James Cameron Diary, 1871

Title

James Cameron Diary, 1871

Creator

James Cameron

Source

Courtesy of Queen's University Archives

Date

1871

Language

English

Coverage

19th Century, Glengarry County, McMaster's Island Township, Ontario

Date Created

January 1871

Is Part Of

James Cameron Diary Collection

Medium

Scanned Manuscript

Transcription

4 Page of This Leaf

Mr James Cameron plan Jany 20 1871 Some cold went to the Bush came home John Hamilton came to Draw Drew 3 loads took Dinner at Hamiltons turned milder a change in the moon a Great many EEl Fishing spearing A Great many crofsing the ice a circle around the sun Livinca not well

21st A Fine Day went to Sumerston John Drew a Load of Wood to the house a Frenchman here got fire to cook on the ice their EEls took Dinner Lafleshes his name high Wind to night changed to the north A Treat at summerston from Art Baker

Sunday 22nd cold and Windy

23rd very very cold and Frosty

24th Charles Tuppers Birthday a cold Day chopping 2 Beeches in the Bush

25th Went to Art Bakers Bought Flour 100 Tin Kettle A Pair of Boots for Gordon 8 lbs Pork 1 Dozen of Herring 2lb Butter a Bottle of ink Lead pencil took supper at Hamiltons a fine night a circle around the sun to Day seen Andy McArthur at hamiltons Helping Andrew with the Wine

No 5

James Cameron Island Jny 26th 1871 very cold and stormy the cat kicked the Bucket

27th John Hamilton came down with my Flour Pork and Herring Mr Stebbins came with 2 span of horses for the hay John took 2 Loads Blustery weather to Day

28th John Drew 2 loads took a Load of Wood

29th Sunday snowing Began to use the marsh hay of the East mow

30th John Hamilton and William Lavelette and Boy here took 5 loads Isacc Blondeau Married to day

31st Fine Day William Lavelette got some Fine Hay William and his Boy Chopping Went to Summerston Bought of Art Baker 1 lb Tea 2/6 took Dinner at Hamiltons got a Ride Down from Dan Rookey

1st of Feby splitting the Big Beech Logs Gordon and I John took a Load him and Tommy choppin stove Wood

2nd Went to Summerston Bought of A J Baker 10 lbs Pork 1 Doz Herring 2 yds of Cotton 1 Pint HW Pepper 1 Bunch of Matches {illegible} 1 Plug Yole sundries spool Thread the Mill at Hamiltons Mill at Kenneths seen Colquhoun

{second page}

6#

Mr James Cameron Island Feb 3 1871

Fine Day snowing East Wind Wind changed to the West stormy Drifting in the Bush Gordon and I cut Down and chopped a Beech (got a Paper from Dan yesterday)

4th very cold and Frosty North Wind and cold to night

Sunday the 5th Very Frosty and Windy Freezing hard Full Moon this morning but no change only Cold West Wind house Warm But Burning wood

6th very Cold and Frosty cutting Hemlog stove Wood Mr Urquhart the Presbyterian minister Departed in Cornwall

7th not so cold a Fine Day the water Raising some near shore Peter Bosell came with Gordons axe handle I went to the Post Office sent some Papers to Charlie and funeral Card Left 3 papers for Tom Davis got Postage Stamps put on sent a Letter to John got a Letter from him with 5 Dollars in it Registered signed my name to the Post Office Books 1/2 Gallon of oil seen Mr Phillips spoke to him about the Duty of the Gun a Treat at Davids sundries at A J Bakers 10 cents Went over with Walter Colquhoun to George Renshaws stopt at John Hamiltons coming home took supper there John and his Wife in the concefsion seen Mrs Cattanach

ury 7 James Camerson Island

Feb 8 1871

8th Gordon's Birth Day in the Bush chopping stove wood

9th in the Bush Kind of soft went Down to the Sturgeon pland to Look for the Pot we gave to an EEl fisher with Fire in it to keep themselves warm or cook their EEls on the ice his name is Laflesh did not find it

10th Jim Hopkins here and George Grant

11th Went to Art Bakers Bought 2 yds of Calico 18 cents 36" 2 Yds 18 cents 36 Thread Black and White 10 cents cash 3 Quarts of syrup 56 cents Got a Ride Down from I Hamilton he is Drawing a Load of Hay for Tom Kennedy Did not wait for the mail to Day Got a Hooker of Gin from John Hamilton

Sunday 12th Preaching on the Front a change in the moon 3 Quarter East Wind cold some

13 Drawing Wood Went to the Store Bought of A J Baker 1/2 lb Tea 1/3

14th St Valentines Day Bought of AJ Baker Treat 10 cents 1 plug Tobaco 5 cents the Balla{cut off} Tom David here got their John {illegible}

15th Roses got a Load of Marsh hay 1 1/2 Tons got 2 Bags of Potatoes gave Willie Moore Carew and the Story of the Red Fox

{second page}

Mr James Cameron Island

16th Feby 1871 8

Went to Summerstown got a Ride up From John Hamilton Brought the Tin Kettle home to AJ Baker Bought 100 lbs Flour 4 Dollars 9 lbs Pork 1-12 1/2 1 Doz Herrings 25 cents 4 yds Calico at 15 60 cents 1 1/2 Wincey at 10d 25 cents 1 spool 7 cents 6" 22 1/2 Called at John Hamiltons to tell him to take Down my Flour From the store

17th John Hamilton took Down my Flour Bonville and son and Dupee here Fishing EEls Wanting to Buy Hay a Fine Day seen 4 Wild Geese going Down Flying very Low very Early for the Geese to go Down Allen Roys wife at Lancaster Buried to Day

18th James Hughs Birth Day Raining High Wind this Morning Gordon went to Bosells Paid Peggy 10 cents for the Tobacco Got some Tobacco Fixing sticks under the Boat

19th Sunday A Fine Day seen a Man coming Down the River skating crossed over to Brunstons

20th in the Bush cutting a Load of Wood not very well

21st Went to Summerstown thinking of Going to salmon River Bought of AJ Baker 10 cents of Fine salt seen Barney Baker a Treat 20 cents Maggie Summers Poorly had the Doctor from Cornwall got a Ride Down from John Hamilton took Peter's Fanning Mill Down Mr Grimshaw at Hamiltons told William Lavellette to come for Hay Got a about the Eyesight from John James in at Kenneths

ury 9

James Cameron Island

Feb 22nd 1871

Ash Wednesday Washingtons Birthday William Lavellets Wife here for Hay I went to George Bosells for his coat got some Tobacco from George cutting Stove Wood

23rd Went to Hovington Taking up the Remains of old Mr Donald Cameron Carpenter and his Wife taking Them to Lancaster to Be Buried in his Fathers Grave speaking to Mr Ward about a stove Went up to the Grist Mill to Get a Ride home from J Hamilton Wrote a Letter in Congdons to John in N York at Mr Craigs Meeting at Summerston the Minstrels there Got My Book from Mrs Rose Robert Bruce in to see John the Gun to Be sent to John Cameron Fort Covington took James Grants Grist and Andrew Roses Grist home seen Angus at Summers

24th in the Bush Gordon went home with George Bosells coat A Fine Day

25th A Fortunate Day not very well

26th Sunday Begginning to take the ice Down to Lancaster

27th in the Bush went to head of the Island Windy

28th last Day of Feby Dan Cameron and A Cameron Captain here Looking for oak I went to Sumerstown Bought of AJ Baker 17 lbs Pork 1 1/2 Doz Herrings 1 lb Tea 1/2 yd Calico 1/2 Gal syrup got a Ride Down to Bosells with the Mail Boy took Dinner at Bosells got the Loan of Georges hand sleigh got a Peice of Tobacco from the old Lady Mr Craigs Meeting in Williamstown to night Mr McPhee took over a Drove of Horses to the Boston Market

{second page} 10

Mr James Camerson Island

1st March 1871 St Davids Day the Festival of the Welsh March came in very Windy hail Rain and snow and Fine I am very unwell to Day in Bed Most of the Day after coming from the Bush cut 10 Blocks for Troughs had to come home as I am very unwell

2nd Fine in the Morning turned stormy East wind Heard crows this Morning Gordon went with the Handsleigh for a peice of Cedar for spoils ice slippery salting the cattle these Days as they are continually eating the old Grafs I not very well

3rd not very well Raining Snowing Made a Rocker for the cradle of Oak

4th a Very Fine Day Went to Summerstown got a Paper From Charlie some Better to Day a Good Deal of Travelling on the Ice to Lancaster 3 Loads of hay came up water Raising on the salmon River Frank Semo came arofs J Broke in close to the shore up above the Marsh Caribous men Drawing a stack from George Renshaws Expecting Mr Ward to come to Day with the Stove Did not come

5th Sunday A fine Day Thawing some some cutters crofsing Summers's Road and some to Lancaster Gordon and I Put some Bushes so to Keep any one going the way of the hole at the shore

