Irene Dixon Bamford 1916-1917, Diary Transcription
5034_4-2-7

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date: 1916-1917
Title: 5034_4-2-7
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1
IRENE DICON BAMFORD DIARY 1916-1917 1916-1917
QUEENS UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES
LOCATOR 5034.4
BOX 2
FILE 7

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1916
1917

3
Re-Read
’76-84
William C Dixon
[margin] William Collins Dixon
William Collins Dixon [/margin]

4
Been read
$136,84
A Merry Christmas
Emma’s letter page for 1917
Jan 1 Sylvia
R’s dairy milk for 1917
May 14 Tuesday 21 lbs
May 15 Wednesday 26 lbs
1 Mrs Grace Gaskin
7 Harewood Ave
Watertown
2 Mrs Edward McDermott
162 Highland Ave.
Watertown
3 Mr Reg Gaskin
c/o Marine Mail Boat
Detroit
Mich.
4 Mrs Wells Bamford
R4D 3 Watertown
5 W. Atlee Burpee & Co
The Burpee Buildings
North Fifth Street, York Avenue
and Button wood Street
PO Drawer 1626
Philadelphia, Pa
Mrs Roy Rattray
Box 16 Felton Delaware
Mrs Charles Halliday Route 2
Limerick Jeff. Co. N.Y.
Mrs William Brooks
01502 Monroe Street
St Cloud apt Spokane
Wash
Mrs KB Smith 221x223 King Street Watertown
R’s dairy milk for 1917
May 14 Tuesday 21 lbs
May 15 Wednesday 26 lbs

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Leters [sic]
Monday 1st January 1917
Jan 1st Grace 1
Jan 1st Charlotte 1
Jan 3rd Maud 1
Jan 5th Eveline 1
Tuesday 28 1917
It rains this day so cant
work in field and now
have to wait a few days
for the grain to dry out.
Wednesday 29 August 1917
No grain drawing to day. drawing stone for cement.
Almond Joslin very bad, had convulsions. received
a letter from Belle saying she is coming to Vans
Sunday and for Voltie to meet her there with a boat
if the weather is good. Emma washing all day.
Thursday 30th 1917 August
A rainy morning. Arise early it makes no
difference about rain. Voltie drives to dock
with Will and Edith carrying Rachels eggs.
Then V drives around by the factory seems
a long time since he went but he comes
at last. The rain clears and a fine pm follows.
Emma does a pile of work cleaning windows
hanging out so many clothes. long lines full,
cooks and prepares for supper. They all come Grace and her family
all well and happy
Joe, Samy & Gale here in evening.
Friday 31st August 1917
This Friday is a grand beautiful day. warm atmosphere
so clear. V & Will drawing stone for mixing concrete
for barn floor. I crochet nearly all day on a bread
tray doily for Grace. The usual amount of business,
goes on cooking, Emma brought in the clothes from
the lines. Poor Almond Joslin died this morning after
being so long helpless with paralysis. A quire [choir]
practice this evening at Woodmans (W.H.) A telephone
ring for Emma to attend. Joe drives here for Emma.
She goes accompanied by Margaret. Grace rec’d a letter from
Maud saying Bert is going to camp and drill for the war.

6
2
Saturday 1 September 1917
We got out of bed this morning to find the
rain falling fast and furious. did not draw
nor stack any grain since last Monday. This is a
fearful bad harvest. for nearly every one especially
for Voltie for he has to stack all his grain if it ever
dries out. V drove to factory this morning through
the rain. I dont know of any farmer that
does need a dry gloriously beautiful harvest
more than Voltie nor any one that suffers
more for want of a barn.
Sunday Sept 2nd 1917
Grace all day looking for Bert and Maud but
they dont come. she got to be there by Tuesday so Robbert
can begin his education in Engineering. Rob’t only
thirteen last of August. Belle came to day towards eve
from Vans. Van’s son in law rowed her across; all Joslin’s
funeral to day. Grace & Will go to funeral. Belle brought me an apron
and V some limburger. V went to church to. R went home. Ogle
and Joe here in evening.
Monday 3rd Sept 1917
R didnt come over to day waiting for Belle to go over
there first but Belle didnt go to day. Grace goes home
this day which is Monday. Voltie rowed her and her
family and nine suit cases across to Maloneys. I dont
mean V, I mean Will he phoned for Donaldson; he came
with a motor car.
Tuesday 4 September 1917
A very fine day. Belle walks over to Rachels.

7
Wednesday 5 Sept 1917
A very fine day, part of the day) I most
forgotten about this day
Thursday 6 Sept 1917
Grain wet again Will very anxious to go home
and takes V’s skiff and rows himself over to
Maloneys.
Friday 7 September 19
I write and send a letter to Grace I receive a letter
from Charloote and one from Nelly Brooks
Saturday 8th Sept 1917
A very good day Belle took a walk over to R’s
picking up to go home Emma helping in field
waited so long for them to come to dinner and supper
but all finished at last, harvesting done. some sat most
done not much V & Joe to corners after dark come back at midnight
[right margin] and [demasquerade?] [/right margin]

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Sunday 9th September 1917
This dont look very favorable for crossing
St Lawrence river & this is the day appointed for for [sic] Belles
return home. Wind blows from south. Rachel came over. Then
Dick and Lydia Halliday came visiting, brought their baby
14 months old Helen a mischievous busy body walking
toddling around getting into every thing. A great time visiting
and gossiping; wonder if Dora’s ears burnt any. After they go
Belle more determined to go but V dont like to go in N’s skiff
and dont go. Edith went visiting at Morgans; heavy rain
showers in pm. E phoned to stay all night at Morgans but no she
came home
Monday 10 September 1917
I did’nt sleep so very well. Kept thinking so often
of how very anxious Belle is to go home and the
wind may blow and she cant get across. But her
prayrs [sic] were answered for the V couldnt cross in Niles little skiff
Sheridan came over to hire out to V and bring Volties
skiff across; he just took Belle and all her traps across
in his motor leaving her at his ma’s and came directly back
Pierpont for Rachel heard that Ray King came for Belle in his car that same
am. Voltie sent Rheridan [sic] to the corners for gasoline, cotton mits
and caffe. Sheridan the second time brought R a 5 gallon Kerosene.
Tuesday 11 September 1917
A very cool day. lonesome since Belle went home.
V & [Sheridan|S] digging potatoes, digging trench for Sheridan’s
motor. Emma done quite a washing of white clothes
and hung them on the line. V and Edith gathered
the plums down on lower place, 2 pails full. I
wrote and sent a to no one.
Wednesday 12 Sept 1917
A very good day, tho the wind South and blew
a half gale from South, much warmer than yesterday.
V and S drawing stone and digging our few
potatoes. Emma canned 17 cans of plums. Rachel
came over for milk. Laura Babcock here in evening.
Sheridan went home with her. I think that is what
she came for. I finished writing to Nelly Brooks and mailed

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Thursday 13 September 1917
A fine cool morning. Arose early, going to
Kingston. Voltie, Rachel & Emma. Sheridan
drove around by OBriens from the dock to carry the
milk to factory. Sheridan drawing stone for concrete
floor for barn. Called him to lunch at 9 oclock.
Edith went to drive the old sow back. I am trying
to conquer the intricaces of a piece of a difficult crochet
work, done know as it will elude my efforts but
I think of the perserverence of Edison and
try try again. Just ate dinner. old Geo McKay
came down on boat. Nearly dark when they come
home. V paid Wm Woodman 300 for barn building
material. paid Reid for rockers, paid $20 rent
on the lower place. Em bought corsets silk
waist then bought working material for me
and a cosmopolitan. I bought flour 50
lbs. They all went to Chinamens to dinner.
Oh what an envious fool I am. Why not
be contented and patient as long as I live. Tom Maloney
here this evening to phone to Maurice at Hallidays. Norm has
been drafted and got to P
Friday 14 September 1917
A very fine day. MacKay and Sheridan went
to corners. Sent for Silkateen. he didn’t get the right
color but I couldn’t wouldn’t tell him. McKay
bought whiskey. After dinner, V, [Sheridan|S]], G & Joe went
to Cape in Maloneys skiff. MacKay got drunk &
fell over board. V fished him out he fell
backward leaving his heels in the boat and his head
under water then V pushed his feet off the motor
then grabbed him and V & Joe hauled him in.
Rachel came over twice once in a.m. and again
at 6 pm. Staid till they returned from Cape. V bought
cloth bleached for Emma & 8 yds plaid for Edith,
shoes for himself which he needed very much. McKay
didnt eat supper but went up stairs to bed by help of V & S.
Then came Ogles and Ed McDonald for vinegar.

10
Saturday 15 September 1917
A very fine day no wind, river still this a.m.
Sheridan gone to Flynn’s to thresh. V
gone over the river in Sheridans motor to take
Geo MacKay to work for Maloneys in place of
Sheridan, tho McKay had come here to
hire Voltie, but Sheridan was ahead of him.
V yesterday bought Springs for my bed
and a bee smoker and a basket of peaches
giving a dollar and forty cents day before yesterday.
dont know when they will be canned. no
sign yet. no corn going to be dried,
no beets picked, no cucumbers growing only
a few tomatoes which we are eating on table every
day but none canned nor preserved. Sherd came
home from Flynns and went to his own home across river.
V spoke Ogle for a cheese, 30 lbs.
Sunday 16 September 1917
A beautiful day warm and bright. Ogle and Emma
drive over to Dora’s dont return till late. Had been
to villiage in motor with Maurice. Edith went to carry
Lucena to Geo Rattrays where she staid overnight
then goes across in morning to collegiate. Edith
in a panic because Emma didnt return earlier
gave them a calling down. She is what old Lewy Miller
said about aunt R (she talks to much) at
same time & shouldnt have gone to villiage
without a ring up. Aunt R came over bringing
a pail of soup and some cakes which we had for
dinner.
Monday 17 September 1917
A fine warm day, a very soft light wind South.
Sheridan came to breakfast old saw running in orchard
most of time. cant get the onions peeled, cant get any
corn dried, cant get any eggs packed for Winter, cant
get any sweet apples baked, no jelly made. What do
the [sic] do? fuss, fuss, fuss and accomplish nothing no beets dried

11
Tuesday 18 September 1917
Wednesday 19 Sept 1917
I dont write in the journal often enough to
remember what occurs from day to day. I remember
it looks rain and does rain towards evening with
thunder and lightning. Olive Jones here making us a
good bye visit, she is leaving Louise tomorrow morning
and going to her sister in town. She staid to supper and
went home through the rain wearing her best new shoes
Thursday 20 Sept 1917
Miss Olive Jones goes away to Kingston this morning
on the boat. she has left Louise for all time at with
dissatisfaction
Friday 21st Sept 1917
Expected a letter from Belle but got none.
So busy I suppose she couldnt send a card.

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Saturday 22 Sept 1917
Sunday 23rd 1917
A beautiful day day. Were surprised and happpy
to receive a visit from Charley Dixon and Adah Dixon and
Gerald Dixon; first time Charley has been here since his
marriage 7 years ago. Charley is a good looking
young man, and Adah is a fine looking woman,
and Gerald is a pretty lively little 5 year old kid.
I began a long letter to Belle. Sheridan came early
in the morning, brought 3 packages of butter; home and back
again, bringing Charley & Adah & Gerald. Charley rowed Volties skiff over at
night. Sherd will bring it morrow
Monday 23rd
A very fine day. didnt wash. Sheridan came
motoring over after breakfast. V & he worked at
the cement floor in barn. R came over, Turk is
sick, refuses to eat. He has swallowed a tough old
hog rind and got indigestion. Emma carving
and preserving apples to day. A letter from Belle
and a card from Louise D. finished writing to Belle
and sent it with Graces letter which I inclose [sic]
Continued from here in green
(academy) book - 1917-1918}

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[random addition]
Wednesday 18th October 1916
This is butchering day. V with the help
of Rodney Pike, Joe Woodman, Jim Kehoe
butchered and dressed for market 8 pigs
average weight 150 lbs. The men
or helpers are here to dinner. V sold
the pork for 15 cts per lb. Our portion
was liver, hearts and tongues and 10
lbs lard. No washing done here
in long time
Thursday 14 Oct 1916
A fine morning. V and Emma went
to Kingston. V carried his pork to market
which came to over a $150 dollars. Joe Woodman
drove them to the dock and went for them at
evening time when the boat came in. Aunt Rachel
here and helped drive the work.
Mrs Herbert Essford here to dinner, she
came from Sawmill bay where she had been
visiting for two weeks. R phoned for Essford
and he came for her about 3 pm. Joe drove.
Well they came at last, tired and hungry
and Emma much dissatisfied and disapointed
because she didn’t get the things she wanted
which she could have done as well as not
when she had the money in her purse $25 dol
but she met with to many congenial companions.
Lizzie Woodman, Madeline Halliday &c

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Friday 15 Oct 1916
A bad day for wind and rain. The very
worst of all the season. This is my new
Diary. Emma bought it yesterday for me.
The day is dark, wind blowing
rain falling in torrents.
Cooking hearts and tongues (pigs).
V trying to gather apples in the storm
before the wind blows them all off.
He picked a barrel of Pewaukees.
I dont send any mail to day but
make an apron for Emma. Edith gone over to
Rachels to feed, water her hens and gather the eggs,
brought in three for us to day. Emma making
peach preserves, 4 baskets and two baskets of grapes.
R made herself sick eating pigs liver which was tremendously good.
Our mail is the farmers magazine, Herald but no letters
We expected Macleans magazine that we had
subscribed for 2 months ago. Dont think we will
ever get it. V must have made a mistake in sending
the post office order.
Saturday 1916 Oct 16

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Sunday 17 Oct 1916
A very fine day. Emma went
to church. no one here, the teacher
didn’t come. I just wrote that there
was no one her, I nearly forgot to
say George Woodman and his little
son Willie were here for a short
visit. They had been to dinner at the
Niles but William ate again with us.
We gave William butter nuts, hickory
nuts and apples to take home with
him.
Monday 18 Oct 1916
A tolerable forenoon tho the clouds
are flying sailing up from the SW.
Dr Nichol here from Kingston also
Jack Murray "anente" pigs, both here to
dinner. Didnt wash to day.
Tuesday 18 Oct 1916
An awful windy day. It was South
this morning blowing a gale. Toward
noon changing to NE. The wind blew
terrifically all night accompanied
with rain which beat against the
windows with alarming force. Our few
remaining apples are on the ground this
morning. V and Edith picking them up
and are now digging our

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Wednesday 19 October 1916
A very fine day after
the great wind storm. Joe helped Voltie
gather the hay that the wind had scattered
from the stacks, 6 stacks were wind
blown. V gave Joe two dollars for his
days work. At sun set the clouds
began to rise in the west which
looks like another storm.
Thursday 20 October 1916
Arose very early for Voltie and Emma
went to Kingston. Emma carried her
umbrella and V bought a new one
for it rained nearly all day. It
cleared up a little towards night
and the wind changed from NE to
South and blew "some" and the rain
came again. Emma came home
with wet feet. Em bought herself
cloth and trimming for a new dress,
a table cloth for me and sundry
other articles. Rachel awful lame
to day. Edith very contrary which disturbs
Rachel more than I, but between them
it made every thing very unpleasant.
Mary Anne Dugan came down on the
boat this evening. She going to live with
Sinclair Michea and his ma. They
are all safe at home once more well
and happy

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Friday 21 Oct 1916
We were preparing for a social
time. Expected our neighbors, a
house full of them. Emma had every
thing prepared, house decorated
with pine oak cedar flowers but
alas for human hopes and expectations
as the guests were dressing for the
party a great storm of wind, rain,
lighning and thunder stoped their
coming and instead of a happy joyous
company a disapointed lot of revelers
were obliged to remain at home, but
such life. Only Joe and his kid,
Samy & Orville came all dressed
in their best. Moved the cabinet in
to the kitchen to make room for the
dancers that never came. V drove over home with R
this pm.
Saturday 21 Oct 1916
Wind howled & shrieked all night.
This morn the ground covered
with fallen leaves, brown and beautiful,
blowing the hallows and huddled in heaps
in the grove. Wind blowing cold from
S.W. We ate breakfast in kitchen. V after
going to factory, feeding hogs &c starts
plowing and ditching over "There"
commenced a cake today. Joe Woodman
here to borrow V’s gun to go hunting
rabbits in rabit [sic] town which is
the cedars.

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Sunday 22 1916
A cloudy morning. Emma up making
out the loaves of bread at 6 o’clock this morning.
Voltie went away down by George Niles for
cows. Emma criss x about several things. For instance
the old grey sweater. Again, one of those new rockers
must not be brought in to the dining room for it makes so
much work to wipe the dust from one chair.
Emma gone to church. Edith gone to carry milk to
Rachel. V put up a barrel of apples for Henderson.
Clouds break away and the sun comes out clear
not a very heavy wind. Emma gone to Horn’s walked
down with Miss Langley. Miss Langley came home
with Emma. She going to stay here all night
and now E & E and Miss L are in the parlor
running the tormenting blairing [sic] old
Phonograph, just awful. Voltie reading McLean
magazine. Edith got the dinner and supper.
Mrs Jack phoned for Miss Langley to come home
and she went. Emma accompanying her partly home
with a lantern.
Monday 23rd Oct 1916
A very fine day. Emma washed. I sent Irene a
letter. Voltie ditching over on Rachel’s domain.
Lots of work to be done in this house. Edith is
slow as tar in January. I received a letter from
Grace. Emma milked all the cows this pm for
V, after a hasty supper goes to St Lawrence corners
accompanied by Samy Woodman. They left here about 6 pm
and returned at nearly midnight. V bought for himself 2
suits of under clothes, one suit for Em, a pair of stockings
for me, 10 lbs olemargarine, some candy & a bottle of whiskey,
gum, coffee. V drove out with Van’s horse. Rachel received
a letter from Jen. I sat up till V and Samy
returned from Corners.

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Tuesday 24 October 1916
A very fine morning rather cool.
Edith after breakfast goes over to R’s
to help her wash. She carried R’s wash
board. Emma is hustling now, for
we are expecting that same old party
here this evening. Emma phoned to John
and Saidie Murray and this pm a man
came from Cornwell [sic] to reletter [sic] the moment..
His name is Barbour. A fat jolly sort of a
man weighs 112. The pm not very favourable
for the coming of evening guests but they
came, if not all. Sinclair Michea, Harold Dignum,
Mr and Mrs Kehoe and little
daughter Lizzie, Mr and Mrs Jack Niles,
and little daughter Lois. Three school
teachers, Misses Moore, Langley and
Glenn & our teacher Mrs Langley the
lower one, Miss Moore the upper
one, Miss Glenn, Orville McDermot,
Samy Woodman, Joe Woodman,
Martin OBrien, John & Sadie Murray,
Mary Barrie and her kid husband.
She big fat & 44 he 19 and can
dance, call the quardrilles and is a
gay young lad, o what an ill
assorted pair. I went to bed at 1
am (after supper). The party left for
home at 4 am all saying they
had a lovely time and I guess they
did if dancing and a noisy racket
was any proof. I nearly forget Lizzy Woodman
and Bob Jackson (Cheesemaker)
were here also.

20
Wednesday 25 October 1916
This morning after a short nap V and
E and E arose without much sleep, also
Mr Barbour all without much sleep but
the work must go on tho not much house
work accomplished excepting cooking and
washing dishes. Voltie goes to the field to
plow over on R’s place. Barbour goes to
the cemetary to work on the monument and so
so the day drags on, and passes away tho.
Voltie drives to the dock with a barrel of apples
for Henderson and a hog grist. We heard
early this morning that Henry Halliday died
last night and so his
Well I’ve been writing the above in the dark dont
know as any one can read it for I cant read
the last line but guess it was, died last night in
hospital at 11.30 pm while our gay company were
dancing innocently ignorant of the sad event. Well
he is gone after a long suffering illness and his troubled
soul at rest. Dora is once more a widow with
three more fatherless children. All the family retire earlier
than usual. Edith made a row about sleeping down stairs
Thursday 26 Oct 1916
A very windy day. River rolling wild and stormy.
Barbour at work again this morning and finishes
at four pm. V plowing "Over There" only coming home long
enough for his dinner. Then when 4 Oclock came drove
from there to the dock for his hog feed. Barbour walked
to meet V an went with him to the dock, and
Voltie took the opportunity of taking the hay loader
to the dock while he can have Barbour (Leonard) to help
him with the machine down the big hill. Emma gave
Barbour his supper before he left. Emma cleaned up the
rooms after the dance.

