Irene Dixon Bamford parts of 1902, Diary Transcription
5034_4-1-14

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itemTitle: Parts of 1902 and 1906
date: 1902-1906
Title: 5034_4-1-14
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1
Irene Dixon Bamford
Diary Partsof 102 and 106
1902-1906
[stamp]
Queen’s University Archives
Locator 5034.4
Box 1
File 19

2
Parts of 1902 and 1906

3
Date 1902 &
some 1906
[upside down in bottom right corner]
ReRead
’76-’84

4
Monday 24 Feb 1902
Bob Reid slept here last night.
He and Voltie hopped out of bed
this morning at 1/2 past 2 O’clock am
and hastily swallowing a cold lunch
hitched old Jess before the dog cart
and drove to North shore to rim his
pike nets - 4 of them, and returned at
7 pm. I didn’t get up till 1/2 past 5
am. The boys returned in time for
breakfast. The ground is very soft
after the rain so wet that planting will
have to wait till pm, in mean time
V & Bob break the black colt to drive
Very Interesting

5
Monday 24 1902
A Cloudy thick morning
and rains in pm. Voltie
and his father fill the
ice house. Jim O’brien
getting out ice too, for himself.
Young Brigeland here to
dinner. A man from
Kingston here this pm
and bought our fowl
they came to $4,55. V gave
me the money and I gave
him two dollars back to
buy groceries

6
Tuesday 25 Feb 1902
Arose early so Voltie
can go to Kingston.
K drove up with the bob’s
on the ice, didnt get back
till after dark brought
coal and groceries for
him self & I pork, sugar,
rolled oats, soda &c
I dont feel very well. Voltie
ate dinner with Grace.
Maud done big washing
and hung them all on
line together with 5 new
sheets & 6 pillow slips to
bleach. Grace sent the dried
punkin, a can of chow chow
and a can of preserved
tomatoes. I sent her Reggies
napkins & a book "Lady of the lake"
and print for a dress.

7
Wednesday 26 Feb 1902
A soft warm day. Wells went
early this morning with Voltie
to Hickory drove down
on the ice, came back &
worked around all day fattening
pitched hay in the barn.
Then went over there, and pitched
hay off stock. Snow settling.
In evening he went
back over there and let her
know he was going to K tomorrow
and she could go if she wants
too. Wells goes to bed tired
out. I not very well took
a nap in pm.

8
Thurs Feb 27 1902
A thick fog this morning
cant see from here to the
river, clears away towards
noon and the sun comes out
most brilliantly warm, the
big snow banks are settling
rapidly. Wells gone to Kingston
on the ice. R going with him
to get clothes for mother to
go out to Wills. Maud gone
over to stay all day with
Grannie and I am alone
with the cat and dog for
company. I sow tomato
seed in a box, bake pies
cake, boil meat, bake bread
and dont feel very well

9
machine going away round the
road to Dighams. Niles came
for cucumbers. I help Rachel
churn butter wont gather come
home at sunset found Grace,
Maud, Marjorie and Tom
& sitting for the garden
party at Geo Ranous.
When Voltie came home from
threshing Oh Dignams the
gals rode down in dog cart
while Arthur and Tom
walks.

10
Tuesday 3rd Sept 1901
A fine day. Wind South.
V gone to Hickory
to secure his job - rode
down with Ewoodmans
hired man. Tom Chatteron
plowing for V. Arthur
cutting ensilage corn
Maud, Grace and I doing
the washing. Marjorie went
to the post office for me with
a letter for Flora Bamford.
Rachel came over with letter
to post for Will’s folks. I
sent Arthur with it Made
me promise I’d go there this
pm. dont want to go but
I will try and get there Eli
I get there. On the way met young
abbot, Wm Woodman and threshing

11
Feb 28 Friday 1902
A cloudy morning rained some
thawed all night. Wills came
at 5 pm brought load of
lumber, set sleigh box on top of
lumber and stuck himself and
Rachel on top of the lumber
in the elivated sleigh box
going shimpy on hard trading
for horses after unloading R’s groceries
and our few things, he hitched horse
to light bobs and took Rachel and
her groceries home and brought Maud
home. We have supper all ready
when they return. Wells Sr very tired
and lame but has to do all his chores
alone. he goes to bed early. I
sit up till 1/2 10 pm. Maud get sore throat .
V & I doctor her with Kerosine and fat pork.

12
Friday 28 February 1902
Comenced [sic] this on opposite page
The work in this house is endless
and I’m not very well but will
pull through all right I believe.
I hear Maud working away at the
breakfast dishes and must help
her now. Maud sent to the comfort
soap company for a book, Ivanhoe
sent 10 cts and ten trade marks.
Wells volunteered his service to carry the
letter to post and went through slush
across field. We are mending socks
and stockings to day. Wells went to
post office received the Whig and
family Herald & a leeter from Grace.
I doctored Maud for sore throat.

13
Saturday 1st March 1902
Thawing now every day, partly
cloudy partly sun but slush
and mud knee deep and
over shoes every where - dirty
pools and puddles of water
and disapearing snow banks covered
with dirt. Wind N.E. dark clouds
hovering all around the horizon.
Wells went over and pitched in hay
for R. and she sent over two
lbs butter. Maud cleaned the floors,
and swept & made beds & cooked
and washed dishes and baked beans
washed the churn & set it away
till spring. Maud found her lost
ring for which I’m very thankful
for it was her mothers weding
ring. Wells drove down for Voltie
and brought home Volties
skiff. Supper ready when they
come. Lennie Paterson here till 10 pm.

14
Sunday 2 March 1902
Rain all day. Voltie
broke the sabath by fileing the
saws. No one here to day.
We read and doze and
get the meals. No service in
church to day. Not a rig on
the road. Evening Maud
pops corn. Voltie reads "The
man from Glengary" and "Robery
under arms".

15
Monday 3rd March 1902
A cloudy dismal morning
mud, bare ground, long
streaks of dirty snow drifts,
a sad S.W. wind. Voltie
got up at 4 went back to bed slept
till 5, arose again put his
box on the sled after going to barn
for it. I held the lamp in the door
while he cut a walking stick and
away he goes down on the ice
to Hickory before V goes he builds
the fire and I get breakfast after
Voltie goes. when breakfast is ready
I call Wells Sr and then I call
Maud. comenced a dress for
Maud. Growing colder and
freezing. Wells can’t put hay
in barn on account of wind.

16
Tuesday 4th March 1902
[written upside down]
Maud went to post office sent a
letter to Grace, she went again at eve
only the whig and some advertising letters.
A fine morning but rather cold,
froze hard last night and the
river fine for skating. Wells drove
to Millens Bay for Kerosine 6 gallons,
asked for Syrup but the store keeper
had none, had dinner ready when
he returned. Maud cleaned floors
and worked. I put the flower
and Mauds skirt and baked beans
and made cake. P.M. Wells went
over to tother place to pitch hay
for the cow. Shell came for
Maud to go skating. Maud went.
Evening Inez came for Maud and
they all went skating till 10 pm.
Maud, Inez, Shell, Byron, Irvine,
Jack Niles, Len Patterson, Len
came here for skate straps.

17
Wednesday 5 March 1902
A cloudy morning rather cold
and frozen; Wind North. Wells
gone to Kingston drove up
on the ice with one horse (old Nell).
He gone for a pig box &c. The
horse races are in Kingston to day.
The Woodmans are going. Heard
Percy Gillespie is in Kingston
Hospital sick with apendicitis.
Had an oppration [sic]. Heard
Belles children have whooping cough.
Heard Arthur Knapp is at Wellies.
The clouds look like a snow storm.
Wells came at early dark Lenonard Patterson [sic]
rode down with Wells. Charley Woodman to Reids.
Leonard makes us an evening visit gave
us some chocolate caramels. I had dinner
all ready when Wells returned and we had a
jolly cozy evening Len helped Wells do
the chores. Maud and Irene served most
all day. Rachel came over and Maud went
to post office for R. She received a letter from Wills
Topper and they have moved to Depauville.

18
Thursday 7th March 1902
Ground frozen hard this morning, a
fine morning. I finished Mauds dress
and away she goes on skates up to
Mrs Niles for buttermilk and I make
buckwheat cakes and try some of the
new syrup which is fine. Wells drew
a load of wood from Lindy’s island.
A little before tea time Geo Darling and
his man drove in here. I was afraid they
would want to stay all night. But no they
went to their old stopping place Geo Gillespie.
He shook hands very cordially and wanted
to bring in another cady of tea. I said no we have
enough left from the one we have now to
last another year, but all the same he insisted
upon bringing in another caddy. I said go
to the barn and see Bamford "all right

19
he said he would, and away he went and
while he was gone to the barn, I took the
occasion to empty his tea caddie thinking
he would want to take it along with him as
he always had done before. I had 10 qrts
and over in a big tin pail which was
full to over flowing and another qrt dish
full besides. Darling was gone a long time
at the barn and at last he and Bamford
came to the house, Darling came lugging
in another big caddy and I asked. What
is that and he said sugar! granulated
sugar for you to make taffy; and I thought it
was sugar and was pleased although I
though Wells was very extravagant, and
Wells came in, in a moment after and
I said "did you take that caddy
and he said rather sheepishly "yes! but
we can sell it. I said you are
buying sugar to sell. Sugar! why
it is tea! I thought of old

20
Josiah Alen. Well I said
do you know how much tea
we have left from last years purchase
"No." I said, well here it is and brought
forth the pail full and the qurt
full beside. Wells Sr looked astonished.
Darling’s man said ’For God Sake’
and Mr Darling said Oh that tea
lasts too long. Any way he examined it,
perhaps to make sure it was the same
he left here a year ago, he said
This is the genuine article, and said,
put it back in the can and keep the
can till I call for it. So now we
have two caddys of tea sitting side
by side in the pantry - but the astonishing
thing about the whole business is this.
Wells Sr said before Darling came for
we were expecting him that he would
only pay for what tea we had used and
he should take the remainder back.

21
and what unaccountable spell he
worked upon Sr, while at the barn. I
dont understand. It is that soft
insinating way of his. I think he
would wheadle old Satan into a bargain.
He came half whispering to me and
said "Does Grace ever say any thing
about me?" I said Oh yes Mr Darling
she often speaks of you. We urged
them to stay to tea but kindly thanking
us they proceeded on their way.
Before leaving he told us "Mr Niles had
taken another caddie of tea, same quality
same quantity. Maud, Shell, Inez &
ByronIrvine & Len Patterson
out skating till 9 pm

22
Friday 8th March 1902
A frozen morning. Wells Sr
draws wood from the island. I bake
beans, cookies, 3 currant pies and lots
of other work, cant think of everything
and it make no difference if it is never
recorded. remember sending to the
post office 2 letters one to
Briggs seed company and one to JH Sutherland
and must send away again this week
for more seeds &c

23
March Saturday 9th 1901
A windy chilly & very
disagreeable day, wind North. Sr draws wood
from Lindy. Bob Reid helping him
both Friday & Saturday. I looked all day
for Grace & Bob and baby but all in
vain. I dont think now they would be
foolish enough to start out on such
a day. They may have come as far
as Charlies and staid for a visit.
Wells started at 4 p.m. and drove to
Hickory for Voltie, coming back just
at dark and we have supper on the table
and we have a cozy time all to
ourselves. V brought up a strip of N.C. Pine
with which he is going to make a book
case of odd scraps and pieces which
the carpenters have rejected.

