Irene Dixon Bamford 1918 February to June,
Diary Transcription
5034_4-2-9

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1
IRENE DIXON BAMFORD
DIARY February 8th 1918 - June 28th, 1918
Queen’s University Archives
Locator 5034.4
Box 2
File 9

2
February 8th, 1918 - June 28th, 1918

3
Re-Read
’72-’84

4
{RDPS
is wak}
Friday 8 February 1918
a cold morning when the frost is
on the windows. Our dancers came
at day light (V and Edith) went to bed.
V slept 3 hours. Will came bringing
Emma, at 11 O’clock. She went to work
till 3 p m. I received a letter from
Grace with scraps of Margarets graduation
dress, I got a bad cold. Will N came
over brought me some US stamps.
Ida Barney sent R two Family
Heralds. Tom & Harold Dignum
here waiting for their mail
from Ranous who drives the
shore this day. Harold received
his exemption paper. Harold
25 years old last May measures
5 feet 7 inches. Will Niles came over
again this p.m. Voltie cleaned
the dining room stove pipe
and V and Edith put it
up again
Saturday 9th February 1918
A nasty morning rain and snow
windows plastered with it and freezing
on. grows warmer 28 deg above.
zero, Rowing and quarling going
on all p.m. till I get sick

5
2
of staying here. but I’ve no where
to go to. Emma cleaned floors and
done Saturday work. I wrote a letter to Louise
Voltie and Will drawing hay feeding
Rachels hens card playing in evening
by Voltie, Will, Edith & Emma
Sunday 10th day of February 1918
Snowing fast and furious snow
continues to pile up every where
No quarreling this morning all same
in door. "Home home sweet home".
Very quiet and peaceful all
day. Wm & Voltie doing chores
28 deg above zero Maggie
Joslin Rattray got measles.
Measles at Morgans too. V fed
Rachels hens and brought over
the book I intend sending to
Belle. "The singer of The contray"

6
Monday 11 Feb 1918
A cloudy morning frost on
bed room window. Voltie and
Wm N butchered 3 hogs for market
Henry came from Dick’s this p.m.
horse jaded and worn out and
got horse distemper and will give
it to our horses so V says. snow
blowing and drifting. no mail this
day. Will Niles drove over to feed Rs
hens
Tuesday 12 Feb 1918
A rainy slushy time. guess Henry
can’t go home this day Rachel sick
with grippe or something got a sore
throat. a very nasty day but not
cold 28 deg above zero or more
Sat up late again last night
playing cards got a new game now
where each one plays for his or herself.
one advantage, a very quiet Game
no noise 12 oclock midnight
before every one settled Emma got
a cough

7
4
Feb 1918 Wednesday 13
A cloudy morning froze a little
last night, no mail this day
most terrible roads every where
Wm & Voltie drew hay from stack
After dinner Henry made a break
for United States & home, Accompanied
by Wm N across the river; got as far
as the cedars when whiffletree broke
so H unhitched the poor sick colt
and returned back again Wm kept
straight on across the ice for home.
V was just starting for Geo Woodmans
but had to get H on the road again
V took whiffletree (new one) and
the horse and went down on the ice
by the cedars hitched up and piloted
H across the ice, colt fell down in
slush so V unhitched him from cutter
and drew the cutter himself while
H came behind leading the three
year old colt almost to weak
from hard driving and neglect and
a bad cough. I sent some things
to Irene don’t supose she will get
them: apples and a plate daily
Wm N mailed a letter for me to
[left margin]
Louise Dixon. Will came back
bringing me some Kraut Will went
to Jacks to stay all night R got grippe

8
5
Thursday 14 Feb 1918
A cloudy nasty morning Emma
scratching around and cleaning every thing
Will N came from Jack’s at noon.
while Voltie is gone to Geo Woodmans
for shingles, gone a long time, Didn’t
go for shingles, ate dinner with Geo
and Inez. Will and V sawed and
drew home a tree from the lower
place for store wood. The shingles are
away up by Geo McDonald’s. Voltie
gets phone from Elery to come and
doctor his engine Will Gillespie here
to get Voltie to Doctor his pump
Played cards awhile{} this evening
I partly wrote a letter go grace
Friday 15 February1918
Awoke this morning to find the
rain beating against my bedroom
window, The flat covered with water
No traveling on ice or land by
walking or plowing Telephone out
of order line broken somewhere cant
get central. 3 hogs butchered ready
for market. cant get there. This is
Emma’s is Birth day i.e. this day. How swiftly
the years roll around no mail
[left margin]
Voltie tried to go to Elaries got as far as cheese factory
and turned back Play cards again. V reading

9
6
Saturday 16th Feb 1918
Froze last night. Wm & Voltie
drawing three loads of hay from stack
Emma made head cheese.
A Sun bright day. Mrs OBrien (John)
and their little son Bernard here
this p. m. visiting. While John drives
to St Lawrence Corners, for things John
drove back across the ice after
dark didn’t eat with us had had
supper at Maloneys. Mrs Hiram
Yastin and Berty McDonald were
obliged to call here to warm for their
horse fell down on the ice by the concession
and Wm & Voltie went to their rescue, got
the horse up and the women in the house all
right. I sent a cake to Grace by by
Wm N I sent Grace a few postage
stamps In Evening V reading
Voltie reading Capt Warens Wards

10
7
Sunday 17 Feb 1918
A bright frozen morning. V reading
after breakfast Capt W’s Wards Geo Woodman
called here for his saw. Emma gone down
to Geo Niles’. Edith out skating with Joe
Murray till Sundown Emma came at
bed time R made bean soup I thought
I thought could eat it but couldn’t my appetite
poor Edith popped corn couldnt eat much
of that.
Monday 18 Feb 1918
A cold cloudy day. Sun shone out once
I wrote a letter to Bennie Watson. and quite
fortunate in not sending by this day mail
as I received a letter from Mr W T saying
Bennie is at home not very well I also
Received a letter from Maud. So I enclose
Bennie’s and Mauds letters to Mr Watson
together with one I wrote to Mr Watson
Also I receive a photo of Bernard Morgan’s
family with which I am much pleased
Voltie drove to Elery’s to fix his engine, came
home to dinner; Then Wm and Voltie
draw hay from the stack. Wm does like
our cider; it keeps him wonderfully good
natured

11
8
Tuesday 19 Feb 1918.
A very nasty morning. Raining
quite hard. ground slushy with
melting snow. All the same
Voltie, Samy, & Ed Maloney
went too Samy brought his horse
Johnson which they hitched up,
with Duke. and drove up the ice
to Kingston Voltie taking the
pork to market for which he
gets only 22 cts per lb. They came
home quite early before dark. Voltie
brought Pinet lemons Electric oil
liver pills a tonc for me, rice, soda,
coffee, cosmopolitan, ink, envelopes, letter
paper, soap, lemons, rolled oats.
I finished writimg a letter Grace
Cheever a good sociable letter
The Cost pork previous to this Voltie
received 25 cts per lb but this had
been butchered nearly a week. waiting
for good traveling good weather and
a market day

12
9
Wednesday 20 Feb 1918
A very windy day from N. W. men,
Wm N & V working in Shop Telephone man
here to dinner Emma and Edith cleaning
cabinet and pantry trying out fat pork
Samy here to get horse shod. Joe Murray here
awhile. V and Wm N cut 2 pine trees
for Clayton saw mill. freezing all day.
Thursday 21 Feb 1918.
A very good morning but cold frost on
windows Voltrie and Wm Start quite
early for Clayton with 2 pine logs to be sawed
for lumber. Geo N Jack N & Kehoe go to Clayton
after dinner. V & Wm came in time to chores
brought self flannel shirt 1.50 one made apron
9 yds gingham for aprons, me a thimble, gum,
suspenders, 6 spools silkatine, pins, tobaco,
matches, whiskey, 6 gallons Kerosine, snuffs gave Wm 5 dd
soap laundry
Friday. 22 February 1918
A very cold day Samy came from over the
river ate dinner here. V and Wm drew hay
from stack. We had about all we could do
to keep warm. A letter from Grace also
one from Belle

