James fell
into the pond with his clothes on. Sidney Caney came for some
eggs to set. War news: little of interest.
28 – Fine day. Plowing potato land while Willie went to Port
Perry for Mabel and Gordon Bell of Brooklin. Marie Akhurst and
Gladys and Lu Luke here in the afternoon and Sidney Caney in the
evening.
29 - A very fine warm day. Harrowing in the forenoon and in the
afternoon Willie rolled the new grass. Luke girls called in the
evening. Got some suckers from Akhurst’s and Dusty’s.
30 – A very fine but somewhat dull day. All hands at SS and
church. Jean and Ruth Michie came up and went with us. 125 at
SS; Mr. McKay preached. War news: General Townsend has had
to surrender to the Turks with 20,000 men.
295
MAY 1 – Drove Annie to Port Perry in the morning. Some rain
before we got there and there was quite a number of little showers
during and about 6 pm there started a heavy rain and continued
during the evening. Cultivating a little on the hill field in the after-
noon but it was too wet. Jennie dressmaking. Boys at school, also
Gordon Bell. About 4 am Jim Lee called to see if I would go
sucker fishing. He came back and left us two pails of fish. P.
Luke went with him. This is the first day of local option in Port
Perry. War news: French gaining at Verdun.
2 – Quite cold in the morning but a very fine day, no rain. Planted
some trees along the road in the forenoon and made lane to the
pasture field in the afternoon. Jennie dressmaking. Boys at
school. Jennie got a call after supper to John Michie’s and another
baby girl born.63
War news: Irish disturbance ended. French
make gains.
3 – Started to rain from the E about 7:30 am and rained heavy until
about 11. Cut some wood in woodshed and some other little jobs.
Boys drove to Greenbank for bread and sugar. Mabel Bell acting
as cook. War news: French gain.
4 – A fine day and no rain. Fixed fences and dug out stump in the
forenoon. Cultivated in the afternoon. Jennie came home from
John Michie’s in the afternoon. Jean and Ruth came with her.
Boys at school. Mr. S. Porteous called in the evening. War news:
Four of the Irish rebel leaders shot.
5 – Finished cultivating hill field and part of two other fields and
filled furrows. Rain after dinner. Arbor Day at school. Boys did
not go. Mabel Bell went to Port Perry for Annie. Reported that
Clarence O’Neill has enlisted.
6 – A very fine morning but rain came on about 3 pm. Sowed the
hill field (the first sowing) and harrowed part. Children started to
walk to practice but turned back on account of the rain. Boys took
in some wood. Jennie at John Michie’s in the afternoon. War
news: 2 zeppelins destroyed.
7 – A fine day and no rain. All hands at SS and church; 120 at SS;
Mr. T.C. James preached, Mr. McKay being at Sunderland. Annie
and Mabel took Jean and Ruth Michie home.
8 – Jennie drove Annie, Mabel and Gordon Bell to Port Perry. She
started just before a thunder shower came up and they got pretty
wet and put into Mr. Whitfield’s for awhile. Boys did not go to
school. Willie harrowed and cultivated while I fixed fences and
hoed. High wind in the afternoon and almost dusty. War news:
Germans make gains near Verdun.
9 – A fine day and quite cool. Cultivating all day. Boys at school.
Jennie and Mrs. A. Gordon went to C. Gordon’s, Scugog. She did
not get home until late. War news: German advance on Verdun
checked.
10 – Boys at school. Got ready to sow oats but rain came on and
continued to about 3 pm and everything is wetter than ever. Fixed
63
Eleanor Akhurst Michie, b 2 May 1916, d. 23 Dec
1985, m. Maurice Collis.
the washing machine. Jennie washing. Jim Lee called. War news
some brighter.
11 – Cultivated in the forenoon. Fixing fences in the afternoon.
Terrific high wind. Boys at school.
12 – A fine day and quite cool. Sowed field NW of barn and
nearly harrowed it. Boys at school. Jennie went to Port Perry for
Annie.
13 – A very fine cool day. Sowed the field N of the barn and so
finish sowing; very late this year. Boys took 4 bags of oats to
Blair’s mill and got them ground. Children at anniversary practice
in the afternoon. Jennie and Annie at John Michie’s in the eve-
ning. John Brimble killed with an auto at Port Perry.
14 – Rather raw and some rain from the E. All hands at SS and
church (Annie went with John Michie). 125 at SS; Mr. McKay
preached. Sidney Caney here in the evening.
15 – Rain until about 9 am then quite warm. Drove Annie to Port
Perry. Boys did not go to school. Willie harrowing while I scuf-
fled berry bushes. Jennie cleaning cellar. Mrs. Empringham and
little boy Allan called in the afternoon.
16 – Finished harrowing and then drew some rails. Plowed in a
piece of sod in the orchard. Jennie washing. Boys at school.
Another terrible day of rain started about 10 and continued nearly
all afternoon.
17 – Several showers during the day. Drilled up the potato patch
and planted a few potatoes in the orchard. Jennie housecleaned
pantry in the forenoon and in the afternoon went to the church to
help fix the curtain about the choir platform. She went to Blair’s
for supper and did not get home until ---. Boys at school and Mis-
sion Band.
18 – Quite cool; a few little sprinkles of rain. Went to Jim Gib-
son’s and D. Cragg’s hunting for colt pasture but in vain. Then
after dinner took them to Pascoe Luke’s. Drew out manure on the
plot beside the barn pump and plowed it. Boys at school. Sidney
Caney here in the evening. Jennie painting.
19 – Another wet day. Started to rain about 11:30 then a thunder
storm about 1 pm with hail, and several showers during the after-
noon. Cultivating and drilled for mangolds. Helping P. Luke to
fix fences in the afternoon. Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie.
Boys at school.
20 – A fine day, cool and no rain. Went to A. Akhurst’s and got
500 lbs of hay then, with the boys helping, planted 22 drills of
potatoes. Fixing fences in the afternoon. Jennie making dress for
Annie. Children at practice at the church. W. Akhurst visited in
the afternoon. Myrtle Luke here in the evening.
21 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. This is SS
anniversary and there was 150 at SS. Rev. J. Miller was the
preacher both afternoon and evening and gave good sermons to full
houses. All out again in the evening. James got supper at Dusty’s.
Mrs. D. Archer at the evening service.
296
22 – Drove Annie to Port Perry in the forenoon. Started to rain a
little about 1 o’clock then quit for awhile about 3:30. John Michie
started to Port Perry to see the entry of the 116th
Battalion (Ontario
County) who walked over from Uxbridge. They started from
Beaverton and are heading for Oshawa. It started to rain just as we
left home and poured all the time til after we got home so the pa-
rade was very disappointing to the crowd that turned out to see it.
Boys at school. Jennie washing.
23 – A fine warm day. Fixed fences in the forenoon. Boys at
school. Called the boys home at noon and, with Sidney Caney,
went to Port Perry to see the 116th
battalion parade. It was quite a
show and went off pretty good except for the mud. About 1200 all
told. Jennie baking for anniversary.
24 – A beautiful day. Annie went for the beef in the morning
while I planted horse corn, sweet corn, sunflowers and pumpkins.
All hands at SS anniversary in the afternoon. There was quite a
good turnout. The programme was given by Donald McGregor, R.
Barker and Miss Walker and was good. Sidney Caney here for
dinner.
25 – A very fine day. Jennie took Annie to Port Perry. Mrs.
James Lee and Ruby going with them to see the 116th
battalion
leave on their way to Whitby. They went as far as Manchester.
Boys at school. I did some little jobs. Jim Ward called in the
afternoon about insurance and Jennie went with him in his car to
Greenbank to help clean up after the anniversary. Later I and the
boys went up to 10 ct social. There was quite a few out.
26 – Another fine day. Most of the day planting strawberries,
Jennie helping. James at school. Willie not very well but he went
to Port Perry for Annie. Sidney Caney and Luke’s girls here in the
evening.
27 – Heavy thunder shower about daybreak in the morning. With
the boy’s help, planted the last of the potatoes in the forenoon.
Planting strawberries, Jennie and the boys helping. Sidney Caney
came in the evening for a pound of butter.
28 – Rain in the early morning, then a fine day. All hands at SS
and church; 110 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. All down to John
Michie’s in the evening.
29 – A very fine warm day. Drove Annie to Port Perry. Jennie
washing. Boys at school. Finished planting strawberries (23
rows), Jennie helping. Gladys Luke called.
30 – A terrible night of rain; the whole night and water every-
where. Went to Greenbank with the buggy wheel and took the
boys to school. Fixed the democrat shafts and other jobs. Sidney
Caney here for supper. Myrtle Luke here in the evening.
31 – A very fine and cool day. Drawing manure to N field; had to
go by the road as the fields were too wet. Jennie cleaning kitchen.
Boys at school. Sidney Caney here in the evening for butter.
JUNE 1 – A beautiful day. Drawing out manure all day. Jennie
cleaning kitchen. Boys at school. Moved the cook stove out to the
cook house.
2 – Drew out manure in the forenoon. After dinner it started to
rain and off and on all afternoon with much thunder. Jennie went
to Port Perry for Annie. Boys at school.
3 – Rain through the night and morning. Scuffled potatoes and
berry bushes in the forenoon while Willie went to Greenbank for
buggy wheel. At noon got phone call to go to school house to see
about fence which was blown down some time ago. The other
trustees (G.A. McMillan and A. Phoenix) decided to repair the old
fence and with J.M. Real’s help put up the gap. Jennie and I over
at P. Luke’s in the evening and Sidney Caney, Gladys and Leola
Luke here. War news: the worst since the war started. Big naval
battle in the North Sea and the Germans came out best.
4 – Some showers in the afternoon. All hands at SS and church;
115 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. After we went to bed a thunder
storm came up but not much rain.
5 – A fine day and hardly any rain. Took Annie to Port Perry in
the morning. Jennie washing. Boys at school. Plowing for corn in
the afternoon. Jennie and the boys at Luke’s in the evening. Al-
bert Akhurst called. War news: North Sea naval battle not near so
bad as first reported.
6 – A beautiful day. Boys at school. Went with Jennie to James
Smith’s at Columbus. He has been quite ill and we found him
about as well as we expected. Got there about 11 and left for home
at 4:30 and got home about 8:30. Gladys Luke fed the chickens
while we were away. War news: Kitchener and his staff went
down near the Orkney Isles. Canadians get a bad mauling.
7 – High SE wind and a drizzle of rain in the afternoon. Myrtle
Luke called and Sidney Caney came twice. Drawing out manure
all day. Boys at school. War news: Russians claim to have cap-
tured 25,000 Austrians.
8 – Some rain early in the morning; cool. Willie at school. James
did not go as he had stomach ache. Plowing corn land which is
none too dry. Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie who is home for
a few days before her exams. Leola Luke called and Annie and the
boys at Luke’s in the evening. War news: German gain at Verdun
and Ypres. Russian gains.
9 – Dull all day and a thunder shower from the S about 6 pm.
Finished plowing corn ground and harrowed it. Jennie at John
Michie’s in the afternoon. Boys at school. Ray Dusty called.
William Akhurst here for dinner. War news: Russians claim to be
advancing.
10 – Owing to the rain yesterday, nothing could be done to corn
land. Spent most of the day making calf pen and fixing line fence
between here and Luke’s. Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the
afternoon. Sidney Caney and Myrtle Luke here in the evening.
War news: Russians advancing.
11 – Another terrible rain in the early morning and again in the
afternoon. All hands at SS and church; 110 at SS; Mr. McKay
preached. All over at Luke’s in the evening.
297
12 – A really fine warm day. Scuffled variously in the forenoon
and in the afternoon helping P. Luke to put up a [?] house. Boys at
school. War news: Russians sweeping the Austrians back.
13 – A beautiful and warm day. At Pascoe Luke’s making closet
and finished the job. Boys at school. Mrs. A. Gordon and Edna
here in the afternoon getting Edna’s coat made. War news: Rus-
sians still advancing.
14 – A very fine warm day. Hoeing in the forenoon. Cultivating
corn land in the afternoon. Boys at school. Jennie making Edna
Gordon’s coat. All hands at Guild meeting in the evening. Eva
Leask and Bessie Gordon took the topic. War news: Canadians
gain back what was some days ago. Russians still advancing.
[margin note: Church union carried in Presbyterian Assembly at
Winnipeg, 406 to 88].
15 – Another terrible rain with thunder and lightning in the early
morning and several little showers during the day. Fixing the
platform about the house well in the afternoon. Mary Dusty here
in the afternoon getting dress cut out. Boys at school. Myrtle and
Leola Luke called in the evening. News came of church union
being carried. War news: Russians still gaining.
16 – A little rain in the morning, then fine. Went over to Luke’s in
the morning and put up some shelves. Scuffling potatoes in the
afternoon. Minney Lyle and Sidney Caney here in the evening.
Boys at school. Jennie sewing. War news: Russians still advanc-
ing.
17 – Another big rain in the early morning and again in the eve-
ning. Boys went to Blair’s mill with 4 bags of oats and got them
home while I hoed in the orchard. In the afternoon got A. Ak-
hurst’s drill and sowed half the corn in the N field. Part of it was
sown in the mud, the other half of the piece was too wet. Jennie
sewing some. Luella Luke here for supper. Edna Gordon came for
her coat.
18 – Rain in the morning and quite heavy just after SS. All hands
at SS and church; 114 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Annie went
to Methodist church with Luke’s. Leola Luke here in the evening.
19 – Dull morning. Rain about 11 or 12; fine in the afternoon.
Drawing out manure. Cut across the grain field to get out of mud.
Jennie washing. Boys at school. Willie drove Annie to Port Perry
to Latin exam tomorrow. Russians still winning.
20 – A fine and quite cool day and no rain. Drawing out manure
all day. Boys at school. Mrs. E. Lyle here getting dress cut.
Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. War news: Russians still
advancing.
21 – A very fine cool day and no rain. Drawing out manure all
day. Jennie drove to W.M. meeting at Alex Boe’s and with Willie
went to Guild meeting in the evening. Boys at school. War news:
Russians advance a little.
22 – A very fine and quite cool day. Finished drawing out manure
at noon. Cultivating, harrowing and plowing in the afternoon.
Mrs. E. Lyle here in the afternoon getting dress fitted. Boys at
school. Marion Leask, Marie Akhurst and L. Luke here in the
evening.
23 – A fine day and cool. Plowing and sowed the last of the corn.
In the afternoon, with Jennie, attended preparatory service in the
church. Rev. Mr. Bryden of Woodville preached. Mrs. Jas. Blair
Jr. came home with us to get her dress fitted and James B. came
after her. Sidney Caney and Arthur Stiff here in the evening.
24 – Plowing in the forenoon; raining some of the time. After
dinner there was a big thunder shower and nothing doing. Sidney
Caney here in the evening. War news: Germans make important
gains at Verdun.
25 – A very fine day. With Jennie went to communion service at
Wick. Not a very good turnout from Greenbank. Annie at Meth-
odist SS anniversary services morning, afternoon and evening; the
boys at the afternoon and evening, and Jennie and I at the evening
service. Rev. Mr. Chapman of Cannington preached and did well.
Annie got tea at Gordon’s.
26 – A fine and warm day. Drove Annie to Port Perry to her exams
which take place this week. The boys went to school but got out at
noon on account of the Wick picnic. Willie harrowing turnip land
while I hoed mangolds. Jennie washing. Sid Caney here in the
evening. War news: Germans advance a little at Verdun. Rus-
sians still advancing.
27 – A thunder shower about 5 am. W. Tummons old barn struck
by lightning and burned. Drilled up for turnips all day through the
mud. Boys at school. In the evening with Jennie and the boys at
Union prayer meeting in our church. There was a good attendance
and a good meeting; Mr. McKay was leader. Rev. Mr. Rowland,
who proposed the meeting, was not able to be present on account
of illness.
28 – Another fine day, no rain. Jennie went for the beef in the
morning while I plowed buckwheat land. Sowed turnips in the
afternoon. Boys at school. Myrtle Luke called in the evening.
Pascoe Luke and John Michie fixing the hole in the lane NE of the
barn. Sidney Caney here in the evening. War news: Italians claim
to be gaining.
29 – Threatening rain sometimes in the forenoon. Finished plow-
ing, harrowing and cultivating buckwheat land. Boys went to
school but came home at noon, the school being closed for holi-
days. They have both been promoted. James to the Jr. Fourth and
Willie to the Sr. Fourth. Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie who
has finished her exams for Normal entrance. Sidney Caney here in
the evening. W. Akhurst called in the afternoon.
30 – A fine and warm day. Drilled up and sowed the last of the
turnips, then the buckwheat, and harrowed the corn, and scuffled
some. Jennie and the boys left in the morning for a visit to Annie
Mason’s, Bobcaygeon.
JULY 1 – A very fine summer day. Scuffled all forenoon and hoed
some mangolds in the afternoon. After supper went with Annie to
the Methodist SS anniversary. There was about the usual number
present and the concert was good. A Mr. [Fidders or Fiddess?] of
298
Toronto sang (and a good singer he was) and a Miss Langmaid
recited. Proceeds about $200.00. The war news today is good all
along the line.
2 – Went to SS and church with Annie; 105 at SS. Just before the
close a great thunder storm came up and it got quite dark in the
basement and again during the church service but not so much rain.
Mr. McKay preached a sermon on our country’s three fold [?].
3 – Planted some corn in places missed and drowned out and hoed
in the forenoon. After dinner went with the team to road work
drawing dirt on the concession, but after the third heavy shower of
rain we quit after about 2 hours work. Hoed some more after the
rain. Great news from the war. Allies advance all along the line.
4 – A very fine day and no rain. Hoed mangolds in the forenoon
and at road work in the afternoon. Annie picking strawberries and
went to Port Perry with them. Annie at Luke’s in the evening.
War news still pretty good. Did not get paper.
5 – A very fine warm day. Finished road work at 10 am and hoed
in the afternoon. Jennie and the boys came home from Bobcay-
geon at 1 o’clock. Annie went to Port Perry for them. In the eve-
ning went to a meeting in the church to talk about a new furnace.
John Michie rode up with me. War news continues pretty good.
6 – Another very fine and warmer day. Hoeing most of the day;
the boys helping. Jennie and Annie picking strawberries. They
picked about 40 boxes. Annie then took some to Port Perry for
Mrs. Clark of Scugog. After supper Annie, with Gladys Luke,
went to a SS class party at Mrs. J. McKitrick’s. Sidney Caney here
in the evening. War news: still favourable.
7 – A very fine and quite warm day; some thunder to the SW in
the afternoon but no rain here. Hoeing strawberry plants (and a
very poor crop they are) in the forenoon and in the afternoon help-
ing Pascoe Luke to scuffle his turnips with Topsy horse. Mr. and
Mrs. W.H. Leask and Mrs. Hilson came in the afternoon for ber-
ries. Got no paper today.
8 – A fine day; somewhat dull and a little shower after dinner.
Plowing all day at P. Luke’s with Fanny horse. The boys went to
Blair’s mill with 4 bags of oats and got them ground. Mrs. John
Michie and girls, Marie Akhurst and Mrs. James Lee and baby here
in the afternoon getting strawberries and Mrs. A. Gordon in the
evening. Sidney Caney also here in the evening.
9 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church (120 at SS). Rev.
E. Cockburn, at one time minister at Uxbridge, preached. It is
reported that Mr. McKay has enlisted. James Lee and wife and
Ruby here in the evening.
10 – A very fine and warm day. All day at P. Luke’s helping to
build fence about his orchard. A. Akhurst also helping. Jennie and
Annie picking strawberries. Willie scuffling mangolds and pota-
toes and James Paris greening potatoes. Mrs. W. Real and Cath-
leen and Lucille Leask here for berries. Annie went to Port Perry
with berries. Sid Caney here in the evening. War news pretty
good.
11 – Very warm day. All day at P. Luke’s, building fence most of
the time. Annie and Gladys Luke picking strawberries. Jennie and
Mrs. Luke at Methodist Ladies Aid at M. O’Neill’s. Myrtle and
Gladys Luke here in the evening. War news still good.
12 – Very warm day. Scuffling corn in forenoon. Helping P. Luke
to cock up hay in the afternoon. Jennie and Annie picking straw-
berries. Willie and James cutting thistles and they went to Green-
bank for Paris Green. War news: Germans advance at Verdun; at
other places favourable.
13 – Another very warm day. All day helping P. Luke at hay.
Jennie washing, churning and helping the boys to Paris Green
potatoes. Roy Leask and Sid Caney here in the evening. War
news: Germans gain a little more at Verdun.
14 – Another very fine and warm day. Helping P. Luke to hay in
the forenoon. Scuffling corn etc. in the afternoon. Jennie and
Annie picking strawberries and Annie and Gladys Luke went to
Port Perry. Mary and Jim Dusty called in the evening. Jennie
preserving strawberries.
15 – A fine warm day; some thunder towards night but no rain
here. Hoeing and Paris greening in the forenoon. Plowing for P.
Luke in the afternoon. James at Cecil Phair’s helping at hay. John
Michie’s 4 girls here in the evening while they went to Port Perry.
Sid Caney called in the evening. Willie hoeing potatoes. War
news: British victory.
16 – Very warm day. A little rain in the evening. All hands at SS
and church; 102 at SS; J.A. Miller preached. Annie went to
Methodist church with Luke’s girls.
17 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning. Jennie wash-
ing. Scuffling turnips in the afternoon. Jennie and Annie picking
strawberries. Willie harrowing for P. Luke. Sid Caney and Myrtle
and Gladys Luke here in the evening. War news good.
18 – A very warm day. Fixing fence in the forenoon to keep the
horses out of the oats. All afternoon making a hen crate to ship
hens. Annie at John Michie’s attending the children while Mrs.
John baked for the W.M.S. tomorrow. Willie at P. Luke’s. War
news: rather quiet.
19 – Very warm all day. Got up early and, with James, went to the
early train at Port Perry with a crate of hens. Hoeing mangolds 2nd
time in the afternoon. Willie at P. Luke’s all day. Jennie at mis-
sionary meeting with Mrs. Luke at W. O’Neill’s. In the evening
went with Jennie to Union prayer meeting in the Methodist church.
There was a good turnout. Mr. McKay was leader. War news all
right.
20 – Another very warm day. Paris greened potatoes 2nd
time, and
then hoed field corn. Myrtle Luke here all day getting dress made.
Annie over at Luke’s in the evening. Willie at Luke’s all day and
James all day at Ernest Phair’s helping at hay. War news good.
Thunder several times during the day but no rain here.
21 – Another scorching hot day. Got P. Luke’s mower and cut half
of the hay field W of the house. Willie at Luke’s. James at Ernest
299
Phair’s in the afternoon. Alex Gordon, wife and child called in the
evening. War news: Allies gain another victory.
22 – Another scorching day. Hoed corn in the forenoon. Cocking
up hay in the afternoon. James raking. Annie picking cherries.
Jennie sewing. Willie at P. Luke’s. After supper Annie and I went
to Port Perry. War news: pretty good.
23 – Another very warm day. All hands at SS and church; 115 at
SS; Mr. McKay preached. Mrs. P. Luke, Myrtle and Gladys Luke
and Mrs. A. Stone and little girl called in the evening.
24 – Another terribly hot day; 96 in the shade about 2 o’clock. All
hands drawing in hay except James who is on the sick list. Got in
all that is cut; 7 loads. Myrtle and Gladys Luke called in the eve-
ning. War news favourable.
25 – Another terrible hot day. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon,
Willie helping, and in the afternoon got P. Luke’s mower and cut
hay. Willie drove the mower most of the time. Annie picking
cherries and raspberries. Jennie preserving. E. Lyle and wife
called in the evening. War news good.
26 – Not quite as warm. Finished cutting hay. Hoeing turnips in
the afternoon. Jennie churning. Mrs. A. Gordon here in the after-
noon getting dress made. Alex and Lex came after her in the eve-
ning. The children at Mission Band. Mr. McKay was there and
took their picture. War news pretty good.
27 – Not quite so warm. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon, James
helping. Willie scuffling corn. Jennie and Annie picking berries.
Mrs. Luke and Gladys helping to pick in the afternoon; 72 boxes.
Willie raked up the hay and we got in 5 loads. Mrs. R. Cragg and
Wilmot here in the afternoon. Annie took crate of berries to ship
to Mrs. F. Wells, Lindsay, and brought Mary Bell and Gordon
from the station. Myrtle Luke here in the evening. War news
good.
28 – Not quite so warm. Drew in 4 loads of hay in the forenoon.
After dinner went to Port Perry with Jennie while Willie raked hay
field. After supper drew in the rakings and the strawberry hay,
Jennie building the loads. Mr. White of Marsh Hill called about
berries. War news: not too bad.
29 – Another terrible hot day but there was a breeze; over 92.
Hoeing turnips all day. Mary Bell and Annie picking berries.
Jennie preserving. John Michie and wife went to Port Perry in the
evening and left the children here while they were away. Willie
laying around with a headache. War news: Russians capture
Brody.
30 – Another terrible hot day; between 90 and 100. All at SS and
church but Mary Bell and Willie who was not very well. Only 90
at SS. Held the church service outdoors near the pump. Mr.
McKay preached. John Lee Jr. of Fort William was there. Very
warm during the night. About 10 pm there was a little shower.
31 – Quite a lot cooler with a breeze from the NW. Hoeing turnips
all day, James and Gordon helping in the forenoon. Willie scuf-
fling corn. Jennie, Annie, Mary Bell and Mary Dusty picking
berries all day. Willie, James and Gordon Bell went to Port Perry
with berries to ship to Toronto. G.A. McMillan called in the after-
noon about school matters. He was on his way to Port Perry and
he called on his way home for berries. W.H. Leask, wife and
family also came over in their car for berries. War news: Russians
still gaining. Terrible brush fires in northern Ontario. Many lives
lost.64
AUG. 1 – Quite cool all day. Finished hoeing turnips in the fore-
noon, Willie helping. Scuffled and hoed strawberry patch in the
afternoon. There were weeds 3 feet high but very few plants.
Pretty near a total failure. Jennie preserving, washing, ironing and
baking. Mary Bell and Annie picking cherries and berries. E. Lyle
finished cutting Alsace clover. War news: Russians still gaining.
2 – Another pretty warm day. Plowed and harrowed old straw-
berry patch and hoed some. Jennie, Annie, Mary Bell and Mary
Dusty picking berries. Mrs. White called for berries. In the eve-
ning went with Jennie to Union prayer meeting in our church. A
good turnout. Rev. Mr. Rowland leader. Mr. McKay and Rev. Mr.
Ford were also present.
3 – Warmer. A lot of thunder in the afternoon but no rain here. A
little sprinkle in the forenoon. Scuffled the turnips 2nd
time and
hoed some. Jennie and Mary Bell making shirts. Annie and Myr-
tle Luke picking berries. Mail late in coming today. Mrs. [Lun-
gle?] called for berries.
4 – Pretty warm day. Some thunder in the afternoon and a few
drops of rain. Went to Port Perry in the morning for pig feed,
sugar and other things. Got word that Annie had failed in her
exams. In the afternoon moved the mail box down to P. Luke’s
gate and made a chicken crate. Jennie, Annie, Mary Bell and Mary
Dusty picking berries. Boys took berries down to John Michie’s.
Luke’s girls here in the evening. War news: Favourable. Sir
Roger Casement hung. [margin note: 2 years since war was de-
clared and no end in sight yet].
5 – Another very warm dry day. With the boys help hoed the
turnips 2nd
time and after supper the mangolds 3rd
time. Jennie
baking and other things. Myrtle, Gladys and Blanche Luke here in
the evening. Blanche is down over the Toronto civic holiday. War
news: French gain at Verdun. Germans drive the Russians back at
one place.
6 – Pretty warm day. All hands at SS and church; 120 at SS; Mr.
McKay preached on our duties concerning the war. Mary Bell
went to John Lee’s for tea, John Lee Jr. being there. Very smoky.
7 – Very warm day; over 90 in the shade. Did some little jobs in
the forenoon and scuffled corn 3rd
time in the afternoon. Jennie,
Annie, Mary Bell, Mary Dusty (forenoon) and Gladys Luke (after-
noon) picking berries. Mrs. W. and Mrs. J.M. Real called for
berries. Quite a good shower about 5 pm. Mrs. Charles Durward
died. Private Alex Gordon of Gamebridge and Jennie and Bessie
Gordon called in the evening. War news: fairly good.
64
The Matheson fire destroyed over 490,000 acres
and several communities in the area. 273 people lost
their lives.
300
8 – A heavy shower during the night. Went to Port Perry in the
morning with crate of chickens. In the afternoon helping Cecil
Phair and Jim Gibson to put in piping at the spring to water cattle.
Jennie and Mary Bell washing, preserving and sewing. Annie
went with Luke’s girls and Miss McCullah in an auto to Port Perry
and she spent the evening there. Did not get the Globe today. War
news: favourable. Mr. W. Akhurst here for dinner.
9 – A fine day. Scuffling corn in the forenoon and at P. Luke’s in
the afternoon fencing. Willie was also helping. Jennie and Mary
Bell at W.M. meeting at the church. All hands at Jim Lee’s in the
evening, Jack Lee being there. A beautiful evening.
10 – A very fine day. At P. Luke’s all day fencing, Willie also
there. Jennie and Mary Bell went to Port Perry and did not get
home until on to 9 o’clock. They picked the berries likely the last
time. War news: Italians capture Gorizia.
11 – Went to P. Luke’s to work but heavy rain somewhat spoiled
the forenoon. Finished fencing and hung two gates. Marshall
O’Neill there seeing about draining. Jennie and Mary Bell sewing.
War news good.
12 – A very fine cool day. John Michie came up with his binder
and cut the hill field (not much of a crop). In the evening went to
Port Perry with Jennie and got home about 10. War news pretty
good.
13 – A great change today; quite a cool day and high wind. All
hands at SS and church; 101 at SS. Rev. Mr. Smith of Bobcay-
geon preached. All hands over at Luke’s for awhile in the evening.
14 – A beautiful cool day. John Michie cutting oats all day.
Jennie making dress for Mary Bell. Mrs. E. Lyle called in the
evening. War news good.
15 – A very fine day; a little warmer. John Michie finished our
cutting about 9:30 am. I then went to Port Perry and got home
about 1:30. At John Michie’s in the afternoon helping him with
harvest. Jennie making dress for Mary Bell. Annie and the boys at
Greenbank band concert at G. Lee’s. War news: Russians still
winning.
16 – Quite a lot warmer. At John Michie’s all day at harvesting.
Jennie making dress. Luke’s girls here in the evening. War news:
Russians and Italians make gains.
17 – Pretty warm all day. All day at John Michie’s and he finished
cutting except a little he will cut with mower. Jennie sewing.
Annie went to Port Perry with Myrtle Luke. War news good.
18 – Pretty warm day. Drawing in oats, Annie and the boys help-
ing. Jennie sewing. War news: fair.
19 – Pretty warm. Drew in oats until about 4 pm when we quit as
it was not very dry. No papers came today. Myrtle and Gladys
Luke here in the evening.
20 – A very warm day; 94 in the shade. All hands at SS and
church; 97 at SS. The alliance man, Mr. ----, preached. James
Lee and Ruby and Gladys Luke here in the evening.
21 – Another torrid day; 94 in the shade. Finished drawing in
after dinner, then Willie raked. Annie took Mary Bell to Port Perry
on her way home. Gordon stayed. James at Cecil Phair’s until
about the middle of the afternoon. War news: pretty good.
22 – Another terrible hot day; 92 in the shade. Some thunder
showers went by with only a few drops here. Willie finished rak-
ing and we drew it in so finishing the harvest. Hoed the strawber-
ries in the afternoon. War news: Allies advance in the Balkan
forest.
23 – A fine day and much cooler. Some rain in the early morning.
Went to Port Perry with James and Gordon Bell for a plough
point. Annie and the boys at Mission Band. Plowing in the after-
noon and pretty hard. Putting furnace in church by Parrish.
24 – Cooler; some rain in the evening. Plowing all day. Boys at
Richard Real’s to a SS class supper. Barbara Walker and Gertie
Stovin here for dinner. Excursion to Whitby camp today. War
news: Little of importance.
25 – A fine cool day. Plowing all day. Jennie at John Michie’s
keeping the children while they were at Port Perry. War news: not
too good.
26 – Plowing in the field N of the barn in the forenoon but it was
too hard so I tried the hill field which worked better. Boys taking
in wood. Jennie and Annie at Port Perry in the afternoon. Sid
Caney here in the evening. Thunder shower after dinner and a
little sometimes during the afternoon. War news fair.
27 – Rain through the night but a fine cool day. All hands at SS
and church; 115 at SS. Mr. Fraser, of ----, preached. Annie at
Methodist church in the evening. John McKinnon of Oshawa
called after supper.
28 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie at Dusty’s making a
pair of pants for Jim who is going to the west tomorrow. Willie
helping P. Luke to draw wood. War news: Italy declares war on
Germany.
29 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Willie at P. Luke’s. War news:
Romania declares war on Austria and Germany and Germany
against Romania.
30 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. Boys took
in the last of the wood. Jim Ward called. Went over with the boys
in the evening to Phair’s to see their milking machine work. War
news pretty good.
31 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day in the hill field. Annie and
Gladys Luke went to Port Perry to see about a place for their horse
as they propose driving every day to high school. Jennie and Mrs.
Jas. Lee visiting at P. Luke’s for tea. War news: Romanians win-
ning.
SEPT. 1 – A very nice day; a little sprinkle of rain in the after-
noon and evening. Plowing all day. Jennie at John Michie’s help-
ing Mrs. John to get ready to go to Toronto fair tomorrow. War
news: pretty good. Jean and Ruth Michie staying here.
301
2 – A very fine cool day. Threshing at S. Dusty’s in the forenoon
for John Michie, and at A. Akhurst’s in the afternoon. Jennie went
to Port Perry and took Gordon Bell to the station on his way home.
Annie and Gladys Luke doing John Michie’s chores while they are
away. Willie harrowing. No paper today.
3 – A fine cool day. All hands (including Jean and Ruth Michie) at
SS and church; 100 at SS. I think he was a student preached a
good sermon. Gladys and Leola Luke here in the evening.
4 – A very fine day. Threshing at A. Akhurst’s and finished at
10:30, then to Ed Lyle’s and finished him about 7 pm. Boys har-
rowing. Willie at Greenbank with buggy wheel. Annie helping to
do J. Michie’s chores. War news: Zeppelin raid on England. One
zep destroyed.
5 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Annie and Gladys Luke
drove to Port Perry high school (first time). Willie went to Port
Perry and met John Michie, wife and two youngest girls on their
way home. Jennie washing. War news good.
6 – A fine day and pretty warm. Went for the beef in the morning,
taking the boys to school (first day). Annie and Gladys Luke at
Port Perry school. Jennie ironing. Myrtle Luke called. War news:
French and British gain.
7 – Quite warm. A thunder shower about 2 pm; a nice shower.
Harrowing in the forenoon and in the afternoon put in a new stone
stoop to the cook house. Annie and Gladys Luke at Port Perry
school. Boys at school. Mr. Cecil Phair called for butter. War
news pretty good.
8 – A fine cool day. Cleaning out drain most of the day. Annie
and Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at school. Leola Luke
here for supper. Mr. and Mrs. D.W. Luke of Sonya called about 5
pm. War news: Germans capture Romanian towns and 30,000
men.
9 – A very fine cool day. Plowing old strawberry patch 2nd
time.
Jennie and the boys went to Port Perry for pig feed and got Willie’s
tooth pulled. Had a long talk with Mr. John Jones. Jas. Lee called
in the morning. War news: Germans make more gains in Roma-
nia.
10 – A very fine cool day. All hands at SS and church; 125 at SS.
Arch. McMillan of Winnipeg and C. Gordon of Scugog were pre-
sent and said a few words. Mr. McKay preached. Mrs. John Jones
of Kemble and Leola Luke here for tea. Annie drove to the Meth-
odist church taking with her Mrs. Jones and Myrtle Luke.
11 – A very fine day. Fixing fence on side road near spring. Had a
long talk with C. Durward. Jennie washing, churning and went to
Greenbank with things for the mission sale. Annie and Gladys
Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at school. Myrtle Luke called.
War news mostly good.
12 – A fine day. At P. Luke’s all day hanging and making gates.
Annie and Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at school. Rev.
Mr. McKay came in the evening and stayed all night. War news
pretty good.
13 – A very fine day. Annie and G.L. at Port Perry school. Boys
at school. Jennie at Women’s Mission meeting at Mrs. H. Love’s.
Jas. Lee brought the beef and he phoned and arranged for an auto
ride with Jas. Leask to Oshawa fair. (Mr. McKay also went). We
went to Nelson Baird’s for dinner and supper. There was a large
crowd at the fair but the exhibits were nothing great. We left for
home at 7:10 and got home about 8:30. Mr. McKay then drove
home. War news good.
14 – A fine day. At P. Luke’s until about 5 pm hanging gate and
fixing cellar stairs. Boys at school and Annie and G.L. at Port
Perry school. James and James A. Miller here at tea.
15 – A little fine rain about noon. At P. Luke’s all day helping to
put up new barn door. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school in
the forenoon. Boys at Port Perry fair which was not a great suc-
cess. Jennie and Annie moved in the cook stove in the afternoon.
Quite cool in the evening. War news fair. British Columbia Tory
government beaten.
16 – A fine and cool day. At P. Luke`s until about 5 pm fixing
barn doors and stable door. Willie and James went to Port Perry
and Willie got two teeth filled. Myrtle and Gladys Luke here in
the evening. War news good.
17 – A fine day and pretty cool. All hands at SS and church; 110
at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Children over at Luke`s in the eve-
ning.
18 – Quite a frost in the morning and very cool all day. Harrow-
ing most of the day. Jennie at John Michie`s in the afternoon mak-
ing a dress for the baby. Boys at school. Annie and G. Luke at
Port Perry school. They waited for the 8 pm train (which was very
late) and brought Jessie Bell of Rochester home with them. War
news: Allies gain all along the line except in Romania.
19 – A very fine day; quite a frost in the morning. Cutting buck-
wheat in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with John Michie
on a hunt for a beef syndicate. Went as far as Jas. Carnegie’s but
did not get one for sure. Jennie at Port Perry in the forenoon for
Jess`s trunk and in the afternoon at Methodist Ladies Aid at E.
Lyle`s. Jean and Ruth Michie here while their mother was at La-
dies Aid. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at school.
War news pretty good.
20 – A fine and dry day. John Michie came up and we went to E.
Lyle`s to look at a heifer. Finished cutting buckwheat and hoed the
strawberries. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at
school. Jennie washing. War news: not good. Germans advance
in Romania.
21 – A little rain after dinner and a few sprinkles during the after-
noon. Fixing fence near the spring in the forenoon and drawing
rails in the afternoon. Jennie at Port Perry in the forenoon. Annie
and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at school. War news not
too good.
22 – A fine day. High wind, some thunder, but no rain here.
Drawing rails and cut some corn in the orchard. Jennie ironing.
Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at school. War
news: Allies beat the Germans in Romania.
302
23 – A little rain after dinner. Cutting road around corn in the
forenoon. Willie and James at Port Perry. Digging potatoes in the
orchard in the afternoon, boys picking. Mrs. E. Lyle called. Annie
at John Michie`s.
24 – A quite cool day. All but Jessie Bell at church and SS. Rally
day at SS; 140 present; Mr. McKay preached. Myrtle Luke called
in the evening and Lewis Waggoner called for her.
25 – A very fine day. At potato digging, Jennie and the boys help-
ing. Crop poor, about 18 bags dug. I was just sitting down to
supper when a phone call came from John Michie for help to get
his colt out of a well at Barker’s place. Those there were Rev. Mr.
McKay; W. O’Neill; S. Dusty; E. Lyle; P. Luke; A. Akhurst; John
Michie and I. They pulled it out with the horses, none the worse.
War news: Zeppelin raid on England and 2 zeps lost.
26 – A fine day; looked like rain after dinner but passed by. Went
to Greenbank in the morning with John Michie taking the beef ring
heifer that we got from E. Lyle (paid $60.00). In the afternoon
went down to J. Michie’s for the pig rack and tried to plough a
little. Boys at school. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school.
Jessie Bell not very well today. Rev. W.A. McKay called in the
morning. Got no paper today.
27 – A fine day; a little rain in the evening. Cross plowing in the
hill field and poor plowing it was; too soddy. Jennie washing.
Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at school. Jennie
Gordon here for supper and Annie, Myrtle Luke and her went to
choir practice in the church. Jennie and Jessie Bell visiting at John
Michie’s. John Michie called in the evening. He had been deliver-
ing the beef. Our beast that we got from E. Lyle and paid $60.00
came out 24 lbs. short so there was none for us. War news: British
and French gain big victory.
28 – Took 4 pigs to Seagrave which weighed 830 lbs @ 11 ½ =
$94.30. Rained enough on the way home to wet me through.
Plowing in the afternoon. Boys at school. Annie walked to Port
Perry to attend high school sports but the rain spoiled the forenoon
games and she came home with Mrs. A. Akhurst after dinner. Rain
again about 9 pm. War news: Good all along the lines.
29 – Heavy rain through the night. Plowing in the forenoon. In
the afternoon went with Jennie to preparatory service in the
church; Rev. Mr. Rowland preached. Mrs. Switzer came in by
certificate from Greenbank Methodist church. After the service the
Mission Band had a shower meeting. While we were at church E.
Lyle cut our corn and was here for supper. Annie and G. Luke at
Port Perry school. They waited for the 5:30 train and brought
Mabel Bell of Brooklin. Boys at school. School trustee meeting
after 4 pm. War news good.
30 – A beautiful day. Drawing off corn and putting it along the
line fence. Annie and Mabel Bell at John Michie’s. Myrtle Luke
called in the evening. War news: fair.
OCT. 1 – A beautiful day. Went with Jennie to communion ser-
vice at Greenbank. There was an unusual turnout. Mr. McKay
preached. Willie went to Methodist SS rally service. Annie and
Mabel Bell went down to John Michie’s and kept the children
while they went to church. Sidney Caney here for supper. In the
evening went with Jennie to church at Port Perry. Mr. West
preached. Rather chilly night.
2 – Quite a frost in the morning but a very fine day. Drawing off
corn all day and finished the job. Boys at school. Annie and G.
Luke at Port Perry school. Mrs. John Michie and the children and
Mrs. Jas. Lee and Ruby here at supper. Gladys Luke called. War
news: Some good and some not so good.
3 – A beautiful day. Turned buckwheat. Cut down two maple
trees near the barn, fixed fence near Luke’s gate and drew in one
load of buckwheat, James and Willie helping. Annie and Gladys
Luke at Port Perry school. Willie at school house helping to deco-
rate for the school fair tomorrow. Jennie washing. War news:
good and bad.
4 – A beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon. Annie and G. Luke
at Port Perry school. Boys at school fair. Afternoon went to
school fair at Greenbank. Rode up with Sidney Caney (who is at
P. Luke’s) and Leola Luke. There was a splendid turnout and a
good show. War news: fair.
5 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Boys at school. Annie and
Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. Mabel Luke called in the eve-
ning. War news: pretty good.
6 – A beautiful day. Went with Jennie to Port Perry. Plowing in
the afternoon. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at
school. At P. Luke’s with Annie, the boys and Mabel Bell having
a sing.
7 – A very fine day. Drew in load of buckwheat, the sunflowers
and finished digging potatoes. Annie and Mabel Bell at John Mi-
chie’s keeping the children while Mrs. John was at Port Perry.
War news: Quiet.
8 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 118 at SS; Mr.
McKay preached which was an appeal to wipe out the deficit of
$170.00 in the mission funds of the church. Gladys Luke called in
the evening. Myrtle Luke has gone to Epsom on her way to To-
ronto to undergo an operation for appendicitis.
9 – Thanksgiving day. Rain through the night and morning but
soon cleared up. Much cooler. Cleaned the root house and grain-
ery and some other little jobs. Plowing in the afternoon. Jennie,
James, Willie and Jessie Bell at John Michie’s. Annie and Mabel
Bell at Jas. Lee’s in the evening. Gladys and Leola Luke called.
War news: Not good. Romanians driven back. German sub sank
6 ships near the New England coast.
10 – A fine day and pretty cold. Plowing all day. Jennie took
Mabel Bell to Port Perry on her way to Newcastle. Annie and G.
Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at school. War news: Not very
good. Romanians being driven back.
11 – A fine day. Plowing and harrowing. Jennie washing. Annie
and Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at school. Annie at
Luke’s in the evening and stayed all night. Mrs. Luke went to
Toronto to be with Myrtle on her operation today. War news a
little better.
303
12 – A very fine day. Harrowing most of the day. Jennie drove
Jessie Bell to Port Perry train where she goes to Brooklin tonight
and Newcastle tomorrow. Boys at school. Annie and Gladys Luke
at Port Perry school. They waited until the 8 pm train for Mrs.
Luke. Boys over at Luke’s in the evening. War news: Romania
invaded by Germans. No Globe today as there was a RR wreck
near Whitby.
13 – Heavy rain through the night and forenoon and some flurries
in the afternoon. Jim Lee came over to get Jennie to see Ruby who
was sick. She did not get back until after dinner. They had the Dr.
out to see her. Plowing corn stubble in the afternoon. Boys at
school. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. War news: Ital-
ians gain. Romanians being driven back.
14 – A very fine day. Took in the mangolds (4 ½ loads), the boys
helping. Moved the mail box from P. Luke’s gate to our own gate
as the new mail route is to start on Monday. Willie went to Port
Perry and got a tooth filled. Gladys and Leola Luke called for
some crab apples. War news: not very good.
15 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 110 at SS. Rev.
E.B. Dobson preached. Mr. and Mrs. James Graham of Saskatoon,
who have been over in Scotland to see their son Donald who is in
the firing line, was present.
16 – Fine until about 4 o’clock when it started to rain a little and
continued during the evening. Plowing in the forenoon and with
Jennie helping picked apples. Boys at school. Annie and G. Luke
at Port Perry school. Mail carrier Slovin made his first trip on his
new route. He got to our gate about 2:15 pm. War news: Roma-
nians doing better.
17 – A very high wind and some rain through the night and fore-
noon. At apple picking all day, Jennie helping. Packed 3 barrels
for Winnipeg. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at
school. Gladys Luke called in the evening. War news: Decidedly
gloomy for Romania.
18 – A fine but rather cool day. Plowing all day. Boys at school.
Annie and Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. Jennie baking. Mrs.
Joyce of Sutton West came from Port Perry. War news: Allies
take possession of Athens.
19 – This was a decidedly wet day. Rain from the SE all day. Did
little but a few chores. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school.
Mrs. Joyce visited at P. Luke’s. War news: not very good.
20 – Not a very pleasant day; almost rain in the morning. In the
forenoon went with the boys to Port Perry, shipping 3 barrels of
apples and preserves to Winnipeg. Plowing in the afternoon.
Thunder shower came up about 3:30 pm. Jennie took Mrs. Joyce
(who was at John Michie’s for dinner) to Mrs. Walker’s, calling on
the way at S. Dusty’s and Alex Gordon’s and she got good and
wet. Annie keeping J. Michie’s children while they were at Port
Perry. Leola Luke here twice and Gladys Luke and Sidney Caney
here in the evening.
21 – Rather unpleasant day; high and raw wind. Plowing. Boys
picked Ben Davis apples and cleaned out hen house. Jennie sew-
ing.
22 – A fine but cool day. All hands at SS and church; 120 at SS;
Mr. McKay preached. Edgar and Eva Leask home from the west.
23 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. Boys at school.
Annie and Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. E. Lyle filling his
silo. Alan Goode is doing the job. [Eng.?] minstrels at Port Perry
tonight. War news: British gain. Germans driving Romanians
back. Premier of Austria shot.
24 – A very fine day. Drawing out manure. Boys at school. An-
nie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. They are filling W. Tho-
mas’s silo and moved down to Phair’s. P. Luke drawing gravel.
War news: Germans smashing through Romania.
25 – At Phair’s helping to fill his silo (Allan Goode’s machine).
Worked until near 4 o’clock when it started to rain with high SW
wind. Jennie killing and dressing 6 ducks. Boys at school. Annie
and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Sidney Caney called in the
evening. War news: Germans still advancing in Romania. French
gain victory at Verdun.
26 – A fine day and pretty windy. At Phair’s silo filling and fin-
ished at noon. Jennie went out to Port Perry with Mrs. Luke taking
6 ducks. Annie and Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at
school. Afternoon, with Jennie’s help, dug a big load of turnips to
take to Seagrave tomorrow perhaps. War news: It appears as if
Romania will be crushed by Germany.
27 – But I did not take the turnips to Seagrave as word came by
phone that they have quit buying. At turnips, Jennie and the boys
helping, but rain in the forenoon hindered. Got in 2 more big
loads. Got Vet Moon over to see young colt (King) which got hurt.
Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. War news: Little of
importance.
28 – A fine day. At turnips in the forenoon, Jennie and the boys
helping; got in 2 big loads. In the afternoon went with the boys to
G. Lyle’s sale. There was a pretty good turnout and good prices.
Annie at John Michie’s keeping the children. Tax collector called
(Mr. Thompson). War news: little of importance.
29 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 115 at SS; Mr.
McKay preached. Mrs. McKay is home from her trip east.
30 – A little rain in the morning and then fine. At turnips all day,
boys helping; got in 3 big loads. Jennie at Alex Gordon’s making
a dress for Mrs. G. to go to the wedding of Edgar Butt to Miss
Moon which takes place on Wednesday. Annie and G. Luke at
Port Perry school. War news: Romanians doing better.
31 – At turnips, the boys helping, and finished about 3 pm in a
thunder shower (5 loads). Another heavy thunder shower about 4
to 5 o’clock. Jennie at Alex Gordon’s dressmaking. Arthur drove
her home in the rain. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. In
the evening Gladys Luke and Miss Mark came over and Miss M.
stayed all night. Boys and Sidney Caney were out somewhere,
playing tricks perhaps.
NOV. 1 – Fair day most of the time; a few little rain flurries.
Plowing in the orchard in the forenoon. Alex Gordon and wife
called for her dress. They are going to Edgar Butt’s wedding this
304
afternoon. About 3:30 I went to the school house to a trustee meet-
ing. The business was principally about putting in new floor which
has been ordered by the inspector. Boys at school. Annie and G.
Luke at Port Perry school. Jennie churning. P. Luke getting eves
troughs put up.
2 – A fine day; some thunder in the afternoon but no rain here.
Plowing in the forenoon. Jennie at Port Perry market. Threshing
at C. Phair’s from about 3 pm. Boys at school. Annie and G. Luke
at Port Perry school. Sid Caney called in the evening.
3 – A little snow in the morning but a fine day. Threshing at
Phair’s and finished about 10:30 then moved to Jim Lee’s and
finished him about 5 pm. Then they moved here and the thresher-
men John Howsam and Hugh ---- remained all night. Annie and
Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at school. War news:
Romanians doing better.
4 – Threshing and finished about 11:30; then they moved to John
Michie’s and finished him about 5 pm. Both crops turned out
poor. Jennie helping Mrs. John with the supper. Rain came on
about the middle of the afternoon and then turned to snow (the first
of the season). Boys went to Blair’s mill in the afternoon with 4
bags of grain for E. Lyle. War news: Romanians win, also Ital-
ians.
5 – Somewhat cool; the snow did not all melt away. All hands at
SS and church; 115 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Blanche and
Myrtle Luke called in the evening and we all went over to Luke’s
and had a sing. Myrtle has just returned from Toronto where she
was in a hospital.
6 – Somewhat dull all day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing.
Boys at school. Annie and Gladys Luke at Port Perry school.
They went early to take Blanche Luke to the train.
7 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Boys at school. Annie and G.
Luke at Port Perry school. Myrtle Luke called in the afternoon.
This is the US presidential election day. The candidates are Wil-
son (Dem) and Hughes (Rep). [Margin note: Wilson elected
president of US; 2nd
term].
8 – A very fine and warm summer-like day. Plowing all day and
finished the long field. Boys at school. Jennie at John Michie’s in
the afternoon helping to dress chickens. Annie and Gladys Luke at
Port Perry school. Luke’s horse Ned got sick at Port Perry and Mr.
Luke went and brought it home. Jennie and the children at Guild
meeting in the evening and I went over to Luke’s for a plough
point. War news: little of importance.
9 – Plowing sod in the SW field until about 10:30 when rain came
on and continued until near night. Jennie at John Michie’s all day
keeping the children while Mrs. John was at Port Perry. Annie and
Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. They went to G. Mark’s for the
night. Boys at school. News today is that Wilson is probably
elected president of the US.
10 – Plowing sod all day. Some rain in the afternoon. Jennie
housecleaning. Boys at school. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry
school.
11 – Somewhat cold. Plowing sod all day. Boys at Blair’s mill in
the afternoon for E. Lyle. Gladys and Leola Luke here in the af-
ternoon. Myrtle Luke here for tea and Sid Caney in the evening.
War news: Romanians doing better.
12 – Rather a raw E wind. All hands at SS and church; 120 at SS.
Rev. Mr. [Mewzies?], M.D., a returned missionary from China,
gave a splendid address on his work in China. Gladys Luke and
Sidney Caney here in the evening.
13 – Snowing a little most of the day and cold with wind from the
E. Tried to plough sod but it was too hard; then plowed N of barn
but it was pretty hard too. Boys at school. Annie and Gladys Luke
at Port Perry school. They went from there to a chicken pie social
at Epsom and stayed all night. Boys at Luke’s in the evening.
14 – Pretty cold all day; the snow did not go much. Drew some
turnip tops on the strawberry patch and some other jobs. Boys at
school. Annie at Port Perry school. Jennie washing and at John
Michie’s making dresses for the girls. Sidney Caney here in the
evening. War news: Sir Sam Hughes has resigned from the Bor-
den cabinet.
15 – Snowing heavy in the morning which makes it about 6 inches
and very wintery it looks. Did a few jobs about the barn. Boys at
school. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Jennie at J. Mi-
chie’s in the afternoon making children’s dresses. British made big
win.
16 – A fine day but hardly any thaw. Went with Jennie to Port
Perry in the forenoon. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school.
Boys at school.
17 – A little more snow and steady cold. Went over to P. Luke’s
and settled up with him for colt pasture and work etc. Boys at
school. Annie and Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. Put in some
window glass in the afternoon. Jim Lee called looking for his dog
which is lost.
18 – A fine day and very little thaw. Did a number of small jobs.
Boys went down to John Michie’s for ducks that had strayed away.
Myrtle and Gladys Luke called and Myrtle stayed for tea. Sidney
Caney came over in the evening for hair cut and shave (1st
time).
19 – A fine day and thawing some. All hands at SS and church;
125 at SS; Mr. McKay preached.
20 – A very fine day; snow thawed a little. At P. Luke’s all day
helping to cement the cellar floor. G. Mitchell did the job. Annie
and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at school. War news:
Monastir captured by the Serbs.
21 – A very fine day with very little thaw. Did a number of small
jobs. Jennie at A. Gordon’s making dress for Bessie. Annie and
G. Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at school. S. Caney here in the
evening. War news: Romania being crushed. Boys skating in the
evening, 1st
of the season.
22 – A very fine day. Boys stayed at home and helped to draw in
corn. Jennie churning. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school.
Annie stayed at P. P. all night as she was asked to a party to Mr.
305
Rose’s. Jennie and the boys at Guild in the evening. War news:
Germans capture cutter in Romania. Emperor of Austria dead.
23 – Finished drawing in the corn, boys helping. Rain came on
and continued most of the day. Jennie at Alex Gordon’s making a
dress for Edna. War news: The Great ship Britannia sunk.
24 – Weather much colder and at times very rough with hail and
snow. Plowing until about the middle of the afternoon but it was
somewhat hard in places. Jennie at John Michie’s in the afternoon
at girls dresses. Boys at school. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry
school. Annie and the boys at Luke’s in the evening.
25 – Snow through the night and nearly all day. Did little but the
chores. Arthur, Annie and Lex Gordon drove down in the cutter
for Edna’s dress. Jim Dusty and C. Stone came home from the
west last night. Myrtle Luke came over drawn on hand sleigh by
Sid Caney and James, and she stayed all night. Sid Caney here in
the evening. Willie at John Michie’s twice doing chores; John
being sick. The Dr. was up to see him today and also to see Albert
Akhurst. War news: Romania’s case looks very bad.
26 – A little more snow through the night. All hands at SS and
church. Drove the sleigh and took Luke’s girls, John Michie’s
girls, Sid Caney and Marie Akhurst. 102 at SS; Rev. Mr. Miller of
Quaker Hill preached. Annie at Luke’s for supper, then Gladys
and Leola Luke and S. Caney came over here.
27 – Soft day and the snow mostly gone. Went to J. Michie’s in
the morning and did his chores and Willie went in the evening. Put
on storm windows and some other little jobs. Jennie washing.
Boys at school. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. They
drove the cutter and had pretty bare roads coming home. War
news: Gloomy. Germans smashing through Romania.
28 – Dull all day and raining sometimes. Did J. Michie’s morning
chores and trimmed turnips in the root house. In the evening went
with Annie to Guild meeting but there was no meeting, only choir
practice. Very dark foggy night. Boys at school. Annie and
Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. Gladys here for supper. War
news: Gloomy.
29 – Very dull and sometimes rain all day. Plowing sod after
doing John Michie’s chores. Jennie churning. Boys at school.
Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school.
30 – A fine day. Did J. Michie’s morning chores and plowed sod.
Jennie housecleaning. Boys at school. Annie and G. Luke at Port
Perry school. War news: Germans still advancing in Romania.
DEC. 1 – A fine day. Plowing sod all day (rather a rare thing for
December). Boys at school. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry
school. War news: Germans near Romanian capital. T.E. Cragg
died.
2 – A fine day. Plowing all day and finished the sod. Jennie mak-
ing waist for Gladys Luke. Children at Greenbank in the afternoon
practicing for Christmas tree. Sid Caney here in the evening get-
ting shaved. War news: Almost fighting in Athens.
3 – Rather a raw E wind. All hands at SS; 101 present; no church
service. All went over to T.E. Cragg’s funeral in the Methodist
church. A large turnout. Rev. Mr. Rowland conducted the service,
Mr. McKay and Mr. Ford assisting.
4 – A dull but fine day. Plowing all day, somewhat hard in the
morning. Jennie sewing. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school.
Boys at school. Richard Cragg called on his way home from Port
Perry and came again in the afternoon with R. Flewell and he
bought the Fanny horse for $130.00. War news: Very gloomy. A
crisis in the British government.
5 – Dull and some little rain showers. Plowing all day. Hitched
Peggy colt in the plough for the first time. Boys at school. Annie
and G. Luke at Port Perry school. War news: Worse than ever.
Fighting in Athens.
6 – A very high NW wind all day and pretty cold. Plowing all day
and finished the field N of the barn. Boys at school. Annie and G.
Luke at Port Perry school. Sid Caney here in the evening. Started
to drive with Willie to Guild meeting but met G. Mitchell who said
the meeting was called off as the basement is being remodelled.
7 – Some hail in the afternoon. Took Fanny colt to R. Cragg’s at
Greenbank and got the money. Cleaned out the spring well in the
afternoon. Ruth Michie here in the afternoon and stayed all night.
Jennie is making her a coat. Annie at Port Perry school. Gladys
Luke did not go as she was unwell but she came over in the eve-
ning. Boys at school. War news: Lloyd George is to be premier
of Britain.
8 – A fine day. Drawing gravel on road job; drew 3 loads when
the frost going out of the ground made the roads so soft that we
had to quit. Annie at Port Perry school. She drove John Michie’s
Topsy horse. Boys at school and over at Luke’s in the evening.
Jean and Ruth here all day and stayed all night. War news: Ger-
mans still advancing in Romania. Lloyd George is to try to form a
government. Mrs. Alex Leask Sr. died at J.M. Real’s.
9 – Rain through the night and morning; some snow in the after-
noon and evening. Did little but the chores. Boys took Jean and
Ruth home and Annie and the boys at Christmas tree practice in
the afternoon. Gladys Luke called in the evening. No paper came
today.
10 – Rather a raw day. All but Willie (who has a cold) at SS and
church; 110 at SS, which was held in the church as they are now
remodelling the basement. Rev. Mr. ---- of Claremont preached.
Mrs. P. Luke and Gladys called in the evening.
11 – Rather a raw E wind. Drawing gravel on road job in the fore-
noon. In the afternoon, with Jennie, to Mrs. A. Leask Srs. funeral
at J.M. Real’s. There was a large turnout; Mr. McKay conducted
the service. S. Disney was undertaker. Boys at school. Annie and
Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. Word came that W. Jamieson of
Port Perry hanged himself yesterday. War news: Gloomy. Get-
ting more gloomy every day. Lloyd George has formed a new
government which has some big problems to face.
12- Pretty cold and rough and snowing sometimes from the NE.
Drawing gravel on the 10th
concession from W. Thomas’s pit;
306
drew 5 loads. Boys at school. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry
school. Sid Caney here in the evening. War news: Germans still
smashing through Romania. Big fire in Peterborough yesterday.
13 – A cold day with E wind. Drawing gravel on job on sideroad
well down to the railroad track. Drew 3 there and one on the 10th
concession. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Boys at
school. Annie went with Mary Dusty to choir practice at W.H.
Leask’s. Willie brought back the Fanny colt from R. Cragg’s as he
was not satisfied with her so the deal was off. War news: Ger-
many offers victorious peace terms.
14 – Very cold and somewhat rough. Drew 3 more loads of gravel
on road job. Brought from John Michie’s 141 lbs. of pork. Annie
and G. Luke at Port Perry school. She drove the Fanny colt for the
1st
time. Boys at school. W. Real said to be having an operation in
Toronto today. War news not good.
15 – Pretty cold day. Drawing gravel and made 3 trips. Boys at
school. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Carnegie’s hard-
ware store, Port Perry, burned. In the evening went with Annie
and the boys (and Leola Luke) to Red Cross concert given by the
public school under the management of Miss Stovin. There was a
full house and a good programme. About $20.00 was taken in.
Alex Boe died.
16 – A fine but pretty cold day. Drew 2 loads of gravel in the
forenoon which finishes the job and in the afternoon went to the pit
for some gravel for the hens. Annie and the boys at Mission Band
and Christmas tree practice. Sid Caney here in the evening. War
news: French claim great victory at Verdun and British on the
[Tigeros?].
17 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 105 at SS, which
was held in the church, Mr. McKay taking the whole school as one
class. Annie and the boys at P. Luke’s in the evening.
18 – A fine day. John McMillan, Port Perry, came out and bought
Fanny colt and took her away. Boys at school. Annie and Gladys
Luke at Port Perry school. In the afternoon, with Jennie, went to
Alex Boe’s funeral. There was a large turnout. Mr. McKay
preached. The bearers were G.A. McMillan; Peter and W.H.
Leask; W. Rennie; Alan Wallace; and R. Wood. War news: Ger-
mans still driving through Romania.
19 – A very fine day. Cutting wood behind the barn part of the
day. Boys at school. Annie and G. Luke at Port Perry school. Jim
Lee, wife and Ruby here in the forenoon with the sleigh for a duck.
Oliver Luke called in the afternoon. He has just arrived from the
west, and with him Mrs. Wright (Velma) and Luther Luke and his
wife and two boys. Luther and Oliver called in the evening. War
news: some better.
20 – A fine day but somewhat raw. Annie and G. Luke went to
Port Perry school with Oliver Luke and did not come home at night
as this is the evening of the high school concert. In the afternoon
went with the boys to Port Perry Christmas fair. There was quite a
good turnout.
21 – A fine mild day and some foggy. Cut some wood. Jennie
went to Port Perry in the forenoon. Boys at school. War news:
President Wilson advises peace.
22 – A rough stormy day. Boys drove the cutter to school (1st
time) and put the horse in to J.M. Real’s. School closed for
Christmas holidays. Practice in the afternoon. L. Luke went to
Port Perry for Gladys and Annie. P. Luke and E. Lyle called. Did
little but the chores. Jennie killed goose and duck and did some
baking. War news: Quite a furor over President Wilson’s mes-
sage.
23 – A fine day. Drove Annie and the boys to Port Perry on their
way to Newcastle for Christmas. In the evening went with Jennie
to our SS Christmas tree. There was a good turnout and it went off
very well. The first time the reconstructed basement was used with
the platform in the south end. Mr. McKay was not present so I had
to act as chairman. About $15.00 taken in.
24 – Somewhat raw E wind. At SS with Jennie; 103 present. First
time in the new basement. John Heron, Sup. of Wick school, was
present. Mr. McKay preached.
25 – Christmas. A very bright cold day. At John Michie’s with
Jennie for dinner and supper.
26 – About zero in the morning and clear. Did the chores and went
to the 5:30 train for the children who came home from their visit at
Newcastle. They appear to have had a big time. Sidney Caney
here in the evening. War news: little of importance.
27 – Rain through the night which froze as it fell; soft all day, but
colder at night. At public school meeting in the forenoon. A very
small meeting. George Till was chosen trustee in my place. Sid-
ney Caney here in the evening.
28 – Colder and some rough. Did little but the chores. Jennie
making clothes for Annie. Sid Caney here again in the evening.
We have been reading [?] for the last 3 evenings and finished to-
night. War news: Germans still advancing in Romania.
29 – A fine day and pretty cold. Went up to E. Lyle’s and bought
Mr. Porteous’ cutter and harness for $12.00. Boys drew in wood
from behind the barn. Annie and Willie went down to John Mi-
chie’s and brought up Olive to stay here while Mrs. John is away
on a visit to her father in Agincourt. In the afternoon went with
Jennie and Willie to preparatory service in the church. Rev. Mr.
Wilson of Sunderland preached. Wilson Boe came in by profes-
sion. Walt Weir called canvassing for Deputy Reeve.
30 – A very fine but sharp day. Willie drove me to the school
house where I worked all day helping to lay new floor. R. Barker,
Blake Cragg and Ed Till were also at it. Jennie came after me.
Annie went to Port Perry for some things. Sid Caney here in the
evening. John Michie lost a cow. Wood bee for Mrs. Brisco.
31 – A fine but pretty cold day. Went to communion service alone
at Wick. There was a fair turnout. Mr. McKay preached. Gave
John Love a ride home. Sidney Caney and Alfie Burton here in the
afternoon.
307
1917
JAN. 1 – Snowing a little sometimes. Went to Greenbank to vote
for councillors. Voted for Jack Stone for Reeve; W. Weir Deputy
Reeve; and W. Phoenix, M. O’Neill and John Johnston for council-
lors. Sidney Caney here for dinner. Hot supper at the Methodist
church. War news: Allies reject German peace proposals.
2 – Rather mild day. Did little but hang about the house as I am
not feeling very well. Boys doing the chores. Jennie and the boys
took Olive Michie home. Jennie washing. Sid Caney here in the
evening. No mail today.
3 – A fine day. Took Annie and Gladys Luke to Port Perry school.
They are to board there from this time forth. Jennie killing chick-
ens and ducks for market. In the evening, with Jennie and the
boys, went to annual Sunday School meeting. There was rather a
small turnout. Mr. McKay was in the chair and there was trouble
about getting a superintendant. Edgar Leask was finally chosen
but it is not sure that he will act. Boys at school.
4 – Mild day. Went with Jennie to Port Perry market in the fore-
noon. Boys at school. Bob Duff of Myrtle called buying cattle.
5 – Rain through the night and forenoon and some snow in the
afternoon. Over at Luke’s in the forenoon and Luther Luke and
Jim Lee here in the afternoon. Boys did not go to school. P. Luke
went to Port Perry for Gladys and Annie. No mail today.
6 – A fine day. Cleaned out pig and calf pens and put window in
the pig house for feeding hens. Mrs. A. Akhurst and Marie here in
the afternoon getting dress cut. Luther Luke; Gladys Luke; Leola
Luke and Sid Caney and our children skating at the swamp in the
evening. War news: Germans still gaining in Romania.
7 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 95 at SS. Edgar
Leask acted as superintendant but no teachers were chosen as he
would not consent to take the office. Another meeting is called for
tomorrow night. Mr. McKay preached an extra good sermon on
sincerity. All over at Luke’s in the evening.
8 – Drove Annie and Gladys Luke to Port Perry. Did some little
jobs in the afternoon. Boys at school. In the evening went with
Jennie and the boys to SS meeting. There was a pretty good turn-
out and Edgar Leask is going to try to superintend for the year. A
very fine evening.
9 – Some snow in the morning but a fine day. All day at bee cut-
ting wood for Mrs. Brisco whose husband is away in the war. C.
Durward’s machine did the cutting. Boys at school.
10 – A fine day. Temperature dropped to 6 below zero in the
evening, the lowest this winter so far. Fixed up apple rack and we
pared a few apples in the evening; the first for many years. Jennie
churning. Boys at school. War news: little of importance.
11 – 16 below zero in the morning and did not get up to zero all
day. Did little but the chores. Luther Luke drove Leola Luke and
our boys to school and Willie got his ear and James his face frozen.
Pared apples in the evening. War news better.
12 – 10 below zero in the morning but got warmer. Boys did not
go to school. Over to Luke’s with a phone message that Mrs. L’s
sister in Toronto died last night. Jennie went to Port Perry for
Annie and Gladys Luke. Gladys and Leola called in the evening.
13 – Snowing a little most of the day. Little done but the chores.
War news: Italian war ship sunk and many lives lost.
14 – Snow through the night and cold and drifting all day. Roads
bad on the north and south roads. Drove the sleigh to SS and
church. We went by Luke’s and the east sideroad and got nearly
stuck near Mrs. O’Neill’s. 90 at SS. Electing teachers; 2 classes
yet to get teachers. Mr. McKay preached. Annie went to Port
Perry for school; Luther Luke drove the sleigh.
15 – A fine day. Did not get out of bed until noon as I was miser-
able, and did nothing all day. Boys did not go to school and they
did the chores. Jennie washing. Luther Luke called in the evening
with our mail which was put into Luke’s box; the mailman not
coming up our road.
16 – A fine day. Boys at school; P. Luke drove. Did very little as
I am not at all well. War news: little of importance.
17 – High wind all night and drifting most of the day. Jennie tried
to drive the boys to school but got stuck in the snow this side of E.
Lyle’s and turned back. Nothing doing. Was not up to barn as I
am still poorly. Luther Luke and Dick Terry of Sask. called in the
afternoon. They brought us a roast of beef from the beast they
killed yesterday. This is the night of the annual congregational
meeting but I did not go.
18 – Rough and snowing all day. Did not go out of the house all
day. Jennie and the boys did the chores. James Dusty, Luther
Luke, wife and two boys here in the forenoon. In the afternoon
Willie drove Jennie and Mrs. Luke to missionary meeting at A.
Akhurst’s. He then went to Greenbank for Leola Luke, then back
to Akhurst’s for Jennie and it snowing all the time, but there was
about 30 at the meeting. War news: German raider does much
damage in the South Pacific.
19 – Some below in the morning and clear and cold all day. Did
not go out of the house all day. Willie went to Port Perry for the
girls. Pared apples in the evening. No mail today.
20 – Pretty cold day. Jennie went with me in the afternoon to Dr.
D. Archer and he gave me a bottle. Boys cleaned out hen house.
Sid Caney here in the evening to get shaved but he did it himself
for the first time. W. Real came home from the hospital.
21 – A very cold rough day with E wind. All hands at SS; drove
the sleigh. 105 at SS and the room very cold. There was no
church as Mr. McKay was unwell. Sid Caney here for supper.
22 – Very rough and drifting during the night and forenoon. Annie
and G. Luke did not start for Port Perry until after dinner. P. Luke
drove out with the sleigh and Willie went with him. Word came
by phone that Annie Kerr, nee Annie Tait, lost her boy, aged 6, at
Newcastle last night.
308
23 – A fine day but pretty cold. Drove Jennie to 1:20 train on her
way to Newcastle to attend the funeral of Willie Kerr tomorrow.
Went to Sunday School convention in Presbyterian church. There
was not a very large turnout but I liked it well. John Johnston was
in the chair and the chief speaker was the provincial sec. Mr. Hal-
penny. Roads good.
24 – A fine day. Did chores and some jobs. Boys at Mission Band
in the church. S. Sleep called buying cattle.
25 – Some snow and drifting. Willie went to Port Perry to the 6
pm train for Jennie on her way home. No mail today.
26 – A fine day but pretty cold. Over at Luke’s in the forenoon
and in the afternoon went with Willie and James with the sleigh to
Port Perry for the girls. We drove Topsy and Peggy colt, the first
time she has been to town. Jennie churning and washing. Oliver
Luke called.
27 – E wind with snow in the afternoon. Over at Luke’s in the
morning. Intended to go to wood cutting bee for Mrs. [Single?
Lingle?] but it was too rough.
28 – Milder day. All hands at SS and church; 102 at SS. Mr.
Leitch, a Knox College student, preached. Church none too warm.
29 – Quite mild and raining quite heavy in the afternoon. Annie
went to Port Perry with P. Luke. The boys drove the old cutter to
school for the first time. They put the horse into G. Mitchell’s
stable. Jennie washing. Went to annual church meeting in the
afternoon. There was rather a small meeting but went off fairly
well. Alex Leask; D. McDonald and G.A. McMillan were chosen
managers. War news: better.
30 – A fine day. Went over to Luke’s and bought ¼ acre of swamp
for wood for $12.00. Cutting on the lot in the afternoon. Myrtle
Luke called in the afternoon. Boys drove to school. In the evening
drove the sleigh taking Myrtle; Leola Luke and Sid Caney to a
drama in the hall given by a Seagrave company entitled Diamonds
and Hearts and they acted it very well. After the drama there was a
pie social. The hall was packed. Mr. Conner, Tom Sharp and
Jennie Gordon sang, first at the close of the drama. One of the
actors, Miss Frice, fainted and was taken in to Mrs. Jas.
McMillan’s where she stayed all night. The proceeds amounted to
about $116.00. Did not get home until about 1 am.
31 – Fine day, E wind and pretty raw. Cutting wood on the wood
lot in the forenoon. Trimming turnips in the afternoon. Boys
drove to school.
FEB. 1 – Mild in the morning but the afternoon was quite rough
and cold. Went to Seagrave in the afternoon with a load of turnips
for Mr. ---; 56 bushels. Boys at school. They drove Peggy colt for
the first time. Trimmed some turnips in the evening.
2 – 12 below zero in the morning and continued with very little
drop. Boys did not go to school but we were trimming turnips in
the root house and in the afternoon went with a load to Seagrave;
somewhat frozen. Jennie and the boys trimming some more. Sid
Caney went to Port Perry for the girls. Pared apples in the evening.
No mail.
3 – A very rough stormy day with snow. Not much doing. Sid
Caney here in the evening. He brought the mail which says that
the United States appears to be on the verge of war with Germany
on the submarine question.
4 – A fine and much milder day. All hands at SS and church. We
drove the sleigh and took Sid Caney; Myrtle, Gladys and Leola
Luke; and Mrs. R. Wright. 105 at SS. Stanley McMillan, who has
been away in the west 5 years, preached. Luther and Gladys Luke
and S. Caney here in the evening. News came that the United
States has severed diplomatic relations with Germany.
5 – A very cold day; at zero in the morning. Drove Annie and
Gladys Luke to Port Perry school. Jennie drove the boys to school
and went for them. War news: Papers full of US position.
6 – A very fine winter day. Cutting wood in the Luke lot all day.
Boys did not go to school, but in the afternoon went to Port Perry
with Leola Luke and Mrs. Luther Luke to a health lecture and
moving picture exhibition. Jennie visiting in the afternoon at E.
Lyle’s. Myrtle Luke called in the afternoon.
7 – A fair day. Cutting wood in the Luke lot in the forenoon. At
church session meeting to make out reports to general assembly.
Jennie went up with me to Mrs. Walker’s. Boys at school. War
news: German submarines making serious raids; 15 vessels re-
ported sunk.
8 – Somewhat rough and cold in the afternoon. Cutting wood in
Luke lot. Boys at school. War news: British gain in France.
Germans sink 13 vessels; the big liner California being one of
them.
9 – Below zero in the morning and very cold all day. Cutting
wood in Luke lot in the forenoon. Boys at school. In the afternoon
went with the sleigh to Port Perry to bring the girls home and also
to meet the train. Frank Kerr, wife and three children, Isabella,
Jack and Clarence. The train was about 2 hours late. Sid Caney
here in the evening. War news: 13 vessels sunk by Germans.
10 – Below zero in the morning and evening. Did little but the
chores and visited with our visitors. Jim Lee called in the after-
noon and we went together to P. Luke’s. War news: 9 vessels
sunk. British claim some gains in France.
11 – Pretty cold day. Drove the sleigh taking Luke’s and all from
here but Jennie who stayed with Johnny and Clarence Kerr. 115 at
SS; Mr. McKay preached. Gladys Luke called in the evening.
12 – 15 below zero in the morning and below all day. Boys drove
to school. Did little but the chores. Sid Caney drove the girls to
Port Perry school. Jennie making coat for Isabella Kerr.
13 – Very cold; below zero in the morning. Drew 3 loads of dry
wood from Jim Lee’s. Mrs. Frank Kerr went over to Jim Lee’s;
Mrs. W. Mark with her. Two grandchildren, Mabel and Billy
Michie, of Sask. here most of the day. Boys drove to school.
14 – Much milder. Drove with F. Kerr to Port Perry in the fore-
noon and drew 2 more loads of wood from Jim Lee’s. F.K.
309
brought from Port Perry some oysters and we got away with them
at supper. Sid Caney here in the evening. Boys drove to school.
War news somewhat better.
15 – A very fine mild day. Baby Kerr was sick during the night and
we called Dr. D. Archer who got here about 8:30; he said the
trouble was bronchitis. Drew one load of wood from Jim Lee’s in
the forenoon. In the afternoon drew load of turnips to Seagrave for
Bradley. Just as I was ready to start the horses broke the sleigh
tongue and I got P. Luke’s sleigh. Turnips are 35 cts. per bus.
Boys drove to school.
16 – Pretty rough, especially in the afternoon. Fixed the sleigh
tongue and did the chores. Boys drove to school. Luther Luke
brought Annie home from Port Perry. Not very well myself, stom-
ach out of order. War news: 6 more vessels sunk, but small ones.
17 – A fine day. Cut some wood in wood shed. Jennie in bed in
the afternoon. Annie doing the housework. Sid Caney here in the
evening.
18 – A fine but pretty cold day. Went to SS and church with Annie
and Willie in Luke’s sleigh. Jennie, James and the rest were on the
sick list. 102 at SS; Mr. McKay preached.
19 – Fine in the morning but in the afternoon it set in for a snow
storm from the E. Annie went to Port Perry with Luther Luke.
Soon after Jennie and I took Frank Kerr, wife and family (who
have been here the last 10 days) to the train at Port Perry on their
way back to Brooklin. Boys drove to school. Norman Lyle called.
He was taking a load for Ed Lyle who is moving to the 2nd
conces-
sion. War news: British gains in France and on the Tigris.
20 – Somewhat rough but not so very cold. Cut some wood in the
woodshed. Boys drove to school. Myrtle Luke called in the after-
noon. Annie came home with Jim Dusty to go to a party at John
Michie’s.
21 – A fine and cold day. Annie got home from the party at John
Michie’s about 3 am and I drove her and Gladys Luke to Port Perry
in the morning. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp in the afternoon.
Jennie washing. Boys drove to school. Myrtle Luke here in the
evening.
22 – Pretty rough in the morning but a fine day later. Cutting
wood in the woodshed in the forenoon and in Luke’s swamp in the
afternoon. Boys drove to school. War news: little of importance.
23 – Went to Luke’s swamp to cut wood but rain came on about
10:30 and I got wet before I got home. Cut wood in the woodshed
in the afternoon. Colder in the evening. Boys drove to school. Sid
Caney brought Annie home from Port Perry.
24 – A fine day. Boys drove to school. Cut some wood in wood-
shed.
25 – Cutting wood in the forenoon in Luke’s swamp, the boys
helping. In the afternoon boys cutting in the swamp while Annie
and I drove to Jas. Smith’s, Columbus, to see James who is seri-
ously ill. Somewhat rough going down and pretty cold. We found
James very bad.
26 – Quite cold in the morning. Drove over to SS and church at
Brooklin with Annie and Willie Smith who is now superintendant.
There was 55 at SS which was the largest number for some time.
Rev. Mr. Haig preached. When we got back to Smith’s we found
James had taken a bad turn. We left for home about 5:30 in a snow
storm. Left Annie at Port Perry on my way home. The boys were
at SS and church at Greenbank. They went up in Luke’s sleigh.
125 at SS and Mr. McKay preached.
27 – Rain nearly all forenoon and part of the afternoon. Cut some
wood in woodshed and over at Lukes awhile in the afternoon.
Boys drove to school. S. Caney here in the evening.
28 – A fine day. Helping E. Lyle to load up his household things
in the forenoon and in the afternoon helped him to drive his cows
to his new home, the Vance place on the 2nd
concession. Rode
home with A. Akhurst. Boys drove to school. War news: British
gain in France.
29 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp and finished.
E. Lyle came back for a load and got dinner here. Boys drove to
school. In the evening went with the boys and Myrtle Luke to
social evening in the church. There was a debate and the Wick
young people were there. A fair turnout and it went off very well.
MAR. 1 – A beautiful day. Drawing wood home from Luke’s
swamp. Boys drove to school. War news: British advance.
2 – A very fine day. Drawing home wood in the forenoon. Went
to E. Snider’s sale (went with Jim Lee). Jennie went to Port Perry
for Annie. Boys drove to school. Sid Caney here in the evening.
Luther Luke and family leave for west.
3 – A beautiful day. Sawing wood in Luke’s swamp, Willie help-
ing. Drawing home wood in the afternoon. Jennie and James at
Port Perry.
4 – A rainy cold day. All hands at SS and church; 118 at SS, Mr.
McKay preached.
5 – Snowing all day from the E. Boys did not go to school. Cut-
ting wood in shed. S. Caney here in the evening.
6 – A beautiful day. Drawing wood from Luke’s swamp and fin-
ished. Jennie washing. Boys drove to school.
7 – A very fine day. Drew load of wood to the church from Jim
Lee’s. Broke the sleigh and got Jim’s. Took a load to Mrs. Walker
in the afternoon. Boys drove to school. Jennie and boys at Guild
meeting in the evening.
8 – Mild, with snow from the SW in the afternoon. Did some jobs.
Boys drove to school.
9 – Rough and drifting all day. Went with the sleigh to Port Perry
for Annie and Gladys. May Bruce came here with them. Boys
drove to school. Sidney Caney here in the evening. War news:
British nearing Bagdad.
10 – A fine mild day. Splitting wood in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went to Thomas Johnston’s sale on the 8th
concession.
There was a fair crowd and high prices for cattle. Boys went with
310
Sid Caney to moving picture show at Port Perry in the evening.
Annie and May Bruce at Luke’s in the evening. Word came by
phone that James Smith died this afternoon.65
11 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 116 at SS, Mr.
McKay preached. Annie and May Bruce at Luke’s for tea and Sid
Caney here. Rain heavy on the way home from church. Lightning
in the evening.
12 – A fine day. After dinner went with Jennie to Columbus to
attend Jas. Smith’s funeral tomorrow. Got there about 5 pm. Boys
drove to school. Sid Caney drove the girls to Port Perry in the
morning and Myrtle Luke and Sid Caney milked the cows in the
evening. Mary Dusty and Bessie Gordon stayed with the boys all
night. Jim Dusty drove them down. War news: Bagdad captured
by the British. John Leask died.
13 – A very fine day. There was a large turnout at Jas. Smith’s
funeral. He was buried at Groveside, south of Brooklin. Rev. Mr.
Haig conducted the service. After supper we came home arriving
about 9:30. Boys did not go to school but did the chores. Mary
Dusty and Bessie Gordon kept house until evening when they went
to a party at E. Lyle’s south of Port Perry.
14 – Rain through the night and forenoon from the S and dull and
foggy all day. Went with Jennie to John Leask’s funeral from
James Blair’s. There was a good turnout; Mr. McKay conducted
the service. Boys drove to school.
15 – Pretty rough and stormy all day. Splitting wood part of the
day. Jennie at W.M. meeting at John Stone’s. Mrs. Jas. Lee and
Ruby Lee went with her. Jim Lee drove them over here and I went
with him and visited P. Luke who has been laid up with a lame
knee for some time. Mr. Brown, the assessor, here for dinner.
Boys drove to school.
16 - A fine mild day and thawing. Did little but the chores. Boys
drove to school. Jennie went to Port Perry for Annie. War news:
Revolution in Russia.
17 – Mild and raining in the forenoon. Went to Blair’s mill in the
afternoon with 11 bags of oats and got them ground. James went
with me. Willie at Luke’s helping to draw out wood. War news:
Romanoff dynasty in Russia at an end.
18 – Pretty cold with high NW wind. All hands but Jennie at SS
and church. 123 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Mrs. John Michie
and Jean and Ruth here while we were at church. Myrtle and Le-
ola Luke here for tea and Sid Caney later.
19 – Pretty cold most of the day. Split some wood in the shed.
Willie at Luke’s helping to draw out wood. James drove to school.
War news: Great Allied victory claimed in France.
20 – A mild day and thawing. Pruning apple trees. Willie helping
Luke’s to draw out wood. James drove to school. Myrtle Luke
65
James Smith, b. c 1851, d. 10 Mar. 1917; m. Bar-
bara Michie ( b. 26 Dec. 1852, d. 30 May 1935) on
12 Jan. 1876
here in the evening. War news: No paper today but news pretty
good. Jean and Ruth Michie here for dinner and supper.
21 – A beautiful day and snow going. All day pruning apple trees.
Willie at Luke’s drawing out wood. James drove to school. Word
came by phone that Annie fell in a faint and cut her forehead on a
dresser. P. Leask came through this way on his way to Uxbridge.
Myrtle Luke went with him. Norman Lyle, wife and children, who
were visiting at Norman Midgley’s, called here on their way home.
War news: Germans still referring in France.
22 – A very fine day and snow going fast. All day pruning apple
trees. Willie at Luke’s drawing out wood. James drove to school.
(Inspector visits school). War news: pretty good. Jennie washing.
23 – Mild and rain in the afternoon and lightning and thunder in
the evening. Tried to draw out some wood from P. Luke’s swamp
which he gave me but we got bogged and snagged and wet and did
not get it home. At preparatory service in the church in the after-
noon. There was about the usual turnout. Rev. Mr. --- of Game-
bridge preached. Florence and Eva Hickman came in by profes-
sion. James drove to school. Willie went with Luke’s team and
Mrs. Luke to Port Perry and brought Annie and Gladys home.
24 – Mild and thawing all day. Finished pruning apple trees. Boys
cleaned out hen house. Sid Caney here in the evening getting hair
cut. War news: Greatest battle of the war on in France.
25 – A mild day and snow going fast. With Jennie at communion
service at Greenbank; Mr. McKay preached. There was not many
from Wick as the roads were not good. Annie at John Michie’s
keeping the children while they were at church. Sid Caney here for
dinner.
26 – Mild day. Drove to Port Perry with the waggon taking Annie
and Gladys to school, also P. Luke and Willie and James. Water in
the swamp up to the axles. In the afternoon, with A. Akhurst, Ray
Dusty and Norman Midgley, opened out the sideroad from the
snow.
27 – Rain through the night and the forenoon. Did little but the
chores. Got colder towards night. Sid Caney called in the evening.
War news fairly good.
28 – Some snow in the morning and pretty cold but got warmer
towards night. Boys at school. At cleaning out raspberry bushes
in the afternoon. War news: Allies still gaining in France.
29 – Snow through the night and cool all day. Cleaning out berry
bushes all day. Boys at school.
30 – A very fine day. Cleaning out berry bushes all day. Boys at
school. Sid Caney here in the evening. War news: British win
near Gaza.
31 – A very fine day. All day at berry bushes, boys helping.
Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon. Leola Luke went with
her.
311
APR. 1 – A fine mild day. At SS with Jennie and the boys (Willie
walked) and Annie did not come home this time. 110 at SS. There
was no church service as Mr. McKay was away and the substitute
did not turn up. I went over to the Methodist SS.
2 – Rain more or less all day until about 4 pm. Went down to John
Michie’s to help saw wood with C. Durward’s machine but we did
not start on account of the rain. Came home after dinner. Boys at
school. Sid Caney here in the evening. War news: Allies gain on
western front and in Mesopotamia. [Margin note: US enters the
great war].
3 – Quite a hard frost in the morning and a fine day. All day at
John Michie’s helping to cut wood. Boys at school. Jennie wash-
ing. War news: United States enters the war.
4 – A very fine day. Cutting wood at John Michie’s and finished
about 10:30, then moved to P. Luke’s and cut there in the after-
noon. Boys at school. War news pretty good.
5 – Cutting wood at P. Luke’s until noon when we had to stop on
account of rain then snow from the SE which continued all after-
noon. Boys at school. Sid Caney went for Leola and them. War
news: US senate passes war declaration.
6 – Good Friday. Snow and slush all day. Willie went to Port
Perry for Annie and Gladys and in the afternoon the boys took 11
bags of oats to Blair’s mill. Jennie went over with them to Jim
Lee’s and I went over for supper. Very muddy roads.
7 – Cold and windy most of the day. At P. Luke’s cutting wood
and finished about 3 o’clock. They then moved here and cut some;
P. Luke; Sidney Caney and John Michie helping. Myrtle Luke
here for supper and Sid Caney in the evening. War news: Presi-
dent Wilson has signed the declaration of war with Germany.
8 – A cold disagreeable day. Easter Sunday. All hands at SS and
church (boys walked). 112 at SS; Mr. McKay preached.
9 – Hard frost and pretty cold. Cutting wood and finished at 11.
After dinner took the machine to Jim Lee’s. Piled up wood in the
afternoon. Jennie at John Michie’s keeping the children while they
were at Port Perry. War news: Cuba enters the war and Panama.
10 – Another cold windy day. Piling wood (boys helping) and
finished. Jennie washing. Gladys Luke and Sid Caney here in the
evening. War news: Great victory in France. Canadians in the
front.66
11 – Much milder day. Finished cleaning out berry bushes (boys
helping) in the forenoon and in the afternoon at wood cutting bee
at the church. The women’s missionary meeting also met and
quilted 2 quilts. They gave the men supper in the basement.
Jennie was at it. Annie and Willie at Guild in the evening. A very
dark night. War news: Great victory by Canadians in France.
Brazil breaks with Germany. Austria breaks with US.
12 – A fine day. Put up some gaps and scuffled the raspberry
bushes, the first thing done on the land this spring. Jennie at John
66
Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Michie’s helping Mrs. John to paper rooms. Sid Caney here in the
evening. Stanley Crowle, who has been at P. Luke’s most of the
winter, was taken to the house of refuge at Whitby today.67
13 – Very cold and windy for the time of year. Did a few little
jobs. Jennie and Annie at Port Perry in the afternoon. War news:
British still gaining.
14 – Still quite cold. Did some little jobs in the forenoon. In the
afternoon harrowed some in the orchard but the frost was too hard.
Then drew out 5 loads of manure, Willie helping. Boys at Luke’s
in the evening.
15 – Another cold day, snowing some in the afternoon. All hands
at SS and church (Annie went with Luke’s). 120 at SS; Mr.
McKay preached.
16 – Some cold in the morning, got a little warmer towards night.
Drilled up the potato patch in the orchard and planted about 1/3 of
it and then drew out 6 loads of manure, Willie helping. Jennie
washing. James at school. Annie and Gladys Luke started to drive
again to Port Perry school.
17 – A fine spring-like day. Drew out manure in the forenoon,
Willie helping. Afternoon Willie harrowing in SW field while I
took off the storm windows. Annie and G. Luke drove to Port
Perry school. James at school. Mr. and Mrs. McKay and Margaret
came about 8 pm and stayed all night.
18 – Quite warm and spring-like. Mr. McKay walked to John
Michie’s, Mrs. [?] and Mrs. O’Neill’s while Mrs. McKay stayed
here. They went to Jim Lee’s for dinner. Annie at Port Perry
school. James at school. Willie harrowing in the forenoon and
went to Blair’s mill with 10 bags of oats to be ground but did not
get them home. Vet Moon came to see cow. Mrs. S. Dusty here
for tea. Annie and Willie at Guild meeting in evening. War news:
Allies advancing.
19 – Warm with rain towards night. Did a few little jobs while
Willie harrowed in the forenoon and rolled the new grass in the
67
The House of Refuge was located at 300 High
Street in Whitby and served as a home for the very
poor.
312
afternoon. Jennie started housecleaning upstairs. Annie and
Gladys Luke at Port Perry school. James at school. Myrtle Luke
here in the evening. War news still good.
20 – Rain through the night and morning. Annie and Gladys Luke
went to Port Perry school and took Sidney Caney to the train on his
way to the home at Toronto. He does not intend to come back.
James at school. Plowed the garden and finished planting potatoes
in orchard. Jennie went with Mrs. A. Akhurst to visit Mrs. Alex
Boe. Thunder in the evening. War news: French still gaining.
21 – Heavy thunder shower after we went to bed. Somewhat
cooler today. The swimming pond broke away and with the boys
help repaired it in the forenoon. Jim Lee phoned over and Willie
and I went and got some corn which comes very thankful. The
boys then went to Blair’s mill for the meal. Annie over at Luke’s
in the afternoon. War news pretty good.
22 – A fine day but rather cool. All hands at SS and church (boys
walked); 115 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Jennie, Annie and
Mrs. John Michie at Methodist church in the evening. Mrs. (Rev.)
Joseph Real spoke.
23 – Rather cool all day. Did some little jobs while Willie rolled
the pasture field. Drawing out manure in the afternoon. Jennie
washing. Annie drove to Port Perry school. James at school. Jean
and Ruth here in the forenoon. War news: Casualty list near a
whole page of the Globe.
24 – A fine day and cool, hard frost in the morning. Annie at Port
Perry school. James at school. Jennie housecleaning and garden-
ing. Fanned up some seed oats, Willie helping, and sowed the SW
field in the afternoon, the first sown. War news fairly good.
25 – East wind and pretty raw, almost rain in the evening. Tying
up the berry bushes while Willie harrowed. Annie at Port Perry
school. James at school. Jennie housecleaning. Myrtle Luke
called in the evening. War news: not so good. The Turks beaten
in Mesopotamia.
26 – Rain through the night and some in the afternoon. Willie
cultivated potato ground and I then drilled it up and plowed up a
piece of sod in the orchard. Jennie housecleaning. Annie at Port
Perry school. James at school. War news: British gain on three
fronts. Bad week for British shipping.
27 – A fine cool day. Drawing out manure in the forenoon, Willie
helping. Went with Jennie to Port Perry and got timothy and corn
seed. Annie drove to Port Perry school. James at school. Boys
got letter from Sidney Caney saying he is in Toronto hospital.
28 – Fine and a little warmer. Willie cultivated a little on the hill
field but it was too wet. Drawing out manure in the afternoon. War
news: nothing of much interest.
29 – A fine but rather cool day. All hands at SS and church (boys
walked). 105 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Annie went with
Luke’s girls to the Methodist church in the evening.
30 – A fine and somewhat more like spring day. Annie at Port
Perry school. James at school. Willie and I went to Jim Lee’s in
the morning and got 1600 lbs of hay. Cultivating the rest of the
day. Willie at P. Luke’s in the afternoon. Jennie at John Michie’s
keeping the children while they went to Port Perry.
MAY 1 – Rain through the night. Nothing doing in seeding, too
wet. Plowing corn land. Willie learning to plough. Annie at Port
Perry school. James at school. Mr. John McCorguodale buried at
Greenbank today. War news fair.
2 – Ground white with snow in the morning and more during the
day and very wintery-like. Not much doing. Annie at Port Perry
school. James at school. Jennie making missionary quilt. Annie
and the boys at Guild meeting in the evening. War news: Subma-
rine danger getting alarming.
3 – Cold and snowing in the morning but got some better towards
night. Did some little jobs. The boys went with Cecil Phair and
Jim Lee sucker fishing. They got 3 dozen as their share. Annie at
Port Perry school. War news gloomy.
4 – Somewhat warmer. Started about 8:30 am sucker fishing with
the boys and got about a bag full. Got home at 3 pm, then helped
to clean them. Annie at Port Perry school. War news some better.
5 – A raw disagreeable day with rain from the E at times. Plowed
some in the orchard in the afternoon. All hands at Luke’s in the
evening having a sing. Blanche Luke from Toronto was home.
6 – Fine and a little warmer. All hands at SS and church; 130 at
SS; Mr. McKay preached. A short service and then all went over
to the Methodist church were Mr. J.W. Bengough gave a talk on
behalf of the Dominion Alliance which was very good.
7 – Rather a fine day. Too wet in the fields to sow so we cleaned
out the wood shed, planted some potatoes in the orchard, and
planted cedar hedge behind the fence E of the house. Jennie wash-
ing. Annie at Port Perry school. She went away early to take
Blanche Luke to the early train. James at school. Myrtle here in
the evening to confer with Annie about the topic “love” which they
are to take at the next meeting of the Guild. War news: French
make gains.
8 – A fine day and a little warmer. Willie cultivating the hill field
while I did a number of small jobs. Jennie housecleaning. Annie
at Port Perry school. James at school.
9 – Fine and somewhat warmer. Sowed the hill field. Annie at
Port Perry school. James at school. Jennie housecleaning and at
W.M. meeting in the afternoon at John Stone’s. Annie and the
boys at Guild in the evening. Annie and Myrtle Luke having the
topic “Love”. War news: Canadians driven back in France.
10 – A fine day but cool with high wind. Willie harrowed and
cultivated while I fixed the well covering at the barn. After dinner
went to A. Akhurst’s and got 1000 lbs. hay. Jennie churning.
Annie at Port Perry school. James at school. Mrs. John Michie and
Olive called in the evening. Conlin bought big red cow.
11 – Quite cold and drizzle of rain in the afternoon. Willie fin-
ished cultivating N field and I sowed it which finishes sowing.
313
Jennie housecleaning. Annie at Port Perry school. James at
school. War news: Word that W. Greyswark has been killed.
12 – A fine but cold day. Went with Willie to A. Akhurst’s in the
morning for a load of straw. Then Willie harrowed the N field
twice. In the afternoon went with James and P. Luke fishing suck-
ers. Got about a bagful.
13 – A fine day and cool. All hands at SS and church (boys
walked). 112 at SS; Mr. McKay preached.
14 – A fine day but still cool. Went with Willie and P. Luke to fish
and got about 5 bags; the fish were very plentiful. Cleaning them
in the afternoon while Willie cultivated. Annie at Port Perry
school. James at school. Jennie went to Greenbank with some fish
for Mrs. Walker. Jim Lee and Mrs. N. Midgley also came for
some.
15 – A fine day but very cool. Willie plowing corn ground while I
planted some potatoes in the orchard and some horse corn just S of
Luke’s lane. Annie drove to Port Perry school. Owen Perrin,
medicine and spice man, here for dinner. James at school. Jennie
salting fish. Mrs. James Lee and Ruby here for tea. War news:
quite depressing. Russia appears to be ready to make peace.
16 – A fine and spring-like day; dull and like rain but it did not
come. Willie at P. Luke’s helping to draw out manure. Drilled up
and sowed mangolds. Jennie at John Michie’s making girls dresses
and Jean, Ruth and Olive came home with her and stayed all night.
Albert Akhurst brought the beef, the first of the season. Annie at
Port Perry school. James at school. No paper today.
17 – A fine day. Took the 5 last year calves to Jim Lee’s for pas-
ture. Then plowing and harrowing corn ground and planted some
corn in the orchard. Jennie at John Michie’s dressmaking. John
Michie brought us 200 lbs. of flour from W. O’Neill’s. Willie at P.
Luke’s helping to draw out manure. Annie at Port Perry school.
James at school. War news some better.
18 – Warmer. Thunder about 9:30 am but very little rain. Took
big red cow to Manchester for Conlin. Willie taking one for P.
Luke who drove the girls to school and came for us. Drawing out
manure for potatoes. Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon.
John Michie came for the turnip drill to sow mangolds. Willie at
P. Luke’s drawing out manure in the afternoon. James at school.
War news brighter.
19 – Warmer with high SW wind and lots of dust. Thunder shower
about 5 pm. Drawing out manure on potato patch in the forenoon
and cutting seed potatoes in the afternoon. James went to T. Du-
wey’s in the morning for ½ bus. white beans ($3.50) and he went
with Leola Luke to SS anniversary practice in the afternoon. Wil-
lie at P. Luke’s. Jennie making dress for Annie. Jean and Ruth
Michie here for supper and stayed all night. Wind blew part of S.
Dusty’s barn roof off. War news: Conscription for Canada.
20 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 153 at SS. This is
SS anniversary day and there was a full house. Rev. Mr. Hunter of
Epsom preached. Out again in the evening. Mr. Hunter preached
again and the church was even fuller than the afternoon. There
were over 30 cars there so the boys say. Jennie stayed at home and
kept John Michie’s children while they went to church.
21 – A fine day but rather cool; a little rain in the evening.
Planted the potatoes in the forenoon and beans in the afternoon,
Jennie and James helping. Willie at P. Luke’s. Annie drove to
Port Perry school alone as Gladys Luke has quit for a time.
22 – Heavy rain during the night from the E and cold and raw and
continued off and on all day. Not much doing. Willie and I
planted a few beans. Annie drove to Port Perry school. Jennie
washing. James Miller died at 1 o’clock this morning.
23 – Heavy rain through the night and several showers through the
day; almost cold enough for snow. Took the two pigs to Port
Perry in the morning. They weighed 400 lbs and the price was
$6.50 per 100. Willie went with me. Cultivating some in the
afternoon. Annie drove to Port Perry school. Albert Damascus,
pedlar, here for dinner. Gladys Luke here in the evening.
24 – Rain through the night; and forenoon snow and hail and very
raw and disagreeable. After dinner, with Jennie and Annie, at-
tended James Miller’s funeral. There was a pretty good turnout.
Mr. McKay conducted the service. The bearers were E. Boe; Jas.
Leask; J.M. Real; John Hadden; Jas. Leask (Wick); and myself.
Jennie came home while Annie and I stayed to SS anniversary.
Jennie and the boys came back later. There was a large turnout to
tea and full house to the concert which was fair. $148.00 taken in.
25 – Another cold raw day. Went with Jim Lee and helped him to
shingle the stable at John Lee’s house. Got dinner at Mrs.
Walker’s and supper at the after social at the church. Annie and
the boys there also. $10.00 taken in. James at school. Annie at
Port Perry school. Willie scuffling berry bushes.
26 – A fine and warmer day. Planted the little plot near the barn
pump with strawberries. Willie went to Blair’s mill in the morning
with 8 bags of oats and got them ground. He then drove Jennie and
James to Port Perry on their way to Brooklin.
27 – A fine day. All hands that were at home at SS and church;
125 at SS. The super. announced that there will be about $105.00
to the good from the anniversary. Mr. McKay preached. Annie
and Luke’s girls at the Methodist church in the evening.
28 – A fine day. Willie rolling grain while I planted beans and
hoed berry bushes. Annie drove to Port Perry school and brought
Jennie and James home from Brooklin.
29 – A fine and warm day. Hoeing berry bushes and planting
sweet corn and other things. Willie rolling. Jennie washing.
Annie drove to Port Perry school. James at school.
30 – A very fine warm day. Did some odd jobs while Willie went
for the beef and cultivated. In the afternoon we went to W.H.
Leask’s for a load of hay. Jennie churning. Annie at Port Perry
school. James at school. Annie and Willie at communicants class
in the church.
314
31 – A very fine warm day. Did a few small jobs while Willie
harrowed and rolled the corn ground. After dinner got John Mi-
chie’s drill and sowed the corn. Jennie cleaning out the cellar.
Annie at Port Perry school and Sidney Caney, who has been in the
hospital in Toronto for six weeks, came home with her and stayed
all night. He and the boys went over to C. Phair’s and Sid hired
with him. Myrtle and Gladys Luke here in the evening. James at
school. Rain in the evening.
JUNE 1 – A beautiful day. Drew out manure in the forenoon and
in the afternoon plowed a piece more and sowed 15 more drills of
corn. Jennie cleaning the woodshed and at John Michie’s fixing
girls dresses. Annie at Port Perry school and at choir practice in
the evening with Luke’s girls. James at school.
2 – A very fine day. Drawing out manure all day, Willie helping.
Jennie painting wood shed floor. She then went to Port Perry.
Sidney Caney here all day.
3 – Pretty cold day for the time of year. All at SS and church but
Jennie who has a cold. 107 at SS. A student now preaching at
Gamebridge was the preacher, Mr. McKay being at Sonya. Annie,
Willie and Sidney Caney at Methodist church in the evening.
4 – A very fine day. At manure and finished about 3:30, Willie
helping. James and Sid Caney spent most of the day at the pond.
Jennie and Annie moved the stove out. Mrs. Thos. and Mrs. Cecil
Phair called in the afternoon. Luke’s girls here in the evening.
The boys went fishing in the evening.
5 – A fine day but quite cool. Willie plowing turnip ground while I
made gate for the lane. Jennie at John Michie’s keeping the chil-
dren while they went to Port Perry. Annie at Port Perry school.
James at school. Sidney Caney fishing and got quite a number of
mudcats.
6 – A fine day until about 7 pm when it started to rain with thun-
der. Helping Jennie all day to wash and whitewash the kitchen
ceiling. Willie plowing. James and Sidney Caney at school.
Annie at Port Perry school. Annie, Willie and Sidney Caney went
to meeting at church but there was no meeting on account of the
rain.
7 – A warm growing day. A thunder shower with a little hail about
11 am; another shower at 4 and again about 7. Helping Jennie and
Annie to paper the kitchen and other jobs. James at school. Willie
plowing and finished turnip ground. P. Luke here after dinner to
phone.
8 – Quite a heavy rain about 8:30. Scuffling raspberry bushes,
potatoes, mangolds and strawberries in the orchard while Willie
cultivated turnip land. Jennie washing and oiling floor. James and
Sidney Caney at school. War news: Great British victory in
France.
9 – A fine and warm day. Went to Port Perry for turnip seed while
Willie harrowed and rolled turnip land. Patched the roof of the
kitchen in the afternoon. Jennie housecleaning. Annie, the boys,
and Gladys and Leola Luke all fishing at the bridge in the after-
noon.
10 – A fine day but rather cool. All hands at SS and church; 115
at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Sidney Caney went to W. Thomas’s
for supper.
11 – A very fine and warm day. Drilled up and sowed 52 drills of
turnips. Willie hoeing strawberry plants. Jennie washing, churn-
ing and ironing. James at school. Annie plugging for exams.
Luke’s girls here in the evening. Sidney Caney who has been here
for about 10 days left this morning to work at Cecil Phair’s.
12 – A very fine warm day. Drilled up and sowed the rest of the
turnips. Willie went to Greenbank in the morning for more turnip
seed. James at school. Mrs. John Michie and three of the girls
here in the afternoon and supper. Sid Caney here in the evening.
Vet Moon called. War news: Conscription bill brought up in
parliament.
13 – A fine warm growing day. Thunder in the evening. Hoeing
in the orchard all day, Willie helping. Jennie went with Mary
Dusty to the W.M.S. meeting in the church. Annie at Port Perry
for French exam. James at school and went to G.A. McMillan’s
for the night. Annie, Willie and Sidney Caney at communicants
class at the church.
14 – Fine in the forenoon but rainy and cold in the afternoon.
Went with Jennie on a visit to Wes Luke’s at Sonya. Got there for
dinner and left for home about 4. Found them all well and the
crops looking well, only somewhat late. James at school. War
news: Bad German raid on London.
15 – A fine day but very cold for the time of year. Willie went to
Port Perry in the morning with some hens to ship to Toronto while
I hoed some. In the afternoon went with Annie and Willie to pre-
paratory service. Mr. E. McDonald of Leaskdale preached. The
following were received: by certificate, Olive Real; by profession
of faith, Harry McMillan; Mabel McMillan; Ray Leask; Kathleen
Leask; Marion Leask; Mary Real; Les Real; Edna Gordon; An-
nie Gordon; Annie Michie; Willie Michie; Arthur Lee; Sidney
Caney; Dorothy Real; and ---- Mitchell. Harry and Mabel
McMillan and S. Caney were baptized. Sidney Caney here for
supper and Willie went over with him to C. Phair’s to help to milk
(Cecil being away) but they could not get the milking machine to
work.
16 – A fine but quite cool day. Hoeing some in the orchard. Wil-
lie cultivated buckwheat land. Jennie varnishing chairs etc. Sid-
ney Caney called in the evening.
17 – A beautiful day. At communion service at Wick with Annie
and Willie (their first communion). There was a very good turn-
out, the largest that I ever remember at Wick. Mr. McKay
preached. Mrs. Jas. Lee and Ruby here for dinner. Jennie and
Annie at Methodist church in the evening, it being a memorial
service for the soldiers in this district that have fell.
18 – Quite a lot of thunder in the forenoon but only a few drops of
rain but there was a terrific local thunder shower about 8 pm. Most
of the day scuffling in the orchard. Jennie washing. James at
school.
315
19 – A very fine day. Dusty’s barn raising, helping all day, as was
also Jennie. Went up all right. Annie at Port Perry at exams, then
at the raising. James at school and Willie running the place.
Thunder shower about 9 pm.
20 – Quite a lot of local thunder showers went round and some rain
here. Planted some corn in the place of sweet corn that did not
come up and hoed some. James at school.
21 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning with
Jennie and did some hoeing in the afternoon. Willie drew a load of
gravel from G. McMillan’s to the church for new platform. James
at school. Annie at John Michie’s in the afternoon and at Luke’s in
the evening. Mrs. R. Sonley of Pinedale here in the evening.
22 – A fine day. Plastering the broken plaster in the pantry in the
forenoon, Willie helping. Jennie housecleaning pantry and paint-
ing floor. Helping P. Luke to hoe mangolds in the afternoon.
Willie hoeing potatoes. James at school. S. Caney here in the
evening.
23 – Helping to shingle Jim Dusty’s barn until about 3 pm when
rain came on and we had to quit. Willie scuffling the corn. Jennie
painting the pantry.
24 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 100 at SS; Mr.
McKay preached. Annie, Willie and Gladys Luke at Methodist
church in the evening.
25 – A very fine day. All day at Dusty’s helping to shingle barn.
Willie drove Annie to Port Perry for 4 days exams for Normal
entrance. She will stay at R. O’Neill’s. Willie at bee at church in
the afternoon to make cement platform. Jennie went with him and
called on Mrs. Walker. James at school. S. Caney here in the
evening.
26 – A light thunder shower about noon. At Dusty’s shingling
barn. Willie scuffling corn in the forenoon and at church platform
bee in the afternoon. James at school. Sid Caney here in the eve-
ning. Saintfield garden party tonight.
27 – A very fine day. All day helping to shingle Dusty’s barn.
Willie at church platform bee in the afternoon. Jennie at Methodist
Ladies’ Aid at C. Phair’s. James at school. Mrs. Dusty and Mary
here in the evening.
28 – A very fine day. All day at Dusty’s barn shingling. Willie
hoed mangolds. Jennie making dress for Edna Gordon who was
here. James at school in the forenoon. James went for Annie who
has finished her exams for this time. Luke’s girls here in the eve-
ning.
29 – Intended to go to S. Dusty’s to finish shingling the barn but it
rained in the morning so I sowed the buckwheat and hoed man-
golds. James went to school in the morning to get the results of the
exams. He has passed to the Senior Fourth with honors. Willie
and James hoeing potatoes in the afternoon. Jennie at John Mi-
chie’s keeping the children while they went to Port Perry. Sid
Caney here in the evening.
30 – A very fine day. At Dusty’s barn shingling and finished at
noon. Hoeing mangolds in the afternoon. Willie and James hoeing
and scuffling. Sid Caney here in the evening.
JULY 1 – Heavy rain in the morning with thunder until about 10
am. At SS with Annie and Willie, then at Methodist SS anniver-
sary service. Rev. Mr. --- of Little Britain was the speaker. Not
near so many out as sometimes. Annie and the boys out again in
the evening. 50 years today since confederation of Canada was
consummated.
2 – A beautiful day and evening. Hoeing part of the day. Willie
scuffling in the forenoon. Annie went to Port Perry in the morning
to meet Mrs. Joyce of Sutton who went with Annie about 4 o’clock
to Greenbank. The boys and Sid Caney, who was here in the after-
noon, went to the Methodist anniversary later. Went over to Jim
Lee’s to help him regulate his new scuffler. War news: Russians
who have been doing nothing lately, appear to have made another
start.
3 – A beautiful day. Took the beef ring heifer to Greenbank,
Willie driving the horse. Then hoed the beans, the boys helping.
Jennie washing, churning and ironing. War news: Russians claim
a win.
4 – A beautiful day. Went for the beef in the morning. The heifer
went 4 lbs over weight. Willie at John Michie’s working. James
scuffling. After dinner went with Jennie, James Lee and A. Ak-
hurst in C. Whetter’s car to Cambray to see John Lee who is near
his end. Went by Little Britain, Oakwood, and Cambray and came
home by Cannington and Sunderland and called at the garden party
at the manse. Got home about 8 pm. The crops look fine all the
way. Annie and James at Port Perry in the afternoon.
5 – A beautiful day and some warmer. Hoeing corn in the fore-
noon while James scuffled. Willie at John Michie’s all day.
Jennie keeping the children while Mrs. John was at Port Perry.
Scuffling mangolds and beans in the afternoon. Annie and Gladys
Luke visiting at Mr. G. Mark’s. Marie Akhurst and Jean and Ruth
Michie here in the afternoon. Henry Thomas and Frank Lee called
in the evening for a feed of strawberries.
6 – A very fine day. Hoeing corn in the forenoon. Helping Jim
Lee to hoe turnips in the afternoon. James hoeing corn. Willie at
John Michie’s (went to Manchester for tile). Annie picked 20
boxes of strawberries. Jennie making dress for Annie Gordon who
was here most of the day. Annie at choir practice, went with Myr-
tle Luke.
7 – Quite warm. Much thunder during the afternoon and a terrific
shower about 7:30. Hoeing corn all day, James helping. Willie
helping Mr. Luke. Annie went to Port Perry with berries. Jennie
at women’s institute meeting at Jas. Blair’s. Mrs. John Michie and
family here in the afternoon for some berries. War news: Con-
scription carries 2nd
reading by 49 majority.
8 – Heavy rain through the night and some in the forenoon. All but
Jennie at SS and church; 87 at SS; Mr. McKay preached a Do-
minion Jubilee sermon. Myrtle Luke here in the evening.
316
9 – Quite warm. Much thunder all afternoon and a little rain in the
evening. Finished hoeing corn in the forenoon. James scuffling
turnips. Willie at Luke’s. Jennie washing. Jennie and Annie
picking strawberries in the afternoon and Annie went to Port Perry
with some. Finished scuffling the beans and started to hoe turnips.
10 – A very fine day, only a few drops of rain. At road work all
day drawing dirt on the 10th
concession. Willie at Mr. Luke’s.
James hoeing turnips. Jennie churning. War news: Russians gain.
11 – A fine but very dull day. At road work in the forenoon and
finished. Hoeing turnips in the afternoon. James hoeing all day.
Willie at Mr. Luke’s. Jennie and Annie picking strawberries and
Annie took some to Port Perry. Annie and the boys and Sid Caney
at garden party at D. McDonald’s in aid of our church funds. Jas.
Lee’s wife, Ruby and Mrs. Hewitt of Toronto called in the eve-
ning.
12 – Some little rain in the afternoon. Hoeing turnips all day,
James also. Willie at Luke’s. Jennie and Annie at John Michie’s
in the afternoon quilting missionary quilt. Jennie at Port Perry in
the forenoon. War news: Russians gain. British lose.
13 – Rain after dinner a little and much about 4 to 6 pm. Hoeing
mangolds 2nd
time and potatoes, James helping. Willie at Mr.
Luke’s. Jennie and Annie picking and preserving strawberries.
War news: German Chancellor Von Hollweg resigns.
14 – Hoeing in the forenoon while James finished scuffling turnips
1st
time. Willie at Mr. Luke’s. About 1:30 a terrible lightning
storm came up and another about an hour later with deluges of
rain. Myrtle Luke called in the forenoon. Sid Caney here in the
evening. Willie came home about 3 o’clock. War news: Russians
still advancing. British war ship blown up.
15 – A day of showers. All hands at SS and church. Boys walked.
Myrtle Luke rode up with us and we had to go into Albert Ak-
hurst’s for a thunder shower and there was two or three more
showers while we were in church. Rev. Mr. --- of Sunderland
preached. James Lee, Ruby and Gladys Luke here for a feed of
strawberries.
16 – A fine day and no rain. Paris greened potatoes, hoed a few
turnips and helped P. Luke to fix his barn. Willie at Luke’s. James
hoeing. Jennie and Annie washing and picking strawberries. S.
Caney here in the evening. War news: trouble in Germany.
17 – Warm; rain started about 5 pm and continued for some time.
All day at Mr. Luke’s putting up scaffold in south mow of his barn.
Willie also at Luke’s. James hoeing. Annie at Port Perry with
berries etc. Jennie at James Lee’s for gooseberries. Telephone
man called and fixed the telephone which has been out since the
thunderstorm on Saturday last. Luke’s girls here in the evening.
War news: Russians make big gains.
18 – A fine warm day and no rain but some thunder. Paris green-
ing potatoes and hoeing turnips and beans, Jennie helping some.
James not very well. Annie went for the beef for John Michie and
then went to Port Perry for John who had taken a cow to the deal-
ers. Willie at Luke’s. Arthur Gordon (who is suffering with a
sore eye), Lex Gordon and Mrs. R. [Dout?] called in the afternoon
for some strawberries. In the evening Jennie went with Myrtle
Luke to the Dr. at Port Perry to get her nose burned out.
19 – A few very little showers during the day and a heavy shower
about 7:30. Hoeing turnips all day, Annie helping, and finished
except the end rows. Willie at Luke’s. They are doing their road
work. Jennie picking strawberries. James not very well. Myrtle
Luke also picking berries.
20 – Finished hoeing the turnips and some other hoeing in the
forenoon. About 11 o’clock Mrs. L. Lamb and Mrs. Masters of
Manchester came. About 1 o’clock rain started and until near four
it was one succession of thunder shower with terrific lightning and
deluges of rain. Then another little shower about 7:30. A terrible
afternoon. Willie at Luke’s. A. Akhurst had a heifer killed by
lightning. No mail today.
21 – Warm. Much thunder all around in the afternoon but no rain
here. Hoeing potatoes and beans, James helping. Willie at Luke’s
in the afternoon. Jennie and Annie picked the strawberries. War
news: Russians driven back.
22 – Quite a warm day and no rain. All hands at SS and church;
115 at SS, Mr. McKay preached. Sidney Caney and Edna Gordon
here for supper and Willie and Annie went to Methodist church at
Greenbank.
23 – A fine and warm day. Hoeing strawberries in the forenoon.
Vet Moon came to see the little colt. After dinner helped P. Luke
to nail planks to keep his barn from spreading, then scuffled pota-
toes. Willie at Luke’s. James at C. Phair’s helping him to draw in
hay in the afternoon. Jennie sewing. Annie Gordon came in the
evening for some strawberries, the last of the season. War news
bad. Russians refuse to fight.
24 – A fine and very warm day. Scuffling in the orchard all day.
Jennie and Annie washing. Willie at Luke’s. James at Phair’s.
Mrs. John Michie and four girls here in the afternoon. Gladys
Luke here in the evening. War news not very good.
25 – Another very warm day. Scuffling corn in the forenoon and
helping John Michie to hoe turnips in the afternoon. Jennie and
Annie picking and preserving cherries. Willie at Luke’s. James
hoeing. War news bad. Russians running back. Conscription
carried.
26 – Another very warm day. Much thunder in the afternoon but
only a little sprinkle of rain. Greening potatoes, scuffling corn and
hoeing. Jennie and Mrs. John Michie at Port Perry while Annie
kept the children. Willie at Luke’s. James at Phair’s about 3 hours
in the afternoon. Luke’s girls here in the evening.
27 – A very fine day and much cooler. All day at John Michie’s
hoeing. Jennie went down to Mrs. Singles to see the Hopdike boy
who was operated on last night for appendicitis. He is pretty bad.
Willie at Luke’s and James at Phair’s. Annie at prayer meeting in
the Methodist church.
28 – A very fine day and some warm. Scuffled all the turnips 2nd
time. Willie at Luke’s. James at Phair’s. Jennie went down to
317
Mrs. Singles to see the sick boy who is pretty low. Annie not very
well. Sid Caney here in the evening.
29 – A very warm day, about 90 in the shade, but there was a fine
breeze from the NW. About 11:30 Willie Smith came with his car
bringing Jessie and Ben Walker, their Toronto boy. All hands at
SS and church; 116 at SS; Rev. Mr. Miller of Quaker Hill
preached. Willie and Jessie left for home about 6 pm. Annie and
the boys at Methodist church in the evening. In the evening went
with Jim Lee down to Mrs. Singles to enquire for the sick boy and
found him a little better but his chances are poor.
30 – 94 in the shade but a fine wind from the NW helped to make
it bearable. Willie got John Michie’s mower and cut the hay field
while I cut the fence corners and weeds. James at Phair’s. Jennie
and Annie washing, churning and picking cherries and black cur-
rants. War news not bright.
31 – Another terrible hot day; 96 in the shade. Willie and I hoeing
turnips 2nd
time. Afternoon raked up and drew in 3 loads. Jennie,
Annie and Willie helping. James at Phair’s. Luke’s girls here in
the evening.
AUG. 1 – Very warm again. Annie went for the beef while Willie
and I hoed turnips. We then raked up the remainder of the hay and
after dinner got in 4 loads when a terrific thunder storm came up
about 4 pm with a very high wind and some hail. James at Phair’s.
Mrs. W. Real called for berries.
2 – A very fine and much cooler day. Threw out the hay that was
in cock and hoed turnips. In the afternoon helped Jennie and An-
nie to pick raspberries and Annie went to Port Perry with a 36 box
crate to ship to Toronto. Jennie went down to Mrs. Singles in the
evening to see the sick boy who is improving.
3 – A very fine and cool day. Drew in the last 3 loads of hay in the
forenoon, Jennie and Willie helping. James at Phair’s. Afternoon
helping John Michie to draw hay; built a stack. Jennie also there
doing some sewing. Willie raked the hay field and Annie helped
him to draw it in. Annie and Willie at prayer meeting. Myrtle and
Gladys Luke here in the evening.
4 – A beautiful day. Hoed turnips in the forenoon. After dinner
Annie drove Jennie and I to the forks at C. Well’s where we met
Willie Smith and Jessie and we went with them in their car to
Bobcaygeon. We got there about 6:30. Went by way of Little
Britain, Oakwood, Lindsay and Dunsford to the shore of Pigeon
Lake where J.C. Mason has a summer house. Lots of grain cut on
the way although there is none hereabout. Went out rowing on the
lake in the evening.
5 – A very fine day. Willie Smith drove his car with Annie Mason,
Jennie and I to Presbyterian church at Bobcaygeon. Rev. Mr.
Lawrence of New York State, who is holidaying at the lake,
preached a splendid sermon. In the afternoon Willie drove Mr.
Mason and I on a little trip north and a very rough rocky country it
was. In the evening Willie drove again to church, taking Marion
Allan, Jennie and I. Rev. Mr. Lyons, another American, preached.
A thunder shower after we got back. Here, Annie and the boys at
SS and church. Sid Caney here for supper.
6 – A very fine day. Willie Smith drove Mr. Mason, the children
and I down to Bobcaygeon and then Mr. Mason got Mr. Macintosh
to give us a ride on the lake in his motor boat. Went around Boyd
Island. About 20 miles in all and it was fine. Started for home
about 2:30 and got home about 6:30 after stopping some time at
Lindsay. Annie Mason came with us while Jessie stayed. They
got supper and went on home. A big berry picking was on today;
150 boxes picked. Mr. Gordon, Mrs. Dusty, Mr. J. Michie, Mrs.
Luke and Gladys Luke and Annie were picking.
7 – A fine day. Another berry picking. Jennie, Annie, Mrs. Luke
and 3 girls and Mrs. John Michie and I picking; about 150 boxes
picked. Willie went to Port Perry twice with berries. Mrs. G.
McMillan called for berries. S. Caney here in the evening.
8 – Thunder shower in the morning and again about 4 pm. Hoeing
some, James helping. John Love came for berries and we picked
him some. He then stayed for dinner and Willie drove him home.
Jennie washing. Leola Luke called in the afternoon and Blanche
Luke and Miss Wheatley called in the evening. John Michie and
his family called for some butter, also R. Thomas for butter.
9 – A little rain in the morning but a fine day. Picking berries most
of the day. Jennie; Annie; Mrs. Luke; Gladys Luke; Leola Luke;
Mrs. A. Gordon; Mrs. Dusty and Mrs. Jas. Blair picking; about
200 boxes picked. Mrs. J.M. and Mrs. W. Real called for berries,
also Wilmot Cragg and Mrs. Brown. Rev. Mr. McKay here for
dinner. Annie at Luke’s in the evening.
10 – A fine day. Scuffled some and finished hoeing beans, the
boys helping. Mrs. Lamb and Mrs. Masters of Manchester came
and picked some berries for themselves. H. [Callicut?] called
wanting to buy cow but would not give what I thought she was
worth. All hands at Union prayer meeting in the Methodist church.
There was a good turnout. Rev. Mr. Rowland was leader.
11 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning for binder
twine and paid 22 cts per lb. Doing some fixing in the afternoon.
James at Phair’s.
12 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 120 at SS.
Rev. P. Sinclair, who has been preaching lately at Sonya, preached.
Annie and the boys at Methodist church in the evening. Jennie and
I over to Jim Lee’s in the evening.
13 – A very fine day. Berry picking all day. Jennie; Annie; James;
Gladys Luke; Mrs. S. Dusty; Mrs. John Michie; and Mrs. A.
Gordon picking; about 225 boxes picked. Mrs. Peter called for a
54 box crate. Annie took a crate to Port Perry after supper. Willie
at John Michie’s. After we went to bed there was a heavy thunder
shower went south.
14 – Warm; much thunder in the afternoon but very little rain
here. Annie went to Port Perry in the morning with a crate of
berries. All hands picking berries after dinner. Mr. McKague
came for berries. I helping James Lee to harvest from about 3:30.
Jim is pretty well used up.
15 – A very fine day; foggy in the morning and so wet that little
harvesting done. Helping Jim Lee (who is sick) to harvest in the
afternoon. Jennie and James picking berries. Mrs. W. Real and
318
Mrs. [?] called. Gladys Luke called. Willie drove Annie to Port
Perry where she took the train to Bobcaygeon for a few days visit
at J.C. Mason’s summer cottage.
16 – Picked some berries in the forenoon, boys helping. About 2
o’clock a thunder storm came up which continued off and on for
about 2 hours so there was little done in the afternoon. Sid Caney
here in the evening.
17 – A very fine day. Picking berries until the middle of the after-
noon. Jennie; Willie; Mrs. A. Gordon; Mrs. Dusty and Mrs. J.
Michie also picking; about 80 boxes in all. James at Phair’s. John
Michie came about 3:30 and cut part of the SW field. Willie went
to Port Perry after supper with berries.
18 – A very fine day. John Michie here cutting and finished the
SW field about 4, boys shocking, while I went to help Jim Lee in
the afternoon (Jim finished cutting). Willie went with John to help
him.
19 – Some rain in the morning. All hands at SS and church; 115
at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Jean Michie came home with us and
stayed for supper. Boys at Methodist church in the evening.
20 – At John Michie’s helping to harvest. After dinner cut a little
while when we got the edge of a thunder shower. After early sup-
per we cut awhile when another thunder shower came up with
terrific lightning. Jennie and the boys picking and preserving
berries. Mrs. W. Real also picking. Sid Caney called in the eve-
ning. He was on his way home from W. Real’s who was threshing
his barley outdoors. Grain turning out well.
21 – A very fine day; no thunder, no rain. At John Michie’s all
day harvesting. Jennie and the boys picking berries and beans.
Boys took in some wood.
22 – A very fine day. All forenoon helping to fix up a binder he
bought from Pinedale and in the afternoon drawing in at Luke’s.
John Michie cut the long field in the afternoon. Willie at Wes
Real’s in the afternoon helping him to thresh. Mrs. John Michie
and family and Miss Mary Forfar here in the evening. Jennie
pickling. Willie and James went for the beef for John Michie.
Mary Forfar, date unknown.
23 – A little sprinkle of rain most of the forenoon and a heavy rain
about 5 to 6 pm. Shocked up oats until I got well wet. Jennie went
with Mary Forfar to Port Perry (Miss F. on her way home) and
brought Willie and Gordon Bell home with her. Willie and I went
to Greenbank in the afternoon to see about buggy wheels but Mr.
Whiteford was not at home. Then word came by mail that Jessie
Bell was coming so Willie started for her just before the rain
started. They got back about 7.
24 – Fixing fences while the four boys went to Port Perry with the
waggon for Jessie Bell’s trunk. After dinner John Michie came up
to cut the hill field while I went over to Luke’s to finish his cutting.
About 3 o’clock Willie Smith and his mother came and brought
Annie home. Jennie and I went with them to Sutton West. Got
there about 5 pm after going through a rain storm. Found them all
well and we stayed there all night. Boys shocking up the oats.
25 – Rather cold and chilly with little showers. Spent the forenoon
around the town and a trip down to the point. After dinner we
started for home and covered the distance in about 1 ¾ hours. John
Michie finished cutting about 9 am and the boys had the field
shocked up. Jessie Bell preserving.
26 – A fine day. All hands but Jessie Bell at SS and church; 120
at SS; Rev. Mr. Fraser of Uxbridge preached. Annie and Willie at
Methodist church (a song service) in the evening. Jim Lee, wife
and Ruby called in the evening.
27 – A very fine day. Drawing in the oats in the SW field, 8
loads. Willie, Annie, Willie and Gordon Bell helping. James
helping John Michie. Gordon Bell helping Jim Dusty in the after-
noon. Willie Bell took Jessie Bell to Port Perry to see Dr. Archer.
Word came that Mrs. Norman Blakely, Sask., died this morning
and Jennie was at Dusty’s all afternoon and Jim drove her home.
28 – Rain through the night stopped harvesting. Hoed strawberries
in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with Jennie to Port Perry.
Willie raked SW field and we drew it in. Jessie Bell and the boys
fishing at the bridge. Gladys and Leola Luke called.
29 – A very fine day. Fixing fence along the road in the forenoon,
Willie helping. Afternoon drew in the north field, Willie, James
and Willie Bell helping. Jessie Bell and Jennie making a black
dress for Mrs. A. Akhurst who was here most of the day.
30 – A very fine day. Drew in the oats in the hill field (7 loads)
which finishes harvest except rakings. Willie helping Wes Real.
Jennie at S. Dusty’s all day. The remains of Maggie Dusty were
brought home about 7 pm. Jessie Bell making bread.
31 – A beautiful day. Helping John Michie to build a stack. Willie
horseraking. Afternoon went with Jessie Bell to Mrs. Blakely’s
funeral. There was a large turnout. Jennie there all day. Annie
kept John Michie’s girls while they were at the funeral.
SEPT. 1 - A very fine day and quite warm. Some thunder in the
morning and a few drops of rain. Fixing fence in the forenoon
while Willie raked stubble. After dinner a phone call came from
Willie Smith saying he was going to Bobcaygeon and the boys
319
went with him. The Bell boys drove them to C. Well’s. Aunt
Mary Bell came up with Willie Smith. Annie and I drew in the
rakings.
2 – A very fine day. At SS with Jennie, Annie and Mary Bell and
boys; 85 at SS. No church service as Mr. McKay is taking Rev.
Mr. ---- work. He preached at a union service in the Methodist
church in the evening. Annie, the Bell boys and I at it. Sid Caney
here for supper. Jessie Bell, Mary Bell and Annie went over to
Phair’s to see the milking machine work.
3 – A very fine day. Jessie Bell went to Port Perry to see the Dr.
and took Mary Bell and boys to the station on their way home.
Plowing some in SW field. James helping Jim Dusty. Sid Caney
here in the evening.
4 – A very fine day. Got up early and drove with the boys and
Sidney Caney to Port Perry and took the morning train to Toronto
Exhibition. Annie came down with Gladys Luke and brought the
horse home. Got to Toronto about 9 am and wandered all day and
went to the grandstand performance which was good. Then all
went to J.C. Mason’s for the night.
5 – A very fine day. Visited the zoo in the morning and then to the
fair. After dinner the boys went downtown while I stayed in the
fair. Jennie with our rig and Annie with John Michie’s rig met us
at Port Perry. Sidney stayed all night as he was not very well.
Annie went for the beef. Mr. Perrin, the medicine man, called.
6 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie and Jessie Bell making
dress for Mary Dusty who was here most of the day.
7 – A fine but cool day. Plowing all day. Willie taking in wood
pile. James at school. Jennie at John Michie’s in the forenoon
and Jim Lee’s in the afternoon where another daughter was born
about 10 pm.
8 – Another beautiful fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie home for
dinner and then back to Lee’s. Sid Caney here in the evening.
Cecil Phair came for the roller.
9 – A fine day but pretty cool. At SS and church with Annie and
the boys; 86 at SS. Mr. --- of Gamebridge read a sermon. Annie
and the boys at Methodist service in the evening. Jennie still at
Jim Lee’s.
10 – A fine but pretty cool day. Cutting brush on the 10th
conc.
Willie plowing. James at school. Jennie still at J. Lee’s.
11 – A very fine day and quite cool. All day cutting brush on 10th
concession. Willie plowing and harrowing. James at school.
Jennie baking. Annie and Jessie Bell at Port Perry in the after-
noon. Sid Caney here in the evening. Jean, Ruth and Olive Michie
here all night as John and Lizzie intend going to Oshawa tomor-
row.
12 – A beautiful day. Cutting brush on the concession in the fore-
noon while Willie harrowed. James at school. John Michie and
wife went to Oshawa fair and left all the children here. Threshing
at A. Akhurst’s after about 4 pm. Jean and Ruth stayed all night.