24
Sunday 9th March 1902
New snow on the ground, This morn
which came last night.
A fine day somewhat Cloudy.
We did not arise quite so early as
usual being Sunday morning.
After breakfast. Voltie goes over to
see his grandmother and after waiting
for a long time for his return to dinner
we ate our dinner without him. After
dinner Maud picks up dishes and clears
away the table and then goes up to Mrs Niles
to practice singing hymns
with Shell. Towards evening Voltie
packs his box and his father, again,
takes him back to Hickory and we are
left alone once more. Maud comes
home just before dark. Shell coming nearly
all the way. Evening visitors Lenardo and
Bobilo (Patterson & Reid). Thawing
nearly all day.

25
Monday 10 March 1902
A fine warm morning thawing.
A frosty morning. After breakfast
dishes washed, Maud picked over beans.
I’m tired doing without butter, milk or
eggs. Our neighbors on every side of
us have all three. I cook the last
of our beef to keep it from spoiling.
Wells Sr pitching hay & straw in barn
all fore noon. I cut out my wrapper.
Maud made an apron. I tore off another
sheet and in evening cut carpet
rags. Maud reading Vagrant wife.
Sr goes to to bed at 8 pm. Maud and I
go at 9 p.m. forgot to say I partly wrote
a letter to Mrs Grace and one to box
114 Kingston, Ont & forgot to say Maud went
to Mrs Niles for sweet milk. Geo Morgan
sale came off to day. Going to sell every
thing and go west where Jim & Bernard are.
Wall Niles is helping Alex Livingston move.

26
Tuesday 11 March 1902
The day commenced very fine but
ends up very nasty with rain,
dirt and mud every where. Sr goes
to foot, drives down on the ice - gone to
get some old bob sleigh irons, that Ed R
had given Wellie before he moved to
New Hampshire; only got the irons off
one sleigh the wind had blown the other
off on the ice. Rachel here came for
M and to go to post office to mail a
letter to Will and stays till Mauds
return. I send a letter to Grace
and one to PO Box 114, Kingston, Ont.
Maud washed clothes I washed
Volties shirt & all the socks and stockings
and put V old pant to soak in
tub. Wells goes over to see about the wood
and goes to spaffs for hen feed but got none.

27
Wednesday 12 March 1902
A dirty nasty morning and rain
cloudy all day but warm for March
door open part of the time. Irene
washed the pants, Maud made
molasses cookies and after dinner I sewed
on my wrapper. Maud got supper
and we wash dishes and the
evening passes quietly away, forgot
to say Wells went over there to see
about the wood and brought home
some vinegar to charge his electric
belt for he has a very lame back.
Maud and I practice hymns on piano.
Evening Maud reading as usual.
Sr in kitchen smoking his pipe.
I cut carpet rags. Grannie says
she knows there is a letter from Will at
the post office if she only could get
it heard wild geese holler honk
honk

28
Thursday 13th March 1902
A cloudy rainy morning, snow nearly
all gone with here and there the remnant
of a dirty snow bank. The wind
changed this morning from South to
North. There are but few people who do
not get angry when assailed by the anger
of others; They appear to do so from sympathy
and alow the sunlight of their good
nature to shine forth in all its glory
which, will surely disarm your antagonist
and shame will take the place of anger
P.M. weather still contineus disagreeable.
We bake more beans and Maud and
I sew on my wrapper. Wells has gone
over there to see about wood, snow
falling but disapears as fast as it falls strong
wind from the North.

29
Sunday 14th October 1902
A beautiful day sunlight bright
and clear ground bare with a
patch of snow here and there and
far between. Rachel came over for
tobaco and for Wells to draw a load
of wood from Spaffs which he done
and also cleaned out her cellar drain.
She had been to mail a letter and expected
one from Wills folks but got none.
Inez came bringing Maud a piece of
Jean Gordon’s weding cake which Shell
had sent Inez, helped Maud wash
dishes. I did not sleep much last
and am so sleepy. I can scarcely ope
my eyes. Sent a letter to Muriel and
to comfort for art table cover and also
sent away for hair restorative for
V. I thought I’d take a nap after
dinner but couldn’t sleep & got
up and went to work. A very bright
warm sun all day.

30
forgot to say I subscribed for
Muriel the little magazine called "Comfort".
Sr trying to get pitchfork out
of the broken handle but rusted
in so cant move it. Maud
mended herself a pair of stockings.
Wells and Albert Joy dont get along very
well since he was hurt on the ice boat.
Mail. Kingston, Herald, Comfort,
Papers from Science College,
a letter from Wells Junior, one
from Grace and one from "[Hugh Dalton|Hugh]]"
(Dalton & strange). I sent to Comfort
for "Art Table Cover" - a letter to
Muriel. Hair Restorer Co, Wells sent
3 letters one to J Gotham, one to
Capt Denis and one to Liby Simmons
which is 12 cts for postage to day.

31
Saturday 15 Marach 1902
A fine day. Wells drawing
manure. Tom Chatterton came
down to day from Charlies, rode down
with the mail. He brought us two pails
of water - and, informed us that Marjories
was at Henry’s and wants to get down
here she been there since the sale at
Geo Morgan’s. Maud cleaned floors
and had every thing shining. I made
two pies and one cake and 4
loaves of bread. Wells drove to foot
for Voltie, gone long time stoped on
way and choped wood for R & tried
all along the road to get hen feed for
her but got none

32
Sunday 16th March 1902
A warm morning, mud every
where. Wells went over axe in hand to
chop wood. Henry drove in here bringing
Marjorie. Voltie and Tom had gone
to Franks so no one at home and
Henry didn’t know where to put his horse
for our stalls are full. "5 horses standing
in the stable" so Henry said. I sent
Maud to tell him to put his horse in the cow stable, which
he done. Then after visiting a few minutes
with us, he walked off down the shore somewhere and
came back at 8 pm. The rain came pouring down
and wouldn’t take off his overcoat. Voltie went to barn with
him and he hitched up and he drove away through the rain
in his top buggy through wind and rain. I break the sabath
by cooking for Voltie cookies, pies and bread.

33
Monday 17th March 1902
A dirty windy morning. Wind S.W. Maud
and Marjorie washed. Tom reading all
day. Wells as usual went over to see about
wood "Over there". I write a letter to Grace
and in the evening we have visitors.
Shell Niles, Wallace Niles, Dave Reid so
we have quite a party in the parlor when we
include Voltie, Tom, Chattertown, Maude
and Marjorie. You understand Voltie did
not go to Hickory although he arose early, by
his father routing him out and he went off down the
shore, valise in hand, and just after dinner
he came back and reported no crossing between
the foot and Hickory on account of ice have
up and jamed in on shore. I gave him dinner
and then V and T cleaned the sand out the
bottom of Voltie’s skiff and Voltie went up to
Mrs Niles and bought each (ie V & I) a lb of
butter and he gave me 27 cts in change
for postage.

34
Tuesday 18th March 1902
A froze up morning, wind North.
Voltie arose early didnot stop to
breakfast but took his hammer hand
which he made yesterday and his lb of butter and
Tom started to drive him to the foot but went no
farther than Snub’s, for the roads are so rough and
hard frozen. Maud went to post 2 letters one
I sent to Grace and one to Pugsley’s for book.
Bessie McDonnel came home with
her and staid till mail time. The girls had
a great visit with Bessie who is quite a
"piano player" for never has taken any
music lessons. I washed the under garments
belonging to our men folks. Evening mail
Whig, American woman, Flower seeds from
Briggs Toronto. Marine record, account Book
from Dr Pierce Buffalo. Evening visitors Dave Reid,
Len Patterson, they occupied the parlor again
together with Marian, Maud & Chatterton
There is an organ in the parlor, and your are welcome every evening
to Maggies Murphys home.
May Ranous came here for
mission money. I gave her 25 cts
of V’s money. I did not like too,
gave it in V name but
I’ll pay it back again.

35
Wednesday 19th March 1902
Maud, again slept on the couch last night.
I slept with Marjorie while Tom Chat
sleeps in our bed room. Wells came from
the stable last night just before retiring for
the night and brought the joyful news that
old muley has a calf. About three Oclock am
the dog gave me a call to get up and
let him out. I obeyed the summons and
after waiting in vain for 1/2 hour for his dogship to come I
went back to bed shaking with cold and left
him out the rest of the night. A cold morn
so cold the water froze in kitchen a fierce
heavy wind blowing from the North all day.
Chatteron complaining of a headache
& couldn’t eat much breakfast. Too
much cold wind in that glass eye of his
yesterday while going up and back from Charleys
but he braces up and helps Grandad draw
manure all fore noon and now they have
ground their axes and gone "Over there"
to chop wood. Maud and Marjorie fixes

36
to chop wood. Maud and Marjorie fixes
Tom’s bed up stairs and pick
over beans. Maud made a sheet &
sewed it up wrong. Marjorie picks over
raisins for tea.
Thursday 20 March 1902
The weather much warmer. Tom & Sr
made saw horses to saw the wood on
using cross cut saw. Grandad & Tom saved
and split a big pile of wood. Maud
cleaned floors PM. Mararet [sic] went
visiting over to R. Wells Sr went looking
for his old pig all along the road to Jr’s
old place and back up to Franks where
he found her and drove her home. Maud cleaned
the ceiling in pantry; it looks fine. Rene
made molasses cookies. After supper
Maud went over to K’s to come home with
Marjorie and promised to come home before
dark but staid instead. Walace
came down to make an evening visit.
After awhile our daughters came home
escorted by Leanardo & Bobilo and they
stayed in kitchen all evening.

37
Friday 21 March 1902
A mild day. Tom got headache
again this morning but I doctor him
with various remedies and he chops
more wood & splits. Sent Maud to post
office with letter for Pansy seed free then
sent her to Niles for buttermilk and to
get a dollar changed so I could
send for seeds. I sent to Park
for vegetable seed. 4 cts for
this day’s postage; looks like going to
rain. We got a lot of work to do this
spring. 3 dresses to make, house cleaning
to do.
Friday eve 21st March
Maud & Marjorie went to Mrs Niles making an
afternoon visit and staying till nearly
11 Oclock pm. There were Len & Nellie Patterson
& Bob and Dave Reid
and Marjorie. Wells & Tom chopping
splitting and sawing wood at the door.
Wall and his father went across

38
for George but he had not
come. Wall brought me a letter
from Jen which had been
missent to the corners. Evening
mail "Sltenheim Medical dispensory"
a book "Black Bird Hill", "Whig",
Herald & 4 medical diaries &
two letters for Wells Sr. But no letter
from Grace, the one bit of mail which
I was looking for. I washed 8 towels
and a table napkin

39
Saturday 22 March 1902
A beautiful bright warm day. The
river is nearly covered with great
masses of ice which is rapidly melting
away beneath the fierce rays of the sun.
Wells & Tom chopping & sawing wood. The
wood pile is constantly growing larger
every minute. Marjorie reading &
making cushion. Maud cleaned all
the floors, Marjorie polished the lamps.
I made bread, cookies, baked beans,
got the meals and washed dishes,
and washed V’s under shirt & two towels
and popped a pan full of corn.
Wells Sr drove down to foot for Voltie.
Evening visitors Shell Niles, Wall Niles,
Bob Reid, Dave Reid, Len Patterson &
Nellie Patterson are all in the Parlor
with Voltie and Marjorie and Maud &
Tom Chat. Lenard brought his fiddle.

