Text
William Beatty (1806-1897)
1867-1871
Transcribed by Rural Diary Archive volunteers
{modern cover page}
Beatty,
Walter
Journal
November 1867
to December 1870
1867 {The following entries from Nov 1 to Nov 5 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{November 16 - December 31st are transcribed on this page from typewritten transcription
stored at Upper Canada Village archives and further proofed with scans taken at Queens
university- there are no scans of these pages available on this site at this time for
verification/proofreading}
Nov
3
1
Billie drew stones for Mr {illegible} in the forenoon I
shoveled ditches went to a dung bee of B Youngs this
morning
2
Billie went to Gananoque for some wool & the fullcloath
got a coat cut I made a door for the horse stable &
other fixings
no meeting to day reain this afternoon
1
4
drew sand to the orchard & put it around the trees
where I took the mulching from and banked the house
with it I found a good many Borers in the trees there
was a very high wind last night & most of the day
5
Billie drew sand in the forenoon for Sam Sheapard he
helped Mr Cornet to kill hogs in the afternoon I went to
examine a place for a Bridge across the Wiltsy creek on
sixth concession of Lansdowne little rain
6
Billie plowed in the new land the ground is very dry I
thrashed some of the buckwheat in the morning I dug
the carrots in the garden very cold day hard frost last
night
7
Billie plowed in the forenoon drew sand to the orchard
& put it around the trees took away the mulching
8
drew more sand Thomas Scott came here last night he
plastered the cistren this morning drew wood in the
afternoon
9
I went to Young with Ellen & Jennie stoped at
GramMoms all night the roads is first rate little rain this
morning went to caintown heard the Revd Mr Burdon
preach
11
came home to day took dinner at Wm Hazelwoods
12
Billie went to Andrews for brick for George Grahm I
fixed a little around some of the trees in the orchard
13
Ad & Billie picked up some wood in Armstrongs wood in
the forenoon Billie plowed in the afternoon hard frost
2
last night I am very bad with stomack
14
Billie plowed in the new land Some showers of snow
this afternoon the ground is very dry
15
Billie helped Hump Young to draw stones for A well
from our place
{November 16 - December 5th are transcribed on this page from typewritten transcription
stored at Upper Canada Village archives - there are no scans of these pages available in
RDA at this time for verification/proofreading} 1867 November
16
17
Snowed about 2 inches last night & this
morning Billie drew some wood fluries of
snow to day
the Revd Mr Wallas preachd this forenoon in
the Schoolhouse Snow this afternoon
18
Billie took 4 Ewes to Mr McCrones to the
Sow Ram put 6 the Socities South down
Ram & 10 to our own lamb Billie went with
the Slaugh
19
cleaned up 13 bushel of Buckwheat the Boys
drew some wood I am very bad with my
Stomac
20
Snowd&blowed most of the day rain this
afternoon no work I have done nothing
Since I came from Young
21
Billie helped Ben Younge to thrash & Billie
helped A Cornet to thrash very foggy &
3
mistie
22
23
Billie helped James McMullin to thrash
mistie & warm the Snow is nearly gone the
Slaughing is gone
24
no Meeting to day fine day Roby Beatty
come here last night for Mary She has been
here since Ellen & I was down there they
went home to day
25
Billie helped J McMullin to thrash this
forenoon H. & J. Johnston thrashd for us in
the afternoon little rain to day
26
finishd thrashing ours this forenoon Cristie
& Humphery Young J Mcmullin We J Turner
B Warren & A Cornet helped the wheat &
oats turned out well to the Straw heavy rain
last night James Richardsom put the eve
trougs up on the North Side of the house 43
feet tronees & mpart paid him $4.30c or at
the rate of 10 cents per foot
27
Billie plowed finished the new field Ad cut
soms wood at timber he brock his ax
Cleand 6 bushel of wheat for the mill 4 of
buckwheat
28
went to Leeds & laid out a road in the 4
concession I did not get home till friday I
Stoped a the Tavern all night & had a great
deal of writing to do Ad went to mill with 6
4
Bushel of wheat . 3 of Buckwheat
December
acording Ryen
there will be
45 Stormes
this quarter
29
Billie plowd North of the old house in th
forenoon drew Sand for samuel Sheepard in
the afternoon heavy rain and all night
30
very hard frost last night the ground is
frosen no plowing very cold day
1
Went with the Revd Mr Green the Bible
agent to the McCrone Schoolhouse he
came here last night with the Express &
Stopt all night the roads is very rough &
hard frosin the waggon makes great noise
2
I went to the Station to the Council & took 4
affidavits for killing sheep with J Coak cold
day Billie drew some wood
3
Billie helped John Johnston to thrash very
windy so that they had to Stopt I mended
Shoes & boots
4
Billie helped J. Johnston to thrash he finishd
I abled
5
Billie & Ad drew some Stones for the
foundation of the old house I finished
cobling fine day wind very light & from
Southeast &South west at bedtime it was
north
{December 6 - December 21st are transcribed on this page from typewritten transcription
stored at Upper Canada Village archives - there are no scans of these pages available in
RDA at this time for verification/proofreading} 1867 December
5
Dec
6
began to take down the old house but it blowe so
hard that we had to Stop it Snowed and blowed
most of the day
snow
7
got the roof off the old house & all the long logs
down
8
snow
no Meeting to day very hard frost there is no
Slaughing little snow
9
laid the foundation for the old house & drew up all
the short logs & put them up it is south of the barn
for a Stable
snow
10
Killed the hogs very cold with high wind from the
north a little Snow
snow
11
raised the old house & got half the roof partly on
very cold day with a little Snow in the morning
12
fixed come Slates for the windows drew 2 loads of
wood from Armstrongs woods very poor Slaughing
13
the Boys went to McCrones for the Ewes that was
there at the Ram very cold day Salted the pork
14
drew wood from Armstrongs it has been very cold
weather this week as cold as any we had last winter
15
the Revd Mr Wallase preached in the Schoolhouse
6
16
fixed a wood rack for the Slaugh cold day Ad went to
Young with Bill Younge
17
Billie drew wood from Armstrons I cleaned out the
Barn & trashed some peas little Snow Ad come
home to night
18
drew 6 loads of Stones for J. Weston Ad & me
quarred them very cold hard frost it was a hard job
to get them
19
Ad & Billie cut some wood in Armstrongs woods I
thrashed some peas cold day
20
drew 4 loads of Stones for Weston Stormed most of
the day a little Snow then Sleet wind South
21
drew 4 loads of wood from Armstrong I fixed a chain
& Some timber in the Shop Snowd about 4 inches
after dark with wind
{December 22nd - December 31st are transcribed on this page from typewritten
transcription stored at Upper Canada Village archives - there are no scans of these pages
available in RDA at this time for verification/proofreading} 1867 December
22
no Meeting to day heavy rain & quite a thaw
Snow nearly all gone
23
very high wind last night Snow this morning fixed
the old house so as to get the rafters to come
togather it was out of Square
24
tharshed some peas then Ad & Billie choped
Some wood in Armstrongs woods
7
25
Rain & snow then rain so that there is no
slaughing
26
put new pins in the slaugh& others fixings
27
cleaned up 8 bushel of wheat & 8 bushel of
Buckwheat Isabla& William Curtis came from
Mallorytown on the cars last night they were at
Young in Chrismas day Rob brought then over to
Mallory town with the Slaugh there was no
Slaughing here the roads is entirely bare
28
Ad went to Gananoque with a grist of 8 bushel of
wheat & 6 bushel of Buckwheat with the waggon
29
16
stroms
this
month
the Revd Mr Auld preachd in the Schoolhouse
30
I made some spikes for to fix the caseing in the
old house hard frost went for the Dr Elsworth to
See Bessee She hurt her knee on christmas day
31
drew in the Stack put part of it over the horses &
the remainder in the Barn in the forenoon Billie
drew wood for J Weston in the afternoon with the
waggon
1867 {This page was transcribed from photos taken of the Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s
University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary pages are not legible on
the Rural Diary Archive}
1867
Dec
27
{illegible} sow took Boar J. Bradley Feb 15
8
1868
Jan
2
{illegible} sow &&
1870
Jan
4
sow to Cooks
{illegible}
April
3 went to Keaton offered him $25 as
compensation for the
7
{illegible} in a order with Bylaw No 231 $ 1
{illegible} 4
X
went to Tennents& Fergusons laid out a road
between the fifth & sixth concession of Leeds
from Lot 21 to letter A in Lansdowne 4
{illegible}
{illegible} at the {illegible} of Leeds1 50
24
opened the Keating road 1
21
received payment for the above
March
24
Laid out a Road between lots N 7 X 8 first con
Leeds 2.
Dec
20
examined alowance of road between 1 & 2 Con
{illegible} Lansdowne between lots No. 14, 14, 16,
1869
Jan
1870
9
17, & 18 1 50
1871
Jan
13
receive payment for the above
1868
Jan
1
snowed all day no work done snowing six or eight
inches deep Mrs Lafayette came here last night
2
I went to old Mr Pecks with Mis Lafayette with the
slaugh then put the Black colt in the harness he went
well fine day
3
drew 1 load of wood the horses sliped on the ice so
that they could not draw Blacker lost a shoe got one
on Ad Elen Jannet Wm Curtise &Mrs Austin went to
Young this afternoon intending to go to Brockville to
morrow fine day
4
very high wind this morning with snow & heavy drift
no work the roads is nearly full
5
no Meeting to day
6
went to the School house & voted for the old council
no stir went to Escot with J. Cook Mr Darlin is runing
against R.Fields Fields has cut off a good many of Mr
Darlins voters
7
Ad came home from Young to day they went to
Brockville yesterday I went to Mallorytown to meet
10
Rob Beatty he is bying the old place from Harvey
they had gone home came home at 10 oclock
12
8
finished the peas & went to the shool meeting John
Purves was put in Trustee Douglass to get 20 cords
of wood half hard & half soft at 6.11 per cord little
snow at night
9
clean the peas had 13 bushel measured in the basket
snowed about 2 inches last night heavy wind & drift
to day the wind was from the west this morning then
south then north Ad went to Delta yesterday came
home to day/
10
drew wood this forenoon Ad went to Gananoque
11
Do Do Do went to Young Elen went with him fine day
went the Agriculture meeting was elected President
again
snow
no meeting in the Schoolhouse the Revd Mr Carrol
preached in the church little snow this morning
13
drew some wood I killed 25 turkies we intend to go
to Kingston
1868 {this is February}
1
Billie got home from Brockville this morning I spooled &
quilled little snow with wind Ad came home
2
no Meeting to day little snow with heavy wind
11
3
stormy this morning a very cold I spool & quilled
4
Billie went to Marble Rock Mill with 3 bags of wheat 2 of
Rye & 2 of Buckwheat he went with Henery Young &
there teem Ad went away again Humphrey Young took
Doll to the Road to work with trip
5
Dr Richman his Wife & Miss Ferguson came here on a
visit a fine day
6
snow & wind most of the day I quilled
7
Do Do Do
8
fine day the roads very bad
9
snow & wind no Meeting to day the roads is blocked up
10
no stir to day yet
11
there has no tems been on the roads yet the drift was so
great that the roads is compleatly blocked up the boys is
going to school I am quilling the wind was in the south
then the North from that to East then west
12
Robert Beatty came here with a grist to go to Gananoque
Mill last night him & Billie went there to day very stormy
this morning fine day afterwards
13
Roby went home this morning very stormy with snow this
afternoon I quilled
12
14
snow this morning the Boys at school I quilled
15
storming this morning Billie got B.Youngs horses David,
Isabla Vestus Hicock & his sister came here this
afternoon. John Scott John Robinson & Jane Armstrong
came up with the Express
16
no meeting to day David & Hicock went home
17
very stormy day it snowed & stormed all day & drifted so
that there is no trains
18
the train is of the track at Robinsons, last night Express is
not here at 10 oclock fine day John Scott John Robinson
& Jane Armstrong went away on the Express at 8 oclock
P.M.
1868
{needs to be put back a page, to put in correct chronological order} {left margin is cut off started the dates and lines for each day}
Jan
14
Went to Mr Purvis in Pilsbury stopt there all night
{illegible}
15
went to Kingston with 23 Turkess got 2s.6c snowed a
good deal Miss Purves went with me stoped for tea at
Mr Starks got home about 11 oclock
16
Ad & Billie drew some wood snow in the afternoon
17
Ad went to A Bee of Mr Fullerton drawing wood from F
Ogradys I fixed an old harness for Ad little snow
13
18
19
Ad went to Young for a cutter & to see Luther Shipman
he is going to collect for him I went around the station
callouting Shool Bill paid my own it is $7.60 Billie drew
wood with doll & cristies youngs Maire little snow
no Meeting to day Ad came home
20
Ad went to L. Shipmans to get a cutter from Leader
Wm Curtise went home to day on the Express he as
been here since Christmas
21
Billie commenced to go to school I quilled fine day
22
I spooled & quilled Ad is gone on a collecting tour for L.
Shipman
23
Do Do A little snow
24
Do Do Do
25
we got horse from B Young & drew a small stack of hay
that Ad bought of Jas Gilbert we had 3 small loads of it
paid four dollars & fifty cent for it a little snow with
cold wind
26
stormy day we did not got to meeting
27
the Boys is going to school I spooled & quilled
28
Do Do
14
29
Do Do
30
Billie went to Brockville with Henery Young & Jas
Gilbert had doll & Youngs Nell I spooled & quilled
31
Do Do snow & wind
1868 {this is June, not January -- needs to be put in proper sequence}
June
19
Drew up the slepers from the old house in the
forenoon went a hoeing Bee of James McMullins in
the afternoon
20
Billie took the 2 year old colt to an Iland to paster to
give $2 for the season I went to Austins with the
stone & worked at the stable Revd Mr Gordon came
here to day & Revd Mr Baike went Gananoque
21
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the Schoolhouse I
took him to Reeds Schoolhouse & heard hime preach
Lester Landons funeral sermon the house was full
rain
22
drew 3 loads of stones for S Sheapard it rained then
rain
23
Do 4 Do Do Do Do Do rain
rain
24
Do 6 Do Do makeing 2 1/4 cords they wear stones
that Sheapard borrowed from Tricker I drew them for
Sheapard little rain
25
drew 200 bushel of sand for George Grahm I helped
Billie to load fine day
15
26
I went to A raisin of Wm Moors it was all day Wm
Hazelwoods young people hear this afternoon very
warm day David came home
27
Billie drew 2 loads of lime for George Grahm from
Croses I think 50 bushel
28
the Revd Mr Baikie preached in the Schoolhouse this
morning warm day
29
drew stones for the stable & plowed the potatos I put
in 2 sleepers & did other fixings at it
30
drew 5 loads of stones for A Fulerton in the forenoon I
helped I went to a raisin of John Sheapard Billie went
for A load of lime heard that there was none & did not
go all the way
19
fine day I intend to go to John Youngs with his son
Christopher here last night with B Youngs young
people went to Sam Youngs stopted there all night
20
got to John Youngs this afternoon the Roads is very
heavy had to get out of the slaugh& tramp the roads
they were drifted full {illegible}
21
little snow very cold
22
John Young went with me to Greenbush to see his
son Humphrey he was not at home very cold
1868
Feb
snow
16
23
no Meeting here to day
24
went to Greenbush got dinner at Humph very cold
day
25
John Young brought me home to day stopt at Sam
Youngs got dinner got home about 5 oclock all well
Ad was at home
Snow
26
& drew some wood with B. Youngs horse
Snow
26
I quilled little snow
Snow
27
Do Do Do the roads is very bad
28
made a shuttle & quilled
29
made another shuttle & quilled a little snow & drift
snow
14 storms this month
1868
March
1
No meeting to day clear & cold in the forenoon
very cloudy & black to the North & East
snow
2
very hig winds with snow & drift I quilled
snow 40
storms
last
quarter
3
I quilled the boys at school fine day with a little
snow
17
42
storms
this
quarter
4
Do Do Do Do
5
fine clear day wind south southwest Ad came
home
rain
6
rain all day wind same as yesterday
rain
7
rain most of the day there is quite a thaw
8
8
the Revd Mr Wallers preached in the
Schoolhouse the roads is all in a swim
9
fixed some buckets looks like suggar weather
10
Ad taped 30 trees it dose not run much ran the
wheat through the faning mill had 39 1/2 bushel
put 20 in the corner bin
11
went to Gananoque to the mill with 16 bushel of
wheat took 16 bushel to 41 lb of butter got 20
cents per lb bought 25 lb of oatmeal 5 cents per
lb 8s.9d for cotton yarn & 90 c for 5 gallons of oil
12
cleaned up 20 bushel of oats to take to Younge
to exchange for seed with Rob Armstrong it was
kind of sleet & rain
13
{this entry is blank, not faint}
rain
18
14
15
very bad with a cold went the station to a trial of
three persons by the name of Chelcies Robert
Webster James Pamerter Joseph Cook J P. was
there the were turn over to the Court of Queens
Bench Ad started to go to Young with the slaugh
got as far as the hill at Websters & came back
again the roads was to bad
No Meeting to day
rain
16
heavy rain all day the snow nearly gone
rain
17
sowed and bored some bunks & fixed the
boreing machin rain at night
1868
March
{illegible}
18
worked at the bunks very windy heavy rain last
night with hail this morning
19
hard frost this morning drew some dung to the
orchard I went to Mallerytown in the cars with
the Widow Austin & went with her to Thomas
Tennents came home on the Mixed at 10 oclock
Snow &
rain
20
snowed about 2 inches then rained & snowed
most of the day sawd bunks & drew dung to the
orchard went with the slaugh for bushel of coal
to Reeds for of coat to Reeds for A Fullerton
snow &
rain
21
worked at Bunks bored & made stakes snowed
& rained
19
22
began to
Plow
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the schoolhouse
& the Revd Mr Carrol in the church fine day
23
worked at Bunks & drew the rails that was in the
midle of the north field to the midle field hard
frost this morning boiled 12 pails of sap in the
Bush
24
worked at Bunke & drew the remainder of the
fence hard frost with a north wind all day very
cold
25
worked in the sugarbush fine day
26
worked at bunks is at school
27
drew some stones of the North field in the
forenoon got A Cornets plow in the north field it
plows fine I worked in the bush
28
worked in the shugarbush Ad plowed a little fine
day Elen & Jennet went Lyn on the cars
29
no meeting to day
30
worked in the sugar bush Ad plowed & began to
put up the midle fence in the midle field the
ground is drying very fast
31
made 2 whipeltrees& fixed the stove door Billie
plowed Ad went to Gananoque very warm day
1868
20
April
1
Began to sow & sowed 4 1/2 bushel of
oats North of the house & east of the
path from the rock to the old house the
ground is in fine order drags well
snow
2
sowed 2 bushel of scotch wheat that we
got of John Young East of the path
opposit the old Barnstead & 5 ridges of
the old Barnstead sowed timothy &
clover on it there was quite a snow storm
this afternoon
snowed in the
night about 1 inch
3
the Boys bored Bunks in the forenoon &
billie plowed in the afternoon I went to
see J.E. Keaton by orders of the Council
& to pay him what I thought right for a
piece of land for a Road on his place I
offered him $25 what I thought was right
4
went ot the Revd Mr Aulds with George
White to see a Deeds signed could do
nothing without another J.P. Billie plowed
in the afternoon snow all gone
5
snow {illegible but was Thomas
Darcy} Magee
was shot in
no Meeting to day Mr Wallace is sick
6
went with J Cook to Oliver Landons to
see his Wife sign a deed isued an
atachment against Martin Rape for Dr
Elsworth it was settled by payment Billie
went to Younge with oats for seed the
ground is hard frozen
7
went to the fifth & sixth concession &
layed out a Road stoped with Ben
Herbisons all night it snowed all day &
21
Otawa this
morning
part of the night Billie got home to day
8
came home to day the snow is about 4
inches deep fine morning snowed
&blowed in the afternoon
9
drew some wood from the sugarbush the
slaugh run well fine day
10
drew 2 loads of hay from Thomas
Bradleys 1200 cwt & 10 in the other
snowed & stormed most of the day
11
worked in the Bush the Boys cut some
wood in the sugarbush the snow nearly
gone rain and snow at dark with high
winds
12
no meeting to day very hard frost last
night & cold today
13
hard frost last night clear & cold drew 2
loads from the old house & then drew
stones of the north field drew all the
stones except of rige gravel that was not
put up
1868
April
14
Picked some stones of the orchard in the
forenoon plowed below the old house in the
afternoon hard frost this morning
22
rain
15
no frost this morning plowed in the 2 field
northeast part I boiled sap in the bush Ad
choped some Elem tops
rain
16
fine morning rained about 10 oclock & light
showrs most of the day bought a plow from
R.B.Webster he got 7 from Ogdenburg price
$10.50c plowed a little in North field
17
Ad plowed in North field Billie & me put up some
fence in the midle of the 2nd field
18
Ad plowed in North field we fixed bunk & put up
some fence
19
the Revd Mr Wallas preached in the
Schoolhouse & Revd Mr Carroll in the church in
the afternoon
20
Billie plowed in the north field I worked in the
garden
21
Do Do Do Ad left this for Guelph this morning by
the 3 oclock train Edward Young went with him
to Toronto I went to John Ivies with Mr Gillhadie
he heard that he had 300 bushel of potatos for
sale he had none fine day
22
Billie finished plowing the north field then he
plowed below the old house rain about 11 oclock
P.M.
23
the ground is covered with snow this morning &
snowed &blowed till 10 oclock wind N. East very
19
rain
23
cold storm
24
got 800 of hay from J.Bradley finished plowing
at the old house this forenoon plowed the
garden
25
commenced sowed 6 bushel of oats on the sod
North field East center cold day met the Revd
J.P.Baikie at the station he has come to preach
for us this summer
26
snow
Revd Mr Baikie preached in the schoolhouse in
the forenoon I took him to Reeds Schoolhouse in
the afternoon
27
sowed 4 bushel of oats in the North field
snowed in the afternoon
28
plowed in field below the house in the afternoon
the snow was better than 1 inch deep this
morning
the
woods
begin to
look red
29
finished the field this forenoon & draged 1 ridge
in the north field we then sowed 5 1/2 bushel of
peas & barley below the barn it draged very well
rain
30
sowed 2 1/2 bushel of wheat in the new land rain
in the afternoon
1868 I got 1/2 bushel of Thimothy seed from John Ivie price $1 dollar
May
1
plowed in the midle field North East part
24
2
3
sowed 3 bushel of wheat in the New
Land that makes 5 1/2 in all there sowed
grass seed on it sowed 1 1/2 bushel of
wheat below the old house
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the
schoolhouse in the forenoon & the Revd
Mr Baikie at 6 oclock& the Revd Mr
Carrol at 3 in the church
4
sowed 1 1/2 bushel of wheat below the
old house that made 3 in all there warm
day sowed 4 1/2 bushel of peas in the
North field
rain the woods
begin to look
green
5
rain this morning Billie went to
Mallorytown got one Bushel Midgeproof
wheat that David paid 3 dollars for it
came from Peterborough he brought a
load from Escott for Mr Hueston he is
going West
{illegible} bushel
peas
6
plowed North of the house the ground in
good order
7
sowed 4 1/2 bushel of peas in the north
field that makes 9 bushel of peas in all
frost last night very cast day
8
plowed the headridges in the north field
& sowed 1 bushel of oats on them that
makes 11 bushel of oats on that field got
500 of hay from J.Bradley this afternoon
9
finished plowing North of the house &
sowed 5 1/2 bushel of oats North of the
23 bushel of oats
25
in all
house ground very dry
rain
10
rain the trees is
got quite green
with the rain &
heat {illegible}
seemed stand still
last week
rain
Revd Mr Baikie preached in the
schoolhouse little rain
11
sowed 2 1/2 bushel of oats below the rye
or between the rye & ditch & a pailfull of
flax seed heavy white frost very cold for
the season
12
plowed in the midle field North of the
rye & draged below the house for the
corn & draged the garden planted the
East & south ridge with sweet corn &
the ridge next the house with carrots
cold at night warm day
13
planted corn north 3/4 of an acre of the
house Billie finished the plowing in the
midle field that finishes our plowing for
the spring sowed nearly 1 bushel of
Midgeproof wheat on the 3 ridges south
of the North ditch center field a fine rain
at 6 P.M.