13 – A very fine and warmer day. Threshing at A. Akhurst’s and
finished about 3 pm. Willie plowing. James at school. Jennie
making pickles. She went to Jim Lee’s for the night.
14 – A fine but rather dull day. Went with Willie to Phair’s swamp
pasture and got a load of threshing wood which I partly cut up in
the afternoon while Willie plowed. James did not go to school.
Jennie at Jim Lee’s. Annie went with Leola Luke to Port Perry
fair. Word came that John Lee died at A. Cragg’s near Cambray.
15 – A fine day and warm. Scuffled and hoed strawberry patch
and finished cutting wood at the barn. Willie plowing. About 8
pm there was a turn out to hunt a man lost in the swamp. Jim and
Lorne Gibson; Cecil Phair; Norman Midgley; Sid Caney; Jim Lee;
Willie; James and I. We found him about straight south but on the
other side of the creek. His name was Conlin. He had been hunt-
ing his cow and had got lost.
16 – A very fine day. Jennie came home from Jim Lee’s and all
went to SS; 110 present. Then to John Lee’s funeral. The service
was conducted by Mr. McKay and Mr. Rowland and there was a
good turnout; A Woodville undertaker. The bearers were D.
McDonald; Richard and J.M. Real; Jas. Leask; John Stone and I.
Sid Caney here in the evening.
17 – A beautiful day. Did some small jobs and pumped and
cleaned out the well at the house, Jennie and Annie helping. Willie
plowing. James at school. Jennie and Annie washing. Two sepa-
rator agents called wanting to sell a Magnet separator but did not
do it. Jessie Bell packing her trunk to start for Rochester. War
news: Russia proclaimed a republic.
18 – A beautiful day. Digging potatoes in the orchard (and a very
poor crop they are). Willie plowing. James at school. Jennie
baking. Mrs. John Michie, Olive and the baby here in the after-
noon.
19 – A fine day and quite warm. Took Jessie Bell to Port Perry on
her way back to Rochester. She is to stay a few days at Newcastle.
Dug some potatoes in the orchard. Willie harrowing. James at
school and Mission Band. Sid Caney here in the evening.
20 – Digging potatoes in orchard while Willie plowed. Jennie
went to Port Perry market with Mrs. John Michie who left her two
youngest girls here in Annie’s charge. In the afternoon got Mr.
Luke’s binder and cut the buckwheat and barely got done when a
thunder shower came on with some very vivid lightning. James at
school and he got wet on the way home.
21 – A very fine day. Stacked the buckwheat in the forenoon and
cut brush on the concession in the afternoon. Willie plowing.
James at school. Jennie baking. War news: Big British win in
France.
22 – A very fine day. Cutting brush on the concession all day.
Willie plowing in the forenoon and helping R. Real to fill silo in
the afternoon while James harrowed. Miss Porteous and Ruby Lee
here for supper and Gladys Luke and Sid Caney here in the eve-
ning.
320
23 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 120 at SS.
Stanley McMillan, who is now at Camp Borden training for Red
Cross work, addressed the school. Mr. McKay preached. Annie
and the boys at Methodist church in the evening.
24 – A very fine day. Cutting track about corn in the forenoon and
digging potatoes in the afternoon. Willie plowing and finished hill
field. Jennie preserving crab apples. Mrs. Luke came for some
and Annie took some to Mrs. John Michie. James at school. Sid
Caney here in the evening.
25 – A beautiful day. Digging potatoes in the forenoon. Ed Bryant
came with his new corn binder about 11 am and cut the corn in
about 4 ½ hours. Helping Norman Midgley to fill silo from about
5 pm. James at school.
26 – A very fine day. Helping N. Midgley to fill silo and in the
afternoon drawing off the corn to the fence side, Willie helping.
James at school. Ethel Miller and John Bagshaw married today.
27 – A fine day. A little rain about 8:30 pm. All day drawing
corn, Willie helping. Jennie at Port Perry market. James at school.
War news: British gain a victory.
28 – Rain through the night. Did a few little jobs in the forenoon
while Willie harrowed. In the afternoon finished drawing off the
corn while Willie spent all the afternoon helping P. Luke to get his
two sows and little pigs out of the swamp. Jennie at Jas. Lee’s in
the afternoon. Annie drove to Port Perry and brought Veta Platton
home with her. Sid Caney here for supper.
29 – A very fine day. Spent nearly all day hunting the 5 calves we
had pasturing at Jim Lee’s that were lost in the swamp. Jim Lee
found them about 4 pm in Real’s pasture. Willie harrowing. John
Michie and wife left their children here while they were at Port
Perry. Sid Caney here in the evening.
30 –Several little showers and quite cool. All hands, including
Veta Platton, at SS and church. Rally day at SS. Mr. McKay
preached. C. Blair of Ottawa was present. James went with S.
Caney to Phair’s for supper. Gladys Luke here for supper then the
girls and Willie went over to Phair’s to see their milking machine
work.
OCT. 1 – Pretty cool day. Cleaned out the hen house, made a door
into the pig house and put the roosts there. Willie harrowing and
cultivating. Jennie washing. Annie took Veta Platton to Port Perry
on her way home. James at school. Mr. John Michie called.
Moved the stove in from the cook house.
2 – A fine but pretty cool day. All day digging potatoes, Jennie
helping; 17 bags. Willie cultivating. Annie at John Michie’s
keeping the children. James at school.
3 – A lot of rain through the night and several times all through the
day. Cleaned out the root house and dug some potatoes but it was
too wet for the job. Willie cultivated a little. Annie visiting at
James Lee’s in the afternoon. Jennie baking and churning. James
at school. Gladys Luke called in the morning.
4 – A fine day. Digging potatoes in the forenoon. Willie cultivat-
ing. Afternoon at preparatory service in the church with Annie.
There was rather a small turnout. Mr. Fraser of Uxbridge
preached. After the service the Mission Band had a meeting with a
shower for the Pipestone Mission. Jennie sewing. James at
school. Lilly O’Neill and W. Wilson married today.
5 – Big rain through the night. Plowed corn land in the forenoon
while Willie went to Port Perry. Willie then drove James to the
school fair. After dinner Annie, Willie and I got ready to go to the
school fair but a thunder shower came up and we had to wait. We
went however and there was a pretty good attendance and exhibit.
A big shower came on and a good part of the programme was
dropped. James got 4th
prize for Spy apples.
6 – Pretty cool day. Plowing all day on corn land. Willie helping
C. Phair to fill silo. Annie at choir practice with Gladys Luke.
7 – Some rain in the morning and pretty raw all day. All hands at
communion service at Greenbank. There was a good turnout. Mr.
McKay preached. Sid Caney here for supper. Annie and Willie at
Methodist church in the evening.
8 – Pretty cold and a little rain about 2 pm. Drew in the buck-
wheat; 2 small loads; and finished digging potatoes, boys helping.
Afternoon plowing while the boys pulled most of the beans. Annie
washing. Jennie canning corn. This is thanksgiving day but we
did not keep holiday.
9 – Pretty hard frost in the morning. Plowing buckwheat land.
Willie topping mangolds. James at school.
10 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Plowing in the forenoon.
At the mangolds in the afternoon, Annie helping. Got in 2 loads.
Jennie churning. Willie helping R. Woon to fill silo. James at
school.
11 – A fine day. Finished drawing in the mangolds in the forenoon
(8 loads in all), Annie and James helping. Willie helping P. Leask
to fill silo and stayed all night. Plowing in the afternoon. Annie
went to Port Perry with Mrs. John Michie who left the children
here while she was away.
12 – Rain through the night and it was rain all day. Threw back
mangolds and some little jobs. Willie came about 4 o’clock, there
being nothing doing at Leask’s. Ray Dusty and R. Thomas called.
They wanted to buy Peggy horse. Union government formed for
Canada.68
13 – A fine day and cool. Gang plowing in SW field all day.
Jennie and James at J. Michie’s in the afternoon keeping the chil-
dren while they took Ruth to the Dr. to get the lump on her jaw
lanced but it was not ready. Willie at P. and W.H. Leask’s filling
silo.
68
Conservative Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden
formed a Union government with a cabinet consisting
of 12 Conservatives, 9 Liberals and Independents,
and one Labour member mainly in an effort to sup-
port conscription.
321
14 – A fine but cool day. All hands at SS and church; 110 at SS;
Mr. McKay preached a thanksgiving service.
15 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Willie at W.H. Leask’s and
G. McMillan’s filling silos. Annie washing. James at school.
Inspector there.
16 – A fine day. Plowing and harrowing all day. Willie at G.A.
McMillan’s silo filling. Annie ironing. James at school. Myrtle
Luke here in the evening. Mr. Pollick’s barn was burned this af-
ternoon. It caught from the engine of the silo fillers.
17 – A very fine day. Plowing sod W of the house. Annie and
Willie picking apples, Jennie helping. James at school.
18 – Plowing sod most of the day. Annie and Willie picking ap-
ples in the forenoon. Annie got ready after dinner to go to Port
Perry but rain came on and she did not go. James at school. Ruth
Michie here all afternoon and Jean came home with James from
school and both stayed all night.
19 – Rain through the night and all forenoon so there was little
doing. Myrtle Luke called in the morning. James did not go to
school and Jean and Ruth were here most of the day. Plowing sod
in the afternoon.
20 – A little snow several times during the day (the first of the
season). Plowing in the forenoon. Annie went to Port Perry. In
the afternoon went with P. Luke to Greenbank to W. Whiteford’s
sale of house stuff. There was a small turnout. James went with
us. Willie at Luke’s in the afternoon plowing. War news rather
gloomy. Germans driving into Russia.
21 – A fine day and rather cool. All but Jennie (who stayed at
home with a headache) at SS and church; 115 at SS. Rev. Mr.
Fraser of Fenelon Falls preached.
22 – A very fine day. Plowing sod all day. Willie at Luke’s.
Annie washing. James at school.
23 – Plowing in the forenoon but it was raining and snowing most
of the time. The afternoon rained all the time. James at school.
Willie went to Luke’s in the morning but soon came back.
24 – Threatening rain all day from the E until evening when it
started in earnest. Plowing sod most of the day. Willie at Luke’s.
Jennie churning and killing chickens. James at school. Jennie at
W.M. meeting in the church.
25 – Quite a lot of snow fell during the night and most of the fore-
noon. Jennie and Willie went to Port Perry market. Plowing sod
in the afternoon.
26 – A fine day but rain again in the evening. Plowing sod all day.
Jennie baking. Annie turned beans for the 3rd
time. Willie at
Luke’s in the afternoon. James at school. Mrs. J. Michie left
children here while she went to Port Perry.
27 – Finished plowing sod field then topping turnips, Annie and
James helping. Expected to get them all topped but rain came on
about 4 o’clock. Willie at Mr. Luke’s. War news: Canadians win
but Italians get bad smashing.
28 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 112 at SS. Mr.
James preached. Sidney Caney here for supper. Went with Jennie
to S. Dusty’s to see the Blakely baby who has been unwell but is
now better.
29 – Doing some odd jobs in the forenoon while Willie went to
John Michie’s to thresh. A little drizzle of rain most of the time.
The threshers came here and started about 15 to 4 and threshed 2
hours. John and Frank Howsam stayed all night. Rain heavy in
the evening. War news very bad, the worst for a long time. Italy
appears to be badly beaten.
30 – Colder, some rain in the morning and some hail showers. An
hour and a half threshing in the morning, then they moved to Jim
Lee’s. Willie went with them and Jennie went to help Ida with the
dinner while I harrowed sod. Went to Phair’s threshing about 4
pm. G. Leask and May Stone married.
31 – Pretty hard frost which did not thaw out all day. Willie and I
threshing at Phair’s and finished about 2:30. I then went with the
machine for Jim Lee to Jim Gibson’s and worked until dark.
Jennie at John Michie’s most of the day making dresses for the
girls. Sidney Caney and Annie out doing things and a party called
here. Wes Real and Miss [Gib?] married.
NOV. 1 – Rather a fine day; a little snow in the evening. Did some
little jobs while Willie finished topping turnips (too hard frost to
get them out). Annie went to Port Perry. Jennie washing. James
at school. In the afternoon fixing fence along the road, Willie
helping.
2 – A hard frost in the morning and pretty cold all day. Drew in
some corn in the forenoon and dug turnips in the afternoon, Willie
helping. Jennie at J. Michie’s part of the afternoon making dresses
for girls. James at school. War news bad. Germans still advanc-
ing in Italy and Russia wants to quit the war.
3 – A fine day but rather cold. Drawing in turnips, the boys help-
ing. Got in 12 loads. S. Caney here in the evening. War news:
Italian situation a little brighter.
4 – Pretty cold but clear day. All hands at SS and church; 120 at
SS. Rev. Mr. Steel of Glenarm preached as Mr. McKay was
preaching anniversary sermons there. Annie at Methodist church
with Luke’s.
5 – Hard frost in the morning but a fine mild afternoon and no rain.
Drew in some corn in the forenoon and dug turnips in the after-
noon, Willie helping. Jennie and Annie housecleaning. James at
school. War news: British win in navel battle. Shivaree at Wes
Real’s tonight.
6 – Pretty hard frost but a fine but chilly day. Drawing in turnips,
Annie and Willie helping; got in 13 loads. James at school. Sid
Caney here in the evening. War news: Italians still going back.
7 – A hard frost which did not altogether thaw out all day. Drew in
the beans, then harrowed and drew in 5 loads of turnips, Willie
helping. Jennie and Annie killing and dressing ducks and chick-
ens. James at school. Annie and Willie at prayer meeting.
322
8 – Rather cold and raw. Finished the turnips; 6 loads. 36 loads in
all. Jennie went to Port Perry market. Annie washing. James at
school. S. Caney here in the evening.
9 – A fine day. Threw back the turnips in the root house and fin-
ished picking the remnant of the apples, 3 bags. Willie helping
John Michie. James at school. Annie and the boys over at Luke’s
in the evening. About 8 pm Willie Smith and his mother came in
their car and left for home again about 10:30.
10 – A very fine day. Took 12 bags of oats to Blair’s mill to be
ground but did not get it home. Went with John Michie to cattle
sale at Port Perry. Cows went from about $65 to $140. Willie at
John Michie’s. James at P. Luke’s in the afternoon.
11 – Somewhat cool with fog in the evening. All hands at SS and
church; 110 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Sid Caney here for
supper.
12 – A very fine day. Willie went for the meal at Blair’s mill.
Drawing in corn in the afternoon. Annie washing. James at
school. Went to C. Phair’s swamp after dinner and Cecil offered
me the wood on a piece if I brush it up well. Set 3 mouse traps in
the pantry in the evening and caught 8 mice.
13 – A beautiful day. Drawing in corn in the forenoon, Willie
helping. In the afternoon went with Cyler Whitter in his car to
Whitby town to a mass meeting of Liberals. There was 4 car loads
from Greenbank and a big meeting in the hall. A motion to sup-
port the Union government was voted down by a large majority
and Mr. Sinclair of Oshawa was chosen a straight Liberal candi-
date. Came from Whitby to Greenbank in a little over an hour.
James at school.
14 – A very fine day. Drawing in corn in the forenoon, Willie
helping, and finished. Drawing out manure in the afternoon.
Jennie killing fowl in the forenoon and at W.M. meeting in the
afternoon. Annie, Willie and Myrtle Luke at Guild meeting in the
evening.
15 – Almost rain several times today. Harrowing in the forenoon
and in the afternoon helping P. Luke to fill up holes in his barn-
yard. Willie plowing. Jennie at Port Perry market. James at
school. War news somewhat brighter.
16 – A fine but cold day. At Luke’s all day drawing in corn and
other jobs. Willie plowing. James at school. Mrs. John Michie
left children here while she went to Port Perry. Annie went with
her. War news: Italians holding.
17 – A beautiful day. At P. Luke’s in the forenoon fencing. Willie
plowing. Jennie washing woodwork in kitchen.
18 – A little rain and some snow and pretty raw. All (but Jennie
who stayed at home to nurse her shoulder) at SS and church; 105
at SS. Mr. McKay preached on home missions. Mr. D. Archer of
Port Perry sang two solos. Willie, Annie and Myrtle Luke at
Methodist church in the evening.
19 – Quite a hard frost in the morning. Did several small jobs in
the forenoon and plowed in the afternoon. Willie threshing at A.
Gordon’s and W. Thomas’s for N. Midgley. Annie washing.
James at school. Telephone men called to fix the phone. War
news: British take Joppa.
20 – Ground white in the morning with snow. Plowing in the
orchard. Willie threshing at W. Thomas’s. James at school. An-
nie went to Port Perry evening train and met Mundo Perrin who
stayed all night. He is on his way to a double wedding at his
brothers on the 14th
concession.
21 – A very dull day with some snow in the evening. Did nothing
in the forenoon but talk politics and other things with Mundo
Perrin who left about 12 o’clock with our horse and rig for the
wedding. Drawing out manure in the afternoon, Willie helping.
James at school. Annie at S. Dusty’s for tea and went with them to
Guild meeting. Jennie killed 2 ducks.
22 – Snow from the E most of the day and very disagreeable.
Helped Mr. Luke awhile in the morning. Mundo Perrin got here
from the weddings, got dinner, and Willie drove him to Port Perry
on his way home. James at school. John Michie and wife left
children here while they were at Port Perry. War news: British
gain big victory in France.
23 – A pretty cold wintery day. Did not do much as I was nursing
a cold. P. Luke called in the morning and Willie was helping him
in the afternoon. James at school. Annie churning. Annie drove
to Greenbank with the cutter (the first of the season) and brought
Mrs. J. Joyce of Sutton West here and she stayed all night and we
had a great talk on conscription.
24 – Very cold day. At P. Luke’s all day getting out posts in
swamp. Annie drove Mrs. Joyce to Port Perry on her way to
Brooklin. Myrtle and Gladys Luke here in the evening. Gladys
and Annie were skating.
25 – A very cold wintery day. All hands at SS and Willie drove P.
Luke’s team and sleigh. Church very cold. 105 at SS; Mr.
McKay preached on the first commandment. Willie went to
church at Port Perry with Sid Caney who was driving.
26 – Quite cold all day. Did some little jobs and threshed some
beans. Annie washing. James at school. Myrtle Luke, Annie and
Willie skating in the evening. A very clear night. Peeled apples in
the evening.
27 – Cold day. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp (first start) in the
forenoon, Willie helping. Helping Mr. Luke in the afternoon.
Sidney Caney here for dinner. He leaves tomorrow for Toronto.
28 – Some snow through the night; some milder. At P. Luke’s in
the forenoon, mostly talking about fixing the stable. Cutting wood
in Phair’s swamp in the afternoon, Willie helping. Jennie killing
ducks. James at school. Annie, Willie, James and Myrtle Luke at
Guild in the evening.
29 – A very fine bright day. Helping P. Luke at stable all day
Jennie, Willie and James at Port Perry. James went to get teeth
fixed.
323
30 – Dull and raining in the afternoon. All day helping P. Luke at
his stables. James at school.
DEC. 1 - A very fine day. Helping P. Luke all day at his stable.
Annie at John Michie’s keeping house while Mrs. John is on a visit
to her old home. Willie helped Myrtle and Gladys Luke to drive
some of Mr. Luke’s cattle to Alex Lee’s to stay while he is fixing
the stable. Got news that Stanley Michie has been killed in the
war.
2 – A pretty cold day. All hands at SS and church; 105 at SS. Mr.
McKay preached on the 2nd
commandment. Annie at John Mi-
chie’s.
3 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp in the fore-
noon, Willie helping. At P. Luke’s in the afternoon. Jennie wash-
ing in the forenoon and at Port Perry in the afternoon to see the Dr.
about her arm. James at school. Annie at J. Michie’s.
4 – A fine but dull day. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp all day,
Willie helping. James at school. Jessie McCorcadale buried at
Greenbank today.
5 – Quite cold and little snow flurries. All day drawing gravel
from W. Thomas’s pit to the 11th
concession S of Dusty’s place.
Willie drove John Michie’s team. James at school. Annie at John
Michie’s. Willie took Annie and Myrtle Luke to Guild meeting.
6 – A pretty cold day with E wind. All day drawing gravel. Willie
driving John Michie’s team. Jennie at John Michie’s making the
butter. James at school.
7 – Pretty cold clear day. Drawing gravel all day on the 10th
conc.
Willie driving J. Michie’s team. James at school. News of a terri-
ble disaster at Halifax.69
8 – E wind and very cold. Started to snow about noon and the
afternoon was a blizzard. Drawing gravel in the forenoon and
finished. Willie driving John Michie’s team. Over at Luke’s in the
afternoon seeing his new cement work.
9 – Snowing with high wind through the night and a perfect bliz-
zard from the W all day. Did not go to church as the road is
blocked. 25 at SS, no church service.
10 – Very cold day. Took down fences for field roads. Moved
cooking stove into front room for the winter. Mr. Sinclair had a
meeting at Greenbank tonight. No mail today.
11 - Six below zero in the morning and pretty cold all day. Willie
drove James to school. Over at Luke’s awhile in the afternoon
seeing Mr. Walker and Mr. McDonald cementing stable.
69
The relief vessel ‘Imo’ collided in Halifax harbour
with the munitions ship ‘Mont Blanc’ and the result-
ing explosion killed more than 2000 and injured at
least 6000 more. In the northern part of Halifax more
than 4000 homes were either demolished or rendered
inhabitable.
12 – A very fine day. Willie drove James to school. Went to Port
Perry to pay the taxes. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp in the
afternoon. The boys and Annie at Guild meeting in the evening.
Jean and Olive here in the afternoon. War news: Jerusalem taken
by the British.
13 – Snowing a little from the E. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp.
Willie drove James to school and did most of the chores. In the
evening went with Willie to political meeting at Port Perry. Mr.
Sinclair, the candidate, and Mr. Bruce of Stouffville were the
speakers. Not a very large turnout. Union government was the
question. Pretty rough night coming home.
14 – Pretty cold all day. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp. Willie
drove James to school and did the chores.
15 – Ten below zero in the morning. Cutting wood in Phair’s
swamp. Broke axe handle and got P. Luke’s axe. Boys doing
chores. Word came that W. Akhurst died at Oshawa.
16 – About 12 below zero. All but Jennie at SS and church; 105 at
SS. Rev. Mr. Johnston of Ashburn preached. Church very cold.
Myrtle Luke here for tea and evening.
17 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in the swamp in the forenoon.
Jennie and Willie washing. James at school. Afternoon at W.
Akhurst’s funeral as one of the bearers. The others were S. Dusty;
Alex Gordon; C. Whetter; N. Midgley; and W. Thomas. This is
also Dominion election day. The great question is conscription.
Union government stand for it with W. Smith as candidate and the
Liberals with Mr. Sinclair. [Margin note: Smith elected].
18 – A very fine day. Cutting wood all day in Phair’s swamp.
James at school. Willie doing chores. Annie came home from
John Michie’s where she has been keeping house for 2 ½ weeks.
No papers came to tell of election but it is quite sure the Union
government has been sustained.
19 – Soft dull foggy day. Put on storm windows. Rigged up the
old sleigh and drew one load of wood from Phair’s swamp. James
at school. Annie went to Port Perry with the cutter in the afternoon
to help select a present for their SS teacher Mrs. J. McMillan.
Annie Gordon and Mary Real came home with her for supper and
they, with Willie, went to Guild meeting. Mr. Walker, who is
working at P. Luke’s stable, called in the evening.
20 – Soft dull and foggy day. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp all
day. Annie and the boys at Port Perry Christmas fair in the after-
noon.
21 – A fine day. Cutting wood all day in Phair’s swamp. James at
school. In the evening all but Jennie at the school concert in the
hall. There was a full house and a pretty good programme. $27.00
taken in. Leola Luke stayed all night.
22 – A fine day and colder. Cutting wood all day in Phair’s
swamp. Willie went with buggy to the 5:30 train and brought
home Sidney Caney who has been working lately at Toronto.
Myrtle and Leola Luke here in the evening.
324
23 – Milder and a little snow towards night. All but Jennie at SS
and church; 120 at SS. Mr. McKay preached a Christmas sermon.
Sid Caney at Phair’s for supper. Annie at Luke’s in the evening.
24 – Soft foggy and sometimes almost rain. Cutting wood all day
in Phair’s swamp. Annie, Willie and S. Caney went to Port Perry
in the afternoon. Annie, Willie and S. Caney at Methodist Christ-
mas tree in the evening. H. Callicut called and bought Whitey cow
for $96.00. Dominion prohibition announced.
25 – Pretty cold but a nice day. Boys skating in the forenoon.
John Michie, wife and family here for dinner and supper. Willie
and James took Sidney Caney to Port Perry on his way back to
Toronto. Annie, the boys, and Myrtle and Leola Luke skating in
the evening. No mail.
26 – A fine but pretty cold day. Took Whitey cow to Port Perry in
the morning and Willie drove down for me. Did not get home until
late as we had to wait for horse shoeing. Cut some wood in Phair’s
swamp. Annie washing. Annie, the boys and Gladys, Blanche and
Leola Luke skating on the creek in the afternoon. Willie, Annie
and Myrtle Luke at Guild and skating on Blair’s pond in the eve-
ning.
27 – Snowing a little from the SE all day. Cutting wood in Phair’s
swamp all day. Boys doing the chores.
28 – 12 below zero and a very high wind from the NW so it was
cold some. Drove with the cutter to preparatory service in the
church. There was just 16 present, Mr. McKay preached. Boys
choring. Jennie and Annie baking bread and churning. No mail
today.
29 – 23 below zero in the morning and never higher than about 10
below all day. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp in the forenoon and
drew it home, 2 little loads in the afternoon. Willie pretty well laid
up with cold. Blanche Luke called before dinner.
30 – Clear and cold. 18 below zero in the morning. Got up to zero
in the afternoon and down again in the evening. This is commun-
ion at Wick but we did not go on account of the cold. Annie and
Willie went to the Methodist anniversary service in the evening.
31 – Very cold, about 10 below zero in the morning. Cut some
wood in the shed in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with P.
Luke to W. Ireland’s sale on the 8th
concession. Did not buy any-
thing. Annie and the boys washing.
1918
JAN. 1 – A very fine clear day. All hands at John Michie’s for
dinner. Annie and the boys went skating on Blair’s pond in the
afternoon while Jennie and I stayed for supper. Willie O’Neill and
Nellie and young Willie there also.
2 – A fine but very cold day, below zero most of the time.
Trimmed the limbs of the maple trees along the lane and drew out
some wood from Phair’s swamp, Willie helping. In the evening
went with Annie and Willie to the annual SS meeting in the
church. The attendance was mostly young people. Edgar Leask
was chosen superintendant for the 2nd
time (he was not there).
Most of the other old officers were re-elected. Financed good. All
the supplies paid for this year and about $20.00 to the good.
3 – Ten below zero in the morning, bright and clear. Cutting wood
in the woodshed in the forenoon and drawing out wood from
Phair’s swamp in the afternoon, Willie helping. Annie, Willie and
Myrtle Luke went with Ray Dusty to a skating party at Blair’s
pond in the evening.
4 – A very fine but cold day, below zero in the morning. Drawing
wood all day from Phair’s swamp, Willie helping. Annie at Port
Perry in the afternoon.
5 – A very fine day and milder. Drawing out wood from Phair’s
swamp, Willie helping. Got almost all out that is cut. Jennie mak-
ing bread.
6 – A fine day but raw E wind, snow in the evening. All but Jennie
at SS and church. Mr. McKay preached a war or peace sermon.
Electing teachers in SS. I was chosen teacher of the adult men’s
class. Mrs. P. and Gladys Luke called in the evening.
7 – Snow through the night and all day, about a foot deep in all.
Drove Willie and James to school (Willie starting) and went on to
Greenbank to vote at municipal election. Voted for Wier for dep-
uty reeve and M. O’Neill and W. Phoenix for council. Annie
drove for the boys.
8 – A fine day but almost drifting. Did chores and cut some wood
in the shed. Annie churning. Boys at school. Word came that
William McMillan died this morning.
9 – Rather a fine day. Cutting wood in the forenoon. Annie wash-
ing. Boys at school. In the afternoon went with Annie to annual
church meeting. A fair turnout. The furnace question was up. W.
Rennie, John Somerville and P. Leask were elected managers.
10 – Rough, cold and drifting all day. Cutting wood in shed most
of the day. Boys did not go to school. No mail.
11 – A fine mild day. Did little but the chores. Boys at school.
They drove for the first time this winter. Jennie in bed most of the
day with her arm. Annie at Port Perry in the afternoon.
12 – A terrible day. Blowing a high wind and drifting all day.
Nothing doing. Trains appear to be blocked. No mail, nobody to
be seen and below zero in the evening. Jennie in bed all day. This
was to have been W. McMillan’s funeral but it has been put off
until Monday.
13 – Another terrible drifting windy day, below zero in the morn-
ing but got some warmer towards night. All at home all day. No
SS or church. Gladys Luke (who, with Myrtle, is keeping house,
their father and mother being away) came over for awhile.
14 – Quite a lot warmer but drifting a little. After the chores Willie
and I spent most of the day shovelling snow to get to the road. The
11th
concession pretty badly drifted. No trains. No mail. W.
McMillan’s funeral today.
325
15 – Snowing a little in the morning. Did little but the chores.
Over at Luke’s in the afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Luke have not got
back from Epsom where they have been storm stayed since Friday.
Boys drove to school. Annie washing. W. Whiteford, who moved
to Toronto not long ago, was brought back to be buried tomorrow
at Greenbank. No trains and no mail.
16 – A fine but cold day and drifting some. Threshed some beans
in the afternoon. Boys drove to school. Annie and Willie at Guild
in the evening. No trains or mail yet. Cecil Leask married. Lloyd
Love married.
17 – A very fine day. Finished threshing the beans in the forenoon
and cutting wood in Phair’s swamp in the afternoon. Boys drove
to school. Annie churning. Gladys Luke called in the forenoon.
N. Midgley brought us bread from Port Perry. No trains yet but
mail came through from Whitby by sleigh, this is the first since
Friday last.
18 – A fine day. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp in the afternoon.
Boys drove to school. Trains running again, first since Saturday
last.
19 – A very fine day. Fanned the beans which turned out about 4
bushels in all. Drawing wood from Phair’s swamp in the after-
noon, Willie helping.
20 – Pretty cold day, zero in the morning. All but Jennie at SS and
church, 92 at SS. No teacher for our class. Mr. McKay preached a
memorial sermon for W. McMillan. There was a large turnout.
Oliver M. Luke here for supper. Annie and Willie at Methodist
church in the evening.
21 – A very fine day. Spent most of the day mending the old cutter
for the boys to drive to school. Annie washing. Boys drove to
school.
22 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp in the after-
noon. Jennie and Annie picking chickens. Boys drove to school.
23 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in the woodshed in the fore-
noon and in Phair’s swamp in the afternoon. Boys drove to school.
Dave McMillan of Sask. and Jessie here for supper and for the
evening. Willie and Annie and Myrtle Luke at Guild and then
skating on Blair’s pond.
Image of Dave and Jessie McMillan’s farm in the Midwest
24 – Snowing a little from the E most of the day;. Choring in the
forenoon and cutting wood in Phair’s swamp in the afternoon.
Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry market. Boys drove to school.
Myrtle and Gladys Luke called.
25 – Snowing some most of the day. Got Jim Lee’s saw and Willie
and I cutting poplar trees in Phair’s swamp. Rather a disagreeable
day. James drove to school. Myrtle Luke called and Mr. Wadge,
Mr. Luke’s son-in-law, came over to telephone.
26 – Ten below zero in the morning. Cutting wood all day in
Phair’s swamp, Willie helping. James drawing it out in the after-
noon. No mail.
27 – About 12 below zero in the morning and pretty sharp all day.
All but Jennie at SS and church; 98 at SS; Mr. McKay preached.
Annie and Willie at Methodist church in the evening.
28 – Eight below zero in the morning with E wind which continued
all day with snow and drifting. The boys did not go to school.
Jennie picking beans. Annie baking. Spent most of the day cutting
wood in the shed. No mail.
29 – A fine but pretty cold day. Cutting wood in the woodshed in
the forenoon and in Phair’s swamp in the afternoon. Boys drove to
school. All over to P. Luke’s in the evening. Got Saturday Globe
today.
30 – A very fine day but below zero in the morning. Cutting wood
in Phair’s swamp in the forenoon and in the afternoon at church
session meeting at J.M. Real’s. A deputation from the Methodist
church proposing to hold joint meeting for a time to conserve fuel.
Arrangements were made to that end. Annie washing. Boys drove
to school. Annie and Willie at guild meeting in the evening.
31 – A very fine but cold day. Cutting wood all day in Phair’s
swamp. Boys drove to school. Mrs. John Michie left her family
here while John and her went to Port Perry.
FEB. 1 – About 20 below zero in the morning and did not get
higher than zero all day. Cutting wood in the shed in the forenoon
and in the afternoon drew up 5 loads of wood from Phair’s swamp.
Boys drove to school. Jean and Ruth Michie called. Farmers
institute meeting at Greenbank today.
2 – A beautiful day but pretty cold. Sawing wood in the forenoon
in Phair’s swamp, Willie helping, and drawing out wood in the
afternoon. Willie helping P. Luke in the afternoon.
3 – Not so cold with some snow. All but Jennie at SS and church;
100 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. After the service a vote was
taken in the question of uniting with the Methodist church in the
SS and church services for 3 months. It was carried by 8 of a
majority, but many did not vote.
4 – A terrible cold day. Down to 14 below zero in the morning and
lower in the evening with high NW wind and drifting. Cutting
wood in the woodshed most of the day. Jennie and the boys pick-
ing beans. Annie baking. No trains, no mail.
5 – 26 below zero in the morning and did not get higher than about
6 below all day. Cut wood in the shed part of the day. Jennie,
326
Annie and the boys picking beans part of the day. Jas. S. Lee
called in the afternoon and Myrtle Luke in the evening. No mail.
6 – Snowing a little most of the day from the E. Cut a little wood
in the shed. Boys drove to school. Annie washing. Annie and
Willie at Guild meeting in the evening. The snow plough got
through on the RR about 4 pm but we got no mail yet; none since
last Friday.
7 – A fine day; down a little below zero in the evening. Cutting
wood in shed. Boys drove to school. Got mail today; 5 daily
papers.
8 – A fine day. Cut some wood in the shed. Boys drove to school.
Annie and Gladys Luke at Port Perry in the afternoon.
9 – Some rough, drifting a little. We cut down the tree near the N
window of the kitchen. No mail. Trains not running well.
10 – Much milder. All but Jennie at SS and church; 95 at SS. Mr.
McKay preached on the 5th
commandment.
11 – A fine mild day and really thawing. Split some wood in the
woodshed when a terrible pain came in my right hip and I had to
quit. Annie washing. Boys drove to school. No trains, no mail.
12 – Soft all day; raining sometimes. Laid up all day with hip.
Boys drove to school. No mail.
13 – A very fine day and thawing some. Boys drove to school. In
the house all day with bad leg. Jennie at James Lee’s for dinner
and afternoon keeping the children while they were at Port Perry.
Annie, Willie and Gladys Luke at Guild meeting in the evening.
No mail yet.
14 – A fine day and thawing. Heavy rain in the evening starting
about 9; some lightning. In the house all day with bad leg. Boys
drove to school. Jennie visiting at N. Midgley’s in the afternoon.
15 – Quite a lot colder with high wind and freezing. All day in the
house with bad leg. Jennie and Willie started to go with the cutter
to John Michie’s but the road was too soft. Willie and James at
Albert Akhurst’s sale in the afternoon. Gladys Luke called at
noon. No mail.
16 – Somewhat cold with E wind. In the house all day with bad
leg. Annie and the boys went to Port Perry in the afternoon. Wes
Luke and wife here for dinner and talked a couple of hours.
Gladys Luke called in the evening. James hurt his nose skating
north of the barn.
17 – Pretty fine clear cold day. Annie, Willie and Gladys Luke at
church and SS. 110 st SS. Mr. Hall of the Neglected Children’s
Care preached. Annie, Willie and Gladys at Methodist church in
the evening.
18 – A very fine day. Cut a little wood in the woodshed and
helped a little with the chores (the first for a week). Annie wash-
ing. Boys drove to school. Annie, the boys and Gladys Luke
skating in the evening.
19 – Rain, fog and more rain, especially in the evening. Cut some
wood in the shed in the forenoon. Jennie and the boys picking
beans.
20 – Turned colder in the night with high wind which continued all
day and very cold; down to 6 below zero at bedtime. Ice every-
where. Boys took Jim Lee’s saw home in the morning and skating
in the afternoon. No mail.
21 – Another very cold windy day; 6 below zero in the morning.
Little doing. Norman Midgley called. Annie and the boys skating
in the evening. A very fine evening. No mail.
22 – Pretty cold but nice day. Boys at school (walked). Cut some
wood. Jean, Ruth and Olive Michie here in the afternoon while
John and Lizzie were at Port Perry. Annie, Willie and Gladys
Luke skating in the evening in James Leask’s field. Over at P.
Luke’s in the forenoon settling up with him; 85 cts. was coming to
me.
23 – Mild and fine day. Cutting some wood in the door yard with
P. Luke’s saw, Willie helping. Jennie at P. Luke’s for a visit and
supper. Clinton Midgley, Ross Blakely and our boys skating in the
afternoon and Clinton and Ross stayed for supper. Three days mail
came and the war news was never darker.
24 – Quite mild and thawing all day. All but Jennie at SS and
church; 100 at SS; Mr. McKay preached on the 6th
command-
ment. Gladys Luke here for supper and, with Annie and Willie,
went to Methodist church in the evening.
25 – Mild and thawing all day. Heavy rain in the evening with
lightning. Helped John Michie to pull down the old log barn at Jim
Lee’s that he has bought. Annie washing. Boys drove to school.
War news bad.
26 – A terrible night of wind which continued all day with some
snow. Nothing doing. Boys not at school. No mail.
27 – A fine day and thawing. Boys drove to school. Jennie baking
bread. Mr. and Mrs. McKay here for supper. Willie and Annie at
Guild meeting in the evening.
28 – A fine mild day; some snow in the forenoon. Helping John
Michie at Jim Lee’s old barn in the forenoon. Boys drove to
school. Myrtle Luke called in the evening.
MAR. 1 – A fine day. Helping John Michie in the forenoon to
haul down Jim Lee’s old barn. James at school. In the afternoon
Jennie and I drove to Willie Smith’s at Columbus. Got there about
5 and stayed all night.
2 – A fine day. Went with Willie Smith to Brooklin in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon drove with Jennie to Frank Bratley’s,
where we stayed for tea and came back to Smith’s in the evening.
Herb and Ethel Bratley were home. Herb expects to be called to
the army any time. Willie went to Port Perry for Sid Caney.
3 – A very fine day. At Brooklin church with Jennie, Willie and
Barbara to SS and church. It was communion Sunday; their new
minister Mr. Simpson preached and I liked him very well. Annie
327
went to SS and church with Luke’s while the boys and Sid Caney
started with the old cutter and broke down and turned back, but
they were all at the Methodist church at night.
4 – A fine day. Started with Jennie from Smith’s about 9 am and
drove to F. Perrin’s, Newcastle. Went by Oshawa and Bowman-
ville. Sleighing good. Willie drove Sidney Caney to Port Perry.
5 – A fine morning. F. Perrin drove Jennie and I to Sleeman’s near
Port Hope for dinner and found them all well. In the afternoon Jim
Sleeman drove us over to see W. Clarke’s chicken farm and quite a
sight it was; about 1800 hens on hand now. After tea we drove
back to Perrin’s. The night was very dark and foggy with a little
rain. James at school. Annie washing.
6 – Colder, with the roads hard again. Hitched up and, with Jennie
and Jennie Perrin, drove to W. Farrow’s where we got dinner.
Then I left Jennie and started for home. Turned north at Newcastle
and came by Orono and Hampton and got to Smith’s again about 8
o’clock. Some snow on the way up. James at school. John Michie
left the children here while they went to Port Perry.
7 – A fine day. Started again from Smith’s in the morning and got
home for dinner. Tried to draw out a little wood that was left in
Phair’s swamp but there was too much water under the ice. James
at school. Gladys Luke called.
8 – A fine day and thawing some. Cutting and splitting wood in
the door yard, Willie helping. James at school. Annie at a party at
D. McDonald’s in the evening.
9 - A fine morning. Annie got home from McDonald’s party about
4:30 am. With Willie’s help cut some old cedars in Phair’s swamp
in the forenoon and drew it up to the house in the afternoon while
Willie helped John Michie to cut some saw logs. James at Midg-
ley’s in the afternoon and Willie in the evening. Snow from the E
most of the afternoon and evening.
10 – A high wind; snowing and drifting bad all day. Annie and
Willie started for church but turned back about Wes Phoenix’s.
11 – A fine day. Cutting and splitting wood in the woodshed.
Annie washing. Willie drove James to school and also went for
him. Myrtle Luke called in the forenoon.
12 – Mild day; snow going fast in the afternoon. Cut some old
cedar logs in Phair’s swamp and drew them to the house. Willie
drove James to school and went after him.
13 – A fine day, thawing some in the afternoon. Cutting wood all
day in P. Luke’s swamp near his road gate, Willie helping. James
at school. Willie and Annie at Guild meeting in the evening.
14 – Some colder in the morning with mist in the forenoon. Cut-
ting wood in Phair’s swamp, Willie helping. It was raining after
dinner, then there was thunder, then rain, and finally snow. Cut-
ting wood in shed. James at school. Willie went after him. No
mail.
15 – Pretty rough and cold. Cut some wood in shed while Willie
went to Port Perry for Jennie who returns from a 2 week visit to
Newcastle etc. James at school. Cutting wood in P. Luke’s swamp
in the afternoon.
16 – Mild day. Drawing wood all day from P. Luke’s swamp,
Willie helping. Jennie and James trying to make the sewing ma-
chine work. Myrtle Luke called in the evening.
17 – A fine day and thawing some in the afternoon. All but Jennie
at SS and church; 104 at SS; Mr. McKay preached on the 8th
commandment. Annie and Willie and Gladys Luke at Methodist
church in the evening.
18 – A fine mild day. Cutting wood in the forenoon and in the
afternoon drawing home from John Michie’s some old cedar
stumps for firewood for boiling maple sap, Willie helping. Annie
and Jennie washing. James at school. War news never more
gloomy.
19 – Thawing all day. Cutting wood in the forenoon while Jennie
and Willie went to Port Perry for sap buckets etc. They drove the
cutter but the roads were better suited for wheels. Annie at John
Michie’s helping Mrs. John who is not very well. James at school.
In the afternoon tapped about 50 maple trees along the road.
20 – A fine day and quite warm in the afternoon. Fixed up the
kettle for boiling sap and split wood. Willie at church wood cut-
ting bee. Jennie whitewashing kitchen and pantry. James at
school. Mud everywhere.
21 – Very mild and thawing all day. Moved the stove (which has
been in the front room all winter) back to the kitchen and Jennie
and Annie were most of the day cleaning up. Started to boil the
sap of yesterday’s run. Splitting wood, Willie helping. James at
school. Myrtle Luke called in the afternoon.
22 – Some colder. Willie drove James to school and went on to
Greenbank to get a band for the sugar kettle but it turned out to be
too short. Splitting wood most of the day. Jennie baking. War
news: Germans launch great offensive on British front and gain a
little at some points.
23 – Somewhat cold in the morning. Splitting wood in the yard
most of the day, Willie helping, and finished. Clinton Midgley
here in the afternoon. Annie and Luke’s girls at A. Akhurst’s in
the evening. No mail today as the water is so high in the swamp.
24 – A very fine day. All but Jennie (who has a cold in her head)
at SS and church. We drove the buggy for the first time this spring
and went up the side road all the way. There was 108 at SS; Mr.
McKay preached on the 9th
commandment. Annie at P. Luke’s for
supper and went with Gladys and Willie to Methodist church in the
evening. Mrs. Luke here in the afternoon.
25 – A very fine day. Helping Cecil Phair to cut wood. Jennie and
Willie all day boiling sap. Annie washing. James at school. War
news: A terrible battle still continues on the British front in France
which appears to be going bad for our side.
328
26 – Very cold and high wind all day. Did little but boil down
some sap. James at school. Annie over at Luke’s in the evening.
27 – Pretty cold all day. Working in root house and pruning or-
chard. James at school. Willie, Annie and Myrtle Luke at Guild
meeting in the evening. War news a little more hopeful. Oliver
Luke married.
28 – A very fine day. Helping Jas. Lee to frame his new driving
shed. B. Cragg and J. Michie also helping. Jennie and Willie at
Port Perry in the forenoon. Willie went over to Ernest Phair’s in
the afternoon to hire with him. Jennie at John Michie’s. James at
school. War news is some better.
29 – Good Friday. A beautiful day. Pruning apple trees. Willie
boiling sap all day. James at school. Leola Luke, who has been
attending school in Cannington, was here for supper and Gladys
Luke here in the evening. War news not quite so good today.
30 – A very fine day. A little dull. All day at Jim Lee’s helping to
raise his driving shed. Willie went to Port Perry helping John
Michie to drive cattle. Annie drove to Port Perry for Willie and
Gordon Bell who are here for Easter holidays. Jennie boiling sap.
Myrtle Luke called. War news: still very serious. About bedtime
Sidney Caney, who has been unwell for the last few days, phoned
that he was at Port Perry and he came later. He got a ride with C.
O’Neill.
31 – Easter Sunday. A very fine day. All hands but Sidney at SS
and church; 115 at SS, Mr. McKay preached. Annie, Willie and
Sidney at Methodist church in the evening. Gladys Luke here in
the evening. She leaves tomorrow morning to take a course in a
Toronto business college.
APR. 1 - A very dull day with rain several times. Pruning trees
part of the day and looking after boiling sap. Leola Luke called.
Sidney Caney at P. Luke’s for supper. War news hopeful.
2 – A very fine day. All day cleaning out raspberry bushes, boys
helping some. P. Luke starts harrowing, the first work on the land
that I have seen. War news: British holding. Trouble in Quebec.70
3 – A very fine day. Cleaning out berry bushes in the forenoon.
About the middle of the afternoon, W.H. Leask came with his
sawing machine and worked until six o’clock. John Michie and P.
Luke and Sidney Caney helping. Annie, Willie and Sidney at
Guild meeting in the evening. War news: little doing.
4 – A very fine day. Cutting wood with Leask’s machine and
finished at noon. Jim Lee was helping. He came for Cecil Phair
and in the afternoon helping P. Luke to cut his wood. Jennie and
the boys had a busy day boiling down sap as it ran good today.
Myrtle Luke here in the evening as we had a sugaring off.
70
Quebec felt distanced from the war, feeling that it
was a chiefly English effort. 23 year old Joseph
Mercier was arrested for not carrying his conscription
registration papers, which in turn triggered a massive
riot in Quebec City.
5 – A beautiful day. Willie helping John Michie to cut his wood in
the forenoon while I and the boys finished cleaning out the rasp-
berry bushes. Boiling sap all day and did not catch up to the run.
In the afternoon at preparatory service in the church with Willie
and S. Caney. Rev. Mr. Gibson of Sunderland preached. Jas.
Lee’s baby girl Alma Isabella was baptised. Annie, Willie and
Sidney Caney at Luke’s in the evening. War news: Germans are
making another great drive on the west front.
6 – A very fine day. Went with Willie and Sid Caney to Jim Lee’s
for a load of old shingles for boiling sap and I stayed all day and
helped Jim to shingle his new driving shed. Willie came for two
more loads while Sidney attended the fire all day but did not suc-
ceed in finishing as the run was good today. Annie went to Port
Perry and took Willie and Gordon Bell on their way home. She
went over to Luke’s and stayed all night with Myrtle who is alone.
Mary Dusty and Myrtle Luke here for supper; the principal subject
was hats. J.M. Real called in the morning. War news: Allies
holding.
7 – Threatening rain several times with high SW wind. With
Jennie, Annie and Willie at communion at Greenbank. There was
a fair turnout and Mr. McKay conducted the service. Sidney
Caney was not well so he and James stayed at home. In the after-
noon Willie and Sidney went to Ed Lyle’s south of Port Perry and
as it proved to be a very dark night they stayed all night. Annie at
Luke’s in the afternoon and Myrtle Luke called in the evening.
8 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon E of the orchard (the
first work on the land). Willie and Sidney came home from E.
Lyle’s. Annie washing. James boiling sap. Afternoon Willie
plowing while I scuffled berry bushes. Sid Caney and James
called on C. Phair. War news fair.
9 – A hard frost and a very raw E wind. In the forenoon piling
wood in the swamp field, James helping, while Willie took Sidney
Caney to Port Perry on his way back to Toronto. In the afternoon
went to food conservation meeting in the school house. Rev. E.
Rowland was the chairman. About 15 men were present. James
also went and brought his books home as he expects to have passed
the entrance by the farm work plan. Jennie went to W.M. meeting
in the church. 2 quilts were quilted. Willie piling wood. Lu Wag-
oner and Myrtle Luke called in the evening.
10 – Another bleak raw day with E wind. All day piling the wood,
the boys helping. Mr. McKay called in the afternoon. Willie,
Annie and Myrtle Luke at Guild in the evening. War news: Ger-
mans have advanced.
11 – A very fine day. Piling wood in the forenoon, boys helping.
Willie plowing in the afternoon while I finished scuffling berry
bushes and some other jobs. Jennie at Jas. Lee’s keeping the chil-
dren while Mrs. Lee went to the dentist. Boiling sap all afternoon
and evening. War news still very gloomy.
12 – A fine but somewhat raw day. Went for load of kettle wood
to Jim Lee’s with Willie, then Willie went for another load. Help-
ing Jim Lee to shingle in the afternoon while Willie drew out ma-
nure. Vet Moon came over to see sick cow. McMillan, horse
buyer, called. War news: a little better but not too good.
329
13 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry with James for grass
seed. Willie cultivating field W of house. Boiling sap. Got a bag
of potatoes from N. Midgley and planted a few. Uncovered the
strawberry patch which looks pretty good. Myrtle Luke called in
the evening. War news: Germans still advancing.
14 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church (Annie rode up
with the Luke’s); 102 at SS. Rev. Mr. --- of Gamebridge
preached. Annie stayed for tea at Mrs. Stone’s and with Myrtle
Luke and Willie went to the Methodist church in the evening. The
law putting the time 1 hour ahead to save daylight came into force
today at 2 am.
15 – A beautiful day. Willie cultivating field N of barn while I and
James fanned seed oats. James went with P. Luke to help bring
home his cattle from Alex Lee’s. Jennie washing and quilting.
War news more encouraging.
16 – A beautiful day. Sowed field W of house (the first of the
season) while the boys finished piling the wood. Vet Moon called
to see cow. Annie went to Port Perry in the afternoon and brought
home a bag of wheat for seed which cost $2.74 per bushel. Myrtle
Luke here in the evening. War news: British still holding.
17 – A fine day until about 5:30 when it started to rain from the E.
Willie harrowing in the forenoon and at John Michie’s in the after-
noon. James harrowing in afternoon. Gathered up the sap dishes
and planted turnips for seed. Mr. Sleep called and bought a cow
and two steers. War news bad. Germans captured Marina Ridge.
18 – Rain through the night and morning which turned to snow and
quite cold and disagreeable. Got John Michie’s waggon (ours
being loaded with logs) and took the 2 pigs to Port Perry. They
weighed 410 lbs. at $19.50. P. Luke went with me while the boys
fanned oats. In the afternoon changed some oats with P. Luke.
Cold and wintery like. War news a shade brighter.
19 – A hard frost and pretty wintery like. With the boys took the
cow and two steers to Seagrave in the forenoon and in the after-
noon went with James with a load of saw logs to Blair’s mill ex-
pecting to get the lumber home but did not get it. Russell Thomas
called. He wanted to buy Peggy. Annie at Luke’s in the evening.
War news some brighter.
20 – A fine but somewhat raw day. Drawing out manure, boys
helping, in the forenoon as the ground was too hard frozen to work
and in the afternoon sowed the bag of wheat I got. Sowed it E of
the orchard and Willie harrowed it. Annie at John Michie’s keep-
ing the children while Mrs. John was at Port Perry. Harnessed up
King colt for the first time. War news quiet.
21 – Dull with a little rain sometimes. All but Jennie at SS and
church; 95 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Voted on the question of
adopting the new time in starting meetings and a majority were in
favour of the new order. Mrs. John Michie and Olive called in the
afternoon. Annie and Willie at Methodist church in the evening.
22 – Not much doing in the forenoon as it was raining off and on.
Sowed field N of the barn in the afternoon. Myrtle Luke here in
the afternoon helping to quilt a quilt made by Mrs. Mark years ago.
War news: Things somewhat quiet.
23 – Willie harrowing while I drilled up some. Jennie and Annie
washing. Afternoon went with P. Luke to W. Reader’s sale on
Scugog Island and bought a set of sleighs. Rain in the evening.
War news: Little doing.
24 – Ground white with snow in the morning and quite cold all
day. Went over to Jim Blair’s mill and brought home the lumber
sawed from our logs. Boys cutting wood. Jennie quilting. In the
afternoon went with James to W. Reader’s, Scugog, for the sleighs
bought yesterday. Annie and Willie at Guild in the evening. Myr-
tle Luke came over to go but was too late. War news: Naval raid
on Belgian coast.
25 – Quite a hard frost in the morning but a fine day. The boys
drawing out manure in the forenoon while Jennie and I went to
Port Perry market. Willie rolling new grass in the afternoon. War
news not good. Germans advancing.
26 – A very fine day. Plowing all day in SW field. Willie at John
Michie’s, his first day of a six month engagement. Annie also at
John’s all day. Jennie quilting. James painting sleigh. No mail
today.
27 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. James cultivating
in the afternoon. Planted some potatoes. Willie at John Michie’s.
Myrtle Luke here in the afternoon, also in the evening. Ruby Lee
here for dinner. War news not good.
28 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church (Annie rode up
with Luke’s); 95 at SS; Mr. McKay preached on foreign missions.
Willie, Annie and Myrtle Luke at Methodist church in the evening.
Mrs. Luke was sent for to the phone. The news was the death of
her sister in Toronto.
29 – A fine day. A little rain with some thunder in the evening.
James finished cultivating SW field while I planted some potatoes.
Sowing SW field in the afternoon. Willie at John Michie’s. Myr-
tle Luke and Annie at S. Dusty’s in the evening. War news: Ger-
mans still winning some.
30 – A fine day. Finished sowing SW field which finishes seeding.
James harrowing while I planted potatoes and some other little
jobs. Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie and Annie papering boys
room.
MAY 1 – Quite cold with high NW wind and lots of dust. Did a
number of small jobs while James harrowed and rolled most of the
day. Jennie and Annie housecleaning upstairs. Willie at John
Michie’s. Willie, Annie and Myrtle at Guild meeting in the eve-
ning. War news: Allies hold firm. Ethel Bratley and ---- Byers
married.
2 – A fine day with high wind. Drawing out manure in the fore-
noon, James helping, and in the afternoon went with James to
W.H. Leask’s for a load of hay. Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie
and Annie at Port Perry. War news quiet.
3 – A fine day. A few drops of rain towards night. Drawing out
manure all day, James helping. Jennie and Annie housecleaning
upstairs. Willie at John Michie’s. Myrtle Luke called in the eve-
ning.
330
4 – A very fine day. Went to Manchester in the forenoon with the
cow sold to Mr. O’Boyle. James drove the buggy. Came home by
Port Perry. Drawing out manure in the afternoon. Willie at John
Michie’s. Myrtle Luke here in the evening. War news quiet.
5 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 114 at SS. Mr.
McKay preached on the 10th
commandment. Willie and Annie at
Methodist church in the evening.
6 - A warm spring-like day which is making things bud out. Went
with P. Luke and Willie to Boe’s creek for suckers. P. Leask and
Jack Leask and us were in co. and we got near 10 bags so we had
to walk home. Helping to clean the fish most of the afternoon.
James rolling. Jennie and Annie housecleaning. Willie at John
Michie’s. A. Akhurst moves. War news: little of importance.
7 – Some little rain in the morning and thunder storms went round
in afternoon but no rain here. Drew out 3 loads of manure which
finishes the corn ground, then plowing while James finished rolling
grain. Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie and Annie papering SE
bedroom. A. Akhurst, Nellie Cragg, Ruby Lee and Myrtle Luke
called. War news quiet.
8 – A fine day but rather cool. Plowing corn land all day. Willie
at John Michie’s. Jennie washing and churning. Annie, Willie and
Myrtle Luke at Guild in the evening. War news: Cabinet crisis in
Britain.
9 – Some very little showers and some thunder in the evening.
Plowing in the forenoon and drilling up for mangolds in the after-
noon. James harrowing corn land. Willie at John’s. Jennie and
Annie at Port Perry market. Jennie went up to N. Midgley’s to see
Mrs. Bryant who is ill. Clinton Midgley came down for our old
cradle. New mail carrier Brown started today. War news: Ger-
mans gain a little.
10 – Warm in the morning and some showers but got quite cold
towards night. Sowed some mangolds in the orchard and culti-
vated. James cultivating in the afternoon while I hoed berry
bushes. Jennie and Annie painting parlour. Willie at John Mi-
chie’s.
11 – Quite a frost in the morning and not very warm all day. Went
up to W. Thomas’s in the morning and got 6 bags of potatoes and
planted some of them in the orchard. James cultivating. After
dinner went with Jas. Lee on a fishing trip but we only got about a
dozen fish. James went with us. Ruby Lee here in the afternoon.
Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie and Annie painting and planting
garden. War news somewhat better.
12 – Some rain in the forenoon. All but Jennie at SS and church.
Mr. McKay preached; 90 at SS. Annie, Willie and Myrtle Luke at
Methodist church in the evening.
13 – A fine but rather cool day. In the morning went to Port Perry
with buggy wheels to get fixed. Annie went with me. James culti-
vating. Afternoon drilling up for potatoes. Jennie and Annie pa-
pering the parlour. Willie at John Michie’s. War news not bad.
14 – A very fine but cool day. Drawing out manure on potato
drills, James helping. Willie at J.M.’s. Jennie and Annie painting
and papering. Took young colt to P. Luke’s for pasture. All but
Jennie at Bible Society meeting in our church in the evening.
There was a pretty good turnout. A Japanese man was the speaker
but was rather hard to understand. He had a lantern but it did not
work very well.
15 – A fine day but pretty cold for the time of year. Cutting pota-
toes most of the day, James helping some. Willie at John Mi-
chie’s. Russell Thomas came down and bought Peggy mare and
took her home. About 4 o’clock Willie Smith came with his car
and with him his mother, Annie, Ken and Betty Mason and stayed
for tea.
16 – A very fine day. Cut potatoes and planted field potatoes,
James helping. Got a bag from P. Luke to finish. Jennie and An-
nie papering. Willie at John Michie’s. Mrs. Jas. Lee and Ruby and
Alma called in the afternoon. War news rather quiet.
17 – A very warm fine day. Went up to W. Thomas’s in the morn-
ing for a load of hay and straw, then drew manure. James caught 4
little wild ducks in the swamp. After dinner went down to J. Mi-
chie’s for two little pigs and 2 bush. corn and have a settling up.
Then planted some sweet corn, James helping. Annie went to Port
Perry and brought home a parlour rug. Jennie painting parlour.
Willie at J.M.’s. Annie and the boys at Luke’s in the evening.
18 – A very fine but warm day. Drawing out manure in the fore-
noon, James helping. At James Lee’s in the afternoon helping him.
Willie at John Michie’s. Annie and the boys at Luke’s in the eve-
ning. War news: little doing.
19 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 115 at SS. This is SS
anniversary day and Mr. Simpson of Columbus preached to a full
house. Mr. McKay taking his place at Columbus and Brooklin.
Willie Smith brought Mr. Simpson out in his car and they came
here for supper. Mr. Simpson preached again in the evening to a
fuller house. Ern Jamison and wife and Wes Real and wife sang.
20 – Some like rain in the forenoon but did not come but got colder
with high NW wind. Planted 8 rows of strawberries and some
beans, James helping. Willie at John Michie’s. Myrtle Luke here
in the afternoon and again in the evening.
21 – A very fine and warm day. Drew 2 loads of threshing wood
from Jim Lee’s in the morning, then planted some corn while
James harrowed corn ground. Afternoon drew out manure while
James helped Cecil Phair. Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie clean-
ing cellar. Myrtle Luke here in the evening. W.H. Leask and
Albert Akhurst called with a petition in respect to conscription.
22 – A light thunder shower in the forenoon and thunder again in
the afternoon but no rain here. Planted some beans, corn and pota-
toes in the forenoon. After dinner James went to Cecil Phair’s and
got a road scraper and we scraped out a water run in the hill field.
Jennie churning. Willie at John Michie’s. Annie and Willie and
Myrtle Luke at Guild meeting.
23 – A fine but cool day, high wind and lots of dust. Went to Port
Perry with Jennie in the morning for the buggy wheels. In the
afternoon got John Michie’s drill and sowed the field corn. Willie
at John Michie’s. War news quiet.
331
24 – A fine day. A little rain in the evening. Planted some more
corn and beans in the forenoon, Willie and James helping, and in
the afternoon went with Jennie and James fishing at the sideroad
bridge. Got a few small fish. Annie and Willie went to Uxbridge
to the concert.
25 – A nice shower after dinner and again about 4 which was
needed. Drawing out manure all day, James helping. Willie at J.
Michie’s. All over at Luke’s in the evening as Blanche and Gladys
were home. New mail carrier Moon started.
26 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; Mr. McKay
preached; 112 at SS. Gladys Luke here for supper and went with
Willie and Annie to the Methodist church in the evening. A heavy
thunder shower near 12.
27 – Quite warm, lots of thunder in the afternoon but no rain here.
Plowing all day in root field. Willie at John Michie’s. Mrs. John
called in the afternoon. New mail carrier had the mail here by 12
o’clock.
28 – A very fine day. Finished drawing out manure and then
plowed some. Willie at J. Michie’s. Jennie and Annie washing.
War news: Germans make another drive.
29 – Somewhat dull with a few drops of rain in the afternoon.
Plowing root ground all day. James tying up berry bushes. Willie
at J. Michie’s. Mrs. Dusty and Mary here in the afternoon getting
some sewing. Annie at Guild in the evening. Col. Sam Sharpe of
the 116th
buried at Uxbridge today.71
War news: Germans advanc-
ing towards Paris.
30 – A beautiful day. Finished plowing root ground and harrowed
potatoes. Jennie and Annie at Port Perry market. Willie at J. Mi-
chie’s. James tying up berry bushes. Myrtle Luke here in the
evening. War news bad, very bad.72
31 – Very warm and close with heavy thunder shower about 3 pm,
some hail also. Scuffling and hoeing berry bushes. Willie at J.
Michie’s. Jennie baking. War news still very bad. Germans
smashing ahead. Mrs. John Horn died suddenly.
JUNE 1 – Quite warm with high west wind and some dust. Fixed
gate N of barn while James harrowed root land. Willie at John
Michie’s. They are tearing the roof of the barn off. In the after-
noon drew home two loads of old shingles from John Michie’s
barn. James making flower stand. Annie at Luke’s in the evening.
War news still very bad. Germans have got to the Marne. Sidney
Caney came about midnight.
71
“Col. Sam Sharpe jumped to his death from the
second story window of the Victoria Hospital, Mont-
real. He commanded the 116th
Battalion at Vimy
Ridge before having a nervous breakdown and being
hospitalized in England in April.” Source:
www.scugogheritage.com.
72
Robert would probably have been referring to the
Third Battle of the Aisne where over 50,000 Allies
were captured.
2 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 85 at SS. Rev.
Mr. Dodds of Sonya preached, Mr. McKay being at Fenelon Falls.
Annie, Willie and S. Caney at Methodist church in the evening.
3 – A fine day with high NW wind; quite cool in the evening. Did
some hoeing while James and Sidney Caney harrowed root ground.
Jennie and Annie washing. Willie at John Michie’s. War news a
little brighter.
4 – Rather dull and a few drops of rain. Hoed some but was in the
house most of the time with a bad leg. Annie and James at Port
Perry with Sid Caney on his way back to Toronto. Willie at John
Michie’s. James at John Michie’s in the afternoon. Ruby Lee here
awhile in the afternoon. War news: German advance stopped.
5 – Very foggy in the morning but a fine day. Went to Greenbank
in the morning for the beef (the first of the season), then cultivated
root ground. Jennie at John Michie’s preparing for the barn raising
tomorrow. Willie at John’s. Annie, Willie and Myrtle Luke at
Guild in the evening.
6 - Rather dull and threatening rain. Scuffling most of the fore-
noon. James at John Michie’s all day helping. Willie at J.M.’s. In
the afternoon all hands at John Michie’s barn raising which went
off without anybody hurt but did not go together first rate. War
news not so bad.
7 – Much colder with very high NW wind. Did little but nurse bad
leg. Willie at J. Michie’s. Annie and Myrtle Luke at Port Perry in
the afternoon.
8 – Rather a fine day. Did little but nurse my leg. James harrowed
root ground. Willie at John Michie’s. Annie and James went to
public school picnic in Beare’s woods. Myrtle Luke called in the
evening. Eclipse of the sun after 5 pm.
9 – Dull with some rain in the afternoon and evening. All but
Jennie at SS and church; 79 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. The
ballot for elders resulted in the election of James Blair and G.A.
McMillan.
10 – A very fine day. Drilling up most of the day for turnips.
Jennie at Jas. Lee’s all day keeping house while Mrs. Lee was at
Toronto attending the funeral of her aunt, Mrs. Hewitt. Annie
washing. Willie at J. Michie’s. Myrtle Luke called in the evening.
War news: Germans making another drive. Jennie stayed at Lee’s
all night.
11 – A fine day with high SW wind. Sowed and drilled turnips.
Jennie at W. Missionary meeting at the church. Willie at John
Michie’s. Ruby Lee here for dinner. Fire in Port Perry. Jeffery’s
harness shop damaged. War news bad. Germans advancing.
Thunder storm after we went to bed.
12 – A fine but rather cool day. Plowing most of the day. Jennie
cleaning the cupboard. Willie at J.M.’s. Annie and James at Port
Perry in the afternoon. Annie, Willie and Myrtle Luke at Guild
meeting. W. [Tocher?] of Sunderland called on business. Myrtle
Luke stayed here all night.
332
13 – A fine but very cool day. Finished sowing turnips and plowed
in the forenoon. Helping John Michie to shingle his barn in the
afternoon. Blake Cragg and John Howsam also helping. Willie at
J.M.’s. Annie went to Port Perry with Myrtle Luke and from
thence to Platton’s on Scugog for a visit. Jennie varnishing cup-
board.
14 – A fine but cool day. Hoeing mangolds in the orchard most of
the day. Willie at J. Michie’s. War news better.
15 – A beautiful day but cool. Scuffling corn most of the day.
Willie at J. Michie’s. James hoeing some. Olive and baby Michie
here while their mother was at Port Perry. War news good.
16 – A fine day. Some thunder in the evening but no rain here. At
SS and church with Willie and James. 104 at SS; Mr. McKay
preached on the prodigal son. Jennie went over to Jim Lee’s to
keep the children while Ida went to Port Perry to the Dr., then she
stayed in the afternoon while they went to church. Willie and
James at Methodist church in the evening.
17 – A very fine day. Did a few chores in the forenoon while
James harrowed buckwheat land. Willie at J. Michie’s. Jennie
washing. Afternoon at John Michie’s helping to shingle barn.
James there also. War news: Austrians make great attack on the
Italian front but do little as yet.
18 – A very fine day. Sowed the buckwheat and harrowed it and
scuffled potatoes. Willie at John Michie’s. They finished shin-
gling the barn. War news: Italians holding pretty well.
19 – A beautiful day. Went to Port Perry in the morning for Annie
who has been at Scugog for a few days. Went to see the Dr. and he
says I have sciatica. Hoed some in the afternoon. Jennie sewing.
Willie at J. Michie’s. Willie and Annie at Guild meeting in the
evening. War news fair. Mail delivered by car for the first time.
Got here before 12 o’clock.
20 – A beautiful day. Drove Jennie to Greenbank where she went
by car driven by Norman Flewell to Beaverton to the Presbyterial
W. Missionary meeting. Mrs. John Stone; Mrs. Jas. Blair; Mrs.
J.M. Real also went. James drove to Greenbank for her in the
evening. Fixed stable floor.
21 – Rain and fog most of the day which was very welcome as
things were getting pretty dry. Little doing. Jennie sewing. Willie
at John Michie’s. War news: Italians holding good.
22 – Very cold for the time of year with almost rain several times.
Did some hoeing. Jennie cleaning kitchen floor. Willie at J. Mi-
chie’s. This is registration day. All over 16 years of age are re-
quired to register. War news: Italians holding and gaining.
23 – A very fine but very cool day. All hands at SS and church;
108 at SS; Mr. McKay preached. Annie, Willie and Myrtle Luke
at Methodist church in the evening.
24 – A very fine and much warmer day. Hoeing field corn, James
helping. Jennie and Annie washing. Willie at John Michie’s. War
news good. Austrians retreating.
25 – A very fine day. Hoeing corn, James helping. Willie at J.
Michie’s. Jennie and James at Port Perry in the afternoon. The
Rawleigh medicine man called. War news good; 45,000 Austrians
captured.
26 – A very fine day. Finished hoeing corn, James helping.
Rolled buckwheat. Willie at J. Michie’s. Moved the stove out to
the cook house. Jennie oiling kitchen floor. Annie, Willie and
James at Guild in the evening. War news all right.
27 – A very fine day. Hoeing most of the day. Gladys Luke called
after dinner and Myrtle and Gladys in the evening. Willie at John
Michie’s. War news quiet.
28 – A very fine day. Hoed some and did some little jobs in the
forenoon. In the afternoon went with Annie to preparatory service
in the church. Rev. Mr. McDonald of Leaskdale preached. New
members this time: the 2 Butson girls; Mr. and Mrs. James Dur-
ward, and Mr. and Mrs. C. Lingle. James Blair and George A.
McMillan were ordained elders. There was a fair turnout. War
news: little of importance.
29 – A fine day. A little shower about 10 am. At Cecil Phair’s
helping to hoe corn. Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie and Annie
picking strawberries. Mrs. W. Real, Annie and Edna Gordon
called for berries. Ross Blakely here in the afternoon. War news:
Allies gain some. The Methodist parsonage stable at Greenbank
was burned down this morning. Gladys Luke here all night.
30 – Warm day. Went with Jennie to communion service at Wick.
There was an unusually good turnout. Mr. McKay preached.
Annie at Methodist SS anniversary service in the afternoon and
stayed at Mrs. Stone’s for the evening. Went with Willie to the
Methodist meeting. Mr. McKay also preached there and there was
a good turnout. A thunder shower about 5 pm and again when we
were coming home from church. The rain is quite welcome.
JULY 1 – Very cool for a first of July; something like snow about
6 pm. Went to Port Perry in the morning. Annie, Willie and James
went to the Methodist SS anniversary after supper. Myrtle Luke
called in the afternoon. War news: Allies make gains.
2 – A very fine day. At road work all day with team and waggon
drawing dirt. James hoeing potatoes. Jennie and Annie washing
and picking strawberries. Willie at J. Michie’s. Myrtle and Leola
Luke; [Eril?] Cragg, Ruby Lee and Lloyd McDonald here in the
evening.
3 – A beautiful and warm day. At road work in the forenoon and
helping P. Luke to fix fence in the afternoon. Annie went to Port
Perry in the morning with berries. Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie
at J. Michie’s in the afternoon sewing. Annie, Willie, James and
Myrtle Luke at Guild in the evening. War news favourable.
4 – A very fine but warm day. Helping P. Luke all day at fence.
Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie at John Michie’s all day sewing.
James hoeing. Annie picking strawberries and took them to Port
Perry for Mary Clark. Myrtle Luke here in the afternoon. War
news not so good.
333
5 – A fine and quite warm day. Helping P. Luke with fence in the
forenoon and in the afternoon drove to John Horn’s sale. P. Luke
went with me. There was a very large turnout and prices high.
Willie at John Michie’s. Leola Luke called. War news: Allies
gaining.
6 – A very fine day. At Cecil Phair’s all day cutting thistles and
weeds. Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie and Annie picking straw-
berries. James scuffling. Mrs. Wright and Myrtle Luke here. Mrs.
W. Real, Bessie Gordon and Ruby Lee called for strawberries.
7 – A very fine but cool day. All hands at SS and church; 115 at
SS. Rev. Mr. Gibson of Sunderland preached. Annie and Willie at
Methodist church in the evening. Rev. J.G. Miller was the
preacher.
8 – A cool but quite fine day. Scuffling corn and beans all day.
James hoeing. Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie and Annie wash-
ing.
9 – Rain through the night and forenoon and quite cool and dis-
agreeable. Fixed the water trough to water the road cattle and laid
around in the afternoon with sciatic. Jennie and Annie picking
strawberries. Willie at John Michie’s. Mrs. Wright called in the
evening.
10 – A very fine day. Hoed some in the forenoon, James helping.
Scuffling turnips in the afternoon. Willie at John Michie’s. Annie
went for the beef in the morning. Jennie and James went to Port
Perry in the afternoon but found the stores closed as it is Wednes-
day. Myrtle Luke here in the evening. War news: Everything
moving favourable.
11 – A very fine and warm day. Finished scuffling turnips and
hoed some. James hoeing corn. Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie
went to Port Perry in the forenoon for flour and sugar and again in
the afternoon with Mrs. John Michie to get some teeth drawn.
12 – A very fine day; a little shower about 2 pm. Hoeing turnips
all day. Annie hoeing in the forenoon. James hoeing corn. Jennie
and Annie picking and preserving strawberries in the afternoon.
Willie at John Michie’s. James and Mary Dusty, Arthur Gordon
and Eva Luke here in the evening. War news: Italians advancing
in Albania.
13 – A very nice but warm day. Greened potatoes, then helped to
clean out well at the house. Jennie, Annie and James helping.
James went down in the well, then hoed turnips. James hoeing
corn. Jennie and Annie picking and preserving strawberries. Jean,
Ruth and Olive Michie here in the afternoon. Willie at J. Michie’s.
War news not so bad.
14 – A very fine and warm day. All hands at SS and church; 116
at SS. Rev. Dr. Anderson, representing the Naval League,
preached, high lauding the British Empire and everything pertain-
ing to it. L. Wagoner and Myrtle Luke here for tea. Annie, Willie
and James went to Methodist church in the evening. Rev. Mr.
Anderson also spoke there. John Michie, wife and children; [?]
Cragg; and P. Luke, wife and Leola here in the evening.
15 – A fine and warm day. Hoeing turnips. James hoeing corn.
Jennie and Annie washing. Willie at J. Michie’s. Willie and
James at Blair’s pond in the evening.
16 – Dull and warm; a little rain in the evening. Hoeing turnips all
day. James hoeing potatoes in the forenoon and visiting at Ray
Dusty’s in the afternoon. Jennie at Missionary meeting at the
church. Willie at John Michie’s. Leola Luke came over to tell us
she had passed the entrance exam. War news: Germans make
another big drive. Allies holding good so far.
17 – Heavy rain through the night and a little shower about 11.
Hoeing turnips in the forenoon. Jennie at J. Michie’s keeping
children while Mrs. John went to Port Perry. James hoeing. Af-
ternoon helping Cecil Phair to hoe corn. Willie at John Michie’s.
Annie at Luke’s in the evening. War news: Allies holding good.
18 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon and finished,
James helping. Willie at J. Michie’s. At C. Phair’s in the after-
noon helping him with the hay. James scuffling corn. Jennie at
Ray Dusty’s sewing. War news fair.
19 – A very fine and warm day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon
while James scuffled corn. Willie at John Michie’s. In the after-
noon drove with Jennie to Uxbridge. Called at Mr. D. Lyle’s who
is very near his end, then to see Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Allan who were
fairly well. Got supper there. Crops look good most places, some
barley nearly ripe. James picking mustard. Myrtle and Leola Luke
here in the evening. War news: Allies making big drive and win.
20 – Very warm all day. Helping C. Phair all day haying. James
scuffling corn. Willie at John Michie’s. Afternoon James helping
C. Phair. Jennie picking potato bugs. Willie and James at Blair’s
pond in the evening. War news: Allies advancing fine.
21 – A very warm day, about 90 in the shade. All hands at SS and
church; 95 at SS. Rev. Mr. McDonald of Leaskdale preached.
Mrs. G. Miller sang a solo. Annie went home with P. Leask for
supper. Willie at Methodist church in the evening. Rev. Mr.
Chapman, their new minister, preached for the first time.
22 – Very warm and smoky all day. Got P. Luke’s mower and cut
half of the hay field (not a very heavy crop). James helping C.
Phair and did not get home until about 10. Willie at J. Michie’s.
Jennie and Annie washing and preserving rhubarb. Annie at
Luke’s in the evening. War news fine. Germans retreating.
23 – Another very warm day. Cut the last of the hay in the fore-
noon and with Willie and James’ help raked and drew in what was
cut yesterday; 4 loads. Jennie and Annie picking and preserving
raspberries. Mrs. Wright called. Alex Gordon, wife and Lex
called in the evening. War news good.
24 – Another very warm day, about 90 in the afternoon. James
raked hay while I cut thistles in the forenoon and in the afternoon
with Willie, James and Jennie drew in the last half of hay; 4 loads.
Boys at Blair’s pond in the evening. Mrs. Wright called in the
evening. No papers today; perhaps the postmen’s strike is the
cause.
334
25 – Another very warm day. James raking the hay field and we
then drew them in. Paris greened potatoes in the afternoon. Jennie
and James went to Port Perry. Willie at J. Michie’s. Myrtle and
Leola Luke here in the evening. Jennie at Ray Dusty’s seeing sick
baby. War news pretty good.
26 – Very warm, some thunder in the afternoon but no rain. Fin-
ished greening potatoes and hoeing. James scuffling turnips 2nd
time. Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke here in the afternoon making
dress. War news pretty good.
27 – Very warm day. A lot of thunder during the afternoon but no
rain here. Helping P. Luke all day mending fences. Willie at J.
Michie’s. James scuffling some. Jennie, Annie, Mrs. Wright and
Leola Luke picking raspberries; 75 boxes. Annie went to Green-
bank with berries. War news: Allies still advancing.
28 – Another very warm day; 90 in the shade. All hands at SS and
church; 101 at SS; Rev. Mr. McKay preached. Annie and the
boys at Methodist church in the evening.
29 – Pretty warm; thunder shower about the middle of the after-
noon which was very welcome. Helping P. Luke to fence until the
rain came on. Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie, Annie, Mary
Dusty, Myrtle Luke and Leola Luke picking raspberries; 126
boxes. Annie and Myrtle went to Port Perry with berries. War
news: Germans retreating fine.
30 – Much cooler. Helping P. Luke to fence in the forenoon.
Hoeing turnips at home in the afternoon, James helping. Willie at
J. Michie’s. Jennie and Annie washing and picking beans. Leola
Luke called. War news still good.
31 – A beautiful cool day. Fixing berry crates and picking berries.
Jennie, Annie, Mary Dusty and Leola Luke picking. Annie and
Leola went to Port Perry with berries and brought Sidney Caney
from the train. Willie at John Michie’s. James helping C. Phair to
draw hay. War news good, but the Allied drive is slacking up.
AUG. 1 – A very fine cool day. Finished hoeing turnips 2nd
time,
James helping. Willie went to John Michie’s but came home again
as he had nothing to do. Jennie baking. Sid Caney went over to C.
Phair’s and hired with him for $45.00 per month. The boys and
Sid went by Greenbank to Blair’s pond. Mrs. Jas. Lee left her girls
here while she went to Port Perry. Mrs. John Michie called on her
way home from Port Perry.
2 – Some rain about 10 am. Picking berries with Jennie, Annie and
Mary Dusty until the train came on. After dinner Willie drove
Jennie and I to C. Wells’ where we met Willie and Jessie Smith
with their car and we went with them to Bobcaygeon. Went by
way of Fenelon Falls and got to lake about 7. A beautiful evening
and cool.
3 – A fine day but quite cool. After dinner Willie Smith, J.C.
Mason, Annie and Ken Mason, and I started for Kinmount but after
getting about half way there and the roads getting worse all the
time we turned and came back. In the evening Willie Smith,
Jessie, Annie, Jennie and the girls at Bobcaygeon. War news good.
4 – A beautiful day. Went to church at Bobcaygeon with Willie
Smith, Mrs. Mason, Ken Mason and Jennie. Rev. Dr. Milligan of
Toronto, who has bought a cottage nearby, preached. In the eve-
ning went with W. Smith, J.C. Mason, Mrs. Mason and Jennie for
a little ride north of the lake. A little rain after we came back.
Annie and the boys at church. Mr. McKay preached.
5 – A very warm day, over 90 in the shade. After dinner left Bob-
caygeon for home. Came by Fenelon Falls, Glenarm, Woodville,
Cannington, Sunderland, and got home about 7 pm. Annie and
Betty Mason came with us and all got supper here. Mary Dusty,
Myrtle and Leola Luke, Annie and the boys picking berries and
Willie took a crate to Port Perry. War news all right.
6 – Another very warm day; some thunder and rain in the early
morning. Most of the day cleaning out the old strawberry patch.
Jennie picking and canning beans. Willie at John Michie’s in the
afternoon. Annie went with Gladys and Leola Luke on a visit to P.
Leask’s. Sid Caney and Eril Cragg here in the evening.
7 – Another very warm day but there was a breeze; 95 in the
shade. There was a great deal of lightning but only a little rain
during the night. Went for the beef in the morning although it was
P. Luke’s turn. Willie at John Michie’s. He had Topsy helping to
cut oats. Jennie and Annie washing. Hoeing and cutting thistles.
8 – Another very warm day. John Michie came up in the morning
with his binder and started to cut the field N of the barn. He then
went home and Willie drove the binder while James and I shocked
it up. Worked until about 3 pm. when a thunder shower came up
and there was several small showers and much thunder off and on
until well through the evening. Jennie and Annie picking berries.
War news somewhat quiet.
9 – A great rain most of the night which soaked things so there was
no cutting in the forenoon but I fixed fences etc. Willie at John
Michie’s in the forenoon. In the afternoon cutting oats. Willie
driving binder and James and I shocking up. Jennie at Port Perry
in the morning with crate of berries for Toronto. War news good.
British driving ahead.
10 – Pretty warm day. Cutting oats in field W of house. Willie
driving the binder and James and I shocking up. Jennie went with
Mary Dusty to Mrs. Hilson’s funeral at W. H. Leask’s. She was
taken to Lindsay by motor. Jennie and Annie picking and preserv-
ing berries and making pickles. War news continues good.
11 – A pretty warm day. All hands at SS and church; 105 at SS;
Mr. McKay preached. Sidney Caney here for supper and Willie,
Annie and him went to Methodist church. Jennie, James and I over
at Luke’s in the evening.
12 – A fine and warm day. John Michie came up in the morning to
try to fix his binder but after trying we decided to get Mr. Luke’s
binder and John stayed all day and finished cutting. Willie, James
and I shocking. Jennie and Annie washing and berry picking (the
last of the season). Willie and James at Blair’s pond in the eve-
ning. Myrtle and Leola Luke here in the evening. War news still
good.
335
13 – A terrible hot day, even although there was a high wind from
the NW; nearly 100 in the shade. Fixed fences, hoed strawberries
and other little jobs. Willie at John Michie’s cutting. Jennie at
W.M. meeting at the church. James at Midgley’s visiting Clinton.
A great thunder storm came up in the evening. War news good.
Lakey’s barn near Manchester burned by lightning.
14 – A very fine day and much cooler. Did some small jobs and
set up the shocks blown down in the storm last night. Willie at J.
Michie’s. Jennie making me a pair of shirts. War news good but
rather quiet.
15 – A very fine cool day. Went with Jennie to Port Perry market.
On the way we met the Daley tea man and bought 13 lbs. Fixed
the washing machine in the afternoon. Jennie sewing. Willie at
John Michie’s; they finished cutting. Mrs. S. Dusty and Mary, Sid
Caney and Errol Cragg here in the evening. War news still good.
16 – A beautiful day. All hands drawing in oats. Willie at John
Michie’s. War news pretty good.
17 – A very fine day. All at drawing in oats. Ruby Lee here most
of the day. Willie at J. Michie’s.
18 – A very fine day. About 11 am Willie Smith came with his car
and his mother, Mary Bell and Ben Walker and all went to SS and
church. 115 at SS; Rev. Mr. Miller of Quaker Hill preached.
Willie left for home about 8 pm. Mary Bell stayed.
19 – A beautiful day. Drawing in oats all day and finished, Jennie
and James helping. Willie at John Michie’s and they also finished
drawing in. Annie and Mary Bell washing. Myrtle and Leola
Luke here in the evening. War news good.
20 – A very fine day. Raking stubble most of the day. Jennie went
to Port Perry in the morning taking Willie to the station on his way
to Newcastle to help F. Perrin a few days with the harvest and took
James to the Dr. who says he has been affected by the hot weather.
Annie and Mary Bell at Luke’s in the evening. No paper today.
21 – Finished raking stubble and drew them in in the forenoon.
Fixed the water trough in the afternoon. About 4 o’clock a thunder
shower came up. Jennie sewing. War news good.
22 – Pretty close and warm day. Went to Port Perry in the fore-
noon with Mary Bell on her way home. Scuffled strawberries and
hoed some in the afternoon. Jennie sewing. Annie somewhat on
the sick list, James also. War news still good.
23 – Very warm and close. Did little but fix harness. About 4 pm
a thunder storm came up and continued off and on until about 8:30.
Lots of rain and some fierce lightning. Jennie sewing. Annie and
James some better. War news still all right.
24 – A great pour of rain about midnight and some drizzle during
the forenoon. Swept out the grainery in the forenoon and started to
plough the wheat patch in the afternoon. Jennie sewing. Jean and
Ruth Michie here in the afternoon. War news still good. Allies are
still advancing.
25 – A very fine and warm day. All hands at SS and church; 85 at
SS. Rev. Mr. Borland for the Dominion Alliance preached to a
rather thin house. Annie went to Alex Gordon’s for supper and
James S. Lee, wife and girls were here for supper. Sid Caney here
in the evening. Annie at Methodist church. S. Wagoner and Myr-
tle Luke called in the evening.
26 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. Helping Ray
Dusty to thresh in the afternoon (Alex Lee’s machine). Grain
turning out good. Jennie and Annie washing. Cows late coming
home. War news good.
27 – A very fine and warm day. Threshing at Ray Dusty’s until
finish at noon. Then moved to John Michie’s and worked until
dark. Annie at Port Perry in the forenoon. Jennie sewing. Myrtle
and Leola Luke here in the evening. Telephone man called.
28 – Threshing at John Michie’s until finished about 9:30. Then
went with them to Mr. C. Lingles and finished there about 3 pm.
Rain stopped them and there was a heavy rain after that and several
times during the afternoon. Machine moved to Jim Lee’s but did
not thresh any. P. Luke here in the afternoon expecting to go to
Lee’s to thresh. Jennie sewing and pickling. James at Phair’s in
the forenoon. War news: Canadians doing big things.
29 – A beautiful day. Threshing at Jim Lee’s and finished about 4
and then moved to C. Phair’s and worked until dark. Willie, who
has been at Newcastle for some days, came home today. Jennie
helping Mrs. Lee with dinner and brought home two pails of red
plums from C. Phair’s. War news still good.
30 – A very fine day. Threshing at C. Phair’s until finish about 5
pm (James also there). They then moved the machine here. James
Blair went home. Robbie Leask stayed all night. Willie cutting
engine wood. Willie Smith and his mother called for us to go to
Sutton but I was not home so Annie went with them. War news
good.
31 – Rain through the night and a little drizzle most of the fore-
noon. Threshing at home and finished about 3 pm. Those here
helping were Jim Lee; S. Caney (for C. Phair); Ray Dusty; P.
Luke; John Michie; C. Lingle. Jas. A. Blair and Robbie Leask
were the threshers. John Love called for some raspberry bushes.
Myrtle and Leola Luke called. War news still all right.
SEPT. 1 – A very fine day. All at SS; 101 present. There being
no church service as Mr. McKay is away on his holidays we went
over to the Methodist Sunday School and I was asked to teach the
mens class. Sidney Caney here for supper and he and Willie and
James went to the Methodist church. Willie Smith, his mother and
Annie returned from their trip to Sutton. He stayed about an hour
and took Annie and Gladys Luke (who is home for labour day) to
the Methodist church.
2 – A fine but rather dull day. Plowing and gang plowing all day.
Jennie and Annie washing. James drove Willie and Sidney Caney
to Port Perry. Sidney has left Phair’s and Willie has gone with him
to the Toronto fair. Leola Luke and Miss Cotes here in the after-
noon and Myrtle Luke and her aunt, Mrs. Jones, called in the eve-
ning. Norman Midgley threshing. C. Asling and others from
Epsom visiting at Luke’s. War news: still keeping good.
336
3 – Plowing about an hour when rain came on and lasted off and
on until about 2 pm, then plowing again. Annie drove James to
Port Perry for his first day at high school and she brought him
home again. Jennie ironing and sewing. Annie went to Greenbank
in the afternoon. War news: Canadians doing great.
4 – Dull and some rain in the afternoon. Plowing all day. Annie
drove James to Port Perry school. James came home with J. Mi-
chie. Jennie and Annie canning corn. Annie went to Port Perry
again in the evening for Willie on his way home from Toronto fair.
War news good.
5 – A terrible rain from the E all night and most of the forenoon.
Willie drove James to Port Perry school and Annie went for him.
Plowing in the afternoon. Moved the stove in from the cook
house. War news good.
6 – A very fine cool day. Gang plowing all day. Willie at John
Michie’s. Annie drove James to Port Perry school. Jennie sewing.
Stanley Crowle, who has been visiting at P. Luke’s and others, left
for Whitby today.
7 – A fine day but some rain in the evening. Gang plowing all day.
Willie at J. Michie’s. Jennie sewing. James at his homework.
War news still keeps good.
8 – A beautiful summery day. All hands at SS and church; 96 at
SS; Mr. McKay preached. J.M. Real came down in his car to talk
over Mr. McKay’s call to Streetsville. Marion Leask here for
supper and Annie, Willie and her went to Methodist church.
9 – A beautiful day. Gang plowing and finished, then harrowed
some. Willie at J. Michie’s. Jennie went to Port Perry with a crate
of hens for Toronto. Annie washing. James wheeled73
to Port
Perry school. War news good.
10 – Somewhat cold in the morning but warmed up. Harrowing all
day. Jennie sewing. Annie got word that she has to attend Peter-
borough Normal school.74
Willie at J. Michie’s. James wheeled to
Port Perry school. Myrtle Luke called in the evening. War news
good.
11 – Harrowing all day and finished. Rain started a little about 5
pm and got harder until in the evening it was quite heavy. Willie at
J. Michie’s. Jennie sewing things for Annie. James wheeled to
Port Perry school. Oshawa fair last day. War news: Not much
advance made.
12 – Rain through the night. About all I did was to dig some pota-
toes in the orchard. Annie drove James to Port Perry school. He
wheeled home and got well drenched with rain. Jennie sewing for
Annie. Willie at J. Michie’s. In the evening went with Annie to a
meeting in the church to consider what to do about Mr. McKay’s
call to Streetsville. There were only 9 turned out and nothing done
but some talk. After dinner went with John Michie to Jas. Lee’s to
see a steer for the beef ring, then across to see one of W. Thomas’s.
73
‘Wheeled’ meant rode his bicycle.
74
Normal School taught high school graduates to
become teachers.
13 – Rain again through the night and several times during the day.
Drove James part way to Port Perry school and did some little jobs.
Jennie sewing. Willie at J. Michie’s. War news great. Americans
make big drive and capture 8,000.
14 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes most of the day and got in
13 bags; a good crop. Jennie making clothes for Annie to go to
Normal School. Willie at J. Michie’s. Annie at Luke’s in the
evening and stayed all night. War news good. Americans still
going ahead.
15 – Dull and rain several times. Annie came home from Luke’s
bringing Myrtle with her and she stayed here all afternoon and
Jennie, James and I went to SS and church. Willie started on the
wheel but turned as it was wet. 85 at SS. Mr. McKay preached
and after service there was a meeting to appoint delegates to Pres-
bytery meeting tomorrow at Sunderland in connection with Mr.
McKay’s call to Streetsville. Willie, Annie and Myrtle Luke at
Methodist church in the evening. A fire on Scugog island in the
evening.
16 – A fine day until evening when it started to rain. Got up at 4
am and took Annie to Port Perry on her way to Peterborough Nor-
mal school. She is going by way of Port Hope. Then I walked up
to J.M. Real’s and then went in P. Leask’s car to Sunderland to the
Presbytery meeting to dispose of Mr. McKay’s call to Streetsville.
J.M. Real; R.T. Harrington; Jas. Blair; P. Leask; D. McDonald;
G.A. McMillan and I were there from Greenbank and as many
from Wick but we did not succeed in keeping him. He accepted
the call. Got home about 5 pm. Jennie washing. Willie at John
Michie’s. James wheeled to Port Perry school. War news good.
Austria wants to talk peace.
Peterborough Normal School, c 1910
17 – A fine day and no rain. Went to Port Perry in the morning
taking James to school and a crate of ducks to the station. Digging
potatoes in the afternoon. Jennie ironing. Willie at J. Michie’s.
18 – Went for the beef in the morning, then finished digging pota-
toes in orchard. Rain started about 3:30. Jennie drove part way to
Port Perry to meet James from school and both got wet. Rain
again in the evening. Willie at J. Michie’s. Myrtle Luke called in
the evening and was telling us that Verna Stone was to be married
next Wed. War news good.
19 – Rain through the night but none during the day, but quite dull.
James wheeled to Port Perry school and Jennie went later to get
him a suit of clothes. James came home with her and him and I
337
went to the school fair in the afternoon. The fair was well attended
and the show very good. Willie at J. Michie’s. War news great.
British smash Hindenburg line.
20 – No rain. Drove James part way to Port Perry school. Hoed
strawberry patch. Willie at J.M.’s. War news good.
21 – A fine day. Got P. Luke’s mower and cut the buckwheat
which is quite heavy. Willie at J. Michie’s. James went to Port
Perry with John Michie to get a wheel for his bicycle and was
away most of the day. Willie at Port Perry with Myrtle Luke in the
evening. War news great.
22 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 115 at SS; Mr.
McKay preached what may be called his farewell sermon and told
us some plain things.
23 – At P. Luke’s helping him to cut buckwheat but enough rain
came on to stop us at noon. James drove to Port Perry school (1st
time to drive). Willie at Jim Dusty’s threshing for John Michie.
Jennie washing. War news: British have great victory in Palestine.
24 – A very nice day. Plowing in the forenoon and helping P.
Luke to cut buckwheat. Willie at J.M.’s. James drove to Port
Perry school. Ruby Lee here for dinner. Mrs. R. Wright called.
Clinton Midgley called in the evening. War news great. Big victo-
ries in Macedonia and Palestine.
25 – Plowing in the forenoon. Helping P. Luke cut buckwheat.
Had to finish with the mower. Some rain about 5:30. Willie at
J.M.’s. James at Port Perry school. He went with Myrtle Luke and
came home with Roy Leask. Jennie ironing. War news good, but
word came that Arthur Chapman has died of wounds. R. Baird and
Verna Stone married today.
26 – Cool with some little rain showers. Plowing all day. Willie at
J.M.’s. James at Port Perry school. Jennie sewing. War news
good.
27 – A fine day and no rain. Plowing in the forenoon. At prepara-
tory service in the church in the afternoon. Rev. Mr. Con
preached. Miss Mona Boe was received into membership. Jennie
nursing a bad cold in the head. Willie at J. Michie’s. James at Port
Perry school in the forenoon and at Port Perry fair in the afternoon.
War news: Bulgarians getting well trounced, likewise the Turks.
28 – A fine day. Helping Jim Lee to cut buckwheat and in the
afternoon went to Port Perry with 14 bags of oats and got them
ground. Willie at J. Michie’s. Clinton Midgley here for tea. War
news great. Bulgaria wants to discuss peace.
29 – A fine day. Went with Jennie and Willie to communion at
Greenbank. There was an unusually large turnout, this being Mr.
McKay’s last Sunday as pastor. Willie at Methodist church in the
evening.
30 – A fine day. Helping C. Phair to cut buckwheat. Cutting track
about the corn in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Willie at John
Michie’s. James at Port Perry school. In the evening went to a
joint meeting of the managers and elders to consider about getting
another minister. Rev. Mr. Fraser was in the chair. Those from
Wick were John Heron; R. Baird; Alex Robinson; Stanley Real;
Willie Beaton; John McCulley; --- Stanton; John Haddon; Jas.
Stone; --- Thomas; S. [McLeod?]. Those from Greenbank were
J.M. Real; G.A. McMillan; R.T. Harrington; John Somerville; and
I. The question of church union with the Greenbank Methodist
church and it was decided to call a congregational meeting next
Monday evening. War news good. Great advance in France and
Bulgaria has given up.
OCT. 1 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie at Luke’s in
the afternoon helping to quilt. James at Port Perry to the high
school sports. Willie at John Michie’s in the forenoon and at R.
Real’s in the afternoon helping to fill silo for C. Phair. War news:
Bulgaria has surrendered.
2 – Dull and raining most of the forenoon. Cleaned out the hen-
house and some other jobs. Plowing in the afternoon. Willie was
to go to W. Thomas’s to fill silo but they did not work today.
James at Port Perry school. James Lee brought the beef, which
was our number, but it was 31 lbs short so there was none for us.
War news all good.
3 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie went to Port Perry in the
morning with a crate of roosters. She was picking apples in the
afternoon. Ruby Lee here for dinner and most of the afternoon.
Willie at W. Thomas’s filling silo. James at Port Perry school. In
the evening Willie and I drove over to Wallace Bruce’s to the fire
that burned their house but it was pretty well over before we got
there. Jas. Blair and J.M. Real called. They were collecting for a
present to Rev. W.A. McKay and is to be presented to him at Wick
tonight. Myrtle Luke called. War news fine. Damascus captured.
4 – A fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. Picking apples with
Jennie in the afternoon and about an hour helping N. Midgley to
fill silo. Willie at silo filling. James at Port Perry school. Mrs.
Luke called. War news good, all good.
5 – Much rain through the night and morning with some thunder
and again after dinner. Plowing when it was not raining. Willie
got John Michie’s cart and hitched up King colt for the first time
single. P. Luke called in the morning and Myrtle and Mrs. Wright
in the evening. War news still all right.
6 – A great rain through the night with a steady roll of thunder and
some rain off and on all day and evening. At SS and church with
Willie and James. Jennie did not go as she has a cold in her head.
Rally day in the SS; 105 present. Rev. Mr. Gibson of Sunderland
preached and declared the pulpit vacant. Word came that Amos
Stone has been killed in action. News comes in the evening over
the wires that Turkey and Austria have pulled off and Germany has
asked for terms of peace.
7 – A very fine day. Helping N. Midgley to fill silo and finished.
Willie there also. James at Port Perry school. Jennie picking ap-
ples. In the evening went with Jennie to a congregational meeting
in the church to consider church union with the Methodist body.
There was a pretty good attendance. Rev. Mr. Fraser of Uxbridge
was in the chair. The motion to make a move towards church
union was voted down. War news: Germany wants to talk peace.
338
8 – A very fine day. Helping C. Phair to fill silo all day and fin-
ished; Willie there also. Jennie at W.M. society in the church.
War news: Allies make several small gains.
9 – A beautiful fine day. Digging potatoes, Jennie helping. Pretty
good crop; some very large. Willie in the house all day as he has a
cold. James at Port Perry school. Jas. Lee came for a barrel of
apples. Jennie went to Blackwater for Annie who is home from the
Peterborough Normal school. Myrtle Luke here in the afternoon
and again in the evening. War news still good.
10 – A beautiful day. Helped C. Phair to take calves and sheep to
Seagrave. In the afternoon digging potatoes, Jennie and James
helping. Willie nursing himself. Leola Luke came home today
from Cannington and called in the evening. War news: Cambria
won by the Allies and other gains.
11 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes in the forenoon, Jennie and
James helping, and finished. Drawing in buckwheat in the after-
noon, Jennie and James helping. Willie picking apples. Annie at
Port Perry in the morning and at Luke’s overnight. War news
good.
12 – Rain through the night and some in the forenoon. Plowing all
day except when it was raining. Jennie baking. Willie and James
doing little but play. Myrtle and Leola Luke here in the evening
and stayed all night as a safety against the Spanish flu as Gladys is
coming home from Toronto tonight.
13 – A fine but somewhat cool day. All hands at SS and church;
110 at SS. Rev. D. Sillers, a Glasgow Scotchman, preached a good
sermon. Annie and Willie at Methodist church in the evening.
Annie got word by phone that the Peterborough Normal school is
to be closed for the week on account of the flu.
14 – Thanksgiving day. Rain off and on through the forenoon.
Plowing until about 4 pm when Billie O’Neill came with the corn
binder and cut until dark. R. Wallace came with his car for some
apples and Myrtle and Leola Luke were picking apples, also
Jennie, Annie, Willie and James. War news good.
15 – A very fine day. Drawing off corn most of the day. Jennie
went to Port Perry with a barrel of apples for Winnipeg. Ruby Lee
went with her and stayed until 6 pm. Jennie picking apples in the
afternoon and at John Michie’s in the evening, Mrs. John being
somewhat unwell. Willie helping P. Luke to take some cattle over
to R. Real’s cattle sale. Not many at it. James at Port Perry
school. Myrtle Luke here in the evening. War news: Wilson
makes reply to Germany.
16 – A beautiful day. Drawing off corn in the forenoon and plow-
ing in the afternoon. Willie at John Michie’s. John and him here
in the afternoon picking apples. James at Port Perry school.
Jennie at John Michie’s most of the day nursing Mrs. John. Myrtle
Luke here in the evening. Willie went in the evening for the beef;
this being the last lot and the annual meeting of the beef ring. Beef
ring number 19. War news good. Berlin in rebellion.
17 – A fine day. John Michie came up in the morning and we cut
the last of the corn with W. O’Neill’s binder. John then went to
Luke’s and cut part of his. Willie at J.M.’s. Jennie at the same
place most of the day helping Mrs. John. Olive here in the after-
noon. James at Port Perry school. Annie keeping house. Jas. and
Mary Dusty here in the forenoon for apples. Leola Luke came
home from Cannington high school as it has been closed on ac-
count of the flu. War news good.
18 – A little rain through the night. Drawing off corn and finished.
Jennie picking apples and preserving crab apples. Willie at John
Michie’s. James at Port Perry school. Leola Luke over 5 times
and Mrs. Luke and Myrtle here in the afternoon picking apples.
Annie over at Luke’s in the evening. John Michie here for dinner;
he was also picking apples. War news great. Retreating in Bel-
gium.
19 – A beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon. Drew in the last of
the buckwheat, James helping. Willie at John Michie’s. John
came up with the waggon for his apples. Jennie and Annie picking
apples, also Myrtle and Leola Luke. War news good.
20 – A great rain through the night and forenoon and again in the
evening. Jennie, James and I at SS and church; 85 at SS. Rev.
Mr. Currie, a native of Sonya, preached. Annie and Willie got
ready to go to Methodist church in the evening but the rain came
on. Mrs. Luke, Myrtle and Leola here in the evening.
21 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Willie at W. O’Neill’s silo
filling for J. Michie. James at Port Perry school. Jennie at Green-
bank in the afternoon. Ruby Lee here the most of the day. Annie
washing. War news good.
22 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Willie at J.M.’s. Jennie
sewing. James at Port Perry school. War news good.
23 – A very fine day. Took in the few mangolds in the orchard and
the sweet corn. Willie at John Michie’s. James at Port Perry
school. Jennie churning. Sidney Caney came on the 9:30 train.
He has arranged to go to England on Friday in care of army horses.
He was down at J. Michie’s all afternoon. W. Thomas and wife
here in the afternoon for some apples. War news good.
24 – A somewhat dull day. Plowing all day on the corn stubble.
Jennie went to Port Perry market in the forenoon. James at Port
Perry school. Willie at J. Michie’s. Sid Caney also there most of
the day. Annie housekeeping. War news good.
25 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Willie at J. Michie’s. James at
Port Perry school. Myrtle Luke here in the afternoon. Sid Caney
left for Toronto in the morning. Fred Real came for apples. War
news good.
26 – Somewhat dull. Plowing all day. Willie at John Michie’s and
finishes with him. W.H. Leask came after dinner for 3 bags of
snow apples and Alex Leask was here most of the afternoon pick-
ing apples and stayed for supper. Leola Luke here in the after-
noon. War news good.
27 – Rather dull. About 11 am Willie Smith, his mother and Jessie
came in his car and he and Willie, James, Annie, Jessie and I went
to SS; 101 present. Willie Smith, Jessie, Annie, Willie and James
went for a drive north while I stopped to church which was a me-
morial service to Amos Stone; W. Grayswark; E. Grayswark;
339
Arthur Chapman and others that have fallen in the war. Rev. Mr.
McKay, our late pastor, conducted the service. There was a large
turnout. The Columbus folks left for home after supper. Method-
ist church closed on account of the flu.
28 – A thunder shower like summer came on about 10 am. Boys
topping turnips part of the day. Jennie and Annie washing. I was
in bed all day. War news good.
29 – A fine day. Willie plowing in the forenoon and with James
topping turnips in the afternoon. Jennie and Annie picking Ben
Davis apples in the afternoon. I was in bed until about 5 pm. War
news good.
30 – Dull with rain in the evening. Willie plowing in the forenoon
and with James finished topping turnips in the evening. Jennie at
Port Perry in the afternoon for flour. Mrs. Stone, who is now at
Luke’s, went with her. I did not get out of bed until near dinner
time. Leola Luke called. Word came by phone that Mina Throop
has died with flu. War news good. Austria appears to have given
up.
31 – Dull all day. Willie harrowed up all the turnips and the boys
drew in 2 loads. I did nothing but stay in the house. Jennie sew-
ing. N. Midgley came for some apples. Mrs. Wright called in the
forenoon. War news good.
NOV. 1 – Dull day. Helping boys to draw in turnips; got in 10
loads. Jennie baking bread. War news great. Turkey out. Austria
breaking to pieces. Italians make big gains.
2 – Some little showers and some snow in the forenoon. Helping
the boys to draw in turnips; 10 loads. War news good. Austria
going to pieces.
3 – Pretty raw day with some rain in the afternoon and evening.
All hands at SS and church; 105 at SS; Rev. Mr. --- preached
rather a long sermon on the Christian race. Willie and James drove
King in John Michie’s cart, the first time. All over at Luke’s in the
evening.
4 – Dull and rainy in the forenoon. Helping Willie to draw in
turnips; got in 6 loads. Annie got word that the Normal school
opens again (after being closed on account of the flu) on Wednes-
day. War news great. Everything fine. Austria accepts armistice
which is surrender. A great Italian victory.
5 – Quite a frost in the morning and a very fine day. Drawing in
turnips in the forenoon, boys helping; 5 loads, and finished. Drew
in some corn in the afternoon. Willie drove Annie and Leola Luke
to Blackwater on her way to Peterborough Normal school and
Leola on her way to Cannington High School. Myrtle Luke here in
the afternoon and again in the evening with Mrs. Wright. War
news great. Terms of surrender given to Germany. British victo-
ries.
6 – A very fine day. Willie plowing while I threw back the turnips
in the root house, James helping, and finished picking up the ap-
ples in the orchard. Jennie ironing. War news good.
7 – Bright morning but very dull in the afternoon. Plowing sod
most of the day. Ruby Lee here for dinner and most of the after-
noon. About 1:30 word came by phone that Germany had ac-
cepted the Allies terms and there were bells ringing and Willie and
I went to Port Perry in the evening (and a very dark night it was)
when word came that the rumour was not true.
8 – Dull and some rain in the afternoon. Plowing sod all day.
Boys putting wood in shed. Jennie and Willie at Port Perry in the
afternoon. War news: Americans capture Sudan. Meeting on
German ships.
9 – Very dull and raining sometimes. Plowing when not raining
and sometimes when it was. Willie in the house all day with bad
throat. Mrs. Wright and Myrtle Luke called in the evening. War
news: Revolution in Germany. Allies gaining. Everything going
good.
10 – Dull and snow and rain sometimes. All hands at SS and
church; 105 at SS. Rev. Mr. ---- preached. Willie at Methodist
church in the evening. News is going that the Kaiser has stepped
out.75
11 – Rather a dull day. At John Michie’s in the forenoon helping
him with his stable while Willie plowed sod. Jennie washing.
James started high school again after it had been closed on account
of the flu, but there was no school today as the scholars were given
a holiday. In the morning word came by phone that Germany had
signed the armistice terms which means the end of the war. Jennie
and I went in the afternoon to a thanksgiving service in the Port
Perry Methodist church and a grand service it was. The church
was well filled. Rev. Mr. Ford presided and addresses were given
by Revs. Mr. Black and Elliot. Coming home we went to see two
airplanes in a field near the fair grounds. I went down to Port
Perry again with Willie in the evening when there was a big crowd,
torchlight procession and bonfire to celebrate the great victory.
The war is over.
12 – Rather dull. Plowing sod all day while Willie did the chores.
James at Port Perry school. Jennie at Missionary meeting in the
church. Mrs. John Michie went with her. War news: Revolution
sweeping Germany.
13 – Rather a fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and in the after-
noon hanging stable door and putting in windows for P. Luke
while Willie drew in the beans and some corn. James at Port Perry
school. War news: Republic proclaimed in Germany.
14 – A very fine day. Over at Luke’s for about 2 hours finishing
the job, then plowing sod. Willie doing chores and wheeling in
wood. Jennie at Luke’s in the afternoon. James at Port Perry
school. Mrs. Wright and Myrtle Luke here in the evening. Peeling
apples in the evening.
15 – A very fine day. At John Michie’s all day helping him with
his stable. Willie went with P. Luke to Les Ianson’s sale. James at
Port Perry school. No papers today.
75
Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated on Nov. 9 and fled to
Holland on Nov. 10th
.
340
16 – A very fine day. At John Michie’s in the forenoon helping
him with his stable. Scuffled the strawberry patch in the afternoon.
Willie plowing in the forenoon and drawing up wood from the
swamp field to the woodshed, James helping. Myrtle Luke here
for supper and in the evening Willie went with her and Mrs.
Wright to Port Perry.
17 – Dull and raining several times. All hands at SS and church;
105 at SS. Rev. Mr. McArtney preached a thanksgiving service on
the victory. Went with Willie to the Methodist church in the eve-
ning when Rev. Mr. Chapman preached a thanksgiving sermon to a
full house.
18 – Dull and raining sometimes. Plowing and finished the sod.
Willie piling wood in shed. James at Port Perry school. Jennie
cleaning the pantry. Myrtle Luke called.
19 – Dull but fine. Drawing out manure, Willie helping. Jennie
washing. James at Port Perry school. Jennie at Luke’s in the af-
ternoon.
20 – Rain through the night and the ground white with snow in the
morning but it was off before noon. Plowing most the day east of
the orchard. Willie choring. Jennie churning. James at Port Perry
school. Jas. S. Lee, Mrs. Lee and two girls here for dinner. Myrtle
Luke was married today to L. Wagner. They drove to Greenbank
to the parsonage and were married by Rev. Mr. Chapman. Camp-
bell Stone and Mrs. Wright went with them. They came back for
supper and then to Blackwater to take the train to Cannington.
21 – A little snow sometimes. Plowing all day. Willie choring.
Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon with Mrs. John Michie.
James at Port Perry school. He drove and took C. Leask. Mrs.
Wright called.
22 – Somewhat cold; frost in the morning. Plowing all day.
Jennie ironing. Willie choring. James at Port Perry school. Ger-
man fleet surrenders to Allies.
23 – Too hard a frost to plough. Put straw on strawberry plants,
Willie helping. Afternoon went to Blair’s mill with 14 bags of oats
but did not get them home. War news: Germans give up their
fleet.
24 – A fine sunny day. All hands at SS and church; 105 at SS.
Rev. Mr. Haig preached a pretty good sermon. Willie at Methodist
church in the evening; a song service. Willie brought word that
Vet G. Coates committed suicide last night.
25 – Rather rough and blustery with some snow flurries. Did a
number of small jobs. Willie helping Mr. Luke. Jennie washing.
James at Port Perry school. Pared apples in the evening.
26 – Pretty cold but fine day. Put patch on P. Luke’s stable door
and went to Blair’s mill for the meal. Willie helping P. Luke.
Jennie sewing. James at Port Perry school. Mr. Luke here in the
evening.
27 – A very fine day but hard frost. Did a number of small jobs.
Willie helping P. Luke. James at Port Perry school. Ruby Lee
here most of the day. Blair’s threshing machine came in to Luke’s
about 9:30 pm.
28 – Raw with rain from the S starting about 3 pm. Helping P.
Luke to thresh; finished about 2:30, Willie also helping. James at
Port Perry school.
29 – Somewhat cold and blustery. With Willie’s help fanned up
the wheat and in the afternoon took it (32 ½ bushels) to Port Perry
mill and got $2.10 per bush. Got 400 lbs. flour. James at Port
Perry school. Pared apples in the evening. Mrs. Wright called
twice.
30 – Rough and snowing sometimes. Puttying windows and some
little jobs. James at N. Midgley’s for supper. Down in Phair’s
swamp with Cecil looking at the prospects of wood cutting.
DEC. 1 – Rough and snowing during the night which made snow
drifts nearly 3 feet deep in the lane. All hands at SS and church;
only 75 at SS as G.A. McMillan was unable to be present on ac-
count of Howard and Harry being down with the flu. I took his
class. The lesson was Joseph sold by his brothers. Stanley
McMillan, who got his discharge from the Red Cross section of the
army yesterday, preached. Willie at the Methodist church in the
evening. He took Mrs. Wright with him.
2 – Somewhat dull with a little snow sometimes. Drawing in corn
all day, Willie helping. James at Port Perry school. Willie went to
Port Perry in the evening to a lecture in the Presbyterian church by
Rev. W. Patterson of Toronto. Pared apples in the evening.
3 – Mild but dull. Drawing in corn all day and finished, Willie
helping. Jennie washing. James at Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright
here most of the afternoon. She was waiting for the mailman to
bring her a letter but it did not come. Jim Ward called; wanted to
sell piano but did not succeed.
4 – Rather a rough and wintery day. Drawing gravel from W.
Thomas’s pit to the sideroad S of the bridge. Willie drove J. Mi-
chie’s team. Jennie churning and killing chickens. James at Port
Perry school.
5 – Pretty cold and snowing a little sometimes. Drawing gravel all
day (4 trips). Willie driving J. Michie’s team. James at Port Perry
school. Jennie went to Port Perry with Jim Lee with some chick-
ens. Ruby Lee here for dinner.
6 – Very cold and somewhat rough. Drawing gravel all day. Wil-
lie driving J. Michie’s team. Jennie set up room stove. James at
Port Perry school. Preparatory service in the church but did not go.
7 – Milder but dull. Drawing gravel all day and finished. Willie
driving J. Michie’s team. Jennie over at Luke’s in the afternoon.
8 – Dull in the morning but turned out a bright day. Went with
James to communion service at Wick church. Rev. Mr. Fraser of
Uxbridge preached. We took the cutter (1st
ride). The sleighing
was fair going but pretty poor coming home. Boys at home all
day.
341
9 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry with Jennie in the morning to
pay the taxes. James at Port Perry school. Cutting down some
orchard trees in the afternoon, Willie helping.
10 – Rather a fine day. Cutting some apple trees, Willie helping.
Jennie washing in the forenoon and at W.M. meeting in the church
in the afternoon. Mrs. John Michie went with her. James at Port
Perry school.
11 – Dull, foggy and almost rain. Helping Jas. Lee to cut wood.
Willie at Port Perry. James at Port Perry school. Olive and Elea-
nor here in the afternoon.
12 – A fine and mild day. Drawing gravel all day on the sideroad;
Willie driving John Michie’s team. James at Port Perry school.
Ruby Lee here most of the day. Pared apples in the evening.
13 – Snow from the S in the forenoon and rain in the afternoon.
Started to cut wood for Cecil Phair in his swamp and worked about
3 hours until I got good and wet. Willie started before daylight to
draw gravel on the sideroad and drew 2 loads which finishes the
job. James at Port Perry school. Willie hitched up King colt to the
cutter for the first time.
14 – Very dull and some rain most all day and little doing. Mrs.
Wright called just before dinner. British elections today.
15 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 95 at SS. Rev. M.P.
McDonald of Toronto preached a good sermon. Willie at Method-
ist church in the evening.
16 – A fine day. Went to Phair’s swamp in the morning to cut
wood but could not get to the place on account of the high water
but I gathered up some old cedar logs on the ridge. Willie went to
W. Thomas’s for some gravel for the hens. Cut apple tree in the
afternoon. Jennie washing. James at Port Perry school. Mrs.
Wright and Marie Akhurst called.
17 – A beautiful day. Jennie and Willie went to Port Perry in the
morning while I fixed the sleigh box. Afternoon, with Willie, at
W. Real’s sale. There was a large turnout and prices good. Willie
skating at the new road in the evening. James at Port Perry school.
He stayed at Port Perry all night (the first time). They were having
practice for the High School concert tomorrow night. Mrs. Wright
called.
18 – A very fine day. Cutting wood all day for C. Phair in his
swamp. Jennie at Luke’s in the afternoon helping to pick geese.
James at Port Perry school. In the evening went with Jennie to the
High School concert at Port Perry. There was a full house and the
programme good. The principal part was a play (The Bluffers).
19 – Another beautiful day. Cutting wood for C. Phair in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon went with Willie to the Christmas fair at
Port Perry. There was little to be seen but the crowd. I rode home
with John Michie while Willie stayed for the concert, a repetition
of last night. John’s children stayed here while they were at the
fair.
20 – A fine day; some fog in the morning. All day helping Cecil
Phair to cut wood in his swamp. Got dinner at Cecil’s. Ruby Lee
here most of the day. James came home about 7 pm. There had
been no school in the afternoon and he had been skating on the
lake. Willie drove to Blackwater for Annie who is home for
Christmas from Peterborough Normal School.
21 – A very fine day. Helping Jas. Lee to cut wood in his swamp.
Willie doing the chores and went to John Michie’s for some pork.
Annie and Willie went to Port Perry for Gladys Luke who is com-
ing home for Christmas.
22 – Rain in the early morning and dull and foggy all day. Roads
very muddy. All but Jennie at SS and church; 85 at SS. Oscar
Real, who has just returned from the war, was present and said a
few words. Rev. Mr. ---, an Aberdeen Scotchman, preached.
Annie went to Luke’s for supper.
23 – Some colder; lots of mud. Did some chores in the forenoon
and in the afternoon went with P. Luke to Blake Cragg’s sale
which turned out pretty good. Willie helping P. Luke in the fore-
noon. Jennie washing and dressing ducks, Annie helping. Annie
and Willie and Gladys Luke were ready to go to the church to
decorate for the Christmas tree but word came by phone that it was
called off on account of so many having the flu. Willie and Gladys
afterwards drove Mrs. Wright over to P. Leask’s as most of them
are down with the flu.
24 – East wind; started to snow about noon and continued all after-
noon. Willie at Luke’s in the forenoon. Jennie and Annie went to
Port Perry in the morning. Willie went to Greenbank in the after-
noon with a duck for Mrs. Walker. Jennie cooking. Gladys Luke
called in the evening.
25 – Snow through the night and some in the forenoon. Willie
went to Port Perry with the cutter for Sidney Caney who came
from Toronto to spend Christmas. John Michie, wife and children;
and W. O’Neill, wife and boy here for dinner. W. O’Neill went
home before supper. Mrs. and Mrs. L. Wagoner and Blanche Luke
called and Mrs. Luke in the evening.
26 – A fine day and little done but the chores. Willie went with the
sleigh to Port Perry with 15 bags of oats and got them ground. He
took Sidney Caney to the station on his way back to Toronto.
Willie upset the sleigh and load on his way home. Leola Luke
called.
27 – A beautiful day. Drawing up wood from the swamp field,
Willie and James helping. The flu is getting bad in many houses
about here. John Michie’s 3 girls are down with it. There is to be
no service the next two Sundays in our church. Leola Luke called
in the afternoon.
28 – A very fine day. Drawing up wood, Willie and James help-
ing. Jennie making dress for Annie. Leola Luke over in the after-
noon and again in the evening skating with Annie and the boys.
29 – A very fine day. At home all day as there was no church on
account of the flu. Annie, Willie and Leola Luke drove with the
cutter on a visit to L. Wagoner’s near Epsom. They got back about
7:30 pm.
342
30 – A fine day; a little snow sometimes. Did little but chores.
Did the noon and evening chores for John Michie who is in bed
with the flu, Willie helping. Helped P. Luke to take some cattle to
Pinedale and did not get home until after eight. Jennie making
dress for Annie.
31 – Somewhat foggy. Chores in the forenoon. Helping Jas. Lee
in swamp in the afternoon. Willie doing John Michie’s chores.
Jennie dressmaking.
1919
JAN. 1 – Very dull, foggy and some rain. All at W. O’Neill’s for
dinner and got back about 5:30. Willie doing John Michie’s
chores.
2 – Clear and some colder. Went with Annie to Port Perry in the
afternoon. Took the cutter but the sleighing was not very good.
Jennie dressmaking. Willie doing J. Michie’s chores. James
churning.
3 – About 3 inches of snow through the night. Fixed the flail in the
forenoon and threshed the beans in the afternoon. Willie doing J.
Michie’s chores. Jennie dressmaking.
Picture of farmers using a flail to thresh.
4 – A very fine day. Sweeping down the stable in the forenoon.
Helping Jas. Lee in his swamp. Willie doing John Michie’s
chores. Jennie dressmaking. Leola Luke here for supper and
stayed the evening.
5 – A very fine day. No church at Greenbank. We all went in the
sleigh to Port Perry to the union service in the Methodist church.
Rev. Mr. Elliot, the Methodist minister, preached on Blind Barte-
mus. Mr. and Mrs. Luke and Leola went with us.
6 – A beautiful day. Annie left for Peterborough. Mr. Luke took
her and Leola to Blackwater. James drove to Port Perry school.
Willie doing the chores while I was cutting wood for home use in
Phair’s swamp.
7 – Some snow through the night. A fine day. Cutting wood all
day in Phair’s swamp. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie
helping P. Luke to kill a beef. Mrs. Jas. Lee and girls here in the
afternoon while Jas. Lee was helping P. Luke. News in the papers
of Roosevelt’s death.76
8 – Mild with some snow from the SW in the evening. Cutting
wood all day in Phair’s swamp. Willie doing the chores. Jennie
sewing. James drove to Port Perry school.
9 – Mild in the morning but it soon turned colder and very rough
with snow. Down past zero in the evening. Cutting wood in
Phair’s swamp in the forenoon only. Jennie went to Port Perry
with Mrs. J. Michie and got stuck in Luke’s lane coming home.
Willie choring. James drove to Port Perry school and stayed at R.
O’Neill’s all night on account of the weather.
10 – Very rough especially in the forenoon with SW wind. Took
the two pigs to Port Perry for H. Calicut. They weighed 490 lbs at
$17.75. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp in the afternoon. James
came home from Port Perry school.
11 – Six below zero in the morning and never much above it all
day. Below again in the evening. Clear cutting wood all day in
Phair’s swamp. Jennie sewing. Willie took 12 bags of oats to
Blair’s mill and got the meal home. Jean and Ruth Michie here in
the afternoon getting their hair cut. Boys at N. Midgley’s in the
evening hearing a new gramophone.
12 – Below zero in the morning. Drove the sleigh to church and
took Mrs. Luke and Mrs. Wright. Only 60 at SS. Rev. Mr. Steel,
late of Glenarm, preached. Church rather cold. Willie and Mrs.
Wright at Methodist church in the evening.
13 – Mild and fine. Cutting wood all day in Phair’s swamp.
Jennie washing. Willie helping Mr. Luke in the afternoon cleaning
turnips. James drove to Port Perry school.
14 – Mild and fine. Cutting wood for Cecil Phair in his swamp.
Got dinner at Phair’s. Jennie walked to Missionary meeting at the
church and stayed for supper at Mrs. Walker’s and Willie drove up
for her after supper. James drove to Port Perry school.
15 – A little snow in the forenoon. Cutting wood all day in Phair’s
swamp. Jennie churning. James drove to Port Perry school. Wil-
lie over at Jas. Lee’s helping him to skin a steer that he found dead
this morning in his stable having been strangled with the tie chain.
He brought some of the meat home for the hens. Willie at annual
Sunday School meeting but there were so few turned out that no
business was done.
16 – A beautiful day. Cutting wood all day in Phair’s swamp.
Willie choring. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie went to
Greenbank with the cutter in the evening, also at P. Leask’s.
17 – A very fine day. Cutting wood all day in Phair’s swamp.
Jennie went over to Jas. Lee’s and I went over for supper and the
evening. Willie choring. He was down to John Michie’s with
provisions. Mrs. Wright and Marion Leask here in the evening.
James drove to Port Perry school.
76
President Theodore Roosevelt.
343
18 – A fine and mild day. Cutting wood all day in Phair’s swamp.
Willie drawing up wood to the house but the swamp was very soft
in many places. James getting his homework.
19 – A very fine but cold day. Took sleigh to SS and church tak-
ing Mr. and Mrs. Luke and Mrs. Wright. There was no one to
open the school so after sitting awhile they asked me to act. The
teachers were chosen for the year. Rev. Mr. McDonald of ---
preached and made a pretty good impression. Willie at Methodist
church in the evening.
20 – A beautiful day. Cutting wood all day in Phair’s swamp.
Willie drawing out wood. Jennie went with Mrs. Wright to Port
Perry in the afternoon and did not get home until after dark. James
did not go to school but was hanging about the house with a cold
or perhaps the flu.
21 – Somewhat dull and a little foggy. Cutting wood in Phair’s
swamp in the forenoon. Walter Bratley came about 10 am. He
walked out from Port Perry. He has just returned from overseas.
He did not get further than England. He stayed all night. Willie
choring. Jennie washing. James in bed all day. We called the Dr.
and Dr. R. Archer came about 4 pm. He says it is the flu. Mary
Real and Annie Gordon called. They were collecting for the Bible
Society.
22 – Dull and foggy. Did little but talk to Walter Bratley and the
chores. Walter left for John Michie’s about 11 am. Mrs. Wright
and Mrs. Sonley called. Willie went to bed with the flu in the
afternoon.
23 – Very dull foggy and rain all day. P. Luke called in the fore-
noon and I helped him to hang a door in his stable in the afternoon.
Boys in bed. John Michie brought some things from Port Perry.
Jennie ironing.
24 – Somewhat cold with high NW wind. Cutting wood part of the
time in Phair’s swamp. Boys both in bed. Mrs. Wright called.
25 – A very fine day; mild. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp. Boys
out of bed again. Mrs. Wright called in the afternoon.
26 – A fine day. Did not go out on account of the boys having the
flu. About 12 o’clock L. Wagner and Myrtle came over to Luke’s
but they were all away at the Methodist church so they came here
for dinner and stayed until about 5 o’clock.
27 – A fine day. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp. Went to G.A.
McMillan’s in the evening to consult him and Les Beare about the
debate which is to be in the Methodist church tomorrow evening.
Mrs. Luke called.
28 – Raining some during the day. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp
in the forenoon. Mrs. Wright called after dinner. Boys keeping in
the house. In the evening went with Jennie to the debate in the
Methodist basement. There was a good turnout. The subject was
resolved that Western Canada has greater possibilities than the
east. R. Cragg; Blake Cragg; and Edley Stone took the affirmation
while G.A. McMillan; Leslie Beare and I took the negative. Bert
Dobson; W. Phoenix and Mrs. Chapman were critics. Rev. Mr.
Chapman was in the chair. J.M. Real timekeeper. Our side won
by a small margin. The Band was present.
29 – A very fine day. Cleaning out hen house and cutting wood in
Phair’s swamp. Jennie at Luke’s in the afternoon. 23 years of
married life today.
30 – A very fine day. Cutting wood all day in Phair’s swamp.
Boys choring. Mrs. John Michie here in the afternoon.
31 – A fine day with a little snow. Drawing out wood from Phair’s
swamp, Willie helping. About 4 pm I went over to Jas. Lee’s to
help him to get a new piano into his house. Jas. Ward was the
agent. Mrs. Wright called.
FEB. 1 – Pretty cold and windy day. Cutting wood in Phair’s
swamp in the afternoon. Willie went to Blair’s mill with oats in
the forenoon and went after it in the afternoon and went to Blair’s
pond to skate in the evening. Mrs. Wright called.
2 – A fine but rather cold day. All at SS and church. Jennie and I
drove the buggy while Willie and James drove the cutter. 105 at
SS. Rev. Mr. Steel preached. Mrs. Wright and Mr. Ed Moles
called in the evening.
3 – A very fine mild day. Drawing out wood (poles) from Phair’s
swamp, Willie helping. Jennie washing. James, after an absence
of two weeks from flu, started to school at Port Perry. He drove
the buggy.
4 – Dull, foggy, with a little rain. Drawing out wood from Phair’s
swamp, Willie helping. We drew out all that was cut. James drove
to Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright left this morning for the north
west. P. Leask went with her.
5 – A fine day, snowing a little sometimes. Cutting wood in
Phair’s swamp. Willie sawing wood at the house some. James
drove to Port Perry school. Willie at Blair’s pond skating in the
evening. Mrs. P. Luke called.
6 – Somewhat cold. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp. Willie saw-
ing wood at the house. Jennie at Port Perry. She went with Mrs.
John Michie. James drove to Port Perry school. Mrs. P. Luke
called.
7 – A fine day. Did little but sit at the stove; had a bad back.
Willie choring. James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie sewing
some.
8 – A very fine day. Stayed in bed until noon with bad back.
Willie sawing wood. Boys skating on the creek in the afternoon
and Willie away somewhere skating in the evening.
9 – A very fine day. All at SS and church with buggy. Willie
walked. 102 at SS; Rev. R.J. Fraser of Uxbridge preached. Willie
at Methodist church in the evening.
10 – A beautiful day. Helping P. Luke to cut wood in his swamp
in the forenoon and helping Jas. Lee to draw out wood from his
swamp in the afternoon. Willie helping P. Luke to draw out wood
344
in the afternoon. James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie went
with him and came home with Russell Thomas. Jennie called on
Mrs. Luke.
11 – A very fine day. Helping P. Luke all day cutting wood in his
swamp. Willie helping him in the afternoon. Jennie went with
Mrs. John Michie to the W. Missionary meeting in the church.
James drove to Port Perry school. Willie at a meeting in the eve-
ning in the Methodist church. Mr. Smith, MP, was the speaker.
12 – Rather a dull day but mild. Helping P. Luke all day in his
swamp. Willie helping in the afternoon. Jennie baking and iron-
ing. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie away skating in the
evening. Edgar Leask and Bert Real married today.
13 – Rather raw and dull. Cutting wood in Phair’s swamp in the
forenoon. Willie choring. Jennie churning. James drove to Port
Perry school. In the afternoon went with John Michie to the
church to change the curtains and wood box in the basement. Mrs.
J. Michie and Olive and Eleanor called in the afternoon. Jean and
Ruth here for supper.
14 – Very dull, rainy and foggy. Did little but chore. Threw back
turnips in the root house. James drove to Port Perry school. Boys
at N. Midgley’s in the evening.
15 – Snowing a little in the morning and forenoon. Willie and I
went to A. Orchard’s sale. There was a large crowd and prices
good but I think cattle were not as good as a year ago.
16 – Pretty cold with high west wind. Went with the boys with the
cutter to SS and church. As we were going up we noticed a big
smoke which proved to be Walt Ward’s house in the village. Some
of the bedding and furniture was saved but the house is a total loss.
Hot ashes put out in the cook house is supposed to be the cause.
Rev. Mr. Fraser of Fenelon Falls preached; 85 at SS. Willie at
Methodist church in the evening.
17 – A fine day. All day cutting and drawing out wood from
Phair’s swamp. Jennie washing. James drove to Port Perry school.
In the evening Jennie and I drove to Port Perry to attend a debate in
the basement of the Methodist church. There was a large atten-
dance. The subject was resolved that trade [?] is a benefit to soci-
ety. Revs. Black and Elliot took the affirmative and T. Follick and
S. Farmer the negative. Jas. Stonehouse, Mr. White and Rev. Mr.
Stout were the judges. The affirmative won. [margin note: Sir
Wilfred Laurier died].
18 – A fine but pretty cold day. Helping P. Luke all day; Willie
helping in the afternoon. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie
at Greenbank in the evening. [margin note: North Ontario elec-
tion. Whiddifield elected].
19 – A very fine day and pretty cold. Helping P. Luke all day.
Willie took oats to Blair’s mill and got the meal home. James
drove to Port Perry school. W.H. Leask brought his wood sawing
machine here in the evening.
20 – A beautiful day. Cutting wood all day with W.H. Leask’s
machine and finished. P. Luke and John Michie helping. Mrs.
John left Eleanor here while she went to Port Perry. James at Port
Perry school.
21 – Mild with a little snow sometimes. Helping P. Luke to cut
wood with W.H. Leask’s machine. John Michie, C. O’Neill, and
Arthur Gordon also helping. James drove to Port Perry school.
Willie went to Blackwater in the evening for Annie and Leola
Luke who are home over Sunday.
22 – Somewhat cold and raw. Helping John Michie to cut wood;
finished about 3:30. Leola Luke called in the afternoon.
23 – Rain and snow during the night. All hands at SS and church.
Drove the sleigh taking Mrs. Luke and Leola Luke. 105 at SS;
Mr. Fraser of Fenelon Falls preached. Willie and Annie at Meth-
odist church in the evening.
24 – A beautiful day. Helping C. Phair to cut wood in his swamp.
James drove to Port Perry school. Annie and Leola Luke went
back to school. P. Luke drove them to Blackwater. Willie choring
and cutting wood. Jennie over at Luke’s in the evening with a
phone message. Willie away at Edgar Leask’s shivaree. Assessor
Williams called.
