DIARY
OF

JAMES W. CARPENTER

1880 - 1907

PRODUCED BY
DONALD W. CARPENTER

This Book is One of a Limited Edition
of 800 Copies

Reproduction or publication of the contents in any manner
is restricted to a single copy for personal use.

Published by
"PAST TO PRESENT"
ISBN 0-9695558-0-6
*

Copywrite 1991 by
Donald W. Carpenter
700 St Clair Parkway,
Corunna, Ontario
Canada
N0N 1G0

Printed in 1991 by
The Instant Print Shoppe
Wallaceburg, Ontario
Bound by
Wallaceburg Bookbinding & Mfg. Co. Ltd.
Wallaceburg, Ontario

Acknowledgements
I wish to acknowledge the contributions of many fine people
without whom this look back into our history would not have been
possible.
My thanks to Joyce Heatherly, granddaughter of James W.
Carpenter, for typing the original diaries, some frayed and
fragile, and for supplying her extensive information regarding
the Carpenter family. To Marvin Carpenter, grandson of James,
for allowing me to copy the diary he had in his possession and
for the numerous photos that he has provided. To Frances Staza,
granddaughter of James, for her photo contributions. To two
Sombra Township ladies, Eunice Henry and Laura Babcock who have
shown me not only a vast collection of pictures and memoribilia
but a greater knowledge of the people of Sombra Township of the
1800's than I ever could have found elsewhere. To Lillian
(Lancaster) Brackenbury of Alpena, for her contributions of
pictures and genealogy. A lady who was a child when James was
visiting her father John Lancaster. My thanks to the many other
citizens that I approached while researching this diary.
I also appreciate the assistance and co-operation I received
at Libraries, Museums and Court Houses in both Ontario and
Michigan.
A special thank you to my wife Jeannette for keying the
entire diary into the computer. Also to her and my sons Kevin
and Keith, thanks for the many hours that they allowed me to put
into this project that could have rightfully been shared with
them.
This diary is printed as it was written with the addition of
some punctuation to separate his thoughts for easier reading.
The spelling of the names of people and places were corrected
whenever possible. Errors and omissions are possible.

Dedicated to the Memory of
James William Carpenter
1854 - 1907

James W. Carpenter was born in a log house in Sombra
Township on the 23rd of January, 1854. He was the only child of
John Carpenter and Harriet Henry. His parents were newcomers to
the area when they married on the 17th of January, 18 53 at Port
Sarnia, Ontario.
Harriet, his mother, died on the 26th of
August, 18 55 and until John Carpenter's remarriage to Elizabeth
Ann Henry in 1862, I believe that James was raised with the
motherly influence of his Aunt Marilla Carpenter during those
early years of his life. Because of this youthful association, I
detect a closeness between James and his Aunt Marilla throughout
the Diary.
On the 19th of January, 1907 at his farm home in
Ossineke Township, Alpena County, Michigan, James W. Carpenter
died of heart failure.
He was buried at the Wilson Township
Cemetery next to his beloved wife Mary and in the same family
plot as Aunt Marilla and Uncle John Van Alstine.

"THANKS FOR YOUR MEMORIES"

James W. Carpenter
Diary-1880

CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Introduction
Contents
Maps and Illustrations
Family Groups
1880

1

1881

21

1882

...........................................................

58

1883

...........................................................

96

1884

...........................................................

147

1885

...........................................................

210

1887

...........................................................

256

1888

...........................................................

287

1889

...........................................................

329

1890

...........................................................

378

1894

446

1900

487

1907

556

Index

Index

1

James W. Carpenter
Diary-1880
MAPS & ILLUSTRATIONS
Year Page
1880

1881

1882

1883

1884

1885

3
4
5
8
10
11
14
16
17
20
25
26
30
37
44
48
54
57
63
68
69
75
77
78
86
97
102
102
111
114
127
143
150
153
153
158
161
164
165
187
189
200
203
205
206
207
211

Subject

Contributor

Bethel Methodist Church
Eunice Henry
Steam Threshing
Eunice Henry
Martin Nathaniel Henry
Eunice Henry
Marilla (Carpenter) Vanalstine
Marvin Carpenter
Pearl & Flora
Marine City Library
Cattanach's Store Ledger
Laura Babcock
Mary Elizabeth (Tomlin) Grant
Glenda Young
Residents of Sombra Township
Lambton County Atlas
Sombra Township Map
Lambton County Atlas
Samuel Poland Family
Melvin Poland
Lyman Henry Family
Jacgueline Dunseath
James W. Carpenter
Joyce Heather ly
Simon Poland
Marvin Carpenter
Visiting Cards
Laura Babcock
Martha Hardick
Mabel Phillips
Warren & Lydia Henry
Laura Babcock
Eight Day Clock
Frances Staza
Emma line Henry
Laura Babcock
Andrew Smith
Lambton County Atlas
John E. Carpenter
Donald Carpenter
Samuel Poland Mourning Card
Laura Babcock
Nathaniel & Ann Henry
Laura Babcock
Courtright
Donald Carpenter
Hannah Henry
Laura Babcock
Delbert Youngs Family
Mabel Phillips
Lucy Carpenter
Donald Carpenter
M.L. Burnham
Lambton County Atlas
James Carpenter's Compasses
Joyce Heatherly
Sons of Temperance Card
Laura Babcock
Peter N. & Emma Henry
Eunice Henry
James Carpenter Family
Donald Carpenter
Bethel School House
Donald Carpenter
William & Eliza Eyres.
Glenda Young
Peter Rivers Family
Mary Masterson
Lawrence Johnston Family
Winnie Johnston
Jane, Mary & Bill Poland
....Marvin Carpenter
Poland Farm Assessment
Jeanette Watson
Peter N. Henry Family
Eunice Henry
Alonzo Lapish Family.
Laura Babcock
John B. O'Hare
Donald Carpenter
Robert Stokes Family
Sombra Museum
Bill of Sale for Farm
Lambton Co. Registry
Phillipa Broad
Laura Babcock
Map of Michigan-Ontario Borders.... Donald Carpenter
Seth Carpenter
Alpena County Atlas
Bill of Sale for Land
Alpena Land Registry
Aldrich Tombstone
Donald Carpenter

James W. Carpenter
Diary-1880
212 Joseph Sifton Family

1887

1888

1889
1890

1894

Marvin Carpenter
219 Ellis Brothers & Sisters
Catherine Moffat
221 Omar D. Conger
Marine City Library
228 Matt Sicken Mill
Marine City Library
230 Hiawatha
Marine City Library
236 Dr. R. Baird
Marine City Library
237 Streets of Marine City
Marine City Library
Marine City Library
238 Ships of Marine City
Marine City Library
240 Marine City Town Hall
Donald Carpenter
244 Mary Carpenter & Joseph
Marine City Library
252 L.C. Cottrell Store
Marvin Carpenter
257 Citizenship Certificate
Alpena County Atlas
265 Ossineke Township Map
Alpena County Atlas
266 Ossineke Township Map
Alpena County Atlas
278 Alpena County Court House
Marvin Carpenter
290 William J. Carpenter
297 Logging Camp Bunkhouse
Frances Staza
297 Hon. Michael O'Brien
Alpena County Atlas
Alpena Library
298 Alpena National Bank
Besser Museum
300 Typical Log House
Betty Duvall
312 Robert & Jane McLeod
Alpena County Atlas
314 Union Hotel
Marvin Carpenter
317 Maggie Poland
Lillian Brackenbury
322 Hiram King
Alpena County Atlas
330 Wilson Township Map
Alpena Library
357 Alpena
Lillian Brackenbury
358 Lancaster Brothers & Sisters
McLeod Family
383 Lambert Vanalstine & McLeods
385 Horses Moving Logs
Frances Staza
388 McLeod Bill of Sale
Alpena Land Registry
394 M.E Church, King Settlement
Donald Carpenter
404 Mary Carpenter gravestone
Donald Carpenter
Laura Babcock
406 Sombra
Donald Carpenter
408 Richard Tomlin Family
413 Sarnia Observer, "Drowned"
Sarnia Library
414 Fred Young & Children of Deceased..Elaine Weeks
415 Ben & Ida Nunn
Laura Caldwell
417 Sarnia Observer, "Death Notice"....Sarnia Library
Mildred Carpenter
418 John E. & Amarilla Carpenter
Donald Carpenter
419 Lucy (Carpenter) Bedford
Marvin Carpenter
422 Annie Poland
424 Donald, Simon & Bob Grant
Glenda Young
Marine City Library
428 Steamer Mary
430 George & Eliza Hargrove
Laura Babcock
430 Elgy Robinson Family
Eunice Henry
Betty Hoi lis
431 John & Emma Carpenter
Marvin Carpenter
433 Vanalstines & Siftons
Alpena Library
435 Globe Hotel
438 McLeods 50th Wedding Aniversary....McLeod Family
446 James & Frances (Doyle) & Children.Frances Staza
Alpena County Atlas
453 Alpena

James W. Carpenter
Diary-1880

1900

1907

4 69
48 3
490
497
511
515
52 0
52 8
539
556
556

Tombstone of John Vanastine
Donald Carpenter
James Ricey Carpenter
Eunice Henry
Alpena Argus, Election Results
Alpena Library
"Will" William J. Carpenter
Frances Staza
Herman & Ruth Cramer
Lillian Brackenbury
Wolfe Creek School
McLeod Family
Herbert Roy Carpenter
Marvin Carpenter
Tally Boards for Lumbermen
Joyce Heatherly
Harriet & Eva Carpenter
Marvin Carpenter
Alpena Argus Obituary
Alpena Library
Tombstone of James W. Carpenter.... Donald Carpenter

James W. Carpenter
Diary-1880
John Carpenter
1823 - 1899
(Son)
James William Carpenter
1854 - 1907
(Their Family)

m-1876

Mary Margaret E. Poland
1859 - 1890

m-1893

Frances M. Doyle
1862 - 1943

Edna Carpenter
1894 - 1894
Esther Carpenter
1894 - 1894
Harriet Maria Carpenter
1897 - 1961

(Second Marriage)
John Carpenter
1823 - 1899
(Their Family)

Harriet Henry
1831 - 1855

William John Carpenter
1878 - 1954
Simon James Carpenter
1880 - 1882
Eva May Carpenter
1883 - 1944
Joseph Wellington Carpenter
1885 - 1886
Thomas Arthur Carpenter
1887 - 1954
Herbert Roy Carpenter
1889 - 1959

(Second Marriage)
James William Carpenter
1854 - 1907
(Their Family)

m-1853

m-1862

Elizabeth Ann Henry
1830 - 1875

Jane Maria Carpenter
1864 - 1864
John Edward Carpenter
1865 - 1934
Lucy Levina Carpenter
1868 - 1938
Harriet Fanny Carpenter
1870 - 1870
Mary Charlotte Carpenter
1873 - 1884

(Third Marriage)
John Carpenter
1823 - 1899

m-1877

Emma F.(Hargrove) Wright
1834 - 1921

James W. Carpenter
Diary-1880

Samuel Poland
1837 - 1882
(Their Family)

m-1858

Mary Grace Cowling
1839 - 1919

Mary Margaret E. Poland
1859 - 1890
William Poland
1862 - 1930
Simon "Sie" Poland
1865 - 1906
Jane Poland
1868 - 1949
Annie Poland
1870 - 1960
Margaret "Maggie" Poland
1873 - 1953
Thomas Poland
1876 - 1952
John Poland
1879 - 1955
Joseph Poland
1881 - 1961

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880

1880
Sombra Twp., Ontario
02 Aug Rained so that we could not harvest, went down town and
settled with Andrew Smith for elm bolts, docked three
quarters of a cord on twenty-four and a half. Went over to
Marine City and bought rat poison and a rubber ball for
Willie.
03 Aug Heard that the Council have been holding a Court of
Revision on Garp Run ditch for the last two days.
05 Aug Settled with Delbert Youngs for drawing cord wood to Mr.
Stanley, had two dollars and a half left for myself.
Finished harvesting with Samuel Poland.
06 Aug Elizabeth Brown died at two o'clock AM. Sister in the
Lodge of the Sons of Temperance, Bethel Church, Rivers
Corners, Sombra.
07 Aug Finished binding Delbert Youngs oats, he paid me ten
shillings for yesterdays work. Elizabeth Brown buried
today.
09 Aug Would have finished Delbert Youngs stacking and ended his
harvest had it not rained, have two more loads to get in.
12 Aug Went to Courtright after one thousand feet of lumber, paid
eight dollars for it and one pair of boots for two
dollars. Delbert Youngs finished his harvest Poland helped
him one half day for me, he owes me now for two days and a
half.
13 Aug Went to the village for nails for to make bins for oats
and barley. Signed an order for two montmorency cherries
at seventy-five cents each and also for one half dozen
cuthberth raspberry at three dollars per dozen. M.A. Cox,
agent, Rochester.
15 Aug Deposited the first list of Library Books M.E.S.S in
Library.
16 Aug Made the bins for the oats and barley.
17 Aug Commenced to dig my potatoes in the forenoon, helped
Delbert Youngs thresh in the afternoon, Thomas and George
Mulligan machine.
-1-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
18 Aug Finished at Delbert Youngs this forenoon, had 677 bushels
of grain, made cupboard for to hold clothes this
afternoon.
20 Aug Bill Poland commenced to plow for fall wheat on my place,
Thomas Audrick came to look at my horse, offered it to him
for sixty-five dollars in cash, he said he would be back
Monday forenoon if he did not make another bargain.
21 Aug Picked up sixteen and a half bushels of potatoes. Bill
Poland intends to join the Sons of Temperance tonight and
be initiated. He did.
2 3 Aug Took Willie down to the Doctor Merrison for to get some
medicine for his eye. He would not give me any until next
month or until his eye got worse. Delbert Youngs gave me
four dollars for harvesting.
24 Aug Samuel Poland threshed the grain on my lower place, had
two hundred and five bushels of fall wheat, 56 bush,
barley, 54 bush, oats, as tallied from the machine.
25 Aug Would have threshed on the upper place but for the rain.
26 Aug Commenced to thresh on upper place.
27 Aug Finished at noon, had three hundred and thirty-nine bushel
of oats and one hundred and thirteen bushels of barley.
Number of bushels growed on both places
oats 393 threshed §2 cts 7.86
barley 169
3
5.07
wheat 200
3
6.00
762
$18.93
28 Aug Samuel Poland paid me for harvesting for him this harvest,
helped him nineteen days @ $1.00 per day $19.00. Sold Bill
horse to Sant Witherel for sixty-five dollars. He is to
give me his note to be paid by the first of March 1881.
29 Aug Probationers taken into full membership at M.E. Church
Bethel, Rivers Corners, Sombra. John J. Brown, Thomas
Mulligan, George Mulligan, Thomas Broad, Mary Rivers,
Alice Lapish. (Gilbert Brown refused)
3 0 Aug Went to Courtright and bought me a suit of clothes for
thirteen and a half dollars at Cathcarts, bought bedstead
at Noyles for three dollars. Polly has gone to sit up with
Mrs. Eliza Eyers.
31 Aug Finished digging my potatoes, had about twenty bushels.
-2-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
01 Sep Commenced to thresh at Samuel Polands. Had a fearful time,
the machine was throwing the grain in the straw stack,
only threshed a little over one hundred bushels, (the key
came out of the cylinder pinion)
02 Sep Finished threshing at Polands, he had 2 54 bush, barley and
41 bush, fall wheat as tallied from the machine. Throwed
off for dirt, 34 bush, of the barley and 47 bush, off fall
wheat, total numbers; bush. 254 @3 cents $7.62. Thomas and
George Mulligan did the said threshing for Poland.
03 Sep Rev. W. Pierce has been holding special service in Bethel
M.E. Church, Rivers Corners since the 30th of August.
Split up the body of large soft maple into cordwood (cut
last spring), went to town with Bill Eyers, got 1 gal. of
coal oil, had to pay 30 cents for it.

Bethel Methodist Church

04 Sep Helped Peter Rivers finish his threshing, had 534 bushels
altogether.
05 Sep The minister from Wallaceburg preached in place of Rev. W.
Pierce, AM. a missionary collection was taken up which
amounted to about
and also a subscription was sent
around which amounted to
. Mary Rivers and Isabella
Brown were appointed collectors, I signed 25 cents and
paid it and gave 10 cents in collection.
-3-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
06 Sep Went over to other line to help Alonzo Lapish to thresh,
the machine broke down, came home and went to help cut
Polands hungarian grass on my lower place.
07 Sep Cut hungarian grass in the forenoon, rained in afternoon.

Typical Steam Threshing c1880
From the Henry Photo collection

08 Sep Finished cutting the hungarian grass and commenced to cut
corn.
10 Sep Helped Samuel Poland two days cutting corn, I was sick
with the fever, Polly finished her guilt, Polly had a
guilting. Mrs. S. Poland, Mrs. Charles Henry, Mrs. Peter
Henry and Mrs. Warren Henry was to it.
13 Sep Had Dr. Merrison to see myself and Willie, he gave us both
some medicine, had the bilious fever. William Eyers went
down for the doctor for me.
14 Sep Had the fever all day, Willie was better. Mr. & Mrs. Peter
Henry were up to see me in the evening. Father brought me
up a bag full of apples.
15 Sep Fever broke on me this morning, Mrs. Peter Henry sent me a
chicken. Simon Poland stayed with us all last night and
-4-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
went down to the doctor for some medicine for me, he gave
him six powders and some other in a phial.
16 Sep First day out since I had the fever was down to Charles
Henry's, has the steamer, was threshing, pealed pumpkins
in afternoon. Polly has the fever today, taken the first
medicine I got for Willie.
17 Sep Went down myself to see Doctor Merrison. He gave me some
pills, went to Marine City spent about hour with Martin
Henry in shoe shop, Mr. William H. Roberts has fever too.

Martin Nathaniel Henry

18 Sep Went to Charles A. Witherel got the note for Bill horse,
Warren Henry was taken with fever. Father threshed with
steamer.
19 Sep Went down town with Dr. Merrison for medicine for Mrs.
Roberts and James Roberts, sent up one bottle for Fournie,
left it at George Hargrove's, one bottle for my
stepmother, two bottles for Charles and Sarah Henry and
one for Warren Henry, two bottles and powder for
Johnston's and two bottles for Mrs. W.H. and James
Roberts.
20 Sep Went to Wilkesport for my mully cow, I milked Mrs.
Robert's cow after I came back. Jane Bury came to Mrs.
Roberts this afternoon. Samuel Poland and Bill and little
Johnny Poland have fever.
21 Sep Went to Mrs. William Tweedles four miles up the east
branch of the river Sydenham from Wallaceburg, walked
there got there about four o'clock PM. Got an introduction
-5-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
to Mrs. Harrard wife of Rev. L. Harrard who preached on
our circuit the last six months of last conference year.
Went up to his place and spent the evening. He did not
know me. He gave me a letter of introduction to his mother
and brother-in-law, F.W. Haddin, Thamesville.
22 Sep Drove Mr. William Tweedle team to Thamesville with a load
of cheese, 27 boxes. Put up team and got my dinner at
Watts hotel, found out where Rev. Harrard folks live,
first house north of the Hotel, were all well, spent half
hour with them, gave me note to take back to Rev. Harrard.
Got to Thamesville about eleven o'clock AM, there was four
teams at moment out, we could not unload the cheese until
after the four o'clock train came in from London. We left
Thamesville about half past 9 PM, left note at Rev.
Harrard's on the way home.
23 Sep Left Tweedles after dinner for home, got spade handle in
Wallaceburg for twenty-five cents, came home by Wilkesport
way, seen Alice Hardick. Her brother's wife gave me a
parcel from Mrs. Tweedle, gave me a lock of Alice sister's
hair for Alice Hardick. Got home ten minutes eight PM. My
folks not at home.
24 Sep Went over to Polands cleaned up nine bushels of fall wheat
sowed about eight bushels of it. Went to town to get some
medicine for my wife. William Roberts let me have Dick
horse.
2 5 Sep Helped Samuel Poland this afternoon to husk corn.
2 6 Sep Bishop Carman preached at Bethel Rivers Corners, Sombra,
text 1 John chap. 5-18, Perfect love casteth out fear.
27 Sep John E. Carpenter helped me to cut under drain stuff on
lower place were I live.
28 Sep Peter Henry drew the stuff for under drain this forenoon,
commenced to dig this afternoon rain stopped me.
29 Sep Dug 33 ft. across the road laid the stuff and finished it
up for under the drain.
3 0 Sep Completed 66 ft. of under drain.
01 Oct Completed 44 ft. of underdrain this forenoon, Simon Poland
helped me to cut more stuff for to finish my under drain.
Alonzo Lapish had an auction sale today.
02 Oct Warren Henry drew my under drain stuff for me and I helped
-6-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
him to load two loads of fire wood for it. Completed 3 0
ft. of under drain this afternoon.
03 Oct Officers were elected for 4 quarter for Bethel Sunday
School held at 10 AM. Quarterly service held at Bethel,
elder not present, Rev. W. Pierce preacher in charge and
Rev. W. Dobbin of Marine City administered the Sacrament
of the Lords Supper. Rev. W. Dobbin preached from Romans
first chapter sixteenth verse. John J. Brown baby was
Christened.
04 Oct Dug out the channel for the under drain in the hole behind
the stable.
05 Oct Made a shave horse in the forenoon, James Boylan an
Matilda Jane Rivers were married today at twelve o'clock
by the Rev. Pierce. Quarterly board met this afternoon in
connection with the M.E. Church at Bethel Church Sombra,
Rivers Corners. Official members present Elder Griffith,
Rev. Pierce, P.C, James W. Carpenter, Parkinson, Warren
Henry, D. Young, P. Henry, Martin Henry Sr., John Stover.
Elder Griffith preached in the evening at special service
in place of Rev. Pierce.
06 Oct Elder Griffith paid us a visit this morning with W. Henry.
Started making shingles fore noon, commenced to chop this
after noon. Elder Griffith preached at Bethel this
evening.
07 Oct Helped Wallace Micks to butcher a cow at Malcolm Cameron,
Wilkesport, bought heart for 15 cts, weighted 4 1/2 lbs.
08 Oct Went down for the doctor for Willie. He was not at home,
left word for him to come when he got home. He did not
come. Helped Peter Henry thresh buckwheat.
09 Oct Finished the underdrain, laid 121 ft. total length of
drain 299 ft. Thomas Allum called stayed to dinner, sent
word for him to tell Dr. Merrison to come and see Willie.
He did this evening.
14 Oct Bill Poland helped me to saw cord wood this afternoon.
15 Oct Bill Poland helped me saw wood all day.
16 Oct I split wood today, shot three quails one shot.
17 Oct Aunt Marilla Vanalstine, fathers sister, was up to see us
today from Alpena Mich., U.S. came down with Capt. Shaw in
two nights, St. Stevens, Detroit, Mich. Went over to
church with me and father.
-7-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880

Marilla (Carpenter) Vanalstine

c1880

18 Oct Aunt Marilla came up from fathers this morning and wanted
me to go home with her, I promised to. Received from
Samuel Poland fifteen dollars on rent for 1880.
19 Oct Went to Courtright this forenoon to see when the boat
would be up, seen Capt. E. Shaws wife, she expects the
boat up this after noon. We leave tomorrow forenoon
health and providence permitting. Polly sick and throwing
up.
20 Oct Went to Capt. E. Shaws, Courtright, the boat did not come.
21 Oct Boat did not come to Courtright yet. I started for home
met the boat St. Steven at days mill dock town line. We
set sail and sailed as far as days dock in Moore opposite
his farm, came home in the evening the wind was so light
for us to sail up the river, got home 10 o'clock PM, got
to the boat 4 AM.
-8-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
22 Oct Waiting for fair wind at days dock now.
23 Oct Waiting at Capt. E. Shaws for the St. Stevens, helped him
to set out his peach trees and shingle his out house. Went
down to the boat in the evening and from that home. Staid
at home all night reached the boat in the morning.
24 Oct Went from the boat to Shaws, staid there till evening went
down to the boat, got a chance for a ride to Courtright,
intended to get my carpet bag and go home, they coaxed me
not to.
2 5 Oct Fair wind at last the vessel got in Courtright about 8 AM,
left Courtright about 9:30 AM got in sand beach in the
government harbor about seven PM, the wind was blowing
from the south in the evening, fair for us and it was
raining. Capt. Shaw thought it was best for to anchor in
the side of the harbor, he was afraid the wind might
change when we would be half way across the Saginaw Bay,
it was well for us that we did.
2 6 Oct The wind was blowing a fierce gale from the north this
morning, our vessel dragged her anchor and got foul of
another vessel at our stern, Capt. pulled down his fly
half mast and we were towed along side of the pier. Aunt
Marilla thought it would be best for us to go ashore and
take the steamboat to Alpena. Expected her up on the 27th,
had to pay 1 dollar for 2 beds and 2 meals.
27 Oct Waited in Sand Beach all day, boat Pearl came in the
night, we heard her whistle and got up and started, she
left us, we were ten minutes late.
28 Oct Expected the Flora up today, she did not come, we watched
all night, did not come.
29 Oct Expected her for sure today, never came. Watched all night
again.
3 0 Oct Expected her this morning, C.L. Boyington from Oscoda got
a dispatch that the Flora left Port Huron at 6:30 o'clock
last night. I made up my mind to come home last night,
told Aunt so gave her five dollars to pay her way up on
the boat from Sand Beach to Alpena, fare up $4.50. Took
the cars at Sand Beach this morning at daylight and got in
Port Huron about 10:30 o'clock, fare $2.10. Took the ferry
was in Sarnia at 11:00, fare 10 cts., got on board the
Hiawatha and came down to Bury•s dock, fare 50 cts. and
walked home, got home just after bedtime. Money out of
pocket by the trip, eleven dollars and twenty-six cts.
-9-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880

Pearl

Flora

-10-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
31 Oct Slept the best part of the day. W.S. Howel was appointed
in my place as librarian Bethel S.S, Rivers Corners on the
31st Oct. 1880.
01 Nov Moved our things home again, split wood in the afternoon.
02 Nov Split wood forenoon, filed my crosscut saw and went to the
Village in the afternoon, traded out $2.53 at P.
Cattanachs. Sent a letter to Aunt Marilla, Alpena, Mich.
U.S.

Store Ledger of Peter Cattanach Jr., & Co

1876

03 Nov Simon Poland helped me saw cord wood.
04 Nov Split wood this forenoon rained afternoon. Samuel Poland
and wife went to Sarnia today, shot one black squrrel.
05 Nov Bought butter from Aunt Lottie, 25 cts. Piled elm harts
and bark for stove wood.
-11-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
06 Nov Rained all day. Had to carry my firewood up on my back.
07 Nov Had to buy a pound of butter at Polands on Sunday on
account of the rain yesterday, 25 cts.
08 Nov Under brushed and chopped a little cord wood. S. Poland
got me out to drain this morning to see him to pay on a
note. 1 gal. syrup 75 cts.
09 Nov Bill Poland helped all day draw hay for Albert Henry, xx
figures in book which I belong to this. Simon Poland
helped me saw cord wood in afternoon. Received of Samuel
Poland fifty-five dollars due me on rent for 1880, gave
him receipt for this and the other fifteen dollars in one
receipt and he gave me up the receipt I gave him on the 18
of October for the fifteen dollars. Seen John Doran, he
promised me a beef, part pay on note he owes me.
10 Nov Rained most all day, Thomas Stokes told Poland to bring
the plow home that he bought of him last fall.
11 Nov Poland fixed my plow and took Stokes home.
12 Nov Under brushed afternoon, lent my crosscut saw to William
Eyers for to saw stove wood tomorrow.
13 Nov Went to see John Doran forenoon, chopped in afternoon.
14 Nov Milked
line. night and morning, my cow is over to Polands other
15 Nov Had to fix my saw and make a beadle, split wood forenoon,
Poland killed his old pig.
16 Nov Simon Poland helped me to saw in the afternoon.
17 Nov Getting up fire wood. Peter Henry team forenoon, Sie and
Bill Poland team all day. Borrowed eighty-nine lbs. of
flour of Samuel Poland until mine to the mill.
18 Nov Got letter from Aunt Marilla Vanalstine from Alpena, Mich.
The letter was sent from Alpena the fifth of this month,
it was not directed right, got 1 bushel of apples from C.
Sheeran for twenty-five cts.
19 Nov Hunted all day got four rabbits and one partridge.
20 Nov Split wood part of day, lent S. Poland crosscut saw. John
Doran sent me out one half of beef at 4 & 5, hind quarter
weighed 110 lbs. front quarter weighted 112 lbs, gave him
-12-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
receipt for $9.98 apply on note. Annie and Maggie Poland
came over today to stay all night.
21 Nov Mary cooked rabbit pie, I could not eat it. Mrs. Poland
was over, she liked it, we gave her the rest of the pie
and rabbits.
22 Nov Spoke to Maria Brown to work for us, she said she would
let us know at night whether she would come or not. She
sent word by Jane Poland that she would be over Tuesday
night or Wednesday morning. Polly let her father have
sixteen dollars to pay Sam Whitely. Helped Mr. Allen
butcher.
23 Nov Brought my cow home from Polands. Sie Poland helped me to
saw stove wood in the afternoon at house. Mrs. Allen
brought us down 16 lbs. of fresh pork - $.50. Maria Brown
came over this afternoon and said she would commence to
work tomorrow forenoon some time.
24 Nov Piled up cord wood forenoon. Was to Rev. Pierce stove
wood bee afternoon. Maria Brown commenced work this
afternoon. Paid her one dollar on work this evening.
Mrs. Peter Henry called this afternoon.
25 Nov Went to the village in forenoon & spent $1.48.
Bill
Poland helped me saw. Gave Sie Poland $.25 for 10 lbs.
sugar.
26 Nov Split and piled wood all day. Mrs. Peter Henry called
fore noon, gave Mary a hogshead for mince meat. Aunt
Lottie gave her some apples for mince meat.
27 Nov Tried to hoop a pork barrel that I got at fathers this
morning for to salt my beef.
28 Nov Stayed at home all day. Poland came over and showed me
the account that he got from Andrew Smith charging him for
wood which he should have delivered Smith for $1.
29 Nov Went down with Sie Poland to be as a witness in the
settlement with him and Smith. A. Smith wanted of Poland
some twenty nine dollars for damages for not drawing the
wood. Smith sent Poland his acct. claiming some sixty
dollars and some cents for which he took thirty dollars
and sixty one cents and Poland gave him seventy five cents
for interest on fifteen dollars which Smith had given him
in cash. Smith gave Poland a receipt in full of his
account without dating it as he should have done.
Smith
gave the receipt on this twenty ninth day of November
1880. Spent in P. Cattanach store today $1.35. Wrote a
-13-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
postcard to St. Catherines Saw Inc. This is a copy of a
post card that I sent to R.H. Smith & Co. St. Catherines,
Ont. to R.H. Smith & Co. have you any of the crosscut saws
large in stock? If you have will you please answer this
stating prices or what it would be by sending one by mail
as I can't get one here.
Yours Jas. W. Carpenter.
3 0 Nov Was to Mrs. Grant's stove
wood bee in fore noon.
Rev. and Mrs. Pierce and
wife and one son called
on us this afternoon.
Mary Lapish drawed a
bolt of stove wood for
the minister afternoon.
01 Dec Samuel Poland gave me
ten dollars on borrowed
money. Killed one
rabbit and 1 quail
today. Split and
piled up stove wood.
Samuel Poland got 55
cts. for his barley in
Sarnia yesterday.
Holland Shorts and his
two brothers killed a
buck deer yesterday on
William Gilbert's place.
This happened on the
last day of November
1880.

Mrs. Grant
Mary Elizabeth (Tomlin) Grant
C1866

02 Dec Chopped all day in an old elm top back end of the place.
03 Dec Chopped and split some logs that was cut.
noon.

Salted beef at

04 Dec Went down town and went over to Marine City. Seen Alice
Hardick. Gave her the parcel that her brothers wife gave
me for her. Seen Staley about elm logs he told me to go
on cutting, gave me the lengths of them. Got Willie a
pair of shoes and some other things amounting to $2.00
besides ferry .17 cts. Sent post card to St. Catherines
for cross cut saw gauge.
05 Dec Was home all day. Maria Brown went out to S. Witherel's
last night. Expect her home tonight.
06 Dec Chopped fore noon, filed my cross cut saw afternoon.
-14-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
Peter Henry sale afternoon.
Dec. 6, 1880.

Pitted my potatoes last time

07 Dec Cut wood all day. Shot two partridges.
Samuel Poland
drawed his barley home from my place. Polly rode over
home with him fore noon and back in afternoon.
Mrs.
Matilda Boylan and her sister called this afternoon.
08 Dec Bill Poland helped me saw cord wood. Poland went to
Courtright with barley, had to bring it home again as they
did not want to buy for a few days.
09 Dec Bill Poland helped me saw cord wood fore noon & helped me
saw stove wood at the house afternoon. Polly expiled to
be sick. Got the M.D. Merrison failed to ease. Gave M.
Brown two dollars on work. Mrs. Emma Henry, Mrs. S.
Ovland stayed until morning of the 10th.
10 Dec Split stove wood at the house in fore noon.
Henry came at noon.

Mrs. Peter

1 1 Dec SIMON JAMES CARPENTER Born 6:35 o'clock AM. Mrs. Peter
Henry and Mrs. Allen were the women had Dr. Merrison got
him at Barse one mile north Wilkesport. Mrs. Poland was
over today and brought Polly a chicken & also Mr. Poland
and my father was here. Set P. Henry's saw for him.
Maria Brown was at Peter Henry's last night.
10 Dec Borrowed of Warren T. Henry 38 15/16 lbs. of flour.
saw gauge from St. Catherines, Ont.

Got

11 Dec Samuel Poland went to Marine City for a cross cut saw.
got it.

He

12 Dec Polly was too smart. Got up. Took inflammation set in.
Had to get the doctor twice at night. Warren Henry went
for him both times and Mrs. Warren sat up with her. Mrs.
Poland was over in the day. Mrs. Delbert Youngs and Mrs.
Charles Brown, Wm. John Allen & wife. The doctor got here
the last time about 8 AM. Ordered hot flannels steamed
over water & spirits of turpentine. He stayed until
daylight. Bill Poland took him home on Monday morning.
Dr. brought out 1 bot. Turpentine 20 cents.
13 Dec Bill Poland took doctor home. Brought me up oatmeal, 1
lb. tea, 4 lbs. sugar. Mrs. Charles Henry & Mrs. George
Mulligan called in afternoon. The doctor called twice.
This evening I had to go down and see him at one o'clock
AM. Mr. Bill Eyers drove me down. Mary was a little
better. Mrs. Peter Henry stayed with us all day. Mrs.
John Allen & Mrs. Poland set up at night.
-15-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
14 Dec Doctor came out morning and night. I got some articles at
Peter Cattanach got 1 bot. of turpentine maby .23 beef for
tea. At Sam Henry's borrowed M.L. Burnham's Syringes, got
nursing bottle for baby at Peter Cattanach 6/. Mrs. Allen
stayed with near all day. Peter Henry came up in the day.
Step mother came in afternoon. She used the syringes.
The others were afraid. She brought some apples dried.
Mrs. Peter Henry taken sick. Doctor gave her some
powders, step mother and Mrs. Warren Henry set up. Went
to Dr. about 1:30 am. Mary better, ordered hot salt for
Mrs. P. Henry.
15 Dec Samuel Poland went to Sarnia with barley. Sent for bed
pan and flax seed meal for poultice. Got them. Bed pan
$1.75. Mrs. Allen and Hannah Henry set up with Mary.
Warren Henry went down to the doctors for me for medicine.
16 Dec Dr. here in the morning. Mary is better.
Sent
thermometer out by Thomas Mulligan. Polly better. Mrs.
Mary Grant and Mrs. Charles Brown set up with us tonight.
17 Dec Went down town to see Dr. He came out and gave me a ride
home. Got one gal coal oil, 1 coal oil can, 2 jersey
shirts. Mrs. Allen came down and waited on Polly when I
was away, coming down this afternoon. Lucy came up
yesterday, staying for a few days. Maria Brown went home
this morning. I shall send her away. Went down to Joseph
Henry's to hire Hester Henry. She would not come. Then
went over to Lyman Henry's hired a Miss Dunn. Promised to
come tomorrow at nine o'clock AM. Mrs. Warren Henry &
Mrs. Christopher Walker and my grandmother set up with us.
Lucy did the work. Samuel Poland drew me up a drag of
fire wood this morning.
17 Dec Had to keep hot flannels steamed in turpentine and water
from 2 o'clock Monday morning to Friday afternoon. We had
to make flannel bags filled with smart weeds with
turpentine dropped on them put on her, hot. Miss Dunn did
not come but Hester Henry came in her place.
18 Dec Hester Henry came today. Dr. Merrison in today. Mary is
better. Father called. Maria Brown came and got her
things. Lucy went home. I went and got Mrs. Allen to set
up with Mary until twelve o'clock as I could not keep
awake. Set up alone after.
19 Dec Went down and got some medicine for Mary. Hester stayed
home Sunday. Mrs. A. came over and dressed the baby.
Samuel Poland set up with me tonight until four o'clock
AM.
-18-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
2 0 Dec Hester Henry told me at noon that she would not stay any
longer. I paid her 35 cts. for her time. Mrs. Warren
Henry & Miss Hannah Henry sat up until four o'clock AM.
Jane Poland came over.
21 Dec Set Poland cross cut saw fore noon. Jane Poland stayed
today and yesterday. Father sent Lucy up afternoon. I
went out and hired Miss Mary Jones. Set up with Mary
alone tonight. Jane Poland went home.
22 Dec Chopped fore noon. First work since Mary got sick. Went
to town in afternoon brought some articles. Got notice
from the Fanning mill man also a circular from E.G.
Rideout, 10 Barclay, New York.
2 3 Dec Chopped today. Filed saw afternoon. Went to prayer
meeting. Maria Brown got dialogue book.
24 Dec Wrote a letter to Aunt Marilla, Alpena, Michigan, U.S.
Chopped all day. My shot flask will hold about 2 1/2 lbs.
25 Dec Christmas, Went hunting. Shot two rabbits.
George
Gilbert & Bill & Sieman Poland shot rabbit on Samuel
Gallow ridge.
26 Dec Election of officers for Sabbath school Bethel Church,
Rivers Corners. I was put in librarian and to act as
secretary pro tem. Mr. & Mrs. Poland were over today.
Mrs. Allen called.
27 Dec Nomination day for Counsel for 1881. Went over to Marine
City. Sent an order to E.G. Rideout & Co. for $1.42. I
bought me a pair of boots & shirt for wife & 5 lbs. of
sugar.
28 Dec Split wood. Was over to church. There was to be a
trustee meeting. Was not. Stayed up all night and kept
fire - it being awful cold.
29 Dec Helped my half-brother saw on
McGary called this morning as
Eyers. Kept fire all night.
Poland set up till twelve. I

Frank Bull's place. Old
he was going to William
Mary Jones & Jane & Margaret
set up rest of night.

30 Dec Bill Poland and I sawed fire wood for me.
lb. of butter.

Bill bought 1

31 Dec Split wood in fore noon. Went down town afternoon.
Was
over to Marine City to see if package had come from E.C.
Rideout & Co. Had not come. Jane & Maggie Poland went
-19-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
home with me. They came over on the 27 stayed till today.
Bought lamp chimney 15 cts., 10 cts. worth of candy.
Sent
10 dollars to Manson Campbell for note for Fanning Mill.

Poland Family

c1910

Joseph, Thomas, Maggie (Blacklock), Wi11iam Pauling, William, John
Annie (Grant), Mary Grace (Cowling), Jane (Chartier)(Selman)

William Pauling (Poland) was a cousin from Petrolia who visited
Carpenter's and travelled to the U.S.A and Europe as mentioned
later in the Diary.

-20-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880

1881
Sombra Twp., Ontario
01 Jan Social held in Bethel Church from the remnants of tea
meeting. Proceeds $5. for the same purpose as the tea
meeting - liquidate the church debt. Paid Mary Jones $2.
on work.
02 Jan Chosen librarian for the Sunday school for the first
quarter 1881.
03 Jan Chopped fore noon. Went down town afternoon to election.
Voted for J.S. Bury Dep. Reeve. Councilors Chas. A.
Witherel, George Robinson, William Davis. Seen doctor for
wife. Would not give me any medicine. He was going to
Wilkesport. He would call when he came back. Went over
to Marine City. Package not come yet. Went over to L.C.
Cottrell. Bought a corn popper. Waited till the mail
came in. The package came with the afternoon mail.
The
order was not filled. Wrote this letter on the 4 Jan
1881. Wrote a letter to E.G. Rideout & Co. about the
order not being filled. Sent a post card to E.G. Gurney
enquiring for back fire place of St. Nicholas stove.
04 Jan Poland posted letters to E.G. Rideout and Co., 10 Barclay
St., New York. Chopped wood all day - chopping and under
brushing for sowing. Killed a rabbit.
05 Jan Chopping and underbrushing all day.
and afternoon Jan 6, 1881.

Helped Peter N. Henry

07 Jan Received my note from Chatham for fanning mill.
Answer
from E.G. Gurney about fire wood back for St. Nicholes
stove price $3.00.
08 Jan Chopped fore noon and set my saw. Bill Poland helped me
in afternoon. Sawed cord wood for me in fore noon.
Bill
Poland helped me & I helped him in afternoon. Marked the
new books for the library for the M.E.S.S. Bethel forty in
number. Total number of books 102 vols, in library.
Samuel Poland brought me up a gal. of coal oil.
S.
Poland bought a fat pig of Waybrant. Paid six cents per
pound for it.
09 Jan Took the new library books over to the Sabbath school.
10 Jan Chopped all day.
logs.

Was to have helped Peter N. Henry saw

-21-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
11 Jan Cold in the morning, did not get out to work until afc^out
10 o'clock AM. Poland concluded not to draw my logs.
Went over to see Sheeran's where they were to work on
Peter Pierce. Helped them load up. Took until about 7
o'clock PM. When I was coming home I saw my house on fire
at the ridge. I was at the back fence when I saw it. I
run to the house, got up stairs and threw some hot water
on it, their being no other in. Mary Brown was here, she
went down to Lawrence Johnston's for him. He came.
When
he got here I had shinned up a pole unto the roof. He
tied a pail of water to it and I pulled it up and put the
fire out. I could only deaden it from the inside. Mary
Brown & Mary Jones carried water for me. Chopped wood in
the afternoon.
12 Jan Made a ladder to climb on roof of house. Also a tray on
roof cut a larger hole in roof for the stove pipe. Mrs.
Jones was here in the afternoon. Bill Poland commenced to
draw my wood.
07 Jan 1871 -(Note on side of page) - Broke my arm and went to
work on the 5 March 1871. Dr. Fraser set it.
(James W.
Carpenter)
13 Jan Chopped in the fore noon.
down town and went over to
had come. Got two instead
for wife & 1 lb. of tea at
Aunt Marilia.

Rained in the afternoon.
Went
Marine City to see if package
of one. Got a pair of shoes
P. Cattanach, and a letter from

12 Jan Gave George Robinson & Peter Rivers the job of drawing my
elm logs for 12/per thousand.
14 Jan Charles W. Witherel paid me note of sixty five dollars for
Bill horse. Chopped all day. Bill Poland commenced to
draw my wood. Stanley's, Charlotte A. Henry and Lizzie
Johnston were here in afternoon.
15 Jan Went to Sarnia. Walked all the way there. Paid sixty
five dollars on my place as rather give it in the savings
bank as the payment was not due until July. Got a ride
down from the Indian reserve with Thomas Heyland,
Courtright. Walked down to town line, got a ride with Hog
Watson down to Thomas Bury, the same line that I live on.
Walked to Wm. Roberts old log house, got a ride with
Arthur O'Mailey home. Got home at 7:20 AM.
16 Jan Preaching in the fore noon at 10 AM. Sunday school at 2
PM.

-22-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
17 Jan Wrote a letter in the fore noon to Uncle Wesley and one to
Aunt Marilla. Helped Peter N. Henry saw logs in fore
noon. John E. Carpenter helped me saw elm logs in
afternoon. Cut four logs. John helped 1/2 a day at 4/
per day. John got Polands 7 ft. saw.
18 Jan Filed saw in fore noon. Polands seven foot saw. We
waited while I am cutting my saw logs. Patrick Sheeran
commenced to draw them. Rivers & Robinson backed out.
Give them 12/ per thousand. John helped me saw in the
afternoon. Mary Jones time was out today. She went home.
I paid her two dollars on work. Owe her 12/yet.
She
waits until logs out.
19 Jan John bought up 13 1/2 lbs. of pork. Borrowed of them
until I get some from Sarnia or elsewhere. John helped me
saw all day. Cut 12 logs. He stayed all night.
20 Jan Filed saw in fore noon and sawed two logs, tree we fell
last night before it was no good. Cut six logs in
afternoon. Helped Polly and the children, William John
and Simon James down to Peter N. Henrys. John helped me
all day.
21 Jan Snowed fore noon. Cut six logs in afternoon and went to
Marine City and bought me a seven foot champion saw - cost
me 45 cents per ft. and 40 cents for two handles.
Marine
City total cost $4.80 duty and all. Borrowed $5. off
Samuel Poland.
22 Jan Filed new saw in fore noon. Gave Poland his saw, cut four
logs with new saw in afternoon.
2 3 Jan I am 27 years old today. Samuel Poland drew me up a load
of fire wood Sunday. He took Mary and the two boys over
home and brought them back at night with the team. I was
over to Sunday school. Came home and made me a fire.
24 Jan Heard that N. Staley did not want any more elm logs. Went
over to Marine City to see. Saw him, he told me not to
cut any more. He would take all I had cut. Fell basswood
trees for bolts in afternoon.
2 5 Jan John helped to saw basswood bolts. Sold one oak tree to a
man from Marine City - got six dollars for it. I had to
cut it down butt and top. Got 8 6/16 lbs. of pork of S.
Poland.
26 Jan John helped me to make basswood bolts. Gave S. Poland the
five dollars I borrowed from him to get my cross cut saw.
-23-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
2 7 Jan John went to Sombra to get a pair of boots.
the afternoon.

Helped me in

28 Jan John helped me all day made basswood bolts. Yankee came
for oak tree. Got 19 3/16 lbs. of pork from S. Poland.
Polly went to W. Henrys.
2 9 Jan Bought a Singer Sewing Machine from Capt. E. Shaw for
fifty dollars. Gave him five dollars down on it & gave my
note for the balance one for twelve months for twenty
dollars and the other twenty four months for twenty five
dollars. John helped me 3 1/2 days this week.
Borrowed
five dollars from S. Poland to pay on sewing machine.
3 0 Jan Mr. E. Shaw & wife were down.
notes - fixed it.

Made a mistake in drawing

31 Jan John helped me all day to saw basswood bolts. Shot two
black sguirrels. Patrick Sheeran finished drawing my elm
logs - total number of logs 39.
01 Feb John helped me saw bd. bolts & father helped to borrow
them. Finished making bolts. Wrote two letters this
evening. One to E. & C. Gurney, Toronto and one to Patent
Clock, Terra Haute, Ind.
02 Feb Cut roads to basswood bolts and helped Sheeran load.
8 loads. Borrowed of S. Poland 43 12/16 lbs.

Had

03 Feb Patrick Sheeran finished drawing basswood bolts cut of the
woods - had 8 loads.
04 Feb Drew the basswood bolts over to Marine City - got $2.88
per cord or 9 cts. per foot. Had 364 ft. to the cord. I
gave P. Sheeran 8/per cord for drawing, paid 70 cts. for
entrance fee at Marine City & 2 5 cts. for reporting at
Sombra. Staley gave me a ticket for my elm logs that he
had measured 8,008 ft. at $3.25 per thousand amounting to
76. & also $32.76 less 70 cts. entrance fee. Amounting in
all 58.06. Paid Patrick Sheeran $23.37 for drawing elm
logs & basswood bolts, their is 5 elm logs yet to be
measured. Bought John Carpenter a corn popper for turn on
work 20 cts.
05 Feb Went down town with Chester Henry bought of Lyman Henry
butcher shop at Sombra - 102 lbs. of pork at 10 cts. per
lb. & 1 loaf baker bread at 5 cts. = $10.2 5 & bought of
Peter Stover 300 lbs. of flour § 25/ per hundred.
Staley
was to finish measuring my elm logs. Weighted out the
pork that I borrowed of Samuel Poland - total amount lbs.
-24-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
40 1/16. Gave him 40 lbs. & 13/16 and I also weighed the
pork fat, the meat that John brought up 13 1/2. Paid S.
Poland the five dollars I borrowed of him to pay on the
sewing machine.
Maggie & Annie Poland came over in the
afternoon to stay all night. Bill Poland drawed me up a
load of fire wood. Levi and he brought it all on the way
home.
06 Feb Warren Henry got up and went home. P. Henry was
exhorting. Mary was over home today for a visit.
07 Feb Split cord wood all day.
work on the 5.

The sewing machine would not

Lyman Henry Family

c1885

Wm. Alvin, Rory, Lyman, Orville
Lorenzo, Mary Arm (Bowles), Lyman, Amos

08 Feb Worked on the sewing machine all fore noon. Got it to
work at last in thick cloth or any thing. Polly and the
babies went over to her MOTHER to be gone for a day or
-25-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
two. She is going to help her mother sew.
Eyers came down for yeast. She got it.

Mrs. Eliza

09 Feb Rained today and yesterday. Filed Poland's cross cut saw
and made Polly's Uncle a shirt quilted on machine.
Paid
John 4 dollars on work and sent the pork I borrowed of
father 13 1/2 lbs. by John.
10 Feb Split and piled wood that was down under the snow.
Poland's cross cut saw home and brought mine home.

Took

11 Feb Helped Bill Eyers saw stove wood part of the fore noon.
Poland's boys drawed 2 loads of oat straw home.
Poland
sent away the money for Boylan's note to Dresden.
12 Feb Went out to work.

Snowstorm came up and I went home.

13 Feb Bill & Simon Poland Mary and the babies home.
to Sunday school.

I was over

14 Feb I went over to Marine City to settle with Staley about elm
logs. He was not home. I got my picture taken - cost 2
cts and bought Alice Hardick about 5 cts. candy and baby
powder 15 cts, 1 bottle red ink 5 cts. paid V.C. Maybee 60
cts. for three 2 0 ct. bottles of turpentine which I got
when wife was sick and 5 cts. candy V.C. Maybee. Posted
one letter for circular fire lighting clock, Terra Haute,
Ind.

James U. Carpenter

-26-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
15 Feb Opened potato pit in fore noon. Sawed drags for fire wood
afternoon. Simon Poland helped me.
16 Feb Drawed up fire wood all day. Bill Poland helped me with
his team. Polly guilted cradle guilt on sewing machine.
First cradle guilt ever made.
17 Feb Chopped in afternoon. Set S. Poland's cross cut saw in
fore noon and split some c. wood.
18 Feb Snowed in fore noon. Made William John Carpenter pants.
He had them on for the first time in pants. Went over to
Marine City, Mich, settled for elm logs 9,250 ft. all
together.
There was $4.05 coming to me.
Bought 1 lb.
butter 2 0 cts., 9 yd. print, 2 lbs. sugar, 2 yds. cotton,
2 yds. cottonade 50 cts. Got a letter from E.C. Gurney
about my stove from Toronto. Got Uncle James Carpenter's
address from the post office in Marine City, Mich. Got a
patent saw set for cross cut saw for $6. Polly went down
to P.N. Henry's a little while this afternoon Mrs. Eliza
Eyers came down to borrow some castor oil. Got it. Wrote
a letter Buena Vista post master seeing if I could find
Uncle James Carpenter.
19 Feb Helped P.N. Henry in fore noon to cut roads for round
timber. Paid P. Sheeran balance due him for drawing logs
1.87.
2 0 Feb Went to Sabbath school and stayed until after preaching.
21 Feb Helped Samuel Poland saw cord wood.
22 Feb Helped father saw cord wood on Frank Bull place.
Polly
visited Mrs. John Allen. Rode up, walked home, I carried
Willie back.
23 Feb Went to Sombra bought 1 gal coal oil 35 cts. 1 file 25
cts. 1 letter book 10 cts. posted a letter to post master
Buena Vista P.O., Clinton County, Iowa to see if I could
hear from Uncle James Carpenter. Had prayer meeting at
our house, Peter Henry led. Mrs. Essie Eyers & Mrs.
William Eyers, Maria Brown and her mother, Mary Rivers,
Charlotte Ann Henry, Isabella Brown, Mrs. George Mulligan.
24 Feb Chopped for myself fore noon.
afternoon.

Helped S. Poland in

23 Feb V.C. Maybee has run away - took $1300.00 from township
treasury. Peter Cattanach & James Dawson his bonds men
(so report says) his store is shut up.
-27-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
25 Feb Helped Samuel Poland all day. Got circular from Terra
Haute Patent Clock Works about fire lighting clocks and a
postal card from E.G. Rideout & Co., N.Y.
2 6 Feb Helped Samuel Poland saw cord wood all day.
2 7 Feb Was over to Sunday school.
class meeting.

There was no preaching - had

28 Feb John Carpenter helped me fore noon. Made him an axe
handle and called it square, it being to wet in the bush
to work.
01 Mar Chopped all day in down timber cut about 1 3/4 cords.
02 Mar Went to M. Stanley. Got wood measured had 2 4 cords @
9lets. - 21.60. He gave me three grand trunk pens. Went
down to Sombra. Paid Dr. Merrison $20. and a note for
twenty dollars balance of acct. up to date. ' He gave me a
receipt in full. Bought 70 cts. worth of goods at Peter
Cattanach & Co. Was over to the church to be present at
the meeting of Trustees of Bethel Church. All present
except Chairman. I was chosen to act as chairman pro tem.
Paid John Carpenter 50 cts. bal. due him on work.
03 Mar Filed Charles A. Brown's & Samuel Poland's cross cut saws.
Settled work account with S. Poland. I owe him one day to
date.
04 Mar Sent an order to E.G. Rideout & Co., N.Y. for outfit of
house hold guest magazine and American Businessman and
practical bookkeeper guide 25 cts. & 1 sample Lloyds
combination pen holder 25 cts. for the house hold guest
magazine 50 cts. $1. in all. Polly went down town,
posted my letter to E.G. Rideout & Co., 10 Barclay St.,
N.Y. Had it registered. Helped S. Poland saw. Him and I
are square. Polly traded $1.05 at Peter Cattanach.
05 Mar Cut wood for Pastor W. Pierce. Polly stayed at her
father's last night. I rode home from the village with
P.N. Henry. He came out school house line and brought
Polly and babies home, through the woods. Annie Poland
came over to stay a week.
06 Mar Was over to Sunday school.

I acted as superintendent

Testament Class Teacher, Librarian & Secretary.
07 Mar Helped Samuel Poland cut cord wood all day.
08 Mar John
E. Carpenter
to lodge
at night. helped me all day sawing cord wood, went
-28-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
09 Mar John Allen had chopping bee - had 30 cords of soft wood
cut. I was there. Mary shortened Simon James Carpenter,
was visiting to Charles Henry's
10 Mar Split wood for Samuel Poland, helped me fore noon, went to
the village in afternoon. Bought 1 onion weighed 1 lb. 5
cts., and 1 lb. fruit crackers 1 ct. and candy 2 cts.
11 Mar Split wood. Simon Poland helped, afternoon Bill Skidey
cut my wood.
12 Mar Chopped wood fore noon. Stormed afternoon. Went to
village to see if my outfit had come, not yet. Bought 1
bar of soap 10 cts.
13 Mar Went to Sabbath school.
Pierce guarreled.

P.N. Henry and preacher Rev.

14 Mar Filed worn saw fore noon 30 cts., chopped 2 cords soft
wood in afternoon.
15 Mar Filed Charles Henry's saw fore noon and got out a bag of
potatoes out of pit, and filed my saw and went to the
village in afternoon. Got my outfit from E.G. Rideout.
Big Buds and Blossoms, Now I am Mamma, The Return Fugitive
& the Recording Angle.
16 Mar Helped John Carpenter saw cord wood all day.
17 Mar Canvassing for house hold Guest Magazine (got none).
18 Mar Canvassing for house hold Guest Magazine (got one) .
19 Mar Went to Wilkesport, posted two letters - one to Detroit
D.M. Ferry & Co. seen merchants for circular and one to
Ingal & Son publishers Montreal for Agency.
2 0 Mar Was over to Sabbath school Quarterly meeting and love
feast in fore noon. Quarterly Board met on 19 at Bethel
in afternoon.
21 Mar Canvassed for the House Hold Guest Magazine all day, got
no sub.
22 Mar Filed S. Poland's cross cut saw, split stove wood in
afternoon. Polly went down to William Brown's with W.
Henry to Temperance social.

-29-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880

Simon

Poland

23 Mar Went to Sombra Village. Sent E.G. Rideout & Co., 10
Barclay St., N.Y. $2.20. Split wood in afternoon.
Stove
wood at the door.
24 Mar Simon Poland helped me all day to saw stove wood at the
house. Drove the mully cow to lower place. Simon and
I cut off 1 elm log 22 inches through in 30 sec. & another
one 20 inches through in 4 5 sec.
2 5 Mar Split stove wood and filed John Edgar Bury cross cut saw.
Helped Samuel Poland split cord wood and cut the big elm.
27 Mar Was over to Sabbath school. Elected officers.
I was
chosen Librarian again. Had Dr. Merrison in to see
Willie, got an answer to the letter I sent Buena Vista
from Uncles brother in law Wm. C. Knight. Wrote a letter
to William C. Knight, Buena Vista in reply to the one he
sent me. He gave me my cousin Wesley Carpenter's address,
Baxter Spring, Cherokee Co., Kansas. Wrote to him.
-30-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
28 Mar Filed George Robinson cross cut saw fore noon. Cut 1/2
cord soft wood and went to village in afternoon. Got 1
gal syrup at P. Cattanach 75 cts. and 40 cts. worth of
beef at Levi Henry's for Willie. Sick with bilious fever.
Got medicine for Willie from doctor.
29 Mar Filed Charles Allen's cross cut saw fore noon and tuned
mine afternoon.
3 0 Mar Cutting and sawing trees for sawing tomorrow.
wood.

Mostly hard

31 Mar Simon Poland helped me to saw cord wood, mostly hard wood.
01 Apr Snowed, split afternoon, borrowed S. Poland's overcoat to
get to Sarnia.
02 Apr Went to Sarnia, rode up with Peter N. Henry. Drawed $15.
from my bank acct. with W.J. Gurd and sent $4. with eleven
dollar order to E.G. Rideout & Co., N.Y., 10 Barclay St.
03 Apr Was over to Sabbath school.

Did not stay for preaching.

04 Apr Split wood fore noon.
Albert W. Henry sent for me to go
for Dr. Merrison for him as he was getting worse.
I went.
Dr. was not at home when I got there. Left word at the
house to be sure and go right out as soon as he got home.
He got part way out when he got word he was dead.
The
subscription Chromes had not come. Sold my six foot saw
to John E. Carpenter for chopping 4 cords hard wood.
05 Apr Helped Polly and the children over home. Her Mother had a
son before noon. Mrs. Mary Grant and Mrs. Jones were
women. Went down town & got the Chromes for subscription
house hold magazine. Delivered Mrs. Jacob Young's on the
way home. Split wood part of the day.
06 Apr Went to Albert W. Henry's funeral. First corps brought in
Bethel Church, Rivers Corners, Sombra. There were 18
teams in the procession and Rev. Wm. Cousins preached on
text
. Albert followed his first wife 10 years
and 4 days. Pall bearers were Albert Brown, Walter
Shortt, Joseph Fournie, George Hargrove, James Gallow,
Jacob Young, Patrick Sheeran. Team took corps. Went out
to Wilkesport. Delivered John Hitchcock his chromes. He
paid me one dollar on his subscription. Owes me 12 cts.
Bought of Wallace Micks 7 1/2 lbs. pork $1.05.
07 Apr Split wood fore noon. Helped Polly and the babies over to
her Mother's to help wash. Was to Albert Henry's widow
-31-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
cutting stove wood bee. Had about 14 cords cut.
children to prayer meeting.
08 Apr Split stove wood all day.
wood for saw.

Polly &

John has put up 1 1/2 cords

09 Apr Got another circular and combination pen holder.
Split
wood in the fore noon. Went down town in the afternoon.
Got seed annual and circular from D.M. Ferry, Detroit.
Went over to Marine City to see if my stuff had come - did
not. 30 cts. for ferriage.
10 Apr Went over to Sunday school. Stayed to preaching.
Rev.
William Pierce preached his farewell sermon.
It was a
temperance sermon from 5 Chap, of Ephesians 18 verse.
Warren T. Henry resignation as class leader was not
excepted.
11 Apr Chopping cord wood all day. Stayed in with the children
while Mary went down to Warren T. Henry's for some
vinegar. John E. Carpenter finished chopping 4 cords of
hard wood for his six foot saw payment.
12 Apr Simon Poland helped me saw hard cord wood all day.
09 Apr Sent an order of $2.25 to George Pritchard for 1 bush
Netohes and bag.
13 Apr Split wood in fore noon. Went over
if by stuff had come. It had not.
cents for ferriage. James Bury had
bee on Jacob Young's place. Had 2 5
James Hargrove broke his sledge.

to Marine City to see
Cost me twenty five
a stove wood cutting
to 3 0 cords cut.

14 Apr Went down town in the evening. Seen ferry man. Stuff had
not come. Split stove wood at the door. S. Poland's
Netohes came freight charges 4 0 cts. Not paid yet. I
carried them as far as my fathers. Polly set up with Mrs.
Peter Henry's - sick with congestion of lungs.
15 Apr Split stove wood at door. Went down town to see ferry
man. Stuff had not come yet.
16 Apr Wrote a letter to E.G. Rideout & Co., 10 Barclay St., N.Y.
about not receiving order. Will post it tonight if order
does not come (did not do so , order not come yet).
17 Apr Over to Sabbath school. Did not stay to class meeting.
Came home so that Mary could go down to Peter N. Henry's
to see Mrs. Henry - sick with congestion of the lungs.
Mrs. John Allen and Mrs. John Carpenter and Mrs.
-32-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
Christopher Walker are going to set up tonight.
Easter
Sunday. Had six eggs only two for Polly, two for Jimmy, 2
for Willie and 3 in cupboard.
18 Apr Split stove wood in fore noon. Mrs. Albert Henry had a
sale in afternoon. James Dawson bought her team and
yearlings $160.40. I bid on a kit of tools up to $15.75.
Charles Henry had them bid in for him $16. I went down
town to see if my stuff had come from New York.
I could
not get across the river. Bought of Arthur A. Rattray
13/4 maple sugar. Mary went down to Peter N. Henry's to
set up with Mrs. Peter Henry. Wrote a letter to London
Free Press and Schuyler Smith & Co. both London, Ont.
Probably I will post them tomorrow at Wilkesport.
NOTE

on side of page:

Mrs. Peter Henry died.

19 Apr Went out to Wilkesport - posted 2 letters to London.
John
Hitchcock 50 cts. being the balance due me on subscription
House Hold Guest Magazine. Went down to Sombra in the
afternoon and was over to Marine City (ferriage 2 0 cts.)
to see if package had come. Had not. Posted a letter to
E.G. Rideout about it. Bought of Peter Cattanach - 2 pass
books 5 cts., 1 packet knol rabi. Have been expecting a
letter from Wesley Carpenter, Kansas.
2 0 Apr Split wood and cut down willow tree in front of house.
Father helped me to saw it down. He was up to Frank Bull
getting the wood measured that he chopped for Frank last
winter. Wrote a letter to cousin Wesley Carpenter,
Kansas. Wife went over to her mother's with the children.
Willie walked, she carried baby. I have eight cords and
one quarter of stove wood cut and I want to see how long
it will last.
21 Apr Went down to father's to get my half bushel - it has been
there ever since one year ago last fall. He gave me my
saw handles that he borrowed yesterday. Took the dirt of
my potatoes pit - there is a good many of them froze - 2
bushels out of sixteen. Went down town. Bob McBray said
my package had come. I went over but it had not come.
Sample copy and subscription list came from the London
Free Press. Patrick O'Hare and William Eyers sowing
barley.
22 Apr Plowed for Samuel Poland on my lower place, cow jumped out
of front field.
2 3 Apr Plowed for S. Poland, answer to my letter came from John
Dougal & Son, Montreal and from Schuyler Smith & Co.,
-33-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
London, Ont. Was down to Jacob Young's to the fish net got one sucker.
24 Apr Went over to Samuel Polands in the morning. Got a
circular from Case Bros, and Bowman, Toronto, Nurseryman
that my order from them would reach me in a few days.
Mary went over home. I went to Sunday school - 37 books
brought back. Delbert Youngs is very sick with gathering
in his hand.
2 5 Apr Plowed for Samuel Poland. Went out to Clay Creek to fish.
Net at Jacob Young's - got one fish.
2 6 Apr Went down town and over to Marine City. Got my package of
goods. I paid $8.20 more on them, cost me 75 cts. for
ferriage. Sold 55 cts. before I got home.
27 Apr Was peddling - sold $3.10.

Was through Wilkesport.

28 Apr Was peddling - sold $3.55 around home. Made up an order
to E.G. Rideout & Co., 10 Barclay St., N.Y.
29 Apr Was peddling - sold $3.14.

Was down through Thornyhurst.

30 Apr Was over to Delbert Youngs. He is very sick and not
expected to live. Mrs. Albert Henry had her plowing bee.
Around home in the afternoon. Set up with Delbert Youngs
tonight. Polly & I had Christopher Walker's and his wife
and Delbert*s mother.
01 May Came home and went to bed.

Slept all day.

