Nathaniel Edward Leeder Sr. (1835-1923)
1854-1858
Transcribed by Rural Diary Archive volunteers

1854 P.S.
Day book and Memoranda
November 5th. Sunday This day I commence keeping a Memoranda of weather work and
businefs transactions. Cold with a thin layer of snow.
Monday 6.th Raining all day. 3 1/2 dozen herrings at a York shilling per D.
Tuesday 7th. Forenoon rainy but cleared off in the afternoon.
Wednesday 8th. Fine weather. 2 white fish from 9 Iden Goble at 7 1/2 each. Cow sick.
Thursday 9th.
Friday 10th. Cutting corn stalks. 43 pounds of pork from Thurner. 11 lbs of candle fat. Cow
improving
Saturday 11th. Digging potatoes and odd jobs. 2 doz. herrings at 7 1/2 d and P.d. and 8 lbs.
of white fish at 3 cents per lb. Began to rain at night.
Sunday 12th. Cloudy all day with a sligh fall of snow in the evening.
Monday 13th. Sleet and snow from the South-west. 87 1/2 Doz. herrings at 7 1/2 p. Doz.
from Iden Goble which we had him pack in a pork and whiskey barrels.
Tuesday 14th. Cold with snow. Cut a few logs for the oxshed. Shelled corn &c
Wednesday 15th. Morning wet but cleared off at noon. Cutting logs for ox shed: sawing
clapboard lengths and digging trench for potatoes. Trout from Iden Goble 1 shilling cur
Thursday 16th. Cold and cloudy. A light coat of snow on the ground Getting out clapboard
stuff. Digging trench. Filling up a manger in ox shed. Fred hunting oxen all day
Friday 17th. Morning showery, sunshine at midday and rain in the afternoon. Fred after oxen
all day. Boiled some pumpkins digging trench for turnips and splitting Clapboards.
Saturday 18th Snow falling all day in intervales and thawing. putting oxen logs on on shed
and getting them out

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Sunday 19th Cold with showers of hail and snow.
Monday 20th Snowing all the morning. Rob and Fred went to the village and brought 9 lbs
of clapboard nails and 6 1/2 shingle nails Booked to me. Shelling corn, dawing wood &c
Tuesday 21st Fine all day, with 16 inches snow on the ground. finished putting up on shed.
Wednesday 22nd Fresh morning. Snowing all day. Putting roof on the on shed but did not
finish.
Thursday 23rd I left Saugeen for Hamilton to get the money, sent by our friends in England. I
left Robert to keep day book. Fine and thawing all day. finished roofing the on shed, Ground
corn. Bedeck the oxen. Snow almost all gone.
Friday 24th Raining all day. Crofs wayeor the path. and chopped a little fire wood.
Saturday 25th Very wet all day. 15 1/2 lbs of white fish from John Est 1.11 d not Paid
Sunday 26th Snowing all day.
Monday 27th Fine the fore part of the day but clouded over in the afternoon. Father and
Robert Underbrushing. Fred and Phillip hunting the beach after butter
Tuesday 28th Dull in the morning. Fine in the afternoon. Underbrushing in the morning but
after turnips in the afternoon.
Wednesday 29th Cloudy with sunshine at intervals. Finished putting the white turnips and
carted it 5 bag fuls into the cellar.
Thursday 30th Sharp wind and snowing most of the time.
December
Friday 1st Very strong wind with snow. Ground a little corn piercingly cold
Saturday 2nd fine cool and cloudy. Underbrushing. Cutting firewood.
Sunday 3rd Cold and snowing all day.
Monday 4th Went Underbrushing but the cold was so intense we were obliged to return cut
a few pieces of wood for the fire.
Tuesday 5th Strong wind and snowing. Ground some corn and cut a little fire wood.
Wednesday 6th Milder but snowing all day; fetched 4 bags of turnips home cut fire wood

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Thursday 7th Very cold and windy: cut some fire wood fetched some turnips home.
Friday 8th, I came home this morning and went to Turners in the after noon and paid for the
cow. Sleighed turnips home. Paid 20 Dollars for cow.
Saturday 9th Gathering moss for slopping roof of house, drawing turnips home, mild and
thawing,
Sunday 10th Thawing with a light breeze.
Monday 11th Cold with flights of snow at intervals. Robert stopping roof with moss. Phillip
attending to the cow and oxen, Father Fred grinding corn in Morning. Father after tub on
lake Shore in the afternoon. Boiling pumpkins went to Kennedys store fetched 1 gallon of oil
and two pairs of boots boots 3 Dol. per pair oil 2 Dol. did not pay. Settled with Turner for 11
pounds of tallow a 5 d per lb. and 43 lbs of at 3 dol. 1.2.6d left 6d. due me. Emptied privy,
chopped fire wood.
Tuesday 12th. Boiling pumpkins, cutting firewood, cutting logs for turnip cellar, grinding
wheat, stopping roof of house with mofs. Morning cold with flights of snow finer in the
afternoon,
Wednesday 13th Boiling pumpkins, cutting logs, getting brush into our shed. Bought Buck
saw of John Goble 3.9 d. Fixing frame on sive 1 shilling sold to {illegible} one Butchers knife
and 6 awls. Settled with Mrs Goble for washing and cooking 11 s. 3 d. due Iden Goble 1 Dollar
and 1/2 and 8 1/2 d. mending shoes &c
Thursday 14th. Getting logs for fire wood. Boiling pumpkins, and underbrushing fine and dry
preceded by slight frost
Friday 15th. Mild cloudy day. Boiling pumpkins, and underbrushing, signed petition for
division of Saugeen into wards. Cash in hand 30 £ 12 s. 1 1/2 d. I have not yet made out the
account of money expended on journey.
Saturday 16th. Cold in the morning bitterly cold in the afternoon underbrushing, boiling
pumpkins. Took the sow to Shantz hog. Settled with Kennedy 2.10.0 d left 5 d due Kennedy.
Sunday 17th Cold, dull, fine.
Monday 18th Extremely cold, went to Conaways to get proper papers on Iden, and John
Gobles land, but did not get them. Paid Kennedy 5 d. spent 1.5 d on breadstuf at the village.
Posted Miles Wilton’s letter at Arran. P.O. Grinding corn, boiling pumpkins, underbrushing,
shelling corn.

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Tuesday 19th Cold but fine. Went to Salters with oxen and helped to put up log leanto.
Boiling pumpkins, under Brushing, fetching sow home. A men called for Father to go off
milling to Kincardine. One short from Kennedys 4 s. 4 1/2 d.
Wednesday 20th Cold and dull, Under brushing. finished boiling pumpkins drawing turnips
home and fire wood drawing and chopping. The following is an account of moneys
expended by me since leaving for Hamilton. For board lodging and drink £3.11.1 1/2 d. Pair of
Boots £1.0.0 Seeds 15 Shillings. Stove Bridges 2.6 d. Mr G. Leeds for trouble 5.0 ditto
travelling expenses 8..8d. Settled with him for money borrowed at £2.10.0. Pair of pants 13..0
d. 2 shirts 18..9 d. Books 3. 1/2 d. Settled with Donald Gordon for apple trees £2.9.4 d. Pipe
1.6 d. Nails 1.10 1/2 d. Settled with Turner for cow 5.0.0 d. paid the money to the wife. Settled
for pork and tallow £1..2.6 Turner owed me 3 shillings gave him 1.0.0 d. leaves 6 d. due me.
Paid in advance to Robert Reid 7..6 d. A Quarters Postage in advance 4 d. Postage on two
letters 9 d. one of them to P.S. Stevenson Esquire. Hamilton. One pound of biscuit 9 d.
Goods from Calders 8.9 d. Settled with Mrs J. Goble. 11..3 d. Total £17.0.2 1/2 d.
Thursday 21st Cold fine pleasant. Underbrushing. Father started for Kinkardine to Frasers
mill to work started about half past 3 in the morning. Father 1.0.0.
Friday 22nd. Sunshine with a most severe frost. Shelling and grinding corn. Went to Turners
for little flour but could not get it. Cutting fire wood and Underbrushing.
Saturday 23rd Morning, Cold but fine Milder in the course of the day. Went to the mouth;
settled with Calder £7.7.6 due him for store goods and provisions. Paid £2.7.3 d. for
8 1/2 yds of Canadian Cloth 1 shillings worth of thread 4 pounds of shot at 7 1/2 per lbs. 3
boxes of gun caps at 5 per box. Paid 2 s.6 d. to Tailor for cutting out 2 pair of trousers.
Sunday 24th Mild and lowering in the morning but sun shine for a considerable part of the
day: thawing very fast.
Monday 25th Getting up sweeds all day it being mild and pleasant. Robert broke Idens
turnip knife. In the evening I settled up accounts with Iden for the past year money due him
in all £14.7.6 1/2 Potatoes £5.0.0. and bill for fish shomaching &c 9.7.6 1/2 d. I gave two
Notes payable to Iden in order on demand. one of accounts are ignored for the past year.
The notes are dated from 26th.
Tuesday 26th White frost but got out mild during the day; Got all the sweeds that could be
see: ground corn Phillip doing odd jobs.
Wednesday 27th Extremely mild with slight frost in the evening. Underbrushing Fred cutting
stumps.

