Irene Dixon Bamford 1890 March – June,
Diary Transcription
5034_4-1-3

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itemTitle: March-June 1890
date: 1890
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page_0001
IRENE DIXON BAMFORD DIARY March-June 1890 1890
QUEENS UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES
LOCATOR 5034.4
BOX 1
FILE 3

page_0002
March - June 1890

page_0003
Re-read ’76-’84

page_0004
1890
59 years ago

page_0005
Re-read
’76 - ’84

page_0006
I have through a mistake skipped
Tuesday 11th March 1890. A cloudy
morning. Wind south rains at noon
Welly niched [sic] up and drove with Bell
over to make her grandmother a visit,
taking baby Irene with her and leaving
the other children here. After dinner
Johny drove over to Wills for Bell intending
to drive home with but it rained so hard
thought she would stay till morning but
Charley came over for her and I went
home with them too. sleighing very poor
drove on the ice at Mick OBrien. Roads fare
Sunday Saturday 8th March 1890
A beautiful day. Wind light & south
Charley Bells and children and Grace
come over home. Charley drove her
again leaving Bell and children
here. they picked up Horace
Wartman on the road and
Brought him along too. he
is peddling medicine. He went
over to Wills to see Rachel come
back again with Will in evening,
fiddled, played on organ and
sung. E cleaned all the room
and made bread. I gave Charley
some cider to take home home [sic]
with him

page_0007
Sunday 9th March A fine
day. Wind South. After breakfast
Wells drove across the ice with
Bell and the baby to Gloyds and
then made Dardone a visit and
then drove back to I Gloyds, took
dinner with them and then home
again leaving Bell at Gloyds.
Marjorie and Beatrice stay with
me. Grace gone to church
Monday
March 10th 1890 Wind S.W.
A fine day somewhat cloudy.
Afer dinner John drove in cutter across
the ice to Gloyds for Bell then hiched [sic]
on to Charleys. Gloyds buggy and
with Bell drove to Corners, saw
Horace & Jane at Cutis Store, drove
home across the ice & then Willy and
Eveline drove to Ebbs in cutter & which
[corner of page torn missing some words]
[?] were gone. Mr Montgomery drove
[?] there bringing Minnie with him
[?] one of our boys to see her up

page_0008
Across the river but Isa Burnham
was drawing hay from his farm here
across the river to his home so Wells
Minnie a chance to ride over on a
load of Burnham’s hay and hoisted
her trunk on another load. she is
going to Watertown forget what our
men folks done. Bell and children stayed
at home here all night
March 12th Thursday Wednesday 1890
At Bells. A rainy day. Wind South
Bells floor all marked with clay.
Around the house the clay mud
is two feet deep. Charley went to
Richard Irvin. Ma John Holliday
came up awhile and invited us
down to his house
March 13th Wednesday 1890 Thursday
At Bells. Wind south. Raining hard all
day. Charley washed and greesed [sic] harness.
Fred, Joy, Mr H and Sandy Barrie
there Bell moped and fried cakes.
I read Mr Barnes of New York

page_0009
March Friday 14th 1890
At Bells A fair day Bell done a
big washing And hung them all on
the line Wind south and blowing a
gale at dark Charley brought me
His cloths after dark Sandy Barrie
came and stayed ’till bed time
Charley Henry and Dick made a
pumper
March 15th Saturday 1890 A cold
miserable day Wind North cloudy
At Bells I ironed Bills’ clothes Bell
cleaned floors Charley built fence grown
colder towards night and snows A pleasant
day at Bells like all the other days
Henry came up in evening said they
had taped a hundred trees

page_0010
Sunday March 16th 1890
A clear cold day thawing in sun .
Wind North. Charley drove down
this morning and I come home
from Bells. C H stayed to dinner.
C H. drove down with buggy & drove
across Dick Irvine’s Bay found Hattie Joslin
here came yesterday. J Morgan here.
Grace went skating till Niles and a dozen
more on the ice. Will here for pans. Grace
went to Wills. R came home with her. Eveline,
Welly & Baby went to J Niles on hand sled.
John & Grace went to prayer meeting. Maud
cried to go too. Wells not very well.
the snow that fell last night all gone.
4 eggs
[margin]Edith come to Bell’s to day [/margin]
March 17th 1890 Monday
St Patricks day, in morning
A cold frozen day, barometer falling
very low, cloudy, wind north with snow
squalls from the south & West. The
Irish walk to day in Kingston.
Grace started for school this morning
for first in a long time. Wells sick abed,
caught cold Saturday building
fence. John & Welly draw 2 loads of
hay from old barn & then after dinner
Welly goes to Delmarsh to boil sap and
carried pans. A fellow here for some
wheat. Ground bare, ice poor 13 [eggs?]