25 – Dull and a little rain in the afternoon and snow from the NW
in the evening. Helping C. Phair in his swamp in the forenoon and
piling up wood in the door yard in the afternoon, Willie helping.
Jennie washing and baking. James drove (buggy) to Port Perry
school.
26 – Pretty cold day. Piling wood in door yard, Willie helping. P.
Luke called. James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie over to Jas.
Lee’s in the afternoon and I went over in the evening. Cecil and
Mrs. C. Phair; Ernest Phair and his mother; and Mrs. Armour
McMillan were also there. They expected Jas. Ward and wife of
Port Perry but they did not come. Got home about 12:30.
27 – Pretty cold in the morning. Piling wood in the door yard in
the forenoon and in the swamp field in the afternoon, Willie help-
ing. James drove to Port Perry school.
28 – Mild and thawing. Some lightning in the evening. Went over
in the morning to help P. Luke with his horse Jumbo which had got
down in the stall. We got him outside and it does not look as if he
would ever get up again. Piling wood part of the afternoon. Willie
went to Pinedale with P. Luke to help him home with some cattle
that have been boarding there. James drove to Port Perry school.
Willie at party at W.H. Leask’s in the evening.
MAR. 1 – Blustering with snow flurries all day but not so very
cold. Choring and piling wood awhile. Willie helped John Michie
to take two cattle to Port Perry in the forenoon. It was about 3:30
this morning when Willie got home from W.H. Leask’s party.
2 – A fine day and thawing some. James stayed at home with a
cold while Jennie, Willie and I went with the buggy to SS and
church; 97 at SS. Rev. Mr. Miller of Quaker Hill preached. Willie
at Methodist church in the evening.
3 – Thawing and lots of mud. Piling wood most of the day. Willie
went to Greenbank in the forenoon for band for kettle. James
345
drove to Port Perry school. Willie at Port Perry in the evening to a
mock trial in the Methodist church. Jennie washing in the fore-
noon and at John Michie’s in the afternoon. Peter Leask and Mrs.
Wright came home from the west tonight.
4 – Dull with quite heavy rain in the afternoon. Went with Jennie
to Port Perry in the forenoon. Little doing in the afternoon. James
drove to Port Perry school. Willie helping Cecil and Ernest Phair
to take cattle to Uxbridge.
5 – Rough and snowing a little from the NW most of the day.
Made 2 doubletrees and chored. Willie went to Blair’s mill with
12 bags of oats but did not get them home. James drove to Port
Perry school. Mrs. Wright called. Jennie bad cold in head.
6 – A very fine day; near zero in the morning. Helping C. Phair all
day to cut wood with machine. Willie there also for Jas. Lee.
James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie not very well. Jean and
Olive Michie here in the afternoon.
7 – A beautiful but pretty cold day. Drove James to Port Perry
school in the morning and met the train and brought Mary Bell
here. Willie helping N. Midgley to cut wood until about 3 o’clock.
He then drove to Port Perry for James and went to a revival meet-
ing at the Methodist church in the evening. P. Luke here in the
evening. H. Callicut called and bought cow.
8 – A beautiful day. Helping P. Luke all day to cut saw logs.
Willie went to Blair’s mill for the meal. Boys out skating in the
evening. G.A. McMillan called collecting for presents for returned
soldiers.
9 – Quite a snow through the night and the forenoon. Willie went
over to C. Phair’s to help with the chores, Cecil being sick. He
also went in the evening. All but Jennie (who is suffering with a
loss of speech) at SS and church; 85 at SS. Prohibition petition
signed. Rev. Mr. Fraser of Fenelon Falls preached. Willie at
Methodist church in the evening.
10 – Mild and snowing a little in the afternoon. Did chores and
[shaved?] some whiffletrees. James drove (cutter) to Port Perry
school. Willie most of the forenoon doing C. Phair’s chores and
again in the evening. Jennie and Mary Bell quilting. Jean and
Ruth Michie here for tea and stayed all night. Willie at Port Perry
in the evening to a minstrel show.
11 – A fine day; the snow going. John Michie brought up Olive
and Eleanor and took Jean and Ruth to school. James at Port Perry
school. Went with John Michie to W. O’Neill’s sale. There was a
good turnout and prices very good; total about $3,500. Jennie,
Mrs. Wright and Mary Bell quilting. In the evening Willie drove
the sleigh with Mrs. Luke, Mrs. Wright, Mary Bell and I to our
church to a social reception to returned soldiers. The basement
was full. Music and addresses and lunch. C. Lingle; --- Page;
Oscar Real and a young man who has lost a leg. James Leask
moves to Port Perry.
12 – A fine and soft day. Tapped some maple trees in the after-
noon which ran freely. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie
most of the day at C. Phair’s helping with the chores, Cecil being
still unwell. Jennie and Mary Bell quilting. The Rawleigh medi-
cine man called.
13 – Somewhat cold. Fixed the wagon tongue and some other
chores. Gathered the maple sap and tried to boil it. Willie most of
the day at Phair’s. James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie and
Mary Bell visiting at Jas. Lee’s in the afternoon.
14 – A raw E wind. Took the [?] cow to Port Perry to Callicut.
Jennie drove down taking James to school. He came home with
Thomas’s. Willie most of the day at Phair’s and at Marsh Hill box
social in the evening. A preparatory service in the church in the
afternoon. Rev. Mr. Gibson of Sunderland preached. Mrs. Edgar
Leask came in by certificate. Not very many out.
15 – Rain in the afternoon from the SE. Piled some wood and
went away up the creek in the forenoon. After dinner Jas. Lee
called and I went with him to C. Lingles’ sale. There was a good
turnout and things went pretty well but the rain made it disagree-
able. Ruby Lee here in the afternoon, also Mrs. Luke. An Indian
called; he was selling baskets. Willie most of the day at Phair’s.
He took Rosella Woon home to Port Perry as she appears to be
taking the flu.
16 – Heavy rain through the night and forenoon and roads very
slippery. Went with Jennie to communion service at Greenbank.
Owing to the rain there was a small attendance, especially from
Wick. Rev. Mr. Fraser of Uxbridge conducted the service. Willie
at C. Phair’s helping with the chores and took Mrs. T. Phair to the
Methodist church in the evening.
17 – Rain through the night and most of the day off and on, espe-
cially in the evening. James drove to Port Perry school (water over
the road). Willie doing C. Phair’s chores. Mrs. Wright called.
18 – Mild with heaps of mud. Piled some wood. James did not go
to school as he was not very well. Willie at Phair’s most of the
day. Jennie and Mary Bell went to Woman’s Missionary meeting
at the church. Mary went from there to Alex Lee’s for the night.
Willie went with Mrs. Luke and Mrs. Wright to an entertainment in
the Methodist church.
19 – A very fine day. Drove James to Port Perry school. Water
pretty deep and the ice bad. Expected James to stay at Port Perry
overnight but he came home with Roy Leask. Willie doing chores
at Phair’s. Tapped more maple trees in the afternoon. Mrs. Wright
called. Mary Bell came back in the evening.
20 – A beautiful day. All day boiling sap which ran fast. Got
Luke’s kettle and ran two kettles. Willie at Phair’s in the morning
then gathering sap and chores. James went with Roy Leask to Port
Perry school. Ruby Lee here all day. Jennie, Mary Bell and Ruby
visiting at Luke’s in the afternoon. John Michie, wife and girls
here in the evening for a taste of syrup.
21 – Somewhat colder. Boiling sap in the forenoon (did not run
very much). Willie choring. James at Port Perry school. Mary
Bell not very well. Mrs. Luke called.
22 – Rather cold. Sap did not run very much. Cutting up apple
wood with bucksaw. Willie drew it to the house with the stone-
346
boat. Jennie went to Port Perry taking Mary Bell on her way
home. Henry Thomas came for a bag of apples.
23 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 93 at SS; Rev.
Mr. Fraser of Fenelon Falls preached. Willie at Methodist church
in the evening. Sap running pretty good.
24 – A beautiful day. Boiling sap all day and pruning apple trees.
10 ½ gallons of syrup. Willie choring and gathering sap. Jennie
housecleaning upstairs. James at Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright
called in the afternoon. W. and R. Thomas called; they wanted to
buy King colt.
25 – A very fine day. Helping C. Phair in the forenoon and piling
wood in the afternoon. Willie and Jennie boiling sap. James at
Port Perry school. In the evening we had a sugaring off. Mrs.
Luke and Mrs. Wright present.
26 – Quite a summer-like day. Piling wood in the forenoon and at
the raspberry bushes in the afternoon. Jennie washing and boiling
sap. Willie at Blair’s mill in the afternoon with 12 bags of oats,
but did not get it home. James at Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright
called, also Mrs. John Michie and Olive.
27 – Rain through the night and morning but soon turned cold and
blustering. Quite different to yesterday. Threshed the buckwheat
in the afternoon, Willie helping. James at Port Perry school.
28 – Very rough and cold with high NW wind. Fanned up the
buckwheat. Willie went to Blair’s mill for the meal. James at Port
Perry school.
29 – Another very rough cold dusty day. Did little but the chores.
Over at Jim Lee’s with the boys having a musical evening. Mrs.
Wright called in the afternoon.
30 – Somewhat cold and windy still. All at SS and church; 99 at
SS; Rev. Mr. Steel preached. Ruth Michie came home with us
from church and stayed to tea. Willie at Methodist church in the
evening.
31 – Another rather rough and cold day. At wood pile in the fore-
noon. John Michie came up and helped us to fix the pump at the
barn. James at Port Perry school. Mrs. Luke called in the evening.
Went with Jennie and Mrs. Wright to an entertainment given by
the men in the Methodist church, Greenbank. There was a good
turnout and the programme pretty good.
APR. 1 – Somewhat warmer. Most of the day at wood pile, Willie
helping, and finished the job (about 50 single cords). James at Port
Perry school. Jennie at Luke’s in the forenoon. Drover Sleep
called.
2 – Another cold, windy and dusty day. At C. Phair’s all day split-
ting wood. Willie choring. Jennie washing and hooking mat.
James at Port Perry school.
3 – Rather warmer but dusty and windy. All day splitting wood at
C. Phair’s. Jennie and Willie at Port Perry market. Willie gets a
new suit of clothes. James at Port Perry school. Mrs. John Michie
here in the afternoon. In the evening, with Jennie, to a public
meeting of the Farmer’s Club in the Temperance hall. There was a
fair turnout. The principal speaker was Mr. ---; president of the
U.F.O. Rev. D.D. McDonald was inducted into the pastorate of
Wick and Greenbank today at Wick.
4 – Warm and spring-like. All day clearing out berry bushes.
Willie choring and boiling sap. James at Port Perry school in the
morning and then went by train to Brooklin for a visit over Sunday.
Mrs. Wright called in the afternoon.
5 – A very fine and warm day. All day at berry bushes, Willie
helping and boiling sap. Jean and Ruth Michie here in the after-
noon. Arthur and Lex Gordon called for syrup. Willie at Green-
bank in the evening. Jennie at Luke’s in the afternoon.
6 – A fine and warm day with a little rain in the morning. All
hands at SS and church (James at Brooklin). 99 at SS; Rev. Mr.
McDonald preached, 1st
time as pastor. Willie at Methodist church
in the evening.
7 – Mild with some rain in the afternoon. All day at berry bushes
and apple trees. Burned up the brush. Willie boiling sap. Jennie
housecleaning upstairs. James came home from his trip to Brook-
lin.
8 – Scuffled the berry bushes 3 times in the forenoon. Little doing
in the afternoon as it was raining from the E most of the time.
Jennie housecleaning. James at Port Perry school.
9 – A fine day. At berry bushes in the forenoon. Helping C. Phair
at wood in the afternoon. Willie choring. Jennie washing. James
at Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright called in the morning.
10 – Mild with heavy rains from 9:30 to 12. All day at C. Phair’s
splitting wood and fanning. Willie choring. Jennie went to Port
Perry market, Mrs. Wright going with her, and got a wetting.
James at Port Perry school. Jennie and Willie picking up potatoes
in the cellar.
11 – Somewhat dull and a little rain in the evening. Picking pota-
toes in the cellar, Willie helping. Jennie baking and papering
Annie’s room. Willie helping P. Luke most of the afternoon and
away at Saintfield box social in the evening. James at Port Perry
school. He went with C. Phair and came home with P. Leask.
Mrs. Wright here for dinner and Ruby Lee here most of the day.
12 – Dull with some rain in the evening. Planted some potatoes in
the forenoon and helped Jennie to paper Annie’s room in the after-
noon. Willie choring. James studying. Mrs. Wright called.
13 – Some rain in the morning but a fairly nice but windy day. All
hands at SS and church; 102 at SS. Rev. D.D. McDonald
preached. Willie at Methodist church in the evening. Mrs. Wright
called in the forenoon.
14 – A beautiful day; a little frost in the morning. Helping P. Luke
in his swamp all day. Jennie washing and ironing. Willie choring
and cultivating orchard. James at Port Perry school.
15 – A very fine but cool day. Went to Uxbridge with 22 bags of
potatoes. Got $1.30 per bag. P. Luke; P. Leask; Allan Wallace;
G.A. McMillan and others were also there with potatoes. Jennie
housecleaning. Willie choring. James at Port Perry school. In the
347
evening went with Jennie to Jas. Lee’s where we had a musical
evening. Arthur Gordon and Annie; Cecil Phair and wife were
there also.
16 – Rain from the SE through the night and nearly all day and
little doing here. Went down to John Michie’s in the forenoon and
settled up with him for the year past. James at Port Perry school
and stayed at Roy O’Neill’s all night.
17 – Rather dull. Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning taking
Mrs. Luke and bringing James home from school for Easter. Gath-
ered up the sap dishes and finished pruning orchard. Willie went
to Blackwater for Annie and Leola Luke who are home for Easter.
C. Phair came over and settled up with Willie.
18 – Good Friday. A fine day. Willie went to Port Perry to meet
the train to bring Sid Caney and Willie and Gordon Bell. In the
afternoon went with Jennie, Annie and Ruby Lee to the church
where the Women’s Missionary Society had a quilting and the men
had a bee to fix the sheds and clean up the grounds. There was a
good turnout. Sidney Caney appears to be bad with his nerves.
The sensation of the day was the marriage of Barbara Walker to
her old beau W. Watson.
19 – A fine day. Cut some wood behind the barn. Willie and the
boys took 14 bags of oats to Blair’s mill but did not get the meal
home. Eleanor Michie here for supper. Leola Luke called. Willie
and Annie went to Port Perry in the evening to meet Gladys Luke
who is coming home for Easter.
20 – A fine day (Easter Sunday). All hands but Willie and Sidney
at SS and church; 106 at SS. Rev. Mr. McDonald preached; extra
large turnout as there was a number of visitors including the new
married man W. Watson. Ruth Michie came home with us for
supper. Willie, Annie and Gladys Luke at Methodist church in the
evening. 17 at Luke’s for supper.
21 – A fine day. Fixing fence and helping C. Phair to pull out
sticks from the 10th
concession. Willie took S. Caney to Port
Perry. Willie went to Blair’s mill for the meal and cultivated in the
afternoon. Leola Luke called. In the evening went with Jennie to
Port Perry to hear Fred Allan in the parish hall of the Anglican
church. It was an illustrated lecture and was very good. We put
the horse into the Presbyterian church shed but when we went for it
Topsy had broken loose and got free from the buggy and was gone.
We expected she would strike for home so we had to walk home
but we did not find the horse home. The 2 colts also had ran away.
22 – A beautiful day. Willie and I went to Port Perry to hunt the
horse. Willie found her at Stone’s hotel; 2 boys having found her
on the street. Willie cultivating in the afternoon while I put rings
on whiffletrees and planted some seed turnips. Jennie sewing.
Mrs. Wright here twice. Drover Sleep called and offered 13 cts.
live weight for the 2 steers.
23 – A beautiful day. Willie finished cultivating field W of house
and I sowed it. Jennie making dress for Annie. James and the Bell
boys at N. Midgley’s in the afternoon and evening. Leola Luke
called.
24 – High NW wind which turned to snow in the afternoon and
evening and very cold. Sorting turnips in the forenoon while Wil-
lie harrowed. Nothing doing in the afternoon. Jennie making dress
for Annie. Annie at Port Perry in the afternoon with Mrs. John
Michie.
25 – Another terrible rough snowing day. Nothing doing outside.
Jennie making Annie’s dress. Leola Luke called.
26 – Another rough but warmer day. Little doing outside. Jennie
making Annie’s dress. Ruby Lee here in the afternoon and stayed
all night. Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke here in the evening.
27 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 103 at SS.
Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Annie and Willie at Methodist
church in the evening.
28 – Rain all the forenoon. Plowed strawberry patch in the after-
noon. Willie blacking single harness. Jennie making dress for
Annie. James at Port Perry school. He reported that he has failed
in spelling at the Easter exams. Mrs. Wright drove Annie and
Leola to Blackwater on their way back to school. Ruby Lee started
school.
29 – A fine day. Fanning up oats in the forenoon, Willie helping.
Willie rolling grass field in the afternoon while I plowed the gar-
den and other jobs. Jennie dressmaking. James at Port Perry
school. Mrs. Wright called. Jack and Boe, drovers, called.
30 – A beautiful day. Did some little jobs in the forenoon while
Willie cultivated the last years corn ground and I sowed it with
wheat in the afternoon. Jennie cleaning the cellar in the forenoon
and fixing a coat for Mrs. Wright in the afternoon. James at Port
Perry school. Mrs. Wright here for supper. Willie away some-
where in the evening. John Michie came up for some oats for seed
which came to $10.00.
MAY 1 – Rain in the morning, then quit for awhile, but started
again harder for most of the afternoon. Willie harrowed the wheat
I sowed yesterday. Jennie went to Port Perry. Mrs. Luke went
with her. They got dinner at W. Real’s and did not get home until
after four. James at Port Perry school.
2 – Dull with some rain in the morning and again about 5 pm.
Willie and I took two steers to Seagrave station in the forenoon.
Jennie came for us. James at Port Perry school. Ruby Lee here
most of the afternoon, this being arbour day at the school.
3 – Fine until about 4 o’clock when it started to rain from the E and
continued quite heavy in the evening. Sowed the little field E of
the orchard and fixed some fence. Willie rolling until the rain
came on. Mrs. Wright called in the forenoon.
4 – Rain through the night and everything soaked. Water standing
on the field worse than 10 days ago. The boys and I at SS and
church. Jennie did not go as she is nursing her cough. 100 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. While in SS a thunder shower came up
and things are worse drowned than ever. Willie at Methodist
church in the evening.
348
5 – Rather dull in the morning but cleared up and was fine. Let off
water in the fields and fixed the cultivator. Willie [?] some. Jennie
housecleaning the pantry. James at Port Perry school. Mrs.
Wright here in the forenoon and again in the evening. Vet Moon
came about 10 am to see sick cow.
6 – A fine day. When we got up we found the sick cow had died
during the night. John Michie came up and helped me to skin her
and I took the hide to Port Perry in the afternoon. Jennie washing.
Willie tying up berry bushes and at Greenbank in the evening.
James at Port Perry school; he rode home with me. P. Luke came
for a load of straw in the forenoon. Mrs. Wright called.
7 – Dull in the morning but turned out fine. Tied berry bushes and
helped Jennie to plant garden. Willie cultivating in the forenoon
and in the afternoon went with P. Luke and John Michie for suck-
ers. They found lots of fish, more than they could bring home.
James at Port Perry school. Mr. Collins called wanting to sell me a
seeder. L. Jacobs called. Mrs. Wright called in the morning.
8 – A very fine day. Cleaned the fish in the morning and then went
with Jennie to Port Perry market (butter dropped 20 cts. per
pound). Bought from Collins a second hand seeder for $48.00 and
the old drill. After dinner Willie and I, with the waggon, went to
Port Perry for it. James at Port Perry school. P. Luke called.
9 – Dull in the morning but turned out a fine day. Cultivated and
sowed the field NW of barn; not too dry some places. Sowed it
with the new seeder which worked pretty well. Willie at Green-
bank in the evening. Jennie painting. Mrs. Wright called.
10 – Willie harrowed and cultivated while James and I fanned up
and we were hoping to finish sowing today but it was raining a
little all forenoon and the afternoon was much worse so we did not
succeed. Mrs. Wright called.
11 – Rain more or less all day from the E. Went with the boys to
SS and church; 85 at SS. Mrs. Dodds of Sonya spoke on the
W.M. work which was pretty good. She also sang a solo. Willie at
Methodist church in the evening.
12 – Dull in the morning with a little rain still falling but it cleared
up and was a fine day. Planted more potatoes, Willie helping.
Jennie cleaning cellar. James at Port Perry school.
13 – A beautiful day. Hoeing berry bushes in the forenoon while
Willie cultivated. Sowed the remainder of the hill field in the
afternoon which finishes sowing. Jennie washing in the forenoon
and in the afternoon went with Mrs. John Michie to the W.M.
meeting in the church. James at Port Perry school. Willie at
Greenbank in the evening.
14 – Another beautiful day and very warm. Did a number of little
jobs and planted some more potatoes. Willie harrowed in the
forenoon and cultivated root ground in the afternoon. Jennie at
John Michie’s in the afternoon helping Mrs. John to paint her
kitchen. James at Port Perry school. Willie drove him part way as
Leask’s did not go today and he stayed all night at W. Real’s. Mrs.
Wright called twice.
15 – A very fine and warm day. Cutting potatoes in the forenoon,
Willie helping, and drilled up for potatoes in the afternoon. Jennie
went to Port Perry in the morning taking Mrs. John Michie with
her. James at Port Perry school.
16 – Dull with a little sprinkle of rain in the afternoon and evening.
Drew out potato manure (17 loads), Willie helping. Jennie paint-
ing pantry and cook house floors. James at Port Perry school.
Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
17 – Dull and a little rain sometimes. Planted the potatoes in the
forenoon, boys helping. Finished tying up berry bushes and
planted some sweet corn in the afternoon. Jennie housecleaning
and baking. Took 2 steers to Phair’s swamp to pasture.
18 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 99 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Willie and James at Methodist church in the
evening.
19 – A fine day. Did several little jobs, hoed berry bushes princi-
pally. Willie rolling and finished. Jennie washing. James at Port
Perry school. Helped P. Luke awhile after dinner to cut and load
saw logs. Mrs. Jas. Lee called; she was telling that they had sold
their place to C. Phair. Mrs. Luke called.
20 – Rain all day from the E. Whitewashed ceiling of kitchen and
cleaned out root house. Jennie housecleaning kitchen. Willie var-
nishing chairs. James at Port Perry school.
21 – Dull all day until about 4:30 when it began to rain again and
continued off and on during the evening. Lightning and thunder in
the evening. Went to Port Perry in the morning with 12 bags of
oats to grind but did not get them home. Willie went with me.
Making chicken frame in the afternoon. Jennie cleaning kitchen
and churning. James at Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright called in
the evening.
22 – A terrible rain through the night and morning and everything
flooded with water. Cleared up about 9 and the rest of the day was
better. Made another chicken frame and finished hoeing berry
bushes. Willie at John Michie’s keeping the girls while they went
to Port Perry. He went after the meal in the afternoon. Jennie
went to Port Perry with Mrs. Luke. James at Port Perry school.
Mrs. Wright called twice.
23 – A fine day but dull; a little rain in the evening. Drilled up
and sowed some mangolds in the orchard, also planted a little corn.
Jennie baking for the Sunday School anniversary tomorrow. James
at Port Perry school. Willie went to Blackwater for Annie and
Leola Luke. Mrs. Wright called twice.
24 – A fine day except a shower about 2 pm. Helping P. Luke to
cut and draw out saw logs in the forenoon. Willie and James got
N. Midgley’s double rig and went to Port Perry for the candies and
ice cream for the anniversary. Jennie baking and scrubbing. In the
afternoon all at SS anniversary. There was a packed house at the
concert. The Port Perry Quartet; T. Follock; Macintyre; Mrs. Arch
and Mrs. Robins. There was a reciter Miss Webster of Toronto.
Mrs. W. Real and Mona Leask; addresses by Mr. McKay; Mr.
Chapman and J.A. Miller. Willie Caffley returned today from
overseas.
349
25 – A beautiful day. Willie Smith, with his mother and Jessie,
came in their car about 11 am and all hands went to church in the
afternoon. I and the boys went to SS but found that there was
none. The church was packed again. Children’s choir. Mr.
McKay was the speaker. Willie Smith and co. came here for sup-
per and then left for home. All at church again in the evening. The
church was not able to hold all that came. Mr. McKay preached on
the war between right and wrong. Mr. Chapman was also present.
A union choir sang.
26 – A very fine day. Mrs. Wright drove Annie and Leola to
Blackwater on their way to school. Willie drove James to Port
Perry school. Planted 6 rows of strawberries, Willie helping.
Planted some corn.
27 – A very fine and warm day. Drawing out manure for corn all
day, 18 loads, Willie helping. Jennie washing. James at Port Perry
school. Jas. Lee came for the roller and P. Luke the turnip sower
to sow his mangolds. In the evening went with Jennie to meeting
in the church in connection with the forward movement. There
was about 25 out. Rev. Mr. Black of Port Perry gave a fine ad-
dress.
28 – A very fine and quite warm day. Drew out 10 loads of ma-
nure, Willie helping. In the afternoon sowed some places that had
been drowned out. Willie Caffley, who has just returned from the
war, came and we had a great talk. He stayed all night. James at
Port Perry school.
29 – A fine and quite warm day. Drawing out manure all day, 17
loads. Jennie went to Port Perry market. Willie Caffley went over
to Jas. Lee’s in the forenoon but there was no one at home. He,
however, went back in the afternoon. James at Port Perry school.
In the evening at forward movement meeting in the church. There
was rather more out than the other night. Rev. Mr. Bryden of
Woodville was the speaker.
30 – Fine and very warm. Drawing out manure all day; 19 loads.
Willie drove James to Port Perry school. Moved stove out to cook
house. Boys at Blair’s pond in the evening. Mrs. Wright called.
31 – Very warm. 90 in the shade about 2 pm. Willie plowing corn
land while I planted some beans and corn and harrowed the pota-
toes. Jennie oiling the kitchen floor. Boys at Blair’s pond in the
evening. Mrs. Wright called twice.
JUNE 1 – Very warm; about 90 again in the shade. All hands at
SS and church; 88 at SS. Rev. Mr. Johnston, a returned chaplain
from overseas, preached. In the evening went with Jennie in J.M.
Real’s car to Wick where Rev. R.P. McKay, Foreign Mission
secretary, preached on the Forward movement; a fine address but
not a very large turnout. Very warm and dusty. Boys at Methodist
church in the evening.
2 – Another terrible hot day; 92 about noon. Hoed all the berry
bushes and some other jobs. Willie plowing corn land. Jennie
washing. James at Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright here two or
three times. Olive and Eleanor were here also and Mrs. Wright
was taking their pictures. Boys at Blair’s pond in the evening.
3 – Another terrible warm day; 90 in the shade. Doing a number
of small jobs while Willie harrowed and rolled corn land. Jennie
churning and ironing. James did not go to school as this is the
King’s birthday. Mrs. Wright called.
4 – Another 90 in the shade day. In the morning sowed field corn
but did not have enough corn so went with Jennie to Port Perry for
more. Got a suit of clothes but left the coat to lengthen the sleeves
and the boys went after it in the evening. Willie drew out 3 loads
of manure and harrowed the corn. James at Port Perry school but it
was dismissed after noon on account of the heat. Some thunder in
the evening to the south and east but no rain here. Mrs. Wright
called 3 times and Mrs. John Michie.
5 – Got up very early and Willie drove me to Port Perry station to
the early train for Hamilton to attend the general assembly of the
Presbyterian church. Jas. Wadell of Port Perry went with me. Got
to Hamilton about noon and was billeted at W. Hall, Strachen
Street. My roommate was Jas. A. Miller of Fergus. During the
next 6 days attended the meetings which were held in St. Paul’s
church. Saturday afternoon they took us for a boat trip out in the
lake and a lunch at Wabasso park.77
On Monday a garden party at
the home of Stanley Mills. Sunday afternoon a car trip along the
beach. The weather all through was very warm, especially in the
church, which was poorly ventilated. Started for home again on
Thursday at 3 pm and Willie met me at Port Perry. At home Willie
finished drawing the manure and plowed the turnip ground, har-
rowed and rolled it. Jennie went to communion service at Wick
when their individual communion service was used the first time.
She went with W. O’Neill in his car. Jennie was also at the W.
Missionary at Jas. Blair’s on Tuesday afternoon. James at school
in Port Perry every school day. Willie at concert at Port Perry
Tuesday evening.
13 – Very warm day. Scuffled and hoed most of the day. Mrs.
Wright called and spent most of the day. Boys at Blair’s pond in
the evening. Peter Leask, with Marion and Mrs. Wright, called
with his car and we went with him to the bridge to fish but only got
3 mudcats. James at Port Perry school.
14 – Another terrible warm day; 90 after dinner. Some thunder to
the SW but no rain here. Drilled up forty drills and sowed them
with turnips. Willie and James at Port Perry in the morning for
turnip seed. Willie at Greenbank in the evening. Mrs. Wright
called.
15 – A very warm day; nearly 90. At SS and church with James.
Jennie at Mrs. Walker’s during church service. Rev. Mr. McDon-
ald preached to young men. 99 at SS. Willie at Methodist church
in the evening. Thunder in the evening but no rain here.
16 – Another terrible warm day; about 90 in the shade. A heavy
thunderstorm came up from the E, an unusual thing. Drilled the
rest of turnips in the forenoon and sowed them just before the
77
Wabasso Park, in the city of Hamilton, is now
known as La Salle Park. The name was changed in
1926.
350
storm came. Scuffling in the afternoon. Willie hoeing. Jennie
washing. James at Port Perry school. News came that two men
have succeeded in crossing the Atlantic in an airplane.78
17 – Another very warm day. Helping C. Phair to repair fence all
day. Willie hoeing. James at Port Perry school. Boys at Blair’s
pond in the evening.
18 – Another 90 in the shade. Scuffling and hoeing mangolds.
Willie plowing. Jennie picking strawberries in the afternoon; 56
boxes, Mrs. Wright helping and I for awhile. James at Port Perry
school. Ray Dusty and Olive Hooper were married today.
19 – Another terribly warm day. At Port Perry in the morning with
Jennie and some strawberries. Willie plowing. James at Port Perry
school. He found a hammer while diving in the lake. Mrs. Wright
called twice, also Mrs. John Michie. Mrs. Phair came for butter in
the evening.
20 – A fine day and not quite so warm. Harrowed and sowed the
Hungarian grass. Willie helping C. Phair with his road work.
Jennie and Mrs. Wright picking strawberries; 62 boxes. Mrs.
Wright stayed for supper and then helped to stem some. Jas. Blair
called for berries. James at Port Perry school. Boys at Blair’s
pond in the evening.
21 – A very fine day and much cooler. Hoed all day in the or-
chard. Willie went to Port Perry in the morning to meet Annie
who is home for good from Peterborough Normal School. Willie
rolled the millet in the afternoon and went with Annie and Mrs.
Wright to Port Perry in the evening. Jennie, Annie and Mrs.
Wright picking strawberries in the afternoon. H. Thomas called
for plant collection. Mrs. John Michie and girls called, also Mrs.
T. Phair and Ernest in the evening for berries.
22 – A fine and quite cool day. All hands at SS and church; 113 at
SS. Rev. Mr. ---, a late missionary to China, preached. Annie and
the boys at Methodist church in the evening.
23 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Scuffled the field corn in
the forenoon and in the orchard in the afternoon. Willie hoeing
potatoes. Jennie and Annie picking strawberries. Mrs. Wright and
Leola, who has just come home from Cannington, helping. Annie
and Leola took berries to Port Perry to go to Toronto. James at
Port Perry school. Willie at Greenbank in the evening. Mary
Dusty and Mrs. Ray Dusty called for berries. Boys at shivaree at
Ray Dusty’s tonight.
24 – A fine but pretty warm day. At C. Phair’s all day fixing fence
and hoeing corn. Willie hoeing corn at home. Jennie and Annie
washing. James at Port Perry school. Exams are now on. Mrs.
Wright and Leola Luke here in the evening. Saintfield festival
tonight.
78
Alcock and Brown, British aviators, made the first
non-stop transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to
Ireland in less than 72 hours. They were later
knighted by King George V.
25 – At C. Phair’s hoeing corn (with Jim Lee). After dinner rain
came on and I came home. Willie hoeing. James at Port Perry
school. Jennie and Annie picked a few strawberries. Some more
rain in the evening.
26 – Heavy rain through the night and some more in the afternoon.
Did very little all day but nurse a bad cold. Jennie in bed in the
afternoon with same. Annie and Willie went to Port Perry in the
morning with strawberries. Mrs. Wright called in the morning and
Leola Luke and Russell Thomas in the evening. Mrs. John Michie
called with a sack of sugar.
27 – A fine day and quite cool. Did nothing but nurse my cold.
Willie Paris Greening potatoes. Jennie and Annie and Leola Luke
picking strawberries, probably the last picking of the season.
James at Port Perry school which finishes the exams.
28 – A very fine and cool day. Hoeing most of the day, Willie
also. Annie at Greenbank in the afternoon and with the boys at
Port Perry in the evening. James and Clinton Midgley fishing at
the bridge but with poor success. Clinton here for dinner. Mrs.
Wright called. Peace treaty with Germany signed.
29 – A beautiful cool day. All but Jennie at SS; 100 present; then
to Methodist SS anniversary services. Rev. Mr. Ford, Rev. Mr.
McDonald and Rev. Mr. Chapman were the speakers. Gladys
Luke here for supper. Willie, Annie and Gladys at Methodist
church again in the evening. Mr. Chapman was the preacher.
Jean, Olive and Eleanor Michie here while they were at church.
Annie went home with Gladys for the night.
30 – A very fine day. All day at C. Phair’s hoeing corn (Jim Lee
also there). Willie scuffled corn and potatoes. In the evening went
with Jennie and Mrs. Jas. Lee to a concert at Port Perry which was
pretty good. Duncan Cowan of Toronto was the star. Annie was
also there. She went down with P. Leask. Gladys Luke also went
and came home with Annie and stayed here all night. James cut
thistles on the road.
JULY 1 – A very fine and pretty warm day. Hoeing at C. Phair’s
in the forenoon. John Michie, wife and Jean went with W. O’Neill
to Agincourt and Ruth, Olive and Eleanor were here all day and
night. Annie, Willie and James went to Methodist SS anniversary
in the evening. Clinton Midgley here for supper.
2 – Another terrible hot day; about 90 in the shade. Hoeing at
Cecil Phair’s in the forenoon. Willie went for the beef in the morn-
ing and helping P. Luke to hoe corn in the afternoon. In the after-
noon I went with Rich Woon in his car, and C. Phair, to a plebi-
scite meeting at Manchester but the organizer did not come so
there was no meeting. All that came to the meeting were from
Greenbank; G. McMillan; B. Cragg; G. Till and W. Phoenix and 6
women from the village of Manchester. Leola Luke here in the
evening.
3 – Very warm; 93 at times. All day hoeing turnips for C. Phair.
Willie helping P. Luke. Jennie at Port Perry market. James green-
ing potatoes. He got word that he has passed in the high school.
14 years old today. Boys at Blair’s pond in the evening. Leola
Luke called twice.
351
4 – Very warm but quite a breeze. All day at C. Phair’s hoeing and
haying. Willie greening potatoes. Jennie and Annie at Luke’s in
the evening playing croquet. Jennie preserving cherries. Leola
Luke called.
5 – Warm again. Helping C. Phair. About 3 pm a thunder storm
came up and stopped the haying. James also helping after dinner
until the rain came on. Willie greening potatoes. Annie went to
Port Perry with Mrs. John Michie. Leola Luke called twice.
6 – Heavy rain in the early morning, then a fine day. All hands at
SS and church; 96 at SS. A Mr. Hewitt preached and made an
appeal for help for Belgium and Serbia. Jack Lee, an old resident
of Greenbank 40 years ago, was present. E. [?]; Mrs. Wright and
Leola Luke here for supper. Annie and the boys at Methodist
church in the evening.
7 – A fine and cool day. Helping C. Phair all day; James also.
Willie scuffling in the forenoon and helping P. Luke in the after-
noon. Jennie visiting at Jas. Lee’s with Mrs. Luke and Mrs.
Wright. Leola Luke and Eleanor Michie called.
8 – A fine day. Helping C. Phair all day at hay; James also. Willie
hoeing in the forenoon and helping P. Luke in the afternoon.
Jennie at C. Phair’s in the evening. Mrs. Wright called. Rev. D.D.
McDonald called in the afternoon, the first time he called.
9 – Warm day. Helping C. Phair all day; James also. Willie at
Port Perry in the forenoon with some oats for meal. Helping P.
Luke in the afternoon. Jennie went with Mrs. Luke and Mrs.
Wright on a visit to Mrs. L. Wagner near Epsom. Annie keeping
house.
10 – Warm in the forenoon but a thunder storm came up about
noon with some hail. It then got much cooler. Hoed and greened
the potatoes. Willie scuffled turnips and corn. James at C. Phair’s.
Jennie picking and preserving cherries. Annie at Port Perry with
Mrs. John Michie.
11 – A fine and cool day. All day helping C. Phair; James also.
Willie at P. Luke’s. Annie sick most of the day. Willie at Green-
bank in the evening.
12 – Somewhat dull with a little rain about 2 pm, enough to stop
drawing in hay. All day helping C. Phair; James also. Willie
helping P. Luke. Mrs. Wright called. Word received that Annie
has passed the Normal exam. The Greenbank band was at the
Orange Walk at Bobcaygeon. Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the
evening.
13 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 96 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Jennie Gordon and Cathleen Leask sang.
Annie and the boys at Methodist church in the evening. Jennie and
I at John Michie’s.
14 – A fine day, somewhat dull. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon,
Willie helping. Jennie, Annie, Mrs. Wright and Mary Dusty pick-
ing raspberries and I was helping in the afternoon; 137 boxes
picked. Mrs. White and son of Marsh Hill came for berries. Willie
helping P. Luke in the afternoon and James at C. Phair’s all day.
Annie at Port Perry in the afternoon.
15 – Several little showers in the morning and forenoon. Hoeing
turnips, Willie helping. James at home. Annie at Luke’s in the
afternoon picking berries. Jennie went with Mrs. John Michie to
Missionary meeting at the church. Boys at Blair’s pond in the
evening. Mrs. Wright called.
16 – A very fine day. Got Mr. Luke’s mower and cut the hay field.
Jennie, Annie, Mary Dusty, Mrs. John Michie and Mrs. W. O’Neill
picking berries; 190 boxes. I took 3 crates to Port Perry. Willie
helping Mr. Luke. James at C. Phair’s. In the evening went to
meeting in the hall to organize for the referendum vote. W. Phoe-
nix was appointed chairman for the township. P. Luke and Mrs.
Wright went with P. Leask to the Lenox picnic at Sutton.
17 – A fine and quite warm day. At the hay and got in 5 loads,
boys helping. Annie, Mrs. J. Michie and James finished the berry
patch. Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning with berries. Mrs.
Wright called. As we were going to bed Albert Akhurst, wife and
Marie came for berries.
18 – A very warm day; 90 in the shade. At hay all day and fin-
ished, boys helping. Jennie, Annie, Mrs. Wright, Mary Dusty and
Nellie O’Neill picking raspberries, 120 boxes. Several called for
berries: Alex Leask; Gertie Phoenix; Wilmot Cragg; Cyler Whit-
ter; and W. O’Neill. Boys at Blair’s pond in the evening. Annie at
choir practice. Annie got the offer of Bethel school and accepted
it.
19 – Very warm and dry. All day hoeing the old strawberry patch.
Willie finished hoeing the turnips. James at C. Phair’s. Gladys
Luke came home from Toronto and was over most of the forenoon
and she and Annie went to G. Mark’s in the afternoon. Jennie
picked and preserved berries. This is the day proclaimed to cele-
brate the return of peace.
20 – A fine but very warm day. All hands at SS and church; 98 at
SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Jennie Gordon sang a solo. Annie
at Luke’s for supper. Annie and the boys at Methodist church in
the evening. Jas. Lee, wife and Alma here in the evening.
21 – Some little rain through the night and a regular soaker most of
the forenoon which will do a heap of good. Nellie O’Neill came in
the morning to pick berries but there was nothing doing and Jennie
drove her home after dinner. Made some berry crates in the after-
noon and fixed the platform about the barn well. Jennie churning.
Mrs. Wright called and in the evening Mrs. White of Marsh Hill
came in her car for berries but there was none picked. Jas. Lee
brought a crate of berry boxes from Port Perry.
22 – A beautiful day. This was berry day. All hands, including
Mary Dusty; Nellie O’Neill; Mrs. John Michie; and Mabel
McMillan who came over for some berries; and Mrs. Wright
awhile in the afternoon. About 360 boxes. Mrs. White of Marsh
Hill and others came for berries. Annie went to Port Perry in the
afternoon with berries. Mabel McMillan had an accident when
going out of our gate.
23 – Fine day. Annie went to Port Perry in the morning with a
crate of berries. Willie went for the beef in place of John Michie
while Jennie, James, Leola Luke and I finished picking berry
patch; about 40 boxes which went to the festival. Alex Leask took
352
them there. Fixed the buggy in the afternoon, then all hands went
to the D. McDonald garden party. Annie and the boys went in one
rig and Jennie, Leola Luke and I in another. There was an im-
mense crowd and for once they were eat out before all got supper.
Mr. Hulbert was chairman. The star was Jim Fox who did very
well. The Uxbridge orchestra; R. Barker; Misses Osborne of
Oakwood; all pretty good. About $375.00 taken in. About 1 am
when we got home.
24 – A very fine day. Cutting thistles and weeds and hoeing man-
golds. Annie went to D. McDonald’s to clean up after the party
and get the dishes and things. Willie scuffling turnips and corn.
Jennie washing and ironing. James picking beans. Old Mrs.
Stone, who is now at P. Luke’s, called in the afternoon. Mrs.
Wright called.
25 – A very fine day. Another berry day. Jennie, Annie, James,
Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke and I all day picking and Mrs. J.
Michie in the afternoon. Alex Leask, Ray Dusty and Cyler Whitter
came for berries. Willie scuffling corn in the forenoon and helping
P. Luke in the afternoon. Annie went to Port Perry with berries,
170 boxes. Boys at Blair’s pond in the evening.
26 – About 5:30 a terrible thunder storm came up and Cyler Whit-
ter’s barn was struck with lightning and burned. Everything in the
barn, including 32 loads of hay, 3 horses, 2 calves, 12 pigs, chick-
ens and all his implements lost. Willie went to the fire on horse-
back. [Brabozen’s?] barn between Saintfield and Wick was also
burned at the same time. Willie and I were most of the forenoon at
P. Luke’s helping Mrs. Wright to unpack her stuff that came from
the west. Jennie preserving berries. I was helping C. Phair in the
afternoon. Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
27 – Very warm day with high wind. All hands at SS and church;
90 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. James went to Jas. Gibson’s
for supper. Annie and the boys at Methodist church in the evening.
28 – Rain towards morning and much cooler. Jennie, Annie,
James, Leola Luke and I picking berries all day and Willie and
Mrs. John Michie in the afternoon. Willie scuffling corn in the
forenoon. Annie and Leola Luke went to Port Perry with berries.
Picked 145 boxes of berries.
29 – A fine day. Helping C. Phair all day, James also. Willie
hoeing turnips. Annie and Leola Luke at Port Perry with berries.
Jennie preserving. Mrs. Wright called. J.M. Real, official enu-
merator, called. All at N. Midgley’s in the evening.
30 – A very fine day. Most of the day at Luke’s helping him to rig
up his binder. Willie hoeing turnips and finished. James at C.
Phair’s. All of Luke’s called at different times. Merle Whitter
called for butter. Jennie washing and preserving. All of Midgley’s
here in the evening.
31 – A very fine day. At Cyler Whitter’s helping with his barn.
Willie at Luke’s. James at C. Phair’s. Jennie, Annie, Mrs. Wright,
Mrs. John Michie, Mary Dusty and Leola Luke picking berries,
130 boxes. Mr. Crozier of Seagrave came for berries and Annie
took some to C. Whitter’s. Daly tea man called.
AUG. 1 – A very fine day. All day helping at Whitter’s barn.
James at C. Phair’s. Willie at Luke’s in the afternoon. Jennie
preserving and at Port Perry. Annie ironing. Annie and Willie
drove over to Mr. Wanamaker’s in the evening, Annie to sign her
engagement papers to teach the Bethel school.
2 – A very fine cool day. John Michie came up in the morning and
we got Mr. Luke’s binder and cut the piece east of the orchard.
John left for Whitter’s after dinner and Annie drove the binder and
cut the field west of the house while Willie and I shocked it up.
James at C. Phair’s all day. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
Leola Luke and Jean and Ruth Michie called in the afternoon.
3 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 91 at SS. A Mr.
Johnston of Toronto, a Barnardo boys home man, preached. Elea-
nor Michie here for supper. Annie and Willie at church some-
where. Oliver Luke and his baby boy and Leola Luke called in the
evening.
4 - A fine and pretty warm day. Scuffling and hoeing the straw-
berry patch most of the day. Willie drove James to Port Perry in
the morning to the great peace demonstration. He came home for
dinner and he, Annie and Leola Luke went back in the afternoon.
Jennie, Mrs. A. Gordon and Bessie picking raspberries (probably
the last picking); about 50 boxes. Mrs. Wright called. She did not
go to the doings at Port Perry.
5 – A fine and warm day. Cutting thistles in the forenoon. Help-
ing at C. Whitter’s barn. Willie at John Michie’s. Jennie washing.
Annie picking thimble berries. Leola Luke called.
6 – A heavy rain (no thunder) between 5 and 6 in the morning.
Did some small jobs in the forenoon. Willie and James went to
Port Perry with 3 bags of oats to be ground but did not get them
home. After dinner started to cut field NE of barn. James driving
the binder. Mrs. John Michie and 3 of the girls; Mrs. Wright and
Leola Luke called in the afternoon.
7 – Very warm day. Finished cutting field NW of barn in the
forenoon. Jennie went to C. Whitter’s in the morning to prepare
for the raising. After dinner a thunder storm appeared to be com-
ing up, but it did not come. All hands at the raising. There was a
very large turnout of men and women and everything went up all
right and no one hurt. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
8 – A fine and cool day. Cut the hill field, boys helping, which
finishes cutting for the season. The piece of wheat was very poor.
Leola Luke called.
9 – A beautiful day. Helping P. Luke cutting oats and finished his
cutting. Jennie and James went to Port Perry and got home the
meal and 3 pair of [blankets?]. Willie helping C. Phair and at Port
Perry in the evening.
10 – A very fine day. All but James, who has a bad cough, at SS
and church; 100 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. When we came
out of church we saw a fire near Manchester which proved to be C.
Lambe’s barn and house. Annie and Willie at Methodist church in
the evening.
353
11 – A very fine day. Drew in the oats in the field W of the house.
Jennie helping in the barn and James building the loads; 7 ½ loads.
Willie helping C. Phair. Annie at Port Perry in the morning and
visiting Mrs. Ray Dusty in the afternoon. Leola Luke called twice.
12 – A fine day. Drew in field NW of barn (6 ½ loads), boys help-
ing. Jennie washing. Mrs. Ray Dusty and Miss Mildred Jackson of
Port Perry here for supper. Mrs. Luke and Leola called. Willie
and James went to Port Perry for James’ new wheel.
13 – A very fine day. Helping C. Phair to harvest all day. Boys
raked two fields and drew in the rakings. Jennie at Greenbank
visiting Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Stone. Willie at Greenbank in the
evening.
14 – A very fine day. At C. Phair’s all day. Jennie took Annie to
Port Perry on her way to visit Mr. Somerville’s at Prospect. Leola
Luke called. C. Whitter started to draw grain into his new barn 19
days from the time his old one was destroyed by fire.
15 – Dull; a little rain about 8 am and again about 1 pm. Helping
C. Phair in the forenoon; drew in 1 load but the rain stopped us.
Helped Jim Lee with his pump and came home and later drew in 2
loads of oats from the hill field. Leola Luke and Margery and
Velma Leask here in the afternoon.
16 – About 4 am a thunder storm came up and stopped all harvest-
ing for a time. Again about 5 pm another thunder storm came up
and continued without a let up until about 7 when it settled down to
a steady rain during the evening. Did little but a few small jobs.
Mrs. Wright called.
17 – About 11 am Mundo Perrin of Newcastle came in his car and
with him Aunt Liz, Jennie and Mrs. Cuthbert (nee Helen Patton)
and after dinner Mundo took the boys and I to SS and church; 109
at SS. Mr. McDonald preached a good temperance sermon. After
early supper the Newcastle folks left for home, Annie and James
going with them for a visit. A thunderstorm came up but did not
rain here. Willie went to the Methodist church in the evening.
18 – Dull and threatening most of the day and several little show-
ers. It is reported that a barn near Uxbridge and R. Reader’s barn
on Scugog Island were struck by lightning. Jennie washing and
canning corn. I did a few jobs and helped with the corn. Mrs.
Wright called and Jennie went to Luke’s with her. Clinton Midg-
ley here most of the afternoon. Willie started for Greenbank on the
wheel but when he was near A. Akhurst’s the front wheel col-
lapsed.
19 – NW wind and only a little rain; clear in the evening. Did odd
jobs in the forenoon. Willie plowing in the afternoon while I reset
up the shocks that are out. They are very wet and growing some.
Jennie corn canning and in the afternoon went with Mrs. John
Michie to the W. Missionary meeting in the church. Miss Mary
Forfar here for supper. Clinton Midgley here all afternoon while
his folks were away at Seagrave. Mr. Savage of Scugog called
selling a history of the war (did not buy). P. Leask called and Mrs.
Wright in the forenoon.
20 – A fine day and no rain. Fixing line fence most of the day.
Willie gang plowing. Jennie making pickles. Mrs. Wright and
Leola Luke, Jean and Ruth Michie called. Willie somewhere in the
evening.
21 – Drew in two small loads of oats which finishes the oats. They
were in poor order and rain started before we got them in. Jennie
went to Port Perry. About 12 noon G. McMillan phoned saying he
was going to a referendum meeting at Whitby with his car and I
went with him with W. Phoenix; John Heron and Rev. D.D.
McDonald. It was raining very heavy when we left Greenbank but
mud did not stop G.A. It rained nearly all the way there. There
was about 30 at the meeting which was principally to organize the
South Ontario riding. Willie plowing. Mrs. Wright, Leola Luke
and Olive and Eleanor called.
22 – A beautiful day and dry. All day at P. Luke’s. Pulled the old
woodshed and got sticks for sills from the swamp. John Michie
there in the afternoon. Willie gang plowing. Leola Luke and Ruby
Lee here for dinner.
23 – A fine day and no rain. At P. Luke’s woodshed in the fore-
noon; Willie plowing. Afternoon went with Willie and the team
and waggon and helped Ernest Phair to draw in grain (not too dry).
Jennie at Luke’s for supper. Mrs. Wright and Leola called. Willie
at Port Perry in the evening.
24 – Some rain before daylight in the morning and some thunder
but cleared up fine and cool. At SS and church with Jennie and
Willie. Willie went by wheel. 85 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached.
P. Luke was at SS. Olive Michie came home with us for supper.
Willie at Methodist church in the evening.
25 – Cool with a number of NW showers. With Willie’s help drew
in the 2 small loads of wheat and in the afternoon Willie raked and
drew in the rakings which finishes harvest for 1919. I was helping
P. Luke with his woodshed. Word came by phone that Jessie Bell
was coming and Willie went to Port Perry to meet her but the train
was very late on account of a run off near Brooklin. It was after 11
when they got home.
26 – Several showers from the NW. At Luke’s woodshed all day.
Willie plowing. He went to Port Perry on the wheel. Mrs. Wright
and Leola Luke called. In the evening went to a referendum meet-
ing in the hall. Not many out; voter’s lists was the topic. Quite
cool in the evening.
27 – Cool; a little rain. Hoeing some in the forenoon. Willie plow-
ing. At Luke’s woodshed in the afternoon. Leola Luke called
twice, or more. Moved the stove in.
28 – Rather a fine day; one little shower about 4 pm. At P. Luke’s
all day shingling woodshed in the forenoon and helping him to
finish drawing in his oats. Willie plowing. Leola Luke called 3
times. Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning taking Mrs.
Wright with her. Mr. E. Boe; Mary Dusty; Mrs. Ray Dusty and
Ruby Lee called. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
29 – A very fine day and no rain. At P. Luke’s shingling wood-
shed in the forenoon. About 11 am George, Bella, Mabel, Elsie
and Jessie Sleeman of Port Hope came in their car, bringing Annie
354
and James home. They left for home about 3 pm. Willie left for
Toronto fair at 5:30. He went with the Thomas boys. Leola Luke
called twice and Mrs. Wright once.
30 – Somewhat dull most of the day and a few drops of rain in the
evening. All day at P. Luke’s woodshed. Annie, with Leola Luke,
drove over to Bethel to hunt up a boarding place when she starts to
teach school there but she did not make a bargain. They then went
to Port Perry. Jennie went with Leola Luke and Mrs. Wright to
Port Perry in the evening as Leola is to have her tonsils attended to.
James at Luke’s after dinner to help J. Michie to patch the hole in
the barn. Willie did not come home as expected; he is staying in
Toronto over Sunday.
31 – A fine day and quite cool in the evening. All hands at SS and
church; 105 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Jennie and Jessie at
Mrs. Walker’s. Annie and James at Methodist church in the eve-
ning. Jas. S. Lee, wife and family called in the evening.
SEPT. 1 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing and
ironing. Annie and Jessie went to Port Perry for Willie who has
been at the Toronto fair. They missed him and did not catch up to
him until near the RR track.
2 – A fine day. Went with Jennie and Jessie to Toronto fair. Went
by way of Manilla and got there about 12. Went with Jennie to
hear Billie Sunday at the arena.79
There was an immense crowd
and he is a wonderful man but I could not hear him very well. We
then went to the fair grounds and into the grandstand which was
very good. Then to Mason’s for the night. Annie started to teach
school at Bethel school. She drove over to Mitchell’s. James
started high school in the 2nd
form. Willie walked to Port Perry in
the morning and brought home the horse and plowed some.
3 – A beautiful day. I went to the fair in the morning and Jennie
and Jessie, with Helen Patton, came later. Left the grounds just
before a short street car strike. Willie met us at Port Perry. Annie
at Bethel school. James at Port Perry school. Leola Luke called.
4 – A very fine day. Willie harrowing in the forenoon. In the
afternoon got Luke’s mower and cut the Hungarian grass which is
quite a good crop, Willie helping. Annie at her school. James at
Port Perry school. Olive and Eleanor and Mrs. John Michie here in
the afternoon.
5 – A beautiful day. Cleaning up the grainery and cutting thresh-
ing wood. Willie harrowing. Annie at her school. James at Port
Perry school. Willie at Greenbank in the evening. Leola Luke
called.
6 – A fine day and very warm; 88 in the shade. Helping Jas. Lee to
thresh in the forenoon and C. Phair in the afternoon. James also
helping Cecil. Clinton Midgley and Leola Luke called. Willie
harrowing. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the evening.
79
William Ashley Sunday was an outfielder in the
baseball National League during the 1800’s and be-
came an evangelist making attacks on liquor his
mainstay.
7 – Another very warm day. At SS and church with Willie, Annie
and James. 101 at SS. Rev. Mr. McDonald of Leaskdale
preached. Annie and Willie at Methodist church in the evening.
Jean Michie here for supper.
8 – Another terrible hot day; 90 in the shade. Raked and drew in 2
loads of the grass, Willie helping, and both at C. Phair’s threshing
(they did not work in the forenoon on account of a crack in the
boiler). Annie at her school. Jennie washing. Jessie dressmaking.
Leola Luke called in the evening.
9 – A fine day and much cooler. Willie and I at Phair’s threshing
and finished in about 2 hours. We then drew in the rest of the
Hungarian grass. Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning. Annie
at her school. Mrs. Wright called in the afternoon. Willie went to
Greenbank on the wheel in the evening.
10 – A very fine day. Jas. A. Blair came from Jas. Gibson’s with
the threshing machine but did not start until after dinner. Finished
in about 4 hours. Jas. Lee; John Michie; P. Luke; M. Midgley; and
A. Akhurst (for R. Dusty). Annie at her school. James at Port
Perry school.
11 – A very fine day. Scuffled strawberry patch. Cut the buck-
wheat and dug some potatoes. Willie at Ray Dusty’s threshing.
Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school. Jessie Bell fin-
ished Annie’s sweater that she has been knitting ever since she
came here. Olive and Eleanor here while their mother was at Port
Perry. Rev. Mr. McDonald here for supper. Willie, Annie and
Gladys Luke, who came home today, at choir practice in the
church in the evening. Gladys Luke here all night. Mrs. Wright
called.
12 – A fine day but pretty cool with high NW wind. Pulled the
beans and in the afternoon at preparatory service in the church.
Rev. Mr. Dodds of Sonya preached. Not a very large turnout.
Mrs. Cecil Leask received. Willie harrowing. James at Port Perry
school but there was no school in the afternoon on account of the
fair. Annie drove to Port Perry fair with Mrs. Wright. Jessie Bell
getting ready to start for Rochester tomorrow.
13 – A beautiful day. Willie and I spent all the forenoon hunting in
the swamp for steer pasturing at C. Phair’s but did not find it. Got
up early and Willie drove Jessie Bell to the early train on her way
to Newcastle and Rochester. In the afternoon E. Bryant came with
the corn binder and cut the corn in about 3 ½ hours at $1.25 an
hour. Ruby Lee, Ruth and Olive Michie here in the afternoon and
Leola Luke.
14 – A very fine day. All hands at communion service at Green-
bank. Mr. McDonald conducted the service and there was a pretty
good turnout. Mona Leask organist, first time under her leader-
ship. Jennie, James and I had dinner at W. O’Neill’s. Annie and
the boys at Methodist church in the evening.
15 – Heavy rain through the night which made the corn too wet to
handle. Willie took the corn binder home to E. Bryant’s. We then
drew up from the swamp field the wood cut the winter before last.
Annie at her school and James at Port Perry school. Leola Luke
here in the evening. Stanley Crowle came to Luke’s tonight.
355
16 – A very fine day. Willie drove me to Seagrave station on my
way to Lindsay for Presbytery meeting. Mr. Dodds of Sonya has
accepted a call to ---. Rev. Mr. Gandier, Anglican minister of
Sunderland, applied for admission to the Presbyterian church.
Willie came to Blackwater for me and brought Stanley Crowle
from P. Luke’s to Blackwater on his way to Cannington. Annie at
her school. James at Port Perry school.
17 – A beautiful day. Drawing off corn all day, Willie helping.
Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school. Jennie washing.
18 – A very fine day. Drawing off corn in the forenoon and fin-
ished, Willie helping. Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning
with Mrs. Luke. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school.
Willie collected the pumpkins. Annie and Willie at choir practice
in the evening. Leola Luke here in the evening. Helping P. Luke
in the afternoon to set up corn.
19 – Some rain through the night and again about 4 and in the
evening. Plowing the corn stubble. Willie helping P. Luke with
his corn. Annie at her school. Jas. at Port Perry school. Leola
Luke called.
20 – Dull day. Willie cultivating in the forenoon while I dug early
potatoes. About 4 pm Jennie and I started for Columbus to see the
folks there. Annie, Willie and James at Port Perry in the evening.
The flour mill at Port Perry damaged by fire.
21 – Rain in the forenoon. Willie Smith took us to SS and church
at Brooklin. Rev. Mr. Haig taught the bible class and Rev. R.
Simpson preached a good sermon. Rain came on and continued
during the evening so we did not get home as we expected. Annie
and Willie at SS and church. James did not go as he was unwell.
Annie, Willie and James at Luke’s in the evening.
22 – A fine day. Started for home about 9 and got home at noon.
Willie plowing in the afternoon while I dug potatoes. Annie at her
school. James did not go to school. Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke
called. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
23 – A little rain after dinner. Finished digging potatoes in orchard
and started the field. Willie plowing. Annie at her school. James
at Port Perry school. Jennie washing. Cleaned out the cistern.
Mrs. Wright called.
24 – A fine day except a little shower about 10; some thunder.
Digging potatoes all day. Willie plowing. Annie at her school.
James at Port Perry school. Olive and Eleanor here all day and
night while their mother is away at Scarborough fair. Mrs. Wright
called and Jennie over at Luke’s after dinner.
25 – A fine cool day with high NW wind. All day at C. Phair’s
helping him to draw off big stones from the field SW of Jim Lee’s
barn. Willie plowing. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry
school. Jennie churning. Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke called.
Olive and Eleanor here all day.
26 – A very fine day. Helping C. Phair all day. Willie plowing.
Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school. Jennie went to
Port Perry with Mrs. John Michie. Leola Luke and Mrs. Wright
called. Willie and Annie at choir practice at Jas. A. Blair’s in the
evening.
27 – A beautiful day. Digging potatoes most of the day. Willie
helping P. Luke to take a cow to Manchester in the forenoon,
plowing in the afternoon. Drew in the bit of buckwheat and beans.
Jennie baking. Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
Leola Luke called.
28 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 120 at SS.
Rally day service conducted by Mr. McDonald. Willie and James
at Methodist church in the evening and then Jennie went with
Leola Luke and Mrs. Wright.
29 – A little rain about 11 am. Digging potatoes all day. Willie
plowing. Jennie pickling. Annie at her school. James at Port
Perry school. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
30 – A fine cool day. Digging potatoes in the forenoon. Willie
plowing. James at Port Perry school. Annie at her school. In the
afternoon Jennie and I went with Mrs. Wright to Sunday School
convention in the Methodist church at Greenbank. There was a
fair turnout. Mr. Farmer of Port Perry was in the chair. The prin-
cipal speaker was a Mr. Fletcher who was pretty good. Supper was
served in the basement and another meeting in the evening which
was larger in attendance. Liberal convention at Whitby brings Mr.
Sinclair of Oshawa as the candidate.
OCT. 1 – Cool but fine. Willie went for the beef while I finished
digging potatoes. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry, this
being sports day at the high school. Afternoon Willie plowing
while I hoed strawberry patch. Jennie washing and churning in the
forenoon and went to Port Perry with Mrs. John Michie. Mrs.
Wright called three times or more.
2 – A thunder shower before daylight in the morning and dull most
of the day and quite warm. At P. Luke’s woodshed in the fore-
noon. Willie plowing. James did not go to school. All hands at
school fair in the afternoon. There was a good turnout. Willie
away somewhere in the evening.
3 – Dull and very warm. All day at P. Luke’s woodshed. Willie
plowing. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school. Jennie
ironing.
4 – Another very warm day. Thunder and a little rain about 5 and
6 o’clock. All day at Luke’s. Willie plowing. Annie at Port Perry
in the forenoon. Leola Luke here in the evening.
5 – Some rain in the evening and dull all day. All hands at SS and
church; 94 at SS. Rev. Mr. ----, the Alliance representative,
preached. Olive Michie here for supper. Willie away in the eve-
ning.
6 – A very fine day. All day picking apples, Jennie helping. Wil-
lie plowing. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school. P.
Luke called after dinner and Leola Luke after school.
7 – A very fine and cool day. All day at P. Luke’s cleaning out his
horse stable preparing for cement work. Willie plowing. Annie at
356
her school. James at Port Perry school. Willie took the syndicate
heifer to Greenbank. Leola Luke called.
8 – A beautiful day. At Luke’s all day at stable and drawing in
buckwheat. Willie went for the beef in the morning. The heifer
went 35 lbs over weight. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry
school. Leola Luke called twice.
9 –Got up early and Willie drove Annie to the early train on her
way to teachers convention at Oshawa. Helping P. Luke with his
buckwheat and stable. Rain came on and the buckwheat was pretty
damp but it was all taken in. Willie also helping him all day. I
came home after dinner on account of the rain and a pain in my
shoulder and neck. James did not go to school as it is closed for
the convention. Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon and
brought Mrs. Wright home. Leola Luke here all afternoon getting
Jennie to help her knit a sweater.
10 – Warmer; rain about 5 pm with thunder. Willie all day at P.
Luke’s and I was there in the afternoon. Jennie baking and iron-
ing. Willie went to meet the last train for Annie coming home
from the teachers convention. Florence Lee came with them and
Willie drove her home. Leola Luke called in the morning. She is
off to Cannington. Mrs. Wright called twice.
11 – Somewhat cool and windy. Picking apples in the forenoon,
James helping. Willie plowing. Afternoon went to Weston Phoe-
nix’s sale. Not a very large turnout but things sold pretty well.
Willie helping John Michie to draw in his buckwheat. Annie and
Willie at Port Perry in the evening. Sidney Caney arrived.
12 – A very fine day. All hands, including S. Caney, at SS and
church; 99 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Had a talk at the
church door with J.A. Miller on the referendum and the political
situation. We had just got home when Ken Mason arrived with his
car and his mother, two sisters and grandmother. They stayed until
about 8:30 and we had another talk on public questions.
13 – Thanksgiving day; also nomination day for the Ontario Legis-
lature. A beautiful day. Helping P. Luke all day at his stable.
Blake Cragg and John Michie there also. Willie at W. Thomas’
silo filling for Cecil Phair in the afternoon. Annie and James took
S. Caney to Port Perry on his way back to Toronto. Olive and
Eleanor here all night while John and wife were at Seagrave at a
chicken pie social.
14 – A very fine day. Helping P. Luke to cement his stable. Willie
at W. Thomas’ filling silo. Annie at her school. James at Port
Perry school. Jennie went to Methodist Ladies Aid at M. O’Neill’s
with Mrs. John Michie and Mrs. Wright.
15 – A very fine day. Jennie and I packed 3 barrels of apples for
Winnipeg in the forenoon and I took them to Port Perry in the
afternoon. Jennie picking apples in the afternoon. Willie helping
Norman Midgley silo filling. They worked late and finished.
Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school. Leola Luke
called.
16 – At P. Luke’s in the forenoon. Willie went to Weston Phoe-
nix’s for the mower I bought at his sale. Annie at her school.
James at Port Perry school. In the afternoon at C. Phair’s silo
filling, also Willie. A very disagreeable day as it drizzled all after-
noon and everybody got pretty wet. Willie came home at 4 o’clock
wet.
17 – A fine day. Helping C. Phair to fill silo in the forenoon and
topping turnips in the afternoon. Willie drove Annie to her school
in the morning and took her at the close of school to Seagrave
station on her way to Toronto for a visit at Mason’s. James at Port
Perry school. Jennie went to Port Perry with Mrs. John Michie.
Willie at Guy Brothers Minstrel show at Port Perry in the evening.
18 – A very fine day. Drew in the potatoes, 3 loads; the man-
golds, 2 loads; and some corn, Willie helping. Mrs. Wright called.
Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
19 – A fine and pretty cool day. All hands at SS and church; 98 at
SS. The SS met for the first time in the basement since it has been
cleaned and painted by W. Wilson and it looks much better. Rev.
Mr. McDonald preached in favour of the referendum. Willie at
Methodist church in the evening.
20 – A very fine but chilly day. Picked apples and some other little
jobs. Willie went to Port Perry to meet Annie who came from
Toronto and drove her to her school. He went to W.H. Leask’s to
thresh in place of P. Leask. James at Port Perry school. After
dinner Jennie and I drove to Greenbank to vote on the Ontario
General election and the Temperance referendum. The candidates
are Sinclair and Calder (Sinclair elected). This is the first time that
women voted at a political election. The referendum carried by a
huge majority.80
Hearst government defeated. The U.F.O. have
the largest number.
21 – Rain in the forenoon. Did some little jobs in the forenoon. At
P. Luke’s stable in the afternoon. Jennie washing. Annie at her
school. James at Port Perry school. Willie at W.H. and P. Leask’s
helping to thresh. In the evening went to Greenbank and met at the
Methodist parsonage with G.A. McMillan; E. Jamison; E. Phair
and Rev. Mr. Philp to consider having a series of community meet-
ings during the winter. Talked it over until after 12 o’clock.
Jennie went with Mrs. Wright and Mrs. John Michie to Women’s
Mission meeting at Mrs. James McMillan’s.
22 – A little rain in the afternoon. Got John Michie’s pig rack and
took the one pig to Port Perry. Got $17 per 100. At P. Luke’s
stable in the afternoon. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry
school. Willie at P. Leask’s threshing. Jas. H. Leask came for
apples. Jas. Lee and wife called, also Mrs. Wright.
23 – A very fine day. All day at Luke’s stable. Willie at P.
Leask’s threshing. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry
school. Mrs. John Stone and Mrs. W. Watson of Greenbank here
for dinner. Jas. Lee, wife and Ruby called for some apples. Willie
at Greenbank in the evening.
24 – A beautiful day. All day at Luke’s stable. Willie plowing in
the forenoon and picking apples in the afternoon. Annie at her
school. James at Port Perry school. Galbrath, the fruit tree agent,
here for dinner. Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon. The
80
The referendum was concerning alcohol.
357
Port Perry memorial for fallen soldiers was unveiled today. Leola
Luke here in the evening. Blair’s machine came to Luke’s tonight.
25 – At P. Luke’s threshing for a little while in the morning when
the machine broke down and then rain came on and nothing more
was done. I worked at the stable until about 4 pm. Willie also at
the threshing. Leola Luke called.
26 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church (Willie on the wheel
and Annie walked). 110 at SS; Rev. J.A. Miller preached. Annie
at Luke’s for supper. Willie and Annie at Methodist church in the
evening.
27 – A little rain in the morning and very dull and raw all day.
Threshing at P. Luke’s and finished at noon, then moved to John
Michie’s and worked until dark. Willie also threshing. Annie at
her school. Jennie drove James to Port Perry school as it was rainy
and muddy. Alex Gordon came for apples.
28 – A very high wind from the NW. At John Michie’s threshing
and finished in about an hour. The rest of the day picking apples,
Jennie helping. Willie plowing. Annie at her school. James at
Port Perry school. Norman Midgley here in the forenoon and
again in the afternoon picking up cider apples. Leola Luke called.
29 – A very fine day. Plowing while Willie topped turnips. Annie
at her school. James at Port Perry. W. and Henry Thomas called
for two barrels of apples. Mrs. Luke called. In the evening Jennie,
Annie and I attended a meeting in our church to arrange for weekly
community meetings during the winter. There was a large atten-
dance. Rev. Mr. Philp was in the chair and refreshments.
30 – A very dull and rainy day and little was done but a few small
jobs. Jennie went to Port Perry with Mrs. Luke. Annie at her
school. Willie drove James to Port Perry school. He stayed at Roy
O’Neill’s all night as it was raining. Leola Luke called in the
evening.
31 – Rain in the morning but cleared off and was quite warm.
Willie drove Annie to her school in the morning and went after her
at night. Bagging up apples while Willie harrowed. Jennie wash-
ing and churning. Boys at Midgley’s in the evening. Word came
by phone that W. Kerr of Brooklin dropped dead about noon. John
Michie came up for apples; $9.00 worth.
NOV. 1 – A fine day. Took 14 bags of peeling apples to Port
Perry for Mr. Purdy. Jennie went with me on her way to Brooklin.
Brought home John Michie’s new barn pump. In the afternoon
Willie and I drew in 4 loads of turnips (pretty poor crop). Clinton
Midgley here in the afternoon. Leola Luke called. Annie and
Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
2 – A very fine but somewhat cool day. All but Jennie (who is at
Brooklin) at SS and church; 108 at SS. Mrs. McIntyre gave an
address on her mission work in Alberta. Willie at Methodist
church in the evening.
3 – Rather a raw east wind. At turnips all day, got in 3 loads.
Willie housekeeping and helping at turnips. Annie at her school.
James at Port Perry school. Annie and Willie at choir practice in
the evening. Word came by phone that Jennie will not be home
until Wednesday as W. Kerr’s funeral is put off until then.
4 – At the turnips and got in one load before dinner and in the
afternoon there was nothing doing as it rained most of the time.
Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school. Willie and James
at Port Perry in the evening, James to practice in a school orches-
tra.
5 – Rather dull and cold day. At the turnips and drew in 7 loads
which finishes the job. Annie at her school. Willie went to Port
Perry for Jennie who has been at Brooklin. Went to prayer meet-
ing in the Methodist church. There was a good turnout. Rev. Mr.
McDonald was leader. Annie and Mrs. Wright went also.
6 – A beautiful day. Drawing out manure, Willie helping. Annie
at her school. James at Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright called.
7 – Snowing all forenoon (the first of the season). At P. Luke’s
stable all day. Willie plowing. Annie at her school. James at Port
Perry school. Leola Luke here for supper and the evening.
8 – Fine but rather raw. At P. Luke’s stable in the forenoon. Wil-
lie plowing. Annie at Port Perry. Afternoon went with Willie to
Mr. Pollick’s sale. There was a good turnout and things sold well.
Mrs. Wright called. Willie away somewhere in the evening.
9 – Rather raw east wind. All hands at SS and church; 103 at SS.
Rev. Mr. Scott of Omemee preached. Annie stayed at Albert Ak-
hurst’s for supper. Willie at Methodist church in the evening.
10 – Dull day, almost rain in the evening. Drawing in corn all day,
Willie helping. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school.
He rode with Leola Luke who is going to drive now. Jennie wash-
ing.
11 – A very fine day. Some raw through the night. Plowing sod
all day. Willie choring. James at Port Perry school. Annie at her
school. Jennie went with Mrs. John Michie to W.M. meeting at W.
O’Neill’s.
12 – A fine day. Plowing sod all day. Leola Luke had our Topsy
to drive to school while I had their black horse to plough. Mr. and
Mrs. Luke at Mrs. Wright’s funeral at Utica. Annie at her school.
James at Port Perry school. In the evening went with Jennie and
Annie to prayer meeting in our church. Mr. McDonald opened and
topics addressed by Mr. Milne and Jennie. A good attendance
notwithstanding. Fred O’Neill’s boys have the smallpox.
13 – Pretty rough and cold with snow flurries. Plowing all day.
Willie helping P. Luke to draw in corn. Annie at her school. Got
her first money for teaching. James at Port Perry school. Olive
and Eleanor here for dinner while their mother was at Port Perry.
Mrs. Wright called. Norman Midgley came for barrel of apples.
14 – Pretty cold and rough. Finished drawing in corn and also
straw for the strawberry patch. Annie at her school. James at Port
Perry school. Arthur Gordon called for apples.
15 – Not quite so cold. Covered the strawberry patch and various
other jobs. Willie took 10 bags of oats to Port Perry and got it
ground. Annie also went to Port Perry and brought Mary Bell and
358
Willie and Gordon from the station. Leola Luke and John Michie,
wife and girls here in the evening. Ray Dusty blasting stones.
16 – Milder. All but Annie (who was not feeling very well) at SS
and church; 95 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Willie away
somewhere in the evening.
17 – A fine and milder day. Plowing sod all day. Annie at her
school. James at Port Perry school. Willie at John Michie’s in the
evening. Mrs. Wright called.
18 – Rough with several snow storms. Plowing sod all day. Willie
drove Annie to her school then took Mary Bell and her boys to the
station and then went after Annie. James at Port Perry school.
Mrs. Wright called.
19 – Pretty rough and cold. Finished plowing sod field, then the
old strawberry patch and some of the orchard. Probably the last
plowing of the season. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry
school. Jennie washing. Annie, Willie and Leola Luke at social
evening in Methodist church.
20 – Hard frost but clear day. Went with John Michie and P. Luke
to Mr. Sonley’s sale (west of Greenbank). There was a good
crowd and things sold pretty well. Marquis was auctioneer. Annie
at her school. James at Port Perry school. Jennie went with Mrs.
Luke to Port Perry market. Jennie and Annie in the evening went
to a meeting at the Methodist parsonage; a caucus for the mock
parliament; and did not get home until after 12.
21 – A fine day but rain in the evening and very dark. Helping P.
Luke to put in culvert in his road near his gate. John Michie help-
ing in the afternoon. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry
school. Willie choring. Raleigh man called.
22 – Rather dull with a little rain in the evening. Plowing again
and finished for the season. Willie cleaning up the shop. Jas. S.
Lee called in the evening for his mail which was left in our box.
Leola Luke called twice. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
23 – A fine day; some snow flurries; quite a heavy one about 6 pm.
All hands at SS and church; 109 at SS. Mr. McDonald preached
on Ruth. Jennie and I stayed at Alex Gordon’s for supper. Willie
at Methodist church in the evening.
24 – A fine day; a little snow flurries sometimes. Puttying win-
dows most of the day. Willie choring. Annie at her school. James
at Port Perry school. Jennie house cleaning.
25 – Snowing a little most of the day. Swept down the cattle stable
in the forenoon and over at Luke’s awhile in the afternoon. Jennie
washing. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school. Willie
went with the sleigh (1st
of the season) and took the cutter to Port
Perry and got new shoes put on.
26 – Helping Jennie to pick chickens most of the day, Willie also
helping. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school. In the
evening went with Jennie and Annie to Union prayer meeting in
the Baptist church. A fair turnout. Rev. Mr. Ford was the princi-
pal speaker. Rev. Mr. McDonald and Rev. Mr. Philp were also
there.
27 – A fine day. Did little but the chores. Willie drove the sleigh
to Port Perry taking Jennie and Mrs. Luke and did not get back
until 3 pm. Mrs. Wright called. Willie away somewhere in the
evening.
28 – A very fine day. Jas. Lee came over and helped us to kill our
pig. Mrs. Lee and Alma came with him and they stayed for dinner.
James at Port Perry school. Annie at her school. Helped Jennie to
cut up the pig in the afternoon. Annie, the boys, and Leola Luke
skating on the pond in the evening (the first of the season).
29 – Dull and started to rain about 11 and continued all afternoon.
Little doing. Cut down the spruce tree at the red gate as it was
dead. Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke called. About 9 pm a terrible
wind from the SW swept over the country. It blew in the end of
the wagon shed and several places in the fences. Part of the roof of
G.A. McMillan’s barn and many other damages. P. Lukes
chimbley took fire but no damage was done. A man in Port Perry,
a Mr. Raines, was killed by a wall on Beare’s garage being blown
over. His wife was also seriously hurt.81
30 – A high and blustery wind all day with some snow flurries.
Jennie and I at SS and church; 82 at SS. Rev. Mr. Monroe of
Cannington preached. Leola Luke came home with us and stayed
for supper and went with Annie and Willie to the Methodist church
in the evening.
DEC. 1 – Rather rough and cold until near night. Cut up two
orchard trees in the forenoon and in the afternoon threshed the
beans; about a bagful of good quality. Jennie washing. Annie at
her school. James at Port Perry school. Annie and Willie went
over to W.H. Leask’s in the evening. Mrs. Wright called.
2 – Fine in the forenoon but snowing and rough in the afternoon.
Cutting threshing wood for C. Phair in his swamp in the forenoon.
After dinner the pump at the barn gave out and had to be fixed.
Willie choring. Jennie making head cheese. Annie at her school.
James at Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright here for supper as this is
my birthday (62).
3 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie to pick chickens in the fore-
noon. Willie helping. In the afternoon went with Jennie and Jas.
Lee and wife and Alma in Blake Cragg’s car to Brooklin to visit
Mrs. W. Kerr and Mary Bell who are about to leave Brooklin.
Mrs. Kerr to go to Somerstown and Mary Bell to Winnipeg. When
we got back to Greenbank we called at W. O’Neill’s and then to
the meeting in our church. There was a good turnout. Miss Ed-
wards took the topic. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry
school.
4 – A very fine day. All day at the gravelling job on the sideroad.
Willie drove the team and I levelled the gravel. Jennie and Mrs.
Luke went to Port Perry market. James at Port Perry school. An-
nie at her school. She walked there for the first time. Went up to
N. Midgley’s in the evening for 2 little pigs. Leola Luke here in
the evening.
81
Augustus Raines was killed and his wife and sister
in law were severely burned.
359
5 – Pretty cold with many snow flurries. All day at gravelling on
sideroad. Willie driving team. Annie at her school. James at Port
Perry school. Mrs. Wright called.
6 – Rather rough and snowing some. All day at the sideroad grav-
elling. Willie drove the team. Annie at Port Perry in the forenoon.
Clinton Midgley here in the afternoon. Willie at Port Perry in the
evening.
7 – Snowing some in the morning but turned out a fine day. Wil-
lie, James and I at SS and church. Drove the cutter, the only one
there. 105 at SS; Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Annie and Leola
Luke went to Bethel SS as Annie wanted to see them about their
Christmas tree. Annie and Willie at Methodist church in the eve-
ning.
8 – A very fine day. Went with Leola Luke and James to Port
Perry where I took the train to Lindsay to attend presbytery meet-
ing. There was no very important business on hand. Willie met
me at Blackwater and I got off at Greenbank to a rehearsal of the
mock parliament in the Methodist church. Jennie and Annie drove
up in the cutter. It was after 12 when we got home. Willie took 8
bags of oats to Port Perry to be ground. James at Port Perry
school. Annie at her school.
9 – Dull foggy and rather raw. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon
for the meal. Willie at C. Phair’s drawing gravel to the 10th
con-
cession near Jas. Gibson’s. James at Port Perry school. Annie at
her school. Jennie went with Mrs. John Michie to the W.M. meet-
ing at Mrs. Jas. McMillan’s; the annual meeting. [margin note:
North Ontario by election. Hulbert wins.]
10 – Rather cold and raw and quite cold in the evening. Helping
C. Phair to trim turnips until about 2 pm, Willie also helping.
Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school. In the evening
Jennie, Annie and I went to the people’s parliament meeting in the
basement of the Methodist church. There was a large attendance.
The proceedings were well staged and the debate good. The ques-
tion of consolidated schools was discussed. The speakers on the
government side were G.A. McMillan; C. Millar; R. Cragg; Mrs.
Philp; Mrs. I. Beare; Annie Michie; W. Phoenix and Mr. Tindle.
Those on the opposition were E. Jamison; Blake Cragg; L. Beare;
Wilmot Cragg; R. Michie; Fanny Phoenix and Miss Edwards. The
government won.
11 – Rather rough and cold. All day at C. Phair’s turnips. Willie
took 2 loads to Port Perry. Annie at her school. James at Port
Perry school. Jennie went to Port Perry market with chickens and
took Mrs. Luke and Mrs. Wright with her. Annie and James at
Gordon’s in the evening practicing. Willie at P. Leask’s with Mrs.
Wright.
12 – Much milder. Helping C. Phair with his turnips in the fore-
noon, Willie also. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school.
Went with Jennie to the preparatory service in the church. There
was a very small turnout. Rev. Mr. Gibson of Sunderland
preached. Mrs. R. Wright was received by certificate. Leola Luke
here in the evening. Mrs. Wright called.
13 – A mild day. Helping C. Phair to draw off stones in the after-
noon. Willie choring. Jennie doing regular Saturday’s work.
Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the evening. Mrs. Wright called.
14 – Pretty cold day. Went with Jennie to communion service at
Wick church. There was not a very large turnout. Annie and
Willie at the Methodist church in the evening. Leola Luke called.
15 – Cold and rough most of the day. Annie at her school. James
at Port Perry school. Did little but nurse a cold in my head. Willie
choring.
16 – Zero in the morning and clear and cold all day. Did little but
the chores. Willie at C. Phair’s drawing gravel on the 10th
conces-
sion. Annie at her school. James at Port Perry school. Jennie
washing. Leola Luke called in the evening. Willie away some-
where in the evening. Mrs. Wright called.
17 – Very cold which did not get above zero all day, sometimes as
low as 15 below. Did little but the chores. Willie drawing gravel
for C. Phair. Annie at her school. Jennie ironing. James at Port
Perry school and did not come home as this is the first night of the
high school concert. In the evening went to the devotional meeting
in the Baptist church. There was rather a small turnout. The for-
ward movement was the subject and Les Bear and I were the lead-
ers. Woodville Pres. Church burned down.
18 – Pretty cold but a fine day. Willie at Port Perry Christmas fair
and stayed for the concert in the evening. Annie at her school.
Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon with Mrs. J. Michie. In
the evening went with Jennie and Annie to the H.S. concert at Port
Perry. The hall was not big enough to hold all that came. The
principal thing was the play ‘The Rivals’ and it was done fine.
After midnight when we got home.
19 – A beautiful clear day. Put another tongue in the waggon
which was broke the other day. Annie at her school which closes
today for Christmas. Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon to
bring James and Leola home. Willie at birthday party in the eve-
ning at Amos [?].
20 – A very fine day. Little doing but the chores. Leola Luke
called twice. Annie and Willie at Port Perry and James at N.
Midgley’s in the evening. Clinton Midgley here a while skating in
the afternoon.
21 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 105 at SS;
Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Annie and Willie out in the eve-
ning.
22 – A quite mild day. Did nothing but the chores. Went over to
W.H. Leask’s in the forenoon. Willie drew one load of gravel in
the forenoon for C. Phair and in the afternoon 2 loads with our own
team. Jennie making Annie a dress. James at Port Perry in the
afternoon on his wheel. Willie and Annie at Blair’s pond skating
in the evening. Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke called.
23 – Milder. Willie drawing gravel; 3 loads. Helping Jennie to
pick 3 geese in the forenoon, James also helping. Jennie preparing
Christmas eats in the afternoon. In the evening all hands at Union
360
Christmas Tree in the basement of the Methodist church. There
was a good crowd. J.M. Real was in the chair.
24 – Snowing and much colder. Did little but the chores. Jennie
making Annie’s dress. Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the after-
noon and at Bethel Christmas Tree in the evening. Leola Luke
called. Blanche and Gladys Luke came home tonight.
25 – A fine but pretty cold day; 10 below in the morning. John
Michie, wife and girls here for dinner and supper. Clinton Midgley
and James skating on our pond. Willie skating on Blair’s pond in
the afternoon and Willie, Annie and Gladys Luke went to skate at
Blair’s again in the evening but it turned out rough and they did not
stay long.
26 – Milder and a little snow sometimes. Little doing but Willie
drew one load of gravel to the 10th
concession. In the evening
Willie and Annie took a sleigh load to a party at G.A. McMillan’s.
Jennie over at Luke’s in the afternoon for a little visit.
27 – Mild day. Did little but the chores. Willie went for one load
of gravel after dinner. Nelson Baird called in the forenoon and
insured Willie for $2,000 on the 20 pay plan. The premium $52.75
per annum. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the evening. Clinton
Midgley here in the afternoon skating and stayed for supper. Mrs.
Wright called.
28 – Pretty cold but clear day. All hands at SS and church; 102 at
SS; Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Annie at W. O’Neill’s for
supper. Willie at Methodist church in the evening.
29 – Rather raw day. Jennie washing and churning, the others
helping some. Telephone man called.
30 – A fine day. Jennie and Willie went with the sleigh and 12
bags of oats to be ground. Sidney Caney came on the train and
walked out. Not much doing. Boys with Clinton Midgley skating.
Mrs. Wright called.
31 – A fine but pretty cold day. Little doing. Jennie making dress
for Annie. Willie, James and Sidney Caney went to Port Perry for
the meal. Willie went to Greenbank to the annual SS meeting. Not
many out. G.A. McMillan re-elected superintendant, 2nd
term.
1920
JAN. 1 – A rather cold rough day. All hands, including Sid Caney,
at John Michie’s for dinner and supper. Will O’Neill, wife and son
also there. Willie drove Sid to Port Perry to the 6 pm train.
2 – Very cold, about zero all day. Little doing but Jennie dress-
making. P. Luke called in the afternoon.
3 – Clear and pretty cold all day. Jennie and Annie housecleaning.
Afternoon went to Mrs. Joseph Watson’s funeral in the Baptist
church. The church was nicely filled. Mr. Ford conducted the
service. The bearers were W. Phoenix; Albert Phoenix; R. Cragg;
Jas. Blair; G. Lee; W. Stovin. Mrs. Luke went with me. Willie at
Seagrave in the afternoon hunting a fiddle for the party next week
and Willie, Annie and James at Port Perry in the evening. Mrs.
Wright and Leola Luke called.
4 – Very cold; 16 below in the morning. Drove the sleigh and all
hands went to SS and church; 105 at SS. Election of teachers. I
am in again for the men’s class. Mr. McDonald preached. Church
uncomfortably cold. Willie at Methodist church in the evening.
5 – Another very cold day but not quite as bad as yesterday. Willie
drove Annie to her school and went for her again. James at Port
Perry school. He is going to stay until Friday at R. O’Neill’s.
Jennie washing. Annie and Willie at annual church meeting in the
evening.
6 – Much milder. Willie drove Annie to her school and went for
her at night. Jennie housecleaning. In the afternoon I was helping
P. Luke to cut wood in his swamp.
7 – Much milder with snow in the forenoon. Willie drove Annie to
and from her school. Jennie housecleaning. I was helping P. Luke
in the swamp in the afternoon. In the evening went with Annie and
Willie in John Michie’s sleigh to a social evening in our church.
There was a good turnout. Mr. McDonald in the chair. Impromptu
speeches was the principal thing.
8 – Another mild day. Jennie went to Port Perry market with John
Michie. Willie drove Annie to and from her school. Leola Luke
came home from Port Perry school somewhat sick.
9 – Somewhat rough and snowing some in the afternoon. Willie
drove Annie to her school and went for her again. He went for
Mary Dusty after dinner to help get the eats for our party tonight.
Mrs. Wright here most of the day helping. I went to Port Perry for
James. The party came off and was quite a success. G. McMillan
and Elvin King of Seagrave were the players and Mr. Luney of
Sonya the caller. Those present were John Michie, wife and girls;
Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke; Ray and Mrs. R. Dusty; Jim and
Mary Dusty; Russell, Henry and Laura Thomas; Arthur, Bessie and
Annie Gordon; Marie Akhurst; Harvey [Silex?] and Mary Real;
Leslie, George; Fred, Olive and Dorothy Real; Florence Hickman;
Wilmot, Altha and Vera Cragg; Reuben Tindle; C. Miller; Miss
Edwards; C. Stone; Roy and Gordon McDonald; G. Love; Edgar
Leask and wife; Harry Guy; W. Hall; Wilson Boe; Marion Leask;
Hugh and Mona Leask; Henry, Roy and Cathleen Leask; George
Baird; Edna and Verna Wallace; Everett Hooper; Mrs. G.
McMillan (Seagrave); Frank and Ernie Lee; Russell Burns; Russell
and Lillian Rood; Will O’Neill and Nellie and Willie O’Neill Jr.
Dance broke up about 2:30 am.
10 – A fine day and quite mild. The forenoon spent in cleaning up
after the party. Helping P. Luke cut wood in the afternoon. Mrs.
Wright called.
11 – Mild in the morning but got colder towards night. All hands
at SS and church. Drove the sleigh and took Mrs. Luke, Mrs.
Sonley, Mrs. Wright and Ray Dusty and wife. 102 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Annie went to S. Dusty’s for supper. Willie
at Methodist church in the evening. J.M. Real was taken ill be-
tween SS and church and was taken home. It proved to be a stroke
and it appears he is in bad shape.
12 – Pretty cold and some snow in the evening. Willie drove An-
nie to her school. I drove James to Port Perry school. I had only
got home about a half hour when he phoned that he was sick with
361
chicken pox and I went back for him. Jennie washing in the fore-
noon. She then went for Annie and arranged for her to stay for a
few days at Mr. Armstrong’s.
13 – Rough and stormy most of the day and little doing. Willie
drove Annie over to her school and she stayed at Mr. Armstrong’s
overnight.
14 – About zero all day and very rough. Little doing. Willie and I
went over to the edge of Luke’s swamp and found 2 of their geese
that flew away yesterday. The mail did not get up our sideroad; he
got stuck near C. Phair’s. Leola Luke called.
15 – Below zero all day with cutting NW wind; little doing. Nor-
man Midgley brought us a quarter of beef and we cut it up in the
afternoon. Mail came by Clinton Midgley.
16 – Colder still, about 20 below in the morning with east wind.
Jas. S. Lee called in the forenoon. Willie went for Annie after 4
pm. Leola Luke called.
17 – Under zero in the morning but got a little warmer. Not much
doing. Willie hitched up the sleigh in the afternoon and broke the
road. Leola Luke called. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
[margin note: Prohibition started in US].
18 – Very cold and rough all day. Willie and I went to SS; 63
present. No church service as Mr. McDonald conducted Mrs.
Allsworth’s funeral. Annie and Willie at Methodist church in the
evening.
19 – Quite a lot milder. Jennie washing. Willie drove Annie to her
school and went for her again.
20 – Pretty cold with snow from the east. Willie drove Annie to
her school with the sleigh and went for her again. Mrs. Sonley and
Mrs. Wright here awhile in the afternoon.
21 – Below zero in the morning but got a little milder. Willie
drove Annie to her school and went for her again. Little doing but
the chores. Willie and Annie at prayer meeting in the Methodist
church in the evening.
22 – Below zero again and very cold all day. Willie drove Annie
over to her school with the sleigh and then Jennie and I went to
Port Perry with 12 bags of oats and got them ground.
23 – Not quite so cold but very raw east wind with some snow in
the afternoon. Willie drove Annie to her school and went after her
again. He also went to Harry Woodcock’s on the east road for a
rooster. Leola Luke here in the evening.
24 – Another pretty cold day. Below zero in the morning. In the
afternoon drove up to see J.M. Real who has been seriously ill.
Found him some better. Annie, Willie and James at Port Perry in
the evening.
25 – Another very cold day; below zero most of the day. All hands
at SS and church (drove the sleigh, taking Mrs. Wright and Leola
Luke); 106 at SS; Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Willie some-
where in the evening.
26 – Below zero in the morning but became somewhat milder.
Drove James and Leola Luke to Port Perry school after an absence
of two weeks with chicken pox. Willie drove Annie to and from
her school. Jennie washing. Word came by phone that R.T. Har-
rington had a stroke this morning and that Rev. Mr. McDonald was
down with pneumonia.
27 – Quite a lot milder. Willie drove Annie to her school and went
for her again. Afternoon Jennie went with John Michie in the
sleigh to the Women’s Missionary meeting at Mrs. John Stone’s.
She stayed for supper at Mrs. Walker’s, then in the evening Willie
drove Annie and I to Jim Lee’s for a little musical party and then
went to Greenbank for his mother, then back to Jim Lee’s. Arthur
and Bessie and Annie Gordon were also there. C. Phair called for
butter and settling up with me.
28 – Below zero again in the morning; clear and cold. Willie
drove Annie to her school. Little doing. Jennie churning. No mail
today; train off the track or something.
29 – A fine day and sharp. Willie drove Annie to and from her
school. Mrs. Wright called. Annie and Willie at choir practice in
the evening.
30 – Another clear cold day and sometimes rough. Willie drove
Annie to and from her school. Jennie went to Port Perry in the
afternoon for James and Leola. Annie and Willie at party at Mrs.
Alex Boe’s in the evening. Willie took sleigh load.
31 – About 20 below zero in the morning and never up to zero all
day. Little doing. Leola Luke here for supper and the evening.
FEB. 1 – Quite a little milder. Willie drove the sleigh to SS taking
Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke. Jennie did not go. 85 at SS. As Mr.
McDonald was not able to come we had a short service after SS.
Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
2 – Much warmer and the snow thawing. Willie drove Annie to
and from her school. Dick Terry drove Leola Luke and James to
Port Perry school. Hitched up [Jimmy?] colt to the sleigh the first
time. Jennie washing. Joe Burton called.
3 – Fine day and a little colder. Willie drove Annie to and from
her school. We drew up some wood from the swamp field to the
woodshed. Jas. Lee came over after dinner to get some holes
bored in a sleigh bunk. Jennie and I at P. Luke’s in the evening.
Mr. Luke is not very well. Annie and Willie at Blair’s pond skat-
ing in the evening.
4 – A fine but rather colder day. Willie drove Annie to and from
her school. Drew up some wood. Jennie killed and dressed 4
hens. Hugh Jack and Dan Boe called.
5 – A fine day but chilly. Willie drove Annie to and from her
school. I drove the sleigh to Port Perry taking Jennie, Mrs. Luke
and Mrs. John Michie. Jennie and Annie at P. Luke’s for tea; L.
Wagoner, wife and baby being there.
6 – A fine day. Willie drove Annie to and from her school. Word
came by phone that James was not able to go to school so Willie
drove to Port Perry for him. He does not appear to be very bad.
362
Jennie at John Michie’s in the afternoon arranging women’s mis-
sionary programme. Annie and Willie at an ice carnival at Port
Perry in the evening.
7 – A fine day. Willie and I cut down the white birch tree near the
NW corner of the barn. Leola Luke called.
8 – A fine day. All but James at SS and church; 125 at SS. Mr.
McDonald preached. Leola Luke here for supper. Annie and
Willie away somewhere in the evening.
9 – Mild with some snow from the E in the evening. Willie drove
Annie to and from her school. Jennie washing. Piling wood in the
woodshed.
10 – A fine mild day; some snow. Willie drove Annie to and from
her school. Jennie took James to Port Perry to Dr. Archer. He says
his stomach and liver are out of order. Jennie then went to Jas.
Lee’s to help bake for their sale tomorrow. Dick Terry called to
telephone.
11 – A very fine day. Willie drove Annie to and from her school.
Went to the church at 12 o’clock to a meeting to make out the
church reports to the General Assembly. Rev. D. McDonald; Jas.
Blair; G.A. McMillan; and I were present. Then drove to Jas. S.
Lee’s sale which was quite a success, although the crowd was not
large. $2,200 was about the proceeds. Jennie there also helping
Mrs. Lee in the house. Annie and Willie at prayer meeting in the
evening. [margin note: R.T. Harrington died].
12 – Mild and snowing off and on all day. Willie drove Annie to
and from her school. Dick Terry got our cutter to take Mrs. Wright
to Port Perry.
13 – Mild with some snow. Willie drove Annie to and from her
school. James went with him on the last trip. In the afternoon
Jennie and I went to R.T. Harrington’s funeral. There was quite a
number out. Mr. McDonald conducted the service. The bearers
were W. Phoenix; W. Real; W. Love; Jas. Innis; R. Flewell and
John Stone. In the evening Arthur, Bessie and Annie Gordon;
Mary Dusty; Russell and Henry Thomas; and Leola Luke were
here and had some fun. Leola stayed all night.
14 – Mild and snowing all afternoon. Willie took 12 bags of oats
to Blair’s mill but did not get them home. In the afternoon went
with John Michie to Brown bros. sale (on the John Monroe place).
There was a good turnout and pretty good prices. Oats were sold
for $1.30 per bushel. Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the evening
and got home early.
15 – A very stormy and snowy day. No one out except Willie who
was over at Luke’s for awhile. There was no SS or church in
Greenbank as they were closed on account of the flu.
16 – High wind during the night. Roads pretty well blocked.
Annie did not go on account of the roads. Willie hitched up the
sleigh in the afternoon and broke the roads. Leola Luke called. No
mail today.
17 – Snowing most of the day. Willie drove Annie to her school.
She is to stay at Mr. Armstrong’s for a few days on account of the
roads. James went back to Port Perry school with Mr. Luke. P.
Leask called to get me to make a hand sleigh.
18 – A very fine day. Willie went to Blair’s Mill for the meal.
Jennie churning. Mrs. Wright called.
19 – A very fine day but cold; 10 below zero in the morning.
Willie went to Port Perry with Mr. and Ms. Luke. Mrs. Wright
called. Willie at Greenbank in the evening. Mail came up the
fields by the door; 1st
time.
20 – A fine day. Drew 2 loads of wood into the shed in the fore-
noon. Willie went for Annie and Jennie went to Port Perry for
James and Leola Luke. Annie, Willie and James at Gordon’s in
the evening.
21 – A very fine day. In the afternoon drove with Jennie to see
J.M. Real and found him some better. Annie, Willie and James at
Port Perry in the evening skating. Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke
called.
22 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church. Mrs. Wright
went with us. 98 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie and
Willie at Methodist church in the evening.
23 – Mild and snowing a little most of the day. Jennie washing.
Willie drove Annie to and from her school. James went to Port
Perry school with P. Luke. I was making a hand sleigh for P.
Leask’s girls.
24 – A very fine day. Willie drove Annie to and from her school
and drew out some manure. I finished P. Leask’s hand sleigh.
Mrs. Wright called in the evening.
25 – A fine day but pretty cold. Willie drove Annie to and from
her school. In the evening went with Jennie, Annie and Willie to
supper at W. Thomas’s. Those present were S. Dusty, wife and
Mary; Ray Dusty and wife and James Dusty; Arthur, Bessie and
Annie Gordon; Albert Akhurst, wife and Marie. Dancing was the
order of the evening. Got upset twice on the way home.
Albert and Annie Akhurst, date unknown
363
26 – A cold day. Willie drove Annie to and from her school.
27 – Pretty cold. Willie drove Annie to and from her school. I
went with Jas. S. Lee to D. McDonald’s sale. There was a good
turnout and prices went high; Jackson auctioneer. Stayed at Lee’s
for supper and in the evening all the rest out. Mrs. Wright came
over in the sleigh and the evening was spent in music and dancing.
Those present were Keith, Wilbert and Arthur Lee; Arthur, Bessie
and Annie Gordon; Russell, Henry and Laura Thomas; and Har-
vey, Alex and Mary Real. Jennie went to Port Perry in the after-
noon for James.
28 – A very fine day; a little snow from the south sometimes.
Leola Luke called.
29 – A beautiful clear day. Annie, Willie and I at SS and church.
Jennie had a headache and James was unwell. We rode up in
Luke’s sleigh, R. Terry driving. There was 96 at SS. Mr. McDon-
ald preached again on the forward movement. Annie and Willie at
Methodist church in the evening.
MAR. 1 – A fine but cold day. Willie drove Annie to and from her
school. Jennie washing. James did not go to school. Audrey
Moon, mail carrier, came in to warm himself. Willie brought
home the Bethel clock to get it fixed.
2 – A beautiful day. Willie drove Annie to and from school.
Jennie took James to Port Perry school. Peter Leask drove over
and I went with him all day collecting for the forward movement.
We covered the south part of the congregation. Got dinner at Jas.
Blair’s. Annie and Willie at Methodist church to a play ‘Dust Of
The Earth’.
3 – A beautiful day. Willie drove Annie to and from her school.
All day with Peter Leask collecting for the forward movement.
Got dinner at Mrs. W. McMillan’s. Did not get on very well as
many were away at Alex Calder’s sale. Willie at Greenbank.
4 – A very fine day and thawing some. Walked to the new road
where I met John Somerville and we proceeded to finish the canvas
for the forward movement. We got dinner at John Somerville’s
and called at all in the house but some were not at home. The
amount promised is $803.00. Annie did not go to her school today
as she was unwell.
5 – Rain through the night and the snow very soft but it turned cold
and rough with snow from the NW. Annie did not go to her school
but she is much better. P. Luke here in the afternoon. Willie went
to Port Perry for James but James walked home and Willie missed
him but he went on and brought Leola Luke home.
6 – Pretty cold all day. Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning
taking Dick Terry to the train. James Lee called in the afternoon.
Leola Luke also called. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
7 – Pretty cold and some rough. All but Annie at SS and church;
Mr. Luke; Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke going with us. 83 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. Willie at Methodist church in the eve-
ning.
8 – Somewhat stormy. Little doing but the chores. I was over at
Luke’s awhile in the afternoon. Annie did not go to her school and
on account of nearly all the pupils being sick the school is to be
closed the remainder of this week. Mrs. Wright called.
9 – James drove me to Port Perry to the train (1 hour late) on way
to Toronto to the Alliance convention. Got there just at the close
of the morning session. Got dinner at Eaton’s. Attended the after-
noon meeting and then to J.C. Moon’s for supper. J.C. was there
but left for Kansas that evening. Went to the evening meeting with
Jessie Smith; 48th
Highlanders band, speeches, singing and mov-
ing pictures. Willie helping Jas. Lee to kill a pig and drew a load
of hay for Alex Gordon who is moving to Saintfield. Jennie and
Mrs. Wright at W.M. meeting at the church.
10 – Attended the convention and about 11 am we went to the
parliament buildings to present our case to the new U.F.O. gov-
ernment. Mr. Drury premier.82
Got dinner at Eaton’s and attended
the afternoon session and went with J. A. Miller to tea, then to
[Cooks?] church to hear evangelist Gypsy Pat Smith. There was a
full house. Then to Mason’s for the night. Willie took 12 bags of
oats to Port Perry and got them ground. [margin notes: Mrs. David
Cragg died. Jas. Dusty and Lottie Rodman married.]
11 – Attended the convention. Got dinner at Eaton’s and supper at
Mason’s. In the evening went with Annie Mason to the last meet-
ing which was a big one. Concert band, pageant, singing and a
fine address by Dr. Russell, the head of the temperance movement
in the US, then moving picture. 12 o’clock when we got back.
Jennie went to Port Perry with Mrs. John Michie.
12 – Heavy rain through the night and very dull morning. Took
the early train for home. Jennie met me at Port Perry. Roads very
bad. We brought James and Leola Luke home from school. Pre-
paratory was to have been in the church but was called off on
account of the roads.
13 – Quite rough and cold in the afternoon. Helping C. Phair to
cut wood; Jas. Lee also helping. Clinton Midgley called. Annie at
John Michie’s.
14 – High wind and very cold in the morning. Annie and I walked
to the church to communion service. Mr. McDonald preached.
Owing to bad roads and bad weather the attendance was very
small. Jas. Leask and Lizzie and John Heron and wife were all that
came from Wick. James H. Leask and wife and Nettie Leask came
in by certificate from Sonya. After we came home I drove Annie
over to Mr. Armstrong’s to be ready for school tomorrow. Went
by the 12th
concession as the 11th
is flooded with water. Willie
somewhere in the evening. Leola Luke called in the evening.
15 – Mild and thawing. James walked to Port Perry school. He
went by the 10th
concession on the ice. Leola Luke did not go as
she has quit school until fall. Cut a maple tree near the road, Wil-
lie helping. Helping C. Phair cut wood in the afternoon. Mrs.
Wright, Marion Leask and Leola Luke called in the evening.
82
Ernest Charles Drury, 8th
premier of Ontario,
served from 1918 to 1923 as head of the United
Farmers of Ontario – labour coalition government.
364
16 – Mild and thawing all day and lots of mud. Helping C. Phair
to cut wood in the afternoon. Willie went with the cutter to James
Dusty’s wedding reception at Mr. Rodman’s on Scugog island.
17 – Pretty rough and stormy in the afternoon. Helping C. Phair to
cut wood in the afternoon. Jennie washing and churning and Wil-
lie and her moved the stove. Willie got home from the Dusty
reception at about 5 am.
18 – A fine day and thawing some. Cutting wood all day in a piece
of ground C. Phair gave to brush up for the wood. Willie choring.
Leola Luke called.
19 – Fine in the forenoon. Cutting wood at C. Phair’s lot. Willie
drew 2 loads of sugar wood from John Michie’s. The afternoon
turned out very stormy with snow from the E. At the wood. Willie
came over and drew out 2 loads but we quit on account of the
storm after we had got pretty wet. Jennie went to Port Perry for
James and then went by way of Bethel for Annie. Leola Luke here
in the evening.
20 – A fine day. Willie and I finished drawing out the wood cut on
C. Phair’s place and in the afternoon drew 4 loads of kettle wood
from John Michie’s. Jennie at J. Michie’s in the afternoon. Clin-
ton Midgley here for supper. Jennie, Annie and I at Luke’s in the
evening.
21 – A mild day and thawing. All hands at SS and church. Jennie
and I rode and the rest walked. Mr. McDonald preached. Annie
and Willie at Methodist church in the evening.
22 – Mild and thawing and lots of mud. Drove James to Port Perry
school and on the way took Annie up to the east road as far as the
10th
concession on her way to her school. Jennie washing. Willie
drew one load of kettle wood from John Michie’s. In the afternoon
tapped the maple trees along the lane and road, Willie helping and
Leola Luke driving the horses.
23 – A very mild day. Mud in plenty. Boiling maple sap but the
run was not very good today. Jennie cleaning out the hen house.
Willie drawing out some manure, breaking roads, and other jobs.
Leola Luke and Mrs. Wright called.
24 – A very mild spring day. Cut down 2 apple trees and boiled
sap, Willie helping. Mary Dusty here in the afternoon, also Leola
Luke. Willie at meeting at Greenbank in the evening. Weston
Phoenix died today.
25 – Another very mild spring like day. Word came that James
had taken the mumps so I went to Port Perry for him. Pruning
apple trees in the afternoon. Mrs. Luke called. Willie at Green-
bank in the evening and joined the S.O.T. [Sons of Temperance].
26 – A fine day, getting some colder. Pruning apple trees all day.
Willie choring.
27 – Snowing most of the forenoon. Boiling sap and pruning trees.
Leola Luke and Jean Michie called. Willie at Port Perry. He went
by way of Bethel and took Annie who did not come home on Fri-
day on account of James having the mumps.
28 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Willie; 95 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. Willie at Methodist church in the eve-
ning. Sap ran good today.
29 – About 1:30 am there was a thunder storm came up, apparently
from the SE, but there was not a great deal of rain. Through the
day it got colder with high NW wind. All day boiling sap. We got
Luke’s kettle and finished about 4 pm. Willie drawing off the
brush in the orchard and from about 4 o’clock helping P. Luke to
cut his wood (W. Real’s machine). Leola Luke called.
30 – Ground white with snow in the morning. Willie helping P.
Luke cut wood until about 11 while I was at the berry bushes. A
very high wind in the afternoon. Willie cultivated awhile in the
field NW of barn, the first that I have heard of for the season.
Boiling sap in the afternoon. Jennie washing and ironing. Mrs.
Wright called, also Leola Luke.
31 – A very fine day. Boiling sap and cleaning out berry bushes.
Willie at John Michie’s helping him to cut wood (for Ray Dusty);
cultivating in the afternoon. Jennie churning. At Luke’s in the
afternoon cutting out dress for Leola. Olive and Eleanor Michie
here in the afternoon. Leola Luke called.
APR. 1 – A beautiful day. At berry bushes and boiling sap in the
forenoon. Jennie went to Port Perry market with Mrs. Luke. In the
afternoon Willie went to Jim Dusty’s to cut wood while I went to
Port Perry with 3 bags of oats to be ground and to attend McKee’s
livery sale. There was a large turnout. I bought a set of single
harness. Jennie went to Bethel for Annie. Willie at SOT in the
evening. Leola Luke called.
2 – Dull with rain in the forenoon and a thunder shower about 3:30
and then some snow in the evening. Gathered the sap and then
went to Port Perry for the harness that I bought yesterday. As this
is Good Friday there was nothing doing in town. Willie helping
Jim Dusty to cut wood. At berry bushes awhile in the afternoon.
Jean and Ruth Michie here in the afternoon. Jennie and Annie at
Missionary quilting in the basement of the church. Jennie took
Mrs. Jas. Lee and Annie went with Mrs. John Michie. 4 quilts
were manufactured. A man from Oshawa, who is with Lang trap-
ping muskrats in the swamp, left his car in our barn. Blanche
Luke, who is home for the holiday, called and Gladys Luke, who is
also home, went with Annie and Willie to a play at Saintfield.
3 – A very high W wind all afternoon. At the berry bushes most of
the day. Jennie boiling the sap. Willie helping C. Phair to draw
off stones in the afternoon. Leola Luke called. In the evening we
had a maple sugaring party. John Michie, wife and four girls; P.
Luke and wife; Mrs. Wright; Blanche Luke; Leola Luke; and Dick
Terry were over.
4 – Rather raw E wind. At SS and church with Jennie and Annie
(Willie and James at home); 85 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached.
The trappers came for their car. Willie and Annie at Methodist
church in the evening. Jennie at Luke’s in the evening to see baby.
5 – Wintery day; snowing quite heavy in the afternoon. Willie at
Jim Dusty’s cutting wood. Jennie and Annie at Port Perry. H.
Jack and D. Boe called and bought the 2 steers for 11 ¼ cts. At the
berry bushes.
365
6 – Pretty cold and rough. Making some whiffletrees in the shop.
Willie took the waggon to Greenbank to get repaired. Drawing out
manure in the afternoon. Jennie all day at Jas. Lee’s helping Mrs.
Lee to sew. Mrs. Wright called.
7 – Cold and snowing several times during the day. Drew up some
wood from the swamp field and Willie drew out some manure.
Mrs. Wright called.
8 – Cold and snowing several times and little done but the chores.
Jennie and Annie went to Toronto. They drove to Port Perry and
left the horse. Mrs. Wright called, also Jean and Ruth. Willie at S
of T in the evening.
9 – Milder day. Little doing but the chores. Was not out much as
I feel used up.
10 – Milder but snow not yet gone. Willie drawing out manure
while I was at the berry bushes some. Mr. Cawker called wanting
to buy cattle. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the evening. Mrs.
Wright called twice.
11 – Dull with some rain in the afternoon. At SS and Annie and
Willie. 101 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Willie at Methodist
church in the evening. Roads very muddy.
12 – Snowing a little nearly all day. Boiling sap all day which
made over 4 gallons of molasses. Jennie and Willie picking over
potatoes in the cellar. Willie drove Annie to her school. She is to
stay at Mr. Armstrong’s this week. James drove to Port Perry
school. He put the horse into Mr. J. Wadell’s stable.
13 – A fine day but the snow did not go very much. Was over at
Luke’s in the forenoon and in the afternoon helping C. Phair to dig
a ditch for water pipes. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie
choring and gathering sap. Jennie went with Mrs. John Michie to
the W.M. meeting in the church.
14 – A fine day. At C. Phair’s all day helping him to put in his
water pipes. Jennie cleaning the ceiling of the kitchen. Willie
boiling sap; 3 ½ gal syrup. James drove to Port Perry school.
Willie at Greenbank in the evening to hear the Saintfield play
again. Mrs. Wright called.
15 – Mild with some rain towards night and in the evening. Drew
two more loads of kettle wood from John Michie’s. Jennie went to
Port Perry market with Mrs. John M. Willie boiling sap and
choring. James drove to Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright called.
Willie at S of T in the evening.
16 – A very fine mild day. With Willie’s help took the two steers
to Port Perry. They weighed 2080 @ 11 ¼ cts. Boiling sap in the
afternoon. Jennie housecleaning the kitchen. James drove to Port
Perry school and came home on his wheel. Willie went for Annie
at her school and took her to choir practice in the evening. Mrs.
Wright called.
17 – A very fine day. Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry in the
morning to get paint and paper for the kitchen. Willie cultivating E
of the orchard while I was boiling sap and at the berry bushes.
Clinton Midgley here in the afternoon. P. Luke called in the morn-
ing.
18 – A very fine spring like day. All but Jennie (who was unwell)
at SS and church; 97 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie and
Willie at Methodist church in the evening.
19 – A beautiful spring day. Willie drove Annie to her school and
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie and I, with the
waggon, went to Uxbridge with 12 ½ bags of potatoes which we
sold for $4.25 per bag, a drop of $1.25 over Saturday’s price.
When we got home we found one of the calves had broken its leg.
We got R. Terry, who is now at Mr. Luke’s, to come over and bind
it up. Willie boiling sap and over at Luke’s in the evening.
20 – A fine mild day. Plowed the berry bushes, drilled up some for
potatoes and planted 4 rows. Willie got started to sow oats in the
field NW of the barn. Jennie painting the kitchen. James wheeled
to Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright called.
21 – Dull and rain off and on all day. Willie was to help Sam
Dusty to move to Port Perry but the rain prevented. Jennie wash-
ing and Willie and I were painting the kitchen in the afternoon.
James did not go to school on account of the rain. Leola called
twice.
22 – Dull with thunder and some rain in the evening. Went to Port
Perry in the morning with Jennie. Willie took a load of moving for
S. Dusty to Port Perry. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Wil-
lie at S of T in the evening. Clinton Midgley here for supper.
23 – Some little showers. All day helping Jennie to paper the
kitchen. Willie drove James part way to Port Perry school and
went for Annie in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at choir practice
in the evening. Leola Luke called.
24 – Frost in the morning and cold and windy all day. Let off
water in the forenoon and fixed fences in the afternoon, Willie
helping. Annie went to Port Perry in the forenoon to see the den-
tist. Leola Luke, Mrs. Luke, Mr. J. Michie and Clinton Midgley
called. Jennie somewhat used up with a cough.
25 – A fine day but rather raw and cold. All but Jennie, who is on
the sick list, at SS and church; 72 at SS; Rev. Mr. McDonald
preached. Willie and Annie at Methodist church in the evening.
26 – A fine day. Willie drove Annie to her school. James wheeled
to Port Perry school. Willie finished sowing the field NW of the
barn and harrowed it. I pulled down the fence W of the house and
fixed the garden fence.
27 – Dull and foggy and almost rain several times. Sowed E of the
orchard and cultivated, uncovered the strawberry plants which look
good. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Leola Luke called.
28 – Dull with many showers. Willie got about half of the N field
sown but had to quit on account of the rain. I fixed fences and
gathered up the sap dishes. Got timothy seed from N. Midgley.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie housecleaning up-
stairs. Leola Luke called.
366
29 – Cold and many showers of rain, almost snow sometimes.
Jennie housecleaning upstairs. Willie and I went to Port Perry in
the forenoon. I called at John Michie’s in the afternoon. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Leola Luke called. Willie at S of T
in the evening. R. Terry called in the evening. We have an idea
that he and P. Luke were at Port Perry getting the writings drawn
for the sale of the Luke place to R.T. We spent the evening mak-
ing out the income tax papers and a job it was.
30 – Some warmer and rain. Willie finished sowing N field. I
fixed fences. Jennie washing. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
R. Terry and Mrs. Wright called. Willie went for Annie and took
her to choir practice in the evening.
MAY 1 – Cold again; almost snow in the afternoon. Fixed fences
in the forenoon while Willie harrowed the N field twice. Jennie
scrubbing, baking and ironing. Annie raking the door yard. James
took the sap dishes borrowed from Luke’s and J. Michie’s home on
his wheel. In the afternoon Willie and I cut up a maple tree near
the road. Leola Luke called. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the
evening.
2 – A fine day but cold wind. All hands at SS and church; 110 at
SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Rev. J.A. Miller and wife had their
infant daughter baptized. John Michie came out with his new
double rig for the first time. Willie and Annie at Methodist church
in the evening. Eclipse of the moon in the evening.
3 – A fine but pretty cool day. Willie gang plowed some and then
we cut down and drew to the woodshed the 2 maple trees from the
roadside. Annie drove to her school. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Jennie housecleaning. Leola Luke called.
4 – A fine and warmer day. Willie cultivated the SW field. Had
[?] colt on the cultivator for the first time. I fixed fences in the
forenoon and planted trees by the road in the afternoon. Annie
drove to her school. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie
housecleaning. Leola Luke and Mrs. Wright here in the evening
playing croquet.
5 – A beautiful warm day. Sowed the SW field (which finishes the
sowing). Willie drove Annie to her school and then went with P.
Luke, R. Terry, and P. Leask to the creek sucker fishing. He did
not get back until about the middle of the afternoon. They got
about 3 bags. Jennie washing. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Willie and Annie at choir practice in the evening.
6 – Another beautiful day. Fixing fences, planting trees and help-
ing Jennie to clean the fish. Willie harrowed the SW field twice.
Annie drove to her school and James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Willie at S of T in the evening. Annie and Jennie over at Luke’s in
the evening playing croquet. Leola Luke called twice. Mrs. Jas.
Lee and Alma over in the morning for some fish.
7 – Another beautiful day and warm. Willie rolling until about 5
when he helped John Michie to take some cattle to W. Real’s for
pasture. I was fixing fences and other chores. James wheeled to
Port Perry school. This being Arbour Day, Annie’s school had a
picnic in Sleep’s bush. Leola Luke, Velma Leask and Margery
here in the evening. Mrs. Wright went with P. Leask to Toronto.
W.H. Leask came over for some berry bushes.
8 – A fine day; some cooler towards night. Helped to plant the
garden and other jobs. Jennie cleaning the pantry. Willie rolling
all day. Mrs. Wright called. A. Akhurst called for berry bushes to
plant in S. Dusty’s garden at Port Perry. Annie and Willie at Port
Perry in the evening.
9 – Some rain and rather raw. All but Jennie at SS and church.
Annie rode up with John Michie. Eleanor was left here with Jennie
who has a cold again. 85 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Willie,
Annie and Leola Luke at Methodist church in the evening.
10 – Not too warm. Willie cultivating for potatoes in the forenoon
and I cultivated the orchard. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Annie drove to her school. Marie Akhurst and Leola Luke called.
Annie got her life insurance; [Nelson or Wilson?] Baird, agent.
11 – A fine day but colder towards night. Drilling up for potatoes
S of the red gate and E of the orchard. Annie drove to her school.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs. Bryant, Mrs. Midgley
and boy Midgley here for tea. Olive and Eleanor Michie here in
the afternoon while their mother was at W.M. meeting. Leola
Luke and R. Terry called.
12 – A very fine day. Willie and I went to Port Perry in the fore-
noon and drew manure on the potato patch in the afternoon. Jennie
washing. Annie drove to her school. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. He stayed at Dusty’s for supper and then went to a ball
match between the sen. and juniors of the high school. Mrs. Luke
and Leola called in the afternoon to finish Leola’s dress.
13 – A fine but rather cold day. Drawing out manure most of the
day, Willie helping. Jennie went to Port Perry market with John
Michie and wife. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie
drove to her school. Willie at S of T in the evening.
14 – A fine but quite cold day. Cutting seed potatoes most of the
day. I drove Annie over to her school and Willie took her and
Leola Luke to Seagrave station on their way to Toronto. Willie
helped John Michie to take 2 steers to Port Perry. James wheeled
to Port Perry school. Jennie cleaning curtains. Mrs. Wright called
twice and Leola Luke once. John Michie and Olive and Eleanor
came up for some berry bushes.
15 – A beautiful day. Planted 30 drills of potatoes in the forenoon,
boys helping, and in the afternoon drilled up and sowed 14 rows of
mangolds. Willie washed the buggy and went to Port Perry in the
evening. Jim Ward called after dinner wanting to sell a piano. Mrs.
Luke and Mrs. Wright called, Mrs. Wright twice.
16 – A beautiful spring day. At SS and church with Jennie and
James. Willie at home with something like mumps (Annie at To-
ronto). 95 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Jennie and I went to
the Methodist service in the evening. Rev. Mr. Philp preached;
subject Mother’s Day.
17 – A beautiful summer day. Got John Michie’s pig rack and
took one pig to Port Perry; 250 lbs. @ $19.00 = $47.50. Jennie
also went to Port Perry and met Annie and Leola Luke on their
way back from Toronto. She drove Annie to her school. James
367
wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie in the house all day with the
mumps. I sowed some more mangolds in the orchard. Mrs. John
Michie and Mrs. Wright called.
18 – A very fine day. Planted the plot near the barn pump in corn
and hoed raspberry bushes. Annie drove to her school and James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie washing. Willie in the house
all day. Leola Luke called. Mrs. Luke left for McDonald’s at
Epsom to nurse Mrs. McD.
19 – A very fine warm day. At the berry bushes and planted some
potatoes. Annie drove to her school. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Willie in the house most of the day. In the afternoon
Jennie and I went to Port Perry and bought off Swan Bros. a new
buggy ($160.00). Jennie varnished chairs, etc.
20 – A fine and quite warm day. Some lightning in the evening.
Planted 10 rows of strawberries, Willie digging the plants. Annie
drove to her school. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Leola
Luke called twice and Mrs. Wright once. Dr. Mellow of Port Perry
called in the evening to examine Annie for life insurance.
21 - A beautiful day and things growing fine. Willie drawing out
manure while I finished hoeing and tying up berry bushes. Annie
drove to her school. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs.
Wright called. C. Phair came for the roller and J. Michie for the
turnip drill. A fine rain through the night.
22 – A beautiful day. Scuffled the berry bushes and other jobs
while Willie drew out manure. Both at the manure in the after-
noon. Annie went to Port Perry in the afternoon with the new
buggy (first time hitched up). John Michie’s 4 girls up for hair-
cuts, also Ruby and Alma Lee. In the evening Annie drove to
choir practice while Willie went to Port Perry to meet Sydney
Caney. Leola Luke called.
23 – Dull with rain in the evening. All hands including S. Caney at
SS and church; 109 at SS. Rev. Mr. Mason of Sonya preached as
this is SS anniversary. A full house. All out again in the evening.
Mr. Mason preached again to a full house. Annie went to Alex
Gordon’s for tea.
24 – Somewhat dull until towards evening. Cleaned out pig and
hen houses while Jennie baked for the anniversary. In the after-
noon Willie drove Sidney Caney to Port Perry on his way home
and all hands at SS anniversary. There was an immense crowd;
more than the church would hold. Vicks orchestra of Manilla;
Miss Newton, reciter, of Toronto; Miss Lora Marks; Russell Wal-
lace were the performers. Over $300.00 has been taken in.
25 – A very fine day. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school.
James wheeled to Port Perry school while Willie and I drew out
manure. Willie at Greenbank in the evening. Leola Luke called
twice.
26 – A fine and warm day. Finished drawing out the manure in the
forenoon and plowing corn land in the afternoon. James wheeled
to Port Perry school. Annie drove to her school. Jennie churning
and other things. Leola Luke called.
27 – A beautiful but quite warm day. Did a number of small jobs
while Willie plowed corn land. Annie drove to her school and
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Leola Luke called. Willie at
S. of T. in the evening.
28 – A very fine day. Did some little jobs while Willie plowed and
harrowed corn land. Annie drove to her school and James wheeled
to Port Perry school. In the afternoon went with Jennie to Port
Perry. Got supper at Mrs. S. Dusty’s and in the evening attended
the induction of Rev. Mr. Hall as pastor of the Presbyterian church.
Revs. Mr. Haig, Simpson, and --- took part. Annie, Willie and
James at choir practice in the evening. Leola Luke called.
29 – Another very fine day. Willie harrowed corn ground and I
sowed it in the afternoon. Annie went to her school in the fore-
noon to help her two entrance pupils. Leola Luke called three or
four times. Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the evening. P. Luke
got the drill to sow mangolds.
30 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 102 at SS.
Rev. Mr. [Bele?], Alliance man, preached. Annie Gordon came
here for supper and Annie, Willie and James (on his wheel) went to
Methodist church in the evening. Jas. Lee and family called in the
evening.
31 – A beautiful warm day. Hoed the strawberry patch and some
other jobs. Willie plowing turnip land. Annie drove to her school.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Leola Luke called twice.
Jennie painted the pantry and cook house floors.
JUNE 1 – A very warm day; some thunder in the afternoon but no
rain here. Scuffled and hoed most of the day. Willie plowing.
Annie drove to her school and James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Telephone man called. Leola Luke and Mrs. Wright called. Ray
Dusty came for the waggon. C. Phair burning the brush heaps in
the swamp. Jennie and Annie at Luke’s in the evening and Willie
at Blair’s pond.
2 – Another fine warm day, no rain. Willie plowing all day. I
went for the beef (the first) in the morning. Patched the roof of
house. Annie drove to her school and James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Leola Luke here in the evening.
3 – A beautiful cool dry day. This being the King’s birthday there
was no school but Annie went to her school in the forenoon to help
entrance scholar. Jennie and I went to Port Perry market and the
aquatic sports which were of little account. James went on his
wheel with Bert Gibson and got their dinner at Mrs. Dusty’s and
then at the sports in the fair grounds. Willie and Annie also went
in the afternoon and Willie to the S. of T. in the evening. R. Terry
and his brother visiting at Luke’s.
4 – A very fine day. All day helping C. Phair to fight a fire that he
started in his swamp but got into Harrison’s swamp. Willie har-
rowing turnip land. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie
drove to her school. The inspector visited the school. Marie Ak-
hurst, Laura Thomas and Leola Luke here in the evening. Cook
stove moved out to the cook house.
5 – East wind and cool; started to rain a little in the evening. Took
two steers to C. Phair’s for pasture. Hoed early potatoes and corn.
368
Just before dinner Willie Smith, his mother, Jessie and Ruth Mason
came in their car and stayed until about 4 pm. Leola Luke called.
6 – Some rain through the night which was very welcome and a
little more about 12:30. All hands at SS and church; 109 at SS;
Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Annie, Willie and James at Meth-
odist church in the evening. Ed Luke of Sonya called in the eve-
ning. Jennie somewhat unwell.
7 – A fine and cool day. Hoeing in the forenoon while Willie
cultivated the turnip land. Annie drove to her school and James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie hardly able to crawl about all
day. In the afternoon helping P. Luke to fix the line fence. Mrs.
Wright, Blanche and Leola Luke called.
8 – A little shower about 4 o’clock. All day working at P. Luke’s.
Plowing in the forenoon and digging post holes in the afternoon.
Willie drawing gravel for C. Phair; 2 loads. Annie drove to her
school and James wheeled to Port Perry school. Blanche Luke
called.
9 – A very fine day. Helping P. Luke with his fence in the fore-
noon. Hoeing in the afternoon. Willie drawing gravel for C. Phair;
3 loads. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Promotion exams start today.
Blanche Luke and Leola Luke called. Annie and Willie at choir
practice in the evening.
10 – Quite warm and dry. Helping P. Luke with his fence in the
forenoon but was not in very good shape as my stomach was out.
Did nothing in the afternoon. Willie rolling turnip land and help-
ing Jennie to houseclean the cellar. Annie drove to her school and
James wheeled to Port Perry school; 2nd
day of exams. Jennie and
Annie at Luke’s in the evening and Willie at S. of T. Mrs. Wright
and Leola Luke called.
11 – A thunder storm came up about 1 am but there was only a few
drops here. Drilling up turnips in the forenoon. Willie hoeing.
Annie drove to her school and James wheeled to Port Perry school.
This is the last day of the exams and he got home after dinner.
Went with Jennie to preparatory service in the church. There was
very few out; Rev. Mr. Monroe of Cannington preached. William
J. Caffley was received. Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke here in the
evening playing croquet.
12 – Rain after dinner and thunder in the evening. Drilled up the
rest of the turnips in the field and sowed them. Annie went to her
school in the forenoon to help her entrance pupils. She went to
Port Perry in the afternoon for turnip seed and to Port Perry again
in the evening with John Michie. Willie laying about on the sick
list. Jennie scrubbing and cleaning. Leola Luke called.
13 – A very fine day and warm. Went with Jennie to communion
at Wick. There was a pretty good turnout. Mr. McDonald
preached. All hands out in the evening. Willie went to Seagrave
anniversary with L. Gibson. The rest at Greenbank; Mr. McDon-
ald preached; there was not a very big turnout.
14 – Another very warm day. Drilled up and sowed turnips in the
orchard and scuffled in the forenoon and at P. Luke’s in the after-
noon sowing his turnips (with horse). Willie at Jas. Dusty’s all day
helping to draw gravel for silo. Annie drove to her school. Jennie
washing, James helping and hoeing strawberry patch. Annie and
Jennie at Luke’s in the evening playing croquet. P. Luke called.
15 – Warm and a little rain about noon and again in the evening
but not enough to do much good. Scuffling and hoeing all day.
James hoeing some. Jennie ironing in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went with Mrs. J. Michie to the W.M.S. meeting in the
church. Annie drove to her school and Willie helping Jas. Dusty to
draw gravel. Annie and Willie at choir practice in the evening.
James at the school in the evening playing football. Mrs. Wright
and Leola Luke called. Had the first strawberries of the season for
supper.
16 – Rain twice but not enough to do much good. Hoeing all day.
James scuffled the corn. Willie helping Jas. Dusty. Annie drove to
her school but she came home after dinner as she was unwell. Mrs.
Wright here most of the day getting Jennie to make her a dress.
Leola Luke called in the afternoon and picked some strawberries.
17 – A fine day. Hoed the mangolds in the forenoon, James help-
ing. Willie cultivating. Annie drove to her school. Afternoon
helping C. Phair to hoe mangolds. Mrs. Wright here in the after-
noon finishing her dress. Gladys Luke came home today with the
mumps. James at the school in the afternoon playing ball. Willie
at S. of T. in the evening.
18 – Quite a nice rain after dinner. All day at C. Phair’s hoeing
mangolds. Willie went to Port Perry in the afternoon for berry
boxes and millet seed. Annie drove to her school. Jennie baking
and sewing. Oliver [Hattley?] and --- Heron called about strawber-
ries for the Wick party.
19 – A very fine day. Willie sowed the millet. James and I sowed
turnip seed in the mangolds. Annie went to her school in the fore-
noon to help the entrance pupils. Jennie, Annie and James picked
the strawberries that were ripe. Mrs. Wright called. Ross Blakely
here in the afternoon and Clinton Midgley in the evening. Willie
and Annie at Port Perry in the evening.
20 – A very fine day. All hands (including Annie Gordon who
came home with Annie last night) at church and SS; 76 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Annie stayed at R. Cragg’s for tea. Willie at
Greenbank in the evening.
21 – A fine rain during the night from the SE and all through the
day there was a misty fog and quite cool. Cut some maple limbs in
the woodshed. Jennie washing, Willie helping. Annie drove to her
school. Willie and James at ball play in the evening. Mrs. Wright
called.
22 – Some more rain during the night and some little showers in
the afternoon. Willie went to Port Perry to get Fly shod while I
talked to Norman Midgley who was here most of the forenoon.
Annie drove to her school. Afternoon I made some berry crates
while Willie drew gravel for road work. James went with Henry
Thomas to a baseball match at Wick between Wick and Green-
bank. Jennie and Annie at Dusty’s in the evening. Willie some-
where.
369
23 – A very fine day. Drove Annie part way to her school, then
went to Greenbank for the beef. Willie at road work drawing
gravel. Helped Jennie and James to pick strawberries (about 50
boxes). Afternoon Willie went to George Leask’s barn raising.
James went to Port Perry with a crate of berries while I hoed the
potatoes. Mrs. John Michie and Olive and Eleanor here in the
afternoon. Mrs. Wright in the evening playing croquet.
24 – A beautiful day. About 9 am we started, with John Michie;
Mrs. John; P. Luke; Mrs. Wright; and Jennie, for the U.F.O. picnic
west of Brooklin. Got to Willie Smith’s for dinner then Willie
took us in his car to the picnic. There was a big crowd. Baseball,
football, and speaking. Greenbank football boys beaten by Brook-
lin. Got supper at Smith’s and got home about 10 pm. Annie at
her school. Willie at road work drawing gravel. John Michie’s
girls all here all night.