21
Friday 27 Oct 1916
Henry funeral to day and now another
body occupies the vault. Charley came home
with V for dinner. V, after dinner, drove with Charley
to Geo Gillespies where Charley Gillespie took
him in their motor across the river where he
will hire some one to take him
him to Clayton and from there he
will home in the motor buss. The weather is
dreary, dismal, rainy and dark most all
afternoon. Edith goes for the cows; found
them away back near the woods.
I sent a letter to Grace. Mail Farmers
Advocate & Farm and home.
Two fine farm journals they are. Emma found
her night gown yoke.
Saturday 28th October 1916
This month has nearly run its course.
Three more days completes the month.
This is one of the beautiful days of autumn
that sometimes comes to cheer the sad
and lonesome. The trees are nearly striped [sic]
of foliage. The leaves cling to the oaks yet.
Dont like to lie on the ground. The
proud old oak. Some day before Nov 15th
there will come a storm of wind and the
leaves will come sailing fluttering down
skuering [sic] away across field chased by
the storm and the old oak will stand
naked exposing its tough rugged limbs.
How different are the limbs of the birch, so
slender graceful and pretty. There is as
much difference in the naked branches
of the several species of trees as their

22
in their form and foliage. Voltie is plowing over
there. Dont know what he will have for his dinner.
Cleaning going on but no sign of dinner. Tis 11 Oclock am.
Edith drove the cows away over to aunt R and carried
some of Aunt R’s things home in her basket cups, spoons
and flat iron handle. Emma made a pie.
Sunday 29th Oct 1916
A very good day Edith and Emma went to church
to a preacher there beside Jack Clery and one of his little
darkies. Edith came home from Church all right. Emma
kept right down past the house with Moore & Langley enroute
for Louise Niles where she together with 9 others
ate supper. Louis has two hired girls Marian McDermott
and another from Kingston. Emma came home
at bedtime. Miss Langley went to her boarding place
Jack Nile’s. Miss Moore went to her boarding place
Bill Horns. I wrote a letter to Will. Voltie
went away back on R’s brought me a twig of witch
Hazel.

23
Mrs Dignum visiting Rachel today Halloween
Tuesday 31st Oct 1916
A very good day. Emma went to Horns
for Lizzie to make her dress carrying the
cloth with her. Lizzie sent Emma to Rob Micheas
to exchange thread, came home
quite early snapped around went to mill &
without changing her clothes; dishes washed
early, house swept and plenished lamps
brilliant and shining, must have anticipated
something. Cheesemaker Bob Jackson
here to supper. This is all Halloween,
guess we are to have company. First came
Miss Moore then Joe and Orville & Samy Gillmore
and Miss Ducker. I retired
to my bedroom with lighted oil stove,
rocker and books, but such a racket
and noise. I couldnt stand it all so
I walked out in midst of the company
and took my accustomed seat behind the
stove and there I staid till every foreign
footstep had died away in the distance. It
was after two before they left and then
V had to say, go! for I want a little
rest before I put in a long days plowing.
The girls cant dance, not what you can
call dancing. They are as ungraceful on the
floor as a lot of cows, and the young men.
Oh Oh such stomping of feet and pushing
and hauling the girls around. If their idea
of dancing is in noise and rough motion.
Why there it is. They should take lessons
at a dancing school for it is ridiculous
and ludicrous to see them on the floor.
It rained all first of the night
which will soften the ground for plowing.
Edith went to the mail box for her coat
that Louise had sent her, a beautiful coat

24
Wednesday 1st Nov 1916
Voltie plowed after a long delay at home.
He was cross after the Halloween party,
couldnt get breakfast very early, found one
of his best pigs died, one of the big hogs
had killed it. he didn’t come home to dinner
because he got started so very late to the field.
Emma had another day of cleaning up
after company and ironed a great lot
of clothes. Rachel expected Mrs William Ranous
to dinner but she didnt come. We
went to bed early. I received a letter from
Grace. I wrote on to Louise but was
to late to send it for card came with the
mail drove down in an automobile. This is
my month also Volties, wish I might get
a book for a birth day present.
Thursday 2nd Nov
A good day for plowing. V started plowing
a little earlier this morning. He too is
tormented pexed perplexed and has a tough
hard row to inpatient devilish sanety
Rachel came over with V to dinner.
I am writing a letter to Grace. V phones
to Henderson for groceries. Will McDonald
& family are moving to Kingston to day. E & E pulled
the dahlias, carried in all the apples & milk
the cows at evening time. V plowed till dark.
V engaged Jack Niles to bring our groceries from
the dock and leave them at the road gate, instead
he took them home with himself so he phoned. I found
an old tobaco pipe here on the table and threw it in the
fire.

25
Friday 3rd Nov 1916
A chilly day. A stiff breeze from the West.
Wind may blow now apples all gathered in.
Now Voltie ditching over by the old well by the
Elm that stands in corner by the road next
to Woodmans line, not much quarreling to day,
quite peaceful all pm. potatoe soup for dinner.
A few flakes of snow falling after dinner,
dishes washed. Edith proceeds to the school
house in search of her books. Found them
all right & brought them home. Voltie worked over
there till dark. A concert practice at church. Edith
steped up and steped around now briskly than
usual to accompany Emma to church and then
Emma had to wait for Edith for Edith is slower
than tar in January. Samy drove in for Emma
but she was gone ahead of them (Sam & Lizzie W) They
returned at 10,30. Mail Advocate, McLeans,
letter in answer to our request for Oct, number of magazines,
telephone bill, 10 cts and Henderson account.
Mrs Jane Niles here this pm
to day to go home with Robert Jackson visiting. Joe started
and deer hunting, 140 miles from here.
Saturday 4th Nov 1916
A cold frozen morning sun clear. another confab
to get Edith out of bed and get breakfast. Emma
after milling, helping do chores, hammering horses &c
and, Voltie gone to factory. After breakfast cows
milked, hogs fed went to factory.Chores all done
V goes to field to plow. Rachel came over to dinner
then went home again when V went back to
the field to plow. Emma cleaned floors and made
a pie. V coaxed the old pointer in to the
pen, but he soon got out again. Wind N. E.
Emma talking to Will Niles on the shore.
Edith walked down to the shore too.
Emma walked up to Jacks after the Book Poetry
and song; Staid till it began to rain. V phoned
for her to come home, she came accompanied

26
by Misses Glenn and Miss Langley who
brought a lantern to light her home. They
stayed, talked and teheed. Emma treated
them to apples. They carried an umbrella
for the rain was tumbling down.
Sunday 5th Nov 1916
A very good day but quite cold chilly. Any way
it is cold enough to wear winter clothes. Emma
goes to church forgetting to take Poetry and Song
to Annie Niles. Edith runs across the field with the
book before she gets to the Church. I hope they
will take good care of it for V paid $3,50 for the books
as a present to his ma, which I appreciate.
Edith dont go church, she is expecting company.
Edith McDonald and she comes a dainty little
Miss of 15 years, and they or we have a fine visit.
Voltie makes tomato soup adn we have an apple
pie. Voltie pops corn and Edith cracks Hickory
nuts and gets a big dish of red apples and
our little lady visitor is very punctual to go home
at the hour pointed for her return which is 4 o’clock.
She goes around by Loretta’s to see the baby
Her mother rings for her after she is gone
saying they have company. Edith goes a piece
of course. While E is gone Marion McDermot
and Arloine Kesler comes and we treat them
to pop corn and Wealthy apples and I send
poor Louise two big read apples. Edith rings
for Emma to come home but she is going to
stay till after supper, and she stays. Mrs
Woodman gone down to see her mother old Mrs
Anne Mechea. Emma went home with Lizzie
from church. They drove down in buggy.
V couldnt sleep much last night his left
arm ached so terrible.

27
Monday 7 Nov 1916
N. A very good day only cold an chilly.
Voltie plowing and anything, cutting brush
"over there". I write a letter to Bell
but get no letter from any one but receive the
October number of Macleans magazine,
Advocate & Farm and dairy. Emma
goes to Horns for her dress stays to dinner
& stays to supper, comes up from there
with Lizzie in buggy accompanied by
Miss Moore who go to the church to
practice for the concert. The dress was
not finished. Lizzie going to send it up
to Louise’s tomorrow by Howard.
Rachel has a visitor to dinner. Mrs William Ranous,
the mail carrier, she treated
her to rooster post pie. A part remaining.
Rachel sent here by Voltie when he came
home from plowing to his supper which was
very acceptable for a change. We have scores
of fowl running in the barn yard but
not one in the stew kettle and hog,
and pigs, pigs, pigs & pigs but not a
piece of pork in the barrel, 27 sheep running
in the field but not a slice of mutton in
the frying pan.
Beefers in the pasture, cows, heifers and bulls
& calves but not a shin bone for soup.
Samy came for Joe’s violin which was left here
since Halloween night.
Tuesday 8th November 1916
Another day for plowing "Over there". The
November weather is fine. The wind is south
to day. V is plowing away back "over there"
next to Woodmans line. Lizzy sent Emma dress
arrayed herself in her new dress wear to the

28
concert. When Miss Glenn’s Roman Catholic
bean. Martin OBrien brings her to a
church concert or lecture instead of
going in to church with her, he stays out
in the horse shed for he must
not enter a protistant [sic] church and
endanger his soul’s salvation. Tho
there were 3 catholic young people
there, Eddie McDonald & Edith and Margaret Macdonald
Wednesday 9th November 1916
Another fine morning. Voltie gone "over there"
to plow away back. Emma went "over there"
to help Rachel dress fowl for tomorrow’s
market, leaving Edith as boss and chief house
keeper and get dinner. It is going to be
a worrying sorrowful day to me I know. She
will not work or do anything if she can
possibly, in any way avoid it. Tis now eleven
o’clock am, a few beans burning on the stove, no
potatoes out the cellar, no apples, break dishes
not all washed. I asked for apples, potatoes &
codfish from the cellar but she dont go for them
only stands around. I dont know why. 10 minutes
past 11 she goes to the cellar and there she
stays after a long while she comes up bringing
codfish, apples and potatoes. I prepare the fish
15 minutes to twelve, no fire in stove, cooking
beans in a pint bason [sic]. We have the good stove cooking kettles
and a good sized teakettle. Why they are not used
I cant tell, for I dont know. I was hoping
dinner would be ready but not so, not a dish
on the table, no plates, knives or forks, cups nor

29
any thing, Edith brought in some wood
and got the apples and potatoes by 12
dinner time. I called her from the
kitchen to set the table where she was standing.
When she discovered Voltie coming she began
to step up and step around. not a bed made,
not a floor spept [sic], but spilt a good quart of
milk on the pantry which took her some
time to mop up. Only one good piece
of news this am. Heard Charles Knight
is elected president of the USA good!
And now the United States have lost
their man Wilson "that was to proud to
fight". Our mail late again to
day. She stops along the road for her dinner.
I didnt send any mail to day. p.m. after
dinner. Edith sat in chair behind me about
4 hours, didn’t commence to wash dishes
till 4 pm. Emma came home from R
in time to milk or help milk, drove and
stanchioned the cows. V came home from "over there"
and he is going to Kingston tomorrow in
answer to a letter he received from Cunningham.
10 Thursday Nov 1916
Arose early. V went to Kingston. Emma
drove over to dock taking Rachels fowl
which was brought here last night when
V came from "Over There". I make out my
memorandum, for Kingston which Em
doctors by writing a new one with a led [sic]
pencil leaving out the letter tablet. Emma
stops on way home and bring R over to
Stay all day till Emma drives to dock
again for Voltie. She is come and
talks to much. When V come bringing

30
sausage, fresh fish & sugar, tea, coffee, chocolates
cloth for upholstering chair, mocking for
me, 6 spools silkateen, 2 spools thread White, 30
pink pills, oil, iodine sice,
Phonograph, rubber cards, a separate brush,
stove pipe blacking, 3 new timer towels. he
sold R fowl for 11 cts per lb 7 & bought brush for stove
pipe, a galon [sic] of paint for school house & a wire brush
and a new churn cover. Raining nearly all day.
Friday 10
7 calls E & E, milk goes to factory
comes home to breakfast. Cheese 23 1/2 per lb; he saw
Spafford Joy, Spaff is moved to town and is keeping
store (Queens I sippose [sic]). I received 3 letters from
Grace. Advocate and farm and dairy. V heard
yesterday by way of W.G. Woodman that
Rob Percy had an operation on his tongue for cancer.
Raining at sunset and part of the evening.
11 Saturday Nov 1916
A bright enough morning but somewhat cold and
windy and the gale in the night was was
fierce. It came from the South changing to West
and blew like a tempest. A door banging
kept us awake. V arose and found the doors
all closed went to bed again, bang continued
got up again and found it was the front
screen door but the wind was a disturbing
element all night. V gone over there to plow.
Emma done the floors as usual. baked bread
made pumkin pies. Bread no good; baked in
tobaco boxes, 6 or 8 loaves. Madeline & Mirabelle Morgan
here, came for cabbage cutter. They walked
both ways. knit, crochet, sew braided rug

31
12th Sunday November 1916
A cold morning and cloudy, looks snow
Emma and Edith both go to church. Voltie chores
around nearly all day. Langley and Moore go to
church walking by here, stop and inquire for
Emma. V said they went to church, they
back this way but didnt stop here. I guess Emma
didn’t ask them Edith walked over to Rachels with
milk. R sent a peach pie. my appetite
not very good. I dont eat any pie nor
supper but V popps [sic] some corn.
13 Monday Nov 1916
A bad frozen snow day, dull, dark and dreary.
E & E helping V work shifting lumber, driving
home the calves and yearlings, putting the sheep in
the old house, bringing home the colts. Bert Danus
(Weirs hired man) here looking for work. Orville here
twice looking for V to fix his old shoe. He didn’t
fix it. Orville came again at dark looking for honey.
Wants to buy 2 lbs. I guess he wont get it. Orville is
stopping with Samy & says all they have to eat
up there is bread and butter. I write and send
a lettter to Grace. Orville got the honey. Samy
says he cant afford to kill their fowl for they bring
a big price but they are only 11 1/2 cts per lb.
Voltie went after dark with a lantern and banked
R’s house with straw.
Tuesday 14th Nov 1916
A bright morning sun shining clearly. Work in
house goes slow. Voltie went this morning to help bury
Henry H. The ground covered white with snow. Emma
baked two big pie tins full of sweet apples. I knit
two points on the lace. After dinner Voltie

32
rowed across to Van’s, got Vans horse and buggy,
drove to the corner and bought a lot of
stuff from Miller, a pair of rubber boots,
E and E 3 letter tables, pork, and shoes for
himself, socks 3 pairs, stocking 2 pairs,
2 pails margarine, tobbaco 4 lbs, syrup,
candy, sundries W and 12 galons [sic] and 5
for Rachel, came home quite early. Rachel
walked over here with Edith after carrying milk
to Rachel. R staid till V came from the
corners, played cards till late then Edith goes home
with stay all night came home last next morning.
Wednesday 15 Nov 1916
A very cold day, ground covered with
snow no plowing done to day, not much done
in door either. Voltie preparing to go to town put up
4 bags of wheat for flour, and bags for hog feed.
Rachel came over at dark with Edith, she says
no Kerosine, no wood, nor coal, had to dig out
and come here for shelter and get warm.
She stays all night, play cards till late.
Thursday 16 Nov 1916
Arose very early. V intended going to Kingston,
milked the cows loaded grist in wagon, ate breakfast,
drove to dock got left just five minutes late, came
home phoned for hog feed to Parland then to Donahue
cant get any only brand. He drove to dock for
nothing. no coal for Rachel either. A dreary
miserable day had trouble with Edith nothing
seems to go right to day. V drawing lumber from
dock nearly all day 4 loads. baked beans for dinner.
The 4 played cards till late.
Rachel, Voltie, Edith & Emma. Orville here
V hired him to plow if there is a thaw.

33
Friday 17 November 1916
snowing heavy in the night. Rachel went
home this morning. A bag of coal, 5 galon [sic]
of Kerosine, milk, herself, Turk and Edith.
V took the load on sleigh. V going to cut
poles away back to prepare for banking the hog pens.
John Flynn came looking after Forbes bull
that has been here all summer since V and
WillN drove him from Forbes. John wants
to buy him. I did not send any letters
to day but received 3 and a card; one from
Louise Dixon, one from Irene King, one from Grace
and the card from Lib Bamford. Every one in
bed except myself and it is not very warm.
Our milk went to factory this morning for the
last time and guess V is glad; I am any way
for now. I can make some butter. The weather
is not warm and the snow is falling to night.
The ground is covered with snow every where
and people are going in sleighs to day.
Guess I’ll have to go to bed too. Edith came home
at 3 pm from Rachels. No one here to day
only V and E & E and myself after R went
home. I go to bed now, for the house is still and
all asleep. Even old shep is asleep under the table.
Saturday 18 November 1916
A cloudy morning. They say tis warmer this
morning and a soft snow fell last night but
I thought it was a cold freezing night. Emma is
baking bread this morning or mixing flour all
over on board and table and fell off on to the
floor. The old table is dancing & weaving to &
fro for it is rickety and loose in the joints.
On the side of the table it would be steady
enough and not lurch, lurch, lurch & creak
creak & wiggle as if it was dancing a highspeed reel

34
Voltie worked "down there" taking the floor
out the old hog pen to fix a place here
for the calves. Emma cleaned floors,
straightened up everything and in evening
cleaned and polished the stove. Emma
made punkin [sic] pies, cake &c. Wind South &
blowing a gale all night which kept me awake.
Sunday 19 Nov 1916
Ground bare this morning. Marion came up
and went to church with Emma. Edith
didnt she staid home and comed [sic] her hair..
Orville brought them home with Joes horse & buggy.
Marion and Orville staid to dinner. After
dinner Orville and Marion & Emma went to the
English church, came back. Marion ate supper here
while Orville went home to Samys. After supper, evening
lamp light, Orville drove back, bringing Gillmore with him
only stopping for few minutes when Marion got ready
and went with them to Louises where she works.
The school teachers Langly & Moore were there also
Jack and Annie. Suppose on account of Louise
helplessness. Poor Louise. no cards this night.
Monday 20 November 1916
A very good day. Voltie drew water for
Emma to wash then plowed by finishing up.
"over there" then in pm plowed "down there".
Emma finished all the white clothes but didn’t hang
them out. Tomato soup for dinner. I ate to much
to rich with cream. The meals are cooked after the
same old style. A phone from Joe W who has
arrived from away back, yes Joe and Jackson have
returned bringing a bit of venison with them, a
whole deer and want Samy to come up

35
with wagon. Gillmore comes and borrows Volties
double buggy to go villiage for Jac Jackson
and the venison. May be we will be presented
wtih a piece, hope so. Received papers from
Grace and Bernie Watson. I send one
letter to Irene. Emma received a letter from
Reginald also one from Sylvia. Voltie in a.m.
made 3 or 4 pails of cider to get the pulp. Cards
this evening.
Tuesday 21st Nov 1916
A bright cold morning. Frozen Quite hard
last night, so hard, Voltie cant plow; he makes
more cider. Emma is wasting. The sun
shines in bright and clear at the windows.
Mabel Morgan came and Rachel came
also the both staid all night and played
cards all evening. Joe sent a big piece of venison
and we fried fried [sic] a big lot for supper,
played cards this evening I C the women and E & E
Wednesday 22nd November 1916
Mabel was the one that subscribed to the
Every woman’s world for me. This is my
anniversary 83 to day, also Mabels tho I dont
know her age, 35 I guess. Mabel walked home
after breakfast. R walked home after breakfast.
Voltie chored around, played cards this evening
Thursday 23rd Nov 1916
A fine morning but rained all pm.
Emma sewed on Edith dress (blue) Edith
went over to R towards evening and staid
all night at R’s. Samy Woodman went to
Watertown says he is going to business called
till June. Edith says write in your diary this

36
She fed and watered the bull. V is fatting
for beef. play cards this evening
Friday 24th Nov 1916
A very good day. V plowed to day
A terrible wind all day from the S.W.
Something from a wrecked boat floating
down stream, the river in a boiling rage,
wide rolling, mad with froth and foam
crested billows. A dance at Arthur Hendersons.
Emma goes to dance with Joe Woodman.
The wind dont blow so terrible when they
start, but tis cold and the roads are rough.
Joe said it would be like driving over stone wlk
and cobble heads, but they all went. Orville &
Mrs Moore didn’t play cards this evening. Emma not here
Saturday 25 Nov 1916
A cold frozen morning. V cant plow. E came home
at 6 p.m. from Henderson’s dance went immediately
to bed and didnt get up till 11 Oclock. Voltie
carried in the bees. E & E helped carry them in cellar.
Edith goes over twice to feed and water R’s horse.
She brought a rooster from R; for our Sunday
dinner. V shod Joe Woodmans horses in p.m.
Emma done some Saturday work, cleaned floors &c
and plucked the fowl. I finished knitting the lace
for a pair of pillow cases. V hulled a kettle of corn
golden bantam. R fried apples 7 onions and to
end the day R, V, E & E sat up till nearly midnight
card playing cards while I not knowing any thing
about the game, sit back solitary and alone looking
on. After card playing done. R cleaned and cut
up the fowl and we got off to bed and 1/2 past 12.
V hulled another kettle corn, play cards this
evening till 2

37
Sunday 26th November 1916
A clear cold morning ground bare. V
after all had to work and pack the butter,
our first packing in a 5 gal crock. Rachel
washing breakfast dishes and cooking chicken.
Edith went over to R to water and feed her hen.
Edith Bates talking to Emma by phone
to come over. The poor girl is lonesome away
over on that isolated point, I think.
Emma as usual every Sunday wants to go
somwhere but dont go any place but
stays home. Edith goes to church
and the day passes on. Voltie got a terrible
lame back.
Monday 27 November 1916
A clear bright windy morning. Wind SW.
Voltie yet got a lame back but will work
tho E & E help do the barn chores. V went
up and hired Joe to help draw gravel. V
preparing to build a barn next sumer.
Rachel washing dishes after breakfast. Emma
sews a little on Edith’s dress. Received a letter from
Grace and the Needle craft. Joe came and
drew gravel this pm. I wrote a letter to Louise
and began a letter to Grace. Card playing
this evening as usual. no reading these long
evenings no conversation! Old times are changed.
The good old evenings gone. I sit back alone
while they sit around the table and slap the
cards and I hear the laugh and their devilish
ribald rable. Meggie JoslinRattray @
home to day from Watertown her mother
went for her and the baby

38
Tuesday 28 Nov
Weather much warmer this morning.
R went home this morning, loaded
herself on the bottom bards [sic] of the wagon.
Turk goes hopping along by side of
wagon. V is going to plow but but [sic] ground
froze so hard cant plow. Came home put in
the barn, cleaned and put up the
stove pipe from the cellar stove.
Had quite a difficult putting &
connecting it for he has a lame back. They got
it up all right at last. rains. No card playing this
evening. R gone home and all things settled
back to their old accustomed place.
Wednesday 29th Nov 1916
A warm day for the season tho it rained. Emma over
to R’s all day cleaning hens for market. Orville
chopped their heads off. Edith done fine to day.
Voltie plowed till the rain sent him home.
I sent a letter to Grace. Received a letter
from Belle a book and a card. No card playing
done this night.
Thursday 30th Nov 1916
Arose early. Emma going to Kingston a cloudy
morning. V milked & done most of the chores before
driving to the dock with Emma and Rachel’s
hens for market which leaves Edith and I alone to get
the meals and worry out the day. V didnt come
home till dinner time, found the dinner all ready,
drove to dock again before coming home for evening.
Didnt milk the cows this night. Emma brought
sugar, tea, rolled oats, yeast cakes, a pail of soda biscuits,
Laundry soap, 1 spool 12 white, 1 silkateen, Woodbury soap,
wide pink ribbon, 1 yd narrow pink ribbon, some christmas duds,
butter, towel, a chamber pail. Edith and I churned.