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Thursday 29th Mild and wet but in the after part of the day extremely cold with snow.
Shelling corn. Making axe handle grinding corn &c.
Friday 30th Fixing stove. Went to Turners 1/2 barrel and 12 pounds of flour £1.1.0 27 3/4 of
Beef at 4 1/2 d. S 10.4 1/2 d. 8 lbs tallow S 6.8 d. 6 d paid me. Broke the runner off the sleigh.
Very cold all day.
Saturday 30th Grinding corn. Mending sleigh. Cutting fire wood. Making saw horse. drawing
fire wood. Phillip suffering with pain in the teeth. Paid Mr J Goble for forty two pounds of
borrowed flour in flour. Fine and cool.
Sunday 31st Milder and Fine but not thawing.
Monday 1st 1855. January Mild and pleasant. Chopping Phil went to Turners this morning.
Tuesday 2nd. Mild and beautiful thawing all day. Underbrushing got 5 tubfuls of Sweeds
home. Got the puppy home from Iden Gobles.
Wednesday 3rd. Mild and pleasant. Snow nearly all gone. Pulling turnips. cutting corn stalks
&c. Strong wind blowing from the South east.
Thursday 4th. Rain in early morning, but cleared off fine and cold with rain in northwest. Me
and Rob at Craigs raising roof pulling turnips.
Friday 5th. Cold but pleasant. 3 of us to Craigs raising in the morn Phil to Kennedys: after
turnips, underbrushing, setting up sap troughs. Paul to George Burnes Canes to for 1854
£2.17. 8 1/2 d. Began to feed sweeds.
Saturday 6th. Rain, warm with strong easterly wind. Shelling corn. Cutting fire wood. Digging
parsnips pulling sweeds.
Sunday 7th. Fine but cool. very remarkable weather for the time of the year. The snow has
all disappeared and the weather is more like Spring.
Monday 8th. Fine and cool. ground bare and quite hard: Ground corn 1/2 bushel of corn to
Iden Goble for toll due him. Underbrushing. Examined potatoe heaps and found many
rotted.
Tuesday 9th fine and cool Underbrushing. Finished about four acres laid out by Robert
while I was away to Hamilton.
Wednesday 10th. Weather cool and pleasant. Attended school meeting Put 11 1/2 bags of
sweeds into cellar. Gathered Idens Sweeds tops together. Began Underbrushing on Idens
lot. Fred chopping all the morning.
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Thursday 11th. Cool and cloudy rain and snow during the day heavy rain in the evening wind
south west. Logging.
Friday 12th Morning cool and cloudy rain in the evening. Underbrushing. Received a letter
from Father 1/2 d. Fred down the beach in the morning. Cow & oxen went off but did not
return.
Saturday 13th Snowing and blowing from the north. very cold. Sow Breaming fetched Fullers
Hog.
Shelling corn. Fred went to Mouth. A letter Tom Sonnes 10 d 3 Milk pans 5.7 1/2 d. Spent 2
d. Poster News to Uncle Wilson. And letter to G Leeds. Cutting fire wood. Phil fetched oxen
home from Parishes. Grind my corn.
Sunday 14th. Extremely cold snow in the evening.
Monday 15th Cold and dull. Drawing home swedes 2 bag fulls and 4 tubfuls. drew home two
sleigh loads of corn stalkes. carried Idens 2 Kettles home. Fred went to Turners and Tailors.
Phil chopping. Rob and me after flour to Kennedys 111 lbs at 7 1/2 per barrel candle moulds 2
shillings Shirt Father got total 1.7.2 1/2 paid.
Tuesday 16th. Mild and pleasant. Me and J Goble began to get out stuff for sleigh. Took
Fullers Hog home. Chopping.
Wednesday 17th. Fine and thawing. Getting out stuff for sleigh in morning raising school
house in afternoon. Boys chopping.
Thursday 18th. Snowing and blowing not very cold. Father came home. Getting out sleigh
stuff. Chopping. Phil to post Office.
Friday 19th. Cloudy and fine. Fred to village pocket stuff 2.6 d. Paid to Postmaster 3 on
paper which was not due and 1 d on neighbours papers and self 1 d ordered oil can after
sleigh.
Saturday 20th Cool and cloudy. After sleigh getting 11 bags of Sweeds home cutting
firewood Phil with oxen to Stuarts drawing barn logs.
Sunday 21st. Cool and cloudy, snowing and blowing later in the in the day: 8 pounds of
tallow from Turners by Iden Goble paid for us before mentioned.
Monday 22nd. Blowing hard from the west, with snow. After sleigh Boys doing odd jobs.
Father started for Kincardine
Tuesday 23rd. Very cold wind west, but not much of it snowing gently all day. Phil drawing
barn logs for Stuart. Chopping &c.
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Wednesday 24th Cold and snowing. Chopping.
Thursday 25th. Cold and fine, chopping &c.
Friday 26th. Wind in the north cold in the afternoon storming. Chopping.
Saturday 27th. Cold storming in the after part of the day. Shelling corn grinding. Chopping
fire wood. Chopping. Phil to Kennedys. soap 1.6 1/2 d. soda 3 d. Pair of {illegible} from Iden
Goble 13 shillings.
Sunday 28th Fine and cold. cloudy in the afternoon
Monday 29th Snowing went to Kennedys 115 pounds of flour 19. 5 1/2 d. Stephen Stirling 1
shilling paid. Shelling corn for Month.
Tuesday 20th Snowing and blowing all day, milder. Shelling corn.
Wednesday 31st. Mild, cloudy, fine. Shelling corn. Phil and Robert fetched the Sleigh home
and began to break a row to the line. Iden Goble mending Roberts Boots 3..9 not paid.
February Thursday 1st. Blowing from the west, cold and some snow. Robert and Fred
clearing the house and chopping wood. Phil and ne breaking a row to the line. carried some
corn to Staffords on the way to the village paid 7 1/2 d.
Friday 2nd. Cold and blowing. Went to sawmill got 100 feet of lumber at 1 Dollar not paid.
Making sleighbox. Getting Sweeds in 8 tubfuls and 9 bag fuls.
Saturday 3rd. Cold and storming in the evening. very cold. Carried 26 bushels of corn to
Loynes received in payment 19 1/2 Dollars. 4 pounds of coffee, 2 yds of pocketry and one
crock 10 shillings. Broke croak pain coming home. 12 drag teeth and 1 frow 1. .11..0d Paid.
Brought leather for Iden. Brought 1/2 hundred of Sugar for Kennedy from Spence's
not settled. Brought 2 hundred of flour from Staffords for Stuart.
Sunday 4th. Very cold wind in the east.
Monday 5th. Intensely cold all day. sunshine wind east North East. not much of it. Doing a
few odd jobs in the house. In the afternoon cutting firewood, grinding corn Phil to
Kennedys 1/2 gallon oil 2 oz ginger, 1/2 oz nutmeg not paid.
Tuesday 6th. Extremely cold. little or no wind. Plastering a few of the worst holes in the old
shanty cutting firewood.
Wednesday 7th. Cold but more moderate. Cutting cordwood. Father came home in the
evening.
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Thursday 8th. More moderate, sunshine. Making axe handle finishing sleigh box making stool
cutting cordwood.
Friday 9th Cold and pleasant. Went to saw mill. Could not get lumber. 123 lbs of flour from
Kennedys 1..0..11 1/2 Paid oil and other things. Phillip got 5..7.. 1/2 paid. me 1.3 bringing sugar.
Robert and Fred chopping. Went to Salters for 2 barrels of fish for Kennedy.
Saturday 10th. Chopping. Fine and mild.
Sunday 11th. Fine and pleasant a few flakes of snow falling in the morning and during the
night.
Monday 12th. Mild wind from the East. In the afternoon stormy. Chopping till noon. Mother
began to use the last bag of flour.
Tuesday 13th. Strong wind from the east and very mild. thawing and raining all day. Went to
Kennedy with Salters fish also to the Mouth paid for tin can 5.0 sh. for molasses 5.0 for
flannell 3..6 for matches 3 d. received from Reid the 3 d paid by mistake to Roy. Paid to Roy
at Kennedys for 42 pounds of flour for J. Goble Paid 1..3 for oil can for Father received 1..3
from do for do
Wednesday 14th. Mild with a few light showers in the evening. snow. Father left for
Kinkardine fill drove him in the sleigh to Bruce. Received from father 10.0 d chopping.
Thursday 15th. Slight frost but mild during the day chopping getting sweeds in and some
wood home. half sleighbox of sweeds.
Friday 16th. slight frost and some snow. Wind north west Chopping.
Saturday 17th. Dull cool wind from the north west with a little snow chief part of the day
cutting fire wood, chopping. Fred doing odd jobs all the morning. Phil at home in the
afternoon. Received the Canadian Agriculturalist for February.
Sunday 18th Dull and cool
Monday 19th. Dull wind in the north west very little of it. cold. Chopping.
Tuesday 20th Cold clear in the morning, warm sunshine during the day. Chopping.
Wednesday 21st. Cloudy in the morning but cleared out a warm sunshiny day. finished
chopping the piece that was underbrushed previous to the last underbrushing.