13
10
Saturday 23rd Feb. 1918.
Four below freezing. Wind South
V doctoring a sick calf. V drove to Geo McDonalds
for a load of shingles. bringing
part of them the other part froze down.
came back before dinner. I wrote a
letter to Bernard Morgan. V & Wm
getting wood this p. m. Emma cooked
a big pot of beans. The first egg to day.
Wm went home. I sent my letter
to Bernard by Wm to mail from that
side. V & Wm drew two loads of
wood. Aunt R not very well
got grippe. First egg this winter
Sunday 24th February 1918.
Not very cold cloudy, wind South
and breezy. A dead calf at the barn
which makes two from seven this
winter. Unexpected visitors arrive
Will, Lena & Willie. Then Ray, Irene
and little Flora. Stella Niles then
Will Niles and Samy Woodman.
After a musicale from piano violin
and cornet played by Lena Willie &
Lena go home Will dont go
brother Will
[left margin]
Ray Irene and Flora
all go to Dick
Halliday. where they stay
all night.

14
Monday 25 February 1918
A beautiful day, like Spring. after
dinner Ray & Irene drive back from Dicks
We get an oppertunity to Send Grace
a few things by Ray. Will too goes
home with them. I sorry to see Will go
home. we were glad to see Wm N come
a little while before sun set. Vand &
Ola came over in cutter again across ice
didnt stay long Van wants flour but got none
Tuesday 26 February 1918
Storm all night of wind and rain
V and William N intended going to
Clayton weather prevented. They work
in Shop all day. A rather dirty morn
Turns Colder. wind west, North west,
and freezing. very slippery walking
Emma fried cakes made war cake
and done a general supply of
baking cookies, cakes, bread, beans &c
27th Feb 1918 Wednesday
arose early V & Wm go to Clayton come back early
before dinner. After dinner go to Maloneys
for a load of Sand our mail consists
of two big bundles of papers from Grace
which all the family look at and study
[left margin]
& bought from Clayton this day Feb 27th
5 yds bright calico for aprons. 3 yds blue 3 yds
ping 8 yds dark for me a dress, coffee

15
12
Thursday 28 Feb 1918
Cloudy morning but not stormy
freezing V. & Wm draw 4 loads
of Sand from Maloneys. George
Woodman drove in here bringing
his aunt Edith for a few hours
visit. Came for her at Evening
Emma got mumps or something
Rachel reading Leilla Roosevelt
sent Mary a daily Em gave her a crochet
yoke.
Friday 1st day of March 1918
Not a very pleasant day snow
falling V and Wm drawing hay
from stack. Emma not up yet
R reading. One load of sand.
Friday 1st March 1918
Cloudy snow falling. draw hay
again this day. no letters, 2 seed
catalogs. Bruce of Canada, Burpee of
Philadelphia Pen. McLeons Magazine
Standard and others trash! draw
hay from stack R reading
Em got mumps or something
sent 5 lbs butter to Grace by

16
13
Saturday 2nd March 1918
A cloudy day. not very cold. Wm
and Voltie drawing sand from Maloneys
Emma helped wash dishes listened at
telephone a while and went to bed mumps
or something. R picking over beans.
Edith washing a few things and trying
to do Saturday work. She cleaned
floors, washed ironed and cooked &
washed dishes. Will went home I sent
sent 5 lbs butter to Grace by paid post
Will N carried it over. sent by him a
letter to Belle.
Sunday 3rd March 1918.
A very fine day. No one here in the am
Maurice and Edith Bates stopped
here for a few minutes while returning
from a visit to his mother over the river
Will Niles here a while I posted &
sent a letter to Belle by Will N.
Monday 7 March 1918
Freezing half cloud day Voltie
drawing sand from Maloney’s R picking
over beans Emma got mumps and
goes mumping around Edith up stairs
1/2 hour making beds or something
[left margin]
V in pm drove to
Elery’s to grind 6 bags
of hog feed 4 hogs
to feed

17
14
Tuesday 5 March 1918
A very good day Voltie drew
one load of sand from Maloneys
I write a long letter to Grace
Wednesday 6t March 194
A cold day frost on window
I wrote a letter to Grace inclosing
one to Robert which I was forced
Enough to send across to other side
by Wm N who skated across
Voltie in shop fixing old sleigh
which he broke drawing sand.
{Pansy came
here from the
horse races &
staid all night}
Thursday 7 March 1918
A cold frozen morning Samy ate
breakfast with us. He’s gone
home now to do all his barn chores
Voltie choring and doing shop work
Samy went again to the horse
race

18
Friday 8 March 1918
A very good morning sun clear
R washing dishes. Edith listening at
telephone and very much upset in
mind, because I am talking, which
disturbs her listening, and the prettiest
part is, she vehemently rebukes me
for disturbing her while listening
to the neighbors business. Voltie
choring and drwing manure
Frost on the North window this morning
Edith helps Voltie saw wood with cross
cut mail came Early again this
day. A letter from Irene, a letter rom
Charlotte. Will N drove in here accompanied
by Joe Woodman. capped and overcoated
for Winter, and uninvited they steered
for the cellar for cider after staying in cellar
a long time they came up as Voltie came in
from [shop]. Joe went home. Wm staid
but would Eat no dinner. He so full of
cider he can hold no dinner He brought
me the stampe I sent by him to get last
time he was here (Wednesday) Poor old Will
he looks bad since the races

19
16
Saturday 9 March 1918
Another miserable cold day
thickening for a storm V got
mumps Samy came down and
done chores in p.m. Voltie stands
out and helps do chores V & Edith
Saw wood with cross cut saw
V splits it and Edith draws it in
on sled. Beginning to Snow.
Sunday 10 March 1918
Snows all night roads filled
again. No one here only Samy
staid all night and after doing
chores here goes home to his own.
then comes back stays all day
and all night. The day is
occupied by reading by Each
member of the family have to keep stuffing
the wood in stove to keep warm
Monday 11 March
20 above zero this morning. Samy
after doing his own chores an part
of V’s drove across the river to get
W.N. V is fixing harness Samy

20
came brining Wm N. who
thinks he too is coming down with mumps
if he is I think this family is having their
or our share of mumps. Then came
Dilavan bring over two men who
are trying to buy horses. Hookimer and
a Collins Van staid here awhile they
went to Flynns bought none I sent a
letter to Irene by Dilavan. all the Eggs
our hens have laid this winter is 19
The weather is cold. Frost on Every
window tho’ the wind is South.
Tuesday 12th March 1918
Cloudy and raining some this morning
Wm N went for a load of hay this
morning before breakfast. Grace
phoned from Watertown this morning,
for V or someone to meet Reginald
at Rosiere tomorrow. Samy is going
to meet Reginald at Rosiere. clouds clear
away sun come out brightly and thaws
all day

21
{[Re-read 76-84]}
page 18
Wednesday 13 March 1918
Samy went this morning
for Reginald. Came back early
before 11 a.m. acompanied by
Reginald whom we were well
pleased to have him iwth us. Clouds
in pm and it looks like a
Storm Will N drawing hay. he got
mumps but will stay out all
day working in shop. Our mail
is Farm & Dairy Canadian Countryman
Advocate Farmer and a letter from
Grace also one from Bennie Watson
Thursday 14 March 1918
not very cold , but cloudy. Wm N
and V working in shop. Ellery
want to get his old buzz saw fixed
Sent [...] 25 cts to [Sigton’s] for
Cosmopolitan tobaco 1 lb baking powder
parowax, 20 cts
[left margin]