page_0011
Re-read
’76 - ’84

page_0012
March 18th Tuesday 1880
Cold day. Wind North a hole in
the channel. Eveline washed the
clothes and hung them all outs.
Wells is some better. Grace at
school. Welly and Will boiling
sap at Delmar’s. Rache came
over brought some thing for
Wells to eat strawberry preserves
&c &c. John doing general
chores &c, went skating
dark. J Niles here in evening.
Welly came home late from
boiling sap. E ironed _6 eggs_
Elmar Woodman gone to
Otawa [sic] to get married.
March 19 Wednesday 1890 A
fine day. Wind North. ground
bare and frozen. Wells, Welly and
John clean oats for grinding. John
drove to Ed Rattrays to grind them.
Welly went to Rattrays to work on
cheese factory Charley went ’Holiday
came and got his seed wheat. Grace
at school. Another new milk cow
to day which makes 5. Muriel walked
all around. Welly stoped to prayer
meeting. John and Grace gone to
this evening Visiting 10 eggs to

page_0013

page_0014
March 20th Thursday 1890
A half cloudy day. Wind South
rather strong tearing a channel
clear down through from Carlton
to Clayton. Welly boiling sap.
Grace at school. John drove to
Edd’s for the provender, E took
the Baby and went as far as her
fathers with John. Hiram Joslin
brought her home. All and
Eddy B went over river in punt.
J Niles went too. R here twisting
and doubling yarn. I not well.
Eat too many pickles. Churned.
Scalded milk for a sick calf.
March 21st 1890 Friday chilly 21 eggs cloudy
day. Wind South. E washing. Welly & I make
two kettles of soap, churned again. Rained
some in fore noon. After noon cleared
up again sun shone out. Welly goes to
sap boiling & came home late at eleven.
John at J N’s playing pedro, came later
than Welly J.M. and W Dixon here

page_0015

page_0016
March 22 Saturday 1890
A very pleasant day, Wind south.
Arose at 4 O’clock to get Wells off to Kingston.
Welly got up and cleaned fish for
market, his father carried them and
carried 10 butter and 4 dozen eggs for
me and wheat for Ryan to pay
on taxes. Will rode as far as Irvins
to run his fish nets. Ranons and
Morgan helps themselves to fish. Ranons says
Morgan & Morgan says Ranous.
E moved up stairs to day. Grace cleaned
floors. Irene cleared up and filed all
the newspapers and Books. R came
over for snuff and waited till W.
came home from Marysville but
Wells got none. she went home sorry.
I was sorry too. Wells showed off
after he got home. Welly received a letter
from Volty to cross the river for him
to night. Welly eat a little supper
and started with a punt. A dark
very dark night, cloudy but not much
wind. Welly & Volty come home 1/2 past
nine gay and jolly. we sat up
late I and Volty and planed [sic]
buisness [sic]. Youth is hopeful a
happy one letter from Hugh. We
sent 3 sturgeon by Chris’ father to

page_0017

page_0018
Sunday March 23rd 1890
A bright sunny day Wind west
ground froze last nightl. Got up
at daylight made two batches of bread,
boiled potatoes and cake. After breakfast
Volty went over to his grandma’s And
then came home with Will with him,
had lunch, then Volty and Welly went
across the river in punt. Volty going
back to Norman’s came out with
two horses. Henry Holliday visiting
here. Volty took the apples out
of the ground. Thomas Dawson and
came down to day from Marysville to
begin getting ice tomorrow for shiping [sic]
Monday 24th A very fine day light wind
west. Wells & Welly went over the river this morning.
Wells went to see Alic[e] Liddy. Welly went to
corners to get a pair of rubber boots and overalls.
E H Burnhams gang from cape Vincent commenced
at the ice business this morning. Johny took old
Jim and gone to work for Burnham on the ice.
Will here awhile. R stoped [sic] here on her way to Morgans.
Arose early this morning at 4 O’clock.
Two sundogs. John Niles here this evening.
Eveline cleaned the Kitchen & scoured [the floor]
on her knees and brought wate. Grace
at home and brought water too Will coming

page_0019
here and Wellington Burnham here too.
W Burnham trying to make a horse and
cow trade with Wells. Wells went after
dinner to B to see the cow but couldn’t agree
and so trade fell out. E making her dress.
Mrs Gloyd sent me some buck wheat
flour.

page_0020
Tuesday, March 26 1890
A cloudy morning.
Wind North. Arose 4 O’clock. Wells and Will
start for Kingston with buggy, came back
again at eleven O’clock at night. Will carried George
or led old Jack to sell him for fish nets to Bolton.
Bolton wouldn’t buy him he is so thin so
led him home again - old horse turned a summer
sault coming home but Will brought home
three hoop nets and flour and a lot of groceries.
I set up and had supper ready for them
when they came, made Will a cup of ginger
Geo, Welly and Johny working on the ice
till three Oclock P.M. when it rained so hard
they came home not through and very cold.
Wind blows hard from south a dirty
mean day and not much wood. R gone
down the road home from Morg. Grace
at school. E washed and hung out the
clothes but brought them in again.
Wednesday 26th March 1890. A dirty rainy
morning. Wind blowing hard from S.W.
but John started off on old Jim for the ice.
Towards noon cleared up and Welly went
too & carried the dinner and worked all
afternoon. John, all day. Grace at school.
Will here to dinner and helped Wells
draw hay from Old barn. After dinner
Wells helped Will over to Brown’s bay with
& punt and helped Will set three fish nets
& helped himself to pine knots. Wells from
some fish, sun fish, from Wells old net.