02 May Going down town this forenoon. Posting a letter and order
to E.G. Rideout & Co., 10 Barclay St., N.Y. for $10.50.
Bought goods of P. Cattanach Jr. & Co. to the amt. of
$1.88 and of Levi Henry - 12 cts. built a board fence
around my garden. S. Poland turned my cow out on the
road.
01 May Was not over to Sunday school or church as I set up with
Delbert Youngs, slept all day.
03 May Spaded up my garden in the fore noon and set out 103
strawberry plants fore noon. Went down to Port Lambton to
see about license for peddling. Got no information
amounting to anything. Wrote to Hugh Smith, County Clerk,
Port Sarnia. Rode down with Capt. Shaw and back with Levi
Henry, butcher.
04 May Sick all day with sore throat and heavy cold.
-34-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
05 May Finished planting out my strawberries - had 148 plants
from the six I set out last year. Went down town in
afternoon. Bought out of Maybee's Old Store - 6 1/2 lbs.
dried apples for 30 cts. and received sample copies of the
Witness Publication. Sowed 2 paper black onion seeds.
06 May Finished spading up my garden. Peddled in afternoon sold nothing. Went down town (Sombra) & got nursery stock
that I ordered - 6 cuthburt raspberry, 2 montmerency
cherries.
07 May Put out raspberries and cherry trees and ground my axe.
Went to Mrs. Albert Henry's plowing and sawing bee. Had
12 acres plowed and sowed. There was sixteen teams in
afternoon - 2 sowing and 2 men picking up.
08 May We went over to Samuel Polands. I went to Sabbath school
and church. My wife had the fever and ague at her
father's, S. Poland.
09 May Sowed my knol rabi seed and chopped in afternoon, set
fires and gave Samuel Poland 1/2 bushel of potatoes.
Went
fishing in the evening - got one mud cat.
10 May Chopped in the fore noon. Mary sick with fever. Mrs.
Warren Henry borrowed my hoe. Went down town in afternoon
and got some fever medicine for wife. Brought up for
Delbert Youngs $1.90. Wrote two postal cards to Chicago 1 to Chas. Simmons, Land Agent and one to David C. Cook
Publisher, 1437 Madison St.
11 May Went to Sarnia. Started 1 AM. and got in Sarnia 8:15 AM.
Draw $10.00 of my bank account with W.J. Gurd Savings,
Sarnia. Got peddlers license for $6.00 from town clerk,
Sarnia. Got a ride home from Mooretown with Patrick
Sheeran. Sent a post card to James Leer, 1120 Post Office
Box, Montreal, Que. and sent 2 p. cards to Chicago that I
wrote last night.
12 May Was out peddling - was south of Wilkesport - sold $1.55.
13 May Was out peddling. Went north, was up in Moore - sold
$1.87. Stayed all night on the Jenkin's Line at
Witherels.
14 May Came home by north of Wilkesport. Sold 41 on the road
home. When I got home, Mary gave me a post card that E.G.
Rideout had sent me when he shipped my package. Went down
got postal card E.G. Rideout & Co. that they had shipped
second parcel, went over to Marine City. They had not
come.
-35-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
13 May Father left Marine City by boat for Alpena.
15 May Was over to Sunday school.
class meeting.

There was no preaching or

16 May Was out peddling. Was down the creek as far as Lambton
Line. Went out the line to Lambton Village, up the river,
home. Sold 84 cts., paid custom house office $1.20 - bal.
due him on first order.
17 May Split rails for line fence between Stratton and me.
up to Mickey Stanley's - he was not home.

Went

18 May Went down town, borrowed $2.00 from Patrick Johnston and
50 cts. from Warren T. Henry. Went over to Marine City,
got a postal card that package was in St. Clair - due on
$6.11.
Left the $6.11 with p. master and 25 cts. for to
pay mail man to bring it down to Marine City (7 days).
Got circular from David C. Cook, Chicago, 111*. Split
rails in afternoon. Samuel Poland finished seeding on my
lower place.
19 May Piled up cord wood that Simon Poland and I sawed early in
the spring. Went to Sombra, asked the ferry man if stuff
had come. It had not. Polly stayed at her father's all
night. FIRST TIME I USED COLD WATER PEN - MAY 19.
20 May Underbrushed in fore noon. Went to Marine City in
afternoon. Package came by mail, cost me 10 cts. to get
it. S.P. Turned out his yearling to pasture. Got a post
card from father stating he got in Alpena on 15 May 1881.
21 May Are a going to help Wallace Micks saw stove wood in fore
noon. Gave me 50 cts. Marked my goods afternoon and
underbrushed part of afternoon. Wrote a letter to Father
to Alpena, Mich. Wallace Micks telegraphed to Brigden for
Dr. Merrison for W.T. Henry.
22 May Went over to Sabbath school. Martin N. Henry insulted
members of the class, went out and stayed until after
class meeting was over. Mary stayed home all day.
2 3 May Helped Warren T. Henry plant corn all day, John E.
Carpenter & Chas. Allen. Mary washed fore noon. Visited
Peter N. Henry folks. Reported that John Cullen is
drowned - found boat with oars in between Samuel Whitely's
& M.L. Burnham's dock, Sombra. He came from Marine City
last night. Borrowed from Aunt Lottie her garden hoe.
Sold Charles Allen 1 cold water pen and 1 pen holder 15
cts. Warren T. Henry went to Wilkesport. Wrote to Dr.
-36-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
Merrison for medicine for his wife.
me to my father, Alpena, Mich.

Posted a letter for

24 May Warren T. Henry plowed my potato field for me this fore
noon. I planted 1 bushel potatoes this afternoon.
Wife
went over home. Warren T. Henry telegraphed to Brigden
for Dr. Merrison to come and see his wife. Went to lodge
tonight. This was open lodge. Rev. was there. ^Maria
Brown gave me our visiting cards & Charlotte A. Henry's.

Visiting Cards of James and Mary Carpenter

2 5 May Planted two bushels of potatoes today. Charlotte A. Henry
was here in fore noon, stayed to dinner. Mrs. Albert
Henry was here visiting in afternoon. I went over to
Samuel Poland's for some butter & eggs. Wife went down
with her as far as P.N. Henrys.
26 May Peddled all day - sold $1.77 worth of goods - profit 57
cts. Went North of Wilkesport then North to James Kimble
Crossings, then went to Courtright, then home. Got home
about 2 o'clock AM. on the 27th. Was offered a job
chopping for 50 cts. per cord 3/4 store pay by Dennis
Cain.
-37-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
27 May Court today at Sombra. Peter N. Henry has a lawsuit with
Baby of Sarnia. Baby sues Henry for $200. or $199.99 for
barb wire fence (a fraud). Peter N. Henry's case did not
come off owing to Baby receiving sunstroke on yesterday.
I was to court today. Judge Elliot presiding, Malcolm
Cameron sued owner of the horse Draymon (stallion) for
price of mare killed by negligence of groom.
Plaintiff
got judgement for $40. for his mare and all costs
incurred. Polly was visiting Mrs. John Allen this
afternoon. Wife sold Charles Allen 1 cold water pen and
case for 1 gal. syrup.
28 May Finished planting my potatoes - five bushels where I
cleared last spring. Polly borrowed 11 1/4 lbs. flour
from Mrs. William Eyers yesterday afternoon.
29 May Was over to Sunday school. Stopped to class meeting.
Martin N. Henry Sen. refuses to act as Bible Class
teacher, so he told John Brown's wife. Went, over home.
30 May Finished planting beans, popcorn, squash, and got two ripe
strawberries. At noon burned brush out side of fence
opposite my potato patch and set pasture field.
Borrowed
of John E. Carpenter or father 69 3/4 lbs. of flour - bag
and all.
31 May I am going to St. Clair to look for a job today (James E.
Carpenter). Polly paid back Eliza Eyers her flour 11 1/4
lbs. Was over to St. Clair, could not get a job of work.
Spent 20 cts. Ferriage, 10 cts lb. of crackers and postal
card 10 cts.
3 0 May Got map from Chicago from Chas. F. Simmons about Dakota &
Minnesota.
01 Jun It commenced to rain last night - a long felt want as we
have not any rain for a long time. I sent a postal card
to Omaha, Nebraska to Thos. L. Kimbal general pass. &
ticket agent for maps and information of Idaho, Montana,
Colorado, & Black Hills. Posted at Courtright.
02 Jun Chopped and underbrushed all day. Went over to Church for
prayer meeting & trustee meeting. There was no trustee
meeting. Got my own letter back that I sent to my cousin
at Baxter Springs, Kansas. S. Poland finished planting.
Sent Apr. 20, 1881 returned June 3, 1881.
03 Jun Wrote a letter to P.O. master Baxter Springs, Cherokee
Co., Kansas inquiring for cousin Wesley Carpenter.

-38-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
Delbert Youngs moved from Thomas Stokes to William
Robert's house in front of us.
04 Jun Chopped wood fore noon, went Peter River's raising.
Raised frame shed and horse & cow stable.
05 Jun Was not over to Sunday school (cause no boots). Was down
to father's, have not heard from him yet. Wrote a letter
to Wm. C. Knight, Buena Vista, Clinton Co. I owe return
envelope with a stamp.
06 Jun Chopping fore noon and afternoon until 5 PM. Went down
town after supper. Bought of P. Cattanach Jr. & Co. -1
pair of boots $3.50, 1 box oil blacking 15 cts. = total
$3.65.
07 Jun Rained all day. Went out to Bear Creek fishing - caught 1
mud cat and broke my hook.
08 Jun Cow calved fore noon (mully cow) Simon Poland helped me
saw in the afternoon. Slashed down a lot of trees in one
heap. Worked part of the time in the rain.
09 Jun Sawing and splitting cord wood.
all day.

Simon Poland helped me

10 Jun Peddled all day. Went to Brigden - sold 86 cts. worth.
Hired with John Hewer of Brigden for 10 shillings and I
board myself or 18 cts. per month and board.
11 Jun I worked for John Hewer today.
for the brick molding machine.

I was spreading the clay

12 Jun Was over to Sunday school. Was to Samuel Poland's for
supper, Mary was over home.
13 Jun Started from home to John Hewer's, Brigden 12:30 at night.
Got in Brigden at 4:30 AM only worked 3/4 of a day - lost
1/4 on account of rain.
14 Jun Worked all day making brick.
15 Jun Worked all day making brick.

Sent a letter home tonight.

Sent it by train.
16 Jun Worked all day making brick.
17 Jun Worked all day making brick.
18 Jun Worked all day making brick.
for $1.
-39-

Bought Polly a pair of shoes

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
19 Jun Was over to Sunday School.

Was to Samuel Poland's for

supper.
18 Jun Got a cheque from John Hewer for work for $5.
20 Jun Started for Brigden at 1:30 AM & got in Brigden at 4:30
AM.
21 Jun Worked in brick yard all day digging clay.
22 Jun Worked
brick
yard all
day digging
claynight.
and wheeling
clay in in
wheel
barrow.
Heavy
frost last
23 Jun Worked in brick yard all day digging clay and wheeling
clay in wheel barrow.
24 Jun Worked in brick yard all day digging clay and wheeling
clay in wheel barrow. Had an attack of bilious fever.
Worked all day, got a cheque from John Hewer"for $4.00.
Bought myself a pair of shoes for $2. and a pair for
Willie 90 cts.
2 5 Jun Went to Dr. Merrison for medicine.
a bottle of medicine.

Gave me 8 powders and

2 6 Jun Was not over to Sunday school, was down to fathers.
They
got a letter from father on Wednesday. He is 20 miles
back of Alpena. He is talking of buying 80 acres of land
on Wolf Creek for $1.25 an acre.
27 Jun Went down to Sombra. Posted a letter to father, Alpena,
Mich. Sold 1 cold water pen to Glen Fulton.
28 Jun Walked to Brigden. Got there 15 min. to twelve AM.
Worked in afternoon, sent letter home to wife at night.
29 Jun Worked all day making brick or in brick yard for John
Hewer.
3 0 Jun Worked all day in brick yard for John Hewer.
01 Jul Worked only 1/2 day. Other men refused to work in
afternoon - it being Dominion Day. I settled up with John
Hewer - had $2.87 coming to me. Traded it out with Dawson
& Armstrong - got wife new hat $1.60, 3 yds. linen for
Willie's pants - 20 cts. per yd. 60 cts., 1 doz. buttons
12 cts., baby Simon pair shoes 30 cts., 2 pair hose for
myself 20 cts., candy 5 cts. = total $2.87.

-40-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
02 Jul Went to Sarnia today, got a ride up with Lawrence
Johnston. Rode back with mail man, paid him 2 5 cts. and
gave him one cold water pen. Drew money that I had in
bank and paid it on place. Spent $1.07 and $40. interest
= total amount paid $41.00 Got one bottle of Scots
Emulsion of cod liver oil and hiposfiter of lime and soda
for Willie.
03 Jul Was over to Sunday school quarterly meeting held in Sarnia
today in M. E. Church. Wrote a letter for Samuel Poland
to John Bailey Travelling Warbstow Lasiston, Cornwall,
England. Wrote out an order for trial of his Sunday
school papers forth grade for 3rd. quarter of 1881 July,
August and September, David C. Cook, 4 6 Adams St.,
Chicago.
04 Jul Went out to Brigden fore noon. Hired with George Hunt in
John Hewer's brick yard. Worked 1/2 day in Brigden 10:30
AM.
05 Jul Worked all day in brick yard.

My eyes are getting sore.

06 Jul Worked all day in brick yard, my eyes are getting sore. I
quit working in brick yard on account of my eyes being
sore and some other causes. Came home after night. Got
home next morning. I bought at Brigden Book store, 1 copy
New Testament revised edition. Presented it to my wife 15
cts. Pack tickets Sunday school.
07 Jul Went over to Samuel Poland's for his spade and grubber,
got them. Went down to Chester Henry to see if he wanted
to hire a man this harvest. He was not at home. Was to
Thomas Bury's raising. I left word with his wife to let
me know tonight. Weed in garden part of the afternoon.
Polly went over home to cut Willie's pants.
08 Jul Cleaned out old well fore noon. Went down to Chester
Henry's to hire for harvest. Got work from him to get
going wages to set price after two weeks. Came home and
went down in the bush to pick berries found a colony of
bees hanging to a black ash sapling. After sunset hived
them, after dark by moonlight, Charles Allen and Mr.
Poland helped me.
09 Jul Went over to Poland's with wife and children. Bees were
in hive all right. I came back. I went to where bees
were. They did not look all right and so I watched them.
They left the hive and started off in a south east by
south direction. I followed them to a large elm on
William Eyer's near the line between him and me. Polly or
wife went down town bought a hat for Willie, trimmings for
-41-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
Simon's hat 31 cts., bar of soap and some other things
amounting in all to $1.12.
10 Jul Wife, I and children were over to Sunday school and class
meeting. Was to Samuel Poland's for supper. Rode through
side road with Chester Henry.
11 Jul Commenced to work for Chester Henry.
haying.

Worked all day

Rained afternoon.

12 Jul Worked 1/2 day for Chester Henry haying, rained fore noon.
13 Jul Worked 1/2 day for Chester Henry haying, rained fore noon.
14 Jul Worked
all day
for Chester Henry.
field fall
wheat.

Commenced harvest.

Cut

15 Jul Worked all day for Chester Henry. Wife down town spent
$1.18 - got me a new brown jane shirt.
16 Jul Worked all day for Chester Henry. Finished his haying at
3:40 PM. Uncle Levi Henry's youngest son died - diarrhea.
1 year, 6 months, 14 days - Wellington Henry.
17 Jul Was over to Sabbath school. Wife and children were with
me. First Sunday school papers given out in our Sabbath
school at Bethel Rivers Corners Church, Sombra.
Stopped
to preaching and class meeting. Was to S. Poland's for
supper.
18 Jul John E. Carpenter and myself dug grave for Uncle Levi
Henry's boy on father's place. Rev. Wm. Pickard preached
funeral sermon. Uncle Levi was not there, he is in
Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. He went there a short time
ago. Worked for Chester Henry this afternoon.
Was
binding wheat in front of orchard and also commenced his
barley.
19 Jul Worked all day for Chester Henry binding wheat in front
orchard.
2 0 Jul Worked all day for Chester Henry binding wheat in front
orchard. Frank Bull team and himself was helping us.
21 Jul Worked all day at Chester Henrys. At Frank Bull's cutting
and binding 18 bushel sowing of fall wheat.
22 Jul Wrote two post cards - one to A. Norman, 4 Green St.,
Toronto and one to Gurd & Son, London, Ont. Worked 1/2
day for Chester Henry binding fall wheat for Patrick
Sheeran.
-42-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
23 Jul Worked for Chester Henry all day. Stacked part of his
fall wheat and drawed in 5 loads of barley. Polly came
down and was there for supper. Frank Bull helped with
team.
24 Jul We was over to Sunday school. There was no preaching.
Stopped to class meeting. Poland's for supper.
2 5 Jul Gave Albert Henry's widow a days work binding fall wheat.
26 Jul Worked all day for Chester Henry binding fall wheat and
cradling around barley field. Chester went to Wallaceburg
for his steam engine for threshing - it was not finished
repairing.
2 8 Jul Helped Chester Henry in fore noon and after supper
finished drawing in his barley and some fall wheat.
Frank
Bull helped us with his team. Wife came down at noon for
me to go for a or take Willie to the Doctor. I took him
down to the new doctor (Dr. Knight). He pronounced it
scarlet fever. He gave me some powders and some stuff in
a bottle to swab his throat out with and some medicine for
Simon for diarrhea. Got 100 lbs. flour of Patrick Sheeran
at Sombra Grist mill. Chester Henry gave me his horses
and buggy to take the children to the doctor (Dr. Knight)
- call tomorrow. Wrote a letter to Percival Lowell, Gen
pass agent for rates of fare and other particulars over
Burlington & Quincy rail roads.
(I am setting up with
Willie).
27 Jul Helped Chester Henry all day. Stacked Frank Bull's fall
wheat and finished cutting his. Willie was sick in the
afternoon with heavy fever.
29 Jul Worked for Chester Henry all day. Was cradling barley at
Frank Bull's and cocking. Dr. Knight called in to see
Willie, he said he was better. Samuel Poland commenced to
draw in his barley from lower place. Chester Henry and
Frank Bull went to Wallaceburg for steam threshing
machine. Wrote a letter to W.J. Gurd about payment on
place.
3 0 Jul Worked all day for Chester Henry plowing out potatoes and
was painting steam engine. I was taken with pain in my
right breast so bad at night I could hardly move my arm.
31 Jul Rode down town with Dr. Knight. He said it was brown
chitis that caused the pain in my left breast. He gave me
a bottle of liquid medicine and said I was to put a
mustard plaster on my breast and then a poultice.
-43-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
01 Aug I was not able to work. Went over to the river, borrowed
Capt. William Rattray boat. Got some bee oil - cost me 31
cts, bought a scribes book for the Sons of Temperance
Lodge, River Corners - cost 2 cts. Chester Henry
commenced to thresh today for the first at George
Robinson's. Made a box to hunt bees with this afternoon.
S. Poland finished stacking barley.
02 Aug George & Thomas Mulligan got a new engine for threshing
yesterday in Sarnia. Got it from Stephens, Turner &
Burns, London, Ont. Helped Chester Henry all day.
Commenced to cut his oats.
03 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day. Finished drawing in his
fall wheat and took reaper to F. Bulls. George & Thomas
Mulligan are trying their new iron horse.

Mrs. Delbert Youngs
Martha Isabel Hardick
Age 16

1872

-44-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
04 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day at Frank Bull's, cradling
oats.
05 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day binding oats at Frank Bulls.
Killed mad dog at Delbert Youngs. Came in front of my
place. Mrs. Delbert Youngs thought the dog was only dry,
she offered him some water and he would not notice it, the
dog followed her in the yard, she shut the front door,
when she shut it the dog tried to get in at the window but
she was too guick for him. The dog then went around to
the back door, shoved it open and Mrs. Youngs shut herself
in the bedroom with her two children. They shot the dog
three times before they killed him. I was working out at
Frank Bull's, Patrick O'Hare, Gilbert Brown, Curtis
Wright, Delbert Youngs, Charles Henry, Samuel Poland, his
two sons, Simon & Bill.
06 Aug Helped Chester Henry threshing oats all day.
07 Aug Was not to Church or Sunday school. Was over to Samuel
Poland's in the afternoon. Wife and children were there.
08 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day. Was threshing oats and
drawing in oats. Simon and Bill Poland and Alex Chartier
were in Mrs. Broad's orchard last Saturday night, she
found out it was them and came to Simon and scared him
into telling the whole affair. She was a going to give
him clear and punish the others. Bill Poland and A.
Chartier left for Uncle Sams. Samuel Poland has got his
4 5 15/16 lbs. of flour that I borrowed of him.
09 Aug Helped Chester Henry one half day at Frank Bull's cradling
and binding oats. Finished Frank's oats the cutting.
Chester Henry's steamer is threshing for Samuel Poland on
my place.
10 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day binding oats. Frank Bull was
there with his steamer. Chester Henry finished threshing
Samuel Polands fall wheat and barley on my place. Had 95
bushels of fall wheat & 250 bushels barley.
11 Aug Commenced to work for Chester Henry by the month at $15.
per month. Worked all day, got 6 oz. of woolen yarn for
socks at 6 cts per pound (drawing manure and cleaning up
fall wheat for a grist).
12 Aug Worked all day for Chester Henry drawing out manure.
13 Aug Worked all day for Chester Henry drawing out manure.
Father got 100 lbs. of flour of Chester Henry on work at
-45-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
26 cts. per lb. Stepmother got a letter from father last
night - he has left Alpena and to St. Joseph to a land
island. John Collins address Tenly Bay Post Office,
Algoma, St. Joseph Island.
14 Aug Wife was over to Marine City today - spent $1.12.
Samuel
Poland and wife were over today - cooked two kolrabi.
15 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day.
all done.

Frank Bull's stacking oats

16 Aug Paid John Carpenter 69 3/4 lbs. flour bag and all. Helped
Chester Henry all day drawing in oats and finishing
cutting.
17 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day binding and drawing in
manure.
18 Aug Had Samuel Poland's team to draw water - drawed three
loads.

William Poland came home this afternoon.

19 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day drawing manure.
20 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day drawing manure.
21 Aug Was
over
to Sunday
Samuel
Poland's
for school.
supper. Stayed to church.

Was over to

22 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day threshing at Frank Bulls.
Frank had 266 bushels oats and 150 bushels of wheat, 50
bushels barley. Mrs. Sherky made me a steeple straw hat
for 25 cts. Paid her for it yesterday.
2 3 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day drawing manure and cleaned up
5 bushels of wheat by weight 4 3 lbs. $1.2 5 per bushel $5.32. Served Mrs. Stratton with a notice not set any
fires near my line fence that I would hold him
responsible.
24 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day, gang plowing.
show Sarnia today.

W.W. Coles

25 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day. Finished gang plowing and
finished drawing oats. David Stratton served me with a
notice that he intended to burn his fallow and that I was
to take care of my stuff and that he would not be
responsible for it. Cleaned up 10 bushels of fall wheat
to pay Daniel Grave's wages.
26 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day at Lawrence Johnston's.
father came home from St. Joseph's Island.
-46-

My

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1881
27 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day threshing at Lawrence
Johnson's. Plowing at Chester's in afternoon. Mary was
down town fore noon, bought me two new shirts.
2 8 Aug Father and Samuel Poland was here in fore noon. I went
down to Chester Henry's and Father's in afternoon.
29 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day drawing water.
load for myself.

Drawed one

30 Aug Helped Chester Henry all day threshing at Alonzo Lapish.
Had 480 bushels in all together. Fires raging hard. I
came home and watched all afternoon. Patrick O'Hare had a
large fire in his front field. Samuel Poland drew his
wheat home, he was afraid it would burn up as fire was
coming from the south very fast. Polly bought me 1 pair
suspenders.
31 Aug I had to stay home and watch fires.

Raining afternoon.

01 Sep Helped Chester Henry all day plowing.
02 Sep Helped Chester Henry all day plowing.
broom out of

Polly made me a

.

03 Sep Helped Chester Henry all day plowing.
04 Sep Was
over
Samuel
Poland's for dinner.
Creek
for to
wild
grapes.
05 Sep Helped Chester Henry on half day.
fires.

Went to Indian

Came home to fight

06 Sep Helped Chester one half day. Came home to fight fires.
The fire came up in east corner of front field.
Burned
about 30 rods of fence.
07 Sep Bill Poland helped me draw part of cross fence away from
front field. Fought fires all afternoon. Hired John E.
Carpenter for half month in my place to plow for Chester
Henry while I am fighting the fires. He is to take my
place as soon as they are done threshing at Mrs. Albert
Henry's. Had a bilious attack afternoon. Mrs. John
Whaley was over getting some sewing done on the sewing
machine.
08 Sep Watching fires all day half sick. Polly has gone over to
Charles Brown's. Bill Eyer's threshing.
09 Sep Helped Mrs. Albert Henry all day threshing.
-47-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
10 Sep Helped Mrs. Albert Henry all day threshing. She had 470
bushels oats, 134 bushels barley, 86 bushels fall wheat.
Cut the bee tree that I found on Bill Eyer's on the 9th of
July and I cut on halves, had about 8 lbs. of honey. Mrs.
Peter N. Henry taken sick. Sent for Peter at Mrs. Albert
Henry's threshing. Was out of her head.
11 Sep Polly was down to Peter Henry's all day.
with Willie.

I stopped home

12 Sep Helped Warren Henry clean fall wheat fore noon. Drawed 2
loads of water afternoon with Warren's team. Borrowed of
Samuel Poland 4 6 lbs. flour. Polly was over to Robt.
Stokes to get crab apples. Got a basket full for nothing.
Stayed all day.

Warren T. Henry & wife Lydia (Bradshaw)

-48-

c1875

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
1 3 Sep Helped Warren Henry clean fall wheat fore
to Mr. Mickey Stanley to sell him my cord
not at home.
I weighed on Robt. Stoke 1 s
lbs. in shirt sleeves. Polly was over to
washed and carried our clothes over.

noon. Went up
wood. He was
scales 184 1/2
her mother's -

14 Sep Commenced to dig my potatoes. Was over to Henry Lapish's
to see Thomas & George Mulligan's new separator.
Polly
went to town afternoon.
15 Sep Polly stopped over home at her father's last night.
She
got home today 9 AM. Dug potatoes fore noon. The fires
raged after it got in and old slashing I made last spring,
then it got in William Hargrove's. Sent down for him.
Him and I, George and father came up.
16 Sep Rained all day.
apples.

Curtis Wright brought us up a basket of

17 Sep Helped Chester Henry 3/4 of day. Sowed 3 1/2 bushel fall
wheat on middle side. Frank Bull got Chester Henry's
fanning mill and 8 bushels wheat. Cleaned up 11 1/2
bushels for Chester for seed sowed 3 1/2, cleaned 16 1/2
bush. Leaves 8 bushels yet to sow. Pat Sheeran got 4 6
lbs. of hay and 10 bushels fall wheat for John
.
I
got two little pigs from Chester Henry.
18 Sep Was down to Father's for dinner. Was to Chester Henry's
in fore noon. Was back in Chester Henry's field getting
some grapes to eat. Polly was up home.
19 Sep Helped Chester Henry all day. Borrowed for him of Peter
N. Henry 6 bags fall wheat from machine, 11 3/4 bush, when
cleaned up for Chester Henry, 8 1/2 bush. Grown on summer
fallow and oats stubble.
20 Sep Digging potatoes. Eliza Eyers here in morning. Fire in
S.W. corner of front field. Bumagilard heap on fire where
I live or own on lot 6, 12 con. Sombra. Mary went over to
her mother's with Mrs. Eliza Eyers to get some tomatoes
from Mrs. Eyers.
21 Sep Sowed 2 1/2 bush, wheat for Chester Henry.
Finished
digging my potatoes. Mary went to town - sold her butter
to Miss Alice Lapish 25 cts. per pound. Got 8 cts. worth
sugar, 2 lemons, 1 lb. shot for me.
22 Sep Simon Poland helped me 1/2 day sawing for brush fence for
the cross fence that burned partly. Fixed brush fence
afternoon. Mary was over home.
-49-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
2 3 Sep Mary washed over home. Finished making brush fence.
Shot
2 partridges at noon, cleaned them. Bill Eyer 1 s home,
machine broke down.
24 Sep Helped S. Poland cut corn all day. Mary sold 2 lbs.
butter to Mrs. Thomas Moshier for 50 cts.
25 Sep Rev. Mr. Gifford preached 3 sermons in Bethel Church.
heard two of them.

I

2 6 Sep Cleaned out bush well for water for house use. Helped
Delbert Youngs clean up oats for Mrs. Albert Henry. We
was to meeting at Bethel afternoon.
27 Sep Went down to river. Mr. Catton hired me to help him
thresh afternoon. Stopped at Catton's all night.
Rained
all night.
28 Sep Helped Catton fore noon. Helped him all together 1 day.
He owes me one dollar. He paid me. Went down town bought
me 3 1/2 yds. brown duck for 70 cts. We was to social at
night.
29 Sep Was over to Peter Sherkey's fore noon to help him raise up
granary for home. Afternoon was down to see Thomas Bury
for a job in shanty. Got promise of one. He gave me a
job of cutting stove wood for 3/ until I go to shanty.
Mrs. Holland Shorts buried Bury grave yard. I got 60 1/2
lbs. flour from Chester Henry. Found my beatle rings at
Poland's.
30 Sep Made a beatle.
stove wood.

Found my iron wedge.

Marked logs for

01 Oct Rained fore noon, shot two partridges, sawed stove wood.
Simon Poland helped me 1/2 day. Simon Poland helped me in
afternoon.
02 Oct Rained all day Sunday. Was over to Poland's twice.
Down
to Delbert Youngs once. Bury told me that I could do
chopping soon as I liked. Poland's was to my place fore
noon.
03 Oct Delbert Youngs and I were out to look at the place where
we are going to chop. Shot two partridges.
04 Oct Was over to Samuel Poland's. Borrowed one window sash,
brought home wife's wash tub and fixed brush fence fore
noon. Delbert Youngs and I went out to Mr. Rathburn's.
Stayed all night so we could get to work early at building
the shanty.
-50-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
05 Oct Raised the body of our shanty and got out to Rathburn's
before sun down.
06 Oct Made basswood trough and covered our shanty forenoon.
the road out and walked home before sun down.

Cut

07 Oct Borrowed James Hargrove's lance saw and old stove. Got
Peter Henry to take us out to the shanty on Monday.
08 Oct Cut corn for Peter Henry part of fore noon until 1 o'clock
PM. Helped Samuel Poland thresh afternoon.
09 Oct Mary was over to Sunday school. I went over to church.
The preacher did not come, had prayer meeting.
10 Oct Peter N. Henry moved Delbert Youngs and myself to shanty.
Got there about 11 o'clock AM. Hung door. Made floor and
bedstead afternoon.
11 Oct Sawed fore noon. Cut 1 1/2 cords. Corked shanty with
moss afternoon. Rained that night.
12 Oct Rained fore noon. Sawed afternoon. Filed saw fore noon.
Had 3 1/2 cords, piled it tomorrow afternoon.
13 Oct Cut wood all day.
dinner.

Thomas Bury was to our shanty for

14 Oct Cut wood fore noon and part of afternoon. Wallace &
Christopher Micks, John Goodman & Ben Booth came to shanty
for dinner. We came out home with them by Reid's ferry.
Rained afternoon.
15 Oct I went down town. Chester Henry gave me five dollars on
wages. Delbert Youngs and I went over to Marine City for
a new cross cut saw. Got a six and one half foot saw for
40 cts. per foot = $2.60, 2 files 35 cts., duty on saw 90
cts. Got 27 lbs. flour from Chester Henry. Samuel Poland
paid Chester Henry his threshing bill. Filed part of new
saw. Got new pair boots at Peter Cattanach's for $3.75.
Gave him my note for $28.64 payable 1 month from date. I
bought four lemons for wife to make preserves at 5 cts.
each = 20 cts., ferrage 15 cts.
16 Oct I was down to Delbert Youngs. Took dinner at Peter
Henry's. Polly went over home. I went after her.
17 Oct Simon Poland helped me fore noon draw rails for fence
which burned up just after harvest. Delbert Youngs helped
near all day. James Bury two crosscut saws to file for
-51-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
him. Laid up cross fence. Finished filing our (Delbert
Youngs & mine) new crosscut saw (partnership saw) and
tried it.
18 Oct Filed two crosscut saws for Thomas Bury fore noon.
Father
helped me in fore noon lay up fence. Delbert Youngs and I
went to shanty afternoon. I shot a partridge in lot 19
on the way out.
19 Oct Delbert Youngs and I sawed, split and piled 3 1/4 cords of
hard wood.
2 0 Oct Rained fore noon and part of afternoon. Delbert Youngs
and I sawed & piled 1 1/2 cords from wood in afternoon.
21 Oct Delbert Youngs and I sawed and piled 5 cords of wood all
day. Filed saw at noon.
22 Oct Delbert Youngs and I sawed and piled 1 1/2 cords of wood
fore noon. We came home afternoon. I shot one quail and
one partridge on the way home. Paid us five dollars today
on cutting wood.
2 3 Oct I was over to Samuel Poland's in morning, asked them over
for dinner. They came. I signed a note of $43.25 to
Fawcett Livingstone Bankers, Wallaceburg, Ont. for six
months. Willie went over in the morning with me, stayed
all night.
24 Oct Went out to our shanty. Bought pork backenrons. Paid 14
12\ cts. per pound. Sawed part of afternoon.
Indian came
to us, lost, we put him on the right direction.
Filed saw
in afternoon.
25 Oct Put up 2 1/2 cords hickory fore noon.
shot 2 partridges afternoon.

Examined timber and

26 Oct Put up 7 1/4 cords white ash, making five dollars between
us.
27 Oct Put up 4 1/4 cords of white ash. Came in at noon to put
up shanty below us. They stayed in the Indian camp all
night.
29 Oct We went down to Lambton Line to get clerk to measure our
wood. Could not find him. I stayed until near noon.
Went back to shanty, got home 3 PM.
30 Oct Backed a joint note for Samuel Poland to Brigden Bank for
$40.00 for six months dated Oct. 24, 1881. Was over to
class meeting in afternoon. Family was over to Poland's
-52-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
for supper.
dinner.

Mr. Poland and two of his girls were over to

31 Oct Went out to shanty fore noon. Allen Grant went out with
us. He was going to Burguay's to get work. Cut 1 3/4
cords of wood afternoon. Found notice on shanty that if
we wanted money to go to house on Lambton Line tomorrow.
01 Nov Cut 1 1/4 of wood fore noon.
afternoon, we got $10.
02 Nov Cut 2 1/4 cords of wood.

Went to Lambton Line

Wallace & Christopher Micks and

Ben Booth moved out to there shanty last night.
03 Nov Cut 3/4 cords of wood.

Came home afternoon.

04 Nov Helped
John(cut
Allen
butcher
noon and filed his saw
afternoon
up his
hogs fore
at night).
05 Nov I helped Samuel Poland all day fixing up a place to hang
up beef. Killed one beef afternoon. John Allen gave me
13 lbs. of pork of helping him.
06 Nov Was over to church (all of us). Was to Samuel Poland's
for supper. I gave one dollar cash to the missionary
fund.
07 Nov Killed a beef for Samuel Poland fore noon.
and I sawed stove wood.

Delbert Youngs

08 Nov Delbert Youngs and I went to shanty fore noon and down to
Lambton Line afternoon to see Edward Tulloch about price
of wood cutting. Gives us 90 cts. for hickory.
09 Nov D. Youngs and I cut 3 1/4 wood and filed saw.
gave us ten dollars yesterday.
10 Nov D. Youngs and I cut 1 1/2 wood fore noon.
afternoon.

Ed. Tulloch

Came home in

11 Nov I went over to Samuel Poland's in morning. He gave me
twenty dollars on rent. I went down town and paid Peter
Cattanach $25. on note and bought of him 1 overcoat $11.,
2 pair drawers $1.50/4, 3 1/2 yards of cloth for over
shirt $1.75/4 = total $14.25. He gave me six months time
to pay it.
12 Nov I went out to see John Doran morning. He was not at home.
Was to Frank Campstown Contway Funeral. Shot 1 partridge,
split stove wood and banked house afternoon. Was down to
father's in evening. He gave me his old clock (Bachelor
-53-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
clock). I took it home and fixed it up (it was the clock
(eight day clock) my mother picked out for him before they
were married.)
13 Nov I was down to Delbert Youngs fore noon. Was over to
Poland's afternoon. D. Youngs was out to my place
afternoon.
I was not at home.
14 Nov Clock has run all right since father gave it to me after I
fixed it. Delbert Youngs and I went to the shanty fore
noon. Put up 2 1/2 cords wood in afternoon.

Eight Day Clock

c1853

Now owned by Richard Staza
Great Grandson of James W. Carpenter

15 Nov Delbert Youngs and I sawed and split wood all day.
16 Nov Delbert Youngs and I put up 4 1/2 cords of wood.
17 Nov Delbert Youngs and I commenced to put up the addition to
our shanty afternoon. Sawed fore noon.
18 Nov Delbert Youngs and I finished addition to shanty all
excepting corking with moss.
19 Nov Delbert Youngs and I put up 2 1/2 cords of wood. I was
down to Lambton Line to get some money. Got none.
Came
home afternoon. Snowed last night - first snow of this
season.
2 0 Nov I was over to Samuel Poland's fore noon. Got 1 pound of
tallow from him to grease my boots. Delbert Youngs and I
went to shanty afternoon Sunday.
21 Nov Delbert Youngs and I sawed and split wood all day.
-54-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
22 Nov Delbert Youngs and I put six cords of hard wood.
23 Nov Delbert Youngs and I put up 2 1/2 cords of wood and filed
our saw.
2 4 Nov Delbert Youngs and I put up 1 3/4 cords of wood. I went
down to Lambton Line for money with Christopher Micks, got
none.
25 Nov Tulloch clerk brought us up $15. and gave me $15. for Mr.
Booth. Delbert Youngs and I put up 2 cords wood before we
came home. I bought 1 gal syrup & 4 panes of glass 4/50
cts. for two weeks as I was coming home.
2 6 Nov I hired Jas. Roberts to help me saw fire wood fore noon.
Gave him 25 cts. D. Youngs helped me 1/4 day sawing fire
wood. Killed pig for D. Youngs in afternoon and went down
town. Bought 1 bush, beans for 16/, bought cap for Willie
6/. Bought a pig from Samuel Poland weighing 257 lbs. at
7 3/4 per pound and also a pork barrel 8/.
27 Nov I was over to class meeting.
supper.
28 Nov Went to shanty fore noon.
filed our saw.

We was to Poland's for

Sawed part of afternoon and

29 Nov Filed Mick's saw. They helped Delbert Youngs in my place,
we put up 2 cords in afternoon.
30 Nov Sawed fore noon.

I was sick afternoon.

for my part of the afternoon work.
01 Dec Fixed our shanty 3/4 of day.

Gave Del 25 cts.

Put up one cord.

Put up 2 1/4 cords of wood.

02 Dec We put up 2 3/4 cords of wood.
03 Dec We put up 2 3/4 cords of wood.

Ed Tulloch gave us $20. on

chopping and we came home at night.
04 Dec I was over to church.

Stayed to class meeting.

05 Dec We went to shanty fore noon.

Sawed part of afternoon.

filed saw, Del put in window.
06 Dec We put up 2 1/4 cords of wood.
07 Dec We put up 3 1/2 cords of wood.
08 Dec We put up 2 1/4 cords of -55wood.

I filed saw.

I

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
09 Dec We put up 3 1/2 cords of wood.
10 Dec We put up 2 1/4 cords of wood. I filed saw. Came home at
night. George Johnson gave me $10. on chopping.
11 Dec I was out to Wilkesport to guarterly meeting fore noon.
Was over to Poland's afternoon.
12 Dec Helped Del. Youngs saw stove wood part fore noon.
Started
for shanty, got as far as Albert Shaw's shanty on lot 18
11 con where Walter Shortt's and Ben Savoy are chopping.
Stayed with them all night.
13 Dec Ben Savoy and Walter Shortt went out to our shanty with
us. Ben shot two partridges on the road out. They had
dinner with us.
14 Dec Del. and I cut 1 3/4 cords of wood.
15 Dec Del. and I cut 2 1/4 cords of wood (Dec. 12 I bought 1
bottle of Jacob's oil at Parkinson's for 50 cts.).
16 Dec Del. and I cut 1 1/4 cords of wood.
17 Dec home
Del. tonight,
and I cut got
3 3/4
cords
of wood.
home
8 o'clock.
18 Dec All of family were over to church.
Came back round by the road.
19 Dec Filed my saw fore noon.
wood bee afternoon.

I filed saw.

Came

Went through the bush.

Went to Mrs. Albert Henry's stove

20 Dec Went to shanty fore noon.
rain.

Sawed wood afternoon.

Spitted

21 Dec Delbert Youngs and I went down to Township fore noon.
Shot 1 hare rabbit afternoon. I hunted and shot 1
partridge.
22 Dec Rained all day. I hunted, shot 2 hares.
Craig at her school at noon.

I seen Mrs.

23 Dec Sawed part of day. Went down to Lambton Line for money got none. Was to send it out by Thomas Bury on Saturday.
24 Dec Split and piled 2 3/4 cords of hickory wood and came home
in afternoon.

-56-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
25 Dec Samuel Poland family were over to spend Christmas with us.
Bury brought us $10. in money from E. Tulloch.
2 6 Dec Sawed stove wood fore noon. Went to shanty in afternoon.
Sent $1. in money to Chatham to pay for my fanning mill.
27 Dec We put up 2 1/4 cords of wood.

I filed my saw all but

setting it.
28 Dec We put up 1 1/4 cords of wood.
29 Dec to
Sawed
part the
of day.
Youngs
went down
for ofJohnson
measure
wood. Delbert
He came
and measured
part
it.
3 0 Dec I and Johnson measured up balance of wood. Delbert piled
up 1 1/2 cord that we had cut yesterday. Went down to
Lambton Line for our money, settled with Tulloch. He paid
us as of at the rate of 90 cts. per cord for hickory & 50
cts. for white ash. We had 84 cords of hickory & 2 2 cords
of white ash. We sold our share of the stuff to highest
bidder. Delbert got my share saw for $1.40, files 15
cts., syrup 37 1/2 flour 48 3/4 cts. soda and paper 4 1/2
cream tartar 5 cts. = total $27.23. I got the vinegar for
1 1/2 cts.
31 Dec We came home fore noon. I went down town afternoon.
Got
slate for Willie and one for Annie Poland. Paid Peter
Cattanach $3.65 balance due on note, got my note from P.
Cattanach. Chester Henry gave me $9. on work. Sent one
dollar forward on Mrs. Chester Henry.

Emmaline Henry

c1910

Mrs. Chester Henry

-57-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880

1882
Sombra Twp., Ontario
01 Jan We were over to Poland's to spend New Years.
I went to
church and Sunday school. Was put in superintendent this
quarter.
02 Jan Settled with Samuel Poland for my rent. He paid me $28.98
balance due me. I was down to election and was over the
river to see Staley about logs. He offers $3.50 per
thousand.
I bought gun warmer, iron side for heel of
boots in Marine City. In Sombra 1 broom 2 0 cts., 1 pocket
rule for 25 cts.
03 Jan I went to Courtright to pay sewing machine note for $2 0.
at the American Express Office. Bought 4 sticks of braid
20/5, 5 yds. straw ticking $1.00/20, 2 lbs. crackers 10
cts., 2 lbs. sugar 2 0 cts.
04 Jan I went over to our shanty to get the rest of my things
that I left there. Sold Delbert Youngs my pail for 20
cts.
05 Jan Jas. Stubbs came after me to make bolts for him. Gives me
one dollar per cord. John E. Carpenter is going in with
me. We get our board at Langworth log house on Side Road,
lot 16 con 11 for $2.50 per week. John E. Carpenter
helped me saw stove wood afternoon and I asked for bee
hands for tomorrow afternoon to cut stove wood.
06 Jan Stormed part of fore noon. I filed Poland's cross cut
saw. Sie & Bill Poland, Charles Allen, John & James
Roberts, & John Carpenter were to my bee afternoon.
Cut
about 7 cords.
07 Jan I set my saw this morning. Broke one tooth out. Sie &
Bill Poland and team were over drawing me up some fire
wood part of day. John helped me in afternoon.
I helped
Poland put side in jumper 1/2 day.
08 Jan We went over to Samuel Poland's.
school. I was late.

I was down to Sunday

09 Jan John and I went out to cut bolts for Jas. Stubbs and John
Heyland - cut 1 1/2 cords.
10 Jan John and I cut 2 1/4 cords of elm bolts today on lot 17 11
con for J. Stubbs and Heyland
-58-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
1 1 Jan John and I cut 2 1/4 cords of elm bolts today.
saw in the morning.

I filed

12 Jan John and I cut 2 cords of elm bolts today (Jan 14 we got
done on Sat). Afternoon at 2 PM. waited at Parkinsons
until Stubbs and Heyland came out to pay us. They gave us
$12.
1 3 Jan John and I cut 2 1/2 cords of elm bolts today.
14 Jan John and I cut 1 1/2 cords of elm bolts today. I bought
me a pair of felt boots at Parkenson's for $3.50.
John
and I paid our board $4. I got by beatle rings fixed for
10 cts.
15 Jan We were all over to church and Sunday school.
preached.

Crassy man

16 Jan John Carpenter helped me saw rail cuts. Broke axe handle.
Ground axe at night and put new handle in it.
17 Jan Split rails part of day. Went down town afternoon.
Traded at Peter Cattanach tick $2.60.
18 Jan Split rails all day.
yard.

Finished splitting rails for cattle

19 Jan I filed Poland's saw fore noon.
saw elm bolt logs afternoon.

John Carpenter helped me

20 Jan Sie Poland drawed rails for cattle yard all day.
I went
over to Wilkesport with two iron wedges to get drawed out
- cost 30 cts. 15 cts. each. Set saw - made 5 cts. Got
home 9 o'clock PM.
21 Jan Set Poland's crosscut saw and filed Pat O'Hare's crosscut
saw. Charged 2/ and 4/. Hunted path afternoon - got
nothing. Filed John Allen's crosscut saw no charge.
Polly got 12 needles for machine from Shaw.
22 Jan I was over to Sunday school. I was late. Stayed for
class meeting. Got letter from Buena Vista.
23 Jan Mary posted a letter to cousin M.E. Hickox, Skagit City,
Whatcom Co., Washington to be returned in sixteen days if
not called for. John helped me all day make bolts. We
made 1 1/4 cords elm bolts.
24 Jan John helped me all day make bolts. We made 1 1/2 cords
elm bolts. Filed my saw in afternoon.
-59-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
25 Jan I went to Wilkesport fore noon. Got 50 lbs. flour $5.25
per hundred - cost $1.63, 1 file 25 cts., 1 hair pin 8
cts. It rained afternoon. John and I hunted. Cut elm
bolts 1/4 cord.
2 6 Jan Rained all day. John and I hunted. Cut maple bolts 1/4
cord. I filed Poland's saw afternoon.
27 Jan Gilbert Brown's stove wood bee.
Helped me part of afternoon.

John went fore noon.

28 Jan John helped me afternoon.
I sawed alone fore noon.
Cut
maple bolts 1 1/4 cords. Total this week 5 1/2 cords
bolts.
29 Jan I was over to Sunday school. Stopped to class meeting.
There was no preaching - travelling minister preaching
funeral sermon at Pt. Lambton.
30 Jan John helped me all day making bolts, cut 1 1/4 cord elm
bolts.
31 Jan John helped me 1/2 day making bolts, cut 1 1/4 cord elm
wood bolts. I went to town afternoon. Got on credit
$2.57.
01 Feb John helped me all day making bolts, cut 2 1/4 cord elm
bolts.
02 Feb John helped me 1/2 day making bolts, cut 1/2 cord elm
bolts.
I filed Ed Tomlin's saw fore noon. He worked in
my place.
03 Feb John helped me 1/2 day making bolts, cut 2 cords.
I filed
my saw afternoon. Got a letter from Aunt Marilla.
Mary
got a book mark from cousin Lizzie McKay. There was a
dance last night at George Hargrove's.
04 Feb John helped me 1/2 day making bolts, cut 1 1/2 cords =
total this week 8 3/4 cords. Mary had a bad tooth ache,
ear ache and sore face (cause suppose).
05 Feb I was over to Poland's for dinner.
and class meeting afternoon.
06 Feb John helped me
I got out some
morning before
cords rendered

Went to Sunday school

make elm bolts all day, made 1 1/4 cords.
potatoes in morning. Was down town in
daylight. Posted post card. Number of
14 1/4/.

-60-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
07 Feb John helped me make bolts 3/4 of day. Elm cut 3/4 cord.
Peter Henry gave me $10. on bolts in woods.
Samuel Poland
got 2 2 lbs. shots for my pig 8/ per hundred.
08 Feb John helped me make elm bolts 3/4 day, made 3/4 cord.
filed Poland's saw. Sie worked in my place.

I

09 Feb Gave John 2/ on work. Yesterday he was to dance at Joe
Fournie's.
I put up 1 1/2 cords alone. Crossed split and
piled them.
10 Feb I got S. Poland's team to go to Wilkesport to get some
flour. Got 300 lbs. for myself, 100 for Poland, 100 for
Mrs. John Whaley at 3.5 per one hundred.
I used 8 5 cts.
of Poland's money and 10 cts. of Mrs. Whaley's for myself.
I filed William Robert's saw afternoon. He helped me saw
back to pay for filing it.
11 Feb Split bolts fore noon. Went to Wilkesport afternoon to
take Miller's bag back. Posted a letter to Aunt Marilla
Vanalstine.
12 Feb Was over to preaching and Sunday school.
children were there.

Wife and

13 Feb Curtis Wright helped me 1/2 day (PM) sawed I piled up 3/4
cord after Curtis went home.
14 Feb I filed Poland's crosscut saw fore noon. P. N. Henry
measured my logs - gave me $2 0. on them per Nomer Staley.
I found bee tree in the bee tree we had cut down for
bolts. Sawed it off so that we could bring it home
tomorrow morning. Curtis Wright helped me 1/2 day PM. cut
1 1/4 cords of maple bolts. 20 cords to date P.N. Henry.
Mary went to church tonight.
15 Feb Curtis Wright helped me all day cut 1 cord of elm and oak
red. Samuel Poland brought over his team to draw home my
bee tree that I found yesterday. Mrs. P. Henry had a
quilting. Got them home all right.
16 Feb Filed my saw afternoon, cut 1/4 cord bolts.
17 Feb Curtis Wright helped me 1/2 day cut 1 cord elm bolts.
18 Feb Curtis Wright helped me all day. Sawed all day, gave him
2 5 cts. Borrowed 25 cts. from John E. Carpenter to pay
Curtis Wright.
19 Feb I was over to Sabbath school and stayed to class meeting.
-61-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
20 Feb John E. Carpenter helped me 1/2 day cut 3/4 cords elm
bolts (concert town hall - Catholic)
21 Feb I filed Charles Allen's & William Robert's crosscut saw
and cut the drag of my own. Made a beetle. Got map of
Eastern Washington Territory with books.
22 Feb Filed Samuel Poland's saw. John 1/2 day cut 1/4 cord elm
bolts. Went to Sombra in afternoon. Bought me 1 new pair
of boots for $2.75, 1 file 25 cts., gave John $3.50 on
work. Went to auction sale. Bought cloth brush 2 0 cts.,
1 pair hose 15 cts., bedcord 912 copy books each 2 4 cts.,
1 pocket book 10 cts., 2 bundles shoe laces 10 cts.
P.N.
Henry gave me $10. on bolts.
2 3 Feb John and I went to Delbert Youngs cutting bolts bee on
Thomas Stokes place lot 9.
24 Feb John helped me all day cut 2 1/2 cords of elm wood bolts.
Allen's borrowed my saw late today.
25 Feb John helped me all day cut 1/2 cord of elm wood bolts.
Filed Jack Moran's crosscut saw.
2 6 Feb Samuel Poland and wife were here for dinner.
Sabbath school class meeting and preaching.

I was to

27 Feb I filed my saw fore noon. Sawed for father afternoon on
John Ecclestone's place. 27 1/2 cords bolts to date.
29 Feb John helped me all day cut 1/2 cord elm bolts.
I filed
Joseph Dupuis' crosscut saw. Bill Hargrove's sawing bee.
Rained afternoon. Heard blue bird, first blue bird.
Fowlers Shaw school home
01 Mar John helped 1/2 day cut elm bolts 1 cord.
Hargrove's bee afternoon.

Was to Bill

02 Mar John helped 1 day cut elm bolts 1/2 cord. I filed P.N.
Henry's saw and Bill Eyer's saw per Bill Robert's.
03 Mar Sawed at father's all day on John Ecclestone's place.
notice of note due Dr. Merrison, Brigden.

Got

04 Mar I went to Brigden paid $20. for Dr. Merrison note.
Note
was in St. Thomas. Got a receipt for the note. Note to
be sent to me by mail on Monday following. Got 1 patent
saw set 4/. Sent $1. to E.G. Rideout & Co. for
subscription for Household Guest Magazine.
Candy 15 cts.

-62-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
05 Mar I was to Sabbath School. Stayed class meeting.
I was to
Poland's for supper. Gave Poland his 35 cts. for flour.
06 Mar John helped me all day and father too. Cut 3 1/4 cords
elm bolts. Afternoon I filed their saw.
07 Mar John helped me all day
cut 1 1/4 cords elm
bolts. Sie Poland
drawed fire wood for me.
Pd. Mrs. Whaley 10 cts.
for flour.
08 Mar I helped father 1/2 day.
I went down town
afternoon. Got 1/2
bush, beans at Andrew
Smith's for $1., dry
apples 5 lbs. 40 cts.
M.L. Burnham got hat at
auction sale 75 cts.,
15 yds. wincy 90 cts.
Got a letter from cousin
Ellen Hickox, Skagit
City, Whatcom County,
Washington Territory.
09 Mar Rained all day.

Andrew Smith, Merchant
Sombra

I filed my saw.

10 Mar Snowed fore noon. Got a pot from Emmaline Henry for 4/.
Turned in work. I went to Wilkesport after to see W.A.
Fowler to get him to lecture at Bethel. He promised to
come and charge nothing - to get money for Sunday school
papers.
11 Mar Helped father 3/4 day. Went down town afternoon and got
$1.13 worth of goods at Peter Cattanach.
12 Mar I was to Sunday school and class meeting afternoon.
to Warren H. Henry's for supper.

Was

13 Mar I helped father all day. Filed Jack Moore's saw
afternoon. He worked in my place.
14 Mar I was out to Wilkesport to get Fowler to come out on
Friday to lecture. He promised to come. I sent letter to
cousin Ellen Hickox, Skagit City, Whatcom Co., Washington
Territory. Helped father 1/4 day.
15 Mar Helped father 1/4 day. Went to town afternoon. Got 3
pair shoes at $3.75 - total for Simon 8/ for Willie 8/
-63-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
wife's $1.75.
Filed Bill Robert's saw fore noon and
split stove wood at door. Went down town afternoon.
16 Mar Filed Charles Allen's saw. He worked in my place.
father 1 day, saw I worked afternoon.
17 Mar Filed my saw fore noon.

Helped

Helped father saw all day.

18 Mar Rained all day. I went to town - bought at auction sale 2
guernsey shirts for wife. Warren Henry bought 2 cords of
my wood in side line for $1.50 per cord. Shirts for wife
3 0 cts. each.
19 Mar I was over to Sunday school and class meeting.
Annie
Poland was over to my place all day. Wife and I was over
to Poland's for supper. Bill Poland came to our place for
dinner.
20 Mar I sawed at father's all day. I gave 10 cts.. >for help
towards paying boat fare for Mrs. Duncan McDonald to Port
Lambton.
21 Mar I filed S. Poland's saw and Allen Grant's and set Charles
Allen. Gave Poland cup ginger tea. Wife was up to Pat
0'Hare's in afternoon. Poland bought 3 ton of hay from
Joseph Richards, Wilkesport.
22 Mar John helped me 1/2 day saw stove wood. Sold him 1 rubber
font 14/ six sheets note paper 5 cts. and 1 box cold water
pens 5 cts. per pen $1.75.
23 Mar Helped wife over to Poland's fore noon.
stove wood.

Afternoon I split

24 Mar I tinkered around house. Went to village afternoon.
Got
12 yds. print $1.50, 1 gal coal oil 2/, 1 pair shoes for
Willie 8/, 3 yds. cotton 27 cts., 2 lbs. currants 10 cts.,
5 cts. nutmegs.
25 Mar Was over to quarterly meeting Bethel.
house afternoon.

Tinkered around

2 6 Mar I went to quarterly meeting. Wife went over to her
father's. Annie Poland stayed with our children.
Meeting
was held fore noon. I came home by sideline. Wife got
home from her father's. I went over there. Poland was
worse. They had sent for Dr.. Wife came shortly, she left
Willie with Mrs. Robert's.
27 Mar Samuel Poland died this morning at 1 am. I went and got
Peter River's and Alonzo Lapish to lay him out. They came
-64-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
and Edward Tomlin with them. I went down town fore noon
to see when we could get coffin and get Minister.
I was
to father's in the morning and told him that Mr. Poland
was dead and asked them to go over. They did get things
for the funeral at Peter Cattanach's for Mrs. Poland and
for myself and family. These things, thus 10 yds. Lustre
2/, 2 1/2 yds. waist lining, 18 3 yds. cambric, 2 spools 5
cts., 1 1/2 crepe 8/.
28 Mar I went down town with Simon Poland for the coffin.
It was
done.
(Timothy Green made it.) He charged $12. for it.
The funeral was preached in Bethel Church at River's
Corners by Rev. Pickard. Text - Job chap 14, verse 10.
Patrick Conlin, Peter Rivers, William Fallace, William
Roberts, William Eyers, Francis Bull (Avery Tomlin took
the corps) were the pall bearers. My Father and John
Tomlin & Jas. Bury dug the grave. The funeral sermon was
preached at 1:30 PM. Jas. Gallow drove mourners down.
There was no teams beside as the roads were very bad,
excepting Peter River's team. Me and wife stayed all
night with Mrs. Poland.

TEXT AT SAMUEL POLAND'S FUNERAL: Job 14:10 - But man
dyest and wasteth away. Yea man giveth up the ghost and
where is he.
29 Mar Wife stayed with her mother and helped her wash.
I went
to father's fore noon and got my crosscut saw. Went to
hunt fish in Clay Creek afternoon - got none.
3 0 Mar Wife and I and children stayed with Mrs. Poland last
night. Came home this fore noon. John E. Carpenter
helped afternoon to make bolts. Made 1 cord. Mrs.
Roberts our place for supper.
31 Mar John E. Carpenter and father helped me all day make bolts
- 1 3/4 cords and 1 cord of stove wood. Cut 1 1/2 cords
maple and elm.
01 Apr John & father helped 1/2 day each. Cut 1 1/4 cords elm
bolts.
I filed my saw and William Robert's in afternoon.
02 Apr I was over to Sunday school. We elected officers.
I am
Bible class teacher and Ass. Superintendent for next three
months. Stayed to class meeting. My family was to
Poland's for dinner and supper.
03 Apr I got two pigs from John Ecclestone for 8/ each.
Split
stove wood in afternoon. Split 1 1/4 cords, piled it.
-65-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
04 Apr John E. Carpenter helped me all day. Father 1/2 day and 2
cords - 1 cord elm and 1 cord black ash. I have 4 0 1/2
cords made up to date.
05 Apr Rained all day. Made some cough syrup. Was down town
afternoon and got 1 pint vinegar 5 cts., 7 lbs. sugar 70
cts., 5 lbs. currants 50 cts. and 1 comb 15 cts.
06 Apr Commenced to underbrush. Broke my axe handle.
and cut 3/4 cords stove wood.

Made two

07 Apr John and Father helped me all day cut 2 cords elm bolts.
08 Apr John helped me all day saw stove wood and bolts black
logs. I was to Alonzo Lapish barn raisin.
Frank Bull &
William Fallace chose sides. Bill's side won.
09 Apr Went over to Mrs. Poland's in morning. I went to Sunday
school. Stayed to preaching but not to class meeting.
10 Apr Wife is going to stay with her mother a few days to help
her sew. I went down town fore noon. Was going over the
River to get some money on my bolts. Could not get across
river.
11 Apr I stayed at Poland's last night. Stayed around house most
of the time. I was to father's PM.
12 Apr P. Henry came to my place to file his saw. I was waiting
for Staley for some money. Got none. Went down town
afternoon. Visiting cards had came at Mullen's.
Duty 2/.
Stayed at Avery Tomlin raisen on the way home. Wife came
home with me through the bush.
13 Apr I sawed at father's all day.
there.

Frank Bull was plowing

14 Apr I sawed at father's all day.
there.

Frank Bull was plowing

15 Apr I went down town and over to Marine City with order from
P.N. Henry, M.S. Co. for $2 5. Got P.N. Henry is to get
$3. of it for himself.
I get $22. of it. I bought 1 bot.
mucilage 10 cts., sent letters from Marine City - 1 to
Conn P.O.M. order $1.30, other Chicago P.O.M. $2., cost of
orders 2 6 cts., Ferrage 15 cts. Bought at P. Cattanach 12 3/4 yds. print for wife's dress (second mourning) 1/per
yd. $1.59, 1/2 quire foolscape 2/ 13 cts., candy 5 cts., 1
lb. tea 25 cts. Came home from school house line, came
home through bush from Poland's. Wife down to P.N.
-66-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
Henry's visiting. Jane Poland stayed at our place
afternoon and tonight.
16 Apr I was over to Sabbath school.
All family over to Poland's

Stayed to class meeting.

17 Apr I helped father saw all day. Paid him for two pigs that
he paid John Ecclestone for me which was $2. Gave P.N.
Henry $3. of $25. got from store at Marine City, Mich.
Bill Poland commenced to sew on my place where I live.
Sewing barley on west side of place.
18 Apr I filed Bill Poland's saw & my own fore noon. Polly went
down town.
I took care of children until noon. Bill &
Sie are seeding here today. Wife had $2. in money when
she went to town to get 2 yds. lustre 50 cts., 5 postal
cards 5 cts., 2 spools thread 10 cts., 3 straw hats at 2/
1 for 20 cts. 70 cts. I helped father 1/2 day sawing elm
bolts. Finished on Ecclestone place.
19 Apr I underbrushed fore noon. Fished afternoon.
Caught one
mud cat. Rained afternoon. Gilbert & A.C.H. Brown came
home from Manitoba.
2 0 Apr Underbrushed fore noon. Bill & Sie Poland finished
seeding this morning where I live lot 6 con 12. Sowed 22
bushels of barley. Rained afternoon. Saw G.A. & C.H.
Brown this morning.
21 Apr I underbrushed all day.
22 Apr Bill Robert's helped me all day to underbrush.
Roberts 3/4 day.

John

2 3 Apr I was to Sunday school. Stayed to preaching & class
meeting. Rev. Moffat Presby. preached.
24 Apr I helped Bill Roberts saw all day on Pat 0'Hare's place
for elm bolts. Old Mrs. Duncan died this afternoon at Pat
Conlins.
25 Apr I underbrushed fore noon. Burnt brush afternoon.
Roberts borrowed 16 1/2 lbs. flour.

John

2 6 Apr I underbrushed fore noon. Mary went to Mrs. Alonzo
Lapish's to get her hat trimmed. Could not until Friday
next. Bill & Simon Poland finished sewing on lower place.
Sowed 24 bushels oats. Was two days putting it in.
27 Apr I underbrushed all day.

Went over to prayer meeting.
-67-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
28 Apr I was to Mrs. Albert Henry's bee putting in spring crop.
Sowed 16 bushels barley & 24 bushels oats. Had 14 teams
with their drivers and had 8 men besides picking up,
cleaning furrows and sowing. Bill and Sie Poland began to
draw their elm bolts to river from my place.
29 Apr Father & Bill Poland helped me all day working in fallow.
Father got a letter from Uncle James Carpenter, Skagit
City, Washington Territory and I got one from Aunt Marilla
Vanalstine to send to Uncle James Carpenter, letter from
Alexander Carpenter, Imlay City, Mich.
30 Apr I was to Sunday school and class meeting.
too.
01 May I picked up and burned.

Wife was there

Rained after supper.

John Edward Carpenter

c1885

Photo enlarged from locket

02 May I was to William Eyer 1 s logging bee. Wrote a letter for
Emmaline Henry to London. Wife gave her cold water pen
-68-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
and I sold one to Mrs. Albert Henry 5 cts.
holder. Snowed last night.

I gave her pen

03 May I filed Bill Robert's saw. John E. Carpenter & I went
over to Marine City to get our picture taken. Got 2 taken
for 20 cts. each. I am going to send mine to Cousin Ellen
Hickox, Washington Territory. Spent in Marine City
ferrage 15 cts., candy 10 cts., picture 25 cts, tin type
postage 11 cts, 13 lbs. pork $1.63, glycerine 10 cts. At
P. Cattanach 5 lbs. sugar 50 cts., 1 lbs. rice 12 cts., 4
lbs. dried apples 40 cts., nutmegs 5 cts. At Smith's 4
lbs. currants 10 cts.
04 May I got 2 bushels oats 80 cts. at Jacob Young's. Hay at
father's. Asked bee hands in afternoon for a logging and
plowing bee. Frank had his plowing bee.
05 May I had a logging and plowing bee. Had a good chore done.
They done a good chore for me. Logged and plowed about 2
1/2 acres. Teams W.T. Henry & George Hargrove fore noon.
Afternoon Simon Poland, Alonzo Lapish, Charles Henry.
Mary Roberts and Jane Poland helped wife.
06 May I got up fire wood and filed part of my saw fore noon.

I

plowed with Warren T. Henry team for him.
07 May Sunday school class meeting after preaching.
08 May Planted
strawberries fore noon.
afternoon.

Fished afternoon.

Rained

09 May I was to Warren T. Henry's barn raising. Got done at 3
o'clock PM. Got my package of visiting cards from Conn.
Mourning for Mr. S. Poland.

