THE DIARY OF ELIZA-ANN MACFARLANE:1895
It's Showtime!
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3.
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7.
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11 .
12 .
13 .
January, 1895
T. Ned & Jane & I[sabella] P[earl came]
for dinner[.I spent part of the day]
Ridding my drawers etc. [and I] Made
a patch bag[.
] Bella[was] at Grant's
P.M.
W. Fa[ther] walked to C[linton.] Ned &
J[ane were] in C[linton] P.M. Bella
kept house [for them. I] Washed P.M.
[and in the] even[ing I] put [a] lin­
ing in Jno.'s coat sleeve[.]
T. Jno. & Bella [were] in Cflinton] for
corn[. I] Made a patch bag & faced
mo[ther]’
s skirt[.]Young Cooper came
for dinner[and] J. Pearson called[.
]
F. [I] Mended socks, Fa[ther]'s smock
& gaiters & Killed sheep[.]Jno.[was]
at J. Pearson's party[.I] Cut out &
partly made a p[ai]r of p[an]ts
[this] even[ing.
]
S. Jno. [was] at Snell's & B[ella]
[was] in C[linton. She] got [a] pic­
ture framed[.] A[g] papered.......
S. A[g]&I[went to]Ch[urch in the]cutter
(Stewart.) Jno. [went in the] even­
ting in the] cart[.] Adam [Stewart
was here this] even[ing, I] think[.]
M . [I] Hung 2 kitchen blinds, cleaned
the] H[en] H[ouse. and] finis[hed
the] p[ants[.] Mo[ther was] carding
wool P.M.Jno.[was] in C[linton] with
W[illiam] Glen's wagon [and] cargo &
[was] at[the]mill [withjchop corn[.
]
Aunty[is] home for a little [while.]
T. Killed Go &....... A[g] walked [to]
C[hurch.] Jno. [was] at Glen’
s cut­
ting [wood.] Mo[ther was] card[ing
wool] P.M. [I] Made Bella’
s comfort­
able [at] night[.]
W. U[ncle] Ja[me]s's, U[ncle] Jno.'s,
Mac's[and] Will's cut a little[wood]
P.M. J. Scott & Jessie [were] here
[this] even[ing.]
T. A[g went to] c[hurch] P.M. in [the]
buggy[
. There was] lots of sleighing
[in the] even[ing. I] Mended Jno.'s
p[an]ts etc. Jno.[was] at Neds’ all
day crushing[.]
F. [John was at Ned's all day] cutting
[wood.] Done some mending- [a] robe
etc.
S. Mac, Ned, Will & Adam [were] cutting
P.M. 2 lambs(1st) [I] made pies [and
did] mending etc.
S. A[g] & I [were in church] (Holmes,
Methodist.) [I was] At Aunty's P.M.
197
2
Nice, Dull
1
Nice, Sunny
2
Some Snow
not much snow
2
Rain
2
Fine & Softish
2
Nice
Flurries
Nice
3
BeautiJful
Stormy
2
Slight
Thaw, Nice
Nice
2
Snowing some.
Stormy
January, 1895 198
14. M. [I] worked at] Mending all day[.]Jno.
& Bella & Ned & Jane [were] at [the]
"Grange Social." A[g] stayed with
[
the] baby[.]
>
15 . T . [I] Washed & [did] Mending and mind­
ed the] Baby P.M. Calm & Dull
16. W. S. Dunbar & T. Baird1 [were here]P.M.
& even[ing.] Jno. [was] at Mac's saw­
ing P.M. Jno.[was] at Stonehouse's &
stayed over with Will’s kids[
. I]
C[leaned the] H[en] H[ouse] & darned
socks[.]
Pleasant
17. T. [I] Walked to C[linton P.M. [and]
Covered [some] bricks[.]2 Some Snow
Fine
18 . F . [I]Finis[hed covering bricks and am]
Making Fa[ther'’
s] drawers[.] Stormy
19 . S . [I] Made 11 pies & [a] turn over[.]
Mofther] & Jno.[went] [into] Clinton
with Ned in [the] sleigh[.]
Fine
20. S. Raining, Thaw
21 . M. Jno. [was] helping W[illiam] G[len]
clean Peas[. The] Stonehouse cow
calved [this] morn[ing. I] Finis[hed
a] p[ai]r [of] Fa[ther's] drawers[.]
Raining,
very Windy
22 . T . [I finished the] other [pair of Fath­
er'
s drawers] & mended a p[ai]r etc.
A[g] & 1 [were] at Aunty1
s[this]even­
ting. ]
Stormy &
big drifts
23 . W. Jno. went to C[linton. He] left [the]
horse at Scott’
s & walked[.] Fa[ther].
Mo[ther] & B[ella were] out at Ned's
A.M. & P.M. [I] Mended [a] p[ai]r[of]
Jno.’
s drawers etc.
Concession
blocked
24 . T . [I was] At Jane's A.M. "exchanging
shoes " [and at] Aunty's P.M. Jno.
walked to C[linton] with Adam[.I was]
Sewing at [a] quilt block[.]
Concession
blocked
25 . F . [I'm] Making [a] "coon" collar for
Jno.'s overcoat[.I C[leaned the]H[en]
H[ouse [and] mended [an] old w[asp]
waist.
Stormy
26. S. [I] Finis[hed the] "collar[.] Jno.
walked to C[linton] P.M. [I] Mended
drawers & stockings
Stormy
27 . S . Stormy
28 . M. [I] Made [a] button-hole in Jno.'s
basque [and I made] pies[
. I was] At
Aunty's P.M.etc. [Ned called in at
Aunty's] P.M.
Fine &
Frost
29. T. Jno. [was] hauling wood[.
] Fenfwick],
Adam, Annie & Lilly [were here this]
even[ing.
] Livery drove down Hammer &
Fine
5 [degrees]
Son[. The Hammers were here] all
night[.]
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
January, 1895 199
30. W . Fa[therJ took H[ammerj to Mac'
s, [the]
2
Master1
s & Frazer'
s[.] McEwen'
s took
Hammer Jr. to C[linton] & to A. Dun- Some Stormy
kin's[.] Jno. [was] at Will’s P.M.[and
they took the Hammer'
s to the] stat­
ion[. I] Finis[hed] Jno.’
s basque etc.
31. T . [I finished the]quilt b[locJk & [am]at
another[.] A[g was]in C[linton.I] kill-
ed [the] last small turkey[.] Jno
Elliot’
s brother [stayed] for dinner[
I] bathed, etc.
Fine
. about 0 [deg-
. rees this] mor­
ning. ]
February, 1895
1. F . [I]
Made B[rea]k[fast.]Father walked to
C[linton. We had a] sleigh load]of vis­
itors this] even[ing]-[the D.McEwen's,
& Mrs & Maud Scott[.]3
4
Light S[now]
, Showers, about
zero [degrees]
2 . S . [I]Made B[rea]k[fast] & pies[.]W[illy]
Glen's kids [were] here [while] they
were in town[
. I] Wrote Maggie[.]
3
Fine &
Sunshiny
3. S . B[ella] & I were in church this] morn-
[ing]{Stewart.
) Jno. [went in the even­
ting]to Seaforth[to hear a guest speak­
er from] China[.]
1
C[old] W[ind]
Some drifts
4. M. [I] Made Jell[y] & Drop cakes[.] Bella
started Crazy Stuff quilt[
. I] Wrote
Aunt Janet[.]
2
Fine & Cold
5. T . [I] Made B[rea]k[fast[. The] Master
[was here] for tea[.
]
1
Some Drifts
6. W. Fa[ther] sat up keeping [the] fire in
[the] root house[
. I] wrote Bessie[.]
2
22 [degrees]
[this] morn[ing]
7. T . A[g] & B[ella were] in C[linton.I was]
Making [a]comfortable[this] even[ing.]
Fa[ther was] at Wigg[inton’s.
]
2
10 [Degrees]
8 . F . [I] Finis[hed the] C[omfortable] A.M.
[and] finis[hed] doing one room etc.
3
Blizzard
9. S . [I] Washed a little[and] made pies[.]
A[g] & Is [were] at Aunty's[.]
1
Stormy,Warmer
10. S. I [was] down at Aunty’
s with Jane P.M. 4
Fine & Sunshiny
11 . M. Jno. walked to C[linton] P.M. A[g] &
B[ella were] at Wigg[inton’s.
] B[ella
& I washed[.]
3
12 . T . Ned [was] sawing [here] P.M. Fa[ther
[was] at Jane’
s[.] Jno. Allen [was
here] P.M. & [at] night[
. The] Kids
[have]gone to[Charlie Stewart's[this]
even[ing in] Adam's sleigh[.] A[g]
Washed[.I was]making Jno.'s Over Alls
[this] even[ing.
]
3
13 . W. Aunty [
was] up[.I Cleaned [the] H[
en]
H[ouse.] Jennie Grant [was here for
the] even[ing] & all night[.] Fa[ther
was]at Ned’s [in the]morn[ing] & [at]
Will's [in the] even[ing.]
9
Light
Snow showers
14 . T .
15 . F .
16. S.
17 . S .
18 . M.
19. T.
20. W.
21. T .
22 . F .
23 . S .
24 . S .
25 . M.
26. T .
27 , W.
T .
February, 1895
Jno. walked to C[linton] P.M. Jno. &
B[ella were] at Jane's [in the] even­
ting.I Finis[hed] Jno.'s 0[ver] A[lls
[andjhalf of[the]Log C[abin] quilt[.]
Jennie went home[this] morn[ing.]B[el-
la] & I[were] in Church P.M.Jim Heron
[was here in the] morn[ing.]
[I] Mended [a] pair of Fa[ther]’
s
P[an]ts & darned socks[.]Ned & J[ane
[were] at U[ncle] Jno.’
sfin the] even­
ting. ]
A[g] & I [were in] C[hurch](Stewart)
[Ag] came home with Ned & Ja[ne.]
[I] Made [a] S. & G. cake & cookies
[and]Mended Jno.'s p[an]ts[.]Fa[ther]
killed [a] shearling[.]
. K[ate] McT[avish] & Carrie[were here]
P.M. [
Kate,Carrie],Don & Liz McT[av-]
ish], B[ella] & I [were] at U[ncle]
Ja]mes]'s [this] even[ing.] Wfilliam]
Glen went for Dr Gunn P.M. A[g was]at
Glen’
s all night[.]4 A. Dunkin, Hawk-
shaw & [a] Yankee [were here] for tea.
. [Ag was at Glen's all] day[.] I [was]
in C[linton] P.M. for a telegram[.
]
Jno. & Bfella have]gone to Varna[this
even[ing.
]
. Fafther] & Mac[were] in Brucefield[.
]
[I was] Doing B[ella’
s] chores all
day [and I] Cleaned[the]H[en]H[ouse.]
A[g was]at G[len’s]all day & Night[.]
. Jennie's birthday. A[g was] home[at]
night[
. I] Mended Fa[
ther'
s ducks[.]
1 lamb
. A[g was] at Gflen's] day & night[.]
Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M. [I] Mend­
ed Fa[ther overcoat[.]
. Jno. sent Dr Gunn out to W[illiam]
Glen'
s[.] 2 lambs + I
. [The] Men & Ned [were] in Brucefield
shipping 20 shearlings[.] 2 lambs &
1 lost
. A. Dunkin, Hawkshaw, Coffland & Du-
sharme [were] here[.
] Fa[ther] took
the baby in[.] Jno.[was] in C[linton]
P.M. 2 sheep 1 thribble & 1 double
. Fa[ther was] at Wigg[inton'
s] & [in]
Clinton[.] Aunty [was] up P.M.
. T[om] Wigg]inton [was here] for din­
ner[.]A[g] & B[ella were]at M ac’
s[.]
200
6
Fine
8
Beautiful
9
8
6
Snow, a
little sottish
12
Snowed
Fine
3
Snow, drifts,
C[old] Wind.
6
Snowing &
Drifting
1
Calm & Dull
8
13
5
Nice & Mild
13
Fine, not
quite so warm
1
5
Thawing
Thawing
28 . 12
1. F .
2. S.
3. S .
4. M.
5. T .
6. W.
7. T .
8. F .
9. S .
10. S .
11 . M.
12 . T .
13. W.
14 . T .
15. F.
16 . S .
17 . S .
18. M.
March, 1895 201
Spotty calved[.] John Hunter[was here. 12
this] morn[ing.] Fa[ther] bought [a] N[orth]
ram at Avery’
s[. The] Kids [were] Tob- W[ind],Frozen,
boganning over at Will’
s[.I] Cleaned Flurries
[the] H[en H[ouse] & bathed etc.
Jno. walked to Cflinton] P.M. 16
Jno.walked[to church this] evenfing.] 19
Jno. walked to C[linton] P.M. Jno. T. 18
Graham[came] for sheep in a sleigh[.] Cold & Stormy
[I] Made some pies[.] A[g] & I [were] 24
at[a] prayer-meeting at McGregor'
s[.] Cold & Flurries
Graham called[.]
B[ella has] gone to Grant’
s [and] Jno. 24
[was] at [the] mill[. The] Master’
s Fine
Boys fetchedfa] pig [and]Hunter & J.W.
McDonald Called[.]
A[g]r J[ohn] & I [were] in C[linton] 15
with grist [in the] sleigh[.] I took
[the] baby in[.J Jno. [was] at [the] Beautiful
mill for chop[. The] Red cow calved.]
Mac, Ned, Will & Adam [were here] P.M.
cutting [wood.] Jane &[the] baby[were
here] P.M.[I] Made pies[.]Bella[came]
home P.M.
23
Soft, a lot
of snow
B[ella] papered [the] knife & spoon
boxes etc.
24
Colder,Stormy
Jno.[went to church in the]
even[ing.
] 23
Snowing, Fine
B. Marshall, Jno. Avery & kids, Adam 23
[Stewart],Mr & Mrs Finley & W[ill] Me-
E[wen] called P.M. Jno.[was] at Stone- Fine
house's with Adam [for] cattle[.]
Jno.[was] at Mac’
s cutting [wood] P.M. 18
A little
light snow
Fa[ther]walked to C[linton] A.M. B[el- 19
la] & I[went to Clinton] P.M.[in the] Fine
cutter[.]Jno.[went] P.M.in the]sleigh C[[old] W[ind]
for peas[.]Called Kitchen & Graham’s Blustering
with sleigh[.]
Old [Edward]Glen[was here] A.M. & for Fine 13
dinner[.] Below 0
Jno.[was]at Glen's cutting [wood] P.M. 15
Jessie Wigg[inton was] here[.]I [was] Cold & Fine
at Aunty's P.M. Kids[were] at U]ncle]
Jno.’
s [this] even[ing.]
Jno. [was]at Will's crushing P.M. [I] 18
C[leaned the] H[en] H[ouse], washed, Fine, a little
sawed a little etc. Miekin called[
. warmer,
I] Made B[rea]k[fast.]
A[g], B[ella] & I [were] in C[hurch] 19
(Shaw Eghmondville.)
Jno.[went in the] Fine &
even[ing. The] Baby [was] in all day Sunshiny
Got 1st big goose egg(double yolk.)
Mr 17
Jim Heron called & Ned[got] 1 lamb[.] Thawed a lot &
Lizzie [was] in C[linton] - Kids were sun
here[.
]
March, 1895 202
19. T. Fa[ther was] at Jno. & Sandy Thom­
son'
s[.] Ada [was] here P.M.........
20. W. Jno.[was]at Mac'
s,butchering[.]Kitchen
en & T[om]Fraser called[.]Lizzie[Glen
is at Charlie]’
s Emma [is] sick [and
the] kids [are] here[.]
18
Fine, C[old]
W[ind]
21. T. B[ella] & I[were] in C[linton]P.M. Ned 15
& Jno. at logs[.] T[om] Frazer fetched
[the] billy [that] Fa[ther] bought[.]
22. F. [I] C[leaned the] H[en] H[ouse] A.M. 22
[and] Made 2 gingham aprons P.M. Aunty Fine, a little
Kitty5 [was] At Lizzie’
s P.M. Lambs warmer
lamby[.
]
23. S. [I]Cut out mo[ther's] big sleeve[.]Jno. 25
[was] at [the] mill for chop [and at] Thawing, Windy
Ned's P.M. 1 sheep with 3 [lambs] & 1
with 2 [on the] Sabbath morn[.]
24. S. A[g] & B[ella]were at[the] river,-[by] 24
Ned's & [Spring] creek[.] Slight Frost
25. M. Jno. [was] at Ned's A.M. B[ella] made 29
[a] satteen cushion & a linen one [.] Sleet & S[now]
26 . T .
27 . W.
[John] Tough, [the assessor, was here] 31
all nightf.The three of] Us[were]clean- Coldish & light
ing off lath's [this] even[ing.] snows
[We] Papered [the] Dfining] room ceil- 34
ing with papersf.] Ned [was here] P.M. Soft, some snow
A[g]walked to Clinton P.M...3 lambs[.]
28 . T .
29. F.
30 . S .
[I]Beat[the] carpet etc. A.M.[and was]
in C[linton] P.M. for wall-paper[.]
[I]Put cotton on [the]ceiling [in the]
even[ing.
]
[We] Papered [the] ceiling[.
] Fa[ther]
[was] at Mac's Ned's & Will's[.]
32
H[igh] W[ind]
Fine
36
Dull & Fine
C[old] W[i.
[We] Finished papering [the] dining 21
room[.
] Fa[ther] walked to C[linton[.] Fair,Frost
Box 56*
* Probably James MacFarlane's Clinton post office
box number
31. S .
1. M.
[I] Walked top Church(
Stewart.
) Jno. 20
[went in the] even[ing.] Fine, Strong East
Wind; Rained
little.
April, 1895
Jno. [went to] C[linton] in [the] cut- 35
ter for [a] bag [of] oat-meal[.] B[el- Silver Thaw,
la scrubbe [her] room etc. 1 (1st Hei- Sunny
fer) calvedf.]
2. T. B[ella] & I Put down [the] dining
room carpet[
. I] Cleaned [the] H[en-]
H[ouse] P.M. A[g] washed[.
]
28
Ice still on
trees & sun
bright.
3. W. [W.] Brigham & Ned [were here]for din- 27
ner[. I] Washed P.M. Ned [was] in [in
the] even[ing] for [a] calf[.]
Fine
April, 1895 203
4. T . [I] Washed milk shelves & swept etc. 25
A[g and] Fa[ther] walked [to] C[lin-
ton[.
] Jno. [was] in C[linton] [at]
night[in the] wagon[.] Ida & Fen[wick
Stewart and the] Wigg[inton’
s were]
here[*
]
5. F. Fa[ther] & A[g were] in C[linton with 34
the]wagon for sheep[
. I]Scrubbed[the]
milk-room[. The] 2nd heifer calved[.
] Fine, real
Liz[zie Glen was] at J. Pearson’
s[.j thawy
6. S . [I] Peeled apples [and did] Mending 25
etc. Bella cracked [?] A.M. Rain, More Thawy
7. S .
8. M.
9. T .
A lamb died about [a] w[ee]k old[.
] 30
Rainy
2 Turk[ey]s laid 1st eggs[.I Bathed[.] 28
J[ohn] McG[regor] & Will Mac [were] at Warm, Real
[the] barn[.] Frogs [are singing. It Warm,Springlike
[was the] 1st day that bees got to
really fly[.]
Fa[ther] walked to C[linton. I]scrub- 34
bed [syrup?] Pans[.].............. Dull,Fine,Frost
10. W. [I] Made[a] Jell[y] C[ake.] Ned [was]
in for [a] turkey(19 1/2 lbs meat[i])
39
only soft to
sun
11. T .
12 . F .
Jno. [was] in C[linton with the wag­
on P.M. A[g] & B[ella went in the]bug-
gy[ •1
24
Fine, some war­
mer.
[Today is] Good Friday[.] Bella's 30
quilting[.]Jennie G[rant was here] all Rain[in]g P.M.
night[.] Bessie calved[.] Jno. after
Miss Burrows[.]
13 . S . [We] Finis[hed the] quilt [this] even- 39
ing[.] Dull,some rain.
14 . S .
15 . M.
16 T .
Miss B[urrows], B[plla] & I [were in 31
Church at [the] Efaster service] (Stew­
art.) Jno.[attended in the] even[ing.j Fine
M.Coffland[WAS] bere P.M. Fa[ther was] 39
in C[linfcpn tfjis] morn[ing and took] Dull, cool
Miss Bup?p«rei^&fcore[
.1 Jno. walked 32
sheep po BruOfcJfield] P.M.[and Father]
drove t....Pedlar called[
.]
Fa[ther was] at Biggins, Snell's etc., 37
with gents[.A]Spray pump pedler called[.] Dull
17 . W .
18 . T .
19. F .
A[g] & I [were] at Isard’
s P.M. Old El- 43
liot [was here in the] even[ing.] Fine & Springlike
Fa[ther] walked in[to] C[linton.] A[g] 30
& B[ella drove the] buggy in[to] C[lin- Fine
ton] P.M. Jno. [is] plowing sod[.
]
Ned [was] sowing grass seed here[.] Jno 40
A[g were] in C[linton] P.M. Fafther] & Beautiful
Jno.[were] cultivating & shearing sheep[.]
20. S. Jno. plowed[. I] Washed & c[leaned the] 35
h[en] h[ouse. I] Tore my left forefinger
with [a] board[.] A lamb died[.]
April,1895 204
21. S. A[g] & I [were] in C[hurch] (Stew­
art)[.] S[abbath] S[chool] start­
ed^] B[ella and] I,Annie, Ida &
Mary [were there.]
31
slight rain
Eve[ning]
frost
22 . M. M.Meekin (.... fellow looking for
work.) [I] Made [a] screen for[the]
eiderdown bed spread[.] Jno. [was]
shearing & fa[ther was] cultivat-
ing[.]
36
Fine
Rain
23 . T . J. Cooper & daughter [were here]for
tea[.] Jno. [was] sowing [the] 1st
oats[. I was] Choring,cleaned up[a]
few oats [and was] ridding up [the]
wood shed etc.
36
Fine
C[old] Wind
24 . W . [I] Raked [the] chip yard [and was
[ridding the wood shed.] Bella [is]
at Jane's [because] Jane[is]sick[.]
Bessie & Eddie [Glen were] here[be­
cause their parents were] in C[lin-
ton. I] Set [the] 1st 2 Hens[.]
36
Fine, Warm
H[igh] Wind
25 . T . [I] Finis[hed] ridding [the] wood­
shed up stairs[.] Bella [came] home
[at night [I] set [a] hen[and]I saw
[the] 1st Swallowsf.j
44
Fine & Warm
26 . F . [I] Put away furs at Jane's [and I]
helped Fa[ther put wire around[his]
garden[.] U[ncle] Jno’s & [us] kids
[were] at Mac's [this] evenfing.]
26
27 . S . Fa[ther was]in C[linton & at Weir’
s
seeing spraying [.]6 Jno. caught 22
suckers [between] noon & 11 P.M.[In
the] even[ing] B[ella was]at Jane’s
& Jno. fish[ed.]
32
28 . S . A[g] & I [were] in c[hurch](Acheson
Kippen.)... Aunty [is] home[.]
60
29. M. [I] Churned, beat carpets, etc. Jno.
caught 6 fish P.M.[and] Bfella was]
cleaning her bed-room[.]
18
Lov[el]
y
30 . T . [Bella & A[g]put down[the bed-room]
carpets[.I was] darning [the] stair
carpet[.] Jno. Thomson [was here
with] gooseberry bushes[.]
36
Warm
May, 1895
1. W. Fa[ther] & I [were] in Cflinton P.M Fine & Warm 37
2. T . Nannie [Stewart] & Lizzie [Glen
were] in C[linton] P.M. kids [were
here[. I was] Darning [the] stair
carpet[.]
43
3. F. Mary foaled[a]filly[and the yfoung]
cattle were]out all night[.] B[ella
was] cleaning Jno.'s bed-room.]A[g]
washed B[ella] s and her own bed­
room curtains[.]
30
Rainshower
Fine & Warm
4. S . [Ag washed the] hall lace [cur­
tains] & Bfella ironed [them[.I]
finis[hed] darning [the] carpet &
mended [a] parasol[
. The] Cows &
[were] out all nightf.]
40
Fine & Very
Warm
May, 1895
A[g], Nannie Stewart & I [were] in
c[hurch. John went in the evening.]
Jno. [went to] C[linton] P.M. for
chop[. I] Made a cover for shoe -
box & papers[.]A[g] & B[ella]clean-
ed the parlor, etc., P.M. [Bella &
I partly beat[the]carpet P.M. Alice
[is] sick[.]Mac & Fa[ther] went for
McIntosh [apples?]
[I] churned & laid on some patches.
A[g] & I finis[hed] beating [the
carpet P.M. [A]Jew pedlar[came] P.M.
& Ned & Jane [were here] P.M .pick­
ing [up a] box [of] potatoes[.]
[I] Finis[hed the] top for[the] box
[and] washed a little[
. I] Sowed 12
rows [of] mangols[.] Fa[ther] & Jno.
[were] in C[linton] with"fat Rosy &
Ned & Jane[were in for more] potat­
oes[
.]
Mrs Baird & [The] Rev. A. Stewart &
wife & children [called this] morn-
ting.I]sowed 11 rows[of] carrots A.M
& 12[of] mangols P.M . Jane & B[ella
were in Cflinton] P.M. Jno. [sorted]
4 bags [of] potatoes[.]
[I] Planted 8 rows apiece [of] car­
rots A.M. [and] mangols P.M.[I] Pap­
ered [the] parlor[. A] Sheep died
when A[g was] shearing^.]
A[g] & B[ella] put down [the] carpet
etc. [I] Mended socks etc.
Nannie, A[g] & I [were] at Sfabbath]
S[chool.] Jno. walked [to church in
the evening.
]
B. Marshel(sic) [was here this] morn­
ing[. I] Cleaned stove pipes, A[g]
scrubbed[
. We] Done [a] little crazy
[quilting,] Mended sheets, etc.[The]
Milch cows, sheep etc, [were] in all
all night[.] Bush all red with frost,
etc.
[I] Mended gloves, sewed buttons on
[an] old basque [and] made[a] bottom
for[a] slip[.] B[ella] cleaned [the]
pantry [at the] house[.]
[I] Walked to C[linton and] got [a]
ride with Mac's[.] Shore [was here]
all night.
B[ella was] on[the] sickist list to­
day & last night[
. She was] cutting
out[a] blouse[.]Jno.walked to C[lin-
ton in the] even[ing.]
[I] Done a little at [the] print
dress,[a little at the] crazy [quilt
and I] darned socks[.]Fa[ther]
walked
to Clinton[.]Aunty[is] at Jane's[.]
Jno. [was] in Cflinton] P.M. [for]
grist & chop[. I was] Making [the]
print dress [and I] Pulled wool off
sheep [in the] even[ing.
]
205
35
31
26
Very Warm
Slight Shower
32
Nice & Warm
31
32
18
Rain, Cold
25
Frost & Snow
C[old] W[ind]
Heavy Frost.
Cold & Windy,
Rain
19
28
Cold Sleet &
Rainy
15
Fine, Cold Wind
23
Frost, Fine, a
little warmer
Raining
5. S .
6. M.
7. T .
8. W .
9. T .
10 . F .
11. S .
12 . S .
13. M.
14 .T.
15. W.
16. T.
17. F.
18 . S .
19. S.
20 . M.
21. T .
22 . W.
23 . T .
24 . F .
25 . S .
26 . S .
27 . M.
28 . T .
29 . W .
30 . T .
31. F.
1. S .
2. S .
3. M.
May, 1895
. [I] Made button -holes in brother'
s
basque etc. Aunty & Jane [were] in
C[linton.]
. Working at my own.. dress[.]B[ella]
finis[hed her] blouse and fixed....
A[g] house-cleaned [the] veranda[.]
. [I] Cleaned out woodshed & yard[.
]
Fa[ther] walked to C[linton. B[ella
has] gone to Grant's [this] even­
ting.]
. [Bella was in Clinton at a] Teach­
ers’ Convention[.] A[g has] gone to
Stratford[.] Ned drove up[.] Ned &
Jane [were] at Thos. Fitzsimmon'
s
funeral[.]7 Jno. [was] in C[linton
this] even[ing.
]
. Jno.& B[ella have] gone to[a] party
[at] Brigham' s[.]........... these
dayfs.
]
. Fa[ther] walked to C[linton and I]
planted onions[
. A] Churn & washing
machine pedlar called[.]
. I [was] in c[hurch] with Jane (Mus-
grove)
. A[g arrived]home P.M.U[ncle]Ja[me]s
stayed for dinner[.] Jno. [was] in
C[linton] P.M. Making print dress
etc.
. [I was] in C[linton] with Jane get­
ting [a] filling put back in [my]
front tooth[.] Fa[ther], Ned, Jno.
[and] I [were] shearing[.]
. [Today besides] Mending [a] parasol,
[I] churned & I lifted stones [and]
gravel out of [the] lane[.] A[g did
a] washing[.] Ned [was here] A.M.
shearing[.]
. [I worked] at dress A.M..........
Mr & Mrs Sturdy & kids [were here]
P.M. Jno [was] in C[linton] P.M.
. [I] Planted 24 rows [of] potatoes
........ Ned’
s [had a} dance[.]
June, 1895
[I worked] a little at [the] dress
[and] Made [a] cup cake P.M.& [was]
at Ned's [in the] even[ing.] Jno.
scrubbed [the] cellar[.]
I [was] in C[hurch] with Ned.....
[I] finis[hed the] print dress(only
a trifle.)Fa[ther] & Ned[have] gone
to Brucefield[.
] Jno.[has been]plow­
ing sod [on the] Shanty field for
rape[seed.]
206
Dark....C[old]
W[ind.]
Dull, C[old]
W[ind.]
Fine, C[old]
W[ind.]
Fine, Warmer
Very Much
Warmer
Rainey P.M.
48
Fine & Cold
Warmer
28
Fine & Warm
39
Very Warm
24
Very Warm
30
22
June, 1895 207
Dolly foaled[.I] took[the] wool off
[an] old dead sheep[
. A] haywagon
pedlar [was here and the] clock fix­
er [was here] all night[.]
Tea pedlars [from] London called[.
I checked]combs & honey out of hive
No. 1 - almost dead, others rob­
bing! .]
A[g was]at McTavishes P.M.[I]melted
some wax etc.
Ned,Jane & I [were]in C[linton] P.M.
J[ane] & I [were] in church[.] Jno.
[was] in C[linton] P.M. R. Pearson
c[ailed.]
Fa[ther] & Jno. finis[hed] sowing
rape[seed. I did] Mending etc. A[g]
& B[ella]washed [a]blanket & sheep­
skin at [the] river P.M.
Fa[ther] & I [drove the] colt [to
Church](Stewart.
) Jno. [went in the
evening.] Jno. [was] in Brucefield
[with] Gray P.M.
[I was] Melting wax [and] washed
some[.] Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M.
with lumber[.] Jack Elliot, B[ob]
Trick & Alex.Elliot camefhere this]
mornfing.] J[ohn] Pearson c[ailed.]
McIntosh[was here] A.M. [about the]
colt[.]E.A. & Ida Isard [were here]
P.M. Another Makin called!.
]
A[g] & 1 [were] in C[linton] P.M.
[with] Dolly[.]Jane & Mother [were]
at Isard’
s P.M. [The] Boys cleaned
[the] well[on the] Rathwell[place.]
Roily Cook[was here this]evening[.]
Fa[ther]walked to Clinton[.I]finis-
[hed] making [a] denim apron[and I]
washed a little(quit for rain)[.]
[I] Washed A.M. "one arm” Armstrong
[was here] for dinner[.J Kids [are]
at[a] dance[at]U[ncle] Ja[me]s’
s[.]
Jno.,B[ella] & I,Adam & Lily [Stew­
art] etc., [were] at [the] Experi­
mental Farm [in] Guelph[.] A[g e s ­
corted us[.]Ned & Fa[ther were] in
C[linton] P.M. for salt[.]Mr Burch,
[of] Chicago, Editor of Sheep
Breeder, [was here] all night[.]
Jno. [went to] c[hurch in the]even­
ting.]
Fa[ther] & Mr Burch [were] at Varna
[with] Mac's pony[. I] Washed wool
P.M. [in the] Bayfield river[
. I]
stayed with [the] baby [this] morn-
[ing while] Jane[was] in C[linton.]
Jennie [was over this] even[ing.]
24
Dull, Cooler,
Rain.
19
Fine, Colder
2 2
slight Frost
23
Fine, a little
warmer
22
22
Fine & pretty
warm
32
Fine & very
warm
21
Fine & Nice
24
Very Warm
Rain Even[ing.]
27
Dull
Rain late P.M.
