Irene Dixon Bamford 1897-1898, Diary Transcription
5034_4-1-7

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itemTitle: 1897-1898
date: 1897-1898
Title: 5034_4-1-7
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[File folder containing originals]
IRENE DIXON BAMFORD
DIARY 1897-1898
[stamp]
Queen’s University Archives
Locator 5034-4

2
B-read
1897 - 1898

3

4
Mrs wells Bamford
with L.Watson
Kingston
Public School Scribbler
[stamp]
1987 &
1898
[imprint of unidentified school possibly Grant Hall Queens U]
Manufactured by
McAuley, Cit Book Store
136 Princess Street, Kingston

5
Grace H Bamford
St Lawrence
PO Wolfe
Island
Ontario
[random scribblings]

6

7
My dear Papa
I received your
letter some time ago and was grieved and
shocked to hear of poor dear Gordons death.
I’m sorry for dear Aunt Mamie and Grandma
too and aunt Helen but he is in Heaven now
with his father. I can never forget the last time
I was there and what a pleasant time we had
playing games. Marjorie went with me once.
We will see him again some time in that
beautiful summer land where there will be
no snow or pneumonia. what will poor aunt
Mamie ever do but grandma says the Lord
can heal her broken heart. Uncle Wells came
home on Christmas day like a big Christmas
present to us all. Martin came home a week
earlier. Martin brought me as a present a
beautiful celluoid work box with thimble
cissor [sic] &c complete and presents for Grace, Volty
and Grandma. Edna Quinn at Christmas time
gave me a moroco case for holding letter paper,
envelopes, pen holder, blotting pad &c all fill
Nelly Guy sent me a flower pot holder.
Grace gave me books and other things and
we had a Christmas dinner and
Wells came. Miss Gordon is our new teacher.

8
I have not been to school since she began
teaching, but am going Monday. The weather
has been so rough and the walking mudy [sic] beside.
I helped Grace, for Grandma fell and sprained
her ankle two weeks ago. and she cannot step
on it. The river is free from ice on our shore
but Volty and Wallace Niles walked across
down by Mr Horns, day before yesterday on
form ice but the ice is gone now. My health
is good. I never was so fat as now. How
is your health and what made you sick
when you last wrote and are you teaching and
how are Benny & Willie dear little brothers and
Ma. Give my love to them all and Dear
Grandma and grandma Craig and family.
From your loving daughter
Maude L. Watson

9
Friday 21st Jan 1898
A soft drizzly day. Grace done
big washing and hung it all on the line.
V carried Rattrays coal home. [letters
from Mrs Watson saying his mother
on going to bed I slipped and hurt my
ankle some ached after going to bed.
Saturday 22nd Jan 1898
A cloudy soft day quiet. I’m sitting by the
stove yet. Grace finished washing clothes and
moped kitchen floor. Mrs Morgan and Mrs Souve came
with Geo Morgan to get a sleigh tongue fixed
stayed till dark. Voltie ate a hasty little supper
and walked to Morgans to go with Jimmis
to Marysville to band practice. Wells Sr brought
in the clothes from the line. Wallace here
and after supper they went (Mart & Wall) to W Burnhams
to see Miss Scott & Fanny McLocklin.
Mart came in very carefully
at 11 a.m. Shell here for Mart & Maud
to go skating with herself & Wallace and
Jack Jr.Maud came in with her dress wet
behind where she had fallen on the ice several
times.

10
Thursday 27 Jan 1898
A clear cold day clouds toward
night for a storm. Leonard Staley stayed over
night. Grace went to Kingston with Leonard
after dinner to get more cloth for her dress & coming
back to villiage and going from there with the load to Mores
to a band concert and dance. grows colder towards night
but V & Will D hitch up and drive to Morgans. Mrs Niles,
Shelly & Wallace come here and Mart, Maud & Edna go skating
while Mrs N and me visit.
Friday 28th Jan 1898
An extremely cold morning. Volty came
[illegible] 4 oclock pm. Mart
Sunday 23rd Jan 1898
Rained and snowed nearly
all last night. Volty didn’t come home till
to day at 1/2 past one pm. V and Jim
stoped at Charlies and stayed all night.
A soft warm day a quiet peaceful
day. V and Mart gone up stairs to bed.
Grace lying on lounge asleep cloudy
half snow half rain. Maud reading.
The dogs are sleeping too. Wells Sr sits by
coal stove reading and looking out the window
at the weather.

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Friday 21st Jan 1898
A soft drizzly day. Grace done
big washing and hung it all on the line.
V carried Rattrays coal home. letters
from Mrs Watson saying his mother
on going to bed I slipped and hurt my
ankle some ached after going to bed.
Saturday 22nd Jan 1898
A cloudy soft day quiet. I’m sitting by
stove yet. Grace finished [illegible]
Monday 24 January 1898
Colder this morning
& freezing. V butchered a beef cow very fat &
killed 12 roosters. Grace & Mart dressed them for
Market. Will and Wells Jr helped Volty. I finished
the rug. Grace made fried cakes, and baked bread.
Volty went to Wellies for team and stayed to
supper, came back and went down to Franks
to blow horn.

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[Page is a duplicate of Page 10]

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[Page is a duplicate of page 11]

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[duplicate of page 10]

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Saturday 29th Jan 1898
A very cold day. Bucks baby is dead.
Frank Woodman is sick sent for doctor B.
Mrs & Mr Woodman there got measles or
scurvy all broke out. Grace cooking and
doing Saturdays work. Edna dressing Muriels
doll. Volty cut holes in ice and bushed
out a road to Lindas Island. Will Dixon
and Volty drove to Marysville to band practice,
drove up and back on ice. Lizzie did not
come courting on Monday. V carried Frank
apple jelly, pickles and catsup.
Sunday 30 Jan 1898
Wm & V came at 2 am. Will very cold
warmed himself before going home.
A clear bright day and cold. Wells Sr goes
to Wells Jr to make a visit and carried the
doll to Muriel came back and called to
see Frank and visited awhile with Samy &
Ruth. The Mores party had no fiddler but
the turkey and hams didn’t spoil.
Henry down to Niles courting

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Monday Lizzie came this morning
through the storm covered with snow.
Grace cooking. Edna & Lizzie cutting and
sewing. Wells Sr shoveling coal in the stove
till it is hot as an oven. Mart whistling and
Grace te heing. Frank better no measles
only scurvy eating musty pork.
1st February Tuesday 1898
An old fashioned snow storm. The dress
is finished and Mart has taken Lizzie home.
Henry is down don’t think he went home since
Sunday, if storms like this tomorrow the ball
will be minus a few dancers from here.
Wednesday 2nd Feb 1898
A very cold day. V & M & Jr
go to [Lindas Island|Linday Island]] [sic] for wood drive double team on ice
& at two leave for the villiage in sleigh driving Dan
and Dick. Edna mops and then she and Grace get
supper. I can step on my foot by using a cane.
Old Mrs Gillespie no better. A quiet peace full evening.
Wells Sr telling stories of burried money being found by dreams.
Edna reading Queenie Hetherton. Maud reading Swiss
family Robinson.

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Thursday 3rd Feb 1898
A very cold bright morning morning [sic].
Our dancers came at 7 am cold tired &
hungry and had had both horses through the
ice just up by Elly Woodmans. Grace
dress around bottom frozzen they were not
in long. Volty and Mart fished them out. Then
got Elly out to put a bush to the hole. They
come just in time for breakfast. V and M with
pant legs frozen stiff to their knees. Grace gone to
bed. Mart gone to bed. Volty in blacksmith shop
shoeing horses.
Friday 4 Feb 1898
A cold day but warmer than
yesterday. The weather divided between sunshine
and snow storm. Nothing particular occurs
to day. Ethel D here came over with Will &
Charley. We persuaded Will to let her stay
awhile. Will has a very good horse and an
old cutter and he can now get all his wood
and drive the children to school.
Rev Diggs gone down to see old Mrs Gillespie.
Saturday 5 Feb 1898
A stormy day of snow. Wellie
and V gone to Kingston in sleigh carried
beef and potatoes to market. Rachel and Will
drove to Kingston in V’s cutter gone for groceries.