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Thursday 22nd. Dull and cold. Chopping in the morning but came home on account of the
cold. Getting fire wood in the afternoon. Phil went with Salter for his things to John bulls
corners.
Friday 23rd Very cold with sunshine at intervales. Cutting fire wood. Fred to village 7 of
soap, 2..10 d paid. J. Goble putting hoops on Stuarts churn 7 1/2 d. New churn for Mother.
Myself in house all day with bad cold.
Saturday 24th. Very cold wind from the west snowing slightly. Went to Turners got 103 lbs
of flour 15 shillings Got parer for Axe 7..6 d. Turner and me square Robert and Fred after fire
wood.
Sunday 25th. Cold with north westerly wind and snowing at intervals.
Monday 26th Cold with westerly wind snowing at intervales. Got one load of sweeds into
cellar cleared dirt out of pigs pen. We have not been able to chop on account of the wind
and cold. Began the last bag of flour
Tuesday 27th Cold sunshine in the forenoon but dull towards night Chopping.
Wednesday 28th Cold fine and pleasant: chopping. To Iden Goble mending Phillips boots
3..9 d not paid.
March Thursday 1st. Mild and pleasant. wind south east. Attended meeting at Staffords
gave to Patriotic fund 2..6 d. paid to Iden Goble 3.9 pence being one years Payment for
Canadian Agriculturalist. boys chopping. Father returned from Kincardine 3 weeks hence I
have to go for pigs
Friday 2nd Mild and thawing wind south. Chopping. Robert suffering from a sore on his
thigh.
Saturday 3rd. Mild but dull. Chopping. Father out in the afternoon. Robert confined on
account of his thigh.
Sunday 4th. Mild with strong wind from the south west, very pleasant.
Monday 5th. Morning, extremely warm rain thunder and westerly wind in the afternoon and
night. Father Robert and Fred chopping. Me and Phillip to the Mouth, 102 1/2 pounds of flour
one axe and 1 pound of Sulphur 16..8 d and 6.10 1/2 d. Bottle of Turpentine 1.10 1/2 d. Key for
Staple of one yoke 3 1/2 d. Bread 7 1/2 d Received note from Town clerk.
Tuesday 6th. Morning cool wind north. Chopping drawing fire wood. afternoon Robert
cutting fire wood.

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Wednesday 7th. Morning cool snowing during chief part of the day. Chopping in the
morning. Fixed the sow house in the afternoon, grinding coffee splitting fire wood. Began
the last bag of flour.
Thursday 8th. Cool and pleasant in the morning. Storming in the afternoon. Borrowed some
lumber of Iden to form a threshing place. Father Robert and Fred Chopping. Phil with me
chief part of the day but went to Kennedys bought 2 pounds of soap @ 1/2 d. not paid
Friday 9th. Storming from the North west. Father and boys in the house. myself thrashing a
little at times. Boots mended.
Saturday 10th Morning cold but fine. Chopping. Robert not well. Myself thrashing. John
Goble paid me 7..6 for flour from Kennedys as before noticed.
Sunday 11th Dull and thawing.
Monday 12 Morning fine cool but thawing in the middle of the day. Father to Sherny to hear
if wanted. Robert and Philly got some sweeds into the cellar in the morning. Chopping the
rest of the day. Self thrashing.
Tuesday 13th Morning cool and windy which increased to a furious storm during the day.
Nothing doing. wind in the east.
Wednesday 14th Fine mild and pleasant. Chopping. Myself thrashing.
Thursday 15th Morning rainy then snowing all the forenoon Wind west. Fine in the afternoon.
Cutting firewood thrashing. 2 white fish of Iden Goble 1..3 d. not paid Robert to Kennedys
Friday 16th Fine and warm Phillips went to Staffords and got 117 lbs of flour not paid.
Chopping in the afternoon. I thrashed a little.
Saturday 17th Snow and rain during the day Thrashing. Letter by Uncle Iden. 7 1/2 d.
Sunday 18th Day fine and pleasant wind South west.
Monday 19th. Morning fine but storming towards night Went to shells to clean some wheat
for Mill about 9 1/2 bushels. Went to see Wrights cow, got half a bushel of pease from
Turner for which he is to have the same measure of corn. Father Robert and Fred chopping
Robert got three tubs and three bags full of sweeds into the cellar.
Tuesday 20th. Storming from the south west. Shelled 1/2 bushel of Corn for Turner.
Wednesday 21st. Morning dull and cold afternoon fine with cold. Father and Phill went to
Frasers Mill. Let Father have 2 dollars and 3 1/2 d. Went to look a cow on 2 concession:
Balanced accounts with James Stuart. Due me for 3 bushels of potatoes 7..6 d. Balance of
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money due me when he borrowed 5 Dollars 1/4 . Due him for fish 9.. 1/2 d. Balancing due
me £ 1.4.7 1/2 d. from Iden Goble 2 white fish 1..3 d. Robert and Fred getting fire wood and
chopping.
Thursday 22nd. Morning very cold sunshine during the day. Fitting pigsty and getting fire
wood
Friday 23rd. Storming thawing, fine in the afternoon. Chinking a shed cutting fire wood,
chopping. Received 3 Dollars from Stuart.
Saturday 24th. Very cold wind west north. Father came home late last night from mill
leaving the sleigh at Shells of Bruce. Went for sleigh this morning. Flour from our own wheat
3 bags fine shorts corse ditto and bran 2 Barrels on account of wages for one month. lefs
one day = 12 Dollars. Cash for Balance for rest of the month 17 Dollars which is one months
wages at 30 Dollars. Fred chopped some fire wood. Brought home pigs 3 -- at 1 1/2 Dollars
each paid.
Sunday 25th. Cold and dull fine in the afternoon. Heavy fall of snow the night previous.
Monday 26th. Wind south east blowing hard and snowing heavily nearly all day. Went to J.
Turners. Paid him 30 Dollars for which I was to have a cow 48 pounds of Timothy seed and
a Coly dog. Brought the cow home with me. Father and boys chopping in the morning.
Tuesday 27th. Morning cool, changeable during the day. Father and Boys chopping. Myself
thrashing. Bought Roberts hen of him for 1..3 d and paid him 1..3 d as pocket money. Phill is
paid and Fred has 3d due him yet.
Wednesday 28th. Cool and dull all day. Thrashing. Chopping. Phil drawing home firewood.
Fred chopping firewood. 2 whitefish from Iden Goble 1..3 d. and half a bushel of potatoes.
Thursday 29th. Cold in the afternoon. fine and pleasant. Father Robert Fred chopping. Phil
drawing firewood. Thrashing. Bought Freds hen 1..3 d.
Friday 30th. Morning cool, beautifully fine and warm all day. Father Robert and me finished
chopping the piece {illegible} out by Robert. Fred thrashing Phil cutting wood in the
morning went to Kennedys in the afternoon. Coffee 3 lbs, 3..9 and jug 2..0 d paid Letter
from Aunt Edmund Leeder. another from Bircham and two Newspapers from Woodlon
1..10 1/2 Paid
Saturday 31st. Mild and thawing with very strong wind from the South west. Robert getting
sap troughs to the trees. Father and Phil after logs for firewood. Fred thrashing. Me after
hoop stuff and fixing barrels 84 clout nails of John Goble.