40
Sunday 23rd March 1902
A beautiful day. I set the plants
out this morning on the veranda.
Voltie read "Glengary" and "Robbery
under arms". I washed all the dishes.
Maud & Marjorie go to church and
Tom Chat (Chatterton) goes too. Bob Reid called
here on his way to church and he
and Voltie arranged for The girls and Tom came from church.
Voltie & Thomas go over to put R’s
bees out, and dinner stands
waiting for them. At last came
back bringing honey in a pan,
we have some for dinner. Three
little events of the day nothing particular
to record only the most common
trivial every day happenings
over
Wish I hadn’t got to cook cookies for Voltie and pie too
ought to have done it yesterday.

41
Irene baked two pies (currant) and another
pan of cookies (molasses). Evening
visitors Mrs Niles & Inez,
Dave Reid & Lennie Patterson.
Mrs N stays till nine pm, then
she and Inez go home, all our
young people in the parlor. Voltie,
Marjorie, Maud, Patterson, Reid,
& Tom. Will Snub boils sap
all day if it is Sunday. Bobolo
and Leonardo have appointed their
sugar party down to Rob Ranous
Wednesday evening I dont believe they
will have any for I dont believe they
have money enough among them all to buy
the sugar. Any way they didn’t leave
the parlor till Voltie told them to go
home for it was bed time.

42
Monday 24th March 1902
Clear and bright ground
frozen Wind north. Voltie arose
at 4 am, called Tom to drive
to the foot with him. But grandad
got the start of him and hustled down
stairs, and away to the barn- mad too.
Voltie not pleased with his father
for so doing; but he shoulders
his valise and goes out to the barn
and they drive off, Voltie to be gone
another week. I dont know how
we are to get along with Sr and Tom.
Voltie says he couldnt keep the best
man in the world and Tom only
working for his board at present.
I have breakfast all ready on their

43
Sr return but I am sure to call
Tom down stairs again before he gets
back or the divil would be to pay.
Well he came raising about "them
d-d tramps and bums", and as
"a soft answer turneth away weath" I
soon quieted him. Well I felt as though
I had been on a spree for a week and
lay down from 10 till 1 am then arose
and had dinner on the table at 12
Oclock sharp. This burning the candle
at both ends is killing. Well Maud
started in after dinner to finish the
pantry, While I go up stairs ransacking
the old papers to the tables so Maud
could finish cleaning and every thing
looking like bedlam when in the
midst of the work and confusion

44
Shell appeared upon the scene
wanting Marjorie & Maud to go
with her down to Franks to see
the "baby". She said she had
called for Nelly P but as she
couldn’t go she called for our
girls - I said Margaret could
go but Maud had to finish
cleaning the pantry. Shell said
"O let Maud go we wont be
gone long" I said Maud
knows her duty but I shall
not refuse to let her go, not
thinking she would think of going
but they both went with Shella
leaving everything looking like trinked.
They were gone three hours but
Shell didn’t see the babies, they
were both cutting brush on the 75
acres and their names are Bob
and Dave. Shell was disapointed

45
and I scolded for running off
when she ought to been home.
Well Keranhapuckame had the
buisness all arranged and planned
for Maud & Margaret to go with her over
to Joy’s tomorrow. I vetoed that bill
straight. Lennie was down to borrow
"terbacker". Wells tried to start the
plow but the frost not yet out the
ground. A beautiful sunset but freezing.
I most forgot to say "our hens has broke
loose". Two new laid eggs. We saved
mulleys milk to day for the first time.
Wells chopped wood for R. he said she
had fallen over a piece of old pail hoop and
hurt her knees pretty badly. Tom & Sr
gone to bed at last.
No evening visitors.
Tom brought in a box of dirt for dahlias.

46
Tuesday 25th March 1902
Another white frost this morning
a beautiful spring day. I pare
potatoes and get the breakfast going
then mix the bread and set it to rise,
skim milk and make porridge for calf
and carry it to the barn to seethe calf.
Margaret wrote a letter to her mother and
then we have breakfast- Grandpa cross at
the dickens, couldnt finish the soap this
morning. I get the soap and cut a chunk
off the cake soap with my hands all dough
but he washed without it; then he
found a little slop in the calf pail
says he "has to leave it in the stable
or it is always filled with slop"
called Tom, "Ike in bark". He is
always mad if there is a young

47
man or boy around. He reminds
me of an old rooster; he dont
want any young cocks around
especialy if they are not Bamfords.
Rachel came came over for steelyards
going to weigh honey. Left her paper
and letter for Maud to mail. I gave
her three cents. I sent to Lupton
for books sent a letter to Grace and
all her litterature. I bake bread.
I wish T Chatterton would leave
the table after meals insted of leaving
with both arms on the cloth gossiping
and gabbing at Maud and Margy
and whistling. Margarat done her
own washing and chot a shirt.
Maud went to post office and from
there to Mrs Niles for a sailor
waist pattern. May the Divil
take Chatterton. I want to ask
a question but must wait till

48
T goes out after dinner.
I cut out a dress for Maud.
Maud does the dishes. Marjorie
irons clothes. Sr and Tom
draw straw and manure from
the cellar way and front
of house and then plow. Mrs Niles
began cleaning house.
Sent Maud to Mrs Niles again to
buy butter (one lb). Found Shell preparing
to go up to Wm G Woodmans with
Wal & Geo & Louise, and Bob Reid and
Dave Reid, leaving Maud & Marjorie
and Lennie out. Assessor here just
at sundown "Marjorie feels slighted"
M & M went to post office.
Lennie invited them to the sugar
party and is going to take them in
buggy to the party. Evening mail
A letter from Grace and a letter

49
from Muriel also received the
little table cover from "Comfort".
Maud & Marjorie went over to R’s
to make a little visit for the coast
is clear of young men, all gone
to Wm G’s except Len and he
has gone to the foot to invite to the
sugar off. After awhile Tom goes too.
The girls return about 1/2 past 8 pm
acompanied by Tom and here is the
best of it. When Dave Reid found
out that M & M were going to R’s
he declined the invitation to go
up the island and went to R’s
instead accompanied by
Charlie Woodman who
dresses up very fine for
the occasion in his
best Sunday go to meeting
suit. Like any other

50
old widower he
wants to flirt and court.
He begins to feel like a
young colt let loose in
the spring time. He has
forgotten how only about
6 months ago he was
bawling so loud about
poor pen you could
hear him half way to
the villiage. Marjorie
has just told me that after
Wall begged the honor of taking
her to the villiage ball on
Easter Monday eve, he asked her to be
released from his promise by telling her
"if she could get any one else to go
with her to the ball, she had better
accept for he (Wallace) may go away.
He went

51
Wednesday 26th March
Read the "Comfort".
A hot clear day like June.
Tom plowing. Wells putting a plank
platform around the well. I am doing
house work getting dinner and helping
Maud on her dress and Maud is slower
than tar in January.
Marjorie and Maud are fixing
for the sugar party. It’s nothing
but fix and run, fix and run
all the time! Marjorie "Oh Dear
I’m afraid we cant go" "Charlie wont
let Len have the buggy". All the same about
7 pm Lenardo drove up in Charlie’s old dog cart
and the three pile in some how and
away they go to Bob Ranons to the
sugar party. I retire about 1/4 to nine
pm. Forget to say Wells went a
over there too chop wood.

52
Thursday 27th March 1902
A fine morning some what cloudy.
Sr builds fire. I call Tom. Margy
comes out early (after going to bed at half past one)
think her grandpa is going to drive to the
villiage and she is very anxious to go home. I
venture to ask Sr if he is going up this morning
and in a great state of excitement he says
"Going up! Going up! Good G-d! Did you
think I was going to start at noon without
my breakfast" and I answer "Good G-d
No! I dont care if you never go, only
Margaret wants to go home and he said
no more, but went to the barn to cool off.
At breakfast he is as pleasant and "chipper"
as a humming bird. The cause of his
not going is this. Last night he went
to Frank’s to borrow Franks buggy but Bob

53
Reid was going to go to the sugar party
with it and it would be to late to get it
in the morning. Well after awhile the girls set their
tongues wagging about the party and I
had to listen till I was sick and
disgusted. Oh well I’ll skip all that
details of Charlie Woodmans performance
and Leonardo’s attention to Margaret
and jealousy of Maud.
Len went up to see if Majorie can
go up tomorrow with the mail.
Rachel came over with her assessment
bill and and order for things. They have
her taxed for a hundred acres of land and
her age 45. Wells chops wood for
them "over there".

54
Friday 28 March 1902
looks very much like rain but after dinner Marjy
packs her valise and Maud helps her carry
it to Mr Woodmans. Len & Maud
"dont speak as they pass by". These
days Maud has asked Len for
her old ring; After Marjorie
was done Maud began to tell
me about Shell hugging & kissing the
Reid boys till I command her
to "shut up"! under penalty of
not going to another folderal in
a year. Guess I’ll move out.
Maud goes for the mail Whig first &
second part Herald & a college science letter.
No other letters. Wells went to Frank’s
for buggy. He is going up tomorrow
rain or shine. I think it is about

55
time for we are nearly all out
of eatables no pork beans, butter
or anything else. Wells goes over
and chops and backs wood for them
"over there". I get every thing ready for
early start tomorrow morning. Dave Reid
going up with Sr. I sewed
on Mauds dress. Wells Sr not
very well nor has he been for a
long time but he never will give
up but slaves right through every
thing. He will come to a halt some
day.

56
Saturday 29 March 1902
Didn’t sleep much last night
but lay with one eye open, didn’t
want to sleep after 4 am, arose at
that hour sharp; it is raining but I
get breakfast and Sr goes to the barn
to feed & harness old Nell and just as
I’m taking up the breakfast for Sr,
a rap at the door and in walks [Dave Reid|D Reid]]
who also eats his breakfast here. Sr has
a very bad cough & cold and Reid
is coughing and I gave them
honey, at last they start off in the
rain. Sr with 3 or 4 over coats on D with
one and an umbrella. I call Tom
he is sick & eats no breakfast & goes
back to bed and sleep all fore noon
a very disagreeable rain nasty day

57
Thomas gets up to dinner eats
hearty does a few chores and goes
for Voltie. Maud washes & cleans
floors. I finnish Mauds dress
which is very pretty. Rachel came over
for turnips says she is all out of
everything eatable; no pork or
meat of any kind, no potatoes, no
beans but has honey, flour, butter, eggs.
I gave her a mess of potatoes and
a basket full of turnips and some
bread. Said she would kill a hen
only mother wont let her. said she
"dissent" cause mother would cry". Oh
Oh the foolishness and crazyness
of it all. Voltie came home first
and it is nearly 9 O’clock pm before
Sr comes. We had been looking for
him a long time and Voltie had hung
the lantern on the gate post for it is
Egyptian darkness outside 20 times
we go to the door and look out

58
at last he came with bags and
bundles and boxes and I have
a good hot supper all ready
for him and we all have a cozy
pleasant time. I dont think he
is very well but he got some medicine
to day, but he has got it mixed up
with to much whiskey. I offered him
my dollar Voltie gave me to buy pork which
he took, and put another dollar with it and
bought it all in pork at 11 cts per lb.
Voltie brought home a fish which he
caught in net that he had taken down
last week - a pike. He caught 4 one
for himself one for old Marshal and one
for Ed Marshal.

