James Cameron (1824 - 1912)
1871
Transcribed by Rural Diary Archive Volunteers
{In places, this diary is worn from weather and time. On occasion, the tops, bottoms, and edges of
the pages are crumbly and moldy, making some words and sentences illegible. In most cases, a
note that reads “{Illegible}” refers to this situation.}
4 Page of This Leaf
Mr James Cameron Island Jany 20 1871
Some cold went to the Bush came home John Hamilton came to Draw Drew 3 loads took Dinner at
Hamiltons turned milder a change in the moon a Great many EEl Fishers spearing a Great many
crossing the ice a circle around the sun Livinia not well
21st a Fine Day Went to Summerston John Drew a Load of Wood to the house a Frenchman here
got Fire to cook on the ice their EEls took Dinner Laflesh is his name high Wind to night changed to
the north a Treat at summerston {Summerstown} from Art Baker
Sunday 22nd cold and Windy
23rd very very cold and Frosty
24th charles Tuppers Birth Day a cold Day chopping 2 Beeches in the Bush
25th Went to Art Bakers Bought Flour 100 Tin Kettle A Pair of Boots for Gordon 8 lb Pork 1 Dozen
of Herring 2 lb Butter a Bottle of ink Lead pencil Took supper at Hamiltons a fine night a circle
around the sun to Day seen Archy McArthur at hamiltons Helping andrew with the Wine
No 5 James Cameron Island Jany 26th 1871
very cold and stormy the cat Kicked the Bucket
27th John Hamilton came down with my Flour Pork and Herring Mr Stebbins Niles and Jim Hopkins
came with 2 span of horses for the hay John took 2 Loads Blustery weather to Day
28th John Drew 2 Loads took a Load of Wood
29th sunday snowing Began to use the marsh hay of the East mow
30th John Hamilton and William Lavelette and Boy here took 5 Loads Isacc Blondeau Married to
day

31st Fine Day William Lavelette got some Fine Hay William and his Boy Chopping Went to
Summerston Bought of art Baker 1 lb Tea 2/6 took Dinner at Hamiltons got a Ride Down from Dan
Rookey
1st of Febry splitting the Big Beech Logs Gordon and I John took a Load him and Tommy choppin
stove Wood
2nd Went to summerston Bought of AJ Baker 10 lb Pork 1 Doz Herring 2 yds of Cotton 1 Pint HW
Pepper 1 Bunch of Matches pins 1 Plug Tole sundries spool Thread the Mill at Hamiltons Mill at
Kenneths seen Colquhoun
6#
Mr James Cameron Island Feby 3 1871
Fine Day snowing East Wind Wind changed to the West stormy Drifting in the Bush Gordon and I
cut Down and chopped a Beech (Got a Paper from Dan yesterday)
4th very cold and Frosty North Wind and cold to night
Sunday the 5th Very Frosty and Windy Freezing hard Full Moon this morning but no change only
Cold West Wind house Warm But Burning wood
6th very Cold and Frosty cutting Hemlog stove Wood Mr Urquhart the Presbeterian minister
Departed in Cornwall
7th not so cold a Fine Day the water Raising some near shore Peter Bosell came with Gordons axehandle I went to the Post Office sent some Papers to charlie and funeral Card Left 3 papers for Tom
Davis got Postage Stamps put on sent a Letter to John got a Letter from him with 5 Dollars in it
Registered signed my name to the P Office Books ½ Gallon of oil seen Mr Phillips spoke to him
about the Duty of the Gun a Treat at Davids sundries at AJ Bakers 10 cents Went over with Walter
Colquhoun to George Renshaws stopt at John Hamiltons coming home took supper there John
and his Wife in the concession seen Mrs Cattanach
7 Mr James Cameron Island Feby 8 1871
Feb 8 1871
8th Gordon's Birth Day in the Bush chopping Stove Wood
9th in the Bush Kind of soft went Down to the Sturgeon Island to Look for the Pot we Gave to an
EEl fisher with Fire in it to Keep themselves warm or cook their EEls on the ice his name is Laflesh
did not find it
10th Jim Hopkins here and George Grant

11th Went to AJ Bakers Bought 2 yds of Calico 18 cents 36" 2 yds 18 cents 36 Thread Black and
White 10 cents cash 3 Quarts of syrup 56 cents Got a Ride Down from J Hamilton he is Drawing a
Load of Hay for Tom Kennedy Did not wait for the mail to Day Got a Hooker of Gin from John
Hamilton
Sunday 12th Preaching on the Front a change in the moon 3 Quarter East Wind cold some
13 Drawing Wood Went to the Stove Bought of AJ Baker ½ lb Tea 1/3
14th St-Valentines Day Bought of AJ Baker Treat 10 cents 1 plug Tobaco 5 cents the Ball at
Summers’s {Above it reads: Tom Davis here got Flour}
15th Roses got a Load of Marsh hay 1 ½ Tons got 2 Bags of Potatoes gave Willie Moore {Carew?}
and the Story of the Red Fox
Mr James Cameron Island 16th Feby 1871 8
Went to Summerstown got a Ride up From John Hamilton Brought the Tin Kettle home to AJ Baker
Bought 100 lb Flour 4 Dollars 9 lb Pork 1-12 ½ 1 Doz Herrings 25 cents 4 yds Calico at 15 60 cents
1 ½ Wincey at 10d {‘d’ likely refers to ‘pence’} 25 cents 1 spool 7 cents 6" 22 ½ called at John
Hamiltons to tell him to take Down my Flour From the store
17th John Hamilton took Down my Flour Bonville and son and Dupee here Fishing EEls Wanting to
Buy Hay a Fine Day seen 4 Wild Geese going Down Flying very Low very Early for the Geese to go
Down allen Roys wife at Lancaster Buried to Day
18th James Hughs Birth Day Raining High Wind this Morning Gordon Went to Bosells Paid Peggy
10 cents for the Tobacco Got some Tobacco Fixing sticks under the Boat
19th Sunday a Fine Day seen a Man coming Down the River skating crossed over to Brunstons
20th in the Bush cutting a Load of Wood not very well
21st Went to Summerstown thinking of Going to salmon River Bought of AJ Baker 10 cents of Fine
salt seen Barney Baker a Treat 20 cents Maggie Summers Poorly had the Doctor from Cornwall got
a Ride Down from John Hamilton took Peter's Fanning Mill Down Mr Grimshaw at Hamiltons told
William Lavellette Boys to come for Hay Got a Book about the Eyesight From John James in at
Kenneths
9 James Cameron Island Feby 22nd 1871
Ash Wednesday Washingtons Birthday William Lavellets Wife here for Hay I went to George Bosells
for his coat got some Tobacco from George cutting Stove Wood

23rd Went to F {Fort} Covington Taking up the Remains of old Mr Donald Cameron Carpenter and
his Wife taking Them to Lancaster to Be Buried in his Fathers Grave speaking to Mr Ward about a
stove Went up to the Grist Mill to Get a Ride home from J Hamilton Wrote a Letter in Congdons to
John in N York at Mr Craigs Meeting at Summerstown the Minstrels there {Above it reads: seen
angus at summers} Got My Book from Mrs Rose Robert Bruce in to see John the Gun to Be sent to
John Cameron Fort Covington took James Grants Grist and andrew Roses Grist home
24th in the Bush Gordon went home with George Bosells coa{t} a Fine Day
25th A Fortunate Day not very well
26th sunday Begginning to take the ice Down to Lancaster
27th in the Bush went to head of the Islan{d} Windy
28th Last Day of Feby Dan cameron and A Cameron Captain here Looking for oak I Went to
Summersto{wn} Bought of AJ Baker 17 lb Pork 1 ½ Doz Herrings 1 lb Tea ½ yd Calico ½ Gal syrup
got a Ride Down to Bosells with the Mail Bag took Dinner at Bosel{ls} got the Loan of Georges
hand sleigh got a Peice of Tobacco from the old Lady Mr Craigs Meeting in Williamstown to night
Mr McPhee took over a Drove of Horses to the Boston Market
10 Mr James Cameron Island 1st March 1871
St Davids Day The Festival of the Welsh March came in very Windy hail Rain and snow and Fine I
am very unwell to Day in Bed Most of the Day after coming from the Bush cut 10 Blocks for
Troughs had to come home as I am very unwell
2nd Fine in the Morning turned stormy East Wind Heard crows this Morning Gordon went with the
Handsleigh for a peice of cedar for spoils ice slippery salting the cattle these Days as they are
continually eating the old Grass I not very well
3rd not very well Raining snowing Made a Rocker for the cradle of Oak
4th a Very Fine Day Went to Summerstown got a Paper From Charlie some Better to Day a Good
Deal of Travelling on the Ice to Lancaster 3 Loads of hay came up water Raising on the salmon
River Frank Semo came across I Broke in close to the shore up above the Marsh caribous men
Drawing a stack from George Renshaws Expecting mr Ward to come to Day with the Stove Did not
come
5th Sunday a Fine Day Thawing some some cutters crossing summers's Road and some to
Lancaster Gordon and I Put some Bushes so to Keep any one going the way of the hole at the
shore
11 Mr James Cameron Island March 6th 1871