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Mart doing Wellie’s chores and ours. Mart does
a great deal of whistling & Edna a great deal of humming
which is somewhat distracting and anoying when
so long continued. Wills’ horse ran away but
done no damage. Rachel and Will rode home with Welly.
Welly brought our grist and two bags of coal.
V stoped at the practice and came home in
cutter at 2 a.m. [Welly|Wellie]] brought back V’s bay. Charley W
sorry to have it.
Sunday 6th February 1898
A brilliant cloudless day a heavy fall
of snow on the earth, dazzlingly white everywhere.
The monotonous whistling still going on at
short intervals. Will and Charley, Voltie, Grace,
Edna & Maud are sitting around the kitchen
stove te heing as usual. Mart stops just long
enough to whistle.
7th Feb 1898 Monday.
Grace does big washing. I wash a few
clothes. A good day for hanging out clothes. Father
goes to Clayton to see about selling the Island
but fails to make a bargain: gets 55 yds factory cloth,
34 print, 9 yds husk ticking and 5 lb batten, comes
home early. A harness pedler stays all night.
V and Jr and Mart bring wood from the
Island in the evening. The whole company
go to the oyster supper at
William G’s. V & GD & Edna & Mart
and JohnNiles Jr and Em Morgan rides up home

19
Tuesday 8th February 1898
Came home at 2 Oclock
Grace finished washing
Wells bought a new harness, traded an old one
for it. Forgot to say Joe Baker was here yesterday
peddling tea, bed springs and mattresses, and wall paper.
Volty got a severe cold but draws wood from Lindas
Island. Frank came for V to go to the villiage
to the band practice waited till dark ate
supper here: V came but such a bad cold and
need of rest stayed at home. Frank went up
alone.
Wednesday 9 Feb 1898
A soft warm morning; rains
No wood to day from the island. Volty
and Wallace Niles go up to Kingston start
at 2 pm come back and stop at Garden island
to the bad concert. At 4 pm
another load leaves the door. Grace, Edna,
Hattie Joslin, Will Dixon, Mart & Will Robertson,
Frank gone up with Jim Morgan and
the house is lonesome and quiet once
more

20
Thursday 10 February
A soft warm morning, fog
so thick cant see the barn. Charley Woodman
gone to Kingston started at 6 am. Wells Sr
came in from barn says they are coming for I
hear Mart whistling, they came at 7 am.
Wallace drunk, came home with them, think
the boys had all been drinking. They drove to
Franks where they deposited Wallace till he
sobers up. Hattie went to bed, slept till dinner
time. Mart went to bed after sitting around with
his head hanging down on his shirt front, pipe
bottom side up in his mouth, eyes read as coals
which speaks bad for Martin: Grace and Edna
sitting up to make Graces’ masquerade dress
for tomorrow evening but after dinner tired
nature asserts itself and they both tumble
fast asleep and I drive them both to bed.
Edna didnot sleep long but was out in
short time and sewing again. Grace laid
till nearly supper time, after supper the
girls sewed till 10 pm. Poor dear little
Edna the best child living. Volty went
to Kingston for a masquerade suit did not
get any going again early tomorrow morning.

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Friday 11 February 1898
A warm morning, a slight freeze
last night. Grace and Volty start at
1/2 past nine am for the villiage. Volty
going to Kingston again. Grace going
to stop with Belle till time to go to
the masquerade. Welly came up gave him
eggs. Very quiet after they are gone. Mart works
on the ice boat. Edna makes her dress waist.
Evening mail Whig &c. Go to bed wind blowing
a gale from South at bed time snow fast
disapearing.
Saturday 12 Feb 1898
A rainy muddy nasty
morning with fog: river ice looks dark and
dangerous. Volty and Grace come at 1/2 past
7 well pleased with the masquerade. Old
Mrs Hitchcock danced with short dress and
red stockings. Perhaps she wants to marry.
V and Grace sleep awhile. tried to churn
cream no good butter wont gather. Send
to Niles and buy 25 cents in butter. Tried
a few cakes without sugar, work on rugs
&c. Wallace & Geo call here on their way to
Franks to make an evening visit. The ground

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is as bare of snow as April.
Sunday 13th February 1898
A brilliantly beautiful day
like paradise. Earth nearly bare of snow
yet there is driving on ice. Edna, Maud & Martin go
to church. Charley & Henry drive down here
bringing Irene with them to stay awhile.
Henry & Charley here to dinner. Shelly & Miss Gordon
make us a long call. Charley goes at 3 pm
taking Grace & Martin with him. Grace
enroute for Nelly Guy’s Valentine Party
tomorrow evening. Shelly & Miss Gordon go at the
same time for Miss Scott is at J Niles.
Edna, Irene, and Maud are gone out walking
perhaps gone to Wellies. Voltie gone upstairs to
bed. Sr out to the barn. IreneSr alone remains
in full posession of the house if we dont count
the dogs. 4 pm growing cloudy: looks like a
rainy time again. How very quiet still & lonesome
the house is with only Tiny lying under the table fast
asleep. Not so much as the buzzing of a fly to
disturb the stillness only the tick tick of the
clock as the hours creep along towards nightfall.

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Monday 14 February 1898
A breezy morning wind South. Froze
a little last night sunlight over all the
earth but not brilliant, ground bare with a
patch or blotch of dirty snow here and there.
Arose at 1/2 past six, got breakfast, very tiresome
work. Maude and Irene noisy and
but then Maud swept dining room and
kitchen. Volty & his father working in the shop.
I mixed biscuits and bread, scoured, churn,
cooked beans. Evening Volty goes to Franks to
practice; Jim Morgan followed on after calling
for Volty. Will there also.
Tuesday 15 February 1898
A threatning morning, looks like rain
or snow. Wells Sr after waiting awhile for Wells Jr
starts for Kingston with old Jim and cutter.
Wind rising & about noon begins to snow fast &
furiously & continues to storm all afternoon
till bedtime followed by an all night storm
of wind and snow. Will and Welly out with ice
boat on river. Rachel came over for Grace to
finish her dress skirt but Grace in Kingston.
Will drove here for her at 5 pm. through a snow
storm. Wells Sr came just after dark but not Grace

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Grace sent a postal threatning to come home
but the threat failed to keep. I am disapointed
but not surprised Perhaps it is all right. Only
for little Edna, work and house hold buisness [sic]
might suffer.
Wednesday 16 February 1898
A half stormy half sunshine morning
wind blowing snow flying. Edna moping
Volty working in shop.

