Text
James Cameron (1824-1912)
1883
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.}
1882
Mr James Cameron Island Dec 28th
Holy Innocents Day Fine Some Wind and cold Snowing making a Jumper some crust on the
snow
29th Our Angus's Birth Day Working some at the Jumper Randolp {the ‘ph’ of this name are
merged into one letter} went to the Bush for the 2 sheep got one of them home put her in
then went for the other Brought her home but Did not get her in she went Back in the Bush
cold some
30th Randolp went for the sheep seen her but could not Drive here so left her then went
with the Little sleigh and could not Find her we thought she must of taken the water and
got Drowned as she was on the edge of the ice the crust is so Bad in the Bush they dread
to Travel on the crust if she took the water she must have sunk {Above it reads: cleaned
one of my Guns} Kind of soft to day
31st Last Day of the year Sunday Fine W Wind snowed some Windy this Evening Feeding
the cattle Extra there is a small Grass bird stops around the Barn and stacks all this Winter
all the cattle Poultry Horse and all hearty Wild Ducks some the Fox around cant Get a
chance on him Sea Gulls Plenty
1st of January News Years Day 1883 Fixing the sleigh chopped some Wood
2nd Went to the Bush Broke the off corner of my axe cut Down an old Dead Birch cold Fine
Drew some Wood
3rd Fine wind changed to the West could hear it coming {Above it reads: allens Birth Day}
for a long time before it reached here very very high Wind broke up what ice that was made
4th ice Taken north Wind cold Freezing Draw some wood cutting stove Wood Feeding the
cattle extra)))
3rd Allen's Birth Day 1853
1883
1
Mr James Cameron Island January 5th
High E Wind Freezing very hard cold put a crank in the Grindstone Feeding the cattle a
Little Extra the airhole at the Door is Breaking upwards with the high EW
6th E Wind Blowing hard cold and Frosty airholes plenty snowed a Little Randolph to the
Upper Pint to see how the ice was taken Good Fire cattle hearty and smart took my sail of
the mast as I think I will have no use for it any more this Winter the ice must be good
enough to crofs {cross} a foot
7th Sunday Kind of Mild snowed some
8th HughAnn's Birth Day 1866 crofsed the ice fo the First put out some Bushes Randolph
and I a Great many airholes our Road is crooked with going around those airholes and
cracks snowed some John Hamilton Gave me a Ride up with his Colt as he is only Breaking
her in she Goes well went up as Far as Mr Purcell's Store the First time I was there Bought of
Mr McDonald a Bottle of Eclectric oil 25 ½ lb of Pepper 15
9th Reading papers E Wind Frosty
10th Frosty seen a cutter crofsing Summers's Road cutting wood
11th in the Bush Leander and I Kind of Fine but Frosty Randolph putting out manure
12th Went to Summerstown seen Mr Wells a he Treated me seen Tyo Paro Bone Bought of
John Summers ½ lb Tea 25 ¼ lb 11 Tax 3 cents all this I paid Gave him 3 Dollars to my
account I owe him now 3..74 cents John Hamilton to Cornwall seen the Track of a Mink
crofsing the ice to Hamiltons Island
13th cutting Wood in the Bush Leander Randolph and I cold some Frosty E Wind all Day
changed in the Evening to South Blowed very hard to night Thawing some a Big Flurry of
snow this morning
1883
Mr James Cameron Island January 14th
Snowed and Drifted this morning turned Fine Gordon came West Wind Took Mrs
Partingtons Carpet Bag of Fun with him
15th cutting and drawing Firewood cutting some of the Trees thats Tearing the Bank Down
cutting ash for Rails What came Home but the other sheep and I was sure she took the
River and was Lost as when we was Looking for her could not Find her Track we gave her up
for Lost till she came home herself this Evening Seen Cutters crofsing on the East Road on
the ice to Lancaster coming From the South side a Fox crofsed from Christees Island to our
Island Fine and Frosty to night
2
16th Bushing the Road at the Kit Kit acrofs {across} from the South Side Randolph went to
Fort Covington with my Boot to be mended McCartney mended it 15 cents Bought a Lock
15 cents Bought 12 yds of Cotton $1.. Bought of Jo Lemay 1 lb 25 and 1 lb 40 of Tea 3 Bars of
Soap 15 thats on Credit 80 cents I owe him Seen 2 of the Bosells Fishing below Sturgeon
Island a very fine Day The Cow Oxley and the Bull Bruno had a Wicked Fight to Day for a
Quiet Cow She is awful savage she wont give in although the Bull put her Down Different
times
17th in the Bush Turned stormy E Wind Blowing and snowing Blustery the Bull and oxley
another Fight to Day Kept here in all Day
18th W Wind Drifting some Fine Bruno & oxly another fight but I Kept them apart as she
chases him all over
19th cutting Willows and alders cold Frosty
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 20th of January
Broke on a 3 Ton Marsh hay stack E Wind turned Stormy to night snow Drift and Rained
took home some Wood
21st St Agnefs West Wind Blew very hard
22nd high West Wind Frosty and Fine the oxley is afraid of Bruno the Bull as she Keeps out
of his way
23rd Windy Frosty cold Feeding the cattle little extra
24th Charlie Tuppers Birth Day he is about 83 years old Fine very Cold and Frosty and Wind
25th Robie Burn's Birth Day W Wind Frosty and Fine I crofsed seen Mr Gotchie and Bosho at
John Hamiltons buying apples John Hamilton went to Lancaster to get his mare shod I to
Summersto{wn} Bought of Mr Ward oil 35 paper of Pins 8 Box of Tax 10 pipe Bought of John
Summers Worm Candy 12 ½ pipe 1 cent got 2 papers at Hamiltons got some apples
26th Fine Day Frosty I went to Luke Bowen's Randolph and I young Luke Fine going pretty
Frosty coming Back E Wind Mr James McDougall here to see my ashes and is coming
tommoro for them
27th E Wind Blowing Snowing Rain in Sleet turned Fine Mr McDougall and the 2 Boys came
took the Ashes at 8 cents had 51 Bushels called it 50 paid me 2..60 there is 1..40 yet took
home some Wood my Fingers and Toes Froze this Frosty Weather
28th Fine Day
3
29th Randolph went to Paro Bone's took the sticks for the shafts and the inch augur and
the 2 Cats a Fine Day E Wind
30th Went to Summerstown Gave Mr Ward Tallow 35 lb at 7 cents 2..45 Hide 56 at 6 cents
3..36 and 1 Dollar Cash 6..81 Bought 50 lb of Flour 1..62 ½ on Credit) Bought RRR 25 paid this
Bought of J Summers 2 pipes 2 cents Gordon at Hamiltons a very Fine Day Froze some to
night
31st change in the Moon high W Wind Raining snowing Drifting Blowing put 2 Handles in the
Knives Blowing hard to night
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 1st of February
Cold Fine W Wind cutting Willows and Alders in the oakfeild Donald John McDougall here
came with the rest of the pay of the Ashes 1..50 he tells me they have to water their Cows
at the River as the creek is Dry and no water in their well their Cows and Mr Frasers bad
with the Scours it seems as its a Kind of Desease
2nd Candlemafs Day If the Bear comes out to Day he will see his shadow as the sun shines
Some says about the Raccoon too that he comes out too Drawing alders and Willows Cold
but Fine WW
3rd E Wind high Stormy snowed Drifting
4th Quinquasim {Quinquagesima} Sunday Drifting Blowing snowing E Wind hailing
5th Windy Clearing in the Oakfield
6th chopping alders and Willows in the oakfield Windy
7th Ash Wednesday Stormy snowing W Wind Turned Warm and Fine Drew some Wood
turned windy Drifting Randolph to Paro Bone's for the sleigh Brought them a Tennet of Milk
they sent some Buckwheat Flour with him
8th Gordon's Birth Day 1863 Fine Turned Windy Drifting Snowing Making a Pair of Shafts
This new Moon is more on its Back than any Moon I have seen for years cutting the West
Mow Down to the Beam seen the Fox crofsing this Morning to christees Island
9th cut a Load of Wood
10th a Fine Day Went to Summerstown Bought of Mr Ward Salt 40 or 30 cents {Above it
reads: Sweetys 2 cents paid} Broom 25 needle 1 cent Bought of Mr Purcell 50 lb Flour 25 lb
of Buck-Wheat ½ lb of Tea 1 ½ yds of cloth $3..60 paid this got an Almanac and paper From
Mr Angus McDonald at Mr Purcells Got some Papers from AJ Baker got an Almanack from
4
John Hamilton Mr Ward poorly heard of Charlie Parisha's Lofs of his horse cow and Mill Seen
Long John Heard John James came home E Wind Freezing hard to night
11th Sunday E Wind cold Drifting snowed some to night
12th chopping stove Wood Fine Day
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 13th of February
cutting Stove Wood Windy
14th St Valentine's Day a fine Day Went to Hamiltons for Grain got 2 Bushels of Barley would
take no pay Gave me 1 ½ Doz of Herrings wind changed to the East turning cold and
commenced to blow hard Gordon at Kenneth's helping them to Thrash Heard mr Streeter is
on his Last EEl Fishers on the ice
15th E Wind Blowing hard snowed Drifted hailed cutting stove Wood
16th E Wind Fine commenced to Rain Kind of Warm cut some Wood Drew some snow soft
17th cutting Stove Wood
18th James Hugh's B Day 1855 Fine Day
19th Cutting Wood Cold
20th Randolph went to Fort Covington with 15 Rats 13 cents a peice {Above it reads:
nomination Day} 1..94.. Bought of Jo Lemay 2 lb of Tea at 40 cents 80 cents Soda 8 cents
on credit Bought of Mr Burdo RRR 25 Almanack 5 Bought of Smallman ½ lb Tea 13 cents Bar
of Soap 6 Lunch 3 cents 5 cents Missing got a Ride part of the Way From D Baker the rest
of the Way to the Front From AJ Baker stopt at Hamiltons all night the Thrashing mill came
to Hamilton I went to help them to Thrash Windy Drifting
22nd Washington's B Day a Fine Day at the Thrashing George Fergusons Son went to Be
Married over to Fort Covington to one McIntyre girl Tom Jack went with Them Gordon took
a Bottle of Down's Elixir from Wards for me on credit 25 cents not well
23rd a Fine Day Done Thrashing came home Gordon went to Thrash again with Parisha
24th St Matthias Day Cold Fine Drifting E Wind Foggy Randolp went to Wards Got Flour at
Hamiltons Livinia not well cutting a Quarter of Beef cutting a cake of Sugar 2 years old sugar
25 Randolph went to Mr McDougalls Thawing Windy Mr Carpenter took my Road for the
Road to Lancaster turned Back
1883
5
Mr James Cameron Island 26th of Feby
Randolph Came from Mr McDougalls him and Aleck went to see the cars and the Rail-Road
the First Time he ever seen them ice slippery
27th Election Day for Ray-side and McLennan Rayside got in cold and Blowing
28th Mr Streeter Buried to Day in Fort Covington 2 Men here Mr Cunningham and Mr
Howlesworth Randolph to Mr McDougalls for oil
1st of March St Davids Day the Festival of the Welsh I went to Summerstown Bought of Mr
Ward 1 pair of Boots 3..75 10 lb of Oatmeal 36 Pail 20 Bought of J Summers 1 Box of Radway
Pills 23 1 Box of Worm Losenges 25 {Above it reads: paid this} Races in Dundee
2nd Randolp to Hamiltons for Cornell Farlinger there a Fine Day
3rd Crofsed to Mr Wards with a Tennet of Butter 36 lb pail and all 25 cents Bought of Mr
Ward 50 lb of Flour 1..62 ½ Boots for John 95 on credit Bought of J Summers 2 yds of Linsey
30 cents paid this spool of Thread got a Ride Down to hamiltons with John McLauglin
4th Came from Hamiltons Fine Frosty
5th Randolp went to the Gore fort HughAnn to come home Fine Fros{ty} Randolph came
Back to Mr McDougalls stopt all night there cutting wood and hay in the Mow
6th HughAnn and Randolph came home Windy cold some and Fine E Wind Bad with my
shoulder its paining me hard put Eclectric oil Duck oil and RR Relief on it mixed them all
together Drifting to night
7th cutting hay cold
8th Cold Windy Freezin{g}
9 Mr McDougall here Got a Print of Butter 8 or 9 lbs Got 1..50 this is the time we expect the
Big Wind {go}t my Boot crows
Mr James Cameron Island FMarch 10th 1883
Went to Summerstown East Wind Fine Snowing Blowing Kind of soft Rain Wind changed
through night to West
11th Snowing Drifting West Wind Crows came this must be the crow Winter
12th On this Day of the month D McMaster First came to the Island West Wind cold Drifting
some snow Barked 2 chairs to day HughAnn Making a Drefs for Livinia
13th cutting Basswood on the Bank Thawing Fine warm
6
14th J McDougall here 75 cent on the Balance of the Butter cut some on the Bank at the Pitt
Point
14th Stanley's Birth Day 1880
15th Cold Frosty went to the Bush Dug up some Troughfs made 2 Troughfs at the Door
16th Cold Fine Went to Summerstown Bought of J Summers soda 5 Worm Candy 12 ½ paid
this Bought at Hamiltons 50 Wt of Flour 1..50 John Summers got a Lot of Books and Tea to
Sell a Prize of a nice Book by Buying 6 Packages of Tea ½ lb in each Packet 25 cents for
Package Got an Almanack Mr Patterson a Bee at Isacc Viponds cutting Firewood J Hamilton
not very well Heard Jo Duckett went to Hopkins Point And the Fitspatricks came to Dr