Eggs
17
6

Wednesday

23
2

R’s

4

Fr

Sat 4

Th

F

33
5

Sun

38
3

Monday

41
9

Tuesday

50
7

Wed

57
5

Thursday

62
9

Friday

71
9

Satuday

80
4

Sunday

84
10

Mon

94
10

Tue

104
7

Wednes

111
8

Thursday

119
11

Friday

130

Eggs

13

Saturday

143
11

Sunday

154

This Ends March for Eggs

22
Friday 15 March 1918
not much mail this day only Standard
and Farm and Dairy. V & Wm N
worked in shop in Evening Edith
Emma visit and Reginald visit
George Niles family.
Saturday 16th March 1918
Partly cloudy sun shine sometimes
Wm N & Voltie working in shop
on old sleigh; finished it Emma
done Saturday work and fixed a
mess of cakes. Will drew hay from
stack in p.m. After dinner Reginald
went boat riding on the ice with
Samy Woodman. The ice is good and
freezing Wind West Rachel reads
nearly all day. Edith popps
corn in Evening while Reginald &
Emma plays cards. I send a letter
to Grace by Wm N to mail over there
when he goes home this Eve Tobaco, 80
parowax, 20 cts, 1 lb baking powder, 20
[left margin]

1

154

March eggs

17

first April Monday

171
12

2

183
14

3

4

Tuesday

Wed

197
14

Thur

211

Eggs

5

6

12

F

223

eggs

20

Sat

243
20

7

269
6

8

Monday morning when Reginald brought in 6 Eggs from a new nest of 7 more
this 7th of April

269
17

9

Sunday

Tues

286
17

Wed

10 303
16
11

319
16

12

Friday

335
13

13

Thursday

Sat

348
14

Sun

362
26

M

388
14
402 Tue
16
418

W

15
433

Thurs

20
453

F

11
464
29

Sun

493
22
515

Mon

23
20
{[Re-Read 76 - ’84]}
Sunday 17 March 1918
A very fine day Emma made ice
cream Voltie and I Heard that
Mabel Morgan has gone to
New York to be a nurse in
hospital she went the first
day of March, 1918.
Monday 18 March 1918
A fine day not cold but
thawing all day. [Steward] Murry goes
across to D[]ville for Sow dust
Samy starts to drive across for coal founr poor ice and turned back
Voltie went across with Sammy
and went to Corners for 18
gallons of Kerosine which he left
over on that side but brought
home in a bag a pair of new
overalls a frock coffee mixed mustard
gum 10 soap $100 2 silkateen white 10 cts
baking powder parowax 20 cts and
tobaco 80. Stewart Murphy came home
all night. Wall & Reginold drew hay
Stewart came across but one horse
broke through the ice
[left margin]
forgot to say two new milk pails
and two small agate
pans.

April 23
515
19
531

tues

19

wed

550
17

thur

567
16

Fri

573
18

sat

591
23
614

sun

24
21
Tuesday 19 March 1918
A very fine day sun clear and
bright Voltie and Reginald went
across this morning for Kerosine 18 gal.
Emma walked over to Rachels to
feed her hens Jack N drove in
here for ice tongs accompanied by
Miss Goodfriend our teacher who boards
at Jacks. He is driving to School
with her (Nelly Goodfriend) Voltie &
Reginald came home to dinner, bringing
the 18 gal of Kerosine and the agate pans
The snow and ice failing rapidly
Tomato soup for dinner fried pork
and potatoes bread, honey & butter &
Played cards till ½ past past 10 pm
Wednesday 20 March 1918
Another fine day Reginald gone over
to feed R’s hens V phoned to George
Woodman to borrow ½ doz sap buck
buckets cant get any. Stanley going
to tap both sugar bushes. Phoned to
William H Woodman. He sold a dozen
new ones to V. by phone. Samy brought them
up and after dinner V & Reg tapped the
trees
[left margin]
Voltie drove to Ellerys
to get grinding done
for hog feed, in morning
only one bag, bataries give out

April 29 614
Mon

19
633

tues

16
649

Wed

16
665

thur

16
681

Fri

23
704

Sat

19
723

Sun

24
747

25
{[Re-Read 76 - ’84]}
22
Thursday 21 March 1918
A soft hazy day. V & Reg & Wm
drove to the Smith place for the
skiff and motor to put them in
the boat house here by [cossimon]
Then Wm drove over to R’s place
with her so she could look
after things and feed her old hens
Then back to dinner all OK
After dinner Wm and Reg
draw gravel from below lower
ice hour.
March 22nd Friday 1918
another fine day. Voltie and REg
over back on the place picking
up wood for Rachel. she is going
to move home tomorrow or Monday
Samy came down to see what
is the time of day. V said blue birds
Robins and Crows all out to day
I write and send a letter to
Grace Ice is getting rotten and
full of holes

May 1918
747
27

Mon

774
22

Tues

196
23

Wed

819
20

Thur

839
24

Fri

863
26

Sat

889
21

Sun

910
23

Mon

933
25

Tues

958
22
980

980
138
1018

Wed

26
23
Saturday 12 March 1918
Froze last night river all open
above J Nile’s. Rachel moved home
this morning. V gave her 6 gals of Kerosine
& pork V. & Wm drawing hay. Nelly Goodfriend
came here visiting this pm weather cool.
but clear, didn’t stay to supper
but went back to her boarding place
Jack Nile’s for they are going this Eve
to George Niles asking our Kids
to go too but they not going they
dont want to V and Will went to Ellerys
to grind pig feed. Rachels cow got a new
calf
Sunday 24 March 1918
A beautiful day Wind very light
soft & South Samy and Joe made
us a call. They didnt stay long
Joe went home first Samy staid
to read a story in the new magazine
The cosmopolitan. No one
here after Samy went home

27
24
Monday 25 March 1918
Another beautiful morning
frosty this morning which is
a sign of a good sap day another
calf at the barn which makes 5 new
red and white calves. Reginald went
to Kingston with Geo and Joes
Niles ate dinner at his grandad
Gaskins and at villiage before
her went over only in Kingston
one hour and half. V sent by
him for rice, and fruitatives
The sap runs well this day
nearly two pails full I write
and send a letter to Bennie Wat
No letters this day; ony our three
farm papers which come regularly
Ever Monday Emma washing
lines full of clothes but didn’t finish
Tuesday 26 March 1918
A light snow on ground this morn
and still continued to snow a little
men drawing hay I & Reg and Will
Voltie threshing beans weather grown
warmer. After dinner Voltie Will N
and Reginald went to Rachels to saw &
[left margin]
split wood Enough to last her
store a day or two. by noon snow
all disapeared that fell last night & this
morning. work goes slow as usual.

28
25
Wednesday 27 March 1918
A very fne day froze some last
night. Will Niles walked across the ice
this morning. Emma done more
washing, sap don’t run this day.
Thursday 28 March 1918
A fine morning. Guess sap will
run this day. Emma up at 4 oclock baking
bread. Just arose from breakfast. Joe
came for something, stepped in and said
"good morning" and went out immediately
north & a cow down. Samy here
to help lift her up, ate dinner. Reginald
helping his uncle nearly all day. I begin
a letter to Muriel my dear grandaughter.
Friday 29 March 1918
A fine spring morning, scarcely a bit of
snow to be seen, froze just a little.
Sap running merrily. I sent a letter to
Nellie Brooks, finished and mailed
letter to Muriel. Drew hay from
stack, Pass Rachels
and carry milk for her.
The sick cow had a calf
The calf dead.