59
Easter Sunday 30th March 1902
Did not rise very early this morning.
I was the first out and dressed. Voltie
next and he built the fire. next Sr
then Maud, and last Tomas. Windy day
North not very cold. Voltie pottering around
the shop broke the sabath several times.
Quite a fine day for Easter Sunday I cooked
7 eggs all we had. Maud went
to afternoon service. Preacher took up
a collection for contingent fund. Voltie
dont go back to night. I made him a pie
and bread and cake and after all are
abed I mended 4 pairs of stockings
for Voltie on Sunday evening.
Black cow has a new black calf

60
Monday 11 Oclock 30 March 1902
Arose a few minutes before 5 am.
called Voltie out of bed. I hustle to
get his breakfast that he can get on the
road towards the foot. Voltie bustles
around and helps Tom gets out
this time befor Sr and we all ate
breakfast together and away T & V goes
driving ol Jess. Grandpa mad because Tom
didn’t tie old Jess tail up. Call him inkinbark,
behind his back though mind you, not
to his face. After breakfast I wash the
dishes Maud washes the kitchen ceiling
with hot water. I sew an old apron
folded several times on the brush of the
old broom (sewed it with twine & sale needle) and
Maud mound on a chair with this weapon and a pail of hot
water ’cleans the ceiling all right for

61
white washing. I cook beans and bake molasses
cookies and have dinner on the table at
eleven: Gave tom soda & water & away
he goes to the field to plow. By dinner
time Maud has white washing nearly done in
kitchen. Sr says Tom eats too much
meat & too many biscuits. Sr went "over
there" to chop wood. Found them
eating breakfast. After dinner Tom helps
white wash the kitchen the second time.
I am sleepy. Mankind likes to
see the home and every thing very
clean, bright, tidy but our kitchen shelves
and windows are a curriosity shop. In
cleaning up, this is what is represented. First
window. One plug of tobaco, 2 old pipes,
and old heel plate, one file, a box of foot ease,
a rasp 2 screws, 6 large nails, 8
shingle nails, a pair of spectacles and
case, and an old harness buckle and
piece of an old leather strap

62
The shelf back of the kitchen
stove represents - two pairs of
wool mittens, two pair of old buck
skin mittens, three kinds of
almands, the conservative
platform speech of Mr JP Whiting
K.C. M.P.P., more nails,
straps, bolts, whet stones,
knife sharpener, a box of matches,
an old case for a morchaum
pipe, the wood box has been
spit in till it stinks worse than
a skunk, and the old spittoon
was turned out doors reeking
with poisonous filth. Are
men neat animals? How can
they be when they are a set of
smoking, tobacco, chewing, spitting,
swearing, - Oh Lord is it
sinful these filthy habits and stubs
of burnt matches, tobacco ashes &c &c.
I partly write to Muriel & mix up the spoons.

63
April 1st Tuesday 1902
March has marched out and
April has steped in. Not a pleasant
day either; cloudy chilly, a little
snow a little rain and at intervals it
neither rains or snows. Tom finished plowing
towards the road and now after dinner
is plowing behind the hogpen. I finished
Muriels letter and send them all (Jens, Muriels, Mauds)
to the post office by Maud. Sr gone
"Over there" to chop wood. Sr says
he knew it would rain this morning when
last night he heard Tom sing and whistle
so loud. Says Tom dont clean
the horses legs clean enough, and dont
clean their manes, and dont clean
out the corners of the horse stable. Maud
cleaned (finished) the kitchen looks
fine. Friday eve mail Whig, Marine Record, Parks
Floral guide, Womans home Monthly, Templin’s
seed Book, 5 sample copies of Vickery’s Fireside Visitor
and Templin’s pansy seed & Parks vegetable seeds,
a letter from Grace a letter from "Hugh"

64
Wednesday 2nd April 1902
A wet chilly morning, Rained
all night, tub running over
and rains this morning with
occasional flurries of snow. Maud
washes clothes. I get the breakfast,
take care of the milk, wash breakfast dishes,
cook beans, look over the flower and
vegetable seeds, and write in the diary.
Wells Sr has a very bad cough, rotten
auld cough: and he had better begin
doctor for it now. He says tom is
a fool - dont know as much as
Charley Gloyd; throws the wood in
the wood box end ways; Never
had any bringing up &c. Tom has
gone some where- Woodman’s I guess.
Sr said tom could have found work enough if he

65
looked for it; hog pen to clean out
and beans to thresh and clean up.
Tom comes back from visiting the Woodmans
just after dinner. Grandpa angry when he
saw Tom coming. "Kenbarks, d-d fool
shure to come back to his meals-if he
had staid home we would have cleaned
out the cellar". Sr fixing (or making)
a grindstone frame this a.m. one
he picked up out the mud & straw, "Over there"
when he was banking the house last fall
says if R knew it she’d raise H-l
though he gave it to Will and all the
hangings a long time ago. So much
profanity is demoralizing to the bearers
it sinks into the soul. They are now
going to clean out the cellar and
then throw coal ashes around the well.
R in trouble again. This time it
is poor Len Patterson. She came over
yesterday saying she had turned

66
him out. He went there with Bob Reid.
Len asked to buy honey &
she wouldnt neither sell or give
him a taste or smell of honey. She
said he "got mad and talked very
vulgar. She called very hard names
said it was the old Patterson nigger
that was in him & said Margy & Maud
ought to feel very proud to have the
honor of being driven to the party
by a nigger coachman. R went
over to Bob Reids barn and related
her most eloquent speach [sic] which she
had made over here against Len &
Bob of course, in turn related it
all to Leonardo yesterday in Samy’s
barn in presence of Tom. The boys
making game of her all the time te
he and laughing. I dont feel very
well & go to bed early.

67
Thursday 3rd of April 1902
No rain this morning. Wind
North ground fozen. Tom plowing.
Wells went "Over there" to chop wood.
Found R mad; she received a letter
from Jen. Last night or one of the children
stating that Aunt "Mary Anne" is coming
out there to stay an indefinite
period of time, which Rachel says
is all a sham a fraud, so they have
an excuse for not coming for
Grandmother and R says she has
taken care of her just as long as
she is going to and furthermore
says she is going to write them the
nastiest letter they ever got and
Wells says I shall not keep her
said he always cared for his own father
and mother and thinks John & Will
should do the same and I dont
know what to do about it. She get
nearly all their living carried from

68
nearly all their living carried from
here now; flour, kerosine - well
I’ll not begin to innumerate or
specify each article the list is
two long. We cook beans again.
Maud irons the clothes. I sow
flower seeds, Japanese Morning glories,
Verbinas, astors, Pansys. R went
to Samy’s for a bag of oats came
from there, here. had an egg in
her hand and two apples in her apron.
The egg she had picked up in
the barn yard but at first pretended
she had brought it from home to
buy a yeast cake with. The apples
Aunt Ruth had sent to grandmother.
She blowed around awhile about
Jen & old Mary Anne said she
had just mailed a letter
to Will giving him to plainly understand
she is not going to endure this thing
any longer. I gave her beans, cake,

69
and yeast cake and flour. Evening
Tom goes up to Sam’s and stays
till bedtime.
April 4th Friday 1902.
Forgot to say Sr went Sams barn
for the bag of oats and bagged them over
on his back to Rachels. 4th warmer
this morning. Wind south. Birds
singing in the grove and orchard.
Maud went to Samy’s to borrow envelopes.
They had ony two which they want
to use. I sent her to Rachel though
surely could get them there for she writes
to Wills folks all the time but she didn’t
have one. I never could get any
thing there. After Mauds gallop around
the country for envelopes, I find 2 fine
ones here at home and note paper. No
place like home after all. Tom
plowed this fore noon and then turned
the old team into the stable and
helped Sr dig post holes till dinner.

70
Friday 4 send to Park for Flower seeds.
time which we had at 1/2 past 11 am.
I ask Tom "what will I get for
dinner and he replies "Any old
thing will do for me this is Friday
dont yer know!! I make a big
pan full of nice biscuits and
he filled his anatomy with them
(and syrup) if any old thing would do.
After dinner he dresses up and goes
to Woodmans and rides up with
the mail- going to the dance at the
villiage dont yer know. In vain
we look and watch for Voltie. Maud
beginning to fear he may not come
at all. I try to reasure her of the certainty
of his coming. At last Sr goes out
to the stable and hitches up old
Bess ready to start for Voltie when behold

71
we saw him coming away down
by Frank’s gate. I hurry around
and get supper and after a lot of
fixing and fussing they get started
at last, driving old Nell hitched to the
dog cart and so ends the day.
Wells went for the mail Whig, a
letter from Mr Watson to Maud
& a lot of pictures he sent her - daubs,
Herald, a letter from Grace
and a lot of trash from Vickery’s
Fire Side Visitor.

72
Saturday 5 April 1902
A hard working day for me.
Didn’t mop floors, but am very tired
when night comes. Tom came just
as I had dishes washed ready to
drop down into a chair a few minutes
to rest my weary old self, but had
to get an extra meal for him, but
didnt feel like clearing away the dishes
but Tom scrabbled them up some
Wells waited up a long time for Voltie
and Maud & at last went to bed.
They came about 1/2 past nine having
stoped at Charlies. Maud cold and
tired. I started to carry the lantern to
the barn for Voltie but met him coming for
it, and after he came in, he & Maud had to
eat and at last we get settled and come to roost.

73
Sunday 6 April 1902
We dont arise very early this morning
and I dont feel much like work
but weary and troubled with a kidney
trouble pretty bad, but dont tell any
one. but I work around all day. I
am obliged too. I make pie and
cake for Voltie and he has two
loves [sic] of bread. V varnished his
skiff and put her in the water
going to row to Hickory to night.
The weather looks like a bad storm
dark clouds all around the horizon.
V starts just at sunset & after we
have had our supper Tom going with him to
the river to help him put the skiff in the water.
Len came down just stuck his head in and
went too. Tom came dodging back for his
coat and away he runs again to the river where
Len is waiting for him and they go down to
Reanons’ Geo and stay till 11 pm. Forgot to
say Maud goes to church wears her new
dress.

74
Monday 7 April 1902
This is monday but I dont feel
much like washing but manage
to help get the meals. I ought to
wash the old overalls but dont.
In the evening Shell and Inez
are here then came Bob Reid and
I was much surprized to see
Voltie come in and Len P close
behind him. Voltie brought two
big pike and my new books
(Greens history of England 4 volumes)
and a new level and other things
which he had sent to Sears & Roebuck
for. he changed his every day
wearing apparel and went into the parlor
where Shell, Inez, Bob & Maud were, Len and Tom
were in the kitchen. Tom soon went home.

75
Tuesday 8 April 1902
A terrible day and all last
night it rained. Voltie went away
early in the skiff went to Hickory.
I arose 10 minutes to 5 am and got
breakfast for all, and Voltie
started away before the wind began
to rise only he had a light head
wind to row against till he reached
his destination but before noon
the wind increased to a gale from
the North and howls all day; towards
night the rain begins to fall and continues
all night. Rachel here for Wells to
make her fence - 20 rods were fence.
I gave her things no matter what.
Tom goes to post office brings the mail
and then goes bacak and stays out in Samy’s barn
till 10 pm. Mail Whig, Good Litterature,
Park Magazine & lot of advertising trash.
I send again to Park for more seeds
which makes the third time this spring. I
sent Maud to post letter.