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Friday 1898 February 18th
A soft warm cloudy morning
raining a little. Welly came with a load
of grain to get ground and after loading
on V’s potatoes for Cummings started for
Kingston driving upon the ice. Charley &
Will brought Rachel over here in cutter
came again to get her dress made. Edna
making it, gave her vinegar. Will drove
for her taught her to crochet a block for
a rug. Wellie came at dark bringing Grace
with him, rode down on a load of coal
and provender enveloped in her fathers
mackintosh covered with ice from the
falling rain. sent Maud & Irene to Niles for
buttermilk but had none. Geo Darling here bought more tea.
Saturday 19 February 1898
A stormy morning of rain & snow.
Sr made gain this morning about his
horse blankets laying out doors all night wet.
It is only his things that are destroyed he notices
so he pitched into Volty for a row but Volty
having a great command and control of
his temper answered him cooly and rationaly
and reasonably as a good son ought to

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but after all such foolish elecution of
temper and authority on the paters part
is very unwise in a man of his age towards his
children or any one. Wind blowing nearly
all day. Volty went to bay for kerosine.
Edna and Maud out on ice boat with
Will Dixon went as far as Morgans.
In evening V went to Frank’s to practice.
Edna made Irene a night dress. Wellie and Volty
partly filled the ice house, a party at Morgans this
evening. Will and Jen there.
Sunday 20 February 1898
An icy rainy day
very quiet very pleasant a dark dreamy cloudy day.
Wells Sr cooking potatoes on stove for his
callers Mr Sullivan and Miss Andrews from Morgans
came down on ice boat
Monday 21st February 1898
A stormy morning and a stormy
day of rain, ice & snow, trees and earth and
buildings fences and everything covered heavy
with a coat of ice. Wind North. Edna made
my paint dress. Grace done general house work.
Irene played. Maud cleaned the lamps.
Grandpa done as he pleased. Volty worked
in shop and I finished a rug.

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Tuesday 22 February 1898
Another stormy day snow falling
fast, all day, Grace washing. Volty working
in shop. Edna went through the storm to
the post office. Irene learning to use crochet
needle. Maud helping around. Grandad
choring around and doing as he has a mind to.
Irene Sr very lame to day, but helped get dinner.
We have about ninety hens and get only from 3 to 6
eggs per day.
Wednesday 23rd February 1898
A snowy morning but soon clears up
and the sun comes out once more. Wells Sr
hitches up Jess and drives to Gananoque,
drives behind Charles Woodman and Frank Woodman.
They both come home early. Volty and Frank
drive to Marysville and return at 12 midnight.
Mart came home with them.
Thursday 24 February 1898
A stormy morning increasing in
volume towards night. V & Jr sawing ice. Wellie
slips in the ice hole. Volty fished him out.
Wellie went home wet to his waist. He lost
the long handled shovel in the hole. After
dinner V tried to get it by grappling but couldnt

28
Grace cut and partly made her new print
dress with Edna’s help. Sr worked on his sled.
In evening Jim Morgan drove here with his bugle enroute
for Frank’s. Volty went with him to Wills, found
Will and Jen had driven down to see old Mrs Gillespie,
then the two buglers drove to Franks.
Two beautiful brilliant sundogs either side
of the sun proclaims another storm day (the
sun shining out through storm clouds at 3 pm) dark
clouds in south like thunder cloud in summer tme.
We hull corn. Expected Charley & Belle but
think storm prevented.
Friday 25 February 1898
A snowy morning, snow
fallings so heavily can scarcely see uncle Samy’s
barn. Volty butchered 10 roosters for tomorrow
market. Sr fixed the stove pipe. Earth completely
covered with snow. Charley & Belle drove down
home bringing the two youngest children with
them. Carley leaves Belle & the little ones
to visit and returns homeward accompanied
by Rachel and Irene. The house in a hubbub
from chicken picking and cooking. A letter
from McDowell concerning the piano threatens
to make trouble. Wish we never had seen the
thing. Will & Charley here in eve & Morgan sleep on lounge.
Bernard Morgan reports the death of bishop Cleary

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Saturday 26 February 1898
Cloudy morning with some snow but very
mild. Sun comes out about 10 am
and is a lovely day after all the stormy
ones. Volty and Grace start for Kingston
at 7 am. Charley and Frank & Will Robinson
go to the city. Several teams go up to day
driving up on the ice. Will and Charley drove
over here in their cutter after going home. Wills
horse ran away, ran up the ice. Charley & Wills
followed on and caught the horse and came
driving back again in great state. Belle swept
and cleaned floors. Maud washed dishes. Irene Sr
cleaned pantry shelves. Mart brought water.
Sunday 27th 1898
A very fine day, froze last night
after Grace & Edna and little Gracie drove up to Morgan’s for sweet milk
for Belle’s baby. Volty drove across the river with
Belle & baby Kathleen. V drove back after dinner
at Mrs Gloyds. Wellie went across with him. They
found no difficulty in crossing. Mart and Edna
and Maud went to church. Edna went to
English church with Will Robinson. Mart with
Perley Burnham and then drove home with Perley
and stayed till 10 pm after returning from

30
the other side drove up to Mahoneys stayed to
supper and returned home at 11 pm.
Bernard here in afternoon went home
long enough to do the chores then came back
accompanied by Mabel for an evenings visit.
Ethel here for sugar. Will R here but didn’t
stay a long time. Al Percy and wife over
visiting at uncle Samy’s.
Monday 28 February 1898 last day of month
A beautiful bright day cloudless. Earth
spottersly [sic] white, warm in sunlight, froze last
night. Maud at school, Grace washing Edna
cooking & washing dishes. Irene darning stockings.
Sr mending bags. V working in shop. Mart choring
around. Little Gracie singing, Maggie de tows
are in de tovey. Greenfield here again about
the Rogers affair. Im sorry for Sr and for all
of us & only for trust and forth in the Feud that
never forsakes. I dont fear what the hand of
mortal man can do. After washing the dinner
dishes Edna walked to Wellies to stay all pm.
V and FW gone up on the ice to the practice.
This evening Grace & Martin gone to Willies.

31
Tuesday 1st March 1898
A fine day Bright clear and warm,
the ground beginning again to look bare.
Sr gone to Marysville for coal drove up on
the ice. After dinner V hitched up to go
over for Belle but instead drove to election
with Welly, afterwards drove across to llGloyd]]s
for Belle. Wellie going with him. Maud
walked to school and back at even’.
Sr came at sundown. Edna comenced
Maud’s dress.
Wednesday 2nd March 1898
A beautiful day warm and bright.
Wells Sr drove to school with Maud and from
there went to Al Joslins, came back to dinner.
Mart & Voltie and to Al Joslins chopping bee.
Voltie drove to Wellies with Belle and the two
little ones, the baby got a cold. Wellie brought
Belle home at dark. Edy Bates moving his furniture
across the river to the corners. Ed going to
be married the 16th to Dory Gillespie. Grace
& Edna walked to Evelines and rode to
Al Joslins with Willie Robertson, a dance at
Al’s girls stayed till eleven came home
with Dick Halliday.

32
Thursday 3rd March 1898
A beautiful day, warm. Baby got bad
cold applied a poutice of pork and onions
to the little lungs, gave her honey and goose oil.
Wells Sr and Voltie gone to Kingston sent for
emulsion of cod liver oil for Kathleen. Took
care of of [sic] her while Belle and little Grace went
over to see their Grandmother. Wells Sr came home
at dusk having had a tooth pulled which
continued to ache all evening. Voltie stayed
at Villiage to band practice came down with
Will D in cutter at 12 midnight, not much
housework or any other kind done these days,
visit confusion and play and cook the
meals. Sr drove to school with Maude.
Friday 4 March 1898
A beautiful day bright &
warm like May. Charley drove down for Belle
bringing Rachel back again. Belle began
early to gather her belongings in order to be ready
for a departure for home. A rooster and honey
and a basket of books and a bag of papers &c &c.
welllies, sourkrout [sic] and mince meat, from home
eggs, vinegar &c &c. A letter from Jess Reid from
Seattle. A dance at Will’s, G & E & M & Martin go came here at midnight,
a poor affair no supper, all the Horns there. V didnt go only drove over with the girls

33
Saturday 5th March 1898
A fine day sun shining clear.
Wind S.W. Wells Sr gone to Rosier to
pay the taxes on Linda’s island. Voltie
goes with him. Edna cleans up the parlor.
Wells Jr gone to Kingston, drove up on ice.
Grace cooking—forget what Maud done.
Sunday 6 March 1898
A very fine day warm cloudless.
Grace & Edna drive to Morgan’s for butter, find
Florence & Sullivan there just arrived. House
not in good order. Came back. Edna, Maud
& Martin go to church. Grace gets dinner—After
dinner Grace goes up the Island with Will Robinson
to Belles, comes back at 9 pm. After dinner
Jim Morgan puts in his appearance. Then come
Dave Mahoney, they all stay to supper.
After supper, Frank Woodman comes and
stays till bed time: at last all go home
and we get settled in our beds once more
sleeping the sleep of peace and contentment
such is life. A lovely moonlight night