Raining snowing Bonville and Dufren here the Dog stole their Bag of Provision I Gave them a Loaf
of Bread I went to Peter Grants for to see if I would Get his sugar Pot went to the store Seen
Francis the Indian Bought 2 Bunches of Matches Got a Ride Down from John Hamilton Heard
about William McLeod and his servant Girl A Great Deal of hay Going over the River the ice on
salmon River Broke Down to the Lines Barbara Cameron Poorly now Heard Mr Gadbois in
Williamstown Departed
7th Peter Bosell came to tell me to wait till the afternoon and George would come over for the hay
George did not come nor Peter Grant did not come waiting all Day for them
8th George Bosell came for a load of hay about a ½ a Ton charged him 2 Dollars cut 3 ash Logs for
Troughfs went to Summerstown Measured the Wood went to Peters Bought of AJ Baker ½ lb Salts
1 Pint of H Wines a Treat from Pete Mr Gatbeau in Williamstown Buried to Day Black Birds and
Wild Geese came
9th George Bosell came to Make trough made 35 or 36 and has Blocks cut to Make 50 A Fine Day
soft Maples Runs Races on Salmon River to Day and tomorrow
Mr James Cameron Island March 10th 1871 12
Raining Went to the Bush George did not come till the afternoon to cut wood for the sugar camp
John Hamilton and Willie Rose here gave John some Poles with George and Peter in the Bush
11th Went to Summerston Bought of AJ Baker 10 yds Cotton 3/4 yd of surge ½ lb Tea 2 Doz
Herrings 3 Bunches Matches told Andrew to Pay Peter 2/1½ Seen Bill Morris with a Waggon
Looking for hay Promised to come Down for hay Took Dinner at Hamiltons John came Down with 2
Bags of Potatoes albout 3 ½ Bushels took me home some wood Ice Getting Bad near shore Good
in the channel George Began to Tap and Drawing wood to the sugar camp digging out some of the
Troughfs Gordon and I Old Angus M Donald on the Point Poorly Wild Geese and Ducks Plenty Grey
Birds and Black Birds came Gulls Flying to the east
12th On this Day of the Month Donald McMaster first came to the Island Gathering sap with George
in the Bush about 17 Pails Raining Foggy
13th Peggy and George came sugared 19 lb we got 7 ½ lb and George got 11 ½ Drawing Troughfs
13 Mr James Cameron Island March 14th 1871
nomination Day for Members George went for Peters Pot in the Morning Gordon in the Bush all Day
ice opened at Francis Island Made Sugar in the Bush Broke the Big Black canoe Keeping the cattle
in so they will not go to the Bush Heard Peter Baker went off yesterday Heard that Walter Baker
Bought the House on Suples Place for 300 Dollars Heard that William McLeods wife would not
come Back to live with him

15th chopping stove woo{d} Took some Boards to the Bush Frosty cold some East Wind ice
opening slow Fixing the Fence at the West shed as the sheep Jumps over sugared of to Day some
Ducks Wild Geese and Grey Birds and Black Birds crows came
16th in the Bush sugared of
17th St Patrick Fishing EEls got 2 sugared off Hughann came
18th in the Bus{h} with George HughAnn and Gordon in the Bush a Great sap Day Runs well
George and I Boiling at night The Fox Left on the Island Heard him to night Keeping in the sheep
and Heifer for fear of them Going to the sap
Mr James Cameron Island March 19th 1871 14
19th Sunday Made sugar to Day Took home 34 lb of sugar to Day and 11 ½ lb the First time which
makes 45 ½ lb he got George and Peggy crossed in a canoe ice going Down very slow seen
{Above it reads: a Lamb} Fan-Tailed–Blackbirds this is the Last Day of Winter Spring commences
tomorrow and a Fine Winter Day it is Seen no Muskrats yet as the ice is not clear from the shore
20th First Day of Spring a Fine Day E Wind Gordon and I Gathered 12 Pails of sap George could
not cross
21st Election in Williamstown I crossed for the first time this spring in a canoe to Summerstown Left
my Canoe at Hamiltons Island George Bosell Brought me 2 Letters this Morning and a Paper Got
another Letter to Day with 3 Dollars inclosed sent a Letter to John Bought of AJ Baker postage
stamps paper and envelopes starch Raining and Blowing the ice Good Between Renshaws and
summerstown Mr Craig elected for Member
22nd Livinia Birth Day sugaring off in the Bush
15 Mr James Cameron Island March 23rd 1871
one of the White Ewes a Black Lamb snowing some made 2 Gallons of Mollasses for us Gordon
and I to the Sturgeon Island Lashey and George Fishing EEls ice going Down snow George and
Peter crossed Peggy stopt all night
24th Gordon and I to the Head of the Island some snow George and Peter came cutting Brush a
Fortunate Day they went home to night
25th Old Lady Day Annunciation of the Virgin Mary I Gathered 20 Pails of sap High West Wind
cutting Brush Gordon Down at the apple Trees ice all round the shore could not come to the sugar
to Day with the high Wind
26th 2 Lambs to Day 1 Black one set Fire to the south part of the Island in or about the centre near
shore Went to the Black Horse Island Henery in the Bush Duval son in the Bush and Georges Wife

Peggy not Well George took what sugar that was weighed home East wind a fine Day Gordon in the
Bush all Day
27th stormy East Wind and snow a young Winter Gathered 4 pails of snow sap
28th Went to Summerstown Bought of AJ Baker Toba{cco} Tea Matches paid sold my 20 lb of
sugar to Peter Grant at 12 ½ 24 lb Flour 1 pair Hens 16 Eggs a Dollar to Be paid yet small Boat
crossed to Salmon River Sunday
16# Mr James Cameron Island March 29th 1871
Went to Fort Covington Peter Bosell a I Got the Do”ble {Double} Barrelld Gun Paid for the Freight 2
½ Dollars to James Cameron Went Down to John Cameron's House he was not around Home
Bought at Dundee 65 lb of Flour From {Dell?} Rae Bought of D Baker or Robert ½ lb sugar 7 ½
cents 11 lb Pork ½ lb crackers 2 Gimlets in to see Donald Suple Entered the Gun at the Custom
House to Mr Phillips Isacc HolingBacks Wife Buried to Day The Water very Low in Salmon River a
Great Deal of ice Going Down the Lake Mr Phillip and some other Gentlemen shooting at a Mark on
the Water From the Custom House Down about 300 yards would think some Pretty Good shots
made about 42 lbs sugar to Day
30th Fixed the Pine saw Log Moved the Double Stove in the House Bruce and another Indian Here
all night Gave Bruce 2 sticks for Fork Handles sold them 2 lb sugar 15 a lb Got 2 EEls from him
Wrote a Letter for George Bosell to Mr Kain Gave George 5 cents to Pay the Postage Fired the First
shot out of the DB Gun shoots well did not sugar off to Day a Great Deal of sap tried to take up the
Boat But it Leaks too much Peggy here
31st in the Bush a While Got the 5 cents from George took away some more of his sugar thats 443
lb he says is made now made to Day about 80 lbs
17 Mr James Cameron Island April 1st 1871
Wrote a Letter to send to John But I Did not Go to the P.O to Day all Fools Day
2nd a Fine Day Mr Gray and Mr Empy here sold 8 lb of sugar to Mr Gray Wanting a canoe Peggy
alone in the Bush Georges wi{fe} there in the Morning Gordon and I went around the Island in t{he}
small canoe Palm Sunday to Day
3rd Monday Put out 2 canoes took home a Load of Wood in the Fishing {ink splotch} EEls Got 4 a
Lamb one of the Black Sheep made abou{t} 48 or 50 lbs of Sugar to Day set Fire to the Sturgeon
Island Gordon and I a Great many Fishing EEls East Wind
4th Went with my Letter to the P.O a Great Day in Summerstow{n} a Fighting and Quarrelling a Dirty
Muddy Fight in the Mud Jos Laplant and Murdy Grant such another 2 Looking objects with mud all

over the Face Eyes nose ears mouth and Body head and hair no Man or Woman ever seen the Like
—
Mr James Cameron Island April 4th 1871 18
4th continued Gray and Tom Summers had some Words would be a Fight only for McLeod
Threatening to Put a Heavy fine on them Duncan Cameron Ben Doren and John Mangum going to
Fight its a Story Day at Summerstown to Day Bought of AJ Baker sugar crackers and Cheese 5 1 lb
shot 10 Box of caps /9 got them for 10 cents 1 plug of Tobacco 4 cents Got Dollar from Mr Gray in
his house seen Mr Stebbins and Mr Spooner Got a Paper from Andrew seen Dans {DogerS?} in at 2
Men here to Day Drove down with the Wind one of them is Empy a Rainbow tonight Rained Blew
and hailed to Day 6 cents Postage for the Letter made 2 Gallons of Mollasses ½ for us Frosze some
to night Jos Laplante Bought a cow From George snider for 4 Dollars as she has a Sore Foot got
2/6 on the Bargain
5th Fixing my Gun Riggings Tom Munroe- -came home
19# Mr James Cameron Island april 6th 1871
6th Fishing EEls Gordon and I got 5 Gathering their sap in the Bu{sh} On the Kitt Kitt Island
7th Went to Summerstown Brought home Peter Grants Bag Got a Paper from Charlie Went out to A
Camerons 1 for Downs Elixir {Rev. N.H. Down’s Vegetable Balsamic Colonial Elixir?} they had none
then went to Williamstown in at James McDonald McRory in the Glen Got 2 Bottles of the Elixir at
Mr Burtons Mary Poorly with the Rheumatism at Treat at A Camerons and he Treated 3 or 4 Times
10 cents to AJ Baker Angus on the Front Good Friday and a Fine Day it is the sap runs well to Day
East Wind and changed to West
8th came from Williamstown Got a lb of Tea from EEle{ry?} took Dinner at Walter Bakers A Treat at
Summerss Walter and I seen Angus came from Cornwall Skinned 2 Rats {muskrats} for Tom
Summers Came Down to Henerys stopt all night
Mr James Cameron Island april 9th 1871 20#
Henerys 3 Boys put me across Let my canoe at Summerstown as the wind was too high
Easter Sunday the sap dont run very well today Did not see the sun this morning {A?} Dont Dance a
sighn of a hard year Rained some East Wind changed to the West in a squall
10th George and Peggy and Peter Boiling in the Bush a Gallon a Peice nearly Gordon and I Burning
on the inside of the Pitt Point Fence Ticks came and snakes Loons came Pewits or Revey came ice
Going Down in cakes yet ice in the Bay and marsh George took home his sugar Gave him a stick
for an oar Lent them a Bag eat Wild Onions to Day Wounded 2 Ducks Dugt a Peice at the stable