Dickinsons Island heard Mr Wells took his wife away from Billy Bone taking the Hay of the
stable Loft Stanley very sick Wigglers coming in the Waterholes snow Deep in the Bush
Tom Jack and Mrs Hamilton Went to Fort Covington to Day
17th St Patricks Day Fine West Wind Turned Stormy The Festival of the Irish Races in
Dundee Randolph to Summerstown ½ pint of Highwines 15 cents high Wind to night Stanley
not well
18th Palm Sunday Raining snowing to night windy Stanley very sick {Above it reads: Princefs
Louise Birth Day 1848} water on the ice some W Wind
19th E Wind Blowing hard Snowing Drifting
20th Spring cold in the Morning in the Evening when spring came in very Fine Vernal
Equinox
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 21st of March
a very Fine Day cutting and Drawing Wood Breakin our Roads snow Deep a Good Lot of
snow on the ice Froze hard to night Fixing a Board in the Floor went around the Pitt Point
Stanley getting Better 5 Days without eating any thing, wigglers in the River
22nd Livinia Birth Day Fernandez and Leander not well Cold some Fine Day 1 Hen Dead
taking snow away from the yard at the Doors where they Drifted Livinia not well
23rd Good Friday went to Summerstown Bought of Mr Ward RRR 25 Cold Drifting E Wind
Got Flour cornmeal and a Bag of Potatoes from J Hamilton
24th at Wood
25th Easter Sunday Lady Day Fine Gordon here gave him 2 Shirts his Mother made
7
26th John Hamiltons Birth Day 1876 I and Randolph went to Jo Ducketts got a Big Cooler a
Treat 15 cents H Wines 15 cents a Fine Day John Hamilton cutting ice for the ice house
27th Went to Summerstown {Above it reads: S Jack came home} Bought of J Summers 3 lb
of tea 1..50 and a Book with it 4 spools of Threa{d} 20 cents paid the Thread Bought of Mr
Ward castor oil 15 cents Hinges 12 ½ on credit) Screws a Doz 4 cents paid soap 20 nails 5
28th Drawing Wood snow Deep in the Bush
29th a Fine day HughAnn & Randolph went to Dundee and Fort Covington Randolph g his
Boots Fixed 70 cents {Above it reads: a Dance at Jo Duckett to night} Bought of Smallman
24 yds of Calico 2.. 5 yds of Cotton 40 5 cents for crackers Drove them up to Hopkins Point
and went and met them at night
30th Went to Hamilton's a Fine day commenced to Make Troughfs Killing Hogs at Hamiltons
Seen Robins for the First
31st Randolph crofsed to the store a Bee at Jo Ducketts Drawing wood Working at Troughfs
a very Fine Day
Mr James Cameron Island 1st of April 1883
All Fools Day so called, Low Sunday Fine
2nd Fine cleaning out the cellar went up to the camp snow Deep
3rd Went to Summertown Fine Bought of Mr Ward 1 lb of soda 10 Paid this Bought of John
Summers Thread 5 paid this got a sample of 70 cent Tea
4th Gordon here Mr J McDougall came to Tap and Draw Wood took over 51 Troughfs of Ash
he Made himself Tapt 120 to Day soaking the barrels seen 5 Wild-Geese very high up Ducks
Blackbirds and Robins
5th Bill Morris here going to Lancaster for oats Raining Foggy Tapping
6th J Hamilton and Gordon here Fine
7th Snowing Stormy E Wind
8th Sunday Fine
9th Randolph and I to Hamiltons got 100 Wt of Flour 2 Bushels of oats 2 Bunches of
Matches John in Cornwall seeing about Getting the Deed for the Manse Duncan McDonald
the Blacksmith's Daughter Buried today cutter crofsed Summers's Road ice Getting Bad
close to shore in the Bush
10th in the Bush Fine
8
11th George Bosells Boy with them in the Bush
12th Oxley Calved Took over the Horse took the Boat with them Mifs Kppin the SchoolTeacher along with them in the Bush She Built a cairn of Stones on the Hill at the Sugar Bush
Sugared of Twice a Feast for us all Sugared about 60 lb the Last crop crofsing with the
Horse
13th made 36 lbs to Day Wild Geese Plenty ice opening at the shores
14th J McDougall and Willie came acrofs had the handsleigh ice open at Francis Island ice
opening in spots open before the Door sugared 30 lbs to Day stopt to night
15th Sunday ice going Down Mr McDougall Willie and Donald John crofsed Drew the Boat to
the head of the Island Found a Pail on the ice going up very Fine
16th ice Jamming Lots going Down Put out our Boat took the Stick of Timber ashore
Sugared 36 lbs to Day shoved a Large Cake of ice from the Shore Foggy Rained some
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 17th of April
Boiling in the Bush Heaping up Manure put the Sheep in the East end the Barn very warm
Taking the Banking from the cookhouse put out the old irons Weaned the calf The Cattle
hard to Keep from Going to the Sugar-Bush a very warm Fine Day Great Jamming of ice a
Good Deal of shooting setting Fires to the Marshes on the South Side Ducks Plenty
18th HughAnn and Sissy Went acrofs to Mr McDougalls Windy
19th Snow Storm E Wind James Cameron The Rev Buried to Day
20th Drawing Logs up From the River Boiling in the Bush
21st in the Bush Fixing around the Wood
22nd Went to the Upper Point Gordon Tommy Rose christy Ann Rose and Maggie and Lilly
Baker Walters Girls
23rd setting Fires in the Marsh St Georges Day The Festival of the English Windy
24th Livinia and HughAnn came home from Mr McDougalls Shot a Duck
25th St Marks Day Windy cold cutting Brush Minkey Calved Ploughed a Little
26th Indians Fishing EEls Taking the Banking away from E End of the house
9
27th Mr McDougalls took home their sugar cold and syrup Windy Randolph Boiled a Barrel
of sap Took up the Pans and Buckets one of the craigs Departed James Craigs Daughter or
Buried to Day
28th Went to Summerstown Bought of Mr Summers RRR 25 Cents {Above it reads: 100 Wt
Flour J Hamiltons} Bought of Mr Ward Matches 15 caps 22 hat{Cut off} sold 3 Doz of Eggs
45 I paid soap caps hat spools Matches needles + 32 cents
29th Randolph HughAnn and Livinia went to Sturgeon Island and the Kit Kit Island Fine Lots
of ice going down Rogation Sunday + 32 cents I owe
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 30th of April
Fine Fishing at night did not see any Fish Killed Minkeys Calf gave the carcafs to Feine
ploughing
1st of May Taking the Banking from the East End of the House Froze very hard putting straw
on the places I cut the Brush at the Plumb Trees Took home the Pots and Barrels from the
Bush a Fine Day piling Manure
2nd a Fine Day commenced to Rain at night set the Barrel for the Making of soap setting
Fires Making the Fence in the Lane
3rd Ascension Day Holy Thursday East Wind Raining Cold set a Hen to Hatch Lots of very
Big cakes of ice going Down a Big cake stopt anchored opposite the Lower Point in the
steamboat channel got a nest with 11 Eggs in it a Ducks nest working at the Brush in the
upper Field
4th Massena into Salmon River at the soap putting out Manure Randolp not well
5th 2 Tugs went Down with Tow's Thunder Raining all Bad with colds
6th Fine A Raft Towed down Bohemian's First Trip up
7th Ploughing Taking away the Banking from the North side of the house Lots of ice going
Down Rain Fine Drew some stones took 2 Bun Loads of Floating wood from along the shore
Bohemian went Down
8th went around the Island Fixing Brush Fence a cold commencing on me hurted my wrist
carrying a stone taking away the Rails that was around the stacks Fixed 3 Lines for Leander
Fernandez and John H Windy Made a cheese yesterday all sick with cold a Boat went up to
night it must be one of the Through Line Boats Water high to Day Some water came in the
cellar
10
9th Fine Planted 110 Hills of Leanders apple Potatoes Harrowing ice going Down Leander
caught a Perch at the soap
10th Planted Potatoes from the chimney up to the Grafs Fine High East Wind Rain Thunder
and Lightning this Evening Fixing the Stick at the shor{e n}ot very cold and Wet which will
not help my col{d}
1883
{M}r James Cameron Island 11th of May
Working at Fence on the Pitt-Point high Wind Fine ice going Down Did not sleep all night
with a Bad cold Lots of Boats going to night
12th Fine But cold Windy Boys at Fence taking the old irons out of the Bun so I could move
it to another place not well Livinia Junior Bad Bad with cold
13th Fine
14th Went to Summerstown Brought 2 Doz of Eggs ½ lb of Tea paid this) Bought of Mr Ward
25 lb Sack of Corn meal on credit Got a Package of newsPapers from Dan from Ottawa
Walter Baker Blasting at Hamiltons a very Fine Day Ploughed the Garden
15th Planting and at the Garden Digging the Garden some of it Raised the Flat Stone and
put some crockery under it its Level now A Fine Day
16th Harrowing Planting Onions Planted some Potatoes Fine
17th Fine set a hen to Hatch Planted a Few Potatoes the Horse his shoulder is Bad as the
collar hurts him
18th Went to Summerstown Blasting and Hamiltons Brought a cake of Tallow did not sell it a
very Warm Fine Day Planted Potatoes
19th Went to Fort Covington and Dundee Fisherman came Went to Dundee to see about
their Licence for sening {seining?} Bought of Jo Lemay 100 Wt of Flour and 25 of Corn meal
50 Wt on credit meal on credit 2..37 ½ and 45 cent (Tea 25 soda 8 paid this Gave Jo 10 Doz
of Eggs at 14 cents 1..40 Sold Smallman Tallow 7 ¾ lb at 7 cents 44 cents Bought 6 yds of
Cotton crackers 10 cents Bought of Mr Long 1 ½ yds of overalls 37 ½ cents Got my Boot
Fixed By McCartney 5 Randolp paid for his Boots 40 cents Randolp Bought cloth 45 cents
Seen Hamiltons Barn on Fire as we were coming from Salmon River Sent Randolp over to
see Fisherman set their Line got Papers from Mr Baker
20th Angus Cameron Wife & Boy here Gordon here Lashey Fishing at Butter-nut Island
Mr James Cameron Island 21st of May 1883
11
High East Wind and Rain Narcifse to Montreal with first Fish and to Get his Licence
22nd Raining E Wind high Narcifse came from Montreal
23rd Raining E Wind got up Present of a Prize Narcifse got on the cars Writing Paper Pen
and holder Envelopes 2 Buttons a Map & songs
24th Queen's Birth Day and Corpus Christie Phillip to Montreal with Fish Chiticoume or Fairy
went Down in to Lancaster Cannons Firing got a Sturgeon from Narcisse Fine Rained some
25th Went to Christee seen Keezar and Cline Looking for his son that was Drowned
26th Ploughed the Bean place piling the Logs at the side of the Fence Drew some of the
Logs out of the Grove
27th Fine Windy Randolph HughAnn and Livinia went to Christees and Alexis Island {th}e
Raft went Down Fisherman stringing their Fish to send on the Boat in the Morning
28th Fixing the Fence the Back Peice of the Barn Trimming the small appletrees through the
Field put Hop Poles to the Hops White Winged Woodpecker Building in the Grove and Fan
Tailed Blackbirds Robins Oriole or Hanging Bird or the Golden Robin Yellow-hammer
{s}wallows Kingbird and they have Battles Fine Rained some
29th Raining change in the Moon Dull cloudy South W Wind Royal Oak Day or Oak-Apple
Day some Potatoes up
30th Went to Summerstown Bought of Mr Ward ½ Bushel of Salt 25 cents Did not settle to
Day stopt at Hamiltons planting Potatoes Got a Bag of Long Johns from John Spinks's Boy
there got paper & Pictures from Dan George Bosell and Antwine at Summers's chimney
31st High E Wind cold Rain
1st of June Gloriouse 1st of June Rowena's Birth Day 1878 cold Blowing
2nd Planted 50 hills & 24 hills in the Back Garden Lilly Calved Mr Richardsons son Drowned
Steamer Maxwell pleasure party into Dundee Fishing perch for the First caught 8
Mr James Cameron Island 3rd of June 1883
Fine Some Wind {Above it reads: put the calf in the pasture} Mr Genie hee and Boy Mr
James McDougall and the Boys and Mifs Kippin here up from Rofs's Island
4th of June Old George the 4ths Birth Day Sheared the sheep high Wind Rained Fine water
in the cellar yet Keeping in the White Bull at night
5th cutting Weeds in the Potatoes cleaning the East End of the Barn where the sheep was
in Let the sheep go this Morning took the calve from Lilly Last night and he Drinks well
12
raising Stones in the Back Garden ploughing it and took some Manure out of it for the Last
the Boys Got a Turtle the Alexandra went Down I suppose Burdo the Fisherman came from
Ogdensburgh, not yet {Above it reads: got a Sturgeon from narcifse}
6th Went to Dundee HughAnn Randolph and I Brought 8 ½ Doz of Eggs 1..19 Brought a small
Sturgeon to David Baker Bought of Lemay 50 W of Flour paid this got 50 Wt on Credit 1..50
sold Eggs to Smallman Bought ½ lb Tea 20 8 yds of Calico 64 2 yds for Stanley 30 2 yds & 4
yds of Calico Hat 10 Comb 5 Bought of Mr Burdow 4 Dishes on Credit 50 Kelly here Looking
at the Fisherman's nets or Seine
7th Fixing Fence and planting corn
8th Windy
9th Our Marys Birth Day 1813 Jinny Calved Genie came Weeding Potatoes Trowling
commenced Lashy came E Wind
10th Genie here {Above it reads: Rose Sunday} E Wind Raining Fine
11th Very high West Wind Genie here Rained St Barnaba{s}
12th Genie Went off Rain W Wind Fine Weeding Potatoes and Garden Lashey on the squaw