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Sunday 1st of April Cold wind off the lake.
Monday 2nd. Cold but clear with wind from the north. Me and Phil went to Turners in the
morning. Brought home Timothy Seed as before mentioned and two bushels of potatoes
for which Turner is either to have the same measure in return or 2 shillings per bushel.
Robert after sap troughs. Father and Fred chopping over on J. Gobles lot. Iden and me
measuring lines and measured up the chopping. I did for him. Slashing 2 acres 3
of rods? Chopping 1 a. 1 rood 20 chains. underbrushing 1 a. 3 r. 1 rod.
Thursday 3rd. Cold, sunshiny. Father and Phil went to Saw mill came back empty. Fred
chopping and Father and Phil in the afternoon. Robert after troughs and buckets washing
spouts. Coopering made one handle.
Wednesday 4th. Morning been mild and thawing during the day. Father, Robert, Fred and
chopping over in on John. Fixed an axe handle carried buckets to trees. Tapping trees in the
afternoon. Balerneed around with John Goble the result will appear in a day or two.
Thursday 5th. Fine mild and pleasant. Robert Phil went toTurners for 8 bushels of potatoes
which makes ten bushels we have had of him. Father and Fred chopping. I after fixing
boiling place &c. Robert helping in the afternoon. two white fish of Iden.
Friday 6th. Snowing but mild. fine the latter part of the afternoon. Robert after firewood and
Fred ground coffe in the morning chopping in the afternoon. fixing fire place and boiling
gathering sap. Iden for mending Freds boots 2..9 d.
Saturday 7th. Fine and pleasant. Sow pigged late at night she had 6. Boiled 18 pails ful of
sap. Chopping.
Sunday 8th. Fine wind in the west. one pig died.
Monday 9th. Clear and cool. Boiled down 35 pails ful of sap. Phil went to Shantzs had no
lumber. Fred chopping firewood. Father and Robert chopping another pig died.
Tuesday 10th. Cold and fine snowing in the afternoon. Chopping. Self thrashing, another pig
died.
Wednesday 11th. Fine and pleasant. F.R.F. and P. chopping finished John Gobles in the
afternoon. Phil chopping firewood Thrashing. Good run of sap all day.
Thursday 12th. Frosty morning day fine. fine run of sap partly boiled 34 buckets full of sap.
Father chopping. Rob thrashing. Fred and Phil chopping firewood. Phil went to Store spent 6
for paper.

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Friday 13th. Rain in the morning, fine rest of day. Fred went to village quart of beer 7 1/2 d
times from old country 1 d. Johns paper 1/2 d. spent 1 d Tea 1..10 1/2 d. Two buckets of sap
and finished boiling down. Father chopping. Robert thrashing. Phil chopping firewood.
Saturday 14th. Fine and warm snow melting very fast. Father and Robert chopping Fred
chopping firewood Phil and me went to Staffords cleaned up 12 bushels of wheat Assessor
came along in the morning 236 acres of land 3 head of stock Asesed at 179 Pounds.
Sunday 15th Warm and pleasant
Monday 16th. Very warm snow melting fast. Father chopping Robert thrashing. Fred after
firewood chopping barn loggs.
Tuesday 17th. Warm Dull and raining at intervals during the day. Boiling 19 buckets of sap for
vinegar. Father chopping when suitable. Robert thrashing when fine. Fred went to help raise
blacksmiths shop in morning: Phil drawing houselogs and fire wood. 4 yards shirting at 8 per
yd paid. lost yorker.
Wednesday 18th Thunder last night. fine and clear this morning,a few drops of rain in the
evening. Father chopping. Robert with Fred thrashing. Phil drawing barn loggs Chopping
loggs.
Thursday 19th. Rain in the morning, fine and warm during the day. Father Rob. Phil digging
potatoes. Fred thrashing oats chopping barn logs. planted 54 and 24 peach stones.
Friday 20th. All of us at Stuarts raising morning dull afternoon fine and hot Phil drawing logs.
Father and Fred cutting fire wood. Robert and me gardening. Fred went to the store a
pound of coffee and a pound of pepper. 2..3d. found the yorker.
Saturday 21st, Fine. Robert and Father digging potatoes afternoon me and Robert planted
potatoes, onions and sowed. 1/2 an oz. of onion seed. chopping barn logs myself in the
morning. Phil drawing all day. Fred thrashing. Sunday fine and cool.
Sunday 22nd Fine and cool.
Monday 23 Sharp find frost last night. Warm and fine. Father and Robert digging potatoes.
Fred thrashing. Phil drawing logs. bad toothache. Myself cutting logs. Planted some
Rhubarb seed, and Black Spanish radish seed.
Tuesday 24th. Fine warm and sultry. Omitted on the 21/4 setting down kneading trough of
Goble not P. Basket of Iden 1..10 1/2 d. Father and Fred in the morning. Robert in the
afternoon digging potatoes finished in our own place and began in Idens. Thrashing. Phil

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pulling up stray turnips Self after Barn logs. Last night set fire to the heaps we logged in the
winter burning well. Sowed half the lettuce seed sent by Jonathan Soynes.
Wednesday 25th Cool and dull rain during the forenoon fine chief part of the afternoon and
rain in the evening. Father and Robert digging potatoes. Fred thrashing. Phil drawing logs for
Idens pigsty in the morning drawing barn logs in the afternoon. Myself gardening sowed the
long beet seed.
Thursday 26th. Rain all last night till 3 this morning fine the rest of the day with cold north
wind. Father and Robert chopping in the forenoon digging potatoes in the afternoon. Fred
chopping logs about the clearing thrashing in the afternoon. Phil to Salters withe oxen
logging. Chopping barn logs myself.
Friday 27th Frost last night fine and pleasant during the day. Father and Robert after
potatoes. Fred and Phil chopping up logs and drawing them together in the clearing. I went
to the village. Mending Uncle Idens turnip knife. 7 1/2 d. Gallon of oil 1..6 d. Newspapers 2 1/2
d. 4 pounds of coffee. 5..0 d. pound of sugar 6 d. 8 pounds of apples at 8 d. 5.4.1. 2 lbs of
tobacco 3..0 d. 4 pounds of pot barley at 3 1/2 d. 1..2 d.
Saturday 28th Dull and cold all day wind easterly with rain part of the day. Logging at Idens
me and Phil. Father and Robert after potatoes. Robert after staking part of fence in the
morning. Fred odd jobs planted spinach seed in the morning, and Red beet and carrots in
afternoon.
Sunday 29th Warm, a Thunder storm last night and during early morning.
Monday 30th. Morning fine and Warm afternoon raining. Rosa of a bull calf last night.
Logging up fragments in the morning. 7 1/2 due Iden for mending Phils boot.
May
Tuesday 1st. Fine and warm. Father Fred and Phil pulling and drawing home sweeds. Robert
cutting toggles for fence. In afternoon Father after log heaps Robert staking fence Fred and
Phil clearing away straw and other materials from where the stack? stood. Self went to take
Revd masters oath of office of in afternoon split and put in a piece of fence near the road
on the bank. Planted some sweedish turnip for seed. An Eclipse tonight of the moon. total.
Wednesday 2nd. Fine and warm. Father me and Phil helping Stuart to put up boundry fence.
Robert and Fred getting stakes out of the swamp, leveling mounds of stumps in clearing
preparatory to the sowing of grain.

14

Thursday 3rd Warm and pleasant. Father Phil and me helping Stuart to put in fence, finished
in the afternoon. Robert and Fred levelling knowls of earth. Phil drew some split rails or
stakes after the fence was finished. John Goble had 1 1/2 bushel of wheat, not Pd.
Friday 4th. Fine with north wind which made it pleasant working. Logging. Sowed some
chickory seed. Uncle Iden had 1 bushel of wheat. Burnt some brush last night.
Saturday 5th. Fine and cool in the morning. warm during the day. logging. John Goble
butchered the calf and pigs.
Sunday 6th. Dull and cool much ice on the lake.
Monday 7th. Quite cold with north wind. East wind. Dull all day. snowing in the morning.
Logging.
Tuesday 8th. Morning cold with rain and sleet. Father Robert & me leveling earth in the
clearing. Fred and Phil cutting fire wood &c. In afternoon logging, finished between Stuart
and us. Afternoon evening rather milder.
Wednesday 9th. Sharp, white frost last night. Mild and pleasant all day. wind north. Leveling
and burning rakins raking tend log fires clearing stumps of drawing fence stakes, dragging
&c.
Thursday 10th. frost last night. fine and warm all day. Robert away to Hilkers raising. Father
levelling,
Fred raking, Phil dragging. Cleaning wheat and getting fit for sowing, spread ashes. Robert
sowed some flat Dutch cabbage seed and Salsify.
Friday 11th. White frost. Fine day dull and show of rain towards night. Sowed 3 bushels 1
1/2 pecks of wheat and some Timothy seed. Phil dragging in the morning, I made a drag.
Father, Robert, Fred, leveling, burning &c.
Saturday 12th. Fine and dull raining slightly in the first of the morning. Sowed the Timothy
seed between Stuart and me. drew logs off land and spread the ashes. Father Fred and
Robert planting pease in the afternoon. Phil dragging sowed some wheat.
Sunday 13th Morning fine. dull in the evening with rain at night.
Monday 14th fine. Father and boys finished planting pease and ploughed some carrots. Phil
dragging sowed some wheat cutting short stumps close to the ground. Me and Robert
made a hen house. Old hen hatched 7 chicks.