some Frost in the Ground Began the Good Hay on Sunday for the cattle shut up Set 3 Traps for
MusKrats for the first this Spring
11th snowing Rain East Wind Got a Rat for the First
12th Got a Rat Fixing Lane Fence Frost to night
13th Lashey here Crossed with Peggy to sugar Bush Henerys Boys wanting wood Gave him a stick
for spear handle shot a Duck did not Get it
21 Mr James Cameron Island April 14th 1871
crossed for my canoe to Summerstown left the canoe I crossed in at the head of Hamiltons Island
Heard that Mr George McGillivrays wife Departed to Day the Sessor {as in assessor?} or Collector
on the Front to Day Bought of AJ Baker 1 Bottle of RR Relief 25 nutmegs 3 Tole -4 Barley 10
Thread -7 Paint 37 ½ sundries 10 oil 12 ½ Raisins 2 H Wines 25 Pot 25 Mat 1 Handkerchief 12
Bought of James Grant 1 Bushel of Lime 12 ½ Got for 10 cents Got 2 Boxes from AJ Bakers Wife
to carry the Lime took Down the 2 canoes
15th Gordon and I to Jo Lamays the Watchmaker Living on the Brunston Place Left my watch with
him to fix to charge me 6/3 Bought 1 ½ Bushels of Potatoes at 40 cents a Bushel 60 got them By
weight Kept us to Dinner seen a Wild Turkey he had shot the First ever seen it must been one that
strayed away from its nature Place its Weight is 11 lbs as it Travelled a Great ways and its eye out 1
of them its must Lost a Good Deal of its Weight shot a Duck
16th Low Sunday Sandy & Jo semo henerys 2 Boys 1 of Williams Boys here wanting a canoe and
Gun Gave Sandy semo My Dog Bruce snow to Day hail East Wind and West
Mr James Cameron Island 17th April 1871 22
Put out my Boat Went to G Renshaws with 13 lbs of sugar Got 2 Bushels of Potatoes at Hamiltons
of Georges Potatoes Paid A.J Baker 25 cents for the Pot R Quit making the sugar made 1 Quart of
syrup for the Last they made Frost to night seen Peter Spink on the Front Bought Pat Purcells Farm
for 4000-500 Dollars
18th Our Duncans Birth Day Painting my Boat Gordon Gathering sap Tapt 12 Trees for him
19th First Steamer went Down the St Helens Gordon and I Boiling in the sap {Above it reads: Light
in the Light houses} 6 Pails ½ Gallon HughAnn Randolph in the Bush Let out the Heifer and sheep
Fixing the Fence setting Fires found a ½ of a Barrel Burnt 3 Good hoops on it set Fire to the Back
marsh on the north West side of the Island shot a Duck did not get it Lightning tonight
20th Went with Lashey to his Line Heavy Rain Thunder and Lightning took the Pine Log to the Front
of the Door Put out my Boat a Lot of shooting to Day Something took away 1 of my Traps Last

night got the chain I think it must be the Fox got his Leg in it and Broke the chain Found a Ducks
egg in the Front march Got a sturgeon from Lashey Sent him my Gaff
21st Highlander went Down no Tow Finished Digging the Back Garden Shot a Duck
22nd Passport went Down First Raft went down before the Door took the heifer and sheep home to
salt them Towing Propeller went Down and came up
23 Mr James Cameron Island 23rd April 1871
St George's Day the Festival of the English High north By west wind 3 Propellers went Down Seen
a Large White owl eating a Duck at the East End of the Island the small Ash canoe went of by not
being Drawn up enough but caught it this side of the sturgeon Island very cold to Day Found a few
Ticks Kingston went Down Froze hard to night ice in the canoes
24th Plastering the house Went to Summerstown Got 2 Papers from Dan On this Day of the month
Granny Departed 1869 Bought of AJ Baker ½ lb Tea 1/6 2 gal salt 8 cents plug Tob 4 cents 2
Bunches Matches 2 cents pipes 0/0 the Enterprize went in to Salmon River this Morning then the
Brittish America went in Left my Boat at the head of Hamiltons Island took my Wheelbarrow home
from Hamiltons Propeller Dominion went down
25th St Marks Day whatever Way the Weather is to Day it will mostly be all the year its East Wind
and Rain changed to the West Gloomy shot a Duck got a Rat Planted 2 Pailfull of seed ends in
Garden at the shed Dug some in the Garden set a Trap
26th Went to Summerstow{n} Plastering some City of Ottawa came up Went in to Salmon River the
Osprey went up James Grant putting his Potash on Board the Brittish America Peter Grants wife a
young Daughter Brought Peter the pay for his Pot
Mr James Cameron Island April 27th 1871 24
East Wind Began to Whitewash the House Raining some a strange crafte sailed up to the foot of
the Island got aground Wind changed saild down to Ross’s Island stopt all night and took a Tow
next Day from the highlander
28th Went to Summertown took 12 lb ¾ of sugar at 10 cents Bought Flour oatmeal got 3 ½ Bushels
of Potatoes at John Hamiltons of George Renshaws Potatoes Raining
29th Set the Leach for the Lie for soap Set Traps for the Big White owl he is Flying around Killing
Ducks cutting Fat Pine in the marsh Raining East Wind spartan Went Down Passport Went Down 2
Big Tows went Down
30th Went to the Pitt Point found a Ducks nest 10 Eggs in the Back Marsh The L Renaud came up
First Trip the City of Ottawa in to Dundee on the Sturgeon Island Gordon and I

1st May a Fine Day a Part of the Time wind changed every Direction in the afternoon a very very
Brilliant Green Yellow & Blue more of a yellow shone on the south end of the Kitt Kitt Island it was
very very handsome it must Be from the Rainbow Began the soap it hailed very cold very warm L
Renaud went Down Ice Going Down Shot a Squirrel Wild geese Plenty
2nd at the soap Finished it went to try the Perch they would not Bite caught a succour with my
hand at the Little Island Found a nest 8 Eggs in it set Fire to the hay on the Island Fishing at night
Fine Day went around Island set hen to hatch 15 eggs under her
25 Mr James Cameron Island May 3rd 1871
Planting and Digging some taking the Banking from the West End of the hous{e}
4th Raining Digging some
5th Finished Digging this Piece Raining 6th got a rat
6th Fine the Highlander went Down with a Large Tow 15 Barges Went to Summerstown Bought of
AJ Baker 5/- worth of Flour 2 plugs Tobacco 3 Bunches of Matches got Paid From Peter B Grant
5/- helping AJ Baker Barreling up his Beans John Hamilton and I James Grant Working at the
Potash himself Got my Tongs from Tom Kennedy Seen Dan Campbell on the Front got a Paper
from Charlie the L Renau{d} Got smashed some not up to Day
7th Sunday Windy North Wind
8th Finished H Planting Before the old House Planting five Hills in the Bush clearing a Piece in the
Bush
9th at the Garden put up Beds cut out to Day put manure of the Banking on the Potatoes fixing the
Garden Fence
10th Dug at the old House planted it with Potatoes planted 15 Hills in the Bush Little Livinia in the
Bush with Gordon and I the Magnet Went Down a Great many Boats going to Day tried for Fish out
Before the door got none
Mr James Cameron Island May 11th 1871 26
Windy time Fixing the Lane fence cold a change in the moon - Windy
12th a Fine Day Went up to George Renshaws to Fix his Ram Lambs took over a Bale of Wall Paper
to aJ Baker from The Wharf Went over to Renshaws Island with andrew to Measure his Wood sold
it to the Brittish America Took Tea at aJ Baker took some iron to Tom Kennedy Borrowed 2 Dollars
from Mr Norman Abrams Bought ½ lb Tea matches