Island with that Big Wind the other Day
13th Henery Bosell at the Fishermen's the Steamer Maxwell went Down to Day to go on the
Dry Dock at the Garden and Potato{es La}shey came to Fish
Mr James Cameron Island 13th 14th of June 1883
at the Potatoes
15th went to Trowl to charlies Island Killed a Lot of Black snakes and one good sized one
Fine
16th Fine one of the calves got out and he is hard to catch set a Line got 2 EEls hoeing
17th went to get some Perch got 31 Fine
18th The Ever Memorable Battle of Waterloo Rain Fine Wind Thunder and Lightning to night
at Potatoes and Weeds put the Plough through some of them
19th First EEls eats this spring Randolph got 4 Tethering the Horse Fixing the Cookhouse got
a paper of Hooks from Narcisse
20th putting out Manure and piling some in the yard Rain W Wind Fine young Ducks out
21st First Day of Summer Fine West Wind Villneuve here at Fishermens cleanin{g} the
House First Tub of Butter Full at Hoeing
13
22nd Our Dan's Birth Day Went to Dundee with a Tub of Butter 31 lbs {Above it reads:
Money calved} Bought of J Lemay 40 lb of Rags 9 ½ of Eggs 100 Wt of Flour Paid this Flour)
on credit 23 of Camphor Soap 4 Bars 24 1 lb of Tea 25 ½ lb of Tea 20 Paid What I owed
before this 5 Dollars & ½ cent clear up to this Date Paid Burdow 50 cents on Dishes 10
cents I owe him for Matches Bough{t} 2 ½ of Pink 2 spools of Thread 5 yds of Shirting
Wistard Binding Paid all this But Matches hooks I Bought of Mr Long 25 cents of Fine salt 3
yds of overalls 60 Randolp got his Mothers Boots Tapt 50 And a Bought a pair for himself
1..35 cents on credit Fine Day Stopt at Lukes Seen Billy Bone's Wife for the First time or
Wells's wife Passed the Grenada at Lukes Prescott {T}yos shearing their sheep
23rd at the potatoes Weeding
{2}4 a Fine Day St John the Babtiste Day John Hamilton here got the 1 ¼ Augur
25th a Fine Day {Above it reads: Mr Burdo here} Hoeing
{2}6th Set the Line Rained some
27th Hoeing and Weeding The Prince Arthur commencing to Run here
28th Fine East Wind Rain hot sun
{2}9th Went to Summerstown Settled with Ward 6..14 I ow{ed B}ought Butter Tub 28 cents
paid Bought of J Summers RRR paid {s}topt at Hamiltons for their Bee H very hot Rain
{M}r James Cameron Island 30th of June 1883
at Hamiltons a Bee 12 Teams Drawing Lumber for their Barn Heard Dans wife was very low
Fine Day HughAnn Went to Williamstown Randolph put her acrofs Mr Purcell sent 3 Waggon
Loads of Boards and 4 casks of Nails to Hamiltons for their Buildings the Manitoba stopt at
the Wharf with Pic Nic But could not get ashore as the harf is not Fixed
1st of July Dominion Day Sunday came home From Hamiltons Gordon took me Down Fine
Windy Rained Heay Sunday night Thunder and Lightning
2nd at Potatoes Put out 36 Plants of Tobaco Rained Thunder Lightning Hoeing the corn
Killing Potato Bugs
3rd Windy at Potatoes Rained Thunder Lightning to night
4th American Independence Raining Fine Manitoba went in to Dundee for the Pic nic Party
Brindle calved a Heifer Took him home in the Boat from the Bay
5th Our John's Birth Day 1803 Hoeing Digging for a Peice of Tobacco Fishing
6th a Fine Day Minnie and HughAnn came From Williamstown got Hamiltons Boat Randolph
and the Boys Fishing
14
7th Fine Commenced to Rain heavy Lightning Thunder young Folks here caught in the storm
Mifs Congdon Mifs Gillis Mr Stewart Mr Mathews Gave them a Going Over about {Above it
reads: The Boat with supplies came up} B Bark Put out Tobacco Plant Mowed around the
Grounds to{Cut off} hill water Raised very Quick and high E Wind
8th Sunday A Fine Day Minnie HughAnn and Randolph went home with Hamiltons Boat
Fishing some Dan Frasher and Wife and Boy Bought a sturgeon from the Fisherm{en} and
paid a Dollar for it Minnie HughAnn & Randolp on Francis Island Lashey here
9th Fixing around the Barn
10th Mowing a Little
11th Fine
12th went to Dundee Orangemans Day Bought Flour Tea Tobacco scythe snaith Rakes pipe
Tin pans 2 Tin plates got a Dipper a present from Tom Culverhill signed for a paper for 3
Months Taylor Part{Illegible} of the Governeur Paper some Rain Thunder
Mr James Cameron Island July the 12 1883 Continued from the Left hand page
Orangeman's Day a Fine Day 2 Butter tubs shirting seen John Cameron Carpenter from
Chicago paid Mr Burdo for Matches had 2 Tubs of Butter
13th Mowing
14th Minnie and HughAnn went to Williamstown
14th Sunday John Angus and Gordon and McDonald Boy here St Swithen's Day it Rained to
Day
16th Mowed some
17th Crofsed to Hamiltons Randolp to the store
18th at Hamiltons the Bee Raising the Barn about 82 People
19th Fernandez Birth Day 1874 Narcifse mowing Fine Warm
20th putting in hay Fine cutting hay
21st Went to Hamiltons putting on the Rafters Fine calm very warm
22nd Fine Windy Berries cherries May Berries Ripe
23rd Mowing
24th Working at Hay putting in
15
25th at hay
26th at hay
27th put in 60 cocks Fine Warm
28 Mowing Rain heavy Thunder and Lightning to night
29th Thomas Rose Johny Rose Lilly Baker 2 young girls after Berries Fine Windy Rained
thunder
30th Mowing at the Back Garden and Behind the Barn Rained Windy Thunder Lightning
Found hen in the Bush had only 2 chickens
31st {Illegible}ing {Ra}ndolp crofsed to Summerstown Bought of Mr Ward 1 spoll of Threat 3
of Hops scythstone matches got 2 Dollars from Gordon to get his Watch from Jo Lemay
Mowing turning hay gathering hay
1st of August or Lammas Day Mowing putting in from {th}e Lower Point the Fishermen's
Boys went off Fine Day rained {to} night
2nd Minnie's Birth Day 1864 Fine Day Rained some {th}under Lightning went to Dundee took
2 Tennets of Butter Doz of Eggs 1 calf skin paid Burdo what I owed hime 1..72 ½ {Cut off}ight
Salt 53 lb 45 Matches 12 ½ Stone 10 from Long Cotton 52 yards 5 yds of cloth 40 Flour 3
Dollars ½ lb Hops 15 3 Butter Tubs 45 {Ca}lico 25 Randolp paid for his Boots 1..35 pair of
Boots on credit 1..10 {T}reat 15 Tea 40 got papers from Mr Smith and Mr Baker {a}nd From
Mr McCartney
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 3rd of August
Mowing Back of the Barn Rained Thunder Lightning Windy the Steamer Alexandra aground
at the Lighthouse above it the Steamer took
took her off
4th Mowing Rained Thunder Lightning Windy St Francis went up Phillip came the cows got
in the Feild through the night and made a smash of things Berries yet cherries-choke
getting Ripe
4th 5th 6th Randolph Birth Day 1867
Forgot to Write those Dates Left out
15th Mr Genie here came for the calf Gave me 2 Dollars Brought HuckleBerries LCucumbers
at Hay Fine
16
16th Randolp to Summerstown Bought ½ lb Tea 25 cents comb 12 putty 12 Hooks no paper
Thread 5
17th Mowing
18th Went to Fort Covington & Dundee 2 Tennets of Butter to Jo Lemay got all but 5 Dollars
Bought 20 yds of Calico 1..80 2 Towels 20 Boots 2..20 Flour 3..15 3 Tennets 45 2 lb Tea 1
Dollar ¾ of Tobacco 32 ½ Scythe 1 Dollar Umbrella 50 Salt 20 lb 20 Blue 7 Cloves 10 Powder
½ lb & 2 lb of shot Salt 60 +I owe+ Mr Burdo) Licquor 20 Crackers chees{e} and Ginger
Bread 20 got Tobacco From Mr Baker got Papers 2 ¼ yds of Tweed 56 cents Bottle of
Peppermint 10 2 spoons 10 stopt at Lukes had supper Fine Day
19th Bismarck's Birth Day 1870 Fine Day
20th Mowing Fine Randolph and Leander went to Tuppers Island yesterday to see old
Gabriel Derushie
21 Mowi{ng}
22 commenced to put the hay on the Barn Floor Fine To night it Rained Thunder Lightning
Wind
23rd Mowing Began a stack
24th Mowing
25 put some in the Barn
26th Fine Windy Long Black Berries Ripe Went to upper Point Randolph and Leander Went
to Plum Island
27th Mowing
28th Made a stack
29th Went to Fish
30th Mr J McDouga{ll} and Willie here Done Mowing Lower Point
Mr James Cameron Island 31st of Augt 1883
Began the Third Stack a Fine Day
1st of September a very very warm Day Mowing in the Upper Field
2nd Fine Rained some windy at night Randolph Leander to charlies and Rofs's Island the old
man Revr {Reverend?} a went off this morning
17
3rd D McMaster's Birth Day 1846 Fine Windy some cold Mowing in the upper Field got 2
small sturgeon from Narcisse sent them Potatoes Lashey came to Fishing Let Narcisse have
my short Gun Gave him Powder shot caps horn and Pouch corn good
4th Mowing
5th John Angus Birth Day 1850
6th Mowing and gathering
7th at Hay
8th at Hay Raining
9th Fine
10th Norman Oxly here Began the Stack in the upper field put 3 Tons in it to Day
11th Finished the stack put 5 Tons in it good measure
12th taking up Few hills of Potatoes
13th Randolph crofsed to Summerstown Bought 2 lb of nails 8 cents 4 spools 20 Bought for
Fishermen Bread Tobacco
14th Went to the Butternut Island got nuts
15th Went to Dundee Bought of Mr Burdo 10 yds of Ticking 2 Dollars 2 yds 35 5 yds of
Tweed 1..25 Gallon of oil 15 {c}astor oil 15 Braces 25 2 spoons 10 (Boots for Leander {Cutoff}
Dollars on credit) Bought of Mr Long Lamp 50 cents Shot 10.. 6 spons 18 Bought of
Smallman Flour {Cut off}..20 Broom 25 Bought of Jo Lemay Tea 1 lb 40 Tea {Cut off} lb 12 ½
Soda 2 papers 16 2 Bars 10 4 Bars of soap 24 pipe {Cut off}0 Tobacco 10 Mustard 10 Jo
paid me 4 Dollars and owes {m}e 1 yet BHH Wines 35 paid Burdo 60 cents Paid McCartney
1..65 Randolps Boots mended 15 Butter tub {Cut off}2 cents 1 plug Tobacco 8 had 2 small
Tennets of {B}utter and 12 Dozen of Eggs heard Sam Mc{Illegible}vaine Poisened himself 2
Days ago I Dont know when D McMasters Wife Departed Taken to Lancaster to Day I heard
Must of Died on the 14th Sunday
16th Gordon and Tom Rose here Saved Gave a to Gordon package of Tobacco
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 17th Sept
Thunder Lightning and Rain Last night Taking up Potatoes Mowing in Back Marsh Taking in
Bea{ns?} cut some cornstalks the Girls and Leander went to Francis Island
18th Mowing Marsh Fine {Above it reads: Bismarck came}
18
19th Made a stack of 2 ½ or 3 Tons Most Fine and Marsh hay Fine Weather
20th Fine very warm crofsed to Summerstown Paid John Summers 5 Dollars Bought a
chisel 30 cents Bought of Mr Ward Writing copy paper 10 Tax 10 Bought for Phillip oil and
Bread
21st Mowing in Back Marsh High East Wind Dan Frasher and David Frasher and D McMaster
here Took Dinner Dan Brought me 5 Traps paper envelopes sweetmeats Tea crackers
Bisquits went up the Front to Mr Purcells gave his Aunt 2 Dollars
22nd at Taking up Potatoes Leaving them in heaps in the Field till we have them all up a fine
Day East and West Wind
23rd this is the First Day of Autumn or Fall and a very Fine Day it is HughAnn and Livinia
Went to Mr Luke Bowens with Milk The 3 Boys Leander Fernandez and Randolph Went to
Francis Island Hog Islan{d} Black Horse Island and Plum Island The sun crofsing the Line
Equinoxial Gales about this time
24th Went to J Hamiltons got 50 cents from John very warm Thunder Rained some taking
up Potatoes Rain and high Wind tonight
25th Rain Wind Making a pair of oars Let the cows in to the Lower Point the First night the
sheep stopt away all summer
26th at Potatoes Phillip got the oars
27th at Potatoes
28th at Potatoes
29th St Michael Finished taken in the Potatoes {Ph}illip got a stove gave Lashey a pail of
Potat{oes Ran}dolph and Leander to Charlies Island {Mc}Dougalls and Frashers Boys here
Mr James Cameron Island 1st of October 1883
{M}owing in the Front Marsh Windy Livinia not {we}ll Narcifse Phillip and Randolph went for
{M}rs Bowen the Baby Tonia Born
2nd Randolp and Livinia went home with Mrs {B}owen Gave here a Dollar {Illegible} Raining
3rd Mowing {so}me Grains of snow
4th some ice Randolph crofsed {wi}th Phillip to Summerstown Bought Salt 25 cents
Highwines 35 got a paper Lent Phillip 50 cents Mowing Front Marsh put out Manure Fine
Windy
5th Making Cocks Fine Windy
19
6th Began Marsh Hay stack 3 Tons in it A Fine Day
7th {G}ordon here {Above it reads: seen First Wild Geese} Randolph crofsed with him to
help them at their straw
8 Drawing Wood put a few more cocks on the marsh hay stack
9th Making Fence around the 2 stacks in the upper Field Fine Day
10th HughAnn McMaster's Birth Day at Fence cutting Rails Thunder and Lightning to night
Rained to night Bohemian Late coming up to Day
11th putting out manure {F}ine E Wind a Great many Boats went up and Down to Day
Leander went to Sleep with Narcifse to night shot a Duck Killed one of the Roosters got 2
small scargoes from Phillip John {G or S?} here got sweetmilk and a Tennet of Buttermilk for
Mrs Bowen Plucked the Ducks
12th putting Manure {a}round the small appletrees Narcifse put a Handle in {o}ne of my
Hammers Drew some Wood this is the Time {eve}ry 3 Months of the Governeure Free Prefs
is up
13th Rained Thunder to night and Heavy Rain Drew some Drags
14th Rain Fine Windy Mr Genie here Brought a Bottle of Honey to Livinia from his Woman