25 – Another beautiful day. Annie drove to her school. Willie at
road work. James at Greenbank school closing in the afternoon.
Jennie and I picking strawberries. About 3 pm a letter came from
Winnipeg saying Aunt Willa and family were coming today. An-
nie started to meet them on the last train but she met them on the
10th
concession as they came on the 6 o’clock. Their names are
Fred, Douglas, Willie and Sarah. Willie and James at Blair’s pond
in the evening. Mrs. Wright called.
26 – A fine day and pretty warm. Started early for Uxbridge with a
crate of berries and sold them to Dobson for 20 cts. Annie drove to
her school and Fred and Will Laidlaw went with her and they came
home at noon. In the afternoon I went to Port Perry for Willa’s
two trunks. Douglas and Will Laidlaw went with me. Willie help-
ing Ray Dusty to hoe. Gladys Luke called. Mrs. Bryant, Alex
Leask and E. Bryant called for strawberries. Willie and Annie at
Port Perry in the evening.
27 – Warm and hazy with a few drops of rain in the evening. All
hands at SS 99 present). After that to the Methodist SS anniver-
sary. Professor ---- of Victoria College was the speaker and pretty
good he was. Annie and Willie and James at Methodist church
again in the evening.
28 – Very warm day. Picking strawberries most of the day. Aunt
Willa, Jennie and James also. Annie drove to her school but came
home at noon which finishes for the year. Willie at Ray Dusty’s.
Jennie, with Willie and Sally Laidlaw, went to Port Perry with
berries; and Annie, with Fred and Douglas, to Greenbank with
some in the evening. Gladys Luke called. William Wilson and
wife and Vera Cragg called for berries.
29 – Warm with some nice showers in the afternoon. All day at C.
Phair’s hoeing corn. Willie finished the road work. James hoeing
corn. Aunt Willa preserving berries. Annie and Willie at choir
practice in the evening. Gladys Luke and Marion Leask called.
30 – A very fine day. Helping C. Phair to hoe corn. All hands and
Mrs. John Michie and Gladys Luke picking strawberries. Willie
scuffling in the forenoon and helping P. Luke in the afternoon.
James Paris Greened early potatoes. Annie at Port Perry in the
forenoon. G. Till came for berries in the evening, also Mrs. A.
Akhurst.
JULY 1 – Scuffled in the forenoon and picked berries with the
others in the afternoon. James, Annie and Fred Laidlaw went to
the Methodist anniversary and in the evening Aunt Willa and I
went up. There was a packed house. Peter McArthur was the
principal item and was good. The Uxbridge orchestra furnished
the music. Over $400.00 taken in. Willie all day helping P. Luke.
About 11 am J.C. Mason and family called in on their way to Bob-
caygeon.
2 – Thunder in the morning and a splendid rain which was very
welcome. After the rain I took a crate of berries to Uxbridge.
Picking berries in the afternoon with Jennie, Aunt Willa, James
and Mrs. Wright. Annie at W. Thomas’s for tea. Willie at Green-
bank in the evening. Mrs. A. Robinson and son Peter came in the
evening for berries.
3 – Scuffling and picking berries in the forenoon. Jennie, Annie
and Aunt Willa stemming and preserving strawberries. Willie
helping P. Luke. After dinner a thunder storm came up and there
was a deluge of rain which made it too wet to hoe. A maple tree
by the road was blown down and we cut it up. Annie went to Port
Perry in the evening with J. Michie. Mrs. Wright called.
4 – Quite cold for the day. All hands at SS and church. 103 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. Annie stayed at J.M. Real’s for tea.
Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
5 – A very fine day. All day helping P. Luke to hoe and scuffle,
Willie also. Jennie, Aunt Willa, Annie, James and the rest picking
strawberries. A number called for berries. Annie at Port Perry in
the afternoon. Marie Akhurst and Laura Thomas called in the
evening.
6 – A fine day. All day helping P. Luke to scuffle and hoe, also
Willie. James scuffled corn. Jennie and Willa washing and pre-
serving.
7 – Rain through the night and all forenoon and several times in the
afternoon. Not much doing. Got the mower rigged up and hoed
some. Annie and Willie at garden party at Saintfield in the eve-
ning. Mrs. Wright called.
8 – About 4 pm there was a deluge of rain with some sharp light-
ning. At P. Luke’s helping to hoe. Willie at Ray Dusty’s. James
scuffled turnips in the forenoon and at C. Phair’s in the afternoon.
Jennie and the rest picking berries. Mrs. Wright called twice.
9 – A little rain after dinner. Scuffling and hoeing and all hands
picking berries. Jennie and Willa preserving them, Mrs. Wright
helping. Annie and Willie at choir practice. Telephone man
called.
10 – A very fine day. Greening potatoes in the forenoon and hoe-
ing turnips in the afternoon, Willie and James helping. Leola
Luke, who has been away for some time at Epsom, came home
yesterday and called today. Mrs. Wright also called. Willie and
Annie at Port Perry in the evening and James at Midgley’s. An
aeroplane passed in the afternoon.
370
11 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Jennie, Annie, Doug-
las and C. Laidlaw. 77 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Rather
thin congregation. Willie and Annie at Greenbank in the evening.
12 – Some rain in the early morning but a fine day. Hoeing turnips
most of the day, Willie and James helping. Annie went with Leola
Luke to Blackwater taking Mrs. Wright to the train on her way to
Beaverton Orange Walk. Leola Luke and Bruce McDonald here in
the evening when there was music and dancing.
13 – Fine until after dinner when a big thunder shower came up.
At C. Phair’s hoeing and haying until rain came on. Willie at P.
Luke’s in the forenoon. Jennie and James took Aunt Willa and
family to Port Perry on their way to Newcastle for a time. James
called on the dentist. John Michie and Leola Luke called. Willie,
Annie and Leola at doings at Saintfield in the evening.
14 – Rain about 9 o’clock. All day hoeing turnips for C. Phair.
James went for the beef. Willie at Luke’s in the forenoon and
Annie, Willie and James at baseball tournament at Port Perry and
did not get home until about 10. Mrs. John Michie and girls here
in the afternoon picking strawberries.
15 – Fine but very cool towards night. All day at C. Phair’s. Wil-
lie at Luke’s. James hoeing turnips in the orchard. Leola Luke and
Bruce McDonald called.
16 – A fine and cool day. All day at C. Phair’s hoeing and haying.
Willie hoeing turnips in the forenoon and helping John Michie
with his hay in the afternoon. Jennie and James at Port Perry in the
afternoon; James to see the dentist. Leola Luke and Bruce
McDonald called.
17 – A fine day. Willie and I hoeing turnips in the forenoon while
James mowed hay on the hill field. Afternoon helping C. Phair.
Willie helping John Michie. The mower broke down about the
middle of the afternoon. Mrs. W.H. Leask and Lucille called, also
Leola Luke and Bruce McDonald. Annie and Willie at Port Perry
in the evening. Annie stayed at S. Dusty’s over night and Sunday.
18 – Dull all day. Thunder shower about noon and again in the
evening. At SS and church with Jennie, James and Willie; 72 at
SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
A terrible evening of lightning and rain.
19 – A little rain again about 4 pm. Scuffling in the forenoon
while Willie went to Port Perry. Annie came home with Leola
Luke. Jennie washing. In the afternoon James and Willie mowing.
I finished hoeing the turnips 1st
time. James at Greenbank in the
evening. Word came by phone that Wilbert Lee had been operated
on and was very low. Later word came that he died about 7 pm.
20 – A very fine day. Willie finished cutting the hay while I scuf-
fled the corn. After dinner Jennie and I drove over to Alex Lee’s.
In the evening all hands attended the garden party at John McDon-
ald’s. There was a large turnout. Electric lighted. Woodville
band. Ben Hokea, the Hawaiian guitarist, was the star and was
fine. About $450.00 was taken in.
21 – A fine day. Drew in 5 loads of hay. About 11 am I went,
with W.H. Leask, to the Dryden Miller sale at Dryden’s. There
was an immense crowd in a big circus tent. $5,200.00 was the
highest price for a cow and calf. The biggest thing I ever saw in
this line.83
22 – A very fine day. Finished drawing in the hay; 5 ½ loads,
including rakings. Jennie at Port Perry in the forenoon. W. Cragg
and Henry Thomas and Leola Luke here in the evening. Horse
buyers called.
23 – Paris Greening potatoes until rain came on about 10 am.
Willie scuffled the turnips. Afternoon Jennie and I went to Wilbert
Lee’s funeral. There was a large turnout; the service at the house
conducted by Mr. McDonald. The bearers were Arthur Gordon;
Harvey Real; Howard McMillan; Campbell Stone; --- Dobson; and
---. James went to Port Perry on his wheel to the dentist. John
Michie’s girls here while they were at the funeral.
24 – A fine cool day. Cleaning out the old strawberry patch and
greening potatoes. Willie scuffling. Jennie oiled kitchen floor.
Mrs. Wright called. Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
25 – A fine but very cool day for the time of year. Willie and I at
SS and church; 115 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. We expected
Aunt Willa and family and others to come from Port Hope so
Jennie, Annie and James did not go to church, but they did not
come. Willie and Annie at Greenbank in the evening.
26 – A very fine cool day. Hoeing strawberries in the forenoon
and helping Ernest Phair to hoe turnips in the afternoon. Willie,
Annie and James picking berries and Annie took them to Port
Perry to ship to Toronto. Jennie washing. Willie at Luke’s in the
afternoon. Willie and Annie at Ray Dusty’s in the evening and
James at Greenbank. [Reuben or Ruby?] Lee here in the afternoon.
27 – A very fine day. Hoeing all day, strawberries and turnips.
Willie all day at P. Luke’s. James at Port Perry in the afternoon to
the dentist. Willie and Annie at Bible Society meeting in the
Methodist church. Willie Smith, his mother and Mrs. Joyce came
in the evening.
28 – Dull with rain sprinkle after about 2 pm. All hands picking
berries. Just as we were starting dinner George [?] with his
mother, Bert and niece Jess and all the Laidlaw family arrived.
George took Annie and James and two crates of berries to Port
Perry then came back and started for home about 3 pm.
29 – A very high SW wind with a few drops of rain after dinner.
Hoeing turnips 2nd
time, Willie helping. Jennie and James at Port
Perry in the forenoon, James to see the dentist. James at Wick SS
picnic. Annie and Willie at choir practice in the evening.
30 – A fine day with a small thunder shower about 8 pm. All
hands picking raspberries, about 180 boxes. Annie took berries to
Alex Leask’s and Port Perry. Leola Luke here in the evening.
Annie engaged to teach Cowanville school at $900.00.84
83
The original diary does read $5,200.00, but perhaps
it was an error in his writing?
84
Cowanville was in the centre of Clarke Township
at the corner of concession 4 and Morgan’s Road.
371
31 – Fine and cool. Rain in the early morning. Finished hoeing
turnips 2nd
time and other jobs. Willie at Luke’s in the afternoon.
Jennie and Willa preserving berries. Annie and Willie at Port
Perry in the evening.
This was found tucked into the diary at this point.
AUG. 1 – A fine but very cool day for the time of year. All but
Willa and [?] at SS and church; 115 at SS. Rev. Mr. McKay, the
former pastor, preached to an extra large congregation. Willie,
Annie and Mrs. Wright at Greenbank in the evening.
2 – A very fine and cool day. All hands picking berries (about 180
boxes). Mrs. Smith called for berries and Annie took two crates to
Port Perry to ship to Toronto. Mrs. John Michie here in the after-
The school stood at the NW side of concession 4 and
Walsh Road.
noon picking and the children playing. Annie at Luke’s in the
evening. Willie and James playing football at Thomas’.
3 – A fine but quite cool day. Did some small jobs. Jennie and
Willa washing and ironing. James went to Port Perry in the morn-
ing to see the dentist and took out a crate of raspberries. Leola
Luke called twice. Willie, James, Annie, Fred and Douglas Laid-
law at Ray Dusty’s in the evening.
4 – A very fine day and a little warmer. All hands picking berries
(about 100 boxes). Annie went to Port Perry with berries. Mrs. W.
White and Mr. Crozier called for berries. Leola Luke called twice.
5 – A very fine day. Hoeing strawberry patch and picking berries.
Annie and Fred went to Port Perry with berries and Jim Lee took
some more. Jennie picking berries. Willie at J. Michie’s in the
afternoon picking black currants. Ray Dusty called for berries in
the evening.
6 – Fine and very warm. All hands picking berries in the after-
noon. Boys drawing wood up from the swamp field in the fore-
noon. Mrs. Jas. Lee and girls here for supper. Leola Luke called
twice. Annie and Willie at choir practice. Harvey Real called for
berries.
7 – A fine and very warm day. Doing some little jobs. Willie and
the boys scuffled the turnips 3rd
time. Annie and Willie at Port
Perry in the evening. R. Terry, who came to Egypt yesterday, is
getting lightning rods put on his barn and house. Leola Luke left
for Cannington on a visit.
8 – Another very warm day. All hands at SS and church; 95 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. Annie and Willie at Greenbank in the
evening.
9 – A little drizzle of rain up to about the middle of the afternoon
which prevented berry picking which is badly needed. Jennie
washing. I helped P. Luke to fix up his binder and got supper
there.
10 – All hands picking berries in the forenoon. After dinner I went
to P. Luke’s to help cut oats (the first of the season that I have
seen). John Michie driving the binder. Got about 6 rounds when
rain came on and we got pretty wet. Jennie, William and Mrs.
John Michie got wet in the berry patch. Annie took a crate of
berries to Port Perry and brought home with her Janet Sanderson, a
Peterborough school chum. James went to Greenbank to a baseball
game between Greenbank and Victoria Corners (Greenbank won).
Willie, Annie and Miss Sanderson at choir practice in the evening.
11 – Another very warm day. Picking berries in the forenoon and
helping P. Luke to cut oats. Jennie went to Port Perry in the after-
noon with a crate of berries and took [?] to the Dr. to see her bad
knee. Mr. Ronald Pell of Manchester came with his car in the
evening for Janet Sanderson. Willie and Fred went for the beef.
12 – Another very warm day. Hoed some and other small jobs.
James, Aunt Willa and Douglas Laidlaw at Port Perry in the morn-
ing and Jennie, Willie and Billie Laidlaw at J.M. Real’s in the
afternoon. Telephone men called.
372
13 – Very warm and close. Thunder in the morning and again in
the evening but only a sprinkle of rain here. Got P. Luke’s binder
and cut most of the NW field (fair crop), boys helping. Jennie,
Willa, Annie and Mrs. John Michie and Mrs. Wright picked the
berry patch through.
14 – Grain was so wet that no cutting and a big thunder storm
came up just before dinner with some very sharp lightning which
finished harvesting operations for the day. So there was little
doing outdoors. Willie and Annie went to Port Perry in the eve-
ning.
15 – A very fine day and not quite so warm. All hands at SS and
church; 99 at SS; Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Mr. Cook ad-
dressed the SS. Annie and Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
16 – A very fine day. Finished the NW field and cut most of the
SW field, boys helping. Jennie washing. Mrs. Smith and Keith
McMillan called in the evening.
17 – A very fine day. Finished cutting the SW field and after
dinner tried to cut the piece of oats with sweet clover E of the
orchard with the binder but could not make it go, so we had to take
the mower and it was hard enough to cut with it. Willie then took
the binder to Luke’s and they finished his cutting. Willa took
Annie to Port Perry on her way to Port Hope and Newcastle. Willa
visited at Mrs. A. Rennie’s. In the evening, Jennie, Willa and I,
with Billie and Cassie Laidlaw went in C. Whitter’s car to a garden
party by the Brooklin Presbyterian church at W. Lawrence’s in the
village. There was a good turnout and a very pleasant time. Got
home about 12.
18 – Another very fine day. Cut the long field and that finishes the
cutting for the year. Mrs. Wright called. Word came of the death
of our old neighbour D. Lyle.
19 – A very fine day. Did some chores in the forenoon. James and
Fred went to Port Perry to the dentist and brought home berry
crates. Jennie and Willa and Cassie went to John Burn’s south of
Manchester and got home after 8 pm. Willie went before dinner to
help P. Luke to draw in oats. Just as we were starting dinner there
came by car George, Mable and Jess Slemon. Jennie Perrin and our
Annie, and Jessie Bell. They got dinner and all but J.B. started
back to Port Hope. After that I went to Port Perry for Jess’s trunk.
Leola Luke called.
20 – A very fine day. We drew in two loads of oats but quit as
they were not dry enough. Willie helping P. Luke in the afternoon
while James and I turned the loose oats and sweet clover. Jessie
Bell and Billie Laidlaw went to Port Perry in the forenoon for flour
and things. Jennie, Willa and Cassie went to Greenbank in the
afternoon to see about honey and got supper at Mrs. McMillan’s.
Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke called.
21- A high SW wind which broke down the high corn. Finished
drawing in the NW field and then after dinner raked up the oats
and sweet clover and then drew in 4 loads but did not quite finish it
as rain came about 6 but did not amount to much. Fred and Bill
Laidlaw were in bed part of the afternoon as punishment for some
quarrel. In the evening P. Luke came over and Willie and I went to
help to shore up the scaffold over his mow which has broken
down.
22 – A fine and cool day. All but Willa and Jessie at SS and
church. The organ in the SS would not work so it fell to me to start
the singing. Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Willie at Greenbank in
the evening.
23 – A very fine day. Drawing in all day. Jennie and Willa wash-
ing in the forenoon and, with the Laidlaw family, visiting Mrs.
W.H. Leask in the afternoon and got home late in the evening.
Blanche Luke called.
24 – A beautiful day. Finished harvest about 3 pm. John Michie,
P. Luke and Ray Dusty finished today. Willie at Greenbank in the
evening. Mrs. Wright called.
25 – A very fine day. All day helping C. Phair to draw in grain.
Willie went for the beef. James and Jessie Bell at Port Perry in the
forenoon. Willie helping Peter Leask to harvest. Jennie, Jessie
and Willa at P. Luke’s for tea.
26 – Another fine but quite warm day. All day helping C. Phair to
draw in grain. Mrs. Wright and Blanche Luke here for tea and
most of the folks at Luke’s in the evening.
27 – Another very fine day. All day helping C. Phair to harvest
and finished the job. Willie helping Jas. Dusty to thresh in the
afternoon. Jessie Bell, Willa and her family visiting at P. Leask’s
in the afternoon and evening.
28 – A fine but pretty warm day. Willie at Jas. Dusty’s threshing
then to John Michie’s. Started about 11 and finished a little before
five. I also helped John. James and Fred went to Port Perry for
Annie who has been away on a visit to Port Hope and Newcastle.
Leola Luke called. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the evening.
29 – A very fine warm day. All but Jennie (who was not very
well) and Jessie at SS and church; 104 at SS. Mr. McDonald
preached. Annie and Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
30 – Rain in the early morning but cleared up and was a fine day.
Got up early and after watching the weather for some time and
trying to get C. Whitter on the phone, about 6 am Mrs. Laidlaw
and four children, with Jennie and I, started in C. Whitter’s car for
Toronto. All but me took the boat to Niagara Falls where they
spent the day and got back to Toronto about 8:10, except Willa
who went to Buffalo for the night. I spent the day at the exhibi-
tion. Got home about 1 am. A beautiful night but a little chilly.
Willie helping N. Midgley to thresh.
31 – A very fine day. Scuffling and hoeing the strawberry patch.
Mrs. Wright called in the evening. Willie went to Port Perry for
Willa who came back tonight. She phoned when she got to Port
Perry.
SEPT. 1 – A very fine day. Willie and the boys went to John
Michie’s for 4 bags of oats, got Luke’s gang plough and started to
373
plough the N field while I hoed and other things. Rev. Mr.
McDonald called in the afternoon. Leola Luke came over after
dinner and took several pictures.
2 – A fine day. Dug the early potatoes while Willie plowed in the
N field. Clinton Midgley called after dinner. Willa preparing to
start for home on Saturday. Word came that Olive Michie has got
the diphtheria.
3 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. Jennie and the rest
packing up Willa’s baggage and I took the two trunks to Port
Perry. Willa, Annie and Cassie also went to Port Perry to get
tickets. Willie and James left about 6 in the morning with Roy
Leask to take in the Toronto Fair.
4 – A very fine day. Got up early and Annie and I drove the two
rigs with Willa and family to Port Perry and got them started on
their way home to Winnipeg. Plowing in the afternoon. Annie
packing her trunk to start for Newcastle on Monday morning.
Annie went to Port Perry in the evening with Ray Dusty. P. Luke
called in the evening. Mary Dusty came home with Annie and
stayed all night.
5 – A fine day, got dull towards evening and there was a few drops
of rain which is very welcome as the ground is getting pretty dry.
All but Jessie Bell at SS and church; 85 at SS; Mr. McDonald
preached. Willie and Annie took Mary Dusty home to Port Perry
in the evening which was pretty dark.
6 – Dull most of the day. Thunder in the afternoon and evening.
Got up early and I took Annie to Port Perry on her way to Cowan-
ville to teach school. She starts tomorrow. Willie plowing in N
field while I was doing a few little jobs. Ruby Lee here in the
afternoon.
7 – Some little showers in the forenoon but not enough to do any
good. Willie ploughing while I did little but nurse a bad hip.
James drove to Port Perry school; the first day of the term. He got
home just after dinner. Jennie canning corn. Willie at Greenbank
in the evening.
8 – A very fine and dry day. Went for the beef in the morning
while Willie ploughed. James at Port Perry school. Jennie wash-
ing. P. Luke got our mower and cut his millet and then Willie cut
our own which a poor crop. Map agent called.
9 – A fine warm day; some rain in the evening. Willie plowing. I
dug some potatoes in the orchard. James at Port Perry school.
Jennie at Port Perry market. Mrs. Luke went with her.
10 – Quite a nice rain during the night but not enough to make any
difference to plowing. James at Port Perry school. Cleaned out
hen house and in the afternoon went with P. Luke to C. [Singles or
Lingles?] sale which was not very large in numbers or articles for
sale. Jennie went in the afternoon to the preparatory service in the
church. Mr. Mason of Sonya preached. Mrs. W. Real came in by
certificate. Willie plowing. Leola Luke called.
11 – Foggy morning. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon. Willie
plowing. After rain came on and continued off and on most of the
afternoon; considerable thunder. P. Luke called. Frank Dobson
Sr. buried at Greenbank today tomorrow. After we had gone to
bed, about from 12 to 1, there was a terrific series of thunder
storms with constant lightning.
12 – Another thunder shower at 6 am and much lightning in the E
in the evening. All but Jessie Bell at communion service at Green-
bank. Mr. McDonald preached and there was a pretty good turnout
from both congregations. Ed Bewell was there. Willie at Seagrave
or somewhere in the evening.
13 – A very fine day. Willie plowing in the forenoon. Afternoon
raked up and drew in the millet (poor crop); 2 small loads. James
at Port Perry school. Leola Luke here most of the afternoon.
Looking for A. Leask to cut the corn but he did not come.
14 – A very fine day. Plowing all day while Willie was helping P.
Leask to thresh. Jessie Bell drove him over. James at Port Perry
school. Leola Luke here 3 times. She is getting a dress made and
Jessie is bossing the job. Willie at a corn roast at Wes Real’s in the
evening. Raleigh man called.
15 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning. Willie at
E. Leask’s threshing. James at Port Perry school. Alex Leask
came about 9 am and cut the corn. He then went to Luke’s and cut
his. He charged $5.00. Leola Luke here most of the afternoon.
Willie at choir practice in the evening.
16 – Cooler, with high NW wind in the afternoon. Willie harrow-
ing in the forenoon. Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon
taking Mrs. Wright with her. James at Port Perry school. Drawing
off corn in the afternoon. Willie at corn roast at G.A. McMillan’s
in the evening.
17 – A fine day. Drawing off the corn and finished the job. Willie
went to Port Perry fair and stayed for the concert. James at Port
Perry school in the forenoon and at the fair in the afternoon. The
aeroplane that was to be the great attraction did not land on ac-
count of the wind. Moved the stove into the kitchen.
18 – A fine but cool day. Picked the sweet corn and other jobs.
Willie harrowing most of the day. Leola Luke called.
19 – A quite hard frost in the morning and pretty cold all day. All
hands at SS and church; 92 at SS; Mr. Johnson of Manchester was
present and gave an address. Mr. McDonald preached. Willie at
Greenbank in the evening. Jennie and Jessie B. at Luke’s in the
evening seeing Mrs. Stone who is ill. P. Luke called in the fore-
noon.
20 – At P. Luke’s helping him to draw off his corn. Worked until
about 3:15 when rain came on and stopped us. Willie harrowing.
James at Port Perry school. Leola Luke called 3 times, the last
time to get Jennie to go over with her as Mrs. Stone had taken a
bad spell and Mr. and Mrs. Luke were away.
21 – A beautiful day. James at Port Perry school. Willie plowing
corn ground. Willie and I helping Ray Dusty to thresh for about an
hour. Leola Luke called twice, also Gladys Luke. Willie at
Greenbank in the evening.
374
22 – A very warm day; 80 in the shade. Willie and I threshing at
Ray Dusty’s until about 2 pm. They then moved to P. Luke’s but
did not get done. James at Port Perry school. Leola Luke called
twice.
23 – Another very warm day. Finished threshing at Luke’s in
about an hour, then moved here and finished about 2 pm or five
hours threshing ($13.00). Those helping were John Michie; P.
Luke; N. Midgley; Ray Dusty; C. Phair and Willie, James and I.
Grain turned out better than last year. After that James and I drove
to the school fair at Greenbank. There was a big turnout. Green-
bank won the school parade and the physical drill. Willie some-
where in the evening.
24 – Another very warm day. Plowing corn ground all day. Willis
threshing at Jas. Gibson’s for C. Phair. James at Port Perry school.
Leola Luke and P. Luke called.
25 – Another very warm day; 85 in the shade. Willie, James and I
at C. Phair’s threshing. Jennie making chili sauce. Leola Luke
called 3 times.
26 – Very warm day and dry. All hands at SS and church. This
was rally day and there was a pretty good turnout. Mr. McDonald
gave an address and also preached at the church service. Willie
away in the evening.
27 – Another warm day. Went with John Michie to Greenbank,
then Billie Wilson in Joe Stone’s car, took us to Blackwater to get
a beef ring heifer but the cattle had not come so we went on to
Sunderland and brought down to Greenbank 2 heifers (walked all
the way). Got dinner at Joe Stone’s and then home. Willie at C.
Phair’s threshing and finished his barn. James at Port Perry school.
Jennie washing. A thunder shower about 3:30 pm which was
badly needed. Willie met James on his way from school. Leola
Luke called.
28 – A very fine day. Scuffling strawberry patch and picking
apples. Willie plowing. James at Port Perry school. John Mark’s
barn burned today while threshing. Word came in the evening that
our syndicate heifer has been rejected as too poor.
29 – A fine day. Willie plowing. James at Port Perry school.
Went with John Michie to Greenbank for the beef. John brought
the rejected heifer to his place and I delivered the beef. We then
drove over to Cawker’s on the 8th
to see about another heifer but
did not get one. After dinner we went to T. Carnigan’s and G.
Clements to see other beasts. About 6 o’clock I started with G.A.
McMillan in his car, together with Ern. Jamison; J.H. Leask; and
Blake Cragg for Oshawa to hear Ontario Premier Drury. The
meeting was held in the armouries and there was a large turnout.
Rollo, Minister of Labor; Chapman, U.F.O. candidate; and Mayor
Stacy also spoke. I liked Drury but little of the others. Got home
about 12:30.
30 – Somewhat raw with E wind and some rain in the afternoon
and evening. Jessie Bell left for Rochester this morning. Leola
Luke drove her to Port Perry while I drove Jennie and Jessie’s
trunk in the democrat. Jennie goes with Jess to Newcastle on a
visit for a few days. Little doing here. Peter Leask called in the
evening to pay Willie for work.
OCT. 1 – When we got up in the morning it was snowing quite
heavy and continued most of the forenoon and again in the eve-
ning. Willie drove James to Port Perry school and went for him
after school. P. Luke called in the afternoon.
2 – Raw with some rain after dinner. Willie plowing 2nd
time. Ray
Dusty and Jim came and took away Jimmy colt ($130.00). Willie
at Port Perry in the evening.
3 – A fine day. At SS and church with Willie and James; 81 at SS.
Rev. Mr. Haig of Ashburn preached. Willie at Greenbank in the
evening.
4 – A fine day. Willie went with C. Phair’s team silo filling at Jack
Beare’s (machine broke down about 4 pm). James drove to Port
Perry school and put the horse in at S. Dusty’s and brought Jennie
home from her visit to Newcastle. Went with John Michie to G.
Clements for the syndicate heifer and took it to Greenbank.
Started to dig potatoes. Leola Luke called.
5 – Somewhat raw and cold. Digging potatoes in the forenoon,
Willie helping. Afternoon at W. Nichol’s sale at Greenbank. A
good turnout and prices fairly good. Jennie washing and making
pickles. James at Port Perry school. Willie at Greenbank in the
evening.
6 – A fine cool day. Went for the beef in the morning and found
that the heifer that we thought would go over weight was 4 lbs
short. Willie at P. Leask’s. James at Port Perry. As this is sports
day there was no school. Digging potatoes in the afternoon. Mrs.
Luke and Leola here in the afternoon picking crab and snow ap-
ples. Jennie ironing. Brought the steer home that was at C.
Phair’s.
7 – A very fine day. At the potatoes all day, Jennie helping. Wil-
lie at Peter Leask’s. James at Port Perry school. Mrs. Jas. Lee and
Alma called. Leola Luke called.
8 – A beautiful day. At potatoes and finished, Jennie helping.
Willie at P. Leask’s. James at Port Perry school. Willie at Green-
bank in the evening.
9 – A very fine day. All day picking sweet apples, James helping.
Jennie baking and scrubbing. Willie at P. Leask’s and at Port
Perry in the evening.
10 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 85 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Willie and James at Greenbank in the eve-
ning.
11 – A little rain in the afternoon and evening. Most of the day
with Jennie packing 3 barrels of apples for Winnipeg. Got 2 of the
barrels from P. Luke. Willie at P. Leask’s. James drove to Port
Perry school as his bike is out of repair. Leola Luke called.
12 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry with the waggon with the
three brls. apples for Winnipeg and apples for Mrs. G. Byers; Mrs.
S. Dusty and Mrs. W. Real. Jennie went with me. James drove to
Port Perry school. Willie at P. Leask’s. Picking apples in the
afternoon, Jennie helping. Mrs. John Michie, Olive and Eleanor,
Mrs. P. Luke and Leola all here in the afternoon.
375
13 – A very fine day. All day helping W. Thomas to fill silo (for
C. Phair). Willie at P. Leask’s. James drove to Port Perry school.
Jennie washing and ironing.
14 – A very fine day. Drew in the mangolds, about 4 loads, James
helping. Then drew in corn, James and Jennie helping. James is
home on account of teachers convention. Willie at P. Leask’s.
Leola Luke called. Willie out somewhere in the evening. Re-
turned soldier called selling war book.
15 – A very fine and warm day. Helping N. Midgley to fill silo.
Finished about 3 pm, then moved to C. Phair’s and had about 2
hours run. Willie at P. Leask’s. James went to the 5 o’clock train
for Annie who came home for Thanksgiving. In the evening Leola
Luke; Russell and Laura Thomas; Marie Akhurst; Harvey and
Mary Real; and Arthur, Bessie and Annie Gordon were in and
dancing was the order.
16 – Willie stayed at home to help draw in the corn but we did not
get started before a heavy rain came on with thunder which spoiled
our plans. Willie plowing in the afternoon while I picked apples.
Leola Luke called. Annie, Willie and James at Port Perry in the
evening.
17 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 90 at SS. Mr.
McDonald preached. Jennie and I rode with John Michie who was
out today for the first time since they were shut in with the diphthe-
ria. Annie and Willie at Greenbank in the evening. Gladys Luke,
who is also home on a visit, came home with Annie and stayed all
night.
18 – Dull and foggy. At C. Phair’s silo filling and finished about 5
pm. He did not have enough corn to fill his new silo. Willie at P.
Leask’s and stayed all night. James drove Annie to Port Perry on
her way back to her school at Orono. Word came that Mr. Jones of
Cannington died last night.
19 – A very fine day. Picking apples most of the day, Jennie help-
ing. John Michie, wife and two girls came for apples; 3 bushels.
James at Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke called.
Willie came home from P. Leask’s.
20 – Rain in the morning with thunder. Picking apples in the fore-
noon, Jennie helping, and in the afternoon went to Port Perry with
4 bags of apples. Willie at P. Leask’s. James at Port Perry school.
Roy Leask came for 6 bushels of sweet apples. Leola Luke called.
21 – A very fine day. Plowing most of the day. Willie at P.
Leask’s. James at Port Perry school. Jennie nursing a stiff knee.
Carnigan’s boys came for apples, also Mrs. Luke and Leola. Mrs.
Wright called.
22 – A very fine day. Helping C. Phair to thresh and finished at
noon. Plowing in the afternoon. James at Port Perry school. Wil-
lie at P. Leask’s and at Greenbank in the evening. James Dusty
came for 2 bags of apples. Mrs. A. Akhurst came in the afternoon
and picked up 2 bags of apples and Albert came in the evening for
them.
23 – Another very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and drawing
in corn in the afternoon, James helping. Willie at P. Leask’s. Alex
Leask and Clinton Midgley came for apples. Mrs. Wright called.
Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
24 – A fine day but a little thunder storm in the evening. All hands
at SS and church; 80 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Willie at
Sonya church re-opening in the evening.
25 – A fine day, a little cooler. Plowing all day. James at Port
Perry school. Willie at P. Leask’s (threshing at W. Leask’s).
Jennie washing. Picking apples and cleaning hen house. Isaac
Clemens called to see about apples.
26 – Rain from the E in the morning. Drove James to Port Perry
school. He stayed at S. Dusty’s all night. Willie at P. Leask’s.
Jennie at Port Perry in the afternoon with Mrs. Wright. Plowing in
the afternoon. Hunger striker MacSwiney dead.85
27 – Heavy rain all through the night and morning. Little doing in
the forenoon. Isaac Clemens called for 2 bags of sweet apples.
Plowing in the afternoon. Willie at P. Leask’s (afternoon). James
at Port Perry school (exams on). Jennie at Luke’s in the evening.
Mrs. Wright, Mrs. A. Akhurst and Marie called.
28 – A fine but colder day. Plowing all day in N field. Willie at P.
Leask’s. He went with Jim Lee. James at Port Perry school.
Jennie at Port Perry with Mrs. Wright.
29 – Quite cool all day. Plowing all day. Willie at P. Leask’s.
James at Port Perry school. Jennie over at Jas. Lee’s after dinner to
see Alma who is sick. Willie at party at Saintfield in the evening.
Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke called.
30 – Ground white with snow in the morning. Moved the kitchen
stove and then drew in the last of the corn, James helping. Topped
turnips in the afternoon. Willie at P. Leask’s. Mrs. Wright and
Leola Luke picked a bag of Ben Davis apples.
31 – A fine but dull day and a little rain in the evening. About 11
Willie Smith and his mother came in their car. After dinner James,
Mrs. Wright and I went to SS, Willie wheeled and the rest came
later to church. 71 at SS. Rev. W.A. McKay, late pastor, preached
(this being Wick anniversary). Willie at Wick or somewhere in the
evening.
NOV. 1 – Heavy rain through the night. Willie did not go to P.
Leask’s but plowed all day while I puttied the windows in the
forenoon and picked apples in the afternoon. James did not go to
school but spent the whole day reading ‘Waverly”. Jennie house-
cleaning upstairs in the forenoon and drove up to Mrs. Walker’s
with a bag of apples in the afternoon. Willie went to supper and
concert at Wick church in the evening. Leola Luke and Olive Real
came over in the evening and Jennie went over to Lukes with them
to play crokinole.
85
Terence Joseph MacSwiney (b. 1879 d. 1920) was
an Irish playwright and politician who died in the
Brixton prison in England after 74 days on a hunger
strike protesting his imprisonment on charges of sedi-
tion.
376
2 – Rain through the night and off and on all day. Lots of mud.
Willie at P. Leask’s. James started to wheel to Port Perry school
but rain came on and he turned back wet through. Jennie washing.
I did some wood splitting. Mrs. Luke and Leola called. Presiden-
tial election in US. Harding, Rep.; Cox, Dem.; Harding elected by
big majority.
3 – Some little rain flurries in the forenoon. Plowing in the fore-
noon and topping turnips in the afternoon. Willie at P. Leask’s.
James at Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright, Leola Luke and Olive
Real called in the evening.
4 – Harrowed out some turnips and got one load when rain came
on and I plowed in the afternoon. Jennie went to Port Perry with
Mrs. Luke. James at Port Perry school. Willie at P. Leask’s. Mrs.
R. Sonley, Mrs. J. McKinnon and Leola Luke called.
5 – A fine day. At the turnips all day alone and got in 7 loads.
Willie at P. Leask’s. James at Port Perry school. Willie at Green-
bank in the evening. Leola Luke called.
6 – A very fine day. All day at the turnips, Willie and James help-
ing, and got in 15 loads. Willie and James at Port Perry in the
evening. Leola Luke called.
7 – Snowing a very little in the afternoon and evening. All hands
at SS and church; 110 at SS; Rev. Mr. Gibson of Sunderland
preached. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
8 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and at turnips and
drew in 2 loads and finished topping and harrowing up. Jennie
washing. James at Port Perry school. Willie at P. Leask’s and
stayed all night. Mrs. Wright called.
9 – Somewhat dull foggy and windy. Drew in 1 ½ loads of turnips
in the orchard and so finishes for the year. James at Port Perry
school. Jennie went with Mrs. Wright to W.M. meeting in church.
Willie at P. Leask’s and stayed all night. Plowing in the afternoon.
Scuffled strawberries for last time this year.
10 – Ground white with snow and a little snow fell off and on all
day. Took a load of corn for Jim Lee to his Greenbank house.
Plowing sod in the afternoon. James at Port Perry school. Jennie
killing chickens. Willie at P. Leask’s and stayed all night.
11 – A fine day. Plowing sod all day. Jennie went to Port Perry
market with chickens and dropped them on the road. She went
with Mrs. Wright. James at Port Perry school. Willie at P.
Leask’s. Two years ago the armistice was signed.
12 – Hard frost and snow and wintery sure. Got the cattle all tied
in and plowed some in the afternoon but it did not go too well.
Jennie housecleaning upstairs. James at Port Perry school and
spent the evening reading the play ‘Professor Pip’ which the high
school is getting up for their annual concert. He is to have a part in
the play. Willie at P. Leask’s. He came home and went to Green-
bank in the evening. Mrs. Wright called.
13 – Rather cold and windy. Covered the strawberry patch with
straw and drew out some manure. Willie at P. Leask’s and at Port
Perry in the evening. James at his studies. Leola Luke called.
14 – Rather raw but fine. At SS and church with the boys (Jennie
had a cold starting and did not go); 95 at SS. Allan Wallace in our
class. Mr. McDonald preached. Willie at Greenbank in the eve-
ning.
15 – A fine but rather raw day. Helping P. Luke to draw in his
corn. Drew out 2 loads of manure ; 1 from P. Luke in payment of
a load of straw. James at Port Perry school. Willie at P. Leask’s.
Jennie washing. Mrs. Wright called.
16 – Pretty cool but fine day. Drawing out manure in the forenoon
and plowing in the afternoon. James at Port Perry school. After
dark when he got home as they were practicing the play. Willie at
P. Leask’s. Mrs. Wright called. Had Mr. Moon come in to see
cow sick with indigestion.
17 – 4 or 5 inches of snow on the ground in the morning and
snowed most of the day and drifting. A mid-winter day to all
appearance. Willie at P. Leask’s. James drove to Port Perry
school; put horse in at S. Dusty’s. Helping Jennie to pick chickens.
James Lee called and P. Luke.
18 – A fine and mild day. Went with Jas. Lee to P. Leask’s and
helped to put in the glass in his stable windows. Willie drove the
sleigh (first ride) to Port Perry taking Jennie, Mr. and Mrs. Luke,
Mrs. Jas. Lee, Alma and five bags of oats and got them ground.
James at Port Perry school. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
19 – Mild and the snow going a little; rain in the afternoon. Albert
Akhurst came and helped P. Luke to kill 2 pigs and our one. Al-
bert and Pascoe stayed to dinner. James drove to Port Perry
school. Willie at P. Leask’s during the day and at Greenbank in
the evening. Mrs. Wright called.
20 – Fine but rather raw day. Helping Jennie to cut up pig in the
forenoon and in the afternoon went to W. Nichol’s furniture sale.
Jennie rendering lard. Willie at P. Leask’s and at Port Perry in the
evening. Clinton Midgley called, also Leola Luke.
21 – Rain from the E most of the day which turned to hail towards
evening. At church and SS with the boys; 70 at SS; Mr. McDon-
ald preached. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
22 – Raw E wind all day. Over at Luke’s in the forenoon (R. Terry
there) and in the afternoon helping C. Phair to cut wood with ma-
chine. Jennie washing. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie
at P. Leask’s and stayed all night. Leola Luke called twice. News
of terrible murders in Dublin.86
23 – Mild with some rain from the E. James drove to Port Perry
school. Willie at P. Leask’s. Jennie went with Russell Thomas to
Jas. Lee’s to help them to move and after dinner I went with the
sleigh to take a load for him to Greenbank, but when I got to Lee’s
Jennie had just fallen down the cellar stairs and as it afterwards
proved to have broken one of the bones in her left wrist. I drove
her to Port Perry in C. Phair’s cutter and after a long wait Dr. R.
86
November 21, 1920 is known as ‘Bloody Sunday’.
31 people were killed during the Irish War of Inde-
pendence.
377
Archer set it. It was almost dark when we got home and found
Mrs. Luke and Leola getting supper ready. P. Luke came over late
in the evening.
24 – Mild and snowing a little sometimes. Did little but the chores
outside and in. Jennie nursing her broken arm. Leola Luke here
twice. She helped with the work in the morning. James drove to
Port Perry school. Willie at P. Leask’s and came home in the
evening. P. Luke called.
25 – A fine day. Willie drove Jennie to Port Perry to see the Dr.
while I fixed holes in horse stable floor. James drove to school.
Willie drew up some wood in the afternoon. Leola Luke here in
the afternoon and did the ironing and got supper.
26 – Mild with a very little snow. Cut some wood in the shed and
the chores. Willie went with a load for Jas. Lee. James drove to
Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright here most of the day baking and
other work. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
27 – Mild with a very little snow. Did little but the chores. Willie
scrubbed the floor. Mrs. Wright here in the afternoon helping to
bake. Boys at Port Perry in the evening.
28 – Mild and thawing a little. At SS and church with the boys;
105 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Willie somewhere in the
evening. Mr. and Mrs. Jas. S. Lee and girls called in the evening.
29 – Dull but fine day. Drove Jennie to Port Perry to see the Dr.
about her arm (got Mr. Luke’s cutter) while Willie kept house.
James drove to Port Perry school but did not get home until late as
they were practising the play. Richard Real and wife called to see
Jennie.
30 – A fine mild day. Helping C. Phair to cut wood all day. Willie
drove James to Port Perry school. He is to stay overnight at Roy
O’Neill’s as they have practice every night. Willie then did the
washing. Frank Lawton and Mrs. J. Joyce of Sutton called in the
afternoon. Mrs. Wright here in the afternoon cooking.
DEC. 1 – A drizzling rain from the E most of the day and little
done but the chores. P. Luke and Mrs. Wright called. Word came
that Mrs. T. Phair was seriously burned this morning caused by a
lamp.
2 – Brighter than usual but cold. Little but the chores. Willie went
to Port Perry with the sleigh with 9 bags of oats to be ground but
did not get them home. Willie at Greenbank in the evening. Mrs.
Wright here in the afternoon helping.
3 – Mild. P. Luke called in the forenoon. Ray Dusty brought our
meal home from Port Perry. In the afternoon Willie and I helped
C. Phair to finish cutting his wood and also cut our pile of poles. I
went to Port Perry in the evening for James who was practicing in
the hall. Willie at dance party at Saintfield; a party of raiders made
things lively. Mrs. Wright and R. Terry called in the afternoon.
4 – Rain more or less all day. I did little but the chores. Willie
scrubbed the floor. Jennie and James drove to Port Perry in the
afternoon, Jennie to see the Dr. about her arm and James to prac-
tice. He stayed until the evening. Mrs. Wright drove home. Wil-
lie went for James in the evening and dark and rainy it was.
5 – Mild in the morning but turned rough and cold towards night.
At SS and church with the boys; 85 at SS. Mr. Vassey, a returned
missionary from Korea, preached an interesting discourse. Willie
at Greenbank in the evening. Leola Luke here in the afternoon and
for tea. Word came that Mrs. T. Phair died this morning.
6 – Pretty cold and windy. Willie drove James to Port Perry school
where he is to stay for the week. I plowed a few round E of the
orchard and tried to plough sod but it would not work. Willie
helping at road job in the afternoon. Mrs. Wright here in the after-
noon helping.
7 – A fine day but somewhat raw. Willie at road job in the fore-
noon. I went to Mrs. T. Phair’s funeral in the afternoon. There
was a pretty good turnout. Rev. Mr. Wilkison conducted the ser-
vice. The bearers were G. Real; R. Real; John Stone; Joe Stone;
Isaac Beare and Jack Beare. Mrs. Wright called. Leola Luke here
in the afternoon.
8 – A fine day. Helped to wash in the forenoon. Willie at gravel
pit all day. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon with Jennie to see
the Dr. R. Terry and Mrs. Wright called in the evening.
9 – Somewhat foggy and raw. Did little but the chores. Willie at
road job all day. Leola Luke here in the afternoon. Willie away
somewhere in the evening.
10 – Foggy with everything covered with hoarfrost which looks
beautiful. At preparatory service in the church in the afternoon; a
fair turnout. Rev. Mr. McDonald of Leaskdale preached. C.
Gordon and wife; Mrs. Bettie and Bernice Leask were received.
Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke here in the afternoon helping. Willie
at road job all day and went to Port Perry in the evening for James.
P. Luke and R. Terry were at Port Perry today getting the writings
transferring the Luke farm back to P. Luke.
11 – Mild but dull. Did the chores including scrubbing the floor
while Willie was at the road job. James wheeled to Port Perry for
practice in the afternoon. He stayed at S. Dusty’s for supper and
Willie went for him in the evening. Mrs. Wright here in the fore-
noon baking. R. Terry was with her. Annie 21 years of age today.
12 – A very fine day. Went with Willie to communion at Wick.
There was a fair turnout. Mr. McDonald preached. Willie away in
the evening. Norman Midgley, wife and boys here in the evening.
13 – Mild and thawing. Took James to Port Perry school. He
wheeled home for the night. Willie at road job in the forenoon and
drew a load of gravel home for the hens. R. Terry called.
14 – Rain in the morning and a high SW wind in the afternoon.
Jennie went to Port Perry with Willie and James and got James a
suit of clothes. He stayed for school and to the practice (the last
one) and stayed all night. Jennie, when she got home, went to bed
with a bad headache and other things. Willie at Luke’s awhile in
the afternoon. R. Terry left for home today.
378
15 – Somewhat rough and snowing. Little done but the chores.
Jennie in bed all day. Mrs. Wright here in the forenoon baking. In
the evening went with Mrs. Wright to the high school concert in
the hall in Port Perry. The principal thing was a play by 8 boys
and 8 girls of the school called ‘Professor Peps’. The play was
well acted and the hall full.
16 – Mild and fine except a little snow. Leola Luke and Mrs.
Wright called. This is Port Perry Christmas fair. Willie went to
the P.P. high school concert (2nd
night).
17 – Mild; little done but the chores. Jennie up most of the day.
Willie went to Port Perry in the afternoon for James (and brought
Leola Luke and Marie Akhurst home). He was also at Greenbank
in the evening.
18 – A fine day. Scrubbed and cleaned up in the forenoon and
helped Willie to draw up wood in the afternoon. Mrs. Wright here
most of the afternoon helping. Jennie up in the afternoon.
19 – A fine day but pretty cold. At SS and church with the boys.
Mr. McDonald preached. Mrs. P. Luke here in the afternoon and
Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke in the evening.
20 – A very fine day. Did the washing and the chores. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie at Xmas tree at Saintfield in
the evening. Leola Luke called.
21 – A rather fine day. Willie drove his mother and Mrs. Wright to
Port Perry in the afternoon; this being 4 weeks since she broke her
wrist. The splints were taken off much to her satisfaction. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. As two of the teachers are away
there was not much of lessons but lots of skating on the lake.
Leola Luke called.
22 – Mild with some rain in the evening. James wheeled to Port
Perry school which closed for the holidays. Olive and Eleanor
here for dinner. Clinton Midgley called. In the evening went with
the buggy with James to Union Christmas Tree in the basement of
the Methodist church. There was a full house and quite a good
programme. I acted as chairman.
23 – Very dull and some hail flurries with high wind. Little doing
but the chores. Willie went to Port Perry for Annie who is home
for Christmas. Willie and Annie at party at Saintfield in the eve-
ning.
24 – Snowing a little in the morning. Jennie and Annie drove to
Port Perry for Christmas things. James drove over to Gibson’s and
round by Greenbank. Annie baking Christmas pies and things.
Mrs. Wright called twice, the last time to telephone for the Dr. for
Leola who is unwell. Annie and the boys at Port Perry in the eve-
ning.
25 – A beautiful Christmas day and very quiet here. We ate our
goose alone. After dinner Annie and James went skating at Blair’s
pond where many gathered. L. Wagner and wife and Mr. McDon-
ald’s 3 boys called. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
26 – Very cold with E wind and some snow. All but Jennie at SS
and church; 91 at SS. Mr. McDonald preached. Our new care-
taker, Mr. Baldwin, did not have the church warm enough. Gladys
Luke here for tea and Willie, Annie and her went to Methodist
church in the evening. Blanche Luke here in the evening.
27 – E wind with some snow and pretty raw. The phone call came
to Jennie in the morning and John Michie came after her and a boy
was born in the forenoon.87
Ruth and Olive here all day and night.
Jean also here awhile in the afternoon.
28 – Cold with some snow from the NW. Helping to wash in the
forenoon and over at C. Phair’s settling up with him. Willie at Port
Perry with 10 bags to get ground and at Port Perry again in the
evening. Jennie at John Michie’s all day. Ruth and Olive here all
day and night.
29 – Some snow in the forenoon. Willie and Annie went to Port
Perry in the afternoon for the meal. John Michie brought Jennie
home just before dinner and took Ruth and Olive home but he
came for Jennie again in the evening to stay all night. Leola Luke
here for supper and Annie and the boys went to the annual SS
meeting in the church. G.A. McMillan again Super.
30 – Heavy snow in the afternoon. Jennie came home before din-
ner. Churned for the first time in months. P. Luke called in the
afternoon.
31 – A beautiful fine day. Did little but the chores. Willie was
away all day with the team and sleigh taking a load for T. Carna-
gan who moved today from the brickyard to the 1st
concession near
Cedar Creek school. Annie and the boys at A. Gordon’s near
Saintfield in the evening.
1921
JAN. 1 – A very dull new year’s day. Fog and some rain most of
the day. Willie and Annie skating at Blair’s pond in the afternoon.
Leola Luke called in the afternoon. Annie and the boys at Luke’s
in the evening. No mail.
2 – Rain through the night and the snow nearly all gone. At SS
and church with Annie, Willie, and James; 99 at SS. Average for
the year 1920 is 95. Choosing teachers. Stanley McMillan spoke
in SS and preached in the church. Annie Gordon here for supper
and Willie, Annie and her went to the Methodist church in the
evening.
3 – A beautiful spring like day. Went to Greenbank taking P. Luke
to vote for council. Voted for Johnston for reeve; G. McMillan,
dep. Reeve; and D. McDonald, John Stone and Thompson for
council. Weir; McMillan, McDonald; Holtby and Thompson
elected. Willie took Annie to the early train on her way back to
Orono. James wheeled to Port Perry in the afternoon to school
which opened today. About 7 pm word came by phone that the
brickyard house was on fire and Willie, James and I ran down but
it was too far gone to do any good. It was empty as Carnagan
moved out on Friday. How it started is a mystery.
87
Robert Gordon Michie, b. Dec. 27, 1920; d. Oct. 5,
2010
379
4 – A very fine and mild day. Jennie and Willie washed in the
forenoon. James wheeled to Port Perry school. James and Mrs.
Lee and Alma and Oliver Luke called in the afternoon. Willie
away somewhere in the evening.
5 – A very fine mild day and some mud. Did chores and made up
church books. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie at Port
Perry in the afternoon. In the evening went with Willie in the
buggy to annual church meeting in the church. There was not a
very large turnout. The reports were pretty good. P. Leask; Alex
Lee and John McDonald were chosen managers. Rev. Mr.
McDonald was in the chair. Ernest Phair, who has been away to
Washington on a wedding trip, returned today. Leola Luke called.
6 – Colder and hard frost. Cut some apple tree wood, Willie help-
ing. Jennie visiting at John Michie’s in the afternoon and got tea at
Luke’s. Leola came home with her. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Willie at dance at Jas. A. Blair’s in the evening.
7 – A very fine day. Little done but the chores. James wheeled to
Port Perry school.
8 – A fine day. Little done but the chores. James got his new
skates from Eaton’s and Willie and him were skating in the after-
noon. Willie at Port Perry in the evening. Word came that Mrs.
Jas. A. Blair died this afternoon.
9 – A very fine day. At SS and church with the boys; 100 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. Willie away somewhere in the evening.
10 – A beautiful day. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Went
with Jennie in the afternoon to Mrs. James A. Blair’s funeral.
There was a very large turnout. Mr. McDonald conducted the
service. The bearers were Rye Beare; Fleet Beare; Wes Real;
Stanley Real; George Leask and Cecil Leask. Leola Luke called.
11 – A fine day with a little snow in the afternoon. Willie went to
Port Perry in the forenoon with the buggy while James wheeled to
Port Perry school. I went to P. Luke’s and bought a piece of his
swamp for wood for $15.00. Willie away with Roy Leask in the
evening. Jennie over at Luke’s before dinner.
12 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie and Willie to pick chickens
in the forenoon. Cutting wood in P. Luke’s swamp in the after-
noon. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Leola Luke called.
13 – A beautiful but pretty cold day. Cutting wood in P. Luke’s
swamp in the forenoon. Willie drove Mrs. Luke to Port Perry
market with chickens. After dinner Willie Smith and his mother
came in their car and stayed the afternoon. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Willie away skating in the evening.
14 – A little misty and soft. Cutting wood all day in P. Luke’s
swamp. Willie helping P. Luke to draw out wood in the afternoon.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Leola Luke called.
15 – Fine day. Cutting wood all day in P. Luke’s swamp. Willie
went to Port Perry with oats to be ground. Willie and James at Port
Perry in the evening. Leola Luke called.
16 – Snowing and rough from the SW. At SS and church with the
boys and Leola Luke; 106 at SS; Rev. Mr. McDonald preached.
The church was quite cold. Willie started for Greenbank in the
evening but turned back on account of a snow storm.
17 – Down to zero in the morning and a cutting wind. James did
not go to school. Willie went to Port Perry for the meal with the
waggon.
18 – About 10 below in the morning and never above all day.
James drove to Port Perry school. Willie and I cutting wood in P.
Luke’s swamp in the afternoon. Leola Luke called. Willie away
skating in the evening.
19 – About 8 below in the morning but got some warmer as the
day advanced. All day cutting wood in Luke’s swamp. Willie
cutting in the afternoon. Willie and Jennie washing. James drove
to Port Perry school.
20 – Quite mild and thawing; lots of mud. Cutting wood in Luke’s
swamp in the afternoon, Willie helping. Fixing clock in the fore-
noon. James drove to Port Perry school. Leola Luke called in the
evening.
21 – Very dull foggy and rainy all day; snow nearly all gone.
James drove to Port Perry school. Willie at Marsh Hill in the eve-
ning. Leola Luke called.
22 – Mild with lots of mud. In the forenoon went to Luke’s swamp
to cut wood but met with John Michie and spent the most of the
time talking U.F.O. Willie scrubbing. Both cutting wood in after-
noon.
23 – Some bad snow flurries and colder. At church and SS with
the boys; 92 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Willie away some-
where in the evening. L. Luke called.
24 – Pretty cold all day. Getting colder towards night. Helping
Jennie to wash in the forenoon and fixing the clock. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie was at Port Perry all day to
hear the Ernie Heltby sheep stealing trial. The town hall was
packed. Holtby is released on remand. L. Luke called. [note: in
one place Robert uses ‘Heltby’ and in the other ‘Holtby’].
25 – About 4 below zero in the morning and very cold all day.
Cutting wood all day in Luke’s swamp, Willie helping. James
drove to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
26 – Four below zero in the morning. All day helping Jennie and
Willie to pick hens (17 picked). James drove to Port Perry school.
Willie at Blair’s and skating in the evening. L. Luke called twice.
27 – A very fine day. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie
and Willie went with the buggy to Port Perry market with chick-
ens. Jennie stayed for dinner and also tea at S. Dusty’s. Willie
came home on the wheel and Jennie and James in the buggy after
dark. I was cutting wood in the afternoon.
28 – A very nice day. Willie took 10 bags of oats to Blair’s mill
which is being run this winter by Robbie Leask and got it home.
James drove to Port Perry school. Willie went to Port Perry to
meet the train and brought home Mrs. W. Farrow and Annie who
have come to our silver wedding tomorrow. Jennie baking. In the
evening Leola Luke was over and there was music and dancing.
380
29 – A very fine day. Little doing. James at Blair’s pond in the
afternoon hockey playing. Annie and Mrs. Farrow at John Mi-
chie’s in the afternoon. L. Luke here for supper (Silver wedding
supper). Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the evening. Parcels
came from Rochester that have been over 2 years on the way.
30 – Fine but pretty cold and raw. At SS and church with the boys,
Annie, and Mrs. Farrow. 100 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached.
Willie, Annie and Mrs. F. at Methodist church in the evening.
31 – Pretty raw wind from the NE. Willie drove Annie to Port
Perry to the early train on her way back to Cowanville. James
drove to Port Perry school. Cutting wood in P. Luke’s swamp,
Willie helping. In the afternoon we had a call from Mr. and Mrs.
John Stone; Mr. and Mrs. G.A. McMillan and Leola Luke and in
the evening from Peter Leask who came to settle up with Willie.
Willie at Greenbank in the evening at a meeting to consider build-
ing a skating rink in Greenbank.
FEB. 1 – A very fine and mild day. Cutting wood in Luke’s
swamp. Willie drove Mrs. Farrow to Saintfield where her cousin
from Victoria Corners met her. James did not go to school on
account of a bad cold. Willie drawing up wood with the waggon in
the afternoon and at Blair’s pond skating in the evening. Mrs.
Wright called. She has been away about Epsom for some time.
2 – Mild with a little snow from about 11 am. Cutting wood in
Luke’s swamp in the forenoon. Willie helping Jennie to wash.
James did not go to school. Jennie visiting at Luke’s in the after-
noon.
3 – Quite a lot of snow during the day and little doing here. James
did not go to school. Willie drove to Saintfield in the evening and
met Mrs. Farrow back from her visit to Victoria Corners. Leola
Luke called twice. Mrs. Wright has got the pink eye.
4 – A fine day. Willie drove Mrs. Farrow to the station on her way
home. Jennie went with him. James did not go to school. I was
helping P. Luke in the swamp. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
L. Luke called. She leaves for a visit at Cannington.
5 – A very fine mild day. All day helping P. Luke to cut wood.
Willie drawing up wood to the shed. Willie and James away in the
evening skating.
6 – Fine but rather raw day. All at SS and church; 96 at SS. A
student, Mr. Thompson, preached on Mission work in BC by Knox
College Missionary Society. Jennie was at church for the first time
since she broke her arm. She was over at Luke’s in the evening.
Mrs. Wright called in the forenoon. Willie away in the evening.
7 – Mild with snow from the E in the afternoon. All day helping P.
Luke with wood. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie draw-
ing up wood. Mrs. Wright called. West Peterborough by-election.
8 – A very fine day. All day helping P. Luke at wood. James
drove to Port Perry school. Jennie and Willie washing. Jennie at
Missionary meeting in the afternoon with Mrs. Wright.
9 – Mild day. Helped Willie to draw up wood from the swamp
field and one load from C. Phair’s. Helping P. Luke to cut saw
logs in the afternoon. Jennie churning. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Willie at John Michie’s in the evening.
10 – Rather raw day. Jennie and I went to James S. Lee’s for
dinner and then I went to R. Cragg’s sale. There was a good turn-
out and prices pretty good. Got supper also at Jas. Lee’s. Willie
doing the chores. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
11 – Snowing from the E a little most of the day. Working in the
woodshed most of the day, Willie helping. Mrs. Wright called.
Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
12 – A very fine day. Willie and I drawing wood (poles) from P.
Luke’s swamp to the orchard. James at his books. Jennie went
with Mrs. Wright to Port Perry in the afternoon. Willie and James
at Port Perry in the evening. Mrs. Wright called in the evening.
13 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. Willie drove
Mrs. Wright. 105 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Voting for a
new elder resulted in a large majority for James H. Leask. Willie
away in the evening.
14 – A very fine day. Helping Willie to draw home wood in the
forenoon and helping C. Phair to cut wood with machine. James
did not go to school on account of cough. Jennie sewing.
15 – A very fine day. All day helping C. Phair to cut wood. Willie
drawing up wood from P. Luke’s swamp. James nursing cough.
Jennie and Mrs. Luke visiting at W. Thomas’s in the afternoon.
16 – Mild spring like day. What little snow there was is almost
gone and lots of mud in its place. Helping C. Phair to cut wood
and finished about 2:30. James did not go to school. Jennie went
to Port Perry with Mrs. Luke and Willie took some oats to be
ground but did not get the meal home. He got a new suit of
clothes. Got a letter from brother George saying their youngest
daughter Irene died on the 8th
of this month.
17 – Rough and windy most of the day. Jennie and Willie washing
in the forenoon while I split wood. In the afternoon Willie went to
Port Perry for the meal with the waggon. Mrs. Wright here most of
the afternoon baking. Leola Luke called. She has just returned
from a visit to Cannington. Willie away in the evening. I have
been nursing a bad eye, perhaps pinkeye. James did not go to
school.
18 – Pretty cold day. Did little but nurse sore eyes. Willie did
chores. P. Luke called in the forenoon and Leola Luke in the af-
ternoon. Jennie busy getting ready to go to Toronto tomorrow.
Willie at play in Methodist church given by Seagrave actors.
19 – A very fine but cold day. Did little but nurse my eyes and
cold. Willie drove Mrs. Wright and his mother to the 9:30 train.
They go to Toronto on a visit. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
John [Howsom’s?] house at Greenbank was burned down about
noon today.
20 – A very fine but sharp cold day. At SS and church with the
boys; 103 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Church not warm
enough. Willie away in the evening.
381
21 – A fine but cold day. All day nursing eyes and cold while
Willie did the chores. James wheeled to Port Perry school. L.
Luke called.
22 – A very fine day. Nursed cold and sore eyes while Willie did
the chores. James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke and
Marie Akhurst called in the afternoon. Willie at carnival in Sun-
derland in the evening. Got home at 3 am.
23 – Rough and snow but not very cold until towards night. Willie
did chores while I did the housework. James drove to Port Perry
school. L. Luke called.
24 – Quite sharp cold. Willie did chores while I did the house-
work. James drove to school. L. Luke called. Willie at party at
Alex Leask’s in the evening. Got home about 3:30 am. House
pump froze up.
25 – Cold and pretty rough all day. Willie did chores while I did
the housework. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie went to
Port Perry in the morning for coal oil. L. Luke called. Ray Dusty
and Henry Thomas called. They were canvassing for a skating
rink at Greenbank.
26 – Rough and cold all day. Little doing but the chores and
scrubbing. Leola Luke came over and baked some graham cakes
for us. She stayed for supper. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
27 – Mild. Willie drove the sleigh to church (1st
time this winter)
and took Mrs. Luke and Leola. 85 at SS; Mr. McDonald
preached. Mr. James H. Leask was inducted to the eldership of
Greenbank congregation. Willie away in the evening.
28 – Mild all day with a very little snow. Did the housework while
Willie drew wood from C. Phair’s. James drove to Port Perry
school. L. Luke called. Willie at J. Holdershaw’s at a party in the
evening.
MAR. 1 – Mild day. P. Luke called in the forenoon. Willie drew
2 loads of wood. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie went
with P. Luke in the afternoon to help him home with the cattle that
have been at R. Sonley’s west of Greenbank. L. Luke called.
2 – Dull and rain in the forenoon with lots of mud. Kept house
while Willie did the chores. James drove to Port Perry school.
Leola Luke over making some cakes and she stayed for dinner.
Word came by phone that they have got a new boy at Lew Wag-
ner’s.
3 – Rather colder, somewhat rough towards night. Willie took 10
bags of oats to be ground at Port Perry but did not get it home.
James drove to Port Perry school. He went to the station and met
his mother who has been on a 12 day visit to Toronto and Brook-
lin. L. Luke called. Willie away somewhere in the evening.
4 – Zero in the morning. Willie went to Port Perry in the forenoon
for the meal and brought home the new bookcase that Jennie got in
Toronto. James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie washing and
baking. L. Luke called. This is inauguration day in the US. Wil-
son drops out and Harding goes in. At preparatory service in the
afternoon. Mr. McDonald preached.
5 – Mild all day. Willie at P. Lukes in the afternoon while I did
chores. Jennie scrubbing and cleaning. James drove to Uxbridge
in the afternoon to help the Greenbank public school to play Ux-
bridge P.S. Uxbridge won 10 to 0. Mrs. Wright called for the
mail. Boys at Port Perry in the evening which turned out very dark
and rainy.
6 – Heavy rain through the night and the roads are very muddy.
Went with Jennie and Willie to communion service at Greenbank.
There was not quite as many out as usual. Mr. McDonald
preached. Leola Luke and Marion Leask called. Willie away
somewhere in the evening.
7 – A fine mild day. Cutting wood in the Luke’s swamp while
Jennie and Willie washed. James drove to Port Perry school. In
the afternoon attended a meeting held in Jas. H. Leask’s house
composed of our church session and E. Jemison and L. Beare from
the Methodist church on the question of church cooperation in
Greenbank.
8 – Thunder during the night and forenoon. Quite warm all day,
rain in the evening. Cutting wood mostly with the saw in P.
Luke’s swamp, Willie helping. James drove to Port Perry school.
Jennie and Mrs. Wright at Women’s Missionary meeting in the
church. Very muddy.
9 – Mild day but a little frost and some snow. Cutting wood in the
afternoon in Luke’s swamp, Willie helping. James drove to Port
Perry school. Jennie at John Michie’s in the afternoon. Willie at
Greenbank in the evening. L. Luke called.
10 – A fine day. Helping C. Phair to cut wood in the afternoon
(Mr. Bots saw). James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie and
Willie at Port Perry in the afternoon to get things for Willie who
starts for the north west on Saturday. L. Luke called.
11 – Quite mild day. Cutting some apple trees in the forenoon and
in the swamp in the afternoon, Willie helping. Jennie busy all day
getting Willie ready to start for the west. James drove to Port
Perry school.
12 – Mild with rain in the afternoon. James drove Willie to Port
Perry where he took the train for Colfax, Sask. where he expects to
work for the summer. James and I went to Luke’s swamp in the
afternoon to cut wood but rain came on and we quit. Jennie scrub-
bing, etc. L. Luke called.
13 – Mild with lots of mud. At church with Jennie and James. 85
at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Jennie at Luke’s in the evening
and Mrs. Wright came over with her.
14 – A very little snow on the ground which soon disappeared.
Drew some wood out of Luke’s swamp in the forenoon. Jennie
washing. James drove to school. Afternoon went to the swamp to
cut wood but rain came on. Jennie and Mrs. Wright making mis-
sionary quilt.
15 – Very dull and mild all day. Thunder in the evening. Mud
deep. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp part of the day. Jennie
cleaning upstairs. James drove to Port Perry school. Leola Luke
went with him.
382
16 – Colder. Drawing out wood from Luke’s swamp. Jennie
housecleaning upstairs. James drove to Port Perry school. L. Luke
called 2 or 3 times. Ross Blakely called in the evening.
17 – Dull with rain and some snow in the afternoon. Drawing out
wood in Luke’s swamp in the forenoon. Jennie and Mrs. Wright
went to Port Perry in the afternoon through the rain and mud.
James drove to Port Perry school.
18 – A very fine day. Drawing out wood from Luke’s swamp in
the forenoon. Helping John Michie to cut wood in the afternoon
(Jas. Bott’s machine). Jennie whitewashing the kitchen ceiling.
James drove to Port Perry school.
19 – Helping John Michie to cut wood and finished about 10 am.
Jennie cleaning the pantry. About 11 am it started to thunder and
never let up until about six pm. Storm after storm came up with
terrible lightning and rain. I do not remember such a day in the
month of March. L. Luke called. Got card from Willie from Win-
nipeg.
20 – Another heavy thunder storm between 4 and 5 in the morning.
James and I drove to SS and church; mud very bad. The bridge
near the new road was hardly passable and the church hill has a
deep gully washed out of the middle of the road. There were 80 at
SS; Rev. Mr. McDonald preached.
21 – Colder in the afternoon with high NW wind. Cutting wood in
Luke’s swamp, James helping as he did not go to school as the
water was very high. Helping P. Luke to cut wood in the after-
noon. Jennie washing. Mrs. A. Akhurst and Mrs. R. Dusty called
in the afternoon.
22 – A very fine day. P. Luke came over and we killed the humpy
steer. In the afternoon P. Luke brought over his land roller to get
repaired. James drove to Port Perry school. P. Luke called. Olive
and Eleanor came up in the afternoon. Got letters from Edinburgh
and Winnipeg.
23 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with ¼ beef
for Hall. Doing several jobs in the afternoon. James drove to Port
Perry school. Jennie cutting up beef. Mrs. Wright called. P. Luke
started to plough, the first I have seen this season.
24 – Fine in the morning but got dull and rain in the evening.
Cleaning out berry bushes in the forenoon. Jas. Bott brought his
wood sawing machine and then went to C. Phair’s for his engine
and got an early start after dinner and cut the pile in the orchard
and then moved to the other pile near Luke’s swamp and nearly
finished it. C. Phair, N. Midgley, John Michie and P. Luke helping
and A. Akhurst with Mr. Bott. Jennie baking and cooking. James
drove to Port Perry school. James at P. Leask’s party in the eve-
ning. Got home after 4 am.
25 – A fine day (Good Friday). Finished cutting wood in about an
hour, then helped P. Luke to cut his; finished about 3 pm. James
went to the 5 o’clock train to meet Annie who is home for Easter
holidays. Jennie at W. Missionary quilting in the basement; a
large turnout. Mrs. John Michie and boy went with her.
26 – A fine and quite warm day. Cleaning out the raspberry
bushes. Jennie and James went to Port Perry with 10 bags of oats
and got them ground. Mr. Luke called in the evening. Got letter
from Willie.
27 – Thunder and rain in the forenoon. At SS and church with
Annie. Rather a thin turnout; 61 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached.
James and Annie at Greenbank in the evening. Roads pretty bad.
28 – Much colder; high NW wind with some snow flurries. Clean-
ing out berry bushes. James drove to Port Perry in the morning
and brought home Sidney Caney who is on a visit before going to
England. Jennie washing. Annie baking. In the afternoon a hurry
call came to Jennie from Jas. Dusty’s. Ray Dusty came for her and
a 10 lb. boy baby was born. Leola Luke called twice.
29 – Another pretty cold day. Cleaning out berry bushes in the
forenoon and helping N. Midgley to cut wood in the afternoon.
Jennie baking and ironing. Annie went to Port Perry in the after-
noon. James and Sidney Caney at Luke’s in the evening.
30 – A very nice day; hard frost in the morning. Helping N.
Midgley to cut wood and finished about 2 pm, then at berry
bushes. James drove Sidney Caney to the 9:30 train at Port Perry.
Jennie sewing. A telegram came from St. John’s, N.B., saying
Annie Bell had landed there so Annie went to Port Perry to the
train to meet her but she did not come so Annie stayed all night at
S. Dusty’s to wait for the morning train. L. Luke called.
31 – Rain and some snow in the forenoon. At the berry bushes.
Annie had just got home from Port Perry when word came that
Annie Bell from Edinburgh was at Manilla, so Annie turned back
to Port Perry and brought A.B. here in the middle of a snowstorm.
Spent most of the afternoon talking to her. Jennie sewing. L. Luke
called.
APR. 1 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with the
wagon for Annie Bell’s two trunks. Drew off the berry bushes in
the afternoon, James helping. Jennie sewing. Jennie, Annie and
Annie Bell over at Luke’s in the evening. L. Luke called. Cawker,
the drover, called.
2 – A very fine day; high wind in the afternoon. Scuffled berry
bushes in the forenoon and plowing sod in the afternoon. Jennie
making dress for Annie. Annie and Annie Bell at Port Perry in the
afternoon. L. Luke called.
3 – A beautiful fine day. All hands at SS and church; 105 at S;
Mr. McDonald preached. James, Annie and Annie Bell at Method-
ist church in the evening.
4 – A very fine and summer like day. Plowing sod all day. Jennie
and Annie Bell washing. James drove Annie to Port Perry to the
early train on her way back to her school. James at Port Perry
school in the afternoon. L. Luke called.
5 – A very fine summer like day; 72 in the shade. Plowing sod all
day. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie baking. L. Luke
called. In the evening went with C. Phair to referendum meeting in
the basement of our church; about 20 were present.
383
6 – Another very warm day. Plowing sod all day. James wheeled
to Port Perry school. Jennie and Annie Bell at Port Perry in the
afternoon. L. Luke called in the evening.
7 – Another very fine but not quite so warm day. Plowing all day;
finished the sod. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie and
Annie Bell making Annie a dress. James S. Lee and family called
in the evening.
8 – Some rain in the morning. Gang plowing until about 4:30
when a heavy thunder shower came on. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Jennie and Annie Bell sewing. L. Luke called.
9 – Much cooler. Gang plowing in the forenoon and cultivating in
the afternoon. Jennie scrubbing and baking. James and Annie Bell
washed the buggy. All over at Luke’s in the evening when Annie
Bell treated us to some Scotch songs.
10 – Cold E wind. All hands at SS and church; 96 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached a good sermon on the referendum. James and
A.B. at Methodist church in the evening.
11 – Hard frost in the morning. Took the two steers to Port Perry
(Cawker). James helping on his way to school (exams this week).
Jennie came with the buggy for me. Cultivating in the afternoon.
In the evening all hands with Leola Luke went up to W. Thomas’
where there was a musical evening. Ray Dusty and wife and Marie
Akhurst were also there.
12 – A very nice day. Cultivating all day. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. In the afternoon Jennie and Annie Bell went with
John Michie to the W.M. meeting in the church. L. Luke called.
13 – A very fine day. Fanned up seed oats (Jennie helping) and
sowed most of the field W of the house (1st
sowing). James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie and Annie Bell went to Alex
Leask’s in the afternoon to rehearse a piece of music for Sunday.
They stayed the evening.
14 – A fine day except a little rain in the evening. Finished sowing
field W of the house and harrowed it. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Jennie and Annie Bell cleaning up the garden and yard. L.
Luke called.
15 – A very fine day. Sowed field NE of barn and harrowed some
of it. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie and Annie went
to Port Perry in the afternoon. In the evening all hands at P.
Luke’s for a musical evening. John Michie and family; Peter and
Mrs. Leask; and R. Terry were also there. Leola Luke had spill out
on her way home from music lesson.
16 – Cold E wind. Harrowing in the forenoon. After dinner it
began to rain from the E and freeze at it fell.
17 – Wintery day. Ice on everything that did not slacken all day.
All hands at SS and church. Rev. Mr. [Silcox?] of Toronto
preached on the referendum. Annie Bell sang a solo. James and
A.B. at Methodist church in the evening.
18 – Warmer and the ice soon disappeared. Went with Jennie to
Greenbank to vote yes on the referendum on the importing of
liquor into Ontario. Took the straw off the strawberry patch and
piled some wood. James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke
called, also Mrs. Wright. Referendum vote dry by a large majority.
Notation on back of picture:
Referendum Day – Apr. 18, 1921
19 – A very fine day. Plowing most of the day for potatoes. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Jas. Dusty took Jennie to Port Perry
to assist at operation on Ray Dusty for appendicitis which was
successfully performed by Drs. Archer. Mrs. Wright called.
20 – Plowing and cultivating N field. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Jennie washing in the forenoon and in the afternoon went
384
with Annie Bell to Willie Smith’s, Columbus, and stayed there all
night. L. Luke called. Much thunder in the evening but not a great
deal of rain.
21 – Dull with little drizzle of rain all afternoon. Planted some
early potatoes and plowed the garden. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Jennie and Annie Bell got home from Columbus
about 8 pm. L. Luke called.
22 – Very dull with E wind and rain in the forenoon. Plowing
orchard in the afternoon. James drove to Port Perry school. Annie
Bell packing her trunk. Mrs. Luke called.
23 – Dull, bit rain from the E through the night and some in the
forenoon. Finished cutting wood in Luke’s swamp, James helping.
Plowing in orchard in the afternoon.
24 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 100 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. James and Annie Bell at Methodist church in
the evening.
25 – A very fine day. Took Annie Bell and her big trunk to Port
Perry on her way to Toronto to seek employment. Piling wood in
the afternoon. Jennie washing. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Mrs. John Michie, Eleanor and baby Robert were here in
the afternoon and stayed for tea. L. Luke called.
26 – A fine and very warm day, about 75 in the shade after dinner.
Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with 10 bags of oats and got
them ground. Cultivating in the N field in the afternoon. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie at the garden. L. Luke
called.
27 – A fine and pretty warm day. Took the oats borrowed from
John Michie home and finished cultivating the N field but it is too
wet to sow. At the wood in the afternoon. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Jennie housecleaning. L. Luke called.
28 – A very fine day. Sowed the N field and harrowed part of it.
Jennie went to Port Perry market. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. L. Luke called. Harry McMillan came in car for some
strawberry plants.
29 – Heavy rain through the night and several showers through the
day. Piled up wood and helped Jennie to paper the N downstairs
bedroom. James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called
twice and Clinton Midgley in the evening.
30 – Rather chilly and dull. Went over to Luke’s and helped him
to make a new gate at the line fence that our horses demolished in
a kicking scrape this morning. Finished harrowing the N field, at
least such of it as was not too wet to get onto. Jennie houseclean-
ing. Fred Real and Amy came for some raspberry bushes. L. Luke
called.
MAY 1 – Cold, dull and rainy. All at SS and church; 101 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. James took Leola Luke and Marie Ak-
hurst to Methodist church in the evening.
2 – Dull in the morning but bright later. Went to Port Perry with
Jennie in the forenoon. Helping to paper upstairs in the afternoon.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. E. Bryant came for some
strawberry plants. L. Luke and Marie Akhurst called and Eleanor
Michie, who is 5 years old today, came for the first time alone.
3 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie to paper our bedroom in the
forenoon and plowed the strawberry patch in the afternoon. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Jas. H. Leask called for some straw-
berry plants and Fred and Olive Real in the evening with flower
plants. L. Luke called.
4 – A very fine day. Hoed all day at berry bushes but did not get
done. Jennie housecleaning upstairs. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Leola and Mrs. Luke called.
5 – A very fine day. Scuffled the berry bushes in the forenoon
while Jennie went to Port Perry. Planting strawberries in the
afternoon, Jennie digging the plants. Roy Moon called for some
plants. James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
6 – A fine day. Finished planting strawberries in the forenoon,
Jennie digging the plants. C. Phair brought the roller home and I
rolled the field W of the house. Edgar Butt came for some straw-
berry plants. James wheeled to Port Perry school. He was late in
getting home as there was a baseball match between Port Perry and
Bowmanville high schools. P.P. won. L. Luke called.
7 – A very fine day. Rolling most of the day. Jennie scrubbing
and baking. James went to Jim Dusty’s for eggs. L. Luke called.
Ross Blakely called in the evening.
8 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 108 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Jennie at Luke’s in the evening.
9 – A very fine day. Rolling grass field in the forenoon. Jennie
washing. Afternoon tying up berry bushes, Jennie helping. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called. Albert Akhurst
came for some strawberry plants. Word came by phone that James
Sleeman of Port Hope died this morning.
10 – A very fine day. Finished tying up the berry bushes in the
forenoon and in the afternoon gang plowing root ground as sow
thistle is plentiful. Jennie at Jim Dusty’s in the evening for eggs.
James wheeled to Port Perry school.
11 – A very fine day with rather high S wind. In the morning
sowed some places in the N field that had been drowned out, then
gang plowing the rest of the day. Jennie painted cookhouse floor.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called. Mr. and Mrs.
Richard Cragg called in the evening. News today: The Germans
have accepted the Allied demands.
12 – Rather raw with some rain from the S in the evening. Fin-
ished ganging root ground and cultivated, harrowed and rolled the
potato ground. Jennie went to Port Perry market taking Mrs. Luke.
James wheeled to Port Perry school and brought home a cadets
uniform.
13 – Drilled up 28 potato drills and drew manure on part of it.
Jennie painting and housecleaning. James wheeled to Port Perry
school and brought home a Ross rifle. A thunder shower in the
evening.
385
Photo of a Ross Rifle, which was produced in Canada from 1902
until the middle of WW1.
14 – A fine day. Finished manuring the potato patch in the fore-
noon and cut potatoes in the afternoon. Jennie painting. James
went to Port Perry on his wheel for some paint. Leola Luke and ---
McDonald called.
15 – Rather raw with a little sprinkle of rain in the evening. All
hands at SS and church; 97 at SS. Rev. Mr. Miller of Quaker Hill
preached. James wheeled to Methodist church in the evening.
When we got home from church we found a calf in the swamp
field. Jennie and I over at Luke’s in the evening.
16 – Pretty cool most of the day, frost in the morning. Planted the
potatoes, Jennie helping. James wheeled to Port Perry school. The
cadets were reviewed today. Mrs. Wright and Clinton Midgley
called.
17 – Very hard frost in the morning which cooked the strawberries
pretty bad. Cultivated root ground and orchard. Jennie washing.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Went to Greenbank in the
evening to a meeting about the hall but there was no meeting. A
very fine evening.
18 – A very fine day. Drilled up 16 drills for mangolds and put
manure between them. James wheeled to Port Perry school. In the
evening we attended meeting in church to consider union with the
Methodist church in Greenbank. Mr. Brines, Sup. of Missions,
explained the working of cooperation. It was decided to proceed.
Mrs. Wright called.
19 – A beautiful day. Split the mangold drills and sowed them and
drawed out some manure. Jennie started for Port Perry, driving
King, but he started to cough so bad that she turned back and took
Fly. James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
20 – Very warm; 82 in the shade. Drawing out manure and dirt to
the barn door. Jennie baking. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Wes Frise and wife came for strawberry plants. Mrs. Wright
called.
21 – Very warm; 86 in the afternoon. Went to Port Perry in the
morning for to meet Annie who is home for the 24th
, and Jennie
Perrin. Drawing out manure in the afternoon. Jennie scrubbing
and baking. Blanche Luke here most of the afternoon and evening
and Leola in the evening.
22 – Thunder and rain in the forenoon which was needed. All
hands at SS and church, not so many at SS as it was raining about
the time of starting. This is SS anniversary Sunday. Rev. Mr.
Bryden of Woodville preached to a full house. All out again in the
evening. Mr. Bryden preached to a packed house. Mrs. D. Archer
and Mr. MacIntyre of Port Perry helped in the singing. Raining
when we came out. Annie and Jennie Perrin came home with John
Michie.
23 – A very fine day. All day drilling and planting corn in the
orchard and scuffling the berry bushes, strawberries and early
potatoes. James drove to Port Perry school and got home early.
Blanche and Leola Luke called in the afternoon and Jennie, Annie
and Jennie Perrin at Luke’s in the evening. N. Midgley and E.
Bryant called. E.B. came for strawberry plants but I advised him
not to plant as it is too late.
24 – Very dull in the afternoon with a little rain in the evening.
Plowing corn land in the forenoon. Jennie baking. In the after-
noon all hands at SS anniversary. There was a packed house in the
evening. D. McGregor, singer; Miss Thompson, reciter; and Miss
Cockburn, violinist were the entertainers and did pretty well.
25 – Rather dull all day. Got up early and took Annie and Jennie
Perrin to the early train on their way to Newcastle. Plowing the
rest of the day. Jennie, Velma Wright and Leola Luke at after
social in the church. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
26 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for a load
of brick for Billy O’Neil’s new house at Greenbank. Jennie went
to Port Perry with Mrs. Wright and James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Drawing out manure in the afternoon.
27 – A fine day. Drawing out manure. Jennie baking. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. In the evening at Greenbank to
meeting about hall. Not many out and little done.
28 – Thunder in the early morning but very little rain. Warm day.
Drawing out manure and finished just in time (about 4 pm) when a
thunder shower came on and there was a fine rain. James Bott
came in his car for 3 bags of potatoes. Mrs. Wright called in the
evening, Leola Luke in the afternoon.
29 – Warm with many thunder storms in the afternoon. Willie
Smith, his mother and sister Annie came by car about 11 am and I
went to SS and church alone. Rev. D. McMillan preached on
church praise; a fine address. Willie Smith left for home about
3:30.
30 – Very warm. Plowing turnip land all day. Jennie washing.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. In the evening Jennie and I
went with P. Leask in his car to Wick church where Rev. Mr.
McMillan led a choir rally. There was a full house. Uxbridge,
Quaker Hill, Sonya, Greenbank, Leaskdale and Wick were repre-
sented. Lunch was served after.
31 – Very warm. Much thunder in the forenoon and a shower
after dinner. Went to G. Clements’ in the morning and got 3 little
pigs ($5.00 each). Plowing in the afternoon. Jennie ironing.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright called.
JUNE 1 – Chilly in the morning. Cultivating and harrowing corn
and turnip land. Jennie picking over potatoes in cellar which are
almost worthless. James wheeled to Port Perry school. John Mi-
chie brought the beef, the first of the season.
386
2 – A very fine day. Harrowed, rolled and sowed the corn land.
Jennie at Port Perry in the forenoon, picking potatoes in the after-
noon. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright called.
3 – Heavy rain through the night and forenoon and things are well
soaked. Did some odd jobs. James not at school as this is the
King’s birthday. Sports at Port Perry today. Mrs. Wright called.
4 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the morning for some
repairs to the mower and in the afternoon cut the sweet clover E of
the orchard. Jennie baking and scrubbing. James studying. In the
evening Willie Smith, Jessie Smith and Annie Bell came by car
and stayed until about 10:30.
5 – A beautiful day. All at SS and church; 108 at SS. Mr.
McDonald preached. James wheeled to the Methodist church in
the evening.
6 – A very fine day. Cutting fence corners, turning sweet clover
and hoeing. Jennie washing. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Mrs. Wright called and S. Sleep and had a long talk on various
subjects.
7 – A very fine day. Finished hoeing strawberry patch. Harrowed
the corn (not up yet) and scuffled. Jennie cleaning the cellar.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright called; she found
the first ripe strawberry.
8 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning, then drilled
up for turnips. Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon and
painted the pantry floor in the afternoon. James wheeled to Port
Perry school in the forenoon and attended postponed sports in the
afternoon. Mrs. Wright called.
9 – A very fine but warm day. Finished drilling for turnips (62
drills) and sowed them in the forenoon and raked and cocked the
sweet clover in the afternoon. Took heifer down to John Michie’s
to get her weighed but as she only went 800 lbs she will not be
hardly heavy enough. Jennie housecleaning and baking. Mrs.
Wright called. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
10 – Very warm day. Moved the stove out in the morning and
Jennie oiled the kitchen floor. Plowing in the forenoon and drew
in the sweet clover in the afternoon. Mr. Luke came over and
helped me. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie and Mrs.
Wright picked the first two boxes of strawberries.
11 – A little rain through the night and several showers through the
forenoon. Plowing most of the day. Jennie baking. James at his
books. Mrs. Wright called.
12 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 103 at SS.
Rev. R. McEachrin of Keene preached. Rev. G. Miller and wife
were there. Jas. S. Lee, wife and girls called in the evening and got
a feed of strawberries which are now beginning to ripen. Mrs.
Wright also called.
13 – A fine day with high NW wind in the afternoon. Scuffling
potatoes, corn and mangolds in the forenoon. Helping Jennie and
Mrs. Wright to pick strawberries, 58 boxes; the first picking.
James wheeled to Port Perry school for the forenoon only to get
special lesson on French in preparation for the coming exams.
14 – A very fine and cool day. Went to Port Perry in the morning
with crate of berries and brought home 1000 berry boxes. Culti-
vated, harrowed and sowed piece of Hungarian grass. Jennie
washing in the forenoon and at W.M. meeting at the church with
Mrs. Wright. James studying. In the evening Willie Smith and his
mother came with car and brought brother George of Griswold,
Manitoba; 8 years since he was here before. William Phoenix
taking the census, was here for dinner.
15 – A beautiful day. Finished the Hungarian grass sowing and
hoed corn. Jennie and Mrs. Wright went in Jim Boe’s car to
Women’s Missionary meeting at Gamebridge and had a big time.
D. McDonald brought them home. George down for some time at
John Michie’s. James at Port Perry in the afternoon to his first
exam.
16 – A very fine day. A few drops of rain about 5 pm. Helping
Jennie, Mrs. Wright and Nellie O’Neill to pick strawberries; 189
boxes. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with berries.
17 – Mild rain through the night and most of the forenoon. Took
strawberries to Port Perry in the morning. Rain all the way there.
Hoed some in the afternoon. Jennie ironing. Norman Midgley
came about 11 am, stayed for dinner, and until about 4 pm. Mrs.
Wright called. Clinton Midgley in the evening.
18 – A very fine warm day. Hoeing mangolds most of the day.
George came back from Wick and he and Jennie went to Port Perry
in the afternoon. Mr. Bryant came for strawberries. Mrs. Wright
called, also Ross Blakely. John Michie came for turnip drill and
sowed his turnips.
19 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 105 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached giving an account of the meeting of the gen-
eral assembly. George stayed at J.M. Real’s for tea. P. Luke and
wife called in the evening. William Love died.
20 – A very fine warm day. Hoeing mangolds in the forenoon,
George helping. Helping to pick strawberries in the afternoon and
went to Port Perry with berries for the Methodist garden party
tomorrow night. Jennie, Mrs. Wright and Nellie O’Neill picking
berries; 175 boxes. James at Port Perry at exams and helped John
Michie to take beef heifer to Greenbank in the evening.
21 – Very warm day. Helping Jennie and Mrs. Wright to pick
strawberries in the forenoon. Hoeing in the afternoon while Jennie
went to Port Perry. George went to Greenbank in the morning and
attended W. Love’s funeral. Jennie and I left about 6 pm and got
George at Greenbank and went to Alex Lee’s for supper and eve-
ning. Got home about 11 pm. James at Port Perry at exams.
22 – Very warm day. Sowed buckwheat in orchard in the fore-
noon. Jennie ironing. Mrs. Wright helping her and stayed for
dinner. In the afternoon we got Jim Bott with his car to drive us to
Willie Smith’s wedding. We started at 3 o’clock but before we got
to Port Perry rain came on. We got as far as Mrs. Baird’s farm and
took shelter in a woodshed and there was terrible lightning, rain
and hail. Stayed there about an hour, then got back to the Presby-
387
terian church sheds and another deluge of rain and hail; then turned
to home and got back about 5:30. James at Port Perry school for
exams. Leola Luke called.
23 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie, Mrs. Wright and Nellie
O’Neill to pick strawberries, then went to Port Perry with some
berries. Mrs. Jas. Blair, Maggie Blair and Mrs. D. McDonald
called for berries, and Mrs. J.M. Real and Harvey in the evening.
James at Port Perry at exams. Leola Luke called. George at G.A.
McMillan’s.
24 – A very fine day. Scuffling in the forenoon in the orchard and
in the afternoon at preparatory service in the church. About the
usual number out. Rev. Mr. Mason of Sonya preached. Mrs.
Howard McMillan came in by certificate. John Michie’s baby boy
(Robert Gordon) was baptised. George went with P. Luke on a
visit to Wes Luke’s at Sonya. Jennie baking and housecleaning.
James at Port Perry school exams, the last for the season. Ex-
pected a load including Annie from Port Hope.
25 – A fine but very warm day. Hoeing in the forenoon and help-
ing Jennie, Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke to pick strawberries.
James scuffled the corn. Jennie preserving strawberries. Mrs. Ray
Dusty called.
26 – Very warm day, some thunder to the SW but no rain here.
Went with George to communion service at Wick; Mr. McDonald
preached. A pretty good turnout. Jennie and James at Methodist
SS anniversary service in the evening.
27 – A very warm day, about 85 in the shade. Hoeing in the fore-
noon. Jennie washing. In the afternoon took brother George to
Port Perry on his way home to Griswold Manitoba. James at
Greenbank public school in the afternoon where there was ice
cream. Leola Luke called. This is the night of the Wick straw-
berry social. It is at Stanley [McLeoud’s?]. Much thunder and
lightning in the evening but no rain here.
28 – A little rain in the early morning and dropping a little all
forenoon and then quite a shower about 7:30 pm. Plowing up the
sweet clover patch to sow buckwheat as it does not appear to be a
second crop. James went to Port Perry on the wheel and got a
catching glove with the money given him yesterday by George.
Jennie and James picking strawberries in the afternoon. Leola
Luke and Mrs. Wright called.
29 – Very warm. Many local thunder showers in all directions but
just a little sprinkle here. Finished plowing sweet clover patch and
sowed in with buckwheat. James went for the beef in the morning
and helped Jennie, Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke to pick strawber-
ries, likely the last picking of the season. James at Greenbank in
the evening to baseball practice.
30 – Another very warm day. Some thunder but no rain here.
Greened the potatoes in the forenoon and hoed corn in the after-
noon. James scuffled turnips in the forenoon. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the morning. James went on the wheel in the afternoon
for something Jennie forgot. Leola Luke picked the cherries.
JULY 1 – A very warm day. Got up early and James drove Jennie
and Leola Luke to the early train for Newcastle. Hoed corn in the
forenoon, James helping. C. Phair came for 2 bags of potatoes. In
the afternoon went with James to Methodist SS anniversary. There
was baseball and football. The concert was not quite so well at-
tended as usual. A Mr. Spence and Miss Barrett of Toronto gave
the programme. About $325.00 was taken in. Mrs. Wright called.
2 – Another terrible day, up so high as 90 and 80 even in the eve-
ning. Hoeing corn and finished, James helping. The grading
machine drawn by a tractor was working on our sideroad. W.
McDonald, who is running it, was here for dinner. They worked
until about 4 o’clock when they quit on account of the heat. Ross
Blakely here in the evening.
3 – Another very warm day, up to about 90. Drove to SS and
church with James and Mrs. Wright; 86 at SS; Mr. McDonald
preached. Rather thin attendance.
4 – Another very warm day. Hoed some turnips and helped Ray
Dusty to plough up the road at Ray’s gate for the grader. James
went to Port Perry to meet the train, also Mrs. Wright drove their
buggy, expecting Annie and Leola but they did not come but
Jennie did. She rode home with Mrs. Wright while James brought
Annie’s trunk home. W. McDonald here again for dinner. They
finished the grading today. Hoeing turnips in the afternoon, James
helping. I drove again to Port Perry for Mrs. Joyce of Sutton.
James at ball at Greenbank in the evening.
5 – Another of the same kind; up as far as 95 in the shade. Hoeing
turnips most of the day, James helping. Jennie and Mrs. Joyce
visiting at John Michie’s in the afternoon. Mrs. Wright called.
James went to Port Perry in the evening for Sidney Caney who has
been away on a 10 week visit to England.
6 – Another of the same kind, 95 in the shade. Hoeing turnips
most of the day, Sid and James helping a short time. James went
to Port Perry in the morning to meet Annie and Leola Luke who
came home. Jennie drove Mrs. Joyce to Greenbank in the evening.
C. Midgley called in the evening.
7 – Very warm again. Finished hoeing turnips in the forenoon, Sid
and James helping. Jennie washing. About 3 pm a thunder storm
came up and it rained for about an hour which soaked things pretty
well. There was also some hail but it is very little cooler.
8 – Warm. Started to thunder about 10 am and there was much of
it until about 4 pm with lots of rain. Scuffled the strawberry patch
and cleaned out 3 ½ rows of old ones. James drove Sidney Caney
to the 9:30 train. He also went to Port Perry in the evening to get
Annie Bell who has come for a visit. Leola Luke here most of the
afternoon.
9 – Heavy rain in the early morning. Thunder all around but only a
few drops about 3 pm. Cleaning out strawberry patch most of the
day. Jennie, Annie, James, Annie Bell, Mrs. Wright and Leola
Luke picking raspberries until the rain came. James, Annie and
Annie Bell at Port Perry in the evening.
10 – A fine day and pretty warm. Blanche Luke, who came home
last night, and Leola here in the forenoon. All hands at SS and
church; 108 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie Bell sang a
hymn. Just as we were at supper Kennedy Mason came with his
388
car from Bobcaygeon and with him was Marion Allan and Dalton
Swan. After they got supper they started for Toronto taking Annie
Bell with them. Annie and James at Methodist church in evening.
11 – Warm day. Greened and hoed potatoes. Jennie, Annie,
James, Nellie O’Neill, Mary Dusty and Leola Luke picking berries
(175 boxes). James went to Port Perry with berries for Mrs.
[Aude?], Toronto. Mrs. Alex Leask and Bernice came for berries
and Mary Real. Les Beare called in the forenoon and bought heifer
for beef ring.
12 – Another very hot day, over 90. Took the heifer for L. Beare
to Greenbank. James drove the buggy. Saw W. Phoenix’s bees
and honey. James scuffled the corn 2nd
time while I plowed the old
strawberry patch, harrowed it and hoed the new patch. Jennie
washing. Dr. --- and wife who are staying at Mr. Smith’s called in
the evening and we picked 4 boxes of berries for them. Jas. Bott
took the Luke family to the Orange Walk at Uxbridge.
13 – Another terrible hot day, 94 in the shade. Rigged up the
mower and cut hay in the afternoon, James helping. Jennie iron-
ing. Leola Luke called 5 times, Mrs. Wright twice and John
McKinnon’s girl and Eva Luke.
14 – Another warm day. Helping John Michie to draw in hay in
the forenoon. Jennie, Annie, James, Mary Dusty and Nellie
O’Neill and Leola picking berries; about 180 picked. About 2:30 a
thunder storm came up with much wind but not a great deal of rain.
Rain again in the evening. I was raking hay when the storm came
up. Annie drove Mary Dusty home after supper.
15 – Helping to pick berries for the garden party with Jennie, An-
nie, James, Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke. James drove Annie to
McDonald’s and came back for Jennie and I later. We went to the
big party. The weather was threatening between 5 and 6 but turned
out a very fine evening. There was an immense crowd. Ben
Hockeys orchestra gave the programme which was pretty good.
$530.00 was taken in which beats the record for those parts. Got
home about 1 am.
16 – Helped to pick berries with Jennie, Annie and James. Raked
up hay after dinner and John Michie helped to draw in 3 loads
when a thunder shower came up which did not appear to be of
much account but there was quite a long rain. Annie went to Port
Perry to get King shod. Mrs. Wright called.
17 – A very fine day. Some rain went around in the afternoon but
none here. All hands at SS and church; 115 at SS; Mr. McDonald
preached. Annie and James at Methodist church in the evening.
The Luke’s had quite a family gathering.
18 – This is the day that Ontario goes bone dry but the weather has
not been along that line. Very dull in the morning and started to
thunder about 8 am and kept it up off and on all day and evening
with rain every little while. Helping Jennie, Annie, James and
Nellie O’Neill to pick berries but the rain stopped us. Mrs. White
and son from Marsh Hill came for berries and Annie took a crate to
Port Perry to ship to Toronto and got caught in the rain. It was
after 9 o’clock when Billy O’Neill came with his car for Nellie.
Jean Michie also came up but did not get home and stayed all
night. Leola Luke called.
19 – Heavy rain with thunder most of the night, cleared up in the
forenoon and although there was some thunder to the SW in the
afternoon there was no more rain here. The grain is pretty badly
lodged. Helping P. Luke to rig up his binder in the forenoon.
Norman Midgley here in the forenoon. Helping Jennie, Annie,
James and Mrs. Wright to pick berries. Gladys and Leola Luke
called in the evening.
20 – Before we were in the bed long there came up a heavy shower
from the NE but there was no rain during the day although there
was thunder in the E. It was rather smoky and some cooler. Fin-
ished cutting the hay, sweet clover in it 6 or 7 feet high. Then,
with James help, drew in two little loads that has been out in all
this rain and was near rotten. James went for the beef in the morn-
ing. Jennie, Annie, James, Mrs. Wright, Leola Luke and Mrs. John
McKinnon of Pinedale, who came for berries, picking berries.
Annie took crate to Port Perry to ship to Toronto. Mary Real came
for berries in the evening.
21 – A very fine day; no rain, no thunder, but a red sun. At John
Michie’s in the forenoon with P. Luke helping him to finish hoeing
turnips. John then came over to Luke’s and we got out the binder
and John started the binder and then I drove it. It proved to be very
bad to cut sweet clover and twitch grass made it hard to cut.
Jennie, Annie and James picking berries. J. Michie’s girls were up
for berries. Clinton Midgley and Leola Luke called. Annie went
to Port Perry in the morning for binder twine. Jennie and Annie at
Luke’s in the evening.
22 – A fine day and pretty warm. Raked up the hay in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon, with Mr. Luke and James’ help, drew in
7 loads. Jennie, Annie, Mrs. Wright, Leola Luke and Mrs. Alex
Gordon, who was brought by Mr. Huddlestein, Jennie Gordon’s
best young man. He also came for them in the evening. Mr. and
Mrs. Isaac Beare came for berries in the evening.
23 – Another warm day. Did almost nothing as I am so used up
with flu or something. Jennie, Annie, James and Mrs. Wright and
Leola Luke picking berries in the afternoon. James and Annie at
Port Perry in the evening. J. Bott ran into and smashed Luke’s
gate.
24 – Another pretty warm day but there was a nice breeze from the
SW. All hands (James wheeled) at SS and church; 98 at SS. Mr.
McDonald preached. Annie and James at Methodist church in the
evening. Bruce McDonald called in the evening. Leola Luke also
called.
25 – John Michie came up in the morning and started Luke’s
binder in the field W of the house, then he went home and James
and I worked away until about 3 o’clock when a thunder storm
came up from the west with a terrific wind which broke some
limbs from trees and flattened the grain worse than ever, which
was needless. Annie and Leola Luke picking berries. W. O’Neill
brought Nellie to pick berries but she had barely got started when
the rain came on and James drove her home. Annie and Leola
went to Port Perry after the rain. Annie, James, Gladys and Leola
Luke at R. Dusty’s in the evening.
26 – Very warm day, threatening rain about the middle of the
afternoon but no rain here. All hands all forenoon, including Leola
389
Luke, setting up tables, cleaning the yard and lots of washing and
dusting in preparation for the W.M. meeting. The turnout proved
good; 73 were present, consisting of women and girls. Mr. D.D.
McDonald was the only man. $13.75 was the collection. James
and I were cutting oats. The binder did not work very well but we
managed to get it chewed down.
27 – Another very warm day. High wind in the afternoon; a few
drops of rain about 6:30 pm. John Michie came up in the morning
and got the pinion off the binder. Mr. Luke got a new one and
John came up again after dinner and got the binder rigged up and
drove it all afternoon in the field N of the barn. It is so badly down
that he had to cut it one way. Jennie and Annie picking berries in
the afternoon, washing and cleaning up in the forenoon. Mrs. Ray
Dusty called in the evening for berries.
28 – A fine day and some cooler. James finished cutting field NE
of barn (one way) while I shocked it up. After early supper I drove
to Port Perry to see Dr. D. Archer who says my trouble is in the
stomach and liver. Mrs. Ray Dusty here picking berries in the
afternoon. Leola Luke called twice and Mrs. Wright.
29 – A very fine day and not too warm. Got the binder rigged up
again after breaking links in main driving chain and James drove
for awhile, but had to quit on account of sickness at the stomach so
it fell to me to finish which I did at 5 pm, which finished the cut-
ting for the year and this is still July. The N field which we were
cutting is a very poor crop. Harvey Real called to pay for the
berries got for the garden party. Bruce McDonald over a number
of times, also Leola Luke and Annie and her went to basketball
practice at Greenbank in the evening.
30 – Another pretty warm day. Shocked up the N field. James
nursing sore foot. Jennie sewing for Annie. Annie and James at
Port Perry in the evening. Gladys and Leola Luke called. We had
got to bed only a short time when a terrific storm came up very
quickly. James and Annie were caught at S. Dusty’s in Port Perry
with many others and did not get home until about 1 am. A barn
burned near Victoria Corners. Acton was the name.
31 – A fine day and very much cooler. Went with James and
Annie to SS and church. Mr. McDonald preached. Several from
Toronto present as tomorrow is their Civic holiday. James and
Annie at Methodist church in the evening.
AUG. 1 – Dull with showers about 8 am and 3 pm, which soaked
the grain. A very poor harvest today. Scuffled and partly hoed the
strawberry patch which is badly needing it. Jennie sewing for
Annie. James repairing his wheel. Leola Luke called. Annie,
James, Leola and Bruce McDonald at Ray Dusty’s in the evening.
2 – A very fine day. Hoeing strawberry patch in the forenoon
while James scuffled turnips. Hoeing turnips 2nd
time in the after-
noon, James helping. Jennie washing in forenoon and dressmaking
in the afternoon. Annie ironing. Annie and Mrs. Wright picking
thimbleberries. Leola Luke and Bruce McDonald called, also Mrs.
Luke. James and Annie at Greenbank in the evening.
3 – A very fine day. First threw out the sheaves in the field W of
the house, then drew a load of sweet clover into the barn yard.
Then drew in oats, James helping. Jennie at Luke’s most of the
day helping to make a dress for Mrs. Jones. Annie ironing. Bruce
McDonald here several times. Man called selling fire extinguish-
ers.
4 – A very fine day but pretty warm. Drawing in all day, James
helping. Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry market. Jennie
helping in the barn in the afternoon. Jennie and Annie at Luke’s in
the evening. Annie went with Mrs. Wright and Leola to Port Perry
with Jas. Bott.
5 – Threatening rain but none came. Drawing in all day and fin-
ished but the rakings, Jennie helping in the barn. Annie acting as
cook. Mrs. Luke, Mrs. Wright and Bruce McDonald called.
6 – Dull all day with thunder and a little rain about 3 o’clock and
on. Hoeing turnips while James raked stubble until the rain came
on. Jennie baking. Bruce McDonald here several times. Annie
and James at Port Perry in the evening.
7 – A very fine day. All hands at SS (Annie went with Mrs. Luke)
and church; 86 at SS. Rev. Mr. Lawrence of Eldon preached a
good sermon. Annie, James and Mrs. Wright at Greenbank in the
evening.
8 – A nice day; a little rain about 11 am. James finished raking
stubble while I hoed turnips, and drew in rakings (2 loads) in the
afternoon. Jennie washing. Olive Michie here most of the day.
Mrs. Wright called. Annie engages to teach Epsom school for the
year for $1000.00.
9 – A very fine day. Got up early and Jennie and Annie drove to
Port Perry. Put the horse in at S. Dusty’s and took the morning
train to Toronto. James and I drew the last of the sweet clover and
put it in a washout. Then we hoed turnips (2nd
time) and finished
the job.
10 – A very fine day, although threatening rain. Fixing line fence
between us and Ray Dusty as the horses broke through last night.
James started for the beef but as C. Phair’s beast was put in, he
brought the beef. Jennie sewing. Afternoon hoeing strawberry
patch. Annie, James and Mrs. Wright went to the ball playing at
Port Perry.
11 – Finished hoeing strawberry patch in the forenoon. Little
doing in the afternoon as it rained off and on most of the time.
Jennie sewing. Word came in the papers that James has passed the
Junior Matric and Normal entrance exams. Mrs. Luke called.
12 – Finished hoeing the strawberry patch in the forenoon. About
3:30 Willie Smith and wife came with his car and took Jennie and I
to Bobcaygeon to J.C. Mason’s cottage on Pigeon Lake. Got there
about 6:30. Annie and James at Ray Dusty’s in the evening.
13 – Annie and James keeping house and at Port Perry in the eve-
ning. Mrs. Wright called.
14 – Annie and James at SS and church; Mr. McDonald preached.
Also at Methodist church in the evening. We went to church at
Bobcaygeon in the morning and on the lake part of the afternoon.
390
15 – A fine day. Annie washing. Mrs. Luke called to phone.
Word came that John McKinnon’s youngest girl died at Belleville.
At Bobcaygeon there was little doing. Was down at Bobcaygeon
with W. Smith and Jas. Mason. Many men working on the canal
improvements.
16 – A fine day. James, with Ray Dusty’s help. Took 2 cows to
Port Perry. They weighed 2530 lbs at 4 ½ cts. per pound. Annie
also at Port Perry. James helping J. Michie to draw in P. Luke’s
millet, Mr. Luke having gone to the McKinnon funeral. At Bob-
caygeon Jennie and Mrs. Williams got up early and caught a lunge.
About 4:15 we started for home by way of Fenelon Falls and got
here about 7 pm. Willie and wife got supper here and then started
for home. L. McDonald and Peter Leask called in the evening.
17 – Dull all day. James went for the beef while I hoed the straw-
berry patch. Jennie and Annie canning corn and making pickles.
Started to plough the N field in the afternoon but rain came on
about 3 and I quit. Leola Luke called.
18 – A fine day. Fixed the line fence between here and Ray
Dusty’s again and then went to Port Perry with Jennie. Plowing in
the afternoon. Ray Dusty and wife; Marie Akhurst; Russell and
Laura Thomas; Leola Luke; Clinton Midgley; Ross Blakely and
Gordon Hall here in the evening.
19 – A fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and helping John Michie
to thresh (Jas. Blair’s machine); took about 3 hours; some he did
not thresh, thinking it not worthwhile. The turnout of grain was
rather poor. Jennie cooking crab apples. Annie went to Port Perry
after about 5 pm.
20 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and cut the Hungar-
ian grass in the afternoon. Annie went to Port Perry to meet Jessie
Bell and Miss Mildred Clare of Rochester. Expected them on the 5
o’clock train but she had to wait until the late train. James went to
Port Perry on his wheel.
21 – A very fine day. All but J.B. at SS and church; 105 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. Rev. W.A. McKay was present, also Jas.
Dusty, wife and boy. Mrs. Luke and Leola called in the evening.
22 – A fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and helping Ray Dusty
to thresh in the afternoon. Annie and Mildred Clare went to Port
Perry for Jessie’s trunk. Jennie canning corn. Leola Luke here in
the evening.
23 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and drawing in
Hungarian grass, 3 loads, James helping. Jennie making pickles
and churning. Annie and Mildred Clare at Mr. Wannamakers in
the afternoon. John Michie’s girls called. Jas. Lee, wife and girls
called in the evening. Leola Luke called twice. Louise Luke of
Oshawa was with her.
24 – A very fine day. Finished drawing in grass in the forenoon.
Plowing until about 3 when I went to help C. Phair to thresh.
James helping him awhile after dinner. Jennie washing. Jessie
Bell sewing. Annie and Mildred Clare at Port Perry for express
parcel. Leola and Louise Luke called 3 times.
25 – A very fine day. Threshing at C. Phair’s and finished at noon.
Plowing in the afternoon. Annie, Mildred Clare and Leola Luke
went to Epsom to find a boarding place when she goes there to
teach. She has arranged to board at Mrs. Waggoner’s.
26 – A fine and warm day. Plowing all day. Jennie drove Annie
and Mildred Clare to Port Perry on their way to Port Hope. James
also went to Port Perry on his wheel and stayed to see baseball
game between Stouffville and Port Perry. Stouffville won. Leola
Luke called twice.
27 – A very fine day. James harrowing in the forenoon while I
hoed the strawberry patch. Plowing in the afternoon. W. Phoenix
and C. Whitter called to consult about the Greenbank hall. Jean
Michie here all night as John and wife are gone on a visit to Agin-
court. Leola Luke called.
28 – A fine and pretty warm day. All but J.B. at SS and church;
82 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Leola Luke called in the eve-
ning.
29 – Very warm. Heavy rain about 6 am. Thunder to the N most
of the afternoon but no rain here. Plowing in the forenoon. Cut
path about corn after dinner. Alex Leask came with his corn cut-
ter; started at 4 and finished at 7. Jennie washing in forenoon and
went with Leola Luke to Greenbank for plums. James wheeled to
Port Perry. Mary Dusty came in the morning and Jessie Bell is
making her a blue silk dress.
30 – Another very warm day. Much thunder in the afternoon but
no rain here. Drawing off corn all day, James helping. James went
to Port Perry for Annie and Mildred Clare who have been on a visit
to Port Hope. Jennie preserving plums. Mary Dusty here and
Jessie Bell making her dress. Leola Luke called in the evening.
31 – A very fine day. At corn drawing and finished about 4 pm,
James helping. Jennie ironing. Annie drove over to Epsom to
commence teaching there tomorrow. Jessie Bell sewing.
SEPT. 1 – Pretty warm day. James went for the beef, a day late on
account of W. Phoenix being away at Toronto fair. I finished
digging early potatoes and cut some corn in the orchard. About 2
pm W. Smith, wife and Jessie, who has just returned from her trip
to Europe, arrived on their way to Bobcaygeon. James went with
them. Jessie B. and Mildred Clare sewing. Mrs. Wright called.
2 – Another very warm day. Plowing most of the day. Jennie
making pickles. Jessie B. and Mildred Clare sewing. Mrs. Luke
and Mrs. Wright called. Annie, Willie Smith and party came from
Bobcaygeon and got supper on their way home. Annie came home
from Epsom after 2 days teaching.
3 – Another warm dry day. Plowing all day. Jennie making shirt
for James. Annie, James and Mildred Clare at Port Perry in the
evening.
4 – Somewhat cooler. All but Jessie Bell at SS and church; 85 at
SS; Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Mrs. Wright here for supper.
Annie, James and Mildred Clare at Greenbank in the evening.
391
5 – Dull with some little rain in the afternoon. Got up early and
Jennie, James and Mildred Clare drove to the early train for To-
ronto fair; Mildred on her way home. Mary Dusty drove the horse
back and stayed all day. Jessie Bell helping her to make dress.
Mrs. Wright called. I was cutting corn in the forenoon and plow-
ing in the afternoon. After supper drove Annie to Epsom to her
school. Mary Dusty stayed all night. Had to hunt for Topsy in the
morning.
6 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jessie Bell and Mary Dusty
dressmaking. Mrs. Wright called. Mary Dusty drove the rig to
Port Perry in the evening and Jennie, James and Leola Luke drove
it home.
7 – A beautiful day. Plowing in forenoon, harrowing in afternoon.
James wheeled to Port Perry school, his first day in the 4th
form.
Mrs. Wright called and Jennie and Jessie Bell went over to Luke’s
for a cup of coffee. Jennie washing. Leola Luke called twice.
8 – A very fine day. Harrowing in the forenoon. Drawing in wood
on the stoneboat, Jennie helping. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. L. Luke called twice.
9 – A very fine and very warm day. Drawing in wood in the fore-
noon. In the afternoon went to preparatory service in the church.
A fair turnout. Mr. McDonald of Leaskdale preached. Mrs. John
McDonald and Miss Maggie Blair came in by certificate. Jennie
drove me to the meeting and then went on to Epsom for Annie.
Leola Luke called twice and Mrs. Wright once.
10 – Fine and very warm. Hoeing strawberry patch in the forenoon
and helping N. Midgley to fill silo in the afternoon. Leola Luke
called twice. Jennie scrubbing. Annie and James at Port Perry in
the evening.
11 – Another very warm day. A few drops of rain in the morning.
All but Jessie Bell at communion service at Greenbank. A fair
turnout. Mr. McDonald conducted the service. Annie and James
at Methodist church in the evening. L. Luke called.
12 – A fine day and cooler. Helping N. Midgley to fill silo and
finished at 10 am, then moved to C. Phair’s for the rest of the day.
Jennie drove Annie to her school at Epsom. James wheeled to Port
Perry school.
13 – A very fine and cool day. All day helping C. Phair to fill silo.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie and Jessie sewing.
Leola Luke here all afternoon.
14 – Dull all day and a little rain several times. Plowing the Hun-
garian grassland. Cleaned out the cistern. Jennie washing. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Leola Luke here most of the after-
noon. Mary Dusty and Fred Clark were married today.
15 – A fine day. At Phair’s silo filling and finished about 10 am.
Plowing in the afternoon. Jennie went to Port Perry in the after-
noon and then to Epsom for Annie who is getting a holiday tomor-
row on account of Port Perry fair. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. L. Luke here most of the afternoon and twice besides.
16 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. C. Gordon came
for strawberry plants. James wheeled to Port Perry school. In the
afternoon went with Annie and Leola Luke to Port Perry fair.
There was a pretty good turnout and it went off all right.
17 – Started to rain in the morning as if for a days rain, but it soon
cleared up. Moved in the stove and fixed the washing machine and
other little jobs. L. Luke called. Annie and James at Port Perry in
the evening. R. Terry and Mrs. Wright called in the evening.
18 – Cooler with some rain. At SS and church with Annie and
James; 86 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie and James at
Greenbank in the evening. About 11 pm Mrs. John Michie phoned
for Jennie to go down there as Eleanor was very ill. She stayed all
night as the girl was very bad having been in convulsions and Dr.
Mellow was called.
19 – A fine day. Cut the buckwheat in the orchard, fixed gate and
some other jobs. Jennie drove Annie and Mrs. Wright to Epsom in
the morning. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Leola Luke
called. Jennie went down to John Michie’s for the night.
20 – A very fine day. Did some small jobs. Cut part of the buck-
wheat. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jessie Bell making
Jennie a dress. Leola Luke called.
21 – Some rain through the night and several small showers during
the day. Went for the beef in the morning and a number of small
jobs. Jennie washing and churning. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Leola Luke called.
22 – A fine day. Finished cutting and shocking the buckwheat.
Jennie and Leola Luke went to Port Perry. Jessie Bell dressmak-
ing. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs. Luke called.
23 – A fine day. Digging potatoes most of the day, fair crop, rather
scabby. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Leola Luke here
most of the day finishing her new sweater. Jennie went to Epsom
for Annie. She drove Luke’s Dick horse as King is lame. In the
evening Annie, James and Leola Luke went to Alex Lee’s to a
shower for Bella who is to be married next week.
24 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes all day. James helping to
pick awhile in the afternoon. Jennie baking. Annie went to Port
Perry in the afternoon with Mrs. Ray Dusty. James and Leola
Luke went in the evening.
25 – Quite a heavy rain through the early morning but cleared up
with a high wind and cooler. All but Jessie Bell at SS and church;
94 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie and James at Green-
bank in the evening.
26 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes in the forenoon. Jennie
drove Annie to her school at Epsom. James wheeled to Port Perry
school but came home at noon to go to the school fair at Green-
bank. Jennie and I were also there. There was a large attendance
and a pretty good show. Leola Luke went with us.
27 – A very fine day. All day helping P. Luke to build new fence
around his barnyard. Jennie washing and ironing. James wheeled
to Port Perry school. Leola Luke called.
392
28 – A beautiful day. All day at the potatoes, Jennie doing the
picking up. Jessie Bell doing the cooking. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Leola Luke here most of the afternoon knitting
something. In the evening went to Port Perry for Annie Bell who
is coming for a visit. Bella Lee married today to --- Diamond.
29 – A very fine day with high SW wind. Finished digging pota-
toes, Jennie and Annie doing the picking. We then drew in 2
loads. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Leola Luke here most
of the afternoon.
30 – Cool with rain about 10:30 and some little showers. Brought
in the last of the potatoes, 2 loads, and scuffled the strawberry
patch. Jennie baking. Jennie and Annie Bell went to Epsom for
Annie. Leola Luke called twice.
OCT. 1 – A fine cool day. All hands took out the top of the pump
at the house and found it needed a new sucker so I went to work
and made one, James helping. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon
for a leather for sucker and got the pump working again
before supper. Jennie scrubbing etc. Annie and Annie Bell pick-
ing up the fallen apples. James, Annie and A. Bell at Port Perry in
the evening.
2 – Dull with a drizzle of rain in the evening. At SS and church
with Jennie, Annie and James. 105 at SS. Miss ---, a retired mis-
sionary from China, spoke. No one out in the evening.
3 – A little rain in the morning and about 4 pm. Drove Annie to
Epsom, Leola Luke going with us. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. In the afternoon helping Jennie and Annie Bell to pick and
pack apples for Winnipeg. Did not get along very fast as the ap-
ples are a very poor quality and not very plentiful. Mrs. Wright
called.
4 – Much cooler with NW wind. Helping Jennie and Annie Bell to
pick and pack apples in the forenoon and in the afternoon went
with the waggon to Port Perry with 2 barrels of apples for Winni-
peg and 2 boxes for Edinburgh. It cost $9.24 to send the 2 barrels
to Winnipeg and $9.70 the boxes to Scotland. Jennie and A.B.
picking in the afternoon. Jessie Bell cooking. James wheeled to
Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright called.
5 – Cooler. Plowing corn stubble all day. Jennie washing. Jessie
Bell and Annie Bell knitting. James wheeled to Port Perry to the
high school sports. Mrs. Luke called.
6 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. Jennie and Annie Bell went
to Port Perry in the forenoon. Jessie Bell doing the cooking.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright called.
7 – Rain through the night and nearly all day. Little doing. James
drove to Port Perry school. Annie did not get home. Norman
Midgley called in the forenoon.
8 – Quite cool all day. Plowing all day. Jennie cleaning up.
James and Annie Bell at Port Perry in the evening. Jessie Bell at
John Michie’s in the afternoon.
9 – Rain through the night and some snow (the first of the season)
in the forenoon. Mrs. Wright called. All hands at SS and church;
86 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Mrs. D. McDonald fainted in
church. James, Annie and Annie Bell at Greenbank in the evening.
Mrs. E. Phoenix died this morning.
10 – Rain again during the night and nearly all forenoon. Annie
Bell drove Annie to Epsom school, the first time she ever drove a
horse alone. I drove James to Port Perry school in the democrat.
Plowing in the afternoon. Jennie making shirt for me. Mrs.
Wright called.
11 – Dull morning. Annie Bell drove Jessie Bell to Port Perry on
her way to Newcastle. Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Luke were here when
they started away and took a picture of them. Jennie churning.
James went to Port Perry school. He rode with Keith and Mable
McMillan and stayed at Dusty’s all night as it turned out a very wet
night. I was plowing till about 3 o’clock when the rain came on.
Mrs. Wright came for the mail.
Photo of Jessie Bell and Annie Bell
12 – A fine day. Plowing all day. James wheeled home from Port
Perry school. Jennie making me a shirt. Rev. Mr. McDonald
called in the afternoon but I did not see him. Annie Bell at John
Michie’s in the afternoon. In the evening attended meeting in the
hall at Greenbank about a community hall. Not very many out.
Trustees were appointed to hold and control the hall as follows W.
Phoenix; G.A. McMillan; E. Jamison; Blake Cragg; and R. Michie.
Mrs. E. Phoenix’s funeral was to have been today but was put off
to let Ed come from the west. Cistern fell in this morning.
13 – Cool in the morning but a fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie
washing. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie Bell went
with Mrs. Wright to Port Perry in our democrat. Mrs. Wright
called in the evening. James and Annie Bell went to Greenbank
for the beef in the evening, this being the last of the season, and the
annual meeting.
14 – A very fine day. All forenoon repairing cistern which caved
in lately and drew in 4 loads of mangolds in the afternoon, James
helping. There was no school today on account of teachers con-
vention at Peterborough. Annie Bell went to Epsom for Annie and
Leola Luke.
393
15 – A very fine day. Drew in one load of mangolds, 1 load of
wood and 1 load of corn, James helping. In the afternoon went to
trustee meeting of hall. W. Phoenix, G.A. McMillan, E. Jamison
and I present and we talked over the repairs needed to the old
Anglican church. Jennie went with me and visited Mrs. W.
O’Neill and we both got supper there. James, Annie and Annie
Bell at Port Perry in the evening. A beautiful night.
16 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 99 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Annie and Annie Bell went to W. O’Neill’s
for tea and James drove up for them in the evening.
17 – Dull and foggy in the morning and very threatening most of
the day with some sharp lightning but only a few drops of rain
here. Annie Bell drove Annie to Epsom, Leola Luke going with
them. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie washing.
Plowed awhile in the morning but when it started to thunder we got
in one load of buckwheat before dinner. P. Luke helped to finish
after noon, 3 ½ loads in all. Jennie and A. Bell at Luke’s in the
evening. Cyler Whitter and Ed Phoenix (who came from Sask. to
his mother’s funeral) called to get me to sign deed of hall.
18 – High SW wind, some thunder but only a few drops here.
Plowing all day. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie and
Mrs. Wright went to missionary meeting in the church in the after-
noon and Jennie and Annie Bell went to chicken pie social in
Methodist church in the evening.
19 – Dull. Plowing in the forenoon. Started to rain about 11 and
drizzled all afternoon. Mrs. Wright called. James wheeled to Port
Perry school but did not come home. He stayed at Roy O’Neill’s.
20 – Plowing until about 10:30 when it started to rain from the NE.
Plowing in the afternoon but it was rainy. Annie Bell knitting.
Jas. Lee came for apples. James came home from Port Perry
school with Keith McMillan.
21 – Cool. Plowing all day. Jennie baking. Annie Bell went to
Epsom for Annie. James at Port Perry school. Annie and Annie
Bell at W. Thomas’. Mrs. Wright called. Jennie and A. B. called
at Lukes.
22 – Cool and rather rough with high NW wind. Plowing all day.
James wheeled to Port Perry to get money from the bank for An-
nie. All John Michie’s family here in the afternoon while they
were at Port Perry. Jennie at Luke’s in the evening. Mrs. Wright
called twice. No one went to Port Perry as the night was rough
with high wind.
23 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 94 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Annie Bell sang a solo. James, Annie and A.
Bell at Greenbank in the evening.
24 – Rather a dull day. Plowing all day in N field. Annie Bell
drove Annie to Epsom school. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Jennie washing. Mrs. Wright called.
25 – A very fine day. Finished plowing N field and started the
buckwheat patch E of the orchard. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Jennie ironing. Mrs. Akhurst and Marie and Mrs. Wright
called. Jennie and Annie Bell at Luke’s in the evening.
26 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. After dinner, with
Jennie, went with Peter Leask, Mrs. Leask and Mrs. Wright to
Woodville to the conference in the church there. They have a fine
new church there and the meetings in the afternoon and evening
were large. McKenzie, Robinson and Young spoke in the after-
noon and McKenzie and Young in the evening and fine addresses
they were. The others from Greenbank were Jas. S. Leask; Nettie
Leask; Mrs. Edgar Leask; Mary Real and Olive Real. Got home at
12 o’clock. Fine roads. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs.
Luke called. Annie Bell keeping house.
27 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Jennie took Annie Bell and her trunk to Port Perry
on her way to Toronto. She is to stay at Brooklin tonight. Mrs.
Wright and Eva Luke called.
28 – Dull day. Plowing sod all day. Jennie drove to Epsom for
Annie. James wheeled to Port Perry school. James at Midgley’s in
the evening. Mrs. Wright and Eva Luke called.
29 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. In the afternoon
drove with Jennie to Willie Smith’s at Columbus to see Barbara
who has been in bed ill for three weeks. Got there at dusk (good
roads) and found Barbara some better. The Dr. called it intestinal
grippe, something like typhoid fever. Annie Mason and Jessie
were there also. Mrs. Wright called. Annie and James at Port
Perry in the evening and Leola Luke stayed all night. Mr. Clifford
chosen Liberal candidate in South Ontario.
30 – A fine day. Went with Willie Smith and wife and Jessie
Smith to SS and church. Rev. Mr. Fraser preached from the book
of Jonah. Got home about 9 pm. Annie and James at SS and
church at Greenbank and at Greenbank again in the evening. Rev.
Mr. [?] of Lindsay preached in the afternoon.
31 – Plowing until about 11 when rain came on. Jennie drove
Annie to Epsom in the morning. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Cleaned out the hen house in the afternoon and helped P.
Luke to put in his implements. Jennie cleaned the hen roosts. Mrs.
John Michie called.
NOV. 1 – Rather raw. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. But about 2 o’clock a phone call
came from Mrs. (Dr.) Mellow saying James was there with a badly
sprained ankle. Jennie drove after him. He sprained his ankle
while vaulting and will be laid up for a time. Mrs. Wright called.
2 – Fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. Topping turnips which are
very poor; very few but are more or less rotten. Jennie picking
chickens. James nursing his ankle. Mrs. Wright called. In the
evening went to Port Perry taking P. Luke to the UFO political
meeting. The hall was packed. The speakers were Mrs. Cronk;
Mr. Chapman, the UFO candidate; and Premier Drury. Drury
pretty good, Chapman no good.
3 – Plowing in the forenoon while Jennie went to Port Perry taking
James to the Dr. who says it is doing all right. Topping turnips in
394
the afternoon. Rain came on about the middle of the afternoon.
Leola Luke called.
4 – Dull. Plowing until about 4 when the rain that had been drop-
ping nearly all day started in earnest. James drove for Annie.
Leola Luke called twice.
5 – Rather cold and freezing some. Finished picking apples and
plowed in the forenoon and in the afternoon went to Port Perry for
a load of metal shingles for the hall at Greenbank. Leola Luke
called twice. Annie went to Port Perry in the evening with Mrs.
Wright.
6 – Hard frost and pretty cold. All but James at SS and church;
105 at SS. Several thanksgiving visitors. Mr. McDonald
preached. Annie went home with Peter Leask for supper.
7 – Thanksgiving Day. About an inch of snow on the ground in
the morning and pretty cold all day. Plowing sod in the forenoon.
Harrowed up the turnips and got in two loads in the afternoon, the
worst sample I ever took in; hardly a turnip but was more or less
rotten. Jennie making dress for Annie. Blanche and Gladys Luke
who are home for Thanksgiving called, also Leola and Bruce
McDonald. Jennie, Annie and James at Luke’s in the evening.
Freezing pretty hard in the evening.
8 – A fine but cold day. Jennie drove Annie to Epsom in the fore-
noon while I did a number of chores and John Michie came up and
helped to fix the pump at the barn. He stayed for dinner. After
dinner went to Port Perry for the last of the shingles for the Green-
bank hall.
9 – Snowing from the E all day and winter looking for sure. Did
several jobs; swept the stable. Mrs. Wright called. Expected the
threshing machine but did not come.
10 – Somewhat dull. James Blair’s threshing machine got here in
time to get into the barn (which was bad to do as it was very slip-
pery) before dinner and threshed all afternoon. John Michie; N.
Midgley; P. Luke; Ray Dusty; Harold Bayley. Mr. Haffey was
with J. Blair.
11 – Dull. Threshing about 1 ½ hours, then they moved to P.
Luke’s and finished about 4 pm. James went to Epsom for Annie.
Mrs. Wright called in the evening.
12 – Dull and cold. Threshing all day at C. Phair’s. Annie and
Mrs. Wright at Port Perry in the evening.
13 – A fine but cold day. All hands at SS and church; 87 at SS.
Mr. McDonald preached on the Woodville convention.
14 – Dull with a little snow in the morning which turned to a fine
rain. Got up early and Jennie took James to Port Perry school for
the week. He is to stay at Roy O’Neill’s. She then drove Annie to
Epsom while I went to C. Phair’s threshing and finished in about 1
½ hours work. Put on storm windows and doors in the afternoon.
Mrs. Wright called.
15 – Dull with a little snow in the morning. Helping Jennie to
wash in the forenoon. Drew in one more load of turnips (picked
out of the snow and very poor stuff). Jennie drove to the W.M.
meeting in the church taking Mrs. Wright and Mrs. John Michie.
16 – A fine day and mild. Drawing out manure on next seasons
strawberry patch and plowed it under in the afternoon. Mrs.
Wright called.
17 – Very dull and foggy all day. Drawing in turnips; 3 ½ loads,
which finishes the job; 6 loads in all, the poorest crop ever grown
on the place as far as my memory goes. Jennie housecleaning.
Mrs. Wright called.
18 – Very dull. Plowing sod until about 10:30 when rain came on.
Plowing again in the afternoon. Jennie went to Epsom for Annie.
Leola Luke came home with them. James came home with P.
Luke. Mrs. Wright called in the evening.
19 – Dull with some rain in the afternoon. Plowing sod and fin-
ished except where there is a bad washout. Jennie and Annie at
Port Perry in the forenoon. Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke called.
20 – A fine day. After we had gone to bed last night about 12:30
Willie, who has been out in Sask. since spring, came home. All
hands at SS and church; 112 at SS; Rev. Mr. McDonald preached.
Marie Akhurst came home with us for supper and Annie, Willie
and her went to Greenbank in the evening.
21 – A rather dull day. Willie drove James to Port Perry school
and Annie to Epsom while I filled in washout below the hill.
Drawing in corn in the afternoon, Willie helping. Jennie washing.
Leola Luke called twice and Mrs. Luke.
22 – A little snow in the afternoon. Drawing in corn all day and
finished, Willie helping. Jennie ironing. Mrs. Luke called in the
afternoon. Nominations for Dominion election.
23 – Pretty cold E wind. Drew out straw and covered the straw-
berry patch, Willie helping. Helping to pick chickens in the after-
noon. Jennie and Willie also at it. Ray Dusty and Mrs. Wright
called.
24 – Cold and raw with E wind and a little rain. Jennie and Willie
went to Port Perry market with chickens while I did a few little
chores. Leola Luke called in the afternoon. Willie away in the
evening. Ray Dusty came for the waggon and rack.