39
Friday 1st December 1916
A cloudy day. Voltie plows all day
always a dull day after Kingston
tho Emma mopped up stairs and
my bed room. Weather much colder.
Edith goes to Rachels twice carrying her
milk, butter, oats. Will Niles and Sheridan Maloney
here just incidently called here
while hunting ducks. They went
to Jack N’s to stay all night and play
cards.
We received a letter from Grace
and another bundle of papers from Grace.
No card playing but a sociable
evening talking and looking at and reading the
papers sent by Grace.
Saturday 2nd December 1916
We are all well as usual this morning.
Voltie gone plowing Emma cleaning
floors.
Sunday 3rd December 1916
A very fine day. Marion here to dinner
and supper. Emma and Marion went to
church. Edith went up to visit Loretta
and see the baby. In evening V and E
went to Flynn’s. Edith and sat up till
E and V came home. V went to get natural
remedy for his calves. From 17 which he
1 started to grow last spring only 4
remain.

40
Monday 4th December 1916
A very good day. V plowed all day.
We didnt wash. we hulled a kettle of
kettle of corn. I write a letter & Grace
mend vest and overall for Voltie.
Old McKay rings for V to come
him over the river. Geo Gillespie saying
V saying the boat not running in Thursday
but going into dry dock for repairs. V ought
to go to Kingston. Edith churned and went
over to Rachels carrying her milk and buttermilk.
Tuesday 5th December 1916
A cloudy morning which, after awhile
turns to rain and wind. V plowing down
on the Frank place. Old Geo McKay
came just before dinner. While Emma
was putting the apples in as to boil.
Emma talking to Sadie Murray by telephone.
Emma finished packing the 5 galon jar of butter.
Voltie put shoe on old Ben. V fixing to
go to town tomorrow by way of the road,
no hog feed, and other business to attend too.
V drove over for R and Lurk. Rather cramped
for sleeping arraingments [sic]. At last got settled
by Emmas sleeping on couch by Libiary.
R & E in V’s bed. V and old George up
stairs.

41
Wednesday 6 Dec 1916
Wind West and blowing all night.
V cant or wont face this bitter wind
to the villiage tho he was up very
early. Old Geo got a cough, grip cough.
V plowing, snowing, a disagreeable
day. Sent V’s letter to Nikle Barister
Kingston "anent". Frank Woodman’s last
note. George McKay went back to Hallidays
card playing going on till late. ground
covered with snow but all gone in pm.
Thursday 7 December 1916
A cloudy chilly morning, wind N.W.
cold frost in windows. Voltie plowing.
Friday 8 Dec
Will Niles and Ed Maloney came over
loaded with cartridge bets going hunting.
They stopped here. I gave him 10 cts for
posting the nuts to Belle. V plowing
came home before Will and Ed left for
some where.

42
Saturday 9th Dec 1916
Emma cleaned all floors and
windows, cooked and baked.
Sunday 10
A very good day. Emma goes down to see
Maggie. They are expecting Roy home or to Hirams
I mean. Marion came up awhile and brought
home the book "Poetry and party". Emma comes at
dark. Edith is combing her hair for the first time
since last Sunday. She combs her hair once
a week if she forced to do so.
Monday 11 Dec 1916
A very good day for work. V drawing gravel. Geo
Mc came to go across river. Ate dinner then
went over in Volties skiff. Went to corners for
them go brought candy. I gave him the apple
Doctor again to day. Mrs N is sick had the
Miss Ladd sick and alone. Dr hired girls.
Howard Niles here. Roy Rattray here on the
island going to Hiram’s McKay staid to
supper and went back to Halliday’s. Voltie
blames me because Geo dont stay all night.
Im not to blame. V done understand. Wish
he did.

43
Tuesday 12 Dec 1916
Awoke this morning to find the gorund
covered with snow and the family very
uncongenial about many subjects of
disagreeableness. One about R’s having
more butter than she needs paused for her
another subject. V cant keep a man or
boy around to help him on account of me.
When I want Geo to help V but he dont
know it, Em dont. Geo here and said so
for Emma has to do the work and dont
want George around but she dont say it
before V. But there is something wrong
but dont know what it is. Last night I
dreamed of gathering a big pail of Kipo [kopi]
bean pods and the dream was beautiful
only I stole the beans. I gathered them
by the road side where they grew in
luxuriant abundance either on each
side of the road was covered [?] by
by beautiful avenue of trees
and where the trees opened was a green
grassy road leading into a forrest a
great patches of wild strawberries & vines but
not berries and the wind did blow and blew
the trees down. V & Joe butchered the bull this pm.
Joe here to supper and played cards till 10 pm

44
Wednesday 13 Dec 1916
V drives to Dads with hog grist going
to Kingston to buy a few Christmas duds
and pay up, finish up the F. Woodman farm.
E makes 8 prints for market, buttter is 45
cts per lb. Miss Langley here this evening.
Thursday 14 Dec 1916
Weather not looking very favourable this morning
for a Kingston trip but they go all same. Emma
driving to dock and home again after leaving
V and aunt R aboard the islander. The snow falling
heavy and furious all day and drifting. E & E has a
rough and tough time doing all the barn chores
which were not few - 16 hogs to feed, 4 horses to feed &
water, cows to milk and feed, calves to feed and water, yearlings
7 of them to feed and drisalt stables to be cleaned, mangers
to be filled. V phoned from Kingston cant leave on account
of storm but on account of Dr Spanky they did leave after dark
and crossed to Kingston in a snow storm and pitch darkness.
Friday 15 December 1916
Snowing again this morning after breakfast.
Voltie drove to dock for hog grist and brought
Rachel from Dignums whre she had staid all night after being
out in snow storm on the river. I wrote and
sent a letter to Grace in which I enclosed $2,00.
V banked hog pen and house. I didnt feel very
well this morning but better now after a dose of
Dadds pills. Rachel brought me a package of
Dates, a new dress and ribon for Edith and a
pin cushion, also one for Emma. I receive a letter
from Grace. The boat had a dark cold rough passage.
George Niles came home to day.

45
Saturday 16 Dec 1916
A clear bright cold winter day. Got
the cabinet moved in to the house or
dining room again after a two month
stay out in kitchen or ever since our
dance. V drove over to R’s for a load
of straw to bank the house. This is a
cold winter day, tho the sun is shining
and dogs are barking. Voltie paid Rachel
$5,75 cts which is the ballance [sic] of his chicken money.
The cabinet has been in kitchen since Oct 21.
Edith has not combed her hair since last Sunday
and by the transaction I reserve a .25 cts
which was coming to V in change which I
will give Will Ranous for postage. Two of R
we chickens feet and legs froze no good, poor
things. V wring their heads off when he went
to feed and water them. R very nervous going
home tomorrow morning.
Sunday 17 December 1916
A clear cold day sun shining brilliantly
on snow. Rachel went home this morning
bag & baggage, Turk and all groceries, oil heater
and 40 other duds. After dinner and
we are alone. Edith makes no attempt
to comb her hair. V, E, E & I are at home &
and alone all day till evening when Marion
and Howard stop here enroute to Jack’s.
Emma went with them didn’t stay long. Didnt
stop coming back only Emma came in and
then all went to bed. Mrs Jane Niles very
sick with grippe.
Monday 18 Dec 1916
A very fine day. V brought water for Emma
to wash. She wash a few things (white clothes) and
hung them on the line. I was sick nearly all
night. Ate to much trash yesterday. Voltie
working on sheep pen. To pay for what I ate yesterday.

46
I dont eat any thing to day. A Christmas tree
and concert in upper school, Miss Glenn
teacher. Emma & Edith go with Jacks N’s
load. Shell Niles Irvine came to telephone
to Dr Buchanan for she is frightened about a
mistake she made in giving her another
medicine. Dr phoned "It is all right"
Tuesday 19 December 1916
A clear bright day. Emma worked over the
butter filled R jar and only 4 lbs
left for us to carry to market. V working
on sheep pen. Emma washed again to day. Voltie
shot a big wild duck which Emma dress as
clean as any duck could be prepared for the oven.
I crocheted on pie tidy tho I’m not very well
but better than yesterday. Voltie gone over to R’s
a concert practice at the church this evening.
E and E went. Returned late all abed
when they came. V before going to bed took
a bath and shaved.
Wednesday 20th Dec 1916
A cloudy morning looks like another
storm. I guess I’m better this morning.
I ate a piece of toast, a wee piece of cheese
and drank a cup of weak tea. sun comes out and
shines clear. I write a letter to Grace. Emma washing.
Edith goes over to R’s carrying milk and stuff.
A rehearsal at church this evening. Churned
worked butter for market dressed 15 fowl for
market. V drove over for R, she came and helped
all day. A letter from Watson, Nelly Brooks, Sylve and
Alice Higgins. I write & send another letter to Grace.

47
Friday 22 December 1916
A very fine day. Snow quite deep every
where. Received a letter from Grace saying she
is sick yesterday. I sent Grace a letter
yesterday and another to day by Emma to
be mailed in Kingston. V drove to dock
with Emma 15 fowl, 13 lbs butter 45 for
butter, 15 cts for the chickens. I write Watson
a letter, begins to look like a storm.
V drove to dock with E & her marketing
and drove again pm boat leaving
Kingston at 3 Oclock. Emma got a bad
cold. Hope it is not Grippe.
Friday 22 December 1916
A very stormy day for snow. Edith raising
D-l with Rachel all the time and whiting
up the butter pound pound pound pat
pat pat. V working in shop all day.
Emma sick in bed. I think she would
be crazzy [sic] with noise. The mail came down
about 4 pm. A box from Belle for me
a beautiful generous Christmas gift. Also a
box from my dear Grace with gifts from
ReginaldGrace and the other children. I wish
I could give them a hundred dollars.
Saturday 23rd December 1916
Emma didn’t clean floors but done
most every thing else. Rachel went home
with Rachel. The house is very quiet and
still no noise. The house is very quiet and
Voltie said if the river still he is going to cross
the river tomorrow for kerosine.

48
Sunday 24 December 1916
A very fine day. Jack N went for the
doctor for his mother. V went across on his
skiff went to hens got 9 gallons of
kerosine, got a tow back with Jack behind
Jacks motor. V went to Geo N and hired
Will Niles to help him butcher and draw
hay. Emma put the Christmas things
in the boxes for Grace, Maud, Eveline,
Irene King. Evening
Monday Christmas day 25 Dec 1916
A very good day snow deep and
drifted every where. V carried all the
Xmas boxes in the mail box then drove
for Rachel carrying her a bag of oats
for her hens. Rachel and Edith came home too
with Rachel. A very fine dinner. Emma cleaned
the floors and made everything shine.
V and Emma went to Joslins. V carried
Al a peck of apples. They staid till midnight.
I went to bed. Rach set up she talked so
much I couldnt sleep. Wellie sent me a book.
Tuesday 26 December 1916
Will N came this morning. R wont
horn talking. Edith home with her again.
V butchered the old porker with the help
of Will N and Joe Woodman. Joe here to dinner.
When writing in this my diary I feel inclined
to write all the principal events. So here goes.
Will Niles brought over whiskey and our
three butchers got drunk. They were from 11
Oclock am till 9 pm butchering one hog.
V cut one of the intestine when taking out
the innards which besmerched the gut lard
so much that it was all roasted and the
whole contents thrown away from a big
450 lb porker. Joe was so drunk that

49
led him in to the house and Emma
led him to bed where he lay till
nearly midnight. After supper and
Will and V got sobered up they went up
to Joe’s barn and done Joe’s chores by
stabling 19 head cattle and the horses.
Oh Emma and I had a fine time
waiting for those "critters". We live to near
the corners away. Joe staid all night.
I’ll always remember this against Will Niles
and his old whiskey bottles had made
home.
Wednesday 27 December 1916
Roads very bad. Bob Smiths funeral to
day. V didn’t go nothing done to day
only the meals. V & Will cut up the pork
and beef and barreled it. I wrote a long
letter to Nellie Brooks. no mail to day
nor will there be any tomorrow. Thaws and
rains and freezes. The family retire early.
Thursday 28th December 1916
V went to school meeting. I finish Nelly
letter and he drops it in the mail box
on his way to school meeting, which
makes 4 letters in the mail box together
with all those boxes and bundles.
V and Will draw hay and work on the
sheep barn. Will drove over from here to
Rachels for Edith for Emma is sick again
with a cold but she is "hors de Combat"
We bake bread, got meals, wash dishes and
separators, churn and etc. I finish pie doily.
V, Will, E & E played cards all evening.

50
Friday 29 Dec 1916
A clear bright cold morning.
It makes every one step high, light and
wide step up and step around. Emma
much better. Fact is she is all right.
heavy frost on window this morning.
The mail came to day for first
in a week.
Saturday Dec 30 1916
A very nice day, the river froze over
this morning but the wind blew from
the east and broke it open from here
to Lindas Isl. Wall came home he
was Ice bound, he went over last
night to get medicine for his mother.
Will N went to Mcfaddens to Rachels
hen feed she bought from Rube. Emma
mop the floors clear though. W & V
work on his sheep pen got it nearly
done but one end. Well this is Emma’s
writing. So it saves me the trouble of writing the events
of this day more than to say I patched a petticoat
for Edith and knit a few points on the lace
V and Wells and E and E played cards then V
popped corn. I guess the cider is getting tremendously good.
Sunday 31st Dec 1916
The last day of the month, the last day of the year.
The first day of the week so it is called. sun
bright day. snowed little in morning no church
service to day. I employed my time writing to
Charlotte Gibson a 11 page letter. no visitors
no callers no one went from here.

51
Monday 1st January 1917
Not so very cold. no frost on windows. This
is first day of the week, first day of the year,
first day of the month. I wrote and sent a letter
to Grace also to Charlotte Gibson. Emma sent
a letter to Sylvia. V and W finish
the sheep barn and V went down to the Frank
place for the sheep (27 of them) and put them
in the new sheep barn, going to churn and
we are cooking meat and hogs head for
mince meat or head cheese, in the big aggate [sic]
kettle on the kitchen stove. Snows again.
Emma made rolled jelly cake and cookies
for dinner. Emma made head cheese.
Will N drove over to Rs carrying
for straw for beding and straw.
Card playing going on this eve
and noisy. Oh!
Tuesday 2nd January 1917
Cloudy and warm 30 deg above zero; bare
spots showing through the snow in pastures
and meadow. Voltie phoned central to learn
how the crossing is to Kingston. The boat is
going to try and cross if she can get through
the ice. V intended butchering 8 pigs and
take them to Kingston market. Then he phoned
to F Briceland but he not at home.
Then he phoned George Woodman to enquire
about getting sand and and pine roots for
kindling but Geo not at home. So he puts
shoes on Old Ben. Work in house goes slow.
Emma baking bread, made prints. A bee
at school house moving the closets. V sent Will
milling corn to day and cooking beef for
mince pies. Played cards.

52
Wednesday 3rd January 1919
A snowy day. No going to Kingston. Ferry
cant run. School began again to day.
V and Will fixing hog pens for broad sows.
Rachels mail was left in our box. A letter
from Nina Garlo and Ethel Dixon Johndron.
I write and send a letter to Maud, a
letter from Belle to Voltie sending a New year
present which will come by mail tomorrow.
Play cards this evening; noisy as ever.
Ethel Johndron
Johndro
Thursday 4 January 1917
A mild day, tho somewhat cloudy after breakfast.
Will N shouldered himself and went across the
river. He is going to corners. I’m marching out to
see if he brings Whisk. Wallace came down
and staid a while and now he is out to
the shop with Voltie. Emma is getting dinner.
Edith churning. Emma made out 8 more lbs
butter which makes 20 lbs beside the churning
to day. Edith went over to R’s carrying apples, hulled corn,
head cheese, and fried cakes and her letters from
Nina and Ethel. Ethel in her letter to R
sent me a handkerchief. NilesWilliam came here
quite early from the corners, brought Edith candy,
coffee, tea, tobaco. I wrote a long letter to Eveline.
Card playing again this evening.
Friday 5 January 1917
Rains nearly all day, slush and snow.
I write and send a letter to Eveline.
V shoes a horse for Joe, and Joe stays to dinner.
men (V & W) out working all day in shop, pig pens
and barn. Wallace here. Our mail Belle sent V
a comical Christmas present, a receptical for tobaco
made from a coconut shell within the outer

53
husk fashioned like an Australian native
face which caused uprorious [sic] merriment.
William Niles went to his uncle Johns for
an evening visit. We had a very pleasant
evening at home with the litterature which
Grace sent from Watertown and some card
playing going on.
Friday 6th January 1917
A fine day, clear bright and much colder.
Canned "Tallman sweets" made mince meat.
Emma made cake and done set work.
Edith separated the milk & washed breakfast
dishes along towards noon, and talked talked
talked talked same as usual. After supper
Will N goes to visit Wallace N, and stays
all night. We sit up as late as the usual hour.
Mail, we received a package of papers from
Reginald. Some of them (The New York papers
are very sensational. Hendersons bill and
Rerds bill for rockers and a national service
card.
Saturday 7th January 1917
Weather very good. V sent Niles up
to Geo Woodmans for pine roots while he
works around at every thing at shop and
barn. Emma cleaned floors all right
and canned the apples partly fixed the
nine used didnt work once the butt
it. Will N went up to say all night with
Wall Niles.

54
Sunday 8 January 1917
A half cloudy wind south, river rough
and rolling and dark. A new litter of
pigs at the barn from 9 only 5 living.
Will N & Wallace N called here enroute
to George N. Edith getting dinner while
Emma is on the rampage visiting Lizzy Woodman.
Went down with Jen in
cutter came back with Joe in time to get
supper. Will came home to supper.
Voltie came in saying new pigs
at the barn then hustle to separate the sows,
move an old stove into the pen. 9 pigs but in
spite of percaution [sic] 5 died only saved 4. V up
late looking after pigs. Edith birthday she
is fifteen years old to day.
Monday 9th January 1917
A soft day. V big help of Will N, John Niles Jr,
Joe Woodman butchered and dressed 8 pigs
for market. All the helpers here to dinner.
But dont know how V will get the pork to
market. Boat jammed in the ice in Kingston
harbor, ice 16 feet deep. If North wind should
blow ice may move out. V drove over to
R’s brought her and Turk for she has no coal
only a two kettles full. Will N went to Georg, W’s
with Wallace. Came back early, played
cards till late. more pigs at the pen 10.
R didnt play. V sat up nearly all night with the
new pigs.
Tuesday 10 January 1917
A dark cloudy rainy day. R went home
early this morn after breakfast taking Edith with
her. Edith didnt want to go and I couldnt blame
her. V and W draw hay from the lower barn
through the rain. Such a load to dishes
to wash this pm, crockery, glass, cutting spoons,
pots, pans, jars, kettles, frying pans, basins and 10 other knives.

55
V shaved bathed. He thinks he will
go to town tomorrow with pork on
the boat. Boat moved out from the harbor
today enroute for the Village.
Wednesday 10 January 1917
Arose early. V got started at 6 am 80 pkg
which he sold for 16 1/2 cts per lb. 808 lbs
received $130,65 cts. A very stormy day and
cold. Voltie had to drive to the Greenwood
dock where the boat was lying at the dock on
account of ice. Will out nearly all day doing
chores and looking after every thing, building
fires to keep the little pigs warm. He walked
over to Rachels through the storm to find her and
Edith hovering over the stove. V came home at 8 pm.
Thursday January 11
A very cold day. 10 degrees below zero.
Voltie filing saw in kitchen. Will drove
over and moved Rachel over here bed beam
and all. Votlie drove over and brought
all her hens. Clear cold and bright.
Edith and Emma fixed up the bed
room up stairs by the stove pipe for Rachel.
Emma made a good yumy cake for supper.
One pig died now 13 left. River frozen
clear across last night.