Samuel Poland Mourning Card

10 May I spaded garden fore noon. Went fishing with Bill Poland
afternoon in Bear Creek, caught 5. Rained afternoon.
-69-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
11 May Rained fore noon. I went down town afternoon with George
Hargrove. Wrote two letters for him. Sent for some more
visiting cards and book. Had to go to Marine City to get
post office money order for $1.25. Order and postage 13
cts., ferrage 15 cts., 1 lb. dust tea 25 cts., currants 25
cts.
I heard from George Hargrove that John Collins had
been burned out and two of his children burned so that
they died next day. Two girls that died were Mary & Eva.
They lived in St. Joseph Island, north of Lake Huron.
12 May Rained all day.

I made churn cover and writing desk.

13 May I ditched my corn ground where I had my logging bee.
14 May I was to Sunday school class meeting.

Gave Peter Rivers

and Mrs. Grant one each of Samuel Poland's mourning cards.
15 May I finished planting my strawberries and ditched some.
16 May my
I commenced
to plant
my Got
potatoes.
Poland
corn ground
for me.
done at Simon
supper
time. harrowed
17 May Ditched and finished planting my potatoes - planted 3
bushels.
18 May I helped Bill Poland pile bolts. Piled 40 1/2 cords River
St. Clair. Commenced to plant my corn at home.
19 May I planted corn for Bill Poland 3/4 of day.
& Warren T. Henry corn planter.

Charles Henry

2 0 May I planted some corn, undertook to make a corn planter did not succeed. I went down town afternoon.
Staley
measured Bill Poland's elm bolts. Docked 9 cords for
culls.
I got 1/2 lb. powder 3 cts., 1 box caps 10 cts.
Sie Poland got me 50 lbs. flour $1.75. Wife went to
Courtright with her mother for Bill clothes.
21 May I went to Sabbath school and prayer meeting.
children over home.

Wife and

2 2 May I finished planting my corn and planted citron and carrots
and muskmelons.
2 3 May I planted beets and spinach & rhubarb seed & top onions.
Shot 8 black birds and 1 red headed woodpecker.
24 May I made elm bolts. Sawed them alone 1/2 cords, 42 1/2
cords bolts to date of this line.

-70-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
25 May I saw some and filed Bill Poland's saw. Went down town
afternoon.
Sold Robert Stoke's wood in side line for 6/
per cord dock measure. He paid me for 10 cords $7.50 if
there is anymore he pays me where he draws the wood. I
bought of P. Cattanach 10 lbs. currants $1., 1 1/2 yds.
bleached cotton 18 cts., 1 spool 5 cts., 1 paper redash,
posted a letter 6 cts., one registered 5 cts. total 6 cts.
26 May Bill Poland helped me saw all day. Made 1 1/2 cords elm
bolts and 1 4 cord wood. Wrote a letter for father to
David Vanalstine, his nephew and done up some V. cards
too.
27 May I fished 3/4 day.
Mrs. Poland.

It rained all day.

Wrote a letter for

29 May Father and Simon Poland helped me all day cut 1 cord
bolts.
30 May Father and Bill Poland helped me all day cut 1 3/4 cords
bolts. One cord was brush.
31 May Rained all day.

I made card receiver for wife.

01 Jun Looked around brush fore noon. Went down town afternoon.
Got 1 cross cut saw file at Andrew Smith 25 cts. and P.
Cattanach 3 1/2 yds. b.denim 70 cts., 1 yd. cotton 10
cts., 1 spool cotton 5 cts., 1 wash board 2 5 cts., 1 lb.
shot 15 cts. and 100 lbs. flour at the grist mill for
$3.50 from T. Barker.
02 Jun I fixed up some scare-crows on corn field.
afternoon.

Cut roads

03 Jun Rained fore noon. I made card receiver and fixed Bill
Poland's umbrella. Wrote two post cards - one to Ottawa,
Canada and other to Detroit, Mich, and posted them and got
one broom 30 cts, 1 umbrella $1., candy 2 cts.
Paid
Wallace. Rained best part of afternoon.
04 Jun Wife went over to
back with her and
Allen were to our
and preaching and

her mother's fore noon. Her mother came
stayed afternoon. Her and Mrs. John
place for tea. I went to Sunday school
class meeting.

05 Jun Knocked around part of day. Went down town afternoon and
got my saw handle at Mays Bk. Shop and bought at Peter
Cattanach 1 pr. slippers $1.25, 5 lbs. sugar 50 cts., 1
lb. dust tea 2 5 cts. Gave Andrew Mullins 2/ to pay duty
-71-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
on visiting cards when they came and he was to send them
out to me.
06 Jun I was sick with bad cold. Fixed my saw handle.. Woods in
morning.
Filed Bill Robert's saw afternoon. Wife went up
to John Allen's afternoon. I kept children, would not
file Jack Dunn's saw as they would not bring any file.
07 Jun I filed my saw afternoon.
I was sick with cold.

Wife went over to her mother's.

08 Jun Bill Poland helped me saw fore noon. I had to quit at 11
am., sick with cold. Bob Stokes sent me out 100 lbs.
flour.
I went down to Warren T. Henry's and got some
medicine from Dr. Merrison.
09 Jun I am sick and not able to work yet and did not do
anything. Polly went down town. Took 2 lbs. butter and
got 21 cts. per pound for it. Got herself 1 pair hose 2/.
10 Jun I had to go to bed. Was in bed all day. Polly went down
town for medicine that Dr. Merrison was to send me by mail
from Brigden. It did not come. She bought at village earthen crock of mustard 40 cts., 2 lbs. cheese 25 cts., 1
bot. coal oil 10 cts., smoked herring 5 § 5cts. each,
candy 1 lb. fruit crackers 13 cts., 1 cake maple sugar 5
cts., 1 box caps for Willie toy gun 1 ct., quine 2/. The
books maps that I sent for to Ottawa and Detroit came.
11 Jun I was sick and not able to get over to Sunday school.
Father and Mrs. Poland was over to our place for dinner.
12 Jun I was over to Mrs. Poland's fore noon. Went down town
afternoon. Medicine had not come yet. I bought a bottle
of Bosheess german syrup § 6/ from Peter Cattanach Jr. &
Co. and bought 1 pack shelled corn from Arthur A. Rattray
for 20 cts. to plant mine over which rotted. Wife went
down to Hannah Henry tonight - sick.
13 Jun Planted part of my corn over again.
to too much rain.
14 Jun Split and rosed basswood bolts.
Henry last night.

It had rotted owing

Wife sat up with Hannah

15 Jun Chored around house fore noon. Cut 2 pigs, planted over
corn afternoon. Got Warren T. Henry's corn planter.
Gilbert Brown smashed a buggy wheel against P.N. Henry's
milk stand.

-72-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
16 Jun Finished planting corn over. Wife went over home with
children.
I went down town seen Bob Gormley about
dragging my bolts. He would when roads get good.
Bought
1 pen at P. Cattanach's for $1.
17 Jun Picked potato bugs off from potatoes fore noon. Cut welts
to my bolts that is part of them. Jacob Young warned me
about doing statue labour Monday.
18 Jun I and whole family was over to Sunday church and class
meeting.
19 Jun I went down to James Hargrove to do road work. Rained, I
came home. Cleared up at noon. I cut roads to my bolts
afternoon until supper. Hoes potatoes after supper.
Corn
that I planted June 13 is up to 2 1/4 inches high.
2 0 Jun I worked on the road fore noon. Afternoon I went down
town and voted for Mills M.P. Grand mother's books and
maps of Manitoba. Held scraper for Soloman Shortt•s team.
21 Jun I worked on the road all day. Held scraper for John
Broad's team. Had dinner at George Hargrove's. Rev. Mr.
Coats was at Peter N. Henry's (Free Methodist preacher).
Wife was there, they had prayer meeting.
22 Jun I worked on road fore noon. Hoed potatoes and cleaned out
well afternoon. Wife went down town with William H.
Roberts. She bought at Peter Cattanach Jr. & Co. - 2
straw hats $1., 1 fine comb 10 cts., 1 pair of mesh hose
20 cts., 2 spools cotton 10 cts., 3 yds. lace 12 cts., 1
yd. lustre 10 cts., 2 stick tape 8 cts., 1 darning needle
1 ct., 1 1/2 yds. muslin 30 cts., 2 yds. print 20 cts., 3
yds. cotton 3 0 cts., 3 yds. linen 66 cts., 3 yds. shirting
60 cts., 1 lb. ginger snaps 16 cts. on tick 2 cts. worth
candy cotton.
2 3 Jun I hoed potatoes fore noon and got up fire wood.
Helped
Sie Poland afternoon. Wife, I and Mary Roberts went down
to Mrs. Charles A. Brown's to get some tomato plants, got
none.
24 Jun I was to Charles Henry's logging bee. Rained at 4 o'clock
PM. until about half past five PM. Wife and Mary Roberts
went down to see or set up with Hannah Henry.
I kept
children, they are to come back if there is anyone else
there. They stayed all night.
25 Jun I was over to Sabbath school class meeting.
Elected
officers.
I was chosen asst. Bible class teacher by W.T.
Henry.
-73-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
2 6 Jun I finished hoeing my potatoes. Hired to Martin N. Henry
to cut bolts for 6 days at 3/ per day to begin Thursday
morning.
27 Jun We had first mess of our tame strawberries.
I had hoed
strawberries fore noon. Wife went down town fore noon. I
kept children. She bought at Peter Cattanach's - on tick
2 1/2 lbs. currants 25 cts., 5 lbs. sugar 50 cts., 1 bar
victo soap 10 cts., 10 nutmegs 10 cts., 1 lb. tea 25 cts.,
5 sticks of candy 5 cts., 1 pair hose 18 cts., 1 pair
child's hose 14 cts., 2 handkerchiefs 10 cts., 1 spool
thread 5 cts. I was hoeing corn afternoon. Wife washed
in afternoon after she came back from village.
28 Jun I hoed corn all day. Wife went over home afternoon.
Annie Poland was over to our place all day. Gave her cold
water pen and Jane & Mag Poland a cold water pen.
I had
four large strawberries off from my vines this morning
which measured the following No. 1 - 4 1/2 in. largest
place around, 1 1/2 in. long, 1 1/2 in. through largest
place, 1 in. through smallest place. No. 2 - 4 1/2 in.
round in largest place, 1 1/2 in. long, 1 1/4 in. through.
No. 3 - 4 in. round in largest place, 1 1/2 in. through, 1
1/2 in. long, 1 in. through smallest place. No. 4 - 3 3/4
in. round in largest place, 2 in. round in smallest place,
1 1/2 in. long.
29 Jun I helped Martin N. Henry saw and make bolts.
saw home to file it.

Brought his

NOTE ON TOP OF PAGE: Look Sept. 12, 1881. Flour, Polands
July 1 & 11th. James Hargrove's sale. They are going to
Manitoba.
30 Jun Filed Martin N. Henry's saw. Fixed our sewing machine.
Cleaned clock father gave me, runs all right. John Allen
borrowed 22 1/4 lbs. flour from us. Rained 3/4 day.
Picked mess of strawberries for breakfast - our tame ones.
4 messess altogether.
01 Jul I helped Martin N. Henry all day. Picked a mess of our
tame strawberries for tomorrow. Have picked about 7
quarts from our vines to date. Mrs. Poland got 15 lbs.
flour, pail and all.
02 Jul Wife & Willie went over to Church & Sunday school.
stayed home with Simon.

I

03 Jul I hoed corn all day. Had a mess of strawberries for
breakfast. Wife and Simon went up to Allen's afternoon.
-74-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
Willie stayed with me and picked a mess of strawberries
for breakfast tomorrow. 9 quarts of strawberries to date.
04 Jul I finished hoeing my corn at 2 PM. Cut roads to bolts
afternoon. Wife gave 50 cts. to Mrs. Albert Henry towards
tea meeting.
I got 6 rings to put in pigs nose from Peter
N. Henry 1/2 ct. each. Wife borrowed $1. from Mrs.
William Roberts. Mrs. Poland got 15 1/2 lbs. flour, pail
and all. Jane got it.
05 Jul I sawed all day for Martin N. Henry.
pinchers of Nathaniel Henry.

M. Nathaniel Henry & wife Ann (Hubbel)

I borrowed pig ring

c1873

06 Jul I helped Martin N. Henry all day making bolts, stopped to
tea meeting on my way home at Bethel Church.
Speaker
present Rev. Mr. Hubbel, Elder Griffith chairman, Rev.
Pickard. Proceeds of evening $17.50 to have a social
tomorrow night. Jane Poland stayed with our children.
Wife and I were at tea meeting.
07 Jul I gave Jane Poland 3 handkerchiefs, one for her and one
for Mag, one for Annie and 30 cts. to take them to social.
-75-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
Helped Martin N. Henry all day making bolts. Social at
church tonight 10 cts. each. Finished working for him.
08 Jul Rained fore noon. I put my young pigs out on the road.
Proceeds of social last night $3.20. Proceeds of tea
meeting and social to apply on minister's salary.
I went
down town afternoon to Quarterly Board. Rode down with
and back Warren T. Henry. James Hargrove's sale.
09 Jul I stayed home.
children.

Wife went over to her mother's.

10 Jul I helped Simon Poland make bolts.

I kept

Broke my axe handle.

11 Jul Sie Poland helped me cut Alex Chartier hay 2 acres.
Got
$2., got done at 4 PM. Mrs. Poland was over to our place
sewing, Tom and Annie with her. Mrs. Poland brought back
13 1/4 lbs. flour. Alex Chartier paid him $1.
Filed
Poland's saw after supper.
12 Jul I helped Sie Poland cut bolts all day. I brought Mrs.
Poland's crosscut saw gauge over to my place. Wife and
children was over to Mrs. Poland's for supper.
13 Jul I went to Sarnia. Walked to Courtright, then got on the
steamer Eclipse and went to Sarnia and back to Thomas Bury
dock for 50 cts. I went to Sarnia to get payment extended
on my place until Oct. 1st. Got at Geary's 25 cts. sperm
oil 5 cts. ounce, at Clement's 5 cts. extract assividity
at W. Johnston's, candy 5 cts.
14 Jul I helped Sie Poland cut bolts.
with assividity. Got no fish.

I went to creek to fish

15 Jul I helped Warren T. Henry hoe all day for 8/ per day. I
owed him 30 cts. Borrowed, money 16 cts. on hymn books and
54 cts. in cash.
16 Jul My family and I were over to Sunday school and church.
17 Jul I helped Sie Poland all day. Sie found a swarm of bees on
their place afternoon. Hived them twice and took them
down to Poland's house. Martin N. Henry paid me for work.
I was down to Bill Lancaster for prayer meeting.
18 Jul Chored around the house. Rained afternoon a little.
Fixed my cradle (grain) and the striking part of old
clock. Polly went down town afternoon.
Bought at Peter
Cattanach - 1 porcelain kettle $1.10, 10 lbs. sugar $1., 1
gal. vinegar 25 cts., cloves 5 cts., cinnamon 5 cts., 1
ball done black lead 42 cts., peging awls 4 cts., 1 box
-76-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
coffee 15 cts., candy 5 cts., gum 1 ct. = total $4.14.
Wife gave Mrs. Roberts $1. in pay for borrowed money.
19 Jul Done nothing much fore noon. Peter Chartier came over for
me to help him afternoon. I went and worked late. He
gave me $1.00/8/ for it. Mrs. Chartier gave me 4/.
20 Jul Done nothing. Mrs. Poland, Mrs. Christopher Walker, &
Mrs. Peter Henry were visiting at our place. Wife washed
fore noon.
21 Jul Fixed Bill Poland's cradle and went to bush and got some
cradle finger. Shaved them out and put them in back to
dry. Father came up to get me to help him stack hay
tomorrow.
22 Jul I helped father all day drawing in hay. John E.
Carpenter, George Hargrove stacked, Bill & Sie Poland
commenced to cut their barley.
23 Jul I and my son, Willie, were to Sunday school and class
meeting. Wife and Simon were over to her mother's.
We
were all there for supper.
24 Jul I commenced harvesting for Bill & Sie Poland.
Finished
cutting barley on their own place and cut some for Joseph
Dupuis. Helped Bill and Sie Poland all day.

Courtright

c1890

25 Jul Cut barley at my place. Mrs. Roberts was confined.
Wife
was there. She had a young daughter. Wife stayed longer
than she had ought and her and I had a perfect row. Put a
-77-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
slot in my cradle finger and ground Sie Poland's cradle
scythe.
26 Jul Finished cutting barley on my place where I live and
stacked two loads of barley at Poland's own place. Mrs.
W.B. Eyers was at our place all day visiting.
27 Jul I helped Bill & Sie all day stacking barley.
out. Wife was over home afternoon.
28 Jul I helped Bill and Sie all day.
place.

1 load got

We cut wheat on my lower

29 Jul I helped Bill and Sie all day. Bill finished reaping.
& Sie have round and set up east side ditch.

I

3 0 Jul Wife and Willie were over to Sunday School and church.
stayed home and kept Simon with me.

I

31 Jul I helped Bill and Sie all day binding wheat fall on my
lower place. Rained about six o'clock - did not finish
binding them.

Hannah Maria Henry

-78-

c1881

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
01 Aug Wet all day. I did nothing. Wife went down to Hannah
Henry's.
I kept children. I got dinner. Mrs. Ellen
Eyers borrowed my sewing awl for her husband to fix
harness.
02 Aug I did not do anything much fore noon it being wet. Worked
for Bill and Sie from 11 am. to 4:30 PM. binding wheat
on my lower place and turning barley on upper place.
03 Aug Wet fore noon. Barley growing in the bunch as left by
reaper.
I helped Mrs. Albert Henry mow barley afternoon.
04 Aug I helped Mrs. Albert Henry from 8 am. to 11 am. Rained
all of fore noon. Helped Bill Poland fix his reaper
afternoon. He was to my place for dinner and supper.
05 Aug I done nothing fore noon. I helped Bill & Sie from 3 PM.
to 8:30 PM. We were turning barley for the second time.
It is growing very bad.
06 Aug Wife and Willie went over home. Bill and Sie Poland drew
in barley on my place where I live. Sunday Joseph Declare
helped them.
07 Aug I helped Bill and Sie Poland all day drawing in barley.
Rained at 6:30 PM. Wife went down town and bought at
Peter Cattanach Jr. & Co. for cash - 5 yds. brown denim
$1., 1 bib for Sie 15 cts., bluing 5 cts., 1/2 lb. starch
6 cts., 3 bars eclipse soap 25 cts., candy 2 cts., 1 towel
12 cts., 3 yds. blue denim 60 cts.
08 Aug Rained this morning. I helped Bill and Sie afternoon.
Spread and cocked barley and finished stack at their
place. Mrs. George Mulligan and Jane Poland were at our
place afternoon. Polly was to Mrs. John Allen's fore
noon. Got some cucumbers.
09 Aug I helped Bill & Sie Poland all day. Finished stacking
barley and commenced to stack fall wheat. Got in three
loads of wheat.
10 Aug I helped Bill & Sie Poland all day stack fall wheat from
my lower place. Bill Poland bought me 100 lbs. of flour.
11 Aug I helped Bill & Sie Poland all day stack fall wheat from
my lower place. Polly and Mrs. Allen went to pick
blackberries - got none.
12 Aug I helped Bill & Sie Poland all day - finished stacking
their fall wheat and went and stacked Joseph Declare's
afternoon.
-79-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
13 Aug Wife went over home in morning with Jane.

Jane stayed at

our place all last night.
14 Aug I helped Charles Henry all day bind oats.
15 Aug Poland
I helpedafternoon.
Charles Henry fore noon.

Helped Bill & Sie

16 Aug I helped Bill & Sie all day thresh at my place.
We
threshed 290 bushels fall wheat and 131 bush, barley.
17 Aug I helped Bill Poland thresh fore noon. Fixed up my chaff
and bag grain afternoon. They threshed of wheat 290 bush.
& 2 60 of which was growed on my place. Thomas & George
Mulligan's Steam threshing machine.
18 Aug I helped Bill & Sie Poland all day bind and cradle oats
fore noon on my lower place. Stacked oats for Peter
Chartier after for Bill & Sie Poland.
19 Aug I helped Bill & Sie Poland all day bind oats on my lower
place.
20 Aug Polly went over home.

I got a letter from cousin Ellen.

21 Aug I helped Bill & Sie Poland all day. Threshed at George
Mulligan's best part of the day. Cradled around stumps
balance of day.
22 Aug I sent $4.37 to M.D. Dawson to pay arrears, Weekly HearId,
London.
I went down town fore noon. Mrs. Samuel Poland
gave $2.50 on work per Bill & Sie. I missed the children.
Afternoon wife went blackberry - got some.
2 3 Aug Rained fore noon. I bound oats for George Broad afternoon
10/ per day. Warren T. Henry threshed George and Tom
Mulligan.
24 Aug I helped George Broad all day. Cradled afternoon.
Sister
Lucy came home today from Lexington. They paid me $2. for
1 1/2 days work. Chester Henry helped them too.
25 Aug Wife and I and Mary Roberts and Annie Poland left children
at Mrs. S. Poland's and went blackberrying in Ira Henry &
Sam Gallow's ditch. I went down town and got me 1 pair of
boots $2.50 on tick. 1 straw hat 25 cts., 10 lbs. sugar
$1., 1 first book 5 cts., paid cash. Lucy came up to our
place afternoon. Warren T. Henry agreed to draw my bolts
60 cts. per cord.

-80-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
26 Aug Warren Henry and I skided 14 1/2 cords of my bolts.
I cut
roads and helped him load up. Lucy stayed at our place
last night.
27 Aug All of us were over to Mrs. Poland's for dinner.
Went
home, Went to Church and Sunday school, preaching and
class meeting afternoon. Rained coming home.
28 Aug I cut roads to my bolts.
place in the afternoon.

Mrs. Poland was over to our

29 Aug I helped Robert Stokes thresh all day 9/per day.
George Mulligans machine.

Thomas &

3 0 Aug I helped Robert Stokes thresh one half day. I settled up
with him in full to date. He owed me $1.93, he paid me.
I went down town and bought me an axe handle at A. Smith
for 90 cts. One axe handle at M.L. Burnham's 15 cts.
Went over to Marine City - ferrage 15 cts., potato pounder
5 cts., 1 funnel 5 cts., 2 coudo 60 cts., 2 sets of boot
heal braces 2 0 cts. Warren Henry has 13 cords of my bolts
out.
31 Aug Hung my axe and ground it some and helped Warren Henry
with drawing my bolts. Wife paid Andrew Brown $1.42 acct.
in full to date. Charles Henry caught coon out of my
corn.
01 Sep I cut roads and helped Warren T. Henry load my bolts in
bush. The letter I sent to Uncle Wesley came back to me
today. Miss Samantha Beach & Lucy Carpenter were visiting
at our place.
02 Sep Helped Warren T. Henry skid my bolts fore noon. Wife and
Mrs. Allen were picking blackberries - got 8 quarts.
Rained part of afternoon. Peter Cattanach sent in his
account amounting to $49.22.
03 Sep I was over to Sabbath school.
meeting.

I taught class, no class

04 Sep Warren T. Henry finished drawing my bolts.
load in bush and piled up some stove wood.
bushel barley of Mrs. Poland for pigs.

I helped him
Wife got 1/2

05 Sep I went over to Marine City to see Staley to measure my
bolts. He measured them in afternoon.
I had 52 1/4 cords
in all.
06 Sep I piled stove wood fore noon. I went over to Marine City
for my money. I had $94.75 coming to me. They paid me.
-81-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
1 got 1 hand saw $1. and squire $1.25 at L.C. Cottrell.
Ferrage 15 cts., duty on saw and squire 60 cts.
1 brace
stock 30 cts. at M.L. Burnham.
11 lbs. sugar $1., candy 5
cts. I paid Peter Cattanach $25. on account. Post Office
order to W.J. Gurd, Sarnia $2 5. fee and postage for same
2 3 cts. to apply on payment of mortgage. Paid Warren T.
Henry $31. for drawing my bolts. Mrs. John Allen, Miss
Laura May & Warren T. Henry, fell from saw log on trucks
owing to pole slipping out of bolster that log was chained
to by James Hargrove's old place. Mrs. Allen was hurt
very bad, the others escaped with slight bruises.
They
had a narrow escape from death if truck had upset.
George
Hargrove jumped on hind wheel and kept truck from
upsetting.
07 Sep I paid John E. Carpenter $5.53 and $1.25 of that is for
Curtis Wright for making bolts. I helped George Hargrove
thresh for Charles Henry. He had 250 bushels fall wheat,
100 bushels oats and 70 bushels barley.
08 Sep I helped Jacob Young thresh for Charles Henry.
357 bushels in all.

Threshed

09 Sep I helped Jacob Young thresh for Warren T. Henry.
Threshed
123 bushels barley, 515 bushels oats. Wife was down to
Bob Stokes.
10 Sep Wife and Willie were over to Sunday school and church.
11 Sep I helped Jacob Young thresh all day at Chester Henry's.
We threshed 297 bushels of fall wheat and 100 bushels
barley, and 387 bushels oats.
12 Sep I helped Jacob Young 3/4 of day at Chester Henry's
threshing. Threshed 75 bushels barley. I helped Mrs.
Albert Henry 1/4 day thresh 57 bushels fall wheat.
13 Sep I helped Mrs. Albert Henry thresh 1 day. Threshed 91
bushels fall wheat, 125 bushels of barley and 235 bushels
of oats. Coyle steamer machine.
14 Sep I helped Charles Henry thresh for Warren T. Henry. He had
130 bushels of fall wheat and 137 oats, 121 bushels
barley. Charles Coyles steamer.
15 Sep Helped Lawrence Johnston all day for Warren T. Henry.
He
threshed 87 bushels barley, 284 bushels oats, 105 bushels
fall wheat. Moved the machine over to other place and
threshed 332 bushels fall wheat.

-82-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
16 Sep I helped Lawrence Johnston thresh for Warren T. Henry.
Threshed 193 bushels fall wheat. I made a horse for to
stand up and went down to father's afternoon. Was there
to supper. They sent up some grapes to wife and children.
Warren T. Henry agreed to draw my wood for 4/ per cord.
17 Sep We were at home all day. Jane Poland and Mary Ann
Chartier and William Poland were at our place in the
afternoon. Wife is not very well, has not been for a
week.
18 Sep Warren T. Henry commenced to draw my cord wood.
I helped
him load in bush. I commenced to cut my corn.
I went
down town after 4:30 PM. I got at Peter Cattanach's - 2
3/4 lbs. cheese 34 cts., candy 1 ct. At M.L. Burnham's 1 loaf bread 7 cts., 5 apples 2 cts., 12 smoked herron 5
cts. Paid cash. Jane Poland commenced to work for us
until wife gets better. Got 1/2 bushel barley from Bill
Poland.
19 Sep I cut corn most of day. Commenced frame for grindstone.
Helped W.T. Henry with two loads of wood.
2 0 Sep I cut roads to cord wood fore noon. Cut corn afternoon.
Robert Stokes offered me 12/ shillings per cord for
softwood and 16/ per cord for hard wood. Had 1 ripe
watermelon and 1 m. melon.
21 Sep Simon Poland helped me cut corn all day. I helped Warren
T. Henry load three loads of wood in bush. He has my
hardwood all out. Raining tonight. They killed another
wild cat at Patrick Flynn's last night. Bill Poland
brought me over 1 bag flour weighed 100 lbs. Bill Poland
commenced to plow for all wheat on my place where I live.
22 Sep I worked at grindstone frame fore noon.
afternoon. Wife sick yet.

Cut corn

2 3 Sep I finished grindstone frame excepting for legs.
Finished
cutting my corn -shucked 1 shock. Wife went down town
afternoon. She got at S.Green - beef 32 cts., at M.L.
Burnham's - 6 apples 2 cts., ginger cakes 5 cts. and candy
3 cts.
24 Sep I was to Sunday school and preaching and class meeting.
Warren T. Henry went to Brigden for Dr. Merrison for his
baby. The doctor had no hopes for him. He has diarrhea.
2 5 Sep Warren T. Henry's baby died 4 am., name Robert James
Henry. Charles Henry brought me 100 lbs. flour. I husked
corn part of fore noon. Dug grave for Robert James Henry.
-83-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
26 Sep I was to Robert James Henry funeral, Warren T. Henry's
baby boy.
Rev. Mr. Pickard and Elder Griffith were
present. Born March 28, 1882. I cut corn for Charles
Henry afternoon.
27 Sep Dug well fore noon. Helped Warren T. Henry load 4 loads.
1 cut 1/2 cord stove wood afternoon. Warren T. Henry has
my wood all out of the bush. William Poland bought a
horse from Edward Stubbs for $100. and turned him out.
Stock amounting to $82.
28 Sep Warren T. Henry finished drawing my wood 22 cords. I sold
wood to Robert Stokes for $2. per cord for hardwood, 13
3/4 $27.50; 12 1/4 softwood at 12/ $12.37. I went down
town and got $3. worth of sugar, 2 w pails 40 cts., ginger
9 cts., cloves 5 cts., allspice 5 cts., 1 lb. dust tea 25
cts., 5 lbs. nails 20 cts. at Peter Cattanach's.
8 lemons
2 0 cts. at M.L. Burnham's. I husked corn afternoon - 4
1/2 bushels. I paid Warren T. Henry for drawing wood and
ten nights in barroom.
29 Sep I have commenced to fatten my pigs. I husked corn all day
- husked 9 bushels. Preserved citron - 26 lbs. of citron
with pound for pound sugar and lemons.
3 0 Sep I husked 8 bushels corn and carried it up to the house.
01 Oct I was over to Sunday school. Got money from Warren T.
Henry and John J. Brown for S.S. papers. We are going to
for papers 1 year $7.92.
02 Oct I went down town fore noon. Sent Post Office money to
David C. Cook for $7.92 for Sunday school papers - order
10 cts., postage 3 cts. 1 bottle lemon 10 cts. I husked
corn afternoon - 7 bushels. Mrs. Allen got her citron.
03 Oct I husked corn all day - 12 bushels.
house.

Brought it up to

04 Oct I helped Warren T. Henry clean up fall wheat 3 parts of
day - 60 cts. 54 bushels. I husked corn balance of day 3 bushels. Warren T. Henry fell short by weight 6
bushels.
05 Oct I received post card from E.C. Gurney about stove. I
husked corn fore noon - 6 bush. Went down town.
Sent
letter with six dollars p.o.mo. to E.C. Gurney for three
pieces for my stove. Wife was down town too. She got 3
bars soap 25 cts., 1/2 lbs. soda 5 cts., 1 1/2 lbs.
currants 15 cts., 3 smoked herron 3 cts., candy 4 cts.,
-84-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
1/2 crackers 5 cts., apples 3 cts.
06 Oct I husked corn all day - 9 bush. Clara Beach and Mrs.
Peter Henry and Miss. Charlotte Henry spent evening with
us.
07 Oct I husked corn all day - 9 bush, beside seed corn.
Jane Poland 50 cts. balance due on work.

I paid

08 Oct I was over to Sunday school and class meeting.
The
officers were elected for the Sunday school 4th. quarter.
I was elected librarian.
09 Oct I fixed cow yard and husked 6 bush. corn.
10 Oct I husked 9 1/2 bush, corn and went down to Thomas Bury
dock to see if pieces for stove had come - had not. Mr.
Peter Stover was killed in Fort Gratiot - cars run over
him - cut both legs off.
11 Oct I helped Charles Henry fore noon clean furrows.
I went
down town afternoon. Bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 box
Fowlers extract wild strawberry 37 cts., salts 5 cts., 2
pens 2 cts. Wife and I were over to tea meeting at Bethel
- proceeds of tea meeting $20.27. I was doorkeeper,
Indian choir and Rev. Jacobs Indian Missionary, Walpole
Island & P.C. in charge. Jane Poland stayed with our
children. She commenced to work for us the second time on
the 9th.
12 Oct I was sick all day. Wife went to Peter Stover's funeral
at 1 PM. Shortt's are threshing at Father's today fore
noon and at Robert's in afternoon. I cleaned up my little
clock.
13 Oct Father helped me husk corn fore noon - 9 bush. He helped
Bill & Sie Poland butcher a pig. Rained part of
afternoon.
I fixed striking part of my clock.
14 Oct Father helped me all day husk corn. Bill Eyers threshed
afternoon.
Silvanus Green got 4 1/2 bush, corn @2/ $11.28
and bargained for 25 bush. @ 50 cts.
15 Oct I was to Sunday school.
our Church.

Free Methodist held service in

16 Oct I threshed at Patrick 0'Hare's for Warren T. Henry.
Threshed 155 bush, barley, 130 bush, oats, 157 bush, fall
wheat. Jas. &'Joseph Stubbs machine.

-85-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
17 Oct Rained part of fore noon. Bill Poland paid me my rent
$70. I went down town got 1 bot. extract wild strawberry
37 cts., 1/4 apron linen 6 1/2 cts., candy 5 cts., nuts 5
cts.
Peter N. Henry is threshing.
18 Oct I husked corn 8 1/2 bush, and went down town afternoon.
Got 2 bbl. salt at Andrew Smith $1.50, 1/2 lbs. soda
biscuit 5 cts., 4 1/2 lbs. sugar 45 cts.
19 Oct I husked corn - 1 bush, and helped Bill & Sie Poland clean
up barley. Silvanus Green came and got his corn 25 bush,
at 50 cts. $7.50. He paid all but 36 cts.
2 0 Oct Husked corn, Delbert Youngs helped me. Finished husking
my corn 138 1/2 bush, beside my seed corn. Clara Beach
and Charlotte Henry visited our place this afternoon.

Delbert Youngs Family

c1897

Delbert, Belle, Andy, John, Thomas, Martha (Hardick)
Howard, Joseph, Frank

21 Oct I went to Sarnia. I walked up, got there 8:30 am. I made
payment on my place $68.75 and got gun lock fixed 3/ 1
butcher knife 4/ powder 1/ Wife's coat $6., 2 rolls heavy
paper and 5 box tacks $7. (tacks 10 cts. each, paper 5
cts. per pound), 1 lb. fruit crackers 14 cts., candy 10
cts., fish 5 cts., 1 pocket book 30 cts., I walked to
Sarnia in five hours - left home 3:30 am.
-86-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
22 Oct I and family were to Sabbath school and church and class
meeting.
I gave $5. in cash to help pay on church and 25
cts. collection missionary. Wife signed 50 cts. to be
paid in March.
23 Oct Delbert Youngs dug potatoes for me all day. Bill Poland
helped me stack my corn stalks with his team 3/4 day. I
wheeled balance of corn on wheel barrow - 16 bush.
Butchered black pig. Warren T. Henry paid me 8/ for day I
threshed for him at Pat 0'Hare's.
24 Oct Cut up pig - weighed 127 lbs. Down to Thomas Bury's with
Charles Henry. Got two rolls paper that I sent down on
boat from Sarnia (bill pd. 15 cts.). I dug 3 bush,
potatoes. Wife was down town. Bought 1 pair shoes for
Willie $1., candy 3 cts., fish 3 cts., 3 lbs. yellow sugar
2 4 cts., 1 scrubbing brush 2/.
2 5 Oct I helped Delbert Youngs hew down house at Alexander
Meyers.
2 6 Oct I helped Delbert Youngs hew down house and cut out door,
Meyer's same place.
27 Oct I finished digging my potatoes, dug 3 1/2 bush, and got
them all up to the house - 13 bush, in all told.
Pitted
10 bush, for winter. Dug my beets - had 5 bush., pitted 4
1/2. Bill Roberts borrowed my fanning mill, Thomas Bury
scale.
28 Oct I helped Bill and Sie Poland thresh.
barley, 175 oats.
29 Oct I was home all day.
visit afternoon.

Threshed 130 bush.

Sisters, Lucy and Mary, were up on

3 0 Oct I was down town fore noon. Sent letter to E.C.
about stove. Revival meetings at Bethel. Jacob
paid 75 cts. balance due me on threshing.
I pd.
on work.
I split wood part of afternoon and set
fires.

Gurney
Young
50 cts.
some

31 Oct Tacked some paper on wall and put Ochre on chamber floor.
I was at Charles Henry logging bee after I got my corn
meal home.
01 Nov Tacked on paper all day, Polly went down town afternoon
and got 3 paper tacks 22 cts., lamp black 5 cts., peanuts
5 cts,, glycerine 5 cts., 1 towel 1/, 1 gal. vinegar 30
cts., candy 4 cts., gum 2 cts., apples 1 ct., paper safety
-87-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
pins 10 cts., 1 yd. elastic 10 cts., linseed oil 22 cts.
Sie Poland came over to stay all night. He and I are
going to shanty tomorrow.
02 Nov Simon Poland and I were down to Morris's and Clancy
shanty. Their shanty is full. Was to Lougheed shanty hired to him for $20. per month to cut wood (hickory) and
elm logs. I and Sie went to Sombra after we came home. I
went for the castings for my stove. They were at M.L.
Burnham's.
Freight on them 55 cts, paid it. Went to
auction sale and bought 1 tin pail with cover on it 3
quarts for 15 cts., 6 teaspoons iron 6 cts., 5 papers
tined carpet tacks 8 cts., smoked fish 5 cts. M.L.
Burnham's I got at Wilkesport 1 pt. whiskey 10 cts.,
camphor gum 10 cts.
03 Nov Put in stove backs and bottom. Put yellow ochre on under
chamber floor and tacked on paper.
04 Nov Finished putting on yellow ocre and tacked on paper fore
noon. Peter N. Henry sent his team and boy afternoon to
draw fire wood for me. Sie Poland brought me up 3 papers
of tinned carpet tacks. Drawed up seven loads of firewood
making about seven cords. I made a bed stead at night for
right room.
05 Nov I hunted all fore noon for cow - found her on Peter
Prier's her and Mrs. Poland were to our place for dinner.
I went down town afternoon for Dr. Anderson for Willie.
He was sick, he came, pulse 140 fever 101. He left four
powders for him.
06 Nov I helped Peter N. Henry husk corn. Dr. Anderson came out
to see Willie. Mrs. P. Henry was at our place for supper.
I was over to Church - no preaching.
07 Nov I tacked on paper fore noon upstairs. Simon Poland and I
went out to Tully shanty to saw wood for Lougheed.
Got
off the road in the bush and did not get to shanty until
after dark. Bought axe handle at Kimballs for 1/3.
08 Nov Sie and I cut 2 1/2 cords hickory. Wife sent Bill Poland
down town in morning for Dr. Anderson for our Simon, he
came, Sie was better. I broke my axe handle, Lougheed
blocked me out one.
09 Nov Sie Poland and I cut 2 cord hickory and one of white ash.
Little Simon was better.
10 Nov Simon was taken worse in the night, sent Jane Poland to
get Mary Roberts to go with her for Charles Allen to go
-88-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
for Doctor for Simon. Mary could not go and so Bill
Roberts went for Charles Allen and Mrs. Allen. They came.
Charles Allen took Bill Poland's horse and went for Dr.
Anderson and they came out to shanty for me. He could not
find me until about 10:30 am. Simon Poland and I had 1
1/2 cords hickory cut when Charles Allen found me. I went
right home, got home about 1 PM. Simon was worse.
Doctor
had no hopes of him. I sent Bill Poland after Doctor as
soon as I got home. He came, he said there was no hopes
of him getting over his sickness. Mrs. Poland, Mrs.
Warren Henry were at my place afternoon.
Mrs. John Allen
and Mrs. Warren Henry set up with us. Simon kept getting
worse and worse. After eleven he knew nothing or nobody
apparently. He never spoke to me after I came home and
when I spoke to him he would only look at me but say
nothing. The last word he ever said was YES. This is how
it was - his mother put a cloth dipped in ice water on his
head, she said "Simon does this feel better, say yes." He
said YES but after eleven PM. he did not notice anything.
Jane Poland was taken sick in the night. Throwing up and
chills. Bill Poland gave me two dollars on work.
I went
down town for ice.
11 Nov I got Peter N. Henry to go after Doctor early in morning.
He met Doctor coming in. He said Simon would not live
long - only a few hours maybe not one hour. His
temperature was 106, the same as it was last night and he
was breathing 96 times a min. The Doctor gave Jane Poland
some medicine. MY SIMON DIED between 10 & 11 am. My
Uncle Chester W. Henry, Mrs. Warren T. Henry, Simon's
grandmother, Mrs. Samuel Poland were with us when he died.
Mrs. William Roberts and Mrs. Warren Henry laid him out.
My father ordered the coffin and seen the minister about
preaching funeral sermon. Warren T. Henry and my half
brother, John E. Carpenter, dug the grave. I went down
town after he died and got me a suit of clothes and some
other herein mentioned on time - 3 yds. black cotton 3 5
cts., 2 yds. book muslin 30 cts., 2 handkerchiefs 20 cts.,
1 1/2 yds. crepe 15 cts., 1 gal coal oil 25 cts., 1 lamp
chimney 10 cts., 1 lb. tea 50 cts., 1 suit clothers for
myself $15.
When I got home there was quite a few at my
place. Charles Allen and William Poland went out to
shanty for Simon Poland with team and brought him back.
12 Nov Sarah Henry and Half sister, Lucy Carpenter, Mary P.
Roberts, Charles Allen, Bill & Simon Poland, William
Roberts set up all night. Stepmother and father set up
part of last night. I went down and seen Father about him
getting teams for drawing corpses and mourners. Warren T.
Henry and half brother, John E. Carpenter, went down after
coffin (price $7.50). Mrs. John Allen and stepmother put
-89-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
Simon in coffin. Funeral procession left house about
12:30 PM. Rev. Mr. Pickard preached funeral sermon from
Revelation 22 chap, part 5 verse (and there shall be no
night there). The lesson he read from was 1 Kings part of
4 chap, from 18 to 26 verse. When the procession left
Bethel Church, Rivers Corners, there was 8 teams and rigs
in procession. Minister's team, William Roberts with pall
bearers, Fred Young, Charles Allen, Curtis Wright and
Harry Whaley, P.N. Henry took corpse, Patrick Sheeran's
team took chief mourners (myself, my wife, Mrs. Poland,
Annie Poland and Maggie Poland), Warren T. Henry team
next, William Eyers next, John J. Brown buggy next,
William Hargrove and three on horse back. We buried Simon
in Burying Ground at Thomas Bury's along side of his
grandfather, Samuel Poland, on the south side. Mr.
Sheeran brought us home as far as his place and then we
rode balance of the way home with Bill Eyers. Mrs. John
Allen and stepmother kept Willie home and straightened up
house and had supper for us when we got home., Mrs. Allen
took supper with us. Stepmother would not stay.
Simon
was 1 year and 11 months old.
13 Nov I went down with John Roberts and got two barrels of water
at river to wash with. My stepmother and mother-in-law
washed for us. I fixed step back door. My wife and
stepmother went up to Mrs. Allen's at night and stayed
until 11 o'clock. I got uneasy and got John and Mary
Roberts to stay with Willie and I went up and met them.
Stepmother stayed at our place all night, slept with
Willie. I promise Mrs. John Allen to help him butcher
tomorrow.
14 Nov I helped Mr. Allen butcher fore noon. Wife went up with
me. I filed Bill Robert's saw afternoon and went over to
see how Jane Poland was - she was better. Bill Poland
gave me $6. and 100 lbs. flour on work money - is to pay
on Simon's coffin. I heard George Hargrove is going crazy
again - Nov. 14, 1882.
15 Nov I went down town fore noon and paid William Hamilton for
making Simon's coffin $7.50 and took receipt for same.
The receipt was dated one day ahead. Bought at Peter
Cattanach store 3 yds. tweed 3.45, 1 doz. buttons 10 cts.,
1 spool 5 cts., 2 combs coarse and in one 13 cts., one 10
cts., 1/2 yd. blue denim 10 cts., 1 bot. castor oil 20
cts., 1 box boot grease 25 cts. I filed Mr. Allen's saw
in afternoon. Wife was down to see Hannah Henry and get a
pattern for Willie's coat. The three yards is for
Willie's coat.

-90-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
16 Nov I split and piled up stove wood about 4 1/2 cords.
some in afternoon.

Hunted

17 Nov The first appearance of snow this fall - just a few flakes
passing in the air. I split and piled up stove wood about
5 cords. George Hargrove was arrested and taken to Sarnia
by Joseph Stover, Chester Henry and Fredrick Young for
being insane and not safe to be at large. When taken, he
had a five shot revolver loaded, 1 razor and one butcher's
knife.
18 Nov I was to Mr. John Allen's raising and plowing bee.
Raising was a cow shed. Wife and Willie were there all
day.
19 Nov I and wife and son, Willie, were down to father's all day.
Mrs. John Roberts and Mrs. Hargrove, William Hargrove and
wife, young George Hargrove, Curtis Wright and I went down
to see Delbert Youngs. He was worse - rheumatism.
20 Nov I butchered 2 of my pigs - 1 weighed 164 3/4 lbs., the
other 152 lbs. I fixed boards over my corn. Cut my pigs
up at night. Wife went to Church tonight.
21 Nov I put brine over my pork and went to shanty to work for
Robert Lougheed. Sent letter to A.A. Henderson, town
clerk, to register Simon James Carpenter's death (MY SON)
and post card to R.H. Smith & Co. for cross cut saw gauge
for R. Lougheed. Got to shanty at noon. Worked with
Allen Grant and Dan McRae cut 2 1/4 of hickory.
2 2 Nov I worked almost all day with Bill Vye and Walter Shaw cut
6 cords of white ash.
23 Nov I worked fore noon with Bill Vye cut 2 1/16 cord of white
ash. Rained. I worked with Allen Grant pile 1/2 cord of
white ash.
24 Nov I worked with Allen Grant cut 3 cords 1 1/8 hickory rest
was white ash. I filed saw afternoon.
2 5 Nov I worked with Allen Grant cut 3 cords 1 7/8 was hickory,
rest was white ash. We went to shanty 3:30 PM. got lunch,
got home 5:30 PM. Lougheed crosscut saw gauge came
tonight at wilkesport.
26 Nov I went and got some elecompain roots and boiled some for a
cold that I have. Simon Poland and Mrs. Poland were to my
place for dinner. J. & Allen Grant went to shanty.
Left
my place 3:30 PM. and got to shanty supper time.
-91-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
27 Nov Allen was sick last night. Went home this morning for
medicine. Annie Poland commenced to work for us at 4/ per
week. I worked with Walter Shaw fore noon 1 1/2 hickory.
We had Vye with us afternoon cut 2 1/4 white ash. I filed
saw afternoon.
28 Nov I worked with Walter Shaw fore noon cut 2 1/4 cords white
ash. I worked with Allen Grant afternoon cut 1 cord
hickory. Filed saw.
29 Nov I was sick all night and night before with heavy cold. I
started for home this morning. Alexander McRae paid me
$3. on work on the way home. I bought 1 bottle of honey
10 cts., and pen holder 12 cts., Perpetual calendar, 1
bottle McQuaries lung balsam 50 cts., 1 fire shovel 10
cts., 1 boy scarf 15 cts. I got home at noon or a little
before. I put heel braces on my new boots and greased
them. Wife got them for me last Monday, Nov. 27.
24 Nov Wife was down town and got the following articles 3 yds.
brown jane $1., 4 yds. brown denim 80 cts., 1 yd. red
flannel $1.05, 1 neck tie 45 cts., 1 cloud 10 cts., 3 yds.
cottonade $1.05, 5 yds. cotton 45 cts., 1 spool linen
thread 15 cts., 1 doz. buttons 18 cts., 1/2 lb. soda 5
cts., 1/2 lb. pepper 13 cts., 2 towels 25 cts., 2 lbs.
currants 20 cts. She sold 57 cts. butter.
27 Nov I sent note to wife by Allen Grant from shanty for her to
go down town and get 2 pair guernsey drawers and shirts.
She did. They cost $3. each and also 1 pair of boots $4.,
1 1/2 yds. tablecloth $1.13.
3 0 Nov I went down town fore noon and bought at Peter Cattanach
1/2 gal. syrup 50 cts., 1 ball shew thread 12 cts., 1 box
matches 10 cts., 2 lbs. sugar 20 cts., and paid 35 cts.
balance due him on bottle Scots emulsion cod liver oil, 1
lb. swan shot 10 cts. Tax collector here today - my taxes
lower place $5.98. Albert Rattray died yesterday and
buried today (typhoid fever) at Cattanach & Rattray's
family burying ground, Sombra. Mrs. Alonzo Lapish
visiting us in afternoon. Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Lapish, George
Hamilton at our place for supper. Candy pull at Bill
Robert's last night.
01 Dec I was sick with heavy cold. Hunted part of fore noon got nothing. I fixed wife's shoes afternoon.
I got a
letter from cousin Robert McLeod, Alpena, Michigan
offering me $3. per month all winter. Aunt Marilla's
daughter Jane husband. Mrs. Allen called afternoon.
Indian killed wild cat back of Eagles on Frank Bull's.
-92-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
02 Dec I fixed wife's shoe and Annie Poland's fore noon.
Pitted
my potatoes for last time. Mrs. Albert Henry's stove wood
bee. John E. Carpenter got my crosscut saw for the bee.
I wrote two letters afternoon - one McLeod, Alpena, Mich,
and one D.A. Jones Beaton Weare, Barrie, Ontario for bee
circular.
03 Dec I was home all day. Wife went up to see George
Mulligan's baby. He is sick with croup and worms.
I went
up after her. Father and Simon Poland were at our place
for supper. John E. Carpenter and Charlotte Henry spent
the evening with us. I wrote a letter for father to James
Carpenter, Washington Territory.
04 Dec Bill Poland drawed 3 loads of rails to help make a cow
yard. I put my fanning mill in bin under the straw over
stable and made cow yard. Filed Bill Poland's saw. John
Roberts drawed me 8 barrels of water from bush well and
put it in well at home. Commenced at 3 PM. and quit
before 6 PM. I made some medicine for my cold from
alchemy pain cyine pepper, ginger, honey, sugar turckel.
Pat Sheeran borrowed my saw set and gauge.
05 Dec Simon Poland and I went to shanty fore noon and cut 1 3/4
cords of wood in afternoon - 3/8 hickory balance white
ash.
06 Dec Simon Poland and I cut 2 3/4 cords of wood - 7/8 white ash
balance hickory.

Fixed saw.

07 Dec Simon Poland and I cut 2 1/2 cords of wood - hickory.
08 Dec balance
Simon Poland
and I Icut
2 3/4
cords of wood - 5/8 white ash
hickory.
filed
saw.
09 Dec Simon Poland and I cut 17 elm logs. Sie, Allen Grant and
I came home after supper. Got home 9:00 PM.
10 Dec I was home all fore noon. Burnt some lard for my boots.
Bill Poland drove us out part of the way to the shanty.
Allen Grant, Old Chartier, Simon Poland and myself got
there before dark.
11 Dec Simon Poland and I cut 23 elm logs.
12 Dec Simon Poland and I cut 11 elm logs fore noon. Allen
Grant, Simon Poland and I cut 16 elm logs afternoon.
Allen's mate went away.
13 Dec Allen Grant and I cut 14 elm logs afternoon.
Simon Poland went home sick afternoon.
-93-

Rained.

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
14 Dec Allen Grant and I cut 23 elm logs all day.

I filed saw.

15 Dec Allen Grant and I cut 16 elm logs all day.
16 Dec Allen Grant and I cut 11 elm logs. I filed saw.
Came
home - we got a ride from Walker's old stream with Gurd's
team.
17 Dec Wife and I were to Church Sunday School and class meeting.
Allen Grant came to my place to stay all night for to go
to the shanty in the morning. Father lent wife one
dollar.
I wrote a letter to cousin Ellen Hickox, Ellen is
dead.
18 Dec Allen Grant and I started for shanty at 2 am. and got
there before 5 same morning. I froze my ear same morning.
Allen Grant and I cut 2 6 elm logs.
19 Dec Allen Grant and I cut 18 elm logs.
20 Dec Allen Grant and I cut 17 elm logs.
afternoon.
21 Dec Allen Grant and I cut 7 elm logs.
filed saw afternoon.

Began to rain
Rained fore noon.

22 Dec Allen Grant and I cut 6 elm logs and 7 red oak logs.
home at night. Alex McRae paid me $15. on work.

I
Came

2 3 Dec I was over to Marine City fore noon. Wife was down town.
She bought 1/2 lb. candy, 5 cts. worth apples. I spent 2 0
cts. for ferriage and 5 cts. for tin horse fiddle for
Willie.
24 Dec I was over to Sabbath school and took Willie.
over to her mother's.

Wife went

25 Dec Simon Poland and I hunted fore noon. Jane and Thomas
Poland and Simon Poland were at our place for dinner. I
hunted in afternoon. I shot a owl - shot him twice before
I got him.
26 Dec I filed Warren T. Henry's saw and
I broke a tooth out of Bill's saw
own. Allen Grant and I and Simon
shanty afternoon. Sie went after
night.

set Bill Robert's saw.
and filed part of my
Poland went out to
his pay - he stayed all

27 Dec Allen Grant and I cut 13 red oak logs fore noon.

-94-

I and A.

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
Grant and Sam Brown cut 10 elm logs and 2 red oak
afternoon. Sie Poland went home without his money.
28 Dec Lougheed set us cutting hickory. Allen Grant and I cut 1
1/2 cords and then quit. Waited until after supper for
Lougheed (he went down to Rae Buche). He did not come and
then we came home. We had hickory bark torch part of the
way. I got home after 9 PM.
29 Dec I finished filing my saw. Wife and I went down town. I
went over to Marine City for $20. Staley promised me Dec.
23, 1882 - I got it. I paid 20 cts. for ferriage.
Wife
bought at P. Cattanach's - 2 1/2 lbs. prunes 25 cts., 1
lb. dust tea 2 5 cts., 2 lbs. currants 25 cts., 2 1/2 yds.
print 25 cts., 1/2 gal. coal oil 15 cts., candy 15 cts.
Paid cash for the above. She got at Green's - 1 candy
walking stick 3 cts., 1 prize box 1 ct.
3 0 Dec I carried up some stove wood fore noon. I sent out by
Allen Grant and Sie Poland for balance of money due me on
work. They got theirs and mine too. I was to Delbert
Youngs stove wood bee. He got about 4 cords cut. Wife
went down to set with Hannah Henry to night.
31 Dec I was over to Sunday school.
first quarter of 1883.

-95-

Was chosen Librarian for

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880

1883
Sombra Twp., Ontario
01 Jan Charles Allen and I hunted fore noon and part of
afternoon. We were all over to Mrs. Poland's for dinner.
02 Jan I carried up some wood fore noon and went to Courtright
afternoon to pay sewing machine note for $25. I walked up
bought 5 cts. worth of candy. Came down on the boat to
Bury's dock - fare 2/ 25 cts.
03 Jan Hannah Henry died this morning. I hunted axe handle
timber part of fore noon. I was over to Bill Poland's to
draw fire wood in the afternoon. Blocked out two handles
fore noon. Bill Poland drawed fire wood for me in
afternoon.
I blocked out two handles in afternoon.
Finished 4 axe handles tonight. Wife went do,wn to Henry• s
to help them sew as Hannah Henry is dead. She took Willie
with her - is not back yet 11 PM.
04 Jan I and brother, John, and Curtis Wright dug Hannah Henry's
grave fore noon at burying ground at Bury's.
I came back
as far as W.T. Henry's and got my dinner and went back to
burying ground and waited for funeral procession.
Funeral
sermon was preached at Bethel Church, Rivers Corners,
Sombra, Ont. at 2 PM. by Rev. Pickard. Bob Stokes, Bill
Fallace, Patrick Sheeran, Bill Roberts, Bill Eyers,
Patrick O'Hare were the pall bears. Jacob Young took
corpse. Thomas Stokes took pall bearers. My wife stayed
at W.T. Henry house with Mrs. John Allen. Wife set up
there all night - came home in the morning and left Willie
there until she went back.
05 Jan John E. Carpenter commenced to work for me at 4/ per day.
He helped me all day. We cut stove wood at house fore
noon. Cut 10 drags of stove wood for to hand tomorrow and
cut roads to some stove wood I have cut in the bush.
06 Jan Chas. Henry and Warren T. Henry drew up fire wood with
their teams all day. Drew the fire wood up in drags.
John E. Carpenter helped me in the fore noon.
07 Jan I was over to Sabbath school. There was no class meeting.
I was down to father's after school. Lucy came home from
Bill Cattanach for visit at father's.
08 Jan I butchered a pig for Mrs. Poland fore noon. John E.
Carpenter helped me afternoon cut 10 logs - 3 maple, 7
elm. Snowed in fore noon. I was over to other line to
-96-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
get someone to help draw my logs - could not. I was to see
Bill Poland and Alonzo Lapish.

Lucy Carpenter

c1885

09 Jan John E. Carpenter helped me all day saw logs - cut 19 elm
logs. Warren T. Henry has promised to draw my logs for
12/ per thousand. I am to cut the roads and help them
load. Clara Beach and Ida Wright were over to our place
for a visit.
10 Jan Warren T. Henry and Chas. Henry commenced to draw my elm
logs. They drew 11 logs today. John E. Carpenter brought
me up a crosscut saw file 2/. I killed a rabbit.
I filed
my saw. I lent Bill Eyers my saw afternoon.
11 Jan John E. Carpenter helped me all day saw. We sawed stove
wood for Warren T. Henry after 3 PM. We sawed 6 elm logs
and helped Warren T. Henry load. I broke my axe handle
and had to put in another at noon. Wife washed.
12 Jan John E. Carpenter helped me 1/2 day sawing elm logs, cut
12 logs. I went down town afternoon. I got 1 peck of
beans at M.L. Burnham's at 16/ per bushel 50 cts. and 2
1/2 lbs. currants at 25 cts. at Peter Cattanach's.
-97-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
13 Jan John E. Carpenter helped me all day. We cut 8 elm logs
and 1 cord of wood and cut roads. Helped Warren T. Henry
and Chas. Henry load. They drew 10 logs.
14 Jan I was over to Sabbath school. Stayed to class meeting and
preaching I went over Sabbath School books - two missing.
15 Jan John E. Carpenter helped me all day saw elm logs - cut 13
and cut down twin buttonwood. Warren T. Henry and Chas.
Henry drew logs. Warren 3 loads last night and Chas. 2.
In all today 9 logs. Chas. Henry's wife had a daughter
last night.
16 Jan Warren and Chas. Henry drew 9 logs today. I cut roads and
partly filed my saw. Chester Henry came to see me.
17 Jan William Broad leg broke. Wife had a quilting today.
She
had quilt all finished. Mrs. William Eyers, Mrs. John
Allen, Mrs. Warren T. Henry, Mrs. Samuel Poland, Mrs.
William Robert's were to wife's quilting. Snowed most all
day. I was down to Sombra fore noon. Gave Peter
Cattanach my note for $68.83/100 for seven months at 10
per cent interest until paid. Warren and Chas. Henry drew
six logs. John E. Carpenter helped me 1/4 day. We cut
down one maple tree and helped them load. I finished
filing my saw. Chester Henry got the job of cutting elm
logs. He was to see me about William Broad - had his leg
broke twice (or in two places below knee) in side road
between Bethel Church and Warren T. Henry's. A load of
poles for rails upset and fell on him yesterday - Jan. 16,
1883.
18 Jan John E. Carpenter helped me all day saw logs. Cut 3 soft
maple and 5 buttonwood and cut roads for Warren and Chas.
Henry. They drew 14 logs. Finished drawing elm and maple
and drew two buttonwood. John E. Carpenter set up with
William Broad last night.
1.9 Jan I cut 4 buttonwood logs and two maples. Chas. Henry
helped me saw two. I sawed two alone. Sie Poland helped
me saw the two maples. Warren and Chas. Henry finished
drawing my logs - 62 elm, 85 maple, 9 buttonwood.
They
finished fore noon. I went over to Marine City and got
Staley to measure my elm logs - I had 10,932 ft. coming to
$40.99.
I got 3.75 per thousand. Staley gave me an order
on Marine City Stave Company for $20.99. Balance due me
on logs. I bought at Peter Cattanach's - 2 spools thread
10 cts., 1 package bluing 25 cts., 1/4 lb. hops 10 cts., 3
lbs. sugar 27 cts., 2 lbs. currants 20 cts., 1 gal. coal
011 30 cts., 1 yd. cotton 9 cts. Bill Poland and Peter
-98-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
Chartier were to my place.
horse.

They got supper, left him Bill

2 0 Jan I and Chester Henry commenced to cut logs for Mat Porter
on lot 6, 14 con. Sombra. We cut 2 6 logs today. Peter N.
Henry measured my logs (maple 8 logs 1,972 @ $7.88)
(buttonwood 9 logs 1,863 ft. § 5.00 per thousand $14.31).
He sent down by William Hargrove to Lambton for money for
me. He did not get it as old gent was not at home. I was
down to William Hargrove's at eve.
21 Jan I was over to Sunday school.
hard - you need an overcoat.

Rained yesterday.

Freezing

22 Jan Chester Henry and I cut 26 elm logs for Mr. Porter.
froze my nose twice.

I

2 3 Jan Peter Henry paid me for my maple and buttonwood.
I went
over to Marine City for balance of money on elm logs
$20.99. I bought a ready reckoner at Hurd's, Marine City
3 0 cts., and at Peter Cattanach's 1 gal syrup 50 cts., 2
1/2 lbs. currants 25 cts., paid acct. of last week $1.31.
Paid Warren T. Henry for drawing my logs 10,932 at 12/
1639, 4.835 maple and buttonwood § 14/ 8.46 - being a
total of $24.85. I filed my saw. I sent to Sarnia by
mail for bottle Scot's emulsion for Willie.
I gave Peter
Cattanach 50 cts. per bottle and 10 cts. for carrying.
24 Jan Chester Henry and I cut logs for Mat Porter - cut 24 elm
logs.
25 Jan I was sick all night. Chester Henry and I cut 29 elm logs
for Mat Porter. I was not very well all day.
Dr.
Merrison sent in his bill for doctoring us $5.
2 6 Jan I was sick all night. I went down and over to Marine City
to see Dr. Baird. He gave me one bottle of medicine, 3
pills and a little vial croton oil - charge 75 cts. I
bought 2 5 - 1 ct. postage stamps at Spinkes 2 5 cts., 1
automatic pencil 25 cts. Paid P. Cattanach 50 cts. bal.
due on Willie's bottle of emulsion. Paid Dr. Merrison his
acct. in full to date $5. John E. Carpenter came home
from shanty. He went out last Sunday, he said he got his
discharge.
27 Jan I was sick all day. I filed Warren T. Henry's crosscut
saw. I broke one tooth out of it and cut my Sunday wood.
28 Jan I and Willie were over to Sabbath school and church.

-99-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
2 9 Jan I was down to Sombra this morning. Bought at Peter
Cattanach
10 cts., 1 lb. dust tea 25 cts., varnish
15 cts. Tried to make a log rule. My automatic pencil
did not work. I gave Silvanus Green 8/ for him to get me
a bottle of Warner's Safe Liver & Kidney cure when he went
to Sarnia.
30 Jan I chopped a little in fore noon. Went to Marine City
afternoon. Got 1 bottle of indelible ink 25 cts.
S.
Green did not get my medicine - could not find it in
Sarnia. He gave me my 8/ back.
31 Jan I put figures on log with indelible ink fore noon.
Rode
down town with George Mulligan. Went over to Marine City
for a bottle of Warner's Safe Liver & Kidney cure - last
bottle $1.25 § Hurd's. I bought paint brush at Smith's
for 25 cts. George Mulligan and I and Warren T. Henry
brought organ from Sombra Church to our Church for tea
meeting tomorrow night. George and Warren got dishes at
Lambton, I varnished my log rule. I have it all finished
now.
01 Feb Chester Henry and I cut logs for Porter 1 w. oak 31 ft.
long 14 circ., 193 ft.; 2 soft maples & 13 elm logs.
Chester Henry was to the Catholic concert held in the
Sombra town hall last night. Wife went over to the
meeting at Bethel. I and Willie stayed at home.
02 Feb I filed my saw and helped Chester Henry grind his axe.
Snowed all day. I sold P.N. Henry my log rule for 1/2 day
with his team to draw up firewood. Wife got letter from
her Uncle from Bowmanville saying that his wife was dead.
Died Jan. 23, 2 PM. - Appoplexy.
03 Feb Chester Henry and I went up to cut logs. Rained all day.
We cut 3 logs, 1 maple and 2 elm. It rained all day and
part of the night and froze as it fell making a crust of
solid ice on the snow 1/4 inch thick - would hold me up in
some places.
04 Feb I was over to Sunday school.
her mother's.

Wife and Willie were over to

05 Feb Chester Henry and I cut logs for Porter. Cut 16 elm logs.
Chester broke his saw. Mat Porter gave me $5. on cutting
logs. Wife and Willie were down to Warren T. Henry's.
She got 2 lbs. feathers 2/50.
06 Feb I made a beetle and was over to Peter River's to get a job
of cutting elm logs. Got it at 6/per thousand fore noon.
-100-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
Chester Henry and I cut 6 elm logs afternoon - 3 of them
will measure 2,690 ft. by Doyle's rules.
07 Feb Chester Henry and I cut 16 logs for Mat Porter - 12 elm, 4
maple. Filed part of saw.
08 Feb I finished filing my saw.
logs for Peter Rivers.

Chester Henry and I cut 11 elm

09 Feb Chester Henry and I cut 26 elm logs for Mat Porter s. 1/2
6 - 1 4 con cut 5 there on the 7th. Feb.
10 Feb Chester Henry and I cut 17 elm logs for Mat Porter.
Chester Henry and I went down town with P.N. Henry's team.
I bought of 1 bushel of beans for 14/, 2 lbs. currants 2 0
cts. at Andrew Smith's, 1 pair of shoes for wife 8/, candy
5 cts.
1 1 Feb Wife was over to Church. I stayed home with Willie.
Sister, Lucy, was up to see us, I got supper.
12 Feb I helped Chester Henry fore noon. Filed my saw and cut
stove wood afternoon. Wife was down town and over to
Marine City. Was gone all day - spent $1.64.
13 Feb Chester Henry and I cut 26 elm logs for Mat Porter s. 1/2
lot 6-14 con.
14 Feb I was over to Marine City. Bought 3, 3 cornered files for
22 cts. Paid at Cottrells. Paid Mullin's 50 cts. duty on
bottle of patd. medicine Warners Safe Liver & Kidney cure
$1.25 a bottle. Bought at Green's butcher shop 1 lb.
butter 25 cts., and 3 apples 3 cts. in afternoon.
Wallace
May made me a saw set 5 cts. I made saw sets fore noon
and gumed 4 of drags in my crosscut saw and broke one of
my saw sets.
15 Feb Chester Henry and I cut 3 0 elm logs for Mat Porter s. 1/2
lot 6-14 con.
16 Feb I finished gumming my saw and filed it. Rained most all
day. I was down to Father's and Chester Henry's in the
afternoon.
17 Feb Chester Henry and I cut 25 elm logs for Mat Porter.
He
stopped us today unless it snows some more. We brought
all of our tools home.
18 Feb I was over to Sunday school and class prayer meeting.