13th Making the Gate North Wind high L Renaud came up after Being Fixed started to go across
turned Back Wind high started again and crossed Bought of AJ Baker 48 lb of Flour took home a
Load of Wood from the Bay
14th Rogation Sunday Blowing North Wind
15th This morning hard ice Walter Bakers Sale of all his Property caught 4 Perch plan-ted a few hills
of Potatoes in the Bush put more onions in the Garden Found a hat put up the Pittition Picking wool
of the Briers cold Windy
16th Shearing 6 of the sheep
17th Sheared 4 and Marking the Lambs and altering them
18th Gordon and I to Paul Jo’s the first time ever i was there Went across to Luke Bowens took
Dinner at Lukes Henery Bosell came home with the Round adze
19th Fishing
20th Fishing taking home Wood a Great many Boats going up and Down to Day cutting Fat Pine
21 Went to alexis na houta's Christees Gordon HughAnn and Randolph
27 Mr James Cameron Island 22nd May 1871
Washing the Wool a squally evening with wind and Rain
23rd weighed of our own wool what I was going to sell and what was to be sent to Be carded for
stockings & mits Crossed to Summerstown Walter Baker put out to Day Bought of Andrew on
account of the Wool ½ lb Tea 1/3 53 lb Flour 1 lb Butter and plate helping Walter to put his things in
Barbara Camerons Room
24th Queens Birth Day Fired a volley crossed to AJ Bakers with the Wool 20 lb had paid 25 cents
and if he gets any more he is to Give it to me Gave me 20 cents a piece for 5 Rats paid him 2
Dollars for Norman Abrams got Bought Kerosene oil Salt helping Walter to move his Things to A
Grants house George Renshaw took his Wife and all the Family in the Boat in at A Roses, Andrew
Harrowing Wheat Went across with G Renshaw stopt all night to help him with the scow
25th helping George taking the scow out {Above it reads: Corsican aground} seen Maxims
Daughter going to Montreal and Galernea Donald McRae across to the Renaud high Wind
26 Digging a piece for corn at the old house
27th Went to Summerston Brought Mrs Spink Butternut Cherry Alder Wild onions Brought Thomas
Munroes Wool Ronald angus and Thomas a Bottle as I was starting away

1880 1844 / 36 Mr James Cameron Island May 28th 1871 Whit Sunday
Went to Mr To Lemay or Jo Delorme Gordon and for my watch Paid him 5/- for the Repairing it
stopt at the Foot of Christees Island seen Jacob and his Boy Got two EEls from him Thunder
Lightning and Rain Wind very fine real hot sun Mr Lashey here with my spea{r} Got it Fixed at Mr
McLeans in Lancaster the change Back a Plug of Tobacco i Took Thom{as} Munroe Mr Oxly
{Oxley} and Mrs Oxly here crossing over {to} see their People and Murdy Grant with t{hem} Lent
them my Boat to go from here had a Bo{ttle?}
25th Royal Oak Day very windy Making {a} Box for to hold Fish caught some Perch
30th {Mr} Oxly and Mrs and Murdy Grant came crossed over them Gave him some Perch he had
some {Illegible} of his own Left a Peice of cheese with Liv{inia?} Norman McPhee putting or Laying
th{e} Foundation of his stone House yesterday B{ought?} of AJ Baker Trowling Line 20 cents File 10
ce{nts} Took Dinner with Thomas Munroe came Down {with} Walter Baker stopt at Andrew Rose
got Basket of Potatoes from her seen Bella W{Illegible} Son up with the Mail Boy Ann and John
Cameron {Illegible} his horse to Kenneth for 20 Dollars
31st Planted some {Illegible} and corn

Mr James Cameron Island 1st of June 1871
The Glorious First of June Fixing the Fence on the Pitt Point the Ticks most awful Bad very warm
Day
2nd Taking home Wood cutting the Weeds in the Potatoes in the Bush Planted 2 Rows of Garnot
chilies above the currant Bushes cutting Weeds in the Pota{toes?} hilled some of them Grubs very
Bad cutting onion{s} and Potatoes the Hen commenced to Lay agaion {again} Put the Bell on the
heifer Looking at the sugar it Begginning to crack Trowling commen{ced?}
3rd Went Down to Kitt Kitt Gordon Randolp{h} and myself Got a chub and Perch very stormy for a
Little while fine cutting the Weeds in the Back Garden seen henry Fishing Perch
4th of June old George the 3rd Thirds Birth Day Trinity Sunday Trowling Randolph Gordon and T
Jacobs wife here yesterday with Fish to sell Found 2 nests one with 6 Eggs the other with 9 a very
very wa{rm?} warm hot sun to Day
5th crossed to Summerstown Got the carrot seed Mr Oxley Left at Thomas Munroes Alex Jim Roy
putting a Lot of Cattle on the Boat Brittish America
6th Brought some cherry Bark over for Mrs Baker Brought a cake of sugar to Peter and Brought it
home would not sell it for 10 cents Thomas Fixing his Boat Bought of AJ Baker 2 ½ lb crac{kers?}
helping George Renshaw to put out his scow Mr Craig putting his horses Down to Francis Island
Big John Grant Departed this Life

Mr James Cameron Island June 7th 1871
very Windy Fixing my ashes in Bags 7 to go to Dundee Tyler Lincoln here and 4 more men in his
cedar Boat had 5 casks of stuff got some stuff he had in a Bottle from him they started Found a
Birch Log Drove in to shore
8th Went to Bosells Gordon and I for a canoe Got the Loan of 10 lb of Flour from Mrs McIntosh at
Archys Big John Grant up the Front Buried to Day Jo Laplante and wife at Bosells Henery Bosell
got a Large Maskinonge {Muskellunge} to Day high Wind Gordon and I coming home 2 {Illegible}
wind Bound on the Pitt Point Goyette and Son slept in the Barn all night got some salt to salt their
Fish
9th our Marys Birth Day wind high caught some perch Brought home the Birch saw Log started for
salmon River Gordon and I as soon as the Wind is Down a Little 8 Bushels of Ashes 56 lb of iron 12
lb of Rags 12 ½ lb of sugar {ink splotch; Bought?} at old Mayvilles Gordon and I Mayvills Girl sick
the Doctor there
10th started it up to the store from Mayvills forgot about 16 lb of iron Left it on the store took
Breakfast Gordon at Jat{Illegible} Donald DMcDonell Suple Bought of Robert Baker to 2 Dollars of
Flour 50 lbs got it at M Ra{Illegible}s ¼ lb Tob ½ lb Tea Matc{hes} Got 25 cents for 40 lb of iron 3
cents for Cotton Rags 20 cents for Ashes 10 cents for sugar Got 2 Gallons of soft soap from Mr
Baker he came Down with us to the mayville farm catching his horses sailed home the Adolphus
went up to Day for to take the Dundee folks to procession to Williamstown I crossed {wi}th Bosells
canoe got a Bottle of milk from Georges Wife paid Mrs McIntosh {for?} the Flour I got from her Mr
Baker taking Down a Raft of Rails to the Farm
Mr James Cameron Island June 11th 1871
Sunday June 11th Tote a Dice Grand Procession Corpus Christie and so on high Wind to Day
heavy Rain Thunder an{d} Lightning the adolphus went Down with a Load Going t{o} Williamstown
procession the Picton came out of Lancaster whatever she was Doing there Got some Papers from
Mrs Norman MDonald yesterday
12th Hoeing Potatoes Planted some where the corn and Beans
{Between the lines it reads: 13th Lost a Maskinonge} were taking up the Potatoes in the Bush hoed
cutting Weeds around the Lower Point and Pitt Point
14th Lashey setting his Line him and Pete Bosell here with the Rain and Wind Gave him some
Matches Gordon caught the First Dory or Pickerel or Wall eyed Pike
15th Fishing caught 23 3 Pickerel 1 chub and the Rest Perch took home a Load of Wood Peal{ed}
some Basswood and Elm Bark Lost our anchor the Rope Brok{e} A Fortunate Day very warm
strawberries Ripe

16th Picking Be{rries}
17th Made strawberries Preserves Henery Bosell here go{t} his spoon I Gave him mine to fix Went
to Summersto{wn} Got 2 Papers from Dan Thomas Munroe supine{Illegible} to {Loreginal?} Went to
George Renshaws got 1 Bushel of Potatoes from him George Bosell Left the Renaud and is on the
Brittish America Bought crackers the L Renaud a Pleasure Trip from Cornwall went wi{th} Lashey at
night to his Line Lashey here all night got 2 EEls from him Henery got a Lunge {Muskellunge} about
20 lb weight sold to John Carey
18th The Memorable Battle of Waterloo Went Down to Ross Island Killed 3 Black snakes 1 Green
on a crew of French on christees Island playing the Fiddle and yelling the Kingston takes 13
minutes fr{om} The Pitt Point to the Lower end of Butternut Island The Magnet takes 12 minutes the
corsican takes 15 the Spartan takes 10 minutes the Passport 12 minutes the Corinthian takes
{blank space} minutes
19th Went to George Rensha{ws} working at the Fence got 50 cents from George Worki{ng} on the
Roads in Summertown Rafts a Going Down
Mr James Cameron Island June 20th 1871
In the upper Field Picking strawberries for to make Preserves Gordon HughAnn and Randolph
21st Went to AJ Bakers Bought 75 cents of Flour Matches
22nd Our Dan's Birth Day Went out to see them in Williamstown Brought out Strawberries and a
cake of Maple sugar the court in Cornwall now about Mr Craig trying to unseate him But I Rather
think they cant Do it
23rd in Williamsto{wn} Word came that Mr Craig got all right Angus and Duncan FMcLennan a Row
Pushed him of ofthe steps Firing the cannon and Burning a Barrel of Tar in celebrating for Mr Craig
Bought at Galbeaus a Bottle of Pain Killer as I am awful Bad with the Toothache Angus on the
Bosure
24th came home from Williamstown wind high the Renaud a Pleasure trip
25th GSunday Gordon and I went to Mr Hopkins with a Letter to George Grant took Dinner there
Bill and Emmanuel there spoke to Jim about Fixing my Boat I told him I would Give him ½ Ton of
hay for fixing it Got 4 Books sicilian Romance, A Days Ride, Innocents abroad, Leslie Tyrrell, I got
from Jims Wife
26th Hoeing the Potatoes in the Bush all the children in the Bush very warm George Bosell here
Bargained for his hens took my Bag to Bring me 2 Dollars worth of Flour from Cornwall on the Boat
27th Windy Day