56
Friday 12 Jan 1917
A very fine day. Draw hay from
lower barn drew up the hickory tree
limbs made a load by itself.
Saturday 13 Jan 1917
A cloudy blustering day. Emma cleaned floors
as usual. Every thing clean and bright but
Emma cut nearly all Edith’s hair from
her head. Cut 2/3 of it any way right from the
back, her beautiful hair all snarled and matted
so badly that no comb could penetrate that
maze, jungle. the fibiers [sic] of her hair are so matted and
interwoven because she to lazy to comb her hair.
Miss Glenn and Edith Bates here. V gave them
1/2 bushel of apples. Played cards this evening.
Sunday 14 January 1917
A cold blustering day of drifting snow; sun
brightly shining. Electricity is every where in
the domestic atmosphere this morning.
There will soon be a terrific explosion
which is already at hand. One born thrown
and burst! War in Europe no comparison.
No one killed, no one wounded only a display
of nasty; mean vulgar temper. The conflagation
rapidly spreads till every member of the the
family is in to the war. O Well! "Remember
the sabath] day and keep it Holy". Joe here to
dinner and supper and stay all night

57
Monday 15 January 1917
Domestic atmosphere clear or nearly
so. The same low rumbling and snarling
occasionaly at intervals. Edith made her
beginning to attend school this morning
getting a drive up with Jack Niles when
he drives to school with teacher. Joe
helping V for his board and his dog
boards too. Fido, the little black beast
Tuesday 16 January 1917
A very fine day. V brought water from
river for Emma to wash cold to hang
them on the line. I write a long letter
to Grace. Edith gone to school rode in
sleigh with Jack N and Miss Langley.
In evening V and Joe and Emma went to
Flynns for an evening visit walked up on the ice
found George & Inez W there. George N & Louise
visiting at at Jacks.
Wednesday 17 January 1917
A cold day, Wind and snow, which combined
creates a terrific storm. How ever Edith
wallowed herself through the drifts to the
consession to meet Jack’s sleigh enroute
to the school house. Not much doing
inside this day just cooking and dishwashing.
Emma cant finnish [sic] washing, cooking bean
again. Edith went school without breakfast.
Joe and Voltie breaking colts to drive
double. VoltieJoe & Em went to Flynns
for an evening visit. Found George and Inez
there. George and Louise drove in cutter to Jacks.
No mail carrier today. We get no mail.

58
Thursday 18 January 1917
Snow very deep every where tho the sun
is brightly shining. Emma didnt finnish
washing. Joe and Voltie moved the
and done chores. Edith went to school with
Jack Niles. I did not do much of any
thing. Rachel helped cook and read
Friday 19 January 1917
A clear cold bright day. Emma washed
a few things. Edith went to school with
Jack Niles. All abed but me. The mail
brought us 4 letters for Rachel, 3 for me,
one for Emma from Clyde. My letters
were from Maude, Grace & and Irene King.
The calculations now are to go to Kingston tomorrow.
Saturday 20 January 1917
Arose early to go to Kingston. Didnt go
weather not favorable, roads heavy and
the weather has all the appearance of a storm,
very cloudy and looks like a thaw. Didn’t thaw
but froze harder than ever. A hard tough winter so
far. The warmth of the fires are very comforting these
days when I can sit back of the cook stove with
feet on back of fender. Card playing this evening.
Aunt R goes to bed quite early. V and Joe dont
do much more than chore and eat their regular
meals. Aunt Rachel made three mince pies and
three loaves of bread and a tine of ("riz") biscuits.

59
Sunday 21 January 1917
A very cold day. No let up on frosty
weather. Joe here to breakfast. Been here
a week now. I today sit behind the stove
as usual and either read or write. Every thing
very pleasant till evening then Turk
interferes by way of foolish argument which causes
great clash of tongues on the female side.
Joe went home after breakfast taking Fido
with him and has not returned to day.
Guess he has gone courting over to D.
Hallidays to see his sweetheart his conven
Bess but he didnt go after all; only went to Sams.
Monday 22 January 1917
As cold as ever and snowing. Howard
stopped here on his way to school. Emma
gave him a big red apple for his dinner.
Emma watched out for Jack and Langley.
Howard and Edith rode to school with Jack
preparing for Kingston tomorrow. Voltie & Emma
going. Emma baked cakes, cookies, fried cakes &c. Played
cards this evening. The old habit is strong. Voltie
and Emma, Joe and Edith ti he haw hard all the
time. I wrote to Irene, croched [sic] two points, a
star light evening. no mail today I send my
letter to Irene by Emma.
Tuesday 23rd January 1915
They arise early going to Kingston surely this
day. All drive up on the ice. Voltie,
Jack N & Ed Kaslar. Joe doing chores all day
with no difficulty but found the ice thin in some
places. Our butter now the best. Only .40 cts lb

60
Wednesday 24
V went to Clayton. Joe went with him.
Thursday 25
Will Niles here Thursday and brought V
stone boat frame. Wants to bring Ada
here.
Friday 26th
The road must be very bad and Will Ranous
must have found them so for he drove clear through
to day. Emma walked through the snow
for the mail; got her arms full of mail.

61
Saturday 27
A cold bad day. V after doing chores
drove to Clayton for coal. Came about
3 pm nearly froze. He got thawed out
after awhile. Joe dont feel very able after
last nights dance at Busters but sits up
and plays cards. Joe didn’t come till
nearly dinner time, just in time to get
his dinner and dinner for his little black
cur. Of course Edith at home causes a war of
words. I often wish V could be present unseen
at those battles, but No.
Sunday 28th Jan 1917
A cold day. Done nothing but cook eat and
wash dishes all day. V brought a dish of apples
from the cellar cracked hickory nuts, popped
corn. Joe here to breakfast and dinner. Henry Halliday
came at sunset and Joe cleared
out suddently. A small Sunday lunchon

62
Monday 29 January 1917
Weather changed to warmer and thawing and
raining dismal dreary day outside, lots of noise
inside almost enough to make ones hair
stand straigt [sic] up. V drew one load of sand
from Sand Bay in fore noon. pm proving rainy
staid home. Joe not here to day but his dog here
to be fed. Old half starved Fido, mean black
little cur. We feed the ravenous little beast because
one dont like to know he is suffering with hunger.
Edith as usual went to school to day. Played
cards in evening. No mail to day for us.
Tuesday 30 January 1917
A fine morning, sun shining brightly.
Edith bundled up for school watching
out for Jack N and Langley. Weather very
moderate. Rachel washing breakfast dishes.
Ed Kasler here getting his horses shoes set.
Emma and R picking over beans for dinner.
Wednesday 31 January 1917
Rather a mild day not to comfortable for weather.
We were surprised and pleased to see Ray &
Irene drive in here for a visit and the dear
little Flora.

63
Thursday 2nd February 1917
Snows a little cloudy and sunlight some.
After dinner Ray, Irene & Little Flora departed
in cutter rig for Doras Hallidays. Henry quit.
V dont do much more than visit with Ray.
Friday 2nd February 1917
A clear cold bright day. Voltie drawing sand
from Sand Bay accompanied by Henry & Joe.
Ed gone to school. Howard stopped for Edith,
sent Edith to cellar for apple for Howard dinner.
15 below zero this morning. Froze
for first itme this winter. After dinner Roy
and Irene and baby Flora drove over to
Dicks and Doras. Voltie drew 3 loads
of sand from Maloneys.
Saturday 3rd February 1917
Wind West and extremely cold. The coldest
so far this winter. Voltie drawing sand
from Maloneys shore across the river.
Drew three loads of sand, came a blow
at 3 pm so didnt draw any more.
Telephone cental line out of order. When
want to phone to Irene while at Doras.
So cold we keep all the dogs in
the dining room by the coal stove
including Woodmans half starved Fido after
he is stuffed with Johny cake.

64
Sunday 4th February 1917
This is mid Winter, weather changed
since yesterday. 10 above zero. Temperature
in house changed in house too. A sanguinary
battle fought of words and the most elegant
and eloquent of language employed to express
the over charded temper.
Realy I’m disgusted to write the female tongues.
Henry went to Hallidays. Rode over
with Joe. Will Niles came over visiting, staid all
night, ate supper and breakfast. Miss Langley
here in evening. We expected Ray & Irene to return
from Hallidays but they didnt come. Will Niles
here staying all night.
Monday 5th Feb 1917
Not a very bad day. Telephone once more
in repair. Phoned to Hallidays inquiring
for Irene and Ray. Ray gone to Kingston
with Dick H. Joe came but didnt stay.
Will Niles went across with Voltie when
he went for sand. Ray & Irene drove
here about 1/2 pasat 8 pm: cold. They had had
supper at George Woodmans.
Tuesday 6 Feb 1917
Not very bad day. V drew hay & straw
from the lower barn. Ray and Irene started
home about half past ten am. Will N and
Ed Maloney drove here with single rig. Will
went up to see his aunt Jane who is very sick.
They drove here again staid to supper and
till bed time. Maloney talking politics, religion,
war, murderers, government affairs and now
they are gone home. Will brought over some
pop corn. V drew two loads sand.

65
Wednesday 7 February 1917
I guess this pen is worn out. Another
nasty day. Will Woodman here to
get horse shoeing done. Will Woodman
here to dinner, talking War and
Canadian politics. No sand to day
and only 13 loads all told. Our pump
out of business since Tuesday morning.
Edith at school
Thursday 8 February
Nasty day. Wind South. No one here
except Joe W; he came to bring R’s
hen feed, oats that she bought
off Will H Woodman.
Friday 9th February 1917
Friday 9th February 1917
A blustering snow day. The wind
gathers up the snow and drives it swirling
through the air. no mail to day for
the roads are drifted. V has to chop open
water holes for water for every purpose
to water horses, cattle, hens, sheep, hogs, and
for the house. Joe here helping Voltie.
V phoned to Johny OBrien to go to
McFarlands for hog feed while [Johny OBrien|[John]]
is in town tomorrow. John could get
only 200 lbs. Great talk of going
to Depauville to a masquerade next
Friday and a dance here a week from
tomorrow night. I dont mind the
Masquerade but the dance out.
Joe here to dinner.
Joe went to Bob Busks to a dance.
Henry phoned that he is there.

66
Saturday 10 February
A suffering cold day. No let up to cold
and snow.
Joe here helped fix the pump, ate dinner
here. The pump out of order since last
Tuesday. V dont now have to draw
barrels and cans of water from the
river to water all the stock. played cards.
V popped some of the corn W.N brought over.
played cards this evening. Joe & V put in
hay.
Sunday 11 February 1917
A clear bright very cold day. 12 deg below
zero. Joe Woodman here to chore. Will Niles
drove in here didn’t stay long acted kind pouty
about something, dont know what, nor dont care
Monday 12 Feb 1917
This is a very cold day. Ray King and his man
Kesler stopped here enroute for Dick Hallidays and Kingston for
the new horses he bought last week. They coal collars more
trimed one with white frost and they had cold noses,
toses, feet and fingers. The result of their calling was
a package of selected pieces of print for a quilt June had
sent me. Edith gone to school.
Tuesday 13 February 1917
A terrible stormy day. Wind and snow. Ray K and his man
returned with the beautiful matched team. Just called for a
few minutes to warm. Storm raging all day cold
dreary nasty weather.

67
Wednesday 14 February 1917
A very fine day. not so cold, weather much
warmer. V received a call at the phone if
he wants pig feed to come for it. Leon McFarland,
he drives to Kingston this day
on ice to get feed before it is all gone. 1000 lbs shorts.
Edith gone to school. Two Maloneys drove here inquiring
for Voltie. Next came Will Niles for tools to fix
their pump. Emma walked nearly to Horns then Horn met her
after Liz took her silk skirt dress to mak. V came early. Joe helped chore
supper and stayed all night.
Thursday 15 Feb 1917
A clear cold day. Voltie drawing straw
alone no one to help him. Joe went home
after breakfast. No! over to Sams to help Sam
fill his ice house. Our dogs bark, bark, bark.
Fido staid in house last night and slept
in my rocker. Edith gone to school, walked,
heard Mary is no better. Emma mopped dining
floor. Frank Briceland drove in here for
his dinner after V helped him load Joe Woodmans
cow in his cow cage.
Friday 16 February 1917
A midling cold day. Voltie drew
3 loads of sand across the ice. Storming
hard, snow flying cant see across
the river. The storm cleared at sun set
and V went to Maloneys party.

68
Saturday 17th February 1917
Our dancers came home at Daylight.
Emma took of her silk attire and
went to bed. on V’s bed: I said
E ought to have gone up stairs to her
own bed. Then JD made a mistake
which I’ll never forget. Himself done
the chores at the barn then took a short
nap. Rachel working around washing
breakfast dishes Nearly 2 Oclock and Emma
not out of bed. Joe Woodman here to dinner & went
to sleep at dinner table. Jay Reasoner in Watertown
hospital. Not expected to live - appendicitis.
Edith done her washing sun shining very brightly
after noon. V drew one load of sand in p.m.
Sunday 18 February 1917
A very fine day for sun light but
cold. A small ruction in the morn
very early in which aunt R tried to
have a fist in the business but as she was not down
stairs she could only yell from her bed
room down through the stove pipe hole.
Heard by the phone that Jay Reasoner
died last night at eleven Oclock in hospital
Watertown. We were much surprised and
delighted to see Muriel come in. I at first
didnt know her, she brought me a picture
of her house, grounds and building. A
picture which I realy appreciate she
told me about Johny. She staid till 3 pm.
Heard by phone that poor dear Mary is
very low.

69
Monday 19th February 1917
As cold as usual. Voltie drew two loads
of sand this a.m. We were surprised
by an unexpected visitor to dinner Will Cornwall
who had not been here in many years. He swears
and had been drinking too. Jim Kelsar
drew V a load of sand which 22 loads.
Henry came back from Doras to day. Edith
walked to school this morning. Will Ranous
brought the mail to the house. He drove down on the
ice.
Tuesday 20th February 1917
A very fine day Edith at school. Will Niles and
Tom Maloney here awhile. Voltie drew sand
3 loads which makes 27 loads.
Wednesday 21st Feb 1917
A very fine Day. We were just thinking
about having no one here to dinner when
Lo & Behold Will drove in here said he
came for R. to say
visiting. Will drove to school for Edith and
brought Miss Langley too to Niles door.

70
Thursday 22nd February 1917
A very fine day sun shines out clear
and very brightly. Will went home taking
R with him. Edith went to school. Will had
not been gone long before Lib and Dolisan
came so we had some one to dinner altogether.
Friday 23rd February 1917
A very stormy day but not too severely cold. Edith
gone to school. Voltie fixing harness in the
dining room making horse straps. Wind blowing
and drifting all day. 5 feet of snow on and around
the pump. Only ourselves at home all day.
Received letter from Grace wherein she tells
me of cold weather and the scarcity of coal.
Saturday 24th of February 1917
A cold morning. Wind N.W. Samy & Joe here.
Samy home from Watertown business school going
to stay home. V gone over to Sam Woodman for
his old pig. Samy staid to dinner.

71
Sunday 25th February 1917
A beautiful day. Sun so clear and bright
shining. No one here till p.m. when Will Niles
drove in here accompanied by Ambrose.
William is considerably intoxicated. I am sorry
but with him it is an old and long acquired habit.
Poor old Will his heart is all right, and generous, but
when he is about "half seas over" he knows he’s a
gentleman genel-man [sic]
Monday 26 Feruary 1917
A dismal morning cloudy and thawing
and raining. Voltie will not draw sand this day.
This morning V found 4 new lambs at
the barn. I send letter and a bundle of papers
to post box by Edith, she wearing rubber boots
lettter for Grace, bundle papers for Watson. Bert Ranous
drove down on the ice and brought our mail
to the door. Edith went to the road for my letter
and bundle but to late for Ranous
Tuesday February 27th 1917
A cloudy morning, dismal and
cheerless at same time it looks like clearing
up. Spring will soon be peeking around the
corner but not an egg so far nor a sign
of any. Joe came to help V cut saw the pines.
The river spotted after yesterday soft
weather, froze last night but not me.
Cold. Joe and Will Niles helping V fall the
pines. The dear old pines are going to help
build a barn. Voltie borrows Sam Woodmans
sleigh to draw the logs to Clayton and goes
for it to draw the pine logs to Clayton.
Joe, Voltie & Will load the logs for Clayton before supper.

72
Wednesday 28 & last of Feb 1917
A very fine day. V and W.N. drew or went
to Clayton with saw logs one load came home
to dinner then went again to Clayton with logs.
Joe helped load up. One lamb died, starved.
Emma mopped floors every thing nice warm
and cozy. Emma baked beans after Ed picked
them over. Ranous drove the road this day.
Thursday 1st March 1917
Another beautiful day. Voltie rose early and
drove to Sams to return the borrowed sleigh.
Will Niles brought a can of water from the river
for the purpose of washing but dont know when the
washing will be done. Work drags so. Emma partly
done washing. Charley Gillespie drew four loads
of sand from Sand bay and here to dinner & Will Niles
also V drove over to S.W.’s again

73
Saturday 3rd March 1917
Will N went home and to the horse races
accompanied by Wallace, Joe too went.
V done Joe’s chores. Emma cleaned for
Saturday, made pies, dusted every thing.
Thaw to day. V cleaned out the nests
for the hens to lay eggs. 1 egg to day.
Sunday 4 March 1917
A misserable [sic] cold day no one here except
Will Niles drove in here in cutter accompanied
by Wallace. Will N very much intoxicated
so didn’t come in house, read most all
day. V out looking after stock. One sheep got
three lambs. I said no one here but Sammy Woodman
and Sheridan here in house a few
minutes wanting a rope for their ice boat.
didnt sit down, one lamb of the tripplets [sic]
died.
Monday 5 March 1917
A terrible cold storm of wind and snow
blowing and drifting. Joe & Samy came
down and helped Voltie do the barn chores
and staid to dinner. Fido too. The telephone
rang and V answered. Reggie phoned that
his father died yesterday (Sunday) at 10 am.
The funeral to be held in Kingston tomorrow
at 2 Oclock p.m. Shocking and unexpected
it came so suddenly but after all tis better
poor Bob. I wrote Rachel and Edith Johnson.

74
Tuesday 6 March 1917
A clear bright cold day after the
very stormy day of yesterday. Voltie gone
to Kingston. Went up with Wallace N and
terribly to write that they have gone to poor dear
Bob’s funeral. V done most of the chores before
he went. Samy came down and watered
the horses. Edith fed the bull calf. E & E & I
are alone. I am so sorry. I cant think much
of working. The winter stays yet.The longest
continued cold weather ever rememer having
lived through. We had bean soup and a
good cup of black tea with sugar, milk &
soda biscuits and butter. Emma picking over
beans for supper. V came home just at dark didn’t
to Bobs funeral, arrived in Kingston to late
instead he went to Dr Campbell.
Wednesday 7 March 1917
A clear bright day. Voltie gone to lawn
for timber and lumber. George Woodman
and Jack Niles also, they drew three loads
of timber and lumber for V barn their three
dinner cost V $3,50. Received a letter from
Grace. Will Niles arose in here and done
Volties chores. Joe and Sam helped unload
the lumber so there was 6 of them busy for
awhile. Joe drew his cutter home. Kenneth Morgan
started for school yesterday morning but instead
going to school turned the other way and walked
to Kingston without any of his people knowing
his whereabouts and was not missed till the
children came from school, then they rang up
every one all over the foot in search of him but the
result was no one had seen or heard from
him, any way he fetched himself up at Lizzies

75
about 3 pm having walked
every step of the way and nothing to
eat since breakfast. I think it was
a long walk for a 8 1/2 year old yonker
with short legs.
Thursday 8 March 1917
A cloudy not very cold day. Voltie started for
Kingston at 7 1/2 Oclock am together with George Woodman,
Joe Woodman and John OBrien,
all going to draw material for building V’s
barn. Will Niles came over quite early.
Delavson & Frank drove in here to just
make us a little visit. They staid till V
came home; have not seen Frank Bamford
before in many years.
Friday 9th March 1917
Another cloudy morning not very cold.
V preparing to go to Kingston again this morn.
Voltie brought in a lamb came yesterday which
needs nursing. I think the lamb will die
and it died witch [sic] is three. Voltie came home early. Will
brought in an egg, the first this year. V is much better.
The afternoon very bright and warm. Voltie said
he wouldnt go again to Kingston till Monday
V had a bowl of bread and milk in Kingston
for his dinner. Emma cleaned and pollished [sic]
all the mekle on the stove

76
Saturday 10 March 1917
Froze again last night. Windows
covered with frost. V had the new
egg for his breakfast about 9 Oclock.
Voltie concluded he would go to
Kingston again to day for a load of
shingles. he went after Will drove
over to Sams for Volties straight sleigh
talking Sams bob sleigh with him.
Edith out this pm playing with
shep [sic] and the sled. Emma mopped
floors and made pies. I wrote a
letter to Grace. A very fine day
sun shining clear all day till
towards night when it began to cloud.
Samy made us a little visit with his
loud hearty laugh and wishing there
could be a dance somewhere
Sunday 11 March 1917
A nasty dark rainy day. two more dead lambs.
Will N went home after breakfast came back
about 3 pm all dressed up. drove over and
asked Emma to go for a drive. He was very
much intoxicated. Emma I think would have
have been quite willing to go if nothing had been
said against it. W.N. drove off up the Island.
Emma and Edith walked up to J.N’s for
milk; walked back. Miss Langley came back
with them and staid till bed time. Then Emma
went nearly home with her carrying a lantern
I

77
Monday 12 March 1917
I dont think I keep my diary in
very good order for I can scarcely
read some of my own writing.
Therefore I believe no one else can.
A bright very bright day. Snow dazzlingly white.
Will N came early while we were at breakfast.
The old cows didnt come last night but staid
over around R’s old straw stack. Edith gone
over there to drive them home. W.N. gone up
on Morgans point for a load of gravel.
V making a pigs trough. The sows tear
them in pieces. Emma is getting dinner.
Edie washed my feet too. Geo McDonald
phoned to inquire if he should draw Voltie
a load of shingles from Allens mills Kingston.
V said yes. Edith went over and drove
the cows home: John and Sadie Murray
here this evening till 10 pm. V and W
drew hay from lower Barn. V phoned to John OB
for his bobs, said yes, forgot to W.N & J.D.
sawed down pine tree.
Tuesday 13 March 1917
Another brililant day. Wm went early to OB
for bob sleighs then loaded log on sleigh and
are gone to Clayton. V says he is better,
I hope he is. I sent a letter to bell this
morning by V. Edith gone to school. Emma
and I are alone for a little while any way
except cats and dogs. Turk and Shep
keep their thundering barking gong on all
the time. Emma baking johny cake for dog cake.
Emma mopping. V in the evening drove to
Flynns for milk. Will N put on over coat
and went off somewhere for the evening. We
were just going to bed. John unexpectedly
came which was a great and happy surprise
couldnt get sawing done in Clayton
so brought the logs home again

78
Wednesday 14 March 1917
John came last night at 11 pm. A cloudy morning; froze last night but
soon thaws. Voltie arose very early before
day light ate a little breakfast and was off
for Kingston before I was up. driving up
the ice with the logs to be sawed. Will N
came last night at 12 midnight had been
across the river. He staid till after breakfast
and nearly noon when he picked up and
went home. V came home at 5 pm. bringing
his lumber. Had been to see the Doctor and
got more medicine. John went over to R place
and drove home the cows then drove to OBriens with J.OB’s bobs.
I received two letters. Grace & Belle. Edith went to school.
two eggs this 14th March.
Thursday 15 March 1917
A mild day; froze last night. This is
butchering day, V has the help of John and Joe. V is
much better. Srs! and Samy too is here with his
long over coat on. Edith is home to day paring
apples for our dinner sauce.
Friday 16 March 1917
A very good day. Voltie goes to Kingston
with pig pork, 19 cts per lb weighed 476
brought home a lot of things but didnt pay his taxes
Saturday 17 March 1917
A Saturday bad day blows rains. John and
V between showers draw three loads of gravel
which make only 4 loads.