25 – Milder. Most of the day repairing cattle stable floor. Willie
went to Epsom for Annie. James came home from Port Perry with
Ray Dusty. Leola Luke called. Willie, Annie and James at Luke’s
in the evening.
26 – Cold, dull and snowing a little from the E. Little done but the
chores. Clinton Midgley here in the afternoon and he and the boys
were skating on the pond. Annie at Port Perry in the evening with
Mrs. Wright.
27 – Raw with a little rain which froze as it fell. All hands at SS
and church; 115 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. I went to the
Methodist SS on invitation and taught the Bible class; 16 were
present. Annie and Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
395
28 – Rather dull and raw with E wind. Willie drove James to Port
Perry school and Annie to Epsom. Jennie washing. R. Terry
called in the forenoon. Mrs. Wright also called. Helping P. Luke
in the afternoon to build fence on N side of lane. Willie and Leola
Luke at doings at Sonya in the evening.
29 – Raw damp sort of day. All day at P. Luke’s helping to fence.
Willie at Port Perry in the forenoon. Willie and Leola Luke at
party at Saintfield in the evening.
30 – Another very dull day. All day helping P. Luke to build
fence. Jennie and Willie picking chickens. Mrs. Luke and Mrs.
Wright called.
DEC. 1 – A mild day. Making fence on N side of lane near Luke’s
gate, Willie helping. Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning with
chickens. In the evening went with Jennie and Willie to UFO
meeting in new hall. There was a pretty good turnout. Chapman,
the candidate; a Mr. Percival; Mr. Reesor; and another man spoke.
2 – Rainy almost all day and little doing. Jennie whitewashed the
kitchen ceiling and Willie varnished the stovepipes. Willie drove
to Epsom for Annie and James from Port Perry. In the evening
(which was dark and stormy) to Liberal meeting in the hall. The
candidate Mr. Clifford; Mr. Sinclair and Mr. Mobray spoke. A fair
turnout and rather a quiet meeting. Margin note: Birthday, 64.
3 – Some cold and blustery. Finished the fencing. Leola Luke
called.
4 – A milder day. All hands at SS and church; 108 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Willie and Annie at Greenbank in the eve-
ning.
5 – Somewhat cold. Willie drove Annie to Epsom and James to
Port Perry schools while I cleaned up the rubbish from the lane
fence. Jennie washing. Leola Luke called in the afternoon. James
wheeled home the first time since he had his ankle sprained. Wil-
lie away in the evening.
6 – A fine day but pretty cold. Went with Jennie to Greenbank in
the morning, it being Dominion election, and voted for Clifford,
the Liberal candidate. Willie went to Port Perry with 12 bags of
oats and got them ground. James wheeled to Port Perry school. P.
Luke came over to hear the election news but no word came while
he was here.
7 – A fine but rather cold day. Got election returns which gave the
Liberals 122, Progressive 60, Con. 51, and Labour 2, which means
the defeat of the government. Drew in some wood with the stone-
boat, Jennie helping, while Willie drew 2 loads of gravel for road
work. James wheeled to Port Perry school. In the afternoon went
with Jennie to Mrs. Beatty’s funeral which was held from J.H.
Leask’s. Mrs. B. died at her son’s in Michigan. Mr. McDonald
conducted the service and there was a fair turnout.
8 – Rather a fine but cold day. Cut some wood at the woodshed.
Willie drew 2 loads of gravel for road work. James wheeled to
Port Perry school. Leola Luke called. Mr. Luke called in the
morning to get the democrat to go to Sonya. Willie away in the
evening.
9 – A fine day. Went down to John Michie’s in the morning for a
piece of pork. Willie went to McMillan’s pit for a load of gravel
but on the sideroad near the 10th
concession he got off the waggon
to turn back a wild steer of R. Woon’s, the horses ran away and
came home alone (nothing broke). Willie went to Epsom for An-
nie and I went with him to the preparatory service at the church.
About the usual number out. Rev. Mr. Monroe of Cannington
preached. Rode home with John Michie. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. In the evening went to a hall trustee meeting and did
not get home until after midnight. Leola Luke called.
10 – Very dull and raw. Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry in the
morning. In the afternoon cut elm tree at line fence that blew
down, Willie helping. Annie, Willie, James and Leola Luke skat-
ing in the evening near the new road.
11 – A fine day and mild with some rain in the evening. Went
with Jennie to communion service at Wick. Mr. McDonald
preached. There was not a very good turnout of the Greenbank
people. We got dinner at the manse. Annie, Willie and James at
church in the evening. Mrs. John Michie, Ruth, Eleanor and Bob
stayed here while John was away at church. Leola Luke called.
12 – A fine day. Annie did not go to her school at Epsom as she
was unwell but Willie drove her over in the afternoon. Willie drew
another load of gravel which finishes our road work for this year.
Jennie washing. James wheeled to Port Perry school. In the after-
noon went with John Michie to the hall at Greenbank where we
lifted up the seats in the centre and south side of the old church.
Leola Luke called. Willie away in the evening.
13 – Fine with cold E wind. Attending Presbytery meeting at
Lindsay. Willie drove me to Seagrave in the morning and came to
Blackwater for me in the evening. The principal business was the
budget and the ministers salary. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Willie skating in the evening.
14 – Another pretty cold day. Went to Port Perry in the morning to
pay taxes. Willie went to Port Perry also with P. Luke’s team for a
lamb for Mr. Luke. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie
helping John Michie to feed in the afternoon. Mrs. Wright and
Leola Luke called.
15 – A sharp but very fine day. Finished cutting tree at line fence.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. This is Port Perry Christmas
396
Fair but no one from here attended. Willie went to the concert in
the evening. Leola Luke called.
16 – Dull, with a little snow and then rain in the evening. Little
doing but the chores. Willie went to Epsom for Annie, taking Mrs.
Luke who is going to McDonald’s. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Annie, Willie, James and Leola Luke at dance in the
community hall at Greenbank, the 1st
held there.
17 – Very dull with rain nearly all day. Willie drove Annie to
Epsom as she had to be at practice for their Christmas tree. Little
doing.
18 – A high SW wind started during the night and continued all
day with snow. Not so very cold but a terrible day. SS and church
were called off so we were home all day.
19 – Mild day after the storm which did much damage some
places. Willie started to drive James to Port Perry school but he fell
in with G.A. McMillan who took him on. James is staying at town
this week. Helping Jennie to wash in the forenoon. Willie helping
John Michie to cut feed in the afternoon. Mrs. Wright called.
20 – Mild day. Willie helping John Michie in the forenoon. Elea-
nor here all afternoon. Jennie helping Luke’s to pick geese. Willie
at Saintfield Christmas tree in the evening.
21 – Down to about zero in the morning and pretty sharp all day.
Little doing. Just before dinner came Walter Bratley of Prince
Albert, Sask., who has been in the Mounted Police force for many
years. Clinton Midgley, Leola Luke and Mrs. Wright called.
Willie went to High School concert at Port Perry in the evening.
22 – Rather cold day. Little doing except Jennie who was baking.
Walter B. went down to John Michie’s. Willie went to Port Perry
for James. The school is now closed for Christmas. In the evening
went with Walter B. and James to the Union Christmas tree in the
Methodist church. There was a very full house and the programme
good, C. Milne being director and did it well.
23 – A fine day. Little doing. Willie drove Walter Bratley to Port
Perry on his way home and then went to Epsom for Annie. Jennie
went to John Michie’s to keep house while they were at Port Perry.
Mrs. Wright called. Boys at N. Midgley’s in the evening. Settled
up with P. Luke.
24 – Cold day. Willie and Annie went to Port Perry in the morning
and brought home a new heating stove. Jennie baking and scrub-
bing etc. Mrs. Wright called. Willie helping P. Luke to cut feed in
the afternoon. Willie, Annie and James at Port Perry in the eve-
ning. Annie Bell came home with them.
25 – Christmas day. About zero in the morning. All hands at SS
and church; Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Annie Bell sang a
solo. In the evening Roy Hart of Epsom called and took Annie and
Annie Bell to church at Greenbank. Willie went somewhere also.
26 – A fine mild day. Cooking in the forenoon. John Michie, wife
and all the family, and W. O’Neill and wife came for dinner and
stayed until about 8 pm. A big day. Willie hitched up the team
and took most of them for a sleigh ride. Willie, James and Annie
Bell at Port Perry in the evening, the new skating rink being
opened tonight.
27 – Some snow about noon but fine after. Little doing but Jennie
washing. Willie drove Annie Bell to Port Perry to the early train.
Mrs. Wright called.
28 – Rather a fine day. Willie took 11 bags of oats to Port Perry to
be ground but did not get them home. In the evening at the annual
SS meeting with Jennie. There was a fair turnout. Jas. Blair was
chosen superintendant but it is doubtful if he will act. Money
matters are in good condition. R. Terry and Mrs. Wright called in
the evening.
29 – Cold and pretty rough in the morning. Willie went for the
meal at Port Perry. R. Terry visited us in the afternoon. Annie,
Willie and James at party at Howard McMillan’s in the evening.
No mail today as there was an accident on the RR somewhere
about Myrtle.
30 – Pretty cold in the morning. Jennie and Annie drove to Port
Perry, left the horse, and went to Toronto for some clothing for
Annie. Little done at home but the chores. Mrs. Wright called.
Jennie and Annie got home about 10.
31 – Mild but some rough with snow. Went over to P. Luke’s and
bought a wood lot for $15.00, then we were all at John Michie’s
for New Year’s dinner and supper. W. O’Neill and wife were also
there. Annie and Willie went to Port Perry in the evening to meet
Annie Bell.
1922
JAN. 1 – A very rough cold day. All hands at SS and church.
Election of teachers in SS which passed off pretty well. C.
Gordon, vice super. in the chair. Rev. Mr. McDonald preached.
Annie Bell sang a solo. Annie and Annie Bell at John Michie’s for
tea and Willie and the girls away in the evening. G.W. Michie of
Sask. came to Blackwater last night.
2 – 10 below zero in the morning but rather a fine day. Willie
drove Annie Bell to the 12 o’clock train at Port Perry. G.W. Mi-
chie came after dinner and stayed until after 9. Went to Greenbank
in the afternoon to the municipal election. Weir and Johnson for
reeve; and McMillan and Cook for deputy reeve. (Weir and
McMillan elected). James skating at new road. P. Luke came over
in the evening to hear the election news. Word comes that Fred
O’Neill’s little girl Myrtle has died, diphtheria the cause. Annie,
Willie and James at Port Perry in the evening to the opening of the
new skating rink.
3 – A fine day. Willie drove Annie to Epsom in the morning.
James did not go to school. At Port Perry in the afternoon with the
buggy. Leola Luke called.
4 – Snowing most of the forenoon. In the forenoon drove the
cutter (the first time of the season) to the annual church meeting.
There was not a very large turnout. Rev. Mr. [Bennie?] of Ux-
bridge made a plea for the rise in minister’s salary from $15.00 to
$18.00. After discussion it was decided to let the question lay for
397
three weeks. Edgar Leask, C. Stone and Howard McMillan were
chosen managers. Leola Luke went with me to W. Real’s for
music lesson. James drove to Port Perry school.
5 – Freezing a little with high wind and a few flakes of snow.
James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie and I were invited to P.
Lukes for dinner of roast goose etc. Mrs. Luke’s sister Mrs. Singer
of Niagara was the guest of honor. Leola Luke called twice.
6 – A fine day and mild. James drove to Port Perry school. Cut-
ting wood (1st
time) in P. Luke’s swamp. Willie doing chores. L.
Luke called. James went from P.P. to Epsom for Annie. They got
supper at Dusty’s and went to the hockey match in the rink be-
tween P.P. and Uxbridge. Uxbridge wins 4-2.
7 – A very fine day. Cutting wood all day in Luke’s swamp.
Willie drew up two loads of wood cut last spring but had to quit as
the horses could not stand on account of ice. Leola Luke called.
Annie, Willie, James and Leola Luke skating at the new road in the
evening.
8 – Rather a fine winter day. Some snow in the evening. All
hands at SS and church; 61 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Not
the usual turnout as the diphtheria scare kept some at home. R.
Hart called after supper and took Annie to church at Port Perry and
from there to Epsom. Willie away somewhere in the evening.
9 – Fine until about 4 pm when it started to snow. James wheeled
to Port Perry school. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp all day.
Jennie and Willie washing. L. Luke called. She is 16 years of age
today.
10 – A very fine day. Cutting wood all day in Luke’s swamp.
Willie doing the chores. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Exams in French on today. L. Luke called. Boys away skating in
the evening.
11 – Rather raw with E wind and a little snow in the afternoon.
Cutting wood all day in Luke’s swamp. James did not go to school
as the exams today did not apply to him. Word came by phone that
Annie was sick and Willie drove over to Epsom for her. She ap-
pears to have an attack of grippe. Mrs. Jas. S. Lee and girls here
for dinner while Jim was at Port Perry. Willie went to Jas. Bott’s
for 100 lbs. beef. Mrs. Wright called.
12 – Pretty cold day. Cutting wood all day in Luke’s swamp.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie choring. Annie in bed.
After dinner called up Dr. D. Archer who came out and called the
trouble grippe. Willie skating in the evening.
13 – A fine day, a little bit of snow after dinner. Cutting wood all
day in Luke’s swamp. Willie choring. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Annie out of bed in the evening.
14 – Rough with high SW wind. Cutting wood all day in Luke’s
swamp. Willie went to Port Perry in the forenoon and he and
James were skating at the new road in the afternoon and Willie
back again in the evening.
15 – Very rough and getting colder towards night. Jennie, James
and I drove to SS and church. Willie went over to Luke’s to drive
them up but it got very rough just then and they did not go. 80 at
SS. W. Hill gave a report of his experiences at the boys conven-
tion at Lindsay. Mr. Howell, representing the Christian Brother-
hood, preached. Very rough coming home. Willie away in the
evening.
16 – A rather fine day with a little snow in the afternoon. Cutting
wood all day in Luke’s swamp. Willie drove James to Port Perry
school in the morning and in the afternoon drove Annie to Epsom
and then to Port Perry and brought James home.
17 – A very fine day. Cutting wood all day in Luke’s swamp.
Jennie and Willie washing. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Jennie at W.M. meeting in the church and Willie playing hockey at
the new road. Ray Dusty got his face hurt. Willie skating in the
evening. L. Luke called.
18 – Fine in the forenoon, a little snow in the afternoon. Went
down to John Michie’s in the morning McHaffy’s grinder and
expected him to come up to grind but he did not come. Cutting
wood all day in Luke’s swamp. Willie drawing it up to the house.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Clarence O’Neill arrested for
taking straw and is in Whitby coop.
19 – Fine but got rough towards evening. Cutting wood all day in
Luke’s swamp. Willie drawing it home. James did not go to
school as he was not feeling well. Jennie went to Port Perry with
John Michie.
20 – A fine day. Drew up two loads of wood from Luke’s swamp
when Mr. McHaffy came with his engine and ground oats until
near 6 pm. Willie went to Epsom for Annie. James wheeled to
Port Perry school. Annie, Willie, James and Leola Luke at dance
in hall at Greenbank.
21 – A very fine day. Mr. McHaffy came up and we cut corn all
forenoon. Willie took the engine home and then Willie, James and
I went to the hockey match at the new road between Victoria Cor-
ners and Greenbank. This is the first hockey game I ever saw. The
teams were very evenly divided; each side scored 3 goals. Willie
and Annie at Port Perry in the evening. L. Luke called. [Margin
note: Pope died].88
22 – Very high wind through the night and a blizzard all forenoon,
then a little milder with snow in the afternoon. No SS or church
(called off). Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
23 – Below zero in the morning and very cold all day. Willie
drove Annie to Epsom taking James to Port Perry school and
brought Jean Graham over with him from Epsom. Miss G. got
dinner and Jennie and her went over to Luke’s for tea and Willie
drove J.G. to P. Leask’s in the evening. Willie and P. Luke went to
Port Perry in the afternoon to hear the C. O’Neill trial but it did not
come off. L. Luke called. Pump at house frozen and all day trying
to thaw it out but did not succeed.
24 – Below zero in the morning and very cold all day. Little doing
but the chores. James drove to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
88
Pope Benedict XV.
398
Ray Dusty came for a bag of potatoes. Willie, James and Leola
Luke at hockey match at Port Perry. P.P. against Markham.
Markham wins 9 to 5.
25 – A very fine day. Willie drawing wood from Luke’s swamp
while I was cutting some. Jennie washing. James drove to Port
Perry school. Greenbank played Seagrave at hockey and won 4-0.
26 – Below zero in the morning but a very fine bright day. Draw-
ing wood from Luke’s swamp most of the day. James drove to
Port Perry school. L. Luke here for tea. Willie went with F. Lee to
Sonya carnival.
27 – About 8 below zero in the morning but a very fine day. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie took 3 pigs to Seagrave, 600
lbs. @ $11.50 = 69. Drawing home wood in the afternoon. Mrs.
Wright called. Willie and James went to Uxbridge (by way of
Epsom to get Annie) to the hockey match Port Perry against Ux-
bridge.
28 – A very fine day. Sawing wood all day in Luke’s swamp,
Willie helping. Annie and Mrs. Wright went to Port Perry with the
cutter. L. Luke called and C. Midgley.
29 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. Drove the sleigh
taking Mrs. Luke, Leola and Mrs Wright; 108 at SS; Mr. McDon-
ald preached. Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Horne from Sask. came home
with us and stayed all night. We had a great talk. R. Hart came
and took Annie to church and left her at Epsom. Willie at Green-
bank. 26th
anniversary of wedding.
30 – A very fine day. Drove Edgar Horne and wife to J.M. Real’s.
Willie went to Port Perry with P. Luke to hear C. O’Neill’s trial but
it was put off for another week. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Cutting wood with saw in the afternoon. It being an extra
fine day Jennie and Mrs. Wright walked to Greenbank and visited
Mrs. D. McDonald and Mrs. Walker. I went up in the evening to
the adjoined meeting in the church to consider the raising of the
minister’s salary. The meeting was not very large and the discus-
sion was not to put it up to $18.00 or to ask for augmentation.
31 – Another beautiful day. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Cutting wood all day in Luke’s swamp, Willie helping. Jennie and
Mrs. Wright visiting in the afternoon at Ray Dusty’s and John
Michie’s. Willie at hockey match at Uxbridge. Uxbridge vs.
Markham; Uxbridge wins 4-2. Mrs. Wright called.
FEB. 1 – Somewhat dull with rain from the S in the evening.
Drawing up wood from Luke’s swamp all day. Jennie churning.
James wheeled to Port Perry school and stayed at R. O’Neill’s all
night as there is a carnival at the rink tonight.
2 – Rain through the night which turned to snow in the afternoon
and quite rough. Jennie went to Port Perry with John Michie.
Little doing but the chores.
3 – Not too fine, some snow. Drew the last of the wood from P.
Luke’s swamp and the elm tree at the line fence. James wheeled to
Port Perry school. Annie got a ride home from Epsom with Peter
Leask. Willie, Annie and James at choir practice at the church in
the evening.
4 – Some snow and a little rough but not very cold. Willie and I
went down to John Michie’s and got three little pigs @ $5.00 each.
In the afternoon Willie took Annie to Port Perry to select library
book for the Sunday School. She stayed for supper while Willie
came home and he and James went back to Port Perry again in the
evening. Clinton Midgley called.
5 – Fine day. All hands at SS and church; 97 at SS; Mr. McDon-
ald preached. Ed Luke called in the forenoon. R. Hart called in
the evening and took Annie to Epsom. Willie somewhere in the
evening.
6 – A fine day. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie went
to Port Perry with P. Luke to hear the C. O’Neill trial and did not
get home until about 3:30. Clarence was discharged. Helping
Jennie to wash in the forenoon. Mrs. Wright called.
7 – Pretty cold all day. Threw back the wood in the shed in the
forenoon and in the afternoon drew up dry wood from Luke’s, the
wood that was cut last spring. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Willie and James at orchestra practice at Greenbank in the evening.
8 – A very fine day. Drawing up dry wood to the shed in the fore-
noon. In the afternoon M. McHaffy came with his sawing machine
and cut until about 5:30. Clarence O’Neill was with him. John
Michie; P. Luke; and Willie helping. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Jennie drove the buggy (splendid roads) to Port Perry.
Mrs. Wright called. Willie at Sonya in the evening skating.
9 – A very fine day. Cutting wood with McHaffy’s mill and fin-
ished in an hours run after dinner, J. Michie and P. Luke helping.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie and Clinton Midgley
skating on the Nonquon creek in the afternoon. Mrs. Wright
called.
10 – Rather cold. Finished drawing up the dry wood into the shed
in the forenoon. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie went
to Epsom for Annie. Charles Gordon and wife and Clinton Midg-
ley here in the evening. Charley had his snare drum and we had a
great musical evening. Mrs. Wright called.
11 – Fine in the forenoon but got rough towards night. Piling
wood in the orchard, Willie helping. The boys and C. Midgley
skating on the creek in the afternoon. Annie went to the church to
arrange the new library books in the afternoon. In the evening the
boys went to Port Perry while I went to Greenbank to a meeting of
the hall trustees held at P. Phoenix’s. W. Phoenix, G.A. McMillan,
B. Cragg and I were there and we are hoping that things are now in
better shape.
12 – A bitter cold E wind which turned to snow in the evening. All
but Jennie (who is almost laid up with a bad leg) at SS and church;
108 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Church not warm enough.
Willie away in the evening.
13 – A very fine but rather cold day. Willie drove Annie to Epsom
school. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright came
over about 10 o’clock to get Jennie to make her some waists and
stayed until about 5:30 while I was splitting and piling wood in the
orchard. Willie and James at party at Lee Wagner’s at Epsom.
399
14 – A fine day. Piling wood in orchard. Mrs. Wright went to Port
Perry and Jennie went with her and she was here in the afternoon
sewing. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Assessor Brown
called. In the evening Jennie and I went to the hockey game at
Port Perry between Port Perry and Moss Park team Toronto. It was
a good game. P.P. won by 8 to 5. This is the first time that I was
inside the new rink and it looks good. Willie and James at orches-
tra practice at Greenbank.
15 – A very fine day. Went with John Michie to Greenbank and
took up the rest of the seats in the community hall. James wheeled
to Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright called.
16 – Very cold, below zero in the morning. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Willie drove to Pleasant Point to ask the Gilson
brothers to play at the dance to be held in the hall tomorrow night.
In the evening all at oyster supper at John Michie’s in honor of
G.W. Michie of Sask. P. Luke and wife; Mrs. Wright; A. Akhurst,
wife and Marie; W. Thomas and wife and Laura; W. O’Neill and
wife and Willie; Ray Dusty and wife; Jim Dusty and wife were
there. [margin note: Mona Boe married].
17 – Very cold in the morning but got a little milder but raw with
high SW wind. Piled up some wood in the forenoon and in the
afternoon went to Mrs. James Miller’s funeral in the Methodist
church. Rev. Mr. Wilkison conducted the service. There was a
fair turnout. The bearers were J. Blair; R. Flewell; J.M. Real; R.
Cragg; Isaac Beare and myself. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Willie at Greenbank preparing for the party. In the eve-
ning Willie and James at dance in community hall in Greenbank.
Annie came over from Epsom and came home with them after the
show was over. They say it was quite a success.
18 – Much milder and thawing a little. Willie went to Greenbank
in the morning to clean up after the dance. G.W. Michie of Sask.
came before dinner and stayed until about 5 pm. P. Luke came
over and we had a great talk. Annie went to Port Perry with Mrs.
Wright. In the evening Annie making lunch box for box social to
be held next week.
19 – A little snow through the night but the afternoon was soft and
the evening rain with some thunder. All hands at SS and church
(drove the sleigh); 110 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Willie
away somewhere in the evening. Very dark night.
20 – Colder again. Willie drove Annie to her school at Epsom and
brought Leola Luke home. Roads pretty icy. James wheeled to
Port Perry school. Piling and splitting wood in the orchard. Mrs.
Wright called.
21 – A beautiful day. Splitting wood in the forenoon, Willie help-
ing. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Afternoon helping P.
Luke to cut wood in his swamp. Jennie and Mrs. Wright at mis-
sionary meeting in the church. Willie skated down the creek to
Seagrave. Willie and James at orchestra practice in the evening.
22 – Several inches of snow from the E during the night and snow-
ing, hailing and raining all day. Willie drove James to Port Perry
school and had to break the road most of the way. James stopped
at R. O’Neill’s all night. Leola Luke here all afternoon making a
box for the box social to be held on Friday evening next.
23 – Hail and rain most of the day; colder in the evening with high
wind. Little doing but the chores. P. Luke was at Port Perry with
the sleigh and brought us a sack of sugar.
24 – A very fine day but pretty cold. At the wood some. Willie
drove to Epsom for Annie and called for James at Port Perry.
Jennie washing. In the evening went with John Michie in the
sleigh to public school concert in community hall. Annie, Willie
and James drove also. There was a full house. The Greenbank
orchestra played. Mr. Tipper spoke and showed moving pictures.
Inspector Ferguson spoke and a debate by 6 scholars. Then a box
social which did not finish up until about 1 am. Over $60 was
realized.
25 – A beautiful day. At the wood awhile. In the afternoon went
to Greenbank with the cutter to sale of the old Temperance hall.
Prentice of Sonya bought the hall for $120.00 and R. Flewell the
sheds for $49.00. Jennie went with me and visited Mr. Walker
who is in a pretty weak state. Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the
evening. Leola Luke called twice.
26 - A fine day. Mrs. Wright was called to the phone by R.T. All
hands at SS and church; 105 at SS. Rev. Mr. McDonald preached.
Willie at Seagrave in the evening. R. Hart came over and took
Annie to Epsom.
27 – Fine day. Willie drove James to Port Perry school; he walked
home. Helping Jennie to wash in the forenoon. After dinner I
went to Greenbank to help tear out the wainscoting from the old
hall but it was all done before I got there. Leola Luke called. R.
Terry visiting at P. Luke’s.
28 – Cold and somewhat stormy all day. James drove to Port Perry
school, put his horse into R. Wallace’s stable (1st
time). Split some
wood, Willie helping. Leola Luke called. In the evening Willie
and James took a sleigh load to a party at D. Truax’s. Mrs. John
Michie got word by phone that her father died this morning. Prin-
cess Mary married today.
MAR. 1 – A fine day. All day helping P. Luke in the swamp.
James drove to Port Perry school. Eleanor Michie came up and
stayed all night as her mother is away to her father’s funeral.
2 – A very fine day. Got Ray Dusty’s sleigh and drew 13 logs to
Blair’s mill. James wheeled to Port Pery school. L. Luke called.
Eleanor and Ruth here; Eleanor stayed all night.
3 – A very fine day. Splitting wood in the forenoon. James
wheeled to Port Pery school. Willie went to Epsom for Annie. I
went to Greenbank and helped W. Phoenix to tear up the platform
in the hall. Willie at play at Wick and Annie and James at carnival
at Port Perry. Leola Luke, Mrs. Wright and Ruth Michie called
and Eleanor here all day.
4 – A very fine bright day. Word came by phone that Mrs. Jas.
Walker died this morning. After dinner Annie drove Jennie to
Greenbank to Mrs. Walker’s. She stayed the afternoon and Willie
went for her in the evening. Ruth and Eleanor Michie here all day.
L. Luke called. Willie helping P. Luke to cut feed in the forenoon.
Clinton Midgley also called and Ray Dusty for a bag of potatoes.
400
5 – A beautiful sunny day. Too warm for the sleighing. All hands
at SS and church; 99 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie and
Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
6 – A very nice day and snow going fast. Splitting wood in the
forenoon. Jennie washing. Willie drove Annie to Epsom (with the
buggy). James wheeled to Port Perry school. In the afternoon,
with Jennie, attended Mrs. Walker’s funeral. Mr. McDonald con-
ducted the service. The bearers were A. Akhurst; A. Gordon; S.
Dusty; Jas. H. Leask; Alex Lee and I. Leola Luke and Marie Ak-
hurst called and Willie drove them home.
7 – Rain off and on all day. Little doing. Split some wood. Leola
Luke called. Jennie started to make a mat. James did not go to
school on account of the rain.
8 – Rough and snowing in the morning. James started to drive to
Port Perry school but the horse could not go on the ice. Little
doing all day. L. Luke called. Mrs. John Michie came home from
Agincourt and Eleanor went home. Jennie went down to John
Michie’s about 4 pm as Bob was sick.
9 – Fine day and thawing. James drove to Port Perry school.
Water over the road which was covered with ice. Jennie making
mat. Went to Greenbank in the afternoon for Mrs. Joyce of Sutton
(who has been at W. Watson’s) to bring her here, but she had left
for home this morning, so I called on C. Gordon who is sick in bed.
Mr. Boe and Mrs. W. O’Neill and Clinton Midgley here most of
the afternoon. L. Luke called.
10 – A very fine day. Willie drove James most of the way to Port
Perry school. I went to preparatory service in the church. About
the usual turnout. Mr. McDonald preached. Those received were
by certificate – Mr. and Mrs. S. Dusty; transferred from Wick –
Mrs. Ray Dusty; by profession of faith – Mary Real and Laura
Thomas. Willie went to Epsom for Annie. Jennie hooking mat
and baking. L. Luke called twice. James and Annie at party at
Mrs. A. Boe’s in the evening.
11 – A very fine day. Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry in the
forenoon. Not much doing outside. In the evening all hands went
up to N. Midgley’s and had a musical evening. A beautiful
moonlit night.
12 – A beautiful day. All at communion service at Greenbank.
There was a fair turnout. Mr. McDonald preached. Willie away in
the evening. R. Hart came and took Annie to Epsom.
13 – A fine spring-like day. Willie drove me to Greenbank where I
was all day helping W. Phoenix to rebuild the platform in the hall.
Got dinner with Fanny Phoenix. James came for me at night.
Jennie was in bed all day with what appears to be grippe. James
drove to Port Perry school. Willie doing the housekeeping and
chores.
14 – Mild and spring-like. James drove to Port Perry school.
Jennie able to be out of bed but not able to do much. I did little but
nurse a bad toe. Willie went to Tyson Lee’s sale with P. Luke.
Willie away in the evening. Leola Luke called.
15 – A little colder. Cleaning out berry bushes part of the day.
James drove to Port Perry school. Willie helping John Michie all
day to saw wood. Willie and James at orchestra practice at I.
Beare’s in the evening.
16 – Rather rough and cold. At berry bushes in the afternoon.
Willie helping P. Luke to draw out wood from the swamp. James
drove to Port Perry school. Leola Luke called. Jennie washing
and making mat. Boys at Greenbank in the evening to a play in the
Methodist church given by Wick players.
17 – Pretty cold and windy. James drove to Port Perry school.
Spent most of the forenoon trying to make the separator work but
failed. Willie went to Epsom for Annie. Willie, Annie, James and
Leola Luke at dance in Greenbank hall. Word came that Sandy
Gordon died this afternoon. [margin note: Alex Gordon Sr. died].
18 – A fine day. Willie at Luke’s helping to cut wood. I went to
Port Perry and got a second hand Melottee separator from Mr.
Switzer on trail and set it up in the afternoon. In the evening went
to hall trustee meeting at W. Phoenix’s. R. Cragg was chosen
trustee in place of E. Jamison. Leola Luke called.
19 – A fine day. At SS and church with Annie and Willie, Jennie
and James being on the sick list. 95 at SS; Mr. McDonald
preached. Willie somewhere in the evening. R. Hart came over
and spent the evening. He took Annie to Epsom. Very dark and
rain from the SE.
20 – Dull in the forenoon but brighter in the afternoon. Helping
Jennie to wash in the forenoon. In the afternoon went to Sandy
Gordon’s funeral at Saintfield. John Michie went with me. There
was a pretty good turnout. L. Luke called. James did not go to
school. Willie drew out some manure.
21 – Rough and snowing some. All day at the Greenbank hall
fixing the seats, Jas. Lee helping. Got dinner at Jim’s. James did
not go to school.
22 – Pretty cold and rough. Cleaned out pig house and at berry
bushes. Willie went to Port Perry in the morning. Jennie house-
cleaning the pantry. James did not go to school. Willie away in
the evening. L. Luke called.
23 – A nice day. Whitewashed the ceiling of the kitchen. Jennie
cleaning the woodwork. Willie at C. Phair’s in the afternoon help-
ing to cut wood. James drove to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
Willie at Seagrave in the evening. Harry Guy and Annie Carneg-
gie married today.
24 – A fine day. Helping Jennie to paper the kitchen. Willie at C.
Phair’s cutting wood all day. I went to Epsom for Annie. James in
bed in the forenoon. L. Luke called.
25 – A fine day. Ray Dusty called in the forenoon and talked
horse. Took off the storm windows and cleaned berry bushes.
Jennie and Annie housecleaning. Mrs. Wright and Leola Luke
called. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the evening.
401
26 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 96 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. R. Hart came over and took Annie to Epsom.
Willie away somewhere in the evening. L. Luke called.
27 – Dull and rain all afternoon and evening. At berry bushes and
fixing fence at the road. In the afternoon we ripped two cedar
poles for ladders. Jennie washing. James drove to Port Perry
school. Exams are on and he got home quite early.
28 – Dull and warm with rain in the evening. At berry bushes part
of the day. James drove to Port Perry school. Got home early.
Jennie housecleaning. Willie at Ben Hokey concert at Port Perry
in the evening.
29 – Somewhat cold in the morning. At the berry bushes and
finished, Willie helping. Jennie housecleaning. James drove to
Port Perry school. L. Luke and R. Terry called.
30 – Dull. Jennie and Willie went to Port Perry in the morning. I
walked over to James Blair’s sale. I had hardly got there when it
started to snow from the E and got worse and worse. A very dis-
agreeable day. There was a big turnout and things went to a good
price. James did not have to go to school. Sir John Eaton died.89
31 – Dull and raw with E wind which turned to rain about 4 pm.
Painting in the pantry in the forenoon. Went to R. Dusty’s to see
about a cow. Willie drove to Epsom for Annie.
APR. 1 – Rather cold and raw. Went to Port Perry with John
Michie (in the cutter) to see cow at Mr. William’s but he was not at
home. Annie drove to Port Perry in the afternoon. Jennie painting
bedroom floor. L. Luke called twice. Willie at Greenbank in the
evening.
2 – Milder and thawing. All hands at SS and church; 101 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached and he gave us a plain talk on sleeping in
church. Willie drove up John Michie’s rig. R. Hart came over and
took Annie to Epsom. Willie at Seagrave in the evening.
3 – Mild. Went to Ray Dusty’s and bought a cow and a calf for
$76.00. Drew up two loads of cedar poles from Luke’s swamp cut
last winter which cleans up everything there. Pruning orchard in
the afternoon. Willie cutting brush on the side road in the fore-
noon, helping N. Midgley to cut wood (Bott’s machine) in the
afternoon and at Luke’s in the evening. James drove to Port Perry
school; exams on. Jennie housecleaning. L. Luke called.
4 – Dull with a little rain in the forenoon. Pruning orchard most of
the day. Willie went to Port Perry in the afternoon with 9 bags of
oats to get them ground. James went with him to school (he did
not have to go in the forenoon). Jennie pretty well used up with
cough. L. Luke called. Willie at Luke’s in the evening.
89
John Craig Eaton (28 Apr. 1876-30 Mar. 1922),
the youngest son of Toronto department store mag-
nate Timothy Eaton. John took control of the Eaton
holdings at his father’s death in 1907. He made
many donations to the Omemee area (home town of
his wife Flora), including the Coronation Hall.
5 – A fine day. Pruning orchard most of day. James drove to Port
Perry school. Jennie laying around half sick and also Willie.
Willie at Luke’s in the evening. L. Luke called.
6 – Dull all day with rain in the evening. At the orchard most of
the day. Cut down old tree near SW corner, Willie helping. James
drove to Port Perry school. Jennie in bed in the forenoon, her
cough not any better. A Hebrew cloth dealer called and stayed for
dinner. Willie at Saintfield in the evening. L. Luke called.
7 – Warm. Thunder and rain from 6 to 8 pm. At orchard most of
the time. Jennie in bed all day. Willie went with Luke’s buggy to
Epsom for Annie. James drove to Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright
called in the forenoon and did some baking. L. Luke called in the
afternoon.
8 – A very fine day. Finished pruning orchard in the forenoon and
drawing off the brush in the afternoon, Willie helping. Annie went
to Port Perry in the forenoon for a new hat, etc. Jennie in bed most
of the day. Mrs. Wright called.
9 – A fine day. At SS and church with James. Jennie, Annie and
Willie at home with colds. 89 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. R.
Hart came over and stayed awhile and took Annie to Epsom. L.
Luke called.
10 – A very fine day. Finished drawing away brush from orchard,
fixed fences and Willie scuffled berry bushes 4 times. Jennie up
all day but not able to do much. James drove to Port Perry school.
L. Luke called.
11 – Heavy rain from the SE from early morning until about 1 pm
without any letup. James did not go to school. Willie put on the
screen doors. L. Luke called.
12 – Dull with some rain. Helping to wash in the forenoon. Jennie
up all day. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie at Saintfield
and James at choir practice in the evening. Word came that Philip
Stone of Columbus is dead.
13 – A fine day. Splitting wood in the forenoon. James drove to
Port Perry school. Leola Luke here most of the forenoon helping
Jennie. Willie went to Epsom in the afternoon for Annie and in the
evening Annie went to Port Perry to meet Annie Bell and a friend
Madge Allan who have come to spend Easter here.
14 – Good Friday and a very fine day. Making a ladder. Annie
and the girls at quilting bee in the church and they and the boys at
G.A. McMillan’s in the evening.
15 – Some snow on the ground in the morning. Little doing but
music and nonsense. After dinner Willie went to Jeff Whitter’s for
three old pump logs for to put in the washout at the foot of the hill.
The three girls at John Michie’s in the afternoon and at Luke’s in
the evening. The boys also. Gladys Luke called.
16 – A beautiful Easter Sunday. All but Jennie at SS and church;
115 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie Bell sang a solo and
Miss Allan and her a duet. James and the three girls at Methodist
church in the evening.
402
17 – Thunder in the morning and rain all forenoon. Annie drove
Annie Bell and Miss Allan (through the rain) to Port Perry on their
way back to Toronto. Making ladder in the afternoon. Jas. Lee
and girls called in the afternoon for some berry bushes. L. Luke
called. Much lightning in the evening but only a few drops of rain
here.
18 – High wind through the night and some rain in the afternoon.
Not much doing. Willie went to Port Perry in the afternoon and
away somewhere in the evening. L. Luke called. Jennie and An-
nie washing some.
19 – A very fine day until about 4 pm when there was a shower
and heavy rain in the evening. Got up early and took Willie and
James to Port Perry on their way to Newcastle on a visit. Annie
went with Leola and Mr. Luke. Did some odd jobs. Mrs. Wright
called. It is said that Arthur Gordon and Myrtle Goode are getting
married today.
20 – A perfect blizzard all day from the north west. Nothing doing
21 – Cold and windy all day. Little doing. Mrs. Wright called
twice.
22 – Snow flurries during the day. Little doing. Went to Port
Perry in the evening for Annie and the boys.
23 – A fine day. All but Jennie at SS and church; 100 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. L. Luke called in the forenoon. R.H. came
over and took Annie to Epsom. Willie somewhere in the evening.
Mrs. Luke called in the evening.
24 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie to wash in the forenoon and
hoeing berry bushes in the afternoon. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Willie helping John Michie to fill a washout on the 11th
conc. near Jim Dusty’s. L. Luke called. Cyler Whitter’s car was
burned on the sideroad near the bridge tonight.
25 – A very fine day. Willie and I working all day filling up
washout in field S of house. James wheeled to Port Perry school
and at choir practice at the church in the evening. N. Midgley
dragged the road.
26 – A fine day until about 5 pm when it rained a little. Forenoon
at filling up washout. Afternoon went to Port Perry for grass seed
while Willie plowed sod. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Jennie went to Greenbank with Mrs. Wright.
27 – A fine day but rather cool. Willie and I at Jas. Blair’s sawmill
getting logs sawn. Willie plowing in the afternoon while I uncov-
ered strawberry patch. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie
housecleaning upstairs. L. Luke here most of the afternoon. Wil-
lie at Saintfield in the evening.
28 – Pretty cold all day. Choring in the forenoon while Willie
filled in furrows. In the afternoon went to Epsom for Annie while
Willie cultivated. Jennie housecleaning. Leola Luke here most of
the afternoon and evening.
29 – A very fine day. Uncovered strawberries and hoed raspberry
bushes while Willie sowed the field NE of barn. Leola Luke here
all afternoon helping Annie to paper her room while Jennie knitted
sweater for her.
30 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 108 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. L. Luke in the choir for 1st
time. R.H. came
over and took Annie to Epsom. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
MAY 1 – A beautiful day. Helped Jennie to wash in the forenoon
and hoed in the afternoon. Willie harrowing and cultivating.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. James Blair and wife came
for berry bushes and in the evening A. Akhurst came for 2 bags of
potatoes. Mrs. Wright called.
2 – A beautiful day and things show signs of budding out. Did
several jobs. Plowed the garden, scuffled the berry bushes. Willie
sowed field NW of barn. James wheeled to Port Perry school and
in the evening to choir practice. Mrs. Wright called twice.
3 – A beautiful warm day, dull towards night. Planted some early
potatoes and several other jobs. Willie harrowing and cultivating.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie housecleaning. Mrs.
Wright called twice.
4 – Rain through the night and very dull and foggy all day. Willie
cultivating hill field but cultivator broke down. Sowing it in the
afternoon. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie papering
upstairs and in the afternoon went with Mrs. Wright to Alex Lee’s
for flower plants. Mrs. Wright called.
5 – Rather dull most of the day. Went to Port Perry in the morning
with Jennie while Willie finished sowing the hill field and in the
afternoon rolled the grass field while Willie went to Epsom for
Annie. James wheeled to Port Perry school. 7 third formers ex-
pelled for week for bad behaviour in school. Mrs. Wright called
twice. Mrs. D. McDonald died.
6 – Very dull all day with rain in the evening. Went to the woods
and got some trees and planted them, James helping. Willie har-
rowed the hill field twice over. Jennie making me some shirts.
Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Luke called.
7 – Dull with rain and high NW wind in the afternoon. All hands
at SS and church; 94 at SS. This was Mrs. D. McDonald’s funeral
and the church was not able to hold all that came. Mr. McDonald
preached. R.H. took Annie to Epsom. Willie away somewhere in
the evening.
8 – A very fine day. Helped Jennie to wash and some other
chores. Willie cultivated and sowed the piece E of the orchard
which finishes seeding except the rolling. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Mrs. Wright called. Word came that Frank Bratley
was in a very serious condition in Oshawa hospital.
9 – A very fine day. Fixing fences and picking off stones. Willie
drawing out manure. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie
baking. Boys at choir practice in the evening. Mrs. Wright had
her tonsils removed by Dr. Shire of Uxbridge. L. Luke here for
dinner and most of the afternoon.
10 – A beautiful day. Fixing fences and other chores. Willie
plowing in the orchard in the forenoon and drawing out manure in
403
the afternoon. Jennie papering boys room. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Leola Luke called and Wes Luke called for some
raspberry and strawberry plants. Word came that Frank Bratley
died in Oshawa hospital last night.
11 – A very fine day. Did some jobs; fixed around barn pump.
Willie drawing out manure. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Jennie at Port Perry market. After supper went with Jennie to
Willie Smith’s at Columbus. Got there about 10 pm.
12 – A very fine day. Went with Jennie and W. Smith in the car to
Brooklin in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with Willie
Smith and wife and Jennie to Frank Bratley’s funeral near Whitby.
The Anglican minister of Whitby conducted the service. Came
back by way of Oshawa and got back to W.S.’s about 6 pm. Willie
went to Epsom in the afternoon for Annie. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Church union meeting at Greenbank.
13 – Another beautiful day. Got home from Brooklin about noon.
Annie at Port Perry in the forenoon. Jean, Eleanor and Bob Michie
here in the afternoon. L. Luke called. Annie and Willie at Port
Perry in the evening.
14 – A very fine day. Blanche Luke called in the forenoon. All
hands at SS and church; 101 at SS; Rev. Mr. Buchanan of the
Dominion Alliance preached. R.H. came and took Annie to Ep-
som. Willie away somewhere in the evening.
15 – A beautiful day. Rolling grain all day. Willie at P. Leask’s.
Jennie washing in the forenoon and drove to Port Perry in the
afternoon. James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
Jennie at Luke’s in the evening,.
16 – A fine and quite warm day. Finished rolling in the forenoon.
Plowing root land in the afternoon. Jennie at missionary meeting
in church. Mrs. Wright went with her. James wheeled to Port
Perry school and at choir practice with L. Luke in the evening.
17 – A fine day, some dull and few drops of rain in the evening.
Plowing all day in root field. Jennie oiled kitchen floor and
painted some. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs. Wright
called.
18 – Some rain through the night and heavy rain in the evening.
Finished plowing potato land and harrowed it 4 times. Jennie
housecleaning and planting garden. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. L. Luke called twice. C. O’Neill came for some straw-
berry plants.
19 – Rain through the night and several times during the day.
Cutting potatoes and drilling up for potatoes. Jennie picked over
potatoes and went to Epsom for Annie. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. L. Luke called. James Blair came for strawberry
plants.
20 – Fine day. James and I took 2 heifers to Port Perry to Jack and
Boe; 1880 lbs. at 7 ½. Annie drove down for us. In the afternoon
planted potatoes in the N field, Jennie and James helping. Willie
came home from P. Leask’s and he, Annie and L. Luke went to
Port Perry in the evening.
21 – A very fine day. All hands but Jennie at SS and church; 115
at SS. This being SS anniversary there was a very full house. Rev.
Mr. Rob of Beaverton was the preacher. All hands out again in the
evening and a packed house and a fine sermon by Mr. Rob. R.H.
took Annie to Epsom.
22 – A beautiful day. Helping P. Luke to drill up and sow his
mangolds from morning until about the middle of the afternoon.
Willie harrowing. Jennie washing. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Planting strawberry plants in the afternoon, Jennie and
Willie helping. Mrs. Wright called in the evening and L. Luke in
the afternoon.
23 – A beautiful day. Drilled up and sowed 28 drills of mangolds.
Willie finished planting strawberry plants. Jennie baking for the
party. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie went to Epsom
for Annie and then to Port Perry for Annie Bell. Annie Mason also
came. Gladys Luke, Mrs. Wright and L. Luke called. Clinton
Midgley also.
24 – A beautiful day. Dull in the evening. Plowed the little patch
near the barn pump. Jennie baking and preparing for SS anniver-
sary. Jas. Lee came for some strawberry plants. All hands at the
anniversary in the afternoon and evening. Jennie and Annie wait-
ing on tables. There was a full house at the concert. Jessie Alex-
ander, Annie Bell and the Brownscombe girls of Uxbridge gave the
programme which was good. Took in about $265. R.H. took
Annie to Epsom.
25 – Another very fine day. Got up early and Willie drove Annie
Mason and Annie Bell to the early train at Port Perry. Planted corn
at the barn pump and scuffled berry patches and then helped Willie
to draw out manure. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie at
after social at the church in the evening. Eleanor Michie and Mrs.
Wright called.
26 – A beautiful day. Helped Willie to draw out manure, fixed
gates and hen coops. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie
churning. L. Luke went to Epsom for Annie. Mrs. Wright here in
the afternoon getting some help at sewing. All but me at Luke’s in
the evening.
27 – A very fine day. Helping Willie to draw out manure, hoed
berry bushes between times. Jennie went to Port Perry in the after-
noon. Mrs. John Michie went with her. Mrs. Wright and L. Luke
called. L. Luke and Bruce and Gordon McDonald here in the
evening.
28 – Another beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 114 at
SS; Rev. H. Horne of Toronto preached. Willie away somewhere
in the evening. R.H. came and took Annie to Epsom.
29 – A very fine day. Drawing out manure alone. James wheeled
to Port Perry school. Jennie cleaning cellar. Robert Akhurst of
Cannington came in the forenoon and stayed for dinner. Willie
went to Peter Leask’s to help him but took sick and Peter brought
him home about 4 pm. I got ready to drive him to the Dr. but he
was not able to go so we called up and asked him to come. Dr.
Archer came about 6:30 and pronounced him in a dangerous state
caused by infection from a wound on his finger. Mrs. Luke and
404
Leola called to see him in the evening. P. Luke called in the morn-
ing.
30 – Another very fine day. Dr. R. Archer and wife came about 9
am and he cut and cleaned out the infected part of Willie’s finger.
Both Dr. R. and D. Archer came again about 7:30 and pronounced
him much better and it would not be necessary to come again.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. I hoed berry bushes. Finished
drawing out manure and plowed in the orchard. Mrs. Luke and
Leola called twice. Clinton Midgley called in the evening.
31 – Another fine day. Planting corn in the orchard in the forenoon
and plowing for corn in the field in the afternoon. Jennie washing.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie got out of bed and has
been laying about. Mr. A. Akhurst and Marie called in the eve-
ning.
JUNE 1 - A very fine day. Plowing corn land all day. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie at Luke’s in the afternoon. L.
Luke called.
2 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie and Willie went to
Port Perry in the forenoon and Willie went to Epsom for Annie in
the afternoon. James wheeled to Port Perry school. George W.
Michie of Sask. came to P. Luke’s and is to be married to Mrs.
Wright tomorrow.
3 – King’s birthday. Finished plowing long field and harrowed
some in the forenoon. Willie harrowing in the afternoon until a
heavy rain came on about 3 o’clock. L. Luke here in the afternoon.
P. Luke got drill to sow his corn. G.W. Michie and Mrs. Wright
married. They went with P. Leask’s car to the manse at Wick and
were married by Mr. McDonald. Then they went by car some-
where north. Annie and the boys at Luke’s in the evening.
4 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 105 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Miss Hattie Bewell sang a solo. Willie took
Annie and L. Luke to Epsom, this being their SS anniversary.
5 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie to clean up the woodshed and
move out the stove. Willie harrowing. Afternoon sowed the field
corn while Willie went to Port Perry and got the buggy tires set.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
6 – Quite warm. Scuffled in the orchard while Willie harrowed N
field. James did not go to school as he is not feeling well. Jennie
washing. Cecil Phair came for 4 bags of potatoes. When he was
here we had a call from G.W. Michie and wife who are now on
their honeymoon. Afternoon planted sweet corn in the orchard and
hoed potatoes. L. Luke called three times. A lot of thunder in the
NW all afternoon but only a few drops of rain here as the shower
was spent before it got here. The boys and L. Luke at Greenbank
in the evening.
7 – A fine and very warm day. Went to Port Perry with the
waggon for shingles for the woodshed but I got roofing paper
instead. Willie went for the beef in the morning, 1st
time. The bike
being out of order, James went to Port Perry with me. Afternoon
mostly spent fixing up the woodshed. L. Luke called. Willie and
L. Luke went to see Marie Akhurst who has been having an opera-
tion to her throat. Shivaree at P. Luke’s in honor of G. Michie and
wife.
George Walter Michie and Velma (Luke) Wright (2nd
wife)
8 – A fine and very warm day. Most of the day at roof of wood-
shed, Willie helping. Willie went to Port Perry in the afternoon for
more roofing. James wheeled to Port Perry school. All over at
Luke’s in the evening to a little reception to George and Velma
Michie. John Michie and family; P. Leask and family; and W.
O’Neill and wife were there also. L. Luke called twice.
9 – Another fine and warm day. Willie harrowing while I finished
roofing the woodshed. In the afternoon Willie went to Epsom for
Annie while I went to predatory service in the church. Rather a
small turnout. Rev. Mr. Hall of Port Perry preached. L. Luke
called 3 times. George and Velma here for supper and evening.
James, Annie and Leola Luke at choir practice in the evening.
Later in the evening a big thunderstorm came up with heavy rain
and Annie and James got some wet getting home. Lew Wagoner’s
barn was burned by lightning.
10 – Rain again in the morning and very dull. Annie, Willie,
James and L. Luke drove to Greenbank and left the horse and went
by car to the picnic of SS classes to Oshawa beach. Spent all day
fixing floor and other things about the woodshed.
405
11 – A very fine day. Jennie and I drove to communion service at
Wick. Mr. McDonald preached. A fair turnout. When we got to
Greenbank on our way home we found Willie Smith and wife at
W. O’Neill’s. They came down here for dinner and went back by
Greenbank later on. Annie, Willie and James at service in the
church at Greenbank. R.H. took Annie to Epsom.
12 – Very high NW wind and a great drop in temperature. Worked
in orchard in the forenoon. Jennie washing. We went over to
Luke’s and bid goodbye to George Michie and wife who start
today for the west. Scuffled potatoes and mangolds in the after-
noon. Willie drove James to Port Perry school in the morning and
went for him in the afternoon. In the evening drove to a meeting in
the Methodist church of the committee of the Methodist and Pres-
byterian churches to arrange details of proposed union. The fol-
lowing were the delegates: Presbyterian – Rev. D. D. McDonald,
chairman; Harvey Real, sec.; J.M. Real; Jas. Blair; G.A.
McMillan; Alex and Peter Leask; C. Stone; H. McMillan; Edgar
Leask; and John McDonald. Methodist – Isaac, Rye and Les
Beare; R. and Blake Cragg; George and Tyson Lee; Jas. Bott;
Ernest and Cecil Phair; Herb Hook; and Amos Rodd. John Heron;
Jas. Leask and Joe Stone from Wick. It was decided to go on with
union. Willie at Seagrave tea party.
13 – A fine day. Hoeing nearly all day. Willie plowing and har-
rowing turnip ground. James did not go to Port Perry as there is no
classes in his form on account of exams now on. Jennie and Mrs.
John Michie at WM meeting in the church. John Michie came for
the turnip drill. Willie at Greenbank in the evening. L. Luke
called.
14 – A very fine day. Most of the day drilling up for turnips.
Willie cutting weeds about the fence sides. James studying at
home. Jennie picked the strawberry patch the first time of the
season. L. Luke called. Jennie Gordon was married in the Presby-
terian church to a Mr. Huddalstein of Toronto.
15 – A very fine day. Sowed the turnips in the forenoon and hoed
in the orchard in the afternoon. Willie and P. Luke went to Port
Perry in the forenoon. James studying. Jennie sewing. L. Luke
called 3 or 4 times.
16 – Dull day. Picking strawberries and hoed the field potatoes.
Willie went to Port Perry with berries and to Epsom for Annie.
James drove to Port Perry for exams in the forenoon only. Annie,
James and L. Luke got ready to go to choir practice but the weather
was threatening so they did not go. Rain came on and continued
off and on most of the night with much thunder and lightning.
Leola stayed all night.
17 – Heavy rain again and little doing outside. Fixing up the
mower. Emerson, the insurance man, called. Annie and Willie at
Port Perry in the evening.
18 – A very fine day. W. Farrow and wife; Jean Perrin; and Mr.
and Mrs. Fred Couch, all of Newcastle, came in W.F.’s new car
about 11. James and I went to SS and church. Annie came in the
car. 120 at SS. Mr. Bell, representing the Bible Society, preached
what may be the last sermon in the church if as expected local
church union takes place. L. Luke here for supper. The Newcastle
folks left for home about 5:30. Annie, Willie, James and L. Luke
at Methodist church in the evening. Mr. Bell also taking the ser-
vice.
19 – A very fine day. Willie drove Annie to Epsom. I helped
Jennie and L. Luke to pick strawberries. James wheeled to Port
Perry school; exams on. In the afternoon I took berries to Ux-
bridge while Jennie, Willie and L. Luke finished picking; about 90
boxes in all. H. Thomas came for bag of potatoes. Willie and L.
Luke at shower for Nettie Leask at J.M. Real’s. Norman Midgley
bought a Ford car.
20 – A very fine and warm day. Helping to fill wagons drawing
dirt from near Mrs. O’Neill’s to the low place on the sideroad.
Jennie washing, ironing and baking. Willie gang plowing and
scuffling corn. James wheeled to Port Perry school exams. Willie,
James and L. Luke at Greenbank in the evening.
21 – Fine all day but rain in the evening. Shovelling all day at road
work. Jennie, L. Luke, Mrs. John Michie, Mrs. W. O’Neill and
Willie picking strawberries. Willie took 2 crates (108 boxes) to
Uxbridge in the afternoon. James studying. Gordon McDonald
and Nettie Leask married.
22 – A fine day. Hoeing mangolds all day. Willie on road job
with team. James studying. L. Luke called. Jennie, Willie and
James at Luke’s in the evening.
23 – A fine day. Willie and team at road job. Helping Jennie;
Nellie O’Neill; Mrs. John Michie; and L. Luke to pick strawberries
in the forenoon. James at Port Perry at exams which finishes it.
Afternoon took berries to Port Perry. In the evening went with
Jennie in Jim Bott’s car to strawberry festival at Pinedale which
was a very enjoyable affair. Willie, James and L. Luke at Green-
bank in the evening.
24 – A very warm day. Hoeing mangolds all day. Willie and team
at road job. Jennie picking berries. Annie kept school for entrance
class. Willie, James and L. Luke at Port Perry in the evening.
25 – A decided drop in temperature. All hands at SS (95 present)
and Methodist SS anniversary. Rev. Mr. Brown, Super. of Mis-
sions preached. A fair turnout. All but Jennie out again in the
evening. Mr. B. preached again. The union choir did extra well.
R.H. took Annie to Epsom.
26 – A fine day. Most of the day helping Jennie, James and L.
Luke to pick berries (about 150 boxes). James took a crate to Port
Perry. Willie at road job with horses. Mrs. Stanley Real and Mrs.
J.M. Real called for berries. Laura Thomas, Marie Akhurst and L.
Luke called in the evening.
27 – Dull with some rain in the afternoon. Willie sowed buck-
wheat and I hoed mangolds and corn. Jennie washing. James at
Greenbank in the evening. Willie away somewhere. Jas. Lee and
family here in the evening. L. Luke called.
28 – Fine and warm. Willie went for the beef in the morning while
I scuffled mangolds and potatoes. Jennie and James and L. Luke
picking strawberries. I helped in the afternoon while Willie cut the
field W of the house. James went to Port Perry to baseball match
406
between Port Perry and Uxbridge (Uxbridge won). In the evening
went with Jennie in C. Phair’s car to meeting in Methodist church
to reorganize the new United Sunday School. There was a fair
turnout. I was put in as super; Les Bear, assistant super; Edgar
Cragg, sec.; Edgar Leask, treas.; H. Cragg, lib.
29 – A little rain through the night and a very fine day. Went to
Port Perry in the morning. Willie at road job with team. In the
afternoon James went to Epsom for Annie which finishes her term
there. I was at P. Luke’s scuffling mangolds and corn. Annie, the
boys, and L. Luke at Ray Dusty’s in the evening.
30 – Fine day. Scuffling in the forenoon. Willie on road job with
horses. James raked up hay and I cocked it up. Drew in one load
after supper. Annie went to Port Perry and met Annie Bell and her
sister [Crissie?] who makes her first visit here. Jennie picking
berries. L. Luke called. James at Greenbank in the evening.
JULY 1 – Rain through the night and all forenoon and showers in
the afternoon and little doing. In the afternoon Willie drove me to
Greenbank Methodist anniversary and James and Willie came
later. There was a full house in the evening. A troop from Toronto
gave instrumental music, Mrs. Wes Real sang and a reciter from
Toronto. $270.00 took in. Annie and the Bell girls went with
[Kerry? Chrissie?] to Port Perry to concert.
2 – A beautiful day. All hands at Sunday School, this being the
first session of the United School held in the Methodist church.
There was a big turnout; about 175 and the time was taken up
arranging the classes and choosing teachers. Mr. McDonald
preached to a large congregation. Annie Bell gave a solo. After
supper Annie went away to Port Perry with R.H. Willie away
somewhere with L.L. and W. O’Neill came with his car and took
the Bell girls to Myrtle on their way back to Toronto.
3 – Dull and a few drops of rain in the forenoon but cleared up.
Hoeing, throwing out hay and helping pick berries, Annie and
James helping. Willie helping P. Luke all day. James and Annie
at [Chautangua?] meeting. Jennie washing. Willie away some-
where in the evening.
4 – A very fine day and cool. Drew in the rest of the hay in the
field W of the house; 7 loads in all, Willie and James helping.
Jennie preserving strawberries. Mrs. John Michie and all the fam-
ily; Mrs. W. O’Neill; and Mrs. Mark, who is down from Sask. on
a visit; and G. Michie’s girl Edna and boy Billie were here in the
afternoon picking the last of the strawberries. L. Luke also called.
Willie and L. Luke at Port Perry in the evening.
5 – A beautiful day. Hoeing in the forenoon. James scuffling.
Willie at Luke’s all day. About 10 am. T. Cuthbert, wife and boy;
Mrs. W. Farrow; and Douglas Patton and his newly married wife,
came from Newcastle. They left for home again about 6 pm. I
was at P. Luke’s in the afternoon. James at Greenbank to orchestra
practice in the evening. Annie, Willie and L. Luke went to Port
Perry in the evening in Kerry’s car.
6 – A very fine day. Got up early and with Annie drove to Port
Perry. Took train to Toronto (had a talk on the way with S.
Farmer) and spent most of the day piano hunting and finally got
one from Heinzman’s. Annie paying the shot. Got home about 9
pm. Jennie and James picking cherries. Mrs. John Michie and all
the family and Mrs. Mark and G. Michie’s boy and girl here for
supper. Willie at P. Luke’s all day. G.A. McMillan and wife came
over to talk SS but he was away before I got home. John Michie
came for a bag of potatoes.
Edna and Bill Michie, date unknown
7 – Very high wind in the afternoon and rain in the evening.
Jennie preserving cherries. Willie all day at P. Luke’s and I was
there in the afternoon drawing in hay, Mr. Luke being in bed most
of the day. Greening potatoes in the forenoon. James wheeled to
Greenbank in the morning for green. Scuffling and hoeing the rest
of the day. L. Luke called.
8 – A very fine day. Finishing greening potatoes in the forenoon
while Willie hoed corn. In the afternoon Willie was at P. Luke’s.
James hoeing corn and I plowed up the old strawberry patch and
sowed it with buckwheat. L. Luke called. Annie, Willie, James
and L. Luke at Port Perry in the evening. P. Luke had the Dr.
today, pleurisy is his trouble.
9 – A fine cool day. All hands at SS and church; 177 at SS. R.
Beare, F. Howsam and James and Mary Real formed an orchestra
for the first time. Mr. McDonald preached. Annie at P. Luke’s for
supper and Annie, Willie and L. Luke away in H. Kerry’s car in
the evening.
10 – A fine and warm day. Hoeing corn until about 10 am when I
went to Luke’s and helped at hay. Willie at Luke’s all day. Jennie
washing. James hoeing corn. In the evening R. Pell came bringing
with him Janet and Helen Sanderson of Peterborough and stayed
the evening. Rain while they were here.
11 – Hoeing mangolds in the forenoon. James scuffling mangolds
and turnips. Willie at Luke’s all day. I was at Luke’s in the after-
noon drawing in hay till about 5:30 when a terrific thunder storm
came up. Torrents of rain fell which lodged some grain. James at
Greenbank in the evening. Willie and Annie at Ray Dusty’s.
407
12 – A fine day. Cutting weeds about the root field while Willie
and James hoed turnips. Willie at Luke’s in the afternoon. James
and I hoeing turnips. C. Midgley here in the evening and we had a
musical evening. Orange celebration in Lindsay.
13 – A fine day. Hoeing mangolds in the forenoon while Willie
hoed turnips. James at C. Phair’s helping at hay all day. After-
noon Willie and I helping P. Luke at hay and finished but some
rakings. Annie and L. Luke at Port Perry in the afternoon. L.
Luke, Roy Hart, Annie and Willie playing croquet in the evening.
14 – A beautiful day. Scuffling in the morning and then cutting
hay in SW field. Willie at Luke’s in the forenoon. James at C.
Phair’s. Hoeing in the orchard in the afternoon. Willie cutting
hay. The mower broke down and he got Luke’s mower. Annie
went over to Mr. Wanamaker’s to sign up for Bethel school. An-
nie and James at Greenbank in the evening.
15 – A beautiful day. Hoeing most of the day. Willie finished
cutting hay and cleaned harness. Raked up some hay after 5 pm.
James at Phair’s all day. Annie, Willie, James and L. Luke at Port
Perry in the evening.
16 – A fine but very warm day. All hands at SS and church; 160
at SS. Miss Bewell sang a solo. At church service Miss ---, a
returned missionary from China, spoke. Annie, Willie and L. Luke
went for a car ride with H. Kerry in the evening.
17 – Rain about 5 am which spoiled the chances of haying.
Greened potatoes and got about half done. Willie hoeing turnips.
Rain coming, we hastened and got in one load, but a thunder
shower about 11 put a stop to that and washed the green from the
potatoes. Hoeing potatoes until another heavy rain came up about
5:30. James went to C. Phair’s but came home after the first rain.
Jennie churning and washing. Willie went to Port Perry on the
wheel for paint for buggy. By-election at Port Perry for reeve.
Rundle and Figary running. Figary elected. Annie got word that
her entrance pupils have passed.
18 – A fine day. Greening potatoes in the forenoon. Willie paint-
ing the buggy. James at C. Phair’s. In the afternoon drew in 5
loads of hay, Jennie helping in the barn. Annie at Greenbank to
Elsie Leask’s wedding which was held in the church. She stayed
for the evening. Blanche Luke, who came from Toronto today on
her holidays, called in the evening. Manitoba general election.
Farmers win.
19 – A beautiful day and cooler. Went for the beef in the morning
and then Willie and I drew in 6 loads of hay which finishes but the
rakings. Jennie helping in the barn and picking berries between
times. Willie painting buggy at odd times. James at C. Phair’s all
day. Annie and L. Luke at baseball tournament at Port Perry.
20 – A very fine and pretty warm day. Greened part of the pota-
toes. Raked the hay stubble and drew it in which finishes the hay-
ing. Willie painting buggy between times. We went over to
Luke’s and put up scaffold for Blanche to paint their house. James
at Phair’s all day.
21 – A very fine day. Willie got C. Phair’s waggon and Willie,
James and I went to Port Perry and brought Annie’s piano home
and in it’s place. Hoeing turnips in the afternoon, James helping,
and finished. Willie painting buggy. Jennie and Annie picking
berries. Blanche Luke here for supper. Annie, James and Willie at
Greenbank in the evening.
22 – Scuffling until about 10 when rain came on and little done the
rest of the day. James awhile at Phair’s and Willie at Luke’s in the
forenoon.
23 – Rain through the night and very heavy all forenoon but
cleared up and Annie, James and I went to SS and church; 122 at
SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Mrs. Luke, Blanche and Leola here
in the afternoon. Willie away somewhere in the evening. H.C.
called and took Annie for a ride.
24 – A beautiful day. Scuffling in the forenoon. Willie at Luke’s
all day painting. James at Phair’s all day. In the afternoon I was
helping Jennie, Annie and Mrs. W. O’Neill to pick raspberries.
Young Willie O’Neill brought his mother down in the car and
came for her after supper. Annie went to Port Perry with crate of
berries for Mrs. Ade, Toronto.
25 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie to pick berries and other jobs
in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with C. Phair’s band
waggon to Port Perry for the waggon wheels that were having their
tires set. Annie went to Port Perry in the morning with a crate of
berries for Toronto. James at C. Phair’s all day. Willie at Luke’s
painting all day. Jean, Ruth and Bob Michie here in the afternoon
while they were at P.P. Willie, Annie and L. Luke at Greenbank in
the evening. N. and C. Midgley called in the evening for berry
boxes.
26 – A very fine day. Hoeing mangolds and turnips all day but for
the time cleaning out the hen house. Willie scuffling turnips and
corn. James at C. Phair’s all day. Jennie baking for garden party.
L. Luke here in the evening.
27 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie, Annie, James and Mrs. W.
O’Neill to pick berries for the garden party of the United Church at
Cyler Whitter’s. Picked all the patch in the forenoon, 106 boxes.
Little doing in the afternoon. Willie made two trips to Greenbank.
Norman Midgley came for the berries. All hands at the party in the
evening. A good supper and a pretty good crowd but rather poor
programme. A Toronto troop performed.
28 – A beautiful day. Hoeing turnips, 2nd
time, all day. Willie
drawing gravel on road work, 3 loads. James at Phair’s all day.
Annie at Port Perry in the morning and at Greenbank to arrange the
SS library books. L. Luke called. Blanche Luke and Bruce
McDonald called in the evening.
29 – A very fine day. Hoeing turnips in forenoon and finished.
Willie drew two loads of gravel for road work and finished. James
at C. Phair’s all day. Annie, Willie, James and L. Luke at Port
Perry in the evening. H. Real called to pay for berries used at
garden party. C. Midgley called in the evening.
30 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 133 at SS;
Rev. Mr. Fraser of Fenelon Falls preached. James went to G.
McMillan’s for supper. Annie, Willie and L. Luke went with E.C.
for a car ride in the evening.
408
31 – A beautiful day. Helping Jennie, Annie, Willie and Nellie
O’Neill to pick berries; 114 boxes. Annie took 2 small crates to
Port Perry to ship to Toronto and then took Nellie home. James at
C. Phair’s all day. Mrs. P. Leask and Marion came for berries in
the evening and Willie took some to Mrs. John Michie. L. Luke
called in the evening. Blake Cragg fell from the roof of Arthur
Gordon’s barn and broke both legs and other injuries.
AUG. 1 – Quite a lot of thunder and several local showers went
around but only a little sprinkle of rain here. Spent most of the day
repairing the cistern which caved in yesterday, Willie helping.
James all day at C. Phair’s. Willie at Luke’s awhile. Jennie wash-
ing. Annie and James at Greenbank in the evening.
2 – Most of the forenoon at P. Luke’s helping him to rig up the
binder. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon for binder twine and
repairs for Luke’s binder. Thunder shower came up while I was
there. Willie at Luke’s until it rained. James at C. Phair’s all day.
Willie, Annie and L. Luke at garden party at Wick in the evening.
Jennie ironing. Word came that several buildings were burned by
lightning.
3 – Most of the forenoon at Luke’s fixing up binder. Jennie, Wil-
lie, Annie and Nellie O’Neill picking berries. Thunder storms
were going around all afternoon and some rain about 4 pm. James
at C. Phair’s until the rain came. Annie drove Nellie O’Neill home
and then after supper went to Port Perry with berries for Mr. Clark.
L. Luke here in the evening. Bruce McDonald over several times.
4 – A beautiful day. Hoed mangolds, 4th
time. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the morning and put up window blinds in the afternoon.
James at C. Phair’s all day. Willie away somewhere in the eve-
ning. L. Luke here in the evening. P. Luke cut oats, 1st
of the
season.
5 – A very fine day and cool. Got Luke’s binder and cut the field
NW of barn. Annie driving the binder in the afternoon. James at
C. Phair’s all day. Willie, Annie and James went to Port Perry in
the evening and met Annie and Chrissie Bell.
6 – Rain in the early morning. About 11 am Willie Smith, wife
and mother came in his car. All hands but Jennie and Barbara at
SS and church; 169 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie Bell
sang a solo. Willie Smith left for home after supper; it was raining
a little then. H.K. came with car and took Annie and Annie Bell to
Uxbridge and Willie took Leola and Gladys Luke and R. Babbing-
ton to the Baptist church at Greenbank. A great rain came on and
the whole bunch landed here in the rain and there was music until
near 12 o’clock.
7 – Dull, with a very heavy rain about 10 am and again about 4 or
5. Nothing doing outside at least. From 10 to 4 was given up to
music, Annie Bell being the leader on the piano. A great day for
music. L. Luke called. Willie drove Annie and Crissie Bell to
Uxbridge to the train.
8 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie and Annie to pick berries in
the forenoon and cutting field NE of barn in the afternoon. Mrs.
Luke called. Mrs. John Michie and Jean came for berries. Willie
twenty-one today. James at C. Phair’s all day.
9 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning. Nellie
O’Neill and Ruby Lee came with me to John Michie’s. Finished
cutting field NE of barn and after dinner Willie took the binder and
cut P. Luke’s NW corner field, which finishes his cutting. We then
started the hill field. Jennie washing and churning. James at C.
Phair’s all day.
10 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Finished cutting hill field.
Jennie ironing. James at C. Phair’s all day. L. Luke here in the
evening.
11 – A very fine day. Jennie took Annie to Port Perry in the morn-
ing on her way to Newcastle for a visit. Willie and I cut the little
field E of the orchard which finishes cutting for the year 1922.
James at Jim Bott’s helping to fill silo for C. Phair. Willie and L.
Luke at Greenbank in the evening. P. Luke called in the evening.
12 – A very fine day. All day at P. Luke’s fixing up hay rack and
drawing in oats. Willie drawing dirt to fill holes in barnyard.
James at C. Phair’s. Willie took L. Luke to Blackwater on her way
to Cannington. James at Port Perry in the evening.
13 – A fine but warm day. All hands at SS and church; 170 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. Willie away in the evening.
14 – A fine but pretty warm day. Willie and I drew in the oats in
the field NE of barn; 9 loads. James all day at C. Phair’s. Jennie
washing. Mrs. Luke called. James went with C. Phair to Port
Perry in the evening to see Mr. Folick but he was not at home.
15 – Another warm day. Willie and I drew in oats from the hill
field; 8 loads. Jennie helping in the barn in the afternoon. James
wheeled to Port Perry in the morning and interviewed Mr. Folick,
then at C. Phair’s the rest of the day, and at orchestra practice at
Greenbank in the evening. Drover Sleep called.
16 – Another very warm day. Some thunder to the SW but no rain
here. Willie and I finished the hill field (9 loads in all) and also
finished field NW of barn (8 loads), Jennie helping in barn. James
at C. Phair’s all day. Willie somewhere in the evening.
17 – Another very warm day. Hoeing strawberry patch in the
forenoon. After dinner started to rake hill field but about 4 pm a
heavy thunder shower came up. Willie at C. Phair’s. James study-
ing. Jennie making apple butter.
18 – Warm in the morning but much cooler towards night. Went
to Port Perry in the morning. Willie plowing in field NE of barn.
James studying. All of John Michie’s children here in the after-
noon while they were at Greenbank. Willie somewhere in the
evening.
19 – A fine day and quite cool. Willie plowing in the forenoon
while I finished raking stubble. In the afternoon drew in the last of
the oats (3 loads) and so finished harvest. W. Thomas threshing.
Willie and James at Port Perry in the evening. Harold Cragg was
buried at Greenbank today.
20 – A very fine and cool day. All hands at SS and church; 174 at
SS; Rev. Mr. Cannon of Sunderland preached. Tom Sharp sang a
solo in the SS. When we got home we found Tom Bell and wife,
409
his son George and wife and little girl Margaret, all of Oshawa,
who had come in a car and got here after we had left for church.
They stayed for tea and started for home about 6:30. Willie away
in the evening.
21 – A very fine day. Drawing in wood into the woodshed with
the stoneboat all day, Jennie helping. Willie plowing. James help-
ing John Michie to finish harvest in the afternoon. L. Luke called
in the afternoon and again in the evening.
22 – A very fine day. Drawing wood into shed in the forenoon,
Jennie helping. Filled the shed pretty well up. In the afternoon
went to Port Perry with the waggon for new couch. Willie at P.
Luke’s helping him to finish harvest. Willie, James and L. Luke at
Greenbank in the evening. Leola stayed all night.
23 – Very warm. Thunder and rain started about 4 o’clock. Did
some odd jobs; puttied windows. Willie plowing til rain came on.
Jennie washing and oiling kitchen floor. James at W.H. Leask’s in
the evening practicing music. L. Luke called in the afternoon and
again in the evening and stayed all night.
24 – Dull and threatening rain. Willie plowing. Jennie ironing.
Did some small jobs. Making a sucker for the barn pump. Keith
McMillan called in the evening for some high school books. L.
Luke called in the afternoon and again in the evening and stayed
all night.
25 – Dull with high SW wind and rain several times during the
day. Willie plowing a short time. I went to Port Perry in the late
afternoon for pump sucker leather. L. Luke here most of the day.
Willie, James and Leola at choir practice in the evening. Leola
stayed all night.
26 – A fine day. Got the barn pump working again and moved the
stove in from the cook house. Willie plowing. In the evening
James went to Port Perry and brought Annie, who has been on a
visit to Newcastle, and Jessie Bell of Rochester. L. Luke here most
of the day and stayed all night.
27 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 205 at SS,
likely the largest number ever at a SS in Greenbank. Mr. S.
Farmer of Port Perry gave an address; Mr. McDonald preached.
Mr. --- of Toronto gave a solo. Annie, Willie and L. Luke went for
a ride with E.C. in the evening and James drove somewhere.
28 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie to can corn in the forenoon
and puttying windows in the afternoon. Willie plowing. Jennie
and Anne went to Port Perry in the afternoon. Annie went to see
the Dr. about her ear but he was not at home. Willie away some-
where in the evening. L. Luke called.
29 – A very fine day. Willie plowing in the forenoon. Jennie
washing. I was plowing in the afternoon while Willie shovelled at
road job. James wheeled to Port Perry in the afternoon. Annie,
Willie, James and L. Luke at J.M. Real’s in the evening. Jessie
Bell making shirts.
30 – A fine day. Jennie took Annie, James and I to Port Perry and
took the morning train to Toronto fair. Got there about 10 and had
a good time. The fair is bigger than ever. Took in the grandstand
show which was good with Annie and Chrissie Bell and Madge
Allan, and then went with Annie and Chrissie to their rooms and
stayed all night. Jennie making pickles. Willie at road job.
31 – This is music day at the fair and a great crowd was there and
there was lots of music. Annie and James went shopping in the
morning while I went to the fair. Got home all right. Willie met us
at Port Perry. Jennie ironing. Jessie Bell sewing. Willie at road
job.
SEPT. 1 – A very fine and warm day. Plowing all day. Jennie
baking. Jessie B. making things. Willie at road job all day. L.
Luke called. Boys and Annie and L. Luke at choir practice at
Greenbank in the evening.
2 – A very fine day. Finished plowing hill field. Willie at road job
all day. Jessie B. making hat for Annie. Jennie doing many things.
Annie, Willie, James and L. Luke at Port Perry in the evening and
brought home Annie and Chrissie Bell of Toronto for a visit over
labour day.
3 – A beautiful day and pretty warm. All but Jessie and Chrissie
Bell at SS and church; 197 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. An-
nie, Annie and C. Bell, went for a car ride in the evening with H.C.
Willie and James somewhere also. Mrs. P. Luke called in the
evening.
4 – A very fine but warm day. Harrowed field NE of barn twice
over. Willie at road job all day. Annie took Annie and Chrissie
Bell to Uxbridge on their way back to Toronto. Jessie B. making
Jennie a dress. L. Luke called.
5 – Very warm day, nearly 90 in the shade some of the time. Har-
rowing the hill field. Jennie washing and churning. Jessie B.
dressmaking. Willie at road job all day. James started another
year at Port Perry High School. He got home to dinner. Annie,
Willie and James and L. Luke at Greenbank in the evening.
6 – Very dull all day with some sprinkles of rain, some thunder in
the morning. Swept out granery and hoed strawberry patch. Willie
harrowing. Annie started to teach the Bethel school for the year.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
7 – A fine day. Cut road around corn patch and cut some corn in
the orchard. Jennie went to Port Perry with John Michie. They
came home this way and John, Lizzie, Eleanor and Bob stayed to
dinner. Willie at Midgley’s threshing in the forenoon and Ray
Dusty’s in the afternoon. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Annie drove to her school.
8 – Very warm. Helping Jennie in the forenoon to can corn.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie threshing at Ray
Dusty’s in the forenoon. In the afternoon went with Jennie to
preparatory service in the Union church, the first under the new
dispensation. There was a rather small turnout. Rev. Mr. Cameron
of Sunderland preached. Tom Sharp and Harry Bewell came in by
certificate. Willie, Annie, James and L. Luke at choir practice in
the evening.
9 – Very warm day, thunder storm came up about 5 o’clock and
rained off and on until 7:30. Alex Leask here for breakfast and
410
then he cut our corn and moved to Ray Dusty’s before dinner.
Willie got up early and James drove him to Greenbank when he
went with Markham Truax in his car to Toronto fair (the last day).
Jessie Bell making hats. James studying. Annie and James went
to Port Perry after the rain. L. Luke called. Drawing off corn in
the afternoon.
10 – Heavy rain in the morning with thunder. Went with Jennie,
Annie and James to communion service at Greenbank, the first
under the union. A fair turnout; Mr. McDonald preached. Mrs.
Wes Real sang a solo. In the evening Jennie and I went to the
Presbyterian church at Port Perry; Mr. Hall preached. Annie out
for a ride with E.C.
11 – Thunder and heavy rain through the night and most of the
forenoon from the NE. Did little but a few odd jobs. Jennie wash-
ing. Annie drove over to her school. James at home studying. L.
Luke called. Willie got home from the Toronto fair about 9 pm.
12 – Rather dull and much cooler. Dug early potatoes, Willie
helping, and cut threshing wood. James studying. Annie drove
over to her school and did not come home but went direct to Port
Perry for Annie Bell who came to spend her holidays here. Jennie
at W. Missionary meeting at Greenbank in the afternoon. L. Luke
called. Willie and L.L. at Greenbank in the evening.
13 – Went to Greenbank for the beef in the morning then drew off
corn til noon. Rain came on after dinner. Willie at C. Phair’s
threshing. James wheeled to Port Perry and took the train to
Whitby for sup. exams on algebra. He came back to Port Perry in
car with another of the boys. Jessie Bell dying yarn and made a
poor job of it. Annie drove to her school. L. Luke called. Had a
musical night.
14 – Dull all day with a little rain in the evening. Annie drove to
her school. Word came by phone that they have got another boy at
L. Wagoner’s. Annie Bell went with L. Luke to Epsom. Jennie
baking. Jessie Bell making Annie a dress. James did not go to
school. He got word that his appeal for a re-reading of his exams
was not allowed. Willie threshing at C. Phair’s in the forenoon.
The machine (Jas. Blair’s) then came here and threshed in the
afternoon. John Michie; P. Luke; N. Midgley; Clinton Midgley for
R. Dusty; and Harold Bailey for C. Phair, were the men. Young
W. O’Neill was foreman. Grain turning out better than last year.
15 – Dull in the morning but fine later. Finished threshing in about
1 ¾ hours. They then moved to P. Luke’s and finished him about 3
pm, then moved to John Michie’s and threshed about 2 hours.
Jennie helping Mrs. John with the supper. Both self and Willie at
Luke’s and J. Michie’s. James wheeled to Port Perry school in the
forenoon and at Port Perry fair in the afternoon. Annie and Annie
Bell also at the fair. Annie, James and Annie Bell at choir practice
in the evening. Willie and L. Luke somewhere in the evening.
16 – A fine cool day. Willie at John Michie’s threshing and fin-
ished about 10 am. Drew in the last of the corn, Willie and Annie
Bell helping. Jessie Bell sewing. Willie, Annie, James and Annie
Bell at Port Perry in the evening.
17 – A very fine day. At SS and church with Annie, Willie, James
and Annie Bell. Jennie did not go as she was not feeling well. 170
at SS; Rev. Mr. Duncan preached as Mr. McDonald is away on a
trip to the US. Annie Bell sang a solo (Abide With Me). Willie
away somewhere in the evening. Got word that Mildred Somer-
ville was killed by a runaway horse.
18 – Rather dull. Plowing corn land. Willie helping P. Luke to set
up his corn. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie washing.
Annie drove to her school. In the evening went to Greenbank to
community hall trustee meeting at Blake Cragg’s who is still in bed
on account of his fall.
19 – Rain all forenoon and little doing. Annie drove to her school.
James did not go to school. Willie plowing in the afternoon. L.
Luke called. Word came that Dick Rodd was killed today by being
thrown from a horse.
20 – A fine day. Went for the beef in the morning while Willie
cleaned out calf pen. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie
drove to her school. Jennie making pickles. In the afternoon Wil-
lie helping Howard McMillan to fill silo while I helped P. Luke to
finish drawing off his corn. L. Luke called. Clinton Midgley
called in the evening and there was much music.
21 – A very fine day. Willie drawing gravel all day on the
sideroad. I hoed the strawberries. James went with Keith
McMillan in his car to Port Perry school and went home with Keith
for dinner and to Dick Rodd’s funeral. Jennie and I went with C.
Phair. There was a very large turnout. Rev. Mr. Rowland of
Brooklin conducted the service. Annie drove to her school. Annie
Bell went to Port Perry with Mrs. John Michie. L. Luke called.
Annie, James and Annie Bell at Alex Leask’s in the evening and
got home about 1:30 am.
22 – A beautiful day. Digging potatoes all day. Potatoes good size
but some are started to rot. Willie drawing gravel. James wheeled
to Port Perry school. Annie drove to her school. Annie Bell at W.
Thomas’ in the afternoon. L. Luke called. Jessie Bell in bed to-
wards night. Annie, James and L. Luke at choir practice in the
evening. Willie and Annie Bell went to Port Perry in the evening
to meet Madge Allan of Toronto who is coming for a visit.
23 – A very fine day. Digging potatoes in the forenoon. Willie
drawing gravel. James got word that he has failed in the sup. ex-
ams on algebra. Cut the buckwheat in the afternoon with the
mower, Willie helping. Annie and Madge Allan at Port Perry in
the afternoon. L. Luke here in the evening and stayed all night as
her father and mother are away to Epsom.
24 – A very fine day. All hands but Jessie Bell at SS and church.
This is rally day in the SS; 223 being present. Rev. Mr. Carswell
of Toronto preached. Annie Bell and Madge Allan sang a duet.
Willie, Annie, Annie Bell, Madge Allan and L. Luke went for a
ride with HC in the evening.
25 – A fine day and quite cold in the morning with frost. Digging
potatoes. Willie plowing. Annie drove to her school and James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie Bell and Madge Allan went
to meet Annie at her school and had quite an experience in G.A.
McMillan’s car getting stuck in the mud holes on the 11th
conces-
sion. Annie, Willie, James, A. Bell and M. Allan at Luke’s in the
evening.
411
26 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon while Willie took
Annie to her school and then Madge Allan to Seagrave on her way
home. James wheeled to Port Perry school but he came home at
noon as the school furnace smoked so bad that they closed the
school. Jennie washing and ironing. Annie Bell at John Michie’s
for dinner. L. Luke called. James and Annie at Greenbank in the
evening.
27 – A very fine day. Helping C. Phair to fill silo, Willie also.
Jennie took Annie to her school and Annie Bell to Seagrave on her
way back to Toronto. James wheeled to Port Perry school. In the
evening went with Jennie, Annie and James to C. Gordon’s at
Greenbank when we had a musical evening. Arthur Gordon and
wife and Annie Gordon were also there.
28 – A beautiful day. Turned the buckwheat and dug potatoes.
Willie at W. Thomas’ filling silo. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Annie drove to her school. L. Luke here two or three
times.
29 – A very fine and warm day. Digging potatoes in the forenoon
and in the afternoon took Jessie Bell’s trunk to Port Perry station.
Willie helping fill silo at W. Thomas’ and Jim Dusty’s. Jennie
picking crab apples. James wheeled to Port Perry school but there
was no school in the afternoon as it was a half holiday on account
of it being the day the hydro electric power was turned on. Annie
drove to her school. Annie, James, Willie and L. Luke at choir
practice in the evening.
30 – A beautiful day. Digging potatoes until about 4 pm when I
went to N. Midgley’s to help fill silo for Wes Real. Willie helping
at Jim Dusty’s and N. Midgley’s. James helping C. Phair in the
afternoon. Annie drove Jessie Bell to the early train at Port Perry
on her way back to Rochester. Jennie preserving crab apples.
Willie, Annie and L. Luke at Port Perry in the evening.
OCT. 1 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 185 at SS;
Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Willie stayed at G. Lee’s for sup-
per. James and Annie at Greenbank in the evening.
2 – A beautiful day. Digging potatoes in the forenoon and helping
C. Phair to fill silo in the afternoon. Willie helping N. Midgley in
the forenoon and C. Phair in the afternoon. Jennie washing. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie drove to her school and she
had quite an experience. Between 9 and 10 o’clock the man that
was painting the schoolhouse fell and broke his right leg near the
ankle. Chambers is his name. Annie and L. Luke at Greenbank in
the evening.
3 – A very fine day. Helping C. Phair to finish silo filling; about 2
½ hours work. Then finished digging potatoes. James wheeled to
Port Perry school. Jennie drove Willie to Harry Bewell’s to help
him for a few days. Annie drove to her school. In the afternoon
went with N. Midgley in his car to R. Woon’s sale. There was a
pretty good turnout. Annie at a SS class meeting at H. Bewell’s
and James at Greenbank to practice to sing at a social at Wick.
4 – A very fine day. Helping N. Midgley to fill silo and finished
about 11 am. Turned the buckwheat and picked apples in the
afternoon. James wheeled to Port Perry school. This was sports
day. In the evening he went to Wick to sing in a quartet. Annie
drove to her school. L. Luke called.
5 – A very fine day. Picking apples in the forenoon, Jennie help-
ing, and in the afternoon went to Greenbank school fair. Annie
went in the forenoon and L. Luke went with me. There was a
pretty good exhibit but did not appear to be so many out as last
year. James wheeled to Port Perry school and drove to orchestra
practice in the evening. Word comes of terrible fires in northern
Ontario.
6 – A very fine day. Picking apples most of the day. Annie drove
to her school and James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs. W.
Mark here for dinner and in the afternoon W. O’Neill and wife
came for some apples and stayed for supper. Will is laid up from
work by a broken rib which he got in an auto accident. Edna and
Billie Michie of Sask. and Eleanor Michie were also here for sup-
per. Mrs. Luke and L. Luke here in the afternoon picking up some
snow apples. Annie, James and L. Luke at choir practice in the
evening.
7 – A little rain in the morning. Plowing in the forenoon. In the
afternoon drew in 1 ½ loads of buckwheat but rain came on and we
had to quit. L. Luke called. No one out in the evening.
8 – Rain through the night and early morning. All but Jennie at SS
and church; 188 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Willie came
home from Bewell’s and went away after supper. Annie went for a
car ride with E. Hooper and Co. H.C. came later; too late.
9 – Somewhat dull all day. James drove Willie to H. Bewell’s in
the morning and then wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie drove
to her school. Jennie washing. I was plowing all day. Dr. Moon
called in to see little Reddie cow which is sick. Pascoe and Mrs.
Luke came for apples in the afternoon. Annie and James at Green-
bank in the evening to a meeting to organize a young people’s
society.
10 – Rain off and on all day; mostly on. Plowing part of the fore-
noon. Annie drove to her school and then to Port Perry after
school. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs. Luke called.
11 – Rather dull with a little rain towards night. Went for the beef
in the morning. Plowing rest of the day. Annie drove to her
school and James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mr. Luke called.
N. Midgley came to pick apples.
12 – Dull with rain in the afternoon, almost snow. Plowing all day.
James drove Annie to Greenbank in the morning on her way to the
teacher’s convention at Cannington. Jennie and James picking
apples. Jim Lee came for a barrel of apples before we were out of
bed in the morning. John Michie and N. Midgley also came for
apples. Mrs. Luke called. Ray Dusty threshing his buckwheat.
13 – A fine but cool day. Plowing in the forenoon. James study-
ing. In the afternoon went with Jennie and Mrs. John Michie to
Mrs. Smith’s funeral from G.A. McMillan’s. Rev. Mr. McDonald
conducted the service. She was taken to Cannington for burial.
James went to Blackwater for Annie on her way back from the
412
teacher’s convention at Cannington. They stopped at Greenbank
for choir practice.
SS # 12 Greenbank Senior Room, Oct. 11, 1922
Back Row: Mr. Stillman; Viola Butson; Velma Leask;
Marjorie Leask; Charlie Cragg; Telford Love; Theodore
Cragg; Harold Howsam; Leroy Till
Middle Row: Florence McMillan; Ruby Lee; Clara Gibson;
Jean Michie; Helena Boe; Ruth Michie; Ross Blakely; Alvin
O’Neill
Front Row: Harry Phoenix; Frank Gibson; Wallace
McMillan; Ernest Till
14 – A very fine day. Brought in the potatoes from the pits in the
field, James helping. One pit of the five was very rotten, the worst
that I ever saw. Sam Dusty came for apples. P. Luke called.
15 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 183 at SS; Mr. --- ,
a Methodist minister who has been living about Wick lately,
preached. Mary L. Real and Frances Lee here for tea and the eve-
ning when music was the programme. Willie at Epsom in the
evening.
16 – A fine day. Jennie drove Willie to H. Bewell’s in the morn-
ing. James wheeled to Port Perry school and Annie drove to her
school. Mrs. A. Akhurst and Marie here in the afternoon for ap-
ples. I topped and harrowed up the mangolds. Annie at H.
Bewell’s at a meeting about the newly formed young people’s
society.
17 – Cold with high NW wind. Drawing in mangolds, got in 9
loads. Jennie picking up apples. Annie drove to her school.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs. Thomas and Henry; Ray
Dusty; and John Michie came for apples. Jennie went with Mrs.
John Michie to missionary meeting at the church. James at orches-
tra practice in the evening.
18 – Drew in the last load of mangolds, then came on a snow bliz-
zard (the first of the season) and a number of snow flurries during
the day. Drew in some corn in the afternoon. Jennie washing.
Annie drove to her school and James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Annie and James at young people’s meeting in the church, the first
meeting. C. Phair brought the beef in the evening, the last for the
season.
19 – Cold and rough most of the day. Plowing all day on hill field.
Jennie took Annie to her school and then went on to Port Perry.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie did not come home but
stayed at Mr. Armstrong’s and went with them to play at Seagrave.
L. Luke called.
20 – Very hard frost in the morning, too hard to plow. Picked
apples and cut the last of the corn in the orchard in the forenoon
and plowing in the afternoon. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Jennie went to Bethel for Annie after school. Annie and James at
choir practice in the evening.
21 – A very fine day. Drew in the two loads of buckwheat and 1
load of corn in the forenoon, James helping. Annie went to Port
Perry to see Miss Gibson about music lessons. Put up parlor stove
after dinner. Plowing in the afternoon. L. Luke called.
22 – A beautiful day. In the forenoon Blanche Luke; Mr. and Mrs.
L. Wagner and two children came over for a visit, and about 11:30
Mr. and Mrs. W. Farrow; Mrs. F. Perrin; Jean Perrin and a Mr. W.
Farrow from Guelph came. At SS with Annie, James and Mrs.
Farrow. Jennie came later to church. 179 at SS; Mr. McDonald
preached. Willie came home from H. Bewell’s. In the evening
Annie and James went to choir practice in the church. Willie drove
L. Luke to Epsom.
23 – Very dull and heavy rain in the forenoon which prevented
James from going to school. Annie drove to her school. Little
doing in the forenoon. Cleaned out the calf pen and hen house.
Willie plowing in the afternoon. Mrs. Luke called. Dr. McClinton
of Uxbridge called to examine Annie for life insurance.
24 – A very fine day. Topping turnips all day and finished the job.
Willie plowing. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school and
James wheeled to Port Perry school. James at orchestra practice in
the evening.
25 – Rather rough and windy. Drew in the last of the corn at the
line fence (Ray Dusty’s), then harrowed up the turnips and got in 3
loads. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie drove to her
school. Annie, Willie and James at CE meeting in the evening.
26 – Rather cold and rough. Willie and I drawing in turnips, 12
loads. Jennie baking. Annie drove to her school and James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Mrs. Luke called.
27 – Fine day but rather raw. Finished drawing in turnips, 6 ½
loads; 21 ½ in all. James wheeled to Port Perry school and Annie
drove to her school. Miss Dale Armstrong came home with her.
Annie, James, Willie and Miss A. at choir practice in the evening.
28 – Rather cold with hard frost in the morning. Did some little
jobs. Willie went to Port Perry with 16 bags of oats and did not get
back until about 3 pm. Annie, L. Luke and Dale Armstrong went
to Port Perry in the morning. Annie to get her first music lesson
from Miss Gibson. Music and dancing in the evening. L. Luke
here also.
413
29 – Bright day, but cold. All hands at SS and church; 185 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. In the evening James went to choir
practice at the church. Annie and Dale Armstrong away with E.H.
and Willie away somewhere.
30 – A very fine day; cold in the morning. Plowing all day.
Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school taking Miss Armstrong
home. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie helping P.
Luke to draw in his corn. L. Luke called. Annie, Willie and James
at Greenbank in the evening; the boys to orchestra practice and
Annie to another meeting.
31 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Willie at Luke’s helping to
get in his corn. Annie drove to her school. Jennie sewing and
ironing. James did not go to school as there is exams on. L. Luke
called. Annie, Willie and James at Halloween party in the hall at
Greenbank.
NOV. 1 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Finished hill field
and started SW field. Willie helped P. Luke with corn awhile in
the morning and then painted the cutter. James wheeled to Port
Perry school; exams are on. Jennie sewing and baking. Annie
drove to her school. Annie, Willie and L. Luke went to SS con-
vention at Uxbridge in the evening. Jew from Brooklin called and
we got a smock and a pair of pants. Eleanor Michie here most of
the day.
2 – Very dull with some rain before dinner and some in the after-
noon. Plowing sod all day. Jennie drove Willie part way to H.
Bewell’s to help him. Annie drove to her school. James wheeled
to Port Perry school in the afternoon to exams. L. Luke called.
3 – Very dull most of the day. Plowing sod all day. Annie drove
to her school. James wheeled to Port Perry school for the forenoon
only which finishes the exams for this time. L. Luke called. An-
nie, James and L. Luke at choir practice in the evening. Willie
came home from Bewell’s.
4 – A fine day. Plowing sod all day. Boys doing little. Annie and
L. Luke went to Port Perry in the forenoon for music lessons.
James at orchestra practice in the evening and Willie and Annie
went to Port Perry for Annie Bell who is coming for thanksgiving.
5 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. Annie and Annie
Bell rode up with C. Phair. 190 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached.
Annie B. sang a solo. James at choir practice. Annie and Annie B.
went with E.H. and Willie away somewhere.
6 – Very dull, foggy, and a little rain sometimes. Thanksgiving
day. Plowed in the forenoon. In the afternoon Willie drove Annie
Bell to the 4 o’clock train at Port Perry. In the evening all hands at
chicken pie supper by the Ladies Aid in the church. There was a
good attendance. The choir gave a cantata. Miss Fallowdown of
Sunderland recited. About $110 was taken in.
7 – A fine day. Plowing sod all day. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Annie drove to her school. Willie most of the day clean-
ing up the shop. L. Luke called.
8 – Rather dull with some rain in the afternoon. Plowing sod all
day. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school and James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie taking to pieces the old
buggy. L. Luke called. Annie, Willie and James at CE meeting in
the evening.
9 – Fine but pretty cold. Plowing sod all day. James wheeled to
Port Perry school and Annie drove to her school. Willie helping C.
Phair to thresh in the afternoon. L. Luke called. James at Ben
Hokey concert at Port Perry in the evening.
10 – A fine day. Finished plowing sod and some of the north field.
Willie all day helping C. Phair to thresh. James wheeled to Port
Perry school and Annie drove to her school. L. Luke called. An-
nie, Willie, James and L. Luke at choir practice in the evening.
11 – Dull with some rain after dinner. Drawing out manure on
strawberry ground and orchard, Willie helping. Annie went with
L. Luke to Port Perry for music lesson. Jean, Ruth and Olive Mi-
chie called in the afternoon. Annie, Willie and L. Luke at Port
Perry in the evening.
12 – Fine but pretty cold. All hands at SS and church; 177 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. Annie out in the evening with E.H.
Willie away somewhere.
13 – Rather a fine day. Pretty hard frost in the morning. Plowing
strawberry patch and orchard. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her
school and James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
Willie and Ray Dusty went to Uxbridge to hear the trial of the
Greenbank boys for the trouble with R. Flewell on Halloween
night. The boys were fined $2.00 each with costs. In the evening
Rye Beare; F. Howsam and Mary L. Real were here for practice
and Harry Bewell, Hattie Bewell, Dorothy Real and Mr. Stillman
at a CE meeting.
14 – Dull day with a little rain in the evening. Plowing and har-
rowing orchard in the forenoon. Willie plowing in the afternoon.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie drove to her school. L.
Luke called. In the evening Annie and L. Luke went to SS class
meeting at R. Real’s and Willie to Seagrave.
15 – A fine day. Helping Jennie to pick chickens in the forenoon
and fixing fences in the afternoon. Willie plowing all day. James
wheeled to Port Perry school and Annie drove to her school. L.
Luke called. Willie and James at CE meeting in the evening. C.
Stone and Eva Leask married. Braden’s store at Saintfield burned.
16 – Some snow several times during the day. I drove Annie part
way to her school and then Jennie went to Port Perry market with 8
chickens (got 25 cents per pound). James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Willie plowing. I did some small jobs. L. Luke called.
Willie at Greenbank (wheeled).
17 – A fine day. Puttying windows and other jobs. Willie harrow-
ing. Annie drove to her school and Dale Armstrong came home
with her. James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
Jennie baking. In the evening Annie, Willie, James, D. Armstrong
and L. Luke at Greenbank to choir practice and after to a dance in
the hall.
18 – A very dull and sometimes rainy day. Harrowing the sod
field while Willie took Dale Armstrong home. Annie and L. Luke
414
at Port Perry for music lesson. In the afternoon put on storm win-
dows and banked up house. Jennie went down to John Michie’s to
see Eleanor who is under the Drs. care with rheumatism. James
wheeled to Port Perry almost after dark for things Annie forgot.
19 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 169 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Annie and Willie away in the evening.
20 – Pretty cold and rough. Put straw on strawberry patch, Willie
helping. Annie drove to her school and James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Afternoon Willie painting cutter while I was sweep-
ing down the stable. Jennie washing. L. Luke called. Willie at
Greenbank in the evening helping to wash the dishes used at the
dance on Friday last. Joe Stone’s fine new garage was burned this
morning.
21 – Hard frost and pretty cold day. Did some small jobs. Willie
painting cutter. Annie drove to her school and James wheeled to
Port Perry school. In the afternoon Willie went with Francis Lee to
Uxbridge to hear the trial of R. Sonley for assaulting --- Thomp-
son. Sonley fined $5.00 and costs.
22 – A fine day. Helping Jennie to pick chickens in the forenoon
and helping P. Luke with fence in the afternoon. Willie drawing
gravel on sideroad. Annie drove to her school and James wheeled
to Port Perry school. L. Luke called. About the middle of the
afternoon Willie Smith came with his car bringing his mother for a
visit. Annie, Willie, James and L. Luke at CE meeting in the eve-
ning.
23 – Rather cold. All day helping P. Luke with fence. Jennie went
to Port Perry market with chickens. Willie drawing gravel all day.
Annie walked to her school. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
L. Luke called. All home in the evening.
24 – Pretty rough with some snow. All day helping P. Luke with
fence. Willie drawing gravel on sideroad. Annie drove to her
school and James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
Willie, James and L.L. at choir practice. Annie did not go as she
has a cold.
25 – Rough with some snow. All day helping P. Luke with fence
and finished. Willie drawing gravel on sideroad. Annie and L.
Luke went to Port Perry in the forenoon for music lesson and in the
afternoon to sewing bee at I. Beare’s. L. Luke here in the evening
and Jennie and Barbara at Luke’s in the evening
26 – Rather cold and rough. All hands at SS and church; 169 at
SS. Annie, Willie and James out somewhere in the evening.
27 – Ground covered with 2 in. snow in the morning and some
more came during the day. Did chores and some small jobs.
Jennie washing. James wheeled to Port Perry school and Annie
drove to her school. Willie drawing gravel all day. Willie and
Annie at Ray Dusty’s in the evening. L. Luke called.
28 – Some snow at times. Did little but the chores. Willie at
gravel job. Annie drove to her school and James wheeled to Port
Perry school. L. Luke called. James at orchestra practice in the
evening. William O’Neill and Nellie brought Barbara home in his
car in the evening.
29 – A fine day. Did little but the chores. Willie drawing gravel.
James wheeled to Port Perry school and Annie drove to her school.
Jennie ironing. Mrs. Midgley and Mrs. Bryant here for tea. In the
evening went with Annie, James and L. Luke to C.E. meeting in
the church. A fair turnout. I acted as chairman.
30 – Warmer and the snow going. Drove Annie to her school and
then drove Barbara to Port Perry on her way home. James wheeled
to Port Perry school. Willie at gravel job. Mrs. John Michie left
Eleanor and Bob here while she went to Greenbank. L. Luke
called.
DEC. 1 – High wind all day and getting colder towards night.
Willie and I cut down apple tree and partly cut it up. P. Luke came
over after dinner and killed and dressed a pig. Annie drove to her
school and James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called
and Annie, Willie, James and L.L. at choir practice in the evening.
2 – A very fine day. Helped Jennie to cut up pig and finished
cutting apple tree, James helping. Willie at gravel job. He started
at 5 am. Annie and L. Luke at Port Perry for music lesson. Willie
at Port Perry in the evening. Annie went with E.H. to Platton’s at
Layton for a visit and James at N. Midgley’s.
3 – A very fine day. All (but Annie, who is away) at SS and
church; 185 at SS; Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Willie and
James away in the evening.
4 – Mild and fine day. Did little but the chores. Willie drawing
gravel all day. They were drawing on the 10th
concession in the
afternoon. James wheeled to Port Perry school and Annie drove to
her school. L. Luke called. Jennie washing and ironing.
5 – Pretty rough and cold with high wind. Did little but the chores.
Willie drew 2 loads of gravel which finishes the job. Annie drove
to her school and James wheeled to Port Perry school. In the eve-
ning the 2 girls’ SS classes and the orchestra met here. Those
present were Mrs. I. Beare; Hattie Bewell; Amy Real; Dorothy
Real; Mary L. Real; L. Luke; Florence Lee; Lora Thomas; Marie
Akhurst; Bessie McMillan; Mona and Bernice Leask; Hugh Leask;
Rye Beare; F. Howsam and Ernie Lee.
6 – Still cold and rough. Willie went to Port Perry in the after-
noon. Annie drove to her school and James wheeled to Port Perry
school. L. Luke called. In the evening Willie , James and L. Luke
went to C.E. meeting and Annie went with E.H. to picture show at
Port Perry.
7 – Very rough, cold, and snowing a little from the E. Annie drove
to her school. James did not go to school as it was very rough at
the time he should have started. Little doing outdoors. Jennie
cleaned the pantry. L. Luke called. Eleanor and Bob here while
John and Lizzie were at Port Perry. The boys, Annie and L. Luke
at dance party in the hall at Greenbank in the evening.
8 – A fine day. Got John Michie’s pig rack and I took two pigs to
Port Perry; $10.50 per 100. Rather rough in the afternoon. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie drove to her school. L. Luke
called. In the evening went with Jennie and James to preparatory
service in the church. Mr. McDonald conducted the service. Keith
415
and Bessie McMillan and James came in by profession and Mrs.
Arthur Gordon and Mrs. C. Stone by certificate.
9 – Colder. Willie took 12 bags of oats to Port Perry and got them
ground. Annie and L. Luke went to Port Perry for music lesson.
In the afternoon I helped P. Luke to kill a pig. Boys skating; 1st
of
the season. L. Luke called two or three times. Music in the eve-
ning.
10 – Fine but pretty cold. Went with Annie and James to commun-
ion at Wick. Mr. McDonald preached. Not very many out from
Greenbank. Got dinner at W. O’Neill’s and went to SS at 2:30;
160 at SS. Jennie went up with John Michie and Willie wheeled.
In the evening Annie, Willie and James at church at Greenbank.
11 – A fine day. Willie drove Annie to her school and she stayed
at Mr. Armstrong’s. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie
washing. Willie and James skating at the new road in the evening.
12 – Cold and rough with W wind. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. Little doing outside at least. Jennie went to the W.M.
meeting at the church taking Mrs. John Michie with her. Eleanor
here while her mother was at the meeting. Clinton Midgley and L.
Luke called. James at orchestra practice in the evening.
13 – Pretty cold and rough. Jennie, Willie and I all day picking
roosters and hens in the stable. James wheeled to Port Perry
school. L. Luke called. Telephone man called to fix the phone
which has not been working well lately. Willie, James and L. Luke
at C.E. meeting in the evening. A debate was on; the subject
resolved that the world is getting worse. G.A. McMillan and Mrs.
E. Leask took the affirmative and R. Cragg and Avelena Carneggie
the negative. Negative won out.
14 – Pretty cold day. Jennie went with John Michie to Port Perry
market with chickens. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie
took his skates to W. Thomas to be sharpened. In the afternoon
went with Norman Midgley to Frank McClintick’s sale. A good
turnout and pretty good prices. L. Luke called. Willie away in the
evening skating.
15 – A fine winter day. Some snow in the morning. Willie drove
James most of the way to Port Perry school. In the afternoon Jas.
Bott came from John Michie’s with his engine and grinder. He had
trouble getting up and setting and did not grind over half an hour.
Willie drove over for Annie. James and Annie at choir practice in
the evening. L. Luke called.
16 – A fine day but pretty cold. Jas. Bott came in the morning and
we ground oats until about an hour after dinner. Annie and L.
Luke went to Port Perry for music lesson. Willie, Annie, James
and L. Luke skating in the evening.
17 – A fine day with a little snow at times. All hands at SS and
church; 169 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Willie and Annie
away in the evening.
18 – A very fine day. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie
drove Annie to her school. I was up at Midgley’s in the forenoon.
Jennie at Luke’s most of the day helping to pick geese. Willie and
I got out the sleigh and drew in some corn from the orchard. James
at orchestra practice in the evening.
19 – A fine winter day. Jennie washing. James started to wheel to
Port Perry school but the chain of his wheel broke and he came
back. Willie went to Greenbank for curtains for Annie. In the
afternoon James and I went with John Michie to Port Perry
Christmas fair. There was a fair turnout but little to see. Willie
and L. Luke at high school concert at Port Perry.
20 – Rough and some snow from the SW. At Greenbank helping
at the hall. Abe Hall plastering. Willie drove Annie to her school.
James wheeled to Port Perry school and stayed for the play in the
evening and all night at Roy O’Neill’s. Jennie and Willie packing
clothing made for two Toronto families by the girls SS class and
then they took it to Port Perry and sent it off.
21 – A fine mild day. Willie drove me to Greenbank where I
helped at the hall all day. Got dinner at W. Phoenix’s. Willie
came for me towards night. James came home from Port Perry
school. James at orchestra practice and Willie skating in the eve-
ning. L. Luke called. Mrs. Wadge of Manitoba, with 3 children,
came on a visit to P. Luke’s. Fire to the south about 5:30 pm.
22 – A fine mild day. Put new knives into turnip pulper. Willie
helping John Michie, who is laid up with rheumatism, with the
chores. James did not go to school which closes today for Christ-
mas but he drove over for Annie after school. In the evening Wil-
lie drove the sleigh taking Mrs. John Michie and children, Leola
Luke and all here but Jennie, to Christmas tree at our SS. There
was a packed house and everything went off pretty well. Lots of
noise. $52.00 taken in.
23 – Mild and snowing a little. Little doing outside at least. Willie
helping J.M. at chores. In the afternoon took the sleigh to Port
Perry, Annie and Mrs. John Michie going with him, and got Annie
and Chrissie Bell who have come for Christmas. He then took the
sleigh to Bethel Christmas tree taking Annie, James and the Bell
girls.
24 – A fine mild day. All but Chrissie Bell at SS and church; 180
at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Gladys and Blanche Luke called
after we got home. All hands out to church in the evening. Rev.
Mr. Bell of Port Perry preached to a fair turnout.
25 – Rather mild and dull most of the day. The boys, Annie and
the Bell girls skating part of the time. I went down to John Mi-
chie’s to see John who is in bed with rheumatism. The girls were
all here for dinner and supper. Music in the evening. What little
snow there was is going fast.
26 – A very fine day. Got up early and Annie drove Annie and
Chrissie Bell to Port Perry on their way home. Willie drove me
most of the way to Greenbank where I helped at the hall. Got
dinner at Blake Cragg’s. James came for me. P. Luke called.
27 – Somewhat colder. Jennie washing. James went to the public
school meeting. W. Phoenix was put in trustee in place of George
Till. I went to Port Perry in the afternoon. Boys and Clinton
Midgley skating in the afternoon. Willie helping Mrs. John Michie
with the chores. John had the Dr. to see him today; inflammatory
416
rheumatism he calls it. James at picture show at Port Perry in the
evening (The Four Horsemen) and Willie and Annie at CE in the
evening.
28 – A fine but pretty cold day. At the hall in Greenbank in the
afternoon. Jennie ironing. Willie helped J.M. with chores. In the
evening the orchestra had a practice here and there was music
galore. Rye Bear; Freeman Howsam; Mary L. Real; --- Thomp-
son; Arthur Gordon and wife; C. Gordon; C. [Whyat?]; Clinton
Midgley and L. Luke were here.
29 – A beautiful day. Little doing in the forenoon. In the after-
noon drove to Greenbank and helped at the hall. Boys skating.
Ray Dusty, C. Midgley and Ross Blakely also skating. Annie went
to Port Perry. L. Luke called.
30 – A fine day. Did little but the chores. James went to Green-
bank in the afternoon to help clean out the hall. Willie, Clinton
Midgley, --- Bryant, Leola Luke and Miss Coates skating on our
pond. Willie and Annie at Luke’s in the evening and James at Port
Perry rink.
31 – Rather dull with some rain from the S. All hands at SS and
church; 169 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Leola Luke and Jean
Cotes here for supper. Willie, Annie, L. Luke and J.C. at church at
Greenbank. James Bewell conducted the service.
1923
JAN. 1 – Rather dull all day. Mild in the morning but got colder
towards night. All hands at John Michie’s for dinner and the after-
noon. W. O’Neill and wife were also there. John is much better.
Willie, Annie, James and L. Luke at dance in the community hall
got up by the orchestra. A big time; upwards of 200 present.
$47.00 taken in.
2 – Mild with snow in the evening. Little doing but Jennie wash-
ing. Jennie and Mrs. W. Thomas drove over to see Mrs. Alex
Leask who is ill. L. Luke called. Annie and James went to Green-
bank in the evening; Annie to SS class and James to wash up the
dishes used at last nights party.
3 – Rough with snow from the E. Willie drove Annie to her school
to start after the holidays. James drove (buggy) to Port Perry
school. Little doing but the chores. Helped to pick some hens. L.
Luke called. In the evening went with Willie to annual SS meet-
ing. There was about 35 out and the meeting was quite harmoni-
ous. The old officers were re-elected except W. Hill, assistant sec.,
who is moving away. Ernie takes his place and Dorothy Real takes
the place of Mrs. Fleet Beare.
4 – A fine day. Willie hitched the sleigh and first took John Mi-
chie’s girls to school and then took Mrs. John; Mrs. Wadge; L.
Luke and Jennie to Port Perry market. L. Luke called. In the
evening Willie and L.L. skating at Greenbank rink run by Ernie
Lee.
5 – A very fine day. Did little but the chores. Went for Annie.
James drove to Port Perry school. Willie most of the day at Luke’s
helping to cut feed. Jennie making nightgowns. L. Luke called.
James, Willie and L. Luke at choir practice in the evening. Annie
at hockey match in Port Perry. Port Perry against Beaverton.
6 – Cold E wind all day which got down to 12 below zero in the
evening. Little doing outside. Mrs. Jas. Allan of Uxbridge was
buried at the 12th
concession but on account of the cold we did not
go. Willie down helping John Michie whose rheumatism is worse
today. L. Luke came over in the evening to go to Greenbank to
skate but they did not go; too cold.
7 – Very cold with E wind. Willie drove John Michie’s team and
took all but Jennie to SS and church. SS time was taken up with
choosing teachers and 4 classes did not succeed in getting one as
yet. Mr. McDonald preached. Church not well heated. L. Luke
called on way home from church. James and Willie away some-
where in the evening and E. Hooper, E. Wallace and Annie Gordon
here in the evening.
8 – A fine day. I did little but the chores. Helped John Michie
with his chores at noon. Jennie washing. James drove to Port
Perry school. Willie drove Annie to her school and then went to
the agricultural class in the hall at Greenbank conducted by R.M.
Tipper and is to continue 4 weeks. Willie put his horse in at G.
Lee’s. The girls also have a sewing class in the basement of the
Presbyterian church. L. Luke attends it. In the evening James and
I went to the annual meeting of the United church (the first annual
meeting). There was not many out. Mr. McDonald was in the
chair. A new lot of managers were elected; 6 from the Presbyte-
rian and 6 from the Methodist side. Talked of a Sunday evening
service and hydro electric lighting.
9 – A fine mild day; some snow from the E. Helped Mrs. J.M.
with the chores. James drove to Port Perry school and to orchestra
practice in the evening. Willie and L.L. at Aggie class. Jennie
went with Mrs. John Michie to WM meeting in church.
10 – A fine winter day. Did chores and helped Mrs. John Michie
to do hers. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie at Aggie
class. They were at Edgar Leask’s judging cattle in the afternoon.
Willie at CE in the evening.
11 – Rough and snowing sometimes, especially in the evening.
Did chores and helped Mrs. J.M. with hers. James drove to Port
Perry school and Willie to Aggie class at Greenbank. Hockey
match between Greenbank and Victoria Corners. Greenbank won
4-0. Mrs. Wadge called.
12 – Pretty cold and rough. Did chores. Willie at Aggie class. He
went by way of John Michie’s as our road is blocked with snow.
The mare, however, got through all right. James drove to Port
Perry school. Cecil Phair called in the afternoon. Annie came
home part way by Mr. Armstrong.
13 – Rather a fine day. Willie hitched up the sleigh and went
through the fields to break the road and we then went to John Mi-
chie’s for two little pigs. In the afternoon Willie drove P. Luke’s
team and sleigh to Port Perry taking Annie, Leola and Mrs. Wadge.
Annie, Willie and James skating at Greenbank in the evening.
14 – Pretty rough with E wind but not quite as cold. All hands at
SS and church (drove the sleigh). Took Mrs. John Michie and girls
417
and Mrs. Wadge and L. Luke. 182 at SS; Mr. McDonald
preached. Mrs. Wes Real sang a solo. Willie and James away in
the evening. Annie went with E.H. somewhere and she landed at
Mr. Armstrong’s for the night ready for school in the morning.
15 – High NW wind and drifting most of the day but not very cold.
Did chores and helped Mrs. J. Michie with hers. Jennie washing.
Willie and L. Luke at Aggie class. Leola here for supper and piano
practice in the evening. James did not go to Port Perry school.
16 – Rough and stormy all day and getting colder towards night.
Did chores and helped Mrs. J. Michie at noon. Willie and L. Luke
at aggie class. James did not go to Port Perry school until after-
noon as exams are on and he had nothing to do in the forenoon.
Willie went with Ray Dusty to hockey match at Uxbridge; Port
Perry plays Uxbridge; Uxbridge wins 3 to 0.
17 – 15 below zero in the morning but got warmer as the day ad-
vanced. Did chores here and at J.M.’s. James at Port Perry school
in the forenoon only; exams on. Willie and L. Luke at aggie class.
Willie and James at C.E. in the evening.
18 – Mild and thawing most of the day. Did chores here and at
J.M.’s. Willie and Leola Luke at aggie class. James drove to Port
Perry school exams. Jennie visiting at Luke’s in the afternoon. L.
Luke here in the evening practising. James at orchestra practice.
19 – A very fine day. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie
and L. Luke at aggie class. I helped Mrs. John Michie do chores
and then went with her in the cutter to Greenbank and went to the
aggie class in the hall. There was a debate on the subject of mixed
or specialty farming. Specialty won. Willie went for Annie and all
at Greenbank at choir practice in the evening.
20 – Mild and thawing some with rain in the evening. Did little
but the chores. Willie helped John Michie with his. Annie and L.
Luke at Port Perry for music lesson. L. Luke here in the evening.
21 – A very fine day. Drove the sleigh and took all hands, includ-
ing John Michie’s girls and Lukes, to SS and church; 180 at SS. A
student named Connar preached on his experiences as a missionary
in the NW. Willie, Annie and James out to church in the evening;
the same man preached.
22 – A beautiful day. Did little but the chores. Jennie washing.
James drove Annie to her school and then went on to Port Perry
school. Willie at aggie class in the hall and at Greenbank skating
in the evening.
23 – At zero in the morning and a fine day. Did the chores. James
drove to Port Perry school. Willie to the aggie class. They went to
Alex Leask’s in the afternoon to judge dairy cattle. Willie drove
over to Mr. Armstrong’s afterwards for a quarter of beef. L. Luke
here in the evening practicing piano. James at orchestra practice in
the evening.
24 – Snowing from the S most of the day. Did chores and helped
Jennie to pick chickens. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie
and L. Luke at aggie class and at C.E. meeting in the evening.
25 – Clear and cold day. P. Luke drove the sleigh to Port Perry
market and Mrs. Luke, Jennie and I went with him. James drove to
Port Perry school and to choir practice in the evening. Willie
drove to aggie class in the forenoon and to hockey match at Sea-
grave in the evening. Greenbank beat Seagrave 2-0. L. Luke here
in the evening practicing piano.
Mr. and Mrs. Pascoe Luke, date unknown.
26 – A fine and mild day. Did little but the chores. Willie at the
aggie class and brought Dale Armstrong home with him. James
drove to Port Perry school and came by Bethel school and brought
Annie home. In the evening all but Annie at the hall trustees con-
cert. There was music by the orchestra; vocals by T. Sharp, Hattie
Bewell and Mrs. W. Real. The Bethel people put on the play
‘Cranberry Corners’ and did it well. Then a pie social and then
finished with a short dance. About $45.00 was made clear. Dale
Armstrong, who was in the play, stayed all night here.
27 – A beautiful day. Little doing but the chores. Dale Armstrong,
who is half sick with a cold, did not get up until near noon. Her
mother came for her after dinner. Annie and L. Luke went to Port
Perry for music lesson. James went to Greenbank in the afternoon
to see a hockey match but it did not come off. Annie went to Port
Perry rink with E.H.
28 – Rough and cold with raw E wind. All but Willie (who is half
sick with a cold) at SS and church. Took the sleigh and went by
way of John Michie’s. 150 at SS. Archie McMillan of Winnipeg
was present and gave a little speech. Mr. McDonald preached.
James away somewhere in the evening.
29 – A beautiful but pretty cold day. I drove Annie over to her
school in the sleigh. James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie
washing. Willie did not go to the aggie class. He did not get out
of bed till noon. Mrs. Luke called in the morning.
418
30 – A beautiful but sharp day. Little doing but the chores. James
drove to Port Perry school. Willie did not go to aggie class. Jennie
helping Mrs. Luke to quilt in the afternoon. James at Port Perry in
the evening at hockey match; Uxbridge vs. Port Perry and Ux-
bridge wins 2 to 1.
31 – A fine day and milder. James drove to Port Perry school and
to C.E. meeting in the evening. Little done but the chores. Jennie
ironing. Jennie, Willie and I all more or less sick with grippe or
something like it.
FEB. 1 – Mild and foggy all day. Willie did the chores while I
stayed at the house to nurse my cold. Jennie in bed all day with
mustard plaster on part of the time. James drove to Port Perry
school but came home early as two of the teachers are sick with
this grippe that is all about those parts. L. Luke called after being
away some days with grippe.
2 – Dull and foggy all day. James drove to Port Perry school.
Willie did the chores while Jennie and I nursed our grippe. Willie
went for Annie. L. Luke called. Annie and the boys at a party in
the hall got up by the aggie class which closes tonight.
3 – Stormy all day and got below zero in the evening. Willie did
the chores. I was in the house all day.
4 – 10 below zero in the evening. Annie, Willie and James went to
SS and church; only 92 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Jennie
and I did not go as we still had the remains of the grippe. Annie
went out in the evening with E.H. but did not go very far.
5 – Below zero in the morning. James drove Annie to her school
but did not go to school himself as he is coughing quite a lot.
Willie did the chores while Jennie did the housework and I stayed
near the stove. Willie at Greenbank skating in the evening.
6 – Below zero in the morning and clear and cold all day. Willie
did the chores while James and I stayed close to the house. Jennie
making over her fur coat. L. Luke called and practiced piano.
James at orchestra practice at Greenbank in the evening. Uxbridge
played hockey at Oshawa and got beat 9 to 1.
7 – A very fine day. James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie
washing. Willie doing chores. L. Luke at piano practice. Willie
and James at C.E. meeting in the evening.
8 – Rough but mild. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie did
chores. L. Luke at piano practice. Nobody out in the evening.
9 – A very fine day. Willie did chores. James drove to Port Perry
school and came home by Bethel bringing Annie home. Jennie
studying up for missionary topic. L. Luke and G. Wadge called in
the afternoon. Willie and L.L. and Annie and E.H. at hockey
match at Uxbridge; Oshawa vs. Uxbridge; Oshawa 4 Uxbridge 0.
10 – A beautiful clear day. Willie doing chores at home and at
Luke’s. Annie drove to Port Perry in the morning. L. Luke and G.
Wadge and little sister called. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in
the evening skating and James at Greenbank skating. Mrs. Ed Till
died.
11 – Pretty cold day. All hands at SS and church; 134 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Willie and Annie out in the evening.
12 – A fine day until towards night when it got rough with snow
from the S. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie drove Annie
in the sleigh to her school. Jennie washing. Willie choring at
home and at Luke’s. L. Luke at piano practice. Annie came home
with Mr. Armstrong’s horse and Willie, Annie, James and L. Luke
went to party at Harry Bewell’s.
13 – Milder day. Willie did chores at home and at Luke’s. Jennie
ironing. James drove to Port Perry school and at orchestra practice
at Greenbank in the evening. G. Wadge called for the mail.
14 – A terrible rough day, snowing and drifting. I was in bed until
about 6 pm with bad back. Willie did the chores. James did not go
to school. He brought Rye Beare’s slide trombone home with him
and spent most of the day trying to play it. No mail today.
15 – Another terrible day of wind and drifting but it got milder in
the evening. I was in bed in the forenoon and miserable all day.
Willie did the chores and went to S. Dusty’s for the mail. No one
on the Port Perry road. James did not go to school. Annie had no
pupils at her school today. L. Luke and G. Wadge called.
16 – A pretty cold day but clear. I was in bed until noon and did
nothing the rest of the day. Willie and James chored and Willie
took Mrs. Luke to Port Perry with chickens. Jennie went with John
Michie and Lizzie in the sleigh to missionary meeting at the
church. She had the topic which she has been studying for some
days from the book of building of the nation. James went for An-
nie with the sleigh.
17 – About zero in the morning and sharp cold all day. Nursing
myself all day. Willie choring. John Michie and his 4 girls and
boy came up and got all their hair cut and had music. L. Luke and
G. Wadge called. Annie went with C.M. to Port Perry in the eve-
ning skating.
18 – A fine but cold day. All but me at SS and church; 146 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. Jennie went to see John Stone who is on
the sick list. James went to Alex Leask’s for tea. Willie, Annie
and L. Luke out in the evening.
19 – Clear and cold all day. In bed in the forenoon. Willie drove
Annie to her school and did the chores. James drove to Port Perry
school. L. Luke called. Jennie washed in the forenoon.
419
20 – A beautiful bright clear day. I was in bed part of the day.
Willie did the chores. James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie
over at Luke’s in the afternoon helping with quilt. Rev. Mr.
McDonald called and stayed a little over an hour. James at orches-
tra practice in the evening.
21 – A beautiful day. Around the house all day. Willie choring.
James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie went to Port Perry in the
afternoon with John Michie and wife in the sleigh. Willie at Port
Perry in the evening skating and James at C.E. meeting in the
church.
22 – Clear and pretty cold. Did little all day. Willie did chores.
The well at the barn is dry (the first time for perhaps 50 years) and
we had a job getting the cattle to come to the house for a drink and
did not get them all. James drove to Port Perry school and stayed
after school to skate. L. Luke here to practice on piano.
23 – Very cold all day. Never very much above zero. Helped a
little with the chores. Willie choring at home and at Luke’s.
James drove to Port Perry school. He came home early as there
was no school in the afternoon on account of Mrs. Harris’ funeral.
Willie went for Annie and in the evening all at dance at the hall in
Greenbank.
24 – Below zero in the morning, snow through the day and milder
in the evening. Willie at chores. Annie and L. Luke at Port Perry
for music lesson. L. Luke called in the afternoon.
25 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 161 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Annie at Luke’s for supper. Willie, Annie
and James out in the evening.
26 – A fine day and thawing a good deal. Willie drove Annie to
her school with the sleigh. James drove to Port Perry school.
Jennie washing. L. Luke called. Mrs. Wadge went with James to
Port Perry on her way to Toronto.
27 – A very fine mild day. James drove to Port Perry school.
Willie choring. In the afternoon Jennie and I went to congrega-
tional meeting in the church. The meeting was called to consider
the proposal to rearrange the churches in this part of the presby-
tery. The proposal was to put Sonya and Cresswell together and
Greenbank to be a charge alone. After a lot of discussion the ques-
tion was left without any action being taken. Mr. McDonald was
in the chair. I acted as sec. and Rev. Mr. Davis of Woodville rep-
resented the presbytery. There was not a very large turnout. After
the meeting the Ladies Aid had a supper and quite a number were
present. A programme of music was given by the orchestra, Tom
Sharp and Mrs. Wes Real. $19.00 was taken in. A beautiful eve-
ning.
28 – Another beautiful day. Willie choring. James drove to Port
Perry school. He brought Mrs. Wadge back from her trip to To-
ronto. Willie and L. Luke at C.E. social meeting at Harry
Bewell’s.
MAR. 1 – A fine mild day. Willie choring. James drove to Port
Perry school. I went with P. Luke and wife to Port Perry in the
sleigh to get another bottle from the Dr. Mrs. Wadge also went on
her way for a visit at Brooklin and Raglan. On our way to Port
Perry we met Rev. J.A. Miller who was on his way to G. Lee’s to
marry Florence to --- Smith. Did not get home from Port Perry
until near 3 o’clock. L. Luke here in the afternoon at piano. Willie
at Seagrave in the evening skating.
2 – A very fine day and thawing some most of the day. Willie
choring. James drove to Port Perry school. Eleanor Michie came
up with quilt patches. L. Luke at piano practice. Willie went for
Annie with the sleigh and Annie, Willie and James at choir prac-
tice in the evening. Eclipse of the moon in the evening.
3 – Another very fine day and thawing most of the time. Willie
choring. Jennie scrubbing etc. Annie and L. Luke at Port Perry in
the morning for music lessons. L. Luke also here in the afternoon.
Willie and James at Port Perry in the evening. Annie at home in
the evening. Willie painting the buggy in the shop.
4 – Heavy rain sometimes in the forenoon but got colder again
towards night. Annie, Willie and James at SS and church; 108 at
SS; Mr. McDonald preached. I did not feel able to go and Jennie
was not too well. Leola Luke here for supper. Annie, Willie and
James and L. Luke at choir practice in the evening.
5 – Another very fine day; not thawing very much. Willie drove
Annie to her school with the sleigh and then broke the sideroad
which has been blocked for some time. James drove to Port Perry
school. Jennie making quilt patches. L. Luke at piano practice.
Willie and L. Luke at shower for Florence Hickman who is likely
to be married soon. L. McDonald of Epsom here in the evening.
6 – Colder and some rough. Jennie washing. Willie choring.
James drove to Port Perry school. L. Luke called early in the
morning and again in the afternoon. L. McDonald here most of the
forenoon; Willie trying to learn him to play the fiddle. James at
orchestra practice in the evening. Mrs. Ernest Phair died.
7 – Rather a fine day. James drove to Port Perry school. Jennie
and Willie picking hens in the forenoon. Mrs. Wadge called early
to say goodbye. They leave for home in Manitoba today; Leola
Luke going with them as far as Toronto. James at C.E. meeting in
the evening.
8 – A very fine day. Willie choring. James drove to Port Perry
school. Jennie and Mrs. Luke drove to Port Perry market with
chickens. In the afternoon Jennie went with John Michie to Mrs.
Ernest Phair’s funeral. There was a large turnout; Mr. McDonald
conducted the service. She was buried at Wick. A man for Boe’s
Cream Co. of Toronto called to work up a cream route in these
parts. Willie away somewhere in the evening.
9 – A fine but pretty cold day. Willie choring. James drove to Port
Perry school. Jennie churning. Willie went to Wes Real’s sale. I
drove over for Annie after James came home. Clinton Midgley
here in the evening with his fiddle and we had a musical evening.
W. Hill and Florence Hickman married.
10 – Rather a fine day until evening when it became rough and
snowy. I went to Port Perry in the morning with Annie who went
for music lesson. Willie choring. Willie and Annie at Port Perry
in the evening to bring home L. Luke who has been in Toronto.
James away somewhere.
420
11 – A very fine day. All hands at communion service at Green-
bank. There was a good turnout; a good number coming from
Wick. Mr. McDonald preached. Jennie and I went to W.
O’Neill’s for dinner; James to T. Sharp’s; and Annie and Willie
came home with John Michie. Sunday School was held at 3
o’clock; there was 131 present. Annie and Willie did not get back
to SS. Annie and James at choir practice and Willie away some-
where in the evening.
12 –Very rough in the morning with snow from the E which later
turned to rain which made the snow settle quick. James drove to
Port Perry school. Willie drove Annie in the sleigh to her school.
Little doing but the chores.
13 – A fine but pretty cold day. James drove to Port Perry school.
Willie and I was most of the day fanning up oats for P. Luke who
also helped. Jennie washed in the forenoon and went to the WM
meeting in the church in the afternoon taking Mrs. Midgley and
Mrs. Bott.
14 – Cold but fine. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie and I
cleaned up barn floor after yesterday’s fanning. Willie and James
at C.E. meeting in the evening.
15 – A fine day. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie and I
cutting elm tree in the long field. Jennie making quilt.
16 – A very high wind and getting colder towards night. James
drove to Port Perry school. Willie painting buggy in the forenoon.
Willie and I finished cutting tree and then Willie went with the
sleigh for Annie. Willie, James and Annie at dance in the hall at
Greenbank in the evening.