76
Wednesday 9 April 1902
A terrible wind blowing from
the North cold, chilly, cloudy and
dreary. Wells and Tom clean out
the cellar with water from the
well this forenoon. I got dinner
at 1/2 past 11 am. We churn for the
first time with the dosher 1 PM. Wells
goes "over there" to chop wood.
Tom plowing in the field.
Maud reading. I go fast asleep in
chair by the stove. I made a
cream drop cakes. Tom in evening
reading last days of Pompei
till after all are in bed. At last I
hear him carefully going up stairs softly
closing he chamber door after himself.

77
Thursday 10 April 1902
Arose at 1/2 past 4 and hustled
around as if I was sent for.
Sr is gone to Kingston went up
on the boat. It is her first trip to
this dock this Spring. I called Tom
out & Maud. I send Grace’s Valise
and a little piece of butter. I
dont know how she will like it for
it has not been worked over. Tom
drove to the dock with Sr then came back
milked the cows, fed the calves, brought two
pails of water and is now plowing. Maud
is taking up the dining room carpet
after she went down and got some juniper
for me. As I am writing this, R comes
for tobaco and tells a great story of
privation and want. Her cow not
coming in, hens lays and egg a day,
no bread, no flour, no meat, no butter,
no "terbackle", no beans. She has got
No ’pertaters’, no milk, no buttermilk

78
3 big cards of honey, some vinegar
some horse radish. I gave her buttermilk,
tobbaco, butter, 6 potatoes from our
few, all the cold meat, and all the
cold potatoes (a dish full) said she had
a few turnips which she carried from here
last Tuesday and Grandmother is crying
because she had no tobaco and &c.
I am going to send Maud over there
with some flour this afternoon. says
Wills folks dont write any more and
she dont understand why. I
think "the why" is on account of her
impertinent letter she sent a week or
more ago. Tom not doing much
to day only loafing around- going
to take an easy time now the

79
"bass" is gone. Along towards
night he begins to hustle to get
ready for the dock. It seems
an interminable length of time
before the come-pitch dark and
I send Maud out with the lantern.
Soon Sr comes hugging in a great
box of groceries which he deposits
on the table. Said he called at
Rachels and left them a plug
of tobaco 10 cts. I told him "they
would want some thing more
than terbacker to chow" He
said he did not care a dam.
Well I said ’Come along to
your super’ so he and Tom
’sat’. He said Bob Reid
and Dick Irvine are madboth of them, mad as the devil.
I asked, What for? He

80
said because George Border
had come from the west
and brought a nose on his
face bigger than either
one of theirs. After supper he
smokes and tells yarns. Maud & I
wash dishes. Tom sits up reading
till I drive him off to bed.
Forgot to say Maud took up the dining
room carpet and mopped the floors
all through.

81
Friday 11 April 1902
A very fine day,
warm, steam & vapor arising from
the plowed ground. Sr says tom didn’t
do two hours work yesterday and
didnt tie up the surley cow’s calf last
night and it sucked the cow dry.
Wells & Tom are building fence up
"forninst’ Uncle Sam’s. Mary Woodman
has just gone past, drove down- I
dont know whether to Rachels or Alvira’s.
I sent a letter to Park, one to Wells Jr.
Maud sent a letter to her father.
Wells sent one to Pelo for irons of
some kind which was sent down
from Borbits and left in Kingston.
Junior and Tom building wire fence.
I made a bed and sowed lettuce
set out geraniums & a rose bush & washed
some cloths.

82
Thursday 2nd April 1902
ginger, mustard, 1 yeast cake,
6 bars comfort soap,
1 bottle vanilla, 1 cake chocolate,
pens, needles, 2 darning needles,
whiting, 1 gal floor paint,
6 lbs oat meal, 1 pt turpentine,
1 bottle sprain cure, Almonds,
rivets, washers, whiffle tongues,
tobaco, soda, grass seeds,
clover seed, pea seed, beet seed,
turnip seed, beans seed,
three varieties horse shoeing,
horse keeping, boat fare,
paid a horse keeping debt 15 cts,
1 box note paper

83
Sunday 13th April 1902
Monday 14th April 1902

84
Monday 14th April

85
Tuesday 15 April 1902

86
Wednesday 16 April 1902

87
Thursday 17th April 1902
This morning looked very much
like rain and did rain a little.
Arose at 4 Oclock, so sleepy could
scarcely stand but had to to
get them started on the road to
Kingston. Clouds cleared away
at 10 am. The sun shines
clear all day. Dinner ready
by eleven Oclock, call tom
after dinner, put up a lunch
for Grandmother who is "over
there" all alone all day, and
send it over by Tom, sent bread,
butter, fried potatoes, chicken pot
pie, with gravy, cake, crackers
& cheese. Worked hard all pm and
so tired can scarcely walk but skimmed
milk, wash pans, boil potatoes, make custard &
cake, set table and have every thing

88
on the table when they come
bringing groceries, flower pot with
geranium in bloom, varnish and
wall paper, cloth, pocket purse &
corsetts, ribbons, candy. Wells says he
is going away 15 days- going with
Captain Griffin on the Mom Eagle.

89
Friday 18 April 1902
Set a turkey to day or a
hen on turkey eggs 10 eggs.

90
Saturday 19 April 1902

91
Sunday 20 April 1902
Rained in morning but
cleared up. Maud goes to
church. The minister comes home
with her to dinner. The Rev Mr Wheatley.
We have a big roasted fish
for dinner, a pike which Voltie
had kept on ice for the occasion.
So we called it the preachers fish.
Voltie caught & brought it up from Hickory last
Wednesday evening. After his Rev
is gone I churn so Voltie can
have butter for himself on Hickory.
Tom went over the river in
V’s skiff - went over to Quinn Beadles
visiting. John Niles his
hired man here in the eve. Maud went
to Mr Niles and staid till 1/2 past
9 pm. V went after dinner
to chop wood for R. Tom sits
up till 10 pm writing to, I dont know.

92
Monday 21 April 1902
A cloudy, chilly morning
sprinkles of rain on door stops
and ground. Maud took up
the small sitting room carpet and
then began washing. I washed
dishes and got dinner. Tom working
in field. Wish the onion seed
was sowed. hope I’ll get
our flower seeds tomorrow
evening. I wash all the under clothes
and put Chatterton’s old black
shirt to soak in a tub of water.
Tom again sits up till after bed
time to write a letter to Marjorie.
cold and Windy all day rains quite
hard towards eve. Tom set rain barrel

93
Tuesday 22 April 1902
A fine morning warmer Wind S.
I write and send a letter to Kate Knapp.
I dont send the letter Tom
wrote to Marjorie. I am afraid
to let Maud mail the letter for
there is row enough going on now
at Charlie’s over so insignificant
a person, even as poor tom
for Charlie is afraid tom is after
his girls and if Charley should
get the mail and the letter should
fall into Charlie’s hands he never
would rest contented till he knew
the contents of the letter and who
it was from and then there would
be another row in the family
for Charley is quite sure
attention to his daughters is an injury
and a damage to them therefore
I have retained the letter.

94
till I see Bell when I
will put in her hands. I ought
to have written to Belle inclosing
the letter to her and I will do
so at once though I will not get
an oppertunity of sending it till
Friday. I finish washing - wash
toms old shirt & socks, shirts for V,
& Sr, a pair of pants for V.
Maud after supper goes early to the
post office. tom carries brush for
the bed he sowed at noon. Tom
sowed onion, radish, parsnip, beets
seed an a space of ground about
8 feet long and two feet wide
soed them nearly all in one hole.
No seeds come from Park yet.
We get the Whig & another bundle
of old "Vickery Fire side Visitor" (the
Fire side Visitor is most to frequent
these days" & Wmans farm journal,
Shell & Inez & Bob Reid here.

95
Len didnt come. Had to
drive Tom off to bed again. sat
up read read and then
have to call him every morning.
Tom and M dont very well agree.
Maud met with a serious though
laughable accident just after
her return from the post office
which is not tellable here.

96
Wednesday 23rd April 1902
Looks like a fine warm morning.
Wind S. thought Id go over
to Rachels but clouded up
and began to rain so concluded
to stay home it soon cleared up
thought once more I’d go
"over there" but while I am
preparing to go the wind
began to rise and continues
to gather force till at last
it is a howling gale of wind
from the SW and cold as
March and I stay home
and work all day at your
house work. Maud washed
her blue skirt and three
petticoats and done a big
ironing and so the day
passes on till evening. No
visitors to night. Tommy

97
sits up reading till after
we all go to bed. Thought
I wouldnt drive him off
this time. Soon after I
go to bed I hear him
tramping around in the
pantry I suppose he is
after canadian herb pills for
he takes them on the sly
every oppertunity. Sylvia and
Sammy came for Charlies gobbler.
Maud went to help them drive him home
but he wont drive but started for Franks.

98
Thursday 24 April 1902
Some what milder
than yesterday but cold
yet. Wind SW. I made
the discovery of tomasses
night prowling. He snoops
into the cupboard and ate
all the pie & all the cheese
and two big pieces of
cake and then took pills
as he has done several
times before. He eats like
a hog at table and then
stuffs himself by stealth
and he is very cold too.
He wears wool under
shirt and drawers heavy
over shirt, a sweater, and

99
two overcoats and a pair
of mittens while working in
the field. all this time
Rachel was here to day
wants buttermilk, linnament,
butter, and wants her
fence fixed right off.
Says Shell Niles is the
silliest fool- dont know
anything says Shell calls
Old Mary Farr "Aunt Mary".
Mr Niles, last Thursday
gave Rachel a bag of potatoes
took her to the dock and
back home again. Went
to Richardsons as security
for her for seed oats and
yet to R he is old John Niles
and his family are fools.
She says Shell is silly -dont know any thing
says he calls old Mary Farr Aunt and

100
told her father, coming over on the
waggon that she had churned that
afternoon, though I cant see what
there is silly or flat about churning
or speaking about it. If it is I am
silly and flat nearly every other day.
Well tommy has left us because
he couldnt cudgel the poor old mares
all he wanted to. Sr heard the blows
away down by the river, where he
ws building fence, and came where
tom was pulverizing and took
the cudgels away from him, all broken
and twisted and told tom to put
the horses in the stable and go
hoe strawberry vines but instead
of doing so he came to the house and
changed his apparel and has cleared
out some where. I saw him go off up
the road walking as fast as if he was
kicked behind. Maud and I get supper,
wash the dishes, do all the chores and go to
bed. So good night.

101
Friday 25 April 1902
Arise at 6 am. No tom here to
call out of bed this morning. Sr working in field
all day with horses, cloudy & chilly in
pm. I sow all the sweet pear and
begin to get supper when Maud comes back
from Mrs Niles where she has been to
carry some popy seed and exchange gladiola
bulbs. Mrs Niles sent me a bowl
of sourkraut which Mrs Maloney had
sent some over today to Mrs Niles
and I cooked it for supper. Maud
went for the mail. Whig, Herald, a package
of flower seed from Park, and a whole
floral out fit, a letter from Grace, and a
letter from Mr Watson. Charlie said
he gave the letter I sent Belle directly
into her own hands which is well and
very kind of Charley and a favor
which I appreciate.