-101-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1883
19 Feb I helped P.N. Henry fore noon saw and pry up the two oak
logs. I chopped on my own place afternoon - cut 1 cord.

M.L. Burnham, Merchant
Sombra

20 Feb I helped Peter N. Henry fore noon cut logs - 8 logs. I
helped Chester Henry cut logs afternoon until I cut my
foot. Cut 3 oak and 4 elm logs. I cut my foot in the
instep - a chip stuck on my axe and when the axe struck
the tree it glanced off and struck me in the instep and
cut it quite deep. I had my foot done up at Chester
Henry's. Warren T. Henry brought me home. I fainted away
shortly after I got home. Wife went over to her mother's
after Sie. He was not at home. Jane Poland came over. I
slept on the floor all night. Wife and Jane kept the fire
going. Walter Shortt
and Solomon Shortt and
George Hargrove Jun.,
William Roberts and
wife and Chester Henry
called in evening.
I got Sun Dial and
Compass from E.G.
Rideout, 10 Barclay
St., New York. Warren
T. Henry brought it.
I saw Alice Hardick
now Mrs. William Scott,
Mitchell's Bay at Pat
Sheeran's.
James Carpenter's Compasses
21 Feb Wife had a quilting bee - Mrs. Nathan Doan, Mrs. John
Allen, Mrs. Peter Henry, Mrs. Samuel Poland, Mrs. Chester
Henry, Mrs. Warren T. Henry. I had to stay home all day my foot was very sore.
-102-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
22 Feb Delbert Youngs washed and dressed my foot for me.
Wife
finished her quilt today. I have been in house all day.
2 3 Feb Sie Poland split some stove wood for me. Chester Henry
was here to see me about logs at Porter's.
Ida Wright,
Mary Carpenter, and Mrs. Eliza Eyers were at our place
afternoon with Annie and Mag Poland. I fixed Willie's
hand sleigh and set Sie Poland's saw for him.
I filed my
own saw.
24 Feb Wife was down town. Bought at Peter Cattanach - 1 gal.
oil 30 cts., 4 lbs. sugar 36 cts., 1 pair boy's shoes
$1.25, 1 sponge 5 cts., 1 cake Castle Soap 10 cts.,
nutmegs 5 cts., electric oil 25 cts., 2 lbs. raisins 20
cts., 2 lbs. currants 20 cts., candy 5 cts. Sie Poland
cut some stove wood for me. It rained all of the
afternoon. Wife got wet through and got her mother's
dress to put on until she got hers dry.
25 Feb I was home all day. Chas. Allen, John E. Carpenter, Mrs.
Albert Bowen, and wife were in to see me. Albert Bowen
was on his way to shanty. John E. Carpenter to Gray's.
2 6 Feb I made me a pair of crutches. Chas. Allen brought sticks
for them for me. Sie Poland cut some stove wood for me
and put top link stove pipe that the wind blew off
yesterday.
I found a hole in stove pipe between c. and f.
27 Feb Warren T. Henry came after me and took me down to vote and
brought me back. I voted for T.B. Padree.
I bought at
Peter Cattanach - 6 links in stove pipe $1.20, 1 gal.
vinegar 30 cts., 2 doz. pearl buttons 25 cts.
Chester
Henry got $8.25 amount due us for cutting logs for Peter
Rivers and $10. from Mat Porter. He came up to my place
and gave me my share. P.N. Henry and Sie Poland cut some
stove wood for me.
28 Feb P.N. Henry helped me fore noon draw up stove wood.
Sie
Poland helped him. Jane Poland helped wife wash. I fixed
Jane's shoe. Wife went over home.
01 Mar Wife went over to Marine City and got a cart for Willie 25
cts. Bought at Peter Cattanach's - 2 lbs. currants 2 0
cts., postage on letter 3 cts. at Burnham's, 3 saucers 10
cts. at Hurd's, 1/2 doz. glass saucer dishes 30 cts., 1
glass plate 10 cts., 6 boxes to caps 5 cts., candy 2 cts.,
apples 4 cts. It thawed fearfull all day and was very
sloppy.
02 Mar Chester Henry took out some potatoes out of the pit for
us. We gave him a market basket full for himself.
Heard
-103-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
robin and blue bird this morning. I filed my crosscut
saw. Peter N. Henry brought us 50 lbs. of flour from his
place. Sie Poland fixed cattle yard so the cattle could
not get to straw stack.
03 Mar I put up 4 new links of stove pipe in place of those worn
out. I sawed 8 blocks of stove wood. Annie and Maggie
and Tom Poland were over to our place in the afternoon.
04 Mar I was home. It snowed most all day.
Samuel Poland were in the afternoon.

Bill Eyers and Mrs.

0 5 Mar I was in the house all day. Father came here and ground
his axe. Chester Henry was here. He got bill of elm logs
we cut for Mat Porter. We cut for Porter 67,376 ft. at 4/
per thousand $50.53.
06 Mar It snowed all of the fore noon. Charles Allen came and
got 1 bushel of pig corn for his pigs. I werjt down town
with Charles Henry and got 200 lbs. flour at $5.50 at
grist mill and 1 1/2 yds. table oil cloth 75 cts., 2 1/2
lbs. sugar 2 5 cts. Chas. Henry brought me home.
I walked
down to Warren T. Henry. Seen Peter N. Henry and got bill
of maple logs we cut for Porter - 3,155. Got some yeast
at Warren T. Henry's for wife. Warren T. Henry gave me my
dictionary.
I weighed on the grist mill scales - 211 lbs.
07 Mar I was to Courtright with Warren T. Henry. I got 4 boards
for bee hives 1 1/4 in. thick, 12 ft. long, 64 ft. at $17.
per thousand - cost $1.08. Warren T. Henry brought me
home. I bought 5 post cards 5 cts. M. Porter gave
Chester Henry $10. on cutting logs. Chester Henry gave me
$5. I was down to his place afternoon. First work that I
have done since I cut my foot.
08 Mar Chester Henry and I cut logs for Porter - 16 hickory, 1
white oak, 4 white ash.
09 Mar Chester Henry and I cut logs for Porter - 6 hickory, 2
white oak and 9 white ash.
10 Mar I made 4 gal. of soft soap. Wife got 1 1/2 lbs. butter
from Mrs. Allen. I got seed annual from D.M. Perry & Co.,
Windsor, Ont.
11 Mar I and Willie were home all day.
her mother's.

Wife went over home to

12 Mar I boiled soft soap over again. Looked through my bush and
filed Lawrence Johnston's crosscut saw.
-104-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1883
13 Mar I cut rail cut. Sie Poland drew them for me.
ground bird singing.

I heard

14 Mar I cut rail cuts. Sie Poland drew them fore me.
Chester
Henry helped me to cut them all day. Sie Poland is to
draw rail cuts for me and I build the line fence between
me and Bill Eyers which Polands have to build.
15 Mar I finished cutting my rail cuts and Sie Poland finished
drawing them fore noon. I went down town afternoon. I
bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 pair of boots $2.50, 4
lbs. nails and 1 box electric oil 25 cts. I was in to see
Billy Broad when I was coming home I stopped to Prayer
Meeting.
I weighed on Mill scale 209 lbs. I put my heavy
boot on my cut foot for the first time since I cut my
foot. Seen first black bird.
16 Mar I helped Charles Henry all day saw fire wood at his home.
Chas. Allen got one bushel pig corn. Willie has taken
cold.
17 Mar I went over to Mat Porter's to settle with him expecting 4
oak logs. There was $20.50 coming to us. I gave Chester
Henry $10.25. I went down town and got Willie's medicine.
I did not get home until after dark. Annie Poland stayed
all night at our place.
18 Mar I and Willie were home all day. Wife was over to her
mother's fore noon. It commenced to snow this afternoon
with high winds.
19 Mar It snowed most all day. Willie is sick with cold going
around. I made 4 bee hives - 3 of them have small boxes
on top of them. We put onion drafts on Willie's feet.
20 Mar Wife and I set up with Willie by turn. He is some better
now. I went down town and bought at Peter Cattanach's 1/2 gal. linseed oil 50 cts., candy 5 cts. Got sample of
Canadian band of Hope and Happy Hours. I was at father's
for dinner. Willie is getting better.
21 Mar I was to Mrs. Albert Henry's stove wood bee.
Chester
Henry and I sawed together. We were best sawers. She had
between 10 and 15 cords cut.
22 Mar I painted windows out doors fore noon, filed my saw
afternoon and cut log of buttonwood. Nomination of 2
counsellors & Reeve & Deputy Reeve for Sombra Township
owing to those members in January not being able to
qualify.
-105-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
2 3 Mar Andrew Johnston helped me saw stove wood fore noon.
Father brought up my paper and a letter from wife's Uncle,
Bowmanville, Ont. I went down town afternoon.
Bought at
Peter Cattanach's - 1 box emulsion of cod liver oil 50
cts., 1 spool 5 cts., candy 2 cts., 1 first part first
book 5 cts., postage on a letter to wife's Uncle William,
Bowmanville, Ont. 3 cts. We had the worst storm of wind
and snow we had this winter.
24 Mar I shelled corn all day. Shelled 8 1/2 bushels.
Thomas Poland were over this afternoon.

Annie and

25 Mar I was over to Sabbath school, preaching and class meeting.
Wife was over to her mother's in the fore noon.
Willie
and I stayed home.
26 Mar I finished shelling my corn and fanned it and filed Bill
Poland's crosscut saw fore noon. Bill Poland let me have
his team to take my corn down to the mill. . I had 10
bushels - got 60/ per bushel $6.38. Sold it to Thomas
Parker at Sombra grist mill. I bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 1/4 lb. glue 6 cts., 1 lb. dust tea 25 cts.,
2 lbs. currants 20 cts.
27 Mar Glued and put new rungs in chairs fore noon. Wife and
Willie went over to Mrs. Poland's fore noon.
I split
stove wood part of afternoon. Chas. Allen borrowed my
carpet bag for 2 weeks, Blocked out axe handle for Sie
Poland. I went over home with him. Bill Poland has a
party tonight - it being his birthday. He is 21 years
old. His father died 1 year ago this morning.
28 Mar Wife, Willie and I were over to spend Bill Poland's
birthday last night. Wife and Willie stayed all night. I
got home at one AM. Bill Poland and Alexander Chartier
had their liquor taken from them and hid from them so they
couldn't get any to drink. I helped Delbert Youngs fore
noon saw cord wood for Warren T. Henry. I made axe handle
and beatle afternoon. Wife went up to Mrs. John Allen's
to get some yeast - could not. Got some at Eliza Eyer's.
29 Mar I split wood part of fore noon and brought up axe handles
stick. Went down town afternoon and voted for Parkinson,
Gibson for Reeve, Oliver Dell and Downs for councilers this was an election of four men owing to disqualifying of
four men that were elected in January last. I bought at
P. Cattanach's - 4 lbs. sugar 3 6 cts., 1 lb. crushed sugar
12 cts., 1 bot. lemon 10 cts. I went down with Warren T.
Henry and came back with him. I sent order for some seeds
to Geo. McBroom Prize Medal Seeds man, London, Canada order $1.30.
-106-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
30 Mar I went to Brigden - I walked up. I bought 1 wash boiler
20/, 1 pair of shoes for Jane Poland $1.25, 1 jack knife
10 cts., mirror 45 cts. I walked all the way up and got a
ride coming back from James Kimball to Wilkesport with Ora
Bishop. Got home 5:20 PM. Jane Poland stayed with wife.
She stopped at our place last night.
3 1 Mar Fooled around fore noon. Made 2 axe handles afternoon and
took out some potatoes out of pit and split some stove
wood.
01 Apr I was down to Chester Henry's fore noon. I had dinner
there. Wife and Willie were at home. Sie and Mrs. Poland
were at our place for dinner. I was to Sabbath school and
class meeting. Father and sister, Mary, and stepmother
called in to see us. Wife is sick with cold or distemper
going around. I was chosen Librarian and asst. Bible
class teacher by Sabbath school at Bethel Rivers Corners,
Sombra.
02 Apr I was down town. I bought 2 lbs. currants 2 0 cts., 6
nutmegs 5 cts., candy 5 cts., 1/2 lbs. soda 5 cts., 1 lb.
raisins 10 cts., 4 lbs. oatmeal 16 cts., picture frame
eyes per pair 5 cts. Postage on a letter 3 cts. I
commenced to split rails afternoon. Split 90 rails.
03 Apr Mrs. Albert Henry was visiting at our place all day and
doing some sewing for herself on our machine.
I split
rails all day - split 173. Wife has been in bed this last
two days with the distemper going around or bad cold.
04 Apr I split rails all day - split 117. Father bought us up 4
1/2 lbs. butter 99 cts. Father commenced to underbrush
for McGee's on Frank Bull's place. McGee bought it from
Frank Bull.
05 Apr Rained most all day. I hung a door in fore noon for Mrs.
John Allen. I went down town afternoon.
I stopped my
paper, The London HearId. I have taken it for 10 years.
I bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 ball dome black lead 4
cts., 1 doz. clothes pins 5 cts. Posted a letter for Mrs.
John Allen to his son in Dakota Territory (John Allen).
Got 2 apples at Green's 2 cts. I got home before dark.
Wife is sick. I weighed at Sombra mills scales 214 lbs.
06 Apr I split and sawed stove wood at house all day.
sick with a bad cold.

Wife is

07 Apr I chored around house fore noon. Went down town afternoon
to quarterly meeting. I was chosen on finance committee.
-107-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
I posted a letter to Dr. Seager, Brigden.
of the Temperance townhall, Sombra.

Social for Sons

08 Apr I was over to Sunday school - no class meeting.
meeting at Sombra.

Quarterly

09 Apr I split rails all day - split 117. Wife sick yet with
cold - no better yet. I saw a butterfly.
10 Apr I split rails - 129. Wife is sick yet. I saw teeny bird.
I cut Willie's hair, broke my beetle fore noon.
I made
one after dinner.
11 Apr I helped father saw stove wood with Curtis Wright 3/4 of
day. I went down town afternoon and got part of seeds
from Geo. McBroom - 2 papers large cheese pumpkins 10
cts., 1 pkt. large lours or mamoth 5 cts., 2 paper kohl
rabi 10 cts., large purple smooth and large green smooth
kohlrabi, 1/2 burbank seedling 10 cts., 1/2 lb. bella
potatoes, 1 lb. mammoth pearl 15 cts., and also 1 parcel
seeds for father.
12 Apr I borrowed from Warren T. Henry 5 lbs. flax seed with pail
and some condition powder. Cow mulla calved the calf last
night. I finished spliting my rails for corn ground. I
went to town and got one package - 1 lb. of white elephant
potatoes that had been missed - sent to Bomber P.O. I
stopped at prayer meeting on the way home. Peter N. Henry
was chosen leader for the coming conference year.
13 Apr Laid fence bottom rails and piled brush fore noon.
Rev.
Mr. Pickard was at our place afternoon. I rode down with
him to Sombra. No more seeds had come. Sent a post card
to post master at Comber to see if anymore of my seeds
were there. Got home a little after dark.
14 Apr I laid up some line fence between Bill Eyer's and me - 34
hands or 17 rods. Mag and Thom Poland were over all day.
Laura May died afternoon 9:30 PM.
15 Apr I was over to Sabbath school. Did not stay to class
meeting. Mrs. Joseph Fournie, aunt to Laura May, died
tonight.
16 Apr I killed two dogs for Simon Poland - knocked one in the
head with the axe and shot the other. I finished my fence
around piece I am going to clear. We had to lift two of
Mrs. Poland's cows this morning.
17 Apr I put in my black onion seeds, Red Denvers, and made a
brush fence around the onion bed and raked straw off my
-108-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
strawberry patch. Made a garden rake and filed my saw.
Laura May and her Aunt, Mrs. Joseph Fournie, were buried
today at Mooretown.
They were taken up in two separate
hearses together. John Johnston told me there were 31
teams in the procession. May the Lord bless the bereaved
in this their affliction.
18 Apr Curtis Wright helped me under brush until supper time.
For father to pay me for helping, father saw stove wood.
I underbrushed until supper time. I went down town after
supper. Posted a letter to Geo. McBroom about potatoes
that had not come. Bought at Peter Cattanach 1 s - 1 cake
maple sugar 5 cts., 3 lbs. oatmeal 12 cts., paid postage
on letter 3 cts., 1 post card 1 ct. Got home at 9
o'clock. Curtis Wright went down with me.
19 Apr Rained part of last night and best part of fore noon.
Sie
Poland helped me saw afternoon, cut stove wood and follow
lengths we cut - 90 pieces. I shelled 5 & 6/16 lbs. of
seed corn for myself. Sent a post card to Clara or Hiram
Beach to tell him I would send them 1 1/2 doz. Peerless
strawberries in a couple of weeks. I sent the post card
down town by George Mulligan. Wife gave Mrs. P.N. Henry
some strawberries.
20 Apr I piled brush fore noon. Sie Poland helped me afternoon.
Sawed fire wood and follow lengths. Father got some
strawberries and rhubarb roots. Mrs. John Allen got some
strawberries from me and some pie plant roots.
21 Apr Sie Poland helped me all day saw and fix garden fence. I
and Mrs. William Roberts had a spat last night.
I offered
her some strawberries but she would not take them.
I gave
Father some more strawberries. Mrs. Johnston got some in
the morning.
22 Apr I was down to Warren T. Henry's a little while in fore
noon. I was not over to Sunday school or class meeting.
2 3 Apr I dug trenches for rhubarb and put manure in part of them.
Took my potatoes out of pit and beets. Gave Mrs. Peter
Henry some beets and potatoes. Gave Mrs. Warren T. Henry
some strawberries and some beets and rhubarb. Gave Mrs.
John Allen some beets. Gave Mrs. William Brown some beets
to plant for seed. She is to send me some beet seeds to
plant for seed. Mrs. Patrick O'Hare was visiting at our
place afternoon with her two children. Mrs. Warren T.
Henry brought us up some hops and I set them out.
It has
been very cold today. Ground is freezing tonight.
I set
out 7 beets for seed this year.
-109-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
24 Apr I finished putting manure in trenches for rhubarb and
spaded some fore noon. Mrs. William Eyer got some rhubarb
roots and strawberry plants. I went down town and went
and told Robert Stokes he could have some of my
strawberries. He gave me a basket full of big English
Multiplier onions. I then went to Sombra and bought of
Peter Cattanach - 5 lbs. oatmeal 20 cts., 1 lb. dust tea
25 cts., 4 lbs. sugar 36 cts., 2 lbs. currants 20 cts., 1
gal vinegar 15 cts. Robert Stokes came home with me from
his place and got his strawberries. He carried my
vinegar, he let the pail fall and spilled the vinegar.
He
got the strawberries and some pie plant roots. Mrs. Pat
O'Hare came and got some strawberry plants and rhubarb
roots.
25 Apr Bill and Sie Poland commenced to sew. Finished at home
and commenced to sew at my place where I live.
I fixed
Mrs. Johnston's sewing machine for her in the fore noon
and spaded some. Set out 4 0 plants of rhubarb.
I gave
Mrs. Peter N. Henry some rhubarb and Miss Isabella Brown
and Richard Tomlin each some rhubarb.
I set out onions,
Bob Stokes gave me and raked over part of my garden.
Great Aunt Charlotte Henry came down from Beach's last
night. Samantha Beach came down with her.
I got Library
books that Charles H. Brown took away with them.
2 6 Apr I finished raking strawberry ground and set out 225
plants.
I took up Lees Proliffic Currant bush and made 4
trees and seven sprouts. I gave father his seed corn 1
1/4 bushel ears. Chas. Henry sent me up 6/ to pay for his
seed corn 3/4 bushel at 8/ 75 cts. I shelled it in the
afternoon as it was raining. Shelled 1/2 bushel at night
for Warren T. Henry. Wife got pina from Clara Beach and
some squash seeds.
27 Apr I set out 73 strawberry plants before breakfast.
I helped
Warren T. Henry all day spading around apple trees and
digging out cross furrow. Mrs. Lawrence Johnston got some
rhubarb roots. Bill and Sie Poland were sewing here all
day - barley.
28 Apr I set out stawberry plants - 342. Bill and Sie Poland
were here dragging fore noon and furrowing out fore noon.
Bill went home sick afternoon. Sie went down to other
place afternoon to plow. I put out 3 profliffic Lees
currant bushes from slips I set out last spring.
I gave
father some more strawberries. Wife pained her shin.
She was lifting a pot of water from the stove and spilled
the water on her shin.

-110-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1883
29 Apr I and my son, Willie, were over to Sabbath school.
stayed home.

Wife

3 0 Apr I set out 114 strawberry plants in fore noon.
I went over
to Marine City afternoon. Sent some strawberry plants to
Hiram K. Beach, Lexington, Mich. I bought in Marine City
- 5 yds. print 35 cts., 1/4 ounce musk 10 cts., 1 post
card 1 ct., ferrage 15 cts. I bought of Peter Cattanach 3 yds. brown duck 60 cts., 5 yds. cotton 50 cts., 1 bottle
of emulsion of cod liver oil and hypophosphites lime and
soda 50 cts. Thomas Stokes raised his barn.
01 May I shelled corn fore noon because my leg was chafed so bad
the blood run. I split 19 rails afternoon and commenced
to ditch my corn ground and went over and joined Wild Rose
Blossom Lodge No. 70. Fred Young and Samantha joined with
me - paid initation fee 25 cts. Warren T. Henry paid me
for the 1 1/2 bush, of seed corn shelled $1.50. Guess it
was 12 o'clock PM. when I got home. Bill & Sie Poland
were elected to become members of Wild Rose Blossom No.
70. Warren gave me my laws of National Mutual Relief
Ass., Washington, D.C. Wife shin is very sore.

Sons of Temperance
National Mutual Relief Society
Assessment

02 May I ditched most all day. Set out some top onions and
potato onions. Wife bought 1 wash dish 25 cts., 1 tin cup
5 cts., horseradish grater and 1 pie tin. Curtis Wright
and Charles Allen called in the evening.
I burned two
brush heeps.
-111-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
03 May Rained fore noon. I scraped 3 axe handles.
I went over
to Marine City for oil meal - I got 200 lbs. with bag 1
3/4 per lb. $3.50, ferrage 25 cts. It fell short by 2
lbs. when I weighed at Sombra Mill. I rode down with
Warren T. Henry. He brought up meal for me and 100 lbs.
flour from Sombra mill. I borrowed bag from the miller.
I paid $2.50 for 100 lbs. I bought at Peter Cattanach - 2
lbs. currants 20 cts., 1 lb. raisins 10 cts., candy 5
cts., 2 1/2 yds. brown jane 50 cts., 1 delusion mouse trap
25 cts. I weighed 211 1/2 lbs. at the Mill.
I carried
the bag of oil meal from the ferry dock, Waybrants to the
grist mill. It weighed 198 lbs.
04 May I chored around fore noon. Rained last night. I under
brushed afternoon. Miss Charlotte A. Henry and Miss
Samantha Beach and Mrs. Eliza Eyers were at our place
afternoon.
It looks like rain again tonight.
It is
thundering.
05 May Wife was taken sick with childbirth. She began to get
sick at one AM. I went and got Mrs. John Allen and Mrs.
Johnston and then went to town and over to Marine City for
a Doctor. Got Dr. Baird. I hired John Waybrant 1 s rig to
bring Dr. out to my place. I came out with Dr. in the
rig. Baby was born when I got there. He had to take
afterbirth.
I drove him back to Sombra. Waybrant charged
me $1. for his rig. S. Whitely for ferrage 35 cts., Dr.
for his service $3.50. Baby was born 6:30 AM and weighed
about 9 lbs. I paid Dr. Baird $3.50 for his services,
paid $1. for the rig, 35 cts. for ferrage.
I bought at P.
Cattanach - 1 chamber pot 37 1/2 cts., and 5 onions for
seed, to set out for seed. Our baby was a girl this time.
I split some wood afternoon and set out my onions to raise
some seed. Warren T. Henry got 43 lbs. oil meal with bag
- weighed 1 1/4 lbs. Mrs. Poland was over in the
afternoon. Mrs. John Allen called in evening.
06 May I stayed home. I went to Warren T. Henry fore noon and
borrowed a temperance book to read. The new minister
preached first sermon at Bethel. Mrs. Allen came down in
the morning and changed bed for wife and washed the baby.
Mrs. Poland and her two girls, Mag and Annie, were over.
Father was up a little while. Mrs. Eyer's was up in the
evening.
07 May I was down to father's fore noon to get my bag and another
one of mine at Warren T. Henry's. Warren paid me for 100
lbs. oil meal § 1 3/4 cts. per lb. and shilling for
ferrage making $1.87. I weighed out the balance of his
meal 58 1/4 lbs. and weighed 50 lbs. for Chas. Henry @ 2
-112-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
cts. per lb. He paid me $1. Took a bag down to Geo.
Broad's for two bush, seed potatoes 65 cts. per bush.
$1.30. He gave me some more. I gave him $1.35. He gave
me back no change. Mrs. Peter Henry and Mrs. Poland were
at our place afternoon. I split some stove wood at the
kitchen door. I set up with wife last night and night
before Jane Poland helped me to set up with wife.
Wife
has called the baby, Eva May Carpenter.
It rained some
today, cool this evening.
08 May I set up most of last night with wife and baby. I went
down town, Chas. Henry's for seed potatoes that I bought
of Geo. Broad yesterday. They fetched them over for me
this evening.
I took Mr. John Allen's wheel barrow home.
I went down town afternoon. I bought at Peter Cattanach 5 lbs. sugar 45 cts., 2 1/2 lbs. currants 20 cts., 1 lb.
tea 25 cts., 4 lbs. oatmeal 16 cts., 1 tin pail 65 cts., 1
bar soap 2 5 cts., 1 bot. peppermint 10 cts., 1 bot. castor
oil 15 cts., 1 bot ink 5 cts., postage on letter 3 cts.,
postage on notice to Town Clerk, Arthur A. Henderson, Port
Lambton of Eva May Carpenter's birth, 1 ct. candy 2 cts.
I got a ride home with Geo. Mulligan. Raining tonight.
Mrs. Poland washed for us today. Jane Poland is working
for us.
09 May I chored around house part of fore noon. Slept other part
as I set up last night. I split stove wood, underbrushed
some, picked up and ditched some in the afternoon.
John
Poland was over to play with Willie all day until Annie
and Tom came for the cows. He came over with Sie Poland
in the morning. Mrs. John Allen washed baby today. Mrs.
Warren Henry washed it yesterday. She was here visiting,
here 3/4 of the day. Mary Johnston got or borrowed some
sperm oil for sewing machine today.
10 May I was not very well. I went down town and over to Marine
City to get some medicine from Dr. Baird for Eva May. Got
one bottle 30 cts., 1 package Poudre A. LaVioletta sent 15
cts., 1 can blackberries 10 cts., ferrage 15 cts., postage
on a letter 3 cts. At Peter Cattanach - 1 gal. coal oil.
Mrs. Poland washed baby. It rained part of afternoon.
11 May I ditched fore noon. Wife is not so well today as she was
yesterday. Baby is better. I went down town afternoon
for some quinine 25 cts., 2 pens 2 cts., 1 15/16 beef
steak 2 4 cts. Jane Poland washed for us. Mrs. John Allen
washed baby for us today. Mrs. Poland's little red cow
died. Thomas stayed at our place all day.
12 May I sawed and chopped for Chas. Henry for Warren T. Henry.
Mrs. Peter Rivers was visiting at our place today.
Mrs.
-113-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Samuel Poland dressed baby. Bill and Sie Poland finished
seeding today. They sewed 16 bush, barley on my place
where I live and 10 bush, barley on my lower place and 40
bush. oats. They drew cow that died down in the bush to
rot and stink. Wife is better today.
13 May I stayed home all day. Wife got up first time since
confinement. Mrs. Poland, Mrs. W. Eyers, Mrs. Pat O'Hare,
Miss Ida Wright, Miss Sarah Henry, Miss Charlotte Ann
Henry were at our place today. Jane Poland and Willie
went to Sunday School. Mrs. Poland washed baby today.
14 May I gave Jane Poland $2.50 on work. Warren T. Henry came to
plow for me. It rained and he had to go home. Wife
washed her own baby today. I went down town afternoon.
Was called down by minister as I was on estimating
committee to fix minister's salry. Came to no settlement.
When Warren T. Henry and I left, I posted a letter to
wife's cousin in Bowmanville.

Peter N. Henry & wife Emma (Young)

15 May I split stove wood fore noon and picked up and ditched
afternoon. Warren T. Henry plowed for me fore noon. I
-114-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1883
was over to Lodge. Simon
acted as financial scribe
quarter. Mrs. Poland was
Peter Henry was up to our

Poland joined lodge tonight. I
pro tem. I lent Sie Poland a
over and helped Jane wash. Mrs.
place afternoon.

16 May I burnt brush forenoon and split some stove wood and asked
my bee hands afternoon. Mrs. Warren T. Henry sent us some
fresh fish. I bought 1 dozen eggs of her. I asked to me
bee Sie & Bill Poland, John E. Carpenter, Curtis Wright,
Jacob Young, Chas. Henry and Warren T. and Peter Henry.
Mrs. Lawrence Johnston was to our place fore noon.
17 May I had a logging bee fore noon. William Poland team drew
the logs. Peter N. Henry, Simon Poland, John E.
Carpenter, Curtis Wright were log rollers. Plowing bee
afternoon. Chas. Henry team and Warren T. Henry team,
William Poland's horse took bad with heaves after eating
dusty feed and had to go home. I was over to prayer
meeting, got 1 lb. of extra early Vermont potatoes at Mrs.
Grant's. Brought in their from Geo. McBroom, London and
also a pound for father. I did not get all plowed - will
take 1 day yet.
18 May I planted potatoes today. Planted 1 lb. extra early
Vermont, 1 lb. white elephant, 1 lb. mammoth pearl, 1 lb.
burbank seedling, 1/2 lb. bella, 1/4 bush beaty hebron,
1/2 bush white elephant that I got from Warren T. Henry
this morning that came from Dresden - $1. a bush. I think
they are mammoth pearl. I took father down his potatoes.
His little toe is very bad - corn.
19 May Rained part of fore noon. Bill Eyers mare died foaling.
I planted 1/2 bush, of early rose potatoes. I went down
to Thomas Stoke 5 s and got a peck of white beans 4 6 cts.
Rained after supper. I sorted out the early rose from the
garden chillies, Got them from Geo. Broad. Warren T.
Henry put board roof on his house.
20 May I stayed home all day. Jane went over home and did not
get back until late. I gave Jane a dollar.
21 May I went down to get Chas. Henry to finish plowing my corn
ground. It rained part of fore noon and all of the
afternoon. He would have plowed for me this afternoon had
it not rained. I made a scrapbook and put some pieces in
it - it contains 22 leaves and 47 pages.
22 May It snowed and rained best part of fore noon and rained
most of the afternoon. I got a letter from Geo. McBroom,
London, seed merchant, with 30 cts. enclosed for money I
sent him for 1 lb. trophy and 1 lb., dummer potatoes he did
-115~

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1880
not have. Mr. Patrick O'Hare was around getting money to
buy a horse for William Eyers. He having lost his mare
when foaling. I signed $1. to be paid in a month or so.
I was over to lodge at Bethel - only a few out but we had
a good time.
2 3 May I cut slope off from ditch that I dug through corn ground
some time ago. Fixed a cow yard after supper to put cow
in at night. Wife got a letter from her cousin, Grace,
Bowmanville.
24 May Chas. Henry finished plowing my corn ground. Got done
about 4 PM. I finished ditching corn ground after supper.
Barbara & Rebecca Rivers and Annie Poland were at our
place for supper. Wife and her baby went up to Mrs. Eliza
Eyers fore noon and to Patrick 0®Hare's afternoon.
25 May I finished planting my potatoes - 2 bushels garden
chillies.
26 May Rained most all day. I made a kettle of soft soap and
left some water off my corn ground. This rain today has
flooded most of the west side until the road ditch goes
down.
27 May Wife and Willie went
went home with her.
week. I stayed home
afternoon. Wife did

over to wife's mothers. Jane Poland
She is done working for us by the
all day. It rained some in the
not come home.

28 May I burned handle out of my axe and put in another one and
hoed some strawberries fore noon. Wife got home at 2 PM. ,
her mother came with her. I went down to father's, he was
not at home. He was plowing for Albert Henry. He is
going to lend me five dollars.
29 May I went down town with milkman and got 100 lbs. flour for
$2.50 at grist mill; 1 bottle of mucilage at Andrew Smith
25 cts.; 1 bottle of spruce gum 25 cts. at Peter
Cattanach. I chopped afternoon - put up 1/2 cord soft
wood. I borrowed $5. of father this morning ~ gold
pieces.
30 May I did nothing fore noon. Samantha Beach was visiting at
our place fore noon, was at our place for dinner.
It
rained afternoon. I was assessed in fore noon for $350.
for my lower place. My half sister, Mary Charlotte
Carpenter, is going to stay with us tonight. She came to
our place from school. John Henry, Peter N. Henry's son,
dragged my corn ground for me this afternoon.
I cleaned
out the furrows. I signed 2/ to missionary. Annie Poland
-116-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
had Willie's name in book. I borrowed Warren T. and Chas.
Henry's corn planter to plant my corn tomorrow.
3 1 May Eva May came near choking to death fore noon with flegm in
her throat. I got bottle of hive syrup from Mrs. Peter N.
Henry and gave her some of it and it made her throw up the
flegm and then she got better. I split some stove wood in
the fore noon at the house.
01 Jun I planted my corn - planted 15 1/2 lbs. or 1 peck and 1
1 / 2 lbs. and 12 pumpkin seeds being large tours or mamouth
and 90 seeds of large cheese pumpkin and some beet seed.
Annie Poland came over today and minded the baby while
wife washed fore noon. Wife went up to Geo. Mulligan's
afternoon. Annie stayed home with Willie. Band of Hope
paper came today. Simon Poland got an axe handle at my
place tonight from me.
02 Jun I traded beans with Mrs. Poland. I gave her some large
ones for small ones to plant. I got 18 1/2 lbs. from her
with bag and I gave her 16 1/2 lbs. with bag. I owe her
yet 2 lbs. I cleaned out well and weeded out my black
onion for bite and brought up some hop poles for hops.
Paid Pat O'Hare the dollar I promised him and cut my bull
calf. Annie Poland stayed with us near all day.
03 Jun Willie and I were over to Sunday school. Stayed to
preaching and class meeting. Wife stayed at home as baby
has a cold and suffers some.
04 Jun I went down to Sombra. Took down 1 3/4 lbs. butter and
got 13 per pound got worth butter in tea and got a bottle
Green's August Flour at 6/ per bottle. Walked down and
rode back with milkman. Peter N. Henry came and asked me
if I would go and plow for Mrs. Albert Henry with Chas.
Henry's team as Chas. Allen could not plow with them.
Albert Bowen and wife Charlotte Ann & Mrs. Geo. Mulligan
called in at our place after supper.
05 Jun Wife went down town with milkman. Bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 1 pair corsets $1., 3 spools 15 cts., 2 yds.
m. netting 2 5 cts., 2 yds. black cotton 2 5 cts., 1 yd.
elastic 5 cts., 6 yds. ribbon 60 cts., 3 yds. pink cambric
45 cts., 3 1/2 yds. merrino $2.19, 12 yds. print $1.50, 1
pair shoes $1.25, 1/2 doz. buttons 9 cts., 1 lb. 10 cts.
I stayed in and tended baby while wife went to town. I
planted some squash seeds, carrots and some citrons seed.
We had a heavy shower of rain about supper time 5 PM.
06 Jun I fixed screen of mosquito netting for baby cradle in fore
noon. Mrs. Samuel Poland was over to our place until
-117-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
after dinner. I planted some beans in the afternoon until
it rained. We had another heavy shower about 3 PM. My
water is very high.
07 Jun I planted a few beans fore noon and was to Chas. Henry
stable and hay barn. It was made of logs. I was on the
southeast corner. I caught a little fish in the ditch
that ran through the corn ground. I took it up to the
house and put it in a glass of water.
08 Jun I finished planting the ground I left for beans with
beans. I under brushed for Peter Henry this afternoon and
put up some scarecrows in the corn field after supper.
Corn is coming up. I have planted about 21 lbs. up to
date. Intended to plant some in the corn.
09 Jun Rained part of fore noon. I hung up shingles in the corn
ground fore noon. Rained some after dinner.
I under
brushed out side of corn field. I dammed up the ditches
side of corn ground to keep water out of corn.
10 Jun I and my son, Willie, were to Sunday school.
home.

Wife stayed

11 Jun I under brushed fore noon. Rained Sunday night June 10.
I was planting some of my corn over that got spoiled with
the wet. Wife went up to Mrs. John Allen's afternoon.
Bill Poland's horse got in my corn and potatoes.
Planted
6 hills citron green seeds.
12 Jun I went down town with milkman fore noon. Bought at P.
Cattanach - 4 lbs. sugar 36 cts., 3 lbs. currants 3 0 cts.,
3 lbs. fruit crackers 37 cts. Planted corn for P.N. Henry
afternoon until 4:30 PM. Rained. I came home and planted
some of mine over after supper. I was over to lodge.
13 Jun I finished planting over my corn fore noon. Bill Poland
got an axe handle at my place. I hoed out most of the
weeds of my strawberries afternoon. Social at Bethel Sons
of Temperance.
14 Jun I under brushed fore noon. I went down to Peter N.
Henry's to plant corn - planted 1 row with hoe. Quit as
it was too hard. Could not get corn planter.
I went over
to Warren T. Henry's and bought a pig from him. I gave
him 3 days of work hoeing for it. Made pen and got pig
home.
15 Jun I planted corn for Peter N. Henry fore noon.
Finished
hoeing out my strawberries and weed out some of my onions
and hoes the lbs. of potatoes that I planted this spring.
-118-

James w. Carpenter
Diary - 1883
16 Jun I went down town with milkman in fore noon. Got 1 bottle
of Safe pills 25 cts. in fore noon. I weeded out my black
seed onions afternoon. Sold Lawrence Johnston 1/4 bush,
seed corn shelled 25 cts. It rained again this afternoon.
Mrs. Albert Bowen was visiting at our place today.
17 Jun Wife and Willie were over to wife's mother's for dinner
and then to Sunday school, preaching, and class meeting.
Rained Sunday evening. I got a handfull of wild
strawberries.
I stayed home all day.
18 Jun I hoed some of my potatoes. It rained three time today.
Bill Poland was at our place for dinner. Going to
Wilkesport to get horse shod. I set out some tomato
plants, got them from Pat O'Hare.
19 Jun I was hoeing potatoes all day. Wife was down to Peter
Henry's fore noon. Rained some after supper with high
winds.
2 0 Jun I finished hoeing my potatoes fore noon. Hoed some corn
afternoon. Mrs. S. Poland was at our place a visiting,
stayed to dinner. Annie Poland came over to stay all
night to mind baby so wife can wash tomorrow. I sold John
E. Carpenter 1/4 bush, beans § 14/ 44 cts. per bush.
21 Jun I finished hoeing my corn. Dug up 15 black grubs in my
potato patch. Annie Poland stayed to our place today,
wife washed today.
22 Jun I helped Charles Henry hoe potatoes and corn. Word came
from Marine City that Alonzo Lapish was hurt today in the
ship yard. I dug 6 black grubs out of my potatoes.
Jane
Poland was at our place all day. Charlotte A. Henry,
Sarah Henry, Mrs. Albert Henry, Mrs. Peter Henry, Miss.
Gertrude Meyers were at our place today.
23 Jun I helped Warren T. Henry hoe potatoes all day. Jane
Poland stayed at our place last night. Annie and Mag came
over in the daytime and stayed all day. Eva May, the
baby, had a bad choking spell 3 PM.
24 Jun I went over to Prier's and left word for Dr. Merrison to
come over to my place from there, he came to see baby Eva
May Carpenter. He said she had cattarak and bronchical
tubes were infected. He left some medicine for her and I
was to go over to Prier's in the morning and he would
bring a bottle there for me. Mrs. Poland was over. We
had first mess of our strawberries.

""119-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
2 5 Jun I went over to Prier's for medicine. He did not bring it
as he was not home. He is to bring it tomorrow.
I hoed
some potatoes balance of fore noon. I helped Warren T.
Henry afternoon. Rained after supper.
26 Jun I went to Prier's and waited until one o'clock PM. I came
home and hoed potatoes afternoon. I was down to lodge. I
was elected Worthy Patriarch. John E. Carpenter was up to
our place fore noon and got big strawberries.
27 Jun I was hoeing potatoes fore noon. Rained about 11 am. I
helped Chas. Henry hoe corn afternoon. Raining at night.
28 Jun I finished hoeing my potatoes and hoed beets.
night. I was over to Prayer Meeting.

Rained last

29 Jun I went down to father's fore noon for his scythe and broad
axe. Got them. Willie went with me. I hoed strawberries
balance of day and picked 4 quarts of strawberries.
Sold
Thomas Parker 2 quarts § 1 / 2 5 cts.
Peter N. Henry was
up to our place visiting afternoon. Mrs. Albert Henry
called after supper. Wife went on road home with them.
Wife borrowed 3/4 bread pan full of flour from Mrs. Peter
N. Henry.
30 Jun I helped Simon Poland hoe potatoes on my lower place. I
traded my scythe swath for horse hoe cultivator malboards
with father. I put bell on cow tonight. Mrs. Poland was
at our place afternoon.
01 Jul I picked 4 quarts of strawberries. Wife and Willie went
over home and to Church. I stayed home. Peter Rivers was
to our place for dinner.
02 Jul I helped Sie Poland hoe potatoes part of fore noon.
Rained some at noon. I made a gavel for Sons of
Temperance Lodge. Found a horse shoe. Split some stove
wood and saved seeds from three of sharpless seedling
strawberries. Wife was down to Peter N. Henry afternoon.
Warren T. Henry has gone up Black Creek to start a Sons of
Temperance lodge. I picked 3 quarts strawberries and hoed
some strawberry plants.
03 Jul I was down town fore noon. Bought at Peter Cattanach - 1
bottle Warner's Safe Cure 10/ $1.25, 4 lbs. sugar 40 cts.,
1 lb. dust tea 2 5 cts. I was over to Lodge, I was
installed W.P. of lodge. I was to sale of ditch on side
road between 11, 12, Sant Witherel - got first job South §
40 per rod, 7 ft. wide, two foot slope, got North job at
50 cts. per rod, 7 foot wide, two foot slope to Lawrence
Johnston.
-120-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
04 Jul I picked 3 quarts of strawberries and ground my axe.
Picnic at Wilkesport Sons of Temperance - got it,
Wilkesport Division. Rained heavy in the afternoon with
high winds. John E. Carpenter cut my hair for me after he
came back from the picnic.
05 Jul I was over to Mrs. Poland's. Borrowed 52 lbs. flour with
bag. Mrs. Poland came over to our place with me. Their
bees swarmed one PM. I helped Sie hoe potatoes afternoon.
06 Jul I planted some turnip seeds. Fixed place for morning
glorys to run on. Picked 2 quarts strawberries.
Father
was over to our place for supper. Nellie Moran was
buried, she died day before yesterday - quick consumption.
07 Jul Chopped part of fore noon. Rained part of afternoon. I
went down to father's and got cultivator, moulboards on.
Was to Geo. Mulligan's to get it and some yeast from Mrs.
John Allen. Wife picked 1 quart strawberries.
I made cow
yard after supper.
08 Jul Willie and I were to Sabbath school. When I came back,
met wife going to Warren T. Henry's with 2 quarts of
strawberries. Willie went with her. Warren came up with
me and had supper with me. Then I went down with him.
Wife and I came home together. Called at Peter N. Henry's
on the way home.
09 Jul I did nothing much. Picked potato bugs from off potatoes,
chopped afternoon. Mrs. Peter N. Henry was at our place
for dinner. I weeded out onions after supper. Wife was
up to Allen's part of afternoon. Mrs. John Allen got a
swarm of bees on bush in front of Geo. Mulligan's on
Eagle's place.
10 Jul I hoed potatoes and corn for Warren T. Henry.
Brown was working with us. Baby choked some.
to lodge.

Gilbert
Was over

11 Jul I helped Warren T. Henry hoe corn all day. W.T. Henry
went to Reynold's Church to get a Sons of Temperance
Lodge. John E. Carpenter went too.
12 Jul I helped Chas. Henry until supper time, cock hay. Rained
at suppertime. Wife went down to Walker's to see Dr.
Merrison to get some medicine for baby. She did not see
him. She left bottle there for him. I went down and met
wife in the evening. She left Willie at P.N. Henry's.
Mrs. Walker is sick and Cynthia Jane Henry and Mrs.
Fallace.
-121-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
13 Jul I helped Chas. Henry all day put roof on his log barn and
stable. Roofed it with elm lumber. I shook out some hay
after supper. Wife was to Warren T. Henry's part of
afternoon with son, Willie (fair day).
14 Jul I helped John E. Carpenter all day mow on George
Hargrove's place. I mowed with scythe. Wife took Peter
N. Henry's flour home - 3/4 bread pan full.
15 Jul Wife and Willie went to Mrs. Poland's. Willie came to
Sunday school. I stayed home fore noon. I went to Sunday
school and preaching and class meeting. Wife was to
preaching and class meeting. I went down to Walker's to
see if bottle of medicine had come. Dr. Merrison forgot
to bring it. Wife stayed at Grant's until I got back.
Preacher brought his wife to Church. They have just been
married. His name is Nethercott.
16 Jul I helped Chas. Henry all day. Fore noon finished roof on
his stable and spread some hay. Cocks drew in hay in the
afternoon. Filled his stable full all but one load.
17 Jul I helped Chas. Henry all day in haying.
noon, cocked afternoon.

Stacked fore

18 Jul I helped Chas. Henry all day. Stacked hay fore noon,
mowed afternoon until supper, cocked and raked after
supper. Mrs. Poland's bees swarmed today. They came and
got one of my hives.
19 Jul I got a mess of potatoes for breakfast. I helped Chas.
Henry all day stack hay. Simon Poland helped Mrs. Albert
Henry all day mowing for her for me. Wife was over to her
mothers, mother came back with her.
20 Jul I helped Mrs. Albert Henry 3/4 day in haying.
Rained
after supper. I was cocking hay there.
Willie was taken
sick last night - croup apparently.
I made him throw up
and then I got Warren T. Henry to go to Courtright for Dr.
Merrison and then I went up to Mrs. John Allen. She came
down. I put onion drafts on his feet. Doctor got over to
our place about 3 AM. Miss. Charlotte Ann Henry was at
our place afternoon.
21 Jul Rained fore noon. I picked potato bugs afternoon.
Barley
is ripe and fit to cut. I pulled my onions that I got
from Chas. Henry. Robert Stokes brought me 100 lbs.
flour.

-122-

James w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
22 Jul I stayed home all day with Willie. Wife went down to
Peter N. Henry's in the afternoon and took Eva May with
her. Heavy rain, dark.
23 Jul Rained most all day. I did nothing in fore noon. I went
down town in afternoon with Chas. Henry.
Bought at M.L.
Burnham's - 1/2 dozen pens 5 cts., 1 package twin brothers
yeast cakes 10 cts.
24 Jul Rained fore noon. I set out some kohlrabi plants and
picked some potato bugs. I was over in the evening to
Mrs. Poland's for some yeast and vinegar, 1 loaf of bread.
I was over to Lodge. Warren T. Henry and John Rivers went
up to Reynold's Church to start a division of Sons of
Temperance.
25 Jul I churned for wife fore noon. Mag came over to mind baby
while wife washed. I helped Mrs. W.T. Henry afternoon
shake whey out of crock. Peter N. Henry's mare died
afternoon. Bill and Sie Poland commenced to cut barley on
own place.
26 Jul I helped Mrs. Albert Henry all day stacking hay. Ed
Tomlin helped me and Peter N. Henry afternoon.
Eva May
seems sick with a bad cold. Bill and Sie Poland commenced
to cut barley on my place where I live. Charley's mare is
dead. Ed Tomlin shot her at noon.
27 Jul Wife went down town with milkman to take Eva May (baby) to
Dr. Merrison. Doctor did not come until 5 PM. Wife
stayed to Mrs. Chester Henry's until Doctor came.. I
cradled barley for Peter N. Henry for Mrs. Albert Henry to
pay him back for helping her stack yesterday afternoon.
Little Willie went with me. I stacked barley for Mrs.
Poland on their own place after supper. We cut barley on
my own place. Willie went with me, carried him over the
mud holes.
28 Jul Wife did not come home. She stayed at Uncle Chester
Henry's all night, one of their children is sick. Wife
came home with milkman this morning, she was in to Peter
Cattanach's to see baby and her sister, Jane Poland.
She
bought at Silvanus Green's - 2 loaves of bread 14 cts.; at
Peter Cattanach's - 1 pair infant baby shoes for Eva May
50 cts., 1 pair baby hose 13 cts., 1 lb. cheese 13 cts.,
candy 5 cts.(paid for) 3 yds. brown duck 60 cts., 5 1/2
yd. brown denim $1.10, 1 spool linen thread 15 cts., 1 1/2
yds. linen 23 cts., 8 yds. print $1., 2 sticks white tape
8 cts. (on credit). I helped Mrs. Poland all day cut
barley fore noon and part of afternoon and turned over
barley rest of day. Bill Poland finished cutting barley
-123-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
on my place where I live.
29 Jul Wife and Willie went over to her mother's. Willie was to
Church and Sunday school. I stayed home all day. I
expected Dr. Merrison, would leave some medicine for Eva
May (baby).
30 Jul I helped Bill and Sie Poland all day stack barley on my
own place where I live.
31 Jul Helped Bill and Sie Poland all day turn barley and cradle
around fall wheat on my place where I live. In fore noon,
stacked barley. Mrs. P.N. Henry was up to our place for
dinner. Wife went down with her to her place afternoon.
I was over to Lodge. P,N. Henry bought cow from Ed
Tomlin.
01 Aug I helped Bill and Sie all day. Fore noon I cradled and
turned barley, finished cutting barley on my lower place,
stacked barley from there in the afternoon to my place
where I live. Finished stacking barley on my place
yesterday where I live. George Cora buried Aug. 1, 1883.
02 Aug I helped Bill and Sie Poland 3/4 day binding wheat.
They
commenced to reap fall wheat on my place where I live.
Wife went down town. She bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1
pair woman's shoes $1.50, on ticket - 1 box hair oil 25
cts., 1 baby bib 3 cts., candy 3 cts., 3 1/2 doz. glass
buttons 10 cts., 2 lbs. sugar 18 cts., 1/2 lb. pepper 12
cts., woollen yarn 18 cts. Rained so we could not work at
the fall wheat. I cut sprouts from my apple trees and cut
sprouts from stumps lower end of field and cut one basket
full of timothy heads for seed.
03 Aug I helped Bill and Sie Poland all day. Finished cutting
and binding all wheat at my place where I live. Went over
to their place after supper and commenced cutting all
wheat there.
04 Aug I helped Bill and Sie Poland all day binding fall wheat.
Wife and Willie were up to Mrs. John Allen's afternoon.
05 Aug Willie and I were over to Sunday school, preaching and
class meeting. Wife was down to Peter N. Henry's when we
came back. Willie and I went there too. We were all
there for supper.
06 Aug I helped Bill and Sie Poland all day. Finished cutting
and binding the fall wheat on their place. Mrs. Pat
O'Hare was to our place afternoon getting some sewing
done.
-124-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
07 Aug I helped Bill & Sie Poland all day. Finished stacking
barley from my lower place fore noon. Stacked the fall
wheat on my place where I live afternoon.
I was over to
Lodge at Bethel River's Corners.
08 Aug I helped Bill & Sie Poland all day. Finished stacking
their fall wheat on their place. Wife and Willie came
over in the afternoon and were to their place for supper.
09 Aug I was over to Marine City fore noon. Bought at Hurd's 10 cts. worth of rhubarb root and 10 cts. worth of flour
sulpher or and brimstone a pegging awl 10 cts. (handle) at
Cottrell' s, ferrage 5 cts., at Green's - 2 loaves of bread
14 cts., 1 lemon 5 cts. Sam Wedge was buried at
Wilkesport this afternoon. Mr. Tom Allen's and his two
daughters, James Garnet and three other boys stopped at
our place on the way back from funeral and were at our
place for supper. I did nothing afternoon. Peter N.
Henry bought George Mulligan's mare and Chas. has taken
the drawing of milk. Chas. Henry made first trip this
morning.
10 Aug Father was up to borrow my cradle to cradle some oats, he
got it. I dug one hill of extra early Vermont and 1 hill
White Elephant and two hills Beauty Hebron, Mommoth
Pearly, 1 Vine Belle. I gave Mr. Nethercott 1/2 bushel
potatoes, he gave class credit for $1.50. He and his wife
called at our place afternoon. I cut sprouts from stump
in front field where I live in afternoon. Got first ripe
blackberry. Miss Charlotte Henry was visiting at our
place afternoon.
11 Aug I underbrushed part of fence row west from south fence,
second field towards William Hargrove's.
I set some fires
after supper. Mrs. Poland was over most all day making a
dress for herself. Maggie went home with her. She has
been at our place 3 or 4 days. John came over with his
mother. Wife bought 2 lbs. beef steak 21 cts., 2 lbs.
fish 10 cts.
12 Aug Willie and I were to Sunday school and preaching.
There
was no class meeting. Rained some in afternoon.
I gave
20 cts. in the collection. Jane Poland and little
brother, John, were at our place afternoon. Rained and
they are going to stay all night.
13 Aug I helped Bill and Sie Poland fore noon thresh on their
place. They had 72 bushels of fall wheat and 2 4 bushels
barley. Jane rode down with milkman (Chas. Henry) this
morning. She is working at Peter Cattanach, Sombra
Village. Wife and children were over to Poland's.
Jane
-125-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
came home with her.

I under brushed part of afternoon.

14 Aug I put small box on the top of bee tree in front of house.
Underbrushed rest of day until supper time. Chopped some
cord wood after supper. Charlotte Henry brought us up
some woollen sock yarn. I was over to Lodge. Bill Poland
joined Lodge again. Two of Stratton boys were down to our
Lodge.
15 Aug I went to see Peter Cattanach about a note that I owe him,
falls due on 17 inst, he gave me a longer time on same. I
came home and chopped cord wood balance of day. Wife and
children away visiting today on other line. She was to
Mr. Peter Rivers and Mrs. Geo. Broad's. She came home. I
minded the children while she went to prayer meeting.
They are going to make arrangements for an ice cream
social or tea meeting to apply on minister's salary.
16 Aug I chopped all day. Willie went out with rme in the
afternoon. George Hargrove's barn and stable and all were
burnt up. Corn crib was saved and pig pen, too, this
afternoon, so Lawrence Johnston told me just at dark.
17 Aug I was in house fore noon. I was not very well. I went
out to chop afternoon. It was too hot to chop.
I picked
a mess of blackberries and made a last to fix my shoe
soles on. I pegged them. Wife and Willie and baby were
down to Peter N. Henry's afternoon. I went down after
them. Bill Poland came over in the afternoon and offered
me my place back and he offered me old Bob for $100. on
one year's time and wagon and hay rack and harrows for
$20. I was to P.N. Henry's for supper. Bill told me I
could have reaper for $7 5. same - one year's time.
18 Aug I went out to Sant Witherel's to see if I could buy Bill
horse back again. He would not sell him. I went up to
see John Doran to get pay for note, could not get it. I
then went to Wilkesport to see White, the harness maker,
to buy a colt from him, 3 years old, also a harness could not as he holds too high a price. I came home and
went over to Poland's to see about getting Bob horse. I
will get him tonight. I then went down to see Warren T.
Henry to get his buggy to go to Sarnia on next Monday, he
came down town. I came down to fathers, met Warren Henry
there and rode home with him. He lets me have the buggy,
I then went on to Poland's to get Bob horse. Got him and
fetched him home, he gives me 1 1/2 months longer to pay
for him.
19 Aug Willie and I were to Sunday school and I stayed to
preaching and to class meeting. Wife and baby were over
-126-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
to her mother's. Sister, Lucy, and sister, Mary, were up
to our place but we were not at home.
20 Aug I got Warren T. Henry buggy. Wife and I and children,
Willie and Eva, went to Sarnia. We went to draw money on
place to buy horse and harness. We signed the papers and
if things are well we get money on 2 3 inst. hole thing
will amount to $8.75. We had all of our pictures taken in
a group, wife and Willie and Eva May. We got 6
photographs for $1.25. I got dash board put on Warren T.
Henry's buggy for $2. It was made of duck. We bought 3

James U. Carpenter & wife Mary (Poland)
William J. & Eva M.

1883

meals 75 cts., 1 horse hay and oats 25 cts., 1 pocket book
for Simon Poland 25 cts., candy 5 cts., apples 5 cts. We
started from home about 4 am. and got in Sarnia about 10
AM., left 2:30 PM and got home about 7 PM. We drove up
old Bob. It rained in Sarnia just after we got there.
-127-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Baby was very cross.
21 Aug I went down to Jacob Young's to buy his grey horse. I
bought him for $100. I am to pay him on the 25 inst. if I
get my money on the 24 inst. if not it will be a few days
later if that fails, I pay for use of him. I brought him
home and went over to Poland's for Bob horse. I brought
wagon home and plow and one of Poland's horses (Tom). I
tried to plow afternoon. Plowed to lands, ground is hard.
Plow handle is broke. I have blocked out another one.
Mrs. Poland and Will & Sie and John Poland were over.
Mrs. Allen was to our place for supper. I was over to
Lodge. Walter Shortt was voted for as a member of our
Lodge Sons of Temperance. I got home about 11:30.
22 Aug I went down town with plow coulter and some bolts to get
fixed for my plow came back and helped John E. Carpenter
bind oats all day on Geo. Hargrove's place. Bill Poland
had my Bob horse to draw machine threshing fco Geo.
Mulligan's. Mrs. Peter N. Henry had a young son born
yesterday.
2 3 Aug I went down town and got my plow coulter and other rods 6/
was the cost in full. I borrowed Jacob Young's harness to
go to Sarnia tomorrow. Fetched it up with the milkman. I
finished fixing my plow and dug 1 1/2 bushels of garden
chillies potatoes to take up with us to Sarnia tomorrow
amounting to $2.50. He paid me. I went over to prayer
meeting and brought Warren T. Henry's buggy home so I
could go early in the morning. Wife took Willie over to
Mrs. Allen's and left him there for tonight and tomorrow.
24 Aug I was to Sarnia with wife. I got money on mortgage $140.
I bought set of harness 35 cts at Jas. Lucas. He did not
have back bands but is to send them down on the boat on
the 29 th. I got the Britchin spread rings and snaps and
1 halter 50 cts. He gave me the strap and other stuff
through town plus 1 coconut 10 cts. and oranges 10 cts., 2
loaves of bread 14 cts., 1 lemon 5 cts., 1 bar soap 2 5
cts., starth 6 cts., 14 oz. condition powder 30 cts., 1
hat for Jane Poland $1*50, 1 whip holder 25 cts. for
Warren T. Henry buggy. We took 1 1/2 bushel garden
chillies and got 4/ per bushel for them and 3 lbs. butter
45 cts. I paid Fred Youngs $100. or Jacob Youngs for his
horse. I bought on the 21st. Willie stayed to Mrs.
Allen's all day. We got our photographs today, 7 of them
for $1.25. I had my harness fitted on my horse at the
shop and brought Jacob Young home in the buggy and left at
his place. We got home before dark. The road were very
dusty and hot. Mrs. William Eyers is not very well.
-128-

James w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
25 Aug I plowed fore noon on place where I live. I threshed for
John E. Carpenter for Warren T. Henry. John E. Carpenter
got only 174 bushels of oats. It was threshed at William
Hargrove's. I built the straw stack. Wife went up in the
evening. Willie stayed with me to Bill Eyer's. Mag
Poland went with her to see how Mrs. Eyers was.
26 Aug Willie and I were to Sunday school. Wife came after
Sunday School. We were all to Church and class meeting.
Alexander Chartier went home with Jane Poland to Peter
Cattanach. We were to Poland's for supper.
27 Aug I was plowing all day. Drew one load of rails after
supper to fix fence around corn field. Wife and children
were down to Peter N. Henry's after supper. I set some
fires after dark in wheat field.
28 Aug I plowed all day. Was over to Lodge at night. We had a
spelling match. Delbert Young and John Rivers, Delbert's
side beat.
29 Aug I plowed all day until supper time. Went down town.
Bought at mill - 100 lbs. flour $2.75 and bran 15 cts.
Peter Cattanach's - 1/2 lb. ginger, 1/2 lb. sulpher, 1
spool cotton - whole thing 30 cts. Wife was down to
Johnston's for some yeast to set bread with - got it.

At

3 0 Aug I went down town fore noon to see the investigation about
the post office held by the inspector of the post office.
Brought about by a petition got up by Dr. Anderson at
Sombra Village. I got plow rod fixed. Subscribed for
Valley Record for balance of this year for 25 cts. Left
wife's shoes at shoe shop to get fixed - charge 2/ not
paid. I came home with milkman. Found horse shoe. I
plowed afternoon. Bill and Sie Poland stacking oats. I
broke my wagon 2 fellows. Willie went over to Poland's
afternoon - going to stay all night. Wife and I and baby
were over to prayer meeting.
31 Aug I was plowing all day. Willie stayed at his grandmother's
last night. Wife and children were over to her mother's
this afternoon. Bill and Sie Poland were down drawing
oats from lower place. Horse balked all fore noon drawing
one load.
01 Sep I helped Bill & Sie Poland until supper time or 5:30
drawing in oats with my team. John Prier helped them to
finish their oats and harvest too. I plowed one head land
to fall wheat on west side of ditch next to Bill
Hargrove's on place where I live. A lot of young folks to
-129-

James w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Bill Robert's swinging tonight.
02 Sep I was home all day. Wife and children were at Peter N.
Henry's most all day. Rained last night.
03 Sep I harrowed over 5 acres of fall wheat ground once before I
sowed it. I finished one of the head lands this morning.
Throwed out straw of stable so I could fix the rails so I
could stable my horses in it this winter. Bill & Sie
Poland got up wood for threshing machine engine.
Fixed up
my lantern at night.
04 Sep I drew out manure out of the old stable unto the field by
my house. I was over to see Sie Poland if he could do my
road work for me. He will. Wife was down to Johnston's
this afternoon. Willie came home sick with the fever.
Mrs. Poland's calf died after supper sick 10 minutes.
05 Sep I pulled beans fore noon and plowed on low,er place
afternoon. Cleaned out well in bush after supper for
water for my horses. Sie Poland worked one day on the
road for me today. I kept Bob horse in stable last night.
06 Sep I made a neck yoke and pulled some beans fore noon.
Afternoon, I went down to lower place to plow - could not
very well until I get a new point. I came home and got
wagon and took it down town to get it fixed. Back bands
to my harness came - costs 15 cts. Bought plow point at
Peter Cattanach's for my plow - cost 55 cts. Sie Poland
done one day road work for me today.
07 Sep I put my plow point on my plow and plowed 2 lands and came
home on the road. I borrowed Peter N. Henry's buggy to go
to town after my wagon fore noon. Afternoon, I went down
town for my wagon. Wife and baby went down with me.
Willie stayed at Peter N. Henry's. I took down a bushel
of potatoes for them. I did not get wagon until next day.
We bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 pair boys boots 11/, 3
yds. cottonade 3/, 3 yds. flannel 3/, 4 yds. factory 8/, 2
spools 10 cts., 1 dozen buttons 1/, sugar 25 cts. worth, 2
lbs. rice 6 cts., 1/2 lbs. ginger, 1/4 Ibb. salt peter, 1
curry comb 15 cts., 1 horse brush 6/. Mr. Hamilton
charged me 80 cts. for the work he did on the wagon.
08 Sep I went over to Poland's in the morning for their rack to
draw manure on and their cutting bar. John E. Carpenter
went over with me. He came up for my saw and got it. I
went down to father's for some hay, he gave me some. I
borrowed 2 bags oats from John E. Carpenter - 4 bushels to
feed my horses. I drew out one load of manure and fixed
my stable up some. Maggie Poland has been with us all
-130-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
day.
09 Sep I kept my horses in the stable last night. I took them
down to lower place in fore noon. I went down to
father's, he was not at home. I got Dr. Chase receipt
book of my stepsister, Lucy L. Carpenter. Jane Poland
came up to our place today. Wife was over to her mother's
fore noon. Jane Poland went over after her. Wife came
home and Mrs. Poland, Tom and John and Joe came over to
our place too. They were all to our place for supper.
Mary Charlotte Carpenter came up with Lucy and Jane and
wife and children. Went down to father's after supper to
see Ida Wright. She is not very well. I went down and
met them at father's. We had a heavy frost last night and
a slight frost - the first of the week.
10 Sep I drew 6 loads of manure to lower place.
frost last night which cooked the corn.