17 – A very fine day. Willie and I cut up another elm tree. Annie
drove to Port Perry for music lesson. Ruth and Eleanor called in
the morning.
18 – A fine day and mild. All hands at SS and church; 171 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. James at choir practice in the evening
and Willie away somewhere.
19 – Very rough and cold with high NW wind and snow. James
drove to Port Perry school. I drove Annie to her school. Willie
went to Harry Bewell’s to help prepare for his sale on Wed. In the
afternoon went to congregational meeting in the church. There
was about 35 present. After a lot of talk a committee of G.A.
McMillan, Blake Cragg; Les Beare and Alex Leask were appointed
to confer with Wick congregation to try to rearrange the Sunday
services. The Dr. came out to see L. Luke; some throat trouble.
Ruth and Olive Michie called.
20 – A very fine day in the morning but rough and snowy in the
afternoon. Split some elm wood in the forenoon. James did not go
to school but studied at home in preparation for exams tomorrow.
Jennie washing. P. Luke called in the afternoon.
21 – A very fine day. James drove to Port Perry school. In the
afternoon went with P. Luke to Harry Bewell’s sale. There was
not many out and prices rather flat. Willie came home from
Bewell’s.
22 – Dull foggy and some rain in the forenoon and evening. Willie
and I cut two more little elm trees. Jennie cleaning the silverware.
James went to Port Perry school with Mrs. Luke (he did not need
to go in the forenoon on account of exams). He stayed at Roy
O’Neill’s all night. Annie phoned over that she was sick and had
no school.
23 – Rather dull. Whitewashed the kitchen ceiling while Jennie
cleaned woodwork. Willie went to Port Perry in the afternoon with
the waggon for James. Annie did not come home on account of
the water being across the road. Boys at orchestra practice in the
evening.
24 – Very rough and cold especially in the afternoon; high NW
wind. Willie and I cut another elm tree in the forenoon. Willie at
Mrs. O’Neill’s in the afternoon helping to cut wood. Jennie house-
cleaning.
25 – Drove the buggy with the boys to SS and church; 159 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. The service was held in the basement as
the dry wood has run out. Jennie did not go as her arms were bad.
The afternoon turned out very rough with snow from the E. Mrs.
Luke called in the forenoon. Willie and James out in the evening.
26 – A fine bright day. Willie at Mrs. O’Neill’s in the forenoon
and John Michie’s in the afternoon cutting wood. I drove James to
Port Perry school after dinner. He is to stay at Roy O’Neill’s over-
night; exams are on. Jennie making missionary quilt.
27 – Mild in the morning but about noon a terrible blizzard started
and continued all afternoon and got much colder. Willie and I
drew the elm wood to the house. Jennie washing. P. Luke came
for a sleigh load of turnips. Willie at Lukes in the afternoon.
421
28 – A terrible day; high NW wind and snow and very little above
zero. Went with cutter to Port Perry for James and other business.
Willie went with buggy to Wilson’s sale on 8th
conc. near the lake
and on his way home he ran against post of Luke’s gate and bent
the hind axle.
29 – Rather cold day, rough in the afternoon. Drove with the cutter
(fairly good sleighing) to Blackwater where I met Tocher Bros. and
settled up with them. Willie went to Port Perry with the buggy and
got the buggy axle straightened out and in the afternoon went for
Annie who is home for Easter holidays. Snowing heavily. L. Luke
called, the first time for quite awhile as she has been sick with sore
throat. In the evening James and I drove to Greenbank, he to or-
chestra and I to a congregational meeting in the church. There was
19 present and little done but talk. R. Cragg; B. Cragg; Alex
Leask and I were appointed to go to Cannington on Tuesday next.
30 – Good Friday. Rather cold. Willie and John Michie went for a
load of wood from Wes Real’s swamp to the church. Jennie went
with Mrs. Luke to a missionary quilting bee in the church base-
ment. About 60 women were out and 7 quilts quilted. James,
Annie and Mary Real at Port Perry skating rink in the evening.
31 – Very cold and rough all day and little but the chores was
done. Annie drove to Port Perry and waited until the 5 o’clock
train for Mabel and Jessie Slemon of Port Hope who are out for a
visit. Had music in the evening.
APR. 1 – Easter Sunday. A bright clear but rather cold day. Wil-
lie drove the sleigh to SS and church taking Mrs. Luke; Gladys,
who is home for the day; and Leola. 169 at SS; Mr. McDonald
preached. All away in the evening but Jennie and I.
2 – Much warmer, thawing rapidly. Willie and I drew away brush
and stove wood in the forenoon. In the afternoon went to Luke’s
and helped him to get out wood. Jas. Bott and C. O’Neill also
helping. Willie went to Port Perry with 10 bags of oats to be
ground but he did not get it home. He took the sleigh, but the
sleighing was poor. Mabel Slemon went with him. In the evening
Annie, Willie, James and Mabel and Jessie Slemon at dance party
in the hall at Greenbank.
3 – Rain in the morning and very dull all day. Drove the buggy to
Blackwater, taking Alex Leask, and then by train to Cannington to
Presbytery meeting. No action was taken on the question of rear-
rangement of charge until after the general assembly meeting in
June next. Got home about 4 o’clock.
4 – A fine day and thawing fast. All day helping P. Luke in
swamp. Willie went to Port Perry for the meal with the waggon.
Annie took Mabel and Jessie Slemon to Port Perry on their way
home. Willie and James at CE meeting in the evening. L. Luke
called.
5 – Dull and a little rain in the forenoon and heavy in the afternoon
which turned to snow towards evening. Jennie and Annie went to
Toronto to do some shopping. James drove them to Port Perry.
Willie and I cutting wood in P. Luke’s swamp; 6 poplar trees
which Mr. Luke gave for Willie’s help with his chores. P. Luke
called in the afternoon for the mail.
6 – A fine day. Willie and I cutting wood in P. Luke’s in the after-
noon and in the afternoon Willie helping P. Luke to cut wood with
Mr. [?] machine. James keeping house. Willie went to Port Perry
in the evening for Jennie and Annie on their way back from To-
ronto. James at choir practice.
7 – Dull day. Willie and I helped P. Luke to finish cutting wood;
about 1 ½ hours. Did little in the afternoon. Annie and L. Luke
went to Port Perry for music lesson. L. Luke called in the after-
noon. Annie and the boys at Luke’s in the evening.
8 – Rather rough and cold. All but Jennie at SS and church. 147 at
SS; Mr. McDonald preached. In the evening Willie took Annie to
Seagrave on her way to her school, the water being over the roads
hereabouts, and James went to choir practice.
9 – A very fine day. Willie and I drew in wood into the woodshed
and James piled it up. He did not go to school as we were afraid of
ice on the water which is over the road. Jennie washing. Clarence
O’Neill called in the evening. Willie at Ray Dusty’s in the eve-
ning.
10 – Some frost in the morning and snow in the afternoon. Willie
helping C. Phair to cut wood all day. James drove to Port Perry
school. Jennie went with John Michie and wife to W. Missionary
meeting in the church. I drew out the wood we had cut in P.
Luke’s swamp. P. Luke called in the morning and L. Luke in the
evening to practice. James at orchestra practice in the evening.
11 – Dull; rain came on about 11 which turned to sleet and quite
cold in the evening. Willie and I went to Luke’s swamp and cut
and drew out the last tree of the six we got from P.L. James drove
to Port Perry school. Clinton Midgley here in the afternoon and
stayed for supper. L. Luke over in the evening practicing and
Willie, James and her went to C.E. meeting.
12 – A very fine day. Willie and I cut down the big elm tree in the
swell north of the barn known as the crow tree, and cut some of it
into wood. James drove to Port Perry school. L. Luke here in the
evening practicing music.
13 – A very fine day. Willie and I all day cutting big elm tree.
John Michie was up awhile in the morning. James drove to Port
Perry school and came home by Bethel bringing Annie home.
Jennie went to Port Perry with John Michie and wife to get James a
new suit of clothes. L. Luke practicing in the afternoon.
14 – A fine day. Willie and I all day cutting elm tree. Annie went
with L. Luke to Port Perry for music lesson. Jas. S. Lee, wife and
girls here for tea and the evening; and P. Luke, wife and Leola; and
John Michie, wife and family for the evening. There was much
music.
15 – Raw and quite a snow storm from the SW. All hands at SS
and church; 162 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie at Luke’s
for tea. Willie and James somewhere in the evening.
16 – Some snow in the forenoon. All day at the elm tree; finished
cutting in the forenoon and splitting in the afternoon. James drove
to Port Perry school. He first took Annie to her school. L. Luke
practiced in the afternoon.
422
17 – Some snow and not very warm. Willie and I most of the day
splitting the elm tree. James drove to Port Perry school. Willie
and James at orchestra practice in the evening.
18 – Snowing most of the forenoon. Willie drawing out manure, I
at the berry bushes. Jennie washing. James drove to Port Perry
school. L. Luke here in the afternoon. C. O’Neill and [?] came for
a load of straw. Willie and James at C.E. in the evening.
19 – A fine and warm day. James drove to Port Perry school.
Willie helped John Michie to take cattle to Port Perry while I was
at berry bushes. Cut apple tree in the afternoon. L. Luke called.
Jennie housecleaning.
20 – A decidedly warm summer-like day. Jennie housecleaning
upstairs. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie started plow-
ing in the orchard and in the afternoon I planted some potatoes.
Willie went for Annie and brought another buggy home from John
Michie’s.
21 – Another very warm day. Did little but fix up the grain seeder.
Willie and I took heifer to John Michie’s and got it weighed (680
lbs). James overhauling his wheel. Annie and L. Luke at Port
Perry for music lesson. L. Luke here in the afternoon. J. Michie’s
girls here getting their hair cut. Annie and the boys at Luke’s in
the evening. Word came by phone that Mrs. R. Akhurst of Can-
nington is dead.
22 – Not quite so warm. All hands at SS and church; 165 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. As the job of [painting?] the church is
not yet finished the service was held in the basement. Willie,
James and Annie at choir practice in the evening. Some rain in the
evening. L. Luke called before dinner.
23 – A very fine day. Went to N. Midgley’s and got 40 lbs of
timothy seed. At berry bushes in the afternoon. Willie drawing
out manure and rolling new seeded field. Jennie washing. James
drove to Port Perry school. He first took Annie to her school, and
after school he brought from the station Miss Chrissie Bell who has
come on a visit. L. Luke called in the afternoon.
24 – A very fine day. Willie went up to N. Midgley’s and got an
old cultivator and cultivated the SW field while I was at berry
bushes most of the day. James wheeled to Port Perry school. P.
Luke got our seeder and sowed field SW of his house (the first
sown in this locality that I have heard of). L. Luke here in the
evening practicing.
25 – A very fine day. Willie cultivating hill field; broke the
tongue of cultivator and we put in the old one. Cleaning out the
berry bushes. James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
In the evening all hands went to C.E. meeting in the church. There
was a fair turnout. There was a debate. Resolved that a limited
monarchy is better than a republic. H. Bewell and I took the af-
firmative and G. Lee and Mrs. Rood the other side. The affirma-
tive won out. A very fine night.
26 – A beautiful day. Willie sowed the SW field. I took Chrissie
Bell to the midday train at Port Perry on her way back to Toronto.
Pruning apple trees in the afternoon. L. Luke practicing. James
did not go to school as his stomach is out of order.
27 – A very fine day. Uncovered the strawberry patch and pruned
apple trees. Willie harrowing in the afternoon. James wheeled to
Port Perry school. L. Luke called. Willie at concert at Port Perry
in the evening.
28 – Some rain in the forenoon. Most of the day in the orchard.
Willie drawing out manure. Annie went with L. Luke to Port Perry
for music lesson. Later Jennie drove to Port Perry for paper for
front room. L. Luke called in the afternoon, also John Love who
was wanting to get some oats. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in
the evening.
29 – Some little rain showers at different times. All hands at SS
and church; 184 at SS, the largest attendance so far this year. Mr.
Conner, for the Dominion Alliance, preached a good address.
Annie and the boys out in the evening.
30 – Cold and some rain in the forenoon. Jennie drove Annie to
her school and then went on to Port Perry to change the room paper
she got on Saturday. Willie drawing out manure and I scuffled the
berry bushes. James wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
Jennie tearing off the paper in the front room.
MAY 1 – A very fine day. Willie cultivated N field while I burned
the brush of the big elm tree. Fanned up some seed oats in the
afternoon. Jennie cleaning and painting front room. James
wheeled to Port Perry school and went to orchestra practice in the
evening. L. Luke called.
2 – A very fine day. Willie sowed the N field and partly harrowed
it. I did some painting and planted some berry bushes near the
barn pump. Jennie washing. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
L. Luke called.
3 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie to paper front room. Willie
harrowed N field and then sowed part of the hill field. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. L. Luke called.
4 – A beautiful day. All day helping Jennie to paper room. Willie
finished sowing hill field and harrowed it once over, then went to
Bethel for Annie. James wheeled to Port Perry school and brought
a Ross rifle home with him as he belongs to the H.S. Cadets.90
L.
Luke called in the afternoon. Annie, Willie and James at choir
practice in the evening.
5 – A beautiful day. Helped Jennie to finish papering room and
some other jobs in the forenoon, and planting some trees along the
road, James helping, in the afternoon. Willie harrowed hill field
and drew out manure. Annie and L. Luke went to Port Perry for
music lesson. Willie, Annie and L.L. at Port Perry in the evening.
6 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 176 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. L. Luke here for dinner and supper as Mr.
and Mrs. Luke are at Epsom. Willie, Annie and James out in the
evening.
7 – Another very fine day. I drove Annie to her school and then at
fence on N side of lane to Luke’s. Willie plowing. Jennie wash-
90
High School Cadets.
423
ing. James wheeled to Port Perry school. The H.S. Cadets were
inspected today. L. Luke called in the afternoon.
8 – Dull in the forenoon and foggy and some rain in the afternoon.
At fence while Willie cultivated and harrowed mangold ground.
Jennie at W.M.S. in the church in the afternoon. L. Luke called.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Boys at choir practice in the
evening.
9 – Snow all forenoon which melted about as fast as it fell. Jennie,
Willie and I picked over the potatoes in the cellar in the forenoon.
Little doing in the afternoon. L. Luke called. Willie and James at
C.E. meeting in the evening.
10 – Very cold and winter-like; snow on the ground and hard frost,
but it got warmer towards night. Little doing in the forenoon. In
the afternoon I finished fencing and Willie drew out manure.
James drove to Port Perry school. L. Luke at practice in the eve-
ning.
11 – Dull with rain in the afternoon and evening. Willie drew out
manure in the forenoon while I cleaned up rubbish of new fence.
James drove to Port Perry school. In the afternoon Willie drove
Jennie and I to Greenbank church to a SS conference (Willie then
went for Annie). Mrs. Williamson of Beaverton and Dr. Robinson
were the speakers and they were very good. Supper in the base-
ment and Robinson gave two addresses in the evening which were
fine. Attendance not very good. Annie, Willie and James were
also there.
12 – A fine day. Hoed berry bushes and trimmed maple trees
along the road. Willie plowing. Annie and L. Luke went to Port
Perry for music lesson. G. McMillan came for some berry bushes.
L. Luke called.
13 – A fine day but pretty cold for the time of year. All hands at
SS and church; 207 at SS, the largest attendance this year so far.
Mr. McDonald preached. Willie and James out in the evening.
14 – A very fine day. Drove Annie over to her school and trimmed
maple trees the rest of the day. Willie drawing out manure. James
wheeled to Port Perry school. Jennie went to Jas. Blair’s in the
afternoon for some cherry trees. L. Luke called. Rawleigh man
called.
15 – Rain most of the forenoon and again in the evening. James
drove to Port Perry school. Jennie papering and cleaning pantry.
In the afternoon Willie and I drew off the brush and limbs cut from
the maple trees. Howard McMillan came for some berry bushes.
L. Luke called. Willie away at Sonya and James at orchestra prac-
tice in the evening which was very dark and wet.
16 – Very heavy rain through the night and the water is laying on
the fields. Did several odd jobs. Willie plowing. James wheeled
to Port Perry school. Jennie washing. Ray Dusty came for berry
bushes. N. Baird of Oshawa and L. Luke called. Willie at C.E.
meeting in the evening. We had just got ready to get into bed
when the telephone rang and there was a fire to the west which
proved to be Russell Sonley’s barn.
17 – A cold drizzle of rain from the NW and sometimes snow;
continued all day. Cleaned out hen house and cut maple limbs.
James drove to Port Perry school. Willie also went to Port Perry in
the forenoon. L. Luke called.
18 – Much warmer and fine day. Willie plowing and harrowing
orchard. I helped Jennie in the garden and finished cutting maple
limbs. James drove to Port Perry school and went for Annie. L.
Luke called. Willie, James and Annie at dance party in the hall.
After 3 am when they got home.
19 – A beautiful day. Drilled up for mangolds and potatoes. Wil-
lie and James washed the buggy. L. Luke called. Annie and L.L.
went to Port Perry in the evening to meet Blanche Luke who is
home on a visit.
20 – Rain started a little after six in the morning and continued off
and on all day. Quite a lot of thunder. All hands at SS and church.
This is Go to SS day and we expected a great turnout but the atten-
dance only reached 142. Mr. Godfrey of the Bible Society
preached. He was very English in his speech. Annie, Willie and
James at Wick in the evening to anniversary services there.
21 – A fine but not too warm day. No rain. Drove Annie to her
school and then to Port Perry for some mangold seed. Jennie pa-
pering pantry. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie draw-
ing out manure. I was cutting potatoes in the afternoon. L. Luke
called.
22 – A fine but rather cool day. Cutting potatoes in the forenoon
and planting them in the afternoon (alone). Jennie washing and
ironing. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie drawing out
manure. L. Luke called. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
23 – A beautiful day. Finished dropping the potatoes and covered
them in the forenoon and sowed the mangolds in the afternoon.
Willie plowing. Jennie went to Port Perry in the afternoon and
came home by Bethel and brought Annie home. James wheeled to
Port Perry school.
24 – A beautiful day. Planted corn in the little plot near the barn
pump and the orchard. Willie drawing out manure in the forenoon.
L. Luke called. Annie, Willie and James at tea party at Wick in the
evening. Nothing doing at Greenbank.
25 – A beautiful day. Helping Willie to draw out manure and
finished the job. There was enough manure to go over all the field,
the first time for many years. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Annie drove to her school and did not come home as there is choir
practice over there. Willie and James at choir practice in the eve-
ning.
26 – A very fine day. Planting strawberry patch (12 rows). Willie
dug the plants. Annie came home before dinner. Willie and Annie
at Port Perry in the evening. Arthur Gordon and wife called in the
evening for strawberry plants.
27 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 185 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. I rode home with C. Phair in his car. Willie
at Bethel anniversary meeting. James away somewhere.
424
28 – A fine day. Rolling the grain all day. Willie helping P. Luke.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie drove over to her
school and back for night. L. Luke called in the evening.
29 – A very fine day. Rolling in the forenoon and plowing in the
afternoon. Jennie painting the woodshed floor. James wheeled to
Port Perry school. Annie drove to her school. Willie at Mr.
Luke’s all day. Willie and James at Greenbank in the evening.
30 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day and finished the root field.
James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie at P. Luke’s all day.
Jennie cleaning the cellar. Mrs. Luke called. Annie drove to her
school. Willie and Annie at C.E. meeting in the evening.
31 – A very fine day. Planting corn in the orchard and helping
Jennie to move the stove into the cook house. Willie at P. Luke’s
all day. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie drove to her
school. L. Luke called.
JUNE 1 – A very fine dry day. Harrowing in the forenoon and
plowing in the afternoon. Willie at P. Luke’s until about 4 pm.
Annie drove to her school. James wheeled to Port Perry school.
Jennie cleaning and oiling kitchen floor. L. Luke called. Willie,
James and Annie at choir practice. Mrs. Alex Gordon and Annie
Gordon came for some strawberry plants.
2 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon, scuffling in the
afternoon. Willie at Luke’s all day. L. Luke called twice. Annie
and James at Port Perry in the evening and brought Janet Sander-
son home with them.
3 – Thunder and a fine rain in the morning which was beginning to
be needed. All hands at SS and church; 174 at SS. Willie and L.
Luke went to Epsom after SS. James went to Seagrave anniver-
sary. Ronald Pell came with car for Janet in the evening.
4 – Heavy rain with thunder about 6 in the morning and several
showers during the forenoon. Much thunder all day. James did
not go to school as this is a school holiday (King’s birthday).
Willie drove Annie to her school. She is going to Seagrave SS
anniversary with Armstrong’s. I fixed stable floor and finished
tying up berry bushes. L. Luke called twice. Willie and James at
party at W. Boe’s in the evening.
5 – Very warm with much thunder and rain. Jennie washing in the
forenoon. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Willie went with
P. Luke to L. Wagoner’s with cattle for pasture. In the afternoon
Jennie went to W. Missionary meeting with Mrs. John Michie and
came home in a big thunder shower. I went for Annie and also got
a shower. A terrible storm between 6 and 7 and things are flooded
pretty bad. Part of the roof of W. Leask’s barn was blown off.
6 – Very dull all day. Went for the beef in the morning (the first
number) and hoed strawberry plants the rest of the day. Willie at
P. Luke’s all day. Annie drove to her school and James wheeled to
Port Perry school. L. Luke called. Annie, Willie and L.L. at C.E.
meeting in the evening.
7 – Dull and rain from the E most of the forenoon. Went to Man-
chester to the voters list court to get some names put on the list,
then by way of Port Perry home and hoed some. In the evening
with Jennie and Annie went to preparatory service in the church.
About 30 turned out. Mr. McDonald preached. Con. political
[meeting?] in the hall. Thunder and rain on the way home and
very dark. James wheeled to Port Perry school. Annie drove to
her school. Willie at P. Luke’s.
8 – More rain through the night and most of the forenoon. Willie
and I threshed the buckwheat with the flail. Found some little
squirrels. Annie drove and James wheeled to school. L. Luke
called. Annie, Willie and James at choir practice in the evening.
Very cool for the time of year.
9 – A very fine and cool day. Scuffling in the orchard in the fore-
noon and hoeing in the afternoon. Jennie over at C. Phair’s as
there is a new baby girl there and she stayed with Mrs. P. while
Cecil was away for a nurse. Annie went to her school for the bene-
fit of the entrance class (2). Willie at Luke’s in the forenoon and
cultivating here in the afternoon. L.L. called. Willie and Annie at
Port Perry in the evening.
10 – A very fine day. Went with Jennie and Annie to communion
service at Wick. There was a pretty good turnout. Mr. McDonald
preached. We got dinner at Alex Gordon’s and then to SS at 3
o’clock. There was 145 at SS. L. Luke here for supper. Annie,
Willie and James at church in the evening.
11 – A very fine cool day. Jennie went to Port Perry while I
planted corn in the orchard. In the afternoon I harrowed and rolled
the corn land. Willie at Luke’s all day. James wheeled to Port
Perry school. Annie drove to her school. Mrs. A. Akhurst and
Marie called in the evening for eggs. L. Luke called. Church
union carried in General Assembly by 426 to 129.
12 – A very fine day. Sowed the field corn and plowed turnip
land. Jennie went with Mrs. John Michie to the Presbyterial W.M.
meeting at Greenbank. There was a large turnout. James at home
studying for exams. Annie drove to her school. Willie at P.
Luke’s all day and at Greenbank in the evening.
13 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. Willie at P. Luke’s
all day. James at home studying. Annie drove to her school, then
to Seagrave Ladies Aid at Mr. Wanamaker’s for tea and then to
C.E. meeting at Greenbank. Willie also went. About noon Willie
Smith, his wife and mother and Annie Mason came by car and
stayed the afternoon and for tea and we had a musical afternoon for
sure. They brought a homing pigeon with them and let it go.
14 – A fine cool day. Plowing turnip ground (2nd
time). Annie
drove to her school. Willie at Luke’s all day. Jennie washing.
James went to Port Perry in the afternoon to his first exam (Bot-
any) for honor matrick. Annie, Willie and L.L. at choir practice.
15 – A very fine day. Hoed strawberry patch while Willie har-
rowed and rolled turnip land. Drilled up some turnip drills in the
afternoon. Annie drove to her school. James wheeled to Port
Perry in the afternoon for exams. Willie at Greenbank in the eve-
ning. L. Luke called.
425
16 – A very fine day. Drilled up for turnips in the forenoon and
sowed them in the afternoon and scuffled potatoes. Annie, Willie
and James at SS class picnic at Oshawa. P. Luke called.
17 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 162 at SS;
Rev. Mr. McDonald of Leaskdale preached. Jennie went home
with Cecil Phair for tea. Willie away somewhere in the evening.
18 – A very fine day. Harrowed corn and plowed in the forenoon.
Willie at Luke’s in the forenoon and plowing in the afternoon
while I fixed the spring water trough. James at Port Perry in the
afternoon at exams (history). Jennie washing. Annie drove to her
school. Gladys and Leola Luke here in the evening.
19 – A very warm day; about 88 at noon. A good deal of thunder
and a heavy storm went S but only a few drops of rain here.
Drilled up 14 more turnip drills and sowed them and scuffled the
mangolds. Willie at Luke’s in the forenoon and at Greenbank in
the evening. Jennie painting floors of front rooms. Annie drove to
her school. James home all day studying. L. Luke called. P. Luke
got seed drill and sowed his corn. John Michie came for the turnip
drill.
20 – Another very warm day; about 90 at noon. Some thunder to
the N in the afternoon but no rain here. Willie cut the sweet clover
E of the orchard while I hoed in the orchard and in the afternoon
drew to the barn the firewood cut from the crow tree. Annie drove
to her school. James wheeled to Port Perry for exams in the morn-
ing only. Jennie painting. Annie, Willie and James at C.E. in the
evening. L. Luke called. Gladys Luke went to Uxbridge to act as
bridesmaid at Miss Hart’s wedding.
21 – Another very warm day; up to about 90. Willie and I drawing
dirt to fill up holes in barnyard. Jennie varnishing chairs. James at
home all day studying. Annie drove to her school. L. Luke called.
Annie and Willie at Ray Dusty’s in the evening.
22 – Another very warm day; some thunder in the afternoon but
no rain here. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with Jennie.
Annie drove to her school. James wheeled to Port Perry for exams
(algebra). Willie hoeing. In the afternoon Willie sowed the piece
of Hungarian grass while I planted the last of the corn in the or-
chard. L. Luke called. Annie, Willie and James at choir practice
in the evening.
23 – Another very warm day. Much thunder to the N and a little
rain between 5 and 6 pm. All day at P. Luke’s making and hang-
ing gate at sideroad. Willie rolling and hoeing. Annie at her
school in the forenoon. Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the eve-
ning.
24 – Another very warm day. All hands at SS and church; 152 at
SS (quite a few were at the Methodist conference at Whitby). Mr.
McDonald preached. Some thunder but no rain here. Got a little
cooler in the evening. Willie, Annie and James away in evening.
25 – Not quite so warm. Several showers in the afternoon and
quite a long drizzle about six; some thunder. Willie and I went to
Greenbank to vote at the general provincial election. Sinclair, Lib.;
More, Tory; and Richison, U.F.O. were the candidates. Jennie and
Annie went to vote after 4 o’clock. Hoed mangolds and picked
strawberries. Willie raked up the sweet clover. James at home
studying Latin for the exams (the last) tomorrow. Sinclair elected
and U.F.O. government wiped out. Tories win by big majority.
26 – Lot of thunder and some rain through the night. Thunder
again in the forenoon then cooler with high wind. Hoeing man-
golds while Willie scuffled corn. Willie drove Annie to her school.
James wheeled to Port Perry to exams. Jennie washing and pre-
serving strawberries. James and Willie at garden party at Watson’s
on E road in the evening. L. Luke called.
27 – A fine and cool day with high wind. Willie went for the beef
in the morning. Jennie, Willie and I picking strawberries, about 20
boxes. Willie at Luke’s in the afternoon while I cut the hay in the
orchard and hoed mangolds. Mrs. John Michie and Eleanor here in
the afternoon. L. Luke called twice. Annie drove to her school
and Annie, Willie and James at C.E. meeting in the evening.
28 – A fine day. Hoeing mangolds most of the day. James hoeing
corn in the orchard. Willie at P. Luke’s all day. Annie drove to
her school and finished at noon. She then drove to Port Perry. L.
Luke here in the evening. John Michie’s girls up getting hair cut.
29 – A fine and cool day. Hoed strawberry patch and potatoes.
Jennie, Annie and Willie picking berries in the morning. In the
afternoon Willie hoeing. Annie went to Port Perry. L. Luke
called. James helping Ray Dusty to hoe. Annie, Willie and James
at choir practice in the evening.
30 – A fine day. Some local thunder showers went around but
very little rain here. Willie and I drew in the sweet clover, 3 small
loads. Willie then went to P. Luke’s and helped him to finish his
clover. I started to plow the land. James at Ray Dusty’s. Willie
and Annie at Port Perry in the evening. L.L. called. Dr. R.
Archer’s house in Port Perry was burned down this morning.
JULY 1 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 181 at SS.
This being SS anniversary, the service was conducted by Rev. Mr.
Byrnes of Barrie and he made a fine address and there was a full
house. All out again in the evening. Mr. B. spoke again to an even
fuller church. $38.00 at collections.
2 – A very fine day and not too warm. Plowing in the forenoon
and the rest picking strawberries. All hands at the anniversary in
the afternoon. There was a large turnout to supper and a full house
at the concert. The programme was given by two men and two
ladies, all of Toronto, but not of a very high order.
3 – Got up early and Jennie drove Annie and L. Luke to Port Perry
to the early train on their way to Rochester NY on a visit on the
invitation of Jessie Bell. Willie, James (who is 18 today) and I
went to help C. Phair to fill his silo with sweet clover, but it started
to rain and I came home but had hardly got home when a phone
call came to go back. Worked until about 4 pm when a thunder-
storm came on and stopped the work. Willie and James at 10 cent
after social in the church.
4 – A beautiful day. Willie, James and I all day at C. Phair’s silo
filling. Jennie picking strawberries in the afternoon and Mrs. John
Michie helping her. All the children also here. James at C.E. in
the evening.
426
5 – A very fine day and some warm. Plowing in forenoon. James
at C. Phair’s. Willie at C. Stone’s. Jennie baking. About 11 am
there came by car, Tom --- and wife and little boy Stewart; Jennie
Perrin and Mrs. D. Patton, who stayed until about 6 o’clock. Mu-
sic most of the afternoon. P. Luke called in the morning and Mrs.
R. Sonley in the evening.
6 – A fine day and pretty warm. Finished plowing E of orchard,
harrowed twice, and sowed it with buckwheat. Got the seed from
C. Phair (200 lbs). Jennie picking berries. James at C. Phair’s.
Willie at C. Stone’s. James wheeled to Greenbank to choir prac-
tice but there was no practice as most of them were at the party at
Wick. John McDonald called in the evening for berries.
7 – A very fine day. Harrowed and rolled buckwheat. Scuffled
mangolds and potatoes in the afternoon. James at C. Phair’s.
Jennie ironing. She went to Port Perry in the evening with John
Michie. Willie came home from C. Stone’s. Mrs. Luke called.
8 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 144 at SS. Rev.
Mr. Gaffley, Methodist minister of Sunderland, preached. James
and Willie away in the evening.
9 – A very fine day. A few drops of rain in the evening. Greened
the potatoes and finished hoeing the corn and potatoes. Willie at
C. Stone’s. James at C. Phair’s and at Port Perry in the evening.
Jennie picking strawberries most of the day, Mrs. John Michie
helping awhile in the afternoon.
10 – A fine day and pretty warm. Hoed mangolds (2nd
time) in the
forenoon while Willie scuffled corn (2nd
time). James at C.
Phair’s. Jennie washing. Afternoon scuffling in orchard. Willie at
Luke’s helping at hay. Jennie at W.M. meeting at the church.
Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
11 – A fine and warm day. Hoeing in the orchard in the forenoon
while Willie scuffled the turnips. In the afternoon we went for 3
little pigs to Ray Dusty’s $11.50. James at C. Phair’s. Jennie
ironing. In the evening Jennie and I went with John Michie and
family to see Mr. Kent’s rose garden at Port Perry, and a fine sight
it was. James and Willie at C.E. meeting.
12 – A fine and warm day. Willie cutting hay in the forenoon
while I was cutting fence corners. Willie at Luke’s in the after-
noon while I finished cutting hay. James at C. Phair’s. Jennie
picking berries; Mrs. John Michie and Mrs. Luke helping.
13 – A very fine day. Willie and I hoeing turnips in the forenoon.
Willie helping at Luke’s in the afternoon while I hoed. James at C.
Phair’s and at choir practice in the evening. A heifer and a steer
which was on the roads with the cows did not return and Willie and
I went on the hunt but did not find them.
14 – Willie and I spent nearly all the forenoon hunting the lost
cattle which were found at last in John Somerville’s ranch. James
at home raking hay. After dinner Willie and I went to cocking up
the hay but rain came on before we got it done. James went to Port
Perry to meet the first train and got Annie Bell and her young man
R. [McClymont?] and Willie went to Port Perry and got Annie and
L. Luke who are back from their visit to Rochester. Big musical
evening.
15 – Dull all day. All hands at SS and church; 159 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Annie, Willie, James and visitors out in the
evening.
16 – A very fine day. Willie and I hoeing turnips in the forenoon
and drawing in hay in the afternoon, 4 loads. James at C. Phair’s.
Annie drove R. [McClymont?] to Uxbridge on his way home.
Annie Bell went with her. L. Luke called in the evening.
17 – A fine and warm day. Willie and I drew in the rest of the hay,
9 loads. James at Phair’s. Jennie washing and at Greenbank with
Mrs. John Michie. Annie and Annie Bell in the afternoon to Be-
thel to hoe the garden. L. Luke called. Willie and James at Green-
bank in the evening.
18 – Very warm day. Raked the hay field and drew it in, Jennie
helping. Willie at Luke’s. James at C. Phair’s. Annie and Annie
Bell went for the beef. Annie, Annie Bell, Willie and James at
C.E. meeting in the evening.
19 – Another very warm day. Greened potatoes and hoed turnips.
Willie at Luke’s in the forenoon and John Michie’s in the after-
noon. James at Phair’s. Annie and Annie Bell went to Port Perry.
In the evening the orchestra had practice here. Rye Beare; Mary
Real; Freeman Howsam; Arthur Gordon and wife; Annie Gordon
and Clinton Midgley and L. Luke.
20 – Another very warm day. Willie and I hoeing turnips most of
the day. James at Phair’s. Annie Bell at John Michie’s for tea.
Willie and James at choir practice.
21 – Very warm day. Willie and I finished hoeing turnips in the
forenoon. James at Phair’s. Willie scuffling in the afternoon while
I was hoeing. Annie drove Annie Bell to Port Perry on her way
back to Toronto. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the evening.
Word came that Fred Clark’s barn was burned today.
[no entry for July 22nd
]
23 – A fine day and quite cool. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon.
Willie scuffled the corn (3rd
time). In the afternoon we fixed the
pump at the barn. James at Phair’s. Jennie washing. L. Luke,
Bruce and Gordon McDonald called in the evening. Stoffer, the
piano tuner, called.
24 – Rain through the night and a sort of misty rain at times most
of the day. Little doing outside; hoed some. James did not go to
Phair’s. Jennie churning. Willie and James at orchestra practice in
the evening.
25 – A fine and quite cool day. Scuffled turnips 2nd
time, and
hoed. Willie doing road work drawing gravel from W. Thomas’
pit to the road near Ray Dusty’s gate. James at C. Phair’s who is
cutting his fall wheat today. Jennie and Annie picking raspberries.
Willie and Annie at social at Sonya and James at C.E. meeting in
the evening.
26 – A fine dry day. Paris greened the potatoes (3rd
time) in the
forenoon; hoeing in the afternoon. Willie at road work drawing
gravel. James at C. Phair’s. Annie went to Port Perry with berries.
427
Mrs. Joyce of Sutton and her friends Mr. and Mrs. Murray of Vic-
toria Corners here for dinner. They were on their way to Port
Perry. L. Luke called in the evening.
27 – Dull and in the afternoon it rained a little but not near enough
as things are needing rain badly. Went to Port Perry in the morn-
ing with 2 hogs (450 lbs @ $8.50). Willie helping P. Luke to cut
wood (McHaffy’s machine) in the forenoon and John Michie in the
afternoon. Jennie picking berries. Annie, Willie and James at
lawn party at Adam Wallace’s in the evening.
28 – A fine day. Picking berries in the forenoon while Willie drew
2 loads of gravel for cement and in the afternoon John Michie
came up and we tore out the NE corner of stable wall which is
likely to fall down and partly built it up again. James at Phair’s.
Jennie and Annie picking berries in the afternoon. Annie and
Willie went to Port Perry in the evening. All three McDonald boys
called in the evening.
29 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. 164 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. On our way home Mrs. Midgley came out
and asked us in for supper and we went. Annie, Willie and James
away somewhere in the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Lee and Alma
called in the evening.
30 – Another very warm and dry day. Helping Jennie, Annie and
Willie to pick berries. Annie took a 54 box crate to Port Perry for
Toronto. Leola Luke and her cousin Miss Louise Luke of Oshawa
called in the evening. James at C. Phair’s.
31 – Warm and dry. Most of the day finishing the stable wall,
Willie helping. Rev. Mr. McDonald called about 5 pm. James at
C. Phair’s. Annie, Willie and James at Greenbank in the evening.
AUG. 1 – Another warm dry day. Helping Jennie, Annie and
Willie to pick berries. Annie took berries to Port Perry. James at
Phair’s. Annie, Willie and James at C.E. meeting in the evening.
2 – Warm and fine until between 3 and 4 when a thunder storm
came up from the W but it went S of us. Only a few drops here but
later it drizzled a little. Rain is badly needed now. Willie and I
cleaned out the cistern and hoed turnips (2nd
time). James went to
Port Perry with Mrs. Luke. Leola Luke called twice. Willie at
Greenbank in the evening. P. Luke took away the oats which he
bought last winter. Olive and Bob Michie here for dinner.
3 – A fine dry day and not quite so warm. Helping Jennie, Annie
and Willie to pick berries. Willie went to Port Perry in the after-
noon with some berries. James at Phair’s. Annie, Willie and
James at Greenbank in the evening. A basketball match between
Sonya and Greenbank is on the plan; Greenbank wins; followed by
a dance in the hall. Word came that U.S. President Harding died
last evening.
4 – Warm day. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon and in the after-
noon went with Jennie to Lizzie Moffat’s sale at Port Perry. Got a
wheelbarrow and lamp. A thunder shower came up soon after we
go there. Lightning struck Irwin Bagshaw’s barn and it was
burned. Willie at Luke’s and James at Phair’s. Willie at Port Perry
in the evening. Ruth, Eleanor and Bob Michie here all afternoon
and all night.
5 – A very fine day. L. Wagner and wife called in the forenoon.
All hands at SS and church; 177 at SS. Rev. Mr. Fraser of
Fenelon Falls preached. Annie, Willie and James out in the eve-
ning. [Revival?] services start today in the Baptist church.
6 – Another warm dry day. Helping Jennie and Annie to pick
berries. Willie at Luke’s and James at Phair’s. L. Luke, Louise
Luke and R. Babington called. Cyler Whitter and wife called for
berries. After we had gone to bed Mrs. White and son came for
berries. There was some rain in the evening.
7 – Warm and dry. Willie went to Port Perry in the morning for
cement while I did some chores and in the afternoon I plastered the
cistern, Willie mixing the mortar. James at Phair’s and at Green-
bank in the evening.
8 – A very fine day. Finished plastering the cistern and then Willie
got P. Luke’s binder and we cut the SW field which shocked up
rather better than I expected. Jennie washing. James at Phair’s.
Annie went for beef in the morning. Mrs. Luke called.
9 – Another fine day. Cut the long field and go the most of it
shocked up. Willie, after finishing cutting the field, went to Luke’s
and finished cutting for him. He then went to Greenbank in the
evening. Annie went to Port Perry with E.H. James at Phair’s.
Jennie and Annie picking berries.
10 – Another warm dry day. Willie and I spent most of the fore-
noon fixing different things on Luke’s binder and in the afternoon
cut the N half of the hill field. James at Phair’s. Jennie oiled the
kitchen floor. Annie walked to Greenbank and back to get her first
music lesson from Annie Gordon. Willie and James at Greenbank
in the evening.
11 – A fine dry warm day. Finished shocking what was cut. Ce-
ment washed the cistern, cleaned out hen house and scuffled and
hoed the strawberry patch. Willie at Luke’s. James at Phair’s.
Jennie sprayed hen house. L. Luke and Louise Luke called. Annie
and Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
12 – A fine day with high wind and lots of dust. All hands at SS
and church; 148 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Willie and
James out in the evening. Mrs. Jas. Dusty operated on.
13 – A fine day and some cooler. Finished cutting hill field (which
finishes cutting) and drew in three loads from the SW field. James
at Phair’s. Jennie washing. L. Luke called.
14 – Dull and few drops of rain in the forenoon. Willie finished
drawing the SW field, 3 loads. Jennie churning. James at Phair’s.
After dinner a thunder shower came on and there was quite a good
rain which was badly needed even if it is harvest. First rain in the
cistern since it was plastered. James came home from Phair’s. L.
Luke called. Willie and James at Bessie McMillan’s birthday party
in the evening.
15 – A very fine day and quite cool. Willie and I spent the whole
day building the SE corner of the horse stable wall which was
almost falling down but we did not get it quite done as the cement
was done. Jennie ironing. James at Phair’s. L. Luke and Louise
428
Luke called. Annie, Willie and James at Greenbank in the eve-
ning. E.H. and H. Bewell called in the evening.
16 – A very fine cool day. Willie and I drew in long field, 6 loads,
and 3 from hill field. Jennie helping in barn. James at Phair’s.
Annie at Bethel school in the afternoon to hoe the school garden.
L. Luke and Louise Luke called in the evening.
17 – A fine day. Finished drawing in hill field. Annie at Green-
bank for music lesson. Willie and James at Sonya in the evening
to basketball game (Greenbank against Sonya and Sonya won).
After the game there was a dance at which the Greenbank orchestra
put up the music. Jennie and I went to Greenbank in the evening to
revival service in the Baptist church by a Mr. [Smuht?] which was
very good but too long. James at Phair’s all day.
Picture of Greenbank orchestra, date unknown. Names on
back are identified as: (back row) Rick Woon, George Michie,
Norman Phair, Mr. Harrington, Ryerson Beare, Mr. Jamieson;
(middle row) Armour McMillan, ?, John Michie, Mr. Love,
Sam Love; and (front row) Everett Love, Charles Love. [edi-
tors note: I believe the names to be incorrectly identified and
that actually the Michie’s here are James and Willie – in the
middle row third from the left and second from the right.
There is no known record of there being an orchestra in
Greenbank at the time of John and George Michie.]
18 – A fine day until 6 pm when a thunder shower came up.
Jennie and Annie at Port Perry. Willie, James and I all day helping
C. Phair to draw in. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
19 – A very fine cool day. All hands at SS and church; 170 at SS.
Rev. W.A. McKay of Streetsville preached. We had visitors for
supper. George, Mabel, Bert, Jessie and Mrs. P. Slemon and Mil-
dred [Clover?] came out from Port Hope. They left for home
about 5:30. Annie went with them. Also Walter and George Fow-
lie from Manchester. I have not seen Walter for about 35 years.
Willie and James out in the evening.
20 – A very fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon while
Willie horse raked stubble. James at Phair’s all day and Willie and
I also in the afternoon. Jennie washing. L. Luke called.
21 – Raining when we got up in the morning and off and on most
of the day, quite heavy about 3 or 4 pm. Did some cement work at
stable and root house. James went to thresh at Ernest Phair’s in the
afternoon. L. Luke called.
22 – A fine day but quite chilly with high NW wind. Jennie and I
started about 10 am and drove to Lee Wagner’s, Epsom. Got there
before dinner and left for home about 3:30. Quite a lot of grain
over that way not drawed in yet. James at Ernest Phair’s in the
forenoon and at C. Phair’s in the afternoon. Willie raking. L.
Luke called. Willie and James at C.E. meeting in the evening.
Rev. Mr. McDonald called.
23 – A fine cool day. Willie and I drew in the rakings and so fin-
ished harvest. Drew some clay into hen house. James at Port
Perry. All three helping C. Phair at harvest in the afternoon.
Jennie cleaning stovepipes. L. Luke called in the evening.
24 – Cool. Spent most of the day doing several little jobs, princi-
pally fixing horse stable door. Willie went over to C. Phair’s for a
bag of buckwheat and then plowed till noon. Rain came on for
awhile, and about 3 a thunderstorm came up with hail. James went
to Phair’s but came home when the rain came. Willie and James at
Greenbank in the evening. P. Luke and L. Luke called.
25 – A fine cool day. Most of the day putting in a cement door sill
in the separator room and painting hen and pig house. Willie
plowing. James at C. Phair’s all afternoon trying to fix E. Phair’s
car. L. Luke called. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
26 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 137 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Willie and James out in the evening. John
Michie, wife and family called in the evening.
27 – A very fine day. Did several small jobs. Fixed separator
house. Willie plowing. James at Phair’s. Annie came home from
Newcastle. Henry Thomas brought her from Port Perry. Jennie
washing. C. Midgley and L. Luke called. Word came that James
has passed 6 out of 7 of the subjects he tried, failed on Latin.
McDonald’s barn burned in the evening. W. Forsythe and Marion
Leask married.
28 – Some rain in the morning and thunder towards night. Willie
plowing and harrowing. James at Phair’s in the afternoon only.
Jennie went with N. and Mrs. Midgley to Ladies Aid meeting in
the church. I did some little jobs. L. Luke called. James at or-
chestra practice.
29 – A very fine day. Harrowing most of the day. Willie at C.
Phair’s. James at home studying Latin for the sup. exam. Annie
drove over to G. Clement’s in the afternoon to see the girl who
passed the entrance. Jennie went to S. Dusty’s with her. Willie,
Annie and James at C.E. meeting in the evening. Jean and Olive
Michie up in the afternoon.
30 – A fine and warm day. Plowing all day in hill field. Willie at
Phair’s. Jennie and James went to Port Perry in the morning. Big
run on Standard Bank. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
31 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. Willie at Phair’s. James
went to Port Perry in the afternoon to post his Normal School
429
application and to bring Jessie Bell from the station. Annie walked
to Greenbank for music lesson. L. Luke called in the evening.
James at choir practice.
SEPT. 1 – A fine and very warm day. Plowing all day. Willie at
Phair’s. L. Luke called. John Michie brought Jessie Bell’s trunk
from Port Perry. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the evening. L.
Luke stayed here all night.
2 – A fine warm day. All but Jessie Bell at SS and church; 148 at
SS; Rev. Mr. McDonald preached. Annie, James and Willie out in
the evening.
3 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Willie at Phair’s. Jennie
washing. James took the beef heifer to Greenbank in the after-
noon. James at orchestra practice in the evening.
4 – A very fine and warm day. Plowing all day. Willie at Phair’s.
In the evening went with Annie, Willie and James to moving pic-
ture show by Rev. Mr. Smith of Oshawa. Many pictures; most of
them good but the attendance was not very big. Annie drove to her
school (1st
day) since holidays.
5 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning. No. 14 was
our beast, which came out 23 lbs. short. Plowing in the afternoon.
Willie at Phair’s. James helping Ray Dusty to thresh in the after-
noon. Annie drove to her school. P. Luke called. Annie, Willie
and James all at home in the evening.
6 – A very fine warm day. Plowing in the forenoon and harrowing
in the afternoon. James at R. Dusty’s all day threshing. Willie at
Phair’s. Annie drove to her school. Jessie Bell sewing. All at
home in the evening.
7 – A little rain in the early morning. Cutting and drawing thresh-
ing wood most of the day. Willie at Phair’s in the afternoon only.
James making a windmill. Annie drove to her school. Jessie Bell
sewing and knitting. In the evening all but Jessie went to prepara-
tory service in the church; a fair turnout. Mr. Binnie of Uxbridge
preached. Hattie Bewell, Mrs. Trotter and daughter, and Mr. and
Mrs. Kyler came in by certificate. A thunder shower came up we
came home in the rain it was very dark.
8 – Some little thunder showers during the day. Cutting threshing
wood in the forenoon and hoeing strawberry patch in the afternoon.
Got 4 bags of oats from N. Midgley. Willie at C. Phair’s (sowed
their fall wheat). Annie at Port Perry in the afternoon. L. Luke
and Dorothy Wagner called and John Michie and girls for crab
apples. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
9 – Some rain through the night and a little shower about 12:30.
All but J.B. at communion at Greenbank. There was a good turn-
out; Mr. McDonald preached. Jennie and I went to W. O’Neill’s
for dinner and to SS at 3 o’clock; 153 at SS. Mary L. Real here
for tea. Annie, Willie and James out in the evening.
10 – A fine cool day. Harrowed hill field in the forenoon. Willie
at Phair’s. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school. Helped
Jennie in the afternoon to can corn. Jessie Bell sewing. Willie and
James went to a shower for Mrs. W. Forsythe held at Amos
Rodd’s. Partial eclipse of the sun.
11 – Dull most of the day. A little rain in the evening. Hoeing in
the forenoon and in the afternoon cut the Hungarian grass, a fair
crop. Jennie canning corn. James helped P. Luke awhile in the
afternoon. Willie, L. Luke, Frank Lee and Laura Thomas went by
car to Oshawa fair. Jessie Bell knitting. James at orchestra prac-
tice in the evening. Willie got home about 2 am. Very dark and
raining heavy. They had trouble with their car on the way home.
12 – A little rain in the forenoon. Spent most of the day cleaning
out the granery and root house. Willie at Phair’s. Jennie ironing.
Annie drove to her school. James got his admission card to normal
school. Annie and James at C.E. in the evening.
13 – Cold and raw with some rain in the afternoon. Turned H.
grass and cultivated some. Willie at Phair’s. James wheeled to
Port Perry in the afternoon. Annie drove to her school. Jean and
Olive Michie came home with her and stayed all night as John and
Lizzie were away at Cannington. Annie, Willie and James at choir
practice in the evening.
14 – Rather cool and some little rain flurries. Dug the early pota-
toes (poor crop) and some other little jobs. Willie at Phair’s. No
school as this is Port Perry fair but no one went from here. Annie,
Willie and James, by different rigs, went to the concert in the eve-
ning.
15 – A very fine day. Plowing (2nd
time) all day. Willie at Phair’s.
Annie at Port Perry for music lesson and see about library books
for SS. L. Luke here all night as her father and mother are away to
Wes Luke’s.
16 – A very fine day. All but J.B. at SS and church; 151 at SS;
Rev. Mr. R--- of Uptergrove preached. L. Luke here for supper.
Willie and James out in the evening. Willie played the trombone
in SS for the first time.
17 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and in the afternoon
raked up and drew in 2 loads of Hungarian grass. Annie drove to
her school. Jennie washing. Willie at Phair’s. L. Luke called.
18 – Very dull day. Raked and drew in the rest of the H. grass,
James helping. Plowing the rest of the day. Willie at Phair’s.
Annie drove to her school. She attended Howard Mark’s funeral
in the afternoon. Jennie ironing. James at orchestra practice in the
evening. L. Luke called.
19 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning and
plowed. Jennie making corn salad and preserving plums. Annie
drove to her school. Willie at Phair’s digging potatoes. Jennie and
James went to Port Perry in the afternoon. L. Luke here twice to
practice, also Dorothy Wagner. Annie, Willie and James at C.E.
meeting in the evening.
20 – Dull with a little rain in the afternoon. Plowing all day. Wil-
lie at Phair’s. Annie drove to her school. L. Luke here for prac-
tice.
21 – Thunder and rain through the night and very dull all day.
Jennie and Jessie Bell went to Toronto to get a boarding place for
James who starts normal school next week. James drove them to
Port Perry. Willie at Phair’s. Annie drove to her school. I was
430
plowing in the afternoon. James and Willie at choir practice in the
evening. Jennie and Jessie Bell came back to Willie Smith’s for
the night.
22 – A fine day. Plowing all day. James went to Port Perry for
Jennie and Jessie. Willie at Phair’s. Annie and Willie at Port Perry
in the evening. Clinton Midgley here in the evening practising.
23 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 164 at SS;
Rev. Mr. Smith of Oshawa preached. Annie stayed for tea at Al-
bert Akhurst’s. Willie and James out in the evening. Mrs.
[McHaffey?]; Mrs. Baldwin; and --- were [dipped?] in the Baptist
church this forenoon.
24 – A beautiful day. Got up early and drove James to Port Perry
to the early train on his way to Toronto to start the normal school
(starts tomorrow). Willie at Phair’s. Annie drove to her school.
Plowing in the forenoon. Cutting buckwheat with the mower in
the afternoon, Jennie helping. L. Luke called. Ray Dusty is get-
ting his new silo put up today.
25 – A very warm fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. Annie drove
to her school. Willie went to Phair’s in the morning but came
home about 9 o’clock. He was helping N. Midgley to fill silo in
the afternoon. I drove C. Phair’s team at Midgley’s. L. Luke
called. Annie and Jessie Bell at Greenbank in the evening.
26 – A very fine day. Helping N. Midgley with silo and finished
about 9:30, then to W. Thomas’ the rest of the day, the work at
Thomas’ being for C. Phair. Willie at silo filling for C. Phair.
Annie drove to her school. Annie and Willie at C.E. meeting in the
evening.
27 – A very fine and very warm day. Plowing in the forenoon.
Willie at Thomas’ silo filling until about 9:30 when they moved to
Ray Dusty’s but did not start to work as there was 3 sales on hand.
Willie came home and plowed in the afternoon while I turned the
buckwheat. Annie drove to her school. Leola Luke here most of
the day making a fancy bedspread under the guidance of Jessie
Bell. Willie at orchestra practice in the evening.
28 – A very fine and warm day. Thunder in the early morning and
forenoon but only a few drops of rain here. Plowing in the fore-
noon. Willie at Ray Dusty’s silo filling for C. Phair. In the after-
noon Jas. Bott came and cut our corn. The silo fillers went to C.
Phair’s and I went with them and worked about 2 hours. Jennie
and Jessie Bell at Luke’s for supper. L. Luke here in the evening.
Annie drove to her school and after 4 o’clock to Greenbank for
music lesson and later E.H. called and took her to choir practice.
29 – A very fine day. Helping C. Phair’s to fill silo in the forenoon
and in the afternoon with Jennie, Annie and Jessie Bell in Norman
Midgley’s car and driven by him to Oshawa. Called at Brooklin to
see Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen and then by way of Whitby and the base
line (the Kingston being closed) to Oshawa where we visited Tom
Bell and family and got supper and back to Port Perry about 8 pm.
Good roads and a nice trip. Willie at Phair’s all day and at Port
Perry in the evening.
30 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. This was rally
day in the SS and the attendance was 202. Mr. McDonald gave the
address and preached at the church service. We were home but a
few minutes when Mundo Perrin and Jean came by car and they
stayed all night. Annie and Willie out in the evening.
OCT. 1 – Somewhat cool but fine. Mundo Perrin and Jean left for
home in the morning taking Jessie Bell with them. I went to Port
Perry in the forenoon and in the afternoon Willie and I drew off
corn and put it along Luke’s line fence. Moved the cook stove in.
Annie drove to her school and went to Mr. Wanamaker’s for tea
and stayed there all night. L. Luke called to practice.
2 – A fine but rather dull day. Willie plowing in the forenoon
while I painted the house cellar wall with cement. In the afternoon
Willie went to Jas. Bott’s to help him draw in buckwheat while I
finished drawing off corn. Jennie washing. L. Luke called. Annie
went to Port Perry after school. Willie at orchestra practice in the
evening.
3 – Dull with some rain about 9 pm. Plowing most of the day.
Willie at Jas. Bott’s. Annie drove to her school. L. Luke called
twice. Willie and Annie at C.E. meeting in the evening.
4 – Rather dull and cold. Plowing corn land most of the day.
Willie cutting corn in the orchard. Jennie went to Port Perry with
Mrs. John Michie. Annie drove to her school. L. Luke called in
the evening.
5 – Cold and raw with some sprinkles of rain. Topped mangolds in
the forenoon. Willie at Bott’s threshing for C. Phair. Annie at
school fair at Greenbank. Jennie went to Port Perry for Jessie Bell
but she did not come caused by train from the E being taken off.
Jennie went again to the 5 o’clock and got her. In the afternoon I
walked to the school fair. There was a fair turnout and a pretty
good show but it was too cold to be pleasant. Willie at Greenbank
in the evening. Jessie Bell packing her trunk.
6 – Pretty cold day. Plowing all day. Annie took Jessie Bell to the
9:30 train on her way back to Rochester. Willie all day threshing
at Phair’s. Annie at Greenbank in the afternoon marking the new
SS library books. Willie at Port Perry and Annie at Uxbridge in
the evening.
7 – A fine but rather cool day. Word came by phone that Harold
Howsam died this morning after an operation for some bowel
trouble. All hands at SS and church; 163 at SS; Mr. McDonald
preached. Mr. Madill sang a solo. Willie got supper at G. Lee’s
and went to Port Perry in the evening. L. Luke and Jean Cotes
called in the forenoon.
8 – A very fine day; digging potatoes. Jennie helping. Got up 10
drills (small crop). Annie drove to her school. Willie at Phair’s
threshing and finished about 3:30. L. Luke called.
9 – A very fine day. Willie and I drew in the buckwheat (2 loads)
in the forenoon. Annie drove to her school. In the afternoon went
with Jennie and Willie to Harold Howsam’s funeral. There was a
large turnout. Mr. McDonald conducted the service. Willie at W.
Thomas’ in the evening.
10 – A very fine day. Willie went for the beef while I did some
chores. James Blair came with his new Case threshing machine
431
just in time for dinner and threshed us out in the afternoon.
Gordon Cummings was the other thresher. N.V. Luke; John Mi-
chie; Ray Dusty; C. Midgley; and Dick --- from C. Phair’s were
the men. Annie drove to her school and after school went partway
to Port Perry to meet James who is home til Monday next as it is
teacher’s convention. Annie, Willie and James at C.E. in the eve-
ning.
11 – A fine but dull day. Willie and I threshing at P. Luke’s in the
forenoon. They then moved to John Michie’s but did not thresh as
they cleaned the boiler. Willie and I drew in 4 loads of mangolds
(poor crop). James drove Annie to Port Perry on her way to
teacher’s convention at Beaverton. Jennie washing. L. Luke
called. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
12 – A very fine day. Willie at John Michie’s threshing until about
4 o’clock. I finished drawing in mangolds (6 loads in all) and dug
4 rows of potatoes. Jennie ironing. James wheeled to Port Perry in
the afternoon. L. Luke called. James at choir practice in the eve-
ning.
13 – A fine dry day. At potato digging and finished about 4 pm,
Willie and James helping. John Michie’s children all here getting
their hair cut. L. Luke called. Willie and Annie at Port Perry and
James somewhere in the evening.
14 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 161 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Dick Canniff came home with Willie for
supper. Annie, Willie and James out in the evening. Mrs. L.
Wagner and family and L. Luke called.
15 – A fine day. Willie drove James to the early train at Port Perry
on his way back to the normal school in Toronto. Plowing man-
gold ground most of the day. Annie drove to her school. Willie
and Jennie picking apples. L. Luke called. Annie and Willie at
J.M. Real’s in the evening. Run on Dominion Bank in Uxbridge.
16 – A beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon. Willie picking
apples. Annie drove to her school. Afternoon Jennie went to Port
Perry for Mrs. Joyce of Sutton, who stayed all night, while Willie
and I picked apples. L. Luke called. Annie and L. Luke at Green-
bank to a SS class meeting.
17 – A fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. Willie picking apples.
In the afternoon I drove Mrs. Joyce to Frank Lawton’s on her way
home. Jennie and Willie picking apples. Annie drove to her
school. About 5 o’clock we had a surprise when James walked in.
He had come with Chuck Cawker by car to Jean Crozier’s funeral
at Port Perry. He went back with him starting from here about 9
o’clock. Annie and Willie at C.E. in the evening. Willie also
attended beef ring meeting and drew No. 19.
18 – A beautiful day. Plowing in the forenoon and in the afternoon
Willie and I drew out manure. Annie drove to her school. Jennie
washing. John Michie, wife and Bob up with the waggon for ap-
ples. L. Luke called.
19 – Dull and some rain in the afternoon. Willie and I finished
drawing out the manure. In the afternoon Willie took waggon
wheel to Port Perry in buggy and got it set. L. Luke called. Annie
drove to her school and to Greenbank for music lesson. Willie at
Greenbank in the evening.
20 – Rather dull and cool. Willie went to Port Perry in the morn-
ing with 15 bags of oats and got them ground while I did some
cement pointing. Plowing in the afternoon. Annie went with
Normal Midgley to Oshawa. L. Luke called. Willie at Port Perry
in the evening.
21 – A fine cool day. All hands at SS and church; 187 at SS. Mr.
Murphy of Prince Albert visited the SS and gave a few words. Mr.
McDonald preached. Annie and Willie away in the evening.
22 – A fine day. Plowing most of the day. Willie picking apples.
Jennie fixing my overcoat and other clothes. Annie drove to her
school. L. Luke called.
23 – Got up early and Willie drove me to Port Perry and took the
train for the provincial SS convention at Nappanee. Got there at
noon and with John Allan of Blackwater, was billeted at a Mr.
Norris’. Attended the meeting in the afternoon and evening which
were good.
24 – Heavy rain through the night and some in the day. Attended
the convention meetings. The great speakers at the convention
were Professor Kerr of Winnipeg and Masih of India.
25 – Dull all day. At the convention which closed with a great
meeting in Grace church.
26 – Took the train at 1 am at Nappanee for home. Got to Whitby
at 5 am and had to wait over 3 hours. Got to Port Perry at 9:20 and
walked home. Topped turnips in the afternoon. Willie at Port
Perry. Annie brought Dale Armstrong home with her and she
stayed all night. Willie at Greenbank.
27 – A fine day. Willie and I finished topping turnips in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon started to plow sod W of the house. L.
Luke called. Annie and Dale went to Port Perry in the afternoon.
Willie, Annie and Dale went to Port Perry in the evening. Annie
went home with Dale and stayed there all night.
28 – A very fine day. Annie went with Mr. Wanamaker to Toronto
by car, saw James and Mason’s and got back to Mr. Armstrong’s
about 7 pm. Jennie, Willie and I at SS; 178 present. I gave part of
report of Nappanee convention. Mr. Donald of Lindsay spoke on
missionary giving and made a good address. Willie away in the
evening.
29 – A fine day. Harrowed up the turnips and drew in 10 loads,
Willie helping. Jennie washing. L. Luke called.
30 – Rain through the night and most of the forenoon. Willie had a
hunt for 3 young cattle in the rain. Annie drove to her school.
Jennie ironing. L. Luke called. Willie at practice in the evening.
31 – Some snow in the morning, 1st
of the season. Jennie went to
Port Perry with Mrs. Luke. Willie plowing sod and I banking the
house. Annie drove to her school. Drew in 6 loads of turnips in
the afternoon.
432
NOV. 1 – Ground covered with snow in the morning which did not
all go off during the day. Did a number of little chores (put up the
parlor stove) while Willie plowed. Annie drove to her school. L.
Luke called in the evening. P. Luke and wife at John McKinnon’s
sale.
2 – Quite a hard frost. Willie tried to plough but found it too hard.
Put on storm windows and doors then we went at the turnips and
finished 8 loads, 24 loads in all. Annie drove to her school and
after school to Greenbank for music lessons. Dale Armstrong
came here with her and stayed all night. L. Luke called. Willie at
Greenbank in the evening.
3 – A very fine day. Willie and I drew in the corn. Dale Arm-
strong here all day knitting a pullover and she, with Annie and
Willie, went to Port Perry in the evening.
4 – Dull all day with some rain in the afternoon and evening. All
hands, including Dale Armstrong, at SS and church; 130 at SS.
John Mark was a visitor at the school and gave a nice address. Mr.
McDonald preached. Annie, Willie and Dale out somewhere in the
evening.
5 – Dull all day and some rain. Did some little jobs while Willie
plowed. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school and Dale
Armstrong went home with her. Clinton Midgley here in the eve-
ning with his fiddle.
6 – Dull day. Doing some chores while Willie plowed. Willie
drove Annie to her school. She stayed at Armstrong’s over night
to attend a meeting about Christmas tree. Jennie went to Port Perry
with Mrs. Luke. L. Luke called to practice. In the evening went
with Willie (who went to orchestra practice) to meeting of session
and managers of church to consider the question of a Sunday eve-
ning service and other things. There was a pretty good turnout but
nothing settled. Very dark night.
7 – Dull with a little drizzle of rain sometimes which turned to
snow towards night. Helped Jennie to pick chickens (6) in the
forenoon while Willie plowed and I plowed in the afternoon and
Willie went for Annie. Willie and Annie at C.E. meeting in the
evening. A weasel got into henhouse and killed 5 chickens.
8 – A fine but cold day. Willie plowing sod and finished while I
did some chores. Jennie went to Port Perry with chickens. I drove
over for Annie. L. Luke called.
9 – Rather dull most of the day. Took out straw and covered the
strawberry patch, Willie helping. Annie drove to her school.
Willie drove to Uxbridge to meet the 6:40 train to get James and
Annie Bell. L. Luke also drove to Uxbridge to meet Gladys.
Dance in the Greenbank hall. Annie drove to it and P. Luke went
with her to bring Leola’s horse home. James turned sick at the
party and E. Wallace brought him home in his car.
10 – A fine day. Little done in the forenoon. Caught a weasel in
the henhouse. Willie harrowing sod in the afternoon. Annie drove
Annie Bell to Port Perry on her way to Brooklin where she is to
sing tomorrow and Thanksgiving day (Monday). L. Luke called.
Willie and James at Greenbank in the evening to clean the dishes
used last night.
11 – Rather dull all day. All hands at SS and church; 189 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached a Thanksgiving sermon. Nelson Baird
sang a solo. L. Luke here for supper and Willie and her went to
Epsom in the evening. Annie and James also away in the evening.
12 – A fine day. Willie harrowing in the forenoon while I cleaned
out the calf and pig pen. All hands at Thanksgiving supper under
the Ladies Aid. There was a full house; a good supper. The pro-
gramme was given by the Johnson family from Blackwater and
Miss Fallowdown of Sunderland and it was a good. $189.00 taken
in.
13 – Rather dull and raw. Willie drove James to Greenbank where
he went to Toronto with J.A. Blair in car. Willie plowing turnips
land. I wheeled in firewood. Annie drove to her school and after
school drove to Port Perry for Annie Bell. Willie at practice in the
evening.
14 – Dull day. Willie plowing while I helped Jennie to pick chick-
ens. Annie drove to her school. In the evening Jennie, Willie, and
I went to the C.E. meeting in the church. There was a debate on if
it is better to develop one or two faculties than all the faculties.
Negative won. L. Luke and Marie Akhurst called.
15 – Rather dull day. Jennie and L. Luke went to Port Perry with
chickens. Annie Bell got us dinner. In the afternoon W. Real
came with his tractor and grinder and worked for 2 ½ hours. L.
Luke called. Annie drove to her school. Willie at Greenbank in
the evening to play practice and Annie and Annie Bell at John
Michie’s. Cat got caught in trap in henhouse set for weasel and
Jennie got bit on the hand trying to release it.
16 – Dull and foggy with rain in the afternoon. Willie finished
plowing in the orchard. Annie drove to her school. L. Luke called.
Wheeled in some firewood and planted some potatoes as an ex-
periment.
17 – Dull and foggy. Little done outside but some wood taken in.
Annie and Annie Bell went to Port Perry to meet Bob [McCli-
mate?] who is here for a weekend visit.
18 – Fine but cold day. All hands at SS and church; 177 at S.
Rev. Mr. Bruce, a returned missionary from China, spoke on his
work there. Willie and L. Luke went for tea to Harry Bewell’s.
Annie, Annie Bell and Bob McClimate out again in the evening.
19 – A fine day; quite a hard frost. Willie drove Annie Bell and
Bob McClimate to Port Perry on their way back to Toronto. I
wheeled in wood. Annie drove to her school. In the afternoon
helped P. Luke to make a watering place at the spring. John Mi-
chie also helping. L. Luke called.
20 – A fine day. All day at P. Luke’s fixing a watering place at the
spring and the well at the house. Annie drove to her school.
Jennie washing. Willie doing the chores. L. Luke called. Willie
and Annie at Greenbank in the evening. P. Luke called in the
evening.
21 – A very fine day. At P. Luke’s until about the middle of the
afternoon. We tried to dig out a water trough from a poplar log but
433
gave up the job. Annie drove to her school. Willie choring and at
C.E. in the evening.
22 – A very fine day. Drove Annie to her school. She is to stay at
Armstrong’s overnight as there is a meeting about a Christmas play
to be held in the evening. Willie at Luke’s all day. L. Luke and
Lillian Rodd called. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
23 – Dull; started to snow from the E about noon and continued
most of the afternoon. Fixing fence on 10th
concession in the fore-
noon. Willie went for Annie and away to concert at Port Perry in
the evening. L. Luke called for practice.
24 – Cold day. Fixing fence awhile in the forenoon. P. Luke
called in the forenoon and L. Luke in the afternoon. She goes to L.
Wagner’s tonight. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the evening.
25 – A fine but cold day. All hands at SS; 181 present; Mr.
McDonald preached. Willie and Annie came home after SS and
Willie went to Epsom. Annie also went out in the evening.
26 – Rain nearly all day. Snow nearly all gone. Willie drove
Annie to her school. She is to stay all night as there is a play prac-
tice. Little doing. Jennie knitting a sweater for Willie.
27 – Rather a fine day. Drew off the fence around the calf pasture
in the orchard and plowed it up, the first time in perhaps twenty
years or more. Jennie washing and ironing. Willie went for Annie.
In the evening went with Willie to Greenbank, he to orchestra
practice, and I to meeting in church of the ex board; 12 present;
Mr. McDonald not there. It was decided to canvas the congrega-
tion with the view to getting a resident minister. Ernest Phair and
Donald McArthur to canvass W of the centre road and Isaac Beare
and I east of the centre road.
28 – A fine day. Some odd jobs in the forenoon and in the after-
noon Willie was helping P. Luke and I was pruning orchard. An-
nie drove to her school. No mail came today; a wreck somewhere
on RR it is said.
29 – A very fine day. Drove Annie to her school as she is to play
practice in the evening. Then pruned apple trees. Jennie went with
Mrs. John Michie to Port Perry. Willie at Luke’s all day and at
Greenbank in the evening. Clinton Midgley called.
30 – A day of rain and mud. Little doing. Jennie baking. Willie
went for Annie and Willie and Annie went to public school concert
at Port Perry. Annie stayed all night at Roy O’Neill’s to take the
early train for Oshawa.
DEC. 1 – A fine mild day. Finished pruning orchard. Willie at P.
Luke’s plowing in the afternoon. Willie went to Port Perry in the
evening for Annie. P. Luke called in the evening. John Michie’s
four girls up getting their hair cut.
2 – Rain in the forenoon and very dull all day. All hands at SS and
church; 163 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie away in the
evening. Willie some sick during the night.
3 – A fine day. Willie drove Annie to her school. She is to stay
overnight as there is play practice. Jennie washing. I plowed some
in the afternoon in the SW field; not the least frost.
4 – Some dull day. Drove with Isaac Beare canvassing for funds to
get a resident minister for Greenbank. Went by Saintfield and
wound up at Jas. Blair’s. Did not get very good encouragement.
Willie went to Port Perry for Aunt Barbara and Chrissie Bell who
are here for a visit. He went over for Annie and to Greenbank in
the evening to orchestra practice.
5 – Snowing off and on most of the day. Drove up to Isaac Beare’s
and put the horse in there and canvassed the village. Got dinner at
Beare’s. Annie drove to her school. Willie choring. He went to
C.E. meeting but as it was a very dark night there was no meeting.
6 – Rain and some snow most of the day. Willie drove Annie to
her school and then drove Chrissie Bell to Port Perry on her way to
Toronto. She leaves for her home in Edinburgh, Scotland, in a few
days. Little doing outside.
7 – A fine day. Willie got John Michie’s pig rack and took the 3
pigs to Seagrave (190 lbs. each). Jennie, Barbara and I went to
preparatory service in the church. Rev. Mr. Scott of Cannington
preached. Willie went for Annie. Barbara stayed at W. O’Neill’s
all night. Word comes that the Baldwin conservative government
in Britain is almost beaten in the election.
8 – Very dull all day with rain in the afternoon. Did some small
jobs in the forenoon while Willie plowed. In the afternoon Willie
helping P. Luke to plow while I helped C. Phair to clean out well at
the spring. Elmer Clements came for Annie to go to play practice
at Bethel. A very dark night. Jean, Ruth and Bob Michie and L.
Luke (who is better of a sore throat) and Dorothy Wagner called.
9 – A very fine day. Annie and I drove to communion at Wick.
There was a pretty good turnout. Mr. McDonald preached. Got
dinner at Jas. H. Leask’s. Annie at W. O’Neill’s and then to SS.
168 present. Jennie and Willie came to SS. Barbara came home
with us. Willie and Annie out in the evening.
10 – A fine day. Willie drove Annie to her school and plowed
some while I chored. Jennie and Barbara went to S. Dusty’s and
John Michie’s. L. Luke called. While we were at supper Alan
Byers, who had not been for many years, came in and stayed all
night. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
11 – A fine day. Drove Barbara to Port Perry on her way home
and in the afternoon went with Isaac Beare canvassing. Got supper
at C. Leask’s and finished up at N. Midgley’s. Willie went for
Annie and both went to Greenbank in the evening to practice.
Jennie washing.
12 – Some rain in the evening. Annie drove to her school. Helped
Jennie and Willie to pick some chickens. In the evening all hands
went to the play in the hall by the girls’ SS class entitled ‘Star
Bright’. There was a packed house and the play went off pretty
good. $52.00 was taken in at the door and $32.00 on the sale of
pies which went to the orchestra to pay the piano. Dark foggy
night.
13 – Dull and rainy nearly all day. Willie drove Annie to her
school and Jennie went to Port Perry market with chickens. Little
doing but the chores. L. Luke and C. Midgley called.
434
14 – Ground covered with snow and some more during the day.
Willie went to Greenbank in the afternoon to a shooting match got
up by R. Sonley. I went for Annie. Willie at Greenbank in the
evening.
15 – Cold and some wintery. Little doing outside but the chores.
Annie went to Port Perry in the afternoon and to play practice at
Bethel in the evening. Willie went to Port Perry in the evening.
16 – Somewhat cold. All but Willie (who has a headache) at SS
and church; 187 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie out in the
evening. Willie at home.
17 – A fine day but cold. Jennie washing. Little doing but the
chores. L. Luke called. Willie drove Annie to her school. In the
evening went with Jennie to congregational meeting to consider the
question of having a minister at Greenbank. It was decided to
proceed to ask to be made a separate charge. There was a fair
turnout.
18 – A beautiful day. Willie drawing gravel for the road. Jennie at
Women’s Missionary meeting in the afternoon. I walked to
Greenbank in the morning and went with Jas. Leask; Isaac Beare;
Ernest Phair; and Donald McArthur to the presbytery meeting at
Lindsay to present the case of the church in regard to the course
proposed last night. We was well received and hope that action
will be taken. Willie at practice in the evening.
19 – Quite mild and warm. Helped Jennie to pick chickens in the
forenoon. Willie went to Greenbank with the waggon to get horse
shod and take up Christmas tree and brush. He went for Annie in
the afternoon. In the evening I went to Greenbank to help to deco-
rate the hall for the Christmas Tree. Vet Moon came in the eve-
ning to see King horse and pronounced it distemper. Annie at Port
Perry high school concert in the evening.
20 – Rain in the early morning and very mild all day with mud in
plenty. Willie drove Annie to her school. Jennie went to Port
Perry with chickens. This is Christmas fair day and a poor day it is
for a fair. Willie at high school concert in the evening.
21 – A very mild dull day. Little doing outside but the chores.
Jennie baking. I went for Annie and was at the close of the school
concert. Willie went to Port Perry for James who is home for
Christmas. In the evening all hands at our SS Christmas Tree. The
hall was packed to the doors and the programme was pretty good.
Miss Ferguson and Miss Forsythe, the teachers, were the manag-
ers.
22 – Another dull warm day. Music a good part of the day. After
dinner Willie drove Annie to Bethel church for the final practice of
their play. Jennie making dress for Annie. Willie at Port Perry in
the evening. Eleanor and Olive Michie up in the afternoon.
23 – A little snowing from the E. All but Jennie (who was unwell)
at SS and church; 178 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie,
Willie and James out in the evening.
24 – A fine day. James and Willie went to Port Perry in the fore-
noon. I drove Annie to Bethel church after dinner to practice for
the Christmas Tree there tonight. Willie and James went to it in
the evening.
25 – Snowing a little most of the forenoon. John Michie, wife and
family here for dinner and supper. Annie went to play at Little
Britain and the boys to a dance at Sonya.
26 – A fine day. Little doing but Jennie washing. Clinton Midgley
called in the afternoon. Annie went to Bethel church in the eve-
ning to play practice.
27 – Snowing some from the SW. Willie helping P. Luke to draw
in corn in the afternoon. L. Luke and Bruce McDonald called and
George Cragg selling fruit trees. Jennie ironing. Annie, Willie and
James at Greenbank in the evening.
28 – Rough and snowing but not so very cold. Willie all day draw-
ing gravel on 10th
conc.; 6 loads. Annie went to Port Perry in the
forenoon. Ruth and Olive Michie called twice. L. Luke called and
Bruce McDonald. I went over to C. Phair’s to see Dick Canniff
who is sick. James away in the evening.
29 – A fine day. Willie helping C. Phair all day. I was helping P.
Luke to make a bull pen in his stable. Mr. Stoffer here in the after-
noon tuning the piano. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the eve-
ning. Dick Canniff is said to be in a very serious condition.
30 – Pretty raw and cold with NE wind. All hands at SS and
church; 168 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. James stayed
somewhere for tea. Annie and Willie out in the evening.
31 – Dull day. Willie at C. Phair’s. I helping P. Luke at stable in
the afternoon. Nomination day. The old council elected by acc.
1924
JAN. 1 – Pretty rough and cold during the day but a fine but cold
evening. All hands at John Michie’s for dinner. W. O’Neill and
wife and young Willie O’Neill were also there. Annie left after
dinner to go with the Bethel players to give their play at Little
Britain. Willie and James went to the dance party in the hall at
Greenbank. No mail today.
2 – A fine day. Little doing in the forenoon. James and Annie
went to Port Perry. In the afternoon Willie went with the sleigh to
Seagrave Station for a load of cordwood from the north country for
the church at Greenbank. There was 18 teams on the job but the
sleighing was very poor and it was a hard trip. John Michie’s 4
girls were up in the afternoon. L. Luke called. James at Real’s in
the evening.
3 – Pretty round and cold, snowing some. I drove Annie to her
school. Willie drove James to Port Perry on his way back to nor-
mal school Toronto. Willie went for Annie. In the evening, with
Jennie, Annie, and Willie, attended annual SS meeting in church.
There was about 35 present. The old officers were re-elected.
4 – A fine but cold day. Willie drove Annie to her school and went
for her in the afternoon. Jennie making Annie a dress. Willie at
SS class meeting at Jas. H. Leask’s in the evening.
435
5 – A lot of snow through the night and more during the day and
drifting. Little done outside but the chores. Willie drove the sleigh
up the side road. Jennie making dress for Annie. Willie and Annie
at Port Perry in the evening.
6 – Drifting some in the forenoon. Jennie, Annie and I at SS and
church; 149 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached in the school room as
the church could not be heated. A terrible blizzard coming home
and all the evening. Willie and Leola Luke went to Epsom in the
morning and did not get home on account of the storm. E. Hooper
called in the evening notwithstanding the storm. Word came that
Mrs. John McCully of Wick died today.
7 – Drove Annie to her school and had some job getting through
the drifts. She stayed all night at Armstrong’s. Willie came back
from Epsom after dinner. L. Luke called. In the evening Jennie
and I went to Jas. Bott’s for tea and the evening and had a very
pleasant time. In the afternoon went over to Phair’s to see Dick
Canniff and found him getting along fine after his illness. Jennie
washing.
8 – A fine day. Jennie ironing and in the afternoon went with John
Michie in the sleigh to Women’s Missionary meeting in the
church. Willie went for Annie and they went to oyster supper of
the play people at Isaac Beare’s.
9 – A very fine day and thawing some in the afternoon. Drove
Annie to her school. Willie at C. Phair’s all day. In the afternoon
attended the annual church meeting in the union church. A fair
good turnout; Mr. McDonald in the chair; the usual business done.
Church funds about $60.00 behind. Willie at C.E. annual meeting
in the evening.
10 – Mild and thawing most of the day with rain in the evening.
Willie at C. Phair’s in the forenoon. I went to Port Perry with the
cutter. Jennie knitting sweater. In the evening Willie went to
supper of the Bethel play people at Mr. Wanamaker’s.
11 – Heavy rain through the night and Willie was pretty well
soaked when he got home. Got colder again towards night. Little
doing outside. Jennie knitting. L. Luke called. Willie at Green-
bank in the evening. Willie went for Annie in the afternoon.
12 – A fine day. Jennie making dress for Annie. Willie and C.
Midgley skating on the creek in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at
Port Perry in the evening. About 10 pm Harold Baylos came in
and stayed all night.
13 – Some snow from the east. Willie and Harold Baylos went
over to C. Phair’s to see Dick Canniff. Then all hands at SS and
church; 185 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Mary Real here for
tea and Annie and Willie went out in the evening.
14 – A very fine day. Willie drove Annie to her school and then to
see Harry Bewell about his pay for work. He did not get back till
about 4 o’clock but got no satisfaction. L. Luke called. Jennie
knitting. Willie skating in the evening at the new road.
15 – A fine day. Willie at Phair’s all day. Jennie washing.
Cleaned out the calf pen and did the chores. L. Luke called. In the
evening went to hall trustees meeting held at Blake Cragg’s. Wil-
lie went to hockey match at Port Perry between Port Perry and
Uxbridge. A great crowd; P.P. won 3 to 1.
16 – Snowing from the SE in the morning which turned to rain and
continued nearly all day. Helped Jennie to pick some hens in the
afternoon.
17 – Colder and a fine day. Jennie and Willie went to Port Perry in
the morning and did not get home until about 3 o’clock. Dick
Canniff came over from Phair’s and stayed all night. C. Midgley
here in the evening playing. L. Luke called.
18 – A fine day. Willie went to Seagrave with cow for C. Phair in
the forenoon and for Annie in the afternoon. Little doing but the
chores.
19 – A fine but dull day. Willie and Dick Canniff went to Green-
bank in the forenoon and in the afternoon went skating with Clin-
ton Midgley. They went down the creek by Seagrave to Seven
Mile Island. Annie and L. Luke also were skating on the creek.
Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the evening. Some snow in the
evening.
20 – Cold and pretty rough in the afternoon. Willie drove Dick
Canniff over to C. Phair’s. All hands at SS and church; 167 at SS;
Mr. McDonald preached. Annie and Willie out in the evening.
21 – About 8 below zero in the morning and a terrible wind all day.
Willie drove Annie to her school but only one came and no school
was held. Little doing all day. It continued about the same tem-
perature all day.
22 – About zero in the morning but got milder towards night but
rough and snowing some. Little doing. L. Luke called and Willie
and her drove in the evening to hockey match at Uxbridge where
Port Perry plays. Port Perry wins 4 to 3. No mail today.
23 – Rather rough and drifting in the morning but got milder after
dinner. Jennie and I went to Archie Black’s at Scugog to the mar-
riage of George Bratley to Miss Vera Black. Rev. Mr. Higgs of
Port Perry did the job. About 20 were present. Willie at Green-
bank in the evening.
24 – A fine winter day. Jennie washing. I went to Greenbank in
the afternoon to put up the curtain in the hall but could not make it
roll. L. Luke called. Willie at orchestra practice at Greenbank in
the evening.
25 – Turned out very rough and got much colder in the afternoon.
Went to Greenbank with a pole for hall curtain and got it to work
fairly well. Went for Annie to Bethel in a blizzard and Dale Arm-
strong came home with us. Willie went with the sleigh to Port
Perry for James and had a job to get through in places. The train
that James was on got stuck in the snow a number of times about
High Point. The Bethel people was billed to give their play ‘Wil-
lowdale’ in the hall at Greenbank tonight but on account of the
terrible weather it was postponed. Clinton Midgley came down
and we had a musical night.
26 – About 8 below zero in the morning and very rough all day
until evening when the wind ceased. Little but music except
436
Jennie who was washing James’ clothes. James away somewhere
in the evening and Annie, Willie and Dale Armstrong at Luke’s.
27 – Very cold day. About zero most of the time. All hands in-
cluding Dale Armstrong at church and SS; 173 at SS; Mr.
McDonald preached. Service held in the basement on account of
the cold. James at tea at J.M. Real’s. Willie took Annie and Dale
to Armstrong’s in the evening.
28 – Much milder all day. Got up early and I drove James to the
early train at Port Perry on his way back to Normal school. Willie
at C. Phair’s all day. Jennie washing. L. Luke called in the after-
noon and again in the evening to play piano.
29 – Milder day. Drove to Greenbank and then rode with Jas. H.
Leask and Isaac Beare to Blackwater and then by train to Lindsay
to the Presbytery meeting to consider rearrangement of congrega-
tions. 6 were there from Wick; very little progress was made.
Willie drew in some wood and went to practice in the evening at
Greenbank.
30 – Rain in the morning and soft all day. Willie at Phair’s in the
afternoon. I split some wood in the shed. L. Luke and Dorothy
Wagner called. Willie at C.E. meeting in evening.
31 – A fine day. Jennie went to Port Perry market with P;. Luke
and family in the sleigh. Willie at C. Phair’s in the afternoon. L.
Luke, D. Wagner and Ruth Michie called.
FEB. 1 – A fine day. Willie took 9 bags of oats to Port Perry and
got them ground. I was over at Luke’s in the forenoon. Willie
went with the sleigh for Annie and Dale Armstrong came home
with her. In the evening all hands at the community hall where the
Bethel people gave the play ‘Willowdale’. There was a full house
and the play went off good. After the play there was a pie social
and then a dance. $54.00 was taken in.
2 – Mild and snowing a little most of the day. Willie and D. Arm-
strong at W. Thomas’ in the afternoon and Annie, Willie and D.A.
at Port Perry in the evening.
3 – A fine winter day. All hands at SS and church; 208 at SS, the
largest attendance for months. Mr. McDonald preached. Jas. Blair
first Sunday as caretaker. Annie out in the evening.
4 – Very stormy with snow from the E all day. Willie drove Annie
to her school. Little doing but the chores.
5 – Another very rough day with snow from the E. Little doing.
Willie drove the sleigh breaking roads and at practice in the eve-
ning. No mail. No dinner.
6 – Some better weather. Went over to Luke’s in the afternoon to
try to get some wood in the swamp. Willie at Greenbank in the
evening. Jennie washing and ironing.
7 – A fine day. L. Luke here most of the day getting dress made.
Willie at C. Phair’s in the afternoon.
8 – Bright cold day. Not feeling very well. Ground the axe in the
forenoon. L. Luke here in the forenoon making dress. Willie went
to Uxbridge to meet James who is coming to party in the hall to-
night. I went with the sleigh for Annie. Dale Armstrong came
with her and they both went to the party in the hall.
9 – Pretty sharp day. Annie went to Port Perry in the morning
taking Dale Armstrong on her way home. Willie drew in 2 loads
of wood. L. Luke called. Willie and James at Port Perry in the
evening.
10 – A terrible rough day, snowing and drifting from the NW. All
but Jennie at SS and church; 104 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached.
James out in the evening. L. Luke here in the evening playing
piano.
11 – Rather a fine day after the storm. Willie drove James to Port
Perry 9 o’clock train on his way back to Normal school. I drove
Annie to her school in the sleigh. Willie at C. Phair’s. Jennie
washing and ironing. In the evening I went to congregational
meeting in the church. There was a fair turnout and a committee
appointed to meet a like committee from Wick to confer as to
services. Tom Sharp; Alex Leask; G. Lee; Les Beare and Cecil
Phair were the committee. Snowing on the way home.
12 – A fine day; a little rough in the morning. Willie at Phair’s all
day and at choir practice in the evening.
13 – A very bright cold day. Willie and I went to Port Perry in the
afternoon to consult Mr. Harris about the prospect of getting the
$42.00 due Willie from H. Bewell for wages, Harry Bewell’s chat-
tels being now under seizure, but there is no hope of getting it.
Jennie making coat for L. Luke. Willie at Greenbank in the eve-
ning.
14 – More snow in the forenoon. In the afternoon Willie and I
drew up the wood from Luke’s field cut last winter. Jennie making
coat for L. Luke who was here twice getting it fitted.
15 – Snow from the E in the morning and turned rough in the af-
ternoon. Jennie making L. Luke’s coat. Willie went for Annie
with the sleigh and in the evening went to W. Hill’s on the 3rd
concession to a dance. Put in one horse with Ray Dusty and drove
the sleigh. Annie, L. Luke and Dick Canniff went with them.
16 – Clear and cold; about 6 below zero in the morning. Willie,
Annie and L. Luke got home from Billy Hill’s party at 5.15 am.
Leola stayed until after dinner. Little doing outside but the chores.
C. Midgley called in the evening. Annie and Willie away in the
evening.
17 – Rather a fine day. All hands at SS and church; 189 at SS.
Mr. Wilton, Baptist preacher, was at our SS and gave a short ad-
dress. Mr. McDonald preached and gave his views on the question
of rearranging services with Wick. Coming home in the cutter we
upset at the gap at the concession and King ran away with the
cutter on its side but there was nothing broken. Annie and Willie
out in the evening.
18 – A fine bright day. Willie drove Annie to her school and cut
wood in Luke’s swamp while I cut and split some wood in the
shed. Jennie washing. L. Luke and Dorothy Wagner called.
437
19 – Snowing some from the E. Willie went to Harry Bewell’s
bailiff sale in the afternoon but the sale did not come to enough to
leave anything for his bill of $42.00 for wages. In the evening,
with Willie and L. Luke, went to Ladies Aid social in the church.
A good supper and a fair turnout. $25.00 taken in. Coming home
it was very stormy from the east.
20 – Storming and snowing all night and snowing nearly all day
from the E. Little doing. No trains, no mail. L. Luke over in the
evening playing piano.
21 – Another terrible day of snow and drift from the NW. Saw no
one, nothing doing, no trains, no mail.
22 – Another day of drifting; not quite as bad as yesterday. Willie
drove the sleigh up to the 11th
concession and down E to the
sideroad then home by Luke’s. No trains that we have heard. No
mail. Could not go for Annie. L. Luke here in the evening play-
ing.
23 – Fine clear and cold day; 5 below in the morning. Went with
Willie and John Michie in the sleigh and broke the road on the 11th
concession through the swamp. Willie went to Armstrong’s for
Annie while John and I went in to see John’s woodlot. Jennie and
Annie went to Port Perry in the afternoon, Annie staying until
evening. Willie and L. Luke at Port Perry in the evening. Indian
called selling baskets.
24 – A very fine but cold day. All hands at SS and church; 193 at
SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie and Willie at Seagrave
church in the evening.
25 – A beautiful winter day. Willie drove Annie to her school.
Jennie washing and quilting. In the afternoon P. Luke and I went
to Good’s sale west of Port Perry. A large crowd and things sold
fair.
26 – A beautiful day. Little doing but the chores. Willie went up
to Jas. Bott’s for butter. Jennie quilting. R. Brown, the assessor
called. L. Luke called in the afternoon and again in the evening,
also C. Midgley and Dick Canniff and there was music.
27 – A beautiful day. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp all day.
Willie doing chores. Jennie quilting. Mrs. Luke came over after
dinner and helped to finish. A phone call came saying that Alan
Black was there. Willie went for him and then went to C.E. meet-
ing.
28 – A very fine day. Cutting wood most of the day in Luke’s
swamp. Willie and Alan Black went to Port Perry in the afternoon
and to Ray Dusty’s in the evening.
29 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp all day.
Willie went to Port Perry in the forenoon with sow for P. Luke and
Alan Black and Willie went for Annie and all three to dance in the
hall got up by C. Wyatt and Roy Leask.
MAR. 1 – A beautiful day. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp and
Willie drew up some to the house. Alan Black drove Annie to Port
Perry to the dentist and she stayed until evening. Willie and Alan
B. went to the rink at Port Perry in the evening. John Michie’s
family and Ruby Lee here getting their hair cut.
2 – A very fine day. All hands, including Alan Black, at SS and
church; 185 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Marie Akhurst came
home for tea. Annie, Willie and A.B. out in the evening.
3 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp all day.
Willie drew some home in the forenoon. Jennie washing and quilt-
ing. Alan Black drove Annie to her school and then went with
John Michie to Greenbank. Willie at C.E. meeting in the church.
The Port Perry Methodist League are coming for a visit. Oswald
Love’s barn burned in the evening.
4 – Dull day. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp. Willie drawing it
home. Worked until about the middle of the afternoon when rain
came on. Jennie quilting. Willie at orchestra practice in the eve-
ning.
5 – A fine day. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp, Willie drawing
home. Jennie finishes 2nd
quilt. Willie at choir practice in the
evening. Pedlar called.
6 – A very fine day. Cutting wood and Willie drawing. Alan
Black, who has been visiting about Greenbank, came back for
dinner and he and Willie went to Jim Dusty’s in the evening.
7 – Some rough in the morning but fine later. Cutting wood in
Luke’s swamp, Willie drew some up. In the afternoon went with
Jennie to preparatory service in the church. Mr. McDonald
preached. Rather a small turnout. Leola Luke came in by certifi-
cate. Willie went for Annie. In the evening went with Jennie in
John Michie’s sleigh to G.A. McMillan’s to celebrate his silver
wedding and a big time it was; about 125 present and supper for
all. They presented him with silver knives and spoons. All of J.
Michie’s family stayed here while they were at the party and all
night. L. Luke here in the evening.
8 – A fine day. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp and Willie draw-
ing up. Alan Black and Annie at Port Perry in the forenoon and
Willie, Annie and Alan at Port Perry again in the evening skating.
L. Luke called. Oshawa became a city today. Dale Armstrong
came home and stayed all night.
9 – A very fine day. All hands, including Dale Armstrong, at
communion at Greenbank. A fair turnout; Mr. McDonald
preached. Jennie and I got dinner at W. Phoenix’s and went to SS
at 3 o’clock. Willie and the rest came home and back again. 163
at SS. Gordon Sweetman here when we got home and stayed for
tea and the evening. E. Clements also called. Willie and Allan
Black away somewhere. Annie went with E. Clements to Mr.
Armstrong’s.
10 – A fine day. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp and Willie drew
up some. Alan Black went to J.M. Real’s.
11 – A very fine day. Willie drove me to Greenbank in the morn-
ing and then with George Lee to Blackwater, then by train to the
presbytery meeting at Lindsay. The presbytery decided to set apart
Greenbank as a separate congregation. Willie at wood and at prac-
438
tice in the evening and I drove the horse home from Greenbank.
Alan Black came back in the night sometime.
12 – A very fine day. Cutting and drawing out wood all day.
Jennie washing. Alan Black went down to John Michie’s. Willie
at C.E. in the evening.
13 – A fine day. Cutting and drawing home wood. Jack and Boe
called buying cattle (did not sell). Alan Black went to John Mi-
chie’s.
14 – A fine day. Finished cutting and drawing home the wood
from the lot in Luke’s swamp at noon. In the afternoon I went for
Annie with the sleigh. Dale Armstrong coming home with her.
Willie and Alan Black went to Uxbridge for James and all at party
in the hall in the evening.
15 – Fine but rather raw with high NW wind. Willie helping P.
Luke to cut wood; McHaffy’s machine. They came here from
Luke’s and cut about 2 hours. John Michie; P. Luke; C. Midgley
helping. Alan Black, Annie and Dale Armstrong went to Port
Perry in the evening to skate and Willie and James went to Green-
bank to play practice or somewhere.
16 – Very rough and snowing in the forenoon. All but Jennie at SS
and church; 142 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie, Willie,
James and A. Black out in the evening.
17 – A fine but rather cold day. Cutting wood with McHaffy’s
machine until about the middle of the afternoon when they fin-
ished; eight hours at $1 per hour. They then moved to John Mi-
chie’s and Willie helped him. Willie drove James to the early train
at Port Perry and Alan Black drove Annie to her school. Willie
and Alan at Greenbank in the evening to the play ‘Star Bright’
given for the piano fund. This is the second time it has been given.
18 – Rather a fine day. Splitting and piling wood. Willie at John
Michie’s helping him to cut wood until about the middle of the
afternoon. Jennie washing. I drove Alan Black to John Leask’s at
Port Perry. He is going north tomorrow. Willie went with the
orchestra to a party at Manchester.
19 – A fine day. Splitting and piling wood. Willie doing chores.
Willie at C.E. in the evening.
20 – A fine day. Splitting wood. Willie drawing out manure and
breaking roads. L. Luke and Dick Canniff here in the evening.
21 – A fine and mild day. Splitting wood. Willie at Greenbank in
the forenoon and went for Annie in the afternoon.
22 – Mild and fine. Willie and I took two fat cattle to Port Perry;
sold to Calacutt; 2080 lbs @ 6 1/4 ; $130.00. Jennie on the sick
list. Annie drove the cutter (poor roads) to Port Perry. Splitting
wood in the afternoon. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
23 – A very fine day and snow going fast. All but Jennie at SS and
church; 171 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Buggies running.
Willie out in the evening.
24 – A very fine day and snow going fast. Splitting wood most of
the day. Willie drove Annie to her school (water over the road)
and at C. Phair’s in the afternoon helping to cut wood and at
Luke’s in the evening. Mr. Perry from the 7th
conc. brought sister
Margaret on a visit.
25 – A very fine day. R. Akhurst of Cannington came for a visit
and stayed for dinner and supper. Willie at practice in the evening.
26 – Rather raw with E wind and a little snow. Splitting wood.
Willie mending harness. Jennie baking. Helen Phair came over
for the mail, the first time for her. Willie at C.E. in the evening.
27 – Mild day. Splitting wood most of the day. Willie went to
Port Perry in the morning and took Margaret to Greenbank (W.
O’Neill’s) in the afternoon.
28 – A fine day. At the wood all day. Willie mending harness and
at C.E. in the evening. L. Luke called. Did not go for Annie on
account of water over the road.
29 – Dull and raw with E wind until about 4 o’clock when it
started to rain which froze as it fell. There was some thunder.
Splitting wood and nearly finished the job. Willie mending har-
ness. He went to Greenbank for Margaret in the afternoon and to
Port Perry in the evening.
30 – Rain and snow and rather rough. Willie and I at SS and
church; 167 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Willie out in the
evening.
31 – Rather rough and windy. Finished splitting and piling wood
in the forenoon. Willie helping P. Luke to saw wood in the after-
noon. Jennie and Margaret visiting at John Michie’s and P. Luke’s
in the afternoon. L. Luke called in the evening.
APR. 1 – Raw E wind with some snow in the afternoon. Drove
Margaret to Lamb’s at Manchester on her way home. Jennie wash-
ing. Willie at practice in the evening.
2 – Rough and snowing in the forenoon. Willie helping P. Luke to
cut wood in the afternoon and at C.E. in the evening. Jennie iron-
ing.
3 – A very fine day. Went to Greenbank in the morning. Went
down to Mrs. O’Neill’s to pay McHaffy for cutting wood. Willie
at C. Phair’s all day drawing out manure. Jennie house cleaning
upstairs.
4 – A fine day. Willie and I drew the brush from the orchard and I
worked at the berry bushes. I went to Uxbridge to meet the train to
bring James home. Stopped awhile at the dance in the hall. Willie
went for Annie and then to the party. Roads pretty poor to Ux-
bridge. Cream man got stuck in the lane from snow.
5 – A very fine day. At berry bushes most of the day. Jennie
washing first and then went to Port Perry with Annie. L. Luke and
Alice Real called in the afternoon.
6 – Rain through the night but a fine day. All hands at SS and
church; 173 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. James went to G.A.
McMillan’s for tea. Annie and Willie somewhere in the evening.
439
7 – A very fine day. Willie took James to Port Perry to the early
train on his way back to Toronto Normal school. I drove Annie to
her school (very bad roads through the swamp). Willie at Luke’s
in the afternoon. Jennie house cleaning.
8 – A very fine day. At berry bushes most of the day. Willie at
Luke’s all day and at practice in the evening. Jennie cleaning
cellar in the forenoon and went to missionary meeting with Mrs.
John Michie in the afternoon.
9 – Dull with some rain in the afternoon. Got two small loads of
straw from Mr. Luke which is very acceptable as we are com-
pletely out. Willie filled in some furrows. Jennie house cleaning.
L. Luke called. Willie at C.E. in the evening.
10 – Fine in forenoon but rather rough and raw in the afternoon.
At berry bushes in the forenoon. Willie at Port Perry. In the after-
noon Willie and I went to George Haddon’s sale. Rather a poor lot
of stuff. Jennie housecleaning. L. Luke called in the evening.
11 – A rather raw day. At berry bushes part of the time. Jennie
preparing to go to Newcastle tomorrow. Willie helping Norman
Midgley to cut wood over in his pasture field and at choir practice
in the evening. I drove over for Annie.
12 – A fine day. At berry bushes and Willie drawing out manure.
Annie drove Jennie to Port Perry on her way to Newcastle to act as
nurse at W. Farrow’s. Willie helping N. Midgley to finish cutting
wood for about an hour. L. Luke called. Annie and Willie at Port
Perry in the evening.
13 – Fine until the middle of the afternoon when rain came on.
Thunder and lightning in the evening. At SS and church with
Annie and Willie; 179 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie and
Willie out in the evening.
14 – Some raw. Drove Annie to her school. Willie cultivated field
W of house while I acted as cook. Word came from Jennie that she
is in Toronto instead of Newcastle as Alma was taken to the hospi-
tal. A baby girl born. Willie at Mrs. O’Neill’s in the evening.
15 – Quite a frost in the morning. Scuffled berry bushes twice.
Got Mr. Luke’s fanning mill and fanned up seed and Willie started
to sow field W of house. L. Luke called in the evening.
16 – A very fine day. Willie finished sowing field and harrowed it.
I did some small jobs. Not feeling very well. P. Luke called.
Willie at C.E. meeting in the evening. N. Midgley burning brush
in his pasture.
17 – Hard frost with raw SE wind. Willie tried to cultivate but too
hard frozen. About noon it started to rain from the S and a bad rain
it was and continued during the evening. Willie went to Port Perry
for Jennie and James, who is home for Easter.
18 – Good Friday. Rain through the night and most of the day
which turned to snow towards night but a fine evening. Willie
went to Port Perry for Annie Bell and Bob McClimate who have
come for Easter. James went to Bethel for Annie. Music was the
order of the day. Willie and James at choir practice in the evening.
19 – A fine day, but not much doing as everything is so wet. Took
straw off strawberry patch. Willie harrowing awhile for P. Luke in
the afternoon. Annie, Willie, James and Bob McC at Port Perry in
the evening. L. Luke called. Annie at Port Perry in the forenoon.
20 – A very fine day but a little raw. All hands at SS and church;
194 at SS; Mr. McDonald preached. Annie Bell gave a solo.
Mary Real here for supper. Annie, Willie and James away and
Annie Bell and Bob McC at John Michie’s.
21 – Got up early and Willie drove Annie Bell and Bob McC to
Port Perry. They decided to go by a new bus line lately started but
after letting the train leave without them, the bus did not turn up so
they, with Gladys and Leola Luke, had to hire a car to drive them
to Toronto. Jennie washing and little else doing. Mrs. John Mi-
chie and Olive called and after Mrs. R. Sonley of Pinedale called.
Willie and Annie at C. Gordon’s in the evening which turned out
rough with snow from the south.
22 – Dull all day; snow and sleet in the afternoon. Willie plowed
and harrowed in the orchard while I did some small jobs. Jennie
ironing. Annie went to play at Sonya and James to practice at
Greenbank. Willie at home.
23 – Rather a fine day. Willie and I went to Alex Lee’s and got
1800 lbs of hay @ $10.00 per ton. In the afternoon went to Port
Perry with Annie; I to see the Dr. who says my trouble is in my
stomach. Willie and James at C.E. meeting in the evening. Mrs.
Sonley called. C. Phair brought the beef, the first of the season;
under new rules.
24 – A fine day. Willie cultivating while I let off water and some
other jobs. Planted some potatoes. Willie drove Annie to Port
Perry in the morning on her way to Toronto and went for her in the
evening. I went to congregational meeting in the church called by
Rev. Mr. Binney, interim moderator, to arrange for hearing candi-
dates in the approaching vacancy. There was a fair turnout and a
list of 5 names was chosen. $18.00 per Sunday is to be paid to
candidates.
25 – A fine day. Willie rolling grass fields while I did some small
jobs. In the evening we had a visit from Clinton Midgley, Mr. and
Mrs. Wanamaker and two boys and music was the order of the
evening. Mr. E. Boe died.
26 – A beautiful day. Willie rolling and scuffling. I making hen
coops. Mrs. Jas. S. Lee, Ruby and Alma called and all of John
Michie’s family to get their hair cut. Mrs. Luke called in the eve-
ning. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the evening and James
away somewhere.
27 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 161 at SS. Mr.
Boe’s funeral was at 2 pm and there was a large turnout. Mr.
McDonald preached and this is his last Sunday as pastor. Annie
stayed at N. Midgley’s and James went to Alex Gordon’s for sup-
per. Willie away in the evening. John Michie, wife and family
called in the evening.
28 – A very fine day. Jennie washing. Drove Annie to her school
and she walked home. I drove James to the 4 pm train at Port
Perry on his way back to Toronto. Willie drawing out manure.
440
Willie at orchestra practice in the evening. Dick Canniff and ---
Green called in the evening.
29 – A beautiful day. Willie cultivating and sowing. Jennie and I
put in some garden stuff. Annie walked to and from her school. L.
Luke called in the evening.
30 – Fine in the forenoon but started to drizzle a little after dinner.
I went for the beef in the morning and to Bethel for Annie (she
walked over in the morning). Willie finished sowing and harrow-
ing field NE of barn. L. Luke called. Got 74 lbs of pork from John
Michie at 8 cts. lb. Willie at C.E. in the evening.
MAY 1 – A very fine day but rather cold. Willie drove Annie to
her school (she walked home), then finished cultivating SW field
and sowed it in the afternoon. I tied up berry bushes. John Michie
came up after dinner for a lot of raspberry bushes. Leola Luke left
today for Newcastle to help Mrs. Farrow awhile.
2 – A very fine but rather cool day. I at the berry bushes most of
the day. Annie drove to her school. This is arbour day and they
had a picnic. Willie harrowed SW field and then sowed wheat E of
the orchard but he did not finish as the seed went done. Ruth Mi-
chie called, also Mrs. Luke. Willie at choir practice in the evening.
3 – Fine until evening when a heavy thunder shower came on and
soaked things pretty well. Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry in
the forenoon while I hoed berry bushes. In the afternoon Willie
finished sowing and harrowed piece E of orchard. I went to C.
Phair’s and had a settling up. He owed me $4.80 which is to go in
cattle pasture. Mrs. Sonley called. Willie, Annie and Mary Real at
Port Perry in the evening through the rain.
4 – A fine bur rather cold windy day. All hands at SS and church;
181 at SS; Rev. Mr. Benny of Uxbridge preached and declared the
pulpit vacant. Annie and Willie out in the evening.
5 – A fine but rather cold day. Drove Annie to her school and then
to J.M. Real’s to see Mary about acting as pianist in the church as
Mona Leask wants an increase in pay and the session do not seem
to be willing to give it, but I had no success. Had a long talk with
Tom Sharp about the choir. Went to Port Perry in the afternoon.
Willie drawing out manure. Jennie cleaning front bedroom. Mrs.
Luke called.
6 – Heavy rain and some thunder during the night and the ground
was white with snow in the morning. Annie drove to her school. I
went to Greenbank and helped R. Cragg to cut down 4 trees that
stood close to the S side of the hall. After dinner P. Luke came
with his rig and I went with him to a bailiff sale at Mr. Soper’s on
the 12th
concession west of the D. Whalen place. There was a fair
crowd but things went rather flat. Jennie and Willie papering the
front bedroom. Willie at orchestra practice and Annie fishing in
the evening.
7 – A little rain in the morning and some thunder to the N after
dinner. Annie drove to her school. Willie and I went to Ernest
Phair’s for a load of sweet clover ($5.00) in the forenoon and to
Alex Lee’s in the afternoon for a load of hay ($10.00). Jennie
washing. In the evening went with Les Beare to Alex Gordon’s to
see Annie about acting as church organist. Have some hope that
she may be got. Came home in a wild thunder storm.
8 – Some rain several times during the day. Harrowed in the or-
chard. Annie drove to her school. Willie at Alex Lee’s helping to
press hay. Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon with Mrs.
Luke. Got word from Annie Gordon that she will play next Sun-
day at least.
9 – E wind and raw until about 11 am when it started to rain and a
terrible rain all afternoon which will do a good deal of damage.
Annie drove to her school. Willie at Alex Lee’s helping to press
hay and finished at noon. He got his fork stolen to all appearances.
Jennie house cleaning and painting. P. Luke called for the papers.
10 – Dull and some more rain. Hoed berry bushes and planted
trees near the road and some more potatoes. Willie and Annie at
Port Perry in the forenoon and again in the evening. Jennie clean-
ing up.
11 – A fine day. Jennie, Willie and I at SS and church; 184 at SS.
Mr. Armour preached; this is the first candidate for the pastorate.
There was a good congregation. Annie went to Bethel SS to pick
out pieces for their anniversary. In the evening Annie, Willie and I
went to church again when the same man preached to a full con-
gregation.
12 – Annie drove to her school. We took 8 young cattle to C.
Phair’s pasture but 5 of them got out and came home. Willie
plowed awhile before dinner. Rain from the E came on at noon
and it rained all afternoon and things are very badly soaked and
some grain will be drowned out. In the afternoon Norman Midg-
ley, wife, Clinton and Mrs. Bradley came in his car. Mrs. Midgley
was getting some cutting out done. Norman went for Clifford at
the school and they were all here for supper. Willie at G. Lee’s in
the evening showing Francis Lee how to tune up his fiddle.
13 – Dull all day. Some rain in the evening. I drove Annie to her
school and harrowed orchard in the afternoon. Willie helping P.
Luke in the afternoon. Jennie at Missionary meeting in the after-
noon.
14 – Rain through the night and dull until about noon when it
started to rain again. Willie and I planted strawberries; a small
patch this year. Jennie washing. Willie drove over for Annie and
went to Greenbank in the evening. C. Phair came with the beef.
15 – Another terrible rain through the night and everything swim-
ming. Annie drove to her school. Jennie drove to Port Perry tak-
ing Mrs. Luke. Willie and Clinton Midgley were boating on the
creek most of the day. Annie and Willie at choir practice in the
evening.
16 – Very little rain today. John Michie came for strawberry
plants. Hoeing and some little jobs. Willie whitewashed calf pen.
Annie drove to her school. Willie, Frank Lee, Mary Real and
Laura Thomas went fishing for mudcats at Lake Scugog in the
evening and got some but did not bring any home. Annie and I
went to Port Perry in the evening to a reception to George Stone
441
who is retiring after teaching 40 years in Port Perry High School.
There was a good turnout. The speakers were S. Farmer; General
McBrien; Professor DeLurey; James A. Miller and the guest of the
evening G. Stone.
17 – A high SW wind. I scuffled in orchard and plowed in root
field. Willie went on a visit to Newcastle; went to Port Perry on
wheel. Annie went to Port Perry in the evening with Norman
Midgley. Mrs. Luke called and Jean and Olive Michie who came
for a few more strawberry plants.
18 – Rain in the morning. All hands at SS and church; 170 at SS.
Rev. Mr. Harris of London, Ont. preached to a good congregation.
He also taught the men’s class in SS. Annie and I at evening ser-
vice. Mr. Harris preached again. Turned quite cold with high
wind.
19 – Quite a hard frost in the morning and cold all day. Annie
drove to her school and I plowed in the forenoon and went to Port
Perry in the afternoon for cow bran. Jennie remaking hat. Mrs.
Luke called for mail.
20- A fine day, no rain. Drove Jennie to Greenbank where she
went with Jas. H. Leask to the Women’s Missionary meeting at
Uxbridge. Harrowing in the afternoon. Annie drove to her school
and in the evening to practice at Bethel church. Willie came home
from Newcastle.
21 – Willie went for the beef. Annie drove to her school. Jennie
washing while I planted some corn in the orchard. Willie sowed
the hollow NE of barn the second time. Norman Midgley and Joe
Burton came along in car. Willie started to roll grain but a cold
rain came on from the NW. Mrs. Midgley here in the afternoon
getting help with knitting sweater. She stayed for supper. Willie
at C.E. and Jennie at P. Luke’s in the evening.
22 – A very fine day and no rain. Drilled up for potatoes and man-
golds on the hill field just W of the Luke spring in the forenoon
and cut potatoes in the afternoon. Annie drove to her school.
Jennie went to Port Perry with Mrs. Luke. Willie went to Port
Perry to the 5 train for James who is home for the 24th
. Willie and
James at choir practice in the evening.
23 – A fine day. Willie went with Hugh Leask and Jas. A. Blair to
Newcastle on a hunt for hay to press and did not get home until
about 10 pm. L. Luke came home with them. Annie drove to her
school and as there was practice there for next Sunday she did not
come home but stayed at Armstrong’s. I finished drilling, sowed
some mangolds and corn and in the afternoon dropped the pota-
toes, James helping. James and I also had a boat ride on the creek.
After supper I went to Port Perry to meet Annie Bell who is come
on a visit. Jennie cleaning up.
24 – A terrible rain through the night and until about 10 am, then
turned colder with high NW wind. Little doing outside at least. I
plowed the potatoes under. Boys had a boat ride. Jennie sewing
some. L. Luke called. In the evening Annie, Willie, James and
Annie Bell at church tea and concert at Wick.
25 – Some snow and rain during the afternoon and quite cool. E.
Clements came for Annie and took her to the anniversary at Bethel.
All the rest at SS and church. 183 at SS. Rev. Mr. Gardiner of
Pickering preached. E.C. here for supper and Annie, Annie Bell,
Willie and L. Luke went in E.C.’s car to Bethel in the evening.
Annie B. gave a solo there. James stayed at Real’s for supper.
26 – Rather a fine day. Got up early and Willie drove James and
Annie Bell to Port Perry to the early train on their way back to
Toronto. L. Luke also went back to Newcastle. Annie drove to
her school. Jennie washing and cleaning woodshed. Willie draw-
ing out manure and I hoeing berry bushes and other jobs. Jennie
drove to Greenbank alone in the evening. Frank Lee called in the
evening to get a start at the violin. Mrs. Luke called.
27 – Dull and spitting a little rain. Willie took sick during the
night and was not able until about noon. I worked all day plowing
and drilling in the orchard with one horse. Annie drove to her
school. Willie painted woodshed floor in the afternoon and at
orchestra practice in the evening. Jennie over at Luke’s in the
evening.
28 – A very fine day and no rain. Drove Annie to her school. She
is going to Mr. Egelson’s for the night. Then planted corn in the
orchard. Willie rolling grain. Jennie painting. Mrs. Luke called.
Willie at C.E. in the evening. Clinton Midgley called.
29 – Rather a fine and cool day. Jennie went to Port Perry in the
morning. Mrs. Luke went with her. Willie drawing out manure. I
cleaned out hen house and other jobs. I went after Annie. John
Michie came for drill to sow mangolds. Willie at choir practice.
30 – A fine but pretty cool day with high NW wind. Willie draw-
ing out manure. I fixing fences in the forenoon. Annie drove to
her school. Jennie sewing.
31 – A fine but rather cool day. Willie drawing out manure. I
helping Jennie cleaning up. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the
evening. Mr. and Mrs. Watson moved from Toronto to Green-
bank.
JUNE 1 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. Mrs.
Luke went with us. 192 at SS. Mr. McConnahugh of Centerville
preached to a good congregation. Annie, Willie and I out again in
the evening. Mr. McC preached again.
2 – A very fine day. Helping Willie to draw out manure. Jennie
washing in the forenoon and went to Port Perry with John Michie
for paper for the kitchen. Annie drove to her school. Willie at
orchestra practice in the evening; walked up.
3 – A very fine day. As this is the King’s birthday, there was no
school. House cleaning was the order of the day. I whitewashed
the ceiling in the forenoon and patched the roof in the afternoon.
Jennie and Annie cleaning up. Willie plowing corn land. Mrs.
Luke called.
4 – A very fine day. All day helping Jennie to paper the kitchen.
Annie drove to her school. Willie plowing. Willie at C.E. in the
evening. Annie away for car ride. Leola Luke came home from
Newcastle.
442
5 – A fine and warm day. Helped to draw off some stones from
the root land and hoed the strawberries (1st
time). Willie plowing
and harrowing. Annie drove to her school. Jennie finished paper-
ing the kitchen and oiled the floor. L. Luke and Dorothy and Fred
Wagner and Jean McDonald called. Annie and Willie at choir
practice in the evening.
6 – Warm day. A thunder shower about 12:30. Drawing out ma-
nure. I planted little patch near barn pump. Annie drove to her
school. Jennie at Luke’s in the afternoon. Willie went to Port
Perry to the 5 o’clock to meet James, and Annie, Willie and James
at dance in the hall in the evening.
7- A fine day. Helping Willie to draw out manure in the forenoon
and finished job. Willie cultivating corn land in the afternoon
while I fixed lane fence. Annie at Port Perry in the forenoon.
Jennie at Jas. Bott’s in the evening for butter. Mrs. Luke starts on
trip to Sask.
8 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 190 at SS. Rev.
Mr. Dyer of Mount Albert preached. Jennie stayed for supper at
W. Watson’s (who have moved to Greenbank last week). All out
again in the evening and Mr. Dyer preached again. Jennie and I
came home with C. Phair.
9 – A beautiful day. Got up early and Willie drove James to Port
Perry on his way back to Normal school at Toronto. Willie then
harrowed and rolled corn land while I fixed lane fence. Jennie
washing. Annie drove to her school. In the afternoon I sowed the
field corn; 60 rows. Annie and Willie at choir practice in the eve-
ning. L. Luke called.
10 – A fine day. Willie went with Hugh Leask to Newcastle to
help press hay. I harrowed corn and orchard things and fixed line
fence in afternoon. Leola Luke here getting help with her dress.
Annie drove to her school. In the evening Annie, Jennie and I
went to congregational meeting to choose a minister. There was a
fair turnout. Rev. Mr. C. Dyer of Mount Albert got almost an
unanimous vote. Mr. Bennie of Uxbridge was moderator.
11 – Dull with some thunder during the day and a thunder shower
in the evening. Went for the beef in the morning and got some
names on the ministers call. Plowing in the afternoon. L. Luke
here getting dress made. Annie drove to her school. C. Midgley
called. Ernie Lee and Estella Till married.
12 – Warm. Thunder in the afternoon but only a few drops here.
Plowing and harrowing turnip land. Annie drove to her school.
Jennie went to Port Perry in the morning with Leola Luke and
Leola here in the afternoon and finished her dress. Willie came
home from Newcastle about midnight.
13 – A beautiful day. Willie rolled turnip land and I drilled it up;
42 drills. Annie drove to her school. Willie at Greenbank in the
evening. He let the water out of the pond in the swamp field.
14 – A beautiful day. Sowed the turnips in the morning and then
helped Willie to make a calf pen. Annie taught school in the fore-
noon for the entrance class. Willie helped P. Luke to sow corn. C.
Phair called. John Michie’s girls up getting hair cut. Annie and
Willie at Port Perry in the evening. Annie Bell came for a visit.
15 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 169 at SS.
Rev. J.G. Miller of Brandon preached. Elmer Wallace and Annie
Gordon here for tea. All out again in the evening. Mr. Miller
preached again and Annie Bell sang a solo. N.P. Luke went with
us.
16 – A beautiful day. Willie plowing on the hill while I hoed some
and some other jobs. Jennie washing and helping Annie Bell to
make a dress. Annie drove to her school and she and Dale Arm-
strong and Annie Bell at Jas. Bott’s for supper. L. Luke called.
17 – A fine day; a few drops of rain about 4 pm. Scuffled in the
orchard awhile and hoed. Helped P. Luke to sow his turnips about
2 hours. Willie harrowed the corn and plowed. Annie drove to her
school. Dale Armstrong went home with her. Jennie ironing. L.
Luke called at noon and again in the evening. Annie Bell dress
making. Annie and Annie B. went with E.C. on a fishing trip at
the lake in the evening.
18 – A very fine day. Willie plowing in the forenoon and finished.
I hoeing and scuffling. Jennie and Annie Bell dressmaking. Annie
drove to her school. Willie at C.E. in the evening. L. Luke called.
19 – A very fine day. Got up early and I drove Annie Bell to Port
Perry early train. Ordered SS anniversary bills. Harrowing hill in
the afternoon. Willie all day at Luke’s plowing. Annie drove to
her school and choir practice in the evening.
20 – Dull with some thunder but no rain here. Annie drove to her
school. Willie picked over potatoes in cellar. I drove to Green-
bank at 10:30 taking Jas. Bott with me where we met Les Beare
who took us in his car to Sunderland to presbytery meeting to
arrange for the call to Mr. Dyer of Mount Albert. Alex Leask was
also there. Got home again about 1:30. Worked in orchard the rest
of the day. Jennie sewing. Willie went to the last train at Port
Perry for Annie Bell and Annie and Leola Luke went to a presenta-
tion to Mrs. Ernie Lee of a tablecloth.
21 – A beautiful day. Went to Port Perry in the morning for James
who came home from the Normal school for the last time. Willie
harrowing. Jennie cleaning up. Hoed some in the afternoon.
Annie, Willie, James and Annie Bell at Port Perry in the evening.
22 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. Small atten-
dance at SS (121) as there is doings at Uxbridge. Mr. Drury is
there. Mr. Edmonds, retired Methodist minister, preached. All but
Jennie and I out again in the evening.
23 – Rain about noon. Willie gang plowing the hill while I hoed
mangolds and other jobs. Annie drove to her school. Jennie and
Annie Bell making A.B. a dress. James wheeled to Port Perry in
the afternoon for exam in Latin that he failed on last year. L. Luke
called twice. Annie, James and L.L. at choir practice in the eve-
ning. Jennie and Annie Bell at John Michie’s in the evening.
24 – Dull and warm. Hoed mangolds in the forenoon while Willie
harrowed. In the afternoon I sowed Hungarian grass on the hill,
harrowed and rolled it. Willie, James and Annie Bell at Oswald
Love’s barn raising. There was to be a barn dance but quite a
heavy rain came on about 7 pm. However Willie and James went
443
to it. Annie drove to her school. Jennie washing. A. Bell dress-
making. L. Luke called.
25 – A fine day. Scuffled orchard and potato and some of the corn
land. Willie at C. Phair’s all day hoeing mangolds. Annie Gordon
came for tea on wheel and stayed all night. Clinton Midgley here
in the evening and there was music. Annie drove to her school.
Olive Michie and L. Luke called. Annie Bell dressmaking.
26 – Willie and I at C. Phair’s hoeing mangolds. After dinner there
was a little shower followed by several more quite heavy with
lightning so we came home about 4 o’clock. Annie Bell and Annie
Gordon wheeled to Greenbank and Willie, James and Annie went
to choir practice in the evening. Annie drove to her school. Jennie
and Annie Bell sewing.
27 – Warm. Willie and I hoeing at C. Phair’s until about 2 pm
when a thunder shower came on and it rained and rained so we had
to come home. Annie drove to her school and Annie Bell went
with her. Jennie sewing.
28 – Very dull all day. Started to rain about 3 pm and off and on
until about 6. Hoeing mangolds. Willie at Port Perry in the fore-
noon and scuffling corn for P. Luke until the rain came on. James
finished scuffling corn. Annie drove to her school and held school
for the 2 entrance pupils. Jennie cleaning up. Ruby Lee came with
the mail man for dinner and John Michie’s girls to get hair cut.
Annie and Annie Bell at W. Thomas’ for tea and Willie, Annie and
James at Port Perry in the evening. L. Luke called.
29 – Dull and a little rain in the afternoon. All hands at SS and
church; 173 at SS. This being SS anniversary there was a full
house. Rev. W. Higgs of Port Perry preached; children sang. All
out again in the evening (rode up and back with C. Phair). Church
again filled. Mr. Higgs preached. Annie Bell sang a solo.
30 – Got up early and took Annie Bell to early train at Port Perry
and James on his way to Brooklin to apply for teachers position.
But he did not get much satisfaction. Annie drove to her school
and held school for the benefit of the two entrance pupils. Willie
and I finished hoeing the mangolds and potatoes. Willie helping
John Michie in the afternoon. L. Luke called. Annie went to Port
Perry to meet James. Jennie washing and baking for anniversary.
Willie and James at orchestra practice in the evening. Thunder
going round most of the afternoon and a deluge of rain and some
hail about 7:30.
JULY 1 – Several thunder storms went round but only a few drops
of rain here. Hoed some in the forenoon. After dinner we picked
about 24 boxes of strawberries, the first picking. About 3 o’clock
two cars of people came from Toronto, Annie Bell being with
them. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming and some friends; 13 in all. They
stayed about an hour. All hands then went to the SS anniversary.
There was about the usual turnout. The Brooklin male quartet;
Miss Clark of Pickering; and Miss Cockburn of Port Perry violin-
ist; and Luella Leask were the actors. Jas. A. Miller made a short
address. About $250.00 taken in. Rode home with Cecil Phair.
2 – A very fine day. I went for the beef in the morning and hoed in
the orchard. Willie at road work in the afternoon drawing gravel.
L. Luke called. Jennie and Annie went to after social in the
church, which turned out quite a success. James and Annie went to
a party at Alan Wallace’s in the evening. Mrs. Midgley went to the
Dr. at Port Perry.
3 – Fine until afternoon when thunder came up and there was some
rain about 6 o’clock. Scuffled in the forenoon and helping Jennie,
Annie and James to pick strawberries; 135 boxes. L. Luke helping
a little while and Ruth and Jean Michie. Willie at road work all
day. James at choir practice in the evening.
4 – A very fine day. Went to Uxbridge with two 54 box crates of
strawberries; 15 cts per box. James at Jas. Bott’s hoeing. Jennie
made two dresses, one for Annie and the other Leola Luke. Willie
up to Greenbank in the afternoon getting Fly shod. In the evening
went with C. Phair to Wick to strawberry festival and play. There
was a good turnout and the play went off pretty good. Annie also
went and the boys and C. Midgley went swimming in the creek.
Church Union Bill passed in House of Commons.
5 – Warm and some thunder but no rain here. Hoeing corn all day.
Annie and the boys went to SS class picnic at Oshawa. B. Wagner
here most of the day. Mrs. John Michie and Jean Michie up in the
afternoon picking strawberries; about 50 boxes picked.
6 – A fine and warm day. All but Jennie at SS and church; 165 at
SS. Rev. Mr. Edmunds of Uxbridge preached. Annie went to J.M.
Real’s for tea. Willie, James and I out again in the evening. Mr.
E. preached again. [margin note: Aunt Janet died].
7 – Dull all day with rain several times. All hands at berries. I
took 132 boxes to Uxbridge and Annie took some to Port Perry. C.
Phair and R. Cragg came for berries. About 280 boxes picked. L.
Luke helped awhile.
8 – Warm and dull; a little rain about 5 pm. All hands at strawber-
ries. I took 132 boxes to Uxbridge and Annie took some to Green-
bank. 190 boxes picked. Mrs. H. Brown and Mrs. John Stone and
Ray Stone came for berries. Willie and I hoeing corn and Jennie
washing in the afternoon. Willie and James at Greenbank in the
evening.
9 – Dull with a few drops of rain about 4 pm. Jennie, Annie, Wil-
lie and I picking strawberries in the forenoon. 131 boxes picked.
Annie took a lot to Port Perry in the afternoon. James wheeled to
Marsh Hill in the morning to see about the school but he did not
find the sec. so he went back in the evening.
10 – A fine day. Jennie, Willie, Annie and I picking strawberries
in the forenoon; 136 boxes. Willie took crate to Port Perry for
Toronto. I hoed corn. Annie at Mission Band at the church.
James went to Bethesda and Epsom to see about school but did not
get very much satisfaction. John McMillan and Fred Real came
for berries. Annie, Willie and James at choir practice.
11 – A very fine day and not too warm. All but Jennie picking
strawberries in the forenoon (about 75 boxes). Hoeing turnips in
the afternoon. Willie scuffling. James hoeing potatoes. L. Luke
called, McDonald boys also. E. Watson and Mrs. A. Stone came
for berries. Annie, Willie and James at barn dance in Oswald
Love’s new barn.
444
12 – Warm and dull somewhat. Paris greened the field potatoes.
Willie scuffled corn and James hoed turnips. I hoed in the orchard
in the afternoon. Annie went with E.C. to Oshawa. Willie at Port
Perry in the evening. Mrs. F. Lawton and Richard Cragg and wife
came for berries.
13 – A fine day and quite cool. All but James at SS and church;
157 at SS. Rev. R. Stillwell of Uxbridge, an old Greenbank boy,
preached. James went with Harvey Real to Wilfred and other
places. R. Coniff here for tea. Willie and I at church again in the
evening. Mr. Stillwell preached again. Annie went to Port Perry.
John Michie and all the family here in the evening.
14 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie and Annie to pick strawber-
ries; 175 boxes. Gordon McDonald came for berries and Annie
took berries to Greenbank in the evening. Willie all day at P.
Luke’s and James at Jas. Bott’s hoeing in the afternoon. L. Luke
called. C. Blakely came for berries after we had gone to bed.
15 – A very fine day and not too warm. Hoeing turnips all day.
Willie and James hoeing for C. Phair. Jennie washing and preserv-
ing strawberries. L. Luke called. Willie and James at orchestra
practice in the evening.
16 – Helping Jennie and Annie to pick strawberries in the fore-
noon. Thunder shower came on about noon and there was a big
rain but it was without wind. Other showers in the afternoon.
Jennie preserving berries. Willie and James at C. Phair’s in the
forenoon; the rain stopped them in the afternoon. Mrs. G. Sonley
of Pinedale came for berries. Annie, Willie and James at C.E. in
the evening.
17 – Some rain several times during the day. Scuffling and hoeing
all day. Willie at C. Phair’s hoeing in the forenoon. Annie and L.
Luke at bee to clean up the parsonage at Greenbank. Jennie clean-
ing up house. Annie, Willie and James at choir practice in the
evening. Word came that James has passed his Normal school
exams and has now a first class teacher’s certificate.
18 – A beautiful and quite cool day. Hoeing turnips all day. Wil-
lie at Jas. Bott’s all day hoeing. Jennie, Annie and James picking
strawberries; 40 boxes. R. Braden called for berries. Ross
Blakely and --- Smith called; also Rich Woon, L. Luke and Marie
Akhurst. James went in the evening with C. Phair to Myrtle to see
the trustees of the school there about a teacher and engaged to take
the school for $1000.00 per annum.
19 – A beautiful day. Hoeing turnips all day. James at Jas. Bott’s
hoeing. Willie at Luke’s at hay. L. Luke called. Annie and Willie
at Port Perry in the evening. Word came that Aunt Janet died on
the 6th
of this month.
20 – A beautiful day. All but Willie at SS and church; 157 at SS.
Rev. Mr. Mason, late of Sonya, preached. Annie and James out in
the evening. Willie went with Frank Lee, L. Luke and Laura Tho-
mas to Oshawa. Cathleen Leask played the piano in church.
21 – A very fine day. Finished hoeing turnips and hoed in orchard
all day. Jennie washing. Willie at Luke’s haying. James at Jas.
Bott’s hoeing. Annie helping to paint the parsonage in the after-
noon.
22 – Quite a lot of thunder and some rain in the forenoon. Scuffled
and hoed the mangolds, 2nd
time. Willie helping P. Luke in the
morning to draw in rakings. Annie went to Port Perry in the after-
noon. In the evening Willie and C. Midgley went to the creek at
the 12th
concession. L. Luke and Marie Akhurst called in the eve-
ning and Marie waited for Willie to take her home but he did not
come in time so she stayed all night. James was away on the wheel
somewhere towards Greenbank and on his way home, just inside
the red gate, Fly kicked him on the leg. Annie got out of bed to see
what was doing and had a fainting spell and fell on the floor.
23 – A very fine and cool day. Willie went for the beef, then cut
the long field for hay while I cut fence corners and greened pota-
toes. Annie went to Bethel Sunday School picnic at John Mark’s.
A man from Toronto called wanting to sell James some wisdom
books. The price was $69.50 and he did not sell. Willie at C.E. in
the evening.
24 – Dull, rain in the morning, lots of thunder all day and a great
downpour about 7 pm. Not much doing outside. Hoeing some.
Willie picking cherries. Annie and Leola Luke papering parson-
age. Willie went for the cows and got a good soaking. Mrs. Luke,
who has been near 7 weeks away west, came home tonight.
25 – Rain through the night and raining when we got up in the
morning and things are well soaked, but it soon cleared up and was
a fine cool day. Cutting thistles about the fences in the forenoon
and finished greening potatoes in the afternoon. Willie took his
buggy to Greenbank to get wheels fixed. L. Luke called. Collins,
the real estate man, came about 4 pm and I went with him to see lot
18 on the 9th
conc., the Ross place, which he wants to sell. Willie,
James and L. Luke at choir practice in the evening.
26 – Dull with several local thunder showers; a little rain at noon.
Little doing in the forenoon. In the afternoon Willie raked up and
James and I cocked it up. James and Willie at orchestra practice
and Annie went to Port Perry with N. Midgley. L. Luke called in
the evening.