29
26
Saturday 30th March 1918
April eggs
Another fine day. A sap day, snow
all gone as far as I can see
except in our dooryard a few
little scattering spots another calf
at our barn. One lamb yesterday
and two this day living
one lamb this day. Our first
one this spring.
Sunday 31 March 1918
Easter Sunday. Madeline and
Myrabelle came over to Easter. Voltie invited
Joe and Samy to dinner.
They came to be sure. Emma fried
and boiled about 4 dozen eggs
& "sugared off" a very fine day
had ice cream. Got milk cow
up all night at the barn. 2 more lambs.

30
29
Monday 1st April 1918
A very fine day. Em picked up the
clothes to wash but didn’t wash.
I write and send a letter to Grace.
Emma cleaned floors and churned.
Voltie making whiffletrees getting ready
for spring work, not much sap trees
drying up. Raining nearly all night.
Tuesday 2 March 1918
A very fine day, sap dont run this
day. Voltie in shop nearly all day
making whiffletrees and repairing
Dick Hallidays old cultivator. Emma
churned. Joe Woodman ate dinner
and supper because he is visiting
Voltie in shop. Sunsets clear
look like spring, milking 8 cows
now.
Wednesday 3rd April
A fine day froze again last night
and sap runs right merrily this day.
Reg empties the sap buckets of
rain water. Joe ate dinner again
Continued 3rd April
Dick Hallidays have a dance this
evening. Riginald & our two going. Reginald been
chopping the old buggy free from ice. going over to
Dicks in it to the first dance after Easter. I send to
Buckbees for seeds 3rd of April 1918.
Johnny get your gun, get your gun, got your gun

31
28
Thursday 4 April 1918
A very pleasant day, but after
the dance at Dick Halliday’s. Emma
gone to bed. Reginald abed too.
Edith up working away, geting dinner,
washing, feeding lambs. One old
ewe had 4 lambs last night after.
Voltie with lantern went searching
for them all over the farm at
last found them down in the old
barn & drove them home and
put them in the sheep pen.
Joe Woodman here to dinner.
We have 26 lbs of butter now
ready for market. Joe Woodman
here to supper.
Friday 5 April 1918
A very fine morning. Voltie up in
night feeding lambs. Brought
in another one this morning. Three
now in the veranda to feed
with bottle. the Wind South river
all open. Two letters one from Belle,
one from Grace. Emma received a
letter from Will N. After dinner Edith
went to Jim Morgans visiting
going to stay all night. V had
trouble trying to plow colts tried to get away
because the lines broke broke plow and hurt kit colt.
Emma made cookies & sugar. Reginald gathered the sap
3 pails full.

32
29
Saturday 6th April 1918
Another fine day. Voltie after choring
nearly all forenoon comenced plowing
again this p.m. He plows between here
and the road. Reginald brought in
two pails full of sap. I wrote a letter
to Maud and Bert. Emma worked
the butter and made it into 8 prints
which makes 34 lbs now ready for
market. Edith came home this p.m.
accompanied by Madeline and Myrabelle.
Emma cleaned all the floors and done
Saturdays general house work.
Sunday morning 7 April 1918
Sun dont shine very clearly this
morning, all have a great visiting time.
Excepting V and myself, they are all assemble
in the kitchen to boil sap. Madaline & Myrabelle
go home at 5 p.m.
Monday 8 April 1918
A cloudy drizzy day. V didn’t plow but
he and Reginald drew hay from stack
this a.m. Then mended harness the
rest of the day. I sent a letter to
Grace also one to Bert and Maud
and received letters from John and from June Kendrie
also a sun from farm & dairy when I know the
years suscription has not expired for I sent a dollar
the 25 of June 1917. Voltie went after dark and carried milk to
Rachel. We ate supper after come back.

33
Tuesday 9 April 1918
Froze last night. frost on all
the windows this morning. V working
shop all day. I wrote a long letter
to John this day. Reg choring and
boiling sap; all 3 making a
racket all day. nothing very
substantial done all day boil
a little sap on the stove. Emma
bakes bread. Sap dont run to day
to chilly. Reginald talks to his
ma over the phone. 41 lbs butter.
Wednesday 10 April 1918
Wind N.E. blowing a stiff breeze
"shgaring off" off. I write a letter to
farm and dairy and put it in
mail box & also one to John.
V and Reginald draw hay. V
works on harness. Lillie Goodfriend
surprised us by walking in after
school to make us a visit which she
did by staying all night and to
breakfast. Emma put up a good
lunch for tea. They played games till
11 O’clock no mail this day for
any one. No crossing from Kingston
since Saturday.
Froze quite hard last night.

34
Thursday 11 April 1918
Another frozen morning. Reginald and
Voltie drawing hay. 3 loads from the stack.
Emma and Ed getting dinner. Turnip
for dinner. Jack Niles phoned her
is going to Kingston tomorrow morning. Starts
at six O’clock a.m. and says Reginald
can go with him. Reginald packs his
suit case. Couldn’t pack all his things
in his, so borrowed Ediths. V went
to bed quite early. Weather threatens a
storm. 47 lbs butter.
Friday 12 April 1918
I called early this morning to Emma
who answered me after a time or two
which disturbed Voltie and he arose
after a while. Not going to Kingston
this day everything covered with snow
1/2 foot any way every tree shrub and
fence. It looks more like winter than
it did a month ago. Snow still continuing
continues to fall fast and furious all day.
Reginald rings up George Niles. Geo
says he dont know when he is going away.
But Reg has his suit cases all packed ready
for Kingston and home. V and Reg gathered
the sap in milk cans.

35
30
Saturday 13 April 1918
A fine day snow all disapeared
by 3 pm. Joe phoned this morning
saying he is going to villiage and
Reginald can go with him, So after
breakfast Reginald again dresses and rearranges
his suit cases, and Voltie goes with
him to Samys carrying the heaviest
suit case. V sends by Joe for a few
things, groceries. Well the home is lonesome
without Reggie but such is life.
53 lbs butter for market. Samy ate
dinner with us. Joe & Samy got a sick
cow. can’t stand up sun sets clear.
Sunday 14 April 1918
A clear chilly morning. V milked
the cows this morning. Edith didn’t
get up till breakast was ready
then went to carry milk and
honey to Rachel a tug went
down this morning towards Clayton
We were alone all day
till just at sunset our girls
discovered a man in a skiff rowing
in here. It was Wellie

36
31.
Monday 15 April
A very fine day. Wellie arose
early and went to Aunt Rachels to
breakfast came back and cut Voltie’s
hair. He thought to go home after
dinner. A big body of ice came floating
down and now he, like Reginald is
marooned on this island. Joe came
and Samy bringing our groceries coffee,
rolled oats, tea, yeast cakes paid
telephone bill and after taking out
a dollar beside the above from
a ten dollar bill brought back $2,20 cts.
Voltie plowed a little and Wellie made
an axe handle. Edith went to R’s after
dark with milk for Rachel.
Received a letter from Nellie Brooks.
Tuesday 16 April 1918
A very warm day for the season.
Wellie went home this morning or across
the river in our skiff. Voltie
plows, after doing all the chores
beside going to Niles for milk,
Emma done a good job of cleaning
up things in front veranda but only
cleared things without cleaning, carried
honey up stairs, sorted the papers and
magazines, turned the lambs out door.