14
Billie helped J Bradly I planted 2 bushel
of peach blows {variety of potato}
15
Do Do Do Do 1 1/2 bushel all below the
Barn fine rain this evening
1868
{May}
26
May
16
rain
17
Billie helped T. Bradley with the team I fixed the grapes
& treer they look well the Sand that we put around
them last fall has killed the clay fine growing day little
rain to night Sowd 3 drills of turnip by the old shop in
the garden
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the morning & the Revd
Mr Gordon in the afternoon in the School house very
heavy rain in th afternoon
rain
18
rain most of the day the Revd Mr Gordon was hear all
night he went to Mr Thompsons for dinner
19
mowed the garden fence East 3 rods & plowed it the
ground is so wet north of the house that we cannot
plow East of the path Billie got 500 of hay from T
Bradley
20
drew 5 loads of Stones & 30 bushel of Sand for F Dean
H McKeye helped in the forenoon drew Stones of the
orchard in the afternoon I laid a floor in the wood shed
rain
21
Billie helped J Jonston to drag he only worked a little
while very heavy rain most of the day the ground is
begining to flood
rain
22
rain today workd at the Bunks
23
atended the council tried 2 cases of Sheepkilling Wm
Douglass & R McNiel
27
24
the Revd Mr Baikee preachd in the Schoolhous
25
fixed a floor in the cookhouse or rather the woodshed
little rain to day
26
took stove into the woodshed fine day
27
washed the Sheep & fixed some of the fence midle of
the midle field
28
went to Gananoque to mill took 11 1/2 bushel of wheat
bought fifty 1b of oatmeal & 50 of indian meal
received $7 for Sheep casess from the Treasur
29
Sowed 3 bushel of wheat 1/2 bushel Buck wheat the
ground is in good order
30
finishd the fence midle of the midle field atended the
Council & tred A Cornets Sheepkilling with J. Cook
31
the Revd MrBeakie preachd & the Revd Mr Wallace
1868 {have included a table that was from a scan many pages back for June 19-30}
{June}
June
1
Sheared the Sheep A Cornnet helpd a little rain but
nothind to hurt
28
2
Bille helped J Johnston with the teem plantd 5 1/2
bushel of potatos below the house the ground is in
very good order
3
Billie helped C Young with the teem finished the
potatos
4
went to funeral of Mary Greer daughter of Tho Greer
the Revd Mr Carrol preach there was 36 teems it was
a very large funeral the wind is South & Southeast fine
day
5
the Boyes helped A Cornet to planted potatos
6
drew stones to the Stable the Revd Mr Gordon came
here from Gananoque fine shower to night
7
the Mr Gordon preachd in the School house
8
began to work on the Roads at Johnstons corner
9
worked Do Do
10
Do Do Do
11
we got $10 from the Councl to put on the Roads
12
workd on the Roads
13
worked half the day on the Roads that finished the
work Sowed better then a bushel of Buckwheat the
29
ground is very dry fine weather
14
the Revd Mr Baikee preached in the School house in
the forenoon afternoon
15
fine Shower last night & this morning drew Stones of
the medow North field
16
tried scraped a celler for A Fulerton took off the first
Sod but could do no more it is a puttie clay & the
Scraper would not work went through the corn with
the cultivator
17
went with Revd Mr Baikie to Mr Keers & Mr Darling very
warm day the Boys workd at the Corn
18
finishd the corn & drew stones to the Stable & under
pined it
1868 {this is June, the scan is not in proper sequence}
June
21
19
Drew up the slepers from the old house in the
forenoon went a hoeing Bee of James McMullins in
the afternoon
20
Billie took the 2 year old colt to an Iland to paster to
give $2 for the season I went to Austins with the
stone & worked at the stable Revd Mr Gordon came
here to day&Revd Mr Baike went Gananoque
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the schoolhouse I
took him to Reeds Schoolhouse & heard hime preach
Lester Landons funeral sermon the house was full
30
rain
22
drew 3 loads of stones for S Sheapard it rained then
rain
23
Do 4 Do Do Do Do Do rain
rain
24
Do 6 Do Do makeing 2 1/4 cords they wear stones
that Sheapard borrowed from Tricker I drew them for
Sheapard little rain
25
drew 200 bushel of sand for George Grahm I helped
Billie to load fine day
26
I went to A raisin of Wm Moors it was all day Wm
Hazelwoods young people hear this afternoon very
warm day David came home
27
Billie drew 2 loads of lime for George Grahm from
Croses I think 50 bushel
28
the Revd Mr Baikie preached in the schoolhouse this
morning warm day
29
drew stones for the stable & plowed the potatos I put
in 2 sleepers & did other fixings at it
30
drew 5 loads of stones for A Fulerton in the forenoon I
helped I went to a raisin of John Sheapard Billie went
for A load of lime heart that there was none & did not
go all the way
1868
{The following entries from July 10 to 15 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
31
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
July
1
David, Billie Elen & Jennet went to Mr Darlins to
go on the Boat to Brockville George went
fishing with them to the river I sorted the wool
& other choring about the house
hoed part of
the
potatoes
2
mowed a little front of the house the grass is
driing up very fast the boys & girls did not get
home till day light this morning very warm
weather hoed part of the potatos
3
Billie drew a load of lime for A Fullerton Dave &
me Blated & quaried some Stores
4
Billie got the horses Shod I intended to go to
Young this afternoon went to Younge took tea
at Wm Hazalwoods then went Granmoms
stopted all night there
5
rain
went Caintown & heard a free curch Minister
6
came home from Granmoms this forenoon
mowed some in the orchard
7
drew Stones for A Fullertor seller little rain to
day
8
drew 150 bushel of Sand for A Fullerton celler
little rain
32
9
drew Stones for A Fullerton
10
drawing loads of hay from the orchard put it in
the granary mow Billie helped J McMullin to
load hay
11
drew in hay from the orchard I atended it
volunteer super{supper} that was given to
them by the Municipal council
12
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the shool house
the Revd Mr Carrol preached to the Orngmen
in the church in the afternoon
13
preached in the morning Mowed the orchard
Mr Bilton was hear this afternoon on a visit
14
finished mowing the orchard & mowed some
in the 2 feilds it is very poorly seeded
15
drew in 4 loads of hay of the orchard that
makes 7 loads in all put in the granery mow
16
James McMillin mowed with his mower in the
North feild& mowed round the fences Billie
worked for him
1868 {The following entries from July 17 to 31 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
33
July
17
finished mowing the North field with J McMullin Billie
raked with the horserake
18
drew in hay put 2 loads in the new stable 1 in the old
stable & 2 in the Barn little rain to night
19
26
the Revd Mr Baikee preached this forenoon
20
drew in loads of hay put 1 load in the new stable & 1 in
the old I cut all in the 2nd field
21
I mowed round the new land two swaths
22
went to Gananoque with Wat Wife she is going Mitchel
she went on the steem Boat to Hamilton I got 100 of
flour $4. 58 lb of oatmeal James McMullin mowed part
of the new land
23
drew in 6 loads & put it in a stack I finished the
mowing all but some of the fences
24
finished the toping of the stack & cut some of the Rye
it rather green heavy rain this afternoon
25
cut some of the Rye Billie went to Young with David he
was going to Delta he got a telagram from Wat to be in
Toronto by tusday he has got goverment Job of
surveying
the Revd Mr Bakee preached in the schoolhouse
34
27
cradled the oats East of the path below the house
Billie drew 3 loads of sand 45 bushel time 75c then
drew in R Ennises hay it is very smokey & the sun is
like a ball of fire
28
cut some of the Rye Vestus Hiccock brought David &
Isabla & his sister David is going to Toronto to meet
Wat he has got a goverment job of surveying he left by
the 3 oclock train
29
I worked at the Rye a few drops of rain
rain
30
worked at the Rye in the forenoon drew in the oats
they are in fine order
rain
31
finished the Rye & cut some of the Scotch wheat a
little rain his afternoon
{The following entries from Aug 1 to 3 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{August}
August
rain
1
2
Rain this forenoon cut some wheat in the
afternoon Billie went Gananoque for Isabla
the Revd Mr Bakie preached in the schoolhouse
3
drew in the Rye & cut the rest of the Scotch wheat
dry weather
4
began to cut the Black See wheat at the old house
35
it is a fair crop
5
workd at the wheat fine day
6
cut some of the wheat on the new land
7
rain to day I thrashed some of the Scotch
8
more rain to day thrashed a little more wheat I am
not able to much I over did myself cradling the Rye
Billie cut the Barley
9
the Revd Mr Bakee Preachd in the School house
this afternoon
10
drew in wheat to day I mowed some of it drew it in
the same time
11
cut the oats west of the Path to the well Humph
Young helpd a little rain
12
drew in the oats west of the path this afternoon
cut some of the in the north field
13
workd at the oats in the north field a very poor
crop
14
Finishd cuting the oats & got them all in the Barn
they are very short
36
15
16
Billie helped Charley Armstrong to cut oats I
thrashd some wheat
the Revd Mr Bakie preached
17
thrashed some wheat & cleaned it had 7 bushel
from 160 sheaves good wheat
18
went to Gananoque to the mill with 7 bushel of
wheat fine day
19
Billie drew 3 loads of sand 1 of stone for for John
Weston $2
1868
August
August
20
little rain last night began to hook the peas they
wear to wet us had McMullins pea harvestor &
Samuel Johnstons they work well Billie cut some of
the wheat then we drew Stones for Fullerton
21
workd at the peas fine day J Coslow help
22
Do Do for Cristie Young
23
Revd Mr Kear preachd for Mr Bakie
24
finishd the peas & cuting the wheat
37
25
drew in the wheat & drew some Stones for Fullerton
26
went to Gananoque for my grist Billie drew stones
for the underpining of Thompsons Shed they are for
H McKee he has the Job
27
Charles Roth thrashd 25 bushe of Barly & Peas 42
of wheat 58 of Rye
28
cleaned up the floor & drew in the peas a few drops
of rain the afternoon
29
I went to Gananoque with J McMullin & got the grey
yarn & got Dr McCrum to look at Beses knee he
gave me some powers for her tinter {tincture} of
Iodine to rub on it paid 3.9 pence for it. Billie drew 4
loads of Stones for Fullertons celler& 2 loads of
Sand for H McKee to Thompson
30
the Revd Mr Keer preachd for Mr Bakie
31
drew stones for Fullertons celler that finished it
heavy rain to night
1868
{The following entries from Sept 1 to 12 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{Sept}
Sept
1
Drew dung to the midle field East line I worked at
the truck waggon at the Blasmith shop
38
wind
south
south
East
2
worked at the truck waggon Billie drew dung
3
drew 4 loads of stone for Joseph Bradley the
wind south & south East fine day
4
drew 4 loads of Stones to Bradley that makes 11
loads for Bradley or 2 cords then we drew 3 loads
in the afternoon to Mitchel celler
5
drew Stones for Mitchel Celler
6
first rain
in this
quarter
the Revd Mr Bakie preached & the Revd Mr Auld
7
drew 1 load band for Westin & 120 bushel for
Mitchel
8
helped Ben Warren to thrash Billie went to
Gananoque with 12 Bushel of Barley & peas got
them ground for feed got home at noon then he
come to help to thrash & I went to Brockville to
atend the Court Elen went to See her Mother
walked from Mallory town heavy rain to night that
is the first rain
9
Billie & Geordy helped Warren to thrash I came
home to night on the mixed heavy rain the
morning & most of the day
10
Drew stone for Michels celler I went to a meeting
at the schoolhouse for the purpose of trying to
build a church at the station I offered to give a lot
& stones & sand & there was over 400$
39
subscribed for it Wm Clow & his Wife came hear
on a visit
rain
11
drew stone for Mitchels cutter sleigh McKay
helped Wm Clow & Wife went home this
afternoon
12
Billie drew stones I went to Gananoque for the
fullcloath got a coat cut took the Revd Baikie up &
brought the Revd Mr Gorden down with me had A
Cornets horse a little little rain this afternoon
1868 {The following entries from Sept 13 to 15 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{Sept}
Sept
13
Revd Mr Gorden preached in the schoolhouse this
forenoon Billie took him Reeds in the afternoon
brought him back again
14
drew dung to the midle field fine day
15
Do Do Do Do Do
16
drew stones for Joseph Badley fine day
17
drew Stones for Robrt Mitchel Heugh Mckee helped to
quorrie
18
began to Plow in the midle field for wheat I cut some
of the Buckwhat helped J McMullen to thrash
40
19
20
I helped James McMullen to thrash Bille plowed
the Revd Mr Beakie went to preachd but it was so wet
that no person came to the Schooll house it faird up
about 2 oclock & he went to Reeds
21
Billie & George went with Mr Cornet to his Fathers to
thrash I went to Hamilton to the Provincial Exhibition
to purchase Sheep & a hog for our Socitie got 2
bushel of Midgeproof wheat at the Station that Adam
Sent from Howick
22
Billie got John Johnston to Sow the wheat
23
heavy rain to day
24
drew Stones for Robrt Mitchel
25
raind all day
26
drew 3 loads of Sand for Mitchel & 2 loads of flour for
Robert Ennes 3000 I got home about 12 oclock at
night from Hamilton & brought home with me 1 hog
$28.1 leisester $25 1 year old 1 Cotswoold $40. 1 year
old lieseister lamb $30 Sowed 2 bushel of rye
27
went to Reeds heard the Revd Mr Willson of Kingston
preach & he had the Sacrement
28
thrashd some of the Buckwheat Billie plowd Adam
Turner Died I helped to lay him out
41
29
Charles Armstrong came & got our thrashing machin
Billie made a traid with him for a buggy & harness
Billie plowd in the afternoon
30
drew 2 loads of Sand 30 bushel line 35 in all 75 went
to the funeral of Adam Turner the Rev Mr Smart
preachd there was 42 buggy & waggons at it he was
buried at Robinsons Billie helped to Bradly to thrash
1868
{October}
October
1
I Helped T Bradley to thrash Billie Plowed
2
Do DoDo Billie finishd plowing for the Rye I Sowd it
2 1/2 bushel & that I helpd T Bradley
3
to thresh in the forenoon I then Sowd 1/2 bushel of
Rye that 6 1/2 bushel I went to an Agriculture
meting
4
the Revd Mr Smart preachd at the Schoolhouse in
the afternoon he was here all night I went to Reeds
with him
5
Billie went to Gananoque with 4 bushel of Peas 2
Barly & 8 bushel of Scotch wheat to the mill I
shoveled the wheat & Rye & attend a meeting to
Build a church
6
cleaned 2 bushel of Rye & 2 bushel of Scotch
wheat for the Show 9 bushel of BlackSee for the
Mill Billie plowd north of the Rye in the midle field
42
East line
rain
7
went to the Faire at Gananoque & Stoped to an
Musical intertainment for the benifit of Sabeth
School got home at 2 oclock
8
atended at the Station there was a little rain this
morning but it turned out a good day afterwords
Hazelwoods & the two Robs was here Rob Beatty
& Rob Armstrong Jenney Robson & the Girles
stopted all night
9
the Young folks went home this forenoon I thrashd
some Buckwheat Billie plowd below the house
10
Billie plowed below the house I helped Joseph
Bradley to move his Shop up to his house
11
the Revd Mr Smart preachd in the Schoolhouse in
the forenoon Billie took him to Reeds in the
afternoon
12
Billie plowed in the forenoon him & George helpd
Cornet to thrash in the afternoon I helped Ben
Younge to thrash from 10 oclock high wind
13
thrashed at Cornets & Youngs fine day
14
finished thrashing at Ben Youngs this forenoon we
went to James Shepards & began to Stumped we
are to Stump the field & burn the Stumps & work it
for three years he is to find half the Seed do half
the thrashing & get half proceeds we are to get the
other half for doing the rest of the work plowing
43
harrowing& harvesting & help the thrashing
1868
{October}
October
15
Worked at J Sheepards burning & Stumping
16
Do Do Do Do Bille & George thrashed Buckwheat
17
Billie plowed in the North field west side I thrashd
Buckwheat
18
little
rain
first
no Meeting this morning the RevdMr Carrol
preachd in the afternoon & the Revd Mr Auld at 6
oclock at night
19
Billie plowd in the North field the ground is very
hard & dry I finishd thrashing the Buckwheat the
Revd Mr Baikie left on the Express he receivd one
hunderd & sixteen dollars for the time he was
here sixty five fifty of that was made up at Reeds
& fifty dollors & fifty cents was at the Station he
ought to have 9 more Aunt Betsey McDonald &
aunt Barbarry Watkins come here
20
Billie plowed with forenoon he borrowd 10 bushel
of oats from A Cornet last night I cleaned the
Buckwheat had 14 1/2 bushel the aunties went
away on the Expresse to Mallorytown
21
thrashd peas Stormed all day Snowing & blowing
44
snow
snow
22
Snowing still I fixed the harness very cold
23
thrashed Some peas for the hogs shut them up
24
drew Sant to the Stable in the forenoon drew 3
loads of hay for George Grahm from Joshua
Giblerts about 2 1/2 tuns fine day
25 rain
went to the Ebenozer church heard the Revd Mr
Auld preach rain this afternoon
26
drew Sand to the house in the forenoon Billie went
to Escott for the Colt it Strayed away a month ago
he plowed in the afternoon we dug potatos fine
day
27
Billie plowed in the North field I went to David
Johnston auction there was a great many people
then bought nothin
28
dug potatos Billie plowed fine day
29
Billie plowed I finished diging the potatos George
helped Hugh McKey to quary I pulled the turnips
30
Billie plowd I pulled the carrots George helped H.
McKey to quarry hard frost this morning
31
Billie plowed in the forenoon I finished the carrots
they are good rain this afternoon with heavy wind
45
George helped H McKey he is raising Stones for
the Church
1868 {The following entries from Nov 1 to Nov 6 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{Nov}
Nov
1
Revd Mr Auld preached in the schoolhouse heavy rain
2
Billie plowed in the North feild the ground rather wet I
worked at the stable flooring in the forenoon went to
the council tried 3 sheep cases H Landon Dunovan &
Aron Donne
3
Billie plowed the North field west corner I mended
shoes got 5 tops from J Sheapard
4
Drew 1 load of stones for Geo Grahm then sand gravel
for {illegible} shed & 1 load of gravel to Westons
5
Billie began to plow at Shepards George piled stumps
at Shepards I laid out a road at the townline of Leeds
took dinner at A Clendening
6
Billie plowed at Shepards I shoveled some watter
furrows where the plowing is done fine weather for
plowing
7
drew in the potatos all we had in one load Billie &
Jennet & Jerem Chalhoon went to Young this
46
afternoon they Started with the Singlee buggy & broke
the Spring. got J Johnston buggy. I threshd some peas
8
rain
no Meeting to day rain all day
rain
9
rain all day worked at the Stable alittle they got home
to day
rain
10
very heavy rain last night & all day the ground is in a
Swime with So much rain
11
Billie plowed at Sheepards with Charles Armstrong Iron
plow I fixed the irons & did other tinkering
12
hard frost last night Billee plowed in the after noon in
the north field he is trying the plow for the plowing
match I thrash Some pens
13
Billie went to the plowing match it was on George
Pecks farm he took the first prise of the Boys there
was 3 boys & 6 men plowd fine dạy
14
Billie went to Crosses for 8 bushel of lime paid 2 dollors
for it the roads is very bad I thrashed peas
15
the Revd Mr Auld preachd in the Schoolhouse at 7 PM
16
Billie went to a plowing Bee of James Choulhoon he got
2 shoes on bluher I workd in the Blacksmith Shop in the
forenoon then atended a suite at the Station betwen
Landon & McCormick & Rape for trespass
47
1868
Nov
Nov
rain
17
I helped James McMilan to put up Bails for his cows
Billie drew Stones for the Stable in the forenoon
went to a bee of Henery Youngs to draw Stones for a
ditch at Thompson a little rain
rain
snow
18
there is two inches of Snow this morning rain & Snow
all day no work
19
worked at the Stable Billie drew 5 loads of Sand fine
day
20
plastered part of the Stable fine day
21
worked at the Stable in the forenoon fixed the
School house in the afternoon Purvis & Findley
helped we put props to the back of it H. McKey built
& plasterd
22
no Meeting to day
23
killed the hogs & worked at the Stable let out the
Rams took 2 Ewes to Cornets & 2 to Roths
24
worked at Stable in the morning went to Keating &
tendered him with 31 dollers for the land taking by
the Council for a road on his farm he would not take
it John Stacy. Quin & Dooks was witness to the
tender A. Keating & a Son of J Bradleys wittnes to
the opening of ARoad the Revd Mr Green held Bible
48
Socitee meeting in the evening
25
Billie went to Escott with Mr Green this morning he
was here all night I worked at the Stable fine day
26
Salted the pork heavy rain all the forenoon Billie drew
Sand for J Joseph Bradley got a sirrip Barrel from
Weston to put the homes in
27
helped John Johnston to thrash Billie drew some
dung to the garden & cleaned wheat
28
Do Do Do Do Billie went to Gananoque with 1 1/2
bushel of corn 6 bushel of wheat 25 of Buckwheat to
the Mill he got 5 gallons of oil 40 cents per gallon
29
the Revd Mr Auld preached this forenoon heavy rain
last night & a little this morning
30
Billie & m helped John Johnston to thrash very bad
frost last night Billie took Blacks home to Charles
Armstrong & got the colt
1868
{Dec}
Dec
1
Helpd Christ Young to thrash cold day
2
Do Do Do Do not quite so cold
49
3
worked at the Stable fine day the sun thawed
the hubs a little very little wind it was north
wind N
4
got the Black Colt Shod on the fore feet &
fixed a door for the Stable dull cloudy day
first Storm
Snow or
Strom 34
this qurter
5
worked a little at the Stable Snowed most of
the day Billle went to Cornets with John
Johnstone for our two Ewes he went with the
Slaugh It is very rough
6
no Meeting to day
7
Killed the white Cow I atended the council A
Cornet helped fine day I atended the Council
very Stormy this afternoon Mr J Cook Stopt
here all night it was too Stormy to go home
snow
8
Billie went to Roths for the 2 Ewes that we had
at the Ram there I Cut up the Cow Sold 1 hind
quarter to Robrt Michel another to George
Grahm $5 per 100. 1 forequarter to R Ennis
$4.50 Stormed & Snowd all day
snow
9
thrashed Some oats for the horses Still
Storming a little Robert Beatty came here to
night with a cutter
10
fixed a cutter Shaft & cross bar of Wats old
cutter for the cutter that Ad had of Leader last
winter we cannot find it own Rob wants to take
it home
50
11
drew 3 loads of wood from Armstrongs woods
very cold day
12
drew 2 loads of wood Do Do John Robson
came here to night
13
the Revd Mr Auld preachd in the School house
al night
snow
14
Billie & Jennet went to Gananoque with M
Young & doll Geordy & Me put a good deal of
Rye Straw of the Stack in the Stable lofts for
beding in the Spring it began to Snow about 11
oclock Stormd all the afternoon
15
drew 2 loads of hay from Hugh McKey 1560 in
all we got it from him on a trade or rather as
part price of a colt we are to get 1000 more
16
sawed up 2 elem trees for the Stable floor
17
Billie went to Marblerock with a log {illegible} in
the Black colt he went well I sawed with the
sawingman Mr McCormick a tailor is here
making a great coat for me
1868 {this is from the Dec 18-31, 1868 scan at Queen's University - RDA sheet appears
blank, as does book it was photographed from??}
Dec
18
Billie went to the Rock with log & got the one he took
yesterday he had the Bay colts in to day I thrashed
peas
51
19
20
snow
27
Billie went to the Rock with a log he had the two colts
in to day they went well I finished the seed peas
warm day
no meeting to day all the snow & rain last night
21
went to the Nomination to McCranes schoolteacher
the put in Joseph Cook as Reeve Jo{illegible} Legg as
J Reeve Thomas Darlin J Birmingham & Thomas
Cornet councilmen fine day the front road is all most
bear with the thaw
22
laid part of the stablefloor put in all the stuff we had
it is 1 1/2 inch elem plank
23
Billie went to Delta with the slaugh for Isabla She is
coming home the Revd Mr Baikee & elen went with
him he doll & one of Charles Armstrongs horses it
snow in the morning then it fined up then it stormed
& blew till near midle of the afternoon
24
I thrashed peas cleaned the seed peas first had 6 1/2
bushel or 2 barrles of them fine day hard frost Billie
Elen Isabla Mr Baikee& two of the Hicocks came
home about 11 oclock to night
25
stormy this morning wind & snow most of the day no
work done
26
drew half a ton of hay from Hugh McKey's Miss
Highcock & her Brother went home this afternoon
the Revd Mr Gorden preached in the schoolhouse at
1/2 2 oclock & the Revd Mr Birts preached at 7 PM
52
David came home on the Express
28
I put a shoe on Wat cutter the old one was Broke
29
I went to Brockville on the mixed paid Mr E J Sinkler
seventy five dollars the intrest due David gave fifty
dollars that Adam sent
30
Billie went to the Rock with an Elem log I thrashed
oats
31
Billie went to the Rock with an Elem log I mended the
Bobslaughs & laid the stable floor
Jan
1
very cold day wind north Robert Beatty & Mary &
James Purvis & two of the Miss Toruners came from
Young no work
snow
2
Billie drew a load of wood for McKenley I worked at a
moccasins he went to Young in the afternoon with
David & the Girles Snow & very cold
1869
{Jan}
3
no Meeting to day heavy wind
4
made a moccasin in the forenoon Billie come home
from Young warm day quite a thaw a little rain this
afternoon
53
5
drawed out the Barn floor & fixed the granary we had
a Bee drawing Stones for a Church there was 24
teems & a number of loaders very warm dry we
wanted more loaders
6
cleaned the Barn floor & fixed the granery Bille went
to the Rock with a log
7
I thrashed some of the midgeproof wheat Billie drew
wood for Sheeperd & Mckenley warm day Snow
nearly gone
sow
to
Roths
8
I went to. Cornets. Cholhoons. Coplands & Roths to
See the Socities stock took the old sow to Boar at
Roths last night brought it home
rain
9
fixed a little at the Stable put the horses in for the
first atended the annual Meeting of the our
agriculture Socitie was realected president heavy
rain last night & most of the day the Snow nearly
gone
10
snow
the revd Mr Auld preached in the Schoolhouse I went
to the River to see about J. Gilbert isued a warrent
on friday night for Thomas Chapmon & Carry Chese
where Shot at Steven Holleyday & a constable
Gilbert went in Serch of them on Wellses Iland & we
had got no word of them Sinc & could get none
there
11
finishd the Stable & other fxcings & went to the
Station to See about Gilbert he is on the track in the
States that is all that we have yet alittle Snow
12
cleaned the midge proof whent had th full of a Barrel
Henry Johnston brought the thrashing machin intend
54
thrash on Thursday
13
Atended the Schoolmeeting Mr Thompson elected
Trustees Billie came home from Delta he went home
with Miss Hicock alittle Snow this afternoon
1869 {The following entries from 14 to 17 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
14
Henery & John Johnston thrashed for us C & H Young A
Cornet J McMullin B. Warren JH Bradley helped had 140
bushels of oats a little Barley think about 30 or 40
bushel of wheat fine day
15
drew 2 loads of wood from Armstrongs the road is poor
16
Do Do Do J Robsons &Mr Weed came up with the
Express from Mallorytown
17
no Meeting to day
18
drew wood from Armstrongs the roads very poor
19
Do Do
20
cleaned up 10 bushel of wheat very Stormy day Snow &
wind fixed a little at the Stable
55
21
went to Gananoque with 10 bushel of whent & about 2
of corn that is all the corn we have took annual repr up
to th annual Meeting of the County Agriculture Socities
bought 5 gallons of oil 28.3d per gallon & a bag of Salt
6s.3d cold day with a little Snow
22
drew a load of wood Mrs Ennis died about 6 oclock this
afternoon very cold day
23
Billie went to Escott with Mr Quin to see his brother
they are brothers to Mrs Ennis drew a load of wood in
the afternoon I got a tooth drown I was not out
24
Mrs Ennis was buried in the Taylor buiring ground Billie
took the Corps there was upwards of 40 Slaughs &
cutters the Revd Mr Carrol preachd in the Johnston
Schoolhouse Snow & rain in the afternoon it frose as it
fell
25
Billie began to go to School I worked at bails for the
stable
26
finished the bails got the cattle in to night
27
fixed for the calfs in the Stable
28
worked at Some Shuttles in grahms Shop fine day alittle
Snow last night
29
finished a shuttle for S Hazelwood Billie went to young
with Ellen &Isabla intending to go to Brockville tomorrow
56
30
there was a meeting of the Building Committee here the
afternoon it was agreed to build the church 36 x 50 feet
rain & Snow
31
no Meeting to day very fine day
1869
{February}
Feb
1
Billie Ellen & Isabla come home from Young this
forenoon they got 24 cents per 1b in Bills for Some
butter they had I fixed some in the Stable
2
worked at some Shuttles old Mr Cornet died this
morning wind North & northeast Billle took the little
Sow to Collhouns
snow
3
Snowed about 6 inches last night & is still snowing
10 oclock Snowed all day did nothing but atend to
the Cattle
snow
4
Snowing Still high winds last night considerable drift
this morning the Roads is very bad
5
fixed a Shuttle I have been very bad with the tooth
akhe headache Billie & the girles went the
Teameeting at Reeds Schoolhouse
6
Billie took home to A Cornets 18 bushel of oats that
he borrowd of him in the fall cold day
57
7
the RevdMr Auld preached in the Schoolhouse this
morning
Snow
8
Snowing a little Mr &Mrs Barns from Deta came hear
with Miss Hicock & her BrotherMr Barns is going
home to Markham we are Sending Some things to
the Boys with them
Snow
9
heavy rain this morning with a fog a little snow
10
taped Billies boots & other mending Dr Richmond
was here for dinner he is looking after wood
11
Billie went to Sawlog Bee of J Johnstons to
MarbleRock a little rain &Snow this morning
12
warm fine morning fixed a Side peice to the Slaugh
for him to draw cordwood he intends to go to a bee
of Dr Richmond to morrow
13
heavy rain last night & most of the day with Sleet &
Snow cleaned Some grass Seed no drawing to day
Rain &
snow
14
no Meeting to day rain hail & Snow with high winds
and drift J Robson came here last night
Rain
hail &
Snow
Rain &
snow
15
the roads drifted full with about 1 inch of crust rain
Snow & rain all day quite warm for winter
58
16
fine day the Roads is very bad I went to a sale of
John Grahms he is going to Iowa he Sold his farm to
Wm McNiel everything went very high Cows &
heffers from 25 to 42p dollors each Billie Sold
Granpa Cow to Mr Jackson for 600 split rails &
timber for 1050 the rails to be split & put in piles by
Jackson we are cut the timber & split the 1050 or
get
1869
{February}
Feb
17
Stormy Day Snowing & blowing I atended on
the cattte
snow
18
cleaned what oats was in the Passage
intending to go to Mill
snow
19
went to MarbleRock with 18 bushel of oats & 6
of Buckwheat fine morning Show wind & drift
Snow Billie
{illegible}
year $6
20
drew 2 loads of wood from Armstrongs very
Stormy in the afternoon Snow & wind from
South west then North East
21
very Stormy day Snow Revd Mr west preach
to night we did not go it was so Stormy Snow
& wind
snow
snow
22
went to Jacksons & drew 2 loads of rock cuts
there is no ice or frost in the swamp we had
to tramp a road
59
snow
23
no work to day it is the wost day that has
come this winter wind & Snow from the North
East with a tremendious drift the roads is
compleatly filled up
snow
24
fine morning began to Storm about 10 oclock
& Stormd all day Billie had to draw wood for
McKinley & James Choulhoon they were out
of wood the roads was awfull
snow
25
J Bradly J Johnston A Cornet Hen Webster
Samuel Johnston & me turned out & brock
the road from the Cross road to our gate the
Side road is nearly level with the fences Still
Snowing cleard up at night 9 oclock
snow
26
Snowed about an inch last night & is Snowing
Stormed all day the roads is nearly as bad as
ever
snow
27
drew 2 Small loads of wood from Armstrong
woods in the forenoon Storming still the road
& so drifted that we quite the drawing the
roads is awfull
28
no Meeting to day this is the fine day that we
have had for a fortnight this has been the
Stormest we have had for a great many years
1869
{March}
60
March
1
I went to the Council it met at Westens
they were granting Tavern Lisence
2
went to Gananoque with 26 bushel of oats
sold 6 bushel & got 150 of Corn meal oats
50c per bushel meal $2 per 100 1b fine
roads Rob Beatty J Robson Wm Scott from
Perth Betsey Ellen Hall & Mary Beatty Came
here
snow
3
the Younge folkes went home this
afternoon a little Snow this morning a fine
afternoon
wind SW in the
morning SE in
the afternoon
SW at night
4
the wind is South west this morning it
changed to the South East In the afternoon
then to Southwest at Sundown cloudy in
the forenoor clear in the afternoon fine day
Billie went to Young with 32 bushel of Rye
he intends to go to Brockville with it his
Mother went with him
5
fine clear morning hard frost wind South
6
Snowed about an inch last night &Snowed
till about 10 oclock Billie & his mother &
Mary come home this afternoon Billie went
to Mateland with the rye got 72 cents per
Bushel
Snow first
Storm in the
quarter 32
Storms in the
quarter
7
the Revd Mr Auld preached this evening in
the Schoolhouse
8
fixed for Smoking hams fine day
61
snow
9
fine day fixed Some spiles for the bush
rather on the thaw
10
very Stormy day Snowing & blowing all day
wind Northeast fixed some spiles
11
the roads is compleatly blocked up
12
there was a doubble teem come from the
creek with a kind of a Snowplow& five other
teems with Sloughs to the Stations
13
Billie & Isabla & Jennet went Delta the
afternoon with Doll & a cutter I am very bad
with my head
14 snow
no meeting to day very high winds with a
little Snow about noon it blew a hurricain
15
filled up 7 1/2 bushel of oats & rye & bushel
of oats to a bushel of Rye for the hogs & 6
bushel of wheat
16
went to Marblerock with 7 1/2 bushel of Rye
& oats for the hogs & 6 bushel of wheat got
258 lbs of flour Robert Beatty went to
Gananoque with a grist he was here all night
last night & to night
1869
{March}
62
March
17
Robert Beatty went home to day Ellen went with
him & Mary we drew 3 loads of hay from
Armstrongs 1.800 & 2 1000 wer her to get 1200 yet
fine day
18
Billie went to John Youngs for ceader George Young
went with him
19
went to Gananoque with 12 bushel of wheat got 516
1bs of flour that is 774 lbs of flour in the bin fine day
& the roads is first rate but we cant get into the
woods the Snow is so deep
20
fixed spiles for the Sugarbush fine day
21
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the forenoon & the
Rev Mr Correl in the afternoon Wat come home this
morning a little Snow
Snow
Snow
22
worked at Sap pails Wat went to Delta he give me
$100 from Ad fine day a little Snow this morning
John Younge & his wife here for dinnner
23
worked at Sap pails fine hard frost Mr Ruben Gilles
& three of the Clarks come here from Perth to night
24
made spiles for the Sugarbush
25
made over 300 Spiles for the Sugarbush this year
we intend to work James Sheperd bush this year
Mr Gilles & the Clarks went home this morning Billie
went to Young this morning for Ellen
63
rain
26
drew 2 loads of wood from Armstrongs it began to
rain & thaw this forenoon rained all the afternoon
27
a little frost last night cleaned up the oats had
about 30 bushel Billie taped 150 trees this
afternoon it runes midling
28
no Meeting to day Snow is going very fast Wat &
Ellen come home from Young to day
29
went to the Sugarbush & cleand out the Stove
trough & gathered about 20 pails of Sap & boiled it
down it is hard worked to gather the Snow is so
deep & Soft little rain to night
30
rain & Snow all day work about the house made an
axehandle& fixed some buckets
31
went to Lyn paid Wm Clow on hundred & three
dollors got a note of sixty four dollors with intrest
&endrsed thirty two dollors on the other note as
intrest Stoped all night at J Armstrong Billie drew
1200 of hay from Armstrong that is the last of the
hay he is to get on the trade
rain
rain &
snow
1869
{April}
April
1
Went to Brockville from Lyn with Norton Gardener in
the Cutter came home on the Express all well
2
drew 2 loads of wood from Armstrongs
64
3
4
Smow
worked in the Sugarbush atended an Agriculture
meating there is a fine run of sap to day put about
50 pails in the Stone trough besides what we boiled
down
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the evening
5
drew 2 loads of wood from Armstrongs then went to
the Council Meeting hard frost last night & to day
6
worked in the Sugarbush the Sap we put in the
trough all leaked out & lost there is a fine run to day
7
boiled all day in the bush fine day
8
Do Do Do
9
Do Do Billie went to a Bee of James Colhoons this
afternoon a little floury of Snow
10