28th Windy
29th Went to summerstown took home my plain {plane} and Drawing Knife from George Renshaws
stopt at Hamilton's to see if John had any Potatoes to sell
30th crossed to Dundee with Thom{as} and Peter Spink a McLennan a Provender of a man {l}eft
him twice on Jacobs Island Bought on Credit 25 lb of Flour from AJ Baker Bought (2 ½ yds Calico
spool soda paid this) Mrs Fitzpatrick young son
Mr James Cameron Island July 1st 1871
Dominion Day Livinia, Gordon, - and Bismarck went to Bosells Got 5 hens and a Rooster a Dollar I
have to pay George for them 3 of them Got smothered in the Bag coming home a Pleasure trip on
the L Renau{d} Tall Brittish Flags Floating to Day
2nd Passport passed down the champion Going Down
Sunday 3rd I went up to Summerstown helped them over with the scow from George Renshaws
and AJ Bakers salt crockery Syrup and sugar Gorge took his cow over stopt at Peters Kenneth
Down to Roses with me in the Boat Got my Book from Mrs Rose got my Flour at Bosells AJ Baker
and Thomas Munroe took Mr Millers horses to Pasture
4th american Independence Day Rain and Fine Great Racing and so on at Fort covington
5th Our Johns Birth Day Transplanted 11 plants of Tobacco
6th Went with my Boat to Jim Hopkins to Fix Lashey here at night Mr Mr Mears and Mr credden Col
stiles son-in Law slept in the Barn heavy Rain to night
7th Mr Mears and his men here all Day as the wind Blows very hard went off this evening Lashey
and I to his line Got 38 cents from them
8th Jimmy Grants Birth Day had a Treat from him on that Bought of AJ Baker ½ lb Tea 4 Quarts salt
1 plug Tobacco 4 cents postage on 2 papers I sent to Mr slack Tailor Williamstown 1 for matches I
owe AJB 9 cents on this )
Mr James Cameron Island July 9th 1871
Sunday salted the horses Windy
10th Jo Galerneau here Gave me some hooks gave me some hooks Mowed some thistles Before
the Door Semo came for his scythe Got it put the Marsh hay on the East Mow of the stable loft
Lashey here Jim Hopkins wife went to Williamstown

11th Fishing Down near the Kit Kit Got a good many suck{ers} Bass Pickerel chub and Perch Quite
a variety to Day
12th of July Orangemans Day Drew some Rails a party out of Dundee on the Brittish America
13th Went to Summerstown Seen Angus had a new Buggy Bought yesterday Andrew Baker and
Tom Summers went to Montreal the Americans surveying the River showed my sample of stav{es}
to the Cooper thought them Dear for his work
14th caught a stick of Pine Went to Dundee met Mr Stebbins Mr Creed and Mr Turner the Egg
Peddler Met Galernea spoke to me about Greenwood coming to Buy a peice of Hay Rain Wind
Thunder and Lightning stopt at a small{Illegible} took some Biscuit seen the Drudge working went
up to see the Cooper Laflesh Thomas Munroe crossed with 4 men the Schoolmistress and
Rebecca had something to Drink at Tyo's met Don Suple going across had a Treat from John
Creed my tin Bashin stol out of my Canoe By some of the Indians Got one from Frank Mayvilles
wife D Baker and I Buried a Large Lizard
Mr James Cameron Island July the 15th 1871
Fishing Caught a small Maskinonge 20 lb weight mow{ed} a swath Down to the River St Swithins
Day no rain if it rains to Day it will rain for 40 Days the saying is, a Pleasure Trip on the L Renaud of
the Indian
16th Sunday Mrs James Hopkins and George Grant here coming from Williamstown Walter Baker
and his Wife and Willie Rose here
17th Mowed some in the Grove at the River side Raining hard Thunder and Lightning Lashey here
to nig{ht} went with him to his Lines the champion came up to Day and Went Down yesterday there
must be something wrong with the Banshee as it is her Day to come up
18th Raining started for to go Turned Back with the storm Left my canoe up in the Bay
19th I crossed to summerstown Bought 100 Weight of Flour got on William McLeod’s account Got
2 Papers from Dan Seen the Passed the Examination in them as attorney at Law Took Dinner at
Thomas Munroe's
20th Smoking a Maskinonge made a few cocks of Hay
21st Harnessed the hor{ses} Drew a few Drags Drew in some hay 7 cocks in the Barn Mr Stebbins
here going to Lancast{er}
22nd Went to Mr Hopkins for my Boat Got my cleevises from Jim Went to Summersto{wn} Bought
of AJ Baker ½ lb Tea 1/3 Tobacco 4 cen{ts} 30 cents on credit Heavy Rain Thunder seen Long
John son George Renshaw sold his La{mbs} to John Carey for 2 ¼ - each

23rd Sunday Fishing
Mr James Cameron Island 24th July 1871
Mr Stebbins Payne Rockhill Creed came J Creed stopt the Rest went home creed Mowing in the
Grove very warm to Day Gordon and J Trowling got none put in some of the sheep
25th (St James Day Battle of Bannockburn) {Above it reads: helping AJ Baker with his hay got salt} I
crossed with 4 Lambs to John Carey the men Came to mow
26th Dog Days commenced Drawin Wood
27th started to go to Henery Genie's went as far as Rankins Point the Wind Rose I turned Back
Seen old Mr Vondell working on Dan McLeans Barge had a hard time coming up around shor{e}
Rained some stopt on the Foot of Christees Island Mowed some in Front of the house
28th Raining all the Men Fishing got a peice of sturgeon on Alexis Island Niles and Dighton Payne
Stebbing Fishing Got 2 Perch had a Row about them Putting the Greese on their heads
29th Doctor Gillis and a Boatload with him of Women 2 3 men Niles Park and another man here
they all went off to night
30th Went to Na Houtas Island as it is Raining Gordon and I
31st I crossed with 3 Dozen Eggs Bought ½ lb Tea Matches starch Tobacco Thread Mrs Hamilton
called me in as Tom Davis went up to meet me at the store I went to Carey Tom Lying Down on the
Island near the Bridge wakened him up he would not Rest if I would not take ½ Dollar from him I
took it came home then crossed with John Creed gave tom Pap{er?}
Mr James Cameron Island August 1st 1871
Lammas Day Mowing on the Pitt Point Fixing Fence caught a Good many Pickerel Creed sick the 2
Boys mowing and cocked 37 cocks very warm
2nd Gave them the upper Field on the haves Stebbin and Josey came Creed went home with Josey
Gordon Randolph and I went to see if the Scow was on Alexis Island Mary's Birth Day 1864
commenced to Stack help them to stack
3rd commence{d} a stack Payne Charlie and I went to Summerstown for 1 Gallon of H Wines
Cannons Firing to Day seen Sandy Snider on the Front Payne Treated me in Summerss
4 went to Alex{is} Island
5th stocking I went to Summerstown went to see John Carey got 7 Dollars from him he owes me 2
on the Lambs yet Gave AJ Baker 3 ½ to Give to Bill McLeod the other 3 ½ I gave to Thomas

Munroe Got 50 lb of Flour on Credit) from AJ Baker Bought 2 lb Butter at 17 cents 1 Bowl 7 cent
Matches 1 cent Tobacco 4 cents paid this with 50 cents - a White Bowl)
6th Randolph's Birth Day 1867 Sunday a Fine Day Lis Laflesh and John snider here had a Bottle
stopt till evening
7th Gathered 6 cocks about Finished all the stacks They took up all their Rigging and went off
Forgot their Hay fork about 5 40 cocks in Paynes stack I put 8 cocks of My own in an{d} 5 40 cocks
of Payns 55 cocks in the Barn now
Mr James Cameron Island Augt 8th 1871
Found a Pine tree in the upper Feild above the House its about 2 feet high now payne and I found it
when clearing a place to Build his stock yesterday the 7th) the Herricks here camping at the head of
the island a Large Party of them some from N.Y and some of them from chicago they came on
Monday the seventh 7th a very Windy time to Day heavy Rain Loud thunder and sharp Lightning
when Herricks party was coming from christees Island they very near got swamped Christopher
McRae and Josey Galernea Fishing I showed them the spot for Pickerel Mowed the road in Rushes
Beside the Marsh on Monday the 7th Caught 1 Bass 2 Perch 2 Pickerel or Wall Eyed Pike as some
call them
9th I went to Fish caught one Gordon and I to Head of the Island Met the Party coming to the
House to get eggs onions Gave 25 cents Gave Gordon some soda a Good many cap Berries or
scotch Bonnets Long Black Berries some Ripe
10th Gordon and I to the head of the Island the herricks went off Lost a vest George Bosell came
with his horse {we?} went with the Ark for the Bull on Alexis Island and this morning Jim Hopkins
took him away I Knew nothing about it till Josey Galernea told us after going up to the horse Island
Josey put me across I Gave him stuff for a Paddle
Mr James Cameron Island Augt 11th 1871
Went to AJ Bakers my Foot very sore Bought 2 lb butter 3 lb Pork 2 Bunches Black Thread 1 spoll
Kerosene oil ½ lb Powder 2 lb shot seen Dr Shaver Fishing settled with x andrew for Mr Millers
horses Paid the 50 lb x of Flour I got from him on the 5th the men on christees cutting hay, came
home with the Jar Payne got, took a Barrel home for to hold ashes I got at the end of AJ Bakers
store a Barge the Tug one of the Little Propellers run on the Bar at the squaw Island
12th my Foot very sore Fishing
13th sunday my Foot I cannot put und{er} me very sore and Badly swelled
14th Pulled out the Potato onions Found herricks vest Down in the Bay