37
32
Wednesday 17 Apr 1918
Warm and cloudy. looks like
rain. Emma churned soon after breakfast
butter not long in churning; have
to lift the cow up every day. Emma
churned twice this day in a.m.
60 lbs butter for market. I patch a
dress for myself, old black dress. wrote
and sent a letter to Belle.
forgot to send it by Wellie
Preparing to go to market tomorrow
with butter and eggs. V going. 45 lbs
butter, 10 doz eggs. V plowed; another calf
little bald face cow.
Thursday 18 April 1918
A terrible cold, windy nasty rainy
snowy day. It makes everything
disagreable dreary indoor and out.
Didn’t go to market; day to bad.
The truth is we didn’t do much any way.
I wrote a long letter to Will.
boil sap on stove [illegible] a can of
maple syrup for pancakes, sometime
the boat came in last night to our dock for
the first time this year. 18 April 1918

38
33
Friday 19 April 1918
A clear day; not much wind froze so
hard Voltie can’t plow this day. I receive
a letter from Grace. Lib
Watson. V built a yard for the lambs.
Emma carried them out to the yard.
Judy, Betsy, Rags Emma done some
cleaning in Veranda. Emma received
letter from Miriam Burton.
Lib Watson want strawberry vines raspberry
bushes, rose bushes. Sun set clear and
red this evening sent Will a letter
Saturday 20 April 1918.
A very good day, nothing extra.
The usual amount of Saturday work
accomplished a little baking a little
mopping. Same old chores done out
side. Same milking separating,
calves fed, hogs fed, horses fed &
watered, sheep in sheep pen, stables cleaned for
horses and cows, lambs fed. Emma
worked over butter & churned. made
prints. 77 lbs butter now for market.
Emma after supper walked down
to Maggie Rattrays. V plowed.
Edith tended to bread baking after
Emma hiked down the Island.
Maurice and Samy went to corners crossed in our skiff.
They stay all night at Maloneys. V sent for tobaco and
Emma sent for flower seeds Aster sturtium and sweet peas.

39
34
Sunday 21st April
A nasty rainy day. V, Edie
and I alone nearly all day only
Maurice and Samy called in
long enough to ask for Voltie and
leave the flower seeds and tobacco.
Rained so much Emma didn’t
come home, roads all mud. V
went to Rachels carrying her stuff
apples and milk. I thought I’d
write a letter but read all day.
Samy gave me a cosmopolitan.
Ogle drove down the Island and
returned towards night. V brought in
some sap the last run for this year.
Monday 22nd April 1918.
not a very pleasant day. Joe and Samy
here fixing old milk waggon wheel.
V plowing. Joe and Samy here to dinner.
Emma rode up with the mail
so she is home again.

40
Tuesday 23 April 1918
not very cold, sort of a half cloudy
day. V plowing. I wrote a long letter
to Lib Watson. Emma churned twice.
Emma set 4 hens. I finished a
cake doily & gave it to Emma.
Wednesday 24th April 1918
froze last night but the morning
is bright. Wind south. I wrote a letter
to Grace and sent two this morning
one to Grace, one to Lib Watson. Received
a letter from Grace, also one from Grace
Cheever. working at butter last night
to get ready for market tomorrow.
Thursday 25 April 1918
Froze some last night. V arose quite
early. Going to town to day. Emma got
breakfast, drove to dock with Voltie and
10 doz eggs & 85 lbs butter. Edie
washed breakfast dishes milked 4 cows
lugged the milk to the house & separated.
Emma and Edith carry separated milk.

41
to feed 8 calves. Joe and Sam
came cleaned cow stable lifted
the old sick cow onto her old legs.
I sat out in Veranda this am for the
first time this spring. Emma got dinner
and helped milk. Emma milked 4 cows.
Edie milked six. Joe came and
hitched up and drove to dock for V and
Rachel. Some of her eggs were smashed
by driving over to the dock this morn.
85 lbs. V sold the butter for 40 cts per lb
got .34 cts for the eggs per doz. He bought
oil cloth for the dining room,
olive oil, ink, letter paper, shoes for
Edith, shoes for himself, onions & onion
sets, 3 pairs of stockings & trouser
buttons, soda biscuits, carbonate of
soda, cornstarch, laundry starch,
pulverized sugar, coffee,
2 pairs socks, candy.
Joe here to supper. Garden & flower
seeds, Pansy, Phlox, Asters, Morning Glory,
Parsley, salsify, tea kettle, Varnish,
sweet collar, salt for cattle, 2 King
bolts, shoelaces, Dinner 50 fare, 35.
Voltie bought mucilage and a quart of beans

42
April Friday 26th 1918
Clear, cold for the season especialy in
the morning, warmer towards noon
and afternoon. Edith after helping V
went over to Rachels, to carry buttermilk.
She gave Edith candies, cookies, bologna
sausage, and other sausage enough for
our dinner. I send a dollar to Farm
and Dairy. I receive a letter from Bert
and Maude. Emma beginning to
clean house by taking up the sitting
room carpet and moving the the few
scrubby looking flowers that have wintered
out fron veranda. Edith and Emma
are both helping Voltie do the barn
chores. Oh what a time this is.
who knows how it will all
end this war. Sometimes I’m afraid
and Poor Maggie Joslin only did
she take such a burden on her
young shoulders. What has she
gained by that marriage. Emma
and Edith milked all the cows &
separator. V went to draw hay from
stack, horses got frightened when
a little hay slipped off the load and
poor dear Emma sprained her ankle.
Now I don’t know what we will do.
Joe and Samy saw the catastrophy and came
running to help. V fell off the load backward
but didn’t sustain any damage. Oh I’m sorry.

43
Saturday 27th April 1918
Emma cant step on her foot
this day. I helped all I could
washed dishes, picked over beans.
V plowing all day. Samy and
Joe fixing to go spearing.
The day is lovely, warm not a
breath of wind stiring. Tom Maloney
rowed over and gone up the island somewhere
perhaps over to Dora’s to see Maurice.
Edith washed and made 8 butter prints
and worked all day. doing the
best she can. Joe and Tom done
the best he can too for he and Tom
both drove up the island courting.
Joe to Huffs or Cuffs and Tom
a Fargo girl. Voltie and Samy
went fishing after V plowed all day
went spearing up in Sulivans bay.
Got one big pike, 2 smaller ones
one eel two bullheads & one
rock bass, came home about one
oclock am.

44
Sunday 28 April 1918
A beautiful day, warm scarcely
a breeze of air. V took a nap
before dinner. The atmosphere is
hazy. Looks like rain. Will Niles
and Jim Maloney unexpectedly
walked in. I sent them to the
barn to help. V got the cow up out
the Stanchion lifter.
They went there was no one here the
rest of the day.
Monday 29 April 1918
Raining a little this morning but
clears after a while. I write a letter
to Buckbee but am thinking cant
get it posted. Poor Edith is cross
she cant get along with the work
alone. OG and good house keeper
would with one masterful stride of
mind and hand would sweep
the whole business and have dinner
on time. I have done it. Emma tried
to get around on her lame foot and did fix the
churn. I churned not long coming Voltie
plowing down on Smith. A little thunder
a little lightening and a little rain at bed
time.

45
Tuesday 30th April 1918
A very fine day somewhat cooler after
the rain. Voltie cultivating to sow
wheat. Emma churned and made
13 butter prints took the butter from
the churn, pared apples, I’ve got
one lame leg. Edith done quite a
lot of work too brought water, washed
separator, built fires and helped
get the meals, fed lambs and helped
do some chores at the barn. Emma
crocheted and so did I.
Wednesday 1st May 1918
A very fine day tho it was somewhat
rainy this am. Samy and Joe came
to the shop a while. Samy came in for honey
while Joe went home. Mr. Geo Gillespie
came in while we were eating breakfast.
Emma making scrap book. I finished
Grace Jr cake doily. Voltie, after dinner
cultivated with a four horse team
he drew some hay from lower barn for
horses. Emma pared some apples and
cooked some beans. The old cat had one
kitten, it died and buster ate it up.
Edith washed dishes and separator,
fed the lambs, got breakfast and dinner,
brought in water & wood, gathered the eggs.
Helped V hitch up the 4 horse team.
Sun sets clear. No mail this
day. Edith helped milk and sepated
the milk. Emma got supper and cooked bean.