79
Sunday 18 March 1915
Weather bitter cold for march miserable
March weather. Edith take a trip to
Geo Niles finds no one at home
goes to Kehoes. V drives over to Vans
for oil. Emma goes along not gone
a long time. Gave Van 20 dollars for
old Al Percy for an old second horse
harness & brought home 12 gallons Kerosine.
Then V and Edith drives to Flynns
Monday 19 March 1917
A cold half cloudy morning wind S.W.
John and V draw 4 loads of hay
from lower stack. Joe came to help saw
down the pine trees, but as J.D. & J.D.
were busy drawing hay didnt go sawing.
Tuesday 20 19 March 1917
A cloudy snowy morning. Another lamb dies
in the house last night which makes 6
dead lambs from 24, so there is 18
lambs remaining. Joe here reading V’s
new farm book. Emma baking bread.
Voltie filing Will W’s saw.
John repairing chairs. After dinner John
and Joe sawed the pines. Joe here to dinner
and supper. Card playing this evening.

80
Wednesday 21 March 1917
Sun crosses the equater [sic] on his home ward
journey to us North and Spring begins to day.
Sun shining bright and clear. Edith
to school. Voltie & John drawing hay from the
lower barn. I send to letters one to a cement
co and another to a paint company both
Montreal. V and John brought or drew gravel
and there are now 7 loads of gravel. There
are 21 lambs now at the barn. 4 eggs.
Hannah gave V 2 gallon milk. A letter from
Belle, one from Isabel.
Thursday 22nd March 1917
Clear bright chilly. Froze last night. Edith gone
to school. John and Voltie drawing gravel
from Mabels. The fire in stove dont seem to burn
very clearly. Employed the pm in sorting old papers
and scraps; old letters &c. Some we saved some
we burnt, read a few of those old letters, some
makes me sad, those old letters of long ago. They
are gone those dear friend and I’ll never see
them again on Earth. Oh why, why is it so!
Oh where and what is the mistery [sic]
the great mystery, and even the dear one
that yet remains that have not traveled to their
journeys end, (life journey) how seldom I
seem them. I have my dear Voltie, and my dear
Johny is here now; in a little while and he too
will be gone. I miss Belle, Grace and my
dear Wellie, dear good son whom I have not seen
in three years. Will comes to see us some time.
my dear brother Will. Some day the mist and clouds will have
rolled away. 7 loads of gravel to day which makes 14.
Wallace went away this night came to say good
bye. Poor dear Jane how sorrowful for her to see him
go

81
Friday 23rd March 1917
Froze last night. Sun shining but chilly.
Voltie and Johny drawing gravel. Edith gone to
to school. 22 lambs now at the barn.
Saturday 24th March 1917
A bright day froze last night but sun
soon thaws the freeze and snow rappidly
disapearing. There are now 24 lambs
at the barn. There has been 30 lambs, one
sheep that had 3 lambs lost them all
Sunday 25 March 1917
A bright warm day. Emma and Miss Langley
walked over to Abjina McDolalds.
If they get wet feet, I’m not to blame, which I
think they will for how can they avoid doing
so. They returned at at sun set
accompanied by Eddie. Edith got dinner
and supper which was not much. I wrote
to Grace. John comes in saying there is
another calf at the barn which makes two now,
eight eggs to day from a hundred and twenty
hens.

82
Monday 26th March 1917
A very fine day snow nearly all disapeared.
John tapped trees; sap dont run very well.
I sent Grace a letter received one from Rachel
also one from Ethel Johnson, ice is poor great
hold in ice by Carlton Island, heard that 7
teams broke through the ice last Friday between
the villiage & city. V said another new
calf at the barn which makes three.
Tuesday 27 March 1917
A cloudy morning looks like rain &
does rain. Ed McDonald here early to
borrow a paint brush. Geo Rattray phoned
for 1/2 gallon paint oil. both requests satisfied.
Emma washing in kitchen. Edith
washed breakfast dishes. V & J working in
shop. John phoned to Mr GrantCape Vincent about
going to work for Grant 2nd April. beginning to
snow ground while in few minutes.
Wednesday 28 March 1917
Cloudy, squaly [sic], rain, wind snow
hail, a typical March day beside mid
march every where. V & J working in shop
and picking up arranging and straightening
every thing as far as they can for spring work.
Miss Langley to dinner and supper in evening.
E, E, and E went to Geo Niles came back at 10
Edith got dinner. Emma abed all a.m.
A letter from Alice Higgins. No other letters

83
Thursday 29th March 1917
A cloudy morning ground covered with
snow. V arose early to draw hay while
snow lasts, but breakfast was late, past 8
tis thawing; water running from roof.
Voltie and Johny working in shop after
drawing one load of hay. Voltie comes in
saying another calf at the barn which
makes 5 now. We sat up and read
till 1/2 past 9 pm then retired. Dora’s girls
are boiling sap in their bush. Emma
was talking with Dora over the phone.
Friday 30th March 1917
A cool morning sun shining. Voltie
says sap will run to day. Edith
picking over corn to hull. Edith
gathered sap and we boiled it down.
Sent Charlotte Gibson golden bantam corn.
John carried it to the post box.
Saturday 31st March 1917
I patched and fixed Johns clothes, overalls
and stockings. Emma washed, starched
and ironed Johns shirts and other dudds.
The corn was put in the lye to hull
and left so long in the lie it spoiled
so threw the whole contents of the business
away lye, corn and all. Emma cleaned the
kitchen, pantry, dining room. Miss Langley
called here for Emma to go with her
to Horns. John done his washing in kitchen.

84
Sunday 1st April 1917
A cloudy foggy morning river with
broken small pieces of ice floating down stream
thousands. John prepared to leave and
Voltie went with him to the Smith place.
Fog so thick cant see across the river
so they returned. John was intending
to row across the river in Niles boat which
Will N left here last fall.
Monday 2nd April 1917
A dull cloudy morning, river clear
of ice. John went again across river this morning
went in Will N’s boat which was
down by the lower boat house. Voltie alone
again. V gave John his new rubber
boots. There are 5 calves and 28 lambs.
Tuesday 3rd 1917
A very fine day. I wrote a letter to Grace.
Emma washed in kitchen. Voltie drew hay from lower barn
beside going to Jack N’s for a can of sour milk
which they phoned to him he could have. Edith
gathers sap. Jack N went across river this morn
and returned before dinner. I hope he
got Volties rubber boots that he sent for by John

85
Wedneday 4 April 1917
A lovely spring day. I saw all the sheep
and lambs this morning 53 of them as they
went out into the pasture. Voltie carried the
bees out this morning. One extinct hive filled
with honey very fine. Emma is cleaning the
veranda floor and moving the plants. I sent
Grace a letter, hope she may get it.
Voltie tried the plow this morning after
drawing hay from lower barn. I received a letter
from Irene K and glad that she sent me a
letter, but I was realy disapointed by not receiving
a letter from Grace. Edith and Emma went
to Mrs N’s in evening and carried them
honey. John didn’t see Will N so left the
$5,00 dollars with the Niles family.
Thursday 5 April 1917
A cloudy day; not cold. V plowed after
doing barn chores which are not few for
one man to do alone. Emma brought in
and sorted all the clean clothes. Edith
went to Geo Niles for tabaco. I patched and
darned socks and stockings and begin
a letter to Charlotte. gather sap, another
new milker which is 6 altogether but
4 are 2 year old heifers 1, 3 year old,
and 1 cow. 26 eggs brought in to day,
two more lambs which makes 90 homing lambs.
Friday 6 April 1917
Awoke this morning to find a foot of snow
looks like terrible old winter again cant
plow to day so V works away at some
saturated hay stack drawing top home for cows.
Went to JN’s for sour milk. I write and post
letter to Charlotte. received a letter from Watson,
one from Rachel. None from Grace. Langley went home.

86
Saturday 7 of April 1917
A cold nasty morning, wind west
freezing this morning. Edith looking
after sap. Voltie to Mr Niles for milk.
Emma done Sat work as usual. Edith helped
do chores. I darn socks and stockings.
Joe in house few minutes & telephone are
ringing to announce church service tomorrow.
For the first time since Christmas; suppose
there will be a great turn out since there has
been no church service since last Christmas.
Sunday 8th of April 1917
Froze hard last night, sunlight, bright & clear.
I see one of the Maloney’s are over. Maurice
I think. Maurice the pugilist. Lizzie Woodman
came, went to church with Emma came home with
her and staid to dinner and supper. Then in
the evening Edith and Emma accompanied by
Lizzie walked down to George Gillespies for Volties
rubber boots that Will Niles had brought over to
Geo Gillespie this a.m. Carley Gillespie phoned to Voltie
that the boots were there. I write a letter to IreneK.
The Preacher Mr Henderson didnt come to the church
to day. Therefore no preaching. The books are big heavey "yelly" things.
Monday 9th April 1917.
This is the anniversary of Grace’s birth day 43 to
day. Emma ironed her white embroidered waste
and wore it to Mary Berry Burks silly party. V
went too. I am ashamed to say, and he scarcely
free from the Doctors percription [sic] and care, walked up
and back, excepting Emma only one girl there little
Lizzie Woodman; and the two old Burk women.
Two fiddlers and two male dancers beside Kid Burk.
They were Samy Woodman and McKnight,
Eddie McDonald here in Evening for a white rooster.

87
Tuesday 10 April 1917
Another frozen morning. Sap runs some.
Emma brought in 1 1/2 pail. Voltie put it
over to boil. 8 cows to milk now most of
them are heifers. V working out door all
day drawing manure on the orchard, plowing,
drawing, some hay and doing a thousand chores.
I dont do much work to day. I dont feel very
well. My sock and stocking box that I kept under
my work table is taken to hold dirty lamb
and not another substitute in its place. I
am thinking where I can find another
small stocking box. upstair or down
cellar I suppose; two inaccessable places to me.
Emma crochet yoke, a new one. I mend socks
and stockings this p.m., sap boiling, on the
stove. This p.m. cleared the dark closet
upstairs of rubbish and swept the chamber
all through, moonlight very clear and bright.
Wednesday 11 Apr 1917
A cloudy cool morning; froze some
last night. sap boiling on stove. Emma crochet.
Edith separates milk. Voltie out door hustling
wrestling chores to get ready tackle, plowing
or hay drawing. Voltie gathered sap, 2 pails
full. Emma filled 2 honey crates, 48 sections
and washed and packed all the eggs.
Three of the lambs missing; think they
fell over the bank into the river. Three lamb
in the house. Only 27 now from 36
not much more to day only some
Easter cards and The Standard. V out late
looking for lost lambs can find no trace.

88
Thursday 12th April 1917
A cloudy morning. V arose early done
nearly all the chores milked 8 cows &c.
V took his umbrella, 11 doz eggs and
48 sections of honey. Emma drove to dock.
There are some things that ought to be done
but not sure they will be. Like gathering
the sap, churning, washing separator, filling
the honey crates. The sap was gathered, separator
washed. Emma got a bad cold. Joe came and
done the chores at noon, ate dinner, drove to
dock for Voltie, helped V do the chores, staid
to supper and then staid all night after Voltie
and Joe were up till midnight doctoring two
cows; both lost their calves, cows lived. V brought
home groceries and other stuff from Kingston,
another milk pitcher and two white agate
bowls which makes 3 milk pitchers within
a month. Couldnt hire Willie Watson he is
going sailing with Geo Niles so he says.
Voltie says Mary Anne has left Sinclair and
his mother and is not going back there any more.
V was talking with her.
Friday 13 April 1917
Awoke this morning to find the ground
covered with a light fall of snow. Joe didn’t
get up till breakfast was ready. Joe to was up
nearly all night to helping Voltie tho cloudy and dismal.
I guess Voltie got
one sick cow, guess she will die. Mail brought
me a letter from Grace & John. Voltie works awful
hard and no help. Skinned two calves to
day. He went to bed quite early this pm.

89
Saturday 14th April 1917
A very cool cloudy day. Joe came down
to help V get the cow on her feet but
she wouldnt get up. Joe went home. I used
up most of the day writing to Grace,
E & E "horse du combat" never answer
only with a snap and a growl. It
must be terrible when folks feel that way.
Poor V working away in the field all alone.
Not any one to do a chore. Sap boiling
on stove. Edith washed separator. Emma
fixed the churn. Wind South and blown.
Sunday 15 April 1917
Cloudy. Preacher coming down to day.
We didn’t get up very early. E and E went
to church. Preacher there but not very big con[gregation]
Emma went to Keyholes with Lizzie.
Voltie boiled the sap and made nearly
3 quarts of Syrup then brought more sap.
I used up nearly all Saturday and
this day writing to John and Grace. Emma
said she’d be back by six Oclock but returned
after dark. Orville here awhile we retire
early.
Monday 16 April 1917
Wind South chilly. Edith brought in
more sap. Voltie went to Jacks for milk late
when he began plowing; he plowed 3 or 4
lands. I drank prepared postum it made me
sick, wont drink any more postum. wrote
and sent Ben Watson a letter, Grace a
letter and John a letter.

90
Tuesday 17 Apr 1917
A very fine day froze last night so sap
is running again to day.
V plowing. Lot work done
this evening, churned a took care of the butter,
washed, skim, cut up a ham to fry
for dinner, put up honey in crate for
Thursdays market all done by 11 pm
Wednesday 18th April 1917
Cloudy this morning but soon changes to
bright warm sunlight. After chores all done
which are numerous. Voltie goes to field to
plow. Emma frying ham all am. V brings
beans to the house, in vine. I pick them off the
vines and shake the beans for dinner. Voltie
plows a little few furrows in the garden for potatoes,
lettuce &c. Emma after helping V milk makes
6 more prints which makes 12. I should think
Rachel would come home. She been gone since
21st February. One sheep came home with a broken
leg. V splintered it together after dark, with girls
holding lantern. I have not been very well
for nearly two weeks.

91
Thursday 19 of April 1917
A little cloudy this morning but
changes to a beautiful day, warm sun bright
day. V gone to Kingston on boat carrying
butter, eggs, honey 3 hides (calf). I send a
letter to Belle, mend the stockings.
Emma boils down the last sap and makes
sugar. Emma made tomato soup
for dinner. Joe is going for Voltie this
p.m. Everything is so spring like,
grass is getting green. Joe drove for
Voltie. He came bringing every
thing sent for wall paper ceiling and
bordering for hall chamber, coffee, garden
seeds and 40 other things to numerous to
mention. look like rain away off in south.
Friday 20 April 1917
A nasty wet rainy day. Joe here to dinner
and Supper. Not any very great deal, all
done in doors. Voltie out working all
day.
Saturday 21 April 1917
Preacher Henderson here this pm. Gave me
a formula for making coffee. Emma went to
make Lizzie Woodman a visit and stay all
night, choir practice there this evening.

92
Sunday 22nd April 1917
Rachel came home to day.
A fine day. Emma stays all night
with Lizzie Woodman and comes home
after church accompanied by Miss Langley,
she stays till 9 Oclock pm then Em with lantern sees
her home. so ends the day after a playing & singing time on
piano.
Monday 23
Another very fine day. Mrs Lizzie Redic
surprised us by making us a visit.
Staid all night.
Tuesday 24
Lizzie Redic went to Mabels this p.m.

93
Wednesday 25 Apr 1917
Another cool morning. Voltie has so many
barn chores to do it make the time late
when he goes to field to work. 12 cows to
be milked, 9 calves to be fed. After has to
draw hay from stack, 10 hogs to feed,
4 horses to look after, 50 sheep and lambs
to to [sic] look after beside working in shop repairing
harness and tools. Churning, making prints
for market, cooking, getting the meals.
V sowed 4 bushels of wheat this day.
Thursday 26 Apr 1917
Voltie arose very early this morning milked
the cows (12) fed 9 calves with the rain pouring.
Emma going to Kingston to market with 21
lbs butter, 13 doz eggs. rained so wet Voltie cant
work in field. he drove to dock with Emma
and her market baskets. 35 cents now for
boat fare. Fire in stove low, not much
wood. Rachel went out and gathered
coal from under the cellar window and
V came home from dock with Emma and all her purchases,
gay & happy. 48 eggs to day.
Joe & Sam ate supper here.
Jim Morgan visit her at noon.
Friday 27th April 1917
A cloudy cool morning after the rain of
yesterday. Every thing in disorder around the
rooms this morning. Emma working around
like a heroine. Rachel out gathering coal from
the ground to build a good fire. 38 cts for
butter, 32 for eggs. Voltie again drawing hay this
a.m. Maybe it is to wet to work in full.
Mrs Anne Michea very sick. Another lamb
at the field. Received a letter from John.

94
Saturday 28 April 1917
A sort of a cool cloudy morning. Voltie
thinking about planting potatoes to day. Rachel
fussing around with breakfast dishes.
Sam and Joe here helping Voltie get the
sick cow on her feet. R making more macaroni
stew. I dont think I like it the way she cooks
it. V plowed a little more in the garden.
E & E planted two rows of potatoes. V went
to field to work. I mend stockings and
mittens. Emma in pm fills the flower boxes
with dirt. Edith does barn chores. Joe &
Samy help V get the sick cow on her feet.
Then in evening V rings them to come
and go spearing for fish. They come, gone
till 11.30 pm. Only 5 small fish
to early to go spear fish in the marsh.
After dinner Edith goes over to R’s domicil
to clean out her hen house and make
straw nests. came home and reported a
terrible looking hole on account of rats, mice and
squirrels destroying her groceries garden, seed break on
her dishes and scattered things everywhere and
tore up things in general. They had entire possession.
Sunday 29th April 1917
A beautiful warm day. Sun bright and clear
no wind river like a mirror all day all day
Will N passed up here in skiff to Jacks and back
again didn’t look towards house. Edith and Emma
go to church in pm. Only a few at church. Edith
sang in choir. Samy and Joe ate dinner
here.

95
Monday 30 April 1917
Great appearance of rain last night and
this morning but the day changed as
it advanced towards noon to a sunshiny
warm beautiful working day in field or
in house. Rachel rode over with V to hoe
out her house. Came back with V to dinner
and brought a pail of dandelions which she
picked over and cleaned for supper. Emma
churned, made bread. Worked in garden after
dinner. Lib sent Rachels dress over and Geo Gillespie
gave it to R when he met her on the
road. Voltie working on the field for oats.
Wrote and sent a letter to John and received
one from Belle. Emma plants potatoes after
dinner. Voltie after dark moved R’s hens
home.
Tuesday 1st May 1917
Rained in night cant work in field
to day. Rachel picking up her things to
move home, such a load! She didnt
go. Turns rather chilly and disagreeable this
morning after the beautiful yesterday, rained
in night. V cant work in field. Joe
and Sam in shop. Mrs Michea very sick at Hirams
Oh the gosip [sic] of the neighbors about Rob and
Sinclair taking her immediately to Hirams
every time she has a sick spell when Mabel
has one constant invalid on her hands all time
that is Hiram’s father. Wind East and blowing.
The white horses chasing each other to day surely
This is a sudden change from yesterday. Edith
goes to R’s to feed and water her hens twice. Ed
gathered 15 eggs for R and 15 for us.