page_0021
Welly says Wellington wants to finish the
horse and cow trade he wants a horse.
Wellington is drawing straw to cover ice

page_0022
Thursday 27th March 1890
A clear fine day.
Wind S.W. and chilly, froze last night, ground
all bare and brown not a particle of snow
for two weeks or more, river all open and
full of floating ice. Had sun fish for breakfast
and dinner but no good - don’t like them.
Arose early so as to get an early breakfast
so the boys can get an early start for the
ice pile. After breakfast boys start for
ice business. Wells goes for hay and drove
to the ice to see W. Burnham about the
horse and cow trade. Jen came over
for their flour, butter milk, and hen feed.
I gave her a couple of eggs. After dinner
Wells went for more hay, Grace at school.
E finished her dress, hung out the clothes & ironed
Mrs George Ranons. Visiting Wills folks.
Jen sent me some catnip, had buckwheat
cakes for supper. Horse & cow trade concluded with a trade.
Friday 28th Marach 1890.
Strong Wind North.
Pancakes for breakfast. John on old Jim started
for the ice fields went off without milking the cows
but took his dinner with him leaving W Jr to bring
the milk. Grace went to school through the storm
for it storm & snows & blows a terror increasing
in violence all day. Welly went as far as Wills
stayed till towards noon then Welly & John
came home bringing their dinner and milk home
again. After dinner stormed so hard done nothing
but get wood, water, barn chores and Wells went
to school house for Grace. Wells milked the cows A.M.
Welly & Johny went to J Niles & stayed till eleven

page_0023

page_0024
March 29th 1890 Saturday
A great fall of snow
on the ground and yet it snows fast, no
going to the ice this morning. Wells, Welly & Johny
drew two loads of hay on sleigh from the old barn.
Will came home with them on his way to fish
nets & said they had a row over there this
morning among his women folks. Wells has gone
this PM down to Wellington’s to drive home his cow.
Welly and Johny are gone to the ice fields either
to work or get their pay for what they have done.
Welly advised Will to go too and get his pay for
his days work but he said he would not go.
E cleaned the floor and brought one pail of
water through the deep snow. Boys came home
early, didn’t work on the ice but received pay
for what work they done cross & A Burnham
not going to get out more ice. Welly received a
letter from Volty asking him to come for him
with a boat to night but Welly has crossed
the river this afternoon says there is so much
ice on the other shore he cant get there so stays
at home. Will went through the snow and storm
to his fish nets. Welly & Johny went over to Wills
in evening.
March 30th 1890 Sunday
Wind North. Morning clear and
bright, good sleighing, earth white with snow
everywhere, river nearly frozen over. After breakfast
Willy crossed the river in front breaking the
ice as he went with an oar. Came back
at 1/2 past 10 O’clock bringing Volty with him
at or nearly the same time came Will Dixon

page_0025
John Burnham and an other fellow
they call Adam Weber all here to
dinner. Will took the team and went
to draw wood. On Sunday or freeze.
After dinner, Volty went to Wills for
fish for Petries folks & then Welly,
Volty, J Burnham & Webber crossed
the river again. Volty going back to
petrie’s. J Burnham came back with
Welly & stayed all night. Volty says he
is coming back tomorrow night.
John Morgan here awhile fiddling away
then went to Bill Smiths. Grace went to
Church & prayer meeting for the evening
came Lahey and Obriens hired man,
and Renb McFaden. Snow squalls in
the afternoon. Is sunday a day of rest &
it may be for some, but seldom or
never has been for me, neither has any
day

page_0026
Monday March 31st 1890
The sun rose clear. Light West Wind, river
frozen over again this morning.
Did not get up very early over slept ourselves.
Johny took his dinner and went to work for
Dawson on the ice. Welly helped his father
draw hay and after dinner crossed the
river (with Machar) in punt for Volty.
Robert Machar going to work for Walroth.
J Burnham went to Wellingtons.
Will making sugar or boiling sap at Pelmars’
Grace at home. E washed and moped [sic].
We made more soap or tried too.
Our pork is all gone which is a
terror to me

page_0027
April 1st Tuesday
Sun shining brightly, very light wind south.
Welly stayed all night and came
home with Volty about eleven Oclock
and brought Volty’s trunk and
valise went back again for fish
nets. Grace at school.
April 2nd Wednesday 1890
I cant remember all that transpired
from the first of April untill
the 11th except it was rather
cold disagreeable weather. The boys
employed the time setting fish
nets, making sugar and working
for Burnham Wells went to K
twice &c. Eve cleaned house and
washed bed clothes. Grace went
to school &c

page_0028
Jonny get your gun
Johny get your gun
Johny got his gun
Susie bay is the grateful
April 17th Thursday 1890.
A long time since I wrote in this diary since March
31st 1890. This is a pleasant day, sun
shining, clear Wind South, grass only
starting to grow a little. Wells drove with
Grace to the dock carried butter and eggs
and two sturgeon, a grist to mill
& fish for Will. Wells building fence down
by Smiths. Johny sitting in rocking
chair all day by the stove. Grace
brought another stove from Bibby’s second
hand for 8 dollars. Wind blowing strong
from the North. R went up too
[in pencil]
Note: Entries from April 12th
through 17th out of order
covering following 5 pages.

page_0029
John Bamford

page_0030
Oh
Oh Shirt I mean
Oh shirt tail Slate
Wells Bamford
Apr 24th Thursday 1890
Volty drove Grace to dock for market.
Wind blowing strong from North & sothe
cold clear sky. Volty finished setting
trees, grape vines and rose bush & plowed
garden, set out dallias [sic], transplanted pie plant [rhubarb]
&c &c. Welly painting skiff at Wills barn.
Wells working in field. John helping Volty and
fixing wire fence. E cleaned kitchen floor
and washed clothes. R here twice for
butter milk and her glass ware. Will here once
teacher drove to dock with Volty for Grace.
April 23rd Wind South, cloudy looks
like rain. Rains little towards night.
Wells working in field. Grace at school.
Volty plowed garden and set trees. Welly
worked on boat at Wills. Wills here. E moped [sic]
all floors & done chamber work. I got ready
market 12 lbs butter and 27 eggs.