14
Heavy dew
Fine & Nice
18
Beautiful
Pleasant,Warmer
Pleasant
4. T .
5. W.
6. T .
7. F .
8. S .
9. S .
10 . M.
11 . T .
12 . W.
13 . T.
14 . F .
15 . S .
16 . S .
17 . M.
June, 1895 208
18. T . Jno at road-work[.I] Washed,etc.
Jack 17
[is] at Mangols these days[.] Finley Fine & Warm
[McEwen] called P.M. Bella & Jen[nie nice breeze
were] at [the] river[.] Wigfginton]
drove Fafther] & B[ella.]
19. W. Jane & I & baby[were] at Grant's P.M. 22
Keys's passed[.
] Mekin [here this]
even[ing.
]
20. T . Jno. walked to C[linton] P.M. Ned & 20
Ja[ne were] in Brucefield A.M..... DullfWarmf
[I] Ironed[.] Kids [were] at Mac’
s Cooler
[this] even[ing.
]
21 F. [I] Made [a] denim apron [and] 37
Churned[.] Mekin [called.] Very Warm
22. S. Ned & the rest [are] making a piece 18
crib for [his] house well[.]8 NedFine, Warm
sold [the] Billy horse[.] Fa[ther] & Sprinkles
I [were] inC[linton at] Donald Stew­
art's funeral[.]9
23. S. A[g, B[ella] & I [drove] Dolly [to 18
church] (Rev. McDonald, Seaforth.) Fine, C[ool]
Jno. [went in the evening.] W[ind]
24. M. [The]Boys cleaned out house pumps[.] 17
Jno. [was] in Cflinton] P.M.[and he] Warm Rain,
fetched J.Miller &[an] iron pump out. Fine
& took him back again[.]
25. T. [I] Finis[hed my]"Crazy"shoe box etc. 19
Baird's, Miss Dunbar, J. Scott, Fen- Fine
[wick] & Adam, A.Walker & Mac’
s[were
here this] even[ing.
]
26. W. Melting wax [today.] B[ella was] at 16
Grant's[.] Jno. [was] at Jno.Diehl's
[barn] raising[.]i° Jack [Elliot was] a little rainf
at Ned's [to help with] manure[.]... cleared
....pedlar....
27. T. [Jack was again at Ned's spreading 23
manure.] Jno.[was at Diehl's a[gain]
& [in] Clinton until Ten P.M. Mo- Fine & Cool
[ther] & A[g were] in C[linton] P.M.
Boys even[ing] asking to picnic[.]
June. 1895
28. F. [The]Men dipped lambs A.M. Jno.[was] 42
in Brucefield [this] evening[.l have Raining A.M.
been] melting wax,sorting wool pick- Fine P.M,
ings & [I] washed [the] cellar cup­
board[.]
29. S. [I] Finis[hed the] wax,put[the] cup- 20
board in [the] cellar [and] Washed Cold
wool pickings[.] Fine, Warmer
30. S. A[g] & I[were in church(
Rev.
Stewart)] 39
Jno. [went in the evening.] Nice
July,1895
1. M. J[ack] Elliott away P.M. Jno.[was]in
C[linton in the]even[ing.I]swept [my] Fine & Cool
room & cleaned cracks[.]
2. T .
3. W.
4. T .
5. P .
6. S .
7. S .
8. M .
9. T.
10 . W .
11.T.
12. F .
ese
13 . S .
14 . S .
15 . M.
16. T.
July, 1895 21
[I] Cleaned [my room] & filled [the]
tick[.
] A[g], Jno. & I[were]at Finley
[
McEwen]’s [this]
even[ing.
We] Started
mowing [hay.
]
Fa[ther was] in C[linton.] Ned [was]
here[.We] Hauled in 4 loads [of hay.]
Jennie[was here] P.M. [I] mended[the]
tick etc.
Mr & Mrs Jas. Reynolds [were here]all
day[.] Father[was]at[Malcolm McEwen1s
barn] raising[.We] Hauled 2 loads A.M.
A[g] & Jno....P.M. Jno.[was inJBruce-
field[this even[ing to see about the]
mower[
. I] puttied some cracks[.]
B[ella] & I [were] in C[linton] Mid­
day[
. I] Puttied some cracks in Bel­
la's] floor[.]
[I]Washed a little A.M.[and was] hel­
ping [with the] hay P.M. Jack mowed
1/2 A.M. Jno. raked[
. We] Hauled in 2
loads from [the Shanty and Rathwell
[fields.] Alice foaledf.
]
A[g] & B[ella] & Mamie [were] in
C[hurch](Stewart.)
Jno.[went in the ev­
ening.] Jno. Diehl & wife [came] for
tea[.
]
Jno.[wasJin C[linton] A.M. with Ned's
cow[ and] P.M. with Doll for chop[.
]
Jack [was] mowing all day [and I did]
puttying[.]
[I did puttying and Jack [did] mowing
all day [and is] finis[hed.jJno.[wasj
raking all day[.
]
[We] Hauled 2 loads [in] A.M. [from
the] Rathwell [place] & 3[from] below
[the] watering place[
. That makes] 14
loads all togather(sic]. [We] finis-
[shed] haying P.M.
Jane,A[g],Jno. & B[ella] went to God­
erich[.] Jno. walked to C[linton.] I
drove to [the] picnic[.] Fa[ther was]
at Mac's raising P.M. [I] sorted wool
pickings P.M.
[I]Finis[hed puttying all but 3 large
cracks[
. The] Boys [are] hauling in
etc. at Ned'
s[.]
Fa[ther was]in C[linton]with Ned[for]
grists[. Father sat for photo[.]
Jack [was] at Ned’
s P.M. helping fin-
is[h] hay[.]
Fa[ther] & I [were] in C[hurch.] (Rev.
Hamilton, Londsborough[sic].
) Jno.
[went in the evening.]
Aunty [is] home.
Jno.[wasJin C[linton] A.M. with W[ill-
iam] Glen A.M. [I was making quilt
blocks] & herding geese[.]A[g was] at
Ufncle] Ja[mes[’
s] P.M.
Minding geese etc. [today.] A[g] wash­
ed[.]Fa[ther was at Wigg[inton's] etc.
Fine
24
24
26
Fine & Warmer
26
Fine, smokey.
Cool W[ind]
Fine & Warmer
30
very warm 87
[degrees F] at
noon veranda
[thermometer]
23
Shower
very warm
36
Very Cold &
Windy
24
Fine, a little
cool, nice.
34
Fine &
pleasant
22
Dull, Slight
Shower.
32
Dull & Cool
18
18
Rain P.M.
20
Fine & Pleasant
July, 1895 210
17 . W.
18 . T .
19 . F .
Picking[potato] bugs near[ly] all day- 14
[I] did 8 rows & Fa[ther] 4[.A[g was]
[was]in Cflinton] with Jane P.M.& Bel- Fine & Windy
la too & at Grant‘
s[.The]Boys started
[cutting] wheat P.M.
[I] Greened* [the] 13 remaining rows
[of potatoes] A.M. [I was] in C[lint-
on] P.M. [We] Finis[hed] cutting
wheat[.]
*Paris Green(bug poison)
Minding geese etc. [today.] Magfgie]
McEwen [was here] P.M.
38
Fine & Cool
Warmer
24
Very Warm
20. S. [Minding geese etc. today.] Jno. Sak- 19
aid & son [were here] for tea[.] Jno. Fine & Pleasant
[was] in C[linton this] even[ing.]
21. S . A[g] & B[ella were] in C[hurch](Rev.
Stewart.) Jno. & A[g went in the even­
ing. ]
21
Slight Showers,
Very Warm.
22. M. Herding,mending etc,[today.]Jno.,A[g]13
& Ada & Annie [were at] U[ncle Fine,
Ja[me]s’
s P.M.& at D[uncan]McKenzie'
s Cool Wind
[in the] even[ing.] Fa[ther was] in
C[linton] with Ned[and] the wagon for
sheep[.]
23 . T . Geo. Sturdy & Fa[ther were] at Coop­
er’
s, Frazer's & Jameson's[.I]painted
1/2 [of a] bed-room floor [and]washed
P.M. Sturdy & Sam Reid [came] for
tea[.
]
15
Very Warm Morn
[ing,] Cool
rest of day.
24. W. [We] Hauled in 6 loads of wheat[
. I] 22
Mowed P.M.Aunty[was]at LizziefGlen]’
s Fine & Cool,
[where they were] threshing beans[.] Slight shower
[in] even[ing.]
James MacFarlane July 13, 1895
July, 1895 211
25. T . Kids here - Lizzie in C[linton. We]
Finis[hed the last] 2 loads [of]
wheat[
« I was] Herding A.M. [and] mow­
ing P.M.
26. F. [I was]in C[linton] A.M. [andjpainted
a little P.M. [The] Boys cut with
larg[e] sythesfsic;[.]
27. S. Jno. [was] in Cflinton] P.M.for chop[
I] Finis[hed the]first coat[of paint]
on[the] floor [and I] Washed & mended
spreads etc. Ned*s[were]at A.Jervis’
s
in the buggy [this] even[ing.]
28* S. A[g] & I [were] in C[hurch](Rev. Shaw,
Egmondville.) Jno. [went in the even
ing[.]
29. M. [I]Painted half[of the]second coat[.]
Courtree [was] here P.M.
30. T. Fafther] walked to Cflinton.The3 Boys
[are]cutting wood at[the] river these
days[.] A[g] & I [were] at Scotts [in
the] even[ing.
]
31. W. [I was] Raking[the]yard & herding A.M.
[I] Painted [the] other half (second
coat) P.M. Bella [is] at Grant’
s[.]
Malcolm McGregor[stayed]for dinner[.]
August, 1895
1. T. [I] Cleaned [the] Parlor A. [M.] &[the
H[en] H[ouse] P.M. Jno.[was] in Cflin­
ton in the] even[ing.] Jack[has been]
hauling up furnace wood[.
]
2. F. [The] Boys[have been] log[g]ing & bur­
ning[on the river] flat[s.They]hauled
1 loadfof]tares[.] Aunt Mary & Camp­
bell(the well-digger) [were here] for
dinner[.
] Jno. [was] at Jane’s[. The]
Kids [were] at Mac's dance[this] ev[e-
ning.]
24
Fine & Cool
15
Fine,Very Warm,
Rained.
8
Rain Morning,
Fine P.M.
24
Beautiful,Cool
8
Dull, Rain
10
H[igh] W[ind, ]
C[ool.]
13
H[igh] W[ind, ]
a little warmer
10
Windy,Warmer
15
Fine & Calm
3. S . [I] Washed A.[M.]& Painted 1/2 of 3rd
coat [as well as] mending,herding etc.
13
Slight Shower,
Fine, Warm
4. S. B[ella] & I [were in Church](Rev. Me- 14
Millan, Mimico.) Maggie Aikenhead(Mrs Beautiful
Smith) [was] in C[hurch] & S[abbath]
S[chool.
]
5. M. Herding & [working] at guilt [today.] 43
Aunty [came] home[.] Beautiful,
very w[arm]
6. T. Hferding] etc. [today.] Jno. [was] in 17
C[linton] [He drove] Mary in [the] Slight Showers
buggy[.]
7. W. Jack McLaughlin & Jennie [Grant were 20
here] P.M. [The] Wigg[in]ton*s [were Fine,
here [this] evenfing.] Cool W[ind.]
8. T. [I] Finis[hed] painting[the] floorf.
] 21
Fa[ther]walked to C[linton.] A[g] & I Fine &
[were] at D[uncan] McEwen's [this] Very Warm
evenfing.]
Jno.started cutting oatsf.]
Jno. & B[ella were] in [V]arna[.]
9.
1 0 .
11 .
1 2.
13 .
14 .
15 .
16 .
17 .
18 .
19 .
20.
21 .
22 .
23 .
24.
F. A.Dunkin drove Hawkshaw & Beetie[sic]
here this morn[ing. Fa[ther] & them
& A.Innis & Avery [had] dinner at Wig-
[ginton'
s and] tea[.]
S. A. Elliot, Mekin, [and] old Mekin
c[ailed this] morn[ing. The] Master &
T[om] Frazer[came] for dinner P.M.[Mr]
Smith bought 4 steers[.] Jno.Tomson
bought [and came] after [the] bull[.I]
[did] her[din]g, washed etc.
S. A[g] & I [were in Church](Rev. Graham,
Bayfield.) Jno. [went at night.]
August, 1895
M. At same daily work[. A] Clinton pedlar
called[.The] Boys [are] at the oats[.]
Jno. [was] in C[linton this] morn-
ting......... ]
T. [I] Washed & mended [a] dress, [did]
herd[ing] etc. [A] Horse (Colt) [was]
sick[.] McIntosh [wasjhere twice & for
dinner[.]Jno.[was]in Bruce[field this]
morn[ing.] Mac’
s girls[were here this]
even[ing.
]
W. [I was] in C[linton] A.M.[We’
re] Finis
[hed] cutting oats[.] U[ncle] Ja[me]s
[was] here[.]
T. [We] Started [the] peas[. Jno.,B[ella]
& Aunty at Swail (sic) & at U[ncle]
Ja[me]s‘
s[.] W. O’
Neill & wife called
[this] even[ing.
]
F. [We] Hauled in 6 loads[of] oats P.M.[I
was] helpingfwith the]mowing[.]U[ncle]
Ja[me]s's kids [were here this] even­
ting. ]
S. [We] Hauled in 5 loads [of] oats- all
that’
s ready[.
] Jno. [was] in C[linton
this] even[ing.]
S. Fa[ther] & I [were] in C[hurch] (Rev,Wim.
Graham.)
M. [We're] cutting peas etc. Ned [stayed]
for dinner[. I] finis[hed] hemming one
pillow case etc. Fourth turkey nest
T. [We] Finis[hed] turning peas at tea
time[.] Alex [came] for tea[.
]
W. Smith & Willie Cudmore [came] for din-
ner[.
] Jennie [was here] P.M.[We]Finis-
[hed] hauling in oats P.M.- 6 loads[.]
Finis[hed the] lace & pillow-case[.
]
T. Mr & Mrs Foster [were here] P.M. Bella
went to Varna with them[
. WeJ Hauled in
Jno.’
s loads [of] peas[.]
F. Ned[was] helping Jno.[load peas.We are]
finis[hed] harvestf.] Bessie McGregor
[was here] P.M. & all night[.]
S. [I] Took Bessie home P.M. Jno. went to
Woon's threshing P.M.,[but they]did not
thresh[.
] Jno. went to C[linton] with
W[illiam] Glen[.]
212
20
Very Warm
Heavy Rains
21
Very Warm
Dull 23
Rainy Looking
Very Warm
27
Fine & Pleasant
21
18
Very Warm
17
32
Fine & Warm
Warm,
Rain P
.
Af.
Fine & Warm
Rain even[ing.]
Fine & Cool
Fine, cool
Rain, Frost
Fine & Cool
12
Fine & W[arm]
14
Fine & Very
W[arm], Rain
16
Raining
Fine
August., 1895 213
25, S. A[g] & I[were in Church] (Rev.Muir,Bruce- 13
field) [preached about] Ruth & Naomi[.] Fine & Warm
Ada [Stewart] & Isabella Pearl[Glen were
here] all night[.]
26. M. A[g] & I went to Bay[field] with Tene
Mc[Ewen.]I got in with Mrs J.Pearson etc. Fine & Warm
Jno. [came] down P.M.
27. T. [I]Washed & made 9 pies P.M.Fa[ther was] 23
in C[linton this] even[ing.] Jno. [was]
at Mac's P.M. Mr Keys fetched B[ella] Very W[arm]
home [in the] evenfing. The] threshers**
[were here] all night[.]
28 . W .
29 T .
30 . F .
31. S .
1. S .
2. M.
[We] threshed [today and] Finis[hed at] 18
3 O'c[loc]k P.M. [We] gave [the] thresh- Fine & Very
ers [their] tea[.] Jno.[was]at W.Elliot's Warm
dance[.]
Mofther] S
t I[were] in C[linton] P.M. [The] 12
Boys [are] taking out manure[.] Laura Per- Raining
due [was here] P.M. Jno.took[the] machine Fine & Pleas-
to........B[ella] S
t Jennie [have] gone to ant.
the Master's[.
]
Choring-Churned etc.A[g] finis[hed] wash- 51
ing[.J B[ella came] home. a[g] & I [were]
at Ned['s this] even[ing.]
[I] Finis[hed] peeling, preserving making 14
pies etc. [out] of all the apples we have Fine & Cool
now[. I] Mended Fa[ther's duck's[.] Windy
September, 1895
Jno. S
t Fa[ther] & Jack............ 14
Fine, C[old]
W[ind]
[I] Mended Jno.’
s p[an]ts 14
Fine & Pleasant
3. T. Jane & I & Ifsabella] P[earl] [were] at Windy &
McTavishe's P,M. Ned [is] here plow- Very Warm
ing[.
]
4. W. Ned [was] plowing A.M. Raining P.M. [I]
Finis[hed] pieceing [the] log cabin
quilt[
. Edward] Glen Sr. [was here] for
tea[.
]
5. T. Fa[ther] walked to Cflinton.] I [was] up
at Craig'
s for strayed calves[.] Aggie
Butchart [was here] P.M. Jno. [was] sow­
ing wheat[.]
6. F. [Jno] finis[hed sowing wheat and was] in
C[linton this] evenfing.] A[g] oiled [a]
half floor[
. I was] stitching [quilt]
blocks together[.]
7. S. [I]Finis[hed stitching blocks together.]
A[gJ fnis[hed] oiling [the] floor[.
] Jno.
sowed grass seed on [the] wheat [and]
Jack rolled[
. We] washed sheep [at the]
river[.]
8. S. Fa[ther] & I [were in Church](Rev. Stew­
art.) [His sermon title was]"Covet earn­
estly the best gifts[."]
46
Pleasant
Rain P.M.
21
Fine &
Warm
25
Fine &
Very Warm
18
Fine,
Cold,Windy
21
Pleasant
September, 1895 214
9 . M.
10 . T .
Jno.trimming sheep[.] Jack [was] at[the]
mill [for] chop P.M. Jack plowing[
. I]
Finis[hed] pressing [the] quilt[.]
29
Slight Showers
Fine
B[ella] & I[were]in C[linton] mid-day[.
] Fine, 25
& Very Warm
11. W. A[g was]at Wigg[inton’
s P.M. B[ella was 17
in C[linton] P.M.[I]Cut out print shirt­
waist[.]
12. T. [I]Pulled some corn A.[M.] & washed P.M.
[I was]at Ned's for Era & at Will’s [in
the] even[ing.]
17
H[igh] W[ind1
Slight R[ain]
Dull & Cooler
13. F. [I] Basted [a] blouse & fitted and stit 17
ched Mo[ther's basque[
. I peeled fell- Fine & Cold,
[ed] Talmans for sauce A.M. [The]girls Wind
[worked] at pies [this] evenfing.]
14. S. B[ella] & I [were] in C[linton] P.M.[to 29
get a bag of flour.]
15. S. A[g], B[ella] & I [were in church] (Rev. 21
Stewart.) "Sampson killed 600 Philis­
tines with an ox goad[.]"
16. M ........ some of wheat fences[
.] Smith
called [about] cattle. I worked] at mak- Fine & Warm
ing Mo[ther]'s basque[.]
17. T. [I] Finis[hed Mother's basque and I]
minded geese etc. A[g] at Neds......
18. W. [I] Drove Fa[ther], Jno. & B[ella] to
Brucefield [station.] They went for an Storm, Dull
even[ing at] London Fair. Jennie [was Fine. Pleasant
here P.M. [I] Sold [a] p[ai]r [of] hens
to [the] Irwin Boys at [the] pump[. The
Hunter's [were there] for [a] drink[.]
19. T. [I] Sewed [the] quilt in [its] frame[.]
Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M. A[g was] Shower
sick[.
] Fine & Warm
20. F. Ned’s [have] gone to Hullett[Township.]
B[ella is] doing their chores[.] B[ella Fine & Very
was] at McTavish’
s P.M. quilting[
. I'm] Warm
Quilting [a] L[og] C[abin.]
21. S. [I] Finis[hed the Log Cabin at 1/2 16
past X P.M. Jno. walked to C[linton in
the] even[ing.
]
22. S. Fa[ther] & I [were in Church](Rev.Stew- 20
art.)........... .
23. M. [I] Bound[the] quilt[.] Fa[ther was] at 16
Moffat's funeral[. I] got roots etc. Fine,
ready[.] C[old] W[ind]
24 . T .
25. W.
A[g] & I[were]in C[linton taking]things
to [the] Fairf.
] Fa[ther was] judging
[today] at Exeter[.]Jno.[was in] C[lin-
ton at] night[.] Aunty [is] home[.]
18
Fine,
Cool W[ind.]
Fafther], Jno.,A[g], B[ella], Jack, Ned,
& I [were] at [Clinton] Fair[.] Auntie Fine & Warm
[was] at Ned's & Janet's] fighting
fires[.] Beetie & Will [were here] all
night[.]
September, 1895 215
26. T. Fa[ther],Be[lla] & Wigg[inton's were]at 20
Cooper's[- I was] Peeling apples & H[eavy] Rain
pears[.] Fine & Warm
27. F. [I was] Peeling pears & ridding at yard 17
& cellar[.
] Fa[ther was] helping Ned
with[the] corn P.M. Jno.[was] in C[lin- C[old] W[imd]
ton] shipping Beetie’
s R[am]lamb[.
] A[g Fine
wasjat Ufncle] Ja[me]s['s]with pears[.]
B[ella was] at Aunty'
s[.]
28. S. The two Jno.'s,A[g], B[ella] & I lifted 12
potatoes!.] Fa[ther was] with Ned A.M. Dull, Cool,
Jno. [was] in Cflinton to]night[.] W[indy.]
29. S. Jno. [went to church in the] even[ing.] 20
Raining
30. M. [I was] Mending [and] Stuffing [the] 15
fence (for geese.) Finley [McEwen was Snowing,Hailing
here in the] even[ing.] 1st of the
season
1. T .
October, 1895
Jno. & B[ella] went to Sturdy'
s(
God- 26
erich Fair To-morrow.) [I] swept
wheat off[the]mow A.M. [I] Put 3 panes Fine,
in celler windows(M[ilk] room)& washed H[igh] W[ind,]
them P.M. Adam [Stewart],
Alice & Ethel
[
Parke were] at Ned'
s [this]even[ing.
]
2. W .
3. T .
A[g was] picking potatoes with Jane[.] 12
[I]Swept out the celler[.]Fa[ther was]
at Butchart's threshing A.M.& part P.M. Fine & Warm
Kids [stayed] home[.
]
Callers [today] - Glen, Aunty,Rev Stew- 13
art,wife & Robbie & Douglas[. I was] Beautiful
sewing rags[.] Ned & his Fa[ther] at
Seaforth P.M.
4. F. [I] Washed[.] Fa[ther was] at Andy Dun- 12
kin's[.] Alice & Ethel & Leonard Parke
called [here this] even[ing.] A[g] & I
[were] at U[ncle] Jno.'s [this] even­
ting.]
5. S. [I] Cleanedfthe] hen-house A.M.,ironed 8
[and did] a little mending[.] Fafther
was]at U[ncle] Ja[me]s's A.M. A[g was]
in Cflinton] at Ellie's all night[.]
6. S. Aunty & I [were in] Cfhurch](Rev. Stew­
art.) Jno. & Fen[wick went in the
evening.
]
7. M. Killed 8 chicks & a goose-the first[.]
A[g] & I [were] im C[linton] P.M. Raining,
C[ool] W[ind.]
8. T .
9. W.
I walked to C[linton with] post
cards[.] Fa[ther] started pulling Man-
gols[.] Jno.,A[g] &I [paid respects]
at Ross'esl2 [this] even[ing.]
16
Rainy, Hailing,
C[ool] W[ind],
Snowing
Fa[[ther] & I [were] at Dan Ross'es fu­
neral P.M. [I was] Peeling pears &
apples A.M. Jennie[was here] P.M.& all
night[.]
8
Light Snowing,
Fine & Cold.
October, 1895 216
10 T . Aunty, A[g] & I [were] at Bayfield[
We] called at Green's for Aunty[.]
Pedlar had lunch[
. The] Men[are] pul
ling & taking in Mangols[.]
8
Fine,
C[ool] W[ind.
11. F. Jno. & I [were] at Bayfield Fair P.M. Raining Morn-
ting] & even[ing,]
12 . S . [I] Found turkey nest [with] 14
eggs[.The] Men finis[hed] taking in
Mangols[.]
11
Fine
13 . S . Fa[ther] & I [were] in C[hurch](Rev.
Stewart.
)
4
C[ool] W[ind.]
14. M. [I] Killed 6 roosters[.]Jno.Thomson*
[was] blocking stones [down at the]
river P.M.Jane & I [drove] Queen in-
[to]C[linton] P.M. Jack[
was]at[the]
Wigg[inton's] threshing A.M.
5
Fine,
C[ool] Wind]
*The stone mason
15. T. [The]Boys[were]at U[ncle]Ja[me]s[*s]
threshing A.[M.]& [at]U[ncle]Jno.'
s
P.M. [We] pulled our pears &
apples[.] B[ella]& I [werejin C[lin-
ton] P.M. [for] flour[.
]
2
Fine
16. W. Fa[ther was]at Jas.Steep's sale P.M.
[I was] pulling peas[.The]
Boys[
were
at U[ncle] Jno’
s threshing A. [M.] &
W[illiam] Glen's P.M.
4
Showery
17. T. Fa[ther] & Jno. finis[hed] at Will’
s
[in the] morn[ing] & at Ned's [at]
1/2 past 4 O' c[loc]k[.]
3
Beautiful
Dan Ross in high­
land regalia
October, 1895 217
Jane & I[
were]in C[hurch](Rev. Hen­
derson, Hensall.) Mrs & Jessie Wigg-
[inton were here] P.M. B[ella is]at
Grant's[P.M. I] Killed 4 Roosters
[and a] sheep[.]
Fa[ther]& I put furnace wood in[the] Hail &5
celler[.
] A[g] washed shirts etc. Snow Showers P.M.
Fa[ther] & I [were] in C[hurch(Rev.
Stewart.) Jno. & A[g were in Church
(Rev. Hamilton.)
[I] Put onions in[the] celler[.
] Fa- 4
[ther] walked to Clinton A.M. A[g] Snowing,
& I [were] building [a] goose-house Fine P.M.
P.M. B[ella] has quinsy[.]*
* an abscess between the tonsil and the pharynx
accompanied by severe sore throat and fever.
I [was] at Mrs Green's quilting[.]
Farther] & Jno. [were] pulling car-
ots[.
]
[Father & Jno.] Finis[hed pulling
carrots] & hauling [them] in[.I did
the] Churning & peeled app[le]s A.M.
[and] A[g] & I[were] building [the]
goose-h[ouse] P.M. A[g] boiling
mangols[.] Frank Keys called[.]
Mo[ther] & A[g were] in C[linton]
A[g] & I [worked] at [the] g[oose]-
h[ouse] A.M. [Ag did] ironing & I
did] washing P.M. Jno. [is] paving
[the] yard[.]
A[g] & I hauled barrels [of] water
from[the]well A.M. Shore dead sheep
& scrubbed P.M. Jane & kid [here]
P.M.
Fine & Nice
7
Fine, C[ool]
W[nd.]
3
Fine & Pleasant
Beautiful
A[g]&I[
were in Church](Houston,[an]
elder [and] Principal [of the]high Raining P.M.
school [preached]"Lamb in the midst
of the throne".) Jno. [went in the]
even[ing](Holmes, Methodist.
)
A[g] & I [spent] all day peeling
pears[
. I] Put in a little F[ire]
wood[.In the] even[ing I] mended Fa­
ther's] p[an]ts & shirt & made 2
long & 3 short towels
Jack [was] plowing A.M.[He went in­
to]Clinton on horse back[at]night[.]
Jno.[was]in C[linton]with grist P.M.
[We] put joists & T’
s in[the] goose-
house[.]A[g was]boiling for Jno.all
day[.] T -Killed[.] Horses & milch
cows[were] in[to]night(1st [time.])
3
Hail,Showers
3
Snowing
Killed goose & pigs P.M. Fa[ther
was] at Neds killing [pigs A.M. I Fine,a little milder
[was] in C[linton] P.M. Jno, Thom­
son [was here] all night[.]
[I] Packed 4 hives [of]bees all but 2
some top chaff[.] Fa[ther] & [the]
mason [were] at[the] river[.] Mac’
s, Dull,Rain
Fen[
wick],Adam, J.Scott & us [were]
at Ned's [this] even[ing.]
18 . F .
19 . S .
20 . S .
21 . M.
22 . T .
23 . W.
24 . T .
25 . F .
26. S .
27 . S .
28 . M.
29. T.
30 W.
31 . T .
November, 1895 218
Jno.[was] sawing [wood] with Mac[.]
Jack plowed some.... [I was] pick­
ing up round[the] goose-h[ouse] etc.,
etc., [and] making [a] feed box[.
]
Carrie & Jennie[Grant] called[this]
even[ing.]
[I’
ve] almost finis[hed] making 2
feed boxes[.]Jno.[is] at Will's cut­
ting [wood.] Jack [is] plowing etc.
[The] Mason went home [this] morn-
ting.] A[g] set up her stove [and]
boiled mangols etc.
A[g] & I [
were in Church.](Rev.Stew­
art.) "Things which accompany sal­
vation." Ada & Jno.[went at night.]
[I] c[leaned the] h[en] h[ouse],com-
pletedfthe] feed boxes etc.[I finis-
[hed] packing bees P.M. etc. Aunty
[came] home[.] Wiley around[.]Andy
Dunkin called[.]
Cleaned Bed-room, churned etc.[The]
Elliots [are] doing [a] road job
(gravelling.) Jno. Diehl calledf.]
Jno. [was] in C[linton this] even­
ting. ]
[We]pulled & wheeled up cabbage P.M.
Jno.Cuming came to U[ncle]Jno.,s[.
]
[I was] in Cflinton] P.M. Mac’s,& D.
Campbell,U[ncle]Ja[me]s'
s & U[ncle]
Jno.'s, J. Scott etc., [were] here
[this] even[ing.]
1
1
Fine & Warmer
1
Very Warm
Rain
Rain
[I] Killed & dressed 5 geese [and I
was]in C[linton] P.M.[A]Glen* [was] Rainy
born [this] morn[ing.
]
^Abigail Glen, 1895-1979, youngest child of Wm. Glen
and Margaret Elizabeth Stewart. In 1913, she married
William Francis (Frank) Saunders(1884-1982) of Goder­
ich[.]
[I] Peeled some Talmans([for]sauce),
Killed [a] hen[and] darnedsocks etc. Rainy,Snowing a
little.
A[g] & Ifwere in Church](Rev.McKay) Dull, a little snow.
"Rev[elation 22,Verse] 5 to end(The
great white throne etc.
"
Peeled some pears & churned A.M.Jno,
Allen called[in at] breakfast[.]Jno. Fine & Dull,etc.
Cuming [was] here[. I] Made a para­
sol case [in the] even[ing.]
I[was]in Cflinton]in the]even[ing.
]
Jno. in C[linton, then] went to
U[ncle] Jno.’
s[. I] Killed 1 geese
& 5 gobs[.]
[I]Peeled kettle pears etc. Mrs Aik-
enhead & Mrs Mac [were here] P.M E[xtremely].
Magfgie came in the] even[ing.]B[el- H[igh} W[ind.]
la is]at Grant'
s[and the] Boys[are]
in [the] bush[.I] Picked 3 geese at
night[.]
1< p .
2. S.
3 . S .
4. M.
5. T .
6. W .
7. T .
8. F .
9. S.
10. S.
11, M.
12 . T .
13 . W.
November, 1895 219
14. T. [I] Killed 7 turkeys[.] A[g] & I
[were] in C[linton] P.M. [The] Boys
[are] cutting wood these days[.]
15. P. Ridding wood-shed platform[. I] Put
in cellar windows & washed them[.
]
[I] washed two lard pails etc. A[g]
[did] ironing[.] Jane [was] at Aun­
ty's P.M.
16. S. [I]Washed double windows, etc.Moth­
er] & I [were] in C[linton] P.M.
Jack [went] home[.] Jno. [was] de­
horning at U[ncle] Jno.’
s
17. S . Raining
A[g] & I [were] in C[hurch(Rev.Stew­
art)Outline of Foreign Missions Jno.
[went in the evening.]
18. M. [I] C[leaned the] H[en] H[ouse.]Ned
[was] in C[linton] & sold their 10
turkeys[.] Jack McGregor [is asking
people to come ] to [a] b[ee.I]kill-
4 geese[.]
19. T. [I killed]13 turkeys A.M. [I was]in
C[linton] P.M Jennie [was here] P.M.
& all night[.]Jack McGregor[had his]
bee & dance[.]