hard frost last night. Cleaned up the wheat put 12
bushel in the east bin & in the center bin
11
no Meeting to day hard frost last night
12
worked in the Sugar bush the Sap runs midling
13
Do Do Sowed grassseed on the Rye
14
Billie got 1300 of hay from Charles Armstrong the
Revd Mr Bakie stoped here on his way to Europe he
65
brought us planes & spacafecation for the church
rain
15
worked in the S bush finishd Sowing grass Seed on
the Rye & wheat 8 bbs of the Rodon Clover Seed
with the Thimothy seed the wheat & Rye look well
16
drew dung to the trees for mulching
17
a little rain this morning worked in the Sugar bush
fine day
18
the Revd Mr Auld preached this forenoon in the
School house
19
heavy rain last night & this morning the boys worked
at Sheepard drawing Stumps I went with Wm
Armstrong to look at aline betwen him Filler
20
The Boys worked in the field at Sheepards drawing
and piling up stumps the front is nearly out I mended
the old harness heavy rain last night
21
Billie & Isabla went to Gananoque in the Buggy I fixed
the old harness
22
Billie began to plow & plowed at Sheapards there is a
little frost in the ground I fxed whipeltrees
1869
{April}
April
rain
66
23
Billie plowed at Sheapards I oiled the old harness &
fixed them so as to rig a second teem
24
Billie plowed at Shepards tinkard in the Smithshop
25
rain
no Meeting to day little rain
26
Billie plowed at Sheapards I got Grahms horse Shod &
Shoe Sett on dolle payed 50 cents for them drew 29
bushel of Pease to Thompsons storehouse they are
for the Agriculture Socitie they come from Ingarsol
they are the Crown peas & to be divided among the
members
27
Billie plowed at Sheapards I worked at drag it is to be
a 6 billed Squared one
28
began to Sow & Sowed 4 1/2 bushel of Barley & peas
west of the path to the well the ground is rather
damp Still it draged pretty fair Billie plowed at
Sheaperds
29
worked at a drag made some of the irons Billie
plowed at Sheapards
30
finished the ironing of the drag &Sharpened the teeth
in the forenoon Sowed 2 bushel of Black oats that I
got from Mr Ruben Giles of Smith Falls he Sent them
by rail there was a few Callico potatos Goderich
potatos & cuscoss I Sowed the oats in North field first
2 1/2 ridges in the center of the field then 2 bushel of
peas
1869
67
{May}
May
1
rain
2 rain
rain
Sowed 4 bushel of Black See wheat on
the West side of the North I likewise
Sowed thimothy & Rodon cloveseed on
where I Sowed the peas & Barley rain this
afternoon
heavy rain most of the day & night J
Robson & Mr Weed come here last night
3
rain & a little Snow mixed all day no work
done very cold the woods begin to look
red
4
Billie plowed at Sheapards I planted out
some appeltrees where there was dead
ones cold day
5
planted out some Mapele trees below
the house a little rain to day Billie plowd
drew rails at Shepards in the afternoon
6
drew 3 loads of dung to the garden in the
forenoon then drew rails at Sheapards in
the afternoon Billie plowed at Sheapards
7
drew 3 loads of bunks for Sheaperd in
the forenoon Sowed 3 bushel of wheat in
the North field the ground is rather wet
fine day the Revd Mr Austin come here
this afternoon
8
Sowed 4 bushel of peas in the North field
68
fine day the ground is rather better
9
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the
Schoolhouse this forenoon I went to
Reeds with him he preached there
10
Sowed 4 1/2 bushel of pease on
Sheepards place Billie drged we had J
Sheepards Beast
11
finishddrging the pease& Sowed 2 bushel
of Midgeproof wheat
12
Sowed 2 1/2 bushel of midge proof wheat
that is 4 1/2 of midgeproof on Sheepards
place I found 2 1/2 of it & the 4 1/2 of
peas
13
Sowed 5 bushel of oats on the Sheepard
place
rain 7 bushels of
oats on
Sheapards
14
Sowed 2 bushel of oats fine rain this
morning & last night that is 7 bushel of
oats on Sheepard he found all the oats
fine growing day the woods look green
woods look green
15
Sowed 4 bushel of wheat on Sheapards 2
bushel of it Sheepard found that he got
from Bruce McNiel it come from the Iland
it is in the midle of the pice that finished
this pice at Sheepards
4 1/2 bushel of
midgeproof
altogether on
Shepards
1869
69
May
May 16
rain & hail
rain
10 bushel
of otas in
that field
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the forenoon &
the Revd Mr Austin in the afternoon heavy rain
with a little hail Thomas Younges Barn & Sheds
was struck with lightning &Burned
17
rain this morning George Grahm got this horse
yesterday we here had it to work with doll Billie
drew sand for Bob Michel 1/2 day then he
plowed below the house Gordy & Me drew dung
to the garden a little rain
18
Billie plowed Gordy drew dung the cornground I
went to Mallorytown to shere a triel between
Rob Beatty & Jon Edgly Edgly made out that
Robs Colt killed his cow & got judgment against
him
19
Billie plowed with doll & Sheapards Colt in th
forenoon & plowed the garden in the afternoon I
made irons for a gate & dug in the garden
20
Sowed 1 1/2 bushel of Barley & peas South of the
North ditch & 3 bushel of oats below the house
Billie plowed fine day
21
Sowed the 3 ridges on the South side of the
North ditch with Alsike clover Seed Sowed 4
bushel of oats below the house Gordy draged
Billie went to a Bee of A Cornets in the Afternoon
I went &Sowed there was 9 teems
22
Sowed 3 bushel of peas & oats & the crownpeas
they are on east side of the field below the
house better than 1 1/2 ridg I bought Mr
Thompson Shove 18 got Mr Dcores 18 own 18 1b
70
planted @ bushel of potatos on the in all 54 of
them the Crown pea
23
rain
the Revd Mr Austin preached this forenoon Billie
took him to Reeds in the afternoon
24
Sowed better then 1 1/2 bushel of wheat North of
the midle ditch East line Billie plowed it on
Saturday & this forenoon we drew some dung to
the cornfield Billie plowed part of it White
astrilun {Australian} wheat next the fence
25
Sowed 1/4 lb white Bilgian {belgian} carrrots & 2
1/4 lb altringham {altrincham} carrot in the
garden Billie went to a bee of George Grahm the
ground is very dry
26
Billie plowed at Sheepards for potatos & wheat I
planted some potatos below the house
27
Sowed 2 3/4 bushel of wheat at Sheepards
Gordy draged Billie plowed
28
drew dung to the Corn field fine weather
29
plowed the Corn ground driseling the afternoon
30
Revd Mr Austin preachd this forenoon & Rev Mr
Auld preachd his fairwell Sermon at night
31
planted the Corn ( premium corn) is next the
fence the yellow then the white a row of punkins
between them put ashes on the hills the ground
71
in good order
1869
{June}
June
1
Washed the Sheep this morning I then went & helped
James Sheepard to move his Barn Garner Lee had the
job
2
the Boys planted part of the potatos on Sheepards
places I helped Sheepard at the Barn Billie went to J
Creas & got 3 bushel of potatos paid 40 cents per
bushel
3
Billie drew Stones for Mr McKindley I helped Sheepard
at his drawing got the Barn & Shed to there place to
night
rain
4
I Scalded &washd Sap buckets Billie went with Lees
runers to Coles near Younge Mills for Sheep we put the
Stove in the woodshed heavy rain to night
rain
5
heavy rain most of the day Rod Beatty & Rod
Armstrong came here last night went home this
morning with 3 pigs planted a few Thom Thumb peas
at the old house I got from Mrs. Skinner
6
the Revd Mr Austin preached this forenoon he come
here from Kingston last night Billie took him to Reeds
in the afternoon
72
7
drew Stones of the meadow in the forenoon Sheered
the Sheep in the afternoon A Cornet helped
8
a little rain last night & this morning Billie helped Geo
Grahm to draw Stones Tinkler Ad Armstrong come
here last night from Lyn he is going West fine day
9
Adam Armstrong went to Napinee with on the Express
Billie rolled the wheat oats & part of the peas in the
corner field fine day
rain
10
Billie Ellen & Jennet went to Younge intending to go to
Brockville rain this forenoon I attended a Meeting of
the Building Comittee the estimates was so high that
we did nothing yet
rain
11
rain this morning I took the Scraper apart it was broct
so that there had to be new Sides made
rain
12
planted some Calliflours &cablage plants rain most of
the day Billie come home to dayput the irons on the
scraper Billie was here with Isabla & Jennet snow to
day
13
the Revd Mr Austin preach in the schoolhouse this
morning
14
began to work on the roads A Cornet is Pathmaster we
had the teem on
1869
{June}
73
June
15
Worked on the roads Billie & me a little rain about 5
oclock a little rain most of the night
16
Billie drew stones in the forenoon he worked for
Sheepard on the roads in the afternoon got 75 cents
for it I finished our work this forenoon with Geordy
17
Billie plowed in the North feild where we intend to
summerfallow it is in the center west side I painted
the Buggy
18
Billie plowed warm day I fixed some irons for the
Buggy little rain grass growes well corn is dowing little
it is too cold for it
19
Billie finished the plowing the ground is very dry for all
the rain we have had. I fixed the Buggy & gave it
another coat of paint that is the Box & greers
rain
20
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the Schoolhouse
21
drew Stones of the midle field East line fine day
22
finished drawing the Stones this forenoon went throw
the corn with the Diel
23
worked at the corn potatos & carrots I went to
festival in the Drill Shed in favour of the Rev Mr Carrol
there was about one hundred people
24
we had a bee to draw Stones for the Church there
was 13 teems drawing & men to load got a good job
74
done fine day
25
hoed the Corn it is very Small but a good colour
26
I went with John Cook to see how the sheep & hogs
was doing that belong to the Agriculture society they
are all wright except the hog at Webs he is very poor
atended a meeting in the afternoon Wm Hazelwood &
Betsey came here on visit Bille went to Young
27
the Revd Mr _ preached in the morning he is the
New minister Mr Austin preached in the afternoon
Billie came home with Elen & Jennet
rain
28
fixed rods in the waggon box & worked at bunks a
little rain
29
Billie went to gananoque with 18 bushel of wheat to
Mill I went to Mr Darlins to See him about the Church
30
rain last night & this morning worked in the black
Smiths Shop I helped John Johnston to draw his Barn
Billie went to a School picknic at Johnstons
Schoolhouse
1869
{July}
July
1
Helped J Johnston to Move his barn & rise a Shed
Billie went throw the Potatos at Sheepards
75
2
Billie went to Mr Jacksons for Bunks he got none I put
some bunks togather warm day
3
Billie draged the Summerfallow I helped Henry Young
to rais his Shop
4
the Revd Mr Smart preached in the Schoolhouse in
the forenoon Billie took him to Reeds in the afternoon
5
I was at the council most of the day the Revd Mr
Davis the New Connection minister was here for
dinner
6
Billie drew 2 loads of flour for Mr Ennis we hoed in the
garden
7
I Began to Mow & Mowed about 3/4 of an acre at the
old house it is Clover & very heavy Billie went to the
Rock with Cris Young & got some Elem plank that was
there sinc winter
rain
8
Billie draged part of the Summer fallow & cultivatd
that that was plowed last fall rain last night & this
morning
rain
9
atended a School examination & picnic the Schollers
did well rain this morning
10
went to Gananoque with James Sheepard received
$10 from him for gravel that he got for the road I
bought a kip skin $1.50 iron 75 cents Billie went with
James Lattimer got a coat cut
76
11
rain
rain
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the afternoon
instead of Mr Austin he had just got back from hom
last evening
12
atended the celebration of the 12 in Sheepards
woods there was 7 lodges & a large number of
people the Revd MrFollock lectured & Mr Herburt
McDonald gave a speach
13
Billie helped Charles Armstrong at his hay (half a day)
we took in a load of clover that was last week very
bad hay weather went to the funeral of Thomas Greer
a very large funeral
14
Billie worked Armstrong I went to Lyn with Ellen
stoped at J Armstrong all night
15th
went to Wm Davis got dinner. tea at Hump Youngs at
Greenbush Stoped at John Youngs all night rain last
night
16
come to Granmams to day Stopted there all night
17
got home this afternoon Charles Armstrong is
mowing with his mower fine day a rain yesterday
1869
{July}
July
18
the Revd Mr Austin preached this morning in the
Schoolhouse
77
rain
19
Charles Armstrong finished the Northeast field & a
little at the old house
20
raked & drew in 5 loads of hay out of the North field
heavy rain this afternoon
21
rain most of the day Billie took a load of withs to the
river for Mr McDougal he got a bag of Salt at Mr Darlins
paid $1.25 c for it it is fine Bought a new Scyth $1.25s
22
Billie helped Charles Armstrong we worked at the hay
in the North field cut some of the clover
23
Billie helpd Armstrong at his hay we got all the out of
the north field took Doll to Austins & put her to his
horse Ad got home to day
24
Billie helped Armstrong at his hay we workd at the
clover it is hurt with the wet Ad went to gananoque
with the Buggy
25
Revd Mr Davis preachd in the forenoon &Revd Mr
Austin in the afternoon rain at night
rain
rain
rain
26
Charles Armstrong mowed in the midle field cost line
heavy rain this afternoon
27
Billie finished cuting the midle field with the mower
fine day
28
got in 7 loads of hay 6 out of the midle field & one off
78
Clover put the rest in Cock rain
29
very heavy rain last night a little to day ground very
wet cut a little clover in the afternoon
30
worked at the clover below the old house fine day
31
got the clover all in cock a heavy crop
1869
{August}
August
1
Revd Mr Austin preached in the Schoolhouse in the
forenoon
2
Stackd the clover & timoty below the old house had
140 cocks A Cornet helped Billie mowd in the
afternoon with Charles mower
3
cut part of the fallwheat it is an even crop there is
no wind but there is a little smut Charles Armstrong
cut the new meadow 6 acres with his mower
4
I made out the papers for lots No __in of the
Township of __before Robert Webster Eng &
worked at the hay in the new medow
5
workd Do Do Do
79
6
Stacked the new medow A Cornet helped with his
teem both teams was as busy all day as we could
bee fine day for work a very little Sprinkle of rain
about noon
7
helped Cornet to make a Stack Billie & me with our
teem fine day
8
went to the funeral of Joseph Turner he was
drounded at Gananoque & the Body was brought to
his Fathers Mr Joseph Turner there was over 200
waggons &buggys besides some on horseback he
he was buried by the Orngemen & then the Revd Mr
Smart preached it was the largest funeral it I ever
saw in Canada
9
Ad come home on Saterday night & him & me
mowed in the Orchard it is very heavy Billie worked
in the potatos at Sheepards
10
drew in the from the orchard toped off the Stock
with part of it put some in the Stable & 2 loads in
the barn fine day that finishd our haying except
some fences it is afine crop
11
drew in the fallwheat & cut some of the fall rye in
the afternoon there was a fine Sower about 9 oclock
12
the Boys worked at the rye & cut the Barley below
the corn it is a fine crop
13
Ad & Billie plowed & scraped the fundation of the
church I workd half the day in sand pit geting a
place uncovered for to get sand for the church
80
14
drew in the loose rye & the Barley in fine order very
warm day
1869
{August}
August
15
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the
Schoolhouse this forenoon a little rain John
Young come home from cristie he is up helping
Cristie
16
very heavy rain last night & this forenoon I got J
McMullin & Wm J Turner to draw sand for the
church we moved the fence from the horse
paster across to to the old house
17
began to cut the wheat in the north field it is a
fine crop
18
worked at wheat I went to the funeral of old Mrs
Cornet in the afternoon She was buried at
Robinsons the Revd Mr Follock preached there
was 45 waggons & buggys beside horsemen
19
worked at the wheat & drew in 3 loads of bound
Rye
20
finishd the wheat this forenoon & raked up the 2
bushel sowing of Black oats & drew them in Ad
& Billie helped Ben Young to thrash in the
afternoon I cut some of the Barley in the midle
field north end east line
rain
81
{illegible}
shoe X
21
22
rain
finished cuting the Barley Billie got some of the
horses Shoes fixed with P.M. Moore & made a
bargon with to Shoe by the year for 6 1/2 dollors
Ad helped T. Bradley to thrash I met the Rev Mr
Chambers at the Station & took him to Reeds
went to Reeds Schoolhouse & heard the Revd
Mr Chamber preach he had the Scacrement
there & preachd in our School house at night
23
raked & drew in the Barley Ad cut some of the
oats at Sheepards
24
the Boys worked at Sheepards I went to Mr
Darling with Mr Austin I laid out a road betwen 17
& 18 in the first concession got dinner at Mr
Keers & tea at Darling
25
the thrashers here last night Burns & Rape we
thrashed to day 19 bushel of Spring wheat 22 of
oats 63 of Peas & Barley
26
finished this morning the Rye 32 bushel fall
wheat 10 bushel drew in some of the Spring
wheat after cleaning the floor
27
finished drawing in the wheat the forenoon then
cut wheat at Sheapards Vize Heacock &Mrs
Stainin come hear to day fine weather
28
heavy rain to day no work except what I did in
the Barn
82
29
Revd Mr Austin preachd in the Shoolhouse this
afternoon
30
the Boys workd at Sheepards I ridled the peas
out of the Barley & drew in a load of oats
31
went to gananoque with 10 bushel of wheat &
some wool got two packs 4d per lb the Boys cut
the oats at home & hooked the Socities peas
1869 {The following entries from Sept 8 to 15 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{Sept}
Sept
5
1
cut the wheat in the midle field in the forenoon me &
Billie drew 5 loads of Sand for the Church then Ad &
Billie cut the oats at Sheepards fine day
2
drew in the oats below the house fine crop
3
drew in the wheat from the midle field & the peas &
oats below the house in the forenoon & the oats at
Sheepards in the afternoon hard work fine weather
4
cut wheat at Shepards & drew in some of the wheat
the Scotch wheat that was mixed with the midge
proof was all taken with the midge
the Revd Mr Smart preached in the Schoolhouse in the
afternoon & .Revd Mr Follock in the forenoon
83
6
the Boys finishd the cuting of the wheat at Sheapards I
went with Mr Thompson to Mr Armstrongs & got out 4
sills for the Church & drew them home
rain
7
alittle rain this morning I went with J Lattimer & Saw
his Wife sign a deed of her place in Gananoque to.S.
Sheapard Ad & Billie helped H Young to cut wheat in
thafternoon we fixed finces & drew 3 loads of Sand for
the Church
rain
8
rain most of the day nothing done
rain
9
Billie and Gordy went to Gananoque to the show of
wild beasts
10
Billie & Gordy drew 5 loads of dung to the North field
Ad went to Mallory town to the show
11
worked at the peas they are a good crop
12
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the forenoon in the
schoolhouse Billie took him to Reeds
13
Ad Ellen {illegible} Jennet Mr & Mrs Deen went to Delta
this morning I worked in the sand pit for the church Mr
Darlin sent 2 teems to draw Billie & Gordy finished
hooking our peas
14
got James McMillens horses & drew in four loads of
peas Humphrey Young helped Billie to draw in the
wheat at Sheepards
84
15
finished drawing in the peas at home with H McKees
horses & drew the remainder of the sills for the church
Mr Thompson helped
1869 {The following entries from Sep 16 to 20 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{September}
Sept
16
Worked at the peas at Sheepards fine
weather Ad & the Girels got home to night
about 11 oclock
17
worked at the peas I was up all night with Mr
McKinley he is sick
18
drew in 6 loads of peas at Sheepards
19
I paid Killie
tow dollors
for the
paper
the Revd Mr Smart preach this afternoon Mr
Davis in the morning
20
drew in 2 loads of peas at Sheepards that
finishes the harvest I worked at the church
got one dollar for it from McKee the Boys
drew dung to the north field in the afternoon
a little rain
21
I went to Brockville to the Cattle Show it was a
poor afair I came to Lyn stopt at J Armstrongs
took a Dear Skin to the tanery
22
got home on the express the Boys drew dung
85
23
Billie plowed for the fall wheat Spread dung
24
Sowed 1 bushel of Souls wheat that I brought
from Hamilton last fall it took the prise then
25 bushel of midgeproof wheat the ground in
fine order
25
Shoveled some of the furrows on the
fallwheat drew dung on the new meadow
midle field east line the Revd Mr Gordon
come here
26
heavy rain last night & all day no meeting Billie
took Mr Gordon to Reeds no person came
there
rain
27
drew dung to the meadow I helped A Cornet
to thrash at his mothers place fine day heavy
frost last night
28
I helped Cornet to thrash to day Ad & Geordy
drew dung
29
I thrashed some peas Ad drew gravel to the
Barnyard
30
I cleaned the peas had 7 bushel Ad drew Sand
to the Barnyard from the pit
1869 {The following entries from Oct 1 to 16 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{Oct}
86
Oct
1
Drew Sand for the Church Ad & A Cornet with there
teems & I loaded Billie has been working at the
Church atending the masons since last friday
rain
2
drew the corn out of the field & put it in the orchard
in the forenoon atended an agriculture meeting at
Austons in the afternoon heavy rain at night Billie got
$8 for working at the church 8 days
3
rain
the Revd Mr Smart preached in the schoolhouse in
the afternoon heavy rain last night & this forenoon
4
heavy rain this morning & all day no work
5
cut & drew some wood from Cornets I helped A
Cochran in the afternoon to draw some stones for the
church little rain this morning
6
made two hoops of band iron for the stove pipes in
the wall of the church Ad went to Young Jimmie &
Mary was here they went home to day
7
went to Gananoque show took first on fulled cloth
second on peas saw Prince Aurther & the governer
general & Lady they went down on board of the
Magnet
8
Geordy & me helped Benj Warren to thrash Billie went
to Young to see Willie before he went to Pembrock
9
Billie began to plow the stuble in the North field
Geordy & me began to dig potatos as Sheepards
87
10
little rain this morning no meeting to day
rain
11
Billie went to Gananoque for a load of lumber for the
church we dug potatos at Sheepards Ad went to Dr
Richmonds with Bisey for him to See her knee
{illegible}
rain
12
drew 105 bushel of sand for Grahm & Latimer 1/2 day
dug potatoes in the afternoon little rain
13
dug potatos in the forenoon pulled turnips & mangles
for the show & other fixings in the afternoon
14
we had our Agriculture Show in the Drill shed rain in
the afternoon it was the best we have had
15
heavy rain all day & last night the ground is very wet
the Hazelwoods & Philipses here all night
16
picked stones of the field east line below the new
land
rain
1869 {The following entries from Oct 17 to 21 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{October}
Oct
17
Revd Mr Davis preached in the schoolhouse
18
Picked stones of the midle field next the road in the
forenoon dug potatos in the afternoon Billie got the
88
Armstrongs plow
rain
19
Billie began to plow in the midle field we dug potatos
20
put the stove in house & dug potatos hard frost last
night
21
helped Thomas Shelds & Matthew Keer to draw
stones & sand for the Church Billie went with
Armstrongs plow to Willsons to get it fixed for the
Mach drew wood
22
finishddiging the potatos & killed a hog Billie plowed
23
heavy rain all day helped W. J. Turner to thrash In the
forenoon it rained so heavy that they quite
24
no Meeting to day
Snow
25
went to A plowing Match at Mr Webs Billie took the
Second prise in the Boys match there was about half
an inch of Snow this morning that is the first
Snow
26
drew a log for wood it Snowed most of the day it is
nearly six inches deep put the Cows in the Stable for
the first time Billie helped J. McMillen to thrash
Geordy helped Turner to thrash
Snow
27
Snowd & Stormed most of the day thrashd a little
28
cleaned 25 bushel of peas at Sheepards I got 12
Sheepard 11 & House 2 bushel he is thrashing them
89
on Shairs or even 10 1b bushel drew some wood Billie
helped McMillin to thrash
29
drew Some wood very Stormy day
30
loaded feed for the hogs & other fixing about the
house
31
the Revd Mr Follock preached in the schoolhouse
1869
{the rest of November 1869 is out of order and is transcribed a couple pages ahead} {The
following entries from Nov 10 to Nov 15 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{November}
Nov
1
Cleaned the fallwheat & fixed for to go to the
mill the Snow is nearly gone
2
Billie went to Mill to Garanoque with 5 bushel
of pollwheat & 9 1/2 of Spring & 6 of peas
oats & Rye for the horses fine day I pulled the
mangles
3
pulled five rows of the carrots a fine day Billie
drew some Sand & gravel for Jos Gilbert in
the forenoon plowed in the afternoon
4
I went to Marble Rock with Wm Clow to an
Auction Sale of Delongs & Emenes of lumber
90
Billie plowed fine day
5
David started a midle line for a fence a little
rain & cold day Billie plowed Geordy worked
with masons this week
6
Billie plowed I helped Mr Mitchels men at the
Church they began yesterday T Reed &
James Ladlow boarded hear B. Kinker
Stopted at the Station we got all the rafters &
canteliors up to day Billie drew gravel
{illegible}
7
no Meeting to day
8
drew in some of the carrots they were frosen
{some?} Stormed most of the day Robert
Beatty & John McDonald went home to day
they come on Saturday
9
I worked at the Church with Mitchels Men
David & Isabla went in the buggy to Delta
Billie went on horseback to bring the Buggy
back David is going to stop at Delta & keep
Bub colt
10
I worked at the church in the forenoon pulled
corn in the afternoon Billie came home this
afternoon
11
I worked at the church Billie went to a plowing
match at Pecks took the 3rd premium
91
finished
shingling the
church 5 1/2
days
12
I worked at the church Billie plowed
13
I worked at the church Do Do the ground is
rather hard frozen
14
{illegible} at the schoolhouse the Revd Mr
Cornet preached in the church
15
I fixed up the fences at the church &
gathered up the {illegible} & bits of boards
around the church hard frost Jennet at Young
{rest of entry illegible}
1869 {The following entries from Dec 11 to 16 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{Dec}
Dec
1
Billie & Geordy drew 5 loads of loom for Mr
Thompson Garden I fixed a little at the room in the
woodshed {illegible} & helped James Calhoun to fix
the ditch at the church the frost is nearly all out of
the ground
2
I helped Johnston to thrash cold day freezing hard
snow
3
Do Do Do very cold Day little snow
snow
4
finished thrashing at Johnstons little Snow
92
5
a little
rain at
night
no Meeting to Day cold day
6
fixed in the woodshd in the forenoon went to help A
Cornet to thrash in the afternoon did nothing
Henery Webster was not done till night
7
I helped A Cornet to thrash fine day
8
Do Do Do Do the Boys drew some wood Geordy has
been at School
9
helped A Cornet to put his oats Straw into the Barn
in the forenoon J Stacy come to thrash at
Sheepards at noon finishd Sheepard & Hendersons
part this afternoon I had J McMullin & David
Johnston
10
thrashed our wheat 42 bushel of wheat in all for out
Store 16 of midgeproof & 26 of Blacksee they brock
there bedpice & did nothing in the midle of the day
11
thrashed the oats we had 37 for our Shaire our
thrashing came to $243 cents {illegible} Sheepards
to settle with Store for it he is indue us very fine day
we helped Sheepard to put his straw in the Barn
ours was put in as we thrash
12
the Revd Mr Davis preached in the school house
heavy rain
13
put bottoms in some tubs & other tinkering about
the house
93
14
went to Gananoque with 12 bushel of Black see & 2
bushel of fall wheat & 2 bushel of Rye in the waggon
& heard the Revd Mr McClaren of Belville preach the
ordination Sermon of Mr Barns he was placed in
Gananoque in Mr Gordons place there 7 ministers
there there was a very large congregation
15
put new pins in the wood slaugh fine day rain at
night
16
Killed old Lillie cow she is good beef & one hog
heavy rain all day & night A Cornet helped
1869
{this page is out of order and needs to be moved back two pages}
{The following entries from Nov 16 to Nov 30 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
Nov
16
{Billie line strikethrough} I fixed plank for the
drain of the church & husked some corn
rain
17
heavy rain all day worked at the corn in the
woodshed
18
Billie drew gravel in the afternoon for John
Gilbert 90 bushel & got some wood
19
thrashed some of the socities peas &
husked corn David came home from Delta
this afternoon
94
rain
20
rain most of the day fixed a fram for a room
in the wood shed pulled some carrots put
them in the wood shed
21
21
the Revd Mr Green the Bible Agent came
here this morning Billie took him to Willsons
with the Buggy the roads is hard frosen no
meeting here
22
toped the carrots in the wood shed in the
forenoon Banked the church in the
afternoon B Warren W.J Turner J McMullin R
Johnston & James Cornet helped fine day
Billie helped Thomas Bradley to thrash the
Revd Mr Green held meetings in the
schoolhouse at 7 oclock
23
snowed about 6 inches last night Billie took
Mr Green in the slaugh to Escot Gordy
helped J Bradley to thrash I helped A Cornet
to kill two hogs we then killed 1 for us a little
rain
took a south
down ram to
Mr Browns &
got another
24
went to Gananoque with A Cornet took the
hog it weighed 275 lbs got 9 dollars per 100
got a barrel of salt 8s .25 lbs of {illegible} 5s
12d Sugar 6s tea 4.7 &Sundrys articles $8
let the Rams
out Billie took
2 Ewes to
{illegible}
Browns
25
thrashed the socties peas had 7 bushel
from 36 lbs they are the Crown pea
26
Billie drew 2 load of stones to F Dean I
thrashed some peas and oats oats in the
95
forenoon helped Dean to raise a shop
27
28
I helped John Johnston to thrash Billie drew
some dung to the carrots fine day
the Revd Mr Folock preached in the school
house snow this morning
snow
29
helped John Johnston to thrash Billie took 2
Ewes to George Pecks & look for a thrasher
rain
30
rain most of the day fixed a room in the
woodshed for the flour & meet Billie drew
loom to Mr Thompsons garden 3 loads he
gave us 100 old rails & some Bunks
1870 {this is January 1-17, 1870 - needs to be put ahead in order}
{January}
Jan
1
2
The Boy drew Some wood from Cornets wood
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the Schoolhouse
heavy rain last night & this morning & all day very
few out
3
heavy rain & wind last night Snow wind & drift very
Stormy all day very few at the Election it is so
Stormy
4
drew 2 loads of wood from Cornets in the forenoon
Billie took the Saw to J Cooks the Socities Bore is
there
96
5
drew 2 loads of wood from Cornets I began to
thresh the peas Billie went with Jams Sheepard to T.
Cornet
6
I thrashed peas the Boys choped in the wood shed
it is So Stormy that they could do nothing out
7
Boys drew 2 loads from Armstrongs I threshd peas
hard frost Clear & fine day
8
I thrashed pean in the forenoon went to the Station
very Stormy wind & Snow the boy drew 1 load of
wood
9
snow
the Revd Mr Johnston preached in the Schoolhouse
10
very Stormy wind & Snow & thrashed John Coslow
worked half the day with the Boys drew 2 loads of
wood
11
Billie drew a load of Bunks from Jacksons 75 sils
Gordy helped Thos Bradley to thrash I thrash peas
very fine day
snow
& rain
12
worke a little at some Sheepskins to tan them &
went to the School- Meeting Benj Warren was
Elected Trustee a very Stormy rain & Snow
snow
13
John Coslow thrashed peas I went to the Annul
meeting of the Agriculture Socity at Westons was
reelected President a very Stormy day wind & Snow
97
rain
14
very cold day billie & Coslow started to go to the
woods for wood they come back it was so cold that
they could not sand it I cobled in the house
15
rained all day we intended to Young choped in the
woodshed
16
no Meeting to day went to Young to Granmoms
17
heavy rain all day could not come home
1869 {out of order chronologically this is Dec 17-31, 1869}
{The following entries from Dec 17 to 20 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{December}
Dec
17
Billie helped B Younge to thrash I salted some of the
meat
18
Do Do Do finished the cuting & salting
19
no meeting to day no slaughing
20
Went to Robesons schoolhouse the Nomination there
was a good many people then & a poll demanded
21
put pins in the Slaugh fine Day Mr Darlin come here at
night & Stopted all night we intend to go &See what
we can get for the Church
98
rain
22
heavy rain this morning & all day nothing done Mr
Darlin went home after dinner he had a buggy
23
I fixed a little at the old trundle bed am bad the
Rheumatism in my Sholders
24
tinkered round the house went the Station & met the
Revd J Austin he is going to Spend his Christmas in the
neabourhood
25
David & Miss Heacock came from Delta very poor
Sloughing here
26
the Revd Mr Davis preached in the Schoolhouse in the
forenoon & the Revd Mr Austin in the afternoon
27
fixed the Cutter for David it is Wat old one put on a
Shoe & two braces behind I then took the receipt that
I got from J.E Keaton for $31 for the Road to the
Council
28
the Boys underbrushd in Cornets woods for wood
29
Billie & the girels went to a funeral of Miss Shipmon
She died in Belville was buired at Robersons the Revd
JP Baicke come here last night by the Express Billie
took dishes up to Reeds for a tea meeting that is to be
there Tomorrow
30
I did nothing Stopted with Mr Baikie Mr Austin & him
hear for dinner Billie took 8 in the Buggy up to the tea
meeting it was a fine one took $39 dollors in there was
6 ministers 4 Presbyterains & 2 Meathodist
99
31
the Boys worked in the woods poor slaughing
1870 {The following entries from Feb 11 to 18 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
Feb
1
Billie & Geordy drew 2 loads of railcuts from
Jacksons fine day
2
got the horses Shod in the forenoon went to a wood
bee of Bruce McNiels in the afternoon
3
went to a bee of Samuel Johnstons to draw Sawlogs
to Gananoque for Shingles
4
went to Elen Landons Funnerl Revd Mr Follock
preached there was 25 Sloughs & cutters
5
I went with John Johnstons to the funeral of Mrs
Tackabury Revd Mr Follock preached there was 39
Slaughs & cutters
6
the Revd Mr Davis preached in the Schoolhouse
7
Billie. Geordy & John Coslow got out 7 loads of
railcuts I went to Brockville Stopt all night
8
at J Halls got home about 8 oclock at night 8 the
Boys got out 8 loads
9
the Boys got 7 loads the boy brought one load home
100
at night the rest they left in Jacksons field
10
Do Do 8 Do
11
Do Do 7 Do
12
Billie & Geordy went to the woods themselves got
out 4 loads & brought 1 home I Paid John Coslow
Turner $2.50 for the 5 days that he helped the boys
in the woods
13
rain &
snow
no meeting to day fine day
14
Billie went to a wood bee of Benj Youngs very snowy
in afternoon wind & snow & a little thaw
15
rain most of the night so that yesterdays snow is
nearly gone Billie drew 2 loads of railcuts
16
we had a Bee to draw the Railcuts from Jacksons
there was J. Douglas H McKee J. Purvis S Laplante
Armstrong B. McNiel A Cornet J Johnston B Young R
Johnston Mr Horton F. Johnston C Young J Bradley 14
teams besides our own we got a fine job some snow
falling
17
{first of line illegible} James Armstrong Samuel
Johnston went for railcuts S Johnston brought 1 &
Charly & Billie brought 2 loads that finished all that
they had out
18
heavy rain last night & this morning & all day no work
101
done
1870 {out of chronological order}
{January}
Jan
18
came home to day from Young nothing but ice on
the Roads the field is all bare
19
John Coslow James Choped wood with Billie drew 5
loads I thrashed peas & had to quit with pain in my
arms
20
Billie drew 5 loads of wood Young Coslow Choped &
old Mr Coslow finishd thrashing the peas fine day
21
Billie drew 6 loads of wood Coslow choped I went to
Gananoque with Robert Johnston to the Anual
Meeting of the Riding AgricutureSocity fine day the
roads is bare in a great many places
22
Billie went to Gananoque with 12 bushel of wheat
Geordy & me cleaned 40 bushel of peas Rob Beatty
come up for Mary She come home with us from
Young
23
the Revd Mr Follock preachd in the Schoolhouse rain
last night & to day David come home to night
rain
24
cleaned the rest of the Peas had 62 bushelcleand
the midge proof wheat had 18 bushel fine day
102
rain &
snow
25
Billie & Geordy helped Charles Armstrong to thrash
Burns & Rape came to thrash they Sett the machin&
went home Snow last night hail & rain to day
26
began to thrast the wind is so high that they had to
quit Billie went to the funeral of Mr Horton at
Dulcimain Schoolhouse the Revd Mr Carrol preached
27
thrashed the Spring Wheat had 63 bushel & oats
had 140 bushel paid Rape & Burns $ nine dollors &
thirty cents that is in full for what they did now & in
August T. Bradley M. Young A. Cornet E. Warren J.