page_0031
John helped dig post holes.
Apr 25th Friday 1890
A clear bright day
cold Wind north. Ground froze last
night, dry no rain. Wells sowing grain
in field. John helping his father.
Volty plowing and working in garden.
Grace at school. Welly working at
his boat (painting it) & after dinner
finshed cutting the sail and run the
fish net off the reel. E done chamber work
and made Muriel a new pink dress.
Made her one last night After Grace came
home from town. Wells set a turkey.
Rachel came over in evening for
yeast & a cup of tea.
Wells crossed the river after
supper.

page_0032
Apr 22nd Tuesday 1890
A clear bright day. Wind south
Welly & Volty finished loading the
vessel with ice came home at 2 Oclock
P.M. Welly worked at his boat at Wills.
Volty dug up the apple trees John
buried last fall. John went with
Will to ferry and stoped [sic] there till
Will came back from Kingston.
Will went to pay his taxes. Grace at
school. Wells working in field.
We kneed [sic] rain very much.
Wells sent by Will and paid his
taxes on house & lot at Marysville.
April 21st Monday 1890
Light wind South.
E washed big washing and cleaned
floors. Grace stayed at home till noon
then went to School. John went to Niles
for books limped up there and back.
Volty & Wells Jr working on ice loading vessel

page_0033
take
take
thank

page_0034
Sunday 20th April 1890
A fair day Wind South
Wells reading Whig
and in afternoon went to bed. I slept in
fore noon. Eveline slept too. Volty and Lahey
went down to cedars to inspect the ground.
John limped there too, first he has walked
since he hurt his foot. Grace and John went
to evening prayer meeting. Dry, no rain.
Saturday April 19th 1890
Arose very early.
Wells came got an early start for R &
Wells Jr & Devolson can go to load the ice vessel.
Grace and Eveline milked eleven cows. Teacher
went to the ice and came home with boys. Wells
came home at 10 Oclock P.M. said he had
dinner on the Blanchard. A postal card
and a letter for Wells. The postal from Hugh
for taxes on Marysville lot. John hops around
some and reads Gun boat fam. Grace &
E do cleaning and general house work.
Wind South, no rain. Wells bought 10 lbs
pork.

page_0035

page_0036
Friday April 18 1890
A fair day, Wind
south. Boys working loading ice for Dawson.
Johns foot pretty bad. E washed in fore noon.
Grace at school. Wells building fence afternoon
noon. Wells & E set up the stove.
Wednesday April 18th 1890
Dawson drove
here early this morning for the boys to
work on the ice. Vessel came in last night.
After breakfast, boys started for ice. Wells
went too gone all day. John mourning
because he can’t go too, his foot very sore.
Grace at school. I get ready for market.
Mrs J Niles here for quilt patern [sic].
Tuesday April 15th 1890
A fair day. Wind
South. Wells building fence down by Smiths.
Welly & Volty drawing hay from the old
barn. Johny steped [sic] on a nail and
fixed his foot in a bad shape through
his old rubber boot. Welly went for the
Doctor Buchanan, poor Johny paid him
two dollars & half of his hard earned money
working on the ice.

page_0037

page_0038
April 14th Monday 1890
A raw cold day.
Wind North. Wells building fined by
Smiths. Grace at school. Teacher commenced
boarding here. John Niles here in evening
playing poker with boys. Dawson drove
in here after dark to tell the boys to
come next morning to commence work on
the ice. A real pretty man.
April 13th Sunday 1890
A very fine day
light wind, South. After breakfast
Maud & I walked over to Wills to make
a visit. Mother gave me flower seeds.
Grace came for me at noon & said the
school teacher wanted to see me about
board but didn’t go till I got ready
along towards night. Rachel went too.
Bill Horn at Wills stoped on his
way home from church. Volty, Teacher
and George Morgan Jr run sturgeon not
got a sturgeon, teacher & GM Jr stayed
to supper. Teacher engaged board for
6 dollars per month. R and G went
to prayer meeting & Johny too.

page_0039

page_0040
April 12th Saturday 1890
Arose early so Wells can
go to Kingston. A cloudy
day forget which way the wind
is. Welly & Will went to their fish nets.
Will came home. Welly stoped and worked
for Tom Dawson building ice slides.
J Morgan here in evening playing on
violin. Wells came late and brought
pork and groceries.
Saturday April 26th 1890.
A fine morning,
light wind North. Welly and Lahey
went to Gananoque with Roys staff.
Wind changed at noon South blows
quite strong. boys will have a hard
row from Gananoque. Wells sowing
barley; Volty & his father building
wire fence in fore noon and
Volty set out more stawberries.
John foot lame cultivating yesterday.
Volty worked in field in PM.
John sowed onion seeds. E done
chamber wrok and cleaned floors.