27 – A fine day. No rain. Annie went with Clements to Jackson’s
Point. The rest at SS and church; 170 at SS. Rev. W.A. McKay
of Streetsville preached. James at supper at J.M. Real’s and Willie
at W. O’Neill’s. Out again in the evening. Mr. McKay preached
again and Nelson Baird sang a solo.
28 – Rather dull all day; some thunder in the evening but no rain
here. Drew in the hay; 7 loads, and raked the field, Willie and
James helping. Jennie washing and ironing. Annie picking cher-
ries. Willie and James at orchestra practice in the evening. They
are preparing to play at garden party on Friday evening.
29 – Very warm; about 90 in the afternoon. A bad looking cloud
came up about 6 pm but did not come to anything but some wind.
I scuffled turnips, 2nd
time, and hoed some. Willie and James drew
in the hay rakings. Jennie and Annie and Leola Luke all day at the
parsonage papering. Willie and L.L. went to Port Perry to see
Kent’s rose garden.
30 – Some rain in the morning but quite cool all day. Willie at
Luke’s in the forenoon and scuffling corn in the afternoon. James
wheeled to Port Perry. Annie at parsonage papering etc. Jennie
445
preserving cherries. I greened part of the potatoes. Lightning rod
man called and talked a long time but made no sale. L. Luke
called. Annie, Willie and James at C.E. in the evening.
31 – A very fine cool day. I went to Port Perry for berry boxes and
binder twine. Willie scuffling corn. Annie picking raspberries. In
the afternoon Willie and I drew in 2 loads of hay cut from the
pasture field. Mr. and Mrs. McKay and girl here for supper.
James went to choir practice.
AUG. 1 – A very fine cool day. Plowed the old strawberry patch
and hoed some. James went with C. Phair’s team and band
waggon and took the hall piano to John McDonald’s for the garden
party. Jennie baking for the party. John Michie’s girls up getting
hair cut. All hands at the party. Jennie and I went with C. Phair.
There was a large crowd. Duncan Cowan and three ladies from
Toronto gave the programme which was good. Over $300.00
taken in. L. Burnett was chairman.
2 – Another very fine day. Willie and James took C. Phair’s team
and brought the piano back to the hall and helped to clean up the
party mess. I worked all day cleaning out old strawberry patch.
Annie picking raspberries. Willie Belam came for some berries.
Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
3 – A beautiful day and cool. About 9 am there came Willie
Smith, his wife, baby girl and mother and Jennie Stokes and Jessie
Smith, and I went with them to the old boys service at Wick.
There was a full house and Mr. John McClung, who was minister
here 50 years ago, preached. He gave the same sermon that he
gave first after his ordination. On the way home I got off at
Greenbank and went to SS; 159 present. Mr. Mason preached.
Columbus people left for home about 6 pm. Annie, Willie and
James out again in the evening.
4 – Dull with a number of little sprinkles until about 4 pm when
there was quite a shower. All hands picking raspberries; about
108 boxes. The rain stopped the picking before we got through.
Annie took 2 crates to Port Perry to ship to Toronto. Willie and
James at orchestra practice in the evening.
5 – Very warm day. Cleaning out strawberry patch. Willie scuf-
fled mangolds and potatoes. L. Luke called. Jennie washing and
preserving berries. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
6 – Heavy rain through the night and little done in the forenoon.
After dinner all hands went picking berries but rain come on again
and stopped us. Annie went to Port Perry with some to Toronto.
L. Luke called. Annie, Willie and James at C.E. meeting in the
evening. More rain about 9 pm.
7 – A very fine cool day. Willie and I cut down the white ash tree
NE of the barn in the forenoon and then I went to Port Perry to the
opening of their new paved streets. There was a large crowd,
speeches and aquatic sports was the principal doings. Annie, Wil-
lie and James at Port Perry in the evening. Berries picked in the
afternoon. L. Luke called. In the evening Jas. H. Leask and Mrs.
Leask brought Rev. John McClung, our minister 50 years ago.
8 – A fine day. Little sprinkle of rain in the evening. All hands
picking raspberries until about the middle of the afternoon; 75
boxes. Mrs. Ray Dusty and Mona and Bernice Leask and Jean and
Ruth came for berries. Willie wheeled to Port Perry in the after-
noon. I went to church session meeting with C. Phair. Mr. Bennie
of Uxbridge was in the chair. The business was to appoint a repre-
sentative elder and arrange for the induction of Mr. Dyer on Fri-
day. Willie, James and Annie at party in the hall.
9 – A fine cool day. Went down to John Michie’s to talk about
beast for beef ring and in the evening went with P. Luke and John
to the Cragg ranch to see some cattle of P.L.’s. Bought a heifer
from him at 6 cts. lb. Hoeing mangolds in the afternoon, 3rd
time.
Willie drew some dirt into hole in lane. Willie away somewhere in
the evening.
10 – A very fine cool day. All hands at SS and church; 166 at SS;
Rev. Mr. McClung preached. James went to Rye Beare’s for tea.
Annie and Willie out in the evening.
11 – A very fine day. All hands picking raspberries until about the
middle of the afternoon. Annie went to Port Perry with berries and
the boys to Greenbank with berries. Willie away somewhere with
C. Midgley in the evening.
12 – A fine day. Willie and I cut down a dead tree near the con-
cession. Jennie washing in the forenoon and at W.M. meeting in
the afternoon. I helping P. Luke to rig up binder. James at Green-
bank and L. Luke here in the evening.
13 – Went for the beef in the morning. A great deluge of rain
about 2:30. Jennie baking. L. Luke called. Annie, Willie and
James at C.E. in the evening.
14 – A fine day. Scuffled strawberries and helped pick berries.
All hands at the job which is the last of any account for the season.
Annie at Mission band meeting in the afternoon. Jas. H. Leask
brought Rev. Mr. McClung who stayed all night. James at choir
practice and Willie and Annie at street dance at Port Perry.
15 – A very fine cool day. Went over to Luke’s to help fix up
binder and hoed some. In the afternoon all but Willie, including
Mr. McClung, at induction of Mr. Dyer as pastor of Greenbank
church. There was a good turnout. Mr. Bennie in the chair. Mr.
C--- of Sonya preached. Mr. Scott spoke to the minister and Mr.
McDonald of Leaskdale to the people. There was tea for all and
everything went off all right.
16 – Very dull all day. Got P. Luke’s binder and cut part of the
field W of the house but did not get on very fast. Rain came up
about 3 pm and stopped work. L. Luke called. Annie away in the
evening.
17 – A very fine cool day. All hands at SS and church; 196 at SS.
Rev. Mr. Dyer preached his first sermon as pastor and there was a
large congregation. Annie Gordon came here for supper. E. Wal-
lace and E. Clements came with car and took the two Annie’s to
church. I went with Willie. Mr. Dyer preached again to a good
congregation.
18 – A fine day. Willie finished cutting field W of house in the
forenoon and went to Luke’s and cut for him in the afternoon. I
shocking up oats. James wheeled to Port Perry in the forenoon.
446
Jennie washing and picking berries. In the evening I went in C.
Phair’s car to a meeting of the session and managers to consider
financial and other matters. Mr. Dyer is to lead the choir for one
year. James went with E. Clements to Myrtle to see about getting a
boarding place while teaching there. He is to get board at Mrs.
Hoar’s for $6.00 for full week and $5.00 if he comes home over
Sunday.
19 – Dull day. Willie got Luke’s binder and started to cut field
NE of barn but had poor luck and he had to go to Port Perry for
some links for the canvas chain. Did some better in the afternoon
but rain came on about 3 o’clock and stopped work. James drove
Annie and Leola Luke to Port Perry on their way to Newcastle on a
visit. Willie and James at orchestra practice in the evening.
20 – Dull all day. Everything very wet in the morning. A little
rain about 11 am. Finished cutting field NE of barn and Willie
took binder back to Luke’s and started a field for him. Willie and
James at C.E. meeting. They went with Clinton Midgley.
21 – A fine day and no rain. Scuffled turnips in the forenoon and
James and I hoed in the afternoon. Willie at Luke’s cutting oats.
The binder lost some bolts and Willie wheeled to Greenbank for
some but they did not get going in the afternoon. Willie at Port
Perry street dance and James at choir practice in the evening.
22 – Dull; a lot of thunder in the NW in the morning but only a few
drops here, but after dinner a thunder shower came up and there
was rain. Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon. Willie cutting
at Luke’s and brought the binder over, but we did not get started as
the rain came on. James helping Jas. Blair to thresh at Jim Dusty’s
and P. Leask’s.
23 – A fine day with a little sprinkle of rain about 7 pm. Very wet
in the morning and we could not get started until near noon. We
cut the piece of wheat E of the orchard; a good crop. About 4 pm
Mundo Perrin and Lizzie, Jessie Bell and Miss Eleanor Barber of
Rochester came and all stayed all night. Annie and Leola Luke
came home from Newcastle. James [firing?] for Jas. Blair.
24 – A fine day and no rain here but there was thunder to the N.
Mundo Perrin and wife went home and the rest went to SS and
church; 179 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached. Annie went with Annie
Gordon to tea. Willie and James out in the evening.
25 – A very fine day. Cutting SW field but had a good deal of
trouble with the binder. James with Jas. Blair. Leola and Louise
Luke called. After supper John Michie went and got the beef
syndicate heifer from P. Luke and got it weighed at John’s and I
helped him part way.
26 – A very fine day. Finished cutting and Willie and I drew in 6
loads of oats from field W of house. Jennie washing. James with
Jas. Blair. Leola and Louise Luke called. Annie and Eleanor
Barber went to play at Seagrave. James at orchestra practice.
Willie away somewhere.
27 – Quite warm in the forenoon with high SW wind which turned
to the NW and became cooler. Went for the beef in the morning.
This was our turn and the heifer we got from P. Luke was 60 lbs
overweight. We then drew in the last of the field W of the house, 2
loads, and then 5 loads from field NE of barn. Jennie helping in
the barn awhile. Olive and Eleanor Michie here. James helping
Jas. Blair. In the evening Barbara and Jessie Smith came by car
and stayed all night.
28 – A very fine day. Willie and I drew in two loads from the field
NE of barn which finished it. Willie helping P. Luke in the after-
noon. James with Jas. Blair. Jessie Smith took Jennie and Annie
to Port Perry in her car. Jessie and her mother started for home
about 6:30. Annie, Willie and James at choir practice in the eve-
ning.
29 – Got up early and Willie drove Annie to early train on her way
to Toronto to get new dress. Willie and I drawing in oats. Jennie,
James and E. Barber went to Port Perry about the middle of the
afternoon and stayed until Annie came back on the last train.
Leola and Louise Luke called.
30 – A very fine and very warm day. Willie and I finished drawing
in grain and I helped C. Phair to draw in. Annie Bell came on the
5 train and chanced her way here. Annie, Willie and James at Port
Perry in the evening. Leola and Louise Luke called.
31 – A very warm day; up to about 90 in the shade. All but Jessie
Bell and Jennie at SS and church; 161 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached.
Clinton Midgley and Frank Lee here for supper. Annie, Willie,
James and Annie Bell out again in the evening.
SEPT. 1 – A fine day and not quite so warm. All day helping C.
Phair to draw in. Annie took Annie Bell to the station. Willie
helping Jas. Blair to thresh. Annie at meeting at Mr. Dyer’s in the
evening. L. Luke and Dorothy Wagner called.
2 – Rain through the night and until about 9 am. I drove James to
the early train on his way to Myrtle where he makes a start at
teaching school. Annie drove to her school (Bethel). Scuffled
strawberries.
3 – A very fine day. Finished raking and drew in the rakings in the
forenoon. Helping P. Luke to harvest in the afternoon. Jennie
washing. Annie drove to her school and C. Barber went with her.
She went to Oshawa in the evening with E.C.
4 – A fine day but started to rain in the evening. All day helping
C. Phair. Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie drove to her school. E.
Barber went with her. Annie at choir practice. L. Luke called
twice.
5 – Rain through the night and several rain flurries during the day.
I drove Jessie Bell and Eleanor Barber to the early train on their
way to Toronto fair. E.B. on her way home. Plowing the rest of
the day. Jennie making pickles. Moved the stove into the kitchen.
Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie drove to her school and then to Port
Perry for James who is home for the weekend. Mrs. A. Akhurst
called.
6 – Rain showers from the NW all forenoon. Jas. Blair’s threshing
machine came about 10 am but did not start until after dinner on
account of the rain. Did not finish. P. Luke, John Michie; Ray
Dusty; Clinton Midgley and E. Green for C. Phair, were helping.
Willie and James out somewhere in the evening.
447
7 – A fine day. E. Green came over from C. Phair’s in the fore-
noon. All hands at SS and church; 154 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached.
In the evening I, with Willie and James, went to the Baptist anni-
versary service which was held in the Union church. There was a
large turnout. The speaker was Rev. Mr. Scott, a former pastor of
the Baptist church. Annie away at Seagrave.
8 – Dull with rain in the afternoon and evening. Annie drove
James to the early train and then drove direct to her school and she
stayed at Armstrong’s all night. Finished threshing about 9 am (5
½ hours - $12.25). They then went to P. Luke’s and finished there
about 7 pm. They then moved to Ray Dusty’s. Jennie washing.
9 – Dull with rain drizzles all day. At Ray Dusty’s threshing.
Jennie ironing and making corn salad.
10 – Another dull rainy day. Finished threshing at Ray Dusty’s in
about 2 hours, then plowed the rest of the day. Willie at Jas.
Blair’s. Jennie canning corn. Annie drove to her school and from
there drove to the last train at Port Perry for Jessie Bell. Mrs. John
Michie called.
11 – A few drops of rain about 9 am and then a bright sunny day.
Plowing all day. Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie drove to her school
and she and L. Luke went to choir practice in the evening. Herby
Hook called for eggs in the evening.
12 – A fine day until about 5 pm when there was a little shower.
From about 9 am at C. Phair’s drawing in oats which were not at
all dry. Annie not at school as this is Port Perry fair. Annie went
to Port Perry for parcel for Jessie Bell. Willie at Jas. Blair’s, Edgar
Leask’s, and went to the fair in the afternoon. James came home.
He rode from Port Perry with John Michie. He went away some-
where in the evening.
13 – A fine day until about 5:30 when a heavy storm came on from
the NW. At C. Phair’s from about 9 am helping to draw in and got
pretty well through. Willie with Jas. Blair. About 5 pm Mr. W.
Howard and wife and sister-in-law Miss Cerry of Toronto came in
a car and stayed all night.
14 – A fine day and cool. At SS and church with Annie, Willie
and James; 159 at SS. Rev. Mr. Scott of Cannington preached.
Toronto people left for home about 4 o’clock. Annie, Willie and
James out in the evening.
15 – A very fine day and no rain. Got up early and Annie drove
James to Port Perry early train on his way to Myrtle. Annie then
went to her own school. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. Willie
with Jas. Blair. L. Luke called.
16 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Willie with James Blair. He
came home for night. Annie drove to her school. L. Luke called.
In the evening Annie and I went to meeting in church of the town-
ship of Reach to organize for the plebiscite on the liquor question
to be held on Oct. 23. There was a fair turnout. Representatives
from Seagrave; Saintfield; Marsh Hill; Manchester; Prince Albert;
Epsom and Greenbank. G.A. McMillan was chosen president.
17 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon. Cut the Hungarian
grass in the afternoon. Jennie canning corn. Annie drove to her
school. Willie at Jas. Blair’s. He came home for night. Jennie and
Annie went to C.E. meeting in the evening.
18 – A very fine day. Cut around corn in the forenoon and about 3
pm Jas. Bott came with corn cutter and cut about ½ of corn. Willie
with Jas. Blair. He came home for the night. Annie walked to her
school and went with L. Luke to choir practice in the evening.
19 – A very fine day. Jim Bott finished cutting corn at noon and I
drew off some in the afternoon. Jennie went to Port Perry with
Mrs. John Michie. Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie walked to her
school and Aunt Jess went for her. J.M. Real and Rev. Mr. Dyer
called for a short time. This is Mr. Dyer’s first visit. L. Luke
brought James from Port Perry. In the evening Jas. Bott, Harvey
Real and Annie had a meeting about C.E. work. Mrs. Bott and
Mary Real came with them.
20 – Dull all day and started to rain about 5 pm. All day at corn.
Broke the reach of the waggon and had to throw the load. Willie
with Jas. Blair. James went to Lindsay fair with Harvey Real and
Annie with E.C. Jennie cleaning up. After supper went to C.
Phair’s and got 3 little pigs at $3.00 each.
21 – Very dull all day. At SS and church with Annie and Willie.
James did not go as he has swollen glands in his neck. Jennie has
cold in head. 166 at SS. Mr. Farmer of Port Perry was present and
gave an address. Mr. Dyer preached. Annie went for supper at T.
Sharp’s. After supper James went to the Dr. and he called it gland
trouble and advised him not to go to school tomorrow. Willie
away in the evening.
22 – Some rain in the morning but cleared up and was quite cool in
the afternoon. Fixed waggon reach and harrowed some in the
forenoon. Annie walked to the school fair and I went in the after-
noon. There was about the usual turnout and a good show. James
did not go to his school at Myrtle on account of his swollen neck.
L. Luke here in the afternoon getting dress made by Jessie Bell.
Willie with Jas. Blair.
23 – A very fine day. At corn nearly all day and finished the field
corn (some in the orchard yet to be cut). Jennie washing. Annie
drove to her school. James did not go to Myrtle but Jennie and him
went to Port Perry to the Dr. who says he should not go to teach
this week. Willie with James Blair and home for the night. Leola
Luke here most of the day getting dress made.
24 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning. After
dinner raked up the Hungarian grass and with Jennie’s help drew in
two loads. Had a bad stitch in my back all day. James did not go
to Myrtle. Annie drove to her school and at C.E. in the evening.
Willie with Jas. Blair and out somewhere in the evening. Sunder-
land fair day.
25 – A very fine day. Drew in the 3rd
and last load of the H. grass,
raked the ground and drew in the rakings, Jennie helping. Then
harrowed some. Annie drove to her school and to choir practice.
Willie with Jas. Blair. L. Luke called and Mary L. Real here for
supper and went to choir practice with Annie.
26 – A fine day. Harrowing and plowing all day. Willie with Jas.
Blair threshing for N. Midgley’s. Mrs. John Michie and Bob
448
called, also Mrs. L. Wagner and L. Luke. James at orchestra prac-
tice in the evening.
27 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon and threshing at
John Michie’s from about 3 pm. Willie with Jas. Blair and at Port
Perry in the evening.
28 – Fine until about 2 pm when a warm rain came on and contin-
ued during the afternoon. All hands at SS and church. As this is
rally day, the attendance at SS was 242, likely the largest in num-
ber of any meeting of SS ever held in Greenbank. Mr. Dyer
preached. James somewhere for tea. Willie out in the evening.
Visitors from Toronto at Luke’s.
29 – Got up early and Annie drove James to the early train for
Myrtle and then to her own school. Rain in the forenoon. Did
some small jobs. Threshing at John Michie’s in the afternoon and
finished. Willie with Jas. Blair and away somewhere in the eve-
ning. Went with Jennie to meeting in the church to organize for
the plebiscite vote; a fair turnout.
30 – Dull all day with a misty rain until about 5 pm when it started
to rain in earnest. Plowing most of the day. Willie with Jas. Blair
threshing at Sam Dusty’s. Annie drove to her school. Blanche
Luke called.
OCT. 1 – Dull and cool. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. Willie
with Jas. Blair and at Greenbank in the evening. Annie drove to
her school.
2 – A very fine day. Went with Jennie to Port Perry in the fore-
noon. Plowing in the afternoon. Annie drove to her school and to
choir practice in the evening. Willie with Jas. Blair.
3 – A very fine day. Cut and drew in the sweet corn stalks in the
forenoon and in the afternoon helping C. Phair to fill silo. B.
Leask and G. Cummings running the machine. Annie drove to her
school and then went to Port Perry to meet James. Willie with Jas.
Blair threshing at Oswald Love’s over on the Harper place over
near the lake.
4 – Rather dull with some rain about 5:30 pm. All day helping C.
Phair fill silo. Willie with Jas. Blair. James somewhere in the
evening.
5 – Warm and dull until evening when there was much lightning
and some rain and high wind. A wild night; a fire away to the
south. About 11 am W. Farrow and Alma and the baby and Jennie
Perrin came in W.F.’s car. Annie, James and I went to SS and
church; 188 at SS; Rev. Mr. Haig of Ashburn preached, Mr. Dyer
being at Utica anniversary. Jas. Ryan ran his car into another car at
the crossroads at Greenbank. The Newcastle folks left for home
about 4:30, Jessie Bell going with them on her way back to Roch-
ester. Annie, Willie and James out again in the evening.
6 – A fine day. Got up early and Annie drove James to the train
for Myrtle and then to her own school. Willie and I at C. Phair’s
silo filling for about 2 hours and finished the job. In the afternoon
we were at Oswald Love’s sale. There was not a very large turnout
and prices not too good. Jennie washing. Willie away somewhere
in the evening.
7 – Dull and raw. Fixed buggy shaft and went to Port Perry to get
separator repaired. Willie came to Port Perry on wheel to get me
to bring a basket of tomatoes which came from Newcastle. Fixing
separator in the afternoon while Willie plowed. L. Luke called.
Annie drove to her school and she and Willie went with C. Midg-
ley to C.E. meeting.
8 – A very fine day. At W. Thomas’ helping fill silo for C. Pair in
the forenoon. Cutting corn in the orchard in the afternoon which
finishes corn cutting for the year. Annie drove to her school and
went with E. to a concert at Port Perry in the evening. Willie with
Jas. Blair.
Photograph dated Oct. 8, 192491
Myrtle School
Back Row: Dennis Ball, Ralph Sandler, Willie Ball, Helen
Claughton, Electa Birkett, James Michie (teacher).
Third Row: Mervin Ross, David Grant, Allan Downey, Nelson
Ballard, Harry Briggs, Olive Harrison, Elsie Schell, Pauline Price,
Bernice Price.
Second Row: Bernice Birkett, Lois Tordiff, Reva Cooper, Vivian
Sadler, Mildred Harrison, Dorothy Hall, Galilee O’Boyle, Margue-
rite Ball, Eileen Hall.
Front Row: George Cooper, John Latimer, Ray Downey, Allan
Schell, Orland Hall, Merrill Ross, Thomas Price, George Sadler,
James Latimer.
9 – A very fine day; hard frost in the morning. Drove Annie to
Port Perry early train on her way to teacher’s convention at Os-
hawa. Digging potatoes the rest of the day, Jennie helping. Not as
good a crop as expected; some few rotten. Willie with Jas. Blair;
home for night. L. Luke called.
10 – A very fine day. All day at potatoes, Jennie helping, and
finished the field; 3 big wagon loads. Went to Port Perry to the
evening train for Annie and James on their return from teacher’s
convention. Willie with Jas. Blair. Went to Port Perry with C.
Midgley in the evening.
11 – A beautiful day. Harrowed the potato land and dug the early
potatoes and set up the corn in the orchard. Annie and James pick-
ing apples in the afternoon. Willie with Jas. Blair. L. Luke called;
91
Photograph from news2.ourontario.ca
449
she got a pair of glasses from D. Luke who has ordered her to wear
them all the time. Annie, Willie and James out in the evening.
12 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 174 at SS. Mr.
Ray of Unionville spoke for the W.M.S. Annie stayed at A. Ak-
hurst’s for supper. Boys out in the evening. Mr. Dyer had a ser-
vice at 11 am at Saintfield.
13 – A very fine day. Picking apples with Jennie and James all
day. Annie drove to her school. Willie with Jas. Blair. L. Luke
called. Willie and James at orchestra practice in the evening.
James did not go to Myrtle as the Lieut. Governor on a visit gave
the school children a holiday.
14 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie to pick apples in the fore-
noon and topping mangolds in the afternoon. Jennie at W.M.S. in
the afternoon. Mrs. John Michie went with her. Annie drove
James to the early train and then to her school. Willie with Jas.
Blair. Annie and Jennie at C.E. meeting in the evening.
15 – A very fine day. Went for the beef in the morning and picked
apples until noon. At mangolds in the afternoon and got in two
loads; not much of a crop. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her
school. Willie at Norman Midgley’s filling silo. They did not get
along very well. Willie away in the evening.
16 – A fine day. Drew in mangolds in the forenoon and plowed in
the afternoon. Annie drove to her school. Willie with Jas. Blair.
In the evening went with Jennie and Annie to Temperance meet-
ing. Mr. David of B.C. and Rev. Mr. Maxwell of Oshawa were the
speakers. Nelson Baird sang a solo. There was a fair turnout.
17 – A beautiful day. Plowing all day. Annie drove to her school.
Jas. Lee came for apples. Willie with Jas. Blair. James came from
Myrtle and landed at choir practice. Annie went with L. Luke and
Willie went later.
18 – A little rain in the morning but cleared up. Plowing all day.
Willie with Jas. Blair. Mrs. Thomas and Henry came for apples.
Jennie and Annie at Port Perry in the forenoon. John Michie’s
girls up getting hair cut.
19 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 180 at SS. Rev. Mr.
Edmunds preached. All out again in the evening. Mr. Dyer
preached on the O.A.F. question. A good address and a good
attendance.
20 – A fine but rather cold day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing.
Annie drove James to the train at Port Perry and then to her school.
Willie with Jas. Blair. In the evening Annie went with E. to John
Mark’s to make a start with a play to be given by the Bethel peo-
ple. McIntryre the collector called.
21 – Rather cold. Plowing all day. Annie drove to her school.
Willie with Jas. Blair. Norman Midgley came for the apples on the
tree near the lane. Mrs. A. Akhurst and Marie and Mrs. John Mi-
chie and Bob here in the afternoon picking apples. Jennie helping.
P. Luke called. Jennie and Annie at C.E. meeting in the evening.
George Till called in the evening collecting for the dry campaign
fund.
22 – A fine day and rather cool. Plowing all day. Jennie picking
apples in the afternoon. Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie drove to her
school. L. Luke called.
23 – A very fine day. In the morning went with Jennie to Green-
bank to vote on the plebiscite as to government control of liquor
and of course voted dry. Annie drove to her school and voted
after. Willie with Jas. Blair. Frank Lee called in the evening and
Willie went to Port Perry with him. P. Luke called in the evening.
Annie went with L. Luke to choir practice. [margin note: About
40,000 majority dry].
24 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Annie drove to her school.
Willie with Jas. Blair. James did not come home from Myrtle. In
the evening went with Jennie and Annie to preparatory service in
the church. Rev. Mr. [Walsh? Watch?] of the Methodist church in
Uxbridge preached. There was a fair turnout.
25 – A very fine day. Started to thresh at C. Phair’s about 10 am
and threshed until 6 pm, the last hour by electric light, the first time
I ever did so. Willie with Jas. Blair. Jennie and Annie went to
Port Perry in the forenoon and Annie and Willie in the evening.
26 – A beautiful day. Went with Jennie, Annie and Willie to
communion service in the church at 11 am. Mr. Dyer conducted
the service and there was a pretty good turnout. M. McMillan,
Mrs. Dyer and Mrs. W. Watson received. Got dinner at Mr. Wat-
son’s and then to SS at 3 pm; 147 at SS. Willie and Annie out in
the evening.
27 – A fine day. Threshing all day at C. Phair’s. Jennie washing
and oiling the kitchen floor. Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie drove to
her school. Mrs. Luke picking up apples.
28 – A fine day. Threshing at C. Phair’s until about 2:30 pm
which finishes my threshing for this season. Annie drove to her
school. Willie with Jas. Blair. Jennie ironing. Annie at C.E. in the
evening.
29 – A beautiful day. Went for the beef in the morning and topped
turnips the rest of the day and finished. Annie drove to her school.
Willie with Jas. Blair. Jennie puttying windows. Willie away in
the evening. Bill Phoenix called.
30 – A very fine day. At turnips all day, Jennie helping. Got in 6
loads. Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie drove to her school. L. Luke
called. Annie at choir practice in the evening. Jennie went with
her.
31 – Rather dull with a few drops of rain about 5 pm. Finished
drawing in the turnips, Jennie helping; 16 loads in all; poor crop.
Annie drove to her school and then went to Port Perry for James.
Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie, Willie and James at Halloween party
at Adam Wallace’s.
NOV. 1 – Fine, with high W wind and lots of dust and leaves
flying. Plowing all day. Willie with Jas. Blair. James at practice
at Mr. Dyers in the evening. John Michie came for apples. L.
Luke called in the evening.
450
2 – Rough and cold NW wind. All hands at SS and church; 184 at
SS; Mr. Dyer preached. Dick Canniff and Mary L. Real here for
supper. All but Jennie and I out in the evening.
3 – Hard frost and pretty cold all day. As Jas. Blair went to Mrs.
John Blair’s funeral at Brooklin there was no threshing and Willie
was at home. He first drove James to the train at Port Perry on his
way to Myrtle and then we drew in corn the rest of the day. Jennie
washing. Annie drove to her school. Mrs. Luke called. Annie at
special choir practice in the evening and Willie away somewhere.
4 – A fine day. Finished drawing in corn in the forenoon, Jennie
helping. Annie drove to her school. Willie with Jas. Blair but as
this is Burgess’ sale they did not work in the afternoon. In the
afternoon got a load of corn, a gift from P. Luke, and drew in some
firewood, Jennie helping. L. Luke called. In the evening Jennie
and Annie went to C.E. meeting in the church and Willie and C.
Midgley to play at a party at Mr. Burgess’.
5 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Annie drove to her school. Wil-
lie with Jas. Blair. Jennie housecleaning upstairs. L. Luke and
Mrs. John Michie called. P. Luke put in tile across the lane near
our barn.
6 – A fine day. Very smoky and quite warm. Plowing all day.
Jennie ironing and cleaning hen house. Annie drove to her school.
Willie with Jas. Blair. Jennie and Annie at choir practice in the
evening.
7 – Fine and warm until evening when it got colder with high NW
wind; a few drops of rain about 4 pm. Plowing all day. Jennie
ironing and house cleaning. Annie drove to her school and went to
Port Perry for James. Willie with Jas. Blair. Dorothy Real from
the Whitby O.L.C. came home with Annie and James and stayed
all night. Just then Ken Mason, his mother, and a boyfriend came.
Annie Mason stayed and he and friend went on to Bobcaygeon. It
was near 10 pm when they left here. Chimbly caught fire.
8 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Annie drove Dorothy Real home.
James wheeled to Greenbank and ran Jas. Blair’s engine and sent
Willie home. Jennie helping Annie Mason to fix dress. James at
Mr. Dyers to practice in the evening and Annie went to Port Perry
for Annie Bell who is come for a visit.
9 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 191 at SS; Mr. Dyer
preached thanksgiving sermon. Annie Bell sang a solo. An extra
large congregation. James stayed somewhere. Annie, Willie and
Annie Bell out again in the evening.
10 – A fine day. Thanksgiving day. Plowed in the forenoon.
Jennie preparing eats. In the afternoon Willie went to shooting
match at Greenbank and James and I went for a paddle up the
creek. Went up as far as Harrison’s landing. Many hunters in the
swamp. In the evening all but Willie at thanksgiving supper by the
Ladies Aid. There was a good turnout and a very satisfactory
programme. $182.00 taken in. Willie went to a supper at Sea-
grave.
11 – Another fine day. Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie took James
and Annie Bell to the early train and then to her school. I plowing
all day. Ken Mason and his friend --- Webster, came from Bob-
caygeon and his mother and went with them for home. L. Luke
called.
12 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Jennie washing. Annie
drove to her school. Willie with Jas. Blair. John Michie brought
the beef in the evening; this being the last of the season. Annie at
John Mark’s in the evening arranging for the Christmas play.
13 – A fine day. Plowing all day. Started sod N of red gate lane.
Jennie went to Port Perry in the forenoon with Mrs. Luke and to
W.M. meeting at Jas. H. Leask’s with Mrs. John Michie in the
afternoon and went with Annie to choir practice in the evening.
Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie drove to her school. Started to snow
about 7:30 pm and the ground was soon covered.
14 – Plowing sod all day. About 3 inches of snow on the ground.
Annie drove to her school and in the evening to Port Perry for
James. Willie with Jas. Blair. In the evening went to Mr. Dyers’
to a meeting of teachers and officers of the SS.
15 – A fine day. I drove Annie to the early train on her way to
Toronto. James went to the threshing with Jas. Blair. Willie and I
drew off the rails about the calf pasture., then went and got 4
young cattle (of 8) that had been pasturing at C. Phair’s. Willie
plowing in the afternoon. Willie and James at orchestra practice in
the evening. L. Luke and Dorothy Wagner called.
16 – Some snow in the forenoon which turned very rough and very
cold towards night. All hands at SS and church; 165 at SS; Mr.
Dyer preached. Annie and James out in the evening.
17 – Pretty cold hard frost. Wheeled in wood. Annie drove to her
school. I drove James to Port Perry in the morning. Willie with
Jas. Blair. Clinton Midgley here in the evening making out invita-
tions to dance on Friday evening next.
18 – A fine day. Wheeled in wood in the forenoon and spent the
afternoon hunting in C. Phair’s swamp for the big white and black
steer that has wandered away. Went as far as Jas. Gibson’s but did
not find him. Annie walked to her school as the roads are so
rough. Willie with Jas. Blair. In the evening went to T. Sharp’s
with Jennie to see Edna Throop who is there on a visit. Annie
went to C.E. meeting.
19 – A fine day. Jennie and I drove over to Jas. Gibson’s and
found the lost steer. Wheeled in wood the rest of the day. Annie
walked to her school. Willie with Jas. Blair. In the evening I went
to church session meeting at Jas. H. Leask’s. Willie went to Port
Perry.
20 – Somewhat raw but thawing a little. Wheeled in wood and
some other jobs. Annie drove to her school. Willie with Jas. Blair.
L. Luke and Dorothy Wagner called. Annie at choir practice in the
evening. I went to the church in the forenoon and helped Mr. Dyer
and T. Sharp to put up curtains in the SS room.
21 – Dull day. Put on storm windows and other jobs in the fore-
noon and in the afternoon went to Port Perry with 15 bags of oats
and got them ground. Stayed until about 5:30 pm when James
came from Myrtle by car. By that time it had started to rain and
451
the darkness was intense. Annie drove to her school. Willie with
Jas. Blair. Annie, Willie and James at dance in Greenbank hall in
the evening.
22 – A fine day. Plowing sod most of the day. Jennie cleaning up.
Willie with Jas. Blair. All of John Michie’s family up getting hair
cut. Willie and James at orchestra practice in the evening.
23 – Rather dull day and getting colder. All hands at SS and
church; 169 at SS. Mr. Widdifield, M.P.P. for North Ontario, was
present and gave a little speech. Mr. Dyer preached. Annie, Willie
and James out again in the evening.
24 – Pretty cold especially towards night. Drove James to the
morning train and plowed sod the rest of the day. Jennie washing
in the forenoon and in the afternoon went with Mrs. John Michie to
see Mrs. John Somerville who is seriously ill but they were not
permitted to see her. Annie walked to her school. She stayed at
Mr. Watson’s all night. She is making arrangements for their
Christmas tree. Willie with Jas. Blair.
25 – Pretty cold day. Word came by phone from James that his
school was closed on account of scarlet fever for at least two
weeks so I went nearly to Port Perry to meet him. Did some
chores. Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie walked home from her
school and went back by E. to Bethel church to the first play prac-
tice. James at C.E. meeting.
26 – Milder. James went to thresh with Jas. Blair while Willie and
I drew out manure on the next years strawberry patch etc. Annie
walked to her school. All at home in the evening.
27 – Very dull and a little misty rain. Jennie and James went to
Port Perry in the forenoon. Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie drove to
her school. L. Luke called. Annie and James at choir practice in
the evening.
28 – A fine day. At John Michie’s in the forenoon and James and I
tried to fix the barn pump. Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie walked to
her school and stayed until evening for play practice. L. Luke
called.
29 – A fine day with hard frost in the morning. James went to
thresh with Jas. Blair. Willie went to Port Perry in the forenoon
and he and I fanned up oats in the afternoon. L. Luke called.
Marie Akhurst came to get her hair cut. In the evening went with
Annie to Port Perry public school concert in the town hall. A
pretty good programme of drills, dances, etc. James also went to
the concert.
30 – Quite a snow storm about 4 pm. All hands at SS and church;
180 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached. Annie, Willie and James out in the
evening. Clinton Midgley called in the forenoon.
DEC. 1 – Pretty cold and rough. Did several small jobs. James
drove Annie to her school and stayed for awhile to help her train
the children for the Christmas tree. Willie with Jas. Blair threshing
at W. Thomas’. Jennie washing. L. Luke called. Annie stayed at
Bethel all night.
2 – Somewhat milder. Willie took load of oats to Port Perry and
got 50 cts per bushel, and in the afternoon we fanned up another
load. James threshing with Jas. Blair at Thomas’. Annie did not
come home for the night. L. Luke called. Willie and James at C.E.
meeting in the evening.
3 – Mild and dull. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with a load
of oats and did some chores in the afternoon. Jennie sewing and
knitting. Willie with Jas. Blair. Annie did not come home over-
night. L. Luke called twice. Willie away in the evening.
4 – A fine but rather chilly day. Helping Jennie to pick chickens.
Willie drawing gravel to the 10th
concession (4 loads). James with
Jas. Blair. Annie did not come home for the night. James at choir
practice in the evening. L. Luke called.
5 – Dull with rain about the middle of the afternoon. Went to
Greenbank with Jennie to take to Herb Hook 10 chickens. Willie
drawing gravel. James went over to Annie’s school to help prac-
tice for Xmas tree. L. Luke called.
6 – Dull day. James went to W.H. Leask’s to thresh with Jas. Blair
but they did not start, but he stayed and helped them to grind until
about the middle of the afternoon. Willie went to Thomas’ gravel
pit for gravel for hens. And after that we put straw on the straw-
berry patch in the orchard. L. Luke called. Willie and James
away in the evening. Mrs. Alex Leask died.
7 – A fine day and roads muddy. All hands at SS and church; Mr.
Dyer preached. Jennie and I went to Jas. S. Lee’s for tea, Jack Lee
of Port William being there, but we had just go there when a phone
call came saying Tom Bell and wife, daughter and son-in-law of
Oshawa were come for a visit so we came home. They left for
home about 8 pm. Annie, Willie and James out in the evening.
8 – Rain in the morning until near noon. Willie drove James to the
early train on his way to his school at Myrtle and I drove Annie to
her school. She stayed all night as there is to be practice. In the
afternoon I went to Oswald Love’s cattle sale. There was a fair
turnout and fair prices. Jennie sewing.
9 – Cold and rough with high W wind. Jennie washing. Willie and
I fixed the barn pump again in the forenoon and in the afternoon
went with Jennie to Mrs. Alex Leask’s funeral. There was a large
turnout. It was at the house. L. Luke and Dorothy Wagner called.
Willie at Greenbank in the evening. There was a C.E. supper on.
Tom Barkley’s barn burned down last night.
10 – A fine but cold day. Did little but the chores. Went over to P.
Luke’s and settled up with him. Jennie ironing and making
Christmas cake. Willie with Jas. Blair (W.H. Leask’s). L. Luke
called.
11 – Some snow in the afternoon. Did little but the chores. Jennie
went to W.M. meeting in the church. Mrs. John Michie went with
her. This was the annual meeting; all the old officers were re-
elected. Willie with Jas. Blair threshing and away somewhere in
the evening. L. Luke called for the mail.
12 – A fine day. I took little Reddy cow to Port Perry and got
$7.50 for her from Calicut. Willie drove down for me and went
452
again in the evening for James. Jennie housecleaning. Clinton
Midgley and L. Luke called.
13 – Mild in the morning which turned to snow and then very
rough and cold with high NW wind. Jennie and I started to drive
to Myrtle but turned back, the weather and roads being bad. Willie
with Jas. Blair at E. Leask’s. James and Annie at Port Perry in the
forenoon and James away in the evening. L. Luke called.
14 – Mild in the morning but very rough towards night with high
wind and snow. All but Jennie at SS and church; 170 at SS; Mr.
Dyer preached and announced a meeting to arrange for taking a
vote on church union. Willie and James out again in the evening.
15 – Pretty cold but no wind. Got up early and Jennie and James
drove to Port Perry early train. They put the horse in and both
went to Myrtle where Jennie spent all day on a mission. Got din-
ner and supper at Mrs. Hoar’s and came home on the last train. I
drove Annie to her school and she did not come home at night.
Willie with Jas. Blair at Edgar Leask’s. I did the chores and acted
as cook. C. Phair came over and settled up for the year.
16 – A fine day. Willie with Jas. Blair. I went to Greenbank in the
forenoon and fixed the curtain in the hall. Mary Real and Bessie
McMillan, collectors for the Bible Society, called. In the evening
Willie went to a reception party at George Baird’s at Saintfield;
G.B. having been married last week.
17 – A fine day. Willie went to thresh with Jas. Blair at P. Leask’s.
I did little but the chores. L. Luke called. Went over to C. Phair’s
for a rooster.
18 – Rather dull and raw with E wind. Jennie went to Port Perry
fair market in the morning for a Christmas goose etc., and Willie
went in the afternoon and stayed for the concert in the evening.
19 – Rather raw with a little drizzle sometimes from the E. Willie
with Jas. Blair at P. Leask’s which finishes his threshing for the
season. I went with the cutter for Annie and then to Greenbank to
get James who came out from Myrtle with Tom Sharp. L Luke
called.
20 – Pretty cold and rough towards night. Jennie making play
dress for Annie. L. Luke called. In the afternoon Annie, James
and I went with the cutter to Port Perry and it was pretty cold com-
ing home. Annie at play practice and James at choir practice in the
evening.
21 – Pretty cold; about 6 below zero in the morning. All hands at
SS and church; 165 at SS. Mr. Dyer preached a Christmas ser-
mon. Annie, Willie and James out again in the evening.
22 – A fine day. Willie drove James to the early train at Port Perry
and then drove Annie to her school. Jennie washing. In the eve-
ning went to meeting in the church to arrange for taking a vote on
church union. Not very many out. Poll to be held at Tom Sharp’s
for the next two weeks from 3 to 4 and 8 to 9 each day but Sundays
from 4 to 5 pm.
23 – A fine day. Jennie ironing and baking. All John Michie’s
girls up getting hair cut. In the evening went to the hall to decorate
for Christmas tree. There was a lot of boys and girls; too many
for good work. Willie took the tree and brush up in the afternoon
and he also helped to decorate.
24 – Willie went to Port Perry for James who comes home for
Christmas holidays. Jennie baking. In the evening was our SS
Christmas tree. James and I went to it. We rode up with John
Michie’s sleigh. The hall was packed to the door and the pro-
gramme, prepared mostly by the public school teachers Miss Fer-
guson and Miss Forsythe, was good but rather short. About $44
taken in at the door. Willie went to the Christmas tree at Bethel
which did not get out until after midnight. Annie was also there
being in the play given there. On the last train came Annie Bell
and a Miss Muir, a friend of hers, a teacher from Niagara Falls, late
of Edinburgh. Mr. Moase drove them from Port Perry in his car as
far as the 10th
concession and they walked the rest of the way as he
thought there was too much snow to go further.
25 – An ideal Christmas day; clear and cold and plenty of snow.
Got a little rough towards night. John Michie’s whole family were
here for dinner and supper. Music was the principal pastime.
Willie went somewhere in the evening. He also took Annie Bell
and Miss Muir for a cutter ride as far as J.M. Real’s.
26 – A clear day but pretty cold and some rough. Got up early and
Willie took A.B. and Miss Muir to the early train with the team and
sleigh as he was not sure of the roads being clear. Little doing as
everyone was resting. Willie and James went to Port Perry in the
afternoon and bought G. Byers’ cutter for $27.00. In the evening
went with Annie to preparatory service in the basement of the
church. Not very many out. Mr. Dyer conducted the service;
choir practice after. James also went to the meeting. Went
through the fields for the first.
27 – Cold and snowing and very rough in the afternoon but the
wind went down towards night. Willie hitched up the team after
dinner and broke the roads. Clinton Midgley called in the after-
noon. Willie and James away in the evening.
28 – About zero and a sharp wind. All hands at communion ser-
vice at 11 am. Not quite as many as usual out as it was very cold.
Mr. Dyer preached. James and Annie came home. Willie got
dinner at G. Lee’s and Jennie and I got dinner at W. Watson’s. All
but Annie at SS at 3 o’clock; 149 at SS. Jas. Ward gave a few
words. James went for supper to Mr. [Cotice’s?] at Port Perry.
Annie and Willie out in the evening.
29 – Somewhat milder. Little doing but the chores. Jennie laid up
with bad leg. Willie and James at orchestra practice at J.M. Real’s
in the evening.
30 – A fine day. Jennie washing. I went up to Greenbank in the
afternoon to a meeting in the hall about statute labor and road
making by Mr. McVicker’s government inspector of roads. There
was a fair attendance and an interesting talk. In the evening Annie,
James and I went to the annual SS meeting in the basement of the
church. There was a fairly good turnout and things went off pretty
good. G.A. McMillan was chosen superintendant; G. Lee, assis-
tant; E. Cragg, sec.; E. Leask, treas. Willie was also at Greenbank
in the evening cleaning up the hall for dance tomorrow.
453
31 – Fine but pretty cold day. Little doing but the chores. Clinton
Midgley here for dinner. Mrs. Harmon of Greenbank died this
morning and Rye Beare, Mary Real and Freeman Howsam would
not play for the dance so Willie and Clinton M. got V. Sloffer and
Miss Ferguson of Port Perry to put up the music. Willie went to
Port Perry for them. Annie and James also went to the party. Mrs.
Luke and Leola called.
1925
JAN. 1 – A fine cold day. All hands at John Michie’s for dinner.
Annie and Willie went to G. Clement’s for supper and Jennie,
James and I stayed for supper. James away in the evening. George
Till called. He was canvassing for election to the council.
2 – Not quite so cold. Little done but the chores. Jennie baking.
L. Luke called. Annie and Willie at oyster supper at Frank Wat-
son’s (on the east road) in the evening.
3 – Some snow from the W. Went up to the hall and helped to fix
up the rooms. W. Phoenix; I. Beare; G.A. McMillan and Blake
Cragg also there. James went to Port Perry in the forenoon and
again in the evening. Willie away in the evening.
4 – Rather stormy from the W. All hands at SS and church. Some
trouble getting SS superintendant. I acted for today. Election of
teachers resulted as usual; 3 classes yet to fill. Mr. Dyer preached.
A session meeting after service. Annie, Willie and James out in
the evening.
5 – A fine clear day. Willie drove James to the early train at Port
Perry on his way to Myrtle and I drove Annie to her school. Willie
and I went to Greenbank in the afternoon to vote for councilmen.
Voted for Till, Leask and Johnson. The other candidates were
Christie and Jeffery. Called at Mr. Dyers’ and had a talk about SS
matters. Church union vote was counted tonight. The vote was
124 for, 4 against. Willie went to Greenbank again in the evening
to see Jas. Blair. Jennie washing. [margin note: Till, Christie and
Leask elected for councillors].
6 – A very fine day. Willie and I spent some time in the cellar
picking over potatoes as some are rotten. C. Midgley called.
Willie at C.E. the church. This is treat night at the close of the
contest.
7 – A fine day. Jennie, Willie and I picking roosters most of the
day, 17 in all; and in the evening took them to Herby Hook at
Greenbank and got 27 cts per pound. We then went to the hall to
see the play ‘When Jennie Comes Home’ which was put on by the
young girls class. It went off pretty good and a full house. Willie
also was at the play.
8 – A fine day. Willie cleaned out the hen house in the forenoon.
In the afternoon I drove in the cutter to Jas. Lee’s and Jas. Blair’s
to interview Mr. Lee and Maggie Blair about SS matters.
9 – A very fine day. Willie went to Greenbank to see Jas. Blair but
did not see him. I went for Annie and Willie took a sleigh load to a
party at W. Hill’s south of Manchester, picking up James at Man-
chester station. I went up to the church in the evening to a meeting
of a committee of the session.
10 – A very fine day. Little doing but the chores. James at Green-
bank in the evening. Annie and Willie at home. L. Luke called.
11 – Clear but cold with E wind; about zero. All hands at SS and
church. G. Lee was chosen superintendant for the year. Mr. Dyer
preached. James went somewhere for tea. Annie and Willie out in
the evening.
12 – Very cold in the morning but got warmer towards night with
some snow from the SE. Willie drove James to the train at Port
Perry and then drove Annie to her school. Little doing. Not feel-
ing very well. L. Luke called. This is the night of the annual
church meeting but no one from here went.
13 – Snowing some most of the day and little doing but the chores.
L. Luke called. Willie went to hockey match at Uxbridge. Port
Perry vs. Uxbridge; Uxbridge wins 7 to 1.
14 – Pretty cold day. Willie and I helping Jennie to pick hens in
the forenoon and I and Jennie took them to Herby Hooks at Green-
bank in the afternoon. Willie went with Clinton Midgley to Sea-
grave to skate in the evening.
15 – A fine day. Jennie washing. Willie went to Port Perry mill
and got 10 bags of oats ground. L. Luke called. In the evening
Willie went to Greenbank and Jennie and I went with him to Nor-
man Midgley’s for a visit.
16 – Mild and snowing some. Willie went to see Jas. Blair about
his wages but got nothing. L. Luke called. In the evening Willie
went to hockey match at Port Perry between Lindsay and P.P.
17 – A fine day. Jennie and I started about 2:30 p.m. with cutter
for Willie Smith’s at Columbus and got there about 5:30. Lots of
snow and good sleighing; only a little heavy. Annie and James at
Port Perry in the evening.
18 – Some more snow during the night. Went to Brooklin Presby-
terian SS and church. Rev. Mr. Fraser preached. Jessie Smith,
who is on a visit to Willie’s, left for Toronto by CPR train. In the
evening we went over to Stokes’ to hear their radio which was
partly fairly good and partly no good. Annie, Willie and James at
SS and church at Greenbank. Mr. Dyer preached. Annie and
James out in the evening.
19 – Snowing some most of the day. Stayed all day at Smith’s and
did nothing but eat. Jennie fell down the stairs before we went to
bed. Willie got up early and did the chores, took James to the
454
early train and then Annie to her school and kept house alone all
day.
20 – Some snow and SE wind but we started for home about 10
am. Roads pretty heavy south of the ridges but good north. Got
home a little after two. L. Luke called. Willie at Greenbank in the
evening which turned out pretty rough.
21 – Somewhat rough during the day but got milder in the evening.
Jennie washing. Willie and I went to Greenbank in the afternoon.
Willie got some money from Jas. Blair. L. Luke called. Willie
away in the evening. Word came that Irvin Bagshaw died in To-
ronto hospital.
22 – Pretty rough and drifting most of the day. Little doing but the
chores. P. Luke came over for the mail. Willie at Port Perry in the
forenoon to send away his insurance money.
23 – 10 below zero and a cutting NW wind. Roads not very good
in places. Willie went for Annie with the sleigh before dinner as
there was no school at Bethel on account of the cold and roads. In
the afternoon Jennie and I went to Irvin Bagshaw’s funeral. There
was a good turnout. Mr. Dyer conducted the service. Barber of
Uxbridge was the undertaker. The bearers were B. Cragg; Edgar
Cragg; W. Spoffard; C. Whetter; Everett Love and G. Till. Willie
and C. Midgley went to Port Perry in the evening to meet James
and see the hockey match. Port Perry vs. Uxbridge; Uxbridge
wins 4 to 0.
24 – This is the day of the great eclipse of the sun about 9 am.
Total in Toronto and Hamilton, but hardly total here and great
preparations were being made to see it but the sun never showed its
face here the whole day, but the darkness was quite apparent.
Annie went to Greenbank with Jas. Bott to a C.E. committee meet-
ing at Fred O’Neill’s. Mary L. Real came home with her and
stayed for tea and with James, Willie and Annie went to the skating
rink at Port Perry. Marie Akhurst called to get her hair cut.
25 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 190 at SS; Mr.
Dyer preached. Willie and Clinton Midgley went away some-
where. Annie stayed at Midgley’s for tea. James went out again in
the evening.
26 – Snowing from the NE a little most of the day. Willie drove
James to the early train for Myrtle and then Annie to her school. P.
Luke called for mail. Willie and Clinton Midgley went to Wal-
lace’s on the 7th
concession to play at a dance. Cold night.
27 – About 16 below zero in the morning and never got up to zero
all day. Little doing but the chores. P. Luke called for the mail.
28 – About 24 below zero in the morning and very cold all day but
clear. Little doing. Clinton Midgley, L. Luke and C. Phair called.
29 – Pretty cold all day. Jennie washing. Clinton Midgley and L.
Luke called. Rather stormy night.
30 – Fine in the forenoon but got rough in the afternoon. Picked
over potatoes in cellar awhile. Willie did the chores. Jennie iron-
ing and baking. L. Luke here most of the afternoon knitting
gloves. I went for Annie. Willie went to Port Perry for James and
then to a dance at Manchester. Annie went with C. Midgley.
31 – Fine in the morning but quite rough in the afternoon although
not very cold as the wind was in the south. L. Luke here most of
the day knitting. Ernie Green came for C. Phair’s mail. Willie and
James away somewhere in the evening.
FEB. 1 – A fine clear day and pretty cold. All hands at SS and
church; 171 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached on Gen. 1:1. Willie some-
where for tea and Annie and James out in the evening.
2 – Dull in the morning with a little snow but clear and cold in the
afternoon. I drove James to Port Perry to the early train on his way
to Myrtle and Willie drove Annie to her school. Jennie washing.
In the afternoon Jennie and I drove to Greenbank for some grocer-
ies. Jennie called at Mrs. Spoffard’s and we called at W.
O’Neill’s. L. Luke called and Ernie Green brought a banjo for
James.
3 – A fine but pretty cold day. Little doing. Willie went to Port
Perry in the afternoon.
4 – A fine day and quite mild. Jennie, Willie and I picking chick-
ens (the last of the season) and Jennie and I took them to Herb
Hook. Helen Phair came over for the mail. Willie at Seagrave rink
in the evening. L. Luke called.
5 – Mild all day and snowing and sometimes raining a little. Little
doing but the chores. L. Luke called twice.
6 – Mild and some foggy. Little doing. L. Luke called. Willie
went for Annie and in the evening went to Port Perry for James
who came up from Myrtle on a special train run by the Whitby
hockey team who play Port Perry tonight. They did not stop for
the game so they were home early.
7 – A fine and mild day. Went with Annie to Port Perry in the
forenoon. Jennie baking. Afternoon Annie at the church marking
the new library books for SS. In the evening James brought Mary
L. Real for a visit while Annie and Willie were away somewhere.
8 – Mild and the snow going fast. Roads breaking up. All hands at
SS and church; 177 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached. E. Clements, Wil-
son and Laura Clements here for tea. All away in the evening but
Jennie and I.
9 – Mild all day. Rain some in the afternoon. James went to Port
Perry with John Michie who is going to Oshawa. Willie drove
Annie to her school. Jennie washing. Willie hitched up to the
sleigh and broke roads and then drove to the school for J. Michie’s
girls.
10 – Mild day. In the forenoon I went down to the creek. Willie
drawing out manure. In the afternoon I drove Jennie to Greenbank
to the W.M. meeting. Jennie had the topic – Korea. There was a
pretty good attendance. I went up to T. Sharp’s and had a talk with
Jennie Phoenix. Clinton Midgley called in the afternoon and L.
Luke called three times.
11 – Mild with rain and soft snow but got colder in the evening.
Willie broke roads in the forenoon. Jennie ironing and I cleaned
455
out calf pen. L. Luke here telephoning. In the evening Jennie,
Willie and I at oyster supper at P. Luke’s got up by the play com-
pany. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Beare; Russell and
Laura Thomas; Donald Boe; Everett Harper; Marie Akhurst;
Harvey and Mary L. Real; Francis and Russell Lee; Miss Fergu-
son; Miss Forsythe; Cliff and Easter Love; Arthur Gordon and
wife; Willie and Arvella Carnegie; Clinton Midgley; Bessie
McMillan. Card playing and dancing after supper.
12 – Much colder and pretty rough and drifting. L. Luke came
over with the spoons and dishes used at the party last night. Jennie
and I went to Greenbank in the afternoon with eggs.
13 – Somewhat rough and some snow. Little doing but the chores.
L. Luke called. Willie went for Annie and both went to Port Perry
in the evening; a carnival on.
14 – A very fine day. Willie went to Greenbank in the morning to
get King shod. I went to Ernest Phair’s to help him to saw wood.
Willie and James away in the evening. Got word that Wick had
voted union by a majority of 2.
15 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 170 at SS; Mr.
Dyer preached. Annie, Willie and James out again in the evening.
16 – A very fine day. Willie drove James to Port Perry early train
and I drove Annie to her school. In the afternoon went to P.
Luke’s and bought a piece of swamp wood for $25.00. In the
evening Jennie and I went to J.M. Real’s for supper and for the
evening. Mr. and Mrs. G.A. McMillan were also there and we had
a very pleasant evening. Snowing on the way home.
17 – A beautiful day. In the afternoon cutting wood in Luke’s
swamp, Willie helping. Willie at C.E. in the evening.
18 – A beautiful clear day. All day cutting wood in Luke’s swamp,
Willie helping. He drew up one load in the afternoon. L. Luke
called. Willie and Clinton Midgley went to a dance at Manchester
in the evening. Word came that Annie is laid up with a bad shoul-
der and had no school today.
19 – Some snow through the night and mild all day. Cutting wood
in Luke’s swamp. Willie drew two loads. In the afternoon I was
helping W. Phoenix to lay the floor in the south room in the hall at
Greenbank. Jennie making quilt.
20 – A very fine mild day. Cutting wood all day in Luke’s swamp.
Willie drew 3 loads in the forenoon. Jennie and Leola Luke went
to Port Perry in the forenoon. Willie went for Annie and then for
James to Port Perry in the evening and all three to an oyster supper
in the church given by the young men’s SS class.
21 – Dull foggy and rain sometimes all day. P. Luke called in the
morning wanting help with wood. Willie took 10 bags of oats to
Port Perry to be ground but did not get it home with him. L. Luke,
Helen Phair and Jean and Ruth Michie called. The Watkins prod-
ucts man called and stayed for dinner. James and Willie at orches-
tra practice or somewhere else in the evening.
22 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 169 at SS; Mr. Dyer
preached. Annie stayed for supper at W. Watson’s. James and
Willie out in the evening.
23 – Rain most of the day. Took James to early train on his way to
Myrtle and Willie drove Annie to her school. Jennie started to
make a braided mat. In the evening I went to a hall trustee meeting
held in hall. G.A. McMillan, W. Phoenix, R. Cragg and I present.
L. Luke called.
24 – Dull and somewhat mild. Jennie washing. Willie went to
Port Perry for meal. In the afternoon I went with P. Luke to John
Burke’s sale. There was a large turnout and prices were fairly
good. I went to A. Akhurst’s and waited for Jennie and went with
her and Mrs. Luke to a Ladies Aid supper at the church. There was
a good supper and a short programme. Willie also went to the sale.
25 – Dull all day with rain sometimes. I went to Luke’s swamp
and cut wood awhile but it became too wet. The swamp is now
flooded with water. Jennie making mat. Leola Luke and Mrs. L.
Wagner called in the afternoon. Willie drove the Greenbank play-
ers to Myrtle where they are to give their play tonight. He left
about 2:30. Very dull and raining a little and very dark in the
evening. Willie and his load had a wet time getting home.
26 – Colder and pretty rough all day and very rough and cold in the
evening. Little doing but the chores. Mrs. L. Wagner here for
dinner and Dorothy and Fred W. here in the afternoon.
27 – Rough and snowing all day. Little doing. Mrs. L. Wagner
was over twice. The Dr. was to have come up to remove the ton-
sils of Dorothy and Lorne but he did not come and now it is not to
be done for some time as Lorne has a cold. There was to be a
dance in the hall at Greenbank but it was called off. Neither James
or Annie came home on account of the weather. No mail.
28 – Pretty cold but fine all day. I went to Port Perry in the morn-
ing for James and took to Port Perry Mrs. L. Wagner and her two
boys. Willie went for Annie. Cutting wood in Luke’s swamp in
the afternoon. Annie, Willie and James out in the evening. All of
John Michie’s family up getting their hair cut. An earthquake
shock occurred about 9:30 pm; not very bad here.
MAR. 1 – Snowing from the S in the day and turned to NW in the
evening. All but Jennie at SS and church; 145 at SS; Mr. Dyer
preached. Annie, Willie and James out again in the evening.
2 – Very rough and cold all day. Down to zero in the evening.
Willie drove James to Port Perry in the morning and I drove Annie
to her school. I went by the 11th
but came home by the 9th
conces-
sion as there was water over the road. L. Luke called twice.
3 – A fine but pretty cold day. P. Luke called in the morning. In
the afternoon helping P. Luke to saw wood in his swamp. Willie at
Port Perry in the evening.
4 – A very fine day. Willie and I drew home two loads of wood
from Luke’s swamp; not very good in the swamp; ice hollow.
Jennie washing. In the afternoon I went to session meeting in
456
church and Willie took two loads for Norman Midgley who is
moving to the Real farm. L. Luke called. Ed Bryant moves into
Midgley house.
5 – A very fine day. Willie and I drew up two loads of wood from
Luke’s swamp in the forenoon and I helped P. Luke to cut wood in
the afternoon. Jennie at Greenbank in the afternoon. Willie away
in the evening. Dorothy Wagner called for the mail.
6 – A fine mild day and the snow going some. Went to Oswald
Love’s third sale. A good turnout. I then drove over for Annie.
Willie went to Port Perry for James who came from Myrtle by the
mail man. They immediately left to play at a play at Bethesda.
7 – Mild and fine; snow going. Willie and I cut down the biggest
tree (poplar) on wood lot in Luke’s swamp and partly cut it up in
the forenoon and in the afternoon helping W. Phoenix to put ceil-
ing in the stage room of the hall. Willie and James at Port Perry in
the afternoon. Dr. Mellow’s funeral was today. Willie and Annie
out in the evening. Helen Phair came over in the afternoon for the
mail.
8 – A very fine day; mild and snow going; lots of mud and water.
All hands at SS and church; 175 at SS, including W. Phoenix and
A. Ward (or Mrs. Orchard). Clinton Midgley came to supper and
Willie and him went somewhere with the buggy, the first time out
for this year. Annie and James also went out.
9 – Mild and thawing most of the day. Willie drove James to the
train on his way to Myrtle. Annie rode over to her school with E.
Bryant in his sleigh. Jennie washing. Willie and I cutting wood in
Luke’s swamp. L. Luke called.
10 – Mild with some rain during the forenoon and a terrific thunder
storm between 7 and 8 in the evening. Willie and I in the swamp
cutting wood in the forenoon. In the afternoon I was in the swamp
alone but did not do much as John Michie came over and we talked
some. L. Luke called for the mail.
11 – A fine mild day. Willie and I in the swamp in the forenoon
(water rising) and breaking roads in the afternoon. Jennie at
Greenbank in the forenoon with the buggy. Willie at Port Perry in
the evening; a hockey match Lindsay over Port Perry.
12 – A fine day; quite a frost in the morning. In Luke’s swamp all
day cutting wood, Willie helping. L. Luke called twice. Willie at
Greenbank in the evening. Ernie Greene called in the evening for
the mail and stayed awhile.
13 – Willie and I went to the swamp in the morning and cut all we
could on account of the water and in the afternoon I went to Port
Perry and then to Bethel for Annie. Came home by the 12th
conc.
on account of water over the 11th
. Willie went for Mary L. Real
and then drove to Sonya to play at a dance. James went by train to
Sonya. Annie and I went to Greenbank hall to a play ‘Fisherman’s
Luck’. There was a full house although it was a rough night with
snow from the E. It went off pretty well. $41.00 taken in. The
players were W. Phoenix; Fred O’Neill; C. Midgley; Cliff Love;
Fred Real; Miss A. Ferguson; Cathleen Leask; Mrs. Cyler Whitter;
and Florence McMillan.
14 – Rather rough all day with some snow and little doing but
music. L. Luke called for the mail. In the evening Mr. Parrot
called; got his supper and bought 4 cattle.
15 – Rather a fine day but cold. All hands at SS and church.
Drove the cutter after being wheeling for some time; 154 at SS;
Mr. Dyer preached. Esther Love came home with Annie for tea.
Willie, Annie and James out again in the evening.
16 – A fine mild day. Willie drove James to the early train at Port
Perry on his way to Myrtle and I drove Annie to her school taking
Ethel Bryant with us. Went by way of the 12th
conc. and returned
by the 9th
. In the afternoon went with Jennie to Port Perry. Jennie
washing in the forenoon. L. Luke called for the mail. Willie and
Ernie Greene went to N. Midgley’s in the evening.
17 – Very dull all day with rain some of the time. Jennie had a tie
down quilt on the frames and finished it before 4:30 in the after-
noon. L. Luke called for the mail. Willie away in the evening. St.
Patrick’s day.
18 – Rather dull all day and mild. Fixed some things in the stable
and awhile in the swamp. Willie helping C. Phair to cut wood in
the afternoon. Jennie quilting. L. Luke called for the mail. Terri-
ble tornado in Ill. and Indiana.
19 – Heavy rain through the night and forenoon with some snow
about noon. Getting colder. Little doing but Jennie quilting. Mrs.
Luke came over in the afternoon and helped her. Willie went to
Greenbank in the afternoon. Clarence O’Neill called.
20 – A fine day. Went to Seagrave station with 4 young cattle. C.
Phair went with us with 4 more. At home at noon. In the after-
noon went to bee at church to cut wood and did the job up as there
was plenty of men. Jennie finished the quilt. Willie went to Bethel
for Annie. L. Luke came for the mail. Willie at Port Perry in the
evening. James did not come home as there was a party at Myrtle.
Donald Boe got hurt in hockey match at Port Perry.
21 – Rather a fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon for
James. Willie helping C. Phair to cut wood in the afternoon.
Marie Akhurst and L. Luke here in the afternoon getting hair cut.
James and Annie away in the evening.
22 – A fine but rather raw day. All hands at SS and church; 148 at
SS; Mr. Dyer preached. Annie, Willie and James out in the eve-
ning.
23 – A fine day. Willie drove James to Port Perry early train and I
drove Annie to her school taking Ethel Bryant with us. We went
by the 12th
conc. and I came home by the 9th
. Then Willie and I
started to cut the poles got from Luke’s swamp. Jennie washing in
the forenoon and put on another quilt in the afternoon. L. Luke
came for the mail. Willie went to Greenbank in the evening to
clean up the hall for the dance next Friday night.
24 – A fine and mild day. At the wood pile most of the day. Wil-
lie went to Port Perry in the afternoon with 10 bags of oats and got
them ground. Jennie quilting. L. Luke called twice.
457
25 – A very fine day. Got a phone message asking me to go to
Port Perry to meet John and George Fowlie and I went and met
them and settled up some business that had been standing for many
years. Jennie quilting. Willie helping to cut wood. In the evening
Willie went with Clinton Midgley to a party on Scugog. L. Luke
called twice. She was at Uxbridge getting a new hat. Helen Phair
came over for the mail. The mail was delivered at the box today,
the first time for several weeks.
26 – A very fine day. Went to Greenbank in the forenoon with
eggs and to get groceries. Willie and I at the wood pile in the
afternoon. Jennie quilting. L. Luke called twice. Olive and Elea-
nor here in the afternoon.
27 – Rain most of the forenoon and nothing doing but Jennie fin-
ished her quilt. Willie went to Port Perry for James who came up
from Myrtle by the mail car and I went for Annie. I went by the
11th
and the road is very bad. L. Luke called for the mail. Annie,
Willie and James at dance in hall at Greenbank in the evening.
Word came that Ed Lyle is moving into C. Phair’s house on the
Jim Lee place and is to work for Cecil next summer.
28 – A fine day but rather cold. Went to Jas. Bott’s in the morning
(for C. Phair) to cut wood and in the afternoon went with Jennie to
Port Perry to a furniture sale but did not buy anything. Willie and
James also went to Port Perry.
29 – Rough and snowing some from the N. All hands at SS and
church; 145 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached. Dick Canniff and Mary L.
Real here for tea and all away in the evening.
30 – A fine day. Willie drove James to the early train and I drove
Annie and Ethel Bryant to her school. Cutting wood in the swamp
in the afternoon. Willie went to Greenbank in the evening. L.
Luke called for mail.
31 – A very fine day. Willie all day helping P. Luke to plow the
orchard, the first work on the land that I have seen. I was in the
swamp in the forenoon and at the wood pile in the afternoon. L.
Luke called for mail.
APR. 1 – A fine day. Willie and I in the swamp cutting wood and
in the afternoon went to James Innis’s sale. Jennie went to Green-
bank and we went to James Lee’s for supper and then to prayer
meeting in church, the first of a regular monthly meeting. There
was about 25 out and Mr. Dyer was leader. Jennie washing in the
forenoon. Willie away somewhere in the evening.
2 – A fine day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon and with Willie
in the swamp in the afternoon. Willie plowed some in the orchard
in the forenoon, the first of the season. P. Luke called in the eve-
ning.
3 – A very fine day. Willie and I went with the sleigh and drew
out some of the wood and saw logs and in the afternoon drew some
wood out of the orchard, then I went for Annie and Willie went
with Art Bryant and his truck to Myrtle and brought home James
and a little engine which he got down there. L. Luke called for the
mail. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
4 – A very fine day. Plowing some in the orchard in the forenoon.
Willie and James went to Port Perry in the forenoon and came
home with a second hand Overland car. James fixing up his en-
gine. I plowed the piece in the SW field left from the fall. Annie,
Willie and James away in the evening. L. Luke called.
The Overland car would have been similar to
the one in this photo.
5 – A fine but rather cold day. Jennie in bed in the forenoon with
cold. The rest at SS and church; 155 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached.
James went to Real’s for tea and Annie and Willie also out in the
evening.
6 – A very fine day. Willie drove James to Port Perry to the early
train in the car and then took Annie to her school. I finished the
wood job at the house in the forenoon and at the berry bushes in
the afternoon. L. Luke called for the mail which came by car for
the first time this spring.
7 – A beautiful day. Willie plowing sod and I at berry bushes.
Jennie housecleaning the pantry. Willie at Greenbank in the eve-
ning. L. Luke called for the mail.
8 – A very fine day. Plowing in the forenoon while Willie went
first to Greenbank and got a check from Jas. A. Blair for balance of
work threshing last fall ($75.00), then to Port Perry. Jennie wash-
ing. In the afternoon I was helping to shingle C. Phair’s house.
Willie plowing and in the evening took Jennie to Greenbank with
the eggs. L. Luke called for the mail. She was telling of dogs
worrying their sheep this morning.
9 – A fine day. Helping P. Luke to sow field NW of his barn, the
first sowing in these parts I think. Willie plowing sod and finished.
He then went with the car for Annie who comes home for Easter
holidays. Annie in the evening went to Port Perry for Annie Bell
and James while Willie went with the car somewhere else. C.
O’Neill and McHaffey came for a load of straw.
10 – Good Friday and a fine day. At the berry bushes most of the
day. Willie cultivating field W of the house. James fixing car and
other things and drove his mother to Missionary quilting bee in the
church and in the evening James, Annie and I went to preparatory
service. Mr. Caruthers of Seagrave preached; a fair turnout. E.
458
Lyle and wife; E. Bryant and wife by certificate and Wilmot
Cragg by profession of faith were added to the roll.
11 – Rather cool and some raw. A snow storm which turned to
rain about noon. Willie sowing field W of house in the forenoon
and I finished it in the afternoon and harrowed some of it. After
dinner James, Willie and Annie Bell went to Oshawa for a new top
for the car. L. Luke called for the mail. About 4 o’clock Mrs. C.
Phair had a baby boy but it only lived a few minutes. Jennie went
over and stayed until about 4 pm. In the evening Annie, Annie
Bell and Willie at Port Perry. Harrowed P. Luke’s field, about 2
hours time.
12 – Easter Sunday and a rather raw day with a few flakes of snow.
Jennie, Annie and I went in the buggy to communion service in the
church. The boys could not get the car to run at first but they came
later. There was a good turnout and Mr. Dyer preached. Jennie
and I got dinner at W. Watson’s and then to SS at 3 pm; 126 at SS.
All but Jennie and I out again in the evening.
13 – About an inch of snow on the ground in the morning which
was gone by noon. Willie and I cleaned up the shop while James
fixed the car. Jennie and Annie papering Annie’s room. Willie
harrowing in the afternoon. I at the berry bushes. In the evening
Jas. S. Lee and family came for tea and the evening and we had
music in abundance.
14 – Rain through the night. Went to P. Luke’s for a load of tur-
nips, took some potatoes to the barn, then took out the house pump.
James and I took the sucker to Port Perry but Mr. Peters, the pump
man, was not at home. At berry bushes in the afternoon. Willie
harrowing. Annie and Jennie papering. James drove his mother to
W.M.S. meeting at the church. Annie and James at C.E. meeting
in the evening and Willie somewhere else. L. Luke called. E.
Bryant planting early potatoes.
15 – Rain through the night and rather cold and windy. Willie
went for C. Phair’s disc harrow and harrowed most of the day. I
helped P. Luke to fan up seed oats at John Michie’s for about 2
hours and several other jobs the rest of the day. James marking
exam papers. Jennie washing and finished papering Annie’s room.
Annie somewhat on the sick list. Willie at dance in the Greenbank
hall.
16 – A fine day. Willie and I went to Port Perry in the morning
with the car to get pump at house fixed, Mrs. John Michie and
Ruth went with us, and then put pump in place. Jennie painting
and ironing. Willie cultivating in the afternoon while James and I
fanned up some seed. Tried to get James’ engine to drive fanning
mill but did not succeed. Annie and James at choir practice in the
evening. L. Luke called.
17 – A very fine day. All day at P. Luke’s sowing field E of house.
Willie cultivating and harrowing. James at his exam papers. Wil-
lie away in the evening.
18 – A very fine day. Planted some potatoes and several other jobs
in the forenoon and harrowing for P. Luke in the afternoon. Willie
sowed field NW of barn. James at exam papers and away some-
where in the evening.
19 – There was a surprise for us all this morning. There was thun-
der and lightning during the night and in the morning there was
about 6 inches of soft snow and more coming from the E and con-
tinued all forenoon and there were drifts 3 or 4 feet deep in some
places. Annie, James and I started for SS with the buggy but the
roads up the sideroad were so bad that a little past Bryant’s we got
stuck and broke the harness and James came back for another piece
and I went on walking and got a ride part way with Edgar Leask.
Annie got a ride with Ross Blakely and James came later. There
was only 92 at SS which is I think the only time it was under the
hundred since the union. Mr. Dyer preached.
20 – Fine but rather cool. The snow did not go off very fast. Little
doing. Willie drove James to the early train at Port Perry and
Annie drove herself to her school. L. Luke called for the mail.
Willie away in the evening.
21 – A fine day and the snow went off some. Annie drove to her
school. Willie helping P. Luke in the forenoon and went to Port
Perry in the afternoon with the car to get some little repair for it. I
pruning apple trees in the afternoon. Annie and Willie at C.E.
meeting in the evening. L. Luke and John Michie called.
22 – A beautiful day. Went for the beef in the morning (the first of
the season) and pruned apple trees in the forenoon. Willie helping
P. Luke to draw out manure and in the afternoon Willie and I drew
dirt to make the shop door better for the car. Annie drove to her
school. Jennie making shirts. Willie at party in Scugog in the
evening.
23 – A very fine and quite warm day. Willie went to P. Luke’s to
draw out manure but they found it too soft to be able to work. We
then fixed the road back of the barn and cleaned up the orchard.
Took the straw off the strawberry patch and took off the storm
windows and doors and other jobs. Jennie washing. Annie drove
to her school and went to choir practice in the evening. L. Luke
called.
24 – A very fine day. Willie harrowed some in the forenoon while
I scuffled berry bushes and other jobs and in the afternoon Willie,
Jennie and I went in the car to Myrtle for James. Annie went with
Bryant’s to her school. In the evening we had a musical. James,
Willie, Mary Real, Miss Wheatley, who is now at Ray Dusty’s,
were in it. L. Luke called.
25 – A beautiful and warm day. Willie and I drew some dirt for
the house well and other places. Annie and James went to Port
Perry in the forenoon. Willie at P. Luke’s in the afternoon plow-
ing. I planted some potatoes. James cleaning car. Annie, Willie
and James away in the evening.
26 – A fine warm day. All hands at SS and church; 176 at SS;
Mr. Dyer preached on baptism. Willie and Clinton Midgley went
away somewhere before supper and Annie and James later.
27 – A very fine day. Willie took James all the way to Myrtle in
the car while I harrowed. Jennie washing. Annie went with Bry-
ant’s to her school. After dinner Willie took the car to Greenbank
to get springs fixed and harrowed the hill field. He was away
somewhere in the evening.
459
28 – A beautiful day. Willie went to Jas. Bott’s for butter while I
filled in furrows. Willie gang plowing in the afternoon while I
fanned up seed. Annie went with Bryant’s to her school. Jennie
housecleaning and at Ray Dusty’s to see the new baby. L. Luke
called. Annie and Willie at C.E. in the evening.
29 – A very fine day. Willie sowed most of the hill field. I did
some work in the garden and other jobs. Jennie and Willie went to
Port Perry after dinner with the car. Annie went with Bryant’s to
her school. L. Luke called.
30 – A fine cool day. Willie took Annie to her school in the car
and had a blow out at Bethel church. Finished sowing grain and
harrowed hill field then Willie rolled some. I helping Jennie to
paper our bedroom. L. Luke called twice. Annie and Ethel Bryant
at choir practice.
MAY 1 – Cold with a drizzly rain off and on. Not much doing.
Willie rolled the new grass and I plowed in the orchard in the
afternoon. This is Arbor day in the schools. Annie went with
Bryant’s but the picnic which was planned was held in the school
house. Willie went to Myrtle with the car for James. L. Luke
called. The Dr. came out to see P. Luke who is laid up with a bad
knee. All home in the evening.
2 – Snow in the morning. Finished plowing the orchard. Annie,
Willie and James away in the evening.
3 – A fine day but a little cool. All hands at SS and church. L.
Luke went with us. 179 at SS; Rev. Mr. Williams, a returned
missionary of Formosa, preached a very interesting sermon on
Formosa and his work there. Annie, Willie and James out again in
the evening.
4 – A fine day. Willie all day at P. Luke’s. James went to Myrtle
with the car. He is to get some repairs on it during the week.
Annie down to her school taking a lot of berry bushes to Mr. Arm-
strong. I helped Jennie to clean the kitchen and some other small
jobs. L. Luke called. In the evening Jennie and I went with E.C.
in his car to the church to an illustrated lecture on Formosa by Mr.
Williams. There was a good turnout and a good lecture.
5 – A fine but rather cold day. Rolling all day. Jennie houseclean-
ing upstairs. Annie went to her school with Bryant’s. Willie all
day at Luke’s.
6 – Rather cold day. Willie at Luke’s all day. I finished rolling
and drew off some big stones from the root field (the SW field).
Jennie washing. Annie walked to her school. In the evening
Jennie and I went to prayer meeting in the church. Rev. Mr. D.
McDonald of Wick gave an address. The attendance was pretty
good.
7 – Another rather cold day with some rain and hail. Plowing root
field. Jennie housecleaning. Willie at Luke’s. Annie walked to
her school and went to choir practice.
8 – A fine day and some warmer. Annie walked to her school.
Jennie housecleaning. Willie went to Port Perry in the forenoon
with 10 bags of oats and got them ground and plowed in the after-
noon. I hoed berry bushes. L. Luke called. James came home in
the car and he and Willie went to orchestra practice.
9 – A fine day and warmer. Plowing in the forenoon. Willie at P.
Luke’s all day drawing out wood from the swamp and I was also in
the afternoon. James most of the day fixing car and repairing the
damage it got last night when Roy O’Neill ran into him at Green-
bank. L. Luke called twice. Annie, Willie and James away in the
evening.
10 – A fine warm day; some thunder but not any rain here. All
hands at SS and church. This is Mother’s Day and there was 190
at SS. Mr. Dyer preached and at the service there was 8 babies and
3 adults baptised. They were H. McMillan’s baby; Russell Roots’;
Milton Howsam’s; C. Stone’s; Jas. Carnegie’s; --- Smith’s; Tyson
Lee’s twins and the adults were Bernice and Velma Rodd and
Lucille Leask. Ernie Greene came here for supper and went with
Willie to Port Perry. Annie and James were also away.
11 – A very fine day. Willie took James to Myrtle in the morning
and was back in about 1 ½ hours. Jennie washing. Annie went
with Bryant’s to her school. Willie harrowing. E. Bryant came
down and bought 11 bags of potatoes at 30 cts per bag and Willie
and I picked them up in the afternoon. Then we took 2 two-year
old steers and 6 yearlings to C. Phair’s pasture for the season.
Willie at party in Seagrave in the evening.
12 – A beautiful day. Drilled up for potatoes in the forenoon.
Willie and his mother went to Port Perry in the forenoon and
brought home linoleum for Mrs. Luke’s kitchen floor. Annie went
with Bryant’s to her school. Jennie went with Mrs. John Michie to
W.M. at the church. Willie and I drew out manure in the after-
noon. Annie and Willie at C.E. in the evening. L. Luke called
twice. E. Brant took away 11 bags of potatoes.
13 – A beautiful day. Willie went for the beef with the car but
found that it was not the day as W. Phoenix was away and tomor-
row will be the day. Willie and I drawing out manure except when
I was cutting seed potatoes. Annie walked to her school and E.
Bryant came to get her hair cut. Jennie looking after the chickens
that are coming out. L. Luke called 2 or 3 times. After supper
Willie took Mr. and Mrs. Luke and Leola to Pinedale to see Mrs.
R. Sonley who is very ill. Annie went with them to Heron’s near
Wick for a visit.
14 – A very fine day. Willie went for the beef in the morning and
drew out manure the rest of the day while I cut potatoes in the
forenoon and planted them in the afternoon. Annie went with
Bryant’s to her school. Jennie making Annie a dress. L. Luke
called. Annie at choir practice in the evening. Willie went with
the orchestra to play at a social at Myrtle. James came home with
them.
15 – A beautiful day. Covered the potatoes, planted some straw-
berries and fixed two gates. Annie went with Bryant’s to her
school. James went to Myrtle with the car and came back at 6 pm.
Jennie dressmaking. Mrs. Luke called.
16 – The boys were all day fixing the car and I drew out 4 or 5
loads of manure in the forenoon. After dinner it rained a little most
of the afternoon and I cleaned out the calf pens. Jennie finished
460
making Annie’s dress. Annie and Willie went to Port Perry and
Jennie and I went with James and Mary L. Quite a heavy rain most
of the time we were away. Annie Bell came home with us.
17 – A very fine but rather cool day. E.C. came with his car and
took Annie and Annie Bell to Bethel anniversary. Mr. Dyer
preached. They went to Mr. Wanamaker’s for dinner and back
here for supper and then back to Bethel in the evening. A. Bell
sang a solo for them. Jennie and I and the boys went to SS and
church; 173 at SS. Mr. Hassard, the Bible Society sec., preached a
splendid discourse. James went back in the evening and Willie
went somewhere.
18 – A very fine day. Got up at 4 am and Willie drove Annie Bell
and Gladys Luke to the early train at Myrtle but when they got
there they fell in with Cliff Mark who was going to Toronto with
his car and he took them aboard. James also went to Myrtle with
them. Willie then took Annie to her school. I drew out some
manure. Jennie cleaning cellar. Willie drawing out manure. After
early supper we all went by car to Willie Smith’s for the evening.
Went by Myrtle for James. Got him about 12. Fine roads but a
little too cool.
19 – A fine and warmer day. Planting strawberries all alone. Got
some plants from John Michie. Jennie washing. Willie drawing
out manure in the forenoon and plowing in the afternoon. Annie
went with Bryant’s to her school and Ethel Bryant came here for
supper as her people were all away from home. Willie, Annie and
E.B. at C.E. in the evening.
20 – A very fine warm day. Willie plowing. Annie went with
Bryant’s to her school. I was fixing wash stand in the cook house
in the forenoon and finished planting strawberry plants (9 rows).
L. Luke called. Willie at Greenbank in the evening.
21 – A very fine day. Forenoon Willie plowing and I in Luke’s
swamp splitting wood and making roads and in the afternoon drew
out some with the sleigh but it was too boggy. Jennie painting.
Norman Midgley called for some strawberry plants. Annie went
with Bryant’s to her school and went to choir practice and Willie
away somewhere. This is the day that the Ferguson Nickel 4.4
beer starts flowing.92
22 – Warm and dull. Willie took the pig (the only one we have) to
Seagrave in the morning. Weighed 240 lbs. I tied up berry bushes.
Annie went with Bryant’s horse. Jennie baking. Afternoon I
plowing while Willie, Jennie and Leola Luke went by car to Port
Perry and then to Myrtle for James. In the evening Annie, Willie
and James went to dance at Greenbank hall. A terrible thunder
storm came up about 8. Cow had twin calves but one was dead.
23 – Some rain through the night and between 5 and 6 am another
terrible thunder storm with some hail. Much more thunder during
the forenoon but very cold for the season. Not much doing. Willie
plowed a little in the afternoon. James and his mother went to Port
Perry in the forenoon. Jean and Eleanor Michie called. James
went to Port Perry in the evening for Annie Bell and Mary L.
92
Ferguson Nickel beer (4.4% alcohol by volume)
was said to be non-intoxicating and was introduced in
an effort to check the growing bootleg trade.
called in for a while. Annie away at Oshawa. Willie not away
anywhere.
24 – Some snow through the night and very cold for the time of
year all day. All hands at SS and church. Small attendance as
many are down with the measles. 95 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached.
Annie Bell sang a solo. Mr. Dyer’s father and uncle were present.
James went for tea to J. M. Real’s. Annie and Annie Bell to Mr.
Armstrong’s and Willie away somewhere in the car.
25 – Fine but quite cold. Plowed in orchard in the forenoon. Boys
went to C. Phair’s for some old windmill shaft. In the afternoon
went with Jennie, James and M.L. to Brooklin fair. There was a
large turnout. Got home about 7 pm and Mary L. came in for
supper and stayed the evening. Annie went to Zion tea party.
Willie went to Greenbank and took the hall seats back into the hall.
Vet Moon called to see cow.
26 – Warmer and fine. Willie took James and Annie Bell to Myr-
tle in the morning. I plowed in orchard. Annie drove to her school
with Bryant’s horse. In the afternoon Willie harrowing. I helping
Jennie to paint the kitchen. Willie and Annie at C.E. in the eve-
ning. L. Luke called.
27 – A very fine day. Willie drawing out manure. I helping Jennie
to paint and hoeing strawberry patch. Annie walked to her school.
L. Luke called.
28 – A very fine day. Willie drawing out manure in the forenoon
and I helping and finished the job. Willie harrowing in the after-
noon while I drilled up and scuffled in the orchard. Jennie wash-
ing. Annie drove Bryant’s horse to her school. L. Luke and Mrs.
John Michie called. John Michie’s 4 girls are in bed with the mea-
sles. Annie and Willie at Greenbank in the evening. Young man
selling aluminum ware here for supper.
29 – A very fine warm day. Got some twine (1 ½ lbs) from E.
Bryant and used it in tying up berry bushes. Willie harrowing and
rolling. L. Luke called. In the afternoon Willie went with the car
first to Bethel school and took Annie to Myrtle on her way to To-
ronto. He then brought James home. I harrowed in orchard and
planted corn in little plot near barn pump. James away somewhere
in the evening and Francis Lee called and took Willie to Port Perry
or somewhere else.
30 – A very fine day. Sowed the field corn (S.W. field) and Willie
harrowed it. In the afternoon went with Willie, Jennie and Mrs.
John Michie to Port Perry. A sale of stuff was at the market house.
We brought Mrs. Joyce of Sutton home with us. Willie away
somewhere in the evening. James most of the day working in the
shop.
31 – A fine warm day. All hands at SS and church; 111 at SS. As
Mr. Dyer was preaching at Cadmus the minister from there, Mr.
Griffith, preached. Stanley McMillan who is down from the west
to attend the General Assembly was at SS and gave a few words.
We were just sitting down to supper when he and wife Emma and
two girls came and got supper and stayed awhile. Annie, Willie
and James out again in the evening. A thunder shower about 7.
461
JUNE 1 – Warm day. Willie took James to Myrtle with the car
and Annie drove to her school with Bryant’s horse. Willie took
Mrs. Joyce to Watson’s at Greenbank. Jennie went also. L. Luke
called. Afternoon moved stove out to cook house, then Willie
plowed for P. Luke. There was a church session meeting and also
a party on Scugog that Willie intended to go to taking Clinton
Midgley but a thunder storm came up at 7 pm and it drizzled on so
long that both had to stand over.
2 – Thunder and rain through the night and very warm all day. All
day helping C. Phair to put up fence. Dug 64 post holes. Willie
plowed some and went to Myrtle for James who has a holiday
tomorrow, it being the king’s birthday. Willie drove Annie to her
school and she walked home. Jennie oiled the kitchen floor. An-
nie, Willie and James at C.E. meeting in the evening.
3 – King’s birthday. Rain again through the night and pretty warm
all day. All day helping C. Phair to build fence. Willie all day
helping P. Luke. James went for the beef. Jennie washing. Ruth,
Olive, Jean and Eleanor and L. Luke came to get their hair
trimmed. James away somewhere in the evening.
4 – Another warm day with some rain between 5 and 6. All day at
C. Phair’s fencing. Willie at Luke’s. Annie drove to her school.
James went by car to Myrtle. Annie at choir practice.
5 – Another very warm day, up to 90. All day at C. Phair’s fenc-
ing. Willie plowing in the forenoon and went to Port Perry in the
afternoon for P. Luke. Annie went with Bryant’s to her school.
James came home from Myrtle. Mr. Emerson of Port Perry came
out and insured our buildings. Annie away in the evening.
6 – Another very warm day. Went to Phair’s in the morning but
about 9:30 James came after me with the car and all hands, includ-
ing L. Luke, went on a trip to F. Perrin’s at Newcastle. Got to
Perrin’s about noon. Called at Farrow’s and got home again a little
after 7 pm. We went by Blackstock and came home by Oshawa.
Willie, James and Annie away somewhere in the evening.
7 – Another terrible warm day, over 90 in the shade at times. All
hands at SS and church. Small turnout at SS and church as there
was decoration day at Prince Albert. Rev. Mr. Hearst was at Ux-
bridge and the heat made the attendance small. Mr. Dyer preached
and after service there was a session meeting when Jas. Blair re-
signed from the eldership. In the evening James went to Myrtle to
help in a quartet and Willie somewhere else and Annie somewhere.
8 – Another very warm day. A lot of thunder in the afternoon but
no rain here. Willie drove James to Myrtle and then plowed turnip
land. Jennie washing. Annie went with Bryant’s to her school.
Willie went for swim in the evening. I was all day at C. Phair’s
fencing.
9 – A very fine day and not so warm. Drilled up the orchard for
corn while Willie scuffled things in the orchard. After dinner
Willie drove his mother and Mrs. John Michie to missionary meet-
ing, then plowed for turnips. Annie went with Bryant’s to her
school and Ethel Bryant came home with her and is to stay here for
awhile on account of her mother having the mumps. Annie and
Willie at C.E. in the evening.
10 – Cool with very cold rain in the afternoon and especially the
evening. Planted corn, hoed strawberry patch and fixed the red
gate that Willie broke by letting the car run into it. Willie harrow-
ing in the forenoon and scuffling corn in the afternoon and away
somewhere in the evening. Annie went to her school with Bry-
ant’s. Ethel Bryant here all night. Jennie ironing, This is the day
long waiting for – the consummation of church union between the
Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches.
11 – A fine and cool day. Willie plowing. Annie went with Bry-
ant’s to her school and I was hoeing most of the time. About 11
am Mundo Perrin of Newcastle came, bringing Jessie Bell. They
left for home about 3:30 pm. L. Luke called. Annie at choir prac-
tice and Jennie, Willie, Jessie Bell, E. Bryant, and Mr. and Mrs. S.
Dusty went to Fred Clark’s on Scugog Island. Got two little pigs
from P. Luke for $10.00.
12 – A fine day. Hoeing in the forenoon. Willie plowing. Annie
and E. Bryant went to her school. In the afternoon Willie, Jennie,
Jessie Bell and I went with car to Myrtle for James and in the eve-
ning I went with Jennie, Annie and the boys to preparatory service
in the church. There was a fair turnout and Mr. Dyer preached and
12 young people came into the church.
13 – Another fine day. Willie plowing and harrowing and I hoeing
corn. James in the shop fixing car and other things. He and Aunt
Jess went to Port Perry before dinner and in the evening he went to
Uxbridge and Aunt Jess and Willie went with him. Annie and
Ethel Bryant went to Port Perry. L. Luke called.
14 – Heavy rain through the night and a very fine day. All hands
at communion in the church. There was a good turnout. Mr. Dyer
preached. Jennie, Jessie Bell, and I got dinner at W. Watson’s and
all were at SS at 3 o’clock. In the evening Annie went to Sea-
grave, Willie to Scugog and James to Greenbank where Rev.
Stanley McMillan preached.
15 – Willie took James and Jessie Bell to Myrtle. Jessie took the
train there for Rochester. I drilled up for turnips but rain came on
about 11 and continued off and on most of the afternoon. Willie
away in the evening and Annie and E. Bryant at party in the church
at Seagrave.
16 – A very fine cool day. I went to Luke’s and fixed up some
fence for about 2 ½ hours while Willie sowed turnips. Jennie
washing. Annie and Ethel Bryant drove King to school. Willie
went to Port Perry with the buggy to see about car tire and did not
get home until about 3 pm. L. Luke called. I then hoed corn in the
field. Rev. Stanley McMillan and family called. They leave for
the west tomorrow. Annie and Willie at C.E. meeting.
17 –Drilled up the rest of the turnips and sowed them in the after-
noon and scuffled potatoes. Willie hoeing corn. Jennie ironing.
Picked some strawberries. Annie and E. Bryant drove Bryant’s
horse to school.
18 – A fine cool day. Harrowed the orchard and with Jennie and
Willie picked strawberries and Willie took them (33 boxes) to
Uxbridge. Hoeing corn the rest of the day. Annie and E. Bryant
drove to school. L. Luke called. Annie at choir practice and Wil-
lie at Greenbank in the evening.
462
19 – A fine day but some rain about 5 pm. Finished hoeing field
corn. Willie scuffled it 2nd
time and in the afternoon I scuffled in
orchard while Willie went to Myrtle for James. Mail late in com-
ing. Annie and James at C.E. meeting in the evening.
20 – Rain through the night and cool all day. Jennie, Willie, James
and I picking strawberries in the forenoon, well up to 100 boxes,
and James took a 54 crate to Uxbridge. Then after dinner Willie,
Annie and Ethel Bryant went to Greenbank. James sharpening Ray
Dusty’s mower and binder knives. L. Luke called. Jennie preserv-
ing berries. Annie, Willie and James away in the evening. Alma
Clements here all night.
21 – A beautiful cool day. Willie Smith and his mother came
about 11 am and all but Barbara and Jennie went to SS and church;
169 at SS. A Mr. Stewart of the Ontario Prohibition Union was
quite a good speaker. In the evening we went with James to Port
Perry Union church and heard Mr. Hazzard on the same subject.
Willie and Annie also away. Blanche Luke called about noon.
She is about to start on a trip to the Pacific coast.
22 – A fine day until about 5 or 6 when there was some thunder
and rain. All day with Jennie and Willie picking and stemming
strawberries, about 160 boxes. Willie took James to Myrtle. Alma
Clements and Ethel Bryant went with him. Annie drove with
Bryant’s to her school. Willie went to Uxbridge with 108 boxes of
berries and away in the evening to a baseball match at Shirley.
Ethel Bryant went home tonight.
23 – A beautiful cool clear day. Willie took Jennie, Mrs. John
Michie, Mrs. Jas. Bott, Mrs. J.M. Real and Olive Real to W. Mis-
sionary meeting at Beaverton. I hoed potatoes in the forenoon and
cut the sweet clover east of the orchard. Annie went with Ethel
Bryant to her school. L. Luke, Dorothy and Lorne Wagner called.
Annie, Willie and Olive Real went to C.E. meeting.
24 – A very fine cool day. Willie went to Myrtle in the morning to
let James drive an entrance pupil to Claremont where the entrance
exams are held. I went for the beef. Annie drove with Bryant’s
horse to her school. Jennie washing. Afternoon helping Jennie to
pick strawberries. Annie helped awhile. About 140 boxes. L.
Luke, Dorothy and Lorne Wagner and Helen Phair and Murray
Lyle called. Willie scuffling for P. Luke in the afternoon. Annie
at meeting at Jas. Bott’s in the evening.
25 – Nasty rain from the SE nearly all forenoon and a number of
times in the afternoon. I drove Annie to her school. Willie took
berries to Uxbridge and when he came home he brought Henry
Bewell of Regina who is visiting in this locality and little was done
by me but talk to him. Willie took him to S. Dusty’s and in the
evening took him to J.M. Real’s. Annie at choir practice and there
is a dance at the hall. L. Luke called.
26 – Cool day. Thunder storm about 5 pm. Hoeing potatoes and
picking strawberries. Willie went to Seagrave with the car to bring
home P. Luke’s horse rake. Jennie and Willie picking berries in
the afternoon. Willie then went to Myrtle for James who winds up
his teaching at Myrtle. Mr. and Mrs. Bert Dobson called for
strawberries, also Rick Woon and his mother. Annie drove to her
school. Ethel Bryant called. This is the last day of entrance ex-
ams. Annie and James away in the evening.
27 – A fine day. Hoeing strawberry patch. Willie plowing. James
fixing car. Annie picked some berries. In the afternoon Willie
plowing. James went to Myrtle SS picnic at Oshawa. In the eve-
ning Annie went to choir practice, also James. Willie took his
mother to Port Perry for groceries and to meet Annie Bell. L.
Luke, Dorothy Wagner, Jean and Ruth Michie called. I took the
syndicate heifer to John Michie’s and got her weighed – 920 lbs.
Word came that Willie Rennie of Wick died this morning.
28 – Dull with rain about 4 pm. All hands, including Annie Bell,
at SS and church; 162 at SS as this was anniversary. There was a
full house and Rev. Mr. Crews of Toronto preached a fine sermon.
Annie Bell sang a solo. All out again in the evening but Willie
who took Annie Bell to the train at Blackwater. There was another
full house and Mr. Crews preached again.
29 – A very fine and quite cool day. Jennie, Annie and I picking
strawberries in the forenoon. Willie plowing in the afternoon.
Jennie and I went with C. Phair by car to Willie Rennie’s funeral.
There was a large turnout. Mr. McDonald conducted the service.
James left in the morning with the car for Myrtle and did not get
back until about 10 pm.
30 – Very cool day. Went with Willie to Uxbridge with berries.
Afternoon I sowed and harrowed the Hungarian grass in SW field.
Boys fixing car. Mr. Dyer and wife and boys came for berries.
Annie and Marie Akhurst called in the evening. L. Luke called.
JULY 1 – A fine cool day. Boys fixing car while I raked up sweet
clover. Jennie baking for party. All hands at SS anniversary in the
church. There was a full house. A young man from Toronto, The
Brownscombe girls of Uxbridge, Cathleen Leask; and Mr. Dyer
gave the programme which was good. About $290.00 was taken
in. We went in buggies as the car engine is all taken to pieces.
2 – A very fine day. Willie all day at P. Luke’s at his road work.
Horses ran away in the morning. James went to Port Perry for
wrenches to fix the car. Annie, Jennie and I picked strawberries in
the forenoon. Annie took them to Port Perry in the afternoon. I
helping C. Phair to wire fence in the swamp. Willie, James and
Annie at after social in the church. E. Bryant called.
3 – A very fine day. Scuffling corn in the forenoon and in the
afternoon with Willie’s help drew in the sweet clover; 3 loads.
James all day at the car. T. Brown, the garage man from Green-
bank, came and helped them. Willie away to Scugog in the eve-
ning. Dorothy and Lorne Wagner called.
4 – Thunder showers through the night. Clinton Midgley came
home with Willie and stayed all night. Willie scuffling corn and
potatoes in the forenoon. In the afternoon I greened the potatoes.
Willie raked and drew in the sweet clover rakings (broke the rake).
James went to Greenbank to get mower knives fixed then to the
Nonquon to bathe. Jennie going with him. Willie went with Frank
Lee to Purple Hill or some other place. Annie and James also
away in the evening. Found Topsy horse which has been in bad
shape for a long time dead near the spring and we drew her into
Luke’s swamp.
5 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 147 at SS; Mr.
Dyer preached. Annie, Willie and James out again in the evening.
463
6 – Fine and pretty warm. Hoeing corn in the forenoon. Willie
cutting hay. Jennie washing. In the afternoon I finished cutting
the field NE of barn. Willie helping Alex Lee. James and his
mother went to Ashburn to see about getting a place in the school
for James. They did not get a definite answer. After supper I took
the beef heifer to Greenbank and James came for me with the car.
Some thunder to the north in the evening.
7 – Dull and rain a number of times in the forenoon. Willie at
Alex Lee’s in the forenoon. James scuffling for P. Luke until the
heavy rain came on. Jennie ironing. I hoeing corn all day. Willie
came home after dinner and hoed corn. Annie, Willie and James
out in the evening. Ed Lyle and wife called in the evening for a
bag of potatoes. L. Luke called. Mrs. Bryant and Annie picked
some strawberries.
8 – A beautiful day. Willie took Annie to the early train on her
way to Oshawa for a visit to Dale Armstrong. Then Willie took
me to Greenbank for the beef. It was our beast that was killed and
it went about 2 lbs. over. Willie and I then finished hoeing the
corn and potatoes and turned some hay. James in the shop most of
the day and at choir practice in the evening. Willie at Scugog or
somewhere. Luke’s all away at a picnic at Lake Simcoe.
9 – Rather dull all day. Willie at Alex Lee’s drawing in hay. I was
at P. Luke’s for about 3 hours scuffling, then scuffled in the or-
chard. Jennie and James went to Greenbank with the car and
brought down W. Watson and wife for dinner and in the afternoon
they took them to Port Perry to see Kent’s rose garden and then
home. I got Mr. Luke’s rake and raked up the hay and after supper
James and I cocked up some of it.
10 – A very fine day. Willie scuffling in the orchard and I hoeing
then cocking up hay. James at the car. In the afternoon Jennie,
James and I went to Mrs. G. Miller’s funeral. Went by way of
John Michie’s and took them. There was a large turnout. Rev.
D.D. McDonald of Wick preached. Rev. Mr. McKay of Streets-
ville spoke a few words and Mr. Dyer assisted. The bearers were
Alex Leask, R. Cragg, James Blair, Bert Dobson, Isaac Beare and
I. James at garden party at Prince Albert in the evening.
11 – A very fine day and pretty warm. Scuffling turnips and corn
in the forenoon and hoeing in the afternoon. Cut the strawberry
patch. Willie at Luke’s cutting hay. Had a job in the morning
finding Luke’s horses. James most of the day in shop. Annie
away to Lake Simcoe somewhere. L. Luke called. Willie and
James went to the 12th
conc. to swim. Willie away somewhere in
the evening.
12 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church. L. Luke went
with us. At SS a long time talking about a SS picnic which is to
come off a week from next Thursday. Mr. Dyer preached on the
temperance situation in Ontario. James and Mary L. R. went for
tea to Mrs. Hoar’s at Myrtle. Annie and Willie out in the evening.
13 – A beautiful day. Willie, James and I all day drawing in hay,
13 loads in field NE of barn. James, Annie and D. and L. Wagner
went to Greenbank after dinner for a new tire for the car. Willie
away in the evening to the Prospect garden party.
14 – A very fine day. Raked and with James help drew in the
rakings in the forenoon. Helping C. Phair to hoe turnips in the
afternoon. Willie all day helping P. Luke scuffling and at hay.
James most of the day in the shop. Jennie washing and in the
afternoon went to W.M. meeting. Mrs. John Michie went with her.
L. Luke called. Annie, Willie and James at C.E. in the evening.
15 – A fine and pretty warm day. Paris greened potatoes in fore-
noon and hoed turnips in the afternoon. Willie all day at Luke’s
helping at hay. Jennie ironing and preserving black currents.
James at Port Perry just before dinner. Willie at Scugog in the
evening. Went with C. Midgley. James at Alex Gordon’s in the
evening. L. Luke called.
16 – Thunder about 6 am but only a few drops of rain here, then
more rain about 10 am. Hoeing turnips in the forenoon, Willie and
James helping. Afternoon Willie at Mr. Luke’s. James and I at C.
Phair’s hoeing turnips. Annie and James at choir practice in the
evening. Got quite cool towards night.
17 – Very cool for the time of year. Some rain through the night
and in the evening. Willie all day at C. Phair’s hoeing turnips and
James in the afternoon. I was scuffling and hoeing turnips. Willie
at Greenbank in the evening.
18 – A very fine day. Jennie, James, Annie, Mary L. Real, and I
started in the car about 9:30 for Sutton. Just before Sunderland we
had a bad puncture and had to get a new tire but we got to Sutton
about noon. Got dinner and took a run to the point, called on
Frank Wells, and started for picking up Mary L. at Wilfred and we
got on all right until we got to Sunderland where the car refused to
go any further. They worked at it for a long time but did not find
out what was the matter, so we phoned to Harvey Real and he
came after us and we got home about 11 pm. Willie at Luke’s
haying in the afternoon.
19 – A very fine day. Annie and E.C. went away for a ride in the
forenoon. All hands at SS and Jennie, Annie and I at church.
James and Willie away somewhere. Mr. Dyer preached. In the
evening Jennie and I went with E.C. and Annie to Port Perry to the
[Choutoga?] meeting. There was a big crowd. The speaker was a
Dr. Church, a clever speaker, but his evolution stuff did not go
down with me.93
20 – Rather dull all day and a few drops of rain. Hoeing turnips all
day. Jennie and Annie picking berries. The boys went away to
Sunderland in the morning to see about the car and did not get
home until about 7 pm. They found where the trouble was but had
nothing to fix it with. Dorothy and Lorne Wagner called.
21 – Rather dull; a little rain about 10 am; and in the evening there
was a heavy thunder shower. No wind and a fine rain which was
very welcome as things were getting dry. Hoed turnips all day and
nearly finished. Jennie washing. The boys went to Port Perry and
got a second-hand piece for the car and in the afternoon went to
Sunderland and brought the car home again. Mr. Luke called in
93
During the 1920’s there was an avid anti-evolution
campaign and we would assume that Dr. Church was
speaking on behalf of this belief.
464
the evening. James went to Arthur Gordon’s for practice and An-
nie went with him as far as Greenbank and Willie went for her
after the rain.
22 – Quite cool all day. Willie cut the N field of hay. I finished
hoeing turnips in the forenoon and in the afternoon Jennie, Annie,
Mrs. E. Lyle, Ethel Bryant, James and I picking raspberries. L.
Luke called. Annie and Willie at Seagrave garden party in the
evening.
23 – Rather cool day. All hands at Sunday School picnic at Port
Bolster. Olive and Eleanor Michie went with us. There was a
good turnout. 3 other parties were there also. Got home about
7:30.
24 – A very fine day. Helping Jennie, Annie, James and Mrs. Lyle
to pick berries in the forenoon while Willie raked the long field. In
the afternoon Willie, James and I drew in 3 loads and cocked up
the rest. Ethel Bryant called and L. Luke. Annie and James at
choir practice.
25 – Dull with some rain in the early morning and evening. Hoe-
ing and plowing strawberry patches most of the day. Willie scuf-
fling corn and turnips in the forenoon. James and his mother went
to Port Perry in the forenoon. In the afternoon Elmer Wallace
came over and he and the boys worked all day fixing it up [the
car?]. L. Luke called. Willie and Annie at Port Perry in the eve-
ning.
26 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 140 at SS; Mr. Dyer
preached. Annie, Willie and James out in the evening.
27 – A fine day. Helping Jennie, Annie, James and Willie, Mr. E.
Lyle and Mrs. John Michie to pick berries and in the afternoon
Willie, James and I drew in the last of the hay; 7 loads. We made a
stack with 6 loads in it. Jean and Ruth Michie also at the berries in
the afternoon; 210 boxes picked. James at Blackwater to practice
for a garden party. P. Luke called in the evening.
28 – Willie took 2 crates of berries to the early train, then James,
who was going to Myrtle for something for the car, took him to
Harvey Real’s to help with fall wheat but it started to rain about 9
am and rained heavy until about noon and then some after dinner.
Jennie washed, ironed and baked. I raked the N field. James got
home about 2 pm. L. Luke called. Annie, Willie and James at
C.E. in the evening.
29 – A fine and cool day. Helping pick berries all day. Jennie,
James, Mrs. E. Lyle, Annie, Ethel Bryant and Mrs. John Michie at
it also. Willie at Harvey Real’s. Annie at Bethel picnic in the
afternoon. Willie at Manchester garden party in the evening. Rev.
Mr. Dyer called for tea. James went for the beef in the morning.
30 – A very fine day. Willie and James went to Port Perry to the
early train with berries. Then Willie went to Luke’s and scuffled
all day. James and I drew in the hay rakings. I then cleaned out
strawberry patch. In the afternoon James and his mother went with
car to Myrtle and then to Stouffville to see about a school. They
got home about 7 pm. James and Annie then went to choir prac-
tice. Leola and Gladys Luke called.
31 – A fine day. Picking berries all day with Jennie, Annie, Mrs.
John Michie and in the afternoon Mrs. E. Lyle. Willie at Harvey
Real’s. James all day at the car. Mrs. W. White came for berries.
In the evening James went to a garden party near Beaverton and
Willie away somewhere. I went with C. Phair to a session meet-
ing. The principal business was accepting the resignation of J.M.
Real.
AUG. 1 – Started to rain about midnight and continued most of the
time until about noon. After dinner Willie and I went with the
sleigh to Luke’s swamp to draw out some wood left there last
winter but we could not get it on account of water and mud. James
fixing car most of the day. Jennie preserving berries and baking.
Jas. S. Lee, wife and Alma came in their new car. Willie and
Jennie went to Port Perry and James and Annie to Greenbank.
Annie Bell and Miss Muir came.
2 – A fine day until about 5 pm when there was a shower. All
hands at SS and church. G.A. McMillan took the boys class and I
am in to take the men’s class till the end of the year. Mr. Dyer
preached. All but Jennie and I out again in the evening.
3 – A very fine warm day. The first thing James took Willie to
Harvey Real’s. Then James and I went to Port Perry for Annie
Bell’s trunk. The rest of the day picking berries. Jennie, Annie,
James, Annie Bell, Miss Muir, Mrs. Alex Gordon and Mrs. E. Lyle
and Mrs. John Michie in the afternoon. About 150 or more boxes.
James then took Annie Bell and Miss Muir to Uxbridge on their
way back to Toronto. Annie went with them.
4 – Fine and warm until about 12:30 when a local thunder shower
came on with lots of rain and some hail. Cleaning out strawberry
patch and other jobs. Jennie preserving berries and baking for the
party. All hands at party in the church grounds. There was a good
turnout and a very fine evening. The Mount Albert orchestra, a
comedienne from Toronto and a lady recited; the programme was
good. $260. was about what was taken in. Willie at H. Real’s all
day.
5 – A fine and pretty warm day. Scuffled and hoed turnips most of
the day. Jennie washing and ironing. Willie at H. Real’s. James
in the shop. All hands went to the after social at the church for
supper.
6 – Warm with much thunder but no rain here. Hoeing turnips in
the forenoon. Mrs. John Michie, Mrs. W. O’Neill, Annie, James
and Jennie picking berries. James A. Miller and family, who is
now occupying the manse at Greenbank while Mr. Dyer is away on
his holidays, came for dinner and stayed all afternoon picking
berries; about 110 boxes picked. Willie at Harvey Real’s.
7 – Pretty warm all day. Finished hoeing turnips 2nd
time and hoed
strawberry patch. Jennie preserving berries. James and his mother
went to Port Perry in the afternoon. Willie at H. Real’s during the
day and away somewhere in the evening. L. Luke called, also
Ethel Bryant.
8 – Very dull all day. Willie was to go to Luke’s to cut oats in the
afternoon but rain came on before dinner which stopped it. I was
cleaning out strawberry patch and finished the job. James took
Mrs. John Michie, Ruth and Eleanor to Uxbridge on their way to
465
Agincourt on a visit. Willie plowing sweet clover land in the af-
ternoon and Annie, Willie and James away in the evening. Marie
Akhurst called in the afternoon.
9 – Dull and warm with rain in the evening. All hands at SS and
church. Jas. A. Miller preached. Annie, Willie and James out
again in the evening.
10 – A very fine day. Cleaning out stables and picking berries in
the forenoon. Jennie washing. In the afternoon helping P. Luke to
cut oats, the first of the season, and a pretty nice crop. Willie
drove the binder. Jennie, Annie and James picking berries likely
the last picking. Willie away to Port Perry in the evening.
11 – A very fine cool day. Willie and I went over to Luke’s and
finished shocking up the oats cut yesterday then got the binder and
cut and shocked the field W of the house and started the field NW
of the barn, James helping. Jennie ironing. L. Luke called. Annie
and the boys at C.E. meeting in the evening.
12 – A very fine day. Very heavy dew. Cut some oats before
dinner but quit as they are too green. Shocking up and hoeing
strawberry patch. Willie went for the beef in the morning then
James, Annie and P. Luke went to Port Perry by car. Just before
dinner Jessie Smith, Mrs. Willie Smith and little Barbara arrived
and stayed until about 4 pm. Willie plowing in the afternoon. L.
Luke called. Jennie and Willie went to prayer meeting in the eve-
ning. Dale Armstrong came in the evening. She and Annie are
intending to go on a trip by water down to Montreal.
13 – Dull all day, almost rain sometimes. At about 6:30 am Jennie,
James, Annie, Dale Armstrong and Jean Michie and I left by car
for Toronto and we had a big day. Annie and Dale took the boat
for Montreal. We got home about 6:30 pm. Willie plowing and
keeping house assisted by Bruce McDonald. James out in the
evening.
14 – A fine and warm day. Some rain in the forenoon and little
doing. I was harrowing in the afternoon. Willie at H. Real’s in the
afternoon and away somewhere in the evening. Jennie picked the
thimbleberries. Bruce McDonald called.
15 – A fine and warm day. Willie finished cutting field NW of
barn and James and I shocked it up. Finished about 2:30. Willie
and I went to Luke’s and got some of the field E of the house cut
but broke the binder. Mr. Luke sold his farm to E. Bryant and Mr.
Luke and Bryant came here in the evening and I made out an
agreement about it. Willie and James away in the evening. Ethel
Bryant here in the afternoon and Mr. Bryant in the evening.
16 – A very fine and warm day. Jennie, Willie, James and I at SS
and church. Jas. A. Miller preached. Annie came home from her
trip to Montreal. E. Clements here for supper, also Francis Lee.
All but Jennie and I out again in the evening. 22 or more called at
Luke’s today.
17 – A fine but very warm day. Willie went to Port Perry for link
for binder and we got started at Luke’s about 10:30 and I worked
until about 6 pm. Willie quit earlier as another link broke. Jennie
washing. Annie, Willie and James all at home in the evening.
18 – Very warm day. Willie and I went to Luke’s to cut oats but
only got one round before dinner. Binder would not go at all and
Willie went for John Michie but I discovered the trouble before he
got there. The place where the pitman joins the knives. After
dinner Willie and I went to Port Perry for repairs and then cut 7
rounds when the drive chain broke again so we had very little to
show for our day. P. Luke is some better; he was helping some.
James got a note from the Silverthorn school board asking him to
phone or call and he and his mother, Mary L. Real, and Mrs. John
Michie and Olive started about 1:30 for Toronto. It was near 12
when they got home. James has secured a room in the Silverthorn
school.
19 – Another pretty warm day. Willie went for the beef the first
thing then James went to Port Perry for Jessie Bell. Willie and I
went to Luke’s and got started to cut about the middle of the fore-
noon and finished the field by dinner. Luke’s were all away to
Oshawa with E. Bryant about the sale of farm. After dinner a
thunder shower came up and stopped harvest and there was little
done. The boys went to Port Perry. Willie away somewhere in the
evening.
20 – A fine day and much cooler. Willie and I went to Luke’s in
the morning and finished his cutting about 10:30. Willie then
started our hill field while I stayed until noon. Afternoon cutting
hill field but the drive chain of the binder broke again about 4:30
and nothing more done. Willie went to Port Perry in the evening
and Annie and James at choir practice. Mrs. E. Lyle, Ethel Bryant
and L. Luke called. I went with P. Luke and E. Bryant to measure
out a wood lot reserved by P. Luke when he sold the farm. Word
came that John Rennie of Layton got nearly killed when his horses
ran away with the binder.
21 – A very fine cool day. Willie went to Uxbridge in the morning
for links for the binder but did not get them. We then got the loan
of John Michie’s binder chain and finished cutting. James and I
shocked it up then drew in 2 loads. L. Luke called. Willie, Jessie
Bell, Jennie and Annie went down to John Michie’s in the evening.
22 – A beautiful day. Drawing in oats, Willie and James helping.
In the afternoon Willie went to help Mr. Luke and James and I
worked away. Jennie helped in the barn. In the evening James,
Jennie, Jessie Bell and I went to Port Perry, also Annie.
23 – Another very fine day. All but Jessie B. at SS and church.
J.A. Miller preached. Willie and James both went somewhere for
supper and Annie out in the evening.
24 – A fine and pretty warm day. Drawing in oats.. Finished field
NW of barn and got in 3 loads from the hill field. Jennie washing.
Willie away somewhere in the evening. Vet Moon called in the
evening to see Dusty cow.
25 – Another very fine and very warm day; about 90 in the shade.
Drawing in oats and the wheat (2 loads) from the hill field which
finished harvest. James, Jennie and Ethel Bryant went to Port
Perry in the afternoon. Jessie Bell making dress for Annie. Annie
and the boys at C.E. meeting in the evening.
26 – Another very fine and cooler day. Took out the barn pump
and Willie and Annie went to Port Perry for a new sucker leather
466
and the pump works pretty good now. Willie at P. Luke’s in the
afternoon helping him to draw in. I hoed strawberry patch. Jessie
Bell making dress. James and M.L. Real away somewhere all
afternoon. Dusty cow died after 4 days sick.
27 – A fine cool day. Willie and I the first thing in the morning
buried the Dusty cow in the orchard. Then Willie plowed E of the
orchard in the forenoon and I plowed in the afternoon. Willie
helping N. Midgley to stook thresh (Jas. Blair with tractor). James
trying to make his engine pump water but was not very successful.
Annie at Port Perry street dance and James away somewhere in the
evening. P. Luke and E. Bryant had the writings made out about
the place.
28 – A fine cool day. Plowing in the forenoon and helping P. Luke
to draw in, in the afternoon. Willie all day threshing at Midgley’s.
James and Annie at Greenbank in the afternoon. Charles Gordon
here in the evening with his drum. Willie away somewhere in the
evening.
29 – A fine warm dry day. At P. Luke’s until about the middle of
the afternoon helping him to finish harvest. Willie all day at C.
Phair’s drawing in. James took his mother and Jessie Bell in the
car to Brooklin to visit the cemetery. James and Anne away in the
evening.
30 – Another warm dry day. Willie went away somewhere with
Francis Lee and Jessie Bell did not go out. The rest at SS and
church. L. Luke went up with us. Pledge signing in SS. Rev. Mr.
Dyer preached. Mary L. Real came for tea and Jean and Ruth
Michie in the evening. Annie and James out in the evening.
31 – A very fine day. Hoeing strawberry patch most of the day.
Jennie washing. Willie with the team and waggon helping E.
Bryant to draw the grain he bought at Van’s sale. James went to
Port Perry in the forenoon and in the afternoon went again with
Annie and John Michie and bought from John McMillan a horse
for $85, also a set of harness. Leola Luke called in the evening.
Willie away somewhere in the evening. James got word that he is
not needed at his school until next week.
SEPT. 1 – Fine warm dry smoky day. Plowing and harrowing E
of orchard. Willie helping W. Thomas to finish harvest. James
most of the day in the shop. John McMillan brought Annie’s new
driver and she and Jessie Bell drove it up to Jas. Bott’s for butter.
In the evening Jennie went with C. Phair to canvas the neighbour-
hood on the political side of the temperance question. Annie,
Willie and James at C.E. in the evening.
2 – Rather dull all day with some rain from about 5 pm. Plowing E
of orchard 3rd
time, and harrowing. James in the shop. Willie
helping Mrs. O’Neill to draw in oats. Mr. E. Lyle came over for
some sweet crab apples. Willie went to Port Perry in the evening
to get the car fixed. Annie drove to her school, first day after holi-
days. She had 6 pupils. She got home by 1 p.m.
3 – Rain through the night and very dull all day. Got up early and
at about 5:30 James, Jennie, Jessie Bell, Mary L. Real and I started
for Toronto Ex. Had to repair a flat tire at Whitby and when we
got to Toronto we hunted up a boarding house for James who is to
teach at the Silverthorn school. At the Ex in the afternoon and
evening. Music day and an immense crowd and a big show. Got
home about 12:30. Annie drove to her school. Willie housekeep-
ing and plowing. William H. Leask died.
4 – A fine day. Did some chores in the forenoon. Willie plowing
and in the afternoon Willie and I with the sleigh went to Luke’s
swamp and drew out some wood that had been cut last winter but
did not get it all out yet. Annie at her school and at Bryant’s in the
evening. Willie away somewhere and James at J.M. Real’s. Jessie
Bell making dress for Annie. James and his mother at Port Perry
in the afternoon.
5 – Dull with a little rain in the afternoon. Willie and I finished
drawing out the wood from Luke’s swamp. Willie plowing in the
afternoon. James, Jennie and I, with John Michie and Lizzie went
to William H. Leask’s funeral. There was a very large turnout.
Mr. Dyer conducted the service. James went to Port Perry in the
evening for Annie Bell. Willie also away somewhere. Annie,
Leola Luke, E. Clements and Everett Hooper left around 1:30 pm
for Newcastle.
6 – Dull with rain most of the day and evening. All hands, includ-
ing Annie Bell and Jessie Bell, at SS and church. Mr. Dyer
preached. Willie and James out again in the evening. A very dark
night.
7 – Very dull during most of the day. Got up early and about 5 am
Willie, with Francis Lee, Laura Thomas and Miss Tripp, took
James to Toronto where he starts tomorrow to teach in one of the
rooms of Silverthorn school. This is Labour day. They expected
to come home tonight but Willie phoned that they would not be
home until tomorrow night. Annie drove Annie Bell to the train on
her way back to Toronto. I gang plowed all day. L. Luke called.
8 – A very fine cool day. Gang plowing and harrowing all day.
Jennie washing in the forenoon and went with Mrs. John Michie to
W.M.S. meeting in the church. Annie drove to her school and
went with E. Hooper and L. Luke to C.E. in the evening.
9 – A fine day. James came home from Toronto about 2 am as his
school does not start until next Monday as they are putting in new
sewers. Willie got home at 4 am. I went for the beef in the morn-
ing and harrowed some. Jennie ironing. Annie drove to her
school. L. Luke called. After dinner James went to J.M. Real’s
and got 4 bushels of fall wheat and we sowed it in the little field E
of the orchard. James and Willie away in the evening.
10 – A fine day. Thunder storm through the night. Willie plowing
and harrowing. James went to Port Perry in the forenoon for plow
point and took his mother to see Mrs. W.H. Leask. Annie drove to
her school. Jennie canning corn. Annie and James at choir prac-
tice. L. Luke called in the evening.
11 – Willie went to John Michie’s to help draw in 2nd
crop of clo-
ver but about 9 am a heavy thunder storm came on. Our old plow
came to its last furrow yesterday and I got an old Sylvester from P.
Luke’s and fixed it up and Willie plowed with it in the afternoon.
James most of the day in the shop. Annie drove to her school.
Annie, Willie and James all at home in the evening.
467
12 – Heavy thunder storm in the night. I plowed awhile in the
forenoon but had to quit as rain came on and continued nearly all
day and there was little doing. James, Jennie and I went to Port
Perry in the afternoon. L. Luke called. Annie, Willie and James
out in the evening.
13 – Rain through the night and on till about 4 pm and mud very
plentiful. All but Aunt Jess at SS. After SS took James to Myrtle
on his way to Toronto to teach in Silverthorn school. Jennie and
Mary L. Real went to Myrtle with him. Mr. Dyer preached. An-
nie and Willie out again in the evening.
14 – A very fine day. Willie plowing all day. Jennie washing. I
was helping Jennie to can corn in the afternoon. Annie drove to
her school. L. Luke called twice. Willie at N. Midgley’s in the
evening.
15 – Dull with rain in the afternoon. Willie plowing. Annie drove
to her school. Jennie canning corn. I was cutting brush on the 10th
conc. in the forenoon and an hour in the afternoon when rain came
on. L. Luke called. Annie and Willie at C.E. meeting.
16 – Dull in the morning but turned out fine. Annie drove to her
school and I went with her as far as the creek and cut brush along
the 11th
conc. Willie plowing. They took the cook stove into the
kitchen. Willie away in the evening.
17 – A fine day. Went with Annie and cut brush on the 11th
con-
cession. Willie plowing. Ethel Bryant called in the evening to get
her hair cut. Annie at choir practice in the evening.
18 – A terrible thunder storm in the early morning but turned out a
fine day. Did some chores in the forenoon. Willie plowing. In the
afternoon Willie and I helping P. Luke to thresh. We first threshed
E. Bryant’s stock of oats. Jas. Blair’s machine, gas tractor. This is
the Port Perry fair. When we got home we found that the horses
had strayed away and Willie and I went as far as Greenbank in the
car but did not see them. Willie then went to Port Perry for James
who is home for the weekend, but he missed him and James got a
ride home. Later Willie came back with M.L. Real and she stayed
awhile and played.
19 – A very fine day. Willie and I threshing at Luke’s and finished
at noon. They then moved over here and threshed from 1 to 6 pm
but did not quite finish. James and Annie went to Port Perry in the
morning and to Greenbank in the afternoon where they found
Annie’s pony in the church yard. Annie, Willie and James away in
the evening.
20 – A fine day. All but Jessie Bell at SS and church. The Rev.
from Epson preached. Willie took James to Port Perry where he
met Mr. Cannon of Toronto who took him home with them to be
ready for his school tomorrow. Annie out in the evening.
21 – A fine day, getting cold towards night. Finished threshing
here in an hour and 15 minutes, then moved to C. Phair’s and I
went with them. Willie went with the car to Scugog and engaged
to go with a threshing machine. In the afternoon he drove his
mother and Jessie Bell to Brooklin. Annie drove to her school.
22 – A fine day. Willie started early for Scugog to thresh. I at C.
Phair’s threshing and finished about half an hour after dinner.
Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school and she and L. Luke
drove to C.E. meeting. Quite a hard frost in the morning. Jennie
picked the tomatoes.
23 – A fine and cool day. Did some chores in the forenoon and in
the afternoon went with Ed Bryant to Hugh Leask’s sale. There
was a large turnout and pretty good prices. Annie drove to her
school.
24 – Rather dull with some rain in the forenoon. After I had found
the horses which had got out on the road I plowed down the Hun-
garian grass at the foot of the SW field. In the afternoon I was
ordered to go to Ray Dusty’s to thresh but the machine did not
come and I cut road through corn. Willie went to Scugog and
came back in the evening, dressed up, and went back to Port Perry.
Annie drove to her school and to choir practice in the evening.
25 – A very fine day. At Ray Dusty’s threshing. Annie drove to
her school and took Leola Luke to Greenbank to practice for pag-
eant for Sunday next. Willie at Scugog threshing.
26 – A very fine day. Willie went to R. Dusty’s threshing; the
Scugog outfit quit for the day on account of Lindsay fair. Thresh-
ing at John Michie’s in the afternoon. I was plowing all day.
Annie went to Lindsay fair. Jean Michie and Ethel Bryant called
in the afternoon and Mrs. R. Archer, Grant Real and Marjorie Real
came for apples.
27 – Dull with rain in the afternoon and evening. All hands at SS
and church. This is rally day in the SS and there was a large atten-
dance although it was raining a little. There was a pageant by the
girl’s class. At the church service there was a number of infant
baptisms. Jim Dusty’s baby; Ray Dusty’s; C. Phair’s; Rye
Beare’s; and Rev. Mr. Dyer’s. Muriel Whitter, Armour and Wal-
lace McMillan were also baptized. Dr. McMillan preached and a
Mr. [McAntire?] and a blind organist of Oshawa sang solos. Annie
and Willie out again in the evening.
28 – A fine day. Threshing at John Michie’s and finished at 11
am. Plowing and harrowing in the afternoon. Annie drove to her
school. Willie at Scugog threshing. L. Luke called. E. Bryant
started to build silo.
29 – Some rain in the early morning but turned out a nice day.
Willie went to Scugog to thresh. Jennie washing. Jessie Bell
drove Annie to the school fair. In the afternoon I went to the fair,
taking Leola Luke who got her dinner here. There was a good
exhibit but not quite so many people as sometimes.
30 – A very fine day. All day helping C. Phair to fill silo (Stanley
Ward’s mill). Willie at Scugog threshing. Annie drove to her
school. Jennie went for the beef. Mr. and Mrs. Dyer and family
came for some apples and Annie went home with them for tea and
to the C.E. poverty social tonight.
OCT. 1 – A very fine day. At C. Phair’s for about 2 hours finish-
ing silo filling. Harrowing and plowing (2nd
time) the rest of the
day. Willie at Scugog threshing. He came home in the evening
and went off again. Jessie Bell drove Annie to Adam Wallace’s
468
where Miss Wallace is to take her by car to teacher’s convention at
Sunderland. She is to stay at Wallace’s all night. Jennie and Jessie
Bell went for a visit at Alex Gordon’s at Saintfield.
2 – Dull most of the day. Thunder about 4 pm and rain in the
evening. Plowing most of the day. Willie at Scugog. He came
home without his supper and went back to Port Perry for James.
Annie came home from the teacher’s convention. Jennie and
Jessie Bell visiting at Mrs. W. Leask’s. This is preparatory service
in the church but I did not go as it was raining hard. E. Bryant put
up his silo.
3 – A very fine day. Plowing all day. Willie drove to Scugog in
the morning to thresh but came home again as it was too wet to
thresh outdoors. James went to Greenbank to get the car fixed and
Willie went to Port Perry in the afternoon to get glass for wind-
shield. Ethel Bryant and Marie Akhurst called to get hair trimmed.
Annie, Willie and James out in the evening.
4 – A fine but rather cool day. All hands at communion service in
the church. A fair turnout. A number of new members came in.
Mr. Dyer preached. Jennie, Jessie Bell and I got dinner at T.
Sharp’s and then to SS at 3 pm. It fell to me to take my own class,
Mr. Dyer’s class and G.A. McMillan’s class. Ned Luke here for
supper and Willie, Annie and James out again in the evening.
5 – A fine but rather cool day. Went to Port Perry in the forenoon
and plowing in the afternoon. Willie took James to the early 5 am
train at Myrtle and then to Scugog to thresh. Home without his
supper and back again to a supper in the club house. Jennie and
Jessie Bell visiting at P. Luke’s in the afternoon. Annie drove to
her school. Two of her pupils, Ruth Clements and Marion Eggel-
son, came home with her and stayed all night.
6 – Very dull all day with some cold rains during the afternoon.
Plowing all day. Jennie washing and ironing. Annie drove to her
school. Willie at Scugog. Ethel Bryant and Alma Clements called
in the evening, the latter to get her hair cut. Annie went to C.E. in
the evening. P. Luke took a load of straw over to Epsom.
7 – Rather dull but no rain. Plowing all day. Willie at Scugog.
Annie drove to her school. P. Luke called in the morning.
8 – Some rain in the forenoon. Plowing all day and finished field
NW of barn. Annie walked to her school as Jennie wanted the
pony to go to Port Perry. Willie at Scugog. He came home early
and then left to take Mr. and Mrs. Wheatly of Scugog to Oshawa.
Annie at choir practice in the evening. L. Luke called in the eve-
ning.
9 – Annie drove to her school and Willie did not go to Scugog as it
was too wet to thresh. I cut corn in the orchard until about 10 am
when Norman Midgley came with the corn cutter. It was snowing
some and continued most of the afternoon but he kept at it and cut
it all (the snow was over the binder); about 4 ½ hours. Willie
went to Port Perry to get the car fixed and stayed until the evening
train came in with James. Annie and I went to C.E. bean supper in
the church. There was a pretty good turnout. After the supper
there was C.P.R. views of Canada. Very cold night for the time of
year.
10 – Very hard frost and a terrible wind all day. Little doing out-
side. Cleaned out hen house. Willie took P. Luke out to put up
sale bills. They went as far as Brooklin and Columbus. Annie
went early with Leola Luke to Epsom and papered a room in the
Luke house. James and Annie out in the evening. Willie went to
Greenbank in the forenoon.
11 – Dull all day with a cold rain through the middle of the day.
All but Jessie Bell at SS and church. Mr. --- of Sandford preached.
Mr. Dyer exchanging with him. After SS James went with Harvey
Real to Port Perry to meet Mr. Cameron to go with him to Toronto.
Annie and Willie out in the evening.
12 – A fine day. Helping Jennie to pick apples and in the after-
noon drawing off corn. Annie drove to her school. Willie at
Scugog threshing. P. Luke called in the evening.
13 – A very fine day. Drawing corn all day. Willie at Scugog.
Jessie Bell went with him in the morning to Port Perry on her way
back to Rochester. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school.
Mrs. Fred O’Neill came for apples in the afternoon. In the evening
Willie went with P. Luke in the car to put up sale bills. Annie at
C.E. She went with Leola and E. Hooper.
14 – Dull with rain in the evening. Finished drawing corn at noon
and helped at apples in the afternoon. Annie drove to her school.
Willie went to Scugog to thresh. They had a bad breakdown and
Willie came home in the evening and started right away for Ux-
bridge for repairs.