15th tried or Begun the Potatoes at the Door Gordon Found a Bun went around the Island Fishing
at the Pickerel holes not Biting very well
16th opened one of my Boils and put soap and sugar to Draw it and it almost set me Raving it is so
very sore
17th shot a yellow hammer Plugged up a squirrel in one of the Hicory Trees cleaning my 3 Guns
18th Got 7 Ducks Went to the head of the Island seen Roses sheep I suppose they Put them on
yesterday
19th Bismarck's Birth Day 1 year old to Day Got 5 Ducks a Pleasure Party on the L Renaud one of
the Hens wanting to hatch Dipped her in the Water The City of Hamilton Towing here now eating
Tomatoes Horse Beans Ripe cucumbers plenty stertions {nasturtiums?}
Good Sunday the 20th East Wind Fine Day hazelnuts some Good Butternuts some meat in them
Randolphs Foot sore and Bismarcks Bad with Boils and myself Bad with Boils its the Dog Days
now and People should Physick themselves Before they Begin
Mr James Cameron Island Augt 21st 1870 {1871}
Shooting Ducks Took home Wood in the canoe
22nd Bad with Boils on My ancle and Leg Dan and Mr Lonagan came in the evening Brought me 2
plugs of Tobacco some Powder shot & caps Tea and sugar they went out swimming and Rowing in
the Boat
23rd this is the Day the Great Boat Race at St Johns Renforth Dies to Day Dan and Lonagan
through the Woods swimming and Rowing on the wat{er} Throwing the 11 lb Ball Dan Throws it
{blank space} Feet they Went off this Evening home Races in Lancaster
24th I crossed to Summerstown (Bought on credit 50 lb Flour) (Bought ¼ lb Tea Matches 3 yds
Cotton paid this) Got a Letter from Charlie heard of the Boat Race Mr Spencer and Christoph{er}
McRae here stopt in the Barn
25th Went to James Hopkins for the Bull Jim and George Grant Came Down with me in the scow
Left the scow till tomorrow James B Grant Died
26th Making an oar took away the scow East Wind
27th Heavy Rain all Day Old James B Grant Buried to Day
28th crossed to AJ Bakers Mr Spencer and Paul Grant here to night

29 Wind changed heavy from {small ink splotch} the West started to Go to Ross’s Island turned
Back Fishing in the Back channel
30th Drew some Wood
31st Bismarck commencing to stand up put in 2 Bushels of Potatoes eating new corn very unwell
to night Alexander Ocean McDonald Buried to Day
Mr James Cameron Island Sept 1st 1871
Went to AJ Bakers to 1 ½ Dozen of Eggs one plug Tobacco the rest in Tea (to 2 lb of shot on credit)
took Dinner at T Munroes speaking to Captain Newton of the Barge Griswold about the manure Let
him have my Boat to go and meet the Adolphus she passed up here this morning to go for Fort
Covingto{n} Lacross club to play in Lancaster I crossed with Thomas Munroe to Dundee with the 4
or 5 of the connors Tyo Fixing his shed George and Pete Bosell here seen Mr Herrick told him I
found his vest
2nd a very warm fine Day very warm Gordon and I to Kitt Kit Island Ross’s and Butternut shot a
Duck did not Get it Found a couple of staves took Dinner on Ross’s Island) Killed some Black
snakes But I Did not Look after them much as it was shoes I had on if it was my Boots I would look
after them more a Great Deal of shooting around Christees and Alexis’s
3rd Dans Birth Day and a Fine Day it is very Warm
4th Went to Cornwall with AJ Baker William McLeod's Wife Poorly Doctor Shaver attending
5th John Angus's Birth Day commenced taking up the Potatoes Got ½ lb Tea 1 lb Sugar from AJ
Baker the Day I went to Cornwall took my Dinner and supper there

Mr James Cameron Island Sept 5th 1871 {This ink on this page is more faded than the others}
Commence the Potatoes took up 20 Bushels to Day
6th this is the Last of the Dog Days at the Potatoes took up 10 Bushels to Day Shot some Ducks
7th very Windy Babel and his wife called here as they were going to co{Illegible} Gave them Some
Potatoes took 10 Bushels thats 40 Bushels out of this Peice Besides what we eat since Killed some
Ducks Shot a Hawk
8th Fishing Got a Duck Fixing the ashes in Bags went around the Island seen Captain Newtons
Barge aground Loaded with Hops and Leach-ed Ashes Sneaking to the Boy Smith the steamer
Adolphus came up and assisted in taking them off
10th Sunday George and Jim Nicholson here B{Illegible}ting to B{Illegible} Timber for Sticklers Boat
and Wanting to Buy Marsh Bay although it is Sunday

11th Went out with my ashes to James Grant had 3 ½ Bushels 15 cents a Bushel I Bought of AJ
Baker 2 lb Shot 20 cents ½ lb Powder 20 cent 1 plug Tobacco 4 cents Tin Cup 7 cents a Great Pic
Nic on Burnt House Point for Sunday school Children Peter B Grant Wanting his Pot seen Luke
Bowen crossed for Thomas to Renshaws as John Barrett was wanting him 40 Days Devotion in
Williamstown now
Mr James Cameron Island Sept 12th 1871
Raising Potatoes in the Back Garden 3 ½ Bushels Randolph and I
13th The Fair in Fort Covington Commences to Day Cut some Marsh Hay
14th at Summerst{own} seen Angus took over Peter B Grants Pot Went to see John Carey seen
Hugh Fraser (McKinney) at Carey{s} {Between the lines it reads: Great Frost Last night} a Great
many crossing to the fair the Brittish america Down with a Raft with tents on it Put a Ring in
Barretts Bulls nose to Day at Paris{h} minister Rap came across with I home a man By the name of
Wesley Died very sudden to Day going a{cross?} to the Fair he was a schoolmaster seen Jim
Hopkins over with a Passenger
15th Took up some of the Pota{toes} in the Bush, and they are very smal{l} what Done that is the
tops Being cropp{ed} off and Grew and Blossomed the second Time a Handsome Large squash
the Frost Killed the vines in the Bush But not around the House Bought of AJ Bake{r} 50 lb Flour at
3 ¼ on Credit left an note for him Blowing seen Tom Davis an J Baker Fixing Before his Door with
Ground
Sept 16th 1871 Mr James Cameron Island
Mr Luke Brown here Got the Loan of my Brittish Musket Gave him some envelopes Luke told me I
would Get his spear Besid{es?} Went to Alexis Island 3Shot 3 Ducks got 1 the shanty that was in
Na Houtas Island is Burnt Indians catching Rats since some time in August I think the Drudge came
out With the Brittish American to Day about 52 Bushels in the cellar now of Potatoes
17th Sunday Writing to Charlie a Letter Rain high Wind
18th Began to Cut in Front Marsh cut 8 cocks hard Frost and ice Last night The Ram along with the
Little Nannie a Great many canoe{s} and Boats on the Water to Day cut some in the Back Marsh
shot a Duck Magnet went Down
19th Henery Genie's Barge sailed Down passed the Door his Boy called to se me about the Timber
he told me he was married in January his Father is coming up next Week HughAnn and Gordon
Gathering Grapes gather 2 Tubs full Raining high Wind Got 2 very small Turtles Lost one of Them
out of my Pocket 2 of the hens hatching Ducked them in the Water and shut them up to take the
hatching of them

20th Shows in Lancaster Charlie and Willie Rose after the Ram and Wedder {wether} to Kill Made
13 cocks in the Back Marsh Shot Black Duck Drew some chips and Wood Livinia Bad with
Toothache and earache Raining some Water very Low
Mr James Cameron Island Sept 21st 1871
St Matthew's Day Frost Last Night Livinia very Bad with the Toothache a Barge sailed across in to
salmon River
22nd Got a Rat for the First setting a very fine Day put in the sheep thinking of Going over
tommorrow
23rd Windy Let the sheep go Gathering Butternuts some oak nuts Ducks not plenty
24th Sacrament in Williamstown some Rain here not much Thunder and Lightning more heavy to
the north Fishing a Man and a Woman stopt Last night up in the Bay I seen their Fire this morning
they had a Good many Boats a Going to Day Renaud went Down
25th I crossed to Summerstown AJ Baker in Montreal Bought ½ lb Tea ¼ lb cut Tobacco 1 Quart
of Kerosen oil Got the Loan of Fitspatrick scythe from Jim Nichols{on} Got a Treat of Ale From
George Renshaws Water Low Raising some now 1 pennys worth of Matches cut some Rushes
Beat William Lavellets a Racing coming Down to Hamiltons as they said Hurra for a Race Got a
Paper from Charlie
26th Began to mow with fitsPatricks scythe Got a Rat commenced to Rain Raining all Day East
Wind cold Rain putting the onions in Boxes spreading the nuts on the Floor up stairs
27th Gathering nuts Gordon and I
28th Drew some Wood Raining
29th St Michael Mowing Back Marsh East End Made 28 cocks