page_0041
Welly and teacher came home while
we were eating super [sic] cold tired wet &
hungry

page_0042
Sunday 27th April 1890
Wind North, rainy, damp day set
the tub for water but caught not much.
Had the old rooster for dinner,
cooked him 6 hours tough as bull
beef. Will came over for his newspaper,
was not here. A letter from Hugh
and a postal from Watson. Grace & John
at evening prayer meeting, had bread &
milk for supper. Wallace Niles brought the cards.
Jimmy Dawson called for Welly to work on ice.
Monday 28 April 1890
A beautiful day,
calm and still, grass looks green after
the rain. Very light wind south & warm
fine day for washing. Evaline got her clothes all
out by noon & files the floors after dinner.
No clothes hanging on Mrs Niles or Woodman’s line.
Welly painted his skiff at Wills barn after
noon. Welly & Johny worked on ice in forenoon.
Johny sowed cabbage and set onion’s &c.
Wells put Wills cows in Eb’s pound. R & Jen
got them out & drove them home. They were
trampling our strawberry plants this morning in the garden
and eating our hay stack up. Wells sowing
grain and cultivating. Volty helping him
and working in garden. Johny set out Volty’s
mangle [?]. Tilly Niles here in evening
to deliver Laura’s card.
Grace at school.

page_0043

page_0044
April Tuesday 29th 1890
A cloudy morning
looks like rain and does rain at dinner time
hard and continues all the afternoon. Volty &
his father cant work in the field. Welly and
Johny loading ice for Dawson. Grace at
school. A sleepy time for me. Volty cutting potatoes
to plant down cellar. Wells at barn patching old
bags and I hopping around trying to find
twine to sew them with. Sent Graces ulster [working coat]
and the umberella by the teacher. A cold nasty
rain warm weather dont last long.
This has been adisagreeable April very
cold and nasty weather. We are milking
12 cows and can not make enough butter
to carry to market. Wind South and
blowing hard discouraged some time
but hopeful of better time is coming - but
when?
April Wednesday 30th 1890
This is the last day of April. Wind
south calm in the forenoon, after noon
breezy. A circle around the sun then
V dark clouds arose in the south, went
and threatens rain. Grace at home fixing
over her green dress. Welly, Volty & Johny loading
the ice vessel for Dawson at $1.75 per day.
They struck for wages. Wills cow got cast
in Wills stable took 5 men to
lift her after dark. Wells and boys came
late after supper, all go to Wells. Well

page_0045
killed four roosters. I sat up till 1/2 past 11.
Ramming quite hard all nigth.
May 1st Thursday 1890
Arose at 4 Oclock
Welly up first & built a fire. Grace goes to
market carrying 7 lbs butter & fowls.
Coudy forenoon, cold, Wind North & so
clear but chilly. Wally & Johny working
on the ice. R went to town. Wells working
afield. Volty drove to the dock for Grace.
Wells and boys went to Wills to
get the cow up. Only two scholars
at school to day.

page_0046
Friday May 1st 1890
A fair day.
Wind west and chilly. Welly & Johny
loading, send Leighton with ice.
Wells working in field. Volty working
too, not much wood for fire.
Grace at school. Finished working
on the ice to day, did not get their
pay. Dawson promised that Tom Dawson
would come down Tuesday and pay
them
Sunday 2nd
Cold, rainy
disagreeable day. I slept while
Wind North very chilly all through
the town boy all at home. Got a
late breakfast and the girls got a
[illegible] had corn meal [illegible]
for supper.
Monday May 2nd
A very fine day. Wind South and
mild. Eveline washed all her clothing
and brought them in before dark
for it looked like rain. Wells working
in the field.
[remaining page faded and illegible]

page_0047

page_0048

page_0049

page_0050
7th May 1890
[page written in pencil and long faded rendering it illegible]

page_0051

page_0052
John Bamford
George Niles
Edward Bates

page_0053
May 9th Thursday 1890
A cold chilly day. Wind west.
Volty drove with Grace to dock
carried Rachels grocery case to Princess.
Johny sick abed with a bad cold,
sent two fowls and 9 lbs butter to
market, butter only 17 cts per pound
fows [fowls], 75 per pair. Welly working
on the skiff & finished it. Eveline walked
down to her grandmothers. Ed Bates worked
here with team, we had beans for dinner.
Well & Volty working in field. Wells sowed.
Set up late. Welly went to Niles for pills
for Johny. Doctor Betts came to see Charlie
Woodman to day, Johny smoked
the sturgeon.

page_0054
May 9th Friday
A chilly Windy
day. Wind South and blowing a stiff
breeze. Rained in the night
trees as bare of leaves as in December.
Grace stayed at home to help me.
E washing. Wells and Volty in field.
Welly making oars for the skiff.
Johny better, but abed. Lahey at school.
Voltie, Lahey & Grace went to Church
to hear the lecture. The subject was
"where fools sprung from". The Rev Mr
Thompson exhorted snorted him at a great
extent, telling the boy’s about wasting
money on tobacco and telling the
girls how they looked when they were
chewing gum & said smokers should have
a smokepipe chimney through the top
of their head and all snuffers should
have their noses turned bottom side
up to mimicked such bad habits,
blowed tobaco smoke snuffed chewed
gum and made an old ass of himself
in general

page_0055

page_0056
Saturday 10th May 1890
Morning cold, fair and windy. Wind North. Afternoon rained.
Wells & Volty worked half day in field
and then puttered around till chore time.
Wells is very late about getting in
spring crops all on account of ice
buisness [sic]. Johny sick abed. Lahey went
for the mail. One for Wells from Wm
Miller about sailing and one from
Hugh. E moped [sic] dining room. Gracie
moped kitchen floor. I would at all
sorts. We received letters from the Hon.
Roman Petrie. He’s got grubs. A young
colt at the barn all right. Welly, Lahey
and Volty go down to Ebbs for
the skiff.