102
26 April Saturday 1902
Wind South not very cool but
rained quite hard in the night.
After breakfast I hoe a few strawberry
plants wouldnt stay out to hoe any
more for the ground is damp and I
have on slippers. It soon begins to
Thunder and rain begins to pour
at intervals, the wind rising to
a gale shifting to the west and
growing colder. Whew how the wind
howls. Poor Bob and George & Wallace.
I hope they are safe in harbor to day.
Tis a terrible to be a sailor and Sr
is going away next 8 day of May.
I made cake and currant pie for
Voltie but he will not come home to
night. I heard tom is at Morgans

103
We set a turkey yesterday on 15 eggs
and this pm Sr said the turkey
is off her nest.
Sunday 27 April 1902
Voltie came home at 10 am popped
in unexpectedly; he walked up from foot
having left his boat in Will Gillespies
boat house. T Chot came in with V.
Grandpa just came in from "Over there"
where he has been as usual to chop
wood. He and Tommy dont speak.
I dont feel very well. I go to sleep
while writing and make long black marks
on the page. Maud went up to help Shell
sweep the Church before service and after
dinner, and the dishes are washed, goes to
church. Tom after shaving and fixing himself
up very fine, plastering his hair down
to make it lay smooth and twisting and
turning around to see how he looks
behind, goes to church to get a ride
up with Mr Wheatley our preacher.

104
Voltie made himself a carpenter
apron (having worn out the old one).
Bob Reid here all evening. I
go to bed and leave them all sitting
there laughing & te he ing at last I
tell Maud to pare the potatoes and
go to bed which she does and soon
all is quiet and I sleep till morning.
Monday morning 27th April 1902
When I got up 1/2 past 4
& get breakfast and make cakes for
V. & pack in his valise with two
loaves of bread, pie, butter, cakes, potatoes,
&c and he starts out with the valise
swung over his back on an axe handle
that Sr had made for Bill McFaden
intending to walk to the foot; but his
father heads him off out near the
barn and tells him to mount into
the dog cart and he will drive him
to the foot. Sr had been out to the
stable and hitched up on the sly.

105
Well Maud is in a terrible way about
starting off for subseribord [sic] for Parks
Magazine, flower and vegetable seeds.
I begin to think Maud was born for
canvassing buisness [sic] for she has a
gift or tendancy that way, always
wants to get out on the road with books
or newspapers or something and
now it is flower seeds. I said go
right along. The day is fine, do as
well as you possibly can but dont
let the sun go down on you before
you return, and away she has
gone down the island. Sr is plowing
here by the house, plowing & swearing,
I know he kept from swearing as long
as he could, but old Jess mare dont
want to plow. Maud helped churn
before she started out on her mission,
swept, made beds and helped wash
dishes. While I was washing the
churn I glanced out the window and

106
saw a tall black object coming
up the road which proved to be
Rachel bringing a pail and some
newspapers she had borrowed & a currant
bush. She wanted butter, buttermilk,
kerosine and any thing else she
could get. Poor old Rachel she
looks like the but end of hard times
and she appears to be just what she
is hard up and broken down,
not a decent shoe to her foot
or a decent garment of any kind
to wear, only one old cow that
is going to come in some time
she chasses and runs after ducks
but I think she is happy why not
I wish she had all the fire wood she needs

107
27 May Tuesday 1902
Just one month ago this day since
I last wrote in this book called diary
and we are, thanks to God all well.
Grace came home the first of May bringing
Reginald, and went home again the
22nd of May. Johny came to see us
the 18th of May stayed only a few hours
and then went back down to Geo Gillespies
to cross the river with Ed Bates.
John came across with Ed and Dora in the
morning. We only had 16 Plymouth rock
eggs to give him. Will and Charley
came over 11th May on a very fine day they
could stay only a few hours. Bell &
Beatrice were here the same day for
a few hours and Rachel came over too.
We bought a milk and cream
seperator the 9 of May Listes
and Spoor brought and set it up
the evening of the ninth. Voltie

108
came home the same evening
for which I was very glad.
I gave them their supper.
It was a very cold day and
evening. May has been a very
cold month with few
exceptional day. I know we
arose the next morning, the 10 of May
to find everything froze up hard
all vegetation as stiff as an iron bar,
ice an inch & half thick on tubs
and barrels froze all along the
shore. The 25 & 26th of May were
beautiful days, warm and sunny.
The fruit trees trees are all in bloom now
but the weather has changed again
and it is colder, dark wind clouds
from the S.W. Sr has this month
built a chicken coop we have 9
small turkeys and more hatching.
We are milking 4 cows. Bob Reid

109
worked for Voltie and V paid
Bob a dollar and ,50 cts for strawing
the potato ground and Sr has to dig
down among the straw to find a
hole to drop a hill for potatoes.
I am trying to see how much butter
I can make each week by this seperator.
Evening mail brought us Whig,
Marine Record, a letter from Belle,
a letter from Johny, and a letter
from Mauds Aunt Amanda. It is
raining at night fall evening. I
read a story to Maud and Wells
from Barce’s monthly. Wells seperated
the milk this morning and evening

110
Wednesday 28th May 1902
Maud slept with me last night.
It was too cold and chilly to go up
stairs. The day is cold, almost enough
to snow and drizling rain all day.
Wells Sr after doing the chores, plants
potatoes all day in the straw.
He says Voltie ought to hire one
more d-d fool and then quit
hiring for that would be three times
and out. I churn, bake bread,
cook beans, drop cakes & johny cake,
sow Parks star flower seed. The cat
had knocked off the box of sowed
ornamental pepper seed. We
gathered it up and found only two
sprouted. I planted them over
and sowed more seed and transplanted
a few more plants. Evening read to Sr & Maud

111
Not copied yet
1901- 15 page
Sept
1901 - 3-4 pgs in to 1902
1901 - between
Fri 8th 1902 &
Sun 9th Mar 1902

112
This is
start with
Sat 9th
Dates are
confused but
write exactly as is

113
Thursday 29th May 1902
A day of wind from S.W.
Whew! how it blows. Sr planting.
I get breakfast and wash all the
breakfast dishes and Seperator
complete, made a pie for dinner
and washed a few things, ie
V’s underclothing, 2 dresses for me
and an apron for. I planted one
big hill of Japanese Navy
sent to Sears and Roebuck for
a sample book of wall paper
last Friday 23rd of May 1902.
Suppose I have got to churn
Spose I have to write to John.
Sr planting all day. Potatoes, corn
and "pumpkin" seed. Maud ironing
churned all right. Evening read in
Winner to Maud and Sr

114
Friday 30th May 1902
The weather fine again. Sun
warm and bightly shining. Wind
hushed and gone to sleep. Got
a terrible pain in my back but
have got to work all the same
doctored it with R.R.R. and
Van Horns linament bathed
in hot water and finaly tied
a big long wool stocking
around my back and went
to work. I wrote 4
letters this morning. Johny,
Belle, Dr ConnellDentist,
and Charley Woodman requesting
him to take the Universal self
instructor to Belle allright
I made a corn meal baked pud
for dinner.

115
26 June Thursday 1902
It began raining last night at 6 pm
and rained all night. barrel and
can full of water this morning. Got Maud
out early to go to market. Wells said
he would only put the bovines in the
barn and milk when he returned from
the dock! instead! he carried the pails
to the stable, milked all the cows,
seperated the milk, ate breakfast, caught
the horse and I a hustling around
all the time to get them started
at last! they get under way only
to get as far as the hill. When behold
the boat was just starting out front
the dock and so Sr turned about
and sent Maud with the butter
all the way to Marysville to go to
Kingston. And Oh such a day!
Wind! Ye howling huricanes
and gales! blowing all day
with a clear sky after 8 am

116
this has been a terrible
month for wind and rain
if we get one day of quiet summer
like old fastioned [sic] peacefulness
and bright warm sunlight,
we think it a great treat
but the meadows and pastures
are abundant and luxurious
and potatoes and most
everything gives great promise
of a bountiful harvest.
Dear Maud I wonder how will
she get over to the city and
back again to day, she had
28 lbs of butter yesterday. There
was a picknic on Henrys Hallidays point.
Maud went with the old
mare and buggy taking Ethel &
Lottie Dixon with her and did
not return till 9 pm evening
while Rachel came over wanting for

117
them to return. The wind blew
all day yesterday but not nearly
so hard as to day. yesterday pm
I rolled the churn out on the veranda
and churned there. Maud has
returned; went and came by way of Hallidays.
I have not written in this
diary in a long time. This is
the 16th day of Aug 1902 and
the last written was June 26th, 1902.
Many an event has transpired
since that time. I invited
Watson to stay away and not
make his annual visit for which
he launched out into a terrible rage
frenzied with anger. MaudsAunt Maude
has made us a two weeks visit &
gone back again to Shannonville.
Little Dick Patterson was drowned.
Pete Patterson came up and

118
carried Nellie home with him
to Vermont.
Dick was drowned the 7 of
Aug 1902 through Frank Woodmans
carelessness.
Aug 14th
Maud and Amanda
went to Kingston this morning.
Maud going to Market with 28 lbs
butter and Amanda going home.
I am expecting Mrs Brooks by
this evening’s boat and we have
made great preparations to
receive her. Grace stays another
week to help me entertain her
But she didn’t come and I
sincerely hope she never will.
Voltie is binding oats & Sr is
setting up bundles nearly all day.
I churn out on veranda

119
Friday 15th 1902
A day of peaceful
blessedness; no visitors. To keep
breakfast hot for, while they snooze
in bed till 8 pm. V binding
oats, Sr setting up bundles. I
churn in cellar. Evening mail
Whig, Herald and a letter from
Mrs Brooks excusing herself for
not coming Thursday evening.
Wants to come in Sept and
bring Brooks, a gun & fishing
tackle. What a happy event that
woud be - for them. but I
object as I am under no obligation
to her, or Brooks, who I have never
seen. I shall inform Mrs Brooks
that we dont receive any more
company this summer or autumn
and then she will be angry
like Watson.

120
Saturday 16 Aug 1902
A very good day but cool.
I churned in cellar butter
cool and could be made in a
roll all right. Voltie finished
binding and V & Sr set up all
the oats in pm. In am they
finished drawing the wheat and
stacked it behind the barn.
A shower but not long. Maud
cleaned all the floor. Grace saved
for Maud and helped get the
meals. After seperating milk &
supper Voltie drove over to Spaffords
for the old black pig - returned
at 9 pm. I’m so sleepy and go
to bed early. Reginald helped me dig
potatoes for dinner.