took Medicine to Day
15 Cold Fine Windy some Grains of Snow Fell Drew some {Illegible} Fixing the Fence at the
stacks in the Upper Fiel{d}
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 16th of October
Drawing Wood Prefsing Grapes Fine
17th Drawing Wood cut the Big Elm at Cherry Grov{e} shot a Duck Trapt squirrels at the
Butternut Tree at the River climbed the Tree for the Boys and put Down all the nuts for
them
18th St Luke's Day High South West Wind turned Fine Randolph came from Hamiltons Had
apples Flour was there since the 7th Mowed some in the March
19th Went to Dundee and Fort Covington Johnny Bone up with us from their Place Seen Mr
Wilson the Lawyer or Judge of Fort Covington seen Mr Tuthill and Mr Mears Bought of J-YC 30 lb of Sugar 3 Butter Tubs sold 30 lb of Butter Bought of J Lemay 4 lb of Tea 1..42 5 lb
of Pork 50 Tobacco 10 ½ lb Pepper 15 Soap 5 Ginger 20 Lamp chimney 10 starch 10 Sold Jo
29 lb of Butter paid me a Dollar he owed me Bought of Mr Long a Pair of Boots 2 ½ paid a
20
Dollar on them nails 5 Pins 5 Forgot them on the Counter Bought of Mr Burdo 25 lb of Fine
Salt 25 2 ½ yds of Gingam 30 Mits 50 Boots Johns 1..50 Stanleys 1 Rowena's 90 Paid what I
owed 2 Cap 75 Flour 6..85 oil 15 Comb 15 High Wines 1..40 Seen Mr Walter Colohoun
Sundries
20th Raining E Wind some cold put sugar in the Grapes Wine got a coat and Jacket fro{m}
Narcifse set Traps
21st E Wind Fine
22nd East Randolp crofsed with J Hamiltons Boat Angus Cameron and Alexander here
Bought his Boat Gave him5 Dollars crofsed him over to Frashers Point
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 23rd of October
Fine Day Livinia Birth Day 1868 Banking Mr Genie came had a Bag of Potatoes
24th Our Hugh's Birth Day a Fine Day Mr Genie here {g}ave me his fat Pine Digging stones
Mowed marsh hay Began the West End of the house to Bank
25th My Birth Day St Crispin's Day all Shoemakers Day Mr Genie went off Gave me some
Buckshot powder shot Gave him a Small Sturgeon Banking E Wind
26th Banking Bottled the Wine part of it 9 Gallons to Day Ducks Getting plenty one of the
Drakes taken away to night it must be the Owl Made a Few plugs of tobacco Shelled all the
corn 3 Bushels cant Find my Trowel The Boys killing a Lot of Squirrels {Illegible} Day
Warners Boat Hunting at Frashers anchored at the Point and then small steamer running all
over and acrofs Towing the small Boats
27th 2 Hunters came up From Montreal with Narcifs
Randolp and I made a Blind
up in Cord Wood Bay did not Get any Ploughed a Peice in the Potatoe Ground Drew some
Wood wind changed to Day its Being East since the 19th Warm to Day
28th Fine Phillip the Fisherman took the 2 Hunters to Lancaster
29th Thunder Narcifse made me an axe handle
30th Thunder Rain Windy
31st Holy Eve or All Hallow's Thunder cracking nuts cutting Brush in the oak-Field 2
Fishermen went to Montreal this Trip Lashey here shot 2 Ducks
1st of November all Saints Day The Harvest month of Death hailed Windy cutting Brush and
Wood Steamer Hastings went Down she Looks like a new one she {is} Going to Tow up the
Steamships
21
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 2nd of Nove
chopping Brush in the oak field some {Illegible} of hail north W Wind A Great Deal of
shooti{ng} Randolph went to Summerstown Bought of John Summers High Wines 15 7 ½
yds of Cotton 75 cents Matches at Wards 5 cents Corinthian went Dow{n} 3 Tows 3
propellers a Great Deal of shooting All Souls Day
3rd On this Day of the Month Granda Departed 1857 Drawing Wood Fine
4th Fine caught a very small owl
5th Guy Fawkes Day or the Gun Powder Plot Began the Stable at the West End of the Barn
6th at the stable high West Wind the Fisherm{en} Down at Charlies Island all Day with the
wind {Above it reads: Steamship went up Hastings John a Tug}
7th Helen's Birth Day in the Bush at the stable {Above it reads: Steamship 4 Tugs Towing}
Mr Genie Came FWent to Fish got a Sturgeon E Wind
8th at the stable Genie went off high E Wind
9th Thunder Lightning Rain Prince of Wales Birth Day
19th Randolph Crofsed to Renshaws and Summerstown Bought of Ward nails 5 cents Salt 10
cen{ts}
11th Fine Fishermen Narcifse and Phillip went off Got a Large Pickerel from them 2 Fishing
Lights out to night the wind raised Blew hard Martinmafs
12th very high Wind cutting Poles for the cow stable The Grenada did not come out to Day
from Dundee as the wind is awful high froze some last night
13th The Grenada came out wind high got calm commenced to snow and Blow putting
Poles on the Stable Drew some poles some shooting cattle picking out Feeding the horse
took up the Turnips and the Ground Froze hard
1883
Mr James Cameron Island Nov 14th
Blustery Weather Drifting snowing windy Fine
{15}th cold Windy snow Feeding the cattle
16th {co}ld snowing Windy
22
17th Went up around the {Is}land cold turned some Warm working at the West Stable
{18}th Fine snow melting
19th Fine Mr James McDougall and Donald John here crofsing to Frashers south side
Working at the stable making the Door got Kind of unwell
20th in Bed no smoking or eating the Boys Plastering Fine Day rained to night Froze Last
Night chinking E Wind
21st On This Day of the Month D McMaster Departed 1846 a Good many Boats a Going
Bohemian wen{t} up Raining snow most all gone cattle Feeding out
22nd high high Wind
23rd at the stables and sheds manure Drawing Rubbish thats Laying around Big shooting at
Christees
24th Randolp went to Dundee with 28 lbs of Butter 5..60 and 8 Dozen of Eggs 1..76 Bought
of Mr Burdo Boots 1..25 Bottle oil 25 12 yards of Winces 1..50 12 ½ yds of Cotton 1.. got Cash
3..36 Bought of F Frasher 100 Wt of Flour Pins 5 Bought of Smallman Oil 15 Heard Mike
Bannon Died
25th Randolph and Leander went to Christees Island East Wind
26th Fixing the sheds and stables Feeding the cows Rained hard to night and snowed a
Little
27th no Boats went to Day Windy Randolp and I set out the Decoys shot a Good many only
got one Fine a Big Fire yesterday in the Marsh on the south side
28th Massena went into came out from Salmon River Windy Cold
29th seen Cherry Island Light did not see Mr Hills or the Floating Light smoaky
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 30th of Novemb{er}
St Andrews Day The Festival of the Scotch Firing in honour of the Day nothing But Wine for
a Scotch Drink cold snowing all the Lights up a Tug went Down a Barge in tow smoky
Feeding the Cattle extra
1st of December snow EW Cold Lights all up Took the Pine to the Wharf
2nd snow W Wind no Lights up to night
23
3rd Cold Windy Freezing Took the Sail of the Big Boat of the Mast Took in the Water Barrel
and Giving the Bull an extra good Bit by himself cut 2 Elems in the swamp or oak-Field
cattle Hearty good Fires a Mock-sun on the south side of the sun and a Long Tail to the sun
this Evening
4th in the Bush A very Fine Day Drawing Wood
5th Crofsing to Summerstown Gave J Hamilton some Envelops took Dinner there Heard of
Mr Dunlop Departed Last Week Broug 6 lbs of Butter to Mr Ward Bought Rope Salt shot
Broom 4 spools of Thread Bought of John Summ{ers} Flour 3..50 Hinges & screws 25 Axe
95 Matches 25 paid 50 cents of what I owed him on the old account Got a Letter From
Davidson got 2 papers from Dan
6th Fine Day Fixing the hinges on the stable Door
7th Fine Day Killed the Bull
8th Wrote a Letter to Dan and sent Mr Davidsons Letter to him put out the Decoys Randolp
Crofsed with the Letter A Fine Day I thought I heard a clap of Thunder this morning
8th Fine Blowed Some
10th Leander's Birth Day 1872 Raining Snowing soft Windy Hay Done on the Barn Floor
chopped Down a Dead Maple chopped a hemlog Log at the River
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 11th of December
high West Wind Frank Laplante went Down with Captain Rankin {Above it reads: AJ Baker}
Calm Turned to East Wind Freezing Snowing Blowing Broke on a 4 Ton stack put the soft
Maple Boards in the Barn put in some hay out of the stack chopping seen one of the small
small owls in the Bush
12th Cutting and Drawing some snow last night high E Wind to night
13th cutting Wood at the Door and Piling Whitewashing set fire to the Back marsh Burns
splendid to night a very fine night 2 Fishing Lights out to night no snow on the Ground
rained to night or near morning
14th Rain Fine Drew the Pine Stick up on the Wharf Drew Some Wood no snow on the
Ground cattle out in the Feilds but that dont save Feed Turned awful Frosty and Cold to
night
15th E Wind very Frosty and cold
16th very Frosty Cold Windy E Wind
24
17th Pretty Cold Fixing one of the Big Heifers in the West Stable Tied the Bull in the Big shed
chopping some Hemlog Logs at the River in stove Wood
18th cutting Brush south W Wind snowed some wind high not cold Randolp Found his Knife
in the Barn Lost it in the summer
19th Fine cutting Brush
20th cutting Logs at the River took the Boat to the Lower End
20th John Sandfields Birth Day 1812 set Fires to the Front Marsh upper End of it Turned over
the Boat the Lady Woolsey Windy
21st Frist Day of Winter Fine calm Went to John Hamiltons Randolph to the Store Bought of
John Summers 1 lb of Tea credit 1 Bottle of RRR 25 paid this Mr Charles Craigs Wife very
Poorly Wind Raised Snowed some Turned Cold Freezing hard to night Blowing hard
1883
Mr James Cameron Island Dec 22
Shortest Day in the year West Wind Frosty Cold ice Meaking ice Jamming to night Freezing
Seen the White-Backed Eagle Looking for Ducks ice Took acrofs here
23 Ice acrofs some air-holes a good many the one in Front of the House as usual but not so
Large as it used to be Randolph to the Head of the Island seen the Fox Tracks that came
acrofs
24th cold snowing and Drifting E Wind Broke another Stack the other stack Done
25th Christmas Day a Fine Day EW and calm kind of Warm got 2 Moles on the ice
26th St Stephens Day crofsed the Ice to Hamiltons our Road is very crooked as there is a
Great many air-holes ice very thin put out a few Bushes but its a Going to thaw and it will
break up in some places came home Quick Drew som{e} Wood as I think we will have a
Thaw seen a Mink track
27th St John the Evangelist Drawing and chopping Wood warm E Wind
28th Holy Innocents Day Rained Last night hard Began to snow through the night Windy
Frosty cold The White Backed Eagle up in the Bay after a Saw-Beak he got him and Flew
Down opposite the Door in the Rushes and Dropped him Livinia Run after it and got the
Duck some of the air-holes shut up to Day with this Snow Drifting and hard Frost set a Trap
or 2 for the Mink 2 Mock suns one on Each side of the Sun
29th Fine Frosty W Wind Just a Few Bushes up in the Bay where we came of the ice new
Moon a scotch Moon Generally Stormy E Wind to night Our Angus's B Day
25
30th Snowing cold Fine a Man and a Dog crofsing to Summerstown
31st Last Day of the year Snowing Blowing E Wind cutting Stove Wood
Leap Year 1884
Mr James Cameron Island 1st of January
{N}ew Years Day Fine E Wind sun shining Randolph and I crofsed to Hamiltons took Dinner
Randolph stopt to help them to Thrash tomorrow I put out a few Bushes Water Rising on
the Marsh Fired a Few shots this Morning put in the Bottom of the stack John H and
Leander
2nd Randolph at Hamiltons E Wind snowing Drifting Blowing hard Frosty
3rd Allen's Birth Day 1853 cold Frosty W Wind Blowing hard Blustery Blizzardy cut a
Waterhole for the cattle
4th cold Windy Gordon and Randolph came from Hamiltons Sent a Bottle of Wine with
Gordon to Mrs Hamilton took a Letter to me from Dan it came on the 23rd with 2 Dollars in
it for his Aunt Gordon to my Bladed Knife
5th cold Windy cutting stove Wood
6th Ephiphany Fine cold
7th The Water is Raising near shore Drew the 2 Boats and canoe up as the water is near
them
8th HughAnns Birth Day 1866 Randolph and I to Summerstown Bought of John Summers 2
Tickets paid for 1..50 the other on credit 50 cents Bought Needles 5 Thread 5 oil 60 Bought
of P Purcell 1 lb of Tea 25 paid paid for needles and Thread EW turned stormy Drifting
Blowing snowing a awful night stopt at Hamiltons John Went to Cornwall to mill did not
come Back to night Heard Bella Wright Departed or Mrs Annan)
9th came home high EW Brought 2 Balls of yarn for Gordons sox
10th Began to Draw hay from the upper Field
11th Drew the Rest of the stack cleaned the pipes EW snowing went for a Load of Wood
12th Fine EW Frosty Drew some wood
13th Fine EW Snowed hard Frosty
For more information on James Cameron, check out the “Meet the Diarists” section
under “Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca
26
1883
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.}
1882
Mr James Cameron Island Dec 28th
Holy Innocents Day Fine Some Wind and cold Snowing making a Jumper some crust on the