McMullen & D. Johnston fine day
28
made pins & ranes & a runner for the old Bob
Slaughes fine day
29
put a shoe on the Bobslaugh & other fixings on them
at the blacksmith shop Billie got 150 Stakes & 50
caps from Jacksons
30
no Meeting to Day Albert Hickock & his sister came
here
31
Billie & Geordy went to Jacksons & drew 2 loads of
railcuts fine day
1870 {The following entries from Feb 19 to 28 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{February}
103
Feb
19
Snowed last night about 4 inches & a little rain in the
forenoon in the afternoon the Boys cut some in the
shed
20
rain
the Revd Mr Follock preached in the forenoon & the
Revd Mr Gordon in the afternoon snowed in the
afternoon
21
cold day the Boys went to School I fixed the harness
22
storming most of the day snow & wind I went to the
station with Mr Gordon Satchel he called at
Thompsons the Express will not be up till 7 oclock
23
Storming still I worked at the harness wind & snow
24
cold day cobled a little
25
the Boys is all at
26
Billie took 3 loads of hay to Charles Armstrong that
we borrowed from last Sping fine day
snow
27
no Meeting to day
28
drew in the remainder of the Stack Snowed a little
most of the day
1870 {The following entries from Mar 1 to 16 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
104
{March}
March
1
Billie Ellen & David went to Gananoque {illegible}
Deans {illegible} fine day
2
fine day I am bad with the Rhuematism in my arm
I have done nothing for some time
3
fixed an iron wedge the boys at school
4
filed & sett a new crosscut saw for Charles
Armstrong fine day
5
Billie and Geordy drew 1 load of wood in the
forenoon then Billie went to bee of Hugh McKees
to draw rails from McCradies
6
snow
Revd Mr Davis preeched in the school house fine
day
7
snowed most of the day J.W Hough Esq came
here from Brockville he is going to Gananoque
staid all night
8
went to Gananoque with Mr Hough went & saw Dr
Davison & took dinner with him he is very poorly
9
went with Mr Hough to John Coacks to see the
Ayreshire Bull that he got from our Agriculture
Socitie
10
went to Gananoque with 6 bushel of Rye & 9 bags
of midge proof wheat got 3 bags ground & kept 6
105
bags to be cleaned for seed
13
snow
11
Mr Stark came here from Pitsburg fine day the
boys at school I can do nothing with my arms
12
the Boys drew 2 loads of wood from Armstrongs I
atended an Agriculture Meeting John Scott &
Aunt Jane came here & David & Isabla came from
Delta fine day
snow
no Meeting to day very stormy wind & snow
14
the roads is nearly blocked up the boys at school
15
John Scott & Aunt Jane went home Ellen went
with them the roads is very heavy
16
very stormy snow & drift very little travel on the
roads
1870 {The following entries from Mar 17 to 21 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
March
17
storming still snow & wind with terable drift
18
the roads is block up two thence teams turned out
& went along some soveling& more tramping
19
David & Billie went to Thomas Cornets to look at a
span of horses that he had we want to get a horse
106
Cornet is to bring them down of Monday
20
27
Revd Mr Follock preached in the schoolhouse
21
David went to Delta this morning & Cornet sent his
Son downe with the horses one is 5 and the other 4
years old in the spring, we kept them gave him siss
and $80 to give him 10 more in two months that is
at the rate of $190 for the span Billie took Miss
Sweet to W. Stettons this afternoon
22
rain & Snow & very warm the Snow in going turning
Cold this afternoon
23
cleaned 20 bushel of wheat intend to go to
Gananoque tomorrow frost last night &to day I have
gon to the Station every day sine Saturday
expecting Ellen home from Young She has not come
yet
24
went to Gananoque with 20 bushel of wheat for
flour Geordy went with me & I went to Mr. J.
Lindseys & laid out a road betwen lots No 7 & 8 in
the first consession of Leeds
25
fixed some of the buckets
26
Billie went to Young with 5 bushel of peas for Seed
to Rob John Robson went with him
no Meeting to day Snowed & blowed
107
28
fixed buckets the roads blocked up
29
took some of the buckets to the bush with the old
mare Billie come home from Young & brought 6
bushel of potatos from Rob
30
the Billie & Geordy taped all day the Snow is very
deep it is all most imposable to get along
31
taped more of the bush
1870 {The following entries from April 13 to 20 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
April
1
taped more of the bush very poor run
2
boiled sap in the Sugarbush got it all boiled in at dark
gave Sheapard his Shair in Surip
3
the Revd Mr Davis preached in the schoolhouse
4
went to marble rock with 10 bushel of oats got
oatmeal for it & 10 bushel of Barley got some dust for
the Cows Mr Dickson ows me 275 lb barley dust the
Revd Mr Bakie come here by the Express
5
the Boys went to School I fixed around the house
6
Billie went to Gananoque with Mr Baikie & brought
Isabla home from Dr Richmonds She was upon a visit
108
Geordy & me boiled in the bush
7
the Boys at School I am bad with my arms
8
Do Do
9
boiled Sap in the bush poor run Ad come home from
the woods
10
17
no Meeting to day fine I was most of with Smith Cow
She is very Sick
11
Wm Smiths Cow died this morning we opend her the
manyplies was as hard as a Stonee & gall was as large
as a quart cup
12
worked in the bush Ad. Ellen & Jennet went to
Brockville on the Mixed fine day Snow nearly gone
13
fixed irons for a whealbarrow fine day
14
Wat & Lizie came home from Toronto fixed irons for a
{illegible} and other things for the shop
15
Wat & Lizie went to Brockville on the Mixed fixed the
irons on the wheelbarrow
16
Billie drew stone for Mr Thompson
Revd Mr Follock preached in
109
rain
18
fixed the garden a little rain David went to Delta
19
Billie took the barrels to Weston that we had in the
sugarbush
20
Billie went to the 6th concession around the rear of
the township to tell the subcribers for Mr Colmons
trees that they were at the station divided the oats
for the Socitie each member got 8 lb
1870 {The following entries from April 21 to 25 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive} 1870
April
April
21
Billie went to tell the {illegible} for the trees to come
to the station worked in the garden Billie brought
wood {illegible}
22
planted out some elem trees along the fence
23
cleaned up the wheat had 39 bushel of Black sea & 12
that I got cleaned at Gananoque of the MigeProof
Billie plowed half the day for Mr Thompson our ground
is too wet to do anything with yet
24
no meeting to day heavy rain last night
25
planted 3 blackhart Cherry tree next the road below
the path that I got from Benjamin Young
110
26
planted 10 apple trees from Lyn Wat & Eliza came
home from Deta with the Express David came home
with the sulky
27
helped to mended the Boys tentes Billie drew dung
half the day for Mr Thompson
28
Billie began to plow & plowed in the north half of the
midle field west side it is rather wet yet I helped the
Boys with there tents
29
plowed in the north field part of the day. Wat & Ad left
with the morning Express for Toronto in theere way to
Musckoce
30
plowed in the north field Geordy has been working
with the Sowers at the Station the most of this week
1870 {The following entries from May 11 to 14 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
May
May
the woods
begin to
look Red
1
No Meeting to day in the Schoolhouse the
RevdMr Carrol preached in the Church
2
Billie plowed Geordy worked with the Sower
3
Began to Sowed & 4 bushel of Black oats on the
north half west Side of the midle field I went to
Robert Johnstons to Show him how to graft fine
111
day
10 bushel
of Black
oats
4
Sowed 4 bushel Black oats Billie plowed
5
Do 2 Do Do Do & 3 bushel of white
6
Sowed 3 bushel of the white oats on the South
end of the midle field got S Johnston Cultivator
& cultivated the fall plowing
7
I was Skining a Calf & run the knife into my arm &
cut a vain sent for Dr Elsworth it bled so fast I
could do nothing got A Cornet to Sow for the
Boys he Sowed 5 bushel of oats the Revd Mr
Austin came here this afternoon by the Express
8 the
woods
look green
13 bushel
of white
oats 28 in
all
the Revd Mr Austin preached this forenoon Billie
took him to the Reeds School- house in the
afternoon
9
A Cornet Sowed 5 bushel of oats Billie began to
plow in the North field we had S Johnston old
Maire half the day on Saturday & to day
10
fine Showr last night & this morning Sowed
about 1 bushel of peas in the South end of the
midle field Sowery most of the day
11
Sowed bushel of peas Billie finished plowing the
North field this forenoon Plowed in the field
112
south of the south ditch East line
15
12
Sowed {illegible} bushel of peas Billie plowed the
garden & ridged up for the corn
13
finished sowing the midle field
14
Sowed 6 bushel of Barley in the north field
the Revd preached in the afternoon in the
schoolhouse & the Revd Mr Carrol in the church
1870 {The following entries from April 16 to 24 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{April}
April
16
Sowed {illegible} Black see in the North
part of the {illegible} B McMullin {rest of
line illegible} sod & plowed the {rest of
entry illegible}
17
B{rest of entry illegible}
18
sowed 3 bushel of {rest of entry
illegible}
19
Sowed 3 pails of surprise oats and peas
&Coplands oats that I got of Mr {two
lines illegible} 7 oz {illegible} barley 4 oz
Porter oats 3 to {illegible} 5 to surprise
oats on sod south ditch east line Sowed
some carrot Beets and mangols south
113
garden
20
Began to sow at Sheepards sowed 1
bushel of midgeproof oats of our seed
wheat very dry weather
21
Sowed 2 1/2 bushel of Midgeproof on
Sheepard Billie finished plowing at
Sheepards I planted Erley Godrich
{illegible} & calico potatoes sowed 1/2
bushel Fitches below the house
22
{vertically in
margin} got a
heffer calf from
J.W. Hough a
present for Jenee
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the
schoolhouse this morning
23
Sowed 2 bushel of Midgeproof & brock
in some drew dung to the corn ground
Billie plowed it in very dry hard plowing
24
Gordy sowed 2 bushel of midgeproof on
Sheepards Billie went to Mathew Keer &
got 9 1/2 bushel of potatos
25
Sowed 1 bushel of Blacksee on
Sheepards that finished it roled &
draged the cornfield then roled & draged
marked out 8 rows with the plow &
drilled it with Corn for the Cows it is the
horse tooth corn
26
planted 1 bag of Fluke {potatoes} that Mr
Cholhun gaves 4 1/2 of Chilios {Garnet
Chili potatoes} in the corn field Billie &
Ellen started for Pembrook this
aforenoon Billie is going to learn to be a
114
carpenter with L. Nesmith
27
planted 2 bushel of the Seedlings on the
Sod old horse paster
28
washed the sheep the ground is very dry
got a heffer calf ( got a heffer calf from J
W Hough a present for Jennee)
29
the Revd Mr Austin preached this
afternoon
30
fixed fence for a horsepaster & got the
tiers Sat on 3 buggy wheals
31
finished laying up the paster fence this
forenoon very warm day no rain
1870 {The following entries from June 01 to 15 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{written vertically across entries 1-4}: Made an agreement with J.McDonald for a
selfrackingmowower& Reaper to give him a Lot 40$ in March 71 & 40$ in March in 72.
June
1
Began to split rails for a center fence in the North
field warm day
2
worked at the rails & fence
3
Do Do
115
4
5A
little
rain last
night
12
Do Do
the Revd Mr Austin preach this forenoon I went to
the funeral of Dr Richmond he died yesterday
morning about six oclock there was between fifty
& sixty teems he was buired in Cemetary in
Pittburg the Revd Mr Barnes had prayer
6
worked at the fence spliting & puting up
7
Do Do in the forenoon went to the Schoolhouse in
the afternoon to a Meeting of the building comittee
nothing done there none from the upper or Reeds
settelment there
8
John Thomas Split 211 rails I paid him one dollor
Geordy helped Mr Thompson to Sow wood at the
Machin I put up fence
9
finished the fence in the center of the north field
Geordy helped J. Bradley to Sow in the forenoon
10
began to roll the grain rolled in the north field a
little rain at noon
11
finished the north field & rolled in the midle field
next the road in the forenoon had a great storm of
wind & rain this afternoon upset part of the new
fence & along {line illegible}
the Revd Mr Follock preached in the forenoon and
the Revd Mr Carrol in the afternoon
116
13
fixed fence in forenoon Wat {illegible} with down
on railway David went to Toronto
14
went to Gananoque with 13 bushel of wheat got it
ground Isabla went to Mrs Richmond to see here
called for Isabla Mrs Richmond gave the Dr Boot
Jack as a keepsack of the Drs fine rain
15
hoed the potatos in the garden Gordy went to
Delta with a horse that David had here of Mr
Staffords Jennet went with him
1870 {The following entries from June 16 to 23 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
June
June
19
16
I fixed Elens warping bars I had to make up the
bottom slats & 1 uprite Ad came home this morning
from the woods
17
Geordy came home to day he brock the axel of the
buggy at McIntoshs& had to on horseback got Bobs
buggy he came home with I went through the corn
with cultivator
18
picked stones in the medow warm weather went to a
raising of a Barn of Samuel Johnstons Ad went to
Toronto on the Express
the Revd Mr Austin preached this morning in the
schoolhouse
117
20
I drew stones of the medow in the forenoon very
heavy rain with wind & hail in the afternoon
21
drew stones of the medow
22
Do Do Do
23
finished drawing the stones of the medows went
through the corn & potatos with deel
24
rolled in the midle field the grain is rather forward I
did not roll it all
25
rolled the wheat & oats South of the South ditch
where the horse paster was last year
26
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the School house this
afternoon little rain at night
rain
27
worked on the roads at the Station with the horses &
Scraper
28
Geordy went to Young with Mary & Ellen I went
through the corn & potatos with the cultivator in the
forenoon went to a raisin of J. Bradley in the
afternoon little rain this afternoon
29
worked on the roads at the Station drawing gravel
30
Geordy worked on the roads in the forenoon I went
through the potatos in the afternoon very heavy rain
118
at night
1870
July
1
Geordy worked at the carrots I was in bed all day I took
something last night
2
Geordy worked at the carrots I can do nothing yet
3
10
the Mr Austin preached in the schoolhouse
4
worked on the roads fine day
5
Do Do
6
I worked on the roads Geordy worked at the potatos
we did 7 days on the roads
7
drew 120 bushel of sand for J Gilbert Geordy worked at
the carrots & beets
8
worked at he potatos fine day
9
Do Do I went to the station & met the Revd Mr Simpson
Mr Austin exchanged with him as Mr Austin had to
atend the presbytry at Napanee he went up on tusday
the Revd Mr Simpson preached in the school house in
the morning I took him to Reeds in the afternoon fine
day very warm
119
Rain
11
worked at the potatos went to the station with Mr
Simpson in the afternoon & to Mr Darlings got 2 bags of
salt one paid $2 & other 1 a fine rain this afternoon
12
Geordy went to Gananoque to see the orng walk I was
sick in bed all day
13
went to the kid road along with the most of the people
at the station to hunt for two maen that killed a girel of
the penatentionary the were seen by Anson Landon
coming down the track this morning found there tracks
that was all
14
got a combind mower & reaper from James McDonald I
am to give him a lot & eighty dollars one half in March
first the other half in a year from that mowed in the
North field west side
15
finished cuting what was in that field it worked well
1870
{July}
July
16
17
rain
raked & drew in 2 loads of hay where I mowed on
thursday rain this afternoon Stoped raking
the Revd Mr Smart was expected to preach he did
not Come Mr Follock preached in the afternoon rain
last night
18
raked & drew in 2 loads of the corner field
120
rain
19
mowed for A Cornet brock the brock clearer got Moor
to fixe it paid 25c & cut some in the orchard
20
McDonald come & set up the reaper & we cut the fall
wheat more grass then wheat
21
mowed in the midle field fine day very warm
22
finished the field A Cornet helped to cock
23
raked & Cocked the field Cornet helped in the
afternoon a little rain last night
24
no meeting Mr Smart dispointed Mr Huston & is up
the presbytry the Revd Mr Austin preched
25
moed a Stack of the midle field A Cornet & his boy
helped he loaded I picked
26
mowed for A Cornet with the machin
27
mowed below the house the hay is good
28
Do Do Do & began the new field
29
A Cornet helped to cock in the afternoon 29 mowd in
the new land Cornet helped to cock
30
finishd the haying all but corners that is the cuting
Cornet helped to Cock & rake
121
31
the Revd Mr Austin preachd in th School housee in
the forenoon &Mr Folock in the afternoon
1870
{August}
August
1
Made a Stack of the hay below the house & the New
land east line 8 large loads A Cornet helped
rain
2
drew in 3 loads of the new land in the forenoon Cut
oats with the machin for A Cornet in the afternoon
would of finished if it had not raind
3
finished Cornets oats this forenoon went to Benj
Youngs cut Some wheat the machin did not work
Sent for McDonalds to come
4
McDonald come & fixed it. it works well
5
finishd his wheat & a peace of oats Geordy helped
Youngs half of the day yesterday & all day to day
6
a little rain this morning toped off a Stock this
forenoon went to Reeds Schoolhouse heard the
Revd Mr Smart preach was put in as on Elder along
with Alexand Cockeman
7
went Reeds Schoolhouse Mr Smart dispened the
Sacrement to 41 communicents he preached in our
School house at 6 oclock PM rain to night
rain
rain
8
Geordy drew Stones & Sand for Dean & 2 loads for
Wm Cornet I fixed some tinkering at the machin rain
122
this morning
rain
9
cut the Socities oats they are badly rusted cut
other oats rusted likewise all the oats in the Country
hear abouts is so cut some of the oats in the midle
field
10
cut oats in the midle field brock part of the real
fixed that then lost 3 nuts of the pitmon fixed that
got most of the Black oats cut
11
went to Gananoque to Dr Richmonds Sale bought a
faning mill paid $13.50 and $1 for 5 small Chains I
took up 5 bushel of wheat & some wool they are
fixing the dam got no grinding
12
got in one load of oats before it began to rain this
morning there was very little rain
13
finishing cuting the oats & got some of them in A
Cornet helped
14
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the Schoolhouse
15
cut the wheat & Barley & drew in the remainder of
the oats fine day the Girles helped
16
Geordy Mr Austin & the Girles went to Delta this
morning I raked some of the Barley
1870
{August}
August
123
17
very high wind yesterday & to day cut hay around
the fence
18
raked up the wheat & drew it in fine day very dry
19
got in the Barley & cut the wheat at the East line
20
got in the wheat at the East line & hooked some of
the Peas in the midle field Humpery Young helped
21
28
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the Schoolhouse
22
drew in 2 loads of peas they are very dry Cut the
migeproof wheat at the East line it is to the acre
very thin it ought to get at least 2 bushel
23
a little rain this morning went to Gananoque got the
roles & grist that I took on the 11th fine rain this
afternoon
24
hooked the remainder of the peas fine day
25
cut the Black See at Sheperds the midge proof is
green yet that is in the low ground
26
rain so that we could not get in the peas
27
hooked Some of the Crown peas
the Red Mr Austin preached in the Schoolhouse in
124
forenoon
rain
29
got in all the peas Humph Young helped Geordy
helped A Cornet to draw in
30
began to Cut the midgeprof at Sheaperds Hump
Young & A Cornet helped
31
rain last night hook some of the Crown peas in the
forenoon worked at the wheat in the afternoon
1870
{Sept}
Sept
1
Worked at the wheat drew in Some H
Young helped fine day
2
Cut all the wheat that was ripe
3
drew in Some of the wheat fine day
4
rain
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the
forenoon
5
drew in 1 load then it rained a little
6
Do in all that was cut at Shepards or
Cornets
125
Geordy cut the
wheat at Cornets
then Henery
Webster helped
him
7
went to Gananoque with 16 bushel of
wheat & atended an agriculture Meeting
8
went to Young to See Granmom Ellem
Lize & Isabla went with me
9
went to Brockville bought a side
Soleleather $3.30 got the Deerskin $1.75
that was loned a Keg of powder $4 got
the horses $1.25 Shod 2 1b Alske Clover
50 caststeel for 2 drills 51 fuse 37 1/2
10
Stopt at Granmoms got home to night
11
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the fore
noon & the Revd Mr Follock in the
afternoon
12
drew in the wheat at Cornets that
finished there fine day very dry
13
Sowed grassseed in the North field the
Seed that I Sowed in the Spring did not
come we draged it in the ground is very
dry
14
Robert Beatty Come up for Mary & little
Wats wife they come up with me on
Saturday thrashd Some oats & picked
Some Stones where it was
15
Geordy went to dung bee of W. J Turners
I thrashed & cleaned Some oats
126
16
heavy rain last night & this morning
Cleared up & we had a fine dung bee got
the most of the out put it on the North
field
17
drew out Some dung to the north So as
to finish the field I went to Gananoque
for Mr Gordon
18
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the
Schoolhouse
19
I began to dig a well below the house
Geordy drew Some Stones of the North
field
1870
Sept
20
Geordy picked Stones in the north field in the
forenoon went to Gananoque with Mr Geordon in the
afternoon I was trying the rock for the lowest place &
then wrote a letter to David Robb
21
went to John Johnstons to his well & then Christie
Young taking about the well Geordy {illegible} dug &
shoveled the clay for the {rest illegible} helped A
Cornet to thrash fine day
22
Finishd & they then went to J McMillins Geordy went
to Young to See little Wats wife before that She went
home to Pembrok
127
23
helpe J McMullin to thrash Geordy & the Girles got
home to night
24
Geordy helped Wm J Turner to thrash
25
the Revd Mr Smart preachd in the Schoolhouse
26
{next 3 dates appear blank}
27
28
29
went to Young with Ellen to See her Mother She is
very bad with diarrhae Stoped all night
30
went to Brockville got 500 of brick for the Church got
home at 10 oclock at night it rained on the most of the
way
1870
Oct
Oct
1
Atended an Agriculture Meeting at the Station
2
2
the Revd Mr Smart preached in the forenoon I took him
to the Reed Schoolhouse
3
plowed & Scraped a short ditch below the house in the
forenoon Geordy went to the Kitley fair with C Young
128
rain most of the day
4
rain most of the day no work done I went to Reeds with
Benj Brown to look at wood land & then to Gananoque
5
Scraped up some dung in the Barnyard
6
Geordy come home last night we Spread dung in the
north field fine day
7
I went to Brockville expecting to meet Mr Loren
Neismith from Almont he had not Come Stopt all night
Saw him this morning he gave me an account of my
Cousin David Robb in glasgow he was home & Saw him
in Glasgow got home
8
with the Express this afternoon I met the Revd Mr
Gordon at the Station he come home with me Geordy
helped B Young at the thrashinmachin
9
the Revd Mr Geordon preached this forenoon in the
Schoolhouse Geordy took him to Reeds he come home
with him again he went from here to Kingston I drew 2
loads of sand for J. Web & 2 for Mr Thompson & 1 for
the Church
10
I drew 1 load of Sand to the Church 2 for J Web & 2
loads of gravel & 1 of Sand for Wm Thompson Geordy
helped H Young to put on straw
11
Geordy drew loom & gravel for Parkers in the forenoon
rain this afternoon got 12 bushel of oats from A Cornet
129
12
went to Gananoque to the fair acted as Judgee on
Sheep Swine & poltry fine day
13
attendd our own fair at the Station took first on the Bull
Calf 3rd ram lamb & Carrots 2nd in Mangle
14
the Hazelwoods& Rob Beatty was up Granmom is no
better Geordy began to plow & plowed in the field
below the house Northeast part it is first plowing the
ground is rather dry
1870 {The following entries from Oct 15 to 18 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
Oct
15
16
Dug some potatos a little rain at 11 oclock& attended
an Agriculture meeting at the station went to Young to
see grandmam She is very bad Ellen hs not been home
sine I took her down she cannot leave
came home this afternoon there was no meeting here
to day there was no one went for Mr Gordon on
Saturday
17
Wm Cornet helped me to spread the dung in the north
field we finished it it got a fine coat Geordy drew 9
loads of gravel for Jos Gilbert & some wood
18
heavy rain & wind last night & this morning a great deal
of the fenceses is blown down no work done
19
put up the fence around the little field at the old house
so as to keep in the rams & lambs dug 16 bushel of the
Seedling potatos & 5 of Chilies Wm John Cornet
130
helped
20
rain this morning no potatos dug
21
dug potatos Wm Cornet helped me in the afternoon
we dug 30 bushel of Chilies they are very good
22
Finishd diging the potatos we dug 14 bushel Wm
Cornet helped half the day we have 60 bushel in all I
met the Revd Mr Gordon at the Station he is to preach
here tomoro fine day has been Geordy plowd
23
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the forenoon &Mr
Follock in the afternoon
24
Samuel Moorhead come here this morning & we
comenced to Blast a well a little north of the house in
the garden the rock is very hard it sand & flint
25
worked at the well rain in the afternoon Could not work
at it the rock very hard & hard to get out
26
worked at the well Geordy plowed fine day
27
worked at the well in the forenoon rain in the afternoon
John Young come here from Toronto I went to Escot
for for leather to give him got 1 of own bought on other
for $2 gave them to him & a dear Skin to make boots
for me
28
worked at the well the rock is a little softer
131
29
30
worked at the well got along well to day
the Revd Mr Gordon preached he come here on
wedensday night
31
worked at the well the rock is a great deal softer
Geordy pulled some of the carrots frost last night
1870
{Nov}
Nov
1
Worked at the well took out 50 pails this
afternoon Geordy went to a raisin of G Youngs
Adam came home from the woods this afternoon
2
worked at the well we took out 60 pail fulls this
morning worked till night the water comes in very
fast about a pailfull every 1 1/2 minutes we had to
Stop doing anything more at it this fall we were
only 7 1/2 days I paid S. Moorehead $7 1/2 we are
4 feet 9 inched in the rick Geordy & Besy at the
carrots
3
Geordy & me finished pulling the carrots in the
forenoon Ad took his Mother down to Granmom
She is no better I went to Gananoque to an
Agriculture Meeting Haig. Peck & me was appritd
to get an Ayrsishire Bull
4
Geordy plowed I cleaned out the well & went &
Seen J McMullen W J Turner S Finley & Sheells to
draw lumber from the Reck for the Church John
Robson & his Wife came here they are to go on
Monday
132
5
6
Geordy finished the plowing of the field or rather
part of the field East line South of the midle ditch
I went an Agriculture Meeting for to Station the
Rams we have 5 I get one J Purvis 1 N Colhoun 1
Wm Douglas 1 J Cook
the Revd Mr Follock preached in the afternoon
7
I went with J McMullin S Findley Wm J Turner J
Shields for lumber to Marble Rock for the Church
Geordy began to plow in the midle field west
side
rain
8
Geordy plowed in the midle field I covered the
carrots in the forenoon rain in the afternoon
rain
9
plowed in the forenoon rained in the afternoon I
fixed a handle sucker for the pump
10
drew Stones for the well & Stoned it up it is too
low
11
quired Stones for another row of Stones higher
Geordy plowd in & banked it up a little
12
drew the Stones that I quired for the well & put
them
Snowed a
little last
night
13
the Revd Mr Gordon preachd in the Schoolhouse
David got home from Nipagon this morning
133
14
fixed arond the well wheeled Some of the Stones
that come out of it into the lane
1870
{Nov}
Nov
15
James McDonald & A Cornet come to thrash at
Cornets we had what they called 30 bushel of wheat
16
finished thrashing Hendersons & put in the Straw
Wat Come home by the express the boys look well
17
Cleand out the well & fixed a little there was 4 feet of
water in it Wat & David went to Delta to day
18
Cleaned the wheat that was A Cornets had 16 bushel
of migeproof we took 11 of oats out of it there was 6
bushel of Black See as it come from the mashin that
we did not Clean 34
19
got some wood I Cut down the old oak tree at the
Corner of the orchard for Slaugh crooks it was a hard
job hard frost
20
the Revd Mr Gordon preach in the Schoolhouse this
forenoon & the Revd Mr Green the Bible Socitie
Agent from Montrail at night
21
Ad went to John Bradleys & got the Leister Ram put
him with the Sheep Geordy plowed this afternoon
frost is all out plastered Some of the Stable
134
Snow
22
I thrashed peas Geordy drew dung to the garden
23
Snowed & Stormed all day no work done
24
Ad went to Gananoque with 16 bushel of wheat we
cleaned up 7 bushel of peas got Some & other fixing
25
James McMullin & I cleaned out the insid of the
Church in the forenoon Geordy plasterd the Stable
the snow is going very fast
26
plasterd the Cow Stable & other fixing about Robie
Beatty brought Ellen home this afternoon her Mother
is no better
27
no Meeting to day the Snow & frost all gone
28
cleaned or picked Stones of between the Church &
the orchard with the teem in the forenoon Ad began
to plow in the afternoon Geordy & I Picked in the
afternoon with Mary
29
Ad plowed Geordy & me picked Stones with Mary
30
hard frost last night little work done
1870
{Dec}
Dec
1
Ad Choped wood in Armstrongs woods
Geordy got wood. J Thomas Split the rail
cuts in the forenoon I thrashd Some
135
peas fine day Henery Young Wm Cornet
& Humphery Young put the joist in the
Church
2
Ad plowed betwen the Church & the
orchard Geordy & me drew of Stones
fine day
3
Do Do Do Do
4
rain
snow
the Revd Mr Berts preached a Missonary
Sermon in the Schoolhouse
5
plowed & drew of Stones between the
Church & orchard & Killed the hogs
6
rain this morning & most of the forenoon
J Thomas finshed Spliting the rails he
Split 700 I paid him $3.50 cents that is
50 cents per hundred Geordy went to
Gananoque & got a Suite of Clothes cut
Ad plowed I Salted the Pork
7
Ad finished plowing between the orchard
& the Church I Cleaned out the furrows
& dug som ditches so as to let the water
off
8
Snowed about an inch last night & is Still
Snowing I thrashed Some oats Stormy
day kind of rain & Snow
9
Ad Choped wood at Armstrongs Geordy
drew it togather with the old maire I
136
Killed the geas & a Sheep Ellen went to
Mallorytowne on the mixed this morning
to go to her Mothers She expects Rob to
Meet her
10
11
drew Sand from the pit to bank the
house I received a letter from Wat with
the Mortgage that E. J. Sinkler held
against Me he paid it up
the Revd Mr Follock preached in the
Schoolhouse this morning
rain
12
Snow & rain all day we cleaned up the
Barn & granery we expect the thrashers
had 3 bushels of the Black See wheat
that was on the Shepard place
J Bradley A
Cornet J
Johnston J
McMullin J W
Turner H Young
helped to thrash
13
A Cornet came here last night with the
machin we thrashed the peas had 17
bushel & 22 of wheat 12 of barley the
track is very bad began the oats
14
finished the thrashing had 183 of oats
put in part of the Straw
15
finished puting in the Straw in the Barn A
Cornet & H Young helped
1870 {The following entries from Dec 16 to 23 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
137
Dec
16
Ad & Ellen & Isabla went to Brockville this morning
in the Buggy they took the butter with them hard
frost Geordy drew dung to cover the potatos
17
Geordy helped J Bradley to thrash I got some wood
& fixed the cattle snowed & blew in the afternoon
Ad & the girls got at night they got 19 cents per lb
for the butter all round butter has fell it was the high
prise {illegible}
18
no meeting to day
19
went to the nomination at Willsons schoolhouse
thre is 22 nominations 4 for Reeve 3 for D Reave the
rest for councillors the Boys drew wood from
Armstrongs
20
I examined the concession line between the 1 & 2
con in lots No 13,14,15,16,17 & 18 the Boys drew wood
rain this morning
21
Stormy this morning Ad ground his axe in the
forenoon & we cleaned up the pussegrass seed &
killed a 2 year old heffer for Beef
22
drew wood from Armstrongs
23
Do DoDoDo drew in the remainder of the stack of
hay put it over the horses in the forenoon went to
Delta for David & Wat & his Wife
24
Choped wood in the woods Ad got home to night
Lizie is not well So Wat & her did not come
138
25
the Revd Mr Ffollock preached in the Schoolhouse
at 7 oclock PM
snow
26
very Stormy day Billie come home yesterday with
Mary & little Willie
A little
snow
27
cleaned up four bags of fall wheat all that there was
Ad went to help James Cornet to get out timber for
a Barn he had all his Barns a Sheds burned
28
mended the harness cold day
29
Ad went to New Bourough with F Dean his Wife
David Billie & Isabla cold day Billie & Mary went
home to day
30
Geordy went to J Cornets raisin I atended to the
Cattle a little Snow
31
Stormy day rain & Snow cut iron in the Shed
Snow
1871
January
Jan
1
The Revd Mr Francis preached in the Schoolhouse in
the forenoon & at 6 oclock in the evening
snow
2
acted as Returning officer in the division of the
Township Stormy day
139
snow
3
a very stormy day wind & Snow with heavy drifts Ad
came home from Newbourrow with his visiters Lizie
came with him from Delta
4
no travel on the roads what is is through our fields
attended on the Cattle
5
Ad & Geordy helped B. Younge to thrash the road is
very bad
6
drew the rails out of the lane to make a fence across
the new field that we plowed this fall near the Church
7
Billie went to Delta with Elizie Watt did not come fine
day no travel on the roads here
For more information on William Beatty, check out the “Meet the Diarists” section
under “Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca
140
1867-1871
Transcribed by Rural Diary Archive volunteers
{modern cover page}
Beatty,
Walter
Journal
November 1867
to December 1870
1867 {The following entries from Nov 1 to Nov 5 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{November 16 - December 31st are transcribed on this page from typewritten transcription
stored at Upper Canada Village archives and further proofed with scans taken at Queens
university- there are no scans of these pages available on this site at this time for
verification/proofreading}
Nov
3
1
Billie drew stones for Mr {illegible} in the forenoon I
shoveled ditches went to a dung bee of B Youngs this
morning
2
Billie went to Gananoque for some wool & the fullcloath
got a coat cut I made a door for the horse stable &
other fixings
no meeting to day reain this afternoon
1
4
drew sand to the orchard & put it around the trees
where I took the mulching from and banked the house
with it I found a good many Borers in the trees there
was a very high wind last night & most of the day
5
Billie drew sand in the forenoon for Sam Sheapard he
helped Mr Cornet to kill hogs in the afternoon I went to
examine a place for a Bridge across the Wiltsy creek on
sixth concession of Lansdowne little rain
6
Billie plowed in the new land the ground is very dry I
thrashed some of the buckwheat in the morning I dug
the carrots in the garden very cold day hard frost last
night
7
Billie plowed in the forenoon drew sand to the orchard
& put it around the trees took away the mulching
8
drew more sand Thomas Scott came here last night he
plastered the cistren this morning drew wood in the
afternoon
9
I went to Young with Ellen & Jennie stoped at
GramMoms all night the roads is first rate little rain this
morning went to caintown heard the Revd Mr Burdon
preach
11
came home to day took dinner at Wm Hazelwoods
12
Billie went to Andrews for brick for George Grahm I
fixed a little around some of the trees in the orchard
13
Ad & Billie picked up some wood in Armstrongs wood in
the forenoon Billie plowed in the afternoon hard frost
2
last night I am very bad with stomack
14
Billie plowed in the new land Some showers of snow
this afternoon the ground is very dry
15
Billie helped Hump Young to draw stones for A well
from our place
{November 16 - December 5th are transcribed on this page from typewritten transcription
stored at Upper Canada Village archives - there are no scans of these pages available in
RDA at this time for verification/proofreading} 1867 November
16
17
Snowed about 2 inches last night & this
morning Billie drew some wood fluries of
snow to day
the Revd Mr Wallas preachd this forenoon in
the Schoolhouse Snow this afternoon
18
Billie took 4 Ewes to Mr McCrones to the
Sow Ram put 6 the Socities South down
Ram & 10 to our own lamb Billie went with
the Slaugh
19
cleaned up 13 bushel of Buckwheat the Boys
drew some wood I am very bad with my
Stomac
20
Snowd&blowed most of the day rain this
afternoon no work I have done nothing
Since I came from Young
21
Billie helped Ben Younge to thrash & Billie
helped A Cornet to thrash very foggy &
3
mistie
22
23
Billie helped James McMullin to thrash
mistie & warm the Snow is nearly gone the
Slaughing is gone
24
no Meeting to day fine day Roby Beatty
come here last night for Mary She has been
here since Ellen & I was down there they
went home to day
25
Billie helped J McMullin to thrash this
forenoon H. & J. Johnston thrashd for us in
the afternoon little rain to day
26
finishd thrashing ours this forenoon Cristie
& Humphery Young J Mcmullin We J Turner
B Warren & A Cornet helped the wheat &
oats turned out well to the Straw heavy rain
last night James Richardsom put the eve
trougs up on the North Side of the house 43
feet tronees & mpart paid him $4.30c or at
the rate of 10 cents per foot
27
Billie plowed finished the new field Ad cut
soms wood at timber he brock his ax
Cleand 6 bushel of wheat for the mill 4 of
buckwheat
28
went to Leeds & laid out a road in the 4
concession I did not get home till friday I
Stoped a the Tavern all night & had a great
deal of writing to do Ad went to mill with 6
4
Bushel of wheat . 3 of Buckwheat
December
acording Ryen
there will be
45 Stormes
this quarter
29
Billie plowd North of the old house in th
forenoon drew Sand for samuel Sheepard in
the afternoon heavy rain and all night
30
very hard frost last night the ground is
frosen no plowing very cold day
1
Went with the Revd Mr Green the Bible
agent to the McCrone Schoolhouse he
came here last night with the Express &
Stopt all night the roads is very rough &
hard frosin the waggon makes great noise
2
I went to the Station to the Council & took 4
affidavits for killing sheep with J Coak cold
day Billie drew some wood
3
Billie helped John Johnston to thrash very
windy so that they had to Stopt I mended
Shoes & boots
4
Billie helped J. Johnston to thrash he finishd
I abled
5
Billie & Ad drew some Stones for the
foundation of the old house I finished
cobling fine day wind very light & from
Southeast &South west at bedtime it was
north
{December 6 - December 21st are transcribed on this page from typewritten transcription
stored at Upper Canada Village archives - there are no scans of these pages available in
RDA at this time for verification/proofreading} 1867 December
5
Dec
6
began to take down the old house but it blowe so
hard that we had to Stop it Snowed and blowed
most of the day
snow
7
got the roof off the old house & all the long logs
down
8
snow
no Meeting to day very hard frost there is no
Slaughing little snow
9
laid the foundation for the old house & drew up all
the short logs & put them up it is south of the barn
for a Stable
snow
10
Killed the hogs very cold with high wind from the
north a little Snow
snow
11
raised the old house & got half the roof partly on
very cold day with a little Snow in the morning
12
fixed come Slates for the windows drew 2 loads of
wood from Armstrongs woods very poor Slaughing
13
the Boys went to McCrones for the Ewes that was
there at the Ram very cold day Salted the pork
14
drew wood from Armstrongs it has been very cold
weather this week as cold as any we had last winter
15
the Revd Mr Wallase preached in the Schoolhouse
6
16
fixed a wood rack for the Slaugh cold day Ad went to
Young with Bill Younge
17
Billie drew wood from Armstrons I cleaned out the
Barn & trashed some peas little Snow Ad come
home to night
18
drew 6 loads of Stones for J. Weston Ad & me
quarred them very cold hard frost it was a hard job
to get them
19
Ad & Billie cut some wood in Armstrongs woods I
thrashed some peas cold day
20
drew 4 loads of Stones for Weston Stormed most of
the day a little Snow then Sleet wind South
21
drew 4 loads of wood from Armstrong I fixed a chain
& Some timber in the Shop Snowd about 4 inches
after dark with wind
{December 22nd - December 31st are transcribed on this page from typewritten
transcription stored at Upper Canada Village archives - there are no scans of these pages
available in RDA at this time for verification/proofreading} 1867 December
22
no Meeting to day heavy rain & quite a thaw
Snow nearly all gone
23
very high wind last night Snow this morning fixed
the old house so as to get the rafters to come
togather it was out of Square
24
tharshed some peas then Ad & Billie choped
Some wood in Armstrongs woods
7
25
Rain & snow then rain so that there is no
slaughing
26
put new pins in the slaugh& others fixings
27
cleaned up 8 bushel of wheat & 8 bushel of
Buckwheat Isabla& William Curtis came from
Mallorytown on the cars last night they were at
Young in Chrismas day Rob brought then over to
Mallory town with the Slaugh there was no
Slaughing here the roads is entirely bare
28
Ad went to Gananoque with a grist of 8 bushel of
wheat & 6 bushel of Buckwheat with the waggon
29
16
stroms
this
month
the Revd Mr Auld preachd in the Schoolhouse
30
I made some spikes for to fix the caseing in the
old house hard frost went for the Dr Elsworth to
See Bessee She hurt her knee on christmas day
31
drew in the Stack put part of it over the horses &
the remainder in the Barn in the forenoon Billie
drew wood for J Weston in the afternoon with the
waggon
1867 {This page was transcribed from photos taken of the Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s
University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary pages are not legible on
the Rural Diary Archive}
1867
Dec
27
{illegible} sow took Boar J. Bradley Feb 15
8
1868
Jan
2
{illegible} sow &&
1870
Jan
4
sow to Cooks
{illegible}
April
3 went to Keaton offered him $25 as
compensation for the
7
{illegible} in a order with Bylaw No 231 $ 1
{illegible} 4
X
went to Tennents& Fergusons laid out a road
between the fifth & sixth concession of Leeds
from Lot 21 to letter A in Lansdowne 4
{illegible}
{illegible} at the {illegible} of Leeds1 50
24
opened the Keating road 1
21
received payment for the above
March
24
Laid out a Road between lots N 7 X 8 first con
Leeds 2.