11

Mr James Cameron Island

March 6th 1871

Raining snowing Bonville and Dufren here the Dog stole their Bag of Provision I Gave them a Loaf of Bread I went to Peter Grants for to see if I would Get his sugar Pot went to the store Seen Francis the Indian Bought 2 Bunches of Matches Got a Ride Down from John Hamilton Heard about William McLeod and his servant Girl A Great Deal of hay Going over the River the ice on salmon River Broke Down to the Lines Barbara Cameron Poorly now Heard Mr Gadbois in Williamstown Departed

7th Peter Bosell came to tell me to wait till the afternoon and George would come over for the hay George did not come nor Peter Grant did not come waiting all Day for them

8th George Bosell came for a load of hay about a 1/2 a Ton charged him 2 Dollars cut 3 ash Logs for Troughs went to Sumerstown Measured the Wood went to Peters Bought of A J Baker 1/2 lb Salts 1 Pint of H Wines a Treat from Pete Mr Gatbeau in Williamstown Buried to Day Blackbirds and Wild Geese cem

9th George Bosell came to Make trough made 35 or 36 and has Blocks cut to Make 50 A Fine Day soft Maples Runs Races on Salmon River to Day and tomorrow

{second page}

12

Mr James Cameron Island

March 10th 1871

Raining went to the Bush George did not come till the afternoon to cut wood for the sugar camp John Hamilton and Willie Rose here gave John some Poles with George and Peter in the Bush

11th Went to Summerston Bought of J I Baker 10 yrds Cotton 3/4 yd of surge 1/2 lb Tea 2 Doz Herrings 3 Bunches Matches told Andrew to Pay Peter 2/1/2 seen Bill Morris with a Waggon Looking for hay Promised to come Down for hay Took Dinner at Hamilton John Came Down with 2 Bags of Potatoes albout 3 1/2 Bushels took me home some wood Ice Getting Bad near shore Good in the channel George Began to Tap and Drawing wood to the sugar camp digging out some of the Troughs Gordon and I Old Angus M Donald on the Point Poorly Wild Geese and Ducks Plenty grey Birds and Black Birds came Gulls Flying to the east

12th On this Day of the Month Donald McMaster first came to the Island Gathering sap with George in the Bush about 17 Pails Raining Foggy

13th Peggy and George came sugared 19 lbs we got 7 1/2 lb and George got 11 1/2 Drawing Troughs

13

Mr James Cameron Island

March 14th 1871 nomination Day for Members George went for Peters Pot in th Morning Gordon in the Bush all Day ice opened at Francis Island Made Sugar in the Bush Broke the Big Black canoe Keeping the catle in so they will not go to the Bush Heard Peter Baker went off yesterday Heard that Walter Baker Bought the House on Suples Place for 300 Dollars Heard that Willim McLeods wife would not come Back to live with him

15th chopping stove wood Took some Boards to the Bush Frosty cold some East Wind ice opening slow Fixing the Fence at the West shed as the sheep jumps over sugared of to Day some Ducks Wild Geese and Grey Birds and Black Birds crows came

16th in the Bush sugared of

17th St Patrick Fishing EEls got 2 sugared off Hughann came

18th in the Bush with George HughAnn and Gordon in the Bush a Great sap Day Runs well George and I Boiling at night The Fox Left on the Island Heard him tonight Keeping in the sheep and Heifer for fear of them Going to the sap

{second page}

14

Mr James Cameron Island

March 19th 1871 19 Sunday Made sugar to Day Took home 34 lbs of sugar to Day and 11 1/2 lb the First time which makes 45 1/2 lb he got George and Peggy crofsed in a canoe ice going Down very slow seen Fan Tailed Blackbirds this is the Last Day of Winter Spring commences tomorrow and a Fine Winter Day it is Seen no Muskrats yet as the ice is not clear from the shore A Lamb

20 First Day of Spring a Fine Day E Wind Gordon and I Gathered 12 Pails of sap George could not crofs

21st Election in Williamstown I crofsed for the first time this spring in a canoe to Summerstown Left my Canoe at Hamilton Island George Bosell Brought me 2 Letters this Morning and a Paper Got another Letter to Day with 3 Dollars inclosed sent a Letter to John Bought of AI Baker postage stamps paper and envelopes starch Raining and Blowing the ice Good Between Renshaws and Summerstown Mr Craig elected for Member

22nd Levinia Birth Day sugaring off in the Bush

15

Mr James Cameron Island

March 23 1871

one of the White Ewes a Black Lamb snowing some made 2 Gallons of Mollasses for us Gordon and I to the Sturgeon Island Lashey and George Fishing EEls ice going Down snow George and Peter crofsed Peggy stopt all night

24th Gordon and I to the Head of the Island some snow George and Peter came cutting Brush a Fortunate Day they went home to night

25th Old Lady Day Annunciation of the Virgin Mary I Gathered 20 Pails of samp High West Wind cutting Brush Gordon Down at the apple Trees ice all round the shore could not come to the sugar to Day with the high Wind

26th 2 Lambs to Day 1 Black one set Fire to the south part of the Island in or about the centre near shore Went to the Black Horse Island Henery in the Bush Duval son in the Bush and Georges Wife Peggy not Well George took what sugar that was weighed home East wind a fine Day Gordon in the Bush all Day

27th stormy East Wind and snow a young Winter Gathered 4 pails of snow sap

28th Went to Summerstown Bought of AJ Baker Tobacco Tea Matches paid sold my 20 lbs of sugar to Peter Grant at 12 1/2 24 bls Flour 1 pair Hens 16 Eggs A Dollar to Be paid yet small Boat crofsed to Salmon River Sunday

{second page}

Mr James Cameron Island

March 29th 1871 Went to Fort Covington Peter Bosell a I Got the Doble Barrell Gun Paid for the Freight 2 1/2 Dollars to james Cameron Went Down to John Cameron's House he was not around Home Bought at Dundee 65 lbs of Flour From Dell Rae Bought of D Baker or Robert 1/2 lb sugar 7 1/2 cents 11 lb Pork 1/2 lb crackers 2 Gimlets in to see Donald Suple Entered the Gun at the Custom House to Mr Phillips Isacc Hoingbacks Wife Buried to Day The water very Low in Salmon River a Great Deal of ice Going Down the Lake Mr Phillip and some other Gentlemen shooting at a Mark on the Water From the Custom House Down about 300 yards would think some Pretty Good shots made about 42 lbs sugar to Day

30th Fixed the Pine saw Log Moved the Double Stove in the House Bruce and another Indian Here all night gave Bruce 2 sticks for Fork Handles sold them 2lbs sugar 15 a lb Got 2 EEls from him Wrote a Letter for George Bosell to Mr Kain Gave George 5 cents to Pay the Postage Fired the First shot out of the DB Gun shoots well did not sugar off to Day a Great Deal of sap tried to take up the Boat But it Leaks too much Peggy here

31st in the Bush A White Got the 5 cents from George took away some more of his sugar thats 443 lb he says is made now made to Day about 80 lbs

17

Mr James Cameron Island

April 1st 1871 Wrote a Letter to send to John But I Did not Go to the P.O to Day all Fools Day

2nd a Fine Day Mr Gray and Mr Empy here sold 8 lb of sugar to Mr Gray Wanting a canoe Peggy alone in the Bush Georges wife there in the Morning Gordon and I went around the Island in the small canoe

Palm Sunday to Day

3rd Monday Put out 2 canoes took home a Load of Wood in the Fishing EEls Got 4 a Lamb one of the Black Sheep made about 48 or 50 lbs of Sugar to Day set Fire to the Sturgeon Island Gordon and I a great many Fishing EEls East Wind

4th Went with m y Letter to the P.O a Great Day in Summerstown a Fighting and Quarrelling a Dirty Muddy Fight in the Mud Jos Laplant and Murdy Grant such another 2 Looking objects with mud all over the Face Eyes nose ears mouth and Body head and hair no Man or Woman ever seen the Like

{second page}

18

Mr James Cameron Island

April 4th 1871 continued Gray and Tom Summers had some Words would be a Fight may for McLeod threatening to Put a Heavy fine on them Duncan Cameron Ben Doren and John Mangum going to Fight it s a Story Day at Summerstown to Day Bought of AI Baker sugar crackers and Cheese 5 lb shot 10 Box of Caps I got them for 10 cents 1 plug of Tobacco 4 cents Got Dollar frim Mr Gray in his house seen Mr Stebbins and Mr Spooner Got a Paper from Andrew sen Dans Doghers in at {illegible} Men here to Day Drove down with the Wind one of them is Empy Rainbow tonight Rained Blew and hailed to Day 6 cents Postage for the Letter made 2 Gallons of Molasses 1/2 for us Frose some to night J Laplante Bought a cow from George Snider for 4 Dollars as she has a sore Foot got 2/6 on the Bargain

5th Fixing my Gun Riggings Tom Munroe came home

19# 1871 April 6th

Mr James S Cameron Island

6th Fishing EEls Gordon and I got 5 Gathering their sap in the Bush On the Kitt Kitt Island