We had a heavy

11 Sep I threshed for Bill Eyers fore noon. I drew 6 loads of
manure to lower place. Wife went down town. She bought
at Peter Cattanach's - 1 pr. suspenders 2/, 1 bottle lemon
15 cts., 1 bottle extract wild strawberry 3/, 2 lbs.
currants 20 cts., 1/2 lb. baking soda 5 cts., cream of
tartar 5 cts., 1 1/2 yds. brilliant 25 cts., 1 1/2
embroidery 22 cts., 1 yd. bleach cotton 10 cts., 1 collar
linen 20 cts., 1 pair baby hose at Smith's 10 cts. I was
to Lodge. Walker Shortt joined division.
12 Sep I drew one load of manure and plowed balance of fore noon
on lower place. I drew one load of manure afternoon to
lower place. Patrick Sheeran got water. They bored down
158 ft. before they struck the rock. They finished boring
yesterday about noon.
13 Sep I sold father 1 1/4 cord of stove wood for 4 bushels oats
and took it down to him. I took my calf down and put it
in father's field. I drew up my beans and tried to thresh
them in old stable - could not. Fore noon took them down
to Warren T. Henry's and threshed them on his barn floor.
I then brought them home and after I cleaned them I had 2
1/2 bushels. I went down to river after supper and got
barrel of water for wife to wash tomorrow.
Shortt's
threshing machine came to my place tonight to thresh Bill
& Sie Poland's grain. Wife was over home afternoon.
14 Sep I drew 4 loads of water with my team, got stuck twice.

-131-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
15 Sep Shortt's finished threshing for Bill & Sie Poland. I
helped part of the fore noon. William Hargrove came to
thresh some buckwheat - could not as it was to wet.
I got
him to take the separator with his team to William
Gilbert. He was from about 10:30 am to 3 PM. I drew two
loads of water and put it in my well. They had 190
bushels of fall wheat and 120 of barley.
16 Sep I was over to Sunday School. Wife and children were down
to Warren T. Henry's. John Rivers came over at night and
got water barrels that I borrowed from their line.
Rained some in the afternoon.
17 Sep I went over to Poland's and got 20 bushels of seed fall
wheat at market price. I took their wheat home from my
place. I sowed about 3 1/2 bushels in afternoon and
harrowed it over once. Warren T. Henry came up to see if
I would go to the picnic tomorrow. I promised him I would
go. He is to get his wagon ready for me. •
18 Sep I took my team and went out to the picnic Temperance held
in Sturdavant's grove back of Wilkesport.
I had a full
load, out and back all of my family went. There were 7
speakers - Rev. Mr. Fife, Courtright and Rev. Kerr and
Rev. Weir, Brigden, and Rev. Hooper, Wilkesport, and Rev.
Pickard of Leamington, Lake Erie, Rev. Nethercott, Port
Lambton and Alexander McDougal, Wallaceburg.
Barrister
Warren T. Henry acted as chairman, The Sombra Brassband
was there. They took up a collection for the band
amounting to $15.
The Sons of Temperance Lodge marched
around the grove, headed by the band - 7 Lodges
represented.
I gave Rev. Nethercott 1/2 bushel potatoes
and 50 cts.
Wife signed for his salary.
19 Sep I finished sowing balance of wheat ground on place where I
live. Sowed 8 1/4 bushels all together on place where I
live. Wife was down to Peter N. Henry's afternoon.
Willie and baby went with her.
2 0 Sep Finished harrowing my fall wheat on place where I live.
Wife and children were over home afternoon. Willie is
sick again with fever.
21 Sep I plowed on lower place fore noon and in the afternoon, I
furrowed out my fall wheat on place where I live. Mrs.
Peter N. Henry was visiting our place. Sie Poland cut
corn for me in the fore noon. Today I got 1/2 bushel oats
out of Bill Poland's bin.
22 Sep I cleaned out fall wheat furrows on place where I live and
dug potatoes after 3 PM. Dug Mammoth Pearl, 1 lb.
-132-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
planting and White Elephant and Burbank seedling and extra
early Vermont and Belle Beauty of Hebron I got from M. L
Burnham.
2 3 Sep I took my horses down to lower place and then went down to
Sunday school and church. She went down to River's to see
Matilda Boylan, formerly M. Rivers. I came home and got
ready and went over to church. I was a little late.
24 Sep I dug 10 bushels of potatoes, 5 bushels Mammoth Pearl, 3
1/2 bushels Early Rose balance was garden chillies.
Rev.
Mr. Nethercott and his wife were at our place for dinner.
Rained part of the day. I went up and got a bottle of
coal oil at Bill Eyer's. I took 1 bushel oats out of Bill
Poland's oat bin.
25 Sep I drew 2 loads of manure to lower place and plowed there.
Plowed near eight lands. Jim horse is not very well
tonight. I went up and Bill Eyers to look at him, he
seemed a little better and has gone to eating.
26 Sep I took two loads of manure to lower place and plowed
there. Wife went up to see Mrs. Geo. Mulligan. Took baby
and Willie. Rode down to lower place with me and went in
to Lib Albert's to visit with Stella.
27 Sep I sewed 5 1/4 bushels fall wheat on lower place and drew 2
loads of manure too. I only harrowed the ground once
over. Wife and children were over to Mrs. Tomlin's. My
Jim horse is sick, he laid down as soon as I brought him
home and put him in the stable. Wife and children stayed
to prayer meeting and I went over and met them.
28 Sep I finished harrowing in the wheat. I sewed on lower place
yesterday. Rained some afternoon. I did not take the
team out as Jim horse is not very well, think he has pink
eye. Father was at our place for supper. Willie was over
to his grandmother Poland's.
2 9 Sep I drew up a barrel of water and some fire wood and took
down some straw to cover my potato pits. Fetched up some
corn stalks to feed horses and picked up some potatoes
fore noon. Afternoon, I finished pitting the new kinds of
potatoes (as mentioned Canadian Headline Copybook for
1883) and then I got P.N. Henry's buggy. Wife and I and
Eva went to town. I went over to Marine City to get some
stuff for condition powder for my horses. It cost me 40
cts., ferrage 5 cts. I put horse in blacksmith shop. I
bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1/2 lb. ginger, 1/2 lb.
sulpher, 4 oz. rozen, 1 pair boots $4., 1 bottle spts of
turpentine 10 cts. Wife bought - 2 lbs. cheese 28 cts., 1
-133-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
box shoe
16 cts.,
currants
2 0 cts.,
cts. and
NOTE

blackening, 5 rolls wall paper 3/, 1 lb. candles
1 gal. coal oil, 5 lbs. sugar 45 cts., 2 lbs.
2 0 cts., 1 box black lead 2 0 cts., 2 paper tacks
1 lb. putty 6 cts., nutmeg 5 cts., 3 lbs. ocre 2 7
candy 1 ct.

ON TOP OF PAGE: I gave Dr. Anderson a note for $16. for
doctor bill due in three months. Note for Bob horse look
Oct. 4, 1884.

3 0 Sep I and family were to church. I was too late for Sabbath
school. They put me in as Bible class teacher. I signed
for 50 cts. for mission fund to be paid in a couple of
months. John Burdett preached in Rev. Nethercott 1 s place.
01 Oct I finished digging my potatoes and covered them with dirt.
Had 26 bushels altogether. Piled 21 bushels.
02 Oct Rained part of fore noon. I cut some weeds and set some
fires in afternoon. I went down to lower place and
furrowed out my fall wheat. I went down to Father's, he
was not at home. Eva is sick. She screams with pain. I
went up and got Mrs. John Allen. She came down, we put
some smart weed steeped in vinegar on her stomach and gave
her three doses of extract of wild strawberries and a dose
of castor oil. Afterwards Mrs. John Allen stayed until
11:30 PM, then her and Chas. Allen went home. I had my
horses all harnessed to go for the doctor and did not
unharness them until 11:30 PM.
03 Oct I took my team to Mooretown to see Geo. Cowell to see if
he could tell me what ailed them. He was not at home. He
was at Wallaceburg. I waited until 3 PM. and then came
home. Eva is some better. I got 1/2 bushel of oats from
Bill & Sie Poland.
04 Oct I went down to lower place in the fore noon with a load of
manure and plowed two lands. Then I went down to father's
and bought a stack of hay for $27.50. Gave him my calf on
it for $5. He is to take wood for it or money in the
winter or spring. I fetched some home with me. I gave
Mrs. Poland my note for one hundred dollars for 12 months
for Bob horse without interest. I took down a load of
manure down to lower place and plowed two lands. Bill
Poland signed writing to give me up lease on my place.
05 Oct I took two loads of manure down to lower place and plowed
there. Bill Poland finished digging his potatoes on my
lower place. Wife borrowed 21 1/4 lbs. flour with pail
from Mrs. Lawrence Johnston.
-134-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
06 Oct Rained fore noon so I could not take horses out. I went
down to lower place and cleaned out the furrows in the
piece that I sewed on the 27th. of Sept. Eva is sick bowel complaints. We were up with her most all last night
and part of tonight.
07 Oct Willie and I were over to Sabbath school and preaching.
08 Oct I took down two loads of manure to lower place and sewed 2
1/4 fall wheat there and plowed one land. Went down to
father's for some hay. I could not find the cow.
09 Oct I hunted all fore noon for cow. Could not find her. I
went down to Sombra in the afternoon. Took down 4 1/4
bushels of fall wheat to grind 3 bushels and 40 lbs. by
weight got 25 lbs. flour on it until he grinds mine.
Hunted for cow after I got back - could not find her. I
was over to Lodge. I bought at Peter Cattanach's - l
shovel $1.42, 1 lb. ginger 38 cts., 2 1/2 lbs. sugar 22
cts., cloves 5 cts. The Miller will buy my wood and give
me flour for it.
10 Oct I hunted my cow - found her fast in an elm top between two
limbs. I cut her loose but she could not get up. Went
and got Pat O'Hare and Lawrence Johnston and P.N. Henry
and W.T. Henry and we could not get her up. Left her to
put on the jumper at five - did so and brought her up to
the stable and laid her on some straw. Wife and children
and Mrs. John Allen went over to Mrs. Poland's in the
afternoon. Mrs. Poland was at our place for dinner. I
went down to father's and borrowed Patrick Sheeran's post
auger to sink crotched in the ground to raise cow with.
11 Oct Father and brother, John, came up to help me make a
windless to hoist my cow up. We raised her up but she has
no use of one of her hind legs - right one. Gave her near
1 quart of linseed oil at 1 PM. - let her down again. I
skided some cord wood out of bush and raised the cow after
supper. William Eyers and Chas. Allen helped me.
11:20
PM cow seems some better than she was at noon.
12 Oct Rained some last night. I fixed around cow part of fore
noon and made wagon stakes afternoon. Skidded 4 loads of
cord wood and brought 1 load of fire wood. Raised cow
three times. Mrs. John Allen was down to our place at
night.
13 Oct I took a load of cord wood to the mill and some liniment
for cow - cost 30 cts. I got beer at I. Waybrant's, the
rest I got at Dr. W. Anderson. Bill Poland took 2 loads
of barley away to Robert Stokes for his brother, Tom
-135-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Stokes. Rained afternoon. I dug a bag of legeume pain
roots on Warren T. Henry's. Charles Allen helped me raise
my cow. She is some better. I think I brought my grist
home in fore noon. Willie had a touch of croup last
night. Tom Poland is staying with us tonight.
14 Oct I was home all day. Wife and baby went down to W.T.
Henry's. Mrs. Poland and her daughter, Jane, came over to
our place afternoon after wife and brought her home.
Father came up with us and raised the cow twice.
15 Oct I went down to father's and got a load of hay fore noon.
Raised cow once and plowed one land on lower place.
Plowed on lower place afternoon. Plowed three lands.
Dance at Pat 0'Hare's.
16 Oct I drew one load of cord wood to mill fore noon. John E.
Carpenter drove my team afternoon. Took one load to the
mill and one out of the woods. I filed my« saw for him to
use for himself. I got 25 bushels seed barley from Bill
Poland 4/ per bushel. I was over to Lodge.
17 Oct I drew two loads of wood to the mill. I got Chas. Henry's
chain fixed 5 cts. that I broke the other night fixing
cow. Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Poland gave us a piece of pork
each.
18 Oct I finished drawing my wood to mill. Have 7 1/2 cords got 10/ per cord for it. I got 300 lbs. of flour at 22/
per 100 and gave me a due bill for 80 cts. payable to Wm.
Hamilton to pay him for fixing my wagon. Rained in the
afternoon.
I raised my cow, she does not seem any better.
I bought 1 account book at Peter Cattanach's 5 cts. I
gave Peter Cattanach my note for $124.10 payable four
months from now.
19 Oct I went down to lower place to plow. Took my dinner with
me, had to come back as it rained. Rain stopped after
dinner. I went down to lower place and plowed afternoon.
Wife went over to her mother's with our children.
Her
mother came over to our place in the morning for some
salt. John E. Carpenter and Chas. Allen were sawing stove
wood on the place where I live for father in front field.
20 Oct I plowed down to lower place. John E. Carpenter and Chas.
Allen sawing fore noon. First appearance of snow this
fall. Mrs. Albert Henry wants me to take care of her
clover for her. She wants me to give her my work for
cutting it. Chas. Henry is cutting it today. 3 3/4 I
worked for her in haying. I made her this offer, that I
would draw the whole of it home and furnish men to thresh
-136-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
it and wood and water for her share of the straw she is to
pay for threshing her share of the seed. It was very cold
today for this time year. Got my paper at Chas. Henry's.
21 Oct Wife and Willie went over to church. I was going over, I
went out to raise cow , heard groaning in the horse
stable. I looked and saw Bob horse laying on his side. I
sent over by Annie Poland for Bill and Sie to come over.
Sie and Henry Gilbert came over. I gave horse some salt
peter and an injection of salt. He got better after that.
Sie and Henry helped me raise cow.
22 Oct I was down to lower place plowing. Took my dinner down
with me. Set some fires and grubbed some stumps and
cleaned out some cross furrows. John E. Carpenter and
Chas. Allen were sawing some stove wood on my place fore
noon. Wife and children were up to Mrs. John Allen's. I
got home before them.
2 3 Oct I was plowing down to lower place. I took feed for horses
and my dinner down with me. I was over to Lodge.
Bill
Poland gave me $20. on rent. Sent it over by wife, she
was over there this afternoon. Mrs. Albert paid me $2. on
work in haying. I paid Warren T. Henry the $2. I borrowed
from him.
24 Oct I went down town and got my flour from the mill - 300 lbs.
$2.75 that I paid for with my wood. Gave father 100 lbs.
of it on hay $2.75. I fetched home a load of hay, plowed
afternoon.
I got a whip lash at Peter Cattanach 2/. Wife
and I and children were up to Mrs. John Allen's to a
pearing bee. Father's folks were there too. Wife was
visiting with Mrs. Samuel Poland at Warren T. Henry's
afternoon.
25 Oct I plowed down to lower place. Rained about 4:30 PM. I
came home and went down in bush after two barrels of
water. Father brought us up 4 1/2 lbs. of butter for 18
cts. per pound. I paid him 85 cts.
26 Oct I was down to lower place to plow. Took feed and my
dinner with me. Rev. Nethercott was to see me to get some
condition powder for his horse.
27 Oct I was plowing down to lower place. Wife went down town
afternoon and bought at Peter Cattanach's - one 3 lbs. bar
N.P. soap 2/, 1 lb. dust tea 25 cts., 3 lbs. sugar 30
cts., 2 yds. brown jane 40 cts., 1 spool thread 5 cts., 2
scans yarn woollen 20 cts. and one baby hood 20 cts., 1
cap from Mrs. Rivers for Willie 40 cts. - got hood at
auction sale rooms. Borrowed money from Jane Poland.
-137-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
28 Oct We got all ready to go over to Church. It rained and we
did not. Mrs. Eliza Eyers started and got as far as our
place, stayed with us. Miss. Charlotte and Sarah Henry
came up to our place. Ed Tomlin was going to Eliza
Eyer's, he stopped in and all of them were at our place
for supper.
29 Oct Rained fore noon. I puttyed 2 windows and fixed Mrs.
Johnston's sewing machine. I went down to lower place to
plow. Rained. I started home and got as far as Warren T.
Henry's. Rain stopped and I went back and plowed 1 land.
Peter Cattanach and Joseph Stover took Geo. Hargrove back
to insane asylum. He came home from there 3 weeks ago.
Cattanach brought him from asylum.
3 0 Oct I was down to lower place plowing fore noon.
Afternoon,
Andrew Johnston drove my team for me. I ditched along
side of corn field. I was over to Lodge. Wife and
children were over to her mother's. Got some honey - her
mother gave it to her.
31 Oct I was down to lower place plowing. I went down to
Father's for a load of hay. I sent Bill Poland $10. to
make balance payment on their place. Bill Poland smacked
our cow in the head to get her out of her misery.
I wrote
a letter for Bill Poland to Sarnia about their place.
01 Nov I drew cow out in the bush. Went over to Thomas Harrison
for his box and wagon to take a load of potatoes from my
lower place (took one load). Annie and Maggie Poland
picked them up. I gave father $5. I borrowed from him May
29th. Wm. Robert's boys borrowed my ladder from wife.
Brought it back at night.
02 Nov I was plowing down to lower place. I took a load of
potatoes home for Mrs. Poland at noon. She and her
daughter, Mag, picked them up. Bill Poland is cleaning
oats at my place where I live. Wife was over to Peter
River's and paid Mrs. Rivers for Willies cap 40 cts.
Rivers team brought her home. Miss Charlotte Henry came
up to our place at noon. Wife was not at home. She went
home again.
03 Nov I was down to lower place plowing. Finished big part of
back field. Cleaned out furrows and all and brought my
plow home. Father brought us up 3 lbs. of butter.
Bill
Poland was cleaning up oats at my place.
04 Nov I was over to Sabbath school and wife came.
over for preaching but there was none.
-138-

Willie came

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
05 Nov I drew 2 loads of my hay home from father's. John E.
Carpenter helped me afternoon. I took a load of hay down
town to the minister from P.N. Henry's. John Henry helped
me load it and 2 bushels of oats from John E. Carpenter
and 2 bushels of oats from father. The Grange men walked
in Sombra Village today - gun powder treason and plot.
Wife bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 gal coal oil 25 cts.,
5 1/2 yds. cotton 55 cts., 10 yds. wency $2., 1 yd. black
lace 15 cts., crackers 7 cts. - paid.
06 Nov I commenced to plow on place where I live. I put beam in
stable afternoon. Wife was over to her mother's and
borrowed a loaf of bread from her.
07 Nov I plowed part of day. Afternoon I bought 3 5 bushels of
oats from Bill Poland for 35 cts. per bushel.
I settled
up with him. He owes me $2.29 cts. yet. He finished
cleaning up his oats. Wife went down to Warren T. Henry's
for some milk and took home their white wash bucket.
08 Nov I plowed all day. Wife and baby were over to Walker's and
Delbert Young's with Mrs. Samuel Poland. Willie stayed
home with me. Chas. Allen borrowed our butcher knife to
kill Mrs. Albert Henry's pigs. Miss. Mary Rivers and Mary
Grant around gathering for Mrs. Preacher.
09 Nov I was plowing.

Bill Poland is cleaning up grain.

10 Nov I was plowing fore noon. I was to Mrs. John Allen's
shooting match. I spent 10 cts. and got nothing.
Wife's
cousin, Bill Poland, came from Petrolia at night. He
wanted to hire but wife knew him. He stayed at our place
at night.
11 Nov Mrs. Poland came over to our place fore noon. We all went
over with her. The boys knew cousin, William Poland. He
stayed there for dinner. After dinner he went up to
Chartier's with Bill and Sie. I came home and put my
horses in the stable and went back there again. We were
11 to Mrs. Poland's for supper. Afterwards we went down
to Thomas Harrison's and got weighed.
I weighed 2 06 lbs.
We went back to Poland's. Wife and I and children stayed
until about 8:30 PM. Willie was to Sabbath school and
preaching. He stays at Poland's tonight and Bill Poland
goes down with him in the morning and he will see Jane
Poland as she was not home. She is working at Peter
Cattanach's. The Presbyterian Church was dedicated in
Sombra Village today and tea meeting tomorrow night.

-139-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
12 Nov I was plowing all day. We had very high winds last and
today and froze pretty hard. Wife was down to P.N.
Henry's for milk.
13 Nov I plowed all day. Annie Poland helped wife paper.
I shot
a guail afternoon. My half sister, Mary, is staying with
us tonight. I went over to Lodge but only a few came. We
did not have any lodge.
14 Nov I plowed all day. It is very cold. Ground is freezing as
fast as it is plowed. I shot 3 guails today. Mrs. Poland
borrowed 18 3/4 lbs. of flour - pail and all and she
borrowed 15 1/2 lbs. of flour out the 10 inst. Wife went
down the road for some milk and a small pail full on the
10 inst. Annie Poland helped wife paper afternoon.
Got
done with kitchen.
15 Nov It froze hard last night. I could not plow very well. I
fixed oak log and brought up a load of stove wood fore
noon. Afternoon I put some more dirt on my potato pits.
Snowed some today. Shot black sguirrel.
16 Nov I went over to Mrs. Poland's for 1 1/4 inch auger. Shot a
partridge on the way home. Fixed stable doors.
I went
over to Mrs. Poland's to kill big pig. Got done 3
o'clock. I came home and tended the children while wife
went over to Mrs. Poland's. Came over and got 18 3/4 lbs.
of flour. Mrs. Allen brought down Willie a pair of
pullets and borrowed 13 lbs. of flour.
17 Nov I borrowed Bill Eyer's wagon and took my team and brought
up Mrs. Poland's grist. Bill Poland paid me $2.25. I
bought at Peter Cattanach's - 2 lbs. shot 2 0 cts., 1 doll
for Eva May 3 0 cts., 3/4 lb. powder at M.L. Burnham's 3 0
cts. I brought up a barrel of salt for Mrs. Poland $1.50.
I filed Allen Grant's saw for him 25 cts. Afternoon, shot
a partridge and quail. After that was down to father's
for butter. He was at our place for supper. I went down
with him.
18 Nov I and Willie were to Sabbath school. Jane and Mrs. Poland
and Sie Poland were to our place afternoon and were at our
place for supper. I took Jane down to Sombra with my wife
and children. Went down for a ride. Sie Poland went with
us. I borrowed Bill Eyer's wagon.
19 Nov I plowed most all day. The frost was near all out in the
morning. Something caught one of our chickens last night.
I went down to River St. Clair for two barrels of water
for wife to wash. Brought up 100 lbs. of flour from
Robert Stokes for Mrs. Allen $3.
-140-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
20 Nov I plowed and furrowed out part of the day. Rained some.
Mrs. Poland brought wife over three pullets and one
rooster. I made a chicken pen. I was not to Lodge
tonight.
21 Nov Mrs. Lawrence Johnston sent us some pan squirrels.
Rained
fore noon. Plowed afternoon. Fore noon I shot two red
squirrels. I cleaned out some furrows. I made a whip
lash. Acct. from Dr. Merrison $7.50. Raining at night.
Wife was down to P.N. Henry's tonight.
22 Nov Rained some last night. I plowed most all day and cleaned
out furrows rest of the time.
2 3 Nov I plowed and cleaned out some furrows. Spoke to Chas.
Allen to help me tomorrow. He promised to come. I am to
help him to chop when it freezes. Mrs. Poland brought 1
pail of flour back - 16 1/4 lbs.
24 Nov I plowed 2 lands. Chas. Allen helped me clean furrows one
half day. I filed Allen Grant's saw. Henry Grant brought
it over. I was sick - bilious attack. Eva acts sick like the croup, bad cold. I went up and got Mrs. John
Allen to stay with us tonight. She came.
2 5 Nov I went up to Courtright and got Dr. Merrison to come down
to see Eva. He called it inflamitory croup. He steamed
her with hot water and vinegar. I went over to Poland's
to get lamp chimney that I sent down town for. She forgot
to bring it up. She promised to send Annie for one in the
morning. Mrs. Allen called in to see how Eva May was, so
did Charlotte H. & Sarah M. Henry and John E. Carpenter
and Chas. Allen and so did Mr. John Allen in evening.
Wife and I set up turns about.
26 Nov Rained this morning. Eva seems some better. Mrs. Allen
and Chas. Allen and Mrs. Poland and John E. Carpenter were
at our place and Mrs. William Eyers, Mrs. Allen brought
flour home. It is freezing tonight.. The ground is
fearful wet. Wife and I are setting up alone tonight.
27 Nov Froze last night so I could not plow. I went down to
lower place and opened out cross furrows into the ditches
in the fall wheat. I went down town to Dr. Merrison to
get some more medicine for Eva May. He gave me some and
is to fetch me down a bottle tomorrow and will leave it at
Gale's or W.T. Henry's. I bought at Peter Cattanach's 14 1/2 yds. Denim $3.62, 10 yds. factory $1., 1/2 lb.
pressed hops 40 cts., 2 lbs. sugar 20 cts., 1 pair of

-141-

James w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
shoes for Eva May 50 cts., and 1 cap for myself.
not to Lodge.

I was

28 Nov Ditched part of day and filed Bill Poland's saw fore noon.
Eva is some better. It froze so I could not plow.
Bill
Eyers gave Willie a pullet. Father brought us up 2
pullets.
29 Nov I ditched fore noon. Dug 6 rods in the field on place
where I live. Bill Eyers got bottle of medicine that
doctor sent down for Eva. I was over to prayer meeting.
I plowed in the afternoon. Warren T. Henry asked me to
his raisen tomorrow. Mrs. Albert Henry shooting match
afternoon. Wm. Hampton gave a farewell party or dance had Sombra Big Brass Band and dance big time.
3 0 Nov I plowed fore noon. Afternoon, I was to Warren T. Henry's
raisen of shed frame. It is reported Steamer Eclipse and
all hands went down in the storm last week-.* Capt. Henry
Bury supposed to be lost in her as pieces of deck and
bodies were washed ashore with life preservers marked
Eclipse.
01 Dec I plowed all day and drew up a load of fire wood for
house.
02 Dec I was home all day. Wife and Willie went over to Mrs.
Poland's in afternoon. I stayed home with baby, Eva May.
Bill and Sie Poland and Sam Prier were to our place fore
noon. Bill & Sie shaved themselves.
03 Dec I helped John Allen saw for the one half days work he did
for me cleaning out furrows Nov. John E. Carpenter helped
him too. 1 filed the saw at noon. John and Charley came
down and fed my horses.
04 Dec I ditched fore noon. Afternoon, nothing. Wife's cousin,
Wm. Poland, and her mother were at our place for dinner,
He gave wife a nice work box with needle case scissors
bobbin thimble button hole punch price $2.50. I went over
to Lodge. It is frozen so I cannot plow. I lent Bill
Eyers my gun today.
05 Dec I ditched all day. Mrs. Peter N. Henry was visiting at
our place afternoon. Wife went home with her and got some
milk.
06 Dec I plowed all day. There was some frost. I was over to
prayer meeting. Sie Poland and Peter Chartier were
ordered out and put out of the Church.
-142-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
07 Dec It rained fore noon. I hunted from 11 am. to 2:30 PM shot one partridge and traded it with Charley Eyers for a
chicken.
I plowed part of afternoon. Show at school
house tonight.

Bethel School House

08 Dec I plowed fore noon. Wife's cousin, William Poland, came
over in the fore noon. He was to our place for dinner.
He and I went down town afternoon. I bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 1 lb. dust tea 25 cts., candy 5 cts., linen
spool 15 cts., 1 spool cotton 5 cts. We came back other
line. We were to Poland's for supper. He stayed there, I
came home.
09 Dec Our family all went over to Poland's. Willie and I went
to Sunday school. We did not stay to preaching or class
meeting. We were all to Poland's for dinner and supper.
10 Dec I plowed all day. Wife was visiting at Warren T. Henry's.
Mr. Johnston asked me to his plowing bee tomorrow.
11 Dec I was to Mr. John Allen's plowing bee. They got all done.
I was over to Lodge. A lot of them got vexed at me.
-143-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
12 Dec I plowed all day. Filed Sie Poland's saw. Sold him my
iron wedge to wedge on axe handle 20/ 1 axe handle 15 cts.
13 Dec I plowed all day.
rusted off.

Put 2 hoops on our wash tub - iron hoop

14 Dec I plowed most all day. Drew up one load of fire wood and
cleaned out furrows. It is freezing hard. Mrs. Poland
brought over one pail of flour 17 1/4 lbs. pail and all.
15 Dec I ditched 1 1/2 rods before breakfast. Froze so hard I
could not plow. I went down town and bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 1 gal. coal oil 25 cts., 5 lbs. sugar 50
cts., 1 box electric oil 25 cts., exchanged 1 spool linen
thread for 1 bot. sperm oil 10 cts., 1 spool cotton 5 cts.
16 Dec Quarterly meeting at Bethel. Neither of us were there. I
wanted wife to go, she would not, she wanted me to go and
I would not. I went over to Poland's and''borrowed their
paper.
17 Dec I drew up fire wood most all day. I minded the children
at noon while wife went over to her mother's for dress
pattern.
18 Dec I filed my saw and ground my axe. Got them done at 2:30
PM. I went out to the bush afterwards. Killed two
rabbits. Got some potatoes out of the pit. Went over to
Lodge. Rode over with Jack Broad.
19 Dec John E. Carpenter helped me draw my hay home from
father's. Drew four loads.
20 Dec I was sick - pain in my shoulder. I tended children while
wife went down to P.N. Henry's to get her dress fitted on
her. I sold my 7 ft. cross cut saw to Capt. Gales for
$2.50. I went down town and over to Marine City and
bought another 6 ft. 6 in. at 40 cts. per foot - $2.60, 1
pair handles for 40 cts., ferrage 15 cts., duties on saw
30 per cent - cost in full $4.05. I rode home with Warren
T. Henry.
21 Dec I filed Bill
bush and cut
and took the
on fire with

Poland's saw 25 cts. Afternoon, I went to
some basswood and split it for stable floor
team and drew it up. Chas. Allen set himself
his pipe. Came in to see if fire was out.

2 2 Dec I took up stable floor and cleaned out the manure under it
and laid floor again fore noon. I went down town
afternoon. Wife bought at Peter Cattanach's - nutmeg 5
cts., 1 lb. soda 5 cts,, 1 lb. tea 40 cts., 2 lbs. Raisins
-144-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
20 cts., 1 cap for wife $1., 1 bar soap 10 cts., 5 lbs.
sugar 50 cts., 5 lbs. currants 50 cts. I got at P.C.
necktie for wife for xmas present 75 cts., 1 handkerchief
$1. I got $22. in cash from Robert Stokes on wood.
36
lbs. pork $3.60 - wood to be delivered on or before the
first of July 8/ per cord in front of his place. I paid
duty on my saw I got on the 20 inst. 90 cts. and ferrage
15 cts. Got at grist mill 125 lbs. bran @ 80 per hundred.
23 Dec We all went down to father's for dinner and supper.
Stormed most all day. Sister, Lucy, and I went to Church.
Rev. Moffat preached.
24 Dec I got an oak tree for Christmas tree in Bethel Church fore
noon. Afternoon, I did chores around house all of my
family were over to Christmas tree for the Sabbath school.
Received at the door $14. proceeds to buy papers. Wife's
cousin, William Poland, came down from Petrolia. He was
at the Christmas tree.
25 Dec We were all over to Poland's for dinner. We got home
about 4:30 PM. Mrs. Allen called in to our place. Wife
gave her an apron.
26 Dec I filed my new saw fore noon. I took my team and went to
Sombra. Took down 6 bags of wheat for a grist for Mrs.
Poland.
I bought at P. Cattanach's - l gal syrup.
Wife's
cousin stayed with us tonight. Sie Poland and I sawed an
oak log off 10 inches through in 15 seconds with my new
saw.
27 Dec Snowed fore noon and part of afternoon.
hands after 4:30 PM.

I asked my bee

28 Dec I had my chopping bee. Had about 2 0 cords cut.
Sie
Poland got my team to go to Sombra for their grist - got
back a little while before we quit. The following men
were at my bee - Alexander Chartier, Bill Poland, Bill
Eyers, Pat O'Hare, John Johnston, Chas. Henry, John
Carpenter, and father, Curtis Wright, Jacob Young, Wm.
Gales, all day, Henry Grant, Frank Rivers, Chas. Allen,
Peter N. Henry, Warren T. Henry and Sie Poland afternoon.
Taffy pull at night. I took my team and got some girls.
Got Jane Poland, Mary L. Rivers, Barbara Rivers, Mary Ann
Chartier. Bill Poland and I had a few words at night - he
wanted to fight me.
29 Dec I filed saw for Bill and Sie Poland fore noon.
I was to
Mrs. Albert Henry's stove wood bee afternoon on Peter N.
Henry's place. Had about 5 or 6 cords stove wood cut.
-145-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
3 0 Dec I went down to father's fore noon. Stayed there until 3
or 4 o'clock PM. Curtis Wright yoked a couple of calves
and had them hitched up. Wife went down to P.N. Henry's
at night for some milk for her tea.
31 Dec I took Bill Poland to Courtright to take the train to
Petrolia.
I went up to Mooretown and paid Dr. Anderson
the sum of $16.10 fore noon. Afternoon, I piled some of
the wood I had cut at my bee. Got 50 cts. from John E.
Carpenter to pay balance of said note.

Joseph Dupuis Family

1893

Frederick A., George, Anna Louise, Joseph Hamilton, John Edward
Albert Charles, Joseph, Margaret (Miller), James Herbert

-146-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884

1884
Sombra Twp„, Ontario
01 Jan I was splitting and piling wood cut at my bee. Mrs.
Poland bought her cattle over to my place yesterday. I
was to Lodge. Wife went up to Mrs. Allen's afternoon. I
went up after her after lodge. We had supper there.
02 Jan I was piling and splitting and chopping wood.
snowing and blowing all day.

It was

03 Jan Very cold and stormy, snow drifting.
I hunted part of
fore noon. Shot one rabbit. I chopped part of afternoon.
Cut about 3/4 cord. I froze my chin when I was doing my
chores. The wind is blowing very hard now.
04 Jan I shot one rabbit and cut some cord wood fore noon. I
filed Allen Grant's new saw. I broke a tooth out of it.
05 Jan I drew up 6 loads of fire wood.
Poland's for jumper and chain.
06 Jan I stayed home all day.
to Church.

I was over to Mrs.

I kept children home.

Wife went

07 Jan I chopped all day. I was over to Church to see about
harvesting tea meeting. It fell through - are not going
to have it at present.
08 Jan I chopped most all day.
afternoon.

Filed a saw for Bill Moran

09 Jan I went down town to get my horse shod. I had to buy two
new shoes, I got them at Andrew Smith's - two horse shoes
2 0 cts. for hind feet and my beetle rings fixed and saw
set. I got at Peter Cattanach's - 1 box Warner's pills 2 5
cts., 6 old shoes 75 cts., 2 new shoes set beetle rings
fixed 13 cts. Got work done at Mrs. Mays. I made a rack
for my sleighs by moonlight.
10 Jan I commenced to draw wood. Drew 1 load to river and
skidded 4 loads out of the bush. Jane Poland was visiting
at our place.
11 Jan I drew 2 loads of wood to river fore noon. Afternoon, I
cut down some hickory trees for axe handles.
I got 27
lbs. flour from R. Stokes.

-147-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
12 Jan I had Bill Eyers helping me saw axe handle stuff fore
noon. I took it down to Sombra village afternoon.
Had
3/8 cord axe handle stuff @ $7. per cord $2.62 and 3/8
cord culls 93 cts. I bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1/4
lbs. pepper 6 cts., 1 quire of foolscap 25 cts. Maggie
Poland stayed at our place.
13 Jan All of my family were over to church. Wife and baby went
down to Mrs. Albert Henry's after Willie and I went home.
14 Jan I filed Allen Grant's saw and drew one load of wood fore
noon. I chopped afternoon. Mrs. George Mulligan and
Sarah Henry begging for a tea meeting.
15 Jan I drew one load of wood to the river and one out of the
bush. I helped Bill Eyers to saw logs afternoon. Mrs.
P.N. Henry and Mrs. Walker to our place for dinner.
Wife
and Mrs. Peter N. Henry went to Billy Eyers afternoon. My
new saw cuts good. Stokes bought us 100 lbs-. flour $2. on
wood.
16 Jan Mrs. Poland's cattle got out of pen and got at my hay
stack twice last night. I drew 1 load of rails and fenced
my hay stack and drew one load of wood to river. Went
down town to see about pay for my axe handle stuff. He
did not pay me. I told Wallace May to collect it and give
me credit for it on blacksmith bill. Wife and I were over
to tea meeting at Bethel Church. Took it at the door
19/13 and subscription and collection amounting to $16. or
over. I filed Allen Grant's saw.
17 Jan I drew two loads of wood to the river. Social at Bethel
tonight. Wife went down the road for some butter. Wife
was visiting at Peter N. Henry's this afternoon. The wind
is very cold and raw today.
18 Jan Bill Eyers helped me fore noon saw wood. I took a load of
wood to the river. Finished 12 cord clear and had some
left. Stokes measured it. I fixed wife's shoe at night.
Snowed some during night.
19 Jan I split wood fore noon. I helped Bill Eyers saw
afternoon. I filed Allen Grant's saw at noon.
Snowed
most all day.
20 Jan Mrs. Poland and wife and children went down to fathers. I
went over to Church and class meeting. I harnessed up my
horses and went and met them.
21 Jan I took a load of soft maple wood down to Peter Cattanach.
I bought of him - 4 lbs. sugar 40 cts., 4 lbs. butter 88
-148-

James w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
cts., 1 gal coal oil 25 cts., 1 bar soap 10 cts., 2 spools
thread 10 cts. I see Staley about oak to be put on bank
by Thos. Bury 1 s Dock. I filed my saw afternoon and cut
some stove wood. Sarah and Charlotte and Lizzie and
little Charley Henry and John Johnson were in our place in
afternoon. Curtis Wright has promised to help me saw
tomorrow. It will be in the morning.
22 Jan Curtis Wright helped me saw logs all day. We cut 11 elm
and white oak, 2 oak were 2 ft. at butt, 47 ft. long
inches at top; 3 oak 34 ft. long, 2 3 inches butt,
inches top. William Poland Sr. from Petrolia came to our
place. Brought a dress for Eva May from Mrs. Grace
Hamlyn, Bowmanville. He stayed at our place tonight.
2 3 Jan I am 3 0 years old today. Warren T. Henry and Chas. Henry
commenced to draw my logs today. Drew 8 logs 1776 ft.
board measure. Wife and children were up to Patrick
O f Hare's and Mrs. Allen's.
24 Jan I helped Warren T. Henry and Chas. Henry load 4 oak logs
that were drawing for me. First log was 58 ft. long, 23
in. at butt and 14 at top - 612 ft. board measure in it.
Second log was 47 ft. long 24 in. butt and 14 at top - 496
ft. board measure in it. Third log was 50 ft. long, 18
in. at butt, 10 at top - 254 board ft. in it.
2 5 Jan I chopped some trees down to saw afternoon. W.T. Henry
finished drawing my logs this morning. I had 10 elm and 4
long oak. Curtis Wright helped me saw some maple wood in
the afternoon, 1/2 day. I have rheumatism in my arm.
2 6 Jan I took down 1 3/4 cords maple to Peter Cattanach fore
noon. 3 cords in all. I waited at Thos. Bury's all of
afternoon for Staley to measure my logs. I was coming
home when I met him and turned back and he measured my
logs. Will pay me in a few days. I bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 1 pair boots $3.25, 4 2/16 lbs. butter 91
cts., 1 lb. tea 4 0 cts. I had to cut my Sunday wood by
lantern light. Wife's cousin stayed at our place last
night. He is from Petrolia.
27 Jan We were all over to church and class meeting. I was taken
bad with liver complaint in morning - got worse all day.
28 Jan I was sick or lame all day. Wife put some Croton oil on
me last night and it helped me some. I filed saw for
father, Capt. Gale's saw and one for Warren T. Henry
brought me up. From Peter Cattanach - 1 bottle Warner's
safe cure $1.25, 1 saw file 25 cts. I was down to
father's afternoon.
-149-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
29 Jan I sawed 3 maple logs alone and got W.T. Henry log bunks
and got 1 load of logs up to house afternoon.
I took load
to Sombra saw mill - 339 ft. maple and Staley paid me for
my elm logs 2,143 ft. at $3.45 per thousand - $8.03. Mrs.
Albert Henry was visiting at our place. I got another
load on sleigh up to house. I was over to Lodge. I paid
Warren T. Henry at Lodge for drawing my logs - 2,14 3 ft.
elm $3.21 and for two teams for one day drawing oak logs
at $5. per day. I have not got pay for oak yet.
30 Jan Rained this morning, snow is all gone off the roads. I
was up to Bill Eyer's part of fore noon. I made 4 axe
handles and 1 whip stalk wind afternoon. Is raining and
it is getting colder. Charles Henry was threshing clover
yesterday.
31 Jan I cut up oak top on plowed ground fore noon - 3/4 cords.
Wife and children went down to Warren T. Henrys.
I went
over to Marine City afternoon. Settled wi£h Staley for
oak - 1,600 ft. § $12. - $19.20. He gave me lead pencil.
Curtis Wright went with me. Sarah Henry went over to
Marine City to work for Dr. Baird. Wife got pair of shoes
for her from Mary Allen $1.75.

William & Eliza (Tomlin) Eyre

01 Feb Curtis Wright helped me saw all day. He bought 2 axe
handles @ 2 for 50 cts. and whip stalk. We sawed hard
wood.
-150-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
02 Feb Snowed some last night. I took 2 logs to saw mill fore
noon. 1 maple - 144 ft. and one elm - 66 ft. I bought at
Salvanus Green's - 10 1/2 lbs. pork $1.05, scribbling book
5 cts., 1 acct. book 10 cts. I paid Peter Cattanach $10.
on note. I killed a pig for Mrs. Poland and split wood
rest of afternoon. I paid Robert Stokes $3. for 100 lbs.
of flour he brought out for me.
03 Feb I was over to Sunday school and church. Wife and children
were visiting at Mrs. Albert Henrys. Mr. Peter Rivers is
very sick - is not expected to live. He has been sick for
some time.
04 Feb I chopped hardwood and split some all fore noon.
Chopped
afternoon. Annie Poland minded children while wife went to
Marine City. She bought 10 yds. print 80 cts., 4 1/2
print 27 cts., 2 1/2 yds. gingham 25 cts., tin pail 5
cts., 1 orange 5 cts., 1/4 candy 5.cts., 1 pocket book 10
cts., 5 Canada post cards 5 cts., 1 comb 15 cts., 1 rubber
rattle box for Eva May 20 cts., 1 apple 1 ct., error in
change at Burnhams 5 cts. She did not come home as she
ought. I went after her. I found her at Mrs. Grants. I
gave her fits for not coming home. We had a quarrel. Mr.
Rivers is no better.
05 Feb Rained last night. Froze as it rained mist this fore
noon. Mr. L. Johnston came up for me to file his new saw.
I filed it. He is to give me 1/2 days work for fixing it.
I cut some roads and a little cord wood afterwards.
Bill
Eyers went to Lawrence for some yarn and bark for his wife
- he gave me some gum.
06 Feb Stormed a little in the morning. I made a beetle and cut
one elm log - 547 ft. in it. I drew it to Sombra saw mill
afternoon and two more. I was over to Mrs. Poland's in
the evening to see her about getting balance of money for
a note for her reaper. I was to try and borrow the
balance for her for two months tomorrow. I then went up
to see Peter Rivers - he was worse. There was a lot
there, I came home. I bought at Peter Cattanach's - 4
14/16 butter $1.02.
07 Feb I took 1 load of logs to the river to Sombra mill. I
spoke to Peter Cattanach about the money for Mrs. Poland.
He said he would think about it. On the way home I saw
Albert Stoke's son, he said he would let me have it if he
had it fore noon. I got log up to house so I could saw a
chunk from it while my horses were eating. I did but it
was worse. I threw it off at house for fire wood. I cut
another one and took it to the river in the afternoon -151-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
220 ft. Mrs. Poland came over to our place afternoon to
see if I got the money for her. Peter Cattanach lent me
the money for balance of Mrs. Poland's acct. $37. Mrs.
Poland gave me the money for 2 months time from Feb. 7,
she had $15.50 and Peter Cattanach made up the balance
$37, making $55. in all. I bought at Peter Cattanach's 5 lbs. sugar 50 cts., 1 1/2 yds. tweed $1.84. I went up
to Mrs. John Allen's to see if she would not go over to
Mrs. Poland's tomorrow with wife to help Mrs. Poland
quilt, she could not go.
08 Feb Lawrence Johnston helped me to saw logs fore noon - cut 5
elm, 3 buttonwood. I took 1 buttonwood to Sombra.
Heard
that Peter Rivers was dead, he died about 11 am. and that
Mrs. Annie Wedge was dead, she died about 4 am. I was
over to see Peter Rivers, he looked natural.
I did not
stay long. Wife was up to Pat O'Hare's afternoon with the
children.
»

09 Feb Rained and snowed last night. I took down two buttonwood
logs I had loaded on the sleigh last night in fore noon.
Wife went over to her mother's with her children.
I took
down 3 elm logs afternoon.
I was over to lodge tonight.
We met to arrange for having things ready for tomorrow as
they intend to bury Peter Rivers under the auspices of the
Sons of Temperance.
10 Feb Peter Rivers was buried today. The Sons of Temperance
formed at Church and marched to house and marched back to
the church ahead of the corps - 2 abreast at the church.
They formed a line and let the corps and mourners pass
through and followed them into the church. The Sons of
Temperance ceremony was said at the house before going to
the church. Rev. Mr. Nethercott preached the funeral
sermon. His lesson was 15 chap., 1 Cor. His text was
from Rs. chap V. There were 42 teams and one horse rig in
the procession. He was buried in the burying at Thomas
Bury's. Annie Wedge was buried there too. Some of the
people were there when we got there.
11 Feb I took 2 elm saw logs to Sombra fore noon. I was over to
Marine City and got at Mrs. J.W. Backer's - 1 oz. rhubarb
root 20 cts., 2 valentines 2 cts., 10 cts. worth saffern
for Mrs. W.T. Henry. I took my pig down to father's and
got a bottle of Warner's safe cure at P. Cattanach*s. I
gave John E. Carpenter 50 cts. I borrowed of him on the
3 0th. of last December to pay note to Dr. Anderson.

-152-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884

Barbara (Robinson), John, Mary (Dusten)
Frank, Louisa (Gray) Rivers, Matilda Jane (Boylan)
William Wesley & Rebecca (Kewley)

c1888

Michael, Andrew, Annie (Mullen), Patrick, Lawrence
Mary (Devin), Susan (Moran), Lawrence Johnston, Susan CO'Hare)
Alice (Cullen) & Teressa (Cunningham)

-153-

c1895

Janes w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
12 Feb I skidded softwood fore noon - 4 cords. It rained. I
fixed Jim horse halter afternoon. Rain is freezing as it
falls.
13 Feb I skidded wood all day. It is thawing fast. I drew about
4 3/4 cords of hardwood and 1 1/4 cords softwood.
Bob
horse sick with belly ache.
14 Feb I split wood most all day. I was up last night until 3
o'clock watching Bob horse - did not get up this morning
until 8 o'clock. Wife has gone down to Peter N. Henry's
for some milk and yeast. I took my gun out with me in the
afternoon. I shot a rabbit and broke his hind leg. He
went in the bush, did not get to keep him.
15 Feb I skidded 3 loads of wood. I went down town and took my
wagon down to get it fixed. Wife went down with me.
Annie Poland stayed with our children. We went over to
Marine City. I bought at Mrs. Backer's - A , oz. sulphate
of iron 5 cts., 4 oz. gentian 20 cts., 2 oz. niter 5 cts.,
2 oz. annise seed 16 cts. Wife 1 oz ligurice root 5 cts.
Wife got at Peter Cattanach's - 5 yds. cotton 4 0 cts.,
12/16 lb. butter $1.05, 2 lbs. currants 20 cts., 3 lbs.
sugar 30 cts., 1 lb. fruit biscuits 15 cts., 1/2 lb.
cheese 7 cts. at M.L. Burnhams. I got at Peter
Cattanach's 1/4 ginger 10 cts. I had to go home with
Annie after dark.
16 Feb Willie is sick in the night - bad cold, nearly croup. I
got up at 4 o'clock am. and made a fire and gave him
electric oil. Wife went down to Warren T. Henry's to see
Dr. Merrison. He was to be there this morning. Wife came
home. Eva was sick. Maggie Poland was here. I sent her
v. down to Warren T. Henry's to tell them to send the doctor
up to my place when he came. He came to my place about
noon and left some powders for the children. I am to let
him know how they are in the morning. I filed Bill
Robert's saw and my own in the fore noon. I drew up 3
loads of fire wood in the afternoon. Curtis Wright was at
our place in the afternoon. Fetched us up a piece of
mutton. I was down to Warren T. Henry's to see what time
he is going to Courtright in the morning to see the
doctor, J.G. Merrison. He will start from his place about
8 am. Wife and I are setting up with children tonight. I
think they are a little better. Willie took worse towards
morning. We had to steam him with hops that helped him.
17 Feb I went to Courtright. Warren T. Henry did not go. Chas.
Henry went in his place. I took up a few lines from

-154-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Warren T. Henry to the Dr.
He gave me some powders for
Henry. He gave me some powders for Willie and some liquid
in a bottle for wash for his throat. My half sisters,
Lucy and Mary Carpenter, were at my place and Charlotte
Henry and Mrs. Albert Henry. Curtis Wright came up and
stayed all night. We all set up by turns. Curtis Wright
brought up some butter and milk. Children seem better.
18 Feb Curtis Wright helped me saw all day.
our place. Our children are better.
fast.

Mrs. Poland was at
Warm today, thawing

19 Feb I filed Warren T. Henry's saw 15 cts. and went down town
fore noon. I bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 gal. coal
oil 25 cts., 1 tin pail 3 quarts with lid on 30 cts., 1/2
gal. vinegar 15 cts., 1/2 lbs. salts - gave him 60 cts. to
send for bottle Northrop & Leyman Emulsion of
Hypophosphites of lime and soda. Got a ride home with
Chas. Henry. Had a ride from Capt. C. Gales with John
Nesbit. I was splitting wood afternoon. It is raining
and blowing tonight. Children seem better tonight.
I am
not very well myself - bad cold.
20 Feb Curtis Wright helped me saw wood all day - cut about 3
cords. Wife washed. Annie Poland minded the baby.
Baby
was worse last night. It froze last night quite hard.
Warren T. Henry paid me for fixing his saw.
21 Feb Curtis Wright helped me saw all day. Cut some hardwood
and some softwood. I am not very well - bad cold and
liver complaint. I cut my new boot but did not cut my
foot. Eva seems better.
22 Feb I was not very well. Went out to chop. Thought we could
skid. I came back and got the team skidded 2 1/2 cords
hardwood and 1/2 softwood. Went back to skid in
afternoon. Brought out 2 loads hardwood about one cord.
Stormed snow. We quit work.
Curtis Wright drove team.
Curtis helped me about 3/4 of day. Wife went down to
Peter N. Henry's and Chas. Henry's for our umbrella. I
took care of children.
23 Feb Curtis Wright helped me skid wood 1/2 day fore noon. I
chopped some hardwood. I filed crosscut saw for John
Moran. I went down town and bought at Peter Cattanach's 7 lbs. butter $1.54, 1 bottle electric oil 25 cts., 1
bottle castor oil 10 cts., 1 bottle Yeary's lung balsam 2 5
cts., 1 bar soap 10 cts., 1 broom 2 5 cts., Horehound candy
5 cts., 1 box matches 15 cts. Got home after dark.

-155-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
24 Feb I was home - took care of children while wife went to
church. I was down to Lawrence Johnston's a few minutes
after she came home. His Dick horse is very sick inflamation.
25 Feb Curtis Wright helped me saw wood all day. Mrs. Poland was
at our place for dinner. Snowed some most all day. Sold
Curtis Wright 1 package paper 15 cts., 2 lead pencils 10
cts.
2 6 Feb Stormed fore noon, snowed afternoon. Curtis Wright helped
me draw home a load of hay from father's that the cattle
had pulled out of my hay stack. He gave it to me for that
because the cattle had pulled it out. Turning cold.
Curtis 1/2 day. I borrowed 3 books from stepmother. I
was down there fore noon.
27 Feb Curtis Wright helped me saw cord wood fore noon.
Snowed
afternoon. I fixed my clock, could not get the striking
part to work. Tied the striking part and let it go
without it.
28 Feb I chopped alone today. Snowed some afternoon.
I filed
Jacob Young's saw. I cut 1/2 cord hickory, the rest was
softwood. I set up last night until 3 am. and kept up
fire. It was very cold. Curtis Wright was out in the
bush where I was working. Jacob Young left his saw last
night for me to file.
29 Feb I skidded wood all day. Drew out about 6 cords. I went
down to Chas. Henry's and shot a beef for him. Warren T.
Henry came after me. Curtis Wright came after me to draw
stove wood. Father was in my field that John E. Carpenter
and Chas. Allen cut for him. I told him I could not go
for him, to get somebody else - he got young Geo.
Hargrove. Wife was down to P.N. Henry's to borrow some
flour. I took care of children.
01 Mar I was taken sick last night with diarrhea. I was not able
to do anything. I took care of children while wife went
to town. She is going for her sister, Mag. Maggie was
sick and was not able to come. Thomas came over and
played with Willie. Wife did not get home until 5 PM.
She bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 pair of gurnsey
drawers $1.15, 1 lb. tea 50 cts., 1 bottle extract wild
strawberries 37 cts., 3 3/4 lbs. butter 83 cts., quine 2 5
cts. At M.L. Burnham - 2 lbs. dried apples 20 cts., 2
lbs. sugar 20 cts., candy 2 cts. Mrs. Charles Henry gave
wife a piece of beef. John Henry did my chores for me as
I was not able to do them.
-156-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
02 Mar Willie and I were to Church and Sunday school.
baby were down to Warren T. Henry's afternoon.

Wife and

03 Mar I filed Capt. Gale's saw. I found file - charged 30 cts.,
fore noon. Skidded wood rest of day - have 10 cords of
hardwood skidded to date. Wife and I had a quarrel at
noon. She does not speak to me yet tonight has not washed
dinner dishes or supper dishes either. She vexed me so at
noon I could have strangled her.
04 Mar Bob horse got down last night and could not get up. I
went and got Patrick O'Hare and John O'Hare and Bill Eyers
to help me raise him up and stopped Peter N. Henry. We
tried to lift him, he could not stand. We drew him into
cow yard on the straw with P.N. Henry's team. I chopped
part of afternoon. Horse is not dead at 9:10 PM. Pat
O'Hare was down to our place at night while wife went up
to Pat O'Hare's for some milk. I stayed with the
children.
05 Mar Bob horse was alive this morning. I loaded gun up with
ball and shot him. I chopped fore noon. Filed my saw
after dinner. Chopped afterwards. Wife and children were
over to her mother's. Henry Stokes brought me out 100
lbs. of flour, $3. on wood.
06 Mar William Eyer brought over his Jim horse and put him along
with my Jim horse and drew old Bob horse out in the bush.
Wife went down town and bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1
pair new slippers men's $1., 1 pair drawers $1.15, 4 yds.
print 40 cts., 2 1/2 yds skirting 32 cts., 2 3/4 lbs.
butter 61 cts., 2 lbs. sugar 20 cts., 1/4 lb. pepper 7
cts., posted letter 3 cts. At M.L. Burnham's - 1 lb.
smoked pork 15 cts., 2 lbs. dry apples 20 cts., safety
pins 1 ct., Marine City candy 5 cts., pink root 5 cts.,
scenna 5 cts., crocia needle 10 cts. Wife and her brother
and her sister, Jane, had their picture taken four times
together 60 cts. Sie Poland paid for it. I chopped most
of day. Annie and Maggie took care of children.
07 Mar I was down town fore noon. Took slippers back, they were
to small for me. Could not get any larger. I bought at
Peter Cattanach's - 1 yd. bleach cotton 10 cts., 1 lb.
crackers 10 cts. I cut wood afternoon. Wife washed.
Maggie Poland minded baby for wife.
08 Mar I cut wood 3/4 of day. Snowed afternoon. I worked at
Curtis Wright's skates. Maggie Poland was at our place
all day and stayed with us last night.

-157-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
09 Mar I was home all day. Bill and Sie Poland and father were
at our place for dinner. Wife went over to her mother's
afternoon. Her mother and Jane came back with her. Were
at our place for supper.

Jane, Mary and Sill Poland

1884

10 Mar Curtis Wright helped me saw cordwood all day. Chas. Henry
had my Jim horse to draw ties to River, his other horse
being lame. I am to have his horse to skid wood along
with my Jim horse.
11 Mar I filed Simon Poland's saw fore noon. He helped me split
wood in the afternoon. It is thawing very fast, snow near
all gone. Curtis Wright stayed with us last night.
I put
a patch on his boot at night 10 cts. Chas. Allen borrowed
my saw for tomorrow.
12 Mar I split wood fore noon. Filed Warren T. Henry's saw
afternoon 25 cts. and chopped some cord wood.
I was down
to see Bill Poland about building line fence between me
and Bill Eyers. He promised to do it.
-158-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1883
13 Mar I skidded wood all day. I had Chas. Henry's gray horse
along with my Jim horse. Skidded about 8 cords. I have
about 9 cords hardwood and 3/4 of softwood in follow. I
borrowed Warren T. Henry's chain - he paid me for fixing
his saw 25 cts. I finished wooding Curtis Wright's skates
varnished them and 50 cts. and sewing machine and 2
picture frames and looking glass frame. Heard blue bird
singing for first time 1884.
14 Mar I helped Chas. Allen all day cutting wood on Chas. Henry's
place. Wife went to Sombra. Annie Poland minded
children. Wife bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 pr. shoes
for wife $1.25, 3 lbs. sugar 30 cts., 1 bar soap 10 cts.
At M.L. Burnham's - 2 lbs. dried apples 20 cts., 2 2/16
lbs. butter 42 cts. I shot an owl on Chas. Henry's place
at noon.
15 Mar I helped Curtis Wright saw all day.for father on Jacob
Young's place - cutting cord wood. Curtis is to help me
back next Tuesday. Wife was down to P.N. Henry's
afternoon. Willie was down to Pat Sheeran's with Annie
Poland for some butter for Mrs. Poland 2/ per pound.
16 Mar I was over to Church. I was late for Sabbath school.
Wife and children were down to Warren T. Henry's
afternoon. Miss Mary Rivers asked me for 50 cts. I signed
for mission fund on 30 of Sep. last. I had forgotten it.
I went to Warren T. Henry's after church. We were there
for supper.
17 Mar I could not sleep, got up 2:15 am. Filed my saw fore noon
and fixed striking part of my clock fore noon. Saw a
meadow lark this fore noon. Curtis Wright brought me up
pinchers to fix my clock. He and Mrs. Poland were at our
place for dinner. I chopped and sawed afternoon and took
some potatoes out of pit. Some of them are frozen.
Curtis Wright was up afternoon with his 2 yoke of calves.
18 Mar I woke up at 3 am., thought there was something wrong in
the stable. I went out, everything was all right. Then
went up to Bill Eyers, woke him up and went and looked in
his stable, alright there. I then went as far as Pat
O'Hare's and listened, alright there. There seemed to be
a moaning sound like a horse in pain, could not find out
what it was. Chas. Allen helped me saw all day for the
day I helped him. We cut some cord wood and fence blocks.
We heard frog singing. I was over to Lodge at Bethel.
19 Mar Rained most all day. I went over to see Bill Poland about
fencing. He is going to commence to split rails in the
morning for Bill Eyer's fence. I was at Poland's for

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
dinner. I went from there to Sombra, bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 3 1/2 lbs. butter 87 1/2 cts. I looked at
Thomas Parker's horse. He does not suit me, he wanted
$65. for him. I stopped as I came back and looked at
Frank River's horses, he wanted $200. for the team. I
spoke to Robert Stokes for some clover seed, he promised
me it if Bill Hargrove did not take it.
20 Mar Rained and snowed fore noon. Bill and Sie Poland came
over to our place and cut Willie and my hair and Chas.
Allen's. I sewed up a rip in Mr. John Allen's boot. Bill
Poland and Sie Poland and myself split rails - 118 for
fence between Bill Eyers and myself. Poland heifer calved
today. Bill had to go after her.
21 Mar Bill and Sie Poland and myself split rails - 60 for side
of Bill Eyer's fence fore noon. Afternoon we split rails
for fence between Peter Prier and me. Laid part of it up
- have about 4 rods yet to do.
22 Mar I helped Bill Poland split and lay up rails. Laid the
foundation across 25 acres and finished some of same.
Finished across Peter Prier's fore noon. Eva seems to
have a cold, we are afraid she will have the croup, I hope
not. Dr. J.G. Merrison sent John Conlin to me with my
acct. to Dr. Merrison to be paid by Tuesday next to be
left at Peter Cattanach's store, Sombra Village - amount
$14.30.
2 3 Mar I was to Sabbath school and preaching and class meeting.
John E. Carpenter was into our place as he was going back
to Grey's to work. He wanted to borrow my saw gauge.
24 Mar I helped Bill & Sie Poland split rails and lay them up.
We finished their share of line fence and finished
splitting rails for my part and split 40 for my part of
line fence between Bill Eyer's and me. I got a log with 2
rail cuts in from Bill Poland - made 27 rails. I am to
give same back to him. Lawrence Johnston bought horse
Saturday, day before yesterday.
25 Mar I went down to Bob Stoke's to get some money to pay Dr.
J.G. Merrison (to borrow it). He said he did not have it.
He paid me $15. on hardwood. I went down town, was at
Chester Henry's for dinner. I waited until near night to
see John Conlin, Dr. Merrison's collector. He did not
come. I got home after dark, had supper at Mrs. Poland's.
I saw Wm. Hamilton about wagon, his charges are $6.10
namley 12 spokes § 20 cts. $2.40, 6 fellows $1.20, 2
bowlsters with stakes $2.50 $6. Wallace May charges for
ironing same $2., has bench yet to fix. I tried to sell
-160-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
my logs in boom to the saw mill.
for $10., he would not buy them.

Twp. Assessment for Poland Farm

I offered them to him

1884

26 Mar I started to Wallaceburg to find me a horse in the
morning, got there about 2:30 PM Saw a horse at W.A. Pont
- had partly made a bargain for him thus I was to give him
$100. for him to have six months for the first note $50.
and 12 months for the balance. I was to come on tomorrow.
I then went out to Wm. Tweedle, got there about 5 PM.
Rained part of the day. Maggie Poland stayed with wife.
27 Mar I stayed at Wm. Tweedle's last night. Stayed with them
until noon. Started from there after dinner, went to W.A.
Pont. We went and got note drawn up. I have to pay 10
per cent interest, 1 note for six months $50. § 10% and
other at 12 months to be paid at Steinhoff & Lillies
banking office in Wallaceburg. He gave me the notes to
bring home with me to get backers to them. We went over
to his stable and he gave me the horse. I started for
-161-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
home. I am to send him the notes back first of next week
by mail. I walked most of the way and rode the horse the
rest. Got home after dark. I got some Salvation Army
books at Tweedle's to bring home with me.
2 8 Mar I harnessed up my horses and went to Sombra for my wagon.
Wife went down with me. We walked down in fore noon. I
borrowed the Miller's wipheltrees to bring my wagon home
(gave them to him when he was going home from Wilkesport)
Wife rode home with Warren T. Henry, she bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 2 lbs. raisins 20 cts., 5 1/2 lbs. sugar 50
cts., 2 lbs. currants 20 cts., 2 lbs. crackers 20 cts.,
and at W.T. Henry's - 1 3/4 lbs. butter 35 cts. I brought
a jag of hay home from father's afternoon. Took shoes
from hind feed of horses this morning.
29 Mar I filed John Sheeran's saw 30 cts. and got out some
potatoes from pit fore noon. I harnessed up my horses and
went out to draw some rails for line fence between Bill
Eyer's and me. The ground is soft, cracked my new horse a
little. Drew four loads of rails. Brought them to stable
and took shoes off from front feet. Father backed my note
to W.A. Pont for $50. at 10% interest per annum for twelve
months from the 27 inst. I asked Warren T. Henry to back
the other. He would not. I paid father $15. on hay I
bought from him last fall.
30 Mar I and Willie were over to Sunday school. Charlotte Henry
and Mrs. Albert Bowen were to our place for supper. Wife
went down to P.N. Henry's after supper.
31 Mar I helped Bill and Sie Poland lay up fence. I had Bill
Eyers all day helping too. I drew the rails with my team.
Finished the fence between Bill Eyers and me. It is
snowing and hailing tonight. Bill Eyers promised to back
my note for $50. for my horse for six months. Willie and
Eva May are both sick with a bad cold. Charlotte Henry
got a package of w. paper 15 cts.
01 Apr Raining, I went up to Bill Eyers. He backed my note. I
went down town afternoon and posted the notes by
registered mail. I bought at Peter Cattanach's - 5 lbs.
sugar 50 cts., pkg. cabbage seed 15 cts., 1 razor strap 20
cts. I saw Bob Stokes, asked him if I could 100 lbs.
flour from him. He said yes and he had some grass seed to
sell (timothy).
Gave Dr. Merrison my note for $14.30 due
in three months payable at Sarnia.
02 Apr Snowed some today. Charlotte Ann Henry was up sewing on
our sewing machine. I went down to Bob Stokes afternoon
for flour - got 100 lbs. $3., 1/2 bushel clover seed $3.,
-162-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
1 bushel timothy seed $2. It is freezing tonight.
got 1 lb. butter from Mrs. Allen 20 cts.