15 – A very fine day. Plowing corn stubble in the forenoon and in
the afternoon helping Jennie to pick apples. Mrs. W. Thomas and
Laura here also picking. I helped P. Luke to put on a load of hay
to take to Epsom tomorrow. Annie drove to her school and went
with E.C. to choir practice in the evening. Willie at Scugog thresh-
ing. Spent all day fixing the engine. Ray Dusty filling his silo
today.
16 – Dull with some rain in the evening. E. Bryant came with his
potato digger and dug a little more than half of them and Jennie
and I picked them up in the afternoon. Willie went to Scugog and
brought James home from the train. Annie drove to her school.
17 – Rain in the morning and forenoon. Drew in the potatoes
picked yesterday and plowed corn stubble in the afternoon. Willie
went to Scugog to thresh but they did not last long and he got some
fixing for the car and was home about 2 pm. He then drove An-
nie’s pony to Port Perry. Annie went with Leola Luke to Epsom
and papered a room in Luke’s house. Jennie baking and cleaning
up. In the evening starting at 6 pm Willie took John Michie, Leola
Luke, Annie and I to Oshawa to hear Premier King. There was an
immense crowd and we heard Hon. Vincent Massey and King
which were both good. Got home about 1 am. James was also out
somewhere in the evening. Mr. Johnson, tax collector, called.
18 – A fine but chilly day. All but Jennie at SS and church; 165 at
SS; Mr. Dyer preached. Annie, Willie and James out in the eve-
ning.
19 – A very high cold wind from the SW which turned to NW with
showers of hail in the afternoon. A terrible day. Apples pretty
469
much on the ground. Finished plowing the corn stubble. Willie
took James to the early train at Myrtle and then to Scugog to thresh
but they quit about 2 pm and Willie came home and went back to
Port Perry with 5 bags of oats to the mill but did not get them
home. Annie drove to her school. L. Luke called twice and P.
Luke in the evening. Jennie and Willie fixing car curtains in the
evening.
20 – Pretty cold and wintery looking. Several snow flurries. Wil-
lie went to Scugog to thresh but came back as they did not start.
Willie and I fanned up some oats in the afternoon. L. Luke called.
Jennie cleaned stove pipes. Annie drove to her school. Annie and
Willie at C.E. in the evening.
21 – A fine day. Willie first went for the beef then to Port Perry
with 18 bags of oats which he sold to Art Dawson for 40 cts per
bushel. After dinner we fanned up another load and he also took
them out to Dawson. He then went to Port Perry again in the eve-
ning. Jennie and I put up parlor stove and picked some apples.
Annie drove to her school and in the evening went to John Mark’s.
Also in the evening I went with C. Phair to session meeting in the
church. Pretty cool evening.
22 – A fine day. Cleaned out calf pen and picked some apples in
the forenoon. Annie drove to her school and Willie went to
Scugog. Jennie baking. Alex Gordon and wife came for dinner
and in the afternoon we went to P. Luke’s sale. There was a fair
turnout and prices were pretty good. L. Luke called. Alex G. and
wife stayed for supper and took home a load of apples. Annie at
choir practice in the evening.
23 – A fine and rather raw day. Taking in wood to the woodshed
in the forenoon. Willie went to Scugog in the morning to thresh
but he had words with the boss Bob Brown and came home about
9:30 so that finishes that job. Ed Bryant came before dinner to
finish digging potatoes and Willie and I picked them up and got
them in the cellar in the afternoon. John Michie and wife and Bob
here in the forenoon for apples. Mrs. Luke and Leola here awhile
picking up apples. Annie walked to her school and went to
Wanamaker’s for tea. In the evening Willie, Jennie and I went to
Port Perry for James.
24 – Rather dull and raw with some rain from the SE in the eve-
ning. Willie and I topping turnips in the forenoon. Willie finished
it in the afternoon while I picked apples. James, Annie, Jennie and
Mrs. John Michie went to Port Perry in the forenoon. J. Michie’s
girls and Marie Akhurst here getting hair cut. Willie, Annie and
James out in the evening.
25 – Rain from the SE in the morning which turned to NW; cold
and very disagreeable. All hands at SS and church. Mrs. Irvin of
Lindsay spoke for the W.M.S. on Methodist missionary work last
year. Marie Akhurst came home for tea. Annie, Willie and James
out in the evening.
26 – A fine day. Willie all day at Mrs. O’Neill’s threshing. I
harrowed up all the turnips (a very light crop) in the forenoon and
got in 2 loads in the afternoon. Annie drove to her school. Mrs.
Luke called. In the evening Willie took Jennie and I to a political
meeting at Port Perry. The speakers were the candidate Clifford
Sinclair; a woman from Toronto, and a Mr. More of Dumbarton,
the best of the lot. There was a pretty good attendance.
Photo of Marie Akhurst and Jean Michie, date unknown
27 – Snow in the morning but it soon disappeared. Put on the
storm windows and doors in the forenoon. John Michie called.
Willie at Fred Clark’s on Scugog threshing. Annie drove to her
school. Jennie ironing. Plowed the potato ground in the afternoon.
Mrs. Luke and Mr. Avery here in the afternoon picking apples.
Annie at Halloween party at the C.E.
28 – Snow in the morning and most of the forenoon. Word came
that James H. Leask died this morning. Spent most of the day
sweeping down the stable cobwebs. Willie went to Fred Clark’s
on Scugog to thresh but came home again as they could not work.
In the afternoon he drove Mr. and Mrs. Avery and P. Luke to Can-
nington. Mrs. Luke came over in the forenoon and got her cream
churned. Annie drove to her school. Jennie making me a smock.
Annie at choir practice and Willie away at Redmond’s in the eve-
ning.
29 – Pretty wintery in the morning but snow went away a little.
Willie and I went to C. Phair’s for the eight young cattle that was
pasturing there. This is Dominion election day and Annie came
home from her school at noon and Jennie, Annie, Willie and I,
taking P. Luke and wife, went to Greenbank to vote. Clifford,
Liberal, and Dr. [Carrier?] were the candidates. Willie and Annie
went for tea to Ronald Peel’s. Tory wins.
30 – Rather a fine day but the snow does not go very fast. P. Luke
came for our waggon to take out oats. Willie helped him to load
up. Jennie baking. Annie drove to her school. In the afternoon
Willie, Jennie and I, together with Mrs. Luke and Leola, went to
Jas. H. Leask’s funeral. There was a very large turnout, the church
being packed. Mr. Dyer conducted the service. Mr. McDonald of
Wick and J.A. Miller assisted. In the evening Annie drove to choir
practice at Mr. Dyer’s. Willie went to Port Perry with the car and
470
James brought it back while Willie went with C. Midgley to party
on Scugog. Later James went to choir practice perhaps.
31 – Rather a fine day. Annie went with Mr. Dyer to Port Perry to
order the material for a new [?] at the parsonage. Boys most of the
day fixing car. I took in some firewood. About 3 pm Willie
Smith, his wife and mother came. Barbara stayed and Willie, wife
and little one left for home about 5 pm. Annie, Willie and James
away in the evening. Leola Luke and Mrs. Luke called.
NOV. 1 – A fine day. All hands at church and SS; Mr. Dyer
preached. Willie went somewhere for supper and Leola Luke was
here for tea. Annie and James out in the evening.
2 – A very fine Indian Summer day. James took the car with him
to Toronto. M.L. Real went with him. Annie drove to her school.
Willie went with the waggon to Port Perry in the morning for the
lumber for the new porch on the parsonage. The stuff was not
ready so he did not get home until the middle of the afternoon. He
got dinner at Mr. Dyer’s. Jennie washing. L. Luke called. Annie
and Willie at choir practice in the evening.
3 – A very fine day. Pretty hard frost in the morning. Finished
taking in the wood and Willie and I drew in four loads of turnips.
Jennie and Barbara visiting at Sam Dusty’s and John Michie’s.
Annie drove to her school and she and Willie at C.E. meeting in
the evening.
4 – A fine day. Willie and I finished taking in the turnips. Jennie
and Barbara went to Greenbank in the afternoon visiting. Annie
walked to her school. Willie away in the evening.
5 – Very dull with rain about 11 and most of the afternoon. Willie
went to C. Phair’s to help draw in buckwheat but he came home
for dinner on account of the rain. I picked up downed apples and
took them into the root house. Annie drove to her school. Willie
and Annie at choir practice in the evening.
6 – A fine day. Willie at Ernest Phair’s helping with turnips.
Annie drove to her school. I took Barbara to the noon train at Port
Perry and picked up apples the rest of the day. James came home
with the car about 8:30 pm and then went to Alex Gordon’s with
M.L. Real to practice for the thanksgiving concert.
7 – Dull all day. Willie went to E. Phair’s. James and Annie went
to Port Perry with the car and 5 bags of oats to be ground. Jennie
preparing fowl for the social on Monday and I went to the N field
and plowed around it 6 times. It rained all afternoon. James first
went to C. Phair’s for an old grinder, then to E. Phair’s and helped
to fix his engine and bring Willie home. Then Willie and Annie
went to Port Perry for Annie Bell. L. Luke called twice.
8 – Rather cold and rough; some snow in the forenoon. All hands
at SS and church; 171 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached. Annie, Annie
Bell, Willie and James out again in the evening.
9 – Thanksgiving day, and a fine day. Willie and James went to E.
Phair’s to fix his engine. Boys most of the afternoon rigging up an
old grinder they got from C. Phair. In the evening all at Ladies’
Aid supper in the church. There was a big turnout and about
$190.00 was taken in. The concert was pretty good. The choir;
Tom Sharp; Miss Ferguson, a reciter, and John Walker gave the
programme.
10 – A fine day. Willie took James and Annie Bell to Myrtle early
train. Then Willie was all day at the car and took it to Brown at
last. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school. I banked up
house and picked up apples. L. Luke called. Annie at C.E. meet-
ing and Willie out for tea at Edgar Leask’s.
11 – A very fine day. Plowing sod in N field. Willie at C. Phair’s
drawing in buckwheat. Jennie cleaned out hen house. Annie drove
to her school. Willie went to Greenbank in the evening for the
beef, this being the last of the season.
12 – A fine day until about 4:30 when it started to rain from the E.
Plowing sod all day. Annie drove to her school. Willie helping
Jim Dusty with buckwheat. When coming home with car it
stopped and T. Brown pulled it part way to Greenbank. Mrs. John
Michie and E. Bryant called.
13 – Rain all night and more or less all day. Willie went with the
team and drew the car to Greenbank , then took his mother to Port
Perry , and then to Greenbank and Bott’s for butter, and then in the
evening went to Port Perry again for James. Annie drove to her
school and in the evening went to Luke’s to a farewell presentation
to Leola. Willie and James went later. I tinkered with the grinder
in the barn most of the day.
14 – Another rainy bad day. Willie and James went to Greenbank
in the morning, got the car fixed and brought it home while I was
fixing cutting box and grinder. Afternoon grinding and cutting
corn. Mrs. Luke called. James away in the evening. Annie and
Willie at home.
15 – Very dull all day with rain most of the time. All hands at SS
and church; 140 at SS. Mr. McKenzie, a missionary from Honan
China, gave an account of the work there. Annie, Willie and James
out in the evening.
16 – Another miserable day. Snowing a little most of the time.
Jennie got up at 4 am and Willie took James to Myrtle C.P.R.
Willie then harrowed the lane which is very badly cut up. Jennie
washing. Annie drove to her school and went to Bethel church in
the evening to play practice. Willie at J.M. Real’s for orchestra
practice. I put new handle in barn pump. L. Luke called.
17 – Rather cold and raw. Doing some chores in the forenoon and
in the afternoon helping C. Phair to thresh buckwheat. Willie with
Jas. Blair threshing. Annie drove to her school Jennie went to
W.M.S. meeting in the church. Annie and Willie at C.E. meeting
in the evening. L. Luke called.
18 – Rather a fine day. Did some chores in the forenoon and
helped C. Phair to thresh in the afternoon. Willie took Annie to her
school in the car and then to Port Perry with some parts of Jas.
Blair’s machine. He forgot one part and went back for it and then
back again to get it changed as it did not fit. Willie went to party
near Wick in the evening.
19 – Rain through the night but turned out a rather fine day. Help-
ing C. Phair to thresh. Finished with an hour’s run after dinner.
471
Willie helping Jas. Blair. Annie drove to her school and to choir
practice in the evening. Jennie cleaning window curtains.
20 – Rather a fine day all day. Plowing sod. Willie helping Jas.
Blair at Jas. Gibson’s. Annie drove to her school. L. Luke and
Marie Akhurst came to get hair cut. Willie went to Port Perry for
James and with Annie went to dance in the hall in Greenbank.
21 – Another fine day. Plowing sod all day. Willie with Jas. Blair
threshing at Jas. Gibson’s and W. Thomas’. Jennie and L. Luke
went to Port Perry in the afternoon. James grinding oats. Leola
Luke here all night as her parents are away to Pinedale. Annie
went to Port Perry in the evening.
22 – Rather a fine day. A snow shower about 5 pm. All hands,
including L. Luke, at SS and church. They have been putting in
two new furnaces and the basement was not cleaned up so SS was
held in the church. Mr. Dyer preached on the sustention and ex-
tension fund of the U.C.C. Annie, Willie and James all somewhere
for tea and Leola Luke got supper here. Later she also went off
somewhere.
23 – Pretty hard frost in the morning. Willie took James to Myrtle
on his way to Toronto, then he went to W. Thomas’ and threshed
all day. I drove Annie to her school. She is to go to D.
McTaggart’s for tea and then to play practice. Jennie washing. I
finished plowing sod in the afternoon.
24 – Rather cold with some little snow. Drew in a load of corn,
then drew out manure on the next years strawberry patch. Annie
drove to her school. Willie with Jas. Blair. Willie away in evening
to a party on the 8th
conc.
25 – Rather a fine day. Hard frost in the morning. All day at C.
Phair’s helping him to fence. Willie drew gravel on road work in
the forenoon and went to Scugog and somewhere for supper and
the evening. Jennie killed and dressed 8 roosters. Annie drove to
her school. In the evening I went with C. Phair to a joint meeting
of the session and stewards in the church.
26 – A fine day. All day helping C. Phair to fence. Annie drove to
her school. Willie at road work in the forenoon and in the after-
noon took his mother in the car to Herby Hook’s with the chickens
and then to Port Perry. In the evening he took Annie to choir prac-
tice.
27 – Started to snow in the morning and a little most of the day. I
went over to C. Phair’s to build fence but it was so wet and dirty
that I came home after about an hour’s work. Willie drawing
gravel for road work and finishes. Annie walked to her school and
stayed at Mr. Armstrong’s for tea and then to play practice. Willie
went to Port Perry in the evening for James and then to a party at
C. Well’s.
28 – Rather cold and some snowing most of the day. Willie went
to Thomas’ for a load of gravel and broke the axle of the waggon
just near the pump at the barn. James went to Greenbank for gas
and did some grinding in the afternoon. P. and L. Luke called.
James away in the evening.
29 – A fine day but pretty cold. All hands at SS and church. Rev.
Mr. Swain of Prince Albert preached as Mr. Dyer was at Prince
Albert preaching anniversary services. Jean Michie came home
with us for supper. Annie, Willie and James out in the evening.
30 – A fine day. Willie took James to Myrtle on his way to To-
ronto, then he took Annie to her school, then to Port Perry with the
waggon axle, then to P. Leask’s to get him to run McHaffy’s trac-
tor to cut wood. He got W. Real finally. I did little but the chores.
Jennie washing. In the evening I went to session meeting in the
parsonage with C. Phair and did not get home until after 12. L.
Luke called. Drew in some corn.
DEC. 1 - A very fine day and the snow thawing a little. Jennie
ironing. Willie and I grinding and cutting feed in the afternoon.
Annie drove to her school. L. Luke called. In the evening Willie
and Annie went to C.E. meeting.
2 – A very fine day. Willie and I went to Luke’s to help cut wood
with McHaffy’s machine. W. Real running the tractor, but it was
10 o’clock before they got started. Finished cutting Mr. Luke’s
about 5 pm. Moved to our pile and cut about 15 minutes. C.
O’Neill; Cecil Real and Ed Lyle got supper here. Annie walked to
her school, got tea at Stone’s and to play practice in the evening.
Alma Clements and Ethel Bryant here in the evening. Willie away
at party near Sonya.
3 – A fine day. Finished cutting wood by McHaffy’s machine.
Started at 9:30 and finished at 12. Ray Dusty brought the waggon
axle from Port Perry and we put it together in the afternoon. Annie
drove to her school and to choir practice in the evening. L. Luke
called.
4 – Mild and thawing all day. Drove Annie to her school (play
practice). Willie drawing gravel on road job, putting it on 10th
conc. south of west half of lot 17. Got very muddy and road badly
cut up. L. Luke called. Cleaned out hen house. In the evening
went with Jennie for supper at Albert Akhurst’s. P. Luke and Mrs.
Luke and Leola; W. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas, Henry and Laura were
also there. Willie went to Port Perry for James. Mrs. O’Neill
broke her arm.
5 – Dull, foggy and rain all day. Annie went to Port Perry in the
forenoon. They boys nearly all day fixing car. In the afternoon I
plowed the next year’s strawberry patch just south of the lane to
Luke’s. James and Willie went away with the car in the evening
but the mud was very deep and they had to get Ray Dusty with a
horse to pull them out. James left the car when he came home at
the head of the road overnight.
6 – Freezing some all day. All hands at SS. Willie took James to
Myrtle after SS on his way back to Toronto. Annie away in the
evening. Mrs. Luke called.
7 – Rather rough and snowing a little sometimes. Willie drove
Annie to her school and then to Greenbank with car tire. Jennie
washing. L. Luke called.
8 – Rather rough most of the day. Annie drove to her school.
Willie went to Port Perry with the buggy to meet the man from
Scugog with the money he earned threshing. I did little but the
472
chores. Jennie and Mrs. John Michie went to the W.M.S. in the
church. Willie went to an oyster supper at Reader’s on Scugog and
Annie to C.E. meeting.
9 – Rather cold with some snow. Did little but chores. Annie
drove to her school. Willie took the horses to Port Perry in the
afternoon and got them shod. Willie away in the evening.
10 – Snowing a little most of the day. Went over to P. Luke’s and
settled up with him for wood and work and then helped Jennie to
pick chickens. Willie drawing gravel on road job. Annie drove to
her school. Mrs. John Michie and Bob called in the afternoon. In
the evening Annie went to choir practice and Jennie went with her
taking the chickens (9) to H. Hook. L. Luke called.
11 – Rather a fine day. Willie drew 2 loads of gravel which fin-
ished the job. Then in the afternoon he went with a load for P.
Luke for Epsom and in the evening he went to a party near Wick. I
drove Annie to her school, then went to Port Perry with E. Bryant
to pay the taxes ($45.60) and in the evening I went to Port Perry
for James. Marie Akhurst and Miss Fisher, the nurse that is attend-
ing Ray Dusty, here. L. Luke called.
12 – Pretty cold and rather rough in the evening. Willie and Annie
went to Port Perry in the forenoon. James all day fixing car. I
helping him in the forenoon and Willie in the afternoon. Annie
went to Greenbank in the afternoon to practice the little girls drill
for Christmas Tree. John Michie’s girls and E. Bryant here getting
hair cut. L. Luke here in the evening. She expected to go to Port
Perry with Annie and E.C. but E.C. did not turn up so L.L. stayed
all night. Willie at Port Perry and James somewhere in the eve-
ning.
13 – Rather rough and snowing a little off and on all day. We were
all ready to go to church with the car but a soft tire was discovered
and Jennie, Annie and I drove and the boys stayed and fixed it.
James came later on but Willie stayed at home. Mr. Dyer
preached. Willie went somewhere for tea and Annie and James
were out to church in the evening. E.C. came in for awhile.
14 – Pretty cold day. James left at 5 am for Toronto. He took the
car with him. Mrs. John Michie went with him. Willie took Annie
to her school (play practice tonight). Jennie washing. Willie
grinding oats and he and I put straw on the strawberry patch and
drew in some corn.
15 – A beautiful fine day. Helping P. Luke to load up the last of
their stuff and they are gone to Epsom. Willie and Earl Bryant
took loads. Mr. and Mrs. Luke and Mr. McDonald got dinner
before they started. Annie drove to her school and to C.E. in the
evening.
16 – Rather raw day. Drove Annie to her school (play practice),
then helped Jennie to pick chickens until noon. Willie helping E.
Bryant to move into the Luke house and I also helping in the after-
noon. This is Harvey Real’s wedding day and James came from
Toronto to attend it. Willie away in the evening.
17 – Rather cold and rough. I went down to John Michie’s to help
kill a pig. Willie took his mother to Port Perry with chickens. This
is the Christmas fair and there was a large turnout. Jennie fell in
with George and Velma Michie of Sask. who got to Port Perry this
morning and they came here for dinner. Willie took them back to
Port Perry and they went to P. Luke’s at Epsom. Annie had no
school today as her pupils were going to the fair. Willie took her
to choir practice in the evening. Willie took James to Myrtle in the
morning.
Photo of George Walter Michie and his second wife
Velma Evelyn Luke (Wright),
date unknown.
18 – Rather rough with high W wind and snow but not so very
cold. I drove Annie to her school with the cutter and helped E.
Bryant to finish moving. Willie took two pigs to Seagrave in the
morning and went to Sunderland fair in the afternoon, at least he
started for there. E. Bryant called. James did not come home.
19 – Rather fine and not too cold day. I did little but the chores.
Willie helped John Michie to cut up corn. Jennie and Annie at Port
Perry in the forenoon. Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the eve-
ning. Skating rink opened for the season.
20 – Milder with a little snow. All hands at SS and church; Mr.
Dyer preached a Christmas sermon. Willie away somewhere for
tea. Annie away in the evening. Ethel Bryant called.
473
21 – Some snow through the night which lay on the trees and
looked beautiful in the morning. Willie drove Annie to her school
and ground some oats and cut corn. Jennie washing. E. Bryant
called. Jennie and I went with the cutter to Jas. Bott’s for butter
but they were away from home. We then called in to see Ray
Dusty who has been sick but is now on the mend. Willie at Green-
bank in the evening helping to decorate the basement for the
Christmas Tree.
22 – A fine day. Annie drove to her school. Willie went to Port
Perry for James who is home for the Christmas holidays.
23 – A fine cold day. Not much doing but the chores. Willie
drove Annie to her school. In the evening James and I went to the
Christmas Tree in our church. There was a fair turnout but the
programme was rather tame. Willie went to Port Perry and Annie
was at play practice. James and I at Port Perry in the forenoon.
24 – A very fine day. James fixing car and grinding and Willie and
I drew in two loads of corn. Jennie preparing the goose and other
things for the Christmas eats. Jennie and I went with James in the
car to Bethel Christmas tree. The church was packed to the doors.
The play ‘The Jonah’ was given very well. Willie went to Port
Perry for Annie Bell.
25 – A beautiful clear cold and ideal Christmas day. John Michie
and all the family here for dinner and tea. Arthur and Ethel Bryant
called. Willie away somewhere in the evening. About midnight a
phone call came saying Willie was somewhere about Woodville
and the car out of repair and that he would not be home tonight.
26 – About 10 below zero in the morning and hardly got up to zero
during the day. Bright and clear. I did little but the chores. Annie
and Annie Bell at Port Perry in the forenoon. Willie got home
about 3 pm and Annie, Annie Bell, Willie and James all away in
the evening. Ethel Bryant called.
27 – Very cold; about 20 below in the morning. Jennie, Annie Bell
and I went to communion at Greenbank at 11 am. There was
rather a small turnout. Mr. Dyer preached. Annie, Willie and
James were ready to come but could not get the car started and
James and Willie went to Port Perry for a part. Jennie and I went
to W. Watson’s for dinner and Annie drove King home alone.
James then took Annie Bell to Myrtle on her way back to Toronto.
He had trouble with the car and did not get back until about 6 pm.
Mary Real came with him for tea. Willie went to Port Perry in the
evening and Annie and James to Greenbank. E.C. called in the
evening.
28 – Very cold all day. Little done outside but the chores. Jennie
washing. E. Bryant called. Annie went to C.E. meeting in the
evening.
29 – A very fine bright day. Willie and I drew in a load of hay
from the hay stack in the forenoon and Willie went with John
Michie and Art Bryant to a wood bee for Ray Dusty at Holder-
shaw’s bush. Jennie drove to the W.M. meeting in the church.
Mrs. J. Michie went with her. She was elected president for the
next year. She was also made a life member. James at C.E. in the
evening. Word came that Peter Leask had a stroke this morning.
30 – A fine day. Little doing but the chores. Willie and I drew in
2 loads of hay. James grinding and cutting corn. In the evening
Annie went to picture show at Port Perry, Willie to Scugog, and
Jennie, James and I went to the annual S.S. meeting. There was
rather a small turnout. I was chosen superintendant; E. Leask,
Assistant Supt.; E. Cragg, sec.; Armour McMillan, assistant; and
Harvey Real, treas.
31 – A very nice day. James went to Port Perry in the forenoon.
Willie went for a load of wood for Ray Dusty in the afternoon.
After dinner Bob Akhurst of Cannington came and stayed all after-
noon and all night. Annie and James went to choir practice. Ethel
Bryant and Elmer Clements called in the evening and there was
music and dancing.
1926
JAN. 1 – A mild day and pretty quiet here. Annie went to
Clements’ for dinner, James to skate in the evening and Willie to a
party about Sonya.
2 – A fine mild day; a little snow about noon. Boys most all day
fixing car and James went away with it in the evening. He went
out to Bryant’s. John Michie’s girls, Marie Akhurst and Ethel
Bryant here in the afternoon getting hair cut. E. Bryant called
twice. Willie away in the evening.
3 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church. James, Willie and
Annie went by car and Jennie and I with the cutter. There was 177
present but no lesson and several of the classes failed to get teach-
ers. After school Willie took James in the car to Myrtle on his way
back to Toronto. Mr. Dyer preached. Willie and Annie out in the
evening.
4 – Mild and thawing some. Annie drove to her school. Jennie
washing. Willie drew up 4 loads of wood from the swamp. Herb
Bratley of Whitby called in the forenoon. Word came that J.M.
Real died this afternoon.
5 – A dreadful dull dismal foggy day and thawing fast. Spent part
of the day splitting wood in the woodshed. Annie drove to her
school. Annie and Willie at C.E. meeting in the evening.
6 – Rather a rough day. Splitting wood in woodshed. Willie drove
with car to Sunderland to take back a bad tire. Annie drove to her
school. In the evening Jennie and I went to prayer meeting in the
church. On the way up we called in at the late J.M. Real’s. Ruth
Michie called in the evening.
7 – Fine but pretty cold day. Splitting wood in the forenoon and in
the afternoon Jennie and I went to Mrs. Steve Midgley’s funeral.
There was a fair turnout; Rev. Mr. Higgs was the minister. Willie
went to Port Perry for James who is coming home for the funeral
tomorrow. Annie drove to her school and went to choir practice in
the evening.
8 – A very fine day. Annie drove to her school and then went to
hockey match at Port Perry in a sleigh load; Whitby vs. Port Perry
(P.P. wins 2 to 1). Willie grinding in the forenoon. In the after-
noon went with Jennie and James to J.M. Real’s funeral. We went
474
by car around by the 10th
conc. and sideroad. There was a large
turnout. Rev. Mr. Dyer preached. Rev. Joseph Real assisted.
James out for tea at Real’s. George and Velma Michie came for
tea and stayed all night.
9 – A fine day and little doing outside. James and Annie went to
Port Perry in the forenoon. In the evening Willie went to Port
Perry skating while we had a great musical evening. L. Luke came
in the afternoon and stayed all night.
10 – A bright clear day but pretty cold. All hands at SS and
church. Willie and I went with cutter; Jennie, Annie and James by
car and George and Velma with buggy. 140 at SS. Mr. Dyer
preached. He preached at Wick in the morning. George and
Velma went to A. Akhurst’s for tea. Willie went somewhere for
tea and Annie and James were out in the evening.
11 – Mild and snowing some most of the day. Willie took James
in the car to Myrtle on his way to Toronto. Little done but the
chores. Annie drove to her school. E. Bryant brought the horse
home and Annie went to a supper at Aldridge’s. She did not come
home. Mrs. Bryant Sr. called in the afternoon.
12 – Pretty cold but clear day. Jennie washing and ironing. Earl
Bryant took Annie’s horse to school to bring her home. Willie
went to Greenbank in the forenoon for gas and did some grinding
and corn cutting in the afternoon. Mr. Bryant Jr. called. Annie and
Willie at C.E. meeting in the evening.
13 – Pretty cold. Jennie, Willie and I most of the day picking hens
and roosters and in the evening Jennie and I took them to Herby
Hook at Greenbank. We then went to the annual congregational
meeting in the basement of the church. There was a fair turnout.
Mr. Dyer was in the chair. The reports of the year were not too
bad. When it came to the election of elders there was long discus-
sions and the meeting adjourned to meet again on the 29th
of the
month. A heavy fog on the way home. Annie went to picture
show and Willie to party at Marsh Hill. Mrs. Bryant called.
14 – Rather a snowy day. Jennie and I went to Port Perry market
with hens. Annie drove to her school. Willie choring. E. Bryant
called.
15 – Fine in the forenoon and drifting in the afternoon. Willie and
I drew up two loads of wood from the swamp. In the afternoon
Willie went to Port Perry to get his hair cut. Annie drove to her
school. Mr. P. Luke came in the afternoon and stayed all night.
Willie went to a party near Blackwater and Annie drove to Port
Perry for James.
16 – A very fine clear day. James and I cut feed corn in the fore-
noon and James went to Port Perry in the afternoon with the car.
Willie took a load of wood to Epsom for P. Luke and Leola came
home with him. Ethel Bryant called. Annie, James and Leola out
in the evening.
17 – A mild day. Ray Dusty came for Leola and they went some-
where. All hands at SS. Went with 2 cutters. After SS Willie took
James to Myrtle with the car. 157 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached.
Annie away to Seagrave in the evening. Willie stayed at Port Perry
or somewhere.
18 – Very dull. Rain started about 8 am and continued all day.
Nothing doing outside. Annie drove to her school. Jennie wash-
ing. The Young People’s League was to go to Port Perry this
evening but it was called off. Ernest Phair’s house damaged by
fire.
19 – Mild all day. Willie took Maud to Greenbank and got her
shod. Annie drove to her school. In the afternoon Willie and I
split wood at the pile at Bryant’s swamp. Mrs. Bryant Sr. called in
the afternoon.
20 – A nice mild day, getting a little colder towards night. Willie
and I drew up 6 loads of wood. Annie drove to her school. Willie
away somewhere in the evening.
21 – A nice winter day. Annie drove to her school. Willie and his
mother went to Port Perry in the afternoon with the car. I splitting
wood in the swamp. In the evening all hands at oyster supper at
John Michie’s. G. Michie and wife; A. Akhurst, wife and Marie;
and Nellie O’Neill were also there. Annie and Marie Akhurst went
to choir practice.
22 – A little below zero in the morning and very cold all day.
Willie drove his mother to Jas. Bott’s in the morning and Jas. B.
drove her and Mrs. Bott to Blackwater on their way to W.M.S.
meeting at Lindsay and Willie went for them in the evening. An-
nie drove to her school and stayed for oyster supper at Watson’s. I
went to Port Perry for James.
23 – Rather rough and windy especially in the evening. Willie and
I drew up 4 loads of wood and one of corn. James at the engine
and grinding some. He was away in the evening. Marie Akhurst
came to get hair cut. Ethel Bryant called.
24 – Pretty cold and stormy. All hands at SS and church. Jennie
and I by cutter and the boys and Annie by car. 149 at SS; Mr.
Dyer preached. Willie took James to near Myrtle but had to leave
the car on the sideroad at the foot of the hill. He went to Port Perry
later. Annie went with E.C. to tea at P. Luke’s at Epsom.
25 – A very fine day. Annie drove to her school. Willie and I got
the car drawn home and Willie worked at it most of the day (a gear
wheel broken). I split wood in the swamp. Jennie washing and in
the afternoon visited at Sam Dusty’s. Mrs. Bryant called.
26 – A fine day. I was all day cutting wood for C. Phair in his
swamp. Annie drove to her school. Willie at Port Perry in the
forenoon. Grinding in the afternoon and at a party at Fraser’s on
the town line in the evening. G. Real held their golden wedding at
Uxbridge.
27 – A very fine day. All day cutting wood for C. Phair in his
swamp. Annie drove to her school and Annie and Willie at C.E.
meeting in the evening. Mary L. Real and Marie Akhurst called
collecting for the Bible Society.
28 – One terrible cold blustering day. Annie drove to her school (4
pupils) but she did not come home; stayed at Armstrong’s. We
picked over the potatoes in the cellar in the forenoon. No mail
today.
475
29 – Some warmer but rather rough. In the forenoon I opened out
the roads (side roads blocked). Little doing but the chores. In the
evening went with Jennie to the adjourned congregational meeting.
There was rather a small turnout. The old elders were asked to
resign and a new session is to be chosen. 18 names were put up for
the 10 places. Annie and Willie went to Port Perry to the hockey
match. Port Perry vs. Uxbridge. Uxbridge won 6 to 1. After the
game Willie went to a party at Wallace’s on the 6th
. James did not
come home.
30 – Mild and thawing a little all day. Willie and I drew in two
loads of corn in the forenoon and Willie cut some and ground some
in the afternoon. Annie went to Port Perry in the morning for new
S.S. books and in the afternoon went to the church with Hattie
Cragg to mark them. John Michie’s girls here in the afternoon
getting hair cut. Willie away in the evening.
31 – Mild but getting colder with a raw E wind. All hands at SS
and church. Annie went up early to finish marking the new books.
137 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached on prohibition. Annie and Willie
out again in the evening.
FEB. 1 – Snowing a little from the E most of the day. Annie drove
to her school. Willie ground some and little doing.
2 – A very fine day. All day at C. Phair’s cutting wood. Jennie
washing. Annie drove to her school. Willie went to Port Perry for
the lantern to be used in giving a missionary show tomorrow and
Annie went to the church in the evening to set it up.
3 – A mild and fine day. All day at C. Phair’s cutting wood in his
swamp. Willie drawing wood to the shed from the swamp. Annie
drove to her school. Jennie, Annie and Willie at missionary lantern
pictures in the church.
4 – A very fine day. All day cutting wood for C. Phair. Annie
drove to her school. Willie drew up some wood and at a party near
Sonya. Mrs. Bryant Sr. called. Ethel Bryant and E. Clements
called in the evening. Norman Lyle of Port Perry moved into the
house on the Anderson place.
5 – A fine day. Cutting wood for C. Phair all day. Annie drove to
her school. Willie drawing up wood. E. Bryant called. In the
evening Jennie went to Port Perry for James and I went with C.
Phair to session meeting at the parsonage about the election of
elders.
6 – Somewhat dull and mild. All day cutting wood for C. Phair.
James and Willie all day repairing the car. Annie went to Toronto
in the morning. Willie drove her to Port Perry in the morning and
E.C. brought her home in the evening. E. Bryant called. G.W.
Michie, his wife, and Leola Luke came for supper and stayed all
night. Lots of music in the evening.
7 – A fine day. James and Willie went away in the car but did not
get back in time for SS. Willie took James to Myrtle with the car
but it broke down about Myrtle and it was left there and Willie
chanced it home. All the rest were at SS and church. 157 at SS;
Mr. Dyer preached. Annie out in the evening. George and Velma
came here and stayed all night.
8 – A beautiful day. All day at C. Phair’s cutting wood. Annie
drove to her school. Jennie washing. Willie took oats to Port
Perry mill to be ground and away somewhere in the evening.
George and Velma went to Mrs. W. Rennie’s at Wick.
9 – Rather a raw E wind. All day cutting wood for C. Phair. An-
nie drove to her school. Willie went to Port Perry in the forenoon
for the meal. Jennie at W.M.S. in the church.
10 – Pretty cold with NE wind. All day at C. Phair’s cutting wood.
Jennie ironing and baking. Annie drove to her school. Willie and
Annie at C.E. meeting in the evening.
11 – Pretty cold but clear day. All day cutting wood for C. Phair.
Annie drove to her school. Willie went and drew 2 loads of wood
from G. Real’s swamp for the church. We had W. Moon to see
sick cow in the evening. Annie went to supper at Stone’s in the
evening.
12 – A very fine day. All day at C. Phair’s cutting wood. Annie
drove to her school. Willie went to Port Perry in the afternoon and
to party near Marsh Hill in the evening. Jennie went to Port Perry
for James.
13 – A very fine day and thawing some. All day helping C. Phair
to cut wood. Willie drew in load of corn. James away in the eve-
ning. Ethel Bryant called twice.
14 – A very nice but dull day. All hands at SS and church with
two cutters; 175 at SS. After school Jennie drove James to Myrtle
and just as they got there Norman Bryant took him in his car to
Toronto. Mr. Dyer preached; he also preached at Port Perry.
Annie and Willie out in the evening.
15 – Not so nice; some snow at times and getting cold towards
night. All day helping C. Phair in the swamp. Jennie washing.
Annie drove to her school. Willie drew out some manure.
16 – Cold and stormy most of the day. Annie drove to her school
and Ruth Clements came home with her. Willie did the chores and
I did very little. Jennie ironing. E. Bryant called for the mail.
Annie, Willie and Ruth C. at C.E. meeting in the evening.
17 – A very fine day and mild. Spent most of the forenoon explor-
ing C. Phair’s swamp for wood lot and in the afternoon went down
again and bought ¼ acre for $12.00. Annie drove to her school.
Jennie at Greenbank in the afternoon calling on Mrs. J.M. Real and
Mrs. Switzer and Mrs. W. Watson. Annie at picture show at Port
Perry in the evening and Willie away somewhere.
18 – Snowing a little at times. Cutting wood in the lot bought from
C. Phair. Annie drove to her school. Jennie at Port Perry in the
forenoon. Willie came for a load of wood where I was cutting.
Mrs. E. Bryant called. Annie at choir practice.
19 – Snow during the night and drifting all day and getting colder.
Little done but the chores. Annie drove to her school. Willie and I
went with the sleigh to break the road for her coming home. No
mail. Willie went to Port Perry to meet James. Ethel Bryant
called.
476
20 – A fine day. Willie went to Phair’s swamp for a load of wood
in the morning and I went with him and cut the rest of the day. He
came for another load towards night. Marie Akhurst and John
Michie’s girls came to get hair trimmed. Annie, Willie and James
away in the evening. Leola Luke came and stayed all night.
21 – A very fine winter day. All hands at SS and church; 185 at
SS; Mr. Dyer preached. After SS Jennie drove James to Myrtle
when he took the car that has been there the last two weeks and
went on to Toronto. Annie and Willie out in the evening.
22 – All day cutting wood in C. Phair’s lot. Willie drew home 3
loads. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school. In the evening
I went to session meeting at the parsonage. All, including the new
members, were present. It continued until after midnight. Willie
went to clean up the hall for the party to be held on Wed. evening.
23 – A very fine day. Cutting wood in C. Phair’s swamp wood lot
and Willie drew home 3 loads. Annie drove to her school. In the
evening Jennie and I went to the Ladies Aid social in the basement
of the church. There was a good supper and a nice turnout and a
short programme. About $25.00 was made. A very fine night.
24 – A very fine day. Jennie and I went with the cutter to P.
Luke’s at Epsom to bid farewell to George and Velma. We got
there a little before dinner and stayed until near six pm. John Mi-
chie and wife; Nellie O’Neill; Albert Akhurst and wife and later
Amos Rodd and wife were also there and we had a very pleasant
time. Sleighing good. Annie drove to her school and Willie and
Annie at a dance in the Greenbank hall in the evening.
25 – Started to rain about 8:30 from the SE and continued most of
the day. Willie and I went for a load of wood and got pretty well
soaked. Annie drove to her school and Ruth Clements came home
with her and stayed all night. Ethel Bryant and Alma Clements
here in the evening. E. Bryant called in the afternoon for the mail
but there was no mail today.
26 – A very rough snowy day. Willie and I finished drawing home
the wood on the C. Phair lot. Annie drove to her school. James
phoned from Myrtle that he is stuck there with the car and will
have to stay there all night.
27 – Very cold all day. Down to zero in the evening. Willie went
to Port Perry for James. Ethel Bryant called for the mail. James
away in the evening.
28 – Rather disagreeable day; not very cold but snowing some.
James and Willie started for Myrtle about 11 am and they got the
car going and James on the way to Toronto. Willie got home about
5 pm. Jennie, Annie and I at SS and church; 167 at SS; Mr. Dyer
preached. Annie and Willie out in the evening.
MAR. 1 –Very dull with heavy snow in the forenoon. Very little
doing either outside or in. Annie drove to her school and did not
come back but stayed all night at Frank Watson’s.
2 – Rather fine during the day but towards night there was a heavy
snowstorm. Jennie and I went to Port Perry in the afternoon to see
the Dr. about my left big toe which is bad. Dr. D. Archer says it
has been frozen. Willie and Annie at C.E. meeting in the evening.
3 – Rough, stormy and snowing all day. Things are getting pretty
well drifted up. Little doing. I was in the house nearly all day
nursing sore toe. Annie drove to her school but did not come
home. She stayed at Armstrong’s. E. Bryant called in the after-
noon.
4 – Below zero in the morning and very cold all day. Jennie and
Willie went to Greenbank in the afternoon. E. Bryant called.
Annie did not come home. Was in the house nearly all day nursing
toe.
5 – Below zero in the morning and all day very cold. Annie came
home from her school. E. Bryant and Ethel called. Jennie baking.
I went to Port Perry in the evening for James. Willie at party at
Russell Rodd’s.
6 – A beautiful clear day; below zero in the morning. Annie drove
her mother to the noon train on her way to Newcastle on a visit of
some days as Aunt Liz is not well. Leola Luke came about 10 am
and got us our dinner. After dinner Willie went to Greenbank to
wash up the cups used at the last party in the hall. I went with him
and L. Luke went up to Ray Dusty’s. Ethel Bryant called. Annie,
Willie and James away somewhere in the evening.
7 – Snowing most of the day off and on. All at SS; 168 present;
Mr. Dyer preached. Willie took James to Myrtle. The 10 newly
chosen elders were inducted. Willie and Annie out again in the
evening.
8 – Snowing most of the day. Annie drove to her school. Willie
and I kept house and did the chores. E. Bryant called to get help to
cut wood tomorrow.
9 – A very fine day. Annie drove to her school and Willie was all
day helping E. Bryant to cut wood so I was alone all day. Annie
and Willie at C.E. meeting in the evening.
10 – Rather a fine day and drifting some. Annie drove to her
school. Willie drove me to Port Perry to the noon train to take me
to Toronto to hear the Mendelssohn choir tomorrow night, but we
got stuck in the snow just before we got to Manchester station and
they had to back down to Port Perry where they got to about 3:30.
Annie Gordon was also on the train and she came home with me
on John Michie’s sleigh. Elmer Wallace came for Annie G. in the
evening. Willie away somewhere.
11 – A fine day. Annie drove to her school. Willie drove me to
Port Perry to the 9:30 train and I went via Manilla to Toronto. Got
dinner at Eaton’s and wandered about and got up to James’ board-
ing house at the corner of St. Clair and Weston Road at 5 o’clock.
James took me out for a ride in the car which has been in Toronto
for some time. After supper we went to Massey Hall and heard the
great Mendelssohn choir which was surely something great. Then
back and stayed with James all night.
12 – A little snow through the night and colder. Took the street car
and landed at Mason’s about 9:30 and got dinner there and had a
nice visit. Met James at the station and Willie met us at Port Perry.
Annie drove to her school and went to a play at Seagrave in the
evening. Willie did the chores.
477
13 – About zero in the morning and clear and cold all day. Annie
washed, scrubbed, baked and ironed. James went somewhere for
tea and Willie went to Port Perry in the evening.
14 – A bright clear day. All at SS; 161 present. Willie drove
James to Myrtle. Annie and Willie out in the evening.
15 – A very fine day. Annie drove to her school. Willie and I tried
to draw in some of the corn which is still by the fence but we could
not do anything with it as there was too much snow. E. Bryant
called in the morning to telephone. Ethel, he thinks, is taking the
measles. Willie and Annie went with the sleigh to take a load of
young people to visit Port Perry Young People’s League. I went
up to Norman Lyle’s in the evening to see Norman who is laid up
with an abscess on his ankle. Snowing some.
16 – A fine day. Annie drove to her school but stayed all night at
A. Bruce’s. In the evening I went to a joint meeting of session and
stewards in the church. Willie at party at W. Thomas’.
17 – A beautiful clear day. Little doing but the chores. Mr. E.
Bryant called (Ethel Bryant down with the measles). Annie came
home from school. Willie went with sleigh load to party at Sun-
derland.
18 – A very fine day. Went with C. Phair to Port Perry and with
Mr. Dyer and G.A. McMillan went by train to Whitby to the South
Ontario Prohibition Union meeting. There was a rather small
turnout but the meeting was lively. Got supper at the Ladies’ Aid
of the United Church. Annie drove to her school and Willie did
the chores. Wilson’s store at Greenbank burned.
19 – Quite a heavy snowstorm after dinner and rain in the evening.
Willie went to Port Perry in the morning with eggs. I intended to
help C. Phair saw wood but the snow came on. Annie drove to her
school and Willie went for James to Port Perry. He came by the
car as far as Myrtle.
20 – A very fine day and thawing some. I did the chores while
Willie helped C. Phair to cut wood;. Willie and James away in the
evening. Annie washed, scrubbed, ironed and other things.
21 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS; 151 present; Mr. Dyer
preached. Willie took James to Myrtle and did not come home for
supper. Annie did not go out.
22 – Another very fine day and the snow going fast. Helping C.
Phair to saw wood. Willie took load of saw logs to Stone’s at
Seagrave. Roads getting bad. Annie drove to her school and in the
evening went out collecting for a present for Mary L. Real.
23 – Heavy rain in the early morning and some rain most of the
day which turned to sleet towards night. Annie drove to her school
but there were only 2 pupils so she came home after dinner. Willie
walked to Greenbank in the forenoon to take the cups back to the
church which they had at the last dance. E. Bryant called in the
afternoon. No mail today.
24 – A fine day and thawing. Willie drove Annie to her school and
then went on to Port Perry. Annie stayed at Armstrong’s all night.
Willie went to party at Owens’ in the evening.
25 – A very fine day and thawing. Willie went to Seagrave with 3
sawlogs. About 11 am Annie phoned over saying the school had
been closed until after Easter on account of measles and other
things so I drove over after her, going by Honeys Corners. Annie
drove to Greenbank in the afternoon to see about the Mary L. Real
present and stayed to choir practice in the evening.
26 – A fine day. Willie drove Annie to Port Perry where she took
the 9:30 train for Toronto. She came home with James in the car.
They could not get nearer than Port Perry. Willie went that far for
them. Mrs. Bryant Sr. and E. Bryant called. Willie and I drew up
to the barn the last of the sawlogs from Luke’s swamp. There was
a farewell presentation to Mary L. Real in the church but none of
us got to it as it was too late when they got home.
27 – A fine day. Willie went with Francis Lee and Laura Thomas
to Peterborough to visit Miss [Rita?] Trip who is in the hospital
having had her leg broken in an accident. Annie did the house-
keeping work. I was helping John Michie to cut two trees in Bry-
ant’s swamp. Mrs. E. Bryant called. James away in the evening.
28 – A fine but rather cold day. Annie, James and I at SS; 168
present; Mr. Dyer preached. James, after SS, drove to Port Perry
where he met Willie who had got that far back from Peterborough.
James took the car and went on to Toronto while Willie brought
the horse home. Willie, Frank Lee and Laura Thomas were out at
night. Annie out in the evening.
29 – A fine day. Willie and I tried to draw in the last of the hay-
stack and some corn but did not succeed very well on account of
snow and frost. Cleaned out hen and pig house in the afternoon.
Annie washing. Cawker called and bought the two steers for 6 cts.
30 – A fine day and thawing. Willie and I cutting wood that came
from C. Phair’s swamp. Spent most of the forenoon making a
sawhorse. The assessor Mr. H.B. [McKerchen?] called and had his
dinner here. Ethel Bryant called. Annie and Willie at League
meeting in the evening.
31 – A terrible day of snow and hail and almost from the SE which
continued all day. Little doing. After dinner Willie drove Annie to
Armstrong’s to Dale’s wedding. She and G. Sweetman were mar-
ried today and Annie was bridesmaid.
APR. 1 – Another day of snow and wind. Little doing but the
chores. Annie baking. Willie went with E. Bryant to Port Perry
for oats and in the evening to Port Perry with the sleigh for James
who is home for Easter holidays. Ethel Bryant called.
2 – Rather a fine day. Willie and I cut some wood in the forenoon
and in the afternoon Willie went to John Love’s sale. In the eve-
ning Annie, James and I went to preparatory services in the church.
Mr. Dyer preached. 6 new members came in: Jean and Ruth Mi-
chie; Ethel Bryant; Clara Gibson; Roy Cragg and --- Briden. Ethel
Bryant and Alma and Ruth Clements here for supper. Good Fri-
day. No mail.
3 – Another terrible day. Started to snow from the E and continued
all the rest of the day; almost rain sometimes. Willie went to
Seagrave with sawlogs. I don’t remember seeing so much snow at
this time of the year.
478
4 – Rather a fine day and thawing. Annie, Willie, James and I
went with the sleigh (and splendid sleighing it was) to communion
service at the church. There was a fairly good turnout. Mr. Dyer
preached. I got dinner at W. Watson’s. The rest came home and
Annie and James came back for SS at 3 o’clock. 138 at SS. James
struck for Uxbridge and Annie and I came home with Bryant’s.
Annie and Willie out in the evening. More snow coming.
5 – Snowing some in the morning. Willie and I took the 2 steers to
Cawker at Port Perry. James came with the cutter (splendid sleigh-
ing). Cut some wood in the afternoon. Annie went with E.C. to a
reception at Pleasant Point to Mrs. and Mrs. G. Sweetman. I went
to Port Perry evening train and met Jennie who has been just a
month at Newcastle.
6 – A very fine day and thawing some. Went to Port Perry in the
morning with the cutter and Willie and I cutting wood in the after-
noon. Jennie washing. Ethel Bryant called. Willie and Annie at
League in the evening.
7 - A fine day and thawing a little. Willie and I cut some wood.
Ethel Bryant called. James went to Uxbridge. Willie somewhere
and Annie for a ride with E.C. Port Perry high school was burned
down in the evening.
8 – A fine day and thawing some. Willie and I cut some wood.
Ethel Bryant called. James and Annie at choir practice in the eve-
ning.
9 – A fine day. Willie and I cutting wood. James and his mother
went to Port Perry in the forenoon. He tried to get the car (which
has been there for some time) but he failed. Willie went to Port
Perry in the evening to the train and brought home Jessie Bell who
has been at Newcastle.
10 – Another fine day and thawing some. Willie and James with
the buggy. They got the car started. Willie and I finished cutting
the wood pile. James went to Uxbridge and Willie to Port Perry in
the evening. Ethel Bryant and Alma Clements called in the eve-
ning.
11 – A fine day but rather cool. All hands, including Jessie Bell, at
SS and church. We went in two buggies. Jessie Bell, Annie and I
went by the 10th
conc. by the mill which was a very poor road.
Jennie and the boys went by the fields and got there first. 161 at
SS; Mr. Dyer preached. Jennie, Jessie Bell and I came home by
the fields; got the buggy down in the snow; broke the harness and
had to leave the buggy. Willie took James to Port Perry where he
took the car to Toronto where he starts to teach again tomorrow.
Annie and Willie out in the evening.
12 – A fine but rather cool day. Thawing some but there are snow
drifts in many places at least 5 feet deep. Willie drove Annie part
way to her school. She is to stay at Armstrong’s for a time. Willie
and I cut up a dead maple tree by the roadside. Jennie washing.
Jessie Bell cooking. Ethel Bryant called.
13 – A fine and warm day and thawing fast. Willie and I drew into
the woodshed the maple tree cut yesterday and in the afternoon
helped Ray Dusty to break the road. Snow 4 or 5 feet deep yet.
Used team and plough. Jennie went to W.M.S. meeting. She took
Mrs. John Michie with her. Willie at Young People’s League in
the evening.
14 – Warm and thawing fast in the forenoon but after dinner the
wind changed to the NW and it became quite cold. Great northern
lights in the evening. I split wood in the woodshed. Jessie Bell
making dress for Jennie.
15 – A very hard frost in the morning and not very warm all day.
Thawing a little. Jennie and Willie went to Port Perry in the morn-
ing. I split some wood. Willie away in the evening. Ethel Bryant
called twice.
16 – Snow in the morning from the SW. Thawing a little but it got
colder towards night with high NW wind. Willie at John Michie’s
helping to cut wood. I split some wood. I went for Annie. Went
by the 12th
and came home by the 9th
. Road not too good. James
came home in the car. He got as far as E. Bryant’s gate. Mary L.
Real, who had been in Toronto, came with him and stayed all
night. Willie away in the evening.
17 – A very cold blustery day. James got the car from Bryant’s
gate and into the barn and he worked at it most of the day. Willie
helping Sam Dusty to cut wood. Annie and Mary L. Real went to
Port Perry in the forenoon and Annie got her hair bobbed. I split
wood. James took M.L. up to Harvey’s in the evening. Ethel
Bryant called twice. All John Michie’s family up getting their hair
cut.
18 – Rather a fine day but rather cold. James and Jessie Bell left
about 12 o’clock with the car for Toronto. Leola Luke called in
the forenoon. Went to SS and church with Jennie, Annie and Wil-
lie. 168 at SS; Rev. Mr. Dyer preached. Annie and Willie out in
the evening.
19 – Another fine but very cold day with bitter N wind. Willie
drove Annie to her school (she is to stay at Armstrong’s this week).
I splitting wood. Jennie washing. Willie drawing out manure in
the afternoon and away in the evening. Mrs. E. Bryant called.
20 – Warmer and more like spring. Willie at Jas. Bott’s cutting
wood. I was splitting wood and in the afternoon helping John
Michie to finish cutting his wood. Jennie at Greenbank in the
afternoon. Willie at League meeting in the evening. E. Bryant
called.
21 – Warm and spring like in earnest. Snow going rapidly. Thun-
der about 5 pm and a little rain. Willie drove his mother and Hattie
Cragg to Blackwater on their way to W.M. S. presbyterial meeting
at Lindsay today and tomorrow. I split wood and finished the job.
Willie at Greenbank in the evening. Mrs. Bryant called. John
Michie brought the beef, the first of the season.
22 – A fine day and warm. The snow going fast. Willie and I
drew in some corn and then Willie broke the snow in the lane. E.
Bryant called. In the evening Willie went to Blackwater for his
mother who had a big time in Lindsay.
23 – A very fine day. At the berry bushes in the forenoon. Willie
pruning orchard. In the afternoon I went down to the 10th
conces-
sion and took out several sticks that were coming up. Willie went
479
for Annie and in the evening went to Greenbank expecting to meet
James coming home from Toronto with the car but he did not
come. E. Bryant called, also C. Phair.
24 – Mild with heavy rain part of the afternoon with thunder.
Jennie and Annie went to Port Perry in the morning for paper for
the kitchen. I helped Ray Dusty to fill up hole in the 10th
conc.
near the spring. Willie at Ernest Phair’s helping to cut wood.
Ethel Bryant called. Word came that Mrs. E. Bryant’s mother died
in Oshawa this morning. Rain in the afternoon. I went to Green-
bank to meet James who came from Toronto by car. Got stuck
twice on the road between Myrtle and Manchester and had to be
pulled out at $2.00 a pull. The car was left at Greenbank. James at
Uxbridge and Willie at Port Perry in the evening. E. Bryant called
in the evening.
25 – A very disagreeable day. High NW wind with rain and snow
and freezing in the evening. Willie drove James to Myrtle in the
buggy. He saw 11 cars stuck in the mud between Manchester and
Myrtle. Jennie did not go to SS as she had a bad headache. Annie
and I went. 109 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached. Willie and Annie out
in the evening. Ed Bryant called twice to telephone.
26 – A quite cold day. Willie drove Annie to her school and in the
afternoon I helped C. Phair to cut wood. I washed the kitchen
ceiling first with water, then with alabastine. Jennie cleaning up.
Mrs. Bryant Sr. called. E. Bryant went to Oshawa to his mother-
in-law’s funeral.
27 – A fine and warm day. Willie went to Port Perry in the fore-
noon. I took straw off the strawberry patch and went to Mrs.
O’Neill’s for a trowel. Jennie cleaning kitchen. In the afternoon
Willie at C. Phair’s cutting wood. I plastering some places in
kitchen. Bob Wells called.
28 – Heavy rain through the night and most of the forenoon. Eve-
rything very wet. Water standing everywhere and not a thing done
on the land yet anywhere hereabouts. Willie went for the beef. I
helping Jennie to paper the kitchen. Ethel Bryant called. Willie
out in the evening.
29 – Another dull day with rain in the forenoon. Willie and I drew
in the last of the hay stack which was pretty well soaked to the
bottom. Jennie washing. In the afternoon Willie helping C. Phair
to cut wood. Jennie at Greenbank with eggs. I at berry bushes.
Clarence O’Neill came for a load of straw. Ethel B. called.
30 – Another very dull day with lots of rain. W. Phoenix phoned
and I went to Greenbank to help level up about the hall but rain
came on and I came home for dinner. Willie went to Bethel for
Annie. James did not come home. Helen Phair taken to Port
Perry hospital and operated on for appendicitis.
MAY 1 – A really fine spring-like day. I was all day at berry
bushes. Willie pruning apple trees and drew in some corn. Ethel
Bryant called twice. Annie and Willie away in the evening.
2 – A really warm spring day, the warmest of the season. Jennie,
Annie and I drove (Willie walked) to SS and church. 145 at SS;
Mr. Dyer preached. Willie at G. Lee’s and Annie at Alex
Gordon’s for tea. Jean and Ruth Michie called in the evening.
About 9 pm Bert Hunt of Port Perry, in a car with two girls, got
stuck in the mud just at our gate and we had a job getting them out.
3 – Cold again and raw all day. Willie took Annie to her school.
Afterwards we put away the cutters and sleigh. I plowed the gar-
den and tried to get the water out of the cellar by the drain but did
not succeed. Cleaned out the berry bushes. Jennie cleaning
whitewash paper and painting the pantry. Ed Bryant got our seed
drill and sowed the field W of his house. This is the first seeding
that I have heard of this season. Ethel Bryant called.
4 – A very cold morning and not very warm all day. Willie drove
me to Greenbank in the morning early and I went with Mr. Dyer in
his car to presbytery meeting at Lindsay. Rev. D.D. McDonald,
John Heron and John Bott went with us. There was a large atten-
dance. Mr. McDonald resigned from Wick charge. It was 10 pm
before we left for home. Jennie housecleaning the pantry, painting,
etc. Willie at League meeting in the evening. He brought the car
home which has been at Greenbank for some time.
5 – Warmer. Jennie washing. Willie and I at cellar drain in the
forenoon and got the water out, cleaned the brush out of the or-
chard and took potatoes out of the cellar. Mrs. E. Bryant and Ethel
called. Willie away with the car and got bogged at the gate. He
went to Port Perry but had to leave the car at Greenbank.
6 – Dull all day and much rain with thunder most of the afternoon
and everything wetter than ever. Willie walked to Greenbank to
bring home the car but Tom Brown was not at home. Jennie clean-
ing out cellar.
7 – Quite warm all day. Willie went to Port Perry in the forenoon.
I re-laid the brick in the pig house that were torn up. In the after-
noon Willie took the buggy wheel to Greenbank to get fixed.
Annie did not come home direct from her school but went to Little
Britain to visit Dale Sweetman. Willie at party at Scugog in the
evening. James came home with another car he has bought.
8 – A fine day. Willie and I drew in the last of the corn which has
been at the fence side all winter. Annie did not come home as Mrs.
Armstrong is very sick. James went to Greenbank with his car in
the afternoon, then Willie and him went to Port Perry. Willie
scuffled berry bushes and went to Port Perry in the evening and
James to Uxbridge. Ethel Bryant called. John Michie’s girls came
up to get their hair cut.
9 - A very fine but cool day. Annie is still at Armstrong’s but
Mrs. A. is some better. Willie walked and Jennie and I went with
James in his car to SS. 165 at SS. Mr. Dyer conducted a Mother’s
day service instead of the usual church service and did it well.
James started by car to Toronto at 5:30 pm. Laura Clements went
with him. Willie away in the evening.
10 – Rather dull with some rain in the forenoon but better in the
afternoon. I went to Port Perry in the morning and got two horse
collars. Willie plowed the strawberry patch. Jennie up visiting
Mrs. S. Dusty who has been sick but is now some better. Mrs. E.
Bryant called.
11 – A fine but rather cool day. Willie cultivating SW field, the
first work of this kind this spring. I at cellar drain and other jobs.
480
Jennie at W.M. meeting at the church. Mrs. John Michie went
with her. Willie at League meeting in the evening. Errol and Ethel
Bryant went with him. Annie came home with some eggs.
12 – A very fine day. Willie cultivating all day. I fanned up seed
in the forenoon and hoeing berry bushes in the afternoon. Jennie
housecleaning upstairs. Mrs. E. Bryant called. Willie took eggs to
Greenbank in the evening.
13 – A very fine day. Willie cultivating and harrowing. I was
most of the day at berry bushes. Jennie washing. Ethel Bryant
brought over 3 nice suckers. Mr. Bryant also called. Willie away
in the evening. E. Bryant planting early potatoes.
14 – A very fine day. Willie sowed the SW field, the first sown
this year. I at berry bushes, cleaned up about the wood pile and in
the garden. Jennie housecleaning. Mrs. Bryant called. James
went with Mr. Witty to St. Thomas.
15 – A very fine day. I fanned up seed while Willie sowed field
NW of barn. Jennie putting in garden. Ethel Bryant and Marie
Akhurst here getting hair cut and Jean and Ruth called in the eve-
ning. Willie at Port Perry in the evening.
16 – Another beautiful day. All at SS and church. 142 at SS. Rev.
Reuben Stilwell of Uxbridge preached. Annie and Willie out in
the evening. Bob Wells wheeled over to see Willie in the after-
noon.
17 – A fine warm day. Willie cultivated N field. I fanned up oats,
fixed fence, hoed berry bushes and other things. Jennie house-
cleaning. Annie drove to her school. E. Bryant got the seed drill
to finish his sowing. Ray Dusty having a time with auto agents
and buys a car. Ethel Bryant called. There was quite a lot of thun-
der during the afternoon but only a few drops of rain here.
18 – Another fine day. Willie harrowed and partly sowed the N
field. I finished the berry bushes. Jennie washing. Annie drove to
her school. E. Bryant got the drill and finished his seeding. Annie
and Willie at League meeting in the evening.
19 – Very dull all day with rain from the SE off and on. Willie
went for the beef. Annie drove to her school. Jennie went with C.
Phair to Port Perry to bring home Helen who has been in the hospi-
tal for some time. Nothing doing outside on account of the rain.
Got colder in the evening.
20 – Rather a cold and windy day. Willie finished sowing oats and
then harrowed. Annie drove to her school. I helped Jennie to
paper ceiling of parlour. Mr. Bryant called. Annie at choir prac-
tice and Willie somewhere in the evening.
21 – Some rain about noon. Willie finished harrowing in the fore-
noon and plowed the orchard in the afternoon. Annie drove to her
school. Jennie baking and housecleaning. I did some small jobs.
A baby boy came to C. Phair’s house this morning.
22 – Very dull all day with rain sometimes. James and Willie went
to Greenbank with James’ car and got the other car fixed and
brought it home. James and Annie then went to Port Perry. I
plowed in orchard. In the afternoon Willie went to Port Perry for
Annie Bell of Toronto. Willie and Annie then went to I. Irving’s
for setting eggs. Ed Bryant called. Willie and Annie away in the
evening. Cold and wet in the evening.
23 – A fine but pretty cool day with high NW wind. James took
Jennie and I in his car to Wick to their anniversary service. Rev.
W.A. McKay of Streetsville preached. We then came to the SS
where there were 157 present; Mr. Dyer preached. Miss Bagshaw
of Hamilton sang a solo. James went to Uxbridge for tea, Annie to
Wick and Willie somewhere.
24 – A fine but cool day. Little doing in the forenoon. In the
afternoon James went to Uxbridge, then back home, and then to
Toronto, taking Annie Bell with him. Annie went to Zion with
E.C. Jennie and I went with Willie to the tea party at Wick. There
was a good attendance. Sunderland orchestra; John Walker of
Mount Albert and a female quartet gave the programme. Nearly
$200.00 was taken in.
25 – A very fine day. We put 8 young cattle into C. Phair’s pasture
for the season. Got Ed Bryant’s manure spreader and drew out
manure. Annie drove to her school. Ross Blakely called to get
help on a debate. Earl Bryant shot a skunk south of our house.
Annie and Willie at League meeting in the evening.
26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 – A fine day. Left with Mr. Dyer in his
car about 6 am for the Bay of Quinte conference of the United
Church of Canada at Kingston. Rev. Mr. Higgs of Port Perry and
T. Dobson of Manchester went with us. Got to Kingston about 1
pm and was billeted with Mrs. A. Miller, 92 Clergy Street and for
the time until Monday May 31 was spent at the various meetings of
the conference. Got home about 10 pm on Monday May 31. An-
nie was at Oshawa seeing Mrs. F. Watson who is in the hospital. A
great change in the vegetation while I was away.
JUNE 1 – Warm with a very heavy rain about 1 pm and again
about 6:30 and also in the forenoon. Got Elmer Clements, with his
potato planter, and put in the potatoes; 30 drills. Willie went to
Port Perry for seed corn, etc. and I planted the patch near the barn
pump. Annie drove to her school. Willie and Annie at League
meeting in the evening.
2 – Cool all day and getting more so towards night with rain which
almost came to snow. Willie at Jas. Dusty’s helping with manure.
I planted some corn in the orchard. Annie drove to her school.
Willie away somewhere in the evening. Earl Bryant called.
3 – James came home in the early morning, this being the King’s
birthday and holiday in his school. Very cold and windy. I went
to Port Perry in the forenoon with James. Annie drove to her
school. Jennie oiling the kitchen floor. Willie at Jim Dusty’s and I
was rolling in the afternoon. James left for Toronto about 5 pm.
Annie at choir practice in the evening. Ethel Bryant called.
4 – A very fine day. Willie rolling N field while I planted straw-
berries. Annie drove to her school. In the afternoon Willie and I
went with the waggon to Seagrave to Stone’s saw mill and got our
logs sawed and brought one load home. James came home bring-
ing Mr. Witty, a teacher in James’ school. Annie and Willie went
to Greenbank to a League committee meeting.
481
5 – A very fine day. I planted strawberries most of the day. Willie
went to Seagrave for the remainder of the lumber. James took Mr.
Whitty to Port Perry and Scugog Island, Annie to Port Perry and
then to her school to help the entrance class. Afternoon boys fix-
ing cars. In the evening Willie went somewhere. Annie to Os-
hawa and James to Uxbridge. Marie Akhurst, Ruth Clements and
Ethel Bryant called.
6 – A fine day until evening when it started to rain from the SE.
All but Mr. Whitty having forgot his Sunday clothes and did not
go. Mr. Dyer preached giving a report of the conference at King-
ston. James and Mr. Witty left for Toronto about 5:30. Annie and
Willie out in the evening.
7 – Rather cool. Willie drawing out manure until about the middle
of the afternoon when a thunder shower came up. I finished plant-
ing the strawberries. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school.
Willie was going to Greenbank to a reorganization of the S. of T.
division but a very black cloud came up but not much rain came.
Mrs. Bryant called.
8 – Several rain showers. Willie and I drawing out manure with
the waggon in the forenoon and with E. Bryant’s manure spreader
in the afternoon. Annie drove to her school. Jennie went with
Mrs. John Michie to W.M.S. meeting in the church. Willie and
Annie at League meeting in the evening. Raleigh man called. Mr.
McDermott of Port Perry brought Annie’s new bedroom suite.
Helen Phair was taken again to the hospital at Port Perry and was
operated on for stoppage of the bowels.
9 – A fine day. Willie went for the beef while I harrowed the
orchard and planted some corn and hoed. Willie plowing. Annie
drove to her school. In the evening Willie drove Jennie and I to
prayer meeting. We first called in to see W. Watson who has been
ill. Annie at Seagrave.
10 – A very fine cool day. Plowing in the forenoon while Jennie
and Willie went to Port Perry. Willie plowing in the afternoon. I
making stone boat. E. Bryant called for some strawberry plants.
Annie at choir practice. Willie teaching John Michie to run his car.
Jennie visiting at C. Phair’s in the afternoon.
11 – A very fine day. Not feeling very well and did little in the
forenoon. Willie drawing out manure all day with three horses,
one from Bryant’s. Annie drove to her school. Jennie weeding the
garden. In the evening Willie helping John Michie with his car.
They all but Lizzie came up here.
12 – Rain in the morning. Boys most of the day in the shop. I
plowing. After dinner James, Willie and I went to Sunderland in
James’ car. Ethel Bryant and John Michie’s girls here in the after-
noon getting hair cut. Ethel Bryant is to stay here for awhile as
Arthur Bryant is home sick with the measles. Annie and Willie
away in the evening.
13 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 161 st SS; Mr.
Dyer preached. James went with John Michie to help him with his
car. He got supper at John’s and left for Toronto about 6:30.
Annie and Willie and Ethel Bryant out in the evening.
14 – A great day of rain from the E. Willie went north of Green-
bank to bring home the car which was stalled there last night and
he got home about 10 am. I plowed awhile until rain came on.
Jennie washing. Afternoon Willie plowed awhile until rain came
on again. A terrible rain from the E and continued most of the
night. Annie drove to her school and Ruth Clements came home
with her. Ethel Bryant also here all night.
15 – A very fine day. Willie plowing and harrowing corn land. I
planting corn in orchard. Mr. Dyer and children came for some
strawberry plants. Annie drove to her school. Jennie ironing.
Willie and Annie at League meeting.
16 – A very fine day. Finished planting corn in the orchard. Wil-
lie harrowing the corn ground. After dinner we sowed field corn
until the seed ran out. Willie harrowed it. Jennie cleaned out
woodhouse. Annie drove to her school. Ethel Bryant here over-
night. Willie away in the evening.
17 – A very fine day. Harrowed the orchard and the turnip land,
finished sowing corn and drilled some for turnips. Willie and his
mother at Port Perry in the forenoon. Willie laid up in the after-
noon. Annie drove to her school and went to choir practice in the
evening. Ethel Bryant here all night. Ruth Michie called in the
evening.
18 – A very fine cool day. Drilling up turnips and sowed 60 drills.
John Michie got the drill. Willie most of the day fixing car. Annie
drove to her school. About 5:30 James came home, bringing
Nancy and James Thompson of Toronto to spend the weekend.
Willie at Greenbank in the evening. Ethel Bryant called 3 times,
also E. Bryant.
19 – Another very fine but cool day. Finished drilling and sowing
turnips. Willie took a load to SS class picnic at Oshawa with John
Michie’s car. James first went for Mary L. Real who came here for
dinner and then took her, with Annie and Nancy and Jim, to Os-
hawa. Annie stayed at Port Perry on their way home.
20 – A beautiful but cool day. All hands at SS and church; 163 at
SS; the Rev. of Bloomington preached. James with Jas. and
Nancy Thompson started for Toronto about 6 pm. Annie at Sea-
grave Anniversary. Willie somewhere.
21 – A fine day until about 7 pm. There was a little rain with
thunder. All day at C. Phair’s fixing fences. Willie helping E.
Bryant to hoe potatoes. Jennie washing. Jennie drove Annie to her
school. She is to meet the trustees tonight. Engaged for another
year.
22 – A very fine but cool day. At C. Phair’s in the forenoon.
Willie at E. Bryant’s all day. Annie drove to her school. In the
afternoon Willie Smith, with his wife, mother and daughter, came
for a visit. They left for home about 7 pm. Annie at Seagrave
anniversary. Willie at Young People’s League.
23 – Several thunder showers in the afternoon. All day at C.
Phair’s. Willie at E. Bryant’s until about 3 when rain came on.
Annie drove to her school and Mary Egelson came with her and
stayed all night. Willie away somewhere in the evening.
482
24 – Another very fine day. All day at C. Phair’s. Willie went to
Jim Dusty’s with car and on the way home it went broke and he
spent most of the day repairing it. Annie drove to her school and
to choir practice in the evening. Jennie went to Greenbank in the
afternoon with Mrs. John Michie. Willie and Earl Bryant to
Greenbank to football in the evening. E. Bryant called.
25 – Went to Port Perry in the forenoon with the buggy. Thunder
shower in the afternoon. Hoed berry bushes. Annie drove to her
school. Willie at Jas. Dusty’s.
26 – Cool, quite a lot of thunder but only a few drops of rain here.
Scuffled potatoes twice over. Willie at Jas. Dusty’s. John Mi-
chie’s girls, Marie Akhurst and Ethel Bryant here in the afternoon
getting hair cut. Annie and Willie away in the evening.
27 – A very fine cool day. All hands at SS and church. Anniver-
sary service by Rev. Mr. Wright of Bloor at Church in Toronto
preached to full houses afternoon and evening. Miss Bowan gave
a solo. James went to Uxbridge and Willie somewhere. Separator
bust at the evening milking.
28 – A fine but cool day. Willie and I finished drawing out manure
and Willie plowed in the afternoon. Jennie washing. James fixing
separator. Annie drove to her school, the last day for the year.
Willie went to Uxbridge in the evening for Norman Lyle. Annie
drove James’ car to Saintfield, Seagrave, Honeydale and home.
Ethel Bryant called.
29 – A very fine day. Willie all day at bee at E. Bryant’s gravel-
ling his lane. James and I fixing car and other jobs. Jennie iron-
ing. Mr. Bryant Sr. called. In the evening James took Jennie and I
to a picture show in the town hall at Port Perry. ‘Uncle Tom’s
Cabin’ was the play and it was pretty good. Willie away in the
evening.
30 – A beautiful day. Jennie and the boys went by car to Newcas-
tle to see Aunt Lizzie. I plowed and harrowed the H. grass land.
Annie’s horse got out of pasture and I had to go to Jim Gibson’s
for her. Leola Luke came and stayed all night.
JULY 1 – A most beautiful day. Willie sowed the H. grass in the
morning. Jennie baking. James, Annie and Leola went to Bethel.
All hands at anniversary in the afternoon. There was a very big
crowd. It took from 5 to 9 pm to feed them all. The concert was
outside. Jas. Fax was the chief attraction. Over $300.00 taken in.
2 – A warm day. Willie took two hogs to Seagrave; 500 lbs.
$75.00. James and I fixing engine in shop, After dinner James
went with his car to Greenbank and towed home Willie’s one
which was there all night. In the evening Annie and E.C. went to
Scugog. They took James’ car. Willie at Greenbank.
3 – Quite warm and fine. In the forenoon went with Willie and
James to Port Perry. Had two blowouts and the boys were the
most of the afternoon fixing it up. I putting new fence about the
hen yard. Ethel Bryant called. Willie at Sunderland or some-
where. Annie at Port Perry.
4 – A beautiful day. All hands at SS and church; 142 at SS; Mr.
Dyer preached. Clark and J.C. Dyer came home with us for supper
and a feed of strawberries. James went to Uxbridge. Annie to
church and Willie somewhere. Jean Michie also here for tea.
5 – A very fine and warm day. Planted some corn where the hens
had scratched up and helped Jennie and Annie to pick strawberries;
26 boxes, the first picking. Boys went to Joe Holdershaw’s for
some pieces of car. After dinner James and Annie went to Ux-
bridge with berries and then the boys fixed the car. Ethel Bryant
called. Willie at ball practice in the evening.
6 – A beautiful day. Hoeing potatoes all day. Jennie washing.
James most of the time in the shop and went to Uxbridge in the
evening. Willie and Annie at Bethel community picnic at Port
Bolster. Willie took a load.
7 – A fine and pretty warm day. Willie went for the beef the first
thing, then got E. Bryant’s corn cultivator and cultivated the corn
and banked up the potatoes. James most of the day in the shop. I
hoed some and in the afternoon helped Jennie and Annie to pick
strawberries; 65 boxes picked. Mr. and Mrs. Dyer and family here
for supper and Annie and James at choir practice. Willie away
somewhere. Ethel Bryant called. Roy and Henry Leask came for
3 heifers.
8 – A very warm scorching day. Hoed in the orchard most of the
day. James and Jennie went to Uxbridge in the forenoon with
strawberries and Mary L. Real came home with them. Willie all
day at his car. James, Annie and Mary L. went to Port Perry in the
afternoon and to Alex Gordon’s in the evening. Ethel Bryant
called. After supper Jennie, Willie and I started to go to Epsom to
see Mr. and Mrs. Luke but we had a blow out at Midgley’s gate
and we went no further but came home.
9 – Some rain after dinner and in the evening, which was needed as
it was getting rather dry. Helping Jennie, Annie, Willie and Ethel
Bryant to pick strawberries; about 100 boxes. James took them to
Uxbridge in the afternoon. Willie at the car and I hoeing in the
orchard. In the evening went with Jennie and James to preparatory
service in the church. Not a very good turnout. Mr. Dyer
preached.
10 – More rain through the night and more about noon and later.
Jennie, James and I went to Toronto in James’ car. Rain part of the
time. Got home about 6 pm. Ethel Bryant and Ruth Clements
called. Annie and Willie away in the evening.
11 – A very fine cool day. All hands at communion service. There
was a good turnout, the best for some time. Mr. Dyer preached.
Jennie and I got dinner at W. Watson’s and all but Willie at SS at 3
o’clock. Annie, Willie and James away at night.
12 – Very cool. Rain about 10 am and rather dull most of the day.
Picking strawberries most of the day. Jennie, Annie, Willie, James
and Ethel Bryant also picking; about 146 boxes. James took some
to Uxbridge. Annie went with him. Willie away in the evening
and James and Annie at ball game at Greenbank. Tigers won 16 to
15. E. Bryant called twice.
13 – A fine but cool day. Scuffled the turnips and part of the corn.
Willie at Jim Dusty’s. James all day fixing his car. Jennie drove
483
to W.M. meeting. Mrs. John Michie went with her. In the evening
I went with C. Phair to an official board meeting in the church.
14 – Another fine day. Willie at Jim Dusty’s. James went with car
to Toronto. Jennie washing. In the afternoon Jennie, Annie, Mrs.
Bryant and Ethel Bryant, and I picking strawberries; about 125
boxes. Annie and Willie at ball game at Greenbank in the evening.
Ernest Phair came with his new car for berries.
15 – A very fine day. Willie at Jim Dusty’s. I hoeing corn all day.
James took berries to Uxbridge. In the evening James and Annie
went to choir practice and Willie, Jennie and I went by car to
Luke’s at Epsom. Mr. Luke was at L. Wagner’s so we went on to
Wagner’s also.
16 – Another very fine day. Hoeing corn in the forenoon. Jennie,
Annie, James and Ethel Bryant picking strawberries. After dinner
James and I went to Port Perry with berries and to get a pair of
shoes. Picking berries after we came home, Mr. E. Bryant helping.
About 118 boxes. Willie at Jim Dusty’s. In the evening James
went to Uxbridge and Willie to Port Perry.
17 – Willie went to C. Phair’s to help with the hay but he had
hardly got there when a thunder storm came on and he came home.
I finished hoeing the corn and started the turnips. James and Annie
went to Port Perry via Greenbank and met Annie Bell on the 5:30
train. Jim Dusty called in the forenoon, also Ethel Bryant. Willie
and Annie out in the evening.
18 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; 130 at SS.
Rev. Mr. --- of Sunderland preached, Mr. Dyer having exchanged
with him. Willie went somewhere for tea and James to Uxbridge
and Annie and Annie to church.
19 – Fine day until about 5 pm when there was a little rain and then
some more later in the evening. Jennie, Annie and Annie Bell,
Ethel Bryant picking strawberries; 110 boxes. James and Annie
then took some to Uxbridge and Greenbank. I was hoeing turnips
all day. Willie went to Sam Dusty’s in the morning but Jim did not
come so he came home again and he also hoed turnips. Earl Bry-
ant called twice. James and Annie went to Greenbank in the eve-
ning to a ball game.
20 – Very warm day. Willie at Jim Dusty’s. Jennie washing. I
hoeing turnips. James fixing car. In the evening I went with G.A.
McMillan to Port Perry to a little meeting on prohibition held at
Mr. S. Jeffery’s. Willie away somewhere in the evening.
21 – Another terrible hot day. Some thunder to the N but no rain
here. Willie at Jim Dusty’s. I hoeing turnips all day. Jennie,
Annie, Annie Bell and Ethel Bryant picking strawberries; about 60
boxes. James took Annie over to Frank Watson’s on a visit. James
and Willie away in the evening.
22 – Hoeing turnips until rain came on about 11 am. Willie also
hoeing. James went to C. Phair’s to run his mower but the rain
stopped them. C. Phair, with his two girls, came and got his
mower knives sharpened. About 4:30 James, Annie Bell and I
went by car to Jas. Mason’s place at Bobcaygeon. Got there about
6 pm. Willie away in the evening.
23 – A very fine day. Willie started to do road work by drawing
gravel from Thomas’ pit but he broke the tongue of the waggon on
the second load. He then started to cut the hill field with the
mower but lost a bolt and had to quit. At Bobcaygeon we spent the
day on the lake and loafing.
24 – Another beautiful day. Willie hoeing turnips. Annie painted
the buggy. Marie Akhurst, Ethel Bryant and Alma Clements here
getting hair cut. We got home from Bobcaygeon about 6 pm.
Came by Fenelon Falls, Woodville, Cannington and Sunderland.
James took his mother and Annie to Greenbank and they called in
to Mr. Dyers’. Annie and Willie away in the evening.
25 – A beautiful day. All but Annie Bell at SS. James first went to
Uxbridge for Mrs. Real and Mary. Only 110 at SS. Instead of the
usual church service there was a decoration service in the ceme-
tery. There was a large turnout. Mr. Dyer conducted the service.
Mary L. Real and Elmer and Laura Clements were here for supper
and all were out in the evening. Willie got stranded with the car on
Scugog bridge.
26 – Another very fine day. Hoeing turnips most of the day. Wil-
lie mowing but the mower broke down and James and him went to
Port Perry in the afternoon and got binder twine. Willie, Annie
and Annie Bell at Greenbank ball game in the evening. Jennie
washing. James and Willie went for the car left on Scugog last
night.
27 – Another beautiful day. Hoeing turnips most of the day. Wil-
lie finished cutting hill field. James was at C. Phair’s until about
2:30 when he and Willie went on a hunt for a piece of car they
needed. They got it at Tummon’s on the 7th
conc. Jennie ironing,
baking and making jelly. Annie Bell making dress. Anne and
Annie Bell at John Michie’s in the evening. Jean and Ruth here
getting hair cut. Ethel Bryant called.
28 – Dull all day with a little rain in the morning. All but Annie
Bell went to the SS picnic at Port Bolster. I went with E.C. and
came home with Willie. There was a good turnout. John McDon-
ald had his shoulder put out when playing football.
29 – Rather dull all day. Willie scuffled the potatoes and corn and
I finished hoeing the turnips (first time) and greened part of the
potatoes. Willie away in the evening. Ethel Bryant called twice.
30 – A fine day. Willie took his mother to the early train on her
way to Newcastle for a few days. He brought home the new
waggon tongue ($5.00) and drew 2 loads of gravel in the forenoon.
James took Annie Bell to Greenbank for some things. I scuffling
and hoeing strawberry patch. In the afternoon we got Ray Dusty’s
rake and raked up the hill field and cocked up some of it. Annie
and Annie Bell at G.A. McMillan’s. James at Uxbridge and Willie
at Port Perry in the evening and Annie and Annie Bell somewhere.
Ethel Bryant called.
31 – Another fine and very warm day. Very heavy dew in the
morning. Drawing in hay from the hill field; 8 loads. Annie and
Willie away in the evening.
AUG. 1 – Very warm, dull with a little rain in the evening. All but
Annie (who was unwell) at SS and church; 126 at SS; Mr. Dyer
484
preached. Annie, Willie and James away in the evening. Annie
Bell had a sing of old hymns. Willie got home about 10 pm.
2 – A heavy rain through the night which soaked the hay cocks all
through. James and Willie in the shop all forenoon while I hoed
some. In the afternoon Willie went to a ball game and garden
party at Blackstock. James took Annie Bell to Greenbank to take
the bus to Toronto and then to Port Perry for his mother who is
home from her visit to Newcastle. I scuffled turnips, 2nd
time. Ed
and Ethel Bryant called. Willie got stranded at Manchester and did
not get home until morning.
3 – Very warm day. I finished scuffling turnips 2nd
time and cut
most of the hay field NE of barn. Jennie washing. Annie picking
cherries. James went with his car to help Willie at Manchester and
Willie got home about 10 am, the car travelling on its own power.
Just before dinner George McGuire of Uxbridge came and tuned
the piano. In the afternoon we got the binder from E. Bryant and
rigged it up. James took his mother and Mrs. John Michie to
W.M.S. meeting. Willie went to Port Perry for drive chain for
binder. Ethel Bryant called 3 times and Mr. Bryant once.
4 – A fine but rather dull day. Got the binder going and cut the fall
wheat E of the orchard; a rather nice crop. This is the first grain
cut in these parts that I have heard of. Harry McMillan and an-
other man wanting to sell a separator here. In the afternoon we
drew in the three loads of hay left on the hill field. Jennie all day
preserving cherries. Annie picking black currants. E. Bryant and
Ethel Bryant called. James at Greenbank in the evening. Annie
and Willie out. Mr. Ewers came early with his truck and took grey
cow to Toronto.
5 – Got early start and drew in 2 loads of hay from field NE of
barn but rain came on and it drizzled most of the forenoon and
some in the afternoon. In the afternoon James, in John Michie’s
car, took Jennie, Mrs. John Michie, Mrs. Isaac Beare and Maggie
Blair to a meeting of the W.M.S. in Cannington. I hoed some and
turned some hay. Annie ironing. Ethel Bryant called.
6 – Very warm, thunder in the forenoon and again about 7 pm with
some rain. Willie raked the hill field and then the other hay field.
We drew in 5 loads and cocked up the rest. Jennie preserving
black currants and Annie and her picked raspberries; about 68
boxes. James took 57 boxes up to Herby Hook who then took
them to Toronto. Ed Bryant was over in the morning getting James
to sharpen the point of his potato digger. Ethel Bryant also called.
A terrible thunder storm came up between 9 and 11 and again later.
[margin note: Vote in Port Perry on High School carried].94
7 – Did a number of small jobs. Fixed the watering place at spring
and greened potatoes. Boys most of the day at cars. Jennie bak-
ing. Ethel and Ed Bryant called. Annie Bell came by bus and
walked over from the 10th
conc. at Blair’s mill. Annie and Willie
out in the evening. Cooler, a little rain, no haying.
94
“In one of the largest votes ever cast, a by-law ap-
proving construction of a new composite public and
high school passed by a 248 vote majority with only
67 opposed.” Source: www.scugogheritage.com
8 – A very fine cool day. All hands at SS and church; 124 at SS.
Mr. J.A. Miller preached (Mr. Dyer being on his holidays). James
went to Uxbridge for tea and Willie and Annie were away in the
evening.
9 – A fine day. Drew in the last of the hay including the rakings.
Jennie washing, baking and ironing. James and Willie went to Port
Perry in the afternoon for a new tire for the overland. James and
Annie at Greenbank in the evening for ball game. Ed and Ethel
Bryant called. Annie raked the lane in the afternoon
10 – A very fine day. This is the day of the church garden party
and we had to supply raspberries. All hands, including Mrs. John
Michie and Jean, Ethel Bryant and Ruth Clements were picking
about 150 boxes. After dinner James and I went to hunt Annie’s
pony which got out of the field and found her in Jim Gibson’s field
but we could not catch her so we left her there. Willie took the
berries up to the church, Annie going with him. Jennie and I came
later in James’ car. I went on with him to Uxbridge. There was a
pretty good crowd and the programme was good. Jennie Read was
the star and Miss McGee, a fine violinist. Proceeds about $300.00.
11 – A very fine day. Willie went for the beef in the morning. I
fixed fences while the rest picked a crate of berries for Blanche
Luke and Willie took them to Port Perry. In the afternoon Willie,
James and I drew in the fall wheat; 3 loads. Willie and Annie
went to Jim Gibson’s for Maude horse. Rev. W. Horn of Wiscon-
sin, U.S., with his wife, son and daughter, called in and had a nice
visit. James, Annie and Ruth C. at Greenbank at ball play. Willie
away somewhere.
12 – Almost raining most of the forenoon. Willie scuffled turnips
3rd
time and I hoed them the 2nd
time. Very poor crop. James went
to [Brown’s?] at Greenbank and was there to the middle of the
afternoon getting car fixed. Willie and I hoeing turnips in the
afternoon. Ethel Bryant called. In the evening James took Jennie
and I for a car ride by Port Perry, Manchester and Greenbank.
Willie away somewhere.
13 – A very fine and warm day. Jennie, Annie, Willie, James,
Ethel Bryant, Mrs. John Michie, Ruth Clements and I picking
berries; about 95 boxes. James took two 27 box crates to Port
Perry. In the afternoon John Michie took another crate to P.P. in
his car. Annie went with them. Willie went to Port Perry with the
horses to be shod. James painting his car. I was hoeing turnips. In
the evening all were home. Ethel Bryant and Ruth Clements were
in and we had music.
14 – A fine and warm day. Hoeing turnips 2nd
time and finished
the job. Helping C. Phair to fix fence in the afternoon. Willie at
Jim Dusty’s all day. James went on a trip to Bobcaygeon via Ux-
bridge. Willie and Annie away in the evening. Jennie baking,
scrubbing and other things. Ethel and Ed Bryant called.
15 – A very fine day. All (but James who is away) at SS and
church; 111 at SS. Mr. ---, agent for the Bible Society, preached a
very interesting talk on South Africa. Annie and Willie out in the
evening.
16 – Dull all day. Jennie, Annie, Willie, Mrs. John Michie, Ethel
Bryant and I picking berries; about 100 boxes. Mrs. L. Wagner,
485
Dorothy and baby came before dinner and left for home about 5
pm. Willie took two crates to Port Perry to ship to Toronto. Mrs.
W. and Dorothy went with him. James came home from his trip to
Bobcaygeon about 3 o’clock and he and Willie later went to Port
Perry to get an old overland car at Beare’s but he had put the price
up from $10.00 to $15.00 so they did not bring it home. Mr. and
Mrs. Tunkin of Oshawa called in the evening for berries. James
went to Uxbridge with Mary L. Real.
17 – A very fine day. Willie at Jim Dusty’s. I plowing the fall
wheat stubble. James all day in the shop. After dinner Mr. Moon
came to see Maud horse which has a bad foot. Mr. Short came
with him. Alex Lee and wife came for tea and stayed until about 7.
Ethel Bryant called twice. Willie away in the evening.
18 – A fine day. Helping Jennie, Annie, James and Mrs. John
Michie to pick berries; about 65 boxes. Plowing the afternoon.
James took crate to Port Perry. Willie at Jim Dusty’s. Annie away
in the evening.
19 – A very fine day. All day helping C. Phair to hoe corn. Willie
at Jim Dusty’s. About 5 pm a telephone message came from New-
castle asking Jennie to go down there tonight if possible as Aunt
Lizzie was worse. Willie, who had just got home, took her to
Whitby where she hoped to get a bus to Newcastle. James away to
Uxbridge in the evening. Chester Asling of Epsom was buried
today.
20 – Cool with SE wind. All day at C. Phair’s hoeing corn. Willie
helping Ed Bryant to get started cutting oats. The binder did not
work too well. In the evening all hands at Port Perry at the open-
ing of the new bandstand. There was a big crowd. After the band
played there was a street dance.
21 – A terrible day of rain from the SE with high wind nearly all
day and the grain and corn badly downed. Little doing. Annie
Bell came to Greenbank by bus and James went for her and then to
Port Perry. John Michie brought his car up to get James to fix the
lights. Annie and Willie out in the evening.
22 – Rain in the morning but cleared up about 10 am. All hands at
SS and church; 122 at SS; Mr. McQuarrie, who is at Caesarea,
preached. Annie Bell left by bus for Toronto. Annie, Willie and
James away in the evening and I left alone.
23 – Dull most of the day. Helping Annie, Willie and Mrs. John
Michie to pick berries, the last of the season; 34 boxes. E. Bryant
tried the binder but it would not work. He came over and Willie
and him took the broken part and went to Port Perry but did not get
all that was needed. A terrible thunder shower came up about 3
pm and again about 6 which continued during the evening. Annie
preserving. James under the weather.
24 – A fine day. Willie finished plowing fall wheat stubble and
harrowed it twice and then started to plow sod NE of barn. James
and Ed Bryant went to Norman Midgley’s for some parts for
binder and again after dinner to W. Armstrong’s for table canvas.
E.B. then stared to cut field W of his house but did not get on very
well. I did some odd jobs; not feeling very well. Annie washing
and preserving. Annie, Willie and James away in the evening.
25 – A fine day. Hoed the strawberry patch. Willie plowing sod.
James most of the afternoon helping Ed Bryant to make the knotter
of the binder to work. Annie ironing. Willie at Port Perry in the
evening getting new gas pipe for car. Ethel Bryant and Alma
Clements called.
26 – James went to Port Perry in the morning for a new bill hook
for the binder and he was all forenoon getting it to work at Bry-
ant’s. Willie did not plow as King horse has a bad neck. After
dinner it rained (thunder) which stopped cutting and Ed B., James,
Willie and I were most of the afternoon repairing binder canvas.
Willie at Uxbridge in the evening. Ethel Bryant and Alma
Clements here in the afternoon and evening. Willie came home
running on two tires and two rims.
27 – A fine but warm day. Plowing sod most of the day while
Willie and James worked at the car and other work in the shop.
They also went to Port Perry in the forenoon. Ed Bryant brought
over the binder about 5 pm and we cut two rounds in the field NW
of the barn (badly down). James went for supper to Stanley Real’s
at Blackwater. In the evening I went with C. Phair in his car to a
political meeting at Port Perry in the interest of the liberal candi-
date Mr. Moore. The speakers were Mr. Chapman; W. Dryden;
Mr. Moore and a Mr. Jeffery from Guelph. There was a good
turnout.
28 – A fine but warm day. Cutting oats in field NW of barn but
made poor speed. About 4:30 the elevator drive chain broke and
we had to quit. Annie at Port Perry and Willie at Uxbridge in the
evening. Ethel Bryant called. Word came by card from Newcastle
that Aunt Lizzie is very poor.
29 – A very fine cool day. Ernie Green, who has been working at
Mr. Honey’s for some time, came over and went to SS and church
with us (had to stop for a soft tire at the head of our sideroad). 124
at SS; Mr. Dyer (back from his holidays) preached. Reuben Lee
of Wisconsin, after an absence of 35 years, was at church and sang
a solo. The Lee family was pretty fully represented at church. E.
Green came back for tea and Willie and him went off together.
James went somewhere for tea and Annie to church.
30 – A fine and quite cool day. Finished cutting field NW of barn
and most of the long field; a lot of bother with the binder. Annie
washing. Ethel Bryant called.
31 – A very fine day. Finished cutting N field and started the SW
field before dinner. In the afternoon we had poor luck; the chain
and other things and finally we broke the pitman. Willie went to
Port Perry for another part but Harry McMillan did not have the
piece so he went to W. Armstrong’s and got an old one and by that
time it was 6 o’clock. Annie away in the evening. Ross Blakely
came down with a mandolin for James to try.
SEPT. 1 – Rather dull and almost like rain sometimes. James
went for the beef in the morning. We finished cutting oats about 5
pm. Annie drove to Greenbank and got her horse shod. Ed Bryant
called. Willie and James went to Uxbridge in the evening. Word
came by phone that Aunt Lizzie Perrin of Newcastle died this
morning.
486
2 – Rather dull with E wind and quite cool. Drawing in oats; 8
loads. Annie and Jean Michie went to Port Perry with the buggy in
the afternoon. Jean stayed for supper. Ethel B. called; also Mrs.
Bryant.
3 – A fine but pretty cool day. We got the loan of John Michie’s
car and started about 9:15 for Newcastle to Aunt Lizzie’s funeral.
Leola Luke went with us. We got there about 12. There was a
good turnout. Annie and Leola stayed until Monday next. Got
home about 6:45.
4 – Dull morning and sprinkling rain but we got in 3 loads of oats
when rain came on about 10 am and continued off and on until
through the evening. James over at Bryant’s fixing his car while
Earl B. helped us to draw in. James went to Greenbank for Annie
Bell who came from Toronto by the bus. Moved the stove from
the woodshed to the kitchen. Willie went to Markham for the
weekend and James to Uxbridge. Ethel Bryant called.
5 – Rain through the night and off and on most of the day; dull
and dark. James, Jennie, Annie Bell and I at SS and church; 119
at SS; Mr. Ross of Brechin preached. Annie Bell gave a solo. In
the evening James went to Uxbridge taking Annie B. to Green-
bank.
6 – Labour day. Dull in the morning but cleared up with good
wind. Finished plowing the piece of sod and harrowed it nearly 3
times. Willie is at the Toronto fair; he went from Markham.
James started for Toronto about 3:30 to start school tomorrow.
Annie Bell went with him and Jean Michie as far as Agincourt.
Jennie drove to Port Perry to the 5 train to meet Annie and Leola
Luke who are back from Newcastle. Leola got supper and then
went with Ray Dusty to Port Perry on her way home. Ethel Bryant
and Miss Clements called.
7 – A very fine day. Willie, after spending the night on the road
SW of Uxbridge as the car was out of kilter, got home about 7
o’clock and slept all forenoon. I harrowed the new plowed sod
twice over in the forenoon. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her
school, the first day of the new term. In the afternoon Willie and I
went to W. Real’s for some fall wheat but he had none to spare.
We then threw out the stooks in the SW field. Mrs. John Michie
and Bob called, also Ethel Bryant and Alma Clements. Willie and
Annie went to Y.P.S. This is the first meeting since the holidays.
8 – Fine in the morning but got dull and there was some rain in the
evening. Willie raked the field NW of barn while I cleaned out the
calf pens. After dinner Willie went by car to R. Brown’s for 6
bushels of fall wheat @ $1.40. We then drew in the rakings and
three loads of sheaves. Jennie helping in the barn. Annie drove to
her school. Ed Bryant called.
9 – Rain through the night and very dull all forenoon till about 11
when a heavy clearing up rain came on. Clearer and colder in the
afternoon. In the morning Willie and I went to C. Phair’s for the
unmanageable steer that has been pasturing there and it was quite a
job as he could jump fences very easy. Willie sowed and harrowed
fall wheat (the east half of field NE of barn) and to choir practice
in the evening. Word came that Mrs. Joyce of Sutton died yester-
day. Earl Bryant called.
10 – A very fine day. Willie drove me to Greenbank where I met
Willie Smith and we went to Sutton to Mrs. Joyce’s funeral. We
got there about 11:30 and got dinner there. They were removing
the bridge at Sutton and the funeral had to go several miles out of
the way to get to the place. We came home by Zephyr, Sandford
and Uxbridge. Willie Smith stayed for supper. Annie drove to her
school. Willie raked the N field. Jennie cleaning out the wood-
shed. James came home from Toronto bringing Jean Michie with
him. Jean stayed for supper. James at Uxbridge and Willie at
street dance at Port Perry and left the car there as he had a break.
11 – A very fine day. Drew in oats and finished harvest but the
rakings of the SW field. Marie Akhurst here in the afternoon get-
ting her hair cut. Ethel Bryant and Alma Clements called. In the
evening James drove Jennie and I to Greenbank to see Mr. W.
Watson who is seriously ill. Annie and Willie went to Port Perry.
James and Willie went to Port Perry after dinner and towed the car
home.
12 – Fine until towards night when it rained a misty rain. All
hands at SS and church; 128 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached. James
started for Toronto and Annie and Willie out somewhere.
13 – A very fine day. Willie helping C. Phair all day. Annie drove
to her school. Jennie washing. I raked the SW field and drew it in;
a big load which finishes harvest for 1926.
14 – A very fine day. Willie at C. Phair’s. Annie drove to her
school and I plowed most of the day. This is the Dominion Gen-
eral Election day and Jennie and I went up with John Michie to
vote. Willie went with C. Phair and Annie drove to vote. Kaiser
and Moore are the candidates in this riding. W. Missionary at
Greenbank in the afternoon. Annie at young people’s meeting in
the evening. Kaiser wins but the Tory government is defeated.
15 – Fine in the morning but rain came on about noon and off and
on most of the afternoon. Willie at C. Phair’s in the forenoon.
Annie drove to her school and Ruth Clements came home with her
and stayed all night. I plowed in the forenoon.
16 – Very dull and rainy all day. Fixed barn floor in the forenoon
and partly boarded up west end of shed under the barn, Willie
helping. Annie drove to her school. Earl Bryant called. Annie at
choir practice in the evening and Willie away somewhere.
17 – Rather dull all day. Willie plowing while I finished boarding
up the shed. I plowed in the afternoon while Willie went to C.
Phair’s for plums. Annie drove to her school. Jennie preserving
plums. Willie away in the evening. Earl Bryant called.
18 – Dull in the morning but a bright afternoon. Wheeling wood
into the woodshed in the forenoon. Willie plowing all day. I went
to the school fair in the afternoon. Not quite so much shown as
usual. Annie at it all day. Jennie went to Port Perry. James came
home in the evening. Annie and Willie at Port Perry in the eve-
ning. Ethel Bryant and Alma Clements called.
19 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church. Keith
McMillan gave a few words in the SS and opened the service in
church. Mr. Dyer preached. James started for Toronto. Annie and
Willie away in the evening.
487
20 – A very fine day. Willie at N. Midgley’s helping to thresh. He
went in place of Jas. Bott. Jennie washing and making pickles.
Annie drove to her school. I was cutting threshing wood at the
barn and about 10 am I cut my shin with the axe. Jas. Blair’s ma-
chine has moved to Midgley’s to stook thresh.
21 – A beautiful day. Willie drove me to Greenbank in the morn-
ing and I went with Mr. and Mrs. Dyer to presbytery meeting at
Lindsay in Mr. Dyer’s car. There was a good turnout and the usual
business was gone through. We got dinner and supper in the
church. Came home from Greenbank with Annie who, with Wil-
lie, was at Young People’s Society. Willie plowing. Annie drove
to her school.
22 – Rather dull and a few drops of rain in the forenoon. Blair’s
threshing machine, which was threshing Midgley’s stooks yester-
day, came down to Ed Bryant’s and Willie and I helped him. They
got through about 2:30 pm, then moved here. Started at 3:14 and
threshing until 6:30. John Michie; Ed and Earl Bryant; Ed Price
for C. Phair; and Ross Blakely for Ray Dusty were helping. Willie
went for the beef in the morning taking Annie to the bus on her
way to Toronto. No school today on account of Port Perry fair.
23 – Rather dull all day with SE rain in the evening. Finished
threshing about 9 am. They then moved to John Michie’s and
finished him about 4 pm. Willie helping him. I plowed some in
the afternoon. Jennie preserving plums. Annie drove to her
school. Mr. E. Bryant called. Annie at choir practice in the eve-
ning.
24 – Rain through the night and again from about 3 in the after-
noon; some thunder. Willie harrowed N field and cut the piece of
millet (a short crop). I hoed strawberry patch and tried to fix sepa-
rator. Annie drove to her school. James came home from Toronto
bringing Nancy and Jim Thompson. He went to Uxbridge and
Willie to Port Perry in the evening. Ethel Bryant and Miss Tum-
monds called.
25 – Rain through the night and off and on most of the day. Little
doing outside. I wheeled in some wood. The boys in the shop.
Ethel Bryant and Miss Tummonds called twice. Annie went to
Lindsay fair. Nancy Thompson went with her. The boys and Jim
Thompson went to Port Perry in the afternoon and also in the eve-
ning.
26 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church, this being rally
day. The attendance was 189. Mr. Farmer of Port Perry was the
speaker as Mr. Dyer was away to a mission field up north. Mr.
D.D. McDonald preached. James and Jas. and Nancy Thompson
started for Toronto about 6 pm. Annie and Willie away in the
evening.
27 – A fine day. Pretty hard frost in the morning. All day at C.
Phair’s fencing. Willie plowing. Jennie washing. Annie drove to
her school. Ed Bryant called in the evening. The new King gov-
ernment announced today.
28 – A very fine day. All day at C. Phair’s fencing. Willie har-
rowing and raked up the millet. Annie drove to her school and
Willie and Annie at C.E. in the evening.
29 – A very fine day. Willie and I drew in the millet, 1 load; and
some other chores in the forenoon. In the afternoon Willie was at
Ray Dusty’s for Jas. Blair while Jack Gibson was at Sunderland
fair and I was also. Annie drove to her school. Jennie making
corn salad. Willie and Annie out in the evening.
30 – A very fine day. Plowing the millet ground while Willie was
at Ray Dusty’s threshing. They got done about 3 in the afternoon
and Willie and I both went with the machine to C. Phair’s where
we threshed about 1 ½ hours. Annie drove to her school and
Jennie and Annie went to Greenbank in the evening. Willie went
to a party at Sonya. Ed Bryant called.
OCT. 1 – Dull with SE wind with rain in the evening. Willie and I
all day at C. Phair’s threshing. Blair moved to Jim Dusty’s. Annie
drove to her school and then with E. Clements, E. Hooper and
Leola Luke started on a visit to Newcastle, Port Hope and other
places. James came home from Toronto via Uxbridge.
2 – A very fine day. Willie at Jas. Dusty’s threshing. I plowed a
few rounds when John Michie phoned up saying they were going
to Markham fair and I went with them. Got there about 1 pm and
left for home about 5:30. There was a big turnout. James and his
mother went to Port Perry in the forenoon and Willie to Port Perry
in the evening. Marie Akhurst, Ethel Bryant and Ruth and Olive
Michie here getting hair cut.
3 – A very fine day. All but Annie at SS and church; 125 at SS;
Mr. Dyer preached. James started for Toronto and Willie away
somewhere in the evening.
4 – A very warm summer-like day. I went to Port Perry in the
forenoon for a spindle for the separator. Wheeled in some wood in
the afternoon. Willie plowing and harrowing. Jennie washing.
Annie drove to her school and in the evening went with E.C. to
concert at Little Britain. Ed Bryant called. Thunder and rain
through the evening.
5 – Rain through the night. Little doing in the forenoon. I went
with Ed Bryant for a ride in his Ford to Gregg’s west of Roods.
Scuffled and hoed strawberry patch in the afternoon. Willie went
to Tummins’ to see about getting some car parts. Annie drove to
her school and Willie and Annie at C.E. in the evening. Ethel
Bryant called.
6 – Heavy rain in the forenoon. After dinner Ed Bryant came over
with his potato digger and dug every second row and then went to
dig Norman Lyle’s. Willie and I picked up most of the potatoes
dug. Annie drove to her school. Jennie went to Port Perry in the
forenoon. E.C. took Annie to Uxbridge in the evening to the
teacher’s convention tomorrow. Willie at party at Trip’s at
Shirley. Ed Bryant called in the evening.
7 – A fine day; some little rain. E. Bryant came in the morning
and dug the last of the potatoes and Willie and I picked them up so
the potatoes are safe in the cellar. Mrs. Bryant called in the after-
noon. Willie went to Sam Tummins’ in the evening for some car
parts.
8 – Rather a fine day. Willie plowed the potato ground and I
picked up the stray potatoes; about 1 ½ bags; and in the afternoon
488
both helping C. Phair to fill silo. James came home from Toronto
and Mr. Witty with him. In the evening I went to preparatory
service in the church. Seven new members came in: Mrs. S.A.
Wallace by certificate; and Elmer and Olive Wallace; Henry Tho-
mas; Mr. and Mrs. C. Blakely and Miss Hazel Blakely by profes-
sion of faith. Mr. Dyer preached. Annie came home from the
teachers convention in Uxbridge.
9 – Fine until night when rain came on. I was at C. Phair’s silo
filling in the forenoon. The boys worked all day at the overland
car and got it to run and Willie took it to Port Perry in the evening.
Alma and Ruth Clements came to get hair cut and stayed for tea
and went with E.C. and Annie to Port Perry. James took Mr.
Whitty and the Clements girls to Port Perry in the afternoon and
James went to Uxbridge in the evening.
10 – Dull with rain after dinner. All hands at communion service
at 11 am in the church. Mr. Dyer preached. I went to G. Lee’s for
dinner; the rest coming home. Then out to SS at 3 pm; 145 at SS;
Mr. Witty taught the men’s class. Annie went somewhere for
supper and Miss Rita Trip was here for supper. James and Mr.
Witty left for Toronto about 6 pm. Everett Hooper and Leola Luke
called in the evening.
11 – A fine day. Willie and I drew out manure; 12 loads. We
went to Port Perry after dinner. Jennie washing. Annie drove to
her school.
12 – A fine day. Willie went to P. Leask’s to help fill silo. I fin-
ished drawing out the manure in the forenoon and plowed it in in
the afternoon. Annie drove to her school. Jennie went with Mrs.
John Michie to the W.M.S. in the church and went with Annie to
the C.E. in the evening. Ed Bryant called and Willie went to Port
Perry in the evening.
13 – Rather a fine day. A little rain in the morning. Willie went
for the beef and plowed E of orchard in the afternoon. I hoed
strawberry patch and other little jobs. Annie drove to her school.
Willie went to Port Perry about 5 pm to see telephone gang boss
about getting a job. Jennie, Annie and I went with C. Phair to
church official board meeting and did not get home until after 12.
Ed Bryant called.
14 – A fine day until about 5 pm when there was some rain. Plow-
ing all day. Willie went with John Michie to Oshawa to get a
chauffer’s license and then by bus to Toronto to apply for a truck
drivers place for the telephone co. Annie drove to her school and
went with E.C. to choir practice in the evening.
15 – A very fine clear day. Plowing in the forenoon and harrowing
in the afternoon. Annie drove to her school. Jennie cleaning house
upstairs. Mrs. Bryant called. James came home. Willie stayed in
Toronto until tomorrow. James went to Uxbridge.
16 – Very dull all day with rain in the afternoon. Plowing in the N
field when it was not raining. James most of the day fixing his car
tires. Ethel Bryant called. John Michie’s girls here in the after-
noon getting hair cut. Annie at Port Perry in the evening.
17 – Fine but pretty cold day. All hands at SS and church; 154 at
SS; Mr. Dyer preached. James left for Toronto. He is going as far
as Uxbridge tonight. Annie and Willie out in the evening. Ed
Bryant called in the forenoon.
18 – Ground white with snow in the morning (the first of the sea-
son); then it started to rain from the E. A very disagreeable day
and raw. Willie plowed awhile in the forenoon and we fanned up
some oats in the afternoon. Annie drove to her school.
19 – Pretty hard frost in the morning. Willie plowing in the fore-
noon while I did some little jobs. In the afternoon Willie went to
Port Perry with oats to get ground and he did not get back until
dark but did not get the meal home with him. I picked apples alone
in the afternoon. The apples are a very poor crop both in numbers
and quality. Annie drove to her school and Annie and Willie at
C.E. in the evening.
20 – A terrible dreary day. Snow from the E most of the time.
Willie went to Port Perry in the forenoon for the meal. I did little
but brought in a few apples. There was no school [because of] the
dental lecture and examination at Port Perry. Annie went to it in
the afternoon. Ethel Bryant and Miss Wells called. Willie away in
the evening. Francis Lee and Irene Spafford here in the evening
arranging for a Halloween party.
21 – A fine day. Willie plowing. Jennie washing. Annie drove to
her school and I put up racks in the horse stable. Annie at Green-
bank in the evening.
22 – Heavy rain through the night and all forenoon and little doing.
Cleared up at noon and Willie plowing in the afternoon. I finished
taking in the apples; small and very poor in quality. Earl Bryant
called three times, E. Bryant once. Annie drove to her school and
Willie and her out in the evening.
23 – A fine day. Willie finished plowing the N field in the fore-
noon while I did some small jobs. In the afternoon James took
Jennie and I to the plowing match south of Columbus. There was
30 teams but not a very large crowd of people. Jas. Lee; Campbell
Stone; Jas. Ianson; Armour McMillan; and Markham Truax from
these party were in it, also Billie Hill. We got our supper at Willie
Smith’s and came home by Brooklin and Greenbank in quick time.
We expected Norman Midgley here in the afternoon to cut the corn
but he did not get here until about 5 o’clock and did not get started.
Helen Phair here in the afternoon. Willie away in the evening.
24 – A terrible day of rain and fog all day. All hands at SS and
church; 106 at SS. Miss Danoon of Lindsay spoke for the
W.M.S., Mr. Dyer being away to his mother’s funeral. James
leaves for Toronto. Annie and Willie away in the evening. Ernie
Green here for supper.
25 – More rain and some snow until about 2 pm when it got some
better. I was helping Jennie to clean out the hen house in the fore-
noon. Willie plowing sod in the afternoon. Ed Bryant and Earl
called. Annie drove to her school. Blair silo filler went to Bry-
ant’s this afternoon.
26 – Quite a number of snow flurries all day. Willie at Alex Lee’s
all day. I was waiting all forenoon for Norman Midgley to come
and cut the corn but he did not come. I plowed sod in the after-
noon. Bryant’s filled their silo in the forenoon. Mrs. Bryant called
489
in the afternoon. Annie drove to her school and to C.E. in the
evening. Jennie went with her.
27 – A really fine day. Norman Midgley came and cut the corn.
He did not get much done before dinner. Norman M. and Ed Bry-
ant had a tongue fight at our barn in the morning. Willie and I
topped the turnips (a very poor crop). I drove Annie over to her
school. She is going to Wanamaker’s for tea. Jennie went to Port
Perry in the afternoon. Willie away in the evening.
28 – Dull with some rain after dinner. Willie and I drew off the
corn and put it up to the fence. It was pretty wet and poor quality.
Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school.
29 – A fine day. Willie harrowed up the turnips and we drew them
in; 6 loads in all; the poorest crop we ever had on the place. Annie
drove to her school, went to Port Perry after school, and in the
evening went with E.C. to Little Britain to spend the weekend with
Mrs. Sweetman.
30 – Dull. All the afternoon there was a drizzle of rain. Willie at
Alex Lee’s. I plowing sod. James took Mrs. John Michie to Os-
hawa in their car. Willie away in the evening. Ethel Bryant called.
31 – Rather a fine day. All hands but Annie at SS and church; 163
at SS; Mr. Dyer preached. Frank Lee here for supper. James
starts for Toronto. Willie went with Frank Lee.
NOV. 1 – Dull with a drizzling rain all the afternoon. Willie fin-
ished plowing the sod and started the corn stubble. I got the lum-
ber put away over the buggy shed and wheeled in some stove
wood. Annie drove to her school. Ruth Clements came home with
her and they went to Greenbank in the evening to decorate for the
Halloween party tomorrow night. Ed Bryant called.
2 – Snow off and on most of the day. Willie plowing corn stubble
and I wheeled in wood and finished the job. I think it is the most
wood that was ever in the wood shed at one time. Jennie washing.
Annie drove to her school and Willie and her went to Halloween
party in the church in the evening.
3 – Hard frost in the morning. Jennie went for the beef. Willie
plowing in the afternoon. I did some odd jobs. Annie drove to her
school and away in the evening. Ed Bryant called in the evening.
4 – Rather a fine day. Hard frost in the morning. Willie drew 4
loads of gravel from W. Thomas’ pit on the road work in the fore-
noon and plowed in the afternoon. I did some chores. Jennie went
to Port Perry with Mrs. John Michie. Annie drove to her school
and to choir practice in the evening. Earl Bryant called.
5 – Rather a fine day. Willie drew three loads of gravel and fin-
ished the road work for this year. He went with the team and
wagon to help John Michie with his turnips in the afternoon. I
helped Ed Bryant to kill a pig in the afternoon. Annie drove to her
school.
6 – A fine day. Plowing all day and finished the turnip land. Wil-
lie helping Jim Dusty. James and Annie went to Port Perry in the
forenoon. Marie Akhurst here getting hair cut. Willie and Annie
away in the evening.
7 – A very fine day. All hands at church at 11 am, this being
thanksgiving Sunday and the services were under the Ladies Aid.
Rev. Mr. Manning of Toronto was the preacher and there was a
good turnout. Annie went to W. Shafford’s for dinner. After
dinner I went with James and M.L. Real to Port Perry to hear the
S.A. band from Toronto which was really good. Mary L. came
here for supper. The Greenbank choir went to Manchester to sing
at their anniversary service. We were all out again to the evening
service. Mr. Manning preached again and there was an even big-
ger turnout. 2 cars smashed up at the gravel pit.
8 – Thanksgiving day. I harrowed the N field in the forenoon and
helped C. Phair to draw in millet in the afternoon. Annie went to
the 9:30 train at Port Perry for Annie Bell. James and her left for
Toronto about 6 pm. In the evening I went with C. Phair to a meet-
ing at the parsonage of those appointed to make the canvas of the
congregation.
9 – A terrible dull dreary day with rain most of the time and little
doing. Annie drove to her school. Tom Brown of Greenbank
came down and bought and took away the old overland car for
$20.00. Jennie went with Mrs. John Michie to the W.M.S. meeting
and Annie went to executive meeting in the parsonage and Jennie
went with her. Willie went to W. Thomas’. Very dark night.
10 – Cold and got colder towards night. Willie finished plowing
the orchard which finishes the plowing for this season. I did some
odd chores. Jennie washing. Annie drove to her school. Marion
Egelson came home with her and Willie, Annie and M.E. went to
Greenbank in the evening to a picture show of Japan in the church.
The annual meeting of the beef ring also takes place tonight. Tele-
phone men [?] out line from our gate to E. Bryant’s and Ed dug
some of the pole holes in the afternoon.
11 – Pretty cold day. Too hard to plow. Willie and I drew out
straw to cover strawberries and drew in some corn. Most fo the
afternoon was spent helping Ed Bryant to put in his telephone
poles. Ed Bryant called two or three times. Annie drove to her
school and in the evening to choir practice.
12 – Rather a fine day but not much doing. Annie drove to her
school. Mrs. Ed Bryant called. Willie out in the evening.
13 – A fine day. The boys all day fixing James’ car. Annie went
to Port Perry in the forenoon. I did some chores. Ethel Bryant
called 3 times and got her hair cut. Annie and Willie at Port Perry
in the evening. Ed Price, C. Phair’s man, came over in the evening
with his cornet and we had a musical evening.
14 – A very fine day. All hands at SS and church; Rev. Mr. Jull of
Brooklin preached. Dick Caniff who is back from the NW came
for supper. James and Willie started for Toronto about 6 pm.
Willie is going to try for a job with Lorne Gibson. Annie went to
Seagrave anniversary, the 20th
since the opening of the church.
Jennie and I drove to Port Perry United Church service. The
Bowmanville choir were singing and did very well. Rev. Mr.
Higgs preached a temperance sermon.
15 – Very fine until about 8 pm when it started to rain. Jennie
washing. I did some small jobs and went to Jim Gibson’s for road
490
scraper. Annie drove to her school and went with E.C. to supper at
Seagrave in the evening. Mrs. Bryant called.
16 – Another dismal day. Rain all morning and until after noon
and again in the evening. In the afternoon I tried to scrape dirt into
the bad place in the lane but it was too wet. Annie drove to her
school. Earl Bryant called in the evening. He had an owl which he
had shot in the afternoon.
17 – A very fine day. Spent most of the day scraping dirt out of
the field into the bad place in the lane. Annie drove to her school
and to C.E. in the evening. Willie, who has been in Toronto since
Sunday night, came back about 11 pm. He did not land a job.
18 – Rain almost all afternoon and evening. Willie at Jim Dusty’s
in the afternoon helping him. Annie drove to her school and Ruth
Clements came home with her and they went to choir practice in
the evening. Ed Bryant got telephone put in house today but the
wires are not up yet.
19 – Rather a nice day but rather raw. Willie at Jas. Dusty’s.
Annie drove to her school. Jennie at Bryant’s in the afternoon.
Willie went with Ray Dusty to Port Perry in the evening. Bryant’s
got their telephone going today. Their number is 6.
20 – Rough and stormy from the NW all day. Little doing. Willie
at Jim Dusty’s in the afternoon. Jennie and Annie at Port Perry
after dinner. James and I went for the 7 cattle that have been pas-
turing at C. Phair’s and tied them in the stable. Leola Luke and
Marie Akhurst and Ethel Bryant called. Annie and Willie at Port
Perry in the evening.
21 – Snowing a little most of the day. The snow will be about 3
inches deep. All hands at SS and church; 153 at SS. Rev. Mr. Jull
of Brooklin preached again; a good O.T.A. sermon. Willie went to
A. Akhurst’s for supper. James left for Toronto. He got stuck in
the mud at the E end of the lane. Mr. Dyer and the Greenbank
choir went to Port Perry and Mr. Higgs and Port Perry choir to
Greenbank.
22 – Some snow and rather rough. Annie drove to her school.
Willie at Jim Dusty’s in the afternoon. In the evening I went with
Ray Dusty to political meeting at Port Perry for Mr. Sinclair. The
hall was well filled. Farmer in the chair. O.T.A. was the question
discussed. Annie and Willie at C.E. meeting.
23 – A fine day. Willie drove up to Greenbank in the morning and
I and Fred Real went canvassing for church funds. Went by the
12th
conc. west to Marsh Hill, north to the 13th
conc. and east to
Jim Boe’s. Found people at Marsh Hill rather sour and did not get
much encouragement. Stopped at W. O’Neill’s for supper and
then went to prohibition meeting in the church. D. Mellow of
Uxbridge was chairman and Mr. Wood of [?] gave a splendid
address. I rode with John Michie in his car. Jennie went to the
meeting with E.C. Annie drove to her school. Jennie making
herself a coat.
24 – Rather rough and cold and little done outside. Annie drove to
her school. Willie went to Greenbank to clean out the hall for the
party on Friday night.
25 – Rather a fine day; somewhat raw. Jennie and I went to Port
Perry in the afternoon with John Michie. Annie drove to her
school and to choir practice in the evening. Alma Clements here in
the evening getting hair cut. Ethel Bryant with her.
26 – A very dull rainy day. John Michie phoned up asking Jennie
and I to go to Willie Smith’s and we went. Got there about 12:30,
rain most of the way and lots of mud. Rained on the way home
and very dark. Went by Brooklin. Ran out of gas on Bott’s hill.
Annie drove to her school. Willie helping P. Leask in the after-
noon and Annie and Willie at dance in Greenbank hall. James did
not come home as there was a party at Thompson’s.
27 – Pretty rough and cold. Willie at P. Leask’s threshing. James
got home about noon. Annie, Willie and James away in the eve-
ning. Ethel Bryant called.
28 – Somewhat rough and cold. All hands at SS and church; 151
at SS. Rev. Mr. Owens of Uxbridge preached. Annie went to P.
Luke’s at Epsom for tea. James left for Toronto about 6:15. Willie
out in the evening.
29 – Rather a fine day. Willie at P. Leask’s threshing. Annie
drove to her school. Jennie washing. I did the chores.
30 – Rather a fine day. Willie at Henry Leask’s threshing. Annie
drove to her school. I did the chores. Ray Dusty and F. Hooper
called. In the evening Annie went to a farewell party at Dan
McTaggart’s and Willie to C.E. meeting. Jean Michie went with
him.
DEC. 1 – A very rough cold stormy day. This is the provincial
election day and the question is government control of liquor.
Jennie, Willie and I went to Greenbank to vote. Sinclair vs. Sta-
cey. Annie drove to her school. Willie at E. Leask’s in the eve-
ning. Sinclair wins by 300 but the wets carried the province by a
big majority.
2 – A fine day. Helping Jennie to pick chickens in the forenoon.
Willie went to draw gravel on the 10th
conc. in the morning but
they quit the job on account of the bad roads in the field. He
brought home a small load for the hens. Annie drove to her school.
Willie and I drew in corn in the afternoon. Jim Blair’s machine
went down the road to Gibson’s. Jean and Bob Michie and Ethel
Bryant called. Jennie and Annie at Greenbank in the afternoon.
3 – Rather cold. Willie took 10 bags of oats to Port Perry mill to
be ground but did not get them home. Annie drove to her school.
In the evening I went with E.C. and Annie to a play in the hall
given by the Sonya players. There was a pretty full house and it
went off very well. Willie was also there. James came home.
4 – Rough and cold with E wind. Willie went for the meal in the
morning. In the afternoon Jennie and I went to Mrs. W. White’s
funeral. Very cold. In the evening we had a musical time. Clinton
Midgley, Ed Price and Ethel Bryant and Ruth Clements were here
and there was dancing until midnight.
5 – A terrible blizzard from the E all day. All but Jennie, including
Ruth C., at SS and church. Only 68 at SS, the smallest number for
a long time. Mr. Dyer preached a children’s sermon. Ethel Bryant
491
here for supper. James did not take the car back to Toronto but
went by the bus from Greenbank. Annie and Willie out in the
evening.
6 – Pretty cold in the morning but got milder towards night. Annie
drove to her school. Willie threshing at C. Phair’s in the afternoon.
Jennie washing. In the evening Annie went to Greenbank to help
fix up the basement for the party tomorrow night. Jennie boiling
the pork for the party. A feather bed that was warming at the par-
lor stove caught fire and a hole burned in it.
7 – Rather a fine day but snow in the evening. Willie at C. Phair’s
for about 2 hours threshing. They then moved to John Michie’s
and threshed his buckwheat. Willie also there. Annie drove to her
school and Willie and her at Young People’s supper in the church
in the evening. Jennie cooking meat and baking.
8 – A fine day. Willie and I fanned the fall wheat; about 15 bags.
Annie drove to her school. In the evening I went to prayer meeting
and session meeting in the church. Willie out in the evening.
9 – Rather a fine day. Willie and I went with James’ car to
Sonley’s sale near Blackwater. Jennie drove to Port Perry taking
Mrs. Bryant with her. Annie drove to her school and to choir
practice.
10 – A fine day. I drove Annie to her school and then went on to
Port Perry and paid the taxes $48.34. Annie went to Mr. Stone’s
for supper. In the afternoon Willie and I went with the sleigh and
12 bags of fall wheat ($1.30 per bus.). Willie away at party on
Scugog. I went to Greenbank to meet James who came from To-
ronto by the bus which was some late.
11 – Wintery day; snowing some. Willie at E. Bryant’s in the
forenoon helping him to kill a beef. John Michie’s girls and Marie
Akhurst here in the afternoon getting hair cut. James went to Ux-
bridge in the evening with the car and Annie to Port Perry.
12 – A fine day. All hands at SS and church; 126 at SS; Mr. Dyer
preached. After supper Jennie and I went with James in his car to
Toronto. Got there a little after 7 pm and we stayed with Annie
Mason all night. Saw Jessie Smith and Annie Bell at St. Enoch
church on Bloor.
13 – A very dull dismal rainy day. Got breakfast at Mason’s.
Jennie did some shopping and I wandered around. We went to
James’ room and had supper and James drove us to the bus station
and we came home by the bus. There was a bad fog until north of
Myrtle and the driver ran without lights a good part of the way.
Willie met us with the cutter at Greenbank. Annie drove to her
school and Ruth Clements came home with her.
14 – A fine clear day until towards night when it got colder. Got
up early and walked to the 11th
conc. where Mr. Dyer was waiting
with his car to take me to presbytery meeting at Lindsay. Rev.
D.D. McDonald and John Bott went with us. There was a good
turnout. Got supper at Lindsay and stayed to C.E. meeting on the
way home. Annie drove to her school and Ruth Clements came
home with her again.
15 – Rather cold day. Willie went to Greenbank and got Maud
shod. In the afternoon Willie went skating on the Nonquon with
Earl Bryant. In the evening Jennie and I went to the social at the
church in honor of Les Beare’s wife and family. There was a
pretty good time and a good turnout. Annie drove to her school.
Willie away in the evening. E.C. here in the evening.
16 – A very cold windy day. This is Port Perry Christmas fair but
it was too cold and none from here attended. Annie had no school
today but she went to choir practice in the evening. Jennie making
Christmas cake.
17 – Very cold with high wind all day. Below zero in the evening.
Annie drove to her school. Jennie baking. Little doing outside.
James did not come home.
18 – Clear but cold; about 12 below zero in the morning. Little
doing outside. Willie and Earl Bryant went skating in the after-
noon. Ethel B. came to get hair cut. Willie at Port Perry in the
evening.
19 – A fine day until snow came from the S in the evening. All
hands at SS and church; 141 at SS; Mr. Dyer preached. Annie
and Willie out in the evening.
20 – Quite mild all day. Jennie went to Port Perry taking Mrs.
John Michie with her. Annie drove to her school. In the afternoon
Willie and I went to William Real’s sale which went off pretty
well. There was a good turnout.
21 – A fine day. Annie drove to her school. Jennie washing. I
was helping C. Phair to cut posts and wood in his swamp in the
afternoon. Jas. S. Lee also there. Willie at Greenbank in the eve-
ning.
22 – A fine day. Willie drove Annie to her school and in the after-
noon Jennie and Mrs. Bryant drove to Bethel school to the closing
concert. Annie got supper somewhere and went to Christmas tree
at Seagrave in the evening. Willie and Earl Bryant skating in the
afternoon and to Seagrave in the evening. I and Fred Real went
church collecting. Got dinner at Andrew Davidson’s and got home
about 3:30 pm. Rita Trip came here with Willie and stayed all
night. James came home.
23 – Rather a fine day. Little doing outside but the chores. Jennie
baking. Willie, James and Earl Bryant skating in the afternoon and
in the evening Willie took Rita Trip home and Annie went to
Saintfield Christmas tree.
24 – Rather dull, gloomy and foggy with some rain. James and
Willie went to Greenbank in the forenoon and James and Annie to
Port Perry in the afternoon. In the evening James went to Ux-
bridge and Willie to Port Perry for Annie Bell. He did not get
home until 2 am. He had to wait until the second bus.
25 – A very mild fine Christmas day. Willie went to Bott’s for
butter. John Michie, wife and family here for dinner and supper.
James took Annie Bell to Blackwater to the evening train and I
went with him.
492
26 – A very fine day. All at communion at the church. There was
a good turnout. Mr. Dyer preached. Jennie and I got dinner at W.
Watson’s. James went to Stanley Real’s at Blackwater for Mary
Real and she was here for supper, as was also E.C. James and
Mary went to Port Perry Presbyterian church to hear his friend L.
McLean preach. Annie and Willie went to church at Greenbank.
Annie and Willie went to Port Perry in the morning with John
Michie’s car for communion wine and had some trouble getting it.
27 – A fine day. Jennie washing. Moved the engine to the barn
and ground some meal. Mary L. Real here in the evening and we
had music. Lorne Gibson was expected but he did not come.
28 – A fine day. All day at C. Phair’s swamp. Jennie ironing. In
the evening Annie, James and I went to annual S.S. meeting.
There was a fair turnout. $102.00 of a surplus. I was chosen su-
per.; E. Leask, assistant; E. Cragg, sec. Willie was away some-
where else.
29 – A fine day. All day at C. Phair’s swamp cutting wood and
posts. Willie skating on creek. Annie drove to Port Perry in the
afternoon and James went to Port Perry in car. In the evening
Annie and James went to choir practice and then to oyster supper
at Orville Stone’s. Willie also at it.
30 – A fine day. James went with the car to Greenbank to meet the
bus for Annie Mason and Jessie Smith who stayed all night. In the
evening I went to the church official board meeting. Mr. Dyer is
quitting the choir leadership and the question of selling the Saint-
field church, and the financial question, was the principal business.
Willie away somewhere in the evening.
31 – Another fine day. Little doing but the chores. James took
Annie Mason and Jessie Smith to the bus on their way home. In
the evening all but Willie went to a concert in the church by the
choir. The programme was good but the attendance was rather
small. About $40.00 was taken in. James went to Uxbridge and
stayed all night.
This ends Volume One of the diary of
Robert Michie.
Home of Robert and Jennie Michie,
date unknown
493
Page from diary dated August 1916
494
Photo taken in 1923, and reprinted in the
Scugog Citizen Oct. 13, 1993
495
FAMILY TREE OF
ROBERT MICHIE
Robert Michie
b. 2 Dec. 1857
d. 30 May 1943
m. Jane (Jennie) Cowan Bell
(29 Jan 1896)
b. 6 Jan 1868
d. 4 Apr 1951
- - - - -
John Albert Michie
b. 17 Oct 1813
d. 15 Feb 1900
m. Barbara Agnes Fowlie
b. 30 Apr 1818
d. 24 Oct 1903
- - - - -
John Michie
b. 12 Nov 1791
d. 21 Nov 1869
m. Agnes Malcolm
b. 29 Apr 1793
d. 19 Aug 1873
NOTE: According to Foveran (Scotland) Parish records
dated 17 Oct 1813, John Michie and Catherine Watson,
unmarried, had a son baptised, named John.
- - - - -
Alexander Michie
b. Nov. 1759
d. 1828
m. Ann Webster
b. 16 Jun 1758
- - - - -
William Michie
b. Jun 1740
m. Margaret Lyon
b. Dec 1734
- - - - -
CHILDREN OF
ROBERT & JENNIE MICHIE
Annie Michie
b. 11 Dec 1899
d. 18 Jan 1984
m. Elmer Nelson Clements
b. 12 Jul 1903
d. Aug 1962
- - - - -
William C. Michie
b. 8 Aug 1901
d. May 1982
m. Helen Hamilton
- - - - -
James Gordon Michie
b. 3 Jul 1905
m. Freda Achison
(or Atchison, Aitchison)
- - - - -
SIBLINGS OF
ROBERT MICHIE
1. William John 1842-1891
2. Annie 1844-1846
3. John Andrew 1846-1888
4. George 1849-1932
5. Barbara 1852-1935
6. Margaret 1854 - 1935
7. Agnes Annie 1862-1942
496
Map used with permission of the McGill University Library
497
Map used with permission of the McGill University Library
498
499
500