Rainy
Dull,
C[ool] W[ind. ]
Fine
Rain
Fine & Warm
Rain P
.AT. &
even[ing]
20. W . Mrs & Herb Dunkin called ( looking
for cattle.)[The] Elliots[came]here Snowing &
[and] took home Jack's sheep & Hard Frozen
calf[.]* Fa[ther] & Mo[ther were at
[a] singing p[ar]ty at Mac's [this]
even[ing.
]
*Jack Elliott appears to have taken
livestock as part payment for his hired
labour.
21. T. Jno. [was] hauling up wood [in the]
sleigh[.] Thanksgiving -I [was] at
[the annual Sabbath School] exam[.
] Snowing a little
Rev.Stewart & Lawyer Scott[did the]
examining[.] Rev. Smyth [of] Bruce-
field & Wife [were also] there[.]
Ned’
s[
were] here[for]
tea(
dinner)[.]
Aunty [was here] all night[.]
22. F. Mac's, D.Campbell, Ned's & Us[were]
at U[ncle] Jno.'s [at] night[.] Dull, Snow
23. S. Jno. [was] at Ned's cutting [wood.]
B[ellla] & I [were] in C[linton] P.M. Snowed a little.
[with the] cutter[♦]
24. S. A[g] & I [went to] Church [in the]
cutter(Rev. Stewart.)......... ...[I] Fine
stayed with I[sabella] P[earl this]
even[ing.
]
25. M. [I] Made Fa[ther]'s duck p[an]ts[.]
A[g]washed kitchen plaster[and]B[el-
la washed] paint[.]
26. T. [I] Cleaned H[en] & goose houses &
changed roosts[.]Beetle drove Mr Can-
telon out & had dinner[.] Fa[ther] &
[Cantelon were] at Innis's, Wigg[in­
ton]'s[and in] C[linton. I worked on
a] basque [this] even[ing and] made
Button-holes & sewed buttons [for]
Jno.
Snow, Thaw,
Raining.
Freezing,
Snow Flurries.
November, 1895 220
Fa[ther] & C[antelon, a] sheep buyer,
[were] at Cooper’
s, etc. [We] Washed
sheep[.] Aunty [is] at Ned’sf. Kenne­
dy was] round buying turkeys[.I]made
Button-holes in [a] p[ai]r[of]
Jno.'s
cuffs[.]
Ja[ne] & A[g were] buying turkeys &
geese A.M.Fa[ther] & C[antelon[were]
at Dunkin’
s, etc. Jno.[was] at Mac’
s
threshing P.M. I [was] in C[linton]
P.M.[driving] Queeny[.]Kids at Mac's
party[.]
Fa[ther] & C[antelon][were] in C[lin-
ton, then] at Snell’s for dinner[.]
Hired a livery & went to Sturdy's
etc,.P.M.* Jno. [was]at Mac’s thresh-
A.M. [I] Churned & sewed[a] shoe P.M.
*The MacFarlane horse needed a rest
Fa[ther] & C[antelon were]at Diehl'
s,
[then] at Wigg[inton'
s]for dinner[.]
Jno. [went] c[ailing] in C[linton]
[this] even[ing.I was] at Jane’
s A.M.
for 2 hours[
. We] traded for pul-
lets[.] Will & Ned [were] in C[lin-
ton] moving out their fa[ther]’
s
stuff[.]
December, 1895
Mrs Jas.Elliotl^ [of]Hullett died[.
]
A[g] & I[went in the buggy to church
(Rev. Stewart) Ecc XI1-13-14 speci-
ally-The whole duty of man(
Admit,sub­
mit, Commit, Transmit.
) Wigg[intons
came] for tea[.
]
Cantelon & Jno. [were] in Cflinton]
A.M.,at[the] Master’
s P.M. [and at]
Cooper's all night[.They drove]Mary
[in the cutter.]Foster Brigham[came]
P.M[and]Mother went back with him[.
]
S. Moffatt called & Andy Mekin with
him[.
] Aunty [was here] all night[
.
I] Washed [my] hair[.
]
Fa[ther] & C[antelon were] in C[lin-
ton] P.M. A[g] Washed[
. I was] mend­
ing[an]old b[lac]k cashmere skirt[.]
Fa[ther] & C[antelon] went to C[lint-
on] to ship - Jno., Jack, & Ned took
up [the] sheep(20 Rams.)
I[was] in C[linton] P.M. Jno.[was]at
[the] mill P.M. [and at] W[illiam]
Beacom's [for] oats [in the] even-
[ing.]
Jno.[was]at Beacom's getting oats[.]
Jno. & J[a]ck [were] at [the] mill
P.M. [I] Cleaned[the] H[en] H[ouse.]
[Mr & Mrs] Brigham & Mother arrived
P.M. [The Brigham's] & Aunty [stayed
all] night[.] Jane[was over] in[the]
even[ing.
]
B[righam]’
s went home P.M. Jno.[was]
at Ned's cutting [wood] P.M. T[om]
Frazer(sic) called P.M.
Fine, sunshiny,
softened a very
little.
Fine, Softened
more.
Big Flake
Soft Snow P.M.
Fine, Dull
Drizzly, Snow
Snowing
Fine
Snowing
Fine,Flakey
Drizzley
Light Snow
27 . W.
28. T.
29. F .
30 . S .
1. S .
2. M.
3. T .
4. W.
5. T.
6. F .
7. S .
December, 1895 221
Very Cold
Hands Freezing
A[g] & I [were] in C[hurch in the]
cutter{Rev. Stewart.) "And Saul eyed
David from that day and forward."Jno.
[went to church n the] even[ing.] I
stayed with I[sabella] Pfearl this]
evenfing.]
Fa[ther] walked to C[linton and] I
[was] in C[linton] P.M. Jno.[was] at
Ned's cutting [wood] A.M.
Dull, A
little warmer
[I] Cleaned [the] H[en] H[ouse. [Ed­
ward] Glen Sr.*[was here] for tea[.
] Fine, Dull
Ned, Will & Adam [were] here cutting
wood.] Jack went home at U........
Jno.Tomson & Harry [were] at U[ncle]
Ja[me]s‘
s all night[after] taking[a]
bull to Clinton[.]
*Now a widower, he’
s moved in with
William & Lizzie across the road.
Fa[ther went to] Guelph[to] judge[in
the] Stock Show[. I] Drove [him] to
[the] station[.] B[ella] & I[were]in
C[linton] P.M. Bella[was] at Grant's
all night [and the] Boys [were there
in the] even[ing.]
Cold S. & W.
Slight Snow
Drift, E[ast]
W[ind.]
Jno.[was] at Will’
s cutting[.]I[was]
choringf.
] Bella Cuming[was] here[.]
Her, Adam, Lilly, A[g], Jno. & B[el-
la were] at Mac’
s [this] even[ing.]
Fa[ther arrived] home [at] night[.]
3 [degrees F]at night.
[I] Mended Jno.’
s vest & Fa[ther]'s
anorek & shirt[.] Jno. & Geo. Elliot
called [this] even[ing.]
8 [degrees F.]
at 9 A.M. 10
[degrees F] all
day in veranda.
a little warmer
[I] Put button-holes & buttons on Mo-
[ther]’
s basque[and I] Mended Jno.'s
shirt P.M.
A[g] & B[ella were in church.] Jno.
[went in the evening.{Rev.
Hamilton.
)
A[g],B[ella] & Aunty [were] in C[lin-
ton.] Ned & Jane[were]up moving Glen
Sr. into [the] Cantelon house[.* I]
Cleaned [the] H[en] H[ouse.] Geo.
Elliot called [in the] morningf.
]
Fine & Soft
Fine, E[ast]
W[ind.]
* I always understood from Isabel, Jack & Don
Glen that their grandfather Glen lived his
last six years (1895-1901) on the home place.
Ned & Will must have moved a small house onto
the home place to give the dad peace & privacy.
William & Lizzie’
s 4 children were all under 7.
Fa[ther was] at R. Marshell'
s(sic)
[and] bought 2 pigs[.] I cleaned kit­
chen stove pipes A.M. Papering [the]
kitchen ceiling - [We’
re] 1/2 done &
more[.
] Jno.[was] at Will's, moving
[the] wood-shed[.
]
A. Marshell brought [us our] pigs[.]
Jno.helped kill [a] heifer & pigs[.}
[I continued] Papering[.]
[I] finis[hed papering [the] walls &
ar[ranged[a] box etc.Jno.& A[g were]
in C[linton]P.M. Jno.Cuming went out
with them to U[ncle3 Jno.’
s[.]Jennie
Grant[was here] all night[.]
Raining
Thawing & Fair
Raining
Raining
Raining
8 . S .
9. M .
10. T.
11. W.
12 . T .
13 . F.
14 . S .
15 . S .
16. M.
17 . T .
18 . W.
19 . T .
December, 1895 222
The four children of William Glen & Lizzie
Stewart about 1897 or 981 The boy front-cen­
tre is Edward C. (Eddie) Glen(1892-1962).The
girls left to right are:Mary (Mrs Gabe Elliott
1888-1972), Abbie 1895-1979 Mrs Frank Saunders)
and Bessie (1891-1969 Mrs Frank How.)
20 . F .
21. S .
22 . S .
23 . M.
24. T.
[I] Finis[hed] papering etc. Finley
[McEwen] called[.] Fa[ther was] at
U[ncle] Ja[me]s’
s
Fa[ther] & Mo[ther were] salting
meat[.I] Churned etc.B[ella] cleaned
[the] pantry & A[g cleaned] Jno.'s
stair[.]
Fen[wick Stewart was] here [in the]
even[ing.] Jno. & A[g went to church
at night.
]
Jno. & I[were] in C[linton]P.M. B[el-
la] made [a] Cake. Mince pies etc.
Raining
Fine £ Dull
Raining
Dull,Fine
Rain P.M.
Picked goose & wiped out B[ed]-room[.
]
Ned & I[sabella] P[earl][were]here[.
]
G[eorge]T[homas] Baird called[in the]
even[ing to issue a general invi- Raining P.M.
tation to Gilmore's p[ar]ty[.]* B[el-
la has] gone to Grant'
s[.]
* Two points: George Thomas Baird(1873-1963)
was the Master's 3rd son. He farmed his
whole life on the ancestral acres. Lot 21
Con II. Telephone service was still 14
Years in the future. It was standard procedure
pop a post card in the mail or call at house­
holds personally to look for help in threshing
and other bees or to proffer hospitality.
Gilmore's, who lived on lot 24, Con III, 3 lots
north of Baird's, delegated the inviting to
22-year-old George Thomas.
26 .
27 .
28 .
29.
30.
31 .
25.
1
2.
December, 1895 223
T .
F .
W. Ned & [the] Boys[were]lifting fences
A.M.* Ned, Jane & I[sabella] P[earl]
& Aunty [were here] all day[.I] star­
ted Jno.'s p[an]ts[.] Jno.[was] at
Gilmore’
s party[.]
Making at [Jno.'s pants.] Fa[[ther]
at school meeting[•
]
Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M. [for]
grist[. I] Cleaned[the] H[en] H[ouse
and was] Making p[an]ts[.]B[ella was
at Aunty's making Mo[ther]'s pres-
ent[.
]
S. [We] Finis[hed Jno.'s pants and Moth­
er's present.] Jno.[was] in C[linton
at] night [a] Rooster [from]Beetie’
s
[in] London[.]
S. A[g] & I [went to church in the]
buggy[.](Rev. McDonald,Seaforth.)Jno,
[went to church and] I stayed with]
I[sabella] P[earl in the] even[ing.]
M. Jno. [was] at Wigg[inton’
s] moving
[the] barn[.
] Stonehouse calved[
. I]
Killed old Mary [the] Goat [and I]
Mended Cap & Erat[.]I[sabella]P[earl
[was] here [while] Ned[was] at [the]
Varna Nomonation [meting.]
Fine
Bees Flying
Snowing, Sottish
Fr[oze] a little
Snowed a little
evenfing]
Fine, a little
sottish.
Snowing
T . Geo. at home[.] Knit mit[.] Snowing & 4
Drifting, H[igh]
Probably Tena Baird 1870-1958. She was the Master's daughter,
younger,but near in age to Lib, Jane & Ag. She never married
and lived her whole life on the Baird home place. Con II, Lot
21.
In cold weather, a way to remove the damp and chill from bed
sheets was to wrap a brick or bricks in newspaper and heat
them in the oven of the wood stove and then insert them
between the sheets.Some warm bricks could be left at the foot
of the bed to keep one's feet warm. One could make things
more ritzy by putting knitted or cloth coverings on the
bricks. My late mother said she rather liked the pungent
smell of hot newsprint when she took hot bricks to bed.
Maud Scott Christie was the 3rd wife of the Rt. Hon.
James G. Gardiner, longtime federal Minister of Agriculture.
Mary Glen was seriously ill.
4.
4
litt
2
Lttl
5
3
3.
5 .
fi.
Probably Mrs Finley McEwen, the former Catherine Ross,
and sister of Dan Ross, husband of Mary Emma Stewart.
Spraying of apple trees
Fitzsimmons was a butcher in Clinton.
Ned Glen tried for quite a while to dig a well
near the barn. He wanted to build a better farm
house nearer to the barns, but he held off until
he could be assured of aplentiful water supply.
Eventually he was forced to drill a well.
No relation to her mother's family of Stewart’
s
10
11.
12.
13.
*The 1890’
s and early 1900's are years of many
barn raisings. The growth of cities in Ontario
and the opening of the west, caused Ontario far­
mers to switch to mixed farming to supply meat,
butter, eggs, poultry and prioduce to the city.
The pioneer barns were raised on stone or cement
foundations for cowstables. John Diehl farmed on
Lot 25 Con IV, five farms south of MacFarlane'
s.
The men who owned and operated the threshing mill
and steam engine. Probably Bill Perdue and sons.
By putting up the threshers for the night, they
could work late getting everything ready, so that
no time was lost getting started in the morning.
& , * • ! * * «**■ f i m k L
/tt^ A
c % ' >
Iqhrt f ' V I
I*;/-fd>
hv
G c c ^
/
f
t
,
Qr»fy,
J ) ^ \
6.
7 .
8
9.
22-^f
0
rd
e
. FJe*JU£k*
THE DIARY OF ELIZA-ANN MACFARLANE:1896
The Year of Edward John Glen
January, 1896
225
1. W. Ned, Jane & Ifsabella] P[earl and] Jen- 8
nie G[rant were here] P.M. A[g], Jno., Flaky A.M.
B[ella] & Jennie [were] at Wise's par- Fine P.M.
ty[. The] girls drove [the] cutter[.]
George [was] back [at] night[.]*
*George Elliot, on probation
to become new hired man.
2. T. B[ella] & I [were] in C[linton.]
Jennie 2
[went] with us to [help clean at the] Snowing, a
school[house.Fa[ther was] at Avery's[. little windy
We] brought Geofrge] in[to the] house
P.M.
3. F .
4. S.
5. S.
[I] Finis[hed] [the] mitts[
. George]
went home[. The] Kids [were]at Aunty's Stormy &
8
P.M. Jane [was] in P.M. Hawkshaw & Dun-
kin called [at] night[.]
Snowing
Mending & darning[.]
Stormy &
Snowing
2
Jno. [took the] cutter [to church in 5
the] even[ing.
] 8 below [zero
in] even[ing]
6. M. Jno.hauled up [a] load of limbs[.] Mo- 2
[ther is] Cardingf.I] Started [a] mit Dull, low
& darned stockings [and] Made an hand- drifts.
kerchief[.]
7. T. [I]Made [a]
Comfortable for Geo[rge]’
s
bed,washed ganzies & [a] p[ai]r[of]
stockings [and] darned [one] p[ai]r
[of] stockings[.]
8. W. [I] Killed goose, gob & turkey hen[.]
Lizzie [Glen] took [the] goose[.] Jno.
& I [were] in C[linton] P.M. [in the]
cutterf.
] Jno., Will[iam] G[len] & Ad­
am[were] in C[linton in the] even[ing
to hear] speakers{M.C. Cameron & [Sir
Richard] Cartwright, [federal Liber­
als. ]
)
9. T. [I] Quilted Bella's "Crazy" Stuff
quilt[.] Fa[ther]walked to Cflinton.]
Lizzie McTavish [was here] P.M.
6
S[ome] more
snow,Fine P.M.
1
Some snow &
Cold Wind.
6
S[ome] Snow &
some drift
Warmer, Calm
10. F. Jas. Renolds' boys [stayed] for din-
ner[.They were here] buying horses[.]
Jessie Wigg[inton was here] P.M. Par­
ty at W[illy] Glen's [to]night[.* I]
Cleaned[
the] hen-house[and] Bathed[.]
Jno. [was] in C[linton] with Ned P.M.
[driving] colt [with] sleigh[.
]
*My late father
told me that in this period, in the S.S. #1-S.S #10
areas, the families arranged that somewhere every
Friday night, there was a house party. Cards (pro­
gressive euchre) would be followed by a midnight
"lunch." The host would brew tea and coffee and the
sandwiches, cookies stc. were furnished by the
guests. Local fidddle players supplied music for
dancing which might go on till sunrise. By having it
on Friday night,the party would not violate the Sab­
bath
2
Round W[hite]
Frost sticking
on things
XX. s
12 . S
X3. M
X4 . T
15 . W
16 . T
17 . F
18 . S
19. S
20. M
21 . T
22 . W
23 . T
24. F
January, 1896
. [I] Put 2 panes [of] glass in [the]
frame & put it in [the] goose-h[ouse]
door & stuffed cracks with P[utty
and]straw[.j Jno.took up[a] load [of]
limbs P.M.
. [I have been] binding books[,]1 Jno. &
Ned G[len went to a]political meeting
in C[linton.]
. Binding [illegible]
. Bound[illegible] etc. [I] Melted snow
P.M. [I] Cleaned [the] H[en] H[ouse]
A.M. A[g] & B[e 11a were] at U[ncle]
Ja[mes]'s P.M. [I] Called on U[ncle]
Ja[me]s & Aunty [in the] even[ing.]
. A[g was] in Cflinton] P.M.Adam [came]
home with her[.
] Jno. [was] at Will's
crushing P.M. I washed A.M.
. Mending & bound S[abbath] Sfchool]
Times [in the even[ing[.] Jno. [was]
at Aikenhead’
s dance[.] Mr & Mrs W.
Cooper [came]for tea[.]
. Jno. [was] at W[m] Glen’
s cutting
wood[.
] Geo. Sturdy Sr. [was here]for
tea[.I cleaned the] H[en] H[ouse and]
Bound 2 vol[umes in the] even[ing.]
. A[g] & I [were in church](Rev. Stew­
art.) Texts "The Widow’
s Mite." Jane
[went in the] even[ing and] I stayed
with B[ella]P[earl for the]even[ing.
]
. [I] Put [a] lining in Fa[ther]'s over­
coat sleeves[
. I] Darned & faced
Jno.’
s mits etc. [in the] even[ing.
]
. [I] Washed a few flannells etc. A.M.
Dennison called on the sleigh P.M.
Lizzie [Glen was] here P.M.[Bella is]
at J. Pearson's dance-[Bill] McEwen
asking[.
] Jno.[was] at Ned's crushing
[and I was] binding etc.
. [John was at Ned’
s] Cutting [wood. I
did] Darning, mending etc. Sparrow at
barn J. McEwen [was]here [this] even­
ting.]
. U[ncle] Ja[me]s [is] sick[.I was] at
Ned's [on an] errand[.
] Jno.[was] in
C[linton] P.M.
[I’
m] Knitting [a] quilt pattern
[L[og] C[abin] June ’94[.] Jno.Scott
called P.M. with pedegrees[. John]
Cuming [was] here[this] even[ing on
his way to "Aunty Maggie’s" dancef.
]
226
5
Raw Wind,Dull
2
Stormy P.M.
1
Some Snow
& storm
4
0
Fine
3
Fine
1
Dull
1
Soft Snow
2
light
snow falling
2
light snow
falling
1
Fine & Dull
4
Colder,
Cold E[ast]
Wind.
1
C[old] E[ast]
wind & rain.
.
2
c[old] E[ast]
wind, sleet,
Warmer,gone by
even[ing.]
January, 1896 227
25. S. Ned & Will [were]here cutting[wood.] 4
W. McEwen [was here] P.M. [I] short- Calm,
e,ned five p[an]ts etc. Aunty [was] Snow Soft
here P.M. [I] Started Silence Cover
[this] even[ing.
]
26. S. A[g] & I [were in church] (Rev. Stew- Drifting a
art.) Text: "Our Birthrights.” Jno. & little, Fine.
Ad[am went in the] even[ing.
]
27. M. [I] Finis[hed] S[ilent]Cover[.1 Finis- 6
[
hed a pair of mitts].............
Fa[ther was] at U[ncle] Ja[mes]'s[. Beautiful
(He] drove[.]) Jno. [was] at [the]
mill [for] chop P.M.
28. T. J. Avery [was here this] morn[ing.] 2
Mac[came] P.M. A[g] & I went with him Fine, Dull
& Mr & Mrs Wiley, Gemmel Aikenhead &
M ac'
s[.We] went to see [the] poor-
house* & [then were] bac[k] for tea...
[We] Quit milking A[g]'s Heifer. [I]
Killed [an] old turkey[*]
*The Huron House of Refuge,aka
Huronview. Sam Cooper had erected a large white brick
main building just the previous year. It was the first
farm on the Tuckersmith side of the London Road, going
south out of Clinton. People without means or who were
unemployed lived austerely there at taxpayer's expense.
The able-bodied were required to work on the farm. A lot
of physically and mentally challenged people, lacking
family willing or able to care for them ended up there.
In 2001, there is a project to tend and restore the
graves of residents who died there. During Eliza-Ann's
lifetime, it was considered disgraceful for one to let
any blood relation end up in the "poor house."
29. W. [I] Washed A.M. Jno.[was] at Jack Me- 5
Donald’
s[.]*Geo.Sturdy & Miss Driver Fine, Warm
[arrived]A.M. [and she stayed] all
night[.] Annie & Lizzie [were here]
P.M. * Lot 19 Con I
30. T. A[g] drove Miss D[river] to Grant's 6
A.M. Mr & Mrs Rob.Thompson[came for]
dinner & tea[.
] A[g] & B[ella were] Middling Soft
in C[linton] P.M. Ned's [were]at U[n-
cle] Ja[mes]’
s...................
31. F. Kate Pearson, kids, & Jane [were] at 6
U[ncle] Jno.'s [I] Washed in [the]
celler A.M. W. Cudmore & Turnbull
9horse buyers) called P.M.
February, 1896
1. S. [I] Cleaned [the] H[en] H[ouse] & 4
Goose H[ouse[.] Jno. [was] in Bruce-
field with a load of Ned's lambs[.] Misty,Raining
B[ella] & Aunty [were over] seeing
U[ncle] Ja[me]s[.]
2. S. A[g] & I[were] in C[hurch] (Rev.McKay, Frozen, a
Toronto, Sec[retary] of Foreign Mis- little icy,
sions.)Text Romans XIII-12-14"Put ye Sun, thaw
on the Lord Jesus Christ[.]" Jno. 6
[went in the] even[ing.]
3. M. Nedfwas] here sawing wood[.X]sabella
P[earl was] here[.I’
ve been] mending Stormy
[my] own clothes etc.
6
February, 1896
[I] Finis[hed] hemstitching bleached
cotton pillow-cases[.]Ned [was] here
[sawing wood and] he & Jno.[were] in
C[linton this] even[ing,going in]his
sleigh[.A] Tin pail pedler[was here]
P.M. Finleyfwas here this]even[ing.]
Fafther was] at Avery’
s for 5 lambs
& 1 shearling[.]
Ned [was] here[. A[g] & Jane [were]
in C[linton] mid-day[.] The Dennis­
on’
s [were] at[the] barn[. I was]let­
ting down [the] hem on [a] water­
proof[
.]
[I worked some more on the water­
proof's hem. I also was] making [a]
print apron (B[lac]k like [
my]
dress[.] Jno. & Mac [were] at Cald-
er’s [and] Ned [was here[.]
[John and Malcolm McEwen were at Cal-
der’
s and Ned was here.] Jane & I
[went to] church in C[linton.The]Rev.
[Mr Stewart's] Text: 2 Cor[inthians]
,
V[erse] 21: "For he hath made him to
be sin for us etc.” Aunty [was] here
[and] Jno. Green called[
. His daugh­
ter] Abby [is] sick[.
]
[I] Finis[hed the] apron, mended [a]
waist,starched [a] collar [and]clean­
ed [the] H[en] H[ouse. An]Apple tree
pedler [stayed] for dinner[
. We are]
getting cherries[.]
A[g] & I [were] in C[hurch](Rev.Stew­
art.) Text: Col[ossians] III,v[erse]
3 "For ye are dead, and your life is
hid with Christ in God." Adam & Jno.
[went at night.]
Jno.[was] at Ned'
s [and the] Ram[is]
at Ned's this week[.
] Woon called[.]
Adam[came]after[a]horse power rod[.]
[I'm] Making a print blouse[.]
[I] Finifshed] all but the button­
holes & but[tons on the blouse.I]fin­
ished] the w[ool] mittensf.] Adam &
Jno. walked to C[linton.]
[I] Finis[hed the] blouse [but]
changed [the] collar. Jno. [was] at
U[ncle] Jno’
s cutting [wood.] [A]
Horse kicked a calf & stunned it[.]
Fa[ther was] at Ned’
s.] Dennison's
[were] here [and] bought [the] big
bull[.
]
Saved shoe[.]A[g] &[I were]at Jane's
P.M. Jno. [was] at[the]Mill A.M.fand
in] C[linton] P.M.
Jno.[and] B[ella were] at Ned’
s[and]
Jane’
s P.M. [I] lengthened Jno.’
s
sleeve [and] Washed a little[.][
I
]
[I] Cleaned [the] H[en] H[ouse and]
Ripped & cut [a] pattern off Jno.’
s
overalls[
. I] Bound [a] Book [in the
even[ing.] Jno. [was] with Ned [and]
Fa[ther was] hauling up wood[.]
228
4
Soft
light snow
6
Fine
6
4
6
Light Snow
5
Snow, Warmer
4
Stormy & Snowy
4
Stormy & Snowy
2
Stormy night
5
Stormy
1
Some Stormy,
Froze
3
Sottish
Warmer
4. T «
5. W.
6. T .
7. F .
8. S .
9. S .
10. M.
11. T.
12 . W.
13 . T .
14. F.
15 . S .
February, 1896
A[g] & I [were]in C[hurch](Rev.Stew­
art. )
[We were] at Ned's P.M.for flour[.
]
Jno........... walked the bull to
Dennison's [and] Fa[ther drove over
afterward[
. The] Alice horse [is]
sick[.
]
Jno. [was] at Ned's[. I’
m] Mending
Fa[ther]’s old brown coat........
...1st Lambs - a double
a thripple
a double lambs
B[ella] & I[were] in C[linton] A.M.
Jno.& I [were] at Jno. Ross[’
s] fu­
neral P.M.2 I had tea at Ross’s[.]
Jno. walked to C[linton] P.M. Adam
[was here] for dinner [but] stayed
at Ned's P.M. Mending at coat[.
I] Bound a volume book [this] even­
ting. ]
[I]Finis[hed mending the coat[and]
Made sticks for 2 books etc. Jno.
breaking road P.M.
[I] Bound 4 vol[ume]s & pasted 1,
which makes 18 this winter(I think.)
Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M. Ned
[was] in. [He] had[a] colt hitched
in [the] cutter[.] 2 lambs.
Jno. [went to church in the] even­
ting.]
[I]Cleaned[the] H[en]H[ouse. I]
Mended [the] wrists of Jno.’
s coat
P.M. A[g] & I[were] at Ned’
s[this]
even[ing.]
Ned, Jane & Bella [were] in C[lin-
ton] P.M. I stayed with I[sabella]
P[earl. The] Rev.[Mr.] Stewart &
Mary called P.M. [I did some] Hem-
Stitching P.M. Bfella] stayed with
[the] baby [this] even[ing.] A[g,]
Jno., Geo[rge] & I [were] at [the]
prayer-meeting at Ross’
s[.]
[I]Washed a little A.M. Finley [Mc-
ewen] called A.M. collecting [for
The] Bible Society[.] B[ella] & I
[were] in C[linton] P.M.
Jno.[was]in C[linton] P.M. I clean-
ed [my] bed-room, etc, etc. Carrie
[Grant was] at Jane's P.M. [and]
here all night[.]
[I went] to C[linton] after dinner
with Will[iam] Glen[.I] finis[hed]
hemmming [the] pillow-case[.] 2
lambs died.[.]
B[ella] & I quilted (tacked) her
silk quilt P.M. Jno. [was]in C[lin-
ton] P.M. [for] grist[.] Fa[ther
was] at Wigg[inton’
s] A.M.
16. S.
17 . M.
18 . T .
19. W.
20. T.
21 . F .
22 . S .
23 . S .
24. M.
25 . T .
26. W.
27 . T.
28 . F .
29. S .
1
1
1
1
1
229
March, 1896 230
1. s . A[g] & I [were in Church] Rev.Stew­
ard.] Jno.[went in the]
even[ing.
]
12
C[old] N[ortherly]
W[ind], Stormy P.M.
2. M. [I] Mended Jno's p[an]ts & bound 3
vol[ume]s etc. Sheep died[.]
7
C[old] W[ind]
Drifty
3. T . [I] Bound [a] book[.
] I [was] at
Jno. Pearson's Ada & Annie [Stew­
art [were here] P.M..... .......
14
C[old] N[orth]
W[ind], Fine,
Sunny
4. W. [I]C[leaned the] H[en] H[ouse] A.M.
I [was] in C[linton] P.M. Fa[ther]
[was]in with [the] sleigh for [an]
old cutting box[.
]
13
5. T . I [was] at A[lex.] Innis’
s carpet-
rag bee P.M. [The] Red H[eifer]cow
calved[.] Cutting P.M. Adam's[.]*
*Probably corn
26
Fine
6. P . [I was] binding books & basting[.]
Fafther was] at [the] school. Jno.
[was] at Ned's[-]
16
Thaw, Rain
7. S . Jno.[was] hauling logs to[the saw]
mill with Ned[.
] Geo[rge] gone to
C[linton] P.M. [I] Finis[hed bind­
ing books.
]
33
Snowed
Stormy P.M.
8. S. A[g] & I[were in Church](Rev. Stew­
art.) [The] text [of his sermon was]
"Christ’
s genealogy." Jno. [went in
the] evenfing.] 1st 2 goose eggs
21
Stormy & Warm
9. M • [I was] Pasting Fa[ther]'s old dict­
ionary etc.
, etc.
27
Sunshiny
10 . T . [I] C[leaned[the] H[en] H[ouse] A.M.
[and] finis[hed] pasting books &
mending P.M. Jno. [was] at[the]mill
[with] oats[for]chop A.M.& in C[lin-
tonj P.M.
20
Sunny
11 . W. Jno.[was] at [the] mill twice[.] Mr
Patterson of Bluevale [was here]all
night[.] I started knitting Andalus­
ian mittens[.]
17
Very cold
E[ast] W[ind]
12. T. Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M. 20
[Very cold] N[orth
Wind]
13 . F . [I] Washed[.] Jno. [was] at Ned's
cutting[.] B[ella] has gone to
Grant'
s[.]
14
14 . S . [Jno. was at Ned's] crushing[.]Geo
is gone[.] A[g] & I [were] in C[lin
ton] P.M.
C[old] N[orth]
- W[ind], Clear
14
15. S. A[g] & I [were in church](Rev.Aches-
on, Kippen.)
14
Warmer
16. M. [I] Finis[hed the] factory pillow- 12
slips[.] Jno. is hauling logs to
C[linton] with Mac (bee)[.Mr] Tough
[was here] all night[.]
Warmer
March, 1896 231
A[g] & B[ella were] in C[linton in 13
the]
cutter A.M. B.Marshel[was here] Beautiful
P.M. & R. Newton called[.] Spotty
calved[.]
[I] Washed [a] pillow etc., etc., & 17
2 p[ai]r of old p[an]ts[.] A[g]
walked to C[linton.] Jno.[was] haul- Dull, Wanner
ing wood.
] Mr & Mrs Jno. McGregor
[were here this] even[ing.]
[I’
ve been] knitting[.] Jno.[was]at 23
Will's cutting[.
] Snowed, Stormy
Jno. [was] at Will's crushing P.M. 20
Jno.McNaughton[was]here P.M. I[was] Fine, Warmer
McTavish'es carpet rag bee P.M.