Wife

03 Apr I went down to father's and got a small jag of hay. I
spoke to Jacob Young for 1 1/2 tons of hay. He said I
could have it for $6. per ton. Waits until after harvest
for pay. I cut some cord wood afternoon and was over to
Mrs. S. Poland's to see Bill Poland where he put my beatle
and wedge. He wanted me to plow his ground for him. He
offered to cut me 12 cords of wood for doing it. I told
him I would. Annie Poland helped wife this afternoon.
Wife went up to Mrs. John Allen's for a lb. of butter, got
it. Mrs. Adam Moffat was at our place taking
subscriptions for a book entitled Mother Home and Heaven.
I did not take it. Mrs. Bill Eyers was here for wife to
go to prayer meeting. She did not go, we did not have our
supper.
04 Apr Curtis Wright borrowed my axe and left me his. Bill and
Sie Poland were chopping for me today. I plowed one land
in potato ground fore noon. I filed my saw for Poland
boys at noon. I drew there rails and laid them up on my
share of line fence between Poland's and me. Jammed my
finger. Taffy pull at Robert's tonight. Mrs. Poland's
heifer hurt hens leg for us this morning. Our children
are sick with bad colds. I am afraid Eva May will have
croup.
05 Apr Some of the lads from the taffy pull threw a chunk of clay
into my window and broke out one light and cracked
another. I went down and saw John Henry. He said young
Geo. Hargrove was throwing chunks but did not see him
throw at my house. John said first he did not know
anything about it until I cornered him right up. I went
down to Jacob Young's for some hay and went down to Wm.
Hargrove's and told him George, his son, threw chunks into
my window. He said he would talk to him about it. I got
670 lbs. of hay at Jacob Young's fore noon. I went down
afternoon for another load - got 875 lbs. Roads are very
bad, Curtis Wright gave me $2.25 for my axe and handle
that squares him and I to date.
06 Apr I was home all day. Wife was up to Mrs. Allen's fore noon
and part of afternoon. I kept children at home. Mrs.
Poland came over and was to our place for dinner.
Father
came up to our place afternoon and stayed for supper.
John E. Carpenter called on his way to Gray's.
07 Apr I went down to Jacob Young's for hay - got 855 lbs. fore
noon and 7 5 lbs. afternoon. Frank Rivers, John Johnston,
and Sarah and Charlotte Henry were into our place in the
-163-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
evening. Wife was down to Warren T. Henry's to get some
eggs to set. They came up with her.

Peter Nathaniel Henry Family

c1912

George, Peter, John, Emma (Young), James & Charlotte

08 Apr I sewed grass seed part of fore noon on lower place east
side north end first field. I sewed about one bushel 1/2
timothy, 1/2 clover on about 2 1/2 acres. I went into my
big pit of potatoes and took out a few mammonth pearl that
kept good. I plowed down to lower place afternoon.
It
snowed some last night. The ground is very soft. I was
to Lodge, paid Rev. Nethercott 50 cts. missionary money I
signed in fall.
09 Apr Snowed some last night. I was down to lower place
plowing. Wife got 1/2 lb. butter at Mrs. Allen's and took
sh6es back to Mary Allen that she got from her some time
ago.
10 Apr I plowed fore noon lower place and part of afternoon.
Stormed some afternoon - snow and rain. Mrs. Peter Henry
borrowed 11 3/4 lbs. pail, and all. I went up to Jacob
Young's for some firewood (No9). I did not get much.
Mrs. Poland was over this evening. Bill Poland brought my
saw home. They finished cutting the 12 cords.
11 Apr Sewed my cabbage seed before sunrise in hot bed early
winning stock south end of the bed and marble head
mammouth drumhead in center and pepper red dutch for
-164-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
picking and paper of red dutch for pickling.
I was
plowing part of the day lower place, west side of ditch.
Wife and children were to Chas. Henry's afternoon.
12 Apr I was plowing part of the day lower place. Got a load of
firewood from Jacob Young's place fore noon. Wife got 1
10/16 lbs. butter from Mrs. Allen 20 cts. per lb. I moved
old straw stack bottom into fence corners, lower place
afternoon.
13 Apr I harnessed up the horses and took wife and children over
to her mother's. Mrs. William Eyers rode over with us. I
brought team home again and went over to Sabbath school.
Willie came with Thomas Poland. I stayed to class and
prayer meeting. I went up to Mrs. Poland's after that,
was there for supper.

Alonzo Lapish Family

1908

Mrs. Frank Rivers, her daughter, Elsie, Grace, Ivan, Esther (HENRY),
Arlington, Rory & Alonzo

14 Apr I plowed down to lower place. Annie Poland came over and
minded the children while wife went to town. She called
in to see Mrs. Alonzo Lapish. She gave wife a bottle of
Warner's safe cure near full for me. Maggie Grant came
over for our bed pan for Mrs. Lapish, who is sick with
consumption - last stage. Wife bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 2 lbs. currants 20 cts., 1 lb. raisins 10
-165-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
cts., 4 lb. sugar 4 0 cts., 4 yds. linen 80 cts., 2 yds.
factory 16 cts. John Sheeran is sewing today. I
commenced to pile up manure while horses are eating.
Thomas Harrison is sewing today.
15 Apr Rained last night and fore noon today. I finished sewing
grass seed lower place fore noon. I piled manure
afternoon. There came some lumps on Charley horse last
night on the right side of his belly. Simon Poland came
over with his saw for me to fix. He borrowed mine.
16 Apr Stormed all day, rain and snow. I partly ground and
partly filed Bill and Sie Poland's saw. Wife was down to
Peter N. Henry's twice for sweet and sour milk. Mrs. P.N.
Henry gave her some butter.
17 Apr I piled
pull on
usual.
sister,

manure all day. William Roberts is having a taffy
Mary P. birthday - 19 years. Wife'washed, ugly as
Curtis Wright, Lilly Dinia, Pat O'Hare's wife's
called afternoon.

18 Apr I plowed down to lower place all day. Got 1 1/2 lbs.
butter from Mrs. Albert Henry 3 3 cts. I am to give her 1
bushel potatoes 65 cts. per bushel. Mrs. Poland and Mrs.
L. Johnston were at our place afternoon. Curtis Wright
came and got some strawberry plants. Uncovered small pit
of potatoes. Peter N. Henry got 1/2 bushel of them, some
of them are froze. Wife went down to Peter N. Henry's in
the evening for flour they borrowed of us. Our cabbage
plants are up, sewn last week.
19 Apr I plowed fore noon. Quit for it was to wet. Peter N.
Henry got 1/2 bushel of potatoes. I took a bushel for
Mrs. Albert Henry. I went down to lower place after and
cleaned out some furrows and piled over the old straw
stack on east side. Wife and children were down to P.N.
Henry 1 s.
2 0 Apr Wife went to church and I stayed home and took care of the
children.
21 Apr I was drawing manure from old stack bottom, lower place
most all day. I borrowed Bill Eyer's chain. Wife went
down town and bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 1/2 lbs.
butter 22 cts. per lb., 3 lbs. sugar 27 cts., 2 lbs.
raisins 20 cts., 3 lbs. currants 30 cts., 1 bar soap 10
cts., 1 bottle electric oil 25 cts., 1 crosscut saw file
25 cts., candy 5 cts., 4 yds. blue jane 80 cts., 2 yds.
cotton 20 cts., 1 lb. tea 50 cts. At S. Green's - 2
loaves cream bread.
-166-

James w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
22 Apr I plowed at lower place all day. I was to Pat Sheeran's
to get some flour. He did not have any. I fixed my
fanning mill. I borrowed 23 lbs. flour from Mrs. Bill
Eyers - pail and all. Cleaned up some in evening. I was
over to Lodge. Paid my dues. Patrick Sheeran sewed 14
bushels peas yesterday on sod plowed last fall.
23 Apr I commenced to sew barley - sewed 3 1/2 bushels. I have
got it to furrow it out yet. Wife has gone down the road
for some butter. I am staying with children.
24 Apr I sewed 2 1/2 bushels of barley and about 1/2 acre to
grass seed - timothy with a little clover in it. Harrowed
it once after I sewed the grass seed. Mrs. Albert Henry
and her little girl, Stella, and Mrs. Peter Henry and
Miss. Sarah Henry were at our place for supper. Miss.
Charlotte Henry. Had a white frost last night.
25 Apr I sewed 3 1/2 bushels of barley and sewed the same with
grass seed. I have part of it to drag over again. We got
a letter from Alpena. Cousin, Lizzie McKay, is dead.
Died in confinement on March 17, 1884. Wife and children
were down to father's and got some top onions from them.
26 Apr John E. Carpenter helped me today. He drove the team
harrowing and furrowing out. I sewed 1 bushel of barley.
We harrowed over that. I sewed grass seed. Mrs. Poland
was to our place for dinner. Maggie Poland took care of
the children while wife went to village. She bought at
Peter Cattanach's - 2 1/2 lbs. butter 55 cts., 2 lbs.
prunes 16 cts., 4 lbs. currants 40 cts., 2 lbs. raisins 20
cts., 2 lbs. sugar 20 cts., candy 5 cts. At Salvanus
Green's - 4 loaves of baker's bread 28 cts., 2 1/4 lbs.
beef 18 cts., 1 orange 4 cts. Wife got a letter from her
cousin in Germany. Curtis Wright was to our place for
supper.
27 Apr Wife and children were over to her mother's fore noon.
Maggie Poland stayed at our place last night and
yesterday. It rained some at noon and then cleared off.
I did not go over until the afternoon. Wife's brother,
William Poland, is going to Saginaw tomorrow. We were all
there for supper. I wrote a letter for wife to cousin in
Germany.
28 Apr I sewed 4 bushels of barley at place where I live. Wife
put out some garden seeds such as onions, cucumbers,
citron, parsnips and wife set two hens today - 13 eggs
under each hen. I borrowed 23 lbs. flour from Mrs. Bill
Eyers - pail and all.
-167-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
29 Apr I sewed 2 bushels of barley. John E. Carpenter drove team
for me. I took my potatoes out of the pit - a few were
frozen and a few rotten. I planted a tin pail full for
early ones - part beauty of Hebron and part extra early
Vermont. Annie Poland helped wife yesterday and today.
Mrs. Bill Eyers and Lillian Dinna called in the evening.
Cleaned up rest of barley - had 4 bushels - are going to
boil it for horses.
30 Apr I commenced to sew oats on lower place in back field.
Sewed 4 1/2 bushels. Wife went down town. Annie Poland
took care of children. Wife bought at Peter Cattanach's 2 lbs. crackers 20 cts., 3 lbs. sugar 3 0 cts., 4 lbs.
prunes 32 cts. At M.L. Burnham's - candy 2 cts., 1 lb.
candles 14 cts.
01 May I sewed 4 1/2 bushels of oats
It rained some. I lost about
were up to Mr. John Allen's.
bushels barley for Mr. Allen.
up 100 lbs. flour from Robert

on back field, lower place.
1 hour. Wife and children
Bill Eyers dragged in 3
Peter N. Henry brought us
Stoke's yesterday.

02 May I sewed 6 1/2 bushels of oats lower place. Blew very
hard. Wife and children were over to examination (school)
in afternoon.
03 May I sewed 1 bushel of oats and finished dragging them in and
furrowed them out in afternoon. Cleaned out all of the
furrows. Heavy frost last night. Wife went down town
afternoon. Maggie Poland took care of children.
She
bought at Peter Cattanach's - 3 lbs. sugar 24 cts., 1 tea
(Young Hyson) 25 cts., 3 1/2 lbs. butter 77 cts.
04 May Rained most all day. I went down to father's.
I was
there for dinner and supper. Charlotte A. Henry was at
our place for dinner and supper. I cared for children and
wife went down with her. Lucy Carpenter was home today.
05 May I plowed for Mrs. Poland today for barley. Wife was up to
Pat O'Hare's all day. Eva May was 1 year old today.
Frank Prier was married today.
06 May I plowed fore noon for Mrs. Poland. Sewed 2 bushels of
barley and dragged in for her in afternoon. Wife and baby
were to Mrs. Albert Henry's. It rained some in afternoon.
Willie went over to his grandmother's with me.
07 May It rained or misted most all day. I went down town. I
bought at Peter Cattanach's - 4 lbs. prunes 3 2 cts., 4
lbs. butter 88 cts. I tried to sell my logs at the saw
-168-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
mill. I could not do it. The saw mill man allows me
$4.50 for buttonwood turnes on sawing other. I tried to
get some seed oats - could not do it as I didn't have the
money. I planted near a peck of beauty of Hebron potatoes
after I came home.
08 May I went down to John Cattanach's to see if he had any oats
- he had no more to sell. I tried to borrow $10. from Pat
Sheeran - he said he did not have it. I went down to Bob
Stoke's and got $10. on wood and bought 18 bushels oats
from Pat O'Hare for 40 per bushel $7.60 and 1/2 bushel
hungarian grass 62 cts.
09 May I sewed 3 1/2 bushels of oats on east side of ditch and
finished plowing at lower place east side at lower place.
Wife has gone down the road for some yeast in the evening.
1 am with the children.
10 May I finished sewing oats. Finished east side of ditch all
but furrowing out and commenced on the west side. It
rained and I had to quit afternoon - part of it. Wife
went down town afternoon and bought at Peter Cattanach's 2 straw hats 50 cts., 1 straw hat for wife 55 cts., 1 baby
hat for Eva May 37 cts., 1 pair w. hose for wife 15 cts.,
1 yd. lace 13 cts., 1 pair boys shoes for Willie $1., 1
pair woman's shoes $1.25, 1 spool 5 cts., ribbon 4 cts.,
1/2 yds. elastic 2 cts., 1 yd. ribbon 15 cts., candy 3
cts., 4 lbs. prunes 32 cts., 3 1/4 lbs. butter 73 cts.
Rained part of afternoon. I set out 75 cabbage plants.
11 May I was to church
John Allen were
not expected to
consumption.
I

and class meeting. Mrs. Poland and Mrs.
visiting at our place. Mrs. Lapish was
live last night - is worse today. She has
turned the horses out for first time.

12 May Slight frost last night. I sewed 3 bushels of oats. John
E, Carpenter drove team for me until 4 PM. I cleaned out
the furrows on the east side of ditch. Team plowed
afternoon. Mrs. Alonzo Lapish died last night. My
shoulder took lame again last night.
13 May Mrs. Alonzo Lapish was buried today. Rev. Nethercott
preached the funeral sermon at Bethel. She was buried in
Courtright. English burying ground. Dean Armstrong took
charge of burial service. It rained part of the
afternoon.
I was to funeral service at Bethel.
I did not
go to the burying ground. I cleaned up oats afternoon and
hungarian grass seed - 1/2 bushel, 8 bushels oats. Team
was in the stable all day. Wife was up to Mrs. John
Allen's for some soap. I was over to Lodge. Wind blew
hard from west.
-169-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
14 May I plowed all day at lower place. Finished plowing
southwest side of front field. Wife was over to her
mother's to get her dress fitted to her. Her mother's
cows came over on this line. Wife took them home.
Curtis
Wright came up for some wax ends and string at Bill
Robert's.
15 May I plowed lower place all day. Plowed 1 1/4 acre north
end, west side, north of ditch - 22 2/11 rods long south
side is 46 rods long. Very cold tonight.
16 May I sewed 6 1/2 bushels of oats, 1 1/4 bushels of them were
white Russian oats. John E. Carpenter drove my team for
me. We had no frost last night. I had 24 bushels sewn.
Wife was down town afternoon and bought at Peter
Cattanach ! s - 3 lbs. sugar 34 cts., 5 lbs. prunes 4 0 cts.,
5 3/4 lbs. butter $1.14, 2 bars soap 20 cts., 1 lb. bluing
2 5 cts. She left children at her mother's. Maggie helped
her carry basket from her mother's.
>•*
17 May I finished seeding - sewed about 2 bushels of oats, plowed
fore noon. Finished harrowing afternoon, lower place.
Brought plow and harrow home. John E. Carpenter helped me
part of afternoon. Turned my horses out for the first
time tonight. Willie went bare foot today. I sewed 16
1/2 bushels of barley and 35 bushels of oats, 1 bushel
timothy seed and 1/2 bushel of clover seed.
18 May Mrs. Poland and her daughter, Jane, were over to our place
for dinner. I was to preaching and class meeting.
Walter
Shortt was at our place for supper.
19 May I plowed Mrs. Poland's potato and corn ground and harrowed
some of it. Rained some afternoon, raining now 10:15 PM.
20 May I went down to Jacob Young's for buggy to go to William
Tweedle's, 4 miles east of Wallaceburg. Left home 12 am.
noon and got to Tweedles about 5 PM. John E. Carpenter
and Mrs. Allen went down with us. We took Eva May with
us. Left Willie at his grandmother Poland's. Went to
Church at night, one mile from Tweedle's, east to hear
Salvation Army. It was midnight when we got to Tweedle's.
21 May We left for home 9 am. from Tweedle's. Got as far as
James Allen's. Mrs. John Allen was there. They would
have us stay for dinner. We stayed, they gave wife some
tomato plants. We left there 12:30 PM. Stayed in
Wallaceburg about 2 hours. I bought 1 bushel of millet
seed $1.25, 2 lbs. flax seed 10 cts., turnip seed 5 cts.,
nuts 5 cts., 2 7/16 lbs. cod fish 18 cts., candy 3 cts.,
-170-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
hulled corn 10 cts, William Tweedle gave me 1 bushel ears
seed corn, a red duet corn 2 weeks earlier than the white
duet.
22 May I finished Mrs. Poland's potato and corn ground fore noon
and commenced to plow my own corn and potato ground.
Rained in the evening.
2 3 May I finished my corn ground all except west head land. Wife
washed fore noon and went to town afternoon.
Maggie
stayed with the children. She bought at Peter Cattanach's
- 3 4/16 lbs. butter 22 cts. per lb., 1 deep dish 30 cts.,
5 lbs. prunes 40 cts., 3 lbs. sugar 24 cts., 1/2 lb. tea
25 cts., 1 lb. soda biscuits 10 cts., 1 package yeast
cakes 10 cts. Rained some this evening. I gave father
some cabbage plants and set some out for myself.
24 May I harrowed my corn and potato ground and sewed 1 bushel of
beans and 2 lbs. flax seed. Maggie Poland was at our
place all day.
25 May I and Willie were over to Sunday school and class meeting.
Wife and Eva were to her mother's.
26 May I planted 3 1/2 bushels of beauty of Hebron and 24 lbs.
white elephant and 15 3/4 lbs. bells. Wife went down town
and bought at Peter Cattanach's - 5 lbs. prunes 40 cts.,
1/2 lb. pepper, 1 doz. tart tins 12 cts., lamp chimney 10
cts., 1 slate for Willie, 1 first book 5 cts. She sold
some pie plant 10 cts. Mrs. Warren T. Henry got some
cabbage plants. Wife gave her 2 1/2 doz. eggs for some
butter. Maggie Poland stayed with the children.
27 May I planted 16 1/2 lbs. extra early Vermont and mammouth
pearl - 11 lbs., Burbank seedling - 14 lbs., and planted
11 lbs. of corn which I finished planting the field I
plowed on lower place in afternoon. Wife went down to
Mrs. Christopher Walker's to a quilting. She took Eva
with her. Maggie Poland stayed with Willie.
I got 100
lbs. flour from Patrick Sheeran on time.
28 May I plowed on lower place all day.
dinner to me.

Wife bought down my

29 May We had a heavy frost last night, froze off fall wheat,
barley and oats and almost every thing else. Froze ice on
our chip pile where wife left water in for chickens - 1/2
in. thick. John E. Carpenter helped me all day at Pat
0'Hare's raisen of stable. I plowed lower place all day.

-171-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
30 May I plowed lower place all day. Wife was up to Mrs. John
Allen's part of day. I finished plowing millet ground and
hungarian ground. Looks some like rain tonight.
The
frost has destroyed all of my fall wheat, barley and oats.
We had some cucumbers up and I covered them with grain
bags and it froze some of them through the bag night
before last.
31 May I dragged corn ground and some ground once over to sew
millet on. I cleaned off a small piece ground on the east
side of swamp and sewed it to turnips, beets and carrots.
01 Jun I stayed home all day.
mother's.

Wife and children were at her

02 Jun I finished harrowing over my Hungarian and millet ground
before sewing and got stakes for my wagon rack to draw
cord wood. Wife went, down the road this evening. I
stayed with the children. I planted 1/2 bushel potatoes
on the lower place.
03 Jun I commenced to draw wood to Bob Stokes - drew two loads.
I set out 64 cabbage plants, the ground is very dry. I
watered the ground as I set them out. Annie Poland left
John Edgar Bury's. I was up to see Mrs. John Allen's cow,
she is sick.
04 Jun I drew two loads of wood to Stokes and took wife down town
in the afternoon with the team. She bought at Peter
Cattanach's store - 4 yds. window blinds $1., 1 box axel
grease 15 cts., 1 lb. ginger cakes 16 cts., 6 lbs. prunes
40 cts., 1 lb. soda 10 cts., 4 lbs. sugar 32 cts., 3 lbs.
butter 60 cts., 4 yds. cotton 32 cts., 2 pair hose 40 cts.
Annie Poland stayed with the children.
05 Jun I worked on the road in side line doing statue labour. I
was allowed 3 day for myself, team and scraper. I
borrowed Bill Eyer's scrapper. The ground is very hard
grain. Sow had pigs last night - 4 of them.
06 Jun I drew 2 loads of wood to Robert Stokes fore noon. I
tried to set my tire in the afternoon. I got it a little
tighter. I did it down in the bush and drew up a load of
wood for tomorrow morning. Fixed slip gap in south fence
for drawing wood through. My corn is coming up. Mrs.
Bill Eyers called in the evening. Wife was over to Thomas
Mulligan's to see John Brown's wife - she is dying with
consumption - some better this afternoon. Willie stayed
with me. She took Eva with her, left her at her mother's
while she went to Mulligan's.
-172-

J&iaes w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
07 Jun I drew two loads of wood to Stokes. Brought up two
barrels of water - one for father and one for myself.
Killed potato bugs after tea. Drew up load of fire wood ,
hoed and watered some cabbage. Wife went down to Warren
T. Henry's for some tea milk in the evening.
I took care
of the children.
08 Jun Lucy L. Carpenter and Charlotte A. Henry came up to our
place for wife to go over to Mrs. Poland's to see Jane
Poland. We all went over. I came back to get myself
ready and went to Church. Wife and children were all
there. We were all at Mrs. Poland's for supper.
I got a
letter from wife's cousin in Germany.
09 Jun I drew three loads of wood to Bob Stokes. It was very
sultry in the morning, the wind blew from the north about
9 am. and it turned cold and was cold the rest of the day
and began to rain about 6:30 PM. Wife filled straw ticks
for bed.
10 Jun Rained most all day. I brought up my horses and kept them
in the stable. I set out 273 cabbage plants and had 64
out making 337. Wife went over to her mother's for some
butter. I stayed with the children. John E. Carpenter
cut Willie's hair. Turned horses out about 6 PM. Chas.
Henry borrowed 7 lbs. 6 oz. of beans from me to plant over
his bean ground. Some of his did not come up.
11 Jun I hoed early potatoes and picked potato bugs and set out
some tomato plants fore noon. I sewed millet on lower
place. Sewed corn ground to millet. Birds are pulling
corn up. Some of my carrots are coming up on lower place.
Fall wheat is heading up on lower place. Wheat was headed
out on June 8 on place where I live.
12 Jun Wife got 5 lbs. of butter from her mother at 62 1/2 cts. paid her with stuff out off the store - 1 3/4 yds. cotton
17 cts., 1 yd. luster 15 cts., 1 spool thread 5 cts., 3
lbs. sugar 24 cts. Wife got this at Peter Cattanach's.
Got for herself - 1 lb. sugar 8 cts., 1 bar soap 10 cts.,
2 yds. lace 8 cts., 1 lamp chimney 10 cts., 1 spool cotton
5 cts. Maggie Poland stayed with the children. I
finished sewing my hungarian and millet - 21 lbs.
hungarian and 1 bushel millet. Finished furrowing it out
fore noon. Got some 6 week beans from father's. Cows got
into field, lower place. I planted some of the beans.
Got done with hungarian grass and millet about 2 PM.
13 Jun I went down to lower place and cleaned out furrows in
millet ground. I drove my bees out of log into pine box.
Commenced to drive out about 11:30 am., got them out about
-173-

J&iaes w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
2:30 PM. Mr. Chas. Allen helped me. Mrs. Poland was over
and helped wife to strain honey. Will have about 6 gal.
of strained honey. John E. Carpenter and Pat Sheeran were
up in the evening and Peter N. Henry. Gave them some
honey to eat. Wife gave neighbour's some honey.
14 Jun I took wife down town with some honey - got 1/ per lb. for
it at S. Green's. Got there - 3 loaves bread 21 cts., 5
3/4 lbs. pork 72 cts. Lucy L. Carpenter road up from town
with us. Wife stayed at father's for dinner and Lucy came
up with her. Maggie Poland stayed with the children. I
picked potato bugs and picked up some in the follow. John
E. Carpenter and Curtis Wright called this evening.
Lucy
is going to stay all night.
15 Jun Sister, Lucy L. Carpenter, stayed with us last night. Her
and wife went to Sombra to hear the _ _ _ _ _ band. I stayed
home with children. Mrs, P o l a n d ^ bees swarmed, she came
over after me about 4:30 PM to make a hive and hive them
for her, I did. I took children over with me. When we
got back, wife was home and Mrs. Peter N. Henry and Mrs.
Albert Henry were at our place with her.
16 Jun I took my horses to Wall. May Black Smith Shop to get them
shod - had 8 shoes set and a new clevis bolt for little
plow clevis 10 cts. Bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1
clothes basket 25 cts., 1/2 lb. tea 25 cts., 2 snaps 10
cts. Got home at noon. I drew one load of hardwood and
fetched father's folks a barrel of water. Bill Robert's
told me at base line, that my bees had swarmed. I hurried
home. Mrs. William Roberts tried to hive them but could
not, she sent for Chas. Allen. He came and got part of
them in hive. When I came home, I got the rest of them
in. Wife was not at home, she was over to her mother's
for some buttermilk. Bees left hive 4:30 PM. I got 100
lbs. of flour from Robert Stokes $3.25. Bees had left the
old hive, I drove part of them in and put them in a new
one.
17 Jun I worked on the road with my team under George Mulligan.
I picked potato bugs after supper and dug 30 black grubs
from potato hills.
18 Jun I worked on road fore noon under Geo. Mulligan afternoon.
I drew a load of hardwood to Stokes. It rained hard at
river. John Henry and I doubled up our teams on river
road. Wife sold Charlotte A. Henry 2 lbs. honey 25 cts.
Mrs. Patrick O'Hare was visiting our place yesterday.
19 Jun I drew 2 loads of hardwood to Robt. Stokes.
warm.
-174-

It was very

J&iaes w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
2 0 Jun I drew 2 loads of hardwood fore noon. Very warm, looked
like rain. I did not draw any, I hoed some corn and
picked potato bugs. Lilly Dinia got 2 lbs. of honey for 2
lbs. butter.
21 Jun I took 1 load of hardwood to Robert Stokes. Got word when
I got home that my reaper was in Brigden and for me to
come and get it. I borrowed Lawrence Johnston's wagon
box. Chas. Allen went up with me. We got in Brigden
about 3:15 PM, loaded right up and started home, got home
about 7:30 PM. Wife was over to her mother's for some
milk. Her and Jane had a spat and her mother stuck up for
Jane. Wife would not take any milk. Got notice that my
machine had been shipped to Courtright.
I saw agent and
he said they had a car load in Brigden. I told him I
would go there instead of Courtright.
22 Jun I was over Mrs. Poland's in* the morning. I stayed home
the rest of the day and minded Eva May while wife and
Willie went to Church. Charlotte A. Henry came up with
them and was at our place for supper. Gilbert Brown
called after supper.
2 3 Jun I put table and tongue on my reaper and drew two loads of
hardwood to Robert Stokes. Took Johnston's wagon box
home. Drew 2 barrels of water - one for myself and one
for father. Rained in the afternoon. Mrs. John James
Brown died about 2 am. of consumption. Has been sick a
long time - saw her on the 22sd.
24 Jun I hoed part of fore noon and then got ready for the
funeral. Eliza Brown came over and asked if I would act
as pall bearer. I told her I would. I went to funeral
afternoon, Thomas Harrison, Allen Grant, Warren T. Henry,
William Broad, James Gallow and myself were pall bearers.
Rev. J.C. Nethercott preached the funeral sermon at Bethel
Church. There were 14 teams in procession. Rained some
in the afternoon. I killed a skunk in the evening.
25 Jun I fixed cultivator in the morning. Got horse up and
cultivated through 2 rows. Rained some and I turned out
horse and hoed after that. I was down to lower place just
after dinner to see how things looked. Part of the millet
and grass is up. Wife went down the road for some milk.
I took care of the children. John E. Carpenter was at our
place for dinner.
26 Jun I hoed potatoes and corn all day. I cultivated them with
horse, first on south side of ditch. I was over to prayer
meeting. They are going to an ice cream social to pay
-175-

J&iaes w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
balance of Rev. Nethercott's salary - next Wed. night,
July 2nd.
27 Jun I finished hoeing my potatoes, hilled them all up except
burbank seedling and hoed some corn. I took care of the
children while wife went down the road in the evening.
Jim horse has two wolf teeth in upper jaw.
28 Jun I drew 2 loads of hardwood to Robt. Stokes. Wife went
down with me on last load and then we went down town.
Bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 pitch fork 75 cts., 1 fork
handle 15 cts., 2 hand rakes 40 cts., 1 pair of shoes for
myself $1.25, 3 1/2 yds. cottonade $1.22, 4 4/16 lbs.
butter 68 cts,, 3 lbs. sugar 24 cts., 1 bar soap 10 cts.,
1 lb. soda biscuits 10 cts., 1 pair of boys suspenders for
Willie 20 cts., 1 doz. clothes pins 5 cts., 3 spools of
thread 15 cts., 1 1/2 doz. buttons 15 cts., 1 stick tape 5
cts., 1 pair baby shoes for Eva May 62 cts., 1 gal vinegar
30 cts., 1 box castor oil 20 cts., candy 2 ,cts. I picked
potato bugs while horses were eating at noon.
29 Jun We were all over to church for preaching. Bill Eyers
spoke in class on fellowship meeting. Hallelujah Band are
working in Sombra last week and today trying to save
souls.
3 0 Jun I went up to Geo. Mulligan's to borrow his pinchers.
Helped him to get bees out of tree in Eagles place into a
hive. Got most of them. I drew two loads of wood to the
river. Geo. Mulligan came down with me to help him get
bees into hive and carry them where I had cut them out in
the morning. We got them in alright and carried them to
the house. Finished drawing my hardwood to Robert Stokes
- 11 1/4 cords at 16/ $22.50.
01 Jul I started to draw wood in the morning. Got a load as far
as father's and had to throw it off as my wagon reach was
broke. I broke it at government ditch. I made a new
reach in the afternoon. It rained some. I turned my
horses out and hoed out wife's onions and cabbage and some
corn.
02 Jul I drew two loads of softwood to Robt. Stokes. He measured
my hardwood. I had 11 1/4 cords at 16/ $22. per cord and
I fetched up a barrel of water for us. Picked potato bugs
at noon when horses were eating. Wife has gone over to
ice cream social at Bethel - fare 25 cts. tonight.
Proceeds to pay balance of J.C. Nethercott's salary. I
stayed home and took care of the children. I saw Dr.
Merrison at Thomas Bury's. Spoke to him about my note.
He has it. I think by the way he spoke he will give me
-176-

J&iaes w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
longer time by paying interest on the note due July 1st.
03 Jul I drew 3 loads of softwood to Robert Stokes which finished
a turn of 19 1/2 cords. Looks like rain in the afternoon.
I drew a barrel of water for father this morning.
04 Jul It rained part of fore noon. I partly fixed fork handle
to put on fork. Hoed potatoes on lower place and weeded
some turnips. Wife and the children were down to Mrs.
Albert Henry's after noon. Thunder storm in the
afternoon.
I had my horses in the stable while it was
raining this morning. Bill Poland came home from Saginaw.
05 Jul I finished weeding out my turnips in fore noon and set out
some too. I finished hoeing my corn and picked some
potato bugs. Father got some turnip plants to set out.
06 Jul Bill Poland came over to our place fore noon. Was at our
place for dinner. Willie and I were over to Sunday
school. Wife went down town at night with Bill Eyers and
wife to hear Hallelujah Band. I stayed home with the
children, Willie and Eva. Eva woke up about 10:30 PM.
throwing up and a light fever. I had to stay up with her
until wife came home. She got home about 12:45 am.
07 Jul I cut Canada thissels in the fore noon. I drew 1 load of
softwood to Robt. Stokes afternoon and brought up 2
barrels of water - one for father and one for myself.
Mrs. P.N. Henry was at our place for dinner, her daughter,
Charlotte, called in afternoon. Eva seems a little better
- has some fever yet.
08 Jul I drew two loads of soft wood to Rob. Stokes. Went down
town after last load and bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1
bar soap 10 cts., 1 pair of shoes for Willie $1., 4 lbs.
sugar 32 cts., 4 6/16 lbs. butter 70 cts. Drew up two
barrels of water - one for father and one for myself.
Made a pair of sweat pads for Charley horse while horses
are eating at noon.
09 Jul I drew two loads of softwood to Robt. Stokes. Picked
potato bugs at noon. Drew in two barrels of water - one
for myself and one for Bill Roberts. I signed for the
Montreal Star for six months 30 cts. Lizzie Henry is
getting subscriptions for the paper. I wrote my name at
father's. I took out my jack knife and sharpened her
pencil. I stuck knife into board on back and forgot to
put it in my pocket - lost it.
10 Jul Willie stayed with Mrs. Bill Eyers last night as her man
has gone up in Moore. I made another sweat pad for
-177-

J&iaes w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Charley horse, sore shoulder. Cut hole in it for the
sore. I made a pair of sweat pads for Jim horse at noon.
I drew two loads of softwood to Bob Stokes and one out of
the bush. Wife took the children down to Mrs. Albert
Henry's. She is going to pick raspberries.
She picked
about 6 quarts. I found my jack knife in Bill Robert's
lane where it shook out of board when I was loading wood.
Pigs got in barley.
11 Jul I drew two loads of softwood to Robt. Stokes and drew 4
barrels of water - one for us, one for Bill Roberts and
two for father. Went down to hear the Hallelujah Band.
They are in Sombra. Rode down with Bill Eyers. Walked
back. They have 40 members joined tonight. Mrs. Chester
Henry got some turnip plants from me. Mrs. Albert Henry
took them down to S. Green's then I took them over to her.
12 Jul I partly fixed my hay rack and set up my reaper. Wife has
gone down to hear the Hallelujah Band. I 'am minding the
children. Rained this morning. Wife bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 3 lbs. butter 48 cts.
13 Jul We were all over to Bethel to church. The new preacher
preached - Rev. Mr. Bunt. I went over to Sabbath school.
Wife went up to Mrs. Allen's and took the children. I
went down to Sombra to hear the Hallelujah Band. The M.E.
Church could not hold them all. They opened the old
Canada Methodist Church and excursion came on the pick up
from over the St. Clair River.
14 Jul It was 2:15 AM. when I got home this morning.
I commenced
to reap my barley fore noon. Drew one load of wood to
Robt. Stokes and fetched up 2 barrels of water - one for
myself and one for Bill Roberts. We had first mess of new
potatoes today for dinner. I got 100 lbs. of flour from
Robt. Stokes this afternoon $3.25. Mrs. P.N. Henry was
over to our place for supper. I went down to Warren T.
Henry's and hived a swarm of bees for him.
15 Jul I drew one load of wood to Robt. Stokes fore noon. I
helped Bill Roberts stack his hay until 6 PM. I put up
some of my barley after supper until it rained.
16 Jul I skidded softwood fore noon. Drew 2 loads to Robt.
Stokes afternoon. Wife went down with me first load. She
went down town and bought at Peter Cattanach*s - 4 8/16
lbs. butter 72 cts., 1 lb. alum 8 cts., 1/2 lb. crackers 5
cts., 1 yd. lace 15 cts., 1 1/2 yds. ribbon 6 cts., 2
spools 10 cts., 2 1/2 yds skirt lining 22 cts., 1 1/2 yds.
waist lining 27 cts., 1 1/2 doz. buttons 15 cts., 12 yds.
brown luster $2.40, 7 yds. black luster $1.40. I took
-178-

J&iaes w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
John Edwards two sisters and four children from Thomas
Bury's to John Edward's,
They gave me one dollar.
They
came from London, Ont. Willie stayed to father's all day
and last night. She left Eva May with Mrs. Albert Henry.
I drew one barrel of water for father.
17 Jul Had to take shoe off Charley horse. He caught his foot in
something and bent the shoe. Picked potato bugs part of
fore noon. Mrs. Albert Henry and her baby were at our
place for dinner. I took last load of wood to Stokes.
Went down town to get shoe set 13 cts., 1/2 gal. lard oil
40 cts. Took down some new potatoes to Chester Henry's.
Sent over to Marine City for the lard oil by John E.
Carpenter, I settled with Bob Stokes. I owe him $1.66.
I cleaned our sewing machine at night. Bought up 3
barrels of water.
18 Jul I drew two loads of firewood for father fore noon from
Jacob Young's. John E. Carpenter helped me draw two loads
for me afternoon. I pulled three lands of mustard on
lower place in millet.
19 Jul I finished pulling mustard out
afternoon. Went down to river
barrels - one for Bill Roberts
down to Mrs. Albert Henry's to
children with her.

of millet. I reaped barley
for water after supper - 2
and one for myself.
Wife
get dress fitted. Took the

2 0 Jul We were all over to church. Wife and children went up to
her mother's. I was to Sabbath school. Willie came too
from grandmother's. Mrs. Poland came over with wife.
Chas. Henry was over to look at my potatoes.
21 Jul I reaped most all day. John E. Carpenter began to work
for me harvesting. We cocked some barley I cut Saturday
the 19th. Maggie Poland came over to help wife for a
while.
22 Jul I reaped fore noon (barley). John E. Carpenter helped me
fore noon. I turned barley and cocked some of it. Rained
some after supper. Wife was down town - 4 1/4 lbs. butter
68 cts., 1 spool silk thread 5 cts., 1 bar soap 10 cts., 1
pair of shoes for wife $2., candy 5 cts. Father gave me a
cow after supper. I put her in bush pasture. She jumped
out and went home.
23 Jul Rained this morning. Found my cow at Johnston's. We put
her back in the field again. She stayed in. I partly
fixed my hay rack fore noon. John E. Carpenter helped me
afternoon turning and cocking barley. Mrs. Poland came
over after supper and brought me over some butter 3 lbs.
-179-

J&iaes w. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
24 Jul I reaped part of fore noon. Rained afternoon and had to
quit. Samuel S. Selman came to see how reaper works and
to get his notes for same. I signed them - first one to
be paid first of January 1885 $25., second one to be paid
first of January 1886 $43., third one and last one to be
paid first of January 1887 $42. John E. Carpenter helped
me 1/2 day. Rain kept us from working in the barley. I
worked some of my hay rack. Reaped a little in the
afternoon.
2 5 Jul I finished my hay rack fore noon. There was a heavy dew
last night - mist all of fore noon. Finished reaping my
barley and cocked some up after supper. I stayed with the
children while wife went over to prayer meeting. John E.
Carpenter helped me in the afternoon cradle and mow
barley.
26 Jul Rained most all fore noon. I helped wife churn fore noon.
Bill Roberts came over to get me to reap his wheat for
him. Change work I ground knife. John Roberts caught my
horses when going out of the bars, one of the tilting
chains broke and let the drive wheel come against triping
gearing and broke it. I put link of telegraph wire link
in it and pest pin in and machine raked bundles of itself
every fourth rake. I finished the wheat binding wheat.
John E. Carpenter helped Roberts 1/2 day for me afternoon.
27 Jul I and family were over to church. Wife and Eva rode over
with me part of way, Mrs. W.C. Bunt, preacher's wife. He
walked with me part of the way. Wife and children went up
to her mother's after church. Wife's mother and sister,
Jane, and Josephine Chartier came over to our place with
her and were at our place for supper. J.E. Carpenter was
at our place for supper. I did not got to Sabbath school.
28 Jul John E. Carpenter helped me all day cocking and turning
barley. Made a stack bottom in the morning while dew was
on. I went over to Samuel Selman's for trip standard for
my Brantford reaper. He did not have any at his house. I
had to go to old house of his father's place and get one
of them from another machine.
29 Jul John E. Carpenter and John H. Roberts helped me all day
cock and rake barley. Fore noon stacked barley, afternoon
John Roberts raked after wagon.
3 0 Jul Finished stack we commenced yesterday. John E. Carpenter
helped me all day. Bill Roberts helped me until 4 PM.
Rain stopped us from stacking. Reaped some fall wheat
after supper. John bound some of it, I cleaned out the
well.
-180-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
31 Jul Rained most of the day. I pulled mustard out of millet on
lower place. I came home and got horses up to reap, but
there came up a rain shower and stopped me from reaping.
I found Bill Eyer's pet hen and 1 chicken.
01 Aug John E. Carpenter helped me binding fall wheat on lower
place all day. I broke the reaper and had to quit working
it. Wife was down town afternoon and bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 1 rain basin 75 cts., 1 milk pan 25 cts., 1
small basin 15 cts., 3 lbs. sugar 24 cts., oatmeal 20
cts., 2 lbs. currants 20 cts., 2 lbs. raisins 20 cts., 1
box baking powder 10 cts., white sugar 10 cts., 1 box sent
25 cts., 2 lbs. rice 10 cts. She left the children at her
mother's.
I was over to S.S. Selman's to get piece he
broke - they were not at home.
02 Aug John E. Carpenter helped me all day. We stacked balance
of barley. James Roberts helped me all day until 4 PM.
John E. Carpenter helped Bill Roberts stack his fall
wheat. Finished setting up that wheat of mine John bound
yesterday on lower place. I went down town. Got Wallace
May to fix my machine. He charged me 35 cts. for doing
it. I bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 gal coal oil 2 5
cts. I went over to Selman's for piece I broke - he did
not have it. I got Wall May to make a wrought iron one
for me.
03 Aug I was home all day. Wife and children went down to Peter
N. Henry's. Rained some in the afternoon.
04 Aug I went down to lower place fore noon to finish fall wheat.
There it rained so we could not bind any. I finished
cutting it and brought reaper to place where I live.
Cleared off in the afternoon and I reaped some fall wheat
where I live. John E. Carpenter helped me in the
afternoon. Lizzie Johnston was doing some sewing at our
place today and Aug. 1st. I wrote a letter to John
Cowling, England.
05 Aug John E. Carpenter helped me all day. Father helped all
day. I finished reaping my wheat. Have some set up and
some to cradle around stumps.
06 Aug John E. Carpenter helped me 1/2 day cradling and setting
up fall wheat. Father helped 1/2 day on lower place
binding fall wheat. I set up some and mowed around stumps
part of fore noon. I went down to father's afternoon to
reap oats at supper time and had to guit. S.S. Selman
left piece of machine that was broken. Willie went down
with me.
-181-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
07 Aug It is wet this morning. I went down to father's about 10
o'clock and finished piece I was at. Reaped some in lower
field. Horses tried to run away. I was about 28 ft. from
a stump when they started. I could not stop them or turn
away from stump. The machine struck the stump and broke
the machine and bent lots of pieces. I took table down to
William Hamilton and the iron part to Wallace May
Blacksmith shop. Wife went down town and bought at
Green's - 3 loaves bread 21 cts., 1 bar soap 10 cts.,
nutmegs 5 cts. Sold for this - 2 1/2 doz. eggs 37 cts.
At Peter Cattanach's - 12 1/2 lbs. sugar for $1., 10 lbs.
oatmeal 40 cts., 1 box safety pins 15 cts. I signed for a
doctor book for $5.75 to be delivered to me on the later
part of October 1884. John and Tom Poland are staying
with us tonight.
08 Aug I went over to Samuel S. Selman's for a pole block for 12/
reaper and 2 guards 60 cts. and then I went down town for
the rest of it. Hamilton charged me $1.50 for fixing
table and Wall May 60 cts. for blacksmith work. I got to
father's about noon. Set machine up again and got it work
about 4 PM. and worked until sundown. Wife was up to Mrs.
Geo. Mulligan's and Mrs. Allen's.
09 Aug I stacked wheat from lower place. John helped 3/4 day.
went down to father's to reap. Reaped until broke down
again. Fixed teeth in machine rake last night.

I

10 Aug Wife and Willie went to Church. They went up to Mrs.
Poland's and Mrs. Poland and Jane came over to our place
with her. Bill, Sie, Thomas, Joseph and John Poland came
over afterwards. Josephine Chartier and Alexander
Chartier were over too.
11 Aug I went out to S„ Selman's for piece to machine that I
broke at father's. He did not have it. He is to send for
one for me. I came home and cobbled it up and went down
and finished reaping father's oats. Had a big time with
Charley horse - got wire bit for him from Jacob Young's.
Drew a small load of wheat to Warren Henry's barn.
12 Aug John E. Carpenter helped me all day stack fall wheat on
place where I live. John Henry raked stubble with his
horse and sulky rake. John and I threshed the wheat we
put in W.T. Henry's barn. John stayed with us last night
and Mag Poland. Wife went to pick blackberries.
Left the
children with Mag Poland, she got no berries - got home
just after dinner.

-182-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
13 Aug I went down to W.T. Henry's for wheat and straw and
cleaned up the wheat. Took it to Wilkesport and got it
ground - had 168 lbs. of wheat and got over 100 lbs. of
flour. Went down to river for water - drew 4 barrels - 1
for father, one for Bill Roberts, and two for myself.
Went down to lower place and cradled around some oats.
14 Aug I helped Pat O'Hare all day bind oats. Wife was down to
father's to a quilting. Took the children with her.
15 Aug I helped Bill Eyers all day bind oats. Wife was down to
P.N. Henry's and took the children with her. Returned
P.N. Henry some flour 17 1/2 lbs.
16 Aug I had Bill Eyer's Jim horse with my Jim horse cutting my
oats on lower place. I cut about four acres. Little pigs
rutted out some of my potatoes. It has been very warm the
last three days.
17 Aug We were all over to Church. Came home together. Wife
went up with Mrs. Albert Henry to find her cow and calf.
I took care of the children. I went up to Bill Eyer's in
the evening.
18 Aug John E. Carpenter helped me all day cradle oats. I reaped
all day. I had Bill Eyer's Jim horse. We cut all that
was ripe. Had first mess of cabbage.
19 Aug John E. Carpenter helped me all day bind oats. We bound
all day. It is very warm. We walked to dinner, took
lunch and supper.
20 Aug Father helped me all day bind oats on lower place. John
E. Carpenter, Fred and Jacob Young are stacking father's
oats.
21 Aug John E. Carpenter helped me all day binding oats. We
finished the back field. We cocked up the oats with
thistles in.
22 Aug I bound oats and cradled fore noon. Afternoon I got Bill
Eyer's wagon and took wife and children down town.
She
bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 pair wm. gloves 25 cts., 3
lbs. raisins 30 cts., nutmegs 5 cts., 1 lb. tea 25 cts., 1
lb. crackers 10 cts., candy 5 cts., 2 1/2 yds. lace 63
cts., 2 yds. print 25 cts., 2 yds. toweling 25 cts., 2
doz. buttons 20 cts., 1 gal. vinegar 30 cts. I saw Wm.
Hamilton about pay for axe handle stuff. He is going to
keep it out of axe handles in his possession.

-183-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
23 Aug I cleaned out two bush wells fore noon. I got Bill Eyer's
Jim horse to go with my Jim and reaped afternoon on lower
place.
24 Aug We were all over to church and were all to Mrs. Poland's
for dinner.
25 Aug I finished reaping my oats, got done about 2:30 PM. I
bound some after supper. I had Bill Eyer's Jim horse til
I finished. Bill Poland helped me all day. Eva May was
sick last night and today.
26 Aug John E. Carpenter helped me all day and Pat O'Hare
afternoon. Others helped me finish binding - did not set
it all up. Eva is some better - she is cutting teeth.
27 Aug I was hunting for water fore noon. Dug in several places
and found water next to Bill Eyer's. Dug well and made a
trough afternoon. I set up balance of oats and went to
river for a load of water, 2 barrels for myself and one
for Bill Eyers and one for father. John E. Carpenter came
up with me - tire run of one of my wagon wheels. I took
Bill Roberts wagon.
28 Aug John E. Carpenter helped me fore noon stack oats. Rained
at noon. We hearted up stack. Mrs. Poland brought over
some clothes and washed them at our place.
29 Aug I put box on wagon and drew manure 3/4 day and took hay
rack off from Bill Roberts wagon.
30 Aug I drew manure all day. Wife went down town and bought at
Peter Cattanach's - 2 lbs. raisins 20 cts., 5 lbs. oatmeal
20 cts., 1 pkg. cornstarch 13 cts., difference in
exchanging gloves 6 cts.
At Green's - 3 loaves of bread
21 cts., candy 2 cts., apples 2 cts., 1 scribbling book 5
cts. Took 2 doz. eggs to S. Green's - 3 0 cts. She stayed
and helped her mother cook for the threshers.
They
threshed for Mrs. Poland afternoon.
31 Aug I was home all day. Wife was over to her mother's twice.
Mrs. Clinton was buried today. Mrs. Poland was at our
place for supper. Wife and I had a spat.
01 Sep John E. Carpenter helped me all day stack oats. Part of
oat stack slipped out.
Mrs. Albert Henry and child were
at our place visiting afternoon.
02 Sep John E. Carpenter helped me all day stack oats from lower
place. John is stacking, I am pitching off.
-184-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
03 Sep John E. Carpenter helped me all day stack oats. Got oats
all out of field, have one load to throw off in the
morning.
04 Sep John E. Carpenter
for me. I put on
It is very warm.
Wilkesport to the

helped Lawrence Johnston all day thresh
wagon box and drew manure part of day.
I took my team and went out to
Hallelujah meeting.

05 Sep John E. Carpenter helped Lawrence Johnston thresh for me
1/2 day. We were to Hallelujah meeting in Wilkesport.
We
rode out with Bill Roberts team. Left Willie with Mrs.
Poland.
06 Sep I cradled and bound my flax fore noon, dung afternoon.
John E. Carpenter helped me put top on my oat stack in
morning. I finished drawing dung where I want to put my
straw stack fore noon. I drew up two loads of firewood
for steam thresher afternoon. I took my team and went to
Wilkesport to the Hallelujah meeting.
07 Sep I was over to church fore noon. Was home balance of the
day. Wife and the children stayed home all day.
08 Sep I went down town to see if my logs were sawed. They were
not. I went down to Bob Stokes and got 1,000 ft. of pine
lumber at $12. per thousand feet. I brought it home in
two loads.
09 Sep I cut stuff in bush to make bin for my oats and cut it to
house fore noon. Afternoon, I drove down town. Wife went
down with me and bought at Peter Cattanach's - 10 lbs.
nails 50 cts., 1 lb. crackers 10 cts., 10 lbs. raisins
$1., 12 lbs. sugar $1., 1 set of dishes $3., 1 bar of soap
10 cts., 1 ounce of nutmets 10 cts., cloves 5 cts.,
alspice 5 cts., cinnamon 10 cts., 2 lbs. tea 50 cts., 1
lb. starch 13 cts., 1/2 doz. teaspoons 12 cts., 1/4 doz.
tablespoons 13 cts.
10 Sep I partly built bin to hold my oats.
mother's in the afternoon.

Wife went over to her

11 Sep I pulled my beans. Wife helped me some. I got beans
pulled about 4 PM. Wife was over to her mother's for some
sour milk, noon. I went down to lower place and cradled
around my millet. Wife and children went down with me.

-185-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
12 Sep I helped father thresh fore noon and at John Ecclestone's
afternoon for father for Capt. Chas. Gales. Father had
300 bushels white oats and he and Capt. Chas. Gales had
2 32 bushels black oats between them. I cut bands fore
noon. Stacked at Ecclestone's afternoon. I took my team
down with me and went to the river after we quit threshing
for 2 barrels of water. Got home at nine PM. Wife was up
to Mrs. John Allen's most all day. Wife borrowed pan of
flour from Mrs. Roberts.
13 Sep I filed my saw and split some wood for threshing machine.
John Roberts helped me afternoon saw wood for machine and
grind reaper knives after supper. I went to father's to
see John E. Carpenter - got him corn cutter. He is to
help me cradle millet Monday. Wife is baking bread
tonight, it is now midnight and bread is not done yet.
14 Sep I was home all day with the children. Wife was over to
church. Stayed at her mother's for dinner*
I was down to
Peter N. Henry's to see how their baby was - it was some
better.
15 Sep John E. Carpenter helped me all day cradle around stumps
in millet. He charged me nothing for day. I reaped
millet - 4 acres. Had Bill Eyer's Jim horse.
16 Sep I threshed my beans - had 4 1/4 bushels and cleaned out my
beans for my grain and some other chores.
17 Sep I helped Bill Eyer's 3/4 day and John E. Carpenter the
same for me. John E. Carpenter helped John O'Hare 1/4 day
for me. I drew 3 loads of wood from bush for machine
after I left Bill Eyer's.
18 Sep John E. Carpenter helped Pat O'Hare all day for me. I
drew two loads of water from river for threshing machine.
The machine came to my place tonight and partly set for
morning, When I came to pay Stokes for pork, he only
charged me one shilling per pound.
19 Sep Shortts threshed 352 bushels of oats, 200 bushels of
barley, and 34 bushels of fall wheat. I drew 24 barrels
of water today. The men who helped me were John E.
Carpenter (helped me for father), Pat O'Hare, John
Johnston, Bill Roberts, Jim Roberts, John Roberts, Peter
N. Henry, Charles Miller (for John Sheeran), Jacob Young,
Bill Eyers and Bill Poland fore noon and John O'Hare
afternoon. Rained a little afternoon.

-186-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884

John B. O'Hare

c1884

20 Sep Shortts finished threshing for me fore noon. I had
altogether 807 bushels. That machine tallied and we
cleaned up from floor - got 14 bushels of mixed grain.
John E. Carpenter helped me to thresh fore noon. He built
the stack. Bill and Sie Poland helped me all day thresh
fore noon and clean up floor afternoon.
1 1/4 bushels of
white oats, I had 24 bushels that look like supreme oats.
Chas. Allen and Young and Bill Eyers, Chas. Miller for
John Sheeran, John Johnston, Bill, Jim Roberts - they go
from my place to George Broad's. They took separator out
on road for me. I put my team on it but they would not
draw it. I got Bill Robert's team to take it over. I and
Bill and Sie Poland cleaned up floor and got 14 bushels
mixed grain. I took barrels home.
21 Sep I was home all day sick with a cold. Wife and Eva May
were up to Mrs. John Allen's. Willie stayed with me.
They had some muskmelons.
22 Sep John E.
Broad's
Young.
William

Carpenter helped me all day threshing at George
for Chas. Henry. I helped Broad all day for Jacob
Rained some in fore noon. Wife was over to Mrs.
Roberts visiting afternoon.

23 Sep John E. Carpenter helped George Broad thresh for me 1/2
day for Jacob Young. I bound millet fore noon. Rained
and stopped me. I cut corn part of afternoon - cut 2 3
-187-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
stocks. Wife went to Bill Eyer's for some flour they
borrowed from us.
24 Sep I helped John Sheeran all day thresh. Rained some at noon
and night. I milked cow after I got home. Got a letter
from Bill Poland, Germany.
25 Sep I helped John Sheeran fore noon thresh. Bill and Sie
Poland helped me all day cutting corn and digging
potatoes. I cut some corn and dug potatoes. Mrs. Poland
did her washing here yesterday. Wm. Hamilton sent his
account amounting to $7.60 for fixing wagon and reaper. I
was down to Pat Sheeran's at night.
2 6 Sep I went down to Thomas Stokes and sold him 3 00 bushels of
oats at 24 cts. per bushel. He paid me $70. on them. I
am to deliver them after I get my fall wheat in. I went
down town and paid Wm. Hamilton his account $7.60.
William Hamilton paid me $2.12 on axe handle timber I got
for Nelson Thompson. He kept it out of Thompson for me.
I paid $2.12 to Wallace May on blacksmith acct. Bill and
Sie Poland helped me all day finish digging potatoes all
except burbank seedling on place where I live fore noon.
After, we bound millet and dug potatoes on lower place - 4
bushels and brought them home. Bill let board he was
sitting on slip and he fell on rakes and broke one of
mine. He drove team through bars at lower place.
27 Sep I cleaned up 12 bushels of fall wheat for a grist. Rained
last night and some in fore noon. I covered over my
potatoes with corn stalks I brought home. I sold Bill
Roberts the four bushels of potatoes.
28 Sep I was home all day. Wife went down to Peter N. Henry's
about noon, stayed until 3 o'clock PM. I sent Willie
after her. Mrs. Poland and her daughter, Jane, were to
our place in the evening.
29 Sep I took grist to Wallaceburg. Mrs. John Allen and Mrs.
Poland, myself, wife and Eva May went. We left Willie at
Mrs. Poland's until we got back. We went out to William
Tweedles, 4 miles east of Wallaceburg. Mrs. John Allen
went to Hemstreet's. I took Tweedle 1 bushel of beauty of
Hebron and 1/2 bushel White Elephant potatoes. When I
came away, he gave me about 2 bushels of apples to take
home. We left home about 4 AM and got home about 11 PM.
We bought in Wallaceburg - 1 pair of boots for myself
$2.25, 1 whip for horses 35 cts., 1 lb. cheese 12 cts.,
candy 3 cts., nuts 5 cts., 1 lb. soda biscuit 10 cts., 1
hat for wife $1.50 trimmed, I paid for note for horse $50.
with interest at 10% $2.50, a doll for Eva May 10 cts. A
-188-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
note was at Steinhoff and Lillie Banking Office,
Wallaceburg - note was given to Wm. A. Pont. It rained
Sunday, the road was very slippery going down and sticky
coming back. Bill and Sie Poland finished binding my
millet and set it up in afternoon.
30 Sep I chored around house fore noon. Afternoon I took 200
lbs. of flour down to father at 2 1/2 cts. $5. I
commenced to plow for fall wheat. I signed Scott Act
Petition Warren T. Henry had. Wife took flour home to
Bill Roberts. Jane Poland was at our place fore noon.
She brought Willie home. She made dress for Eva's doll.
Wife went home with her and got some butter. Pat Sheeran
came up and looked at my potatoes. He took 12 bushels
beauty Hebron potatoes.