34
Monday 7 March 1898
A beautiful bright cloudless day
snow fast disapearinag. Grace washing.
A tinker came and repaired the organ
worked at it all day till bed time.
Maud at school. Mart walked across
the river to Dodge’ and from there went
to Cape and home before dark. Volty went
to villiage drove up on ice came back at 12
midnight, we put the tinker in the boys bed.
Mart slept on lounge. Volty had to stretch himself
as well as he could on the couch in parlor.
We have all got a cold in head or some kind
of distemper "Epigootic" Wells calls it. I
know my head and eyes ache badly.
Tuesday 8 March 1898
Grace & Edna put quilt on frames. A beautiful day which
is the 12th day of warm brilliant suny weather.
Edna drove to school with Maude. W Sr &
W Jr drove to Gananoque—went with cutter &
1 horse, started at 30 m past 7, arrived in Gananoque
at 9 am bought a horse and back here for
the mid day meal. I’m ever
to Belles—why is it always so

35
Wednesday 9 March 1898
Another soft warm sun light
but rather hazzy. Maud at school.
V preparing to go to the villiage to
the Presbyterian concert we are quilting.
Voltie and Edna tapped trees to day.
R came over for Ink, rode on sled
home. Wellie driving. V came home
at two am.
Thursday 10. A fair warm day, snow
nearly gone, no crossing, ice rotten with
the sun shining on it so long day after day.
We took the quilt off the frames.
Mart took 16 pans to Wellies they going
to tap Frank’s maples, ground so soft
didnt tap. Will tapped Dignams maples.
Maud at School
Friday 11 March 1898
A fair warm day wind
East, ice full of holes, open up by Morgans.
Dev here for broad axe. Dev milking 7 now

36
cows we bound the quilt. Maud at
home, roads all mud. V & M sawing wood.
Grace, Maud and Edna sitting on the wood pile.
Our cats all sick, have fits. beginning to
rain towards night. Wind South, rained all
night, ground bare. Volty & Mart husking corn.
Put another quilt on frames and quilted in evening.
Saturday 12th March 1898
A dismal fogy day raining nearly all
time, wind South. After breakfast Grace & Edna
quilted, Maud and Irene washed dishes.
no more maple syrup making this spring,
frost nearly out the ground. After dinner Irene
washed dishes. Maud cleaned floors, Grace and Edna
quilted. Evening—Volty takes the horns & lanterns
and goes to Franks through the fog. About two hours after
Jim Morgan follows. J.M. stays all night at Franks.
Wells reading in evening. Mart, Edna, Maud, Grace are
reading in kitchen. So passes away another day never
more to return.
Sunday 13 March 1898
A rainy morning ground bare, ice in river
breaking up. Gulls flying down the river
from the lake which foretells a gale of wind.,
warm South wind and rising. Channel open

37
Frank & Jim Morgan made us a call, didn’t
stay long. Will Robertson called in eve
didn’t stay long but Will R and Mart went
to Will Dixon’s where they had warm maple sugar.
We went early to bed. The wind blowing half
a gale dark and cloudy.
Monday 14 Marach 1898.
A clear bright morning
wind S.W. hauling to S. river clear of ice from
shore to shore, warm, Wellie here cleaning grain,
Wells Sr fixes churn, Voltie cuts brush in the
door yard. Grace & Edna quilt. Irene darning
socks, Maude washed dishes and pares potatoes
and makes a excusion to the cedars. I think
if it is a good day tomorrow, Maude will attend
school in evening. Grace, Maude & Edna go
to Mrs Niles’ to visit. Bamford Sr sends to N’s
to buy butter. They return at 1/2 past nine pm
and bring some sweet apples and a borrowed
spool of white thread, No 36-300 yd. Wm Robertson
makes us an evening visit. Frank Woodman
started the plow today.

38
Tuesday 15th March 1898
Wind N froze last night
clear and bright, ground bare, river rolling broad
and blue. Ed Bates came over to day, going to
be married tomorrow. The girls took the quilt off.
Sr, Mart & V trying to move the machine house
up to [this section quite redacted, indicated by #]
There is no # # #, # # #. There is no
# # # # #. poor # he is to
# #. I suppose the # goes # with
them when they are in # #. such a # of
# would bring a smile to the face of a stoic
Grace & Edna going to Evelines this p.m.
sap running well. Ebin Bates sick with
pneumonia. Will R, J Morgan, W Niles here this evening
Wednesday 16 March 1898
Wind blowing all night from
East raining this morning, it looks like a bad
morning the weding. clears up by 10 am
sun come out bright. Rev Dibbs drives
down through the mud and marries Eddy Bates
and Dora Gillespie: towards night
drives back again. Volty captured 8 ducks
(wild) cooked two for dinner had
maple syrup and biscuits. Finished moving
the machine house. Wallace here started out

39
Monday Sept 97
with Gun, going to serenade Edy but
Mart with more sense wouldnt go so
W stayed the eve and they all played some game
at cards at which they all exploded with
laughter similtainously [sic]. It began
to lighten [sic] and thunder and Wallace went
home. The other youngsters sat up and
sugared off. It continued to thunder
and lighten heavily nearly all night.
We caught a tub of rain water.
Spring birds are merrily singing early this
morning. Wells Jr came up for corn husks
and brought us a nice piece of fresh pork.
Thursday 17 March 1898
A beautiful morning after
last nights showers. The birds are singing
this morning robins and wrens. Jim Morgan has
a bee shingling the school house V gone
to the bee. Martin carried E a few eggs.
Edna making Graces wrapper we cooked
the third last wild duck for dinner sowed
tomatoe seeds to day. Volty came at sun
set. V the only man at Jims bee. V ate dinner

40
at Morgans. Jim Morgan called here for V
to go to Franks to practice their music. Jim
stoped all night with Frank. V came home about
eleven p.m.
Friday 18 March 1898
A clear rosy morning, warm, birds
singing. The ground froze last night which makes
the sap run again. Muriel came up with her
dress and apron to stitch. Wellie & Voltie went
to Geo Rattrays to get provender ground and V
carried some corn to grind for Johny cake & came
back to late for his dinner till we got him a dinner.
Wellie dined with Geo R. Hubert came for Muriel.
Grace gave them bread & butter & maple syrup. Edna, Maud,
Harriet & Hubert went to the cemetary and found a pansy
in bloom, (yellow) & left it there in peaceful solitude.
Beatrice is eleven years old to day. P.M. 4 Oclock
cloudy & looks like rain again. Volty & Martin set a
2 fish nets. V & E & M gathered brush, carried it to shore & had a big fire
after dark. G & M went to N for butter and to the post office.
Mrs Scott returned with them, sayed [sic] awhile, M went home with
her. Frank W & J Morgan here also.
Easter day is always the first Sunday after the full moon, which happens upon
or next after, March 21st & if the full moon happens on Sunday, Easter
day is the Sunday after; so that by this arrangement Easter may
come as early as March 22nd or as late as April 25