15

Tuesday 15th. Very warm with strong wind from South West and South in the afternoon and
evening Thunder with heavy showers of rain: Sowed some wheat this morning. Phil dragging.
Father and rest finished sowing carrot seed and commenced planting potatoes. Finished
sowing wheat. sowed in all about 7 1/4 bushels on something like 5 acres. Received from
James Stuart 2 Dollars on his account.
Wednesday 16th. Fine. Father Robert and Phil planting potatoes. Phil finished draging in
wheat. Fred cutting potatoes. Put up a pigs yard. Omitted settling down in part on Stuarts
account 1..10 1/2 d. on the 14th.
Thursday 17th. Fine but cool. Dragging. potatoes planting, levelling. Cleaning out cellar. 8
bushels of potatoes planted. Thrashing. barley, sowed some:
Friday 18th. Fine, warm, wind easterly by South. Finished thrashing barley. 6 bushels.
Cleaned up barley oats 3 1/2 and wheat 6 bushels. Levelling and burning brush. Finished
sowing and dragging in barley. 3 bushels. Took the pigs off, last of them. 1 Dozen herrings of
of Goble 7 1/2 d. N.P.
Saturday 19th. Fine. warm. 10 herrings of Iden Goble 7 1/2 d burning brush clearing up straw
and stuff now Just laid riders on fence. next road fetched two barrels home from sugar
boiling place. Got barley straw home. Phil hunting oxen all the morning draging in afternoon,
took sleigh harness?
Sunday 20th. Fine.
Monday 21st. Fine and warm. Burning brush, cutting fence logs. Sowed some oats, draging,
had one bushel of oats of J. Goble which makes goods in kind had he wishes to be repaid in
oats after harvest. One trout of Iden Goble 1 shilling N.P.
Tuesday 22 Fine and warm. Burning brush. chopping fence logs, draging, half a dozen
herrings of Iden.
Wednesday 23rd. Thunder and rain in morning fine and hot during the day. chopping up
trees, burning brush. Making fence between Stuart and me. Phil and me at Stuarts logging 12
1/2 of Trout of Iden at 3 cents per lb. Mother went to Store spent for shirting and one
pound of coffee 1.4 9d.
Thursday 24th. Fine and pleasant. Boys had a holiday and went to the Mouth hunting oxen
all the morning, draging, loging, burning brush. 14 herrings of Iden 7 1/2
Friday 25th. Cool last night. Fine and pleasant. draging, planting corn for fodder. One trout
Iden Goble. gave me for draging {illegible} think that we are square. planted some
cucumber seeds.
16

Saturday 26th. Frost last night. hunting cattle in the forenoon odd jobs putting up boundry
fence between Stuart and me, Donald Stuarts brother helping. Sowed some Rhubarb.
Sunday 27th. Frost last night very severe. cool all day.
Monday 28th. Fine and warm no frost. logging, sowed some millet, and some glory of
England pease.
Tuesday 29th. Fine and warming must be Indian Summer. Logging, Planted Bull Pease. One
dozen herrings from Uncle Iden N.P. Cow beauty. went to bull.
Wednesday 30th Fine but very smoky same as yesterday. Logging.
Thursday 31st. Mild and showers rain towards night. Loging. planted sugar beet.
June
Friday 1st. rain in the afternoon. The wind North and cool. Planted some sugar beet.
Levelling. cut a little firewood.
Saturday 2nd. From this date to the 9th we had of Iden Goble 2 dozen and 9 herrings at one
penny a herring.
Sunday 3rd
Monday 4th.
Tuesday 5th.
Wednesday 6th.
Thursday 7th.
Friday 8th.
Saturday 9th. Borrowed 37 lbs of flour of John Goble also 60 lbs of oats for which he is to
have the same weight in oats after harvest.
Sunday 10th.
Monday 11th. Very cold for time of year. planting corn begun on the Friday.
Tuesday 12th. planting potatos. cool.
Wednesday 13th Planting potatoes. Phil over at Salters with cattle in the morning., drawing
barn logs in the afternoon. Mild and Pleasant. Carried my wheat about 10 bushels to Iden’s
17

on Monday expecting to start for Frasers Mill at night but have not been able to get off for
contrary winds.
Thursday 14th. Fine and Mild. Robert to Staffords raising planting potatoes. 1/2 Dozen
herrings from Idens 6 d. Started for Mill in boat with a grist in company of J. Goble. Robert
Craig, and James Stuart. 11 bushels. forced to take it to Port Albert all the mills on this side
of it being short of water.
Friday 15th.
Saturday 16th.
Sunday 17th.
Monday 18th.
Tuesday 19th Wednesday
20th Arrived home. Since I left they have finished potatoes and commenced underbrushing
on Idens place, cut some rail lengths &c. Spent on the voyage 3..1 1/2 d. From the village
store goods by Fred 4.4 1/2 d.
Thursday 21. Moist and warm. Made one handle. underbrushing. From Elgin 14 1/4 of pork
and 7 1/2 lb 8..11d. 1/2 for paper 1 1/2 &c.
Friday 22 Fine and warm James Stuart helping me to make shingles. underbrushing,
drawing, barn logs clearing up round the house.
Saturday 23rd. Hot splitting rails underbrushing, planting and clearing round the house. Fred
went to Elgin Port. 29 lbs 16..3 d. 1.11 1/2 d.
Sunday 24. Dull but plesant.
Monday 25. Warm. Put a fire into chopping burn pretty well.
Tuesday 26th
Wednesday 27th
Thursday 28th The last two days fixing for foundation for barn.
Friday 29th Raised the foundation for barn.
Saturday 30 After Hands Butting barn logs. Fred and Mother went to Store. Planted corn on
the land where Manses corn failed on Thursday omitted to insert

18

Sunday July the 1st.
Monday 2nd. J. Stuart, and J. Goble helping to get things ready for raising barn. Omitted
putting down on Sunday 17 lbs of trout at 3/ 1/2 per lb . Cow gone off this evening.
Tuesday 3rd. Raising barn, threatened to Rain during the day but held off till night when it
Thundered and lightened with heavy rain. I had 23 hands. Had of John Goble 13 1/2 lbs of
trout 2 & 3 d. Sharpening Craigs cut saw 7 1/2 d.
Wednesday 4th Warm and moist. Cutting up timber for logging. Planting corn where grubs
has taken it. Attended school meeting for deciding the way the teachers Salary was is to be
raised by tax.
Thursday 5th. Went to Shantzs after lumber to shingle on. Got 1200 and 4 feet mitre at
Store. 3 d. Planting Corn. Burning and piling Brush. Phil not very well over at Salters rather
better than 1/2 the day. Robert at Fuller’s in return for use of Oxen on day of raising.
Friday 6th. Warm rain in the middle of the day. Logging.
Saturday 7th.
Sunday 8th. Took Beauty to Thomas Turners bull.
Monday 9th. Myself sick.
Tuesday 10th. Prepariing for turnips.
Wednesday 11th Robert to Campbells raising.
Thursday 12th. sowed sweeds.
Friday 13th. Clearing off and raking for Sweeds. Bought of Lehnen and Ruby 10 yds of Denim
at 13 d per yd 10..10 d. Sugar 1..3d. 13 1/2 lbs of Pork at 7 1/2 per lb. 8..5 1/2 d. 1 Grain Cradle
10/0.1 Three pronged Hay fork 5/0 d Charged to A/c.
Saturday 14th. Preparing for sweeds.
Sunday 15th Very Hot.
Monday 16th. Extremely Hot. Began work on road. Robert loging at Fullers.
Tuesday 16th. very warm. Road work. Chopping up logs &c. (omitted on Saturday 7th. Fred
at Gehners raising). Phil draging in sweeds.
Tuesday 17th. Very warm. Road work. Chopping fit for loging.