96
Wednesday 2nd May 1917
A cold disagreeable day, rains dark and
dreary, but such day’s come, cant work
the field to day. Joe Woodman out to shop.
V skimmed. The yearling bull it died last
night. Emma trimmed the wall paper, worked
and packed the butter for summer. Rachel washing
dishes. Edith looking after R’s hens and
drawing up the sheep and lambs which is
an every day business for her "Little Bo Peep".
Received a letter from Grace, snows this pm,
nasty wether [sic] for May only 14 eggs for us 17
eggs for R.
Thursday 3rd May 1917
Cold morning. West wind. V and E & E
doing chores, Voltie plowing garden for potato planting.
Rachel and Emma washing breakfast dishes,
snow again this morning. Edith out picking
up potatoes from where V is plowing potatoes
that were not dug last fall. picked up more
than half bushel. Miss Langley brought Edith’s
potatoes and aster seeds for her school fair garden.
Edith and Emma planted more potatoes this
pm. cold all day. Emma cut rags for
a rug. Edith goes to Rachel to feed and water
her hens and gather the eggs twice this day.
V leaves the sheep out this night, except the
smallest lambs. I write a long letter to Grace.
Mrs Michea no better. 23 eggs for us
14 for Rachel.

97
Friday 4th May 1917
A very fine day. Wind South. Rachel moved
home this am bag and baggage, dog and all.
Took Edith with her to wait on her and straightened
up. Madeline came for Edy to go to school house
and flower gathering in the woods. went to R’s
for Edy. She came. Emma gave them cake for
their lunch and away they went gay and
happy. V cultivating with 4 horse team this pm.
I send a letter to Grace and receive one
from Grace also in which is inclosed a letter
from Reginald to his mother. Edith came home
from her picnic well pleased, with her hands full
of woodsy wild flowers.
Saturday 5 May 1917
Awoke this morning to find the rain
falling air chilly grass growing green, no
leaves on the trees. Stopped raining. Voltie
went to field to work. Edith over helping Rachel
carried honey and milk. Preacher Henderson
called at Rachels and chopped wood for
Rachel. Voltie sowed 12 bushels of oats
this day. not much grain sowed so far to
this date, 4 bushels wheat, 8 bushels barley, 12 oats.
Emma & I prepared (scraped & cleaned 7
honey supers for sections. Emma baked bread
again at midnight. cold chilly weather
all week, since last Monday evening.
R gave Edith 25 cts for her day work.
Emma cleaned floors.

98
Sunday 6 May 1917
Cloudy morning again. Voltie up
early. couldnt sleep on account of aching pain
in left arm. church service this am
Emma & Edith go church. after
service, Emma and Lizzie Woodman drive
from church to Sam Woodmans to make a
Sunday visit. Edith comes home and after
awhile gets dinner. then the
Preacher, Mr Preacher Henderson comes and stays
to supper and all night and talk talk
Monday 7 May 1917
Preacher Henderson went away about 9,30 am
went up to Jack’s for his dinner stepping off as
spry as a young man tho by appearance he must
be over 80. A board meeting of women at
the church this p.m. at 2 Oclock. Emma went
only 2 there beside herself and the preacher,
Maude Gillespie and Isabelle Joslin. Organizing
Sunday schools & Ladies Aide. V working in field
all day & working to late for comfort about
doing chores. I received a letter from Gracie Cheevers
Voltie, Joe, and Sam went spearing returned
at 1/2 past 12 midnight. Emma talking on
phone to Edith Bates. Howard here to dinner. R sent
over a mess of dandelion greens. E cleaning and papering
up stairs
Tuesday 8 May 1917.
Another beautiful day like last week ago yesterday
River quiet warm so beautifully bright and warm
like July which we had for dinner and supper.
Rachel came over with Voltie and cleaned the
fish after eating her dinner she brought on
a cans of pears which we had to dinner.
Emma papering hall in chamber

99
Wednesday 9 May 1917
Another fine day. Voltie working in
the field over on Rachels sowing oats.
She came over to dinner. Not very well.
Emma cleaning parlor. The veranda is
filled up with chairs and a thousand other
trash which has been unloaded from the
parlor. Another calf. A wee heifer calf.
V says she gives about a teacup full of milk.
R sent over some fish that Howard
had brought her, a small pike all cleaned
& salted ready for frying. Voltie got a
lame back but works all the time.
Thursday 10 May 1917
Another fine day. The sun shining through a
hazy atomosphere. Voltie gone to the field
over by R’s to sow oats. He got rheumatism
in hips. Emma cleaning parlor. House
looks little old Dickens. When She get
all cleaned polished varnished and
completed every part of his house will look
fine. R came over with V and staid all
night. Got a pain in side heard
that Mrs Bary has a stroke. Mrs Michea
no better. Hiram Joslin fell from wagon and
wheel ran over his ankle.
Friday 11 May 1917
A very disagreabelle [sic] day for weather in am.
Rahel went home with V when he went
over there to work in pm, came back at
pm 5 Oclock. Emma cleaned V’s bed
room and every thing in Vs room
looks fine.

100
Saturday 12 May 1917
A very cool morning but clear sun
trying to warm up. Wind west and not
blowing much. E work and packed the
butter then fixed the churn. Every one
takes a hand at the churn. R washes
dishes. V gone to the field to work leaving
R here. She washed breakfast dishes and milk
pails. Edith washed separator and it is
to be put away for the summer. Emma dug
dandelions for dinner. R goes home after
dinner on wagon. V finishes up over there,
used the separator again. V got rheumatism
yet. Emma worked all day like a heroine.
Edith drove home the cows.
Sunday 13 May 1917
A very cool morning and somewhat cloudy.
The clouds clear away and the day proves
fine. Emma and Edith go to church after
dinner. Lib and Van come over. Lib goes directly
to Rachels. Delavan stops here. When E & E return
from church, they are accompanied by Lizzy Woodman
Woodman and Miss Langley therefore we had
music all pm till supper time. Lib came over
from Rachels. Rachel came also. Emma was so
late about the tea, that Van and Lib wouldn’t
stay. Will Niles and Tom Maloney came too
and staid awhile. After supper more music.
Then Emma goes out to help Voltie milk.
and then after dark all go part way home with
Lizzie as far as Rachels to carry her some milk.
After they return Miss Langley goes home
alone. Lib came over to Rs for hens but
went home without them. V troubled a bad
as ever with rheumatism

101
Monday 14 May 1917
A bright cool morning. Voltie badly
afflicted with rheumatism but works all the
time. Voltie goes to the factory with the milk for
the first time this spring. V hitched up 4
horse team and proceeded to cultivate. Old
Ben horse stumbled and fell down in dead
furrow. Joe and Sam helped him get the
old "Cutter" up and ate dinner here. Rs
Rachel came over pm bringing the peas
for V to sow. The peas she brought of Geo Gillespie.
Jen wrote R a letter which R
brought over. She wrote that Willie might
be drafted. The very thought of such a thing
is awful. This day George Ranous brought to me
the postage stamps; 51 cts in stamps!
Voltie, Joe and Samy gone spearing this
evening. return at midnight with
Ells [eels], suckers, and rock bass. Dr Campbell
came down to day to attend Mrs Michea.
Tuesday 15 May 1917
Froze quite hard last night. Joe helping
Voltie in the field. Ells [eels] for dinner. I
put beef cooking. R came over and
staid all night. V and Joe & Samy
went spearing again didn’t get much
Emma sowed flower seeds. I sowed
Red peas, tomato seeds and a few
other seeds mostly old seeds.

102
Wednesday 16 May 1917
Ought to have churned yesterday, instead
churned this pm towards night which
make it to late to send to market tomorrow.
Rachel walked home towards evening. V planted
potatoes.
Thursday 17
Arose at 4 Oclock am. Em going to Kingston
with 17 doz eggs & 24 sections honey.
V drove to dock stopped for Rachel she going
too. V finnised [sic] grain sewing over there.
Edith & I do house work. Edith made two
pies and a cake. She done very to day.
V drove for them at boat time. R came right
along and staid all night bringing all
her groceries.
1917 My 18 Friday
A cool cloudy day.
Rachel after breakfast went home. Emma
driving over there with milk cart carrying her
purchases that she bought in Kingston
yesterday. V planting potatoes all am.
Some one of this family stole one of Rachel
bannas, so she say. Poor Edie she may
have done it but she says she didn’t but R
insists that she did. Oh what a fuss about a
small thing like the missing of a banna.

103
Saturday 19 May 1917
A very fine day. Wind South. Voltie doctoring old Ben
again. Joe & Samy and Ed Maloney helped Voltie
get Ben on his feet and he appears much better
but after dinner when Voltie went to turn old B
out he stubbed his old foot and fell down again.
Joe, Samy and Ed here to dinner. Emma papered
up stairs. Last night Voltie and Edith
went spearing. Caught 5 ells, one sucker
and a rock bass. Joe, Samy and Edd after
dinner went to Jack N’s to help move his
store, came back and helped V draw hay
from the barn on the Smith place then
helped V get old B on his feet again.
I washed dishes and helped around all I could.
Sunday 10 May 1917
A very fine day but cool. E and E go to church,
came home and after dinner go to Mrs John Niles
for a while. Mrs Niles gave them two pike. Shelly
and her 5 children there. Came back. Then
Miss Langley came after supper. E & E & Miss Langley
went down to Louise’s and staid till after dark.
E & E went nearly home with her. Dont know what
Voltie done but he was out nearly all day.
Monday 21 May 1917
V plowed with Duke and Kit for corn ground.
Emma papering the hall up stairs. The rooms
downstairs Kitchen and dining room in great
disorder but after awhile it will be all straightened
out. Received letter from John

104
Tuesday 22nd May 1917
rains some. Jo here and helped Voltie
clean 4 bushels of wheat the last of the wheat
V going to carry it to mill Thursday. Joe here
to dinner. Cant work in field nor garden.
Voltie works in shop after going to factory
Wednesday 23rd May 1917
A rainy morning cant
work in field nor garden this day. V works
in shop.
Thursday 24 May 1917
Voltie arose early at 4 am. He is going to Kingston.
The weather is cold and the rain is falling the
wind is blowing from the South West. Voltie and
Emma milked 13 cows. Voltie went for Joe to
drive to Dock and factory for the weather is to rough
for Emma to drive to the factory and dock this morning.
Joe here to breakfast after coming from the dock.
E & E doing all the other chores watering 4 horses,
pigs to be fed and lambs to be fed. Joe sawed
wood and the girls brought it in. Grain cant
grow this weather. Emma talking to Edith Bates
by telephone. Joe said his grandmother Mrs Michea
is no better. Emma drove to dock for Voltie.
He came cold and hungry. Then after supper
they done the chores, milked the cows etc.

105
Friday 25 May 1917
The sun is out bright this morning but
very cool. After breakfast and chores done
V drove to dock for his ensilage seed corn.
Emma packed the butter then went to work
cleaning the cellar to get ready to carry all
the butter down cellar, after washing all
the breakfast dishes, taking Edith with her
to help. I called Edith many times to
carry the mail to the mail box before it
was to late. She came up mad as usual.
I had an awful row with her to get her
started to the mail box. Then at last Emma
was obliged to come from the cellar to force
her to go with Volties mail. I sent a
letter also to Grace. I realy dont know what
to do with Edith. She is a terrible problem.
She grows worse instead of better with her
loud voice and nasty saucy tongue; but
I am sorry for her all the same. but what
to do, I dont know, she does torment me so.
I cant nor dont want to send her back. What
would become of her with her bad tongue
and and bad disposition. Oh poor Edith!
but i’ll try and endure it while I live.
But it is not very good medicine for my head.
My head aches and throbs like a trip hammer.
Voltie is plowing in the field; twelve
Oclock and no dinner. After dinner
the domestic atmosphere clearing
somewhat. E & E set onions multipliers.
I receive a letter from Grace in which is
enclosed 2 of her letters from Reginald. Towards
night Voltie goes to lower barn for hay.
The afternoon cheerless cold. V went over
and chopped wood for Rachel.

106
Saturday 26th May 1917
a very cool morning and cloudy. Nearly
June and the weather is bad for making garden.
Edith went to Rachels carrying her milk and
my cosmopolitan. Howard here for Golden Bantom
seed corn for his uncle Jack and helped Emma
saw wood. Emma carrying the butter down cellar.
V plowing for corn. Emma cleaning wood
work in kitchen. Edith helping her. Irene
washes a double portion of dishes, last night supper
dishes and breakfast dishes also dinner dishes
46 knives, forks, spoons, plates, platters, cups, saucers,
pans, pots, kettles, pitcher, frying pans, baking pans,
sauce dishes, porrige dishes. Emma & Edith lugged
a bag of flour up stairs, but the routine of usual
Saturday work completely knocked out.
Things look pretty rough around here.
Sheridan came over and went with Voltie,
Joe, Sam, spearing for fish, speared 16 eels
and other kinds of fish. This is Seridan’s first
lesson in spearing.
Sunday 27th May 1917
Sun bright, but weather very cool; wind blowing
from N.W. quite briskly. Cows have got out and
gone over on Niles; V gone for them. E & E
feeding calves. Emma soon cleaned things up
and now the dining room looks quite respectable
for Sunday. Edith cleans herself up and goes visiting
to Jim Morgans, stays till near sunset.
Excepting Laura Babcock no one here to day.
Joe Woodman in the house a few minutes;
didn’t sit down. Edith came home with her
head & heart completely filled with her visit. Jimmy
had taken them all to Howe Island in motor tour
he went to take Alden and young Duseol back to
home. Alden working on Howe Island.

107
1043 Telephone No
Monady 29th May 1917
The same kind of cool cloudy weather.
V fixing fence to keep our unruly cows
at home in pasture. R’s two rampageons
beasts are the leaders, but they are spoiling the
other cows fast enough. They break the fence down
first go up the road past the church. Then sometimes
Joe dogs them back then they go down the
road. Rachel dogs them back then they
go around the water fence on Niles meadow
and V has to go for them. I send two
Magazines to Eveline and a letter to Miriam
Then towards Night Rachel come over and stays
all night. V this morning drew two cans
of water from the river. We all know ever detail
and item of Edith’s Morgan visit. What they all
said and to the smallest fraction from James himself
and Mrs James to the wee baby; some of the details as quite
interesting and some to insignificant to mention.
Tuesday 30th May 1917
Another cool cloudy day . Emma trying to
wash and such a washing. So many clothes
have accumulated in a short time. V drawing
hay from the lower barn and fixing fence. Old
Ben horse feeding in front yard and has either
fell down, or laid lain down. Tis three Oclock pm
and the calves not fed to day, but talk talk stand
around. Mrs Jack Niles has a birth day party.
Emma attends the party and gives her one of her beautiful
vegetable dishes.
Wednesday 30 May 1917
A nice war. Emma washing again to day
lines strung full of clothes. V built fence in a.m.
cultivated corn ground p.m. Edith running after
cows. I write and send letter to Grace and
Barkee. Edith sowed asters. V phoned. R’s garden.
V gave Samy .50 cts for going to Rislerr with V
to drive bull.

108
Thursday 31st May 1917
A very fine morning. V rose early
hustling around getting ready to go to
dock for the potatoes he bought last
Thursday by the Wolfe Island. He bought one
bag for which he paid 6 dollars
big bag of potatoes. Tis an awful price to
pay for a bag of potatoes. Voltie got rheumatism
in left arm pains terribly. Cultivated for
corn, not much washing done to day nor
any thing else. Some out door choring old
Ben down again by the consession.
Had to move the old staging to get old Ben
up. Samy helped V get him on his feet again.
Looks like rain. Emma brought in the
clothes from the line.
Friday 1st June
Rained last night a little. Dark and cloudy
this morning. V gone to factory. Emma clearing
husks from onion sets, while V is gone to factory
before breakfast. Poor dear Emma is Horse De combat.
Emma painted painted kitchen floor finished painting
up stairs washed, brought water from
river. Voltie finished corn ground
cultivating and now has it all prepared
for planting monday. V going to Kingston
tomorrow to see about concrete mixer.
Emma baked bread. Edith carried milk to
Rachel. Rec’d a letter from Grace but did
not get the garden seeds yet from Buckbees,
sent for them 2nd of May and this is 2nd June
and have his card of acknowlegement that he
received my order all right.

109
Saturday 2nd June
V up at 4 October going to Kingston
to day. Joe going to drive to factory
with Volties milk. V phoned to John OBrien
asking him if he was going to Kingston to
this morning in motor, said yes & Voltie
can go with him. After breakfast Voltie walked
across the island to Johny OBriens. Oh the
rooms a horror to look at; the dining room,
pantry, my bedroom, front veranda, and wee
sitting room. Emma washing and hanging
out more clothes this morning.
Sunday 3rd June 1917
A very fine day no church service. Emma &
Miss Langley met at church and went from
there to Abyina McDonalds visiting where
they staid all day. Eddie brought them back
after dark. Emma says they had a most enjoyable
time went to woods to gather flowers and away
up the island. Eddie took them for drive out
We had visitors also. Madaline & Myrabelle Morgan
here all p.m. Sent them home very
happy at sundown with a basket of several little
articles honey, pie plant, old magazines, sun
flower plants &c Voltie doing all chores alone
milked 13 cows.
Monday 4 May 1917
A very fine day. V shearing sheep. Samy and Joe here
digging trench for the new barn. Received the seeds
from Buckbee. Rachel came over staid all night.
Harold Dignum here in evening. He planting for
R and she received a letter from Johndrow saying Ethel very
sick with pneumonia. Sam and Joe here to dinner,
diging trench for barn. Sent G a letter

110
Tuesday 5 May 1917
Another cloudy chilly day. Samy & Joe here
dig drench, dinner here to. Maurice Maloney
here too. ate supper. V finished shearing sheep
25 all together beside 33 lambs. R walked home
after dinner.
Wednesday 6th May 1917
A very fine day. Trees beautifully green with
leaves and bloom. I think this is the very
tug of life. Emma cleaning my bed room and
four men here to cook for and intending to go
to Kingston tomorrow and going to have a
bee to draw stone Friday. Received a letter from
June King saying Ethel very sick. Emma
received a letter from Reginald. Received every
womans World Farmers Magazine for Joe and Samy
here to dinner also Maurice. Samy got cramps.
V gave him phosphates. Joe & Maurice here to supper.
Samy went home. Emma done big days work papering
my bed room, baked bread and an apple
pie for tomorrow dinner.
Thursday 7 May 1917
Arose early. V. & Emma gone to town. Emma
carrying eggs. V carrying wool. Weather warm every
thing growing; apple trees full in bloom or nearly so,
river still not a ripple. Cloudy misty. One flash of
lightning only came to brighten my bed room. I didnt
sleep well. Awake all night and now I’m so
sleepy, I can scarcely hold open my eyes. Maurice helps
milk and drives to dock and factory, then chops some
wood. Edith got dinner and supper. Maurice, Joe
and Samy here to their meeals. Maurice drove to dock
for V &E. R came over and (washed) rode back with Maurice.
A hot day. A beaufiful day.

111
Friday 8th Juen 1917
A very hot day. Emma yesterday
bought a lot of stuff muslin for curtains
etc. groceries.
Saturday 9th June 1917
Work goes on as usual. Maurice goes
over to Hallidays after Sat work we
done. He invited Emma to go along
too. Emma dont go.
Sunday 10 June 1917
A rainy Sunday. Rain pouring down all day.
No one here. Volties clothes wet in evening
and after dark. Voltie goes with lantern in hand
to see how Rachel. Finds her abed, and the
floor covered with lime plaster and water.
Couldnt chop any wood for her it is so
late and raining hard.

112
Monday 11 June 1917
V received a phone message from Clayton
that Ethel Johndron died last night. poor dear
so young and so hard worked, ambitious to have
every thing in order and now she is gone
and left all her work and three little children. V went
and told R. She came over Voltie in
wagon staid all night.
Tuesday 12 June 1917
A very hot day. V got a stone bee
a lot of teams here. John Murray, Tom & Willie Dignum,
Rube, Jack, Niles, Joe & Samy Woodman,
Jim Kehoe, Charley Gillespie, Dick Kesler, Maurice Maloney,
Will Niles, Clifford Henderson, Rodney Pike,
Eddie McDonald, R came over and
staid all night again.
Wednesday 13 June 1917
A clear bright hot day. Voltie gone across
this morning to Ethels funeral. Dont like to write
this so sad and sorrowful. Maurice drawing
stone. R gone home this morning
bax dog this and all. She is sick, heart complaint or
some think. R came over didnt’ stay
all night; to many here Joe, Samy, Maurice,
Miss Langley. Maurice drew stone all day

113
Thursday 14
No one went to town from here to
day. In pm V & Maurice planted in garden
Friday 15
Will Gillespie came up this morning to
frame the barn so now there are two
men here beside V to cook for. Maurice &
Will Gillespie.
Saturday 16
Wm Gillespie here again to day. Same work
going on as yesterday. After supper Maurice
dresses up very fine & shares powders, brushes
and shines his boots, and goes over to Hallidays
courting, Edith Bates. Samy and Miss Langley
go to Kingston. I guess they are courting too.
Louise’s girl here. Laura Babcock. Emma papers the dining room
Sunday 17 June 1917
Sunday a very fine day. I write and send
a letter to Belle. No one here except Madaline
and Myrabelle pm when Emma, Edith,
Madaline, Myrabelle go down to Annie Kehoes
to see the baby; they return to supper
then go home. Emma. V found the old
sick cow dead so he had to draw her out
and bury her. Another new milker and the last
for this year. The holstein a big bull calf
wich [sic] V is raising from a fine cow.