1st of October Sunday Gordon and I to Ross's Island and Charlies Island Found a stave eat some
Grapes and Cranberries took our Dinner on Charlies or Butternut Island no Butternuts seen
Lamay's Boat at Ross Island Getting Grapes and cranberries shot a very Large Eagle in the Grove
Mr James Cameron Island Oct 2nd 1871
Got a Rat Went to Summerstown Called at John Hamiltons to see the Well Depth about 32 Feet
and about 12 feet of water in it now Heard old Mrs John Summers was very poorly Heard Murdock
F McLennan was Laird of Williamstown AJ Baker in cornwall signed the papers again Bought of AJ
Baker on credit 1 peck of salt Got 50 cents to Give to Thomas Munroe the pay of the sheep
Kenneth Lost a 5 Dollar Bill Heard Willia{m} McLeod Lost his Grey mare seen Dan Ross from the

Kings Road he is taking up Large stones with a patent Machine seen George of Athol at
Summerstown a very fine Day East Wind
3rd Raining West Wind went to Fish got none Lashey here Fishing minnows and pickerel
4th Drew some Wood Gathering nuts set some Traps
5th Fair commences in Williamstown I crossed to P.O. – called to see John H{Illegible} W{Illegible}
– took Dinner at Thomas Munroes Kenneth McDonald Heard of John his son was one of them
either got Killed or Got wounded in the mines AJ Baker scowing his salt Bought a pair of Boots
1"40 Bottle of castor oil 10 AJ Baker got 2 Dollars from John Carey for me ½ Dollar of this I got to
Give Thomas Munroe
6th crossed with 2 Lambs to John Carey got as I thought pay for the sheep x Bought of AJ Baker
50 lb Flour paid this 40 cent worth Pork I owe 7 cents on the Pork helping Andrew with the Porker
Mr James Cameron Island Octoby 7th 1871
Saturday thinking thomas Munroe would be after the sheep gathered some nuts piling some wood
cut a few swarths of marsh Hay set 2 Traps A fine Day Wind West Ducks scarce Rats not Plenty
Burning on Na-Houtas Island Keeping in the sheep thinking he will come for them water very low
snakes plenty Bismarck very sick
8th a Race up the Princess Louise and the City of Ottawa
9th a Fine Morning Gordon and I Went to Lukes Bow{en} for the EEl spear got the spear and a
Broken one Luke Thrashing at Bills seen Mr Lesslie and James Hopkins at Paul Jo's Hunting
partridge had a chat with them and a Good coo of old Rye coming Down the chann{el} we had a
Pretty strong Breeze did not like to stop on the Hog Island for fear the wind wo{uld} be worse so we
kept on in the Gale Landed sa{fe} cut some hay in the Front marsh
10th HughAnns Birth Day smoky windy Big Fires over on the south side of us in the Marsh I think
there must Be some stacks Burnt
11th Games Williamstown Boat Racing in Dundee James Hopkins and Peter Buchanan 1111
Henery Genies son and Johnston of the Cherry Island Lighthouse Wind high or else I was Going to
see them
12th Raining smoky Windy Mowing some
13th Making a stack put 51 Cocks in it
14th go{t a} Rat cut the Wings of the Eagle set some Traps Water very Low Heard Geese But Did
not see the{m} Raining to night thought to cross but did not go Bismarck very sick Gave him spirits
of Turpentine new moon this D{ay} morning a Great many Boats and a Good lot of Towing

Mr James Cameron Island Oct 15th 1871
Sunday Seen Wild geese High High very high Wind very Bad with Pain I took in my side
16th very unwell in Bed all Day
17th not very well took Down the Petition took in the carrots and Beets
18th St Lukes Day First snow very stormy Raining
19th very heavy Thunder and Lightning to night
20th a change in the moon splitting some wood
21st Went to summerstown crossed to George Renshaws with Fitspatrick all Day on the Island very
cold and no Fire made out Georges steamboat Bills crossed with Fitspatrick and Jessamas Wife to
Summerstown stopt at Georges all night Babell here stopt on the Pitt Point Fishing with his
nets Sunday 22nd Bought of AJ Baker 1 Quart of Kerosene oil ½ lb Tea on Credit) (1 plug of
(Tobacco matches paid this)
Sunday 22 came home Just got home when the wind commenced to Blow went to the P Point to
give Babell some Tobacco Found a canoe
23rd Little Livinia Birth Day 1868 Fixing a place with rails for to Build a stack or putting up the hay
that was Blowed Down Tried for EEls got none took Round the canoe
Mr James Cameron Island October 24th 1871
24th Our Hugh’s Birth Day Went to Summerstown Paid Thomas Munroe for the Lambs Gave me a
7 ½ on them Give him 2 Dollars in Bills wrote a Letter to Heneri Genie a Meeting of the Cheese
Factory Folks up at Mr Craigs John Hamilton and I came home together in the Boat the horse
slipped his headstall at Summerss Door Looking for the horse Found him in the Pasture harness off
25th My Birth Day Banking the house the West End
26th Drawing wood Laduke and Peter Shetla here looking for Timber a Great Deal of shooting to
Day went to the Little Island to Try for EEls wind Raised came home
27th Piling some wood
28th Went to Fort Covington with my Rats and the Wool 6 lbs Bag and all sold my Rats to Mr
Streeter Bow{cut off} of Mr Cangdon Pink and {Seenna?} Paid the carding men got a Dring of Cider
under the carding mill got a Treat from Donald Suple Bought of A Smallman 1 lb Crack{ers} Bought
of R Baker 1 lb shot ¼ lb Tobacc{o} 2 Bunches of matches 2 hanks of Thread got a Treat from one
McRae a Gacheman Rowed Pretty hard coming up the River as there is a Boat Putting after me

hard did not catch me till I stopt at the Custom house it was William McLean and John Richard
Grant
Sunday 29th Blowing hard
30th Working at Banking the East End of the house Gordon Found my Knife at the shore that had
Been Lost 10 years it is as good as ever
31 Holy Eve cracking nuts put a Letter in the PO to Charlie and a paper seen Ellen on the Front
Mr James Cameron Island OcNovember 1st 1871
Raining hard East Wind working at the corner cubbord
2nd at the cubbord Fxing the stacks
3rd cutting poles for a Fence to put around the stacks
4th hard Frost Last night Jim Hopkins here for an ash Runner and a Yoke East Wind the EEl Fishers
the Mayhews came up I crossed to Roses with the wool to spin got 2 Dollars from norman abrams
Bought of AJ Baker 7/6 worth of Flour ½ lb Tea 1 Doz of Herrings 2 Dollars) Bought matches and
Tobacco went up with Thomas Munroe to supper as he is going to the shanty next Week The
Nashes Steamer came in to Summerstown Heard the Brittish America was sold
5th The Gunpowder Plot Guy Fawks Day Blowing snowing Got a Rat
6th chopping stove Wood
7th Helens Birth Day set 2 Traps for the Weasel
8th Got 2 Ducks chopping and piling Wood
9th put out the Long canoe at the Lower Point Raising the Pine Stick {Between the lines it reads:
Prince of Wales Birth Day} at the Water Log Thinking of sawing it in 2 for Logs
10th Windy the Mayhues crossed from Christees Island to this Island and camped in the Bell Bay
one of them came to the house snowing a Steamer got aground up at Hamiltons to night with a
Tow
11th the Mayhues went of Snowing and Blowing I caught 4 EEls for the first I caught this fall hard
Frost to night Gordon Found another Knife at the shore with the water so very Low
Martinmas 12th Sunday Blowing hard
13th crossed to PO Fine Turned high East Wind took a Muskrat to 1 Quart of oil Went over with G
Renshaw Mr Craig taking his cattle from Jacobs Island ice Froze in Salmon River

14th caught 5 EEls Got a Rat East Wind Rain Blowing hard
15th Drew some Wood —
Mr James Cameron Island Nov th 15th 1871
– high East Wind a Great many Boats coming up as the canal is Likley to be Fixed now The
Corinthian Kingston spartan osprey and Propeller America a Race Both together The Magnet St
Helen the Picton Went Down another Propeller went up and another Tow went up Keeping in the
Horses this Week Back Feeding with Good Hay high Wind to night Raining
16th Raining {Between the lines it reads: Thanksgiving Day} snowing East Wind cutting hay Put in
Roses old sheep again Keeping in the Hens a small Tug went up with a Tow a very Raw Wind of
Weather
17th a Fine Day the Man to be hung in Montreal to Day for the Murder of Mrs Foster his name
{blank space} Went to Fish EEls got 3 West Wind Turned some cold towards evening set 5 Traps in
the Front Marsh Fixing springs to some of My Traps to night
18th Went to AJ Bakers to 1 RAt 12 ½ cents Boug{ht} salt to cut Tobacco Got 2 Papers from
Andrew Found a night Line near Hamiltons Island with a horse sho{e} and a Bent clevis tied on it I
think it must Belong to old Tom Davis as that supperstitious Rigging is on to it took Down a Load of
Wood in the Boat George Renshaw went to Lancaster Great shooting over the Way of Christees
Island I think it must be Jim Hopkins with Decoys there seen a Great many Wild Geese to night and
Last night I never seen suck {such} Flocks of Ducks as ment {went} Down an immence Lot of them
19th Sunday East Wind some cold a Good many Boats a Going
20th Went to Christees to Fish EEls in the Mud and Down to the Kit Kit Island all Day {Between the
lines it reads: Heard Great Blowing of Horns to night} and only got a Lizard not 1 aEEl and in the
Best of Mud to Get them
21st On this Day of the Month Donald McMaster Departed in 1846 Drew some wood Drew up 2 of
the canoes took the Boards from the sugar Bush came home for the Gun thought I seen Wild
Geese in the Bay But they we{re} Big Black Ducks
22n chopping at the Door Keeping in the Horses Lots of Boats a Going the ottawa city went into
salmon River the Renaud passed Down did not Go into Lancaster 23rd shot a duck Fixing at Stoves
took out the Doubl Stove to the cook house took in the cook stove to the hous{e}
Mr James Cameron Island Nov 23rd,, 1871
This is Thanksgiving Day in the States shot a Duck at the Lower end of the island Fixing a Fence
around the stacks as the cattle is at them pretty cold to Day the Enterprize went in to salmon River
and came out to night as it is Freezing very hard to night a circle around the moon East Wind put