41
Saturday March 19th 1898
A cloudy morning and raiining most
of the day. V & Mart went to the nets, but got
no fish. Mr N went to Kingston.
V repairing bellows. Wellie here. Flora here for yeast cake.
Frank Woodman here in evening. In the kitchen
horn blowing expected Jimme but he came not.
Edna moped kitchen floor. Irene washed dishes and made
scrap books. Edna & Maud picked a pansy from Charles Woodmans
grave. A thunder & Lightning shower after
dark. E & M went to Ns for the balance of butter 2 pounds.
Sunday March 20 1898
A half cloudy day, Wind S
and blowing half a gale. Quiet, all are reading
minds at peace with all created universe
to quiet, to still which causes droziness.
Evening V, M. G & E. preparing to go calling on
Mrs Dignam, when V comes in and reports a sick
cow at the barn & after doctoring her awhile again
prepare for the evenings visit, when who should
walk in but FW, WR, and WN and when one
youngsters are ready to depart, they invite our
callers to accompany them, and two accepts but [Frank Woodman|F]]
prefers staying away from Dignams, so remains and
Sr entertains him with various tales & anecdotes

42
untill he goes home at 9 pm. Our night travelers return at
1/2 past eleven, hungry I think by the clattering I hear in the pantry
and so ends the day.
Monday 21 March 1898
A very fine day
rather cloudy. V plowing down next Franks
line fence. Irene counted the eggs 12 doz and
after dinner Sr started in buggy with eggs driving
up as far as Charleys going to stay all night and
go across to Kingston tomorrow morning on
steamboat. Martin has just returned from across
the river where he had been to corners for letters for
himself, he carried a letter from the Post to Windmill
& ate dinner there. William Winmill sending Sr
a letter. Flora here brought home yeast.
Mart and G go to Evelines for soap came back
and after that they all dance in kitchen & N goes up in
skiff to Marysville.
Tuesday 22 March 1898
A cloudy windy day South. Grace washing.
Volty plowing. Grace got sore throat. Mart choring around
bringing water. Maud at home, E been here 8 weeks this
day scuffling again in kitchen. M kicked E
& hurt her didnt mean too of course but had to apply
a mustard poutice at 12 midnight. Grace got a
sore throat too. Sr came home after dark 7 pm

43
Found the roads very rough. Mrs Morgan requested to
come down in buggy, but could not accomdate her
brought milk pails for Welly & sugar, brought
10 yds toweling, 8 spools white thread and groceries,
sold the eggs for 11 cts per doz at Bakers.
Wednesday 23 March 1898
A cloudy day after wind & rain all night,
a quiet morning. Mart & Volty went the fish nets
found no fish, wind sprung up and had to come home
without bringing the net. V plowing with the new
mare. She rather friskey before the plow with old
Jim for pard. The te he ing going on in the kitchen
again this afternoon. Mart making good bye calls at
Will, Wellies & Franks. Maud, Volty and Edna gathering
roots and barks for beer. E scraped the bark off
and threw the bark in the stove thinking the
wood was the part to make beer. The day
cold bleak cloudy & cheerless. Wind North.
Evening Mart goes home with Wallace to make
a good bye visit.
Thursday 24th March 1898
Arose at 4 am got
breakfast and V drives over to the dock with
Mart & his father. Mart going to Chicago. W Sr

44
hires 25 dollars for Mart payable in three months.
V plows all day. Rachel comes over & stays
all day, froze last night. 3 pails of sap is
the result. Wells Sr bought a two wheeled Vehicle
& a tank for the shop store.
Friday 25 March 1898
A very fine Morning.
Froze last night more sap to day. V plowed
all day. Wells Sr drove out in his new dog cart
drawn by old Jim gone till 4 Oclock at the
foot of island. Misses Mable Morgan & Laura Sauve
honored with a visit, stayed till nine pm.
George came for them. Frank here too, sang
and played on piano. no letters only Whig.
Saturday 26 March 1898
looks like rain. V plows till 3 pm
then V & Frank start for Marysville dont
return till 2 am. cook and do Saturday’s work.
Will didn’t go. Jim wanted to go but no way to go.
Anne Horn, Hattie Joslin here. more sap, one perch
22 eggs.
Sunday 27th 1898
A cloudy day begins to rain toward
night. V and Edna go to the net but no fish, 28 eggs
Sr goes to Wellies. E and M go to church. Wellie here for
tack pullers.

45
1898 Continued from this page
in April - October 1898 book
Monday 28 March 1898
A rainy day and rained in the night.
Expected Lizzy but she didnt come.
Tuesday 29 March 1898
A chilly day after the rain to wet to plow. A
sugar party at A Joslins this evening. Maud and
Edna visiting at Evelines this afternoon. Volty set
out bushes. Grace washed. Wells Sr brought in the
clothes after dark, wind blowing hard.
Wednesday 30 March 1898
A very good day, dressed 3 roosters for
market. Lizzie Horn here sewing for Grace, walked
home at sunset. Volty and to Marysville.
Will goes up with Frank come home at 1/2 past 2 am.
Edna visits Shell. Maud visits at Wills. V plowed till starting
for Marysville.
Thursday 31 March 1898
A very good day
rather chilly. Wells Sr, Grace and Edna go to Kingston.
Maud and I worked all day. V plowed
they came home all right. Volty drove to the
dock for them in the evening. Jimmie came
and Volty went with him to Franks to practice where
they met. Will D, Mr and Mrs Woodman are keeper

46
Friday 8 Oct 1898
A windy day from South. R here washing all day.
Flora and Maud went in garden and picked
nearly all the tomatoes for Wills folks and the
rest are nearly destroyed by the hens.
Saturday 9th October 1897
A very cool day in am. pm warmer.
Voltie & Grace finished digging potatoes in the berry
field. R come over for her clothes which hung on
the clothes line all night. Maude & I moped
the floors and cooked the meals. After dinner
Maude & Grace went for nuts while Irene
prepared the supper. Ed W & JDB went to
Marysville to the band practice. Wm D & Snub W.
went to Marysville to band practice. Cold
and dry Wind north. Irene made tomato ketchup
and apple jelly.

47
Sunday 10 Octobe 1897
A clear bright day, chilly, wind North.
The water in tub froze to thickness of window
glass. The season is extremly dry, no rain for
a long time. The pastures are dry and brown.
The trees are many colors, nuts are ready
to fall from the shucks, flowers are dead and
frozen, a blue haze or smoke pervades the
air and forest fires are raging and destroying
property and lives in many places. We kept
our beds till 1/2 6 this morning. V built coal fire
then Wallace came and stayed awhile & W & V
went up island in boat to ask the boys to a
husking. Will here a while. Maud gone over
to Wills. Ed Weaver here. Grace went to church.
Flora came this morning for their bread which V
had brought from the villiage. two loaves. Then
came Lottie for the other two loaves. Wind West & cold

48

49
Saturday 6 November 1897
A traveling damsel
calls here just at night and stays
over night. a loquacious vivacious
piece of humanity. She wouldn’t be
up to her business if she were otherwise.
A traveling agent.
Sunday 7 Nov awoke this morning to find a
stranger, a young lady tramp to stay over
Sunday. She hails from Sydenham and her
name is Miss Aleda Woodruff
pedling patent right to make imitation of
Russian lamb fur or cloth. She knows
Mrs Naylor. She keeps house for Brown
a half breed Widower with a lot of children.

50
Monday 8 Nov 1897
A chilly raw day. Wind N cloudy rain
now and then. V husking corn. Girl
went down Island contracted buisness [sic]
with Nesbits came back at sunset tired
out with long walk. Will and Jen here
and Wallace & Miss Woodruff. Cornet
playing this Eve.
Tuesday 9 Nov 1897
A rainy duty day cold.
The girl did not go out on the rampage to day
saved for Grace.
Wednesday 10 Nov
Churned and made
butter for market 14 lbs. Girl sewed for Grace.
Evening visitors, Wallace, Niles, Shelly Niles, Frank W
& Will Robertson

51
Thursday 11 Nov 1879
V drove to the dock with
Miss Woodruff and Grace. Maud & I had a
time cleaning & picking up after last nights
company. A rainy stormy day. V done chores
and working in shop. Wallace here & Ed Weaver
& Frank Woodman. V drove to dock for Groceries.
Grace stayed in the city. Jim Morgan here
to supper and stayed all night. Volty drew
a load of Wood from the Ross place.
The minister & wife called here intending to stop for
a visit but as I & Maud were alone, they went away
Friday 12 Nov 18 1979
V butchered our pork.
Wells Jr & Jim Morgan helped him and then
went to Wellies to help Wellie butcher his pork.
Wallace & Ed Weaver helped V carry the pork down
cellar in the evening.