Knitting some A. & P.M. etc. H[igh] S[outh] 26
Wind & Thawing
Robert Newton* arrived [this] even- 35
[ing.] Jno. [went to church [this] Blustery
even[ing in the] cutter[.] *new hired man
[I was] knitting[.] Jno. [was] in 22
C[linton ] P.M. for salt etc.I [was] Fine, Dull,
at Will's [in the] even[ing.] Warmer
Jno.[was] at Couch’
s sale & B[ella] 28
[was] in Cflinton] P.M. [I] Washed Cold, Souther-
Fa[ther]’
s smock & p[an]ts P.M. ly Wind
A[g was] at Glen's [this even[ing.]
Mr & Mrs & Parkes...............
Jno.[was] in C[linton] A.M. shoeing 36
"Horse." Cooper & Robertson of St. Thawing P.M.
Mary's [were here] for dinner....
Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M...... 35
Mrs Dunk[McEwen] & Bessie & Mrs Fin- Northerly
ley McEwen [were here] P.M. Blustering
Jno. & Ned[were] at W.Mustard’
s for 31
seed oats[.] I[went into] C[linton] Fine,
in [the] cutter P.M. C[old] W[ind]
Fafther] walked to Clinton[.I]Finis- 36
[hed the] mits & started [a] 2nd Thawing
pair[.
] Mac & D[uncan] McEwen [were Raining, C[old]
here this] even[ing.] W[ind.]
Dewdrop calved [a] heifer[.The]Rath- 29
well bridge (at Ned's) [is] part Raining, Thaw-
gone[ -]3........................ ing, Froze
Cutting P.M. Adam [was here] for Thawing 29
tea[.]........................ Frost
Overcasted B[ella]...cashmere skirt 51
P.M. Thawing,Warmer
April, 1896
Overcasted B[ella] waist Jno. walk- 33
ed to C[linton] P.M. A[g] [was]scrub- High E[ast]
bing [in the]school[house] P.M. W[ind]
Fa[ther] & A[g] & B[ella] & Ada etc. 41
[were] at [the Sabbath] school exam* Stormy &
P.M. [I]Ironed collars,pillow-cases. Snowing
etc. Us girls [were] at U[ncle]
[James's this] even[ing.]
17 . T .
18 . W.
19. T.
20 . F .
21 . S .
22 . S .
23 . M.
24. T.
25. W.
26 . T .
27 . F .
28 . S .
29. S.
30 . M.
31. T .
1. W.
2 . T .
April, 1896
232
3. F .
4. S.
5. S .
6. M.
7. T.
8. W.
9. T .
R[obert] Nfewton was] in C[linton
P.M. Jno.[was] at McTavish'es look­
ing for oats[.] Knitting
Jno. [was] at Mac’
s cutting P.M*
Castles [were here] for tea[.]
I [walked to church this] morn[ing]
(Rev. Stewart.) Jno. [went in the]
even[ing.] Jno. Elliot & H. Marshal
[were here] for dinner[.]
Knitting A.M. etc. I [was] in C[lin-
ton] P.M. Jno. was] in C[linton A.M.
[in the] wagon [with] Fen[wick.The]
Men killed sick sheep[.
]
[Knitting A.M. etc.and] button-hol­
ed centre for doilly[.] Jno. [was]
at J. McQueen's etc. Jno. & Rob­
ert[were] in[the] bush with Ned P.M.
Newton, A[g], Jno., B[ella] & Adam
[were] at Mac’
s [this] even[ing.]
Jno. [was] at Jno. McQueen's for
oats[which he] got chopped in Bruce-
field[.
] New[ton was] with Ned P.M.
Frogs[!]
Frozen
Cleared up P.M.
51
38
36
Fine, Sunshiny
30
Light Frost
38
Warmer, [then]
Frozen
33
Warm & Still
20
[John and Robert were] both [with
Ned] P.M. [for] a while. Fa[ther] Sleet & Rain P.M.
walked to C[linton.]
Jennie[was here C[old] E[ast] W[ind]
this] even[ing. I] Tore some rags,
knit etc.
10 . F .
11 . S .
12 . S .
13 . M.
14 . T .
15 . W.
16. T.
[
Robert] New[ton was here] P.
M.[and
so was] Hector Reid[. I] Finis[hed Dull,
the] 2nd mitt [and] am going to rip Rainy Night
[the] other thumb[.]
[I finished the] mitts[.] Ned [was]
here P.M. cutting poplars[
. I] shut Dull, Rain
in 20 hens etc. D. Cantelon [was
here A.M. Jno.[was] in C[linton]P.M.
& here [in the] even[ing.
]
S[abbath] S[
chool] started but we
were not aware of the fact[.
] Jno & Beautiful
Adam [went to church in the even­
ing.]
Jno.[went]in[to] C[linton with the]
wagon for corn[. I was] at U[ncle]
Jno’
s P.M. after[the] turkeys stray­
ed. Bessie calved[.
]
[I] Buttonholed [the] center for[a]
2nd doilly A.M. [and was] knitting
[a] cuff[.] Jno .started plowing
sod[.
]
[I] Took [the] "Old white Hive" out
dead[.
] A[g] set flowers in [the] Hot
veranda[.]
Fa[ther] & I [were] in C[linton]P.M.
Jack Elliot[was] here on the way to
C[linton.] Mrs Cuming* came [in the]
even[ing.] K. McTavish drove her
in[ •]
or, her in-laws Mr & Mrs John Cuming.
30
29
39
18
42
35
22
Apr i1^1896 233
17. F. [I was] at [the] River A.M.with Jno., 39
^■[glrEthe] kids & Mrs Cuming[.] Jno.
[has been][.] cultivating. Jno[was] H[eavy] R[ain]
at the Bruce Show P.M. [I] Took out even[ing]
[the] double windows
18. S. [I] Partly raked [the] yard[.
] Mrs 38
C[uining & Mother [were] at U[ncle]
Jno.'s P.M. Ag went for them[. I] Very Warm
Scrubbed [the] Milk-room P.M. [The]
Young cattle [were] all out[.]
19. S. Mrs C[uining], A[g] & I [were] 44
in C[hurch](Rev. Stewart.) Mary Rain
G[len]& I[were]in Sabbath School[.]
Turkeys [are] gone[.]
20. M. A[g] got [some turkeys] down near 42
Ross‘
s[. I] finis[hed] raking [the]
chip yard, etc. Mrs C[uining] & Jno.
[were]at Aunty’
s for dinner & [at] Fine & Cooler
U[ncle Ja[me]s’
s P.M. Mrs C[uming]
stayed at U[ncle] Jno.'s all night
[and] a Jew called....
21 . T .
22 . W.
Jno.& Mrs C[uming were at W[illiam]
Glen’
s[.] Jno. [was] sowing oats[.]
The young cattle [were] in[.
]
Jno.& Mrs C[uming were at] Ned'
s[.]
Fa[ther] walked in[to] Cflinton P.M.
[I] Finis[hed the] 1st cuff[.]
C[old] W[ind],
Fine
Frost
37
39
23, T. A[g] & B[ella were]in Cflinton] A.M.
Jn & Mrs Cuming went home[
. I have
been feeling] sickish these days[.] Fine, Rain P.M.
Finis[hed the] cuffs[.] Jack Elliot
[was here this] morn[ing,]
42
24 . F . Trying lace pattern (
knit.
) Dull & Cool 29
25. S . Fa[ther was ] up through Goderich Cool, Fine 44
T[ownshi]p P.M.
26. S. A[g] & I[were] in C[hurch](Rev.Stew- 40
art) "He that is faithful in etc."
I[was] in S[abbath]S[chool and]took Fine, Warm
Isab[ella] Pearl[.]
27 . M. Jno. [was] at Varna with Dewdrop[.]
Fellow[came calling] ped[dling] fur­
niture polish[.]Mr & Mrs Keys[were]
at [the] gate[.]
Rain
29
Beautiful
28. T. Father at Snell’s etc. A[g was] Fine 34
in C[linton.] S. Cantelon [was]
here with trees[.] Jane [was] here
P.M. [I] Washed[
. The] Milch cows
[were] out all night[.]
29. W. [I washed a]..... dress[
. Jane] &
Ned [were here P.M.............
[I] Put away [the] fur collar etc.
A[g[ & Tene & I [were] at Brits[in
the] even[ing.
]
30
N[orth]-E[ast]
Wind
30. T. Mrs Jno. & Mrs Alex. Elliot [were]
here[for] eggs[.] Mr & Mrs Swallow
called around delivering 3 cherry
trees[I was] at [the] school[this]
even[ing] sorting library books[.]
May, 1896 234
1. F .
2. S .
3. S .
Fa[ther was]up in God[erich] T[own-
shi]p[.] Jno.[was]in Cflinton this Fine & Warm
even[ing.] Mr & Mrs Frank Keys
[were] here P.M.
Fa[ther] & I [were] in C[linton.]
[We were] Mowing & Fixing[the]lawn Slight Rain
P.M. Jack Elliot [was here in the] Warm
even[ing.
]
Fa[ther] & I [
were in church]{Rev. Cool,then
Stewart.)"John*s record of Christ." Warmer
31
28
36
4. M. B[ellaj cleaning A.B. etc. [I] Very Warm
Cleaned Roosters etc. [We werejmo- then
wing & fixing[the] yard[.]Jno.got cooler
to Varna on [a] bicycle[.]
5. T. I [was] in C[linton] P.M. Aunty Warm
went to Green1
s[.] Ida [Stewart]
came home with me[.] Jno. [was]in
C[linton] P.M. on [the] bike[.]
6. W. [I]Churned etc.A.M. & minded Abby
Glen etc,P.M. Jno.[was]up through Fine, Warm
G[oderich] T[ownshi]p P.M. [with
the] horse[.]
38
41
37
7. T .
8. F .
Jno.& I [were] in C[linton] A.M.
B[ella] & I washed [the] D[ining]
room carpet [in the] river P.M. Dull
Snell fetched sheep [and stayed]
for dinner[.] Fa[ther] bought 5
sheep.]
B[ella] Cleaned [the] Dining-room
Kids at Ned's for straw[.] Moore Very Warm
was here..... [I] Planted 14 rows 84 [degrees]
[of] carrots & 8 [of] Mangols P.M. P.M.
45
30
9. S .
10. S.
11 . M.
I sowed 14 rows of Mangols alto- 32
gether and 1 row of turnips[
. Mr]
Harrison [was here] for dinner &
[to look at] sheep[.]
A[g[ & B[ella were] in C[hurch]
(
Rev. Stewart.
) Lawyer Scott1
s
baby [was] baptized[.
]
B[ella] & I[were] in C[linton]A.M.
A[g]and Isa(sic)cut the door into
my B[ed]room P.M. [I] Killed a
Rooster P.M. I sowed 9 rows [of]
Mangols [in the] even[ing.]
35
Very Warm
42
slight shower
12. T. [I] Washed lime off[the walls of]
my [bed]room A.M. U[ncle] Ja[me]s
[was] here P.M.[We were] papering
Bella's bedroom P.M. John [was]
shearing[.]
13. W. Fa[ther] & Bob [were] picking
stones[.We were papering Bella's
room P.M.] Jno. [was] shearing[.]
Ned’
s [were] in C[linton.]
Fine A.M.
Some Rain
Cooler
30
29
14. T. Fa[ther was at Blake* [at] S.T.’s
for pigs[
. He bought 3 Tamworth's,
1 cross and 2 cross-[illegible.]
......... Geo. Elliot [was here]
all night[.]Ag’
s heifer calvedf.
]
30
♦Village south of
Varna on Hay-
Stanley boundary.
May,1896 235
15 p
16 S .
I finis[hed]
Ag washed[.]
papering[the]
hall[.]
Fa[ther] &
ton] P.M.
S.P. & I[were]in C[lin-
Cut off P.M. A.M.
Fine & Cool
Fine & Warm
41
37
17 . S .
18 . M.
19. T.
20. W.
21. X .
22 . F .
23 . S .
24 . S .
25. M.
26 . T .
27 . W.
28 . T .
Fa[ther] & I [were in Church](Rev.
Musgrove.)"Jere.miah Building the
Wall" [John & Ned's went to church
in the evening.
] I took [the] baby
in and back[.
]
[I] Dug around roses [and] planted
Castor[.]B[ella]washed a littlef.]
Rfobert] N[ewton was]sick[?] Geo.
Elliot[was] here in his place[.]
A[g did a]washing[.I]planted a few
onions[.] Cassels called on B[ella
in the] even[ing.] Captain called
P.M. B[ella & I[were] in C[linton]
P.M. Geo. [has] gone home[.]
Fa[ther], A[g] &
[of] potatoes[.]
in C[linton.
]
I planted 23 rows
Jno. & A[g were]
Very Windy
22
23
Fine
Cold Wind
26
[I]Planted onions,some beans & [a]
row [of] corn[.
] Fa[ther] helped
[with the] corn[.] Jno. fixed...
...my door[.
]
[We] Washed [the] covered buggy at
[
the]
river[.]Fa[ther] & kids[
wereJ
there too[.We gave a tramp his]din-
ner[.I]
Cleaned [the] kitchen stove
& papers P,M.
I [was] in C[linton] for Jane A.M.
[driving] Ned's Horse & buggy[
. I]
Cleaned & oiled [the] buggy, etc.J.
Elliot fetched Fa[ther] some potat­
oes[
.]
A[g], Mamie,Ned & Isabe[lla] Pearl
spent the] day at [the] river[
. A]
Rooster blooded[
the]
back of[John's]
hand with [its] spur[.
]
Jno. [is] plowing & Robert[is]haul­
ing manure[.]Aunty [is] home [from
Green’
s. The] kids [were] at [the]
river* A.M.[I] Killed[the] rooster
[and] Tore some rags etc.
Working at door Jno. [took the]
buggy [in a] Brucefield direction
[this] even[ing.]
Jennie [Grant was
here] P.M. & [all] night[.]
B[ella]went home with Je[nnie.]Jno.
[is] plowing & R[obert [is] harrow­
ing[.]Jno.[was] out with[the]horse
P.M.
Aunty & I [were] in C[linton] P.M.
Fanny,[the]Red cow calved[a]steer[.]
Slight Frost
Wanner
Fine & W[arm]
Sprinkled
Fine & Cool
29
21
23
28
33
Warm
Warmer, Rain
*Holiday-Queen'
s
Birthday
Raining
Fine
31
34
34
Dull,
Slight Shower
Cold, Cold &
Windy
29
May, 1896 236
29. F . Jane, K[ate] Pearson, Tene,Bell,Jno.
[and] Will [McEwen], J. Scott & Fen-
[Wick were] here [this] even[ing.X]
Washed P.M. [and] A[g was] ironing
all day[.
]
28
30 . S . Mowing & Fixing lawn Cold wind 18
Rain even[ing]
31. S . Isa & I[were in church](Rev.Stewart.
I[sabella] P[earl was] in S[abbath]
S[chool.] Jno. & A[g went to church
in the] even[ing.]
)
Cold Wind
50
June, 1896
1. M. [I] Mended [John’
s]scuff p[an]]ts,
tore rags etc. A. Wise[was] here[in
the] morn[ing.
]
Fine & Cool
34
2 . T . Mac & Jno. Mc[Millan], M.P. [were]
here[this] morn[ing.]* Jno.[was] in
C[linton] A.M. getting [the] horse
shod[.
] A[g]walked up,took Mrs Nott
& Asa down[.I]Churned,Tore Rags etc.
30
3. W. Fa[ther],Jno. & Ned dipped 65 lambs
(Ned's & ours.)
4. T . [I] Mended gloves,etc.My heifer cow
calved[
. The] Kids[were] at U[ncle]
Jno.'s [this] even[ing.]
Fine & Very
W[arm]
27
5. F . Fa[ther] & I [were] in C[linton]P.M.
[at] Church[.] Ellie went home with
us[. ]
Very Warm
Heavy Rain
30
6. S . [I did] Mending & Jno. put in all
[the] door frames[
. I] Churned A.M.
36
Very Very Warm
7. s . Fa[ther] & I [were in Church](Rev.
Stewart.) Jack & David Elliot [were
here] for tea[.]
Heavy Rain
32
8 . M. Watching turkey A.M. & tore some
rags[.] Ned took [a] calf[.] A[g]
washed some blankets[.]
Fine, Misty
35
9. T . Jno. & I [were] in C[linton] A.M
[I] Fixed a little at [a] skirt[.]
A[g] washed[.] Finley & Douglas
called P.M.
Dull & Cool
25
10. W. A[g], B[ella] & Jas. P[earson were]
at Jno. Thomson’
s [for] strawber­
ries[
. I] Planted 12 rows [of] tur­
nips & churned A.M. etc.
Fine,W[indy]
,
Cool
34
11. T . [I] Done a little mending[.]Fa[ther
& Jno. labeled(sic) lambs P.M.
Fine 39
12. F . .... Ned Rathwell's A.M. Jane,John 36
& Will [McEwen], Adam....[were here
this] even[ing.] (Rapeseed etc con­
cert) A[g] & I [were] at Scotts [in
the] even[ing.
]
13. S. [I]........ [did] a little mending 30
etc., P.M* Jno.[sowed] rapeseed[on
the north half of the Rathwell field.]
June, 1896
14 . S .
15 . M.
16 . T .
17 . W.
18 . T .
19 . F .
20 • S .
21 . S .
J[ane]& B[ella] & Isa[bella] P[earl]
etc., [were in church](J.N. Holmes
Methodst....... Mac 1
s cow[.]
Jno. fin[ished] sow[ing] rape[seed]&
[he] re-sowed....................
light dress[.] Jno.Moffatt calledf.
]
J.A. Sturdy [was here] for dinner &
tea.Wigg[ington was here for] tea[.]
Ned drained(Jno[was] at roadwork)[.]
[I] Took another dead hive[.]
[Ned] & Bob grading hill A.M. Jno,
[was] away with [the] horse at Mof-
att's raising[.]Fa[ther was]in Bruce-
[field] A.M. I[sabella] P[earl was]
sick [and] Dr Gunn [was called.]
Jno. scuffling com etc. [I worked] a
little at [a] dress[.]
Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M. - grist
&..... potatoes[.] I [was] in C[lin-
ton] P.M.....Bees came off & return-
ed[.
] Fa[ther] & Rob hoeing corn[.
]
Ned & Fa[ther were] in Bruce[field]
A.M.[with] wool[.] Jno.[was in]C[lin-
ton in the] morn[ing to get a] wheel
[fixed.] Rob [was] away P.M.
Jno. & Adam [went to
even[ing.]
Church in the
22 . M.
23 . T .
24 . W
25 . T .
26 . F .
[I] Churned & [worked] in [the] cel-
ler all day budding & carrying out
buds[.] A[g] washed some more blan­
kets
[The] Men [were]voting1 at [the] low
school[.]* Raking hay P.M. - very
...... [The men have] gone to town
[
this] even[ing. I] Mended fa[ther*s
p[an]ts & helped churn[.]
Raking most of P.M. [We] Hauled in 4
loads[of] hay off of [the] field[by]
the] big tree[. I] Pulled & cooked 6
gems* [of] cherries[.] A[g] & B[el-
la] pulled [some more in the] even­
ing.]
Mo[ther] at Ned's & H. Hamners for
dinner (on wheel.) [I] Washed[.]
Jno. [was] mowing[.] Fa[ther was] in
Cflinton A.M.
27. S. [We were] Raking P.M. [We] Hauled in
3 loads [from the field by] Mac’
s
bush next [the side]road[. We hauled]
p[a]rt [of] 1 [load from the] Shanty
field[.
] A[g was] in C[hurch] A.M.
Rev. Rumball [was] peaching[.
]
28. S. A[g] B[ella were]in C[hurch[.]( Rev.
Rumball) Jno.& Ad[am went at night.]
29. M. [I] Churned[.] A[g] & B[ella were]
picking berries at Moffatt's[.] Jno.
[was] in C[linton for] chop[.
]
* Dominion Election-Laurier'
s Liberals defeated
Conservatives. "Low1 school probably means #10
237
36
28
Sprinkles
28
Fine & Warm
24
28
Very Warm
27
[High of]
90 [degrees F]
18
Raining A.M.
19
Fine &
Beautiful
39
27
23
Fine & Warm
Rain 26
Fine & Warm
39
Fine & Rain
26
Rain,Fine, Windy
25
Cold, H[igh]
W[inds]
the Tupper
21/2 miles below.
June, 1896 238
30. T. Raking P.M.[It was] cold[I]
Jno.[was]
sowing A.M. by Mac's bush[.]
23
July, 1896
1. W • Raking etc., P.M.[I] Took frames out
of [an]other hive [which had] Just a
handful of bees[. The] Girls Hulled
cherries [A.M. and picked] gooseberr­
ies etc.[at]Jane's P.M.* Fa[ther was]
at Cooper's [for] tea[.
] Eliz.McGreg­
or [came] home with him[.]
*Jane is 6 1/2 months pregnant.
2. T. A[g was] in C[linton] A.M. [We were]
Raking all day[. We] Hauled in 12
[loads] yesterday....[and]..6 [loads
today and have] finis[hed] haying[.]
22
Very Warm
22
3. F .
4. S .
[I had a]Toothache all day & night[.] 23
A[g], B[ella] & I greened potatoes &
Jno. [was] in C[linton in the] even­
ting.]
Finis[hed] fixing delaine dress[.My]
Cheek swelled[
. The Township is] Let­
ting jobs on [the] road[.] A[g] took
E[lizabeth] McG[regor] home to Ned’s.*
31
Rain
Very Warm
Mist - cool
*Elizabeth McGregor is probably an old school friend
of the MacFarlane "
girls," It appears she's been
hired to help Jane with heavy summer work in the
later stages of pregnancy.
5. S. A[g]went with Ned[to church.]"Alice" 20
foaled[.] Cool - Mist
Fine
6. M. [The] Rev. [Mr] Stewart, [his] wife & 30
[family] calledf.]A[g] & B[ella were]
picking berries[.I was] picking honey Fine
off [of] frames[.]Fa[ther] & Mo[ther
were] at A. Dunkin's [this]even[ing.]
7. T. A[g] washed[.I] Melted honey [and wax 23
that I’
d picked off of frames.] Mrs J.
Pearson, Myrtle, Rennie, Jane & I[sab- Fine
ella] P[earl were here] P.M. Fa[ther] Cold Wind
& Mofther were] at Wigg[inton's this]
even[ing.
]
8. W. Jennie Grant [was] at[the] river[and] 31
[was here] all night[. I] Finisfhed]
cleaning [bee] frames, fixed and wash­
ed wool pickings[.]
9. T. Jno. [was] in Cflinton] P.M. [I] cut 23
some weeds around [the] woodshed and] Dull, Cool
scraped stones off around W.H.*...... H[igh]W[inds]
* A coded reference to the outhouse?
10. F. I(was] in C[linton] mid-day[.] Mo[th- 21
er] & Lizzie[were] at U[ncle] Jno.’
s
P.M. Jno. started [cutting] wheat[.]
11. S. A[g] & B[ella [were] picking berries 18
for Jane[. Jno] & J[im] Barkley fin­
is[hed] cutting wheat[
. I] Churned
etc.
Very Warm
July, 1896 239
14
12. S. Fafther] & I [were in church] (Rev.
Stewart) Mallachi Jr. Jno.[went to
church at night.]
13. H. B[ella],A[g and] N[ed have] gone to 17
Goderich[.]* Jno [went too on his]
byke[. I] cut out a print dress[.]
*Probably to see the Orange Walk.
14. T. Jno.............in C[linton] P.M 18.
[on his]byke[.The] Men [were] nail­
ing wire on [the] orchard fence[.]
15. W. [We] Hauled in 5 loads [of] wheat 16
[in] all[. X] helped mow 4 of Cool even[ing.]
them[. I] Washed[.]
16. T. [I] Raked wheat stubble[.] Jno mow- 19
ed green feed & [was] at[the] mill Cold Northerly
for chop P.M. W[est] wind
17. F. [I]Churned & finis[hed]cutting out 28
[the] dress[and the] raking[.] Fa­
ther & N[ed dug]post holes at[the] Fine & Cool
corner[.] Jno. [was] making feed
boxes[.]
18. S. [I]Raked up green feed A.M. & nail- 19
boards on fence P.M. [The] Men put
posts in & coled feed[. Illegible]
out of sorts[
. I did] Mending etc.
19. S.
illegible
20
Slight R[ain] P.M.
20. M. [I have been] Making [a] print 20
blouse[.] B[ella did] baking[.]Ned
[was] here P.M. stretching wire[.] Fine & Warm
Fa[ther was] in C[linton] for wire
etc.
21. T,
22 . W.
23 . T .
A[g], B[ella] & I drove to [the] 21
Bayfield picnic & Jno.[went] on
[
the] byke[
. I] Wore [
the] new F[ine] & W[arm]
blouse[.]B[ella] stayed at Keyes’
s.
Rid room,[did] mending etc. [We] 30
Hauled in [a] load [of] green feed S[un] Showers, fine,
[in the] even[ing.] H[igh] Wind
A[g] & I[were] at Ben Miller[.]Jno 20.
[was] in C[linton on his] byke[. C[loudy],N[orth~]
The] Men[have]finis[hed] taking in W[est] W[ind.]
taking in G[reen] feed,Banking[the]
fence etc.
2 4.F . [I] Finis[hed] blouse preliminarys 23
& mending[.]Churned A.M.Keys drove Cool W[ind,]
B[ella] home [in the] even[ing.] Fine
25. S. I [was] in C[linton] A.M. U[ncle] 21
Ja[me]s [came] for dinner[.We star- Beautiful
ed] Cutting oats[.]
26. S. Fa[ther] & I [were in Church] Rev. 18
Henderson......... Warm, Rain P.M.
July, 1896 240
27 . M. Fa[ther] planted out celery[
. I'm]
Making [a] print skirt. Jno. [was]
at Woon’s threshing P.M.
34
Very Warm
28 . T . [I] Finis[hed the print skirt] &
dress[.We] finis[hed] cutting[the]
oat field[. We were] at U[ncle]
[James's in the] even[ing.]
32
Very Dry, Warm
29. W. Washed[.] R__ budk-sawing etc. Rain P.M. 21
30. T. Fa[ther was]at U[ricle] Ja[mes]'s 36
[and] I [was] in C[linton] P.M.
[We started] Cutting Rathwell Beautiful
field oats[.]Mr & Mrs [Nicholas]
Cuming [came] for dinner &[stay­
ed] all night[.They'
re here] see­
ing Nannie[.]* •
*John & Abigail Stewart's Annie,
aged 29, is dying of T.B.
31. F . Civic holiday in town[tomorrow.
]
Jno.[was] at Mac's threshing P.M.
[I] Cleaned upstairs [in the]
woodshed[.]
36
Fine, Warmer
August, 1896
1. S . Fa[ther was] in C[linton] A.M
[He] got "Doll" shod - new shoes
[for her] hind feet[.] Churned,
mending etc. Brits son born[.
]
38
Fine, Rainy P.M.
2. S . A[g] & B[ella were in Church(Rev.
Hamilton.)
Beautiful 29
3. M. [I] Clipped wool off tan[n]ed
sheep-skins [whose] hides [had]
rotted [and I] Started melting
bees-wax P.M. Fa[ther] & Mo[ther
[were] at Mac's[this] evenfing.]
J
22
4. T . B[ella] & I [were] in C[linton.]
Ida Thompson and Lily Lindsey
[were here] P.M. We called at
U[ncle] Jno.'
s[.The] Boys hauled
in 3 loads [of] oats[.]
23
Like R[ain]
5. W. [I] Ripped velvet bands off[the]
skirt etc. Taylor delivered
tea[.] Jno. & A[g were] with Ned
cutting oats[.]
21
91 [degrees F.]
6. T. A[g] & B[ella] papered Jane’s
B[ed]room[.] Jno. [was] in C[lin-
ton] on [the] byke[
.I] Wiped out
[my] room [and] scrubbed......
cellar[.]
34
Very Warm
7. F. [We] Mowed 5 loads [of] oats[and]
hauled in 6[. We] finis[hed]Mac's
bush field[. I] Washed,Mended etc.
P.M.
17
8. S. Dewdrop heifer calved[
. We] mowed
3 loads [and] Hauled[3 loads from
the] Rathwell [field.] Finis[hed]
wax[.
]
17
Raining
9. S . Fa[ther] & I[were in church.](Rev.
Graham, Bayfield.) Jno. & Ag[went
at night.
]
20
Very, very warm
August, 1896
\
A
r<
10. M . [
The] Boys [are] reaping Rath- 21
well’
s[.I] Helped [with the] work
P.M. [I] Pressed [
r
a
y
] serge skirt Very Warm
etc. Hector Reid was here] for
dinner[.]
11. T. A[g] & I [were] in Cflinton] P.M. 24
[for] flour[
. I] Cut out [a] para­
sol covering[.] B[ella has] gone
to G[rant’
s this] evefning.]
12. W. Jno. & Adam & Rathwell & I [were] 22
in C[linton this] evenfing.]........ Warm&Fine
......Choreing etc. Cooler
13. T. A[g] & I built [a] pig-pen[in the] 25
old orchard[.We]Hauled in 4[loads] Fine
of oats[from the] Rathwell [field]
P.M. I mowed[.
]
14 . F .
15 . S .
16 . S .
Mrs & Jennie Rathwell [were] here
all day[.
] Choreing[.
] Jno.finis-
[hed] reaping Rathwell'
s[.]
Mother & I[were] in C[linton this]
even[ing.] Dennison called[.
] Jno. Fine & Hot
[has been] reaping[.] Rain
A[g] & B[ella were in church.] Ad­
am & Jno. [went in the evening.] Pleasant
17. M. Jno. finis[hed] cutting!.We] haul­
ed in 2 loads [this] evenfing.]
Mo[ther] & I [were] in C[linton]
P.M. Irwin boy P.M.(Hensall.)
18 . T . [We]Hauled in 4 loads [and] mowed Fall-[like]
ed 3[.] Chas. Reid Cold
19. W. [We] Hauled in[and mowed] 6 loads,
finis[hing] Rathwell's all but 1 Fine
small load[.
] Mrs Scott[was here]
P.M.
30
14
43
20
60
34
20 . T .
21. F.
22 . S .
[We] Hauled in 9 loads [and have] Fine
finis[hed]harvest all but rakings
of loose oats, and peas[.]....
Jno. McEwen asking............
[I] Raked[the] field at[the] barn
& [the] boys hauled in [the glean- Clear
ings in the] evenfing. The] Boys
helped Ned & Will finis[h.]
A[g], B[ella] & I [were] at Bay-
field S
t Jno.started [on his]wheel Beautiful
S
t went with Adam [and] Lily[.]
Aunty fetched[the]cows & milked[.]
23. S. Fafther] & I [were in Church](Rev. Rain
Stewart.) Rev[elation]s 11 Jno. Beautiful
S
t Adam [went in the evening. ]
24. M. [I was] Raking all day [with]
Doll[.The] Boys [were] plowingf.
]
Bridge man [was here in the] even
[ing.]
28
33
56
25
25. T. [I]Finis[hed]raking A.M. & milked 23
sheep[.] 4 young Baird's [were
here. I] Hauled in 12 bags [of]
rakings with Jno. P.M.........
. 7 L
i
jri.^
August, 1896 242
26. W. Fa[ther] & A[g were] in C[linton] 24
P.M. [at the] Horticultural Show.
Jennie [Grant was here] all last Rain, Cleared
night[
. I] Washed out[the] room &
*
* I have a hunch that the illegible writing in the
above two entries is a camouflaged reference to the
indoor toilet.
27 . T .
28 . F .
29 . S .
30 . S .
Annie Stewart [was here] P.M. [I]
Washed [my] hair[.] Jno. [was] in
C[linton] & Jno. Cuming & H_____
S____ [
were here this]even[ing.
]
Mr & Mrs Ferguson [came] for din­
ner & tea & 4 Junor'
s [came in
the] even[ing.] B[ella] & I[were]
at[the]Flower Show P.M. Jno.[was]
sowing wheat[.]
Fa[ther was] at Dickson's (I
think)[about] some roosters[.]Jno.
[has] gone to Cuming'
s [on his]
byke [this] even[ing.] Fa[ther] &
B[ella were in] Varna [about a]
heifer[. I [went] after them[.
]
A[g] & B[ella were in church.] Some Rain
Jno. [is] on his way home[.]
28
34
12
13
31. M. John [was] over at Currie’s [and
also seeing W[illiam] Perdue[.]*
Helped A[g] P.M. etc. [and] made
button holes & buttons [for] B[el-
la's] brown serge [dress.
]
*about threshing
September, 1896
1. T. [I] walked to Cflinton, and] got 23
[a] purse [and] visited Ellie[.]
R. [was] picking stones off the Beautiful
wheat [field. I] Washed[.
]
2. W. Choreing & mending - [I] ironed 33
[and picked more stones[.] A[g] & Dull, some rain
B[ella were]at[the]river for nuts
& grapes
3. T. Fa[ther] walked to Clinton[.]Kate 20
& Lizzie McTavish [came] for tea[. Beautiful
They were] seeing Nannie[.I] went
too[.