snow
29th Our Angus's Birth Day Working some at the Jumper Randolp {the ‘ph’ of this name are
merged into one letter} went to the Bush for the 2 sheep got one of them home put her in
then went for the other Brought her home but Did not get her in she went Back in the Bush
cold some
30th Randolp went for the sheep seen her but could not Drive here so left her then went
with the Little sleigh and could not Find her we thought she must of taken the water and
got Drowned as she was on the edge of the ice the crust is so Bad in the Bush they dread
to Travel on the crust if she took the water she must have sunk {Above it reads: cleaned
one of my Guns} Kind of soft to day
31st Last Day of the year Sunday Fine W Wind snowed some Windy this Evening Feeding
the cattle Extra there is a small Grass bird stops around the Barn and stacks all this Winter
all the cattle Poultry Horse and all hearty Wild Ducks some the Fox around cant Get a
chance on him Sea Gulls Plenty
1st of January News Years Day 1883 Fixing the sleigh chopped some Wood
2nd Went to the Bush Broke the off corner of my axe cut Down an old Dead Birch cold Fine
Drew some Wood
3rd Fine wind changed to the West could hear it coming {Above it reads: allens Birth Day}
for a long time before it reached here very very high Wind broke up what ice that was made
4th ice Taken north Wind cold Freezing Draw some wood cutting stove Wood Feeding the
cattle extra)))
3rd Allen's Birth Day 1853
1883
1
Mr James Cameron Island January 5th
High E Wind Freezing very hard cold put a crank in the Grindstone Feeding the cattle a
Little Extra the airhole at the Door is Breaking upwards with the high EW
6th E Wind Blowing hard cold and Frosty airholes plenty snowed a Little Randolph to the
Upper Pint to see how the ice was taken Good Fire cattle hearty and smart took my sail of
the mast as I think I will have no use for it any more this Winter the ice must be good
enough to crofs {cross} a foot
7th Sunday Kind of Mild snowed some
8th HughAnn's Birth Day 1866 crofsed the ice fo the First put out some Bushes Randolph
and I a Great many airholes our Road is crooked with going around those airholes and
cracks snowed some John Hamilton Gave me a Ride up with his Colt as he is only Breaking
her in she Goes well went up as Far as Mr Purcell's Store the First time I was there Bought of
Mr McDonald a Bottle of Eclectric oil 25 ½ lb of Pepper 15
9th Reading papers E Wind Frosty
10th Frosty seen a cutter crofsing Summers's Road cutting wood
11th in the Bush Leander and I Kind of Fine but Frosty Randolph putting out manure
12th Went to Summerstown seen Mr Wells a he Treated me seen Tyo Paro Bone Bought of
John Summers ½ lb Tea 25 ¼ lb 11 Tax 3 cents all this I paid Gave him 3 Dollars to my
account I owe him now 3..74 cents John Hamilton to Cornwall seen the Track of a Mink
crofsing the ice to Hamiltons Island
13th cutting Wood in the Bush Leander Randolph and I cold some Frosty E Wind all Day
changed in the Evening to South Blowed very hard to night Thawing some a Big Flurry of
snow this morning
1883
Mr James Cameron Island January 14th
Snowed and Drifted this morning turned Fine Gordon came West Wind Took Mrs
Partingtons Carpet Bag of Fun with him
15th cutting and drawing Firewood cutting some of the Trees thats Tearing the Bank Down
cutting ash for Rails What came Home but the other sheep and I was sure she took the
River and was Lost as when we was Looking for her could not Find her Track we gave her up
for Lost till she came home herself this Evening Seen Cutters crofsing on the East Road on
the ice to Lancaster coming From the South side a Fox crofsed from Christees Island to our
Island Fine and Frosty to night
2
16th Bushing the Road at the Kit Kit acrofs {across} from the South Side Randolph went to
Fort Covington with my Boot to be mended McCartney mended it 15 cents Bought a Lock
15 cents Bought 12 yds of Cotton $1.. Bought of Jo Lemay 1 lb 25 and 1 lb 40 of Tea 3 Bars of
Soap 15 thats on Credit 80 cents I owe him Seen 2 of the Bosells Fishing below Sturgeon
Island a very fine Day The Cow Oxley and the Bull Bruno had a Wicked Fight to Day for a
Quiet Cow She is awful savage she wont give in although the Bull put her Down Different
times
17th in the Bush Turned stormy E Wind Blowing and snowing Blustery the Bull and oxley
another Fight to Day Kept here in all Day
18th W Wind Drifting some Fine Bruno & oxly another fight but I Kept them apart as she
chases him all over
19th cutting Willows and alders cold Frosty
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 20th of January
Broke on a 3 Ton Marsh hay stack E Wind turned Stormy to night snow Drift and Rained
took home some Wood
21st St Agnefs West Wind Blew very hard
22nd high West Wind Frosty and Fine the oxley is afraid of Bruno the Bull as she Keeps out
of his way
23rd Windy Frosty cold Feeding the cattle little extra
24th Charlie Tuppers Birth Day he is about 83 years old Fine very Cold and Frosty and Wind
25th Robie Burn's Birth Day W Wind Frosty and Fine I crofsed seen Mr Gotchie and Bosho at
John Hamiltons buying apples John Hamilton went to Lancaster to get his mare shod I to
Summersto{wn} Bought of Mr Ward oil 35 paper of Pins 8 Box of Tax 10 pipe Bought of John
Summers Worm Candy 12 ½ pipe 1 cent got 2 papers at Hamiltons got some apples
26th Fine Day Frosty I went to Luke Bowen's Randolph and I young Luke Fine going pretty
Frosty coming Back E Wind Mr James McDougall here to see my ashes and is coming
tommoro for them
27th E Wind Blowing Snowing Rain in Sleet turned Fine Mr McDougall and the 2 Boys came
took the Ashes at 8 cents had 51 Bushels called it 50 paid me 2..60 there is 1..40 yet took
home some Wood my Fingers and Toes Froze this Frosty Weather
28th Fine Day
3
29th Randolph went to Paro Bone's took the sticks for the shafts and the inch augur and
the 2 Cats a Fine Day E Wind
30th Went to Summerstown Gave Mr Ward Tallow 35 lb at 7 cents 2..45 Hide 56 at 6 cents
3..36 and 1 Dollar Cash 6..81 Bought 50 lb of Flour 1..62 ½ on Credit) Bought RRR 25 paid this
Bought of J Summers 2 pipes 2 cents Gordon at Hamiltons a very Fine Day Froze some to
night
31st change in the Moon high W Wind Raining snowing Drifting Blowing put 2 Handles in the
Knives Blowing hard to night
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 1st of February
Cold Fine W Wind cutting Willows and Alders in the oakfeild Donald John McDougall here
came with the rest of the pay of the Ashes 1..50 he tells me they have to water their Cows
at the River as the creek is Dry and no water in their well their Cows and Mr Frasers bad
with the Scours it seems as its a Kind of Desease
2nd Candlemafs Day If the Bear comes out to Day he will see his shadow as the sun shines
Some says about the Raccoon too that he comes out too Drawing alders and Willows Cold
but Fine WW
3rd E Wind high Stormy snowed Drifting
4th Quinquasim {Quinquagesima} Sunday Drifting Blowing snowing E Wind hailing
5th Windy Clearing in the Oakfield
6th chopping alders and Willows in the oakfield Windy
7th Ash Wednesday Stormy snowing W Wind Turned Warm and Fine Drew some Wood
turned windy Drifting Randolph to Paro Bone's for the sleigh Brought them a Tennet of Milk
they sent some Buckwheat Flour with him
8th Gordon's Birth Day 1863 Fine Turned Windy Drifting Snowing Making a Pair of Shafts
This new Moon is more on its Back than any Moon I have seen for years cutting the West
Mow Down to the Beam seen the Fox crofsing this Morning to christees Island
9th cut a Load of Wood
10th a Fine Day Went to Summerstown Bought of Mr Ward Salt 40 or 30 cents {Above it
reads: Sweetys 2 cents paid} Broom 25 needle 1 cent Bought of Mr Purcell 50 lb Flour 25 lb
of Buck-Wheat ½ lb of Tea 1 ½ yds of cloth $3..60 paid this got an Almanac and paper From
Mr Angus McDonald at Mr Purcells Got some Papers from AJ Baker got an Almanack from
4
John Hamilton Mr Ward poorly heard of Charlie Parisha's Lofs of his horse cow and Mill Seen
Long John Heard John James came home E Wind Freezing hard to night
11th Sunday E Wind cold Drifting snowed some to night
12th chopping stove Wood Fine Day
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 13th of February
cutting Stove Wood Windy
14th St Valentine's Day a fine Day Went to Hamiltons for Grain got 2 Bushels of Barley would
take no pay Gave me 1 ½ Doz of Herrings wind changed to the East turning cold and
commenced to blow hard Gordon at Kenneth's helping them to Thrash Heard mr Streeter is
on his Last EEl Fishers on the ice
15th E Wind Blowing hard snowed Drifted hailed cutting stove Wood
16th E Wind Fine commenced to Rain Kind of Warm cut some Wood Drew some snow soft
17th cutting Stove Wood
18th James Hugh's B Day 1855 Fine Day
19th Cutting Wood Cold
20th Randolph went to Fort Covington with 15 Rats 13 cents a peice {Above it reads:
nomination Day} 1..94.. Bought of Jo Lemay 2 lb of Tea at 40 cents 80 cents Soda 8 cents
on credit Bought of Mr Burdo RRR 25 Almanack 5 Bought of Smallman ½ lb Tea 13 cents Bar
of Soap 6 Lunch 3 cents 5 cents Missing got a Ride part of the Way From D Baker the rest
of the Way to the Front From AJ Baker stopt at Hamiltons all night the Thrashing mill came
to Hamilton I went to help them to Thrash Windy Drifting
22nd Washington's B Day a Fine Day at the Thrashing George Fergusons Son went to Be
Married over to Fort Covington to one McIntyre girl Tom Jack went with Them Gordon took
a Bottle of Down's Elixir from Wards for me on credit 25 cents not well
23rd a Fine Day Done Thrashing came home Gordon went to Thrash again with Parisha
24th St Matthias Day Cold Fine Drifting E Wind Foggy Randolp went to Wards Got Flour at
Hamiltons Livinia not well cutting a Quarter of Beef cutting a cake of Sugar 2 years old sugar
25 Randolph went to Mr McDougalls Thawing Windy Mr Carpenter took my Road for the
Road to Lancaster turned Back
1883
5
Mr James Cameron Island 26th of Feby
Randolph Came from Mr McDougalls him and Aleck went to see the cars and the Rail-Road
the First Time he ever seen them ice slippery
27th Election Day for Ray-side and McLennan Rayside got in cold and Blowing
28th Mr Streeter Buried to Day in Fort Covington 2 Men here Mr Cunningham and Mr
Howlesworth Randolph to Mr McDougalls for oil
1st of March St Davids Day the Festival of the Welsh I went to Summerstown Bought of Mr
Ward 1 pair of Boots 3..75 10 lb of Oatmeal 36 Pail 20 Bought of J Summers 1 Box of Radway
Pills 23 1 Box of Worm Losenges 25 {Above it reads: paid this} Races in Dundee
2nd Randolp to Hamiltons for Cornell Farlinger there a Fine Day
3rd Crofsed to Mr Wards with a Tennet of Butter 36 lb pail and all 25 cents Bought of Mr
Ward 50 lb of Flour 1..62 ½ Boots for John 95 on credit Bought of J Summers 2 yds of Linsey
30 cents paid this spool of Thread got a Ride Down to hamiltons with John McLauglin
4th Came from Hamiltons Fine Frosty
5th Randolp went to the Gore fort HughAnn to come home Fine Fros{ty} Randolph came
Back to Mr McDougalls stopt all night there cutting wood and hay in the Mow
6th HughAnn and Randolph came home Windy cold some and Fine E Wind Bad with my
shoulder its paining me hard put Eclectric oil Duck oil and RR Relief on it mixed them all
together Drifting to night
7th cutting hay cold
8th Cold Windy Freezin{g}
9 Mr McDougall here Got a Print of Butter 8 or 9 lbs Got 1..50 this is the time we expect the
Big Wind {go}t my Boot crows
Mr James Cameron Island FMarch 10th 1883
Went to Summerstown East Wind Fine Snowing Blowing Kind of soft Rain Wind changed
through night to West
11th Snowing Drifting West Wind Crows came this must be the crow Winter
12th On this Day of the month D McMaster First came to the Island West Wind cold Drifting
some snow Barked 2 chairs to day HughAnn Making a Drefs for Livinia
13th cutting Basswood on the Bank Thawing Fine warm
6
14th J McDougall here 75 cent on the Balance of the Butter cut some on the Bank at the Pitt
Point
14th Stanley's Birth Day 1880
15th Cold Frosty went to the Bush Dug up some Troughfs made 2 Troughfs at the Door
16th Cold Fine Went to Summerstown Bought of J Summers soda 5 Worm Candy 12 ½ paid
this Bought at Hamiltons 50 Wt of Flour 1..50 John Summers got a Lot of Books and Tea to
Sell a Prize of a nice Book by Buying 6 Packages of Tea ½ lb in each Packet 25 cents for
Package Got an Almanack Mr Patterson a Bee at Isacc Viponds cutting Firewood J Hamilton
not very well Heard Jo Duckett went to Hopkins Point And the Fitspatricks came to Dr
Dickinsons Island heard Mr Wells took his wife away from Billy Bone taking the Hay of the
stable Loft Stanley very sick Wigglers coming in the Waterholes snow Deep in the Bush
Tom Jack and Mrs Hamilton Went to Fort Covington to Day
