James Cameron Diary, 1902

Title

James Cameron Diary, 1902

Creator

James Cameron

Source

Courtesy of the Archives of Ontario

Date

1902

Language

English

Coverage

20th Century, Glengarry County, McMaster's Island Township, Ontario

Date Created

January 1, 1902

Is Part Of

James Cameron Diary Collection

Medium

Scanned Manuscript

Transcription

{page one}

James Cameron Island

28th. Dec 1901 Holy Innocents Day a Fine Morning Randolph came had 2 packages which Gordon Brought coat Boots Jacket. Ties 2 cups and saucers, 2 Lemons, Candies in a Box and in Paper. Randolph and Leander went to hunt this Morning. Baking today. The letter to Dan would go off this morning. Concerning Leander, name him who swam the Hellespont {Dardanelles in Turkey}. Began fishing perch and pike in the Back Bay. Leander and Randolph down to Rofs's and Charlie's Island. Stanley cutting wood for the sugar bush and cutting stove wood at the door. Leander went across bought 25 cent sugar, 1 bag of salt. Got a large pike. Returned tonight.

29th Angus Cameron Birthday Uncle Angus. Rainning today. Last Sunday in the year.

30th Fine, calm. Stanley drawing old wood and sticks from the fence and the barn. Fixing something on the Thrashing mill. Billy and Uncle George came, went to fish EEls. Captain Billy came with papers concerning Fernandez's military stand in the regiment. Got 30 EEls. Billy told us of Margaret Cameron, now Mrs. Millar’s death last week a near friend of ours.

31st Fine some windy. Billy filed the crosscut saw. Fernandez went to Lancaster. Very squally with drifting and wind. Perch and pike. Fernandez came to Frasher's Point. very high wind.Freezing hard tonight stopt up till 1 oclock.

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James Cameron Island

1st Jan 1902 New years Day, a Fortunate Day. Fine, fair and frosty, some wind freezing. Hard ice making. Ice going down the Bay. Boys crofsed to the Little Island north side, anchor ice going down. Making across in some places ice taken by Charlie’s Island and up to Hopkin's Point. Diggin baits to fish. Fishing perch and pike. Freezing hard tonight. Ice jamming some.


2nd A Fortunate Day East wind, fine. Ice did not take in the channel outside.Last night boys fishing perch and pike got an EEl Fixing the Mud Spears 2 of them went to fish EEls 4 of them of them22 got to Day

3rd Allen's Birthday Unfortunate Day, some cold wind. Fernandez, Billy and George went off took their fish 50 EEls, lots of perch, some pike. Made a small sleigh to draw their fish. Fernandez started for to go to the St. John's Training School. to start from Dundee on the 5th of January. Leander went part of the way with them on the ice. The ice taken on the south side not taken on the north side yet. But freezing hard tonight 4th Unfortunate Day the ice taken across here not altogether above here. Began boarding the inside of the kitchen the east end. The ice is taken to night.

Sunday the 5th, Leander crossed, got the mail.Gordon came, showed the presents he got from Mrs Locia and the fine time he had at their Place. Randolph here Dan Spink fishing.

{page one}

1902

James Cameron Island 6th January 1902 Unfortunate day, Gordon crofsed laying the Floor in the Kitchen loft. Rained some council in Williamstown. Sacrament yesterday in Salem Church. Fernandez and Captain. Morris took the train for St John's Military school Que R.S.J. 50th Regiment. Laid the floor as far as the pipe from the north side.

7th E wind some Frosty. Some logs Leander crofsed got 25 cents for tea soap Got a letter from Dan Sending a box. I can't read the letter as I am bad with my sight. Got a package of writing paper from John Cameron of Kansas I think he sent it on account of the the Rought ugly paper I sent him in my Last Letter. Got the mail. Sent 2 papers to Fernandez at St. John's.

8th January Annie Birthday 1866 Mrs. George Creamer of Dundee age 36. William F. Morris and 2 young Boys came to Fish Perch in the Bay. First horse to cross from the south side. Jim and Angus Mayville here with Bill left minnows here. Got EEls. Leander to Summerstown took the Hand-Sleigh got the Star.

9th very Fine not so windy today nor so Frosty.The 2 boys in the bush sawing. Leander crossed to Summerstown.Put out some bushes. Got the box. Benny Viponds boy died on the 8th as I heard.Frank Laplant crofsed with a horse.