]
4. F. Fafther] & Mofther] & Isa[bella] 25
P[earl were]at the maason’s,Blake Beautiful
& Cooper, P.M. A[g] got crabs at
Mac'
s..........
5. S. [I] Churned,done some mending etc. 23.
R.A. jr picking stones off clover Dull, Rainy
[field.]
Jno.[was]
trimming sheep[.
]
6. S. A[g] & I [were in Church] (Rev, 12
Stewart) Ruth 11-12 The Lord ac- Rainy
omplishes thy work etc.
September,1896 243.
7 . M. Fa[ther was] at Sturdy’s with Bil­
ly Cooper[.] Steve Andrews call-
[ed. We had] threshers for tea &
all night[.
] 10 or so thresh[ed]
a little [in the] evenfing.]
Fine
38
8. T . [We] Finis[hed] threshing [at]
noon[
. The threshers were] at
U[ncle] J[ohn Stewart's] P.M. R.
sick...Geo. Cook had dinner after
three [o'clock.]
Beautiful
21
9. W. Jno.[was]at U[ncle] Jno.'s thresh­
ing A.M. & U[ncle] J[ames Stew­
art's] P.M. Grant’
s [were] at
U[ncle] Jno.’
s[.]B[ella at Jane’
s.
Threshers [
were] at Ned'
s [to]-
night[
. I] helped wash P.M.
17
10 . T . Jno. & R. [were] at Ned's thresh-
ing[.]A[g was]in C[linton.]I[was]
helping Jane[.]*
*Jane is 9 months
Very Warm,
pregnant.
fine
11 . F . [I] Killed 8 Roosters [and I was]
in Cflinton] P.M. [for] flour[.]
A[g] scrubbed for Jane P.M. Jno.
[was] at D[uncan] McEwen's thresh-
ing[.
]
29
12 . S . Picket fetched................
Fa[ther was] at [the] mill for]
chop [with] Doll[. I] Washed....
20
13 . S . Fa[ther]& B[ella were in church.]
Rev. Stewart Pleasant
35
14. M. [I] Helped wash[. I] Drove Jno.to
Bruce[field [to catch the train
[for] London[.
] Jessie [Wigginton
was by] asking [for] threshing
[help.]
Rainy 14
15 . T . Bella Cuming [is] visiting[. I]
Churned, ironed etc.preparing for
London [Fair.]................
Fine
84
16 . W. Fa[[ther], A[g] & I [were] in Lon­
don[.] Jno. took [us] to Bruce-
field & back[.]
Beaut[iful] &
hot. Rain
17 . T . Edward John Glen [was] born[.]*
[The] Irwin boys [were here] for
dinner[
. I] Went to Brucefield [in
the] even[ing.] Fa[ther] came off
[at] Clinton[.]
26
Fine
* Though not yet 3
the day her brot-
ther Jack was born, Isabel Glen told me she vividly re­
called it. The hired man at Ned’
s shot a skunk in the
woodpile, adding an olafactory dimension to her
recollection.
18. F. I[was]in C[linton] A.M.Jno.[was] 14
trimming sheep[and] Fa[ther was]
cutting corn[. The Finlay McEwen -Rain
family] moved to town[.
]
September, 1896
19 . S
20. S
21. M
22 . T
23 . H
24 . T
25 . F
26. S
27 . S
28. M
29. T
30. W
1. T
2. F
3. S
. [I] Went down to Ned’
s [this]
morn[ing.j
. Fa[ther] & B[ella were in church
and] Adam & Ned [went at night.]
U[ncle] Jno.’s Annie died[.]i
. [I] Washed at Jane's[. At] night
[We were] at U[ncle] Jno.'s[.]
(Jno. & I [stayed] all night[.]
. Annie's funeral A[g], Jno. &
B[ella were there and] I[was] at
Ned's[.]Mrs Cuming S
t Mrs Brigham
[stayed here] all night[.]
. Fa[ther] walked to C[linton] en-
route to Goderich Fair[.]Jno.met
Fafther at the station in the]
even[ing. I was at Ned's.] Ida
[Stewart and] Ma [were at] Ned's
all night[.]
. At Ned’
s [all day.] Churned[.]
. [I was at Ned’
s] Apple packers
[were] here & Ned [came with]
lsa[bella] P[earl. We have] 6
bags [of apples]- 4 Snow & 2
Fall R[iver.]..............
. [I'm still at Ned’s. I] Baked,
washed, etc.
. B[ella] & I [were in church]
(Rev. Ford - Methodist.) Jon
[went at night.] Jno. S
t R.took
[a] heifer to Varna[.]
. At Ned’
s -[I] Churned & washed
some etc. [I went] home [in
the] even[ing.
]
. [I] took things to C[linton]
Fair A.M. [and] B[ella] stayed
with Jane[.I was]at Janes's P.M.
. B[ella], Fa[ther],Jno., Ned &[I
were] at C[linton] Fair[.I]stay­
ed [at]Jane'
s[in the]even[ing.]
2ft
C[ool] W[ind],Rainy
27
Pleasant,
C[ool] Wind
12
Fine
C[ool] E[ast] W(ind]
39
Fine, Warm
Beautiful
Beautiful
36
Beautiful
Rain
Beautiful
C[ool] W[ind]
Beautiful
Dull
October,1896
Fa[ther was] in C[linton] A.M.
for [a] washing machine[
. I was]
at Jane's [and] washed[.]
Fa[ther was] at Bayfield Fair[.
He judged]Chickens & Jno.sheepf.
I was] at Jane's [and I] walked
[to] church in C[linton.] (Rev,
McLean Blythe)
[At Jane's, I] Washed shawl &
shirtf•
]
Heavy Frosts at
nights
Dull
Beautiful
42
October,1896 245
4. S . Fa[ther] & Mo[ther] & Ned & I
[
were in church.](Rev. Stewart)
20
5. M. A[g] r
B[ella] & I [were] pulling
apples [and] Jno. [was] lift­
ing potatoes[.] Mr Sturdy [was]
here[;]he & Fa[ther]went to Jno.
Thomson*
s[.]
5
6. T . Pulled a[pples] A.M. Fa[ther] &
Jno.[lifted] potatoes[.] R.[is]
plowing[
. I] Rid [
r
a
y
] room[.
]
R[ain] P.M.
8
7 . W. A[g] & B[ella] washed[.] Fa-
[ther] & Jno. took 4 steers to
C[linton.] At Jane’
s I washed
[and stayed] all night[
. John]
Drove to Blythe Fair[.]
Rain & Snow
8. T. Fa[ther was]at[the] potatoes[.]
Jno. took Roosters over [to]
Lizzie [Glen. I was] Pulling
leeks all day[.]
Dull, Cold
8
9. F. [I was pulling]apples[all day.] 30
10. S. Fa[ther] & Jno. finis[hed the]
potatoes[
. I] finis[hed the]
leeks and pulled Baldwins[.]Jno.
[was] in Cflinton in the] even­
ting for] c[oal] oil[.]
Fine
C[ool] E[ast]
8
W[ind]
11 . S . A[g] & 1 [were in church](Rev.
Stewart.) Jno. & Ag [went at
night.] Aunty [came] home[this]
morn[ing.] Jno. Thomson [was]
here[.]
3
12 . M. [I] Finis[hed] pulling Baldwins
[and] pulled[the] barn tree &..
..Spy[.]Fa[ther was]at Sturdy’
s
A.M. with Jno. Thomsonf.] Fa[th-
er]& Jno.[are]pulling Mangosf.]
5
13 . T . [I] Pulled 2 Spys[.] Fa[ther] &
Jno. [are still] at [the] Mang­
os[.] N [is] plowing[.
]
Fine
6
14 . W . [I was pulling] Spys[.] Beautiful 4
15 . T . [I] Finis[hed the]Spys & pulled
2 [Talman] Sweets[.] Fa[ther] &
Jno.finis[hed the]Mangos[.] Ned
took in his potatoes[.]
3
16. F. [We] Finis[hed] pulling [the]
packing app[le]s [at] noon[.] C[ool] W[ind]
Robin* to pull Greenings & Tal-
mans[.] Fa[ther was] in C[lin-
ton A.M.
*Eliza refers to this year's hired man only
by his initials R.A.N. Now we learn his first name is
Robin. Does this reticence signify like, dislike or in­
difference? Note the cryptic reference Oct 19.
17 . S . McBryan & Snider [were] here
packing apples (45 barrels.) Snow & Rain
8
October, 1896 246
18 . S . A[g] could not find Polly[.]Jno.
[went to church in the] even­
ting.]
C[old] Showers
5
19 . M. R.A.N. left[.] Snider & Kemp
[were] here packing apples (40
bar[rels].
)
Beauti[ful]
20 . T . [Snider & Kemp] finis[hed pack­
ing] A.M....................
A[g] washed Jane's clothes P.M.
C[ool] W[ind]
Beauti[ful]
7
21* W. Fa[ther was] at W[illiam] Glen's
threshing[.] Jno. [was] in C[lin-
ton] A.M. & P.M.with[a] load[of]
apples[.]
N[orth] C[ool] W[ind]
22 . T . Mrs & Jessie Wigg[inton came in
a] wagon for apples[.] Fa[ther
was] at Butchart's threshing[.]
Fine,Wanner
23 . F . Fa[ther] & Jno.[are] hauling in
corn[.]W[illiam] Glenfused] our
team & bar for [pressing apple]
cider[.] Couch bought 3 heif-
ers[.] A[g] & I washed,[then We
worked] P.M. at app[le cider.
]
Wfilliam] Glen making apple
butter[.]
24 . S . Jno.[was]in Cflinton.]A[g]scrub­
bed for Jane & I [did] ours...
25 . S . Fa[ther]& I[were in church](Rev.
Stewart.)"Hitherto hath the Lord
helped us.............. "
Beautiful
C[ool] W[ind.]
26. M. A[g], B[ella], Aunty & I [worked]
at app[le]s hauled up with [the]
buggy[.] Fa[ther] & Jno.[were] in
C[linton] with heifers A.M.
2
27 . T . Aunty[worked]at apples with us[.]
W. Cooper fetched [the] Durham
[catttle beast this] even[ing.]
28. W. Fa[ther] drove to Dickson's, Dunk­
in’
s,etc.A[g] & B[ella] washed[.]
[I] Hauled in [tur]nips with Jno.
29 . T . Fa[ther drove] to Sturdy'
s, Goder­
ich, etc. Aunty [worked] with us
hauling app[le]s to[the]stable[.
]
Rained
30. F. Fa[ther drove to] Cflinton.....
...[We]
Finis[hed]
hauling app[le]s.
G[regor] McGregor, Abby Glen[and]
Efdward] John [Glen were] bap­
tized[.]
31. S. [I] Killed [a] goose & 4 drakes[
.
I] Drove Fa[ther] A.M.to Hunter’
s
[and I] called [in at] Grant'
s[.
I] Helped Jno. a little with[the]
nips[.
]
2
November, 1896 247
A[g]tI[sabella] P[earl] & I [were
in C[hurch] (Rev- Stewart.
)
[I] Killed 6 Roosters [and] Jno.
[was] trimming sheep[.] Jane & I
[were] in Cflinton] P.M. A[g]
scrubbed for Jane & stayed with
[the] baby[.]
Fa[ther & Jno.[were] in C[linton]
P.M. & [made a] 2nd trip [in the]
even[ing.]................. A.M.
Jno. & I [were] herding sheep A.M.
& hauling in nips P.M.
Fa[ther was] in C[linton]A.M.[and
was] pulling nips P.M. Jno. & I
[were] hauling in [the] nips[.]
Fa[ther] finis[hed] pulling [tur­
nips. ]Jno. [took a] heifer[to] Var­
na A.M. Bella went to Jane’
s[.]
Adam fetched [our] mail [in the]
even[ing.
]
Fa[ther was] in C[linton.] Dunham
back at Sturdy’
s etc., etc. [We]
Hauled in 3 loads [
of] nips[.]
Jno. [was] in Seaforth etc. [We]
Finis[hed the turnips A.M. Fa­
ther] & D[unham were in] Kippen
etc.,etc.
Dunham [was] here[.]
Fafther], Jno.& Ned took sheep to
C[linton. The] Milch cows [were]
in all night[for the] 1st [time.]
Mrs Wig[inton came] for tea......
..A[g] & I[are] moving private[.]
Ned & Will helped here [to] kill
[and] scald our 4 and Ned’
s 2
pigs[. We moved private into] pos­
ition [this] even[ing.]
A[g] & B[ella were] washing[.] Fa-
[ther had]dinner at U[ncle]Jas.'
s
[and] bought D[uncan] McKenzie’
s
cow[.
] Fins[hed] scrubbing.....
Jno.[was] plowing [today and] yes­
terday[.] Calder [came] for din-
ner[.] Mo[ther] & I[were]in C[lin-
ton] P.M.
Fa[ther], Jno. & I [were]at Mac’
s
for tea [and the] even[ing. We
drove the] cutter [for the] 1st
[time this season.]
Beautiful
Beautiful,
Very Warm P.M.
Fine
Threatening
Heavy Rain P.M.
Warmer
4
2
Rain, Snow
Snow,C[old] W[ind.]
Snow, Hard Frost.
Hail & Rain
7
2
Warmer, Dull
Fine,
C[ool]W[ind. ]
Snowing
1. s .
2 . M.
3. T .
4. W.
5. T.
6. F .
7. S .
8. S.
9. M.
10 . T .
11 W,
12 . T .
13 . F .
November, 1896 248
14. S . [I packed 2 hives[of bees and was] Fine
salting pork etc. Mac & Mrs Spear*
called P.M.
* In pioneer days, the Spear's
lived on the next farm north of McEwen's. They moved
away to Kent County, near Highgate, but remained good
friends with the McEwen's. The former neighbours visited
back and forth over the years and, eventually Malcolm's
daughter Margaret would marry William Spear.
15 . S .
16. M.
[Ag] & I [went to Church in the] Nice,
buggy[.] Jno. [went at night.]Fa- Thawing
[ther has a] boil on [his] arm[.
]
A[g], B[ella] & Auntie [were] in
C[linton] P,M.& Jno.[went in the] Fine
wagon [for] grist[.].........
Dickson's lambs arived.......
Dunkin'
s for Talman'
s
17. T. A[g] & B[ella]Washed[here and at]
Ned's too[.
] Jno. [was] at [the] Warm, Rain
Mill P.M. for chop[.]Choring-[We]
lifted [the] orchard lumber[pile
on the] stoneboat[.]
18. W. [I] Finis[hed] picking up & pil­
ing [the rest of the lumber] etc. Fine, Rain
A[g was] in C[linton] P.M. Mrs
McDonald & Minnie Reynolds [were
here] P.M. & all night[.]
19. T. Fa[ther] walked to C[linton] A.M.
& A[g] went too[. Father] & Jno. Fine
[were] at Jas. Aikenhead's [this] C[ool] W[ind]
even[ing. I was] Choring[.] Stew- Frost
art’
s [were here] all night[.]
20. F. [Stewart’
s] went home A.M. A[g
was] in C[linton] P.M. B[ella is Fine,
visiting] Gfrant's.] Walker call- Thawed a little
ed [about]
buying [a ?. I] killed
3 tuk[et]s & 2 geese[.]
21. S. [I] Put veranda flowers in [the] 3
cellar etc. A[g] scrubbed & iron- Snow
ed[and I Baked jell[y]&cupcake[s]
P.M.
22. S. A[g] & I [were] in C[hurch](
Rev. 2
Stewart.)I stayed with [the]kids Fine
for Jane [in the] even[ing.]
23. M. Jane [came] for dinner[.]A[g was] 4
in C[linton] P.M. [I was]Clean­
ing [the] H[en] H[ouse and] kill- Raining
ed [some] pullets[.]
24. T. [I] Finis[hed cleaning the hen 3
house] P.M.[and] Killed 4 G[eese] Fine
& 4 T[urkeys.
]
25. W. A[g was]in C[linton] A.M. Lizzie 2
[Glen] went with her[. I] Killed Pouring
2 geese to eat [in the]evening[.j Showers
November, 1896 249
26 . T .
27 . F .
28 . S .
29. S.
30. M.
"Thanksgiving” B[ella] & I[were]
at [Sabbath School Exam P.M. [I]
made pies &...... U[ncle] Jas.,
Aunty & Ned’
s [were] here P.M.[I]
drove A[unt Agnes] home [with]
"Queen"[.]
A[g] & I washed[
. At] night [I]
ironed & mended Jno's p[an]ts[.]
Jno. [was] in Cflinton] P.M.
& Jennie [Grant was here] all
night[.]
Fa[ther] walked [to Clinton] P.M.
Jno. [went in in the] Even[ing.]
Choring -[I] helped Ned a little
cutting corn P.M.
A[g] & I [were in church] (Rev.
Stewart.) "Queen of Sheba's
enquiry”
[I] Took down[the] furnace pipes
S
t cleaned [the] furnace[,] Chor­
ing P.M. Dunham arrived [at]
noon[.
] Jno.went to Sturdy's P.M.
December, 1896
1. T. Fa[ther] & Dun[kin], Jno. & Ned
[were]in C[linton shipping lambs
& [the] big sow[. I was] Chor-
ing[.
]
2. W. A[g] & B[ella]washed[.1] cleaned
[the] H[en] H[ouse] & furnace
pipes[.]
3. T. [I] Killed 4 pullets[.] Alex.
Mitchell called [and] bought[the]
remaining gob[.
] A[g was]in C[lin-
ton] P.M. [and B[ella was] at
Jane'
s[.]
4. F. A[g] S
t B[ella were in C[linton]
A.M. [I] Killed a gob [and was]
Cutting[corn] P.M. [Ag and Bella]
& I & McT[avish were] at Grant’s]
part P.M. S
t even[ing.]
5. S. Jno. helped us put up [furnace]
pipes[.]I finis[hed]greasing the
business T.O..... B[ella] clean­
ed [the] parlour, hall, S[pare]
Bfedroom etc.
6. S. A[g]& B[ella were in church](Rev.
Stewart.) Jno. [went at night.]
7. M. A[g] drove Fa[ther] to C[linton]
P.M. enroute for Danville[.] Bel­
la] cleaned [the] veranda[.] Jno.
[was] helping Will kill pigs A.M.
[I cleaned the] H[en] H[ouse] &
G[oose] H[puse and was] choring
all day[.]
3
Beaut[ifulJ
Bees [were] out
Hard Frozen
6
Cfold] W[ind],
Light Snow
Very Cold
6
2
Snow Flurries
2
Snow Flurries
2
Rain
2
4
Soft, Snowed
December, 1896 250
8. T.
9. W.
10. T.
11. F.
12 . S .
13 . S .
14. M.
15. T.
16. W.
17 . T .
18 . F .
[John was] in C[linton] to meet
McElesy[.] Jno & he [were] at
Frazer's etc. P.M. B[ella was]at
Elliot’s [this] evenfing.] J. El- Dull
liot [was] here[this] even[ing.]
Choring all day[.]
[I]Lifted cabbage & celery[.]Jno.
& Mc[Elesy were] at Sturdy's, Me- Nice
Donald's, etc. & Clinton[.]
Jno.& McE[lesy were] at Snell's
&[in] C[linton.]
Taylor[came for] Nice
tea [and stayed] for dinner[
. I]
Washed '[a] tick & [a] pillowf.
]
6
2
. Fa[ther] arrived home P.M. Ern- 1
est fetched word out [to us.]Jno.
& McE[lesy were] in C[linton]A.M. Beaut[iful]
[I] Washed yarn............. .
...Mr James MacFarlane has just returned from
Quebec province, where he bought a [box ]
car­
load of thoroughbred Shropshire - down sheep.
Part of these he has since sold for export to
the United States, and some to Mr J.W. Sturdy,
Goderich Township........................
The New Era, December 18, 1896
Fa[ther] & McE[lesy] & Sturdy
[were] at Duncan's P.M. Choring,
[I] filled[the] tick[and] dye[d]
some indigo.....etc. J.W. & G.O.
Sturdy [were here] for dinner[.]
I[sabella] P[earl] & I [were] in
C[hurch] with Ned(Rev. Stewart.)
Sturdy[was here] for dinner([He]
fetched[a] ram for McE[lesy.]Jno.
& he[were] in C[linton this]even­
ting. ]J[im] Barkley[was here]P.M.
Fafther] & McE[lesy] walked to
Cflinton. I did] some choring.]
Started Fa[ther]’
s smocks[.]A[g]
& B[ella] Washed[.]
[?], Ernest & [? were here] for
dinner[.] Jno. [drove the] wagon
in C[linton] with McE[lesy] & 5
sheep P.M.Fa[ther]
walked[.1 was]
choring P.M.
Ernest [was here.] B[ella] & I
[were]in C[linton] P.M. Courtice
[was here]A.M. & Mrs J.Isard[was
here] P.M. & even[ing.]
A[g] & B[ella]washed[.They visit­
ed] at U[ncle] Jas's P.M. & [at]
Aunty1
s [in the] even[ing.
]
Beaut[iful] &
Warm
C[old] W[ind]
C[old] W[ind]
Sunshine
Snow
C[old] E[ast] W[ind]
Sun shining &
Calm
Dull
Snow,
Soft & Drifting
4
] &
2
nd]
2
nd]
4
i
s
t]
5
i
g &
3
5
December, 1896 251[
I
]
Fafther],A[g] & I[sabella]P[earl 5
were] in C[linton] P.M. [I] part-
ley scrubbed[.] Ernest [was cut­
ting at Will’
s P.M.[and was]home
[in the] even[ing. [Janet Lyla
(Nettie)] Green [was] born[.
]
Fine
A[g] & B[ella went to church in
the] buggy[.]Jno. went this even­
ting in the] cutter[.]
3
Snowing
Jno. [was] at Will's cutting[.I]
Cleaned [the] H[en] H[ouse] etc.
7
Ernest drove W. [?] here [at]
noon[.]
Fine,
[a littleJ snow
[I] Killed 8 geese & 1 turk[ey.]
Jas. Ross & old Glen [were] here
[this]
morn[ing.]
Ned & Will[were]
10
Cold,
Light Snow
A[g was] in C[linton] A.M. [in
the]cutter[.I]killed [a]
goose[.]
9
Jno. & B[ella have] gone to Stur­
dy's [for an] Exmas tree.
C[old] Easterly
W[ind]
Fa[ther was] in C[linton] with
Will’s sleigh[.] Eddie & Abby
8
[were] here P.M. Jno. & B[ella
arrived] home P.M. [I] wiped out
Snow, Cold
Ned's & Aunty[were] here[in the]
cutter[.] B[ella was] at Grant's
all night[.]
8
Fine
A[g] & Jno..... Fa[ther was] in
C[linton with] Ned [for] salt[.]
Jennie [Grant] drove B[ella]home
[in the] even[ing.
]
13
Fa[ther] & I [were in church[.]
Ad[am] & Jno. [went in the even­
ing. I] stayed with Jane's kids
[in the] even[ing.
]
8
A[g] ironed[and I] cleaned[the]
H[en] H[ouse.] Ned & Farther
9
were] at [the] nomination meet­
ing P.M. [in] Varna[.]
Slightly warm[er]
Torrance & consort called [in a]
buggy[.I] Killed 9 geese[.] Jess­
ie & Stella[Wigginton]came after
10
Rain, Soft
butter[
.]*
*Eliza-Ann's principal source of income
was from selling butter, eggs and poultry. She seems
to have done a brisk business in the yuletide.
A[g] & I [were]in C[linton] A.M.
A[g]&B[ella were]at Wigginton's
9
carpet bag bee P.M...........
dinner[.]
Dull, Frost
[I] Washed [and the] M[en were
at Ned’
s cutting P.M.
19 . S .
20 . S .
21 . M.
22 . T .
23 . W.
24 . T .
25 . F .
26. S.
27 . S .
28. M.
29. T .
30 . W.
31 T .
ELIZA-ANN 1S LOG BOOK
Anno Domine 1897
January, 1897 252
1. F . Aunty,Ned'
s & Mary Glen & May McEwen 9
[were] here[.The] Kids[were] at Mac’
s Mild, mild,
[in the] even[ing.] Some Sprinkles,
Rain
2. S . [I] Washed & helped Fa[ther] put in
D[ouble]windows[.] Jno.[was]at Ross’
s
sawing bee P.M. Jno. Diehl [called.]
15
Rain
3. S . A[g] & I [were] in c[hurch](Rev. Stew-
art.) ’
’
The lost sheep" Ad[am] & Jno.
[went at night.]
9
Mild, Mild,
Rain.
4 . M. Jno. [was] at Middleton’s & W. Elli­
ot '
s[.] All were voting at [the]
school[.] Fen[wick] & Adam [Stewart
came for tea[.I] Cleaned [the] cellar
at[the] door [and] Pressed[a]dress[.]
9
Raining
5. T . FaftherJ & I [were] in C[linton] A.M.
[The] Boys [are] sawing [wood.] Jno.
[went to the [Mechanics'] Institute
Concert [in] Brucefield[.
]
18
Frozen, Snowing
6. W. [I] Washed[.] Jno.[was in] C[linton]
P.M., looking [for] oats, etc.
Some Snow 9
C[old] W[ind]
7. T . A[g] & B[ella were] in C[linton] P.M.
[I] Killed 2 Turk[ey]s [and] cleaned
[the] H[en] H[ouse.] Cutting [wood.]
P.M.
14
Dull
8. F . B[ella] & I [were] in C[linton] & at
Lindsey's[-] A[g] scrubbed Jane’
s
floor[.]Jno.was at J. Pearson’
s [for
a] load [of] oats & [was] in C[lin-
ton] for chop[.]
22
Fine, Sunny,
C[old] E[ast]
W[ind.]
9. S. [I did some]Mending[.]Jno.[took]Ned's
lambs [to] C[linton] in[the] wagon[.
]
22
Softish,Dull
10 . S . Fa[ther] & I [were] in cfhurch.] Rev.
Stewart. Jno. [went at night. I]
Stayed with [Jane's] kids[in the]even­
ting. ]
11
C[[old] W[ind]
& Fine.
11 . M. [I'm] at making [a] skirt[
. ] A[g] 16
ironed[.] Snowing & Storming
12 . T . [I worked further on the skirt.] A[g
was] in C[linton] A.M. B[ella is] mak­
ing [an] Ottoman[.]
18
Fine & Cold
13. W. B[ella] stayed with [the] kids [while]
Jane [was] in Cflinton] P.M. B[ella]
helped [Jane] A.M. A[g] & I washed[.
]
13
Fine & Cold
14 . T . Howson & nephew [were here] for dinner
showing steam washer etc., etc. Mrs &
Miss Calder [were also here] for din-
ner[.
] E.A. & S. Isard [were here] P.M.
W. McEwen called P.M. Stewart’
s & A.
Cuming [came in the] even[ing.]
18
C[old] W[ind],
Sunny & Frosty
15. F. A[g was]at McTavish'es P.M. Jno.& B[el-
la were] at McGregor's (Tuckersmith)
sleigh-load[.]
10
Fine, C[old]
W[ind.]
January, 1897 253
10
16 . S .
17 . S .
18 . M.
19 . T .
20. W.
21 . T .
22 . F .
23 . S .
24 . S .
25 . M.
26 . T .
27 . W.
28 . T .
29. F.
30 . S .
31. S .
1. M.
2. T .
[I] Finis[hed the] skirt, c[leaned the]
H[en] Hfouse and did some]mending[.]A[g]
& B[ella were]in C[linton] P.M.Ffenwickj Soft Snow
went home[.] Horney calved[.]
Jno. [went to church in the] even[ing.] 5
F[enwick came] home withhim[.] Raining, Poured
[inthe] even[ing.]
[I] Started waist, wiped out room, etc. 6
A[nnie] Cuming [was here] P.M. Jno.[was] H[igh] W[ind]
at U[ncle] Jno's[.] Some Snow
A[g] & I washedf.
] Ned [was]here[in our] 9
bush[. The] Dogfwas] poisinedfsic) Appar­
ently!.] Bella & Annie [were] at Ned’
s Fine & Frosty
P.M. & at Will’
s[in the]
even[ing.]A[nnie]
went back with Lily [Stewart.]
[I] Done a little at waist[.] Ned [was] 4
here[.] A[g] & B[ellawere]in C[linton] C[old] W[ind]
P.M. Snowed
[I] Made shoe grease etc. Jno. [was] in 8
C[linton for] grist[in the] sleigh[.]All
[were] at U[ncle] Ja[me]s*s [this] even- C[old W[ind]
[ing in the] cutter([the] boys walked[.]
Mending old shoes, etc. Courtice called 7
P.M. Jno. [has been] hauling up wood[.] Stormy & Mild
Jno. [was in] Cflinton] P.M.[in the] cut­
ter!.] Choreing,[I] Stitched[the] waist[
.
In the] even[ing Sewed skirt on ganzie
etc.
4
Very Stormy
& Frosty
9
Stormy
[I] Done a little to waist[.] A[g] & I 4
[were] at Aunty’
s [this] even[ing.] VeryStormy
[I]Cut a little P.M. J[ohn] Pfleweslwas] Snowed & 6
here[.
] Storm[ed] some.
A[g was] in C[linton] P.M. ([She] had to 4
go the 4th con[cession. ]
) Jno. & B[ella Snowed some
were]at Churchill’s wedding party[.I did
a little at the waist[.]
Jane here[.
] Cutting P.M. Fine & Warm 9
Snowed in Even[ing.]
[I] Killed [a] Pr[airie] Chick[en], [a] 5
Goose & [a] Turkey[.] A[g] & I [were] in Light Snow
C[linton] P.
M.[at](Church, Rev Atkinson.
)
[I] Cleaned [the] H[en] H[ouse.] A[g] 6
scrubbed Jane’
s [floors] A.M. & our’
s P.M.Nice (I think)
Jane & I & I[sabella] P[earl were] in 6
Cfhurch] (Rev. Stewart.) Jno., Ned & A[g Below 0 [F]
wennt in the] even[ing.] (Rev. Shaw, Eg- Sunny & Nice
mondville.)
February, 1897
Wise’
s [were] at [the] barn[.] Jno. [was]
at Mac’
s cutting P.M.[and at]Ned’
s A[M.]
Fa[ther] walked to C[linton.] A[g] & I
6
Nice
6
February, 1897 254
washed[.] W. F[luker* was] at Ned’
s cut-
ting[.]Mr & Mrs Sturdy & Miss Annie Driv­
er [were] here P.M.T[homas]Frazer & [The]
Master [were here] for tea[.]
*This appears to be
the current hired man-see Feb 5 entry.
3. W. Jno. Scott & Lizzie Glen called A.M. 6
4. T . Mofther] & I [were in C[linton] P.M. Mr 5
McDougal from Tiverton[was here] for din-
ner[.
] Fa[ther] went with him to Wigg[in- Beautiful
ton's, and] A. Dunkin’
s[.]
5. F. Jno.[was] in C[linton] for corn etc. A[g] 8
& B[ella [were] at Scott’
s quilting & rag C[old] E[ast]
bee & Fluker [was] at [a] sawing bee P.M. W[ind,] Nice.
dinner
6. S. [I] Peeled A[pples and was] choring etc. 7
Jno. [was] shearing [sheep] P.M. Raining
7. S. Adam [was] here P.M. Jno. & he [went to 10
C[hurch this] even[ing.](Dr Jackson[from] Fine & Mild
Galt.)
8. M. Fa[ther] sick [yesterday and today. Jno. 10
[was] shearing A.M.[I worked]at basque[.]
Jno. [was] at Mac's P.M. - sawing mach- Fine & Dull
ine[.]* B[ella] finis[hedjmaking [a] slum- a little snow
ber robe[.]
* probably refers to the buzz saw
powered by the horse power.
9. T . Jno.[was] at Dfuncan] McKenzie’
s A.M.[and 9
in Clinton] P.M. [for a]load [of] bran[.]
A[g] & I washed A.M. Aunty & I [went to]
C[linton] in [the] cutter[.]
10. W. W. F[luker was]at Will's cutting P.M. Ada 12
& Annie [Stewart were] here P.M.[I]C[lean­
ed the] H[en] H[ouse and] put in furnace
wood etc. A.M. [I] Basted sleeves [during
the cousins'] visit[.] Jno. & Ifsabella]
P[earl,B[ella] & I [were] at Ned's [this]
even[ing.
]
11. T. W F[luker [was] at Will's [cutting P.M.] 22
Jno.[was there also for a] little [time.] C[old] E[ast]
A. Wise [was] here P.M. [He] bought [a] W[ind],Snowy,
2 yr. old colt (Colby’
s.) Drifting all night
12 . F .
13 . S .