121
1902 Done
1906 Remains

122
Sunday 17th of Aug 1902
A cool cloudy morning. Voltie,
after breakfast and seperating,
gathered in the fish net in the pm
a lot of dead fish and one cat
fish which he threw away, together
with all the dead ones. Voltie goes
in buggy to Belles accompanied by
Maud and carrying them a sample
of his apples and potatoes. Sr brought in
one cucumber from our vines this
morning. There has been no rain
to amount to any thing since
two weeks ago this day (Sunday).
4 years later to 1906
↓

123
Tuesday 23rd of January 1906
This morning very warm, no snow
not a flake to be seen any where,
no ice in the river, wind blowing
half gale from South. gulls flying in from
the lake. V helped get breakfast and
after breakfast went over to Daily’s
to chop and saw wood. Kent coming
across from his place to help V. Maud
washed some things. I made or
prepared mince meat. Maud and
I churned. I dont think we will
churn again till the cows come in
or separate any more milk.
Raining hard. V came home through
the rain clothes wet. V went for the mail
gone longer under the circumstances that I
should think he would. Dignams want to
buy Spaff place but Spaff wife want sign off

124
The reason V didnt return earlier
the mail had not arrived. Not much
mail these days. Dispatch Agneautist,
Letter for Maud from Rena James
and a postal from New Thought.
Maud and I sent 4 letters this
morning; one to Nellie Brooks,
one to Comfort soap, one
Maud sent for a ring and one
for a pin neither one of them
good for any thing. Sr plowed
to day only 3 eggs to day.
Wednesday 24 of January 1906
Colder this morning but very
quiet, sun bright and clear,
no snow nor ice yet.
V after breakfast took his
axe and dinner basket and
away he goes over to Dailys to
chop & saw wood two miles he
has to walk. Kent helps him

125
while Maud & I were washing
the breakfast dishes, Arthur and
Marjorie came. Old Green Farr
brought them across and Art gave
him $2,50 on demand; after
dinner Sr let Art have the bay
and milk wagon to drive up to
Charlies. V came home after dinner
while Kent went up to Phinkess’s
Mrs Niles came down and
brought her Knit quilt to show
me. Well I have done very
little work this day but visit.
We thought we heard the whistle
of the ferry boat at our dock. Voltie
goes over to investigate and finds
the boat at the dock, a fine star
lit night.
Thursday 25 of January
froze a little last night but
the sun shining warm and clear
Voltie gone up on the steam boat

126
To Kingston with a grist
of hog feed. The sky is so clear there
is not a cloud to be seen; not
any churning to do, no separator
to wash. Our new teacher going
to leave; to lonesome away off
down here; she is an old maid and
has the "rheumatism". She thought
(if she staid) here she would board
at Barry’s but when she went
to see about boarding there, but after
seeing Mrs Berry and looking her over,
she concluded she didn’t like the
looks of her, and was more anxious
than ever to get away. V said Mrs Barry
resembles the cartoon of an
old Jew woman, Sr said she looks
like a Poleax. It has been a long
time since I have seen her. She was
not remarkably hansome then
beside they watered their milk and

127
and skinned it and had to
pay 70 dollars for doing so
and taking them and their wrong
doings alltogether, they are not
very popular.
Friday 26 January 1906
A beautiful day sunlight clear
froze a little; a white frost ground
all bare, river all open, no ice
only a thin scale along the shore.
Voltie gone over to Dailys to
chop wood. Kent helping.
I’m troubled this morning with
cold feet and rheumatism
and drowsiness. We are to
have a new teacher a Mr. Whitmarsh
from the villiage. Evening mail
Herald, a book from Comfort,
a letter from Grace.
Look on third page

128
The powerful solvent properties of
distilled water are well known.
Hence to sum up:- the most rational
modes of keeping physical decay or deterioration
at bay and thus retarding thus
retarding [sic] the approach of old age are avoiding all
foods risk rid in the Earth salts
using much fruit especially juicy rum cooked
apples and by taking daily two or three
tumblers of distilled water.
Nothing causes old age and wrinkles
so rapidly as lack of exercise properly
balanced: that is the strain on one set of
muscles being relieved by the use of
others to balance. This causes exhaustion
and the tired condition that follows
to keep the bones full of rich fluid and healthy,
must exercise daily.

129
March 4th 1902
Posted 3 letters 6 cts
from our dock to Kingston
with a grist of hog feed.
Ruth Wolcott here for bee
smoker. I patch V’s pants and
cut quilt blocks for Maud
Saturday 27
A beautiful day warm
sun shining cleary. Wind South.
but light. Margaret and Arthur
came accompanied by Irene and
CharlesSr, Charley goes to Niles
for their boat and putting up sail
they all embark for the other shore
landing at Sand Bay. Charley goes up
to call on Uncle Jim Gloyd and

130
found the poor old man walking
or hobbling around on two crutches
for support. he wants R to come
over and keep home for him.
Charley came back and ate dinner
with us. Voltie and Kent chopping
wood in Daily’s woods. Kent here
to supper & carried home on his back
a peck of beans. I made molasses
cookies, two mince pies, baked beans
and boiled a piece of beef. Irene
went home with Margaret.
Sunday 28 January 1906
A warm still day cloudy and looks
like rain. Quarterly meeting a great
turnout. Rev Cornell assisting
Rev Moore House. Maud gone to
church. We expected the new teacher
Mr Whitmarsh but he didn’t come.
Inez came down for a little visit
growing a little colder.

131
Monday 29 January 1906
Froze last night quite hard,
heavy frost on the windows. Thermometer
down to zero. Sun clear and bright
no snow, river steaming a little.
Maud made doughnuts and
baked beans. River lightly skinned
across with thin ice. V & Sr draw
a load of wood from Daily’s
and then draw, after dinner, hay from
stack to put in the barn.
Maud baked apples. I piece on
quilt and write letters.
Evening passes pleasant by reading &c.
The wind blowing fierceley from
South.

132
Tuesday 30 January 1906
Wind blowing a gale all night
from South, the water roaring and
dashing on shore. morning cloudy
& looks like a storm. Wind South.
Dont storm but a dreary dismal day.
Voltie went to Dailys woods to split
wood. Sr carried for me three letters
to post one for Grace, one Gladys,
one Parkleys & Dingman and from
the post office went over to Daily’s
Woods and cut a load of wood.
No snow, no rain, no ice
but dreary, cloudy and dismal.
Voltie came late. Said Whitmarsh
came down with Kent. Dispatch,
Kingston News, 3 Park’s floral magazines,
New thought, a letter from W.F. Watson.
Maud received a letter from Huffman

133
Wednesday 31 January 1906
Awoke this morning to find
it raining a nasty day wind
south. V gone to Woodmans to
help them butcher, came home to
dinner and after dinner chopped
the heads off 16 fat chickens which
we scalded and picked for market,
then I put up the eggs, wrote
out the order for groceries.
Mr Whitmarsh our new school teacher
came to board an unofensive
looking young man, wearing a
fur lined coat and a broken
nose; his name is Fred, he
appears to be quite intelligent &c.
After supper Voltie drove to dock
with grist came back and ate supper

134
then he and Maud prepared
themselves for OBriens dance
which they attended, walking
there accompanied by Whitmarsh.
Sr goes to bed and I proceed to
sit up as long as I have a mind to
which is nearly 10 pm and had
and was just going to get into
bed when V came back with
McDonell & Kelly for cider. the
trio going into cellar, drinking
to their souls content and carrying
away a gallon to refresh themselves
at the dance. Next morning another
couple came for more cider & V
sold them a dollars worth. They
returned from the dance at 10 minutes to
3 Oclock am. They, V, W & Maud lay
down for 1 hour then we all arose and
prepared every thing for market
chickens, eggs &c Sr and V drove

135
to the dock expecting to find the offenders
there but after waiting in barn for
the appearance of the boat every neighbour
returned to their home. Voltie taking his
poultry in Chad Woodmans wagon
with Chad’s hogs and drove to
the village and from there went
aboard the boat to Kingston,
stay in town one hour,
come home at 7 p.m. brought pickled
olives and peanuts, sugar, soap,
sundries. Evening practice writing
by the trio spencerian method
Friday 2nd Feb 1906
16 deg bellow zero this morning
which is a sudden change from
warm to cold; river streaming like
a cauldron; if the bear sees his
shadow to day twill be on bare
ground. The sun shining clear.
V walked axe in hand to

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Daly’s wood to split wood.
We cook beans, bake apples,
make drop cakes &c
Voltie came home in time for supper
but was tired and didnt go for
the mail.
February 3rd Saturday 1906
After breakfast Voltie goes for the
mail. A letter from Muriel &
Herald & North Western Agriculturist.
Then after doing a few chores takes
his dinner basket and axe and walks
over to Daily wood to split and cord
stove wood; working all alone, wind
blowing and begins to storm snow,
river frozen clear across. Maud cleans
floors, made pies (apple), polished the
kitchen stove. Sr chores around. Whitmarsh
reads & whistles. Nearly 4 pm I wish
V would come home at last
he comes, tired after splitting

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he comes, tired after splitting
rock elm all day.
Sunday 4 Feb 1906
Dont get up quite so early
this morning. Weather colder
a miserable dreary day. Wind
blowing a gale from the South East
all day, cloudy. We all read most
of the time, growing colder
towards night and so passes
the day. Only four out to church
to day, no preacher, river frozen over.
Monday 5th Feb 1906
Colder this morning 16 deg
below zero but clear. Our men drove
to Dailys for a load of wood
sled length. I picked over a
peck of beans. Evening V and

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Whitmarsh goes to Obriens
conclude the school business in
regard to hiring the Teacher.
The teacher brings home a catalog
of the school library which proves
to be only childrens story books
including a few of Coopers & Dickens &c
Tuesday 6 February 1906
A clear cold morning 18 below zero.
They think the ice is good for a
man to walk across to the U.S.A.
At 1/2 past 10 am Voltie walked across
to Quinn’s drawing the kerosine can on
hand sled, returned at half past 4
pm with kerosine, oil, a coat for Sr, tobaco,
a pair of shirts for himself and
a lb of coffee. The teacher brought
us a book from the library "The
last of the Mocachins by Cooper.
V ate dinner with Horace Dodge

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Wednesday 7 February 1906
A clear cold day. Voltie &
Sr hitched up after V ate a lunch
and drove over to R’s intending
to drive back on her place for
a load for R, but instead
Sr choped up some old fallen
apple tree limbs enough to last a
day or more, and Voltie walked
over to Daily’s woods where he
remained all day splitting and cording
wood. he returned at night fall
tired and hungry. Evening time
after tea Maud & Whitmarsh
go to call on neighbor Niles family
but finding the door locked and no
one at home, they soon return and
Voltie helps me wash dishes & we
read, pare potatoes for breakfast
[illegible] for bread.

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Thursday 8th February 1906
Not quite so cold this morning
and though the sun is shining the
atmosphere is misty. V took his
dinner and axe again this morning
and gone away to Daily’s woods.
Maud is washing and I, club in
hand am trying to get dinner and
make a batch of cookies but is
terrible hard work my left hip and
leg is very painful every step I walk
and I’m afraid I’ll never be any
better of it. Whitmarsh has gone to
his school. I suppose he met with
a great disapointment last night when
he looked in the commode and couldn’t
find his "pot". I wonder if he thinks
we are going to empty thundermugs
after him? when he hired his board
here that was not included in the
bargain.
continued on 4th page from
this one.

141
Tuesday 25 Feb 1902
Voltie went to City brought home
5 lbs sugar
1 qt whiskey, poor stuff
1 pk onions beautiful red
1 box of note paper
1 doz fish - herring
11 lbs fat pork and gave me three for shortning
2 cans of syrup, gave me one
1 lb soda
& 5 lbs rolled oats
6 bars of comfort soap
1 Bottle of black ink
Voltie bought none paper and envelops
4 volumes Greens History of England

142
Friday 27 of Feb 1902
Wells went to Kingston
& bought cheese & a load of lumber
2 lbs figs
Irene 6 lemons
Irene 5 lbs rice
1 pins
Irene Radway’s R.R.
a peck of beans
a coal shaker
10 cts with 10 comfort trade marks
Tuesday 4th March - 6 gallons Kerosine
Wednesday 5th - 2 gallons of syrup
6 towels
6 lbs currants
1 box sodas
1/2 bush beans
1 broom
30 cts
6 March Thursday
another cady of tea 29 lbs
from George H Darling, Landsdowne
March 9th 2 bags of potatoes
fromJ Niles.