19

Wednesday 18th. Very warm. Road work. Robert loging at Frasers. Burning brush chopping
up for loging &c.
Thursday 19th. Road work, loging. Wet in the afternoon. Fred to store 4 lbs of Coffe 5/0
Sugar 5 lb 1 yr. of Drill? 1/6. 1 Cream pt. two shillings & 6 d.
Friday 20th. Road work, loging.
Saturday 21st.
Sunday 22nd.
Monday 23rd.
Tuesday 24th.
Wednesday 25th. From L. & Rubys by Fred 6 1/2 yd of Shirting at 7 1/2 d (4/1 d.) 1 oz of
Pepper 1 d. 1 lb of washing soda 5 d. Carried 4 1/4 lbs of Butter at 1/s. lb 4..3 d.
Thursday 26th.
Friday 27th.
Saturday 28th. 6 lbs of Tobacco from Rubys 7/6 d. Yesterday and this forenoon me and
Iden opening Road. yesterday Father at Henrys raising.
Sunday 29th.
Monday 30th. Loging.
Tuesday 31st. Bought of L. & Ruby 1 Cradle Sythe 6..3 on a/c Raking and burning.
Wednesday August 1st. Bought of L.& Ruby 8 lbs of Nails at 4 1/4 per lb. £1/10.6 d. 30 lbs of
Rice at 4 1/2 --11..3 d to my a/c Drawing lumber from saw mill.
Thursday 2nd. Drawing lumber from mill. Ox sick in the afternoon. Bought of L.& Ruby 1 jug,
gallon of molasses whet stone 6..2d. 3 lbs of Salts 1..10 1/2 1/4 lbs of ginger 6 d.
Friday 3rd Father at Turners Raising. helping Iden to saw shingle blocks. cutting up logs.
Saturday 4th. Cutting Rafters. Sowed white turnips.

Sunday 5th.
Monday 6th. Drawing and laying bottom logs in fence. Getting Rafters. 16 3/4 of Beef of
James Turner not Paid.
20

Tuesday 7th. Cutting and drawing Rafters. Pulled Thrashed Turnip Seed.
Wednesday 8th. Stewart helping to lay down Plates on barn Peeling Rafters &c.
Thursday 9th. Stuart helping with barn
Friday 10th.
Saturday 11th. Stewart helping.
Sunday 12th.
Monday 13th. Stewart helping.
Tuesday 14th. Bought of L.G Ruby. 4 lbs of Coffee 4/8 d. 1 lb of Tea 3/9 d. 1 lb of Soda 5 d. 4/2 d 1/2 lb of Saltpetre 2 Bars of Soap 3/6
Wednesday 15th. 1 1/2 Dozen Herrings of Iden Goble /6d. Shingle making.
Thursday 16th. Shingle making
Friday 17th.
Saturday 18th. Bought at L.& Ruby one Dollars worth of Sugar 3 axes at 6.30 d each.
Sunday 19th.
Monday 20th. Salter returned one day on account of his road work. Father at Reeder raising
- shingle making Machine for father from John Goble.
Tuesday 21st. Salter returned second days work.
Wednesday 22nd 1 dozen herrings from Stewart 1 s. 10 from Iden Goble 9 d.
Thursday 23rd.
Friday 24th.
Saturday 25 By Fred from L.& Rubys 30 lb of Rice at 4 1/2 11..3 d. 2 lbs of Coffee 2/6 a. 1 Do
Candles 1 s. 1 d. one cow bell 3..1 ½ d. 2 dozen fish Iden
Sunday 26th.
Monday 27th.
Tuesday 28th Robert to Shupes raising.
Wednesday 29th.
21

Thursday 30th. 2 dozen fish from Iden.
Friday 31st. In the afternoon at Idens raising. omitted yesterday 105 lbs of flour of Fraser
bag and all. Mother at the store. bill not known.
September
Saturday 1st.
Sunday 2nd.
Monday 3rd. This afternoon commenced cutting wheat.
Tuesday 4th.
Wednesday 5th. Fish 1 dozen 9 d {illegible}
Thursday 6th Half head and 10 pounds of pork of Stewart 5/8 d.
Friday 7th.
Saturday 8th. These two last days we have got some wheat under cover.
Sunday 9th.
Monday 10th. Cut Pease. Finished cutting wheat, and commenced on the Oats. 1 Dozen fish
from Iden 9 d.
Tuesday 11th.
Wednesday 12th. Bill of Things got by mother at Rubyes as before mentioned 16/0 d. One
Dollars worth of Sugar by me today. After lumber to Staffords in the morning, rain in the
afternoon.
Thursday 13th. 121 pounds of flour of Fraser bag and all. Drawing lumber from saw mill.
cutting oats and barley.
Friday 14th. Finished cutting oats
Saturday 15th. 2 dozen fish Iden 1..6 d finished drawing in wheat.
Sunday 16th.
Monday 17th. Wet all day.
Tuesday 18th Making shingle.

22

Wednesday 19th. Loging, Thrashing wheat for seed at Staffords.
Thursday 5 bushels of wheat of Stafford. for which he is to have 5 bushels of spring wheat.
3 yds of Satinnet at 3/8 per yd. one Barrel of Salt 15/s 2 Dozen fish from Iden Goble 1.6 d.
Friday 21st. Shingle making, 1 doz fish 9d. of Iden.
Saturday 22nd. Sowed 4 bushel of wheat.
Sunday 23rd Brought the calf out for first time
Monday 24th.
Tuesday 25. 1 Dozen fish from Iden.
Wednesday 26th. Bought at L.& Ruby 2 lbs of coffee 2/6 d 1/2 lb of Tea 1..10 1/2 d 1 yd of
linen and binding 1/0 d 1 oz. nutmeg 7 1/2 d. Large tin dish 3/1 1/2 d 1 lb of candle 1/1 d.
Thursday 27.
Friday 28th.
Saturday 29th. Finished getting in barley.
Sunday 30th.
October
Monday 1st. Bought of L.& Ruby 26 lbs of Pork at 7 1/2 per lb 16.3d. 20 lbs of Rice 4 1/2 per
lb 5/10 of Sugar 5/0 d Balance on goods 1.0 1/2 d due L and Ruby. Onions of Iden as pay for
wheat and Timothy.
Tuesday 2nd. Robert raising Browns Mill 2 dozen fish Iden Goble 1.6 d.
Wednesday 3rd.
Thursday 4th.
Friday 5th.
Saturday 6th. Bought goods of L.& Ruby 3.3 d.
Sunday 7th.
Monday 8th. Dug 27 pailfuls of potatoes.
Tuesday 9th. Dug 34 pailfuls of potatoes 2 Doz fish of Iden 1.6 d.
23

Wednesday 10th. Dug 46 pailfuls potatoes. One Dung pork 7 lbs of candles paid 4/10 1/2
Thursday 11th. Dug 34 pailfuls of potatoes. put 34 bags of corn over head this week.
Friday 12th.
Saturday 13th.
Sunday 14th.
Monday 15th. Borrowed 10 dollers of Mrs J. Goble and with it paid fraser for 1 barrel of flour.
Tuesday 16th.
Wednesday 17th. 2 Dozen fish of Iden. 1..6d.
Thursday 18th. Fred went to Store. 1 pair of Braces 9d., finished gathering corn. 40 pails of
potatoes
Friday 19th. 45 pails of potatoes.
Saturday 20th. 2 Doz. fish Iden 1/6 d. 32 pails of potatoes.
Sunday 21st. 2 Doz. fish of Uncle Iden
Monday 22nd. Dug 85 pails of potatoes
Tuesday 23rd. Dug 7 pails of potatoes but had to quit as it snowed some and was very cold.
Wednesday 24th. Settled with James Salter, and received in payment for work done during
the summer 2 loads of Pumpkins.
Thursday 25th. Bought of L.& R. Candles 2/2 d Nutmeg 7 1/2 d. Bought one Whiskey Barl.
3/9 d.
Friday 26th. Carried 2 Barrels of fish for a man to 11 Con. of Bruce 3 Dollars.
Saturday 27th. Dug 31 pails of potatoes.
Sunday 28th.
Monday 29th. Dug pails of potatoes. Craigs presented us a pair of Ducks. Bought 12
chickens of Fraser 4/5 d n/pd.
Tuesday 30th.
Wednesday 31st.
24

November
Thursday 1st. Fine weather.
Friday 2nd.
Saturday 3rd. 3 Doz. Herrings Iden.
Sunday 4th.
Monday 5th.
Tuesday 6th.
Wednesday 7th. White fish and Trout of Iden 2.3 d.
Thursday 8th.
Friday 9th.

Saturday 10th. 2 Doz. herrings of Stuart N.P.
Sunday 11th.
Monday 12th. Went to village 1 Pair of Boots for Robert 3 1/2 Dollars. leather 7 1/2 d. Gallon
of oil 6..3 d 2 Buckles 4 d. cotton. 4 d. all paid.
Tuesday 13th.
Wednesday 14th. 2 dozen fish of Stuart. 1 1/2 Bushels of potatoes of Iden to be paid in ox
labour.
Thursday 15th, 2 white fish 1/3 d. 2 Doz. fish 1/6 d. Began to feed pigs on mush on Thursday
evening. Boiled to the present 84 pints of c meal. Omitted on the 14th. By Bred Bought of L
& Ruby bill 13/9d.
Friday 16th.
Saturday 17th. Boiled 46 pints of corn Boots for Phill of L & Ruby 3 Dollars.
Sunday 18th.
Monday 19th. 30 Pints of corn for hogs 1 chick of Fraser.