7th Went to Summerstown brought home Peter Grants Bag Got A Paper from Charlie Went out to A Camerons for Downs Elixir they had none then went to Williamstown in at James McDonald McRory in the Glen Got 2 Bottles of the Elixer at Mr Burtons Mary Poorly with the Rheumatism at treat at A Camerons and he treated 3 or 4 times 10 cents to AI Baker Angus on the Front

Good Friday and a Fine Day it is the sap runs well to Day East Wind and changed to West

8th came from Williamstown Got a lb of Tea from EElery took Dinner at Walter Bakers A treat at Summerss Walter and I seen Angus came from Cornwall Skinned 2 Rats for Tom Sumners Came Down to Henerys stopt all night

{second page}

1871 20#

Mr James S Cameron Island

April 5th Henery 3 Boys put me acrofs Let my canoe at Summerston as the wind was too high

Easter Sunday the sap dont run very well today Did not see the sun this morning A Dont Dance a sighn of a hard year Rained some East Wind changed to the West in a squall

10th George and Peggy and Peter Boiling in the Bush A Gallon a Peice nearly Gordon and I Burning on the inside of the Pitt Point Fence Ticks came and snaked Loons canoe Pewits or Revey came ice Going Down in cakes yet ice in the Bay and marsh George took home his sugar Gave him a stick for an oar Lent them A Bag eat Wild Onions to Day Wounded 2 Ducks Dugt a Peice at the stable some Frost in the Ground Began the Good Hay on Sunday for the cattle shut up Set 3 Traps for Muskrats for the first this Spring

11th snowing Rain East Wind Got a Rat for the First

12th Got a Rat Fixing Lane Fence Frost to night

13th Lashey here Crofsed with Peggy to sugar Bush Henerys Boys wanting wood Gave him a stick for spear handle shot a Duck did not Get it

21

Mr James Cameron Island

April 14 1871 crofsed for my canoe to Summerstown left the canoe I crofsed in at the head of Hamiltons Island Heard that Mr George McGilvrarys wife Departed to Day the Sef{illegible} Collector on the Front to Day Bought of AI Baker 1 Bottle of R R Relief 25 nutmegs 3 Tole -4 Barley 10 Thread - 7 Paint 37 1/2 sundries 10 oil 12 1/2 Raisins 2 H Wines 25 Pot 25 Mat1 Handkerchief 12 Bought of James Grant Bushel of Lime 12 1/2 Got for 10 cents Go 2 Boxes from A I Bakers Wife to carry the Lime took Down the 2 campes

15th Gordon and I to Is Lamays the Watchmaker Living on the Brunston Place Left my watch with him to fix to charge me 6/3 Bought 1 1/2 Bushels of Potatoes at 40 cents a Bushel 60 got them By weight Kept us to Diner seen a Wild Turkey he had shot the First ever seen it must have bee one that strayed away from it nature Place it Weight is 11 lbs as it Travelled a Great ways and it eye out 1 of them it must Lost a Good Deal of its Weight shot a Duck

16th Low Sunday Sandy & Is semo henerys 2 Boys 1 of Williams Boys here wanting a canoe and Gun Gave Sandy semo My Dog Bruce snow to Day hail East Wind and West

{second page}

22

Mr James Cameron Island

17th April 1871 Put out my Boat Went to G Renshaws with 13 lbs of sugar Got 2 Bushels of Potatoes at Hamiltons of Georges Potatoes Paid AI Baker 25 cents for the Pot R Quit making the sugar made 1 Quart of syrup for the Last they made Frost tonight seen Peter Spink on the Front Bought Pat Purcells Farm for 4000-500 Dollars

18th Our Duncans Birth Day Painting my Boat Gordon Gathering sap Tapt 12 Trees for him

19th First Steamer went Down the St Helens Gordon Andrews Boiling in the sap 6 Pails Light in the Lighthouses 1/2 Gallon Hugh Ann Randolph in the Bush Let out the Heifer and sheep Fixing the Fence setting Fires found a 1/2 of a Barrel Burnt 3 Good hoops on it set Fire to the Backmarsh on the north West side of the Island shot a Duck did not get it Lightning tonight

20th Went with Lashey to his Line Heavy Rain Thunder and Lightning took the Pine Log to the Front of the Door Put out my Boat a Lot of shooting to Day something took away 1 of my Traps Last night got the chain I think it must be the Fox got his Leg in it and Broke the chain Found a Ducks egg in the Front march Got a sturgeon from Lashey Sent him my Gaff

21st Highlander went Down no Tow Finished Digging the Back Garden Shot a Duck

22nd Passport went Down First Raft went down before the Door took the heife and sheep home to salt them Towing Propeller went Down and came up

23

Mr James Cameron Island 23rd April 1871 St George's Day the Festival of the English High North by West Wind 3 Propellers went down seen a Large White owl eating a Duck at the East End of the Island the small Ash canoe went off by not being drawn up enough but caught it this side of the sturgeon Island very cold to day found a few ticks Kingston went down froze hard tonight ice in the Canoes

24th Plastering the house went to Summerstown got 2 papers from Dan On this day of the month Granny departed 1869 Bought of AJ Baker 1/2 lb tea 1/6 2 gal salt 8 cents plug Tob 4 cents 2 Bunches Matches 2 cents pipes ofo the Enterprise went in to Salmon River this morning then the British America went in Left my Boat at the head of Hamiltons Island took my Wheelbarrow home from Hamiltons Propeller Dominion went down

25th St Marks Day whatever way the weather is today it will most likely be all the year it's East Wind and Rain changed to the West gloomy shot a Duck got a Rat Planted 2 Pailfull of seed ends in Garden at the shed Dug some in the Garden set a trap

26th Went to Summerstown Plastering some City of Ottawa came up went into Salmon River the Osprey went up Grant pulling his Potash on Board the British America Peter Grants wife a young daughter Brought Peter the pay for his Pot

{page two}

Mr James Cameron Island April 27th 1871 24 East Wind Began to Whitewash the house Raining some a strange craft sailed up to the foot of the Island got aground Wind changed sailed down to Ross Island stopped all night and took a Tow next Day from the Highlander

28th Went to Summertown took 12 lbs 3/4 of sugar at 10 cents Bought flour oatmeal got 3 1/2 bushels of potatoes at John Hamiltons of George Renshaws potatoes Raining

29th Set the Leach for the Lie for soap Set Traps for the Big White owl he is Flying around killing Ducks Cutting Fat Pine in the marsh Raining East Wind Spartan Went Down Passport Went Down 2 Big Tows Went Down

30th Went to the Pitt Point found a Duck's Nest 10 eggs in the Back Marsh the L Renaud came up First Trip the City of Ottawa in to Dundee on the Sturgeon Island Gordon and I

1st May Fine Day a Part of the time wind changed every direction in the afternoon a very very Brilliant Green Yellow and Blue more of a Yellow Shone on the south end of the Kitt Kitt Island it was very handsome it must Be from the Rainbow Began the soap it hailed very cold very warm Renaud went down ice going Down shot a Squirrel wild geese Plenty

2nd at the soap Finished it went to try the perch they would not Bite caught a succour with my hand at the Little Island found a nest 8 eggs Set Fire to the hay on the Island Fishing at night Fine Day went around Island Set hen to hatch 15 eggs under her

25

Mr James Cameron Island May 3rd 1871 Planting and Digging some taking the Banking from the West End of the house

4th Raining Digging some

5th Finished digging this Piece Raining got a rat

6th Fine the Highlander went Down with a large Tow 15 Barges Went to Summerstown Bought of AJ Baker 5/- worth of Flour 2 Plugs Tobacco 3 Bunches of Matches got Paid from Peter B Grant 5/- helping AJ Baker barreling up his Beans John Hamilton and I James Grant working at the Potash himself got my Tongs from Tom Kennedy seen Dan Campbell on the Front got a paper from Charlie the L Reynard got smashed some not up to Day

7th Sunday Windy North Wind

8th Finished Planting Before the old House Planting five Hills in the Bush clearing a Piece in the Bush at the Garden put up Beds cut out today put manure of the Banking on the Potatoes fixing the Garden fence Dug at the old House Planted it with Potatoes planted 15 Hills in the Bush Little Livinia in the Bush with Gordon and I the Magnet Went Down a great many Boats going to Day tried for Fish out Before the door got none


26 {page two} Mr James Cameron Island May 11th 1871 Windy time fixing the lane fence cold a change in the Moon Windy

12th a Fine Day went up to George Renshaw's to fix his Ram Lambs took over a Bale of Wall Paper to AJ Baker from The Wharf Went over to Renshaws Island with Andrew to measure his wood sold it to the British America took tea at J Baker took some iron to Tom Kennedy Borrowed 2 Dollars from Mr Norman Abrams Bought 1/2 pound tea matches

13th Making the gate North when high L Renard came up after Being Fixed started to go across turned Back wind High started again and crofsed Bought of AJ Baker 48 lb of flour took home a load of wood from the Bay