10th E wind. Stanley and Leander in bush shot a white owl on the Double Butternut Tree Sawing the Laying Down Maple

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James Cameron Island

26th January 1902 Fortunate Day. Gordon came. Randolph and Stanley came for Elm Bark for Eddy Renshaw. Wrote a letter for Randolph for Toronto. made pills rained to night.

27th Fine windy. Rained tonight. Made loads to the Wood and Banks as the crust is Bad. Gordon not well. Sent 3 letters and 2 papers. Windy night. Getting ice at to Douquetts to Day.

28th cold wind. Fine day. Drew loads today to Douqueets. Cold tonight.

29th McKinley's Birthday. They are keeping it today in the states. Fine, cold and Frosty. Drew 2 loads today to Douquets.Bought 50 cents of sugar. Meeting at Salem Church. Cool.

30th Fine day. Leander went for oil. Frosty tonight.

31st fine, fair, frosty. Shot an owl last night in the Grove. Letter from Fernandez and Minnie. Letters sent off to Doumachell about the Loons. Borrowed 25 cents from Ionia.

1st of February 1902 The Black Month, St. Bridgets Day it used to be called East Wind snowing Drifting Fox passed here. Randolph.

2nd Candlemas Day .the Sun did not shine today, so the Bear and the Badger will not see shadows Wind blowing drifting. {folded over } Gates through a Minister's {torn away} stormy Time {rest of page illegible}

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James Cameron Island

3rd Feb. 1902 Unfortunate day. Windy changed to west. Drifting, blowing and ugly time. Not very well tonight.

4th, Fine mild wind. Misty. Leander went to the hill, seen the Fox Running Right up to him. Put out pills and they eat them.

5th, a very fine day. Leander to the poison, they eat it but got none of them.Harnefsed the horses to break the road to the river. This is St. Agatha's Day. Grey bird not seen since the storm.This storm was awful Bad. Most every place had to turn with the M{illegible}. In Summerstown Montreal, had a big storm and lots of other places.

6th, fine day. Randolph here, Leander and him went Fishing perch in the bay, got none. No foxes. Gordon came, had his axe not very well.Shot an owl in the grove.

7th, Unfortunate Day. Fine. Leander got a fox. a dog took Pill the measles in Summerstown. Gordon chopping stove wood at the door. Snowing, kind of soft, took over the wheat from the old house. Skinned the fox sno {torn away}

8th, Gordon's Birthday.{torn away} 39 years old today. Drifting, blowing. Leander for the mail, got 4 papers. Sunday, Unfortunate Day{torn away} Drifting {rest of page illegible}

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James Cameron Island

10th Feb 1902 West wind fine, fair, frosty. Gordon at stove wood. Leander got a Fox.

11th Fortunate day. Fine, drifting, windy. Snowed tonight, cold.

12th Ash Wednesday. Unfortunate Day. I eat no meat today. Wrote a letter to Winners Magazine. Winners Magazine 122 B. St. Louis, Mo. U.S.A Put in 10 cents in the Letter. Leander and Gordon crofsed to Summertown. Brought 5 lbs of sugar, 25 cents. Ugly going on the ice. Water on the ice.

13th Fine Day Randolph here on snowshoes Gets no Foxes Gordon at Stove wood Gave the Letter to Randolph to put in the office and 2 cents to Pay Postage The election for Mayor in Cornwall is going on today. Mr. Lamoureux and Derushie . Heard Lamoureux got in Majority.

14th, Valentine’s Day. Leander and Gordon crossed to Summertown. Bought a stove pipe with a keg in it for the stove. Fine day, sunshine. Got the Gleaner and Fort Covington Sun one half of the Month Past.

15th Very fine day. Gordon ran the post. Leander went to Cornwall to Mill with 20 bushels of wheat, got a good return of flour from Mack’s Mill. Bought For Springs 90 cents. Shovel for snow, 50 cents. Gordon Bought Boots, 2 pair. Shirt and a Bottle of good stuff pipe the Cow not very smart Seen flocks of ducks pass come to at this air-hole

Bought nails

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James Cameron Island

16th Feb 1902 Sunday, Unfortunate Day, Fine Day. George came on snowshoes had a pair of mitts come in -- minutes from his place. Randolph here. Stanley came home from Renshaws all had a Jolification on Gordon's.Good stuff 3 of them went tonight church. The cow Laid out and skinned.