46
Thursday 3rd May 1918
A very good day but chilly wind N.
Voltie sowed 7 bushels of wheat this day.
Emma made scrap book. I wrote a
letter to Grace. Joe Woodman got to go
to war, drafted. He got a letter yesterday
to go. Voltie got bad cold in
head. Emma made 8 prints which makes
29 ready for market. Joe came in for
Will’s fiddle box. He is going to the villiage.
Friday 2nd May 1918
A fine day but cool. Voltie working
in field cultivating. Emma churned
leaving the butter in churn all
night, made scrap book &c. We
received a letter from Grace, two farm
papers and McLeans magazine.
It is this day that Joe came for Will’s
fiddle box. A dance at the villiage. Joe
going to play.

47
Saturday 4 May 1918
Another chilly morning. Voltie
working in field. Emma walking
on her lame foot trying to do the
best she can baking bread.
Emma works around this day
more than usual. I should not
be discouraged and if I ought not to
be. Edith cleaned up grain oat
for E. Voltie Samy went across in
Voltie’s skiff at sunset.
Sunday 5 May 1918
A very fine day bright clear and
warm. Stella Niles came across
to work for Louise. Roy, Maggie and
Willie Goslin came they brought the
baby with them. Albert Barry here awhile
Emma can go out door now
Monday 6 May 1918
This is a much besmeared page. I dropped
ink from the pen. Another fine day.
Emma foot better. Didn’t
get any letters only two farm papers.
We churned this day. 44 lbs.
butter for market.

48
Tuesday 7 May 1918
Rather cloudy. Voltie cultivating all
fore noon getting ready to sow oats.
We dont do much work in doors.
Emma churned. Afternoon rainy.
Joe came and staid to supper
got to go away tomorrow morning.
He is hoping he may come back
from Kingston without going further.
A thunder shower this evening. 7000
soldiers on a strike in Halifax.
They wont go aboard the transport
vessels to take them to France.
An awful state of affairs when Canada
has to fight her own men to make them
go to fight.
Wednesday 8th May 1918
A cool cloudy morning. Wind South
Joe went away this morning, two others
in the buggy with him.
Emma preparing to go to Kingston
to-morrow. Voltie sowed oats
and cross draged the field. Edith
went over to Rachels to carry
her some buttermilk and papers.
Received a letter from Maud & Bert

49
and Farmers Magazine. Joe didn’t
come to-night but might come tomorrow.
No Joe didn’t come back
nor do I think he will ever come
again. V’s sick calf died.
A very good Thursday 9th May 1918.
A very good day tho cool and cloudy.
Voltie drove to dock with Emma. She
is going to market with 52 lbs butter
and 10 dozen eggs. Butter 44 cts
per lb, eggs 35 cts doz. She bought
tea, coffee, rolled oats, candy, washing
powder soap, paint, underwear
liquid Veneer, cheesecloth
cotton cloth, letter pad, flower
seed, Lettuce, Radish, cucumbers,
Dinner 40 cts boat fare 35 repairing
ring 15 cts thread, 8

50
Friday 10 May 1918
Cool day and V working in shop
nearly all day nothing done in
door only taking butter from the churn
which has stood in the cooling water
since yesterday. Guess Emma’s foot bothers
her since her walk around town yesterday.
Received a letter from Belle and one
from Grace; both very interesting.
Voltie walked up to Samy’s and
Samy came down and ate supper
Saturday 11 May 1918
Froze last night quite hard
The sun shining clear and bright
this morning. Voltie gone to plow
He has sowed 44 bushels of grain.
sent R’s books home this morning
and a chunk of ham.
Voltie plowing again this afternoon.
Afternoon cloudy, looks rain. Edith
expecting Madaline and Myrabelle
tomorrow. Rachel is expecting Will; he
going to bring her a dog. Emma and
Edith made pies, cookies, carried the old orange
tree out in veranda, baked bread and
Emma milked 5 cows & separated.
churned, worked over and packed but carried the old slop pail
swept out my dirty bedroom, kicked the cats outdoor, out to the ba ha
mopped kitchen and dining rooms, got the
meals and washed all the dishes and sowed flower seeds
and gathered the eggs separated the milk and washed churn &
separated, fed calves and went after the cows brought
wood & water.
A great day among the cats. Bustco has got 4 kittens

51
Sunday May 12 1918
Not a very good day rainy and
cloudy. Tom Malony and Samy
Woodman here awhile. Madeline
and Marabelle didn’t come over
to wet neither did Will come.
Voltie working in the shop
at old milk wagon getting it
ready to draw milk in tomorrow
morning. V went for the cows through
the rain; had to find shelter in
the old barn while the rain
poured on the roof which lulled
him to sleep. R’s old cow tearing
the fence down. No visitors no
callers only Samy here a few minutes
to use the telephone. Tom M didn’t
come in so you see nothing
occurred of any account only
Voltie drowned busters young
cats and peppered the bull with
bird shot for he can jump some.
Shower after shower, dark and
gloomy, follow each other in succession
at most intervals accompanied by
thunder.

52
Monday 13th May 1918
Guess it rained all night, cant
work in field. To wet to plow,
drew the milk to the factory this
morning for the first time. Edith
helped milk and has now gone
to Rachel’s to carry milk.
Emma sent Samy a loaf of bread
and some cookies by V when he went
to factory. Emma sent letter to Langley
and Willie Joslin. Emma received
letters from Langley, Sylvia, and more garden
seeds, also a letter from Reginald.
Rachel has got a dog and a jar
of butter. Joe is home to stay awhile.
He has now gone over to the corners.
Voltie sent by him for pills. Emma
carried the old brown carpet to the river
and soaked it awhile in the water
then Voltie helped pound it clean and
hung it on the fence. So much more
done towards spring house cleaning.
Voltie fixed fence, chopped wood for
Rachel, made a circle for old milk
wagon, and a thousand other things.

53
Tuesday 14th May 1918
Another nasty morning & not
very warm. Clears up. The day grows
brighter wind South and quite breezy. Samy
here to dinner; plowed for Voltie this p.m.
Emma washed a lot of clothes, which
is so much more towards spring
house cleaning, and the separator too
get the meals, and churned, beside crocheted
on a yoke. Edith helped do all kinds
of work, the hens are hatching. V plowed
a place for a flow garden. I wrote
a letter to Grace and inclosed Belle.
Edith helps Emma, feeds lambs, goes for
the cows, milks washes milk can. Samy ate
supper here, didnt stay all night. Edith
forgot to gather and bring in the eggs
Wednesday 15 May 1918
A clear bright still morning and cool.
Had to call Edith so many times this
morning again. A good day for working
in field. Emma does a lot of work
towards cleaning up curtains and
blankets. Old hog tipped over the stack
kettle full of starch down by the river
Samy helping V this fore noon ate dinner
here. V got a sick hog always has some sick animal to care
Joe came home. A letter from Will
Stella Niles here. Samy & Joe came
down a while. Emma gone to dock with them
in morning. Stella Niles here in evening.

54
Thursday 16, 1918
Arose early. Emma gone to town
rode over to the dock with Joe
and Sam. She is taking up a
eleven dozen of eggs.
Voltie gone to work down on
the Smith’s place. He finished
plowing yesterday. Joe here
to breakfast. Edith put the
little chickens outdoors there
is 21 of them. Grandma
picked over beans for dinner.
Emma carried a crate of honey in sections
to market. Joe feels bad about going to
war.
Friday 17 May 1918
A very fine day. Voltie working in
field. Emma washing curtains.
E & E milks the cows while Votlie
works late in the field.
Emam scrubbed wall in kitchen.
18 May 1918
Saturday. V finished up below
sowing grain 60 bushels didnt’ come
home till after dark. Emma & Edith worked
steady all day at painting, cleaning kitchen.