17th St Patricks Day Fine West Wind Turned Stormy The Festival of the Irish Races in
Dundee Randolph to Summerstown ½ pint of Highwines 15 cents high Wind to night Stanley
not well
18th Palm Sunday Raining snowing to night windy Stanley very sick {Above it reads: Princefs
Louise Birth Day 1848} water on the ice some W Wind
19th E Wind Blowing hard Snowing Drifting
20th Spring cold in the Morning in the Evening when spring came in very Fine Vernal
Equinox
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 21st of March
a very Fine Day cutting and Drawing Wood Breakin our Roads snow Deep a Good Lot of
snow on the ice Froze hard to night Fixing a Board in the Floor went around the Pitt Point
Stanley getting Better 5 Days without eating any thing, wigglers in the River
22nd Livinia Birth Day Fernandez and Leander not well Cold some Fine Day 1 Hen Dead
taking snow away from the yard at the Doors where they Drifted Livinia not well
23rd Good Friday went to Summerstown Bought of Mr Ward RRR 25 Cold Drifting E Wind
Got Flour cornmeal and a Bag of Potatoes from J Hamilton
24th at Wood
25th Easter Sunday Lady Day Fine Gordon here gave him 2 Shirts his Mother made
7
26th John Hamiltons Birth Day 1876 I and Randolph went to Jo Ducketts got a Big Cooler a
Treat 15 cents H Wines 15 cents a Fine Day John Hamilton cutting ice for the ice house
27th Went to Summerstown {Above it reads: S Jack came home} Bought of J Summers 3 lb
of tea 1..50 and a Book with it 4 spools of Threa{d} 20 cents paid the Thread Bought of Mr
Ward castor oil 15 cents Hinges 12 ½ on credit) Screws a Doz 4 cents paid soap 20 nails 5
28th Drawing Wood snow Deep in the Bush
29th a Fine day HughAnn & Randolph went to Dundee and Fort Covington Randolph g his
Boots Fixed 70 cents {Above it reads: a Dance at Jo Duckett to night} Bought of Smallman
24 yds of Calico 2.. 5 yds of Cotton 40 5 cents for crackers Drove them up to Hopkins Point
and went and met them at night
30th Went to Hamilton's a Fine day commenced to Make Troughfs Killing Hogs at Hamiltons
Seen Robins for the First
31st Randolph crofsed to the store a Bee at Jo Ducketts Drawing wood Working at Troughfs
a very Fine Day
Mr James Cameron Island 1st of April 1883
All Fools Day so called, Low Sunday Fine
2nd Fine cleaning out the cellar went up to the camp snow Deep
3rd Went to Summertown Fine Bought of Mr Ward 1 lb of soda 10 Paid this Bought of John
Summers Thread 5 paid this got a sample of 70 cent Tea
4th Gordon here Mr J McDougall came to Tap and Draw Wood took over 51 Troughfs of Ash
he Made himself Tapt 120 to Day soaking the barrels seen 5 Wild-Geese very high up Ducks
Blackbirds and Robins
5th Bill Morris here going to Lancaster for oats Raining Foggy Tapping
6th J Hamilton and Gordon here Fine
7th Snowing Stormy E Wind
8th Sunday Fine
9th Randolph and I to Hamiltons got 100 Wt of Flour 2 Bushels of oats 2 Bunches of
Matches John in Cornwall seeing about Getting the Deed for the Manse Duncan McDonald
the Blacksmith's Daughter Buried today cutter crofsed Summers's Road ice Getting Bad
close to shore in the Bush
10th in the Bush Fine
8
11th George Bosells Boy with them in the Bush
12th Oxley Calved Took over the Horse took the Boat with them Mifs Kppin the SchoolTeacher along with them in the Bush She Built a cairn of Stones on the Hill at the Sugar Bush
Sugared of Twice a Feast for us all Sugared about 60 lb the Last crop crofsing with the
Horse
13th made 36 lbs to Day Wild Geese Plenty ice opening at the shores
14th J McDougall and Willie came acrofs had the handsleigh ice open at Francis Island ice
opening in spots open before the Door sugared 30 lbs to Day stopt to night
15th Sunday ice going Down Mr McDougall Willie and Donald John crofsed Drew the Boat to
the head of the Island Found a Pail on the ice going up very Fine
16th ice Jamming Lots going Down Put out our Boat took the Stick of Timber ashore
Sugared 36 lbs to Day shoved a Large Cake of ice from the Shore Foggy Rained some
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 17th of April
Boiling in the Bush Heaping up Manure put the Sheep in the East end the Barn very warm
Taking the Banking from the cookhouse put out the old irons Weaned the calf The Cattle
hard to Keep from Going to the Sugar-Bush a very warm Fine Day Great Jamming of ice a
Good Deal of shooting setting Fires to the Marshes on the South Side Ducks Plenty
18th HughAnn and Sissy Went acrofs to Mr McDougalls Windy
19th Snow Storm E Wind James Cameron The Rev Buried to Day
20th Drawing Logs up From the River Boiling in the Bush
21st in the Bush Fixing around the Wood
22nd Went to the Upper Point Gordon Tommy Rose christy Ann Rose and Maggie and Lilly
Baker Walters Girls
23rd setting Fires in the Marsh St Georges Day The Festival of the English Windy
24th Livinia and HughAnn came home from Mr McDougalls Shot a Duck
25th St Marks Day Windy cold cutting Brush Minkey Calved Ploughed a Little
26th Indians Fishing EEls Taking the Banking away from E End of the house
9
27th Mr McDougalls took home their sugar cold and syrup Windy Randolph Boiled a Barrel
of sap Took up the Pans and Buckets one of the craigs Departed James Craigs Daughter or
Buried to Day
28th Went to Summerstown Bought of Mr Summers RRR 25 Cents {Above it reads: 100 Wt
Flour J Hamiltons} Bought of Mr Ward Matches 15 caps 22 hat{Cut off} sold 3 Doz of Eggs
45 I paid soap caps hat spools Matches needles + 32 cents
29th Randolph HughAnn and Livinia went to Sturgeon Island and the Kit Kit Island Fine Lots
of ice going down Rogation Sunday + 32 cents I owe
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 30th of April
Fine Fishing at night did not see any Fish Killed Minkeys Calf gave the carcafs to Feine
ploughing
1st of May Taking the Banking from the East End of the House Froze very hard putting straw
on the places I cut the Brush at the Plumb Trees Took home the Pots and Barrels from the
Bush a Fine Day piling Manure
2nd a Fine Day commenced to Rain at night set the Barrel for the Making of soap setting
Fires Making the Fence in the Lane
3rd Ascension Day Holy Thursday East Wind Raining Cold set a Hen to Hatch Lots of very
Big cakes of ice going Down a Big cake stopt anchored opposite the Lower Point in the
steamboat channel got a nest with 11 Eggs in it a Ducks nest working at the Brush in the
upper Field
4th Massena into Salmon River at the soap putting out Manure Randolp not well
5th 2 Tugs went Down with Tow's Thunder Raining all Bad with colds
6th Fine A Raft Towed down Bohemian's First Trip up
7th Ploughing Taking away the Banking from the North side of the house Lots of ice going
Down Rain Fine Drew some stones took 2 Bun Loads of Floating wood from along the shore
Bohemian went Down
8th went around the Island Fixing Brush Fence a cold commencing on me hurted my wrist
carrying a stone taking away the Rails that was around the stacks Fixed 3 Lines for Leander
Fernandez and John H Windy Made a cheese yesterday all sick with cold a Boat went up to
night it must be one of the Through Line Boats Water high to Day Some water came in the
cellar
10
9th Fine Planted 110 Hills of Leanders apple Potatoes Harrowing ice going Down Leander
caught a Perch at the soap
10th Planted Potatoes from the chimney up to the Grafs Fine High East Wind Rain Thunder
and Lightning this Evening Fixing the Stick at the shor{e n}ot very cold and Wet which will
not help my col{d}
1883
{M}r James Cameron Island 11th of May
Working at Fence on the Pitt-Point high Wind Fine ice going Down Did not sleep all night
with a Bad cold Lots of Boats going to night
12th Fine But cold Windy Boys at Fence taking the old irons out of the Bun so I could move
it to another place not well Livinia Junior Bad Bad with cold
13th Fine
14th Went to Summerstown Brought 2 Doz of Eggs ½ lb of Tea paid this) Bought of Mr Ward
25 lb Sack of Corn meal on credit Got a Package of newsPapers from Dan from Ottawa
Walter Baker Blasting at Hamiltons a very Fine Day Ploughed the Garden
15th Planting and at the Garden Digging the Garden some of it Raised the Flat Stone and
put some crockery under it its Level now A Fine Day
16th Harrowing Planting Onions Planted some Potatoes Fine
17th Fine set a hen to Hatch Planted a Few Potatoes the Horse his shoulder is Bad as the
collar hurts him
18th Went to Summerstown Blasting and Hamiltons Brought a cake of Tallow did not sell it a
very Warm Fine Day Planted Potatoes
19th Went to Fort Covington and Dundee Fisherman came Went to Dundee to see about
their Licence for sening {seining?} Bought of Jo Lemay 100 Wt of Flour and 25 of Corn meal
50 Wt on credit meal on credit 2..37 ½ and 45 cent (Tea 25 soda 8 paid this Gave Jo 10 Doz
of Eggs at 14 cents 1..40 Sold Smallman Tallow 7 ¾ lb at 7 cents 44 cents Bought 6 yds of
Cotton crackers 10 cents Bought of Mr Long 1 ½ yds of overalls 37 ½ cents Got my Boot
Fixed By McCartney 5 Randolp paid for his Boots 40 cents Randolp Bought cloth 45 cents
Seen Hamiltons Barn on Fire as we were coming from Salmon River Sent Randolp over to
see Fisherman set their Line got Papers from Mr Baker
20th Angus Cameron Wife & Boy here Gordon here Lashey Fishing at Butter-nut Island
Mr James Cameron Island 21st of May 1883
11
High East Wind and Rain Narcifse to Montreal with first Fish and to Get his Licence
22nd Raining E Wind high Narcifse came from Montreal
23rd Raining E Wind got up Present of a Prize Narcifse got on the cars Writing Paper Pen
and holder Envelopes 2 Buttons a Map & songs
24th Queen's Birth Day and Corpus Christie Phillip to Montreal with Fish Chiticoume or Fairy
went Down in to Lancaster Cannons Firing got a Sturgeon from Narcisse Fine Rained some
25th Went to Christee seen Keezar and Cline Looking for his son that was Drowned
26th Ploughed the Bean place piling the Logs at the side of the Fence Drew some of the
Logs out of the Grove
27th Fine Windy Randolph HughAnn and Livinia went to Christees and Alexis Island {th}e
Raft went Down Fisherman stringing their Fish to send on the Boat in the Morning
28th Fixing the Fence the Back Peice of the Barn Trimming the small appletrees through the
Field put Hop Poles to the Hops White Winged Woodpecker Building in the Grove and Fan
Tailed Blackbirds Robins Oriole or Hanging Bird or the Golden Robin Yellow-hammer
{s}wallows Kingbird and they have Battles Fine Rained some
29th Raining change in the Moon Dull cloudy South W Wind Royal Oak Day or Oak-Apple
Day some Potatoes up
30th Went to Summerstown Bought of Mr Ward ½ Bushel of Salt 25 cents Did not settle to
Day stopt at Hamiltons planting Potatoes Got a Bag of Long Johns from John Spinks's Boy
there got paper & Pictures from Dan George Bosell and Antwine at Summers's chimney
31st High E Wind cold Rain
1st of June Gloriouse 1st of June Rowena's Birth Day 1878 cold Blowing
2nd Planted 50 hills & 24 hills in the Back Garden Lilly Calved Mr Richardsons son Drowned
Steamer Maxwell pleasure party into Dundee Fishing perch for the First caught 8
Mr James Cameron Island 3rd of June 1883
Fine Some Wind {Above it reads: put the calf in the pasture} Mr Genie hee and Boy Mr
James McDougall and the Boys and Mifs Kippin here up from Rofs's Island
4th of June Old George the 4ths Birth Day Sheared the sheep high Wind Rained Fine water
in the cellar yet Keeping in the White Bull at night
5th cutting Weeds in the Potatoes cleaning the East End of the Barn where the sheep was
in Let the sheep go this Morning took the calve from Lilly Last night and he Drinks well
12
raising Stones in the Back Garden ploughing it and took some Manure out of it for the Last
the Boys Got a Turtle the Alexandra went Down I suppose Burdo the Fisherman came from
Ogdensburgh, not yet {Above it reads: got a Sturgeon from narcifse}
6th Went to Dundee HughAnn Randolph and I Brought 8 ½ Doz of Eggs 1..19 Brought a small
Sturgeon to David Baker Bought of Lemay 50 W of Flour paid this got 50 Wt on Credit 1..50
sold Eggs to Smallman Bought ½ lb Tea 20 8 yds of Calico 64 2 yds for Stanley 30 2 yds & 4
yds of Calico Hat 10 Comb 5 Bought of Mr Burdow 4 Dishes on Credit 50 Kelly here Looking
at the Fisherman's nets or Seine
7th Fixing Fence and planting corn
8th Windy
9th Our Marys Birth Day 1813 Jinny Calved Genie came Weeding Potatoes Trowling
commenced Lashy came E Wind
10th Genie here {Above it reads: Rose Sunday} E Wind Raining Fine
11th Very high West Wind Genie here Rained St Barnaba{s}
12th Genie Went off Rain W Wind Fine Weeding Potatoes and Garden Lashey on the squaw
Island with that Big Wind the other Day
13th Henery Bosell at the Fishermen's the Steamer Maxwell went Down to Day to go on the
Dry Dock at the Garden and Potato{es La}shey came to Fish