14th Rogation Sunday blowing North Wind

15th This morning hard ice Walter Baker Sale of all his Property caught 4 Perch planted a few Hills of Potatoes in the Bush put more onions in the Garden Found a hat put up the Rittition Picking wool of the Briars cold Windy

16th Shearing 6 of the Sheep

17th Sheared 4 and Marking the Lambs and altering them

18th Gordon and I to Paul's for the first time ever was there Went acrofs to Luke Bowens took Dinner at Luke's Henry Bosell came home with the Round Adze

19th Fishing

20th Fishing taking home Wood a great many Boats going up and down today cutting Fat Pine

21 Went to Alexis na houta's Christies Gordon Hugh Ann and Randolph

27 Mr James Cameron Island

22nd May 1871 Washing the Wool a squally evening with wind and rain

23rd Weighed of our own wool what I was going to sell and what was to be sent to Be carded for stockings and Mits crofsed to Summerstown Walter Baker put out to Day Bought of Andrew on account of the wool 1/2 lb tea 1/3 53 lb flour 1 lb butter and plate helping Walter to put his things in Barbara Camerons room

24th Queen's Birth Day Fired a volley crofsed to AJ Bakers with the wool 20 lb had paid 25 cents and if he gets any more he is to give it to me gave me 20 cents a piece for five rats paid him 2 Dollars for Norman Abrams got Bought Kerosene oil Salt helping Walter to move his things to Grans house George Renshaw took his wife and all the family in the Boat at a Roses Andrew harrowing wheat went across with G Renshaw stopt all night to help him with the scow

25th helping George taking the scow out seeing Maxims daughter going to Montreal and Galerna Corsican aground Donald McRae acrofs to the Renaud high Wind

26 Digging a piece for corn at the old house

27th Went to Summerstown Brought Mrs Spink Butternut Cherry Alder Wild onions Brought Thomas Monroe Wool Ronald Angus and Thomas a Bottle as I was starting away

Mr James Cameron

May 28th 1871 Whit Sunday went to Mr T Lemay or J DeLorme Gordon and for my watch Paid him 5/- for the Repairing it stopt at the foot of Christies Island seen Jacob and his Boy got two EEls from him thunder lightning and Rain Wind very fine real hot sun Mr Lashey here with my spear got it fixed at Mr McLeans in Lancaster then change Back a plug of tobacco I took Thomas Monroe Mr Oxby and Mrs Oxby here crofsing over to see their people Murdy Grant with them Lent them my Boat to go from here had a Bottle

25th Royal Oak Day very windy Making a Box for to hold fish caught some perch

30th Mr Oxby and Mrs and Murdy Grant came crofsed over them Gave him some Perch he had some of his own left a piece of cheese with Livinia Norman McPhee putting or Laying the foundation of his Stone House yesterday of AJ Baker trolling line 20 cents file 10 cents took Dinner with Thomas Monroe came down with Walter Baker stopt at Andrew Rose got basket of potatoes from her scene Bella eligible Son up with the Mail Boy and and John Cameron sold his horse to Kenneth for 20 Dollars

31st planted some oats and corn

Mr James Cameron Island

1st of June 1871 the Glorious First of June Fixing the Fence on the Pitt Point the Ticks most awful Bad very warm Day walking home Wood cutting the Weeds in the Potatoes in the bush planted two rows of Garnot Chilies above the current Bushes cutting Weeds in the Potatoes hilled some of them grubs very Bad cutting onions and potatoes the Hens commenced to lay again put the Bell on the heifer Looking at the sugar it Begginning to crack Trowling {illegible}

3rd went down to Kitt Kitt Gordon Randolph and myself got a chub and Perch very stormy for a little while fine cutting the Weeds in the Back Garden seen Henry fishing Perch

4th of June old George the 3rd Thirds Birth Day Trinity Sunday trowling Randolph Gordon and T Jacobs wife here yesterday with Fish to sell Found 2 nests 1 with 6 eggs the other with 9 a very very warm hot sun to day

5th crofsed to Summerstown got the carrot seed Mr Oxbey Left at Thomas Monroe's Alex Jim Roy Putting a Lot of Cattle on the Boat British America

6th Brought some Cherry Bark over for Mrs Baker brought a cake of sugar to Peter and brought it home would not sell it for 10 cents Thomas fixing his Boat Bought off AJ Baker 2 1/2 lbs crac{illegible} helping George Renshaw to put out his scow Mr Craig putting his horses Down to Francis Island Big John Grant departed this life

{page two}

Mr James Cameron Island

June 7th 1871 very Windy fixing my ashes in Bags to go to Dundee Tyler Lincoln here and four more men in his Cedar Boat had 5 casks of stuff got some stuff he had in a Bottle from him they started found a birch log Drove in to Shore

8th Went to Bosells Gordon and I for a canoe got the loan of 10 lb of flour from Mrs McIntosh at Archie's Big John Grant up the Front Buried today J Laplante and wife at Bosells Henry Bosell got a large Masknonge {muskalung) to Day high Wind Gordon and I coming home Q Allen wind Bound on the Pitt Point Joyete and Son slept in the Barn all night got some salt to Salt their fish

9th our Marys Birth Day wind High caught some Perch Brought home the Birch saw log started for Salmon River Gordon and I as soon as the wind is Down a little 8 Bushels of Ashes 56 lb of iron 12 lb of rags 12 and 1/2 lb of sugar Bought at old Marysville Gordon and I Mayvells girl sick the Doctor there

10th started it up to the store from Mayvills forgot about 16 lb of iron left it on the shore took breakfast Gordon at Jac{cut off} McDonald McDonell Super Bought of Robert Baker to 2 Dollars of flour 50 lb got it at {illegible} 1/4 lb Tob 1/2 lb tea matches Lot 25 cents for sale 40 lb of iron 3 cents for Cotton Rags 20 cents for Ashes 10 cents for sugar got 2 gallons of soft soap from Mr Baker he came down with us to the Mayville Farm catching his horses sailed home the Adolphus went up to Day for to take the Dundee folks to procefsion to Williamstown with Bosells canoe got a Bottle of milk from Georges wife heard Mrs McIntosh {illigible} the flour and got from her Mr Baker taking down a Raft of Rails to the Farm

Mr James Cameron Island

June 11th 1871 Sunday June 11th Tote a Dice Grand Procefsion Corpus Christie and so on high Wind to Day heavy Rain thunder and lightning the Adolphus went Down with a load going to Williamstown procefsion the Picton came out of Lancaster whatever she was doing there got some papers from Mrs Norman McDonald yesterday

12th Hoeing Potatoes Planted somewhere the corn and beans were taking up the Potatoes in the Bush hoed cutting Weeds around the Lower Point and Pitt Point

13th lost a Maskinounge

14th Lashey setting his Line him and Pete Bosell here with the Rain and Wind gave him some matches Gordon caught the first Dory or Pickerel or Wall eyed Pike

15th fishing caught 233 Pickerel and chubs and the rest Perch took home a Load of Wood Pealed some Basswood and Elm Bark lost our anchor the Rope Broke a Fortunate Day very warm strawberries Ripe

16th Picking Berries

17th Made Strawberries Preserves Henry Bosell here got his spoon I gave him mine to fix went to Summerstown got 2 papers from Dan Thomas Monroe supeaned to Longinal Went to George Renshaws got 1 Bushel of Potatoes from him George Bosell left the Renaud and is on the British America bought crackers the L Renaud a pleasure trip from Cornwall went with Lashey at night to his Line Lashey here all night got two EEls from him Henry got a Lunge about 20 lb weight sold to John Carey

18th the memorable Battle of Waterloo Went Down to Rofs Island Killed 3 Black snakes 1 Green on a crew of French on Christies Island playing the Fiddle and yelling the Kingston takes 13 minutes from The Pitt Point to the Lower end of Butternut Island the Magnet takes 12 minutes the Corsican takes 15 the Spartan takes 10 minutes the Passport 12 minutes the Corinthian takes minutes

19th went to George Renshaws working at the Fence got 50 cents from George working on the roads in summertime Summertown Rafts a Going Down

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Mr James Cameron Island

June 20th 1871 in the upper Field Picking strawberries for to make Preserves Gordon Hugh Ann and Randolph

21st went to AJ Bakers bought 75 cents of flour matches

22nd our Dan's Birth Day went out to see them in Williamstown Brought out strawberries and the cake of maple sugar the court in Cornwall now about Mr Craig trying to unseate him But I Rather think they can't do it

23rd in Williamstown word came that Mr Craig got all right Angus and Duncan McLennan A Row Pushed him off the steps firing the cannon and Burning a Barrel of Tar and celebrating for Mr Craig Bought at Galbeaus a Bottle of Pain Killer as I am awful Bad with the Toothache Angus on the Bosure

24th came home from Williamstown wind High the Renaud a Pleasure trip

25th Sunday Gordon and I went to Mr Hopkins with a letter to George Grant took dinner there Bill and Emmanuel there spoke to Jim about fixing my Boat told him I would give him 1/2 ton of hay for Fixing it got four books Sicilian romance A Days Ride Innocence Abroad Leslie Tyrell, I got from Jim's wife