55
Sunday 19th May 1918
A very fine day cant make fire in
dining room cook stove, smoke so bad,
got supper on oil stove and breakfast
and dinner this day. Roy drove up for
Emma to go visiting at his house she
went. Edith went to church; Samy ate dinner
here. Howard called him to see if the
Morgans kids were here found they were not
so proceeded to church. Madaline &
Myrabelle at church came home with
Edith staid till toward sun set. I
gave them a lot of old magazines.
V gave them 2 quarts new milk.
Stella came then Will Niles & Jim
Maloney. After a time or two Roy
came brining Emma home accompanied
by Maggie and baby
Monday 20 May 1918
A good day. Voltie finished sowing
grain this day. I sent Brother Will
a letter. Emma cleaning upstairs got the
oil cloth down all right. Only Farmers
magazine and Experiments from papers.

56
Tuesday 21st May 1918
Voltie and Joe sheared the sheep.
Voltie prepared Emma
and Ediths flower garden. Emma
washed more clothes and rugs.
I fix my old dress skirt, crochet
on the deep lace. The day is fine.
Joe going to a dance this eve
at villiage. Jim Maloney and
Will Niles here this evening.
Wednesday 22 May 1918
Very warm in forenoon. A big shower
towards night from South. Voltie cross
draging. Emma cleaned parlor it
looks fine. She has to do most of
the work alone. V going to prepare
ptoatoe ground then elevate the cutter
over head in the ice house, shut up the
sow in the ice house for keep. No ice in
ice house. I dont feel very well and
am very discontented about many things
specialy about washing. I am afraid it
will take a long time to straighten things
out. Talk about day light saving by setting
the clock forward! what is the good of

57
that as long as the small fragments
of time are wasted and thrown
away.
Thursday 23 May 1918
A beautiful day after the rain
Voltie drove to the dock this morning
with Rachel’s eggs which she sold
to George Rattray for over 7 dollars.
V drove from there to factory with the
milk. The river is very still this morning
just a small ripple.
Friday 24 May 1918
Emma doing some washing and house
cleaning Voltie’s bedroom. I think it is
Voltie planting potatoes. At last they got
ready and started out for the dance. Emma
goes one way Edith another. Emma goes with
Jack and Anna in car. Edith walks over to Morgans
to go from there with them in their motor boat. The dance is
made for Joe Woodman but the [illegible]
came down in a motor truck 22 strong and monopoly
The dancing hall so this company were out
and had nothing to do but
set around and look on and
the villiage ghouls ate the grub
that this party had carried.

58
Saturday 25 May 1918
This is a dull day after the party
and dance at Dora Hallidays. The house
is in terrible disorder for things being
upset and misplaced and such, a
rain storm pouring rain all p.m.
but they never try to catch any rain water
barrels of it going to waste.
Sunday 25 May 1918
A very fine day. Old front veranda in
an awful uproar. Will Niles, Stella and
Devolson and Lib here all p.m. also Howard
Niles also George Woodman. Emma went
down to George Niles with Stella and Will
staid there to supper then they came back
again with her. They staid all evening then
Emma had to go a little way home with them.
Monday 27
A foggy morning and continues
foggy nearly all day. V plowing for corn.
Emma trying to clean pantry
Tis an awful looking hole. I never saw
any thing like it. It is the very worst I
ever saw. I wrote and sent a long
letter to Lib Watson about her strawberry
plants which she cant get this year.
V and E went spearing
caught a few fish the air
full of electricity flash light
The stars are shining.
A thunder shower in night time.

59
Tuesday 28 May 1918
Another warm cloudy foggy morning.
Votlie plowing this morning after factory and
chores. This is a terrible looking house and
every day it gets worse. I don’t think it can
be straightened out in a month. If house
spring house cleaning kicks up such a
muss. I never want to see another. Edith
is lifeless even while she is alive. She
seems to get worse more lifeless every
day. Poor little Edith. I realy wonder if
she can make herself any different she is
a good child in many ways but she is
odd; very excentric. Voltie and Well Niles
went spearing for eels.
Wednesday 29 May 1918
A cool cloudy morning continues so
all day. Emma cleans my bed room
and turns the bed around. I send a
letter to Grace also and to Lib Watson.
Edith does all sorts of chores sets
hens, feeds lambs, chickens, goes to R’s. Voltie
planting potatoes, and plowing for corn,
drives to dock with a grist of wheat and the wood.

60
Thursday 30th May 1918
Arose quite early. Voltie going to
Kingston. Emma goes to the dock and
then drives across around by the factory with
the milk. A foggy morning, sun
shining through a foggy atmosphere.
Emma works all day at home cleaning
then drives to dock for Voltie. V takes
a grist for Rachel’s flour and flower for
some one else. V paid 25 dollars
interest on Mortgage by way of Geo Rattray
V bought 3 bags potatoes at $2 dollars bag.
Paid 9 dollars for 2 bushels seeds
Friday 31st May 1918
A very good day for work tho cloudy.
Emma cleaning house and working.
No letters nly 3 farm papers. Will Niles
and Stella here in Evening. Will helping V
spread and match the linoleum on dining
floor.
Saturday 1st June 1918
A day of all kinds of work. Emma
put oil cloth on pantry floor. Edith cooks
and washes dishes, feeds the lambs, brings water
from river. V works in field cultivating. Samy ate
from river feeds chickens, dinner here. Wind blows
from South, river rough.

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Sunday 2nd June 1918
A fine day. Wind South. Will Niles here awhile.
V gave him golden bantam seed corn. Edith gave
him Dahlia bulbs. Edith expecting visitors
Madaline & Maribelle. Emma gone across
to Geo Nile’s with Will and Stella. V down
to the old house threshing beans on Sunday.
Will came over to shingle Rachels house.
Emma came late after dark. Voltie and
I are so pleased to see Will. It reminds me
of years & years ago when my aunts, uncles
and couisins came to see us.
Monday 3rd June 1918
McLeans Magazine came today. Will and
Harold Dignum shingling R’s house
both here this evening all singing and
playing violin piano. Will Niles here too.
Voltie raking quack roots out the ground all day
with Spring tooth harrow. night very cool, almost
cold.
Tuesday 4th June 1918
A chilly morning. I’m glad to sit in the
kitchen by the warm stove. Emma cooking and
baking pies, cookies, cakes, fried cakes. Voltie drilled
in 2 bushels ensilage corn, beans brown & white.
Jimy Morgan here to supper. Will didn’t come over today.
Rainy all forenoon.

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Wednesday 5 June 1918
A lovely day. A light breeze wind N. Jim
Morgan here to day working in field with
Voltie at ,35 cts an hour. I write and
send a letter to Reginald. Will came over
from Rachel’s to get his violin and say goodbye.
He is going home today, this pm. Edith
went back to R’s with him and now he
has taken Buster dog and gone to get Will
Niles to sit him across the river. Rachel
came over here with Edith feeling bad
and lonesome since Will and Buster
are gone. 2 Jew ate dinner here. They
gave Edith ,50 cts for their dinner.
Emma after supper rowed the skiff
down to Horn’s after stopping on the
way and taking Stella N along with her.
She bought a bushel of potatoes for which
she paid a dollar and paid Lizzie ,75 cts
ballance on dress making. V took a little
kerosine from Samy’s can which is our boat
house. So ends the day and we all go
to bed to sleep the sleep of contentment
and peacefulness.

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Thursday, June 6, 1918
The morning thick very cool and
cloudy, looks as tho it might may rain
any minute. Not much wind.
James and Voltie building fence. I dont
know which work is being done in
kitchen. Suppose they were busy as
bees doing nothing. Rains all pm. Wm N
here in eve. He is great on rings. V
brought home his concrete mixer from dock.
Friday 7 June 1918
A heavy thunder and lightening about midnight.
Quite clear in morning but soon
clouds again. Jim & V build fence all day.
Emma done some baking cakes, cookies
fried cakes, bread &c. A letter from Grace.
Saturday 8
Edith stays all night with Rachel.
Emma cleans all the floors and Edith washes V shirts.
Jim & V work all day at the fence. Maggie rings for Emma
to go to Bert McDonald with them. Diandra Rattray on the island too
Joe Woodman in Barriefield camp.
Sunday 9th June 1918
A cold rainy nasty day all day. No one
here excepting Will Niles. He told us today
Percy is burried to day. No one went to Rs from
here. V took a nap. Will N here to supper
and staid till bed time.

