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Scotland and Ireland by Roy F Fleming
Roy F. Fleming recorded the events and observations of his trip to Scotland and Ireland in 1903. He
travelled from Montreal with his aunt, Jennie Fleming, his uncle, James Fleming, and his cousin (James’
daughter), Minnie – July and August 1903. The Fleming family – Alexander, his wife Jean Stewart, and
seven children had emigrated to Canada West from Logierait Parish in Perthshire in 1843. This was the
first and only return trip to the homeland for James and Jennie. During this trip they visited several
relatives – mainly the Gows (on the Stewart side), and John Fleming (distantly on the Fleming side). Roy,
an artist, often sketched maps, scenes and buildings, saved flyers and ephemera, and inserted
newspaper and magazine clippings he had collected or were given to him.
Most of Roy’s entries are transcribed here but some descriptive passages are condensed to a few
points. Clippings are summarized very briefly.
Legend:
[word inside brackets with ?] – best guess at word
(?) Roy Fleming added the question mark inside round brackets.
[illegible] can’t make out word at all
[- n words -] can’t make out that number of words
Table box: indicates a drawing, flyer, ephemera, or newspaper clipping. Sometimes it holds a
summary of a section that was not transcribed.
Also used square brackets to note a small sketch or clipping – eg [sketch ]
_____________________________________________________________________________________
British Isles Diary 1903 July Aug
Insert:
List of Second Cabin Passengers on the R.M.S. “Tunisian” – from Montreal and Quebec June 27th 1903 to
Liverpool
Most passengers were from Ontario or Quebec; several from Chicago. Roy added stroke marks and
notes for people he met or knew.
1
�Friday June 26 – European Trip - 1903
I proposed this trip last October, concluded it would take place, Christmas 1902, Aunt Jennie Fleming
and myself. Also Uncle James and Minnie. I left Garden Island with Peewee (Hugh LeRiche), landed at
Swifts Dock – called at Express Whig Anglo Am Hotel where I had dinner; left 1:20 p.m. G.T.R. for the
Junction 1.30 Express East. 8 cars (4 extra), big crowd on train. After 5 min. hunting went to rear car and
found Aunt Jennie.
There were two different parties on board. The larger Rev. Dr. Withrow’s1 party of about 40 or more to
England and the continent.
We see the St Lawrence once in a while, Prescott, Cornwall, Coteau, bridge, Montreal on time 6 p.m .–
Bonaventure Station. Here we meet Uncle James and Minnie at the Depot, and after exchanging tickets
at Montreal Transfer Office, – we get in the busses and go down to Allan Dock. – The streets are very
rough – ashfalt pavement broken + in holes – unrepaired – muddy – rain.
We are told we can not enter our Steamer Tunisian till 8 p.m., so we have to stand in a storehouse with
some boxes till they are pleased to let us on – 7.30 pm. – We put our baggage in our rooms. Mine is
Room2 126 – Berth 2, Uncle James 126-4. Aunt Jennie 128 - 2 – Minnie 128-4.
Rather neat appearance of rooms and dining rooms. Music Room and Smoking Room –
Minnie and I go up street to get some fruit off some push carts, + I go up later to get a luncheon. Saw
the G.T.R. General Offices – fine building.3
June 27 Saturday
Go down the St. Lawrence, French villages, church spires, White buildings, [mouths of rivers?], hills,
green banks + shores, green trees vegetation high + flat banks. Passed “Transit”, “Mount Temple”,
“Tancred”.4
We arrive at Quebec about 1.30 pm. Some said we came down with one crew – at any rate we have to
wait till 12 midnight for repairs or other reason.
1
2
Also boarded the Tunisian.
Shared room with uncle and two others
Location – “after part of the bridge and on the upper deck amidships”
(,https://www.gjenvick.com/VintagePostcards/Steamships-OceanLiners/AllanLine/SS-Tunisian-Postcards.html
Had outside rooms - cost for inside was ~$75, otherwise $80
Upper deck - facing each other - on outside – likely portholes
https://www.gjenvick.com/HistoricalImages/Brochures/AllanLine/AllanLineRoyalMailSteamers/1908/Fig04Tunisian-2ndCabinPlan-500.jpg
3 Photos at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Trunk_Railway
4 Might have been names of ships.
2
�Aunt Jennie and I go up street. We go along at foot of the embankment along a narrow street to the
Elevator from Sous-le-Fort St . where we go up – (2 for 5 c), 2 cars, one up and one down, and land on
level with “Chateau Frontenac.”
We see a beautiful picturesque monumental statue of Samuel de Champlain with Cavalier dress – +
sword – erected 1898 by Dom, Prov, City etc – “born 1567(?) Marschel des – explored West Indies 15991601 – Acadia 1604-7. Founded Quebec 1608.” We look down the river, see Id. of Orleans Statue by Paul
Chevré.
Chateau Frontenac is a fine looking hotel – the finest in Canada I have heard. [Several ?] Yankee tourists.
We continued over to Church of England. Organ in rear. In centre of church before altar, is a tablet as
follows “Beneath are deposited the mortal remains of Charles Duke of Richmond and Lennox +
Aubigny.5
Clipping showing photo of the Chateau Frontenac, Quebec p. 4
We continued to Palais de Justice and entered. “Cour d’Amirante” + “Court of Admiralty” . notices in 2
languages. Many of them
We continued and came to a park or garden – flower beds – on South side was the “Wolfe Montcalm”
monument erected 1823 – plain, unadorned, with a later inscription also – “Mortem Virtus Communem
Faman Historia Monumentum Posteritas Dedit”6
We continued up the hillside to the fortification or citadel. Went down into the moat, saw where they
are repairing the walls – and went to Entrance (Dalhousie Gate) – asked permission to enter which was
freely given – camera taken away – A guard showed us around – apparently Irish – pleasant talker – told
us about everything in sight.
2 forts in Pt. Levis . We looked across at Point Levis the great building in westward part he told us was a
convent + church – and other large one (east) was nunnery and orphan asylum. That started our
Irishman on the subject of the church “you can’t look any place but you see a RC church – they are the
curse of the land. – What time do you think the bells begin to ring in the morning “– (don’t know) – “4
o’clock + continue till 9 at night. What makes the people around so poor ?– it’s because they got to
support so many churches + priests + nuns that they scarcely got enough left to feed themselves. I’ll
show you St Anne’s – down the river – 21 miles from here.”
Clipping about the sacristy of the Church of Ste. Anne de Beaupre. Holds “beautiful chasuble that was
made by the mother of Louis XIV”
5
6
http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/lennox_charles_richmond_5E.html
https://grandquebec.com/capitale-quebec/monument-wolfe-montcalm/
3
�Note – top left corner – see page 179 and page 19 for other information
We looked through the glasses and saw the long line of houses leading down to St. Annes .White
buildings and a white church of considerable size.
Small drawing by Roy – “through glasses 21 miles away” Ste Annes de Beaurpes.
Here people go to get cured of all diseases, and many many go, cripples, rheumatics, all kinds of
diseases, and they are supposed to be miraculously cured. It’s only the foolish and ignorant though that
go. The Yankees just laugh at them – you never hear of an intelligent educated person going down
there. One woman came home just covered with strings of beads – her arms and head and feet and
everything – another woman came back with a basket – ½ doz holy candles, 2 or 3 crosses + virgin Marys
+ dear knows what all, some little bottles of holy water + beads.
Those mountains are called False Montmorencys – and farther away are the Laurentides.
We walked over + saw Lord Minto’s7 quarters when he comes to the citadel which he does every
summer – Canteen and magazines.
Who is your commander here – Col Wilson. He’s a D.O.C.. Col Montizambert 8 used to be here. He is a
fine fellow – drinks a little heavy [gov.sits ?] – yes that’s what the matter with the running of this
country. You may get chucked out of your gov. sit, any minute and some one else who knows nothing
about it but a friend of an MP gets it capable or not. –Here is a brass gun the English captured from the
Americans at Bunkers Hill – [area ?] of Massachusetts (Indian with bow and arrow)””
Discipline – Yes since the S. African War they think more of the soldiers _ We don’t have to be in by 9:30
as we used to but in fact we can stay out as long as we like, all night if we like, after parade _ we are
free. It used to be– get a pass – late in the [coop?] – + sentry –
And Dundonald is very pleasant. He [respected ?] us – The reason that Hutton and others couldn’t agree
with the government was these politicians, who knew nothing at all about military affairs wanted to
[view ?] things + teach these long experienced officers and they wouldn’t stand for it. –
We gave him a tip and left.
7
Lord Minto – Gov general 1898 – 1904
“Governor General Minto's term of office was marked by a period of strong nationalism which saw economic
growth coupled with massive immigration to Canada. Relations with the United States were strained as border
and fishing disputes continued to create problems between the two countries.”
http://archive.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/01/minto_e.asp
8 Lt Col Charles Edward Montizambert
4
�We then viewed the Plains of Abraham where Wolfe defeated Montcalm 1759 Sept – and where both
were killed.
Wolfe’s Cove where he climbed up, we saw from the ship.
We then went to the buildings9 of Quebec Province fine large buildings with statue and inscription in
honor of Frenchmen of Lower Canada, Wolfe, Montcalm, Levis, Laval, Frontenac, Elgin, De Salaberry,
and Jacques Cartier. There are also in front a rather picturesque statuaries – one an indian sparing a fish,
also a group of Indians – spear.
To get to the [- 3 words - ] had to go through one of the gates of the city wall: the wall is about 30 ft high
and considerable thickness.
Two small drawings – one of a spear head, other of the city wall.
We looked to the North and saw a fine new statue – which was situated on top of a church building.
Proceeded to buy 2 camp stools, on account of being unable to rent any steamer chairs.
Main St – St Jean – at head of which is an entrance through wall “Porte St. Jean 1693”. Then came back
to the boat – had to go through some very narrow dirty streets, some poor pavement, some plank +
rubbish – streets worse by far than the private back yards of Ontario towns would be allowed by the
municipal authorities.
Is it cold in Quebec – Yes rather it sometimes stays in winter at about 40 degrees under. What do you do
to keep warm? Oh we got lots of wood to burn – any coal? yes – the rich can afford it + use it mostly.
How long are your winters – not much more than 5 months.
Saw boy with a goat.
Our boat is moored in front of the great rock of Quebec – with the citadel capping its summit
Drawing of the “Heights of Quebec” that shows cliff with walls along the summit, two church spires, the
lower Duffferin Terrace, and a plaque or monument to Montmorency. Notes that terrace is 185 ft above
lower town. P. 11
Clipping – fragment – writer says “farewell to the historic capital of New France” … “Nothing but the
grandest scenery in the Scottish Highlands could excel that glorious panorama on the Lower St.
Lawrence, and until we passed the gloomy promontory of Cape Gaspe, shrouded in folds of climinging
vapor, every spot successively viewed in that weird, barren November landscape of river, hill, and
mountain, offered new objects of wild and interesting beauty … “
9
[red brick parliament - inserted in line above.]
5
�We look over at Point Levis. There is a ferry over from Quebec – 2 boats – straight across – also 1 boat to
G.T.R .station up the river farther. In the evening the lights of Pt. Levis appear prettily along the town.
The heights of Quebec towering darkly above us as if to fall upon us – 300 to 400 ft high.
“Passengers to be on board by 12 midnight”
June 28 Sunday
We get away around 12.30 [illegible] morning from Quebec.
I get talking with Rev. Dr. Withrow. Good day Dr. – are you busy – no not for a few minutes – You have a
party on board, how many are there of you – 57 – + one yet to come – Do they all go the long trip to
Italy Switzerland etc – no– 40 of them do – some only as far as England with me –– Ladies do not like to
travel alone, baggage, accommodation, is hard for ladies to look after hence better to travel in parties –
3 mo. Trip – been over seven times – ah Scotland – you’ll see no prettier place in Europe – her highland
hills – Edinburgh is superb – I have seen nearly all the capitals of Europe and thee is not her equal in the
continent –, unless it is Salzburg Austria, and I think not even that. Are you going to the Alps – The finest
sight I expect to show my party is the Splugger10 Pass in Switzerland – we cross Lake Como and then take
a railway that runs 2 mos in the yr, and then carriages. Yes I have taken parties before but not on this
route –
Snapshot of Withrow from newspaper or magazine – “the study where our papers were edited”. P. 13
In the circulars and pamphlets Withrow sent out, he said the part would go II cabin (wrong) of course
they could go 1st if they wanted to pay extra to the boat but nothing was mentioned of it – Of the 58 all
took Saloon passage but seven, they are at our table, + feel very mean over the matter. I don’t think the
Dr. looks after things properly as the lady who sits beside one Mrs Springer of Berlin says she has a room
badly situated, beside a boot black and pail establishment – bad smell + great noise which disturbs her
much – Dr also said he would see after her steamer chair, + she asked him about it . He said he would
give her his as he could not get sufficient but never did so. I know too he hasn’t looked after – baths nor
place at tables for these passengers – II cabin I refer to.
Englishmen Returning
1 A young Englishman sat beside me at breakfast with whom I came in conversation found he had been
in this country something over 2 months + had a bad opinion of it. He had sold out a small business in
Sheffield + had emigrated – travelled to Winnipeg, Brandon, British Columbia – couldn’t find respectable
work – try farming? Oh yes – look at my hands and finger nails – they are worked almost to the bone – a
10
Perhaps Splugen
6
�dam country any way. I’ve spent all my money – + now I have to go back home – It’s pork, port, pork till
I’m sick of pork –
2 Another young Englishman got on at Quebec and occupies the same room with us – He has been out
about 3 yrs. + wouldn’t be going back but for a cut in the knee, he received from an ax, in the bush – he
was most pleased with Canada, thinks it a fine place – Can get work if you want to – must be willing to
suit yourself to circumstances – used to be in an office in London got 30 shillings a week which was very
fair for London – lived out 30 miles – + went in and out of the city – hours 9 to 6 – office – start about 7
am, + return about 7 pm – car fare about ₤18. – a yr. I think he said – not a comfortable living in it,
scratched to get a suit of clothes once a yr. + pay your board.
Englishman no. 1 said 700 immigrants had already returned this spring from Canada. He had more
confidence in the States.
I saw another Englishman come along from steerage end of boat – There was a rope stretched across
with a sign hung on it. He didn’t see it, tripped + fell over it. Englishmen lack sharp eyesight.
We arrive at Rimouski about 2 or 3 p.m. – where the mail boat comes out with the mail – letters in bags
great piles of them about about go parcel port cases baskets 5 ft x 2 ½ x 2 ½ – “C.P.O.” – “Liverpool +
Canada 232” “Halifax to Eng.” Signs on them.
John Smith of Bell Piano Co. Guelph.
Mr. John Smith – Representative of the Bell Organ + Piano Co. conversed with us most pleasantly a fine
pleasant Scotchman – in Canada 16 yrs. All the time with the Bell Co. – His name in Gaelic – Jean
MacGowan – lives in Islay. 16 distilleries in Islay – they make the famous highland whiskey water from
the peat bogs – flavor from it. They imported the men, placed the machinery + provided the ingredients
in America but they can’t get the same liquid – the flavor from the old peat is not present. The people in
Islay live on the same property as their forefathers – my father lives on the same property which we can
trace back for 600 yrs to our ancestors. I am the 2nd oldest son – my older brother is not married so I am
the “heir apparent”, He says I have to come back to take the old place when he dies – but I’m afraid I
won’t – I like Canada; better than any other place on earth. The trouble is everything is class, class, in
the Old Land – you can’t speak to your employer in the Old Country – but you got to pull off your
bonnet when you meet him. Canada is free – you are servant to no one, at least in appearances. In the
old country they are either very rich or very poor.
There are different kinds of Gaelic – and different accents in talking – Mine is the Glasgow – an even
flow of language – In Edinburgh 38 miles away they end up in a high key – – “Where are ye goin’ the
day” In the highlands they are in a high + low key up + down – illustrated – then Lowland.
Yes, of course we go from Glasgow to Island, that’ where all the Islays boat go from – round the Mull of
Cantire11 – the roughest spot of the Atlantic Ocean. Ah! Many a time after a storm I have gone down
from my school when a boy – to see the wreckage strewn on the beach – but that was in the days of
11
Kintyre probably
7
�sailing vessels – 2 currents from N. + S. meet + the west wind of the Atlantic chop the sea into pieces the
size of the boat almost – in great storms.
The following is the last log of the Tunisian from Moville to Rimouski.
Day 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
June 12 Fr
13 Sat
14 Sun
15 Mon
16 Tues
17 Wed
18 Thur
19 Frid
20 Sat
Total
- 195 knots
340- 342 knots
379-383
379-364
362-372
- 342
- 283
- 368
- 343
2692
155
356
353
338
353
350
352
321
95
2673
1st day
Mon 2nd day
Tues
Wed
Thur
Frid
Sat
Sun
2257
To Morville
Aug 20 1903 2635 n. miles Q to L.
Ste. Anne {See back of book for more information}
Minnie told me about St Anne – the Church of St Anne contains the shrine of St Anne of Beaupre – is a
magnificently adorned tomb – candles – gold and silver. She is the patron saint of the sick – early French
Missionary.
She knew a lady in Detroit who took her father there – they had to pray in “Novena “ from R.C. prayer
book – in honor or to St. Anne. He went in a company of 500 from Michigan in charge of a priest – train
to Quebec – perhaps balance, walking 21 miles to St Anne’s. They were wealthy people – pay
handsomely. He died 2 days after he came home. At the church there are stacks of crutches, canes, false
teeth, invalid chairs, wooden legs, splints.
Minnie also knew another man who was lame, and he had a beautiful pair of crutches inlaid with gold.
He went down to St Anne to the altar – prayed, threw his crutches on the pile – + started down the aisle.
When he got part way down he thought of the gold on his crutches and he returned and took them. His
infirmities returned 4 fold on account of this lust for gold – and perhaps lacking in faith.
Minnie visited Church of St John the Baptist (?) – altar to St Anne there – beautiful. Date of birth and
death. Mrs. Springer told me she had been to St Anne’s – the saints bones (some of them) are there in a
glass case where you can see them, where they kneel before it, stack to ceiling of crutches crossed,
invalid chairs.
Greatest place of pilgrimage north of Mexico. In 1898 125,000 pilgrims came to it.
Various other notes about Ste. Anne. Back of book had a much longer and detailed description of Ste.
8
�Anne de Beaupre – not transcribed.
Inserts: . 20
Allan Line price list from agent J.B. Hunt in Owen Sound
Menu – Second Cabin – Breakfast, dinner, tea – Sunday July 5, 1903
9
�Additional Information Quebec – auth Baedeker’s Canada.
Roy’s notes taken from Baedeker’s Canada including mention of Thomas Scott, brother of Sir W Scott.
Not transcribed. P. 21-22
10
�Monday June 29
Rev W.J. Libberton of Chicago – Interview Monday, June 29
Insert: Business card from William L Libberton, pastor at the Joyce Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago
p. 22
Rev A. M. White of Chicago, Ill. is head of a party of 30 from there, and they travel together to London.
He organized it, all are friends or acquaintances of acquaintances. He is a Methodist preacher of
Chicago.
Rev W.J. Libberton of Chicago, Pastor of Joyce Methodist Church Chicago (North) – is an admirable, able,
man. He came and talked to use particularly the 1st time Monday Evening, and his conversation was
most interesting and instructive. He lived in Scott’s land not far from Melrose Abbey (Darnock),
emigrated to America at age 9 but his impressions of Roxburgshire, of childhood, are the deepest and
most vivid of his life time.
He gave us scenes from Scott’s Marmion reciting lengthy parts of the most exciting.
Sir Walter Scott (with perhaps Victor Hugo in his class) was the greatest literary genius12 of the 19th
century. The scenery along the Cheviot Hills and the Yarrow River, you should not miss. If you go to
Eildon Hill, 4 miles from Darrock which I lived with a boy, 3 miles from Melrose and look down before
you a at the Abbey of Melrose, Cheviot Hills, Flodden Field, The Yarrow, on towards (Berick) Berwick,
you see the country rich is Scotts literature, and in Border History.
The parting of Marmion and Douglas: Marmion, the hero of the story had come to Castle Douglas, bore
a forged letter and on discovery of his treachery, Douglas order the portcullis down. “The portcullis just
grazed his plume” Previously Douglas “his cloak around him drew”, haughty manner, Scotch high willed
nature “My lands and castle etc are at my king’s service, but my hand is my own to give or to withhold.”
The Douglases lived on Bass Rock opposite N Berwick for a long time – impregnable fortress.
Dr L. will always remember that sight at Eilden Hill. Skylarks rising in the dew, and singing most
beautifully – heather hills – mist rose from mountain.
There is Huntley Burm (from Loch Shields) which one time ran blood, dyed red with blood, to the sea.
One time his grandfather took him to Loch Shields, surrounded by cliffs, he held him by the hand as they
look over. It was really a whooper [sic] that he told me but I believed it as vividly and as truly as a child
could.
“Now Willie, ye must never come heir by yourself. There awful animals infest this region. I myself saw a
mighty stork drop into that water from this cliff, and before they could get it out, there was nothing left
but its bones”. The purpose, I thought after, was of course to keep me from going there myself, as I used
to often run away to see the places within reach, even miles away.
12
Don’t know if Roy is quoting Libberton or it’s his own opinion.
11
�And I am sure it was those long stories that my grandfather so infused me with that created for me such
a lasting impression of that district.
You know that there is a stage in life which is youth, where your memory is flexible and rapid, and then
the time comes in more mature age, when it is impossible to memorize but where one’s judgement and
reason predominates. And I owe it to my mother, for many many parts of the scriptures that I had to
learn off for her.
That of land of my birth, which I have for years and years and years dreamt of by night and thought of
by day. I long to see again. But I don’t want to live there.
Hunnewell’s “Land of Scott”13 is the best I have read. Get it. I paid $2.25 for it. 2nd edition is better. Mine
had no illustrations. A book without illustrations (nowadays with modern work) is unsatisfactory.
I am going to [?] for a publisher who wishes me to write my impressions of Scott’s Country, not like a
guide book form of literature, but personal impressions.
In Darnock our Parish Church (Preby) was on a hill and there we always attended. The last Sunday
before they emigrated, they visited the Cauker Church (Meth). “I wouldna step my foot towards it”
(shorter catechism)
Half a page of fragments of stories that Libberton told. Can’t make out the sentences.
Tuesday June 30
We saw 2 icebergs, and a whale today. The whale was following up the ship. Met a Mr. Morrison of
Hamilton, came out a boy 20 yrs ago – farm, parcel boy $1/50 – 4.00 per week, clerk, partners in
business drygoods Hamilton 10 clerks – told me of wreck of Scotsman off Cape Race 2 yrs ago, and lady
of his acquaintance – some drowned, horse shot – parrot $100 “very cold, very cold!”.
I was talking to the Frenchman in our room today Mr. Francais Monad of Paris. He was sent out by the
dept of Public Instruction 7 months ago to visit the universities of America. – He visited many in the East
and 2 in Canada – Toronto and McGill. Laval except in Med and Law (?) is only a secondary school (Fr
university) . Automobile races from Bordeaux to Paris. Horse races on Long Champ course near Paris.
Could not say any one sport was the national game of France. Had not travelled in Spain, but it is safe,
easy + hotels cheap. Cab in Paris 2 fr per hour + driver’s fee .
“Perhaps I shall write a book on universities of America”
13
Free ebook through Google Books.
Pub’d 1871
https://books.google.ca/books/about/The_Lands_of_Scott.html
12
�British Schools
I was talking to the Englishman who is in our room Mr. Simons and I asked him about the school system
of Gr Britain and I gathered the following from him. The different kinds of schools are:
1. Common or Board Schools to which poor people are provided a free common school education,
managed by a Board.
2. Public Schools – where sons of the gentry went, + had to pay about 50 pounds a year – Eton,
Harrow are the two largest of this kind, then I attended Rugby Discipline. They have to admit
anyone who pays price.
3. Private Schools – some for clergymen sons only, others sons of lawyers, others of certain church.
Church schools sustained by endowments of the Est. Ch.
4. Voluntary schools established by private individuals.
Grammar Schools, high schools for boys mostly. Cost of fees – 3 terms – say ₤ 30 total fees in yr.
subjects, Algebra, Arith, Euclid, Botany, phys., chemistry, drawing (not much), Trigonometry,
Liter, Comp.
5. High Schools for girls – similar to Grammar Schools. [In margin Queens Cork Trinity Dublin]
6. Business Colleges – private enterprize
7. Military Schools – Largest at Sandhurst, 2nd at Woolwich. Teaches everything pertaining to
military matters on land.
8. Navy School. South coast of Eng. Near Southampton on Training 3 decker some where.
9. Colleges – lower than Universities are many in number, in towns and cities. [In margin Owens
College]
10. Universities – the highest education in the land is Oxford + Cambridge. Neither perhaps can be
said to predominate over the other entirely – Oxford is greater in Classics, and Cambridge in
Mathematics. Oxford is more conservative + blue blooded, + have a private idea they are a
superior school. Very similar Mr. Walsh adds, to Harvard + Yale of United States. Harvard the
blue blood, but Yale would resent it said the other was superior. Rev. Howard, Rev. Walsh, says
some Americans, with care in forming opinions, say that these 2 Amer. Univer give a better
educ’n + higher than Oxford + Cambridge.. adds that the President of Columbia University has
lately written a strong Criticism of American Universities – in which he says that with their
specializing of modern times, that students are allowed such a choice, what to take + what not
to take, that they never get that broad education that they should have.
One thing that would indicate predominance of Oxford over Cambridge is the fact that more important
Cecil Rhodes scholarships were given to Oxford. (Cecil Rhodes was an Oxian). Glasgow (Lord Kelvin),
Edinburgh + Trinity Dublin, are the highest in their respective countries + may be nearly classed with
Oxford + Cambridge. Queen’s College Cork is 2nd in Ireland.
High School + Grammar school scholarships are taken in the Common + Public schools, perhaps 6 or 7 %
of those who pass take scholarships. They entitle them to 3 or 5 years, free tuition (+ board?). This
13
�enables able but poor people to obtain a good education free. They pass from Common schools at age 9
to 10 with University or College matriculation at age 18 or 19 –
To attend Eton or Harrow Public School would cost, fees for tuition + board ₤100.
Fosters’ Education Act of 1870 gave free common school education.
Colonial + foreign students go to Cambridge.
Rev Walsh –
Time of Confederation, Castell Hopkins, biographer of Sir John A. McDonald, said that when Sir John A. +
Sir Chas Tupper went with a scheme of confederation to London, they had to sit dangling their feet on
the steps of house of parl for days, yes weeks, before they would even give them a hearing. And what do
you think that Quaker Statesman, John Bright, said. “Ou, OU! Dr Tuppa – I don’t see but Canada might
just as well be independent + do whatever she likes.”
Mr. Walsh
The English Church was never established by the English Government --- The Government was
established by the English Church.
July 1 Wednesday Dom Day
Cephas Allen, Mr Walsh, Mr Howard and myself have a pleasant conversation on the British Schools as
given above. Concert in saloon in evening 8.30 – Chairman Duncan of Scotland. Mr Heins violin solo, and
S.W. Beugough gave latter half of the program. He is a good entertainer. Partial lecture on drawing,
drew several pictures, latter ones of co. including chairman and Dr. Withrow. He told one good story, in
good farmer’s voice, of egg, whiskey, starting store and darning needle – Toto poles and signs – very
good entertainer. Our Quartettte sang – only thing from 2nd cabin
July 2 Thursday
Lecture in saloon by Rev Soloman Cleaver of Toronto – Sherbourne St Methodist Church – story of Jean
Val Jean of Les Miserables – beautiful story, beautifully told.
July 3 Frid.
Aunt Jennie got up today.
I lost the pool on ships distance – I guessed 370 – cor 353. Mr John Smith, proprietor – Finish of story.
14
�July 4 Sat
Concert in evening – Mrs. Leut – “she is so queer” – song was pretty good. Miss Chown of Kingston
recited “Get on the ship of faith”. But there is not going to be a line (?) waiting for every nigger [sic].
J.W. Beugough – good story of lower middle class Englishman – intr. On classes – what’s matter now?
No squire cow, died sheep, mother in law.
2 stories of Scotchman with dentist
Seignora Roberta [Peamittie ?] - 2 songs
Christopher Columbus – English dude reciting from Hamlet.
July 5 Sunday
Talking to Detective Slemin of Toronto. He is going back to Ireland – been out 18 years – came out aged
16 (? )– home near Dublin, and has never been back since he came out – his boy along with him. He was
on Clarksburg robbery case – Irwin, I remember it in Owen Sound.
Talking to Mr Smith who gave me an account of himself. Lived in Islay Id, worked in Glasgow – 3 young
men of them signed an agreement for 3 to go to Australia. Parents did not wish it but finally agreed to
have him come to Canada – relatives near Guelph – landed in New York – one got in a hardware store on
Broadway – rose – married boss’s daughter. Partner – coach and pair – went to see him on marriage trip
(married 12 years wife from Guelph J.S.) – Druggist Hamilton Panama – not so well.
J.S. + uncle to city of Guelph – introduce to Bell - $6 a week in office at books, $8 higher – head book
keeper finally. Substitute on road a while – satisfactory – kept him on – changed Montreal agency,
Hamiton etc reorganized – biggest deal in Montreal. Told of “Pierpont Morgan of Canada” 4 yr. manager
Mr Schoon”, I think was name, bought out 2 or 3 factories – brewery – extensions. [War e?] rooms
$12,000 advertising etc – directors saw CO would soon be ruined and dismissed him. Mr. Smith now on
way to Australia to wind up branch and change into agencies full authority - manager in Sydney will be
dismissed and soon after arrived. He knows nothing of it. J.S. salary $2000 + expenses.
R.F. Some people think that chance and favor gets position but I believe it is ability much more than
some think –
Price of pianos – the highest priced pianos are catalogued at 600 or 650. The material and labor alone
for that piano is $140 – expenses, insurance, bad debts, advertising etc is another $140. Then come Bell
profit and the agents is supposed to always make $100 on any piano.
At the concert last night Dr. Libberton gave a very nice address. The waves that washed Bass Rock beat
too against our little cottage by the sea shore, the owl that hooted in old Melrose Abby in the evening
air in my childhood. Huntley Burn ran by – also recited that fine quotation or stanza from Sir Walter
15
�Scott concerning his native land, “Land of brown heath and shaggy wood, land of my …” 14 His references
to Scotland were indeed eloquent.
Moville
Today we sighted land at Ireland – a lighthouse on farther projection about 4 pm. Get our 2 pilots
aboard at S and get into Moville about 6.00. The tender “Samson – Glasgow” came for the passengers
and about 25 got off. When Mr. Walsh was going Mr. Smith called for “3 cheers for Mr. Walsh and we
heartily gave them – as he walked guiding his wife down the plank we sang “He’s a jolly good fellow”.
Detective Slemin also got off, as also Mr. and Mrs Morrison. They waved as far as we could see.
Morville seems a small place. We left our pilot again at S.
We see an old ruined abbey north of Morville with ivy over its quarter walls. See the hedges and hill side
farms and little homes of the Irish – 3 churches.
Two small sketches on page of the tender p. 36
As we come back the storm strikes us as we come out of Loch Foyle.
Sketch of hillside and a church on the shore. The hill side houses + farms betw Moville + S.
The boat rolls. I see the shore on north where Giants Causeway is.
Last night we watched the storm at 11 or 12 pm as the waves now and then broke over the bows and
flew before the wind. The decks roared and the rigging fairly piped, long whistles and moanings, waves
sometimes struck in claps almost of thunder at the side of the boat, seemed angry with the ship daring
to propel itself in its very teeth. The boat kept its head into the Nor Easter.
A notice was up yesterday “The Marconi Wireless Communicating Co expect communication with
Ireland at 10.30 am. Those who desire to send messages may do so. Rate 1st 12 words 6 s- further 6 d
per word besides – telegraphing expense on land.
The Marconi apparatus was fixed to the foremast as figured – and connected with an inverted funnel.
14
Breathes there a man -- http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poems/breathes-there-man
16
�Sound like that of escaping steam “his – Hiss hiss – hiss –
The operator was dressed in uniform “Marconi” on side, “Telegraphing” on other.
The Passengers
R. “Did you send many messages today
O “About 20 or so”
R. “How many miles from land did you establish commu7nication
O. 110 miles was the best we did to-day.
Gathered from all over the country, 8 avg days in the 1 place, to scatter away.
Our voyage is about over. It is really a peculiar circumstance under which we all meet. Some of us have
met before. Some of us we will meet again. And some of us + most of us will never see each other more.
17
�Some have money, much money, some have moderate means, some have strained every effort to get
enough for their passage.
The purpose of most is pleasure and travel in the British Isles or the continent, some are returning to
their British homes, some are going back to see their old home once more, some only to view the spot
where it once used to stand – the scenes of their childhood. One man in the steerage has a family of
seven small children. His wife died not long ago, and he is going back to Scotland with them. U. Jas. 15 60
yrs since he came out. Some Englishmen who are returning from Canada dissatisfied with the country.
Many tourists of medium circumstance in 2nd cabin – some most worthy persons such as Dr Libberton,
Rev White, Rev Warren, Rev Walsh, Cephias Allen and John Smith, capable and true people and Chas
Myall.
In 1st cabin all are well attired, an appearance of wealth, some with lots of it, some English dudes with
more money than brains, that think they know a great deal and look down with contempt on the
members of the I Cabin. There was church service notice posted in 2nd cabin that Divine Service would
be held in Saloon II area. The Saloon is really elegantly furnished – one lady in the saloon was overheard
by some who attended from II cabin “Eh I guess they came to have a look at the Saloon, as it will be the
only chance they’ll get” with a tone of contempt. Some of 1st cabin have talent; entertaining powers,
taste and judgement. Others have a superficial and superfluous address, with a chirpy, select form of
speech and manner, who have either blood or money couldn’t give you an entertaining educative
description of any sight of the many which perhaps they have seen, and at the same time look down on
those who cannot afford to travel in as great splendor as they. We can’t help it. It is one of the injustices
that exist in the world. If it is his own earned money, earned honestly within the law of the land, let him
spend it, in whatever way he desires, and look down at those who have not got as much. It shows you
have that privilege as it is only a smart man that can amass a fortune. Perhaps it is such a man’s just
privilege to do so, as long as he does not interfere with the inferior.
Then again there are people in the 1st cabin, who are worthy of being in the 1st cabin, of occupying a
place higher than the others. Such men as Rev. Cleaver, J.W. Beugough, + perhaps Dr. Withrow, have
earned by their talents and industry a place above others, and which I am glad to see in a place of
excellent.
There are 204 saloon, 165 + children II cabin, and about 50 or 60 steerage. Crew 120.
Was to have taken a walk out to-night but!
News clipping – might be in wrong place in the journal. No date
15
Uncle James
18
�“A Highland Funeral” Obsequies of the late Mr Aeneas Rose - “trusted servant of the Atholl family were
interred in the churchyard at Blair Atholl. A grey mist hung over the district, and it was amid gloomy
surroundings that the funeral obsequies took place. Heavy rain fell during the forenoon, but, despite the
inclement weather, an exceptionally large number of mourners, drawn from a wide radius, attended to
pay their last respects to the memory f the deceased Pipe-Major. Mr Rose, who retired hardly two years
ago, had since the passing of the Education Act acted as School Board officer. A keen curler himself, it
was appropriate that the curlers should turn out in large number. For many years he was skip of No. 3
rink of the Dunkeld Club. He was also an enthusiastic Freemason, being a member of Lodge No. 14,
Dunkeld. A true Highlander, and taking a great interest in the preservation of the Gaelic language, for
some years he conducted a class in Blair Atholl. One of the best pipers in Scotland, his services as judge
were frequently called into requisition.”
More … not transcribed
July 6 Monday
Liverpool
Got up early for breakfast. Liverpool – Mersey – New Brighton tower again. Birkenhead – very rough in
the river. We have to land by tender “Pathfinder” “Enterprise” and … came out for us – very long waiting
hours and hours – cold and miserable at last on Allan docks – or some docks – sent cable “Fleming
Owen Sound safe”
Waited and took a long time finding baggage at customs. Uncle James got stuck for a quarter on 2 grips
with a chalk mark. Was talking to the Mann girls – saw C Allen, J Smith Seniors, Monad (on bus) on
docks.
We took a cab up to L MR RR station [Liverpool and Manchester Railway – terminus station on Lime St] –
Lime St – saw St George’s Hall and Walkers Art Gallery.16 At entrance are statues of Michelangelo and
Raphael.
The purser told Mr. White that the present 2nd cabin was the nicest lot he had ever booked.
Notes by Roy – not transcribed
Martyr’s monument at Irongray – Monument marks the grave of two Coventers erected 1854
Burns’ Epitaph – written by himself – 2 stanzas (of 5)
Burns – Song of Death – “Farewell thou fair day, thou green earth and ye skies …
16
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walker_Art_Gallery
19
�Excerpt from Waverley - “After a sleepless night, the first dawn of morning found Waverley on the
esplanade in front of the old Gothic gate of Carlisle Castle…
Dumfries
We took our tickets up to Dumfries. LNW [London and North Western Railway].17 We had to change cars
at Carlisle18 and had a few minutes to go up street and looked over the town from the bridge – churches
and houses and the castle.
Lord Erskine,19 Lord High Chancellor of Eng, 70 yrs old, took here his blushing bride.
We passed through Gretna Green – saw a little church we took to be where the runaway marriages took
place – at border – near Solway – arrived about 7 pm in Dumfries – found our hotel – Palmers
Temperance hotel20 – away from station to left 1 or 2 minutes’ walk. Very nice rooms. Mr Palmer also
runs Woodbank Hotel – family.
We then went out for a walk down to the fountain on High St to the Globe Tavern. Sign board at the
close – painting of R.Burns
“Globe Hotel – licensed to retail, wines, spirits, ales and porter.”
I went in and then brought Uncle James in, and we were shown into the sitting room and the bar maid
opened the corner enclosure where the chair R.B. used to sit. We sat in it. Uncle Jas sang a stanza of
“Willie brewed a peck o’ malt” for here that scene occurred. (wrong- this happened at Moffat)
We then went on turned corner and came to Burns St. I never saw such a crooked street. You can’t see
more than 2 rods or so – came to 16 Burns St – the house where Burns died. We were shown through it
by Mrs. Brown, a granddaughter of Robbie Burns
“My father was his oldest son” “Robert was his name too”. We were taken up stairs to left and we
entered the room where Burns died, a plain room, about 15’ x 12’ – a fireplace – 3 pictures on wall – 2 of
RB, 1 of Thos Carlyle. There is no furniture or relics yet in this room. “The Burns Club are going to fix it up
as a museum soon. They long wanted me to take charge of it but I didn’t want to. I have been here 6
weeks. My husband is 81 yrs old. You from Canada. Ah I once lived there in Guelph – on McDonald St
leading off Wyndham St – 4 and 20 years” My oldest daughter is buried there 8 yrs ago. Here is my 2nd
daughter. Her mouth, lips and nose the very image of RB – Jean Armour Burns Brown”
We came down into parlor directly under this bedroom. “Here is a pin my father gave me”. How long
ago? “ Fifty years ago sir”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_and_North_Western_Railway
Changed trains https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow,_Dumfries_and_Carlisle_Railway
19 Lasting story 0 https://www.gretnagreen.com/lord-chancellor-arrives-dressed-as-a-woman-a752 - tho story
gives his age as 66.
20 Postcard inserted into diary.
17
18
20
�Then she showed me a little book called “The Scottish Keepsake” on front of which was “Jane Emma
Burns from her affectionate father Robert Burns, eldest son of the Scottish Bard”. (Note – This is the old
lady who shows us these relics).
Are there any other descendents of the Scottish poet – “Ay! There is. Mrs Hutchison of Cheltenham, a
daughter of the youngest son of RB”.
I looked at the pictures hung around the room - – 1. Burns at the Plough, 2. Burns in Edinburgh 1787
Reading his poem of the “Writers Night” before a literary gathering at the Duchess of Gordons, + also
pictures of the poet.
Mrs. Brown presented us with 2 guide books of Dumfries. We saw a resemblance to the poet in her face
– her face is broader though). She showed us a light pole, small picture of her father his hair and
forehead was exactly like R.B.
Clipping of “Visit to the Granddaughter of Burns” from the New York Scotsman – William Campbell
visited the grand daughter in Guelph. P. 48
“Mrs Jane Burns, or Brown, wife of Mr. Thomas Brown, of that place, and grand-daughter of Scotland’s
national bard, through his eldest son Robert”.
Notes - inserted page with more about 16 Burns St
Quotations of Burns from windows of the Globe Tavern.
21
�We then went to St Michael’s Church yard and a Scotch lady very kindly showed us through – caretakers
wife.
We came first to N.W. ? corner where Burns was first laid, climbed over the grave stones + at present,
lies the grave + stone of : - “To the memory of Agnes Eleanor Dunlop wife of Joseph Elias Perochon +
daughter of Mrs. Frances Wallace Dunlop of Dunlop, the only daughter.” (incomplete)
Sketch of St Michaels Church layout 42
Clipping in two parts about “The direct descendants of Robert Burns” by C. Stuart Burness, a Kinsman
of the Poet. Grandfather of the writer was a cousin of Robert Burns. P. 51
We then went to the mausoleum erected 1832 where RB is buried. There was a great centennial in 1896
– and the wreaths are still there from Burn’s club and from [words covered up] the world – New
Zealand, South Africa, America, Edinburgh, Derby Burns Club, . Also a later wreath – Leith Burns Club
June 3, 1903”
In the mausoleum are buried RB, JA and their 5 sons (?)– “Col William Nicol Burns, born at Ellisland 9th
April 1791, died at Cheltenham 21st Feb 1872. In vault beneath this tablet.
This mausoleum did not used to be shut in like this, but some one stole half of the hand of the statue,
(We then saw it had been replaced) – Scotch thistles decorations near top.
22
�We were then shown inside the church, sat in the same pew where RB sat – tablet on pillar: “Robert
Burns worshipped in the pew adjoining this pillar”. “You can go out this way and I’ll be round in a wee
bit to open the gate.”
Sign “Rev. John Paton D.D. minister.
How many years has he been here? “A long time here, counda say exactly”
1633 crossbones + skull”
1629
We then went down to the banks of the Nith – Suspension Bridge – built for the mill girls by the Provost
(provost Smith) – they used to cross there in boats. The Nith + banks are beautiful – bridges.
We then came to the Burns Monument head of High St., and as the Greyfriars tower clock struck ten, a
few yds. Away we read by daylight the inscription in the structure. It was erected by the public.
This Greyfriar chuch is erected on the site + foundation of G.F. 21 where King R. Bruce + sixth Kirkpatric
killed Red Comyn – one of the greatest events in Scotch history (1305)
We continued our walk on Academy St, we passed the Academy, later Ewart Pub. Library – + Baptish
Tabernacle.
Clipping in 3 parts
“Dumfries and the “Highland”- Places of interest in and around the Town” – The People’s Journal, Sat
July 18, 1903]] Mentions Caeblaverock Castle, and the Bridges p. 53
July 7 Tuesday
We got up about 9 am and between 10 and 11 I hired a Gladstone and we went for a drive about 22
miles altogether.
We bought some fruit and started up the esplanade on east side of Nith, passed over the driving bridge,
turned 2nd corner to right and up the old Glasgow Road where the stage coaches used to gallop.
“The story of Jeanie Deans was founded upon an anonymous letter which the author received from one
he knew – a Mrs Goldie. The circumstance of the girl having refused the testimony in court and then
taking the journey to obtain her sisters pardon is a fact. “
21
May mean Grey Friars.
23
�Notes: Inserted pages – From Heart of Midlothian – looks like notes taken from a book or books about
Mrs Goldie and the character of Jeanie Deans. Written by Roy on a scrap paper dated Nov 9 1903.] –
NOT transcribed
Clipping: Jean Armour, Wife of Robert Burns, Had Heart of Gold. “Monuments to Robert Burns in Halifax,
Fredericton, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver attest the love and admiration of Canadians for his
world-famous songs. The accompanying article by Sarah A. Tooley on Jean Armour, wife of Robert Burns
which appeared in “Great Thoughts” will be read with interest as his birthday draws nigh.”
We turned to left at fork – [name illegible] very kindly by a minister on a wheel, where Helen Walker
(Jeannie Deans) used to live – the rectangular foundation stones and one higher than rest at side of
fireplace south end. I gathered some daisies (ox-eye) from the middle which I preserve.
Then we continued on to Irongray Cemetery where Jeannie Dean’s grave is. Beautiful little church yard,
little church with Norman Towers. The grave diggers was digging a little grave (child) about 4’ x 1 ½’.
Various small sketches
Three stone steps go over the wall and 3 down on the other side. The inscription: mention erected by
the author of Waverley Helen Walker died 1791. Gathered some leaves from inside the iron railing (wire
netting around railing) – many Covenanter’s tomb (perhaps Old Mortality’s work).
Inscription on stone in memory of Helen Walker written out by Roy – “This stone was erected by the
author of Waverley in memory of Helen Walker who died in the year of God, 1791 … NOT transcribed
More observations about places where they stopped on the drive - schoolhouse, railway line GSW,
beautiful castle in distance, to Auldgirth – crossed bridge. NOT transcribed
Then we ate lunch on the banks of the Nith. After which we drove to Kirkton, stopped at Kirk Mahoe,
where Auntie Margaret’s relations 22 are buried. We called at john Robertson’s for ½ hour or so, and saw
his new wife. Dumfries
Took train for Mauchline23 – arrived about 7 pm.
22
Ruth - These are relations of Margaret Robertson (John's wife) Too bad Roy doesn't give all names and
relationship.
23
https://www.britannica.com/place/Mauchline
24
�Sign board at Dunscore “To Moriagave 7 ½, To Dumfries 8 ½ mi, To Auldgirth 3 ¼ mi.”
“Ay! Right doon there + cross the brig”
Galloway Cattle, black, no horns.
Pass Mrs. Milligans.
The hedges are pretty – thorn hedges, briar roses, blue bells, deadman’s bells, broom (yellow blossom)
ferns, bell-heather. “To Cyclists – ride with caution”
Oak, beech, birch, ash, plane (sycamore).
The bridge had 3 arches + niches (8, I do not know what for.
A Drive in the Country
This was really a most delightful drive, sunny, bright day – green fields, hillsides for miles + miles, sights
of rippling rivers, Cluden + the Nigh, quaint churches with tower or steeple, among a little church yard,
cattle + calves jumping around, oak groves, stone fences, hedges, hard smooth reads, thatched or slate
cottage, white in color, steep cliffs, country school house, lodge at the entrance to some estate, the
peak or look-out tower of some mansion or castle, among the foliage beyond the valley, sign boards,
notices at the forks of the road.
I saw a bowling green in Dumfries – smooth lawn about 8 or 10 sets going – balls curve right or left
(black in color), little one (white) is called the jack.
Mauchline
We then buy our tickets for Mauchline where we stay a couple of hours. We walk up to the village.
Poosey Nancy’s Hostelry it seems was the scene of The Jolly Beggars, as well as being a favorite resort
of Burns. At the head of the street we saw Mary Morrison’s house.
At the Burns Tower, there are a number of charity cottages for worthy poor people. Those who are
allowed there are chosen by a certain board of officers. Mrs. Jamieson was keeper of the Tower and
showed us the tower of castle of Montgomery where Highland Mary used to be as a house maid. In the
museum of Tower we see many interesting things:
A brass knife that belonged to R.B. – one bladed, coins dug from graves of 2 [ 2 words] (custom), –
Picture of B’s 2 oldest sons (plug hats) H.M.’s thorn (don’t know what it meant). Part of J. Armour’s
scarf. Brig o’Doon in wood with Tam o’ Shanter. Alloway Kirk. The chair of Jean Armour’s on which she
nursed the bairns – wood from roof of Alloway Kirk.
We then went to Ayr – late 11 pm put up at Ayr Arms Hotel where we stayed 2 nights, opposite to Tam
O’Shanter’s Inn on [blank space] St (Main St) Wallace tower up a short distance.
Sketches of maps of towns Mauchline, Ayr, Alloway
25
�Clipping: “The Rose and the Rock” by Kathleen L. Greig, The Four-Track News p. 61
Morning Wed July 8
We took the tram car down to Alloway, they have been in Ayr for nearly 2 years, a financial success, and
a great convenience, I think only on the one main street from Preswick to Burns Monument, single line
with switches double deckers – good for night seeing on top. We first though examine the Burns
monument in the square – 4 scenes – Jolly Beggars, Cotter Saturday Night, Parting of BTHM, Tour on
Bridge. Soldiers’ monument farther to East – passed a constabulary station.
Burns Monument Alloway
Got off the car at the end of the line and walked down to the Auld Brig O’ Doon of Tam O Shanters
memories. Alloway Mill below, we could see, went down and drank of the waters of the Doon R. “Ye
banks and braes o’ bonnie Doon”. An old man was playing the fiddle, sweet sound “Scots wha hae” and
“bonny Doon”. Came to new brig. Also new hotel being put up by a syndicate. Also saw new RR bridge.
We then went to the Burns Monument 2 d each to go in. I asked the gatekeeper what was the greatest
number which had gone in here in a day “between 2000 and 3000 one day last year – but I have been
here only 3 or 4 years”
In a small show case were the two bibles the RB and HM exchanged on banks of Gurgling Ayr. Brown 6”
x 2 ½” x 1”, cheap , worn. H.M. hair was sticking out of one of the bibles (see page for inscriptions in
these bibles)
1st edition of R.B. poems of Kilmarnok
Jean Armour’s wedding ring + hair (her)
R.B. wedding ring + hair (his)
From Nancy Tinnoch’s Inn ? – drinking cup of R.B.
Two drinking glasses given by Burns to Clarinda
Box made of wood from roof of Alloway Kirk
We went up winding stair way – 9 Corinthian columns supporting 60 ft high (?)
I asked the keeper about the welcome to Burns’ sons 1846. Mighty concourses of people over there –
1000’s and 1000’s – 12 steamers came to Ayr. Lord Eglington was chairman.
Went to the Grotto where the life size (or larger) statues of Tam O Shanter and Souter Johnny are (by
Thom)
26
�Clipping: “The People’s Burns”, Sandy McNabs’s Kronickles – written in Scots dialect.
“Burns as a Reformer: His Serious Moods. P. 65
Alloway Kirk
We then went to Alloway Kirk a short distance up on left, went up the stone steps into the churchyard
Diagram - map
We first examined the grave stone of Wm Burns, the father of R.B. – now erect – I thought it was lying
down when I was here last. (died Feb 13 1784 – + Agnes Brown his spouse who was interred in Ballan
Churchyard East Lothian. There was an old man with a crutch and one leg showing a party around. “This
tree was here in the time of Burns and of Tam O’S’s ride – and they think a great deal of it. The date of
this old church is 1135. Here this is a baptismal font, where they baptized the bairns. That is as far on
inside as outside.
Then we came to the large irons about 7 feet long or some less “safes” to be put in about 3 feet down to
prevent body being stolen. Left on 6 weeks.
Then he pointed out the window where Tam saw the witches, and explained to us that the road was not
where it is now but as indicated by line.
Then I overheard the following as he pointed with his crutch – “the best man for Burns wedding lies
there” – I went over and read “Thomas Blair died 1820 aged 93”.
I saw on another tombstone “No man who putteth his hand to the plough looking backward is fit for the
kingdom of heaven”.
When the old man was at the witch window he recited from Burns – I couldn’t catch much but he did it
well “ [blank ] on a hilly table”. “There is a hawthorn 500 yrs old | beside entrance inside north) (d)
Burns Cottage
[scan of postcard of Burn’s Cottage]
27
�We then walked to Burns Cottage – notice on front “Burns Cottage, Robert Burns, the Ayrshire poet, was
born in this cottage on the 25th of Jan 1759.
There are 4 rooms in cottage. Entrance is in store house A nothing in room. B (next) was a stable,
mangers still there. C was perhaps the parlor, at present containing Tam O’Shanter + S.J. chairs. D the
room + bed where R.B. was born.
[Scan of page 67 for diagram]
28
�[Stanza from poem – not transcribed]
We entered the museum, and there saw many original writings of Burns –
Holy Willies Prayer
And find the godly in a fret to pray – Pope
and at end Amen! Amen!
The Whistle – then we read the love letters between R.B .and Clarinda – the originals – showing folds
“Clarinda! The dear object of my fondest love, there may the most sacred, inviolate honor, the most
faithful, [kinling ?] constancy, ever watch and animate my every thought and “imagination”.
29
�Clarinda’s farewell letter before going on board (for W. Indies (?)), was indeed earnest + tender.
Funeral notices.
Varieties of Ayr
We saw Greener Castle both going and coming – an ivy covered wall. Belonged to Kennedys
Then I went out for a walk and saw at Wellington Square monuments : 1/ James George Smith Neill C.B.
Lieu-Col in Madras Army, fill in relief of Lucknow 1857. 2. Earl of Eglinton + Wintown, L.C. of Ayrshire
1843 L.L. of Ireland 1852.
In walk in evening passed Carnegie Library Academy, Harbor in river. Came to Cromwell’s Fort or site of
it and castle, tall old looking building. The town wanted to buy the property sometime ago but they
were so long fixing the price that present owner Mr .Miller bought it.
On train cars there was a children’s excursion, return from the South – cheering all the way – Signs
“Prestwick Road”, “Town Hall”, “Burns Monument”
View from shore is beautiful – Firth of CLyde, Hills of Arran, vessel on horizon, fishing snacks nearer –
esplanade, seashore, children playing in sand.
Hotel Dalblain is fanciest in town, fine grounds. Signs. Iron monger, wig-making.
Thursday July 9
Ireland Belfast
Took tickets for Ardrossan and Belfast. GS&W – taken down in the brake to the docks – Caledonian
Station – and on board Steamer Adder, paddler, fine and swift – 18 knots an hour passed Arran, Ailsa
Craig – 4 hours to Belfast – up the Laggan – Hanton and Wolfe’s ship yards – 20 vessels altogether
building – tonnage 195,000 tons. Iron rails all erected first, plates on after. Donegall Quay York St (Royal
Ave = main street). Post Office is on Royal Avenue, sent telegram to Mrs. Dr. Roberts Stevenston – 3
Irish girls in telegraphing dept pleasant. Public Library. An elegant new town hall building centre tower
and 2 end towers – really grand.
We came to statue to Dr. Henry Cooke 1788-1868 only statue we saw. “What is that tower ?” “The one
[fernenst ?] us?” Yes “That’s Pr Albert ?– decorations for King’s visit of July 27”. Great Northern RR
station – Victoria St. Train car – horse – “Grumlin Road.” The Moravian Church. The Crescent Church.
Methodist Church
[Flyer for fast steamers – Scotland and England] p. 71
Clipping about “King’s Irish Visit” – gave route of Belfast Procession. Described hostile resolution from
Cork County Council – Mr. James O’Neill, Kinsale, moved that the Council do not present an address to
the King of England during his approaching visit” – carried. P. 71
30
�Queen’s College - entered - shown into convocation hall, many paintings of principles + famous men.
One find painting was at nearest end to entrance. In fact very noted Mortor (Venice), worth ₤ 4000
Clipping in 3 parts: “Holy Ireland” by Filson, Record and Mail, July 23 1903 –about religion in Ireland –
anti-Catholic and anti- Irish: ”it is the most austere and least advanced form of Catholicism, and it burns
in a great nervous and wasting vitality, in the frail body of the country. The Protestant faith makes no
headway …” ]
News clipping was placed on top of notes about Belfast.
Irish Jaunting Car
On East = Scrabble Mts. Came to markets monthly horse fair – 300 horses average. Empire Theatre
This trip was taken on a Jaunting Car where we sit sideways over the wheels – fairly nice. These cars are
peculiar to Ireland, the reason for their existence being explained thus by a cynical writer: “Life in
Ireland” he says “is abundant, and consequently is not valued very highly, while, on the other hand,
property is scarce, and is accordingly held in extraordinary esteem. It is for this reason that the designer
of the Irish Jaunting Car placed the wheels beneath the vehicle and carefully covered them up from
harm with the leap of the passengers”
On the way home we came in conversation with an elderly gentleman and his wife – as well as as a
friend – names Mr. and Mrs. Ross Morton and Mr. Finnie(?). They told us of Ireland and Killarney. Mr
RM had a card with Blarney Castle on it and explaining how he had kissed the Blarney Stone. Address on
card was Sir Francis Blaine, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Blarney Castle is 200 ft high. – – stone is near top 2 iron rods – bend around + kiss it on bottom worn
smooth. – rail 6 min. from Cork. Not inhabited – 2 d admittance. Woman takes care of it. Spoke of the
Lakes of Killarney beautiful but not equal to Loch Lomond – its hills + Ids. It could not touch Loch Lomon
?
Clipping - photo of “In Ireland To-Day: A typical Galway Home “– photo of cottage made of rocks where
nurse is visiting the person living there.
People in that vicinity are very poor – (west of [illegible]) saw the cow with her head out of an end
window of the house – pigs + hens in door – people barely eke out an existence, beg. Women bare
feet.
Over there in Cambrae Id – boat for fishing 3 d per hr. boat + tackle.
31
�Young man Mr. F. told me of the Polytechnic 309 Regent St. London W.C. (Chalets) simple places. Alp.
Andermath (?) was place where Napoleon crossed the Alps – iron rods up to mark the place.
Large clipping –“ From A Diary in Ireland” by Lally Bernard – The Globe Nov 19 1904 – about Sisters of
the Poor, Order of St Vincent de Paul. Missing beginning of article. P. 65
Card – Glasgow and South Western Railway – direct route to the Clyde Watering Places - - map of Firth
of Clyde area – hotels listed on reverse]
Clipping: “Sir John Moore and Glasgow”
William Wallace and Mouse Bridge
Nearly miss the train for Glasgow – arrive at St Enoch’s station (+ hotel) large – and have to get over to
Central Station (Caledonian) on Argyle St. Get our tickets for Tillietudlem Castle Tour. Ride out on train
to Lanark, where we take the coach for Crossford. We had a very merry witty coachman – Presbyterian
Manse (rt.), Lee House, = Sir Simon Locher (of Kirkfield bank fame). Highbridge 128 ft on Mouse River
“Now here’s where the Lanark people come when they feel tired of life” – next little village Kirkfield –
one of the happiest places on earth – the women do all the work, and the men keep the bairns”
Lee Castle – Entrance to Lee Castle – on Mouse by the bridge – rt. bank was pointed out – Wallace’s cave
where he hid.
In Lanark too, we saw the Wallace tower main st, and near it the house which stands where Wallace’s
house once stood.
The coach – winded down the hills – came to the Roman Bridge built by Agricola.
At Kirkfield – weaving – hand weaving – school letting out. Boys followed coach and asked for a penny –
run + run – penny now and then to see how far they could run. Stone Byres (picture), Carra Linn,
Bonnington. Hon Wm Brigham Scotch Whiskey. 25 or so little deer – roe bucks. “That house” says the
driver “was left by Brigham to his house keeper on a very hard condition that she was never to marry”
Hazelbank (rt.) – acres and acres of strawberries. Falls of Clyde (3 d admittance). – Crossford Inn – 1 mile
to Tillietudlem.
We took wrong way and we had a fearful walk to get there.
Chapel 1616 – holy water font. Real castle built 12th century by Sir James Hamilton, beheaded as a
traitor for building so strong a castle. –
32
�Clipping– page ripped from book – “Life and Death of Wallace” – pg 359 and 360 - with Roy’s notes in
margin about Wallace – also a poem about Wallace. “Sir Wm. Wallace of Elderslie, champion +
guardian of Scotland [illegible] the invasions + oppressors of Eng …” p. 67
Tillietudlem24 Castle
24
Figured in Scott’s novel of Old Mortality – at boundary of Highlands and Lowlands.
33
�Mr. Haig was keeper, and he said owner. Earl of Home had given it to him during his life time. The three
yew trees were shown us, from where arrows had been made in early times. Mill stones for grinding 1
large 4 ft diameter grated windows – some gone. Some new eave troughs = rones (of stone) – unicorn
ornament.
We crossed where the drawbridge used to be over the moat – + the wall next was 17 ½ ft wide (by
meas.) Above the entrance to the castle was the coat of arms – lion, + 2 unicorns – etc.
The very first look inside the door thrills one with awe + dread – yawning opening, broken stairways,
great doors, massive stone work. We go through to the main room on ground floor – the banqueting
hall large, high ceiling 30 ft + next to left room which Mary Queen of S cots occupied after she fled from
Loch Leven Castle.
Then he showed us the subterranean passage to lee Castle – 3 miles away – human bones near mouth –
an immense fireplace 15 ‘ x 7’ – saw the dungeons underground (curved ceiling 10 ‘ x 10 ‘ ) where
captives used to be kept, and the 70 ft in depth – 3 ½ ft . diameter, round, look onto arrowshots.
Windows put in near well none before.
Fig 2. Farther entrance at side passage way 4 openings to left – 1st into slaughter house – stone trough
– water in it – where the blood used to run – fireplace – time of siege it was particularly used.
Then we went up to roof + top of castle, views the ruins climbed to highest parts – moss + shrub on part
of it.
We went to the guard room separate from castle – entered and saw the window where Cuddie
Headrigg entered the window during the siege + the fireplace where Jenny Dennison was cooking the
kale brew + threw it on him. Upright opening for holding spars 12 ‘ x 12 “ x 10” of the guard of the caste.
This is Craignethan Castle or Tillietudlem of Old Mortality (Sir Walter Scott) – Take a picture of Mary’s
Thorn Tree said to be planted by him.
Clipping – A Visit to Craignethan Castle : Tillietudlem Castle of Old Mortality – probably written by Roy
for Owen Sound paper (ads on back of clipping) – The Advertiser Mar 11 1904 [pg 68-70]
“Those who have read Scott’s Old Mortality will remember with pleasure the halls and towers of
Tillietudlem Castle. Of the numerous productions of the great novelist none are truer to their prototype
that this scene of love and warfare, which has its origin in Craignethan Castle, Lanarkshire, Scotland.” P.
69
Clipping– In the Land of “The Lady of the Lake” by W. Norman Humphries – from The Globe – trail of Sir
W Scott - steamer from Liverpool to Glasgow – to Edinburgh, Loch Loman, Tarbet, Luss – other tourists
mainly Americans. P 69
34
�Walked to station and stayed in Glasgow at Duncan’s Temperance Hotel, Union St off Argyle. Decent –
Saturday July 11
Loch Lomond
Get our grips with help of two newsboys over from St Enoch’s to Central Station and buy our tickets
Loch Lomond, etc to Callendar. Low Level. –Pass through Glasgow on to Dumbarton and view hill and
castle – old defenses of the Clyde. Land at Balloch Pier where we get on Prince George (meet Princess
Mary and the Queen) –+ sail 9 am.
There are 26 islands – and the loch is 26 mi long. I came in conversation with an elderly man “rich man
from Glasgow” – from whom I learned most of following – behind us was the residence of Sir Jas
Calyhoun [Colquhoun] . Forty or 50 years ago his father Sir W was returning before Xmas with some
deer he had shot and intended for charitable purposes. He was crossing from Id Cherinch [Creinch]
when he was drowned. There is the Id. Of Inch Cailliach [Inchcailloch] = Island of Old Wife [Island of Old
Woman] – which was the burying place of the MacGregors. You can’t see the grave stones from here,
but you could by going round that way. Behind it – the Hill of Bahnahr. Conic Hill – and Ben Vreck
[drawing – detailed map of Loch District] p. 73
[Clipping Rob Roy’s Last Days and Death: The fate of his sons - Macgregors – Rob Roy buried at
Balquhidder ] p. 73
At Inch Conaghan [Inchconnachan] the yew trees are still where Bruce and his followers got his bows to
fight with – Rowardennan pier only Invernsaid falls.
Coaches
Rob Roy’s cave is not far from Inversnaid some one said North – map says South. See my 1900 Diary for
Rob Roy.25
We get on the coach in front of Inversnaid Hotel. 2 coaches – 25 in each 5 x 5 – and go the 6 or 7 miles
to Stronachlachar, mostly up hill – coach went slowly, nearly altogether on walk – 4 horses, coachman,
and guard dressed in Red – red coat, pants and either gray or red plug hat. The passengers are pleasant
and conversing with both friends and those unacquainted, surveying and remarking on the lochs, hills,
valleys, heights, flowers, heather, peasants and sights, history along the road. Did not see the fort of
25
This diary by Roy has been lost.
35
�Gen Wolfe’s as expected. Came in sight of Loch Arklet and then to Stronachlacher. Waited 1 hour. Got
on board little steamer “Sir Walter Scott” (also saw Rob Roy) and sailed Loch Katrine – saw up the glen
to NW Glengyle – the house of the Macgregors. Passed most elegant high grass banks and hills, heights
over heights. On south Ben Venue 2386 ft (picture). Then turned around farther side of Ellen’s Isle and
landed at the pier. Coach to Trossachs Hotel – another wait – opp. Loch Achray – on farther side – saw
the coaches from Aberfoyle – “Roderick Dhu”26 name of our coach – passed over and saw the Brig o’
Turk.27 Single stone arch. 9+ miles to Callander mostly along Loch Venachar and Ben Ledi to left and
north. Conversing with a pleasant man over politics of Britain – paying MPs if they did months and
agitators would enter. Irish very poor.
Callander – Eagle Temperance Hotel – luncheon 4 pm. Leave for Perth. Change at Dunblane, see the D.
Cathedral both from station and train. Near here is field of Sheriffmuir 28
From Callander about 4 pm send telegram. We are coming at 7.54. We land at Dunkeld 8.10. Bella and
Jeannie Smith are there to meet us. 29 Send our grips down to Mrs Duff’s with Mr Fischer and we 6 walk
down and call at Smith’s house, where we are welcomed.
Sunday July 12
Get up and we go to Dunkeld Cathedral, sit in Smith’s seat with Belle and Jeannie in gallery 3rd seat from
front on right. Rev Rutherford preached. Go round to back of Cathedral – nave – see the parent larches
in the Duke’s estate (2 years ago the Duke ordered his name to be spelt Atholl instead of Athole.)
Tom Smith30 tells us of the Scottish Horse31 – got up from Dunkeld by the Marquis (heir) of Atholl
Tullibardine – 350. He was Ferries’ Sergent. Baden Powell, and Laird O’Murthly (Fotheringham) were
present about 1 mile from here – good pay.
Monday July 13
We go north this morning Mrs. Smith, and us four to Ballinluig in Patrick’s livery.
We came to Bairdy Willie = Duke’s fool (killed dog of J. Stewart). He was a game keeper, and the Duke
when he would get angry and not be catching game – would lose an otter, his revenge was on Bairdy
Person in Scott’s Lady of the Lake
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brig_o%27_Turk
28 Battleground - https://www.scottishfield.co.uk/news/sheriffmuir-battlefield-under-threat-from-commercialforestry/
29 Ruth -- The Smiths are relatives. Jean Stewart's sister Margaret Stewart m. unknown Robertson. their daughter
26
27
Elizabeth m. unknown Smith. Their daughters are Belle and Jeannie.
30
Ruth - ruth larmour
Think this is a son of Elizabeth Robertson and unknown Smith.
Hugh Smith – son was Tom Smith
31 Raised for Boer War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Horse
36
�Willie by lashing him. Willie Duff wouldn’t mind it Duke would throw him a gold sovereign. “Late Duke
George” .
Cave on rt. Fugitive Duncan Hogg used to hide in a cave on Craigie Burns.
Emerge from the tree covered road high up looking up the Tay valley – grand high hills on both sides –
houses in distance – one of the grandest views – great painter Sir John Millais painted it from here.
Corner – where soldiers was once buried – milestone Perth 10, Dunkeld 4 – train passing in valley below.
Pitlochry 8 ½.
Duke killed in skirmish 1745 – Prince Charlie’s [small drawing]
[Clipping from Perthshire Advertiser – Dunkeld and Birnam. Information for Visitors – List of visitors at
Dunkeld and Birnam – Misses Jennie and Minerva Fleming. Messrs James and Roy Fleming of Owen
Sound ,Canada - visiting Atholl Street (Mrs Duff).] p. 76
Laddies Brigg
Next the Laddie’s Brigg32 – About 1810 there was a boy murdered here. It seems 2 neighbours had the
same barn – 1 each end, and this boy’s father suspected the other occupant of stealing part of his crop –
so he had his boy watching at night in the barn – man came in and after forking over some sheaves – the
boy yelled “that’s enough”. One night later the man met the boy at this brigg and beat him to death
(pole knife) threw his body over brigg then went and carried him to Tay and threw him in. Poor woman
saw it and ran as it happened to the very man’s house, told of murder, she [wife at house] then locked
her in and ran to get her husband to murder her too, but she escaped before they got back.
Lead [Pedie’s ? ] toll – where toll used to be collected.
Dowally (card)33 church – where aunt Grace (Robertson)’s folks are buried.
Looked in church – saw bit of gallery – Rev John Robb present minister (?)
Called next at the starch mill – and called on Mrs. Douglas – who very kindly gave us as any information
she could.
1st Drive North
Distillery of Peter McLaggen’s (suicided)
32
33
Scottish word for bridge
Roy indicated a postcard – don’t have it.
37
�Robt Robertson (father-in-law of Uncle Jas) worked there 24 years.
Jas Kennedy great singer of Kindallchan died last fall.
Dalnabo beside Ballinluig.
We crossed over new bridge – beside where the old ferry was. Passed house where Alex Mackenzie
used to live and which he built.
We came to “Logierait Hotel” (Card) and then to the Presbyterian Church – and at East end of the church
is the following monument inscription – “1858 This memorial is erected over the grave of the late Alexr
Mackenzie, by his widow and seven surviving sons, now resident in Canada West. The deceased was
born in this parish 4th April 1784, and died at Dunkeld 7th March 1836.
His father Malcolm Mackenzie was buried here in Jany 1836 aged 95. His mother, several sisters, and
other kindred likewise lie underneath.
Farther down, on main stone:
“Gone to the resting place of man,
The universal home
Where ages past have gone before
And ages still shall come.”
[Map of Ballinluig District – p. 79]
38
�In order to see the last line I had to scrape away the moss earth – top of monument is an urn with cloth
over – main mon.34 is free stone – marble slab face for main inscription. Ht 6 ½ ft.
Logierait Cemetry
Dowally:
The Dowally (Card) Churchyard35 –
Wm Graham farmer Balnacraig 1830-89
Donald Butter, Kindallachan died 1858
Jas McLaren Ballentium 1856 aged 47
34
35
monument
In Find a Grave identified a Wm Graham d 1897, Donald Butter d 1858, and James McLaren d 1857.
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2553390/dowally-churchyard-(perth-and-kinross)
39
�Here is the grave of John Stewart – died 184536 – brother of my grandmother. He died of a most peculiar
unknown disease – doctors wanted his body – safe was put on and no mark put on grave to prevent
grave robbery. Mrs. Smith’s mother – Mrs Robertson (her brother) buried a hapenny in a certain spot to
find out if the grave was dug into – she later looked for the coin, could not find it.
Other inscriptions of relatives –
In memory of James McGregor, farmer Ballenluig of Tullymet, who died 19 th March 1852, aged 50 years,
also of his wife Elizabeth Stewart 1873,37 18th June aged 67 years. Aunt Jessie says this is a daughter of
Donald Stewart.
Pictures on stones – harrow, plough, rakes, forks, representing a farmer.
Notice on church door – ER 3rd Battalion, Blackwatch, Royal Highlanders. Lieu Col the Master of Rollo etc
Musketry Drill be ordered out to
Inverness to Perth road38 – stages – mail coaches – high flyer – 4 port coaches – attendants dressed in
scarlet cassocks –thunder down the road in full gallop.
We pass over the river Tummel again – UJ [uncle James] points out a [curve ?] in river – anglers dam
where there is good fishing, poaching. “Ballinluig Inn R.Dow”
Stone house where Rev Murray used to live and where UJ used to herd his cattle – 6 sh. for 7 mos .work.
Ballinluig school “1863” – 3 rooms – children getting out 1 pm.
Drive up slope – pass by a glen where there used to be mineral water.
[Small clipping of part of poem 39 –
Oh, weel I lo'e our auld Scots sangs,
The mournfu' and the gay;
They charm'd me by a mither's knee,
In bairnhood's happy day:
Tinkler’s camp
“The Port” – farther [Benthalar ?] Tailor Town
Stewart – (I guess Tom Stewart )– (cousin) school teacher – to Canada
In Logierait
Family
38 Written in top left corner of p 81
39 Glued in top right corner of p 82. By Archibald Mackay See
http://www.rampantscotland.com/songs/blsongs_auldsangs.htm ]
36
37
40
�Kirrandrum
We had our lunch at the little burn at the gate. Then we went into Kirrandrum. Here we found the
remains of the old stone house where grandfather lived – a double house – at south end another man
(no relation) James Steward / school master lived, the eastern wall is more descernible than other,
nettles, ox-eyed daisies, bluebells of Scotland (?) thistles (Scotch) grass, grow among the stones and
earth – the home that once gave shelter and warmth to my father and his brothers and sisters is
scattered, broken, and gone like the one who placed it there grandfather.
The “steadings” are descernable, and the outline of the garden – a wall had been built around the slope
and had been filled in level on east side – one large mountain ash tree and a smaller one yet stand at the
foot of the garden.
Looking before you is one of the grandest sights of Scotland, the bright broad rivers of the Tay and the
Tummel join their two valleys and their rivers before you, to flow onward to old Dunkeld and Perth to
Dundee by the sea. The majestic hills tower on the farther side are crowned by the 6th Duke of Atholl’s
cross, on the sight of the old Royal castle, down at the foot of the slope rests the peaceful little village of
Ballinluig. The Highland RR train puffs up the valley – loses itself in the great pass of Killiecrankie so
hallowed to Scotchmen, for the death of their hero Bonnie Dundee. Miles of country lie before you, the
green verdure, shaggy hills, some to be covered with the purple bloom of the heather, the bright, silent
water, make a great living picture.
No wonder that it nearly broke the heart of my grandfather and grandmother to leave this beautiful
country, leave home and friends and associations dear as life itself, leave it forever never to return,
cross the bleak, stormy ocean and live in the forests of Canada.
His independent spirit is to be admired. He would never bow his head or take off his bonnet to the Duke
of Athole, that man who sleeps in Old Blair Kirk. He hired his two oldest boys John and James to the
Duke to peal oak bark – could not find out wages till end of season and he could pay what he liked – the
two boys 11 or 12 years old – or 1841-42 – travelled 2 miles night and morning, brought their own little
lunch of brose40 and bannock with them, paid a hapenny on the Tunnel ferry and were paid at the end of
the season at 3 d per days = 6 cents per day.
It was things like that that drove him to a land of freedom, where he would call no man his master, and
they would have the product of their labor for themselves.
An industrious man he was. I saw the NE wall of the old potato mill on Tullymet where he worked for
seven years and never missed a day – sugar of lead poisoning undermined his health – he had to stop
anyway. Steward his brother-in-law and he were building a stone wall – the factor came to measure it
with a tape. Steward told him AF to gather up some of the tape in his hand so as to measure more. “No.
I’ll neither tell nor act a lie” was the answer.
40
Probably brosemeal – or peasemeal - once common place in Scotland
http://www.redbookrecipes.com/peasemeal-an-ingredient-unique-to-scotland/
41
�Cotter houses = houses without farms for poor people who found work.
Steadings = outbuildings
I left the land41 of the broom and the [wheirs ?] 60 years ago.
School Times
Then we drove along the road towards the school (2 m) First went north to find Baptist Church –
Craigbea B. Ch. of Tullymet. Stopped to ask a young man (with glasses) – student Glasgow (?) university
– also his father Rev Peter Grant, father of father used to preach there. We drove down to the church
but this church was built 1847 where old one was. Rev. Steadman now.
U.J. told about the fight, only one he ever had, with young Duff. How he was forced to fight and beat
him and Mrs Duff giving him a piece of head cheese and oat bannock and asked him not to hurt her boy
any more – not courage enough to explain but promised.
“I had only 1 fight. The boys wanted Duff and me to fight. I didn’t want to – refused and refused. Duff
wanted to – called me a coward. I finally did “
Crumbs in corner of pockets – smuaichan42 in Gaelic – carried their little lunches in their pocket.
On northward passed through the larch plantation where the old path used to come out – the condy
where the boys forced him to crawl through and he nearly got stuck.
Tullymet School
Came to the Half Way house where James Steward, grand uncle used to keep a pub. Then we came to
the school on the corner. It is now a dwelling. Mr. Duncan Campbell lives here – only 2 years. Though
very kindly man but not able to give much information. He said to us “will you have some spirits? Being
UJ was present. J says – oh no thanks never touch it – and being J was present UJ “No thank you. I am a
temperance man”43
The stonework new looking – ie mortared, slate shingles. It used to be thatched, no chimneys til coal
came and stove – just a hole in the roof smoke-hole 35’ x 24’ – used to hold 150 in winter sometimes –
teach part let them go and then other part. 2 teachers part of the time.
[sketch]
4 windows on front, same on back door at near end – boys names carved on stones. Names of teachers
(cruel) Duncan Cameron 5 years
(Good) Angus Cameron 5 or 6 years until went into [illegible] and died
Written in margin. Maybe quoting James
What Roy wrote but might be wrong.
43 RF had crossed this out.
41
42
42
�Campbell
They got a stove 1834
Not a parochial school
Robt. Ferguson was teacher just before they left country
Fleming Family: Shokey, Shamey, Shoney, Epie, Dolley, Handie, Olie Sharlie, Shanie.
“half a play day to the schedule”
At the death of Sir R. Dick every tenant got a picture of the general. Saw 2 of them Mrs Dow’s and J.F.
About 1830 Jas Anderson (of mills), A Fleming and influential men of neighborhood got poor education
from parish school at Ballinluig, so agitated sought to establish a voluntary school. Duke of Atholl gave
the land, Sir R. Dick built the school, and financially helped it. It was successful and satisfactory. Sir Robt
Dick must have been a good man by what everyone tells me. He used to visit the school, give prizes to
the school for diff classes in reading, writing and math. When passing he would call in and John and
James, who were fearless pleasant singers – twins, looked so much alike they could scarcely be told
apart parents mistook them, and the teachers and scholars scarcely ever knew them apart. They were
dressed in kilts identically and were brought up and placed on the platform to sing for Sir R.D. Sing some
psalm tunes.
Hymn 1.44
Here we suffer grief and pain
Here we meet and part again
In Heaven we part no more
O that will be joyful
When we meet to part no more.
Psalm
Great King on high
Accept our praise
For these our humble songs
Till tunes of noble songs
We raise with immortal tongues
They had no secular songs in those days in school.
Also– “There is a happy land, far, far away 45
Where saints in glory reign
44
45
https://hymnary.org/text/here_we_suffer_grief_and_pain
Slightly different lyrics -- http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/There_Is_a_Happy_Land/
43
�Bright bright as day
We shall happy be when from sin and Satan free
Sir R.D. would complement them “That’s very good my bonny laddies” and give them a penny each – no
others sang for him
A. Campbell – The Gaelic is dying out. Nearly all my acquaintances talk the gaelic, but the young people
do not.
Duke of Atholl keeps everything the same – country does not change – only the people.
Another school scene:
Arithmetic sums etc – time test slates on platform – John and James and Ellen McDougal girl used to be
first – married to Jas Forbes buried in Logierait.
Three schoolmates of U.J. [Uncle James]
1. Annie Forbes – sixties – Mrs McLaughlan
2. William Wallace – lives in Dowally
3. John Fleming of Ballecragan (died Dec 1909)
Did you recognize any resemblance in them to what they were when you attended school – not Annie
Forbes – no – not the curl of the mouth, the wrinkles of the eye, the cut of the face, motions, thought
perhaps I could remember some peculiarity – nothing – I would not know I had ever seen her before.
We came to the Milton. Aunt Ann Scott used to live there by that burn.
Saw the chapel that Sir R.D.’s son built. Wm – R.C. – expensive on inside.
Mrs. McLauchlan lives at the Meadows. Picked up a little girl, Kittie Bruce colored picture in reader.
We meet the scholars from Guay school. On rt – Mains of Kilmorich where grandfather was born away
up on mountain Loch Ordie, where Queen Victoria + Duchess of Atholl lost their way coachman Smith
(?),46 + Loch Ochean. Return home.
Tuesday July 14
In afternoon Jeanne,47 Minnie and I go out for a whell48 to Murthly Castle via Birnam and near the
Highland RR, ie West side – came to the arch which was rather grand looking if set off properly – but
surroundings unsuitable – people live in the arch – a clothes line with clothes on it was strung from right
hand side. Minnie and I went down to see the New Castle
Not certain this is the correct placement of the inserted text,
Jeannie Smith
48 Whell = wheel in Scots
46
47
44
�Murthly Castle49
We went down the slope through the trees and came to the gravel road – grounds nicely laid out long
drive to front of castle – with plane (? RF) trees on both sides – stone spheres – decoration of angles
[angels?] . Also avenue on right.
We saw the old castle from the farther side of the river. Whitish or yellowish, plain in appearance. See
the Murthly Romance page 189 for further information. We met Mr Rae Factor in his whell, but he said
nothing to us.
That night we went fishing in the Tay for trout, perch, salmon and other fish. Bell had borrowed a pole
from “Davie”. But we were unsuccessful.
On the above trip we crossed the Caputh bridge at the village and saw into the school which had good
apparatus.
“And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God. Job xix
1759 and age 42 – lawful husband 173050
[clipping with social notice about supper and dance at Murthly]
Wednesday July 15
Trip to Loch Clunie
Jeanne and we four go on this trip in same outfit. We turned to right and over the hills to East – first saw
Loch Lowes and Loch Craig Lush, then Cardna Hill, Cardna House, Butterstone Loch, Butterstone House
on left. Armstead – friend of WE Gladstone occupied it – owned by the Lows (?). Smiths house where
they were mostly born – smitty then P.O.
Largest sheep farm on Duke of Atholl’s estate – little burn – solid stone hedge. We came to Loch Clunie,
circle around it till we come to a bit of village and the church. Rather large country church – went in the
right door and examined around. Then outside – read the inscription on t.s. [tombstone] – timeglass
and wings. One peculiar – 1759 aged 62 “her lawful husband”51 [sketch]
Rev Aytoun Young is minister of Clunie Church. We saw him pass into hay field – smoking a cigarette.
Jeanne says he swears when he gets mad.
Aunt Ann Scott is buried in Clunie Churchyard (?). When she married first they were in good
circumstances.
http://www.murthly-estate.com/
inscription on something
51 must refer to inscription above.
49
50
45
�Castle Clunie52
We then went to the caretaker of the castle Mr Roger, oldish man – got a great boat and the big keys of
the castle, and started over. Landed, and went up to the tower door, unlocked it and entered. We went
up the winding stair A – little room on right each time as well as a small dungeon like room underneath
B. Entered main hall. 2nd floor – find bit room, mantel piece, 2 tables or trestles for lunch parties,
shutters of cedar, which when open fit in as a panel, deep windows.
[drawing of layout of tower with the rooms. ]
It is circular and probably artificial.
Note the trim slits of windows in the tower. We ascended to the top and I opened a small roof window
slide and crawled out on the roof.
Castle Clunie See 13 – p. 118
[drawing of exterior of Castle Clunie – view from south]
2nd floor – 2 cartwheels, dairy, a cupboard – shelves, mantel shelf and tables. Iron grates outside of
window.
In kitchen we saw the large fireplace granges, carne (? – RF), left end I suppose is an oven. Names are
scrawled on the dirty walls. I took a black coal from the grate and put mine.
Clunie of Clunie was head of Clan McPherson. He used to command the Black Watch. Annual meeting of
clan in city.
Blairgowrie
On the way back, met 2 boatloads of people, saw wild ducks, many water lilies. We continue on to
Blairgowrie Marlee Hotel, school church.
[sketched map of area]
“South United Free Church. Pastor X White”
Drove around Blairgowrie.
On way home passed many small fruit farms with nice residences.
We passed on his tricycle, Sir Alex Mackenzie. He is married to a sister of the Duchess of Atholl, lives at
Glendelvin, Caputh and Spittefield are mostly owned by him. Drinks very much.
Next Stenton House where Lord Advocate of Scotland lives. Built 1870. [clipping – “A Hearty Welcome”
social notice for Mr and Mrs Ronald Graham Murray being welcomed to Stenton House]
52
http://www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk/perth_fife/clunie_castle_hill_clunie_castle.html
46
�See the two druid stones again and slate quarry.
Thursday July 16
Rains all day – so stay in. In evening Uncle James and I go over to Mrs. Sim, mother of Joe Sim. Two Miss
Sims at home, daughter and grand daughter. Mrs Sims and girls tell me the Murthly traditions with
which they are very familiar. This may have been Frid or [illegible]…
Friday July 17 the day Whistles died
Jeanne, Aunt Jennie, and I set out for St Andrews. Miss first train.
We set out for Perth. After Murthly we see the First United Presby Church in Scotland – over 100 years
old. Another in Inverness built same time. Three years ago United Presby and Free Church = United Free
worship was almost identical.
We see Scone Palace. Rev. MacKenzie of Little Dunkeld Ch. Speaks too long and wanders – 11:30 to 2 on
communion days. One time there was a social and lecture to be held at Little Dunkeld , so he got Rev
Donald from Montrim (? ) to give an address. He had to return by the 10 o’clock train, and Mr .McKenzie
knew it – necessity for appointment. McK gave the introductory address and made it so long that Rev
Donald [nicely ?] had time to get up and excuse him and leave to catch his train.
We arrive at Dundee and have an hour or so to wait. See St Enoch’s Parish Church University College,
bones in window, Nethergate St.
Claverhouses’s home was 2 miles from Dundee.
We crossed the great Tay Bridge – 2 miles long. The middle part was built new and different.
The great disaster occurred Dec 28th 1879 at night – storm, darkness, the train with 300 or 400
passengers mostly returning after Xmas festivities, coming home to Dundee at night – the bridge was
not built strong enough, and the storm sweep the middle part of it away. The train came and dived into
the open chasm deep into the water. Not a soul ever came up alive. The long lights o f the bridge coule
be seen in the city with the blank in its middle – and the dreadful crashes and nose of the disaster were
heard far up the city. Pieces of tat train have gone all over the world, and the disaster is never forgotten.
Who was the architect of the bridge. He must have been incompetent since the bridge did not stand. Sir
Thos Bouch.
Oh I hardly think that – it was more the cheapness with which he was forced to supply it. His name was
Sir Thos. Bouch I think. This new part is double lined – other only single.
47
�Sir Thos. Bouch had made plans and had begun the erection of an immense suspension bridge on Forth
– 2 spans of 1600 ft – but this disaster caused the Forth Bridge Co. to lose faith in him + they
immediately stopped operations. 53
[Clipping – long from Dundee Advertiser – July 16, 1903 – Reviews : Dundee and Lindores - publication
of “Chartulary of the Abbey of Lindores”. p. 98 of journal
[Short clippings about the bridge]
We met in with an exceedingly nice man of the Congregation Church going to Crail, past St Andrews –
explains the sights and kindly bought me a Dundee Advertiser at St Andrews – concerning the Abby of
Lindores.
Mars Training Ship54 – 400 on boat – Industrial School, reformatory Wormwood.
Above gentleman was very pleased with a Rev. R.J. Campbell of City Temple London – came from Boston
Church established 1623.
New port – Sir John Long – Editor Dundee Advertisor – residence
Also Capt Scott.
Arrive at St Andrews – On moor outside of town, towards Fife, Archbishop Sharpe was murdered.
(On page 98 is article cut out of paper given me by the kind gentleman.)
St Andrews
As we entered St Andrews we saw the finest golf course in Scotland. Prestwick also good.
We walk up street through the Pends great ruins 55 – went through a gate into St Andrews burying
ground beside surrounded by wall in ruins.
“In memory of Rt. Rev. Charles Wordsworth 40 years Bishop of the Diocese of St Andrews D + D 180692.
Sea short distance off.
Robert Chambers L.L.D. Author of traditions of Edinburgh (in ruined room) 1653 – old tower.
Passage written in green ink and very fine hand. Roy musth have added it later, perhaps at same time as adding
the clippings.
54 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Mars_(1848)
55 The Pends – street where ruins of St Andrew are http://www.visitstandrews.com/do/historic-sites/st-andrewscathedral/
53
48
�Passage of dungeon
Sir Robt. Anstruther Dalyell of Lingo 1831-90
The ruins of St Andrews Cathedral are mighty in size but not enough for that [mystic ?] air – the buts of
the pillars are there showing the form of the church – cruciform – transepts, pillars 8 sides – 2 lines.
“Rev. Daniel Robertson 1774-1811
Cardinal Beaton was murdered by Norman Lestie 1546 assisted by his brother John + others – took the
castle early in the morning – killed C.B. in his bed-room, hung body outside walls – battlements siege of
caste for some months – in which John Knox was chaplain – who said C.B.’s death was just “slain by the
hand of God – C.B. was privately interred 9 mos. After the murder in the convent of the Black Friars a
part of the chapel of which – a most venerable + interesting ruin – still remains in South St. in part of
Madras College – but particular spot unknown. (Conspirators in league with Henry VIII) – French fleet
came under Leon, Prior of Capua – + Regent Arran besieged castle – they [succumbed ?] finally on
condition of self preservation – sent to galleys of France – including Knox – soon escaped – castle walls
then [demolished ?]. N. Leslie, Master of Rothes – tragically killed in war. Battle of Cambray 1554 in
service of Fr. King – George Wishart the Martyr was executed by order, + sight of (?) C.B. – this was the
principal cause of C.B.’s death.
[Clipping “A day at St Andrews” – Sandy McNabs Kronicles - humorous piece told in a Scots dialect
about being in St Andrews. ] p 103 of journal
Dundee to Perth
On return came to Leuchars Junction56 “Change for Cupar, Lady Bank and Edinburgh”
Crossed the Tay bridge again – counted the arches – 20 arches, S, 13 new arches in middle, 40 arches N.
Some say that the swaying of the train smashed the bridge and they went in.
Dundee old Tower – go up this tower – steps – I go all the way up winding steps.
Dundee – public playground – swing may poles
Kinfauns Castle57 – Hon Stuart Gray – Kinross Hill
Perth Station – station master, Mr. Burk, young tall man.
56
57
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuchars_railway_station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinfauns_Castle
49
�Scone Trip
Come to Perth – have a walk up street – came to a statue of a man with dog – no name on it – walked
around it – I asked a man standing on corner whose statue this was “That’s Sir Walter Scotts’
monument” “Isn’t it peculiar there’s no name on it?” “Ay! and I spoke to the Lord Provost about the
matter, and he replied that it didn’t need a name – bodies should know him”
This statue is at head of High St. (?)
See the North and South Inches.58 North Inch by River. Famous fight here
Perth + Scone
We take a train car to the New Scone pronounced (Scoon ) – High St – Post Office on corner of Scott St +
High St.
Cross the fine bridge over Tay, 2 other bridges below, none above , in Perth. Tay was frozen over 7 or 8
years ago – skating and curling – very peculiar – unique to have skating on river.
“Fair City of St. Johnston” = Perth
Got in conversation with a man on top of the train car – and he told me we couldn’t get into Scone
palace or grounds – if possible – at lodge - Mr. Pit Keethly might let us in.
Adam Will from Collace – large estate
Shooting and Fishing –
Grouse – Aug 12 to Xmas
No fishing Oct and Nov
Use nets first of month then lines
Pheasants, rabbits and hares
Partridge – Sep 14 – 1 month or more
Rabbit shooting later
Otters yet but scarce
Scone Palace
– the old Royal Palace is national property. – The room is there where Mary Queen of Scots slept – kept
just as it was – bed etc – Earl of Mansfield will let no one into castle. He used to get a grant for taking
care of castle – Earl said it was not sufficient, so shut the public out. Estate belongs to Earl as long as
there are heirs.
58
Large public parks in Perth - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Inch
Fight may have been South Inch.
Inch = small island in Scots
50
�The Factors are Dickson and McKenzie, lawyers, Br London Bank Perth (across bridge)
It is about 1 mile over to Old Scone from New Scone – end of car [rout ?]
We went into a butcher shop opposite car terminus, and butcher told us everything he could very kindly.
Road to Blairgowrie on left side.
The Centre of Scotland is said to be marked with an old hawthorn, [paling ?] around it, propped up with
sticks – leaning northward. There is a new being planted – grave yard right in front – offered 9 ft ? of
property.
Horses on train know 2 bells. Eng and Scot diff to Amer tourists – black silk stiff hats
“Livery and Bait stables” – Museum after burning 1812 – picture of Arch Sharp of St. Andrews.
Loch Leven and Castle
Board train for Loch Leven – get off at station – + walk down to boat house – rent a boat – 5 s –for trip
to island including boatman – rather dear – owned by a syndicate.
There were 8 members of the Edinburgh Amateur Club getting ready to go out to fish – hooks all over
their hats – long rods – suit special – one would think they were going to empty the lake – It was 3 pm. I
heard them say “we’ll stay till 9” 3 sh. Per hour – 4 boats. I didn’t see them catch anything. So I
wondered how they got along. On Monday I picked up an Edinburgh paper and in an angling [review ?]
I read the following.
[Clipping – Angling – Lochleven – “rain agin fell on Saturdauy forenon there being now four or five
inches of flood water in the loch from the recent rains”. More description of weather - Mr John
Wright of Kinross caught 4 trout which weighed 4 lb ]
[Clipping – “Lochleven is a broad lake with the Highland hills on one side and the plain of Kinross on the
other. Its castle, one of the many belonging to the Douglasses, was on an island in its midst.”
More description of Lochleven, Kinross Castle, Mary’s rooms and what Mary wore when she visited
April 13th 1563.
We pass Kinross Kouse on left ₤ 6000 in laying out of grounds – not occupied for 100 years – picnic on
shore – by road – 1400 ac. land.
Laird was forced to entrance to the cemetery.
There is a stone monument in water –[ Nickel Gourie ?]
51
�We were shown the spot where the keys were found – 1858 (?), where they were dropped when Queen
Mary was escaping from L.L. Castle. About 2 feet long. Boatman said the keys were in museum at
Edinburgh but we were shown them at Abbotsford (mistake)59
[Clipping in top right corner of page – Sir Walter Scott – The Abbot – based on life of Mary Queen of
Scots]
[Drawing of island with castle and cemetery marked – level of lake used to be much higher.]
At St Serf Id. Or on mainland beyond there are the ruins of an old monastery where the monks used to
preach – visible the loch is 5 miles long and 3 ½ miles broad.
Landed at little pier – walked up through long grass to castle.
The castle is surrounded by a mighty wall – 30 ? feet high on the south.
Entrance dark cut in ground from north. The main castle is in North West corner. Remains of floors can
be seen. I counted five stories including basement. 2 floors gone but fireplaces and doorways still there
– no roof – stone seats by the windows worn, seats no doubt Mary Queen of Scots sat on, often
contemplating her troubles. Mary names carved, plant growing in doorway and stone closets, bit of sod
of from crack – red top = yellow lock, alter bushes.
I view the west through an open window – shining silver sun ripples – 3 tall chimneys of factories,
graveyard – sands where they found the Keep and where she made her escape.
South – castle walls, courtyard, hills of Benarchty and little island – The Lily’s Bower.
[Pages folded and glued in – onion skin – very fine hand writing – Roy wrote out long passage from
Encyclopedia Britannica about Mary Queen of Scots ]
[Sketch of layout of Loch Leven Castle p 113 of journal.]
East – elm inside castle walls shutting off view of other trees.
North – view of garden where queen used to likely walk contemplating her next move – beech tree, 2
plane trees, and oak, + x.
The stone stairs in the stair tower are mostly broken, but the curving turn is still visible from top to
bottom, some whole steps remaining.
In 2nd story – 2 whole panes of glass diamond shape remaining. Stone trough running outward,
basement dark and damp – warm day – castle cool – castle had been slightly repaired with cement.
Garden walls re mortared – trough running out.
59
Noted by Roy
52
�MQS’s dwelling as a captive60 was in the second storey of the castle + consisted three small rooms
opening into each other – Retinue only two women (1 = Mary Seaton) + a boy – When her escape was
detected one of the small pieces of artillery with battlement was fired as a warning.
Notice above main entrance – “Visitors are earnestly solicited to protect these ruins from being injured.
Kinross Dec 1865.” – sign 3 ‘ x 6”
We went around the heap of ruins on NE corner – then E wall – which is leaning out as it to fall – picked
and ate some goose berries off bush.
Came to the large round tower where it is said Mary Queen of Scots stayed.
Oak stumps and sprouts.
Mary was 11 months and some days in this castle.
We get in the boat and the 2 boatmen row us back – we see the Loman Hills on NE – large one is called
The Bishop.
See the Red Bower island and Lily’s Bower – away to the East we see the ruins of an old Abbey.
Looking straight to North – we see Burleigh Castle – among trees
Kinross House
Kinross house has not been occupied since it was built about 300 years ago. Sir Basim Montgomery is
present proprietor. Sir James Montgomery bought the estates. He was out shooting ducks and got
drowned. Kinross House was built for Duke of York. Jas I of England (Maybe a mistake) but he never
slept in it.
The cemetery on the hill belongs to the estate, but the public have to have access through much against
the will of the proprietors. That vault in the centre, almost the size of a church is the only part the
proprietors could claim.
[Drawing – small map of area]
Men used to watch from the tower to see that no bodies were stolen.
[Clipping – Churchyard Watchtower – illustration and explanation – men with guns posted in tower to
watch for grave robbers. ]
Some stones date 1400 – this was about where Mary landed.
₤ 1500 for museum for Kinross - “There’s a window for every day in the year”
60
Passage inserted
53
�₤ 20,000 has been spent on it already. Prop is a nasty cantankerous man – has another estate in
Peebleshire.
It was over a mile from ID. To boat houses – where Mary landed - pettie boer plant (?)
Before the Loch was drained, the golf course was under water – where those factories are, wild ducks
used to dive.
Mary was imprisoned in L. Castle from June 17 1567 to May 2 1568 – 10 mos, 15 days.
Athole (from encyclopedia) - a mountainous romantic district in N. Perthshire – comprehends a great
portion of the ancient Caledonian forest. In 8 th century it constituted with Stormont, the possessions of
a Pictish Prince . Athole gives the title of Duke to the ancient house of Murray. Blair Athole – several
weeks siege 1746, held against the partisans of Pretender, prior to Battle of Culloden. Athole means
pleasant land. Blair of Athole = Field or vale of Athole.
Clipping December 1 1913 from The Perthshire Constitutional and Journal – Duke of Atholl and son
Marquis of Tullibardine with Pipe Band of 6th Battalion the Black Watch at the Military Tournament.
Monday July 20
Trip to Blair Atholl
We go up on Highland RR – get off at station – see Blair Atholl Hotel.
We come to the entrance to Atholl grounds – we are directed 2 ½ miles walk to Old Blair Kirk partly in
ruins. Uncle James sings.
Lassie, go, will ye go to the braies o’Balguhidder 61
perhaps ditto
Where the deer and the roe closely bounding together
Sports the long summer day on the braies o’ Balquhidder.
We come to 3 or 4 houses – inquire the way – go down the “Old Brig o’Glentult”62 [
61
Wild Mountain Thyme
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Mountain_Thyme
https://mainlynorfolk.info/nic.jones/songs/wildmountainthyme.html
62
Probably Glen TIlt
54
�“Ye canna gae aff it, unless ye jump the dyke” with such strong assurance we went.
We are in sight and near the Grampians.
Aunt Jennie remembers the lesson of the old readers and recites:
My name is Norval
On the Grampian Hills
My father feeds his flocks.”
Athole Vault
We turn down a lane, pass through a gate and into the old cemetery – the Kirk – Old Blair Kirk is in ruins
– roof gone except in wing having vault. We enter and read the inscription.
“Within the vault beneath are interred the remains of John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee,
who fell at the Battle of Killiecrankie 27th July 1689, aged 46. This memorial is placed her by John 7th
Duke of Athole K.T. 1889” (sep 1889)
On left side of opening to Atholl vault.
We look in and see the Atholl tree in marble 0 two or three branches cut off – representing the dead.
“George Augustus Frederick John Murray, 6 th Duke of Athole, died 1864 – aged 49”
Remains beneath.
Also Anne Horne Drummond – widow of 6th Duke of Athole 1814-1897.
This is the Duchess Dowager who was well known for more than half a century. She was an intimate
friend of Queen Victoria, who often visited her. They used to be driving much together. One evening,
over 30 years ago, they were driving near Loch Ordie on the [illegible] and were return late. Coachman
Smith , tho experienced lost his way, nearly fell over a precipice – “rescued by my brother” says John F.
63
see clipping page 124.
There are to be no more buried in this vault. A child of present Duke (?) was buried here but its body
was removed, and the vault sealed forever. They used to air the vault sometimes, visits made on
anniversary of death.
Clipping “Bonnie Dundee” A Claverhouse Chronicle . Opens with a Sir Walter Scott ballad about
Claaverhouse. Draws from Professor Sanford Terry in new book “Life of John Graham”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Tilt
63 Maybe this was John Fleming the Yankee.
55
�Handwritten note: Soldiers leap at Killiecrankie..
The following concerning Bonny Dundee was told me by John Fleming 64 – “There has always been a
considerable doubt where Bonny Dundee was buried. He was killed the evening of the battle as he sat
on horseback, when his horse drank out of a well on the field of Killiecrankie. Some say he was buried
near this well – others on another part of the battle field on Urrard Estate, and others , as most people
believe, say he is buried in the Atholl vault (3 places altogether) I was always anxious to know. His
resting place was unmarked up to 1889 when the present Duke put up that tablet. My opportunity came
when the Duchess Dowager died in 1897 – I was one of the ones who had to prepare the vault for the
reception of the remains of the Duchess – Me unlocked the vault and with a lantern descended. The 6 th
Duke is lying on the South end (? ) of the vault and beside him his wife’s remains were placed. In the E
corner (?)I came to a remains wrapped in lead – the warrior’s sword lay upon his breast – a Highland
broadsword of the 17th century. His armour lay near. (really in Blair Castle) – truly the body of Bonny
Dundee. After the funeral of the Duchess Dowager the vault was sealed forever by order of present
Duke. Family burial place to be Dunkeld – another vault not far from castle65
[Inserted – onion skin pages glued in – Roy – more notes about Graham of Claverhouse – also some
verse by Dr Archibald Pitcairn 66 translated by Dryden 1863. P. 123]
[Drawing of Old Blair Kirk – with road to Blair Atholl village. P. 124]
[Clipping – Dunkeld - Dowager Duchess of Athole goes to Windsor as lady-in-waiting on the Queen .”
Continue at court until the 29th when Lady Waterpark would replace her. Queen to visit Dunkeld House
and tour.
From People’s Journal July 19, 1890
In this cemetery I saw several of the following names on stones – Scott, Robertson, Steward, McLegan.
6th Duke wished to die in Blair Castle and be buried in Old Blair Kirk. The other Dukes are mostly buried
in Dunkeld Cathedral – where St Colombo is also buried – Highlander “Tree of Life”
[Drawing – map of entrance to estate and area. P. 125]
John the Yankie– hard to know which words Roy ascribed to him – but according to this story, seems he worked
for the Duke part of the time. Roy wasn’t entirely sure if he remembered what John said exactly.
65 Roy’s correction.
66 Recorded in Scottish Ballads and Songs, Historical and Traditionary, Book 2. See Google Books.
64
56
�The Grampians are pretty near. Shehallian, Benechlow are two of them.
We walk back by the Tilt – a most lovely cool walk – appreciated on such a hot day. Trees overhead path
near the bank – stepping over roots – one pretty grotto on farther side. Grass clean – meet pedestrians.
[Drawing of grotto – small]
They tell us that the Falls of Tender farther up the river which we did not see, but are beautiful.
We return to station – nearly miss train.
Grandtully
We go down to Aberfeldy Junction rather Ballinluig Junction for Aberfeldy. It is a small train of 2 cars. I
think we got off at Grandtully. Station master – lame man – very pleasant talked to us – giving us any
information we wanted.
We tried to hire the dog cart at hotel to out to see Grandtully Castle, but it was away. Minnie and I walk
around the village – cross the bridge over the Tay – see a nice residence – go over to the dairy to get
some milk, but all ordered.
We get a man who runs a coal waggon to get his dog cart and drive us to castle – about 2 miles or so
west. The castle is rather fine grounds, smooth and well laid out Norway pines and spruces – ivy
covering part of the castle walls. The estate belongs to the Murthly Estate. Mr. W Stewart Forthingham
is proprietor but Lady Steward67 has Grandtully estate during her lifetime – is of a very charitable
nature. She is the widow of Sir Archibald Douglas Steward.68
The widow of Sir William – the wife he fancied [hampling ? ]blankets” and whom he so ill treated, is
buried in the old cemetery up the hillside, south from castle vault under flags.
The valley of the Tay has fine houses. Grand one – Guthrie Lorne, Kirkaddie, Dobbs – shooting tenant –
locomotives Glasgow. Strathtay. [Findanate ?] Glendale
Lady Steward would talk to any respectable person – aged 55 about. Lady Steward was from Banff.69 Sir
Archibald D.S. died 1890. His widow is a most commendable, charitable kind lady. She is still alive, and
was left Grandtully Castle during her life.
[Clipping – Jan 2 1904. Opening of Grandtully Institute – Handsome Gift from Lady Stewart]
1. She built a church, a pretty whitish stone church on the banks of the Tay and presented it to the
people
2. She built a small school and provided a teacher in vicinity of castle, for theose who were too
distant to go to village school.
3. She built a soup kitchen and caldron for winter soup for village school.
Roy often spelled Stewart as Steward.
Some info at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drummond-Stewart_baronets
69 Crossed out in text. P. 128
67
68
57
�4. She attends and takes interest in the curling matches on rink 1 mile away and provides luncheon
for some, and gives prizes. Built them curling house
5. She gives many prizes in the school for sewing, music etc.
6. Had houses built for old long residents for 1 S per year.
7. Give picnics annual to school children down to Murthly – looks after the tenants.
Scott’s Grandtully – it is 5 miles to Aberfeldy – fine house – Demsters [Dercralich ?] Sugar Refinery.
Captain Robertson, [Edrindinat ?]– Marquis of Bradabine [Bradwardines]– Mrs McPherson –
Cloithvolic 70 son become heir in November - bonfires then.
One field on Estate of scotch fir trees – 8 or 9 years growth – soon a new forest – great area – new drive
– used to be here fine garden. That wall where line of trees must be worth a ₤ a yard. New wing – from
Sir Robt. Minges (steadings) 9 years ago new castle built – walls of ordinary stone. We see to East –
Craggin Hill – 1897 – Bonfire Jubilee Wood – Loch Rennard. New Church - Tablet Memorial of Sir
Douglas (John McDonald our driver) footbridge and school.
To west great mountain Mt. Fergan – count 16 lochs, smoke of Edinburgh. See on farther side of Tay,
Daniel Steward’s Free School – now it’s a dwelling house
(“Ah I’m talkin lees, it’s no there he lives” McDonald.)
Atholl Estate
In the evening Tom Smith takes us into the Atholl grounds.
Aracarria Walks – near the Tay “Water Mark Feb 1894” – mark on stake American gardens.
Cor title = “His Grace, the Duke of Atholl”
Atholl up to 3 years ago was spelt Athole when the Duke changed it.
The Duke knows all his tenants, all his property – knows all transactions.
The eldest son has the following title “The most noble the Marquis of Tullibardine DSO”
DSO = Distinguished Service order – When Tom Smith wrote to him for job of shoeing the horses of the
Scots Horse [Scottish Horse] that was the way he had to start the letter. I saw the reply type written – no
marquis or left or right. The letter began “Sir – “ and was signed in writing “Tullybardine”.
[Clipping – “Promotion for Marquis of Tullibardine” – People’s Journal perhaps Sep 1901 – Captail J.S.,
Marquis of Tullibardine, D.S.O., Royal Horse Guards, Major Scottish Horse, is granted the local rank of
Lieutenant-Colonel in in South Africa whilst commanding the Scottish Horse. ]
70
Cloith – cloth in Scottish. Can’t identify cloithvolic – man of the cloth?
58
�Cor full signature “Major the Marquis of Tullybardine, D.S.S.”
1 There is Lady Ellen – a daughter, and 2 Lord James – son (youngest) 3 Lord George, Lady Dorothy
(married to Riggles Bryce of army.
There are Atholl Highlanders for protection – with tartan Atholl. The Duke’s summer house and bell for
ferry.
The banks of the Tay are beautifully terraced – pebbly beach below. See a mighty larch tree – straight
stem – wanted for the Great Eastern but refused – come to the bowling greens go around Dunkeld
House.
House is rough cast = “brolled”(?) 12 small panes in each window.
[Drawing – small]
Dunkeld House
Terraces in front of house – remember old fort up hill from Tay.
The servants occupy more room that the family.
Four or five years ago the minister Rev. Rutherford had a row with the Duke over the cathedral and
grounds. No body could go into the grounds and tomb except time of service – without the keys and
permission of the Duke’s employees – the minister kicked though it did him little good, in fact things are
no better. Duke had a strong iron fence put up between the Cathedral and the Atholl grounds – allowing
very little room around the edge. Since then the Duke did not attend service in Cathedral but goes down
to little Dunkeld Church on the other side of Tay. He doesn’t like the people of Dunkeld avoids going
through village.
One day in June, the Duke was sitting in his arbor on the banks of the Tay watching the ripples on the
river and the double falls across the way – trees overhanging – contemplating perhaps the beauty of the
estate and the power of the Atholl House. Across the way the Scots Horse were [dining ?] , shouting,
practising. It angered him that none could be heard within sound of the abode of the Duke of Atholl. He
sent word for the horse to get to the farther end of the field – and the gardeners were given orders to
plant Norway spruce and Scotch pine trees on the farther banks so as to cover the horse from his sight. I
saw the trees.
“In older times the Duke of Athole used to lead a wing of the Scottish army” “They have more sense now
than to lead a wing”.
[Additional material from last page 187 of journal – inserted here.71
71
Relocated
59
�At the same time as Murthly Castle was building the 6th (?) Duke of Atholl was building also – each
trying to eclipse the other. D.A. wanted an [illegible 2 words], entrances and porch and pair could drive
through. He sold the Island of Man to provide funds (Present income reported ₤ 80,000)
One day the Duke went home, sat down in a chair + died. There never was a stroke of a hammer put on
the building after to build it. Latterly torn down, + stone used to build present Dunkeld House 18991900 – built – the place where big one used to stand was levelled 1903, still earthy – next year grass.
A model in wood is kept at D. House by present Duke at lodge.
Perthshire Characters
Neil Gow was a fiddler for the Duke – and was a fine player – buried in Little Dunkeld cemetery – shots
or stones from grave watch.
O’Donnahue lived in Dunkeld years ago. Brother still alive there. Coal merchant – Bridge had toll gates
on it – to pay for bridge build 1804-7 – price paid near twice. O’Donahue applied to Duke to remove toll
gates – refused. One night with his men he went down and threw them in Tay – replaced – repeated –
no toll gates since.
R. Burns called on Neil Gow and they had a merry time – on pane of glass he wrote a verse about Mrs.
Gow – in Duke’s possession now.
Sunday – saw Neil Gow’s House – stone low – 1 ½ ? storey roses on it – Don’t you know we pay for that
ground [illegible].
Peats
Thoroughly dried just before harvest– some don’t get them in until after harvest – even later still –
stacking turf at home – “get a basket of turf” – burn first fire perhaps 1 day – 4 or 5 fires a day.
Fireplaces
[Drawing small – take gun down from the brace tree]
Tuesday July 21 (?)
We go up north for drive, call across the bridge to see John Fleming but unsuccessful as he works up 2 or
3 miles north. See Alexander Campbell 70 years old – lives Balmonan school house.
We called at Douglass’ opposite Anderson’s old mill (starch). Anderson had several of these mills. I think
Anderson [crossed out – note no] (McLaren (?))committed suicide – perhaps not – I guess it was Jim
McInrory (?) who worked in Anderson’s mill..
We intend to drive up the hillside on a mountain road across the Tullymet estate to a pretty lock (Loch
Ordie?), visited by Queen and Duchess Dowager. That was where they used to get peat – on mountain
only certain soils did peat – cut peat in spring , put it in heaps piles – 1 ½ ft x 4 “ x 4” or 1 ft x 4” x 4”.
60
�“Down to the bog” “to cut turf” _ spade 4” or 5 “ wide – boghole to start from – throw in top hearth –
1st layer is fum (?) peat – spongy – lower down good – black – wheel that turf over to the bank – there
dries in 3 weeks in damp = in shocks – ready to pile. Directly after seeding the turf cutting begins for 5 or
6 days or more.
[Clipping – The Daily Whig, Monday Sept 21, 1903 – The Scotch School – Some interesting facts related.
Article by Roy Fleming – “Visit paid to the schools by Roy Fleming, Garden Island Teacher – Scotland
contented with its system” - long article ]
p. 136
Last Drive North
Visited Ballinluig school – first time – Mr James Kennedy was very pleasant to us and talked to all all
noon hour and more – 1 to 2:2-.
In his house – landscape, Highland Cottage and paintings of his own – Mrs Kennedy, very pleasant.
Agree to call next day.
Wednesday July 22 – Whistles72 funeral day
Which we do at 3.30 to 5.00 pm as recorded in paper page 138 [clipping]
John came down to see us. I got dog cart and Belle, Minnie, Uncle Jas, John and I went. After school – I
drove John around – he introduced me to his friends right and left – invited passing walkers to have a
ride – I sat up fine – John had a little on – all smiles – the proudest day of his life – those we didn’t stop
to speak to we bowed to and John would motion toward me and look to them saying as much “here’s
my cousin from American that I’ve been telling you about for the past month. Isn’t he a find young
man”. John would have given me his house. He gave me clippings he used to write for People’s Journal
Perth – some of his old schools book in calf skin.
St Comb Farm
We drove to Tullymet. I have found my notes of this trip. We pass a mail carrier on foot. Yes in Scotland
every house has its mail delivered once a day – take letters to mail (rural deliver). “How much salary do
they get ₤ 100 a year?” “No – about 13 sh a week, but he’s not occupied but a part of the day – about 8
hours: Is that all?” “Ay that’s all and he gets a new suit once a year” (really twice and boots) “Hey it must
be an envious position to hold”.
We came to St Comb’s Farm – organized by the Duchess Dowager – sheep and stock farm – 17 crofts
into 1 farm – 5000 sheep – other stock – 5 team of horses. Mr. James Gillespie, Pres of Agric Assn of
Middle Dist. Of Atholl was given the managership of the estate at a moderate salary. Duchess took a
personal interest in it and in company with Queen Victoria has visited it. The farm is situated in the hill
72
Don’t know
61
�above the sands of St Combs. In 5 years (?) farm called “Oatmeal”. Duke called it a different name as
well as other places.
Gillespie made enough money as manager to buy the lease and whole stock and everything – perhaps ₤
10,000. Strange wasn’t it – good financing for himself. The system of large estates allows for this – no
doubt the factors and under managers get lots of side pulls.
We pass Dowally Church again. Graves at turn just beforeGuay of Eng (? – RF). Prince Charlie fought and
won on this road going north over the Grampians 1745.
In olden days the bonfires with color in them told who was coming, of victory or defeat, red, green,
white, violet. Prince Charley raised the Royal Standard at Glenfunnan in North, and of the Camerons,
near Inverness. The Macdonalds did not get the foremost place in the battles. On the right wing, where
they wanted at Culloden Moor, they just stood still: Prince Charlie fled to the West – was harbored by
Flora Macdonald and fled Skye Island and then to France.
At Inverness there is a statue of Flora Macdonald with her hand to her forehead, looking up Loch Ness
still watching for the return of Bonny Prince Charlie.
In 1872 – In Dowally near Druid stone – a stone coffin of great antiquity found 4 ‘long 3’ deep – in
gravely bank – a bit of bone 1 inch long – thought remains of these denizens of yore – supposed to be
man.
We came to 2 Druid Stones on the left – a few feet apart. Minnie also saw a Druid circle near Loch Tay
and I saw was near Lincluden and near Murthly. John F. said there was one near Clachlan of Aberfoyle.
There were inscriptions on them sometimes perhaps at latter – writing commemorated victories. Druids
were more advanced that the Caledonians. From them we get some feast days – fires on Halloween
night. Perhaps too Baltane Day73 – egg feast on the hills – possibly turned into Easter.
St Columba
St Columba introduced Christianity into Scotland in 6th century. He landed from Ireland at iona 563
which till 850 was the head seat of Christianity in North. The influence of the church contributed
considerable to the establishment of Scottish race over Picts.
In 850 King Kenneth McAlpine removed the reliques of St Columba from Iona to Church at Dunkeld (also
fatal stone from Argyle to Scone 859) – he died [several words crossed out] – his capital latterly.
Above is from History –
As we drove up just before the 3rd milestone from Dunkeld the place in the River Tay was pointed out
where St Combs (=St Columba in Gaelic) took off his sandals, washed his feet, and applied the soft
73
May Day festival
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltane
62
�silvery sand at the shore to the soles of his feet, which were sore from walking – inflamed. This is
opposite St Comb’s farm.
[Insert – page glued in – James Hogg Ettrick Shepherd - hand written biographical notes by Roy about
this poet. P. 142
St Combs was on the way from Dull (= cross yet) on farther side of Fortingal where he had established a
sort of college for monks. He was going to St Andrews, had originally started from Iona. St Combs dust
has gone all over the world. Where were the bones of St Columba buried? – there is no account of them
having been removed from Dunkeld – the old cathedral – the nave in ruins is still there. Tradition (?)
points to the corner, near the old tomb of the bishop who founded the present walls. Gowans grow
there. (see page 174)
“Now by Columba’s shrine 74 I swear and every saint that is buried there. Tis he himself, Lorn sternly
cries” when Lorn discovers Bruce in disguise. Four descendants in Dowally Castle, Oban.
We drive further up the Tay – see across – Kinnaird House – where the Etterick Shephard – James
Hogg75 – Poet author of Forest minstrel, Queen’s Wake, Madoc of the Moor, Pilgrims of the Sun etc and
little prose – wrote well known “My name it is Donald Macdonald. I live in the Hielands sae grand” etc
First start – “Drove a herd of cattle from Ettrick to Edinburgh for All Hallow Fair in dreary”.
He suddenly conceived a notion of getting a volume into print, but having no manuscript in hand, he
tried during his walks to remember the verses, and as often as they recurred, ran into a shop to borrow
a stump of a pen, a morsel of paper to note them down. In this way copy was provided; luckily for his
purpose he found a good natured printer, and an octavo volume or pamphlet was produced in a week
with which he returned in triumph to the Forest.
In this house he wrote Madoc of the Moor, Knight of Snodon. He was a friend and companion of Sir
Walter Scott.
These hills along the Tay in olden days were mostly fortified – on both sides.
Thomas Stewart along here near Guay (rather simple) was drowned here one night about 1855 – I
remember reading a letter in father’s old chest about it.
74
75
Written in margin. Partly quoting Lord of the Isles by Sir Walter Scott.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hogg
Collected ballads for Sir Walter Scott.
Also a writer.
63
�We called at Mrs. Dows Inn76 – ring bell – related – kind old lady “My mother’s sister married James
Steward .”77
Sir Robt Dick
James McGregor78 got the lease of Kirrandrum. I think her grandfather (mother’s father) and still
remains as it was after 1843.
Stewarts all fond of music, she said. (see also page 88).
In Mrs Dows’ I see a picture (steel cut) of Sir Robt Dick in his uniform – pleasant looking man. The
following inscription was underneath it:
“Major General Sir Robert Henry Dick of Tullymet, who fell at the victory of Sabraon 79 on the banks of
the Sutledge 10th February 1846”
He was very highly thought of by all the neighborhood. He lived at Tullymet House which I drove in past
the lodge ½ mile to see – white, large, rough cast I think now used as a hunting seat – now owned by
duke of Atholl – pretty lawns – all among trees on little hill. Sir Robt’s father was Dr. William Dick, doctor
in 42 Highland regiment (Black Watch) of Indian army. He came home to Scotland about perhaps 1800,
bought up several farms and small estates, built Tullymet House.
Sir Robt was in command in the Indian Army and would sometimes be out in service. That Tullymet
school was built mainly by Sir Robt Dick. He gave the wood, stone, and most of labor. The Duke of Atholl
gave the ground. There was no lease. It was not a government school – but supported by section people.
Sir RD gave ₤ 10 a year besides for prizes.
Prof. McLellan was the last teacher in this school – about 35 years ago. 1869. Lately turned into a
dwelling.
Sir RD, as notice says, was killed in India and was buried on the battle field.
He had two sons (or 4) and one daughter. The eldest son was William. He was heir. He refused a peerage
from the government – would not take money nor estate – as he considered it the price of blood. Capt
James Dick was allowed the money and estate but they both went to India – Capt Jas burst a blood
vessel – died on Ganges – both sons buried in India. The daughter’s name was Rosa Sirena Dick – died a
young lady – a beautiful person – buried in that church Tullymet – and john says on her tomb are the
1901 Census – a Margaret Dow married to Robert Dow living in Blair Atholl. She was born c 1837 and had been a
McGregor.. Died 24 Mar 1904
77 Not same Stewart line as far as we know.
78 I think James McGregor was her father.
79 Defeated the Sikhs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sobraon
76
64
�following words – “A fairer spirit never inhabited human form. No human form was ever more lovely”. I
have never heard so complete a compliment.
William turned to be a Roman Catholic, built that chapel, and had a priest – the church got his money
and control – just ruined him. He was married. His wife was of House Locheil. Her father was a Cameron,
her mother was a Bruce. She was 20 years younger than he. They had no family – over which she was
disappointed and she is supposed to have poisoned him “He was a corpse one day and she was a corpse
the next”. She poisoned herself. Thus ended the history of good Sir Robert Dick.
Wm. Dick Esq of Tullymet alive 1872
[Insert – para about Sir Robt Dick from book on Alexander Mackenzie]
Hon Alexander Mackenzie
(See page 78 + 9)
Hon .Alexander Mackenzie was leader of Reform party in Canada and in elections of 1873 defeated Sir
John A Macdonald. His native home was in Perthshire. His father’s name was Alexander born Apr 4 1784
– died at Dunkeld Mar 7 1836 and his father’s name was Malcolm Mackenzie born 1741 – died jan.
1836.
AM’s mother was a Fleming, she was a daughter of Donald Fleming who was a dominie at Strathtay.
A.M. was born at Portna Craig N.W. 3 mi. up Tummel R. It was stated he was born at Loguierait, which is
wrong.
He received his first elementary education at Logierait Parish school, now a dwelling house + Post Office
at Logierait village. He then went to the Grammar School Royal School at Dunkeld – night school – He
worked all day at masoning, building houses + dykes + went to school at night. He had pluck +
endurance. – His father was a mason + he + sons built that stone house by Tummel and lived in it – I
think he rec’d a gold medal for a Gaelic poem from Highland Society London. – the upper story of
building on N. side of road was a public hall – they used to have a literary + debating society there in
which AM took an active part – The society met weekly – and debated about the Chartists agitation –
popular voting, voting by ballot, equal electoral districts, payment of salaries to MP, [annual ?] parl.
A.M. in favour of them all – Corn Laws perhaps – That building is still standing. I took a picture of it – no
body had claimed the hall for a long time – lease was run out – the factor ? was going to turn it into a
dwelling – public wanted to use it for public meetings again + a no. went to see the Duke about it. He
answered “As long as I’m the Duke of Atholl, ye can use it and naebody can say no to ye.”
A.M. was long headed, cautious, considering , shrewd, slow to answer, faithful and honest, perhaps not
brilliant. They emigrated to Canada not far from St Clair or Windsor, where he was first employed at
farming ? + sometimes making culverts, careful, sure of what he knew, contract, gov. contracts, into
politics. M,.P. Reform party – very saving [illegible].
65
�Came back to Scotland 2 or 3 times where they were very proud of him – In 1873 (?)– was the main
return because that would be after the elections in Can. Fellow countrymen held a banquet near his
birth place in a marquee pitched in a field adjoining Logierait Inn – prop. Wm. Steward, Valley called
“Clais’ nDeoir = The Hollow of Weeping”. Flags. Br.C.S.I + Am,80 Chariman Sir Alex. Muir McKenzie of
Delvine Bart. Present Rev. Jho. Frazer of Logierait + Rev. Norman McLeod of Blair Athole: – Chairman
said he was glad to welcome his clansman (of Clan Cannich). Rev. Jas. Frazer read the address – quoted
Goethe – as Hon A.M. has done in life = “Think how to live, work as he has done, like a star, unhasting,
unresting.” In reply Hon. A.M. said nothing could interest anyone who had pursued a public career more
keenly that to find that the people of his own country could appreciate the little efforts he might have
made, + were willing to overstate and overrate the services he had don to the public – commended the
field of prospect + enterprise in Canada – exercise of indiv. Liberty – conclusion proposed the toast to
“His Native Country – Tis na’n Beann na’n Gleann’s na’n Gaisgeach – the lord of thills and glens and
heroes.”
“Hon A.M. although presently occupying the highest attainable Parliamentary position in the Dom. Of
Canada, is himself, from youth upwards, essentially a hard working man, of sound and enlightened
liberal principles, + seems to have had little or no relish for the lofty aristocratic notions of popularity –
that echo of folly + shadow of renown”.
I met Fisher of “Fishers Hotel Ltd” – His father of the Hotel Pitlochrry was a great friend of Hon A.M. and
put up at his hotel when he came up there (pd. His way). “He befriended my brother W H Fisher. “Will
got a cable of A.M. – + he came out July 1875 to Ottawa-Montreal Bank of Commerce – married
daughter of Mayor of Montreal – now Inspector of Banks (?)–
Cragie Barns81
Apples were out to Dunkeld Royal School Girls School – 2 to Fisher Pitlochery (last yr. not., Rev.
Rutherford, D McIntosh, McLean (?)– big red apples – end of Oct. carriage pd.
Sunday July 1982
Craigie Barns
Climb Craigie Barns – grand view – most precipitous on Dunkeld side – went up from Blairgowrie Raod –
Grandview – Winding Tay bridge – cathedral, trees and banks Dunkeld huddled together Birnam, foot of
Birnam Hill, top of Murthly Castle (?), road
Loch Lowes, Craig Lush, Butterstone Loch, Loch Clunie – Blairgowrie beyond.
Polney Loch – Dundonnabres house.
Presume this means flags for Britain, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, America.
Not clear why Roy has added information about apples.
82 Out of order in journal.
80
81
66
�Sheep feeding on the green grass – look like white croquet balls.
View northwest – Winding Tay which some times over flows in the spring. Grampians, Ben [Verochi ?] 83
–highest. [Tom ?] Garrow – village used to be crofts – deserted to all but one woman. 500 ft high.
[Clipping – Sunday on Craig-Y-Barns - - description of climb and view] p.151
Lovers Leap – where 2 lovers leaped over the great precipice together to death – you do not like to look
over. Rocking stone – great stone set on small stones – mystery 2 diff caves – one where a hermit once
lived – remains of a fire place – fugitive from justice. “Over the hills and far away’” - name of hermit
reminded me of O Mortality. 84
Most famous landscape painting from here by Millais.85
[Waux ?] heather.86
Timid deers run and leap over rocks – dozen of them – stop and trun their big ears towards you – at
least motion they skelter off – see eel-pond .
Met Mr. R.M. Gilleine – manager Union Bank of Scotland – Dunkeld – check on Pondon.
July 22 Wed
See Sir Robt Dick’s house Tullymet – also remains of the potato mill where grandfather worked. J.F. said
he remembered when 50 carts waited there to deliver potatoes – 1 end wall left only.
On that drive we called at John F’s and sister Isabella – invalid – wheeled chair – pleasant lady – up on
hilltop – boys opening gates – group of horses Balnecraggin I think. Then on way back call at Mrs.
Grahams at Dowally. They live at Pitlochery part of time but now this house at Dowally I think. One of
daughters – cultured looking who is with Lady Ellen Atholl – pleasant time. Uncle Jas. Told that story
about the Highland priest in Italy – passing Gaelic off for Latin most successfully – lady told us of Atholl
family – London Society – Court – Residences of Duke – presentation at Court – Novelist – Receptions –
Return home late – pack up for morning. Get up early
July 23 Thursday
Get away little after seven am. Fishers buss (?). Bid goodby to Mrs Smith, Jeannie, Belle, Tom and
Andrew – indeed they are a family that deserve esteem – Mrs Smith is very much like Aunt Jessie –
inclined perhaps to be a little more jokey.
No mountain in Highlands by any name similar.
Likely referring to Scott novel.
85 Several images at http://www.electricscotland.com/art/bonnie/bonnie6.htm
86 Might be name of a painting tho not necessarily “waux”.
83
84
67
�Thomas Ferguson, Fairy Cottage (inquire for John F.) On returning from Blairgowrie we met Sir Alex
Mackenzie, a tricycle – married to sister of Duchess of Atholl – lives at Glendelvin – Caputh and Spittfield
are mostly owned by him – drinks heavily, grey whiskers 57 ?
[Clippings – two small – one about School Board meeting 1st August 1903 – Sir A M Mackenzie87 Bart., in
the chair]
Dundee and Stirling
We go to Dundee again as Aunt Jennie wants to make some calls.
We take a Hill Town car to 118 Anne St. Later call on James Peat – a merchant – large stout pleasant
man – great friend of Mr Malcolm – his wife very ill – “I would do anything for Mrs Malcolm”, he said.
I ascended the Old Tower 238 steps winding (?) – see over Dundee – Firth, Bridge, Statue in front of
museum to Robert Burns posture writing “To Mary in Heaven” erected 1880.
Stirling
Return to Perth and go to Stirling – pass Abbey Craig – where the great Wallace Monument is.
Monument Ebenezer Erskin.
View from Ladies Rock to North Stirling castle, Ben Lomond, Ben Ledi, west South – Gillies Hill – Field of
Bannockburn, High Church.
North again – country Covenanters Monument. Argyle’s Headquarters and Sheriff Muir. Wallace Mon.
on Beey Craig – Mon. to John Knox. Go to Castle completed by James V 1540 – classroom on left where
James VI was educated by George Buchanan.
[Drawing – map]
Stirling Castle was taken only once – by Gen Monk 1651 – found the weakest point, planted his cannon
in the Norman (? – RF) tow4er opposite and hammered this wall down and effected the capture of the
castle – only one who successfully stormed this mighty castle. Original doorway by James III used to
have poniard – drawbridge cog wheel – chains? 2 moats – 1709 this outer part added – so then
drawbridge conveyed outside. Mary of Guise batter, French or Spur (?) battery 1550.
We came to the part of the wall repaired which Monk battered down. Monk planted his 6 pound
cannons in the square tower, and to his sights on the (say ½ mile away) single portion of wall. He
commenced at top part of wall and knocked it off bit by bit. Cromwell told him how. This church was
originally called Grey Friar’s Church – now West or High Church where Mary was crowned Queen 9
months of age – carried out of castle to church – also James VI 13 months old – her son.
87
Not the prime minister.
68
�[NOT transcribed -- More description of Stirling Castle with mention of Mary and James. Used to keep
lions for entertainment. Gillies Hill. Douglas Room – Douglas murdered by James II 1452. Battle of
Stirling Bridge – Wallace, Royal View. P. 156 - 162]
Dumfermline
On the train from Stirling to Dumfermline we meet in with Dr Carroll organist in Dumfermline Abbey –
very friendly talkative man – cultured pleasant appearance. He tells me he has 2 brother in America –
one R Ward Carroll corner 20th St and 6th Ave New York, Francis D Carroll – M. Curate, Quebec Cathedral.
Also Marcus H Carroll, Rector, Lancaster.
The only church to which Andrew Carnegie would donate anything though thousands petitions is ₤ 600
organ - ₤ 3000 window to Abbey 1884. This window in end figs of King Bruce
Queen Margaret (husband K. Malcolm Canmore reigned 1057-93)/ In nave – spearhead column – optical
illusion – 1075 narrow either top or bottom. Only 3 mofern columns 1845 – one 1560 E. pt ruins tille
1818.
We see the stone coffins of 2 sons of Queen Margaret and Malcolm killed 1093 found with bones –
bones leaded.
[NOT transcribed - other details about burials. Robert Bruce and tomb. Some drawings of tombs. P 163169]
Go outside – buttresses of 16th centuries ruins of old abbey to the South. I think one or 2 great wall.
Looked at great square tower – King Robert the Bruce. Carnegie was born 300 yards from here – born in
a little 1 ½ storey house stone – on Moodie St – tiled roof. Has given library, public baths, a technical
institute, a band stand, stained glass window to abbey and organ, gave $2,500,000 88 stock steel bonds of
Pittencrieff.89
Leave Dumfermline from Lower Station (?) – cross the great Forth Bridge – a might architectural work
(16 painters year round)
Edinburgh
Waverley Station – 21 acres – largest area in world.
We go to 19 Royal Circus in Edinburgh and there we put up 5/6 per day each – at the pleasantest,
cleanest, and almost the most fancy place we met on all our travelling. I shall always remember Miss
Spence’s house which was recommended to us, very moderate 1st class people patronize it – meals
served in elegant order, taste and style – indeed we thought we were going to get soaked. Miss Spence
19 Royal Circus.
88
89
Rather large amount for that time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittencrieff_Park
69
�[Clipping – The Four-Track News the great Forth Bridge – longest cantilever bridge in the world p. 170]
Writing after the experience of the continent, I assuredly believe that no city in Europe has as beautiful a
[illegible]from one spot as you get from looking in all directions on Princes St. Colton Hill to …, Old town
– Edinburgh Castle, Princes St Gardens, Scotts Monument – amphitheatre on farther side – great stone
building steeples and towers – majestic and magnificent. Sun is always shining on Princes St.
We go up Scott’s Monument. I asked the keeper how many entered in a day. 1394 last Monday he said –
have to stop sale of tickets sometimes – telephone from upper landing – sight from top in majestic
beyond description on the 4 sides.
Monuments to D. Livingstone, Adam Black Lord Provost and MP 1784 – 1874, John Wilson 1785-1854
We pass along beside the Picture Gallery and Statuary Gallery on the car up the hill to Old Town. Beside
St Giles Cathedral we are shown the Heart of Midlothian – a heart in the pavement of curbstone to mark
the site of Old Tolbooth where Jeanie Deans was imprisoned.
[drawing of heart – the centre stone of the heart is removable for purpose of erecting the gibbet for
hanging the offender ]
Monument to Henry Viscount Melville 1742-1811
The Rt Hon Lord Macreiff, Lord Advocate, Parliament …
We enter one court of justice in part of the old Parliament building. Judge Trainer in chair. Judge, clerk,
and lawyers wore wigs. Case of suit for damages against a landlord. Man fell out of a window which was
decayed and insecure. The judge swore witness.
I took a snap shot.
Go out again – see equestrian man of Chas II later inscription (continued in another book)
[NOT transcribed - St Columba [passage copied from Encyclopedia Britannica – plus inserted page about
St Columba in Dunkeld p. 174-175]
[Clippings
Woman’s Kingdom – chapter from Pickwick papers by Dickens] p. 176
Salmon rentals on the Tay - “one of the finest salmon rivers in the country” p. 177
The Scotland of the Sportsman - July 18, 1903 p. 177]
Highlands of Scotland (p 178)
“My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here;
My heart’s in the Highlands a-chasing the deer;
70
�A-chasing the wild deer, + following the roe,
My heart’s in the Highlands wherever I go.”
Used By Burns _ in Waverley – hummed by David Gallatley
71
�
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Roy F. Fleming Diary Collection
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19th Century Rural Ontario Diaries
Source
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Courtesy of Grey Roots Museum and Archives
Date
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1891-1903
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19th Century, Grey County, Derby Township, Ontario
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Roy F. Fleming Diary & Transcription, 1891
Roy F. Fleming Diary, 1903
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Roy F. Fleming Diary, 1903
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https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/files/original/ddabd7eaf4862cafa2672a79cad0d1a0.pdf
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Text
Diary 1891 – Roy F. Fleming
Transcription and notes by Ruth Fleming Larmour
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Diary of Roy F. Fleming 1891
Introduction
By Ruth Hogarth Fleming Larmour, grand-daughter of Roy Franklin Fleming.
This is the diary of a twelve-year old boy growing up in rural Ontario in the 1890s. He was living on a
farm near the village of Kilsyth in Derby Township, Grey County with his father Charles Fleming, his
mother Lyda, his brothers Harvey (age 18), and Stuart (14), and sisters Ruth (9) and Annie (5). Most of
his father’s siblings and their families are on farms nearby.
When the diary begins on the 5th January 1891 tragedy has struck the family. Their mother has taken ill
and has gone to the Kellogg Sanatorium in Battle Creek, Michigan for treatment. Battle Creek is about
530 km from Kilsyth. She is under the care of the famous Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, chief medical officer
of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, for mesenteric tuberculosis, a form of abdominal tuberculosis.
Treatment here was largely based of nutrition - a vegetarian diet , and physical exercise, administered
according to the principles of the Seventh-day-Adventist Church which owned and operated the
Sanitarium.
In their mother’s absence, the children’s maiden aunt Jennie, their father’s younger sister, has come to
look after them. Her name is Jean but she is known to all as Aunt Jennie.
The diary shows the network of support through family friends and neighbours that helped Charles and
children during this crisis. It also demonstrates how important religious life was for them and the
support the family received from their beliefs.
Roy’s father is a farmer but his land on the South Half of Lot 10 Concession 6 was rather poor and he
was not as good at farming as his brothers. He opened a general store in the village of Kilsyth and also
ran the post office, of which his father Alexander Fleming had been the first postmaster. Charles
continued to farm in a small way as we see through Roy’s entries about his chores - haying, bringing in
turnips and pease, and pulling potatoes. Roy also had a pet lamb.
Weather was all important. It makes a difference on whether they can go to school and what must be
done in the fields.
Roy’s penmanship, spelling and punctuation are very good. His hand writing was very well formed and
clear in the first half of the year, but became larger and more erratic later in the year after his mother
died and after he entered high school - it was likely affected by the emotional tumult in his life.
As can be gathered from reading the diary he was constantly writing letters and post cards and sending
requests or orders for one thing of another. He subscribed to Youth’s Companion, and kept a stamp
collection.
2
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Roy, who became a keen historian, wrote much more about his family in later years. One point he
always emphasized was the importance his parents placed on education. In spite of lack of money all
five children received an education at either college or university. Roy was one of the first to graduate as
a high school teacher from the Ontario College of Education in Toronto. He taught in many schools in
rural Ontario, including Derby Township, the Manitoulin Island, and Garden Island. Later Roy became
the art master at the Ottawa Normal school in 1907.
He was a talented artist, a prolific writer, and had many interests especially the Fleming family history
and shipwrecks of the Great Lakes. He was a member of the Great lakes Historical Society and
contributed many articles to its Journal, Inland Seas, and to many Canadian newspapers.
This transcription of his diary is dedicated to the memory of Lyda Warren Fleming, Roy’s mother and my
great-grandmother.
3
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Roy’s Diary
Office Diary and Petty Cash Book for the year 1891. Printed and published by The Northern
Business College Steam Printing Office. Scrope Street – Owen Sound Ont. C.A. Fleming, Roy’s
cousin, owned the printing company in Owen Sound and likely gave this office diary to Roy.
Notes in the comment column explain the names and places that Roy mentions.
January
Date
Entry
Comment
Monday 5
Ruth is out skating with Sarah Kinchen
The Kinchens were neighbours who
lived on Concession 7.
Tuesday 6
Mrs. Kinchen and Percy come over for a visit and
they take Ruth back home again. Here Percy and I
have a game of table croquet.
Monday 12
I get a letter from Mamma to-day. I send a postal
card to Mrs. Ray. Out skating with Ruth. It is very
stormy.
Roy’s mother Lyda is ill and has
gone to stay at the Kellogg
Sanatorium in Battle Creek,
Michigan.
Roy has been keeping Mrs. Ray, a
friend of Lyda’s , informed. Lyda
had known Mrs. Ray in Ohio as
Martha Pickett . Miss Pickett took
Lyda’s younger sister, Mary
Amanda “Minnie”, as a foster child
around 1860 to help Eliza Warren
while looking after her sick
husband. The Warrens remained
friends with Miss Pickett even after
Minnie rejoined her mother and
family.
Tuesday 13
We send a letter to Mamma. Freezing. Harvey goes
up to Uncle John’s with a book keeping book of
Vickie’s. I go to store at night for first time after
measles
Vicki is a first cousin, daughter of
Roy’s uncle John who lives on the
next farm, the North Half of Lot 10
Concession 6. Roy’s father, Charles,
and his Aunt Jennie run a general
store in Kilsyth where Roy
sometimes works.
Wednesday
I start going to school this year for first time.
The school is S.S. No 3 Derby Twp.
4
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comment
14
Blowing last night terribly but calmed down this
morning slightly. Nearly frozen coming home from
morning mail saying she was some better. I hear
that John Black Jr is going to get married.
Roy might not have been at school
due to having measles.
John Black Sr. has the farm on Lot
10 Concession 7.
Thursday 15
I get a catalogue of guns etc in night mail from G.
G. Henry and Co. was a sporting
Henry and Co. Chicago Ill. I go to school. Middling
goods store in Chicago.1
stormy yet. We get a letter and a telegramme, the
letter saying Mamma was worse. The telegram was
“wait for letter, don’t bring trunk”.
Friday 16
I get a letter from Mrs. J.M. Ray in morning mail.
Only one half days school as the teacher had to
attend a Presbyterian Church meeting. Warm in
daytime but was very frosty in morning. I get
samples of cards from National Card Co. Scio.
National Card Co was in Scio, Ohio.
Saturday 17
It is frosty this morning. Stuart and Harvey go to
town for some things at the station. We get
telegram from Mamma saying: - Worse, want help,
come at once. Herb Agnew takes Aunt Jennie into
town and she starts for Battle Creek. We got a
letter in morning mail. I bake pies.
Owen Sound is approximately
three miles from Kilsyth. Stuart and
Harvey are probably picking up
goods in Owen Sound to be sold in
the store in Kilsyth. It sounds as if
Jennie was ready to depart for
Battle Creek at very short notice.
Herb Agnew is a first cousin, son of
Roy’s aunt Janet (Fleming) Agnew
(aka Jessie)
Sunday 18
I go to Sunday School as usual. No frost this
morning to speak of. Chris, Florence and Uncle
Donald Fleming come over for a while in the
afternoon.
Chris (Christine) and Florence are
daughters of Donald Fleming, and
first cousins to Roy. They live on
the south half of Lot 9 Concession
6.
Monday 19
I go to school as usually. Harvey found a gold pen
in his trunk. Stuart shoots a squirrel to-night.
Middling mild to-day.
Tuesday 20
Pa gets a letter from mamma, written the same
day as the telegram. Pa also gets a post card from
Aunt Jennie saying she would get to Battle Creek
about 11 am Sunday (written in Toronto). Thawing
to-day. I answer a letter of Aunt Jennie’s to the
Globe Company. I write to Mrs Ray. Us boys make
cider.
1
Globe Company may have been
The Globe newspaper in Toronto,
or a company from which Jennie
and Charles ordered goods for the
store.
Listed in the Lakeside Directory for 1892 http://chicagoancestors.org/downloads/1892h.pdf
5
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comment
Wednesday
21
I go to school as usual to-day. Very mild weather
lately. Aunt Jessie gets a letter from Aunt Jennie
saying that she did not expect mamma to come
home alive. I write to mamma. I write a post card
to Auntie Finch telling her how mamma is. Ruth
and Annie also write to mamma.
Jessie is Janet (Fleming) Agnew
who lives on Lot 8 Concession 6.
Auntie Finch is Isabella (Fleming)
Finch who lives in Cecebe Ontario –
in the Parry Sound region. Both are
sisters to Roy’s father Charles.
Thursday 22
I go to school. Douglass makes a great rough about
tieing Bob Dolphin’s School Bag and writing names
on the wall. Stuart and I get into some scrapes. Pa
gest a letter from Aunt Jennie. I address a hymn
book and some papers to Aunt Jennie. Ruth starts
going to school
Douglass is the school teacher.
Does Roy mean row when he
writes rough? Ruth is 8 years old.
This was probably her first day
back to school after an illness.
Friday 23
We do not get any word from Aunt Jennie. I go to a
concert tonight of the Literary Society. It is a pretty
good one. I have to white wash on the wall where I
was writing names but I do not get it to stick on
right.
Saturday 24
We got a post card and a letter from Aunt Jennie. I
write to mamma. Aunt Jessie makes apple butter
for us. I bake pies in the afternoon. More snow this
morning.
Sunday 25
I go to Sunday School in morning. There is a
collection at Sunday School instead of a Mission
Band. I go to church at night. Mr. Lister speaks
about “The Church”. Stuart writes to cousin Jessie
tonight.
The family attended the Church of
Christ’s Disciples in Kilsyth. Charles
J. Lister, a leading preacher, was
the minister for many years.
Cousin Jessie is probably Isabella
Finch’s daughter who married
James Hunter Trout and was living
in Wiarton in 1891. She was 40
years of age and might have been a
friend to Lyda.
Monday 26
I send a post card to Aunt Jennie in morning. Stuart Moores were neighbours at Lot 10
sends a letter to cousin Jessie telling her how
Concession 9.
mamma was keeping. I have to white wash the wall
at school where I was writing names, for the
second time. Mrs. Robert Moore dies tonight at 6
o’clock pm.
Tuesday 27
I go to school. We have “break break break” as our “Break, break, break” is a poem by
High School Lesson. Very mild. Harvey goes to
Alfred Lord Tennyson and was in
town. He starts at 10 am. Stuart and I have to do
the Ontario Readers, Third Book.
night work as Harvey does not get home till kind of
6
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comment
late. Pa gets a letter and a post card from Aunt
Jennie at Battle Creek. Mrs. John Hay gave birth to
a daughter. Harvey hears it in town. I write a post
card to Aunt Jennie and a post card to “The Times”
office and couple of other letters to the “Mail” and
“Witness”.
Can’t locate a Hay residing in
Derby in the census for 1891 .
The “Times” is the Owen Sound
Sun Times; the “Mail” is the
Toronto Mail; the Witness may
have been the Evangelical Witness
from London, Ont.
Mr. Douglass was giving Roy
occasional high school lessons to
prepare him for high school. At
that time it was necessary to pass
an examination set by the
Education Department of Ontario
to be accepted into high school.2
Wednesday
28
Aunt Jessie gets a post card from Aunt Jennie
Advertiser was an Owen Sound
saying that mamma passed a bad night and that
newspaper.
they had to mover her to a quieter part of the
building. I go to school. I address the Advertiser to
Aunt Jennie. The funeral of Mrs. Moore’s takes
place. Stuart sends for a book for making candies. I
send a postal to Mrs. Ray. We write to mamma.
Thursday 29
Stuart and I go to school. Johnny McDermid brings
a note to the teacher telling us boys were teasing
him. Aunt Jessie gets a letter from Aunt Jennie. I
get some papers from Mrs. Ray, Colville. I send a
subscription to the “News”.
Friday 30
Annie, Ruth and I get a letter from Aunt Jennie in
night mail. We have a little concert at school in the
afternoon. I go to store at night. The roads are all
ice. I write to Aunt Jennie. I send the “Advertiser”
and the “Evangelist” to Aunt Jennie.
Saturday 31
Harvey and I go to town. I stay in music store while
Harvey is doing all the business. Snowing to-day.
Stuart and I get a letter from Aunt Jennie. We are
out shooting. Stuart shoots two squirrels. I only
Seems that Mrs. Ray lives in
Colville, Washington, USA. Colville
was a mining town just recently
emerged from being a frontier
town. It was 45 miles south of the
border between Washington State
and British Columbia. 3
Roy’s uncle, James Fleming, owns a
music store in Owen Sound. James
lives across the road at Forest
Lawn Farm, North half of Lot 9,
2
There is a sample of the high school entrance exams he wrote in 1892 at the beginning of the diary.
Arksey, Laura. Colville – Thumbnail History, HistoryLink.org (2010)
http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=9266
3
7
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comment
shoot at marks.
Concession 6. He also owns Lot 8
Concession 9.
8
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
February
Date
Entry
Comment
Sunday 1
I write a post card to Aunt Jennie. I go to Sunday
School. Ruth and Annie stay to a meeting and they
go over to Kinchen’s with Allan. Uncle John is our
S.S. teacher to-day.
Uncle John is Charles’ older
brother. He lives at Ivy Hill, North ½
Lot 10 Concession 6.
Monday 2
I go to school. I get a post card from Auntie Finch in
night mail. I write to Mamma. I write to Auntie
Finch but date it for tomorrow.
Tuesday 3
I get a letter from Aunt Jennie in morning mail.
Ruth doesn’t go to school but Stuart and I go.
Harvey goes up to Uncle John’s with a book of
Maggie Kinchen’s named “The King’s Daughter”.
“The King’s Daughter” was a story
for young people about the value
of temperance. Isabella Alden
wrote this in 1873 under the pen
name of Pansy. Her books were
enormously popular in the late
1880s.
Wednesday 4 Very cold to-day. Ruth does not go to school. We
get a letter from Aunt Jennie telling us that
Mamma is not so well. I get a catalogue of magic
lanterns in night mail.
Thursday 5
We do not get any word from Aunt Jennie. Pretty
cold. Stormy in morning. No girls at school. I get a
catalogue of skates. Stuart and I make a set of
“authors”. Auntie Margaret’s sister died.
Friday 6
There is a ventriloquist up in the 9th school but I
don’t go up there. I go to the Literary Society at
night. Get home at about 20 mins to ten o’clock.
Very mild in afternoon.
Saturday 7
Stuart and Harvey go to town. I make doughnuts in
the afternoon.
Sunday 8
I go to Sunday School. There is a collection at
Sunday School again. Snowing quite a bit.
Auntie Margaret is Margaret
(Robertson) Fleming, John’s wife.
When the weather is very bad girls
stay at home and the boys go to
school
9
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Monday 9
I write to Mrs. J. M. Ray. I do not go to school till
intermission as I couldn’t find my cap. I write a card
to Bella Sinclair, Blenheim and send a sub to the
Globe. Jake Fleming starts going to school.
There was an Isabella (Bella)
Sinclair who lived with her parents
and siblings in Blenheim, Kent
County. At age 34 she was
considerably older than Roy.
Perhaps she was related to Alex
Sinclair, a classmate of Roy’s .
Jake Fleming – unable to identify
this Fleming.
Tuesday 10
I get another letter from Mrs. Ray. I go to school.
Wednesday
11
Very cold in morning. Stuart and I go to school.
Thursday 12
Middling warm to-day. I go to school. Ruth starts
going.
Friday 13
There is a concert at school. Stuart read a piece
Spiles –small wooden peg or spigot
and several recitations are recited. We make spiles for stopping a cask.
at night.
Saturday 14
Harvey and I go to Town. We get a barrel of coal
oil. Tom Moore rides out with us. There is two
registered letters come for Aunt Jennie. We get a
post card in the morning mail from Aunt Jennie.
Sunday 15
I go to Sunday School. Percy Kinchen comes with
me from Sunday School and stays the afternoon.
Mr. Lister preaches on “Believing the Gospel”.
Thawing. Pretty near all the snow goes.
Monday 16
I go to school. I skate over to the store with Pa’s
supper. There is some drunk fellows at the hotel
and they pretty near run into a cutter.
Tuesday 17
Ruth does not go to school as it is rather stormy.
There is a Tory meeting in the town hall. Harvey
and Stuart and I go to it. Mr Masson was for Con.
and Mr. Cochrane for Reform side.
Tom Moore – neighbour at Lot 10,
Concession 9
James Masson of Owen Sound was
elected the member of parliament
for North Grey in 1887 and
reelected in 1891.
Mr. Cochrane may have been Jas.
Cochrane who owned the north
half of Lot 7 Concession 7 . James
Cochrane was on the County
Council representing Derby in 1891
and 1892. 4
4
Marsh, E.L. A History of the County of Grey (1931) pg 480
10
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Wednesday
18
Ruth, Annie and I get a letter from Aunt Jennie. I go
to school. Ruth does not go.
Thursday 19
A post card comes in the morning mail from Aunt
Jennie saying that Uncle Fred had to come to Battle
Creek. Stuart and I go to school. Ruth does not.
Stuart and I go down to skate but ice is no good.
Friday 20
Raining to-day a little. We do not get any word
from Aunt Jennie. I write to Aunt Jennie.
Saturday 21
Stuart and Harvey go to town. We get two letters
from Aunt Jennie.
Sunday 22
I go to Sunday School. I do not go to Church at
night but Stuart does.
Monday 23
Stuart and I go to school. Skating at night.
Tuesday 24
I skate to school. Not very good skating at school.
Pa gets a letter from Aunt Jennie. Raining hard in
evening . Ruth goes to school.
Wednesday
25
Stuart and I go to school.
Thursday 26
Ruth does not go to school.
Friday 27
I get a post card from Mrs. J.M. Ray and a letter
from Aunt Jennie. I address “The Advertiser” to
Aunt Jennie. Ruth does not go to school.
Saturday 28
None of us go to town. Stuart bakes doughnuts. I
send away for sample of Colongue.
Uncle Fred is Fred Read who was
married to Lyda’s sister Annie. It is
believed that he financed Lyda’s
medical care at Battle Creek. Annie
had died in 1885.
Cologne?
March
Date
Entry
Sunday 1
I go to Sunday School and meeting. I then go oer to
Kinchens
Monday 2
Stuart and I go to school. We do not get any word
from Aunt Jennie
Tuesday 3
Stuart and I go to school.
Comments
Wednesday Harvey goes to town with some butter.
4
Thursday 5 Stuart and Pa get into a rough over a few frozen
turnips. Stuart does not go to school. Stuart and
There has been no word about
Lyda’s health or anything else from
11
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
Harvey go to town. The elections are to-day for
Aunt Jennie since 27th of February.
Dominion House of Commons. Horsey has a majority
in Kilsyth of 15 and on 9th 14. I send a sub to the
Mail. No word from Battle Creek.
Friday 6
We get a post card from Aunt Jennie in morning mail General election was on March 5.
and one in evening. I hear that Masson is in with 286 Mr James Masson, a liberalabout, and Sir John A by 44 members.
conservative was elected as
Member of Parliament with 2,511
votes as opposed to the Liberal
candidate, Dr. E. H. Horsey’s 2,274. 5
Short account of the election at
Wikipedia
Saturday 7
Harvey and Stuart go to town and sell the butter and
eggs. Annie and I go with a’s dinner. Pa and I tap an
oil barrel.
Sunday 8
We go to Sunday School. Harvey and I go to Church
at night.
Monday 9
We get a post card from Aunt Jennie. I address a
paper to Aunt Jennie. I write to Auntie Finch.
Tuesday 10 Harvey and Annie go to town. Annie stays at
Spencers. They get their dinner there. Harvey brings
me a couple of shorthand books.
Wednesday We go to school. The sap would run to-day but we
11
do not tap yet.
Thursday
12
Stuart and I do not go to school. Harvey and Stuart
go to town and bring out milk cans for to hold the
sap. I get a letter from Mrs. Ray. We get a couple of
cards from Battle Creek. Uncle James comes out of
town with a telegram saying “Meet Mrs Fleming’s
remains at Tara at 11 PM tomorrow, Friday”.
Roy’s handwriting is different for
this entry – more like his adult hand.
He might have written it when he
was older.
5
The Canadian Parliamentary Companion for 1891 has the results.
https://books.google.ca/books?id=qGItAQAAMAAJ
12
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
Friday 13
Uncles James and I are in the store. Pa, Harvey,
Uncle Agnew and Jake Fleming go out to meet Aunt
Jennie. I write to Mrs. Ray.
Someone must look after the store
in spite of the tragedy. Uncle James
takes over, with Roy to help him.
Someone must be looking after
Ruth and Annie but Roy does not
tell us who. Uncle Agnew is James
Agnew, husband to Jessie. Jennie is
with the body of Lyda arriving by
train in Tara.
Saturday
14
Uncle James and I are in the store another day. They
come home with Aunt Jennie and the remains of
dear Mamma. Terrible storms for last two days.
Sunday 15
Several call to see Mamma. None of us go to the
Church in the morning. Mr Lister and Cousin Christie
came but there is no meeting in the church. Still
storming.
Lyda’s body has probably been laid
out in the house. Cousin Christie
could be a relative of Lyda’s
mother’s second husband, John
Christie. Mr. Lister is the minister of
the Church of Christs Disciples in
Kilsyth.
Monday 16 The storm still continues. Cousin Allie comes. Pa and Don’t know Cousin Allie.
Aunt Jessie goes to town. Uncle James and I are still
in the store.
Tuesday 17 Uncle James and I are in the store. Uncle James goes
into town tonight. Funeral to-day.
Wednesday Pa and I are in the store.
18
Thursday
19
Pa and I are in the store again. Stuart and Harvey go
to town. Sun is shining beautifully.
Friday 20
Pa and I are in the store in forenoon but Stuart and I
cut down a couple of trees in afternoon.
13
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
Saturday
21
Harvey and I go to town with four baskets of butter
and some eggs. We had to bring back one of the
baskets of butter
These items are sold in Owen Sound
to buy groceries or else are traded
for whatever is needed.
Sunday 22
I go to Sunday School. Most of us go to Church at
night.
Monday 23 I start going to school again. Stuart and Harvey saw
some trees in the bush.
Tuesday 24 I stay home from school to-day. We are down in the
bush boiling sap in a small kettle.
Wednesday I do not go to school. The second class and third
25
class have their examinations to-day and yesterday.
Aunt Jennie and I go up to Waddell’s to see Mrs
Crawford. I go over to Uncle Donald’s with cutter to
take Cousin Allie over.
Thursday
26
We are down in bush. Stuart and I build a wigwam to
stay in.
Friday 27
I go to a concert tonight held by the literary society.
We hear that Albert E.C. Fleming gets two of his
fingers taken off.
Saturday
28
Harvey and I go to town with butter and eggs
Sunday 29
I go to Sunday School and evening meeting as usual.
This is Easter Sunday.
Waddells own Lots 9 in Concessions
9 and 10.
Albert Edwin Fleming is son of John
and Margaret Fleming. Often
referred to as A.E.
Monday 30 Mr Wyce comes with vinegar for store and I have to
go over with him to the store. We are down boiling
sap again in the bush. Easter Monday.
Tuesday 31 I get a very nice letter from Mrs. Ray asking me to
send notice of Mamma’s death to her sister Mrs.
Walter Woods, Hood River, Wasco Co. Oregon and
enclosed a dime. First day of teacher’s convention.
14
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
April
Date
Entry
Comments
Wednesday 1 It rains to-day. We boil some of the sap. I write to
Mrs. Ray. I send a notice and a paper to Mrs. W.
Woods. Second day of teacher’s convention.
Thursday 2
I go to school to-day. Nothing particular at school. I
get some chess and authors from U.S. Card Co.
Friday 3
I do not go to school to-day. Aunt Jennie and I post Aunt Belle is Lyda’s sister, Belle
books. Snowing. Aunt Jennie gets a letter from
(Warren) Hammond.
Aunt Belle.
Jennie and Roy are posting the
account books for the store.
Saturday 4
Pretty warm. Nothing in particular.
Sunday 5
I go to Sunday School. I do not go to night meeting.
Monday 6
I start school again. I hear that Mullan’s are going
away tomorrow. There address is 216 Seaton St
Toronto. I get this address from Jim Mullan.
Jim Mullan (or Mullen) was a
school mate of Roy’s. His parents
were Elias and Maria.
Tuesday 7
We play “Sheeps House” at School. “Isles of
Greece” is our lesson at school.
Sheeps house is probably a game.
Isles of Greece is a poem by Lord
Byron from the High School
Reader.
Wednesday 8 I go to school.
Thursday 9
Jack Horning brings the football and we have a
game at school.
Friday 10
It rains a little to-day. We play football at last
intermission only.
Saturday 11
Harvey and I go to town. I take a small jar of syrup
to Mrs Spencer. We get soaking wet coming out
because it rains so hard.
Sunday 12
I do not go to Sunday School. I go to morning
meeting but not to night meeting.
Monday 13
Jack Horning forgets the football and 2 of the boys
go home to Corning’s (?) for it.
Tuesday 14
We have to say all of the “Isles of Greece” to-day.
6
Jack was a school mate. Hornings
were a family of Mennonites living
in Derby.6
Year: 1891; Census Place: Derby, Grey North, Ontario; Roll: T-6338; Family No: 26
15
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Wednesday
15
I go to school.
Thursday 16
The boys and Pa take most of the potatoes out of
the pit.
Friday 17
I go to school. Nothing in particular.
Saturday 18
Pa and I go to town. Meg is hitched up first time
single and we take her.
Sunday 19
I go to Sunday school and to night meeting. Mr.
Lister preaches on “time”.
Monday 20
Ruth and I go to school.
Tuesday 21
Ruth and I go to school. We have “Go where glory
takes thee” for our lesson at school.
Wednesday
22
Our spring show is to-day. We get out of school at
3 o’clock in the afternoon.
Thursday 23
We go to school. I go to the store at night.
Friday 24
We go to school. Pa and I are in the store at night.
Saturday 25
Stuart and I plant our first onions out in front of
the house.
Sunday 26
I go to Sunday school
Monday 27
Ruth and I go to school.
Tuesday 28
I get a letter from Mrs J.M. Ray, Colville Wash. In it
she said that if Mrs Woods did not write me that it
was for the same reason as Mamma once wrote to
her “my cares are many and my body not strong”
Wednesday
29
We go to school as usual. No person has a ball at
school so we cannot play.
Thursday 30
Ruth and I go to school.
Comments
Meg is the horse.
Poem by Thomas Moore.
16
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
May
Date
Entry
Comments
Friday 1
Today is arbor day at school. Ruth goes to school
but Stuart and I go fishing at Coulters. We catch
two trout when a man turns us off and said that
the streams were rented.
Arbor Day was first observed in
Nebraska in 1872. J Sterling
Morton proposed it as a day for
planting trees and recognizing the
importance of trees. The idea
spread through the States and was
adopted in US schools in 1882. 7
Shortly after, in 1885, Sir George
William Ross, Ontario’s minister of
education , introduced Arbor Day
to engage children in planting
trees.8
Coulters farm lot 10 concession 4
Saturday 2
The new minister (Presbyterian) came to-day and
stays at Agnew. W.A. McLean.
Sunday 3
I go to Sunday School, morning meeting and night
meeting. Mr. Lister has a big white horse.
Monday 4
We got to school. Douglas gives me a great lecture
about staying home from school on arbor day.
Tuesday 5
Ruth and I go to school. It is rather cold weather
to-day.
Wednesday 6 Ruth and I go to school as usual. I write to Mrs.
Ray.
Thursday 7
I go to school. We have “My Kate” as our High
School reader lesson.
My Kate is a poem by Elizabeth
Barrett Browning.
Friday 8
Ruth does not go to school to-day. She is not very
well. Mr. Douglas sends for the football for us to
Berlin Ont.
Perhaps Mr Douglass feels sorry for
the students and buys them a
football.
Berlin was renamed Kitchener in
1916.
Saturday 9
I have to scrub the floor to-day and Stuart borrows
part of the time and I for a while too. Everything
breaks on us pretty near.
7
The History of Arbor Day, n.d. Available from Arbor Day Foundation.
https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/history.cfm
8
Burley, David G. Ross, Sir George William. Dictionary of Canadian Biography (n.d.)
http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/ross_george_william_14E.html,
17
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
Sunday 10
I go to Sunday School as usual. Raining a little today. We go to night meeting.
Monday 11
Our Sunday School annual meeting was held
tonight. Picnic to be on June 16 at Doyle’s Grove
etc. etc.
Tuesday 12
One of the gold fillings comes out of my tooth. We
go to school. I have had a bad cold lately. A very
nice day to-day.
Wednesday
13
The football comes tonight.
Thursday 14
I do not go to school because my cold is so bad. We To harrow is to drag an implement
harrow and fix fences in fore noon.
with tines over plowed fields to
break up clumps. The metal frame
set is called a harrow.
Friday 15
I go to school as usual.
Saturday 16
Stuart and Harvey go to town. Jno A. Horning rides
out with them.
Sunday 17
I go to Sunday School to-day. I do not go to night
meeting because I do not get work done in time.
Monday 18
We start going through geography again.
Tuesday 19
I do not know my verse (Horatius) very well.
Wednesday
20
Douglass told us to stay in recess for not know our Youth’s Companion – an illustrated
Temperence but we don’t stay in. The Youth’s
weekly newspaper from the US.
Companions came tonight. We sent away for them
a while ago.
Thursday 21
We have Horatius again to-day. I know a little
better than on Tuesday (19th). We commence
studying Botany to-day.
Friday 22
Ruth and I go to school. We get mad at Jack
Horning for not playing football fairly.
Saturday 23
Aunt Jennie and Harvey go to town. Stuart fixes the
wagon box. I am in the store most of the time.
Sunday 24
I go to Sunday School and night meeting as usual.
Harvey goes into town with Mr Lister. Queen is 72
years old.
Monday 25
Stuart and I go to town. We get a ride in with Uncle
Jno is short for John (aka Jack).
Horatius is a poem by Lord
Macaulay
Queen Victoria was born May 24,
1819. Information about her age
was written into the diary later.
18
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
James part of the way. It is the Queen’s birthday.
We have quite a time.
Tuesday 26
I do not know my verse again to-day.
Wednesday
27
I study my lesson tonight.
Thursday 28
I know my verse pretty well to-day.
Friday 29
We go to school. We play football.
Saturday 30
Stuart and I plough in the fore noon. Aunt Jennie
and Stuart have a sort of a rough. I have to scrub.
We plant onions
Sunday 31
I go to Sunday school. They make 2 classes of our
class. Christina is our teacher now. Peter Rodgers
died this morning at 6:55 am
Christina is daughter of Donald
Fleming – first cousin to Roy. Peter
Rodgers might be Peter Rogers
farmer and hotel keeper on lot 9
concession 7.
Date
Entry
Comments
Monday 1
Only one half days school to-day. Peter Rodgers’
funeral is in afternoon. Aunt Jennie and I are in the
store in afternoon.
Tuesday 2
Raining a little to-day. They are talking about going
to the June meeting.
June
Wednesday 3 Aunt Jennie and Stuart go to Rockford in the
morning to catch the 6 o’clock train. They are just
in time to be too late. They go on the afternoon
train.
Thursday 4
I go to school. I know my poetry in a kind of a way.
I write to Auntie Finch. Annie starts going to
school.
Friday 5
Annie goes to school to-day.
Saturday 6
Harvey and I go to town to-day. I got my picture
taken at Ingleharts. Sir Jno A. McDonald died
tonight at 10:15 pm.
Rockford is a village about 3 miles
east of Kilsyth with a train station.
They were going to Toronto on the
Toronto Grey and Bruce Railway.
Having photo cards was popular in
the day. Roy later sends the photo
to family and friends. (See entry for
29 June)
Sir John A McDonald had just been
19
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
reelected. His death was a terrible
shock to all.
Sunday 7
I go to Sunday school and meeting. Pa, the two
little girls and I go up to Uncle Alexander’s.
Two girls are Ruth and Annie.
Alexander, Charles’ brother, lives
at lot 6 East ½ Concession 9.
Monday 8
All three of us go to school to-day.
Tuesday 9
Jack Horning and I have to copy out some
questions and answers out of a paper Mr. Douglass
gave us.
Wednesday
10
Stuart comes home to-day from Toronto. I get a
letter from Mrs. Ray with some flower seeds to
plant on dear Mamma’s grave.
Thursday 11
Ruth and I go to school. I draw a map of
Washington tonight for Mrs. Ray. She asked me to
in her letter. Sir Jno A. McDonald was buried today.
Friday 12
We go to school to-day as usually. We play
football. Jack Horning, Jim Fenton, and I play the
rest. Stuart and Harvey go to town. I plant the
seeds in a bed and in a small pitcher (the ones that
Mrs. Ray sent me to plant on Mamma’s grave). I
intend to transplant them after they grow.
Saturday 13
I am in the store to-day pricing the new dry goods.
Sunday 15
I go to Church in the morning and Sunday school
Other church is Presbyterian.
too. It has been very warm lately. Uncle Donald
said Mr. Lister had gone to the Island. I go down to
the other Church.
Monday 16
My photos come in to-night’s mail.
Tuesday 16
I mail a photo to Mrs. Ray this morning. Our picnic
is to-day. We have a fine time at Doyle’s Grove
boating.
Doyle’s Grove might have been in
Shallow Lake where Richard Judson
Doyle developed The Owen Sound
Portland Cement Company. As a
member of the Disciples of Christ
Church and a publically-minded
person he might have permitted
boating on the small lake on his
property .9
9
Doyle, Richard Judson. Grey County Luminaries, Grey Roots Museum.
http://www.greyroots.com/exhibitions/virtual-exhibits/grey-county-luminaries/doyle-richard-judson/
20
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
Wednesday
17
I find the first two ripe strawberries tonight. I mail
one of my photos. Hannah Linn died this morning
at 10 am. Raining a little to-day. I write Aunt Belle
and Uncle Harry. Send Uncle Harry my photo.
Hannah Linn, daughter of Robert
Linn and Margaret Agnew, died at
the young age of 26. They lived
across the road in Concession 5.
Aunt Belle is Belle Hammond,
Lyda’s sister. In 1880 she and her
husband Thomas were living in
Forsythe, Dakota according to the
US Census.
Harry Warren, a brother of Lyla,
lived with his wife Emma Shears
and family in Trenton, ON in 1891.
Thursday 18
I go to school. Mr. Douglass is pretty easy with me Cousin Jennie is daughter of Jessie
now. Aunt Jessie went to town to see about a trunk (Fleming) Agnew.
of hers that cousin Jennie Agnew sent her.
Friday 19
Hannah Linn’s funeral is to-day. We three boys go
to it but not to cemetery. It rains a little. The stage
driver brings Aunt Jessie’s trunk out. No school today.
There were daily stages from
Kilsyth to Tara and Owen Sound.
Saturday 20
I have to take the saw over to Alex Fleming Jr this
afternoon. I am in the store in the afternoon. Ruth
and Annie get a string of beads tonight.
Alex Fleming Jr (b. 1832) the son of
Alexander Fleming (b. 1858) who
farms Lot 6 East ½ Concession 9.
Alex Jr’s grandfather was
Alexander Fleming (b. 1799).
Sunday 21
I go to Sunday school and morning meeting. I find
out that Mr. Lister did not go to the Island. We go
to the Presbyterian Church tonight.
Likely the island Lister did not go to
was Manitoulin
Monday 22
I write to Mrs. Ray and I send her a map of
Washington that I drew.
Tuesday 23
I send for the answer to a square problem
advertised in the Globe. We have dictation tonight.
Wednesday
24
I go to school. Alex Sinclair and Jno Horning won’t
let me see the answer book that Alexander
brought to school. Statue Labour
Alex Sinclair was a friend who lived
South ½ Lot 8 Concession 7.
Probably was referring to Statute
Labor – residents were required to
contribute hours of labour to the
township for upkeep of the roads.
This was abolished in 1904.
21
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
Thursday 25
I go to school. Ask Mr. Douglass about a picnic and
he says he cannot go. Statue Labor is to-day again.
Prayer meeting at Kinchen’s. Stuart goes.
Friday 26
I receive a letter from cousin Maud in tonight’s
mail. No school from 2:30 pm ‘till Monday. Stuart
and Harvey to town to-day. Answer to the square
problem same tonight.
Maud Read, daughter of Annie
Warren Read, Lyda’s sister. Maud,
born in 1866, is 25 years old and
married to R.P. Bronson – they
might be living in Los Altos Ca. USA
Saturday 27
Pa and I are in the store. I send a letter to Aunt
Jennie to order some boots. I send $18.51 to
Brayley Sons and Co for medicine. We play football
tonight.
Jennie must be away. Purchase of
medicine was probably stock for
the store. Otherwise would be vast
amount for private purchase.
Brayley, Sons & Co was a wholesale
drug company in Montreal. They
also produced a medical almanac.10
Sunday 28
Cousin Maud’s baby is 2 years old to-day. Mr.
Robertson preached in Disciples Church tonight.
Two children were Lida and Annie.
Monday 29
Receive a post card from Auntie Finch telling me
that she got my photo and thanking me for it. We
get a telegram to meet Aunt Jennie at Rockford.
Tuesday 30
This is the last day of school for a while. Aunt
Jennie comes home to-day. Aunt Jessie went to
meet her at the station.
July
Date
Entry
Comments
Wednesday 1 I am at home mostly to-day doing chores. We clean
out Aunt Jennie’s cellar.
Thursday 2
I get a letter from Uncle Harry telling me about his
garden and thanking me for sending him my photo.
Friday 3
Working in the store to-day helping Pa. I hear that
Florence Fleming has gone out of her mind. They
read it in the Times. Fixing stove pipes at Aunt
Jennie’s house.
Florence, daughter of Donald, was
admitted to the Asylum for the
Insane, Toronto –age 28 – in 1891,
following her mother Esther who
was admitted in 1879.
10
Advertisement for Brayley, Sons and Co is seen at http://bouteillesduquebec.ca/publicites/brayley_sons.htm, a
page of the website for Antique Quebec Medicine Bottles.
22
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
Jennie’s house was the original
family homestead (called
Springfield ) and was close to
Charles’ house. Jennie more or less
lived at Charles’s to help with
managing the home and children.
Saturday 4
Harvey and Pa go to town. Aunt Jennie and I are in
the store. Council meets to-day. Cold to-day.
Sunday 5
Mr. Lister preaches in Disciples Church tonight.
Kate Donald is our teacher in Sunday School. Pa
takes Mr. Lister in tonight because he walked out.
Kate Donald is a sister of Margaret
Ellen Donald who married
Christopher A. Fleming – another
cousin of Roy’s. The Donalds were
neighbours to the Flemings. Kate
married Archie “A E” Trout.
Likely Charles drove Lister back to
Owen Sound.
Monday 6
We are hauling rails and fixing the fences this
afternoon. Not very warm yet. Bills came out for a
concert for 7th and 8th tomorrow and the next
night.
Tuesday 7
We send away three registered letters this
morning. No concert tonight. The fellows don’t
come at all to start it.
Wednesday 8 Stuart and I fix fences in the afternoon; also
hauling wood from flats.
Thursday 9
We are stuffing the potatoes in afternoon.
Friday 10
Working at turnips to-day. Pretty hot.
Saturday 11
Working at the turnips again. The horses get away
but we catch them in front of Burrs.
Sunday 12
Mr Kinchin is our teacher to-day at Sunday School.
Monday 13
Write to cousin Maud and Uncle Harry. Jno Black Jr
mows today.
Tuesday 14
Cecelia Brown (Melissa’s baby) died tonight at 8:30 Melissa, a first cousin, is daughter
pm.
to John Fleming – and married to
Samuel Horton Brown. Cecilia, the
baby born July 22, 1889 was not
quite two.
23
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Wednesday
15
Raining to-day
Thursday 16
Funeral to-day of Cecelia Brown. They will not let
any of us go to it.
Friday 17
I go over to Jno Black Jr’s on Meg to see if he is
going to mow. Hauling in to-day. Jennie B Fleming
comes from Belleville.
Saturday 18
Working at the hay again to-day. Harvey goes to
Uncle John’s to see Miss Jennie B. Fleming.
Sunday 19
I go to all the meetings at our Church to-day.
Monday 20
Miss Jennie B. Fleming and Vicky came down today. Melville MacIntyre came down to play with
me. Mrs. Grieve gave birth to twin babes.
Comments
Hauling the hay.
Jennie B. Fleming is the 23-year old
daughter of James Fleming in
Belleville and granddaughter of
John Fleming, Alexander Fleming’s
brother who settled in Hastings
County.
Melville McIntyre was about 11,
son of Roy’s first cousin Mary Jane
Fleming (John’s daughter) who
married Archibald McIntyre. They
lived in Owen Sound.
Mrs Grieve –Frances Chisholm who
was married to James Simpson
Grieve gave birth to twins
Catherine Chisholm and Isabella
Somerville on July 20 [Ancestry.ca
– Ontario, Canada Births, 18691913)
Tuesday 21
Stuart and I put Paris green on the potatoes. I got Paris green (copper acetoarsenite)
a letter from Mrs. Ray, Colville, thanking me for the was a combination of copper and
photos etc.
arsenic diluted with water to
control the potato beetle. This
early pesticide was adopted by
farmers in the 1860s.
Wednesday
22
I rake hay with Jess. Starts to rain to-day but only a Jess – unknown
few drops
Thursday 23
Still at the hay. Nothing new.
Friday 24
We have finished our hay to-day – all except a little
to cut with the scythe.
Saturday 25
Stuart and I go picking berries for the first time this Likely raspberries – picked on
24
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
year at Agnew’s old place.
James Agnew’s old farm, which
was on the west half of lots 7 and 8
Conc..6. James and Jesse Agnew
had moved into Kilsyth.
Sunday 26
Minnie Fleming is our teacher. We decide to start
Mission Band again.
Minnie is Minerva – 23-year-old
daughter of James.
Monday 27
We three boys go picking berries at Kinchens
Tuesday 28
Our mission band meets to-day at 3 pm. I am
elected as secretary.
Wednesday
29
Hoeing at the turnips to-day for a while.
Thursday 30
I wash a lot of handkerchiefs, collars etc to-day.
Friday 31
There is a frost in some places on the ground this
morning.
August
Date
Entry
Saturday 1
We are cutting and binding he wheat to-day. I am
in the store this afternoon. Council meets to-day.
Sunday 2
Aunt Jennie, Ruth, Annie and I go for a drive to
Inglis Falls
Monday 3
We are cutting and binding the wheat yet in the
old orchard.
Tuesday 4
Stuart and I get a calve from Uncle Agnew’s .
Working at turnips.
Comments
Inglis Falls is just 7 km from Kilsyth.
Sydenham river drops 18 metres
over the Niagara Escarpment.
Wednesday 5 I find out that my pet lamb “Towney” is going to
have small horns. Harvey goes over to Uncle James
to see Jennie B. Fleming. I write an essay on China
tonight, late.
Thursday 6
I write to Mrs. Ray to-day. I get some stamps from Mary, a cousin, daughter of James
J.D. Nichols Box 35, Berwick, N.S. Jennie B. Fleming Fleming and Grace Robertson .
and Mary were over tonight.
Friday 7
I write to Jim Mullan.
Saturday 8
Rains very heavily all to-day. Mr. Lediard comes out Mr. Lediard is Disciple’s Church
to-day but scarcely any mission band. The Desboro Minister.
25
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
football team comes down to play Kilsyth but they
do not play as it is too wet. Get soaking wet coming Desboro is near Chatsworth in Grey
home in the buggy at night.
County.
Sunday 9
Raining so heavily that there is no Sunday school
nor morning meeting. Mr Lister for a wonder does
not come and as it rained in there heavier I
suppose.
Monday 10
I get a letter from Jim Mullan tonight. Miss Jennie
B. Fleming and Harvey and some others were at
Agnews tonight. Aunt Jennie and I are in the store
to-day.
Tuesday 11
Pa and I are in the store. Pa is forever complaining
at me.
Wednesday
12
In the store yet.
Thursday 13
Still monkeying around the store.
Friday 14
Mr Douglass, wife and children came home this
evening.
Saturday 15
Aggie Kennedy and Miss Dunn are at the store this
evening. Our mission band met to-day. I read an
essay on China. Football practice tonight.
Sunday 16
I go to Sunday school. I get a library book, “The
King’s Daughter”. Mr Brown came out with Mr.
Lister in the evening.
Monday 17
The first day of school is to-day. Alex Sinclair and I
are the only ones in the high school class. I write to
Jim Mullan.
Tuesday 18
Jacob Wice and Harvey Linn come over to the
school and Jacob and Sam White have a kind or a
row.
Wednesday
19
Johnny Mundle and Letisha Fenton got married at
Chatsworth to-day.
Thursday 20
Stuart and I have to catch Duff after night.
Friday 21
The Presbyterian church Sunday school have their
picnic in out bush. Uncle Agnew and I go to look for
his cow. School in fore noon only.
Saturday 22
I pull the first peas I ever pulled in my life. Pretty
The King’s Daughter by Pansy –
published in Boston 1873. Young
person’s book. Mentioned on Feb 3
also.
Duff – probably the other horse.
26
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
busy in the evening in the store.
Sunday 23
Melville McIntyre was out at Uncle John’s to-day.
Was late for Sunday School. Mr. Lister brought a
watermelon for Aunt Jennie.
Monday 24
I find out that Jack Horning isn’t coming back to
Public School any more.
Tuesday 25
Alfred Reid and I go down to Hilt’s for the football.
We arrange sides and neither side wins a game at
noon. Our side gets one game at intermissions.
Wednesday
26
I come home this afternoon to help take in the
pease
Thursday 27
I stay home all day to take in pease. Starts to rain
about noon. Ruth is 9 years old to-day.
Friday 28
I go to school to-day. Wet to-day but no rain. We
do not play football.
Saturday 29
Mission Band met to-day. Ruth recited a small
piece. Mrs Willie Wardell gave birth to a girl baby
at 12 o’clock to-day noon.
Sunday 30
Whyte Bro were singing in the other church to-day. “Other” church is Presbyterian
Small meeting at Disc Ch. Mr Lister’s daughter and
baby comes out but not meeting at night as it was
given out there would be none.
Monday 31
Jennie Fleming was over tonight with some apples
for Aunt Jennie. I get some stamps from R.J.D.
Nichols, Berwick N.S. Box 35. High School opened
to-day. Jack Horning and Melville McIntyre start
going.
Mrs Willie Wardell - unknown
High School is the Owen Sound
Collegiate Institute. Roy began
high school in 1892 and probably
boarded with a relative.
[Handwriting changes from the
small, clear, right-slanted script to
much larger script with mix of
vertical and right slant. Some of
this may have been added by Roy
in later years.]
September
Date
Entry
Comments
Tuesday 1
We have Abigail Beckett for our lesson to-day. I
Abigail Beckett - unknown
come home this afternoon to help at pease. Whyte
27
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
Bro. sing at Presbyterian Church in the concert.
Annie is 6 years old to-day.
Wednesday 2 I stay at home again to-day to pull pease. Stuart
and I make a cake and eat it when Aunt Jennie and
Aunt Jessie were out for a drive. It rains in
afternoon.
Thursday 3
Aunt Jennie and Aunt Jessie were at town to-day. It
rains again. Home from school.
Friday 4
We are pulling pease with the horse rake again.
Saturday 5
We haul one load of pease in in the afternoon.
Rains in afternoon. Council meets. I am over at
store in afternoon.
Sunday 6
Collection in church for Home Missions to-day.
Percy Kinchen comes over from morning meeting
and stays the afternoon. We drive over to English
church near Dormie Sinclair’s school and then to
Inglis Falls.
Monday 7
Working to-day at pulling pease and turning them.
I am not going to school to-day.
Tuesday 8
Pa was pretty cross this morning. Very cold.
English Church is on lot 7
concession 3.
Dormie Sinclair –might have been a
brother of Alex and Bella on the
South ½ of Lot 8 Concession 7.
Wednesday 9 Hauling in pease to-day.
Thursday 10
Mr. Irwin came to-day and took away Towny and
our other lamb. Aunt Jennie and Mrs Herald went
to town to-day. Finished our harvest to-day. The
boys got stuck with the last load.
Either the lambs were sold to Mr.
Irwin, or he will butcher them for
the family.
Mrs Herald is Bella (Finch) Herald,
married to George Herald, and,
daughter of Isabella Fleming (ie
Auntie Finch) and Abraham Finch..
Friday 11
I go to school to-day for the first day this week.
A.Hendrick and J. Little from Trenton call here this
evening and Harvey and they go over to Uncle
James’.
Saturday 12
Our Mission Band met to-day. I get “10 novels
complete” in the store that Pa hid. Pa and Harvey
have kind of a racket to-night. Raining in afternoon.
Hendrick and Little – unknown.
28
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Sunday 13
Pa tells Harvey that he is going to send him away
Monday morning. Stuart went over to Uncle John’s
to-day. I give Harvey a dollar.
Monday 14
I go to school. William Hilts started to school today. Harvey went to Toronto.
Tuesday 15
Play football at school to-day.
Wednesday
16
Stuart and I go to town in the wagon and Aunt
Jennie and Annie in the buggy. They do not get a
lunch for us in town and we break into the bread
and sugar.
Thursday 17
We go to school. Mr. Douglass tells us that he
might report our monthly examinations in the
paper. Aunt Jennie gets a letter from Harvey.
Friday 18
We have our examination on History to-day. Hyle
and Flora Beaton and I are the only ones there to
write as it was the last Friday. Albert Fleming gets
home from the Exhibition and brings a letter from
Harvey to Aunt Jennie saying that he got a situation
in a bookstore @ $2 a week. Board $3.
Comments
Roy is probably referring to the 13
year old William, son of Henry and
Rebecca Hilts.
Hyle (or John R.H. Beaton) was 11
and his sister Flora 14. Their
parents were William and Janet
Beaton.
Albert Fleming is Albert Edwin
Charles "AE" son of Roy's uncle
John Fleming and his wife
Margaret Robertson.
Exhibition is the Canadian National
Exhibition in Toronto
Saturday 19
Pa gets a letter from Harvey. Alfred J. Reid came
Alfred J. Reid - unknown
down this afternoon to play with me. We get some
plums.
Sunday 20
Stuart and I got to the Presbyterian Church tonight. Now Kilsyth United Church
Presbyterian church was in the village of Kilsyth, a
little further west of Disciples Church.
Monday 21
This week is count week in post office. I mail about Emma Green - unknown
½ doz letters for cards etc. Emma Green started
going to school to-day.
Tuesday 22
We are fooling with Johnny Frankish to-day. Stuart
was in town to-day. Got a 1 cent scribbler for
myself.
Wednesday
Stuart making a scrap book for “Mission Box”
Johnny Frankish - unknown
29
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
23
tonight. Got through our work very late.
Thursday 24
I take my stamp album to school to-day.
Friday 25
Examination on Grammar to-day.
Saturday 26
They are fixing the sidewalk to-day. Mission Band
met to-day. Minnie was not there but Mrs Herald
took the lead.
Sunday 27
Mr. W.A. McLean (Presbyterian Church) preaches
his farewell sermon. I go down to hear him.
Monday 28
A detective was at the store tonight and Saturday
night.
Tuesday 29
I get a licken to-day for whispering in school.
Wednesday
30
I go to school. Nothing particular. I go to prayer
meeting tonight and Christian Endevour Society.
Mr. McLean was presented with a purse of about
$35.
Extreme change in handwriting.
Date
Entry
Comments
Thursday 1
I got two demerit marks at school to-day.
Friday 2
Alex Sinclair and I were caught eating an apple in
school. I get some stamps from J.D. Nichols in a
registered letter.
Saturday 3
Stuart and I were fixing the fence by the grove.
Sunday 4
Mr Lediard preached this afternoon at 3 o’clock.
Jennie Robinson was over at our place from Mrs.
Herald. Also P. Kinchen from this place.
Monday 5
Go to school usually.
Tuesday 6
I stay home this forenoon in the store with Aunt
Jennie. The fellows get some cards at school.
October
Wednesday 7 I go to school. Alex Sinclair is not there to-day.
Stuart and Pa went to town to-day.
Thursday 8
I finish drawing the map of Ontario this morning. I Show is probably the Kilsyth fall fair
do not go to school. This is the first day of the show organized by Derby Agricultural
30
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
and I show my map and take the first prize because Society.
mine was the only one there. We also show some
apples. Stuart and I are training Met to-day to be
ready for tomorrow. Very few things at show.
Friday 9
Second day of show. I write in Town Hall. I only get McCallums had the farm lot 4
3rd prize. Stuart shows Meg in Dan McCallum’s
concession 5.
buggy. I go to a concert tonight. Jno Ramsay leads
it (same man as last year). I saw the wax figure of
Roy got 3rd prize for penmanship.
Birchall at show.
Saturday 10
Stuart and Pa go to town and bring some butter
and eggs to Mr Matthews Steward CPR. Mission
Band today but I can’t go.
Sunday 11
Mr Lediard preaches as usual in the afternoon.
Alfred Reid and I pick beech nuts before church.
Out driving with Aunt Jennie. I write to Mrs. Ray.
Monday 12
Alex Sinclair and I are made to sit apart for me
throwing a piece of paper with Euclid on it to Alex
and he is copying it off when the master catches
him.
Tuesday 13
Harvey came home from Toronto to-day. Jennie
Agnew is sick.
Wednesday
14
Picking beech nuts at noon. Raining in afternoon.
Thursday 15
First day of teacher’s convention in Owen Sound.
No school. Stay in the house in forenoon. Fixing
barn in afternoon.
Friday 16
Second day teacher’s convention. Working at
potatoes. 15 rows done.
Saturday 17
Working at potatoes. Did not get them done.
Warmer to-day than yesterday.
Sunday 18
Go to all the meetings to-day. Out for a drive with
Aunt Jennie.
Monday 19
Raining to-day.
Tuesday 20
I leave my books on a pile of posts this morning
and Douglass sends me for them at about 11 am.
Harvey went in to town to-day to go to College.
Wednesday
-
Harvey attended the Northern
Business College in Owen Sound
run by C.A. Fleming and may have
boarded with C.A. and his family.
31
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
21
Thursday 22
I don’t know my poetry “The Bard” at school. Mr
Lee (traveler) was at store to-day and told me he
would give me a $ if I would get him 5 or 6 lbs of
Beech-nuts.
Friday 23
Threshing at our place in afternoon. I went over to Angus was a brother of Alex’s.
Sinclair’s on Meg to ask Angus. Stay home to-day. A
year ago to-day was the last day I ever saw
On this date in 1890 Lyda went to
Mamma alive.
Marquette Mi. USA to see a
specialist. Her brother-in-law Fred
Read, husband of Lyda’s late sister,
Annie, lived in Marquette. Fred
paid for her medical care at Dr
Kellogg’s sanatorium at Battle
Creek.
Saturday 24
We were threshing until about 10 am. Machine
then goes to Sinclairs. I am 13 years old to-day.
Sunday 25
Jim Fenton and I picked beech nuts before
afternoon meeting.
Monday 26
Aunt Jennie and Mr Herald went to town to-day.
Tuesday 27
Very cold to-day. Alex Sinclair was not at school
yesterday nor to-day.
Wednesday
28
-
Thursday 29
Came home at recess to take up potatoes.
Friday 30
Pa, Stuart, and I went in to town tonight to hear
Crossley and Hunter in Presbyterian Church.
Monthly examination on grammar to-day.
Saturday 31
Working at turnips in afternoon. I get a letter and a Apparently the Rays travelled. Was
pair of mitts from Mrs. Ray as a present for my
this his only present?
birthday. Her letter said that she and her husband
were travelling and now they were in San Diego.
Smaller farms did not have their
own threshing machines. Travelling
threshers would go from farm to
farm with the equipment and
labourers to do the threshing for a
fee.
George Herald, married to Bella.
Rev H T Crossley and the Rev John
E Hunter were evangelists from St
Thomas in Southern Ontario.
32
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
November
Date
Entry
Comments
Sunday 1
Mr Lediard preached this Sunday in church and
gave us an invitation. I put hymn books in seats in
church. We meet J. A. Horning walking to church.
Monday 2
Mrs Sinclair (mother of Alex, Arch, Ronald etc) died This was Sarah Sinclair, 85, Alex’s
tonight at 11pm. We start working stocks to-day in grandmother. She lived in Sullivan
arithmetic
Township.
Tuesday 3
Stuart and I sent five names tonight to the Youth’s
Companion to try to get subscribers and in return
they will send us a book.
Wednesday 4 I am home to-day from school. Stuart and I finish
topping turnips and we haul half of these in.
Thursday 5
That fellow at Redfern’s store “Fred” started off in
middle of last night with some things that he stole
out of Redfern’s store. Mr Redfern and Mr Reid
catch Fred up at Stoddards swamp. Mr Jamison
(Presbyterian Minister) was at school to-day and
gave us a kind of speech for about ½ hr.
Redfern’s store on Poulett St. in
Owen Sound sold meal, stoves, and
ships’ chandlery.
Ad in diary: Redfern & LePan are
direct importers of shelf and heavy
hardware, ship chandlery, stoves
etc etc. Steam, gas and hot water
fitters. Manufacturers of all kinds
of sheet metal ware.
Also a D.R. Redfern – dealer in
general groceries all kinds of fruit
in season. Also fancy goods etc etc.
Friday 6
Examination on arithmetic. I do the whole six
examples.
Saturday 7
Stuart and I cover the turnip pit.
Sunday 8
Percy Kinchen was over to-day. Also Maggie
The invitation is to be baptized. In
Kinchen. Mr. Lediard gives an invitation and I came the Disciples church members are
forward.
baptized at confirmation. See entry
11 Nov.
Monday 9
Send a letter to Jim Wallace asking him to
subscribe to the Youth’s Companion. Also I send a
letter to W.E. Skinner, coin broker, Boston, asking
him whether he deals in English and Canadian
coins. Stuart and Pa went to Tara with a load of
pease.
Tuesday 10
We have notes on “The Bard” for our high school
33
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
reader lesson. Stuart went to Tara with another
load of pease. Raining to-day.
Wednesday
11
Pa, Stuart and I go to town to Disciple prayer
Baptism in Disciples Church is by
meeting. Mr Lediard’s son and I are baptized at the compete immersion.
church. Cousin Jennie Agnew started to Rochester
to-day.
Jean Alexandrina Agnew, aka
"Jennie", was almost 30 years old
and perhaps was going there to
work. She later lived in Buffalo.
Thursday 12
To-day is Thanksgiving. Stuart and Percy were out
shooting in Kinchen’s bush. Starts to snow to-day.
Friday 13
Stuart went to Tara this morning with pease. A lot
of snow this morning.
Saturday 14
Stuart and I went to Tara to-day with more pease.
Got back about dark.
Sunday 15
This is the last Sunday that Mr. Lediard will preach
here.
Monday 16
When I got up this morning I see that the snow is
pretty deep.
Tuesday 17
Still snowing. I do not know my verses “To a
Highland Girl”
Wednesday
18
Aunt Jennie drives us to school this morning in the
cutter.
Thursday 19
Aunt Jennie drove us to school again. Do not know
my verses.
Friday 20
I send a letter to Mrs. Ray and one to auntie Finch.
Stuart and I got to the debate in town hall.
Resolved that Burns was greater a poet than Sir
Walter Scott. Negatives beat. Examination on
geography. He gives us our arithmetic. I get 100.
A.S. gets 84
Saturday 21
Mission Band met to-day at Uncle James’ house.
Raining and thawing.
Sunday 22
Still raining. Mr Lister preached for us this Sunday.
Monday 23
Norma and I have a scuffle in the mud.
Tuesday 24
Pa and I have to take the potatoes out of the water
in the cellar tonight.
Canadian celebrated American
Thanksgiving in November. Date
was changed to October in 1957.
By Wm Wordsworth
A.S. is Alex Sinclair
34
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Wednesday
25
Turns cold again.
Thursday 26
Thawing this afternoon.
Friday 27
Examination on grammar to-day. I think I di pretty
well at it. Mr Douglass gave us our history paper. I
get 68 and A.S. gets 86.
Saturday 28
Stuart and I haul out manure to cover the turnip pit
and the rhubarb and flowers.
Sunday 29
Mr. Lister preaches again to-day.
Monday 30
We are skating at school to-day. Pretty good ice.
Comments
December
Date
Entry
Tuesday 1
Skating again to-day. I know my poetry to-day. Six
pairs of skates there to-day.
Comments
Wednesday 2 Still skating at school.
Thursday 3
Thawing to-day. Ruth brings her skates to-day. Five
other pair.
Friday 4
Examination in stocks in arithmetic also two
examples in factoring in algebra.
Saturday 5
No mission band to-day because Minnie was not
home.
Sunday 6
Our mission band met to-day. Fifteen there. Our
mission band will meet on Sunday after this.
Monday 7
Geography on South America to-day.
Tuesday 8
We have “the Raven” to-day as our lesson.
By Edgar Allan Poe
Wednesday 9 We were snowballing at school. Walter Ferris got
his eye hurt at school with a snowball. Alex Sinclair
was not at school to-day.
Thursday 10
Friday 11
Examination on geography to-day. I think I did
pretty well. Missed one question entirely.
Saturday 12
Stuart and I are hauling out manure. Get four loads
out.
35
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Sunday 13
I do not stay at morning meeting to-day.
Comments
Monday 14
Tuesday 15
Wednesday
16
There was to be practise at Heralds to-night only
one there. Sam and Norman.
Thursday 17
Friday 18
Examination on history to-day. (Geo III reign). Get
some stamps from J.S. Nichols, Berwick, N.S. Go to
the practice tonight at Mrs. Heralds. Sam, Norman
and I are going to sing “Old Mother Slipper
Stopper”
Saturday 19
Stuart and I hauled wood to-day in forenoon and
we train the colt to-day, “Billy”.
Sunday 20
I go to Sunday school and church as usual. Miss
Mary Fulton came out with Mr. Lister. Mission
band met this afternoon.
Monday 21
A daughter of Mr Rodgers (aged 4 years) died early
this morning. Announced in school.
Tuesday 22
Funeral of girl above to-day at 1 pm
See lyrics and music.
Wednesday
23
Thursday 24
Friday 25
The Scottish did not celebrate
Christmas in the 1800s
Saturday 26
Mrs. Lewis Graham gave birth to a daughter about
3 pm this afternoon.
Sunday 27
Went to church to-day as usual. Collection for
Women’s work in …. Write to Mrs Ray, San Diego,
704 Third St – Ca.
Monday 28
Nomination at Town Hall to-day.
For Reeve Jas Cochrane, R.A. Stark, Wm Breen.
For deputy reeve Alex Garvie, Harness.
For Councilllor Lauchlin Beaton, John Henry Moore,
Jno Robertson, R. Henderson, …, Saul Riely
Tuesday 29
Stuart and I haul to line fence.
Wednesday
36
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Date
Entry
Comments
Went to prayer meeting at Heralds tonight. Mrs.
Alex Finch came out with C.A. Fleming last tonight.
Harry and I wash some clothes this afternoon.
Mrs Alex Finch was Sophia Emily
De Le Ree who married Alexander
Heanage Finch. A.H. Finch was a
Disciples minister.
30
Thursday 31
37
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
Fleming Family Tree
Isabella (Bell)
“Auntie Finch”
1825-1917
Janet (Jessie)
“Aunt Jessie”
1828-1918
m Abraham
Finch
- Isabella (Bella)
1849-? m George
Herald
“Mrs Herald”
- Jessie 18501873 m James
Hunter Trout
- many more
John “Uncle
Alexander
John” 1830-1909 “Uncle
Alexander”
1832-1909
Donald “Uncle
Donald” 18341896
m James Agnew m Grace
“Uncle Agnew” Robertson
m Margaret
Robertson
“Auntie
Margaret”
m Anne Garvie
m Esther Flower m Elizabeth
m Lyda Warren
Anne Williams 1842-1891
- William
Alexander
- Mary
Evangeline
- John
- George
- Christopher
Alexander (C.A.)
1857-1945
- Mary Jane
1852-1942 m
Archibald
McIntyre
- Jessie Melissa
1852-1950 m
Samuel Brown
- Anna Isabella
- Victoria (Vickie)
1866-1953
- John William
James
- Albert Edwin
(AE) 1871-1956
- Thomas Alfred
Robertson (TA)
1874-1959
- William
- Florence 1863- - 5 children
1939
- Jean (Jennie)
1862-1950
- Simon
- Herbert 18671930
- Milton
- others
James “Uncle
James” 18301910
- Alexander
Robert
- Jessie
- Jean Stewart
- Robert
Alexander
- Clara Grace
- Margaret
Florence Alberta
- James Alfred
- Minerva
“Minnie” 18681953
- Martha Emma
- Mary Ella
- John William
- Ernest Stewart
- Alexander
1858-1939
- John
- Joseph
- Albert
- Jessie
- Margaret Jane
- David James
- Bertha
- Ernest
- Sidney A. 18651929
William 1837- Charles 18401927
1910
Jean
“Aunt
Jennie”
18431942
- Harvey 1872-?
- Stuart 18771942
- Roy 1878-1958
- Christina A.
(Chris) 18671945
- Ruth 1882-1971
- Annie – 1885-?
-many more
Corrections January 12, 2017
38
�
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
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Roy F. Fleming Diary Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
19th Century Rural Ontario Diaries
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Courtesy of Grey Roots Museum and Archives
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1891-1903
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, Grey County, Derby Township, Ontario
Table Of Contents
A list of subunits of the resource.
Roy F. Fleming Diary & Transcription, 1891
Roy F. Fleming Diary, 1903
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
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Roy F. Fleming Diary & Transcription, 1891
Date Created
Date of creation of the resource.
January 1, 1891
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
Roy Fleming Diary Collection
Medium
The material or physical carrier of the resource.
Scanned Manuscript & Typed Transcription
UG
Transcription Progress
Scripto transcription progress
Done
Extracted Text
���������������������������������������������������������
Diary 1891 – Roy F. Fleming
Transcription and notes by Ruth Fleming Larmour
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
2
Diary of Roy F. Fleming 1891
Introduction
By Ruth Hogarth Fleming Larmour, grand-daughter of Roy Franklin Fleming.
This is the diary of a twelve-year old boy growing up in rural Ontario in the 1890s. He was living on a
farm near the village of Kilsyth in Derby Township, Grey County with his father Charles Fleming, his
mother Lyda, his brothers Harvey (age 18), and Stuart (14), and sisters Ruth (9) and Annie (5). Most of
his father’s siblings and their families are on farms nearby.
When the diary begins on the 5th
January 1891 tragedy has struck the family. Their mother has taken ill
and has gone to the Kellogg Sanatorium in Battle Creek, Michigan for treatment. Battle Creek is about
530 km from Kilsyth. She is under the care of the famous Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, chief medical officer
of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, for mesenteric tuberculosis, a form of abdominal tuberculosis.
Treatment here was largely based of nutrition - a vegetarian diet , and physical exercise, administered
according to the principles of the Seventh-day-Adventist Church which owned and operated the
Sanitarium.
In their mother’s absence, the children’s maiden aunt Jennie, their father’s younger sister, has come to
look after them. Her name is Jean but she is known to all as Aunt Jennie.
The diary shows the network of support through family friends and neighbours that helped Charles and
children during this crisis. It also demonstrates how important religious life was for them and the
support the family received from their beliefs.
Roy’s father is a farmer but his land on the South Half of Lot 10 Concession 6 was rather poor and he
was not as good at farming as his brothers. He opened a general store in the village of Kilsyth and also
ran the post office, of which his father Alexander Fleming had been the first postmaster. Charles
continued to farm in a small way as we see through Roy’s entries about his chores - haying, bringing in
turnips and pease, and pulling potatoes. Roy also had a pet lamb.
Weather was all important. It makes a difference on whether they can go to school and what must be
done in the fields.
Roy’s penmanship, spelling and punctuation are very good. His hand writing was very well formed and
clear in the first half of the year, but became larger and more erratic later in the year after his mother
died and after he entered high school - it was likely affected by the emotional tumult in his life.
As can be gathered from reading the diary he was constantly writing letters and post cards and sending
requests or orders for one thing of another. He subscribed to Youth’s Companion, and kept a stamp
collection.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
3
Roy, who became a keen historian, wrote much more about his family in later years. One point he
always emphasized was the importance his parents placed on education. In spite of lack of money all
five children received an education at either college or university. Roy was one of the first to graduate as
a high school teacher from the Ontario College of Education in Toronto. He taught in many schools in
rural Ontario, including Derby Township, the Manitoulin Island, and Garden Island. Later Roy became
the art master at the Ottawa Normal school in 1907.
He was a talented artist, a prolific writer, and had many interests especially the Fleming family history
and shipwrecks of the Great Lakes. He was a member of the Great lakes Historical Society and
contributed many articles to its Journal, Inland Seas, and to many Canadian newspapers.
This transcription of his diary is dedicated to the memory of Lyda Warren Fleming, Roy’s mother and my
great-grandmother.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
4
Roy’s Diary
Office Diary and Petty Cash Book for the year 1891. Printed and published by The Northern
Business College Steam Printing Office. Scrope Street – Owen Sound Ont. C.A. Fleming, Roy’s
cousin, owned the printing company in Owen Sound and likely gave this office diary to Roy.
Notes in the comment column explain the names and places that Roy mentions.
January
Date Entry Comment
Monday 5 Ruth is out skating with Sarah Kinchen The Kinchens were neighbours who
lived on Concession 7.
Tuesday 6 Mrs. Kinchen and Percy come over for a visit and
they take Ruth back home again. Here Percy and I
have a game of table croquet.
Monday 12 I get a letter from Mamma to-day. I send a postal
card to Mrs. Ray. Out skating with Ruth. It is very
stormy.
Roy’s mother Lyda is ill and has
gone to stay at the Kellogg
Sanatorium in Battle Creek,
Michigan.
Roy has been keeping Mrs. Ray, a
friend of Lyda’s , informed. Lyda
had known Mrs. Ray in Ohio as
Martha Pickett . Miss Pickett took
Lyda’s younger sister, Mary
Amanda “Minnie”, as a foster child
around 1860 to help Eliza Warren
while looking after her sick
husband. The Warrens remained
friends with Miss Pickett even after
Minnie rejoined her mother and
family.
Tuesday 13 We send a letter to Mamma. Freezing. Harvey goes
up to Uncle John’s with a book keeping book of
Vickie’s. I go to store at night for first time after
measles
Vicki is a first cousin, daughter of
Roy’s uncle John who lives on the
next farm, the North Half of Lot 10
Concession 6. Roy’s father, Charles,
and his Aunt Jennie run a general
store in Kilsyth where Roy
sometimes works.
Wednesday I start going to school this year for first time. The school is S.S. No 3 Derby Twp.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
5
Date Entry Comment
14 Blowing last night terribly but calmed down this
morning slightly. Nearly frozen coming home from
morning mail saying she was some better. I hear
that John Black Jr is going to get married.
Roy might not have been at school
due to having measles.
John Black Sr. has the farm on Lot
10 Concession 7.
Thursday 15 I get a catalogue of guns etc in night mail from G.
Henry and Co. Chicago Ill. I go to school. Middling
stormy yet. We get a letter and a telegramme, the
letter saying Mamma was worse. The telegram was
“wait for letter, don’t bring trunk”.
G. Henry and Co. was a sporting
goods store in Chicago.1
Friday 16 I get a letter from Mrs. J.M. Ray in morning mail.
Only one half days school as the teacher had to
attend a Presbyterian Church meeting. Warm in
daytime but was very frosty in morning. I get
samples of cards from National Card Co. Scio.
National Card Co was in Scio, Ohio.
Saturday 17 It is frosty this morning. Stuart and Harvey go to
town for some things at the station. We get
telegram from Mamma saying: - Worse, want help,
come at once. Herb Agnew takes Aunt Jennie into
town and she starts for Battle Creek. We got a
letter in morning mail. I bake pies.
Owen Sound is approximately
three miles from Kilsyth. Stuart and
Harvey are probably picking up
goods in Owen Sound to be sold in
the store in Kilsyth. It sounds as if
Jennie was ready to depart for
Battle Creek at very short notice.
Herb Agnew is a first cousin, son of
Roy’s aunt Janet (Fleming) Agnew
(aka Jessie)
Sunday 18 I go to Sunday School as usual. No frost this
morning to speak of. Chris, Florence and Uncle
Donald Fleming come over for a while in the
afternoon.
Chris (Christine) and Florence are
daughters of Donald Fleming, and
first cousins to Roy. They live on
the south half of Lot 9 Concession
6.
Monday 19 I go to school as usually. Harvey found a gold pen
in his trunk. Stuart shoots a squirrel to-night.
Middling mild to-day.
Tuesday 20 Pa gets a letter from mamma, written the same
day as the telegram. Pa also gets a post card from
Aunt Jennie saying she would get to Battle Creek
about 11 am Sunday (written in Toronto). Thawing
to-day. I answer a letter of Aunt Jennie’s to the
Globe Company. I write to Mrs Ray. Us boys make
cider.
Globe Company may have been
The Globe newspaper in Toronto,
or a company from which Jennie
and Charles ordered goods for the
store.
1
Listed in the Lakeside Directory for 1892 http://chicagoancestors.org/downloads/1892h.pdf
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
6
Date Entry Comment
Wednesday
21
I go to school as usual to-day. Very mild weather
lately. Aunt Jessie gets a letter from Aunt Jennie
saying that she did not expect mamma to come
home alive. I write to mamma. I write a post card
to Auntie Finch telling her how mamma is. Ruth
and Annie also write to mamma.
Jessie is Janet (Fleming) Agnew
who lives on Lot 8 Concession 6.
Auntie Finch is Isabella (Fleming)
Finch who lives in Cecebe Ontario –
in the Parry Sound region. Both are
sisters to Roy’s father Charles.
Thursday 22 I go to school. Douglass makes a great rough about
tieing Bob Dolphin’s School Bag and writing names
on the wall. Stuart and I get into some scrapes. Pa
gest a letter from Aunt Jennie. I address a hymn
book and some papers to Aunt Jennie. Ruth starts
going to school
Douglass is the school teacher.
Does Roy mean row when he
writes rough? Ruth is 8 years old.
This was probably her first day
back to school after an illness.
Friday 23 We do not get any word from Aunt Jennie. I go to a
concert tonight of the Literary Society. It is a pretty
good one. I have to white wash on the wall where I
was writing names but I do not get it to stick on
right.
Saturday 24 We got a post card and a letter from Aunt Jennie. I
write to mamma. Aunt Jessie makes apple butter
for us. I bake pies in the afternoon. More snow this
morning.
Sunday 25 I go to Sunday School in morning. There is a
collection at Sunday School instead of a Mission
Band. I go to church at night. Mr. Lister speaks
about “The Church”. Stuart writes to cousin Jessie
tonight.
The family attended the Church of
Christ’s Disciples in Kilsyth. Charles
J. Lister, a leading preacher, was
the minister for many years.
Cousin Jessie is probably Isabella
Finch’s daughter who married
James Hunter Trout and was living
in Wiarton in 1891. She was 40
years of age and might have been a
friend to Lyda.
Monday 26 I send a post card to Aunt Jennie in morning. Stuart
sends a letter to cousin Jessie telling her how
mamma was keeping. I have to white wash the wall
at school where I was writing names, for the
second time. Mrs. Robert Moore dies tonight at 6
o’clock pm.
Moores were neighbours at Lot 10
Concession 9.
Tuesday 27 I go to school. We have “break break break” as our
High School Lesson. Very mild. Harvey goes to
town. He starts at 10 am. Stuart and I have to do
night work as Harvey does not get home till kind of
“Break, break, break” is a poem by
Alfred Lord Tennyson and was in
the Ontario Readers, Third Book.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
7
Date Entry Comment
late. Pa gets a letter and a post card from Aunt
Jennie at Battle Creek. Mrs. John Hay gave birth to
a daughter. Harvey hears it in town. I write a post
card to Aunt Jennie and a post card to “The Times”
office and couple of other letters to the “Mail” and
“Witness”.
Can’t locate a Hay residing in
Derby in the census for 1891 .
The “Times” is the Owen Sound
Sun Times; the “Mail” is the
Toronto Mail; the Witness may
have been the Evangelical Witness
from London, Ont.
Mr. Douglass was giving Roy
occasional high school lessons to
prepare him for high school. At
that time it was necessary to pass
an examination set by the
Education Department of Ontario
to be accepted into high school.2
Wednesday
28
Aunt Jessie gets a post card from Aunt Jennie
saying that mamma passed a bad night and that
they had to mover her to a quieter part of the
building. I go to school. I address the Advertiser to
Aunt Jennie. The funeral of Mrs. Moore’s takes
place. Stuart sends for a book for making candies. I
send a postal to Mrs. Ray. We write to mamma.
Advertiser was an Owen Sound
newspaper.
Thursday 29 Stuart and I go to school. Johnny McDermid brings
a note to the teacher telling us boys were teasing
him. Aunt Jessie gets a letter from Aunt Jennie. I
get some papers from Mrs. Ray, Colville. I send a
subscription to the “News”.
Seems that Mrs. Ray lives in
Colville, Washington, USA. Colville
was a mining town just recently
emerged from being a frontier
town. It was 45 miles south of the
border between Washington State
and British Columbia. 3
Friday 30 Annie, Ruth and I get a letter from Aunt Jennie in
night mail. We have a little concert at school in the
afternoon. I go to store at night. The roads are all
ice. I write to Aunt Jennie. I send the “Advertiser”
and the “Evangelist” to Aunt Jennie.
Saturday 31 Harvey and I go to town. I stay in music store while
Harvey is doing all the business. Snowing to-day.
Stuart and I get a letter from Aunt Jennie. We are
out shooting. Stuart shoots two squirrels. I only
Roy’s uncle, James Fleming, owns a
music store in Owen Sound. James
lives across the road at Forest
Lawn Farm, North half of Lot 9,
2
There is a sample of the high school entrance exams he wrote in 1892 at the beginning of the diary.
3
Arksey, Laura. Colville – Thumbnail History, HistoryLink.org (2010)
http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=9266
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
8
Date Entry Comment
shoot at marks. Concession 6. He also owns Lot 8
Concession 9.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
9
February
Date Entry Comment
Sunday 1 I write a post card to Aunt Jennie. I go to Sunday
School. Ruth and Annie stay to a meeting and they
go over to Kinchen’s with Allan. Uncle John is our
S.S. teacher to-day.
Uncle John is Charles’ older
brother. He lives at Ivy Hill, North ½
Lot 10 Concession 6.
Monday 2 I go to school. I get a post card from Auntie Finch in
night mail. I write to Mamma. I write to Auntie
Finch but date it for tomorrow.
Tuesday 3 I get a letter from Aunt Jennie in morning mail.
Ruth doesn’t go to school but Stuart and I go.
Harvey goes up to Uncle John’s with a book of
Maggie Kinchen’s named “The King’s Daughter”.
“The King’s Daughter” was a story
for young people about the value
of temperance. Isabella Alden
wrote this in 1873 under the pen
name of Pansy. Her books were
enormously popular in the late
1880s.
Wednesday 4 Very cold to-day. Ruth does not go to school. We
get a letter from Aunt Jennie telling us that
Mamma is not so well. I get a catalogue of magic
lanterns in night mail.
Thursday 5 We do not get any word from Aunt Jennie. Pretty
cold. Stormy in morning. No girls at school. I get a
catalogue of skates. Stuart and I make a set of
“authors”. Auntie Margaret’s sister died.
Auntie Margaret is Margaret
(Robertson) Fleming, John’s wife.
When the weather is very bad girls
stay at home and the boys go to
school
Friday 6 There is a ventriloquist up in the 9th
school but I
don’t go up there. I go to the Literary Society at
night. Get home at about 20 mins to ten o’clock.
Very mild in afternoon.
Saturday 7 Stuart and Harvey go to town. I make doughnuts in
the afternoon.
Sunday 8 I go to Sunday School. There is a collection at
Sunday School again. Snowing quite a bit.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
10
Monday 9 I write to Mrs. J. M. Ray. I do not go to school till
intermission as I couldn’t find my cap. I write a card
to Bella Sinclair, Blenheim and send a sub to the
Globe. Jake Fleming starts going to school.
There was an Isabella (Bella)
Sinclair who lived with her parents
and siblings in Blenheim, Kent
County. At age 34 she was
considerably older than Roy.
Perhaps she was related to Alex
Sinclair, a classmate of Roy’s .
Jake Fleming – unable to identify
this Fleming.
Tuesday 10 I get another letter from Mrs. Ray. I go to school.
Wednesday
11
Very cold in morning. Stuart and I go to school.
Thursday 12 Middling warm to-day. I go to school. Ruth starts
going.
Friday 13 There is a concert at school. Stuart read a piece
and several recitations are recited. We make spiles
at night.
Spiles –small wooden peg or spigot
for stopping a cask.
Saturday 14 Harvey and I go to Town. We get a barrel of coal
oil. Tom Moore rides out with us. There is two
registered letters come for Aunt Jennie. We get a
post card in the morning mail from Aunt Jennie.
Tom Moore – neighbour at Lot 10,
Concession 9
Sunday 15 I go to Sunday School. Percy Kinchen comes with
me from Sunday School and stays the afternoon.
Mr. Lister preaches on “Believing the Gospel”.
Thawing. Pretty near all the snow goes.
Monday 16 I go to school. I skate over to the store with Pa’s
supper. There is some drunk fellows at the hotel
and they pretty near run into a cutter.
Tuesday 17 Ruth does not go to school as it is rather stormy.
There is a Tory meeting in the town hall. Harvey
and Stuart and I go to it. Mr Masson was for Con.
and Mr. Cochrane for Reform side.
James Masson of Owen Sound was
elected the member of parliament
for North Grey in 1887 and
reelected in 1891.
Mr. Cochrane may have been Jas.
Cochrane who owned the north
half of Lot 7 Concession 7 . James
Cochrane was on the County
Council representing Derby in 1891
and 1892. 4
4
Marsh, E.L. A History of the County of Grey (1931) pg 480
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
11
Wednesday
18
Ruth, Annie and I get a letter from Aunt Jennie. I go
to school. Ruth does not go.
Thursday 19 A post card comes in the morning mail from Aunt
Jennie saying that Uncle Fred had to come to Battle
Creek. Stuart and I go to school. Ruth does not.
Stuart and I go down to skate but ice is no good.
Uncle Fred is Fred Read who was
married to Lyda’s sister Annie. It is
believed that he financed Lyda’s
medical care at Battle Creek. Annie
had died in 1885.
Friday 20 Raining to-day a little. We do not get any word
from Aunt Jennie. I write to Aunt Jennie.
Saturday 21 Stuart and Harvey go to town. We get two letters
from Aunt Jennie.
Sunday 22 I go to Sunday School. I do not go to Church at
night but Stuart does.
Monday 23 Stuart and I go to school. Skating at night.
Tuesday 24 I skate to school. Not very good skating at school.
Pa gets a letter from Aunt Jennie. Raining hard in
evening . Ruth goes to school.
Wednesday
25
Stuart and I go to school.
Thursday 26 Ruth does not go to school.
Friday 27 I get a post card from Mrs. J.M. Ray and a letter
from Aunt Jennie. I address “The Advertiser” to
Aunt Jennie. Ruth does not go to school.
Saturday 28 None of us go to town. Stuart bakes doughnuts. I
send away for sample of Colongue.
Cologne?
March
Date Entry Comments
Sunday 1 I go to Sunday School and meeting. I then go oer to
Kinchens
Monday 2 Stuart and I go to school. We do not get any word
from Aunt Jennie
Tuesday 3 Stuart and I go to school.
Wednesday
4
Harvey goes to town with some butter.
Thursday 5 Stuart and Pa get into a rough over a few frozen
turnips. Stuart does not go to school. Stuart and
There has been no word about
Lyda’s health or anything else from
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
12
Date Entry Comments
Harvey go to town. The elections are to-day for
Dominion House of Commons. Horsey has a majority
in Kilsyth of 15 and on 9th
14. I send a sub to the
Mail. No word from Battle Creek.
Aunt Jennie since 27th
of February.
Friday 6 We get a post card from Aunt Jennie in morning mail
and one in evening. I hear that Masson is in with 286
about, and Sir John A by 44 members.
General election was on March 5.
Mr James Masson, a liberal-
conservative was elected as
Member of Parliament with 2,511
votes as opposed to the Liberal
candidate, Dr. E. H. Horsey’s 2,274. 5
Short account of the election at
Wikipedia
Saturday 7 Harvey and Stuart go to town and sell the butter and
eggs. Annie and I go with a’s dinner. Pa and I tap an
oil barrel.
Sunday 8 We go to Sunday School. Harvey and I go to Church
at night.
Monday 9 We get a post card from Aunt Jennie. I address a
paper to Aunt Jennie. I write to Auntie Finch.
Tuesday 10 Harvey and Annie go to town. Annie stays at
Spencers. They get their dinner there. Harvey brings
me a couple of shorthand books.
Wednesday
11
We go to school. The sap would run to-day but we
do not tap yet.
Thursday
12
Stuart and I do not go to school. Harvey and Stuart
go to town and bring out milk cans for to hold the
sap. I get a letter from Mrs. Ray. We get a couple of
cards from Battle Creek. Uncle James comes out of
town with a telegram saying “Meet Mrs Fleming’s
remains at Tara at 11 PM tomorrow, Friday”.
Roy’s handwriting is different for
this entry – more like his adult hand.
He might have written it when he
was older.
5
The Canadian Parliamentary Companion for 1891 has the results.
https://books.google.ca/books?id=qGItAQAAMAAJ
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
13
Date Entry Comments
Friday 13 Uncles James and I are in the store. Pa, Harvey,
Uncle Agnew and Jake Fleming go out to meet Aunt
Jennie. I write to Mrs. Ray.
Someone must look after the store
in spite of the tragedy. Uncle James
takes over, with Roy to help him.
Someone must be looking after
Ruth and Annie but Roy does not
tell us who. Uncle Agnew is James
Agnew, husband to Jessie. Jennie is
with the body of Lyda arriving by
train in Tara.
Saturday
14
Uncle James and I are in the store another day. They
come home with Aunt Jennie and the remains of
dear Mamma. Terrible storms for last two days.
Sunday 15 Several call to see Mamma. None of us go to the
Church in the morning. Mr Lister and Cousin Christie
came but there is no meeting in the church. Still
storming.
Lyda’s body has probably been laid
out in the house. Cousin Christie
could be a relative of Lyda’s
mother’s second husband, John
Christie. Mr. Lister is the minister of
the Church of Christs Disciples in
Kilsyth.
Monday 16 The storm still continues. Cousin Allie comes. Pa and
Aunt Jessie goes to town. Uncle James and I are still
in the store.
Don’t know Cousin Allie.
Tuesday 17 Uncle James and I are in the store. Uncle James goes
into town tonight. Funeral to-day.
Wednesday
18
Pa and I are in the store.
Thursday
19
Pa and I are in the store again. Stuart and Harvey go
to town. Sun is shining beautifully.
Friday 20 Pa and I are in the store in forenoon but Stuart and I
cut down a couple of trees in afternoon.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
14
Date Entry Comments
Saturday
21
Harvey and I go to town with four baskets of butter
and some eggs. We had to bring back one of the
baskets of butter
These items are sold in Owen Sound
to buy groceries or else are traded
for whatever is needed.
Sunday 22 I go to Sunday School. Most of us go to Church at
night.
Monday 23 I start going to school again. Stuart and Harvey saw
some trees in the bush.
Tuesday 24 I stay home from school to-day. We are down in the
bush boiling sap in a small kettle.
Wednesday
25
I do not go to school. The second class and third
class have their examinations to-day and yesterday.
Aunt Jennie and I go up to Waddell’s to see Mrs
Crawford. I go over to Uncle Donald’s with cutter to
take Cousin Allie over.
Waddells own Lots 9 in Concessions
9 and 10.
Thursday
26
We are down in bush. Stuart and I build a wigwam to
stay in.
Friday 27 I go to a concert tonight held by the literary society.
We hear that Albert E.C. Fleming gets two of his
fingers taken off.
Albert Edwin Fleming is son of John
and Margaret Fleming. Often
referred to as A.E.
Saturday
28
Harvey and I go to town with butter and eggs
Sunday 29 I go to Sunday School and evening meeting as usual.
This is Easter Sunday.
Monday 30 Mr Wyce comes with vinegar for store and I have to
go over with him to the store. We are down boiling
sap again in the bush. Easter Monday.
Tuesday 31 I get a very nice letter from Mrs. Ray asking me to
send notice of Mamma’s death to her sister Mrs.
Walter Woods, Hood River, Wasco Co. Oregon and
enclosed a dime. First day of teacher’s convention.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
15
April
Date Entry Comments
Wednesday 1 It rains to-day. We boil some of the sap. I write to
Mrs. Ray. I send a notice and a paper to Mrs. W.
Woods. Second day of teacher’s convention.
Thursday 2 I go to school to-day. Nothing particular at school. I
get some chess and authors from U.S. Card Co.
Friday 3 I do not go to school to-day. Aunt Jennie and I post
books. Snowing. Aunt Jennie gets a letter from
Aunt Belle.
Aunt Belle is Lyda’s sister, Belle
(Warren) Hammond.
Jennie and Roy are posting the
account books for the store.
Saturday 4 Pretty warm. Nothing in particular.
Sunday 5 I go to Sunday School. I do not go to night meeting.
Monday 6 I start school again. I hear that Mullan’s are going
away tomorrow. There address is 216 Seaton St
Toronto. I get this address from Jim Mullan.
Jim Mullan (or Mullen) was a
school mate of Roy’s. His parents
were Elias and Maria.
Tuesday 7 We play “Sheeps House” at School. “Isles of
Greece” is our lesson at school.
Sheeps house is probably a game.
Isles of Greece is a poem by Lord
Byron from the High School
Reader.
Wednesday 8 I go to school.
Thursday 9 Jack Horning brings the football and we have a
game at school.
Jack was a school mate. Hornings
were a family of Mennonites living
in Derby.6
Friday 10 It rains a little to-day. We play football at last
intermission only.
Saturday 11 Harvey and I go to town. I take a small jar of syrup
to Mrs Spencer. We get soaking wet coming out
because it rains so hard.
Sunday 12 I do not go to Sunday School. I go to morning
meeting but not to night meeting.
Monday 13 Jack Horning forgets the football and 2 of the boys
go home to Corning’s (?) for it.
Tuesday 14 We have to say all of the “Isles of Greece” to-day.
6
Year: 1891; Census Place: Derby, Grey North, Ontario; Roll: T-6338; Family No: 26
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
16
Date Entry Comments
Wednesday
15
I go to school.
Thursday 16 The boys and Pa take most of the potatoes out of
the pit.
Friday 17 I go to school. Nothing in particular.
Saturday 18 Pa and I go to town. Meg is hitched up first time
single and we take her.
Meg is the horse.
Sunday 19 I go to Sunday school and to night meeting. Mr.
Lister preaches on “time”.
Monday 20 Ruth and I go to school.
Tuesday 21 Ruth and I go to school. We have “Go where glory
takes thee” for our lesson at school.
Poem by Thomas Moore.
Wednesday
22
Our spring show is to-day. We get out of school at
3 o’clock in the afternoon.
Thursday 23 We go to school. I go to the store at night.
Friday 24 We go to school. Pa and I are in the store at night.
Saturday 25 Stuart and I plant our first onions out in front of
the house.
Sunday 26 I go to Sunday school
Monday 27 Ruth and I go to school.
Tuesday 28 I get a letter from Mrs J.M. Ray, Colville Wash. In it
she said that if Mrs Woods did not write me that it
was for the same reason as Mamma once wrote to
her “my cares are many and my body not strong”
Wednesday
29
We go to school as usual. No person has a ball at
school so we cannot play.
Thursday 30 Ruth and I go to school.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
17
May
Date Entry Comments
Friday 1 Today is arbor day at school. Ruth goes to school
but Stuart and I go fishing at Coulters. We catch
two trout when a man turns us off and said that
the streams were rented.
Arbor Day was first observed in
Nebraska in 1872. J Sterling
Morton proposed it as a day for
planting trees and recognizing the
importance of trees. The idea
spread through the States and was
adopted in US schools in 1882. 7
Shortly after, in 1885, Sir George
William Ross, Ontario’s minister of
education , introduced Arbor Day
to engage children in planting
trees.8
Coulters farm lot 10 concession 4
Saturday 2 The new minister (Presbyterian) came to-day and
stays at Agnew. W.A. McLean.
Sunday 3 I go to Sunday School, morning meeting and night
meeting. Mr. Lister has a big white horse.
Monday 4 We got to school. Douglas gives me a great lecture
about staying home from school on arbor day.
Tuesday 5 Ruth and I go to school. It is rather cold weather
to-day.
Wednesday 6 Ruth and I go to school as usual. I write to Mrs.
Ray.
Thursday 7 I go to school. We have “My Kate” as our High
School reader lesson.
My Kate is a poem by Elizabeth
Barrett Browning.
Friday 8 Ruth does not go to school to-day. She is not very
well. Mr. Douglas sends for the football for us to
Berlin Ont.
Perhaps Mr Douglass feels sorry for
the students and buys them a
football.
Berlin was renamed Kitchener in
1916.
Saturday 9 I have to scrub the floor to-day and Stuart borrows
part of the time and I for a while too. Everything
breaks on us pretty near.
7
The History of Arbor Day, n.d. Available from Arbor Day Foundation.
https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/history.cfm
8
Burley, David G. Ross, Sir George William. Dictionary of Canadian Biography (n.d.)
http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/ross_george_william_14E.html,
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
18
Date Entry Comments
Sunday 10 I go to Sunday School as usual. Raining a little to-
day. We go to night meeting.
Monday 11 Our Sunday School annual meeting was held
tonight. Picnic to be on June 16 at Doyle’s Grove
etc. etc.
Tuesday 12 One of the gold fillings comes out of my tooth. We
go to school. I have had a bad cold lately. A very
nice day to-day.
Wednesday
13
The football comes tonight.
Thursday 14 I do not go to school because my cold is so bad. We
harrow and fix fences in fore noon.
To harrow is to drag an implement
with tines over plowed fields to
break up clumps. The metal frame
set is called a harrow.
Friday 15 I go to school as usual.
Saturday 16 Stuart and Harvey go to town. Jno A. Horning rides
out with them.
Jno is short for John (aka Jack).
Sunday 17 I go to Sunday School to-day. I do not go to night
meeting because I do not get work done in time.
Monday 18 We start going through geography again.
Tuesday 19 I do not know my verse (Horatius) very well. Horatius is a poem by Lord
Macaulay
Wednesday
20
Douglass told us to stay in recess for not know our
Temperence but we don’t stay in. The Youth’s
Companions came tonight. We sent away for them
a while ago.
Youth’s Companion – an illustrated
weekly newspaper from the US.
Thursday 21 We have Horatius again to-day. I know a little
better than on Tuesday (19th
). We commence
studying Botany to-day.
Friday 22 Ruth and I go to school. We get mad at Jack
Horning for not playing football fairly.
Saturday 23 Aunt Jennie and Harvey go to town. Stuart fixes the
wagon box. I am in the store most of the time.
Sunday 24 I go to Sunday School and night meeting as usual.
Harvey goes into town with Mr Lister. Queen is 72
years old.
Queen Victoria was born May 24,
1819. Information about her age
was written into the diary later.
Monday 25 Stuart and I go to town. We get a ride in with Uncle
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
19
Date Entry Comments
James part of the way. It is the Queen’s birthday.
We have quite a time.
Tuesday 26 I do not know my verse again to-day.
Wednesday
27
I study my lesson tonight.
Thursday 28 I know my verse pretty well to-day.
Friday 29 We go to school. We play football.
Saturday 30 Stuart and I plough in the fore noon. Aunt Jennie
and Stuart have a sort of a rough. I have to scrub.
We plant onions
Sunday 31 I go to Sunday school. They make 2 classes of our
class. Christina is our teacher now. Peter Rodgers
died this morning at 6:55 am
Christina is daughter of Donald
Fleming – first cousin to Roy. Peter
Rodgers might be Peter Rogers
farmer and hotel keeper on lot 9
concession 7.
June
Date Entry Comments
Monday 1 Only one half days school to-day. Peter Rodgers’
funeral is in afternoon. Aunt Jennie and I are in the
store in afternoon.
Tuesday 2 Raining a little to-day. They are talking about going
to the June meeting.
Wednesday 3 Aunt Jennie and Stuart go to Rockford in the
morning to catch the 6 o’clock train. They are just
in time to be too late. They go on the afternoon
train.
Rockford is a village about 3 miles
east of Kilsyth with a train station.
They were going to Toronto on the
Toronto Grey and Bruce Railway.
Thursday 4 I go to school. I know my poetry in a kind of a way.
I write to Auntie Finch. Annie starts going to
school.
Friday 5 Annie goes to school to-day.
Saturday 6 Harvey and I go to town to-day. I got my picture
taken at Ingleharts. Sir Jno A. McDonald died
tonight at 10:15 pm.
Having photo cards was popular in
the day. Roy later sends the photo
to family and friends. (See entry for
29 June)
Sir John A McDonald had just been
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
20
Date Entry Comments
reelected. His death was a terrible
shock to all.
Sunday 7 I go to Sunday school and meeting. Pa, the two
little girls and I go up to Uncle Alexander’s.
Two girls are Ruth and Annie.
Alexander, Charles’ brother, lives
at lot 6 East ½ Concession 9.
Monday 8 All three of us go to school to-day.
Tuesday 9 Jack Horning and I have to copy out some
questions and answers out of a paper Mr. Douglass
gave us.
Wednesday
10
Stuart comes home to-day from Toronto. I get a
letter from Mrs. Ray with some flower seeds to
plant on dear Mamma’s grave.