52
Saturday 13 Nov
We cleaned all the floors and
moved the dining room table to the kitchen.
Sunday 14 Nov 1897
A very fine day for a Nov day.
Wallace came and Geo Farr. After dinner V and Wall
went over river to Sand Bay with Geo Far. Came home at
sundown. One duck which they use for a model to paint
after. Evening visitors Wallace, Shell, Edith Pike,
Will Robinson, Frank Woodman. Day visitors, Muriel,
Hubert. Will’s children here for their cows.

53
Monday 15 Nov 1897
A dark cloudy dismal day looks
like rain. V gets the corn stalks stacked at last.
Wellie here cleaning a grist, drew it to the dock
then went home, came back and helped V with the corn
stalks. V went to JN’s to help Wallace run grain
through the mill so Wall would help V with
the stalks. Ed Weaver here in evening for V
to mend his drum (snare drum). Churned.
16 November 1897 Tuesday
A rainy day. Wind S and warm.
V cut and salted the pork. I wrote a
letter to Sr. A tribe of boys here as usual at
the shop. Will Dixon here for Sug & brought
home a bread loaf, sent Granny a piece of pork.
V making a platform for the stove.
Grace not home yet. Will Robinson shot & killed
V’s pet black bird. Jim Morgan ate dinner here.
Frank Woodman here and borrowed a piece of pork.
Baked bread. Grace came home with Wallace
from the dock. A letter from Katy

54
Wednesday 17 Nov 1897
A very good day. Maude went
to school. V worked for Jim Morgan on Frank W’s hog
pen. Churned and done general house work.
Charley Dixon came & Hubert & Muriel. Evening visitors
Will Dixon, Will Robinson, Frank Woodman, Jim Morgan,
Ed Weaver, Wallace Niles, Johny Niles Jr, Shelly Niles,
Edith Pike, Geo OBrien, Minnie OBrien, Hannah OBrien.
band practising with cornetts and drum
Jim Morgan ate supper with us.
Thursday 18th Nov 1897
A clear cold day; frozen ground.
Volty & Frank W drove home Rattray’s bull after
V returned from the dock where he had carried the
oats to grind for the cows, he is going to fat, and
then he plowed nearly all day. Grace helped husk corn
for the hogs and cooked the dinner. Maud at
school. Grace finished setting a quilt together.
Moved the stove out from the corner.
The helpers were Will Dixon, Will Robertson,
Frank Woodman, WalaceNiles, Jim Morgan,
Geo Farr, Ed Weaver, Jack Niles, Charley Dixon,
Volty, ShellNiles & Edith Pike. Those young
heathens managed to break the piano stool
and a lamp chimney.

55
Friday 19 Nov 1897
A snowy day and wind
blowing from the East. Welly came up for
Grace to go down and help Eveline Tie a quilt
comfortable. Eveline sick. Wellie crossed the
river after dark for Dr Buchanan. V went for
Mrs Morgan. ground white with snow.
Saturday 20th Nov 1897
A mild day
after the storm of yesterday & last night.
Eveline’s baby born this morning 1/2 past 1
on Volties birth day. Voltie rowed up
with Mrs Morgan and shingled the
hen coop. V & Will Dixon go to Marysville
to the band practice. Churned. Cutters out
on road this morning, snow disapearing towards night.

56
Sunday 21st Nov 1897
Sunday. Wind S and warm been
blowing all night. snow all gone this morning.
V came home at half past one a.m. Ed Weaver
here. V cutting Ed hair. Send Maud to Wills with
head cheese & sausage. Jim Morgan stoped long
enough to peep in the window. Wellie here for
me but couldnt go. Hatties bean brought her
down from Charlies. she is going to work for Eveline.
Monday 22nd Nov 1897
Monday 22nd Nov 1897
Not a very bad day, cleaned all
the out side windows and washed towels and
aprons. Grace at Wellies yet. Hattie came up
to Wellies this morning. My birthday.

57
Tuesday 23rd Nov 1897
A half fair day cold. Wellie came
for me to dress and wash baby. Then rowed
across for Dr B then brought me home and
went home and then drove B down island on
a collecting tour. Dr got nothing then Jr rowed
Dr across the river. V gone to Morgans to chop a
load of wood started at two didn’t return till 8 pm.
sent Charlie Woodman for him, met him coming home.
Wednesday 24 Nov 1897
Wind S.W. and cold
blowing a gale. River whtie with crested waves.
Grace came home this morning. V gone to
Morgans for Wood. Wellie drove up for me. Went down
dressed and washed the baby, came home & had
a good supper, a warm fire in stove: wind blowing
a harycane [sic], went to bed early and slept all night
several fires in distance.
Thursday 25 Nov 1897
A cloudy day. Wind South.
Arose at 1/2 past 4. Plenty wood for stove this
morning. Had breakfast early ready before
remembered Grace is at home. Then called her.
looks like snow or rain.

58
26 Nov 1897 Friday
Wellie drove up for me again went down washed
and dressed the baby. The wind blowing a gale and
increasing. Stayed at Evelines all night.
Wind lulled towards night. Wellie plowed & V plowed.
Eveline has a head ache. Do all can for her. Relieved
towards night. Sat up and W. Jr made her bed. Alvira
came towards eve brought apples, Talman sweets, baked, some
taste like kerosine
27 Saturday Nov 1897
At Wellie’s this morning,
stay all day & all night. Made 1 apple pie, 1 berry pie,
1 custard pie. Hirams Joslins wife, Isabella, came
and stayed nearly all afternoon. Wellie made
Evelines bed, then he came up home and he & Volty
worked in shop till 11 Oclock pm. The baby is a week
old.

59
Sunday 28 Nov 1897
A very good day for
the season. Edy Bates & Eben Bates & Frank Vanalstine
came across this morning. After breakfast Hattie went home
and to church. Irene got the dinner, washed and
dressed the baby &c after church. Hattie came home
accompanied by Miss Maitland a very odd young
Lady who stayed awhile and then went to Wellington Burhams
(her boarding place). Wellie brought me
home in waggon. Hubert and Muriel coming to Found Vanalstine
29 Monday Nov
Wind blowing a harricane [sic]
this morning. Dont believe the boys got across
last night after Edwards court ship so late at
Gillespies. Vanalstine did not leave here till 10 pm.
30 Friday

60
Friday 1 Dec 1897
Worked hard all day churning &
making out butter for market, butter hard frozen,
had to cut it and thaw it by the stove, made 27 lbs.
Thursday 2nd December 1897
Arose early 1/2 4 and hurry around to
get to the boat. Maud and I work all day.
Maud expected a new music book but
got none. Grace carried 27 lbs butter to market.
sold it at 16 per lb.
3rd Friday

61
Saturday 4
Sunday 5 Grace
Monday 6 Nov

62
Tuesday 7 Nov
Wednesday 8 Nov
Thursday 9 Nov
arose at 3 am. V going to Kingston
on Pierpont, walked to wharf and carried a basket of fowls
and shats to be barn dried, 4 lengths of stove pipe & the baritone
cornett. Irene fed hogs but Jr came up and done the chores.
Grace is better. V came home at nearly 8 pm. J Morgan
here in eve and after supper they go down to Franks to
blow horns. V come back at 11 pm at last the house is
quiet and all is well. Geo Niles came home to day, came on Pierpont.
Friday 10 Nov 1897
A cloudy day, sun shining out now and then. V plowing
but drove to dock for wheat from Rosedale wreck. A dance at
Horn’s. Moved the stove coal again. Callers WmD-W.N.-FW.-WmR -J Morgan
Ed W. & P Burnham. No letters only from Hannah