Dec
20
examined alowance of road between 1 & 2 Con
{illegible} Lansdowne between lots No. 14, 14, 16,
1869
Jan
1870
9
17, & 18 1 50
1871
Jan
13
receive payment for the above
1868
Jan
1
snowed all day no work done snowing six or eight
inches deep Mrs Lafayette came here last night
2
I went to old Mr Pecks with Mis Lafayette with the
slaugh then put the Black colt in the harness he went
well fine day
3
drew 1 load of wood the horses sliped on the ice so
that they could not draw Blacker lost a shoe got one
on Ad Elen Jannet Wm Curtise &Mrs Austin went to
Young this afternoon intending to go to Brockville to
morrow fine day
4
very high wind this morning with snow & heavy drift
no work the roads is nearly full
5
no Meeting to day
6
went to the School house & voted for the old council
no stir went to Escot with J. Cook Mr Darlin is runing
against R.Fields Fields has cut off a good many of Mr
Darlins voters
7
Ad came home from Young to day they went to
Brockville yesterday I went to Mallorytown to meet
10
Rob Beatty he is bying the old place from Harvey
they had gone home came home at 10 oclock
12
8
finished the peas & went to the shool meeting John
Purves was put in Trustee Douglass to get 20 cords
of wood half hard & half soft at 6.11 per cord little
snow at night
9
clean the peas had 13 bushel measured in the basket
snowed about 2 inches last night heavy wind & drift
to day the wind was from the west this morning then
south then north Ad went to Delta yesterday came
home to day/
10
drew wood this forenoon Ad went to Gananoque
11
Do Do Do went to Young Elen went with him fine day
went the Agriculture meeting was elected President
again
snow
no meeting in the Schoolhouse the Revd Mr Carrol
preached in the church little snow this morning
13
drew some wood I killed 25 turkies we intend to go
to Kingston
1868 {this is February}
1
Billie got home from Brockville this morning I spooled &
quilled little snow with wind Ad came home
2
no Meeting to day little snow with heavy wind
11
3
stormy this morning a very cold I spool & quilled
4
Billie went to Marble Rock Mill with 3 bags of wheat 2 of
Rye & 2 of Buckwheat he went with Henery Young &
there teem Ad went away again Humphrey Young took
Doll to the Road to work with trip
5
Dr Richman his Wife & Miss Ferguson came here on a
visit a fine day
6
snow & wind most of the day I quilled
7
Do Do Do
8
fine day the roads very bad
9
snow & wind no Meeting to day the roads is blocked up
10
no stir to day yet
11
there has no tems been on the roads yet the drift was so
great that the roads is compleatly blocked up the boys is
going to school I am quilling the wind was in the south
then the North from that to East then west
12
Robert Beatty came here with a grist to go to Gananoque
Mill last night him & Billie went there to day very stormy
this morning fine day afterwards
13
Roby went home this morning very stormy with snow this
afternoon I quilled
12
14
snow this morning the Boys at school I quilled
15
storming this morning Billie got B.Youngs horses David,
Isabla Vestus Hicock & his sister came here this
afternoon. John Scott John Robinson & Jane Armstrong
came up with the Express
16
no meeting to day David & Hicock went home
17
very stormy day it snowed & stormed all day & drifted so
that there is no trains
18
the train is of the track at Robinsons, last night Express is
not here at 10 oclock fine day John Scott John Robinson
& Jane Armstrong went away on the Express at 8 oclock
P.M.
1868
{needs to be put back a page, to put in correct chronological order} {left margin is cut off started the dates and lines for each day}
Jan
14
Went to Mr Purvis in Pilsbury stopt there all night
{illegible}
15
went to Kingston with 23 Turkess got 2s.6c snowed a
good deal Miss Purves went with me stoped for tea at
Mr Starks got home about 11 oclock
16
Ad & Billie drew some wood snow in the afternoon
17
Ad went to A Bee of Mr Fullerton drawing wood from F
Ogradys I fixed an old harness for Ad little snow
13
18
19
Ad went to Young for a cutter & to see Luther Shipman
he is going to collect for him I went around the station
callouting Shool Bill paid my own it is $7.60 Billie drew
wood with doll & cristies youngs Maire little snow
no Meeting to day Ad came home
20
Ad went to L. Shipmans to get a cutter from Leader
Wm Curtise went home to day on the Express he as
been here since Christmas
21
Billie commenced to go to school I quilled fine day
22
I spooled & quilled Ad is gone on a collecting tour for L.
Shipman
23
Do Do A little snow
24
Do Do Do
25
we got horse from B Young & drew a small stack of hay
that Ad bought of Jas Gilbert we had 3 small loads of it
paid four dollars & fifty cent for it a little snow with
cold wind
26
stormy day we did not got to meeting
27
the Boys is going to school I spooled & quilled
28
Do Do
14
29
Do Do
30
Billie went to Brockville with Henery Young & Jas
Gilbert had doll & Youngs Nell I spooled & quilled
31
Do Do snow & wind
1868 {this is June, not January -- needs to be put in proper sequence}
June
19
Drew up the slepers from the old house in the
forenoon went a hoeing Bee of James McMullins in
the afternoon
20
Billie took the 2 year old colt to an Iland to paster to
give $2 for the season I went to Austins with the
stone & worked at the stable Revd Mr Gordon came
here to day & Revd Mr Baike went Gananoque
21
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the Schoolhouse I
took him to Reeds Schoolhouse & heard hime preach
Lester Landons funeral sermon the house was full
rain
22
drew 3 loads of stones for S Sheapard it rained then
rain
23
Do 4 Do Do Do Do Do rain
rain
24
Do 6 Do Do makeing 2 1/4 cords they wear stones
that Sheapard borrowed from Tricker I drew them for
Sheapard little rain
25
drew 200 bushel of sand for George Grahm I helped
Billie to load fine day
15
26
I went to A raisin of Wm Moors it was all day Wm
Hazelwoods young people hear this afternoon very
warm day David came home
27
Billie drew 2 loads of lime for George Grahm from
Croses I think 50 bushel
28
the Revd Mr Baikie preached in the Schoolhouse this
morning warm day
29
drew stones for the stable & plowed the potatos I put
in 2 sleepers & did other fixings at it
30
drew 5 loads of stones for A Fulerton in the forenoon I
helped I went to a raisin of John Sheapard Billie went
for A load of lime heard that there was none & did not
go all the way
19
fine day I intend to go to John Youngs with his son
Christopher here last night with B Youngs young
people went to Sam Youngs stopted there all night
20
got to John Youngs this afternoon the Roads is very
heavy had to get out of the slaugh& tramp the roads
they were drifted full {illegible}
21
little snow very cold
22
John Young went with me to Greenbush to see his
son Humphrey he was not at home very cold
1868
Feb
snow
16
23
no Meeting here to day
24
went to Greenbush got dinner at Humph very cold
day
25
John Young brought me home to day stopt at Sam
Youngs got dinner got home about 5 oclock all well
Ad was at home
Snow
26
& drew some wood with B. Youngs horse
Snow
26
I quilled little snow
Snow
27
Do Do Do the roads is very bad
28
made a shuttle & quilled
29
made another shuttle & quilled a little snow & drift
snow
14 storms this month
1868
March
1
No meeting to day clear & cold in the forenoon
very cloudy & black to the North & East
snow
2
very hig winds with snow & drift I quilled
snow 40
storms
last
quarter
3
I quilled the boys at school fine day with a little
snow
17
42
storms
this
quarter
4
Do Do Do Do
5
fine clear day wind south southwest Ad came
home
rain
6
rain all day wind same as yesterday
rain
7
rain most of the day there is quite a thaw
8
8
the Revd Mr Wallers preached in the
Schoolhouse the roads is all in a swim
9
fixed some buckets looks like suggar weather
10
Ad taped 30 trees it dose not run much ran the
wheat through the faning mill had 39 1/2 bushel
put 20 in the corner bin
11
went to Gananoque to the mill with 16 bushel of
wheat took 16 bushel to 41 lb of butter got 20
cents per lb bought 25 lb of oatmeal 5 cents per
lb 8s.9d for cotton yarn & 90 c for 5 gallons of oil
12
cleaned up 20 bushel of oats to take to Younge
to exchange for seed with Rob Armstrong it was
kind of sleet & rain
13
{this entry is blank, not faint}
rain
18
14
15
very bad with a cold went the station to a trial of
three persons by the name of Chelcies Robert
Webster James Pamerter Joseph Cook J P. was
there the were turn over to the Court of Queens
Bench Ad started to go to Young with the slaugh
got as far as the hill at Websters & came back
again the roads was to bad
No Meeting to day
rain
16
heavy rain all day the snow nearly gone
rain
17
sowed and bored some bunks & fixed the
boreing machin rain at night
1868
March
{illegible}
18
worked at the bunks very windy heavy rain last
night with hail this morning
19
hard frost this morning drew some dung to the
orchard I went to Mallerytown in the cars with
the Widow Austin & went with her to Thomas
Tennents came home on the Mixed at 10 oclock
Snow &
rain
20
snowed about 2 inches then rained & snowed
most of the day sawd bunks & drew dung to the
orchard went with the slaugh for bushel of coal
to Reeds for of coat to Reeds for A Fullerton
snow &
rain
21
worked at Bunks bored & made stakes snowed
& rained
19
22
began to
Plow
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the schoolhouse
& the Revd Mr Carrol in the church fine day
23
worked at Bunks & drew the rails that was in the
midle of the north field to the midle field hard
frost this morning boiled 12 pails of sap in the
Bush
24
worked at Bunke & drew the remainder of the
fence hard frost with a north wind all day very
cold
25
worked in the sugarbush fine day
26
worked at bunks is at school
27
drew some stones of the North field in the
forenoon got A Cornets plow in the north field it
plows fine I worked in the bush
28
worked in the shugarbush Ad plowed a little fine
day Elen & Jennet went Lyn on the cars
29
no meeting to day
30
worked in the sugar bush Ad plowed & began to
put up the midle fence in the midle field the
ground is drying very fast
31
made 2 whipeltrees& fixed the stove door Billie
plowed Ad went to Gananoque very warm day
1868
20
April
1
Began to sow & sowed 4 1/2 bushel of
oats North of the house & east of the
path from the rock to the old house the
ground is in fine order drags well
snow
2
sowed 2 bushel of scotch wheat that we
got of John Young East of the path
opposit the old Barnstead & 5 ridges of
the old Barnstead sowed timothy &
clover on it there was quite a snow storm
this afternoon
snowed in the
night about 1 inch
3
the Boys bored Bunks in the forenoon &
billie plowed in the afternoon I went to
see J.E. Keaton by orders of the Council
& to pay him what I thought right for a
piece of land for a Road on his place I
offered him $25 what I thought was right
4
went ot the Revd Mr Aulds with George
White to see a Deeds signed could do
nothing without another J.P. Billie plowed
in the afternoon snow all gone
5
snow {illegible but was Thomas
Darcy} Magee
was shot in
no Meeting to day Mr Wallace is sick
6
went with J Cook to Oliver Landons to
see his Wife sign a deed isued an
atachment against Martin Rape for Dr
Elsworth it was settled by payment Billie
went to Younge with oats for seed the
ground is hard frozen
7
went to the fifth & sixth concession &
layed out a Road stoped with Ben
Herbisons all night it snowed all day &
21
Otawa this
morning
part of the night Billie got home to day
8
came home to day the snow is about 4
inches deep fine morning snowed
&blowed in the afternoon
9
drew some wood from the sugarbush the
slaugh run well fine day
10
drew 2 loads of hay from Thomas
Bradleys 1200 cwt & 10 in the other
snowed & stormed most of the day
11
worked in the Bush the Boys cut some
wood in the sugarbush the snow nearly
gone rain and snow at dark with high
winds
12
no meeting to day very hard frost last
night & cold today
13
hard frost last night clear & cold drew 2
loads from the old house & then drew
stones of the north field drew all the
stones except of rige gravel that was not
put up
1868
April
14
Picked some stones of the orchard in the
forenoon plowed below the old house in the
afternoon hard frost this morning
22
rain
15
no frost this morning plowed in the 2 field
northeast part I boiled sap in the bush Ad
choped some Elem tops
rain
16
fine morning rained about 10 oclock & light
showrs most of the day bought a plow from
R.B.Webster he got 7 from Ogdenburg price
$10.50c plowed a little in North field
17
Ad plowed in North field Billie & me put up some
fence in the midle of the 2nd field
18
Ad plowed in North field we fixed bunk & put up
some fence
19
the Revd Mr Wallas preached in the
Schoolhouse & Revd Mr Carroll in the church in
the afternoon
20
Billie plowed in the north field I worked in the
garden
21
Do Do Do Ad left this for Guelph this morning by
the 3 oclock train Edward Young went with him
to Toronto I went to John Ivies with Mr Gillhadie
he heard that he had 300 bushel of potatos for
sale he had none fine day
22
Billie finished plowing the north field then he
plowed below the old house rain about 11 oclock
P.M.
23
the ground is covered with snow this morning &
snowed &blowed till 10 oclock wind N. East very
19
rain
23
cold storm
24
got 800 of hay from J.Bradley finished plowing
at the old house this forenoon plowed the
garden
25
commenced sowed 6 bushel of oats on the sod
North field East center cold day met the Revd
J.P.Baikie at the station he has come to preach
for us this summer
26
snow
Revd Mr Baikie preached in the schoolhouse in
the forenoon I took him to Reeds Schoolhouse in
the afternoon
27
sowed 4 bushel of oats in the North field
snowed in the afternoon
28
plowed in field below the house in the afternoon
the snow was better than 1 inch deep this
morning
the
woods
begin to
look red
29
finished the field this forenoon & draged 1 ridge
in the north field we then sowed 5 1/2 bushel of
peas & barley below the barn it draged very well
rain
30
sowed 2 1/2 bushel of wheat in the new land rain
in the afternoon
1868 I got 1/2 bushel of Thimothy seed from John Ivie price $1 dollar
May
1
plowed in the midle field North East part
24
2
3
sowed 3 bushel of wheat in the New
Land that makes 5 1/2 in all there sowed
grass seed on it sowed 1 1/2 bushel of
wheat below the old house
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the
schoolhouse in the forenoon & the Revd
Mr Baikie at 6 oclock& the Revd Mr
Carrol at 3 in the church
4
sowed 1 1/2 bushel of wheat below the
old house that made 3 in all there warm
day sowed 4 1/2 bushel of peas in the
North field
rain the woods
begin to look
green
5
rain this morning Billie went to
Mallorytown got one Bushel Midgeproof
wheat that David paid 3 dollars for it
came from Peterborough he brought a
load from Escott for Mr Hueston he is
going West
{illegible} bushel
peas
6
plowed North of the house the ground in
good order
7
sowed 4 1/2 bushel of peas in the north
field that makes 9 bushel of peas in all
frost last night very cast day
8
plowed the headridges in the north field
& sowed 1 bushel of oats on them that
makes 11 bushel of oats on that field got
500 of hay from J.Bradley this afternoon
9
finished plowing North of the house &
sowed 5 1/2 bushel of oats North of the
23 bushel of oats
25
in all
house ground very dry
rain
10
rain the trees is
got quite green
with the rain &
heat {illegible}
seemed stand still
last week
rain
Revd Mr Baikie preached in the
schoolhouse little rain
11
sowed 2 1/2 bushel of oats below the rye
or between the rye & ditch & a pailfull of
flax seed heavy white frost very cold for
the season
12
plowed in the midle field North of the
rye & draged below the house for the
corn & draged the garden planted the
East & south ridge with sweet corn &
the ridge next the house with carrots
cold at night warm day
13
planted corn north 3/4 of an acre of the
house Billie finished the plowing in the
midle field that finishes our plowing for
the spring sowed nearly 1 bushel of
Midgeproof wheat on the 3 ridges south
of the North ditch center field a fine rain
at 6 P.M.
14
Billie helped J Bradly I planted 2 bushel
of peach blows {variety of potato}
15
Do Do Do Do 1 1/2 bushel all below the
Barn fine rain this evening
1868
{May}
26
May
16
rain
17
Billie helped T. Bradley with the team I fixed the grapes
& treer they look well the Sand that we put around
them last fall has killed the clay fine growing day little
rain to night Sowd 3 drills of turnip by the old shop in
the garden
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the morning & the Revd
Mr Gordon in the afternoon in the School house very
heavy rain in th afternoon
rain
18
rain most of the day the Revd Mr Gordon was hear all
night he went to Mr Thompsons for dinner
19
mowed the garden fence East 3 rods & plowed it the
ground is so wet north of the house that we cannot
plow East of the path Billie got 500 of hay from T
Bradley
20
drew 5 loads of Stones & 30 bushel of Sand for F Dean
H McKeye helped in the forenoon drew Stones of the
orchard in the afternoon I laid a floor in the wood shed
rain
21
Billie helped J Jonston to drag he only worked a little
while very heavy rain most of the day the ground is
begining to flood
rain
22
rain today workd at the Bunks
23
atended the council tried 2 cases of Sheepkilling Wm
Douglass & R McNiel
27
24
the Revd Mr Baikee preachd in the Schoolhous
25
fixed a floor in the cookhouse or rather the woodshed
little rain to day
26
took stove into the woodshed fine day
27
washed the Sheep & fixed some of the fence midle of
the midle field
28
went to Gananoque to mill took 11 1/2 bushel of wheat
bought fifty 1b of oatmeal & 50 of indian meal
received $7 for Sheep casess from the Treasur
29
Sowed 3 bushel of wheat 1/2 bushel Buck wheat the
ground is in good order
30
finishd the fence midle of the midle field atended the
Council & tred A Cornets Sheepkilling with J. Cook
31
the Revd MrBeakie preachd & the Revd Mr Wallace
1868 {have included a table that was from a scan many pages back for June 19-30}
{June}
June
1
Sheared the Sheep A Cornnet helpd a little rain but
nothind to hurt
28
2
Bille helped J Johnston with the teem plantd 5 1/2
bushel of potatos below the house the ground is in
very good order
3
Billie helped C Young with the teem finished the
potatos
4
went to funeral of Mary Greer daughter of Tho Greer
the Revd Mr Carrol preach there was 36 teems it was
a very large funeral the wind is South & Southeast fine
day
5
the Boyes helped A Cornet to planted potatos
6
drew stones to the Stable the Revd Mr Gordon came
here from Gananoque fine shower to night
7
the Mr Gordon preachd in the School house
8
began to work on the Roads at Johnstons corner
9
worked Do Do
10
Do Do Do
11
we got $10 from the Councl to put on the Roads
12
workd on the Roads
13
worked half the day on the Roads that finished the
work Sowed better then a bushel of Buckwheat the
29
ground is very dry fine weather
14
the Revd Mr Baikee preached in the School house in
the forenoon afternoon
15
fine Shower last night & this morning drew Stones of
the medow North field
16
tried scraped a celler for A Fulerton took off the first
Sod but could do no more it is a puttie clay & the
Scraper would not work went through the corn with
the cultivator
17
went with Revd Mr Baikie to Mr Keers & Mr Darling very
warm day the Boys workd at the Corn
18
finishd the corn & drew stones to the Stable & under
pined it
1868 {this is June, the scan is not in proper sequence}
June
21
19
Drew up the slepers from the old house in the
forenoon went a hoeing Bee of James McMullins in
the afternoon
20
Billie took the 2 year old colt to an Iland to paster to
give $2 for the season I went to Austins with the
stone & worked at the stable Revd Mr Gordon came
here to day&Revd Mr Baike went Gananoque
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the schoolhouse I
took him to Reeds Schoolhouse & heard hime preach
Lester Landons funeral sermon the house was full
30
rain
22
drew 3 loads of stones for S Sheapard it rained then
rain
23
Do 4 Do Do Do Do Do rain
rain
24
Do 6 Do Do makeing 2 1/4 cords they wear stones
that Sheapard borrowed from Tricker I drew them for
Sheapard little rain
25
drew 200 bushel of sand for George Grahm I helped
Billie to load fine day
26
I went to A raisin of Wm Moors it was all day Wm
Hazelwoods young people hear this afternoon very
warm day David came home
27
Billie drew 2 loads of lime for George Grahm from
Croses I think 50 bushel
28
the Revd Mr Baikie preached in the schoolhouse this
morning warm day
29
drew stones for the stable & plowed the potatos I put
in 2 sleepers & did other fixings at it
30
drew 5 loads of stones for A Fulerton in the forenoon I
helped I went to a raisin of John Sheapard Billie went
for A load of lime heart that there was none & did not
go all the way
1868
{The following entries from July 10 to 15 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
31
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
July
1
David, Billie Elen & Jennet went to Mr Darlins to
go on the Boat to Brockville George went
fishing with them to the river I sorted the wool
& other choring about the house
hoed part of
the
potatoes
2
mowed a little front of the house the grass is
driing up very fast the boys & girls did not get
home till day light this morning very warm
weather hoed part of the potatos
3
Billie drew a load of lime for A Fullerton Dave &
me Blated & quaried some Stores
4
Billie got the horses Shod I intended to go to
Young this afternoon went to Younge took tea
at Wm Hazalwoods then went Granmoms
stopted all night there
5
rain
went Caintown & heard a free curch Minister
6
came home from Granmoms this forenoon
mowed some in the orchard
7
drew Stones for A Fullertor seller little rain to
day
8
drew 150 bushel of Sand for A Fullerton celler
little rain
32
9
drew Stones for A Fullerton
10
drawing loads of hay from the orchard put it in
the granary mow Billie helped J McMullin to
load hay
11
drew in hay from the orchard I atended it
volunteer super{supper} that was given to
them by the Municipal council
12
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the shool house
the Revd Mr Carrol preached to the Orngmen
in the church in the afternoon
13
preached in the morning Mowed the orchard
Mr Bilton was hear this afternoon on a visit
14
finished mowing the orchard & mowed some
in the 2 feilds it is very poorly seeded
15
drew in 4 loads of hay of the orchard that
makes 7 loads in all put in the granery mow
16
James McMillin mowed with his mower in the
North feild& mowed round the fences Billie
worked for him
1868 {The following entries from July 17 to 31 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
33
July
17
finished mowing the North field with J McMullin Billie
raked with the horserake
18
drew in hay put 2 loads in the new stable 1 in the old
stable & 2 in the Barn little rain to night
19
26
the Revd Mr Baikee preached this forenoon
20
drew in loads of hay put 1 load in the new stable & 1 in
the old I cut all in the 2nd field
21
I mowed round the new land two swaths
22
went to Gananoque with Wat Wife she is going Mitchel
she went on the steem Boat to Hamilton I got 100 of
flour $4. 58 lb of oatmeal James McMullin mowed part
of the new land
23
drew in 6 loads & put it in a stack I finished the
mowing all but some of the fences
24
finished the toping of the stack & cut some of the Rye
it rather green heavy rain this afternoon
25
cut some of the Rye Billie went to Young with David he
was going to Delta he got a telagram from Wat to be in
Toronto by tusday he has got goverment Job of
surveying
the Revd Mr Bakee preached in the schoolhouse
34
27
cradled the oats East of the path below the house
Billie drew 3 loads of sand 45 bushel time 75c then
drew in R Ennises hay it is very smokey & the sun is
like a ball of fire
28
cut some of the Rye Vestus Hiccock brought David &
Isabla & his sister David is going to Toronto to meet
Wat he has got a goverment job of surveying he left by
the 3 oclock train
29
I worked at the Rye a few drops of rain
rain
30
worked at the Rye in the forenoon drew in the oats
they are in fine order
rain
31
finished the Rye & cut some of the Scotch wheat a
little rain his afternoon
{The following entries from Aug 1 to 3 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{August}
August
rain
1
2
Rain this forenoon cut some wheat in the
afternoon Billie went Gananoque for Isabla
the Revd Mr Bakie preached in the schoolhouse
3
drew in the Rye & cut the rest of the Scotch wheat
dry weather
4
began to cut the Black See wheat at the old house
35
it is a fair crop
5
workd at the wheat fine day
6
cut some of the wheat on the new land
7
rain to day I thrashed some of the Scotch
8
more rain to day thrashed a little more wheat I am
not able to much I over did myself cradling the Rye
Billie cut the Barley
9
the Revd Mr Bakee Preachd in the School house
this afternoon
10
drew in wheat to day I mowed some of it drew it in
the same time
11
cut the oats west of the Path to the well Humph
Young helpd a little rain
12
drew in the oats west of the path this afternoon
cut some of the in the north field
13
workd at the oats in the north field a very poor
crop
14
Finishd cuting the oats & got them all in the Barn
they are very short
36
15
16
Billie helped Charley Armstrong to cut oats I
thrashd some wheat
the Revd Mr Bakie preached
17
thrashed some wheat & cleaned it had 7 bushel
from 160 sheaves good wheat
18
went to Gananoque to the mill with 7 bushel of
wheat fine day
19
Billie drew 3 loads of sand 1 of stone for for John
Weston $2
1868
August
August
20
little rain last night began to hook the peas they
wear to wet us had McMullins pea harvestor &
Samuel Johnstons they work well Billie cut some of
the wheat then we drew Stones for Fullerton
21
workd at the peas fine day J Coslow help
22
Do Do for Cristie Young
23
Revd Mr Kear preachd for Mr Bakie
24
finishd the peas & cuting the wheat
37
25
drew in the wheat & drew some Stones for Fullerton
26
went to Gananoque for my grist Billie drew stones
for the underpining of Thompsons Shed they are for
H McKee he has the Job
27
Charles Roth thrashd 25 bushe of Barly & Peas 42
of wheat 58 of Rye
28
cleaned up the floor & drew in the peas a few drops
of rain the afternoon
29
I went to Gananoque with J McMullin & got the grey
yarn & got Dr McCrum to look at Beses knee he
gave me some powers for her tinter {tincture} of
Iodine to rub on it paid 3.9 pence for it. Billie drew 4
loads of Stones for Fullertons celler& 2 loads of
Sand for H McKee to Thompson
30
the Revd Mr Keer preachd for Mr Bakie
31
drew stones for Fullertons celler that finished it
heavy rain to night
1868
{The following entries from Sept 1 to 12 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{Sept}
Sept
1
Drew dung to the midle field East line I worked at
the truck waggon at the Blasmith shop
38
wind
south
south
East
2
worked at the truck waggon Billie drew dung
3
drew 4 loads of stone for Joseph Bradley the
wind south & south East fine day
4
drew 4 loads of Stones to Bradley that makes 11
loads for Bradley or 2 cords then we drew 3 loads
in the afternoon to Mitchel celler
5
drew Stones for Mitchel Celler
6
first rain
in this
quarter
the Revd Mr Bakie preached & the Revd Mr Auld
7
drew 1 load band for Westin & 120 bushel for
Mitchel
8
helped Ben Warren to thrash Billie went to
Gananoque with 12 Bushel of Barley & peas got
them ground for feed got home at noon then he
come to help to thrash & I went to Brockville to
atend the Court Elen went to See her Mother
walked from Mallory town heavy rain to night that
is the first rain
9
Billie & Geordy helped Warren to thrash I came
home to night on the mixed heavy rain the
morning & most of the day
10
Drew stone for Michels celler I went to a meeting
at the schoolhouse for the purpose of trying to
build a church at the station I offered to give a lot
& stones & sand & there was over 400$
39
subscribed for it Wm Clow & his Wife came hear
on a visit
rain
11
drew stone for Mitchels cutter sleigh McKay
helped Wm Clow & Wife went home this
afternoon
12
Billie drew stones I went to Gananoque for the
fullcloath got a coat cut took the Revd Baikie up &
brought the Revd Mr Gorden down with me had A
Cornets horse a little little rain this afternoon
1868 {The following entries from Sept 13 to 15 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{Sept}
Sept
13
Revd Mr Gorden preached in the schoolhouse this
forenoon Billie took him Reeds in the afternoon
brought him back again
14
drew dung to the midle field fine day
15
Do Do Do Do Do
16
drew stones for Joseph Badley fine day
17
drew Stones for Robrt Mitchel Heugh Mckee helped to
quorrie
18
began to Plow in the midle field for wheat I cut some
of the Buckwhat helped J McMullen to thrash
40
19
20
I helped James McMullen to thrash Bille plowed
the Revd Mr Beakie went to preachd but it was so wet
that no person came to the Schooll house it faird up
about 2 oclock & he went to Reeds
21
Billie & George went with Mr Cornet to his Fathers to
thrash I went to Hamilton to the Provincial Exhibition
to purchase Sheep & a hog for our Socitie got 2
bushel of Midgeproof wheat at the Station that Adam
Sent from Howick
22
Billie got John Johnston to Sow the wheat
23
heavy rain to day
24
drew Stones for Robrt Mitchel
25
raind all day
26
drew 3 loads of Sand for Mitchel & 2 loads of flour for
Robert Ennes 3000 I got home about 12 oclock at
night from Hamilton & brought home with me 1 hog
$28.1 leisester $25 1 year old 1 Cotswoold $40. 1 year
old lieseister lamb $30 Sowed 2 bushel of rye
27
went to Reeds heard the Revd Mr Willson of Kingston
preach & he had the Sacrement
28
thrashd some of the Buckwheat Billie plowd Adam
Turner Died I helped to lay him out
41
29
Charles Armstrong came & got our thrashing machin
Billie made a traid with him for a buggy & harness
Billie plowd in the afternoon
30
drew 2 loads of Sand 30 bushel line 35 in all 75 went
to the funeral of Adam Turner the Rev Mr Smart
preachd there was 42 buggy & waggons at it he was
buried at Robinsons Billie helped to Bradly to thrash
1868
{October}
October
1
I Helped T Bradley to thrash Billie Plowed
2
Do DoDo Billie finishd plowing for the Rye I Sowd it
2 1/2 bushel & that I helpd T Bradley
3
to thresh in the forenoon I then Sowd 1/2 bushel of
Rye that 6 1/2 bushel I went to an Agriculture
meting
4
the Revd Mr Smart preachd at the Schoolhouse in
the afternoon he was here all night I went to Reeds
with him
5
Billie went to Gananoque with 4 bushel of Peas 2
Barly & 8 bushel of Scotch wheat to the mill I
shoveled the wheat & Rye & attend a meeting to
Build a church
6
cleaned 2 bushel of Rye & 2 bushel of Scotch
wheat for the Show 9 bushel of BlackSee for the
Mill Billie plowd north of the Rye in the midle field
42
East line
rain
7
went to the Faire at Gananoque & Stoped to an
Musical intertainment for the benifit of Sabeth
School got home at 2 oclock
8
atended at the Station there was a little rain this
morning but it turned out a good day afterwords
Hazelwoods & the two Robs was here Rob Beatty
& Rob Armstrong Jenney Robson & the Girles
stopted all night
9
the Young folks went home this forenoon I thrashd
some Buckwheat Billie plowd below the house
10
Billie plowed below the house I helped Joseph
Bradley to move his Shop up to his house
11
the Revd Mr Smart preachd in the Schoolhouse in
the forenoon Billie took him to Reeds in the
afternoon
12
Billie plowed in the forenoon him & George helpd
Cornet to thrash in the afternoon I helped Ben
Younge to thrash from 10 oclock high wind
13
thrashed at Cornets & Youngs fine day
14
finished thrashing at Ben Youngs this forenoon we
went to James Shepards & began to Stumped we
are to Stump the field & burn the Stumps & work it
for three years he is to find half the Seed do half
the thrashing & get half proceeds we are to get the
other half for doing the rest of the work plowing
43
harrowing& harvesting & help the thrashing
1868
{October}
October
15
Worked at J Sheepards burning & Stumping
16
Do Do Do Do Bille & George thrashed Buckwheat
17
Billie plowed in the North field west side I thrashd
Buckwheat
18
little
rain
first
no Meeting this morning the RevdMr Carrol
preachd in the afternoon & the Revd Mr Auld at 6
oclock at night
19
Billie plowd in the North field the ground is very
hard & dry I finishd thrashing the Buckwheat the
Revd Mr Baikie left on the Express he receivd one
hunderd & sixteen dollars for the time he was
here sixty five fifty of that was made up at Reeds
& fifty dollors & fifty cents was at the Station he
ought to have 9 more Aunt Betsey McDonald &
aunt Barbarry Watkins come here
20
Billie plowed with forenoon he borrowd 10 bushel
of oats from A Cornet last night I cleaned the
Buckwheat had 14 1/2 bushel the aunties went
away on the Expresse to Mallorytown
21
thrashd peas Stormed all day Snowing & blowing
44
snow
snow
22
Snowing still I fixed the harness very cold
23
thrashed Some peas for the hogs shut them up
24
drew Sant to the Stable in the forenoon drew 3
loads of hay for George Grahm from Joshua
Giblerts about 2 1/2 tuns fine day
25 rain
went to the Ebenozer church heard the Revd Mr
Auld preach rain this afternoon
26
drew Sand to the house in the forenoon Billie went
to Escott for the Colt it Strayed away a month ago
he plowed in the afternoon we dug potatos fine
day
27
Billie plowed in the North field I went to David
Johnston auction there was a great many people
then bought nothin
28
dug potatos Billie plowed fine day
29
Billie plowed I finished diging the potatos George
helped Hugh McKey to quary I pulled the turnips
30
Billie plowd I pulled the carrots George helped H.
McKey to quarry hard frost this morning
31
Billie plowed in the forenoon I finished the carrots
they are good rain this afternoon with heavy wind
45
George helped H McKey he is raising Stones for
the Church
1868 {The following entries from Nov 1 to Nov 6 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{Nov}
Nov
1
Revd Mr Auld preached in the schoolhouse heavy rain
2
Billie plowed in the North feild the ground rather wet I
worked at the stable flooring in the forenoon went to
the council tried 3 sheep cases H Landon Dunovan &
Aron Donne
3
Billie plowed the North field west corner I mended
shoes got 5 tops from J Sheapard
4
Drew 1 load of stones for Geo Grahm then sand gravel
for {illegible} shed & 1 load of gravel to Westons
5
Billie began to plow at Shepards George piled stumps
at Shepards I laid out a road at the townline of Leeds
took dinner at A Clendening
6
Billie plowed at Shepards I shoveled some watter
furrows where the plowing is done fine weather for
plowing
7
drew in the potatos all we had in one load Billie &
Jennet & Jerem Chalhoon went to Young this
46
afternoon they Started with the Singlee buggy & broke
the Spring. got J Johnston buggy. I threshd some peas
8
rain
no Meeting to day rain all day
rain
9
rain all day worked at the Stable alittle they got home
to day
rain
10
very heavy rain last night & all day the ground is in a
Swime with So much rain
11
Billie plowed at Sheepards with Charles Armstrong Iron
plow I fixed the irons & did other tinkering
12
hard frost last night Billee plowed in the after noon in
the north field he is trying the plow for the plowing
match I thrash Some pens
13
Billie went to the plowing match it was on George
Pecks farm he took the first prise of the Boys there
was 3 boys & 6 men plowd fine dạy
14
Billie went to Crosses for 8 bushel of lime paid 2 dollors
for it the roads is very bad I thrashed peas
15
the Revd Mr Auld preachd in the Schoolhouse at 7 PM
16
Billie went to a plowing Bee of James Choulhoon he got
2 shoes on bluher I workd in the Blacksmith Shop in the
forenoon then atended a suite at the Station betwen
Landon & McCormick & Rape for trespass
47
1868
Nov
Nov
rain
17
I helped James McMilan to put up Bails for his cows
Billie drew Stones for the Stable in the forenoon
went to a bee of Henery Youngs to draw Stones for a
ditch at Thompson a little rain
rain
snow
18
there is two inches of Snow this morning rain & Snow
all day no work
19
worked at the Stable Billie drew 5 loads of Sand fine
day
20
plastered part of the Stable fine day
21
worked at the Stable in the forenoon fixed the
School house in the afternoon Purvis & Findley
helped we put props to the back of it H. McKey built
& plasterd
22
no Meeting to day
23
killed the hogs & worked at the Stable let out the
Rams took 2 Ewes to Cornets & 2 to Roths
24
worked at Stable in the morning went to Keating &
tendered him with 31 dollers for the land taking by
the Council for a road on his farm he would not take
it John Stacy. Quin & Dooks was witness to the
tender A. Keating & a Son of J Bradleys wittnes to
the opening of ARoad the Revd Mr Green held Bible
48
Socitee meeting in the evening
25
Billie went to Escott with Mr Green this morning he
was here all night I worked at the Stable fine day
26
Salted the pork heavy rain all the forenoon Billie drew
Sand for J Joseph Bradley got a sirrip Barrel from
Weston to put the homes in
27
helped John Johnston to thrash Billie drew some
dung to the garden & cleaned wheat
28
Do Do Do Do Billie went to Gananoque with 1 1/2
bushel of corn 6 bushel of wheat 25 of Buckwheat to
the Mill he got 5 gallons of oil 40 cents per gallon
29
the Revd Mr Auld preached this forenoon heavy rain
last night & a little this morning
30
Billie & m helped John Johnston to thrash very bad
frost last night Billie took Blacks home to Charles
Armstrong & got the colt
1868
{Dec}
Dec
1
Helpd Christ Young to thrash cold day
2
Do Do Do Do not quite so cold
49
3
worked at the Stable fine day the sun thawed
the hubs a little very little wind it was north
wind N
4
got the Black Colt Shod on the fore feet &
fixed a door for the Stable dull cloudy day
first Storm
Snow or
Strom 34
this qurter
5
worked a little at the Stable Snowed most of
the day Billle went to Cornets with John
Johnstone for our two Ewes he went with the
Slaugh It is very rough
6
no Meeting to day
7
Killed the white Cow I atended the council A
Cornet helped fine day I atended the Council
very Stormy this afternoon Mr J Cook Stopt
here all night it was too Stormy to go home
snow
8
Billie went to Roths for the 2 Ewes that we had
at the Ram there I Cut up the Cow Sold 1 hind
quarter to Robrt Michel another to George
Grahm $5 per 100. 1 forequarter to R Ennis
$4.50 Stormed & Snowd all day
snow
9
thrashed Some oats for the horses Still
Storming a little Robert Beatty came here to
night with a cutter
10
fixed a cutter Shaft & cross bar of Wats old
cutter for the cutter that Ad had of Leader last
winter we cannot find it own Rob wants to take
it home
50
11
drew 3 loads of wood from Armstrongs woods
very cold day
12
drew 2 loads of wood Do Do John Robson
came here to night
13
the Revd Mr Auld preachd in the School house
al night
snow
14
Billie & Jennet went to Gananoque with M
Young & doll Geordy & Me put a good deal of
Rye Straw of the Stack in the Stable lofts for
beding in the Spring it began to Snow about 11
oclock Stormd all the afternoon
15
drew 2 loads of hay from Hugh McKey 1560 in
all we got it from him on a trade or rather as
part price of a colt we are to get 1000 more
16
sawed up 2 elem trees for the Stable floor
17
Billie went to Marblerock with a log {illegible} in
the Black colt he went well I sawed with the
sawingman Mr McCormick a tailor is here
making a great coat for me
1868 {this is from the Dec 18-31, 1868 scan at Queen's University - RDA sheet appears
blank, as does book it was photographed from??}
Dec
18
Billie went to the Rock with log & got the one he took
yesterday he had the Bay colts in to day I thrashed
peas
51
19
20
snow
27
Billie went to the Rock with a log he had the two colts
in to day they went well I finished the seed peas
warm day
no meeting to day all the snow & rain last night
21
went to the Nomination to McCranes schoolteacher
the put in Joseph Cook as Reeve Jo{illegible} Legg as
J Reeve Thomas Darlin J Birmingham & Thomas
Cornet councilmen fine day the front road is all most
bear with the thaw
22
laid part of the stablefloor put in all the stuff we had
it is 1 1/2 inch elem plank
23
Billie went to Delta with the slaugh for Isabla She is
coming home the Revd Mr Baikee & elen went with
him he doll & one of Charles Armstrongs horses it
snow in the morning then it fined up then it stormed
& blew till near midle of the afternoon
24
I thrashed peas cleaned the seed peas first had 6 1/2
bushel or 2 barrles of them fine day hard frost Billie
Elen Isabla Mr Baikee& two of the Hicocks came
home about 11 oclock to night
25
stormy this morning wind & snow most of the day no
work done
26
drew half a ton of hay from Hugh McKey's Miss
Highcock & her Brother went home this afternoon
the Revd Mr Gorden preached in the schoolhouse at
1/2 2 oclock & the Revd Mr Birts preached at 7 PM
52
David came home on the Express
28
I put a shoe on Wat cutter the old one was Broke
29
I went to Brockville on the mixed paid Mr E J Sinkler
seventy five dollars the intrest due David gave fifty
dollars that Adam sent
30
Billie went to the Rock with an Elem log I thrashed
oats
31
Billie went to the Rock with an Elem log I mended the
Bobslaughs & laid the stable floor
Jan
1
very cold day wind north Robert Beatty & Mary &
James Purvis & two of the Miss Toruners came from
Young no work
snow
2
Billie drew a load of wood for McKenley I worked at a
moccasins he went to Young in the afternoon with
David & the Girles Snow & very cold
1869
{Jan}
3
no Meeting to day heavy wind
4
made a moccasin in the forenoon Billie come home
from Young warm day quite a thaw a little rain this
afternoon
53
5
drawed out the Barn floor & fixed the granary we had
a Bee drawing Stones for a Church there was 24
teems & a number of loaders very warm dry we
wanted more loaders
6
cleaned the Barn floor & fixed the granery Bille went
to the Rock with a log
7
I thrashed some of the midgeproof wheat Billie drew
wood for Sheeperd & Mckenley warm day Snow
nearly gone
sow
to
Roths
8
I went to. Cornets. Cholhoons. Coplands & Roths to
See the Socities stock took the old sow to Boar at
Roths last night brought it home
rain
9
fixed a little at the Stable put the horses in for the
first atended the annual Meeting of the our
agriculture Socitie was realected president heavy
rain last night & most of the day the Snow nearly
gone
10
snow
the revd Mr Auld preached in the Schoolhouse I went
to the River to see about J. Gilbert isued a warrent
on friday night for Thomas Chapmon & Carry Chese
where Shot at Steven Holleyday & a constable
Gilbert went in Serch of them on Wellses Iland & we
had got no word of them Sinc & could get none
there
11
finishd the Stable & other fxcings & went to the
Station to See about Gilbert he is on the track in the
States that is all that we have yet alittle Snow
12
cleaned the midge proof whent had th full of a Barrel
Henry Johnston brought the thrashing machin intend
54
thrash on Thursday
13
Atended the Schoolmeeting Mr Thompson elected
Trustees Billie came home from Delta he went home
with Miss Hicock alittle Snow this afternoon
1869 {The following entries from 14 to 17 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
14
Henery & John Johnston thrashed for us C & H Young A
Cornet J McMullin B. Warren JH Bradley helped had 140
bushels of oats a little Barley think about 30 or 40
bushel of wheat fine day
15
drew 2 loads of wood from Armstrongs the road is poor
16
Do Do Do J Robsons &Mr Weed came up with the
Express from Mallorytown
17
no Meeting to day
18
drew wood from Armstrongs the roads very poor
19
Do Do
20
cleaned up 10 bushel of wheat very Stormy day Snow &
wind fixed a little at the Stable
55
21
went to Gananoque with 10 bushel of whent & about 2
of corn that is all the corn we have took annual repr up
to th annual Meeting of the County Agriculture Socities
bought 5 gallons of oil 28.3d per gallon & a bag of Salt
6s.3d cold day with a little Snow
22
drew a load of wood Mrs Ennis died about 6 oclock this
afternoon very cold day
23
Billie went to Escott with Mr Quin to see his brother
they are brothers to Mrs Ennis drew a load of wood in
the afternoon I got a tooth drown I was not out
24
Mrs Ennis was buried in the Taylor buiring ground Billie
took the Corps there was upwards of 40 Slaughs &
cutters the Revd Mr Carrol preachd in the Johnston
Schoolhouse Snow & rain in the afternoon it frose as it
fell
25
Billie began to go to School I worked at bails for the
stable
26
finished the bails got the cattle in to night
27
fixed for the calfs in the Stable
28
worked at Some Shuttles in grahms Shop fine day alittle
Snow last night
29
finished a shuttle for S Hazelwood Billie went to young
with Ellen &Isabla intending to go to Brockville tomorrow
56
30
there was a meeting of the Building Committee here the
afternoon it was agreed to build the church 36 x 50 feet
rain & Snow
31
no Meeting to day very fine day
1869
{February}
Feb
1
Billie Ellen & Isabla come home from Young this
forenoon they got 24 cents per 1b in Bills for Some
butter they had I fixed some in the Stable
2
worked at some Shuttles old Mr Cornet died this
morning wind North & northeast Billle took the little
Sow to Collhouns
snow
3
Snowed about 6 inches last night & is still snowing
10 oclock Snowed all day did nothing but atend to
the Cattle
snow
4
Snowing Still high winds last night considerable drift
this morning the Roads is very bad
5
fixed a Shuttle I have been very bad with the tooth
akhe headache Billie & the girles went the
Teameeting at Reeds Schoolhouse
6
Billie took home to A Cornets 18 bushel of oats that
he borrowd of him in the fall cold day
57
7
the RevdMr Auld preached in the Schoolhouse this
morning
Snow
8
Snowing a little Mr &Mrs Barns from Deta came hear
with Miss Hicock & her BrotherMr Barns is going
home to Markham we are Sending Some things to
the Boys with them
Snow
9
heavy rain this morning with a fog a little snow
10
taped Billies boots & other mending Dr Richmond
was here for dinner he is looking after wood
11
Billie went to Sawlog Bee of J Johnstons to
MarbleRock a little rain &Snow this morning
12
warm fine morning fixed a Side peice to the Slaugh
for him to draw cordwood he intends to go to a bee
of Dr Richmond to morrow
13
heavy rain last night & most of the day with Sleet &
Snow cleaned Some grass Seed no drawing to day
Rain &
snow
14
no Meeting to day rain hail & Snow with high winds
and drift J Robson came here last night
Rain
hail &
Snow
Rain &
snow
15
the roads drifted full with about 1 inch of crust rain
Snow & rain all day quite warm for winter
58
16
fine day the Roads is very bad I went to a sale of
John Grahms he is going to Iowa he Sold his farm to
Wm McNiel everything went very high Cows &
heffers from 25 to 42p dollors each Billie Sold
Granpa Cow to Mr Jackson for 600 split rails &
timber for 1050 the rails to be split & put in piles by
Jackson we are cut the timber & split the 1050 or
get
1869
{February}
Feb
17
Stormy Day Snowing & blowing I atended on
the cattte
snow
18
cleaned what oats was in the Passage
intending to go to Mill
snow
19
went to MarbleRock with 18 bushel of oats & 6
of Buckwheat fine morning Show wind & drift
Snow Billie
{illegible}
year $6
20
drew 2 loads of wood from Armstrongs very
Stormy in the afternoon Snow & wind from
South west then North East
21
very Stormy day Snow Revd Mr west preach
to night we did not go it was so Stormy Snow
& wind
snow
snow
22
went to Jacksons & drew 2 loads of rock cuts
there is no ice or frost in the swamp we had
to tramp a road
59
snow
23
no work to day it is the wost day that has
come this winter wind & Snow from the North
East with a tremendious drift the roads is
compleatly filled up
snow
24
fine morning began to Storm about 10 oclock
& Stormd all day Billie had to draw wood for
McKinley & James Choulhoon they were out
of wood the roads was awfull
snow
25
J Bradly J Johnston A Cornet Hen Webster
Samuel Johnston & me turned out & brock
the road from the Cross road to our gate the
Side road is nearly level with the fences Still
Snowing cleard up at night 9 oclock
snow
26
Snowed about an inch last night & is Snowing
Stormed all day the roads is nearly as bad as
ever
snow
27
drew 2 Small loads of wood from Armstrong
woods in the forenoon Storming still the road
& so drifted that we quite the drawing the
roads is awfull
28
no Meeting to day this is the fine day that we
have had for a fortnight this has been the
Stormest we have had for a great many years
1869
{March}
60
March
1
I went to the Council it met at Westens
they were granting Tavern Lisence
2
went to Gananoque with 26 bushel of oats
sold 6 bushel & got 150 of Corn meal oats
50c per bushel meal $2 per 100 1b fine
roads Rob Beatty J Robson Wm Scott from
Perth Betsey Ellen Hall & Mary Beatty Came
here
snow
3
the Younge folkes went home this
afternoon a little Snow this morning a fine
afternoon
wind SW in the
morning SE in
the afternoon
SW at night
4
the wind is South west this morning it
changed to the South East In the afternoon
then to Southwest at Sundown cloudy in
the forenoor clear in the afternoon fine day
Billie went to Young with 32 bushel of Rye
he intends to go to Brockville with it his
Mother went with him
5
fine clear morning hard frost wind South
6
Snowed about an inch last night &Snowed
till about 10 oclock Billie & his mother &
Mary come home this afternoon Billie went
to Mateland with the rye got 72 cents per
Bushel
Snow first
Storm in the
quarter 32
Storms in the
quarter
7
the Revd Mr Auld preached this evening in
the Schoolhouse
8
fixed for Smoking hams fine day
61
snow
9
fine day fixed Some spiles for the bush
rather on the thaw
10
very Stormy day Snowing & blowing all day
wind Northeast fixed some spiles
11
the roads is compleatly blocked up
12
there was a doubble teem come from the
creek with a kind of a Snowplow& five other
teems with Sloughs to the Stations
13
Billie & Isabla & Jennet went Delta the
afternoon with Doll & a cutter I am very bad
with my head
14 snow
no meeting to day very high winds with a
little Snow about noon it blew a hurricain
15
filled up 7 1/2 bushel of oats & rye & bushel
of oats to a bushel of Rye for the hogs & 6
bushel of wheat
16
went to Marblerock with 7 1/2 bushel of Rye
& oats for the hogs & 6 bushel of wheat got
258 lbs of flour Robert Beatty went to
Gananoque with a grist he was here all night
last night & to night
1869
{March}
62
March
17
Robert Beatty went home to day Ellen went with
him & Mary we drew 3 loads of hay from
Armstrongs 1.800 & 2 1000 wer her to get 1200 yet
fine day
18
Billie went to John Youngs for ceader George Young
went with him
19
went to Gananoque with 12 bushel of wheat got 516
1bs of flour that is 774 lbs of flour in the bin fine day
& the roads is first rate but we cant get into the
woods the Snow is so deep
20
fixed spiles for the Sugarbush fine day
21
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the forenoon & the
Rev Mr Correl in the afternoon Wat come home this
morning a little Snow
Snow
Snow
22
worked at Sap pails Wat went to Delta he give me
$100 from Ad fine day a little Snow this morning
John Younge & his wife here for dinnner
23
worked at Sap pails fine hard frost Mr Ruben Gilles
& three of the Clarks come here from Perth to night
24
made spiles for the Sugarbush
25
made over 300 Spiles for the Sugarbush this year
we intend to work James Sheperd bush this year
Mr Gilles & the Clarks went home this morning Billie
went to Young this morning for Ellen
63
rain
26
drew 2 loads of wood from Armstrongs it began to
rain & thaw this forenoon rained all the afternoon
27
a little frost last night cleaned up the oats had
about 30 bushel Billie taped 150 trees this
afternoon it runes midling
28
no Meeting to day Snow is going very fast Wat &
Ellen come home from Young to day
29
went to the Sugarbush & cleand out the Stove
trough & gathered about 20 pails of Sap & boiled it
down it is hard worked to gather the Snow is so
deep & Soft little rain to night
30
rain & Snow all day work about the house made an
axehandle& fixed some buckets
31
went to Lyn paid Wm Clow on hundred & three
dollors got a note of sixty four dollors with intrest
&endrsed thirty two dollors on the other note as
intrest Stoped all night at J Armstrong Billie drew
1200 of hay from Armstrong that is the last of the
hay he is to get on the trade
rain
rain &
snow
1869
{April}
April
1
Went to Brockville from Lyn with Norton Gardener in
the Cutter came home on the Express all well
2
drew 2 loads of wood from Armstrongs
64
3
4
Smow
worked in the Sugarbush atended an Agriculture
meating there is a fine run of sap to day put about
50 pails in the Stone trough besides what we boiled
down
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the evening
5
drew 2 loads of wood from Armstrongs then went to
the Council Meeting hard frost last night & to day
6
worked in the Sugarbush the Sap we put in the
trough all leaked out & lost there is a fine run to day
7
boiled all day in the bush fine day
8
Do Do Do
9
Do Do Billie went to a Bee of James Colhoons this
afternoon a little floury of Snow
10
hard frost last night. Cleaned up the wheat put 12
bushel in the east bin & in the center bin
11
no Meeting to day hard frost last night
12
worked in the Sugar bush the Sap runs midling
13
Do Do Sowed grassseed on the Rye
14
Billie got 1300 of hay from Charles Armstrong the
Revd Mr Bakie stoped here on his way to Europe he
65
brought us planes & spacafecation for the church
rain
15
worked in the S bush finishd Sowing grass Seed on
the Rye & wheat 8 bbs of the Rodon Clover Seed
with the Thimothy seed the wheat & Rye look well
16
drew dung to the trees for mulching
17
a little rain this morning worked in the Sugar bush
fine day
18
the Revd Mr Auld preached this forenoon in the
School house
19
heavy rain last night & this morning the boys worked
at Sheepard drawing Stumps I went with Wm
Armstrong to look at aline betwen him Filler
20
The Boys worked in the field at Sheepards drawing
and piling up stumps the front is nearly out I mended
the old harness heavy rain last night
21
Billie & Isabla went to Gananoque in the Buggy I fixed
the old harness
22
Billie began to plow & plowed at Sheapards there is a
little frost in the ground I fxed whipeltrees
1869
{April}
April
rain
66
23
Billie plowed at Sheapards I oiled the old harness &
fixed them so as to rig a second teem
24
Billie plowed at Shepards tinkard in the Smithshop
25
rain
no Meeting to day little rain
26
Billie plowed at Sheapards I got Grahms horse Shod &
Shoe Sett on dolle payed 50 cents for them drew 29
bushel of Pease to Thompsons storehouse they are
for the Agriculture Socitie they come from Ingarsol
they are the Crown peas & to be divided among the
members
27
Billie plowed at Sheapards I worked at drag it is to be
a 6 billed Squared one
28
began to Sow & Sowed 4 1/2 bushel of Barley & peas
west of the path to the well the ground is rather
damp Still it draged pretty fair Billie plowed at
Sheaperds
29
worked at a drag made some of the irons Billie
plowed at Sheapards
30
finished the ironing of the drag &Sharpened the teeth
in the forenoon Sowed 2 bushel of Black oats that I
got from Mr Ruben Giles of Smith Falls he Sent them
by rail there was a few Callico potatos Goderich
potatos & cuscoss I Sowed the oats in North field first
2 1/2 ridges in the center of the field then 2 bushel of
peas
1869
67
{May}
May
1
rain
2 rain
rain
Sowed 4 bushel of Black See wheat on
the West side of the North I likewise
Sowed thimothy & Rodon cloveseed on
where I Sowed the peas & Barley rain this
afternoon
heavy rain most of the day & night J
Robson & Mr Weed come here last night
3
rain & a little Snow mixed all day no work
done very cold the woods begin to look
red
4
Billie plowed at Sheapards I planted out
some appeltrees where there was dead
ones cold day
5
planted out some Mapele trees below
the house a little rain to day Billie plowd
drew rails at Shepards in the afternoon
6
drew 3 loads of dung to the garden in the
forenoon then drew rails at Sheapards in
the afternoon Billie plowed at Sheapards
7
drew 3 loads of bunks for Sheaperd in
the forenoon Sowed 3 bushel of wheat in
the North field the ground is rather wet
fine day the Revd Mr Austin come here
this afternoon
8
Sowed 4 bushel of peas in the North field
68
fine day the ground is rather better
9
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the
Schoolhouse this forenoon I went to
Reeds with him he preached there
10
Sowed 4 1/2 bushel of pease on
Sheepards place Billie drged we had J
Sheepards Beast
11
finishddrging the pease& Sowed 2 bushel
of Midgeproof wheat
12
Sowed 2 1/2 bushel of midge proof wheat
that is 4 1/2 of midgeproof on Sheepards
place I found 2 1/2 of it & the 4 1/2 of
peas
13
Sowed 5 bushel of oats on the Sheepard
place
rain 7 bushels of
oats on
Sheapards
14
Sowed 2 bushel of oats fine rain this
morning & last night that is 7 bushel of
oats on Sheepard he found all the oats
fine growing day the woods look green
woods look green
15
Sowed 4 bushel of wheat on Sheapards 2
bushel of it Sheepard found that he got
from Bruce McNiel it come from the Iland
it is in the midle of the pice that finished
this pice at Sheepards
4 1/2 bushel of
midgeproof
altogether on
Shepards
1869
69
May
May 16
rain & hail
rain
10 bushel
of otas in
that field
the Revd Mr Auld preached in the forenoon &
the Revd Mr Austin in the afternoon heavy rain
with a little hail Thomas Younges Barn & Sheds
was struck with lightning &Burned
17
rain this morning George Grahm got this horse
yesterday we here had it to work with doll Billie
drew sand for Bob Michel 1/2 day then he
plowed below the house Gordy & Me drew dung
to the garden a little rain
18
Billie plowed Gordy drew dung the cornground I
went to Mallorytown to shere a triel between
Rob Beatty & Jon Edgly Edgly made out that
Robs Colt killed his cow & got judgment against
him
19
Billie plowed with doll & Sheapards Colt in th
forenoon & plowed the garden in the afternoon I
made irons for a gate & dug in the garden
20
Sowed 1 1/2 bushel of Barley & peas South of the
North ditch & 3 bushel of oats below the house
Billie plowed fine day
21
Sowed the 3 ridges on the South side of the
North ditch with Alsike clover Seed Sowed 4
bushel of oats below the house Gordy draged
Billie went to a Bee of A Cornets in the Afternoon
I went &Sowed there was 9 teems
22
Sowed 3 bushel of peas & oats & the crownpeas
they are on east side of the field below the
house better than 1 1/2 ridg I bought Mr
Thompson Shove 18 got Mr Dcores 18 own 18 1b
70
planted @ bushel of potatos on the in all 54 of
them the Crown pea
23
rain
the Revd Mr Austin preached this forenoon Billie
took him to Reeds in the afternoon
24
Sowed better then 1 1/2 bushel of wheat North of
the midle ditch East line Billie plowed it on
Saturday & this forenoon we drew some dung to
the cornfield Billie plowed part of it White
astrilun {Australian} wheat next the fence
25
Sowed 1/4 lb white Bilgian {belgian} carrrots & 2
1/4 lb altringham {altrincham} carrot in the
garden Billie went to a bee of George Grahm the
ground is very dry
26
Billie plowed at Sheepards for potatos & wheat I
planted some potatos below the house
27
Sowed 2 3/4 bushel of wheat at Sheepards
Gordy draged Billie plowed
28
drew dung to the Corn field fine weather
29
plowed the Corn ground driseling the afternoon
30
Revd Mr Austin preachd this forenoon & Rev Mr
Auld preachd his fairwell Sermon at night
31
planted the Corn ( premium corn) is next the
fence the yellow then the white a row of punkins
between them put ashes on the hills the ground
71
in good order
1869
{June}
June
1
Washed the Sheep this morning I then went & helped
James Sheepard to move his Barn Garner Lee had the
job
2
the Boys planted part of the potatos on Sheepards
places I helped Sheepard at the Barn Billie went to J
Creas & got 3 bushel of potatos paid 40 cents per
bushel
3
Billie drew Stones for Mr McKindley I helped Sheepard
at his drawing got the Barn & Shed to there place to
night
rain
4
I Scalded &washd Sap buckets Billie went with Lees
runers to Coles near Younge Mills for Sheep we put the
Stove in the woodshed heavy rain to night
rain
5
heavy rain most of the day Rod Beatty & Rod
Armstrong came here last night went home this
morning with 3 pigs planted a few Thom Thumb peas
at the old house I got from Mrs. Skinner
6
the Revd Mr Austin preached this forenoon he come
here from Kingston last night Billie took him to Reeds
in the afternoon
72
7
drew Stones of the meadow in the forenoon Sheered
the Sheep in the afternoon A Cornet helped
8
a little rain last night & this morning Billie helped Geo
Grahm to draw Stones Tinkler Ad Armstrong come
here last night from Lyn he is going West fine day
9
Adam Armstrong went to Napinee with on the Express
Billie rolled the wheat oats & part of the peas in the
corner field fine day
rain
10
Billie Ellen & Jennet went to Younge intending to go to
Brockville rain this forenoon I attended a Meeting of
the Building Comittee the estimates was so high that
we did nothing yet
rain
11
rain this morning I took the Scraper apart it was broct
so that there had to be new Sides made
rain
12
planted some Calliflours &cablage plants rain most of
the day Billie come home to dayput the irons on the
scraper Billie was here with Isabla & Jennet snow to
day
13
the Revd Mr Austin preach in the schoolhouse this
morning
14
began to work on the roads A Cornet is Pathmaster we
had the teem on
1869
{June}
73
June
15
Worked on the roads Billie & me a little rain about 5
oclock a little rain most of the night
16
Billie drew stones in the forenoon he worked for
Sheepard on the roads in the afternoon got 75 cents
for it I finished our work this forenoon with Geordy
17
Billie plowed in the North feild where we intend to
summerfallow it is in the center west side I painted
the Buggy
18
Billie plowed warm day I fixed some irons for the
Buggy little rain grass growes well corn is dowing little
it is too cold for it
19
Billie finished the plowing the ground is very dry for all
the rain we have had. I fixed the Buggy & gave it
another coat of paint that is the Box & greers
rain
20
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the Schoolhouse
21
drew Stones of the midle field East line fine day
22
finished drawing the Stones this forenoon went throw
the corn with the Diel
23
worked at the corn potatos & carrots I went to
festival in the Drill Shed in favour of the Rev Mr Carrol
there was about one hundred people
24
we had a bee to draw Stones for the Church there
was 13 teems drawing & men to load got a good job
74
done fine day
25
hoed the Corn it is very Small but a good colour
26
I went with John Cook to see how the sheep & hogs
was doing that belong to the Agriculture society they
are all wright except the hog at Webs he is very poor
atended a meeting in the afternoon Wm Hazelwood &
Betsey came here on visit Bille went to Young
27
the Revd Mr _ preached in the morning he is the
New minister Mr Austin preached in the afternoon
Billie came home with Elen & Jennet
rain
28
fixed rods in the waggon box & worked at bunks a
little rain
29
Billie went to gananoque with 18 bushel of wheat to
Mill I went to Mr Darlins to See him about the Church
30
rain last night & this morning worked in the black
Smiths Shop I helped John Johnston to draw his Barn
Billie went to a School picknic at Johnstons
Schoolhouse
1869
{July}
July
1
Helped J Johnston to Move his barn & rise a Shed
Billie went throw the Potatos at Sheepards
75
2
Billie went to Mr Jacksons for Bunks he got none I put
some bunks togather warm day
3
Billie draged the Summerfallow I helped Henry Young
to rais his Shop
4
the Revd Mr Smart preached in the Schoolhouse in
the forenoon Billie took him to Reeds in the afternoon
5
I was at the council most of the day the Revd Mr
Davis the New Connection minister was here for
dinner
6
Billie drew 2 loads of flour for Mr Ennis we hoed in the
garden
7
I Began to Mow & Mowed about 3/4 of an acre at the
old house it is Clover & very heavy Billie went to the
Rock with Cris Young & got some Elem plank that was
there sinc winter
rain
8
Billie draged part of the Summer fallow & cultivatd
that that was plowed last fall rain last night & this
morning
rain
9
atended a School examination & picnic the Schollers
did well rain this morning
10
went to Gananoque with James Sheepard received
$10 from him for gravel that he got for the road I
bought a kip skin $1.50 iron 75 cents Billie went with
James Lattimer got a coat cut
76
11
rain
rain
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the afternoon
instead of Mr Austin he had just got back from hom
last evening
12
atended the celebration of the 12 in Sheepards
woods there was 7 lodges & a large number of
people the Revd MrFollock lectured & Mr Herburt
McDonald gave a speach
13
Billie helped Charles Armstrong at his hay (half a day)
we took in a load of clover that was last week very
bad hay weather went to the funeral of Thomas Greer
a very large funeral
14
Billie worked Armstrong I went to Lyn with Ellen
stoped at J Armstrong all night
15th
went to Wm Davis got dinner. tea at Hump Youngs at
Greenbush Stoped at John Youngs all night rain last
night
16
come to Granmams to day Stopted there all night
17
got home this afternoon Charles Armstrong is
mowing with his mower fine day a rain yesterday
1869
{July}
July
18
the Revd Mr Austin preached this morning in the
Schoolhouse
77
rain
19
Charles Armstrong finished the Northeast field & a
little at the old house
20
raked & drew in 5 loads of hay out of the North field
heavy rain this afternoon
21
rain most of the day Billie took a load of withs to the
river for Mr McDougal he got a bag of Salt at Mr Darlins
paid $1.25 c for it it is fine Bought a new Scyth $1.25s
22
Billie helped Charles Armstrong we worked at the hay
in the North field cut some of the clover
23
Billie helpd Armstrong at his hay we got all the out of
the north field took Doll to Austins & put her to his
horse Ad got home to day
24
Billie helped Armstrong at his hay we workd at the
clover it is hurt with the wet Ad went to gananoque
with the Buggy
25
Revd Mr Davis preachd in the forenoon &Revd Mr
Austin in the afternoon rain at night
rain
rain
rain
26
Charles Armstrong mowed in the midle field cost line
heavy rain this afternoon
27
Billie finished cuting the midle field with the mower
fine day
28
got in 7 loads of hay 6 out of the midle field & one off
78
Clover put the rest in Cock rain
29
very heavy rain last night a little to day ground very
wet cut a little clover in the afternoon
30
worked at the clover below the old house fine day
31
got the clover all in cock a heavy crop
1869
{August}
August
1
Revd Mr Austin preached in the Schoolhouse in the
forenoon
2
Stackd the clover & timoty below the old house had
140 cocks A Cornet helped Billie mowd in the
afternoon with Charles mower
3
cut part of the fallwheat it is an even crop there is
no wind but there is a little smut Charles Armstrong
cut the new meadow 6 acres with his mower
4
I made out the papers for lots No __in of the
Township of __before Robert Webster Eng &
worked at the hay in the new medow
5
workd Do Do Do
79
6
Stacked the new medow A Cornet helped with his
teem both teams was as busy all day as we could
bee fine day for work a very little Sprinkle of rain
about noon
7
helped Cornet to make a Stack Billie & me with our
teem fine day
8
went to the funeral of Joseph Turner he was
drounded at Gananoque & the Body was brought to
his Fathers Mr Joseph Turner there was over 200
waggons &buggys besides some on horseback he
he was buried by the Orngemen & then the Revd Mr
Smart preached it was the largest funeral it I ever
saw in Canada
9
Ad come home on Saterday night & him & me
mowed in the Orchard it is very heavy Billie worked
in the potatos at Sheepards
10
drew in the from the orchard toped off the Stock
with part of it put some in the Stable & 2 loads in
the barn fine day that finishd our haying except
some fences it is afine crop
11
drew in the fallwheat & cut some of the fall rye in
the afternoon there was a fine Sower about 9 oclock
12
the Boys worked at the rye & cut the Barley below
the corn it is a fine crop
13
Ad & Billie plowed & scraped the fundation of the
church I workd half the day in sand pit geting a
place uncovered for to get sand for the church
80
14
drew in the loose rye & the Barley in fine order very
warm day
1869
{August}
August
15
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the
Schoolhouse this forenoon a little rain John
Young come home from cristie he is up helping
Cristie
16
very heavy rain last night & this forenoon I got J
McMullin & Wm J Turner to draw sand for the
church we moved the fence from the horse
paster across to to the old house
17
began to cut the wheat in the north field it is a
fine crop
18
worked at wheat I went to the funeral of old Mrs
Cornet in the afternoon She was buried at
Robinsons the Revd Mr Follock preached there
was 45 waggons & buggys beside horsemen
19
worked at the wheat & drew in 3 loads of bound
Rye
20
finishd the wheat this forenoon & raked up the 2
bushel sowing of Black oats & drew them in Ad
& Billie helped Ben Young to thrash in the
afternoon I cut some of the Barley in the midle
field north end east line
rain
81
{illegible}
shoe X
21
22
rain
finished cuting the Barley Billie got some of the
horses Shoes fixed with P.M. Moore & made a
bargon with to Shoe by the year for 6 1/2 dollors
Ad helped T. Bradley to thrash I met the Rev Mr
Chambers at the Station & took him to Reeds
went to Reeds Schoolhouse & heard the Revd
Mr Chamber preach he had the Scacrement
there & preachd in our School house at night
23
raked & drew in the Barley Ad cut some of the
oats at Sheepards
24
the Boys worked at Sheepards I went to Mr
Darling with Mr Austin I laid out a road betwen 17
& 18 in the first concession got dinner at Mr
Keers & tea at Darling
25
the thrashers here last night Burns & Rape we
thrashed to day 19 bushel of Spring wheat 22 of
oats 63 of Peas & Barley
26
finished this morning the Rye 32 bushel fall
wheat 10 bushel drew in some of the Spring
wheat after cleaning the floor
27
finished drawing in the wheat the forenoon then
cut wheat at Sheapards Vize Heacock &Mrs
Stainin come hear to day fine weather
28
heavy rain to day no work except what I did in
the Barn
82
29
Revd Mr Austin preachd in the Shoolhouse this
afternoon
30
the Boys workd at Sheepards I ridled the peas
out of the Barley & drew in a load of oats
31
went to gananoque with 10 bushel of wheat &
some wool got two packs 4d per lb the Boys cut
the oats at home & hooked the Socities peas
1869 {The following entries from Sept 8 to 15 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{Sept}
Sept
5
1
cut the wheat in the midle field in the forenoon me &
Billie drew 5 loads of Sand for the Church then Ad &
Billie cut the oats at Sheepards fine day
2
drew in the oats below the house fine crop
3
drew in the wheat from the midle field & the peas &
oats below the house in the forenoon & the oats at
Sheepards in the afternoon hard work fine weather
4
cut wheat at Shepards & drew in some of the wheat
the Scotch wheat that was mixed with the midge
proof was all taken with the midge
the Revd Mr Smart preached in the Schoolhouse in the
afternoon & .Revd Mr Follock in the forenoon
83
6
the Boys finishd the cuting of the wheat at Sheapards I
went with Mr Thompson to Mr Armstrongs & got out 4
sills for the Church & drew them home
rain
7
alittle rain this morning I went with J Lattimer & Saw
his Wife sign a deed of her place in Gananoque to.S.
Sheapard Ad & Billie helped H Young to cut wheat in
thafternoon we fixed finces & drew 3 loads of Sand for
the Church
rain
8
rain most of the day nothing done
rain
9
Billie and Gordy went to Gananoque to the show of
wild beasts
10
Billie & Gordy drew 5 loads of dung to the North field
Ad went to Mallory town to the show
11
worked at the peas they are a good crop
12
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the forenoon in the
schoolhouse Billie took him to Reeds
13
Ad Ellen {illegible} Jennet Mr & Mrs Deen went to Delta
this morning I worked in the sand pit for the church Mr
Darlin sent 2 teems to draw Billie & Gordy finished
hooking our peas
14
got James McMillens horses & drew in four loads of
peas Humphrey Young helped Billie to draw in the
wheat at Sheepards
84
15
finished drawing in the peas at home with H McKees
horses & drew the remainder of the sills for the church
Mr Thompson helped
1869 {The following entries from Sep 16 to 20 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{September}
Sept
16
Worked at the peas at Sheepards fine
weather Ad & the Girels got home to night
about 11 oclock
17
worked at the peas I was up all night with Mr
McKinley he is sick
18
drew in 6 loads of peas at Sheepards
19
I paid Killie
tow dollors
for the
paper
the Revd Mr Smart preach this afternoon Mr
Davis in the morning
20
drew in 2 loads of peas at Sheepards that
finishes the harvest I worked at the church
got one dollar for it from McKee the Boys
drew dung to the north field in the afternoon
a little rain
21
I went to Brockville to the Cattle Show it was a
poor afair I came to Lyn stopt at J Armstrongs
took a Dear Skin to the tanery
22
got home on the express the Boys drew dung
85
23
Billie plowed for the fall wheat Spread dung
24
Sowed 1 bushel of Souls wheat that I brought
from Hamilton last fall it took the prise then
25 bushel of midgeproof wheat the ground in
fine order
25
Shoveled some of the furrows on the
fallwheat drew dung on the new meadow
midle field east line the Revd Mr Gordon
come here
26
heavy rain last night & all day no meeting Billie
took Mr Gordon to Reeds no person came
there
rain
27
drew dung to the meadow I helped A Cornet
to thrash at his mothers place fine day heavy
frost last night
28
I helped Cornet to thrash to day Ad & Geordy
drew dung
29
I thrashed some peas Ad drew gravel to the
Barnyard
30
I cleaned the peas had 7 bushel Ad drew Sand
to the Barnyard from the pit
1869 {The following entries from Oct 1 to 16 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{Oct}
86
Oct
1
Drew Sand for the Church Ad & A Cornet with there
teems & I loaded Billie has been working at the
Church atending the masons since last friday
rain
2
drew the corn out of the field & put it in the orchard
in the forenoon atended an agriculture meeting at
Austons in the afternoon heavy rain at night Billie got
$8 for working at the church 8 days
3
rain
the Revd Mr Smart preached in the schoolhouse in
the afternoon heavy rain last night & this forenoon
4
heavy rain this morning & all day no work
5
cut & drew some wood from Cornets I helped A
Cochran in the afternoon to draw some stones for the
church little rain this morning
6
made two hoops of band iron for the stove pipes in
the wall of the church Ad went to Young Jimmie &
Mary was here they went home to day
7
went to Gananoque show took first on fulled cloth
second on peas saw Prince Aurther & the governer
general & Lady they went down on board of the
Magnet
8
Geordy & me helped Benj Warren to thrash Billie went
to Young to see Willie before he went to Pembrock
9
Billie began to plow the stuble in the North field
Geordy & me began to dig potatos as Sheepards
87
10
little rain this morning no meeting to day
rain
11
Billie went to Gananoque for a load of lumber for the
church we dug potatos at Sheepards Ad went to Dr
Richmonds with Bisey for him to See her knee
{illegible}
rain
12
drew 105 bushel of sand for Grahm & Latimer 1/2 day
dug potatoes in the afternoon little rain
13
dug potatos in the forenoon pulled turnips & mangles
for the show & other fixings in the afternoon
14
we had our Agriculture Show in the Drill shed rain in
the afternoon it was the best we have had
15
heavy rain all day & last night the ground is very wet
the Hazelwoods & Philipses here all night
16
picked stones of the field east line below the new
land
rain
1869 {The following entries from Oct 17 to 21 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{October}
Oct
17
Revd Mr Davis preached in the schoolhouse
18
Picked stones of the midle field next the road in the
forenoon dug potatos in the afternoon Billie got the
88
Armstrongs plow
rain
19
Billie began to plow in the midle field we dug potatos
20
put the stove in house & dug potatos hard frost last
night
21
helped Thomas Shelds & Matthew Keer to draw
stones & sand for the Church Billie went with
Armstrongs plow to Willsons to get it fixed for the
Mach drew wood
22
finishddiging the potatos & killed a hog Billie plowed
23
heavy rain all day helped W. J. Turner to thrash In the
forenoon it rained so heavy that they quite
24
no Meeting to day
Snow
25
went to A plowing Match at Mr Webs Billie took the
Second prise in the Boys match there was about half
an inch of Snow this morning that is the first
Snow
26
drew a log for wood it Snowed most of the day it is
nearly six inches deep put the Cows in the Stable for
the first time Billie helped J. McMillen to thrash
Geordy helped Turner to thrash
Snow
27
Snowd & Stormed most of the day thrashd a little
28
cleaned 25 bushel of peas at Sheepards I got 12
Sheepard 11 & House 2 bushel he is thrashing them
89
on Shairs or even 10 1b bushel drew some wood Billie
helped McMillin to thrash
29
drew Some wood very Stormy day
30
loaded feed for the hogs & other fixing about the
house
31
the Revd Mr Follock preached in the schoolhouse
1869
{the rest of November 1869 is out of order and is transcribed a couple pages ahead} {The
following entries from Nov 10 to Nov 15 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{November}
Nov
1
Cleaned the fallwheat & fixed for to go to the
mill the Snow is nearly gone
2
Billie went to Mill to Garanoque with 5 bushel
of pollwheat & 9 1/2 of Spring & 6 of peas
oats & Rye for the horses fine day I pulled the
mangles
3
pulled five rows of the carrots a fine day Billie
drew some Sand & gravel for Jos Gilbert in
the forenoon plowed in the afternoon
4
I went to Marble Rock with Wm Clow to an
Auction Sale of Delongs & Emenes of lumber
90
Billie plowed fine day
5
David started a midle line for a fence a little
rain & cold day Billie plowed Geordy worked
with masons this week
6
Billie plowed I helped Mr Mitchels men at the
Church they began yesterday T Reed &
James Ladlow boarded hear B. Kinker
Stopted at the Station we got all the rafters &
canteliors up to day Billie drew gravel
{illegible}
7
no Meeting to day
8
drew in some of the carrots they were frosen
{some?} Stormed most of the day Robert
Beatty & John McDonald went home to day
they come on Saturday
9
I worked at the Church with Mitchels Men
David & Isabla went in the buggy to Delta
Billie went on horseback to bring the Buggy
back David is going to stop at Delta & keep
Bub colt
10
I worked at the church in the forenoon pulled
corn in the afternoon Billie came home this
afternoon
11
I worked at the church Billie went to a plowing
match at Pecks took the 3rd premium
91
finished
shingling the
church 5 1/2
days
12
I worked at the church Billie plowed
13
I worked at the church Do Do the ground is
rather hard frozen
14
{illegible} at the schoolhouse the Revd Mr
Cornet preached in the church
15
I fixed up the fences at the church &
gathered up the {illegible} & bits of boards
around the church hard frost Jennet at Young
{rest of entry illegible}
1869 {The following entries from Dec 11 to 16 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{Dec}
Dec
1
Billie & Geordy drew 5 loads of loom for Mr
Thompson Garden I fixed a little at the room in the
woodshed {illegible} & helped James Calhoun to fix
the ditch at the church the frost is nearly all out of
the ground
2
I helped Johnston to thrash cold day freezing hard
snow
3
Do Do Do very cold Day little snow
snow
4
finished thrashing at Johnstons little Snow
92
5
a little
rain at
night
no Meeting to Day cold day
6
fixed in the woodshd in the forenoon went to help A
Cornet to thrash in the afternoon did nothing
Henery Webster was not done till night
7
I helped A Cornet to thrash fine day
8
Do Do Do Do the Boys drew some wood Geordy has
been at School
9
helped A Cornet to put his oats Straw into the Barn
in the forenoon J Stacy come to thrash at
Sheepards at noon finishd Sheepard & Hendersons
part this afternoon I had J McMullin & David
Johnston
10
thrashed our wheat 42 bushel of wheat in all for out
Store 16 of midgeproof & 26 of Blacksee they brock
there bedpice & did nothing in the midle of the day
11
thrashed the oats we had 37 for our Shaire our
thrashing came to $243 cents {illegible} Sheepards
to settle with Store for it he is indue us very fine day
we helped Sheepard to put his straw in the Barn
ours was put in as we thrash
12
the Revd Mr Davis preached in the school house
heavy rain
13
put bottoms in some tubs & other tinkering about
the house
93
14
went to Gananoque with 12 bushel of Black see & 2
bushel of fall wheat & 2 bushel of Rye in the waggon
& heard the Revd Mr McClaren of Belville preach the
ordination Sermon of Mr Barns he was placed in
Gananoque in Mr Gordons place there 7 ministers
there there was a very large congregation
15
put new pins in the wood slaugh fine day rain at
night
16
Killed old Lillie cow she is good beef & one hog
heavy rain all day & night A Cornet helped
1869
{this page is out of order and needs to be moved back two pages}
{The following entries from Nov 16 to Nov 30 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
Nov
16
{Billie line strikethrough} I fixed plank for the
drain of the church & husked some corn
rain
17
heavy rain all day worked at the corn in the
woodshed
18
Billie drew gravel in the afternoon for John
Gilbert 90 bushel & got some wood
19
thrashed some of the socities peas &
husked corn David came home from Delta
this afternoon
94
rain
20
rain most of the day fixed a fram for a room
in the wood shed pulled some carrots put
them in the wood shed
21
21
the Revd Mr Green the Bible Agent came
here this morning Billie took him to Willsons
with the Buggy the roads is hard frosen no
meeting here
22
toped the carrots in the wood shed in the
forenoon Banked the church in the
afternoon B Warren W.J Turner J McMullin R
Johnston & James Cornet helped fine day
Billie helped Thomas Bradley to thrash the
Revd Mr Green held meetings in the
schoolhouse at 7 oclock
23
snowed about 6 inches last night Billie took
Mr Green in the slaugh to Escot Gordy
helped J Bradley to thrash I helped A Cornet
to kill two hogs we then killed 1 for us a little
rain
took a south
down ram to
Mr Browns &
got another
24
went to Gananoque with A Cornet took the
hog it weighed 275 lbs got 9 dollars per 100
got a barrel of salt 8s .25 lbs of {illegible} 5s
12d Sugar 6s tea 4.7 &Sundrys articles $8
let the Rams
out Billie took
2 Ewes to
{illegible}
Browns
25
thrashed the socties peas had 7 bushel
from 36 lbs they are the Crown pea
26
Billie drew 2 load of stones to F Dean I
thrashed some peas and oats oats in the
95
forenoon helped Dean to raise a shop
27
28
I helped John Johnston to thrash Billie drew
some dung to the carrots fine day
the Revd Mr Folock preached in the school
house snow this morning
snow
29
helped John Johnston to thrash Billie took 2
Ewes to George Pecks & look for a thrasher
rain
30
rain most of the day fixed a room in the
woodshed for the flour & meet Billie drew
loom to Mr Thompsons garden 3 loads he
gave us 100 old rails & some Bunks
1870 {this is January 1-17, 1870 - needs to be put ahead in order}
{January}
Jan
1
2
The Boy drew Some wood from Cornets wood
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the Schoolhouse
heavy rain last night & this morning & all day very
few out
3
heavy rain & wind last night Snow wind & drift very
Stormy all day very few at the Election it is so
Stormy
4
drew 2 loads of wood from Cornets in the forenoon
Billie took the Saw to J Cooks the Socities Bore is
there
96
5
drew 2 loads of wood from Cornets I began to
thresh the peas Billie went with Jams Sheepard to T.
Cornet
6
I thrashed peas the Boys choped in the wood shed
it is So Stormy that they could do nothing out
7
Boys drew 2 loads from Armstrongs I threshd peas
hard frost Clear & fine day
8
I thrashed pean in the forenoon went to the Station
very Stormy wind & Snow the boy drew 1 load of
wood
9
snow
the Revd Mr Johnston preached in the Schoolhouse
10
very Stormy wind & Snow & thrashed John Coslow
worked half the day with the Boys drew 2 loads of
wood
11
Billie drew a load of Bunks from Jacksons 75 sils
Gordy helped Thos Bradley to thrash I thrash peas
very fine day
snow
& rain
12
worke a little at some Sheepskins to tan them &
went to the School- Meeting Benj Warren was
Elected Trustee a very Stormy rain & Snow
snow
13
John Coslow thrashed peas I went to the Annul
meeting of the Agriculture Socity at Westons was
reelected President a very Stormy day wind & Snow
97
rain
14
very cold day billie & Coslow started to go to the
woods for wood they come back it was so cold that
they could not sand it I cobled in the house
15
rained all day we intended to Young choped in the
woodshed
16
no Meeting to day went to Young to Granmoms
17
heavy rain all day could not come home
1869 {out of order chronologically this is Dec 17-31, 1869}
{The following entries from Dec 17 to 20 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{December}
Dec
17
Billie helped B Younge to thrash I salted some of the
meat
18
Do Do Do finished the cuting & salting
19
no meeting to day no slaughing
20
Went to Robesons schoolhouse the Nomination there
was a good many people then & a poll demanded
21
put pins in the Slaugh fine Day Mr Darlin come here at
night & Stopted all night we intend to go &See what
we can get for the Church
98
rain
22
heavy rain this morning & all day nothing done Mr
Darlin went home after dinner he had a buggy
23
I fixed a little at the old trundle bed am bad the
Rheumatism in my Sholders
24
tinkered round the house went the Station & met the
Revd J Austin he is going to Spend his Christmas in the
neabourhood
25
David & Miss Heacock came from Delta very poor
Sloughing here
26
the Revd Mr Davis preached in the Schoolhouse in the
forenoon & the Revd Mr Austin in the afternoon
27
fixed the Cutter for David it is Wat old one put on a
Shoe & two braces behind I then took the receipt that
I got from J.E Keaton for $31 for the Road to the
Council
28
the Boys underbrushd in Cornets woods for wood
29
Billie & the girels went to a funeral of Miss Shipmon
She died in Belville was buired at Robersons the Revd
JP Baicke come here last night by the Express Billie
took dishes up to Reeds for a tea meeting that is to be
there Tomorrow
30
I did nothing Stopted with Mr Baikie Mr Austin & him
hear for dinner Billie took 8 in the Buggy up to the tea
meeting it was a fine one took $39 dollors in there was
6 ministers 4 Presbyterains & 2 Meathodist
99
31
the Boys worked in the woods poor slaughing
1870 {The following entries from Feb 11 to 18 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
Feb
1
Billie & Geordy drew 2 loads of railcuts from
Jacksons fine day
2
got the horses Shod in the forenoon went to a wood
bee of Bruce McNiels in the afternoon
3
went to a bee of Samuel Johnstons to draw Sawlogs
to Gananoque for Shingles
4
went to Elen Landons Funnerl Revd Mr Follock
preached there was 25 Sloughs & cutters
5
I went with John Johnstons to the funeral of Mrs
Tackabury Revd Mr Follock preached there was 39
Slaughs & cutters
6
the Revd Mr Davis preached in the Schoolhouse
7
Billie. Geordy & John Coslow got out 7 loads of
railcuts I went to Brockville Stopt all night
8
at J Halls got home about 8 oclock at night 8 the
Boys got out 8 loads
9
the Boys got 7 loads the boy brought one load home
100
at night the rest they left in Jacksons field
10
Do Do 8 Do
11
Do Do 7 Do
12
Billie & Geordy went to the woods themselves got
out 4 loads & brought 1 home I Paid John Coslow
Turner $2.50 for the 5 days that he helped the boys
in the woods
13
rain &
snow
no meeting to day fine day
14
Billie went to a wood bee of Benj Youngs very snowy
in afternoon wind & snow & a little thaw
15
rain most of the night so that yesterdays snow is
nearly gone Billie drew 2 loads of railcuts
16
we had a Bee to draw the Railcuts from Jacksons
there was J. Douglas H McKee J. Purvis S Laplante
Armstrong B. McNiel A Cornet J Johnston B Young R
Johnston Mr Horton F. Johnston C Young J Bradley 14
teams besides our own we got a fine job some snow
falling
17
{first of line illegible} James Armstrong Samuel
Johnston went for railcuts S Johnston brought 1 &
Charly & Billie brought 2 loads that finished all that
they had out
18
heavy rain last night & this morning & all day no work
101
done
1870 {out of chronological order}
{January}
Jan
18
came home to day from Young nothing but ice on
the Roads the field is all bare
19
John Coslow James Choped wood with Billie drew 5
loads I thrashed peas & had to quit with pain in my
arms
20
Billie drew 5 loads of wood Young Coslow Choped &
old Mr Coslow finishd thrashing the peas fine day
21
Billie drew 6 loads of wood Coslow choped I went to
Gananoque with Robert Johnston to the Anual
Meeting of the Riding AgricutureSocity fine day the
roads is bare in a great many places
22
Billie went to Gananoque with 12 bushel of wheat
Geordy & me cleaned 40 bushel of peas Rob Beatty
come up for Mary She come home with us from
Young
23
the Revd Mr Follock preachd in the Schoolhouse rain
last night & to day David come home to night
rain
24
cleaned the rest of the Peas had 62 bushelcleand
the midge proof wheat had 18 bushel fine day
102
rain &
snow
25
Billie & Geordy helped Charles Armstrong to thrash
Burns & Rape came to thrash they Sett the machin&
went home Snow last night hail & rain to day
26
began to thrast the wind is so high that they had to
quit Billie went to the funeral of Mr Horton at
Dulcimain Schoolhouse the Revd Mr Carrol preached
27
thrashed the Spring Wheat had 63 bushel & oats
had 140 bushel paid Rape & Burns $ nine dollors &
thirty cents that is in full for what they did now & in
August T. Bradley M. Young A. Cornet E. Warren J.
McMullen & D. Johnston fine day
28
made pins & ranes & a runner for the old Bob
Slaughes fine day
29
put a shoe on the Bobslaugh & other fixings on them
at the blacksmith shop Billie got 150 Stakes & 50
caps from Jacksons
30
no Meeting to Day Albert Hickock & his sister came
here
31
Billie & Geordy went to Jacksons & drew 2 loads of
railcuts fine day
1870 {The following entries from Feb 19 to 28 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{February}
103
Feb
19
Snowed last night about 4 inches & a little rain in the
forenoon in the afternoon the Boys cut some in the
shed
20
rain
the Revd Mr Follock preached in the forenoon & the
Revd Mr Gordon in the afternoon snowed in the
afternoon
21
cold day the Boys went to School I fixed the harness
22
storming most of the day snow & wind I went to the
station with Mr Gordon Satchel he called at
Thompsons the Express will not be up till 7 oclock
23
Storming still I worked at the harness wind & snow
24
cold day cobled a little
25
the Boys is all at
26
Billie took 3 loads of hay to Charles Armstrong that
we borrowed from last Sping fine day
snow
27
no Meeting to day
28
drew in the remainder of the Stack Snowed a little
most of the day
1870 {The following entries from Mar 1 to 16 are transcribed from photos taken of the Walter
Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten diary
pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
104
{March}
March
1
Billie Ellen & David went to Gananoque {illegible}
Deans {illegible} fine day
2
fine day I am bad with the Rhuematism in my arm
I have done nothing for some time
3
fixed an iron wedge the boys at school
4
filed & sett a new crosscut saw for Charles
Armstrong fine day
5
Billie and Geordy drew 1 load of wood in the
forenoon then Billie went to bee of Hugh McKees
to draw rails from McCradies
6
snow
Revd Mr Davis preeched in the school house fine
day
7
snowed most of the day J.W Hough Esq came
here from Brockville he is going to Gananoque
staid all night
8
went to Gananoque with Mr Hough went & saw Dr
Davison & took dinner with him he is very poorly
9
went with Mr Hough to John Coacks to see the
Ayreshire Bull that he got from our Agriculture
Socitie
10
went to Gananoque with 6 bushel of Rye & 9 bags
of midge proof wheat got 3 bags ground & kept 6
105
bags to be cleaned for seed
13
snow
11
Mr Stark came here from Pitsburg fine day the
boys at school I can do nothing with my arms
12
the Boys drew 2 loads of wood from Armstrongs I
atended an Agriculture Meeting John Scott &
Aunt Jane came here & David & Isabla came from
Delta fine day
snow
no Meeting to day very stormy wind & snow
14
the roads is nearly blocked up the boys at school
15
John Scott & Aunt Jane went home Ellen went
with them the roads is very heavy
16
very stormy snow & drift very little travel on the
roads
1870 {The following entries from Mar 17 to 21 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
March
17
storming still snow & wind with terable drift
18
the roads is block up two thence teams turned out
& went along some soveling& more tramping
19
David & Billie went to Thomas Cornets to look at a
span of horses that he had we want to get a horse
106
Cornet is to bring them down of Monday
20
27
Revd Mr Follock preached in the schoolhouse
21
David went to Delta this morning & Cornet sent his
Son downe with the horses one is 5 and the other 4
years old in the spring, we kept them gave him siss
and $80 to give him 10 more in two months that is
at the rate of $190 for the span Billie took Miss
Sweet to W. Stettons this afternoon
22
rain & Snow & very warm the Snow in going turning
Cold this afternoon
23
cleaned 20 bushel of wheat intend to go to
Gananoque tomorrow frost last night &to day I have
gon to the Station every day sine Saturday
expecting Ellen home from Young She has not come
yet
24
went to Gananoque with 20 bushel of wheat for
flour Geordy went with me & I went to Mr. J.
Lindseys & laid out a road betwen lots No 7 & 8 in
the first consession of Leeds
25
fixed some of the buckets
26
Billie went to Young with 5 bushel of peas for Seed
to Rob John Robson went with him
no Meeting to day Snowed & blowed
107
28
fixed buckets the roads blocked up
29
took some of the buckets to the bush with the old
mare Billie come home from Young & brought 6
bushel of potatos from Rob
30
the Billie & Geordy taped all day the Snow is very
deep it is all most imposable to get along
31
taped more of the bush
1870 {The following entries from April 13 to 20 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
April
1
taped more of the bush very poor run
2
boiled sap in the Sugarbush got it all boiled in at dark
gave Sheapard his Shair in Surip
3
the Revd Mr Davis preached in the schoolhouse
4
went to marble rock with 10 bushel of oats got
oatmeal for it & 10 bushel of Barley got some dust for
the Cows Mr Dickson ows me 275 lb barley dust the
Revd Mr Bakie come here by the Express
5
the Boys went to School I fixed around the house
6
Billie went to Gananoque with Mr Baikie & brought
Isabla home from Dr Richmonds She was upon a visit
108
Geordy & me boiled in the bush
7
the Boys at School I am bad with my arms
8
Do Do
9
boiled Sap in the bush poor run Ad come home from
the woods
10
17
no Meeting to day fine I was most of with Smith Cow
She is very Sick
11
Wm Smiths Cow died this morning we opend her the
manyplies was as hard as a Stonee & gall was as large
as a quart cup
12
worked in the bush Ad. Ellen & Jennet went to
Brockville on the Mixed fine day Snow nearly gone
13
fixed irons for a whealbarrow fine day
14
Wat & Lizie came home from Toronto fixed irons for a
{illegible} and other things for the shop
15
Wat & Lizie went to Brockville on the Mixed fixed the
irons on the wheelbarrow
16
Billie drew stone for Mr Thompson
Revd Mr Follock preached in
109
rain
18
fixed the garden a little rain David went to Delta
19
Billie took the barrels to Weston that we had in the
sugarbush
20
Billie went to the 6th concession around the rear of
the township to tell the subcribers for Mr Colmons
trees that they were at the station divided the oats
for the Socitie each member got 8 lb
1870 {The following entries from April 21 to 25 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive} 1870
April
April
21
Billie went to tell the {illegible} for the trees to come
to the station worked in the garden Billie brought
wood {illegible}
22
planted out some elem trees along the fence
23
cleaned up the wheat had 39 bushel of Black sea & 12
that I got cleaned at Gananoque of the MigeProof
Billie plowed half the day for Mr Thompson our ground
is too wet to do anything with yet
24
no meeting to day heavy rain last night
25
planted 3 blackhart Cherry tree next the road below
the path that I got from Benjamin Young
110
26
planted 10 apple trees from Lyn Wat & Eliza came
home from Deta with the Express David came home
with the sulky
27
helped to mended the Boys tentes Billie drew dung
half the day for Mr Thompson
28
Billie began to plow & plowed in the north half of the
midle field west side it is rather wet yet I helped the
Boys with there tents
29
plowed in the north field part of the day. Wat & Ad left
with the morning Express for Toronto in theere way to
Musckoce
30
plowed in the north field Geordy has been working
with the Sowers at the Station the most of this week
1870 {The following entries from May 11 to 14 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
May
May
the woods
begin to
look Red
1
No Meeting to day in the Schoolhouse the
RevdMr Carrol preached in the Church
2
Billie plowed Geordy worked with the Sower
3
Began to Sowed & 4 bushel of Black oats on the
north half west Side of the midle field I went to
Robert Johnstons to Show him how to graft fine
111
day
10 bushel
of Black
oats
4
Sowed 4 bushel Black oats Billie plowed
5
Do 2 Do Do Do & 3 bushel of white
6
Sowed 3 bushel of the white oats on the South
end of the midle field got S Johnston Cultivator
& cultivated the fall plowing
7
I was Skining a Calf & run the knife into my arm &
cut a vain sent for Dr Elsworth it bled so fast I
could do nothing got A Cornet to Sow for the
Boys he Sowed 5 bushel of oats the Revd Mr
Austin came here this afternoon by the Express
8 the
woods
look green
13 bushel
of white
oats 28 in
all
the Revd Mr Austin preached this forenoon Billie
took him to the Reeds School- house in the
afternoon
9
A Cornet Sowed 5 bushel of oats Billie began to
plow in the North field we had S Johnston old
Maire half the day on Saturday & to day
10
fine Showr last night & this morning Sowed
about 1 bushel of peas in the South end of the
midle field Sowery most of the day
11
Sowed bushel of peas Billie finished plowing the
North field this forenoon Plowed in the field
112
south of the south ditch East line
15
12
Sowed {illegible} bushel of peas Billie plowed the
garden & ridged up for the corn
13
finished sowing the midle field
14
Sowed 6 bushel of Barley in the north field
the Revd preached in the afternoon in the
schoolhouse & the Revd Mr Carrol in the church
1870 {The following entries from April 16 to 24 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{April}
April
16
Sowed {illegible} Black see in the North
part of the {illegible} B McMullin {rest of
line illegible} sod & plowed the {rest of
entry illegible}
17
B{rest of entry illegible}
18
sowed 3 bushel of {rest of entry
illegible}
19
Sowed 3 pails of surprise oats and peas
&Coplands oats that I got of Mr {two
lines illegible} 7 oz {illegible} barley 4 oz
Porter oats 3 to {illegible} 5 to surprise
oats on sod south ditch east line Sowed
some carrot Beets and mangols south
113
garden
20
Began to sow at Sheepards sowed 1
bushel of midgeproof oats of our seed
wheat very dry weather
21
Sowed 2 1/2 bushel of Midgeproof on
Sheepard Billie finished plowing at
Sheepards I planted Erley Godrich
{illegible} & calico potatoes sowed 1/2
bushel Fitches below the house
22
{vertically in
margin} got a
heffer calf from
J.W. Hough a
present for Jenee
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the
schoolhouse this morning
23
Sowed 2 bushel of Midgeproof & brock
in some drew dung to the corn ground
Billie plowed it in very dry hard plowing
24
Gordy sowed 2 bushel of midgeproof on
Sheepards Billie went to Mathew Keer &
got 9 1/2 bushel of potatos
25
Sowed 1 bushel of Blacksee on
Sheepards that finished it roled &
draged the cornfield then roled & draged
marked out 8 rows with the plow &
drilled it with Corn for the Cows it is the
horse tooth corn
26
planted 1 bag of Fluke {potatoes} that Mr
Cholhun gaves 4 1/2 of Chilios {Garnet
Chili potatoes} in the corn field Billie &
Ellen started for Pembrook this
aforenoon Billie is going to learn to be a
114
carpenter with L. Nesmith
27
planted 2 bushel of the Seedlings on the
Sod old horse paster
28
washed the sheep the ground is very dry
got a heffer calf ( got a heffer calf from J
W Hough a present for Jennee)
29
the Revd Mr Austin preached this
afternoon
30
fixed fence for a horsepaster & got the
tiers Sat on 3 buggy wheals
31
finished laying up the paster fence this
forenoon very warm day no rain
1870 {The following entries from June 01 to 15 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
{written vertically across entries 1-4}: Made an agreement with J.McDonald for a
selfrackingmowower& Reaper to give him a Lot 40$ in March 71 & 40$ in March in 72.
June
1
Began to split rails for a center fence in the North
field warm day
2
worked at the rails & fence
3
Do Do
115
4
5A
little
rain last
night
12
Do Do
the Revd Mr Austin preach this forenoon I went to
the funeral of Dr Richmond he died yesterday
morning about six oclock there was between fifty
& sixty teems he was buired in Cemetary in
Pittburg the Revd Mr Barnes had prayer
6
worked at the fence spliting & puting up
7
Do Do in the forenoon went to the Schoolhouse in
the afternoon to a Meeting of the building comittee
nothing done there none from the upper or Reeds
settelment there
8
John Thomas Split 211 rails I paid him one dollor
Geordy helped Mr Thompson to Sow wood at the
Machin I put up fence
9
finished the fence in the center of the north field
Geordy helped J. Bradley to Sow in the forenoon
10
began to roll the grain rolled in the north field a
little rain at noon
11
finished the north field & rolled in the midle field
next the road in the forenoon had a great storm of
wind & rain this afternoon upset part of the new
fence & along {line illegible}
the Revd Mr Follock preached in the forenoon and
the Revd Mr Carrol in the afternoon
116
13
fixed fence in forenoon Wat {illegible} with down
on railway David went to Toronto
14
went to Gananoque with 13 bushel of wheat got it
ground Isabla went to Mrs Richmond to see here
called for Isabla Mrs Richmond gave the Dr Boot
Jack as a keepsack of the Drs fine rain
15
hoed the potatos in the garden Gordy went to
Delta with a horse that David had here of Mr
Staffords Jennet went with him
1870 {The following entries from June 16 to 23 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
June
June
19
16
I fixed Elens warping bars I had to make up the
bottom slats & 1 uprite Ad came home this morning
from the woods
17
Geordy came home to day he brock the axel of the
buggy at McIntoshs& had to on horseback got Bobs
buggy he came home with I went through the corn
with cultivator
18
picked stones in the medow warm weather went to a
raising of a Barn of Samuel Johnstons Ad went to
Toronto on the Express
the Revd Mr Austin preached this morning in the
schoolhouse
117
20
I drew stones of the medow in the forenoon very
heavy rain with wind & hail in the afternoon
21
drew stones of the medow
22
Do Do Do
23
finished drawing the stones of the medows went
through the corn & potatos with deel
24
rolled in the midle field the grain is rather forward I
did not roll it all
25
rolled the wheat & oats South of the South ditch
where the horse paster was last year
26
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the School house this
afternoon little rain at night
rain
27
worked on the roads at the Station with the horses &
Scraper
28
Geordy went to Young with Mary & Ellen I went
through the corn & potatos with the cultivator in the
forenoon went to a raisin of J. Bradley in the
afternoon little rain this afternoon
29
worked on the roads at the Station drawing gravel
30
Geordy worked on the roads in the forenoon I went
through the potatos in the afternoon very heavy rain
118
at night
1870
July
1
Geordy worked at the carrots I was in bed all day I took
something last night
2
Geordy worked at the carrots I can do nothing yet
3
10
the Mr Austin preached in the schoolhouse
4
worked on the roads fine day
5
Do Do
6
I worked on the roads Geordy worked at the potatos
we did 7 days on the roads
7
drew 120 bushel of sand for J Gilbert Geordy worked at
the carrots & beets
8
worked at he potatos fine day
9
Do Do I went to the station & met the Revd Mr Simpson
Mr Austin exchanged with him as Mr Austin had to
atend the presbytry at Napanee he went up on tusday
the Revd Mr Simpson preached in the school house in
the morning I took him to Reeds in the afternoon fine
day very warm
119
Rain
11
worked at the potatos went to the station with Mr
Simpson in the afternoon & to Mr Darlings got 2 bags of
salt one paid $2 & other 1 a fine rain this afternoon
12
Geordy went to Gananoque to see the orng walk I was
sick in bed all day
13
went to the kid road along with the most of the people
at the station to hunt for two maen that killed a girel of
the penatentionary the were seen by Anson Landon
coming down the track this morning found there tracks
that was all
14
got a combind mower & reaper from James McDonald I
am to give him a lot & eighty dollars one half in March
first the other half in a year from that mowed in the
North field west side
15
finished cuting what was in that field it worked well
1870
{July}
July
16
17
rain
raked & drew in 2 loads of hay where I mowed on
thursday rain this afternoon Stoped raking
the Revd Mr Smart was expected to preach he did
not Come Mr Follock preached in the afternoon rain
last night
18
raked & drew in 2 loads of the corner field
120
rain
19
mowed for A Cornet brock the brock clearer got Moor
to fixe it paid 25c & cut some in the orchard
20
McDonald come & set up the reaper & we cut the fall
wheat more grass then wheat
21
mowed in the midle field fine day very warm
22
finished the field A Cornet helped to cock
23
raked & Cocked the field Cornet helped in the
afternoon a little rain last night
24
no meeting Mr Smart dispointed Mr Huston & is up
the presbytry the Revd Mr Austin preched
25
moed a Stack of the midle field A Cornet & his boy
helped he loaded I picked
26
mowed for A Cornet with the machin
27
mowed below the house the hay is good
28
Do Do Do & began the new field
29
A Cornet helped to cock in the afternoon 29 mowd in
the new land Cornet helped to cock
30
finishd the haying all but corners that is the cuting
Cornet helped to Cock & rake
121
31
the Revd Mr Austin preachd in th School housee in
the forenoon &Mr Folock in the afternoon
1870
{August}
August
1
Made a Stack of the hay below the house & the New
land east line 8 large loads A Cornet helped
rain
2
drew in 3 loads of the new land in the forenoon Cut
oats with the machin for A Cornet in the afternoon
would of finished if it had not raind
3
finished Cornets oats this forenoon went to Benj
Youngs cut Some wheat the machin did not work
Sent for McDonalds to come
4
McDonald come & fixed it. it works well
5
finishd his wheat & a peace of oats Geordy helped
Youngs half of the day yesterday & all day to day
6
a little rain this morning toped off a Stock this
forenoon went to Reeds Schoolhouse heard the
Revd Mr Smart preach was put in as on Elder along
with Alexand Cockeman
7
went Reeds Schoolhouse Mr Smart dispened the
Sacrement to 41 communicents he preached in our
School house at 6 oclock PM rain to night
rain
rain
8
Geordy drew Stones & Sand for Dean & 2 loads for
Wm Cornet I fixed some tinkering at the machin rain
122
this morning
rain
9
cut the Socities oats they are badly rusted cut
other oats rusted likewise all the oats in the Country
hear abouts is so cut some of the oats in the midle
field
10
cut oats in the midle field brock part of the real
fixed that then lost 3 nuts of the pitmon fixed that
got most of the Black oats cut
11
went to Gananoque to Dr Richmonds Sale bought a
faning mill paid $13.50 and $1 for 5 small Chains I
took up 5 bushel of wheat & some wool they are
fixing the dam got no grinding
12
got in one load of oats before it began to rain this
morning there was very little rain
13
finishing cuting the oats & got some of them in A
Cornet helped
14
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the Schoolhouse
15
cut the wheat & Barley & drew in the remainder of
the oats fine day the Girles helped
16
Geordy Mr Austin & the Girles went to Delta this
morning I raked some of the Barley
1870
{August}
August
123
17
very high wind yesterday & to day cut hay around
the fence
18
raked up the wheat & drew it in fine day very dry
19
got in the Barley & cut the wheat at the East line
20
got in the wheat at the East line & hooked some of
the Peas in the midle field Humpery Young helped
21
28
the Revd Mr Austin preached in the Schoolhouse
22
drew in 2 loads of peas they are very dry Cut the
migeproof wheat at the East line it is to the acre
very thin it ought to get at least 2 bushel
23
a little rain this morning went to Gananoque got the
roles & grist that I took on the 11th fine rain this
afternoon
24
hooked the remainder of the peas fine day
25
cut the Black See at Sheperds the midge proof is
green yet that is in the low ground
26
rain so that we could not get in the peas
27
hooked Some of the Crown peas
the Red Mr Austin preached in the Schoolhouse in
124
forenoon
rain
29
got in all the peas Humph Young helped Geordy
helped A Cornet to draw in
30
began to Cut the midgeprof at Sheaperds Hump
Young & A Cornet helped
31
rain last night hook some of the Crown peas in the
forenoon worked at the wheat in the afternoon
1870
{Sept}
Sept
1
Worked at the wheat drew in Some H
Young helped fine day
2
Cut all the wheat that was ripe
3
drew in Some of the wheat fine day
4
rain
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the
forenoon
5
drew in 1 load then it rained a little
6
Do in all that was cut at Shepards or
Cornets
125
Geordy cut the
wheat at Cornets
then Henery
Webster helped
him
7
went to Gananoque with 16 bushel of
wheat & atended an agriculture Meeting
8
went to Young to See Granmom Ellem
Lize & Isabla went with me
9
went to Brockville bought a side
Soleleather $3.30 got the Deerskin $1.75
that was loned a Keg of powder $4 got
the horses $1.25 Shod 2 1b Alske Clover
50 caststeel for 2 drills 51 fuse 37 1/2
10
Stopt at Granmoms got home to night
11
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the fore
noon & the Revd Mr Follock in the
afternoon
12
drew in the wheat at Cornets that
finished there fine day very dry
13
Sowed grassseed in the North field the
Seed that I Sowed in the Spring did not
come we draged it in the ground is very
dry
14
Robert Beatty Come up for Mary & little
Wats wife they come up with me on
Saturday thrashd Some oats & picked
Some Stones where it was
15
Geordy went to dung bee of W. J Turners
I thrashed & cleaned Some oats
126
16
heavy rain last night & this morning
Cleared up & we had a fine dung bee got
the most of the out put it on the North
field
17
drew out Some dung to the north So as
to finish the field I went to Gananoque
for Mr Gordon
18
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the
Schoolhouse
19
I began to dig a well below the house
Geordy drew Some Stones of the North
field
1870
Sept
20
Geordy picked Stones in the north field in the
forenoon went to Gananoque with Mr Geordon in the
afternoon I was trying the rock for the lowest place &
then wrote a letter to David Robb
21
went to John Johnstons to his well & then Christie
Young taking about the well Geordy {illegible} dug &
shoveled the clay for the {rest illegible} helped A
Cornet to thrash fine day
22
Finishd & they then went to J McMillins Geordy went
to Young to See little Wats wife before that She went
home to Pembrok
127
23
helpe J McMullin to thrash Geordy & the Girles got
home to night
24
Geordy helped Wm J Turner to thrash
25
the Revd Mr Smart preachd in the Schoolhouse
26
{next 3 dates appear blank}
27
28
29
went to Young with Ellen to See her Mother She is
very bad with diarrhae Stoped all night
30
went to Brockville got 500 of brick for the Church got
home at 10 oclock at night it rained on the most of the
way
1870
Oct
Oct
1
Atended an Agriculture Meeting at the Station
2
2
the Revd Mr Smart preached in the forenoon I took him
to the Reed Schoolhouse
3
plowed & Scraped a short ditch below the house in the
forenoon Geordy went to the Kitley fair with C Young
128
rain most of the day
4
rain most of the day no work done I went to Reeds with
Benj Brown to look at wood land & then to Gananoque
5
Scraped up some dung in the Barnyard
6
Geordy come home last night we Spread dung in the
north field fine day
7
I went to Brockville expecting to meet Mr Loren
Neismith from Almont he had not Come Stopt all night
Saw him this morning he gave me an account of my
Cousin David Robb in glasgow he was home & Saw him
in Glasgow got home
8
with the Express this afternoon I met the Revd Mr
Gordon at the Station he come home with me Geordy
helped B Young at the thrashinmachin
9
the Revd Mr Geordon preached this forenoon in the
Schoolhouse Geordy took him to Reeds he come home
with him again he went from here to Kingston I drew 2
loads of sand for J. Web & 2 for Mr Thompson & 1 for
the Church
10
I drew 1 load of Sand to the Church 2 for J Web & 2
loads of gravel & 1 of Sand for Wm Thompson Geordy
helped H Young to put on straw
11
Geordy drew loom & gravel for Parkers in the forenoon
rain this afternoon got 12 bushel of oats from A Cornet
129
12
went to Gananoque to the fair acted as Judgee on
Sheep Swine & poltry fine day
13
attendd our own fair at the Station took first on the Bull
Calf 3rd ram lamb & Carrots 2nd in Mangle
14
the Hazelwoods& Rob Beatty was up Granmom is no
better Geordy began to plow & plowed in the field
below the house Northeast part it is first plowing the
ground is rather dry
1870 {The following entries from Oct 15 to 18 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
Oct
15
16
Dug some potatos a little rain at 11 oclock& attended
an Agriculture meeting at the station went to Young to
see grandmam She is very bad Ellen hs not been home
sine I took her down she cannot leave
came home this afternoon there was no meeting here
to day there was no one went for Mr Gordon on
Saturday
17
Wm Cornet helped me to spread the dung in the north
field we finished it it got a fine coat Geordy drew 9
loads of gravel for Jos Gilbert & some wood
18
heavy rain & wind last night & this morning a great deal
of the fenceses is blown down no work done
19
put up the fence around the little field at the old house
so as to keep in the rams & lambs dug 16 bushel of the
Seedling potatos & 5 of Chilies Wm John Cornet
130
helped
20
rain this morning no potatos dug
21
dug potatos Wm Cornet helped me in the afternoon
we dug 30 bushel of Chilies they are very good
22
Finishd diging the potatos we dug 14 bushel Wm
Cornet helped half the day we have 60 bushel in all I
met the Revd Mr Gordon at the Station he is to preach
here tomoro fine day has been Geordy plowd
23
the Revd Mr Gordon preached in the forenoon &Mr
Follock in the afternoon
24
Samuel Moorhead come here this morning & we
comenced to Blast a well a little north of the house in
the garden the rock is very hard it sand & flint
25
worked at the well rain in the afternoon Could not work
at it the rock very hard & hard to get out
26
worked at the well Geordy plowed fine day
27
worked at the well in the forenoon rain in the afternoon
John Young come here from Toronto I went to Escot
for for leather to give him got 1 of own bought on other
for $2 gave them to him & a dear Skin to make boots
for me
28
worked at the well the rock is a little softer
131
29
30
worked at the well got along well to day
the Revd Mr Gordon preached he come here on
wedensday night
31
worked at the well the rock is a great deal softer
Geordy pulled some of the carrots frost last night
1870
{Nov}
Nov
1
Worked at the well took out 50 pails this
afternoon Geordy went to a raisin of G Youngs
Adam came home from the woods this afternoon
2
worked at the well we took out 60 pail fulls this
morning worked till night the water comes in very
fast about a pailfull every 1 1/2 minutes we had to
Stop doing anything more at it this fall we were
only 7 1/2 days I paid S. Moorehead $7 1/2 we are
4 feet 9 inched in the rick Geordy & Besy at the
carrots
3
Geordy & me finished pulling the carrots in the
forenoon Ad took his Mother down to Granmom
She is no better I went to Gananoque to an
Agriculture Meeting Haig. Peck & me was appritd
to get an Ayrsishire Bull
4
Geordy plowed I cleaned out the well & went &
Seen J McMullen W J Turner S Finley & Sheells to
draw lumber from the Reck for the Church John
Robson & his Wife came here they are to go on
Monday
132
5
6
Geordy finished the plowing of the field or rather
part of the field East line South of the midle ditch
I went an Agriculture Meeting for to Station the
Rams we have 5 I get one J Purvis 1 N Colhoun 1
Wm Douglas 1 J Cook
the Revd Mr Follock preached in the afternoon
7
I went with J McMullin S Findley Wm J Turner J
Shields for lumber to Marble Rock for the Church
Geordy began to plow in the midle field west
side
rain
8
Geordy plowed in the midle field I covered the
carrots in the forenoon rain in the afternoon
rain
9
plowed in the forenoon rained in the afternoon I
fixed a handle sucker for the pump
10
drew Stones for the well & Stoned it up it is too
low
11
quired Stones for another row of Stones higher
Geordy plowd in & banked it up a little
12
drew the Stones that I quired for the well & put
them
Snowed a
little last
night
13
the Revd Mr Gordon preachd in the Schoolhouse
David got home from Nipagon this morning
133
14
fixed arond the well wheeled Some of the Stones
that come out of it into the lane
1870
{Nov}
Nov
15
James McDonald & A Cornet come to thrash at
Cornets we had what they called 30 bushel of wheat
16
finished thrashing Hendersons & put in the Straw
Wat Come home by the express the boys look well
17
Cleand out the well & fixed a little there was 4 feet of
water in it Wat & David went to Delta to day
18
Cleaned the wheat that was A Cornets had 16 bushel
of migeproof we took 11 of oats out of it there was 6
bushel of Black See as it come from the mashin that
we did not Clean 34
19
got some wood I Cut down the old oak tree at the
Corner of the orchard for Slaugh crooks it was a hard
job hard frost
20
the Revd Mr Gordon preach in the Schoolhouse this
forenoon & the Revd Mr Green the Bible Socitie
Agent from Montrail at night
21
Ad went to John Bradleys & got the Leister Ram put
him with the Sheep Geordy plowed this afternoon
frost is all out plastered Some of the Stable
134
Snow
22
I thrashed peas Geordy drew dung to the garden
23
Snowed & Stormed all day no work done
24
Ad went to Gananoque with 16 bushel of wheat we
cleaned up 7 bushel of peas got Some & other fixing
25
James McMullin & I cleaned out the insid of the
Church in the forenoon Geordy plasterd the Stable
the snow is going very fast
26
plasterd the Cow Stable & other fixing about Robie
Beatty brought Ellen home this afternoon her Mother
is no better
27
no Meeting to day the Snow & frost all gone
28
cleaned or picked Stones of between the Church &
the orchard with the teem in the forenoon Ad began
to plow in the afternoon Geordy & I Picked in the
afternoon with Mary
29
Ad plowed Geordy & me picked Stones with Mary
30
hard frost last night little work done
1870
{Dec}
Dec
1
Ad Choped wood in Armstrongs woods
Geordy got wood. J Thomas Split the rail
cuts in the forenoon I thrashd Some
135
peas fine day Henery Young Wm Cornet
& Humphery Young put the joist in the
Church
2
Ad plowed betwen the Church & the
orchard Geordy & me drew of Stones
fine day
3
Do Do Do Do
4
rain
snow
the Revd Mr Berts preached a Missonary
Sermon in the Schoolhouse
5
plowed & drew of Stones between the
Church & orchard & Killed the hogs
6
rain this morning & most of the forenoon
J Thomas finshed Spliting the rails he
Split 700 I paid him $3.50 cents that is
50 cents per hundred Geordy went to
Gananoque & got a Suite of Clothes cut
Ad plowed I Salted the Pork
7
Ad finished plowing between the orchard
& the Church I Cleaned out the furrows
& dug som ditches so as to let the water
off
8
Snowed about an inch last night & is Still
Snowing I thrashed Some oats Stormy
day kind of rain & Snow
9
Ad Choped wood at Armstrongs Geordy
drew it togather with the old maire I
136
Killed the geas & a Sheep Ellen went to
Mallorytowne on the mixed this morning
to go to her Mothers She expects Rob to
Meet her
10
11
drew Sand from the pit to bank the
house I received a letter from Wat with
the Mortgage that E. J. Sinkler held
against Me he paid it up
the Revd Mr Follock preached in the
Schoolhouse this morning
rain
12
Snow & rain all day we cleaned up the
Barn & granery we expect the thrashers
had 3 bushels of the Black See wheat
that was on the Shepard place
J Bradley A
Cornet J
Johnston J
McMullin J W
Turner H Young
helped to thrash
13
A Cornet came here last night with the
machin we thrashed the peas had 17
bushel & 22 of wheat 12 of barley the
track is very bad began the oats
14
finished the thrashing had 183 of oats
put in part of the Straw
15
finished puting in the Straw in the Barn A
Cornet & H Young helped
1870 {The following entries from Dec 16 to 23 are transcribed from photos taken of the
Walter Beatty fonds at Queen’s University Archives. These photographs of the handwritten
diary pages are not legible on the Rural Diary Archive}
137
Dec
16
Ad & Ellen & Isabla went to Brockville this morning
in the Buggy they took the butter with them hard
frost Geordy drew dung to cover the potatos
17
Geordy helped J Bradley to thrash I got some wood
& fixed the cattle snowed & blew in the afternoon
Ad & the girls got at night they got 19 cents per lb
for the butter all round butter has fell it was the high
prise {illegible}
18
no meeting to day
19
went to the nomination at Willsons schoolhouse
thre is 22 nominations 4 for Reeve 3 for D Reave the
rest for councillors the Boys drew wood from
Armstrongs
20
I examined the concession line between the 1 & 2
con in lots No 13,14,15,16,17 & 18 the Boys drew wood
rain this morning
21
Stormy this morning Ad ground his axe in the
forenoon & we cleaned up the pussegrass seed &
killed a 2 year old heffer for Beef
22
drew wood from Armstrongs
23
Do DoDoDo drew in the remainder of the stack of
hay put it over the horses in the forenoon went to
Delta for David & Wat & his Wife
24
Choped wood in the woods Ad got home to night
Lizie is not well So Wat & her did not come
138
25
the Revd Mr Ffollock preached in the Schoolhouse
at 7 oclock PM
snow
26
very Stormy day Billie come home yesterday with
Mary & little Willie
A little
snow
27
cleaned up four bags of fall wheat all that there was
Ad went to help James Cornet to get out timber for
a Barn he had all his Barns a Sheds burned
28
mended the harness cold day
29
Ad went to New Bourough with F Dean his Wife
David Billie & Isabla cold day Billie & Mary went
home to day
30
Geordy went to J Cornets raisin I atended to the
Cattle a little Snow
31
Stormy day rain & Snow cut iron in the Shed
Snow
1871
January
Jan
1
The Revd Mr Francis preached in the Schoolhouse in
the forenoon & at 6 oclock in the evening
snow
2
acted as Returning officer in the division of the
Township Stormy day
139
snow
3
a very stormy day wind & Snow with heavy drifts Ad
came home from Newbourrow with his visiters Lizie
came with him from Delta
4
no travel on the roads what is is through our fields
attended on the Cattle
5
Ad & Geordy helped B. Younge to thrash the road is
very bad
6
drew the rails out of the lane to make a fence across
the new field that we plowed this fall near the Church
7
Billie went to Delta with Elizie Watt did not come fine
day no travel on the roads here
For more information on William Beatty, check out the “Meet the Diarists” section
under “Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca
140