25

Tuesday 20th. Laid out the underbrushingon Iden & John’s Lots. 30 Pints of corn for hogs. A
call from Shantzs for Father. Phil with oxen half the day at Salters.
Wednesday 21st. 1/2 day with oxen. Dr. Boiled 21 pints of corn for hogs. Bought of L & Ruby
3 pairs of Boots for 2L .8s. 9d pound of Candles 1/1d. 10 lbs of cut nails 3..9 d. Envelopes 7
1/2 d. Two Bell straps 6..3 d.
Thursday 22nd. 42 pints of corn for the pigs.
Friday 23rd. Ditto Do. Do. Do.
Saturday 24th. 56 Do. Do.
Sunday 25th. 28 Do. Do.
Monday 26th. 42 Do. Do.
Tuesday 27th. 27 Do. Do. Pulling sweeds.
Wednesday 27th. 42 Do. Do. Bought of L.& Ruby to the amount of £ 2.0.3 d. Posted letter to
Mrs Alfred Parker.
Thursday 29th. Paid Iden 3 lbs of nails due on account of Trap. Boiled corn 34 pints. Phill
working at Stewarts
Friday 30th. 42 pints of corn.
December
Saturday 1st. 28 pints of corn
Sunday 2nd 28 pints of corn
Monday 3rd. 42 pints of corn
Tuesday 4th, 42 pints of corn
Wednesday 5th. Carried to village by boat potatoes sold. 20 1/2 d. 1/2 dollar per bush. 28
pints of corn.
Thursday 6th. Robert to Fullers raising.
Friday 7th. 42 pints of corn.
Saturday 8th. Helping Stuart to saw shingle blocks 42 pints of corn.
Sunday 9th. 28 pints of corn.
26

Monday 10th.
Tuesday 11th. 48 pints of corn. Paid 1/2 a Dollar for making two pair of mitts and 5 1/2 for
fish.
Wednesday 11th. Bought of Lenhen & Ruby 1 1/2 lbs of rope one coffee mill one bar of soap
total 4 1/4 d paid postage on letter to Fraser 3 d.
Thursday 12th. to Mouth. Fred, Phil, and me with potatoes. 8 Dollars 3 york shillings. sold two
hogs.
Friday 13th. Killed hogs Mr Goble helping.
W Saturday 15th. Carried hogs to Mouth on Sleigh sow weighed 163 lbs. Hog 165 lbs sow at
10 cent hog 10 1/2 received for both 32 1/2 Dollars bought one lb of tea 3/9 d. paid to
Robert Reid 7/9 d. being subscription for News of The Week for ensuing year. Bought one
light axe for Phill 9 yorkers
Sunday 16th.
Monday 17th.
Tuesday 18th.
Wednesday 19th. Took sow to hog.
Thursday 20th. Took little sow to hog: Paid to collector 24 Dollars 3 shillings and 11 1/2 d.
being my tax for this year. Bought of L.& Ruby per bill 1..0..5d. and on Decem. 15th. box of
matches 3.9 d.
Friday 21st.
Saturday 22nd.
Sunday 23 omitted entering on Friday Phill and cattle drawing logs for Stuart.
Monday 24th. raising at Stuarts. Phil and oxen half a day
Tuesday Christmas day measured the land we chopped for Stuart. 6 Chains.
Wednesday 26th. Fred and oxen at Frasers. half a bushel of corn to Iden for toll.
Thursday 27th.
Friday 28th. Bought of L. & Ruby one bar of Soap 1.3 d.

27

F Saturday 29th. Bought of L. & Ruby 3 3/4 of Raisins A 1.3 d. 1/2 yd of Mole skin 1..6 d. Paid
Turner 1..0..0 £ for 10 bushels of potatoes I had in spring
Sunday 30th.
Monday 31st. Bought of James Turner a cow 30 Dol. with interest payable in 4 months from
this. 466 feet Board measure of plank from Shantz By R&P.
1856
January
Tuesday 1st. Balanced accouts with Iden Bill due him for fish shoemaking £3.17.11d. Interest
on 45 acres of Land at 6 per cent value of land 5 Dollars per acre and two Notes. value of
£14..7..6 d. Interest £4..5..? Bought sugar kettle £1.5.0 d. received from Iden 1d. Total due Iden
for the year 1855 £9..8..0 d. For which Iden received my note payable 12 months from date
Total due Iden by me £80..0..6.
Wednesday 2nd. Cleaned up 5 Bushels of Barley. Paid 1/2 Bushel of corn as toll to Iden
Thursday 3rd. 280 feet plank measure. Barley chopped.
Friday 4th. Bought of L. & Ruby 1 3/4 lb of rope 1..9 d. Ginger 2 lbs. {illegible} 9 shillings one
paid. Fetched the first turnips down into root house. Borrowed two Bush of wheat and one
bag of Sweeds of J. Stuart. Had the wheat ground.
Saturday 5th.
Sunday 6th.
Monday 7th.
Tuesday 8th. 400 feet of Boards from Shantz. Bought Phils Hog 7 Dollars.
Wednesday 9th.
Thursday 10th. Cleaned 4 1/2 Bush of Barley. Bought L & Ruby goods per bill 15..0 d.
Friday 11th. Barrel of Ruby 1..10 pd. Pork Barrel of Staffords paid 1/2 Dollar. Killed pig weighed
70 lbs. Bought Phils hog 7 Dollars.
Saturday 12th.
Sunday 13th.
Monday 14th. Sow to hog.
28

Tuesday 15th. 3 3/4 of Barley cleaned one Bag of wheat of Stuart.
Wednesday 16th. John Goble helping after Barn. half Day.
Thursday 17th. John Goble helping after Barn all day raising posts and beams
Friday 18th. Carried 15 Bushels of potatoes to Rubys set of on my ac. Paid for mending ring
for ox yoke 1..3 d.
Saturday 19th.
Sunday 20th.
Monday 21st. Mother to Store Bought of L & Ruby 2 bars of soap 4 lbs of nails.
Tuesday 22nd.
Wednesday 23rd. 4 lbs of nails at L & Ruby
Thursday 24th. Killed two pigs and old sow pigs weighed 76 & 81 lbs.
Friday 25th. Cleaned up 5 1/2 Bushels of Barley
Saturday 26th. Half Barn floor fit to thrashing
Sunday 27th
Monday 28th. Cleaned up 3 1/4 of wheat and sent it to mill. Ringle for ox yoke 2.6 d.
Tuesday 29th. Phil teeming for Pilgrim.
Wednesday 30th. Phil came home this evening
Thursday 31st.
February
Friday 1st. lent to John Goble 45 lbs of flour with Bag.
Saturday 2nd. Letter from W. Fraser.
Sunday 3rd.
Monday 4th. Started to Kincardine. cleaned up 11 1/4 bushels of wheat.
Tuesday 5th. 1 1/2 Dollar to tea meeting 1/2 Dollar Ring for Oxen yoke. All paid.
Wednesday 6th. Got pease into barn.
29

Thursday 7th. Paid Stewart 111 lbs of which I had borrowed in the fall. Due Robert 4..5 d.
Friday 8th.
Saturday 9th. a hundred of Shorts of Shantz.
Sunday 10th.
Monday 11th. 56 Sheaves of wheat previously 180 Phil to village for Salter.
Tuesday 12 Thrashed 42 Sheaves split 30 rails
Wednesday 13th. Paid Stewart the wheat I owed him. - Paid Stafford 5 Bushels due him for
fall wheat. Sold 3 Bush of oats at 2..3d.
Thursday 14th.
Friday 15th. Salter working
Saturday 16th. Do. 60 of Shorts of Shantz. Thrashed 44 Sheaves of oats.
Sunday 17th.
Monday 18th. Thrashed 82 Sheaves.
Tuesday 19 Thrashed 20 Sheaves
Wednesday 20. 41 Bushels of oats to Stafford at 2..3 d. 4..12..3 Paid to Ruby on my account.
Thursday 21. Sold 4 Bushels of oats 9..6 d. 1 Dozen Sheaves 3 shillings.
Friday 22nd.
Saturday 23rd. Thrashed 32 Sheaves of Oats
Sunday 24th.
Monday 25th. Thrashed 80 Sheaves for Reced. of Shantz 10 Dollars Paid J. Goble 15 Dollars.
Tuesday 26th. Do ditto 77 D.
Wednesday 27th.
Thursday 28th. Cleaned up 29 B. of oats. 90 lbs of Shrubs of Shantz 2 oz. of Mustard L &
Ruby.
Friday 29th.