63
Saturday 11 December 1897
A rainy day. Wind South and blowing.
The boy’s cannot go to Marysville
this afternoon which is a sad disapointment
to them. V at the shop working at
something or other. Grace taking carpet
off stair steps and tidying up the rooms.
Maud at her music lessons. Irene
churning and the rain falling, filling
the tubs and pails, not cold but a
sad dreary out look. Evening. The horn
blowers are here again in full force viz Will Dixon, Jim Morgan, Frank Woodman, Wm
Robertson,
and V.B. blew till 1/2 past 10 then pedro’ed
till 1/2 past 11 pm. F.W.s horn made my
head yank, Ed Weaver walked to Marysville got
done with Woodmans.
Sunday 12 December 1897
A quiet cloudy day. A gentle north wind
with scarcely a ripple on the river. Wallace
& George Niles came and stayed awhile then Geo
proceeded to B Horn’s and after doing the
chores Volty & Wallace went across the river
to H Dodge’s returned at 8 pm. Evening guests
Wallace Niles & Will Robertson. V went to Jr for
stove pipe.

64
Monday 13 December 1897
A fine quiet morning
a very light wind & North, sunlight peeping
through the clouds at intervals. We are washing.
We were up fitness this morning, ate breakfast
by lamplight. Maude gone to Wills for soap.
V gone to A Joslins with pig crate came
home and plowed the remainder of the day.
Will D went to River view for shingles, nails &
bought 5 gallons for Welly. Evening visistors NONE.
Grace & I washed and brought water from river.
A lovely day more like June weather than December
Tuesday 14th Dec 1897
A rainy morning, wind N.E.,
mudy raw morning. We have a fire in coal stove
but scarcly any wood for kitchen stove.
Sr not home yet. Voltie plowing all fore noon.
Afternoon goes to Morgans for wood
Mid day. raining steadily, tub, boiler and
pools overflowing with water. Shell N came
down for sage. Dried a pumkin and
fried a pan full of cakes. Grace folded the clothes
to iron. V brought them in last night at
bed time. V working in shop all pm. Evening
all the horn blowers go to Will D.

65
Wednesday 15 December 1897
Get out early this morning. V does the
chores at the barn & milks the cows. After breakfast
V goes to Uncle Sams for big kettle and the mail
[illegible] for wood toward the dock. Knockee
out [illegible] old stumps, enough to heat water for
butchering and also keep the kitchen stove going
two days. Butchered 5 hogs—helpers were Will
and Frank & Jimmie and Wellie. Evening
visitors were Will and Jen. Jimmie came
back stayed all night, and helped V do the
chores. A very fine day for out door work.
Thursday 16 th
Out of bed at 4 am. Jim helped
V do chores and load the hogs for waggon
for market. V gone to K & Jim gone to K
and Niles gone to K. Will & Charley here,
gave Charley a pumpkin. Wellie came up &
done chores. A cloudy day all mud. Wind S.
The wreck of the Rosedale was towed down
by here to day in charge of three tugs,
was towed stern first constantly pumping.
Volty came 1/2 past 7 pm. Expected the father
but he did not come.

66
Friday 17th Dec 1897
Ground slightfully frozen this
morning. V plowing. Grace washing. Irene
finished rendering the lard. Hubert & Muriel came
for the hard soap V got for them in K
and the curry comb. cloudy very little
wind North. Wish & hope Wells Sr will come
home to day. Maude taking her music lesson.
A heavy fall of snow in pm. Good sleighing.
V had to stop plowing for snowstorm.
Will here to tea. Jimmie Morgan & Wallace came
and Voltie went with them to Franks,
Wells not home yet.
Saturday 18th December 1897
A cloudy morning. Ground white with
snow. Wells may come to day—hope so.
wind west and moderatley cold,
Growing colder, clouds clearing away. Will walked
to Marysville. Martin came home this pm.
Card brought him down in the evening.
V & M go up to J.N’s

67
Sunday 19 December 1897
The coldest night and
morning yet this season. Froze in
kitchen. Left all the bulbs in kitchen
on the shelf; the dirt frozen around
them but the plants are all right.
This must not happen again.
Think the white Geranium is done
for froze stiff as a stick.
Wallace came down and Martin and
Grace & Wallace went to Wellies, after they
all were gone Charley came down bringing
Rachel and Will, left them at home and came
back and stayed to dinner. Directly after
dinner he went home. Mart came up from Jr
with Wallace and went home with him. Stayed
till evening. Evening visitors Frank Woodman
& Wallace & Shell came home with Martin.
11 Oclock saw them outside the door enroute
for home. Grace came home at sundown
Monday 20 December 1897
A stormy snowy day. Mart and Voltie went
to Morgan’s Ross place for wood. We churned.
Afternoon Voltie went to help Will butcher
pig. After doing the chores Voltie & Mart went
down to visit Frank. Evening visitors Will & Charley
came to blow horn but no one here to blow with.

68
Tuesday 21 December 1897
A clear cold day afternoon warmer.
V borrowed a bag of coal of Niles, went up in
boat for it. Then V went to Charley Woodman
wood bee. Sent a letter to Johny as a Christmas
greeting. After dinner Mart went to the bee and
from there went with Geo Niles to Al Joslins to a
party. Al not at home gone to John Songcist.
Frank and Jimmie here blowing with V. Will
not here. The boys went to the door and in
concert tried to blow him over here.
Grace ironed clothes &c. Made pumpkin pies.
Wednesday 22nd December
Work hard all
fore noon making out 20 lbs butter for market.
Grace, V & Will D and Frank W all go to
Marysville—boy’s going to play for the
concert. Grace going to K on the 1/2 past
4 boat going to dentist and stay all night
with Nellie.

69
Thursday 23rd December 1897
A cloudy morning. Arose at 4 to get breakfast
for Jesse Reid & Martin, both going to Kingston.
V arose late nearly 8 o’clock. Maud and
I work all day. Churn bring down the lounge
cook &c. V drives to dock we expect the
father to come home with them but he cometh
not and I’m not aweary. Wellie went to Kingston.
Jesse came first rode with Niles. Christmas
presents from Edna, Lill, Nellie.
Friday 24th December 1897
A clear very cold day, windows
thickly covered with frost. River steaming.
Jesse Reid at noon crossed the river. V drove
to Wellies for a plank. Grace fixing the room
anddressing Muriels doll. V and M working in
shop. Bamford not home. Winter grand
bright beautiful and severe, sometimes
gloomy. The Earth has yielded up her offering
of bountious abundance and and now snow
covered, frost bound, V came home at 1/2 1 this
morning & present from Maye to Grace.

70
Saturday 25 December 1897
A thick morning, snowing,
river steaming, cold, wind blowing, from South,
white caps rolling. Chicken roasted for dinner.
Wells Jr came home just after our Christmas
dinner. Glad to see him home once more.
He came as a Christmas present here but not for me.
Mrs Adams sent a present to your humble servant.
Mrs W.B. Sr a pair of shells, art decorated
most beautifully. In evening Grace and Mart
went to Mrs Niles, sttayed till 9 pm. V went to
Frank’s, found no one home, waited awhile
then came home. Sr brought V a gold watch.
Mrs Adams is the fathers paramour
Sunday 26 December 1897
A cloudy still day not
cold. If the sun would out it would thaw.
Sr reading Utica Globe. Maud gone
to Wills visiting.