our sheep in the shed shut them up Feeding them 2 Barges Towed up By the Highlander went in
sailing to Lancaster Lot of Boats coming up and Going Down {T}owing and Going
24th chopping stove Wood cold time
25th 2 Men came up in a Boat stopt on the sturgeon Island thought it was Jim Hopkins Horses got
out By the Pin coming out of the stable Door got them in a cold night
26th Fine Day commenced to Rain and Wind strong to night
27th Took the Long canoe from the Lower Point cold north Wind
28th Tow Boats and Propellers a Going yet Walter Baker and George Bosell after their Horses not
Pleased at me feeding hay and Keeping them in Got 2 Dollars and 65 cents from George and I Paid
or Allowed a Dollar for the Hens Highlander up to night with a Big Tow Europe went up cut some
Wood for the First Gordon and I cold to night
29th a small Propeller I went Down with something like a Drudge in tow the John A McDonald went
up with a schooner in Tow Light in the Light Houses to night and its very Windy Cold and very
Frosty to night chopping Stove Wood Broke on the Piles of Wood Before the Door Feeding and
Keeping in the Cattle this is St Andrews Eve a Ball at McRae’s at the Depot the Big White owl
coming around – and St andrew Dinner
30th St Andrews Day very cold high Wind Frosty Ground hard no snow Froze to the outside of the
Rushes Last night Could not see any Light in any of the Lighthouses
1st of December a Tug Propeller went up nothing in Tow very cold and Windy cutting stove Wood
and Piling in the cookhouse Water commencing to Raise
2nd Taking up the Boat and canoes Raising the Pine stack and it Rolled over after having it high
enough Killed a sheep a very Good one she is Hens a Freezing the Heifer and Bull Picking but set
Fire to the Back Marsh it dont Burn well south-West Wind
Mr James Cameron Island Decr 3rd 1871
William Lavelle here got the Big Barrel Sunday Gordon going Round Down to the Lower Point
Found and old Indian Hatchet one of the Largest I Found yet a very fine Day sun shining wind Kind
of Warm snowed some this morning Lots of snow birds First Sunday in advent
4th a Fine Day Went to Summerstown Bough{t} of AJ Baker 1 Pair of Boots 3 ¾ Gave him 2 Dollars
on the Boots (½ lb soda 5 cents 53 lb of Flour on credit) (Paid -/4 for 2 Plugs of Tobacco ½ lb Tea
1/3 Thread 6 cents salt 10 cents oil 12 ½ cents paid this) Went over with George Renshaw to Kill a
sheep a Treat from Walter at Summers Got some Papers from Dan some Papers from Charlie Got
some sarsaparilla from Tom Davis

5 very Cold and Windy cutting stove Wood Frosty
6th very Cold and Windy wind Fell in the afternoon and its Frosty the ice took across to christees
and the Kit Kit about Dark I think the Fox left to night on the ice Hens Freezing
7th ice Broke as its Kind of soft all gone Got a Weasel in the Trap Chopping a Birch in the Bush
8th Chopping in the Bush Gordo{n} and I Windy snowing Drifting snowed Last night very unwell still
Knocking aroun{d} seen the Big Black Eagle coming around Ducks Plenty in the channel no Rats
nor minks
9th Went for a Broom to the Bush Raising the square Pine stick on the ice high West Wind stormy
and cold one of the sheep sick Foolish like
10th Stormy Drifting snowing Blowing
Mr James Cameron Island Dec 11th 1871
in the Bush cut ½ cord of Birch cold
12th a Fine Day Killed the Little Nannie crossed with the Boat had to Leave it at the head of
hamiltons Island as the Little channel is all Froze went Down to Mr Roses for the yarn Got 5 skains
{skeins} Left ½ Skain and a Ball of Gray yarn to make me a Pair of Mits went to AJ Bakers Bought
47 lb of Flour on Credit ) (Spool of Thread Paid this) John Hamilton Taking in one of his Stacks of
Hay Andrew Baker Getting hay from archy McDonald
13th Stormy East Wind ice making some a Good Deal going Down
14th ice Taken to Francis Island to night Lifting Troughfs in the Bush went to the Head of the Island
to see how the ice was not taken at the head nor away up chopping some
15th I crossed over to Hamilton Island But its awful Bad {Between the lines it reads: got 2 EEls} I
think now after crossing it only took about Daylight this morning as I never was so Frightened on
the ice Before But in case of a snow storm coming want to mark out the Best of the ice as there is a
Great many air holes But I made Tracks home Quick it was not ¼ of an inch thick
16th Drew up the Boat and 2 of the canoes crossed to AJ Bakers Seen Mr Spinks treated me at
Davids Bought of AJ Baker 8 yds wincy 15 a yd 1-20 1 Black spool 5 cents 8 yds Cotton 7d 93 cent
1 spool 5 cents ½ lb Tea 25 1 Bottle of Radways RR 25 3 Plugs of Tobacco 10) (Matches Paid)
called in at Hamiltons Got some Tobacco From John a Debate on the Front Last night AJ Baker
Killing the Cow he Traded with George Renshaw cold East Wind
Mr James Cameron Island Dec 17th 1871

Sunday Kind of soft Mild wind south West and north snowing Drifting and Fine seen 2 Foxes
crossing from Christees Island to this on another Fox in the Back Bay on the North side a Great
many of those white Back Eagles Flying around the ice to get Ducks and muskrats that are caught
in the ice water Raising near shore took up the Traps as the water is Raising
18th Fine Morning spearing EEls turned stormy East Wind and snow Raising the Rest of the
Troughfs in the sugar Bush
19th a Fortunate Day Went to AJ Bakers Bought 3 Quarts of Ker-osene oil Brought To Hamiltons
some English Papers for Tom Davis Killing their Hogs at Hamiltons Got a Hooker from Margaret
East Wind turned very stormy could Hardly see coming home its slo stormy a Great many going to
Cornwall Mills From the Coteau and cedar’s
20th a Fortunate Day chopping in the Bush cold Turned very cold towards night very Frosty night to
night cut a Water hole Feeding the cattle extra West Wind piling up some Boards
21st First Day of Winter and a cold Frosty Day it is st Thomas
22nd a Fortunate Day West win{d} Fine turned to East Wind Got John Hamiltons hors{e/s} to Go to
AJ Bakers for 100 of Flour took Dinner at Hamiltons in at Roses John Drawing some hay out of the
Stack Got the Loan of the hand-sleigh from Ferry antwine Bosells wife to ta{ke} my Flour across the
ice
23rd White washing Raised the Pine stick some more Wind Raised very very high to night from the
West Rain Horse cutter crossed at Summerss
Mr James Cameron Island Dec 24th 1871
Sunday Went around the Island Gordon and I seen horse and cutter coming to Hog Island turned
Back to Summerstown this is Christmas Eve
25 Christmas Day a Fine Day Fished some EEls
26th Chopping in the Bush East Wind Frosty {B}osells crossed over to Christees Island to Fish EEls
{St} Stephens Day Full Moon seen a sleigh crossing the Lancaster Road I dont see any at
Summers’s crossing the crack over ner Hopkins must be Bad
27th St John the Evangelist Day cold West Wind stormy went to Henerys and William Lavelletes
come and chop Henery working at Donald McDonalds hewing
28th William and his 2 Boys came to chop I went to AJ Bakers Bought 1 lb Tea 50 lb Pork 1" ½ lb
Pepper 10 Pint of H Wines 25 2 plugs of Tob 8 Bunches of Matches 2 cents 3 lb 2 oz of Butter at
18 cents per lb 8 Mr Streeter Buying Andrews Rats Fox mink skins Got 4 Dotographs from Charlie
and 2 Letters and 2 Papers an Austraulia Paper and the Budget William Lavellete Got the Loan of
our churn {cut off}ld some

29th Our Angus's Birth Day William {a}nd his 3 Boys came to chop Gave them an order {o}n AJ
Baker for 2 Dollars Drew 2 Loads of Wood with his horse William took some Potatoes and 2 Dozen
of Herring for his Dinner Drew my Boat up From the River to the Barn chopped {s}ome Firewood
along the Bank
30th cold stormy East Wind chopping and sawing stove Wood the Dinner in aid of Mr Watson Last
night they will have {i}t cold Going home this morning
31st set 2 Traps Kind of {s}oft Rained to night East Wind Last night of the year

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“Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca