1 10 25 https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5109b80e7a08168276d8bf6a25f2902b.pdf e05a800a98ae0d473005660df1c2cf05 PDF Text Text Irene Dixon Bamford 1887, Diary Transcription 5034_4-1-1 �Metadata FromThePage export of 5034_4-1-1 from Irene Dixon Bamford made on 2026-02-11 15:39:51 UTC. Title: 5034_4-1-1 Created On: 2023-10-03 13:00:14 UTC In Scope: true Uploaded Filename: 5034_4-1-1 �page_0001 Irene Dixon Bamford, Diary, March 1st, 1887 - June 1st, 1887 Queen’s University Archives Locator 5034.4 Box 1 File 1 �page_0002 March 1st, 1887 - June 1st, 1887 �page_0003 Retead ’76-’84 �page_0004 March 1st 1887 This is the first day of the month. A very pleasant day rather cold. A wind worth, light breeze. Wills gone to Kingston with hay, the nineteeth load. Will drew Rachel’s hay too. Grace & John at school. We saved the hefers milk this morning. Welly and Volty cutting wood on Linda. expect them home to dinner any minnet. Wells will have to go to mill on for the flower is most gone the evening went up on the ice after Grace the boy’s went skating in evening. Wednesday 2nd A bright day, wind south and thawing. Wells gone to Kingston. Welly & Volty drawing wood from Lindas Grace and John at school Wells carried Rob a pig, We got up early Will called twice Anna Flynn came to buy a drake. boys drew loads of wood. Mers Gloyd sent me a boquet by Wells. [written on the side] I got breakfast and eat by lamp light [/written on the side] �page_0005 �page_0006 March 3rd Thursday A pleasant day sun shining brightly wind north light good skating Wells gone to Kingston to mill. Grace at school John went to corners for oil Frank Kendall came in morning stayed until after dinner & then went over to Bells came back towards evening eat supper and he and Welly went over to Bells Welly and Volty choped wood on Lindas in afternoon Will went to conest at ferry in after evening Grace out skating this evening I sent the boquet to Meys Kenting and lent her 6 magazines Volty gave Mrs Flym a drake Frank and Our Boys rapaired the organ. �page_0007 �page_0008 Friday March 4th A bright clear day Wind west and cold. Frank Kendall stayed here all night & to breakfast. Volty went home with him Wells and I went over to the corners saw Horace at Curtis’ store. got home again about half past two O’clock John & Grace at school Welly drawing wood from Lindas. Maud Mattie & Charley came over to Wills & Welly & Johny went down in evening and stayed until after 12 O’clock Saturday 5th, a cold day. wind north, breezy. frost on the windows cloudy. Charley Mattie & Maud here most all day. in The evening Welly & the girls go over to Bells Charley went down to Will and stayed all night. John & Grace at home Volty at Kendalls Will came up and they all sang They all enjoyed themselves and had a good time all day Wells mended the shed �page_0009 �page_0010 Sunday 6th March 1887 Snowed all night a heavy fall of snow and snowing some all the forenoon. Welly & the girls came back about noon & Welly took them to Wills. They said they were going right straight home but they did not, for Charley & Jen went up to Mary’s so Johny went down to Wills & Welly lunched and went to Wells at home reading. Grace at home Volty at Kendalls,, weather quite mild light wind south thawing & rained a little. Volty came home towards evening They all went down to Wills and stayed till past bedtime. Monday 7th Rather soft day, cloudy Charley & girls went home this morning our boys went down to Wills to see them off Wind south John at school Wells went to Obuno to put up Notice for sale of Ross farm Welly & Volty drew hay from the stack Grace stayed at home to help me wash Charley came towards evening to get Wells to help draw his hay home he got a bee to draw it Our boys except John down to Wills till bed time. �page_0011 Wells Bamford & W b Dixon Devolson Bamford Wolfe Island St Lawrence Ont John Bamford �page_0012 8th Tuesday A bright day all day Wind south Wells drawing Hay for Charley Volty smugled ile Grace & John at school Volty brought up some honey from the cellar John Flym and Johnny Flynn called here going to help Charley Wells helped Bates out of the ice in the evening Wednesday 9th Raining wind north ground most bare John and Grace at school Wells and Volty drew a load of wood from Lindas and went back and front over a log for a roller Welly smugled two articles Will came up for his sleigh to draw straw John Niles here in the evening Thursday 10th A bright fair day, wind North but not cold Wells gone to Kingston Volty at home part of the day Will came and he Volty went to help Will draw straw Welly skated over the river to buy himself a pair of boots Ed Rattray came and inquired for Volty John and Grace at school Bates came home with Wells & The boys drove Bates home in the sleigh �page_0013 �page_0014 March 11th A fine day cold wind north Wells carried Grace to School came back and went to Town for lumber to build an ice house Welly went to the Fest on skates Volty Went over to St Lawrence for books John at school. Bates came up looking for whiskey couldn’t find it Will came twice Paterson here to buy a few peas O Rouke’s Bates stayed to dinner & then went home Saturday 12th Wells went to Ganonoque for saw dust for the ice Jack McDonel here Will Dixon here helping the boys build the ice house Bates here for whiskey A very fine day Wind west Grace & the boys at home. Saturday 13th a very fine day wind south We went over to Bells mother Wells Grace & Belle wanted her grandmother to stay she promised to go over Wednesday When we got home found the boys & McFaden on ice chasing Mckays calf Jim McFaden has been here all day and he stayed all night Rachel came home to day �page_0015 She has been gone six weeks visiting 14th A rather cold day wind north Volty commenced working for niles Wells & Welly working on ice house Grace at home & John too Rachel came up & and mother went home Wells drew saw dust from Charley’s and then drew a load of hay from stack 15th Tuesday a fine day Wind South Rachel here making lace Wells Went to Kingston for scuntting & more shingles didn’t get home until after midnight his team got in the ice had work to get the horse out lost his coal soap and part of his nail Volty working for Niles Welly helped Eb fill his ice house Grace and John at home Ben Peltingill died to day while out chopping wood in the woods Rachel went down to mothers in the afternoon Ada Berthaleorn and Frank Bamford over after buttermilk �page_0016 March 16th Wednesday Rather cloudy wind south snow falling this afternoon Wells working on his ice house Will Welly & Edd Rattray dig the Poor man grave Bill Bates been to town with all Joslin & got drunk all dumped him out by Johns Niles’ and he stayed along carrying his bundle until he came to the consession gate where he fell down. after an efort he got up again only to fall down then he could’nt get up again at all and lay there a long time till Wells went and helped him up and down as far as Wills and there they lifted him into the cutter and Will & Wells pushed the cutter down as far as Ebbs & unloaded Bill and got him into the house and to bed. Luceno sick & crazzy �page_0017 �page_0018 March 17th St Patricks day a mild way Wind south Ben Pellingill burred to day All the family gone to the church except Volty & I Rachel went over to Belle with Charley & Henry in the evening Henry came for me I went to Bells They had Dr Joliffe from the Ferry Heer Bells baby born at half past 4 Oclock Friday morning March 18th Friday 18th I stayed at Charleys till 5 O clock P. M. Charley brought me home Rachel stayed there Charley eat supper with us Grace had supper ready when we came home Charley gave me some egg a mild day Wind light & south [on the side] Well & our men filled our ice house [/on the side] Saturday 19th a fine day Wind south Wells gone to Kingston Jim Morgan here to get Welly to help them fill there ice house but he went over to the river to spinks Volty Working for Niles Grace & I moped churned baked &e &e Charley brought Rachel home mother went home with him �page_0019 �page_0020 Sunday 20th a very soft day Wind south Welly across the river yet Johny run away & went over too gone all day Till long after dark ice very poor Welly & Johny came home together at bed time Volty down to Wills most of the day Grace cried to go to Mrs Niles but I would’nt let her go Rachel reading Wells reading silva over and back to day Monday 21st a cloudy hazy day thawing wind south Wells drawing hay from our stack for O’brien Grace at school Volty working for Niles Welly at Al Joslins in fore noon after noon Welly and Wells helped Will Butcher the old sow Johny at home helping his father choring aronud Rahcel making lace I washing and darning Teusday 22nd A cloudy day snowing some Wells Will Jen Rachel & Bates gone to Kingston on the ice Will carried up his old sow to sell Welly working for All Joslin building a hog pen Volty working for Niles Grace at home taking care of Jens baby little Charley while she gone to town Bates stayed here all night drunk �page_0021 �page_0022 March 23 Wednesday a fine day Wind West Bates here drunk most of the day so drunk he couldn’t help himself most of the time a bed nearly all day went home towards evening Will helped him home Mr Millar the minister here Jen came up in afternoon and stayed to supper I took care of her Baby while she went to church in the evening the whole family went excepting myself 24th Thursday a mild day wind west a mild day indoors considering what it was yesterday we expected Mrs Hentig here after school but she did not come for it looked so much like rain. it did rain some I and Rachel cleaned dusted baked & moped, John & Grace at school Welly at Joslins Volty at Niles Wells at home doing nothing. The children went to church in the evening Bill Bates came up for his things he left here he looks rather hard and disipated said he wished he had some whiskey I Told him what I thought of whiskey drinking & drunkards I gave him my opinion free of charge [on the side] our hens began to fall [/on the side] �page_0023 23rd �page_0024 Friday 25 Wind north and very cold Wells at home Grace & John at school Volty Ed Rattray & Rob Horn went to millins bay on the ice to smugle ile Ed & Rob eat dinner here Rachel making paper flowers I making Wells a shirt Children went to church in evening Saturday 26 very cold day wind south sun shining every thing froze in pantry milk onions frozen solid Wells went to Kingston with cutter on ice Volty went to Bulgers & Hennessy collecting for Books Welly at All Joslin John helped Will get wood Rachel went down to wills to stay, awhile Wells came home from Kingston cross and devlish there is nothing done right around the barn, spotted cow had a calf two letters from Hugh today Children went to church this evening �page_0025 �page_0026 March 27th Sunday a fine day rather cold wind north Wells Grace & I went over to Bells Wells eat dinner to Johns Hollidays Old John had whiskey plenty. Wells drove the bay colt on the ice without being shod colt skiped down 5 times coming across the bay and the other horse Jim had to draw the whole concern ashore had done the same thing you bet O no they cant March 28th Monday a cold stormy snowing all day wind north Wells and Volty drawing hay from Grange Grace and John at home Welly went down to Wills and mended their chairs and Then went down to All Joslins Volty helped do the chamber work I darned and mended Well’s coat Grace & I sewed carpet rags �page_0027 John Bamford �page_0028 March 29th cold day wind north sun shining Grace & John at school Wells and Volty drove over to Dignams to get an some timber Volty helped Will draw hay from Sam’s. Wells Is at All Joslins. I made bread & fried cakes Jo Thompson called to day for his book Wells drove to the school house for Johny & Grace Will was here a while Will here This Evening for milk for Charlie March Wendesday 30th A cold clear day frost on the windows. Wind north Wells gone to Kingston John at School Grace at home George Far came over and Ogilvie Petre came over to hire Rachel she has gone with them they all walked over on the ice. The crossing on the ice is poor 8 degrees below zero �page_0029 �page_0030 March 31st Thursday Wind north cold Wells and Volty draw hay from grange Welly at all Joslins Grace & John at school This is the last day of school in the lower district I mended too pairs of pants and darned two pair of mittens and doubled yarn Sylvia Woodman is 24 years old to day April 1st A bright warm day snow melting rapdily wind south & light Wells & Volty & Johny drew hay from grange Welly at All’s I an Grace twisted yarn and colerd yarn and carpet rags John Morgan stayed at Wills all night drawing manure 2nd Saturday A bright fine day wind north Thawing some John and Grace got a bad cold John went over to Charleys rode over with him Mother came home and stoped here and stayed all night Volty helped Will chop wood on dignams Welly at Alls Wells and John drew manure all fore noon John Morgan went over on the ice from Wells to get Will som ile �page_0031 �page_0032 April 3 Sunday A fine warm day wind South & light. Johny over to Bell’s. mother went home from here this forenoon. John Morgan came up with Welly & Volty, and stayd to dinner. I am so sleepy I can scarcely hold my eyes open, at 10 minutes to Three Oclock P. M. A light frost last night, looks like rain. Monday 4th Cloudy wind South Bates here to dinner he stoped here on his way from Niles’ where he had been for whiskey he had left There three weeks ago. Welly at All Joslins Wells went down home with Bill Bates to borrow a file to file a saw Volty went to Ebbs to borrow a kettle to make soap in and it was down to McFaden Volty & Johny set up two leaches Mother came up and sewed carpet rags. Grace got a bad cold rained some I set the tub for water but got none �page_0033 �page_0034 April 5th Tuesday [on the side] back- on his them home & Volty brought in the evening A bright day Wind West rather cold Welly at all Joslins Wells at home working at the barn Snow squalls all day Volty went to McFadens to get Ebbs kettle to make soap. The red cow had a calf this morning which makes three cows in John Niles gave Volty Devero Breakey came for a drake [on the side] a bag of sweet apples [/on the side] 6th Wednesday A fine bright day wind north. Wells at work on the ice house Volty helped Will draw wood from Digmans & shot an owl on the wing & captured him alive. Wellly at Alls Johny choping wood at the door Grace & her grandmother sowing carpet rags I canned Apples �page_0035 �page_0036 7th A beautiful day but rather cold wind west Wells working on the Ice home Welly at Alls’ Volty chopping bass wood for summers wood Johny chopping wood at the door Grac and her grandmother sewing carpet rags I canned apples and washed and done jeneral house work John Morgan came across on the ice to day 8th A bright day rather cold for the season Wells working on the ice house Welly at All’s Volty chopping bass wood down on the coiner John boiling watter for the back and choring around Grace & Grandmother sewing carpet rags �page_0037 �page_0038 April Saturday 9th A fair day wind south Ice breaking up in the river channel open from Clayton to Cape Vincent Wells shinglin the ice house Welly at All Joslins Voltie chopping bass wood John Tending the back Grace & Grandmama sewing rags two new lambs to day Grace is 13 years old to day she went to sams for the mail two letters from Hugh Voltie carried the bees out after dinner 3 dozens Sunday 10th A pleasant day wind south rather warm ice has not left the shores yet only a channel open, This is Easter sunday but no eggs our hens do not lay very well This spring I have only to eggs and I am saving them to buy coloring for carpet Will & Jen here this after noon Mother went 2 lambs home with them another lamb and Will cant find his sheep [on the side] Voltie let the owl fly away [/on the side] �page_0039 �page_0040 Monday April 11th A very fine day wind North no rain yet a dry april snow all gone except the corner of the fences and holows The ice not left the shores yet Wells shingling the ice house Volty & Johny making soap & cleaning out the door yard In the after noon Volty chops bass wood & Johny draw bass wood home Welly down to All preparing lumber for a punt Will went to look for his sheep found them on Morgan’s point Bill Bates called to say good bye he is going away tomorrow Wells has gone over to Old Rattray’s to show him where the hive is Grace is sewing carpet rags I am doing house work and trying to wash Old sow tiped over the soap kettle This afternoon and wasted about half the soap Volty didnt get home to supper Till after eleven Oclock P.M. had been to Will Glespies & the marsh & Meary Cunor �page_0041 �page_0042 April 12th Tuesday a cloudy, cold day wind north looks like snow Welly at all Joslins Johny & Volty drawing Bass wood home Wells tinkering around Grace sewing rags Ebb went to Kingston to carry Bates I am waiting for the Boys to come home to dinner I churned & hung out the cloth we are trying to wean our cats did not snow at all cleared up fine John Niles told well that the typhoid fever is on the Island very fine weather and day no snow no rain nothing but good health and hard times but I am Truly Thankful we have enough Ice is all broken away from shore to shore & the old St Lawrence is rolling wide and blue we got 8 eggs today �page_0043 �page_0044 Wednesday April 13th A bright clear day wind north and cold ice floating up stream Wells shingled- the ice house awhile but so cold had to stop Welly & Will making & punt down to Wills Volty Tinkering around, at every Thing painting ice house and sorting paper rags mixing paint John corded the Bass wood John & Voltie are now plowing The door yard all up Grace darning stockings and ironing and helping me work around the house and mending her aprons I cut out an Under waist and made it boiled beef and apples and made cuslard pies no rain yet or snow I wish it would rain so I could catch rain water two barrels All Joslin here Will Dixon here Jen came up for milk and I gave her some butter too �page_0045 �page_0046 April 14th Thursday A rather cloudy day, cold wind north. Wells drove over to Charlies this afternoon, and found them all well. met Mr & Mrs Holliday going up to Murphys, their children sick. Wells went for hay. Welly at Wills working on the punt. Johny spreading straw & drawing manure on his gardens and choring around. Grace washing dishes, and set table. I cut rags all day. Spafford and Frances here, looking for peas. Voltie went to Wills Gillespies to borrow a saw, and gone all day. tis 7 Oclock and he not come yet. no snow: no rain: I sow more tomatoe seeds in pans. got 9 eggs to day. Voltie came at dark. he been sawing wood for Montiene Delmar’s. Will came in the Evening for milk. Johny has gone some where This Evening I guess up to Sams I dont like to go to bed Till he comes but Think I will for tis most 10 O’clock �page_0047 �page_0048 April 15 Friday A cloudy day wind south & light a sprinkling rain dont amount to much yet mild Wells finished shingling the ice house Welly at Wills building punt Johny and Voltie saw Bass wood, down on the corner In the affernoon Wells Voltie & Johny draw hay from George Gillespies Expected Charlie & Henry down but they did not come Mother came up to sew rags I sowed cabbage seed red Voltie went up to Niles to borrow saw set I churned A black cloud rising in the southwest Thunder the wind rising & it set in for an all night storm from South dark rainy & windy Voltie & [strikethrough] Johny [/strikethrough] gone down to Wills Johny at sam’s Voltie carred milk and the umbrella. �page_0049 �page_0050 April 16th Saturday rained some this in the night & rained some on this morning But Wells went to Kingston Wind south changing to west Air mild Welly stayed all night at Wills cleared up about noon the sun shone out Welly building punt at Wills Volty split Bass wood. & helped Will draw hay in the afternoon from Gillespies Tilly came and brought some sweet apples and got some vinegar John went to S.D. Wis for the mail Grace got a letter from Maud Wells got a letter frm [strikethrough] Hugh [/strikethrough] Dick Spoor assessment Will received a latter from ... Me and Oour Turkey commenced to lay got one egg = 10 eggs from the hens W. got a letter fom Mex It has not rained enough this month to catch from the eves two pails of water �page_0051 �page_0052 Sunday 17th A fine day wind South West froze quite hard last night fo the wind was north Welly cliped John’s hair and accidently shot Wills dog Joe I hope he will live through it afterwards went up island to Jim Berrys Will came up twice last time came for mother to go home so and care for the baby while he and jen goes Down to Micheas Silvia for Bisonette & Liz came over to day Welly let Joe have a rooster Grace went down to Wills came back and went up to Mr Niles John went to Wills to help get the dog home came back and has gone up stairs to read Voltie stayed at home all A. M. and has now gone off with Charlie Woodman & Bisonette down stream I used 6 eggs making two cakes and two custard pies Wells went down tot he lower place and Visited with Ebb awhile Will & Jen came up here and did not go to Michaes- in the evening �page_0053 Jane Niles and Willy came and made us a siut We got nine eggs to day Welly didn’t go to Berry’s he went up to Mr Woodmans come back and went over to Breakeys & from there to Bells A tug went up to day Towing two barges and a vessel �page_0054 April 18th froze quite hard last night ice froze out long way in the river sun rose clear and bright white frost last night Wind north and [strikethrough] light [/strikethrough] strong Wells Volty and Johny drew a load of hay from Gillespies P.M. plowed in garden a cold raw day somewhat cloudy dark clouds in south west like snow 10 hens eggs & 1 turkey egg I used one egg I Welly came home from Bells and worked on punt in afternoon Will went to Niles for potatoes and apples stoped here and got the hand axe Welly crossed The Berry [sideways] from Hollidays [on the side] on these going and comming [/on the side] [/sideways] April 19th wind north changing to south raw cold day river full of floating ice sun Shining clear and bright Wells & John building fence for hog yard and around the pasture Wells Is working on his punt Devolson plowing for Niles & went up to Bulgers in the Evening Jen made us two calls to day over �page_0055 I colored scarlet and green for carpet & baked 5 loaves of bread Grace washing dishes and help do the house work our hens lay nine eggs to day Will here this evening for milk & I lent him three magazines April 20th a clear bright day Wednesday warmer Than yesterday wind south river full of floating ice Wells built fence plowed more in the garden & in P.M. plowed down by Ebbs’ frost not all out the ground yet Johny chopped wood and done chores Welly at wills work on punt Volty plow all day for Niles with our team. Mother came at noon she & grace sew carpet rags The rest of the day 2 Turkey eggs and 12 hen eggs I sowed cabbage radish lettuce & pepper seed and in afternoon slept two hours our boys all out not one at home this evening �page_0056 April 21st Thursday A clear bright day wind south A slight shower towards evening which amounted to a sprinkle Wells plowing down by Ebbs Welly making punt, Volty plowing for Niles. Johny went to Wills A. N. for the wheelbarrow & to Niles to borrow garden rake & worked at cleaning out the door yard in P.M. Grace & her grandma cutting & sewing carpet rags Will cow had twin colies Jane Niles sent me some maple syrup hens lay 10 eggs to day Jen went to George Gillespies visiting Johny went out this evening and has not come yet at 15 minutes of 10 Oclock Wells plowed some in garden frost not out yet ice all along the shore cant get a pail of water unless half ice John has just returned he went down to Gillespies with will for Jen and the baby John Morgan came up from Clayton to day Ed Rattray drove in here to borrow drag or cultivator or something �page_0057 April 22nd Friday A foggy mornign a mist so thick can scarely see the river a very light wind north almost a calm the river like a sheet of glass with an abundance of floating ice The mist rolls away and the sun shines out bright and warm the loveliest spring day yet Wells plowing at home Volty plowing down by ebbs Welly went to Wills and at noon Volty came home by Wills and help they drew the punt home and put it in the woodshed Wells went to O briens for cultivator teeth for garden fence John sprea manure & chored around Grace helped do coocking mother sewed and cut rags I cut rags & washed & churned All Joslin came to clean wheat Will here. wind changed east black cloud rising south circle around the sun barometer falling �page_0058 I went out after dark with the lantern and brought the clohtes from the line They were dry Volty & John gone This evening to Mr Niles eleven eggs to day I used five Welly is writing a letter to Texico April 23rd Saturday A very windy day with some rain dark cloud rising wind partly clearing up all day threatening a severe rain storm baronmeter down to rain raw cold wind from the south Set out our rain barrel and tub & caught about a pailful of water Wells gone to Kingston for seed grain (wheat) got home about 10 Oclock P.M. Supper all dried up on the store waiting for him two bags of wheat [crossed-out] miss [/crossed-out] miSsing dont know where they are. glad I dont ever miss many I believe people that �page_0059 I Tend strictly to busisnes dont ever miss or lose any thing John plowed his in forenoon Volty and Welly pottered around In afternoon Volty plowed down by Ebbs and plowed Wills garden Welly mad ruder for his boat Mother sewed rags Grace helped do house work I cut rags and cleand floor & fried cakes & worked all day 14 eggs and 1 turkey eggs used one egg Well came home and brought the boys some tobaco said he would rather buy Tobaco for Them than they should borrow all around the neighborhood I made two apple pies Welly went down to Wells to carry some milk for Their baby and some milk for Their sick cow and stayed all night �page_0060 April 24th Sunday A clear bright day a south west. wind disagreeably cold. wind strong, river rough. Wells went to bed lets his paper fall considerable to day. Boys all got tobaco they pass their time between home and Wills except Welly I dont know I where he is he went away toward noon Grace went down to Wills and after a while came back and Voltie with her Volty brought The baby to stay here while Will & Jen goes down to Mer Mckays. Old Mr Gillespie had the Doctor yesterday I baked a meal puding for dinner 13 eggs to day & 1 Turkey egg I used Three eggs Johny reading most all day I am very sleepy at half past 5 O clock P. M. Charley came to Sams for the mail & came here Will came for the babe Grace went home with him. and carried milk Welly has been over �page_0061 visiting Patterson and eat dinner There �page_0062 April Monday 25 Cloudy morning rains a little. clears away early sun shining brightly at 10 Oclock wind south not very warm I churned and mixed bread. mother & Grace washed breakfast dishes Will came for her to go home to tend baby while he & Jen make garden Wells I went across the river to mail letters I dont feel well I’m sick got to work all the same Wells sowed O’Rouke’s Voltie planted potatoes got them of Ebbs Johny helped work in teh field to day Johny plante butter beans at noon in his garden I planted some early corn in a pan That Spaff gave Wells this morning when he came over to get peas Will went to Niles for seed potatoes & caller coming back he brought them on his shoulder I baked 5 loaves bread hens laid 10 eggs to day Turkeys two �page_0063 �page_0064 Tuesday 26th A very pleasant A.M. The river calm Volty went across the river for seed potatoes at Bob. P.M. the wind blew strong from south west Wells gone to Kingston for seed peas came home quite early & all night brought home 7 qrts white beans for seed Welly choring around home and making a pair of oarS Johny plowed over on grang. A.M. afternoon lounged around and cultivated part of the garden Grace helped me she is a good little daughter I did not expect Volty home it was so cold and the wind flew so but it was not so rough towards dark & he came over in Maryanne’s punt could get no potatoes but brought my Book and collected Welly pay of shover and brought white lead and paint oil Uncle James gave him buoys and leads for a fish net and flower seed a card for Grace duck eggs harvest pear qrafts and Rob gave him some onions and 150 strawberries plants the Wilsons We got 13 eggs to day 2 Turkeys eggs, I used 1 John Niles went to Gannonoque butter Grace planted some peas & beans in her garden �page_0065 I finished Grace color and patched Johns shirt darned three pair of socks �page_0066 Wednesday 27th A clear bright day rather cold froze last night Wells and Johny working in the field Volty working in the garden Welly painting his punt I churned got fifteen eggs to day used two 1 Turkey set up another colar Trying to get ready for Kingston Tomorrow Thursday 28th A clear bright morning. rose early and eat a piece of bread and butter and started for Kingston market with butter & eggs and not a cent to pay my fare Volly drove over to the dock. first drove down for Will & Jen and They not ready it took so long for them to get ready Volty drove off and left them John Morgan stayed there that night and all day Thursday We went up on The Maud and came home on the princess rather dull day in town Mrs Thornton very sick can see no one except their family & the doctor I knit on Grace collar Wells worked in the field Boys all worked in field �page_0067 Welly made oars for Joe Bissonette Hens lay 13 eggs, & three turkey’s eggs Volty drove over to dock for me with the farm waggon and I and Jen rode home on buck board Grace kept house and had supper ready when I came home Wind changed from South and was blowing from north when we came to the dock loudy and commenced to rain when we got home and rained all night Patterson folks got a new girl baby snow over in Breakeys bay yet and along in numerous places on the south side of Howe Island �page_0068 Friday 29 A rainy morning wind north and strong rained all night & all day. Caught a tub & barrel full of water Volty moved all the things out of the small room and took up the carpet and tore off all the lose plastering Wells puttered around the barn and mended old harness. got another cow come in 19 nineteen eggs to day & 1 turkey egg Welly went down to Wellingston’s & stayed all night Volty Went to Mary Anne’s to see about weaving carpet �page_0069 �page_0070 Saturday 30th A clear bright day wind north west blowing strong Welly went down to Ebb with his punt Wells John & Volty building fence Volty got some potatoes from Niles Johny went over to Bells [strikethrough] minute [/strikethrough]. 17 eggs to day used two Jen came for oats for her cow Mary anne and adda here Jen and Will came up in the evening for milk I baked 5 loaves of bread a letter from Hugh �page_0071 May 1st Sunday A very fine day quite warm very light wind south Wells Grace and I go over to Bells and find them all well had a good visit and drove home towards evening Charleys father mad because they would’nt let Old Mitchel dig a well had’nt been home but a few minutes when Will came up with mother They had a row down There Mother and Jen quarreling all day commenced about the babys shirt I am sick of of it all sive Hattie Will Cornwell & Bissonette came over Joe got his oads and eat dinner to Wills. Will went to church quarterly meeting to day 11 eggs to day I used 2 Snub says his father lost 17 dollars Thursday �page_0072 Monday 2nd A very warm day light wind south Mother went down home & brought up her night dress and cloth for her new dress they said She tried to get out of the punt to drow herself Wells and Volty & Johny working in the fieled sowing and cultivating oats P.M. Volty planted potatoes in the garden & sowed tomatoes & cabbage seed Welly went to help Will set his fish net and brought home some pickerel & bull head Mother kniting on Grace stocking Grace went to Mrs Niles and played with the children till most dark I washed. 17 eggs and used 3 fried cakes made custard pies and boiled beef Jane gave Grace onions and horse radish got another new milk’s cow The wind rising and looks like rain Jen went with The boys Will & Welly in the boat down to Mackays Old Mr Gillespie very sick [strikethrough] I churned & fried cakes and baked beans. [/strikethrough] �page_0073 Teusday 3rd A fine bright day wind South grass growing frogs singing. Wells & Johny working in the field Volty working in the garden planting potatoes and grafting & setting onions Welly moving fish net I colored carpet rags orange Grace helping around the house and sewing Mother half sick and gone to bed. Volty went to Mr Niles for more potatoes Chicago market. Boys i.e. Will Welly and Volty gone this evening to Sulivans bay setting net and spearing fish Johny gone to bed early 18 eggs to day Wells said there is frost in the ground where he was plowing to day �page_0074 Wednesday 4th A fine bright day South wind Wells and Volty working on the field Johny working in the garden made 3 beds and sowed radish seeds Welly went to the corners and got a plow point & a pair of pants for himself he said Wells’ aunt Nancy was burned to day Ada Walkins called this afternoon going to John Niles & stoped coming abck & Volty has gone down the road with her towards home Grace cried because I would not let her go to Nile’s to play croquet Grace sewed on her apron I baked 5 loaves of bread I got 15 eggs and used two I have not got much butter to carry to market tomorrow Mother sewing carpet rags Welly & Volty just come home & brought two fish a pickerel and chub took them from the net I churned baked beans & fried cakes �page_0075 Thursday 5th A fine warm day wind south went to Kingston as usual eggs elevent cts and sold my butter for 18 cts per pound Jane sold hers for 15 & 16 she had 38 lbs I sold my butter to Henderson and my eggs to an old man and went away up past Montreal Bank to get my money for them the old man carried my basket and another full basket. an old woman went along and carried another basket The old lady said she lived at Cataraqui she over 70 years old The Operatie band of musicians were marching in town to day and playing They will perform in the opera house to night saw Mog Bullger on the boat to day we went up on the Maud and came back on the Princess Mrs Jane Woodman went up too Will Dixon went also 13 eggs to day I didnt get much news to day Mrs Thornton very sick all summer so Mrs Morgan said Volty went to Obriens to night to get a grafting knife made �page_0076 Friday 6th some what cloudy wind north but quite warm Will caught last night and to day 25 pickerel and Welly made a fish pound and carried it over to Mitchels bay and put the fish in it. Wells getting in oatd [sic] Johny worked in garden [strikethrough] seed beets and [/strikethrough] sowed beets seed and parsnip worked in field this afternoon Thundered last night Welly went across the river to Spinks to get his money that Spink owes him Tilly & George Niles here this evening John gone to bed Volty gone over to the bay to help Will run the net Welly has not got back yet Welly is half sick Grace is not well Mother has got a sore throat and I have sore eyes 18 eggs to day I used two + churned + anotehr new milks cow + It thunders again to night & lightens �page_0077 Saturday 7th A fine day some cloudy light wind north Wells gone for seed wheat to Kingston Volty grafting for George Gillespie Will and John Pesbit went to the Cape with fish Welly came home from Spinks and went to Niles to get fish net carried back & brought the net John went to the field for whiffletree and drew me a barrel of watter and drew two or three loads of banking from the house then went too help Welly draw his net to the bay mother is sewing rags Gracie is sewing and helping me. I baked 5 loaves of bread washed a lot of clothes and scrubed 4 rooms and got 3 square meals 26 eggs to day I gave Will 6 egg. I received a letter from Rachel and mother got one from Maud Wells got one from Hugh. a big one. Hugh never forgets to write Welly came home and brought me some peach and a large pickerel no rain set a hen on turkeys eggs 1 used 2 eggs. �page_0078 Sunday 8th A very bright warm day Charley came over and brought Bell and the children and then drove back to go to Old Mrs Forbes Funeral & drove back again for them in the evening Welly and Volty sowed around the foot with the punt Wells went to bed and had a long nap in the afternoon Johny reading all day mother and Belle reading part of the time Grace playing with Marjorie Belle read all Grace letters from Maud Rachel and rene I prepared the dinner and supper Grace gathered 11 eggs and Volty found 14 more under the barn. no rain yet. Will came up and brought little Charley I used 5 eggs I gave the boys six for lunch �page_0079 Monday 9th A very bright warm day wind changed from north to south wind light heat intense = mean all glad to put on their straw hats Welly out fishing all night gone down to paint the light house Ebb Joslin and Wellington Burnham brought our apple trees this morning Wells is sowing [crossed-out] grain [/crossed-out] wheat to day Volty and John is helping too Jen has gone up to Mrs Niles this after noon to make a visit Well helps her carry the baby came back and stoped and mother went down home with him no rain yet I have nearly gone to sleep two or three times writing this Grace has been washing Grace brought in 18 eggs I used four to make a custard I churned brought in another egg Volty came home early and planted the sweet corn he and charly Woodman have gone fishing this evening at Sullivans Bay Wells didnt come home mother came back At before dark Jen down home in the boat with a half dozen youngones besides grace and sam’s hired girl a very warm night [on the side] and still fish lights out [/on the side] �page_0080 Teusday 10th A fine bright day no rain and no sign of any Wells and Volty working in the field Johny clearing [crossed-out] at [/crossed-out] out the door yard Welly looking after his nets he brought me a pike and we had it for supper, Woodmans boys & Niles here in the evening John went over to the bay and didn’nt get home ’Till 2 Oclock at night only nine eggs to day I gave Welly four for lunch and used one for cake mother knit on Grace stocking Grace went down to stay all night with Jen. Wind changed to north in the night I wrote a letter to Maud �page_0081 Wednesday 11 A very bright day wind north no rain Wells sowing wheat and John drwging it in Volty digging holes for apple trees Welly came home slept awhile and went to paint the light house Grace steped on a nail and hurt her foot John brought home a pike from the bay last night and I had it for dinner. only [crossed-out] 8 [/crossed-out] 10 eggs to day I used 5 I churned and baked two loaves of bread and two custard pies I wrote a letter to Rachel Thursday 12 A pleasant day no sign of rain Wells and Boys finished sowing wheat Volty drove over to dock I went to Kingston on the pierpont and back on hermother and grace kept house saw [crossed-out] Ol [/crossed-out] Mr Gologoly and Mrs plaid shall Mrs Gologly said her baby is eleven days old Jim Driscol abord drunk and disorderly his wife called him a d–d fool I bought 4 loaves of bread Wind north �page_0082 our hends laid 10 eggs to day used 3 John came after me Will went to Kingston too and bought a hundred rods of fish net came home and set them Mrs All Berry went up on the boat Friday 13 A fine day Wind north no rain trees all leaving out Wells and Boys puting in barley After noon Volty set fruit trees 14 apple trees and greely plum tree Grace cant [crossed-out] spp [/crossed-out] step on her foot yet Volty and John gone out this evening Welly and Will fishing mother took a long nap this after noon 26 eggs to day river as still and clear as glass not a ripple on the river tugs and tows and a steamamboat pressing up and down all the time �page_0083 Saturday 14 A fair day wind south no rain Wells went to Kingston to milk Welly fishing Volty finished selling apple trees and cleaned cellar Johny drew water from river and drew the banking away from around the house. I set milk in the cellar to night Mary Walkins called about the carpet and then went to Niles Charley Woodman Volty and Johny went spearing fish stayed all night till broad day light came home lunched milked the cows went to bed and slept untill three O’clock Sunday P.M. They brought nearly a wash tub full of fish suckers perch & bullheads 12 eggs to day Ebb called wants I should write for On the St Lawrence. I said yes �page_0084 Sunday 15th A fair day no rain. Welly came home and brought perch which he caught in his nets Wells read all A. M. and after dinner went to bed Will Cornwell and Sylvia Jane came over stayed awhile at Sams and went back Volty and Johny abed most all day Grace went [crossed-out] to Wills [/crossed-out] and gahteree flowers Tilly and Shelly came & went with Grace to Jen’s for pepper after dinner mother went home & after a while grace went too. Stayed awhile came back and jen with her mothers and Jen did’ent speak Jen and the baby stayed all night John went to Niles in evening & Volty to Wills 25 eggs to day used one Wells set a turkey on 16 eggs Edy Bates brought the manuscript paper and envelopes for On The St Lawrence �page_0085 Monday 16 A fine day no rain but smokey Wells Volty and Johny working in field getting in barley Will & welly went to cape with fish I gave them six eggs for lunch Wells set a Turkey on 16 eggs this morning I churned 8 lbs butter finished Grace’s skirt John & Voltie came home to the sound of the dinner horn and brought a bag full of greens dandelions 2 19 eggs to day used one and Welly 6 baked 5 loaves bread John brought another bag of dandelions when he came up to milk the cows [crossed-out] coute [/crossed-out] �page_0086 Teusday 17th fine day wind with no rain smokey weather Wells and boys working in field 19 eggs to day Jen and mother dont speak our cats get in the cellar every night and cant get out again and lick the cream of the milk We got another lamb Grace went to Mrs Niles to get her sun bonnet cut Wednesday 18th fine day no rain Wells working in field wind south Welly came home Jen came up for step ladder Welly her carry it home 20 eggs to day peace is declared between mother and Jen They have hung out the flag of truce for 40 days Grace churned twice to day and washed John drew me a barrel of water �page_0087 Thursday 19th fair day very chilly no rain wind south Went to Kingston Volty drove carried me to dock in the morning & came for me at night saw Jim Matier in his soldier uniform with red stripe up sides of his breeches with little round cap trimmed with gold band stuck on one side of his head he loooked like a puppet Old Mary Ranous came down on the boat and Old Mrs duggin too we brought her over to Wills butter sold quick to day for 20 cts Mrs Kit Irvine went to town along with Mrs Horn I was so tired when I came home I went straight to bed after supper Volty worked in garden Will carried fish to market gave Ebb the news Welly gave Volty a fish 12 eggs used 8 bought a loaf of bread �page_0088 Friday 20th A clear warm day no rain wind South We had fish for dinner Welly came home & gave me, 75 cts Wells has finished sowing grain Volty and John plowed more in garden I churned and washed Will came up for butter Sams hired girl Tilly Welly and George here Mrs Woodman here Volty Johny and George gone fishing old mare had a colt and old white [crossed-out] and [/crossed-out] cow had a calf 18 eggs Saturday 21st A [crossed-out] clear [/crossed-out] very warm day very light wind South smokey no rain Wells gone to Kingston Devolson & John working in garden all day Welly fishing Grace and done house work Received a letter from Rachel, Grace one from Maud 13 eggs used three Volty & John went fishing this evening and stayed till half past four this morning got a wash tub full [on side] baked 5 loaves bread 2 eggs brok [/on side] �page_0089 22nd wind south Sunday A brigh warm day no rain didnt get up very early done our work leisurely and lounged around just as we pleased Henry & Sandy came over Grace went over to Bells with them eggs was not gathered Afternoon I took a nap Boys at home most all day Monday 23rd [strikethrough] old [/strikethrough] monday here again A bright day wind south blowing fresh no rain A. M. Welly and Edy Bates went to Cape with fish Volty worked in garden. A.M. P.M. went to help Will set nets Wells and Johny worked in field in P.M. wind all gone down river as still as glass churned twice worked hard all day very tired Welly came horme while Johny milking down by the shore and sent me a lot of cakes �page_0090 Teusday 24th wind south and strong rather cloudy Barometer falling fast a black cloud rising rain quite hard by dinner time and poured all the afternoon a good rain grand rain glorious rain we churned again John moved his bed. I slept two hours I am sleepy now I was going to write to Rachel I, so sleepy I cant I go to bed Wednesday 25th A beautiful day after the rain light wind south every thing growing finely Volty worked in Garden A.M. Wells plowed a little more in field P M picking up stone John working around wheeling out manure on wheelbarrow John set a hen in the woodpile baked 5 loaves bread churned Welly cut George Nile’s hair I wrote Rachel �page_0091 Thursday 26 A fine day wind south a fine breeze I went to Kingsotn on Princess Sylve Hattie I Ada and Kate Phillips went also Bill Malony and wife & two children Bell went too & Mrs Hattie I went to see Mrs Thornton to day Jen went up I lought cabbage plants Belle bought some things at Waldrons which were to have been sent to the boat but were not there A full market but rather dull Grace came home on the boat with me from Hollidays Tuday 27th A fine day wind south Grace [strikethrough] po [/strikethrough] moped pantry and kitchen. Wells went down to Wellington to get lumber to fit his old buggy came back & stoped at Will Woodmans bee �page_0092 January 1st 1887 " 5 lbs sugar ,30 " 3 " soda biscut ,25 " 2" rice ,10 " 1 led pencil ,02 " 1 set of kniting needles ,04 Jan 11th one pair of book for Wells $2,25 15th 2 bags of coal ___ ,60 " 2 gallon of kerosene ___ ,30 " 5 lbs sugar____30 " 2 spools white thread ___,10 " mustard ___ ,10 " ginger ____ ,10 " 1 yd of elastic ___ ,05 22nd 2 bags of coal ___ ,60 2 " " " ... 60 5 lb of sugar ... ,30 1 " tea ... ,20 cinnamon ... ,05 2 lbs raisins ... ,16 1 box matches ... ,10 �page_0093 Saturday 28th A fine day wind south warm and pleasant every thing growing nicely Wells went to Kingston when he came he brought the goods left on the boat from Waldrons Boys hoeeing in garden all fore noon & played ball in our pasture in after noon Letter from Victor V Sunday 29th A very fine day wind north I expected bell but she did not come we sent Johny to Mr Niles’ to borrow his buggy, thinking we would drive over to Bells with her parcel but buggy was broke Received the first coppy of "On The St Lawrence" we cooked two old hens for dinner They are scratching up our garden mother came up and stayed a little while Wells went to bed he drops his paper frequently Volty went fishing [sideways] and stayed [/sideways] �page_0094 1887 Jan 26th one bag of coal... ,30 ct Feb 1st 1887 diamond dye ___ ,10 " 2 qrts syrup ___ ,30, " 10 lbs sugar ___ ,60, " 1 box yeast ... , 10’ " 1 lb tea ... 20 " 1 bag of coal ... , 30 "1""" —– $ 1.90 Feb 4 2 lbs raisins ___ ,16 " 1/4 " pepper ___ ,10 " " " allspice ___ ,10 " " " cinnamon ___ ,10 " " " spelling book ___ ,30 " snuff ___ 05 —$ 0,81 7th 1 bag of coal ,30 2 slate pencils , 01 12th one lb tea ,20 2 " cheese ,30 3 lemons ,08 15th 10 lbs sugar 60 5 " currants 40 1 spool of Black thread ,05 16th 1 lb of cheese 15 2 gallons of kerosene ,25 2 bags of coal ,60 �page_0095 56 62 one bottle of quick medicine — 34 $1,00 Monday 30 A fine day Wind north Welly & Will went to Cape with fish 300 hun lbs Volty came home at 3 Oclock two morning and brought a big cat fish weighted ten lbs Volty sick all day I doctored him for colio I churned over eleven lbs butter and worked a quill Johny hoed in garden Grace helped around the house hens scratching up every thing Tilly came down visiting at dark Grace went as far as the old pine with her Wells drew stone off from the new piece �page_0096 February 21st 1887 1 scrubbing Book ,05 3 lamp chimneys ,15 for mending two tin pails ,15 —23rd ,35 Votleis School Books $1,05 25th a peck of onions ,30 5 lbs currants ,40 1 bag of coal 30 26th 10 sugar ,60 1 tea 20 March 1st 1887 1 bag of coal ___ ,30 1 bottle cough medicine ___ ,25 1 box soda biscuits ____ ,25 1 dozen fish ___ ,12 10 lbs corn meal ___ ,34 1 pound of tea ___ 25 2nd 7 1/2 yds gingham Clayton at 7 cts ,53 10 bars of soap ,25 �page_0097 Tuesday 31st last day of May A fine day wind east blowing fresh Wells drawing stone while heifer got a calf Grace went to Mr Niles for sheep shers Volty Welly and Will [strikethrough] helped [/strikethrough] sheared sheep John helped too our hens are scratching up all our garden Wells croped one wing so they cant fly Grace made her sun bonnet I patched Johns pants our boys gone up to sams this evening I wrote to Victor June 1st Wednesday A fine day wind south I churned twice and made 21 butter prints, wrote for the paper Wells drew stone says our peas are in blossom Volty and John worked in garden Will and Welly came up awhile and went off fishing Volty help me search parlor �page_0098 March 3rd 1887 corners Johny 2 galons kerosine ... ,25 1 copy book ... ,12 1 paper pins ... ,05 1 " needles ... ,05 2 lbs cheese ... ,24 1 table cloth ... ,50 1 pair pants ___ 2,25 1 cloud ... 1,00 7 1/2 yds skirting ... 1,00 1 sppl white thread ... ,10 1 bag of coal ... 30 10th 10 lbs sugar ... 60 " [strikethrough] 5 [/strikethrough] " [indecipherable] ... ,[strikethrough] ,70 [/strikethrough] 5 " currants ... ,40 19 bars of soap ,25 1/2 lb pepper ,15 1 pair of boots for John 3,00 1 pair of shoes for Grace 1,00 1 lb of tea from Farrel 20 1 bag of coal ,30 �page_0099 Apr one bag potatoes from Ebb 18th one " " " Niles June 1 1887 9 weet Thursday June 2nd A fine morning wind south cloudy in afternoon rained hard all afternoon and evening I went to Kingston Volty drove over to wharf, old Mrs duggin went too & Will we drove down to Will’s for them Had to unlet & put up 5 pair bars. We carried our old couch to get it upholstered Mrs Woodman went to town, the Glallespie family all had their "pictur took" to day in group Mrs Houston no better I carried Bell her parcel and a dozen turkeys eggs I was very Tired sold my butter to Tohey Visited with old Mrs Lowry Volty & Johny came for me somebodys fish was in my basket I cooked it got somebody’s chees too eat that up I picked it up beside our waggon thought T’was mine if I find who it belongs too Ill buy it again for them 10 O clock and I an awful sleepy �page_0100 March 25. 1887 Tomatoe seed 2 lbs tea ,60 4 galons kerosene 50 1 box of writing paper 12 1/2 1 lb tea 20 17 lbs sguar 100 3 lemons ,05 1 soda ,10 April 16 = 17 lbs sugar 100 " " 1 lb tea 30 2 packages diamond dye 20 5 lbs codfish ,15 3 pa garden seeds cabbage. rad.let. 2 spools Thread 10 1 matches 23rd 1 broom ,20 snuff 05 tobaco ,40 26 8 qrts white beans ,40 �page_0101 Friday 3rd A cloudy morning warm wind south every thing green and flourishing Most forgot what I done let me see now- if I can think- Wells & John drew stone Volty hoed in garden. I cut and fited Grace dress lining. Jen came up for lard. In afternoon Wells worked on the buggy Saturday 4th. A beautiful day sun shining clear and bright Wells went to Kingston I churned & moped and baked & washed Volty & John hoed in garden Wells came home and brought the hine but did’nt get barbed wire Sunday 5th A foggy morning cleared up bright clear & warm Grace went to sunday school Charlie Belle and the children came over cooked chickens and had a pot pie. mother Will and Jen came up Bell knit two pairs of stockings and gave them to little Charlie Welly came and brought some fish. �page_0102 April 28th fare on boat — ,25 1 soda ... ,10 3 yds print ... ,21 1 tea ... ,20 5 sugar — ,30 1 diamond dye — ,10 1 stockings — ,10 5 yds cotton — ,25 3 lemmons — ,15 1 letter ,03 top onions ,16 1 led pencil ,01 1 dinner ,05 4 garden seeds — ,20 toll — ,01 brought home ,26 — $2,38 5th fare on boat ,25 ay 5 sugar ,30 3 prunes ,25 5 rice ,25 sweet corn ,10 grace colar ,10 dinner ,11 toll ,01 — 1,37 �page_0103 Mary 7th 8 lbs sugar $ ,50 " " 1 " Tea . 30 " " 2 bags potatoes 1,75 " 12 boat fare – ,25 " " toll ,02 " " 1 pencil ,01 " " 5 sugar ,30 " " 5 currant ,40 " " 1 Tea ,20 2 lard ,25 4 loaves bread ,20 3 Candy ,02 1 nail ,05 snuff ,05 mailing two letter .06 1 plug tobaco ,05 squash seeds ,10 onion seeds ,10 — $2,11 luncheon 05 — $2,16 Saturday 14 one bag potatoe 1,00 2 pair overalls 2,00 1 lbs Tea ,30 �page_0104 May 18 boat fare ,25 5 sugar — ,30 5 rice — ,25 1 soda — ,08 14 pepper — ,06 dates — ,05 lunch — ,05 shows for Grace — 1,25 hat for " — 1,26 bread — ,05 2 cucumber seed — ,10 1 newspaper — ,10 1 stockings for Grace ,05 1 thread — 0.8 1yd ribbon for Grace ,02 — 2,80 21 Saturday 1 box yeast 10 26th boat fare — 25 toll 01 postage 09 [crossed-out] 8 sugar [/crossed-out 25 corn meal ,20 dates .10 stockings .10 Tin pail .10 brooch .15 two combs 09 tobaco 10 �page_0105 May 26 Cabbage plants ,25 geramium ,10 3 toilet soap ,07 1 matches ,05 3 handkerchiefs ,15 —— [crossed-out] 8 sugar .45 [/crossed out] .65 1 soap for Belle 1,34 balance on stockings for Belle ,07 8 sugar ,05 2 apples 48 2 lard Ralph M Coolbaugh —$2,56 apples 04 —dinner 2,90 lard ,25 — 2,85 ,15 — 3,00 Monday 6th cloudy drizzling rainy day wind south Wells working away on the old buggy Welly Johny & Well gone to Cape with fish Volty went across The river about wool came back & went up the Island and down the road to buy wool Grace and I and wash we are expecting visitors Boys are afraid Steele will steal their nets Rachel and Nelly came across about 6 O clock P.M. to mothers �page_0106 Photomount Pamphlet Binder Manufactured by GAYLORD BROS. Inc. Syracuse, N.Y. Stockton, Calif. �page_0107 �This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following people: Vivian Zhang, Patricia Roussel, and Queen’s University Archives � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Subject The topic of the resource 19th and 20th Century Rural Ontario Diaries Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1887-1922 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1887 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1888-1889 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1889-1897 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1890 March - June Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1893-1895 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1895-1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1896 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1897-1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899-1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902, 1906 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902-1909 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1904-1905 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1907 & 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1908-1919 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1911 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913-1914 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1915-1916 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1916-1917 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1917-1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1921-1922 Language A language of the resource English Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1887 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1887 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th Century, Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. March 1st, 1887 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0fbb18cdd951db20ef6f5c11874efed6.pdf 79e1f99edf472376cc95e8c5fa49a582 PDF Text Text Irene Dixon Bamford 1888-1889, Diary Transcription 5034_4-1-2 �Metadata FromThePage export of 5034_4-1-2 from Irene Dixon Bamford made on 2026-02-11 14:35:04 UTC. itemTitle: Sept. 4, 1888-1889 date: 1888-1889 Title: 5034_4-1-2 Description: Item is a diary. Created On: 2023-10-03 13:00:41 UTC In Scope: true Uploaded Filename: 5034_4-1-2 �page_0001 Irene Dixon Bamford - Diary - Sept. 4, 1888 - 1889 Queen’s University Archives Locator 5034_4 Box 1 File 2 �page_0002 [sticker affixed to outer cover] Sept. 4, 1888 - 1889 �page_0003 Re - Read 1976 - 84 [pencil etched stamp of tall ship labelled Ax Librisa] Flora I. King �page_0004 �page_0005 Mrs. W Bamford This Book a present from Devolson to his mother at midsummer 1888. Grace Bamford Wolfe Island Grace L. Bamford �page_0006 John Bamford [pencil drawn outline of hand] Maude Watson’s hand �page_0007 Lobelia purchased here [pencil drawn image- flower in a vase and a tree] Laura Sobelia [pencil drawn image- outline of a maple leaf] BAB �page_0008 Wolfe Island Sept 4th 1888 Tuesday A warm bright cloudless day, wind south. Volty is in Watertown. Welly, Evaline, Johny, and Grace are gone to a picnic in Breakys grove. Wells, Maud and I at home. Wells has a lame knee, but has gone down by Ebbs to water the young stock. Bill and Will are gone to Kingston to conclude the bargain for Will’s place. Will Woodman’s child is very sick with Erystashia [Erysipelas]. I just finished writing a letter to Watson. James O’Brien came to see Wells about the school house fence. Four ministers at the picnic including Thompson and his family and old John Lockheart the Bible agent. 5th Wednesday Rained some in the night, wind changed to north, cool all day John went early this morning to Wellingtons to help thresh but didn’t work untill towards evening. Welly went over to Rattrays & helped fix the machine and moved it to Burnhams after carrying E down to Burnhams to help Alvira. They came back [margin] Welly is 23 years old to day �page_0009 2 Sept again in the evening and stayed all night. John Morgan called for Welly to go to the Cape with him to the fair Wells drew manure from the barn and swore because Grace broke up a little wood with his axe. 6 Thursday Very cool wind north a clear day. Welly and Evaline got up early and went down to Burnhams. John stayed there all night. Wells milked all the cows and drove with Grace over to the dock and went from there to Burnhams to help thresh. I have to look around and find wood best I can. Silve came down for Rachel’s cloak. Jen and little Charley came up to borrow flour. Maud and I here alone most all day, its a terrible time for flies. The grass and all vegetation very green after the most severe drought and dryest summer we ever experienced. 7th Friday A clear bright day Wind north changing to south in fore noon. Welly and Johny threshing for Burnham & Horn. Welly got up early and [margin] Maud came here one year ago this day the 6th �page_0010 Sep went down there John stayed all night. Wells at home choring around. I done big washing. Grace and Evaline hung them all out. Will and Jen here in the Evening Lizze Jex burned to day. Sylvia’s face poisoned with ivy, looks like rain towards evening. 8 Saturday Wind south rained hard all night. Wells & Will intended to go to Kingston but rained so couldn’t go, cleared up in afternoon. I moped [sic] floor. Evaline ironed. The boys came home in afternoon in time for dinner. Lilly came for Welly to cut her hair in P.M. but Welly not at home. We brought in most all our clothes but they are rather damp. I cooked beets and stewed apples for supper. John received a letter from Volty with 5 dollars in it Grace done general house work Bill Smith made us a call. 9 Sunday A fine bright day, south wind and warm. I broke sabath by scouring the teakettle. Grace and Evaline went to church. [Lilly]] and Welly came home with them. Welly cut Lill’s hair over �page_0011 Sept Will and Charley here awhile. Wells and Will fixed Will’s fence. Grace went home with Jill and she and Welly cut Eddy Bate’s hair I picked corn for dinner and made cake & biscuits and Evaline washed dishes while I finished my letter to Victor. Welly cut Johny’s hair. Jen came up in evening and I went home with her and we went out with lantern and picked apples from the old miles tree (sweet) to cook in sugar. Will had gone down to Smiths to borrow his buggy to drive to the Ferry in the morning. Welly, Evaline, Johny, and Grace went to prayer meeting. In the evening I studied the History of England awhile and went to bed 10 Monday A fine day. Wind south west Will couldn’t get Smiths carriage but went early and borrowed John Nile’s. Smith had lent his to Pelton picture man from Watertown. Jen came early this morning. Welly and Johny went to Horn’s to thresh. Hiram Joslin drove here for Welly. I picked beans and corn for dinner. Grace and Evaline ironing and sewing on Johny shirt. Wells went to O’Brien’s to help fix the buggy and stayed till eleven O’clock. �page_0012 Sept. 11th Tuesday A fine day wind south rose very early for Johny and Wells went to Breakeys to thresh. Grace went to Bells on the boat and came home in the Eve and brought Marjorie with her. Welly went to Chammont. I forgot to send Victor’s letter by Welly. Evaline went to Sam’s to help Sylvia make her dresses. Wells and John helped set the machine to Sam’s and threshed all the PM. Wells had an awful time milking all the cows after dark, got mad and swore. Mother came up to get Wells to go to Kingston with Will. Maud and I alone most all day. I did not hurt myself with work to day [margin] Laura Smith went to Kingston to stay all week. John went after dark to borrow Well’s buggy for Will but he had lent it to Burnham to go to the fair and borrowed Al Joslin’s instead [/margin] 12 Wednesday Rose early so Wells could go to Kingston with Will. Evaline went to sew for Sylvia. John threshed for Sam. It looked like a rainy day and did rain some in fore noon AM, fair and extremely warm. had bad work to churn butter it is so soft and warm, our ice all gone and over �page_0013 Sept Jen came up with butter and eggs for Grace to carry to market tomorrow Welly came home in afternoon for his papers he forgot when he went away and said he was going straight back again to go to Watertown to get Bill’s money from Normandes. he went to Sam’s and helped them finish threshing. Johnny came first and watered horses and then took the team and went to Jim’s for ice. I worked over butter and made butter prints long after dark. Sylvia & Evaline came home with Welly and stayed the evening Marjorie and Maud carrying on all evening Wells came home half past twelve Wind south changing to west at night I forgot to send Victor’s letter to post Wells saw Norman Petrie, Martin Smith, Charley Clinton, Mattie Smith and Charles girl in town. 13 Thursday A very fine day Wind South west rather cool. Rose very early so Grace could go to dock. Maud came in to day for passengers. John went to fair and so is Grace and Bell Bill Smith made us a long call and said Welly neednt go to Watertown for the money for Normander had sent it �page_0014 Sept to him Will went to Kingston to day, again on business Wells went to water the young cattle and brought up some corn Eddy Bates called here for his vest that John had wore down from Sam’s Old Mrs Suttle burried [sic] to day Laura went down yesterday on the St Lawrence to Alexandria bayEvaline come home and gone to sweeping and patching Wellie’s overalls. After dinner E washed dishes and she & W went down to Burnhams in skiff. I skimed milk and churned. It rains, some wind more in north. Marjorie and Maud agreed about one thing—to make all the noise they possibly can. Wells gave Grace a dollar to spend at the fair. Evaline helped Wells milk 14th Friday A clear fine day Wind South Evaline went to sew for Sylvia. Maryanne Barry drove O’Briens horses to John’s pound. Sam’s black colt missing since yesterday morning I washed and baked bread Sylvia and Coruwith here tonight. Wells Jr and �page_0015 John threshed for Niles and now we have all retired (gone to bed) Saturday Sept 15th Sylvia made me a call Grace made pumpkin pies and churned milk and washed dishes and then went to Belles Evaline washed and Maud, Grace mopped and put the pies together Minnie O’Brien here Wells went up to Belle’s John and Willie threshed for Niles very warm wind South Sept 16th Sunday got damp quick Sylvia here to day Grace getting dinner John is harking his rear Wellie went out to the farm and slept all the afternoon John and Sylvia went down to Will’s Will came back with her Grace spanked Maud just before Ketering Wind North-East. Very nasty day I went over to Bell’s all day, Aunt Laura & Aunt Alona Smith, Charles Luttle and wife made Grandma a visit this p.m. 17th Monday Got damp quick again, very rainy day Wind north, John, Charles Woodman went to Miller Bay. John Morgan called after Sylvia here twice to day. I stayed to Bells from Saturday till Thursday and came down on Princess so I don’t know much that transpired at home I know it rained all day Sunday & Monday and �page_0016 Wells and I went over to Bells to carry Marjorie home Threshing at Hollidays Bell urged me to stay, and I stayed intending to go home Sunday next day Bell Charlie and children were coming home with me but rain prevented. didn’t get through threshing at Hollidays until Monday noon then Michea moved machine to Berrys Charlie Rearing and Dick went to Barrie’s Beatrice sick all day Wind south south on Monday Bell washed. Tuesday Charlotte went home learing Bessie but taking Charlie and Lottie with her Mrs Holliday went home with Charlotte clear and warm Wind south Wednesday the old dog churned I helped color carpet rags blue green and yellow towards night Bell children and I went up to McDonel place to see the house and brought corn & pumpkin rey tried when I got back Wells and Will came for me but Beatrice puked and so I stayed Thundred and lightened in the night Wind South warm and bright Thursday Maud came in this morning Wells went to dock to see if Grace road aboard �page_0017 Thursday no marketing done for Bamfords folks. butter to soft and not much of it, cows all drying up, no feed in pasture but a plenty just over the fence, our 9 cows are as profitably as sitting hen that has sat on eggs for 8 weeks. (Bells anniversary, birth day 26 years old) A fine day, warm Wind South I colored carpet rags garmet & cardinal red Beatrice is better I was rather sorry this morning I did not go home last night when they drove so far for me 24 miles but Bell felt so bad about my coming away, I stayed another day I don’t see her often Mrs. Burnham and Mrs. Horace Ingerson and Mrs. Holiday on the boat Young Capt. not aboard he was married last monday and went to Toronto on his weding "Tower" his father aboard Wells and Grace came to the boat for me I found Evaline and little Maud at home and I think they were pleased to see anying the dogs were and I was glad to get home although I had a pleasant time. Every thing at home was nice and warm and cheerful and supper was all ready Wally came home about 11 P.M. 21 Friday It had rained a little in night grass very wet wind North but a bright morning Maud sick with worms gave her a dose of castor oil After breakfast Evaline and Wally went down to �page_0018 Wills to see her baby’s sick too & carried Caster oil and parregoric Jen gave the baby 8 drops of the goric and Charlie got the bottle and drank the rest of contents we had started home again when mother came running to tell what Charlie had done afraid he poisoned Grace went to Miss Miles for wormwood she had none after dinner Wells went across the river a man called to see Wells But he was not at home. Sylvia made us a call Wells went to the ball play at & Barrys’ Wells got back at dark. Grace milked cows the black horse got loose and Wells & Welly looking for him long after dark with lanters found him and put him in stable & rained at sunset Welly came home at dark John came home too about 8 P.M. In evening I mended socks and at last we all went to bed. 22nd Saturday Rose early and got Wells breakfast by lamp light so he go to Kingston �page_0019 Wally went early with Ed Rattray to R. Irvines to thresh somewhat cloudy wind north cool. I wrote a letter and mailed it Volly this morning sent John to Sams Wind South and wife out very early trolling they went to Post Office. After dinner Evaline Welly and Johnny went to the baseball play Frank Woodman drove here for E and Sylvia went too Spaff’s bay Albert brought the post anger Our boys beat the Ferry boys at base ball Spaff Joy and Rattrays returned from the west Spaff rode down with Wells and said they Jout Trimme Messilli’s wife in the abyhm while he was there and also he has bought a right in a saw mill & is going back in 5 weeks. 2 letters from hugh and Wells saw Mrs. Strummer on Kingston dock that old hag that used to work for us. Bill Smith called here Grace milked all the cows I fed hogs, skinned mild fed calves brought water got supper and sick and gone to bed They all came home after dark I received a letter from �page_0020 Sept 23rd Watson the old monkey. I feel just like waking him. Sunday layed abed late all the family secured to be lazily inclined Mr. Bamford and Grace got breakfast. Evaline and Grace done up the work Mr. B. sick in his bed almost all day George Niles came to tell us that Old Kit had hurt-herself Mr. B went up to Hector her John went to church and over to Niles and up to Morgan’s Grace and Evaline got dinner and washed up the dishes. Then went after some black cherries and down to Niles Grandma felt bad to think of moving, Mill brought us up some fish for dinner. Mr B. made some good soup for Supper Sylvia away over to Rallrays I hear about the rest. Hello Jr went to Chaumont quick cool today wind North Sept 24th Monday A very beautiful day, wind south, getting ready for threshers Pa & John drawing in rain, Pa killed a sheep this afternoon, Grace �page_0021 went to Wills Sam’s and Niles’ Evaline worked like a heroine all day washed dishes moped and cleaned windows and oven thing Welly not home yet Ed called for him this morning but not at home Well promised to work in Welly place to day but he got a sore throat. he came up this morning for supper but I had none Sylvia called in the evening. Wellie came from Chaumont at 12 O’clock at night had been to Watertown Saw Vollie. 25 Tuesday Threshes came just before dinner. Wellie about up the Maud to thresh. Evaline washed and went down to Burnhams in afternoon Grace and Mr. D waited on threshers cooked and churned Mrs B not seeming very well bad cold Wind South - cloudy towards night sprinkled �page_0022 Wednesday Sept. 26th Threshed wind north John went down to H.H. Woodman’s to thresh in afternoon Mrs B in bed almost all day very sick. Grace and Evaline waited on threshers. Grace went down to Wills in P.M. Evaline went down to E. Joshie with Sylvia. Two cattle buyers here Mr. B did not sell. A man from Ganonoque called to see Will and Mr. B, Mr. Smith called Will’s throat still continues to be sore Wellie threshing Wind South - Grey pleasant 27 Thursday Wind South blowing a pale dark cloud raining afternoon squally with heasey thunder Grace went to market to day and had 12lbs of butter to carry but forgot to take 4 and left them at home John 17 to day I’m sick with a bad cold Will sick with inflamed throat and eyes Bill Mrs. Woodman had her fortune told to day, relative to their lost colt �page_0023 went town to day Mrs Holliday hit by an awning rod in town knocked her senseless. Carried by harey wind Pierrepond brought down the passengers Princess went around foot to Cape Smith took their child to Ferry to see the doctor 28 Friday Fair day wind west rather cold Wells went over the river in Ebb boat came back early John threshed at Snub’s came home early they broke down Sylvia called here on her way over the river stoped again in evening all night I worked most of the day but sick all night Wills eyes are very much inflamed can scarcely see anything Jen here and sent Grace to Mr Nile’s to dun John for Will Jen going to Kingston tomorrow with Wells Evaline ironed and worked all day Welly on the Island threshing. Wells fixed fence for Will all P.M. to keep their yellow corn out of Wills garden and orchard �page_0024 29 Saturday Wells & Jen went to Kingston Grace rose early and got her fathers breakfast Sylvia went home after Breakfast I’m sick with a cold yet feel very bad but sat up all day and mend socks Base ball match at Sam’s this P.M. Grace and Evaline gone I and Maud alone at home Volly was to come come to day but no one went to Miller’s bay for him William S. here A.M. Will D eyes very bad yet. Our boys beat the Taylors nine Wells & Jen came home at dark & Jen stayed to supper. Wells went down to Wills and tied their cows under the farm Laura stayed at Will’s all night Wind south. 30th Sunday Volly came home, he stayed all night with Geo Liddie very pleasant and warm . Charles & Bell came down here to dinner. Oct. 1 - Monday rain and cold wind all day. Grace was to have an apple cut but the rain will hinder. Mother is not very well she has been in bed most �page_0025 October all day. Uncle Bill Smith is here to clean oats John is helping him. Evaline cooked for the party this forenoon 2 Tuesday Wind north cold Wells drew grain (barley) to the SE John helped clean barley and W.S. clean oats. Volly went to Rosierre for his trunk Evaline done a big washing Welly came home in the Evening Wills eyes very sore I dont feel well 3rd Wednesday Evaline ironed We churned and made butter prints for market Volly Johny & their father cut the corn and drew it home Wills eyes not well yet nor better. Sylvia here Welly threshing at Rattrays Came home at dark I do not feel well yet wind North 4th Thursday Wind South cloudy dark day rain hard all P.M. Welly Volly & Grace went to Kingston and Evaline finished ironing, made pies cakes and cleaned floor �page_0026 Uncle Smith here twice Laura doctoring Wills eyes. Wells & John draw beans and pumpkins Some thief stole our apples again this year over in the "far" orchard Grace left her basket and paill towels butter rags slippers and rubbers in Kingston Welly brought me a bottle of cough medicine Volly brought 6 apple barrels Sylvia here John Morgan here in the evening Maud sick with cold Wills eyes a little better Jen called 5th Friday dark cloudy day wind North Welly went to Rattrays to thresh Hogn to W. H. Woodmans Wells and Volly gathering orange apples Evaline at Sammy’s and stayed all night Evaline 20 years old today 6 Saturday Dark rainy day rather cold wind North. Wells went to Kingston Welly threshing at Joys John threshing at Mackey’s Volly filled 6 barrels with apples Grace moped kitchen floor Charley Holliday 28 years old to day Jill & Shell here �page_0027 Oct 7th Sunday A bright warm day. Wind South. River Still Bill and Laura made us a call Laura called for her cups & saucer Volly went home with them Wells Jr and Evaline married to day Sylvia here John over to Rattrays Wells went over to Joys to see when Spaff is going to Ganonoque Grace went over home with Sylvia Wells Jr got some honey for me from Mels Gloud 8th Monday A dismal cloudy cold Rainy P.M. wind North afternoon more cheerful Wells Jr. went to Flynns to thresh Volly stoped all night Smiths & went to Michae’s to help thresh P.M. raining Wells Jr. came home afternoon and made a baseball bat Wells went to Heness to a bee. John went to find the cattle Evalined moped dining room and helped make Maud’s dress �page_0028 Oct 9th Tuesday A fair cold day froze last night Wind North West Volly gone to Fishers Landing to row Laura Bill brought a cup of smokey sour honey for me Clinton Smith came on the Island this morning to visit his uncle Smith John gathering apples and pumpkins Wells reaping oats John Niles reaping oats Wells Jr went to Flynns this P.M. machine not moved yet Went again A.M. John Flynn here looking for threshers Maud Watson squalled most all day Volly came home in evening and said he only went as far as clayton 10th Wednesday a bright fine day, wind south Wells Volly and Wells Jr threshing for Flynns Frank Woodman here for butcher knifes Johny and Frank brought 3 pails of water for Evaline to wash and then John went to the church where they were painting and stayed nearly all A.M. and then went to gather apples from grange Jill Niles here for hog hook old George Jorrey called to inquire the way to Sams �page_0029 Oct Clint Smith made us a visit Sylvia here too Johny & V went down to Smith with him in evening 11 Thursday A fine bright day wind north Volly & Jen went to market Grace went to Bells on Princess Louise Wells and John clean in all the oats Welly threshing to Flynns E ironed Smith and Clinton went to Kingston by the road Volly bought 5 more apple barrells colder towards night a circle around the sun Wells went to mothers in the evening to get them some wood Welly stayed all night at Morgans Miss George came down on boat and went to Morgans 12 Friday Wind North rained most all day Welly threshing at Morgans but came home in afternoon & J Morgan with him Volly digging potatoes for Smith and carried Clinton across the river and brought Laura back and Volly stayed all night Grace went to school the last day and after J Niles S Joy & James O’Brien Wells worked down around Will & went down in the evening and brought up our roaster I have forgotin what John none Old Mrs Flynns sister and brother in law came to make them a visit from Boston �page_0030 Oct 13th Saturday A fine day wind South changing to North P.M. Grace went to Jens to get the steelyard Wells plowed all day Welly finished threshing for Morgan and moved the machine down to Ed Rattrays Laura Volly and Maud gathering apples at Wills Bill and Mother graveled Volly and Maud came here in afternoon in time for dinner Maud stayed all night The boys played ball at Sam’s all P.M. it was so dark couldn’t find all the cows so they went without being milked Welly came home with toothache John threshed at Morgans till three o’clock P.M. Wills eyes are better finished painting church this morning 14th Sunday A bright fine day wind North Volly carried Maud home after Breakfast No service in church to day Wells Jr & Johny went up to W.H. Woodmans for Welly’s shift John Morgan came home with them Wells reading E & G went for haws Volly came home at evening time Grace went to Sams a while �page_0031 Oct 15 Monday A bright day and warm wind South somewhat cloudy toward eve a circle around the sun Evaline washed Wells & John cut peas Welly and Volly gather apples for Will Smith did potatoes at Wills In afternoon Patterson and Eden Bates helped out boys gather for Will Sylvia came here for shellac Evaline and Sylvia went to Wills Sylvia came back for the shellac but E stayed and went with John for grapes when he went for cows and lost her weding ring Grace carried Jane Starch home Welly & Wells John Niles & Jane went down to Wills in evening 16 Tuesday Wind South the sun shining part of the time but wind rain hard and thunder squally Wells and Johny went for the cider press Welly & Volly made a barrel of cider and looked for the ring but did not find it Johny and Wells cut some peas W Smith came up and graveled with Welly Welly sewed up with him and paid him 6 dollars Its ten O’clock P.M and raining hard �page_0032 Oct 17 Wednesday A fine day wind South Wells and John plow all day Welly and Volly made a barrel of cider and went over to grange to gather sap Evaline moped and made Maud a dress E and G went to loo for Evaline ring but did not find it Welly found Volly’s watch charm under an apple tree Boyea made Wells a vest in the field Wells killed two turkeys for Jen and carried them to her in evening I made butter prints and dressed two turkeys for market Mrs Flynn here to hire one of our boys but couldn’t get one Wells Jr & V went to Wills this evening almost eleven O’clock and I will go to bed 18th Thursday A fine day Wind South Wells Jr & Volly went to Kingston on Princess Wells and John plow all day Grace stayed with her grandmother and went to the dock at evening time Evaline ironed �page_0033 Oct 18 and helped J milk the cows at night W Jr and V came home and brought J Morgan & young Medville with them Watson came too. After supper boys went across the river to Percys to a husking and Dance but when they arrived there found they had another kind of party and came back went to Howe Island to a dance at Bresaw’s got home again at 5 O’clock in morning Smith here in afternoon to unburden his mind of all his grief and trouble Poor Boy ka Sam got drunk and offended the preacher Jen went to market 19th Friday A cloudy rainy day Wind South Wells and John cut peas all A.M Boys slept past A.M. and made a little cider P.M. rained steady V went down to see uncle Smith and got the rest of my Heapers Wells went to O Briens Evaline put her quilt on the frame I took an afternoon nap and patched wells coat and set up and baked bread most eleven O’clock and I will retire Old Mrs M Muller burned to day at Cataraqui �page_0034 Oct 20th Saturday Weather variable Wind South blowing a breeze all day. Darl wind cloud rolling away to north squally with hail Wells & Watson went to Kingston this morning Welly went to see Ed Rattray and gone all day Johny plowed all day Volly gathered apples and chopped wood for Jen & Smith came up for apples Volly helped pick a barrel of apples for Smith Evaline quilting Grace and I cleaned floors & colored yarn Volly dug potatoes over to grange John brought them home at evening Wells came home just after sundown and brought me a bottle of cod liver oil & said Mrs. O’Brien went to Ferry with them she going to her Grandfather Dee’s to go to Catholic school Wells brought my eye glasses home and bought Johny a pair of new boots $3.25 21st Sunday Quite a fine day. Wind South. Wells reading his news papers Wells Jr went down to Ebbs and brought the skiff home John went to church V went down to Smiths cameback towards night fall and brought Maud Smith with him �page_0035 Oct 21st 1888 she stayed a while & then Volly rowed her home again in the boat. Then they rowed ferry Horn across the river Here is a catalogue of our callers Sylvia & Frank Woodman Fred Joy George Niles Maud Smith Henry Holliday Gob Forbes Grace went to gather morning berries and hicory and Fred stayed all night Volly came home at 9.30 O’Clock Wells Jr. found Evaline’s ring 22nd Monday A clear bright day wind south We rose early Wells went over to see Spaff and then came home and Wells and Johny drew peas all day Volly diging potatoes for Smith and bought all he rained down at Wills for 30 cents per bushel Smith Horn & Volly drew 18 bushels here in AM. and put them in cellar went back to dig and got the root of potatoes Wells Jr went over to Spaff to inquire about going to Michigan Spaff takes his team with him and Fred Lewis Welly went to Niles for money and Ed Rattray called to pay him Welly went up to plunkers in P.M. to get money on order by Ed Rattray Evaline fixed and mended Welly clothes and Ed called and paid Evaline 4 dollars �page_0036 Oct 22 This evening Johny drove over to Bells with Welly Evaline went too V will not come home till Thursday Welly is going to Michigan With Spaff George Fair called in evening for school tax on Linda’s Island. Sylvia came this A.M for half galon vinegar and came again in P.M. Mrs Nile went down to Wills to make them a visit called here on her way home. Mrs Niles & Sylvie were here when Welly started After supper Wells went to Wills to chop some wood for them and Volly came came home with him from Smiths. Tis after 10 o’clock and John has not come yet. all the others in bed but me I set up ’till half past twelve John not here yet and I go to bed Celara Luella Kilborn Blossom at Wells Jiles Kilborn & Blossom gone down the river fishing 23rd Tuesday A cloudy day Wind North looks like rain John and Evaline came home at eleven O’clock and brought squashes from Bells Volly and Wells drawing and cutting peas John helped cut peas in P.M. Mrs Blossom came here and had dinner �page_0037 Oct 23rd and is "so glad" she is married (Lill) (Will) Johnny Niles here Mes Blossom went back to Wills. Wells went in (Evening) to eat then wood. A rainy evening Welly went on the (Princess) to Kingston from (Heolling) and will take the 4 O clock train for Petoskey, Mich 24th Wednesday A cloudy squally day wind South blowing half a gale Evelyn quilting John & Wells plowing Volty gathering apples and making bins in cellahel Carpenter Grant here to see about repairing the house occupied by Rev Watts Johnny went to (Wells Hommers) "stun" bee in P.M. Volty drew apples to store hosue one barrel for sell and some barrels for Will for market and helped J Niles butcher a hog for market came home done chores & milked all the cows & went and helped carry Joe Niles pig in house Mother walked down to Smiths to coax him ot buy thier place I suposed Smith brought her home. Mrs. Blossom at Wills yet Wells went down and carved two turkeys and chopped wood Welly on the tram going west �page_0038 Oct 25 Thursday A clear warm day light wind North Wells drove over to wharf this morning with Volty, Grace & Rachels organ taking it to Kingston for repair’s and then Wells and John plowed all day Smith made Wells a visit in field dont talk very favorable about buying the place. Evaline finished quilting Sylvia gone to town to get her winter clothes Sent sip ducks to Market Wells Jr sent this picture home taken with Pat Bulger Jen went to Market. Mrs Joe Blossom at Wills yet Jen not feeling in very good humor tonight. 26th Friday A beautiful warm clear day light Wind South Wells & Johny plow all day At noon Wells & V went to Wills to move stove but stove red hot and W. wouldn’t wait for stove to cool so came home hutched up and went afield to plow V stayed there and J Morgan helped move stove Volty gathering apples and make cider Sylvia here twice once �page_0039 Oct 26th to bring E wrap home and once to borrow a paint brush Jen here and appears rather down hearted about something Grace was down there to day and said her Grandmother and Jen were disagreeing about something did not know what Mrs Blossom there yet Evaline put binding on her quilt doubled and twisted yarn I do same as every day cook and wash dishes and general house work V. J. & G gone to Morgans to a party this evening John Morgan made us a call this afternoon Mr & Mrs Niles made us an evening visit Tremendious firing of canon at Cape Vincent long after dark I guess I’ll go to bed I supose I will rise early for Wells is going to Kingston Welly will be almost at Petoskey by this time Well good night and pleasant dreams Johny and George Morgan came at Midnight for fiddle strings Will Cornwell 30 years old to day 27th Saturday Rose early and got Wells breakfast by lamp light. Raining quite hard Wind south Half past four and �page_0040 Oct 27th very dark Our children not home from party yet Wells has gone long before daylight through the rain but not very cold this morning Smith promised Wells to go up about the place again but he I dont believe he will go Grace Volty & Johny came home from the party at eleven O clock. I colored yarn for Evaline and she went down to her Grandma Joslins calling at Wills on her way there Grace went to bed and slept till ten O clock Volty and John done chorse and made cider & did not milk the cows but once to day I done Saturday work alone moped kitchen floor A dark dismal day with rain and wind from South John Morgan called in evening Volty went at dark to chop wood for Will John out after dark fixing dence Wells came home just after dark and brought onions and we had a bright warm fire and a good supper all ready I cooked chicken and a pot pie and the boys came home to supper to Welly and Spaff mist be in Mich by this time Mrs Blossom at Wills yet Mrs Jimmy rode down with Wells from Ferry �page_0041 Oct 28 Sunday Rather a cloudy day Wind South rained in A.M. we did not get up very early Wells reading his News paper Johny at home all day reading and sleeping After dinner Volty dressed and went down the Island courting Mother came up to dinner has not been here in a long time. she talked over all her Smith trouble and went home at dark Wells went down to chop wood Grace went down for nanny berries Eddy Burnham came to go to prayer meeting with Johny Hiram John & Elen Bates came up with Grace to go to church too but there was no meeting so they stayed here and made a visit drank cider and had a great time Wells thought we ought to have had a letter from Welly last night I am sorry to scold I had to spank Maud but I think it done her good Evaline came home with Wells and I made a hasty pudding for supper Mrs Blossom at Wills yet waiting for Joseph and says they will miss her when she goes home �page_0042 Oct 29 Monday A midling fair day strong breeze from the west. cold but not freezing Wells Johny and Volty butchered beef A.M. Wells & Johny plowed all P.M. till dark and then choped wood and milked and took care of horses Volty went to Morgans after dinner for John Morgan to help dig. Wells potatoes George Horn helped too George here to dinner and came up in PM for cider for J.M. and V. they dug 22 bushels Mrs Blossom helped Jen wash and hung the clothes out after dark Will went down to Smiths to coax him to buy the place Smith has agreed to go to Kingston tomorrow and Wells is going too Grace went to Sam’s for Kerosene but they had none. They told Grace that Smith had been there talking against her grandmother John went to Wills after dark for oil Boykey and Laura went to Nile’s for three hands of apples Evaline knit on Wellys socks Maud acted mean all day kicked and squalled �page_0043 Oct 30th Tuesday Grace and Mrs B washed and done general house work. Mr B went to Kingston to see about Wills places but Smith did not go. Mr B and came home rather vexed at Smith for not going and swore considerably Voltie dug potatoes for Will and went down to the Foot of the Island courting in the Evening. John plowed and drew wood and done the chores. Will Lixon made us a visit and Mrs Blossom made us a call and now she has gone home to C. Vincent Evaline sewed on Grace’s dress Maud Watson behaved tolerably well. Quite a Jan day Wind S.W. light breeze Wells Jr. sawing over pressence to say. Evaline knit some on Wellies socks. Sylvia did not put in an appearance Now will all expire in time Good night �page_0044 Oct 31st Wednesday This is the last day of Oct & all Saints day A very fine day Wind S.E. changing to S towards evening Volty finished diging Wills potatoes 4 1/2 rows. Wells & John plowed and drew Wills apples and cider barrel here at noon. Will and Volty made made cider for Will in PM Volty went to Cook’s courting and returned about 2 O’clock A.M. Smith went to Kingston Said he couldn’t & didn’t go yesterday because he had a head ache He stoped along wide road to talk with Wells says he will buy the place now says he means business now right straight from the word go up tomorrow Laura must buy the place cause he is "afeared" too Wants Wells to go down there to night Wells goes after supper comes home about Eleven finds us all abed sleeping Evaline she sits up to finish well sock & finished Graces dress too Sylvia here early this morning for turkeys Will & Jen here this Evening for turkeys �page_0045 1st Nov. Thursday Today has been one of the most beautiful days of the season Wind South very light Wells went to Kingston on the Princess also Grace and Voltie Wells went on the Smith and did business again John plowed at home and done the chores. Irene done general housework Maud behaved well today Stuck her foot in a bellie of water thought she had burnt it but guess not bad Willie L. made us a call. Voltie stayed in Kingston John and Evaline wnt to the dock. Mr B. came home vexed because he had to walk from the dock and swore considerably. John Morgan called to tell us Sam’s dog was eating up the beef The bargain for the place was concluded to day Laura paid 50 dollars in the office. Great flocks of wild geese in river and flying away to South Mrs George Fair & Mrs Ele Fair went to Kingston on Princess Edith came down on Princess to day her trade is leased I suppose �page_0046 Nov 2nd Friday Wind South string breeze not cold Wells plowed all A.M on grange John plowed at home Volty in Kingston After dinner Wells went over to the store house to get his flour which was left the last night and and brought some wood home old rails. Eveline knitting for Welly and piecing for a quilt Grace making sheets and I moped kitchen floor and scalded beef berrel Wells brought in the fore quarter’s of beef that hung on a tree by the river since he butchered last Monday to keep Sam’s dogs from eating it up. Jen here for her flat irons. I forgot to say Wells left the hund quarters of beef hung in the tree yet I supose he thinks it hangs so high the dogs cant "chaw" that Mrs George Fair and Ell Fair visiting at Mrs Nile’s. Wild blows hard they cant cross river Smith commenced work to day The "All Saints" dressed up Delmans old cow with Horn’s haries last night A rainy night cows not milked �page_0047 3rd Nov Saturday Wind South rainy morning Wels and John plowed all day at home Volty came come from Kingston in P.M. stayed at Welchs all night. Smith plowing on his new farm Evaline received a letter from Welly I received a postal card from Watson Will & Jen making cider Will Cornwell came over & stayed at Niles John went down to see Ed Rattray Wells cut up his beef a rainy evening 4th Sunday A very pleasant day Wind South Wells husked corn and read News paper Will Cornwell here in AM. Volty and John went down the Island and stayed all day John went to Joy’s Sylvia & Charley Woodman went over the river with Ell Fair early in morning Cornwell home Sylvie saw Cornwell I supose she feels better John Morgan called and went down to Wills & then down the Island and from there J & V went to Brad Point and stayed all night Will came up early for us to go down home with him but I did not go till after dinner. Maud went with me and we stayed till after dark and came home by the light of the lantern �page_0048 5th Nov Monday A fine day for this time of the year Wind South strong breeze Wells & John plowing at home Volty came home before dinner and made some cider built a covering for Welly’s boat and plowed towards night while WElls went over to A Siddy’s Volty then went to Brad point to a dance at Hick’s John went down to dun Ed Rarrray for his father Evaline went to Sams at dark came back and helped me milk the cows all but one so dark we couldn’t tell cow from bull and I went out after dark and fell over the pumpkins and into a hole the boys had dug to bury apples 6th Tuesday Strong breeze from South. cloudy looks like rain wind blowing a gale all night Wells & Johny plowing nearly all day til the rain drove them in. Volty came home in the afternoon stay all night at Hick’s on Brad point Hicks & family started for Brooklyn to day Sylvia here this morning to borrow wash board and brought it home again towards evening and stayed till �page_0049 nearly dark and went home in th e rain Will came up awhile to see if Wells had gone to Kingston Wells intended to go to Kingston with Smith but he did not come so Wells plowed Volty went to Ebbs to borrow a bottle of kerosine I patched most all day Evaline finished Welly socks pieced quilt and knit lace. Grace alone house work Maude done as she pleased Aloisa Gillespie visiting Jane Niles 7th Wednesday A fine day Wind North & cool Rose early. had breakfast at day light Wells & Johny plow all day at home Volty ate breakfast and went to Brad point for Smiths boat that J Morgan has taken from the foot yesterdat came home at hoon with Smith’s spaff Charley Woodman went with Volty to Millers Bay for kerosine got back at 4 O clock while Sylvia was here to borrow Evaline’s jacket to wear to Kingston tomorrow Charley came for his kerosine in evening while J Morgan was here lifting the kerosine and bottling for out door saying as he went out "What do you think of that" �page_0050 Will here for basket to carry apples in to market and some russets to finish filling a barrel for market Wells sent John down to Wills with team and helped Will load two barrels of apples John came home with cows & Will drove over to store house Will has lost his key to the store house came up here inquiting if it is here. We said no. Volty rowed Smiths boat home and eat supper there. Grace and I washed clothes dressed turkeys & ducks, churned, and made butter prints for market, cooked 3 meals, and swept. Evaline finished blocks for a quilt, knit lace, made beds and swept chamber, washed dishes & ironed, & patched Johny’s pants. Maud eat apples all day Evening very dark & cloudy no moon looks like a storm before morning all a bed but me We will have to get up a 3 O’clock tomorrow morning for the boat comes in at half past six 6.30 8th Thursday A still cloudy morning light wind North Rose at 3 O’clock. Wells drove over to the dock with John and Grace I got �page_0051 breakfast twice this morning. Maude awoke, cried, & squalled around for Grace. Volty went to ice house in the dark to cut beef for second breakfast for Wells carried one lantern to the dock, and the other lantern is at Wills. Wells and Volty plowed nearly all day until commenced raining Wells milked cows and done chores Volty drove to the dock before dark came back nearly 8 O’clock. Spent a very quiet afternoon Rachel came home from Kingston and brought a bottle of Irish whiskey and had a noisy evening. Rained all night. Gowdy took Graces turkey money away from her and kept the turkey 9th Friday Rained all day Wind North Rachel went down to Wills Will here and John Morgan played on Violin rung & Mr Bamford and John at Obriens to help him move straw. Voltie down to Niles to get his hair cut threshed beans and done chores. �page_0052 10th Nov Saturday Nov. 10 Wells got up early to go to town Rained coued for go. Wind North cleared up towards night Rachel settled with Ed and concluded to let Will have the place. J. Niles came and got the cider mill Voltie buried apples. Wells & John went over towards night and drew wood. Bill Smith made us a call for his pail and Jar. John went to the P. Office got a letter from Wellie. 11th Sunday Wind West some what cold not freezing Volty went to Brad point in Smiths boat Wells reading John went to church but no service. Road so bad minister could not come down Will came up and Rachel went home with him and stayed all night. Johny went down to Smiths from church came back in time to milk. Heisam John came with Evaline Grace Johny & Heisam went to prayer meeting. Wind blowing a gale Volty not at home yet half past nine A.M. �page_0053 12th Monday West wind cold. Wells sent John to Mr Niles to borrow Mrs N big kettle early A.M. Volty came home at 8, having stayed over night at Brad point. Will came up, & John Wells & Will & Volty butchered the pigs. After dinner Volty John & Will, took the team to move Will store the store got broke by morning so they drove over to the Breakey home for Rachels store that has been there since Spring. When Will Wellie Linda & C were fishing Johny made Mr Niles family a visit in the evening Grace made them a visit in afternoon & carried home their starch & kerosine Wells and V brought in the dogs at night Eva moped all the floors and knit and helped do everything Maud afraid of Niles big kettle 13 Tuesday A very fine day. Wind South Arose at half past three & got Wells Breakfast so he can get an early start for Kingston. Expect J Niles to accompany him V & J got up early and helped load the pig in the wagon for market �page_0054 Volty helped me get breakfast again Eva sent Wellie a letter V worked for uncle Smith digging post holes & went there to dinner John took team and helped move Will J plowed at home in Afternoon Eva washed a big washing and hung them on the line early and knit on Wellie sock Jen made a call for b Sylvia "no" Betsey Bobbet gone up toward J N’s. Expect she is going across the river. I seamed Tea Kettle 14 Wednesday A fine day Wind South John & Wells finished plowing at home P.M. helped Will move Volty dug post holes and set posts for his uncle William Rachel came over for her things to go to Kingston Evaline visiting at Mrs Nile’s I wrote to Wellie and Watson Old Mrs Bessy buried to day at Maryville 15 Thursday Cloudy & warm. Wind South We said to rise early half past three gave Volty his breakfast, John drove him over to the dock Wells & John plowed all day on grange Wells salted the pork in the barrel at noon. Grace went over to her grandmother’s for bowl & chopping knife & came back on the waggon John Morgan came �page_0055 home with Volty, had supper and played euchre in parlor @ 6’clock & the calf in the barn not fed since yesterday, going to feed him bye & bye. Tomorrow Wills folks have pidgeons for dinner 16 Friday Wind North cloudy looks like rain No snow yet Wells plowing all day John went to camers for plow point in Smiths skiff Volty helping Smith stretch noise on post John plowed in afternoon Morgan drove Ranon’s cattle to pound A beautiful sunset 17 Saturday Wind West. W. blowing a gale with snow squall. snow disappeared at sunrise Wells & I got up a 3.30 Oclock Wells gone to Ferry for pigs Morgan drove Ranon’s cattle to pound again at 8 O’clock this morning Cold day John plowed & eat dinner at Wills Volty helped Smith stretch barbed wire Evaline made coal fire in both stoves cleaned all the floors and made pies. A cold raw wind all day blowing a strong breeze all day Wells went to Kingston could get no pigs bought cabbage onions �page_0056 mustard & two nutied Saturday gloves Eva received a letter from Wellie 18 Sunday Pleasant day but cold. Wind North John after breakfast over to Rachels stayed till nearly dark Volty went down to Smiths Will came up for cider Evaline wrote to Welly Wells reading Whig Grace went to Wills came back at dark Rachel came with her John Morgan came home with Volty and stayed till 9 O’clock John and Grace went to prayer meeting and Rachel went home. 19th Monday snowed in the night but turned to rain before morning Wind south blowing a gale rained pouring nearly all day clearing up towards night with wind changing to North Wells threshing beans at the barn Volty white washing on culminating for Smith Laura helping clean house the house full of rats and Smith shooting them with a double barrel gun John hunting in A.M. and afternoon pottering around house and doing chores coal fire dont work very well in cook store to day I am from eleven Oclock �page_0057 Nov untill 3 O’clock getting dinner Mr B owser most started Not fire enough at supper time to boil tea kettle but everything all right at last and we have a very pleasant evening. John made someone an evening visit dont know who Volly came home from Smiths hungry has cold dinner every day Evaline finished the lace and set up Wellie’s mitten 20th Tuesday A clear bright day cold wind north ground frozen no mows Volty working in the house for Smith and helping him move John carried Niles kettle home and then drew manure and bauked the house Wells drew the lumber home & afternoon plowed sward on grange. Evaline done washed big ashing and cleaned floors & knit on Wellie’s mitten. Well had one team to move & brought it home eat supper with us George Niles and Tom Redmen called in Evening after supper Johny & George & Tom went home with Will to help him carry in 8 bags potatos River Heanning weather so cold. Volty 21 years old to day �page_0058 Nov 21st Wednesday A cold day ground frozen hard. Cant plow to day John barking house Wells drew manure towards the old maple Volty helping Smith butcher worked for him all day Smiths folks made sausage Evalina ironed & knit Grace knit on miten. Wind East. Rachel ame over for starch brought home the globe and borrowed another Wells Will move red cupboard and other things 22nd Thursday A cold morning slight flurries of snow but clears away Wind North cold increases towards eve. River streaming Wells & I got up at 3 P.M. John drove Volly & Grace to dock V going to the City. Grace to Bells John Barked the house Wells drew 6 loads of manual on potatoe ground Smith barked his house. Laura Lobelia went to R - we moved into the dining room again by building a wood fire in dining room stove. Will came over for - I for get what I am fifty four years old to day the years are falling away on & on �page_0059 Nov 23rd Friday A clear bright morning sun late clear Wind North river streaming but stills down weather and grows warmer towards noon Volty carries the bees in cellar Sprink made us a short visit Will came with him and borrowed my boiler for Rachel Weather quite mild wind south very light breeze river still a rosy sunset John barked house and filled the out side cellar way with pea straw and boarded it close Wells drew wood from the old house Marjorie 4 years old to day V went got the horses shod at O’Briens. 24 Saturday Got up at half past three gave Wells his breakfast and he started for K knit awhile and got breakfast for family Volty and Johny milked the cows late Will came over for Johny to draw wood for him Johny drew wood for Will eat dinner there came home with a load of wood for us - came late and drew one load of manure to bank the house went for the cows at dark but could not find them Volty built a covering for the skift barned a barrel of �page_0060 apples brought water to the clean the floors choped wood burnt fire & moped scrubed chairs made pies baked beans & Evaline finished Johny’s mittens and knit lace. Grace finished her mittens and made a sheet. Wells came home half past seven brought 1080 lbs coal & the Glove A fierce wind from South changing to North towards evening A clear sunset Evaline received a letter from Welly Smith went up for coal 25 Sunday A clear bright day Wind North in morning changing to North West and increasing to a gale all P.M. and night. Cold, no snow, ground bare. John went to church, but no service. After dinner V went to Smith. Will came over & cut Wells hair and shared himself. Wells reading his news papers Eva & Grace reading & doing just as they please. Maud kicking around as usual. Volty after dark moved his bed into the hall. EVery one a bed but me and Ill go too. Ill get a drink before I retire and now good night - gone to bed 26 Monday Wind North blowing a gale all night wuth snow & windy Stormy day with snow and rain Wells built the old store and made an axe handle �page_0061 Volty brought water put heads in apple barrels and pared 3 barrels of apples and helped churn John helped churn and went over to Wills to get his hair cut Eva made Grace dress over and in the Evening Volty Evaline John and Grace pared apples till 10 O clock and hug them to dry on clothes bars 10 O clock and the storm raging yet Wells gone to bed and Maude asleep on the lounge. I expect there will be a "time or two" getting her aroused up for bed 27 Tuesday Wind North. A drizzly mizzly day not cold Volty brought water to wash pared pumpkins to dry and helped do all the chore Wells and John fixing cow stable and drew wood from the old house. Evaline made Maude night dress and in the evening Volty Eva and Grace pared and strung a barrel of apples Grace Washed and Eva hung the clothes out to dry in the rain. ground most bare snow nothing away. Sam Woodman found his lost colt found her at Grimshaws �page_0062 28 Wednesday Cloudy with scarely a breath of wind what there is, is south river still, looks kike brightening up, but in afternoon thickens up again and looks like rain and rains just enough to catch a half tub of water Wells working at barn most all day. Volty churned and J. & V. drew wood from the old house Eva fixed over her grey dress Eloise to Woodman brought Edith down here at night weather warm front door open past of the time Volty killed two turkeys and picked them for market Rachel came over for salt Will cut John’s hair I cleaned floor and and made butter for market V. J. & Wells drove the calves to the dock 29 Thursday A quiet cloudy day river like glass all day & foggy the ground all mud with patches of dirty snow along the fences every thing seems sad and lonesome Got up early this morning at 4 Oclock got two breakfast Volty went to K- Grace went to Bells going to stay a week to help her more weather very mild and melancholy Eva & Edith knitting. Clothes hung out since Tuesday not dry yet. Wells and Johny drawing manure. Maud Smith came home �page_0063 Nov and stayed here to tea. Volty went home with her Jogn drove over to dock & Edith went with him as far as Wills. Rachel went to Kingston & bought Will a pair of boots. Volty bought a pair of boots Voltie heard in Kingston Today that Joy & Merrills had dissolved partnership and that spafford was coming home 30th Friday Wind West rather chilly, the sun peeping from behind the clouds now & them. no snow, no rain. John drawing manure Wells went down the Island to E Rattray’s Ebbs & Delman’s came back while we were eating dinner Volty working for uncle Smith I think the clothes must be dry & will hung them in before bed time. Sent Laura a pail of buttermilk by John when he went for the cows. John milked the cows after dark. Eva moped all the floors washed dishes and got dinner finished her cushion and made two holders knit her and &@&@ I churned. Maud kiacted �page_0064 December 1st 1888 Saturday Wind west quite cold freezing a little, cloudy ground lightly covered with snow, stubble and bare ground showing through everywhere. Wells and John drawing manure all day. Volty working for uncle Smith all day. Grace at Belle’s. Eva cleaned chairs and floors, knit, & ironed all the clothes. I cooked and washed dishes. and colored mittens for Johny and Maud. Shelly and Jilly Niles here. Jilly went to Sam’s for our mail. had to wait for it had not come Eva received a letter from Welly John Morgan made us an evening visit A clear stary evening fogging 2nd Sunday Nearly sunrise when Wells built a fire. A clear bright day, wind S.W. blowing a breeze. rather cold. Volty went to Brad Point - Johny went to church Rachel came over and stayed all day Maud S & Edith D came here from Smiths. Edith went to church just as service was over to go home with Plunker’s folks. Henry Holiday and Will Irvine here to dinner Hiram Joslin came with John from church. John and Eva went to prayer meeting cloudy again this evening Sylvia returned home to day Cornwell her over �page_0065 Dec 3rd 1888 Monday Dark cloudy day, looks like rain or snow. Wind S.W. chilly, trying to mow R stayed all night, and twisted 15 knots of yarn she had doubled last April. Wells and John drawing manure all day. Volty not come home yet, and its 4 Oclock in PM. Eva knit her mittens and washed dishes. Rachel went home just before dark, and carried her yarn with her. Johny went down to Smiths in evening to make a visit, came home about 10 Oclock and Volty came home with him, Volty went to Ganonoque to day With Cook, got back to Brad Point at 5 Oclock, took tea with them and then started again at 6 Oclock for home. He has Mckays old skiff. Minnie Delman’s came home with John & Lizzie Morgan, they having been down to Delman’s yesterday visiting. Tis Eleven Oclock and snowing furiously. 4 Tuesday Snow this morning ground covered. not very cold. thawing Wind South. light breeze till �page_0066 Dec 4 afternoon, then cloudy again, wind rising Eva washed and hung out the clothes before dinner V helped put them on the line Then Eva moped chamber and cleaned all the floors down stairs Volty went to help uncle Smith tear the shingles from the old barn but he was not ready for him to work so he came back and helped churn and helped John draw manure in the afternoon. Drew 8 loads Wells drew manure Rained some at night George & Wallace Niles here to borrow bags in the evening. Tis nine Oclock PM and wind blowing hard Volty & Evaline went and brought in all the clothes. Miss Laura 5th Wednesday Wind South and thawing ground bare except along the fences. Wells Volty and Johny butchered beef AM after dinner Volty got ready and went across the river Johny went with him to row him over Tis 9 Oclock and Johny has not come yer but the river is still. Wind South very light unril after dark it changed North not blowing very hard but cloudy looks like snow. Barometer low. Wells drew two loads of manure. Johny helped churn. Eva repaired Voltys clothes wrote Welly and gave Volty a pair od mittens she had knit for Wells & is going to knit Welly a new pair John Morgan was at the barn and said Spaff had returned home amd Fred and Lewis too. Will was here a little while �page_0067 6th Dec 1888 Thursday Freezing cold. Wind North light breeze changing at noon to South. A fair day ground bare Wells cut up and salted the beef A.M. worked at ceiling the prayya in afternoon. John put more banking at the cellar door Will helped John & then Johny went to help Will get wood John drove to the dock this morning. Rachel went to Kingston I am sleepy all day but I cleaned the teakettle and tried out tallow took down the dried apples and hung them away John came late last evening young Spencer helped him row Volty over the river. John cammed at his uncle Smiths and made an evening visit and eat supper there. Eva helped me wash dishes and knit her mittens Welly gone most 7 weeks and Volty gone too so the children grow up and go from home Belle married and gone from home most five years Welly married and gone to Michigan & Evaline going too John drove to the dock for Grace and Rachel and have to wait till twelve Oclock for the perpent broke down at Howe grove dock and McKenzie telephones for the Maud to bring the passengers home Grace went to Kingston to day from Charleys Maud Smith went back to Kingston this morning on the Piston �page_0068 Dec 7th Friday A cloudy looks like rain or snow all day Wind North but changing South before night warm ground bare Wells & John fixing cow stable all day. Grace helped me darned socks I done house work and strained tallow & cooked mince meat. In the evening Eva John and Grace went over to Spafford to make them a visit and hear about Mich. They took the lantern with them and drove across the bridge The wind hushed and gone to sleep. The night so dark can see no more than a blind man They came home half past eleven cold and hungry but appear to be well pleased with their visit for Grace teehee’s and laugh’s all the time she eats her supper. Betsy B has not visited us in a long time Maud Watson 4 years old to day 8th Saturday Got out of bed about 3 O’clock I think the clock an hourfast. Im so sleepy I can scarcely dress myself, but got Well breakfast and got him started for Kingston. I washed and boiled potatoes and made tea with about two quarts of water. I cant get the second break fast till day light for there is no water to boil teakettle. A very bright breeze North clear, stars shining brightly John done chores and choped �page_0069 Dec 8th wood for Sunday. Eva doubled twisted wool and colored yarn commenced Wellys mittens Grace helped do house work choped mice meat went to the post office. A young chap boarding at E Joshins Spencer by name a skedadles from Depawoods came as far as our wood pile with Eddy and Eben Bates on their way to post office and stoped and gabed awhile with John. What he run away for is not tellable I cleaned floors and cooked Eva received a letter from Welly. young Joy came over to make us a visit in Eve and stayed all night Will came in eve and they played and sung. Wells cam home early and brought Graces basket she left on Pispont couldn’t find Smiths glass and nails so Wells bout him some nails and brought home two Outice Globes A base ball play at Sams to day 9th Sunday Wind North cold cloudy no snow ground bare got up late had breakfast at ten Wells reading all day I working all day fried cakes and made mince pies John and Joy went to J Niles and stayed most all day Fred told us all about Mich and the "moss Backs" Grace mad �page_0070 9 Dec uncle Smiths folks a call. Rachel came over a while. Fred told how his father gost lost in the woods going to Mich on house back 50 miles through the wilderness said she wolves might have eaten him 10 Monday Wind South, cloudy all day, looks like rain, warm, ground bare. Wells worked fixing cow stables all day John helped Will butcher his pigs Evaline knit on Wellie’s mittens I churned and done house work Grace sewed on a jacket for her self Maud out most all day riding a stick and the balance of the time squalling or teasing some body Tuesday 11th A cloudy day dark and dreary Wind South Grace washing Eva knitting Wellie mittens Wells fixing barn Johny choped some wood George N & Albert Joy called for John to go with them to W.H. Woodman’s brush bee & after bringing water enough to wash with they went to the bee. Maud very troublesome to day nothing please her but squalling I think she is the meanest young one I ever saw no rain no snow warm & foggy �page_0071 Dec 11 and at 3 O’clock a fine misty rain falling but sky clears at 4 Oclock with a rosy sunset wind hushed. Eleven Oclock clear and freezing Wind North west moon shining brightly John not home yet from Smub’s bee. All the others a bed except myself I just brought in the clothes from the line a cold strong breeze from N.W. Turkey all roosting in the tops of the oak tree this cold windy night I am tired of waiting for Johny. Think I’ll go to bed. Guess he is visiting his relation. Fire in coal stove gone out John came before I retired 12 Wednesday Clear cold day. Wind North. frost on the windows. Wells mended the swift’s & in afternoon worked in the barn. John brought water built a fire in coal stove and pared pumpkin to do. Maud very good in A.M but squalls all P.M. Grace doubled and twisted yarn. John not very well caught cold. Wells got a lame neck. Eva got a lame arm she knit so much. Grace got sore eyes. I did not expect company but first came Rachel. She brought me some sausage. Next came Bill Windermill to stay over night so as to embark for �page_0072 Dec 12 Kingston in the morning. next in order came Delavan to stay all night for the passage to Kingston Head to fet supper for them and there came Will Cornwell and Quinn Bedlle to make an evening visit Rachel made the butter prints & I got supper and plucked turkey for market most eleven Oclock and I’ll lay down a little while to sleep. A beautiful moon light night, cold not a cloud to be seen, ground bare and frozen. 13 Thursday. Rose early and got breakfast for Delavan, Bill Windmill and Grace to go to Kingston. John drove them over to the dock. John drew a load of woof and a load of manure chopped wood went down and made Bayha a call. A clear sharp cold day river streaming Wind N.W. Wells fixed Maud’s chair & another old chair and then worked in barn Will Cornwell & D.B. stayed over night at J. Nile’s they called early in morning to accompany Van & Bale to dock. Rachel went to K & Laura S Dell Windmill stayed at Horn’s & went to Kingston. Sid Perey & wife lodged with Samy’s folks enroute for the City. Jen went too and made a discovery in Grace’s basket of her letter which had been over to K to �page_0073 Dec 13 mail the Thursday previous. I supose it was a good thing to forget to mail it Eva fixed over her dress I pottered around twisted 10 knot yarn hung the colored clothes to dry Friday 14th A sharp cold day clear sky, Wind West Wells working at horse stable John pared punking’s to dry. Eva worked on her dress Grace made two aprons. Rachel made us a call & said Smith made them a visit while she & Jen were in K yesterday. Jen’s letter business which is mailed might have created a dirty mess all around, turned out all right be being forgoten. and so all things are amicably adjusted for the present. Peace proclaimed for a few days at least. John Made "Samy’s folks" a visit this evening I colored yarn Grcae began mitten for her father 15 Saturday A beautiful bright morning. Wind South, light breeze. Got up very early for Wells to go to K Ten O’clock Wind blew cold and strong from S.E. clouds gathering for a storm. John made a Saw bench a sawed and choped a pile of wood for �page_0074 Dec 15 Sunday I recieved a letter from Victor and Eva one from Welly. He don’t hike much I will went and tell him to come home John Morgan made us a call Will brought me Victors letter which had been over looked in the post office Eva finished her dress and made fried cakes Grace washed dishes I cooked and cleaned floors Wells came home early & bought a Utica Globe. Had a bad time crossing to K through the ice. Repoint broken down agian, The steamers Hiram Calvin broken them back Nine O clock wind blowing again from the South Blows all night no rain or snow ground bare. I expected a letter from V but got none. 16th Sunday A cloudy morning with fierce wind from South Did not rise very early. Charly Holling came at ten and stayed till after dinner. Commenced ramming at three O clock. Charley called at post office and went home in the rain Wells reading most all day. John went down to uncle Smiths a while & came back in time for dinner. I sent Bell two globes, half past nine, blowing and raining from South. Eva got a bad tooth ache and I don’t feel very well 17th Monday Cloudy wind South warm very still clearly any wind �page_0075 Dec 17 had breakfast ready by day light. Wind changed to North at nine O’clock foggy with a fine mist like rain Eva washed her clothes and then went to bed with neuralgia in face I sent Grace to her grandmother for hopes for Eve. Wells working in barn John went to Smub’s to ask him for Eve’s money but did not get it. Grace sewing on night dress. John helped churn a dark dreary day. Will Cornwell passed here this morning with 4 fowls under his arm from his uncle John’s going to celebrate his grandmother’s birthday next Wednesday Ten minutes past 9 terrible storm drom North blowing a gale raining & freezing Well’s reading Globe, Grace reading Bones. Worst pen I ever used. Smith got a pig from O’Brien. pig got out the pen had a time or two getting it back again swore some. Will went up the river in punt for wood this A.M. Montgomery took his girls aross the river, called here to get a boat, but got Ebbs. John gathered Evaline’s clothes from the line after dark to keep the wind from blowing them away. Wells mixed morter and plastered cellar. 18th Good night. Tuesday A wild wintry morning, ground covered with snow but badly drifted Sun peeps out from the mist overhead one �page_0076 Dec 18 in a while but cloudy most all day. Wind North. Wells working in barn all day, John paved pumpkins and bought water. Eva sick a bed all day. Did not sleep much last night poor girl. Grace sewing a night dress and Mankids drawing. This not so cold as last Friday. John went down to Uncle Williams for castor oil. Smith bought a quarter of beef of Ebb. 19th Wednesday A fine bright day. Wind north rather cold. I chummed and made prints & dressed a turkey and duck for market. Wells worked at stable. John done chores went to Wills and down to Smiths. Evaline stuck in bed all day. Grace knitting a mitten. Wind still down a fine sunset everything quiet. I set up till late writing a letter to Victor. 20th Thursday Arose very early to get ready to went John to market. A beautiful morning. Very still. Wind south. Wells drove John to dock stoped at Wills for Jon. A great crowd had gathered at wharf to embark for K - but were dissapointed when the boat passed on without stopping for them on account of ice a sit was, a terrible storm from the south commered at noon the wind blowing a gale with snow �page_0077 Dec 20 to if they had gone to K they in all probability would have had to stay there John brought in part of Eva clothes that Grace had hung on line & dug her two pairs of mittens from under the snow. Evaline better to day. John went to Smiths to get saw filed. sawed & chopped wood & brought water Will here for turkeys John went and helped him cary 4 brought back two candles. W. Burnham’s folk and Smiths folks at war Each party thinks the other to mean for any time. And I think they are too Wells fixed old sleigh tongue in the ante room. I dont get only two meals a day now for there is not much day to cook by. ’Tis most all night when makes it rather tough on kerosine. George Niles 14 years old to day they are going to have rooster for dinner. They invited Grace to dinner but she will stay at home 21st Friday Storm and Wind from South all night John went early in morning and brought in all Eva’s clothes that had whiped in wind all night. Storm lulled for a short time and then commenced for fierce than ever snow blows so cant see the barn. JOhn chopping and sawing wood so he can go to With his father to K - tommorrow. Wells working in barn Evaline better but not well she knitting most of the time I wrote Welly a letter �page_0078 Dec 22nd Saturday A clear fine morning Light North wind cold thick frost on the windows plenty of snow but but drifted. Wells and John gone to Kingston with sleigh. Grace and I brought in snow in wash tub to melt for cleaning floor and chairs. Will came and brought one two pails of water from river & carried home a bushel of oats for his hens & came again afternoon and done the choirs at the barn. Grace had to chase the cows out the orchard twice. Evaline sick yet Jen went to Kingston and went with Smith to the Ferry she came back on Eleven boat and got home early. Wells and John came late Commenced stormy again about noon and very cold. Grace went to Post office twice Evaline received a letter from Welly Expected a letter from Volty but got none Eva Well & I sent letters to Welly. river sealed with ice over 23rd Sunday A fine day. Wind South Wells drive over to the old barn stoped at Wills and Rachel came home with him an brought Evaline some camphor John went to Ebbs & from there to church Grace went irsiting at New Niles at Eleven A.M. & gone ’till dark Jill came home with her bottle hungry. Grace had nothing to eat since she left �page_0079 Dec 23rd home she went skating on the bay. George & Will came after Lill, all stayed till late and went home Rachel stayed all night. Wells reading all day most Eva better Wind south but chilly river all open again 24 Monday A fine morning Wind South Wells drove over to barn and Rachel went home in sleigh Grace got up sick this morning with pains in her arms and stomach & gave her star relief and ginger tea. Wells drove over to Breakeys for hemlock Evaline much better and made Maud a dress and an apron Grace better in afternoon Grace dressed Maud’s doll in Evening I cooked beans and we all had bean soup Got cloudy again towards evening the snow begins to disappear Maud hung up her stocking for Santa Claus Our ducks flew to the river two at home 25 Tuesday Christmas A dull dreary rainy day snow all gone again nothing but wind and bareground except in hollows and aloud rge rail fences. river still very light wind South caught a tub of rain water Wells at the barn most all day. John went to J Niles to a Christmas dinner they had oysters we didn’t work much to day, rather lonesome for a christmas day �page_0080 Dec 26 Wednesday Wind South this morning and cloudy very still river still like a mirror with floating ice rained a little this A.M. Wind N in PM then changed South again at eve very warm all day doors open part of the time. We washed and hung the clothes all on the line wind blows hard again. John went to look for the ducks but could not find them Sylvia here to bring home the sugar. John went there for bire seed this evening. Ten O’clock I have just brought in all the clothes from the line got my feet wet Wells and John sleeping sweetly in their warm bed Thursday A very rainy morning. Wind S.S.E. ground all mud, snow all gone, but very little along the fences very warm, no ice in river. I rose early knit a little on Wells mittens, and got breakfast. Wells choped cabbage. Door open part of the day its so warm. After breakfast Wells went down the Island to look for ducks came back about 3 O’clock without them no trace of them at all. I dont ever expect to see them again John went over to Rachels in A.M. Peo here at noon selling frost trees had dinner here I bought strawberries plants & raspberries Wind blows hard all day cloudy with rain squalls Wind changed west at nightfall and is colder freezing some. Evaline knit and ironed on sock. Grace knit and ironed Bill Smith here for paint oil I did not know where Wells keeps it so got none �page_0081 Dec 28 1888 Friday Wind blowing a gale all night from West ground frozen and bare Sun rose clear Tis ten O’clock & wind blowing hard got Wells making a flail in kitchen John gone to Rachels to get some tea. Evaline making John a shirt Grace washing b dishes. Maud pottering around as usual & I must now cook beans and pies & C. Rachel came over for vinegar and said war is at their house but I don’t think washing a few clothes and turning grindstone is anything to quarrel about. Ev made John a shirt and tore carpet rags and make Maud a dress all by hand. Grace knitting and in the rag business John went to to mail Eva’s letter in evening, and went to Wells for kerosine gets cloudy in P.M. wind S.W. weather mild Hiram Joshin 15 years old to day Dec 29th Saturday A cloudy morning, light wind North weather very mild sun shining P.M. Grace got a cankered throat tonsils sore but she is not sick pieced on her quilt John brought some water & then went to help Will chop wood Wells built fire in Kitchen stove and made door latches for barn We heat water on kitchen stove to �page_0082 clean floors. Eva moped cleaned chairs fixed old rocking chair and dust pan, helped get dinner washed dishes & knit Tis three O’clock went just come Maud behave very well to day. A baseball play at Samy’s I hope to get letters from Welly and Volty to day, Grace wanted to go for the mail, Evaline went and we received 3 letters from Welly & one from Volty. Welly says he not coming home pens are all played out nothing to write with but a pencil. clouds gathering for a storm Grace sick all night on the lounge I brought out the couch a lay down on it John went to Bill’s for sulphur 30th Sunday cloudy morning Wind South, warm ground bare and thawing sun shines out occasionally. Grace sick yet wind blow harsh all day. John went to the bay to skate with 20 other boys gone all day. Wells trying to read but cant Maud acts very naughty all day. Rachel came over awhile came around by way of Smiths said she and Jen had quarreled again. It is a terrible thing for them to live so. Evaline reading tis evening now Grace is better John has came home after attending prayer meeting Maud & Wells are asleep & John is just going too so good night Shelly Niles 7 years old to day �page_0083 Dec 31 Monday Wind South A wet dirty morning warm, ground bare and all mud. no going to Marysville and we all out of eatables. no flour, or sugar, tea, kerosine, or any thing else. Smith intended going up & arose at 3. it rained so went back to bed. He came here just as we were sitting down to breakfast. Grace better this morning. John went to Niles and borrowed 25 lbs flour and then went to Wills bush bee Wells went for plenoor bark, called at Will’s some one then sent me a cup full of tea Grace wiped dinner dishes and sewed carpet rags. Eva wash dishes knit and sew & cloudy all day broke away a little after dark Wind hauls around to N.W. Wells says it freezes a little This is the last day of 1888 And I sincerly thank our Heavenly Father who watches over and cares for us all, that my family are all alive and well though some are seperated but can often hear from each other and I hope to often see them all and I hope we may live so that we may all dwell together in the great - here after Miles Grimshaw down to See Sam about that Colt buisness �page_0084 January 1st 1889 Tuesday A cloudy mild day. Wind S.W. River rolling wide and blue ground all bare. Bill Laura & Rachel went to K to day Bill left Rachel and Laura there. Wells threshing peas Johny chored around and helped me chop minced meat and apples, pare potatoes. bring water. Eva knit finished Wells socks. Grace knit some. Maud behaved very well Will came for gun powder said baby had ring worm on her face. Eben Bates called for Johny and both are now gone to Samys to a new year party Wm Cornwell gone to Cape to a new year’s Ball this Eve. I would like to know what my Wellie and Voltie are doing to day. Seems a long time I saw Wellie Voltie or Belle. I cleared out the cupboard drawers. Ev helped me wash dishes Jan 2nd Wednesday cloudy morning Wind South & light Weather very mild got breakfast early so Wells & John could go to Millen’s Bay for oil they went in Nile’s skiff and were gone just two hours snows quite sharp �page_0085 Jan 2 while they were gone cleared up towards noon & sun shone out most all day Wells went to O’Brien’s PM to get horses Shed Two candidates for office called to see Wells to get him to vote for them Messrs McDonel & Horn John split wood and done chores Evaline washed dishes cleaned floors and worked on a rug. Grace cut carpet Rags & knit Jane N & Shelly made us a visit. A dark cloudy evening. Wind S.W. freezing a very little Nearly twelve O’clock I wrote to Welly and Volty. Oil all out the lamps and lanterns has to search and hunt around for Kerosine found it at last out door hid render the washing machine but no matter then is Kerosine on the place some where John made Niles folks a visit this evening 3rd Thursday A dark cloudy morning. Wells got up at 3 fed the horses built a fire before I awoke but I got his breakfast and put up the butter for market and started him on the road between 4 and 5 O’clock but so dark he can scarely see anything Wind South and warm Wells went with the hay waggon and carried two bags of wheat �page_0086 Jan 3rd to mill. Perpont making her regular trips between Kingston and Ferry Twelve O’clock noon Wind blowing strong freeze from South sun shining brightly warm frost all leaving the Earth a blue smoky haze like mid summer in the air every where. John gone away towards Bills, said he was going there, but I think he has gone to Breakey’s Bay skating: but there is very little ice outside the bridge. Grace’s throat cankered again this morning, she gargled & swabed her throat 2 hours this morning with plum bark salt alumn tanmin and another throat medicine she says its better now. Evaline not well got cohe doctored her with star relief & ginger tea. Niles and Joy are going to have a time or two about school teacher they partly hired Old Mrs Flynn’s grand Daughter a La Fleur girl when they know they didn’t want her, and as John Flynn now elected trustee at last schoolmeeting we will see how it all ends "All’s well that ends well" Shakespeare" Will came and brought me some turnips. Wells came between 7 & 8 O’clock brought Tom Clancy home with him and a bag of coal Clancy stayed over night R & L stayed in Kingston yet Will stoped here on his way home from prayer meeting A rosy sunset & a beautiful star light evening very warm �page_0087 Jan 4th Friday the sun rose warm and bright ’tis the lovelist winter day ever saw excepting there is no snow. River so still tis like a mirror all day. A blue hazy mist like a sultry day in August is in the air. There is not a breath of wind but the air is South Devero Breakey is making maple sugar, boiled down 12 pails full this morning. I blaney bought the old red cow & white one of Wells and gave 24 dollars for both. Then Wells went with him to Breakeys and then drove with him as far as J Smiths High mass at Morgan’s to day. W. Burnhams sent word they were going to visit us to day, but visited Wellingston and Ebb went to Marysville. George Wallace & Jack Niles and Frank Woodman here playing base ball with Johny. Sylvia here in afternoon. Bill S went to Kingston for R. & L. Evaline & Gracie making at the rag business. Great times again about town election. Morgan is trying to crowd himself into notice by offering himself for deputy here. He thinks he can count his friends by the number of votes he gets. He wants to make himself conspicious if not popular, S going here to day to get Wells to vote form A beautiful star light night A light wind North �page_0088 Jan 5th Saturday Wind North, colder, but rather mild & cloudy Sun shone out dimly for a little while at noon, then cloudy again, wind increasing to a strong breeze from North. Wells fixing fence so the cows cannot get in the orchard. Will came for oats for his poultry. Rachel came and brought a letter to post for Breakey. Lilly & Shelly here. Mrs. Niles sent some little aprons and dresses to Maud W. John brought root and choped Sunday’s wood, and went for the mail and stayed and played baseball with the boys in Sam’s pasture. John carried home Nile’s flour. Wells went to Bills and borrowed a little wire to finish the fence. We were dissapointed in not receiving letters from Welly & Volty. Eva helped do all Saturday’s work and cleaned floors & gave John a pair of socks & finished her rug and commenced another pair of socks I dont know what I done – I forgot pottered and E fixed the chair 6th Sunday A strong Wind from North, raining and freezing all day, Every thing encased in ice & destroying many fruit trees The Northern sky standing in front of the house completely broken down besides splitting other trees in the orchard the tops from the maple trees in the garden have fallen and great limbs from the old maple �page_0089 Jan 6th the damage to trees throughout the country must be immence. Very quiet at home all day. no one made us a call. No choir in church to day. Wells, Eva & Grace reading Graced poped corn. Our barrels and tubs are rapidly filling with rain water. 7th Monday Snow every where this morning and snowing yet the trees loaded with snow and ice and broken down of terrible wreck and rain. This is Township election day. Every man turns out to vote for his favorite candidate - and some of the women vote too. Charlie drove over with Bell and the children Evaline washed all the clothes, set the tables washed dishes cleaned floors knit Grace helped do some thing I dont remember what I cooked beans and fired cakes. A soft-damp snow falling all day the trees so burdened with the weight of snow and ice they falling and crashing all day. McLaren drove down for Rachel and carried her to the Irvine school house to vote. Wind North Devero Breakey called in Evening to see Wells about driving the cattle to the Ferry tomorrow. John visiting Sam’s this Eve �page_0090 Jan 8th Tuesday Rose early and got breakfast for Wells & Johny they started at 6.30 O’clock. John driving the cows Wells drove the team and went over to meet Ded and help him along with his cows. Rachel came over and stayed all day and all night working on a rug Evaline convened a new rug Grace knit on her mitten. Will came over and brought Charlie and they played an organ and sung. Rachel danced. Wind S.W. Eves running water all day, Cloudy roads bad Morgan had 19 votes at Election. Wells & John came early & brought a letter from Welly for E Welly wrote he had received a letter from Volty 9th Wednesday A dark cloudy morning. Wind North commenced raining at 8 O’clock. W Burnham & wife came visiting rained all day, raining harder towards night Rachel went home when Burnham’s went & Evaline went with them. Will & John Morgan here in evening and went home in the storm. Wind changed to S.W. with a vengence & with squalls We doctored Marjory for pin worms 10 Thursday The wind howled and roared & blew high gale all night which shook the house so I could not sleep it blew down fences unroofed J Niles horse barn and �page_0091 Jan 10 fish were thrown from the waves on to the shore. The wind has been blowing a gale all day our last two ducks are gone John Niles made us a call Belle knit and take care of the children. Grace knit mitten John went down to Pattersons to look for Shep but Patterson had killed him Wells chopped wood and worked in barn The old St. Lawrence is wild to day with difficulty John got a pail of water but it so mudy it is not fit to use and I boiled rain water for tea. Our tubs and barrels are filled with rain water. Wind west all day 11 Friday Wind SouthWest a strong breeze dark ragged clouds flying overhead all day some what cold. Smith came while we were at breakfast for his barrel of swile I had been saving up for him. Bell intended to make Will’s a visit but just as she was ready to start Charley came for her & the children to go home so they went home. Alvira brought Eva home at noon. Eva finished another rug Wells went to the old barn came back and drew wood for Will. John chopped up a fallen apple tree for stove wood & in evening went to Niles to borrow a sobe. J N. going to use his sobe so J went to Smiths and borrowed his We sent Welly Relica Globe Will here in evening to borrow butter basket but I had none for him, he left a letter here to mail for Lindsell �page_0092 Jan 12th 1889 Saturday A medium cold morning Wind West cloudy Wells built fore at half past 3. I got breakfast for Wells & Eva so as to get an early start for K They drove over for Jen long before daylight very dark sleighing not very good not much snow on the ground more ice than snow This is the finesy day for a long time sun shines all day Johny went for the mail. We did not get any letter from Volty. Rephaps Evaline will get it from the Marysville post office Will came over a little while. Wells & Eva came home early She got a letter from Welly but none from Volty. I wish I knew why he dont write. Semms as though something terrible had happened to him Only one letter since he went away from home and that not written by him I cant sleep nights for thinking of my dear boy. I wish I knew where he is or what has become of him. I dont think I can write in this diary any more till I hear that he is alive and well. Every morning I think he will come home before night or I will hear from him but day after day and weeks come and go and all is silent about Volty no word from him no nothing not one word George & Wall Niles here visiting J & G Wells brought 4 bags of coal �page_0093 Jan 13th Sunday Sunday The sun rose clear. Wind North moderately cold, clouds gather afternoon and snows. grows colder towards night. The moon shows faintly through the clouds A dreary lonesome sunday. Will came over and had dinner with us said Jen had tooth ache. Says she thinks Volty is all right Jen had a letter from Watson with a dollar in it. Rachel is visiting her aunt Laura Bill sent to Winnie for 15 cents to pay his fare to Kingston. She sent him a dolalr Wells is reading. Eva is reading John is reading. Grace is reading John went to church in afternoon. Watson talks of sueing Will for labor two weeks work getting wood If only I knew where Volty is to night I’d be very happy but I don’t know. A beautiful moon lit night wind is hushed and gone to rest Jan 14th Monday A beautiful January day. sun shine is warm. The river so still it is like a mirror air North. Wells threshed peas at the old barn and called on Wills folks Johny is gone to school commenced this morning. Sylvia made us a call wanted red cedar for her father to smoke he got toothache Will was here & went with Sylvia �page_0094 Jan 14 to get red cedar and carried some home to Jen she got tooth ache too. Will fixed one sewing machine shuttle and carried Rachel an old shirt that once was Skinner’s. Eva & Grace ironed & then cut and sewed carpet rags. A bright moonlit night not a cloud to be seen cold river freezing. Light Wind East. Wells went to McFadens for a sheep 19th Tuesday A fine warm day scarcely any Wind North. Johny at School. We washed & then Grace & Evaline cut and sewed carpet rags. Wells threshed peas at the old barn. Smith went to town for his girls. They came home just before dark. Jen and Rachel came over. R stayed all night. John went skating in evening on Flynn’s bay. A clear moonlight night 16 Wednesday A fine warm day, rather cloudy some ice along the shore. Johny at school. Wells threshing peas at old Barn. Evaline rinsed and hung out the clothes then E & G cut and sewed rags. Rachel doubled & twisted yarn. Wind changed at evening to S.W. and blew loud and strong with rain. an eclipse on the moon. John went to Smiths in evening. I made pudding for supper. I brought in all the clothes good night �page_0095 Jan 17th Thursday Rain is over, clouds moving North. A strong wind South. Ice all gone from the river. Ground bare, all mud, no snow any where. John gone to School. E & G sewing carpet rags. Rachel pinning her quilt. Wells patching his horse blanket in the ktichen. Pierpont passes up on her way from Kingston to Cape Vincent, and back again. around the foot of Island. Wind blowing all day from S.W., and cloudy, no snow or rain. John stays at home this evening. Tis nine O’clock and all a bed but I. Jan 18 Friday. A cloudy morning Wind west looks like snow. partly clears up at nine. sun shines out through the broken clouds. river clear of ice, no snow on the ground any where. The earth is bare and brown. John gone to School. Will came for Rachels’ spider. Rachel went home with him at eleven O’clock. Wells building fence and cutting fallen limbs down towards Ebbs Maud S called and asked for Shakespere Did’nt) get it A dark cloudy evening Wind SW John gone to debating school I wrote Lindsell a letter concerning Shakespere �page_0096 Jan 19th Saturday A bright cold morning Wind North river steaming, ground frozen & bare not a particle of snow to be seen any where This is mail day again I expect to get a letter from Welly and hope to get one from Volty I sent Lindsell a letter this morning Smith was seen going to post office too I surmise Lindsell gets a letter from Miss Win Nun. Wellls threshed peas at old barn & drew broken limbs in afternoon for fire wood Wells made Wills folks a call too Will said Bill & Win Were at their house last evening I received letter from Watson Volty & Irene A clear moonlit night a light breeze North cold, & river freezing over John out making Wills and Smiths folks a visit Morgan’s Team ran away this morning & broke his buggy and hurt Mers Morgan Jan 20th Sunday A clear cold day Wind N.E. river tumbling and rolling water very cold would freeze if there was no wind to disturb the water ground bare and brown and hard frozen Johny at church Well s reading Whig Eva reading Livingston travels in Africa Laura & Maud at church Grace has just gone over to Wills At noon it begins to cloud for a storm and snow falling fast at dark. John came home in time to do the chores & says Will John M Jen and Maud �page_0097 Jan 20th and Win Smith are coming here this evening I sent John back for Grace, but he and Grace & Jen coming They had been to Smiths for Win and Maud but Win refused to come and forbade Maud coming too Win has got Shakespere pretty bad but Will John Me & Rouke McFaden came and we managed somehow to get along to amuse and enjoy ourselves with out the presence of her "Royal Highness" Ten O’clock snowing very fast I.M. stayed all night Jan 21st Monday A snowy morning with 6 inches of snow, good sleighing, river frozen over. At nine O’clock the wind springs up from the South, and breaks up all the ice in the river. Wells shoveled paths Through the snow. John at School. Grace & Eva at the rag business: Snowing & blowing. Wells thresh peas at the old barn says they dont thresh out very well Maud very obstinate and bad temped we churned. snow badly drifted Wind flowing fiercely from the west all day and cloudy 22 Tuesday A beautiful day, sun shining brightly all day. John at School. Wells threshing peas. Eva & Grace cuting and sewing rags. snow very deep from house to the river, had to melt snow to get dinner with. Sylvia called here on her �page_0098 Jan 22 way to Smith’s. Smith called here with sleigh for coal, and milk, Sulvia drove with Smith to his house. Wells drew a big log for fire wood from The old house. John gone to Wills or Smith, or both places in evening. scarcely any wind at all. Through the day, a west zephyr changed sout at night fall, dark clouds lying of to the South Ed Rattrays child sick with worms. vomiting Ed came up to Laura Labelia’s to get [strikethrough] down and perform [/strikethrough] get some medicine She gave him Lobelia Stoped on his way home at Wills & mother said not give bobelia but give him sage summer savory & wormwood instead 23 Wednesday A fine day, Wind South- breaking the ice free clear from The American shore water on the ice Pierpont comes as far as garden Island for passenger Smith went up to day Maud I and Sylvia went with him he was to late for first boat girls went to K, Smith came home without them Wells threshing peas John at school Eva washed carpet rags Grace sewed rags John made Smiths and Wills’ folks a visit in evening Wind blows strong from South all night �page_0099 Jan 24 Thursday A cloudy morning. Wind blowing strong from South all day. Ice all broken up and floating down the river thawing all day, fields are beginning to look bare again. Clouds clear away towards evening a rosy sunset. John at school. Wells drew wood from the old house. Will came over with Wells & I lent him Clyeopedia [sic]. Smith went up again to day. Maud came home with him. Eva washed the clothes, cleaned floors & cut and sewed rags. Grace sewed rags. John went to prayer meeting and after meeting called on Samy’s folks. A beautiful starlit night 25 Friday A lovely winter day, sun shining clear and warm A white frost on trees & ground. A hazy mist all day in the air. The ice lying along ether shore with a wide open space of the St Lawrence rolling between John at school. Wells cleaning up peas at old barn. Eva & Grace at the carpet business. Rachel came over at noon stayed until after dinner. Maud W went home with her and stayed until Wells came back from the old barn. Charlie Woodman & Johny drove with sleigh to debating school and had with them Grace and Win & Maud S and Sylvia. There was a great deal of nosie & fillibustering without much talent Wellingston B Chairman Decraision Tree Trade �page_0100 26 Jan Saturday Rose ealy at three O’clock Wells gone to Kingston A very fine day Wind South till 3 P.M. changed south east John choped sunday wood done all chores went to Smiths Evaline swept and dusted all the rooms swept chamber and papred rooms Grace helped do Saturday’s work Till and Shell here Wells came home early, left the groceries in Kingston at Hendersons. crossing to Town very poor, have to walk to Garden Island. And then go to Pierpont. No letter, from any one to day, Will D and Welley B here in afternoon play the organ singing & drinking cider W. B. and fie & son visiting at wills John went to Smiths intending to take Smiths girls to Morgans for an evening visit but Smiths cutter out of order so did’nt go Wells brought 4 bags of cole [on the side] Rachel sent Petries folks a letter which had better been left unwriten 27th Sunday A cloudy morning rather cold Wind North Easst, Wells drove with E down to Burnhams came back and left Eva at Wills’ & brought mother home with him Wells and John reading all day. commenced snowing about two O clock Wind blowing stormy from N.E. and very cold snow falling fast all afternoon and night Wells carried home at dark and brought Eva home We set up reading till Ten Oclock and go to bed Jim Michea sick with inflammatory reumatisn [on the side] Dr. Jolliffe at Michae’s to visit James �page_0101 Jan 28 Monday A cloudy morning Wind South warm again River full of snow and some ice commenced snowing again at noon More snow on the ground now than at any time this winter John at school Wells at the old barn threshing peas Eva washed more carpet rags and knit stocking & lace Grace sewing for Maud and herself Fred Jay tells John how that Wellie is going to stay in Michigan very glad to think someone knows his business better than I do 29 Tuesday A beautiful winter day. Wind N, light breeze. River frozen close. Earth covered white with snow. Grace began going to school to day. John at school. Well drove north J & G to school, then dorve to old barn, came back with pea straw at half past one Oclock, & brought R with him. She stayed till W went back agian & went home. She told us all baout Win & Maud’s visit at their house. on Saturday. Smith carried his dressmakers to K to day and tumbled them out into a big snow bank just above our schoolhouse. Eva washed the clothes, and �page_0102 Jan cleaned floors, knit & sewed carpet rags. A rosy sun set John gone over to Wills this evening. 30th Wednesday Rose at 4 O clock Wells gone to Kingston this is a very fine day it has been snowy Just a little but- the wind is not blwoing and it is quite wram. it will soon be the first of February as there is only one day more in this month the ice is formed in the river but so covered with snow so it will not amount to much unless there is a thaw and more cold weather I think the people of this house are very industious as I see all kinds of work pertaining to household affairs are being carried on carpet rags a speciality. dont admire this spelling for I have been kindly invited to write in this book by its owner and dared not refuse. for fear 2 would not get my dinner. Minnie Obrien came home with Grace from school to acompany her to Tilly Nile’s birthe day party Tilly is twelve years old to day Will came over and helped Johny saw wood and then Johny went with the team and helped Will draw wood Will came back and stayed till Wells came home and helped Wells unharness and take care of the horses The ice to town will bear up one horse to cross over to Kingston �page_0103 Jan 31st Thursday The last day of the month is a very stormy one The snow is falling very fast and the South wind is blowing, Wells drove to school with Grace & John Smith drove in here to see Wells about the price of hay in Town & brought home our old washing machine and then drove to Will’s and brought Jen and the children here to make a visit Jen told us about Billion’s getting a tub of swill at her house & after taking it home. Through a mistake poured the swill in to Lobelia’s soap barrel & then threw soap and swill together out door Wells went for G & J but had to drive to Niles for G. Then came back and carried Jen & children home The night is dark and cloudy but not very cold The snow is very deep and the roads are drifted The ice is covered deep with snow and no good Feb 1st Feb 1 1889 Friday A bright wintsy day cold Wind W Wells drove with John & Grace to school Volty came home to day we were not expecting him. he is the first that has crossed the ice the ice is very poor in some places Wells went over to old barn for hay Will came home with him and after �page_0104 February 1st dinner they went over for more hay Volty went too Will came too and after supper they went to the debate A cold starlit night and a new moon 2nd Satuday Feb, 2nd, 1889 Very stormy in morning cleared up about noon sun shone bright in afternoon Voltie and John went over the river after Voltie’s clcothes came back in time for dinner. Aunt Irene brought in snow and melted water to mop and get dinner with Grace cleaned Lamp & washed dishes and swept up stairs Eveline swept and dusted Parlor Redroom and sitting room Sowed and done some mending made a lambrequin and pincushion Aunt Irene cooked a pudding and got supper, Bambords women folks feel pretty happy because they all got letters from their sweethearts. Wo’rs[sic] Bamford got one from Watson �page_0105 continued Feb 2nd and also one from Lindsell in regard to Shakespeare telling her to keep the book as long as she chooses and then to mail it to him So Veggy Hunn wont get those cat-like claws of hers on it, "Three cheers for Lindsell" well this is about all the events of this day so I will lay by my pen. 3rd Sunday A cold bright day Wind S.W. John went to Wills and stay’ed all day Volty Went to his uncle Smith’s and from there went with John & Spen en[sic] to Wills Will cut John & Spencer’s hair Wells at home reading The "Whig" Grace reading Evaline reading Mrs B, reading Shakespeare John came home just before dark Volty came home at ten A. M. A clear sunset but a very cold night 4th Monday A clear cold day Wind S.E. barometer falling looks like a storm gathering in S.E. Wells drove with Grace and John �page_0106 Feb to school and went for them at 4 Oclock Wells threshed peas at the old barn Volty & Evaline took the carpet up from siting room and cleaned the room & put the carpet down again. Commenced snowing at bed time 5th Tuesday A very snowy morning snow falling all day and is very deep every where Well did’nt go to school house this morning John went with Sam’s folk’s Grace at home sewing carpet rags. Wells built a fire in kitchen and made an axe handle after dinner drove over to the old barn, horses wallowing through the snow to get there Some people prophiced there would be no snow this winter we wonder what they think about this the snow on level above the top of the fences and still snowing as fast can pour down Wells managed to get a jag of hay from the grange Eveline washed the cloth to finish the rug for the organ stool and then E and V sorted the paper rags from the carpet rags & after dinner Evaline worked on the rug With great difficulty Volty can get water from the river to cook with we have to melt snow but there is plenty of it John Morgan here playing euchre with E & J & V. and will stay all night Half past nine and snowing �page_0107 February 6th Wednesday cloudy morning but brightning up intensly cold. Milk froze in pantry snow two feet on level and badly drifted John went to school with Woddman’s boys. Wells drove over to the old barn to break the road after dinner drove back for wood from the old house then went again for hay and threshed more peas and froze his face Volty went down to Smiths and to Wills and then Went with his father for hay and wood John Morgan stayed till after breakfast and then went down to Smiths Wind West and very cold all day 7 Thursday 7th Cloudy morning & snowing, cleaned up at noon Wind west [crossed-out] intenly [/crossed-out] intensly cold The very coldest day this winter Wells did not try to go to the old barn. but as cold as it is Volty shoveled a path to the river and brought water for Evaline to wash and clean floor Johny went to school Grace sewed and trimed lamps Wells hung Voltie’s ax and done chores Volty choped wood A bright sunset, Charley Woodman & Harlow drove with Sylvia down to Horns She wants to go over the river �page_0108 8 Friday 8th 1889 Weather a little warmer stormed all day, from South West. Pa and Voltie went over to the "far barn" after hay got stuck in snow and had to shovel the horses out. John went to debating school at night, no one there that had any sense, Eveline knit and ironed colored clothes. Grace sewed. Ma done housework, cooking &c. Voltie used the steel[sic] on Maud in order to make her act a little rational 9 Saturday 9th Weather still moderating. Wind South in morning changed to north at night snowed a little, sun shone in a little. Voltie went over the river with Niles. Pa and John went over to the other place after hay and wood. Ice not very good. Charlie Woodman went up to the Ferry on the ice for the first time �page_0109 John went to the P. O. Eveline got a letter from Wellie says he will start for home on the 11th. Pa got a letter from Hugh. Grace and Ma done general housework. Eveline fixed Grace’s dress and washed carpet rags, hung out the clothes. Maude squalled all day, Bulger’s wife appeared to her then she felt better. [left margin] Will Cornwell came back with Volty and Niles. They saw Sylvia crossing the ice when they were coming over 10 Sunday, Feb 10th Sun rose bright heavy white frost on the trees which indicates warmer weather scarcely any wind, a light breeze from the North but warm a most beautiful day. John over to Will’s all day. Voltie reading, Fiddling, play on organ, Mouth-Organ and courting Maude. Grace ciphering and reading. Pa and Ma reading. Eva reading and sleeping. Maude slept and cried and learnt her lesson �page_0110 11 Feb Monday Feb, 11th A stormy morning. Snowing and blowing from South all day. John went to school with Sam’s boy’s. After a while Wells concluded to drive to school with Grace & came back and fixed and old one sleeved over coat and then Volty & his father started to drive to the old barn for hay went as far as Wells snows & blows so Wells came back. Volty stoped [sic] at Will’s. Wells mended his old horse blanket and fixed his old coat, ground shears &c. After dinner choped wood and drove for Grace & put a knob on cupboard door. Eva ironed after bringing in all the clothes then cut and sewed carpet rags. John went over to Wills and played euchre till after eleven O’clock P.M. A fine moonlit evening. Evaline finished Voltie’s socks [left margin] Old Mr Ranous died 12 Tuesday A fine clear day, light wind west rather cold. Wells & Volty drew wood and hay from Grange. Evaline cut and sewed carpet rags. John Went to school. Grace sewed carpet rags. Rachel came over on the load of hay & stayed all night. They played euchre till ten O’clock. Rachel is cutting beans says they dont have much to eat over to their house only hodge podge. she gone to bed to eat beans, she says they have no beans or cider at her house [left margin] married feb 12 1884 (Bell married 5 years to day) �page_0111 13th Feb Wednesday A clear bright wintry day bitter cold. Wind North. Rose early for Volty to go to Kingston for Welly is expected home to day. I hope he will be there. Wells drove over to the old barn and threshed peas and drew two loads of fodder for Will, drove back again after dinner. John at school. Evaline Washed we melted snow to wash with. Rachel moped [sic] floors. Maud squalled kicked and hollered. Volty went to Kingston in Niles cutter. Volty came home at sundown without Wellie said he was not in Kingston. Volty brought Mauds cloak cards & little stove he father had left at Win’s. Wallace Niles came with V. Frank Woodman, Will Dixon and George Niles came too and then Welly came home. Volty had missed him in Kingston he came across to Marysville with Dr. Spankie and and [sic] drove down with Jim Obrien he froze one of his ears. we were very glad to see him home again and he was pleased to get home once more. Rachel and boys played euchre. A clear cold moon lit night [left margin] William Horn lost his oats for horse fell on ice. John found it 14 Thursday A clear cold wintry day. old Mr Ranous burried to day. Wells went to funeral. John �page_0112 February 14 gone to school. Rachel walked home after breakfast, and then Rachel & Jen walked went to funeral. Welly and Volty bushed a road to Linda’s island, found the ice good for a double team. Bamford’s folks are nearly on verge of starvation, no sugar, flour, or Kerosine, and several other things wanting but we live in hopes of better times. Evaline making Grace a combination suit. I done some coloring. Grace done all sorts. A bitter cold day, Wind West. nothing to carry to market now- can scarcely make butter enough to eat. what milk we do have is all frozen up in pantry. our apples are nearly stoped out too, but then "we never starved a winter yet". Our coal is most all gone but we have Three packs of cards in the house, and some potatoes. we play euchre every night which is some comfort, besides there is plenty of tobaco. but then our pork is most all gone too, and not a hog on the place. but we have a new box of starch, and a barrel of carpet rags, and about a ton of rags not sewed yet. Our tea is most gone too. but then we have two barrels of cider So we will have something to drink if the river don’t run dry. The preacher promised to call and pay Wells for house rent but he forgot to keep his promise for of course a preacher could not tell a lie. Good Night [left margin] St Valentine day �page_0113 Feb 15 Friday A fine day scarcely any wind. Wells gone to Kingston to mill. Welly gone too. Smith went up to day. Horn called here for his oats he lost on the ice last Wednesday. Almond in sleigh with Horn. Made a resolve on two subjects which I shall not record in this diary untill I see how well I persevere in what I have undertaken to accomplish. Sylvia came home to day from her Sand Bay visit. Rev Watts called to pay Wells the house rent. Will came over for Volty to draw pea straw from old barn to feed Will’s cows and came back with Volty brought his fiddle, a squash & some pickles after dinner. Volty went to help Will run his fish net. Jen Went to Kingston with Wells to visit her Sister Mrs Pillar. Hard times are brightening a little [s]what [/s] with squash and pickles & 25 dollars by Rev Watts, but of course. Hugh is gaping for the money and will get it. Tis 4 O clock and Maud been very good all day. Wells & Welly came home at 6 Oclock and brought flour, tea sugar, coal and oatmeal [On the side] A letter from Victor 16th Saturday A very cold morning Wind North cloudy. At ten O’clock weather changed Wind South. Wells to much by the head carries to much ballast feels very important. Maud sick �page_0114 Feb 16 continued with worms eating too much candy last night, vomiting and sick most all day better towards night. Bob Berry came done to try the ice to Millen’s bay. Wells went across with him and bushed a road. After dinner Wells and Volty drove over with cutter to Millen’s Bay and got 5 gallons of kerosine. Commenced raining while they were gone and rained all day. Welly, Volty and John drew straw or hay from the old barn. Evaline finished Graces dress. I cleaned floors, churned & cooked. Grace helped and knit on her stocking. Ten O’clock and raining hard. Welly went down to Ebbs to day 17th Sunday Rained all night, tub & barrel full of rain water. Wind South. Wells & boys at home all day & reading. Maud half sick and cross. Cloudy soft weather. Wind changed to West towards night and colder 18th Monday Wind North and increasing to a snow storm. The worst snow storm this winter. Wells got a bad cold but helped Volty & John draw hay from grange. We have plenty of rain water so Evaline washed and hung out the colored clothes and helped clean floors. Welly went to Ebbs for ax handle timber came back in time for dinner made an ax handle and hung his Mich ax. A bad storm to do chores saw wood and bring water. Maud had tantrums at evening time [left margin] Will came over and brought butter for Wells to carry to Market, stayed all evening and played euchre with our boys �page_0115 February 19 Tuesday Wells intended going to Kingston this morning but roads so bad did not go Wind West cold and blistering Wells & the boys did not go to the grange to day Evaline made Wells a shirt Grace washed dishes and knit Evaline moped floors Welly made an ax handle. John went to school Volty mended his boots Wells sorted over beans for Smiths and made leather buttons for his old overcoat. Will came over and stayed awhile sayed he has no wood or any thing to feed his cows only potatoes John Niles made us an evening visit Welly and Volty went to Wills at evening and played cards Maud acted very baad indeed I have adopted a new plan for Maud. Smith here looking for his turkeys [On the right side] Wills says Smiths fowls are at his place 20 Wednesday A fine morning Wells went to Kingston Volty went to Spinks on Grindstone Island- went on skates snow squalls commenced at 10 O’clock squalled and blustered all day Wind West John and Will drew three loads of hay from Grange Will here for boiler Welly made skate wood Eveline moped commenced Voltys mittens and ironed and filled a sack of paper rags Wells came home at 25 minutes to 8 O’clock PM �page_0116 Feb and Jen with him A very cold wintry night Jen & baby very cold Will here waiting for Jen also cold Jen stayed all night 21st Thursday A cold day Wind South all day suns shining but looks very much like a storm John went to school Wells & Junior drew three loads of hay from grange Wind blew so strong could not draw hay in afternoon Jen went home when went for second load Will here helped them draw hay too Him & Sid put on their appearance this PM well filled with J Niles cider but managed to stow away 4 qts more Over looking around about buying houses been to Flynn’s Morgan’s Nile’s & c sat around her awhile spouted & blowed went out to the barn two or three times hoping Wells had a little whiskey at last Wells hitched up and "trawed" them away but as it was Van could scarcely tear himeslf away from our cider barrel but they are gone at last and we pass a very pleasant evening Welly and Johny made Samy’s folks a visit I forgot to menition B Bobbet started to learn her trade to day poor Sylvia gone to the bad entirely Wind blowing a gale [on the side] Laura went to Mullet creek Bob Barry moved across the river to day 22 Friday A windy stormy morning snowing all day A south wind in morning changing to North very �page_0117 Feb cold towards night Welly went to Kingston with Charley Woodman on a load of grain Started at eleven and returned at four John at School Wells choring around I dont know how Will gets along for wood and hay J Morgan & J Flynn called in evening Welly and John went with them to debating School only six there Evaline sewed carpet rags finished and began another mitten for Volty Grace cut & sew Rags knit & c on Maud stockings I write Victor Watson and 23 Saturday Wind North a terrible cold day. Sun Shining Wells Welly & Johny drew hay in fore noon could draw none in P.M. [crossed-out] will [/crossed-out] wind blow so strong and cold Wells soldered Tin pail Eveline washed moped colored made nack tie for Welly swept and dusted the room and arranged things generaly Grace done chamber work knit Maud a stocking washed dishes & c Will and Jen came over [crossed-out] lasto [/crossed-out] night after hay cows had nothing to eat in four days Wells Sr got a letter from Hue no Valentine’s for Bamford’s folks quite a disappointed family �page_0118 Feb 24th Sunday Feb 24 Got up late sun rose clear and bright quite cold Weather moderate towards night Wind South changed to West at night Grace went veasting[sic] up to Niles’ Johny went down to Smith’s at night Wells Jr called on Nile’s folks Will came back with him after Tobacos brought the boiler home Rachel sent over wood she was coming over to have her dress fixed over 25th Monday A beautiful day sun shining clearly all day moderately cold S.W. wind. Grace walks to school this morning John started to go but stayed at home Wells Welly & John drew hay & wood from Grange Rachel came over & brought her new dress for Eveline to after the skirt for she cant get into it Jen and children went to George Gillespies to make a visit Will went with her to carry Charlie Eva washed moped knit on V mitten Maud has been a very good girl to day 26 Tuesday A fine day wind south John & Grace at school Wells and Welly drew �page_0119 A stick of timber from down stream and hay from Grange. Will made us a call Volty came home to day was at Clayton. Spinks and Kendalls & called at Brad point and stayed all night. George and Wallace Niles here in evening. Boys played cards. Charley Smith brought Laura home from Lafargeville. Jen came up from Burnham to G Glispie’s and came home at evening. Smith went to the city. A general turnout for Kingston to day. Eveline finished Volties mittens and commenced another for Wells Jr. Volty picked up all the rags from the closet up stairs. Charley Smith made Wells an evening visit. Clouds begin to gather towards sunset and snow falling at evening 27 Wednesday A light wind South warm snow falling all last night and all day. Long after breakfast Wells drove over for R and went to Kingston. John & Grace at school Grace stayed at O’briens over night. Volty made Will an ax handle. Will came for it. A weding on Grindstone to day. The contracting parties are Marshall & Rattray. E Knitting on Wells Jr mitten. Smith and pard have drove up past on the ice. Supose they have are gone to engage a carpet weaver. A very dull �page_0120 day indeed I A great depth of snow every where and yet snowing our hens don’t lay eggs. our cows dont calve Hard times hard times, no mistake but thankful we are all well. Teams are going up & down the ice most of the time. Wells and R came home long before dark. Wells brought Rachel’s organ, Sugar, oatmeal, Rice, 2 lamp chimneys.Will here in evening & played pedro with our boys [crossed-out] [indecipherable] [/crossed out] 28 [crossed-out] Wednesday [/crossed-out] Thursday This is the last day o February 1889 A mild fine day. Wells drove to Marysville and brought back two bags of coal .Welly and Volty cut ice for Ice house. Johny went to school (I washed and dresssed the baby and slept 2 hours). Rachel done home work and cooked. Will here. Jen came over in evening. John Niles & Will cornwell here more card [on side] Muriel born this day Feb 28 March 1 Friday March 1 1889 A mild rather cloudy morning very quiet Wind South. Wells went to Gananoque with Devero �page_0121 March 1 Welly, Volty and Will filled ice house. Rachel and Grace done jeneral [sic] house work. John went to School. I take care of Eveline and baby. Wells came home early & boys did’nt let the hens out the coop 2 Saturday A bright warm day. Wind South very light. Welly and [crossed-out] John [/crossed-out] Volty went to Chaumont for fish nets came home at 8 P.M. Mrs Niles here to see Evaline & baby. Rachel washed and moped [sic] floor. I forgot what Wells and John done [on side] Welly and Volty carried the rags to Millens Bay got calica old uncle Hilborn came 3 Sunday A beautiful day Wind S Johny went tooo Bells, Charlie and Bell came and brought the children Grace went home with them Gen and Will came over towards night John did not come home but stayed all night 4 Monday A fine bright day wind S. I washed and hung out the white cloths & took care of E & baby. Welly & Volty drove to Chaumont for nets and sail boat but did not come home, stayed all night. John came back from Charlie’s and stoped [sic] at school all day. I looked for the boys till 12 O’clock midnight. [left margin] Smith here at the barn clearing up stories about his character �page_0122 March 5 Tuesday A cloudy morning. Wind South, warm thawing froze last night. Wells went to Kingston with Smith and came back with Al Joslin. I washed and hung out dark clothes. W & V came home at 2 O’clock PM. John Went to School. Kilborn went to Kingston with Smith 6 Wednesday A fine warm day. Wind South. Wells, Welly and Volty drove over the river for the boy’s sail boat. Wills children & Jen sick with a distemper. Welly went to Als to report boat. 7 Thursday A stormy morning, snow all day. Wind W. Volty & Alec Liddy drove to Pittsburgh for a heifer, came back at 4 O’clock. Wells went across the river with them and carried the lantern, came back after dark. Welly and Will setting fish nets. John went to corners for calico, walked, went over with J. Niles. Charlie H called here to borrow a muffler for Bell to wear to corners for they are going with Tom & Milly to get married. Tom Hall & Milly Crley were married today by Rev Thompson Kilborn stoping [sic] at Smiths. Caroline Cummins came here from Wills and stayed all night �page_0123 March 8th 8 Friday A stormy morning, Wind North. Wells went over the river. Caroline walked over to Wills’. W. Jr & V set fish nets. John Went to School. A picture show at the church, admission 20 cts. V & J went. Expected Grace home from B’s but she did not come. Old. H. here in evening 9 Saturday A very pleasant day but rather cold. Wind N. Our boys and Wells all at home. J Cornwell, Ben Percy came here from J Nile’s nearly chuck with cider called here and swilled more. J.C. so drunk cant walk strait [sic] but fell down, lost one his over shoes crossing the river, Talk horse all the time, racing and betting, spurious sports dont amount to anything poor fools 10 Sunday Sunday morning rather cold. Wind W. cloudy lonesome day. Rachel went over to her house and stayed till night. Will came back with her. Will got a bad cold. Wells reading his old newspaper. I working all day as usual Grace at Bells yet. E and the baby not very well. Johny, Welly & Volty at home �page_0124 March 11th 1889 11th Monday A clear bright day. Wind West. Wells went over river to see Alec Liddy. Will came over AM. Will, V & W Jr went to their fish nets got no fish so took the nets & brought them home. Wells hewing a log. Lots of cutters on the ice to day, some horsetrotters are out. Mrs Peter Paterson has sent out to day sent for Mrs W M Smith who came home and reported a boy, but soon after P Paterson drove up for the Dr. gone just 3 hours. our boys set another fish net just frennst? the house Rachel picking our duck that died. I am very sleepy . 12 Tuesday A cloudy morning but soon clears up and sun shines bright all day. Wells went to Kingston, our boys got two sturgeon. Will came over for Rachel, mother is sick. John went to school. Irene worked all day, steped high light and wide 13 Wednesday A very fine day, wind south. Will came over said mother is better. Wells went for Grace and we were all glad to see her home. John at school. Irene washed a few baby clothes and Ironed. boys set more fish nets. Wells hewing a log. hens laid 2 eggs. another new calf �page_0125 March 14 Thursday A very fine day rather cold wind West. Grace washed big washing and hung them on the line. Rachel came over after dinner. Jane Niles with Shelly and Johny came at noon & went home at 3. Towards night Volty called out more visitors and in walked Dordane with her bag snuffing away as prim and presice as ever. R. stayed and moped floor. we eat supper after dark 15th Friday A soft warm thawing day. Wind South. Grace ironed. Irene done house work and cooked. Boys hauled fish nets and building wharf. John went to school. Wells chored around and hewed log. Dane went over to Wills visiting. John, V, Eddy Bates & Hiram Joslin here in evening 16th Saturday A very fine day rather cold. Wind W. Wells called up early this morning by W Burnham wanting to go to K with Wells. After W had gone Dodge came from Millens Bay to go too but went with Charley Woodman. Smith & wife went visiting at W G Woodmans, drove up on ice in cutter. Irene cleaned floors churned, baked and done jeneral [sic] house work. Boys �page_0126 March 16 building wharfe & run nets but no fish. John done as he had a mind to. Grace washed dishes. Dordane came back from Rachel’s & R came over in evening. Wells, Volty & Wellington came home long before dark brought 1 coal, 10 sugar, 4 tea, 5 rice &c 17 Sunday A fine day thawing. Wells drove over to Bells with Dordane, Grace & Maud made an all days visit. Rachel came over and helped get dinner & washed dishes. boys went skating. Wells and the others came home early. Will came over in evening. Rachel went home with him. looks like a storm. Maude cried because she had to go to bed. 18 Monday A very pleasant day. Wind North. Aunt R. came over early to go to town with pa but he did not go so she stayed here and riped he [sic] dress to pieces. Grace & Ma done a big washing to day. The boy got a sturgeon out of their nets. John went to school. Eva not feeling very well. The baby very good to day. The boys [margin] Rachel, Jen and Will quarreled last night so Rachel came over here this morning without her breakfast �page_0127 March 18 889 are working on their pier. pa is hewing on some timber, Maude is raising the Dickens around the house, Aunt Dany here yet. (Beatrice 2 years old to day) 19 Tuesday A fine day Wind North froze some last night. Dane & Rachel walked down to Ebbs this morning on the ice. Welly working for Niles building a kitchen. Wells hewing a log in the grove. John, Volty & Will building a pier. Rachel came up towards night on the land with wet feet. ground all mud and slush. Two men trying to cross but cant 20 Wednesday A fine day wind North. snow disappears rapidly, no crossing, ice good for nothing. Will and Volty pulled nets out the river. Welly working for Niles. Wells went to Burnham manure bee. Rachel went too [sic] to help Alvira cook. John, V. & Will drew stone for dock. Irene cleaned floors. Grace helped &c. Evaline sewed on Grace’s dress [margin] Rachel brought some apples from Burnham’s. Wells brought some from Niles 21 Thursday A cold day. wind North. sun shines. Volty helped clear up the kitchen. Irene washed Evaline, sewed and cut R dress. baby very good indeed. Welly went to �page_0128 March 21 -1889 All Joslins A.M. for fish nets. Welly & Volty both worked for Nile’s in P.M. Wells puttering around all fore noon cleaning up peas & drew hay for Will in Afternoon from Burnham’s. John stayed at home. Irene cleaned kitchen cupboard in P.M. and got supper. channel open clear through. Irene washed all baby’s little clothes 22nd Friday A fine day no wind, no rain, no snow, no clouds. froze some last night. ground looks bare and brown with patches of dirty snow scattered all around. Wells gone to George Gillespie’s manure bee. Welly & Volty working for Niles. Johny at school. Mother walked over with Will this morning. Evaline cut and filled another dress for Rachel. Grace walked over to Wills for sewing machine shuttle. Lill went down to Smiths with milk. Hard times yet no pork, no beef, only a little butter. And I am very sleepy, no wood and I have to scrape up pine hewings to prepare the dinner. After Wells came home from bee, he drove back With R & Mother. Boys came home early from Nile’s we spent a very pleasant evening 23 Saturday A fine bright wind South. a wide open space in river clear of ice. Will came over a little while more trouble at their house. one of our �page_0129 March 23 turkeys died. Wells hewing timber in the grove and drawing hay from grange. John helping draw hay. W Jr & V working for J.N. Evaline sewing and helped get dinner and wash dishes. Grace working around. Irene cleaned floors &c &c. Made custard pie for dinner. if we had pork I could save butter to sell. Wells Jr & Volty made Will a visit in evening 24 Sunday A fine day wind South Our boys at home. Johny made Smiths folks a visit. Wells reading. Charles & Henry Holliday came over. Grace went home with them. Will came over for his mail. John & Jane came over in the evening 25 Monday A clear bright day Wind North. cold thawing in the sun, freezing in shadow. Wells and John drew hay from Grange. W Jr & V mending the skiff. John went to School in after noon. Rachel came over to finish her dresses, she got a very sore throat and bad cold. Evaline washed babys clothes, ironed and helped R on her dresses. I baked bread �page_0130 26 Tuesday A fine day, somewhat cloudy, looks like a storm. Wind West. Wells went to A Barries bee moving a barn. J Niles called here early in morning for W Jr to go with him over the river. Did not go with him had other work to do fixing skiff. Ebb called too on his way to the bee but went back to help John N. out through the ice to the open water. stoped on his way back to see the baby. Volty and I cleaned up the kitchen. Samy’s boys here in the evening playing euchre in Ktichen. Rachel throat better, she helped do the work. Ebb called again. Welly went to Ebbs for boat nails. John went to school. I sick 27 Wednesday Evaline sewed and moped and worked all day. A long drizzly day. Wells hewing timber. I sick with a bad cold. Wind SE. Wells Jr working for N. Volty mending sail up stairs. Johny at school. Eveline fixing R’s dress over after Win Smith’s botching. Rachel doing all the house work. I went to bed. Volty took the apples out the pit. Turkey laid too & we have another new milk cow. Smith brought homebWells stove pipe. Oour [sic] boys went over to Will’s to play cards in evening. Will building a punt �page_0131 28 Thursday Wind W, ground covered with snow this morning, cold. Had bad head ache all night, couldnt sleep. Wells & J and V drew hay from Grange & then Wells got out posts for a barn he intends to build sometime. Wells Jr working for Niles. After dinner V went over to Wills to help carry lumber for Wills punt. Ice clear from the other shore and but a very small strip on this shore but our water hole left yet. I went to bed and slept. sun shone clear all AM but heavy wind clouds PM and last night. snow all gone. R doing cooking. E doing R’s dress, got it done. Edy & Eben Bates, George Niles and Wallace Niles playing ball. A clear sun set 29 Friday A fine day. Wind S.W. River filled with floating ice. John went early to Ebbs to borrow soap but as good luck found no one at home, so came back & helped V carry leach barrel into kitchen which was set up early last Spring by the hen park. John then went to school. Welly went to J. N’s to work. Volty, R & I tried all day to make soap but failed the first day. I forget what Wells done, hewed I guess. Fried eggs for supper. Evaline sewed and cared for baby [margin] Eddy Ebben & Hiram here in evening sun set playing base ball �page_0132 March 30 Saturday A cold day wind North. We managed to make one kettle of soap. Eveline washed all the clothes, cleaned, swept and dusted, made beds, tended baby. Wells hewed & made neckyoke. Welly worked for Niles Volty, brought water and chored around. John went over to Wills for the cows caught. Uncle Smith dogging them. R cooked the meals. Irene cleaned floors. Charley W went for the mail on horse. A letter from Watson George and Wally Niles her playing base ball. Welly went down to Ebbs for paint and played base ball, brought home 2 1/2 lbs sugar and some apples then Welly & Volty went to Mr J N for coal 31 Sunday Last day of March. Snowing all day, ground white with snow. Wind N in morning then SE and S. Rachel went home after breakfast. Welly went with her. Wells reading. Evaline not very well, baby very good. Maud very good. Volty at home all day. John went over to Wills after dinner 9 Oclock in evening and snowing fast. Sylvia 26 years old to day April 1 Monday A cloudy morning snowing yet and good sleighing. Wind North. Wells hitched �page_0133 April 1 I up after breakfast and drove to Marysville for groceries. First drove over to Wills for their butter. Welly worked for Niles. John played April fool all day. Volty went to Ebbs for punt to set a fish net. Will came over to help set net but wind blow so from North didnt set the net. Smith and Paterson went to Ferry. Rachel & Evaline washed. I forget what Irene done. Snow that fell all day yesterday & last night disappeared. Wells came early at 4 Oclock 2 Tuesday A cloudy morning, Wind North. Wells hitched up after breakfast and Wells, Volty & Irene drove over to Charles for a barn raising, 29 men there to dinner and supper. Old crackie says "if the Scot act is carried as a law, he will leave the country; Our boys set sturgeon net early this morning. Johny went to school. Rachel & Eva finished washing. Eva made a lounge tick, cradle tick and little pillow for the baby. Welly worked for Niles. Volty stayed over to help Charley shingle his barn. A disagreeable evening dismal and cloudy. Wells drove home very slowly �page_0134 April 3rd 1899 Wednesday The sun rose clear but soon grew cloudy And snowing thick and fast at 10 O’clock. Volty & Grace at Bell’s. Johnny at School. Wills gone to Wm Rattrays bee putting rafters on his new cheese factory. Willy helping Evaline "clear" up the chambers. Rachel picking over peas for soup. I am writing and rocking cradle, so sleepy. I go to sleep with pen in hand, didn’t sleep much last night. Smith & Patterson gone up to P.P. farm above the ferry gone in a skiff. Guess they will have a hard time to come down this eve on account of ice & weather. Wm S & PP a great finds. Smiths man Sinclair went with them. The roads are half snow half mud, some goes on wheels, some on runners. The road between J O’brien and Rattrays corner is filled with snow three feet deep but the up and down roads are a bed of mud. The ice is clear on this side from shore to shore. The ice bettween [sic] Wolfe & Howe Island remains fast locked in unbroken while the Pierpont makes a regular trip each day as far as Garden Island & in PM goes around the head of the Island to Cape Vincent. Volty came home at bed time �page_0135 Apr 4th 1899 Thursday A cloudy morning Wind SW clears up towards noon the Earth completely covered with snow which soon disolves under the influence of wind and sun Wells, V, & J, drew hay from the old barn, then Wells went to election to vote for to elect the Devil for [in between lines] chief magistrate for 3 years in the county of Frontenac Wells J and Volty working on sailboat Rachel and E washed breakfast dishes R cut papers for pantry shelves looks very nice indeed another cow to be milked Will came over & I pay mother part of her butter sent Jen’s things home this morning Welly went to Ebbs we sent home their sugar Eva Ironed the clothe [left side margin] Smith walked to Marysville from PP Place & hired Billy Card to bring him home to his dead Lobelia [/left side margin] Friday A fine day Wind W rather cool Evaline washed & Volty helped E clean up kitchen and scrub floors Johny went to school - last day. Wells chopping over by snow space Welly & Volty putting ribs in sail boat Rachel done something I forget what I have forgotten what I done I so sleepy I cant remember - A sugar party at Mien O’briens John attended �page_0136 6th April Saturday A fine day Wind North cool PPatterson & Will Woodman came early in morning for W. Jr. & V. to go with skiff away up the Island to PPfarm to build PP a home he is going to move his family soon George Gillspre went with them After breakfast Wells started to cross the river in GG’s skiff but Horn had gone over there before him, so came back untill after dinner and went over to R Percys to see about buying seed wheat found Rob gone from home came back at night supperless and hungry from hungry bay. Price on Robs wheat $1,25 per [half line above] bush Rachel went visiting to G Siles & got warm sugar, mad her sick. W Jr & V came home at dark hungry & tired John brought some water & done as he had a mind to Eva done house work of all kinds Mand very good, & baby slept in cradle. Wellington and Will cam for their mail > A beautiful evening Sunday A lovely day scarcely any wind. South Wind froze a little last night river sealed over with ice its so still Expected Charley over to bring Grace home but didnt come Welly went early this morning to carry P sail home and borrowed some Soleratus Will came over a while Wells went to Niles’ to borrow his boat for tomorrow John after ninner went to Hanah Shinn’s came home at 11 Oclock PM A beautiful eve ning �page_0137 April 8th 1889 Monday A clear bright day river like a mirror all day zephyr S froze last night W Genge commenced School this day John went to school Grace at Bell’s yet ought to be home to go to school when she come’s she will go Wells chopping wood all A M went over to Sand Bay A M with J Piles & George Farr Votty putting coal for an "Sail" Boat Wolly gone up the Island with PP to work on PP’s housse Eva & R done great washing of cooked and washed dishes E cleaned kitchen floor & painted lounge & chair and ironed clothes plenty of work and not much to eat and no kerosine Genge stoped & talked with V at the sail boat Johny went to P in evening Kerosine all gone and we burn a [strikethrough] shit [/strikethrough] shit Tuesday A cloudy morning, Wind S looks like rain clears up early sun shines all day Wells commenced plowing all day Johny at school Volty tarring the sail boat Grace & Charley’s yet Welly didn’t come home working for PP. Eva washed a lot of carpet rays Will came over for flour butter saleratus [on side margin] Will cornwell gone sailing [/on the side] �page_0138 April 9 1899 and I gave him some corn meal E out trying to get wood & Will chopped one of Wells pine sails & if W finds to out he’ll jaw of hid it in the oven & it makes a [crossed: l] good fire Rachel went to Wills for tea Smith got a bee tearing down the old barn Didn’t invite Wells or the boys or Will he has no need of them for he is not running away from Ruttand now Grace is fifteen to day Snow nearly all gone from corner of fences Shelly Niles here visiting Mande Willy came home from [half line above: Patterson] 10 Wednesday A fine day Wind South & chilly Wells plow all day Volly tarred sail boat in A M and After dinner made hot bed and planted potatoes John at school Evaline cut & sewed rags Smith came up for his heifer and said it was a very fine day Rachel helped cut carpet rags Welly helped tar boat and went up to Morgans in evening and stoped at Niles 11 Thursday A fine day Wind South Rachel and Welly and Volty mended sails for the boat Wells went over the river to beadle’s for seed wheat came back for dinner and plowed till dark Johny went to school Mand didn’t behave very well E & R sewed carpet rags looks like rain at dark [at side margin] Wells got 5 gallons of kerosine = �page_0139 April 12th Friday A foggy morning Wind north Wells and Johny went to cape Vincent in skiff came back to Beadles’ and god 5 bushels of seed wheat and a bag of potatoes Wells brought 4 lbs tea 10 lbs sugar & 1 lb saleratus fog cleared up at 8 Oclock and a fine day Welly & Volty riged out and launched their sail boat and took Ebb home Mrs Meurdock here for peas Boys carried her and daughter in boat down to Ed Rattrays R and E sewed carpet rags E Rattray has a stone bee to day tis 10 Oclock PM wind blowing strong from North Welly carried N sail and oars home this evening and I sent Jane’s tea and socks home 13th Saturday A fine day no rain Wells went to Kingston went off without his breakfast came home early from Grace boots and Mauds, Volty’s boots too big 10 sugar. 3 seeds. and a bottle of pills Wade’s mandrake Volty drew hay from Burnham, for Will and plowed a little in garden Welly went to Sammy’s with a letter brought water and he & Volty went �page_0140 Apr around the feet to breakeys Bay to set fish nets so much ice couldn’t left nets to Joy’s John chored aroudn and didn’t clean horse stable E cleaned floors and done every thing R made a Johny cake [crossed: I] forget what I done guess I washed something 14 [crossed: Saturday] Sunday A beautiful day, no rain Charley & Bell came and brought Grace home Boys went to Joslins Bay for sail boat Welly V. of, E, & G went for a sail went far as Morgan’s fiddled & sunny Gesige went too from Niles Wells didn’t read much writing with Charley. Johny went to Niles in Evening and stayed late Charley & Bell went home hearly, Wells went with them as far as Obrien’s 15 Monday A fine day, no rain a white frost this morning Wells squared accounts with Smith to day & they quarreled Welly and Will set puts John draged at home Volty plowed the pasture at home Patterson moving Evaline washed Don’t know what Rachel done [on side: Wells sowed grain] she made Johny cake Grace commenced school [on left side margin] R, G, & Maude went to J.N’s for horse radish Genge made us his first visit with George & Wally Niles in evening [/left side margin] �page_0141 April 16th 1889 Tuesday A beautiful rosy morning wind North no rain Wells’ gone to the city started early long before sunrise and I sitting here alone writing very sleepy, fire all gone out no wood onely pine hewings and none of those in the house Welly planted potatoes Volty made garden and J & V drew manure baking from the house Grace went to school Eva cut and sewed rags Welly & Will went to their nets [crossed-out]Genge here in evening[/crossed-out] Volty and John went spearing fish after dark and had a concert at Bulgers Mother came over Wells came late 14 Wednesday A fine day no rains no wind N very warm Wells sowing oats on grange John draging Volty powing Grace at school Jen visiting at Niles Rachel went to Wills and staying all day till supper time Will here and Grace at school Genge here in evening Eva cleaned floors and sewed rags Boys had a concert at Lahyson came home at eleven [40/16?] Lewy Joy 10 years old to day baby cried [on left side margin] Jane N and children here in evening �page_0142 18 April Thursday A beautiful warm day no wind N no rain Wells building fence all day. pasture fence Welly plowed down by Ebbs A M Volty set onions A M Welly went to his nets P M John drag oats Volty plowed P M Grace at school To day is the first Welly has plowed in three years Merpont came in to day for the first this season R went to the city Mand Smith came home to day Windmils girls to be here for fish Dont know much odd & silly Welly & V went spearing in evening Genge walked home no school till Tuesday Volty opened outside cellar door set up for the boys to come got sleepy waiting and gone to bed 19 Friday A fine morning Wind south breezy & warm Afternoon cloudy looks like rain no wind Wells building fence Volty plowing John cultivating Eva washed and ironed Rachel making an apron Welly brought water A M afternoon went to Al Joshn’s for net Will caught 12 pickerel Grace at home no school Easter holliday’s Loggie Morgan visiting Smith’s no rain, very dry, sun shines out, 4 Oclock P M [on left side margin] W J & V speared lot of fish last night came home late at 12 Oclock �page_0143 19 April 1889 evening thunder lighthning & a shower [line above] with wind [/line above] Boys all at home went to bed early 20 Saturday A foggy morning, wind south cool breezy fog clears towards noon Wells works on grange Volty plowed John draging Rachel cleaned floors Grace visiting at Nile’s came home at dark E & G put the rooms in order E moped pantry and my bed room Welly covered a ball for Ed Bates and went to his nets 21 Sunday A clear day Wind west breezyyy cools Wells at home reading John dressed up and went to see Eddy Bates Eddy came home with him at noon Will come [crossed-out]home[/crossed-out] over and brought me [above] some [/above] a fish muskalong Volty at home all day Welly went to see to his sail boat wind blowing hard Grace went over to see her grand mother and stayed till after dark Jon went with Will to Breakey’s bay 22 Monday A clear day wind West and cold Wells Volty & Johny working draging sowing and plowing Welly went to run the nets wind blow so couldnt �page_0144 came back and went to J Niles to finish the kitchen E went up to J N’s to sew on Jane’s sewing machine I slept an hour. Grace made gum & run away to J N’s I am not very well pleased she been there once to day for a pitcher of [crossed-out]milk[/crossed-out] soap Willy brought a calf from J Niles’ 23rd Tuesday A fine day wind South Wells building fence Volty plowing John cultivating Welly started to go to his nets A M didn’t go wind blow so. Welly & Will run nets P M Will gaught 19 pickerel Welly 14 [above] pickerel [/above] & a half barrel of perch came home long after dark tired and hungry dark clouds hanging over our domestic horizon. Dear Welly God bless him. Grac at school no soap no soda Genge came at dark and E & E Bates E fixing her dress & caring for the babe R help cook E washed Baby’s clothes 24 Wednesday A fine breezzy day Wind south Wells Volotty & John working on Grange Welly went [crossed-out]an[/crossed-out] for the fish at Breakey’s bay intending to go to the cape Volty took team and brought them to Joslin’s Bay and put them in sail boat Welly came home at [crossed-out]no[/crossed-out] 10 O’clock R & J feed calves Grace at school E ironed babys things and knit on lambrequin R washed around house all day it is raining hard rains all night �page_0145 April 25 Thursday A damp rainy morning Wind Sod Wells chose to dock with R I sent 4 lbs butter [above]& 1 doz eggs[/above] Welly & Volty went to cape with the first fish at 2’cts per pound and 1’ct for perch Grace at school, Eva cleaned floors knit and pieced quilt John drawing, banking from house Wells repairing cultivator and plowing on grange - a showery evening [at left side margin] Genge here in evening [/left margin] 26 Friday A cloudy foggy day raining part of the day Wells drew stone and trimed orchard on grange John drew stone [crossed-out]W[/crossed-out] Volty plowed and drew fish pound to B bay Welly went to the nets at eleven came back after dark Grace at school Eveline & Rachel washed some of the clothes got dry commenced raining again towards evening Wind N in morning and S P.M. 27 Saturday A cloudy drizzly morning Wind South Wells went to the city started late Welly brought water to clean floors & then went or started to go to his net but went to Howe Island with Al Joshin to carry fruit trees & came back [crossed-out]f[/crossed-out]long After dark Volty went to Burnhams for potatoes came back & grafted trees in PM �page_0146 Grace washed her clothes & went to Smith’s ray bee John pottered around in AM & plowed garden PM R cleaned floors E scrubed chairs swept and dusted and ironed her clothes Raining hard at dark John went for Grace after dark and went home with Jill Wells came home first but late Grace came next and Welly last 28 Sunday A rainy morning Wells reading John went to church but no preaching Sinclair rowed. Laura and Maud up for church but soon went home again Rach went over to Wills and stayed to dinner Welly & Volty at home most all day, very cold for the season Wind West blowing some 29 Monday A rain morning Wind west cold and disaggreeable weather Wells drove to Ferry south Rachel to go on the Princess Louise & he went to city Grace went to school Eva made my waist Welly tried to run nets wind blows so cant Volty worked all day at something making garden of think John pottered around 30 Tuesday Another cold raw day wind west tubs and barrels full of [above]rain[/above] water his so [on left side margin] Wally and P built wire fence around the garden �page_0147 1889 wet and cold grass cant grow much Wells wheat coming up Wells brought water for Evaline to wash E done bra washing and washed two bed quilt Grace west to school at noon Volty worked in garden making bed and planting John and Wells worked in field Wind blows hard and cold all day [below]baby cried[/below] [in left side margin] Mrs Woodman made Smiths folks an evening visit [end left side margin May 1 Wednesday A cold raw windy cloudy day Wind W Wells & Johny worked at home draying and sowing J churned or Welly did & J made 10 lbs of butter for market and sent one dozen and a half of eggs Grace went to school Volty worked in garden Welly stayed around home and choped wood & done all kinds of work bringing water & [doodle spiral] Wind blows strong and cold from West. Wells says if the wind should hush there would be a frost. Eva ironed all the cloths baby cried 2nd Thursday A market day Princess came in for the first time this spring Wells drove to the dock with Grace Cloudy and still Wells Jr went to his nets came back at 3 Oclock �page_0148 May 2d 1889 & had a big haul of fish 4 sturgeon 14 pickerel mullets perch sucker &c &c Wells sowing grain Volty & Johny draging and cultivating Eva washed mother quilt and brought 6 pails of water Baby didn’t cry she’s got castoria cold weather yet and cloudy 3rd Friday A chilly cloudy morning Wind [above] N [/above] west WellsJohn and Volty gone to Springs work Wells Jr gone to his nets E bringing water again and washing baby’s clothes No school to day Arbor day Genge gone home Grace at home washing dishes Maud as mean as ever Eveline & Willy went to Burndan for flower plants called at Ebb’s and had tea Mrs Niles went down to Smiths with John N found the women folks from home visiting at Horn’s came back and made me a short visit A cold chilly evening 4 Saturday A mild fair day WellsVolty & Johny working in field Will and Welly gone to Cape with fish came home at three Eveline swept rooms and cleaned floors I done general house work Grace raked the door yard Will lost 5 lbs sugar left it in cape Vincent �page_0149 [top margin] 7 May 5th 1889 Grace Baufoid Wolfe Island [/top margin] Sunday A beautiful day Wind South After washing breakfast dishes I went to bed slept awhile & then walked over to mothers I gave Wells and boys lunch before I went Johny went as far as the corner of the pasture to help me over the fence Wells came over and went to the grange for greens called on his way home and I went home with him got suppr 6 Monday A fine warm day Wind South very light Wells plowed and sowed Volty & John helped Evaline washed I churned Grace went to school but no teacher there Welly and Will went to their nets Welly mending sail boat 7 Tuesday A beautiful warm day Volty and Will went early this morning to their nets Welly finished repairing sail boat then Will and V brought the fish home and launched the craft & W & V went to cape with fish Wells and Johny working at farming E making a dress for Irene Gracie [strikethrough]an[/strikethrough] at home Wall Niles here said Mr Genge was [left margin] [long multiplication] 853 18 —– 6824 853 —– 15354 [/long multiplication] �[long division] 12 15454 12\\{} —– 33 24 —– 5 [/long division] [/left margin] �page_0150 [top margin] Evaline Bauford [/top margin] Aug 30th 1888 \$.cts sold Eleven lbs butter 2,65 sept 6th 12 " " 2,00 13th 12 " " 2,40 28th 9 " " 1,95 Oct 4th 10 " " 2,20 11th 9 " " 2,01 18th 6 " " 1,36 25 10 " " 2,20 Nov 1st 12 " [overwritten]Eleven[/overwritten] " [overwritten]lbs[/overwritten] 2,59 8th 13 " " 2,72 14th 12 " " 2,46 21nd 13 " " 2,69 27 13 " " 2,69 Dec 6 10 " " 2,08 14th 9 " " 1,89 22nd 12 " " 2,60 Jan 3rd 10 " " 2,12 �12th 6 " " 1,32 26 6 " " 1,20 April 25 1889 Apr 25 4 May 2nd 10 9 Rachel sold for me 98 Rachel Sold for me 2.50 2,50 20 27 40 34 [left margin] -> continued on back of 3rd page from here [/left margin] to three old women �page_0151 [top margin] [long multiplication] 9, 16 butter , 30 eggs — 9,66 [/long multiplication] [/top margin] June 6th 1889 M@ Rue sold butter at 14 ct 3 lbs " 14 51 28 " 14 3,92 13 31 - 2lbs at 15 cts balance 14 cts 180 lbs made [above]sold[/above] in 5 weeks while I was at Bell’s 44 50 35 45 [strikethrough]3[/strikethrough] ,19 41 3 for ,20 + 38 for 14 40 Sept 5th 41 36 �26 34 6ct 16 26 21 21 12 21 15 12 8 19 8 1 for 20 �page_0152 1889 Nov 21 December 24th 1889 sold 6 butter ,17 " 9 " ,18 1890 Jan 15 " 7 " ,20 $1,44 " 6 " ,18 " 6 " ,20 1,20 " 4 " ,20 ,80 " 7 " ,18 1,26 " 10 " ,18 1,80 12 ,22 12 ,22 Dec 31 $1,62 1,09 �page_0153 �page_0154 1890 Jan 18th Saturday A warm fine day Wind North ground covered with snow every where some ice on this shore no crossing I sick yet never so sick before lay abed most all the time head lungs and whole system wrong cant eat Spaf got a b[erased] to build his dock to day Fred came over for our men folks had a prayer meeting at Devero’s last night No one ther but Spaff Frances and the baby Fred said all the praying done Devero done on the fiddle poor Fred forgs folks that is Spaff and Frances and the baby came here to see us this evening but I dont want to see any one talked awhile and went up stairs to bed Jan 19 Sunday I dont seem much better neither does Muriel never was so sick before A fine day good sleighing not much win[d] North Grace and John gone to church �page_0155 [top left margin] Continuation of May 7th, 1889 [/top left margin] carried to the Asylum yesterday Stayley called here gathering old iron say he got hermorrage of lungs Set the milk in cellar this morning cellar all dirt yet not fit to set a swill pail in 8th Wednesday A warm fine day Wind S and light Wells V [scribbled]&[/scribbled] of drawing stone and cleaning up over on grange Welly not very well fishing his nets E making J’s dress Grace doing general house work I churned and made prints for market and set them on cellar bottom & covered them with a table cloth the rats run over it in the night 9 Thursday A beautiful day warm Wind rows Rose at 4 Oclock for Grace to go to market Wells drove to the dock Maud S went back to the city Sylia came home writing and is very airy but does not call on Bamford’s goes to Smiths John an V & Wells work in frel in A M after diner Wells goes over the river to see Alex Liddy about wire fence He came home late and �page_0156 eat supper after dark said Gloya’s folks are coming over to go to Bell’s with no Sunday John drove to dock for Grace Eva ironed and cleaned floors and done other house work Welly not very well tended to fish nets It’s so long since I have written in this diary of have most forgoten what we done. I churned Friday A fine warm day wind South All the men folks at work Welly at the nets in PM Afternoon Eddy & Eben help Welly plant potatoes Wells Volty & Johny drawing stone plowing and sowing. I have forgoten what E & G done or I either. Apple tree man here in evening [left side margin] E washed clothes and a quilt rained hard at three O’clock boys went to barn a squall from the north we bring in part or most of the clothes Wallace Niles 10 years old on the 10 day of May 1889 [/left side margin] [right side margin] and Will Drive too [/right side margin] Saturday A fine warm day Wind [crossed-out]South[/crossed-out] North in morning Rose early this morning for Wells going [above]changing south at ’H M[/above] to city, gone now. looks like rain Wells carried umbrella Campbell the Apple tree agent went up with W and came back While canvassing for trees he board at Wills. Welly & Volty went to cape with fish Wells brought home some milk pans I picked A pail of grains for Bill Jen came over for Wills groceries the boys got for him at cape Will planted [above]sweet[/above] corn and caried potatoes for Welly I lent Jen a bottle of kerosine I have paid James soap [left side margin] John worked in field with team and then went to Sam’s to ball play, Grace went for mail �[/left side margin] �page_0157 May [crossed-out]14th[/crossed-out] 1889 Sunday 12 [crossed-out]Monday[/crossed-out]S A still warm day very fine weather every thing growing finely trees just putting out the green leaves Mr & Mrs Gloya came over at 8 Oclock A M and we made in to the waggon at nine taking Maude with us, met three loads coming to chucj found Charley Bell & children well had a good visit and got home at dark found all well and pleasant at home work all done so I had nothing to do but read and go to bed James and Maryanne went home across the river I understand Johny, had a bath in the river getting out of the sail boat 15 Monday A fine morning Wind South and warm [crossed-out]no[/crossed-out] a school to day Grace at home Eva washed hung all clothes out befor diner after dinner scrubed floor swept dusted made beds &@ Wells John & Volty drawing stone plowing and getting in grain Wells took up and changed most of his nets Perley here for Welly to go for his pig I gathered green’s for dinner Grace sowed [crossed-out]f[/crossed-out] her flower seeds Eva reeled all the carpet rags to be colored A rat in the trap this morning �page_0158 Monday 14th Tuesday Sun rose clear this morning grew cloudy and began to rain wind changing from South to North and rain pouring at noon Campbell Apple tree man here to dinner rain cleared after dinner tree man went up the Island Volty brought fish & put them in ice house The rag rubber bone & bottle man here we got a little tin ware and some coppers Grace went to school A M came home for her dinner and stayed here Eva [crossed-out]couler[/crossed-out] colored blue, violet, brown, and another colour can’t tell what it is loos kinder yaller and kinder brown it is called scarlet on cotton Welly gone to nets and for his pig, Wells Volty & Johny working in field A M. Al Barrie raising his barn to day, Wells & Volty invited Volty went Wells stayed at home Everything growing since the rain cows giving big quantity of milk 20 pans [crossed-out]and[/crossed-out] at night searecty of pan’s 15 Wednesday Wind N A cool day I not feeling very well have caught cold but churn and make butter prints for market Boys at home helping their father draw stone Grace done house work I have allmost forgoted what any of them done this so long since I have writen in this diary �page_0159 1889 May 16 Thursday Rose early to go to the market A cold windy morning & cloudy Wind North Wells drove to the dock Princess came in this morning we came back on the Pierpont I did not sleep much sick all night with neuraligia [above]grows[/above] colder toward night I set by the engine coming home to keep face warm found all well at home bought one package of carpet warp Laura went up I saw W’m in 4e [below]shore[/below] [left side margin] Sylvia went back to Win’s to day [/left side margin] 17th Friday I dont know much about what is going on today, law abed sick all day sleep on the lounge at night so not to disturb Wells Dont know which way wind was only know it was cloudy 18 Saturday very warm Am better this morning but Evaline sick abed with tooth ache I work all day and do the best I can I forgot what the rest of the family done but I got a dim from Peo says if I dont pay him he make me trouble 19 Sunday A fine warm day no wind South Mother came over and we had �page_0160 May greens for dinner I forget what the men folks done John dressed up and went to church Eld Bates here [crossed-out]colored rag’s[/crossed-out] 20 Monday A cloudy still day light wins South Welly run the nets A.M. Evaline washed in A.M. Welly went with her to Mrs Welmore with carpet rags and warp Mand went too Wells and Volty building water fence Volty got both feet wett forget what I done E 21st Tuesday A fine warm day Wells [above]Wind south[/above] and Boys drawing stone E papering her room up stairs so long ago since I wrote in this diary I have forgoted nearly everything which transpired to day it being now the 4th of June & I have [crossed-out]s[/crossed-out] not written since the 14th of May 22 Wednesday A cloudy cool day but I churn and made 40 prints for market E working up stairs Wells and boys drawing stone Forresters had a serenade in the church shed at evening G. Morgan Jr came for our boys and came down cellar while V and D were straining milk Jay Lee & Dell Windinell married to day �page_0161 1889 May 23rd Thursday A fine morning. Wind West. Carried 40 lbs butter to market. Went on Pierpont came back on Maud Laura went to. A cold morning but their was a good fire in the stove. Meet Watson on the wharf. Mrs Gologly carried two baskets for me to the market house & Watson carried 2 baskets for me so I had nothing to carry. 16cts for butter very low price. Winnie came home with her mother. Mrs Holliday came home from Charlottes. Wind blowing strong. Mr Watson came home with me to see Maud. Will D came over 24th Friday A cool morning. Grace walked to the dock very early & went on the Mand to Halliday and walked from there to Bells. Came back on the Princess. Boys at home helping their father. We had a good visit with F.W.W. Grace came home at dark. It proved to be a very fine day. Wind south but changes to North before Saturday morning 25 Saturday A cold morning. Wells and Watson went to Kingston. V lent F.W.W. his over coat. Grace cleaned floors. Wells came home early. A heavy frost last night �page_0162 water frozn thickness of this glass which will be [s]thick as window glass[/s] very bad for vegetation of all kinds especialy fruit trees which are just now white with blossoms 26 Sunday Cold day, wind North. Wells half sick can scarcely walk around Welly and Volty went to Spinks. I went to bed had a long nap arose & got dinner. Welly & Volty came home from Grindstone after dark. We had oat meal pudding & milk for supper 27 Monday A cloudy morning. Wind North. Began to rain at 10 Oclock A.M. Rained nearly all day. A sugar party at A Barries this eveningl Every body invited. Volty & Grace did not attend the party on account of rain. John went had a pleasant time but not many there. John stayed all night. The weather cold. The night dark. And the wind blowing fearfuly [sic] from South all night. Volty made bee hives. Forget what the others done. E washed in fore noon. Grace washed afternoon could �page_0163 not hang the clothes out but put them in tub and set them under the eve’s & next morning tub was running over with water. Wells sick with lame back 28 Tuesday A cloudy cold day. Wind South blowing a gale, fences blown down. A terrible time on Lake Ontario. Bavaria lost on this Lake all hands lost. Wells, John and Voltie fixing pasture fence in the forenoon, fixed base ball ground in afternoon in our pasture. Eveline went down to her Grand Fathers towards night. [left side margin] Baby 3 months old today [/left side margin] Wednesday. May. 29. A cold cheerless day. Wind N.E. I churned and got ready for Market. Wells, Voltie, John fixing pasture fence. Wells Jr planting corn for Eb Joslin. Eveline cleaned both floors. Grace done house work. Liz Morgan called here. Boys played base ball at Sam’s �page_0164 Thursday May 30th I went to Kingston carried 34 lbs butter left Groceries and carpet. Warp McCrae did not send them to the dock or boat I mean. Wells, Voltie and John fixing pasture fence. Wellie planting corn for.Eb. Grace done all the house work. Eveline sewed and took care of baby. Cloudy day. Wind North rained towards night just as they came home from the dock. Friday Wind South A rainy nasty day. Wells drove to the ferry after groceries, left carpet warp at [Wetuiover’s?] also Wellie’s shirt cloths. Wellie, Voltie & John built fence until the rain commenced. Grace worked on her dress. Eveline washed and mopped the chamber. I done house work. Wells got home at 3 o’clock got wet also the Boys. Boys run the net and got some fish, gave some to Geo & Charley �page_0165 Saturday June 1st A wet nasty day. Wind South. Grace Ironed & mended, swept the parlor. I cooked as usual. Boys intended to go to Welsh’s to play ball but rained so they cant go. Voltie made boxes for bee hives. Wellie made a bat. John went to Niles’ for shelac and to Sam’s after the mail. Wells reaching Utica Globe. Boys played ball in P.M. Sunday, 2nd A Warm fine day every thing growing after the rain. Wind south. Wells at home reading. W Jr, V & Charley W went over river in sail boat. Volty came back Wellie stayed there awhile Volty went back for Wellie. Will Corn & Wall Beadle came over and went to J. Niles. Grace, Maud, Will, Dixon, Maxwell & Volty went for a sail on the river. After coming back Grace & Maud went over to Wills. Will & Jen came back with them. After that Grace & Maud went rowing up and down �page_0166 the shore in paint with Shelly and Tilly June 3rd Monday A sunny day. Wind south, cool. Wells, Volty and Wellie building pasture fence. John went to School. Grace washin and put the clothes out in fore noon. E made a dress for Muriel. I wrote in this diary to day for first time since 14th of May. Towards night Welly Eveline and the baby went down to Mr Ebbens Joslins in skiff, rained quite hard while they were gone. Eat supper there, came home while we were at our supper. It rained very hard in the night thundered [sic]. 4 Tuesday A clear day, Wind South East blows hard. Wells and boys built pasture fence & after dinner the boys went up the Island to play base ball with the Taylor nine but there was no one to play with them. They came home early. Eveline washed and dried her clothes. Grace washed some more clothes. I went to bed, slept two hours. John at school 5 Wednesday A clear day, Wells and Volty Building pasture fence. Welly planted corn and churned. After noon base ball at Sams, some of the bows down from up the Island. J Morgan and Elmer Woodman had a fight. George �page_0167 June 1889 Morgan came home with Welly for alumn to cure his mouth 6 Thursday A very pleasant day cool. John drove with me to the dock. Went on Princess to market. Butter 14 cts. Rachel selling fish scrapers, talked very mean to Mrs Wm Rattray & George Woodman. Every thing at home very tidy, floors all cleaned, copper teakettle bright as gold. E done it all churned &c. Grace helped do the work. I am very tired and sleepy. Grace went at dark and carried Janes soda home. Will and W Jr & V went spearing fish but got none. Wells came to the boat for me. Mrs S Woodman sick with rigamortis. 7 Friday Wind South A fine morning, dark clouds rising in south, at noon commenced raining, at 4 P.M. & raining hard at bed time. John at school. Wells working in the grown orchard. Volty helping him. V working at bee hive. E done house work. I made a shirt. Grace sewed on dress. Welly planted corn and punkins [sic] Welly wrote a letter to Robert. Jen here for Volty to hive a swarm of bees but none to hive �page_0168 1889 June 8 Rained all night raining more at 5 AM. Last year scarcely any rain from March ’till August. A superabundance of rain this. Wind South. light. warm. Wells Wellie & Voltie building water fence for pasture. Lousy damp day. George & Wall Niles here. Our nine intended going over river to play with the shelly’s, rained so couldn’t go partly cleared at 2 Oclock. John Burnham here. Spink here Ebb Joslin and Will Cornwell here. Will Dixon here. Frank Woodman here. The boys play base ball in our home pasture of Burnhams. Mr Spink stop here all night. Wind changed North commenced raining again at Bed time. E cleaned the floors &c. Grace finished her dress very cool Sunday Wind North. Rained all night and all A.M., cleared a while then thundred [sic] and rained again tubs all fall Low lands covered with water, cleared again towards night. Burnham & Spink here yet, very cool all day, no callers and 5 Oclock PM some reading, others sleeping, Gip howling, Maud squalling Baby wears her first short dress to day. Spink very melancholy about something. John Burnham swearing. Will here. Spink went home with him and stayed all night [left margin] Will hived 1 sqarm bees to day [/left margin] 10 Monday A bright warm day. W Burnham drove �page_0169 in here from milk factory. Spink came back from Wills, stoped [sic] a while and went home at 8 O’clock A.M. Boys run hoop net and took it out the river. Welly and J Burnham went to Clayton. After they helped Wells, Volty & Johny drive the horses and cows to the lower pasture. Smith painting his house orange. Jen came over for Voltis to hive bees. Johny churned. Wells working on Grange. Eva washed Babys clothes. Till and Shell here in evening, Grace gave Shell a cap. Wind South 11 Tuesday - Wellie brought a pig from Welton. A very fair day somewhat cloudy. A picnic in Breakeys Grove. Welly, Voltie, Johny, Grace & John Burnham gone to picnic and base ball play, A big crowd. Will went too. Jen and children came over here. Eva cleaned floors and helped me do house work. All came home at dark well pleased with their day out ball playing and dancing. Welly went for a load of picknickers from Sand Bay. A dance at Morgans to night. John and V churned. rather cool day, Wells plowing ground for potatoes 12 Wednesday A fine breezey day. Wind South cool. Will went to Morgans’ last night. E washed �page_0170 breakfast dishes & worked on her dress. Wells picking up stone all day, Jen came over for tea for dinner. J Burnham & Eddy Bates planting potatoes for Will A.M. Wellie, Voltie & Johnie hoeing potatoes at home, Grace doing house work, G picked a teacup full of strawberries. Johny churned. I print butter for market. I am very sleepy. J Burnham helping the boys hoe, now he said they had a nice time up to Mr Morgan’s dance. [margin] Gracie went up to Miss Miles for the market basket, the Woodman boys came down in the evening for to play ball [/margin] 13 Thursday. 13th of June Very pleasant day, wind South. Ma, John & John Burnham went to town, some yankes went to town to day. Bertha Cornwall, Kate Shelbour, Daivid Reasoner. Eva washed her clothes, Voltie hoed in the garden, Wells Jr tended baby awhile for Eva. Grace did house work. Maude has been high for diddled all day. Pa worked in the field. Ma carried up 31 lbs of butter. Evaline ironed in the after noon, and when Wells Jr went after Ma to to wharf. Eva went over to Will’s with him, thundered a little in the afternoon, it looks like rain, 14 Friday A very bright warm day light wind South. Our first swarm of bees out to day �page_0171 14 June Volty had just hived the bees when he had a call to Wills to hive a swarm for him. V made a flower bed for Grace. John cleaned the cellar and drew a wheel barrow of gravel to stop the rat holes in cellar. Welly rowed J Burnham over the river this morning. I don’t know what he done the balance of the day. Wells picking up stone on Grange. John pulled mustard out the wheat in P.M. & went to lower pasture with Wells and V to milk the cows and then John & Grace went to George and Han’s birth day party in evening. They are 21 years old today. E sewed for self and tended the baby, helped wash supper dishes. Welly & V took up the fish nets and got one big stinking fish, a pickeral. V & W gone a fishing this evening. I am very sleepy. I got to rise early. Wells is going to town in the morning early. Good night most eleven o’clock and a beautiful warm moonlight night very still, no wind, a propellar just going up passing the house. Grace washed the clothes. Jen came over for E to cut a shirt for Will. Good night. �page_0172 15 June Saturday Rose early to go to lower pasture to milk so Wells could get an early start for Kingston. Rain commenced pouring down soon after Wells, V and J were to milk & rained hard all the time they were gone, they came back drenched to the skin. After breakfast Wells went to the city, cleaned up and a fine warm day, rather cloudy. Wind South. A base ball game in the pasture PM., about 50 present. Volty made caps for bee hives .Welly churned. Grace and Johny came home at 4 Oclock this morning from Mr Rattrays party. Grace slept till nearly 12 Oclock. Eveline cleaned floors, chairs & washed breakfast dishes. Grace helped get dinner and then with Lilly went to the ball play. Shelly here. Maud & Shell picked the green strawberries. Well came home rather late. V and J had to draw the milk can home on the wheelbarrow. Ebb Joslin here. Wills bees swarmed to day. Will here in evening for his mail. A letter from Victor & Watson, Welly, Eveline & baby gone to W Burnham’s visiting. A cloudy evening, very still and warm no wind. Good night �page_0173 [s] Monday [/s] June, Sunday 16 light wind South fair day. Wells Sr drove over to Belle’s with Mrs B. she has gone to stay with her daughter for a couple of weeks. Voltie made ice cream. Grace went to church. G. Woodman, G. Harlow here all the fore noon. Wellie and I came home from Burham at six o’clock. Mr B came a little later. Wellie went up to Sam’s to get tobacco. [image- imprint of a flower] Monday June 17 Rained in the morning cleared up in forenoon. Wind blows hard from the north. I washed and mopped in the A.M., made a cap for Voltie in afternoon. Grace done housework. Mr Bamford plowed. Voltie hoed. Wellie & John went over the river strawberrying. �page_0174 Tuesday June 18th 1889 Light. Breeze from the North fair day. Mr Bamford plowed. Voltie hoed &c, Grace washed. Wellie & I picked over strawberries in forenoon. Boys went over the river to play ball in P.M. Grace undertook to hive a swarm of bees and fail. Mr Bamford had to hive them at Supper time. Boys came home at dark. Supperless as usual and they beat the Sheley mines [image- imprint of a flower] Wednesday June 19th South east wind all day. clouded up and sprinkled towards night. John & Voltie up to Sam’s to a bee. Wellie at home in A.M. picked berries in the afternoon. Mr Bamford picked some straw berries, pulled mustard on the Lower place. Grace worked at the butter business all day. I done most of �page_0175 the housework. Ironed, mopped, baked breadl. Maud as mean as ever. Voltie baptized her because she would’nt wash. George called in the evening for some one to play ball with him. Wellie went to Niles to get some tobacco. Thursday June 20th Fair day, wind South. Grace gone to Kingston. Boys at Howe Island playing ball. Mr B., Maud, Muriel and I at home all alone. I done housework. John came home first. Wellie, Voltie and Grace got home at half past ten. Friday Wind South West. Mr Bamford drove to Halliday’s and then went to Howe Isld. after Groceries that was left on the boat. Commenced and rained at noon. I washed in forenoon. Grace done housework and put up some berries in afternoon �page_0176 Voltie and I cleaned out the bedroom and closet. Wellie worked at J. O briens all day dont know what John doing. John churned I found out 3 weeks later. Saturday. Wind South Fair day. I cleaned the parlor in forenoon with Willie’s help, rained a little in the morning but cleared up and fine day. I mopped all the floors in afternoon. Grace washed some and done the housework. John drew a load of wood in P.M. Voltie hoed. Mr B. went to Kingston. Wellie helped me most all day then went strawberrying. Sunday. Wind South. Fair day. Jay Lee and wife, Dana and Will Cornwall here. Willie & Voltie went berrying. John went bout to Grandpa’s with Will Cornwell. Grace went to prayer meeting was not any. Carrie Joy here. �page_0177 Monday. June 24th A very nice day Wind S Carrie stayed most Tuesday all day, she went home in the after noon, Eva cut out Maude’s dress & apron. Carrie basted up the sleeves, the boys did two churnings. Wells Jr went across the river. Voltie hoed potatoes, Grace washed in the 4 noon. Wellie picked some berries across the river and in the evening we picked them over, Billie Genge, George Miles & Wallace came down after the potatoe plough. Voltie got a half a bag of potatoes from Mr Miles Tuesday June 25th A very pleasant day Wind south. The people of the neighbor neighborhood went to Smiths raising, in the after noon they came up to clean up the picnic ground Mr Gery came day and helped the boys, Wells Jr went over the river to shingle Addie Percy’s house, when he came home he brought Frank Bamford with him to go the picnic in the evening. The boys went a spearing, and got some eels �page_0178 April May July. August July. Wednesday. June 26th 1889 Today is the day appointed for a picnic but guess they wont have any as it is raining hard clears up towards night. Wind South Men folks in the house part of the day. Grace made out the butter. John Churned I mapped made pies and done general housework Frank Bamford here, John Morgan here, Reu ben Mc Faden & b. Easter stopped down to the river and talked with the boy’s. W W. Genge came down in the evening & worked on Volties Silo, Jen came over on the evening and stayed till 10 Oclock and Will had to come after her. [on the side] Voltie hoed in P.M. [/on the side] Thursday [crossed-out] 23 [/crossed-out] 27th 1889 Grace & Jen Went to Kingston this morning. The Str Maude called in to the Wharf. Fair day. Wind South Wellie worked over the river John went up to Niles to Take punt home Voltie helped me around the house Mr B ploughed Grace got home about 8 o clock. �page_0179 [above] a fair day running a little. [above] Griday June 28th 1889 A fair day. Wind South Wellie worked over the river Voltie and I papered the Hall [crossed-out] Mr. B. plowed [/crossed-out] Mr. B and John worked on the road Grace done the housework. Piano Tuner here Miller from Watertown [on the side] Muriel 4 months old [/on the side] Saturday June 29th Very warm day. Light Breeze North. Wells Sr went to Kingston. Wells Jr went over the river with John Morgan in forenoon. Voltie and George Niles plowed out the potatos in forenoon. Voltie churned in P.M. John worked on the road Grace done housework I warshed in A.M. and filed floors in P.M. Wellie and I went over to Gloyd’s in the evening Voltie went to O’briens after Jack & Spear Will & Voltie went spearing and got 4 eels (continued on 7th page from this one ) �page_0180 Aug 30th 1888 Graces dress. ,12 1 lb tea and Vase. ,50 6 gobblets. ,25 1 salt dish. ,05 10 sugar ,70 6 lemons ,10 1 book . ,10 2 toilette soap. ,05 1 pair stockings. ,09 cakes ,10 Sep 6 Dress cloth. 1,20 plush . ,17 sugar ,70 oatmeal ,25 rice ,25 tobaco ,05 buttons . ,13 soap ,25 soda ,10 toll ,01 13 " 02 shoes . 1,00 sugar ,70 tea spoons . 50 ribon . 12 plush . 13 �page_0181 Sept 27 starch ,08 lemons ,10 bustle. . ,15 tea . ,25 Snuff ,06 stockings . ,10 Pepper ,10 soda ,10 soda biscuits ,25 cheese ,13 Yeast ,10 Darning needles. ,03 Pears mits & candy ,30 Tobaco ,05 Embroidery silk. ,10 cakes and tolls ,11 Oct 5th Shoes for Grace. 1,25 Tea ,,25 Embroidery silk. .14 Licorice ,05 sugar ,33 candy & mits ,10 Lamp chimneys. ,08 Needles . ,05 �page_0182 11 Tea with box 50 white cotton. 18 Turkey red. 6 Rice 25 Corn meal 25 Sugar, cash ,,70 —– [crossed-out] Rice [/crossed-out] 194 18 Rice 25 Corn meal 25 Sugar 45 Cloth 56 Thread & Diamond dyes 20 Cuttle fish bone 5 Saleratus. 10 cash 75 —[crossed-out] Lard [/crossed-out] 2,41 Lard ,28 25 10 sugar ,70 1 tea with hand glass. 50 5 cotton cloth. 45 needles . 05 yeast cakes 60 starch 10 salt 10 candy 06 nuts 05 �page_0183 Oct 25th Lunch ,09 toll ,02 ring pin. ,25 stockings. ,12 lent Jen 05 [crossed-out] sugar [/crossed-out] 70 [crossed-out] toll hand glass. 50 candy, nuts 11 salt ,10 5 cloth. 45 needles. 14 starch 10 yeast caller 10 [/crossed-out] [image- drawn X] Nov 1st 1 Tea from Stroud’s with baskets. ,50 5 Sugar ,35 Soda biscuits ,25 2 Cheese ,25 5 yds bleached cotton ,45 2 spools white thread ,10 1 pound cloth ,30 1 pair of stockings for Maud. ,15 1 salt cup ,05 2 sets Knitting needles. ,08 Candy ,05 Lunch ,14 1 Pair of towels. ,25 �page_0184 1888 Nov 1st One pair of rubbers. 40 Brought home ,12 cts ,12 Snuff 06 — 8th 1 tea with box ,50 5 sugar 35 soda biskets 25 2 cheese 25 2 yds velveteen ,60 4 led pencils 05 lunch candies gum popcorn 14 rasins 32 thread 13 buttons 20 diamond ,10 dye 2 flatirons ,25 bird seed ,07 ,32 letter paper ,14 15th 10 Sugar ,70 1 Tea .30 dinner ,25 1 Starch ,13 Soap ,25 Soda ,10 22nd 5 Sugar 35 5 buck wheat flour 25 corn meal 25 �page_0185 [above] Jan 17 1890 Sunning a little John Niles [/above] Nov 5 factory cloth ,08 per yd ,40 brought home cash 75 1 lb tea from strouds with ticket 35 1 box of matches 10 1 pair stockings 20 1 pair towels 30 Dinner 25 29 5 sugar 35 cinnamon 05 1 pair of boots 2,50 Paid Rachel ,50 snuff 05 Diamond dye brown 10 2 spools of white thread 10 [on the side] What is there [/on the side] Dec 6th 5 lbs sugar 35 1 " tea 35 1 pair boots for Grace 1,25 1 box note paper ,14 Chinee’s laundry work ,13 1 package of diamond dye Ghee 10 9 bars soap 25 chocolate c 05 cakes 10 D 13 1 lb tea 30 5 Sugar 35 �page_0186 [above] here looking for his geese [/above] 1 pair of stockings for Maud ,14 1 " " garters " " ,10 4 yds " print " " ,32 3 " mittons " " ,30 2 spools black thread ,10 snuff ,07 dates ,10 nuts & candies ,15 lunch ,08 Kerosine ,10 postmonic[sic] ,15 cards ,06 postage ,03 balance in cash ,25 Dec 20 1/2 pound tea ,15 5 sugar ,30 John’s overshoes 1,00 John shoes 200 John’s cap 1,75 candy ,15 nuts ,15 cloth ,21 Jan 3rd Sugar ,60 tea 20 snuff ,10 �page_0187 yeast cakes ,10 baking soda ,10 Allspice cinnamon cloves mustard ,20 towels ,21 Lamp chimneys ,08 Jan 8 Wells bought Diamond dye cardinal red ,10 Soap 25 Two brooms 25 Jan 10th 10 lbs sugar ,60 2 tea ,60 half lb pepper ,20 corn meal ,25 oat meal ,25 buckwheat flour ,25 corsets for Grace ,50 onions ,25 Jan 26 5 yds factory ,35 snuff ,05 tea 30 letter paper ,10 [crossed-out] 70 [/crossed-out] tobaco for John 10 scribbling book slate and box pen & pencils [above] for Grace [/above] ,10 mustard cinnamon soda ,30 sugar & tea ,,90 �page_0188 Jan 30th Soap ,25 3 yds print ,30 Feb 13th Volty bought one spool of brown silk ,05 2 yds of brown ribbon ,18 snuff .10 — [circled] 1889 April, 25 [/circled] 2 brooms ,25 9 bars of soap ,25 8 lbs sugar ,56 — May 2 10 sugar ,70 1 tea ,20 3 tobaco plugs 15 5 packages diamond dyes ,50 1 pair garters ,50 brought home ,26 two sticks gum ,02 2 oranges ,05 candies ,05 balance on castoria ,07 lent Jen 09 freight on Grist 15 — Dec 31 1890 1890 5 sugar 2 tea 1 pk onions �page_0189 Con 17 1890. Friday. not very cold, Wind North Snowing quite hard, see the river is full of ice which has picked up from down the river Mr Niles has been here to day looking for his geese, Eva cleaned the floor, Ma not very well sick with the grip. Eva has got the tooth ache, Wellie and Pa drew hay from the Grange, John puttered around at little of nothing Grace done housework. Muriel and her Grandma not well yet thop[sci] Feb 4th Tuesday 1890 Storm of rain and ice Wind North in morning South at Nine in the evening no snow on the ground no ice in the river Wells and John came back from corners at 12 mid day coats covered with ice boat skiped some water Mrs Gloyd sick Hiram came up for Welly Said Gaby was not very well Men from Clayton cutting Van’s pine trees �page_0190 Monday Nov 18th 1889 Wells butchered beef Will Volty & John helped him Rachel came to get Edith to make her dress over Anna here to borrow boiler for Jen Ann went to Barries to get her dress made Grace washed Welly sick yet Mr & Mrs Niels ehre in evening brought home 12 6 June tobaco 3 plugs 10 pr plug 30 10 sugar lbs ,75 1 tea ,30 4 towels ,75 yeast cakes ,10 corn meal ,25 6 lemons ,10 dates ,10 bologna ,13 cabbage plants ,25 stockings for V ,17 " " G .12 2 yds dress cloth for G ,25 1 yd ribbon " " ,82 beads & buttons ,13 shirting - toll 2 cts boat 25 ,35 diamond dye 10 �page_0191 13 June soap 25 sugar 75 tea 30 starch 10 cabbage plants 20 shell 20 over all for Wells 75 shirt for V 75 sn ,05 toll 02 turkish toweling 37 thread 15 Jan 16 Thursday 1890 Snowed in the night - ground white this morning I slept on couch all night Dont feel very strong Welly gone to Wills to chop wood and do the chores Wells & Will not home yet at 11 A.M. Welly and Will come soon so Will came home last night after all. Wells came home to day at 1 Oclock P.M. Charley came down for Belle and the children and they all went home �page_0192 [above] (continuation from June 29th) [/above] Sunday June 30th 1889 A fearfully hot day. Voltie worked at the bees all day. Wellie and I at home John went strawberrying Mr B. Grace and Maude went over to Halliday’s Irene [above] (Dixon) [/above] came here in afternoon. Monday July 1st Warm day Wind South East. Thunder Showers came up towards night Grace washed I helped do the worked. Voltie and Irene (Dixon) went after goose berries. Mr B And John went to worked on the road but Breakey not there came home again. Wellie went over the river in P M with Niles got wet coming home. Tuesday a wet day Mr B. and John hoed Voltie picked goose berries I washed in A.M. Wellie work for Addie in P.M. Grace done house work Irene came over From Nile’ at night. note: Irene Dixon was John Dixon’s daughter- named after Grandma Bamford (her aunt) - (She married later a Lewis Hengge) �page_0193 Wednesday. Fair day wind South John & Mr B on the road Voltie churned & hoed Wellie over the river this is Grace’s cellar day I done the housework Genge here in evening Charlie Halliday came down after pear. Thursday. fair day Wind blew hard from South. Mr. B and Voltie hoed all day John & Wellie went to Clayton Grace went to Kingston I at home. They all came home late Voltie helped Ruth milk Mrs B sent me a dress and a pr of stockings Wellie got himself a pair of shoes and me a pair of slippers. John got him a cane and his pictur took Friday fair day wind North Wellie at home I washed and sewed Grace done house work. Mr B. hoed and John hoed Voltie hoed. Voltie John churned. Pa & John went over to the dock for the grist & Irene came home with them. Spink came here this evening drunk. G niles [on the side] & Wall & Frank Woodman & W Genge came down here Genge brought his banjo W.D. played on the violin and Spink made a fool of him self swinging. [/on the side] �page_0194 Saturday July 6 Fair day Mr B went to Kingston John went to Mc Fadden’s to a bee. Wellie hoed a little out grass around the house Grace picked Green peas for dinner Jen here to dinner. Wellie and I went to Westmore’s took Muriel, Voltie worked in garden or hoed. Genge rode to the ferry [crossed-out] wh [/crossed-out] with pa. Sunday July 7. Wellie started today for to go to work for Robert Wind South fair day Voltie Irene Grace went over the river to take Wellie Grandpa cooked in A.M. I stayed at home all day Grace went to prayer meeting �page_0195 Monday July 8th Fair day Grace washed I done house work Irene went to [crossed-out] Wills [/crossed-out] Men commenced haying today I started me a rug. Tuesday July 9th Men Haying big Thunder storm at night Grace done house work I worked on my rug Irene over to Will’s. [on the side] (Irene Eliza) Belle’s Baby from 9th of July [/on the side] July 10 Wednesday I helped do housework Grace made out butter for Market Men churned and haying since Fair day rather warm day. Irene came over about five in the [crossed-out] evening [/crossed-out] after noon. [on the side] 27 lbs of butter for Market [/on the side] Thursday 11 [above] over the [/above] 1887. Grace went to market A very nice day Wind South Eva & Maude alone to day Grace got 14 cts for her butter A rain storm come up at noon Men in hay field working �page_0196 Friday July 12th A beautiful day. Wind South Irene here. I washed and sewed Grace done house work and make the school a visit Voltie John & Grace took Irene up to W.G. Woodman’s at night. Saturday July 13th A fair day Wind North. Mr B gone to town to Meet Watson but he did not come Boys working in hayfield grace done house work I made Voltie a shirt in forenoon Ironed in afternoon swept out the Parlor and made the beds. Sunday July 14th Wind North cool and cloudy all at house that pretends to play at home Will called I went up to Niles in evening Mr & Mrs Niles came home with me �page_0197 Monday July 15th Wind North rather cool I am sick today Grace does the work Men haying on the Grange yet Mrs B still at Belle’s Mr B says they had better quit if they have to keep ther over there all the time. [on the side] a snowy day [/on the side] Tuesday July 16 Wind South blowing hard fair day. Mrs B gone to Kingston gets home at 3 O’clock boys hanging on the Grange Will helping them stuck a pitch fork in to John Grace worked to day in steam boiler I do house work and take care of Muriel Mr B hears at the Ferry that Sammy’s post office has been robbed �page_0198 Wednesday July 17th Fair day Wind North Men folks haying. Grace getting ready for Market I do house work in A.M. sew on Maude’s clothes in after noon Watson comes about eliven o’clock stayed at Halliday’s night before. Thursday July 18th Grace and Maude Watson gone to town, Men folk still working on the Grange, Muriel and I are alone all day, Fair day Wind South. Mrs Pillar and Mrs Duggin came down to Niles tonight and bring both boys. Friday July 19th A wet nasty day rains all the P.M. Grace and I both wash John working at O briens Voltie and his father worked on the Grange till rain commenced Voltie and his father churned �page_0199 Saturday July 20th 1889 Wind north cloudy and cool Voltie hoed in the fore noon John cleaned out the cellar I mopped and swept the house all over. Grace done general house work Perley and Eben up here after Old Kit. Sunday July 21st A beautiful day Wind South Charlie brought Mr B. home Margery Beatrice and Annie Goodearle came along to Grace gone back with Charles Boys at home all day Mr B gone over to the other place. Monday July 22nd A nice day Wind South. Men worked on Grange Mr B cleaned Boys I ironed and finished papering the hall men churned at night �page_0200 Tuesday July 23rd A nice day Wind North looks like rain towards night Mrs B does house work and cleans cellar steps Voltie broke machine down working yet on Grange I made two shirts for Boys Princess went close by Rachel waved her handquiff Voltie caught a stergeon Wednesday July 24th Wind north in the morning changing to South then West in afternoon sun shines bright, Mr B gone to kingston to get his tongue repaired or a new one Boys haying & c Mr b churning and making out butter I wash and help do what work I can Muriel very good today. Mr B gives a little advice to certain parties. �page_0201 Thursday July 25th 1889 Fair day, Wind South. Mrs B gone to town with 44 lbs butter. Men follks worked at haying came up early at night. I done housework and took care of Muriel she is sick today. Voltie drove over to the Dock at night. Friday July 26th Wind North. Fair day. Men folks haying. Mrs B done housework, I colored rags and Went up to Weturora’s at night. Voltie stopped at O’briens to get shoe fixed for Machine Brought our sitting room carpet home. Saturday July 27th Wind South. Rained most all day. I mopped floor in A.M. Mrs B tended the milk and butter. I made ten towells and fixed Muriel’s pink dress in P.M. Voltie went fishing in P.M. John went after the mail. Voltie took �page_0202 off some honey. Mr B worke don his tongue and painted it. Wellie came home from Dixon’s about eight O’clock. Sunday July 28th Wind blowing hard from South. Sun shining. Grandma and Charlie came over. Wellie and Voltie gone to look at his colt in A.M. Mr B picked some currants and berries. Wellie cut John and Voltie’s hair. I made a squat cake for dinner. Wellie went back about 5 o’clock. Will and George Pillar came over about dark. I entertained them in the Parlor with Muriel’s assistance. Voltie went to O’briens and Lexi Border Jay came home with and staid all night, rained hard at night. Muriel 5 years old today. [inserted upside down at bottom] Nells. Bamford Jr Jackass Devolson Bamford �page_0203 Monday July 29th Rained all the forenoon cleared up in afternoon. I washed Mrs B done house work and tended to butter. Boys churned in a.m. Voltie moved hay in P.M. Mr B moved Barley with a scythe in P.M. John worked for Will. Wind. South all day. Tuesday 30th Wind South raining all AM. Churning done by John. John cleared cellar. Wednesday Jun 15th 1890 We arose at 8 o’clock. Will Dixon came over early Will & Wells start at 6 o’clock for Kingston with lumber waggon for coal. John at home, snow some in morning, rains again in evening.. Wind south River clear of ice. Weather very mild. Maud sick cold, E sick with a cold. John and Welly chops wood and works around all day. E cleaned floors. Muriel better. Wills and Well stays all night. I thought Will �page_0204 stayed all night but he didn’t go to Kingston but sold his butter and mine at Cumming’s for 20 lb rode down with WMG. Wells came back on the 6 boat P.M. and stayed all night at Costelo’s Nov 1st 1889 Nov 7th Thursday I went to Bells on the Pierpont and Rachel come down on Pierpont at Night I lost Widow Bedot in the river & W G Woodman and Charly H rowed out an picked it up. Jan 14th 1890 Tuesday A very fine day Wind south. Will came out this morning to go to Town. So late Wells could’nt go. R went home with him. John sick all day. Doctored Muriel all day. Belle got sore throat doctored her too. I worked around all day. Wells built fence between himself and W Smith. Welly went to O’Brien’s for coal twice brought home a half bag and built a good fire. Will left 20 lbs of butter here that he brought over this morning �page_0205 9 Saturday cloudy Wind N. Wells & John plowed. E cleaned floor. Volty at Tichturn. R washed herself a dress. Grace cleaned chairs and helped me do house work. N 10 Sunday 10 A fine day Wind N light. J.M here Wells fixed window. Cooked chicken for dinner had a quiet pleasant day. Grace went to J Niles’ & stayed till evening service. John Morgan here awhile playing violin & then JM & JB went to Will’s. Mrs M & Jimmy went to Wills for John Morgan. [margin] Rachel went to Wills after dinner [/margin ] Nov 11 Monday A warm day Wind south light looks like rain. Grace washed. I churned. R and E put a quilt on frames and tacked it before bed time. I baked bread used all the flour in barrel. Wells & Johny plowing. Wells threshing for Flynn. Volty at Tichburne. Every thing jolly merry & pleasant �page_0206 Devolson Bamford 1889 Wolfe Island De Teusday [sic] Nov 12 A beautiful warm day wind South. Wells & John plowing Wells Jr threshing at Flynn’s V at Tichborne. Rachel & I went over to mothers in P.M. stayed till after dark. Anna came up the road too and went to church. Grace went to church and home with the Woodmans for Irene and Edith are there. E washed her clothes 1889 Wednesday Nov 13 A warm cloudy morning Wind light south. A fire at or above Alex Bay early this morning at half past five. No kerosine had to get breakfast in the dark, lantern went out. Welly threshed at Joys—got done at Flynns AM yesterday. Wells & Johny plowing by Ebbs. Volty at Tichburn—expect him home tomorrow. Grace at W.G. Woodmans. Welly came home at noon after dinner. WJ & Will went to Millens bay for oil, kerosine. Indian Summer most too wrm for butter �page_0207 Receip Jelly cake 2 eggs beaten into a cup filled up with sour cream thin, half-a teaspoonfull of soda 1 cup of sugar 1 cup of flour [crossed-out] of cider [/crossed-out] bake in 3 round tins. Grace One qt of milk boiled, 4 eggs beaten 1 1/2 cup of sugar stir sugar in with the eggs and put in the milk let it boil until it thickens a little, where cold add one pt of cream and one large spoon of vanilla. large spoon of vanilla Devolson Bamford 2 eggs [crossed-out] 1/2 [/crossed-out] half cup of sweet milk 1 cup of sugar, 2 tea-spoon full of B.P. 1 cup full and a half of flour G.D.B. calur[sic] Devolson Bamford One fine day John Bam Jan 2nd 5 gallons kerosine from Millens Bay ,60 June 2nd galland D Bamford G P Bam [scribbles] [on the side] Grace R Bamford Wolfe Island Ont Grva G G G G Grace D Bamford [/on the side] �page_0208 Oct 18th 1888 One pair Turkeys $1.50 6 ducks 1,75 No 483 2 ducks ,60 1 Turkey ,75 1 " got not pay for ,00 Nov 21 1 turkey ,80 29 2 Turkeys 1,65 Dec 6th 1 turkey ,64 15 1 turkey ,75 22 1 turkey [indecipherable] " 1 Duck .25 [written sideways] Bamford Grace Bamford Grace Bamford Evaline Bamf [image- drawing of a cent] line Bamford This cent was made in 1812, [/written sideways] �page_0209 [upside down] a avery Sond Bedict racges Ditheer Gonder Alerotunwet [sic] Effier Oc[sic] [/upside down] [sideways] He may build inaney[sic] [/sideways] �page_0210 [sideways] a very cloudy day. June 7. 189. Eva colored going hrain[sic] [/sideways] John Bamford [upside down] Wells Bamford [/upside down] We may build more stately habitations Till our rooms with paintings and with sculpture. But we cannot buy with gold The old associations Eveline 1 doz eggs ,11 1 1/2 " " ,16 �page_0211 �This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following people: Vivian Zhang, Allison Mei, Ann Hopkinson, Jonathan Panuelos, Patricia Roussel, carol ann, Ella Deering, Eric Irvine, MaryV, and Queen’s University Archives � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Subject The topic of the resource 19th and 20th Century Rural Ontario Diaries Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1887-1922 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1887 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1888-1889 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1889-1897 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1890 March - June Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1893-1895 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1895-1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1896 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1897-1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899-1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902, 1906 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902-1909 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1904-1905 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1907 & 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1908-1919 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1911 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913-1914 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1915-1916 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1916-1917 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1917-1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1921-1922 Language A language of the resource English Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1888-1889 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1888-1889 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th Century, Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. September 4th, 1888 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/c7f99b4d252f2da13369d150c0bb3cb5.pdf 1da4bdd12968992a9c5d3fc007b05902 PDF Text Text Irene Dixon Bamford 1889-1897, Diary Transcription 5034_4-1-6 �Metadata FromThePage export of 5034_4-1-6 from Irene Dixon Bamford made on 2026-02-11 14:35:13 UTC. itemTitle: Miscellaneous pages from diaries of 1889 through 1897 date: 1889-1897 Title: 5034_4-1-6 Description: Item is a diary. Created On: 2024-01-11 17:30:43 UTC In Scope: true Uploaded Filename: 5034_4-1-6 �1 [File folder with hand printed labels] Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Miscellaneous pages from diaries of 1889 through 1897 1889-1897 [Stamp - Queen’s University Archives; Locator 5034-4; Box 1; File 6] �2 [Front Cover] Miscellaneous pages from diaries of 1889 through 1897 �3 [Inside cover of diary] Re-read ’76-’84 �4 Wednesday Feb 26th/1890 A cloudy day. Wind South in morning changing west at noon. Ground nearly bare snow scattered around in dirty patches & in fence corners. Ady & Rachel here. Wells trying the ice found it very poor could drop an axe through any where in the channel. Wills & Welly setting a sturgeon net. Ada wants to get home very much but will have to stay until tomorrow. Grace at Bells. John at school. Eva cleaned floors and helped wash dishes and hung out the clothes Rachel & Addie went over to Wills to make a visit started at 1/2 past two P.M. [sticker] Date 1890 Feb 2nd: Tuesday A cloudy day Wind North. Charley drove over from his place with Ady. Grace went home with him. Wells and Will went to Kingston in cutter on ice and came home before dark. Sewing machine agent here said his name is Hall. Rain pouring all day. Will came from Kingston with wet feet. Will and Welly went to the sturgeon and took one sturgeon from the net. Will had supper here - buisness [sic] in town is with Frasier for going and WillJohn at school. �5 Feb 24th 1890 Monday Wind South. A fine day like Spring very warm. Willy and John brought water & Evaline and Grace washed the clothes—hung the colored cloths on the veranda. Wells thought he would go to K with hay but so soft can’t go. Welly and John drew a load of hay to feed the stock from old barn. A party at Horn’s this evening seclect. Fred Joly called here been across the river to A Percys. Wells & Johny went over to Rattray’s PM for ice tongs—had no place to sleep so set up till 4 A.M. Feb Sunday 23rd 1890. A fine mild day, Wind south. Wells drove with Addie and Grace over to Bell’s. A very quiet time. R reading novel. I got dinner and slept 3 hours. John went to prayer meeting quarterly meeting day. Wells and Grace came early. Addie stayed at Bells. �6 1890 Feb 22nd Saturday. A cloudy day. Eva cleaned chairs and floors. Welly made axe handle. Addie and R here. Wells went to Kingston with oats drove up on the ice. Friday 21st Feb 1890. Wind North. A cold day. Wells went to Kingston on the ice with cutter carried 6 lbs butter. Addie came over today, Sid brought her across the ice in cutter. Sylvia had a select party this evening. None of our family were invited. Paterson was there for he is moving back again. Thursday 27th 1890 Wind West somewhat colder froze last night. Will came over & Welly helped him set fish net for sturgeon. Adda came over from Wills & Welly and Will pushed her over the ice in our cutter. �7 27 this same day then Rachel came over is get Welly or his father to draw wood. R rode back with team. Wells brought back the wheel. Wells set up the leach barrel. Grace at Belles. John at school. Ground bare ice very poor cloudy and looks like snow. Adda gone. Eddy Bates here Afternoon and Evening. John Morgan here fiddling away till bedtime. A select party by Sylvia Jane at George Gillespies. No one invited from here. 28th Feb Sunday 1890 A Nasty rainy day. Wind South. Ground all mud and water wind blows hard, boys run their net but no fish. J Morgan stoped at Wills all night. Will, Welly and J Morgan sailing up and down on ice boat. Morgan run in a hole in the river down below the foot of the island. he had stacked for cook’s John at school. A very bad day indeed. John came home wet through. Wells making soap in the kitchen, dont know what I’ll get for supper, get something a party at Almond Joslin’s this evening by Sylvia Jane’s select party. Carrie Joy visiting over ice river at Alsom Abbey’s. �8 me a half pint of corn syrup. Charley & Flora came along too—had a fine time playing. After awhile I get up. Volty and Johnyan take a Sunday nap. Maud and I cook beans and greens bring [illegible] and get wood. John goes to Evening prayer meeting. I read Talmage’s sermon to Volty, great fire on Howe Island. Angus McDonel house and farm gone. [Sticker added: few pages of 1891] Monday May 1891 Light wind N. I dont feel very well yet. I patched all fore noon, rained some in AM but not much. Wells came and drove his cow home. Will here and gave me two nice fish. Grace took up the carpet from my bedroom floor. Hay pressers set up at woodmans pressed two hours & went away. Sam went to Delmarshs and brought Buchanan up to see Mrs Woodman for she is sick. our boys are working in the garden planted potatoes. We had dandelion greens for supper. Sams hay was "no good". Welly’s cow returned home again. Bill Smith here to borrow a drag some [illegible] d-l shot Leo most [illegible] him only �9 Welly came up and milk for his cow and again drove her hom again. Rachel visiting at Welly’s stayed all night. Grace visiting to Ws Tuesday 12th A fine morn day wind S. I am not well yet but work around. Grace washed and hung the clothes on the line. Rena washed some socks and two skirts, cooked & washed dishes. Johny pulverized the front yard. Volty and Johny plowed in the orchard and planted potatoes, had baked pike for dinner that Will gave us. Volty helped Will set a net. Went to bed early after Grace & Maud returned from Wills. Will came after we were all abed hungry, tired and wet been to run his fish nets. John drove to factory. Hiram J went away sailing �10 Wednesday May 13 1891 Another fine warm day light wind South. John drove to factory. Will came over and engaged Volty to drive to Joys for fish and fish pound while Will went up this shore to run his net. R went to Ebb’s borrowed his boat rowed it to J. Nile’s to meet Will & W. Jr Volty came back with the fish pound and a bag of potatoes from W Burnish R went home dressed came back and went to the cape with Will. Grace and I got Greens for dinner. Will brought me one pound tea and 5 sugar which is 46 cts. R rowed the boat down to Ebbs. Welly came in the evening for his things Will brought from cape. J. & V. plowed in orchard. V borrowed $1.25 of Will. Will paid John a dollar which he owed him. John let V have the dollar. Grace finished cleaning my bedroom �11 [illegible] called a moment and went home with Welly Will came after dark for some of the boys to go up the river to help him set nets, could get no one so went alone, moon shone brightly, he gone so long R came over looking for him. So Voltie went off up the river at eleven to find Will, found him all right came home and went to bed Thursday A beautiful day wind N cool. Johny drove with Volty & Grace to the dock took a bag of wheat to mill, came back milked all the cows and drove to the factory. Grace gone to Bells. John finished plowing the orchard and is now pulverizing. Maud lives out doors most of the time she enjoys the warm sunshine and her cheeks are red as twin roses. Welly here gone up to his nets. Will here. I dont feel well. �12 Friday 22nd May 1891 not written in this diary since week ago yesterday been sick and had doctor—feet badly swollen yet, no rain till this morning but the weather the past week has been very fine and warm. Wind S & W & N. Boys finished print. Rachel came over and stayed untill last night. Princess came to dock for her last night. John drove back again with Rachel. Welly and Will fishing. Welly got 3 and Will has 9 nets. John sold a pig to James Gloyd carried it to him. One night since I sick it thundred [sic] & lightened [sic] and rained some and the weather was cool but last night it rained hard all night which is very improperly writen. Welly is helping the boys dig post holes for enlarging the garden to plant potatoes. Johny run �13 fine take of fish. I worked around cooked & wash dishes Grace washed some clothes, sent Maud and Marjorie to Jen’s for soda. Saturday 23rd Very fine day �14 1890 Miscelleous Pages from 1890’s �15 1890 Tuesday Jan 28th A fine winter day sun shining brightly, cold wind N, the river frozen over, a light fall of snow on the ground that fell last night. Welly not very well yet but he hung out the clothes Eveline washed yesterday. I am lying on my book in bed writing this. Grace is cooking beans and beef. John stops home from school to help his father draw hay from the old barn. Poor dear little Muriel is sick with worms. I am not well yet, but much better. Wells sleeps on the lounge every night by the stove to keep fires going. Two men crossed here on the ice today by Ebb’s. Welly went to the corners for worm medicine for the baby and got blue calico for Bell & Eveline came back after dark. John & Grace go to Rattrays for evening visit. �16 1890 Monday Jan 27th A very good day, afternoon cloudy. John brought some water and went to school. Eveline brought more water and washed all the clothes and put them to soak. Grace brought 4 pails full too. Welly is sick with one of his old billious attack, sick all day vomiting and headache. Will came over to see us and he is sick too. Wells has got a bad cold and a sore eye. John Niles and Spaff Joy here this morning to see Wells about the school house pump. Wells was gone to draw hay from old barn so J. N. came again in the evening. Will Rattray sick. Sunday 26 A beautiful day warm like spring light wind south. I sick abed. Charley and Bell drove down here with his baby Irene �17 R came over too and I talked too much, all tired out. I sat up an hour this morning. Charley went over to Will’s. Will gave him some sourkrout [sic: sauerkraut]. John and Grace went to church and to prayer meeting in evening. Lill Niles here all afternoon. Jen and the children sick. Miss J Holliday very sick. Tom Hall and Milly sick and destitute. Welly sick all day. Saturday 25th A cold day, wind blows strong from West, cloudy. Wells got his own breakfast and started for Kingston long before daylight. I very sick all day. Doctor called to see me at night, he had been down to doctor old Mrs. Coxall, she got sciatica. George Gillespie here this morning. Wells got home at 1/2 past eight over �18 and brought me medicine, lemons and brandy and a lot of stuff. Card goes over with ice boat crossing to Kingston very poor. Jane Niles came to see me. 29 Jan Wednesday A very good day. Wind North. Scarcely any snow but freezing. John went to school. Grace sick with Gripp, had to give up and go to bed. Rachel came over and helped some. Eveline took care of baby and made Grace a dress & done house work. Welly not very well. Talks of setting a fish net for perch. I am up around most all day but not well, knit on sock. Wells working out doors most all day. John came home from school & helped clean up 50 bushels of oats for market. Rachel went home at dark. Welly wanted to go over to Linda’s to chop wood but his father said over there was [illegible] �19 1890 Feb 7th Friday. A beautiful morning. Wells went to Kingston this morning. Started at 8. Went with buggy. Ground bare. No rain. No snow. River partly covered with thin ice. J Niles over the river yet but our boys skate along the shore down to Hornes and back, cloudy most all day, looks like snow. Eddy, Eben & Woodman’s boys skating between here and J Niles ice like a mirror, freezing, Wind East. Grace made cookies and fried cakes. Will over here to get team to draw wood. Will not well, talks of going to Ganonoque [sic] tommorrow [sic: tomorrow] with Spaff with butter. Welly gone down to All’s again with milk for Muriel. John didnot go to school. Volty came home on a visit from aunt Hannah’s - shoved a punt across on the poor ice. Wells came home from K at 8 AM. Another new milk cow. �20 Feb 8th Saturday 1890 A dismal cloudy day ground white with snow this morning. Wind N. snow falling fast towards night Will here But not very well, played on V’s violin. Welly came up from Alf’s stayed and till after dark, got milk for babe and went back down to Alf’s. John and Wells drew hay from old barn. Volty went to Smiths to see about his umbrella but didnt have it. Grace moped [sic: mopped] floors. rather cold ice broke clear from either shore and drifting down in one great sheet, got lodged fast down below here and froze in. Wallace Niles here to borrow powder to shoot a squiril [sic: squirrel] �21 Sept 6th 1889 Friday Wind South. A cloudy morning commenced raining at sunrise & rained till noon. Volty made Eveline a pair of wood needles of sumach [sic: Sumac] to knit lamberquins [sic: lambrequins] Wells did not do much but went to the Grange P.M. Johny churned & went to sams. Eva papered the kitchen & cleaned the chamber floors and stairs & finished lamberquin [sic: lambrequin] Irene done house work, what did the rest of the family do Sept 7 Saturday �22 [page with random scribbling] Wells Bamford Wells Bamford Wells [illegible] [struck text: Bamford] 2445 Walls Bamford �23 Sunday Feb 9th A beautiful clear day light Wind North. Volty & Grace went in cutter over to Charley’s. Welly came up from Alf’s stayed till towards night. got milk for the baby. John went to church came back [kindled?] and then made Wells folks a visit. Volty & Grace came at dark. Feb 10 1890 Monday. A beautiful day, bright and cold, wind North. Wells & Volty went to Kingston [struck text: on] with sleigh. V bought two butter prints and some socks for himself. Welly drove down in cutter to Alf’s for E & baby. The baby got a bad cold yet. Grace washed and hung out the colored clothes E made herself a rug, Will & Welly went for the box & to see Sid Percy. Mrs Gloyd better. Will didnt get the box but got V’s valise instead. Sid not at home. Wells & V came home quite early. John chored around & he and Welly skated. �24 Oct 19 Saturday [cut off: Wind] North Volty came... on Grange Johny helps... citron preserves. E knitting for W & making a shirt Welly came home at 3 O’clock Lynn Watters sent Wells 2 Newspapers. Grace cleaned floors & swept. I done house work 20 Sunday A clear fine day light W [Wind] North John Dixon brought mother to the river today. Will went across for her Welly rowed E & baby down to her grandmothers. Welly came back towards eve and Welly & Volty go up the river in G Glispies [sic: Gillespies] boat to Mosier’s. J Morgan, Anna Leonard and staty here. Monday 21 A fine day clear and bright scarcely any wind North. Grace washed and got all done early. Volty not home yet. Wells and Johny cleaning and drawing grain to the scow. I cooked, washed dishes and churned. Grace sewing on Maud Dress. Maud broke lamp chimney [struck text: [Welly] Ground froze last night. A beautiful day. Our apple trees came �25 Feb 11 Tuesday 1890 A beautiful clear cold day, river frozen fast now since Feb 7th sleighing good. Wells [illegible] a grist for mill. feels rather cold since yesterday, goes to sleep again in his chair. I suppose he keeps the old critter in the barn, poor Wells. Volty started this morning for Aunt Hannahs went with buggy, for he drove out with buggy but Welly & [illegible] went across with himself. Will got the box today. E done her washing and worked on her rug. John went to corner’s to get Wills mackinaws exchanged, bought Welly a pair of mittens $1.25 and himself a [struck text: pair] neck scarf for near ,80 got them on tick Carey’s. Grace went to school in cutter with her father. A beautiful sunset �26 [handwriting changed, likely Maud recording] Oh thir [sic: their] going to pump out lakerie [Lake Erie] thir [sic: their] going to comince [sic: commence] in June and when they get it all pumped out thir [sic: their] be whispers on the moon. Oh did you ever go to a baseball match and pay your fifty cents while other good people get up on the steaple [sic: steeple] and look clean over the fence and when they begin to play the kids they all will cry get down on the grass and slide on your ass and wate [sic: wait] till the clods [sic: clouds] roll by Oh I rember [sic: remember] the day I landed they thold [sic: told] me to go back agan [sic: again] the kids would cry get on to the gey but I got thir [sic: their; there] just the same �27 O the heart in my bosom has lately been stole by a sweet looking cromo just ninteen [sic: nineteen] years old shes a half irish blond an she likes pork and her feet is her featchers and she wears seventeens. O her frunt name was Hannah her farther [sic: father] was a tanner oh how he do hamer in an artistic manner with a toothpick and farrier she sluged doctor Tanner and offered John L Sullivan an pasly Rhyme She was a flyer an no one would big her. She coud [sic: could] tuck higher [struck text: they] than Jack Mc entyer she was a dasy [sic: daisy] dam fat and lazy and near such a fairy were my mary ann �28 Sept 14 Wednesday A very warm day Wind South. Wells and Volty gone to the fair. Volty went to see Mosier about pressing hay. Johny dug potatoes and went to Morys for ice for the butter and milked 12 cows alone. Alma here visiting in afternoon. Bill came with her across the ball pasture & Bill & Laura rowed here for her at evening I set up till most midnight making butter prints Sept 5th Thursday A clear bright morning very warm, Wind S. Volty drove to the dock. I carried 41 lbs of soft butter to market. Mrs Niles & Mrs Woodman went to the fair. I wrote to Watson on the boat and left it with Robert to mail. Saw Norman Petrie & Mattie Smith. Volty and Johny dig potatoes E stayed at home and had my supper for me when I got home. Grace went to town and had a lame foot �29 229 221 161 611 16 June 1896 A beautiful day very calm ...urn. Voltie and C. Woodman go to Kingston ...river on yacht. Started at 6 a.m. Did not return ...r 12 midnight. Grace & Nell start to go to [Mo]ntgomeries to visit—turned the buggy over in the ...yard and the old mare fell down in the harness between ...ills, Grace after unbuckling the harness got old Nell ...nd into the pasture then went to Mont’s in the ... Wellie came up to milk and strained the milk. Mrs ... , Inez, Wallace, John Jr here. Eveline and her Children here and Grace come at dark and all the evening company ...al [struck text: once] together in the evening—get weary wating [sic: waiting] for V go bed. Monday 15 June 1896 grand day no wind or rain. Nelly visiting Eveline. After lunch Grace drove to Wellie’s for Nell and [Mau]d they drive to WG Woodmans for tea and ...en they drive to Bells taking Miss Leonard with them, came home at eleven. Finaly [sic: finally] all get off to bed by twelve midnight—I go fast asleep Oh dear �30 Selections from Starks History & Guide to Barb[ados and] the Caribbee Islands or Wes... Inhabitants, White, Colored & Neg[ro] The white population form the govern[ment] in Barbados, nearly the entire wealth and... of the island, being in their hands, although... form at the present time but a small and constant fraction of the whole population of the island, for a total population of about 200,000 there are only 15000 white, 50,000 colored or mixed, and 135,000... When the English settlers colonized this place, they changed... climate, but not their characteristics: they brought with them the obs... tenacity of purpose, dogged perseverance and [nurturing?] energy of the... and turned this island into a garden. They brought with them, too,... love of freedom and sturdy independence that characterized the New England settlers, their friends and relatives. Henry Winthrop, the son of John Winthrop, the great Puritan Govenor [sic: Governor], came to Barbados with the first f settlers under Capt Powell, three years before his illustrious father fou[nded] Town of Boston and Massachusetts Colony. These were the men wh... -eyed Barbados; and for the greater part their sons remain, still. Englishmen... their fathers for several generations may have been born on the island,... this reason they are still, and must remain the governing class. N... families have altogether left the colony, probably retring [sic: retiring] to England, a... this of the old names a great number are now missing. Me... again of other old families have come to grief from one cause or ano[ther] their descendants are now living in humble positions or have emigr[ated to] other islands or to the United States. These early settlers were the... �31 [inserted upper margin: Friday...A [patron?]...meeting at Wellingtons. V attended gone till 12 Oclock midnight] free from weeds and bugs. We... to day had strawberries and cream and are... [We]lle and Reid are fishing and doing very well sat line. Grace cutting and making garments. Evening mail, a letter from Dad Bamford sending Grace some money. Boys practicing baseball in the evening Hubert & Muriel here Thursday 18 June 1896 A fine day No rain. This day ends Nells Guy’s visit for a long year. Grace went to market with 30 lbs butter, which she sold for 15 per lbs V cultivated potatoes. Maude and Irene done general house work & Maude moped [sic: mopped] kitchen for first time. Irene cleaned the pantry shelves We got the afternoon work done early and Maude picks goose berries for supper and glad to see V & G driving to the door alone and we have a merry time over [struck text: and] our tea. Voltie, Charlie Woodman go over the river in Weaver’s Yacht to distribute picknik tickets. Returned home at 2 oclock am Hubert & Muriel here in evening Wednesday 17 June 1896 A fine day. Voltie hoes potatoes. Grace and I get butter ready for market. Nellie done as she pleased. Reid and Weaver go to the Cape with fish. A hot day no rain. [struck text: no visiting] Mak out 30 lbs of butter for or Grace & Nell go visiting at Mrs... �32 ...Saturday 1896 ...day. The heat is intense ...very little air stirring the leaves— ...ndlers with a dim line of haze around the [Ho...yor?]. The boys (Wolfe Island boys) gone on Weaver yacht to a baseball contest with Claytonions. We don... our usual Saturday’s work & churned. Maude went strawberrying for dinner and in p.m. went to see Inez Niles. Will and Jess Reid fishing today Weaver went to Cape with fish for Miss Dixon. Reid & Niles this am before going to Grindstone with the baseball player. Bernard Morgan left at home, proceeded to get himself there the best way he could. Our boys were beaten at the base ball game by those Clayton fellows. Grace this evening went up to Morgans with Bernard in our boat. Voltie went early to bed 19 June Friday 1896 A very hot day no rain for some long time. Vegetation and Nature do not look very much dried up considering the long drougth [sic: drought]. Well. Nellie has made her annual visit and gone to Kingston again and we do very much as we please today. Irene churns and does all the dairy work & washes a few articles. Voltie plowing our potatoes on Grange. The potatoes here in Orchard are most beautiful and �33 24 July 1896. A very warm day raining ...noon Voltie working in shop while rain ...rking in door yard fixing stops and lay... ...Woodman here. Churned twice. Grace washed ...church dishes. Beatrice and. Maud went fishing ...one fish. Will & Reid fishing. Very warm evening ...Morgan here with beef. bought 6 lbs for dinner [Tue]sday 28 July 1896. Very warm d[ay]... ...washing. Voltie repairing reaperbinder and... ...toes bugs apn Reaping & binding drawing... ...noon had peas for dinner. Maud and washing dinner dishes. Beatrice’s tongue going like a ...clapper. The merry heart of my dear little granddaughter ...never get angry, peevish or cross. �34 and they all went home in the... Grace and I put the butter up Thursday 30 July 1896 A fine day... ...home this morning on Princess Louise... ...d all day work till noon getting all dishes washed pails, churn, jars, breakfast dishes & butter plates, dinner at Wellies. Wellie gone to Kingston... home at 3 p.m. and drove to field to shock... oats...drove to dock Coming home at 7... ...home with her. Edna Quinn Ha... ...naby I had nearly forgoten [sic: forgotten] to... ...down at 12 midday bringing... ...to make her vacation visit. Evening... ...Will Dixon, Wallace Niles. Wallace he... Grace [illegible] milk the cows. Young people up... midnight. Sent to market 29 lbs butter �35 Wallace Niles here this evening after supper Maud (as I suposed [sic: supposed]) went [struck text: I [illegible]] to the post office but instead went home with Wallace and played piano till 10 O’clock P.M. while I sat up and waited for him to come with the mail in rain. Saturday 29th Dree 1894 A beautiful clear day but cold Maud went for the mail this morning Wells Sr and Wallace Niles dug the grave Mr Niles and George went to Ferry For coal. Mr Niles is going across to K on Pierpont but he will have to walk to Garden Island on the ice for the boat only [struck text: goes] comes as far as the island. Wind North, Clouding up again this P.M. Grace making apple pies and cleaned floors cheerless weather wind piping up from S.E. Wellington’s little boy burried [sic: buried] at dusk 6 O,clock P.M. a twilight burial Geo Ranous’ youngest boy died this morning (Geo Jr) of diptheria. Martin brought in the table linen and towels after dark. River frozen over from shore to shore last night �36 Sunday 30th Dec 1894 only one day to write 94— What a terrible stormy morning, snowing and blowing from S.E. Cannot see from house to barn arose at 425 O’clock P.M. and the wind and snow storm a blinding gale which lasted till noon and sudenly [sic: suddenly] cleared away leaving a strong breeze behind. The ice all broken up this morning and rolling up in great waves on this shore. Tis three Oclock we’ve had our noon day meal and while I’m writing, the others are sitting around the room each reading, warm glowing fire in the stove, sun brightly shining, wind driving the snow in great drifts, while the water and ice is crashing against the shore as it comes tumbling in. Wallace came down, said his father saw Voltie yesterday in Kingston and V is doing well at his business. V sent home his trouserloons and Marts forgoten underwear Will here in evening. Mart had to go visiting to Mr Niles in eve �37 Monday 31 Dec 1894 Snowing this morning fast but no wind & soft wind East, broken ice on this shore At nine the sun come up brightly. WellsSr and Mart drawing hay. Wellie not come up yet Been cutting fir wood in Wellingtons wood. I darned mittens and fixed some for Mart, made scrap book Grace wrote Nellie a letter Wells Sr and Mart sawed off the end of one of the maple logs, snowed most all day Mart & Wallace went a hunting for ducks got nothing. Wellie came to bring the team home after drawing a load of wood for himself and Will Dixon. Snows in Eve Tuesday 1st January 1895 Another New Year ushered in by a grand snow storm Wind South. I see Bamford looking at a hickory stick, guess he’s going to make an axe handle �38 Our cows are doing very well just now strained the milk into 6 pails this morning and the faimly [sic: family] are well. I would like much to hear from John. Will here in the evening. A letter from Voltie. Storm cleared up a fine afternoon Grace had a queer letter from Minnie O’Brien for postage stamps Jan 2nd Wednesday 1895 A fine day. South East wind clear Wells Sr coping all day. Mart choring around. Maud at the music, Grace writing postage stamp letters, and cleaned floors I took care of the milk. Mart & I churned the butter, Nellie here for milk and butter and team to draw rails. Mrs Ranous sick with diptheria. Geo Gillespie hurt on head while working at a bee in woods at [struck text: Will Gillespies] Geo Ranous’. Charley Easton going down to stay all night. Geo Gillespie out of mind, wild headed continued on 159 �39 Sunday 21st May 1893 A fine morning but cool Wind W Martin went down to help Willie [sic: Wellie milk and both stayed to breakfast with Eveline. Wellie came up with Martin and watered horses, fed calves & hogs and then choped [sic: chopped] off the heads of two roosters—going to cook roosters for dinner. About 10 O’clock Charlie, Belle, Marjorie, Beatrice, Irene & Charles Victor, came. Sent the young ones over to Wills for Dalias toes for Belle Then came Will D & Jen D & Wickham with the accordion. So they all made a great noise for a while. Charley [illegible] beans evening. Evening caller Percy Burnham [illegible] the way to church accompani [illegible] Grace and Martin afte [illegible] and catch with base ba [illegible] ...Well they are gone a [illegible] Sabath is ended Goes w [illegible] �40 Monday 22 May 1893 A fine day. Wind S.W. Wellie plowed Wills garden. Martin cultivated ground for oats. Grace & I carry dirt to fill the old sink for a flower garden. Grace white washed dining room. I painted table legs and a chair and churned about a pound of butter. Maude gone to school. Mrs Niles made me an evenings visit. Maud & Grace went to Mrs Niles in evening says [illegible] had no sugar for a [illegible] but eat 10 dozen eggs intead. �41 A post from river [?] stopped and wait hope Wells Sr will return soon. Make & bake bread & make pickles. Grace cleaned pantry floor Grace practicing a difficult lesson on the piano. The Phonograph march hope she will persevere and conquor 6/8 time. Percey Burham and his ma gone across the ice. [sticker Date 1896 R] Saturday 29th February 1896 The last day of Feb with 29 days called leap year. Some somewhat raining. Sylvia gone home to day to Rochester. Wells Sr gone to Clayton about Linda’s Island guess he’s is in more trouble. Charley brings Belle and children down going to stay all night. C drives home again Bamford Sr arrives home after dark pretty well "Shot" which is extremely [?] The old man’s drunk again. He is lying in the lane. �42 clears up sun comes out warm and bright. Chown here to see Will Dixon. Will gone to River View. Ferris here about apple trees to contract. Didn’t take any. Maud & Charlie D came home after five O’clock from school. C.D. & Jno. Niles had a row. W Jr & E drove home first. V drove 20 minutes later & had sold his oak timber. Thursday 19 March 1896. A snow storm from the North. Maud gone to school. Grace washing white clothes. Wells Sr repairing harness. V in the shop making screen door frames. Grace at her patch work yet. V drove to school for maude. 19 of March and snow banks higher than ever drifting all day from the North. Went to J Niles to play pedro came home at 9.10 p.m. �43 Friday 20th March 1896 snow storming all night from the North and snowing & blowing this morning and freezing. Never saw so much snow on the ground in March. ’Tis winter far and wide. It looks as little like spring as would January with snow snow piled up and and drifted every where great bank as high as the caves of the hen house. If the spring rapidly advances what a flood of water will be. V and his father working in the shop. George Niles here for V to attend a sick cow. V ate dinner at Mr. Niles. Grandmother at the patch work. Grace made aprons. Afternoon sun shining brightly on this winderness of cold purity. V went for the mail. W Sr received a letter from M.H. appointing him chief in command of the Iron Queen and "Horatio is hiomself again". �44 Sunday morning 1st March A very good day. John and Flora here & Grandmother too. After dinner John, Flora & Grace go down to Wellies on ice boat, came back and J & F started for Limerick at 4 p.m. Wellie came and Flora plays beautifuly on piano. I sleep up stairs with Maud and sleep not at all comfortable. "The old man’s drunk again He is lying in the lane" Monday 16 March 1896 Not a very pleasant day. V gone to Gananoque to mill and get a cross cut saw repaired. Grandmother at the patchwork. Grace making sheets (made 6) Wellie gone to Kingston. Ice boating in evening, as far as Jr John Niles & got there. Irene washes some things. �45 Tuesday 17 March 1896 St. P’s day A brilliant day warm Wind S.W. and light. Wellie came up with sled accompanied by Hubert & Muriel. Grandmother peicing patch work quilt & had lots of trouble about Will and Charlie smokes a lot, face taned with tobaco smoke, poor dear old woman. letters from Stella Healy, F.W. Watson & N. Grey Watson’s got another son, old Mrs Craig very ill. Wednesday 18th March 1896. A soft snowy day. Voltie gone to Kingston for logs lumber which was sawed from logs. Wellie & Eveline gone to Kingston with potatoes. Stove man called here to sell a steel range but sold none. Will called here on his way to River view gone for tobaco and groceries. A world of snow everywhere no bare ground. Gran at the pacing voice old cracked and garulous over 80 years old and bent like a drooping sunflower old age is very unlovely [hope it is now fate above] �46 Saturday 21 March 1896 Sun light brightly falling on the white snow covered Earth. Frost on all Windows like a veil. Five teams passed up on their waw to Kingston. Wells Sr. gone to the City. V goes over the river to Garlands mills with oak logs to be sawed for making and repairing farm implements. Grace washing colored clothes. Grandmother patching log cabin quilts. Irene churned. Maud doing some work and garrulous as an old woman. Welly called here Jack McDonel sent to jail to day. Sam’s folks have a new hired girl. "The old mans drunk again He’s lying in the lane." �47 Sunday 22 March 1896 A moderately fine day. V gone across the river with cutter and horse to mills (Solars) came back before dark. V & G make Wellie’s family an evening visit. I no visitors for Sr’s family. Monday 23rd March 1896 A cold day Wind N. V & Will D gone to Garlands mill with two loads of logs to get sawed for lumber: bass, maple, oak & ash. Will comes home early. Wellie here; had jamed his thumb in the morning loading logs. V came after dark; The work of the day, dress, 6 roosters for market, make & churn 11 lbs butter, only 2-1/2 doz eggs. �48 Tuesday 24 Arose early got breakfast put up the butter and chicken & eggs for market. Jen came over & Jen, Voltie & Grace went to Kingston. A most beautiful day clear bright and warm. Maud stays home from school. A pleasant day at home, supper all ready when they return. V drives over home with Jen, but Charley here to meet his ma with sled and basket. V exchanged sleighs with Frank Woodman again bringing ours home. Wellie borrowed the sewing machine Wednesday 25 March 1896 A very unpleasant day Wind S. blowing like (something). Maud gone to school. Gran pricing. snow settling away; looks like a storm, horizon dark blue & grey. G & I sew carpet rags. Wind blows harder towards night. But Maud faces the wind home Voltie showing Charley Woodmans horses. C Woodman & F Woodman & A Weaver gone to Howe Island to a horse trot. �49 Thursday 26 March 1896 Awoke this morning to find rain pouring down. Rained nearly all last night. Grace finishing lounge cover. V working in shop. W.B Sr. choring around. Grandmother at her quilt. Irene tidies the pantry shelves. Maud at home couldn’t walk to school. Maud washing dishes and cleaning potatoes. Had fresh herring for dinner. Charlie came over for butter milk: had none, gave him sour milk and cream instead & send Jen butter. V went to Jen’s for yeast. Jen sent me some krout & yeast. Frank W & Al Weaver gone across the ice to Garlands mills with saw log. W Sr fixed step ladder and Grace is cleaning the pantry 1/2 past two p.m. our rain turned to a snow storm. an old timer of �50 a storm blowing and drifting all night. Evening Grace set quilt lining together. Maude wrote letter to her father. Sr went early to bed. last night dreamed of JohnyFlora baby & Mrs [Lindly] Friday 27 March 1896 A clear cold morning, wind N.W. frost heav thick on windows. Wind blowing snow drifting all day. The whole landscape far and wide has all the appearance of mid winter. Grace finishes the pantry. Irene washes dishes, churning, cooks the dinner and does general house work. Grany at the patch work. Voltie in shop making oars. Sr choring & mending milk pails with solder. Maud help at the dishes, sows carpet rags. I’m sleepy. Went to bed, slept two hours. Saturday 28 A fine clear day, wind N.E. cold. Wellie & Will gone to Kingston. V went to Millens Bay for oil. Irene wash all pm. G swept, dusted, made beds and got the noon day meal �51 Millens Bay for kerosine oil. Irene wash all pm. G swept, dusted, made beds and got the noon day meal. Maud washed dishes. Sr made axe handle. Gran made patch work. Afternoon V and I drove in cutter down to Wellie’s. Those blessed little children how they are sunburnt and freckled. Eveline has a fine lot of carpet rags. Two peddlers called at W Jr. One ate supper with us. A great hulking swarthy fellow & wants to stay all night. Says he is a Syrian. The smaller one out looking up a lodging place for night but found none wouldn’t eat any supper. Said they would have to lie in the snow to night. Wellie sent them on to Al Joslins. V came for me after dark. V & Grace �52 go to J.N. to visit this evening found George over the river & Wallace and Shelly at Morgan’s. A clear moon light eve. Moon at full. Sunday 29 March 1896 Awoke this morning to find the rain falling in torrents, tub running over. Clears up at 10 a.m. & Voltie, Grace & Maude drive in cutter over to Charlies’. Tis now half past eleven. Suppose I must now get dinner. Grace & V came home at 4 p.m. bringing papers. Monday 30 March 1896 A fine day thawing snow rapidly disapearing. V & W Jr gone to Kingston carried up a load of pottatoes for Ed Baker. Grace washing and hanging them out lines all full. Patch work going on as usual. V brought home the Tuesdays mail, letters for Boss from his employess. �53 Tuesday 31 and last day of March 1896 Another fine warm day G & V cleaning kitchen. P.M. Grace goes to bed sick looks badly & I prescribe for her all p.m. Wells Jr here in the evening for mail but got none. some work going on. "The old man’s drunk again He’s lying in the lane. Wednesday 1 April 1896 all photo day raw and cold looks like a storm. Wellie & V drew hay from Wellie’s stock this a.m. to this barn. After dinner V goes to J. Niles to sort wood with cross cut saw. Gran at the patchwork. G. D. Carpet rags. �54 Maud help wash dishes and iron clothes. Grace not very well yet. Maud having lots of fun playing at April fool. Thursday 2 April 1896 A chilly nasty day. Wind West. Removed poor dear Milly to day from the vault to her last long resting place in our little cemetery. V helped dig the grave. The work as usual goes on, cutting & sewing rags. The patch work yet going on. Grace got pain in right side. Evening callers George, Wallace & Irene Niles here this evening toward eve freezing hard, gave Wellie 12 eggs for Easter. �55 Friday 3rd April 1896 cold Wind W. Wells concludes to start Saturday for Detroit. A cold unpleasant day. W Jr & V drawing hay from Wellies to our barn. Grace and Irene got her fathers wardrobe all is growing style. Every thing darned, mended, washed & starched. Trunk all packed going away to stay all summer. and leave us alone once more. R and Wellie & R came up on ice boat this evening. Stay awhile and go home again. Saturday 4 April 1896 A cold frozen morning wind W. Arose at 5 p.m. Wells Sr built fire. Irene got up the breakfast & put up the butter and they start at 1/2 past 6 a.m. (i.e. V & his dady) gone to take his father to Kingston & gone by Belles �56 Drove by Belle’s on the ice but didn’t stop there. V came back by Bells stoped and ate dinner. Bought the carpet warp 1-1/2 bunch or 7-1/2 lbs. Will and Charley here to soup. Gave Charley a dozen eggs for Easter. Gave Wells Jr 13 eggs for Easter. Satu up quite late to read 30 min past 10 p.m. Easter Sunday 5th of April 1896 A soft Spring like day scarcely a breath of wind. Boys ice boating but not very swiftly. Sleighing very good yet. C. H. making sugar, plenty of snow in woods and fields with bare uplands. A chicken for dinner. Charles Dixon & Flora Dixon dined with us. After dinner Cha’s, Maud & Flora play hide & seek. C brought us dried pumpkin (v.s. cookies & �57 pickles). Wm & Charles return in evening. A season of hymn singing. C & Wm plays hide Monday 6 April 1896 A soft Spring day. Snow and fare growing about parretey ie. eaqualy divided. V taped three maples, Maud accompanying him to learn the process & had a drink of sap for the first time. Grace & June finish the log cabin for Grandmother. Grace carried the carpet warp to Mrs Niles. Muriel & Hubert came up with Wellie on sled drawn on ice by Dan & Dig. �58 Tuesday 7th of April 1896 A fine soft Spring day. Grace sewing and reeling carpet rags to color. Gran reading most all day. Irene washed Bells breadth of carpet, and V a pair of pants. Maud at school & V brought his net & reel from off the ice. Withdrew his sturgeon net out from under the ice. After lunch V went to J.N’s to saw wood. June churned & C & C, Wallace N came home with V, helped him saw wood, ate supper with us. In the evening the whole Niles family went to Spafford’s to partake at warm maple sugar. V taped 4 or 5 more trees. V brought in at evening time 2 full pails of sap. Will made us a cake. �59 Wednesday 8 April 1896 A white frost this morning on every thing. And a beautiful sunrise followed by a clear warm day. Snow disapearing slowly. Spring birds singing, robins & wrens &c. V brings in 2 pails of sap, shoes Frank W’s horses. Grace papering kitchen. Frank came this evening & helped Grace & Voltie finish papering the kitchen and border 2 yds wanting Irene colored all the carpet rags orange gold cardinal red and green. �60 Thursday 9th April This morning like yesterday morning the day the same, warm bright and beautiful. Grace cleaned kitchen floors. V brings three pails of sap. Irene wound all the newly colored rags. Granny reads. Charley & Will here for cornstalk. Will here this evening. Grace cleaned and papered the small bed room up stairs. Maud at school ice in River very soft. �61 Friday 10 April 1896 Looks very much like rain but holds off. V in shop making a tongue for cultivator for Frank W. Frank here most all day, ate dinner here. Grace painted summer kitchen then papered and cleaned one of the small bedrooms up stairs. In evening Grace & Voltie go to Al Joslin’s to a sugar party & dont return till morning. 6 am. Charlie Holliday here, ate dinner at Wills Saturday 11 April 1896 Maud goes visiting to Wellies. A soft morning looks like rain and that is all didn’t call Grace this morning let her lie till she came down of her own mind. Grace cleaned kitchen pantry, painted summer kitchen another coat of paint, then cleaned and [?] the East bedroom up stairs. Frank Woodman here helping V saw wood. Frank about half asleep. Sent the carpet rags to Mrs N by V & F. �62 Sunday 12 Apri 1896 A soft spring day & hazy. Patches of snow here & there: spring birds singing in the leafless oaks and apple trees. Our family are employed in reading. Irene does the breakfast work, & takes a thorough bath, changes her apparel and gets dinner. The sugar off in a small quanitity: cant afford more. Now going to get or make soup for dinner. Rachel came over at sundown and stayed all night. �63 Monday 13 April 1890 A very fine day. R went home about 6 oclock a.m. Grace washed. Maud went to school. Looks like rain. Tuesday 14 April @1896 Cloudy morning rained all fore noon quite hard. Cleared up p.m. A beautiful sunset. Gran reading all day. Maud at school, river full of lodged ice from shore to shore. Maud at school. In eve W Jr came up and Voltie, Wellie, Wall Niles moved the cook stove into the kitchen from dining room and then played pedro all evening. �64 Wednesday 15 April 1896 A fine day warm and bright. Pierpont passed up cutting through the ice, close in shore. Maud at school. Gran reading all day. Grace cleaned chamber and put up curtains and down carpets. V plowing all day. June done general house work. Thursday 16 April 1896 A fine spring day Wind South, a warm sun & a cloudless sky. V plowing. Gran reading all day. Grace finishing chamber— cleaning. Irene doing general house work. Maud at school. Charlie D came to go with her to school. Grace boiled Charleys �65 Thursday 21 February 1896 The assessor here today, Mr. Moore. Awoke this morning to find a very stormy scene out door, snowing and blowing a gale from south, the snow drifts and the banks have increased in bulk and size. Expected Grace & Voltie home today, but a disapointment. Dr. Buchanan came across to Samy’s towards evening when saw them coming thought was V & G. I made punkin pies and fried cakes and Mrs Naylor helped me all day. A clear bright day. rather cold. Wind North esp to present [illegible] , V & G have not returned. The cause may be on account of bad roads. Wells Jr here for to draw hay and stayed to dinner. Toronto cloth peddlers here but we bought nothing. Mrs Naylor done housework I cut carpet rags and patched clothes phonograph show to night at our school. �66 June 28 Wednesday June 29 Thursday �67 January 1895 A beautiful day West wind Wells Sr & Jr went to Kingston this morning. Jr carried potatoes to market. Sr went for lumber. Voltie & Grace came home at 2 p.m. Mrs. Naylor helped me all day. The snow is every where very deep. There has been no winter for years when the snow has been pilled up as tis now in 1895. Sunday 24th February 1895 A very good day West wind. Charley and Marjorie drove for me to go home with them. Don’t want to go. I would like to stay home a whole week before going there but it may be a duty and I must go I hope Grace will take good care of the little rose bush and give it a little water every night and set it on the table under the big looking glass and eery morning set it in the high chair by the front window where it can get all the sunlight. I shall not see it blossom for I will be gone and I hope Grace and Voltie will write in this diary every day or evening before going to bed and don’t let Mart see this book for �68 he will claim it. I have taken it for my own for I have none and he does not use it any more since he commenced going to school but keep it out of his sight and get rid of as many superfluous boarders as you can, for we do not need them and what is not eaten at table is devoured behind the door for of course life has to be sustained at all hazzards and odds. Do not expect or look for me till I return. I have 25 cts in the little round basket on the table. Don’t use it but add a little to it if you can. I hope Maud will be a good girl. Mrs N does not like her very well but Maude belongs here and she "vise versa". Now dont forget the rose bush and tell Wellie to be sure and get something for his head if anyone goes up on Wednesday and give him the 25 cts in the little box if he has not enough money, that is in the little round basket. I wanted to have Eveline and the children come up this week but I will see them when I come home make every [illegible] �69 Friday 15 March. Rather a coldd day growing cloudy towards eve. I mended stockings and Grace went for the mail, received the "New York Recorder", Yankee, Blade, Whig, News, churned. Uncle Smith drove across the river with Wellington Smith taking him to Rosier. �70 Saturday 16 March 1895 A beautiful morning light South wind. Voltie drove to the City for for his sawed oak & while gone traded horses got a white mare now for Fred horse. A trot at Millen’s Bay this afternoon. Mart went to trot. We are expecting visitors from Carlton this evening but the wind has arisen west and is cold guess they not come. but Charley and Bill come. instead been to Gloyds all day & C been to horse trot as much surprised to see them & the baby. So they stay all night. Grace, Maud I work hard all day, am very tired. Eveline came up Wellie hurt his foot getting out ice for Burnham. �71 Thursday 21 March 1895 St Patrick’s birth day cold and freezing. Wind West. Slept on the lounge last night. Belle and Charley went home this morning after breakfast. Those books Mrs Gloyd gave Belle were beautiful specimens of Litterary magazines. Eliza Jane & husband came down home to day from the cape, but in attempting to return were forced back by the wind. So couldn’t cross the river so drove back to Michea’s. Mart gone skating and not back yet 20 minutes past 7. Notwithstanding the wind we had visitors Charley, Doctuer Charley Walsh & Minnie OBrien and now Frank Woodman is here in the evening. �72 Monday 18 March 1895 The cold March winds are fiercely blowing from the west and freezing hard. Wellie came up and brought Hubert with him. Eveline & Muriel came up at 9 a.m., stayed till evening. Wellie went to R Gillespies Howe Island. Will D went too. Voltie went to Cape Vincent for seed house beans and bought wall paper and bordering also tobaco and letter paper. Wells Sr cut his foot. Wellie, Voltie & Will went over on the ice boat looking for Mart and found Mart had stayed at Beedles last night and had struck out looking for work. Irene churned. W. H. Woodmans wife very sick. Dr Spankie down to see her to day. �73 Thursday, 21 March 1895 A very fine day wind hushed and gone to rest very light wind West. Wells Jr & Voltie fixing the ice house. Lizzie Woodman very sick yet with inflammation of bowels. Dr Buchanan came to see her to day. Will Dixon and Geo Williams gone to Cape Vincent. Will gone seed house peas & Williams going Chaumont. Will gave a Mrs Horn a ride on his ice boat. Mart came home to day having hired to S. Plum for $16,50 per month to do house work. Charley Easton called in evening going to the post office. Mart went with him. Johny McGinnis came for Voltie to drive our bull home says he’s afraid of the bull. Hiram Joslin drove in here to borrow an axe and borrowed one of Voltie. Wells Sr wrote a letter to Capt Fitzsimmonds last evening. Maude mailed them this am. Grace sent for seeds from Park’s sent one to Washington. Maude Koen went into the convent to day. �74 Wednesday 20th March 1895 A beautiful day snow settling in the hot rays of the sun. Boys moved the ice house this morning and then Wells Sr & Jr drove up on the ice to Kingston. Voltie went too Millens Bay for kerosine. Mart and Voltie with him. Grace washed the clothes. V & Mart drove up to the net but got only two fish, perch. A Patrons meeting at Elly Woodmans this evening, and ice boat race in K to day. Lost a calf this morning. Geo Rattray drove in here to din. Voltie for balance for Threshing. Well, Grace and I have just finished washing the tea dishes and I ought to finnish patching Marts overalls but guess I’ll put to off till tomorrow morning. I darned and mended clothes for Mart to day. A bright starnight Will had his d with us �75 Thursday 21 March 1895 The weather this morning froze up again but thaws out again before noon and grows soft. The snow slowly disolving in the hot rays of old sol as the Earth day by day wheels her Northern temperate zone towards the suns genial warming pan. Wellie helping Will set a net after driving over to Will’s with E and the children. Ev making Jen a dress. Wellie ate dinner here and then Wellie, Voltie and Mart filled the ice house Mart went to OBriens and from there to Morgans for the ice saw and tongs. Shelly Niles came down to see us to day. This is the first time Shelly been here since Lill & Hank were married. A lecture in the Church this evening. Sr coping the North side of the house. Irene churned and mended clothes for Mart. I’m tired of patching. I’ve patched all winter and made over old stockings and darned scocks. We have no wool or yarn to knit socks and I’m glad of it. I’ve knit for 60 years and thats enough! W. G. Woodman and family drove into ice crack & Mary got wet. �76 Friday 22nd March Froze again last night but soon thawed out as the sun arose high above the tree tops. Mart straped his trunk to Maud’s little sled and went away over the ice, going away to work all summer. Poor Mart. God knows all about him. Voltie and Wells Sr went to Lindas Island and drew wood after dinner, they went again for a log and then Jr and V drew a load of hay from the old barn. Voltie & Grace going this evening to Carlton to make that long defferred visit, hope they will come back all right. Eveline and the children visiting at her fathers. Wellie drove down for them. Charley Woodman gone to Kingston. No one to go for the mail this evening. Wells lame yet but been coping the house, good sugar weather. Am very glad to hear Lizzie Woodman is better. Thank the Lord! Voltie and Grace came back at half past 12 am. Our coal fire gone out and no coating could keep it alive. �77 Saturday 23rd March 1895 A beautiful day, snow in long mudy patches. Ice traveling with heavy loads good yet; our highway in front of the house on the ice is constantly traveled by sleighs cutters and heavy loads of hay, wood logs and other commodities. There was to have been a trotting match at River View over to "see what they could see", which proved no race at all for some reason This morning Edith Montgomery and Miss Leanard (school teacher) came down from home and walked cross the river from here Mr D. Breakey gallantly helping them across the crack. Wells Sr finnished coping. Our boys drew hay, from the old barn. They went by the way of Wills. But I think the main incident of the day of was the coming of the family on a hand sled, moving, they knew not where the family consisting of a man, woman, two children, two dogs and their house hold goods such as a few old chairs, an old bed and nothing to eat, the man not ashamed to send the little girl to beg for tobaco with little bare heels on the snow. Well Charley Woodman moved them over to the old snow house going to work for Charley for one month on trial. Patched V old pants. �78 Sunday 24 March 1895 Not a very pleasant morning. Wind S. snowing and raining, regular March weather. Such a day as no one comes to see us and we sit around the stove and read & nod over our books and papers while the weather grows worse and the wind rises and howls dismaly around the house. Voltie gone to bed. Wells Sr reading the Whig. Grace and Maud reading. Would like to know how the family over in the Snow house are this morning and if they have any thing for breakfast, poor things. Had a nap while Grace got dinner. Sun shining clearly all pm. Dick Halliday drove down to make a visit for the first time in two years & staid to supper, went down cellar with Voltie and looked at the potatoes, think he wants to buy. Heard those people that yesterday moved into the old snow house ar ar [sic] gypsie vagrants belonging to a gang of thirty or more prowling around the country. �79 Monday 25 March 1895 We awoke this morning to find the rain pouring down. Set the wash tub and soon had a tub full of water. Voltie working around the barn nearly all day it cleared away at noon, sun shone brightly out. W Jr took his nets from out the ice. Snow rapidly disapearing fields are getting bare but great banks of snow are yet piled up against board fences. Mended V coat and darned socks and cut carpet rags. Helmer Woodman, Will Irvine & J Irvine called here this evening for Voltie & stoped on their way to Burnham for W Jr to join the Patrons of Industry. They left their horses here untill their return. Wells Sr writing a letter to John McCohn this eve. Grace & Maud returning early another calf at the barn �80 Tuesday 26 March 1895 The ground this morning covered with snow all the mud covered again but by 10 am ground mud spots naked again. A half cloudy day. An eclipse on the sun to day not visible in this country. Grace sewing on my dress. Bamford Sr whacking away at the house roof yet. Maud very good girl washing the dishes like a little woman while her tongue flies as fast as her finger. W Jr and E Bates working on Jr house building a veranda. Heard C Woodmans hired gipsy man yesterday, cut three cords of stove wood. Good days work so they say! Will Dixon hauled out his fish nets this pm. Voltie ditto. Through a mistake V pitched his fathers mittens with the hay to the cows. �81 Wednesday 27 March 1895 A sort of disagreeable unpleasanat day. Voltie thought he would drive to Kingston with a log but not considering the ice very good, V & his father drove up in cutter. Maud started out early to rap Will out so he could send to town if he wished, but did not succeed in awakening the household. From there she went to W Jr, found them at Breakfast and ate breakfast with them and came home accompanied by Jr who finnished doing the chores. Came again in p.m., says Rob Percy came over and wants Sr to come over to his house. [Rob Percy|R.P.]] has Sr in his clutches, some way. Poor old Sr he always as to buisness. He is one of the "Might have beens" Only a prodigal a life that has been traveled by thousands like him in sinful selfishness. I supose Sr went to the office to day. I expect we’ll all be hoisted some day. Sr bought himself a new pair of mittens. 5 eggs to day. �82 28 March 1895 Thursday This morning Wind North, cold, ground cover white with snow three inches every bare spot covered looks like mid winter again. Voltie working in blacksmith shop. Sr chopping wood and choring around. Grace piecing a quilt. Irene darned and cut rags and washed socks and mittens gave Jr tea & butter. Voltie found the lost mittens this morning so Sr has 3 pairs of good mittens. Maud sewed a few rags. 3 eggs Friday 29 March 1895 A soft cloudy day froze last night but soon thaws last face of snow gone again only the old snow remaining. Wellie not here to day, churned and made prints 8 lbs. Will not here either. Charley came over for butter print and butter basket. Sr mending tugs in kitchen a hot fire nearly all day. Grace washed quite a washing. V drew hay. 3 eggs. Wellie & Voltie baged potatotes in the cellar for market. Easton here and went to the office with V for mail, no letters. �83 Saturday 30 March Ground white with snow everywhere. Wellie and Will gone to KingstonMarysville with potatoes and butter to exchange for groceries. Drove up on North side across Michael OBriens. Very rough traveling on the ice. Wellington Burnham accompanied them. Didn’t return till nearly sun down. For the 8 lbs of butter at 16 per lb received 10 lb sugar 3½ yds shirting one spool white thread and 40 cent cash. Sr mengin tugs in kitchen. V making cutter irons. 40 cents 42 shirting 5 thread 40 sugar [subtotal] 127 5 yeast [total] 132 �84 Sunday 31st March A clear bright quiet calm day, new snow disapearing but millions of old snow every where, great banks to melt away yet. Wellington Burham’s horse ran away from the church shed where he was hitched with cutter and in rounding the point at concession struck cutter and smashed it up breaking runners, fells dash board seat and cleared from the cutter, ran down the ice and away over towards United States and wheeled about and came home again. After dinner Grace went down the ice to Wellies. Jr at the barn nearly all day. Voltie up stairs. Maud & I here alone. My head always singing like August crickets. A cloud off in the south. Well I must go now and skim the milk for the calves for tis after 4 p.m. �85 Monday April 1st 1895 A stormy day for the first of April snowing and blowing from the North all day, ground white with snow every where, river still frozen over from shore to shore. Wells got a lame back. Not much done excepting chores, no one here. A rough day for the first of April after the most severe winter we have seen for years. Tuesday 2nd A fine warm day but Earth white with snow which is rapidly melting beneath the hot sun. Wells got a very lame shoulder. Will came over, been to post office to post letters. Wellie here. After dinner Voltie hiched horses onto pumper and Maud and I ride over to Wills and stay all pm. V coming for me in evening. Voltie this am drove in cutter over to John Wilkinson’s to see about getting maple sugar for a sugar party to be held at S.D. Woodmans 10 of Apr by the Patrons. Wilkinson asks $100 per gal. �86 Wednesday 3rd April A very good day some what cloudy. Wells Sr and V coping the house all day. Voltie this evening gone to a Patron Meeting held at the School House. Yesterday Grace and I sent for seeds & [illegible] Last night we rec’d the Peoples Home Journal and a letter from Miss Guy. Sr rec’d one from Greenleaf. Snow & wind everywhere. W Jr drawing sand or stone for his kitchen which he is going to build. Eddy Bates is going to help him. Forgot to say Charley Easton was here last night and Charley Burnham & Eddy Bates. Percy Gillespie here this a.m. for Missionary money subscribed 25 cts which is to be repaid in two weeks. �87 Thursday 4 April 1895 Thawing all day in sun No holes yet in the ice but snow slowly disapeaaring from land. Voltie drawing sand 3 loads from foot of Island. V & the father coping the kitchen. I cleaned the pantry cupboard and arranged things therein all the rest of the day, cut rags and sewed hit and miss, Wellie drawing stone for his kitchen. Wells Sr. shoulder lame yet �88 Friday 5 April 1895 A fine day for sunshine and taking off the snow. Wellie came up for the team to draw sand. I went with him and stayed all day, had a fine visit Alvira Burnham & Dora Gillespie came up and stayed all pm. Geo Gillespie drove for them. Voltie drew one load sand Eddy Bates drove the team home. Fran Woodman came down for V’s fiddle bow. not many letter this eve. Grace read one from Minnie McDonald Montana Grace’s & Eveline’s flower seeds not come yet begin think they not come at all. Charley Easton went to Gananoque to day walking on the ice. �89 Saturday 6 A cloudy day thawing away the snow, but lots left yet scattered around in patches and banks every where disfiguring the landscape with an unnatural appearance. River ice turning dark and watery and dropsical but Laura Smith drove up the ice from her place to our consession and then drove by the roads to the Villiage said the roads are terrible. Grace cleaned floors. I washed some clothes. Wellie drew stone for his new kithcen. Voltie & Sr coping the N.W. end of the kitchen. In evening Voltie went to W. H. Woodmans to see about syrup for the Patrons Sugar party and did not return till 2 Oclock a.m. He helping Snub boil down sugar. Maud brought in nine eggs. �90 Sunday 7 April 1895 Sitting by the front window looking out upon the fast receding and disapearing snow. Yesterday a stick lay upon the snow bank in front of the window towards the oak tree, now the stick lies upon the ground the snow having melted away and left it there. An abundance maple of sugar made this year but none for us. I hope to get some when next marketing is done. Maple sugar has this spring been sold for 4 cts per pound in Kingston. William Irvine made us a short visit. Thought he was going to stay to dinner. So we stewed a pot full of fresh beef, best he gone now and tis 20 minutes past one Oclock p.m. Sr at the barn. Voltie in the rocking chair reading the Yankee Blade. Grace making biscuits for dinner & Maude tearsing around outdoors yelling like a wild cat. Welly, Will & Rube made us a short visit towards evening. They came up from Jr’s lots of wind to walk in. Old gobbler chased Maude. Guess she wont’ run out in mud any more while the gobler is around. �91 Monday 8th April 1895 A very windy rainy day Maude & I done cooking and house work. Worked hard all day. Grace papered the kitchen. Voltie and Will moved the old side board in to the pantry which I think is a great improvement. Voltie done some black smith work and Wells Sr worked on his cutter. V & G. & M rummaging among the old books and paper up stairs at bed time. Churned to day. �92 Tuesday 9 April 1895 Rained all night, tub overflowing with soft water. Snow nearly gone this morning excepting high banks and they are settled dwindled down and in a few days will soon be gone. Wind and water prevails. River fast closed with ice and covered with a fog. Grace scoured woodwork in kitchen this a.m. Sent a letter to Mrs. MacDonell Montana. V blacksmith shop. Sr working in shop too at something. my head pretty bad singing all night merry as crickets and swimming like a whirligig and ache ache ache across the back of head. �93 Wednesday 10 April 1895 A clear frozen morning. Grace got an ulserated tooth. Voltie went to Snub’s for the maple sugar, got 4 gallons for the sugar party to be held at S.D. Woodman’s an opisition [sic: opposition] party down to Hornses. Will D here, had singing. In evening Perley called and went with G & [Devolson|D]] to the Patron’s Party. �94 Thursday 11 April 1895 A fine warm day tomatoes coming up. V & G came home last night at 1 oclock a.m. Grace washed and brought all the water to wash with. V and Sr shingling the horse barn. This day moved into the kitchen. Frank Woodman here in the evening. I mended Sr old vest, tore up my best black apron to mend it with and I cut some carpet rag & churned. 5 eggs to day. Frank Woodman here this evening. The Valentine buisness is clear enough now. Never thought G. N. would prove such an ungrateful sap head though I never considered him very heavily freighted with sound sence or kindliness of feeling for any one but he does not want to go sailing with Bamford any more. He has no further use for this family So he can heap all the abuse on Voltie he likes, in his sneak thief way. �95 Friday 12 April 1895 A fine a.m. though frozen this morning but soon thaws out and the small remnant of snow which is left here & there is going going nearly gone. The is aged in the river and we continue to dip water from the water hole that we cut last Dec or Jan. There is a long channel open and I expect the ice will be gone or broken up in the morning for the wind is S.E. and blowing this evening and raining and the gulls have been flying in from the lake. W Sr and Voltie coping the South West side of the house. Maude brought in 12 eggs this a.m. and done her lessons very well. V gone for the mail and Sr & Jr signed a petition for a telephone to be continued from Hugh McLaren’s to Woodmans. �96 Saturday 13 April A medium sort of day rather cloudy but didn’t rain. V & his father worked at coping the S.W. side house till nearly six Oclock. Maude brought eleven eggs. Grace set a hen In evening V went to Jr to make a visit. Frank Woodman there & Will D. They played checkers. We had pumpkin pie for supper and sat up reading till near eleven. Grace ciphering all evening. Mr Watson was to come to day but I supose weather prevented. Maud and I sowed flower seeds in an old tin pan and decorated it with broom splinters. �97 Sunday 14 April 1895 A cloudy day, water hole gone and river clear of ice from Canada to United States. Skiffle are now passing from one government to another. Niles been over and returned. Grace over to her Grandmothers since breakfast, dishes were washed. Wellie came up awhile and I let him take 6 Yankee Blades. W Sr at the barn most of the time. This is Easter Sunday. The day on which arose our most blessed Savior. A quiet calm peaceful day. Grace came before dark. Said Frank Woodman and Bill Horn ate dinner at Wells. Evening visitors Frank Woodman & Bernard Morgan. Night dark and rainy. �98 Monday 15 April 1895. A nasty wet cold disagreeable day, a drizzling rain falling all day I have nearly forgoten what each individual member of the family done this day. Slept ate and drank as usual I’m sure. Would like to know how Belle and her family are and would like to hear from Johny and how he get along with his Spring work, but not much work done yet this spring any where. Would like to hear from Martin too but not a word from him yet. Ought to write to Dick Brown and ought to write to Lib Watson. �99 Tuesday 16 April 1895 A raw windy day snow not all gone yet. Voltie started the plow over on the range but finds it wet plowing. Wind North. Grace got the Park flower seeds this evening and the music book no letters no papers. �100 Wednesday 17 April 1895 A clear bright day Wind N. Sr coping V drawing manure from the house. Grace and I done as we had a mind too cant wash for we have no soap. A sugar party at J Wilkinsons this evening. Will Dixon there and played violin. Frank went too. �101 Tuesday 12 Jan 1897 A clear cold morning. West wind. Some more snow fell during the night, river steaming think the river will freeze over this time to keep. Quarter to 10 a.m. Al Joslin here just came says he has got heart disease but he is smoking and V smoking and Sr is smoking and a cloud of smoke fills all the sunlight coming in at the window in queer fantastic waves and circle. We hear enough about women talking but if any three women can talk more than these three men, I don’t want to hear them. V tomorrow going to have a bee getting out manure Jan 12 through Jan 29th 1897 1 page for July 97 �102 tiresome days are passed since I last wrote in this diary & little events have taken place that go to make up our every day life and passed by forever. Grace and Maud have been to Veron and made a two weeks visit, came home on 11 July bringing Harry W. and Fred Smith with them for a weeks visit which lasted till 18 July. Marjorie stayed with me three weeks. Mother here more than a week. Belle and her children and Dick Halliday here, Dordane Sid Percy, Alda and two young ones here. Rachel, Will and all of Jen’s children here several times. Mrs Park here. Two patrons meetings hen. Mr Niles and Wallace working here. Shelly Niles here. Frank Woodman here. Allen LaFleu here. Weather very dry. Smiths boarders here 5 of them �103 Wednesday 18 Jan 1897 A clear cold day. Wellie, Voltie, Frank, George & Wallace Niles and Will Dixon helping V draw manure. Drew 25 loads. Grace taken sick with tonsilitis and after dinner persuaded her to go to bed and she is very sick all pm and all night tonsils badly cankered. I try every remedy I have which is recommended by Dr Chase. Boys didn’t stay to supper. River closed over last night. V started out skating but did not stay long. �104 Thursday 17 Jan 1897 River frozen over this morning quite firmly. Grace no better. V and Wall go across the ice bringing all the way with a stick. Gone for the Dr for Grace, return at 2 pm bringing Dr Watson who leaves powder and pills and gargles & throat washes. Ate dinner here then went over to Wills to see Rachel. Lanced her mouth then V & W fitted out the ice boat The Frost and gave Dr Watson a ride on the ice boat the first he ever experienced. Voltie skating after dark �105 24 July 1895 Friday 15 Jan 1897 Another cold day. Grace better Voltie & Wellie draws wood from Lindas island with old Nell, two loads, found the crossing good going to have a chopping bee on Monday to cut up the fallen timber on Lindas. Evening mail. Letters for Grace. One from Dr H Watson, one from LaFleur, a postal from Miss E Hammer. Evening visitors Mary & Herbert & Tom Dignum stay awhile and then accompany V on the ice skating Will D and Frank Woodman & Jim Morgan went to St Lawrence Corners for oil started early and didn’t return till dark. V goes skating after dark. �106 Saturday 16 Jan 1897 A cold day. Grace much better but goes to bed after dinner. V goes to River View on ice boat for tobaco, soap & sugar and bought Maud a slate and led pencils. Came home early and after supper goes skating till 12 Oclock or less. A dark cloudy afternoon. �107 25 July Sunday 17 Jan 1897 looks like rain or snow, wind rising and blowing like a harricane ripping up the ice in the old St Lawrence tearring it open from shore to shore, driving it on shore and piling it up and stacking it high and dry on Linda’s Island. Whew what a storm. Well old winter we stole a march on the ice bound river while it did last and got the Dr and two loads of wood and some groceries, so roll and tumble and clash your ice in pieces and churn and powder it up. The girls and boys have had lots of fun while the ice lasted. Jim Morgan made us an evening visit. �108 Monday 18 Jan 1897 The ice this morning pretty well broken up. Grace much better no snow no sleighing �109 26 July Tuesday 19 Jan 1897 A extremely cold day. Voltie and Wall went to Lindas for the purpose of chopping wood this a.m. Came home at 12 to dinner. After dinner returned again to the Island taking Charley Woodman, Frank Woodman, Will Dixon, Ed Weaver, Wells BamfordJr and Wallace Niles, 7 of them, to saw and split fire stove wood. When coming home at 3 p.m. they ran the ice boat upon a thin piece of new ice formed the night before and as the ice boat was being driven with great speed before the wind the instant they boat struck the new ice it broke, precipitating the 7 of them beneath the ice cold water but as they arose to the top, with great presence of mind they managed to save each other which is a miracle indeed that some of there were not �110 drowned. They never want another such an experience, stiff and nearly benumbed with cold with their clothing encasing them like sheet iron, they made their way to the shore leaving their axes saws & skates at the bottom of the Old St. Lawrence and the ice boat to freeze into the ice hole. A sad experience that each devoutly hopes may never occur again. After putting on dry clothes, Voltie & Wall go to the corners to an amateur performance, came home at 3 Oclock next morning, slept till 1/2 past 7. �111 Wednesday 20 Jan 1897 A bitter cold day. after breakfast Devolty goes to get his saw which they left on the ice yesterday. Their axes 3 of them were lost in the hole. They cut the ice boat out to day and brought her home none the worse for being dipped excepting the sail is somewhat cut tearing it from the ice. Begin to look like a snow storm growing, cloudy. V goes early to bed. Commenced a quilt to day. Wells Sr brought in a new laid egg. �112 Thursday 21 Jan 1897 Awoke this morning to find the ground covered with 6 inches of snow. The sleighs and cutters are out but the weather turns soft and rains a little. Wells is making axe handles. Wells Jr drove in here with team and hitched on sleigh to carry Nina Watkins home. A new milks cow this morning. V skinned the calf. A black hen on nest laying egg. Hope the snow will not thaw away for we have had only one to two days sleighing this winter and that was a long time ago �113 Friday 22 Jan 1897 A cloudy snowy day; ice covered deeply with snow, no more skating, no more flying over the river on ice boat and plunging into holes. Voltie & Wells Jr bush a road to Linda’s island and draw two jags of wood: pitched off a little for Will. Will came over and by him I sent the St Lawrence notes to the post office, fried cakes, pieced on quilt, no soap scarcely any thread. Wells Sr & Wells going to Kingston tomorrow if possible. �114 23rd January 1897 Saturday. Cloudy this morning. Wells Jr busts fire at five, and Irene got breakfast, early but waited till 8 Oclock for Jr to come along. Sr not pleased about waiting. Jr carried 4 bags of potatoes to the Bakers, and oats to be ground for provender. A cold day. Wells Sr and Jr came home late roads heavy brought no coal, no grist & didn’t get his tooth filled, in fact nothing went exactly right but came at last and we had a good fire and hot supper waiting for them, brought home candy and two boxes of pink �115 29 July Sunday 24th January 1897 A cloudy quiet day no one here till towards evening when Will and Charley came over and ate supper with us and we have a fine time. �116 Monday 25 Jan 1897 Very cold snowing some and blowing. V drove for Wills children and took Maud and they to school. Will went too. Will drove for them at night. We churned and made 33 lbs butter and Grace picked two turkeys for market tomorrow. Dont believe they will go it is so very very cold. A dance at Dignums to night. V & G & Will invited, a fine night for a dance truly. �117 30 July Tuesday 26 Jan 1897 Intended to go to Kingston to market this morning but intensely cold and blowing, whew! What a winter day. I washed a few things and done coppying Grace piecing quilt. Voltie drove with Maud and Wills children to school. �118 Wednesday 27 Jan 1897 Warmer this morning but snow is deep on land and ice. V working in shop after driving over for Wills children and carrying them and Maud to school in sleigh. Will brought over the News about the accident in the ice. Grace cleaned floors and cut more work out for the quilt. I coppied the last of the Caribs. Wellie here a few mintues. Cloudy all day and looks like more snow. �119 31 July 1897 Thursday 25 Jan 1897 Arose this morning at 4 Oclock. Grace and Voltie going to Kingston on the ice if they can drive on the ice. Not very cold but snow falling and has been snowing all night. At day light they start, Frank W putting in a horse with old Nell before our sleigh. Frank taking up a load of apples which fills the whole hind end of sleigh. Wells carries out the butter 33 lbs and, the turkeys (2 of them) and can scarely find room in sleigh for them, and away they go. V & G sitting in front, and Frank can hardly find standing room. Wells gave V $1 dollar to pay in office to day, and three more for Grace’s doctor bill. Wells hitches Jesse to the cutter and drives with Maud to school snow lightly falling all day. Get dinner early and Sr goes to Obriens to get cutter irons fixed after painting 2 old chairs in [illegible] and stay till school is out for afternoon. �120 Voltie and Grace say all night. Friday 29th Jan 1897 A clear fine day. Wells Sr drives to school with Maud. Towards noon Grace, Frank & Voltie came poking along home driving all the way on the ice. Stayed all night at the old folks ball at McLaren’s Hall, both looking weary and disipated. Grace goes directly to bed and sleeps till toward night. Voltie milk the cow and goes off upstairs to bed. Wells got a letter from one of his cooks and writes to her in the evening. Going to Kingston in morning. Wellie can bring his overshoes for his father to exchange tomorrow. �121 1897 Sunday 11 July. Clouds gather for a thunder storm from the south. Rain pouring in torrents with wind thunder & lightning. Grace drove down from Charley’s through all the rain bringing Lizzie with them. The rain is a heaven sent blessing. Callers; Frank Woodman, Wallace N, Will & Charley D. V tied down one cow for getting in the grain 9 Oclock and rain yet falling Monday 12 July -97 rained all night, a cloudy morning & cloudy day with a little rain. Frank Woodman ate dinner with us. Maud brought in a few ripe raspberries the first from our bushes. Every thing growing. Maud and Voltie went fishing-promised to go no farther than the reaches and �122 went to look for them, they were not there so folowed down the shore calling Maudie as I went no answer. When I came to the wire fence had hard work to get through but proped the bottom wire with a forked stick and crept under, followed down the shore through the cedars through tangled and entwining boughs. V became entangled in a dense groth of wild peas and fell, managed somehow to get up and stagger on. Went as far as the red cedar that grows on the shore near the line fence. but no children fishing. Saw only the cows feeding in pasture. Came back by the wheat field and through the bars. Befor reaching the house heard Maudie singing and knew they were all right. Voltie fixing a milk waggon on which �123 Jan. 31st through Feb. 20th, 1895 on same sheets with entries for June 1893 �124 25 Thursday 31st January 1895 A beautiful winter day, sun clear and bright over all this [illegible] wide expanse of snow. Lizzie Horne [illegible] bright and early sewing on Grace’s dress. Wells Jr & Martin gone to Gananoque to mill. Voltie hitched up horses before jumper and I went down to see Eveline & children. Then Will took team from Wellies and drove with Jen & baby to the foot to Nesbit’s. I stayed till after dark when V came for me, staid to supper, ariving at home found Robert and LouiseHorn here, all staid till 12 midnight then went home taking Lizzie with them, got work done. Friday 1st of February 1895 53 yrs ago. A soft misty cloudy day thickening towards night very little wind Wells and Voltie �125 26 Friday 19 May 1893 A clear bright day, Wind North, orchards and wood beginning to look green. Wellie and Martin plowing all that piece by the strawberries and raspberries going to seed it. I scoured milk pans. Grace washed breakfast dishes. Shelly came and Maude went to school wiht her. I wrote four 4 letters. Send Mart over to Gloyds on buisness after dark. Grace went to the P.O. to mail letters and milked the cow on the way back. �126 in consideration of Perceys wanting me him all the extras honey, chocolate, Shelly came at evening and Laura. Shell washed dishes and after going for mail Grace, Shell & Laura went to Franks where they were met by Hattie, Bernard, Wallace & Jack Niles and Percey. Grace and Niles youngsters after a grand frolic came home at half past ten. [?] I drove all the cows out the yard and orchard. Maud and June out to chase them out in the dark. I carrying a lamp and Maud a long pole. I was afreaid of falling down but out they trampled through the front which Percey had left open and Helen Watson but she & from Wells Sr �127 Miss Laura Joslin came up from uncle Al’s to make a visit all dressed blue muslin and embroidery with black braided hair stuck full of fanciful hair pins. a very fine good bib put on my old apron and went to work to help Grace set table and wash dishes. Grace sent Arthur over to Geo Rattray’s to buy honey which we had for our 5 Oclock tea. ie Laura, Grace Maud and the men having their supper by lamp light. All only Percey by going for pail of water lost his place at table, had to wait as our table can oly seat 12 and that would have been the 13th and �128 Wednesday 24 May - 1893 A clear bright day Wind South Saturday 2 February 1895 A cloudy mornng but clears away by nine a.m. and a most beautiful winter day succeeds the morning bright and clear. Wells & Will gone to Kingston. Jen came up from Nesbits this morning. Wellie & Volie drew uncle Smith the hay-three tons to pay for Smiths carpentry tools. Mart done chores. Grace & Maud sings and plays the organ. Grace swept and cleaned floors. Mrs B fried some cakes. Mike O’Brien brought the school teacher down to day. Uncle Smith and Charley Easton dont speak to each other. Will bought a new stove 36 dollars. Sunday 3 Feb 1895 [left hand page missing, text will be indicated with *] * cold winter morning. North wind * but quiet and clear. Welly came up for milk. Mart went to churn * wrote a letter to Mr Watson * the family reading Mail * another new calf at the �129 29 [bottom right corner and some left bottom margin has been torn, missing text will be indicated with a *] Friday 28 May 1898 A hot wind South like an African simoon blowing sharp. Boys working in field. Grace washed, hung clothes on line, cleaned dining room, wood work and floor, moved cupboard and table, painted cupboard. Maud at school. A black thunder cloud rolling up from the west, sharp chain lightning with the white deep fringed edge rolling over and over, and after which tells of wind. I bring in all the wood and chips quick as I can, close the doors and windows and stand by the window and watch the coming tornado so grand and awful so forget all about the clothes hanging on the line. I shout * Wellie Martins & Woodmans boys * turn out but no, they go back * forth across the field each trying * can stay out the longer. Will * * they all run for * *fast as the horses can go * * some like a streak Martin * * get wet if the wind dont f * well they are here and * pours the wind blows the * * heavy thunder * �130 44 [bottom left corner torn, missing text indicated with *] June 20 A very warm day. Grace made a dress for her grandmother. Rain would be a blessing just now. I done the house work. Grace and set 25 tomato plants June 21 1893. A very warm day no rain in ten days. Barometer falling hope it will rain. G worked in garden, Wellie and * done road work, Grace fixed her dress, cleaned floors and * fishing. Welly’s putty came * can so I fixed it with beeswax * are doing well. Grace and * a hundred tomato plants �131 43 18 June A very warm day John and Flora came and brought Grace home with them from Limerick 19 June. Monday. A fine day. Grace washing and ironing all the clothes. Borrowed Jens flatirons Rev. Mr. Road house called and paid his rent $25 and I gave him dollar of the rent �132 [bottom left corner torn, missing text indicated with *] Wednesday 6 February 1895 A bitter cold morning but clear and bright. Grace & Volty drive to MarysVille to attend the CMBA Ball leaving Grace at Healy’s. V drives to Kingston. Wells Sr choring. Mart at school an awful cold day continued on page 34 Monday 29 May A very fine day Wind S * Went to school but couldn’t find * Book. Grace washed �133 31 [bottom right corner torn, missing text indicated with *] Monday 4 February 1895 A thick hazy atmosphere very light wind South, snow falling lightly all day. Voltie & Wellie drawing hay for Burnham. Voltie drove Dan horse down to Horn’s. Grace went there to get Lizzie to trim her pink waist. Wells bought a double harness of an agent. Agent staying all night. Maud went to make Muriel & Hubert a visit. Voltie gone to Horns for Grace, broke the cutter irons by driving Dan. Tuesday 6 February 1895 A bright and extremely cold day. Wind N.W. coldest this winter. Webster (Harness * left after breakfast. We got a ch* knife and some 6 tea spoons. Voltie * help Will set up his stove after dinner * * off the new calf poor thing * Wellie came for milk after dinner * and has now gone to Morgans for * * that uncle S lent Morgan * * is Martins first day this * school. In evening Mart went * and didn’t do his home * * inviation for G & V to go to * �134 33 Tuesday 30 May 1893 Wind S.W. Grace cleaned her bed room looks fine, clouds gathering in west, rains part of A.M. I sow carrot and beet seed with seeder. Mart planted sweet corn and punkins. Wellie plows up a piece of ground down toward Smith for corn, beans & potatoes. Wellie planted popcorn. Will Dixon went to cape with fish, stoped at Raven view and got the seeds Flora sent. I sowed some of them. I churned. Wednesday May 31 This is the last day of the month. A fine clear day. Wind S.W. Grace is cleaning the small room took up carpet and whiped it * line. �135 [left hand page torn, missing text indicated with *] Thursday 7 February 1895 A very cold day. V & G came home at 7 p.m. Mart at school. Voltie worked all day. Wellie came up for milk and butter. Will & Charlie here. Will making an ice boat. Grace cleaned floors and after dinner went to bed. Slept till supper time, very cold dark clouds, wind S.W. looks a gathering storm. In evening Mart goes to church to hear Rev. Barrel preach found no preacher there. Went to D.D.W’s and studied their lessons. Friday 8 Feb 1895 Intensely cold, snowing and blowing from North. Morgans * and the teacher at 1/2 past nine a.m. * the blinding storm so * overcoat & cap and away * goes to school. So the carlton dance will be a failure * time Mart went for * others only two letters in * * this evening * they say only 7 * * school this day. When * * storm howls without * is cozy and warm by * fire �136 36 [bottom left corner torn, text indicated with *] Monday 11 1895 Feb 1895 A pleasant morning but cool Wind South some what cloudy. Wells Sr & Wells Jr gone to Kingston with potatoes for Wellie sold them for 40 cts per bag. Morgan’s borrowed the cross cut saw brought it home at 1/2 past 4 pm. Charley Easton here complaining about Smiths. Lanes locked the barn against Easton. Tuesday 12 Feb 1895 Quite a fine day. Teams flying past here enroute for Kingston. Niles gone * Mrs Naihor came down with * she came after dark. While G * V are gone to make an evening & McFadens, Mrs Montgomery * brought her down to day * them some popcorn. Mart * Wellie got two great fish * went to River view for Kerosine. �137 35 [bottom right & left corners torn, missing text indicated by *] Saturday 9 Feb 1893 A very cold day, snow flying. We live in a blizzard this winter with nose froze and toes a frozen. Wells Sr went to J.N. and borrowed a bag of coal. Grace cleaned more doors and I must wash some towels and other things. Oh for Liberty! I would like to sew, read-yes study, knit yards of lace, crochet, sew for a carpet, piece bed quilts, make scrap books but only drudge & drudge. How I wish we had a lot of new books. Grace and I all the standard works of good authors. Set up and read till late. Sunday 10th Feb A very fine day snow lightly falling * warming but soon clears away * * the sleighs an cutters. to day * * in every direction our * * house is a great highway * * say I washed those towels to * * had roast beef for dinner * * a visit stayed till 9 p.m. * * Voltie got a bod cold. �138 38 [page torn left & right bottom, missing text indicated with *] June 9th Friday 1893 It is long time since I wrote in this diary. Many things have transpired that I wish to have writen which has entirely escaped my memory but I will try and trace the days back in memory as far as I can recolect. This is a lovely day clear and warm light wind South. Last night Nellie came home with Grace from Kingston for a ten days vacation. Wellie & Martin * manure away over * the grange from this barn * helps act the meals * * &c. After dinner they * * Mrs Niles and I am al * * supper for the boys. �139 39 Wednesday 13 Feb 1895 A soft day. Grace washed and hung the clothes out. Voltie drew wood and hay, run his net and got two pickerel and a perch. Mart went to school. George Niles here inviting to Lills & Henry’s party. Volty & Grace declined the honor of attending. Mart went. Mrs Nailor here yet. Charley Holliday at HH’s party and called off a couple of changes so we heard from Belle and the children they are free continued on page 39 June 8 Thursday 1983 A fine summer day. Grace goes to Kingston - took 50 dollars * * pay Mills & Kent Brothers. Took * note of 25 dollars given by her * * Kent brothers paid 25 dollars * * Mills for V and took no * * would send it up the * * Gillespie burried to day * Wellie G came home with * Wellie went to funeral * * Wellie caught a young * �140 41 [bottom left and right corners torn, missing text indicated with *] 14 June Wednesday 98 A fine day. Mart and Frank drawing manure over to Grange. Wellie working for Sam’s folks, sent Milley down to borrow Joinder and circular saw. Grace in Limerick. James Gloyds and Will Slate over visiting and get a pig. Wellie got cheese money order to day. $27,75 cts very well but Hugh is going for it all. 15 June Thursday A fine day wind South. Wellie gone to Kingston on boat. Frank Woodman pretending * Mart draw manure. Drew * one load this a.m. * * have to cook their meals for * * around I suppose some * * will get done cooking * * ache so either. Will * sifting sand to the river * * Grace in Limerick. �141 [bottom left and right corners torn, missing text indicated with *] Sunday 17 February 1895 A beautiful day. Wind South. Alone till dinner time ie. Wells, Mart, Maude & I then came. Van Bamford cider swilled and swearing, next came Will Dixon, Will Pillar, Charley Holliday bringing Mrs Naylor and All Percy came next. I nearly forgot to say that Wellie and Charley Easton came before the others that is in fore noon. Mart went to church and heard Harrold Burnhams funeral sermon preached by Rev White continued on page 45 June 17 Saturday A hot day clear, no rain since Sunday * not home yet. I am * * can scarcely crawl around * * came up and scrubed the floor * a great favor then. Mart & * * go Sams and play ball a while. �142 [bottom left torn, missing text indicated with *] Tuesday 19 February 1895 A fine day. Wind South. Will D and Will P went to O’Briens to get irons made for ice boat. Charley here for milk. Looked for V & G home to day this was the day they said they would come. Wednesday 20 February 1895 A very good day. Wind West and snow drifting some. Will Pillar went home to day. Will and Charley here for milk and buttermilk. Will going to make a beets draw * from Howe Island. Will gave me 25 cts * milk. I didn’t want to take it from him * he said if not he would get no more millk * for G & V all day but they didn’t come. �143 45 [bottom left and right corners torn, missing text indicated with *] June 22 1895 A hot day look like showers Barometer low. A shower last night. Grace gone to Kingston. Wellie drove to dock. Maud and I alone and weed out the flowers. Grace carried $25 dollars to Town with her will pay Ackley $10 on account. Wellie and Mart working out their road tax. I must feed the hogs for it is now 12 o’clock noon. Grace took up the milk can to get it fixed putty or beeswax wont mend the leak. Monday 18 Feb 1894 A very good day. Wind SE look like a storm dark around the horizon. William Pillar here * * and made us a long 6 * *. Jolly good fellow. Wellie * Al Dixon half tun of hay. Charley * * for milk �144 [bottom left t corner torn, missing text indicated with *] Saturday 16 February 1895 A beautiful day arose early. Wills and Wells Jr gone to Kingston with a cow and calf to sell. Voltie & Grace gone to John’s. Will and Charley here. Will making ice boat in shop. Chimney caught fire from stove pipe. Wind S.W. cool snow not settled down any yet. Wells and Wellie came home 1/2 past nine. Mart and I watched from the windows only received 20 dollars for the cow purchased by B Folger. Will Pillar came to day put his horse in our barn & went to Wills. 13 June Tuesday A fine warm day continued on page 42 * any wind South �145 39 [bottom left and right corners torn, missing text indicated with *] Thursday 14th Feb 1895 A very good day not very cold. Welly came and brought some holders for Grace to stitch. Mart came home at four a.m. had fine time. Gone to school now Voltie going to Marysville with potatoes to buy groceries. Little Flora Dixon here visiting. Will gone to Howe Island for wood. Wellie gone with him with our team. Bamford fixing over an old cutter. A beautiful afternoon. V came home early. Webster called here again going to Horns. Wellie got home at dark from Howe Island. Colder this evening. Wills came for Flora and drew her home on sled. Friday 15 Feb 1895 Wind N rather * * gives promise of a beautiful * Voltie draws wood and hay and * to Johns and take a cow to Kingston * Charley Holliday drove * * Flynn’s for pigs says: the * * bad cold. Mrs Naylor * * with him and I am glad she * * carried her croak with * * awful old woman try * * things. a fine and * * she is gone a beautiful * �This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following people: Ann Hopkinson, Autumn Rorrer Dean, 2alina, carol ann, and Queen’s University Archives � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Subject The topic of the resource 19th and 20th Century Rural Ontario Diaries Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1887-1922 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1887 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1888-1889 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1889-1897 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1890 March - June Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1893-1895 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1895-1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1896 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1897-1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899-1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902, 1906 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902-1909 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1904-1905 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1907 & 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1908-1919 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1911 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913-1914 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1915-1916 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1916-1917 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1917-1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1921-1922 Language A language of the resource English Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1889-1897 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1889-1897 Miscellaneous Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th Century, Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. February 26th, 1890 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/6d471d296448e9944e08cb8730f2714f.pdf aecb8631f90ad7b00226d925afd293fc PDF Text Text Irene Dixon Bamford 1890 March – June, Diary Transcription 5034_4-1-3 �Metadata FromThePage export of 5034_4-1-3 from Irene Dixon Bamford made on 2026-02-11 14:35:07 UTC. itemTitle: March-June 1890 date: 1890 Title: 5034_4-1-3 Description: Item is a diary. Created On: 2023-10-03 13:01:40 UTC In Scope: true Uploaded Filename: 5034_4-1-3 �page_0001 IRENE DIXON BAMFORD DIARY March-June 1890 1890 QUEENS UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES LOCATOR 5034.4 BOX 1 FILE 3 �page_0002 March - June 1890 �page_0003 Re-read ’76-’84 �page_0004 1890 59 years ago �page_0005 Re-read ’76 - ’84 �page_0006 I have through a mistake skipped Tuesday 11th March 1890. A cloudy morning. Wind south rains at noon Welly niched [sic] up and drove with Bell over to make her grandmother a visit, taking baby Irene with her and leaving the other children here. After dinner Johny drove over to Wills for Bell intending to drive home with but it rained so hard thought she would stay till morning but Charley came over for her and I went home with them too. sleighing very poor drove on the ice at Mick OBrien. Roads fare Sunday Saturday 8th March 1890 A beautiful day. Wind light & south Charley Bells and children and Grace come over home. Charley drove her again leaving Bell and children here. they picked up Horace Wartman on the road and Brought him along too. he is peddling medicine. He went over to Wills to see Rachel come back again with Will in evening, fiddled, played on organ and sung. E cleaned all the room and made bread. I gave Charley some cider to take home home [sic] with him �page_0007 Sunday 9th March A fine day. Wind South. After breakfast Wells drove across the ice with Bell and the baby to Gloyds and then made Dardone a visit and then drove back to I Gloyds, took dinner with them and then home again leaving Bell at Gloyds. Marjorie and Beatrice stay with me. Grace gone to church Monday March 10th 1890 Wind S.W. A fine day somewhat cloudy. Afer dinner John drove in cutter across the ice to Gloyds for Bell then hiched [sic] on to Charleys. Gloyds buggy and with Bell drove to Corners, saw Horace & Jane at Cutis Store, drove home across the ice & then Willy and Eveline drove to Ebbs in cutter & which [corner of page torn missing some words] [?] were gone. Mr Montgomery drove [?] there bringing Minnie with him [?] one of our boys to see her up �page_0008 Across the river but Isa Burnham was drawing hay from his farm here across the river to his home so Wells Minnie a chance to ride over on a load of Burnham’s hay and hoisted her trunk on another load. she is going to Watertown forget what our men folks done. Bell and children stayed at home here all night March 12th Thursday Wednesday 1890 At Bells. A rainy day. Wind South Bells floor all marked with clay. Around the house the clay mud is two feet deep. Charley went to Richard Irvin. Ma John Holliday came up awhile and invited us down to his house March 13th Wednesday 1890 Thursday At Bells. Wind south. Raining hard all day. Charley washed and greesed [sic] harness. Fred, Joy, Mr H and Sandy Barrie there Bell moped and fried cakes. I read Mr Barnes of New York �page_0009 March Friday 14th 1890 At Bells A fair day Bell done a big washing And hung them all on the line Wind south and blowing a gale at dark Charley brought me His cloths after dark Sandy Barrie came and stayed ’till bed time Charley Henry and Dick made a pumper March 15th Saturday 1890 A cold miserable day Wind North cloudy At Bells I ironed Bills’ clothes Bell cleaned floors Charley built fence grown colder towards night and snows A pleasant day at Bells like all the other days Henry came up in evening said they had taped a hundred trees �page_0010 Sunday March 16th 1890 A clear cold day thawing in sun . Wind North. Charley drove down this morning and I come home from Bells. C H stayed to dinner. C H. drove down with buggy & drove across Dick Irvine’s Bay found Hattie Joslin here came yesterday. J Morgan here. Grace went skating till Niles and a dozen more on the ice. Will here for pans. Grace went to Wills. R came home with her. Eveline, Welly & Baby went to J Niles on hand sled. John & Grace went to prayer meeting. Maud cried to go too. Wells not very well. the snow that fell last night all gone. 4 eggs [margin]Edith come to Bell’s to day [/margin] March 17th 1890 Monday St Patricks day, in morning A cold frozen day, barometer falling very low, cloudy, wind north with snow squalls from the south & West. The Irish walk to day in Kingston. Grace started for school this morning for first in a long time. Wells sick abed, caught cold Saturday building fence. John & Welly draw 2 loads of hay from old barn & then after dinner Welly goes to Delmarsh to boil sap and carried pans. A fellow here for some wheat. Ground bare, ice poor 13 [eggs?] �page_0011 Re-read ’76 - ’84 �page_0012 March 18th Tuesday 1880 Cold day. Wind North a hole in the channel. Eveline washed the clothes and hung them all outs. Wells is some better. Grace at school. Welly and Will boiling sap at Delmar’s. Rache came over brought some thing for Wells to eat strawberry preserves &c &c. John doing general chores &c, went skating dark. J Niles here in evening. Welly came home late from boiling sap. E ironed _6 eggs_ Elmar Woodman gone to Otawa [sic] to get married. March 19 Wednesday 1890 A fine day. Wind North. ground bare and frozen. Wells, Welly and John clean oats for grinding. John drove to Ed Rattrays to grind them. Welly went to Rattrays to work on cheese factory Charley went ’Holiday came and got his seed wheat. Grace at school. Another new milk cow to day which makes 5. Muriel walked all around. Welly stoped to prayer meeting. John and Grace gone to this evening Visiting 10 eggs to �page_0013 �page_0014 March 20th Thursday 1890 A half cloudy day. Wind South rather strong tearing a channel clear down through from Carlton to Clayton. Welly boiling sap. Grace at school. John drove to Edd’s for the provender, E took the Baby and went as far as her fathers with John. Hiram Joslin brought her home. All and Eddy B went over river in punt. J Niles went too. R here twisting and doubling yarn. I not well. Eat too many pickles. Churned. Scalded milk for a sick calf. March 21st 1890 Friday chilly 21 eggs cloudy day. Wind South. E washing. Welly & I make two kettles of soap, churned again. Rained some in fore noon. After noon cleared up again sun shone out. Welly goes to sap boiling & came home late at eleven. John at J N’s playing pedro, came later than Welly J.M. and W Dixon here �page_0015 �page_0016 March 22 Saturday 1890 A very pleasant day, Wind south. Arose at 4 O’clock to get Wells off to Kingston. Welly got up and cleaned fish for market, his father carried them and carried 10 butter and 4 dozen eggs for me and wheat for Ryan to pay on taxes. Will rode as far as Irvins to run his fish nets. Ranons and Morgan helps themselves to fish. Ranons says Morgan & Morgan says Ranous. E moved up stairs to day. Grace cleaned floors. Irene cleared up and filed all the newspapers and Books. R came over for snuff and waited till W. came home from Marysville but Wells got none. she went home sorry. I was sorry too. Wells showed off after he got home. Welly received a letter from Volty to cross the river for him to night. Welly eat a little supper and started with a punt. A dark very dark night, cloudy but not much wind. Welly & Volty come home 1/2 past nine gay and jolly. we sat up late I and Volty and planed [sic] buisness [sic]. Youth is hopeful a happy one letter from Hugh. We sent 3 sturgeon by Chris’ father to �page_0017 �page_0018 Sunday March 23rd 1890 A bright sunny day Wind west ground froze last nightl. Got up at daylight made two batches of bread, boiled potatoes and cake. After breakfast Volty went over to his grandma’s And then came home with Will with him, had lunch, then Volty and Welly went across the river in punt. Volty going back to Norman’s came out with two horses. Henry Holliday visiting here. Volty took the apples out of the ground. Thomas Dawson and came down to day from Marysville to begin getting ice tomorrow for shiping [sic] Monday 24th A very fine day light wind west. Wells & Welly went over the river this morning. Wells went to see Alic[e] Liddy. Welly went to corners to get a pair of rubber boots and overalls. E H Burnhams gang from cape Vincent commenced at the ice business this morning. Johny took old Jim and gone to work for Burnham on the ice. Will here awhile. R stoped [sic] here on her way to Morgans. Arose early this morning at 4 O’clock. Two sundogs. John Niles here this evening. Eveline cleaned the Kitchen & scoured [the floor] on her knees and brought wate. Grace at home and brought water too Will coming �page_0019 here and Wellington Burnham here too. W Burnham trying to make a horse and cow trade with Wells. Wells went after dinner to B to see the cow but couldn’t agree and so trade fell out. E making her dress. Mrs Gloyd sent me some buck wheat flour. �page_0020 Tuesday, March 26 1890 A cloudy morning. Wind North. Arose 4 O’clock. Wells and Will start for Kingston with buggy, came back again at eleven O’clock at night. Will carried George or led old Jack to sell him for fish nets to Bolton. Bolton wouldn’t buy him he is so thin so led him home again - old horse turned a summer sault coming home but Will brought home three hoop nets and flour and a lot of groceries. I set up and had supper ready for them when they came, made Will a cup of ginger Geo, Welly and Johny working on the ice till three Oclock P.M. when it rained so hard they came home not through and very cold. Wind blows hard from south a dirty mean day and not much wood. R gone down the road home from Morg. Grace at school. E washed and hung out the clothes but brought them in again. Wednesday 26th March 1890. A dirty rainy morning. Wind blowing hard from S.W. but John started off on old Jim for the ice. Towards noon cleared up and Welly went too & carried the dinner and worked all afternoon. John, all day. Grace at school. Will here to dinner and helped Wells draw hay from Old barn. After dinner Wells helped Will over to Brown’s bay with & punt and helped Will set three fish nets & helped himself to pine knots. Wells from some fish, sun fish, from Wells old net. �page_0021 Welly says Wellington wants to finish the horse and cow trade he wants a horse. Wellington is drawing straw to cover ice �page_0022 Thursday 27th March 1890 A clear fine day. Wind S.W. and chilly, froze last night, ground all bare and brown not a particle of snow for two weeks or more, river all open and full of floating ice. Had sun fish for breakfast and dinner but no good - don’t like them. Arose early so as to get an early breakfast so the boys can get an early start for the ice pile. After breakfast boys start for ice business. Wells goes for hay and drove to the ice to see W. Burnham about the horse and cow trade. Jen came over for their flour, butter milk, and hen feed. I gave her a couple of eggs. After dinner Wells went for more hay, Grace at school. E finished her dress, hung out the clothes & ironed Mrs George Ranons. Visiting Wills folks. Jen sent me some catnip, had buckwheat cakes for supper. Horse & cow trade concluded with a trade. Friday 28th Marach 1890. Strong Wind North. Pancakes for breakfast. John on old Jim started for the ice fields went off without milking the cows but took his dinner with him leaving W Jr to bring the milk. Grace went to school through the storm for it storm & snows & blows a terror increasing in violence all day. Welly went as far as Wills stayed till towards noon then Welly & John came home bringing their dinner and milk home again. After dinner stormed so hard done nothing but get wood, water, barn chores and Wells went to school house for Grace. Wells milked the cows A.M. Welly & Johny went to J Niles & stayed till eleven �page_0023 �page_0024 March 29th 1890 Saturday A great fall of snow on the ground and yet it snows fast, no going to the ice this morning. Wells, Welly & Johny drew two loads of hay on sleigh from the old barn. Will came home with them on his way to fish nets & said they had a row over there this morning among his women folks. Wells has gone this PM down to Wellington’s to drive home his cow. Welly and Johny are gone to the ice fields either to work or get their pay for what they have done. Welly advised Will to go too and get his pay for his days work but he said he would not go. E cleaned the floor and brought one pail of water through the deep snow. Boys came home early, didn’t work on the ice but received pay for what work they done cross & A Burnham not going to get out more ice. Welly received a letter from Volty asking him to come for him with a boat to night but Welly has crossed the river this afternoon says there is so much ice on the other shore he cant get there so stays at home. Will went through the snow and storm to his fish nets. Welly & Johny went over to Wills in evening. March 30th 1890 Sunday Wind North. Morning clear and bright, good sleighing, earth white with snow everywhere, river nearly frozen over. After breakfast Willy crossed the river in front breaking the ice as he went with an oar. Came back at 1/2 past 10 O’clock bringing Volty with him at or nearly the same time came Will Dixon �page_0025 John Burnham and an other fellow they call Adam Weber all here to dinner. Will took the team and went to draw wood. On Sunday or freeze. After dinner, Volty went to Wills for fish for Petries folks & then Welly, Volty, J Burnham & Webber crossed the river again. Volty going back to petrie’s. J Burnham came back with Welly & stayed all night. Volty says he is coming back tomorrow night. John Morgan here awhile fiddling away then went to Bill Smiths. Grace went to Church & prayer meeting for the evening came Lahey and Obriens hired man, and Renb McFaden. Snow squalls in the afternoon. Is sunday a day of rest & it may be for some, but seldom or never has been for me, neither has any day �page_0026 Monday March 31st 1890 The sun rose clear. Light West Wind, river frozen over again this morning. Did not get up very early over slept ourselves. Johny took his dinner and went to work for Dawson on the ice. Welly helped his father draw hay and after dinner crossed the river (with Machar) in punt for Volty. Robert Machar going to work for Walroth. J Burnham went to Wellingtons. Will making sugar or boiling sap at Pelmars’ Grace at home. E washed and moped [sic]. We made more soap or tried too. Our pork is all gone which is a terror to me �page_0027 April 1st Tuesday Sun shining brightly, very light wind south. Welly stayed all night and came home with Volty about eleven Oclock and brought Volty’s trunk and valise went back again for fish nets. Grace at school. April 2nd Wednesday 1890 I cant remember all that transpired from the first of April untill the 11th except it was rather cold disagreeable weather. The boys employed the time setting fish nets, making sugar and working for Burnham Wells went to K twice &c. Eve cleaned house and washed bed clothes. Grace went to school &c �page_0028 Jonny get your gun Johny get your gun Johny got his gun Susie bay is the grateful April 17th Thursday 1890. A long time since I wrote in this diary since March 31st 1890. This is a pleasant day, sun shining, clear Wind South, grass only starting to grow a little. Wells drove with Grace to the dock carried butter and eggs and two sturgeon, a grist to mill & fish for Will. Wells building fence down by Smiths. Johny sitting in rocking chair all day by the stove. Grace brought another stove from Bibby’s second hand for 8 dollars. Wind blowing strong from the North. R went up too [in pencil] Note: Entries from April 12th through 17th out of order covering following 5 pages. �page_0029 John Bamford �page_0030 Oh Oh Shirt I mean Oh shirt tail Slate Wells Bamford Apr 24th Thursday 1890 Volty drove Grace to dock for market. Wind blowing strong from North & sothe cold clear sky. Volty finished setting trees, grape vines and rose bush & plowed garden, set out dallias [sic], transplanted pie plant [rhubarb] &c &c. Welly painting skiff at Wills barn. Wells working in field. John helping Volty and fixing wire fence. E cleaned kitchen floor and washed clothes. R here twice for butter milk and her glass ware. Will here once teacher drove to dock with Volty for Grace. April 23rd Wind South, cloudy looks like rain. Rains little towards night. Wells working in field. Grace at school. Volty plowed garden and set trees. Welly worked on boat at Wills. Wills here. E moped [sic] all floors & done chamber work. I got ready market 12 lbs butter and 27 eggs. �page_0031 John helped dig post holes. Apr 25th Friday 1890 A clear bright day cold Wind north. Ground froze last night, dry no rain. Wells sowing grain in field. John helping his father. Volty plowing and working in garden. Grace at school. Welly working at his boat (painting it) & after dinner finshed cutting the sail and run the fish net off the reel. E done chamber work and made Muriel a new pink dress. Made her one last night After Grace came home from town. Wells set a turkey. Rachel came over in evening for yeast & a cup of tea. Wells crossed the river after supper. �page_0032 Apr 22nd Tuesday 1890 A clear bright day. Wind south Welly & Volty finished loading the vessel with ice came home at 2 Oclock P.M. Welly worked at his boat at Wills. Volty dug up the apple trees John buried last fall. John went with Will to ferry and stoped [sic] there till Will came back from Kingston. Will went to pay his taxes. Grace at school. Wells working in field. We kneed [sic] rain very much. Wells sent by Will and paid his taxes on house & lot at Marysville. April 21st Monday 1890 Light wind South. E washed big washing and cleaned floors. Grace stayed at home till noon then went to School. John went to Niles for books limped up there and back. Volty & Wells Jr working on ice loading vessel �page_0033 take take thank �page_0034 Sunday 20th April 1890 A fair day Wind South Wells reading Whig and in afternoon went to bed. I slept in fore noon. Eveline slept too. Volty and Lahey went down to cedars to inspect the ground. John limped there too, first he has walked since he hurt his foot. Grace and John went to evening prayer meeting. Dry, no rain. Saturday April 19th 1890 Arose very early. Wells came got an early start for R & Wells Jr & Devolson can go to load the ice vessel. Grace and Eveline milked eleven cows. Teacher went to the ice and came home with boys. Wells came home at 10 Oclock P.M. said he had dinner on the Blanchard. A postal card and a letter for Wells. The postal from Hugh for taxes on Marysville lot. John hops around some and reads Gun boat fam. Grace & E do cleaning and general house work. Wind South, no rain. Wells bought 10 lbs pork. �page_0035 �page_0036 Friday April 18 1890 A fair day, Wind south. Boys working loading ice for Dawson. Johns foot pretty bad. E washed in fore noon. Grace at school. Wells building fence afternoon noon. Wells & E set up the stove. Wednesday April 18th 1890 Dawson drove here early this morning for the boys to work on the ice. Vessel came in last night. After breakfast, boys started for ice. Wells went too gone all day. John mourning because he can’t go too, his foot very sore. Grace at school. I get ready for market. Mrs J Niles here for quilt patern [sic]. Tuesday April 15th 1890 A fair day. Wind South. Wells building fence down by Smiths. Welly & Volty drawing hay from the old barn. Johny steped [sic] on a nail and fixed his foot in a bad shape through his old rubber boot. Welly went for the Doctor Buchanan, poor Johny paid him two dollars & half of his hard earned money working on the ice. �page_0037 �page_0038 April 14th Monday 1890 A raw cold day. Wind North. Wells building fined by Smiths. Grace at school. Teacher commenced boarding here. John Niles here in evening playing poker with boys. Dawson drove in here after dark to tell the boys to come next morning to commence work on the ice. A real pretty man. April 13th Sunday 1890 A very fine day light wind, South. After breakfast Maud & I walked over to Wills to make a visit. Mother gave me flower seeds. Grace came for me at noon & said the school teacher wanted to see me about board but didn’t go till I got ready along towards night. Rachel went too. Bill Horn at Wills stoped on his way home from church. Volty, Teacher and George Morgan Jr run sturgeon not got a sturgeon, teacher & GM Jr stayed to supper. Teacher engaged board for 6 dollars per month. R and G went to prayer meeting & Johny too. �page_0039 �page_0040 April 12th Saturday 1890 Arose early so Wells can go to Kingston. A cloudy day forget which way the wind is. Welly & Will went to their fish nets. Will came home. Welly stoped and worked for Tom Dawson building ice slides. J Morgan here in evening playing on violin. Wells came late and brought pork and groceries. Saturday April 26th 1890. A fine morning, light wind North. Welly and Lahey went to Gananoque with Roys staff. Wind changed at noon South blows quite strong. boys will have a hard row from Gananoque. Wells sowing barley; Volty & his father building wire fence in fore noon and Volty set out more stawberries. John foot lame cultivating yesterday. Volty worked in field in PM. John sowed onion seeds. E done chamber wrok and cleaned floors. �page_0041 Welly and teacher came home while we were eating super [sic] cold tired wet & hungry �page_0042 Sunday 27th April 1890 Wind North, rainy, damp day set the tub for water but caught not much. Had the old rooster for dinner, cooked him 6 hours tough as bull beef. Will came over for his newspaper, was not here. A letter from Hugh and a postal from Watson. Grace & John at evening prayer meeting, had bread & milk for supper. Wallace Niles brought the cards. Jimmy Dawson called for Welly to work on ice. Monday 28 April 1890 A beautiful day, calm and still, grass looks green after the rain. Very light wind south & warm fine day for washing. Evaline got her clothes all out by noon & files the floors after dinner. No clothes hanging on Mrs Niles or Woodman’s line. Welly painted his skiff at Wills barn after noon. Welly & Johny worked on ice in forenoon. Johny sowed cabbage and set onion’s &c. Wells put Wills cows in Eb’s pound. R & Jen got them out & drove them home. They were trampling our strawberry plants this morning in the garden and eating our hay stack up. Wells sowing grain and cultivating. Volty helping him and working in garden. Johny set out Volty’s mangle [?]. Tilly Niles here in evening to deliver Laura’s card. Grace at school. �page_0043 �page_0044 April Tuesday 29th 1890 A cloudy morning looks like rain and does rain at dinner time hard and continues all the afternoon. Volty & his father cant work in the field. Welly and Johny loading ice for Dawson. Grace at school. A sleepy time for me. Volty cutting potatoes to plant down cellar. Wells at barn patching old bags and I hopping around trying to find twine to sew them with. Sent Graces ulster [working coat] and the umberella by the teacher. A cold nasty rain warm weather dont last long. This has been adisagreeable April very cold and nasty weather. We are milking 12 cows and can not make enough butter to carry to market. Wind South and blowing hard discouraged some time but hopeful of better time is coming - but when? April Wednesday 30th 1890 This is the last day of April. Wind south calm in the forenoon, after noon breezy. A circle around the sun then V dark clouds arose in the south, went and threatens rain. Grace at home fixing over her green dress. Welly, Volty & Johny loading the ice vessel for Dawson at $1.75 per day. They struck for wages. Wills cow got cast in Wills stable took 5 men to lift her after dark. Wells and boys came late after supper, all go to Wells. Well �page_0045 killed four roosters. I sat up till 1/2 past 11. Ramming quite hard all nigth. May 1st Thursday 1890 Arose at 4 Oclock Welly up first & built a fire. Grace goes to market carrying 7 lbs butter & fowls. Coudy forenoon, cold, Wind North & so clear but chilly. Wally & Johny working on the ice. R went to town. Wells working afield. Volty drove to the dock for Grace. Wells and boys went to Wills to get the cow up. Only two scholars at school to day. �page_0046 Friday May 1st 1890 A fair day. Wind west and chilly. Welly & Johny loading, send Leighton with ice. Wells working in field. Volty working too, not much wood for fire. Grace at school. Finished working on the ice to day, did not get their pay. Dawson promised that Tom Dawson would come down Tuesday and pay them Sunday 2nd Cold, rainy disagreeable day. I slept while Wind North very chilly all through the town boy all at home. Got a late breakfast and the girls got a [illegible] had corn meal [illegible] for supper. Monday May 2nd A very fine day. Wind South and mild. Eveline washed all her clothing and brought them in before dark for it looked like rain. Wells working in the field. [remaining page faded and illegible] �page_0047 �page_0048 �page_0049 �page_0050 7th May 1890 [page written in pencil and long faded rendering it illegible] �page_0051 �page_0052 John Bamford George Niles Edward Bates �page_0053 May 9th Thursday 1890 A cold chilly day. Wind west. Volty drove with Grace to dock carried Rachels grocery case to Princess. Johny sick abed with a bad cold, sent two fowls and 9 lbs butter to market, butter only 17 cts per pound fows [fowls], 75 per pair. Welly working on the skiff & finished it. Eveline walked down to her grandmothers. Ed Bates worked here with team, we had beans for dinner. Well & Volty working in field. Wells sowed. Set up late. Welly went to Niles for pills for Johny. Doctor Betts came to see Charlie Woodman to day, Johny smoked the sturgeon. �page_0054 May 9th Friday A chilly Windy day. Wind South and blowing a stiff breeze. Rained in the night trees as bare of leaves as in December. Grace stayed at home to help me. E washing. Wells and Volty in field. Welly making oars for the skiff. Johny better, but abed. Lahey at school. Voltie, Lahey & Grace went to Church to hear the lecture. The subject was "where fools sprung from". The Rev Mr Thompson exhorted snorted him at a great extent, telling the boy’s about wasting money on tobacco and telling the girls how they looked when they were chewing gum & said smokers should have a smokepipe chimney through the top of their head and all snuffers should have their noses turned bottom side up to mimicked such bad habits, blowed tobaco smoke snuffed chewed gum and made an old ass of himself in general �page_0055 �page_0056 Saturday 10th May 1890 Morning cold, fair and windy. Wind North. Afternoon rained. Wells & Volty worked half day in field and then puttered around till chore time. Wells is very late about getting in spring crops all on account of ice buisness [sic]. Johny sick abed. Lahey went for the mail. One for Wells from Wm Miller about sailing and one from Hugh. E moped [sic] dining room. Gracie moped kitchen floor. I would at all sorts. We received letters from the Hon. Roman Petrie. He’s got grubs. A young colt at the barn all right. Welly, Lahey and Volty go down to Ebbs for the skiff. �page_0057 Sunday May 11th 1890. A clear bright day. Wells reading the Whig. Will came over while he thought Charlie and Bell would come down but they did not. It is very chilly wind south. Volty went over the river to get a horse to go out to Petries but could get none, came back, lunched and went to foot of Island to get a boat to go to Clayton in the morning, could get none, came back, skinned a sturgeon, eat his supper and crossed the river again in Ed Bates’ punt, stayed all night with some of his beautiful relations and starts early to take the folks the sturgeon. Wells goes to Breakfast. One of us goes to bed and finds dinner all ready when we get up. Lahey goes to Morgans visiting. Grace goes to Niles visiting. Eve, Maud and Grace row the skiff to Niles to carry Niles sail home. In the evening Eve, Grace and Lahey go to �page_0058 May 12th Monday A cloudy day wind south, not very cold, river still. Wells working in field all day sowing grain &c. Welly milked the cows & rowed around the foot to set 5 sturgeon nets. Eveline washed. Grace churned, moped [sic] the floors and helped me. Grace not very well either. John up and gone off up the river somewhere. I suppose he thinks it a good time to catch cold again. I burnt Walls knee with hot tea and he swore horribly if there is any dirt in a man hot tea will bring it out. I was ashamed for him. We have got a squealing pig in the house. Dandelions are large enough for greens but no leaves on the trees yet. Quarterly meeting yesterday. Thompson preached and then went home with Rev Watts. Martha then went to George Woodman’s. Eveline got a very bad tooth ache. I don’t know what to get for supper. Will D came over for garden rake, met with �page_0059 Thursday May 13th 1890 A fine day. Wind south, cloudy and warm, rains some. Wells working in field through wind and rain, not well pleased because he works alone. Volty came home at noon. Eddy Bates went over for him. John not very strong yet. V set some of the raspberries bush and at 4 Oclock V and W Jr went to the North side to set nets, gone till after dark. Charlie W sick yet. I tired of working �page_0060 Wednesday 14th May 1890 A very fine day, not cold, grass growing but no leaves on the trees, rained a little in forenoon. Grace & I picked greens-dandelions for dinner. Welly and Will gone to the cape with fish, got back after dark. Will got 12 dollars for his fish. Welly bought Muriel a pair of shoes, 75. Welly went early to the nets before breakfast, got one sturgeon. John abed most all day. Wells worked in field. Volty working in garden till chore time. Our flour is all gone again. & clear rosy sunset. Charley Gloyd came over and stay’s all night. I write Bell a letter. E moped floor. �page_0061 �page_0062 May 15th Thursday 1890 A fair pleasant day, wind South. John made a flower bed for me. Welly went early to the nets, rowed around the foot. Will came and went with him. I put up lunch for both Will & Welly. Willy came at noon not feeling very well. Volty drove to dock with Grace & Charley Gloyd. Wells and Volty work in field all day, currant bushes are just putting out their yellowish green leaves. The green leaf buds are just starting to open on the ivy vine just by the window. We had fried eggs and preserved pie plant for dinner. Will came over P.M. and Johny & Will set tree and rose bush at (Albert’s grave). Will stayed and shaved before going home. Wells sent a grist to mill to day E cut papers for the cupboard. Volty crossed the river with Charley Gloyd, got back just at dark. Wells helped Johny milked the cows �page_0063 �page_0064 Friday May 16th 1890 A very good day in forenoon got cloudy and dark in afternoon and rained some, didn’t mop floors to day. Lahey taught school half day, few schollars [sic] and gathered flowers P.M. Wells and Volty worked in field. Volty sowed seeds at noon in garden. I went to the garden too. Johny planted some potatoes. Lahey is going to Kingston with Wells tomorrow. Welling is setting sturgeon nets, got one sturgeon and is pike. Wind commenced blow from South. Saturday 17th 1890 Saturday Arose early so Wells and Lahey can go to Kingston start at 5, rather cold. E moped and cleaned chairs and windows. I slept awhile. Grace got dinner. Wind blowing a terrible gale on Lake Ontario to day from S.W. Bessie Breck lost and all hands at the head of this Wolfe Island to day.water loged [sic] Wells came at dark. Wm Lahey gone home to Sydenham. Volty plowed at home and P.M. went to Wm Dixon plowing bee, 5 teams. Johny planted potatoes in garden and got wood. �page_0065 I got a letter from Watson. Wells got a letter from Horace telling him to come to Detroit. Wills brought home another [?] Burnside gave him a wolfish looking cretin, now we have 3 dogs. I forget to send Wills twine back and he came for it this evening and is disapointed I [?] May 18th Sunday 1890 A fair morning, cloudy evening, wind south. Charley Holliday here their baby Irene will be christened to day by Rev Chambers. Will and Jen & Charley & Glory here awhile. Wells is going away tomorrow to stay a long while, poor Wells. Johny is gone to Niles to visit. Grace 16 at sunday school. I set up late to fix Wells clothes. Welly went to look for his colt but could not find her. Sam carried his daughter. Sylvia back to Kingston again to day. E bates here �page_0066 May 19th Monday Arose early for Wells is going away this morning. Volty went to Kingston with him. A cloudy day, wind south and light, not very warm. Johny rode up the Island on the black mare. The dog devil bit Maud. I wish Wells had never brought the cur here. Welly went to his nets took 3 sturgeon and some pike. Will got one. Grace went to Mrs Niles for sleve pattern. Welly went to Henisy’s for his colt. A dull melancholy lonesome day, poor little Maud. I’m sorry the dog bit her sorry. Well is gone. Volty came home early at 5 Oclock, chilly day, raining hard at bed time. J Niles here in evening. �page_0067 �page_0068 Tuesday May 20th 1889 A very rainy day, Wind North. Boys couldn’t do much work. Will here twice, ate supper here. Rain pouring down all night and most all day, flat flooded with water. I slept awhile. We sent the milk to Factory 126 lb. Volty set night line and sturgeon net. Welly went to Bay Wednesday 21 May 1890 Winds West, rather warm day. Rained some. Johny plowed for peas. Volty building fence around lower pasture. Welly fishing and rowed around foot long after dark, got home at 10 eveneing with fish. Volty killed veal for market. Will D helped him, got done at midnight. Then Well went home but Welly and Volty went to river and skined [sic] sturgeon, got done and went to bed at two Oclock in morning. Children coughing bad with whooping cough �page_0069 �page_0070 Thursday 22 May 1890 Arose at half past 4 AM. A fair bright day, warm Wind S. Grace went to Kingston. I went to Bills and carried the steam washer. Volty drove to dock. Wellington Burnham took charge of Volty’s veal and sold only the hind quarters & brought the rest back. I found Bell and children well. Watson came home with us as the Princess Louise gone. Niles & Will here in the evening & Frank Woodman sent eleven lbs butter to market. Lib B & Ady, P & Else P [?] Friday 23rd May 1890 Wind South blowing a gale. Welly rowed Watson in skiff to J Holliday’s doc. Watson embarked on the Princess for Kingston. Welly eat dinner at Charley’s & plowing bee there, Welly got two sturgeon, rained all fore noon. Saturday 24th May 1890 A fine day, wind South. Grace cleaned floors, baked and swept, made beds, dusted & sewed on dress and helped me sow flower seeds. Hattie Joslin here, brought our mail, a letter for Wells and two from hugh. Volty and Johny plowing and building fence. Welly fishing and playing ball with Niles �page_0071 �page_0072 Sunday May 25th 1890 A fair morning, Wind North but rather warm. Wind changing south and blowing a gale. Wash tub and boiler fly off the veranda, away they go. A black cloud arising in South West. All abed, taking their Sunday nap excepting myself. Grace went to church and to Mr Rattray’s & came home after Prayer meeting. V with Johny commenced to rain at 4 PM and poured down all night. Volty covered the little turkeys, 12 of them, from the rain. Children’s cough very bad. Will Lahey came in night after all are abed at eleven Monday 26th May A bright breezy day. Wind south. Volty and Johny working afield. Welly at home part of the day and fishing. I went after breakfast to Wills to borrow butter and a bar of soap and mother gave me two cactus & a pail of multipliers onions. Johny made a bed and set them out. Grace done house work and washed in after noon. Volty came late from work, went & hired a horse from Spaff to finish working in field. �page_0073 [random calculations] 9) 1116/124 9 —— 211 18 —36 35 124 8 —9,92 �page_0074 Tuesday May 27 1890 A fine bright warm day. Wind south. Towards night a dark blue cloud in N.W. with distant thunder & lightning rises but it works around to N.E. & grows colder. Volty and Johny working in field sowing peas and cultivating. Welly went early to the North side for his nets, no fish, took them all day and rowed around the foot with them & brought them home and set them on this side of the Island. Will here too running nets and night lines. Grace went to school. Eva cleaned chairs and moped [sic] kitchen floor. I churned all afternoon for a little butter. Wellys colt got away from V when leading to water and couldn’t catch it again. �page_0075 Re-read ’76 - ’84 �page_0076 Wednesday 28th May 1890 A fair day quite breezy from N.W. Volty and Johny working afield. Wellie gone to cape with fish. Will came over, run nets, caught a rock sturgeon, put in in a tub of water alive. The boys caught Welly’s colt in barn yard. Mr John Holliday made us a visit, stayed till after dinner. A specticle [sic] man called here with a bag of spectacles- didn’t look at them, had no money. Got a letter from Wells- makes two since he went away. Welly came at three Oclock. M brought me ten lbs sugar. I sent Jen 30 cts for butter. Welly had to lower his sail going to Cape Vincent, wind blows so George Niles went with him. Thursday 29th May 1890 A very fine day, hotter than the very old Dickens. The wind North part of the time & South the rest of the time. Wills Jr & John went to town, Ma went �page_0077 Bells’ for to stay a week, Evaline and I work pretty hard all day. I am so tired, I can hardly wiggle. But I have got to go the dock and carry Auntie B’s apron & took to her. I wanted to pick a boquet [sic] of flowers for the Capt & Auntie but did not get the time. Mrs J Garnsey & her daughter May went to town to day and so did Mrs G Farr and her son George. Charlie Woodman got hurt. A horse ran away to day and knocked him down. Wellie and John came home without any groceries. John & Wellie got each of them a new suit of clothes May 8th 1890 Another very warm day, guess we will get some more rain. Evaline & I very busy to day. Evaline washed some clothes for the baby in the afternoon. Muriel kind of cross and Maude is after the same fashion. Mary Dignum 14 years old yesterday. Lill & she & Jack here yesterday. �page_0078 I went up there to take her pills home and get a yeast cake but she did not have any. When I came back I went to Jen’s after butter, milk and kerosene and a yeast cake. She did not have any yeast cake or butter milk, so she gave me a loaf of bread. Voltie sorting potatoes. John pulverising potato ground. Wellie working at A. Joshlin another after noon. Hiram Joshlin here after the section ladder. Frank Woodman & Uncle Charlie here in the evening. Frank play very well on the violin. Wind South to day. May 31st 1890. Wind North West all day until night and then it angled in & to the South. All the lazy boys of the neighborhood played base ball to day in our pasture. Lillie and Shellie Miles came down to go to the ball play. We got out in time to see the boys go home. C Halliday here to day after potatoes. �page_0079 Voltie & John to work on the field in the forenoon; Voltie washed sheep in the after noon & Lahey helped him. John worked at something in the fields. The boys drove the cattle to the other place. The cheese maker down to the consession [sic] about 6:30 oclock talking with Will, Lahey & Voltie. I went to Wills after sour milk & butter. Will Dixon ate dinner & supper here. Muriel & Maud still coughing. Didn’t anyone receive any letters to day only W Lahey. Evaline mopped & done the sweeping & ironed. I did nearly all the other work, I made some cookies for one thing. I guess I will go to bed. This has been a very hot day. Good day. McGuinty June 1st Wind North. Wellie, Will D went across the river. John gone to church. Voltie asleep in the parlor on the sofa. W Lahey read �page_0080 Shakespeare. Evaline talking care of Muriel some of the time, she help do up the work. Maud very good nature to day. The cheese maker came in the after noon, he took supper here & stayed until 10 Oclock in the evening. The boys took him for a sail on W’s boat. Maud W & I went up to Mr Niles’ in the evening. John went down to Mr A Joslin’s. No sign of rain. June 2nd 1890 Wind North yet very hot. Everything is green & beautiful. John & Voltie to work on the field in the forenoon. Wells Jr fishing. John planting potatoes in the afternoon. Voltie shear my sheep in the p.m. Eva mopped and ironed. I did house work. Will Lahey at school. Wellie bought a pound of butter from Mrs Niles, he paid 16¢ per lb. Maud a pretty good girl �page_0081 Muriel has not coughed very much to day. Evaline made salt rising bread. We are nearly starved out, no nothing to eat only just what we beg. Wellie Jr went to Will D’s to get some more kerosene oil. June 4th Wed 1890 Wind blowing from the South & a very warm wind. Will Dixon ate dinner here. Voltie hoeing in the garden. John went down the Island after seed corn but did not get any and so he had to get some of Mr Niles’s. Devolson sold the sheep to Mr Doyle to day. He got 87.00 for the two. Evaline did washing and got it on the line about 2 I did general house work wrote [pencil fading out - illegible] �page_0082 June 3rd Tuesday 1890 A very pleasant day. Voltie went to Kingston & got the lost groceries & got him a nice pair of pants. John working in the field. Eva knit & I worked at everything. I took the carpet off from my bedroom floor & put it on the line. Wells Jr fished. The cheese maker & James Dixon here fishing. Mr OBrien went home & the Cheese maker & John & Will L went over to Breaker Bay fishing for bullheads & did not get any. Thursday June 6th Very nice day in the forenoon rained. Very hot in the p.m. John & Grace went to town. Eva did the work at home. Ma at Bell’s yet Grace stayed on the boat with Aunt Rashel [sic]. Friday June 7th 1890 Another beautiful day. Eva washed & mopped and did housework. �page_0083 Muriel & Maud crossed the river dickens. Grace on the boat with Aunt R ready for the excursion to night. Voltie, John & Will L went to the excursion, the boat did not arrive at our dock until 12 p.m. The Hennessy Girls & Rattrays Girls had to walk home. Devolson had the pleasure of going home with Hannah Rattray. I rode with C Woodman as far as the bars at the road. Mr & Mrs Gloyd here after a pig. Saturday June 8th 1890 Wind north, kind of chilly. Evaline mowed & mopped. I did the other work & sewed on my white skirt, do not feel very spry to day after trip on the boat. Eddie Bates here, the boys are going to Mr A Barry’s to a bee. Cheese maker here in the evening. Will Dixon & Frank Woodman here too. Ma received a letter from papa. �page_0084 Sunday 9 June 1890 Came home from Charlies to day. Charlie brought me home in buggy. A very windy day, cold, west wind but clear. Bell came as far as the Holliday’s. �page_0085 Re-read ’76 - ’84 �page_0086 PHOTOMOUNT PAMPHLET BINDER Manufactured by GAYLORD BROS. Inc. Syracuse, N. Y. Stockton, Calif. �page_0087 �This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following people: Ann Hopkinson, Ella Deering, Vivian Zhang, MaryV, carol ann, Queen’s University Archives, and Eric Irvine � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Subject The topic of the resource 19th and 20th Century Rural Ontario Diaries Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1887-1922 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1887 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1888-1889 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1889-1897 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1890 March - June Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1893-1895 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1895-1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1896 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1897-1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899-1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902, 1906 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902-1909 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1904-1905 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1907 & 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1908-1919 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1911 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913-1914 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1915-1916 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1916-1917 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1917-1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1921-1922 Language A language of the resource English Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1890 March-June Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1890 March - June Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th Century, Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). March 8th, 1890 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/0261576285d89533cb38dac053158289.pdf daa4042ab1abf689245722c76210c8f8 PDF Text Text Irene Dixon Bamford 1893-1895, Diary Transcription 5034_4-1-4 �Metadata FromThePage export of 5034_4-1-4 from Irene Dixon Bamford made on 2026-02-11 14:35:07 UTC. itemTitle: 1893-1894 (+ some Jan. 1895 entries) date: 1893-1895 Title: 5034_4-1-4 Description: Item is a diary. Created On: 2023-10-03 13:02:04 UTC In Scope: true Uploaded Filename: 5034_4-1-4 �page_0001 Irene Dixon Bamford DIARY 1893-1894 1893-’95 (& some Jan. 1895 entires) [stamp] QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES LOCATOR 5034.4 BOX 1 FILE 4 [/stamp] �page_0002 1893 - 1894 ( & some Jan. 1895 entries) �page_0003 Re-read 76-’84 �page_0004 June 30th Friday 49 1893 - 72 years ago [image- sticker] 1893 & R 1894 [/image] 74 yrs ago July 1st 1893 Saturday A beautiful day light wind South. I paint Piazza. Flora, John & Mrs. Lindley came over in Dodges boat �page_0005 50 July 2 Sunday July 3rd Monday �page_0006 51 July 4 Tuesday 51 July 5 1893 Wednesday Well, John, Flora and Mrs. Lindley went home this morning, I sorry to see John go away from home again. Wellie rowed them across and took the Post Office order over to Mr. Dodge to get the money forms. �page_0007 52 July 6th Thursday Well I am lonesome after John has gone home, to lonesome to stay home alone all day so Maud and I went up to Bells on the Richelieu. Grace went to Kingston. We had a pleasant time at Bells. Marjorie and Beatrice came home with us. When I got to the boat found Watson, Lib and Harry aboard going to Bamfords for a weeks visit percecuted [sic] by friends. Late when I got home but got supper for all. July 7 Friday A fine day Woke up this morning to find a lot of visitors once more for a whole weeks stay. Well I will put on the whole armor of patience and hard work and wade through. The Lord will see me through. Grace cleaned floors and made lemon pies. Lib cut out and sewed on Mauds dress. Mr W. and H went down to Wills rowed the skiff [illegible]and Grace & the Watsons [illegible] �page_0008 53 July 8 Saturday A fine day did not mop floors this day. Lib sewed on Mauds dress. After dinner Grace, Lib Watson & Harry went berrying. Wellie & Mart) haying July 9 Sunday A fine day Charley, Belle and two little ones drove down to make a visit and take Marjorie and Beatrice home with them—were very much surprised to find we already had company. Well we had the usual amount of noise, cooking and eating, glad to have Bell & family come over sorry when she went home. Evening visitors Mrs Barries 4 d[illegible] and Mr Buck �page_0009 54 I made Wills family a [illegible] July 10 Monday A fine day. S wind. Grace, Maude and H went berrying. Lib making a dress for Grace. Watson lying in hammock reading Greek. I doing the housework and cooking their meals. Wellie and Mart at the hay Volsome & his sisters here in eve July 11 Tuesday fine day but no finer than this miserable pen. Lib work on Graces dress. After noon went over to Wills to sew for Jen. Wellie and Mart haying. Watson over to Wills too. in Evening Harry, Maud and Grace go over to Wills. I stay home alone & have a peaceful time. Grace done washing to day. �page_0010 55 Wednesday July 12 wind south clouding up early in morning. rains all forenoon. Lib finishes Graces dress and mangles the clothes. Wellie and Mart build wire fence around Wellie’s house. After supper Grace, Harry and Mart go over to F. H. Dodges to get the $33 dollars. Welly sent Cape Vincent order for Dodge said he had a hard time to get it. Watson very sorry he couldn’t go to make Wellie a visit on account of rain Rec’d from Voltie 20 dollars for mills Thursday July 13 rather muddy this morning after yesterday’s rain. Mr & Mrs Watson, Harry, Maud & Grace walk to dock and carry by hand their gripsack’s and bags. Mart drove in for them but found they were gone before he got back from factory. Wellie drew a load of cheese to the dock this morning. Wellie and Mart drew hay to this barn and gathered a good load out of this yard. hived a swarm of bees. Wellie cant get much help about haying. To day I do just as I have a mind to. no one looking to me for a square meal though my [illegible] pile had got so low the meals were [illegible] [margin] the shore �page_0011 56 July 14 Friday 1893 Very warm day not much wind but South. Grace rowed boat down to Wellie’s. I went Wellies, stayed all day. Grace and Maud went raspberrying from Wellies. Wellie, Mart and Will drawing hay and stacking. Eveline rowed me home. Muriel and Hubert came too. found Maud and Grace been home long time. Jill Niles came and went to post ofice with Grace. Nearly dark when E and children went home in boat July 15 Saturday some what cloudy Wind south, blowing fresh, barometer falling. very warm. Wellie and Mart (and I think Will) drawing and stacking hay down by wellie’s. Grace, Maud and I alone. Grace cleaned floors. I washed windows and dishes, Maud done little work too. Maude and I fed hogs and pulled pig weeds for the pigs George Williams and Will help [illegible]he draw & stack hay drew stone [illegible]nd here I paid G a dollar �page_0012 57 for his days work. Nearly sunset. Wellie, Will, George, and Martin drew hay for Will Wellie helped uncle Smith dock hay.instead of drawing hay for Will Sunday 16 A hot clear July day. Arose at 6 O’clock. Very quiet. Mart and Maud went to church and Sunday school. No visitors till 2 Oclock. Will came bringing Joseph Goodfellow & staid an hour then went home. Grace and Maud went over to Wills at 4. Goodfellow came home with them, talked awhile then went back to Wills our marine glasses are a curiosity to him never having seen any before. He is looking for the lower school, came from Marysville on bycicle [sic] stayed all night at Sam Joslins Silve Woodman came home [illegible] [margin] Henry & Jill out driving �page_0013 58 July 17 Monday Forenoon Cloudy slight rain. Grace went berrying, clear hot P.M. I preserved the raspberries. Wellie George Williams helped Will stack his hay. Mart mowed hay with machine. Flora and Ethel came home with Grace to visit Maude. Grace and Maud and I went over to Will towards eve to fix the honey supperbut staid till dark, going to rain, hurried home before it rains but shower worked around to soak July 18 Tuesday a fine day no rain. Grace washed. Wellie George Williams, Will Dixon & Mart haying towards night. Will and Goodfeller came over with honey super [superstructure] and put them on the hive, one super most full now. Grace and Maud went over to Wills at noon to carry the suppers [superstructures] for Will to fix �page_0014 59 July 19 Wednesday I dont feel very well at all but had a visitor all day. Mr Goodfellow came in the morning and stayed ’till after dark. Talked potry [sic] ancient and modern history, read and lay in Hammock for the first time and looked through the marine glasses for the first time July 20 Thursday A very fine day Wind South no rain. Wellie and I went to K. Belle went too. great time all neighbors out getting their cheese money at the bank. Had a very pleasant day, paid some of Wells debts. I drew, 15 dollars on an Order. Wells sent to pay off hired help. Miss Bird came down with Wickham to Wills Dixon. Goodfellow went up on the boat this morning with his bycicle [sic] �page_0015 60. July 21 Friday A very warm day Wind South no rain. Wellie, Will and George Williams & Martin haying. they drew ten loads of hay for Wellie and two for Will Martin. brought Eveline and the children up in milk waggon so Eveline could sew on the machine Huberts dress. We had letters from Voltie and one from "Hugh Land Office" I dont feel very well after going to Kingston yesterday. Grace picked and shelled peas and carried them to Eveline, came back and went up to Mr Niles with oil can and a dollar to get oil and paris green for tater bags Saturday July 22nd. A very warm day Wind South with heavy thunder shower, first rain in nearly or quite two weeks. Maude went to pick peas. Grace and I went and picked the red raspberries and preserved them. Grace got something in her eye. Jen and Miss Bird & Charles picking peas for dinner. Grace cleaned floors. I churned, baked bread, wash dishes, got dinner, heard Maude read. Maud is very hard yet to learn. We cooked the beef E sent us, looked over my account �page_0016 61 July 23rd Sunday 1893. A fine cool day after yesterdays rain. We are realy [sic] alone all day except Shelly Niles came a little while. we sleep & read and do just as we have a mind too. We had green peas and Raspberries for dinner Monday 24 July A fine cool day Wellie, Will and Mart haying. Grace piercing a wollen [sic] quilt and sewing carpet rags. I am in the rag trade too �page_0017 62 Tuesday July 25 - 93. �page_0018 63. 28 September Saturday 1894 1898 The Watsons came again Harry Watson & Lib and stayed stayed 5 days this time. I hope this is their last visit for a while, a year at least and three years for Harry if ever Some time in Nov one Saturday eve The Watsons burst in upon us again. J W Watson and Wife stayed again till Thursday, Well when again [practice writing various samples of letter T] �page_0019 64 Dec 17th - 1893 Sunday A long time ago since I wrote in this diary. Voltie came home a week ago friday. Winter is come earlier this year than usual. The North channel is not quite frozen over but the Pierpont could not get in to Breakeys bay on Thursday last, which was a great disapointment [sic] to so many who had gathered there to go to Kingston to get their Christmas things. I have been sick with Grippe a week and sick enough too. Wells sick the same length of time. I am better but I dont think Wells gets along very fast he goes �page_0020 65. out door too much. He ought not to go out at all. Poor dear little Grace is half sick with grippe takes care of us all, and does all the house work. Maude is sick too with the same complaint but is better. Mart has had a cold all the week, and this morning Voltie is sneezing, going to have grippe too I guess. But Oh I thank god we are all living yet and I feel more and more every day how dependent we are upon his mercy. Well the boat couldn’t get into Hallidays Thursday. But this past week the boys have butchered. Voltie went to Charleys Wednesday evening with team thinking to go from there on the boat Thursday morning but no boat so drove to Marysville and went to �page_0021 66. Town from there with a grist of wheat for ourselves Wellie and Will Goodfellow called on us Tuesday evening. his school is finished Voltie stayed all night with Mr Watson Thursday night and came down home on Friday and brought medicine for the family. Wellie has had the grippe so he can help take care of us Monday 18th Voltie got up early this morning and went across the river for Dr B. Ed Bates went with him, got back about noon. Im better any way. I dont think I need a doctor. Wells pretty bad. Dr left medicine for Wells, Grace & Maude and I. Wells is mad that Voltie went for a dock �page_0022 67. says it is 3 dollars thrown away says Rum is the stuff. going to send tomorrow by Wellie to get rum. Grace, Wellie and Ed Bates going to Kingston tomorrow if good day. Bob Horn here waiting for the Dr to take him to Geo Ranous The Ranous family all down with grippe. Voltie and Bob H saw the Dr across the river again. The Dr, Bob H and Ed Bates ate dinner here Will Dixon went to Kingston Dec 1893 Tuesday 19th Stormy day so did’nt go to K after all. Ed came early but went back to Bill Smith’s again after going to post Office to mail letters for Smiths folks & Grace. Grace sent letters to John and Nellie Guy. Will came and brought two lemons fresh ones he �page_0023 68. gave Ruth Woodman one. Sam & Ruth are both sick with Grippe. Frank Woodman in Kingston sick with Grippe. I churned. I sent Sam and Ruth 2 quinine pills. On evening Voltie carried them some honey and in return they gave him some sweet apples. Dec 20 Wednesday. Grippe hangs on yet. Wells cough pretty bad and my throat is sore. Wells went to the barn. The day is very pleasant. I read most all day. Wellie came and carried home his crock of butter and a big piece of cheese. Will �page_0024 69 is canvassing for seed potatoes and doing good business. Wellie and Grace are intending to go to the city tomorrow. I have got so I can eat potatoes and gravy. James McKay was carried to the Marysville to day to be doctored for his foot. Dec 24 Thursday. Wind blowing a gale from the South this morning so Wellie and Grace stay home. I can wash dishes now but my head and throat is sore yet and a hard cough. I knit on the choir tidy to day and drink lemonade. Maud takes a nap every afternoon. V thinks he is coming down with gripp too. Welly and Grace intend going to K tomorrow, a cloudy day �page_0025 70 Dec 22 1893 Friday Jan 4th Friday 1895 A clear bright winter day and all are well. Each member of this family are at their respective employment. Bamford is mending old harness. Voltie working in the blacksmith shop. Mart choring around. Wells Jr here twice, very happy, cheerful and pleasant. Shelly Niles here visiting all afternoon. I darn Marts old macknaws and Mart overalls, sew carpet rags and make nine prints for Market Dec 23rd Saturday. Saturday 5 Jan 1896 Very cold morning, river frozen from shore to shore fore noon. Mart and V drew hay PM, sawed wood and went skating. Shelly Niles came and staid all PM. Wells Sr & Will went to Marysville for groceries and coal. An intensely cold day, came home after dark, very cold. Geo Rattray scattered coal all the way from the village to Rogans because his end board was up. �page_0026 71 Dec 24th Sunday 1898 Sunday 6 Jan 1895 Snowing all night, skating spoiled by snow, not very cold. John Smith burried to day. G & V went to the funeral held at the espicopal church and from there went over to Bells to make a very small visit, came home after dark. Raining some. Will here to supper drew dutchman in Mauds drawing book. A most enjoyable day but I am tired. Dec 25 Monday 1983 Christmas Ground nearly bare. Charley, Belle & Children came down in sleigh for the first Christmas they were ever here. We had a very pleasant time and would have had a better but we were none of us well from the grip, and Belle says if all is well, she, Charles and the children will spend next christmas with us. Well they go home early but got caught in rain before reaching home but they sat in bottom of sleigh and Charley covered them [illegible] with Buffalo robes so they wouldn’t get wet. �page_0027 72 Dec 26 Monday 7 Jan 1893 A soft windless day, a drizzling rain all forenoon. Grace washing. Wells Sr put a handle in the umbrella. Voltie helping Will and Wells Jr draw wood from the swale. Maud and I wash the breakfast dishes and then I get dinner. Bamford cut the beef. After dinner Will came over and they all went to election. Scrub Woodman and Develo Breabey running for councilors. Will D going up the Island canvassing for seed potatoes and fruit trees. Dec 27 Tuesday 8 January 1895 A soft day thaws snow soft, no wind. Cloudy. Bamford coping home. Voltie & Junior drawing a half ton hay to John McCann. Maud trying to study music. �page_0028 73 Dec 28 Wednesday 9 Jan 1895 A lovely day, sun shining brightly on the bright frozen snow and the ice covered branches of the trees reflect the rays of the sun with the brilliance of diamonds and gems of every hue and color. The winter landscape is truly beautiful. Grace making herself a dress, color- red. Bamford coping the house all day. Mart choring around and skating as usual. Voltie working in shop. Maud doing as she pleases. Evening V and Mr JN & GN went to Wells Jr to play poker. After 10 O’clock Dec 29 when returned. Saw Mart’s ghost this evening at bed time. Though it was Mart all right in in the flesh. Mart says it was not him he, but Marting lies. Martin is a liar anyway. E Joslin burried to day. Thursday 10 Jan 1896 A cold morning. Wind NE and begins snowing about 9 AM and now falling fast. Did intend going to W Jrs for a days visit but too stormy. Welly came up after breakfast on the ice (skating). Bamford mending horse lines where they had been fastened together by cutting a sht �page_0029 74 Dec 30 in one end of the broken line and passing the other end through the sht and then putting a long screw through the whole end. A pattent [sic] right invention of lno boys; so the father says. I suppose he is astonished at their cleverness. Ranous drawing hay from lower place. Wallace and George went over the river through the storm to Millen’s Bay for toques. Wall came here for Voltie to go with him. V didn’t go. Dec 31 Friday Jan 1 1895 Grace washed the colored clothes a soft day, cloudy, wind NE. Voltie went to help Wellie set nets but found the ice very poor, didn’t set any. Mart choring around as usual. Bamford mending harness in Kitchen. Mart went for the meal. Thawing all day with some rain in P.M., weather very thick and dark. Voltie over to Wills in evening. �page_0030 75 Jan 1 Monday 1894 Saturday 12 Jan 1895 A glorious day, bright warm and clear. Seldom such a day at this season. Set outside, doors open. Maude and her sled & the dog out nearly all day. Volties & Wells Jr making ice tongs. Bamford caping the house all day. Grace cleaned floors & made cookies. I worked my dress skirt, took a nap. Wellie here to dinner. Mr J Niles crossed the ice this morning and back again, reports ice very poor indeed full of holes. Wallace & Geo here this eve playing cards. Voltie helped Will carry in bees true Sunday 13th Jan 1895 Intended going to Belle’s this morning, Maude & I, but a wild snow storm is raging from the North, wind fiercely blowing, snow drifting. Alone all day. Wellie didn’t come up to day. Jack and Shell out skating during the short lull in the storm. Geo & Mart going courting this evening to Horn’s, storm so hard they couldn’t go. �page_0031 76 Monday 14 Jan 1890 A stormy day snowing and blowing all day to day & all last night drifting into cattle and horses stay in stables. Mr Woodman’s driving their cattle through the blinding storm to the river to water. Will D has no coal for their stove. Would like to have grandmother over if she could get here. Grace sewing a quilt. I sew and cut carpet rags. Tuesday 15 Jan 1895 A stormy day snowing and blowing. Very doubtful if OBrien goes for the mail. Ought to write a letter but not get time, cannot wash no soap. Voltie went in evening to Mr Niles for tobaco. Mart folowed [sic] him under pretence of going to post office. OBrien drove down on ice with mail (or Soban) J OBrien gone to a weding. Miss Dee married to a Brown. Snowed all day; cold medium. Morgan’s boys at J Niles; played cards �page_0032 77 Wednesday 16 Jan A fine day, light wind S.W. Charles Woodman drove up on the ice to Kingston. V & Mart drew three loads of hay from old barn or stock after dinner. V went over and brought his grandmother here, first time she been here since last April. No kerosine. V went to Mr Niles to borrow kerosine after dark. Mart rigged out again for Horns; going with Wallace. Wallace didn’t care to go with Mart. A J Niles young people gone visiting to George Ranous instead. Mart disapointed again. Thursday 17 Jan 1895 A fine day wind S.W., swing around to North towards eve. V and Mart drew straw and after dinner went to River view for kerosine; drew it over on Mr JN’s sled. Said crossing good enough for horse. Will Dixon went up the Island canvasing for trees; came back at evening time. Wells started to go to special school meeting at 10 A.M. but learned it was appointed at one P.M. so called at Samy’s and made a visit; came home to dinner and then went to school meeting and adjusted their school affairs all right. Bamford going to turn the benches around for a dollar; glad he’s got a job. No teacher yet; V brought news that Norman Petrie and Jesse Reid has a lawsuit. Reid won the suit. �page_0033 78 Friday 18 Jan 1895 A cold freezing morning preceded a frozen night. Not much wind, dark clouds lying off Southward, dark blue. A cloudy sky. Wells Sr gone to the school house with a market basket of tools to work at his cash job, didn’t get through till 4 O’clock. Voltie and Mart sawed the maple logs for stove wood. Wellie here to dinner. Voltie carried W.G. Woodman’s letter to Geo Niles chosen friends meet this eve at G.W.W.’s. Will canvassing the foot of Island for apples trees & taters. Charlie Dixon came and brought me pies. Jan 19 January 1895 A cold morning freezing hard. Wind West. Voltie bushed a road across the river just forming & the house came back after dark. Will went to Carlton Island and the Bay for oil. Rachel came home with ]]Grandmother Dixon]] here came last Wednesday. Rachel ate supper here then Will came and he went over home with him. �page_0034 79 Jan 20 Sunday A mild day Wind S. Wells Sr, Maud and I went over to Belle’s in sleigh found roads very good. Had a fine visit only the children went out playing in the snow and came in covered with snow from head to foot. Came home again just at dark, found R here. Grandmother did not go home, found her here too. Voltie and Charley Woodman|Chas Woodman]] drove to corners saw Buchanan about lung complaint. Dont believe any thing ails either of them. A cloudy day, looks like a thaw. Wellington Smith here - gone home now away across the ice & away, away, away. Jan 21st 1895 Monday A mild soft cloudy day. Voltie gone with Rachel to Carleton Island. Will D and Charley over here came for their oil. GD gave young C a reprimand for striking his sister Flora. Well tis 20 minutes past 11 AM, supose I will have to look around about the dinner. Heard this day that Frank Woodman has got the best head and most brains of any shote on the Island. So his brother Charles says. Supose his brother Charles knocked some sence [sic: sense] into him when when he got him out in the field and laugh when he used to give him a pounding every day so as to make an M.D. of Frankie by swan going to rain. �page_0035 80 Jan 22nd Tuesday 1895 Rained all night but frozen. Go to Kingston but a blinding blizzard of a snow storm set in from S.E. so they unhitched the horses from the sleigh and posponed [sic] going. Woodmans went, J Niles went. Storming all day but not cold. Voltie working in shop all day. Wells Sr covering an old umbrella. Mail; the White, Yankee, letters from Miss Healey, John Bamford, Voltie potatoe outfit & a letter for me from Dick Brown. Mart lost Wellies paper, Kingston News - coming home. Jan 23rd Wednesday 1896 A beautiful bright day. Wind South West. Wellie and Will gone to Kingston, Ed Bates came over stoped at Wellie’s awhile then came up here and stayed till Wellie & Will came home from Kingston. Duneau Juire drove down inviting to a dance at Will Dixon’s to be given Friday evening. Frank Woodman here. Will D, Frank W & J.D.B. went to Griffens River View to a dance walked across the ice. Martin gone over to stay all night with Jen and the children. Henry Halliday & Matilda Niles married this morning �page_0036 81 Jan 24 Thursday 1895 Will and Voltie came at 6 Oclock this morning. The dance a failure on account of a slim attendance. Not going to give any more parties. Voltie went immediately to bed and did not get up till eleven Oclock AM. A cold morning and growing colder toward night. West wind. Wellie here & drew wood from the swale. Will & Charles here for one bag of their coal. Send Mart to Mrs Niles’ for a butter basket. Churned to day and made 15 lbs of butter for market. Grace & Voltie going to Kingston tomorrow morning. Jan 25 Friday 1895 Arose at 1/2 past 4 Oclock. A fine morning, bright clear and cold. Voltie and Grace gone to Kingston came back at 1/2 past 2 Oclock PM and went to Will’s to an evening party. Mart went too. Stormed all night from the North wind and snow. A terrible storm. Whole party had to stay all night. Horn’s team brought Voltie and Grace home in the morning at daylight. A tough time for the party from up the Island to go home. The Jimies and Archie Berry. Frank Woodman ate so much made himself sick. �page_0037 82 Jan 25 Saturday 1895 A stormy morning from the North. Voltie, Grace & Mart came home at breakfast time. After breakfast Grace went to bed and slept till two Oclock PM. Mart slept till dinner was on the table. Voltie called him up to dinner. Voltie worked in the shop all day. Wells Jr here to dinner. The storm increasing to the most severe winter snow storm I ever saw. Very hard work to get water enough to cook our meals. V wading in snow above his knees to get water from the river. Will came over and carried a half bushel of coal home on his back but the wind went around to the South and snowed and blew harder than ever. And continues to howl and storm all night, the hardest I ever heard. Jan 27th January Sunday 1895 A fearful stormy morning. Wind West & blowing and snowing such a blinding snow storm cannot see a rod from the door for drifting snow banked high and continues the same all day. The more packed so hard a man can walk on top of the drifts. Will here for more coal. Frank Woodman here wants Voltie to go with him to Morgans going to try and walk up there in this storm. Voltie will not go. �page_0038 89 Jan 1728th January Monday A fine morning Wind W. Frank Woodman goes to lower school. Voltie & Mart draw wood from - I dont know where. Wellie here. Grandmother goes home. Voltie drives down the river for Lizzie Horn, couldn’t come this eve. Clouds over cast the sky and snow falls again. continued on page 24 Jan 18 Thursday 1894 Arose very early this morning. Wells, Voltie and Grace going to Kingston. Ground bare, no snow so drive with sleigh across by Mike Obriens and so back by Johns Obriens and take the ice to Kingston. So far this Winter the ice is poor. They drove back on the ice all the way home. Will and Jen gone to the weding [sic]. Annie Gillespie and Charles Ferming married to day. Will brought the four youngsters over here while they are gone to Howe Island. Clara Woodman died this A.M. at 11 Oclock. Wells, Voltie & Grace came home quite early before dark, drove all the way home on the ice. Grace frightened ice so badly cracked. They done very well with the marketing (turkeys and butter). Wells bought me a clothes basket and 59 yds factory unbleached and 7 yd toweling, onions. Voltie left his rubbers and a new pair of pants for Mart in town. �page_0039 84 Jan 19th Friday 1894 A very fine day, wind North. Wells went down to Wellingtons to get sleigh bolts made and stayed to dinner. Mrs & Mrs Eben Joslin there since Saturday. They have had the grippe. Wellie came up awhile. Will and Jen came home from the Weding. Will came over for the children and they didn’t want to go home. W said the weding was a dull affair. Voltie went down to the wake at Will Woodmans and did not get home till 10 AM next day. Mary Woodman and Ed Bates & Sarah Gillespie there & Wallie Niles. [margin] Ed & Grace out skating at eve. Jan 20th Saturday 1894. Sun shining out, clear. Clara Woodman burried [sic] to day. Afternoon Wells went over the river to see Van & found him much better. A great time for ice boating and skating. Grace, Maude, Voltie and Martin out all PM. Towards eve the wind springs up from South E and blows a harrycon [hurricane]. The ice boats fly like lightning. The skaters fly before the wind. Mart ride back on the ice boat. Frank Woodman dont get our much this winter, too dull. Ed Bates here in evening. �page_0040 Jan 21 Sunday 1894 Wind S.E. Blowing a gale and raining hard. Ground bare. Not any snow for a long time. A very bad winter so far. Ice badly cracked. Sunday PM clears up and a very fine day. No one called on us to day, not even Wellie. Wells, Voltie & Mart are sitting side by side in a row with elbows on their knees reading; Walls the Whig, Voltie the News and Mart the Yankee Blade. Jan 22 Monday 1894. A very fine day. Wind west not very cold cold. Charley Woodman, McNeely & Voltie go to Millens Bay on Wellies ice boat, went at 11 Oclock AM, going to be gone one hour but gone till half past three. Then Voltie goes to help Wellie run sturgeon net at foot of Island & got a sturgeon. Grace & E Bates out skating in evening. Mart skating too. Maud commenced going to school this morning. Lill Niles here in evening to get subscribing for Newspaper started to go home but came back again with Grace and Maud till 1/2 9 Oclock eve. V goes home with her after they all have played and danced two hours. No snow, ground bare. Will gone again on his commissionor to Howe Island. Grace done big washing. �page_0041 86 Tuesday 23rd A very fine day like spring, no snow on land or ice. Wells & Kelly gone to Kingston on the ice. Maud gone to school. Voltie & Mart went to Lindas Isle for setting up wood. Voltie came back, stoped & choped some wood for Eveline. After dinner drew straw from stack then Voltie helped churn and went with Frank Woodman to draw a load of wood, for Charley Woodman has gone for the doctor for his father who has got the grip. Grace finished her waist for the ball. Grace went to post a letter to Montreal and found the McNeeley’s just starting for home. Wells and Wells Jr came home at 7 PM. Henry Holliday here in evening and went skating with Lill Niles. All the rest of the youngsters at Breakeys Bay Wednesday 24th Cloudy morning and springing up from the South, blowing a gale. Gulls flying from the Lake. Voltie and Mart went to Lindas Isle to pick up the wood & get back at dinner time. A disapointment to Grace and V on account of the storm for they cannot go to the ball. Storming �page_0042 89 hard rain and wind terrific. Voltie hitched up and went for Maud, Shelly & Milly and bring them from School. Mr Niles came home from Marysville through all the storm. He drove up in his buggy. The ice from Marysville to Kingston very poor Jan 25 Thursday 1894 Voltie came down stairs this morning singing after the ball is over. A still bright clear morning. Wind N, ground bare and frozen, ice glittering in the sunlight. Wellie, Voltie, Mart and Wells Sr went to Lindas Island for wood found the ice good for a double team and heavy load, drew one load for Wellie. After dinner Grace to get subscribers for the Ladies World but got wrong, went to C Woodmans, Obriens, Barrys. After supper she went to Mrs Niles to make an evening call. Voltie went with Will, H Woodman to Clubbing bay on ice foat [sic] for oil, had to push the boat most of the way over and back again. about 8 pm. George Morgan Jr came home with V and stayed till 10 PM �page_0043 88 Jan 26 Friday 1894 Sun rose clear but soon grows cloudy, a very cold morning wind East. Voltie, Mart & Wells Sr drew wood from the Isle. Wellie went to grapple for his sturgeon net. ground bare and hard frozen with the furrows and hollows filled with ice. The weather clouds and air threatens snow and hope we will get good sleighing for we have had none this winter. Wells is just saying that before long the roads will be so filled with snow that it could be hard to get through the snow. Saturday Jan 27th 1894 A fine day. Wind SE, very pleasant, about an inch of snow on the ground and ice. Wellie, Voltie & Mart drawing the straw stack in the barn all A.M. Wellie stayed to dinner. Made E a lemon cake. After dinner V went to O’Briens to get the horses shod. O’Brien not at home - gone visiting sturgeon net. Wells Sr making a lounge from an old bedstead. I mended clothes and ironed patch work pieces. Grace cleaned floors &c &c �page_0044 Jan 28 Sunday 1894 A quiet half cloudy day not very cold. No one here except Will called about a sick calf, been hooked. Voltie & Grace spent the day at Wellie’s had a pleasant time and in evening went to church. Maud going too. E Bates piloted Will Alen & wife across to the American shore they are going to visit their relatives and friends. The Sabath day comes gently to a close and all is well 29 Jan Monday A mild cloudy day looks like rain or snow. Wind South. Voltie went to James OBrien to get the horses shod, came home just in time for dinner. Wells Jr got one sturgeon and pulled out the net, all snarled and full of weeds. Heard this day something terrible. Why should I write in this diary that Cobet had killed Mr Athel in a prize fight. Snow begins falling fast, heavy, full of snow from the North East. Grace & Voltie instead going to Kingston tomorrow & stop at Marysville to the Ball tomorrow eve. Grace and I dressed three turkeys for market. Mart commenced going to school this morning. Voltie drove to school house through the storm for Maud. �page_0045 90 Tuesday 30 Jan 1894 Snow piled up very deep this morning. Voltie wallowed through the snow this morning to the river for a pail of water, snow above his knees and still snowing fast and steady. So once more the Marysville Ball is a failure and disapointment, but V & G do not care. Maud will have to stay home from school to day and the turkeys will have to lay in the market basket till the storm is over and the roads are plowed. Lill Niles has a quilting party the PM and V drove with Grace to the quilting, this party is in honor of Lill’s birth day. Well after V got back from the quilting we heard Will Gillespie’s child is dead. So they have no evening party at J Niles. Jim Obrien went for the sprail and stand is the box Jan 31 Wednesday. A fine bright day, rather cold. Wind W. Wellie came up to pull the fish net and draw hay, and then drove to foot to get fish and I go down to Eveline’s on the sleigh and stay all day. Wellie got 2 sturgeon from the lower nets, snow on the ice is very deep as well as every where else in the evening. V & G & M go to Mission meeting. V goes home with Lill. Mart comes home very noisy and smoking around �page_0046 the rooms before he goes to bed, rolling the stone and talking loud waking every one that is sleeping. Maude & M went to school this morning Feb 1st 1893 A very pleasant day, still, no wind but cloudy around the horizon. Voltie & Grace gone to Kingston in cutter. Will came early but went up with J.N. Wells Sr carried Mart & Maude to school on sleigh. Wells Jr came to his uper nets but no fish. Wellie brought me a sturgeon, cooked some for dinner. Wellie drew two loads of wood for himself. I caught a slight cold and do not feel very well to day. V & G carried up the last (free) turkeys to day. I have a very quiet peaceful day. Wells working in barn making a door for the back stable, went with team for Maud & Mart but met them by the consession. School very noisy and disorderly. V & G came just in the edge of the evening. After supper, M went to stay with Jen. An altercation this morning between W vs Will & Voltie concerning the humorous proclivities of his Reverence, Mr White. Feb 2nd This morning the sun rose clear in a cloudless sky. A light frosty mist hangs over the landscape. The clear whiteness of snow is every where, covering up and hiding every shrub stone and deeply draped in [fields?]. This is the anniversary of my weding. �page_0047 92 day 34 years married it seems a thousand years ago. Wells, Wellie, Voltie & Mart gone to Lindas for wood and a barn frame, fence post &c and worked at the business all day. Grace done big washing and hung the clothes on the line. Wellie sent his sturgeon up on the sleigh and came up in the evening and took the pelts off. Welly & Wells are going to K tomorrow. Voltie and Grace intended going to the singing practice at W.G.W. but so late when they got through with their work, concluded to stay home. V went for mail. Weather looks very much like a storm. The bear could see his shadow this day. Saturday Feb 3rd 1894 A quiet morning sky, very much over cast with clouds threatning snow. Rose early ate breakfast by lamplight. Wellie came and Wells and Wellie gone to the city by the open roads. River roads are filled with snow. Mart and Voltie drove down to Wellies nets & captured 6 sturgeon. A very good haul indeed. Wells and his father came home at 8 PM found the roads badly drifted. George and Wallace Niles here in evening and after supper. V is �page_0048 Mart & The Niles boys went over to Wells to play cards stayed till eleven Oclock. Wellie drew this merchandise down on Mauds sled. Sunday 4 Feb 1894 Service held three times in church to day. Quarterly meeting, service conducted by Rev Barret, assisted by Rev White. Grace attended service three times and after evening service went home with Mary and William, the ministers going too. Ed Bates ate supper with us. Wells reading his news paper all day. I read Scotts poem Lord of the Isle, cold, Wind N Monday. A fine day but very cold wind N. Wellie, Voltie and Wells drew two logs for barn frame from Lindas, then Grace came down from Williams with Will & the Ministers. Then Voltie & Grace start for the villiage at 8 oclock, going to the ball. M at school. Maude at home. Dick Brown came to W Dixon’s from Gananoque Tuesday 6th Feb 1894. A fine day, Wind South. V & G came home early this morning in time for breakfast. Had a fine time at the Ball. They went to bed and slept till nearly three o’clock p.m. Wells drove to Millens Bay for kerosine found the roads difficult to travel. Will & Dick here grinding axes. Wellie here running net got none - gave him sweet milk and sour cream. A dance at Eben Joslins. George & Lill Niles, Maud & Mart went to school to day �page_0049 94 Feb 7th Wednesday 1894 A very fine day but the wind blowing from South. Ash Wednesday to day, Lent begins and so does fasting for 40 days. Maud & Mart goes to school. Maude started to walk But Voltie hitched up team and caught up with her before she got too the church. Walking very bad for children. V and Wells drew four logs from Linda’s this forenoon Thursday 8 A mild cloudy day, thawing ground, bare in a few spots. Rained some in the night. Wells went to Kingston with double team. Mart & Maude went to school. V drove to school house. Welly came up and took team and drew wood for himself then Wellie & Voltie went to Ed Rattray’s chopping bee. Mart came home at noon to do the chores. Maud after lingering along the road, walking coming from school with both feet wet. Buttons all torn from her apron and Mart had slaped her in the face in school time for making faces at him. Mart chewing tobaco and whistling desk �page_0050 95 Friday 9 Feb 1894 A cold morning, Wind N begins snowing at 10 AM, snowing thick & fast all day. V & Mart brough [sic] water for Grace to wash. Grace done big washing as usual but stormed so hard, could not hang them on the line so left them in the tub. V and W Jr drew wood for Wellie and then drew hay from the stock. Mart went to school. Grace & V were going to Niles to practice singing but as they were getting ready Walace [sic] and George came in with their coats covered with snow & said there would no one meet there to sing this evening so they staid home and Wallace went to Mr Woodmans for the mail while V & George played poker. Will came over awhile after dinner and Voltie and Will cleaned the organ �page_0051 96 Saturday 10 Feb 2894 Raining morning, Wind S. Blowing hard. Afternoon Snow & freezing. Will here in the morning prepared to go on the potato mission. But Snub Woodman went and left him because he did not drive the ice. Wells finished the lounge. Voltie reeled carpet rags. Grace sick all day, caught a cold yesterday. I moped [sic] floors and done all the Saturday work. Snow, soft ice covered with water. Voltie in the evening went on horse back to Mr Niles to buy tobaco of [sic] Wallace and came back at 1/2 past nine PM. Mart went for the mail this morning, a letter from Johny and one from Rachel. Sunday 11 Feb 1894 Wind West and cold cloudy but clearing up at 10 AM. sun shining out clear. Would like to go to Belle’s but cold and going very very slow. Frank Bamford skated over and brought Wells a letter from Clayton. WallaceNiles & Mart went over the river to Old Hides Boy for tobac. Dick Brown came over a while. Ed Bates here in evening �page_0052 97 Monday 12 Feb 1894 A very cold morning but Ed Bates and Will drove up the ice to Kingston. Ed gone out with a load of clothes bars to peddle. Will going to help him and then going on his own buisness [sic] It keeps growing colder and thickening up for a storm. At three oclock PM a terrible snow storm from the North with wind and cold, very cold. I dont think Ed Bateswill come home this night nor Mr J Niles and George Niles. They went up to Town this morning. Mart went to school and came home with a black eye. The school is bad as ever. Wells oiling harness in the kitchen. Wellie drew a load of wood. The Doctor over to see Sam and Lill Joslin. Tuesday 13th Feb 1894 A terrible storm of wind and snow from the North. None so bad for a number of years so Wells says and so very cold. The storm with snow howled all night drifts piled up everywhere. Dont know as Ed Bates came home or not. Dont know as J Niles & George �page_0053 98 came home or not. Dont think O’brien can go for the mail to day. Mart & V carried water to the horses and the cows out only long time enough to drink. Wells oiling harness in Kitchen and Mart & Voltie studying Arithmetic all day. No one here to day, milder towards evening, but freezing hard. Wednesday 14th Feb 1894 A beautiful fine day just cold enough to freeze a little. Wellington drove to Kingston. Wellie came up and brought the chair tidy. Welllie got two sturgeon from the nets & Wellie and Voltie are going to Kingston tomorrow with hay if it is a fine day. Wells Sr finished oiling the harness and Maud went out and got stuck in a snow bank. Voltie and Mart drew 4 loads of hay from the stack. Then Mart went down to help Wellie saw wood. Voltie went to the lecture 2/2 of 1/8 = 1/6 anent courtship & marriage delivered by Rev Mr White Methodist church �page_0054 99 Thursday 15 February 1894 A snowy day freezing North. Voltie & Mart studying Arithmetic all day. Mart in Reduction and V in complex fractions. Wells making sleigh box. I am mending shirts. Grace crocheting a spool bag and Maude does as she likes. The day and Evening passed away very pleasantly as usual. The storm prevented going to the city as W & V had intended. Friday 16 A fine clear cold day. Wind North. Voltie decorded the sleigh by his fathers request. Wellie came for the sled to draw wood & Charl helped Wellie get wood from the swale. After dinner, V & W JR and W Sr went over the river to the Island for wood. Wells going to Linda’s. Grace mending a dress for herself. I washed and ironed some things. Voltie came back and and [sic] then drove over in cutter, for his father. Wallace Niles came in evening and he and Mart intended to go over to Jens to play cards. �page_0055 100 but went to Burnhams instead. Dick came and brought our mail. A letter from Nellie Grey, one from Rairy Wand, one from George Kirkpatrick’s office. Saturday 17 A bright morning, boys gone to Kingston with hay. The wind blows as hard from east and blusters. I colorad Mauds dress and dried & ironed it and done baking. Grace cleaned upstairs and cleaned down stairs. Maud helped a little. V & Mart working out doors. Boys came home from city at seven, brought Will Allen & Will Dixon with them. Sunday 18 Rained all night but cleared away midday. Wind blowing hard from South. Ma, Voltie & Maud gone to Belles. Mart going to Niles. Pa & G at �page_0056 101 house alone. Wellie came up and Will Allen went down to Smiths with him. He says he has a lead on him as large as our cheese lot. This morning Wallace Miles came down for Arthur to go home with him. M stayed for dinner up there then he came home & W came with him and help do chores then the two went over to Will Dixons. Monday 19 Wind South West, a very pleasant day, the boys and Capt. drew wood from the Isle. Martin gone to school. Maud & Grace done house work and I cut carpet rags. W. Dixon here for violin & song book. Voltie & W gave gone to the fish nets. The beggars gone down the isl to night. �page_0057 102 Tuesday 20th quite a pleasant day. Wind blowing South, blustered some this morning. Wells Sr gone to Clayton N.Y. Wells Jr & Voltie are over at the Island. Martin at school. Maud & Grace alone to-day. Ma finished sewing our carpet rags: that was cut yesterday. W.G. Woodman & family went to Watertown to day. Charlie Woodman went for Dr yesterday for his father. They boys intended going to Kingston to-day with hay but wind blew to hard Wednesday 21st A very pleasant day. Wellie gone to Kingston with hay Will Dixon went with him. Martin gone to school. Voltie & Pa drawing hay and done other little odd work in the evening. Voltie drove G & M to Mrs Niles to spend the eve found G & Lill gone to Joslins �page_0058 108 Thursday 22nd A very stormy day. Wind South West, too stormy to draw hay to Kingston. A dance to-night at A. Persy’s. Charlie Woodman here. Martin gone to school. Voltie mended. Bobe to draw hay on cleared away towards night. Voltie & Grace went to the dance, had a fine time, got home at 3 Oclock in the morning, slept until 5 Friday 23rd A fine day, very cold. Wills Jr & Capt went to Kingston with hay. We had breakfast at 6 O’clock. The work all done up at 7. Martin stays at home from school. Grant went to bed after dinner awhile. Voltie was "snoozing", the assessor came, Will Fauset Sat 234 rd Another cold day. Wells Jr & Martin gone to the city. Capt. gone to Clayton. Grace & M and & Voltie at home alone. Grace did all house work. M is grunting around. �page_0059 104 with sore throat. Pa came home early from Clayton, his hands nearly frozen. Wells & Martin home from Kingston early (W, D came with them. I think the wind is South W. Grace baked beans Sunday 25 A very good day. Wind South. Sun shine out clear. Aunt R & Norman Petrie came here from Lafargeville. Norman stayed here for dinner. A.R. went to Wills for dinner, then came back here for a short while. After dinner George Morgan & Flora came and stay for tea, and spent the evening. No service to-day. Wells Jr out ice-boating. Ma in yet a Belle’s. �page_0060 105 26th Feb Monday 1894 A cold day, Wind North. I came home from Bells to day. Charlie drove over with Irene and I, arriving home at 3 p.m. stoping on his return at the school house for Margarette and Beatrice. Found Grace washing, nearly done with clothes line full of clothes. I washed all the socks & stockings. Wellie and Voltie gone to Gananoque to mill. The boys came home early. Mart at school. Evening visitors, George, Lill & Wallace. Tuesday 27 Feb 1894 Wind S.W., a very fine day. Wellie and Wells went to Kingston with hay. Wells went up with cutter to see Sine the horse doctor for the black mares eye which was cut on the neck yoke while loading hay at the barn, came home at 1/2 past 6 PM. This is the 6 load of hay up to date. Wells brought Grace & I each a print dress, 64 yds unbleachd cotton, two new blankets, and 8 yds cowhide, a pair of pants for himself. Will & Voltie hitched up old Jim and went to look for �page_0061 106 Wellie’s dog. They went to Millens bay but could get no trace of the dog. Evening time Frank Woodman brought down one of their horses and hitched up to V’s cutter and they went to River View to a donation held at the hotel for the Rev Stronger and came home at 12 Oclock midnight, traveling on ice fine. Wednesday 28 and last day in Feb 1894 A fine day. Wind S.W. Wellie gone again to the city with hogs. Wells working in the shop at something. A man from Gananoque called to sell a harness. Did not buy. Voltie went towards evening to Walls’s to cut E some wood, came up home and brought with him Hiram Davis & son and Derush. They had been to Clayton to the races, went down on an ice boat but no wind coming up so they pushed the boat as far as here and stoped here to supper. Left later and and [sic] walked home 7 miles. V went up by Niles to help Wellie across. The big clock hose up like a mountain. Mart at school �page_0062 107 March Thursday 1894 A fine clear day warm, snow melting, wind South. Wells and Voltie drew a big log from (maple) Lindas then went to Clayton to the races. Wellie & Mart drew hay from the old barn. Will mowed away one load of hay then Will and Wellie hitched up before the other cutter and drove to William G Woodmans for his dog which was at their door tuesday morning. But Voltie had advertised in the Clayton paper to day. I sick most all day with indigestion. Eugene Dixon here to stay all night. Tis the first time he has been here for years. Mart stayed home. Norman Petrie lost his suit with Jess Reid. Wellie caught a sturgeon 2nd March 1894 Wind South but very still, air warm like a spring morning, cloudy with a sprinkling of rain, snow soft & fast disapearing. Wellie cant draw hay. I think this rain will cause a general breaking up of good sleighing and cold weather Did not rain much but warm and cloudy. Twould have been a good �page_0063 108 day to draw hay after all. Frank Woodman, Voltie & Uncle Samy gone to the Clayton races again to day. Samy furnishing the horse and V furnishing the cutter, robes and whip. I am trying to churn a little butter. Grace sewing on her calico dress. Maude & Irene making a noise. Eugene Dixon gone to Wills to dinner. Mart gone to school. Eugene came back and waiting till evening for Voltie & Grace to go to W.G. Woodman’s to an oyster party given by the "chosen friends". Stayed all night till 5 Oclock in the morning. 3rd March & Saturday 1894 A beautiful day. Wind S, very calm and warm. Snow fast disapearing. Mart & Voltie making a small table for me. Grace feels rather dissapated after last nights debauch though she slept till 9 AM. I did not call her up. Wellie intended going to K with hay but the roads are all slush and Wellie so sick. �page_0064 109 with a cold. Milly came down to get Mart to go to Mr Samy’s to help Sam do the chores for Frank is not very well though he is not very ailing. I think he is only sleepy after eating so many oysters last night which Frank and [blank] ate a milk pan full. Wellie came up after dinner and I doctored him with Fowlers extract of Wild Strabery [sic]. Charley W gone to Glenburnie for his wife. Mart stays all night at Woodmans. Sunday 4 March A warm cloudless sky light, Wind S. The heavy snow banks dissolving and setting away. 5 ice boats out here on the ice. Wellies, Charley Kendalls, Livingstons, Niles and the Davis boat. Wellie, Voltie and Grace out riding on Kendalls ice boat. Mart came home at 11 A.M. and has gone to church. M didn’t like it at Woodmans—had to clean all the stables after 30 cows and 9 horses—said the stables looked as if they had not been shoveled out in three weeks. Capt Allen & wife and Winnie Smith have come down from Kingston and gone to Smiths and I sit here in the warm sunlight by the south window. �page_0065 110 of the dining room and almost go asleep all alone. Grace, Maud and Irene in the little room cracking [?] into. Wellie gone home. Wells sr an [sic] Voltie out to the barn. Mart at church and I lazily sit looking out the window watching. Dick Brown coming over the ice till he arrives near shore and is confronted by a huge crack of bilged ice which is shoved up 10 or 12 feet high and I go to the door and tell him where to come ashore. Will here and says someone has killed his dog joe. Will found him along side the road just below our barn but, in all probability Sams & J Niles dogs killed Joe dog. Well the day past and a peaceful Sabath evening is closing with a beautiful warm sunset. Monday 5 March 1894 A cloudy damp morning wind South, raining a little. No going to Kingston this day. Mart at school through the mud. Wells finished my table he has been making which is very nice and I am pleased with it. Grace made Maude a night �page_0066 111 dress. Welly brought me a piece of sturgeon and I gave him pork. Will here and I gave him a piece of the fish Welly brought me and W Jr and V gave Will some potatoes. I patched Wells Sr’s pants and sewed on my log cabin quilt. Mart at J Niles this evening. Frank Woodman here this evening. Mart came at 11 Oclock PM He and Wall N walked through the mud to Henessey’s to play cards . I’ll make no comments thereon. Tuesday 6 March 1894 Time marches on and never stops. Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, centuries roll on for ever roll on into eternity. Life and all creation is a profound mistery [sic], only death can lift the winter soil. a fine very warm day wind South. Ground nearly bare. Smith’s ice house. Ed Bates & Welly filling the ice house for Uncle Smith. Grace done a big washing. I brought and set in my new table Wells made and find it just the thing. Another dog fight between here & Sam’s, Niles big brute and Sams two dogs and another little dog. Niles dog shaking the life out of the little one. �page_0067 112 Spaff Joy is making maple sugar. Wellie came up and brought Graces clothes bars Ed Bates had made. A lecture from Rev White this evening at the church up courtship and marriage. Voltie, Grace & Mart went. Ed B came and went too but soon returned for no lecturer was there though there were many that came out through the mud. Wednesday 7th March 1894 Day by day the fields grow more bare and mudy. Last night the wind blew a gale from the S and the rain fell in torrents. The weather appeared a little colder this morning but proved to be only a hope that it might be colder. Wellie, Mart and Voltie getting out ice and filling the ice house. I am not very well. Grace is ironing. Wellie went to Mr Niles to buy a few apples and Mr Niles gave him a bag full. Wellie gave me some, cloudy weather. I go asleep while writing this diary. Ebe Joslin got in ice all over out in the channel while from the Island home. �page_0068 113 Thursday 8 March 1894 11 Oclock PM and later Voltie at the barn so Mart says. I have just been up stairs to ask him if he knows where Volty is. The Niles children here and Frank Woodman this evening. Mart, George, Well and Frank played cards in kitchen. Voltie and the girls in the parlor with Maude and Irene too. A very fine warm day, snow nearly gone, ice very poor. Mart went to the Bay for tobaco. Will went too for oil. Laura Smith sick abed. Eveline there all day. Wellie at home taking care of the children. Grace went down and stayed awhile this afternoon and going again tomorrow. Wells and Voltie & Wellie hewed timber for the new barn. John Nesbit got in the ice. 12 past eleven. Voltie says there is a new calf at the barn, the first one. no going anywhere unless absolute a nessesity [sic] compels, the roads and ice almost impassable. Eddy Bates went across to his summers work at Pritmans afraid there would soon be no crossing or would not have gone so soon. �page_0069 114 Friday 9 March 1894 Another quiet still warm day, cloudy & hazzy [sic]. Wells, Welly, Will and Voltie and Mart are tearing of [sic] the old shingles from the roof. The ground around the house covered with falling shingles and now they are nailing on the new ones. Grace gone to Bills to help. Laura, Eveline and Muriel & Robert there too. Then Lill Niles came and brought me a dozzen [sic] of new laid eggs and some apples & some wool pieces for my log cabin quilt with which I am very much pleased and away she goes to Laura’s too. Well I am sure now Laura will get well with so much help. This morning George Niles walked with Sadie across the river, says the ice is very poor and with difficulty picked their way across. Wells says this weather knocks him entirely out. Well Grace and Lill came just at dark. So Voltie goes home with Lill and stays till 10 O’clock PM. V says Morgans young folks were there ie George, Mabel and Kemp. The fire dead in the coal stove. Wells is trying to arouse to life, shook the very life out of �page_0070 115 Saturday 10 March 1894 A beautiful day warm as June or May. The ice to poor for a footman to walk on. Grace not very well went to bed awhile. I am so lame I can scarcely walk around the house. Wellie, Voltie, Wells & Mart shingling the north side of the house. Will is tapping Sam’s sugar bush. Charley here to borrow pans for sap and brought me some sour kraut. Lill Niles stoped here on her way to uncle Smiths. Gave Wellie his mail & —. Wind blowing at nine O’clock and rising. Sunday 11 March 1894 All night the wind blowing, strong from the south and still blowing fiercely, cloudy and sprinkling rain at 9 Oclock AM. at the time I am writing. The ice looks queer and spoted [sic], channel ice driven together and slowly breaking up, gulls are flying in from the Lake, barometer falling. Grace not very well, gone to bed. Voltie lying down on lounge. Wells and Mart reading. Maud & June playing and making a noise. After dinner clears up sun brightly shining. �page_0071 116 blowing some channel open ice floating. Wallace Niles came down for Mart to go to Sam’s barn to play tag with Frank. Grace yet abed. Voltie reading Harpers Magazine. A little colder at evening time. Voltie gone to Wells to see the family and so ends another Sabath day. I read Talmages last sermon and scottish legends. Wells made a fire in the coal stove. Monday 12 March a bright clear morning, West wind, cool not cold, ground bare of snow, river channel open, ice clear from oposite [sic] shore, spring birds singing. Will going out to day canvassing for apple trees and other shrubery. Our men folks again shingling the roof. North side. at 10 Oclock. Robert Percey came across the ice and river in a boat; came for Wells something again about the Lidy place more trouble I supose [sic]. Wells going to Watertown. We’ll see, shall not trouble myself about it either way. I’m through and done worrying about the Bamfords business talent capabiilties �page_0072 117 in the eve. A warm lovely night like May. I never before saw anything like it in March. The young moon shining brightly. Laura Smith went to Mr Niles to get Wallace to help do the chores for White has hoisted the piratical flag and gone home. Laura called at our veranda and talked awhile, said she must hurry for she had left Bill alone. Wells and R Percy crossed the open river in a boat from Burnhams this morning March 12 1894 Monday Tuesday 13 day of March 1894 Prudence Joy very sick. A warm cloudy day, wind N veering around to South at three Oclock PM, commenced raining. Volty and Mart drew hay on waggon, drew four loads from the old barn. Wellie came up for milk and went to Sam’s to post a letter. Will stoped here on his way to J Niles. War declared all ground between Will & Smith and White, the breach is widening and the feud progressing. Wells not home yet. La ra ra ra boom de aye Our old man has gone away You bet your boots he’s gone to stay. �page_0073 118 Wednesday 14 March 1894 Cleared up in the night, milk can & tub full of water, froze. A little ice clear from this shore, our water hole gone and not likely to come back again this year. After breakfast Mart went for the mail. Grace received a letter from Washington N.Y. Edmonds. Wells came about 10 A.M. Reports all right. made Eb & Hel in a visit and last night stayed with Mr & Mrs James Gloyd. Wellie and Voltie hewing timber. Wells fixing the milk wagon. Mart choring around and smoking his pipe about six times a day and has now gone to Wills to look for chewing tobaco. Grace too has gone to Wills or started to go this evening. Another calf at the barn which makes three this spring. Every thing most used up, pork, butter, groceries, all gone, never will starve though. Our hens broke loose to day, two eggs in the hen coop. Wind West & freezing �page_0074 119 Thursday 15 March Froze hard last night, very still, no wind, freezing a little all day. Prudence Joy buried to day. Wells, Grace and Mart went to the funeral. Will stoped [sic] here on his way to Niles to buy potatoes, bought 3 bushels. Voltie and Wellie hewed timber after dinner. I finished the blocks for the log cabin. Evening cloudy and cold. Friday 16th March 1894 A cloudy cool morning clears up bright PM. Wells ought to have gone to Marysville for groceries but put off till tomorrow. He is going up on the milk waggon in the morning. Voltie went down to Wellies to hew but didn’t hew much. Voltie came for milk said E had this morning been buying two lbs butter from Shira B. Voltie and Mart drawing stone all PM. Grace finish sewing blocks on the log cabin. I bake beans. �page_0075 120 Saturday 17 March 1894 A soft quiet warm day, wind S. Wells and Will gone to Kingston for groceries, went up on milk waggon. Grace got Saturdays work done this A.M. and after dinner Grace and Irene walked down to Eveline’s and Maud went up to see Shell Niles, Frances Joy there visiting since early this morning. Voltie and Mart helping Wellie draw wood from Breakey’s. Devero let Wellie have all the wood there is left from the quarry for a $1,00. A very good bargain for Wells Jr. I am alone nearly all the PM. Maud came at 4 Oclock. Voltie came home in time to do the chores. Grace & Irene came soon after. Then Voltie and Mart went over to Wills awhile when they came back they found another new calf at the barn. �page_0076 121 Sunday 17 March 1894 A shower this morning from the SW with thunder, cleared up about nine AM, sun came out bright and clear. Charley, Belle & the children came at 1/2 past nine AM and stayed till 4 PM. Irene went home with them, the little one has been here three weeks contented as if she had always lived here. Monday 19 A fine day. Mart plowing on the lower place. Wells fixing the farm waggon. Voltie doing every chore. I washed carpet rags and washed Volties frock and overalls and in the evening patched and darned. Will came over in the evening & brought his violin & Will & Voltie played in concert with violin an organ. Toward evening the Pierpont went down by here and blew us a salute. �page_0077 122 Tuesday 20 March 1894 A very fine day. Wind North, last night froze hard enough to make good sap weather. Arose at three O’clock and get breakfast so Wells & Wells can go to Kingston. Had to send Mart for Wellie and then Wellie went to Kingston without his breakfast, arrived at the ferry to late for the Pierpoint, so five individuals hire an ice boat and cross to Town and back again. Grace done a two weeks washing, lines full and fluttering in the wind. Devolson gone to J Niles for a calf going to exchange for a hide. Mart plowing. Jane Niles visiting at Will Dixon’s, Charley Dixon here twice once to borrow a saw and again to borrow a loaf of bread. After chores are all done, Mart goes for the saw and Jen sends home the loaf of Bread which I had much rather she had kept. Wells & Wells Jr got home at 8 PM. Voltie went for the mail, a letter from Watson and one from Laura Joslin. Grace went with the Niles to practice �page_0078 123 singing at W.G. Woodmans for the funeral tomorrow & came home at half past 12 midnight. Wednesday 21st March 1894 A cloudy lousy day, raining hard at 10 AM. This is the day the 5 bodies are brought from the vault from Marysville and burried in our buring [sic] place. A sad solemn sight, 5 graves dug at once for our neighbors children. Gorge Michea, Clara Woodman, little Georgie Gillespie, Mary Ann Watkins & little Laurence Henry, Rev Mr White preached a very impressive sermon. Wells couldn’t find his shoe thread this morning and so got mad & swore and riped [sic] and tore and made a regular ass of himself as usual. Oh the low depisable contemptable low mean coarseness of a dirty temper. It is insulting and abusive. �page_0079 124 Thursday 22nd March 1894 Froze some last night. Voltie drawing plowing. Mart & Wells Jr drawing stone. Wells Sr tinkering at an old waggon. Maude piecing a quilt. Grace ironing. I am general doer of everything. Cloudy, wind North not cold. Dalia Kenny very sick. Dr Buchanan doctoring her Smiths folks alone and not a boy to help them. Laura doing all the work in doors and out. Weather cold enough to snow. Think it will snow before long. Tis evening now dark night. Friday 23 Quite cold rather cloudy. Wind North. Boys working with two teams down by Wellies plowing and drawing stone. Mart & Volty did not come up till nearly dark just in time to do the chores. I commenced to fix Wells clothes and get things ready to go away. Wells went over the river and said Horace B is going Monday. Wells went to Gloyds for a stick for a waggon reach. �page_0080 125 Grace scrubed the stairs and scoured the Boy’s room clean. Wells working away out in the shop. In the eve Grace & Martin went for the mail. A letter for Wells from Capt Fitsmons saying Wells must go to Detroit next Wednesday. Grace rec’d a letter from Miss Strachan saying, Yes—she would give her music lessons. I piece for a quilt got 20 blocks finnished [sic]. Saturday 24th March 1894 A cool cloudy day, wind South some ice still floating in the river. Wells gone again over the river to see about the Lindy place. Voltie & Mart are plowing down by Wellies. I make beds, sweep and churn, not a speck of snow anywhere. Grace moping floors and helped get dinner. Wells came towards eve came over with Rattray’s and Wellington Burnham. I dont think he had very good success about his business—seems very quiet and subdued about something. Evening sets in cold and cloudy. �page_0081 126 Sunday 25th March 1894 Easter Sunday a rather cold gray cloudy day. Wind NW. Ground frozen so cold the Rev would not come from Marysville to preach. A quiet day no one here except Welly. We had fried eggs for breakfast 12 & gave Wells Jr 10 all I had with milk, butter & dutch cheese. Wells not very cheerful. Grace gone to J.P. to Easter. I read Talmage and home at 8 PM. An invitation for G & V, at W.G.W.’s’s Tuesday evening, a sugar party. Monday 26 March A cold frozen morning. Wells arose at "five O’clock in the morning" built a fire and took the oars which he had borrowed from J.N. last night and went to W Jr’s for the skiff and went over the river again this morning going to Clayton again to see LLD Morse about the Lidy place again. I think he will �page_0082 129 be home before night if he comes to day for the wind blows and the air is freezing cold. Frost on the North window. Wells came in time for his supper. Says the Lidy buisness [sic] is all right and he has to leave home tomorrow morning for Chicago. Will and Charley here in the evening. Charley came over this afternoon and brought some Syrup, he said "For uncle Wells". Which is a treat for us all. Tuesday 27 March 1894 Wells built a fire at 1/2 past 3 O’clock. Welly came and they got started at 5 Oclock AM for Kingston. Wells anxious to get the 8 Oclock boat. A clear bright frozen morning, very quiet. Wells gave me a hundred dollars towards building the new barn. I took a nap in afternoon near party at WG Woodman’s. Grace & V go with Frank Woodman and WP. Jim Morgan here. �page_0083 130 Wednesday 28 March 1894 A cold day, wind N, snow falling furiously for a while, ground white then sun comes out again and before night there is no snow. I called V and G.D.B. up in time for breakfast. They came home at 3 AM—came near staying all night. Welly here, I gave him $20.00 to get lumber & grass seed &c. Voltie working on a jumper. Mart drawing the banking from the house. Evening visitors Will Dixon, Jim Morgan & Frank Woodman. John Morgan went to uncle Smiths. Thursday 29 March 1894 This morning the ground covered with snow about 4 inches deep. The Pierpont made her first trip to our wharf arriving last night and lying there till this morning. Welly and Will Dixon, Laura Smith went up. Laura carried 50 lbs of butter to market. John Morgan stayed with uncle Smith all day. Laura brought home with her a boy from the orphans home. �page_0084 131 Friday 30th March 1894 Snow all gone again. Wind S.W. blowing half a gale and chilly. Volty went to Mr Rattrays to borrow a seeder, to sow grass seed. Dellia no better, very little hopes of her recovery. Voltie sowing grass seed. Mart drawing manure from house banking. Grace done a big washing. I done cooking and churned the butter. Maud studying her lessons. Wellie working on Niles’ boat. Grace went to the Post ofice. A letter from Johny which is welcome indeed. John has moved on a farm and I am so very glad. Evening visitors John Morgan, George Morgan, Mr Kemp and Will Dixon. John Morgan stays all night and ate breakfast with us. Bill Smith does not like the boy Laura brought from the city. Saturday 31st March 1894 The last day of the month and the last day of the week. A windy day South wind, looking like a storm, rather warm. Wellie & Mart drawing manure. �page_0085 132 Voltie working at the pumper. Sam & Frank and M drove here for our boys to go to the Snow place to doctor a cow, came for them just as dinner was ready and away they drove without coming in the house & gone over an hour. Grace & Mart discovered one of our cows stretched out on the ground and thought the cow was sick too, and away went Mart full run to the Snow farm for Wellie & Voltie and back they came again in great haste, gave the old cow a kick and up she got well enough, having only lain down to rest and came in to their dinner like hungry bears. No one here this evening but they all went to church to hear Rev Mr White lecture on ghosts. Wellie, Voltie, Martin and Maud and I am alone all evening reading. A dark rainy night and the church filled. �page_0086 133 Sunday April 1st 1894 A half sunshine half cloudy day. Wind blowing strongly from the West. Grace and Mart go to 1/2 10 O’clock service. Lill Niles came home from church with Grace and stayed to dinner and the afternoon. Will here towards evening. R came home after dark. Danforth Dixon brought Mother & R as far as Sid Percey’s on Friday. Moth at Davis’ yd. Monday 2nd April. A kind of a half pleasant day, frost on the pantry window, Grace piecing on a quilt. boys plowing. Wind North, cold. Grace & Maud goes to Wills to see their Grandmother & to get sugar. I wrote to Johny. Tuesday 3rd April 1894 Wellie and Voltie plowing on the Grange down by the corner. in AM hewed timber, had dinner at Willie cooked a rooster. No visitors this evening and we all go to bed early. Grace & Maud go for the mail, get letter from Welie and one from Allen Lafleur. No rain. �page_0087 134 �page_0088 134 �page_0089 136 Wednesday 4 Wind South blowing a half gale. Buchanan came over all right, gone to Mr Rattray’s. Rained this fore noon. After noon the boys plow on the grange. Will & Charley here grinding their axe. I priced a new block from the Hearth & home, churned and made 8 prints for market and have got to write Wills a letter. no rain Thursday 5 April 1894 Arose at 8 Oclock and got Grace started for Kingston market again only eight lbs butter. Voltie & Mart plowing away down on the flat towards breakeys. I sounded the dinner horn long an long. Mart and V drew a load of hay at noon. Grace goes for her first music lesson this spring. Grace sold the butter for 23 cts per lb no rain �page_0090 137 Minnie Friday 6th April 1894 A cloudy chilly day but very quiet. Voltie went to L Phillips for grass seed, came back just after dinner. Jack Niles brought me some fish. Dora Gillespie here for mission money. Walter Horn here peddling pattent medicine. Rachel came over for milk and stayed till 10 Oclock PM & strung out a mess of Petrie yarns 50 miles long. P. GN. & CW went to Millens Bay for ile. A practising lesson in singing at JN’s at which GDB & JDB attend a wanted meeting held at the church this evening which Wellie & Martin attend. A letter from Watson informing us of Harry’s intended. Visit GR Dear no rain Saturday 7th A fine day sun clear. V & M plowing W Jr ditching. Maud making an afternoon visit at JN. Wills D. folks boiling down sap. Grace done Saturday’s cleaning. V carried the bees out the cellar, one dead hive consequently we have a little honey for supper no rain �page_0091 138 Sunday 8th April 1894 A mild quiet day. Mart gone to church no rain Monday 9 April and Graces birth day A mild day sun shining. Wind blowing some from the South. Grace washing clothes, lines full. Rachel goes home about three O’clock. I lent her Ishmael Vol 1. Boys finished plowing away over on the flat by Breakey’s. A fine day to dry clothes no rain �page_0092 139 10 of April 1894 Tuesday. A cloudy day Wind S.W. Our boys plowing over on the grange down by Wellies (ie Mart plowing). Wellie, Voltie & Will Dixon digging post holes on the grange along the road & finished them all to day. Grace scrubed the kitchen and we moved. Letters from Wells & J.K. Rachel rec’d a letter from Norman. Grace ironed all the clothes. no rain Wednesday 11 April 1894 A cloudy day & disagreeably cold. Wind North blowing a gale. Voltie cultivating ground just behind the hog pen for wheat. Voltie & Martin. I churned and darned a sock & helped get dinner. Rachel here to borrow $6 dollars. George Gillespie here with a subserititional [sic] for a vault & tore his trowsers leg most off dodging through the wire fence. no rain �page_0093 140 Thursday 12 April Wind North. A cold disagreeable weather. Boys sowing oats 10 bushels. Wind blowing a gale from the North. Grace gone to Kingston with 7 lbs butter. I lent R 5 dollars of Wells money. Grace paid Ockley some money and got groceries there and paid for them. Voltie borrowed Mr Rattrays seeder to sow grass seed. Mart and Voltie working in field. Mart cultivating, Wellie sowing oats, Voltie pulverizing. Grace stoped at Bells. Mr Watson sent Maud a pair of boots. Wellie drove to the dock at evening with truck waggon. Nellie sent me a letter and returned my books, Irvine’s Sketch book & Hadey of Wassail. R came over and stayed all night, came late. Said Sam’s dog attacked her. no rain or snow �page_0094 141 Friday 13 April 1894 A clear day. Wind North blowing hard. Rachel went after breakfast home. Our boys are working down by Wells Jr, dinner is ready since 12 meridian and now half past the hour and no sign of them yet and I expect the dinner will be stale and cold before they get here, that is if they come at all. Well they are here. I scolded said they could come no sooner, came late for supper, got another field sowed oats. Another letter from Wells says he may come home soon but I hope not. Rachel came over to stay all night &c. A letter from Ockley no rain Saturday 14 April 1894. A clear fine day. Wind North, no rain for many days. Rachel here and cleaned the kitchen floor. Our boys working in field. About 4 Oclock Charley drove in here bringing home Grace, Belle & �page_0095 142 all their children. Charley drove back leaving Bell & the little ones here, going to stay all night. I glad to see them. R goes home to get her clothes to go with this family to the lecture. Grace goes home with R and finds aunt Dana there. So R comes back with G for milk & buttermilk, says cant go to the temperance lecture for visit. A beautiful evening and they start for the church, Voltie, Belle, Grace and Mart. I stay with the youngones and care for them. They came at 10 Oclock. We had a time or two with young Charles Victor crying for mamma Belle. Well H Watson meant to come home with Grace from Kingston on Thursday again commencing rather early through spring to sponge boraid [sic] and lodging again. But he did not come. [Belle|Bell]] & I sit up and visited till late no rain �page_0096 143 Sunday 15 April A bright morning warm and fine. Wind S. Glad to find Belle here this morning, after breakfast dishes all washed, our visitors began to come in. Well I cooked dinner for Mandy Watson Irene Bamford Devolson Bamford Grace Bamford Wells Bamford Eveline Bamford Muriel Bamford Robert Bamford Rachel Bamford Dordana Smith Charles Halliday Isabella Halliday Margarette Halliday Beatrice Halliday June Halliday Victor Halliday Martin Rennolds George Morgan Andie Mitchel & Will Dixon here but the did not stay to dinner no rain �page_0097 144 16th April 1894 Wind South. A fine day. Grace washed all the clothes. Dane stayed till after dinner and then I went over to Wills with her. This is the first time I have seen mother since last Nov, found her in good health. Jen, Rachel & Grandmother gave to plant. Voltie been grafting all day for Wellie till 4 Oclock then came and set some pear grafts for Will. Then set Dane on the river. Wellie & Mart plowing down by Wellies. I stayed to supper and Maude came to go home with me. A fine moon light evening. R. C. F. & E came with us as far as the bars no rain I have heard gossiping and scandal enough for the last few day. �page_0098 185 17 Tuesday A pleasant day. Wind North. Voltie plowing here by the house. Mart helping him. Wellie plowing near home. After noon Wellie went to Jim McKays stone bee. Rachel here for scions to graft their trees. Voltie cut some then went home with her to show Will how to graft. Then came back and plowed by the raspberries. The grass beginning to grow a little. The buds are swelling on the trees. Maude this morning went to School to Miss Emma McDonald. Wednesday 18 April 1894 A clear warm bright day nearly cloudless. Scarcely a breath of wind North. River like a mirror. No rain since the 13th of March excepting a little rain the morning of the 21st March. Dust flying in the roads after the waggons when they come home to dinner. Wellie eats dinner at home plowing down there and so is Mart. Voltie cleans up peas to sow. R came and brought 9 duck eggs that �page_0099 146 Grandmother had got over to J Dixons. Grace set them under a hen all night. I do not believe they will ever hatch for they were brought 14 miles in a buggy. Wills sent the pans home. Thursday 19 April 1894 looks very much like rain. Grace gone to K with only 8 lbs of butter for which she get 28 cts and sold to the same woman. Rummy quite hard. Voltie & Mart caught in the rain and hurried home as fast as they could come, clean up again and after dinner they went to drawing manure. Mart drove to dock for Grace. �page_0100 155 Friday 27 A fine day. Grace took up the parlor carpet and the boys whiped it well. Grace commenced the parlor and put the bordering on. Saturday 28 A very quiet warm morning, cloudy. Arose at 4 O’clock AM that Volty cant get to Marysville to board the first ferry for Kingston. Wellie & Mart drawing manure below. Commenced raining at noon and at 4 O’clock the rain came pouring down filling our can and tub in a few minutes. Voltie came at 5 with wet feet having stoped at WG Woodmans since two PM. Voltie bought a bale of pike nets. Well after supper, CW came and V went with him across to Riverview for xxxx and didnt get back till 10 Oclock through the thick fog. �page_0101 156 Sunday 29 A fine quiet day. South W. Wellie came up and helped do the chores after breakfast. Martin and George Niles rowed across the river for Wallace then Grace and Mart went to church at 1/2 past 10 service. Then Grace goes home with Willie then they drive to the foot. Voltie gone to bed and Maud. I alone most all day till about four O’clock when Shelly came and went up to the cedars for flowers. Then Wellie, Eveline, Muriel and Wall came up in boat. Then Rachel came up over and E & W and the children went home, and R coaxed Grace to go to Mr Niles to buy butter and Maud went and stayed till 10 O’clock evening. Mart there too. Maud goes to Horn’s courting. Monday 30 April 1894 A clear fine day. A light South Wind. The pasture and meadow are green, grain coming, trees buding [sic], birds singing & building nests. The dandelions are most large enough for as greens. Voltie building wire fence. Mart drawing manure. Wellie planting potatoes. Grace washing. We sent the milk to the factory 99 lbs. W & V & M ate dinner at Wellie’s. I expected them home and Grace rang the dinner horn long and loud. They ate dinner at Wellie’s. Sams boys speeding their �page_0102 157 I sowed lettuce seed and made another bed for beets weight of milk 99 lbs 14 May 1894 Tuesday A fair day Grace finished the parlor to day. I sowed beet seed and made flower bed. 100 lbs milk only no more cows calved this morning Thursday 3rd Jan 1895 Wind South cloudy, rather mild, cloudy Wellie drew straw from here to thatch, his calf stable. I rode over to Wills on the load of straw and staid all day, patched Charlie Dixon’s coat. Hannok Joslin’s burried [sic] to day from the vault. Electioneers running around. Butchered the beef to day. Charly Easton and Will D helped him. Grace and Mart gone to J Niles to make an evenng visit. Voltie came home to day this evening. continued on page 70 �page_0103 158 Wednesday 3rd 2nd May A warm day Wind South. Weighed our carpet rags over thirty lbs. Grace ironed the clothes, boys drawing manure and building fence, only lbs milk this morning, made out 6 butter prints for market. Gave Wellie 5 dollars to buy seed potatoes. Will came home this afternoon with prize potatoes and fruit trees. Frank Woodman and George Niles here this evening. Volty putting led [sic] and corks on fish net Thursday 13rd May 1894 A beautiful day, very warm and calm. A breath of south wind. Voltie drove to the dock with Grace & a grist for the hogs, Grace carried Belle some Kalsomine. Voltie and Mart building pasture fence down by the Wellington’s. Cows in this pasture breaking out all the time. Voltie finished one pike net. Wellie, Will & R gone to Kingston. Came home late. Voltie milked the cows alone. Nellie sent me a Book entitled "After Two Years" by Charles Kingsley �page_0104 159 Friday 7th Cloudy morning, Wind South. Raining quite hard, clears up toward eve with fog. A steamer vessel whistiling [sic] in the fog. Will here and helped Voltie set a fish net. Grace kalsomined the bodour. Saturday 5 May 1894 A very fine clear day after the rain, cool and clear, every field green and sparkling with dew. Grace moped [sic] dinning room and kitchen and pantry, the boys finish building pasture fence by Burnhams. After dinner, Maude and I go over to Wills and stay till dark and R and the children came home as far as the bars lane. Found Mrs N and Tilly here. They went home just in time to escape the rain which came grandly with heavy thunder and lightning. commenced base [illegible] A Sams �page_0105 160 Sunday 6 May 1894 A fine warm morning. Wind followed by heavy Thunder & lightning showers. Mart went to church a great attendance but no preaching His Rev was absent. George Niles made us two visits. Will and Charles made me an evening visit. Singing sacred music is the order of the evening Monday 7 May 1894 A clear morning after a night of Thunder lightning, rain and wind. The wind S W blowing half a gale all day, chilly towards eve. Grace papered small parlor. Volty drove the cows to the lower pasture and finished the pasture fence and drew rails for a calf pasture �page_0106 167 Wellie and Mart draw manure. 136 lbs milk this morning. V called on Mr Niles family Mrs Niles cleaning house to day and washing this evening Tuesday May 8th 1894 A cool breezy morning Wind S W clear. Volty and Martin go to the lower pasture to milk 126 lbs milk this morning. wind goes down at evening so Mart & V run net and line 18 pike and came in and had to do their chores after dark �page_0107 162 Wednesday May 1894 A very cool day indeed a common wind blowing from the west. boys planting potatoes in fore noon, afternoon they shingle for Sammy a bee. 186 lbs milk this morning Voltie took 18 fish from his net pike, and 3 sturgeon from the two, one weighing 44 lbs dressed Thursday 10 A most beautiful day, a white frost last night. The grass bright green and covered with frost due dew. Voltie took 15 pike from net this morning. Voltie drove to dock this morning, sold calf hides to buy fish cord for sturgeon. Mart has not used any tobaco in 3 weeks 2 + 2 lbs milk. Voltie intends going with George N to Cape with fish tomorrow. After dinner Maude and I walk to Wills for a little visit R came back with us & borrowed Kerosine oil. In the night wind rising before morning blowing a gale and raining �page_0108 163 Friday 11 May 1894 Raining and blowing a half gale this morning, Wind South. Called Voltie at 4 Oclock AM but he would’nt get up. He and Mart got up at 5 and went down to Wellie’s to milk the cows through rain and wind. Clears up at 9 Oclock but wind blows all day. 2 12 lbs milk this morning. Old Mrs Mongomery very sick do not expected to live Grace making Maude a dress pink print Saturday 12 May 1894 �page_0109 164 Sunday 13 May 1894 Monday 14 May 1894 �page_0110 165 Tuesday May 15 1894 Wednesday 16 May 1894 �page_0111 166 Thursday 17 May 1894 Friday 18 May 1894 A very rainy morning. Got out of bed at 12 midnight to set the tub for rain water for it has been thundering and lightening for a long time. Mother here reading a novel. Grace after washing the breakfast dishes is practicing her music lesson. Mart reading Ishmael or Out of the depths. Voltie gone to the foot to run fish nets. The weather mild and warm with rain a dull quiet day Maud sowing carpet rags hit or miss. Will here in evening playing and fiddling and singing ic that is Voltie and Will. No letter from Wells �page_0112 167 Saturday 19 May 1894 Sunday 20 May 1894 Wind east blowing half a gale, air warm. Mart played and ate breakfast With Wellie. clouds are black and angry with wind all around, barometer changing, grass beautifuly [sic] green, trees & fruit trees in leaf and blossom. A great promise of fruit this year Maud gone to Mr Niles to go with Shell to Sabbath school. Grace down to Welly’s. Grandmother reading. �page_0113 166 Monday 21 May 1894 Wind North a very pleasant day. Voltie and Will went to the nets and then Voltie went to the cape with fish. Eveline and the children here. Eveline made Mart a shirt. Voltie bought himself a shirt, a pair of tan shoes and Grace a pair of tan low shoes and Wellie a pair of over shoes. Grand mother walked home. Mart cultivated the corn ground. Tuesday 22 May 1894 Cool with wind North in the morning changing South light with some rain. Grace washed Wellie planted corn and so did Mart .Voltie J marked out the corn land and then Voltie and Will went to the nets, then they all played base ball at Mr Woodmans. Wellie and Mart went home to supper and to milk the cows. VoltieWill and Mart go spearing fish in the evening. Grace white washed the chamber bedroom, and cleaned the floors and doors & window. Maude went to school. Grace and Maude gone for the mail. I churned and made bread, dinner &c. |No letter from Wells yet got �page_0114 167 Wednesday 23rd May 1894 A very fine warm day Wind S. We looked for John to day but he did not come. Voltie planted corn and fitted the ground by the house for planting. Washed a quilt & mended V a pair of trousers loons. Grace cleaned floors and helped d house work. Thursday 24th May 1894 A warm still day cloudy and showery. Mart & Grace gone to K to selebrate [sic] Queen Victoria’s birth day 75 years old to day. Wellie drove to the dock this morning. Voltie brought his fish nets up from the foot. Found our gobbler dead this morning. He was here gobbling at the door last night all right. Tired Joy came up with V and got a little seed corn. Voltie went to dock at half past 9 pm for G and M. He brought a waggon load of humanity from the dock including Ben Dodge, Laura Smith, Frank Woodman and Geo Niles. Got home at 12 midnight Dodge went over the river. �page_0115 168 Friday 25 May Wellie & Voltie building wire fence. Grace making my basque. I sewed carpet rags. Maud got a sty on her eye. A letter from Watson and one from Wells sr. too Cold to work in garden. Wind North blowing a gale and cloudy Saturday 26 A fine day wind North and light. Boys building fence. Mart is planting and making garden every thing growing finelly [sic]. fish & custard pie for dinner �page_0116 169 Sunday 27 May 1894 Monday 28 May 1894 Wind West blowing and raining hard all day which caused the suspension of a great deal of farm business. Cleared up towards night with wind. Our boys fussed around could’nt do much work. Grace sewed I sewed carpert rags. �page_0117 170 Thursday 29th May 1894 A clearing up day after the rain. Sky full of big bellied wind clouds moving North East, a light silvery clouds, rain exhausted. Voltie and George N intended going to Cape with fish, wind began breezing up more fiercely from the west, So left the fish in N boat house till the wind falls. Wells Jr plowing taler ground for Hanes to plant on shares. Sarah Gillespie came this morning to help Grace make a dress. Will came and grained the pantry cubboard door. Grace and Maude went with Sarah a long way when she went home Wednesday 30th May 1894 �page_0118 171 Thursday 31st May 1894 Wellie drove Grace to dock through the rain. Rachel and Will went to Kingston too Friday 1st June 1894 Friday it rains most all day, tubs and barrel full of rain water, didnt get any letters from any person �page_0119 172 Saturday 2nd June 1894 A rainy day raining all day and very windey windy. Haynes here to dinner. He came up to plant potatoes but didnt plant for the rain. I washed towels and other things and hang them in the sun to day. Grace got toothache and gone to bed. Mr. John Montgomery buried to day 3 June Sunday 1894. A beautiful morning. after the rain grain, meadows, potatoes, fruit trees and garden every thing growing. Wind South. Wish Belle and family would come down to day. Alone all day no person here all day. �page_0120 173 Monday 4th June 1894 A very fine day and warm but towards night grows colder. Wind west. Wellie brought Eveline and the children up in the punt just after dinner. Wellie and Voltie finish the wire fence pasture. Eveline stayed to tea. All Barrie here to get Voltie and team to draw pressed hay to the scow. Voltie cant go must do his own work. Haynes finished planting potatoes. Em Haynes here and went to Wills for butter and eggs. Mart drew manure Tuesday 5 June 1894 Wind East this morning more rain and bids fair for a rainy day. Voltie did intend going to Cape with fish. Maude gone to school. Did’nt want her to go but she persisted in going. Wellie & Mart in shop working on the skiff. Well, Voltie has started for the Cape �page_0121 174 Wednesday 6 June 1894 Thursday 7 June 1894 �page_0122 175 8 June 1894 Friday Quite a fine day. Wind West. Eveline and Hubert here. Wellie working for Uncle Smith building fence. Winnie at home. Muriel with aunt Laura 9 June 1894 Saturday A very fine day Soft South wind. A base ball at S. D. W’s in afternoon. Mrs Haynes here sewing. I wash carpet �page_0123 176 10 June 11 June �page_0124 177 12 June 13 June �page_0125 178 14 June 15 June Friday A beautiful day. Dordane said she must surely go home and then concluded to stay so as to see John and Flora when they came. John and Flora came P.M. �page_0126 179 16 June Saturday 1894 A fine day. Voltie rowed aunt dane across the river this morning before breakfast. Grace got teeth ache yet Sunday 17 June well tis sunday morning. Warm but looks like rain, barometer falling. Nelly, G, John, Flora, Dant D and another fellow here for breakfast. Oh dear Im tired John and Flora went home this afternoon Rob Dant, Will Getman and Kellar went too. all gone but Nell �page_0127 180 Monday 18 June A very warm day. Light wind South looks much like rain. But Grace & Nell G go up to Mr Doctuer’s G in I Niles buggy to make a days visit. Rain showers with thunder and Lightning. Girls come home at evening, a good visit 19 Jun Tuesday Very warm Light wind South. Showery. Every thing growing grandly and beautifuly [sic]. Mart went to the Cape with fish went with George Niles, fish mostly spoiled. Wellie working on his house. Voltie making Axeltree for waggon. Nellie Gsy reading and Sleeping. I been reading. Grace popping corn—heavy thunder a heavy shower at 4 & 5 this morning. we are rather short of butter, we are always short after entertaining so much company �page_0128 181 Wednesday 20th June 1894 A fine day with occassional showers. Grace Thursday 21 June 1894 A beautiful day. Arose early Nellie gone home to day. Grace went to Kingston. Wellie drove to dock. Grace has a new lesson "Imperial Polka". Bees swarm for first time this summer. Voltie had a little difficulty hiving them then after dinner Little Charley came for Voltie to hive a swarm for Will. Will gone to town. Voltie and Mart furrowed out and hoed corn in A.M. and P.M. hoed for potatoes at Wellie’s. Will D came home from Kingston "sick" Charley Wickham came too �page_0129 182 Friday 22nd June 1894 Sid Percy here. A beautiful day Wind South & breezy. Wellie & Mart hoeing potatoes by Wellie’s. Voltie repairing waggon and making new axle. I weeding onions & lettuce. Maude home from school. Grain and every thing growing finely. The young apples as large as haws or half grown hickory nuts. Two letters from Hugh both from the Land Office urging insisting on an immediate & substantial payment Saturday 23rd June 1894 A hot day. Wellie & Mart hoeing potatoes. Voltie working at Waggon axle A pick me and base ball game on Grindstone Island between foot of Wolfe Island boys and Grindstone boys. Wolfe Island boys beat by 9 to 29. Wolfe Island boys 8 innings and Grindstone boys 9 innings. �page_0130 183 Sunday 24 June 1894 the very warmest hotest day yet. A thunder shower came up black in S.W. but steered off to the North and kept out of our way. Scarcely a breeze to ripple the river. Hens and chickens around with their mouths open panting for breath. No person here this day. Grace taking a nap & Voltie sleeping. Mr Armstrong preached to day. Oh to hot for comfort. We may get a shower yet. Rambling of Thunder heard afar off somewhere. George Docteur and J Murphy called here this evening inviting Voltie and Grace to a picnik up the Island. Some rain with thunder & lightning. Monday 25 June A fine breezy day. Wind South. Boys working on the road ie Wells Jr, Devolson & Mart. Grace done big washing and began making her print dress. �page_0131 184 Tuesday 26 June 1894 A fine summer day. Barometer falling all day. Grace making a print dress for herself to wear to the picnik. The boys hoeing till working on road 12 O’clock then go to election, play base ball till thunder, lightning, wind and rain drives them all home, going to play base ball against the Ferry 9 tomorrow. Grace brought in all the washing from the clothes line in a hurry. I almost forgot to say the boys went to election and voted for Haycock. Will came over and hived a swarm of bees while boys were gone but the bees all went back Wednesday 27th June 1894 Wind S cloudy with a little rain now and again. Wells Jr, Davolty, Grace & Mart gone to a picknic in Ranous woods for the benefit of Rev Lipton. Maud and I alone all day. Maude is a good child. Excepting Welly the others came home late. Will helped Wellie milk. They report a fine time—danced all day. A big crowd H.H. drove down for Lill to go to the picknic. �page_0132 185 Thursday 28th June 1894 A hot warm summer day. Wind S & breezy. A thorough rain would be very beneficial at present. Wells Jr drove to dock this morning with Grace. Voltie has lain down awhile to rest himself after being up all night with Charley Wickham. After the Dr for Jen but didnt get him for he gone from home to a wedding. Just as well youngster born just all same without a Dr. I dont feel very cute after being up all night, finished W Jr’s scrap book. Grace & V went up the Island to a picnic. Eveline, Welly & their children came up for their groceries. Mart went to Johns to day to help him with his haying. Friday 29th June Wind South, warm very breezy, cloudy looks like rain, barometer falling. Hens persecuting the duck, picked its feathers off his back and picked its eye out. Grace and Maude went to Wills then for the mail. We keep the duck in cellar. �page_0133 186 Saturday 30 June 1894 The last day of June, very warm wind South and very bright, not a cloud to be seen this morning. Grace worked home all fore noon then went to Wills and worked till long after dark. Sunday 1 July 1894 Heat very great. Wind South and Light. Rachel came home from Carlton Island. Will went for her with Niles beef. Charley Wickham rowed back with Wellies boat. I went over to Wills towards night. Eddy Bates here, made a visit. Voltie sleeping in hammock and reading. Every thing suffering for rain. �page_0134 187 Monday 2nd July 1894 A hot day, heat oppressive, barometer falling. Voltie hoed in garden, took a super of honey from a hive, put on another, sharpened mowing machine, knives & mowed a few times round this afternoon. Niles hen in our grain again. Flora & Ethel came here, stayed all day. Wellie went to O’briens to get something forget and then watered all the cows and plowed out Haynes potatoes. Haynes going to move and dont want them. Grace at Wills all day. A powerful rain towards night with thunder and lightning and wind. It lodged the wheat of Esford at Wills visiting. Tuesday 3rd July 1894 A partialy [sic] cloudy morning after the rain. Wind south. Thunder & Lightning in the night clears away bright & warm, breezy. I sent John a postal card. Grace sewing for Maud. Voltie went to O’Briens to get the mowing machine. Got home at half past 12 AM. Barometer pointing to "change" �page_0135 188 4th July Wednesday Wind West cool and refreshing. Wellie hoeing Haynes potatoes. Voltie mowing with machine. Grace washing all forenoon then went over to Wills and made out butter for market and done big ironing and walked over to Dignams and home again. Will D here this eve for ice. Fine cool evening. Niles family went to Cape to celebrate fourth July. Lidy Ranous went with them. Wind West and blowing a smart breeze all day. Quinn Beadle raised his big barn to day. Thursday 5 July 1894 A cool breeze day same as yesterday. Wind West. Wellie & Will D gone to Kingston. Voltie milked and Eveline milked the cows. Grace with the Milly, Voltie, Doctored Haynes potatoes for bugs. After dinner went for a load of bean poles and raked hay and milked the cows again and came home and done all the chores. Grace drove to dock for Wellie thinking to go with the Digmans to Lafleur party. K & G wouldn’t go for they had had no invitation. Grace went to Well’s again to work to day. �page_0136 189 Friday 6th July 1894 Grace & Voltie went to Lafleur’s party with Frank Woodman came home at 4 AM this morning Saturday 7 A fine day dry and cold strong wind blowing form the west. Grace moped the floors. �page_0137 190 Sunday 8 July 1894 A dry cool day, Wind West. Wellie came up in a skiff and I went home with him and stayed all day. Grace went to church. Maud & V stayed home after church. V came to Wellies too and ate dinner & supper. Voltie and Hiram there and Frank Woodman. George & Wall Niles, Rafter, Russel and Will McD and Wellie brought me up in skiff. Monday 9th July 1894 A warm dry day. Wind South. Grace made Maude a dress and sewed most all day. I wrote Rogers & Kirkpatrick a letter, Grace wrote to Watson. Wellie and Voltie mowing and raking hay down by Wellie’s. I hoed corn. Wellie came for the sewing machine �page_0138 191 Tuesday 10 July 1894 A warm day wind South no rain the grand summer clouds asume [sic] all kind of fantastic shapes, pile upon pile arising from the horizon on every side in lovely grandeur. Mart not home yet. Wellie and Voltie drawing hay and stacking here by the barn. A fellow named Russel here. Maud went to Evelines for butter and went to Mrs Niles to borrow tea. Wellie 5 more pigs at the barn, sow ate one leaves 4. A letter from John, Mr Watson and also Hugh Southerland for a pair of cattle boots Wednesday 11 July 1894 Another dry warm day. Wind South. The boys stacking down by Wellies Voltie drove to the factory this morning. �page_0139 192 Wednesday 11 1894 July Thursday 12 July 1894 A rainy morning. Grace went to Kingston. �page_0140 193 Friday 13th July 1894 Looks like rain this morning but clouds clear away with a brisk breeze from S. Mart came home this morning from Johns, he stayed all night at Dodges and came over in punt with a strong breeze after him. A hot day with some thunder and showers going around to Eastward. All hands working at the hay. We had pease [sic] for dinner. A singing party at the feet to night. Saturday 14 looks very much like rian in the morning. Wind South but clears up brightly, sun pouring down, heat most too warm for farmers to work in field only for a spanking breeze from south. Saturday July 14th 1894 Arose at 4 O’clock called Voltie and he went immediately to Wellies. They intend to draw hay all day but it rains before 8 O’clock hard spoiling their hay drawing. Well they will hoe potatoes. Mart went to factory this morning. �page_0141 194 July 15 Sunday 1894 A warm day showery day. I went too Wills, Maude went too. Williams and Wickham there. Had a jug of cider, George Niles had dinner with us. LaFleur here in the evening. Monday 16 July 1899 A very warm day. Grace washed all the clothes. Boys drawing hay at Wellies all day. I washed a lot of clothes too. �page_0142 195 Tuesday 17 July 1894 A dry hot day, a scorcher. Boys worked at Wellies drawing hay. Will helped them. Grace went to the ice cream party at WG Woodmans. Mart went too and rowed the skiff, got home at 1 oclock AM. Mr Watson came after dark. I |washed some clothes. Wednesday 18 July 1894 A very hot day, no cloud and Watson here. Voltie & Mart making hay at Wellie’s. No wind, Grace got toothache. �page_0143 196 July 19 Thursday Grace, Maud and Watson go to Kingston and Bring Lib and the baby back with them for a weeks stay. July 20 Friday Towards Eve a black cloud arising in the South with heavy thunder and lightning acompanied [sic] north wind. �page_0144 197 July 24 Saturday No rain, old Mr Breakey burried to day from the house. Rev Lipton officiating, our boys and Watson attend. July 22 No rain, Maude and Watson went to church to hear the Rev White preach. �page_0145 194 July 23rd Monday no rain July 24 Tuesday no rain �page_0146 190 July 25 Wednesday no rain July 26 Thursday Well the Watsons are going home to day. Maud and Grace are going to see the baby christened Benjamin Ambridge Craig. Well they have stuffed themselves on string beans and green peas and other eatables till they are fairly gorged. Harry will come down by & by and we will fill him up and stuff him out too. �page_0147 191 27 Friday July 1894 28 Saturday July 1894 �page_0148 192 29 July Sunday 1894 Charley, Bell & the children here and I go home with them to stay a week. I dont feel very well but am going all the same. Very fine weather for the harvest. I see Charley has a fine garden. 30 Monday A fine day Belle washes all the clothes no I make a mistake, she didn’t wash but I write a letter to Johny. Dick reaping and binding Charley’s wheat. �page_0149 193 31 July Tuesday I send a letter to John from Bells, a very fine day, no rain. Charley helping Dick. 1 August Wednesday �page_0150 194 2nd Aug Thursday 3rd Aug Friday �page_0151 195 4 August Saturday dry weather. I am at Charlis 5 August Sunday very fine dry weather. Belle and the children came down home with me. Jim driving. Marjorie & beatrice stay to make a visit. �page_0152 196 6 August Monday 7 August Tuesday no rain �page_0153 197 8 Wednesday A dance at OBriens. Mart, Voltie and Grace went. An awful thunder and lightning storm while they were gone. Lightning striking and burning Mr L Dodges barn, grainery & hog pen. 9 Thursday no rain �page_0154 198 10 Friday no rain 11 Saturday no rain �page_0155 199 12 Sunday A dry warm day wind blowing some. John surprised us by walking in after dark. He came for Mart but Mart cant go 13 Monday no rain �page_0156 200 14 Tuesday no rain 15 Wednesday No rain, Wind South. A dance at Fred Joy’s. Allen & Nellie Lafleur came and went too the dance too & left their brother George here �page_0157 201 16 Thursday Very dry weather no rain. Grace, Marjorie, Beatrice and the dog walk to the dock this morning. 17 Friday no rain �page_0158 202 18 Saturday Belle and Charley came down this evening intending to go to the lecture but staid here instead till 10 Oclock leaving Irene here, very dry no rain. 19 Sunday A warm dry quiet day. Were surprised by John, Flora and Mrs & Mr E Lindley making us a visit. John wants Mart but boys cant let him go. Poor dear John. �page_0159 203 20 Monday No rain and dry. I sorry about John. Dont know how he will manage. I went over and sewed for Jen to day, made two shirts one for Charley and one for Will. Irene went with me when I came home found Mrs & Miss Niles here. 21 Tuesday Dry and cool no rain �page_0160 204 22 Wednesday Dry, no rain 23 Thursday Aug 1894 A dry smoky time, no rain for a long time. Drove to dock this morning but found the boat had come and gone at six. Only passenger from this dock being Wellington Burnham who kept the arrangement to himself after the change of time had been entrusted to his telling. Eveline and children here all day. E & G & M milk the cows early so Mart can drive Grace to Halliday this eve to go on the boat tomorrow morn. Mart got home about 10 PM bringing B.H.W. Ranous �page_0161 205 24 Aug 1894 Friday Still dry, hot day smoky no rain, woke up this morning to find H Watson here. Mart threshing for Ranous. Voltie digs potatoes. I go reconoitering around the corn and bean field. I help Voltie milk. I milk one cow and V milks thirteen. Mart came home early and drove to Halliday’s for Grace. Poor Will got tooth ache Saturday 25 August 1894 A still warm very smoky day, dry, every thing looks withered and dying for want of rain. Threshing at Horn’s to day. Fred Joy brought us some beef $1,25 cts. Harry Watson here. Voltie and Mart shingling the old barn this afternoon. Eveline is honored with Mrs Delia Ormsby as guest this PM. Thunder. �page_0162 206 Aug 26 Sunday 1894 No rain. Wind North, cool and very dry leaves on trees dying and falling; apples droping [sic] from trees, cattle suffering for feed and very unruly. Visitors are WalaceNiles, Frank Bamford, Wells Jr & Eddy Bates & of course H Watson prospective Dr of MD. Maud & I go to Wills at 5 PM. Voltie goes for the cows & Mart gone off somewhere with Wall Niles and dont get home till 9 evening. Will came home with Maude and I. Monday 27 Aug 1894 Very dry and smoky. No rain, Barometer at a stand still. H Watson went and stayed over night with W. Jr & didnt’ get back till we had breakfasted. George Rattray stayed here over night. Will Ranous went home with W Jr. Grace accompanied H Watty to the exhibition at the MEChinere �page_0163 207 Tuesday 28th August 1894 A dry smoky day, no rain for many days. Boys will finish our threshing to day. Wally is a setter. A door setter. Tuesday 29th Aug 1894 Wednesday A very slight shower this evening otherwise No Rain. �page_0164 208 Wednesday 30 Aug 1894 Thursday No rain Thursday 31 Aug Friday 1894 No rain �page_0165 209 Saturday 1st Sept 1894 No rain, dry, smoky and warm wind South. I sew for Jen made Will and Charley each a shirt. John Dixon drove past with Saney to the foot to visit LibRattray drove back and left the horse and buggy at WC Smiths and stayed all night. At Will DixonsVoltie went over to see Buchanan. I come home at 1/2 past 9 PM and found them all in bed. Sunday 2nd Sept 1894 Wind South and breezy. No rain. A thick dark smoke every where. Great forest fires in Canada and States. Seems as though the world was all on fire. Voltie shot a hen and took his newspaper and went to Bed. Grace & Maud washed the breakfast dishes. I took care of the milk and cooked the dinner. �page_0166 210 Wind South, thunders this morning before day light thought it would rain but is very hot day, no rain and a thick smoke. Grace washed. I churned and gathered apples. Maude went to school to Miss Harpells first day for Maude. Tuesday 4th Sept 1894 Wind South & breezy. No rain, smoky. Voltie better & out gathering corn, beans, punkins [sic]. Wellie working at home. I can 6 Corns, tomatoes, picked up apples, pared a pan full to dry, churned and skimed [sic] mik [sic], rained a little after sundown. At lightnes some Maude went to school. �page_0167 211 Wednesday 5th Sept 1894 Heavy thunder this morning before daylight a right smart shower of rain, caught the tub nearly full of water. Grace cleaned floors. I scoured pantry shelves. Raining again this PM but does not clear away the smoke. Will & Voltie go fishing for their supper. Grace ironed the clothes. Maud at school. Wellie working at his home. 6 Sept Thursday 1894 �page_0168 212 7 Sept Friday 1894 8 Sept Saturday 1894 �page_0169 213 9 September Sunday 1894 A beautiful day fair Wind South. Grace and Maude go to church. Bell, Charley and little Charley come over. I cooked 2 chickens for dinner. Wellie, Eveline & children come too and Grace comes with Maud from church. After dinner Charley goes home with Wellie to see the potatoes and they all have a very good visit. Grace goes home with them to help Bell cook for threshold. The Woodman Machine doing their threshing. W Jr & E & children stay all night. 10 Monday 10 Sept 1894 A wet rainy day rather cool. Voltie & Mart working in the shop. Eveline says she will stay with me a few days for we want to can tomatoes and make catchup [sic]. Wellie gone home to work in his house making partitions up stairs. Wellie didnt’ come up to dinner but while we are eating dinner in walked Johny came for [Mart|Martin]] and got him this time but tis a very bad day to cross the river in Dodges old boat through the rain and wind. �page_0170 214 11 Tuesday 12 Wednesday �page_0171 215 13 Thursday 14 Friday �page_0172 216 15 Saturday 16 Sunday A bright Fair day and warm. Wind S. Wallace here looking for Martin, couldn’t find him. George Niles & Frank Woodman here. Frank said Grace wanted her fur cape so I sent it her and said Belle & Grace are going to cook for George & Martin’s threshes. I’m sorry they are going to cook for Martin. Poor dear Belle she has enough and too much work at home. �page_0173 217 17 18 September Thursday 1894 17 September Monday 18 19 September Friday 1894 18 September Tuesday 1894 �page_0174 222 15 Sept Saturday 1894 19 Sept Wednesday 1894 As I am writing this diary back from further data I will write just here. John Morgan was drowned the night of Sept 19 1894 though I didnt hear of it till Sept 23rd sunday morning. A cold North wind strong breeze and a very dark night with rain. 20 September Thursday 1894 Expected Grace home to day from her Kingston visit but she didnt come. It is a very rainy morning. Wellie drove to the dock with Voltie and just as they were starting Martin came running across the fields and hopped into the waggon enroute for Kingston fair, couldnt stand it had to go to the Kingston fair having staid all night at Lon Dodges. Voltie brought all our spices and butter bowl and said Grace is coming home Saturday with Laura. Voltie gave Grace a dollar and bought her a pair of fine books. �page_0175 223 27 17 September Monday 1894 22 18 Sept Tuesday 1894 �page_0176 224 2319 Sept Wednesday 1894 20 Sept Thursday 1894 �page_0177 225 Friday 21 September 1894 Saturday 22 Sept 1894 �page_0178 226 Sunday 23 Sept 1894 Monday 24 Sept 1894 �page_0179 227 25 Oct September Tuesday 1894 26 Sept Wednesday �page_0180 230 27 September Thursday 1894 A fine morning. Voltie threshing for McDonald. Wellie drove to factory and after breakfast Eveline picked up all things preserving pots, cans and jars & bottles and Voltie drove down home with her & the children, leaving Maud and I here alone. Well tis somewhat lonesome but very peaceful and quiet. I fly around Maud & I and get things well in order. Wells come up and fed hogs at noon. Grace came home long after dark driving the home alone. Wellie stoped at home. Well I’m glad to see her but a great mind to thresh her for staying away so long. 28 September Friday Well Grace was up early this morning 5 Oclock which is quite contrary to city rules, 7 Oclock being early rising for city people. Well after breakfast and the work all done, Grace, Maud and went down to Marts garden and gathered apples, citrons, cucumbers & I came back tired enough and canned some tomatoes. Voltie away threshing for McDonel Bill. I paired [sic] apples for drying nearly all day. Towards afternoon Maud & I go and gather a basket of wild grapes. �page_0181 231 29 September Saturday A lovely autumnal day realy [sic] exquisite, temperature just right, clear and windless, a golden day, such days there may have been in paradise. Some people call such days weather breeders but if this day calls forth weather in opposite contrast to itself, what terrible weather it will be. Grace worked all day like a little heroine and the rooms in afternoon are clean and shining as a new pin. W. Jr & E & children came up to fill a straw bed invited them to stay to supper but no must go. Well while we were partaking our supper so coyily in walks John and Flora having come over in U Dodges old skiff leaking half full of water, glad to see them. 30 September Sunday 1894 John and Flora are here this morning, Safe and sound. we do not rise very early. Wellie didn’t come up to milk this morning. Voltie took the heads off two fowls and we had pot pie for dinner keeping the young fowl for breakfast next day. Well John calculates to go home to day but it looks like a storm after yesterdays most lovely weather. After dinner John goes down to see Wellie. Grace goes to bed. Flora & Maud go out walking on the shore towards evening it began so to rain that John coming up pm. Wellies made up his mind that he would have to stay over night so stayed. �page_0182 232 31 Sesptem 1 Oct Monday A cool day rather: but Grace doing a big washing. Voltie brought her some water: Wellie took his skiff and rowed John and Flora over the river to Dodges leaving Dodges old boat here on shore. Well John had apples & tomatoes, potatoes, catsup. Welllie got his boots that Ben D had bought for him but they were too small for him and Voltie had to take them. The wind sprang up and blew a storm shaking the apples from the trees. Grace brought all the clothes in before night. 2nd October Tuesday 1894 A beautiful autumn day. Voltie done chores and helped Will D. Grace ironed, I dug some potatoes one row from the garden. Voltie picked them up and carried them in cellar. I made a Johny cake for dinner but the corn meal was old and musty. �page_0183 233 3rd October Wednesday 1894 A rainy morning. Grace helped Voltie milk. Wellies old shoes no good. Voltie drove to factory. VoltieWellie came up after breakfast and went to help Niles kill hogs for market. Lill and Hank gone to the fair. I think they must have got wet. V gave Wellie a pig’s liver. Wellie gave me a piece of it for supper. I wrote a long letter to Nellie Guy. Grace ironed the clothes. 4 October Thursday 1894 Arose this morning at four Oclock and got breakfast. Grace walked to the dock before day light. Wellie went to Kingston too. V milked all the cows, drove to the factory, done all the chores, dug all the Haynes potatoes & drew part of them and put them in the cellar, done all the chores, milked cows and drove to the dock again. Mrs Morgan on the boat to day. The Sheriff seized all the things to day. This is the second seizure. Nellie gave me a book to day written [illegible] �page_0184 234 5th October Friday 1894 A cool wind S.W. rolling dark clouds. A perfectly threatning autumn day a fore runner of what we may expect. Voltie plowing on the Grange. Voltie & Wellie agree to do their work seperately. Wellie working his end of the place and Voltie this part and each one working a part of the Grange, the pastures and all grass lands are very green. Maude washed the dinner dishes and has gone to Wills to borrow some white thread for Grace didn’t get any yesterday. raining nearly all last night. we paired a bushel of apples Voltie, Grace & I 6th October A chilly day. Wind W and breezy, clouds sending before the wind. Wellie came up and helped milk and went home to breakfast. Voltie drove to the factory and done all the chores picked up and drew to the house the rest of the Haynes potatoes and put them in the cellar; got some wood and hung up the apples I had strung �page_0185 235 drove to the field to plow all the afternoon. Maud picked up some apples and paired [sic] & strung some. Grace cleaned all the house reading all the evening in the book Nelly sent me "In All Shades" by Grant Allen, a fine book. Sunday 7 October 1894 A most beautiful day quit [sic] bright warm clear & serene. Not many such day will come this fall, what a lovely day to drive over to Bells. But we have no way to go only in the old farm waggon. Well we are alone all day. Wellie came up to help milk in the morning & evening & went directly home again. After dinner Maude went to Mr Niles and Grace went to Wills & Welly, Rube McF & another fellow from Clayton with two children a Keys fellow married to one of Bill Steeles daughter. They all had stayed at Wellies. Will D & Grace went over to Dignums in the evening, young Doctouer came there. �page_0186 236 Frank Woodman & Wallace Niles there. Voltie & I at home all day went nowhere. I broke the Sabbath by reading "In all Shades". Wellie says Eveline is going tomorrow to Clayton with Reube but they may be disapointed for so very fine a day this time of the year is generaly followed by by [sic] wind. Monday 8 Oct 1894 Wind sprang up in South about midnight and has been blowing half a gale all day. Apples are constantly falling and turkeys are picking them to pieces. Maud gone to school. Grace washing. Voltie drew a load of sand from the foot. Barometer falling. clouds are fast gathering in S.W. for a storm. We had apple dumplings for dinner. I gathered the quail head beans and a few apples. The rain fell in torrents from 4 Oclock till bed time. Frank Woodman here in evening; his father got a kink in his neck wanted something to cure it. Frank Woodman [illegible] Digman stealing our apples. �page_0187 237 Tuesday 9 October 1894 A mild cool day, cool enough to have closed doors. A real beautiful autumn day with floating white clouds. Voltie working away at the piggy wall in front of house. Maud at schoool. Voltie drove to factory this morning as he does every morning but this morning he requested Kenny to tell Herb Dignam to keep himself and mother out of our orchard. Grace moped the floors Miss Mary Digman made us an afternoon visit. Mrs Niles came too. Said she would like to weave my carpet and I think I will sent it to her to weave. Grace went part way home with Mary. Maude went too. Voltie pared a bushel basket full of apples. A letter from F.W. Watson 10 Oct Wednesday Last night the moon had a golden ring and barometer falling fast. This morning the rain is falling too Wind & rain all day but pastures, woods and meadows as green as spring time. I quartered cored & strung the apples. [illegible] hung them up. no plowing done to �page_0188 238 Will here in the evening to see who is going to Kingston tomorrow. Want to send for flour, apple barrels, lumber &c. Will is working hard to finish their kitchen before the cold weather comes along. Wellie is doing the same. Will brought his fruit catalogue with him for Voltie to select pears. Voltie was abed but came down & told Will he will take two of each kind of pear. The water in their well not yet good, been so dry. Wind N in AM veering to S then W Thursday 11 October 1894 Wind south and a rainy morning clear up with flying scuds and black squally wind clouds. Voltie & Grace milked the cows. V drove to factory and came back and done all the chores, fed 19 hogs watered all the horses, chopped wood, brought water and then laid wall around the veranda. Grace finished my dress skirt. Maud at home. Grace swept, made beds. I washed dishes, pared apples and got dinner. Wellie drove home the cows and helped milk. At last the Western wind is hushed and gone to rest. V husking corn at the barn [illegible] had baked potatoes for supper and �page_0189 239 12 October Friday 1894 This month is rapidly passing on and the reason it appears to go swifter is the days are shorter than the nights. The sun this morning arose in a cloudless sky. A light west wind and cool. Voltie & Eveline gone over the river to get a buggy of William Windmill to go to Clayton. E going to have her teeth fixed. V to get W. Jr a pair of boots. Maud at school. Wellie & the children here to day. Wellie has now gone to pick up the fallen apples from the grange trees. I wrote Mr Watson. Jr didn’t pick up apples. The weather looks very threatning for a storm. The sun has a ring and dark clouds are lying to the S.S.W. with ragged wind heads sticking up here and there. Voltie & Eveline come home time for supper and concluded to stay all night. W Jr & V worked in shop till late making oars for [?] Grace went for the mail. A leter from [illegible] 40 dollar order. �page_0190 240 13 Oct Saturday 1894 Wind South. Raining all and rains this morning. W Jr, E & children stay till after dinner. Wind Squalls with rain all day. E made Grace & I each an apron; bought the cloth yesterday in Clayton. Grace cleaned floors. Boys finsihed J.N’s oars. P.M. Voltie in cellar making an apple bin. I pared quartered cored and strung more apples & hung them to dry. Shell N and another little girl here named Hattie McKeever from way back. Enroute for the USA accompanied by her grandmother. McK who at present is stationed at Mr John Niles’ awaiting an opertunity [sic] to cross the river St Lawrence. He said little one having been kidnapped by her grandmother from a brutal step-daddy, and is secretly conveying her to the glorious land of Liberty, after being very closely questioned by a police officer. She had received a dispatch from daddy Fredo. Voltie worked at the veranda floor by light of lantern went evening visiting at [The Niles|J.N]]’s �page_0191 241 Sunday 14 Oct 1894 Wind South. A rainy morning. Raining hard all day, ground beginning to be covered with water (that is where the ground is low). Tis twelve Oclock noon now, no visitors this day to cold and rainy. I did intend going to Wills but too wet. 4 Oclock PM. Wind West & cold. Raining yet. Grace took long nap. Voltie reading all day. Snow squalls toward night. Did not get any supper meal and I am nearly starved. Voltie ate bread & onions for his meal, and suppose we will all have to follow Grace �page_0192 242 Monday 16 Oct 1894 Wind West sun shining flying clouds and cold. Last night ground froze for the first time this fall. Wellie came before any of us were up but Voltie up twice looking after the cattle to keep them from breaking in the orchard. Voltie has been looking after cattle now every night for six weeks. Have to keep 3 of them shut up in the barn every night. Voltie and Wellie are plowing. Grace gathered all the green tomatoes and a few apples to put them in the cellar. We are keeping the milk in the can this morning only going to send to factory now every other day. Cooked beans for dinner, after dinner sent Maude to Wills for steelys to weigh carpet rags. Grace working on my dress got the skirt done. Wind freshening up. Barger lying at anchor by Carlton Island. Mr Niles here in the evening to invite the boys to help fix the dock house tomorrow. Grace & Maud wash supper dishes and I darn Volties mittens. �page_0193 243 16 October Tuesday 1894 Wind blowing heavy all last night with pelting rain from South. Wind and rain this morning from south and blowing heavy with some rain all day. Volty plowed this AM, afternoon went to fix dock house. Voltie milked all the cows this morning and drove to the factory and Wellie milked all the cows at night and then after supper they cleaned up a grist for the hog feed. Will and Charley here; came to borrow 25 lbs flour. Grace got tooth ache. Eveline got tooth ache. Grace finished my dress. I got the meals, churned, skimed all the milk and washed the pans and pared some apples for drying. Volty carried the warp and carpet rags. Mrs Niles she going to weave my carpet now sure Frank Woodman gave Voltie 3 big pumpkins. Some thing after our turkeys that are roosting on the fence, guess tis a fox. Voltie went out and fired off the gun [illegible] Wells a letter to Buffalo. �page_0194 244 17 Oct Wednesday 1894 Wind South this morning and blowing with a fine sunrise. Wind blew terrifically last night with lightning and rain. Dark heavy rain clouds with wind, rain, hail, thunder and lightning nearly all day. A quiet beautiful evening with a rosy sunset barometer rising. Wellie drove to the dock with a grist of hog feed. We sent Mrs Hammer some apples & tomatoes. Sent Nellies Book home "In All Shades" and a letter to Nell and one to John. Voltie brought in the Turkey and I cooked it. Will here to supper. Voltie laying low for foxes. Gracie piecing a quilt. Maud at school. �page_0195 245 18 Oct Thursday 1894 A fine day. Wellie went to Kingston & Grace stayed home. 19 Oct Friday A fine day. I forget what the boys were doing but Grace and Maud filled a straw tick and Mr Eben Joslin came and stayed awhile, he called to collect the school tax for Lindas Island, 84 cts. Ebb is as sociable as ever and measured out R Perceys Christonity [sic] in a very little quantity. �page_0196 246 20 Oct Saturday 21 Sunday A very fine day. Grace and Maud go to church. Charley and Bell and the little ones come over and we are very glad to see them. They stayed till towards night and I go home with them to stay a week. Wellie came up and was here when I went and Wellie too and Charlie and Will and Charlie rode to the road with us. we had a pleasant drive over and found a fine warm fire in the stove and Jimy set table for supper and we had �page_0197 247 22 Oct Monday A beautiful day. Charley plowing. The little girls and old dog went to school. 23 Oct Tuesday Rained this morning so the children stayed home. �page_0198 248 24 Oct Wednesday 25 Oct Wednesday Thursday �page_0199 249 26 Oct Friday 27 Oct Saturday At Bells a beautiful autumn day. After breakfast Marjorie and I washed the dishes and then we went up stairs and done all the chamber work. Bell cleaned all the painted floors, pantry and dinning, and after dinner and the dishes washed Bell and the children and I walked [illegible] out to the woods to gather autumn leaves and we all leisurely walked around the shore. A very delightful day. �page_0200 250 28 Oct Sunday 1894 Charley brought me home to day a lovely Indian summer day. We met Wellie and Edy Bates near George Ranous. Wellie was going to Bells. Edy going to WG Woodmans. Wellie came back with us. We found John and Mart there on our arrival home and as Grace had dinner all ready, we ate our dinner. Wallace and George Niles were here too. W Jr and V gave John 4 bags of potatoes and some apples. I washed all the dinner dishes while Grace and Mart went to church. A beautiful sunset. 29 Oct Monday A fine day. I skimmed 4 messes of milk and churned 2 times. went all around out door and saw the trees were bare of apples, all been gathered in while I was gone to Bells. I saw some pumpkins drying on the poles, none when I went from home. �page_0201 251 Knitted lace cast on 15 stitches k plain 2 row k2p1 and repeat until within 5 stitches of the edge k rest plain I made a mistake in the number of the row 2 row k5*O twice, narrow and repeat from * across row 4 row same as second row except you knit the last stitch plain 5 row k3p1 k rest same as 3rd row 6 row same as 2nd 7 row like 3rd 8 row like 4 9 row like 5 10 row k5 then n across the row except last stitch which you knit cast off 6 then narrow last 5 which you now there is 15 stitches [illegible] as wide a desired by adding any any number of stitches divisible by 2. �page_0202 252 knitted lace 41 stitches kp 1 row s1, k3, O2, p2tog, p27, O, p2tog, k2, O2, n On p1 in the same stitch 2nd row n.O.n.k1.p1.k2, O twice, p2rog R4 3rd Sl, k3,O twice, p2 rog, p30, Op2tog, k3 twice n, o, n p1 in same stitch 4 row n,O, n, K1, P1, k3, O twice, p2 tog, Slip & b k8, M & b k8 sl and b k8, Otwice, p2tog, k4 5 row slip 1, k3, O twice, p2rog, p27, Op2tog, k4, O twice, n, O, n, p1 6 row n, O, n, k1, p1, k4, O2p2tog, sl4b, k4, O, k1, Ok2, sl2 b. k4, Ok1, Ok2 sl & b. k4, O, k1, Ok2, O2, p2tog, k4 7 row sl1, k3, O2 p2tog, p30, Op2tog, k5 O twice, n, O, n, p1 8 n, O, n, k1, p1, k5, O2/O2 tog, sl k8, sl & b, k8 sl & b k8 O2 p2 9 sl1, k3, O2, p2tog, p27 Op2 k6, O twice, n, O, n, p1 10 n, O, n, k1p1, k6, O three P2tog k3 O k10, k3, sl & b, k3, O, k1 sl & b, k3, Ok k4 �page_0203 253 21 row slip 1, k3, O twice, p2tog, p27, Op2tog, k4, O twice, n, O, n, p1 22nd row n.O.n.k1.p1.k2, O twice, p2tog sl & b. O k1, O, k6, sl & b, Ok1, Ok6, sl2 O k1 Ok6 Otwice p2tog k4 23rd Sl, k3, O twice, p2 tog, p30, Op2tog, k1, n, o twice, n O n p1 24 row n, O, n, K1, P1, n, O twice, p2 tog, Sl & b k8, sl & b, k8 sl & b k8, O twice, p2tog, k4 repeat from Narrow lace imitation hair pin lace cast six stitches and knit across plain first to tenth row (inclusive) make by putting the thread over p2 tog n p2 tog m1 p2 tog [illegible] row m1 s1 p3 tog pass the sliped stitch the m stitch over thread over 4 times row m1 sl1 k1 p1 k1 m1 p2tog row ma p2tog m1 p2tog m1. p3tog repeat from first �page_0204 11 row sl1 k3 Otwice p2tog p80 O p2tog k7 O twice n O n p1 12 row n o n k1 p1 k7 O twice, p2tog sl & b k8 sl & b k8 sl & b k8 O twice p2tog k4 13 s1 k3 O twice p2tog p27 O p2tog k6 n O twice n o n p1 n n o n k1p1 n k5 O2 P2tog sl & b k2 O k1 O k4 sl & b k2 O k1 Ok4 sl & b k2 Ok1 Ok4 O twice p2tog 15 sl 1 k3 O2p2tog p30 Op2tog k5 n O twice n O n p1 16 row n O n k1p1 K4 O twice p2tog sl2 b k8 sl & b k8 slO b k8 O twice p2togk4 17 sl1K3 O twice p2tog p27 Op2tog k4 n O2 n o N 18 row n O n k1p1 n k3 O twice sl & b k1 P k1 O k5 sl & b k1 k5 sl & b k1 O k5 O twice tog k4 sl 1 k3 O twice p2 tog p 30 3 n O twice n O n p1 n O n k1 p1 n k2 O twice sl & b k8 sl & b K8 sl & b 8 p2 tog K21 �page_0205 255 30th Oct Tuesday 1894 A very fine day & warm and stuff. Hannah Rattray, Ine Joslin burried put in the vault to day. Maud gone to school. V, G & Mart went to the funeral. Cleaned up oats in PM for the scow for 26 cts per bush. Eveline and the children came up to stay here while Wellie plasters their house. Barometer slowly but steadily falling. Clouds beginning to gather for a storm and Grace and I finished sewing our carpet and put it down on the sitting room floor. 31 Oct Wednesday 1894 A rainy day with fierce wind from the west. Wellie at home painting his house. Voltie managed to draw, yesterday and to day 200 bushels of oats. Mart went up and brought home the other carpet for our bedroom. George and [Lill|Lilly] [illegible] in the evening. All Halloween night. Grace and Eve made the bedroom carpet. George & Lill went home at 10 Oclock and we [illegible] Wind blowing again �page_0206 256 1 Nov Thursday 1894 A Wind blown morning from the South, clouds ragged rolling and torn. Voltie drove to Jack this morning with Grace. Grace this morning paid $50 dollars to Kirkpatrick and Rogers. Eveline took down the bedstead and put down the new carpet in the bedroom Raining most all day, wind blowing a gale from S. Wellie down home plastering but came up in evening and stayed all night. V drove to dock for G. Nell didn’t come. I’m not sorry. Frank W and Johny McLochlin here in evening A fine day for the season clear and cloudless after the rain of yesterday. Trees nearly bare but pastures and most vegetation green and growing. Eveline sewing for Jen and washing a few clothes for the childen. Wellie and his dog down home palstering his house E cuting [sic] & making six bibs for baby. Grace taking the carpet [illegible] bedroom finished the bedroom before [illegible] Voltie carried the last milk to the [illegible] to make a cheese [sentences torn away] �page_0207 257 Saturday 3 Nov 1894 Raining hard. Wind blowing a gale from the South all day and part of the night. Wellie and Voltie plastering at Wellie’s house after Voltie & Mart had drawn hay for the horses. Mart went to Mrs Niles’ and she gave mart 3 pies. I baked one for dinner and fried two for supper, boys came late Mart Eveline milked te cows. Sunday 4 Nov 1894 A tolerable good day, clear and quiet clouds beginning to gather towards evening. Grace and Mart to to church after dinner. Grace and Eveline go down to look at the new plastered wall, come home and Grace goes over to Will Dixons and stays till dark. Wellie and Voltie go in a [illegible] the river to Lindas Island with [illegible] Evening visitors. Jim Morgan [illegible] Flynn Young, Tom Hogan & Jim [illegible] inviting to a raffle and dance next Tuesday eve. Jim Morgan borrows [illegible] and agrees to bring it home [illegible] night. �page_0208 260 Monday 5 Nov 1894 Cold Wind blowing a gale all night with rain. A nasty day wind and rain all day from N.W. Eveline sewing for Jen. I darning socks. Wellie plastering Voltie helping him After dinner W Jr and V helped Will D butcher two hogs. Mart picking up stones till chore time. Morgan didn’t bring V’s gun home as he agreed. Tuesday 6th Nov 1894 Wind N.W. Froze quite hard last night for the first time this autumn, sun shine part of the time, but earth and clouds a dreary melancholy wintry look [illegible] and Muriel playing out sliding on ice on the flat and H came in with cold aching fingers which E thawed out in the washdish. Wall came over to grind his axe. Charlie came too. Charley and Ethel came as [illegible] �page_0209 261 dinner, wanted tea and pepper. Eveline sent home the last of Jens work and is now seweing and cutting a dress for herself. Grace cleaned floors and and helped get dinner and finished a night dress. Wellie finished pastering his house and Voltie & Mart are picking up stone. A raffle and dance at John Hogans to night and a bee pulling stumps and an apple pairing [sic] at Wellington Burnham’s to night. Wednesday 7 Oct 1894 A midling fair day for the season. Grace and I dressed 3 turkeys and 2 chickens for market, churned twice and made 12 butter prints for market. Rachel rowed down in a small skiff from Charleton stoped here awhile [illegible] to Kingston tomorrow Voltie in the evening cleaned a [illegible] for mill and done nearly all chores. Mart went to the bee [illegible the church by Rev White. Voltie [illegible] Voltie brought news of [illegible] that Mr Eben Joslin [illegible] of paralysis �page_0210 262 Thursday 8 Arose early for tis market day, put up the turkeys, fowls and butter, got breakfast and they all start for the dock once more. Maude goes to school. I dont feel very well but work around slowly all day, churn again and have supper ready when they come home at 8 PM bringing Edith Knight with them to make another new acquaintance. I suppose for more visiting Friday 9 Rather cold. Wind West. Voltie went over the river to get some medicine for me. called and saw Mr E Joslin who is very low after the severe stroke of parylis [sic] which he had on Wednesday PM Voltie and Mart finished picking stone. Leatherland here and [illegible] to supper. Frank W and Jen here they all went to Wills in �page_0211 263 Saturday 10 Oct 1894 Oh what a dreary dismal rainy snowy windy day. Grace done all the cleaning and washed some things. I darned and took care of the mill. Voltie churned in the evening. Voltie, Edith & Grace sang and played organ all the evening. Wellie bought horse of John McKoen and gave him for the horse, old roan cow and 1 1/2 tun hay. Sunday 11 Oct 1894 A chilly rather disagreeable day. Wind NW. Snow showers with gleams of sunlight. Rachel came over this morning to go to Carlton but didn’t go on account of unfavorable outlook of the [rest of bottom left hand corner torn, missing text indicated with a #] # ate breakfast and dinner with me # then went back goin to Wills Rene # here to dinner. Edith Knight # night. Grace & Edith went up # Niles & Voltie went up there in # to come home north # here twice to day. I have Voltie # Maude and E bread and an # Eben Joslin died this morning �page_0212 �page_0213 �This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following people: Ann Hopkinson, Vivian Zhang, Patricia Roussel, Ella Deering, Eric Irvine, Mason Choi, and Queen’s University Archives � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Subject The topic of the resource 19th and 20th Century Rural Ontario Diaries Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1887-1922 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1887 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1888-1889 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1889-1897 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1890 March - June Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1893-1895 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1895-1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1896 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1897-1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899-1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902, 1906 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902-1909 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1904-1905 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1907 & 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1908-1919 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1911 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913-1914 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1915-1916 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1916-1917 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1917-1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1921-1922 Language A language of the resource English Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1893-1895 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1893-1895 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th Century, Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. June 30th, 1893 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/79c8deb2ac2ad69d8d5f4b88844af989.pdf 242101d407c65a2fe7e8071d1dc10175 PDF Text Text Irene Dixon Bamford 1895-1899, Diary Transcription 5034_4-1-10 �Metadata FromThePage export of 5034_4-1-10 from Irene Dixon Bamford made on 2026-02-11 14:35:10 UTC. itemTitle: Parts of 1895-1897-1899 date: 1895-1899 Title: 5034_4-1-10 Description: Item is a diary. Created On: 2024-01-11 17:29:06 UTC In Scope: true Uploaded Filename: 5034_4-1-10 �1 [file folder titles/subjects] Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Parts of 1895-1897-1899 [Queens date stamp] Queen’s University Archives Locator 5034 Box 1 File 10 �2 Parts of 1895 - 1897 - 1899 �3 �4 21 July 1st August 1895 Saturday 30 Jan 1897 A clear bright day, cold, the ground white with snow far and wide Wells Sr gone to Kingston with double team. Both Wellie and Will butchering beef. G cleaned floors. Maud insisted in going to Mr W for the mail came back crying with cold feet; a letter from Kirk on Roy wanting money on the 75 acres. I think they’ll have to wait. A Whig, my correspondence went to press to late Jen. W had sent first expected a letter from John but got none. Wells came early at 6 pm brought Wellies over shoes No 7 think they are too small After dinner W Jr and V went to the island for wood, found the ice poor �5 Sunday 31 Jan 1897 A cold clear bright morning sun rising in a rosy red sky; trees covered with a heavy white frost Edy Bates called here on his way to Church. We gave him Dr Watsons parcel. Will & Charlie here Dick holliday made us an Evening visit �6 2 August Friday 1895 A very fine morning Wind South & breezy. Grace done big washing we washed two quilts. Thursday 4 February 1897 A clear cold morning I & W Jr drawing wood from Linda. W Sr gone to Clayton for Calico. Maud will have to stay home to day from school. Grace sewing on her dress shaker flannel from Kingston chrushed strawbery color Wills little ones walked to school this morning and home again at night Jim Morgan here to borrow a rip saw borrowed 1 of Wellie I clean part of the pantry shelves dont feel very well Sr came home bringing 98 yds cloth �7 Friday 6 February 1897 a fine winter day. Wells Sr drove with Maud to school I cleaned pantry shelves and warms coating. [crossed-out] V & W Jr drew wood from Lindas [/crossed-out] V cleaned ice house and shop worked Wells went for Maud and carried Wells little ones home. Rachel got a bad cold or cough. Tomorrow V is going for the Dr for her. A dance to night at Dignam’s V & G attended. A big methodist crowd down from the villiage �8 Saturday 3 August 1895 A breezy day cloudy looks like rain. Grace brought in the clothes early this morning. Wellie here to lunch with us. Voltie & Wellie drew this forenoon the barley, only two loads a heavy crop. Had shelled beans for dinner golden wax. After dinner Maud and Beatrice go to Wellies for peas and then go to Wills for fence wire staples. Rachel at Wellie’s for cucumbers &c. Saturday 6 February 1897 A rainy day V and G came home at 3 A.M. Cant go for Dr to day. A regular downfall of rain. G moped [sic] floors and went to bed after dinner; had a long nap & after coming home from Dignums slept 4 hours in the morning �9 Sunday 7 February 1897 A cloudy half drizzly day & snow all slush and water can scarcly go a foot from door without getting feet wet. Dont expect visitors to day. Grace popped corn at three Oclock came Minnie OBrien & Miss Staley teacher & stayed to tea and till 9 Oclock pm. Came down in cutter. Evening visitors Minnie OBrien, Agnes Staley, Will Dixon, Wallace Niles, and Frank Woodman �10 4 Mauds Monday 8 February 1897 A cloudy soft day froze a little through the night but soft and sposhy & slush every where "An exchange of residence to day between Frank Woodman and Charley. Frank moving one way from home & Charley moving home. Up and down the ice the horses fly with chairs, beds, and all household goods. Wells Sr drove to school with Maude and went again at close of school & drove in to it. Barries with Ruth roads are terrible Wellie came up with sail for Grace to stitch Volkie gone visiting this evening at J Niles. �11 Tuesday 24 March 1897 Wells Sr drives with Maud to school and then drives with me to Wills where I stay all day till Sr drives to Wills with Wills children. Rachel got a cough. Grace washed a few things. Sr calking the front. Sr is hoarse. A fine day but cloudy towards night. Froze some in night, growing colder from N air George and Wall Niles here playing pede till after 10 Oclock p.m. �12 5 Wednesday 10 February 1897 A beautiful day. Grace cooking for O’Briens dance which takes place this eve (Michael). All go in sleigh. Frank, Wall, Voltie, Grace & Agnes Staley & Will Dixon and stay till 5 Oclock AM. Growing colder before morning �13 Wednesday Thursday 11 Feb 1897 �14 6. 12 Friday �15 Saturday 13 February 1897 V gone to Kingston for Miss Quinn to take her to the ball at Marysvillesent 10 lbs butterCharley drove down with Belle and children and went home again leaving Belle and the children here. V came after dark with Miss Q well what a jolly house full �16 7 Sunday 14 A fine day wind blows some from South But Charley comes down, stays till after dinner and Belle and the little ones pile into the sleigh and are well covered from wind with blankets and robes and away they go towards home. Grace popped corn �17 15 Monday A very fine Day. Grace and Lill prepare for the ball at Marysville I,m,b,a. I’ll be glad when its done for V drives for Miss Staley all going in sleigh Volty, Wall Niles, Grace, Aggy Staley & Lill Quinn. They pick up Bernard Morgan on the road and take him too �18 Tuesday 16 After the ball is over Came just at sunrise breakfast nearly ready. After breakfast V drives with Miss Staley to School house. Grace, Miss Quinn go to bed and sleep till dinner time. V takes a nap too. Daily visitors Frank Leatherland, Dick Spoor and a stranger, Wall Niles, Shell Niles, Will Dixon, George Morgan, Mabel Morgan. At evening time they all go (except Wall, George & Voltie) to tea meeting. Will, Geo & Voltie give us a musical entertainment at home which is very fine. Our stove pipe burnt out this morning after breakfast. �19 Wednesday 17 February Snowing this morning. Verandah floor covered an inch with snow. Wells Sr after thinking the matter over a while goes to Kingston for sill lumber and other building material. Frank Leatherland called here on his way to Kingston and is as polite and darling as ever. Dick Halliday here for V to go with him and invite for a dance at Bells next monday eve. Devers Breakey drove here to see V for some thing. Wall Niles Drove in here for Miss Quinn to accompany him in cutter to Wellies. Will here a little while. Grace went to sleep after dinner awhile. Got up and cleaned floors. Wellie here for butter. Weather shimpy and soft. Evening visitors Will Dixon, Wall Niles Shell Niles, George Morgan, & Jim Morgan, Agnes Staley, Ed Weaver, Miss Quinn. Danced in kitchen & Grace stood over the hot stove and popped corn for them till she is �20 9 Agnes Staley, Ed Weaver, Miss Quinn. Danced in kitchen & Grace stood over the hot stove and popped corn for them till she is nearly fainting with heat. They stayed till midnight. I wish the fools would stay home. Oh Lord how long. Thursday 18 Feb 1897 A cloudy morning looks like snow or rain. V gone to Kingston with Miss Quinn. Wells drove to School house with Maud & Miss Staley. Grace sick in bed with erysipelas and cold brought on by over exertion and dancing. A social at Burnhams this Eve. V returned at 5 pm. Evening visitors. Wall Niles, Henry Halliday & Rob Ranon sold 10 lbs butter today at 16 cts per lb to Wards. �21 Friday 19 February 1897 Froze last night. Grace better this morning. A thin veil of clouds cover the face of the sky but soon the sun came out clear and bright. Maud walked to school this morning. V and Jr put straw in the barn. V going for Maud and Miss Staley. Will gone to corners for Kerosine for Jr and to get the Dr for R. Sent Rachel cod liver oil. Voltie drove across the river after supper with Miss Staley and Grace to Capt Bogarts. �22 11 Saturday 20 February 1897 A mild day. Grace over river. Maud and I do saturday’s work, wash a few things. Jim Morgan here after dark for Volty to iron off his cutter fills and stayed in the shop till nearly one am infringing on the sabath, got nervous & called Sr out of bed to see what was trouble and he went out angry. Wind blowing a gale from south and the washing hanging on the veranda line and I afraid to go out in wind for my throat sore can swallow with difficulty. V brought them in at one am. �23 Sunday 21 February 1897 A pleasant day after the storm. I bake mince pies and rub the dirty spots on the floor. Volty drove to Hallidays from there. V & Dick drove to Bells. V returned at 3 pm then drove to corners for Grace and Staley. They all returned late again. Sr went to Wills to to [sic] see how Rachel is getting along. �24 12 22 February 1897 Monday Volty drove to school with Miss Staley and Maude. Jim Morgan here to for V to finish the cutter fills. L Larush and Miss G Davis came down on ice boat, ate dinner here and banged away on the piano till the snow storm from the North hurried them off. Next came Dr Watson on his return trip from Doctoring Rachel who has a bad cough. After putting his horse in barn and visiting awhile he hitched the old mare to the cutter and started & got as far as the turning point at the concession when the cutter slowed around upseting and tumbling the Dr out, the horse got away from him and is gone no one knows where. Back came the Dr to the house bringing one robe and blanket. When V returned from driving Wills home �25 home from school. V and his dad and Harry started with double team in pursuit of the runaway, tracked her as far as Ed Rattrays and there she took her way towards Clayton across the trackless ice. V & dad drove to Rob Percey’s where they deposited Dr Watson, a sad but wiser man. V promising to trace the fugitive early this morning. Horse, cutter, robes, medicine box, all gone of [sic] on a tour through a blinding snow storm from the north. V got a new addition to his cold. Sr ceiling the kitchen. The storm has ended the dance at Bells this eve - good. Our dissipated youngsters will get a nights rest. �26 13. Tuesday 23rd February 1897 This morn the storm has abated - no wind but the horse track so filled no use looking for it. Voltie gets or borrows J.N.’s bobs and goes over river for saw dust. Sr ceiling kitchen. Sr drove with Maude to school. Clouds appear like breaking away and becoming clear again. Wellie here for butter and cleaning up a grist for mill. paid. Buchanan was over looking for his rig but had not found it yet had been to Clayton and Gananoque but no clue. Dick Halliday here this eve, says going to dance at Charleys tomorrow night for Dick has bought the oysters. Aggy gone home with Shell to stay over night. �27 Wednesday 24 Feb 1897 A fair morning sun shining out clear for a while. A blustering time with wind and snow at noon Guess Dicks oysters will not spoil. I hope they can go this pm and get the job done with at last. Heard this am by way of Irvine, that Buchanan’s horse cutter medicine box &c &c are safely found with some man below Clayton. For Harry’s sake I’m glad Charley Woodman gone to Gananoque to day. Our stove pipe burnt out again to day at noon. V and Grace to Bells to dance all night taking boiler and milk, mince pie �28 14. Thursday 25 February 1897 Came home at 9 and tumbled into bed once more. After an other nights dancing slept till 1/2 past 10 am. Sr went to school with Maud and then drove Jess to Kingston. Will here to dinner. Another invitation to a dance tomorrow night at Keever’s and one in Kingston. There was one last eve on brad point. Rachel out of doors to day walking around. Rejoice in your heart Oh young man. and be merry but remember for all these things thou shall surely be brought into judgement. Aggy Staley came home with Maud and stayed all night. Sr rode his lumber down with All Joslin and he followed on with cutter �29 Friday 26 February 1897 A very good day. Voltie drove this morning to school with Chris Staley and Maud. Sr finishing ceiling in kitchen. Den Paine drove in here to make a visit. Wellie here a few minutes: its the same old talk about Balls and parties and dances and one next Monday night at corners. Grace sewing on my dress waist &c �30 27 15. Saturday Volty gone to Kingston drove Jess. A very fine morning when he drove away. Wellie gone to Gananoque to mill. After noon blinding wind and snow squalls. Worried about Wellie think Devolson will come as far as Charleys and stay all night. Charley and Ethel came over for some thing forgot. Will came over and said Wellie came at 3 pm. Will stay awhile and wonder of wonders V came home bringing two Quinn’s home with him Lill Quinn & Edna Quinn. Am I glad to see them? not much I’ve had visitors enough for awhile. Gave them their supper and they giggled and teehee’d and yelled and talked and laughed all at same time. rather loud for a city belle I think. �31 Sunday morning 28th February 1897 Awoke this morning to once more find our domicil invaded by the enemy. A blow to peace and quietness more loud talk and high laughter giggles & yells of nonsencical [sic] side splitting mirthlessness. Oh for a refined quiet ladylike demeanor. The day is fine and is spent in cooking and eating, cutter riding, ice boating, calling on the Niles and Eveline. In evening W. Dixon, Wall N & Will Niles visit us. more noise, more banging on the piano, more loud laughing that speaks the vacant mind and kept up till 11 O’clock. No one can sleep till after 12 O’clock. Lill is a methodist. �32 16 Monday 1 March 1897 After breakfast and hand shaking all around and adieu’s and good byes V came to the door and they tumble in to the cutter and are duly tucked into the robes and blankets and V drives away again Cityward with with [sic] Lillian and Edny and with a long drawn breath of releif [sic]. I turn to washing dishes and Grace to sewing Sr drives to school with Maud. Will Dixon trying to get up a dance at his house before the 3rd of March when Lent begins and like a last forlorn hope if he cant dance to night he’ll dance at his house tomorrow night till 12. After noon stormy. wind blowing great guns and snow flying so cant see an inch from your nose and while I’m thinking V will not return, he walks in looking like a snow drift having driven all the way from Emerson in a snow storm �33 Tuesday 2nd March 1897 A tolerably decent day. Storm abated at midnight snow drifts this morning like hills sun partly shining finished writing and sent a letter to John. V at J Niles this morning helping fill Niles new ice house, came home after dinner and gone to Wellie’s to help W Jr put straw in barn. Will called here after going a way with Charley & Flora to school then he went home to get wood. Aman Chatterton getting ready, washing her clothes going to leave Sams & going to the Bellville [sic] home next Tuesday. Maud home from school. Grace washing a few things &c. Sr putting mouldings on kitchen. Evening mail a lettter from Dick Brown. Grace a letter from Glen and Miss Wormwith. �34 Wednesday 3rd March 1897 A storm of rain ice fog and some wind. Wills’ children gone to school. Maud at home. Grace making herself a dress and working on her piece quilt. Wells Sr moulding the kitchen doors and made new end pieces for the quilting frames. Volkie working in shop all day. Will here this afternoon. We were much disturbed by a strange dog last night a wailing and howling around the house like an narly [sic] banshee. Volkie caught the dog and put him in the cow stable. I gave him his breakfast this morning and he is gone away. Well this is all only the weather is dismal. �35 4 March Thursday 1897 A day of brightness snow every where resembles highly polished marble. V drove to school house with Maud and then drove up the ice with the tramp dog and found it belonged to Morgan. From there he drove to Wm G Woodmans for elm lumber for sleigh raves. Drove for Maud. Miss Staley came home with them and after supper Volkie hitched up old Nell and away they drove to Wellys to visit till 1/2 past 11 pm. The dog again visited us last night at 11 Oclock disturbing the whole household and Volty in particular. �36 5 Friday March 1897 A thick hazy morning looks very much like rain. V trying to bend sleigh runners in the tank soften them I mean. Will came over while George Darling here to day rain came tumbling down. V went to Frank W’s this eve and played pedro with McNealy. We took another can of tea 30 lbs. This morning V drove to school with Maud and the teacher �37 6 March Saturday 1897 A fine day. cold freezing ice every where river like a mirror in the sunlight. Charley & Belle and Mary Murphy & little Grace came down and stoped [sic] long enough to warm and then drove over to Gloyds and the corners leaving little Grace here. While gone Belle brought me the scrap book’s 3 of them. They said [Jim?] yesterday ran away. Will and Wellie here. Voltie went with them to the corners for kerosine and more medicine I supose. Belle got present for Flora came over for butter milk. �38 19. Sunday 7 March 1897 A beautiful day but cold. V drove over to Wills with me to see R and mother got there before breakfast. Johny Bamford our own Johny drove over for me toward evening. He came from Limerick to day. We drove around by Wallis’s the driving on the ice is beautiful every where. The ice boats were out in force to day. Anne Chatterton came to Wills to day, wants to go over the river. I caught the neuralgia in ear & face to day. Found Agnes Staley here to day when I returned from Wills. Will and George Morgan here in evening, dont get to sleep till after 12. G and A talk and laugh till 1 am �39 Monday 8 March 1897 V drives to school with Aggy and Maud, Aggy not coming again in three weeks. �40 20 Tuesday 9 March 1897 �41 Wednesday 10 March 1897 A rainy morning but clears away. Sr drives to school with Maud. I quilt nearly all day. Volty not well but reads most all day. Grace does house work. Ed Bates and John Barnham here and Welly and they saw wood for Vi in the evening. Pat Loban here for to cut wood tomorrow for O’Brien. Wells sr told Pat V couldn’t go. Ed Bates here in evening playing checkers with V. Flora came over for tea �42 21. Thursday 11 March 1897 A fine clear morning Welly & Jess go to Kingston on the ice, on a sled, with two horses. Wellie gone up for lumber to ceil his kitchen. Ed Bates went also. Will here for buttermilk. Grace and I finished the quilting of Belles present she gave me 4 or 5 years ago. Volkie better reading one studying all day. Grace done house work. E Bates went to Kingston with Jr. Received a letter from Nelly Woodmans teams (Franks and Charley’s got in ice by Morgans point. Niles drove across the river for saw dust for ice. Sent K a scrap book. �43 Friday 12 March 1897 Wind east and rain falling nearly all day. Snow rapidly disapearing [sic] ground nearly bare of snow. Wind hauls around to west and freezing hard at night. Wind blowing at gale. Wells went to Samy’s to post a letter and was treated to a glass of cider. V reading and studying. Maud stayed home from school. I began making a new scrap book. Grace cleaned chamber floors and moved the lounge upstairs we churned and bound the new quilts. �44 22 Saturday 13 March 1897 A very fine day. W Sr drove to Kingston on the ice with one horse. Came back before night dark brought candy, soap, clothes pins and three papers. via the Artica Globe, War cry and Saturday Whig. Maud goes to post Office for the Weekly Whig & goes skating all the afternoon still on the ice too. The ice yachts are out to day in force about 20 or more pass down the river on Their way to Kingston to the racing contest to day. V reading Shakespeare and doing the chores. Aunt Rena done several things which didnt amount to much. Wellie, Hubert and Muriel here. Flora and Charlie here. Grace done all the cleaning and made cake and cookies in the Evening. G & M went to pay Mrs N a visit. W Sr says Lil Watson and E. Quinn & her dada in K. Old Mrs Watson sick �45 Sunday 14 March 1897 All day A great snow storm sweeping o’er all the land. With great difficulty Sr brings water from the river 2 pails full. Cattle will not go to river to drink All is quietness and peace within the home to day. A clean hearth and warm fires and reading- galore. Grace and Maud getting dinner. We we eating dinner when once more the alarm, the stove pipe is burning out, and at this time it nearly proved to be most serious. It took V and his father with a pail of water and climbing the roof on the lader [sic] in this blizzard of a snow storm to lay the fire flue once more. Afraid, some time, the house and all our household goods will go up in smoke and no insurance. Something has got to be done there has warning been given so often that it is folly to let this go on any longer. �46 Aug 24th Saturday 1895 Wellie & Voltie helping Mr Niles draw oats, after noon it rain drizzled all fore noon, guess Niles oats got wet for they loaded oat right through the rain �47 [part of page missing indicated by ?] Sunday 14 March 1897 [?] great snow storm sweeping o’er [?] with great difficulty Sr [?] the river 2 parts full [?] to river to drink [?] peace within the [?] hearty and warm fires [?] Grace and Maud [?] dinner Monday 16 Match 1897 A bright beautiful day Maud at school then Sr drove for Rachel. R stayed till Sr drove from School and then took R home. Grace washed big washing & hung on the line. V painted kitchen yally and brown. Wellie here awhile. Wellie got a bad cold. V not well. Will worked on N’s ice house. �48 25 August 1895 Sunday A beautiful clear warm day after last nights heavy rain storm. grass and all vegetation bright and green. Grace & Voltie went to Carlton Island returned at sundown. I alone nearly all day. Maude, Charlie & Flora went to church. Evening visitors George and Florence Morgan & Miss Foley teacher. �49 Sunday 14 March 1987 [page has been torn and much is illegible and indicated here as a ?] snow storm sweeping o’er [?]with great difficulty Sr [?] the river 2 parts full [?] to river to drink [?] peace within the [?] and warm fires [?] Grace and Maud [?] dinner �50 [page torn - much of the entry is not visible and indicated here with ?] 26 Aug [?] way [?] laughter [?] down the island and [?] 15 miles to G Gillespie’s [?] go afterwards drove over [?] R made Niles a �51 Sunday 14 March 1987 [page has been torn and much is illegible and indicated here as a ?] snow storm sweeping o’er [?]with great difficulty Sr [?] the river 2 parts full [?] to river to drink [?] peace within the [?] and warm fires [?] Grace and Maud [?] dinner Tuesday 15 16 March 1897 A fine day bright and warm finer than yesterday In evening froze last night. V drove over the river came back at 3 - carried Mrs G a piece of beef �52 27 Wednesday 1617 March 1897 Grace preparing to go to the ball at the Cosners, prepared nearly all day, going with Wall Niles only she didnt go. Wallace flunked out under pretence of a bad cold. Glad she didn’t go with Wall,- or glad Wall sneaked out which is a providence to Gracie D Bamford. [] V had better not dance just now V drove to school for Maud and Agnes Came home with them,-which is fine. and And the evening passes away all night with music and laughter merriment. Sr drove down the Island and tried to hire out the 75 [] to G Gillespie & Rosen but no go. Afterwards drove over the river to R R[]. V made Niles a visit. �53 Thurday 18 March 1897 A very fine morning Wells drives to Kingston on the ice and Irene goes with him as far as Belles. Thawing all day. Bamford gets back to Charlie’s at 4 1/2 pm and Marjorie comes home with us Belles house is fine but a chance for great improvement. B Sr went to land office always trouble there, more money more money more money & more & more more more �54 28 Friday 19 March 1897 A fine warm day wind south. Earth mostly bare of snow. V drove to school with Maud & Marjorie and went for them again at 4p.m. Grace washed clothes, a line full. Wallie & V pitched straw in barn. Sr done chores and brought water and nodded over his newspaper. Churned. Grace skips across the field to mail a letter to Helen Watson, Kingston. A soft warm day winter disapearing [sic]. A robin on the wing and crows galore. A foggy morning and foggy nearly all day �55 Saturday 20 March 1897 A day of mud melting snow fog and a thunder and lightning shower. Grace cleaned the floors. V painting and cleaning the kitchen. Wells doing chores and brought some water. If we had a cistern! it would prevent many weary steps and waste of time. Margaret & Maude visiting all day. I the evening Volty went to J N’s to play pedro. Came home at 10 p.m. all in bed long ago but I. �56 29 Sunday 21 March 1897 A fair day sun shines out now and again, ground is bare and dirty, and more mud than yesterday. A sleepy quiet day. reading is the business of the day. Alone all day - no visitors to day. Within the space of 6 lines I have writen "day" 6 times - 7 times 8 times in all on this page. George Gillespie drove up on the ice to church this afternoon Monday 22nd March 1897 A fine spring day thawing all day snow gone except a few patches here and there. Will called here on his way to Morgans for his iceboat. Ed Bates crossed the ice on foot this am. Wells Sr walked to Breakeys for window sash. Found Mrs Hodgers there, wanting to get over the river enroute for Rochester. V making moulding for kitchen. I wrote to Nelly �57 Tuesday 23rd Marach 1897 A beautiful morning, spring birds are singing. Will and Volty are painting the house outside. "Sams’ boys are shingling their barn. Wells Sr brought in 15 eggs to day. V taped [tapped] 3 trees & Maud and Marjorie are gathering the sap at night. 1/2 past 4 pm Clouds gathering dark, looks like a storm. I cleaned part of the pantry woodwork. V & Wall & George this eve gone to Wellies to play pedro V came home early at 9 pm. Wednesday 24th March 1897 A stormy day - rain from the north. We are not working very heavy to day. Will came over towards evening and V gave or paid Well 20 lbs pork and 50 lbs of flour. Sr reading and V reading Shakespeare �58 30 Thursday 25 March 1897 A dirty day half rain half snow all day Charly came over for Wells. Sr to go over there and brought over the basket and pillow slip that Will had Thursday a fine warm day. Voltie drove to dock with Grace - going to K market with butter adn eggs yesterday Walls Sr went over. Sr brought in 18 eggs to day �59 Friday 15 May 1896 Rained a smart shower last night. Nearly all trees in leaf. Wind south, warm. Sarah Gillespie here making M and a dress. R here with cider jug. Voltie goes across to D Bedalls for cider for Wellies Stone Bee. Expected a litter from Wells. Bid got more. Will attempted coming here but went back. to weak yet from Rheumatism. Received the flower seeds at last �60 31 Saturday 16 May 18 Wind blowing hard from South. I sowed garden and flower seeds, carried dirt and filled boxes. Grace cleaned all the flowers and helped get dinner & after dinner finished Mauds dress so Maude could go with V & G. to the litterary [sic] circle. �61 Sunday a quiet sleepy dreary day no one here till evening except Wellie came for his mail in am and stayed about an hour. Morning cloudy and rained a little shower. Evening visitors Mrs. John Niles and Shelly. Evening wind blowing from S.W. and cold �62 1 September 1895 Monday 18 May 1896 Wind South West, a strong breeze partly cloudy. A sort of sickly sunlight & cool AM. V plowed corn land on grange pm, plowed for corn at home in raspberry field. Maud at school. Flora here for sage for Lottie, said Will is much better. Irene churned and washed some things. Grace made pies and cookies & sowed on carpet. Tuesday 19 May 1896 Jen came over and stayed a time or two till eve. Jen & Grace went to see Dora Gillespie who is under the doctors care. Dr Watson �63 20 Wednesday May 1896 A cool day for rain. People longing for rain. Churned and made 24 lbs of butter. 1 Thursday May 1896 Fine cool weather, good for butter. Grace gone to Kingston with 24 butter [?]. Maud working will and peas or good luck. V visit set tomato plant and hop time. Bell had a a tick pulled nor rain. Will ate dinner. �64 2 22 Friday cool after the very slight shower in the night with thunder but the ground is dry. G & I sewed carpet and churned. V plowed for corn. Rachel here in evening. No letters from Bamford Mr Merry Frank Caine Grace D Bamford Alf Rainwell Halen Grey Harvey Joslin Cliff Milne Geo Gates Mr Merry �65 23 May 1896 Wind North strong breeze cool Weather dry general complaint throughout Ontario, no rain. Grain looks badly Apples trees in full bloom. V preparing to plant corn. Maud helping Will run fish nets in front of house, this is Saturday and lots of work to do. �66 3 Friday 26 March 1897 A very good day as compared with yesterday. G washing a line full of clothes. Will painting house for V. Voltie painting kitchen floor. W Sr doing chores. Maud and Marjorie playing and boiling sap in a tin pan. Welly came up for ground provender & said Muriel & Hubert got a bad cold. V helping Will paint outside this afternoon. �67 Saturday 27 March 1897 A fine day. Grace cleaned floor. V and Will painted house. Agnes came at 10 O’clock. Maud & Marjorie visiting and teasing to go to Wills. Sunday 28 March 1897 A bright fine day. Agnes, Voltie and Grace and the family in general are reading. After dinner Grace took a nap and then walked to Wellies and stayed to tea. Wallace here a while. �68 4 Monday 29 March 1897 A beautiful spring day. Agnes and Marjorie & Maud gone to school. V gone to Devero’s bee—dock building. Will painting outside house. Wells Sr gathering sap and eggs. Gracie washed big washing and after dinner went to Wellies for yeast. Wellie here for old milk can to draw sap in taped 22 of Frank W’s maples. �69 Sunday 15 January 1897 A dull cloudy day. Earth bare and mudy. A quiet day not much wind, gently breezy from South. Grace gone to bed again after sleeping 12 hours last night. V gone to Wells Jr for hay knife. W Sr reading. Guess Maud has gone to bed too. dont hear any thing from her. Well I suppose I’ll have to get dinner for it must be nearly 12 noon �70 �71 Monday 9th January 1899 A freezing cold day all nail heads inside the house white with frost, ground nearly bare but no wind. Sr drove to school with Maud. she rode home with the Niles family. �72 Tuesday 10th Jan 1899 A fine day ground bare feezing cold Maud at school. Grace done big washing and hung them on the line and clothes bars. V brought most all the water. Dady brought the rest. �73 Wednesday 11 Jan 1899 A beautiful day but cold freezing cold. ground bare. Voltie and Charlie Woodman gone to Kingston drove up on the ice. found the jam ice a formidable obstruction to their way started at 8 am, arrived in K at 2 pm, returned home at 9 pm. Voltie sold his pork to Green at 5 1/8 lb per V subscribed for Saturday Evening Post. �74 Thursday 12 Jan 1899 A most beautiful day. Grace brought in and ironed the clothes. Voltie went over to to the Island to bash a road to draw wood & went to see Mr & Mrs Gloyd. she gave him honey and lent him a book. Wells Sr painting window sash. Mr G came down to day from Kingston. Will here & Charley �75 Friday 13th Jna 1899 Cloudy morning weatherall moderate. Welly, Voltie & Gaskin gone to Linda’s for wood. Wells Sr put the outside window by the kitchen stove in this morning. Maud staying home this morning for a headache a good excuse. Mr G brought Maud a new pair of skates. Maud is studying arithmetic. Will and Charley came awhile Will and Grace praticing music in parlor. Will brought me some coffee. Will Robinson called to say good bye. Frank an Charley Woodman gone to Kingston on the ice, ground bare. At 4 Oclock Voltie, Mr Gaskin, and Grace start for the villiage, driving on the ice. V going first to pilot Mr G who is new to the ice road. A pleasant home evening. �76 Saturday 14 January 1899 A rainy morning and Voltie and Grace at the villiage. It rains all a.m. clouds break and partly clears at two p.m. sun shining out. Wells Sr out to barn working and doing chores nearly all day. I cooked and washed dishes. Maude swept, dusted and moped floors. Saw one cutter flying down the river on the ice, a single horse driven by one man. Tis 20 minutes to 3 oclock and V & G have not yet arrived. "Hope defered maketh the heart sick" I ought to be hardened to watching and waiting by this time. They return safe and sound at 1/2 past four and the rain commenced pouring down as they were coming ashore at the concession and some how Bers succeeded in breaking cutter fill. V unhitched her from the cutter and Grace led her to the house while V drew the �77 cutter to the barn by hand which was very hard work for the ground is bare and very mudy but all is well that ends well and they are safe home again and the rain comes tumbling down. V & G dont sit up long but go to bed before supper. Sunday Morning 15 January A dull, mudy, cloudy day. Grace has another nap. Irene tries to read but goes to sleep. Wells Sr reading. Maud thumping on piano. V goes to Wellies & comes back in time for dinner at 2 p.m. Wellie came up for salt. Charley & Will here. Maud tried the new skates. The ice not very smooth for skating Charley tries the ice. Read aloud in the evening. Jack Niles came after dark and brought Sr a letter from Jim Gothum �78 Monday 16 Jun 1899 Saturday 26th Nov 1898 V goes to Marysville and from there to Kingston, with the band to play at the consecration of the Archibishop Gauthier. A very cold stormy day. Jackie Niles came and done all the chores, choped wood and brought water. Will came in evening with Dick Jenkins and milked the cows. �79 Sunday 27th Nov 1898 A clear cold day after yesterday and last nights storm. V came home from Marysville at two Oclock am. Jack N came down to do the chores but found V at home. V obliged to work all day went to Wm D’s for stove pipe and finished putting pipe together, built a coal fire, took up the calves and drove them home, fed hogs, cleaned stables, milked cows. Wallace here for borrow dog cart, going to [illegible] to see his sweet heart. Will came over and in evening Bernard made us a visit till nine Oclock. Grace has a slight attack of toothache. �80 Monday 28 Nov 1898 A beautiful day, snow rappidly disapearing. V butchered his hog. Will & Welly, & Jenkins helped, then Will drove home and brought his second pig to butcher here. Jen and Charlie coming too excepting Welly, all here to dinner. Jen mad because grandmother returned home again wanted she should stay here. Jen going to clear out and take Flora with her; going to Maryanne’s. R mad too so for (poor old lady) 29 Tuesday 1898 A pleasant day considering the lateness of the month, snow has again disapeared except in the burrows and along the fences: a circle around the moon all last night wider than three cart wheels. Wallace N gone to the Cape with fish. V having a very small bee drawing fertilizer, from the stable yard. W.N. will not be here. Maud mopped. The remains of Sylvia Woodman Woolcott brought home to day: No bee. Wellie in am butchering for Wm Rattray. pm getting out wood. �81 from the river over by the Ross place. V helping W. Jr. Monday 16 Dec 1899 A fine day. Sun brightly shining. Froze last night but weather not cold ground bare ice good for drawing loads. V gone to McFadens with pig. Maud at school. Grace washing clothes. Voltie & Grace has received an vitation to Geo Morgans weding. A day like latter part of April. Voltie says he has a pain in his right lung. Frank & Charles Woodman gone across to see Dr Buchanan. F got a lame back & Chas got gripp. Voltie in evening goes down to see Frank but does not find him at home. �82 Tuesday 17 Jan 1899 A warm bright day no wind but very light breeze from south. Ground bare of every vestige of snow, mudy. Grace ironing and practicing on the piano. Maud at shcool. W Sr fixing outside window in parlor. V at shop working on his own sleighs. V early gone to bed. Will & Chas here to bring a note from Armstrong a oyster party tomorrow at villiage cmb a Friday 3rd December 1908 hall, came dressed in uniform ie Will, Frank & Devolson Wed 18 Jan 99 V drives over to Wills. I go to see the family. After dinner Wm & V and F drive to the Villiage on ice, Jenkins goes with V. They return at 4 am not cold but freezing ice boating but bare ground, a clear sky. Jim OBrien came down to cross the bay for oil He called for V but V not home. Sr drove for me �83 Saturday 4 Dec 1898 A lovely day. V & W Jr gone all day to North shore getting wood from out the river. Frank Bamford came over to day. Sunday 5 December Not very cold but cloudy. Ground bare. Grace not very well. Will Dixon and Dick Jenkins here. Wellie went across to Millens Bay in Niles skiff. Wall N here. Dave Mahoney came. Evening visitors D Mahoney, Maggie Scott, Wall Niles, Frank Bamford. A snow storm from the North. D Mahoney goes home at 10 pm. Maggie stayed all night. Wall went home in snow storm. Snow and blow all night. V built another coal fire. �84 Monday 6 December 1898 A snowy morning. Earth white with snow. Wind N changing S at noon and blowing, not very cold, snow and rain. Frank Bamford went home at noon. Voltie put in three storm windows and put a bottom sash in pantry window. Grace abed all day with a very bad cold. Maud and I do the house work, try the lard, clean pig’s feet, churn &c. No visitors to day. Voltie drove to the lower school with Maggie Scott in dog cart. Geo Rattray drove in here to see about his bob sleigh. OBrien hired man. Murphy drove in for pig box. Voltie goes early to bed. Grace gone to bed. �85 #1 - 1098 Thursday 19 Jan 1899 A very fine day, ground bare, no snow, a winter drouth [sic], ice very good. The cutter turned over last night when V was returning home at 3 Oclock am and V and Jenkins tumbled out and jamed V’s Cornett pretty badly. Maud at school. Friday 20 Jan 1899 A fine day, no snow no rain, bare ground. Maud at school. Letters from RG and Helen W, the Whig but no post. �86 Saturday 21 Jan 1899 A cloudy day but warm, no snow but Volty goes to the villiage for his grist. rain and snow squalls all pm. V started for the villiage after dinner and returned at 5 pm accompanied by R Gaskin in another rig. They are wet, cold and hungry. Will here when they came & Charley too but they soon get warmed with hot peppered cider and a warm supper. Sunday 22 Jan 1899 A very good day, warm enough, no snow, ground as bare as your hand. Irene cooks chicken for dinner. Grace takes long nap. RG reads. Sr reads. Voltie goes to Junior and home again. In evening Grace & R.G. goes to W Jrs on the ice, stay till half nine and return on the land; we all go early to bed, forgot to say We were honored with the company of Miss Scott (teacher) and Miss Hattie Joslin. Hattie asking V to take her to St Lawrence NY Tuesday eve next at a dance. C nonsence. �87 Monday 28 Jan 1899 Arose early. After Breakfast R Gaskin leaves for Kingston drives like Jehu hurrying to get to the city by nine Oclock am. After dinner Grace & Volty drive to the villiage and to Kingston ate dinner at Quinn’s, bought the bride a weding present, called on R.G. at the Grand Union and again crossed to Garden Island to the weding of Miss L. Sauve and Geo Morgan which this morning was selebrated at the R Catholic Church, Marysville. Levi Banter here to dinner the old man is foolish; has lost his mind. Tuesday 24 Jan 1899 No post. Wherd [sic] how it rains this morning and our youngsters not home yet from the weding. Maud wants to go to School but weather not favorable. Maud sweeps and cleans up the rooms, mops pantry and around the coal stove. Voltie and Grace return from the wedding at 2 p.m. bring Laura Davis with them equiped for another dance over the way at St Lawrence but D not having slept for 6 hours they stay home. F. W. here wish he’d stay home this time made us call on his way to Rattrays. Lottie here for soap. �88 Wednesday 25 Jan 1899 A beautiful day, clear but cold, ground bare, no snow this month so far. V went to River View for Kerosine. Laura Davis went too. V sets two shoes on Bess. After dinner V drives to villiage for coal & Laura goes home to the villiage with Volson, they drive up on the ice with two horses before the sleigh. Maud went to school but returned; no school. Teacher sick with gripp. I’m writing from a new bottle of ink. Wellie & Hubert here for a few minutes. I’m a very poor writer, used to write quite a decent hand. Devolson returned early in evening with a load of coal. �89 Thursday 26 Jan 1899 Wind South this morning. A little snow on the ground this morning like a heavy frost. Sun shining out clearly part of the time. Maud at home teacher got grippe. Voltie went to OBriens to send for spangles for his masquerade costume. OBrien going up to City. Grace fixing Maudes old blue waist. �90 Friday 27th Jan 1899 Fixing all day for the masqurade at the villiage. A very cold day but they leave just after sundown, clear crisp and cold. John Coxall called here on his way from Napanee, stayed 1 1/2 hours, talk, talk all e can. Another big fire in Kingston this morning. The Saturday Evening post came this eve with a letter from Martin to Voltie. �91 Saturday 28 Jan 1899 A blustering morning snow from South, squally Grace & V returned home from masquerade at about 9 am. V milked cows and went to bed. Grace didn’t wait for any thing but went to bed immediately and slept till after 3 p.m. V slept till 1/2 past 2 p.m. M cleaned floors - made pies. Grace arose and prepared the evening meal some of the house plant froze last night. The rose scented geranium froze stiff. �92 Sunday 29 Jan 1899 A beautiful clear day, a brilliant sun high over all the earth, no sleighing yet. V gone to exam the ice to Linda’s. Bernard M here, came down from the post office, fine driving on the ice along the shore. Wellie called on his way from the post office then came Will & Charles. G came 3 1/2 p.m. A fine evening. R.G. stays all night. Sleeps in the Big Chamber. Hope he will not freeze. �93 Monday 30 Jan 1899 A snowy blustering morning wind south. We rise early so Bob can start for the city. Clears up at 10 a.m. V & Sr working in shop. Maud at school: caught a ride with the Niles family of pupils and teacher. Geo driving. Voltie went to Wellies to get him to help draw wood form Linda’s isle but Jr going to help Geo Rattray butcher 9 hogs tomorrow. V came around by Wills with Frank and visited with them 1 1/2 hours. Will and Charley making Morgans an evening visit. Florence better from grippe. Geo Sr at home. the bride Laura at home on garden island sick with grippe. The old folks ball at the villiage this evening 25 cts dance, all the youngsters from the foot attend except ours. �94 Tuesday 31st January 1899 This is mail day. Expect the Saturday Post to night. A beautiful day, brilliant no wind. V & Wm drawing wood from the Linda’s. Maud at school caught a ride again with the Niles. Grace washed and hung the clothes on the line and bars. V drew the coal box from the shop and set it under the kitchen window next to Samy. Sr emptied the coal from the bags which were in the sleigh into the coal box. In evening Grace & Maud went for the mail. V went to Franks. �95 1st February, Wednesday 1899 A fine morning. Grace and Volty go to K on the ice in double sleigh going to get 900 lbs of coal from the villiage. Grace gone for her fancy dress ball out fit. begins to snow at 3 pm. Wellie here cleaning a grist. Maud went to school, walked there When M returned from school she brought in the clothes from the line. Will here too helping and went to J Niles for a grist. Retired at 10 pm. Sat up reading all about the cultivation of oysters in Saturday post. K & G came at 11 pm. Grace having been to Gaskins for tea. Bob brought her across to the villiage. V & Grace came down the ice midst haze and snow. �96 My dear Helen Please accept my sincere thanks for your beautiful X’ms gift which for a few moments (on first receiving) I was at a loss to understand its usefulness but of course you will understand and pardon my rusticity but I tryly [sic] appreciate the ornamental design and daintiness of so useful an article and have placed it on the wall beside the mirror where it has a very decorative effect and yet I have given you nothing in return for your kind and loving remembrance. But I will and dear Nellie how can I ever find words to express my gratitude to you and your dear good mother and sisters for the pleasure Grace received while visiting your city home. I think she has entered most freely into the minute details of her visit and the kindness bestowed upon each member of your family and your aunties Mrs Pannell and Mrs Berry and Nellie. I thought �97 I would realy like to get acquainted with your aunty Barry. I know I should love her dearly for I do already. But we may never meet in this world, who can tell. While sitting here writing I look through the window, and the thought occurs to me, is this realy winter, the 7 of Jan, and warm as May and not a snow flake any where to be seen except a little mound of snow by the church shed covered with dirt and am thinking what sort of description block the novelist would paint his scene in words. He certainly would make a most exquisite picture of it, mud and all. I like the Sea Lions by Cooper which Grace sent home at Christmas time. I would like you to read it Nellie and recommend to your reading all of his works for several reasons. firstly they will bring your atlas into use and will help now in that important branch of study more than any other writer that I know at present beside enlarging your love of nature in all its lofty grandeur his writings are thoroughly American. What �98 I mean is his stories takes in the whole vast continents of North and South America and again their are so moraly pure and elevating. I am glad to think that when you return to dear Old England you will have an English Country home. Not in a crowded noisy roar city like London or Manchester or any other great or small not even a suburb but rural England the very sound is charming. "Away from the toil of care men warm Away from the haunts of vice and sin" Were lines written by Mrs Moody, sister of the Hon Mrs Norton while making the back woods of Canada her home for a short time. She has written a book describing life in the Canadian Wilds, have you read her poem "The Sleigh Bells" It is exquisitely beautiful. Even when Mr Moody’s business called him home to England it was with regret she left. �99 Sylvan home where many a night she has listened to baying of the wolf and the resounding stroke of the axes as it laid low some old monarch of the forest, as she writes. Loud sounds the axe redoubling stroke on stroke, On all sides around. The forest bears her oaks headlong, midst echoing groan, then rustling, crackling, crashing thunders down" Did you ever watch the falling of a tree? I think not. Did you ever notice that the theme of all poets is Nature. Scott Wordworth, Goldsmith’s deserted villiage, Grey’s Elegy in a counts Church yard, Long fellows Hiawatha. Oh I love my country home, the still quietness of a sabath morning in spring time when the orchard is white and pink with bloom and the oriole has built her nest like an indian babys cradle suspended from �100 1st October 1895 branch of hawthorn swinging with every breeze; a cradle for the birdlings and the St Lawrence some times the mirror of every crimson and golden cloud at sunset. Thursday 2nd February 1899 A brilliant 2nd of Feb Candalmas day. The Earth white with Snow far and wide. Will & Wells Jr drove to Kingston on the ice. Maud at home to day. Grace making her ball dress. Yesterday Devolson bought a new axe and to day Wells Sr is making a new axe handle for the new axe. Weather warmer eaves running. Nelly G has a new bean I ought to write to Nellie. �101 2 February �102 Friday 2nd Feb 1899 I wrote to Nellie G. 12 pages. I was so intent upon my letter that I scarcely noticed the weather, wrote 12 pages closely writen. the snow softly falling to day, no wind. Wells Jr., Volty, Will Dixon and Charley Dixon gone across to Dodges walked over on the ice. I watched them long time but at last they disapeared in the dim snowy distance. �103 Saturday 4 of February 1899 A working day of all kinds and Maud down with Grippe. We cook (Grace and I) wash, mop, bake, take Sc goes to Kingston returns just after dark brings glass, putty, darning needles, harness needles, common sewing needles. V pair shoes, new lantern and a new teapot and coffee. �104 Sunday 5th February 1899 A fine day for visitors. First instalment Bill Winmill, Mary WinMill, Joy Lee, Della Lee, Nina Lee, R Gaskin drove down from Kingston. Morgan load drove in about 3 pm. Bernard, Lizzie, Florence, Mabel and Maggie Hayden They sang, played, danced as usual. Charlie Dixon and Stanley Woodman here also. At last all are gone except R.G. he came to stay all night and he stayed. Maud pretty sick all day with La grippe. �105 Monday 6 Feb 1899 A brilliant day, moderate, weather snow every where. Voltie and Robert gone to foot for oats. Bought them of Rent. Sr putting glass in storm windows. Maud is convoalesent [sic] a.m. Glad of that. Half past Bob just drove off up the ice to Kingston. A meeting at the church this afternoon. Cant find my crochet work mislaid somewhere. Voltie in evening reading Quo Vachs. Irene finished reading Dickens "Cricket on the hearth". Maud got nose bleed. �106 Tuesday 7th February 1899 Another Brilliant day; weather moderate but below freezing point W Jr and Will drawing wood from Dodge’s. Voltie and his ftahter drawing wood from Linda’s. Maud much better. Grace sewing on her organdie. I wash dishes and cook. Grace washing and preparing for the c.m.b.a tomorrow eve at the villiage. After dinner V and his father go to Linda’s for another load of wood. Maud sat at table and ate dinner with us. Maud singing which we hail as a good sign of convalescence. �107 Wednesday 8th February 1899 A blustering morning wind N and snowing, but notwithstanding and neverless Grace and Voltie get ready and once again drive off up the ice to Marysville and Kingston going to the c.m.b.a. ball which leaves Maud, myself and W Sr alone. I cook and do general house work enjoy a pleasent evening and go to bed at 10 pm leaving the clothes hanging on the clothes line. �108 Thursday 9th February 1899 A cold morning wind blowing from West all night, frost on the windows. Volty and Grace come home at 8 am enjoyed their party immensely. Wall & Shell at the dance too but no Morgans , no Dave. It blusters and blows all day, snow flying and drifting like a march day. To end up as a finish the kitchen chimney took upon its self to burn out, black smoke and flames rolled out top like a furnace. V went on roof with water, poured it down the chimney which caused steam and smoke to belch out worse than before. W Sr says tis three deg colder than last night and think it is too for white frost on window panes like snow. �109 Friday 10th of February 1899 A clear cold day. Frost on windows all day. Gave Maud a thorough doctoring again for Tonsillitiss [sic]. Frank W here for coal. Will D here to dinner and helped V put up a grist of wheat for mill. Sr cleans and oils harness, only one little pig left of five and guess that one will die. Winter pigs no good. I almost believe grippe has me this time sick all day. Evening intensely cold. Volty went to Wellie’s for his team to drive tomorrow to Kingston. Will going too, going to Glenvale to see Jen. Frank Woodman called here, to borrow a bag of coal, Frank going to married a week from Wednesday to Emma Reid. �110 Saturday 11 February 1899 A clear bright piercing cold day. Voltie and Will gone to Kingston this morning. Will going to Glenvale. Maude is better much better. I better too. Grace working hard all day or, I should say buisy [sic]. Sr doing chores all day. Evening not so cold as morning. We go to bed at the usual hour, after Grace has set the table and made coffe for the boys, keeping it hot on the back of coal stove. The boys come at midnight with their grist of flour, beef, and other groceries. V and R.G. eat their supper and retire at one Oclock am. �111 12 Feb 1899 Sunday A clear bright day warmer but frost on the windows not yet gone. V fills the flour can and then R and V and Sr finish and draw the sleigh to the barn to unload the flour which they put in the shop and over head on platform. Grace gone to church, boys reading, Sr oiling the clock, Maud reading. Wellie came for his mail! Wish our family would let Wellie’s mail remain in the office. They sent the children for theirs and found none in the office, to bad. G & r 1/2 p 10 pm �112 Monday 13 February 1899 Colder this morning wind north and cloudy. Voltie gone to Franks to help hang folding doors. Bernard Morgan drove here with young souve and double team. Going to draw hay from Samys which the Morgans has bought of Sam to feed their stock. Bernard wanted Devolson to help draw hay with our team. Tis dreary winter far and near. Volty broke ice and cutting ice G & r till 1/2 p 10 pm. Morgans didn’t come, revival meetings commenced this eve Tuesday 14 February 1899 A clear brilliant day some what milder. Wells drove to Clayton drove across and then down the road. V tried the other saw, it stuck in the ice but affter dinner V loosened the saw and cut a block of ice for a starter. R reading Quo Vadis, Gracie cooked and washed dishes. Rene patched �113 Maud pared apples and moped kitchen floor the ground every where white with snow. Wells returned from Clayton all right except with ticking and (print 40 yrds ticking 10 yds). Grace and Bob went for the mail from there to church. 10 pm all retired except B who sits up reading. Wednesday 15 February 1899 A rather a cold morning wind. S.W. Wells goes to Gananoque to pay Acton, comes home early bringing buck wheat, flour, sodas, candy and 2 spools black thread No 40. Welly and Will and Charley here to put ice in the ice house but blusters so did not to day. �114 16 Thursday February 1899 Charley came for me to go home with him. Found Belle very sick with Grippe. Sarah Simons there and an old fellow named Dan that chops wood. A ryan girl there too. 17 Friday February 1899 Awoke this morning to find my self at Belles though didn’t sleep much last night kept fire all night, old Dan went away this morning. I washed, baked and cleaned floors and waited on Belle. Sarah came again to night and gave Belle another treatment of sweating and poulticing. �115 18 Saturday Belle much better this morning. I clean floors again and cook and bake Clear bright. 19 Sunday a long some day. Wish I was home. Ever so humble there’s no place like home. �116 20 Monday 21 Tuesday �117 22 Wednesday 23 Thursday �118 24 Friday A bright clear day. Charley helping Muriah Sammons draw in straw. Children at school. I try to go to the pump for water but get my feet wet so much mud and water so come back. Belle goes for oats and succeds but her boots are covered wtih mud. 25 Saturday at Bells My poor dear girl done big washing and cleaned the floors looks like a storm. Beatrice and I hung out the clothes all mud around the house. Charles Jr walking on plowed ground with his father’s rubber boots on, fell down in the clay mud. Seat of his pants all mud and boots all mud to the tops. Charles Sr gone to Kingston to mill. �119 26 Sunday February 1899 Charley brought me home and little Gracie came home with me. Rob G here when I arrived. Charley stayed till after dinner. Learned that Mr. & Mrs Gloyd had been here yesterday visiting. Mrs G brought me some honey. 27 February Monday 1899 Cloudy nearly all day we dont do much more than cook and wash dishes. Grace Halliday a good little girl. Bob went home this afternoon drove off up the island. Wells Sr fixing doors and windows, ground all bare weather soft. V tinkering around the shop. snowing after Robert left hard. Hope he will get home all right. �120 Tuesday 28 Feb 1899 Wednesday 1 March 1899 �121 Thursday 2 March 1899 Friday 3rd March 1899 �122 Saturday 4 March 1899 A threatening morning cloudy. Wells Sr drives to Kingston on the ice gone till night fall. Bob comes home with him driving close behind him, a spotted brochon. Will Dixon drove Wellies team up for Jen Riley Burnham & Miss Scott drove up with him. Sunday 5 March 1899 A quiet day. G.B. not well yet got a very bad cold. Maud and I get the meals. V ready, the rest of us visit, relates stories and anecdotes, and so the day passes away towards night the wind rises and shakes the house. Grace pops corn. M and I get tea. �123 Monday 6 March 1899 Frozed quite hard last night a fine day after last nights fearful wind. After breakfast Voltie & Bob start for Kingston driving on the ice After getting started B ran back for V’s old gauntletts and had the due misfortune to tear his storm coat on wire fence. Maud at school. Charley and Belle drove down on wheels bringing the children. Grace sick with worms. Evening visitors Shell, Miss Gordon, Frank Woodman & Will Robinson, Bell and her children. Teusday 7th 1899 Cloudy, Wind N, blowing half gale all day. Weather just at freezing point. Will & Voltie taking Belle across to Gloyds on Will’s ice boat. Maud at school. Charlie, Gracie and Kathleen here. Auntie Gracie carrying Kathleen to keep her quiet till her arms ache. Voltie & his father working in shop Flora Dixon came over to see the children stays all day. �124 Wednesday 8 March 1899 A cold bright day. Wind N ground bare and frozen. Voltie drove with Belle, myself & three youngest of Belles over to Wills to make a visit. Voltie butchered the old sow. Will helped him Charley D over too after butching V and Wm and Chas go to Micheas for turkeys but to small, dont want them. V drove for us at 6 pm had a fine visit and a good dinner. Received a letter from [John|Johnie]] with his photo inclosed. �125 Thursday 9 March 1899 Snow falling fast all am but it will not last long. Warmer this pm, eves running, a tub full of water. V & Wm went to Kingston drove up on ice: returned at 1/2 3. V brought Grace cloth for a blouse very pretty. Charlie drove down for Belle and the children came before dinner and they all went home, driving across the island and so up the North shore home. Wm gave me some herring. I made pickles. I was sad all forenoon but thank God I feel much better in mind. The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. Wells Jr went down the Maud looking for hay but found none. at Burhams �126 Friday 10 March 1899 This morning the ground covered with snow, which by middle of pm had again disappeared froze last night, a white frost covering the earth, trees, fences & every bush. Grace finished her blouse this morning and made one for me and a blue apron for herself. I cleaned the red cupboard and the lower part of the butter cupboard and the inside cellar way, wash dishes. Maud stayed home to day. Snog came down and brought buttermilk. Muriel & Hubert at school. Welly carried them: a letter from Rogers for V and W Jr. V burnt them in the coal fire. Grace & Maude went to post office. Maggie Scott and Hattie Joslin came home with them. G rec’d letter from B. �127 Saturday 11 March 1899 A cloudy, soft-day. Wind south thawing all day. Geo Gillespie drove up to Kingston on the ice. Grace cleans floor and sweeps chamber. Irene washes clothes a line full. Grace made a cake. After dinner Voltie hitched Bess before the dog cart and drove to the villiage by the viz of the road, ice poor and roads mudy. Maud has a slight cold sent Belle her music book and Grace’s apron. My Shepard will supply my need Jehovah is his name; In pastures fresh he makes me feed, Beside the living stream. �128 Sunday 12 March 1899 A dark wet night followed y a rainy, mudy, dark, foggy, cloudy, windy morning. Weather could not be much worse. 11 Oclock am and V not home yet. said he was going to stop at Charles’ all night. The roads must be terror to horses and wheels. dont know as V can get home. The house very quiet. Sr writing letters. and I’ll write to Johny. Wallace Niles came after dinner stayed all after noon till 4 Oclock. Bed time and Volty not here yet. �129 Monday 13 March 1899 Volty came last night after 11 Oclock bringing Bob with him. Bob lost his horse Saturday night after band practice driving from Charlie’s to the villiage to Charlies. Horse broke through or droped through in a fishing hole; got the horse out but the horse died last night at 6 pm. This is a fine morning froze by night. Boys are up at breakfast time. Volty gone to Franks to to fix the hog pen. Sr at the barn. Grace reading. Maud reading. B reading. �130 14 Tuesday A gloomy day for B didnot. Maud at home Evening visitors young Mrs Geo Morgan, her brother and Mabel. They came at half past 8 p.m. stayed till 10 p.m. �131 Tuesday 14 March Ground frozen last night. Jen came over after dinner stayed till after supper. Evening time Grace, Voltie, Bob and Maud visit Mrs Niles return at 11. Jen remained till Will and Charley came for her. A gay time this p.m. W Sr and V working in shop. Mr Niles up to the city to day said he met Charley going for the doctor little Gracie. �132 Wednesday 15 March 1899 Froze this morning. Maud gone to school. I washed a few things towels, sheets, shirts and other things. cloudy and stormy raining hard towards night, ground full of water and mud every where. Volty drives to school for Maud and carries Muriel and Hubert home in dog cart. A pleasant lonely quiet day. V fixing Frank Woodmans old waggon. G & F’s Dick and Lydia married to day. �133 Thursday 16th March 1899 A sun bright day after the storm of yesterday, froze hard last night. Wells Sr gone to Kingston drove the dog cart up the road, ice no good now for traveling though. Bob is trying it on skates. Grace and Maud getting dinner. Nelly here for rick & waggon going to draw hay from Michea’s. Wellie has bought two tuns of hay of Michea. Maud at home not doing much but went to Samy’s for eggs. I wrote a letter to Jess. Wells came home just after dark saying little Gracie no better had two Doctors for her to day. �134 Friday 17th March 1899 A fine day only not much traveling on ice or in roads. Grace sent by mail to inquire about little Gracie. Majorie writes that she is no better. Bob and Grace go to Bells for butter, walked on ice. Grace irons the clothes. Maud to school. Evening visitors are Will and Jen, Frank Woodman, Geo Niles, Wall Niles, Shelly Niles, Miss Mary Gordon, teacher �135 Saturday 18 March 1899 A stormy day, a Northeaster snowing all day. Bob and Grace went up in Volties top buggy. Voltie walked cross lots, going to band practice at villiage. Grace going to stay at Belles till Gracie is better. Frank and Will intend going up this evening to band practice but storms so guess they cant go. A stormy gloomy evening and night. Think Frank and Will didn’t go to Marysville. Wills, Maud & I here alone. Eveline sent by V. 11 lbs butter for groceries. �136 Sunday 19 March 1899 Snow covers the earth this morning Wind N.E. rained in the night and this morning. 11 Oclock am and V not home. The house quiet. Maud reading. Sr watering the horses. We are anxious about little Gracie. Dreamed (last night) that she was dead. Volty came after long watching out the west window and said Gracie is better he wanted to hear the Dr’s verdict... and now I can cheerfully get supper for our hearts are relieved of a load of bitter doubt and care. Will came over for his tobaco that V brought him �137 Monday 20 March 1899 A cold windy day, (West wind,) the snow flying across the icy clear crust of snow which froze hard sunday night. Windows covered with frost. Wellie came for his groceries. John Coxall here too and also Frank Woodman.. J Coxall relating his experience to Charlie W’s on account of their filth and untidiness. Evening visitors Robert Ranous and Harry Davis drove here with cutter just after sunset and stay till 10 p.m. [Harry Davis|Harry D]] stays all night wants a sailing berth Voltie complaining of palpfsitation [sic] �138 Tuesday 21st March 1899 A bright morning. Wind N/ Volty and his father go to Macheas for a 1/2 tun of hay. After dinner Volty and Harry D go to the north shore for river wood. They met Ranous’ Co and H. D. goes home with them. I get an early supper. V shaving himself. He going to Kingston tomorrow if dont storm. Clouding over for a storm good sleighing now and cold the house quiet still and lonesome �139 Wednesday 22 March 1899 Voltie this morning goes to Kingston going to the land office and get him a bottle of Dr Agnews heart cure. I clean the pantry shelves and wash all the dishes and Maud and I washed out quite a washing and Maude hung them on the line. Will came up from Franks for Volties cornet and musick. Wm & Frank Woodman going to the villiage to band practice. A cloudy gloomy day wind North looks like a storm. Wellie & Will draw wood from Geo Morgan Sr. Geo M got blood poisoning. Frank W drove to the villiage with our sleigh, wants to get a man or boy bat cant get one. �140 Thursday 23rd March 1899 Voltie came this morning at 3 O’clock am, he had paid Rogers 10 dollars which his father had given him. V stoped at Charlies going up in morning and after band practice. Called again Found Bob there. he came on Tuesday going to stay till Saturday when he will bring Grace home. little Grace better but very weak and thin Awoke this morning to find the rain pouring down, tub full, and boiler too. wind South but hauled West. Thunder and lightning this morning. Clouds break away in pm but snow squalls chase each other V brought white sugar. Belle sent me a dozen new laid eggs and some butter. V brought home Dick’s Violincello. Maud ironing. I bake bread, make cookies cook beans and stew currants for pies. �141 24 March 1899 Friday A very fine day. Reverend Weese here to dinner. Still holding revival meetings. Wellie brought me more butter. Wellie went to church and also Maud, sent Eveline the Quassia cup �142 Saturday 25 March 1899 A beautiful day light & wind, the snow fast disappearing. V butchered his pig. Wellie helped him. Charley and his dog here with the sled. Maud and I done Saturday’s work all right. Let will D have one hundred lbs flour. V going to the villiage to band practice. Expected Grace and Robert home to day but not come yet and nearly four Oclock p.m. may come yet. Miss Gordon and Maggie Scott visiting Eveline this pm looks like a storm in the south and did snow this saturday night. �143 Sunday 26 March 1899 A fine day S wind. Grace and V came home at 2 am expected Robert with them but he went to Kingston Saturday morn. Grace abed till 11 am. arose long enough for her dinner and then went again to bed. Niles here awhile. V went with Wal as far as Wellie’s then came back to Franks and then returned home. revival meeting in church this evening. Frollick preached. V carried Sr a piece fresh pork �144 Friday 1st November Wind South breezy, sun looking down on Earth through billowy clouds and chilly. Voltie began plowing on the grange to day for the first time this autumn. Last nights rain may have softened the ground some. I wrote a letter to Bamford. Ethel Dixon sick and Grace has gone there to see how she is, and stays so long. I think perhaps she & Rachel have gone for butter sweet berries. Well I put some more wood in the stove to keep the fire cooking our dinner. �145 Monday 27 March 1899 A fine day the snow disappearing. Maude goes to school. V & his daddy working in the barn or shop. 12 noon time and nothing transpired for to day worth recording. Grace & V practicing music On eve Franks and Voltie practice on violin & violin cello till 1/2 past eleven p.m. �146 Tuesday 28 March 1899 Arose at 4 am hustled around and got his (Wells Sr) breakfast, he going to Kingston. froze last night. Robert came down, (just after dinner) to make us a last visit for a long time 8 months perhaps. We are sorry he is going away. but if his life is spared he will return again and then ___ Well in evening Robert and I have a long talk about ____ I’ll not write our conversation and betray his confidence even to my diary only I’ll say this, Rob is a good boy. Wells came at dark bringing grass seed, candy, yeast cake, soap &c �147 29 March Wednesday 1899 A stormy morning snowed in the night and still snowing and blowing from the west. Rob bids his good by at 1/2 past 8 and Maude goes in cutter with him as far as school house. Grace takes a nap on the couch in parlor. Wallace came down and made us a visit, lent him a book the "Sea Lions". This is the last evening of our revival. Wellie here in evening. �148 Thursday 30th March 1899 A fine day after the storm of yesterday. Frank W ate dinner with us. Voltie & Will go to Franks to practice their band music. Grace broke sewing machine needle. V borrowed one from Eveline, borrowed a pound of butter from Jen �149 Friday 31 March 1899 A soft bright day, snow going away, plowed ground dirty and fare, water running across flat through the ditches. Maud at school. Will helping V saw wood at the door with cross cut. No tobaco over to Wills. Grace sewing for Maud. Irene made cookies and pies and drank bowl of cider which made me step light �150 Saturday 1st April 1899 A bright day, ground frozen. Sr goes to City driving dog cart. Went for grass seed and a pair of shoes Adams is manufactoring for W. Sr. Irene does the disagreeable buisness of mending old garments and over coat for Sr and also a shirt & a dress for Maud. Grace irons clothes Maud cleans floors. Our mop is an old broken down thing comes to pieces every swipe across the floor. I arrange the Saturday posts for Bob; I’m going to send them next week: W Sr came home early brought grass seed, shoes for himself, letter paper for me, sewing machine needles for Grace, soap, matches &c. John Coxall here playing checkers with V. then came Jen and Will - horn blowing. I gave Jen my white apron with knited lace. �151 Sunday 2 April 1899 A clear cold frozen morning, the ice is still covering the river land locked from either shore but no crossing, patches of snow every where in drifts: West wind but earth mostly bare. Belle sent me butter by her father when he came home; little Grace is much better. The dreariness of this long lonesome day will be ended. How can I best keep my resolution. Grace is napping as usual of a Sunday afternoon. Our spotted cow is sick. Snow squalls are frequent to day. Maud went to Evelines for baking powder . Evening time Wallace our only visitor and stayed till nine Oclock. �152 Monday 3rd April 1899 A very pleasant morning ground somewhat frozen. Voltie and Grace and Maude preparing for the grand concert at the villiage this evening. Tis a band concert and ball to raise more money to pay the ballance of the band debt. After dinner they get started. Will Dixon and Maude in dog cart. Voltie and Grace in the top buggy. Frank and Mary Gordon in Franks top buggy. Towards night, Wall Niles drives to the concert in their old open top buggy and Sr and I are left alone till evening when we were entertained by a visit from John Coxall who stayed till nine Oclock. At 10 I went to bed. A clear starlight night, beautiful �153 Tuesday 4th April 1899 A lovely morning. Sun bright and clear all day. Will came alone at sunrise and he left the ball at 3 this morning. I get breakfast and wash all the dishes At 9 Oclock Wallace comes bringing Grace as far as their gate and she walks to the house from the consession. Voltie and Maud came next, and then Frank & Mary G. Grace received a letter from Robert last night. Bob begings his letter by addressing Grace as "My dear Wife, I suppose he immajines she is or will be and so adresses his letter to see how it looks at the beginning of his letters. Grace, Maud & V took a nap. Grace slept till three Maud till _ Voltie 3 hours. Shell came bringing me buttermilk Inez came too. �154 Wednesday 5 Dont know done to day forget Thursday 6 April 1899 A fine day but windy. Mrs came after dinner and made us a visit all afternoon and stays all night. �155 Friday 7th April 1899 A rainy morning, rains all day steady raining so hard couldnt go for the mail. Saturday 8 April 1899 Volty went for the mail this morning through the mud after the heavy rain of yesterday. A letter from Miss Mabel Gaskin, The Herald, Whig. Maud moped floors. V has a lame arm cant work so reads the polar and tropical world. �156 Sunday 9 April 1899 A very fine day. After breakfast Grace and Maud wash dishes and I employ nearly the whole day writing to Nelly concerning poor Frank Kane who is about to enter a monistary in San Francisco and even now has become a teacher in a monstery Wallace made us an afternoon visit. Grace took a long nap. Evening Grace wrote to Bob and his sister. Monday 10 April 1899 A fine day. Wind South Grace washed. I finished writing to Nellie No visitors the day passed of very quietly and pleasantly. The ice still hangs in the river though the Channel is open. The snow all gone. The ground this morning covered with white frost. Maud at home. Too mudy to go to school. I churned a bit of white butter. �157 Tuesday 11 April 1899 A very fine morning air hollow which indicates rain. Volty put in a horse with Frank and drove to the villiage. They are going to the city. Frank going for a hired man. V going to see about a bank note which is due. Grace cleaned the sides of kitchen all around. I sorted and burnt a lot of old papers from out my bed room. Muriel made us a visit, and brought butter nuts & butter. Wells Sr done all the chores. Wells Jr here going to post letter for garden and flower seeds. Grace and Maud went for the mail. Mr Woodman says that Mr Devolson and Mr Defranklin are not coming home to night and by Swan they had better move to the villiage at stay there for their minds are there all the time and where their minds are their bodies ought to be. A letter from Bob and he wrote that another was missent so Grace received a postal from Washington saying my letter is there. Wednesday 12 April 1899 A cloudy rainy day. Wind South Voltie and Frank at the villiage where they have been since yesterday evening. Frank stay over night, waiting for John Reid to come across. John Reid is going to work for Defranklin this summer. �158 Thursday 13th April 1899 A fine day. Wells Sr trimmed apple trees all day. Friday 14th April 1899 A very fine day. Voltie plowed part of the day. Irene colored rags for carpet. Grace ironed all the clothes. Wells Sr drew brush out the orchard. Lettters Grace one from Bob, Herald and Whig. Miss Gordon, Miss Scott, Frank Woodman & Bob Reid and Jen and Wellie here in evening. �159 Sat 15 April 1899 A fine warm day. Wells goes to Kingston for groceries, came home just after dark bringing Marjorie home with him, brought Wellies groceries. Wellie here in evening from Geo Rattrays finished Geo’s kitchen complete built it, plastered, it build chimney. Wallace Niles here too in eve. Irene sewed carpet rags. I sent Maud over to see is Grannie would come over if V drove over for her. Maud and Grace cleaned the floors. A very pleasant day. Voltie plowed all day Sunday 16th A cold raw day wind North and river clear of ice. Voltie drove over for his grandmother. She came without any breakfast. R turned her out and abused her so she said. Voltie got cold in his head yet but much better. I write to Edna after dinner. Maud & Marjorie go to church. Grace read the "Wide Wide World" and writes to Robert. Will and Charley here awhile. �160 Monday 17 April 1899 A fine day. Grace washed, Grannie reading. Maud & Marjorie at school Tuesday 18 April 1899 fine morning. At the breakfast table this morning, came to the sudden conclusion that I would avail myself of the oppertunity to drive up to Belle with Voltie as he is enroute for Kingston so went But to late for Boat, which went at 8 a.m. so V came back at noon time for dinner. I helped Belle and we done a lot of talking and our conversation was very interesting to ourselves. V took a mop before going to the litterary concert at the villiage. �161 Wednesday 19 April 1899 A very fine day warm Belle washed and Irene helped do the house work and talked all fore noon made bread served rags, the children at school. After dinner Voltie came from the villiage and we came home & had a pleasant drive, found all well at home. Thursday 20th April 1899 A beautiful day The steamboat comes in to our dock for the first time this spring morning, none of our family went up but Wellie. Voltie drove over for the new seeder and other things. While V was away to the dock, Loyd Card drove down and brought him a telgram from Bob to come to Buffalo and I set up till 12 o’clock aranging, planning and getting his thing in �162 Monday 25 Nov 1899 A stormy day ground frozen hard. Snow falling fast, fields covered with snow with the burrows marking a dark line through the pasture. Next summer I hope to see it all planted to seed house beans. Grace is washing. We have washed only a few clothes in two weeks on account of storm and rain and cold disagreeable weather. Wellie came for milk this morning. Says another calf is afflicted with lameness. Voltie gone to foot of Island for wood. Afternoon, snow storm turned to rain storm raining heavy clothes all on the line and wind blowing half a gale all night. Grace out at 10 pinning clothes on line, some on the ground. Frank Woodman here all evening ate supper with us and went home in rain at 10 Oclock PM preceeding �163 Friday 21 April 1899 A beautiful day & Voltie left home this morning; his father drove up with him, and went across to Kingston. V went to Buffalo to go sailing on the lakes. Grace received a letter from Bob. Wells received word to watch out for a telegram and be ready to start any time. The young folks are all here again this eve except Shell and Wallace. Saturday 22 April 1899 A fine day warm and bright. Wells Sr working around getting ready to go away. I churn a little butter, sewed carpet rags & made Johny cake for dinner. After dinner Marjorie & Maud took each a basket and went to the Wetmore place for Lilly of the valley. Ed Weaver come which is a good opertunity for M.H. to go home. Ed waited for M.H. to come at last sent Grace to hurry her along, she missed them for they went to dignam wood for at last they came but Grace could not find them. Marjorie sat at home with Ed. �164 Tuesday 26 November 1899 Wind South blowing a gale all night rain pouring in torrents, clothes twisted on line every way this morning. Cleared away after breakfast so Voltie went to the grange to plow snow & ice all gone but wind howling Tremendous rain and wind squals nearly all forenoon. V came back home just in time to escape getting drenched but Frank and Charlie get the whole broadside. Clears up again at noon & Voltie & Wellie plow till dark. Grace finished Gracies little hood. I finished a pair of stockings for Beatrice and began a pair for Marjorie. Grace finished Mauds dress. Wind hauling to Westward and is colder at dark. Maude a very good girl all day. Barometer stands very low at 29, letters from John, Dick Brown, Wells note from Folger $25 dollars paid. �165 Sunday 23 April 1899 A cool morning wind north, which has driven all the ice to the American shore. The grass is springing green but rain is needful. We are alone this morning except Grannie is here, been here a week this day and Voltie has gone went away Friday. Irene has a very bad cold. Went to bed & slept when I awoke found the house so very quiet & no one here except grannie and Wells in the kitchen reading. Grace and Maud at church commenced dinner before their return. Maggie Scott and Will Robinson came with them but did not stay a long time: a fellow named Little wants to hire here all summer but we dont want him. Pm went to bed again awoke & found Will and Charlie here. Mary Gordon came up from Burnham’s & stoped for tea. Grace went home to Niles with her and stayed awhile. A row bettween Mary & Shell. �166 27 Nov Wednesday Wind West, cold & freezing. Boys plowing. Ed Bates picking his turkeys for market. Maude at school. Grace lining and finishing baby Grace’s hood. Grace got a bad cold. Johns letter announces the arrival of a girl baby. John is pleased and so are all of us. Dear old John. Maud at school. Monday 24 April 1899 A clear day but wind North and breezing. Gran abed till after breakfast. Maud at school. Grace washing. Wells Sr fixing fence. Wells Jr cultivating for wheat. Irene doing general house work pm. Sr cultivating. Jr sowing wheat with seeder, 14 eggs to day. The young people going down the road this evening make of noise. Miss Scott, Miss Gordon, Miss Niles, Mr F Woodman, Mr R Reid &c &c �167 Tuesday 25 April 1899 Looks this morning like rain but proves a failure. The river a calm all day. Irene sowed phlox, snap dragons, morning glories and two other kinds. Sr cultivating. Jr worked sowing wheat this am and went home 1/2 past 11 a.m. Grace took up the dining room carpet and stair carpet, dining room out side window cleaned, kitchen windows and sitting room window, Maud at school. Maud trying to learn kniting. Gran reading "Jeremiah at the centennial or worth Fair. Irene darned socks, cut carpet rags and grated horse radish and several other things. Letters 2 from B, one from V, one for W Jr., Northern transporation Co, Whig, Deering, Sat port, Song Book old Favorites. Grace gone with the rest of young trash down to Burnhams, came home at midnight. Said All Joslin is married this evening to Mary Farr. �168 Thursday 28 Nov 1899 Arose early this morning. Grace gong to Kingston on Pierpont. Sent 13 lbs to market butters 18 cts per lb. Wind blowing strong from south all night but hushed at day break, a very fine day. Milly Woodman died this morning. Voltie went to Kingston with Charley W to get things for the funeral. Jen went up on the boat this morning to go to Mrs Pillars taking the three youngest children with her. Our cattle breaking in here. Irene fixing the fence behind the hay stacks. Sam Woodman driving around the fields in his buggy to head the cattle off with his dogs. Drove them out at last and put the bars up. This evening Voltie is at Mr Woodmans. Maud went to school. Grace not very well. Boat could not stop at Hallidays water so low. A beautiful evening with clear moonlight some gone to sleep. Wellie plowing all day. �169 Wednesday 26th April 1899 A clear morning Wind N all day: wrote a letter to Voltie and washed a breadth of carpet. Gran reading. Grace wrote to Robert. Wells Sr cultivating up by the church. Maud went to school, little Sylvia Woodman commenced going to school to day. Wellie working at home to day. Hubert and Muriel went to school today. Thursday 27 April 1899 A clear warm day. Wells Sr & Grace went to Kingston to day on the Pierpont. Grace saw Nelly, Lill, Edna and called on Mrs Gaskin. a very light Wind North River like a mirror all day. Maud stayed home from school. I churned, fed hogs, milked the cows morning & eve get 6 meals. Wellie worked here in pm. Wellie want I should keep on account his time. I sent V’s a letter, first letter. Grace sent B and Charley Dixon turned out of school today. �170 Friday 29 Nov 11199 A fine warm day. Sarah came this morning to finish sewing for Grace, finishing her dress and making Gracie’s jacket. Voltie plowing. V ate dinner at Wellies, after dinner I went to see mother and the children and Rachel—waked over and found it rather muddy. Had a pleasant visit, had soup for supper which was excellent and came home at sundown with Voltie on the waggon. Voltie, Ed Bates, Grace & Sarah Gillespie gone to Mr Woodmans this evening. Maud has been at school. Wellie plowing too. A fine moon light evening but looks like rain—very warm. Letter from Bamford—going to make another inp. from Chicago to buffalo & back to Chicago �171 Friday 28th April 1899 A clear cloudless day no rain for a long time. The dust follows the pulverizer across the plowed field. Wind South and blowing a stiff breeze. Wells Sr & Wells Jr working in field with five horses. Sr pulverizing with 3 horn & Jr seeding. I cut a pail of potatoes to plant. Grannie fell and skimmed her nose but she didn’t hurt her tongue it wags as much as ever, about an old broach that Jen has got that belongs to her, and about Charley poor Charleyso unsused by the teacher. I wash another breadth of carpet and plant a pail full of potatoes. Wellie worked all day. Sr worked with three horses before the pulverizer till 6 oclock when Lloyd Card drove down for him with a tellegram to go to Millwaukee straight. So he packs up and goes away the last words to me were "Now be sure and go to the dentist. The flower seeds from Moore the �172 Saturday 30 Nov 1899 Cold again. Wind North & freezing. Milly’s funeral at 10 Oclock am. George Niles came home to day. Wellie plowed part of the day. Voltie, Grace & Maud go to the funeral. Sarah stayed home and sewed on Graces wrap. Wallace Niles helped. Voltie drags hay from stack and pitches up into the barn. Maude went to Rachels to get me two eggs and made a little visit. Rachel sent me two books. A clear bright cold day and evening. Grace, Voltie & Sarah went over to Digmans to visit this evening, returned at 1/2 past 11 p.m. I very sleepy and go to bed at 11 pm after making a rousing fire in the stov. Last I remember as I am partly asleep is Grace coming in with the lamp to see if I am asleep, the little round smiling face looking down & saying ma are you sleeping �173 Saturday 29 April 1899 A clear day no rain but getting very smokey. Awoke to find Maude, Grace and I alone excepting Gran. Wellie came while we at breafast. Maud and Grace digging out, sweeping, dusting, washing windows. No rain in 17 days. The farmers dont wish for rain now till their grain is sowed. Will and Charlie came over to dinner. Charley went back for soap. Told C I would teach him arithmetic lessons & geography. Wellie worked here 1/2 day past he employed going to McFadens for oats but got none. Afternoon he worked at home. Miss Scoot & Miss Gordon here awhile. I planted more potatoes and sowed mixed flower seed. Wellie says he has hired young George Woodman and he is coming here on Monday. Wellie came up after dark and got a few potatoes to plant. Muriel came up for vinegar. �174 Tuesday 1899 December 1st This morning lie in bed till 7. A very cold morning Wind South. After breakfast Sarah went home charging Grace $2 dollar only, which Grace paid and then we are alone all day, but I make a few fried cakes and bake the bread. Reading Iron Watchman. Towards night I send Maud over to Rachels with some cakes. In evening reading a story by Mrs Mary Jane Homes entitled Meadow Brook. Like the story exceedingly, well for light reading. �175 Sunday 30th April 1899 A smoky sun bright day, warm, Wind South. Rained a few drops in the night and thunder this morning but no ran in 18 days. Though the grass is green and I’m so sleepy. Maud gone to church came home accompanied by Will, Charley & Flora. Evening Wallace came down and stayed till 9 pm. Monday 1 May 1899 George Snub came to work & worked 1/2 day, plowed place for a few garden beds and by the berrie bushes for potatoes. Thundered and rained in afternoon. Irene washed a few things. Grace painted pantry. Maud at school. Rachel went across the river to Mrs Gloyd’s. Maud went to Niles for fish. Charley went to school to. Miss Gordon all come home through the rain Miss Scott & Gordon here twice after school. �176 Monday 2nd December 1895 Did not sleep very well till nearly time to get up, for one of the cows was thumping and whacking her horns against the house back of my bed trying to eat all the hay from the cellar window. Arose at six to find the rain pouring down, my tub overflowing with soft rain water, about 10 a.m. our rain changed to a snow storm and snowed all day, ground white again. George and Wallace made us a visit. Charlie Dixon here through the storm for their parlor stove oven door. Charlie brought me some krout. Maude a very good girl washing up the breakfast and dinner dishes. Grace finishing her coat. I bottle the wine. As I look out the window what a dreary prospect and no kerosine or matches in house first Voltie goes to Mr Woodmans but they have none and then to Mrs Niles and they have none �177 Tuesday 2nd May 1899 A quiet partialy cloudy morning rained some in the night. 15 past 5 when we arose. Wanted to go to Evelines but cant go Irene sowed pansy seed. Grace sent letters to Robert & Voltie. Mail received letter from Voltie, A letter from Robert, Ladies World, Saturday evening post, Whig and a postal from Martin, the nursery man Continued (see next pages of this book also) from this page in other book 1899 Marked #2 �178 Tuesday 3rd December -95 A beautiful clear cold morning river steaming, Wind N.W. but quiet. Voltie & George Niles gone to Millens bay for kerosine. Nellie here this morning and went too. Wallace gone over the river for their oil which Mrs Niles bought at the corners. Charley Woodman drove in here for a yeast cake and his sheep which will come down and run with our cows. sent a letter by Voltie to his father and one to John by our post office. �179 [top part is repeat of previous page] 3rd May Wednesday 1899 Wind blows fierce and cold from the North all day, keep closed doors to day. Men working in field but I dont work much. Wellie up looking for the trees to set but cant find them, so gave up; found them at last burried in the cedars, mice had knawed them. Told me R had been slandering Robert. Will came over and told me the same. I am not surprised or hurt by any thing. R says its only her nature to slander every one, poor old fool �180 Wednesday 4 December -95 A cold day. Voltie drawing wood from Port Metcaff. A pedlar called here. Our stove pipe & chimney burnt out. pipe red hot, danger of house catching fire. after a while we succed in stoping the draft and build a fire in the kitchen and ate dinner there. Maud frightened and says how will we get the piano & organ out. Thursday 4th My 1899 A very fine morning clear and bright. Arose at 4 am. Wellie came early and drove over to the dock with Grace, 9 doz eggs and 5 lbs butter and five doz egg for Eveline. I done all the chores and cooked for Wellie & Will. Grace came home and brought a little boy to chore around. Arthur Knapp Grace & I sent letters to V and Robert. �181 5 May 1899 A fine day. North wind but not cold. Grace paints pantry ceiling blue. Irene washes carpet and Arthur helps since it at the river. Grannie reading all day. Wellie & Geo W. work till night. Geo stays all night again. Evening Will & Charley are here and all are out on verandah airing themselves. Evening mail a postal from Nettie Naylor inquiring about Lissy. Grace received a letter from Robert. Irene one from Wells Sr & one from Watson. A package of newspapers from Voltie, Whig, Montreal star, and Family Herald. Miss Scott & Gordon were kind and good to bring me Sr’s letter. Will brought me soap. �182 Thursday 5 Dec 1895 Snowing nearly all day. Wellie & Voltie drawing wood from Port Metcaf. Grace cleaning pantry. Wells Jr ate dinner with us had chicken pot pie for dinner. Eveline & the children at her fathers for a days visit. Magret home from school, stormy and cannot go. Ed Bates went to Kingston. Voltie drove for him at evening time. Ed bringing for Voltie blacksmith’s coal & horse shoes and horse shoe nails. 6 May Saturday 1899 A bright Spring day. Wallace gone the villiage for shrubery & dont know how we will get ours. Grace finished painting the pantry ceiling over head. Wellie Sr and Geo Woodman working here all day. Arthur a pretty smart little boy active and willing to help. Geo Woodman plowed by little flower garden. Irene washed �183 and hung out a few clothes, towels, aprons, and tablecloth sent Maud to wellies with a little bundle. 7 May Sunday 1899 A beautiful bright day, a cloudless sky. Excepting once we have had no rain since the 12 of April. The wheat is beginning to show green, Irene wants to go to Evelines but dont know as I can. Grace, Maud and Arthur are gone to sunday school and church. Poor dear old Grannie. �184 Friday 6 Dec 1895 A perfect winter day clear bright & cold. Wind South West and river steaming, sending up clouds of vapor which float away to the N.E. Earth covered white with snow far and wide. Winter has begun early. Wells Sr not yet home. Voltie & Wellie drawing with two teams wood, from Port Metcalf. Eddy Bates here for Volties oars. Ed going to Clayton to meet with his lodge the Order of O.F’s. Will stoping here a few minutes to warm, he related the sad mishap which occured to Rob Michea while on the Pierpont enroute for Kingston. Poor unfortunate Rob lost a twenty dollar bill which he had just demanded of his sister Lizzie Woodman in order to get it exchanged in the office that he might get two dollars which Lizzie was owed him. Grace is washing. A fine star light evening. Voltie working early and late with no help. Evening visitors Wallace, Frank, Jim Morgan, John McDonnel. A letter from Wells Sr & one from the Merchants Bank for Bamford demanding $4.50 �185 �186 Saturday 7 December 1895 A cold morning. Wind in the bright hauled around south not blowing very hard. Our clothes all on the line this morning. Voltie brought them in before breakfast. Voltie goes again this a.m. for more wood & drew a load of logs. Wallace came after dinner and helped V saw up a log. Grace irons clothes, cleans floors, made pies, cookies. Irene bakes bread. A cold raw cloudy Windy half snowy day. Maud is eleven years old this day. I wish we could get a letter from Martin. A dark dull evening looks like rain. My faith looks up to thee Thou Lamb of Calvary Saviour Divine Now hear me while I pray Take wash my guilt away and may I from this day Be wholy thines. �187 �188 Sunday 8 December 1895 Wind North. A cold morning, river looks like a boiling kettle all day, fog rising from its surface and glittering in the clear sunlight. People going to church wraped in warm furs against the slinging cold. Will not yet home. Wells Sr not yet home. Jen and the little ones not yet home. This is a dull day, in a very dull place, in a very dull season of the year, with very few convenience of life. If we wish to cross the river the everlasting roar and tumble of the old St Lawrence with cold northern blasts prevents we can only look across to the Heaven blessed land of promise beyond. If we wish to go to Kingston, we can go once a week by rising long before daylight of a Tuesday morning & going over to the dock on a buck board through the mud or on the sleigh bumpty bump and hurry up or �189 you’ll get left and this privilege is ours only twice more this fall and then & then we must arise yet earlier and the horses must drag a waggon or sleigh 14 miles in time "to get the first boat across to Town so we may get home again the same day. No matter if we do start at 4 a.m. and get back to our starting place at 8 p.m. All the same we have been to town if we only have brought home with us a pound of tea and ,50 cts worth of sugar perhaps a plug of tobao and we have been to the office and paid the Taxes. Monday 9th A very pleasant day. Ma gone to Wills with Nellie, Grace & Maud alone in the house. Voltie doing work out the barn before noon, in the after noon he & Wallace gone to Wills to chop wood, then they come �190 back & go across the river with beans. Get back at dark. Charlie same for Ma, after she came from Wills and she goes home wtih him to stay with the children while Belle goes to K. Tuesday 10th A very good day, the wind blows a little the river steams. Mr McDonnell & Algina came back from across the river, they went over yesterday with our boat. Gina got her tooth pulled. I did nothing more than house work. Charlie & Flora here. No mail to night Wed 11th A very cold Wind North blowing very hard. Wells Jr came up & Wallace Niles came down & help Voltie move the �191 stoves. This stove in the dining room, all gone to pieces so they brought in the kitchen stove, Pike all moved eaten. Voltie killed 6 chickens for market tomorrow & I picked them & try to churn but butter dont come so leave it. Gord Burnside here for cattle. Frank down in the evening. I go to bed at 9 o’clock. Maud over at Wills for the night Sunday 12th Awoke before 4 o’clock in the morn, call Voltie he builds a hot fire, the wind blowing a perfect gale from the North. We eat breakfast at 5 o’clock concluded not to go to the boat for fear she would not come in �192 Voltie & Wellie goes with the cattle. Voltie only goes as far as the Debters hill, Wellie goes all the way to the ferry. the boat did not call at Breakey’s so those that went "got left". Voltie tanked the house Went for Maud. I finished churning. The boys got home from Kingston about 8 p.m. Will & Sam Nesbitt came from the woods rode down with Charlie Woodman Friday 13th So very cold the boys freeze their faces This day is a little warmer the Wind is still in the North but not much to be cold. Voltie shoeing horses. Wellie came up & brought boat to V. I started to clean the floors �193 Will. Sam Nesbitt & Charlie came. Will gives a great description of his trip after they go. I clean the floors & get dinner, my feet so swollen with chilblains I can not get any shoes on so as to wear them. Our cellar froze last night, the coldest night yet. Sunday 15 December 1895 Charlie bought Irene & I home in cutter not so very cold Wednesday, Thursday & Friday were awful days wind North blowing a hurricane and cold as a western blizzard. Belle picked and dressed poultry for market but boat didnt come to the wharf on Thursday morning But they drove up on Saturday as lovely a day as I ever saw. �194 in December: Warm clear sky and every tree, bush & shrub so white with frost that the Earth looks like paradice or fairyland It makes one rejoice to have and behold the soft peaceful splender and beauty of Nature. Little Grace was good all day. Charley and Belle came home at 6 p.m. Well came home but I was sorry to leave Belle. It seems but a little while ago since she was a tiny baby herself and now tis nearly 12 years since she went away to make a home for herself and now has a family of 5 little ones. As time rolls on it unfold things most wonderful. Changing changing always changing. I’m glad tis so glad I’m growing old. I thought to find Wells Sr home when I came but he not here yet. �195 �196 Monday 16th December 1895 Rather cold yet so this day we prepare for Kingston. Wells not here yet we think he’ll come home tomorrow with Grace and Wellie. Tuesday 17 Arise at 4 a.m. Grace and Wells Jr start for Kingston at 6 am and return at 6 pm, raining quite hard but clears away some towards eve. Grace bought me a pair of felt slippers. Wells not come, wish he’d come. �197 �198 �199 Friday 20 December 1895 Wells not home very strange. no dont even hear from him nor Mart somehow I think we may never hear again from Mart. Voltie this evening went for the mail. thought we’d hear from Wells but no letter from him only the terrible news that Will Irvine is drowned this morning about 10 am while fishing. �200 Saturday 21 Dec 1895 A beautiful warm day clear. Wind East changing to South, ground bare: not a vestage of snow anywhere, all our house doors open nearly all day. Voltie working in blacksmith shop. Will & Charlie here cutting up their beef which hangs in our barn. Wells lend them a beef barrel. Irene B wash and mend Irene Halliday’s clothes. Grace makes Irene N an apron. Wells Sr not home yet. I wish he would come home and Maud too. Evening Voltie gone to J Niles to borrow buggy to go tomorrow to the funeral which is held in the episcopal church at 10 a.m. We were surprised by Wells Sr suddenly coming after dark when we had been looking for him all day. Glad to see him once more hale & hearty. A rainy night. �201 Sunday 22 Dec 1895 A very damp morning. Wind South. Grace & Voltie go to the funeral. Rube McFadden drove in here accompanying them from church stayed to dinner. After dinner Wells Sr went down to Wells Jr’s and came back by way of Wills. A soft cloudy day all mud is the ground and bares brown. Pines & cedars are the only green thing to be seen. June went home and to church. Wallace Niles here this evening. Monday 23 Dec 1895 A soft warm cloudy morning, river quiet as a mirror. Voltie plowing. Grace getting dinner. Wells Sr meandering around doing just as he likes, walked over to Wills and came back through the rain. Voltie drove home from plowing through the rain. Raining all evening and nearly all night. �202 Tuesday 24 Dec 1895 The sun arose clear this morning after last nights heavy rain. Very warm like a fine May day. Very light wind South. Voltie & Wellie plowing. Grace washing. Wells Sr doing nothing. A treated him to grape wine, beef & potatoes for dinner. Maud expecting Santa claus. Boys came back from plowing and have gone gun in hand in the boat up to the marsh fishing for wood & hunting game while the day is so very fine: thinking there may not be another one like this day for getting out wood again this fall or winter. Woodmans Boys plow all day. Grace went to mail 3 letters, one to Belle, one to Nellie and one to Quinn. W Sr says this is a day weather breeder. I hope all its children may be as mild. We have to keep open doors this day. �203 Tuesday 25 December & Christmas day 1895 A beautiful warm sunlight morning but ground all bare as August and mudy. Grace thinks she’ll go to Mr Geo Gillespies if Belle & family do not come home. But they came and very glad we are to see them as they drive up to the door with three seats filled. 7 of them and their grandad. (Wells Sr) goes out to the buggy and liftes each youngone out little Charlie bringing his toy gun with catrages. Irene with her doll and Beatrice with her (gold) watch & chain, gifts from Santa Claus. Oh what a noisy happy lot they are long may they have an undivided family and Belle was made happy by a gift from Grace of a warm wool Facinator. Oh Lord we thank thee for thy manifold blessings and little Maud with her Christmas �204 toys of dishes, dolls, game, nuts, candies, &c. Wellie came up for a while but we have not seen any of Wills family to day. Our fine morning changed to rain before night. But they went home comfortably leaving at three p.m. well wraped up & carrying an umbrella leaving Beatrice behind for a week or more. All Barries hired man plowing today. Thursday 26 Dec 1895 Rain tub most full of water this morning, cloudy and windy. Voltie plowing. Wellie here this morning. Wells Sr went to school meeting. J Niles elected trustee. Stove pipe caught fire again. have a tough time with fire & smoke, knock the pipe all down, wind blowing half a gale. Voltie and Grace once more clean the pipe and put it together again. Raining again quite hard wind howling all p.m. �205 Friday 27th Dec 1895 Rain pouring down nearly all night . Wind howled around from South to West. Awoke this morning to find the ground covered with a little snow very much resembling a heavy white frost. Ground frozen some but not hard enough to prevent plowing. Voltie plowing and think Wells is too. Wells Sr dont do much. there is not much to do. Grace makes apple pie for dinner. I darn socks and cook beef and beens [sic]. Sun shining very clearly, & not very cold. Millions of stars were out this morning. After dinner I go over to Will’s on old pumper, roads all wind and mud. As we pass Uncle Smith’s domain (which is his no more) we saw the Woodmans plowing with three teams, turning up the mud in fine shape and Mr. �206 Woodman in the road leaning on the fence and watching the boys turning over the furrows of his new possession. And days "by swan that fence will have to be moved for tis right in the way " and so Laura’s garden fence has to be pulled down. Voltie called for me at sunset came home to find Wells Sr had gone over the river to be gone all night. I forgot to mention Charley Easton here to dinner: came to invite G & V to a dance at John Nesbit’s given in honor of Sam Nesbit. Will & Charlie Dixon came home with us to help V do the chores and stay to tea, then they go to Nesbits to the party leaving Maud, Beatrice and I alone till 1/2 past 5 a.m. Great fiting of cats on veranda & turn Lind [their dog] on them and they scat. A letter from Mr Watson to Maud & I �207 Saturday 28 December 1895 A fair day with here & there a cloud floating away to Northwest. Wind South W: Ground bare. Voltie didn’t plow this day only worked at the cow stables and put brine on the pork &c. Wells Sr not returned from his visit over the river. Wellie came up this morning looking for his mail. Expecting a letter from the Adirondack. The weather is very good & temperature warm [Random names by different handwriting, perhaps Maud Grace D Bamford A A H Beatrice Halliday Sunday 29 Dec 1895 Did not rise very early this morning, after seven a.m. A bright day: river glittering and dancing in the sunlight, warm, ground bare and windy. Wells Sr yet over the river. Shell Niles & John Niles Jr came after dinner stayed awhile. Shell thumped on the piano and then they went home. �208 Voltie went to Wellies and to Wills, came back in time for dinner said Rachel is coming over to tea but she didn’t come. A fine moon light night. Sabath passed of very quietly M. Monday 30 Dec 1895 Wind East & warm. Voltie plowing. Wells Sr not home yet. Don’t know what keeps him but time unfolds all things. Grace washed and hung clothes out before noon. Woodman’s are threshing with machine. Irene made mince pies for dinner. Not much wind, river very calm, cloudy & looks like rain. Wells Sr came in as we were getting up from dinner, been visiting all this time among his various friends and relatives over the way, besides going to Clayton, Saturday �209 Maude & Beatrice gone to Mrs Niles to help celebrate Shell’s birthday and now they are gone. The rain comes tumbling down in fine shape. Wish those youngones had not gone Uncle Sam’s has stoped threshing on account of the rain. Rain drove Wellie and Voltie home from the field. After dark Jack Niles came with Maud & Beatrice bringing lantern & guide them on the way. Tuesday 31st Dec 1895 A terrible wind blowing all night from the S.W. Voltie got up at 1/2 past 3 a.m. and went to look after the skiff and punt which he found nearly afloat and the punt filled with water, so he came back for a pail to bail with and then fastened the clothes on the line more firmly. Well if last night was a bad one the day is worse. The old St Lawrence is in a living rage bashed into �210 fury indescribable. The billows roll up like hills of water and the river is white with flying spray which soars, rolls and tumbles on the shore with a sound like thunder all day long, snow flying. Wind wrenched Niles barn door off. Niles cattle stood in stable all day and horses too except the colts are all day running in out door yard. Our cattle turned out longe enough to drink. Freezing quite hard in p.m. V went to J.N.’s to borrow tea. Frank Woodman came down to make a visit, found V gone so didn’t stay long. just after night fall in walked Mr Hiram Davis looking for voters, his supper and nights lodging and breakfast and he gets all and welcome. They sit up till 10 p.m. spinning yarns of various kinds. I get sleepy and go to bed. barometer very low, below 29, two full �211 moons this month—The first and last of this month. A New Year Wednesday 1st Jan 1896 Bamford Sr built the fire this morning. Wind yet blowing, ground bare, weather more mild. Davis gone this morning electioneering down the Island. Wellie here this morning for butter, gave him three lbs. Sun shining out with a sickly wind all day. V went to Mr Rattrays for our cheese. A new year dance at Wills this evening in Honor of Sam Nesbit. A full methodist attendance. A brilliant moonlight evening with the firmament clear of clouds. Our dancers come home at 4 a.m. �212 Thursday 2 January 1896 Wind South, bare ground. Wellie drives in here for pig feed and cheese. Beatrice and I go home with Wellie on jumper, found Renbe McFaden there eating dinner while waiting for Wellie to come and cut his hair. Eveline washing and not expecting visitors. Nor was Hubert expecting company but cried bitterly because Beatrice had come till his eyes were red & swollen "Afraid of girls" he says. Some day he’ll not be afraid of girls, more the pity. Weather growing colder. Ed at a well stoning bee at Nesbits. Bamford Sr came down towards night. I intended to return home but stayed all night. Will & Charley at W Jr’s in the evening. Lazzy Bates came home after dark. Friday 3rd Jan 1896 Stayed to Wellies till after dinner then Wellie brought Bee and I home again on jumper. Cold and Wind �213 hard from N.W. Gave W. Jr a piece of pickle p. found V at J.N—gone to help Geo saw wood in the woods but proved so cold didn’t saw but came home and after supper went for the mail. Got the Kingston Whig and two letters for Eveline from Rochester. Well here in evening says he had a letter from Jen and must meet her in Kingston tomorrow. I lend him the umbrella for Jen and the little ones. Not much kerosine for the lamps this evening. E Bates at Geo Gillespies working on his boat and so stays to a party at Horns given in honor of Sam Nesbit. Saturday 4 Jan 1896 A cold morning river steaming but not much wind. Voltie & George Niles gone to Millens Bay �214 for kerosine. V says if the wind blows he will not return till the crossing is good. Well the wind does blow and I’ll not worry for the Lord is merciful & good. Charley & Flora came for kerosine but we have none for them. They were very cold so after warming themselves, they went home leaving their bottle behind them till V comes back from River View. Ed Bates came up for V to help him pitch hay in the stable but he went to the Bay. We gave Ed the letters for Eveline. Frank Woodman here for shingle nails. Clear and growing colder. I’m sorry for Jen and the poor little ones this night if they come down from Marguerites in the waggon. Towards night Charlie came again for oil. But Voltie & George not come and we do not expect them thoug [sic] we keep looking out across the river throug the cold fog that arises from the �215 water. Dark night settles over the bare and frozen Earth, the River is hiden from view and now I know they’ll not return to night. Sent Charlie to Wellies for kerosine. Wells Sr builds a fire in the coal stove which is cheerful and brightens the rooms. Wells Sr does the chores alone for the first time since he came home. We enjoy a very pleasant evening, only V is not here. This is the first time he was ever weather bound across the St Lawrence. Finished Marjories stocking and knit a long way on the second one and read page after page in the U. S. History. At nine Oclock pm hear the rumblings of waggon wheels on the hard frozen road which tells of the home coming of Wells Jr, Will, Jen and the children and we sang our prayers, go bed and to sleep. �216 Sunday 6 January 1896 A clear cold morning. Wind N.W. river freezing and vapor rising in clouds a mile high into the sky but closing in with new ice which will soon prevent the rising steam from escaping and then we can see across to the U.S. my own native land, mine by birth right and conquest. Voltie & George yet over the river this morning, weather bound and ice bound. Cows not milked since yesterday morning. Grace playing on organ awhile then goes to the piano plays the "Lament of Lady Isabell in East Lynn" beautiful but mournful. Wish Voltie was home. Wellie came up bring our groceries on sleigh, drives home again, comes back and milks the cows & says Jen & the children came near freezing so they had to stop at Mr Fossets and will stay there till weather gets warmer. Will hurt his knee and arm. Will gone with Wellie’s Team & Niles �217 buggy for Jen & their children. River frozen over sun seting [sic: setting] clear & cold. O cold Canada, the hearts of thy people are warm and generous. No kerosine had to go to bed by the light of the coal fire in sitting room and a wood fire in kitchen. Heard the buggy drive down the road, suppose tis Will, Jen & the children. Monday 6 January 1896 A clear cold (intensly cold) morning. St Lawrence froze from shore to shore. Wellie came up walking on the river from his house to do the chores. We were pleased to see Voltie across the ice from down below Linda’s island with Geo Niles. After dinner V & his father go to election held at the house. �218 school house. Wells Sr walking & Develson skating up the ice. Learned this morning that Will, Jen and the children were obliged to stop twice coming down from Fossets, once at James McDonalds and at Mr Geo Ranous’ to keep from freezing. Ground bare every where and hard frozen not a flake of snow any where to be seen. Came home from Election after sunset. A clear intense cold night wind North and breezy. Frank Woodman here this evening also John Flynn, Frank to report election; Flynn for tobaco. �219 Tuesday 7th January 1896 as cold or colder than yesterday turning black whiskers and earlocks to a snowy white with frost. Seeing is surely believing and therefore we must believe that Uncle Sam Woodman is threshing with the 10 horse power this cold day. Clouds gathering for a storm. A fine snow falling sifting down like meal. Voltie & Wellie gone threshing for Uncle Sam mittened and muffled for and Arctic winter storm. Another new milk cow this morning. A cold time for calves. Indoors all is warmth and pleasantness. Our work is getting the meals, washing dishes, baking bread, setting buckwheat cakes, knitting. Maud and Beatrice transfering pictures on transparent paper from the Spencerman drawing book Voltie goes for the mail, a letter from Harry �220 one from Donald Frasier, two newspapers, "Hours at home", & "Sunshine". A cold night. Voltie a long time at the barn looking after the stock. Made a dozen candles. B.R. Wednesday 8th January 1895 Another cold morning. The ground covered with the snow of yesterday. The Woodmans are yet thresing. W. Jr & Devolson help thresh in p.m. Eveline sent as a present to me a beautiful new skirt which was a very pleasant surprise. But its just like Eveline to be thoughtful of, and good to others. Irene churned and made 7 butter prints and sent Eveline 3 of them. Shelly here this P.M. Grace & V went to Mr Niles in the evening and found the boys i.e. Geo & Wall had gone to Horns and Mrs & Mr N gone to Wills. therefore G.D. visited with Shell and Ina and Jack while Voltie in company with �221 Frank W and Ed Weaver went calling on Old Mrs Flynn. A dance in progress at J Wilkinson’s Friday evening of this week. V & G came home at 1/2 9 p.m. A circle encircles the sun which indicates a storm. Thursday 9 January 1896 Weather more mild: Snow fast falling. This morning ate breakfast by candle light. Wells Sr Wells Jr & Devolson cross the river on ice. Sr going to Clayton and Jr & V going for the kerosine and possibly may go to the Cape. I finished Marjorie’s stockings which makes the 4th pair I have knit for Bells children. Grace cleans floors. Wallace N here: �222 Friday 10 January 1896 Rachel came over to day and brought a quantity of cloth for a quilt. Saturday 11 Jan 1896 A very pleasant day. Grace swept and dusted all the rooms, parlor, sitting room, dining room pantry, bedrooms, kitchen. Beatrice & I go with V in cutter on the ice to Wellie’s to see the things Ada sent Eveline from Rochester. E pleased with the new books and Muriel with her doll. �223 BB Sunday 12 January 1896 A very quiet Sabath day, all resting and reading except Irene B reads nor rests all day. V & G intending to carry Beatrice home in cutter but storm snows and blows so from the South they stay home till after dinner when V drives over home with Beatrice. Rachel wanting to go home but stays all night for her boots are very bad for walking. Monday 13 Janurary 1896 Temperature of weather moderate (or medium) Cloudy with dark masses of clouds lying of to Southward. This is writen before breakfast which is nearly ready. Our men waiting a few minutes. After break fast �224 Wells Sr goes to OBriens to get two shoes set on Jess’s hind feet. V working in the shop. Wellie brought up the grist. Gave Will H flour. Will Winmill came across the river looking for straw. Straw is $8 dollars per load. Hay from $16 to 18 dollars per tun. R went home on the sleigh with Wellie. Winmill ate dinner with us. Will & Charlie came over & Voltie helped Will rig the bat winge sail to the ice yacht and away the skim over the the St Lawrence. Began snowing about 1/2 past 3 pm faster than ever so thick the snow is falling can scarcely see the base. Wellie here and went home on the ice through the falling snow after supper. V went to Jr’s on the ice and stayed till bed time scarcely any wind. D Breakey drove in here to engage W.D. to assist him while plowing �225 Tuesday 14 January 1896 Arose early. Breakfast by candle light. Wells Sr gone to the Ferry for coal. gone all day brought home sugar, onions, coal, raisons. Maud went to school this morning. Went with Wells as far as the school house. Spent the fore noon writing letters. Wrote to Mrs Lindley & Watson. After noon worked in pasture. Frank down here running nets for fish. Welly and Ed up here awhile. Welly & Voltie sawing wood for night. A clear fair day growing colder freezing. Wednesday 15 January A fair winter day. Ed Bates here helping set sturgeon nets. Wells Sr drove with Maude to school went to OBrien’s came home and drove to J Niles with a bag of coal we have been owing him for a year. W sold �226 John Flynn a cow for 21 dollars. Devolson drove over for his grandmother, soup for dinner. Grace patching my block dress. I cleaned cupboard in pantry. Wellie started for the Adirondack mountains to day. Grace & Volty going to the Morgans this evening. Went—drove Jess. She kicked scared and nearly broke the cutter coming home, stayed till eleven p.m.—nearly midnight when they return. I sleep on the couch. Sleep warm enough but miserable. Thursday 16 Jan 1895 Awoke this morning with a lame back. Wind South and cold, cloudy looks like snow with barometer pointing fair. Bamford Sr at OBriens getting cutter irons. V & Ed Bates running fish nets a fine pike. Grace makes mince pies, cookies & biscuits. Slept up stairs on the slat bed. �227 Friday 17th January 1896 A fair winter day, snow not deep any where. Charlie Woodman here at the black smith shop. Charlie W & Will Dixon help Voltie butcher beef. I churn and make butter prints for market (8 prints). We dress 8 turkeys for market and get every thing ready for tomorrow’s market: my back so lame can scarcely walk. Sleep on lounge. Saturday 18 Jan 1896 A very fair day. Volty, Grace and Will Dixon gone to the city on O’Brien’s bobsleigh and return after dark bringing Nellie Guy with them. Maud & I work like split all day doing Saturday work, pantry & dining room scrubed, swept, made beds, cooked and by the time they arrived from the city had everything in shining order, parlor, sitting room, dining room, bedrooms, and �228 pantry. Wells Sr cleaned the kitchen but I’m tired, but all is bright, warm and cozy with supper on the table and they come ladened with good cheer and bright faces, after tea the visit begins in earnest. Nell & Voltie play the piano. Well 12 Oclock midnight all retire for the night. Sleep on lounge. Sunday 19 Jan 1896 A snowy morning. A dreary prospect without but happy and contented heart’s within doors to stormy to go to church. [Lauett?] visiting and reading all day. Voltie drives over to Wall’s taking his grandmother home but they set up so late at night. Frank Woodman came down and stayed all evening. Sleep in south bedroom. Monday 20 Jan 1896 A fine winter morning weather moderatley fine. Wells Sr goes to Kingston to pay some small bills and returns early E old Bates account carried by Will drives to Maryville with a load of potatoes for Baker. Nell and �229 ate breakfast at 1/2 past nine. City style I suppose. Grace got a bad cold. Wells Sr comes home before dark bringing cough medicine for Grace, and a great package of candy which is joyfuly accepted by the young folks. Set up late again this evening for tomorrow Nellie has to return to the city. Well Marjorie came home from school with Maude bringing her school books and clothes in a basket. She came down with her father when he came to OBriens blacksmith shop, dear little Marjorie is not gong to be cheated of her visit, Beatrice & Irene having made theirs. Sleep on lounge. Tuesday 21 Jan 1896 A fine winter day cloudy and warm coast driving on the ice going to Kingston with heavy loads of hay. Davis & Will Allen with each a toll house & brick �230 ice. Devolson drove up to Kingston on ice taking Nelly home. McKinn & Connely here to day staying last night at Charleys and have drove back there to stay over night again. V came home at night 6 Oclock p.m. Wells drove to school for M & M. Sleep in my own bed. Wednesday 22 January 1896 A beautiful winter day somewhat colder. Wind North bright and clear good sleighing. V drove down the ice for Sadie. She going to make Grace’s ball dress. McKinn & Donely here to dinner, went as they came. V carried M & M to school on jumper. George Niles drove for them at evening. A party small and select at Mr OBriens this evening. G & V attended but when V drove down for Dora too She could �231 not come, having evening visitors and Mrs Gillespie sent Sade a note saying she didn’t like her daughter to attend dancing parties. So S like a good obedient disapointed child, stayed home. The party dispersed at 12 midnight. Sleep on lounge. Thursday 23rd January 1896 A dull cloudy day Wind N.E. Sarah finishes G’s dress. V, George and Wallace bush a road form here to the U.S.A. by the elem [sic] tree below Beadles. Sarah finishes Grace dress. Sleep on the lounge. �232 Friday 24th January 1896 Raining and freezing: ice on every thing, trees bending under their load of ice. Sarah is obliged to stay all day which does not appear to be very disapointing, she reads and makes a small wall which is very pretty. A letter from Flora and one from Nelly Guy with V’s photograph proofs. M & M stay home to day from school on account of rain. Will here awhile. Evening in parlor. Piano playing by Grace . [Wailying?] by V & S at 10 pm I succeeded in driving them all to bed. I sleep on lounge �233 Saturday 25 January 1896 A soft snowy day. Eaves running a tub full of soft water. Voltie drove to Mr Gillespies with Sarah. R came over for butter milk (walked over). Will & Charlie running their pike nets caught a big sturgeon in a pike net which was a surprise. R brought some [illegible] and dried corn. A row at the lower school. M & M studying arithmetric and sewing carpet rags. I’m very sleepy. Grace cleaning floors. I tidied up the pantry shelves Voltie from his nets took 6 perch and one sucker. W. Jr here got a cold in head. Voltie in the evening went to C.M Woodman’s to see Frank about going to the U.S.A. Ball at [illegible] with two horses, in order �234 �235 �This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following people: Ann Hopkinson, carol ann, Alexandra Holmes, MaryV, Vivian Zhang, Ella Deering, Ben W. Brumfield, Jane Phillips, Queen’s University Archives, and Eric Irvine � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Subject The topic of the resource 19th and 20th Century Rural Ontario Diaries Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1887-1922 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1887 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1888-1889 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1889-1897 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1890 March - June Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1893-1895 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1895-1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1896 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1897-1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899-1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902, 1906 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902-1909 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1904-1905 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1907 & 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1908-1919 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1911 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913-1914 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1915-1916 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1916-1917 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1917-1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1921-1922 Language A language of the resource English Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1895-1899 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1895-1899 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th Century, Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. August 1, 1895 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/d3b50bb7b7efd958876722b8402a518b.pdf 58a27758c7cae9b274d8f7dbbf85901b PDF Text Text Irene Dixon Bamford 1896, Diary Transcription 5034_4-1-5 �Metadata FromThePage export of 5034_4-1-5 from Irene Dixon Bamford made on 2026-02-11 14:35:09 UTC. itemTitle: 1896 date: 1896 Title: 5034_4-1-5 Description: Item is a diary. Created On: 2023-10-03 13:03:00 UTC In Scope: true Uploaded Filename: 5034_4-1-5 �page_0001 [Queen’s University Archive File Folder] Irene Dixon Bamford Diary 1896 1896 [stamp] Queen’s University Archives Locator 5034-4 Box 1 File 5 �page_0002 1896 �page_0003 �page_0004 [seal: R Date 1896 Sealed with Gulfwax] Continued. 3 [binding tape has obscured the writing on the left margin, it will be indicated with #] #kes his leave, going to call on Yonger #lks & from thence to uncle Sammy’s. Tonight we would be alone this eve #t not so evening visitors Frank Woodman, Ed Weaver. Leather land #yed pedro till eleven P.M. Leather # all night. Thursday 6 Dec 1896 Cloudy wind #South 7 Oclock this morning # I call Devolson. Leatherland # stays till 12 noon day and after a # cordial hand shaking all round # leave again for Kingston # at uncle Sammy’s for his # ’sack instead went to Niles to # his dinner and thence to Geo Gillespie # evening we are alone quietly G poped # full of corn �page_0005 Monday 7 Decr 1986 warm morning. Awoke this morning to find the ground white with snow. A sort of wierd [sic] ghostly morning. The trees and shrubery were never so beautiful in leafy month of June, though more lasting, than this morning when when every tiniest branch is drooping under the pure whitening of snow. Saw Leatherend peg leging off up the road this morning. Will and Devol went to run nets but got nothing. Wellie went to Niles for his tools V called at Margans for cutter fills . I got to churn and work over butter, butter no good, cream no good, threw 6 pans of milk and cream to the hogs. �page_0006 Tuesday 8 Nov 1996 [illegible scribblings] �page_0007 Wednesday 9th Dec 1896 A day of all work, butter and Fowls to dress for market. Voltie goes to Niles and buys a rug for Nellie which I will give her for a Christmas present, sending it tomorrow. Maud sick with quinoa. A dirty day cloudy and looks like rain and does rain like jehy before dark and after dark. Thursday 10 Dec 1896 A lovely day after the rain of last night. We arose at 4 breakfast ready in a few minutes after the fire is built and they load on their batter and turkeys, 14 butter and 3 turks leaving Maud and I alone & Maud is sick with sore throat. Will drove the team home from dock and stayed awhile and told ghost story. I work hard all day, stew and hang up pumpkins. Bamford bought a new stove to day and Wellie, Will, Voltie & friends set tarp. Brought Morgans groceries in basket basket. �page_0008 Thursday Dec 10th Almond Joslin here to dinner. Will came over and helped put up the stove pipe. Friday 11 December 1896 A fine day. Arose at four a.m., routed the family, got breakfast early and V gets on the road at half past six a.m. enroute for Kingston with the cattle which he sold Burnside Wednesday. Welling & Perley & Percy Gillespie also drive cattle and they all go in company to Marysville. Devers wanted the boys to drive his cattle but "got left". Maud quite sick with tonsilitis quinsey. School teacher came after school to make a visit. Jim Morgan came for his tea. Frank here too in evening. V came after dark. Saturday 12 December 1896 A warm day, very fine for December. Maude better to day. Grace scoured pantry floor with brush, made cookies. I worked all day except showing Alice the mistery [sic] of lace knitting. Jim Morgan rowed down with a skiff for his basket of groceries and V helped him carry the basket to the river. V plowed in afternoon. Uncle Samy plowing with 2 teams all day. �page_0009 8 Sunday 13 Dec 1896 A fine quiet day cloudy all day and looks like a rainstorm. Miss Foley here. Will here too & Wells Jr, Grace & Will popped corn. Maud better much better. Would like to go over and see mother but the roads are muddy so Will says. V towards sundown goes to Wills for kerosine. Monday 14 December 1896 A beautiful clear sun bright day. After breakfast Voltie goes to corners for oil. C Woodman goes with him. Took R Percy’s rig. V brought 10 gallons for himself. C & Devolson ate dinner at R Perceys. R Percy not at home. Returned at 1/2 past one p.m. �page_0010 9 I fell and nearly broke my neck, the veranda post saved me by the hand of providence, I scaped. Sustained a doubled and twisted wrenching of the back and hip beside bruising shin rather badly. Good for rheumatism. V brought Maud rock candy and lemons. Miss Foley stayed with us till this morning. Grace washed clothes. W Sr puttying glass for double windows. A beautiful sunset - and moonlight night. Moon in second quarter since Friday. V plowed after he came back from the corners, every furrow turned now will not have to be done in spring. Geo Niles and [Johny Niles|[John Jr Niles]] called here on their way to Wills to play pedro, John Sr having preceeded them. After supper V accompanies them to Wills. Johny Niles brought Grace a letter, an invitation from Mary Dignum to visit her tomorrow eve with Voltie Saying Miss Foley will be there too �page_0011 10 Tuesday 15th December 1896 A cold frozen morning, ground bare and a very cold day: frost on windows, water in washdish frozen & bilged. I am not quite so lame as yesterday. Patched vest and pants for Voltie, finished the lace for the apron & worked it and partly sewed it on. W Sr preparing double windows and cellar window. V drew wood from old orchard, apple trees that the heavy winds have blown over. Grace cleaned chamber and white washed her bedroom. Will here this evening. I made head cheese. Maud had a fit of pouts, poor dear Maude. Wills little ones at school to day. They must have been very cold, poor little dears. A very cold night and river steaming cloudy. Grace ironing this eve after making two underwaists. Well thank God we are warm and comfortable this night. V couldnt have crossed the river this day. �page_0012 11 Thursday 27 Aug 96 A fine day. Grace & Maud Harry & Fred & Marjorie all go to Kingston leaving Voltie and I at home alone. Didnt send any butter to market this morning, butter too soft. Friday 28 Aug 96 Wednesday 16 December 1896 A clear cold day, ground bare and hard frozen. Samy butchering. Ed Weaver here for butcher knife. Wellie called on his way to get his pay of Niles for carpenter work. Got nothing. Niles going to pay him some tomorrow. W Sr fixing over an old bedstead. Wellie and Voltie cleaning a grist for milk to send to Kingston tomorrow. I got to churn and make out a little butter for market. Jesse Reid came back with the other fisher from �page_0013 12 Saturday 29 Aug 96 way back Jesse Reid here to supper. Rachel came over for butter print. I going to use it, sent Charley & Flora in evening for print. Volty this evening gone with Reid to Niles to play pedro. Ground bare no snow. Maud had nose bleed. Reid came back with V to stay over night. Sunday 30 Aug 96 Thursday 17 Dec 1896 A gloriously fine day cold still and sunbright. Arose at 4. Jess Reid stayed to do the chores. Such a talker his tongue is like a bell clapper that is continualy ringing. Dont like him the dirty fraud. He goes down cellar often for cider. He is drunk on cider and he’s on the loungue snoring. Oh I could write a chapter about this day will some time. �page_0014 13 Monday 31 Aug 96 Tuesday 1 September A very good day. Voltie went to foot of Island for wood but got none, some body had taken it all. �page_0015 Wednesday 2 September 96 Churned and made 45 lbs of butter for market. Charlie came over for butter print. Voltie gone to Kingston: started horse back borrowed Cavalry’s covered buggy, returned just after dark. Jim Morgan here: bought some beef of him. Jess Reid drove up the cows and Jess and Leatherland milked all the cows which was a kindness indeed. V paid the 2.50 R.V.R. �page_0016 15 Thursday 3 September 96 Raining from South quite warm weather so much so that the butter is soft, but Grace takes 39 lbs to market which she sells for 18 cts per lb in bulk leaving 6 lbs home. A very rainy day filling the large milk can in short time towards evening clears up. A wet day for their carnival in Kingston. Ferry boat does not leave the city till 6 p.m. and nearly nine when Grace arrives home with V from the dock. Saw Harry in town and called on Harry’s grandma and aunts. Maude stays home on account of rain. Jess Reid here most of the day. Letherland helped Voltie milk this morning. Voltie drove hoe Cavalrys buggy. �page_0017 16 Friday 4 Sept 1876 A beautiful cool day after the heavy rain storm of yesterday. Maud at school and learning very well: going to keep her at school every day when the weather is fine. Our work to day is preserving pears, churning and general house work. Plenty of work to be done those days in doors and out. Orchard loaded with apples to be gathered and the finest of them stowed way in the cellar in barrels, some made in cider & many dried besides giving to our numerous friends. And there are potatoes corn and turnips to harvest, pumpkins to dry, sweet corn to dry &c &c &c. Mail. a letter for Harry and the Whig. V goes over to Mr Dignam’s to get Herb to help dig potatoes tomorrow. Vitsitors Jess Reid here this evening for leads and sinkers. �page_0018 17 Saturday 5 September 1896 Herb came over to help Voltie dig potatoes. Dug till noon, rain came pouring down. Reid came over & the boys all go to the shop (after sitting in house awhile) where V has been at work a long time. Raining all p.m. quite steadily. Our house work is churning, working butter, cleaning floors, digging corn, patching V pants. Want to wash a few things but Will has got our wash tub with fish nets in. Maud ciphering in redirections. Voltie milked all the cows 9 of them for Charlie. drove in here from the foot of island and Grace went home with him. Charlie had been to Clayton to look for a pot or valise belonging to a Mr Gibson whom Charlie is rowing. Wind South. Maud went to Wellies for a potatoe fork. Charlie Dixon & Flora here at dark through the rain for yeast cakes & apples. Wellie here this a.m. worrying over our business troubles. Says Nick Mosier been cleaned out on account of his debts �page_0019 18 Sunday 6 September 96 A cloudy squally looking day. Wind blowing fresh from South West and increasing to nearly a gale towards night. Reid here all a.m. Wallace N made a call and they all talk fish talk. V goes over to the other orchard. Reid goes with him. Maude and I walk down through the orchard as far as the old maple. The trees are binding under their load of apples this year. Return to the house and get dinner ready just as V comes back from the old orchard. After dinner Reid comes back and stays till bed time. Henry H brings Grace from at dark. Very glad she came. �page_0020 19 Monday 7 September 96 A beautiful day breezy from South. Grace washing. Greenwood here and served summons on Bamford in favor of Tom Hatfield: but I dont care how things goes now days. I’m content: my children are big enough and old enough by God’s help to take care of themselves. Voltie digging potatoes in the orchard. Will & Jess R are fishing. Lottie, Ethel, Muriel and Hubert here. Wellington, Burnham and Perley are here cleaning grain at our grainery. Churned again to day. �page_0021 20 Tuesday 8 September 96 A beautiful September day warm and bright. The pastures and meadows green as in June. Churned again to day Voltie digging potatoes. Maud at school. Dont know what Welles is doing. Reid here talking to Voltie all afternoon & says grandmother is better. Voltie gone to Wellies: when came back said he been cooning. A letter from the Gov says he is not very well. I’m sorry. Wednesday 9 Sept 96 Arose at 1/2 past 5 am another lovely day: churned again, mushrooms are plenty. V, digging potatoes. Noon very warm, butter somewhat soft. Wellie drawing grain (pease) for J.N. Maud at school. Mrs Niles and Shelly made us an evening call. �page_0022 21 Thursday 10 September 96 A delightful day - afternoon extremely warm and cloudless with scarcely a breath of wind: river like a mirror. Grace gone to market with 88 lbs butter. Maud at School. Will & Reid fishing. Voltie digging potatoes. Irene churned again and worked very hard and am so very tired. Rachel came home this evening on the ferry Boat accompanied by a young maid of the forrest. Reid gone to the Cape with Weaver: came home on the square. Jen & Eveline went to market with butter. This is the Princess tess trip. Sold butter for 18 cts per lb. Friday 11 September 96 A very fine day just breezy enough to be pleasant, clear and cloudless and warm. Leatherland here to dinner. Maud finished potatoe digging. Maude at school. �page_0023 and Jess Reid went to the Cape in Niles skiff. Wind strong from North, sailed up & rowed home. Returned 1/2 past nine p.m. All abed but I. A very hard pull from the Cape against heavy sea. Voltie wet from head to foot, bought a fine pair boots, said Mrs Harnny had a stroke to day. Sunday 13 September 96 A windy morning. Wind North. Very glad to find Voltie home this morning. We are alone nearly all day, towards evening Grace goes over to Will Dixons accompanied by Maud. Voltie milks all the cows. Wallace came to make us an evening call. Soon Grace came back bringing Rachel & Ansan Maricle a full blood squaw from Deseronto. Then came Jesse Reid and Will Dixon and Wallace stayed also till 10 Oclock Had night mare Sunday night 2 Oclock V woke me up. �page_0024 23 Monday 14th September 96 A warm day. Wind S churned butter soft. V makes a barrel of cider vinegar. Sarah Gillespie came up and cut and made my dress skirt, went home at dark and will not be back till Friday. Maud at school. S.D. Woodman & George Williams went with Weaver in the yacht across the river to Millens Bay. Tuesday 15 September 96 Wind North, weather delightfuly pleasant. Maud at School Voltie making cider. Grace getting the meals and working on Mauds dress. Irene not well, sick all last night (eating to much green corn) lots of work to be done this day: churning, canning tomatoes, making catsup. Went to bed awhile. Jess Reid here. Rachel and the "abrigonie" [sic] visiting at Evelines. Voltie churned. Grace took care of butter. This swarm like bees in June. �page_0025 24 Wednesday 16 September 96 Dont fell very well but work all day, churn and make 32 prints for market. Rachel, Jesse Reid and Mrs Marrickle gone to the Cape with fish in Niles skiff. Came home at dark towing behind Weavers scow yacht. Rachel got a new dress ready made Thursday 17 September 96 Grace and Maud gone to Kingston. Sent 32 pounds of butter to market. Voltie and I alone all day. V went to Niles for his beans that he had threshed in Niles barn. V churned. Irene worked hard all day, cleaned floor & washed. Rachel and the squaw went to the city. Pierpont makes her first fall trip. We had to get up at four this morning for the boat comes in at six sharp with old McKenzie for spouter. Grace brought home a basket of peaches. Watson came home with Grace (enroute forSyracuseMicheal Corneil �page_0026 Friday 18 Sept 96 A mellow yellow warm hazy day. Wind S. V repaired his skiff with coal tar: perfume not pleasant. Jesse Reid borrowed the skiff and has gone to the Cape. I gave him his $190 dollars, glad he has it some how I dont like him. Ignorant unprincipled and vicious. Rachel here a few minutes & carried home a part of water. V fixed his punt. Will cleaning fish at river. Sarah G finished my dress and gone home. Maud at school. Saturday 19 September 96 Awoke in night to find the rain pouring down & a rainy morning and a sunny day. Harry Watson here and cannot go over to Dr Buchanan to day. James Morgan stays all night & ate breakfast with us this morning. Will & Charles here this morning and borrowed our big basket. Irene churned. Grace & Maud doing housework. Voltie working in shop all a.m. makes an apple dryer. Grace cooks corned beef, potatoes & cabbage for dinner and custard pie. �page_0027 26 Sunday 20 September 96 A chilly morning but fair, not much wind this morning. Harry & Voltie ate dinner at Wellies and Harry goes across the river with Mr Maloney’s boys in skiff. Voltie comes home at milking time driving home the cows. River is rough this afternoon, a strong wind from the West. Rachel and Jen came over and stayed till after supper. Monday 21 Sept 96 A cool day but fine. Grace got a cold and sore throat. Reid came across river this am wind blowing strong from S.W. Maud at school. Voltie cutting up corn. Grace and Irene make tomato catsup and can sweet apples and churn. Grace, Voltie & Maud gone to prayer meeting and I am alone with the dogs for company this evening. �page_0028 27 Tuesday 22 September 96 Wind North. A very chilly day. Churn in kitchen. Grace trying a log cabin quilt. Jess Reid here visiting nearly all afternoon wish he’d go home. Churned. Maud at school. Voltie making cider. Wednesday 23rd September 96 Rather cold day. Wind North. Churn and print butter for market 30 lbs. put up a bag of apples to give away besides a loaf of bread, a lb of butter, a can of new milk: send Maud early in morning to Wills for the print & Jen & Will after it in evening. A chilly evening. We put up the butter in the baskets and get every thing ready for morning. Maud at school this day. Did not attend church this evening. �page_0029 28 Thursday 24th Sept 96 Rather a nasty morning raining. Get out bed at four clock. Grace to Kingston to market 30 lbs butter Carries Mrs Piggott a bag of apples and a small private basket besides. Voltie bought a bushel of tomatoes of J Wilkinson and brings them on Waggon from dock & two apple barrels. Grace bought a new 6 chairs $400.00 Maud stays home from school, church steeple raised today. Friday 25 Sept 96 A mild day, broken clouds. Wind South. A fine autumn day. Pickling and canning nearly all day. Maud home. There is no school today. Teacher gone home. Voltie fixing the waggon. Grace washed small washing & got dinner, afer dinner went to Mr George Gillespies to see Dora, found her better. Dr Buchanan there. �page_0030 29 Saturday 26 September 96 A cloudy forenoon. After dinner Bell, Charley and their children came down home. Charley went home leaving them here. Rain comes pouring filling tub in a short time. Grace got a bad cold. Jess Reid helped Jim, Devolson milk which was a favor for Grace. churned. Sunday 27 September 96 A dull rainy day but we are comfortably and happy and noisy, the children cant get out door much to day so wet but they venture for a few mushrooms. Evening visitors Jess Reid and Florence Morgan and Wallace Niles �page_0031 30 Monday 28 September 96 A very fine day quite mild and sunny. The little girls attend school 4 of them. Skim milk, churn, sweep, make beds and get dinner, soup for dinner. Voltie & Wellie gone to Kingston in waggon started late but came home quite early. Grace had to go over to the grange for cows. Mr Niles came for cider mill and made us a call. Tuesday 29 September 96 A very mild calm day. Voltie early this morning rowed Belle and baby Grace across the river to Mrs Gloyds. Marjorie, Beatrice & Maud gone school leaving Charlie & Irene here at home. Wellie makes us a call and feels much better after going to Kingston about their office business. Irene B does house work. Grace gets dinner and irons clothes and starch and irons J.D.’s shirt and her white dress. Reid and Weaver gone �page_0032 31 to Cape Vincent with fish. Our youngsters are all going to Beads point, Hickory Island to a party at Hicks 2 Oclock p.m. Cloudy, warm just a breath of air South. Weaver & Reid just returned from Cape. Voltie went to Wellies for a barrel of swill. I am writing while I sit on veranda beginning to rain just as the party embark for Hicks, bids fair for a a nasty night. Wednesday 30 September 96 Rain pouring all night in torrents. Wind blowing heavy from North. Came home at half past 4 o’clock am. Weaver tumbled them all out, leaving them to get home best they could in a drenching rain storm and wind strong enough to lift them off their feet. Voltie stays aboard to help Weaver down to Joslins bay with the yacht. Florence comes in with Grace. Will Niles, George �page_0033 32 & Jim & Bernard Morgan & Mabel & Alice go home in skiff and nearly get swamped. With great anxiety I await Volties return. About daylight he comes thank God. Wet, cold and hungry: none of the party having had a morsel to eat since leaving home last night. Grace & Florence devoured a loaf of bread, 1/2 lb butter and an apple pie. No female women to greet them on their arrival at the grand ball only male men Rick’s body guard. But Oh it was providential and I am thankful. At half past 5 wind changed to South and tore things right and left. Such a gale of wind seldom calls here, the river white and flying spray, unroofing barns, demolishing others, uprooting trees, taking every apple from trees, weakening ever obstacle in the way, waves on river running 20 feet high and dashing on the rocks shore with such tremendous force, the water was thrown above the tall cedars �page_0034 32 on the high shore. Weavers yacht turned bottom side up rolling the engine clean out in the the mud. Thursday October 1896 A quiet morning. Gloyd’s (ie James & Charley) brought Bell and Gracie home and a grain bag full of litterature. JamesDevolson drove with Grace to the dock. In afternoon Bell and Gracie went visiting to Wells Children at school. Belle much worried about the storm and the trip to Beads point. �page_0035 34 Friday 2nd October 96 A cool day. Belle gone to Evelines accompanied by Marjorie and Gracie. Beatrice crying to go. Children picking up apples gathering nuts, mushrooms. Voltie shingling for Niles. Will and Reid here for team to draw fish from dock. Belle came home tired out carrying Gracie Saturday 3rd October 1896 Not a pleasant day, chilly. Charley came for Belle and the children couldnt carry all their apples and tomatoes and forget their chicken. Voltie and Wellie working for Niles repairing his barn. Henry Halliday at Niles making cider. Drove here for Bells apples ought to have taken three instead of two. Voltie & Jim OBrien went to bay for oil. Jesse Reid here in evening also Collfer and another lad wanting the skiff to go to Bay: dog made a row. �page_0036 35 Sunday 4th October 1896 An autumn day very cool & dull. Jesse Reid here. Malony’s boys brought Dr Watson over. Very quiet after Belle and her children go home but we are seldom alone. Frank Woodsman here. Will Dixon here and they all drink cider. Oh well not very quiet Sunday after all. Monday 5th Oct 1896 A cloudy day. Wind North. Our house is never free from visitors or our guest chamber free from a sleeper. Harry W here. Jesse Reid here. Indian here camping in our cedars. Voltie shingling Niles barn. Wellie threshing for Breaky. Grace and Reid chasing a chicken. They yet work on church steeple. Wellington Burnham here. �page_0037 36 Tuesday 6th October 1896 A cloudy spotted kind of a day over head. Wind North, moderately cold or weather medium or merly [sic] straddle of the fence. Voltie drawing manure all day. Maud at school. Irene churned, skimmed milk, strained milk, washing milk pans & made jelly. Grace sewed. In evening Voltie went to J Niles and played poker till 10 p.m. Ed Weaver called for V this evening to go tomorrow to Marysville to play baseball but he will not be such a dunce. Wednesday 7th October 1896 Wind North changing to west. A rainy morning and rainy cheerless chilly day. The woods are turning crimson golden scarlet and a sunset brown, and bronze green, most beautiful. Churned and made thirty two lbs of butter for market. Jesse Reid and Will Dixon here Ethel brought home the butter print. The pasture is green as June. Grace �page_0038 37 finished my dress and I put it on. Maud at home washing dishes and writing a letter to her father. A base ball game was to be played to day at the Ferry and a dancing in the evening. Grace washed a few things. Voltie had a D-l of a time looking up his razor. A nasty dirty afternoon weather. Well I must get up and skim the milk. Glad the milk is in the pantry. What hurry hurry worry the days are from morning till night. Henry out of bed when one could sleep an hour or two longer with so much comfort. Henry to get the milk skimed. Henry to get breakfast. Hurry to wash milk pans and strain milk, hurry to churn. Come hustle around and get the chow chow going Come Maud hurry up- get ready for school. Come hurry and get the dishes washed, and get the dinner and then more dishes to wash again, an interval of making jelly or catsup or preserving then more pans to skim, empty and �page_0039 38 wash, another meal to get more dishes to wash and if you can catch a little time between each mentioned job why there is sewing, darning, patching, apple and pumpkins to dry and saying must put a quilt on the frames. next week sure come put wood in stove and make a rousing fire or the bread will run over and step around now for the floor, chairs and windows must be cleaned. and I’m sure we will have to do a big washing tomorrow. and about entertaining visitors. I’ll keep dark and not say one word Well now this is only in door work. �page_0040 39 Thursday 8 October 96 Slept out bed at 7 am, a cold cloudy dark morning been raining all night. I drove to dock with Grace and Harry. Maud at home. Eveline and Will Dixon gone to Kingston. Eveline carried her carpet rags to the city to have her carpet woven. Maud works well all day. Wellie came up after breakfast. Muriel and Hubert are with him. Voltie and Wellie go to Geo Gillespies to thresh. Wellie came back and the children go home with him. V goes with Jesse Reid to help him run his nets and load the fish in to the waggon and draw them here. Jesse helps draw manure and milk the cows. Eddy Bates ate supper with us and then they go to the dock for Grace. �page_0041 40 Friday 9th Oct 1896 A very fine October dewy & Wind N V and W Jr thresh for Geo Gillespie. Jesse and Wall here. John McDonel here for bags. Maud and Grace go for hickory nuts after dinner. Irene makes chow chow. A letter from Bamford he is not very well. A letter from Mrs Naylor Brown. Ed Weaver here a few minutes this eve. McGlynn came down to see Wall & Jesse Reid about fishing. Go to bed early and have a most refreshing sleep all night. Saturday 10 October 1896 Another beautiful day, Wind N. V gone to thresh for Geo Rattray Leatherland gave us a call this morning. Jesse came for them to draw their nets home from Breakey Bay obliged to haul them out the river easily. �page_0042 41 this morning started at 4 p.m. Reid couldn’t catch the white mare & had to go back home for Will to do the catching. Wish Leatherland would go instead of standing holding door open all day. Grace cleaning floors. Maud washing breakfast dishes. Irene baking chow chow, worked over butter & churned. Reid came over in the evening for V to go to Niles to play "pede" he calls it ("pede") But Reid was here earlier in the day & not well pleased because I had lent the skiff to McCuen, Flynn & Mrs Dignam when Reid was anxious to go to Cape Vincent with fish. I had forgoten all about it for Will or Reid didnt ask for the boat. So they cleaned what fish the had on hand and put them on ice. Working yet on steeple. Eddy’s last day on steeple. Now going to work for Dignam. Wind blowing quite strong from N at eventide. �page_0043 42 Sunday 11 Oct 1896 Quite a pleasant day. Wind N Arose at 1/2 past six a.m. Hustled around & helped get breakfast, skimmed milk, washed pans, strained milk, washed pots and Maud washes breakfast dishes and then Maud and I walk over to Wills. I’m very lame but manage to get there after awhile. As I was leaving my own door. I met Jess Reid coming in. Well I found them all well and comfortable only no wood, only what the children pickup out back and no water except carrying it from the river which is awful hard work to get wood or water. I had fine visit and had chicken pot pie for dinner and sweet apples preserved whole and as our appetites were ravenous we enjoyed our dinner. Reid & V came also to dinner and after a time or two Grace came, she having been down to Evelines and called at Niles on her return trip. Jess Reid here this evening. Grace got a pain in shoulder. Will �page_0044 43 and Charlie accompanied Maud & I home. Grace having gone home before us so we all had a little toast, coffee & cider and good night. Monday 12 Oct 1896 1/2 past 5 a.m. Wind North and strong breeze: cold but not freezing a dismal melancholy autumn day cloudy and threatning storm. Pastures green as June and cows doing well, flow of milk much better than earlier in season. Voltie gone threshing for Geo Rattray. Grace not well but trying to wash: brought some water and obliged to lie down while Jesse Reid here all a.m. an incesant talker but brought 4 pails of water, fed the hogs and brought in wood and now has gone home to help Will dig potatoes. Will & Charley had the team to draw wood. Jess was very kind. John Niles Sr plowing all day. Jesse & Voltie went to J Niles to play pede. Irene churned 12 lbs of butter. Jess drove �page_0045 44 home our cows. Wellie here too Clarence Emma want you to come down and bring mort with you from Edith Tuesday 13 Oct 1896 A raw windy day. North wind. Partly cloudy. Voltie threshing for Geo. Rattrays. Jesse Reid here. Maud home from school to day. Wellie here came up for waggon to draw wood. Grace sewing for Maud - making Maud a dress and finished it. In evening Maud and Grace go to post office. Hattie Joslin Miss Abott, Will Dixon and Wallace Niles came back with them. A chilly eve Jess Reid ate supper with us & then Reid and V went to John Wilkinson’s and played pedro. V came home at 1/2 11 pm. �page_0046 45 Wednesday 14 Oct 1896 Quite a fine day warmer than yesterday. Thought we were gong to have company for a skiff rowed directly here from over the way, which proved to be Mr Gloyd bringing two women across. They had great difficulty landing at the consession [sic], the women went to J Niles and James Gloyd rowed home again. V drawing corn and sorting and bagging apples for Belle and barreling some for himself. Jess Reid went to Cape Vincent with their last load of fish for this season returned quite early. Tomorrow Reid and Will depart for "Devil Lake" fishing and hunting. Jesse Reid here this afternoon and again this evening. If I should express my mind in this diary about a certain individual it would not be a very pleasant reflection on paper. June pares apples for drying. Maud at school. Grace sweeps , dusts, mops, gets the meals. Irene churns and prints 29 lbs for market. V retires early & so ends the day. Painting the church. �page_0047 46 Thursday the 15th of Oct 1896 The loviliest [sic] Oct day I ever saw and last evening there was was the loviliest sunset: bright crimson, purple, scarlet and gold and the reflection on the water of our little bay was enchanting lasting till daylight was gone. Voltie gone threshing for Ed Rattray. V drove to the dock with Grace, carrying Bells apples and a basket of posies and a few apples for Kelly. Jess Reid & Will Dixon started this morning for their fishing tour. Well I wish them good luck and success. Painting church and building new chimney. Maud gone school and I alone all day. every thing so quiet so peaceful when was I ever all alone before. The house is still except for the buzzing of the flies in the window. Once in a while a day like this alone is enjoyable but I think I would grow tired of the monotony of day after day: but I always was fond of soltitude if not to prolonged �page_0048 47 Miss Foley here to tea and after supper Miss Foley & Maud go over in waggon with Voltie to the dock and they do not return till after 8 p.m. A letter from Belle and a bag of provisions, pork, squashes & carrots. Lent Miss Foley some books, 3 of them. Jen came home to day. Friday 16 October 1896 A cloudy morning and rather cold but not freezing. V gathering apples Wind West. Still painting the church steeple white, slate, green, red the mineretts are black. Churned. Grace made V a shirt. Maude at school: cold and certain mild clouds all day. Dignam people has a dance this night. I got a cold. Evening mail - The Whig & a letter from Dr Watson. �page_0049 48 Saturday 17 October 1896 Another autumn day more clouds than sun shine, not freezing but cold. Voltie drove to the dock for the dry goods box and the barrel of cement: rolled his barrel of apples together, 12 barrels in all. After dinner V drew manure out to the field. Grace washed a general washing and cleaned floors. Maude washed dinner dishes and went to Wills for horse nails. Wellie here for waggon to draw his potatoes that White is digging for him: they are the spaff Joy potatoes. Irene paired more apples to day. Still painting the church and taking down the staging after them. �page_0050 49 Sunday 18 Oct 1896 Mother, Voltie & Maud gone over to Belle’s. Mother going to remain for a weak [sic]. So I will write in her diary when I think of it. This day a very disagreeable one. Sun under clouds, and wind blowing cold from West. Snowed a little last night. I stay alone all day. Voltie & Maud come home about 3.30 p.m. In morning, Wellie & Wallace Niles here a few minutes Monday 19 Oct 96 Voltie & Grace arise at 4.30 in morning. Grace gets breakfast and milk 4 cows, have breakfast a little after six. Then Maud washed dishes & goes to school. Grace scims [sic] milk, prepares to strain. Voltie goes to Woodman to thresh in forenoon he finishes �page_0051 50 Sunday continued Voltie’s shirt then after dinner works over butter and churns a big lot of cream. then sits down to write in this diary in a hurry? takes butter out of the churn. I am all alone again today with the exception of flies & two dogs & dozen cats. When we arose, the ground was frozen with a heavy white frost, the wind was West. later it changed to South, the sun shone out bright, warm nearly the whole day. Men still working at church tearing away staging and the chimney or rebuilding it. I cant tell exactly which. Voltie came home from Woodmans early. Wells Jr & Bob Ranons came with him. �page_0052 51 Tuesday 20 1896 The wind blowing a gale from south, Maud gone to school. We did not arise so early as usual on account company last evening. The Morgans, four of them, Miss M Foley, F Woodman, Rob Ranous, Will Niles & C hella, Geo Farr were here and danced until elevan [sic]. Voltie threshing after dinner at Woodmans come home for his supper in forenoon. Wellie, Eddie & Voltie drawing up grain for Scow, all here for dinner. I saw in evening while V goes for mail. No mail tonight. V & Maud peel pumpkins. �page_0053 52 I prepare churn for cream at noon. V churns. I work over the other butter, then take care of the nut butter, stitched Maud’s dress & fit her a petticoat, make a cake for dance at OBriens tonight. Wallace Niles came down this morning before breakfast asked me to go to dance. So Maud & I are to have an escort, very kind of him. Miss Alice Foley & Florance Morgan are over Watertown, N.Y. were to come home today. But wind blowing so heavy from South West cant come. cleaned the floors. 22nd 1896 Oct Thursday Did not arise until 7 oclock after dance feel sleepy, got home at 3 in a.m. Windy cold from West. Granpa �page_0054 did not go to Kingston today. the 1st Thursday since the boat started in spring. Make breakfast at 8. V goes to Niles for cider mill. Maud lays in bed until all hours in day. got out at 11 a.m. Wallace Niles came down after dinner, helped V make cider. E Bates here too. Frank W drove in here for drink cider, another dance tomorrow eve at A Joslins. Geo home getting it up. Grace cleaned Ma’s bedroom and done general house work. Eveline & Wells both went to Kingston today. Hattie keeping house for her. �page_0055 54 Friday 23rd Oct 1896 Wind South, rather nice day. Maud gone school. Miss Foley came home last night from Watertown via Kingston. Walls Jr here this morning went to Niles for flour and carried home cider mill. Voltie repairing thing around farm in fore noon, after dinner drawing his potatoes to the cellar from barn. Grace did house work, swept all rooms, cooked, washed dishes, took care of milk, & helped milk, made jelly, baked beans & write in Ma diary. Flora came over brought home tea Aunt R borrowed. In Eve Voltie & Wall go to Joslin’s dance. Rachel came over a stayed with Maud & I, rec’d letter from Ma N & Laura V.Y. �page_0056 55 [top margin] Jaune Morgan here likes night playing pedro until 10, ate his supper here & helps with drinking jug of cider. Saturday 24 Oct 1896 In morning quite nice then clouds up & rains a little. Wind West after noon quite pleasant, great squalls of wind. Aunt Rachel stayed until after breakfast. Voltie gets home from dance 4 a.m. arise at 6. Grace gets up 5.30, builds fire, gets the breakfast then milks. Voltie shoeing horses most of day. G churns, bakes bread & does all Saturdays work. Sunday 26 Oct 1896 Wind still West quite pleasant out. We did not arise vary [sic] early, after breakfast V goes to the marsh. F Woodman & E.W. arrive here all day smoking setting in the way. Miriam gone home �page_0057 56 Frank stays for supper, just as we were going to eat, D Mahoney came so we waited and he took tea with us, stayed the evening. F W went home, a lot of cider found it way down the boys throat and so on & so forth. Monday 25 1896 Oct. Wind South. Sun bright a very nice day. Maud gone to school. V drawing manure. Grace churns, make cookies and all kinds of work. Alice Foley came home with Maud from school. Alice helps M wash dishes while G milks after supper. Jim Morgan comes to play Pedro & drink cider. Grace pops corn �page_0058 57 dont go to bed until nearly eleven. Tuesday 26 1896 Arise a 4 a.m., milk cows, get breakfasat, help saw wood, eat breakfast at 5.30. Maud & Alice do their breakfast at 7 a.m. Voltie brought 6 pails of water. then went to Kingston via Marysville. After Alice & M are gone to school, G goes to washing, wash all day, all lines full, bushes full & some clothes on fence. Most a beautiful day, river like glass all day. G brought 10 pails water from river, milks 7 cows at night. Jim Woodman down for two lbs butter, had no way of weighing so guessed it. Great Horse trots to villiage to-day. �page_0059 58 Wednesday 27th at Belles Thursday 28 at Bells �page_0060 59 at Bells Friday 29th at Bells Saturday 30 �page_0061 60 Sunday Nov 1 Came hoome fro Belles to day. Charley brought me. Martha Irvine laid in the vault to day. Charley drove in to Irvine yard and we drove down behind the funeral procession. We found Miss Foley here. Charley stayed to dinner. When he went home Miss Foley rode in buggy as far as Morgans consession [sic] road. Rachel here a while. Monday 2nd November A beautiful autumn day. Voltie mixing cement for the wall. Wells Jr went to J Niles to do some carpenter work for him, found the folks gone to the Card Ranous weding except John Sr - so came back and help V. Mary Farr (Widow) there keeping house for shower. Hank drives down for Shell to go to wedding. �page_0062 65 Tuesday 3rd November 1896 Wells Jr working for Niles all day. No soap cant wash. Wednesday 4th November 1896 A warm hazy morning like Indian Summer. Got out bed 1/2 past four a.m. V commenced plowing and butchered 2 turkeys and 8 chickens. Grace and Irene dressed them for market, churned and made 20 lbs of print butter for market. Rachel here and brought the quilting frames home again, not doing enough. Rachel & Will drew wood from the McClary place. Charlie and Maud at school - great spelling match. V working for Nile carpenter at �page_0063 62 Thursday 5th November 1896 Arose at 4 Oclock a.m. Raining fast. Voltie & Grace milked the cows. Ma tied the turkeys and chicks and put them in basket, then print up the butter for market. Thought they never get started, cant find any thing. V’s neck tie missing, cant be found, had to look and hunt around for socks. V taking his new clothes back. Too small. Found coat and vest in the clothes press and pants hanging on a nail in mothers bedroom. Had to look around for whiffletrees, load a grist to put on the waggon, eat breakfast finally at 6 Oclock, got under way through rain and mud. Will drove over. When Will drove team back, said they just arrived in time for the boat. A rainy nasty day. Half sick all day pain in back, but work all day like jehu. Maud home from school and helped me work. Maud brought water and I clean floors. Supper waiting when �page_0064 65 they arrive safe and sound. Will drove home the cows and put them in stanchions. Harry came home from Kingston enroute for St Lawrence N.A. X 7 p.m. A heavy and temendous storm of wind began just after they came in from the boat, blowing a hurricane and raining all night. Friday 6th November 1896 A wild wild morning Wind S and blowing a tempest. Harry never before saw the reiver so rough and the rolling waves dash so high against the shore. A chilly day and we are glad to gather around the kitchen fire. We take our time and dont work very hard to day. Maud home from school. Grace poped [sic] corn white as a snow drift. A letter from Dad and the Whig is all our mail. McKinley presedent [sic] of the United States my dear native Rand, my eyes behold the [illegible] the shore �page_0065 64 [random scribblings] 1/2 1/2 1111111 1 1/2 Saturday 7th November 1896 A quiet day after yesterday’s wind storm. V rowed across the river with Dr Watson nearly noon when he came back. Brought from Gloyd’s a tub of picklelill’s for Belle. We smouged some for dinner. Very good. Harry by request called at Charles Woodman’s to see the sick baby, little Pearl. Malony’s drove Dr W to the Bay to report before driving to St Lawrence hamlet. V plowed all p.m. Grace cleaned floors, a peaceful happy day. V drove to Wills for cabbage 75 cts to pay. Sunday 8th November 1896 A sad quiet lonely day sombre and dreary out doors. A typical Nov day. Shell and Inez came while Grace went down to see little Pearl Woodman. Thinks she has consumption. Sylvia Woodman Sr there �page_0066 65 Monday 9 Nov 1896 A medium day. Voltie plowed and Wells building barn for Niles. Maud at school, cleaning cabbage for sourkrout. Grace and Irene cut nine heads cabbage into the barrel and wait till evening to finish. Will & Charley came over to help make krout but Wall Niles came and they all left and went to Wills to play pedro and left the cabbage to take care of itself the kitchen. V came home at 1/2 past 10 pm and found us all abed for we had no wood to build a fire and he went down on shore for wood and got around to his own bed at 12 midnight, took the small clock up stairs to get out of bed by old clock, ran down or stoped. got out bed at daylight. �page_0067 66 Tuesday 10 November 1896 V plowing and drawing wood from Devilo’s. Grace and I got cabbage ready for the barrel and cut it up (at night) with knives on kneading board and old kitchen table (I.O.) V and I did the cabbage. A letter from Capt W.B. Wednesday 11 November 1896 A very nasty a.m. raining hard filling tube in short time. V in shop shoeing old James. Will & Charley here. Will telling some of his back woods experience. One was about the man that was very friendly and well acquainted with her Royal Majesty Queen Victoria Sovereign Ruler of England and Empress of India. �page_0068 65 Thursday Nov 12 1896 Market day but Grace stays home. no butter for market to day - packing it in crock. Grace done big washing and all on the lines. Will gone back to the woods and lakes to day. Ed Bates came across riv to day. Said by CrimasDr Watson was driving down the river road as if he was sent fore in hurry and Buchanan driving the opposite direction like all [?]. Jen Dixon, Sylvia Woodman Sr and Frank Woodman went to Kingston. F.W. & J.M. & E & W. here paying [sic] cards till 9 p.m. Grace drove over to dock with V, carried apples to Capt Allen De Rush here drinking cider. Lottie here got V & Harrys clothes from them. V clothes all right but coat sleeves not right. V coat sleeves to long and too small at the top, got to go to the shop again. V drew wood from Devero’ Friday 13 November 1896 A drizzly half rain, half snowy day. Wind light from all points of the compass. N. E. S & W Not cold. Voltie shot two wild ducks which we roasted for dinner. Volt plowing this a.m. Going to kill a pig this p.m. Wellie working on Jonah’s barn but is coming down to help V butcher. Maud at school. The clouds look dreary and heavy with rain. Think V will get tired of waiting for Jr to heave in sight. Wellie here killing �page_0069 68 continued half Irene pared 3 pumkins to dry. Grace knitting and skiming milk. Very chilly raw day. Wind North. Clouds dark, low and rolling along from North to south ward. Cows broke in straw stack again last night. Evening. V and G after discussing the matter conclude to make Dignams an evening visit accordingly. V borrowed F.W.’s buggy and hastily doing the chores and speedily getting supper they depart for Dignam’s leaving Maud and I alone to clear the table and wash the dishes and entertain ourselves till bed time. At last every thing is finished, dishes put away, hearth and floor swept and a cheerful fire burning brightly in stove. Maud remarking how warm, cheerful and cosy we were. Maud reading her lesson to Grandma while she knit the lace for the Christmas apron as a gift to Grandma Dixon. Prince and Tiny are comfortably snoozing, each on an old rug which Maud has spread for them. When rap rap rap upon the door anounces an unwelcome visitor and �page_0070 69 by request Maud timidly advances to the door which upon opening a young man enters dressed in the height of fashion, his neck enveloped in a white muffler, his head covered with a very close fitting cap which by way of greeting he makes no attempt to remove. After saying good evening, and offering a chair of which he seems to take no notice but standing like one confounded or dazed. I make the discovery that I am addressing Mr Herbert Dignam and I forth with proceed to inform him that his people are honored by evening guests, that Grace and Voltie had gone to their place for a visit. Why, said Herb "George Morgan told me Bamfords folks were having a dance to night" Well said I, this does not look much like it does it, and there upon he took his departure. With the fire replenished we were once more comfortably settled. �page_0071 70 Maud reading Daffy down dilly when rap rap rap once again assails the door which Maud again proceeds to open, which this time admits the genial smiling face of Jimmy Morgan which I have no difficulty in recognizing. Where are all the folks asks Jim in his hearty off hand way. Gone to Dignams replied I. Come and please be seated. "Why I was told you were having a dance here to night and as I was at the Post Office and while so near thought I’d come in awhile" ’Sorry James you are disapointed James said I but we have no dance here and dont know as we ever will have. Well, said Jim, "I’ll go home and read the Whig (which he was carrying in his hand.) and there upon he took his departure. One more Maud and I are quietly engaged each in our respective work. Maud saying I wonder who’ll come next. �page_0072 71 when rap rap rap again thunders at the door, and Maud who has again commenced reading about old Mr Foil once more goes to the door saying Oh dear and upon being opened in walks Florence Morgan, Miss Foley, George Morgan, Bernard Morgan and a young Mr Lerush with whom I was duly made acquainted. Well I began by this time to think there was most assuredly going to be a dance at Bamford as Mr Lerush carried a fiddle case under his coat sleeve. Surprize and disapointment at not finding V & G at home was plainly shown in their manner but they were made as welcome as the flowers in May inviting them to be seated and disencumber themselves of their wraps "Florence remarking" Well we have got left this time" another saying "Guess we’ll go home "Oh no" said the hostess "you can dance just as well though I think I’ll not set the stove our door to night, so after sitting awhile in scilent [sic] disapointment �page_0073 72 they made a merry jest of it and laid aside their overcoats, caps and mufflers. Mr Lerush began to draw the fiddle bow and I cleared away the chairs and all other movable obstacles and Geo and Miss Foley danced a whirlagig but Bernard and Florence made no response and they worried out 2 long hours and at last concluded to go home. I politely said I would invite them into the parlor but we had not yet set up our coal stove and the rooms excepting the kitchen were very cold to invite guest into for an evening’s entertainment but though the kitchen was warm and cozzy it was hardly the place for a party as over head were suspended baskets of pop corn, dried apples and pendant strings of yellow pumpking drying on the poles and long traces of pop corn hanging on the wall besides two bags of feathers &c &c. at last they took their departure and I came to understand that my surprise �page_0074 73 party was a failure and Maud, the dogs and I are alone and and tis over the moonlight and allmost midnight & time Maud & I were abed two hours and a half ago. Saturday 14 Nov Great fun over to Dignams music, wine & cakes but Saturday work must be done so we fly around and bake, mop floors, churn and iron after awhile I am informed that V & Grace going up to Morgans to make an evenings visit & as the evening is quite mild I dont object. V saying he would walk as far as Niles, and invite Wallace and Shella to accompany them. About two hours after going the wind commenced blowing from south, and before midnight increasing to a gale and as it is Saturday eve, think they ought to be home by one Oclock a.m. Wind blowing fearfuly, cant sleep thinking perhaps they have started for home in the skiff and have been overwhelmed, swamped by a tremendous breaker after awhile began to think V should be here if G had to stay at Morg’s all night. When the dogs anounces their safe return and I find they walked all the way up & back together with Wall & Shell �page_0075 74 Sunday 15 Nov 1896 I think this is a very lonely day Wallace Niles here awhile this a.m. Walls and V lunch and then go down the Island in Niles buggy to invite to a dance at Will Dixons tommorrow evening. Grace, Maud and I alone all the balance of the day. We breakfasted at 9 Oclock this morning and went to bed early. I didnot sleep much last even. I found Geo Farr was here with Wall but went home and across the river. Monday 16th A very fine day. V digging turnips all day. Wind blowing hard from South. A dance at Will Dixon’s to night each girl got to carry their own supper. Great preperation [sic] for the dance. L. Lerush, Jim Morgan, Wallace Niles, Shell Niles and Geo Farr called here to go with G & V. Maud crying because she cannot go to the �page_0076 75 dance which on account of the cider from Uncle Sammy’s about 12 Oclock midnight they Morgans began to feel like old Ireland at Election time. Jim Morgan pitched into Lew Lerush and James Morgan backed by his brother Bernard Alowasius tore the shirt of Lerush and the neck ties and collars flew in all directions with hair, black eyes and bloody noses, after being put out door again renewed the combat in the mud. they rolled each other over and more hair, blood & mud and oaths noise and hard names and they kept it up till the party dispersed Jim sneaking of to the scow with Lerush. Tuesday 17 Nov V and Grace came home from Wills Dixons about 4 am accompanied by Mary Dignam. Well before they settled down for a nap I learned that there had been a grand Irish row and nearly all the company were participants in the fight and all the Morgans had blackened eyes, broken noses and bloody faces. Whiskey and cider in plenty. Mary D stayed nearly all day and the conversation was principally about the party, what this one done and that one said. How Bernard made an ass of himself. Micke Hensey, John Coffer and Friendship had a row on their own account. �page_0077 76 Wednesday 18 A fine warm day. Wind South doors open to the weather all day, very mild like Indian summer. V drawing turnips all day. I try to get butter churned and print made early, couldnt do it. Rachel here sewing on machine. Shell Niles here for books. Inez with Shell. wrote a letter to Bamford. Very disagreeable weather this evening. Wind blowing half a gale and raining, pouring in torrents. Volty drove over to Dignams with Grace & her butter and a grist for the logs and for the house. Thurday 19 Nov Not so very bad day after last night storm of wind and rain. Voltie plowed all day. Grace gone to Kingston only 20 lbs butter this week. Been filling jar with butter for winter. Maud and I work all day cleaning up pantry and drying pumpkins beside we washed, ironed, moped pantry and kitchen floors. V milked cows early and goes to dock for Grace and we have every thing ready on the table for tea. �page_0078 Continued - Wallace and Geo Farr gone to the back woods and lakes of Canada fishing, carried with them a barrel of fish nets, guns, ammunition &c &c Friday 20 Nov 1896 A quite pleasant Nov day. Grace cooking all fore noon for a surprise party at Bells this eve. We get dinner early, and Grace fills her "basket with apples, pie & cake and goes aross the fields to Uncle Sammy’s, and goes up with the mail as far as Berry’s Corners, and walks the rest of the way carrying the basket which must have been very heavy. I think it must have been a surprize to Belle and the children when they saw her come in so unexpectedly, the company were not many only V, and G, & Shell, Frank, Ed Weaver, Geo Morgan & Alice F, Hank & Dick Halliday, Lewis & Dick Lerush and Hanks’ lad Jim Hunter. Rachel came over awhile. Maud and I alone all the evening and all night. Maud at school. A letter from Wells Sr �page_0079 78 Gr GBamford Saturday 21 Nov 1896 West wind and and a snow storm, first of the season, snow falling thick and fast, fields and trees covered white with snow every where. how wintery. Voltie trying to get the turkey and chicks in to the hen house. Wellie went to Niles came back stoped long enough to help V move coal stove in place and set it up. didn’t get up very early. V slept till 1/2 past 6 a.m. Grace sleeping till 10 a.m. V took Shella to the party. Sunday 22nd November 1896 A cold wintry morning, fields and trees covered with snow far and wide. Not much wind North. Sleighs and cutters flying over the road all day. We expected company, but said �page_0080 79 party of "one" did not put in an appearance. We did not cry over it but rather rejoiced at our happy disapointment at least mother Rena did although we all looked, and Volty even went to the door and called aloud to our guest "But he cometh not and we were not aweary" on his account. But another came with "Pa’s son in law" who became very much "awearied" himself while awaiting for "Hunk to conclude his long evening courtship at Jonar’s and was just on the point of retiring for the night when Son in law Hank drove to the door. Supose Dignams were sadly, not glady, diapointed and "Mary was awearied for he came not" �page_0081 80 Monday 23rd Nov 1896 A breezy day, ground white with snow far and wide. Maude at school. V drove down to Wellies in cutter for saw steelyards and brought back a bottle of Kerosine. Cleaned the hen house, sawed the old cherry tree for fire wood. Frank W helped him after dinner. V goes up to help Frank make a stable door. Slightly thawing. Quarterly meeting held here this afternoon. Sun shining Wind South & blowing. Dark in the North Barameter high but falling. Wellie & John Burnham here for big kettle and butcher knives. Going to kill pigs tomorrow. A dance tomorrow night at Mike O’Briens. V drove for Maude and Wills childrens but met them coming from school. Bernard got a bad face Wind blowing strong from south to night and rain on the windows. �page_0082 81 Tuesday 24 Nov 1896 Wind South, raining and thawing all night: awoke this morning to find the ground clear of snow and the pastures and meadows green as a May day. V plowing. Rachel here for flour in exchange for cabbge. Rachel is quilting for Mrs Lib Pillar . We patch, churn, knit lace. Maud writing the story at the "Deserted villiage" Voltie goes to the post office. Only a letter for Grace from Miss Stella Healy Buffalo. Maude has a fit of tee hee hee. Wednesday 25 Nov 1896 Arose at 5 Oclock a.m. & ate breakfast by lamplight. V done all the chores and is plowing. Maude gone to school. Wind North and wind blowing & hailing raining which think will end in a rain storm Which turns to frozen �page_0083 82 Knitted Quilt rain which makes it very difficult to stand or walk. We were surprised to see Harry coming in just before dinner and pleased to see him Harry coming over to see Charley Woodmans little girl who died this afternoon. Grace mended H’s mackintosh that he had torn on the wire frence. Rachel came over just at eventide for the butter print. Grace gone down to Charley Woodmans to help them, and Voltie also went this evening and Maude and I are again alone. Sat up till nine Oclock not much fire and rather uncomfortably cold Sat up reading a Novel Little Wee Wiffe tay Miss Rosa Nauchelle Carey. To sentimental, but Hugh Redmond is a character drawn true to life. �page_0084 83 Thursday 26 November 1896 Grace & Voltie came home this morning from D Woodmans at 4 Oclock and went to bed. I arose at 7 build a fire and got breakfast well under way when V gets up. Earth and trees covered thickly with ice completely encased. Maud gets up early enough to eat her breakfast and starts immediatley to school. The weather proves to be delightfully fair Sun shining out warm and clear from a cloudless sky. Scarcely a ripple on the river. The ice dropping from the trees in showers as the warm sun light loosens it and the grass is green again. Can & tub soon filled with water as the ice rapidly melts on the roof. Grace arose at 9 and is now washing a few things. Jen & Eveline gone to Kingston. Thanks giving day throughout the United States and Canada Flora came over to bring the butter print get the shortning. �page_0085 84 Friday 27 November 1896 Wind blowing strong from South all night, got up at 1/2 past 5 Oclock a.m. went immediatley and brought in the clothes from the line raining some. Grace, Voltie and Maud go to the funeral. Raining hard as can pour down. Procession past along the road in the rain. Mary & Herbet brought Grace home in carriage which is a kindness and a favor. They stay and eat dinner with us. Al Joslin, Rube McFadden, Wellie come home with V and go to the cellar for cider and then go home without coming in to the house. Herb and Mary stay till towards night then go home. Grace got a bad cold. Roast wild duck for dinner, which our guests will not partake of as it is Friday. Night very dark and cloudy. Finished the lace this eve. �page_0086 85 Saturday 28 Nov 1896 A chilly day not freezing cloudy and a little rain this morning, cleared up and Voltie plowed all day. A letter from Fred S. Maud went to Evelines and brought Harrys group of photos of the McGill Medical graduates. No kerosine. Made candles which give very good light. Grace cleaned floors and washed a few things. A letter from dad- in Chicago- dont know when he will come home. Went after dark and brought in the clothes from line. Sunday 29 November 1896 A cold morning arose at 7. Wind North. froze hard last night, frost on windows, cloudy nearly all day. A very quiet sabath, no one here. V & G & M & myself alone all day. I wrote a long letter to John. Grace wrote to her father and Maud gave the letter to The Rev Mr Cornell to post early tomorrow morning. Grace wrote two more letters this eve, one to Stella and one to Alen. �page_0087 86 Knitted Edging Cast on 20 stitches & knit across plain 1. Slip 1, k1, over twice, p2tog, k1*k2 bind (sl the first of the last two sts over the 2nd) k1 bind, k1 bind, k4 sts in next stitch thus k1p1 k1p1 repeat from * k1, O twice, p2tog, k2 2 row S1, k1, O twice, p2tog, k12* O twice p2tog, k2 3 row Sl1, k1, O twice, p2tog, k1*k4 in next stitch k2 bind, k1 bind, k1 bind, repeat from * k1, O twice, p2tog, k2 fourth and sixth rows - Like second Fifth row like first row 7 row, Like third row eighth row - With the empty needle take up three loops on the side or along the lower edge that has just been knit, throw thread around needle to make a stitch, p1, k2 stitches in next stitch, thus (p1, k1), over twice, p1 �page_0088 87 Ninth row - Over twice, p2tog, k2, O twice, p2tog turn letting the 20 stitches remain on needle, knit the six stitches back and forth like ninth row until the strip has 15 loops on the side. drop the last loop at the outer eddge each time across. 10 row - Take up 14 loops on the needle that has 20 stitches long the edge where the 6 stitches were just knit back and forth. k1, sl. this stitch on left hand needle and turn 13 loops off on this stitch, draw thread up close knit two tog, k1, over twice, p2tog, k12, O twice, p2tog, k2 11 row Like first row to 20th stitch, k3tog, turn 12 row knit back, like second row except slip1.k2 then over twice &c 13 row Like third row to 20 stitch, k2tog. turn 14 row Knit back like 12 row 15 row like first row to 20 stitch k2tog turn 16 row knit back like 12th row 17 row like 3rd row to 20th stitch, k2tog, drop last st. 18 row like 2nd row except sl 1, n then O twice &c repeat from 1 row �page_0089 88 Shella Challa Chella Niles St Lawrance May Wormwith 185 University Ave Kingston Ont. May Wormwith G Grace D Bamford G Monday 30 Nov 1896 Wells come home to us unexpectedly. Bill Card boy brought him. Cold day, Wind north. Volty intended to go across the river for oil with Niles but John failed to put in an appearance. Maud at school. J.N. Jr called here for the stone boat. John N Sr came here in morning called on his way to Wellies �page_0090 2 Friday 4th December 1896 Wind North Cloudy ground covered with snow. V drove to dock for coal. W Sr built a fire in coal stove which we enjoy right royally. Will came over and Charley too. Related some of his ghost adventures. Jess Reid going to stay in the Wilds of Canada all winter. Grace [illegible] Tuesday 1 December 1/2 past 7 Oclock am when we arose. A very cold morning, half sunshine. Water froze in our dish. Snow squalls. V gone over Devero’s for wood. Wells Sr gone Wellies & Wills to make his annual visit. Wellie called here on his way to J. Niles to finish a job of carpentering. Make 16 lbs butter for market. Geo Niles came home to day from sailing. �page_0091 88 Shell Challa Chella Niles St Lawrance May Wormwith 185 University Ave Kingston Ont. Wednesday 2nd Nov dec 1896 Cold day wind North, frost on the windows. Voltie shot 5 turkeys for Market. G & I dressed them. V drew wood on rails. W Jr came up and called on his way to Jones. more carpenter work being done to his barn - floor laid &c. Well we at last got 5 turkeys in the basket for tomorrows marketing, butter put on the butter basket ready for morning. V in evening went to Wellies for [?] waggon but [illegible] Eveline goes to her brothers wedding at Micheas leaving Wellie and children home �page_0092 [repeat of page 90] �page_0093 52 years ago 1896 [numerous scribblings, various names, addesses etc] Grace D Bamford St Lawrance Wolfe Island Ont. Gr from Racd D DGBD Graca D B Rac Graca D Bamford Grace D B in Graca [continues in illegible scribblings] �page_0094 89 Thursday 3rd November December Arose at half past four, rather cold looks like a storm. Get breakfast and then Wells Sr, Voltie, Grace & Maude start for the dock on the old pumper. Ma is going to see a specialist eye doctor at wades for a pair of spectacles and going to her Grandma Watsons from there leaving me alone. Began snowing before they reached the dock, snow falling so thick and fast cant see to the road. Wellie comes back with team and does the chores, brings two pails of water and goes home leaving me plenty of wood and water. I clean pantry shelves, wash all glasses, run candles. Wellie coming at 3 O’clock p.m., done more chores, put cows in stanchions and goes to dock for V & G & W Sr & M. Well I’m tired. This diary is continued on page 3 �page_0095 [scribblings with various names & additions - most of which are illegible] �page_0096 [back cover of diary] [manufacturing stamp] Photomount Pamphlet Binder Manufactured by Gaylord Bros, Inc. Syracuse, N.Y. Stockton, Calif. �page_0097 �This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following people: Ann Hopkinson, MaryV, Patricia Roussel, Eric Irvine, and Queen’s University Archives � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Subject The topic of the resource 19th and 20th Century Rural Ontario Diaries Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1887-1922 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1887 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1888-1889 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1889-1897 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1890 March - June Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1893-1895 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1895-1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1896 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1897-1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899-1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902, 1906 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902-1909 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1904-1905 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1907 & 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1908-1919 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1911 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913-1914 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1915-1916 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1916-1917 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1917-1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1921-1922 Language A language of the resource English Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1896 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1896 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th Century, Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. December 5th, 1896 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/b1e65dbef3076360239de26ccfd103ff.pdf 878e7b96c1cda36e6d019071f9aa33b0 PDF Text Text Irene Dixon Bamford 1897-1898, Diary Transcription 5034_4-1-7 �Metadata FromThePage export of 5034_4-1-7 from Irene Dixon Bamford made on 2026-02-11 14:35:14 UTC. itemTitle: 1897-1898 date: 1897-1898 Title: 5034_4-1-7 Description: Item is a diary. Created On: 2024-01-11 17:31:25 UTC In Scope: true Uploaded Filename: 5034_4-1-7 �1 [File folder containing originals] IRENE DIXON BAMFORD DIARY 1897-1898 [stamp] Queen’s University Archives Locator 5034-4 �2 B-read 1897 - 1898 �3 �4 Mrs wells Bamford with L.Watson Kingston Public School Scribbler [stamp] 1987 & 1898 [imprint of unidentified school possibly Grant Hall Queens U] Manufactured by McAuley, Cit Book Store 136 Princess Street, Kingston �5 Grace H Bamford St Lawrence PO Wolfe Island Ontario [random scribblings] �6 �7 My dear Papa I received your letter some time ago and was grieved and shocked to hear of poor dear Gordons death. I’m sorry for dear Aunt Mamie and Grandma too and aunt Helen but he is in Heaven now with his father. I can never forget the last time I was there and what a pleasant time we had playing games. Marjorie went with me once. We will see him again some time in that beautiful summer land where there will be no snow or pneumonia. what will poor aunt Mamie ever do but grandma says the Lord can heal her broken heart. Uncle Wells came home on Christmas day like a big Christmas present to us all. Martin came home a week earlier. Martin brought me as a present a beautiful celluoid work box with thimble cissor [sic] &c complete and presents for Grace, Volty and Grandma. Edna Quinn at Christmas time gave me a moroco case for holding letter paper, envelopes, pen holder, blotting pad &c all fill Nelly Guy sent me a flower pot holder. Grace gave me books and other things and we had a Christmas dinner and Wells came. Miss Gordon is our new teacher. �8 I have not been to school since she began teaching, but am going Monday. The weather has been so rough and the walking mudy [sic] beside. I helped Grace, for Grandma fell and sprained her ankle two weeks ago. and she cannot step on it. The river is free from ice on our shore but Volty and Wallace Niles walked across down by Mr Horns, day before yesterday on form ice but the ice is gone now. My health is good. I never was so fat as now. How is your health and what made you sick when you last wrote and are you teaching and how are Benny & Willie dear little brothers and Ma. Give my love to them all and Dear Grandma and grandma Craig and family. From your loving daughter Maude L. Watson �9 Friday 21st Jan 1898 A soft drizzly day. Grace done big washing and hung it all on the line. V carried Rattrays coal home. [letters from Mrs Watson saying his mother on going to bed I slipped and hurt my ankle some ached after going to bed. Saturday 22nd Jan 1898 A cloudy soft day quiet. I’m sitting by the stove yet. Grace finished washing clothes and moped kitchen floor. Mrs Morgan and Mrs Souve came with Geo Morgan to get a sleigh tongue fixed stayed till dark. Voltie ate a hasty little supper and walked to Morgans to go with Jimmis to Marysville to band practice. Wells Sr brought in the clothes from the line. Wallace here and after supper they went (Mart & Wall) to W Burnhams to see Miss Scott & Fanny McLocklin. Mart came in very carefully at 11 a.m. Shell here for Mart & Maud to go skating with herself & Wallace and Jack Jr.Maud came in with her dress wet behind where she had fallen on the ice several times. �10 Thursday 27 Jan 1898 A clear cold day clouds toward night for a storm. Leonard Staley stayed over night. Grace went to Kingston with Leonard after dinner to get more cloth for her dress & coming back to villiage and going from there with the load to Mores to a band concert and dance. grows colder towards night but V & Will D hitch up and drive to Morgans. Mrs Niles, Shelly & Wallace come here and Mart, Maud & Edna go skating while Mrs N and me visit. Friday 28th Jan 1898 An extremely cold morning. Volty came [illegible] 4 oclock pm. Mart Sunday 23rd Jan 1898 Rained and snowed nearly all last night. Volty didn’t come home till to day at 1/2 past one pm. V and Jim stoped at Charlies and stayed all night. A soft warm day a quiet peaceful day. V and Mart gone up stairs to bed. Grace lying on lounge asleep cloudy half snow half rain. Maud reading. The dogs are sleeping too. Wells Sr sits by coal stove reading and looking out the window at the weather. �11 Friday 21st Jan 1898 A soft drizzly day. Grace done big washing and hung it all on the line. V carried Rattrays coal home. letters from Mrs Watson saying his mother on going to bed I slipped and hurt my ankle some ached after going to bed. Saturday 22nd Jan 1898 A cloudy soft day quiet. I’m sitting by stove yet. Grace finished [illegible] Monday 24 January 1898 Colder this morning & freezing. V butchered a beef cow very fat & killed 12 roosters. Grace & Mart dressed them for Market. Will and Wells Jr helped Volty. I finished the rug. Grace made fried cakes, and baked bread. Volty went to Wellies for team and stayed to supper, came back and went down to Franks to blow horn. �12 [Page is a duplicate of Page 10] �13 [Page is a duplicate of page 11] �14 [duplicate of page 10] �15 Saturday 29th Jan 1898 A very cold day. Bucks baby is dead. Frank Woodman is sick sent for doctor B. Mrs & Mr Woodman there got measles or scurvy all broke out. Grace cooking and doing Saturdays work. Edna dressing Muriels doll. Volty cut holes in ice and bushed out a road to Lindas Island. Will Dixon and Volty drove to Marysville to band practice, drove up and back on ice. Lizzie did not come courting on Monday. V carried Frank apple jelly, pickles and catsup. Sunday 30 Jan 1898 Wm & V came at 2 am. Will very cold warmed himself before going home. A clear bright day and cold. Wells Sr goes to Wells Jr to make a visit and carried the doll to Muriel came back and called to see Frank and visited awhile with Samy & Ruth. The Mores party had no fiddler but the turkey and hams didn’t spoil. Henry down to Niles courting �16 Monday Lizzie came this morning through the storm covered with snow. Grace cooking. Edna & Lizzie cutting and sewing. Wells Sr shoveling coal in the stove till it is hot as an oven. Mart whistling and Grace te heing. Frank better no measles only scurvy eating musty pork. 1st February Tuesday 1898 An old fashioned snow storm. The dress is finished and Mart has taken Lizzie home. Henry is down don’t think he went home since Sunday, if storms like this tomorrow the ball will be minus a few dancers from here. Wednesday 2nd Feb 1898 A very cold day. V & M & Jr go to [Lindas Island|Linday Island]] [sic] for wood drive double team on ice & at two leave for the villiage in sleigh driving Dan and Dick. Edna mops and then she and Grace get supper. I can step on my foot by using a cane. Old Mrs Gillespie no better. A quiet peace full evening. Wells Sr telling stories of burried money being found by dreams. Edna reading Queenie Hetherton. Maud reading Swiss family Robinson. �17 Thursday 3rd Feb 1898 A very cold bright morning morning [sic]. Our dancers came at 7 am cold tired & hungry and had had both horses through the ice just up by Elly Woodmans. Grace dress around bottom frozzen they were not in long. Volty and Mart fished them out. Then got Elly out to put a bush to the hole. They come just in time for breakfast. V and M with pant legs frozen stiff to their knees. Grace gone to bed. Mart gone to bed. Volty in blacksmith shop shoeing horses. Friday 4 Feb 1898 A cold day but warmer than yesterday. The weather divided between sunshine and snow storm. Nothing particular occurs to day. Ethel D here came over with Will & Charley. We persuaded Will to let her stay awhile. Will has a very good horse and an old cutter and he can now get all his wood and drive the children to school. Rev Diggs gone down to see old Mrs Gillespie. Saturday 5 Feb 1898 A stormy day of snow. Wellie and V gone to Kingston in sleigh carried beef and potatoes to market. Rachel and Will drove to Kingston in V’s cutter gone for groceries. �18 Mart doing Wellie’s chores and ours. Mart does a great deal of whistling & Edna a great deal of humming which is somewhat distracting and anoying when so long continued. Wills’ horse ran away but done no damage. Rachel and Will rode home with Welly. Welly brought our grist and two bags of coal. V stoped at the practice and came home in cutter at 2 a.m. [Welly|Wellie]] brought back V’s bay. Charley W sorry to have it. Sunday 6th February 1898 A brilliant cloudless day a heavy fall of snow on the earth, dazzlingly white everywhere. The monotonous whistling still going on at short intervals. Will and Charley, Voltie, Grace, Edna & Maud are sitting around the kitchen stove te heing as usual. Mart stops just long enough to whistle. 7th Feb 1898 Monday. Grace does big washing. I wash a few clothes. A good day for hanging out clothes. Father goes to Clayton to see about selling the Island but fails to make a bargain: gets 55 yds factory cloth, 34 print, 9 yds husk ticking and 5 lb batten, comes home early. A harness pedler stays all night. V and Jr and Mart bring wood from the Island in the evening. The whole company go to the oyster supper at William G’s. V & GD & Edna & Mart and JohnNiles Jr and Em Morgan rides up home �19 Tuesday 8th February 1898 Came home at 2 Oclock Grace finished washing Wells bought a new harness, traded an old one for it. Forgot to say Joe Baker was here yesterday peddling tea, bed springs and mattresses, and wall paper. Volty got a severe cold but draws wood from Lindas Island. Frank came for V to go to the villiage to the band practice waited till dark ate supper here: V came but such a bad cold and need of rest stayed at home. Frank went up alone. Wednesday 9 Feb 1898 A soft warm morning; rains No wood to day from the island. Volty and Wallace Niles go up to Kingston start at 2 pm come back and stop at Garden island to the bad concert. At 4 pm another load leaves the door. Grace, Edna, Hattie Joslin, Will Dixon, Mart & Will Robertson, Frank gone up with Jim Morgan and the house is lonesome and quiet once more �20 Thursday 10 February A soft warm morning, fog so thick cant see the barn. Charley Woodman gone to Kingston started at 6 am. Wells Sr came in from barn says they are coming for I hear Mart whistling, they came at 7 am. Wallace drunk, came home with them, think the boys had all been drinking. They drove to Franks where they deposited Wallace till he sobers up. Hattie went to bed, slept till dinner time. Mart went to bed after sitting around with his head hanging down on his shirt front, pipe bottom side up in his mouth, eyes read as coals which speaks bad for Martin: Grace and Edna sitting up to make Graces’ masquerade dress for tomorrow evening but after dinner tired nature asserts itself and they both tumble fast asleep and I drive them both to bed. Edna didnot sleep long but was out in short time and sewing again. Grace laid till nearly supper time, after supper the girls sewed till 10 pm. Poor dear little Edna the best child living. Volty went to Kingston for a masquerade suit did not get any going again early tomorrow morning. �21 Friday 11 February 1898 A warm morning, a slight freeze last night. Grace and Volty start at 1/2 past nine am for the villiage. Volty going to Kingston again. Grace going to stop with Belle till time to go to the masquerade. Welly came up gave him eggs. Very quiet after they are gone. Mart works on the ice boat. Edna makes her dress waist. Evening mail Whig &c. Go to bed wind blowing a gale from South at bed time snow fast disapearing. Saturday 12 Feb 1898 A rainy muddy nasty morning with fog: river ice looks dark and dangerous. Volty and Grace come at 1/2 past 7 well pleased with the masquerade. Old Mrs Hitchcock danced with short dress and red stockings. Perhaps she wants to marry. V and Grace sleep awhile. tried to churn cream no good butter wont gather. Send to Niles and buy 25 cents in butter. Tried a few cakes without sugar, work on rugs &c. Wallace & Geo call here on their way to Franks to make an evening visit. The ground �22 is as bare of snow as April. Sunday 13th February 1898 A brilliantly beautiful day like paradise. Earth nearly bare of snow yet there is driving on ice. Edna, Maud & Martin go to church. Charley & Henry drive down here bringing Irene with them to stay awhile. Henry & Charley here to dinner. Shelly & Miss Gordon make us a long call. Charley goes at 3 pm taking Grace & Martin with him. Grace enroute for Nelly Guy’s Valentine Party tomorrow evening. Shelly & Miss Gordon go at the same time for Miss Scott is at J Niles. Edna, Irene, and Maud are gone out walking perhaps gone to Wellies. Voltie gone upstairs to bed. Sr out to the barn. IreneSr alone remains in full posession of the house if we dont count the dogs. 4 pm growing cloudy: looks like a rainy time again. How very quiet still & lonesome the house is with only Tiny lying under the table fast asleep. Not so much as the buzzing of a fly to disturb the stillness only the tick tick of the clock as the hours creep along towards nightfall. �23 Monday 14 February 1898 A breezy morning wind South. Froze a little last night sunlight over all the earth but not brilliant, ground bare with a patch or blotch of dirty snow here and there. Arose at 1/2 past six, got breakfast, very tiresome work. Maude and Irene noisy and but then Maud swept dining room and kitchen. Volty & his father working in the shop. I mixed biscuits and bread, scoured, churn, cooked beans. Evening Volty goes to Franks to practice; Jim Morgan followed on after calling for Volty. Will there also. Tuesday 15 February 1898 A threatning morning, looks like rain or snow. Wells Sr after waiting awhile for Wells Jr starts for Kingston with old Jim and cutter. Wind rising & about noon begins to snow fast & furiously & continues to storm all afternoon till bedtime followed by an all night storm of wind and snow. Will and Welly out with ice boat on river. Rachel came over for Grace to finish her dress skirt but Grace in Kingston. Will drove here for her at 5 pm. through a snow storm. Wells Sr came just after dark but not Grace �24 Grace sent a postal threatning to come home but the threat failed to keep. I am disapointed but not surprised Perhaps it is all right. Only for little Edna, work and house hold buisness [sic] might suffer. Wednesday 16 February 1898 A half stormy half sunshine morning wind blowing snow flying. Edna moping Volty working in shop. �25 Friday 1898 February 18th A soft warm cloudy morning raining a little. Welly came with a load of grain to get ground and after loading on V’s potatoes for Cummings started for Kingston driving upon the ice. Charley & Will brought Rachel over here in cutter came again to get her dress made. Edna making it, gave her vinegar. Will drove for her taught her to crochet a block for a rug. Wellie came at dark bringing Grace with him, rode down on a load of coal and provender enveloped in her fathers mackintosh covered with ice from the falling rain. sent Maud & Irene to Niles for buttermilk but had none. Geo Darling here bought more tea. Saturday 19 February 1898 A stormy morning of rain & snow. Sr made gain this morning about his horse blankets laying out doors all night wet. It is only his things that are destroyed he notices so he pitched into Volty for a row but Volty having a great command and control of his temper answered him cooly and rationaly and reasonably as a good son ought to �26 but after all such foolish elecution of temper and authority on the paters part is very unwise in a man of his age towards his children or any one. Wind blowing nearly all day. Volty went to bay for kerosine. Edna and Maud out on ice boat with Will Dixon went as far as Morgans. In evening V went to Frank’s to practice. Edna made Irene a night dress. Wellie and Volty partly filled the ice house, a party at Morgans this evening. Will and Jen there. Sunday 20 February 1898 An icy rainy day very quiet very pleasant a dark dreamy cloudy day. Wells Sr cooking potatoes on stove for his callers Mr Sullivan and Miss Andrews from Morgans came down on ice boat Monday 21st February 1898 A stormy morning and a stormy day of rain, ice & snow, trees and earth and buildings fences and everything covered heavy with a coat of ice. Wind North. Edna made my paint dress. Grace done general house work. Irene played. Maud cleaned the lamps. Grandpa done as he pleased. Volty worked in shop and I finished a rug. �27 Tuesday 22 February 1898 Another stormy day snow falling fast, all day, Grace washing. Volty working in shop. Edna went through the storm to the post office. Irene learning to use crochet needle. Maud helping around. Grandad choring around and doing as he has a mind to. Irene Sr very lame to day, but helped get dinner. We have about ninety hens and get only from 3 to 6 eggs per day. Wednesday 23rd February 1898 A snowy morning but soon clears up and the sun comes out once more. Wells Sr hitches up Jess and drives to Gananoque, drives behind Charles Woodman and Frank Woodman. They both come home early. Volty and Frank drive to Marysville and return at 12 midnight. Mart came home with them. Thursday 24 February 1898 A stormy morning increasing in volume towards night. V & Jr sawing ice. Wellie slips in the ice hole. Volty fished him out. Wellie went home wet to his waist. He lost the long handled shovel in the hole. After dinner V tried to get it by grappling but couldnt �28 Grace cut and partly made her new print dress with Edna’s help. Sr worked on his sled. In evening Jim Morgan drove here with his bugle enroute for Frank’s. Volty went with him to Wills, found Will and Jen had driven down to see old Mrs Gillespie, then the two buglers drove to Franks. Two beautiful brilliant sundogs either side of the sun proclaims another storm day (the sun shining out through storm clouds at 3 pm) dark clouds in south like thunder cloud in summer tme. We hull corn. Expected Charley & Belle but think storm prevented. Friday 25 February 1898 A snowy morning, snow fallings so heavily can scarcely see uncle Samy’s barn. Volty butchered 10 roosters for tomorrow market. Sr fixed the stove pipe. Earth completely covered with snow. Charley & Belle drove down home bringing the two youngest children with them. Carley leaves Belle & the little ones to visit and returns homeward accompanied by Rachel and Irene. The house in a hubbub from chicken picking and cooking. A letter from McDowell concerning the piano threatens to make trouble. Wish we never had seen the thing. Will & Charley here in eve & Morgan sleep on lounge. Bernard Morgan reports the death of bishop Cleary �29 Saturday 26 February 1898 Cloudy morning with some snow but very mild. Sun comes out about 10 am and is a lovely day after all the stormy ones. Volty and Grace start for Kingston at 7 am. Charley and Frank & Will Robinson go to the city. Several teams go up to day driving up on the ice. Will and Charley drove over here in their cutter after going home. Wills horse ran away, ran up the ice. Charley & Wills followed on and caught the horse and came driving back again in great state. Belle swept and cleaned floors. Maud washed dishes. Irene Sr cleaned pantry shelves. Mart brought water. Sunday 27th 1898 A very fine day, froze last night after Grace & Edna and little Gracie drove up to Morgan’s for sweet milk for Belle’s baby. Volty drove across the river with Belle & baby Kathleen. V drove back after dinner at Mrs Gloyds. Wellie went across with him. They found no difficulty in crossing. Mart and Edna and Maud went to church. Edna went to English church with Will Robinson. Mart with Perley Burnham and then drove home with Perley and stayed till 10 pm after returning from �30 the other side drove up to Mahoneys stayed to supper and returned home at 11 pm. Bernard here in afternoon went home long enough to do the chores then came back accompanied by Mabel for an evenings visit. Ethel here for sugar. Will R here but didn’t stay a long time. Al Percy and wife over visiting at uncle Samy’s. Monday 28 February 1898 last day of month A beautiful bright day cloudless. Earth spottersly [sic] white, warm in sunlight, froze last night. Maud at school, Grace washing Edna cooking & washing dishes. Irene darning stockings. Sr mending bags. V working in shop. Mart choring around. Little Gracie singing, Maggie de tows are in de tovey. Greenfield here again about the Rogers affair. Im sorry for Sr and for all of us & only for trust and forth in the Feud that never forsakes. I dont fear what the hand of mortal man can do. After washing the dinner dishes Edna walked to Wellies to stay all pm. V and FW gone up on the ice to the practice. This evening Grace & Martin gone to Willies. �31 Tuesday 1st March 1898 A fine day Bright clear and warm, the ground beginning again to look bare. Sr gone to Marysville for coal drove up on the ice. After dinner V hitched up to go over for Belle but instead drove to election with Welly, afterwards drove across to llGloyd]]s for Belle. Wellie going with him. Maud walked to school and back at even’. Sr came at sundown. Edna comenced Maud’s dress. Wednesday 2nd March 1898 A beautiful day warm and bright. Wells Sr drove to school with Maud and from there went to Al Joslins, came back to dinner. Mart & Voltie and to Al Joslins chopping bee. Voltie drove to Wellies with Belle and the two little ones, the baby got a cold. Wellie brought Belle home at dark. Edy Bates moving his furniture across the river to the corners. Ed going to be married the 16th to Dory Gillespie. Grace & Edna walked to Evelines and rode to Al Joslins with Willie Robertson, a dance at Al’s girls stayed till eleven came home with Dick Halliday. �32 Thursday 3rd March 1898 A beautiful day, warm. Baby got bad cold applied a poutice of pork and onions to the little lungs, gave her honey and goose oil. Wells Sr and Voltie gone to Kingston sent for emulsion of cod liver oil for Kathleen. Took care of of [sic] her while Belle and little Grace went over to see their Grandmother. Wells Sr came home at dusk having had a tooth pulled which continued to ache all evening. Voltie stayed at Villiage to band practice came down with Will D in cutter at 12 midnight, not much housework or any other kind done these days, visit confusion and play and cook the meals. Sr drove to school with Maude. Friday 4 March 1898 A beautiful day bright & warm like May. Charley drove down for Belle bringing Rachel back again. Belle began early to gather her belongings in order to be ready for a departure for home. A rooster and honey and a basket of books and a bag of papers &c &c. welllies, sourkrout [sic] and mince meat, from home eggs, vinegar &c &c. A letter from Jess Reid from Seattle. A dance at Will’s, G & E & M & Martin go came here at midnight, a poor affair no supper, all the Horns there. V didnt go only drove over with the girls �33 Saturday 5th March 1898 A fine day sun shining clear. Wind S.W. Wells Sr gone to Rosier to pay the taxes on Linda’s island. Voltie goes with him. Edna cleans up the parlor. Wells Jr gone to Kingston, drove up on ice. Grace cooking—forget what Maud done. Sunday 6 March 1898 A very fine day warm cloudless. Grace & Edna drive to Morgan’s for butter, find Florence & Sullivan there just arrived. House not in good order. Came back. Edna, Maud & Martin go to church. Grace gets dinner—After dinner Grace goes up the Island with Will Robinson to Belles, comes back at 9 pm. After dinner Jim Morgan puts in his appearance. Then come Dave Mahoney, they all stay to supper. After supper, Frank Woodman comes and stays till bed time: at last all go home and we get settled in our beds once more sleeping the sleep of peace and contentment such is life. A lovely moonlight night �34 Monday 7 March 1898 A beautiful bright cloudless day snow fast disapearinag. Grace washing. A tinker came and repaired the organ worked at it all day till bed time. Maud at school. Mart walked across the river to Dodge’ and from there went to Cape and home before dark. Volty went to villiage drove up on ice came back at 12 midnight, we put the tinker in the boys bed. Mart slept on lounge. Volty had to stretch himself as well as he could on the couch in parlor. We have all got a cold in head or some kind of distemper "Epigootic" Wells calls it. I know my head and eyes ache badly. Tuesday 8 March 1898 Grace & Edna put quilt on frames. A beautiful day which is the 12th day of warm brilliant suny weather. Edna drove to school with Maude. W Sr & W Jr drove to Gananoque—went with cutter & 1 horse, started at 30 m past 7, arrived in Gananoque at 9 am bought a horse and back here for the mid day meal. I’m ever to Belles—why is it always so �35 Wednesday 9 March 1898 Another soft warm sun light but rather hazzy. Maud at school. V preparing to go to the villiage to the Presbyterian concert we are quilting. Voltie and Edna tapped trees to day. R came over for Ink, rode on sled home. Wellie driving. V came home at two am. Thursday 10. A fair warm day, snow nearly gone, no crossing, ice rotten with the sun shining on it so long day after day. We took the quilt off the frames. Mart took 16 pans to Wellies they going to tap Frank’s maples, ground so soft didnt tap. Will tapped Dignams maples. Maud at School Friday 11 March 1898 A fair warm day wind East, ice full of holes, open up by Morgans. Dev here for broad axe. Dev milking 7 now �36 cows we bound the quilt. Maud at home, roads all mud. V & M sawing wood. Grace, Maud and Edna sitting on the wood pile. Our cats all sick, have fits. beginning to rain towards night. Wind South, rained all night, ground bare. Volty & Mart husking corn. Put another quilt on frames and quilted in evening. Saturday 12th March 1898 A dismal fogy day raining nearly all time, wind South. After breakfast Grace & Edna quilted, Maud and Irene washed dishes. no more maple syrup making this spring, frost nearly out the ground. After dinner Irene washed dishes. Maud cleaned floors, Grace and Edna quilted. Evening—Volty takes the horns & lanterns and goes to Franks through the fog. About two hours after Jim Morgan follows. J.M. stays all night at Franks. Wells reading in evening. Mart, Edna, Maud, Grace are reading in kitchen. So passes away another day never more to return. Sunday 13 March 1898 A rainy morning ground bare, ice in river breaking up. Gulls flying down the river from the lake which foretells a gale of wind., warm South wind and rising. Channel open �37 Frank & Jim Morgan made us a call, didn’t stay long. Will Robertson called in eve didn’t stay long but Will R and Mart went to Will Dixon’s where they had warm maple sugar. We went early to bed. The wind blowing half a gale dark and cloudy. Monday 14 Marach 1898. A clear bright morning wind S.W. hauling to S. river clear of ice from shore to shore, warm, Wellie here cleaning grain, Wells Sr fixes churn, Voltie cuts brush in the door yard. Grace & Edna quilt. Irene darning socks, Maude washed dishes and pares potatoes and makes a excusion to the cedars. I think if it is a good day tomorrow, Maude will attend school in evening. Grace, Maude & Edna go to Mrs Niles’ to visit. Bamford Sr sends to N’s to buy butter. They return at 1/2 past nine pm and bring some sweet apples and a borrowed spool of white thread, No 36-300 yd. Wm Robertson makes us an evening visit. Frank Woodman started the plow today. �38 Tuesday 15th March 1898 Wind N froze last night clear and bright, ground bare, river rolling broad and blue. Ed Bates came over to day, going to be married tomorrow. The girls took the quilt off. Sr, Mart & V trying to move the machine house up to [this section quite redacted, indicated by #] There is no # # #, # # #. There is no # # # # #. poor # he is to # #. I suppose the # goes # with them when they are in # #. such a # of # would bring a smile to the face of a stoic Grace & Edna going to Evelines this p.m. sap running well. Ebin Bates sick with pneumonia. Will R, J Morgan, W Niles here this evening Wednesday 16 March 1898 Wind blowing all night from East raining this morning, it looks like a bad morning the weding. clears up by 10 am sun come out bright. Rev Dibbs drives down through the mud and marries Eddy Bates and Dora Gillespie: towards night drives back again. Volty captured 8 ducks (wild) cooked two for dinner had maple syrup and biscuits. Finished moving the machine house. Wallace here started out �39 Monday Sept 97 with Gun, going to serenade Edy but Mart with more sense wouldnt go so W stayed the eve and they all played some game at cards at which they all exploded with laughter similtainously [sic]. It began to lighten [sic] and thunder and Wallace went home. The other youngsters sat up and sugared off. It continued to thunder and lighten heavily nearly all night. We caught a tub of rain water. Spring birds are merrily singing early this morning. Wells Jr came up for corn husks and brought us a nice piece of fresh pork. Thursday 17 March 1898 A beautiful morning after last nights showers. The birds are singing this morning robins and wrens. Jim Morgan has a bee shingling the school house V gone to the bee. Martin carried E a few eggs. Edna making Graces wrapper we cooked the third last wild duck for dinner sowed tomatoe seeds to day. Volty came at sun set. V the only man at Jims bee. V ate dinner �40 at Morgans. Jim Morgan called here for V to go to Franks to practice their music. Jim stoped all night with Frank. V came home about eleven p.m. Friday 18 March 1898 A clear rosy morning, warm, birds singing. The ground froze last night which makes the sap run again. Muriel came up with her dress and apron to stitch. Wellie & Voltie went to Geo Rattrays to get provender ground and V carried some corn to grind for Johny cake & came back to late for his dinner till we got him a dinner. Wellie dined with Geo R. Hubert came for Muriel. Grace gave them bread & butter & maple syrup. Edna, Maud, Harriet & Hubert went to the cemetary and found a pansy in bloom, (yellow) & left it there in peaceful solitude. Beatrice is eleven years old to day. P.M. 4 Oclock cloudy & looks like rain again. Volty & Martin set a 2 fish nets. V & E & M gathered brush, carried it to shore & had a big fire after dark. G & M went to N for butter and to the post office. Mrs Scott returned with them, sayed [sic] awhile, M went home with her. Frank W & J Morgan here also. Easter day is always the first Sunday after the full moon, which happens upon or next after, March 21st & if the full moon happens on Sunday, Easter day is the Sunday after; so that by this arrangement Easter may come as early as March 22nd or as late as April 25 �41 Saturday March 19th 1898 A cloudy morning and raiining most of the day. V & Mart went to the nets, but got no fish. Mr N went to Kingston. V repairing bellows. Wellie here. Flora here for yeast cake. Frank Woodman here in evening. In the kitchen horn blowing expected Jimme but he came not. Edna moped kitchen floor. Irene washed dishes and made scrap books. Edna & Maud picked a pansy from Charles Woodmans grave. A thunder & Lightning shower after dark. E & M went to Ns for the balance of butter 2 pounds. Sunday March 20 1898 A half cloudy day, Wind S and blowing half a gale. Quiet, all are reading minds at peace with all created universe to quiet, to still which causes droziness. Evening V, M. G & E. preparing to go calling on Mrs Dignam, when V comes in and reports a sick cow at the barn & after doctoring her awhile again prepare for the evenings visit, when who should walk in but FW, WR, and WN and when one youngsters are ready to depart, they invite our callers to accompany them, and two accepts but [Frank Woodman|F]] prefers staying away from Dignams, so remains and Sr entertains him with various tales & anecdotes �42 untill he goes home at 9 pm. Our night travelers return at 1/2 past eleven, hungry I think by the clattering I hear in the pantry and so ends the day. Monday 21 March 1898 A very fine day rather cloudy. V plowing down next Franks line fence. Irene counted the eggs 12 doz and after dinner Sr started in buggy with eggs driving up as far as Charleys going to stay all night and go across to Kingston tomorrow morning on steamboat. Martin has just returned from across the river where he had been to corners for letters for himself, he carried a letter from the Post to Windmill & ate dinner there. William Winmill sending Sr a letter. Flora here brought home yeast. Mart and G go to Evelines for soap came back and after that they all dance in kitchen & N goes up in skiff to Marysville. Tuesday 22 March 1898 A cloudy windy day South. Grace washing. Volty plowing. Grace got sore throat. Mart choring around bringing water. Maud at home, E been here 8 weeks this day scuffling again in kitchen. M kicked E & hurt her didnt mean too of course but had to apply a mustard poutice at 12 midnight. Grace got a sore throat too. Sr came home after dark 7 pm �43 Found the roads very rough. Mrs Morgan requested to come down in buggy, but could not accomdate her brought milk pails for Welly & sugar, brought 10 yds toweling, 8 spools white thread and groceries, sold the eggs for 11 cts per doz at Bakers. Wednesday 23 March 1898 A cloudy day after wind & rain all night, a quiet morning. Mart & Volty went the fish nets found no fish, wind sprung up and had to come home without bringing the net. V plowing with the new mare. She rather friskey before the plow with old Jim for pard. The te he ing going on in the kitchen again this afternoon. Mart making good bye calls at Will, Wellies & Franks. Maud, Volty and Edna gathering roots and barks for beer. E scraped the bark off and threw the bark in the stove thinking the wood was the part to make beer. The day cold bleak cloudy & cheerless. Wind North. Evening Mart goes home with Wallace to make a good bye visit. Thursday 24th March 1898 Arose at 4 am got breakfast and V drives over to the dock with Mart & his father. Mart going to Chicago. W Sr �44 hires 25 dollars for Mart payable in three months. V plows all day. Rachel comes over & stays all day, froze last night. 3 pails of sap is the result. Wells Sr bought a two wheeled Vehicle & a tank for the shop store. Friday 25 March 1898 A very fine Morning. Froze last night more sap to day. V plowed all day. Wells Sr drove out in his new dog cart drawn by old Jim gone till 4 Oclock at the foot of island. Misses Mable Morgan & Laura Sauve honored with a visit, stayed till nine pm. George came for them. Frank here too, sang and played on piano. no letters only Whig. Saturday 26 March 1898 looks like rain. V plows till 3 pm then V & Frank start for Marysville dont return till 2 am. cook and do Saturday’s work. Will didn’t go. Jim wanted to go but no way to go. Anne Horn, Hattie Joslin here. more sap, one perch 22 eggs. Sunday 27th 1898 A cloudy day begins to rain toward night. V and Edna go to the net but no fish, 28 eggs Sr goes to Wellies. E and M go to church. Wellie here for tack pullers. �45 1898 Continued from this page in April - October 1898 book Monday 28 March 1898 A rainy day and rained in the night. Expected Lizzy but she didnt come. Tuesday 29 March 1898 A chilly day after the rain to wet to plow. A sugar party at A Joslins this evening. Maud and Edna visiting at Evelines this afternoon. Volty set out bushes. Grace washed. Wells Sr brought in the clothes after dark, wind blowing hard. Wednesday 30 March 1898 A very good day, dressed 3 roosters for market. Lizzie Horn here sewing for Grace, walked home at sunset. Volty and to Marysville. Will goes up with Frank come home at 1/2 past 2 am. Edna visits Shell. Maud visits at Wills. V plowed till starting for Marysville. Thursday 31 March 1898 A very good day rather chilly. Wells Sr, Grace and Edna go to Kingston. Maud and I worked all day. V plowed they came home all right. Volty drove to the dock for them in the evening. Jimmie came and Volty went with him to Franks to practice where they met. Will D, Mr and Mrs Woodman are keeper �46 Friday 8 Oct 1898 A windy day from South. R here washing all day. Flora and Maud went in garden and picked nearly all the tomatoes for Wills folks and the rest are nearly destroyed by the hens. Saturday 9th October 1897 A very cool day in am. pm warmer. Voltie & Grace finished digging potatoes in the berry field. R come over for her clothes which hung on the clothes line all night. Maude & I moped the floors and cooked the meals. After dinner Maude & Grace went for nuts while Irene prepared the supper. Ed W & JDB went to Marysville to the band practice. Wm D & Snub W. went to Marysville to band practice. Cold and dry Wind north. Irene made tomato ketchup and apple jelly. �47 Sunday 10 Octobe 1897 A clear bright day, chilly, wind North. The water in tub froze to thickness of window glass. The season is extremly dry, no rain for a long time. The pastures are dry and brown. The trees are many colors, nuts are ready to fall from the shucks, flowers are dead and frozen, a blue haze or smoke pervades the air and forest fires are raging and destroying property and lives in many places. We kept our beds till 1/2 6 this morning. V built coal fire then Wallace came and stayed awhile & W & V went up island in boat to ask the boys to a husking. Will here a while. Maud gone over to Wills. Ed Weaver here. Grace went to church. Flora came this morning for their bread which V had brought from the villiage. two loaves. Then came Lottie for the other two loaves. Wind West & cold �48 �49 Saturday 6 November 1897 A traveling damsel calls here just at night and stays over night. a loquacious vivacious piece of humanity. She wouldn’t be up to her business if she were otherwise. A traveling agent. Sunday 7 Nov awoke this morning to find a stranger, a young lady tramp to stay over Sunday. She hails from Sydenham and her name is Miss Aleda Woodruff pedling patent right to make imitation of Russian lamb fur or cloth. She knows Mrs Naylor. She keeps house for Brown a half breed Widower with a lot of children. �50 Monday 8 Nov 1897 A chilly raw day. Wind N cloudy rain now and then. V husking corn. Girl went down Island contracted buisness [sic] with Nesbits came back at sunset tired out with long walk. Will and Jen here and Wallace & Miss Woodruff. Cornet playing this Eve. Tuesday 9 Nov 1897 A rainy duty day cold. The girl did not go out on the rampage to day saved for Grace. Wednesday 10 Nov Churned and made butter for market 14 lbs. Girl sewed for Grace. Evening visitors, Wallace, Niles, Shelly Niles, Frank W & Will Robertson �51 Thursday 11 Nov 1879 V drove to the dock with Miss Woodruff and Grace. Maud & I had a time cleaning & picking up after last nights company. A rainy stormy day. V done chores and working in shop. Wallace here & Ed Weaver & Frank Woodman. V drove to dock for Groceries. Grace stayed in the city. Jim Morgan here to supper and stayed all night. Volty drew a load of Wood from the Ross place. The minister & wife called here intending to stop for a visit but as I & Maud were alone, they went away Friday 12 Nov 18 1979 V butchered our pork. Wells Jr & Jim Morgan helped him and then went to Wellies to help Wellie butcher his pork. Wallace & Ed Weaver helped V carry the pork down cellar in the evening. �52 Saturday 13 Nov We cleaned all the floors and moved the dining room table to the kitchen. Sunday 14 Nov 1897 A very fine day for a Nov day. Wallace came and Geo Farr. After dinner V and Wall went over river to Sand Bay with Geo Far. Came home at sundown. One duck which they use for a model to paint after. Evening visitors Wallace, Shell, Edith Pike, Will Robinson, Frank Woodman. Day visitors, Muriel, Hubert. Will’s children here for their cows. �53 Monday 15 Nov 1897 A dark cloudy dismal day looks like rain. V gets the corn stalks stacked at last. Wellie here cleaning a grist, drew it to the dock then went home, came back and helped V with the corn stalks. V went to JN’s to help Wallace run grain through the mill so Wall would help V with the stalks. Ed Weaver here in evening for V to mend his drum (snare drum). Churned. 16 November 1897 Tuesday A rainy day. Wind S and warm. V cut and salted the pork. I wrote a letter to Sr. A tribe of boys here as usual at the shop. Will Dixon here for Sug & brought home a bread loaf, sent Granny a piece of pork. V making a platform for the stove. Grace not home yet. Will Robinson shot & killed V’s pet black bird. Jim Morgan ate dinner here. Frank Woodman here and borrowed a piece of pork. Baked bread. Grace came home with Wallace from the dock. A letter from Katy �54 Wednesday 17 Nov 1897 A very good day. Maude went to school. V worked for Jim Morgan on Frank W’s hog pen. Churned and done general house work. Charley Dixon came & Hubert & Muriel. Evening visitors Will Dixon, Will Robinson, Frank Woodman, Jim Morgan, Ed Weaver, Wallace Niles, Johny Niles Jr, Shelly Niles, Edith Pike, Geo OBrien, Minnie OBrien, Hannah OBrien. band practising with cornetts and drum Jim Morgan ate supper with us. Thursday 18th Nov 1897 A clear cold day; frozen ground. Volty & Frank W drove home Rattray’s bull after V returned from the dock where he had carried the oats to grind for the cows, he is going to fat, and then he plowed nearly all day. Grace helped husk corn for the hogs and cooked the dinner. Maud at school. Grace finished setting a quilt together. Moved the stove out from the corner. The helpers were Will Dixon, Will Robertson, Frank Woodman, WalaceNiles, Jim Morgan, Geo Farr, Ed Weaver, Jack Niles, Charley Dixon, Volty, ShellNiles & Edith Pike. Those young heathens managed to break the piano stool and a lamp chimney. �55 Friday 19 Nov 1897 A snowy day and wind blowing from the East. Welly came up for Grace to go down and help Eveline Tie a quilt comfortable. Eveline sick. Wellie crossed the river after dark for Dr Buchanan. V went for Mrs Morgan. ground white with snow. Saturday 20th Nov 1897 A mild day after the storm of yesterday & last night. Eveline’s baby born this morning 1/2 past 1 on Volties birth day. Voltie rowed up with Mrs Morgan and shingled the hen coop. V & Will Dixon go to Marysville to the band practice. Churned. Cutters out on road this morning, snow disapearing towards night. �56 Sunday 21st Nov 1897 Sunday. Wind S and warm been blowing all night. snow all gone this morning. V came home at half past one a.m. Ed Weaver here. V cutting Ed hair. Send Maud to Wills with head cheese & sausage. Jim Morgan stoped long enough to peep in the window. Wellie here for me but couldnt go. Hatties bean brought her down from Charlies. she is going to work for Eveline. Monday 22nd Nov 1897 Monday 22nd Nov 1897 Not a very bad day, cleaned all the out side windows and washed towels and aprons. Grace at Wellies yet. Hattie came up to Wellies this morning. My birthday. �57 Tuesday 23rd Nov 1897 A half fair day cold. Wellie came for me to dress and wash baby. Then rowed across for Dr B then brought me home and went home and then drove B down island on a collecting tour. Dr got nothing then Jr rowed Dr across the river. V gone to Morgans to chop a load of wood started at two didn’t return till 8 pm. sent Charlie Woodman for him, met him coming home. Wednesday 24 Nov 1897 Wind S.W. and cold blowing a gale. River whtie with crested waves. Grace came home this morning. V gone to Morgans for Wood. Wellie drove up for me. Went down dressed and washed the baby, came home & had a good supper, a warm fire in stove: wind blowing a harycane [sic], went to bed early and slept all night several fires in distance. Thursday 25 Nov 1897 A cloudy day. Wind South. Arose at 1/2 past 4. Plenty wood for stove this morning. Had breakfast early ready before remembered Grace is at home. Then called her. looks like snow or rain. �58 26 Nov 1897 Friday Wellie drove up for me again went down washed and dressed the baby. The wind blowing a gale and increasing. Stayed at Evelines all night. Wind lulled towards night. Wellie plowed & V plowed. Eveline has a head ache. Do all can for her. Relieved towards night. Sat up and W. Jr made her bed. Alvira came towards eve brought apples, Talman sweets, baked, some taste like kerosine 27 Saturday Nov 1897 At Wellie’s this morning, stay all day & all night. Made 1 apple pie, 1 berry pie, 1 custard pie. Hirams Joslins wife, Isabella, came and stayed nearly all afternoon. Wellie made Evelines bed, then he came up home and he & Volty worked in shop till 11 Oclock pm. The baby is a week old. �59 Sunday 28 Nov 1897 A very good day for the season. Edy Bates & Eben Bates & Frank Vanalstine came across this morning. After breakfast Hattie went home and to church. Irene got the dinner, washed and dressed the baby &c after church. Hattie came home accompanied by Miss Maitland a very odd young Lady who stayed awhile and then went to Wellington Burhams (her boarding place). Wellie brought me home in waggon. Hubert and Muriel coming to Found Vanalstine 29 Monday Nov Wind blowing a harricane [sic] this morning. Dont believe the boys got across last night after Edwards court ship so late at Gillespies. Vanalstine did not leave here till 10 pm. 30 Friday �60 Friday 1 Dec 1897 Worked hard all day churning & making out butter for market, butter hard frozen, had to cut it and thaw it by the stove, made 27 lbs. Thursday 2nd December 1897 Arose early 1/2 4 and hurry around to get to the boat. Maud and I work all day. Maud expected a new music book but got none. Grace carried 27 lbs butter to market. sold it at 16 per lb. 3rd Friday �61 Saturday 4 Sunday 5 Grace Monday 6 Nov �62 Tuesday 7 Nov Wednesday 8 Nov Thursday 9 Nov arose at 3 am. V going to Kingston on Pierpont, walked to wharf and carried a basket of fowls and shats to be barn dried, 4 lengths of stove pipe & the baritone cornett. Irene fed hogs but Jr came up and done the chores. Grace is better. V came home at nearly 8 pm. J Morgan here in eve and after supper they go down to Franks to blow horns. V come back at 11 pm at last the house is quiet and all is well. Geo Niles came home to day, came on Pierpont. Friday 10 Nov 1897 A cloudy day, sun shining out now and then. V plowing but drove to dock for wheat from Rosedale wreck. A dance at Horn’s. Moved the stove coal again. Callers WmD-W.N.