page_0057
Sunday May 11th 1890.
A clear bright day.
Wells reading the Whig. Will came
over while he thought Charlie and
Bell would come down but they did
not. It is very chilly wind south.
Volty went over the river to get a
horse to go out to Petries but could
get none, came back, lunched and
went to foot of Island to get a boat
to go to Clayton in the morning, could
get none, came back, skinned a sturgeon,
eat his supper and crossed the river
again in Ed Bates’ punt, stayed all
night with some of his beautiful
relations and starts early to take the
folks the sturgeon. Wells goes to Breakfast.
One of us goes to bed and finds dinner
all ready when we get up. Lahey goes to
Morgans visiting. Grace goes to Niles
visiting. Eve, Maud and Grace row
the skiff to Niles to carry Niles sail home.
In the evening Eve, Grace and Lahey go to

page_0058
May 12th Monday
A cloudy day
wind south, not very cold, river
still. Wells working in field all day
sowing grain &c. Welly milked the
cows & rowed around the foot to set
5 sturgeon nets. Eveline washed.
Grace churned, moped [sic] the floors
and helped me. Grace not very
well either. John up and gone off
up the river somewhere. I suppose
he thinks it a good time to catch cold
again. I burnt Walls knee with hot
tea and he swore horribly if there
is any dirt in a man hot tea will
bring it out. I was ashamed for him.
We have got a squealing pig in the
house. Dandelions are large enough
for greens but no leaves on the trees yet.
Quarterly meeting yesterday.
Thompson preached and then
went home with Rev Watts. Martha
then went to George Woodman’s.
Eveline got a very bad tooth ache. I don’t
know what to get for supper. Will D came
over for garden rake, met with

page_0059
Thursday May 13th 1890
A fine day. Wind south, cloudy and warm,
rains some. Wells working in field through
wind and rain, not well pleased because
he works alone. Volty came home at noon.
Eddy Bates went over for him. John not very
strong yet. V set some of the raspberries bush
and at 4 Oclock V and W Jr went
to the North side to set nets,
gone till after dark. Charlie W sick yet.
I tired of working

page_0060
Wednesday 14th May 1890
A very fine day, not cold, grass growing but no leaves on the
trees, rained a little in forenoon. Grace & I picked
greens-dandelions for dinner. Welly and Will gone to
the cape with fish, got back after dark. Will got 12 dollars
for his fish. Welly bought Muriel a pair of shoes, 75.
Welly went early to the nets before breakfast,
got one sturgeon. John abed most all day.
Wells worked in field. Volty working in garden
till chore time. Our flour is all gone again.
& clear rosy sunset. Charley Gloyd came over
and stay’s all night. I write Bell a letter.
E moped floor.

page_0061

page_0062
May 15th Thursday 1890
A fair pleasant day,
wind South. John made a flower bed for
me. Welly went early to the nets, rowed around
the foot. Will came and went with him. I put up
lunch for both Will & Welly. Willy came at noon
not feeling very well. Volty drove to dock with Grace
& Charley Gloyd. Wells and Volty work in field
all day, currant bushes are just putting out
their yellowish green leaves. The green leaf buds are
just starting to open on the ivy vine just by the window.
We had fried eggs and preserved pie plant for
dinner. Will came over P.M. and Johny & Will set tree and
rose bush at (Albert’s grave). Will stayed and shaved
before going home. Wells sent a grist to mill to day
E cut papers for the cupboard. Volty crossed
the river with Charley Gloyd, got back just
at dark. Wells helped Johny milked the cows

page_0063

page_0064
Friday May 16th 1890
A very good day in forenoon got cloudy and dark in afternoon
and rained some, didn’t mop floors to day.
Lahey taught school half day, few schollars [sic]
and gathered flowers P.M. Wells and Volty
worked in field. Volty sowed seeds at noon
in garden. I went to the garden too. Johny
planted some potatoes. Lahey is going to
Kingston with Wells tomorrow. Welling is setting
sturgeon nets, got one sturgeon
and is pike. Wind commenced blow
from South.
Saturday 17th 1890 Saturday
Arose early
so Wells and Lahey can go to Kingston
start at 5, rather cold. E moped and
cleaned chairs and windows. I slept
awhile. Grace got dinner. Wind blowing a
terrible gale on Lake Ontario to day from
S.W. Bessie Breck lost and all hands at
the head of this Wolfe Island to day.water loged [sic]
Wells came at dark. Wm Lahey gone home to
Sydenham. Volty plowed at home and P.M. went to
Wm Dixon plowing bee, 5 teams. Johny planted
potatoes in garden and got wood.

page_0065
I got a letter from Watson. Wells got a
letter from Horace telling him to come to Detroit.
Wills brought home another [?]
Burnside gave him a wolfish looking cretin,
now we have 3 dogs. I forget to send
Wills twine back and he came for it
this evening and is disapointed I [?]
May 18th Sunday 1890
A fair morning,
cloudy evening, wind south. Charley
Holliday here their baby Irene will be
christened to day by Rev Chambers.
Will and Jen & Charley & Glory here awhile.
Wells is going away tomorrow to stay
a long while, poor Wells.
Johny is gone to Niles to visit. Grace 16 at
sunday school. I set up late to fix
Wells clothes. Welly went to look for his
colt but could not find her. Sam
carried his daughter. Sylvia back
to Kingston again to day. E bates here

page_0066
May 19th Monday
Arose early for
Wells is going away this morning. Volty went
to Kingston with him. A cloudy day, wind
south and light, not very warm.
Johny rode up the Island on the black
mare. The dog devil bit Maud. I wish Wells
had never brought the cur here. Welly went
to his nets took 3 sturgeon and some pike.
Will got one. Grace went to Mrs Niles for sleve
pattern. Welly went to Henisy’s for his colt.
A dull melancholy lonesome day, poor
little Maud. I’m sorry the dog bit her
sorry. Well is gone. Volty came home early
at 5 Oclock, chilly day, raining hard
at bed time. J Niles here in evening.