Mr James Cameron Island 13th 14th of June 1883
at the Potatoes
15th went to Trowl to charlies Island Killed a Lot of Black snakes and one good sized one
Fine
16th Fine one of the calves got out and he is hard to catch set a Line got 2 EEls hoeing
17th went to get some Perch got 31 Fine
18th The Ever Memorable Battle of Waterloo Rain Fine Wind Thunder and Lightning to night
at Potatoes and Weeds put the Plough through some of them
19th First EEls eats this spring Randolph got 4 Tethering the Horse Fixing the Cookhouse got
a paper of Hooks from Narcisse
20th putting out Manure and piling some in the yard Rain W Wind Fine young Ducks out
21st First Day of Summer Fine West Wind Villneuve here at Fishermens cleanin{g} the
House First Tub of Butter Full at Hoeing
13
22nd Our Dan's Birth Day Went to Dundee with a Tub of Butter 31 lbs {Above it reads:
Money calved} Bought of J Lemay 40 lb of Rags 9 ½ of Eggs 100 Wt of Flour Paid this Flour)
on credit 23 of Camphor Soap 4 Bars 24 1 lb of Tea 25 ½ lb of Tea 20 Paid What I owed
before this 5 Dollars & ½ cent clear up to this Date Paid Burdow 50 cents on Dishes 10
cents I owe him for Matches Bough{t} 2 ½ of Pink 2 spools of Thread 5 yds of Shirting
Wistard Binding Paid all this But Matches hooks I Bought of Mr Long 25 cents of Fine salt 3
yds of overalls 60 Randolp got his Mothers Boots Tapt 50 And a Bought a pair for himself
1..35 cents on credit Fine Day Stopt at Lukes Seen Billy Bone's Wife for the First time or
Wells's wife Passed the Grenada at Lukes Prescott {T}yos shearing their sheep
23rd at the potatoes Weeding
{2}4 a Fine Day St John the Babtiste Day John Hamilton here got the 1 ¼ Augur
25th a Fine Day {Above it reads: Mr Burdo here} Hoeing
{2}6th Set the Line Rained some
27th Hoeing and Weeding The Prince Arthur commencing to Run here
28th Fine East Wind Rain hot sun
{2}9th Went to Summerstown Settled with Ward 6..14 I ow{ed B}ought Butter Tub 28 cents
paid Bought of J Summers RRR paid {s}topt at Hamiltons for their Bee H very hot Rain
{M}r James Cameron Island 30th of June 1883
at Hamiltons a Bee 12 Teams Drawing Lumber for their Barn Heard Dans wife was very low
Fine Day HughAnn Went to Williamstown Randolph put her acrofs Mr Purcell sent 3 Waggon
Loads of Boards and 4 casks of Nails to Hamiltons for their Buildings the Manitoba stopt at
the Wharf with Pic Nic But could not get ashore as the harf is not Fixed
1st of July Dominion Day Sunday came home From Hamiltons Gordon took me Down Fine
Windy Rained Heay Sunday night Thunder and Lightning
2nd at Potatoes Put out 36 Plants of Tobaco Rained Thunder Lightning Hoeing the corn
Killing Potato Bugs
3rd Windy at Potatoes Rained Thunder Lightning to night
4th American Independence Raining Fine Manitoba went in to Dundee for the Pic nic Party
Brindle calved a Heifer Took him home in the Boat from the Bay
5th Our John's Birth Day 1803 Hoeing Digging for a Peice of Tobacco Fishing
6th a Fine Day Minnie and HughAnn came From Williamstown got Hamiltons Boat Randolph
and the Boys Fishing
14
7th Fine Commenced to Rain heavy Lightning Thunder young Folks here caught in the storm
Mifs Congdon Mifs Gillis Mr Stewart Mr Mathews Gave them a Going Over about {Above it
reads: The Boat with supplies came up} B Bark Put out Tobacco Plant Mowed around the
Grounds to{Cut off} hill water Raised very Quick and high E Wind
8th Sunday A Fine Day Minnie HughAnn and Randolph went home with Hamiltons Boat
Fishing some Dan Frasher and Wife and Boy Bought a sturgeon from the Fisherm{en} and
paid a Dollar for it Minnie HughAnn & Randolp on Francis Island Lashey here
9th Fixing around the Barn
10th Mowing a Little
11th Fine
12th went to Dundee Orangemans Day Bought Flour Tea Tobacco scythe snaith Rakes pipe
Tin pans 2 Tin plates got a Dipper a present from Tom Culverhill signed for a paper for 3
Months Taylor Part{Illegible} of the Governeur Paper some Rain Thunder
Mr James Cameron Island July the 12 1883 Continued from the Left hand page
Orangeman's Day a Fine Day 2 Butter tubs shirting seen John Cameron Carpenter from
Chicago paid Mr Burdo for Matches had 2 Tubs of Butter
13th Mowing
14th Minnie and HughAnn went to Williamstown
14th Sunday John Angus and Gordon and McDonald Boy here St Swithen's Day it Rained to
Day
16th Mowed some
17th Crofsed to Hamiltons Randolp to the store
18th at Hamiltons the Bee Raising the Barn about 82 People
19th Fernandez Birth Day 1874 Narcifse mowing Fine Warm
20th putting in hay Fine cutting hay
21st Went to Hamiltons putting on the Rafters Fine calm very warm
22nd Fine Windy Berries cherries May Berries Ripe
23rd Mowing
24th Working at Hay putting in
15
25th at hay
26th at hay
27th put in 60 cocks Fine Warm
28 Mowing Rain heavy Thunder and Lightning to night
29th Thomas Rose Johny Rose Lilly Baker 2 young girls after Berries Fine Windy Rained
thunder
30th Mowing at the Back Garden and Behind the Barn Rained Windy Thunder Lightning
Found hen in the Bush had only 2 chickens
31st {Illegible}ing {Ra}ndolp crofsed to Summerstown Bought of Mr Ward 1 spoll of Threat 3
of Hops scythstone matches got 2 Dollars from Gordon to get his Watch from Jo Lemay
Mowing turning hay gathering hay
1st of August or Lammas Day Mowing putting in from {th}e Lower Point the Fishermen's
Boys went off Fine Day rained {to} night
2nd Minnie's Birth Day 1864 Fine Day Rained some {th}under Lightning went to Dundee took
2 Tennets of Butter Doz of Eggs 1 calf skin paid Burdo what I owed hime 1..72 ½ {Cut off}ight
Salt 53 lb 45 Matches 12 ½ Stone 10 from Long Cotton 52 yards 5 yds of cloth 40 Flour 3
Dollars ½ lb Hops 15 3 Butter Tubs 45 {Ca}lico 25 Randolp paid for his Boots 1..35 pair of
Boots on credit 1..10 {T}reat 15 Tea 40 got papers from Mr Smith and Mr Baker {a}nd From
Mr McCartney
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 3rd of August
Mowing Back of the Barn Rained Thunder Lightning Windy the Steamer Alexandra aground
at the Lighthouse above it the Steamer took
took her off
4th Mowing Rained Thunder Lightning Windy St Francis went up Phillip came the cows got
in the Feild through the night and made a smash of things Berries yet cherries-choke
getting Ripe
4th 5th 6th Randolph Birth Day 1867
Forgot to Write those Dates Left out
15th Mr Genie here came for the calf Gave me 2 Dollars Brought HuckleBerries LCucumbers
at Hay Fine
16
16th Randolp to Summerstown Bought ½ lb Tea 25 cents comb 12 putty 12 Hooks no paper
Thread 5
17th Mowing
18th Went to Fort Covington & Dundee 2 Tennets of Butter to Jo Lemay got all but 5 Dollars
Bought 20 yds of Calico 1..80 2 Towels 20 Boots 2..20 Flour 3..15 3 Tennets 45 2 lb Tea 1
Dollar ¾ of Tobacco 32 ½ Scythe 1 Dollar Umbrella 50 Salt 20 lb 20 Blue 7 Cloves 10 Powder
½ lb & 2 lb of shot Salt 60 +I owe+ Mr Burdo) Licquor 20 Crackers chees{e} and Ginger
Bread 20 got Tobacco From Mr Baker got Papers 2 ¼ yds of Tweed 56 cents Bottle of
Peppermint 10 2 spoons 10 stopt at Lukes had supper Fine Day
19th Bismarck's Birth Day 1870 Fine Day
20th Mowing Fine Randolph and Leander went to Tuppers Island yesterday to see old
Gabriel Derushie
21 Mowi{ng}
22 commenced to put the hay on the Barn Floor Fine To night it Rained Thunder Lightning
Wind
23rd Mowing Began a stack
24th Mowing
25 put some in the Barn
26th Fine Windy Long Black Berries Ripe Went to upper Point Randolph and Leander Went
to Plum Island
27th Mowing
28th Made a stack
29th Went to Fish
30th Mr J McDouga{ll} and Willie here Done Mowing Lower Point
Mr James Cameron Island 31st of Augt 1883
Began the Third Stack a Fine Day
1st of September a very very warm Day Mowing in the Upper Field
2nd Fine Rained some windy at night Randolph Leander to charlies and Rofs's Island the old
man Revr {Reverend?} a went off this morning
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3rd D McMaster's Birth Day 1846 Fine Windy some cold Mowing in the upper Field got 2
small sturgeon from Narcisse sent them Potatoes Lashey came to Fishing Let Narcisse have
my short Gun Gave him Powder shot caps horn and Pouch corn good
4th Mowing
5th John Angus Birth Day 1850
6th Mowing and gathering
7th at Hay
8th at Hay Raining
9th Fine
10th Norman Oxly here Began the Stack in the upper field put 3 Tons in it to Day
11th Finished the stack put 5 Tons in it good measure
12th taking up Few hills of Potatoes
13th Randolph crofsed to Summerstown Bought 2 lb of nails 8 cents 4 spools 20 Bought for
Fishermen Bread Tobacco
14th Went to the Butternut Island got nuts
15th Went to Dundee Bought of Mr Burdo 10 yds of Ticking 2 Dollars 2 yds 35 5 yds of
Tweed 1..25 Gallon of oil 15 {c}astor oil 15 Braces 25 2 spoons 10 (Boots for Leander {Cutoff}
Dollars on credit) Bought of Mr Long Lamp 50 cents Shot 10.. 6 spons 18 Bought of
Smallman Flour {Cut off}..20 Broom 25 Bought of Jo Lemay Tea 1 lb 40 Tea {Cut off} lb 12 ½
Soda 2 papers 16 2 Bars 10 4 Bars of soap 24 pipe {Cut off}0 Tobacco 10 Mustard 10 Jo
paid me 4 Dollars and owes {m}e 1 yet BHH Wines 35 paid Burdo 60 cents Paid McCartney
1..65 Randolps Boots mended 15 Butter tub {Cut off}2 cents 1 plug Tobacco 8 had 2 small
Tennets of {B}utter and 12 Dozen of Eggs heard Sam Mc{Illegible}vaine Poisened himself 2
Days ago I Dont know when D McMasters Wife Departed Taken to Lancaster to Day I heard
Must of Died on the 14th Sunday
16th Gordon and Tom Rose here Saved Gave a to Gordon package of Tobacco
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 17th Sept
Thunder Lightning and Rain Last night Taking up Potatoes Mowing in Back Marsh Taking in
Bea{ns?} cut some cornstalks the Girls and Leander went to Francis Island
18th Mowing Marsh Fine {Above it reads: Bismarck came}
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19th Made a stack of 2 ½ or 3 Tons Most Fine and Marsh hay Fine Weather
20th Fine very warm crofsed to Summerstown Paid John Summers 5 Dollars Bought a
chisel 30 cents Bought of Mr Ward Writing copy paper 10 Tax 10 Bought for Phillip oil and
Bread
21st Mowing in Back Marsh High East Wind Dan Frasher and David Frasher and D McMaster
here Took Dinner Dan Brought me 5 Traps paper envelopes sweetmeats Tea crackers
Bisquits went up the Front to Mr Purcells gave his Aunt 2 Dollars
22nd at Taking up Potatoes Leaving them in heaps in the Field till we have them all up a fine
Day East and West Wind
23rd this is the First Day of Autumn or Fall and a very Fine Day it is HughAnn and Livinia
Went to Mr Luke Bowens with Milk The 3 Boys Leander Fernandez and Randolph Went to
Francis Island Hog Islan{d} Black Horse Island and Plum Island The sun crofsing the Line
Equinoxial Gales about this time
24th Went to J Hamiltons got 50 cents from John very warm Thunder Rained some taking
up Potatoes Rain and high Wind tonight
25th Rain Wind Making a pair of oars Let the cows in to the Lower Point the First night the
sheep stopt away all summer
26th at Potatoes Phillip got the oars
27th at Potatoes
28th at Potatoes
29th St Michael Finished taken in the Potatoes {Ph}illip got a stove gave Lashey a pail of
Potat{oes Ran}dolph and Leander to Charlies Island {Mc}Dougalls and Frashers Boys here
Mr James Cameron Island 1st of October 1883
{M}owing in the Front Marsh Windy Livinia not {we}ll Narcifse Phillip and Randolph went for
{M}rs Bowen the Baby Tonia Born
2nd Randolp and Livinia went home with Mrs {B}owen Gave here a Dollar {Illegible} Raining
3rd Mowing {so}me Grains of snow
4th some ice Randolph crofsed {wi}th Phillip to Summerstown Bought Salt 25 cents
Highwines 35 got a paper Lent Phillip 50 cents Mowing Front Marsh put out Manure Fine
Windy
5th Making Cocks Fine Windy
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6th Began Marsh Hay stack 3 Tons in it A Fine Day
7th {G}ordon here {Above it reads: seen First Wild Geese} Randolph crofsed with him to
help them at their straw
8 Drawing Wood put a few more cocks on the marsh hay stack
9th Making Fence around the 2 stacks in the upper Field Fine Day
10th HughAnn McMaster's Birth Day at Fence cutting Rails Thunder and Lightning to night
Rained to night Bohemian Late coming up to Day
11th putting out manure {F}ine E Wind a Great many Boats went up and Down to Day
Leander went to Sleep with Narcifse to night shot a Duck Killed one of the Roosters got 2
small scargoes from Phillip John {G or S?} here got sweetmilk and a Tennet of Buttermilk for
Mrs Bowen Plucked the Ducks
12th putting Manure {a}round the small appletrees Narcifse put a Handle in {o}ne of my
Hammers Drew some Wood this is the Time {eve}ry 3 Months of the Governeure Free Prefs
is up
13th Rained Thunder to night and Heavy Rain Drew some Drags
14th Rain Fine Windy Mr Genie here Brought a Bottle of Honey to Livinia from his Woman
took Medicine to Day