Thursday 11 Ruth and I go to school. I draw a map of
Washington tonight for Mrs. Ray. She asked me to
in her letter. Sir Jno A. McDonald was buried to-
day.
Friday 12 We go to school to-day as usually. We play
football. Jack Horning, Jim Fenton, and I play the
rest. Stuart and Harvey go to town. I plant the
seeds in a bed and in a small pitcher (the ones that
Mrs. Ray sent me to plant on Mamma’s grave). I
intend to transplant them after they grow.
Saturday 13 I am in the store to-day pricing the new dry goods.
Sunday 15 I go to Church in the morning and Sunday school
too. It has been very warm lately. Uncle Donald
said Mr. Lister had gone to the Island. I go down to
the other Church.
Other church is Presbyterian.
Monday 16 My photos come in to-night’s mail.
Tuesday 16 I mail a photo to Mrs. Ray this morning. Our picnic
is to-day. We have a fine time at Doyle’s Grove
boating.
Doyle’s Grove might have been in
Shallow Lake where Richard Judson
Doyle developed The Owen Sound
Portland Cement Company. As a
member of the Disciples of Christ
Church and a publically-minded
person he might have permitted
boating on the small lake on his
property .9
9
Doyle, Richard Judson. Grey County Luminaries, Grey Roots Museum.
http://www.greyroots.com/exhibitions/virtual-exhibits/grey-county-luminaries/doyle-richard-judson/
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
21
Date Entry Comments
Wednesday
17
I find the first two ripe strawberries tonight. I mail
one of my photos. Hannah Linn died this morning
at 10 am. Raining a little to-day. I write Aunt Belle
and Uncle Harry. Send Uncle Harry my photo.
Hannah Linn, daughter of Robert
Linn and Margaret Agnew, died at
the young age of 26. They lived
across the road in Concession 5.
Aunt Belle is Belle Hammond,
Lyda’s sister. In 1880 she and her
husband Thomas were living in
Forsythe, Dakota according to the
US Census.
Harry Warren, a brother of Lyla,
lived with his wife Emma Shears
and family in Trenton, ON in 1891.
Thursday 18 I go to school. Mr. Douglass is pretty easy with me
now. Aunt Jessie went to town to see about a trunk
of hers that cousin Jennie Agnew sent her.
Cousin Jennie is daughter of Jessie
(Fleming) Agnew.
Friday 19 Hannah Linn’s funeral is to-day. We three boys go
to it but not to cemetery. It rains a little. The stage
driver brings Aunt Jessie’s trunk out. No school to-
day.
There were daily stages from
Kilsyth to Tara and Owen Sound.
Saturday 20 I have to take the saw over to Alex Fleming Jr this
afternoon. I am in the store in the afternoon. Ruth
and Annie get a string of beads tonight.
Alex Fleming Jr (b. 1832) the son of
Alexander Fleming (b. 1858) who
farms Lot 6 East ½ Concession 9.
Alex Jr’s grandfather was
Alexander Fleming (b. 1799).
Sunday 21 I go to Sunday school and morning meeting. I find
out that Mr. Lister did not go to the Island. We go
to the Presbyterian Church tonight.
Likely the island Lister did not go to
was Manitoulin
Monday 22 I write to Mrs. Ray and I send her a map of
Washington that I drew.
Tuesday 23 I send for the answer to a square problem
advertised in the Globe. We have dictation tonight.
Wednesday
24
I go to school. Alex Sinclair and Jno Horning won’t
let me see the answer book that Alexander
brought to school. Statue Labour
Alex Sinclair was a friend who lived
South ½ Lot 8 Concession 7.
Probably was referring to Statute
Labor – residents were required to
contribute hours of labour to the
township for upkeep of the roads.
This was abolished in 1904.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
22
Date Entry Comments
Thursday 25 I go to school. Ask Mr. Douglass about a picnic and
he says he cannot go. Statue Labor is to-day again.
Prayer meeting at Kinchen’s. Stuart goes.
Friday 26 I receive a letter from cousin Maud in tonight’s
mail. No school from 2:30 pm ‘till Monday. Stuart
and Harvey to town to-day. Answer to the square
problem same tonight.
Maud Read, daughter of Annie
Warren Read, Lyda’s sister. Maud,
born in 1866, is 25 years old and
married to R.P. Bronson – they
might be living in Los Altos Ca. USA
Saturday 27 Pa and I are in the store. I send a letter to Aunt
Jennie to order some boots. I send $18.51 to
Brayley Sons and Co for medicine. We play football
tonight.
Jennie must be away. Purchase of
medicine was probably stock for
the store. Otherwise would be vast
amount for private purchase.
Brayley, Sons & Co was a wholesale
drug company in Montreal. They
also produced a medical almanac.10
Sunday 28 Cousin Maud’s baby is 2 years old to-day. Mr.
Robertson preached in Disciples Church tonight.
Two children were Lida and Annie.
Monday 29 Receive a post card from Auntie Finch telling me
that she got my photo and thanking me for it. We
get a telegram to meet Aunt Jennie at Rockford.
Tuesday 30 This is the last day of school for a while. Aunt
Jennie comes home to-day. Aunt Jessie went to
meet her at the station.
July
Date Entry Comments
Wednesday 1 I am at home mostly to-day doing chores. We clean
out Aunt Jennie’s cellar.
Thursday 2 I get a letter from Uncle Harry telling me about his
garden and thanking me for sending him my photo.
Friday 3 Working in the store to-day helping Pa. I hear that
Florence Fleming has gone out of her mind. They
read it in the Times. Fixing stove pipes at Aunt
Jennie’s house.
Florence, daughter of Donald, was
admitted to the Asylum for the
Insane, Toronto –age 28 – in 1891,
following her mother Esther who
was admitted in 1879.
10
Advertisement for Brayley, Sons and Co is seen at http://bouteillesduquebec.ca/publicites/brayley_sons.htm, a
page of the website for Antique Quebec Medicine Bottles.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
23
Date Entry Comments
Jennie’s house was the original
family homestead (called
Springfield ) and was close to
Charles’ house. Jennie more or less
lived at Charles’s to help with
managing the home and children.
Saturday 4 Harvey and Pa go to town. Aunt Jennie and I are in
the store. Council meets to-day. Cold to-day.
Sunday 5 Mr. Lister preaches in Disciples Church tonight.
Kate Donald is our teacher in Sunday School. Pa
takes Mr. Lister in tonight because he walked out.
Kate Donald is a sister of Margaret
Ellen Donald who married
Christopher A. Fleming – another
cousin of Roy’s. The Donalds were
neighbours to the Flemings. Kate
married Archie “A E” Trout.
Likely Charles drove Lister back to
Owen Sound.
Monday 6 We are hauling rails and fixing the fences this
afternoon. Not very warm yet. Bills came out for a
concert for 7th
and 8th
tomorrow and the next
night.
Tuesday 7 We send away three registered letters this
morning. No concert tonight. The fellows don’t
come at all to start it.
Wednesday 8 Stuart and I fix fences in the afternoon; also
hauling wood from flats.
Thursday 9 We are stuffing the potatoes in afternoon.
Friday 10 Working at turnips to-day. Pretty hot.
Saturday 11 Working at the turnips again. The horses get away
but we catch them in front of Burrs.
Sunday 12 Mr Kinchin is our teacher to-day at Sunday School.
Monday 13 Write to cousin Maud and Uncle Harry. Jno Black Jr
mows today.
Tuesday 14 Cecelia Brown (Melissa’s baby) died tonight at 8:30
pm.
Melissa, a first cousin, is daughter
to John Fleming – and married to
Samuel Horton Brown. Cecilia, the
baby born July 22, 1889 was not
quite two.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
24
Date Entry Comments
Wednesday
15
Raining to-day
Thursday 16 Funeral to-day of Cecelia Brown. They will not let
any of us go to it.
Friday 17 I go over to Jno Black Jr’s on Meg to see if he is
going to mow. Hauling in to-day. Jennie B Fleming
comes from Belleville.
Hauling the hay.
Jennie B. Fleming is the 23-year old
daughter of James Fleming in
Belleville and granddaughter of
John Fleming, Alexander Fleming’s
brother who settled in Hastings
County.
Saturday 18 Working at the hay again to-day. Harvey goes to
Uncle John’s to see Miss Jennie B. Fleming.
Sunday 19 I go to all the meetings at our Church to-day.
Monday 20 Miss Jennie B. Fleming and Vicky came down to-
day. Melville MacIntyre came down to play with
me. Mrs. Grieve gave birth to twin babes.
Melville McIntyre was about 11,
son of Roy’s first cousin Mary Jane
Fleming (John’s daughter) who
married Archibald McIntyre. They
lived in Owen Sound.
Mrs Grieve –Frances Chisholm who
was married to James Simpson
Grieve gave birth to twins
Catherine Chisholm and Isabella
Somerville on July 20 [Ancestry.ca
– Ontario, Canada Births, 1869-
1913)
Tuesday 21 Stuart and I put Paris green on the potatoes. I got
a letter from Mrs. Ray, Colville, thanking me for the
photos etc.
Paris green (copper acetoarsenite)
was a combination of copper and
arsenic diluted with water to
control the potato beetle. This
early pesticide was adopted by
farmers in the 1860s.
Wednesday
22
I rake hay with Jess. Starts to rain to-day but only a
few drops
Jess – unknown
Thursday 23 Still at the hay. Nothing new.
Friday 24 We have finished our hay to-day – all except a little
to cut with the scythe.
Saturday 25 Stuart and I go picking berries for the first time this Likely raspberries – picked on
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
25
Date Entry Comments
year at Agnew’s old place. James Agnew’s old farm, which
was on the west half of lots 7 and 8
Conc..6. James and Jesse Agnew
had moved into Kilsyth.
Sunday 26 Minnie Fleming is our teacher. We decide to start
Mission Band again.
Minnie is Minerva – 23-year-old
daughter of James.
Monday 27 We three boys go picking berries at Kinchens
Tuesday 28 Our mission band meets to-day at 3 pm. I am
elected as secretary.
Wednesday
29
Hoeing at the turnips to-day for a while.
Thursday 30 I wash a lot of handkerchiefs, collars etc to-day.
Friday 31 There is a frost in some places on the ground this
morning.
August
Date Entry Comments
Saturday 1 We are cutting and binding he wheat to-day. I am
in the store this afternoon. Council meets to-day.
Sunday 2 Aunt Jennie, Ruth, Annie and I go for a drive to
Inglis Falls
Inglis Falls is just 7 km from Kilsyth.
Sydenham river drops 18 metres
over the Niagara Escarpment.
Monday 3 We are cutting and binding the wheat yet in the
old orchard.
Tuesday 4 Stuart and I get a calve from Uncle Agnew’s .
Working at turnips.
Wednesday 5 I find out that my pet lamb “Towney” is going to
have small horns. Harvey goes over to Uncle James
to see Jennie B. Fleming. I write an essay on China
tonight, late.
Thursday 6 I write to Mrs. Ray to-day. I get some stamps from
J.D. Nichols Box 35, Berwick, N.S. Jennie B. Fleming
and Mary were over tonight.
Mary, a cousin, daughter of James
Fleming and Grace Robertson .
Friday 7 I write to Jim Mullan.
Saturday 8 Rains very heavily all to-day. Mr. Lediard comes out
to-day but scarcely any mission band. The Desboro
Mr. Lediard is Disciple’s Church
Minister.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
26
Date Entry Comments
football team comes down to play Kilsyth but they
do not play as it is too wet. Get soaking wet coming
home in the buggy at night.
Desboro is near Chatsworth in Grey
County.
Sunday 9 Raining so heavily that there is no Sunday school
nor morning meeting. Mr Lister for a wonder does
not come and as it rained in there heavier I
suppose.
Monday 10 I get a letter from Jim Mullan tonight. Miss Jennie
B. Fleming and Harvey and some others were at
Agnews tonight. Aunt Jennie and I are in the store
to-day.
Tuesday 11 Pa and I are in the store. Pa is forever complaining
at me.
Wednesday
12
In the store yet.
Thursday 13 Still monkeying around the store.
Friday 14 Mr Douglass, wife and children came home this
evening.
Saturday 15 Aggie Kennedy and Miss Dunn are at the store this
evening. Our mission band met to-day. I read an
essay on China. Football practice tonight.
Sunday 16 I go to Sunday school. I get a library book, “The
King’s Daughter”. Mr Brown came out with Mr.
Lister in the evening.
The King’s Daughter by Pansy –
published in Boston 1873. Young
person’s book. Mentioned on Feb 3
also.
Monday 17 The first day of school is to-day. Alex Sinclair and I
are the only ones in the high school class. I write to
Jim Mullan.
Tuesday 18 Jacob Wice and Harvey Linn come over to the
school and Jacob and Sam White have a kind or a
row.
Wednesday
19
Johnny Mundle and Letisha Fenton got married at
Chatsworth to-day.
Thursday 20 Stuart and I have to catch Duff after night. Duff – probably the other horse.
Friday 21 The Presbyterian church Sunday school have their
picnic in out bush. Uncle Agnew and I go to look for
his cow. School in fore noon only.
Saturday 22 I pull the first peas I ever pulled in my life. Pretty
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
27
Date Entry Comments
busy in the evening in the store.
Sunday 23 Melville McIntyre was out at Uncle John’s to-day.
Was late for Sunday School. Mr. Lister brought a
watermelon for Aunt Jennie.
Monday 24 I find out that Jack Horning isn’t coming back to
Public School any more.
Tuesday 25 Alfred Reid and I go down to Hilt’s for the football.
We arrange sides and neither side wins a game at
noon. Our side gets one game at intermissions.
Wednesday
26
I come home this afternoon to help take in the
pease
Thursday 27 I stay home all day to take in pease. Starts to rain
about noon. Ruth is 9 years old to-day.
Friday 28 I go to school to-day. Wet to-day but no rain. We
do not play football.
Saturday 29 Mission Band met to-day. Ruth recited a small
piece. Mrs Willie Wardell gave birth to a girl baby
at 12 o’clock to-day noon.
Mrs Willie Wardell - unknown
Sunday 30 Whyte Bro were singing in the other church to-day.
Small meeting at Disc Ch. Mr Lister’s daughter and
baby comes out but not meeting at night as it was
given out there would be none.
“Other” church is Presbyterian
Monday 31 Jennie Fleming was over tonight with some apples
for Aunt Jennie. I get some stamps from R.J.D.
Nichols, Berwick N.S. Box 35. High School opened
to-day. Jack Horning and Melville McIntyre start
going.
High School is the Owen Sound
Collegiate Institute. Roy began
high school in 1892 and probably
boarded with a relative.
[Handwriting changes from the
small, clear, right-slanted script to
much larger script with mix of
vertical and right slant. Some of
this may have been added by Roy
in later years.]
September
Date Entry Comments
Tuesday 1 We have Abigail Beckett for our lesson to-day. I
come home this afternoon to help at pease. Whyte
Abigail Beckett - unknown
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
28
Date Entry Comments
Bro. sing at Presbyterian Church in the concert.
Annie is 6 years old to-day.
Wednesday 2 I stay at home again to-day to pull pease. Stuart
and I make a cake and eat it when Aunt Jennie and
Aunt Jessie were out for a drive. It rains in
afternoon.
Thursday 3 Aunt Jennie and Aunt Jessie were at town to-day. It
rains again. Home from school.
Friday 4 We are pulling pease with the horse rake again.
Saturday 5 We haul one load of pease in in the afternoon.
Rains in afternoon. Council meets. I am over at
store in afternoon.
Sunday 6 Collection in church for Home Missions to-day.
Percy Kinchen comes over from morning meeting
and stays the afternoon. We drive over to English
church near Dormie Sinclair’s school and then to
Inglis Falls.
English Church is on lot 7
concession 3.
Dormie Sinclair –might have been a
brother of Alex and Bella on the
South ½ of Lot 8 Concession 7.
Monday 7 Working to-day at pulling pease and turning them.
I am not going to school to-day.
Tuesday 8 Pa was pretty cross this morning. Very cold.
Wednesday 9 Hauling in pease to-day.
Thursday 10 Mr. Irwin came to-day and took away Towny and
our other lamb. Aunt Jennie and Mrs Herald went
to town to-day. Finished our harvest to-day. The
boys got stuck with the last load.
Either the lambs were sold to Mr.
Irwin, or he will butcher them for
the family.
Mrs Herald is Bella (Finch) Herald,
married to George Herald, and,
daughter of Isabella Fleming (ie
Auntie Finch) and Abraham Finch..
Friday 11 I go to school to-day for the first day this week.
A.Hendrick and J. Little from Trenton call here this
evening and Harvey and they go over to Uncle
James’.
Hendrick and Little – unknown.
Saturday 12 Our Mission Band met to-day. I get “10 novels
complete” in the store that Pa hid. Pa and Harvey
have kind of a racket to-night. Raining in afternoon.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
29
Date Entry Comments
Sunday 13 Pa tells Harvey that he is going to send him away
Monday morning. Stuart went over to Uncle John’s
to-day. I give Harvey a dollar.
Monday 14 I go to school. William Hilts started to school to-
day. Harvey went to Toronto.
Roy is probably referring to the 13
year old William, son of Henry and
Rebecca Hilts.
Tuesday 15 Play football at school to-day.
Wednesday
16
Stuart and I go to town in the wagon and Aunt
Jennie and Annie in the buggy. They do not get a
lunch for us in town and we break into the bread
and sugar.
Thursday 17 We go to school. Mr. Douglass tells us that he
might report our monthly examinations in the
paper. Aunt Jennie gets a letter from Harvey.
Friday 18 We have our examination on History to-day. Hyle
and Flora Beaton and I are the only ones there to
write as it was the last Friday. Albert Fleming gets
home from the Exhibition and brings a letter from
Harvey to Aunt Jennie saying that he got a situation
in a bookstore @ $2 a week. Board $3.
Hyle (or John R.H. Beaton) was 11
and his sister Flora 14. Their
parents were William and Janet
Beaton.
Albert Fleming is Albert Edwin
Charles "AE" son of Roy's uncle
John Fleming and his wife
Margaret Robertson.
Exhibition is the Canadian National
Exhibition in Toronto
Saturday 19 Pa gets a letter from Harvey. Alfred J. Reid came
down this afternoon to play with me. We get some
plums.
Alfred J. Reid - unknown
Sunday 20 Stuart and I got to the Presbyterian Church tonight.
Presbyterian church was in the village of Kilsyth, a
little further west of Disciples Church.
Now Kilsyth United Church
Monday 21 This week is count week in post office. I mail about
½ doz letters for cards etc. Emma Green started
going to school to-day.
Emma Green - unknown
Tuesday 22 We are fooling with Johnny Frankish to-day. Stuart
was in town to-day. Got a 1 cent scribbler for
myself.
Johnny Frankish - unknown
Wednesday Stuart making a scrap book for “Mission Box”
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
30
Date Entry Comments
23 tonight. Got through our work very late.
Thursday 24 I take my stamp album to school to-day.
Friday 25 Examination on Grammar to-day.
Saturday 26 They are fixing the sidewalk to-day. Mission Band
met to-day. Minnie was not there but Mrs Herald
took the lead.
Sunday 27 Mr. W.A. McLean (Presbyterian Church) preaches
his farewell sermon. I go down to hear him.
Monday 28 A detective was at the store tonight and Saturday
night.
Tuesday 29 I get a licken to-day for whispering in school.
Wednesday
30
I go to school. Nothing particular. I go to prayer
meeting tonight and Christian Endevour Society.
Mr. McLean was presented with a purse of about
$35.
Extreme change in handwriting.
October
Date Entry Comments
Thursday 1 I got two demerit marks at school to-day.
Friday 2 Alex Sinclair and I were caught eating an apple in
school. I get some stamps from J.D. Nichols in a
registered letter.
Saturday 3 Stuart and I were fixing the fence by the grove.
Sunday 4 Mr Lediard preached this afternoon at 3 o’clock.
Jennie Robinson was over at our place from Mrs.
Herald. Also P. Kinchen from this place.
Monday 5 Go to school usually.
Tuesday 6 I stay home this forenoon in the store with Aunt
Jennie. The fellows get some cards at school.
Wednesday 7 I go to school. Alex Sinclair is not there to-day.
Stuart and Pa went to town to-day.
Thursday 8 I finish drawing the map of Ontario this morning. I
do not go to school. This is the first day of the show
Show is probably the Kilsyth fall fair
organized by Derby Agricultural
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
31
Date Entry Comments
and I show my map and take the first prize because
mine was the only one there. We also show some
apples. Stuart and I are training Met to-day to be
ready for tomorrow. Very few things at show.
Society.
Friday 9 Second day of show. I write in Town Hall. I only get
3rd
prize. Stuart shows Meg in Dan McCallum’s
buggy. I go to a concert tonight. Jno Ramsay leads
it (same man as last year). I saw the wax figure of
Birchall at show.
McCallums had the farm lot 4
concession 5.
Roy got 3rd
prize for penmanship.
Saturday 10 Stuart and Pa go to town and bring some butter
and eggs to Mr Matthews Steward CPR. Mission
Band today but I can’t go.
Sunday 11 Mr Lediard preaches as usual in the afternoon.
Alfred Reid and I pick beech nuts before church.
Out driving with Aunt Jennie. I write to Mrs. Ray.
Monday 12 Alex Sinclair and I are made to sit apart for me
throwing a piece of paper with Euclid on it to Alex
and he is copying it off when the master catches
him.
Tuesday 13 Harvey came home from Toronto to-day. Jennie
Agnew is sick.
Wednesday
14
Picking beech nuts at noon. Raining in afternoon.
Thursday 15 First day of teacher’s convention in Owen Sound.
No school. Stay in the house in forenoon. Fixing
barn in afternoon.
Friday 16 Second day teacher’s convention. Working at
potatoes. 15 rows done.
Saturday 17 Working at potatoes. Did not get them done.
Warmer to-day than yesterday.
Sunday 18 Go to all the meetings to-day. Out for a drive with
Aunt Jennie.
Monday 19 Raining to-day.
Tuesday 20 I leave my books on a pile of posts this morning
and Douglass sends me for them at about 11 am.
Harvey went in to town to-day to go to College.
Harvey attended the Northern
Business College in Owen Sound
run by C.A. Fleming and may have
boarded with C.A. and his family.
Wednesday -
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
32
Date Entry Comments
21
Thursday 22 I don’t know my poetry “The Bard” at school. Mr
Lee (traveler) was at store to-day and told me he
would give me a $ if I would get him 5 or 6 lbs of
Beech-nuts.
Friday 23 Threshing at our place in afternoon. I went over to
Sinclair’s on Meg to ask Angus. Stay home to-day. A
year ago to-day was the last day I ever saw
Mamma alive.
Angus was a brother of Alex’s.
On this date in 1890 Lyda went to
Marquette Mi. USA to see a
specialist. Her brother-in-law Fred
Read, husband of Lyda’s late sister,
Annie, lived in Marquette. Fred
paid for her medical care at Dr
Kellogg’s sanatorium at Battle
Creek.
Saturday 24 We were threshing until about 10 am. Machine
then goes to Sinclairs. I am 13 years old to-day.
Smaller farms did not have their
own threshing machines. Travelling
threshers would go from farm to
farm with the equipment and
labourers to do the threshing for a
fee.
Sunday 25 Jim Fenton and I picked beech nuts before
afternoon meeting.
Monday 26 Aunt Jennie and Mr Herald went to town to-day. George Herald, married to Bella.
Tuesday 27 Very cold to-day. Alex Sinclair was not at school
yesterday nor to-day.
Wednesday
28
-
Thursday 29 Came home at recess to take up potatoes.
Friday 30 Pa, Stuart, and I went in to town tonight to hear
Crossley and Hunter in Presbyterian Church.
Monthly examination on grammar to-day.
Rev H T Crossley and the Rev John
E Hunter were evangelists from St
Thomas in Southern Ontario.
Saturday 31 Working at turnips in afternoon. I get a letter and a
pair of mitts from Mrs. Ray as a present for my
birthday. Her letter said that she and her husband
were travelling and now they were in San Diego.
Apparently the Rays travelled. Was
this his only present?
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
33
November
Date Entry Comments
Sunday 1 Mr Lediard preached this Sunday in church and
gave us an invitation. I put hymn books in seats in
church. We meet J. A. Horning walking to church.
Monday 2 Mrs Sinclair (mother of Alex, Arch, Ronald etc) died
tonight at 11pm. We start working stocks to-day in
arithmetic
This was Sarah Sinclair, 85, Alex’s
grandmother. She lived in Sullivan
Township.
Tuesday 3 Stuart and I sent five names tonight to the Youth’s
Companion to try to get subscribers and in return
they will send us a book.
Wednesday 4 I am home to-day from school. Stuart and I finish
topping turnips and we haul half of these in.
Thursday 5 That fellow at Redfern’s store “Fred” started off in
middle of last night with some things that he stole
out of Redfern’s store. Mr Redfern and Mr Reid
catch Fred up at Stoddards swamp. Mr Jamison
(Presbyterian Minister) was at school to-day and
gave us a kind of speech for about ½ hr.
Redfern’s store on Poulett St. in
Owen Sound sold meal, stoves, and
ships’ chandlery.
Ad in diary: Redfern & LePan are
direct importers of shelf and heavy
hardware, ship chandlery, stoves
etc etc. Steam, gas and hot water
fitters. Manufacturers of all kinds
of sheet metal ware.
Also a D.R. Redfern – dealer in
general groceries all kinds of fruit
in season. Also fancy goods etc etc.
Friday 6 Examination on arithmetic. I do the whole six
examples.
Saturday 7 Stuart and I cover the turnip pit.
Sunday 8 Percy Kinchen was over to-day. Also Maggie
Kinchen. Mr. Lediard gives an invitation and I came
forward.
The invitation is to be baptized. In
the Disciples church members are
baptized at confirmation. See entry
11 Nov.
Monday 9 Send a letter to Jim Wallace asking him to
subscribe to the Youth’s Companion. Also I send a
letter to W.E. Skinner, coin broker, Boston, asking
him whether he deals in English and Canadian
coins. Stuart and Pa went to Tara with a load of
pease.
Tuesday 10 We have notes on “The Bard” for our high school
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
34
Date Entry Comments
reader lesson. Stuart went to Tara with another
load of pease. Raining to-day.
Wednesday
11
Pa, Stuart and I go to town to Disciple prayer
meeting. Mr Lediard’s son and I are baptized at the
church. Cousin Jennie Agnew started to Rochester
to-day.
Baptism in Disciples Church is by
compete immersion.
Jean Alexandrina Agnew, aka
"Jennie", was almost 30 years old
and perhaps was going there to
work. She later lived in Buffalo.
Thursday 12 To-day is Thanksgiving. Stuart and Percy were out
shooting in Kinchen’s bush. Starts to snow to-day.
Canadian celebrated American
Thanksgiving in November. Date
was changed to October in 1957.
Friday 13 Stuart went to Tara this morning with pease. A lot
of snow this morning.
Saturday 14 Stuart and I went to Tara to-day with more pease.
Got back about dark.
Sunday 15 This is the last Sunday that Mr. Lediard will preach
here.
Monday 16 When I got up this morning I see that the snow is
pretty deep.
Tuesday 17 Still snowing. I do not know my verses “To a
Highland Girl”
By Wm Wordsworth
Wednesday
18
Aunt Jennie drives us to school this morning in the
cutter.
Thursday 19 Aunt Jennie drove us to school again. Do not know
my verses.
Friday 20 I send a letter to Mrs. Ray and one to auntie Finch.
Stuart and I got to the debate in town hall.
Resolved that Burns was greater a poet than Sir
Walter Scott. Negatives beat. Examination on
geography. He gives us our arithmetic. I get 100.
A.S. gets 84
A.S. is Alex Sinclair
Saturday 21 Mission Band met to-day at Uncle James’ house.
Raining and thawing.
Sunday 22 Still raining. Mr Lister preached for us this Sunday.
Monday 23 Norma and I have a scuffle in the mud.
Tuesday 24 Pa and I have to take the potatoes out of the water
in the cellar tonight.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
35
Date Entry Comments
Wednesday
25
Turns cold again.
Thursday 26 Thawing this afternoon.
Friday 27 Examination on grammar to-day. I think I di pretty
well at it. Mr Douglass gave us our history paper. I
get 68 and A.S. gets 86.
Saturday 28 Stuart and I haul out manure to cover the turnip pit
and the rhubarb and flowers.
Sunday 29 Mr. Lister preaches again to-day.
Monday 30 We are skating at school to-day. Pretty good ice.
December
Date Entry Comments
Tuesday 1 Skating again to-day. I know my poetry to-day. Six
pairs of skates there to-day.
Wednesday 2 Still skating at school.
Thursday 3 Thawing to-day. Ruth brings her skates to-day. Five
other pair.
Friday 4 Examination in stocks in arithmetic also two
examples in factoring in algebra.
Saturday 5 No mission band to-day because Minnie was not
home.
Sunday 6 Our mission band met to-day. Fifteen there. Our
mission band will meet on Sunday after this.
Monday 7 Geography on South America to-day.
Tuesday 8 We have “the Raven” to-day as our lesson. By Edgar Allan Poe
Wednesday 9 We were snowballing at school. Walter Ferris got
his eye hurt at school with a snowball. Alex Sinclair
was not at school to-day.
Thursday 10
Friday 11 Examination on geography to-day. I think I did
pretty well. Missed one question entirely.
Saturday 12 Stuart and I are hauling out manure. Get four loads
out.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
36
Date Entry Comments
Sunday 13 I do not stay at morning meeting to-day.
Monday 14
Tuesday 15
Wednesday
16
There was to be practise at Heralds to-night only
one there. Sam and Norman.
Thursday 17
Friday 18 Examination on history to-day. (Geo III reign). Get
some stamps from J.S. Nichols, Berwick, N.S. Go to
the practice tonight at Mrs. Heralds. Sam, Norman
and I are going to sing “Old Mother Slipper
Stopper”
See lyrics and music.
Saturday 19 Stuart and I hauled wood to-day in forenoon and
we train the colt to-day, “Billy”.
Sunday 20 I go to Sunday school and church as usual. Miss
Mary Fulton came out with Mr. Lister. Mission
band met this afternoon.
Monday 21 A daughter of Mr Rodgers (aged 4 years) died early
this morning. Announced in school.
Tuesday 22 Funeral of girl above to-day at 1 pm
Wednesday
23
Thursday 24
Friday 25 The Scottish did not celebrate
Christmas in the 1800s
Saturday 26 Mrs. Lewis Graham gave birth to a daughter about
3 pm this afternoon.
Sunday 27 Went to church to-day as usual. Collection for
Women’s work in …. Write to Mrs Ray, San Diego,
704 Third St – Ca.
Monday 28 Nomination at Town Hall to-day.
For Reeve Jas Cochrane, R.A. Stark, Wm Breen.
For deputy reeve Alex Garvie, Harness.
For Councilllor Lauchlin Beaton, John Henry Moore,
Jno Robertson, R. Henderson, …, Saul Riely
Tuesday 29 Stuart and I haul to line fence.
Wednesday
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
37
Date Entry Comments
30
Thursday 31 Went to prayer meeting at Heralds tonight. Mrs.
Alex Finch came out with C.A. Fleming last tonight.
Harry and I wash some clothes this afternoon.
Mrs Alex Finch was Sophia Emily
De Le Ree who married Alexander
Heanage Finch. A.H. Finch was a
Disciples minister.
�Diary of Roy F. Fleming – transcribed with notes
38
Fleming Family Tree
Isabella (Bell)
“Auntie Finch”
1825-1917
Janet (Jessie)
“Aunt Jessie”
1828-1918
James “Uncle
James” 1830-
1910
John “Uncle
John” 1830-1909
Alexander
“Uncle
Alexander”
1832-1909
Donald “Uncle
Donald” 1834-
1896
William 1837-
1927
Charles 1840-
1910
Jean
“Aunt
Jennie”
1843-
1942
m Abraham
Finch
m James Agnew
“Uncle Agnew”
m Grace
Robertson
m Margaret
Robertson
“Auntie
Margaret”
m Anne Garvie m Esther Flower m Elizabeth
Anne Williams
m Lyda Warren
1842-1891
- Isabella (Bella)
1849-? m George
Herald
“Mrs Herald”
- Jessie 1850-
1873 m James
Hunter Trout
-
- many more
- William
Alexander
- Mary
Evangeline
- John
- George
- Jean (Jennie)
1862-1950
- Simon
- Herbert 1867-
1930
- Milton
- others
- Alexander
Robert
- Jessie
- Jean Stewart
- Robert
Alexander
- Clara Grace
- Margaret
Florence Alberta
- James Alfred
- Minerva
“Minnie” 1868-
1953
- Martha Emma
- Mary Ella
- John William
- Ernest Stewart
- Christopher
Alexander (C.A.)
1857-1945
- Mary Jane
1852-1942 m
Archibald
McIntyre
- Jessie Melissa
1852-1950 m
Samuel Brown
- Anna Isabella
- Victoria (Vickie)
1866-1953
- John William
James
- Albert Edwin
(AE) 1871-1956
- Thomas Alfred
Robertson (TA)
1874-1959
- William
- Alexander
1858-1939
- John
- Joseph
- Albert
- Jessie
- Margaret Jane
- David James
- Bertha
- Ernest
- Florence 1863-
1939
- Sidney A. 1865-
1929
- Christina A.
(Chris) 1867-
1945
-many more
- 5 children - Harvey 1872-?
- Stuart 1877-
1942
- Roy 1878-1958
- Ruth 1882-1971
- Annie – 1885-?
Corrections January 12, 2017
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transcribed