page_0067

page_0068
Tuesday May 20th 1889
A very rainy
day, Wind North. Boys couldn’t
do much work. Will here twice, ate supper
here. Rain pouring down all night
and most all day, flat flooded with water.
I slept awhile.
We sent the milk to
Factory 126 lb. Volty set night line and
sturgeon net. Welly went to Bay
Wednesday 21 May 1890
Winds West,
rather warm day. Rained some.
Johny plowed for peas. Volty building
fence around lower pasture.
Welly fishing and rowed around foot
long after dark, got home at 10 eveneing
with fish. Volty killed veal for market.
Will D helped him, got done at midnight.
Then Well went home but Welly and Volty
went to river and skined [sic] sturgeon,
got done and went to bed at two Oclock
in morning. Children coughing bad with
whooping cough

page_0069

page_0070
Thursday 22 May 1890
Arose at
half past 4 AM. A fair bright day,
warm Wind S. Grace went to Kingston.
I went to Bills and carried the steam
washer. Volty drove to dock. Wellington
Burnham took charge of Volty’s veal
and sold only the hind quarters
& brought the rest back. I found
Bell and children well. Watson came
home with us as the Princess Louise
gone. Niles & Will here in the evening
& Frank Woodman sent eleven lbs butter
to market. Lib B & Ady, P & Else P [?]
Friday 23rd May 1890
Wind South
blowing a gale. Welly rowed Watson in
skiff to J Holliday’s doc. Watson
embarked on the Princess for Kingston.
Welly eat dinner at Charley’s & plowing
bee there, Welly got two sturgeon,
rained all fore noon.
Saturday 24th May 1890
A fine day,
wind South. Grace cleaned floors, baked
and swept, made beds, dusted &
sewed on dress and helped me sow
flower seeds. Hattie Joslin here, brought
our mail, a letter for Wells and
two from hugh. Volty and Johny plowing
and building fence. Welly fishing and
playing ball with Niles

page_0071

page_0072
Sunday May 25th 1890
A fair morning, Wind North but rather
warm. Wind changing south and blowing
a gale. Wash tub and boiler fly off the
veranda, away they go. A black cloud arising in
South West. All abed, taking their Sunday
nap excepting myself. Grace went to church
and to Mr Rattray’s & came home after Prayer
meeting. V with Johny commenced to rain
at 4 PM and poured down all night.
Volty covered the little turkeys, 12 of them,
from the rain. Children’s cough very bad.
Will Lahey came in night after all are abed at eleven
Monday 26th May
A bright breezy day.
Wind south. Volty and Johny working afield.
Welly at home part of the day and fishing.
I went after breakfast to Wills to borrow
butter and a bar of soap and mother
gave me two cactus & a pail of multipliers
onions. Johny made a bed and set them out.
Grace done house work and washed in
after noon. Volty came late from work,
went & hired a horse from Spaff to finish
working in field.

page_0073
[random calculations]
9) 1116/124
9
——
211
18
—36
35
124
8
—9,92

page_0074
Tuesday May 27 1890
A fine bright warm day. Wind south.
Towards night a dark blue cloud in N.W.
with distant thunder & lightning rises
but it works around to N.E. & grows colder.
Volty and Johny working in field
sowing peas and cultivating.
Welly went early to the North side for
his nets, no fish, took them all day
and rowed around the foot with
them & brought them home
and set them on this side
of the Island. Will here too running
nets and night lines. Grace went
to school. Eva cleaned chairs and
moped [sic] kitchen floor. I churned all
afternoon for a little butter. Wellys colt
got away from V when leading to water
and couldn’t catch it again.

page_0075
Re-read
’76 - ’84

page_0076
Wednesday 28th May 1890
A fair day
quite breezy from N.W. Volty and Johny
working afield. Wellie gone to cape with
fish. Will came over, run nets, caught a rock
sturgeon, put in in a tub of water alive.
The boys caught Welly’s colt in barn yard.
Mr John Holliday made us a visit,
stayed till after dinner. A
specticle [sic] man called here with
a bag of spectacles- didn’t look
at them, had no money. Got a
letter from Wells- makes two
since he went away. Welly came
at three Oclock. M brought me
ten lbs sugar. I sent Jen 30 cts for
butter. Welly had to lower his sail
going to Cape Vincent, wind blows
so George Niles went with him.
Thursday 29th May 1890
A very fine
day, hotter than the very old Dickens.
The wind North part of the time &
South the rest of the time. Wills
Jr & John went to town, Ma went

page_0077
Bells’ for to stay a week, Evaline
and I work pretty hard all day.
I am so tired, I can hardly
wiggle. But I have got to go the
dock and carry Auntie B’s apron
& took to her. I wanted to pick
a boquet [sic] of flowers for the Capt
& Auntie but did not get the
time. Mrs J Garnsey & her daughter
May went to town to day and so
did Mrs G Farr and her son George.
Charlie Woodman got hurt. A horse
ran away to day and knocked him
down. Wellie and John came home
without any groceries. John & Wellie
got each of them a new suit of clothes
May 8th 1890
Another very warm
day, guess we will get some more
rain. Evaline & I very busy to day.
Evaline washed some clothes for
the baby in the afternoon. Muriel
kind of cross and Maude is after
the same fashion. Mary Dignum
14 years old yesterday. Lill & she
& Jack here yesterday.