17th, Unfortunate Day. Fine, Fair and Frosty. Began using this flour. Randolph here, gave him the 2 papers to put in the P.O. to Fernandez and Billy. Stanley not here, I don't know where he went and if they know they will not tell put some of the wheat and flour up in the East End. Snowed through the night. Another of the white owls flying around cool Fine.

18th, James Hugh's Birthday. 1855, 47 years old today. Fine day, snowing some, windy. Snowing, drifting. An ugly day, doing a little or nothing. Snowing tonight.

19th, Fine, fair and frosty. Sawing some at the door.Its a Drifting to Day to beat ----- Sun shining, cut a 1/2 inch Board to make SnowShoes Made a pair to night.

20th, this is called the Steel Days till the 28th. Fine, Drifting Sunshiny Day. Boarding from the north west window Gordon and Leander at South today. Gordon went to the Salem Church social.

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James Cameron Island

21st Feb, 1902. A Fortunate Day, a very fine day, the sun is warm. Randolph here brought the mail. A letter from John Cameron, Junction City. Leander boarding the west side north up stairs. Gordon came tonight had 2 letters from Maxville and one from Mr. John McBain, my old friend and schoolmate. He was always a good churchman and a good Christian and an excellent scholar and a good teacher. I am awful about my sight. Those letters I got I cannot read and the Mistrefs has to make them out the best she can .I am thinking my sight will get better, still I am doubtful. I will be glad to get the book as they will read it to me and I used to be so used that route from Martintown to the Scotch River, McLavins Mills, Riceville and other places.We had lots of friends out there, the Campbells in the 19th and 20th. Malcom Campbell, MacKercher on Mr.Keracher, The Buffalo. His mother was a near relation of ours. The McDermids and the Camerons.

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James Cameron Island

22nd Feb 1902 Washington's Birth Day. Very very fine day, sunshine and hot. Boarding some upstairs. West side of the chimney north End.

23rd, Sunday. Unfortunate Day. Very very fine day. D. Spink and Randolph here. Tried for perch, got none. Brought the Mail.

24th, Matthias Day. Very fine day, kind of Warm, Foggy or Cloudy or mist or Dip Sawed some Stove wood.Boarding upstairs north at the chimney. Wrote 2 letters, one to John McBain. Esq. Maxville one to Mrs James Burton. Maxville shot at an owl down on the ice. Sugar-bird coming around. Snowed this afternoon. Kind of soft working upstairs tonight at the West Window. Wrote.

25th, A Fortunate Day. Wrote my letter for the continuance of the Star. My time to begin is 26th of February. Put in a dollar. Leander and Gordon crossed with the Team. Sent the 3 letters, registered and hostage 11 cents and 2 papers to Fernandez. 2 letters to Maxville, 1 to the Weekly Star Bought sugar 25 Sissy sugar 25 Got letter from Dumoshel and Fernandez.

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James Cameron Island

26th of Feby 1902 Fortunate day, The Star begins today. Paid for this year. Fine, few drops of hail, Foggy not any wind, kind of East not cold. Leander and Gordon went to Fort Covington with 3 bags of corn to mill. Brought 2 hides and 2 fox skins. Got a good return of corn meal this year better than Usual thawed some today. Bought 20 lb of sugar, tea, soap, tobacco, whiskey, files, some crows and blackbirds out, Owl at the barn. Got the Star and envelope to get 3 pictures of the Royal Family.

27th, a very Fine morning. Randolph here. Winds. Working upstairs overhead and under the north windows. Chic-a-Dees or Tom-tit and sugar-bird or creeping bird around the door. Leander sent off a letter to Messers Moody and Co. with 11 Dollars in it for the first payment of the Raking Machine and Randolph takes it to the P.O. today and to Register it. Leander crofsed himself. Stanley came from Renshaw's, had the saw and Tongs for the ice. Brought The book The Man From Glengarry sent to me from Maxville by my niece Mifs Daisy Burton which I appreciate very much with many kind wishes to the one who sent.--

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James Cameron Island

28th, Feby 1902 Last day of February, a fine Day. Gordon and Leander went to Mill to Cornwall With 18 or 20 Bushels Ionia went to Summerstown to Adeliades East wind poured nearly all night. They came had their grist a good Return of flour Bought a crofscut.Saw the Lancet axe-handle. Ionia bought 2 lamp chimneys and sugar.