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Monday 10 June 1918
Sun rose clear bright and warm
this morning. James here this morning.
V and James take down the sheep pen.
Edith has a job on hand washing all
the dirty socks and stockings that has accumulated
all winter I think by the looks of the bundle.
I suppose the sight of them makes her sick.
She began quite early. I finished writing
to Grace and Edith mailed the letter
and sent one to Reggie, mailed
Evelines blue Bamy book. Rachel came
over awhile after dinner to tell V about
the potatoes from Bill Horn. I crochet all the No 10
ball thread I have in table doily.
Sheridan & Jack Murray here this evening.
Ed Maloney in hospital for rupture.
Tuesday 11 June 1918
fine day. Jim and Voltie working at
barn frame. I sewed on Ediths rug.
Edith finished the socks and stockings
rinsed them in the river and brought
in a bag full from the line that she
washed yesterday.

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Wednesday 12 Jun 1918
I stay in kitchen all this day
not much sunlight any where
An electric storm in the night
heavy thunder and sharp
lightning and some rain.
Rain beat in under the
veranda door, cloudy and
rainy most of the. Rachel
came over to tell about her
letter she received from Lottie
saying she and Louise and
Will Sr are coming Sunday p.m.
to finish up house cleaning and
straighten things out. She is sending
up by Emma tomorrow for a lot of
things for the table, and curtains and
wallpaper.
Thursday 13 June 1918
Emma gone to Kingston this day for
groceries and things. V drove to dock. Jim M
drove to factory. Edith gets the dinner this day.
Emma brought home a lot of things too
numerous to itemize, forgot tea nad
Voltie’s shoes and several other things.

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Friday 14 June 1918
A very fine day but cool. William Gillespie,
Jim Morgan, and Jack Murray here working for
Voltie. Samy was coming but had to help his
uncle William Woodman. Emma has 4 men
to get dinner and supper for this day.
Saturday 15 June 1918
A very fine day. Will Gillespie and J. Morgan
here working on barn frame. Emma doing
Saturday work and getting the meals. Never
can tell what Edith does for she is out door
most of the time.
Sunday 16 June 1918
A sun bright day. No one here till evening.
Then Wm N and Stella came directly from home in
skiff. Will bringing a basket of lettuce and radishes.
V went across for Will and his dauthers as
agreed upon staid at Geo Farr’s till 10 p.m.
waitingwaiting no one came. Then V rowed back
home again. Weary weary & tired and gone
to bed. And so ends the day.

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Monday 17 June 1918
Monday morning bright and early. R came
over very early to find why Louise, Lottie nor Will did
not come, couldn’t tell her. Cooking and baking
all day. Maggie Rattray & Annie Niles helping.
Edith quite happy with two kids to play
with, Isabel Rattray and Lois Niles. V chopped
heads off 5 roosters big and fat. Emma &
Maggie plucked the feathers. V and Em prepared them
for boiling and now they are all in the big pot on
the stove cooking. Good night.
Tuesday 18 June 1918
A fine cool morning. Sun bright. V
went early to factory this morn. beat J F at
the whey cream business. Jimy M here quite
early. Had been to breakfast and are now
mowing, smoothing, raking, with rake, sythe,
and lawn mower in front yd by the big oak
to set tables on the lawn for the barn raisers,
cooking and baking still going on. Howard
Niles is the second man to arrive. Now they
are coming thicker and faster. The
women are hustling to get the table
set nearly or quite 30 men
and some women Isabel Joslin and Earl
Maggie Rattray and baby Timmie Niles and

68
Lois, Rachel, Edith Bates, Madaline
Morgan, Stella Niles, Lulu Collins,
Mrs Nancy Niles, Arlaine Keslar, Lottie
and Lena Dixon. Nearly every man from
George Woodmans to foot of island, 5 motor
cars shining bright in the sunlight standing
in the yard. Edith went home with
Madaline, going with Madaline to the
picnic tomorrow. Emma’s foot lame and
sore on bottom from standing on them
so long.
[Page is torn, the remaining text belongs to page 70
and is transcribed there]

69
Wednesday 19
The day after the raising. Working on
barn of course. V, Jim & Will Gillespie hammer,
hammer, pound drove nails all day.
Thursday 20
A very good day. Lottie and Louise
finished cleaning house for Rachel, came over
here to supper. Then Will rowed them across in
V’s skiff. Gurnsey there to meet them with
motor car. Working on barn.

70
Friday 21
rain rain. V couldnt drive cattle
to foot of island tho Ellis waiting for him.
Jim & V working in shop making ladder.
Saturday 22 June 1918
Cloudy, winds blowing fiercely
Sunday 23rd June 1918
Weather rough and rainy all last night. E &
E went to church. A good bye sermon very
few there. Church service dont seem to amount
to much these days. Going to have a new preacher.
A great surprise; the Buckbee seeds came
yesterday. Wm Niles brought them over 53 pks.
I sent first April; to late to sow or plant.
rainy day. V and Will D go fishing. Will N
here to supper, had fish, very good. I wrote
to Mabel M.

71
French
Dire - to tell, to relate
De - of, from, by
Le - the
Emma Lehman
Wolfe Island
Monday 24 June 1918
A very fine day warm every thing growing.
Will D and Jim M & V working on barn. I finished
and sent a letter to Mabel M. Received a letter
from Bonnie Watson. Emma went to Horn’s
to get her dress made. Went early. staid quite
late. Will and Edith went to Geo Niles in skiff for her.
Rachel walked over. Eveline had sent her a
dollar in a letter. She staid to supper. V sent Ellis
$10 dollars to him.
Tuesday 25 June 1918
Somewhat cloudy and cool. Wind East
Lucena Bates visiting here. Jim came down
stairs while we were eating breakfast. V and Jim
& Will working on barn. Will D ate breakfast with R.
Miss Langley and Lois came visiting
this p.m. went home after supper. In
evening Will D, Emma & Edith
and Lucena went in a skiff to George
Niles making an evening visit. Lucena
staid here. Jimy went home at sundown.

72
O Dear
Books lent
Mrs Niles, Eben Holden
all night pine
Maud Gillespie Jessabel
Samy Woodman United States History
Goodfriend The wood carver
Wednesday 26 June 1918
Another bright morning Jimy came back
early to breakfast. Lucena went home this
morning after breakfast. Work all day
on barn.
27 Thursday Voltie phone to Henderson
for potatoes and other groceries, lumber and a
horse fork. Working on barn. Jimy went home
in evening.
Friday 28 June
Wind blowing all day. I received a letter
or card from Grace Cheevers. Will received a letter
from Jen wanting him to come home. V drove
the cattle to Breakeys Bay. Ellis paid him
$400 dollars for 4 cows and the 2 year old bull
dry cows except the kicker

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Our cows names
Dairy
Daisy 1
Molly 2
Jenny 3
Bridget 4
Lilly 5
Spot 6
Rachel 7
Inez 8
Linker 9
Ball face 10
Liny 11
Guiltage 12
tango 13
Polly 14
twin 15
Sambo 16
[numerous other non-sensical scribblings]

74
PHOTOMOUNT
PAMPHLET BINDER
Manufactured by
GAYLORD BROS. Inc.
Syracuse, N.Y.
Stockton, Calif.

75

This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following
people:
Ann Hopkinson, Marilyn, Patricia M Capps, Eileen, Eleanor Daley, Vivian Zhang, MaryV,
LibrarianDiva, and Queen’s University Archives