page_0078
I went up there to take her pills
home and get a yeast cake but
she did not have any. When I came
back I went to Jen’s after butter,
milk and kerosene and a yeast
cake. She did not have any yeast cake
or butter milk, so she gave me a loaf of
bread. Voltie sorting potatoes. John
pulverising potato ground. Wellie
working at A. Joshlin another after
noon. Hiram Joshlin here after the
section ladder. Frank Woodman
& Uncle Charlie here in the evening.
Frank play very well on the violin.
Wind South to day.
May 31st 1890. Wind North West
all day until night and then it
angled in & to the South.
All the lazy boys of the neighborhood
played base ball to day in our pasture.
Lillie and Shellie Miles came down to go
to the ball play. We got out in time
to see the boys go home. C Halliday
here to day after potatoes.

page_0079
Voltie & John to work on the field
in the forenoon; Voltie washed sheep
in the after noon & Lahey helped him.
John worked at something in the
fields. The boys drove the cattle to the
other place. The cheese maker down
to the consession [sic] about 6:30 oclock
talking with Will, Lahey & Voltie.
I went to Wills after sour milk &
butter. Will Dixon ate dinner &
supper here. Muriel & Maud still
coughing. Didn’t anyone receive
any letters to day only W Lahey.
Evaline mopped & done the sweeping
& ironed. I did nearly all the other work,
I made some cookies for one thing.
I guess I will go to bed. This has
been a very hot day. Good day.
McGuinty
June 1st
Wind North. Wellie, Will D
went across the river. John gone
to church. Voltie asleep in the
parlor on the sofa. W Lahey read

page_0080
Shakespeare. Evaline talking care of
Muriel some of the time, she help do
up the work. Maud very good nature
to day. The cheese maker came in the
after noon, he took supper here &
stayed until 10 Oclock in the evening.
The boys took him for a sail on W’s
boat. Maud W & I went up to
Mr Niles’ in the evening. John went
down to Mr A Joslin’s. No sign
of rain.
June 2nd 1890
Wind North
yet very hot. Everything is green
& beautiful. John & Voltie to work
on the field in the forenoon. Wells
Jr fishing. John planting potatoes
in the afternoon. Voltie shear
my sheep in the p.m. Eva mopped
and ironed. I did house work.
Will Lahey at school. Wellie
bought a pound of butter from
Mrs Niles, he paid 16¢ per
lb. Maud a pretty good girl

page_0081
Muriel has not coughed very
much to day. Evaline made
salt rising bread. We are nearly
starved out, no nothing to eat
only just what we beg. Wellie Jr
went to Will D’s to get some
more kerosene oil.
June 4th Wed 1890
Wind blowing from
the South & a very warm wind.
Will Dixon ate dinner here.
Voltie hoeing in the garden. John
went down the Island after
seed corn but did not get any
and so he had to get some of
Mr Niles’s. Devolson sold the
sheep to Mr Doyle to day.
He got 87.00 for the two. Evaline
did washing and got
it on the line about 2
I did general house work wrote
[pencil fading out - illegible]

page_0082
June 3rd Tuesday 1890
A very pleasant day. Voltie went to Kingston &
got the lost groceries & got him a
nice pair of pants. John working
in the field. Eva knit & I worked
at everything. I took the carpet
off from my bedroom floor & put
it on the line. Wells Jr fished.
The cheese maker & James Dixon
here fishing. Mr OBrien went
home & the Cheese maker
& John & Will L went over
to Breaker Bay fishing
for bullheads & did not
get any.
Thursday June 6th
Very nice day
in the forenoon rained. Very hot
in the p.m. John & Grace went
to town. Eva did the work at home.
Ma at Bell’s yet Grace stayed
on the boat with Aunt Rashel [sic].
Friday June 7th 1890
Another beautiful day. Eva washed
& mopped and did housework.

page_0083
Muriel & Maud crossed the river
dickens. Grace on the boat with
Aunt R ready for the excursion
to night. Voltie, John & Will L went
to the excursion, the boat did not
arrive at our dock until 12 p.m.
The Hennessy Girls & Rattrays
Girls had to walk home. Devolson
had the pleasure of going home
with Hannah Rattray. I rode with
C Woodman as far as the bars at the
road. Mr & Mrs Gloyd here after a pig.
Saturday June 8th 1890
Wind north, kind of chilly.
Evaline mowed & mopped. I did the
other work & sewed on my white
skirt, do not feel very spry to day after
trip on the boat. Eddie Bates here,
the boys are going to Mr A Barry’s to
a bee. Cheese maker here in the evening.
Will Dixon & Frank
Woodman here too. Ma received
a letter from papa.

page_0084
Sunday 9 June 1890
Came home from Charlies to day. Charlie
brought me home in buggy.
A very windy day, cold, west
wind but clear. Bell came as far
as the Holliday’s.

page_0085
Re-read
’76 - ’84

page_0086
PHOTOMOUNT
PAMPHLET BINDER
Manufactured by
GAYLORD BROS. Inc.
Syracuse, N. Y.
Stockton, Calif.

page_0087

This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following
people:
Ann Hopkinson, Ella Deering, Vivian Zhang, MaryV, carol ann, Queen’s University Archives,
and Eric Irvine