15 Cold Fine Windy some Grains of Snow Fell Drew some {Illegible} Fixing the Fence at the
stacks in the Upper Fiel{d}
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 16th of October
Drawing Wood Prefsing Grapes Fine
17th Drawing Wood cut the Big Elm at Cherry Grov{e} shot a Duck Trapt squirrels at the
Butternut Tree at the River climbed the Tree for the Boys and put Down all the nuts for
them
18th St Luke's Day High South West Wind turned Fine Randolph came from Hamiltons Had
apples Flour was there since the 7th Mowed some in the March
19th Went to Dundee and Fort Covington Johnny Bone up with us from their Place Seen Mr
Wilson the Lawyer or Judge of Fort Covington seen Mr Tuthill and Mr Mears Bought of J-YC 30 lb of Sugar 3 Butter Tubs sold 30 lb of Butter Bought of J Lemay 4 lb of Tea 1..42 5 lb
of Pork 50 Tobacco 10 ½ lb Pepper 15 Soap 5 Ginger 20 Lamp chimney 10 starch 10 Sold Jo
29 lb of Butter paid me a Dollar he owed me Bought of Mr Long a Pair of Boots 2 ½ paid a
20
Dollar on them nails 5 Pins 5 Forgot them on the Counter Bought of Mr Burdo 25 lb of Fine
Salt 25 2 ½ yds of Gingam 30 Mits 50 Boots Johns 1..50 Stanleys 1 Rowena's 90 Paid what I
owed 2 Cap 75 Flour 6..85 oil 15 Comb 15 High Wines 1..40 Seen Mr Walter Colohoun
Sundries
20th Raining E Wind some cold put sugar in the Grapes Wine got a coat and Jacket fro{m}
Narcifse set Traps
21st E Wind Fine
22nd East Randolp crofsed with J Hamiltons Boat Angus Cameron and Alexander here
Bought his Boat Gave him5 Dollars crofsed him over to Frashers Point
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 23rd of October
Fine Day Livinia Birth Day 1868 Banking Mr Genie came had a Bag of Potatoes
24th Our Hugh's Birth Day a Fine Day Mr Genie here {g}ave me his fat Pine Digging stones
Mowed marsh hay Began the West End of the house to Bank
25th My Birth Day St Crispin's Day all Shoemakers Day Mr Genie went off Gave me some
Buckshot powder shot Gave him a Small Sturgeon Banking E Wind
26th Banking Bottled the Wine part of it 9 Gallons to Day Ducks Getting plenty one of the
Drakes taken away to night it must be the Owl Made a Few plugs of tobacco Shelled all the
corn 3 Bushels cant Find my Trowel The Boys killing a Lot of Squirrels {Illegible} Day
Warners Boat Hunting at Frashers anchored at the Point and then small steamer running all
over and acrofs Towing the small Boats
27th 2 Hunters came up From Montreal with Narcifs
Randolp and I made a Blind
up in Cord Wood Bay did not Get any Ploughed a Peice in the Potatoe Ground Drew some
Wood wind changed to Day its Being East since the 19th Warm to Day
28th Fine Phillip the Fisherman took the 2 Hunters to Lancaster
29th Thunder Narcifse made me an axe handle
30th Thunder Rain Windy
31st Holy Eve or All Hallow's Thunder cracking nuts cutting Brush in the oak-Field 2
Fishermen went to Montreal this Trip Lashey here shot 2 Ducks
1st of November all Saints Day The Harvest month of Death hailed Windy cutting Brush and
Wood Steamer Hastings went Down she Looks like a new one she {is} Going to Tow up the
Steamships
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1883
Mr James Cameron Island 2nd of Nove
chopping Brush in the oak field some {Illegible} of hail north W Wind A Great Deal of
shooti{ng} Randolph went to Summerstown Bought of John Summers High Wines 15 7 ½
yds of Cotton 75 cents Matches at Wards 5 cents Corinthian went Dow{n} 3 Tows 3
propellers a Great Deal of shooting All Souls Day
3rd On this Day of the Month Granda Departed 1857 Drawing Wood Fine
4th Fine caught a very small owl
5th Guy Fawkes Day or the Gun Powder Plot Began the Stable at the West End of the Barn
6th at the stable high West Wind the Fisherm{en} Down at Charlies Island all Day with the
wind {Above it reads: Steamship went up Hastings John a Tug}
7th Helen's Birth Day in the Bush at the stable {Above it reads: Steamship 4 Tugs Towing}
Mr Genie Came FWent to Fish got a Sturgeon E Wind
8th at the stable Genie went off high E Wind
9th Thunder Lightning Rain Prince of Wales Birth Day
19th Randolph Crofsed to Renshaws and Summerstown Bought of Ward nails 5 cents Salt 10
cen{ts}
11th Fine Fishermen Narcifse and Phillip went off Got a Large Pickerel from them 2 Fishing
Lights out to night the wind raised Blew hard Martinmafs
12th very high Wind cutting Poles for the cow stable The Grenada did not come out to Day
from Dundee as the wind is awful high froze some last night
13th The Grenada came out wind high got calm commenced to snow and Blow putting
Poles on the Stable Drew some poles some shooting cattle picking out Feeding the horse
took up the Turnips and the Ground Froze hard
1883
Mr James Cameron Island Nov 14th
Blustery Weather Drifting snowing windy Fine
{15}th cold Windy snow Feeding the cattle
16th {co}ld snowing Windy
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17th Went up around the {Is}land cold turned some Warm working at the West Stable
{18}th Fine snow melting
19th Fine Mr James McDougall and Donald John here crofsing to Frashers south side
Working at the stable making the Door got Kind of unwell
20th in Bed no smoking or eating the Boys Plastering Fine Day rained to night Froze Last
Night chinking E Wind
21st On This Day of the Month D McMaster Departed 1846 a Good many Boats a Going
Bohemian wen{t} up Raining snow most all gone cattle Feeding out
22nd high high Wind
23rd at the stables and sheds manure Drawing Rubbish thats Laying around Big shooting at
Christees
24th Randolp went to Dundee with 28 lbs of Butter 5..60 and 8 Dozen of Eggs 1..76 Bought
of Mr Burdo Boots 1..25 Bottle oil 25 12 yards of Winces 1..50 12 ½ yds of Cotton 1.. got Cash
3..36 Bought of F Frasher 100 Wt of Flour Pins 5 Bought of Smallman Oil 15 Heard Mike
Bannon Died
25th Randolph and Leander went to Christees Island East Wind
26th Fixing the sheds and stables Feeding the cows Rained hard to night and snowed a
Little
27th no Boats went to Day Windy Randolp and I set out the Decoys shot a Good many only
got one Fine a Big Fire yesterday in the Marsh on the south side
28th Massena went into came out from Salmon River Windy Cold
29th seen Cherry Island Light did not see Mr Hills or the Floating Light smoaky
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 30th of Novemb{er}
St Andrews Day The Festival of the Scotch Firing in honour of the Day nothing But Wine for
a Scotch Drink cold snowing all the Lights up a Tug went Down a Barge in tow smoky
Feeding the Cattle extra
1st of December snow EW Cold Lights all up Took the Pine to the Wharf
2nd snow W Wind no Lights up to night
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3rd Cold Windy Freezing Took the Sail of the Big Boat of the Mast Took in the Water Barrel
and Giving the Bull an extra good Bit by himself cut 2 Elems in the swamp or oak-Field
cattle Hearty good Fires a Mock-sun on the south side of the sun and a Long Tail to the sun
this Evening
4th in the Bush A very Fine Day Drawing Wood
5th Crofsing to Summerstown Gave J Hamilton some Envelops took Dinner there Heard of
Mr Dunlop Departed Last Week Broug 6 lbs of Butter to Mr Ward Bought Rope Salt shot
Broom 4 spools of Thread Bought of John Summ{ers} Flour 3..50 Hinges & screws 25 Axe
95 Matches 25 paid 50 cents of what I owed him on the old account Got a Letter From
Davidson got 2 papers from Dan
6th Fine Day Fixing the hinges on the stable Door
7th Fine Day Killed the Bull
8th Wrote a Letter to Dan and sent Mr Davidsons Letter to him put out the Decoys Randolp
Crofsed with the Letter A Fine Day I thought I heard a clap of Thunder this morning
8th Fine Blowed Some
10th Leander's Birth Day 1872 Raining Snowing soft Windy Hay Done on the Barn Floor
chopped Down a Dead Maple chopped a hemlog Log at the River
1883
Mr James Cameron Island 11th of December
high West Wind Frank Laplante went Down with Captain Rankin {Above it reads: AJ Baker}
Calm Turned to East Wind Freezing Snowing Blowing Broke on a 4 Ton stack put the soft
Maple Boards in the Barn put in some hay out of the stack chopping seen one of the small
small owls in the Bush
12th Cutting and Drawing some snow last night high E Wind to night
13th cutting Wood at the Door and Piling Whitewashing set fire to the Back marsh Burns
splendid to night a very fine night 2 Fishing Lights out to night no snow on the Ground
rained to night or near morning
14th Rain Fine Drew the Pine Stick up on the Wharf Drew Some Wood no snow on the
Ground cattle out in the Feilds but that dont save Feed Turned awful Frosty and Cold to
night
15th E Wind very Frosty and cold
16th very Frosty Cold Windy E Wind
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17th Pretty Cold Fixing one of the Big Heifers in the West Stable Tied the Bull in the Big shed
chopping some Hemlog Logs at the River in stove Wood
18th cutting Brush south W Wind snowed some wind high not cold Randolp Found his Knife
in the Barn Lost it in the summer
19th Fine cutting Brush
20th cutting Logs at the River took the Boat to the Lower End
20th John Sandfields Birth Day 1812 set Fires to the Front Marsh upper End of it Turned over
the Boat the Lady Woolsey Windy
21st Frist Day of Winter Fine calm Went to John Hamiltons Randolph to the Store Bought of
John Summers 1 lb of Tea credit 1 Bottle of RRR 25 paid this Mr Charles Craigs Wife very
Poorly Wind Raised Snowed some Turned Cold Freezing hard to night Blowing hard
1883
Mr James Cameron Island Dec 22
Shortest Day in the year West Wind Frosty Cold ice Meaking ice Jamming to night Freezing
Seen the White-Backed Eagle Looking for Ducks ice Took acrofs here
23 Ice acrofs some air-holes a good many the one in Front of the House as usual but not so
Large as it used to be Randolph to the Head of the Island seen the Fox Tracks that came
acrofs
24th cold snowing and Drifting E Wind Broke another Stack the other stack Done
25th Christmas Day a Fine Day EW and calm kind of Warm got 2 Moles on the ice
26th St Stephens Day crofsed the Ice to Hamiltons our Road is very crooked as there is a
Great many air-holes ice very thin put out a few Bushes but its a Going to thaw and it will
break up in some places came home Quick Drew som{e} Wood as I think we will have a
Thaw seen a Mink track
27th St John the Evangelist Drawing and chopping Wood warm E Wind
28th Holy Innocents Day Rained Last night hard Began to snow through the night Windy
Frosty cold The White Backed Eagle up in the Bay after a Saw-Beak he got him and Flew
Down opposite the Door in the Rushes and Dropped him Livinia Run after it and got the
Duck some of the air-holes shut up to Day with this Snow Drifting and hard Frost set a Trap
or 2 for the Mink 2 Mock suns one on Each side of the Sun
29th Fine Frosty W Wind Just a Few Bushes up in the Bay where we came of the ice new
Moon a scotch Moon Generally Stormy E Wind to night Our Angus's B Day
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30th Snowing cold Fine a Man and a Dog crofsing to Summerstown
31st Last Day of the year Snowing Blowing E Wind cutting Stove Wood
Leap Year 1884
Mr James Cameron Island 1st of January
{N}ew Years Day Fine E Wind sun shining Randolph and I crofsed to Hamiltons took Dinner
Randolph stopt to help them to Thrash tomorrow I put out a few Bushes Water Rising on
the Marsh Fired a Few shots this Morning put in the Bottom of the stack John H and
Leander
2nd Randolph at Hamiltons E Wind snowing Drifting Blowing hard Frosty
3rd Allen's Birth Day 1853 cold Frosty W Wind Blowing hard Blustery Blizzardy cut a
Waterhole for the cattle
4th cold Windy Gordon and Randolph came from Hamiltons Sent a Bottle of Wine with
Gordon to Mrs Hamilton took a Letter to me from Dan it came on the 23rd with 2 Dollars in
it for his Aunt Gordon to my Bladed Knife
5th cold Windy cutting stove Wood
6th Ephiphany Fine cold
7th The Water is Raising near shore Drew the 2 Boats and canoe up as the water is near
them
8th HughAnns Birth Day 1866 Randolph and I to Summerstown Bought of John Summers 2
Tickets paid for 1..50 the other on credit 50 cents Bought Needles 5 Thread 5 oil 60 Bought
of P Purcell 1 lb of Tea 25 paid paid for needles and Thread EW turned stormy Drifting
Blowing snowing a awful night stopt at Hamiltons John Went to Cornwall to mill did not
come Back to night Heard Bella Wright Departed or Mrs Annan)
9th came home high EW Brought 2 Balls of yarn for Gordons sox
10th Began to Draw hay from the upper Field
11th Drew the Rest of the stack cleaned the pipes EW snowing went for a Load of Wood
12th Fine EW Frosty Drew some wood
13th Fine EW Snowed hard Frosty
For more information on James Cameron, check out the “Meet the Diarists” section
under “Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca
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