-FW.-WmR -J Morgan Ed W. & P Burnham. No letters only from Hannah �63 Saturday 11 December 1897 A rainy day. Wind South and blowing. The boy’s cannot go to Marysville this afternoon which is a sad disapointment to them. V at the shop working at something or other. Grace taking carpet off stair steps and tidying up the rooms. Maud at her music lessons. Irene churning and the rain falling, filling the tubs and pails, not cold but a sad dreary out look. Evening. The horn blowers are here again in full force viz Will Dixon, Jim Morgan, Frank Woodman, Wm Robertson, and V.B. blew till 1/2 past 10 then pedro’ed till 1/2 past 11 pm. F.W.s horn made my head yank, Ed Weaver walked to Marysville got done with Woodmans. Sunday 12 December 1897 A quiet cloudy day. A gentle north wind with scarcely a ripple on the river. Wallace & George Niles came and stayed awhile then Geo proceeded to B Horn’s and after doing the chores Volty & Wallace went across the river to H Dodge’s returned at 8 pm. Evening guests Wallace Niles & Will Robertson. V went to Jr for stove pipe. �64 Monday 13 December 1897 A fine quiet morning a very light wind & North, sunlight peeping through the clouds at intervals. We are washing. We were up fitness this morning, ate breakfast by lamplight. Maude gone to Wills for soap. V gone to A Joslins with pig crate came home and plowed the remainder of the day. Will D went to River view for shingles, nails & bought 5 gallons for Welly. Evening visistors NONE. Grace & I washed and brought water from river. A lovely day more like June weather than December Tuesday 14th Dec 1897 A rainy morning, wind N.E., mudy raw morning. We have a fire in coal stove but scarcly any wood for kitchen stove. Sr not home yet. Voltie plowing all fore noon. Afternoon goes to Morgans for wood Mid day. raining steadily, tub, boiler and pools overflowing with water. Shell N came down for sage. Dried a pumkin and fried a pan full of cakes. Grace folded the clothes to iron. V brought them in last night at bed time. V working in shop all pm. Evening all the horn blowers go to Will D. �65 Wednesday 15 December 1897 Get out early this morning. V does the chores at the barn & milks the cows. After breakfast V goes to Uncle Sams for big kettle and the mail [illegible] for wood toward the dock. Knockee out [illegible] old stumps, enough to heat water for butchering and also keep the kitchen stove going two days. Butchered 5 hogs—helpers were Will and Frank & Jimmie and Wellie. Evening visitors were Will and Jen. Jimmie came back stayed all night, and helped V do the chores. A very fine day for out door work. Thursday 16 th Out of bed at 4 am. Jim helped V do chores and load the hogs for waggon for market. V gone to K & Jim gone to K and Niles gone to K. Will & Charley here, gave Charley a pumpkin. Wellie came up & done chores. A cloudy day all mud. Wind S. The wreck of the Rosedale was towed down by here to day in charge of three tugs, was towed stern first constantly pumping. Volty came 1/2 past 7 pm. Expected the father but he did not come. �66 Friday 17th Dec 1897 Ground slightfully frozen this morning. V plowing. Grace washing. Irene finished rendering the lard. Hubert & Muriel came for the hard soap V got for them in K and the curry comb. cloudy very little wind North. Wish & hope Wells Sr will come home to day. Maude taking her music lesson. A heavy fall of snow in pm. Good sleighing. V had to stop plowing for snowstorm. Will here to tea. Jimmie Morgan & Wallace came and Voltie went with them to Franks, Wells not home yet. Saturday 18th December 1897 A cloudy morning. Ground white with snow. Wells may come to day—hope so. wind west and moderatley cold, Growing colder, clouds clearing away. Will walked to Marysville. Martin came home this pm. Card brought him down in the evening. V & M go up to J.N’s �67 Sunday 19 December 1897 The coldest night and morning yet this season. Froze in kitchen. Left all the bulbs in kitchen on the shelf; the dirt frozen around them but the plants are all right. This must not happen again. Think the white Geranium is done for froze stiff as a stick. Wallace came down and Martin and Grace & Wallace went to Wellies, after they all were gone Charley came down bringing Rachel and Will, left them at home and came back and stayed to dinner. Directly after dinner he went home. Mart came up from Jr with Wallace and went home with him. Stayed till evening. Evening visitors Frank Woodman & Wallace & Shell came home with Martin. 11 Oclock saw them outside the door enroute for home. Grace came home at sundown Monday 20 December 1897 A stormy snowy day. Mart and Voltie went to Morgan’s Ross place for wood. We churned. Afternoon Voltie went to help Will butcher pig. After doing the chores Voltie & Mart went down to visit Frank. Evening visitors Will & Charley came to blow horn but no one here to blow with. �68 Tuesday 21 December 1897 A clear cold day afternoon warmer. V borrowed a bag of coal of Niles, went up in boat for it. Then V went to Charley Woodman wood bee. Sent a letter to Johny as a Christmas greeting. After dinner Mart went to the bee and from there went with Geo Niles to Al Joslins to a party. Al not at home gone to John Songcist. Frank and Jimmie here blowing with V. Will not here. The boys went to the door and in concert tried to blow him over here. Grace ironed clothes &c. Made pumpkin pies. Wednesday 22nd December Work hard all fore noon making out 20 lbs butter for market. Grace, V & Will D and Frank W all go to Marysville—boy’s going to play for the concert. Grace going to K on the 1/2 past 4 boat going to dentist and stay all night with Nellie. �69 Thursday 23rd December 1897 A cloudy morning. Arose at 4 to get breakfast for Jesse Reid & Martin, both going to Kingston. V arose late nearly 8 o’clock. Maud and I work all day. Churn bring down the lounge cook &c. V drives to dock we expect the father to come home with them but he cometh not and I’m not aweary. Wellie went to Kingston. Jesse came first rode with Niles. Christmas presents from Edna, Lill, Nellie. Friday 24th December 1897 A clear very cold day, windows thickly covered with frost. River steaming. Jesse Reid at noon crossed the river. V drove to Wellies for a plank. Grace fixing the room anddressing Muriels doll. V and M working in shop. Bamford not home. Winter grand bright beautiful and severe, sometimes gloomy. The Earth has yielded up her offering of bountious abundance and and now snow covered, frost bound, V came home at 1/2 1 this morning & present from Maye to Grace. �70 Saturday 25 December 1897 A thick morning, snowing, river steaming, cold, wind blowing, from South, white caps rolling. Chicken roasted for dinner. Wells Jr came home just after our Christmas dinner. Glad to see him home once more. He came as a Christmas present here but not for me. Mrs Adams sent a present to your humble servant. Mrs W.B. Sr a pair of shells, art decorated most beautifully. In evening Grace and Mart went to Mrs Niles, sttayed till 9 pm. V went to Frank’s, found no one home, waited awhile then came home. Sr brought V a gold watch. Mrs Adams is the fathers paramour Sunday 26 December 1897 A cloudy still day not cold. If the sun would out it would thaw. Sr reading Utica Globe. Maud gone to Wills visiting. �71 Monday 27 Dec 1897 Tuesday 28 Dec 1897 �72 Wednesday 29 Dec 1897 Thursday 30 Dec 1897 A dirty, windy, rainy, snowy, day, slush slush everywhere. Shell Niles 16 years old to day: going to have a birth day party. �73 Friday 31 Dec 1897 A quiet cloudy day looks like snow. I’m laid up with sprained ancle [sic]: almost believe it is broken—hope not. Wells made Wills folks a visit this forenoon. Hubert & Muriel came up with Wellie. ancle painfull. Did not sleep any last night. Grace finishing the washing. Mrs Morgan came to get a horse shod, stayed to supper and till 8 pm. Bob Robinson here till late. Saturday 1 Jan 1898 A long lonesome tiresome day, laid up in bed in latter part of the day. Evening visitors two Morgans here to supper, Bernard and Jim. Bernard stays till late 10 or more, wish he’d go home. Will came over. Well and Voltie played on bugles and at the same time Grace entertained B.M. with piano music and as I am between the two kinds of music each playing different airs at the same time. We are charmed. Forget Shelly here nearly all pm. Sunday 2 January 1898 Sun rose clear, a fine morning, but soon clouds and snow �74 falling thick and fast. Mart goes to church. Wallace comes home with him and stays to dinner and nearly all p.m. Monday 3rd January 1897 Election day. Will gone to election, our boys stayed home. School open to day at lower school and here. Mrs Gordon boards at Niles. Volty working on Ratrays bobs. Welly came up. Tuesday 4 Jan 1897 Cloudy snowing some. A dance at Horns. Grace, Volty, & Martin go with the Niles load. Welly came and brought wormwood. Jimmie Morgan came in evening with his bugle & disapointed to find all gone to Horns’. Wednesday 5 Jan 1897 This day like the preceding I sitting a cripple by the stove with foot on small chair. V think he ought to go to the �75 practice at Marysville but stays at home instead. Frank and Jim go to the practice. A moderate day looks like a storm. Voltie works on bobs. Thursday 6 Jan 1898 A stormy day. Rachel came over going to stay till after E Weavers dance at the ferry. V worked on bobs. This day same old thing. No ice in river. The river has frozen over and thawed broken up several times. Friday 7 Jan 1898 A beautiful fair day in afternoon. Wall & Grace go to Belles to supper and from there To Ed Weavers dance in McLarens hall. Bernard came to invite to a raising tomorrow (Saturday). G Niles & L Horn & Hattie J & Jim Taylor & VoltieMartin & Will Dixon and Frank Woodman gone to �76 Ed’s dance. A letter from John and Flora. Saturday 8th Jan 1898 A cloudy morning toward noon. It rains a big body of ice floating down and lodged from shore to shore. Our youngsters came home at daylight and went to bed. Grace has a slight cold, finish the chair cover. Wind blowing a gale from South. Grace arose at two pm and worked till bed time. Sunday 9th 1898 January A clear bright day not cold, ground nearly bare. Grace has a bad cold. lies on lounge nearly all day. Rachel & Maude get the meals. The boys shot a duck will pick and cook it tomorrow. Wallace came and stayed a short time. the ancle [sic] is a little better, river clear. next day duck no good, threw it to the cats and they had a cat fight & quarrel over the duck and we had a stewed rooster instead of duck. �77 Monday 19 Jan 1898 A fair day, warm, river frozen across but no good: a quiet day Wells Sr banked the front of house. Bernard Morgan here and invited V to a raising a log horse barn. Volty went. My foot may be better but swelled yet. Rachel here. Grace much better. Martin doing chores. Maud cleaned lamps and helped wash dishes. Welly drove to our school with Muriel & Hubert this morning. Will’s children made a start for school too, going to Section No 8. Mr Pedro at Will Dixon’s playing Pede Tuesday 11 January 1898 A fine day, bright, clear and cold. Wind North. Voltie and Wallace cross the river on ice down by Horns on jam ice. Wallace gone to St Lawrence for medicine for his father (Mr Treders) Wellington, Mr Horn and Lizzie came across too. They are the first foot passengers this season. In Evening Wallace came down on skates. Coming around the point, he broke through and wet one foot. after drying feet, Wall & Martin went to post office and then Martin went home with Wallace to play with Mr Pedro. Grace washed Rachel hung out the clothes �78 Mart went to Geo Rattrays to mill. Volty in evening shelled two bushels of corn for mill. A black cloud rising in South. sewed rugs and knit lace for Belles. Wednesday 12 Jan 1898 A rainy morning ground all mud with dirty streaks of snow and ice scattered all around. V drove to Geo R’s with corn and brought home the ground provender, wheat, peas, corn and oats a mixed mess. Welly here shoeing horse, raining hard, clothes all hanging out. P.M. Rachel went home, drove home with Welly. George and Wallace here this evening playing pede with V & Mart. A bad time for Dany Hughy’s dance. Thursday 13th Jan 1898 A cloudy morning. Wind N ground covered with snow. Welly drove to school with children. River ice broken from shore to shore, bad crossing from Marysville to Kingston. Two weeks to day since sprained ankle. Frank came home today been gone since Weavers dance, said he never drank so much whiskey before. �79 Friday 14 January 1898 A cloudy day, not cold. Maude carried letters to post: sent one to her father. Mart and Grace went to Marysville to workmans ball. Maude & Wells Sr got supper. No letters only for Sr. V working on bobs. Saturday 15 Jan 1898 Stormy day of snow which will make fine sleighing. Mart and Grace came at 1/2 past nine this am. Wills butchered another pig. Charley came for a butcher knife. Grace slept from 12 noon till five. Mart slept from 10 till three oclock pm V. working in shop on Geo Rattrays bob sleigh, snows fast and evenly: no wind a north [?] All went to bed early. Welly came up for kerosine said Muriel & Hubert are sick with cold Sunday 16 Jan 1898 A beautiful winter day, clear bright cloudless: the fields are spotless a dazzling white blanket of snow covers the earth & every roof and clings to the trees. Wind cold and north very little wind. Sleighs are cutters and out on the road, going up and down road. Mart went to church and from there went �80 Mart didnt come home with the others this morning stayed to go to the Cape to dance. May Wormwith Grace E Bamford 185 University Avenue Kingston Ont Mrs Geromind Feb 15 30 lbs sugar 25 lb salt 1 pk onions 1 1/2 doz currants lemons 2 lb cheese baking powder broom diamond dye cardinal & green �81 [printed inside cover of diary including advertisements] Boston Fur Store George Mills & Co 170 Wellington St 170. Furs and Mantles Furs and Cloaks Mantles, Latest Styles, Coaks, Lowest prices The Boston Hat Store Noted for low prices The exact spot to get your Boots is at Abernethy’s, 127 Princess Street, Offord’s old stand. The low price shoe George Mills & Co’y 170 Wellington Street Noted for Low Prices Nobby Hats Sole Agents in Kingston for Celebrated Marsland Stiff and Soft Felt hats. Boys School Caps. 15c., 20c., and 25c. Empire Typewriter $55 Visible Writing, Strong Manifolder. It will pay you to see it before buyig... Columbia & Hartford Bicycles Good Repair Shop. J.R.C. Dobbs & Co., 44 Clarence Street �82 [back cover of diary with manfacturers stamp] Red Rope Magazine Binder Manufactured by Gaylord Bros. Inc. Syracuse, N.Y. Stockton, Calif. �83 �This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following people: Ann Hopkinson, MaryV, Eric Irvine, Vivian Zhang, and Queen’s University Archives � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Subject The topic of the resource 19th and 20th Century Rural Ontario Diaries Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1887-1922 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1887 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1888-1889 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1889-1897 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1890 March - June Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1893-1895 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1895-1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1896 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1897-1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899-1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902, 1906 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902-1909 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1904-1905 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1907 & 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1908-1919 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1911 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913-1914 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1915-1916 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1916-1917 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1917-1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1921-1922 Language A language of the resource English Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1897-1898 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1897-1898 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th Century, Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. October 9th, 1897 begins on p 46 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/00e81ffade486a57f5d93fa7655b2f04.pdf 6610b90732c72aeb771ab1a373b897a2 PDF Text Text Irene Dixon Bamford 1898, Diary Transcription 5034_4-1-8 �Metadata FromThePage export of 5034_4-1-8 from Irene Dixon Bamford made on 2026-02-11 14:35:15 UTC. itemTitle: April-October 1898 date: 1898 Title: 5034_4-1-8 Description: Item is a diary. Created On: 2024-01-11 17:31:48 UTC In Scope: true Uploaded Filename: 5034_4-1-8 �1 [file folder titles/dates] Irene Dixon Bamford Diary April-October 1898 [Queens date stamp] Queen’s University Archives Locator 5034.4 Box 1 File 8 �2 B - read April - October 1898 �3 �4 5 Tuesday 5 April 1898 A raw chilly day. Rachel came over to get a letter indited to Mrs Hill Lafargeville. Did not want to write it. Finally consented but posponed [sic] it till tomorrow R stayed to tea. Maud went to post office Returned letter to Sr. and newspapers from [?] and the Whig. 6 April Wednesday 1898 A chilly morning. Wind N.W. Grace has a boil on her arm. Maud went to School. Teachers are going home tomorrow for Easter hollidays [sic]. Devolson drove over for grandmother. This is the first time she has been here in two years. Volty arranged his pig pen and put the pigs in two seperate pens and after dinner plowed. A chilly evening. Maud got a half pail of sap from the trees. I wrote a letter for Rachel to Mattie Smith Hill. �5 Thursday April 7 1898. A fine spring day. Wind N.W. Volty drove to dock with Grace, six doz. eggs for market and 5 doz for Eveline. Volty plowing between here and Uncle Sam’s. Maude an industrious little girl all day Irene cooked and washed dishes. Maud went to the dock with Volty this evening. Will and Charley went to the nets found one perch which they put back in the river. V ran the net this morning and got two perch which I cooked for dinner. George Niles went away to day. V brought Mart and Geo Horn’s photoes [sic] from the boat. Evening Grand mother telling ghost and witch stories to Will, Charlie, Voltie and Maud. �6 Friday 8 April 1898 A very fine day froze last night. I work all day at cooking & washing dishes. Wm Willmill and Mary came and stopped at Evelines. Wolmill came here after stoping at Will Dixon’s. came upon the road and talked with the boys where they were blowing. Granny reading all day; after dinner Maud went to Wills visiting stay till mail time: A letter from Sr and one from Mart to senior and two from the Rathburn Co. Frank, Will and Voltie playing cornets in kitchen, a great imprvement since last fall (Charlie here too Jim and Wall were here also. fire in coal stove gone out this morning �7 Saturday 9th April 1898 A beautiful spring day. Voltie plowed till 3 Oclock. Will came over and they went to Marysville to band practice. Frank and Will Robertson drove up to the village. Will going home for Easter. Wells Jr came up to get blacksmith done. We have maple syrup for supper which I expect will be the last of the season. V carried 3 doz eggs to the village. This is a poor pen. Sunday Monday 11 April 1898 A beautiful spring day. Volty finished plowing the big field. Maud and I sowed cabbage and two kinds of lettuce, cooked and done house work. Muriel and Hubert came up and brought butter, dutch cheese and 4 pans. Volty & Wallace go spearing fish in evening. Frank and Will Robertson here the eve. Maud went to Wills for yeast 10 delay and V and Wall not come guess I go to bed. �8 Sunday 10 April 1898 Made a mistake in writing. Mondays work for Sunday. Sunday a beautiful warm day. After dinner Maud and I go to the cedars to look for may flowers when I return. I am very tired so li down while Maud and Flora get the tea. Will goes over to L Dodges for corn comes home at sunset all night. Monday 11 April 1898 �9 Tuesday 12 April 1898 A fine day, warm day. V cultivated field for wheat. Will run his nets got fish. We had fish for dinner. V and Wallace speared the biggest ell [sic] measured over a yard. Grannie finished reading the Mountain mystery. Rachel went to V visiting. Leo’s Border came called here on his way to Spaffords from no one knows where, hes been missing for a time. Maud and Flora went to the snow woods for flowers but got none. Wednesday 18 April 1898 A pleasant warm dry day. V sowing wheat. Jr here cultivating in the wheat, ate dinner here and worked till 5 Oclock pm. Hubert here all day and helped Maud pick up chips. Grandmother picking over peas. Maud and Muriel go to Burnhams woods for May flowers, came back in time to help set table. Frank Woodman here in evening. Would like to do something beside house work but can get no time. Will gave fish 2 a sucker and pike. �10 Thursday 14 April 1898 A cool pleasant day, clouds gathering from the South. Barometer falling. Wind N.E. and brisk. Wellie helping V this am, ate dinner here and then went home. V fixed an iron for Frank 25 cts. Granny has finished the "Mountain mystery" 600 pages and is now reading "In Buncome County" after sorting peas. Hubert came up for his gum and mittens. Will gone to Kingston on Pierpont. I brought water from the dinner river Friday 15 April 1898 No rain, cold chilly wind from North. V preparing ground for sowing grain. Granny reading Buncome. Volty, Welly and Will doctoring Jess for colic all p.m. Thought she’d die but better toward night. Wellie came again in evening and stayed till bed time. Will here and V and Wm practiced their music lessons till 1/2 past nine We read in evening papers that war is declared between US & Spain. Maud goes to Eveline’s to get her apron stitched �11 Saturday 16 April 1898 sent 5 doz eggs. A fine day, no rain. V run the nets and got 2 pike and a sturgeon on a Will and Charley came shortly after and in the other nets and got a pail full of perch. V planted potatoes all am and pm fited pea ground till 4 Oclock pm then done chores and he and Frank go to Village to practice. R came over and brought soap, gave her a mess of potatoes and beans. Sunday April 17 - 1898 A fine day, wind South dry, no rain. Awake this morning to find Grace at home. Belle and the children awake to find her gone. V and G came last or this am at 2 Oclock within the week. Eveline has sent milk, buttermilk, butter, apples dutch cheese &c &c. Maud went home with Muriel and Hubert. Grace went to church. after church Grace went to Evelines from there to Wills. Jen and Will coming home with Grace and Maud. I get supper for Granny. V and I evening practice Jen, Will and Frank Woodman. I write a letter to Flora Bamford which I will finish later on �12 [hand scribed in pencil] 1948 1897 55 Monday 18 April 1898 A very fine day but dry cannot wash for the wash tub has nearly fallen down. V, and G, take the tub to river, put it in the water and fill it with stones. Grace and Maud sweeps the door yard. Grace has pain in side and hes down 8 hours. Set a hen on 18 eggs. Lottie brought seeds, top onions and melon seeds. Tuesday 19 April 1898 A cloudy morning looks like rain. Grace washes all forenoon lines full of clothes. After noon Grace and Maud drive to Belles with Bess and dog carp carrying vinegar and strawberry plants plants &c Irene washes aprons and other things, comes on to rain. Reuben called here leaving his skiff on shore, been up to Montgomery to pick up the fragment of his buggy that was broken yesterday when his horse ran away after wrenching himself free from the gate post where Rube had �13 hitched him. Volty cultivating in peas through the rain. Rain continues all afternoon and evening. Grace and Maud do not return home this eve as they intended. In the evening rains so fiercely that V does not go for mail but toots his horn instead. 20 April 1898 Wednesday morning, a cloudy morning but no rain, wind South and rising and cold. V plowing by the Church. Wellie came for grain to grind and sow. Went from here to Rattrays with double team and waggon to get grinding done. Maud and Grace return at 10 a.m. V works in field till 3 pm then goes to Wellies to help butcher. Belle sent me beans, pork, buttermilk and cream and some very choice flower seeds, gourds and purple morning Glories. Grand has no tobac and she is going to travel right off. Grace set a hen on 10 eggs. A cold raw April day a letter from Jess rec’d �14 Thursday 21st April 1898 A cloudy morning, wind hushed and gone to sleep after last night blowing half a gale. Grass growing and bright green covers our yard. Volty gone to Wellies early this morning to drive him to the dock. Wellie going to carry one pig to market. The apple trees are budding leaves. A rainy day. Rube came for his buggy top. Volty drove to the dock for Wellie. Edna sent me silk scraps and a beautiful bouquet of flowers the "royal George". Heard this evening that there will be a battle fought between U.S.A and Spain after V came home from the dock and done the chores he went to Ma Jr V to help them move their coal stove. A brilliant star lit night. After a day of rain and record squalls. �15 Friday 22 April 1898 A cloudy morning, began to sprinkle rain as Maud started for school. Rachel came over and brought salt and borrowed the garden rake. Grace went home with her for soap, yeast, cakes and sweet peas for Belle. After dinner Grace white washed the kitchen and cleaned part of the wood work. Ethel came over for starch and whiting. Grace used all tthe whiting. Grace made cookies and Irene made pumpkin pies, rained all afternoon. Jack Niles drove to scchool house for teacher and Moz and Maud came down with them. Volty and Wallace moved our coal store into the closet. Saturday 23rd 1898 April A soft mild morning, Wind North and light, warm enough to comfortably in garden field or yard. But Grace, Maud and [?] work within doors, cooking, cleaning kitchen, washing, wood work. After dinner and dishes washed, Grace and Maud raked the �16 front yard and burnt the rubish [sic]. Grace cleaned out the little arbor for flower beds and for the hammock. Wellie came and brought me butter, took Voltites skiff and rowed to Riverview for kerosine. Will and Charlie ran the nets, got a basket full of small fish (perch), gave me 6 fishes and gave Geo Gillespie some fish. Geo Gillespie here for raspberries bushes. Devolson transplated two plum trees (yellow egg). V goes to band practice, taking Jim Morgan with him from Rob Smiths. Will Dixon goes up with Frank Woodman came home at 1/2 past 2. I did not sleep very well. Volty heard potatoes falling in barrel down cellar; arose to investigate, found nothing - Spooks. A sun dog S of sun. V went to A Joslins for hay. 2 hundred Sunday 24 April 1898 Did not arise till late this morning. Grace and Maud had breakfast nearly ready when got out, rainy morning, wind North and cold. Grace and Maud go to church. Hattie Joslin came home with them ate dinner �17 with us. Grace goes home with Harriet and stays to tea. Rubin there. Hattie came over with Grace. R came over and stayed till late. Maud goes with her as far as Frank’s gate. I got supper. Cook eggs and boil potatoes. Evening visitors. Will Robertson, Will Dixon, Jen Dixon, Charlie Dixon. They stay till bed time. All go together Monday 25 April 1898. A cloudy, chilly day. Strong North wind. Grace and V arise early, breakfast, ready by 6 am. V goes to JN’s for seed drill. Frank came to borrow - something of V don’t know what. V working in field all day. Grace goes to Ev’s for our track puller came back, brought butter. Grace took carpet off dining room floor, done big washing hung them all on the line then made a garden bed for onion sets, multipliers and set them out . I cook beans, potatoes. and turnips made �18 aunt cakes. I borrowed sugar of Eveline. Lizzie H at E’s making E a wrapper. Grannie picking out sugar peas for Will. Lottie and Louise came over to bring their grandmother’s wardrobe and ask her when she is coming home, as they were instructed. Evening buglers. Will Dixon, Frank Woodman; practice till 10 O’clock p.m. Dry cold weather. Maud goes to SCHOOL. Will brought me a piece of butter. Tuesday 26 April 1898 Weather cool. Wind North and heavy. Grandmother picking sugar peas for Will, Maud gone to school, Grace moped [sic] dining room floor and is now writing a letter to Laura Joslin. Irene patching overalls for Devolson while he works in field. After dinner Grandmother reads "Romance of two Worlds". Wellie came up with team for grain. Lottie came over for white work finish. V finished the grain fields before the barn and cultivating by the Church. Grace lying down awhile. Grace is taking at �19 Our garden flower seeds came this eve. up carpet on sitting room floor. Grannie gone to bed in eve. V went to Wills with the horn blowers after going to JN to borrow a horse. Wednesday 27 April 1898 A chilly day, wind North. Irene sowed flower seeds. Grace worked carpet and sewed the east bed room carpet for the chamber. Maud at school. V with the Niles horse and Jesse is putting in oats. Grannie reads and goes to bed. Rachel came over for vinegar. Flora came after school and brougth butter milk and sugar, and we had pancakes for supper. WE go to bed early. There is no visitors. Knit or crochet 2 cross lambrequin went to W Boudreaus for [?] Thursday 28th April 1898 A cold chilly morning wind North. V went to JN’s for oats bought 4 bushels oats and JN offered to lend a horse to finish putting in the oats. V run fish net �20 got one perch and a pickerel which I dress for dinner. Granny’s reading and smoking. Cold and cloudless. Hubert came and brought butter. Friday 29 April 1898 sow indoor seeds in small boxes and sow flowor [sic] seeds, Phlox, Selocia [Celosia] and others. After dinner drive to Wellies with V to help E butcher three hogs for market. �21 Satuarday 30th April 1898 A fine day. Wind North but warm. Levi Border here to dinner. We read war news to the old man, poor old fellow going to get a fortune. Never will get any thing. Sunday 1 May 1898 A fine day. Grace went to Morgans in skiff with Will Robinson. Bernard Morgan here all afternoon and evening. Rachel here to dinner and supper. Will went over the river with Dev’ skiff went to dodges, went to carry Mr Levi Border across the river. Grace and Maud went to Church. Charley here too. Wellie here for exchanging milk cans. Van Bamford and Lib at Wellies all p.m. �22 Monday 2nd May 1898 Some what cloudy. Grace washed. I set the wormwood plant that Will gave me in the grove. Maud gone to school, made 3 boxes for gourds, had evening visitors. Viola Davis, Will Dixon, Frank Woodman here to practice music with Volty, Charley, Dixon here too. Dec plowed our flower garden and plowed and cultivated ground for potato planting. Charley brought me flowers from the woods. Tuesday 3rd May 1898 Rainy night and morning, cloudy all day and cool. Every thing looks like spring. Wheat up and growing. V all through sowing potatoes for seed in the s barn. I sowed Daisy and Aster seed & gourds. Grace got a bad cold. I sent 30 cts to Park for flower seeds, for Eveline, made pickles. Grace sewing carpet. I filled lounge tick with husks. Eveline sends lard by Maud last night. Birds are gaily singing. No letter from Wells. �23 Wednesday 4 May 1898 A rainy drizzling day, cold too. Clears up a little in afternoon. Devolson repairing fence down by Franks line. Welly here. I borrowed 6 cts for postage. Grace ironed all the clothes. Grace went to E’s for buttermilk. E sent us more butter. Eveline is a good girl. Thursday 5 May 1898 A cloudy day, weather cold enough to snow. Think it will snow. Wind north. Brought all the plants and pans of sowed seeds in door. Left them out last night for the first time this spring. Nearly ruined poor "Lilly bell". Dee drawing out manure. Grace taking up and tacking down carpet. Charley and Will here fixing hoes. Maud at school. Grandmother here reading all day "terbacker" all gone again. Charley came in for matches for Devolson �24 and told her there is a cigar stub out in the shop. Rachel gone to market with butter. No milk or butter for us yet. Devolson removed an apple tree which bears a sweet red apple, its is doubtful if it ever recovers the shock of transplanting. V fished for the shovel by Jack Light after dark then he and Frank went spearing, gone till 1/2 past 12, caught 1 eel, 1 sucker, 7 small perch. Very cold so brought in all the plants and seed pans. Friday 6 �25 Saturday 7 Sunday 8 �26 Monday 9 Tuesday 10 May 1898 So long ago since last wrote to in this diary nearly forgotten what transpired for a whole week past. We received letters from Wells and Dr Watty. We expected mail from Park seedsman but was disapointed [sic] Grace went for the mail. �27 Wednesday 11 May 1898 A beautiful warm day but afternoon windy and squalling from South. V planted potatoes all a.m. then washed the dirt from the buggy that had been on the buggy since last fall. V and Wm D left for Marysville band practice at 4 O’clock. They came home at 1 am through mud, wind and rain. Wednes evening Will, Volty & Charley went spearing for ells [sic] and got 6 ells and a sucker besides breaking the eel spear. Thursday 12 May 1898 Wall Niles here for eggs to get a loan. A rainy morning. V drove to dock with Grace with 17-1/2 doz eggs which she sold for $11.58. Rain cleared away about 12 oclock noon day. Maud home from school all day on account of rain. Volty slept 4 hours. Will Robinson here for post auger. Holly gone to Kingston too Drove to dock for grace. She didn’t get the money on the post office order. �28 Friday 13th May 1898 A fine morning. Afternoon breezy. Grace cleaning wood-work in dining room. Mrs Niles here for eggs got 15, paid 9 cts doz for 15. Irene came with her. Lollie came over to make an all day visit. V planted potatoes this a.m. and pm drew manure on corn land. Wind West and cool. Expected Eveline sow seeds but they came not. Saturday 14 May 1898 A fine day but this is a house of busy working from early morn till dewy eve. Will & Voltie start for band practice at 3, going to get there. Eli in time for marching: sent Marjorie a little note of thanks for those flower seeds the dear little girl. �29 Sunday 16 May A fine day and warm. After breakfast Maud and I wash the dishes and then go to Wills, found them all well. After dinner we all go to the back woods for flowers, found a heifer out there with a fine calf, a black and white bull calf. Came back, rested awhile and then came home. R came too. We had our tea at home so we read awhile, rest ourselves and all retire to rest peacefully Monday 16 May 1898 A fine warm day: Wind S and mild. V finished drawing names on potatoe ground. After noon plowed the ground for planting. Grace washed big washing and hung them on the line and one bed quilt. Irene does general house work and sows a few flower seeds. Grandmother read novel and then goes to bed. Will and Charley over here setting fish net. Rachel and Flora here for greens. Maud goes to school. �30 S Tuesday 17 May Wednesday 18 �31 Thursday May 19 1898 A rainy morning all the same. Volty drives to the dock with Grace. Friday May 20 1898 Grace papering up stair. Maud at school. I doing kitchen work all a.m. Grandmother reading James sketch book. V planting potatoes. After dinner and the dishes washed, I went to Evelines with V who is going to plow corn ground for Wellie. We stayed till after supper. Rachel stoped [sic] us on our return trip saying she coming over to stay all night for Grandmother has ran away while I am gone and came home again? Geo Williams is there also and acordingly [sic] she came over and also Marjorie who had [?] came down with the mail and surely when one goes another comes. But it is all right. �32 Saturday May 21 1898 A delightfully warm day south wind. Warm weather fortells thunder showers. Every tree, and all vegetation is so green with growth, that it more resembles the luxuriourance [sic] of the south land than Canada. A new milk cow today. Grace cleaning chamber ie papering, painting dining room floor tacked the carpet on the chamber floor. V, WallN and FW gone to band practice. A buisy [sic] day of labor all around the men were here selling bazar tickets. Grace bought one "Sister Mary Mabel" Sister Mary Thomas" from the house of providence. Sunday May 22 1898 A heavy thunder shower this morning. Every thing delightfuly fresh after the rain. V came home 1/2 past 2 a.m., slept till 7, done the chores in the rain, went gain to bed. Clears up fine at 10 am. Our orchard white with blossoms, the flower seeds coming up very well especialy those from England that my dear Helen gave me. Tarks seeds not so good. Grace making a lemon pie for dinner. Walked over to Wills �33 with Marjorie and Maud in tow. They were just eating dinner found John Niles Sr there getting his hair cut. We went to the woods ie Rachel, Will, D., Charlie D., Flora D., Ethel D., Lottie D., Louise D., and Majorie & Maud and myself, gathered wild flowers and Will dug ferns which I brought home. R & C came home with us: tea ready when we arrived: am very tired and we all retire early. Looks very much like rain. Monday 23rd May 1898 Arose at 1/2 past 5 a.m. raining hard. Go to the barn for potatoes and build fire and have breakfast nearly ready when Volty and Grace and the two youngsters get up. another heavy shower then clears up and the south wind blows a half gale from South all day. Marjorie & Maud go school. Grace washes all the clothes - sow some more flower seed and set out ferns and flowers. Our relatives from over the way were intending to cross over here to �34 go to Kingston tomorrow but wind and waves prevent. Fortunate for me. Another baby at Digmans next yonger than Laura. After school Maud goes to Wills for popcorn to finish planting a piece commenced. Two men here from Clayton to buy cattle. didn’t buy any. Tuesday 24 May 1898 Grace and Voltie drive to the villiage [sic]. Starting early to embark on board of ferry boat enroute for Kingston. Wolfe Island brass band are going to play to day in town. American soldiers and Canadian soldiers to day marching side by side bearing the Stars and Stripes aloft through the streets of Kingston, together with the Union Jack floating in the breeze. The Kingston 14 regiment band "Star spangled banner". Then the "Yankee lads" play "God save the Queen". Voltie came home at 12 midnight. Grace stoping [sic] in Kingston till Thursday. V drove her. She came home alone without bringing visitors but brought flowers from Mrs Marshalls flower garden when she went to call on poor Helen Watson �35 Saturday June 11th 1898 Nellie has been and gone. Maud has been and gone and much has transpired since I last wrote in this diary. Battles between United States have been fought, victories won. I don’t remember much which transpired between 24 and 28th of May which was on Saturday which was the very day that young Fred McKood, and Miss Reas who teaches school in the [?] school house came blundering in here while they were out airing themselves on the river, found no one at visible home except Grace who was scrubbing the dining room floor. Dont relish the uncerimonious [sic] visits of city clerks and school marms so early in the day. Saturday evening of the same day I drove up with Voltie (when he went to band practice) to Belles, found them well and pleased to see me, or appeared to. Belle and Charley were out milking the cows. The children were in doors taking care of the baby. Kathleen �36 well we had tea and went to bed. Arose early next morning, a fine morning. People going to church we admired the flowers in yard. We enjoyed a quiet sabath [sic] day. Callers - Miss Richardson teacher and two little Fosset girls, Hazzle and Hattie 30th Monday the children went to school till 3 O’clock p.m. when they came home and then we went to Browns woods for ferns (Beatrice, Fred and V). Belle printing butter for market. Charley drawing stone for a bridge. 31 Tuesday arose early. Belle going to Kingston to market while Beatrice and I do the work and tend the baby who is not very well - got a cold and is teething. About 10 Oclock. Grace and Marjorie came bringing Muriel with them. Grace and I get dinner, and supper while the children have great time playing. Then Charley drives to villiage [sic] for Belle and she comes just in time for supper. We have bananas for tea, about 5 Oclock p.m. We start on our homeward journey bringing little �37 Grace home with us who seems to enjoy the the drive along the beautiful country roads as much as the rest any of us. Home at last just as the sun is setting. Home home sweet home. how bright fresh and green is everything. I forgot we stay at the Wetmore place and gather flowers from the old deserted garden. Evening visitors Jimmie Morgan, Will Dixon, Charley Dixon, Rachel, Dick Jenkins, Frank Woodman, Will Robinson, at last they all go to Franks to blow horns. Rachel & Charley go home and Grace, Maud and I go to bed! 1 June Monday Grace worked. V plowed corn and potatoes. Thursday 4 June Volty and Grace go to Kingston. Volty carried the 5 hogs to Burnside and finished paying for his buggy. A sick sow, lost all her pigs. Rachel came over. Wellie & Jim Obrien here doctoring the sow. They came again in evening. Voltie & Grace came home from F’s bringing Maud Guy with them a regular old home span sort of girl �38 I forgot to mention that Voltie went up to the villiage [sic] Wednesday eve and Belle sent me some butter which I most thankfully received. 6 Saturday evening Voltie drove to the villiage in dog cart, drove Jess, Will Dixon goes with him. I sent Belles pail home with some lettuce and onions. 7 Sunday Grace went to Villiage with Maud Guy taking Gracie with them when they met Belle & Charley and all their youngones enroute for Mrs Margarette Hallidays, so they transfered Gracie to their carriage which fully completed the family load. Charley, Belle and six youngsters, 8 altogether quite fine family turnout. Well to proceed. Grace left Maud at Marysville enroute for Kingston and met Nelly at the wharf and brought her home with her for a weeks visit bringing her photography aparatus [sic] and her painting and music and presto change between she and �39 and her sister Maud. Nellie brought breezy animated vivacious [sic]. Cant work while Nellie is here, only get meals and chat & ramble around. 8 Monday Nelly stayed home and painted a drape. Shelly came down to invite her to her home. Wallace came twice to day. 10 Tuesday An excursion to day to day [sic] to Picton on the steamer. Arrives for the benefit of the Wolfe Island Brass Band. Our boys toot their horns to day for the excursion 20 of them. Will Dixon & Maud Watson with the lunch basket go in dog cart. Voltie, Grace & Voltie go in covered buggy, they got started at six am and return at 11 pm, report a fine time except for a heavy shower of rain. I forgot to say that on 9th Wednesday Nelly took 4 photographs and then went to Mrs Niles and stayed till 4 Oclock. Came home had tea and painted till dark. Grace went to Evelines for Bread for sandwitches [sic]. V drove down the �40 rhubarb rubarb Thursday 9 Nelly went to Evelines at 9 stayed till dark. Grace went to dock to meet young Mahood who was coming down to make a visit but he did not make his appearance and I’m glad of it. Dont want to make the acquaintance of any more city clerks. Grace went with Wallace in Wallaces new buggy to dock then came to Evelines and walked up home with Nellie, stoping at Franks for Rubarb. V mowing door yard with scythe, Wallace here again inviting ours to a dance at Jim OBriens tomorrow eve. Dont think they will attend. Friday 10 Cloudy day but Nelly takes pictures, twelve altogether of different views of the river and orchard, house and grounds in general. We all had our pictures photoed, dogs and horse and all. Cleaning out the cemetery to day, about 20 men and women at work. Saturday 11 Some what rainy. We arose at 4 get breakfast and then Grace drives with Nellie to the dock for Kingston and she goes this afternoon from there to Belleville. Well the �41 the day passes quietly on. Rachel and Flora come over & Grace cuts and makes Flora a print dress. Volty hoes potatoes. Irene weeds flower garden and transplants flowers and tomatoes. Rains nearly all p.m. and all Saturday night. R & Flo stay all night. Will and Charley go fishing by the high rock. Sunday 12 June 1898 A cool cloudy breezy morning, Ground heavy with moisture after last nights rain, a fine growth of all vegetation. Potatoes nearly in bloom, apples give great promise of abundance. It looks fair for a boutntiful harvest of all kinds of vegetables fruit and grain. Half past 12 pm R & H gone home. V gone to bed. Grace gone to bed. Maud reading "Our Bessie" and I’m hungry as a wolf. To day the Rev Cornell preached his last sermon and why are ours not at church. I must now hull those strawberries for our dinner. Evening visitors W.D. = Frnak W, Dick Jenkins �42 13 Monday June 1898 A fogy [sic] morning, clears up at 11 am. Volty went to Jr for crow bar, carried them tomato plants, brought crow bar and peppermint plants. Grace sewing, making Marjorie a dress. Maud pulling mustard. Irene churned and done dairy work in general, made pickles Tuesday 14 June 1898 A fine day. Grace Maud and V pulling mustard. Most forgot what done. Grace went to Evelines from the post office, letters from Bob G., a postal from Nellie Guy from Belleville. V commenced making Franks buggy box. Frank and Jim Morgan drive her in buggy and sit in buggy talking to Y till 10 pm. Grace & Maud come at 10 pm �43 A letter from W Sr which Grace gets from the villiage post office. Wednesday 12 June 1898 A heavy wind from the North nearly all day. I churn and get ready for Grace to go to market tomorrow. Maud goes berrying, got a pint. Grace sewing for Marjorie. Grace changes her mind and goes to the garden party instead so will not go to K tomorrow & goes up with Wm D and V in buggy, leave here at 4 pm and Maud and Irene are alone, ate every thing clean for supper, no bread in house so bake biscuits for suppose they will come home hungrier than hounds generaly do come that way. Thursday 16 June 1898 Willy goes to Kingston, bought a new table. A very good day after the garden party they came home at 4 am tired and hungry for after blowing their horns tired and driving so far 14 miles, his R never offered them any refreshments not as much as a piece of bread or a glass of water. Dibbs will go dry for music a long time before any of the band plays for him again. V hoes potatoes after rising at 8 am. Grace slept all pm. Evening Wallace brought us a mess of fish, transplanted flowers again and weed carrots. Frank & Wallace here. Will D goes to River view �44 Friday 17th June 1898 A warm day, wind South, a gentle breeze. Gace washed a line full of clothes. Maud at home. V hoeing potatoes this side of the marboroughs. Irene churns and makes 17 prints for tomorrow market. Rachel here inviting V & G to a dance at their house this evening! Poppycock. Don’t believe they will go. If Grace goes she must stay home from going to market tomorrow. Maud went before breakfast to Evelines for soap. Saturday 18 June 1898 �45 Sunday 19 Mon 20 �46 Tuesday 21 Wednesday 22 �47 Thursday 23 Friday 24 �48 Saturday 25 Sunday 26 �49 Monday 24 Tuesday 25 �50 Wednesday 29 Thursday 30 �51 Friday 1st July Saturday 2 July �52 Sunday 3rd Wind South blowing a gale all day. Belle wind bound at Gloyds. Charley came for her. Went home without her. Beatrice and Charley were north him. Niles went across this morning to carry Mrs Farr across. Wallace over there too went back again after bringing Grace home last night. Monday 4 A cloudy morning looks like rain wish would rain, need it very much but no rain falls for us. V goes early across the river for Belle borrowed Niles skiff gone two hours. Grace drove home with Belle, Gracie & Kathleen. Came home at 8 pm �53 Tuesday 5 A dry cool day no rain Wednesday 6 A hot day & a cloudless sky, made 13 lbs butter for market & churned in the cellar. V "cookin" hay �54 Thursday 7 July 1898 Another hot day wind South, sky cloudless. Grace gone to Kingston. Maud drove her to dock with Jim horse and the cart. Will Robinson helping V draw hay all day. Laura and R gone to dock gone to K L and Billious stayed all night with J and E. Friday 8 July 1898 No rain. �55 Saturday 9th July 1898 No rain Sunday 10 July 1898 �56 Monday 11 Tuesday 12 �57 Wednesday 13 July 1898 Thursday 14 July 1898 A dry hot day. Maud drove old Jim to dock (or started to) just below Wills broke down dog cart. Grace transfered her butter & eggs to Wm Gillespie cart and then got a seat in Geo Ranions vehicle. Maud not satisfied with her trip. The breakage did not fulfil her expectation of a pleasant drive to the dock. Will fixed the cart. Maud a good girl & worked all day. Maud again drove to dock at night fall for Grace. Mr Watson and Benjamin came to make their annual visit. �58 Friday 15 July 1898 The weather excessively hot. No rain every thing drying up, pastures brown and burnt. Grace and Maud gather raspberries in the scorching hot sun, breezy wind North. Awake this morning to find Wesley and Benjamin Watson here. Voltie and Will draw a big load of hay from Mr Niles that he (Niles) had given to Voltie. p.m after dinner. V tinkered up all around, made pigs trough, ground scythe. W.L.W. turned the grindstone. �59 Saturday 17 16 July 1898 Another dry hot day. Wind South. Volty cutting barley with a Scythe. We churned, cleaned floors & windows, preserved berries, and worked all day. W.F.W & Son go visiting Wills folks. Voltie at 5 p.m. starts for Marysville carrying Belles vinegar to her and I send a letter to Wells & a note to Belle, a postal to Mrs. Quinn We have peas for dinner and raspberries. 18 July 181798 [?] Sunday a dry hot day. W.F.W & family went to church. Voltie let Hazle take the dog cart. Will and Charlie came over for it. We slept late this morning nearly 7 O’clock. V came home at 1/2 past one a.m, brought a piece of beef from J.M. also a piece of beef for Uncle Sammy. Sam came for the beef bringing a five quart pail to put said beef in. �60 Monday 19 18 July 1898 No rain. Tuesday 20 19 July 1898 No rain. �61 Wednesday 21 20 July 1898 No rain, so warm can scarcely make buttter prints have to use ice freely. Old W.F.W. mad "Going to thrash Maud" The old lunatic. Thursday 22 21 July 1898 No rain so hot. V dont work in field, every thing scorching and burning up. The butter hardened with ice but all out of shape some prints look like pancakes, but Grace sold it for 20 cts per lb. a scarcity of butter on the market. Poor old W.F.W. went home this morning. I believe he is insane. Grace bring Victor Quinn home with her. �62 Friday 23 22 July 1898 Another hot day. No rain or sign of rain, a hot cloudless day. Voltie and Will draw our barley and then Voltie goes over and helps Will draw and stack his barley. Eveline sent Muriel up with some honey. Grace sent E some butter. Grace & Maud went to Eveline’s. I sent E a plant. Mail - a letter fro W Sr & a postal for Maud from W.F.W. and the Whig. The Stars & Stripes floating over Santiiago. Saturday 23rd July 1898 No rain. A strong breeze from South. V goes to the Ross place for a load of wood taking Victor Q with him.I write to Sr �63 24 25 �64 26 27 �65 28 29 �66 30 31 �67 Aug 1 1898 2nd �68 3 4 �69 5 Aug Friday 1898 A dance at Almonds this Evening. V and G and LD and Maud W attend. V gets a dollar for playing the Violincello. Frank a dollar and H Joslin a dollar. Grace is going to the villiage to go to Kingston to stay with Kelly till Tuesday. 6 Aug Saturday 1898 Dont arise very early after Almonds dance. V gets up at 7 but Grace, Maud and Miss L Davis lie in bed till 9 a.m. Little Grace Halliday sleeps with me and makes a racquet about "my Aunt Grace". I want her mom I’m very glad when morning comes. Well along towards night Grace starts out again taking Laura Davis and Gracie H with her and the house settles back to its old acustomed [sic] place once again. V drives up to the villiage with Frank W Grace goes up with buggy. �70 7 Aug Sunday 1898 A fine day. V came home late 3 a.m. We are alone nearly all day that is Volty, Victor, Maud and I. V had a long nap. This morning I called him at 8 a.m. , late milking the cows. We had a fine dinner at 3 p.m. Evening visitors were Mrs Niles, Shelly Niles, Irene Niles, Wm Dixon, Jen Dixon, Charley Dixon, Dick Jenkins and Frank Woodman 8 Aug Monday 1898 A very fine day but warm. Eveline and the children come up on the waggon with Wallie after Voltie had been down all there fore noon and and [sic] helped Welly finish his harvesting. then Welly and Volty finished up here but worked till after dark. Uncle Levin Border came and stayed to supper and stayed all night, he is going across the river to live says Spafford turned him out door. Hubert lost himself behind the ice house where Eveline found him alseep after a great deal of anxious look and calling by E & Mr Victor, Maud, Muriel and Volty and I �71 9 Aug Tuesday 1898 Will came this morning took V’s skiff and rowed Uncle Levi over the river. Will stayed on all day and worked for Horace Dodge and come home after dark. Volty works all day for the Niles. Grace rode down with Jim Morgan on meat cart. Grace bought 15 cts of beef of Jim. I was two shirts for V & some towels. 10 Aug Wednesday Churn and make out nine lb pounds of butter for market. Volty digs 4 bags of potatoes for market after working half day for Niles. McDowels agent called here. �72 11 Aug 1898 Thursday A hazy close hot day. Voltie and Grace goes to Kingston. I churn and patch. Victor watches cows and pick up potatoes. Maud skims milk and washes pans & draws milk. Jen & Charley here in evening for ice. Jen brings home my butter print and gets her own V paid 5 more on the P which makes 10 paid on it. 12. Aug - 1898 Friday A fierce wind from South all night: blew the front door open with a bang. Blowing to day. Hazy. V and W Jr gone for a load of wood from the Ross place. The ground this morning covered with harvest apples. Mrs Robinson (from Frank’s) came with the swill pail. Grace crocheting doiyles [doilies]. Irene patched Victor’s shirt. A cow had a calf this morning. the black and white cow. �73 13 Saturday 14 Sunday �74 15 Monday 16 Tuesday �75 17 Wednesday 18 Thursday �76 19 Friday 20 Saturday �77 21 Sunday 22 Monday �78 23 Tuesday 24 Wednesday �79 25 Thursday 26 Friday �80 Thursday 29 September 1898 27 Saturday A beautiful day. Arise early put butter in basket 17 lbs send a basket of sage. E come from Burnhams where she stayed all night. Maud home to day from school. The girls work very well. A nap for me this p.m. 28 Sunday Friday 30 Sept -98 A fine warm day like July. Cut and sewed carpet rags. V dug potatoes and pm went to Wills to cope house John Dixon here all afternoon. V came home at dark and brought 2 band pictures one for sis and one for Wells Jr Evening visitors Maggie Scott Frank W. Grace milked the cows at evening. V drove out with Edna and then drove home with Scott: got to bed at last 12 midnight- a beautiful moonlight night. �81 Saturday 29 Monday Oct 1st 1898 Have not written in this diary since the 12 of Aug. This is very warm, all the doors and windows wide open. River still, no wind. Churned in cellar: butter very soft. V digging potatoes. Ed picking up a party at Van’s to night for Frank. he 22 years old to day. E & M go to Franks for crab apples. Grace finished J.K’s dress 30 Tuesdaygoing to take or send them tonight. Edna & Grace & Voltie drove to Village to band practice. Grace carries Gracies her nigh gowns and drove up wtih Wallae from Wm Ranons. Sunday 2 Oct 1898 A bright warm day, breezy. They came last night at one a.m. They arose 1/2 past 7 O’clock a.m. �82 31 Wensday [sic] Thursday 1 No town �83 �84 [back cover with attached seal] Red Rope Magazine Binder Manufactured by Gaylord Bros. Inc Syracuse, N.Y. Stockton, Calif. �85 �This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following people: Ann Hopkinson, Queen’s University Archives, and MaryV � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Subject The topic of the resource 19th and 20th Century Rural Ontario Diaries Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1887-1922 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1887 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1888-1889 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1889-1897 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1890 March - June Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1893-1895 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1895-1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1896 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1897-1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899-1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902, 1906 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902-1909 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1904-1905 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1907 & 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1908-1919 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1911 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913-1914 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1915-1916 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1916-1917 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1917-1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1921-1922 Language A language of the resource English Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1898 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1898 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th Century, Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. April 5th, 1898 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Extent The size or duration of the resource. Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done transcribed https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/5716f0e665e0cb414426758cfb23e0c5.pdf 97e1831c1d856455f384769e3acd6b6f PDF Text Text Irene Dixon Bamford 1899 June-August, Diary Transcription 5034_4-1-9 �Metadata FromThePage export of 5034_4-1-9 from Irene Dixon Bamford made on 2026-02-11 14:35:16 UTC. itemTitle: June-August 1899 date: 1899 Title: 5034_4-1-9 Description: Item is a diary. Created On: 2024-01-11 17:32:12 UTC In Scope: true Uploaded Filename: 5034_4-1-9 �1 [File Folder] Irene Dixon Bamford Diary June-August 1899 [stamp] Queen’s University Archives Locator 5034.4 Box 1 File 9 �2 Been Read June - August 1899 �3 Reread ’76-’89 �4 Sunday 14 June 1899 A hot cloudless day am thinking of drouth [sic] but hope not. Wellie came up and stayed a while, lent him a Berralds and a boat. Grace and Maud went to Church & sunday school. Arthur stayed home. Had soiled his clothes so had to stay home. Evening Maud went to Mr Niles with a note for Wallace go to the express office for Grace. Most of the youngsters out this beautiful eve driving. Frank, Emma and Grace in one buggy. Wallace, Marnie Bolton and Minnie Woodman driving in W N’s buggy. Lewis, Joy & Mary Gordon in another. Bob Reid and Hattie Joslin in another. Will Robinson, Maud Gillespie & Lilly Woodman in another. Frank raced and drove by them all hollered and yelled, made more noise than a tribe of indians. I wrote a letter to Wells Sr just to say Grey Gillespie & Bessie Gibson out driving too also Perley Burnham and Hannah O’Brien. Monday 12 June A breezy hot day. I worked at the flowers nearly all forenoon. Maud at school. Wish Artemus was there too. To meddlesome by half unmannerly and noisy wants his own way about everything. I dont believe I like him very well but he helps feed boys and fill dirt boxes. �5 Wallace has gone over the river, think he has gone to Cape Vincent. �6 �7 I have to churn this afternoon. Churned and weed in garden. Wellie told me that his grandmother had lost the sight of one eye (right eye). Wallace came at eventime and brought the box of candy that Voltie had exported through from Buffalo but no picture yet. Grace went with Wall down to Franks and Artemus draged [sic] out the big rocker, fixed it up with cushions, and putting on his over coat, drew the chair in the doorway and with Tiny in his arms comfortably seated himself to the exclusion of any one passing in or out and was quite angry when Maud forced her way out. Telling her to go clear aroung to the other door and not bother him, and only this afternoon was much put out when Grace asked him to drive the horses into the pasture, refusing to go: at last when forced to go, like a baulky horse he went with fury both horses on the run dashed through the gate frightening the colt which jumped through the wire fence beside the gate and �8 tore a piece of skin completly off his neck leaving it on the wire fence which our young hero brought to the house. I think he’ll take a trip to the city Thursday and not come here again. Tuesday 13th June 1899 I walk over to see mother and about her blindness find them all right enough, mother reading with one eye and two pair of glasses. Rachel loaded to the brim with dirt about Bob Gaskin, poor old Rachel wonder will she ever possess common since [sic]. I think she is passed that period to old now to begin to learn any thing but filth. She rolls it like a sweet morsel under her tongue. I’m sorry she is not pure and clean to bad, to bad. Wednesday 14 June 1899 A warm day. I churn and make out 16 lbs of butter for market and dress two hens. Bill & Mary come over to go to Kingston tomorrow �9 Thursday June 15th June 1899 A fine morning arose at 7 AM. Maud drove to dock with Grace and Mary Winsmill in buggy. Bill caught a ride with Niles. Maud and I work hard all day preparing for company. Arthur drove to dock in evening, boat arived [sic] late. Grace came bringing Helen Watson for a weeks visit. Mary and Bill came back bringing nothing but again stay all night. A cool evening, rained some. Friday 16 June 1899 I churn and work in Garden. A fine day, plant more pot corn for hens to scratch out. Bill and Mary go over to Wills visiting because the wind blows so they cant cross, came back and crossed that night. �10 Saturday 17 June 1899 Grace cleans floors. I work in garden. Sunday 18 June 1899 In evening Grace takes Helen W for a drive to foot. A beautiful day, breezy from South (and come to Eveline’s). Grace, Helen Watson and Arthur went to Church and Sunday School. Irene worked around all forenoon & went down and looked at my garden and found that the hens have once again scratched up all the pop corn which Artie and I planted on Friday. Monday 19 June A very warm morning. Grace drove to ferry acompanied by Miss Helen Watson and they ate dinner with a Miss McCartha came back to Belles and stayed to tea and arived at home 10 pm. Will took Jen and Charley across the river to pick berries for Gloyds strawberries per box, rowed back and rove to the village with Rachel. R going to cook for Briggs. Wellie came up and cultivated bushes and potatoes, looked after the pigs. I work awhile in garden as usual. �11 19 June 99 Afternoon 5 pm been working all time since dinner. All the others taking an after dinner nap except noisy Arthur and I. A very slight thunder shower this morning but clears and the wind blowing strong breeze from the West. There I am in my bed room going fast asleep in chair. It blows so hard, one of the flower pots was blown from the stand. I sent a letter to Sr and one to Voltie. Hubert came for Vinegar and brought me a piece of factory cheese. Wellie came for the churn and gave him churn full of lettuce & lemons and a bottle of pickles. Hubert came early for butter for breakfast. Arthur pulled mustard. Maud went for wild strawberries. Wednesday 21 June 1899 A cool dry day, clouds come trooping up from the west covering all the sky. Wind blowing from the West. I churned and make 17 prints for market. Helen teaching Grace to do embroidery. �12 Thursday 22nd June 1899 A fine morning, arose at 4 put up the fowls, got breakfast and Helen Watson, Maud and Grace started for the dock enroute for Kingston. A circus in town. Arthur brought water, fed dogs, scrubed [sic] pantry and kitchen floors, then after dinner, Arthur hitched up Bess and we drove to Wellie’s to make a call. Arthur killed a hen for a pot pie. At night we milked the cows, fed the hogs and then Arthur hitched up Bess and drove to the dock for Grace and Maud. Grace came home bringing pea soup, candy and dates. Friday 23rd 1899 A fine day, thunder and lightening in the night, some rain; but not much. Grace sewed for herself making a shirt waist and a shirt for Arthur. Irene hoed and worked in garden. Sold Ruth Woodman a pound of butter 16. John Dixon and Jen came over and stayed all evening. John came for mother to go home with him but she says she will not go. Letters from Wells Sr, 2 from Voltie, 1 from Robert, one from Watson. �13 Saturday 24th June 1899 A bright clear warm day. Grace sewing for her grandmother. Sold a pound of butter to Wellie & 2 pounds of butter to Jen Woodman. We set cabbage and tomato plants. Maud went for strawberries only got a few, all dried up. Got to wash by the river, wish it would rain. Sent Mrs Woodman lettuce. Arthur doing all kinds of chores, good boy. Maud cleaned floors. 25 Sunday June 1899 Maud and Arthur went to Sunday school and church service. Grace dont go but takes a long nap two of them, brother John came back and ate supper with us. Said he put a quarter in the contribution box. �14 26 Monday June 1899 27 Tuesday June 1899 �15 28 Wednesday 1899 A fine day: after dinner Grace, Maud and Arthur drive up to the picking in Geo Woodmans Grove. It sprinkles quite a shower. They came home early, admittance for children under 13 to the dinner table 15 cents. Charley Dixon went to the table with 15 cents for his dinner but Charley Woodman drove him away because he didn’t have 25 cents. Charley Woodman! a good Christian hog. I have made a mistake in the date yesterday All the above transpired. To day Wednesday it rained all day. Eveline drove to Kingston through the rain. 29 June Thursday Grace gone to Kingston to market with butter 15 lbs. I had sold Eveline 1 lb and Samy’s folks 1 lb. I am not very well and go to bed. Maud and Arthur cleans up the house but I had visitors all the same. Mary Woodman,, Irene Hengie and her little daughter Hazel and her husband came and I got their dinner for them and enjoyed the visit in good faith - from here they went to Wills, found Jen gone to Kingston but paid their respect to their grandmother. �16 30 Friday 1899 1 July Saturday 1899 �17 2 July Sunday 1899 3 July Monday �18 7 July Tuesday 1899 Artimus and I drove up to Bells for Marjorie to come home with me and help milk the cows while Grace goes to Kingston to visit the Gaskins for a week. This is a queer old world any way. It keeps one on the [pump?] all the time to keep up the race for others, but I enjoy the drive, find every thing most beautiful all along the road, grain crops are fine. Drive around by John O’Briens arrived at Bells at 8 am. 5 July Wednesday A fine day. Grace preparing to go to Kingston to stay a week. �19 6 July Tuesday 1899 Arose at 1/2 past 4 this morning. Every thing in readiness for Grace to go to Kingston to be gone a week leaving me and the three youngsters. Marjorie is good tempered but I expect a good deal of sparring and picking at each other by Maud and Arthur. When Arthur goes to the dock for the groceries I go to Wellies and stay till Arhtur returns. Did not know but Mrs Watson would come but happy to know he didn’t come, sent 13 lbs to market of butter. 7 Friday July 1899 A very fine day but Arthur and Maud kicked over the traces first thing lowered Mauds temperature all right but Artie holds spite longer, but willing to help only finds it hard to bring so much water for the hogs so I help bring water from the river. Mail Whig Montreal Stx and Herald and a letter from Helen Watson. �20 July Saturday 1899 The girls clean the floors. A very hot day. I wish it would rain. George Williams drove in here this evening with Wellie and took old Jim horse away. He will get wet for it looks like rain and a fire fly in the window curtains. 9 July Sunday 1899 A very wet day and last night from 7pm till 2 am it thundered and lightened [sic] awfully chrash [sic] after crash of thunder accompanied with briliant flashes of lightning and then continued to rain all night. So we are never forgotten; in our dire distress for rain, it came pouring down in plenty filling boiler, tub, all the pails. What a saturating the Earth did get, now potatoes, corn and every garden will grow: a long lonesome Sunday, wood scarce and wet so burn a scuttle of coal. I read to the children Maud, Marjorie & Arthur �21 Monday 10 July 1899 A fine day after the rain. Maud done a big washing lines full of clothes. I hoed the garden and popcorn. Arthur & I set out cabbage plants till dark. The girls pick a bowl of berries for tea. Tuesday 11 July 1899 The girls done a great ironing and picked berries enough for 2 two quart cans. Our flowers are begining [sic] to bloom poppies, &c. Will working for Niles. Wellie working for Rattray. Evening mail a letter from Wells Sr, Devolson, Miss Kate Knapp a postal from Grace saying she is going to Ogdensburg Thursday a postal from Nellie Grey saying what a grand time Grace is having and how sweet she looks and how she takes the shine off the "Miss G’s" (Nellie ought to have said the Misses G) but better have not said any thing about it, it sounds foolish, silly. I sent Grace a letter from home. �22 Wednesday 12 July 1899 A fine morning. 5 minutes to six when I arose at nearly six. Maud & Marjorie finish ironing and pick berries. I hoe a few potatoes. John Coxall here to borrow a pig box. John told me that Frank Woodman’s cows - ten of them, he (John) drove out of our grain this morning and drove them into Franks pasture and shut Franks bars that Bob Reid had & sent left open when Bob drove out last night. I wrote Frank a note. Wellie "blowed" Frank up. Frank at dark was again driving his cows home from out the road. Will McDonel Sr came for 4 pigs, sold them for 11 dollars per pan. We going to buy feed for the others. We put all our cows in the stable to night. Thursday 1 July 1899 A bright breezy day arose at 1/2 past 5, called the youngsters. They turned the cows out the stable and milked them in the barnyard and then drove them into the pasture. They had been in pasture about ten minutes when Charley Dixon came over to say he had just driven old blue cow & the black one out of the grain. I gave Charley a boquet for the dinner table and told him to come back and get some berries. He came brining me three new laid eggs. Arhtur cleaned the pig pen which is horrible filthy. Fell and hurt my hip while pulling weeds for the pigs so I am very lame. Will went to bay for tobaco bought a lb of butter of me. Irene churned. Dont make much butter. �23 Friday 14 July 1899 Wellie came last night for the buggy and express order from Voltie, $16. Eveline is going to take it to Grace in Kingston for Grace to get the money for it to pay Rattray. We put the cows in the stable again last night. I didn’t sleep any last night in such pain from falling couldn’t rest; but I went down cellar this morning and skimmed the milk and washed the pans and got the breakfast. Arthur don’t like to work only as he is ruged and pooped; The blue cow in the grain again and he wouldn’t have known it if John Coxall had not called to him, and after he has been told so many times to watch that cow. Marjorie is cleaning pantry floor and the steps. Wess didn’t come and I’m so glad and so is Maud. We never want to see him again. �24 Saturday 15 July 1899 1899 It rained at evening timie and all night but caught no water for the tub and boiler were not set out. Sunday 16 July 1899 Grace was going to drive up with Marjorie but the rain prevented. �25 Monday 17 July 1899 Grace after picking a few quarts of berries for Belle drove up to Bills with Marjorie and returned bringing Grace home with her. Tuesday (1899) 18 July �26 Wednesday 19 July 1899 Thursday 20th July 1899 Arthur drove to dock this morning with Grace only carrying 12 lbs of butter. A warm cloudy lonesome day. Two youngsters, Arthur & Gracie both troublesome and noisy: if only Arthur here it would be all right but Grace is a terror. After the work was all done I took the hoe and went to the tater patch to hoe taters. �27 Friday 21 July 1899 A fine breezy day, wind South. Grace washes a few things and I hoe potatoes. Evening Mail Whig, Herrald, & Saturday Evening Post. A letter from Voltie and one from John with a letter from Mrs Lindley and a few lines from Flora. Grace received a letter from Bob of course. I was so tired couldn’t read much but went to bed and slept soundly all night. Saturday 22 July 1899 A fine day. Grace cleaned floors while I churned and made butter prints 2 for Mrs Woodman and one for Eveline. after working around the house went to hoe potatoes and hoe till supper time. And go to bed tired enough after washing dishes. �28 Sunday 23rd July 1899 A clear cool day, wind North and breezy. Arthur and I alone nearly all day. Grace drives to Bells for Maud taking Gracie with her, came back towards night bringing Gracie back with her and Beatrice also. Charley Dixon came over for ice cream freezer and ice. I had no freezer but he got a pail of ice. Arthur and I picked a few raspberries for tea. Grace came early bringing Maud, Beatrice and wee Grace came back again. Mrs Niles came and Inez & Lulu Niles, a homely young one of Geo Niles. Wallace came to & he and Grace went over to Wills for Ice Cream. Monday 24 July 1889 Grace sick this morning of indigestion. After yesterdays Debauch of driving up to Belles through the heat, eating hot yeast bread and honey with ice cream at Wills & then must be so flat as too smoke a whiff or two of Well’s dirty cigar. I have read somewhere that sickness is a disgrace and I believe it. I and Maud done big washing and hung them early on the line, cooked, hoed & cleaning. Sold Frank Woodman a pound of butter but Geo Snub but no money forthcoming. I may never get it; Will Dixon went to Millens bay this morning. Let Arthur go with him didn’t get back till 1/2 past 10 am. Will �29 a jug of cider of H Dodge and crackers and cloth. Wellie is drawing in Wells hay. Grace abed all day, a very hot day. Tuesday 25 July 1899 A breezy day from the south. Wellie here plowing out potatoes. Arthur pairs greened the potatoes and cut burrdocks but he dont like to work but likes pan cakes and all the green apples he can get. Well’s mad, says "what the deval [sic] do you keep so many young ones around for, send three of them home and lower your family expenses about half. I guess he is right. Grace is better and is sewing making Irene a waist. Irene washed more clothes and hung them on the line. Maud done big ironing and cleaned up the parlor &c. My flower garden is fine. �30 Wednesday 26 July 1899 Another hot day. Sold John Coxall one pound butter for Samy’s folks 23 cts, churned and made 8 lbs butter for market. So warm could with difficulty make it out, wish it would rain. Hand cleaned the chamber. Arthur lazy ickle boy a nuisance, wants to eat all the time between meals. Grace had to hide the cookies. I wish he was in Kingston, wont have him around another summer if all is right. I dont believe I mean what I write about Artimus poor little imp got no mother, pretty good boy after all only sometimes I loose [sic] patience. Thursday 27 July 1899 A very warm day. Artemus drives to dock with Grace, Beatrice, Maud & I work around all day (& also Arthur) preparing to receive our city guest Mrs Gaskin. I and Arthur clean cellar and platform door, steps to cellar more and arange [sic] all the flowers. Arthur drove for them. Grace came limping. The lovely Mrs G Well how do I like her? Will �31 tell you much better at the close of her visit. Watson & Ben came too but stoped [sic] all night at Wells. Friday 28 July 1899 Grace hung the hammock between the trees and our guest with book in hand comfortably took to the hamock [sic] and read and slept to her hearts satisfaction after dinner. Mrs G and Grace wandered off down among the raspberries, came back with a bowl of berries for tea and then drove to the foot of Island, came back at bed time. Wesley Watson & Ben came this morning and his gabble gabber is going all day. Ben is sick, ate so much to fill himself up. Saturday 29 July 1899 A fine day. After breakfast Grace drove to village with Miss G taking Beatrice & Gracie home and after posting letters drove back to Bells where they stay till 5 pm then drove home bringing Irene with them for an indefinite length of visit. Wallace came in evening and gets acquainted very fast with Miss G. I think when she calls me in the parlor and tells me that Will Niles is putting his arm around her. Watson and Ben gone to bed. Ben pretty sick. Asked Watson what he drags that young kid around for �32 Sunday 30th July 1899 A fine day. After breakfast Maud and Irene go to Sunday school. Grace and Miss G go to church service. Watson tries to get passage for himself and Ben with the preacher but fails. After dinner Grace and Miss G drive to English church service taking Ben and Watson’s bag with them while Watson gets a ride to the church with Percy Gillespie and from church gets a passage with his Reverence (Mr Dibbs) who drops Watson, Bell and the bag at Bells. There they stay all night. Ben was sick all the time even when he left here. But I enjoyed Watson brief visit with his Biology and Botany. Wish I was the happy possessor of the Botany, the price of the book one dollar. Lazy old Watson can have it but not I. Wallace here again this evening and Will & Charley. Miss G cant sing, cant play. Watson raked. Verona people bald headed, low immoral beastly set so said Wess. �33 Monday 31 July 1899 A fine day. Wellie reaping & binding oats. A novel sight for Miss G never before having seen any farming done. Wellie wouldn’t stay to dinner nor to supper. Aunt Ruth sends Viola for two lbs of butter. Charley Woodman bought 1 lb butter, 23 per lb, dont have to take butter to market any more - sell it all to our neighbors dont make much anyway. Grace, Miss G and Wallace make ice cream in the cellar, old blue tail gets in the grain so many times I cant keep a record - keeps Arthur on the pimp. Grace invited Shell and Jen Gordon Wall and Jack to ice cream. Wall came of course but Shell scorned the invitation by going instead to visit Mary Farr Joslin all right Shell Niles. Jen Dixon sends over Charley for butter - one lb and send a two dollar bill. We couldnt change so didn’t get pay for butter. �34 Tuesday. A fine day for the 1st of August 1899. Wellie finish binding oats in the field, he came in and I introduced my son Wells to Miss G. After breakfast, Grace & her guest visit Eveline and stay to dinner. Jr eats his dinner here. After they return at 1 oclock pm by invitation. They drive up to Wm G Woodmans for a visit where Miss G has a delightful time for Wm & Mary make the visit very entertaining by a description of Watson’s bride, the marriage and the brides trosseau and also told Grace that Watson has obtained the Marysville school for the remainder of the year. If true there will be a sequal [sic]. They had for tea hot rolls and honey. Mrs George Woodman very sick. Wednesday 2nd August 1899 A cool day but bright and clear. Weather very dry, roads terrible for dust, pastures brown and bare enough every cow in the country going dry. Will Young ones carry water from river now every day. Wellie working home to day. After dinner Grace and Miss G driver over to Breakeys to deliver a letter to a youong lady boarder named Miss Watson which had been given to and an �35 opened by Maud by mistake. from Breakeys, they drove to Montgomerys for an afternoon visit. They return at sunsest and without ever coming into the house go to call on the Niles family. They found Shell and Gordon on the river in skiff where they proceeded to remain till "we sins" returned home accompanied by Wallace and Jim Maloney who stayed till 10 oclock pm, and of course we have to get up early tomorrow morning, boat leaves our doct at 1/2 past 5 am. Viola here for butter churn and send Maud with it. Sam pays for Franks butter that Frank got a week ago. Thursday 3rd August 1899 A fine day. Get up at 4 and hustle, a heavy fog envelopes every surounding [sic] object like a shroud. But Arthur gets out and hunts around for Bess to drive to dock at last with bundle and baggage and great bunches of flowers. Arthur drives away with them, good bye. I’m glad you are gone. This has been a tough week for me but I’m alive and kicking all right: haven’t been so happy and free in a week. Grace didnt’ want to go to town today but was afraid �36 to go for binding twine bought 4 more for Voltie and two for Wellie which makes ten balls altogether all paid for with Volties money. Mab is a good girl enough but crude, unrefined, no accomplishments whatever, dont play piano, dont sing, not artistic by way of any kind of crochet, knitting, needle work, no painting or drawing, cant dance but at same time would like to assume a great many high bred airs. No substantial solid reading, only novels, but a good common neat home keeper and as near as I can learn this is the first time she ever was away from home. For all that Mabel is a good girl but is sadly deficient in fine training. There is nothing like good books which elevate the mind with a certain amount of travel for a girl and again a determined persistence in self culture which certainly will work wonders by unfolding the mind to the beauties of art and especialy nature in all varied forms for our heroin has not even a common delight in flowers, that great source of pleasure to most common minds. But how i have anyilzed [sic], criticised. I ought to be ashamed of my �37 self but who will ever see my old diary. They were all so very good to Grace when she visited in Kingston. Oh well, I like her herself. Tis night again. Grace is home once more. The Wormwiths came down this pm to board at Brekey’s. Twelve boarders there now. Friday 4 August 1899 A fine day. Grace done a big washing. Wellie binding wheat till 4 pm, then went home. Arthur setting up bundles. Grace towards night fall drives over to Breakeys. Brings Miss May Wormwith home with her. I am pleased to see her. Have not seen May in long time: find her as pretty and dainty and refined as she was two years years [sic] ago. The little aristocrat. Wallace put in an appearance and though acquainted with May seemed as abashed and awed by her presence as though she was a princess. Well our guest stayed till 10 pm. When Grace drove back to Breakeys with her accompanied by Wallace to drive the horse home for Grace. Grace promising to take May to church �38 Sunday. I churned a few lbs butter. Voltie wrote that those pictures are now at the Cape. Saturday 5 August 1899 A fine day except the west wind is blowing a gale. When just as we had our Saturday work all done and Arthur setting up wheat, Belle drove down home with old Dan hitched to the double buggy bringing Charles Jr, Gracie B & Cathline going to stay all night. Sold Eveline a pound of butter. Eveline sent cucumbers and eggs. Eveline good girl. Jen sent Sylvia down for a pound of butter and to accomodate her. I churned after dark and sent Maud with it all right 23 cents. At last all abed and asleep then Charles Jr, the night walker all unconscious of himself came and crept into bed with me and never awoke till 9 o’clock am and was much surprised to find himself in a strange bed. PS We had our first mess of green corn to day. Sunday 6 August 1899 A hot day, a scorcher. Arose at six am and get breakfast for nine all told. No one offers or makes a move about going to church. �39 to day. Oh no but Graces new hammock is put out for the pleasure of the Kidds and it gets a racket of course: dirty from soiled clothes and dirty shoes with broken cords and drawn warp. Oh it is a pretty looking thing now. There never yet was anything around this home but had to with stand a siege for of course every thing here is public, for the remark was made that Grace bought that hammock for the "quality" and of course the quality used it and now - well are right. Well after dinner. Bell became drowsy and went to bed. Grace went to bed and I dozed in the rocking chair on the veranda while the quality were quarelling and destroying the hammock, 5 at once. While I was comfortably sleeping in chair. A little sprite said "aunt rend mama wants to get some butter milk to make a Johny cake and looking up saw it was Lottie Dixon and impatient at being disturbed and so sleepy. I requested Irene to go down cellar, get the buttermilk telling her where she would find the crock on the back shelf and to �40 give Lottie all the buttermilk there was in the jar so Irene went down and took the cream jar from the table and emptied all the cream in to Lotties pail, which she took home at once to make Johny cake, when I as usual went to skim milk. I found the cream pot empty and by inquiring about the affair found that Irene had done the buisness [sic] and I immediately sent Irene over for my cream and behold Jen sent me back a 1/2 teacup full having used the rest for cooking purposes, cakes, cookies, Johnie cakes &c. Belle started for home about 4 oclock bag and bandbox leaving Irene behind. Wills folks mad because Bell didn’t carry her grandmother up home with her. After Bell was gone Grace drove over to Breakeys and took May out for a drive down the island and back again. May was coming home with Grace to stay all night while I was washing the milk pails who should present himself but his reverence Mr Weese, then I cast all care and work aside to talk with his reverence till 10 pm when he took leave for Mrs Niles to stay �41 over night. Grace drove in just as the preacher left and so we go to bed. Grace tomorrow going to the villiage [sic] for groceries for Wellie is going to draw in grain and build stack Tuesday Monday 4 August 1899 A dry day, wind North. Arose at 1/2 past 5 am found old bue and 5 of Franks horses in Volties oats. Set Prince on the cow chased her around and around the fence and away up by the church and there she stood still and let the dogs bark all they wanted too till Arthur went with Rachel and drove her out into the pasture. Then Grace sent him for Bess to drive to the villiage while Bob Reid was driving Franks horses out the grain. And Arthur thinking Bess was in the grain too, caught Frank’s old mare Doll and put her in the stable and gave her hay and oats, and discovered his mistake when he went to put the harness on her. Bob Reid called �42 to him when he was leading old doll out the oats, asking him what he was leading old doll for. But Arthur said it was Bell so Bob said no more. Arthur has just come back from Wellie’s where he has been to set up grain. Wellie came bringing the binder and waggon. Wellie is going to draw oats this pm. Maud and Irene gone over to Wills for our gobbler. He broke loose again. I dont know what proffit in trying to raise turkeys, from one gobbler and two hen turkeys we have got one little turkey. A woman is fishing here in front of the house sitting in a skiff & guess it is Alvira Burnham by the rig she wears and old tattered straw hat. Maud, Irene, Arthur and I do all the chores. Grace come at sundown could not get beef or scarely any thing close Tuesday 8 Auguast 1899 No rain, dry and cool. The face of nature is perishing for water. No rain of any account since 9th of July. Wellie drawing and stacking oats and wheat clared the field of all the bound grain. John Babcock helping him. After dinner �43 I walk over to Wills to see grandmother, find Wellington and Perley repairing the bridge where Rob Ranons had met with, what nearly proved to be a serious affair by his fast driven team breaking through plank, upsetting the waggon, throwing Bob one way and one of his horses falling down in harness, but after all done only badly shaken up. Found Mrs Niles at Jens sewing; making the little girls dresses. Jen & Mrs Niles have learned the art of cutting and making garments of a Mrs Haskins a "widdy" from Gananoque who is traveling around giving instruction in the art. A good thing for Jen, price $2.00 dollars with a chart. Stayed to tea: had taken Irene with me, found Inez N. There also at sundown Maud and Arthur came and so the noise which had been tremendious all afternoon, now became an uproar, a perfect pandemonium. Several vehicles passing up and down the road. Grace among the rest with Miss Wormworth from Breakeys going to Bamfords to visit for - dont know how long time. Wolfe Island has become a very unsafe place to live in especialy [sic} �44 in summer time, from invaders, city town. I walk home in evening, cool dusky and quiet, with millions of stars looking down upon this old dried parched earth with uncommon brilliance. Letters none only the Whig & Saturday Evening Post. Wednesday 9 August 1899 Clear cloudless day, wind North and pleasantly cool. Wellie & Babcock working at Wellies. Mrs Wormwith lies in bed quite late, consequently has breakfast alone and then while embroidering a patch swings in the hammock. Our poor little flower garden all dried up, sweet peas, phlox, asters, poppies. The day passes away like its uneventful predecessors excepting the children bring few pails water to water the flowers and Grace and May go driving and call upon Mrs William McDonel Jr of the Cheese factory, after which the return gossip awhile and retire for the night. Tomorrow morning we must arise at 4. Grace going to Kingston. John Coxal here after dark for a pound of butter. �45 Thursday 10th 1899 Aug A beautiful cool day. Arthur drove to dock with Grace. Miss Wormwith staying with me and proves to be a very companionable young lady and accomplished and gifted. Music painting, drawing are among the few acqirements a good litterary scholar. I work around all day cookign and doing general house work. Arthur turns the cows in ealry. Maud is going to drive to dock and is in hurry to get there. So they are going to get the milking done in time but old blue won’t stand so they chae the poor old beast all around the cow yard and then she comes through the gate and goes dashing through the front yard and they succeed at last in putting here in stable but will not put his head in the stancion: after they had whaled her long enough. I ordered them to turn her bck in pasture and let her go which �46 they did. When Grace came old blue was as docile as a lamb and gave nerly a pail full of milk. Miss W and Maud drove to dock for Grace. Grace paid Loucks $9 dollars for V & took the note. Laura John is come down from Woodstock to visit her uncle Almon. Suppose she will visit us next. Friday 17 August 1899 A day of extreme heat. It is so sultry dont feel like work. Men surely must suffer in the harvest field to day. Wellie is working for Geo Rattray. I churn about six lbs of good butter. Grace makes ice cream. Dr Stewart drove down to visit Miss Wormworth and stays to tea. Mrs Niles came accompanied by Miss Irwin, dirty and barefooted they stay for ice cream too. Dr S took the girls driving then and goes back to the villiage after dark. Mrs N should train that young daughter of hers to better manners or leave her at �47 home. After Grace & May return from their drive with Dr Stewart they go partly home with Mrs N through weeds and stuble. [sic] Grace requesting Inez next time she came down to wear shoes and stockings. May replying that she wanted to only "Ma was so darned stinking proud she wouldnt let her". Saturday 12 August 1899 Wellie binding oats here to day. A hot dry day, wind South. We all work steady and hard enough all day, except May who reads nearly all day. Arthur, Maude & Irene shock oats till the heat drives them homeward. The drought is a horror. Wellie says the boys are going this evening to cut peas by moon light, Will Robinson, John Babcock, Frank W and Bob Reid. I gave Wellie a lunch at 5 pm. Viola came for butter and paid 40 cents. Bernard came on his wheel. Joh Coxall came for butter. Wellie came for butter and then Will R & John Babcock came to cut peas but so dark cant see so John Coxall �48 entertains the company till 10 oclock when each take their butter and go home. Im sure I never saw May Wormworth laugh so much, as at John Coxall’s performance and so ends Saturday 12 Aug 1899 and we all go bed. Sunday 13th Aug 1899 A clear dry day. Grace and May go to church, go around the road by Samys. John Coxall runs out the gate dressed in a new suit and walks to church within them. Next thing after dinner, Grace & May drive to the English church and by the time I get the work done and dishes washed back they come again bringing Lill Runion with them. Miss Quinn having rode down with Bernard Morgan from the villiage as far as the english church where Bernard espied our rig and deposited Miss Quinn in our buggy till church service was closed. Well after supper Grace drives over to Breakeys with Miss Wormworth her visit here for the season being ended. Lill went also and after the dishes are washed and milking done, I get breathing time of an hour or �49 So, having worked hard all day think Ill not wait for Grace, but guess I go to bed when in wheels Bernard with Lills valise strapped to his bycicle [sic] and is here talking Regiopolis a whole hour before Grace and Lill return when they adjourn to the parlor to drum on piano and haw haw and tee hee till 11 pm when Bernard takes leave Monday 14 Aug 1899 Wind North, dry cool, no rain or any sign of rain. The earth brown, garden all dried up. Wellie binding oats. Hubert & Arthur setting up oats. Wellie wouldn’t stay to dinner. We had sucotash. Lill reads, sleeps, eats and thumps on piano. I churn this morning before breakfast. Grace up stairs taking a nap. Lill in hammock. Wellie after noon gets Arthur & Maud and Grace all out setting up oats. Maud �50 mad because she has to go. Irene dont want to go either. They say they’ll wear their shoes all out, and think so too. Arthur works like a hero. Wellie finishes binding for this year and summer 1899 and puts the binder in the machine house and then Wellie and Arthur set up all the oats in both fields which takes till after dark. Vill been working for Niles all day calls here on his way home. Piano drumming makes me tired. Dont believe I like music any more tis like an old song - worn out. Tuesday 15 Aug 1899 Another dry hot day. Wind North. Wellie working for Geo Rattray and affected with a tormenting great boil on his leg. Will worked half day for Niles and then rowed in Niles boat across the river looking for those pictures which makes 10 times we have expected to see them landed on this shore. I have no hopes of seeing them now. Grace and Lill went with him. Lon Dodge was going to the Cape �51 last night. Will and Grace came back as usual. Dodge found the freight house closed. Offered Will $1.25 to go to Cape Vincent. Cant go for he working for "by tunder" and Wall gone rowing one of Halliday’s boarders. Will brought cider and went back for 2 gallons more. Wellie going to have a moonlight bee cutting peas. Nobody came to the bee but Will & Wellie. Frank couldnt come his wife sick got hay fever. John Coxall says "Carty’s wife sick alle com" - "Franks wife sick allee com - no good". Evening visitors, Mr Wormworth, Miss Wormworth, Mr C Gill & Bernard Morgan and of course Miss Quinn. A great contrast between Miss W & Miss Q, Miss W below the medium size, dark, plump, black eyes & and hair, brilliant acomplished, quiet manners, Lady like, Warmly attached to her few friends, retiring not putting herself forward. Miss Q is tall, thin, very fine complection if her health was good, abundant chestnut colored hair, free in manner to familiarity making friends with every one, mind shallow, no depth. Eyes �52 pale blue and weak. Poor Lill, good girl works hard in Crumley’s store till she looks like a ghost, accomplished needle woman at dressmaking, millinery, mantle making &c, wants to marry but bestows her attentions equally upon Bob Ramons or Bernard Morgan or whatever young man happens around. We got supper for Will, Wellie, Charley, Arthur, Lill and myself, Maud & Irene. The Wormworths and Gills & Bernhard went home by moonlight on their wheels, long before our midnight meal of thanks for the [phrots?] of Northern Wave. Enclosed in Graces letter Trent sends Bob a note. Wednesday 16 Aug 1899 No rain, dry hot scorching weather. The inhabitants along the shore of old St Lawrence ought to feel gratefull that they are privileged to look upon its vast volume of water as it unceasingly flows onward day after day, idle tourists in fishing boats lazily drift drift [sic] up and down along the shore. Lill and Irene gone down to Wellies visiting and sewing. Grace washing. Im roasting a hen for dinner. Wellie cutting peas. Little colt got cut in barbed wire yesterday, poor thing �53 Wells Jr will not stay to dinner goes home: has so many hogs to feed: we prepared good dinner roast fowl, potatoes, gravy, boiled corn on cob, rice with cream and egg, with white frosting buns & butter cookies. Lill dressed in her bathing suit goes bathing along with Arthur, Maud and Irene H. Lill (poor Lill) looks like a "shite poke" or mud hen if she dont get some fat on those bones of hers whe will not stay on earth long time. Grace took a long nap after dinner, While Lill sat with me on veranda and told me how the young men admire her beauty, how one young man told some other young man, that Miss Quinn is the best looking girl he ever saw. After tea Grace takes Lill out for a drive to the foot of the Island and I write letters to Voltie and his father. �54 Thursday 17 Aug 1899 Another day of blazing heat, a scorcher. Grace, Lill and Arthur embark aboard the Pierpont. Lill going to stop at Halliday’s which leaves Maud, Irene Jr & Irene Sr at home. Maud drove the trio to the steamboat and then we fed hogs bringing part of the drink from the river. Irene Sr milked 2 cows, Irene Jr one & Maud one. The flies torment the cows by thousands. I milk 3 cows at evening. Grace came home bringing no one with her for a wonder except Arthur. Wellie went to Kingston to day for first time this summer. Friday 18 Aug 1899 A dry hot day, wind south. Will working for Niles. Grace cuts and makes June’s cape: my shoes are to small. I patch Irenes dress and apron, she is going home tomorrow. I patched her apron in twenty places and then more holes not �55 Sylvia Woodman came for butter one lb, dirtiest butter cloth ever saw, looks as though Samuel Roswell had moped [sic] the floor with it. Mail Whig, Herrald, Ladies World letter from Sr, one from V, none from _ A postal from WFW saying he is at Otaway Normal school. Saturday 19 Aug 1899 Another dry scorching day. I work all fore noon wash some clothes, churn &c. After dinner Arthur, Irene and I drive Bess to Bells cant drive fast, so very hot with scarcely any air stiring, find every farmer out working at the harvest which is a bountiful one this year, some reaping, some reaping & binding, some drawing and stacking, some cutting peas (a heavy crop this year), one man was plowing through ground dry as powder. Leaves are dropping off trees and drying up. Henesey’s orchard all drying up but the grain harvest is grand every where. Arrived at Bells about 1/2 past 3 pm, found Bell and children well and very scantily �56 attired on account of heat. 3 hired men working at Charleys harvest and and [sic] he off rowing his mothers old boarders when like a man he ought to be at home tending to his work. Old Aunt Margaret cant walk a step nor lift a hand but sits propped up in chair like a dead body groaning with pain, and keeping boarders yelling out her household orders in that high pitched squeaky voice of hers "There fly around now", "Pare these apples", "Come bring that water here see what these hired girls are doing . They aint doin a thing..Aunt Mary Saunders says she wishes Margaret would die and get along out of the world before she (Aunt Mary) goes home to Buffalo and then all this turmolt and bedlam about boarders would stop and her grasping avericious hogishness would end for this world any way. Well has staid till after sun set and drove home by moonlight arriving at 10 pm, found the family of 2 up (Grace and Maud) and Jen here. We met and past six rigs coming down one lighted bycicle and passed by Geo Rattrays new steam thresher drawn by 8 �57 A hot dry day, hottest of the season, thermometer 99 in shade, the smoke and heat is suffocating. We scarcely light a fire all day no [raind?] not a [grehpys?]. Oh the heat is intense, guess I’ll go down cellar and cool. Bernard came for butter 2 lbs at 25 cts per lb. Grace and the youngones were just going to drive out for a breath of cool evening air when BM drove in so while I was getting the butter, Grace drove with Bernard and Maud and Arthur drove after them with Beas Monday 21 Aug 1899 Hot dry but breezy fro South. Barometer falling past change. Wellie here drawing and stacking. Babcock helping him. Maud went to school this morning. A powerful wind blowing for an hour or more, kicks up a terrible dust all over the country for two hours or more scattering apples but sand �58 Tuesday 22 Aug 1899 A hot dry day, no rain for a long time. Grace done a big washing, lines full. Grace, Maud and Arthur bring part of the water last night. yesterdays and blew the peas away over in Franks pasture and Wellie & Babcock are drawing and stacking every thing to day finished at 4 pm, harvesting all done. Wednesday 23rd Aug 1899 Hot dry day. Babcock came up after dinner for buggy. Eveline going to the villiage [sic] for groceries. Expect the threshers there on Saturday. Muriel and Clyde came up to stay all after noon till Eveline’s return. Arthur goes down and stays with Hubert to watch cows. Eveline come back at 8 pm and brings me a letter from Belle which is an eye opener surely �59 Thursday 24 Aug 1899 A cloudy morning arose at 4. Grace going to drive to the villiage and Hattie & Laura meets her at the road and goes with her. The great Cathoic pickine at the villiage to day. Grace goes across to the city and sends down the groceries for the threshers dinner Saturday and Phillips sends down the coal stove at last & Wellie drives over to it and he and Babcock puts it together as well as they know how but so much fixing it. Cloudy in morning but clears. Well Grace comes home at three am Friday morning leaving Hat and Lorie at the road wher e she picked them up in the morning. Friday 25 Aug 1899 A scorcher of a day, no rain but dry and hot. We expected the thresher here tomorrow and have cooked beef and stewed pumpkin for pies but Arthur came back from Wellies and said the machine has broken down, smashed the Concave and have to go for repairs so not be here tomorrow. Grace ironing and putting up the curtains ironed all day. I churned. �60 Saturday 26 Aug 1899 A dry hot day. Wind south. We work all fore noon like dickens. After dinner Grace hitches up Bess and drives once to Henrys Hallidays for Miss Anna Chapman (one of Hallidays Boarders) who is going to visit. Belle and Grace is requested to come up and help entertain the young Lady from Washington D.C. Oh- I’m angry. Grace is always going and entertaining. Oh for the good old days that are gone forever. George, Wellie & KWM came and finished putting the coal stove together. Will said he has been acro? Sunday 27 Aug 1899 The day hot dry and lonesome. Maud, Arthur and I are alone all day except Frank Bamford stoped here for a few minutes on his way home from JN’s. Maud went to Church and sabath school. Grace returned home just after dark. She would have come earlier but she drove in to Mrs Hallidays with Miss Chapman and staid to tea and ice cream. Grace brought a letter from Voltie and the Saturday post which she brought from the villiage. We were just going to bed when Will, Jen and Charley came. I suppose they came over to see the new stove says she was 40 cans of fruit. �61 Monday 28 Aug 1899 The day intensly [sic] hot wind North, no rain yet; all vegetation near dead and dried up. Maud at school. Irene churns. Wellie at Dignams threshing. Cattle wading in the river and standing to their backs nearly all day. So hot Muriel came home from school at 1/2 past 2 pm, not very well; been eating black cherries. We expected the threshing machine here to day or this afternoon but it did not come. (continued from this page in Book #3-18 Tuesday 29 Aug 1899 A hot dry scarcly [sic] a breath of air stirring. Sent Arthur to Wellies to learn when the machine would set up. couldn’t tell our beef not very good or enough of it for the men. Arthur and Hattie ran down two hens and chopped of their heads. Irene scalded and striped off their feathers in double quick time - when dissecting them for the dinner pot found them full of eggs. Two ready for lay so packed them with the others for winter. The machine came limbering along after dinner and all hands here so busy �62 [back cover with seal\ Red Rope Magazine Binder Manufactured by Gaylord Bros. Inc. Syracuse, N.Y. Stockton, Calif. �63 �This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following people: Ann Hopkinson, Eric Irvine, MaryV, carol ann, and Queen’s University Archives � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Subject The topic of the resource 19th and 20th Century Rural Ontario Diaries Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1887-1922 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Table Of Contents A list of subunits of the resource. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1887 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1888-1889 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1889-1897 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1890 March - June Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1893-1895 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1895-1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1896 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1897-1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1898 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899-1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1900 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902, 1906 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1902-1909 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1904-1905 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1907 & 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1908-1919 parts of Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1911 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1913-1914 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1915-1916 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1916-1917 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1917-1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1918 Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1921-1922 Language A language of the resource English Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Transcription, 1899 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Irene Dixon Bamford Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Courtesy of Queen's University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1899 Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 19th Century, Frontenac County, Wolfe Island, Ontario Date Created Date of creation of the resource. June 14th, 1899 Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Irene Dixon Bamford Diary Collection Medium The material or physical carrier of the resource. Typed Transcription UG Transcription Progress Scripto transcription progress Done transcribed