Robert Stokes Family
William, Emma (Cody), Minnie (McCallim), Henry, Gertrude (Chapman),
Ethel (McLean), George, Sarah (Ball), Louise (Turner), Mrs. Stokes
& Robert Stokes

01 Oct I plowed most all day. Rain stopped me about 4 PM. Wife
was down town and bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 pair of
shoes for herself $1.75, 2 lbs. sugar $1., 1 pkg. baking
powder 10 cts., nutmegs 5 cts., 1 rope of halter shank 1
-189-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
5 cts., 3 yds. blue denim 60 cts., 1 1/2 yds. luster 37
cts., 1 paper pins 8 cts. At M.L. Burnham's - 13 lemons
36 cts., candy 2 cts. She took down three dozen eggs - 38
cts. She got home before the rain. She left Willie at
her mother's when she went to town.
02 Oct Rained most of fore noon and last night. I cleaned up 6
bushels of fall wheat to sew. John E. Carpenter helped me
some in the afternoon.
03 Oct I plowed all day on lower place. Wife washed today.
Sie
Poland brought my crosscut saw home and got his own. He
caught my horses while I finished fixing it for him.
Annie Poland was over today helping wife fix her crab
apples Mrs. Tweedles gave her. The preacher, Mr. Bunt,
left wife a hymn book tonight - price 30 cts. I gave him
25 cts., still owe him 5 cts.
04 Oct I sewed 3 1/2 bushels of fall wheat on lower place. Grain
went in good shape. Wife was over to her mother's in the
afternoon. Rained last night.
05 Oct We were all to Church fore noon. Willie was to Sunday
School in the afternoon. We were to Mrs. Poland's for
dinner and supper. Misty in the morning.
06 Oct I picked up my potatoes - had 50 1/2 bushels beauty of
Hebron, 5 3/4 bushels Belle, 9 bushels white elephant, 3
1/4 bushels mammoth pearl, 3 3/4 burbank seedling, 4
bushels extra early Vermont and 4 1/2 bushels mammoth
pearl down to lower place. Sold them to B. Robert's at 1
shilling. Wife helped me to pick them up. We measured
out 12 bushels for Pat Sheeran § 2/ $3. - 2 bushels of
white elephant and other bushels of beauty of Hebron.
07 Oct I took Mrs. Chester Henry 5 bushels of potatoes § 2/
$1.25. Wife went down with me, she bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 1 gal coal oil 25 cts., sugar $1., 1 box
fresh salmon 15 cts., 1 pair suspenders for me 30 cts., 1
doz. pearl buttons 13 cts., 3 yds. denim 60 cts., 1 stick
gordon braid 25 cts., 1 spool thread 5 cts., 1/2 lbs. soda
5 cts., 2 oz. ground cloves 10 cts., 1 package yeast cakes
10 cts., candy 2 cts. Took down 2 1/2 doz. eggs 32 cts.
I plowed and furrowed out in the afternoon. I covered two
pits of potatoes after night by moonlight.
I forgot my
half bushel at Chester Henry's. I took Bob Stokes water
barrel home.
08 Oct Rained fore noon and part of afternoon. I made a pig
trough and husked 2 1/2 bushels of corn and covered over
Pat Sheeran's potatoes for it looks like frost.
-190-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
09 Oct Pat Sheeran's came and got his potatoes - 2 bushels white
elephant § 2 / 5 0 cts., 10 bushels beauty of Hebron § 2/
$2.50. Turns them on 100 lbs. of flour I got (He got 1
bell potato found on ground) from him last summer or
spring. I took them home for him. I plowed the balance
of the day. Wife was over to her mother's yesterday.
10 Oct I plowed all day. Finished plowing for fall wheat on
lower place. I cleaned up 6 bushels of wheat for seed at
night.
1 1 Oct I sewed 6 bushels of wheat and harrowed it in myself with
my team. I have finished my wheat all but furrowing out
last piece. I have sewed 9 1/2 bushels altogether.
The
ground is in good condition. Wife was over to her
mother's today.
Mag Poland was at our place fore noon.
Wife killed 2 chickens and we had some chicken for supper.
12 Oct We were all over to Church fore noon. Jane and Mrs.
Poland were over to our place in the afternoon. Sarah and
Charlotte Ann Henry called. Rained some last night.
13 Oct I furrowed out last fall wheat I sewed and went back after
some millet. It was too wet, I had to unbind it and shake
it out. I did some of it. Sie Poland came over to help
me bring it in (too wet). I let Sie have my Charley horse
to go and hunt for their yearling. I went down to lower
place and unbound millet and shook it out. I have eleven
cocks to unbind. Hallelujah meeting commenced at Bethel
tonight.
14 Oct I went over to Christopher Walker's to see him and get him
to bring over his brother to look at my place when he
comes to buy land. Sie Poland came over to help me draw
in my millet. When I got back, threshing machine had come
to Bill Robert's. Sie threshed in my place while I filed
his saw. I was down to see Peter Cattanach, he was not at
home. Wife went down to Stokes and picked 5 bags of
apples to dry on shares (1 1/2) for drying. Annie Poland
stayed with the children.
15 Oct Annie Poland and John Poland stayed at our place last
night. Sie Poland helped me draw in millet all day - drew
2 loads. Wife went off to Church, Hallelujah Band.
Sie
Poland went with her. I took care of the children.
16 Oct Sie Poland stayed at our place last night. He helped me
fore noon, draw in millet - drew in one big load. I
helped Jacob Young log in the afternoon on lot 9 - 1 2
Cone. Turn work on hay I got last spring. I got Mrs.
-191-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
John Allen's paring machine and fixed it so we could peel
apples with it.
17 Oct I husked corn part of fore noon. Fixed top on millet at
noon. Went down town afternoon and took down six bags of
grain and got it chopped for my pigs. Brought up 3
barrels of water. I bought at Peter Cattanach's - 5 yds.
cotton 4 5 cts. and got broom I left there on the 14th.
I
got receipt from William Hamilton for some money. I paid
him 26th. of Sep. Eva May had croup last night about 1
am., gave her weak tea.
18 Oct New Pen. I husked corn part of fore noon and fenced potato
pits. Husked corn afternoon and brought corn up to house
- had 19 1/2 bushels. Mary Charlotte Carpenter and Maggie
Poland were at our place all day.
19 Oct I was over to Church fore noon. Was home all afternoon.
Wife was home all day. Mrs. Poland was ovter to our place
fore noon.
20 Oct Father helped me husk corn all day. John E. Carpenter
came to help me but John Bury came after him to help him
tend on Masons. He went. Father and I husked 24 bushels
and brought it up to the house. I went over to Church to
meeting (Revival).
21 Oct Father helped me husk corn - husked 12 1/2 bushels and
stacked the corn stalks - had 56 bushels altogether.
22 Oct I cleaned out furrows in fall wheat on lower place fore
noon. I took team and went to town for some bags to draw
oats. I stopped at Thomas Stokes for bags and could not
get any. Wife went down with me and bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 1 baby hood $1., 1 pair of mitts for baby 25
cts., 7 lbs. sugar 56 cts., 1 lb. tea 25 cts., 1 box
salmon 15 cts., candy 2 cts., 1 lb. crackers 10 cts., 1/2
lb. pepper 13 cts., 1 box sperm oil 15 cts., 1 bottle
electric oil 25 cts. Took down 3 doz. eggs 42 cts.
Rained last night. Wife got from her mother - 2 1/2 lbs.
butter at 22 cts. - 55 cts.
23 Oct I made rivet link for little plow clevis. Commenced to
fall plow on place where I live. We had two squalls of
snow today.
24 Oct I plowed fore noon. Had two heavy squalls of snow in the
afternoon. Cleaned up 6 bags of barley. Sie Poland let
me have $1. Wife and children went to her mother's this
afternoon.
-192-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
2 5 Oct I went to Sarnia - took 6 bags of barley. Was offered 44
cts. at Courtright. I took it to Sarnia and got 4 8 cts.
for it from Jasking. Had 13 bushels 13 lbs. - came to
$6.39. I bought in Sarnia some sausage 15 cts., hay for
horses 25 cts., 100 fish, herron 75 cts., 2 bushels lime
for Pat Sheeran 60 cts. I went to see Bob Gurd about my
place - I want to sell it. I could get no satisfaction
out of him. A.C. Clark wanted me to sign a paper allowing
him to sell it at 2 1/2 % - I would not.
26 Oct We did not go to Church. Bill Poland took half of fish.
We all went over to Mrs. Poland's. Bill and Annie Poland
and Beatrice Cattanach came over to our place in the
morning.
27 Oct I cleaned up 8 bags of oats and took down to Robert Stokes
for Stokes had 1820 lbs. by weight. Brought up barrel of
water. Rained last night. .
28 Oct I cleaned up 10 bags of oats weighed 27 bushels and 5 lbs.
Wife went down town with me. She bought at Peter
Cattanach's - 1 yd. luster 25 cts., 1 pair shoes for Eva
$1. I bought 12 bags $3.
29 Oct I cleaned oats fore noon alone.
Chas. Allen helped me
clean oats paid Nov. 11th. 86 cts. Afternoon cleaned up
altogether 22 bags, weighed at Stokes 2020 lbs. Took load
down after supper. Mrs. Poland was over to our place fore
noon, wanted money for note I gave her for Bob horse. I
asked her if she was going to be thrown off any on account
of horse dying, she said she could not. She thrittened me
of paying note for Charley horse at Wallaceburg.
I told
her I got value for my money. I told her I would pay her
as soon as I could or as soon as I sold my place.
She
said she had to have it. I told her to get it. She said
she would see Pete about it (that is Peter Cattanach).
Mr. Hiram Beach and Lucy Levina Carpenter were visiting at
our place fore noon. They were at our place for dinner.
Lucy stayed at our place last night.
30 Oct Chas. Allen helped me fore noon clean oats. We cleaned 2 3
bags fore noon. I cleaned 2 bags after dinner and took
load to Stokes - 25 bags and had by weight 2 3 65 lbs. I
brought up a load of firewood after I got home.
I put
fanning mill in oat bin after dark. I borrowed 10 bags
from Henry Stokes. Walter Shortt asked me for his
threshing pay.
29 Oct I went to Pat 0'Hares and offered him my place for $1700.
and take a mortgage on place for $200. at 6 1/2%. He
offered me $1500. for it, I told him no.
-193-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
31 Oct Rained most all day. I cleaned up 16 bags of oats.
Nelson Cornwall served me with a summons that Mrs. Poland
sued note for Bob horse. He served me about 2 or 3
o'clock PM. I went over to Mrs. Poland's and told her she
had served me mean and that I wanted her to build line
fence between me and Bill Hargrove as per lease. Bill
said he would not do it. Mrs. Poland pretended to know
nothing about it and I told them to replace my bags - 1
doz. that they got from me when Mr. Samuel took my place.
Bill said I had my bags. I told him I would not take them
old bags for my good ones. He said I had 6 good bags, I
told him I would give him credit for them 6 bags. He
followed me out to stable and gave me some of his lip and
I gave him some back. I then came home and went to Sombra
to see Peter Cattanach about it. He was down to Rattray's
weighing oats for steamboat for Jas. King, Sarnia.
I got
a ride down with P.N. Henry's team and back with John
Sheeran's. I saw John E. Carpenter on way home. I told
him about it and some things besides. I went down
afterwards and told him not to say anything about it.
01 Nov I went down town in morning and disputed the note - it
cost me 30 cts. and they can do nothing about it until the
12th. of next February. I have 3 months and 12 days. I
was at father's for dinner. I came home and went to Mrs.
Allen S s in the afternoon as she told Mary she wanted to
see me. Rained most all day. Wife is not very well at
present.
02 Nov I stayed home all day. Wife was over to quarterly
meeting.
I kept children. Mrs. John Allen called father,
called and was at our place for supper. He and I went out
to see cattle, milked my cow for me.
03 Nov John E. Carpenter helped me all day clean oats. He
cleaned alone fore noon. I took load of oats to Stokes 16 bags. Chas. Allen went out with me and helped him pick
up 7 bags of apples at Thos. Bury's and brought them home
for him as far as my place. He took team rest of way
alone and brought them home. I helped John in afternoon
clean oats. We cleaned 27 bags. Mrs. Bury gave me a bag
of apples and a basket full for some strawberry plants.
The agent for Practical Home Physician brought me my book
and I paid him for it $5.75. It is leather bound and I am
well satisfied with the book. He wanted to stay all night
but I had no room for him, his name is Edwards from Moore
Township.
04 Nov Rained most all day. Father got Dr. Merrison to see Mary
Charlotte. He came out and said she had typhoid fever. I
-194-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
did nothing much all day, kept horses in stable most all
day. I had them harnessed to draw oats.
05 Nov I took 17 bags of oats to Stokes fore noon. Father told
me Mary was very sick and that he got Doctor yesterday. I
took oats to Stokes in the afternoon - 17 bags. We
counted up all the oats I took him - 309 bushels. I took
Stokes dry apples home and got 3 qt. cider for nothing.
Ida Wright rode down with me. I went to Sombra and took
down 3 doz. eggs 42 cts. and bought at Peter Cattanach's 1 box H.H. Warner pills 2/, 1 bar soap 10 cts., 1 can
peaches 25 cts., 1 can salmon 15 cts., candy 2 cts., 1 box
Warner's safe cure $1. Geo. Smith, Doctor, was at
father's when I came back. I stopped until he went away,
he had no hopes of Mary. He said she would not live long
after midnight. I came home and turned my horses and got
my supper and went down there again. Mary was no better.
1 stayed until after supper. I told father that Dr. said
if Mary was alive to let him know about 8 am. and if she
died tonight, she must be buried tomorrow as it was not
safe to keep her longer as the disease she had was
contagious. I came home and went to bed. John E.
Carpenter came in when he was going home from getting Mrs.
John Allen and told me Mary is dead, died about 25 min. to
2 am.
06 Nov I went down to father's fore noon. Mary was to be buried
at 2 PM. I came home and fed the horses and got my dinner
and went down again. The minister was a little late.
Chas. Allen, Henry Whaley, Fred Young, William Gales,
Patrick and James Sheeran were pall bearers. She was
buried alongside her mother. The funeral sermon is to be
preached next Sunday at 3 PM.
07 Nov I cleaned up 17 bags of oats and took them to Stokes - had
45 1/2 bushels settled up with Henry. I had 354 1/2
bushels $88.62. I then settled with Bob Stokes. Paid him
all up to date $15.53 Henry Stokes took Thomas Stokes
$70. out of oats that Tom gave me on the 26th. of last
Sept. I had $18.62 coming to me after I paid that and
after I paid Bob Stokes, I had $3.09 left. I saw Alonzo
Lapish, had a talk with him about by place. I offered it
to him for $1650. cash, he is going to look around for a
couple weeks yet but he said he is going to buy here in a
couple weeks or so.
08 Nov I cleaned up 10 bags barley. Hiram Beach and Charlotte
Henry called at our place fore noon.
09 Nov We were home all fore noon.
-195-

Went over to Bethel to hear

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
sister, Mary's, funeral sermon. Rev. W.C. Bunt preached
from 1 Cor. 10 chap. He read and took text out of same.
10 Nov I cleaned up two bags barley and took 12 bags to
Courtright - had 28 25/38 bushels $12.83. Sister, Lucy,
took sick almost the same as Mary. Father sent William
Gales for Dr. fore noon. Rev. McCutchen, Presbyterian
minister, rode down with me from Courtright to McBeth's.
We pared some apples tonight.
11 Nov I fall plowed today (all day). Father was up today after
a syringe. We did not have any. He had dinner at our
place. Curtis Wright came after father's water barrel. I
paid Mrs. John Allen 75 cts. for two half days Chas. Allen
helped me clean grain.
12 Nov I plowed all day. Mrs. Albert Henry was visiting at our
place fore noon. Wife went home with her for some pigs
liver. Mrs. A. Henry brought us up some pork.
13 Nov I plowed all day. Patrick O'Hare had a sale today. Wife
washed. She is not very well. I hear father is sick with
fever.
14 Nov I cleaned up 22 bags of barley, 5 bags of it was bright.
I paid John E. Carpenter $2. on work.
15 Nov I was to Sarnia, took up 22 bags of barley. Got 48 for
some of it and 55 cts. for some of coloured barley - 41
18/48 bushels $19.86. Bright barley 12 bushels and 7/48
$6.60 - $26.4 6 total. I bought at Sarnia - 1 box smoked
herron 30 cts., candy 6 cts., oat meal 16 cts., 1 lb.
ginger snaps 16 cts., and 2/ for horse hay 25 cts. I did
not get Sarnia until about 3 PM. It was dark when I left
Sarnia.
16 Nov I was over to Church fore noon. Wife and children stayed
home. Father came up at dark for me to write him three
letters - one to Aunt Marilia Vanalstine, one to Mrs.
Charles Brown and one to Aunt Jane Sifton - telling them
of sister Mary's death. Father gave them a lock of hair
each and gave me a lock of her hair. Looked like rain.
17 Nov John E. Carpenter helped me plow 3/4 of the day. John did
not charge this day. I cleaned up 18 bags of barley and
killed 8 chickens to take to Sarnia.
18 Nov I went to Sarnia with barley, took 18 bags - had 43
bushels 36 lbs. @ 52 cts. - $22.75. Took up 7 chickens
and got 45 cts. per pair for them $1.57. Pat O'Hare went
up with me. Pat paid for my dinner. I bought 1/2 oatmeal
-196-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
wafers 6 cts., 3 loaves of bread 18 cts., 1 lb. sweet
potatoes 5 cts., 1 doz. fish 10 cts., hay and stabling for
team 25 cts. I was over to Port Huron - ferrage round
trip 10 cts. I was up to see whether steamboats were
running to Alpena or not. They are - fare on one line is
$3.50 and on the other $4.50 with berth and meals. I
priced some revolvers and guns - revolvers, 3 8 calibre
with box cartridges, $5.75. Got a bush line for John E.
Carpenter 30 cts. and one bush for Mrs. Allen. Pat O'Hare
talked on the way up - he would buy my place for $1,500.
19 Nov I went down to Shortt's and paid Walter Shortt my
threshing bill for 1884. Paid him in field where he was
plowing $19.11. He threw off 6 cts. making it $19.05. He
receipted the account. John E. Carpenter helped me clean
10 bags of barley in the afternoon.
20 Nov We were going to Sarnia, stormed some, so we did not go.
I went to Sombra and bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1/2
gal. coal oil 13 cts., 1 yd. factory 9 cts. Did a few
chores after I got home.
21 Nov I and Bill Eyers finished cleaning my barley and went up
and cleaned his fore noon. I was at his place for dinner.
I drew up a load of firewood and went down town and bought
a halter shank for Jim horse 15 cts. and brought up a load
of sand for John E. Carpenter. I did not get home until
after dark. I went up home with Mrs. John Allen. We were
going to leave children with her tonight. Wife and I are
going to Sarnia tomorrow. Mrs. Allen had to go and see a
sick woman near Wilkesport. We were going to leave
children with her in the morning.
22 Nov I persuaded wife not to go to Sarnia. I went alone. I
took up 23 bags of barley - had 56 bushels 12 lbs. and got
48 cts. per bushel - $27. I went over to Port Huron to
see about taking team to Alpena. Can get the team,
harness and wagon taken to Alpena for $10. from Port Huron
and get them ferried across the river from Sarnia to Port
Huron for 75 cts. I bought a British Bull Dog revolver
for $5.75 with a box of cartridges, 38 calibre, 1 syrup
barrel for 50 cts., 4 loaves of bread 24 cts., 4 lbs.
oatmeal 16 cts., 1/2 yds. lamp wick 5 cts., 1 onion that
weighed 1 lb. 8 cts., 1 lb. fruit crackers 14 cts., hay
for team 25 cts., ferrage 10 cts., candy 3 cts., and 2
bush, lime for John E. Carpenter 60 cts. John E.
Carpenter came up with me from Chas. Henry's. I gave him
$5. on work.
23 Nov I was home all day.

Wife was down to see Miss Sarah
-197-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Henry.
me.

She is very sick.

I kept the children home with

24 Nov I took 50 bushels oats to Ed White's for father.
Father
sold him a yoke of steers for $16.. He got 26 cts. a
bushel for his oats. I cleaned clock in the afternoon and
cut some stovewood and took syrup out of barrel I got and
put the hoops back on it again. Bill Roberts came over
and wanted $2. for Jim Roberts helping me thresh 2 1/2
days and for drawing threshing machine to George Broad's.
I paid him the $2. Pat O'Hare was to let me know if he
could take my place this afternoon. He did not come near
me. I sold 195 bushels barley. Had tallied for machine 200 bushels and got $95.41 for it.
25 Nov Snowed. I went to Sombra to see if there was any mail for
me, there was not. I brought up mail for neighbours.
26 Nov I took letter up to Pat 0'Hare's. He was tjoing to Sarnia.
I asked him if he had made up his mind to go to Michigan.
He said he had. Then shortly after that he offered me
$1450 for my place. I took him up. We are going to
Sarnia today by boat. I came down and was getting ready,
he came down and wanted to wait until tomorrow.
I told
him alright. He and I then went over to Poland's to see
if they would build a line fence between me and William
Hargrove. He said he would before Christmas but would
give me no security that he would do it. I told him I
wanted him to do it right away. He said he would not go
in the snow and build a fence for any man. We had some
words. I called him a liar. He shook his fist under my
nose and said I was not to call him a liar. I told him
again he was (that is Bill Poland). He drew a chair to
strike me. I told him he hadn't better try it or
something to that effect. Pat O'Hare and I went down to
lower place and looked at fence there. I then went to
Sombra and telegraphed to Sarnia to R.S. Gurd to see if
they would discharge mortgage. They answered, they would
but would charge me 2% per year difference.
Telegraphing
both ways cost me 58 cts. I came home and went to Pat
O'Hare's and told him it was alright. I got John
Sheeran's rig to go to Sarnia. Got Pat to wait til
Saturday as I wanted to pit my potatoes with manure as I
was afraid they would rot. I was to leave the place clear
of all incumberances for this year and settle with Bill
Hargrove for line fence half of the fence from William
Hargrove for $13. I was to make out the papers between me
and Pat O'Hare and he was to come down in the morning and
sign them. Lawrence Johnston came up in the evening. I
did not rough out the papers. I got James Hargrove's
address from Bill Hargrove as I want to write to him about
-198-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
the fence. The address is James Hargrove, Yorktown, Via
Broadview, N.W. Territory.
27 Nov C.A. Witherel came for taxes. Wife paid him $19.53 and
got receipt for it. I was most all fore noon hunting cow
- found her in Hargrove's field. I went up to see John
O'Hare, if he would help me kill my pig in the afternoon,
he would. I came home and put water on and got everything
ready. He came and we killed pig, got done about 4 PM. I
was up to Pat 0'Hare's in the evening. Andrew Johnston
and Fred Mullins helped me carry pig in at night.
28 Nov I borrowed 34 lbs. of salt from Bill Eyers with tin pail
to salt my pig, she weighed 240 lbs. worth 5 1/2 cts. per
lb. $13.20. I cut my pig fore noon. Afternoon, I got up
a load of firewood and went down to father's for him to go
to Sarnia with me tomorrow. Took them down some pork and
got John Sheeran's buggy. Took some pork to Albert Henry.
Sent Mrs. John Allen some pork home 14 lbs. We took the
children up to Mrs. Allen's and left them there for
tonight and tomorrow as we intend to go to Sarnia to make
out papers about selling the place to Pat O'Hare for
$1450.
29 Nov We went to Sarnia. Wife and I and father went up
together. We got to Sarnia about 3:20 PM. Pat O'Hare and
wife did not get up until after 10 am. It cost me $2. to
get abstract of deed and 25 cts. at County Register Office
to see if there is any back taxes - all clear. R.S. Gurd
charged me $7. for making our writings. I paid up the
back interest $90.42 and they charged me 2% on the
mortgage that I paid up amount of int. to $100.62 and two
dollars for discharging same and other expenses.
I only
had $3.44 left. Wife got her breakfast and dinner for 50
cts. Wife took up 3 doz. eggs 66 cts. and 4 1/2 lbs.
butter 99 cts. and got 2 bars Victor soap 20 cts., 1 lb.
of tea and balance in sugar $1.09. I bought two fish 5
cts., pickerels 5 cts. Wife bought some candy 5 cts., 1
coconut 10 cts., 1 orange 5 cts., 1/2 lb. cheese 7 cts.,
crackers 7 cts., 1 can oyster crackers 5 cts. I and wife
got a pair of kid gloves 25 cts. I paid 2/ for hay for
horses. Father stopped at Jusley Brown's on the way home.

-199-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884

-200-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
30 Nov We all went down to father's in the fore noon and stayed
until about dark. Father got home about 4:30 PM.
01 Dec I went down town with team for buttonwood lumber. Got
1269 ft. of it. I was over to Marine City to see if boats
were going to Alpena. Telephoned to Detroit, 25 cts. to
see if boats were going up - last one had gone up - the
others have laid up. John E. Carpenter went down with me
and got 269 ft. of buttonwood lumber that I had sawed on
shares. I bought a pair of felt boots at Peter
Cattanach's $3. I took 46 bags of oats to father's.
Chas. Allen and Henry Whaley helped me some. I settled
with Bill Hargrove for south half of bush fence that
Poland's should have built for $15. I gave receipt for
same to Pat O'Hare and he gave me $20. that he kept out of
money for place until I had settled for same.
02 Dec Father bought my horses, harness and wagon for $2 00., 150
bushels of oats at
bushel, bushel of fall wheat,
corn fanning mill, sewing machine, The Practical Home
Physican, 3 pigs, the Writings were signed in Sarnia.
Father helped me get load of oats 23 bags and John E.
Carpenter and Geo. Robinson took down 17 bags fall wheat
while I filed saw for Robinson. Pat O'Hare came and fixed
stable for his horses. I filed Robinson's saw fore noon.
John E. Carpenter and he were at our place for dinner.
Pat O'Hare bought one pit of potatoes - 10 1/4 bushels
$2.65. John E. Carpenter and I took down to father's 9
bags of corn and 15 bushels of corn. John E. Carpenter
took down the rest of wheat - 16 bags. Father is going to
keep team at his place tonight. John O'Hare bought one
hog (barrow) and cleaned up barley for $3.50 pd. Some of
potatoes are frozen. John Sheeran wants me to file his
crosscut saw for him this week.
03 Dec I sold Chas. Allen my crosscut saw for $3. He is to pay
me in two or three weeks. John E. Carpenter helped me
move millet. I filed saw for Allen.
He worked in my
place. Harry Whaley helped me too. John and I drew 2
loads in afternoon of millet and reaper table. I gave
John E. Carpenter the $3. on the saw for his work in
harvest. John O'Hare paid me for the pig and barley
cleaning $3.50. I sold Patrick O'Hare the other pit of
potatoes for 75 cts., some of them were frozen.
04 Dec John E. Carpenter helped me all day move. Moved fanning
mill, chest beams and lot of other stuff and pork. I went
down town and paid Peter Cattanach $100. on account and
got a receipt fore same. Bought a pair of boots for
Willie - too small. P. Cattanach gave me a can of peaches
-201-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
3 5 cts. John E. Carpenter went to Waybrants to Lodge.
Bill Roberts and Lawrence Johnston called in evening.
05 Dec John E. Carpenter helped me move. Moved family down to
father's. Moved the stove. Pat O'Hare took the big part
of stove down. He bought large cupboard for 75 cts. and
moving the stove. I made out Bill Roberts account. We
are square $6.75 being the amount. We are all staying at
father's tonight. Rained some in afternoon.
06 Dec John E. Carpenter helped me fore noon move. Got the last
of stuff from the house. I brought down calf. Rained, we
stayed at father's last night. I went up early to shut up
chickens, they were all out before I got up. I brought
down 1 pail of cream and my mother's picture looking
glass. Bill Roberts brought over his account, he only
allowed me 4/ per acre for reaping and I owe 2/ 1/2 acre
$1.25. I have my pigs and bees and chickens yet to move.
Pat O'Hare has two teams besides his own plowing. He told
John E. Carpenter he is going to move in on Monday.
Rained afternoon. I went up and got the pigs and drove
them down to father's. John and I went up at night and
got the chickens and bee hive and place where bees sat on
and it rained all of time we put chickens under father's
grainry.
07 Dec I went up and got my jack knife where I left it when I was
cutting strings to tie chickens up to move them down to
father's. The pigs went back and I drove them down to
father's. I was at father's all day so was my family.
Rained some.
08 Dec John E. Carpenter helped me all day move potatoes down to
father's and 12 bushels to Chester Henry's, Sombra Village
at 40 cts. I sold Pat O'Hare 1/4 bushel of belle 18 cts.,
John Sheeran got 1 bushel white elephant and 1 bushel
beauty of Hebron for use of his buggy going to Sarnia.
Jacob got 1 bushel belle 75 cts., 1 bushel white elephant.
I drove pigs home. John E. Carpenter took potatoes to
Chester Henry's wife and Charlotte Henry went down with
him. Wife took down Willie's boots to exchange them. 12
bushels potatoes to Chester Henry's $2.40, 1 shirt $1.25,
1 pocket handkerchief 10 cts., 1 black tie 20 cts. Roads
are muddy.
09 Dec John E. Carpenter and I made a concern on wagon box to
take up 100 chickens to Brigden tomorrow. I went up to
old place for pigs.
10 Dec Wife and I went to Brigden with chickens - we had 138 lbs.
chickens at 5 cts. lb. $6.90. Father's chickens weighed
-202-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
183 lbs. $9.15. We bought in for ourselves at John
Armstrong - 3 yds. cottonade 75 cts., 6 yds. cotton 42
cts., suit for Willie $3.50, 6 yds. flannel $1.19, error
in clerk of 73 cts., 2 sticks of braid 10 cts., 10 yds.
wincey $1.25, 4 yds. of print 40 cts., 2 1/2 yds. of print
20 cts., 3 yds. of cotton 30 cts., 4 yds. shirting 50
cts., 5 yds. cotton flannel $1.25, 1 jack knife, 1 pair of
shoes for Eva 40 cts., 1/4 lbs. tobacco 10 cts., 2 1/2
yds. turkish toweling for cloak for Eva 63 cts., 2 yds.
cotton flannel 20 cts., embroidery and buttons 42 cts.,
suit of clothes for myself $8., (he threw me in a cap with
suit, price of cap was 75 cts.), 1 pocket book for wife 15
cts. Wife bought 1 pair rubbers 45 cts., candy 5 cts., 1
can oysters 25 cts., 2 dinners 50 cts., and hay for horses
2 5 cts. We started from father's about 2 am. and got in
Brigden about 10 AM. Left Brigden about 3 PM. and got
home about 8 PM.
11 Dec We butchered father's pigs fore noon. Two of them after I
went up after pigs and got father's scythe at Bill
Roberts.
12 Dec I went to Wallaceburg to pay last note on Charley horse.
It is not due until 27th. of March. W.A. Pont threw off
half on interest $2.50 note. Was given for $55. at 10%
for one year, 8 months of time had expired. I bought 1
lb. fruit crackers 15 cts., 1 pipe 5 cts., 1/3 lb. dates 5
cts., 1 pair boots $2.75, 2 pairs drawers $2. I left home
about 9 am. and got in
Wallaceburg about 1 PM.
Hunted for W.A. Pont
until about 3 PM. I
left Wallace burg about
sun down and got home
at 8 PM. Father and
wife were over to set
up with Mrs. Broad.
13 Dec I went to Sombra and
paid Wallace May
blacksmith bill
amounting to $5.21.
He took little plow
clevis back 25 cts.
My bill from one year
ago last August was
only $7.35. I paid
his $2. on 26th. of
last Sept. He
receipted at foot of
the account.

Mrs. George Broad

c-1885

Phillips (ARGALL)

-203-

-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
14 Dec I was home all day and took care of Eva. Wife and Willie
went over to see Mrs. George Broad. She got home before
dark. Stepmother and father stayed up until 11 PM. and
kept on fire. I and wife got up, she got me some
breakfast as I was going to walk to Sarnia to take the
cars and go to Alpena to see Aunt Marilla. Snowed some in
fore part of night.
15 Dec I left home about 12 o'clock midnight and got in Sarnia
before day light. Crossed ferry to Port Huron 5 cts. and
got in Port Huron 7:30 am. Bought railroad ticket to Au
Sauble $5.55 and change cars three times - from Port Huron
to Vassar on narrow gauge Vassar to Alger on Michigan
Central R.R. to Alger to Au Sauble on the Detroit Bay City
and Alpena railroad. Orange 5 cts., stage ticket from Au
Sauble to Alpena $3.35, hack hire from station to Jockey
house 2 5 cts.
16 Dec Supper, bed and breakfast 75 cts. We left^Au Sauble
before daylight. I got 2 lbs. lemon cream crackers 2 5
cts., dinner in Alcona 50 cts. Got in Alpena after dark.
Bought 6 envelopes and 6 sheets of writing paper 10 cts.
Changed horses 4 times. Total cost of trip to Alpena
$11.52.
17 Dec Bed and breakfast 50 cts., candy 15 cts. in Alpena House.
I posted a letter to wife 2 cts. and walked out to Uncle
Vanalstine's, South Bend, 7 miles from Alpena. Got there
about 10 am. I froze my left ear going out. I stopped at
Uncle Vanalstine's balance of day and same night.
18 Dec Lambert Vanalstine went up with me to Robert McLeod•s to
Maple Ridge township, Alpena, 14 miles northeast from
Uncle Vans. Got to Bobs about 3 PM. Stayed there the
balance of day and they did not know me. Bob's, cousin
Jane, thought it was me.
19 Dec Robert McLeod and I went over to Schnaders to get his
crosscut saw - a Monarch lighting one man saw. Robert
McLeod told Schnader he was going down to Wolf Creek with
me. Schnaders swore like everything.
I helped Bob saw
firewood drags and stovewood blocks until 3 PM. We got
supper at Bob's and started for Uncle Vans 4 PM. 14
miles, we got down to Uncle Vans about 11 PM. I froze my
left ear and left foot some. I gave Bob McLeod wizzard
coin holder and Lambert Vanalstine one.
20 Dec Robert McLeod and I went down to Wolf Creek to look at
some land. We looked at west 1/2 of the south east 1/4
section Township 29, 3 range 6 owned by Moser - 80 acres
beach and maple land; and north east 1/4 of the north west
-204-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
1/4 of section 10 Township 29 6 - 40 acres burned land
owned by Blackburn and; east 1/2 of the south east 1/4 of
section 3 Township 29 range 6 owned by Potter - 80 acres
part beach and maple and part burned land; and the north
east 1/4 of the north west section 11 Township 29 range 6
owned by Collins - 40 acres burned land. We had our
dinner at James McKay's father's. It was dusk when we
left Wolf Creek and it was about 11 o'clock when we got to
Uncle Vans. We were tired and sore. It is 14 miles from
Uncle Vans to Wolf Creek.

-205-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
21 Dec Uncle and Aunt Marilla and I went to Church in King
Settlement.
It was a Dutchman that preached. He took his
text from St John 10 Chap 27 & 28 verses in the fore noon.
Afternoon, I stayed at Uncle Vans. Robert McLeod and I
stayed at Uncle Vans last night. Robert McLeod went home
in the fore noon. Robert gave me description of land
before he went.
22 Dec I stayed at Uncle Vans last night and made him two elm axe
handles. Snowed most all day. Aunt and I went out and
gathered some good thread for Uncle. I wrote a letter for
Aunt to Aunt Jane Sifton.
2 3 Dec Uncle Van and I went out
to Alpena to see about
buying some land for me.
Uncle went over to see
Blackburn and then he
told me that Blackburn
had offered him the land
for $50. and pay for
making out the writings
and that we were to meet
him at Seth L. Carpenter's
law office to get the
writings made out.
I bought 1 pair thick red
stockings for $1. and one
pair rubbers for $1. and
dinner for Uncle and I 50
cts. at the Golden Eagle.
We then went down to
Seth Carpenter, Lawyer
Carpenter's law office to
get papers made out. Blackburn came around shortly after
we got there but he would not pay for getting up the
writings, I told Uncle I would pay for them. I gave $50.
on land and $1. for making out the deed and James McKay's
deed and for telephoning 25 cts. I went down and saw Mr.
Potter about his land. He wants $2. per acre for his land
half down and your own time to pay balance at 7% interest.
I got supper at Albion House 25 cts. and bed at Alpena
House. I could not get my deed registered today but S.L.
Carpenter was to send it up to the register office and
then they would send it to me by post.

-206-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884

Registration of Land Sale
Alpena County, Michigan

-207-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
24 Dec I stayed at Alpena House. Had to pay for bed and
breakfast 60 cts., nipple for Jane McKay's baby 5 cts.,
stage ticket from Alpena to Au Sauble $4. Left Alpena 15
min. to 3 am. and got in Au Sauble about noon. I bought
ticket from Au Sauble to Port Huron, the same route that I
went up on, $5.55, 1 doz. smoked herron 10 cts., 1 lb.
lemon cream crackers 12 cts., 4 oranges 10 cts. Left Au
Sauble for Alger at noon. Had to wait at Alger for the
M.C.R.R. train about 3 hours. Left Alger after dark and
got to Vassar about 11 PM. The narrow gauge had gone and
we had to stay at Vassar all night. We had a big time
with hotel rummers.
25 Dec Supper, bed and breakfast 75 cts., hack fee from station
to hotel and back. We left Vassar about 8:30 and got in
Port Huron about noon. Crossed in the Port Huron ferry 5
cts. and walked home from Sarnia. Left Sarnia about 2 PM.
and got home at 7 PM. just as my folks were eating supper.
I got a chance of riding about 4 miles on the way down
from Sarnia. I found my children sick with bad colds. I
bought 10 cts. worth of candy for children in Courtright.
Total amount I spent besides my place $26.42, place $53.28
altogether $79.67.
26 Dec I stayed at home all day and tended children so wife could
sew. I felt tired and sore all day. Curtis Wright and
John E. Carpenter took team and went up to Jacob Young's
for firewood. They pulled tongue out of Sleigh and had to
go to Wilkesport to get it fixed - cost 50 cts. Wife got
a letter from her cousin that was in Germany. He is in
Austria now.
27 Dec I went to Courtright with John Sheeran to see if I could
get work in salt block. The head man was not at home. I
called at Express office to pay note on reaper. Note was
not there. I got home at noon. I went down town
afternoon and bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1/2 gal. coal
oil 12 cts. and one bot. horehound toln and elecome pain
25 cts. for colds for children.
18 Dec John E. Carpenter took wife down town. She went over to
Marine City and bought 10 yds. prints 90 cts., 8 yds.
print 40 cts., 3 yds. print 18 cts., 2 yds. waist lining
25 cts., 1 cap for Willie 65 cts., 1 handkerchief 10 cts.,
ferrage 20 cts. Wife stopped at Chester Henry's at night.
19 Dec Wife stayed at Chester Henry's all day.
20 Dec Wife stayed at Chester Henry's last night and part of
today. John E. Carpenter brought her home with the team
-208-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
from Sombra.
28 Dec Wife and Willie went over to Church. I stayed home and
took care of Eva, she has a bad cold. Wife did not come
home. I went after her, found her at Albert Henry's.
It
began to rain last night and rained some today. Snow is
going fast.
29 Dec I went down town to hear nomination of councilors.
I was
at Chester Henry's for dinner. Father went down with me.
I went to post office after dinner to see if deeds had
come for my place in Alpena, I got them. When I got back
to town hall, the nominations were all over. I bought at
M.L. Burnham's - 1 lb. red yarn 60 cts., 1/2 lb. blue 30
cts. Father went down with me.
30 Dec Father said it rained last night, snow is all gone
excepting in fence corners. We had good sleighing, snowed
all day before Christmas and sleighing was good before
that. I went down town to get over the river, the ice was
rotten. I did not go over. I got post card from Express
agent that reaper note had come to Courtright.
It rained
some in afternoon. I got home before dark.
3 1 Dec I went to Courtright and paid one note for reaper $25. Brantford reaper. I tried to get work in Courtright Salt
Works. I could not as they had all the men they wanted.
I bought 5 pens 5 cts., peppermint lozenges 10 cts., 2
smoked herron 2 cts. Wife had gone up to Mrs. Albert
Henry's when I had got home. I did not get home until
after dark. I took care of horses and went up to where
wife was. I made her believe I was going up to Bill
Robert's candy pull.

-209-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884

1885
Sombra Twp., Ontario
01 Jan I was at home all day. Part of afternoon, John E.
Carpenter and Curtis Wright and Henry Young and I went up
to Mrs. Albert Henry's and cut some stovewood for her.
Snowed and blowed in evening. Father and stepmother went
up to Capt. Gales and William Hargrove's.
02 Jan I filed George Henry Bury's saw 25 cts. and he helped
father saw stove wood rest of day. John E. Carpenter and
Curtis Wright helped and were over to Church.
03 Jan I filed Jacob Young's crosscut saw 25 cts. and helped
father saw some stove wood and then I went to town to see
Bob Gormely if he wanted to buy a horse. He has made up
his mind not to buy. I bought at M.L. Burnham's - candy 5
cts.
04 Jan Wife went to Church. I stayed home with the children,
Eva and Willie. She went up to her mother's after Church
and did not get home until after dark. Sie Poland gave
Eva and Willie 10 cts. each.
05 Jan I helped father saw stove wood fore noon on John Sheeran's
place. Wife went down town in the morning to get herself
a dress, 8 yds. cashmere $4., 1 1/2 doz. buttons 10 cts.,
1 spool cotton 5 cts., 2 spools silk 10 cts., 1 spool silk
twist 5 cts., 1 stick braid. Miss Minnie Roberts is
making her the dress. John E. Carpenter settled up
tonight. He owes me $1.15 my way and $1.30 his way.
Father went down with me to vote for council and for or
against railroad bonus. I did not go near the poles.
Wife and I came home together. Father waited until after
dark.
06 Jan I went to Sarnia on James Bury stage from Capt. Gales 50
cts. I went over to Port Huron (ferrage 5 cts.), 1 lb.
fruit crackers 15 cts. I hunted over Port Huron for work,
could not get any. I took the 4:25 train to Imlay City
$1., 1 oranges 10 cts. I got in Imlay City about 6:30 pm.
I walked out to Black's Corners and stayed at John
Hagadores all night. He married Uncle Alexander's wife's
grand daughter before Uncle Alexander married her.
07 Jan I went out to Uncle Alexander's this morning and got there
about nine am. Aunt Phoebe is very sick and has been
confined to her bed for about five months. I was at
Uncle's for dinner, after dinner I went over to Joseph
-210-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Aldrich. He married the girl grandfather raised (Esther
Chapman). I stayed there a little while and then I went
down to Uncle Alexander's step grand daughter's, her name
is Annie Phelps. I stayed there for supper and then he
and I went over to Uncle Alexander's cousin.
James
Carpenter and wife came down to his father's from Brown
City. We had quite a visit in the evening and then Phelps
and I went over to his place. I stayed there all night.

Tombstone of Esther (Chapman) & Joseph Aldrich
East Goodland Cemetery, Lapeer County, HI

08 Jan Phelps and I went up to Uncle Alexander's after breakfast
and saw their cousin. James Carpenter drove me down to
Imlay City. I took the train there for Port Huron $1.
Crossed river to Port Sarnia and bought ticket for
Ingersoll and return $4. I left Sarnia about 12 am. to
Ingersoll, had to change cars at London. Got in Ingersoll
about 3:15 pm. I bought 1 lb. ginger snaps 15 cts. I
walked out to Uncle Charles Sifton, 7 miles. I got there
about dusk. The first one of them that I met was cousin
James Sifton, Belle Sifton cousin is not very well, has
been complaining for some time.
09 Jan I stayed at Uncle Chas. Sifton's all night. I helped
thresh peas a little while in the morning for cousin Joe
Sifton. I blistered my hand. Cousin Belle is not very
-211-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
well. Cousin Joseph Sifton and I went to Thamesford to
see my father's stepmother. Found her very well, she is
nearly blind. It snowed some in the evening. Joe and I
came back to Uncle's.

Joseph Sifton Family

c1906

Leonard, Sarah (Couse), John, Meta, Joseph & Florence

10 Jan I stayed at Uncle's all night. Slept with cousin Joe both
nights. I helped Uncle Chas. Sifton split wood fore noon.
Aunt Jane Sifton and cousin Belle went to Thamesford to
see Dr. for Belle. They got back at noon. I filed cousin
Joe's crosscut saw afternoon and went down to Thamesford
for Autograph Album 25 cts. and got back to Uncle's about
5 pm. Cousin Belle is not any better. Wife went down
town and bought at Peter Cattanach's - 1 shawl $3.50, 1
lb. crackers 10 cts., 4 yds. print 40 cts., 2 doz. buttons
8 cts., 3 lbs. prunes 24 cts., 1 can oyster 2 5 cts. At
Geo. Smith's - candy 5 cts. She owes Cattanach on shawl

1.20.

11 Jan I stayed at Chas. Sifton's all night and day. Cousin
Belle and cousin Joseph and Aunt Jane Sifton wrote in my
autograph album and I wrote in cousin Belle's.
Rained
most all day.
-212-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
12 Jan I was going to walk out to Ingersoll to take the 4:56 am.
train but it was raining and very dark and I could not go.
I waited until after daylight and walked out to Ingersoll
and got there about 11:15 am. A breakman had his finger
and thumb smashed in Ingersoll. I waited until train came
at 12:15 am. Got in London about 1:15 pm and had to wait
in London for the 2:30 train going to Sarnia. Got in
Sarnia about 4:30 pm. I went up to Thorn to get 1/2 doz.
photographs taken from a negative we had taken on the
20th. of last August. He charged me 75 cts. I bought 1
almanac 15 cts., 1 lb. fruit crackers 12 cts., 1 book
autograph album verses 20 cts. I went up to Lawrence
Exchange and signed my name and paid for bed and went to
bed.
13 Jan I got breakfast at Farmers Exchange 2/. I went down to
ferry to cross over to Port Huron. When I found a man
going down to Courtright, he asked me to ride down with
him. I did. I walked from Courtright home. Got home
just as our folks were at dinner. I did nothing in the
afternoon. I went up to photograph gallary and found I
had left my mitts there.
14 Jan I went down town and paid Peter Cattanach $1.20 balance
due him on shawl wife got from him on the 10th. of this
month and exchanged spool of thread. Ida Wright came home
today. She is going to work in Marine City, going
tomorrow. I got home about 2 pm. and did nothing in the
afternoon.
15 Jan I went up to Chas. Henry's to get corn sheller. He had
taken it home. John E. Carpenter took team and went to
draw a load of firewood, could not as team could not stand
up on the ice. I drove Ida Wright down town. John E.
Carpenter borrowed $10. from me to pay for fixing his
cutter. Snowed last night some. C.C. Gary stopped at
father's last night and today, fixed our pail.
16 Jan Snowed again last night. I did nothing fore noon.
Afternoon I filed John Edgar Bury's crosscut saw 2 5 cts.
Snowing again tonight and blowing and drifting in the
house upstairs. C.C. Gary stopped at father's all day.
He is a tinker and pedlar. He is a cripple, his right leg
is bent back at the knee joint caused by having black
erisipless. He stayed at father's tonight.
17 Jan I did nothing fore noon. Afternoon I walked down town and
got a ride back with John Moran. I gave Chas. C. Gary 15
cts. for fixing ears on tin pail, he left at father's this
morning for Urias Dawson's, Wilkesport. Snow is drifting
-213-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
very bad, the wind is in the west. The river St. Clair
ice broke loose again and jammed again. This is the
fourth time it has done so this winter. Mrs. Hargrove,
father's wife's mother has been staying at father's for
the last three days. She is quite old and feeble, her
eyes are sore too.
18 Jan We were home all day as it was very cold.
letter to Aunt Marilla Vanalstine.

I wrote a

19 Jan I was over to Marine City to try and get a house to rent.
Could not. Saw a man by name of Shaket who wanted to buy
a horse, told him father had one he wanted to sell. He
promised to meet father in Sombra tomorrow at 2 pm. at
Andrew Smith's. I posted a letter to Mordie Carpenter,
Uncle Jabes Carpenter in Port Burwell and one to Aunt
Marilla Vanalstine. Candy 4 cts., 2 letters 4 cts.
2 0 Jan I did nothing fore noon. Afternoon father* and I took
horses to Sombra. Shaket did not come. We waited until
near sun down. We drove Charley horse down and led Jim
horse. We had John E. Carpenter's cutter.
21 Jan I went down town and bought 1/2 gal. coal oil at Peter
Cattanach's 13 cts. I went over to Marine City, saw a man
there by the name of Lovejoy who wants to buy a horse. He
is to meet father at Sombra tomorrow at 2 pm. at M.L.
Burnham's. Willougby Smith was buried in Sombra today, he
was the nephew of Andrew Smith. Photographs that I
ordered when I came home from London came today. I gave
John E. Carpenter one of them. It is cold yet.
22 Jan I walked over to Marine City and saw Joseph Heisler.
Rented his house - paid him $2. on it. I then rode down
to Roberts Landing with Nomer Staley. I went in and saw
sister, Lucy, at Roberts place. Stayed a few minutes with
her. I crossed on the ice to Port Lambton and walked out
Lambton Line to Capt. Gales and then east home. Got my
dinner and drove Jim horse down to Sombra to let Lovejoy
see him. He was at M.L. Burnham's as he said he would be.
He said Jim horse was to light for his work. John E.
Carpenter took horses to Wilkesport and got them shod. I
gave him the shoes - cost setting 8 shoes $1. John E.
Carpenter borrowed Pat Sheeran's bob sleigh for one for
tomorrow to move. John E. Carpenter tried to get P.N.
Henry to take a load for me, he did not like to. We
loaded up and taken. Father and I started for Marine City
about 11 pm. We had to go around by Port Lambton the same
way as I went home this afternoon.

-214-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
23 Jan Father and I got to Marine City about 3 am. I went and
woke Joseph Heisler up and got the key to house and paid
him $4. paying the rent for one month. We unloaded stuff.
Joe Heisler helping us, then father and I started for home
again same way as we came. We got to father's about 6 am.
I put horses in the stable and loaded up stove, pork,
cradle and started from father's about 8 am. same way as
before. Brother, John E. Carpenter, came with me this
time. We got to Marine City about 11:30 am. We unloaded
and set stove up and then John E. took team home. I
stayed at Marine City. I went up and saw the custom house
officer. He was to come down and look at my stuff this
afternoon, (he did not come). I brought a broom 25 cts.,
1 seven inch elbo and 1/2 cord softwood from Nomer Staley
$1. I fixed up stove and made myself some bean soup and
walked around town a little while and then came home.
Found Joseph Heisler's ash barrel afire. I went and told
him of it, they put it out. I went to bed.
24 Jan I stayed in Marine City. Wife stayed at father's.
I got
up and got my breakfast and then crossed the ice to Sombra
and started out to father's. Met John E. Carpenter coming
with wife and children. John got out and I got in and I
drove wife and children around by Port Lambton to Marine
City. Got to Marine City about noon. I put Charley horse
in stable and took lunch and helped fix up a little. I
bought 3 chairs $1.37, one kitchen table with drawer
$2.25, 1 mop stick 15 cts. Took Charley horse out and
crossed on ice to Sombra and drove out to father's.
Father and John are cleaning up my fall wheat, will have
about 2 5 bushels. I got supper at father's. Then John
came down to Lodge. Drove down in his cutter.
I rode
down with him to Mrs. Mays, Sombra, and then I walked
across the ice to Marine City. I brought clock, gun and
wife's hat with me. Cut some wood. Mr. & Mrs. Joseph
Heisler came over in the evening a little while. I went
over and asked them to come over. After they went home I
went to bed, slept a little while then I woke up. I could
not get to sleep anymore so I got up and wrote this stuff.
Will make some ginger tea and go to bed. I saw custom
officer this morning. Duty on wheat is 20 cts. on bushel,
of flour 20 cts. on dollar. Snowing tonight.
25 Jan I was sick in bed all day with fever and cold. I took two
doses of quine and two Warner's pills at night.
26 Jan John E. Carpenter took my wheat to mill at Wallaceburg
Pattened roller grist mill. I met him on Lambton Line.
We crossed the ice at Lambton to Roberts Landing and then
drove up to Marine City. Unloaded the flour, 8 bags.
Left one bag for father and the bran and the shorts.
-215-

1
James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Drove around by Lambton, crossed over the ice. There was
a team that went through the ice between Lambton and
Sombra. One horse was drowned, the ice is very poor. I
was afraid of ice when I was crossing. I bought a buck
saw $1. at Lewis Cottrell's. I went up to father's with
John E. Carpenter and got our washboard and old axe father
gave me to split wood.
27 Jan I made a saw horse fore noon and cut some wood for stove.
I finished cutting wood afternoon. Wife went over to
Sombra afternoon. I kept the children. I bought pattened
saw axe for small saws $1., 1 dust pan. I paid duty on
flour 800 lbs. at $2.25 per 100 - $18. at 20% duty on
dollar $3.60, 3 1/2 bushels beans $4. 10% duty on dollar 40 cts., household goods came free except entry fee.
Entry fee for free goods 70 cts., entry fee for flour and
beans 70 cts. - total paid $5.40. I tried to get a job of
bucking wood, failed. I set my hand saw (new saw set
works fast - first rate) It is cold.
,
28 Jan I went and bought 5 cts. worth soft coal to try and see
how it would burn. It burned first rate. Jane Poland
came over to see us. She brought note from father saying
he had settled with Peter Cattanach and Mrs. Poland for
me. I fixed rockers on cradle. Wife and Jane Poland went
uptown. Wife bought 1/2 gal. syrup 20 cts., keeps cold.
I wrote a letter to cousin, Belle Sifton, Thamesford, Ont.
29 Jan I went and bought 1/2 ton soft coal $2. Jane Poland
stayed with us last night. I made wood box, coal was
delivered in the afternoon. I bought 1/2 cord softwood
from Nomer Staley $1.15. I drew it into wood shed by
myself. Jane Poland went home in the afternoon.
I was
sick at night.
30 Jan I was sick all day with bad cold and fever.
most all day, not able to do anything.

I was in bed

31 Jan I went over to father's in fore noon. Was there for
dinner. Father gave me my note that I gave Peter
Cattanach and for receipt for account in full to date.
Father gave him my horses for them. He also settled with
Mrs. Poland for me. He gave her my lumber wagon, bin of
oats and set of double harness. She allowed me my claim
against her for fixing line and for some borrowed money
that her husband borrowed from me before he died.
She
gave receipt for claim at 4 division court in County of
Lambton, Ontario. I got a letter tonight from cousin
Jabey Mordica Carpenter, Uncle Jabes Carpenter's only
living son.
-216-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
01 Feb We were in all day. Mrs. Beebe lives in same house we do,
upstairs. She called in the afternoon and borrowed 2
papers. I wrote a letter to cousin, Jabey Mordica
Carpenter.
02 Feb I bucked wood most all day - 1/2 cord cut twice into four
for our own stove. Wife went uptown and bought 3 lbs.
beef 24 cts., 1 peck potatoes 10 cts., onions 11 cts.,
sausage 8 cts. I kept the children. Wife and children
were over to Heisler's this afternoon. I finished
splitting wood.
03 Feb I went over to father's. Rode out with Bill Eyer's. Paid
him for salt I borrowed of him last fall to salt my pig 25
cts. for 32 lbs. of salt. I got money for calf at Peter
Cattanach's that Thomas Conlin left there for calf.
Father sold him the calf. Stepmother sent over some milk
for children. I crossed on the ice. Dide Lawden was
buried today at Catholic Church, Sombra.
04 Feb I bought one pair heel braces 10 cts., 1 fire shovel 10
cts. I went over to Mrs. Albert Henry's stovewood bee in
the afternoon. I walked home at night, left father's at 7
pm and got home at 9 pm.
05 Feb I bought rocking chair for wife $1.50. I went out to Ed
Tully shanty, lot 28, in con 11. Hired with Robert
Laugheed to cut elm and saw logs. I was at father's for
dinner. Rode out to shanty from my old place with William
Gales.
06 Feb I cut logs fore noon. Afternoon I rode out to banking
with Bill Gales. Helped him unload and rode out to
baseline with him. Simon Poland and Henry Youngs called
in evening. I did not get up.
08 Feb I was home fore noon. I went over to Sombra.
to Robt. Gormely's and waited for Bill Gales.
shanty with him.

Walked out
Rode out to

09 Feb I filed two saws fore noon and helped saw some. Rained
most of the afternoon. We cut a few logs. Rain stopped
us.
10 Feb I filed one saw fore noon for Conlon boys for Laugheed
filed the saw I used at noon and sawed balance of day.
is getting colder.

It

11 Feb I sawed all day with Spencer. It is very cold. All of
the teamsters had their faces, nose or some other part of
-217-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
their bodies froze.
Wallaceburg.

Mercury was 30 degrees below zero in

12 Feb I filed three saws fore noon.
Spencer.
13 Feb I sawed all day.
Geo. Spencer.

Sawed afternoon with Geo.

Filed my saw at noon.

Cut 29 logs with

14 Feb I sawed all day. Cut 26 logs with Geo. Spencer.
Walked
home from shanty. Joseph Bullyew, Joe Declare and Avery
Tomlin came out with me as far as their places. I got
home about 11:20 pm.
15 Feb I walked out to father's fore noon and was there for
dinner. Got brother, John E. Carpenter, to take my place
in shanty as I had to get some firewood. Jane Poland and
Josephine Chartier called in evening.
•»

16 Feb I walked over to Sombra to sell my wood to buy corn. Went
to Bob Stokes. He was not at home. I tried to sell it at
the grist mill, Sombra, could not. I got a dollar from
father. John E. Carpenter started for shanty this
morning. I brought 1/2 cord of wood from Homer Staley $1.
and got it into the wood shed.
17 Feb I cut the 1/2 cord of wood into twice fore noon and split
it. Wife went over to Sombra and got 40 cts. Chester
Henry owes me for potatoes and got my pants at Lester's
that John E. Carpenter sent to me by Martin Sheeran.
She
bought 1 1/2 lbs. butter 20 cts., 1 bar soap 6 cts. I
kept the children while wife was gone, while I was cutting
wood in wood shed. I bought in the afternoon - 6 awls 12
cts., 1 ball shew thread 10 cts. and was 2 cts. and fixed
my boot that I saw cut at shanty.
18 Feb I started for shanty fore noon. Went around by father's
and got strap to fix my boots. Walked out to Landing, got
a ride from there to shanty. Arthur Garvey got there for
dinner. Sawed afternoon with Geo. Spencer and Mike
Conlin.
19 Feb I sawed all day with Mike Conlin and Geo. Spencer.
our saw at noon.

Filed

20 Feb I sawed all day with Geo. Spencer and Mike Conlin.
21 Feb I sawed fore noon with Bill Pulver and Mike Conlin. I
went home in the afternoon. Rode to banking ground with
Dick Johnston. Walked rest of the way home, got a letter
from cousin, Jabey Carpenter. Posted a letter to Robt.
-218-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
McLeod, Alpena, Mich.
22 Feb I walked across River St. Clair to Sombra on ice. I rode
out to Capt. Gales with William Ellis. Bill Gales and his
team harnessed to go to Thomas Bury to go to shanty. I
rode with him to shanty. I lent Bill Gales my chain.
Jane Poland and Ida Wright were to see wife at night.
They were at our place for supper. I was to shanty.

Lazarus Ellis Children
Jane {Kellam), Mary (Robson), Sarah (Bury)
Isaac, Archaless & William

23 Feb Mrs. Frank Prier died yesterday and was buried today. I
sawed all day with Mike Conlin and Bill Pulver. We cut 40
elm logs. Wife and children were over to Chester Henry's,
Sombra.
24 Feb Mike Conlin, Bill Pulver and I sawed fore noon, cut 12 elm
logs. Bill Pulver and I sawed together afternoon, cut 6
elm logs. I filed saw at noon.
25 Feb Bill Pulver and I sawed together all day, cut 2 6 elm logs.
Bill Poland and Alexander Chartier were at our place at
night.
-219-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
26 Feb Bill Pulver and I and Mike Barris sawed together all day.
We finished cutting on 29 fore noon and commenced on lot
26 afternoon. I filed our saw at noon. I felt sick
afternoon.
27 Feb I was sick all night with bad cold. Started for home in
the morning, got home to Marine City before noon. Was in
bed all afternoon. Wife is sick with bad cold too.
28 Feb I fixed my felt boots fore noon and filed my buck saw. I
was uptown afternoon and bought 2 cts. worth of bristles.
01 Mar I was at home all day. Was down to river twice to see how
crossing was. It is not very good. Jane Poland and
Josephine Chartier came to our place this afternoon.
They
were going to cross the river to go home. I coaxed them
to come and stay at my place. They would not. I watched
them, they went a little way out and turned and came back
and stayed at our place all night. Their £eet were all
wet. They changed their stockings and I gave them some
ginger tea. They slept out in the kitchen. Jane Poland
lent wife 50 cts. Snowed some afternoon.
02 Mar I was loafing around Marine City all day. Jane Poland and
Josephine Chartier stayed at our place all day. The ice
is very poor. John Waybrant broke through and went down
until his pole saved him from going clear in. Jane Poland
bought for wife 1 lb. butter 18 cts., 1 bar of soap 5
cts., 1 quart of milk 5 ct.
03 Mar I loafed around town all day. Could not get any work.
Jane Poland and Josephine Chartier were at our place all
day.
04 Mar I was around town all day. Jane Poland and Josephine
Chartier stayed at our place all day. They washed for
wife. Josephine Chartier went over to Feeb Saph just
before supper.
05 Mar I walked around town fore noon. Hired to Aaron Westbrook
for the afternoon for 50 cts. 1 lamp chimney 5 cts.,
moving a house. Jane Poland stayed at our place all day.
Josephine Chartier came and got her clothes.
06 Mar Walked around town fore noon. After, Jane Poland and I
went to Canada. I went out to father's and then up to
Patrick 0'Hare's and sold him my corn 20 cts. and 3
bushels to John O'Hare. Was there for supper.
07 Mar I stayed at father's all night. Pat and John O'Hare came
and got my corn. John got 3 bushels 60 cts., Pat got 16
-220-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
bushels $3.20. Pat O'Hare paid me for a peck of bella
potatoes I sold him before I moved. I got ride to Sombra,
came across in ferry, charge round trip 50 cts. I got 1/2
cord of softwood Staley daughter $1. Cut up wood
afternoon and split it, cut it twice in two. I went
uptown and bought 1/2 gal syrup 20 cts., 5 yds. bleach
cotton 4 5 cts., butter 24 cts., apples 5 cts.
05 Mar The steamer Omar D. Conger came down from Port Huron to
Marine City. She tried to break up the ice. She ran up
on the ice, got fast and had to lay in the ice until
morning for the ice was on bottom of river.

Omar D. Conger

08 Mar I was at home most all day. Was upstairs to Mr. Beebe.
They live upstairs of the same house we do. Miss Ida
Wright and Miss Seaforth and Josephine Chartier and
another girl called at our place in the evening.
09 Mar I bought 3 lbs. sugar 21 cts., 4 lbs. oatmeal 2 0 cts., 1
bar soap 5 cts. Posted a letter to the editor of Alpena
Argus and received a letter from cousin, Belle Sifton.
10 Mar I went for Scott to take me across the River St. Clair.
He could not, he let me have his boat. I rowed across to
Canadian side, but could not land as the ice was running
too heavy. I rowed back again. Just at noon, Thomas
Whitely and Joe Harris came over from Canada with a couple
of passengers. I got ready and went back with them,
charged me 25 cts. When we got to Canadian side, we had
-221-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
to haul boat out of cakes of running ice, sometimes we had
to run the boat onto the cakes of ice then walk from one
cake to the other and pull boat after us. I was at
father's for dinner, got to shanty before dark.
11 Mar I sawed for Laugheed all day with Rankin Workman and Henry
Smith.
12 Mar I sawed for Laugheed all day with Smith.
in the afternoon.

Went home sick

13 Mar I sawed all day for Laugheed with Rankin Workman.
saw yesterday afternoon.

Filed

14 Mar I worked for Laugheed all day. Filed saw fore noon.
Sawed balance of day with R, Workmen and Smith.
Smith
came to camp last night.
15 Mar I walked out to Sombra. Ice was so poor that I would not
go home. I went to father's for dinner. Wrote a letter
to wife and then went to shanty.
16 Mar I had bad toothache. I sawed fore noon.
filed saws for Laugheed.

Afternoon I

17 Mar I filed saws part of the day. Made an axe handle and a
beadle and sawed part of afternoon with Laugheed.
18 Mar Made a beadle and filed saw fore noon.
Spencer for Laugheed afternoon.

Sawed with Geo.

19 Mar I filed some saws and set one fore noon for Laugheed.
Frank Rivers and John E. Carpenter came after me to vote
for Scott Act. went with them, stopped at John Blakes for
John Brown too. We had dinner there. I voted and went
home to Marine City and bought 1/2 cord of softwood and
got it into wood shed.
20 Mar I cut wood twice in two and split it and went to shanty.
Crossed the river on ice today and yesterday.
21 Mar I worked for Laugheed all day. Cut logs fore noon.
Afternoon we cut firewood at shanty door. John Doran and
I sawed together.
22 Mar Sunday, I stayed at shanty for breakfast and dinner and
got some money. Afternoon about 4 pm., started for home,
got there just dusk. Ed Tully gave me $10. on work for
Robt. Laugheed.

-222-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
23 Mar I paid Joseph Heisler $6. on rent to settle with him up to
March 27th. Bought 1/2 cord softwood from Staley $1.
Crossed River St. Clair on ice. Ice was very poor, you
could see water gush up through the ice. I was at
father's for dinner, went to shanty. Got there early.
Bought crosscut saw gauge for Robt. Laugheed 75 cts. in
Marine City. Got a letter for wife from her cousin, Grace
Hamlyn, Bowmanville. I got it at Sombra and put it in
another envelope and sent it to wife in Marine City.
24 Mar I filed three saws and gunned one and made two axe handles
for Robt. Laugheed.
25 Mar I sawed all day with Geo. Spencer and John Doran.
logs for Robt. Laugheed.

Cut 3 0

26 Mar I jointed two saws and filed them fore noon. Afternoon, I
sawed with John Sheeran and Geo. Spencer - cut 15 logs for
Robt. Laugheed.
27 Mar I sawed all day for Robt. Laugheed with Henry Smith.
Cut
20 logs. Heard Walpole Indian brassband came and played
at our camp. First bluebird today.
28 Mar I sawed for Robt. Laugheed all day with Henry Smith - cut
24 logs.
29 Mar After breakfast, I started for home. Crossed river in
Whitely's ferry 25 cts. I was home for dinner. Mrs.
Arthur Rattray died yesterday. He died only a couple of
weeks before her of typhoid fever. Stayed home all day
after I got home except a little while - up to Staley's.
30 Mar I cut 1/2 cord of softwood twice in two fore noon.
Snowing most all fore noon. Afternoon, I went to shanty.
Bought 4 awls for 4 cts., quine 10 cts., at Parkinson,
Wilkesport. I went around by father's and got my old
boots. We had supper at lot 22 camp, Rankin Workman and
I. We got at our camp, lot 28 con 12, about 9 pm.
Slushy
tonight.
31 Mar I sawed all day with Rankin Workman and Henry Smith for
Robt. Laugheed.
01 Apr I filed two crosscut saws for John Stone for Robt.
Laugheed fore noon. We all got our time after dinner,
Laugheed made up my time - 1 month 4 1/2 days at $18. per
month. Crosscut saw gauge 75 cts. for month $21.10 total $21.85. John and Mike Conlin and I crossed Bear
Creek on ice. Ice was poor, water was running on both
sides of ice, next to the shore. We carried a rail a
-223-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
piece. I got to Sombra a little before sundown, crossed
river on Whitely ferry 25 cts.
02 Apr I bought 1 file 6 cts., 1 bottle of black ink 5 cts. Saw
robin this morning and a flock of 10 blackbirds yesterday
coming home from shanty. I went into Heislers cellar for
some potatoes for them, he gave me a basket full. Sit
around house most all of the day. I fixed drawer in table
for wife, partitioned it off.
03 Apr Rained yesterday and last night, turned to snow in the
night and is snowing now. I was home all day.
Commences
writing desk.
04 Apr I bought 1 box tacks for my boots, fixed them and finished
writing desk. I bought 1 1/2 lbs. butter 30 cts., 3
apples 3 cts. Willie had a touch of croup. Froze quite
hard last night. I borrowed a book about Rights of Labor
from George.
*
05 Apr I was home all day until evening then I went up to George
and took his book home about Rights of Labor. Got back
about 10 pm.
06 Apr I set around house fore noon. Afternoon, I and Martin
Beebe went up to Recor marsh to hunt ducks. We helped
shoot a hell diver and tried to get a job cutting cord
wood. We crossed over Belle River by red school house on
bridge and came around by bush on west side of Belle River
bridge by red school house. Was damaged some by frozen
ice. Jane Poland came over to help wife sew - ferrage 50
cts.
07 Apr I set around house fore noon. Afternoon, I went up to
upper iron bridge, as heard it was in danger of being
carried away. Was there most of afternoon. The jam of
ice came through at upper bridge - damaged the bridge some
at 9 pm. The jam carried Tim Baker and Buckeye State down
the stream and waged them between the S.H. Johnston and
Anderson. The lower bridge came alright. I was up until
1 o'clock in the morning.
08 Apr Roamed around town fore noon. Afternoon, I helped Martin
Beebe get his boat out of Belle River and cut ice out of
it. Got ready to go to father's, got across on Canadian
side of River St. Clair and had to come back for ice was
too thick off boat. We were in neither of the ferries but
Joseph Russ, Young Coda and Dan Michael Herrin were with
us. I came back and stayed at home.

-224-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
09 Apr Martin and Ed Beebe and I went up to Belle River to hunt
fish in ditches. From Belle River, Martin shot one pike.
I started for father's after 3 pm., crossed over in
Whitely ferry. I got to father's at bed time.
10 Apr I stayed at father's last night. I went into potato pit,
did not find any froze. Then started for Wallaceburg to
see Ed Tully to get balance of my pay for working for him
for Robt. Laugheed. He was in Dresden.
I went down side
road to the big ditch. I saw 5 pike in it, then east to
next side road, then nearly south to the Burg.
I went out
to William Tweedles, took him two bella potatoes. Got to
Tweedle's at supper time. Father gave me five dollars for
bran, little wheat and shovel. I gave him 25 cts.
1 1 Apr I stayed at W. Tweedle's last night and all day. Began to
snow in the night and most all day. Snow is 6 inches
deep, the snow was soft and packed. I helped Tweedle
clean up barley - 70 bushels with Frank Armstrong and
Cyrenius Cronk.
12 Apr Snowing some today. I was at Tweedle's all day.
I read
most all of House of Prince David through.
I was at
Church at night.
13 Apr I stayed at Tweedle's last night. Sled for Wallaceburg
after breakfast. Ed Tully was not in Burg yet.
I waited
until night. I stopped at Windsor House, kept by Shepard
Summers. Ed Tully came about 10:30 pm. I showed him my
time and balance due me. He made out that he did not know
his clerk's signature but when he found out that I was
alright he said he would see me tomorrow. Then went to
bed.
14 Apr I saw Ed Tully and asked him for my money. He said he
could not pay me until he came back from Chatham. He came
good for my bed and breakfast 50 cts. I stayed around
town fore noon. Afternoon, I went out to James Allen's,
was there for supper. I then went to Wallaceburg but Ed
Tully did not come on 6 o'clock train as he said he would
but went to London. I waited until 7 pm. and then I
started for father's. Got to father's about midnight.
15 Apr I stayed at father's last night. Started for Marine City
in the morning. Aaron Westbrook's store burned last
night. I got home before noon. I bought 1/2 gal syrup 2 0
cts., 3 eggs 10 cts. I got 1/2 cord softwood from Nomer
Staley $1. Wife borrowed of Jane Poland while I was away
75 cts. and 50 cts. once before making it $1.25 in all. I
paid her 50 cts. of it. Laid around house the rest of the
day.
-225-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
16 Apr Martin Beebe and I went hunting fish in big ditch west of
Marine City - got none. Afternoon, we went up Belle River
in Martin's boat to Gardner's Creek and got some firewood
and brought it down in boat. I bought 12 1/2 lbs. pork at
$1. Ed Beebe went with us after wood. I borrowed book
from Wink Baker - Little Jesse James.
17 Apr Martin and Ed Beebe and I went up to Charley Gardener's
and got back after dinner. Martin and I cut some small
wood up afternoon. Wife bought 3 lbs. beef 24 cts., 1 lb.
baking soda. Butcher cheated her out of 1/4 lb. so she
took him his beef back and went to another shop and bought
beef.
18 Apr I loafed around all day. Finished reading Little Jesse
James through. Wife bought 1 lb. butter 2 0 cts. Wife
gave Jane Poland 15 cts. to pay ferrage. Jane Poland went
home today. Ice in River St. Clair. I bought 1/2 gal.
oil 6 cts., pepper 10 cts.
19 Apr I was home all day until evening then Willie and I went
down to River St. Clair to see if there was any ice in
river, there was. It was a fine day. Miss Seaforth
called in evening.
20 Apr I fooled around with Martin and Ed Beebe. Bought 4 fish
hooks and one fish line 8 cts. Fished some, did not get
any. I tried to get job of work but could not.
21 Apr I tried to get some work but could not. Martin Beebe and
Ed and I tried to shoot and spear some fish, did not get
any. Fine weather.
22 Apr I looked around fore noon for work, could not get any.
Afternoon, I went down to mouth of Belle River and fished
- caught 3 perch and 3 lizzards. Joseph Heisler came
after me to go to Vicksburg tomorrow for lumber.
23 Apr I and Martin Beebe and John King, the boy that is learning
the trade, went up on the steamer, SS Mary, to Vicksburg
with Joseph Heisler for a raft of lumber. We got our
raft, finished our raft and left Vicksburg at 4:15 pm.
Got to Marine City 2:45 on the next morning, and up to old
stove mill in Belle River. Joe Heisler took his own grub
with him and 2 gal. cider and 1 quart rye whiskey. We had
a fine old time drifting down St. Clair River. Wife
bought a pound of butter 18 cts.
24 Apr I helped Joe Heisler unload lumber. Got done about 5:30
pm. Martin Beebe, John Wing and 3 other Dutchmen helped
-226-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
too. It took us all to 10:30 am. to get raft up to
Heisler dock where we unloaded - one Dutchman got wet.
25 Apr Martin and Ed Beebe cut stovewood out of old boards and
fence parts and scantling for Thomas Lester. Had to file
saws at noon. I bought 1 lb. butter at Donahue's 20 cts.
26 Apr I was home all day mostly. Joseph Heisler came over after
me to witness his wife sign a paper. I did and John
Spinks witnessed it too. Paper was dated 25th, so Heisler
said.
27 Apr Martin Beebe, John
Joseph Heisler for
steamer, SS Mary.
was coming full of
Vicksburg. We got
had our raft up in

Wing and I went up to Vicksburg with
another load of lumber. Went up on
We got our raft done about 5 pm. River
ice 1/2 hour behind us when we left
to Marine City 12 o'clock midnight and
Belle River.