26th Hoeing the potatoes in the Bush all the children in the Bush very warm George Bosell here Bargained for his hens took my Bag to bring me 2 Dollars worth of flour from Cornwall on the Boat

27th Windy Day

28th Windy

29th Went to Summerstown took home my plain {plane} and drawing knife from George Renshaws stopt at Hamilton's to see if John had any Potatoes to sell

30th crofsed to Dundee with Thomas and Peter Spink a McLennan a Provender of a man left him twice on Jacobs Island Bought on Credit 25 lb of flour from AJ Baker bought (2 1/2yds Calico spool soda paid this) Mrs Fitzpatrick young son

Mr James Cameron Island

July 1st 1871 Dominion Day Livinia Gordon and Bismarck went to Bosells got 5 hens and a Rooster a Dollar I have to pay George for them 3 of them got smothered in the Bag coming home a pleasure trip on the L Renaud all British Flags Floating to Day

2nd Passport passed down the Champion going Down

Sunday 3rd I went up to Summerstown helped them over with the Scout from George Renshaws and AJ Baker salt Crockery syrup and sugar Gorge took his cow over stopt at Peters Kenneth down to Roses with me in the Boat Got my Book from Mrs Rose got my Flour at Bosells AJ Baker and Thomas Monroe took Mr Millers horses to Pasture

4th American Independence Day Rain and Fine Great Racing and so on at Fort Covington

5th our John's Birth Day transplanted 11 plants of tobacco

6th went with my Boat to Jim Hopkins to fix Lashey here at night Mr Mears and Mr Credden Col Stiles son-in Law slept in the Barn heavy rain tonight

7th Mr Mears and his men here all day as the wind blows very hard went off this evening Lashey and I to his line Got 38 cents from them

8th Jimmy Grants Birth Day had a treat from him on that Bought off AJ Baker 1/2 lb tea 4 Quarts salt one plug tobacco 4 cents postage on 2 papers I sent to Mr Black Tailor Williamstown 1 for matches (I owe AJB 9 cents on this

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Mr James Cameron Island

July 9th 1871 Sunday salted the horses Windy

10th to Galerneau here Gave me some hooks gave me some hooks Mowed some thistles Before the door Semo came for his scythe got it put the Marsh hay on the East Mow of the stable Loft Lashey here Jim Hopkins wife went to Williamstown

11th Fishing Down near the Kit Kit got a good many suckers Bass Pickerel chub and Perch Quite a variety to Day

12th of July Orangemans Day Drew some rails a party out of Dundee on the British America

13th went to Summerstown seen Angus had a new Buggy Bought yesterday Andrew Baker and Tom Summers went to Montreal the American serving the river showed my sample of staves to the Cooper thought them Dear for his work

14th caught a stick of Pine Went to Dundee met Mr Stebbins Mr Creed and Mr Turner the Egg Peddler Met Galernea spoke to me about Greenwood coming to buy a piece of Hay Rain Wind Thunder and Lightning stopt at a small {illegible} took some Biscuit seen The Drudge working went up to see the Cooper Laflesh Thomas Monroe crofsed with 4 men the Schoolmistrefs and Rebecca had something to Drink at Tyo's met Don Suple going acrofs had a Treat from John Creed my tin Bashion stol out of my Canoe by some of the Indians got one from Frank Mayvilles wife D Baker and I Buried a Large Lizard

Mr James Cameron Island

July the 15th 1871 Fishing Caught a small Makinounge 20 lb weight mowed a swath down to the river St Swithins Day no rain if it rains to Day it will rain for 40 Days the saying is a pleasure trip on the L Renaud of the Indian

16th Sunday Mrs James Hopkins and George Grant here coming from Williamstown Walter Baker and his wife and Willie Rose here

17th Mowed some in the Grove at the Riverside Raining hard Thunder and Lightning Lashey here tonight went with him to his Lines the Champion came up today and Went Down yesterday there must be something wrong with the Banshee as it is her day to come up

18th Raining started for to go turn the Back with the storm left my canoe up in the Bay

19th I crossed to Summerstown bought 100 weight of Flour got on William McLeods account got 2 Papers from Dan seen the Passed the Examination in them as attorney at law took dinner at Thomas Monroe's

20th smoking a Maskinounge made a few cocks of Hay

21st Harnefsed the horses Drew a few Drags Drew in some hay seven cocks in the Barn Mr Stebbins here going to Lancaster

22nd went to Mr Hopkins for my boat got my cleevises from Jim went to Summerstown Bought of AJ Baker 1/2 lb tea 1/3 tobacco 4 cents 30 cents on credit Heavy Rain Thunder seen Long John son George Renshaw sold his land to John Carey for 2 1/4 each

23rd Sunday fishing

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Mr James Cameron Island

24th July 1871 Mr Stebbins Payne Rockhill Creed came J Creed stopt the rest went home Creed mowing in the Grove very warm to Day Gordon and J trowling got none put in some of the Sheep

25th St James Day Battle of Bannockberry helping AJ Baker with his hay got salt I crofsed with 4 lambs to John Carey the men came to mow

26th Dog Days commenced drawing wood

27th started to go to Henry Genie's went as far as Rankins Point the Wind Rose I turned back seen old Mr Vondell working on Dan McLeans Barge had a hard time coming up around Shore Rained some stopt on the foot of Christees Island Mowed some in Front of the house

28th Raining all the Men Fishing got a piece of sturgeon on Alexis Island Niles and Dighton Payne Stebbing Fishing got 2 Perch had a Row about them putting the grease on their heads

25th Doctor Gillis and a boatload with him of women 3 men Niles Park and another man here they all went off tonight

30th Went to Na Houtas Island as it is raining Gordon and I

31st I crofsed with 3 Dozen Eggs Bought 1/2 lb Tea matches starch tobacco thread Mrs Hamilton called me in as Tom Davis went up to meet me at the store I went to Carey Tom lying down on the island near the Bridge wakened him up he would not Rest if I would not take 1/2 Dollar from him I took it came home then crofsed with John Creed gave Tom Paper

Mr James Cameron Island

August 1st 1871 Lammas Day Mowing on the Pitt Point Fixing Fence caught a good many pickerel Creed sick the 2 Boys Mowing and cocked 37 cocks very warm

2nd gave them the upper Field on the haves Stebbin and Josey came Creed went home with Josey Gordon Randolph and I went to see if the scow was on Alexis Island Mary's birthday 1864 commenced to stack help them to stack

3rd commenced Payne Charlie and I went to Summerstown for 1 gallon of H Wines Cannons Firing to Day seen Sandy Snider on the Front Payne treated me in Summerss

4 went to Alexis Island

5th stocking I went to Summerstown I went to see John Carey got 7 Dollars from him he owes me 2 on the Lambs yet gave AJ Baker 3 1/2 to give to Bill McLeod the other 3 1/2 I gave to Thomas Monroe got 50 lb of flour on credit from AJ Baker Bought 2 lb butter at 17 cents 1 Bowl 7 cents matches 1 cent tobacco 4 cents paid this with 50 cents - a White Bowl)

6th Randolph's Birth Day 1867 Sunday a fine day Liz Laflesh and John Snider here had a Bottle stopt till evening

7th Gathered 6 cocks about finished all the stacks they took up all their Rigging and went off Forgot their hay Fork about 40 cocks in Paynes stack I put 8 cocks of my own in and 40 cocks of Paynes 55 cocks in the Barn now

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Mr James Cameron Island

August 8th 1871 Found a Pine tree in the upper Feild above the house its about 2 ft high now Payne and I found it when clearing a place to Build his stock yesterday the 7th the Herricks here camping at the head of the island a Large Party of them some from New York and some of them from Chicago they came on Monday the seventh

7th a very Windy time day heavy rain loud thunder and sharp Lightning when Herricks party was coming from Christees Island they very near got swamped Christopher McRae and Josey Galernea Fishing I showed them the spot for Pickerel Mowed the road in Rushes Beside the Marsh on Monday the 7th caught 1 bass 2 perch 2 pickerel or Wall Eyed Pike as some call them

9th I went to Fish caught 1 Gordon and I to head of the Island the Herricks went off lost a vest George Bosell came with his horse we went with the Ark for the bull on Alexis Island and this morning Jim Hopkins took him away I knew nothing about it till Josey Galernea told us after going up to the horse Island Josey put me acrofs I gave him stuff for a Paddle

Mr James Cameron Island

August 11th 1871 went to AJ Bakers my Foot very sore Bought 2 lb butter 3 lb pork 2 Bunches Black thread 1 spoll kerosene oil 1/2 lb powder 2 lb shots seen Dr Shaver Fishing settled with Andrew for Mr Millers horses Paid the 50 lb X of flour I got from him on the 5th the men on Christees cutting hay came home with the Jar Payne got took a Barrel home for to load ashes L got at the end of AJ Baker store a Barge the Tug one of the Little Propellers run on the bar at the Squaw Island

12th my Foot very sore Fishing

13th Sunday my Foot I cannot put under me very sore and Badly swelled

14th Pulled out the Potato onions found herricks vest Down in the Bay

15th tried or Begun the Potatoes at the door Gordon found a Bun went around the Island fishing at the Pickerel holes not Biting very well

16th opened one of my Boils and put soap and sugar to draw it and it almost set me raving it is so very sore

17th shot a yellow Hammer Plugged up a squirrel in one of the Hicory trees cleaning my three guns

18th Got 7 Ducks went to the head of the Island seen Roses sheep I suppose they put them on yesterday

19th Bismarck's Birth Day 1 year old today got 5 Ducks a Pleasure Party on the L Renaud 1 of the hens wanting to hatch Dipped her in the Water the City of Hamilton Towing here now eating Tomatoes horse Beans Ripe cucumbers plenty stertions {nasturtiums?} Good

Sunday the 20th East wind Fine Day hazelnuts some Good Butternuts some meat in them Randolphs Foot sore and Bismarcks Bad with Boils and myself Bad with Boils it's the Dog Days now and people should Physick themselves Before they Begin

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Mr James Cameron Island

August 21st 1870 shooting Ducks took home wood in the canoe

22nd Bad with Boils on my ancle and leg Dan and Mr Lonagan came in the evening Brought me 2 plugs of tobacco some Powder shot and caps tea and sugar they went out swimming and Rowing in the Boat

23rd this is the Day the great Boat Race at St John's Renforth Dies to Day Dan and Lonagan Through the Woods swimming and Rowing on the water Throwing the 11 lb ball Dan Throws it Feet they Went off this Evening home Races in Lancaster

24th I crofsed to Summerstown (Bought on credit 50 lb flour) (Bought 1/4 lb tea matches 3 yd cotton paid this) got a letter from Charlie heard of the Boat Race Mr Spencer and Christopher McRae here stopt in the Barn

25th Went to James Hopkins for the Bulll Jim and George Grant Came Down with me in the scowl left the Scow till tomorrow James B Grant Died

26th making an oar took away the scow East Wind

27th Heavy Rain all day old James B Grant Buried to Day

28th crofsed to AJ Bakers Mr Spencer and Paul Grant here night

29 Wind changed heavy from the West started to Go to Rofs Island turned back fishing in the Back Channel

30th Drew some wood

31st Bismarck commencing to stand up put in 2 Bushels of Potatoes eating new corn very unwell to night Alexander Ocean McDonald Buried to Day

Mr James Cameron Island

September 1st 1871 went to AJ Bakers to 1 1/2 Dozen of Eggs one Plug tobacco the rest in tea (to 2 lb of shot on credit) took dinner at T Monroes speaking to Captain Newton of the Barge Griswold about the manure let him have my Boat to go and meet the Adolphus she passed up here this morning to go for Fort Covington Lacrofs Club to play in Lancaster I crofsed with Thomas Monroe to Dundee with the 4 or 5 of the Connors Tyo Fixing his shed George and Pete Bosell here seen Mr Herrick told him I found his vest

2nd very warm fine Day very warm Gordon and I left Kit Island Rofs and Butternut shot a Duck did not get it found a couple of staves took dinner on Rofs Island killed some Black snakes But I did not look after them much as it was shoes I had on if it was my Boots I would look after them more a Great Deal of shooting around Christees and Alexis

3rd Dans Birth Day and a fine Day it is very warm

4th Went to Cornwall with AJ Baker William McLeod's wife Poorly Dr Shaver attending

5th John Angus's Birth Day commenced taking up the Potatoes got 1/2 lb tea 1 lb sugar from AJ Baker the Day I went to Cornwall took my Dinner and supper there

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Mr James Cameron Island

September 5th 1871 commence the Potatoes took up 20 Bushels to Day

6th this is the Last of the Dog Days at the Potatoes took up 10 bushels to Day shot some Ducks

7th very Windy Babel and his wife called here as they were going to {illegible} gave them some Potatoes took 10 Bushels thats 40 bushels out of this Peice Besides what we eat since Killed some Ducks shot a hawk

8th Fishing got Duck Fixing the ashes in Bags went around the island seen Captain Newton at Barge aground loaded with hops and Leach and Ashes sneaking to the Bay Smith the steamer Adolphus came up and assisted in taking them off

10th Sunday George and Jim Nicholson here {illegible} 6 {illegible} timber for Stickland Boat and wanting to Buy Marsh Bay although it is Sunday

11th Went out with my ashes to James Grant had 3 1/2 bushels 15 cents a bushel I bought of AJ Baker 2 lb shot 20 cents 1/2 lb powder 20 cents 1 {illegible} tobacco 4 cents Tin Cup 7 cents a great Pic Nic on Burnt House Point for Sunday school children Peter B Grant wanted his Pot seen Luke Bowen crofsed for Thomas {illegible} shares as John Barretts was wanting him 40 Days Devotion in Williamstown now

Mr ames Cameron Island

Sept 12th 1871 Raising Potatoes in the Back Garden 3 1/2 Bushels Randolph and I

13th The Fair in Fort Covington Commences to Day Cut some Marsh Hay

14th Great Frost Last night at Summerstown seen Angus took over Peter B Grants Pt Went to see John Carey seen Hugh Fraser (McKinney) at Carey a Great many crofsing to the fiar the British superior Down with a Raft with tents on it Put a Ring in Barretts Bulls nose to Day at Parish minister Rap came accrofs with I home a man By the name of Wesley Died very sudden to Day going to the Fair he was a schoolmaster seen Jim He taking over with a Passenger

15th Took up some of the Potatoes in the Bush and they are very small & what Done that is the tops Being cropped off and Grew and Blossomed the second time a Handsome Large Squash the Frost Killed the vines in the Bush But not around the House Bought of AJ Baker 50 lbs Flour at 3 1/4 on Credit left an note for him Blowing seen Tom Davis and A Baker Fixing Before his Door with Ground

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Mr James Cameron Island

Sept 16th 1871 Mr Luke Brown here Got the Loan of my British Musket gave him some envelopes Luke told me I would get his spear Beside Went to Alexis Island Shot 3 Ducks got 1 the shanty that was in Na Houtas Island is Burnt Indians catching Rats since some time in August I think the Drudge came out With the British American to Day about 59 Bushles in the cellar now of Potatoes

17th Sunday Writing to Charlie a Letter Rain high Wind

18th Began to Cut in Front Marsh cut 8 cocks hard Frost and ice Last night The Rain along with the Little Nannie a Great many canoes and Boats on the Water to Day cut some in the Back Marsh shot a Duck Magnet went Down

19th Henery Genie's Barge sailed Down passed the Door his Boy called to se me about the Timbe he told me he was married in January his Father is coming up next Week Hugh Ann and Gordon Gathering Grapes gather 2 Tubs full Raining high Wind Got 2 very small Turtles Lost one of them out of my Pocket 2 of the hens hatching Ducked them in the Water and shut them up to take the hatching of them

20th Shows in Lancaster Charlie and Willie Rose after the Ram and Wedder to Kill Made 13 cocks in the Back Marsh Shot Black Duck Drew some chips and Wood Livinia Bad with Tooth ache and earache Raining some Water very Low

Mr James Cameron Island Sept 21st 1871

St Mathews Day Frost Last Night Livinia very Bad with the Toothache a Barge sailed acrofs in to Salmon River

22nd Got a Rat for the Frist setting a very fine Day put in the sheep thinking of Going over tommorrow

23rd Windy Let the sheep go Gathering Butternuts some Oak nuts Ducks not plenty

24th Sacrament in Williamstown some Rain here not much Thunder and Lightning more heavyto the north Fishing a Man and a Woman stopt Last night up in the Bay I seen their a Going to Day Renaud went Down

25th I crofsed to Summerstown AJ Baker in Montreal Bought 1/2 lb Tea 1/4 lb cut Tobacca 1 Quart of Keroseen oil Got the Loan of Fitspatrick scythe from Jim Nicholson Got a Treat of Ale From George Renshaws cut some Rushes Beat William Lancllets a Racing coming Down to Hamiltons as they said Hurra for a Race Got a Paper from Charlie

26th Began to mow with fitsPatricks scythe Got a Rat commenced to Rain Raining all Day East Wind cold Rain putting the onions in Boxes spreading the nuts on the Floor up stairs

27th Gathering nuts Gordon and I

28th Drew some Wood Raining

29th St Michael Mowing Back Marsh East End Made 28 cocks

1st of October Sunday Gordon and I to Rofs's Island and Charlies Island Found a stave eat some Grapes and Cranberries took our Dinner on Charlies or Butternut Island no Butternuts seen Lamay's Boat at Rofs Island Getting Grapes and cranberries shot a very Large Eagle in the Grove