71
Monday 27 Dec 1897
Tuesday 28 Dec 1897

72
Wednesday 29 Dec 1897
Thursday 30 Dec 1897
A dirty, windy, rainy, snowy,
day, slush slush everywhere. Shell Niles
16 years old to day: going to have a birth day party.

73
Friday 31 Dec 1897
A quiet cloudy day
looks like snow. I’m laid up with sprained
ancle [sic]: almost believe it is broken—hope not.
Wells made Wills folks a visit this forenoon.
Hubert & Muriel came up with Wellie.
ancle painfull. Did not sleep any
last night. Grace finishing the washing.
Mrs Morgan came to get a horse shod,
stayed to supper and till 8 pm.
Bob Robinson here till late.
Saturday 1 Jan 1898
A long lonesome tiresome day,
laid up in bed in latter part of the day.
Evening visitors two Morgans here to
supper, Bernard and Jim. Bernard
stays till late 10 or more, wish he’d go
home. Will came over. Well and Voltie
played on bugles and at the same time
Grace entertained B.M. with piano music
and as I am between the two kinds of
music each playing different airs at the
same time. We are charmed. Forget Shelly
here nearly all pm.
Sunday 2 January 1898
Sun rose clear, a fine
morning, but soon clouds and snow

74
falling thick and fast. Mart goes to
church. Wallace comes home with him and
stays to dinner and nearly all p.m.
Monday 3rd January 1897
Election day. Will gone
to election, our boys stayed home. School
open to day at lower school and here. Mrs Gordon
boards at Niles. Volty working on Ratrays
bobs. Welly came up.
Tuesday 4 Jan 1897
Cloudy snowing some.
A dance at Horns. Grace, Volty, & Martin
go with the Niles load. Welly came and
brought wormwood. Jimmie Morgan came in
evening with his bugle & disapointed to find all
gone to Horns’.
Wednesday 5 Jan 1897
This day like the preceding I sitting
a cripple by the stove with foot on small
chair. V think he ought to go to the

75
practice at Marysville but stays at
home instead. Frank and Jim go to the
practice. A moderate day looks like a
storm. Voltie works on bobs.
Thursday 6 Jan 1898
A stormy day. Rachel came over
going to stay till after E Weavers dance
at the ferry. V worked on bobs.
This day same old thing. No ice
in river. The river has frozen over
and thawed broken up several times.
Friday 7 Jan 1898
A beautiful fair
day in afternoon. Wall & Grace
go to Belles to supper and from there
To Ed Weavers dance in McLarens hall.
Bernard came to invite to a raising
tomorrow (Saturday). G Niles & L Horn
& Hattie J & Jim Taylor & VoltieMartin
& Will Dixon and Frank Woodman gone to

76
Ed’s dance. A letter from John and
Flora.
Saturday 8th Jan 1898
A cloudy morning toward noon.
It rains a big body of ice floating down
and lodged from shore to shore.
Our youngsters came home at daylight
and went to bed. Grace has a slight cold,
finish the chair cover. Wind blowing
a gale from South. Grace arose at
two pm and worked till bed time.
Sunday 9th 1898 January
A clear bright day not
cold, ground nearly bare. Grace has a bad cold.
lies on lounge nearly all day. Rachel & Maude
get the meals. The boys shot a duck will pick
and cook it tomorrow. Wallace came and stayed
a short time. the ancle [sic] is a little better, river
clear. next day duck no good, threw it to the
cats and they had a cat fight & quarrel over the duck
and we had a stewed rooster instead of duck.

77
Monday 19 Jan 1898
A fair day, warm, river frozen across
but no good: a quiet day Wells Sr banked
the front of house. Bernard Morgan here
and invited V to a raising a log horse
barn. Volty went. My foot may be better
but swelled yet. Rachel here. Grace much
better. Martin doing chores. Maud cleaned
lamps and helped wash dishes. Welly drove
to our school with Muriel & Hubert this
morning. Will’s children made a start
for school too, going to Section No 8.
Mr Pedro at Will Dixon’s playing Pede
Tuesday 11 January 1898
A fine day, bright, clear
and cold. Wind North. Voltie and Wallace cross
the river on ice down by Horns on jam ice.
Wallace gone to St Lawrence for medicine for his father (Mr Treders)
Wellington, Mr Horn and Lizzie came across too.
They are the first foot passengers this season.
In Evening Wallace came down on skates. Coming
around the point, he broke through and wet one foot.
after drying feet, Wall & Martin went to post office
and then Martin went home with Wallace to play with
Mr Pedro. Grace washed Rachel hung out the clothes

78
Mart went to Geo Rattrays to mill. Volty in evening
shelled two bushels of corn for mill. A black cloud
rising in South. sewed rugs and knit lace for Belles.
Wednesday 12 Jan 1898
A rainy morning ground all
mud with dirty streaks of snow and ice scattered
all around. V drove to Geo R’s with corn and brought
home the ground provender, wheat, peas, corn and oats
a mixed mess. Welly here shoeing horse, raining
hard, clothes all hanging out. P.M. Rachel went
home, drove home with Welly. George and Wallace
here this evening playing pede with V & Mart.
A bad time for Dany Hughy’s dance.
Thursday 13th Jan 1898
A cloudy morning. Wind N
ground covered with snow. Welly drove to school
with children. River ice broken from shore to shore,
bad crossing from Marysville to Kingston.
Two weeks to day since sprained ankle.
Frank came home today been gone since
Weavers dance, said he never drank so much
whiskey before.

79
Friday 14 January 1898
A cloudy day, not cold. Maude
carried letters to post: sent one to her father. Mart
and Grace went to Marysville to workmans ball.
Maude & Wells Sr got supper. No letters only for Sr.
V working on bobs.
Saturday 15 Jan 1898
Stormy day of snow which
will make fine sleighing. Mart and Grace came
at 1/2 past nine this am. Wills butchered another pig.
Charley came for a butcher knife. Grace slept from 12
noon till five. Mart slept from 10 till three oclock pm
V. working in shop on Geo Rattrays bob sleigh,
snows fast and evenly: no wind a north [?]
All went to bed early. Welly came up for kerosine
said Muriel & Hubert are sick with cold
Sunday 16 Jan 1898
A beautiful winter day,
clear bright cloudless: the fields are spotless a
dazzling white blanket of snow covers the earth &
every roof and clings to the trees. Wind cold
and north very little wind. Sleighs are cutters and
out on the road, going up and down road.
Mart went to church and from there went

80
Mart didnt come home with the others
this morning stayed to go to the Cape to dance.
May Wormwith
Grace E Bamford
185 University Avenue
Kingston
Ont
Mrs Geromind
Feb 15
30 lbs sugar
25 lb salt
1 pk onions
1 1/2 doz currants
lemons
2 lb cheese
baking powder
broom
diamond dye cardinal & green

81
[printed inside cover of diary including advertisements]
Boston Fur Store
George Mills & Co
170 Wellington St 170.
Furs and Mantles
Furs and Cloaks
Mantles, Latest Styles, Coaks, Lowest prices
The Boston Hat Store
Noted for low prices
The exact spot to get your
Boots
is at Abernethy’s,
127 Princess Street, Offord’s old stand.
The low price shoe
George Mills & Co’y
170 Wellington Street
Noted for Low Prices
Nobby Hats
Sole Agents in Kingston for Celebrated
Marsland Stiff
and Soft Felt hats.
Boys School Caps.
15c., 20c., and 25c.
Empire Typewriter
$55
Visible Writing, Strong Manifolder.
It will pay you to see it before buyig...
Columbia & Hartford Bicycles
Good Repair Shop.
J.R.C. Dobbs & Co., 44 Clarence Street

82
[back cover of diary with manfacturers stamp]
Red Rope
Magazine Binder
Manufactured by
Gaylord Bros. Inc.
Syracuse, N.Y.
Stockton, Calif.

83

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