14. S.
15. M.
Jno.at Wise's with colt A.M.[and at]Mills 16
P.M. [I] Finis[hed the] waist (but[for] Fine P.M,
some hooks I have to get.
)
[I was] Mending[
. John was at Mills A.M. 21
and] in Clinton]] P.M. I went to see Mrs Fine P.M.
J. Pearson[.] (2 lambs 1st)
B[ella] & I [were] in C[hurch](Rev. Stew- 24
art.) A[g] stayed with[Edward John.] A[g]
& Jno. [went at night to the] English Thaw
g[hurch.
]
B[ella] & I [were] in C[linton] A.M. Softish & 10
Light snow
February, 1897 255
16. T. Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M. with Ned[.] 23
A[g] & B[ella] washed[
. I was] in bed A.M.
sick [with a] cold[. I have been] making] Beautiful
Jno. blue dairy [aprons.]
17. W. [I made] Duck p[an]ts [for John.] B[ella] 23
scrubbed for Jane[.] Dew Drop calved [a] Nice
bull[.
]
18. T. A[lex] Innis, J, McLauughlin & W [were] 22
here A.M. [McLaughlin came in the] even­
ing and] bought [a] horse[.] Jno. [was] Nice
shearing[. I] c[leaned the] h[en] h[ouse]
P.M.
19. F. [I] Finis[hed]Jno.'s Ducks [this] morn- 26
[ing.] B[ella] & I[were] in C[linton] P.M.L[ight] S[now]
[The men were] Cutting P.M. Adam [stayed] Beautiful
for tea[.
]
20. S. [I]Finis[hed] Jno.'s Dairys [&] mended[.] C[old] 21
Jno. [was] shearing[.] E[ast] W[ind]
Rain, etc.
21. S. A[g] & B[ella were] in C[hurch.](Rev.Stew- 18
art.)Jno.& Fa[ther went in the evening!.] Beautiful
[I] Stayed with [Jane's] kids [this] even- Very H[igh]
[ing.] Auntie [has] gone to Green's[.] Wind
22. M. [I]Made Fa[ther]'s Ducks[.]Mr [Green was] 20
here telling about Mrs Ferguson's Fa- Very H[igh]
[ther]’
s funeral[.] wind. S[ome]
S[now] & some
R[ain.]
23. T. A[g] & Jno.[were] at [the] funeral[.] A[g 26
went]home with Annie Stewart[.I worked at] Stormy, Not
appliaquing (sic)* wheels on [a] doiley[.
] much frost
* Eliza-Ann is trying to make a french noun,
applique into a verb.
24. W.
25 . T .
26 . F .
Finis[hed the doiley] A.M. & Made 2 Dairy a little 20
Aprons P.M. colder, some snow
A[lex.] Innis got [the] colt and took it 23
away[.
] Jno. [was] in C[linton.] A[g] & I
washed[.] Fa[ther was] at Will's A.[M.] &
Mac’
s [P.M.] Ned [stayed] for dinner P.M.
[I] Tore out sheets [in the] even[ing.*
]
Fa[ther] & Ned [were] at J. McDonald's*
sale P.M. Dunham & Woolcott arrived [at]
noon[.]Jno.[hitched] Queen [&] drove them
Frazer's[.I] Made [a] parasol cover[.]
28
Cold & a
little snow
27 . S . Dunham & Ffather were] at Wigg[nton's] &
Elliot’
s A. [M.] & A. Dunkin's P.M. Ned
[came]after 8 sheep bought yester[day. I]
Finis[hed the] sheets & tore out 3 pillow­
cases [
.]
25
Very C[old]
W[ind], riw.
28. S. B[ella]& I[were in Church](Rev. Stewart.) 23
Jno.[went at night.I]Stayed with the kids Sunny
[in the] even[ing.]]
March, 1897
1. M. Jno. & D[unham were] in town A.M. I [was] 12
in C[linton] with Ned P.M. [for William] Light snow,
Pearson's funeral[.]2 Made 3 pillow Softish
cases[.]
March, 1897 256
2. T .
3. W.
4. T .
5, F .
6. S .
7. S .
8. M.
9. T .
10. W.
11 . T .
12 . F .
13 . S .
14 . S .
15 . M.
[I made] 6 [pillow-cases]& 8 button-holes
(Jno.'s cuffs.) Cherry calved[. The] Men Frozen,
took 58 sheep to [the railway] station[.] Nice
11
15
A[g] & I washed[
. I] Mended Jno.'s shirt
etc.[The] Kids [were] slidingf.]Jno.[was] C[old]
shearing[.] Flfuker was] at Ned's crush- W[ind],
ing[.
] Some Strong
I [was] in C[linton] A.M. [and] Made pies Beautiful 7
P.M. etc. Sun, Thaw
Grainger [came] for dinner[.] Dennison
called P.M. Finis[hed]mending Jno.’
s draw­
ers, washed cape (overcoat) etc. Jno. & Raining
Fl[uker were] at Ned's P.M. cutting[.]
17
10
Grainger [was] here [this] morn[ing and]
bought[the]fat heifer[•]Houston & McCorry Frosty
called & Dickson([of] Goderich) & Bates N[orth]~
called around even[ing.]Fa[ther]walked to W[est] W[ind]
Frazer's & [was] at [the] Master's P.M. Sunny
etc. Jno. & Fen[wick] walked to C[linton]
P.M.
A[g] & I [took the] cutter[to church](Rev. 16
Stewart - Parable of the sower.) Jno.[went Fine,C[old]
at night.] E[ast] W[ind]
[I]Mended[the] brown skirt, Jno.'s p[an]ts
& finis[hed the] brown waist....... Annie
Stewart[came this] norn[ing] for butter[.]
N[icholas] Cuming called [this] even[ing.]
Jno. [was] at Jane's[.] ifsabella] P[earl]
in [here by] herself[.]
17
Fine A.M.
Raining P.M.
Jno. [was] at Ned’
s yesterday & today[
. I] 17
wiped out [my] room, turned 6 sheets & but- Raining,
ton-holed some on [a] doiley[.] T[hunder] &
L[ightning at]
night[.]
21
Slightly
frozen,
Fine & Sunny
Jno. [was] in C[linton] A.M. with[the] fat
heifer [and] with Ned P.M. A[g] & Bfella]
washed in [the] veranda etc. A[g went] on
horseback for Jane's clothes [and she was]
at Mac's [in the] even[ing] for [a] bag of
flour Mac's fetched from town[.] B[ella
was] at U[ncle James's] P.M. & even[ing
and Ag was there in the] even[ing.].....
... meal from Jane[.]
Fa[ther was] at Jno. Elliot's for dinner & 27
walked to C[linton] P.M. [He] got I[sabel- Fine, Sun
la] P[earl [a] basket etc. [I was] working Showers,
at [a] doily fsic][.] 2nd goose egg Snowed
Jno.& Flfuker were] at Ned’
s P.M. Fenfwick 25
was] here P.M. Jno. [was] in C[linton at
night[.] A[g] & I[were] at Ned•
s[this]even- Freezing,
[ing. I Finis[hed the doiley [at] night[.] Stormy
30
Jno.[was]at Ned's & Fl[uker] P.M. Fa[ther]
walked to C[linton.] C. Middleton [was] Fine, Sun,
here [this] morn[ing. I] Started making[a]
crotchet picture frame[.]
Thaw
A[g] & B[ella drove to] C[hurch in the]cut- Mild, 36
ter[.](Rev. McDonald, Seaforth) [then] Stormy
Ned [was] here P.M. Jno.[went to Cflinton] Fine, 28
in [the] buggy[
. I worked]at [my] frame[.] L[ight]S[now]
March, 1897 257
16 . T .
17 . W.
18 . T .
19 . F .
20. S .
21 . S .
22 . M.
23 . T .
24 . W.
25 . T .
26 . F .
27 . S .
28 . S .
. A[g has] gone to Copeland's in [the] 55
buggy & [she] took Fa[ther] to [the rail- Fine &
way]station in C[inton.I]Mended Mofther's] Frosty
ganzies & my shoes[.] R. Marshel(sic)[and]
Fen[wick], Adam & Ida [Stewart] called [in
the] even[ing[.]
. A[g] & I washed A.M. A[g was] in C[linton] 15
P.M. meeting Fa[ther] etc. {He] bought 9
sheep[.] Ned [was] here[.] Webber fetched Fine,
[the] sheep in [his] sleigh [and was here] Like Rain
all night[.I did] a little crochet[.]
. [Ned was here]] Jane & A[g were] in C[lin- 33
ton] P.M. I[sabella] P[earl] & Will's kids Springlike,
[were] P.M. Will's [were] in C[linton.] Misty, etc.
Tough [was here] all night[.]
• A[g] & I cleaned [the] kitchen stove pipes Dull, 37
etc. A.M. [I] Scrubbed [the] kitchen P.M. Springlike,
[and] A[g was]
washing[the] plaster[in the] Raining,
boy's stair[.] Ned [was] here[.] Jno.[was] H[igh] E[ast]
shearing for Ned[.
] W[ind.]
Ned [here] A.M. Jno. & Ned [were] in C[lin- 33
ton] P.M.[Jno.was shearing]Webber sheep[.]
N[eil] McGregor C[alled.]A[g] scrubbed for Dull &
Jane[. I] Finis[hed] making [a] hen box[. Windy
I saw some] Black birds[.]
Lilly [Stewart was] in on [her] way to 36
Glen’
s[.] Bees [were] flying P.M. Ad[am] & C[old] W[ind]
Jno. [went to church at night[.] Beautiful, P.M.
A[lex.] Innis [was] here [this] 34
morn[ing.] Jno. Thomson [was] Frozen a little,
here[.] Jane & [the] kids [were] Fine,Beautiful.
here P.M. [Ag, Bella & I are] pa­
pering [the] boys' stair[way.]
Fl[uker was]at Will's crushing[.]
[The] Heifer calved[.
] A[g was] Frozen a little, 27
in cflinton] P.M. [for] wall[pap- Rain & Sleet P.M.
er. We were] Papering P.M.
[We]Finis[hed papering the stair- 43
way.] A[g] scrubbed it etc. Jno. Snowed,
[went into] Cflinton] in [the]wa- Soft-Stormy
gon [for] chop[.] B[ella] baked
cakes P.M.
Fa[ther] walked to C[linton.] FI- 39
uker was] at Will's cutting[.]
Billy died (2 old sheep before.) Dull, Sfnowed] a
A[g]’
s (Heifer) cow calvedf.] little, slight t[haw.]
Ned [helped] us cutting P.M. [I] 37
Filled some floor cracks up Fine
Jno.s stair[.I] Sent home a Gob- Sun Thaw
[blerjwith Ned[.
] 2 p[ai]r [of]
lambs [born.]
[I filled some more cracks up 30
the stairway.] A[g was] Mending
P.M. Jno.walked to C[linton] P.M.
Lizzie[was]here P.M. for milk[.
]
1 p[ai]r [of] lambs [born.]
[At church] A.M. [Mr] Houston[of Frozen32
the] High School [and Mr] Lough,
[the] Pfublic] School Principal,
[conducted the service.] Jno.
[
went in the] even[ing.
]
29. M.
30 . T .
March, 1897 258
Fa[ther] walked to Cflinton.] H. 40
Parker [was] at[the] barn[.I was]
Making Hen-roosts[.] 2 p[ai]r[of] Fine & Wanner
lambs [born.]
[I] Finis[hed making hen roosts.
] 30
Fl[uker was] in [the] bush with Beautiful
Ned[.] A[g was] in C[linton] A.M. Frogs
Jno. walked P.M.
31. W. [I] Drove Fa[ther] to [the] r[ail- 36
road bridge [this] morn[ing,] en
route for Owen Sound, [to] Mr Har- Bfast] W[ind]
rison’
s[.] Jane,Ifsabella] P[earl
& E[dward] J[ohn] came in with
me[. I was] Cleaning [the] H[en]
H[ouse] etc.
April, 1897
[I] Finis[hed]C[leaning the H[en]
Hfouse], helped wash & put up Din
ing Room, Jno.'s B[ed] R[oom] S
t
Spare-room blinds[.] Jno. [was]in
C[linton this] evenfing.] B[ella
was] baking etc.
39
Fine
E[ast] W[ind]
2. F. [John was in Clinton in the] morn- 28
[ing] & [with] Ned [in the] even­
ting.] Jno. McEwen[was] here[this] Beautiful
even[ing.] U[ncle] J[ame]s’
s Annie
[was] at Will’
s to day too[.]Clean­
ing [the] Milk room, I swept etc.,
& [got the] hall ready for mop[p]-
ing[.
]
3. S . Fa[ther] arrived [at] noon [and]
drove out of C[linton] with Mr
Pattison*s horse[.]A[g]&Jno.[were]
in Cflinton] P.M. for 4 Galloway
cross steers & dry cow & 28 sheep[
.
I] Scrubbed shelves [in the] milk
room etc.
33
Fine, H[igh]
E[ast]] W[ind]
4. S . A[g] & I[were]in Cfhurch](Rev.Muir,
Brucefield.) Rain P.M*
31
5. M. Jno. [was] in Brucefield P.M.[for] 36
clover Seed[.] F[luker was]plowing
A. [M.] S
t at Ned’
s crushing P.M. [I] Rain in P.M.
Fixed latches on the 3 celler-
doors[.]
6. T . A[g] & Jane [were]in C[linton] P.M. 56
Jno. stayed with [the] kids[.]B[el- Fine, C[old]
la was] bakingf.
] Cutting P.M. [I] E[ast] W[ind]
Cleaned [my] room etc.
7. W. Bfella] & I [were] at Grant’
s Rag- 34
bee P.M. Jno.[was]in C[linton] P.M. Dull, Slight
Hudie [was here in the] evenfing] drizzle.
looking at [a] Milch-cow[.]
8. T. Jno. [was]in C[linton]A.M. for corn Fine 44
[in the] wagon[.] Lizzie [went]
with him[. John was] at [the] Mill
P.M. with [corn.] [A[g] S
t I washed
[and I] Cleaned the Goose House[.]
9. F. [I] Drove Mo[ther] & Jane &[Edward Snowing 50
John] to Scott's Rag bee[.The] Cal-
der kid[came] for dinner [and help-
in] gatherng eggs[. I was] fixing
onions[.] B[ella was] puttying
cracks [on] Jno.'s stair[.]
1. T .
April, 1897 259
10. S.
11. S .
12 . M.
13 . T .
14. W.
15 . T .
16 . F .
17 . S .
18 . S .
19. M.
20 . T .
[I] Finis[hed fixing onions.] Mac
called P.M. A[g] scrubbed for
Jane[.
]
B[ella] & I [werein church] (Rev,
Stewart.) Sfabbath] S[chool] start-
ed[[.] Fanny calved[.]
A[g]& B[ella were]in C[linton] P.M,
[and I was] Making [a] Rooster box
P.M. Jno. speared 16 suckers[.]
[I] Made a coop[.]A[g] washed & ir- Raining
onedf.]B[ella] got bush flowers[.]
Fine 42
C[old] E[ast]
W[ind]
Fine 36
C[old] W[ind]
Fine 39
C[old] W[ind]
evenfing.]
[I made a coop with] 3 nests[.]Jno.
McNaughton [was] here A.M. [and]
bought 2 last year colts[.] Jno. &
Fl[uker] took [the 2 horses] over
P.M. Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M.
34
29
Dull, Fine
Fa[ther was] at Sturdy's[
. I] Made
[a]feed box & a row of 6 nests for
[a] goose nest[.] Fen[wick came]af- Fine & Nice
ter oats [and stayed] for dinner[
.
The] boys cleaned oats[.] A[nnie]
& Ida [Stewart], J. Sparrow,Mac, &
McNaughton [were here this] even­
ting. ]
30
Good Friday [I] Raked [the] chip 52
Showery
yard & picked up sticks around
[the] H[en] Hfouse.] Jno. [was] at
[the] Brucefield Show P.M.[The]Cal-
der kids [came] for dinner[.] Mag-
[gie] & Isabel [were here] P.M.
[I did] Mending[.] Fa[ther] walked
to C[linton] A.M. F[luker was] at Fine, Windy
Ned's [and] Will's crushing[.] A.
C. Mason & ____ were here looking
at [a] horse[.]
Fa[ther],I[sabella]
P[earl]&I[were]
in C[hurch](Rev.Stewart.
) [It was
the] Childrens' Anniversary^.
] Jno,
& Adam [went at night.] Ida & I
[
were] in S[abbbath]S[chool.
] B[el-
la was] at Jane's-[Jane has a]cold,
A[g] scrubbed at Jane'sf. I was]
puttying cracks on[Jno.’
s Stair[.]
My Heifer cow calved[.] J. Sparrow
& Mac McNaughton[came]for tea[and]
bought 2 colts[.] Jno. [went] with
them [in the] even[ing.j
G. 0. Sturdy fetched sheep [and
stayed] for dinner[.] Wigg[inton’
s
came by] P.M. with [wedding] invit­
ations[.I]
Laid [a]platform in[the]
woodshed etc.
46
29
H[igh] W[ind],
Fine
40
Rain Showers
Snow Flurries etc.,
Hreezing, H[igh]
W[ind.]
42
H[igh] C[old]
W[ind,] Fine
21. W .
22 . T .
Jno[was]at Mac's Rag-Bee P.M. A[g], 33
Jno. &I [were] there [in the] even- H[igh] c[old]
[ing.] Acheson & wife [came] for W[ind,] Showery.
tea-(strangers.
)
Jno. [was] in C[linton]
A[g] & B[ella were] in
P.M. [I] Rid.....swept,
etc.
A. [M.] &
Cflinton]
.....yard
31
Beautiful &
Hot
April, 1897 260
23 . F . Fa[ther] walked to C[linton.I was] Lots of Heavy 35
Mending etc. Rain & large Hail
storm P.M.
24 . S .
25 . S .
Fa[ther was] at Jno. Thomson *
s for Showery,
pigs[.
] Very Warmm.
A[g] & I [were in church](Rev.Stew- Rainy
art.
) Ad[am &] J[ohn went in the
evening.]
22
34
26. M.
27 . T .
Elsie Thomson [was] here for [a]
calf & [a] Roosterf.She is getting
teeth pulled[.Elsie,]A[g] & B[ella
wereJin Cflinton. I]Took out a lot
of rotten apples[.]
40
H[igh] C[old]
W[ind,] Shower,
Fine.
[A[g was]in Cflinton] P.M. B[ella] 33
& I [are] making [her a] dress[.] Sunny, Fine
28. W. Fa[ther]& Mo[ther were] at Jessie* 36
Wig[ginton's] Wedding [this] even- Fine, Like Rain
[ing.]....[I] finis[hed] Bfella’
s]
dress etc., etc.
*The groom was a Mr Hodgins
29. T. [I] Cleaned [the] H[ens’] Platform Fine 35
[and mended a] slipper[.] Fa[ther
is] grafting these days[.]
30. F. A[g] & I washed[.] Like R[ain,] Rainy. 34
May, 1897
1. S. [I] Finished mending[the] slippers Raining 30
[and] sewed [the] soles on[.
]
2. S. A[g] & B[ella were in church](Rich- 34
ardson, [a] graduate [student.])
3. M. B[ella)H[ouse] C[leaned the]pantry 21
[and] A[g] ironed[.] Mac [was here Dull, Misty
in the] morn[ing. The Calder kid
[came for] dinner[
. I did] sorting
[of] old letters etc.
4. T . Jno.[was]in C[linton]P.M. Flfuker] 32
& Jno. [were] in Varna [this] even­
ting with] Dewdrop[.
] Fa[ther is]
grafting[. I S[orted more] old let­
ters] etc.,etc.
5. W. [I] Washed[.]Jno.[worked at soap.] 18
A1 Wise[was here this] morn[ing[.] Fine
6. T. Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M. Slight Shower 20
7. F. Fa[ther] & Mo[ther were] visiting Beautiful & 28
[in] Varna[.
] Jno.[went to] Bruce- Hot
field with wool[.]
8. S. [I did some] Mending[
. We] Sowed Beautiful 15
flax [at the] end [of the]Rathwell
bush[. The] Cows [were] out all
night[.]
May, 1897 261
20
9. S. B[ella] & I & l[sabella] P[earl Nice,
were] in Cfhurch] (Rev. Stewart.) H[eavy] Rain,
Cows [were] in[.
] even[ing.]
10. M.
11 . T .
12 . W.
13 . T .
14 . F .
15 . S .
16 . S .
17 . M.
18 . T .
19. W.
[Jim] Barkley came for dinner & 20
U[ncle Jas.for tea[.] Adam brought
up [some] fish [this] mornfing.] Beautiful & Hot
B[ella] took up her B[ed] R[oom]
carpet etc.,etc. [I] Put away furs
etc. I[sabella] P[earl [was here]
all day[.
]
B[ella] & I [were] in C[linton.] A. 22
Wise & "Yes Missus"
A[g] & I washed A.M. I [was] with Fine, Hot, 18
Fafther] & [the] McGregor's in Bru- Heavy Showers
cefield P.M. Streaching (sic) B[el- Mornfing]
la]’s carpet [in the] even[ing.] Fine, cooler
Aunty came up to go to cflinton.]
Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M. Mary
Cuming[was] here P.M. [I]Put down
[the] S[pare] B[ed] Room carpet &
finis[hed the] other one etc.,tc.
Jno. C[uming] & I [were] at Ned's
P.M. [and at] Will's [in the]even­
ting, along with A[g], Liley,& Ab
Nott[.]
[I] Hung [my] B[ed Room door on
[
the] other side & put on [a]
lock etc. Fa[ther was in C[lin-
ton.] [A] Jew called[in the] even­
ting. ]
A[g] & B[ella] & Fluker [were] in
Church[.] A[g and] Jno.[went at
night.]
[I]Planted 18 rows[of]
mangoIs P.M.
G.Middleton & Irish Elliot [were]
here [in the] even[ing.
]
Fa[ther was] in Cflinton. I] Dug
around rose-bushes,[did] Mending, Fine
etc.Graham Herbison called[.]
17
Fine & Nice
Shower
Dull,Misty &
cold
29
21
Cool & Lovely
20
26
23
22
[I]Planted 9 rows mangols & 1 Red
carrot s & Beets[.] Jno. & I plan­
ted 10 rows carrots[.] I helped like rain
churn A.M. Jno. & Fl[uker]shipped-
[a] Bull to Oak Lake, [Manitoba],*
P.M.
* William Mac Farlane had a farm there.
20 . T .
21 . F .
22 . S .
A[g] Ironed [and I did] Mending
etc. Rainy
26
Is & I[were] in C[linton. We] got
[the]hall carpet home[.] A[g] & I
[were] at Ned's[in the] even[ing]
for straw[.
]
27
Fine & C[old]
W[ind,] Frost.
[Ag, Bella & I put] down [the car­
pet[.] Fa[ther was] in C[linton] Fine
[for] corn[.]
15
May, 1897 262
23. S
24 . M .
25. T
26. W
27 . T
28. F
29. S
30. S
31 . M
1. T
2. W
3. T
4. F
. Is[abel Glen]& I[were]in C[hurch]
(Rev. Stewart.) Jno.[went in the
evening.]
. [I] Planted some onions[.] A[g
scrubbed for Jane[.] B[ella]wash-
ed her curtains & hall ones &
ironed[.]
. A[g] & Bella [were] at Jno. Thom­
son's for pigs[.]
. Mr & Mrs Fluker [were here] for
dinner[
. I] Planted tomatoes &
onions
. A[g] & I washed[.] A[g] & B[ella
were] in C[1inton.
]
. Fl[uker] & I were in cfhurch]
(Rev. Bradley- Mitchell.) "This
is my beloved son in whom I am
well pleased.*
. Fa[ther was] in C[linton] with
Ned (horse & steers.) Ned[was]in
Seaforth in[the] cart with horse
Polly[.]
. Fa[ther],Jane, Ned, Fl[uker] & I
[were]in c[hurch] with our horse
in Ned's buggy[
.](
Rev. Stewart)
Jno. & A[g went at night.]
. Dunham & Woolcott[and] two horse
buyers[came]for dinner etc.[The]
Girls [are] making Fa[ther]'s
shirts[.] Started fringe for tap­
estry mat[.
]
June, 1897
. [We] Shipped 68 sheep P.M. (some
had lambs[
. I] Mended [a] para-
sol[.]
. A[g] & I washed[.] A[g] & B[ella
were] in C[linton] P.M. Jno.,F[l-
uker] & I planted 12 rows of pot-
atoes[.] Fa[ther]planted as many
at [the] Rath[well field......E.
& W. at barn pump[.
]
. Fa[ther]walked to C[linton.] I s ­
abella] P[earl was]here P.M .Ned
& Jno.washed his sheep[.I worked]
at Fa[
ther]'s shirts[.]
. [I] Finis[hed the] button-holes
etc., [on] Fa[
ther]'s shirts[.I]
Sewed [the] facing on B[ella]'s
Br[own] dress etc. [I finished
the] mat fringe [at] night[.]Ned
[drove] Polly in[to] C[linton.
The] Rev., Mrs & Douglas Stewart
called P.M.
24
Rainy, Dull
24
Dull & Cold
24
Fine, C[old] W[ind]
24
Fine & warm
16
16
Drizzley & cool.
21
Fine & Cool
24
Raining Noon &
P.M.
24
Fine & Cold
25
Fine & Cool
22
Fine
33
Raining, Heavy
showers
22
Fine - Dull
C[old] W[ind]
June, 1897 263
[I] Finisfhed] B[ella]’
s dress
& darned socks A.M. [Ned] & Jno.
[drove Polly]infto]C[linton this] Dull, Rain
mornfing.] Bfella] & I [were] in
Cflinton] P.M.
A[g] & Bfella] & Ffluker were]in
Cfhurch.] Raining P.M.
Flfuker was] at Ned's cleaning Raining
wheat[.] Jarvis & Mekin [were]
heref.] Fa[[ther], Jno. & Bfella
were] at Ned’
s for turkey din­
ner[
. I] Made pies[and was] mend­
ing bags[.]
Fafther] walked to Cflinton.]
Jno. Fine
[was]in Cflinton with a]loadfof]
wheat & Ned [went] with a load
too[.] Afg] churned etc. [I was]
Mending bags all dayf.]
18
18
29
28
Mother dyed socks brown etc. Jno. 21
[was] in C[linton om the]horse &
Ned & Flfuker] with loads [of]
wheat (ours & his)[.] Afg] & I
washed etc. [The] Foote* boys
[were] here [and] bought [a]
bullf.]U[ncle James was here]P.M.
Ned’
s & Fen[wick] & Adam [came
in the] evenfing.] * Foote s farmed on
the Bayfeld Road at Con IV.
I[was] in C[linton]with Fafther] 22
en route for Old Country ship
"Scotsman"[.] Mac[here this]morn-
ting.] Ned & Jno. [were]in C[lin-
ton] for salt etc. Foote's [came
after thhir] bfull at] noon[. I]
Mended Fl[uker]'s p[an]ts [this]
evenfing.]
[I was] in Cflinton at]noon with 31
Bfella] en route for Goderich(to
teach.) [I] Finisfhed] binding Rain A.M.
Bfella's skirt A.M. Mofther was] Dull Fine P.M.
at Lizzie's "rag-bee" P.M.
Ned, Jane & I[sabella] P[earl 23
were] in Cflinton] P.M.[driving]
Polly[.
] Jno.[was]at Scott’s for Fine & Hot
oats[.I]C[leaned the]H[en]H[ouse Rain
[and] put the rest of frames in
the unpacked hive[.]
Afg],Flfuker & I[were in church] Fine 26
(
Rev. Stewart.
) Bees swarmed out
[
and then] returned[.]
[I] Finis[hed] planting onions & 23
beans[.] G.O. Sturdy [came] for
dinner[.] Jno.[was] in Cflinton] Fine & Hot
P.M. [for] chopf.] 1st swarm of Slight Rain
bees [from the ] brown hive-only
about 1 q[uar]t[er of the] bees
stayed[.]
[John was in Clinton in the]even- 30
[ing.]FI[
uker was]in Varna[
with]
Dewdrop[.
] A[g] & I [were] at
Lizzie's P.M. sewing rags[.]
5 . S .
6. S .
7. M.
8. T .
9. W.
10 . T .
11 . F .
12 . S .
13 . S .
14. M.
15 . T .
June, 1897 264
16. W. A[g] & I washedf.
] Jno. & Ned 30
[were] in C[lintonj P.M. &[were]
planting"nips'
*
[in the]
even[ing.]
Washed hair
17 . T .
18 . F .
19 . S .
20 . S .
21. M.
Ned [was] here planting turnips
with [the] boys[.] Sowed rape
too[.] A[g] scrubbed boys' stair
& churned[.] Jno. & I filled 6
bags [of] pot[atoes[.] I wheeled
out a half dozen barrowffuls of]
clay, buds & rotten ones[.]
[I] Helped iron[.] Jane & [the]
kids [were] here[.] Jno. finis Fine & cool
[hed] sowing tuirnips & [was] in
C[linton in the] even[ing.]...
..[The] Men[are] at road work[.]
Ned & Jno.[are] dipping lambs[.]
Will finis[hed] road work A.M. & Slight Rain
rolling P.M. I [was] in C[linton Fine & Warm
Mid-day[.]
27
32
A[g],F[luker] & I[were in]church FinefColdf 28
(Rev. Stewart.)
Thanksgiving serm- C[ool] W[ind]
on[in honour of]Queen Victoria’s
Diamond Jubilee[.]Jno. & A[dam]
went at night.
]
Cardiff’
s at Stewart’
s[.]F[luker] 30
scuffled mangols[.] Jno. &Ned was­
hed buggies P.M. [I] took 3 bar- Cold
rows out of[the] cellar P.M. etc.
[I] C[leaned] H[en] Roosts - (I
think.)
22. T. Jubilee Celebrations Jno. &
A[g] & Ned [were]in C[linton]A.M.
F[luker went] up P.M. A[g] stay- Fine
ed[.
] Jno. went back[in the]even­
ting. ]
23. W. [The]White[bee] box swarmed[when
I] 1st lifted it out of [the]
chaff[
. We are] Ma king cellar Hot
steps[.] Ned’
s, & Mrs [Ann],Bell,
& Mag[gie]McEwen[were here this]
even[ing.
]
17
22
24. T. A[g was] in C[linton] P.M. Jno. Cool & Dull
[was] at Ned’
s P.M. [I] Churned Hot[t]er
A.M.
18
25. F. A[g] & I washed[
.]F[luker’
s]
weed­
ing roots these days[.] Bees
swarmed & [then] returned[.] Ned
[was]in B[rucefield[with]wool[.
]
26. S. Jno. & I [were] in Brucefield[.
]
Fl[uker] finis[hed] thinning man-
gols[. The bees swarmed in the]
2nd brown [hive.]
14
Coldish
N[orth] W[ind.]
C[old] W[ind]
nFine
27. S. Jane & I [were in church] (Rev.
Morrison[of]Toronto preaching to
"Masons’
’ P.M. Jno. & A[dam went
at night[.] Bees swarmed[in the]
3rd brown [hive.]
C[old] W[ind]
Fine
10
9
June, 1897 265
28 . H.
29 . T .
30. W.
1. T .
[I] Washed 2 bee boxes[andC[lean­
ed all [of] the H[en] H[ouse.]
FI[
uker] cleaned 10 rows car- Fine
rots[.] A[g did the] ironing[.]
Guelph excursion
Jno.[was]in C[linton] P.M.[for] Rain
flour etc. B[ee]'s [in the] 4th Very Warm
B[ox I] put in [the] 3rd[.
]
[This] morn[ing I] Churned,A[g] Misty
washed [and] Mo[ther] baked[.] Fine & Hot
Aunty & I [were]in C[linton]P.M.
Bella [came] home[.]
16
14
9
July, 1897
Fixing Cellar steps* Jno.[did]
1st mowing** [by] Mac’s bush &
U[ncle] Jno.'s[. I]Took 2frames
[of] honey from [the] old Brown
[hive.] A[g did the] ironing[.]
Stanbury & Craig [called here
[in the] even[ing.j
* John and Adam did a lot of
carpentry and small cement work for most of
their adult lives. **It used to be an
article of faith that one could not cut
hay before July 1st. A century later, most
the hay is off by then. Hay taken off in June
has more food value.
Fine & Hot
2. F .
3. S .
4. S .
A[g] & B[ella] & Ifsabella] 11
P[earl were] at Jno. Thom-
son’
s[.We are]Almost finisfhed
the] steps[.]Jno. [did] mowing
A.M.,[then] raked & coiled[.
]
Doubled hive swarmed out[.]
[We finished the steps.] White
hive swarmed[.] Raking hay A.M.,
[the]Boys coiled & hauled in 1
load[.] Jno. [was] in C[linton
in the] even[ing with the] fat
cow[.