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Mr James Cameron Island

Oct 2nd 1871 Got a Rat Went to Summerstown Called at John Hamiltons to see the Well Depth about 32 Feet and about 12 feet of water in it now Heard old Mrs John Summers was very poorly Heard Murdock F McLennan was Laird of Williamstown AJ Baker in Cornwall signed the papers again Bought of AJ Baker on credit 1 Peck of salt Got 50 cents to Give to Thomas Munroe the pay of the sheep Kenneth Lost a 5 Dollar Bill Heard William McLeod Lost his Grey mare seen Dan Rofs from the Kings Road he is taking up Large stones with a patent Machine seen George of Athal at Summerstown a very fine Day East Wind

3rd Raining West Wind went to Fish got none Lashey here Fishing minnows and pickerel

4th Drew some Wood gathering nuts set some Traps

5th Fiar commences in Williamstown I crofsed to P.O. called to see John Hopkins took Dinner at Thomas Munroes Kenneth McDonald Heard of John his son was one of them either got Killed or Got wounded in the mines AJ Baker Scowing his salt Bought a pair of Boots 1"40 Bottle of castor oil 10 AJ Baker got to Give Thomas Munroe

6th crofsed with 2 Lambs to John Carey got as I thought pay for the sheep Bought of AJ Baker 50 lbs Flour paid this 40 cents worth Pork I owe 7 cents on the Pork helping Andrew with the Porker

James Cameron Island

October 7th 1871 Saturday thinking Thomas Munroe would be after the sheep gathered some nuts piling some wood cut a few swarths of marsh Hay set 2 Traps A fine Day Wind West Ducks scarce Rats not Plenty Burning on Na Houtas Island Keeping in the sheep thinking he will come for them water very low snakes plenty Bismark very sick

8th A Race up the Princep Louise and the City of Ottawa

9th A Fine Morning Gordon and I Went to Lukes Bow{cut off} for the EEl spear got the spear and a Broken one Luke thrashing at Bills seen Mr Lesslee and James Hopkins at Paul Id's Hunting partridge had a chat with them and a Good coo of old Rye coming Down the channel we had a Pretty strong Breeze did not like to stop on the Hog Island for fear the wind would be worse so we kept on in the Gale Landed safe cut some hay in the Trout marsh

10th Hugh Anns Birth Day smokey windy Big Fires over on the south side of us in the Marsh I think there must Be some stacks Burnt

11th Games Williamstown Boat Racing in Dundee James Hopkins and Peter Buchanan 1111 Henery Genies son and Johnston of the Cherry Island Lighthouse Wind high or else I was Going to see them

12th Raining smoky Windy Mowing some

13th Making a stack put 51 Cocks in it

14th got Rat cut the Wings of the Eagle set some Traps Water very Low Heard Geese But Did not see them Raining to night thought to crofs but did not go Bismark very sick gave him spirits of Turpentine new moon this Day morning a Great many Boats and a Good lot of Towing

{second page}

James Cameron Island

October 15th 1871 Sunday Seen Wild geese High High very high Wind very Bad with Pain I took in my side

16th very unwell in Bed all Day

17th not very well took Down the Petition took in the carrots and Beets

18th St Lukes Day First snow very stormy Raining

19th very heavy Thunder and Lightning to night

20th a change in the moon splitting some wood

21st Went to Summerstown crofsed to George Renshaws with Fitspatrick all Day on the Island very cold and no Fire made out Georges steamboat Bills crofsed with Fitspatrick and Jessamas Wife to Summerstown stopt at Georges all night Babell here stopt on the Pitt Point Fishing with his nets Sunday Bought of AJ Baker 1 Quart of Kerosene oil 1/2 lb Tea on Credit) ( 1 plug of Tobacco matches paid this)

Sunday 22 came home Just got home when the wind commenced to Blow went to the P Point to give Balsell some Tobacco Found a canoe

23rd Little Livinia Birth Day 1868 Fixing a place with rails for to Build a stack or putting up the hay that was Blowed Down Tried for EEls got none took Round the canoe

James Cameron Island

October 24th 1871 24th Our Hughs Birth Day 1871 Went to Summerstown Paid Thomas Munroe for the Lambs Gave me a 7 1/2 on them Give him 2 Dollars in Bills wrote a Letter to Henery Genie a Meeting of the Cheese Factory Folks up at Mr Craigs John Hamilton and I came home together in the Boat the horse slipped his headstall at Summers Door Looking for the horse Found him in the Pasture harnefs off

25th My Birth Day Banking the house the West End

26th Drawing wood Laduke and Peter Shetla here looking for Timber a Great Deal of shooting to Day went to the Little Island to Try for EEls wind Raised came home

27th Piling some wood

28th Went to Fort Covington with my Rats and the Wool 6 lbs Bag and all sold my Rats to Mr Streeter Bow{cut off} of Mr Cangdon Pink and Seena Paid the carding men got a Dring of Cider under the carding mill Got a Treat from Donald Suple Bought of A Smallman 1 lb Crack Bought of R Baker 1 lb shot 1/4 lb Tobacco 2 Bunches of matches 2 hanks of Thread got a Treat from one McRae a Gacheman Rowed Pretty hard coming up the River as there is a Boat Putting after me hard did not catch me till I stopt at the Custom House it was William McLean and John Richard Grant

Sunday 29th Blowing hard

30th Working at Banking at the house Gordon Found my Knife at the shore that had Been Lost 10 years it is as good as ever

31 Holy Eve we cracking nuts put a Letter in the P.O. to Charlie and a paper seen Ellen on the Front

{page two}

James Cameron Island

November 1st 1871 Raining hard East Wind working at the corner cubbord

2n at the cubbord Fxing the stacks

3rd cutting poles for a Fence to put around the stacks

4th hard Frost Last night Jim Hopkins here for an ash Runner and a Yoke East Wind the EEl Fishers the Mayhews came up I crofsed to Roses with the wool to spin got 2 Dollars from Norman Abrams Bought of AJ Baker 7/6 worth of Flour 1/2 lb Tea 1 Doz of Herrings 2 Dollars) Bought molafses and Tobacco went up with Thomas Munroe to supper as he is going to the shanty next Week the Nashes Steamer came in to Summerstown Heard the British America was sold

5th The Gunpowder Plot Guy Fawks Day Blowing snowing Got a Rat

6th chopping stove Wood

7th Helens Birth Day set 2 Traps for the Weasel

8th got 2 Ducks chopping and piling Wood

9th put out the Long canoe at the Lower Point Raising the Pine Stick at the Water Log Thinking of sawing it in 2 for Logs Prince of Wales Birth Day

10th Windy the Mayhues crofsed from Christees Island to this Island and camped in the Bell Bay one of them came to the house snowing a Steamer got aground up at Hamiltons to night with a Tow

11th the Mayhues went of Snowing and Blowing I caught 4 EEls for the first I caught this fall hard Frost to night Gordon Found another Knife at the shore with the water so very Low

Martinmas 12th Sunday Blowing hard

13th crofsed to P. O. Fine Turned high East Wind took a Muskrat to 1 Quart of oil Went over with G Renshaw Mr Craig taking his cattle from Jacobs Island ice Froze in Salmon River

14th caught 5 EEls Got a Rat East Wind Raining Blowing hard

15th Drew some Wood ----------------

James Cameron Island

November 15th 1871 high East Wind a Great many Boats coming up as the canal is Likley to be Fixed now The Corinthian Kingston Spartan osprey and Propeller American a Race Both together The Magnet St Helen the Picton Went Down another Propeller went up and another Tow went up Keeping in the Horses this Week Back Feeding with Good Hay high Wind to night Raining

16th Raining Thanksgiving Day snowing East Wind cutting hay Put in Roses old sheep again Keeping in the Hens a small Tug went up with a Tow a very Raw Wind of Weather

17th a Fine Day the Man to be hung in Montreal to Day for the Murder of Mrs Foster his name Went to Fish EEls got 3 West Wind Turned some cold towards evening set 5 Traps in the Front Marsh Fixing springs to some of My Traps to night

18th Went to AJ Bakers to 1 RAt 12 1/2 cents Bought salt to cut Tobacco Got 2 Papers from Andrew Found a night Line near Hamiltons Island with a horse shoe and a Bent Cleves tied on it I think it must Belong to old Tom Davis as that supperstitious Rigging is on to took Down a Load of Wood in the Boat George Renshaw went to Lancaster Great shooting over the Way of Christees Island I think it must be Jim Hopkins with Decoys there seen a Great many Wild geese tonight and Last night I never seen such Flocks of Ducks as went Down an immence Lot of them

19th Sunday East Wind some cold a good many Boats a Going

20th Went to Christees to Fish EEls in the Mud and Down to the Kit Kit Island all Day and only got a Lizard not 1 EEl and in the Best of Mud to Get them

21st On this Day of the Month Donald McMaster Departed in 1846 Drew some wood Drew up 2 of the canoes took the Boards from the sugar Bush came home for the Fun thought I seen Wild Geese in the Bay But they were Big Black Ducks

22nd chopping at the Door Keeping in the Horses Lots of Boats a Going the Ottawa City went into Salmon River the Renaud passed Down did not Go into Lancaster Fixing at Stoves took out the Doubl Stove to the cook house took in the cook stove to the house