114
Monday 18 June 1917
I sent a letter to Belle by the Rev Mr Henderson
who came very unexpectedly and
staid to dinner. Also a Mrs Andre and a
boy came from Kingston to run the concrete
work for the barn. Maurice returned from
courting very early this morning. R came
over, this pm; walked over and walked out to the
kitchen and ate dinner with the men then rode
home with William Gillespie. V and the men moved the
small cook stove to the front veranda for the summer.
Tuesday 19th June 1917
This is a very fine day. Gillespie came early. Emma
done big days work finished house cleaning. Edith
too done a lot of work, got wood, brought water
and a lot of other chores. Emma goes land motoring
with Jack and AnnieJaneJohn and Lois
Wednesday 20 June 1917
Gillespie here early to work. Emma sends two
letters, one to Reginald, one to Stella Niles. Weather
somewhat showery. The pet lambs, the nuisances
half grown sheep now are eating every thing to destroy.
I see one of them eating & trimming off every leaf
from the rose bush that I’ve watched so long to see
it bloom. After supper Maurice goes over to Hallidays
again, courting again I suppose. He goes while Dora
is in hospital. I receive a letter from Grace but I send
none. rains some. V had to fix the engine to mixer.
R came over.

115
Thursday 21st June 1917
A bright cool day. 8 men here to get dinner
for, Wm Gillespie, 2 men from Kingston, Maurice Maloney,
Stewart Murphy, Hiram Joslin, Joe & Samy.
Voltie gone to Kingston to see Cunningham and
and buy eatables for these men. Not much done
except cook and eat these days. Emma finished
her crochet underwaist just fine. Joe drove to dock
for V and he comes with provisions enough to
last awhile. It was Sheridan drove for Voltie, not Joe.
E, E and Langley went to Flynn’s in punt. The two
Kingston men went across the river in V’s
punt and out to St Lawrence for me
Friday 22 June 1917
A very fine day. V arose early and called
Maurice from bed to row across home for Ed and Sherd
came back in time for breakfast. Ed brought them
over in motor and went home again. Sheridan
remained to help V. 8 men including Voltie to
cook for to day. In the evening Sheridan, Maurice,
and Joe go to Flynns to visit and play cards. The
old pig had 4 piggies a disapointment. We expected
12 or more but 4 is better than none. Concrete
work goes slow.
Saturday 23 June 1917
A fine day, Just a beautiful breeze from South.
Eight men to cook for to day; work moves slow
cant get men enough. Emma working like a
heroine. meals on time. everything all right.
V paid off Mr Andre and his boy $30 dollars for their
week work. They all go home. V let Maurice
have 5 sections honey at 16 cts per section. I send
M and Gillespie books, 9 of them by her dad.
Sheridan wouldnt take any pay for his work.
V & Samy went over to corners in the skiff for shirts & overalls,
returned at midnight

116
Sunday 24th June 1917
Wind West, quite breezy but a very fine
day, trrees in full leaf now and beautiful beyond
description. Emma and Eva Langley went with
Samy to visit Dora Halliday and family. Voltie
says that he borrowed Samy to drive with the girls
to Dora’s. So Sam not only lent himself
but his horse and buggy, and very glad of the
opportunity. We did not rise very early this morn.
Miss Langley staid here all night. V brought
in two nearly rippened strawberries this morning.
Oh I wish Grace or Belle were here or better
still, both of them. I dont see them more than
once a year and my dear boy Wellie never; no
more not since that winter after his father
died. Any my Johny. I wish John would
come home a live with us altogether. He needs
a home, and he has got it if he would only accept.
He and Voltie need each other. Voltie too
stays out nearly all day to day. Emma came home
between 9 & 10 pm Had Doctor for Dora,
Dr Bogart from Kingston. E & Langley and E Bates
& Maurice Maloney went to Kinston when they
carried the Doctor home to Kingston. Our Sunday
visitors were Miss Olive Jones and Wm Niles here to
supper. V milked the cows alone except three
which Edith milked. Edith got a good supper
and washed the dishes. All abed when Emma came.
Monday 25 June 1917
Looks like rain this morning and does rain.
Well the rain is needed but I’d like to the barn
going up, the work going on. Edith went to Rachels
with milk says Rachel is better. Wind blowing
a gale. I always think of Reggie when the wind
blows our dear Reginald away from us all, so
far far away on the lakes and only 16 years old.
I dont know what our men folks will or can do to day.
Voltie, William and Maurice. Maurice came from Hallidays.

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early this morning in time for his breakfast
Tuesday 26 June 1917
Draw gravel from Smith place nearly all day.
Voltie says enough now. Only Maurice &
Will here to dinner. Cloudy and Cool & Windy
all day rains little. Rachel came over along towards
Sunset, came just while we were done eating
supper. no appetite cant eat. drank lemon
ade. Edith and Emma went to Jaks N.
Rachel waited till they returned for Edith to
go home with her. She went, and staid all night
come home after breakfast was over but ate
before the dishes were picked up.
1917 June 27 Wednesday
This is Wednesday all right a picknic in
the same old place at Bob Smith’s grove.
Edith went with Jack Niles in car automobile.
We are half expecting Mrs Will Ranous to
dinner. A fine day, breezy from South, warm
bright sunlight just an ideal day for a picknic.
Jack is coming after dinner with his motor car
for Emma to go to picnic to.
I wish one of my daughters were here or both.
Oh I dont know why I should wish for them
so much. I guess because they are mine and I’m
like all mothers longing, hoping, wishing for her
children because I’m alone so much and live so
far from them and go no where. Oh I wish
Wellie would come home, been so long since I’ve
seen Wellie. And my Poor Johny I dont know
how he happened to be as he is. He was good
and wrote to me this Spring twice or three
times and now he is gone. I dont know
where.

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The girls came home early in time
to get supper for they could find nothing
there to eat. Ate it all up for dinner.
Well after supper and dishes washed, Miss Langley,
Louis’s nurse Olive Jones, Miss Spence, Ed Maloney
and a Palmer fellow from over the way, Joe and
Samy, Will Niles and two Maloneys Ed & Sheridan.
V played mouth organ for them to dance, went home
at midnight "The witching hour of night, when
ghosts troop home to church yards"
[hearts scribbled in a line]
Thursday 28 June 1917
Another fine day breezy, Hope there may be no
drought for every thing is growing so finely now.
Voltie, Wm N, Maurice and Will Gillespie are working at the
barn.
[various additions scribbling]
Friday 29 June 1917
A day of rain and
wind commenced raining sometime in night and
continued nearly all day. A dance at Arthur Hendersons.
Joes takes Emma. Maurice goes over
to Hallidays for Edith Bates. Samy takes Miss Langley.
Voltie milks nearly all the cows
alone this p.m.

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Saturday 30 June 1917
A very fine day only a shower now
and then. Emma came home at day light,
weary sleepy and a sore throat sleeps
awhile. Voltie got a cold too. Will Gillespie
and Maurice here and that is all. W Dixon
came over and you may believe we
were glad to see them. Will says Lena & Louise
are coming Monday. Emma cleaned floors etc,
cooked meals etc
Sunday 2nd 1917
A fine day. Louise hired girl here
nearly all day; a big fat coarse girl, bold and
forward not at all bashful nor shy. Emma
goes out driving with the cheesemaker
Mr Clarence Ogle when they return V puts
Ogle’s horde in stable and Mr Ogle stays
to supper. They all adjourn to the music
room and play piano and phonograph till
I’m sick of it all. The Babcock stays till long after dark then
Ogle drives down to Louise with her.
Monday 3rd July 1917
A beautiful day, breezy wind South
Will D and Will N and WillG, Dick Keslar,
A Brown and A. Goslin fellows working
here at Barn. Mrs Will Ranous drove in here
to dinner. she brought a letter from Belle, three
Cosmopolitans from Beny Watson, two letters from
K for V and some Poultry Books from
Experimental farm Ottawa. A picknic up the
Island on Brophy’s point and the Maloneys
attended the picnic. Miss Maude Gillespie
sent me this day by her father 4 books. I
will look for books for her - from my wee collection.

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Tuesday 4th July 1917 [Wednesday]
A fine breezy day, wind South I guess.
Voltie not going to get much help to day.
Only Maurice, Will Niles and Wm Gillespie.
Will staid all night R. He is here now.
10 am chopping wood for Emma to get dinner.
V is anxious to get the barn done but
in order to get the concrete work done, V will
have to get help by conscription, as tis trying to
be done to finish the war or V’s barn and
the war will linger along till another year.
I think there are different kinds of "Shirkers".
Not only shirkers but disobliging and selfish.
The neighbors have been good to V by
coming to his bee two of them. Last winter
they turned out and drew lumber from Kingston
and then to the stone bee. Yes they were good
and neighborly
Wednesday 5th July 1917
A hot day. Maurice leaves early after dressing all
fine, shaving and goes over to Dora’s to take Edith Bates
to the 4th of July dance at St Lawrence corners
in Dora’s motor boat. Will Niles takes Jones; the
other half dozen Emma, Langley, Moore have
no particular escort but agreed to all go in Company
in two motors. Emma, Miss Langley and Miss Moore, Miss Jones,
Joe, Samy, Will N, Sheridan and Tom Maloney. All
returned at day light; had a great enjoyable time.
Over two hundred guest attended the ball. Broke
or bursted a tire coming home. Maurice took
Edith back around the foot to Hallidays again. Voltie
expected Maurice back very early but he didnt come
at all staid over there courting. V paid the
men all off and dismissed them till after harvest
for the concrete work is done. A strawberry festival
above the Villiage. Emma went with Jacks family in auto
which makes two nights off for Emma

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Thursday 6th July 1917
forgot to say I
phoned to Henderson for groceries yesterday
morning which Henderson sent down
on the boat and Jack Niles brought them
over. A very warm day. Edith Bates
drove in here visiting came about 10 am.
Staid till Sunset had a fine visit. Edith Leman
done a lot of unnecessary te heing
and loud cackling. Will went fishing & caught
nothing. Bees swarming. V got stung on arm
Will helped about the bees and putting on supers.
Friday 6th July 1917
Part of the above should have been written to day
where it begins. A very warm day and to
finish the above, I’ll just say the girls had
a royal time visiting. R came over as usual.
Joe and Samy came down too. They played piano,
Will the violin, girls sang, and all going
merrily but R says Will must and shall
go home with her and he went; but didn’t want too.
Voltie ever since supper has been gone to
Dignums for lumber, came back about ten pm.
Harold Dignum sent me a lot of pictorial magazines.
Saturday 8th July 1917
Another hot day 80 in shade. V drawing
lumber from dock. Will fixing R’s windows
and doing several other odd jobs for her choping
wood &c. Evening visitors were Miss Langley
Miss Moore, Laura Babcock played and sang
as usual. Miss M & L came to say good bye.
Tomorrow they return to their far away homes.
L in Hanover, M above toronto somewhere. Will
and Edith went home with L.
Will staid here all night.

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Sunday 8 July 1917
A fine morning; still, no wind but
soon breezes up. A picknic over in State
park. Samy and Joe go to the picnic. Will takes
the oppertunity [sic] to go across with them in Volties
skiff. Edith goes to church to hear the new
preacher his first sermon in this church.
Howard came up but didnt go to church
but staid here to supper and Rachel also
the Cheesemaker & John & Sadie Murray here
in evening. had greens and strawberries
for dinner.
Monday 10 July 1917
A cool cloudy morning - looks like rain. Voltie arose
very early. Emma helped milk. Voltie drove to factory
not back yet. Every thing growing beautifully
yet rain is badly needed, weeds are growing
finely. Edith went over to Rachels to
wash to pay for a pair of stockings when
she got there she found R had neither
kerosine nor wood. I tried for her
not to go. Edith wont mind me at all.
I can neither coax nor hire her to do
any thing for me nor any one else without
"the spirit moves". Voltie working in shop
this rainy day. He picked 4 boxes of berries
before it began raining. Emma picked them
over. I dont know when they will be canned
if ever. rain rain rain. We received a letter
from Grace also one from Maud mighty glad
to get them. She didnt say anything about
John this time nor Lawe.

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Tuesday 11 July 1917
Rain Rain Rain the gentle loving rain.
Emma pitched into the washing. Voltie pitched
into the shoeing horse business. Edith pitched into
I dont know what it was forgoten [sic]. I helped
wash dishes, cleaned up table and cabinet, wrote in
diary, crocheted.
Wednesday 12 July 1917
Rain Rain Rain all day. Voltie picked
a few more baskets of berries for canning and
butchered one porker in pm. Joe helped Voltie
butcher the pig and ate dinner here. Jim Kehoe
sick. Emma washed again to day. Lines full
and more to hang out. Voltie drove to dock with
pork going to Town tomorrow to pay Anglin. Voltie
stopped at R’s to get her to come over. She didn’t come.
Thursday 13 July 1917
Weather Still continues rainy; no break
in the rain clouds. Voltie gone to Kingston
had to hustle as usual. Emma drove to
the docks and then around by the factory.
This is the 4th day of the rain. Joe doing Kehoe
chores milks 12 cows then drives to factory then
milks his own cows then away to factory
again. Jim Kehoe sick. got inflamation
of intestine. Samy going to Kingston 9 a.m.
has returned after driving around by factory. Weather
clearing sun shining. The clothes drying on line.

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look very clear and white after such a
rain soaking. Sent by Voltie a letter to
Grace and one to Maude which he will mail
in Kingston. Emma sent a letter to Sylvia
and one to Reginald. Voltie carried the pork
to Kingston. 20 cts per lb came to over $30 dollars.
Emma drove to dock for Voltie. Voltie brought me a
pair of stockings and 4 spools of white silkateen.
We had bananas for supper.
Friday 14 July 1917
A very fine day. sprinkles of rain, not much
but clouds again towards evening. Voltie cultivates
corn. E & E pull weeds in garden. Edith wheels
them away in wheelbarrow, 12 boxes of berries
which we prepare for canning. V hives 4 swarms
of bees. The meadows and pasture are covered
with millions of clover blossom sesike and comon
white clover. Aunt R came over to breakfast
she’s no wood nor coal nor oil, wouldnt
stay to dinner, gave her berries and bananas. Emma
received letter from Reginald and snap shots. V went
up the farrow row root potatoes
Saturday 15 July 1917
A warm day. Wind South light breeze, light
fluffy clouds at noon. Sunshineing clear at
4 pm. Bees out again a great swarming
time. V tried to cultivate canned strawberries
but so many things do hinder. Voltie hardly
what to do first. Emma weeded the scarlet runners
and string them up to the chamber window,
cleaned my bed room and pantry and
kitchen, swept and made beds. V & Samy & Joe went to corners at
sunset came back at 1 am, bought shoes and pants for self, some candy and kerosine 6
galons for me and 6 for R.
Sunday 16th July 1917
A very fine morning. V going over to State Park
for Will. Will going to help Voltie about the
haying. R came over ate breakfast and went
home again carrying berries, milk and kerosine.

125
Have to fight hogs and hens to keep them out of
potatoes and strawberries. After R goes home we are
alone for a few hours. I out in veranda reading or writing
when I hear the busy clatter of foot steps and the greeting
of merry young voices out they come to greet me. Myrabelle
and Madaline Morgan looking so elegantly neat and
fresh and pretty and smiling presenting me with
a boquet of different assortment of flowers.
Next came Mr Ogle taking Emma for a drive.
Waited long - it seemed long for Voltie’s return
from State Park and was much surprised &
pleased and disapointed at same time.
Surprised and pleased to see Bert, Maud &
Hubert who came across river with V, but so
very disapointed at the non apearance of Will
who did not come as agreed. tho he was there,
together with Lena, Willie, Lottie, Louise, Charlie and
Ada. Some of the Hart relatives also Charlies
young kid Jerald. They brought a sumptius [sic] lay
out for dinner. Well we all had supper after they
came including Mr Ogle. Then came Wm Niles
and his sweetheart Miss Jones. At ten pm
they all went home except Bert, Maud and Hubert
who staid all night and Voltie has to row them
across in morning. Poor dear Voltie alone with
no one to help him while John is wasting his
life in Watertown. Will couldnt come he has to
work at home doing their own hay. Of course "charity
begins at home"
Monday 17 July 1917
A fine day. Wind South. Voltie rowed B, M & H
across this morning. R came over for her margarine and
to see Will, but no Will was to be seen. Took her
Oleomargarine and went home. V started in to
mow with mowing machine this pm
done a good job. Emma not very well got

126
ache on account of a cold, received
a letter from Margaret for her ma is busy
sewing and couldnt get time to write a letter.
Tuesday 17 July 1917
A beautiful morning dew tis sparkling on
grass and every thing. Voltie mowing hay but
tis a very warm day. Emma made Lemonade
and raked in hay field in pm. Edith
picked some more strawberries says they are
nearly done for this season, not a breath of
air stirring on the river. It is cloudy at 5 pm
and looks like rain. E still setting supper; baking
cake. The atmosphere still hot close and uncomfortable.
E swept veranda and washed dinner dishes.
Edith McDonald & Samy here in evening.
Emma sits up again to bake bread. Voltie
cacked hay till dark
Wednesday 18 July 1917
Another hot day, light breeze from South,
atmosphere hazy. I try to work around at dishes &
straightening things but cant for my feet are so
lame and hurts me so to get around. Oh how
every one that can walk all right, should be so glad
and happy and make the most of their own time.
O save it! save it! Save time every minute. I
suppose the hens, this very minute are rosting
scratching the potatoes out the grains. I think if I
were in Volties place, I’d give up keeping hens till
could have a good hen proof fence around the
garden. The time that is wasted chasing hens &
hogs, if employed for hire (wages) would
buy and build enough hen wire to fence a doz acres.

127
The old saw is now rooting out the potatoes
while E and E and talking over the wire
to Edith Bates. Oh my mind is alive just
on fire about hog rooting, hen scratching
dishes not washed, old kitchen table and
dining table loaded down with dishes,
plates, cups, saucers, rusty knives, forks,
pails, pans, Stew dishes, pots, frying pans,
jars, spider, kettle, glass ware, porige [sic] dishes.
Oh who can ennumerate the different articles all
soiled and dirty that just one a.m. work would
make beautiful; a pan of preserved
strawberries standing on the stove to be
put in can since yesterday, but there they stand, while
Edith has to chase hens and hogs. There
is one redeeming quality. The shelves in
pantry are clean all right but that
1 grease jar that set on pantry floor
where the fried ham was packed stands
all open and the dog and cats have helped
themselves freely. O. O. O. what is the matter
with me that I cant get up and fight the
disorderly house keeping. I dont know what
we are going to have for dinner. We have
got bread, butter, pork, peas, beans, rice, sugar,
milk, cream, eggs, tea, corn starch, flour,
corn meal, rolled oats, rhubarb, strawberries,
plenty of dried apples, lard, dried pumkin too, shortening, honey, soda
biscuits, raisins, different assortment of
spices, soda, cream tartar, baking power,
onions, lettuce, radishes, and a whole
gardent full of greens that a few would be
nice for dinner. Of all the plentiful supply
of rhubarb we have only one can. The salt
is kept down cellar till it nearly dissolves with
dampness. I’m old and lame. A cripple and the
advantage that is taken on account of my
infirmity to let every got at lose ends.

128
The clock has just struck the hour of 11 am
no dinner started nor dishes washed. Emma
has washed the milk cans. The wood work
in kitchen and pantry is beautifuly
clean. I am sad because I cant help.
Emma cant do it all work in door and
out. Edith is all right only so slow and
saucy. Oh why! Edith poled the quail heads.
If I was a millionaire I’d give a thousand
dollars a week to have my feet attended to
once a week. I have written a letter to
Margaret this a.m. didn’t mail it. I dont
do all I ought to but my fingers do get so prickly
and numb.
Thursday 19 July 1917
Another hot day in July. Voltie mowing in
field after driving to dock with Rachel and
her eggs & drove around that way to factory.
Emma raked hay with horse rake. Constance
here looking at cattle and sheep. V asks a
hundred dollars for the holstein, 12 dollars per
sheep, 8 dollars for lambs. Trying to can five
plant but is awful hard work. hard work to
pull the stocks, hard work to prepare them for the cans
but why tis hard work I dont know; tis something
I have yet to learn. V drove to dock for R she
bought V a new shirt. Send over some bananas
ones apiece.