]
Fl[uker], B[ella] &I [were] in 17
C[hurch](Rev. Richardson.) Jno.
[went at night.]
10
Very Hot
94 [degrees F.]
5. M. [I]C[leaned] Roost boards,made 11
[a] divide board [and a] hid­
ing room etc.* [We were]mowing 99 [degrees F] P.M.
A.M. & part P.M. Fl[uker]scuf- SlightRain
fled corn[.The]Men hauled in 2
loads [of] hay [in the] even­
ting. ]
*When laying hens get hatching notions, they
will stubbornly sit on their eggs and peck
any hand reaching under them. The hen is
locked up in a confined space until her
attitude changes[.]
6. T. [I was]Pulling mustard A.M.[The 9
Men hauled in 8 loads[and were]
Raking P.M. A[g was] in C[lin- Fine & Hot
P.M. for Mrs Nott & Aisie P.M.
Mrs[
Nicholas]
Cuming[
was]
here[.]
Jane [was off]seeing Aunt Abby
7
July, 1897 266
7. W. [I] Washed out [my] room A.M
Jno.[was]
mowing A.M. [The]Boys
hauled in 6 loads [of] hay P.M.
[I raked and drove the team
with the hay]-loader[.]
8. T. [We hauled in] 6[loads,
etc.
Mrs
& Maggie McGregor arrived [in
the even[ing.]
Fowlie[was here]
all night[.]
9. F[luker] mowed [the] "big tree"
field[. We] Finis[hed] raking
[the]2nd field A.M.[and]hauled
in 2 loads P.M. Mrs Nott etc.,
[was up] at U[ncle] Jno.’
s[.]
Ab came up with them & stayed
all night[.]
10. S. I [was] raking [hay] etc.[We]
hauled in 6 loads..[of] hay[.j
A[g was in C[linton. She] took
Ellie home P.M. [and] took the
McGregor'
s home [in the even­
ting. ]
11. S. Ffluker], A[g] & I [were in]
C[hurch](Rev. Richardson.) Jno.
& A[dam went at night.]
12. M. Fl[uker was] mowing [and] scuf­
fled after tea[.]A[g]scrubbed[
I was]dusting potatoes all day
etc.at Rathwell’s[.]Jno.& Adam
at Bayfield [attending the Or­
ange walk.]
13. T. A[g] & I washed etc. [I] Hoed
some onions [in the even[ing.]
Jno. [was] in C[linton in the]
even[ing.
]
14. W. A[g was] in C[linton] A.M. Fl[
uker [was] mowing[
. I [was] Ra­
king P.M. S
t hauled in 2 loads
[in the] even[ing.I] Finis[hed
hoeing onions and] waxed beans
[and] greened 12 rows [of pota­
toes.
] at [the] barn [in the]
even[ing.
]
8.
16
15
8
Misty, Slight
R[ain] P.M.
Fine & Cooler.
14
21
Light Shower
19
Fine & Cool
15 . T .
16 . F .
17 . S
Eliz[abeth] McGregor, Carrie &
Jennie Grant arrived [at]noon[.
I] Finis[hed]greening [the]Rat-
hwell pot[atoes this] morn-
ting.We]Hauled in 6 loads[and]
finis[hed the] Watering Place
field[.] Will* finis[hed] mow­
ing [at] noon[.]
13
Fine & Cool
A[g]&B[
ella werejin C[linton.
]
I [did the] raking etc. [We]
Hauled in [a] stack(6 loads.)
[We hauled in] 5 [loads and]
finisfhed] haying[.
] A[g & Liz-
[zie were] in C[linton] P.M.
Ned,Adam & J[oe] Jacobs3 were]
here for dinner[.]
*wiU4.MA Flukerl
31
•'Fine & Warm
CooJ W[ind. ] 33
8
July, 1897 267
18 . S .
19. M.
20 . T .
21 .
22 .
W.
T .
23. F.
24 . S .
25 . S .
B[ella],Liz[zie& Fl[uker[wereJ
in Cfhurch](
J.A. McDonald, Var­
na. )
A[g] & I washed[
. I] cut out a
blouse P.M. Adam brought Fa­
ther's] letter[.]
Jno.[was]in C[linton this]morn-
ting.] A[g] & B[ella were] in
Bayfield [at a] picnic[.] Jno.
[was]plowing sod P.M.[and]Will
[was] thinning nips
A[g was] in Cflinton] P.M.
Ned & Jane [were] in Cflinton]
P.M. [The] Kids[stayed]here[.
]
[I] Worked at [the].....dress
A.M. [I was] pulling & stoning
cherries P.M.
A[g was] ironing all day -3
w[ee]k's worth[.I worked at the
....dress] all day[.]Jno.[was]
reaping wheat P.M. U[ncle
James],Adam & Fen[wick] called
here P.M. Annie & Ida [came in
the] even[ing.
]
I[was] in C[linton] P.M. [and]
got Cabbage & TomatoM plants[.]
Plowing A.M & finis[hed] wheat
P.M.
F[luker],Liz[zie] & I [were]in
Cfhurch](Rev. Richardsson.)
P.M.
Fine
Rain P.M
Poured P.M.
Heavy shower P.M.
Poured P.M.
Like rain
but Fine
27
28
20
24
35
Heavy Rain A.M.
Fine P.M.
21
Misty, Fine
24
Fine & Warm
26. M. Liz. McGregor went home[.] A[g]
& Jane went [this] morn[ing]to
berry [at] McKenzie's[. I] plan­
ted 158 celery plants etc.
T. A[g] washed & picked[.I was] in
C[lnton] P.M.
28
27 .
28 .
29.
30.
W. A[g] & I [went] picking berries
T .
Showery
Fine,
Misty Rain
F.
31. S .
P.M.(20 lbs.) Misty Rain,Fine,
Making muslin [curtains] A.M.,
[I] Washed p[an]ts [and] lace Fine
curtains P.M. etc
Jane & I picked 30 lbs [of]
Rasp[berrie]s[
. This] even[ing]
A[g], B[ella] & I [visited Jes­
sie] Wigg[inton-now] Mrs Hod-
gins [.We] Hauled in 5 loads[of]
wheat P.M.
[We hauled in the remaining 5 Fine
loads of wheat] P.M. A[g]& F1[U-
ker were] in Cflinton thisjett&ji-*
[ing.]Mrs & Joe Reynolds faante]
for tea[.
]
26
18
42
27
Fine, Sprinkled
24
August,1897 268
A[g],B[ella] & Fl[uker were] in
C[hurch[]
Adam & Jno. [went at
night
Will [was] scuffling rape & Jno.
[was] plowingf.]A[g] & I [were]
in [the] river (1st time [I] ev­
er was[
. I] Greened potatoes[.]
Ida [Stewart was up on[her]byke
for sugar[.]
[I] Cleaned[my] room & hung cur­
tains P.M. Jno. & A[g were] in
C[linton] P.M. [I] Raked [the]
wheat field A.M. [and] helped
take in [the gleanings.] P.M.
A[g] & I washed[. I] looked at
[the] bees A.M. Jno. [was] in
C[linton] P.M. [A] Rags & Dry
goods pedlar called [this] even­
ting. ]
Fine 19
30
27
Hot
35
Fine, Slight
Driz[zle] P,M,
[I] Made nose bags, etc.
, [and]
lengthened Jno.’s p[an]ts[.]
A[g] iron[.]A[g] & B[ella[were] Fine
at U[ncle Jame’
s this] even­
ting.] Mrs Alex, and Edna Innis4
[came this] even[ing] afteer[a]
turkey[.](It wasU[ncle Jame's.]
A[g] & I washed Blankets &
quilts & Fa[ther's p[an]ts etc.
A[g] scrubbed[.] Mrs Wigginton
& Jessie Hodgins called [this]
even[ing.
]
A[g was] in C[linton] P.M. Ned
[was] here cutting flax[.]
30
27
32
A[g], Ffluker], & I [were] in
C[hurch] (
Rev. Stewart*
)
Jno. started oats [in] Rath-
well’
s[I] Took [John and Will]
down their dinners[
. I] Melted
some wax etc. A[g]pulled & pre­
serves (sic) peaches(not ripe
but rotting[.] Jennie G[rant]
[was] here P.M. A[g] & B[ella
were] at[The] Master's[in the]
even[ing.
]
34
36
Sprinkle, Rain
A[g] S
t Jane[were] in C[linton] 27
P.M. [I did] Mending etc.[The] H[eavy] R[ain] A.M.
Boys [were] cutting oats P.M. Fine P.M.
A[g] & I washed, [did] Mending,
etc. Isa[bella] went home with
Jennie[.}
[Isabella was] badk at noon in
C[linton.I worked] at Cleaning
[the] cellarf.
]
31
Fine & Cool
31
Raking “Green Feed" P.M. [The]
Boys finis[hed] cutting oats Warm
A.M.[and]Hauled in 3 loads[of]
G[reen] F[eed.]
27
1. s .
2 . M.
3« T .
4 . W.
5. T.
6. F .
7. S .
8. S.
9 . M.
10 . T .
11 . W.
12 . T *
13 . F .
August, 1897 269
Raking, etc Fellow for tea
[We hauled in] 2 [loads of
green feed] A.M.[and] 2 [loads
of] Flax P.M.
Flfuker], B[ella] & I [were]in
C[hurch.](Rev. Stewart.
)
Jno. [was] in C[linton] [for]
wire[.] C. Reid called P.M. &
Sid Smith bought 7 steers [in
the] evenfing.]
A[g & B[ella were]in C[linton]
P.M. [The] Boys hauled in 1
load[of] oats[this] evenfing.]
Mrs Woon called P.M. [about
help for threshing[.]
A[g] washed[
. We] Hauled in 5
loads [of]oats[.j
[I] flelped churn, & wash 4[com­
forters] ,F1[ [uker] ’
s quilt & 3
top quilts,etc,etc.[We] Hauled
in 2 loads[of] oats [this even-
[ing, and I Mended Fl[uker]'s
p[an]ts [at] night[.]
[We hauled in]4[loads of oats
and] Will[Fluker was]at Mac's
threshing P.M. A[g was] in
C[linton] P.M.
[We] Haujedd in all 7 [remain­
ing] loads [of] oats[.] Woon.
kids called about threshing[.]
A[g], B[ellla] & F[luker were
in CChurch. I] Stayed with
[the] kids[.]
[I] Banked up celery[for the]
1st time,replanted[the] Calla
& put [the] Primrose in [a]
larger pot[.]
A[g] & I washed[.
] Will[Fluk-
er was] at Woon'
s threshing &
Jno. was helping Ned haul in
oats(.
]
[Will was] gang-ploughing[.]
A[g],B[ella] & I[were]at[the]
S[abbath] S[chool] & C[hris-
tian] E[ducation] Society Con­
vention P.M.Jno[went to]C[lin­
ton] on [his] byke[.]
A[g] ironedf. I] Plastered ar­
ound [my] B[ed Room door etc.
Will [was] pulling peas[which
are] black [and] mouldy[.]Jno.
[was] in C[linton at] noon on
[
his] byke[.]
Mending,etc.A[g was] in C[lin­
ton] P.M.
Rain,Even[ing]
Fine
Raining
Fine
Rain Even[ing]
Fine, Rain
Fine
Rain Even[ing]
Fine
14 . S .
15 . S .
16 . M.
17 . T .
18 W .
19. T.
20. F.
21. S.
22 S .
23 . M.
24 . T .
25 . W.
26 . T .
27 . F .
42
34
23
35
24
28
25
20
17
24
17
27
24
22
August, 1897 270
28 . S .
29 . S .
30. H.
31. T.
Will finis[hed the] peas[. I]
Washed [the] hen-roosts with
Lttle's Sheep Dip A.M.,ironed
& [did] mending[.] Jno. [was]
at D[uncan]
McEwen's for wheat,
[which he] sowed[.]Will went
home[.
]
B[ellaj & I[were] in C[hurch] .Rain even[ing]
(
Rev. Stewart.
)
Mending etc.[The] Boys hauled Fine
in[the] 1st load[of] peas [in
the] even[ing.
]
[The Boys hauled in] 2 [loads
and] finisfhed the peas.] P.M.
[I]Banked some cele[ry and I]
Took B[ella] to [the] station
[en route to]Goderich[.J Jno.
& X [were] at Mrs Thomas
Fraser's funeral A.M.
September, 1897
19
18
26
1
. w.
2. T. *
3. F .
4. S .
5. S.
A[g] & I washed[.] Will [was] plow- Raining P.M. 19
ing [with the] gang* [plow A.M.
*A gang plow has a seat,
allowing the plowman to ride.
I [was] in C[linton] P.M.,at [the] Fine 19
Flower Show.] Jno. [came in the]
even[ing on his] byke[.]Annie Stew­
art[was]here for pears[.] Fen[wick
stayed] for tea[.]
Jane & I [were] at Ben-Miller[.
] Beautiful 18
Lizzie McTavish [was here] P.M.
[I]Hilled up celery, [did] Mending 17
[and] washed[my]hair etc. Ida[was] Beautiful & Hot
here P.M. [The] Fat sheep died[.]
A[g, Flfuker] & I [were in church] 25
(Rev. Stewart.) Jno. & Ad[am went
in the] even[ing.] Aunt Mary got
kicked[.]*
*Mary (Barkley) Stewart, my Great-Grand­
mother died 8 months after this, on April 26,1898,
fatally weakened by a "double whammy" -flu and
pneumonia. One wonders if this kick - by horse, cow
or other- we are not told, began her precipitate
decline in health? K.F.S.
6. M. [I] went to see Aunt Mary [in
the] morn [ing.] ......Fl[uker Very Warm
[was]helping Ned[.
]
26
7. T . Jno.,Adam & I [were] in C[linton]
P.M. at Ellie’
s & Finley's[.]
13
8. W. Mending Jno. & Fl[uker were] at
Wigg[inton’
s] threshing A.M. Jno.
& Adam[were] in C[linton this]ev­
en[ing and stayed] at Ned's all
night[.] Ned, Will & Jno. Stewart
[are] at "Toronto Fair[.]"
23
September, 1897 271
10 . F . Baking A[g] & F[luker were] in
C[linton this] even[ing.]
20
11 . S . Jno.,Ned,A[g],I[sabella] P[earl]
& Fluker [were] in C[linton] A.M.
meeting Fa[ther— home with 60
sheep & [a]horse[.]U[ncle James]
& U[ncle] Jno. [were] here P.M.
Rain Mom [ing],
Fine
14
12 . S. Fa[ther] & I [were] in C[hurch]
(Rev. Stewart.)
Fine 9
13 . M. Fl[uker was] with Ned [and] Jno. Fine 11
[was] washing sheep[*] I [was]in
C[linton] P.M. Mo[ther]churned &
made cheese[.] Fl[ukerj went to
Varna [to]night with Dewdrop,
[the]heifer cow[.]A[g] & I drove
for him[.
]
14. T. A[g] & I washed[.]Mo[ther was ba- Hot 11
king & made cheese[.]Fa[ther was
at Mac’
s A.M. & A. Dunlin's P.M.
15. W.
16. T.
17. F.
18 . S .
Fa[ther], Mo[ther] & I [were] in 24
London[.] Jno drove to & fro[m]
Brucefield[.
] R. Coats,*[an] Am­
erican Gent & Lady & [the] Den­
nisons called[.
]
Jane & I [were] in C[linton] P.M. 9
for Plums etc. A[g] fetched[the]
kids in here[. The] Sturdy men
[were here] for tea[.]P.
McGregor
called[.] Mr Wright from London
[was here] all night[.]
Jno. took [Mr] Wright to[the]mor- 17
ning train[.]Fa[ther]& Jno.[were]
at Jno. Thomson’s[.] A[g was]cook- Cold Wind,Fine
ing plums, baking bread,etc.A[g]
& Will churned [at] night[.]
Jno. [was] in Cflinton this]morn- 7
ing shipping "Old Billy’ to [Mr]
Wright[.] Farther] walked, [and Fine,C[old] W[ind]
went] home with Sturdy[.] I met
[Father in the] even[ing.We haul­
ed in 3 loads [of] clover[.]
19. S. A[g],F[luker]&I[were]in C[hurch] 10
(Rev. Stewart.) Ida & I [were]
at Ned’’
s for dinner[.]Aunty[is]
home[.
]
20. M. [I] Cut out[a] cape[.] Ned [was] 12
[was] here & hauled in 2 loads
[of] clover[.]J.W.Sturdy brought
down[the] 9 lambs Fa[ther]
bought
[and stayed] here for dinner[.]
21. T. A[g was] in C[linton] A.M. & Ned 12
[came] home with her[.]Ned[was]
cutting corn P.M. Jno. left [at] a little warmer
night[with] Polly [for] Goderich
Fair tomorrow[.]
W. [Ned was here] all day stook-
ing[.
] A[g]& I washed[.
]
22 .
Fine & nice
12
September, 1897 272
Fa[ther]walked to Cflinton -got]
home with Will[.]Jane & I [were]
at Scott’
s [this] even[ing.]
Perdue kids[here this]
morn[ing.]
Threshers [stayed] all night[.]
[I] Made 2 jell's. Drop Ginger &
7 pies[. I was] at Jane's P.M.
[and]made 6 b[
utton]-holes[in a]
smock[.]
[The men were] threshing [here]
all day [and] moved to Ned’
s [in
the] even[ing. I was] at Jane's
[at] noon for bread-[[baking.I]
made 5 tart & 3 turn-over apple
pies P.M.
Jane [is] sick[.] Fa[ther] & A[g C[old] W[ind]
[were in church [and] I [was] at
Jane’
s[.] Jno. & Fa[ther in the]
even[ing were] fightingfa] bush
fire started by coon-hunters[.]
Jno. & FI[uker were] at Ned'
s
threshing[.] A[g was] pulling Fine & cool
apples etc. T[om] Frazer [came]
for tea[.
]
Fa[
ther was]in C[linton.
] I[
was] Cool W[ind]
in C[lintonj with Fair stuff[.]
Jno.[was]
trimming[.]Fl[uker was]
at [?’
s] threshing for Mac[.]
Fa[ther] & Fl[uker]took 7 steers Fine
for Sid.Smith & Herd P.A.to Clin­
ton Fair[.] Jno.& Ned each [had]
a wagon of sheep [and they] took
pigs too[.]Bella[came]
home[this]
morn[ing.] A[g]& B[ella came]P.M.
etc. Mr & Mrs Calder [were here]
for dinner & tea[.
]
G.O. Sturdy[was here] for dinner
& tea[.
] Jno.walked to Cflinton]
P.M. [to] post letters[.]Fa[ther Very dry & dusty
& he[were] at T[om] Frazer’
s P.M.
[and] bought sheep[
.] Jno.[went]
after some of them with [the]wag-
on[.]
October, 1897
Jno.[was] at Bayfield Fair [with
a]load of sheep[.]Fa[ther] & A[g
[rode in the] buggy [to Bayfield Fine & Cooler
Fair[. I] made pies[.Aunty, Jane
& the kids [were here] P.M.
A. Wise called [to retrieve his]
’
’
lost lamb’
’] Fa[ther] walked to
Cflinton.] Ned[was] here putting
in straw[.I was] Stoneing grapes
etc.
F[[luker], B[ella] & I [were] in
C[hurch](Rev. Stewart- Text’
Book
of Daniel’.
]
B[ella] & I [were] in C[linton.]
Jno. & F[luker are] hauling in Wanner
[the] hay stack[.* A] horse &
sheep buyer [came by] P.M.[and
23 . T .
24 . F .
25 . S .
26 . S .
27 . M.
28 . T .
29. W .
30. T.
1. F .
2. S .
3. S .
4. M .
11
8
9
11
19
5
5
7
7
7
October, 1897 273
5. T .
6. W.
7. T .
8. F .
9. S .
10. S .
11 . M.
12 . T .
13 . W.
14 . T .
15 . F .
stayed] for dinner.] Mr Balls
called P.M. Jno.[was]at Jno.Thom­
son's [at]night[.] Adam drove[.]
A[g] & I [were] washing at [the]
river[.] T[om] Frazer called[.]
[We] Finis[hed the] Haystack[.]
Parker[was here] for dinner with
lambs Fa[
ther]
bought[.]Weir[
was]
here [and] bought 2 pigs[.]
Slight Sprinkle
Rained
A[g] & I [were] washing at [the]
river- white clothes & 3 p[ai]rs
[of] old p[an]ts[.] Fl[uker was]
at Ned's P.M.[helping on the]saw­
ing machine[.* The] Master [was
here at] noon[.
] Jno. McNaughton
[was here this] even[ing.] *buzz saw
Fa[ther was] in C[linton] P.M.
Weir [came] after [his] pigs[.I]
Got grapes from Lizzie [Glen.]
Fl[uker was] at Woon's thresh­
ing P.M.I]Banked celery. Cleaned
[the] H[en]H[ouse]& our*room etc.
[I] Stayed with the kids [this]
even[ing.
]
*Ag & Lib turned a bedroom into a parlour.
A[g] & I [were] in C[linton at]
Church(Rev. Fletcher.) Flfuker
was] at Woon's till 4 O' c[loc]k.
Fa[ther] & Fl[uker worked] at
Rathwell[field] potatoes between
times[.]
A[g] & I [were] at [the] river
for [a] basketfof]grapes[.]&[we]
pulled [some] Smith apples A.M.
[The] Men [are] lifting potatoes
at [the] barn[.]
Fa[ther], Mo[ther], Flfuker & I
[
were]in C[hurch](Rev. Stewart.
)
[I] Made screens for [the] back
cellar windows A.M.[and I worked]
at [the]cape P.M. etc. [The] Men
finis[hed the potatoes[.]Fa[ther]
was pulling mangols & Fl[uker
was] hauling manure[.]
A[g], B[ella] & I [were] Pulling
1st apples[.]Fa[ther]&Jno.[were]
pulling mafngols.]Editor [Robt.]5
Holmes & kid & Rev. Riggs [of]
Blyth, called P.M.
[We] Pull[ed apples] all day[.]
Fa[ther]& Jno.[were pulling]Ma[n-
gols P.M. [with] Will hauling
[them] in[.]Ned's[were]at U[ncle
Jame]’
s [this] even[ing.]
[We pulled apples]till about 3 O'
c[loc]k[.] Ned [was] here[. The]
Men finis[hed the] mangols[.]
Will [was] hauling manure A.M.
Mrs Brigham & Mary Miller [were]
here P.M.
A[g] & I [did] washing[.Will was
hauling manure.] McTavish [was]
around[this] even[ing]asking[us]
to[a]
road-bee[
on]Isaac Street[.]
Slight Showers,
Wanner
Fine
Fine
Dull & Warmer
Slight showers
N[orth] W[ind],
Fine
Fine
22
Fine & Warm
15
Hot
9
i
3
X
3
1
4
3
3
October, 1897 274
16. S. Fl[uker] & Jno. [were] at W[m. ]
Glen's threshing P.M. & A(g
[was] with Lizzie[Glen.] I [was]
in C[linton] P.M.
17. S. A[g], B[ella] & Fl[uker were in
church](Rev. Stewart.) Jno.[went
at night[.I]Stayed with Ed[ward]
Jno.
Cold Wind 3
1
Cold W[ind],Fine
18. M. A[g was] at Wills A.M. Mother & 1
Aunty [were] visiting there P.M. Fine,
[The] Boys [were at Will's A.M. Cool Wind
[and] at U[ncle] Jno.’
s P.M.
19. T. A[gJ & B[ella were]in C[linton] 1
P.M.[The] Boys[were] at U[ncle] Wanner
Jno.'s & U[ncle James's] thresh­
ing!.]
20. W. [John and Will were at Uncle 1
James’
s threshing] A.M. [I] Men- Raining P.M.
ded dress & cape etc.
21. T. Fl[uker was]plowing[.]Jno.[was] 2
at Mac's threshing late P.M.
Fa[ther]pulled some carrots A.M. Dull, Misty
& he & A[g were]in C[lintonJP.M.
22. F. Jane & I [were] in C[linton]P.M. Fine 2
Jno.[is] at Mac’s threshing un­
til noon to-morrow[.]
23. S. [I] Done a little at [the] cape 1
[and] Put away summer hats etc. Misty, Fine P.M.
A[g] & I pulled [the] house Spy
tree P.M.
24. S. Fl[uker],Is, & I[were]in church
(
Rev. Stewart.)"Text"
Gen.
X1VIIl­
ls & 1st of 16[.] Jno.[went at
night.
]
25. M. [The] Calder’
s & U[ncle James
came] for dinner[.] Jno.[was]at
Butchart’
s threshing P.M.A[g] &
I finis[hed]pulling apples [and
I] Finished [the] cape [at]
night[.]
26. T. [The] Cantelon's [were] here[in
the] morn[ing[.We] P[acked] 5
bar[rels] D[uncan] McEwen [was
here] P.M. Aunty & A[g were] in
C[linton[.
]
Fine
Beautiful
2
1
1
27. W. McFarlane from Shakespeare[came] 1
for dinner &[stayed all night[.]
Fa[ther] & A[g were] in C[linton
with]apples [driving Ned’
s Team[.
We had] for dinner [this] even-
[ing] Ned’
s, Ned’
s Fa[
ther] & Mr
& Mrs McEwen
28. T. A[g] & Jane [were] in Cflinton] 2
P.M. Mo[ther] stayed with [the] Dull, Sprinkle
kids[.] Jno. [was] at D[uncan]
McEwen's threshing[.] A[g] & I
[were] at U[ncle James's [this]
even[ing.
]
October, 1897 275
29 . F .
30. S.
31 . S .
G.O. Sturdy [came] for dinner[.]
A[gj & I washed[
. The] Men
finis[hed] carrots[.] Jim Ross
[
was] h[ere this] even[ing.
]
1
Snow Sprinkles
Dull & Cold
[I was] planning [a] water-proof 3
cape & made pies P.M. Annie, Ida,
Lily & us [were] at Aunty's for Pleasant P.M.
tea [and for the] even[ing.]
Fa[ther] & A[g were] in C[hurch] Dull 1
(Rev. Shaw, Methodist,Bayfield.) C[old] W[ind]
Ad[am] & Jno.[went at night.]
November, 1897
1. M. [I] worked at[the] cape[.We had] Fine 1
Mr Vanmeter [from] Ohio for din-
ner[.
] Fa[ther] drove [him] to
Frazer's & H. Reid’
s & left[him]
there[.]
2. T. A[g] & I washed [and] P.M. [did]
Mending etc.[The] Cows [were] in
all night[.]
«
3. W. . Fa[ther] & Jno.[are]pulling nips
these days & Fl[uker is] plow
ing[.
]
4. T. [The] Men finis[hed] turnips[.] 2
A[g wasJin C[linton] A.M.for[the
new]
cellar stove[.]Cleaning[the]
H[en] H[ouse]- sheep-dipped lice
& fllousing it[•]
1
Raining, Rainy
Beautiful 1
5. F .
6. S.
[I] Finis[hed the hen house. In Fine, A.M. 3
the] even[ing I] sewed hooks on Rain, P.M.
[the] cape etc.
Jno. & I [were]at [the] Thomfas]
Inglis funeral [at]Ross'
es[.]P.M. [Cold Wind]
Bella]] Cleaned [the] veranda[.] Hail,Sprinkles etc.
Jno.[was in C[linton in the even­
ting.]
7. S. Flfuker], B[ella] & I [were] in Cool W[ind] 2
c[hurch](Rev. Stewart ""Covetous- Nice
ness.)Jno.& Ad[am went at night.]
8. M. [I was] Cleaning [the] wood-shed 3
[and] took onions to the cellar, Rainy
etc. Mo[ther is] at [the] soap
these days[.]
9. T. A[g] & I washed[.] Ned killed 1 1
pig[.] Turner, buying turk[ey]s,
etc.,called [this]even[ing.]Tene, Snowed -1st [time]
Will & Rob Baird,A.Walker & Tene
McEwen [were] here [to] night[.]
10. W. A[g]& I took in apples & I finis- Slight Snow- 4
[hed] sorting, etc.[at] night[.] Showers & Fine
Jane & [the] kids called[.] Jno.
[wasJin C[linton] P.M. with some
wheat & got [a] load[of] bran[.
]
11. T . [I]Finis[hed the] wood-shed,peel-
apples [in the] even[ing](1st for
drying), hung seives, etc. Jno.
[drove to]C[linton] in[the]buggy
for pig feed[.
]
3
Rain & Hail
Showers
H[igh] W[ind]
November, 1897 276
12 . F .
13 . S .
14 . S .
15. M.
A[g] & I took in Celery & Cab- Hail, 1
bage[.] Cattle[were] all in[for] C[old] W[ind],
1st[time] etc.) [I] took flowers Froze
downstairs[.] Fl[uker was] plow­
ing P.M. A[g] & B[ella were] at
Mac’
s [this] even[ing.]
[I] C[leaned the] H[en] H[ouse],
helped A[g] put up her stove,
sawed wood etc., etc.Fl[uker is]
plowing[.] Jno.[was]in C[linton]
for another ton [of] bran[.]
4
Dull, a little
W[armer.]
Flfuker],A[g] & B[ella were] in Raining P.M.
C[hurch](Rev.
McDonald,Seaforth.
)
A[g] & Jane [were] in Cflinton]
P.M. [The] Case boys [were] here
[this] even[ing] with sheep[
. I] Misty & Warm
Washed and helped put in Double Pouring Rain
Windows[.] Doubled hive bees etc.
B[ella]started tearingC[leaning]
Rags[. I] Peeled Ap[ple]s [this]
even[ing.
]
1
2
16 . T . A[g] & I washed, et., etc. Jno. 3
[has been]hauling gravel to[the] Fine, C[old] Nforth]
barn[.
] E[ast] W[ind],Frozen
17. W. [I] Killed 2 Ge[ese]& 4 Turfkeys
& 2 D[uc]ks A.M. Jno.& A[g were]
in C[linton] P.M.
2
Fine,So[me] Snow
flurries.
18. T. A[g] washed [the] ticks & blan- Fine, Dull 2
kets off [the]boys'beds & filled
[ ? in the] even[ing. I] set in
& partly packed 6 hives[.]
19. F . [I] Finis[hed packing the bee- Warmer
hives.] A[g] ironed & filled
Jno.’s tick[.
]
20 . S .
21. S .
22. M.
[I] Cleaned up [the] Bee-yard & 8
H[en] H[ouse] & straw off [the]
barn floor(where[we]filled [the] Fine, Bees Flying
ticks[.] Bfella] & I [were] in
C[linton] P.M. [A] pedler called
[this]
morn[ing.] Fa[ther was] at
J[ohn] Dunkin's & Ufncle James's.
U[ncle J[ames was] here P.M.
B[ella], Fl[uker] & I [were in Like R[ain], 3
church](Rev. Stewart. Text Rev. C[old] W[ind.]
3-45+46 "Leprosy type of sin.)"
Sorting honey [and] Saved some Dull, 2
P.M. T[om] Frazer called [this] Snow Even[ing.]
morn[ing] & B[ella was] Cleaning
[the] kitchen[.]
23. T. [I] Killed 5 geese[.]A[g] & Jane Snowing 4
[were] in C[linton] P.M. [The]
Boys [are] threshing flax[. The]
Dunkin kid & Hawkshaw called P.M.
24. W. A[g] &I washed[.]B[ella was off] Dull & 2
cleaning [the] school [house.]* fine & cold
Wiltsie [was] here [this] morn-
ting.] Jno.Thomson [came]for din­
ner [in his] cutter[.] D[ougall]
McTavish Jr. [was here] P.M. [in
a] buggy[.]
*Sabbath School examinations tomorrow on
Thanksgiving Day
November, 1897 277
25. T. Thanksgiving Bfella],Fl[uker], Raining
& I [were] at [the] Exam[.
] Rev.
Muir & Mr Scott [were the] exam­
iners[
.]
26. F. [I] Killed 2 G[eese] & 4 Turk- Pouring
[ey]s[.] A[g was] in Cflinton]
P.M.
3
2
27. S. [I] Killed 4 gob[bler]s & 3
geese [and] C[leaned the] H[en]
H[ouse etc. A[g was]in cflinton]
P.M* Jno. part-clipped Doll[.]
Flfuker] [was] plowing P.M.
28. S. A[g],Fl[uker3&I[were]in C[hurch]
{Rev.Stewart.) Jno. [went at
night.]
Frozenr Fine, 2
Snowed aa little.
3
29. M. W. Foote called [this]morning{.] 2
Fl[uker] hauled [in] some rails S[now] Showers &
[for kindling] wood[.
] Jno.[was] Blustery.
in Varna [paying] taxes A.M.
30. T. A[g] & I washed[.]A. Wise called 3
[this] mornfing.I] Killed 2 pigs C[ool] W[ind] &
& traded one with Ned[.
] Dull.