{page two}

James Cameron Island

Nov 23rd, 1871 This is Thanksgiving Day in the States shot a Duck at the Lower end of the islant Fixing a Fence around the stacks as the Cattle is at them pretty cold to Day the Enterprize went in to Salmon River and came out to night as it is Freezing very hard night a circle around the moon East Wind put our sheep in the shed shut them up Feeding them Barges Towed up By the Highlander went in sailing to Lancaster Lot of Boats coming up and Going Down Towing and Going

24th chopping stove Wood cold time

25th Men came up in a Boat stopt on the sturgeon Island thought it was Jim Hopkins Horses got out By the Pin coming out of the stable Door got them in a cold night

26th Fine Day commenced to Rain and Wind strong to night

27th Took the Long canoe fromo the Lower Point cold north Wind

28th Tow Boats and Propellers a Going yet Walter Baker and George Bosell after their Horses not Pleased at me feeding hay and Keeping them in Got 2 Dollars and 65 cents from George and I Paid on Allowed a Dollar for the Hens Highlander up to night with a Big Tow Europe went up cut some Wood for the First Gordon and I cold to night

29th a small Propeller I went Down with something like a Drudge in tow the John A McDonald went up with a schooner in Tow Light in the Light Houses to night and its very Windy Cold and very Frosty to night chopping Stove Wood Broke on the Piles of Wood Before the Door Feeding and Keeping in the Cattle this is St Andrews Eve a Ball at McRaes at the Depot the Big White owl coming around and St Andrew Dinner

30th St Andrews Day very cold high Wind Frosty Ground hard no snow Froze to the outside of the Rushes Last night Could not see any Light in any of the Lighthouses

1st of December a Tug Propeller went up nothing in Tow very cold and Windy cutting stove Wood and Piling in the Cookhouse Water commencing to Raise

2nd Taking up the Boat and canoes Raising the Pine stick and it Rolled over after thawing it high enough Killed a sheep a very Good one she is Hens a Freezing the Heifer and Bull Picking but set Fire to the Back Marsh it dont Burns well south West Wind

Mr James Cameron Island

Dec 3rd 1871 William Lavelle here got the Big Barrel Sunday Gordon going Round Down to the Tower Point Found and old Judeau Hatchet one of the Largest I Found yet a very fine Day sun shining wind Kind of warm snowed some this morning Lots of Snow birds First Sunday in advent

4th a Fine Day Went to Summerstown Bought of AJ Baker 1 Pair of Boots 3 3/4 Gave him 2 Dollars on the Boots 1/2 lb soda 5 cents 53 lbs of Flour on credit ( Paid -/4 for 2 Plugs of Tobacco 1/2 lb Tea 1/3 Thread 6 cents salt 10 cents oil 12 1/2 cents paid this) Went over with George Renshaw to Kill a sheep a Treat from Walter at Summers Got some Papers from Dan some Papers from Charlie Got some sarsaparella from Tom Davis

5 very Cold and Windy cutting stove Wood Frosty

6th very Cold and Windy wind Fell in the afternoon and its Frosty the ice took acrofs to Christees and the Kit Kit about Dark I think the Foreleft to night on the ice Hens Freezing

7th ice Broke as its Kind of soft all gone Got a Weasel in the Trap Chopping a Birch in the Bush

8th Chopping in the Bush Gordon and I Windy snowing Drifting snowed Last night very unwell still Knocking around seen the Big Black Eagle coming around Ducks plenty in the channel no Rats nor minks

9th Went for a Broom to the Bush Raising the square Pine stick on the ice high West Wind stormy and cold one of the sheep sick Foolish like

10th Stormy Drifting snowing Blowing

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Mr James Cameron Island

Dec 11th 1871 in the Bush cut 1/2 cord of Birch cold

12th Fine Day Killed the Little Nannie crofsed with the Boat had to Leave it at the head of hamiltons Island as the Little channel is all Froze went Down to Mr Roses for the yarn Got 50 Kanes Left 5 Skain and a Ball of Gray yarn to make me a Pair of Mits went to AJ Bakers Bought 47 lbs of Flour on Credit ) (Spool of Thread {illegible}) John Hamilton Taking in one of his Stacks of Hay Andrew Baker Getting hay from Archy McDonald

13th Stormy East Wind ice making some a Good Deal going down

14h ice Taken to Francis Island to night Lifting Troughfs in the Bush went to the Head of the Island to see how the ice was not taken at the head nor away up chopping some

15th I crofsed over to Hamilton Island But its awful Bad I think now after crofsing it only took about Daylight this morning as I never was so Frightened on the ice Before But in case of a snow storm coming want to mark out the Best of the ice as there is a Great many air holes But I made Tracks home Quick it was not 1/4 of an inch thick got 2 EEls

16th Drew up the Boat and 2 of the canoes crofsed to AJ Bakers seen Mr Spinks treated me at Davids Bought of AJ Baker 8 yrds wincy 15 a yd 1- 20 Black spool 5 cents 8 yrds Cotton 93 cent 1 spool 5 cents 1/2 lb Tea 25 1 Bottle of Radways R R 25 3 Plugs of Tobacco 10 ) ( Matches Paint called in at Hamiltons Got some Tobacco From John a Debate on the Front Last night AJ Baker Killing the Cow he Traded with George Renshaw cold East Wind

Mr James Cameron Island

Dec 17th 1871 Sunday Kind of soft Mild wind south West and north snowing Drifting and Fine seen 2 Foxes crofsing from Christees Island to this on another Fox in the Back Bay on the North side a Great many of those white Back Eagles Flying around the ice to get Ducks and muskrats that are caught in the ice water Raising near shore took up the Traps as the water is Raising

18th Fine Morning spearing EEls turned stormy East Wind and snow Raising the Rest of the Troughfs in the sugar Bush

19th a Fortunate Day Went to AJ Bakers Bought 3 Quarts of Kerosene oil Brought To Hamiltons some English Papers for Tom Davis Killing their Hogs at Hamiltons Got a Hooker from Margaret East Wind turned very stormy could Hardly see coming home its stopt stormy a Great many going to Cornwall Mills From the Coteque and Cedars

20th A Fortunate Day chopping in the Bush cold Turned very cold Toward night very Frosty night to night cut a Water hole Feeding the cattle extra West Wind piling up some Boards

21st First Day of Winter and a cold Frosty Day it is St Thomas

22nd a Fortunate Day West wind Fine turned to East Wind Got John Hamiltons horse to go to AJ Bakers for 100 of Flour took Dinner at Hamiltons in at Roses John Drawing some hay out of the stack Got the Load of the hand sleigh from Ferry antwine Bosells wife to take my Flour acrofs the ice

23rd White washing Raised the Pine stick some more Wind Raised very very high to night from the West Rain Horse cutter crofsed at Summers

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Mr James Cameron Island

Dec 24th 1871 Sunday Went around the Island Gordon and I see horse and cutter coming to Hog Island turned Back to Summerstown this is Christmas Eve

25 Christmas Day a Fine Day Fished some EEls

26th chopping in the Bush East Wind Frosty Bosells crofsed over to Christee Island to Fish EEls St Stephens Day Full Moon seen a sleigh crofsing the Lancaster Road I dont see any at Summerss crofsing the crack over ner Hopkins must be Bad

27th St John the Evangelist Day cold West Wind Stormy went to Henerys and William Lavelletes come and chop Henery working at Donald McDonalds hewing

28th William and his 2 Boys came to chop I went to AJ Bakers Bought 1 lb Tea 50 lb Pork 1" 1/2 lb Pepper 10 Pint of H Wines 25 2 plugs of Tob 8 Bunches of Matches 2 cents 3 lbs 2 oz of Butter at 18 cents per lb Mr Streeter Buying Andrews Rats Fox mink skins Got 4 Dotographs from Charlie and 2 Letters and 2 Papers an Austraulia Paper and the Budget William Lavellete Got the Loan of our churn {cut off}ld some

29th Our Angus's Birth Day William and his 3 Boys came to chop Gave them an order on AJ Baker for 2 Dollars Drew 2 Loads of Wood with his horse William took some Potatoes and 2 Dozen of Herring for his Dinner Drew my Boat up From the River to the Barn chopped some Firewood along the Bank

30th cold stormy East Wind chopping and sawing stove Wood the Dinner in aid of Mr Watson Last night they will have it cold Going home this morning

31st set 2 Traps Kind of soft Rained to night East Wind Last night of the year

Files

James Cameron 1871 Diary   1.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   2.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   3.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   4.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   5.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   6.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   7.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   8.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   9.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   10.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   11.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   12.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   13.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   14.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   15.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   16.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   17.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   18.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   19.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   20.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   21.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   22.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   23.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   24.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   25.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   26.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   27.pdf
James Cameron 1871 Diary   28.pdf

Citation

James Cameron, “James Cameron Diary, 1871,” Rural Diary Archive, accessed November 21, 2024, https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/items/show/444.
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