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March 29th Wells Sr bought
18 1/2 lbs pork - Irene paid for half
10 sugar
1 lb ginger
1 lb soda
1 box yeast cakes
1 yd of elastic
1/2 bush beans - V paid for half
3 lb whiting
5 lb rolled oats
1 box soda biscuits
2 lb cheese
April 9th 2 bags of potatoes from Niles
April 10th 12 lbs rolled oats
20 lbs sugar

144
Thursday 17 April 1902
pork $1,00
2 lbs cheese
5 lbs currants
3 lbs lard
47 cts 5 rolls wall paper & 12 yd bordering
1 box Iron tonic pills 25
1 pair corsetts 50
1 yd black ribon 12
candy 10
Flower geranium 20
Purse 20
Puff comb 15
2 1/4 yds muslin .30
1 letter .02

145
continued 8 Feb 1906
2 jew beddlars [sic] and Louis Larrish
and Jerry Hunt came wanting to
stay all night but dont keep any
such gentleman, two great
louts Hunt & Larish been to Cape Vincent
to a ball on an ice boat,
got left here by a lull in wind.
They carried a load of strong drink
aboard their anatomy which
spoke for itself
Friday 9th February 1906
14 above zero this morning.
cloudy looks like storm of some
kind. sent Nelly a post card.
Grace a letter. Maud sent to comfort
for a ring. I sent Wells Jr two
papers "Agriculturist &

146
the jews staid to Sam’s. Wells
sold them old iron which came
to $1,15, he gave the money to
me. Dont know where Hunt &
Larrish went & dont care. Voltie
gone again this morning for chop,
split and cord. Sr drawing wood
sled length. Voltie came a little
earlier than usual. Geo Rattray & his
father & Kent went over river drawing
our sled. Kent & Geo gone for oil.
Mail a letter from Grace, one from
Gladys, Herald, a magazine called
Madam. I sent Grace a letter.
Maud sent one to Rena James
and Toronto for a ring.
Saturday 10 February 1906
Arose early that Whitmarsh can go
up with Jack Niles. He goes.
We bake and cook all forenoon.
A very good pleasant day

147
towards night Bob came
down with Jack Niles. We sat
up late, visited and read.
Sunday 11th February 1906
A pleasant day. Mr Rattray
called here on his way from
over the river; he been to Rob Percy’s
visiting. He staid till church
time. The preacher here to dinner
the Rev Moorehouse a fine
man. Whitmarsh returned. Frank Woodman
came too. Voltie engaged
a passage for Rachel across the river
with Frank. Frank drove
across from the U.S.A. in buggy
and drove back in buggy.
R met Frank down by Frank’s
old place and went across with him
in buggy. Voltie down on ice watching

148
then while they go over the ice is cracked
badly. Well I’m glad R is safely over
the river. She has not been here in over
a month. She went home one evening
after she had come over to stay all night
pretending she was mad at Maud
when Maud had not given her any cause
for the smallest offense no not
any cause whatever. Well I dont
care! She is only punishing herself.
Monday 12 February 1906
A fine day. Voltie & Bob walks
over the ice to Gloyds to pay Rachel
for her old candy cupboard, that she
has sold the school section for a school
library and "also to pay the tax on
Lindys for land & school tax. They
return in time for dinner. Whitmarsh does
not make a start for school very
early he had better be careful.

149
or OBrien and Barry will
be watching. After dinner Voltie
and I dress 17 chickens for market.
Robert weighs each one as soon
as it is picked. Evening V, R, &
Whitmarsh go to OBriens to play
cards & have an evening visit.
They return at 10 pm and go
immediately to bed. Maud mixed
the bread before retiring. Maud slept with
me.
Tuesdday 18 February 1906
The most beautiful day of
all the winter, like a spring day in
April. We arise early and tie the
chickens necks and get everything ready
for market. I send 8 1/2 doz eggs which
V sold for 20cts per doz at Hendersons

150
Robert goes home too. I am sorry
to see him go. Robert is a good boy.
Wells Sr hitches up and drives over
for Rachels canned tomatoes and puts
them in our cellar to keep them from
freezing 9 or less. V comes home quite
early, ate dinner with Bob &
Grace. V went for the mail but
not much, two little books from soap
factory and Dispatch etc
Wednesday February 14 1906
The weather this morning is changed
from Spring to February winter
snowing and blowing. Whitmarsh
buttoned close his fur lined coat
and turned up the collar and
away to the school house he went.
V at home tinkering in the shop
all day. Sr sitting by the stove
nearly all reading Dispatch
and now they are out milking and
doing the chores and the storm is

151
raging and blowing heavy from
the North.
Thursday 15 Feb 1906
A light snow on ground this
morning; a clear day. Voltie at
home tinkering in shop and pm
partly shoveled the saw dust out of
ice house. Wells Sr again complained
of shortness of breath. Irene fixes
Sr coat sleeves and pieces on
quilt & makes too punkin pies,
washes dishes etc. Maud works
around the house makes beds &
sweeps. Samy & Ruth here for
Voltie to help bush out a road
across the ice. Voltie helped the
Woodmans over, but bushed no
road. Jack Niles here in pm
wanting V to go to Geo Niles to play.
V wouldnt go but staid home and read
the [?] in Shelly.

152
Friday 16 February 1906
A beautiful day. 8 deg above zero
in early morning. Whitmarsh in
kitchen whistling something I dont
know what it is. There is no time to
it only a noise; He is an incessant
whistler. I wish he would stop his
noise for that blow mouth of
his is anoying. V cleaned ice am
and pm cut 30 cakes of ice finished
reading the Cenci in Shelly. Grandad
sat around the stove most of the time
jawing and reading the almanac.
He dont like Whitmarsh’s bugle call.
I sort beans and wash dishes &c.
Frank H drove over again on
wheels; he going to fiddle for the
dance at St Lawrence to night Chad Woodman
going to the dance sent a letter to
Muriel. Evening mail, Herald, a letter for
Maud from Irene and a ring

153
Saturday 17 February 1906
A warm cloudy morning 20 deg
above zero, Wind South & looks like
rain. Whitmarsh up dressed and
whistling. Grandad up dressed
in the kitchen swearing very
low about that "d-d whistling
fool" Whitmarsh puts himself inside
his fur lined over coat and goes down
on the ice where V & Jack Niles are
getting out to fill the ice house and awaits
his oppertunity to catch a ride with some
one enroute for the villiage and
soon hops on Will Gillespie’s conveyance
and goes off up to the villiage. Jack N
here to dinner. Maud makes doughnuts
and I fry. They got the
ice all in before dinner. 30 big cake

154
We read till bed time. Voltie
reading Shelley. A beautiful star
lit night. Alice Rooseveldt married to Tony Easter
Sunday 18 day of Feb 1906
A warm cloudy morning looks A
like snow or rain. Sr drives over
to see Dordane. Quinn Beadles hired man comes
over visiting; big burley Milton Woodard
here to dinner and brags about himself.
He has now gone to church he went
before Maud did. Sr has just returned
and says Dordane will not live long
and that Horace has had another
shock. Snows some I write a long
letter to Grace.
Monday 19 February 1906
A cloudy warm morning snowed some
in the night. Wells goes across the ice
comes home at 5 pm says Dordane died
at 2 this pm. Eddy Bates here and
drank cider in the cellar. V

155
gave him 2 bottles of catchup
tomatoes. Evening Inez came there
The Dignums, Mary, Tom, Lance D &
Sadie Murray they stay till midnight.
Warm and thawing
Voltie shod the brown horse.
Tuesday 20 February 1906
A warm cloudy morning,
we arose early. Sr gone to Kingston.
I send a letter to Grace. Maud sends
one to Irene. Voltie helping Niles
fill ice house. Teacher gone to school.
Maud & I alone. Maud cleans floors.
Voltie came home at noon to do the
chores. Two men drove in here to
inquire the way across the ice to U.S.A.
Maud dont feel very well. I cook beans
and pare potatoes. Sr came early
couldnt get a dentist to fix his teeth.
Belle & Charley went to town, drove ahead
of Sr, saw Bob and gave him the
letter.

156
Wednesday 21st February 1906
Awoke this morning to find the rain
falling, ground bare. V and his father started
to walk across to Dordane’s funeral. Sr
with creepers on. V had to turn back and
get his skates for he couldn’t stand up
so much sand and water. Maud &
I here alone piecing quilts. Maud
gets us a lunch a good cup of coffee
etc. V came in time for his dinner.
Sr came later and had had his
dinner at Vans. The weather clears up a little
after dinner.
Thursday 22nd Feb 1906
A beautiful day; sun brilliantly
warm 30 deg above zero, ground
bare of snow. It froze a little last
night. Voltie takes hand sled and
skates across to River view for Kerosine
6 gallons after dinner. Maud goes

157
skating Eddy Bates comes
across on skates and Dora too.
Eddie here drinking cider evening
time. VoltieMaud & Whitmarsh
walk over to Dignams for
an evening visit came home
at 2 pm ice roaring and
cracking all night.
Friday 23 February 1906
froze again last night, a
white frost. day clear and
frosty. We pick the last of our
chickens to day 10.30 am
the chicks are picked ready for
market. Mrs & Mr Daily have
been here. Daily gave Voltie money
to pay in the bank at Kingston
and left a barrel for V to fix.
They going to make maple sugar.
Voltie gave her a drink of
cider. Sr thinks the rats will
not trouble or destroy.

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Dec 4th 1902
Voltie 6 lbs up to date
while Whitmarsh is here for he
is more noisy than a gobbler or
a guinea fowl. George Obrien gone
to River View on skates this morn.
Volta goes to OBriens to inquire if
he is going to drive the North shore
tomorrow; if he is Voltie wants to accompany
him for our side (South) has proved unsound
for driving on ice, and out there is strength
in numbers they, with Geo Rattray will
try the expedition together. The verdict
is, if there is hard freezing, they will drive
up on ice if not they take the road
on wheels. Old man in a pucker
about Whitmarsh; noise & wants to know
if F.W. is going to send up for new
records.
I’m quite sure Sr’s old records
will never be worn out while he lives
Ie for fault finding. Oh I wish he would
go visiting for week somewhere.

159
Saturday Feb 24th 1906
Arose at 5 am. Maud & Voltie
got breakfast. I tied the chickens
necks poor things, running around
yesterday small and plump with.
all their feathers on, and now bare
and in the market basket with their
yellow legs sticking up, well tis the
last Voltie has going, drove away up
the Island on wheels. Barometer 60 deg above
zero in the shade, sun pouring down
its fiery brilliancy on the ice,
ground bare, crows holding
council meeting in the cedars.
Whitmarsh exchanged a cap for a
hat and accompanied by the
dog and two cats has leisurely
sauntered off down the shore &
grandad Sr has gone to roost
sunning himself on the

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[Various additions and entries mostly illegible]

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This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following
people:
Ann Hopkinson, Ella Deering, Jonathan Panuelos, Eric Irvine, MaryV, and Queen’s University
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