30

March
Saturday 1st.
Sunday 2nd.
Monday 3rd. Bag of Bran from father Bought S & Piercy 3 yorkers.
Tuesday 4th. Went with Fraser to Arran
Wednesday 5th. came from Arran. Reced of Fraser 6 dollars for Myself and teem and two
one dollar due me for work done whilst here.
Thursday 6th. Omiited entering on the 4th goods by Fred of L & Ruby one hat 5 shil. pair of
pants 13.9 d. Thrashed 64 Sheaves of wheat.
Friday 7th. One Gallon of Fluid of L & Ruby. Thrashed 40 Sheaves.
Saturday 8th. Roy Peer. one pair Gloves 3..1 1/2 d. 1/2 yd of Moleskin 1..6 d. pants 15 shillings
14 Rails split 30 lbs of Clover seed from Turner 5 Dollars paid also paid for Beef 1 Dollar
Thrashed 20 sheaves.
Sunday 9th.
Monday 10th. Thrashed 98 Sheaves of wheat. Monday bought of L & Ruby 9 yds of Cloth 1
Bag of Bran of Shantz
Tuesday 11th. Bought of L & Ruby one Hogshead of butter. Bought 1 Pork Barrel of
Stafford 1/2 paid. Killed Pillips weighed 150 lbs Thrashed 40 Sheaves of wheat.
Wednesday 12th, Cleaned up 17 Bushels of wheat.
Thursday 13th. Thrashed 117 sheaves
Friday 14th. Received a letter from Shelton Hurring 10 c. Thrashed 104 sheaves.
Saturday 15th. thrashed 80 Do.
Sunday 16th.
Monday 17th.
Tuesday 18th. 5 yds of cloth of Ruby Sent 5 bags of oats to mill.
Wednesday 19th.
Thursday 20th. letter from W Fraser.
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Friday 21st. Posted letter to W. Parker and J. Maris?
Saturday 22nd.
Sunday 23rd.
Monday 24th. 2 Boxes 1.3 oz.
Tuesday 25th.
Wednesday 26th.
Thursday 27th.
Friday 28th.
Saturday 29th. Received by Father from Shantz 4 Dollars.
Sunday 30th.
Monday 31st. Bought of L & Ruby 2 Bars of Soap Bottle of Medicine.
Tuesday April 1st Bought one Chaff knife 7..6 d. 1/2 lb of 1st clout nails 9 d Sheet of tin and
two boxes of matches 1 1/2 d. Sold 3 1/2 of eggs 4..4 1/2 Paid. Bought of L & Ruby 8 yds at
10 d.
Wednesday 2nd Bought of L & Ruby 2 1/2 cotton at 4 1/2 one yd of {illegible} 1..3 d Settled
with John Goble for the past year Due to him £3..19..3 d. not P.
Thursday 3rd 2 Barrels of flour to Ruby at 8 Dollars per brl.
Friday 4th.
Saturday 5th. Facing for chaff took 32 sheaves 1/4 lb of hops 1..3 d. Fred took Buyers sow
to hog.
Sunday 6th.
Monday 7th.
Tuesday 8th. Chaff Engin. of J Goble 10..0 d.
Wednesday 9th. Getting out House logs. John Goble helping.
Thursday 10th. Bought of Lehnen & Ruby 3 axe handles 3..0 d. & 11 lbs of Dried Apples John
Goble helping.

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Friday 11th. On Rows of {illegible} 2.6.d. per John Goble helping.
Saturday 12th. Turnip cutter 10..0 d. Pd. 2 lb of candles & 3 d of labyropes
Sunday 13th.
Monday 14th. Cleaned up 10 bush. of wheat Bought of L & Ruby whip and handle and two
combs 2..8 1/2 d. Phil went on trail?
Tuesday 15th. 3 1/2 Bushels of wheat cleaned
Wednesday 16th. Father home from Shantzs Brought cash 12 Dollars. Received from W
Fraser of Kincardine 25 Dollars bring balance due to Father
Mon June 9th Father to Shantzs.
June 10th Bought of Shantz 28 lbs of Shorts & 40 lbs of bran
11th Sold 5 pigs at 5 weeks for 6 1/4 Dollars Let Salter have two N.P.
14th Paid to Iden. 1 Dollar and 7 1/2 d for potatoes. For Shoe mending & 9 shillings. Paid
John Goble for Straw cutter 9 shillings. 2.3 d of Shantz 108 lbs of bran. of Shorts 100 lbs 4
1/2 Dollars per barrel of Len & Ruby 4 bushels of dried apples 10 Dollars
July
1st Father returned from Shantzs. 3 weeks.
1857
June Monday 22 na. Sturgeon of J Goble one Dollar ten cents.
25th. Do of Stewart one Dollar twenty cents. {illegible} of Stewart 14 lbs 70 cents D D 16lbs
Iden Goble mending Fathers boots for Doller.
August 18th. Began to cut Fall wheat Finished on lst of Sept.
31st. James Stewart 87 lbs of flour being part pay for cutting Spring wheat. Began to cut
spring wheat on the 27th. Finished 29. Cleaned and sent 9 1/2 Bush. of fall wheat to mill.
September
1st. Finished carting fall wheat.
2nd. 71 lbs of flour to John Goble being part pay for cutting spring wheat. Stewart cut my
grass seed. not Paid.
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7th. Bought of Fenwick 42 1/2 lbs of fish to be paid in flour
8th. Commenced threshing with Swintons Machine finished (fall wheat) on the tenth at
noon. Due Swinton 12 Dollars. Two span of Horses from Shantz. two days at five Dol. per day.
Robert Edgar one day. Aron Fortney one day. James Stewart two days. John Goble two
days. 10 1/2 lbs of of John Goble.
12th. 12 Bush of wheat to mill
15th. 56 lbs of flour as pay for fish to Fenwick. 90 lbs do. to John Goble which pays him for
cutting spring wheat and leaves 41 lbs due to me. James Stewart 87 lbs flour which pays his
share for Harvesting spring wheat and leaves 84 lbs due to me.
14th. Sowed 3 1/4 Bush. of Fall wheat.
18th Sent 16 Bush of wheat to mill.
25th. Finished oat Harvest.
26th. Finished Harvest by getting up pease.
October
2nd. Sent 16 Bush of wheat to mill.
3rd. Sowed 9 1/4 Bushels of wheat.
13th. Sowed 7 1/2 Bushels James Stewart Borrowed 297 lbs of flour James Stewart
borrowed 227 lbs of flour
Oct 3rd. Sold 243 Bush. and 13 lbs of Fall wheat at 3..9 per Bush.
24 Received pay for wheat 182 Dollars and 9 1/2 d. Bought of MacLaren Tobacco 17 1/2 lbs
4 .Dol one shilling and 7 1/2 d. Salt 2 barrels 6 Dol. Box of Candles 38 lbs 7 Dol. 1 a 2d. White
fish 1/2 Barrel 4 1/2 Dol Paid Swinton for 2 days thrashing 12 Dol. Took up note for Fred 16
Dol. Paid Ruby 100 Dol. Paid Schwendker for Phillips Vest 1 3/4 Dol. Paid to Ahrens L5..95.
Paid to John Goble Interest due last April &c 20 Dol. Craig for pigs 4 1/2 Dol.
Oct 28. Gave my note for a piece of Cloth Due in one year from date
Dec 4th. Bought of John Fellon a {illegible} for which I gave my note for the sum of 25 Dol
payable 13 months from date.
11th 2 Pair of Boots of Ahrens 9 Dol. to be paid in the middle of January.
12th. 4 Bush. of barley, to Fortney it being part pay for cradling Barley.
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Balanced accounts with James Stewart Balance due him on account 7 s. 5 d. Received from
him his share of road money 6 D. and one Dol. for Viol. Paid him one Dollar and a half After
adding all theflour account together and settling for cutting Timothy seed. There is yet due
me 545 lbs.
________________________________________________________________
___
Pease 16 1/2 Bushels. Sold to John one and a half Bush. To Iden 4 Bush.
Mr. J. Goble half a day Killing bull
and picking lumber.
1858
February 16 received from James Stewart 234 lbs of flour as a return for short borrowed.
234+116=371 545-343=174-.99=.75
{ back cover - blank page. Some figures indecipherable in pencil in middle of page}

For more information on Nathaniel Edward Leeder Sr., check out the “Meet the
Diarists” section under “Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.uoguelph.ca.

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