28 Apr I helped Joe Heisler unload his raft on his dock in Belle
River. It was about 9 pm. when we got raft to his dock.
Martin Beebe and John Wing and two other Dutchmen helped
too.
29 Apr I went up town to see Widdows about working in the brick
yard. Saw Mat unloading coal at Blood and Harts dock. I
went down there for a job. Lovejoy sent me down to Matt
Sicken dock. He said I would get a job there. I met a
man there, he asked me if I wanted a job, I said I did.
He told me to go and take his place for Lovejoy.
I went
up and took it. I bought 1/2 gal. syrup 25 cts.
01 May I worked 2 hours and 40 min. fore noon unloading Matt
Sicken and 2 hrs. and 20 min. coaling up Geo. King.
Lovejoy paid me for work on Sicken - 12 hrs. and 2 0 min.
$2.45. Wife bought 1 lb. butter 18 cts., 1 lb. sausage
meat 10 cts., apples 2 cts.
02 May I helped Geo. Smith & Co. finish coaling up Geo. King - 1
hrs. 45 min. I asked Joseph Heisler for some time to
white wash stepmother's house. I wet it down and got it
ready to white wash. Paid me fore noon for loading up the
King. I helped Lovejoy and Co, load up the Edward Smith
at Blood and Harts dock - 2 hr. and 50 min. and helped to
put on 60 tons on the Gratwick, Blood and Hart dock - 2
hrs. and 37 min. I bought 2 1/2 lbs. fresh pork 25 cts.,
1/2 lb. tea 25 cts., 1 bunch radishes 5 cts., apples 5
cts., 1 bunch rhubarb 5 cts. Wife bought 2 lbs. butter 3 6
cts. Joseph Heisler allowed me $6. on house rent for
helping him raft.
-227-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
03 May I went over to father's to see how my potatoes were. I
saw some of father's, they are alright. I crossed the
river on Whitely ferry. Rained some. I got home before
supper.

Matt Sicken Lunber & Planing Mill
Marine City, Michigan

04 May I went down to river to see if boat had come to Blood and
Hart dock, it had not come. I went down to Lester's dock,
had not come there. I came back. I met Mr. Hart. I
asked him if boat had come, he said yes - upper dock
(Philip Rice's). I went up there. I was a little late.
I asked Lovejoy if he had a full crew, he said he had but
he said to wait until John Arnold came. He came and he
told me to go to work. I worked 9 1/2 hrs. It was on the
S.H. Johnson, unloading coal. I white washed bedroom wall
in stepmother's house. John E. Carpenter and Curtis
Wright were over to get a berth of sailing. They were
promised a berth on the big new barge, New Orleans.
05 May I worked 1/2 hr. finishing unloading S.H. Johnson. We
went down to Lester's dock, worked there 6 1/2 hrs.
unloading coal. John E. Carpenter and Curtis Wright came
over to Marine City. Mate of New Orleans had two other
men in their place. They went to Algonac to see Smith.
Curtis Wright got a berth on one of Smith's boats. John
could not find a berth. They are staying at my place
-228-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
tonight. Wife bought ham smoked 1 lb. 12 cts., 3 lbs.
beef steak 3 0 cts., head cheese 10 cts., 1 doz. eggs 12
cts., 2 lbs. sugar apples 8 cts.
06 May I worked 3 hrs. 15 min. coaling up the Lowell, Blood and
Hart's dock for Lovejoy & Co. Went down to Lester's dock
afternoon. Rained. We did not work. I came home and
white washed part of old Emma house that is father's
wife's.
I bought 1 doz. eggs 13 cts. Wife bought 2 lbs.
butter , milk 4 cts. John E. Carpenter stayed with us
tonight.
07 May I went down to Lester's dock. We had to go and coal up
the Edward Smith, Blood and Hart dock - 1 hr. 25 min. We
then went down to Lester's dock and worked 8 1/2 hrs.
unloading the
. John E. Carpenter finished white
washing house for me. He went home in the afternoon.
08 May I worked for Lovejoy & Co. unloading Danube. I went up to
Blood and Hart's after dinner. They paid me for coaling
up the Lowell - 3 hrs. @ 75 cts. and for coaling Edward
Smith - 1 hr. 25 min. and for unloading barge, Danube - 19
hrs. $3.80. Wife bought web cotton 51 yds. $3.06, 1
shaving brush 5 cts., apples 2 cts., 2 yds. bleach cotton
18 cts., 1 glass jelly 10 cts. I scrubbed stepmother's
house afternoon. Wind cold and raw.
09 May I helped Lovejoy & Co. coal up Abercorn - 1 hr. 53 min. I
went home and told wife I was going to move. Went uptown
and saw Connett, a drag man. He promised to move my stove
for me right away after dinner. He did not come as he
agreed. I went uptown to find him, I could not. I got
instead, Baker and he moved stove, cupboard, flour and
beans. I and Martin moved most all the rest of the stuff
over and we moved in stepmother's house. Martin Beebe,
Joseph Heisler and man living in Joseph Heisler's helped
me to move stove out of Joseph Heisler's house.
Daniel
Lovejoy came for me at 11 pm. to go and coal up the
Oswego. There I went, worked 2 hrs. and 15 min.
10 May I was around home all day.

Slept part of the day.

11 May I ran around town part of fore noon. I borrowed Martin
Beebe's scow and sculled across River St. Clair and went
out to father's for my potatoes. I was at father's for
dinner. I saw Stanley Catton going out after some shade
trees. I asked if he would take out my potatoes. He said
he would. I went out and helped him get his shade trees
and he brought out my potatoes to James Bury's where I
left the boat. I left there about 6:10 pm. and got home
before sun down. I had 3 bushels belle, 2 1/4 bushels
-229-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1885
white elephant. Martin Beebe and I went up to Blood and
Hart's and paid duty on potatoes 15% on bushel and 70 cts
entry fees - making in all $1.43. Wife bought 1 bag
potatoes 40 cts.
12 May I borrowed Joseph Heisler's spade and shovel and spaded
some of my garden. I bought 1 pint of onions 8 cts., 1
doz. eggs 12 cts., sausage 10 cts., 1 box of paint 15
cts., orange 1 ct. I bought keyhole saw 35 cts. I
painted cupboard and writing desk. Lovejoy came for me t
help him coal up the Duluth. I went and worked 1 hr. 5
min.
13 May Martin Beebe went down to brick yard for a job of work.
We fished some but did not get any. I scrubbed floor for
wife. I bought 1 gal. kerosine oil 12 cts., 2 boxes
matches 6 cts. I heard boat whistle, I went up town and
found it was the C.F. Curtis down at Lester's dock. I
went down and worked 1 hr. 10 min. When we'got through
there, we coaled another one at Blood and Hart dock - 15
tons taking 4 0 min. total 46 cts. L.C. Cottrell gave me
fish pole for helping him unload a stove in his ware room
14 May Martin Beebe and I went fishing at the mouth of Belle
River. Martin Beebe caught 2 perch and I only caught 1.
I went over to Sombra. Whitely ferry 10 cts. I sent my
time down by clerk of Hiawatha to Wallaceburg to collect
some from Ed Tully for work I did there for him last
winter sawing for Laugheed for Ed Tully.
15 May I went up to Blood and Hart's dock. S.H. Johnson was in.
I worked 10 hrs. 5 min - 20 cts. an hr. $2.06 for Lovejoy
& Co. Wife got Judd Baker to fetch barrel of water from
River St. Clair 15 cts. quart of sour milk 2 cts., 1 doz.
eggs 12 cts. Willie and Eva May went after them. 2 lbs.
butter 36 cts. A Dutchman plowed my garden for me charged me $1. for doing it.
16 May I went over to Sombra to
meet steamer, Hiawatha,
to see if clerk of boat
got my money from Ed
Tully, he was not in
Wallaceburg.
I fished
30 min. before boat got
to Sombra. I went over
to Martin Beebe's boat
with some person going
fishing, I went out to
father's to see if I
could find my hoe, could
-230-

Hiawatha leaving Port Huron

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
not. I was at father's
for dinner.
I came home afternoon. Crossed
ferry 10 cts. I cleaned up back of our yard
some early rose potatoes. I bought 1 hoe 40
fresh pork 20 cts. Lovejoy paid me for work
$2.06.
1 7 May I was home most
for dinner. He
ferrier for his
Richard Heyland

on Whitely's
and planted
cts., 2 lbs.
yesterday

all day. Peter N. Henry was at our place
was over to Marine City to get horse
horse. I went uptown with him and I saw
and Patrick Cullin in town today.

18 May John Arnold's boy came for me to go to Rice dock to
boat about 11 o'clock last night. I went, I worked
10 min. coaling the Fairbanks. Geo. Smith came for
coal up Geo. King. I did, 1 hr. 3 3 min. I worked
hrs. unloading S.H. Johnson $1.85. I bought 2 lbs.
30 cts., 1/2 gal. syrup 25 cts. Wife bought 1 doz.
12 cts. I bought straw hat 5 cts.

coal a
1 hr.
me to
9.15
butter
eggs

19 May I worked 1.30 hrs. finishing unloading S.H. Johnson 3 0
cts. I bought at Mrs. Backus - 2 rhubarb 10 cts., 1 paper
peas 5 cts., 2 ounces alcohol 10 cts., and put some
Tamarac gum in it and put a plaster of it on my back.
Martin Beebe and I went down to brick yard for work, got
none. I planted a few belle potatoes and gave Joseph
Heisler about 1/4 bushel of white elephant, 1/4 bushel of
belle. Wife bought 8 yds. print 56 cts., 2 1/2 yds.
gingum 22 cts., 1 set of hooks for herself 30 cts., 1 ball
cotton yarn 7 cts. I planted some peas. Wife got 1 lb.
butter 15 cts., 1 orange 3 cts.
20 May I planted some belle potatoes fore noon. Afternoon, I
went fishing with Martin and Ed Beebe, got none. John E.
Carpenter and Fred Young were at my place in evening. I
went uptown with them. I sent father some potatoes by
John E, Carpenter. I bought a 5 ct. straw hat and sent it
to father by John. I bought 2 lbs. prunes 16 sts. Martin
Beebe went uptown with them and me.
21 May I finished planting my belle potatoes about 1 3 / 4 bushels
fore noon. I sold Nomer Staley 1/4 bushel belle potatoes
2 5 cts. and same of white elephant 25 cts. I bought 1/2
cord maple and white ash $2.50 per cord $1.25. Turned
potatoes on wood and paid cash for balance. I went uptown
afternoon and bought 4 fish hooks 2 cts., and then went
down to point and fished. I caught 7 bass and 3 perch.
Willie bought at Lester's 1/2 doz. eggs 10 cts.
22 May I worked 2 1/2 hrs. fore noon unloading S.H. Johnson.
Rain stopped us. I went down afternoon. Rained and we
-231-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
did not work. I bought 2 lbs. butter 3 0 cts. Martin
Beebe and I went down to salt block. I fished in Belle
River at night, got none.
23 May I worked 6.4 5 hrs. unloading S.H. Johnson $1.35 and then I
went down to salt block and worked 2 hrs. loading salt on
the S.H. Johnson 50 cts. Charlotte Henry was visiting at
our place today. She was at our place for dinner.
Wife
bought 1 lb. smoked ham 12 cts., 1 lb. prunes 8 cts.,
sugar 4 cts., 2 lbs. butter 30 cts.
24 May I was home most all day. John Arnold came after me to
coal up the Birkhead. I worked 1.50 hrs. 50 cts.
25 May I finished planting my potatoes, white elephant.
I
planted today 1/2 bushel fore noon. Went up to Blood and
Hart dock and bought 95 lbs. of straw to fill two straw
ticks 1/2 cts. per pound 47 cts., 1/2 doz. eggs 6 cts. I
went to fish Blood and Hart dock for herron, got none.
Lovejoy wants me to help him to split and move some wood
at commercial hotel as they wanted to lay some water pipe.
I began at 3 pm. and worked until 6 pm. Paid me 50 cts.
for it. I bought 2 lbs. butter 30 cts., 2 lbs. prunes 16
cts., 1 pair overhauls 75 cts., 1 hat for Willie 5 cts.
Wife got 1 glass jelly 10 cts., shelf paper 3 cts.,
coconut 10 cts. Jane Poland commenced to work for us
today.
26 May I waited for the S.H. Johnson and fished Blood and Hart
dock, got none. She did not come, I went down to point to
Marine City Stave Co. dock. When I got there, boat had
came and I came back. I worked 1.30 hrs. fore noon and
5,15 hrs. afternoon unloading Johnson, Rice's dock. After
supper I went down to Sicken dock, worked 1.10 hrs.
unloading Matt Sicken. Wife bought ball of cotton yarn 8
cts.
28 May I worked 5.5 hrs. finishing unloading the S.H. Johnson.
Lovejoy called and paid wife the money for unloading the
coal - total 13 hrs. $2.60. Afternoon, I worked 3.25 hrs.
loading the S.H. Johnson with salt at the salt block 85
cts. Alexander came for Jane Poland to go to a dance
tomorrow night at Callahan's, Canada. I bought 1 qt.
strawberries 12 cts., 2 lbs. bolones 20 cts., 1 qt. milk 5
cts., 2 lbs. butter 30 cts., 1 lb. pork 10 cts., 1 bar
soap 5 cts., 3 lbs. sugar 15 cts., 1 spool thread 5 cts.
I worked 1/2 hr.
29 May Geo. Smith came up for me to coal Geo. King, Sicken dock,
worked 45 min.
-232-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
30 May Clock spring broke last night. I went to Blood and Hart
dock to fish, got none. I went down to dredge below Belle
River and fished there, caught 5 perch and bought one from
Ed Beebe for a fish hook. I took clock up to jewelry
store and got new spring put in 50 cts. I did nothing
afternoon.
I paid Jane Poland 75 cts. wife borrowed from
her last winter. Jane went home this afternoon.
I bought
2 pair cotton hose 20 cts.
3 1 May I was home most all day. I was opening a can of currant
jelly when a small piece of the glass flew in my eye. I
got some flaxseed at the harness shop and put some of it
in my eye when I went to bed and bound a handkerchef over
it. Dan Graves was at our place in the evening.
Jane
Poland did not get back, rained.
0 1 Jun Eye is some better. I went down to M.C. Stave Co. dock to
see if I could get a job of helping boiler from the S.H.
Johnson, could not. John Arnold came for me to help coal
up the Calumet. I went and worked one hour 2 5 cts. Dan
Lovejoy paid me for coaling the same 25 cts. and 25 cts.
for coaling the one at Rice's dock on last Friday night,
the 29th. of May. I tried my trowling line after I got my
hook fast on a snag and lost the spoon. I bought another
one 25 cts. Lydia Henry was at our place today visiting.
Jane Poland got back this morning. I went fishing this
afternoon, caught 6 perch and 3 herron. Beebe had the
Montpelers yawl and went down to Wanzel Salt Block dock or
spiles for dock and caught the 3 herron there. Bebee had
my line and hook and caught 3 for himself. Eva May had
her wrist hurt by Jane by lifting her off from the floor
by her arm. I went and got Dr. Parker to see her arm. He
said it was in her wrist and charged me 75 cts. I bought
a trowling spoon at Cottrell's 25 cts., 1 lb. currants 10
cts., 2 lbs. sugar 10 cts., 1 lb. granulated sugar 8 cts.,
1 doz. eggs 12 cts., 1 box baking powder 10 cts.
02 Jun I went down to M.C. Stave Co. dock to see if boat had come
with the coal. The coal had not come. Martin Beebe and
his mother and father and brother and I and Jane Poland
went fishing in their boat down at the brick yard dock. I
caught 3 3 fish, 23 herron and 10 perch. I went down after
supper and caught 6 herron and one perch. Wife gave
Joseph Heisler 6 herron.
03 Jun I went to brick yard dock to fish, caught 7 - 6 herron and
1 perch. I went up to Blood and Hart's dock and helped
coal the Lowell 3.8 hrs. 15 cts. per hr. I sold my fish
for 7 cts. I bought 18 mince hooks 2 cents, sold part of
them for 1 cent. Went fishing afternoon, caught 3 herron,
-233-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
sold 2 of them for 2 cents, brought the other home. I
bought chamber 35 cts., 1/4 lb. tea 13 cts., 2 lbs. butter
30 cts., 3 apples 2 cts., 1 spool thread 5 cts. Wife
borrowed 25 cts. from Jane Poland. Rained most all of the
day.
04 Jun I worked 9 5/60 hrs. unloading the W.P. Thew at Marine
City Stave Co. dock for Lovejoy and Arnold 2 0 cts. per hr.
Rain stopped us some. Wife bought 2 lbs. butter 30 cts.,
3 lbs. pork 24 cts.
05 Jun Rained most all night. I went down to the barge W.P. Thew
to finish unloading her. The Johnson came in last night.
We of the Forward went down to Lester's dock to wheel the
deck load of the Johnson. I worked 8 20/60 hrs. Wife
bought 1 lb. smoked shoulder 10 cts., 1 lb. prunes 8 cts.
I posted a letter to wife's cousin in Austria 5 cts. I
bought 2 bunches of radishes at the harness shop. The
boat that Curtis Wright is on is anchored at the head of
Whitelys Island.
06 Jun I worked 1.40/60 hrs. coaling the Duluth bulkhead 2/ at
Lester's dock last night and I worked 1.37/60 hrs.
unloading the S.H. Johnson. After we unloaded the Johnson
we went on her to the salt dock. I worked 7 hrs. loading
the S.H. Johnson with salt, captain gave me $1.50 for
doing it. I stowed salt in the hold. My potatoes are
coming up. I gave Jane Poland 2/ on work. Wife bought
1/2 doz. eggs 6 cts., 4 lbs. sugar 20 cts.
29 May I worked 1.50/60 hrs. coaling the C.F. Curtis 2/. I
bought 3 fish hooks, 2 sinkers, 1 fish hook with white
string attached 5 cts., 2 lbs. butter 30 cts. I worked 1
hr. coaling John B. Lyon 25 cts. I worked 50/60 hrs.
coaling boat at Rice's dock 2 5 cts. Martin Beebe and I
went fishing fore noon, caught 3, Martin got 8. We left
boat at Belle River lower bridge. Someone stole our fish
while we were coaling the C.F. Curtis. I fished
afternoon, caught 5 at dredge, one of them was a herron.
07 Jun We were home all day. Lovejoy & Co. sent for me to help
coal the Smith, more 30/60 hrs. at 12 cts. I was warm
today.
08 Jun I worked 4 10/60 hrs. 20 cts. unloading lumber for Dan
Williams. Geo. Smith and Martin Beebe took the job of
unloading 22 1/2 cords of building stone from the
Volunteer for 60 cts. per cord. Martin Beebe, Geo. Smith
and Jess Frizze, Wallace McJudus, Jim Smith and myself and
Lewis Roberts worked together and divided up when we were
done. We hired two men 20 cts., per hr. for 20 hrs. $2.
-234-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
We had $1.57 apiece.
up to hatch.

I worked in the hold passing stone

09 Jun We finished unloading the stone, when we divided money we
had $1.57 a piece.
We worked 10 hrs. a piece. We corded
the stone on the bank. We made 16 cts. per hour. It is
worth $1. an hour per cord for same work. I bought a pair
of pants for myself $1., 3 lbs. butter 45 cts., 3 yds.
gingum 17 cts., 1 lb. meat 10 cts., candy 1 ct. Sarah and
Charlotte Henry were at our place for dinner.
10 Jun Lovejoy sent me 1/ by Martin Beebe for coaling Smith.
More on Sunday last. Loafed around town fore noon. The
S.H. Johnson came in about 11 am. We began to unload him
after dinner. I worked five hours 20 cts. per hr. $1.
Blood and Hart's dock. After supper we went down to
M.C.S. Co. and I worked 2.15/60 hrs. taking deck load from
the Point Abino. Wife bought 2 bunches of rhubarb 10
cts., 5 eggs 5 cts., 2 lbs. sugar 10 cts., 1 spool thread
5 cts., 1 lb. currants 9 cts. Miss Mary Rivers was at our
place for dinner.
1 1 Jun I worked 5 4 5/60 hrs. finishing unloading the Johnson.
Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Chester Henry were at our place in
the afternoon.
I worked 5 hrs. unloading the Point Abino
after supper. I worked 1.10/60 hrs. coaling Gratwick. I
bought 1 coconut 7 cts., 1/4 lb. tea 12 cts., milk 5 cts.,
1/2 doz. eggs 6 cts., 1 bar soap 5 cts. Mrs. Baker called
this evening.
12 Jun I worked 5.45/60 hrs. finishing unloading Point Abino. I
helped coal the C.F. Curtis 1.20/60 hrs.
3 am. I went up
to Blood ahd Hart's. Lovejoy and Arnold paid me for work
up to the Point Abino. I worked part of the afternoon
unloading Prince Alfred. I gave Jane Poland 6/ on work.
Martin Beebe fell into the hold of Point Abino and bruised
himself pretty bad. He had to go home. He could not
work.
13 Jun I worked 6 hrs. fore noon unloading Prince Alfred. When I
got home wife was sick. I went back and I told Smith that
I could not work afternoon. I went home and then went
after Dr. Baird. He came. Jane Poland went after Mrs.
Beebe and Mrs. Beebe went for Mrs. Joseph Heisler. Mrs.
Beebe was here when Dr. came. I went and washed and
before I had finished washing the baby was born about 1:15
pm. Called him Joseph Wellington Carpenter. Mrs. Joseph
Heisler did not get here until after baby was born. I
went uptown and bought me a pair shoes $2.50, 4 lbs.
oatmeal 16 cts., 1 lb. granulated sugar 8 cts., 1 bushel
potatoes 30 cts., 1 bunch rhubarb 5 cts., bunch radishes 4
-235-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
6cts. Wife bought fore noon - 4 lbs. butter 60 cts., 1
doz. eggs 12 cts. I bought 1/2 pint brandy 3 0 cts. with
bottle for wife. Mrs. Wink Baker and Mrs. Baker called in
evening.
14 Jun John Ward called me last
night to coal a boat at
Blood and Hart's dock.
I worked about 2 hrs.
Dr. Baird called this
morning and said wife
was doing well. Mrs.
Baker and Mrs. Beebe and
Mrs. Scoble called
afternoon.
I was up to
John Arnold's. Geo.
King came in and Geo.
Smith wanted me to come
down and coal the King.
I worked 2.10/60 hrs.
I was around home most
all day.

Dr. Robt. Baird

15 Jun I worked 3.45/60 hrs. unloading Prince Alfred and part of
afternoon unloading same. It was after 4 pm. when I quit.
I was taken with a stick in the back and could not stoop.
John Hedge took my place. I bought 5 lbs. sugar 25 cts.,
1 straw hat for myself 25 cts., milk for 1 week in
advance, 1 qt. a day 35 cts. Mrs. Colby, Mrs. Beebe and
Mrs. Baker called today.
16 Jun I hoed part of my potatoes. I could not work in the coal.
I had lame back. I settled with Lovejoy and Arnold 14
hrs. unloading Prince Alfred $2.80, 2 hrs. coaling boat at
Blood and Hart's dock. I bought 1 bushel potatoes 2 5
cts., 1 lb. smoked ham 16 cts., 1/2 cord softwood of
Staley $1.25.
17 Jun I hoed potatoes part of fore noon. I went up to Holland's
shipyard. I bought a fish hook for putting in trowling
spool, 1 bunch fire crackers 5 cts., 1 qt. strawberries 18
cts., 2 bush onions 5 cts.
18 Jun I was to father's fore noon. I was at Chester Henry's for
dinner. I bought 1 lb. butter 15 cts., 1 doz. eggs 12
cts. I got home 4 pm. John Broad was over to my place.
I went with him up to brewery for 1 gal. beer for his
mother. They would not sell 1 gal. so we had to go to a
saloon.

-236-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
19 Jun I was loafing around town waiting for the S.H. Johnson.
She went around the night of 16th. and did not get off til
this morning. She got here about 11 am. The Thames
lighted of her deck load. I worked coaling Porter
Chamberlain 37/60 hrs. @15 cts. I worked 2 15/60 hrs.
unloading Johnson deck load off from steam scow Thames,
Port Lambton, Ont. I bought 2 lbs. butter 3 0 cts., 1
bunch rhubarb 5 cts., 1 gal. kerosine oil 12 cts.

Streets of Marine City

-237-

c1885

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884

George King

N. Mills

F.M. Knapp

Maine

Abercorn

P.M. Birkhead
Some Ships that James Carpenter Worked On

-238-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
20 Jun Dan Lovejoy came for me to load up. We coaled Wallace
Waldo Avery and S.H. Johnson. I worked on the Avery and
Johnson - Avery 2 hrs. and Johnson 15/60 hrs. Jane Poland
went home. Rained some this afternoon. Mrs. Baker
called. Jane Poland did not get back, rain stopped her.
1 worked 8.30/60 hrs. unloading S.H. Johnson $1.70 Blood
and Hart's dock. Bought 1 lb. beef steak 10 cts., 1 bunch
rhubarb 5 cts., 1 lb. dried apples 5 cts., sugar 3 0 cts.,
2 lbs. butter 30 cts. Rain stopped us a little while
afternoon.
22 Jun I went down to Blood and Hart's dock after I got
breakfast. The I.E Mills was in. I stayed and worked on
her. Jane Poland got back in time to get my dinner.
She
brought her sister, Maggie, with her. I worked 11 hours
unloading the Mills. After we unloaded the Mills, we
worked 1 hour coaling up the Maine of Marysville.
23 Jun I helped a Dan Williams unload stone 2 30/60 hrs. 50 cts.
Lovejoy and Arnold paid me for work up to date. Bought 1
lb. smoked meat 10 cts., 1 pair heavy shoes for myself
$1., 1 pair slippers 50 cts., 2 pair hose 20 cts., 3 qts.
strawberries 25 cts.
24 Jun I hoed potatoes part of fore noon. I went down to Blood
and Hart's dock and helped 1 hour coaling the Abercorn 25
cts. I finished hoeing my potatoes first time.
I went
down to the Marine City Stave Co. dock and worked 4 15/60
hrs. loading salt on the Propeller Nashua 2/. Bought 3
lbs. butter 4 5 cts., 1 bar soap 5 cts.
25 Jun I worked 8 3/4 hrs. loading the Nashua with salt. I
worked 7 1/4 hrs. stowing salt on the boat. Captain paid
me for 7 1/4 hrs. $1.80. The Marine City Stave Co. paid
me for balance 5 3/4 hrs. $1.43. Bought 2 bunched onions
5 cts., radishes 5 cts.
26 Jun I loafed around town fore noon. Afternoon, I went
downtown. I got a job digging ditch to lay water pipe
into Hurds house. I worked 1/2 day 63 cts. I borrowed
Joseph Hesler's shovel. Jane and Maggie Poland went to
New City Hall to children's concert with Mrs. Baker.
27 Jun I began to hill my potatoes for the last time. I went to
Blood and Hart's dock. The Lowell was in. She wanted 2 0
tons of coal. I waited until noon. Went home to dinner
as Lowell had to get her boiler fixed before she coaled.
I went up to Blood and Hart's dock and worked 1 4 0/60 hrs.
coaling Lowell 40 cts. Joseph Heisler wanted $6. on rent
$3. balance due him on his house and $3. on stepmother's
-239-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
house.

I paid him when I went to coal the Lowell.

Bought

City Hall
Marine City
c1890

1/2 lb. tea 25 cts., 3 lbs. butter 45 cts. Lydia Henry
was at our place fore noon. She wanted wife to go over
home with her. I would not let her go. I went uptown to
see Bill Nichols who had his leg broke unloading coal and
his father about getting work on the water works. I
bought 2 lbs. dried apples 8 cts., 3 bunches rhubarb 8
cts. I got paid for working at Hurd's yesterday at
Burnity 63 cts. Lovejoy came for me last night to coal
C.F. Curtis, I went. Lovejoy paid me Abercorn and C.F.
Curtis.
28 Jun I was home all day. I was at the salt block after supper.
Schooner Foote came in with coal for salt block.
29 Jun I set up with Martin Beebe until 12 o'clock last night. I
worked 9 hrs. unloading Schooner Foote. I bought hat for
Willie 5 cts. and got buttons fixed on my shoes, 1 yd.
brown duck 16 cts. Mrs. Baker called this evening.
Joseph Heisler gave me receipt for money paid on rent $3.
30 Jun I commenced to work for
Nicholas. Worked
10/. Bought 2 lbs. butter 30 cts., 1 1/2 lbs.
cts. Mrs. Peter N. Henry and Mrs. Christopher
at our place for dinner. I hoed some potatoes
supper.
-240-

all day
pork 15
Walker were
after

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
01 Jul I worked all day for Nicholas. Willie was with me. Hoed
potatoes after supper. I borrowed a spade from a Dutchman
across the street from Heisler's.
02 Jul I hoed potatoes before breakfast. I went up to work on
the water works. Nicholas wanted to lay us off until coal
came. I finished hoeing my potatoes. Bought 2 lbs.
butter 3 0 cts., 1 bunch rhubarb 5 cts., 1 coconut 5 cts.,
2 doz. pearl buttons 10 cts., 5 lbs. sugar 3 0 cts., 1 qt.
strawberries 9 cts., 1 bar soap 5 cts., milk 5 cts. Wife
was over to Beebe's fore noon and to Baker's in afternoon.
Lydia Henry came for wife to go to Sombra with her, wife
did not go.
03 Jul I heard boat whistle, I went up to Blood and Hart's dock.
It was the White and Friant. I worked 1.25/60 hrs.
coaling her and 35/60 hrs. coaling Wissahickon and 1.20/60
hrs. coaling the Duluth. I paid Jane Poland $3. on work.
1 went over to Sombra in the afternoon to go out to
father's for his spade and shovel. I found them at Peter
Cattanach's. Father had sent them out for me. I sent
word by Mrs. Peter Henry for him to send them there. I
crossed the river with Whitely ferry 15 cts., 1 qt.
strawberries 10 cts. I was down where they were unloading
brick in Belle River. Wife and Jane and Maggie Poland
were over to Lutheran Church to a German wedding.
I took
care of Willie and Eva.
04 Jul I worked all day for Nicholas in water works. Father and
stepmother and Roland Henry were over to spend 4th. of
July. They were at our place for dinner and supper. John
Arnold came for me last night to coal Birkhead.
I worked
2 hrs. coaling her 80 paid. Bought 3 lbs. butter 45 cts.,
2 lbs. smoked meat 20 cts., 2 qts. strawberries 2 0 cts.,
coconut 5 cts. Jane Poland went home today. We did not
want her any longer.
05 Jul I was home most all day. I was over to see Martin Beebe a
little while and had a walk around town a little while.
06 Jul I worked 7 50/60 hrs. unloading S. H. Johnson and 1.30/60
hrs. coaling Progress, river dock. Rained while we were
coaling and we got all wet. Bought 1 1/4 lbs. beef 12
cts., 3 1/2 yds. shirting 32 cts., 1/4 lb. pepper 10 cts.
Maggie Poland picked potato bugs.
07 Jul I worked 1 hr. unloading S. H. Johnson. Bought 2 lbs.
butter 28 cts., 1 bar soap 5 cts., milk 2 cts., 1 peck
potatoes 8 cts., 1/2 doz. eggs 7 cts., 1 quart
strawberries 9 cts. I worked all the afternoon for
-241-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Nicholas. Posted a letter to cousin, Belle, and got
buttons fixed on wife's shoes.
08 Jul I went up to help Nicholas, Jess Frizze. Told me that
coal boat at salt block dock to unload. I went down to
salt dock and worked 9 15/60 hrs. unloading I.E. Mills.
Bought 1/2 doz. eggs 7 cts., 1 lb. smoked meat 10 cts., 2
qts. strawberries 15 cts., 1 pair canvas shoes for Willie
80 cts., and hat 20 cts.
09 Jul I worked 7 hrs. unloading Mills. Total 16 1/4 hrs. $3.20.
I bought 1 pair of pants $1., 1/4 paris green 13 cts., 1
pkt. turnip seed, 1 lb. butter 14 cts., 2 lemons 5 cts.,
milk 3 cts. Julius Smith got hurt with a chunk of coal
falling out of John Ward's bucket. I paid on Dr. Baird's
bill $5. when Joseph was born. Nicholas paid me for work
done on water works $4.37.
10 Jul I worked 10 hrs. unloading S. H. Johnson $2. Blood and
Hart's dock. Bought 2 lbs. beef steak 20 cts., 2 lbs.
butter 25 cts., 1 doz. lemons 25 cts., 1 coconut 5 cts.
11 Jul I worked all day for Nicholas on water works. Bought 1
gal. black currants 13 cts., 1 peck potatoes 8 cts., 2
lbs. sugar 12 cts., 1 spool thread 5 cts., 2 lbs. smoked
meat 20 cts., 2 qts. milk 10 cts. I crossed river in
Whitely's ferry and walked out to father's and stayed
there all night.
12 Jul I stayed at father's last night most all day. I was over
to Sunday school at Bethel River's Corners. Got a Sunday
school paper from there. John E. Carpenter cut my hair.
I was at father's for breakfast, dinner and supper. I
gave Tom Poland 10 cts. at Sunday school, ferrage 10 cts.
13 Jul I worked all day for Nicholas 10/ on water works.
Bought
some paris green, put on potatoes before breakfast.
Bought 1 pair of boots for myself $3., sour milk 2 cts.
14 Jul I worked all day for Nicholas on water works $1.25.
Bought 1 lb. beef steak 10 cts., 1 bar soap 5 cts. I was
up to Blood and Hart's dock, Allen Fulsom boy had two
pickeral. He wanted me to buy them at 20 cts., I had no
money. He let me have them, I was to pay him when I got
the money.
15 Jul I worked fore noon for Nicholas on water works 62 cts. I
worked 4 1/2 hrs. unloading coal at salt dock 90 cts.
Nicholas paid me for work to date $4.37. Bought 1 qt.
blueberries 12 cts., 2 lbs. sugar 11 cts., 1 head cabbage
5 cts., 1 qt. apples 5 cts., 1 bar soap 5 cts., I paid
-242-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Fulsom 2 0 cts. for fish, 1 peck potatoes 8 cts., 1 hat 5
cts. for Willie. Miss Mary Rivers and her sister, Becky,
and her brother, Geo., were at our place for dinner.
16 Jul I worked all day for Nicholas on water works.
I and Ed
Beebe went fishing in Oliver Yaz's boat after supper, got
none. I snagged my hook and broke one of the hooks off.
Bought 2 lbs. butter 25 cts., 1 1/2 lbs. meat 8 cts.
17 Jul I worked for Nicholas fore noon. I worked 5 hrs.
unloading S. H. Johnson. Bought 5 grs. quine 5 cts.,
whiskey 10 cts., 1 baby bonnet for baby 50 cts., 3 loaves
of bread 15 cts., 1 qt. black raspberries 10 cts., 1 qt.
green beans 5 cts., 1 coconut 5 cts.
18 Jul Dan Lovejoy called me out to coal Oregon 1 10/60 hrs. and
1 hr. coaling Benton and 1 20/60 hrs. coaling at Rice's
dock at noon and 11 30/60 hrs. unloading S. H. Johnson.
We had our first mess of new potatoes. I bought 1 lb.
butter 12 cts., 1/4 lb. tea 12 cts., 1 1/2 qt. black
raspberries 15 cts., 2 lbs. pork sausage 20 cts., 1 yd.
mosquito netting 8 cts.
19 Jul Lucy Carpenter was up to see us. John E. Carpenter stayed
at our place last night. I was up to John Arnold's in
the evening to see about unloading coal tomorrow.
Ida
Jane Wright was up to see us in the evening.
20 Jul Dan Lovejoy came for me to coal Lowell, worked 1 15/60
hrs. and W.H. Gratwick 1 hr. I went down to Mat Sicken,
they did not want me to work in the coal so I went down to
Salt block and worked 1 hr. stowing salt in the S. H.
Johnson. When Dan Lovejoy came for me to work in the coal
in place of Geo. Smith, I worked 8 hrs. unloading coal off
Matt Sicken. Bought 1 lb. preserves 10 cts., 1 lb. beef
steak 10 cts., 1 doz. lemons 20 cts., 1 baby carriage for
Joseph Wellington Carpenter, my baby, $5., 1 circle comb
for Eva May 10 cts.
21 Jul I worked 5 hrs. unloading Matt Sicken. Lovejoy and Arnold
paid me for work up to date. Bought 1 bunch fire crackers
5 cts., 1 hammer 50 cts., 200 ft. main line for trowling
30 cts., lead line for same 5 cts., 3 yds. ribbon 4 cts.,
1 lb. butter 12 cts., 1 1/2 lbs. beef steak 15 cts., 2
coconuts 10 cts., 1 qt. raspberries 10 cts., apples 5
cts., taffy 5 cts., 1 pair stocking for wife 10 cts. Ed
Beebe and I went fishing on Dr. Haden's boat, got none.
22 Jul Wife and children went over to Canada to visit. I went
out with them as far as Chester Henry's on James Dawson's
place lot 1, con 11, Sombra. They stayed there for dinner
-243-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
and were going out to her mother's after. We crossed in
Whitely's ferry 2 5 cts. return. Bought candy 5 cts., 1
qt. apples 5 cts., 2 loaves of bread 10 cts., 3 lbs. sugar
17 cts. Nicholas paid me for work on water works $2.50 up
to yesterday. Bought 50 bunches of slivers 50 cts.,
draying 15 cts. I worked afternoon for Nicholas.
23 Jul I helped Nicholas all day on water works 62 cts.
beef shank 10 cts., 2 loaves of breal 10 cts.

Bought l

24 Jul Martin Beebe and I went fishing in Wallace Mclntyre boat,
we got none. I went down to Wanzie salt dock to unload
Matt Sicken, we could not as the Sicken could not get into
the dock. 3 oranges 10 cts.
25 Jul I went down to Wanzie dock, worked 3 15/60 hrs. unloading
Matt Sicken. Afternoon I worked one hour coaling Ed Smith
and 4 5/60 hrs. building run at Rice's dock. I went down
to Wanzie block after, there was no room for me to work.
Bought 1 loaf of breal 5 cts., 1/2 lb. butter 7 cts.

Mary (Poland) Carpenter & Joseph Wellington

-244-

1885

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
2 6 Jul I had breakfast at home and then went over to Sombra and
out to Bethel Church. Wife and the children met me there.
Rev. W.C. Bunt preached. After church we had Eva May and
Joseph Wellington christened. We were at Mrs. Peter
River's for dinner. I was at Sunday school. Wife and
children and Maggie Poland came home with me. We stayed
at Chester Henry's for supper. Ferrage for Maggie and
myself 2 0 cts. Wife was at her mother's all the time she
was away.
27 Jul I worked 5 10/60 hrs. unloading Matt Sicken, Wanzie dock
and 30/60 hrs. at Mat Sicken dock. 1 bunch radishes 5
cts., 2 bunches onions 5 cts., 1 1/2 lbs. sausage 15 cts.,
4 loaves of bread 20 cts., 1 lb. butter 14 cts., 1/2 lb.
cream crackers 10 cts., 1 coconut 5 cts., 1 belt for wife
10 cts. Chester Henry's wife was at our place for dinner.
28 Jul I worked 10 hrs. unloading Matt Sicken at Sicken's dock.
Bought 2 lbs. pork 20 cts., 1 lb. cheese 10 cts., 1/2 lb.
coffee 9 cts., 1 bar soap 5 cts., 1 qt. blueberries 10
cts., 1 muskmelon 15 cts., 1 head of cabbage 7 cts. We
sold 1 peck of potatoes 15 cts. Weather is very warm.
29 Jul I worked 4 hrs. unloading Matt Sicken. 2 heads cabbage 9
cts., 5 loaves of bread 25 cts., 1 lb. butter 14 cts., 1/2
gal. vinegar 8 cts., 1 doz. eggs 14 cts., 1 qt.
raspberries 12 cts., apples 2 cts. I worked 4. 50/60 hrs.
unloading St. Clair, Rice's dock and 1 2/60 hrs. coaling
Lowell.
30 Jul Bought 1 loaf of bread 5 cts., 1 bar soap 5 cts., 1/2 lb.
beef steak 5 cts., 1 pair pernella shoes for wife 50 cts.,
1 lb. cheese 10 cts., 1/2 lb. starch 4 cts. I went
fishing with Frank Fulson fore noon, caught 10 fish. I
brought my share home. Worked 20/60 hrs. coaling Mount
Clemens. I went fishing in the afternoon too, we caught 3
and then we went up to fishery and sold Frank's share 9
lbs. § 3 cts. - 27 cts. The 3 we caught - 4 lbs. 12 cts.
My share 6 cts.
We caught 10 more after that. I brought
my share home. We had Frank's father's boat and my deep
trowling rig. Caught 4 big ones.
31 Jul I worked 9 hrs. unloading Matt Sicken at salt block and 2
hrs. coaling Birkhead at Lester's dock. Bought 1 lb.
butter 14 cts. I went down to salt block to see if Sicken
had come in, she had not. I was going fishing when I got
up to the woods. Blacksmith shop, I heard her whistle. I
took my rig home and worked instead of fishing.

-245-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
01 Aug I worked 8 hrs. unloading Matt Sicken at salt block and
3 0/60 hrs. coaling Nebraska at Blood and Hart's dock.
Nicholas paid me balance on water works $1.87 in nickels
except 12 cts. Lovejoy and Arnold paid me up to date. I
gave Joseph Heisler $5. on rent for house I am living in.
Bought 25 lbs. flour 30 cts., 5 lbs. salt 5 cts., 2 gts.
blueberries 20 cts., sour milk 2 cts., 1 gt. sweet milk 5
cts.
02 Aug Bought one quart of milk 5 cts. I was home all day.
Rained some afternoon. Wife did not go over home as she
intended to as it looked too stormy and besides we had two
coal boats to unload.
03 Aug I worked 4 45/60 hrs. unloading S.H. Johnson, Lester's
dock. Bought 1 moulding plane 75 cts., 1 lb. finishing
nails 20 cts., 2 1/2 yds. cottonade 80 cts., 1 beef shank
20 cts., 2 bunches onions 5 cts., 1 lb. butter 15 cts.,
apples 5 cts. Rained best part of day.
*
04 Aug Bought 1 qt. apples 5 cts., 3 lbs. smoked meat 24 cts., 1
bar soap 5 cts., 1 cabbage 4 cts., 1 lb. preserves 10
cts., 1 lb. cream crackers 18 cts., apples 5 cts.,
cucumber 2 cts. I made a picture frame. I worked 9 2 0/60
hrs. unloading Yosemite, salt dock.
05 Aug I worked 8 40/60 hrs. unloading Yosemite, salt dock.
Bought 1 cabbage 5 cts., 1 gt. green beans 2 cts., 1 1/2
lbs. butter 20 cts., 1/2 lb. dates 5 cts., 1 qt.
blueberries 10 cts. I worked 1 3 0/60 hrs. coaling White
and Friant. 1 yd. muslin 5 cts.
06 Aug I worked 1 15/60 hrs. unloading Yosemite - 19 15/60 hrs.
altogether $3.88 paid. Bought 1 lemon 5 cts., 1 qt.
apples 5 cts., 2 plums 5 cts., 3 lbs. belones 30 cts., 4
loaves of bread 20 cts., 1 lb. preserves 10 cts., 1 lb.
sugar 5 cts., milk 2 cts., 1 coconut 5 cts., 1 package
yeast cakes 7 cts., 1 doz. cookies 10 cts., 1/2 lb. tea 20
cts. Mrs. Albert Henry and Miss Sarah Henry and Isabella
Brown and Jane Poland were here at our place visiting.
Jane Poland brought Maggie Poland with her and left her
here and took Annie Poland home with her. I was sick most
all day. I got half soles put on my boots at Wings, Front
Street - 70 cts.
07 Aug I went fishing with Frank Fulson, caught 2 fore noon, 4
lbs. Sold them for 3 cts. per pound - 6 cts. my share.
Bought Free Press 3 cts., 1 basket 7 cts. I went fishing
with Frank about 4 pm., caught one, brought it home.
Bought 1 coconut 5 cts., 1 lb. butter 13 cts. I worked
one hour coaling Ed Smith and Lowell - 25 cts.
-246-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
08 Aug I went fishing with Frank Fulson, caught 3, one of them
weighed 7 1/4 lbs. I bought Fulson's share 13 1/4 lbs.
altogether. Fulson's share 20 cts. Bought 1 shank 5
cts., 1 lb. belones 10 cts., cabbage 5 cts., 2 loaves of
bread 10 cts., 1 qt. milk 2 cts., 25 lbs. flour 75 cts.
Wife and I were uptown together.
09 Aug I was out coaling C.F. Curtis last night - 1 30/60 hrs.
Rained just after I got home, rained this morning. I was
home all day. Mr. & Mrs. Beebe called in the evening.
10 Aug I worked 7 15/60 hrs. unloading S.H. Johnson. They paid
me in full to date. I bought 1 bunch onions 2 cts., 3
cucumbers 3 cts., 1 lb. sugar 5 cts., 1 lb. butter 13
cts., beef 12 cts., 1 qt. tomatoes 4 cts., milk 2 cts.
1 1 Aug I worked 5 hrs. loading S.H. Johnson with salt $1. I
worked 36/60 hrs. coaling Frank Moffat - 15 cts. Bought 1
lb. butter 13 cts., 2 peaches 5 cts. Wife and the
children went over to Canada to visit - Whitely's ferry.
Annie Poland went over with them afternoon.
12 Aug I went fishing with Frank Fulson, caught 3. Took them up
to fishery and sold them - my share 8 cts. Broke an oar
going up, wound it. I saw John E. Carpenter at George
Bury's. Lost my spoon and lead line - 30 cts. on a snag.
Broke the oar coming down again. Bought 1 lb. sugar 5
cts. I was helping Seeber making a boat after I got home
after supper.
13 Aug Did nothing all day. Loafed around town. Picture came
that I had enlarged $3. Rained some today. Schooner came
to salt dock with coal.
14 Aug I worked 7 hrs. unloading schooner, Foote, salt dock and 1
15/60 hrs. coaling Duluth. Bought 1 qt. blueberries 12
cts., 1 qt. apples 5 cts., 2 loaves of bread 10 cts., 1
lb. butter 13 cts. Lovejoy and Arnold paid me to date.
15 Aug I worked 10 40/60 hrs. unloading S.H. Johnson. Paid $2.15
tonight. Bought 3 loaves of bread 15 cts., 3 lbs. sugar
15 cts., 1 lb. belones 10 cts. Martin Beebe launched his
boat.
16 Aug I worked 1 hr. coaling Wissahickon 25 cts. last night. I
went to Canada to meet wife, Whitely's ferry. I went out
to Mrs. Poland's to see if wife was there. She was over
to father's with baby and Eva. Left Willie at Mrs.
Poland's. I went over to father's, was there with Mrs.
Poland. We were there for dinner and supper. Annie and
-247-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Maggie brought Willie over to father's.
Lucy, came over to Marine City with us.
40 cts.

Annie and sister,
Ferrage for all

17 Aug Lucy stayed all night with us. I brought 1 pair
suspenders for myself 25 cts. I went to Wallaceburg to
see Ed Tully. Saw him in afternoon, he gave me $1. on
order and promised to pay me tomorrow. I paid hotel bill
of last April 13, 14th. bed and breakfast 50 cts. I
bought 1 lb. crackers 13 cts. I went out to Tweedles and
got there about 4:30 pm.
We all went to Salvation Army
meeting at Morrises, down south of Tweedles. Wife bought
2 loaves of bread 10 cts., 1 can jelly 12 cts., 1 qt.
plums 10 cts., 1 lb. butter 14 cts., 1 yd. feather bone 15
cts., 2 yds. red cord for hanging picture 10 cts., 1
coconut 5 cts., 2 yds. dress goods 2 6 cts., 1 lb. meat 10
cts. I crossed at Miller's.
18 Aug I stayed at William Tweedles last night. 1 went to
Wallaceburg and got there about noon. Saw Ed Tully, he
gave me $2. more on order and promised to send the balance
by Sam Hart to Wescot House and leave it there for me on
next Friday or Saturday. I bought 1 lb. crackers 12 cts.
and started for home. Left Wallaceburg about 12:20 pm.
and got home about 5 pm. - crossed in Miller's ferry 10
cts. I bought 1 lb. belones 10 cts., 3 balls knitting
cotton 24 cts. Wife sent Willie over to Canada to go to
school in Sombra. Sold 1/2 bushel potatoes for 25 cts.
19 Aug I did nothing fore noon. I worked
Abercorn - paid. I helped Lovejoy
afternoon. Bought 1 lb. butter 14
cts., 1 qt. plums 10 cts., pears 2
cts.

1 10/60
build a
cts., 1
cts., 1

hrs. coaling
new stable
lb. beef 10
hat for wife 38

20 Aug I helped Dan Lovejoy shingle his barn most all day.
Bought 1 lb. beef 10 cts., 1 box matches 2 cts., 1 spool
thread 5 cts.
21 Aug Coaled Benton 1 20/60 hrs. last night and 2 0/60 hrs.
coaling Oswego 45 cts. paid. Helped Dan Lovejoy put on
west gable end in his stable and I worked 2 35/60 hrs.
unloading Home at salt dock. Bought 25 lbs. flour 7 5
cts., 1 muskmelon 13 cts., peaches 2 cts., 5 pears 5 cts.,
1 lb. beef 10 cts., 1 lb. butter 14 cts., 1 peck apples 12
cts., pears and peaches 5 cts. Ed Tully did not leave
money.
22 Aug I worked 8 5/60 hrs. unloading schooner Home at salt dock
and coaling Ruby. Bought 3 1/2 lbs. meat 35 cts., 1 qt.
blueberries 10 cts., smoked herron 5 cts., 1 lb. butter 14
-248-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
cts., 1/2 lb. coffee crackers 6 cts., watermelon 20 cts.
Curtis Wright called at our place in the evening, his boat
was at dock.
23 Aug We were home all day.
town in buggy.

Maggie Poland wheeled Eva around

24 Aug Rained most all fore noon. I went down to salt block,
Barge William Case was in with 412 tons of coal for salt
block. I fixed moulding on cupboard door fore noon.
Bought 1 shop bevel 25 cts., 2 automatic pencil leads 10
cts., 1 lb. beef 10 cts., 1 peck apples 13 cts., 1 lb.
butter 14 cts. I worked 3 40/60 hrs. unloading William
Case.
25 Aug I worked 9 50/60 hrs. unloading William Case, salt dock.
Bought 1/2 qt. pail 10 cts., 1 beef shank 20 cts. I fixed
other cupboard door at night.
26 Aug I worked 45/60 hrs. coaling Oregon last night and 4 30/60
hrs. unloading William Case, salt dock (18 hrs. unloading
Case) Bought 2 cabbages 5 cts., 1 qt. onions 5 cts., 1
handkerchief 10 cts., 3 qts. blackberries 15 cts., 7 ears
corn 4 cts., 1 pair shoe laces 1 ct. Martin Beebe went
down to stave mill for some slivers in his boat, could not
get any. I fixed balance of moulding on cupboard.
27 Aug Wife and Eva and baby went to Canada in the afternoon,
Whitely's ferry. Bought 1 spoke shave 35 cts., 1/2 yds.
dress goods 7 cts., candy 6 cts., 1 lb. belones 10 cts., 1
lb. blue paint 15 cts., 1 paint brush 8 cts. Wife broke
buggy spring by Alonzo Lapish's place going out to her
mother's.
I worked 15 min. coaling Ed Smith, 4 0 min.
coaling Weston, 45 min. coaling SS Ruby.
28 Aug I worked 5 hrs. loading slats on S.H. Johnson $1. Bought
1 1/4 lbs. belones 13 cts., pears 5 cts., calliper 18
cts., 1 carpenter's compass 30 cts., 1 qt. syrup 10 cts.
I painted cupboard afternoon.
29 Aug I put hoop on wash tub and painted it. Went over to
father's, was there for dinner. He gave me a jack and
jointer plane that my grandfather used to have.
Ferrage
10 cts., 1 loaf bread 5 cts., 1 lb. butter 14 cts.
48/60
hrs. coaling Cowie.
30 Aug I worked 1 30/60 hrs. unloading Abercorn, 1 20/60 hrs.
coaling Abercorn. Wife came home about 5 pm. Maggie
Poland came with her.

-249-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
31 Aug I worked 1 hr. coaling Gratwick last night. Gilbert Brown
was at our place for dinner. I worked 5 hrs. loading S.H.
Johnson with salt and 10 min. coaling same and 3 10/60
hrs. unloading SS Pelton, slat dock. Bought 8 yds. ginum
80 cts., 1 lb. beef 10 cts., 1 bar soap 8 cts., 2 lbs.
butter 28 cts., 1 pint peaches 5 cts., 1 jar jelly 12
cts., 1 lbs. sugar 10 cts., 25 lbs. flour 75 cts., 1 loaf
of bread 5 cts., 1 qt. milk 5 cts., sour milk 2 cts. I
wheeled 800 lbs. over the rail of the Abercorn yesterday
and had to throw about 50 lbs. off before the scales would
weigh it. Worked 25/60 hrs. coaling Ketchem. Bought 4
boxes of them, 3 of them cost 3 0 cts. and the other 2 0
cts.
01 Sep I worked 8 53/60 hrs. unloading SS Pelton and coaling City
of Cleveland. Bought 2 1/2 yds. print 15 cts.
02 Sep Lovejoy and Arnold paid me today. I ran around town fore
noon. Waited afternoon for City of Mackinac to get the
rate of freight to Alpena - 30 cts. per hundred on
household goods. I went over to Canada with wife and was
as far as Joseph Dupuis 1 and then across to father's.
Then out to Bury's to see John E. Carpenter and then back
to Marine City. Ferrage 25 cts., 1 gt. apples 5 cts.,
candy 10 cts., 1 gt. milk 5 cts., mug 2/. Wife gave it to
her sister, Jane. Wife took over some picture frames to
her mother.
03 Sep I went up to Hart's dock. Johnson was not in. I bought 2
1/2 lbs. nails 8 cts., 1 marking brush 5 cts. I marked my
boxes for Alpena and cased in my sewing machine for
moving. Bought 1 lb. belcnes 10 cts. I helped Val Sour's
a little while raise veranda over kitchen window. He gave
me stuff to fix my sewing machine case.
04 Sep Rained part of fore noon. S.H. Johnson came in about 9 am.
Worked 6 30/60 hrs. unloading her.
05 Sep I worked 2 hrs. unloading the S.H. Johnson.
I went over
to Canada for wife. I went out to Mrs. Poland's and then
out to father's. Gales and Bury's machine were threshing
at father's. I helped a little while in the afternoon. I
took bed pan over to Mrs. Poland's. Maggie and Thomas
came over with me. Willie came home too. Bought 1 1/2
lbs. butter 19 cts., 1 lb. beef steak 13 cts., 1 peck
apples 12 cts.
06 Sep Lovejoy came for me to coal Cuba.
home rest of day.

-250-

Worked 30/60 hrs., was

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
07 Sep Lovejoy came for me to coal steamer barge, Luttle - 1
50/60 hrs. I worked 7.55 hrs. unloading schooner, Rival,
salt dock. Bought 2 lbs. butter 22 cts., 1 beef shank 25
cts., 1/2 lb. belones 5 cts., 1/2 lb. tea 25 cts., 300
lbs. coal 45 cts.
08 Sep I went down to salt dock. Did not work as it was raining.
Came home. Bought 1 pair chest handles 20 cts. and put
them on chest. Stopped raining. I worked 1 hr. fore noon
and 1 20/60 hrs. afternoon unloading Rival. Rained most
all afternoon. Bought 25 lbs. flour 75 cts., 1 peck
apples 10 cts. Wife bought 1 wooden pail from Mrs. Beebe
20 cts. Sold her 1/2 bushel potatoes 20 cts., sour milk 2
cts., 1 box baking powder 10 cts.
09 Sep I worked 6 15/60 hrs. unloading Rival and one hour
unloading S.H, Johnson. Bought 2 1/2 lbs. beef 15 cts.,
peanuts 5 cts., taffy 2 cts,. John. E. Carpenter paid me
$14. on what he owed me. Mrs. Peter Criller's Hotel
burned at Sombra today.
10 Sep I worked 7 4 5/60 hrs. unloading S.H. Johnson. Bought 1
lb. butter 15 cts., 1 bar soap 8 cts., candy 2 cts., 2
lbs. sugar 12 cts., 1 lb. belones 10 cts.
11 Sep I worked 4 hrs. unloading Point Abino and 1 45/60 hrs.
coaling Abercorn. Wife's mother and Jane were at our
place for dinner. I was down with them and wife to salt
block. 1 1/2 lbs. beef 15 cts., 1 lb. belones 10 cts., 1
lb. cream crackers 18 cts., 1 qt. peaches 10 cts., candy 2
cts. Gave Thomas Poland 5 cts. Wife and the children and
Maggie Poland and Thomas Poland went home to Sombra. Wife
got her mother's picture taken 15 cts. Jane got one too
15 cts. I commenced to dig my potatoes, they are rotten.
12 Sep I dug potatoes most all day. I worked 15/60 hrs. coaling
Matt Sicken and 1 25/60 hrs. coaling Geo. King and 1 13/60
hrs. coaling SS Ruby. Bought 1 lb. butter 15 cts.
Fritz
came and got some of the rotten potatoes for his pigs.
13 Sep Lovejoy came for me to coal Duluth. I worked 3 5/60 hrs.
coaling her and 10/60 hrs. coaling M.M. Drake and 2 30/60
hrs. coaling tug Music. I went over to father's and got
the money for my cow $24. Had dinner at father's and then
I went over to Mrs. Poland's and saw wife. Gave her 7 5
cts. for 1 lb. yarn. Ferrage 10 cts. Paid wife's and
children's ferrage 25 cts.
14 Sep I was packing stuff to move to Alpena. I finished digging
my potatoes - had 10 bushels. I paid Joseph Heisler $8.60
- balance of rent due him for stepmother's house, up to
-251-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
Wednesday next. John E. Carpenter was over to see me and
got father's spade and shovel in the evening. He stayed a
little while with me.
15 Sep Lovejoy came for me to coal Progress 1 20/60 hrs. last
night. Packed stuff all day. Stepmother was over today.
I bought 1 lb. belones 10 cts. Bought 2 tickets to Alpena
$5. and got my Canadian money changed into American money,
1 peck apples 10 cts. I was to Joseph Heisler's for
dinner. He asked me to come and stay all night.
16 Sep I stayed at Joseph Heisler's last night and had breakfast
there. John Arnold moved me. Marine City Stave Co. dock
- 2 loads 4 0 cts., 4 lbs. belones 4 0 cts., 2 lbs. crackers
24 cts., 1 cake 14 cts., candy 5 cts. We got on board
City of Mackinac about 4:30 pm. Annie and Maggie Poland
came over with wife from her mother's in Sombra. We had
cold lunch at stepmother's house before we got on the
boat. Our children came for free and my ohest came for
free too.

L.C. Cottrell Store
Marine City, Michigan
C1890

17 Sep We got into Au Sauble at daylight. Wind blew pretty fresh
crossing Saginaw Bay. Wife and Willie were sea sick. We
got intp Alpena a little before noon. We went to Central
Hotel. They wanted 40 cts. per meal. I could not pay
that so we went to Eagle House and had dinner. I looked
-252-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
for a house to rent, found one for $5. a month. Was to
let fellow know in the morning. We all had supper at
Eagle house and took room with two beds. I paid freight
bill on my stuff from Marine City to Alpena $7.70. They
made a mistake and did not charge me freight on 7 bags of
potatoes and 2 bags of beans 88 cts.
18 Sep I went up to see fellow about house, he had rented it
after I left him. I found another one for $5. per month,
1 took it. Paid one month in advance $5. and $1. per
month for water but if I stayed all winter, he would pay
for the water. I got same fellow's boy to move my stuff 2 loads $1., 1 load of stove wood 25 cts. for drawing same
25 cts., 2 lbs. butter 34 cts., 1 length stove pipe 7 in.
in diameter 6 in. at the other end. Paid bill at Eagle
House $2.25. We all had breakfast there.
1 broom 19
cts., 1/2 gal. kerosine oil 7 cts., straw to fill bed 50
cts., 8 loaves of bread 2 5 cts. We had our dinner in the
house we rented. We had roast chicken that Mrs. Poland
gave us. I saw Joseph Jacques, my old school mate in
Sombra, Ont.
19 Sep I helped wife fix up the house and take care of the baby.
Bought one bread pan to mix bread in 60 cts., 1 scrubbing
brush 20 cts., 2 1/2 lbs. pork 23 cts.
20 Sep We were home all fore noon. Afternoon, we went up to
Joseph Jacques. They were not at home, we then came back
and went out to buring ground and picked some
huckleberries and blueberries and wintergreens.
21 Sep I looked for work fore noon, could not get any in town but
got a chance of going out to Pack's camp 44 miles from
town. I got an early dinner and started out to Uncle John
Vanalstine. Got there just after dusk, had supper and
then Uncle and Aunt and I went over to Robt. McLeod*s. We
had prayer meeting there. They wanted me to try and pass
an examination and teach the school. I told them I would
try. We then went back to Uncle's and stayed all night.
I bought before I left town 1 lb. butter 18 cts., 1 crock
jelly 16 cts., 1 lb. beef 12 cts.
22 Sep I had breakfast at Uncle Van's. I then went over to Robt.
McLeod's and looked at his house. He said I could have it
if I would fix it up until after seeding next spring for
nothing. Had dinner at Roberts and then he and I started
for Alpena. We stopped at the Mason farm and saw Barker.
Spoke to him for a job in the woods. He said wages would
be from $20. to 24. per month. We got to Alpena just
after bedtime. Wife wrote a letter to her mother and
posted it.
-253-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
22 Sep Wife bought 1 doz eggs 15 cts., apples 5 cts., peanuts 3
cts. Wife was to bed, got up and got supper for us. Bob
and I saw a man by the name of Bilow when we were going to
Alpena. He promised to take a load out to Wolf Creek for
$5. Bob was to let him know when I wanted him. We then
went back to Wolf Creek.
2 3 Sep Robt. McLeod stayed at our place last night. Had
breakfast there. He and I went over to Elder Littles and
I tried to pass an examanation but could not. I went as
far as burying ground with Bob. I bought myself an axe 4
1/4 lbs. 75 cts.
24 Sep I was packing my stuff most all day. Cousin Lambert
Vanalstine came out to our place for wife and children
with his one horse rig. Bought 18 lbs. pork $1.08, 1
package yeast cakes 10 cts., 2 lbs. butter 36 cts., 1 lb.
shot 10 cts. Wife and I were uptown in evening.
*

2 5 Sep Lambert Vanalstine stayed at our place all night and
breakfast. Then he took wife and children and sewing
machine out to his father's. Bilow came after dinner. He
could not take all of my stuff in one load - has to make
two loads of it. He took stove barrel, stove pipe, 3
boxes and my chest, 1 bag potatoes, 2 bags beans as far.as
his place. I paid him $5. for first load. In Alpena I
bought 2 lengths stove pipe 50 cts., 1 lb. crackers for
wife and children on road. They got to Uncle Van's
allright. Bought 3 2 ct. post stamps. I went out to
Bilow's with him. We unloaded my chest and cupboard and
one box and are going to leave it for next load. I had
supper at Bilow's. I let Mrs. Bilow's have my Dr. books
to read.
26 Sep I stayed at Bilow's all night and had breakfast there. I
and Bilow started for Wolf Creek about 6 am., went around
by Bryant's and got to Bob McLeod's about 2 pm. We were
at McLeod's for dinner. We unloaded and started back. I
rode out as far as Bilow's with him. We went by way of
King Settlement. I walked from Bilow's to Alpena and
slept on straw tick in Bilow's house where my things were.
27 Sep I walked out as far as burying ground and picked some
huckleberries. I went up to Joseph Jacques house
afternoon, had supper there. Bought 8 apples 7 cts.
28 Sep I stayed at Bilow's house same as Saturday night.
Bought
1 package writing paper 10 cts., 1 barrel flour roller
process $5.25, 4 lbs. sugar 24 cts. Bilow came, put
barrel of flour and then went up to Bilow's house and
-254-

James W. Carpenter
Diary - 1884
loaded balance of my things on wagon. Then went out as
far as Bilow's. Got there about 2 pm., had dinner there.
We loaded on the chest, cupboard, and box on the wagon and
drove the wagon into the barn. We could not get baby
carriage on load. I had supper there. I left Dr. book
with Mrs. Bilow's until I came out.
29 Sep I stayed at Bilow's all night, had breakfast there.
Bilow's and I started for Wolf Creek after breakfast.
Went by way of King Settlement, got to Uncle Van's about
noon. We got stuck on railroad track, had to chop wagon
out. Went a little farther, wagon tung broke, had to
leave it there. I had dinner at Uncle Van's. Billow had
his dinner at Robt. McLeod's. After dinner I unloaded
wagon, fixed tung and Bilow went home. Bilow took chest
and barrel of flour to our house. I carried rest of stuff
to house. I opened box with dishes in and carried them up
around by Bryant's. Lambert Vanalstine took up cupboard
and box on his one horse wagon.

-255-