December, 1897
1. W. [I] Killed 5 Gob[bler]s [and I 1
was] sorting rags etc.,etc. A[g
was] in Cflinton] P.M. Fa[ther] Snowing & Stormy
cut up pork[.] Fl[uker was] at
Will’
s crushing[.]
2. T .
3. F .
T[om] Frazer called [to buy] but- 3
ter & Jno.Elliot[came]for tea[.]
A[g] & B[ella were] at U[ncle
James]'s [this] even[ing] & Jno.
drove the cutter 1st time[• The]
Boys finis[hed] threshing flax[.
I] Put hinges on [the] cellar
door[.
]
[I] Cut out flannel petticoat[.] Light Snow,Fine 3
4. S, [I] C[leaned the] H[en] H[ouse], Raining 1
Peeled Apples, ironed, etc., etc.
5. S. A[g],Fl[uker]& B[ella drove the] Blustery 2
buggy [to church](Rev. Stewart.)
A[dam & Jno. went at night[.]
6 M. B[ella] & I [were] in Cflinton] Light Snow 5
P.M. & at Ned's [in the] cutter[
.
The] Boys [have been] hauling
earth to the barn approach[.]*
*It appears that
MacFarlane’
s are building a gangway at the
barn.
7. T. A[g & I washed[.] Mother & A[g] 1
were at Churchill's (Annie Fergu­
son) P.M. Jno.[was]in Cflinton] Snowed soft snow,
P.M. [with] Ned[.] Aunty [has] Fine
gone to Green’
s[.] Fl[uker is]
hauling wood up[.
]
December, 1897 27 8
8. W. B[ella [is] teaching for "Master" 5
[these days.] Jno. &A[g were] in
C[linton] P.M.[in the] cutter[.] Fine & Bright,
[I] Sewed door-mat into frame Sottish.
[and]cut rags [this] even[ing.]
9. T* Webber [was] here all night[with 3
his double cutter[.I cut rags
and] cut out [a] cap[in the]even- Misty & Thawing
[ing.]
10. F. [I] Made cap & [did] mending etc. Pouring 5
T[om] Frazer brought Mr Windland
[of] Iowa here [this] even[ing.]
11. S. [I] C[leaned the] H[en] H[ouse], 4
Hooked a little, peeled apples, Slight Rain, Dull.
etc.etc.[Webber hitched into our
buggy & went home.
]
12. S. B[ella], Fl[uker] & I [were in 4
Church](Rev. Stewart.) A[g] took Dull,Slight Hail
in kid[.
] P.M.
13. M. A[g] scrubbed[.
] Bfella]dyed cot- 5
ton rags[. I] Hooked some [and]
finis[hed the] petticoat[.] Fa- Fine, Rained
[ther]& Jno.[were]at Sturdy’
s[.]
14. T. Fafther] & Win[dland[were]at Tom 5
Frazer's & [Tom] took [our visit- Rain
or] to A. Dunkin’
s[.]B[ella] & I
[were]in Cflinton] P.M. A[g] & I
washed A.M.
15. W. Jno.took W[indland] to[the] stat- Dull 3
ion [this] morn[ing] enroute for
Wingham[.I] Hooked a little [and
was] inC[linton] P.M. Mrs Green
[came] after [a] gander[.]
16. T.
17 . F.
18 . S .
19. S.
20. M.
[I hooked a little]A.M. Fa[ther] 6
walked to C[linton]P.M. Mr & Mrs Fine, Froze hard
E.A. Isard[were] here for dinner
& tea[.
]
Wm. Glen killed a pig P.M.[He] & 8
Ned were here cutting too[.I did
some] hookingf.The] Kids [were] Snowing & Blowing
at fa] party [
at] Mac’
s [to]-
night[.They]
got[
a]ride in Adam’
s
sleigh[.]
[More hooking], C[leaned] H[en] 4
H[ouse], Cleaned sheep insides
[and] Killed fat sheep P.M.
A[g] & Bfella were] in C[hurch] 7
(Rev Acheson, Kippen.) [The]cut- Fine,Snowed a little.
ter [was] scratchyf.
] Jno. & Ad-
[dam went at night[.]
[The] Sturdy boy fetched sheep 12
for Win[dland and stayed for din-
ner[.
] Webber [fetched a sheep C[old] W[ind,]
[and stayed] all night[.]Fa[ther Wanner, Snowed some
was] in Cflinton] A.M. Jno. & Wm.
[were] at Jno. Thomson's P.M.
21. T. A[g] & Bfella were] in C[linton] 8
P.M.[I]Finis[hed the]door mat[.]
Mrs & Maud Fluker & Maud [came]
for dinner[.] ’
’
Brit" & Fen[wick]
called P.M.
9
December, 1897 279
22. W. [I] Killed 4 turk[ey]s[.] Mrs
Baird [was here this] mornfing]
trading[a]goose[.]“Billy” Foote Snowing
[was here] paying[.]* Will[Fluk-
er] went home [this] even[ing.
I] Cleaned[my] room[and in the]
even[ing, I] finis[hed] fixing
[the] waterproof[.] *settling accounts with
Eliza-Ann for past purchases
of butter, eggs and poultry on
credit?
23. T. Young Case [came] after sheep
[and stayed] for dinner[.] A[g]
& I washed[.I [did some] baking,
starched collars, etc.,[and,in
the] even[ing, I] Mended Jno.'s
p[an]ts[.
]
24* F. Ned & Jane [were] in C[linton]
[with the]sleigh P.M.[Mr]W[ind]-
land went] with them[.]A[g]stay­
ed with [the] kids[.I] Killed &
picked [a] gander & turkey etc.,
[and] swept the cellar[.]
25. S. Ned's [were] here[. I] C[leaned
the] H[en] H[ouseJ etc., A.M.
26. S. A[g],I[sabella]P[earl]& I [were
in church](Rev. Stewart.) Jno.,
Ned, Jane & B[ella went in the]
even[ing. I] stayed with [the]
kids[.]
27. M. I[was]in Cflinton] A.M. Fa[ther
& Windland [were] at T[om] Fraz­
er’
s & Brucefield P.M.
28. T. Fa[ther & Windland [were] in
Cflinton A.M. [I]Drove Bella to
Grant's P.M. [I] ripped [the]
binding off [my] good brown
skirt[.]
29. w . [
Bella]
walked home[from Grant’
s
[this] even[ing.] T[om] Frazer
[was here] P.M. & for tea[.]
Jno. & W__ [were] in C[linton]
P.M. fixing cars[.] A[g] washed
[and] I [
was] choring[.]
30. T. FI[uker],Ned & Will G[len] took
a load each of sheep up to
C[linton] P.M. & Fa[therJ went
in [the] cutter[.] Mr & Mrs Fin­
lay McEwen [were] here P.M. &
even[ing.] Putting on binding
31, F. [We] Killed [a]heifer[.I]killed
[a]goose[.l] C[leaned the]H[en]
Hfouse] A..M. [and was]cleaning
guts P.M. A[g] ironed[.
] Mr &
Mrs Wiggintonfwere here]a while
P.M. & even[[ing.] Jno. & Will
[were] in C[linton with the]
colt [in the] cutter[.]
14
Snowing & Drifting
9
Snowed some
C[old] W[ind] 7
7
C[old] N[orth]-
W[est) W[ind]
Thick Snow 7
6
Sunshine &
Good sleighing
9
Snowing & Drifting
Soft
Fine,Freezing 5
6
Cold N[orth]
W[ind], Clear.
223)0
THE DIARY OF ELIZA ANN MACFARLANE
1898
“Change and Decay, in All Around I See...
l. s .
2. S .
3. M .
4. T.
January, 1898
Ned's [were] here for dinner & P.M. 8
[I] Finis[hed] putting binding on Very Cold N[orth]
[the] skirt[.I did] Mending [this] Wfind] & Clear
even[ing•
]
[I was] in c[hurch] with N[ed] &
Jane[. A[g]stayed with the kids[.]
Jno. [went in the] even[ing. Doll
[is] lame[.]
Coldf 9
S[outh-]W[est W[ind]
& Stormy.
A[g was] in Cflinton] with Ned[.
] C[oid] 9
Jno.[was] at[the] mill for chop[.] N[orth] W[ind]
A[g] & I washed A.M. [I] Cut out
B[ella]'s old dress sleeves[.]
T[om] Frazer [was] at [our] barn &
[at] Ned's[.] B[ella]Cuming1 [was]
at Will's for dinner & the rest of
us & Ad[am] & Lily [were there in
the] even[ing.
]
8
Sunshiny & Warmer
5. W. A[g] & I[were] at Grant's P.M. [in Fine 9
the] cutter[.] Routledge[was here]
looking at [a] horse[.] Adam [was]
here[. We were] Cutting P.M.
6. T. [I] Put sleeves in B[ella’
s] dress, 13
etc. Will [Fluker was ]hauling up
some wood P.M. Jno. [went] after Softish &
threshers* [with the] colt[.] Light snow
*It was not unusual in this period
for farmers to thresh twice or in shifts. The
sheaves would stay dry in the mow or the stack,until one
needed more grain for feed or straw for bedding.
In MacFarlane’
s case, building the new gangway may
have made it impossible until now to get the threshing
machine into the barn.
January, 1898 281
B[ella] I [were] in C[linton]P.M.
[The] threshers came at noon[.]
Ned & Will & [their] teams[were]
here[.
]
[We] Finis[hed] threshing at
noon [and were] at Will’s P.M.
[I'm] Making[a] flannel quilt[.]
Jno. [drove the] colt in [to]
C[linton for the] 2nd time[.]
A[g], B[ella] & Fl[uker were] in
C[hurch](Rev. Stewart.)Jno.& A[d-
am went at night](Rev. Hillyard-
Methodist.
)
Fa[ther & Jno. [were] at Will's
killing pigs[.]....Irwin... for
dinner[.] 2 men called[. I quil­
ted A[g]'s flannel quilt Fa[ther
& Jno.[were]at D[uncan] McEwen's
P.M. & night[.]
A[g] & I washed[.] T[om] Frazer
Duncan McEwen & Neil McFarlane
& Bell's called, looking at
horses[.] Jno. [was] at Sturdy's
P.M. [with the] colt [in the]cut-
ter[.] W[ill]Fl[uker walked in
[to] C[linton]. P.M. [We] Sawed
wood P.M. Jno. Allen [was here]
all night[.]
Will[iam] Fl[uker was] at Will-
[iam Glen’
s]
cutting P.M.[I]
Press­
ed & mended holes in [the] flan­
nel quilt
Fa[ther] walked to C[linton] P.M.
A[g] & I[were]at McTavish'es P.M.
A[g was] in C[linton] P.M. Aunty
went to Jane's with A[g] & ret­
urned with her[.I] Put up [the]
quilt [at] night[.]
[I] quilted and finis[hed]my old
flannel quilt[.] Fa[ther was] at
U[ncle James’
s.] Will [was] at
Ned's cutting P.M.
Fl[uker],B[ella] & I with Jane &
I[sabella]P[earl were in Church]
Rev. Stewart Isaiah 1st Chap-
[ter] Text ) Foster Brigham ar­
rived here even[ing] P.M.
A[g was]at Wigg[inton's]P.M. Jno.
took [Foster Brigham]to[the rail­
way]station[this]
even[ing.
] Will
[was] at Ned's crushing P.M.
A[g] & B[ella]washed[.
] A[lex.]
Innis called [at] noon[.] Mo[th-
er] started "Old Dress Goods
Quilt"!.]
I [was]with Jane & kids at Annie
Ross'[es] P.M. Fa[ther] walked
to C[linton] P.M. Flfuker was]at
Mac's cutting all day [and] walk­
ed to C[linton in the]even[ing.]
9
Fine, sunshiny
& bakey
9
Fine
10
14
11
Fine & Duller
Raining a little
[in the] even]ing.]
Raining 15
Frozen & Dull 11
11
12
Light Snow,Softish.
18
L[ight] Snow,
Running off house
18
L[ight] S[now],
Frosty
15
Misty & W[hite]
F[rost.]
22
Fine & Bright
7. F .
8. S .
9. S .
10. M.
11 . T .
12 . W.
13 . T .
14 . F .
15 . S .
16 . S .
17 M.
18 . T .
19. W.
January, 1898 282
20 . T .
21. F .
22 . S .
23. S.
24. M.
25 . T .
26. W.
27 . T .
28 . F .
29 . S .
30 . S .
31. M.
1. T .
2. W.
3. T.
A[g] ironed[.I] Mend[ed],brushed. Raining13
& pressed[an]old serge basquef.]
[I] C[leaned the] H[en] H[ouse
and was] basting [the basque] &
stitching [an] old quilt[.
] A[g]
walked to C[lonton[.J D[uncan]
McEwen called P.M.
Jno. & Ad[am were] at Mrs Hill’s
sale, [the] other side [of] Clin­
ton [and got] home [in the] even­
ting.]
A[g] & I [were] in C[hurch] (Rev. Rained & 18
Stewart.) H[igh] W[ind, Stormy
& H[igh] W[ind] P.M.
21
Frozen,
Softened a little.
17
Fa[ther] left for Danville ,[Que- Faired & Dull
bee P,M. Ned went to C[linton]
with him[.I] sewed in mo[ther]'s
Gown comfortable,did Mending etc.
21
A[g] & I washed etc. [We]
rags [in the] even[ing.
]
sewed Fine Morn[ing.] 15
A[g] & B[ella were] in C[linton]
P.M. [I] quilted [the] Comfort-
table. ]
[I] Put up[a] pole on the pantry
door,etc.[and was] quilting[the]
flannel quilt P.M. Ned [was] in
P.M. helping Jno. make [a] horse­
power arm[.
]
Jno., Jane & I [drove the] colt
[to]church in C[linton](Rev.Hill,
Belgrave.) Ned & Fluker [went in
the]even[ing with]Polly[.I Finis­
hed the flannel quilt[.]
Jno.[was] in Cflinton] P.M.[and]
cut some corn P.M. [I did some]
Mending and C[leaned the] H[en]
H[ouse] - kind off.]
Bfella] Will & I [were]in Church
(Rev. Stewart.) Jno.[went in the]
even[ing.] Beautiful sleighing
Jno. [was] in Cflinton] P.M. [ I
was] pressing patches etc
February, 1898
Snow Storms
2 2
17
Frosty
19
a little snow.
Fine.
16
C[old] W[ind],
6 below [F.] late
morning.
Very Stormy 10
Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M.[I]
was Mending shirts and sewing
carpet rags[.] Eddy & AbbyfGlen] below zero [F],
[were] here P.M. [while] Will's Clear
[were] in C[linton.]
10
A[g] & I washed[.I was in] Cflin­
ton] P.M. Rosey calved[this]even­
ing. ]
Jno. [was] in Cflinton] P.M. [I]
crocheted a little at [the]
frame[.]
11
a little warmer
& Stormy
10
6 below [F] morn-
[ing.] a little stormy.
9
February, 1898 283
4. F . [I was] in C[linton] P.M. Aunty
[was] up P.M.
Wanner 9
5. S . Father [is] home [this] even[ing. 10
He sent [a] livery to Ned’s [to Heavy Soft Snow &
announce his return and to get]
Ned & Will helping [him] home[.j
3 heifers etc.
some drifts
6. S . A[g], Bella & FI[uker were] in
C[hurch](Rev. Stewart) "Anniver­
sary" Ad[am] & Jno. [went at
night.] I staid(sic) with the
kids[.]
Fine 10
7. M. Jno.[was]at T[om]Frazer1
s[in the]
morn[ing.]Ned & FI[
uker]took down
a load each [of] sheep P.M. Den­
nison called[.]Mo[ther]finis[hed]
pieceing my old dress quilt[.]
FinerSoftish 10
8. T . [I was] in C[linton] P.M. [for a] Rained a 10
bag [of] flour, etc. [We] cut a
little corn P.M. A. Wise called
P.M.
little,soft P.M.
9. W. [I] Finis[hed]pressing[the] quilt
& sewed in frames.... etc. [I]
C[leaned the] H[en] H[ouse] A.M
Rained 12
Fa[ther was] at Ned’
s for "Lamb.
Mamie [Mary Glen was here] all
night[
. Her] Parents [are] at
Parke's etc.
t
l
10. T. Jno. [was] in C[linton] P.M. Ned
bought Fanny, [the] Red cow[.
]
Quilting
14
11 . F . [We] Finis[hed quilting[.] Jno.
[was]in CflintonJ P.M.[with]Polly
16
& Ned’
s cutter [for] chop[.I]stay­
ed with [the] kids P.M.
Very Spring-like
12 . S . Bound quilt etc. Fa[ther was] at Slightly Frozen 12
mac'
s A.M. & Snowed a litle
13 . S . A[g] Will & I [were] in C[hurch Fine, 20
(Rev. Stewart. Jno. [ at night.] C[old] W[ind]
14. M. Fl[uker was]in C[linton this]eve- 16
n[ing hearing] "Premier" Hardy*
lecturing[. I] Finis[hed ajwhite
p[ai]r[of] stockings[and] stitch­
ed up [an] old serge basque etc.
*Ontario Premier
Sir Oliver Mowatt was taken into Laurier’
s
Dominion cabinet in 1896. Arthur Hardy became
a "caretaker" premier until Sir Oliver formally
resigned the Ontario Liberal leader's position,
or returned to the premier's post. In 1898, Mowat
accepted the post of Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario
and resigned his Provincial leadership. A
convention picked Sir George Ross that same year
and Hardy resigned. Hardy was in office 1896-8.
At this time an election campaign vote March 1st
15. T. A[g] washed[.] FI[uker(
H.
B.)morn- 20
[ing.j Snowing & Stormy
16. W. A[g was]in Cflinton P.M.Will[is] 20
hauling manure these days[.] Fa-
[ther], A[g], Will & I [were] at Fine & Cold
[a]prayer meeting at Mac's[this] 7 [F] below
even[ing.
]
February, 1898 284
17 . T .
18 . F •
19 . S .
20. S .
[We] Washed shrinking linens &
started hem-stitching for beaura
etc. Mr & Mrs Mac and Ned’
s came Cold W[ind],
for tea(oysters)[. Ned's [arriv Raining
ed with]"Chief"[on the cutter[.]
[I] hemfmed] almost all the] Freezing
beaura[.
] A[g] ironed[.] Lizzie
called P.M. Fa[ther was]at Wil's
[this] evening
Drew stand ready to hem& stamped
end of beaura mending etc. [I]
C[leaned the] H[en] H[ouse] A.M.
19
17
13
Will & I [were] in Church[.] Jno. C[old] W[ind] 13
[went at night. ] Rain & then Snow & Stormy
21 . M.
22 . T .
[I] Washed serge sleeves[.] Mr & 12
Mrs McDougal, Hellen & A[gnes]
Butchart & Jno.McNaughton called
P.M.T[om] Frazer[came]for tea[.]
A[g] & I washed[.
] Jno. & Isa* 17
[were together] at [Cousin] Jno. Fine,Melting
[B.] Stewart’
s party [this] even off house.
[ing.]
*Isa is Eliza-Ann’
s shorthand for Isabella
Robertson McEwen(1875-1964). Now 23, Bell could
be courted by John MacFarlane[.
]
23. W. Isa & I [were] in C[linton] P.M. Light Snow 8
[I] Made wood rings [this] even­
ting for] embroidery frames[.]
Jno. [was] at Craig's sale on
Avery’
s farm[.
]
24. T. Cutting P.M. Isa & I [were]at Snowed & 9
Butchart’
s P.M. drifted some
25. F.
26. S .
27 . S .
28 . M.
Coffland & Cooper Jr.called [in Snowing
the] evening.Jno.[
was ] in
C[linton this] even[ing.]
[I] Made & covered frames A.M.
A[g], B[ella] & Will [were] Fine
Church( Rev. Stewart) Jno. went
in the evening.
Jno. & Will were at Ned’
s cut- Sun, Thaw
ting P.M.[I]Finis[hed the]Beaura
almost A.M. B[ella & I [were]
at Isard’
s P.M.
12
11
15
12
March, 1898
1. T. Election Day(Ontario) Bessie Fine 14
McGregor [was here] P.M. & all
A[g] & I washed[.]Jno.,Fen[wick,
& Ad[am were] in C[linton this
even[ing.]*
*The Liberals, provincially in power since
1871, won the general election, but the
Tories in Huron South won the seat with
Harry Eilber, a popular Hay Township
business man and municipal politician.
John, Fenwick and Adam probably went into
to be near the telegraph station as it
updated polling results,and to celebrate
Eilber1
s victory with local Conservatives.
March, 1898 285
2. W . Mac & Jack McDougal called[this]
morn[ing.] Jno.[was] in C[linton
for a] bag [of] flour[
. I] Spent
P.M. in bed and I] took [Bessie
McGregor home in the even[ing.
]
Beautiful 12
3 . T . [I did some] Button holeing[.]Fa-
[ther] bought lambs at Jno. Thom­
son’
s[.] Jno. [was] in C[linton]
P.M.
13
4. F. H. Parker fetched up P.M. [the 19
lambs from Thomson’s.]Rev.Rigsby,
& Millyard & the McBrien's* call-
ed[. The] Ayrshire heifer lost
calves[.] A[g] & B[ella were] at
Scott's [this] even[ing.] *Probably Jonathan &
Hannah McBrien, a
farming couple in Hullett Township, north of
Clinton. Their son, Harvey H. McBrien, a carpenter
was the future husband of Eliza-Ann's cousin
Annie Stewart[.]
5. S . [I] Cleaned [the] k[itchen stove
pipes[.] A.M. Will[iam]Glen[
was]
cutting[ I buttonholed [and did]
mending[
. ]
Maggie McEwen & Isa­
bella] Pearl [were] here P.M.
19
6. S . Fa[ther, I[sabella] P[earl] & I
[
were] in C[hurch]{Rev.Stewart.
)
Jno.[went at night.I Stayed with
[the] kids [this] even[ing.]
Sun,Thaw 21
7 . M. Jno. & I [were] at Brigham’
s[.J
Adam Ballyntyne [is] sick[.
]
16
8. T . Jno.[was] in Brucefield [seeing]
McIntosh [about the] Ayr[shire]
heifer[.
] A[g] & I washed[.]
Softish 16
Bees flying thickly
9. W . [I]Finis[hed]button-holeing[the]
stand cover[.]Annie Stewart[was]
here P.M.Jno.[was]at a sale[the]
other side of Varna[.] buggy Red
Soft 27
10. T. Fa[ther] walked to C[linton.]...
p[an]ts[.] Will’
s [took the] cut­
ter [to Clinton] P.M. [and left
the] kids here[.] B[ella was] at
Mrs H[enry] Diehl’
s carpet rags
Rainy 22
bee[.
]
11. F. Visiting Ned's P.M., [I] Mended
[a] p[ai]r [of] N[e]d's p[an]ts
& sewed backs of shoes etc.
24
12 . S . I[was] in Cflinton] P.M.[in the]
Red buggy[
. I] Mended [a] p[ai]r
[of] Will [Fluker ’
s] p[an]ts[.]
Some Rain 37
13 . S . Heavy Rain
Turned Cold P.M.,Frozen
39
14 . M. [I'm] Buttonholeing [the] splash-
erf.] Fa[ther & Will [are]sawing
poplars these days[.]
Fine 32
15 . T . A[g] & I washed[.] Ned[has been]
here sawing wood[.].......
Will's(Glen's)[were]in C[lin-
ton] getting kids' photo
[taken.]*
Raining
*See Page 222
27
March, 1898 286
16. W. Finis[hed]......... splasher[.] Beautiful 26
Ned & I[sabella]P[earl were]here Bees flying like
P.M. Jno. [was] at [the] mill[.] swarms.
17 . T . Fa[ther] & I were] in C[linton]
A.M. Jno. [was] at [the] mill af­
ter chop. Ab Nott & [his] father
called P.M. Mr & Mrs Sparrow
called [in the] even[ing[.].....
Fine. 25
18 . F . I [was] in C[linton.] Jno. [was]
with Ned at Weir's after [a]load
of Clover hay[.] Ned [was] here,
P.M.
Dullish, 25
Rain, even[ing.]
19 . S . Fa[ther] walked to C[linton.]Ned
[was] here[.] Etching
Rain,
Heavy showers.
38
20. S. A[g]& B[ella were in church](Rev.
Stewart.) Jno. [went at night.]
Fine 30
21 . M. Etching Ned P.M. Snow & Rain 30
22 . T . A[g] & I washed[.]Ned is plowing
[at the] Robertson...[Place]Tene
& Jno. McEwen [were] here [this]
even[ing.
]
Nice, Wanner 45
23. W. Jno. [was] in C[linton] getting
[ajhorse shod[.] Working leaves
on sp[lasher.]
Frozen, Fine 28
24 . T . Jno. McNaughton called A.M. B[el-
la] & I [were] in C[linton] P.M.
Daisy calved[.]
25
25 . F . Fa[ther] & I [were] at Jno.
Brigham's [for] Adam Ballan-
tyne's funeral[.]Fa[ther & I
were at Adam K.]Elliot's for
dinner[.]
Fine 40
26 . S . Jno. [was] in C[linton P.M. [I]
C[leaned the] H[en] H[ouse.]
36
27 . S . Raining 33
28. M. [I] Cleaned out, scrubbed etc.
[the] Milk room[.]A[g] & B[ella
were] in C[linton] P.M.
Fine, Colder. 33
29. T. A[g] & I washed[and I] Scrubbed
[the] M[ilk] room shelves, etc.
Spotty calved[.] Ab Nott & E.
Glen Sr.[came] for tea[.
] Jno.
drove Ab to C[linton in the]eve­
nting.] Jno. [was] in C[linton]
A.M. shoeing [a] horse[.]
C[old] W[ind,]
Fine
29
30. W, Jno. [was] at E. [Glen's] "Tea"
Taylor & a squaw called for
tea[.] 3 lambs Etching
C[old] W[ind]
Dullish
36
31 . T . Jane & I [were] in C[linton]
P.M. Jno.[was]at [the] mill[.]
Dewdrop calved[.]
33
April, 1898 287
1. F . B[ella was] at McTavish’
es rag C[old] W[ind.]
bee P.M. Jno.[was] at [the] H[ard] Frost.
mill for chop[.] Etching
24
2. S . Flfuker] & I[were]in Cflinton]
P.M. [I spent the] even[ing]
Mending[.]
H[eavy] Frost
24
3 . S . Fl[uker], A[g] & B[eiia were]
in C[hurch](Rev. Stewart.)FI[u-
ker,B[ella] & I [were] in S[ab-
bath S[chool] 1st day[.]
Fair &
C[old] W[ind].
42
4. M . Etching Mending in even[ing]
Jno. [was] in Cflinton] P.M. [A]
sheep at Ned's kicked Fa[t-
her’s eye[.]
H[eavy],
H[eavy] Frost
26
5. T . A[g] & I washed[.
] a little
et[ching]
37
6. W. Parker called [saying that a] 29
boy and girl[had come] withfa]
telegram[.] Jno. McMillan*
died[.] *John McMillan was a
prominent stock raiser who farmed in Perth
County near Shakespeare. In the next entry we
see James MacFarlane going to Shakespeare to
attend the funeral.
7, T. [I] Drove Fa[ther] to [the]
station for Shakespeare[this]
morn[ing.] B[ella] & I [were]
in C[linton]P.M. A[g]&I[were]
at Mac’s [this] even[ing.]
25
8. F. [I cleaned my bedroom and the Warm
hen house............ ] Jno.
Thomson [came] for dinner[.]
Ab Nott [stayed] for tea[.]Ab
& Jno. [had been to] Varna[.
]
& Sunshiny 45
9. S . A[g][was] in C[linton at]noon, Fine,
meeting Fa[ther. I did some]
Mending [and] took up carpet
rags [in the] dining room[.]
like rain 16
10 . S . A[g], Will & I [were] in Beautiful
]
C[hurch](Rev. Stewart.
)
33
11, H. [The] Boys started sowing[.I]
Dug half [of] Mo[ther]’
s gard-
en[.]
Hot 30
12 . T . A[g] washed[.] Jane & kids
[were] here this] morn[ing.
]
Bella] & I [were]in Cflinton]
P.M.
12
13 . W. [The] Boys finis[hed] sowing
[the] big field at Rathwell1
s
[and] Jno. & Will [were] in E[ast]
Cflinton in the] even[ing.]
W[ind,] Warm.
29
14 . T . D. McIntosh [came] for din­
ner! .] A[g] & I[were]in C[lin- Fine & Hot
24
ton3 P.M. I [have been] learn­
ing how to embroider[.]
15. F. [I] walked to Cflinton this] Fine,C[old] W[ina.] 31
morn[ing.
]
April, 1898 288
16. 5. [The] House lamb died[. I]
Cleaned out [the] goose house.
Washed & ironed[an] Apron etc.
17 S. A[g], Fl[uker] & I [were] in
C[hurch]{Rev. Stewart.
) Jno.
[went at night.] Aunt Mary
[is] sick[ .]
Fine,
Dull past P.M.
31
26
Fine,
C[old] W[ind,]
Slight Rain even[ing. ]
18 . M.
19 . T .
20 .W .
2 1 . T .
22 . F .
23 . S .
24. S.
25. M,
26 . T .
27 . W.
Jno. [was] in C[linton] for Fine & Cool
Flu[ker] & [came] back with
him[.
] I went up with John[in
the] morn[ing.] Messrs McFar-
lane & Ellis [were] here all
night[.]
B[ella] & I[were]in C[linton]
P.M. [McFarlane] left P.M. Raining & blowy
[I] Went to C[linton at] noon
with Jno. [who was] meeting H[igh] Wind. Rain
young McFarlane[
. Jno. was]at & Sleet.
[the] Brucefield Show P.M.
[I] Went to C[linton in the Fine
morn[ing] with Jno. & McFar­
lane [and I] Came home[in the
evcn[ing with Jno. Fafther],
Jno. & McFarlane took [a]
horse & rig[.] Fa[ther return­
ed] with Mac
I [was]in C[linton] P.M.[and]
Got [an] Eaton box[.]
Fa[ther was] at Jno.Thomson *s Dull,Fine
for 4 pigs[.]Jno.[was]at[the]
mill for chop[.]Ab Nott[came]
for tea[.] Mrs Brigham & Jim­
mie came on [the3 evening
train[.]
Mrs B[x’
igham], B[ella] & I Fine
[were] in C[hurch](Rev. Stew­
art.) "Right foundation" Sam
Cooper [and his] workmen [were
right] there[.] Jno. went to
church in the] even[ing.]
24
26
25
27
H[eavy] Rain 20
35
31
Fa[ther]drove to C[linton] P.M.
& led [the]Bull, sending "West"
with Jim Steep[.]A[g] went to
U[ncle James]'s [this] morn-
[ing.]Jno,[drove]Mrs Brigham &
Jimm[ie to[the] station[in the]
even[ing.
]
Aunt Mary died Mother [was]
at U[ncle James]'s A.M.& Fa-
[ther]& Jane[went] P.M.B[el-
la] & I [went over in the
even[ing.]
Gurnesy (Sic) calved[.] A[g] Fine
came home [to]night[.] Fa[ther]
& Mo[ther were] at U[ncle
James]1s P.M.
Fine,
Sprinkled.
23
Fine, 30
C[ool] W[ind.]
27
April, 1898 289
28. T. Aunt Mary’s funeral Mr & Fine 27
Mrs Fergueson & A[dam] Elliot
& wife & Mrs Brigham & Mary
Mills [were here]for dinner[.]
29. F. A[g]& Bfella wereJin Cflinton] 33
P.M. Wilfred Graham [was]here
A.M. Mrs Reid & Annie Stewart
[were] here P.M. McMichael
called P.M. [We had] Mr & Mrs
Cuming & Mrs Reid* & U[ncle
J[ame]s for dinner[.]
*Mrs James Reid of Dungan
non was the former
Elizabeth Barkley, Mary (Barkley) Stewart's only
surviving sister. Brothers John & James do not seem
to have been present. They probably hadn’
t returned
from the Michigan lumber woods[.]
30. S. Fa[ther was] at Jno. Elliot’
s 30
etc. [I] Fixed the wire around
Fl[uker'
s]bed etc. Ab Nott[was
here]for dinner[.The]Boys[are]
putting up [the] River fences[
.
The] Young cattle [were] out
all night[,]
Ill S tanley on T uesday, A pril 21lt.li, 1808,
Mary Barkley
wife of JAS STEW A RT, aired AS years and
0 months.
/vwvvs
- - - THE FUNERAL_ _ _ _ ,
Will take place from her late resilience, l«*t
27, eon. i, on
Thursday, April 28
a t2 o’clock, p. in., to Baird's cemetery.
^AAAAA
Friends ami aetpiainlances will filcsse
accept this intimation.
Stanley, April 2(1Lh, ISOS.