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Friday 20 July 1917
Another hot day. V mowing. Emma
raking. Edith went to goose point for
wood. Went with wheel barrow. Work in house
moves slow. tried cooking beans and peas
both hard like shot, and tasteless only salt
predominates. no pies, no cakes, no cookies,
no kind of sauce. Best thing on the table
and only thing realy palatable, was some
lettuce. The Wind is South and breezy.
Cooking is an art not hard to learn, and one
of the most beautiful. I know there is one
very important thing, it is never utilized
to advantage; to many pots pans and kettles
stuck on the stove nearly all the time.
Now tis after dinner. I dont think there there
is a drop of dish water; no sound of
clattering work; the wheels of the household
machinery are silent. There is a pan of rhubarb stewing
on the stove and there it will stand and may
for ever I noticing or speaking of it again.
While V was bee hiving 3 swarms a call from
Robert G, Watertown wanting V to meet him at
the Cape this pm at 6 Oclock. V cant go
and leave his work but told him to come to Vans
Sunday. get Bert to bring them & V will go for them.
This is the day I found the dish of filth left by one
of our guests. The queer thing about it I found it on the
cabinet. I ventured and walked to the
barn, passed between the shop and old cow
stable. Saw the new barn what there is of the finished
concrete. Saw Ogle washing his buggy at river,
he came to the house and asked for the girls to go driving
with him to the foot; didnt go. Went home to his boarding
place at 10 pm. Flashes of lightning off in S.E.
and thunder but didnt come here.

130
Saturday 21st July 1917
A very warm day. V worked at potatoes and
garden.
A man in villiage phoned to Voltie
wants to hire to help do the haying. If V
cant get Will he can get this man Monday
morning. I think Voltie had or should
have clinched the bargain while he had
an oppertunity to secure help. Maybe Will
wont come and now he talks of phoning
to Wellie for one of his boys. After drawing
the evenings milk to the factory came back
and goes across the river in skiff or nearly to
the other shore. Sheridan came over to bring
Maurice in motor. Maurice going to Hallidays
to do his courting. Sheridan called here while
phoned to several people. told them He and Tom
were drafted which was not true. Rachel came
over to stay all night. brought coffee. Her
chickens most all gone, only 5 left from 90 or
more. Weasel killed them, they killed most
all of Will H Woodmans chickens. William H
shot the weasel. V rowed back didnt go to
corners to late.
Sunday 22nd July 1917
Days are passing quickly. July will be gone before
we realize it has been here at all. V has lain
dow [sic] to rest awhile and take a nap before he rows
across for Robert. The wind is blowing some from South,
a warm day. Another surprise to day when
when Bert and Maud & Hubert, Isabel,
Grace, Margaret and Robert came. Then
came Miss Laura Babcock. Then came
Ogle all here to dinner & supper except
LBabcock.

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Monday 23 July 1917
A very warm day. Voltie mowing
over there Robert
Tuesday 24 July 1917
Hot day no rain.
Wednesday 25 July 1917
The very hottest day I can ever remember
not a ripple on the water with the sun
throbing and shining down on the water.
Voltie cutting grass hay over on Rachel’s. Robert
raking. Rachel came out very early to pick peas &
came here to breakfast, shelled her peas. Ed went
after breakfast and picked a pail of peas for
dinner.

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Thursday 26 July 1917
Wind South and breezy this morning
and every one can work more comfortable.
Bert rowed back over the river with Farr’s
skiff towing Volties skiff so he can come
back. A hard hard pull against the wind
and waves. Bert came over to help V in the
haying. Eddie McDermot came to talk
and visit. Sylvia at home up here cooking
for Samy & Joe, their dinner only.
Friday 27
V and Bert working in hay in the
evening, they rowed across and went to Cape Vincent
in Berts car, returned home at
1 am, brought candy and beer; had a
break down of course.
Saturday 28 July 1917
A hot day. Bert and V working in
hay field all day. Drew milk to factory this
evening brought home a piece of cheese.

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December 4th Monday 1916 [written as an insert in top left corner]
mended V’s over alls.
mended V’s vest.
Wrote a letter to Grace
5 braided rug
6 set up a new crochet pattern
mended my petticoat
Sunday 29
A warm day. Ogle came
early and drove
over to Hallidays
where they staid all
day till 8 Oclock pm
They found Maurice M there courting.
Will Niles is courting to Louise nurse
Miss Olive Jones and so the courting proceeds.
Will and Lena came over a little before dark.
Bert went across in same skiff, going
to Watertown. Law suit tomorrow with Hubert
about an old automobile.
Monday 30 July 1917
A very warm or hot day but breezy, river
rough. Will and Voltie working in field
mowing, raking and cocking. We had
a grand fight here to day between Edith
and Robert. There was no broken bones
nor bloody noses but a rough and tumble
scrap which was fierce while it lasted. Lena came over
from R’s, staid till bed time. noice confusion, piano playing
and dancing in evening. Samy Woodhouse here. Hubert Bamford
& Bert Smiths law suit comes off to day.
We looked for B and Grace &
kids last night but didnt come. All dancing in evening.
Tuesday 31 July 1917
A very hot morning which promises a hotter
day. V gone to factory. Will came early.
Every thing at a stand still. Hubert fell down
Stairs this morning. Last of this month. The summer
is going; in a little while it will be gone. This is
the hottest day I ever saw. E, E, Robert & Miriam
all in bathing. We have been looking for Bert
and Grace & family.

134
Wednesday 1st of August
I’ll have to skip one of these pieces or
space might as well be this one for there cant be
two Wednesdays in one week. I do get things mixed
so if I dont write every day. Now last night was the
night V went for Grace and her family. Tuesday
instead of Wednesday.
Wednesday 1st of August 1917
A hot dry day. Oh how rain is needful at present
after sunset. V went over to Vans in Skiff
for Bert and Grace and family, they all
came about 9 pm of the hottest evening I ever
remember. Grace brought 9 fans. Bert brought
2 doz bottles of ale, and they swilled it down
like swill. Oh such a blazing hot night smothering
heat. and this is the day Bert and Maud went
to Watertown. They started at 8 a & all day going
broke down.
A hot dry day Thursday 2 August 1917
Edith drives to dock with Miriam,
Margaret & Robert and Aunt R’s eggs. Bert went
back to Watertown yesterday accompanied by Maud &
Hubert. Supposed Miriam
had gone home to stay but back she came all O.K.

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Friday 3 August 1917
Another hot dry day. Working in field as usual.
Same old work business as goes on from day to day
nothing unusual occurs. cooking 3 square
meals. mail dont bring much except farm papers
but our evening company including our own are Joe &
Samy Woodman, Lizzie Woodman and a Hollinbeck
girl named Etta. They sing, dance, play piano, Violin,
phonograph till 11 OClock pm.
A hot dry day, no rain Saturday 4 August 1917
I dont know all that transpires in dining room &
kitchen but not much done by way of cooking for
Sunday, baking pies and cakes. nothing only ordinary
every day meals for eleven. V and Will working
at haying. Samy Woodman in here evening. 12 Oclock
midnight when we retired for the night.
August 5 1917 Sunday
A hot dry day. Ogle came early. E & O went English
church. such a dressing up among them all.
I never saw Edith in pink. Miriam in white.
Margaret in blue. Grace in black. Isabel in
some fanciful color. Emma in a white embroidered
waist and silk shirt. Lena in a beautiful flowered
muslin. How did they spend the day? Did they
attend our church? Exceping [sic] Emma no one went to
church but spent the day boating, singing and
piano playing. All here exepting R & she alone all day.
Grace walked over to see her in evening.

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6th August Monday August 1917
Another dry hot day. V & Will working in
field at the hay. E put the clothes soaking.
V drove to the river for two cans of water but
not going to work till tomorrow. A noisy time,
cook, eat and wash dishes is the program.
We received cards from Maud. they left here
early enough. Wednesday morning 8 am. Old car
broke down so many times they didnt arrive in
Watertown till 5 pm.
7th August Tuesday August 1917
Wind north and breezy and cool, no
rain in a long time. Everything drying
up. All vegetation suffering for want of rain.
This is immediately after breakfast. Emma
going to wash. Maryard and Marian in bed. They are
not very early risers; Lena came accompanied by
Rachel enroute for home but her dad who is to
row her across is gone fishing in skiff down the
river and Lena is very anxious to be gone.
Will caught a fish trolling pickerel or pike. Then
he rowed Lena across the river. Robert and his Uncle V
fixing the binder to cut barley, peas and fish for
dinner. Will gone to corners for tobaco. V had
to brave the hay and cut barley. it is ripening to fast.
Will returned about 3 p.m. brought candy & gum
Phoned for McAvoy who came immediately for
Lena. Will saw her safely in the car enroute for
home, looks like rain. V while trying to bind
barley broke the binder which is a great set back to
his work.

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Wednesday 8th August 1917
Wind blowing a gale from S.E.
River very rough and spraw dashing high
with fitful showers of rain. not cold but warm.
Emma swept and mopped my bed room.
Had stewed hen for dinner, cucumber, potato
etc. Dont know what Will & Voltie done
out working at something all day. Kid
noisy as usual. my work dont amount to much
this day. Grace made an apron for Emma.
Raining at intervals all day.
Thursday 9th of August 1917
Emma gone to Kingston. Will drove over
a little cooker this morning: rained in night,
good and strong with lightning. Wm & V & Robby
working in field. Grace gets the dinner.
Quite breezzy [sic] from south. Edith, Margaret and
Miriam went fishing for dinner peas for dinner
too. cooler weather this pm. Wind west. Voltie drove to
dock for Emma. She bought cloth for herself, a new dress,
beautiful musling [sic]. We had bananas for supper. Grace
got the meals. Rachel came over just before dark. not
pleased because Will didnt go home with her.
Friday 10th August 1917
A very beautiful breezzy day wind South. Atmosphere
clear, the pearly clouds floating away up in the sky so Robert,
Will & V working in field. Grace making Emma’s dress.
Emma working kitchen. I just fnished writing
to Reginald, it is the first I have written to him this summer.

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Saturday 11 August 1917
A hot day everything drying up. The rain of Wednesday
and Wednesday night done very little good.
I dont do much of any thing more than use
crochet trundle. The girls do the work.
Hay all cut, barley, too; got to draw all next
week. They all have a merry time. Grace
finished Emma’s dress and nearly finished
a dress for Isabel. Emma preparing to go
on Excursion tomorrow, from foot of island
steamer Kingston. Voltie and Joe went to the corners
for oil. for none at Vans nor Maloneys.
Oil men dont bring oil. came home at 1/2 12
midnight.
Sunday 12 August 1917
Another beautiful warm hot dry day sun
blazing. Ogle & Sam came early 5 am
even before Miriam and Emma were dressed
for the excursion. V arose early. this is a long
hot tiresome day. Grace done all the work the
others went fishing except V. Will and the others kids
went trolling. caut [sic] a trememdous great pike and
a lot of rock fish. E and M & Ogle came about
4 pm and brought me a new cosmopolitan.
Will, Ogle, Miriam, Margaret and Emma went
to Flynns in skiff. came back at 11 pm.
a terrible hot night. couldnt sleep so hot.

139
Monday 13 August 1917
A hot dry day. men working in hay. had
roasted fish for dinner that Will caught trolling.
Tuesday 15 August 1917
no rain. Hot. V and Wm working in hay.
This day passes as usual. Except in evening.
A couple of extra guests Joe & Ogle. Will
goes over to Rachels very early in evening, so
he misses the "pow wow"! Well it was a hilarious,
uproaring, screeching, screaming, squeeling, laughing
too if one may call it laughter. Ogle dont laugh.
He roars. Realy I was nervous almost
hysterical with the noise.
Wednesday 16th August 1917
No rain. Voltie and Will working in hay
field. had a fowl for dinner. Our butter has steped
out and down. swimming, playing piano, laughing,
te he ing, hollering, screaming, squeeling, yell and
some fighing. Hickory nut cracking. While
Grace works constantly, wash, iron, sew, wash dishes,
milk, cook. Some times it looks like rain but
it is only clouds.

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Thursday 17 August 1917
No rain.
Day after day comes and goes with
no rain. Every thing drying and dying. Our
guests, this morning said good bye for one
day. some of them return at evening time.
I’m glad Grace is coming and Robert too.
Will and Voltie still continue to draw hay. had
to borrow butter from Rachel to help out.
There has been no rain to benefit the growth
of any thing since the 11, 12th and 13th July when
there was a good rainfall those 3 days. none
since only an occasional wee very little shower
like a dew fell. Excepting one p.m. and the
same night there was a good sharp
rain shower but none since. Well Bob Jr,
just now phoned from Kingston. They are
going to stay in Kingston and Grace sent
for her and Robt’s suit case to be packed
and sent to Kingston. Jack and his
family are not coming from New York. E & E
packed their things. Will drove to dock for the
groceries. Will Watson came home with them. He came
down from Kingston on the boat to make us a visit.
He had only returned this day from visiting his own
father and ma who live in Verona. making them a weeks
visit. Will Niles brought me a nice lot of cucumbers. V
went to George Woodmans for binder repairs.
Friday 18 August 1917
The rain came to us to day (p.m.) in grand showers
but wish there had been more but glad and thankful
for the heavy showers. Will D brought a piece of cheese
from factory this morning. Willie W ate supper with
Joe and Sam. Received a letter from Belle, said
she is coming last of this month or first of Sept.

141
Saturday 19 Aug 1917
A fine day after yesterday rain. Wind South
and blowing quite strong. Voltie bringing oats
or wheat. Willie Watson working to day for Joe, Will D
went fishing, trolling. Went away down around foot of isle
caught two nice pike which he intends to take home
with him tomorrow. E & E going with him.
Evening V & Will Watson & Samy going to corners. I
didn’t want Voltie to go so dark and windy. He
didn’t go. Wm & Samy went. V sent by Joe for butter.
12 midnight when they returned. Joe brought the
olemargarine.
Sunday 20 August 1917
Not a very pleasant day to go visiting by
rowing skiff across the river and then driving 10 miles
but they went. Will, Emma and Edith though it rained
some when they started. The boat down at "Smith"
place, or lower boat house. Will hired a rig of
Eliza Reasoner. they returned before sunset well
pleased with the visit. The pm was fine, clouds all
gone, sun shining, no wind. Rachel came over
in a bluster because no one had told her that they
had not gone. V washed breakfast dishes. V &
R got the dinner. R washed dishes & towards
night went home. Then came Laura Babcock.
Will Niles soon came. Will D, Emma and Edith
also came. Ogle. Will D brought Limburg cheese 2
bricks. Louise sent me a book , "Tess of the Storm
Country" gave Edith red Liste thread, stockings and red
ribons. Nearly forgot to say, after dinner, Willie Watson
packed his budget and went to the villiage, Samy Woodman
driving there with Willie.
Monday 21st Aug 1917
Monday is generally speaking the dullest day in the
week especialy in door. The men’s work goes on
all night. I forgot what day V sold R’s heifer 51$
for her.

142
Tuesday 22 August 1917
A fine day tho a bit cooler. Men working in field.
Emma brought in and boiled corn for dinner, the
first this year and our first ripe tomatoes.
Wednesday 28 August 1917
A hot half cloudy day after the electric
storm of last night. Not much with the
lightning storm. this is one day to early; finished
binding and drew hay ; the last of hay. George McKay
came took V’s boat and went to the corners for
overalls, shirts, socks, etc. He is going to Manitoba
on excursion. Then came Ogle te Bogle to take
Emma for a drive out. If he was not a very ignorant
he wouldnt come so often. A letter from Grace, a card from Reginald.
24 August 1917 Thursday
Now what I’ve writen
for yesterday, Wednesday, should stand for
this day. I wrote a letter to Louise. Van came over awhile
so I will let T stand. V and Will working
in field; grain all bound ready to draw, if the rain
had not wet it down last night. boiled corn
for dinner. V paid Rachel 5 dollars that he borrowed
from her one evening when he, Joe & Sam went to corners.
V sold the sheep for $490,50. Laura Babeoelt here awhile.
Thursday 24 Aug 1917
A very good morning. to wet to draw grain. I did not
know R was going to Kingston. I wanted
yes Oh! I wanted to send by her to get croched [sic]
silkatine! I almost hope, that every one for
their mean thoughtless carelessness will be disaproved

143
as I am. Oh! Oh! my best days are gone
and I am often overtooked altogether.
it is not because of age, but for the very reason
that I cant walk without painfullness. I went
to walk. I dream I can walk, can run,
I didnt know George McKay was going
to corners. Could have sent by him.
I’d like to go to Kingston once more or
somewhere! V sent for groceries and
things but I didnt know. I hope it wont
rain any more till after harvest. but think
it will; rained nearly all last night and
looks like rain now. Weather warm, Wind
blowing a stiff breeze from South. river rough.
Every thing lovely after the rain. I was to send
by Rachel for thread, pins and needles. Dont
hear from John any more and from my
first born son never. The dead are soon
forgoten. and old ma’s neglected, especialy
those that cant walk. Just received the same
old weeklies, Farmer advocate, Farm & Dairy,
Canadian Countryman. The three combined
dont amount to shucks. no one reads them.
The house is just littered with them. $3,50 cts
given to the publishers without any benefit derived
from them to this family. Also received a
notice from Macleans Magazine for renewal, a card
from Miriam, a letter to Emma from Maud,
wherein Maud says Bert has got to go to war
and so the World wags on, Turns over every day ever
bringing R. Changes of some sort. Voltie and Will
hewing timber for barn. Voltie says Babe
the beautiful Babe has killed nearly all
our chickens.
Saturdy 25
The river is wild. Oh how the wind blows.
V & W hewing timber for barn. Rachel came over
to dinner & not not very well. Emma done usual
Saturday work. I have commenced a hit or miss quilt

144
Sunday 26 August 1917
This is the last page of this diary. Will staid
with R last night; he came this morning after breakfast
said R is sick and was sick all night chotery morbus [cholera morbus]
ate to much cabbage & green corn for Saturday dinner.
V gave Will cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, sulphur, etc
Then Edith went over and staid till two Oclock pm.
Madeline and Myrabelle came and we had a fine visit
with them, then after dinner and dishes washed Emma
made a trip to Hiram Joslins to see Maggie and
her kid. Accompanied by Madaline & Myrabelle as
far as Rachels which soon brought Edith back with
them. Edith prepared the supper, which didn’t amount
to much, then came Ogle to be sure! Madaline &
Myrabelle went to J Murphy’s. I gave them all the
comic papers they could carry home with them.
Ogle, Will, Emma & Edith, went to Niles to hear
the Victrola. They came back by way of Rachels
where Will stoped all night and so
ends Sunday 26 Aug 1917. Forgot to say river rough all day
are therefore no yankee visitors. Now I like visitors all right if we could
only stuff them all right, but some times the stuffing fails as it this time
no butter.
Monday 27 August 1917
Never saw such sure sign of rain that amounted to nothing.
The whole south and West were piled with dark black rain
clouds which soon faded away. The sun came out in
glorious spendor. Wind South and breezy. V shot a rooster
for dinner. V & W drawing and stacking.
confused on first page of this book.
Look on page 1

145
[appears to be ledger with various lists and additions]
$20 dollars for coal
Telephone $4.87
Dr Nichol $8.75
Henderson on account 10 dollars
Payment on manure spreader 40 dollars
Rent $41,76
Interest on morgage 51,90 dollars
note to McKelyey $11,50
paid McKelvey in full $10 dolars
paid Bank note 31,22
Will Watson $68 dollars
Will Niles $10 dollars
Jack Niles $15 dollars
Alden McDonda $5,00
on the Kent note $31 dollars
McKelvy again $10 dollars
paid Red for first hive $14 dollars
Anglin $9,96 dollars
Threshing $12 dollars
Joe Woodman 2 dollars
goods from St Lawrence $12,50 dollars
" " Clayton $15 dollars
McLean Mag. $1,50
Herald $1,00 dolar
Maclean Magazine $2,00
goods from Clayton $15,00
Gave Cunningham 5,00
and bought about good 13
McKelvy 30
Separator bowl 12,25
coal 20
sleep
Rec’d from Rube
5 dollars
in oats
and again;
5 dollars more
the 30th December 1916
which makes
10 dollars
in oas from Rube
4,48 telephone

8.75 Dr Nichol
10,00 Henderson acct
40,00 manure spreadr
41,76 rent
[subtotal] 104,99
51.90 interest on mort
11,50 note to McKelvy
[subtotal] 167,39
10,00 paid McK in full
31,22 Kent bank
[subtotal] 2,08,61
68,00 Will Watson
10 00 Will Niles
[subtotal] 286,61
15,00 York note
5,00 Alden Mcdon
[subtotal] 306,61
31,20 Kent note
14,00 Reid
[subtotal] 351,61
9 96 Anglin
12 threshing
[subtotal] 373,51
12,00 Note Woodman
12,50 good
[subtotal] 388,07
15,00 clayton
[subtotal] 404,57
1.00 herald
2.00 McLean
15,00 goods
[subtotal] $422,07
$20,00 for coal
[subtotal]442,07
18,00
[total] $460.07

146
Ethel’s address Route 2 ClaytonN.Y.
Bills Liminck R 2
Eveline R 5 Watertown N.Y.
Muriels, R.F.D. R3 Clayton N.Y.
643 Acadamy street Watertown N.Y.
William Collins Dixon
11 E E
9V W N William
William Collins Dixon
William Collins Dixon
22
8
176
Wells N Route 3 Watertown N.Y.
Grace’s address
7 Harewood Avenue
Watertown N.Y.

147

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