1st of March, St. David's Day.Taffy the Welshmans Day, The Leek. Came on raining Daytime fine. The sun shone bright. Unfortunate Day, fixing the place for the ice. Gordon sawing with the new crosscut saw the Lancet plenty Tapt a Tree for a Drink. First eggs came in today. Sun was awful hot, rained hard tonight.

2nd, Unfortunate Day. Sunday rain pouring rain all day. Rained tonight and very windy tonight.

3rd, fine cool windy. Gordon and Stanley sawing the Elm butt above the house. Stanley got sawdust in one of his Eyes. Wrote a letter today to Miss. Daisy Burton. Maxville thanks for the Book, Froze some tonight. Windy North


March 6th one Load to Jo's on 6th.

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James Cameron Island

4th of March 1902 William Henry Shadgate Cameron Birth Day. Uncle John's Eldest son. Born in Quebec. Randolph and Leander after the Fox at Francis. Leander shot him cutting ice on the south side of the island. Gordon Bad with the toothack. Sunshiny day, north wind. I can hardly see this what I am writing, I sent a letter with Randolph to put in the P.O. to Maxville Filing the other saw for the ice cut 40 squares of ice. Gordon and Leander went Down to the Kit Kit see if their was any Foxes. Saln River is open, down to the Distillery.

5th, Unfortunate Day. Gordon, Stanley, Leander at the ice. Randolph came had the Kansas paper went to the ice with them. A very fine day. I can hardly see what I am writing, my sight is getting worse every day. The east wind boys at the ice.

6th, a very very fine day. Randolph came, had a letter with receipt of the 11 dollars for the raking machine. Taking up ice Eddy Renshaw for sawdust to Lancaster. A social in Summerstown tonight. Gordon crossed to the social Indian down for wood. Load to Jo ( ice all in.)

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James Cameron Island

7th of March 1902 Froze last night. Gordon came from the Social Last night.Got the Paper Pets and Animals. Leander and Gordon took up a load this morning and last night a team went down the ice Likely for sawdust. Stanley went to Fort Covington to get his Boots mended gave him a Dollar bill to get some Eye-water and RRR for my sight is awful. Dim took 2 loads this Forenoon.Black dead quite smart, night dead this morning it must be heart disease or horn Distemper. Bill Billy and Fernandez came took the 2 boats up with them Tyo's Boat and Bills. Bun Billy took his sword here so I would see it and its a Beauty. They are after coming from the Milatary school at St. Johns.Some rain snow slush Randolph sold his Fox


8th, Unfortunate Day, fine east wind cold Randolph Brought Brought the mair Shot a rabbit in the bush with saw and axe.

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James Cameron Island

9th of March 1902 Sunday, Gordon to church then went to the Concefsion to chop Took his saw and axe. Snowing some, he took a Letter to put in the P Office to who I dont know, everything is secret it seems. Stanley came, no one knew where he went, they knew they didint seem that I should know where he came to Day. I did not ask him where he was, as I would not be told. Snowed some tonight.

10th, a Fortunate Day, very fine, put out. the Grindstone, 3 of them went to the bush took saw and axes. Very fine, went over to the old house. The first time I was this winter packing the owls send to Dumochel and Bro Montreal. Heard George Snetsinger died at the Clifton House, Cornwall. Very much respected by all who called on him.

11th, went up to the Bush. Randolph down with a team. Stanley very sick. Fine rained hard tonight. Leander went to Lancaster Medicine. Seen wild geese chicken hawk Eddy Renshaw here went with the owls. Barry here yesterday wood.

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James Cameron Island

12th of March 1902 Rain, very foggy, Blackbirds came. Unfortunate Day, some few men working at the Pier yesterday. The 11th water on the ice. Bought 3 spools of thread, 15 cents. Stanley not very well on this day of the of the Month. D McMaster Senior first came to the Island and the ice opened This Day Very very foggy, calm. I had to make this Big or I cant make out this again the next day. Rained hard tonight, lots of water on the ice. Cut a hole for Perch.

13th, raining, snowed some. Randolph here took down the Star East and North month. The Boers beating the British in the Last Route they had by having the British cloths. Stanley in bed. The ice men boring on the ice.

14th, Stanley's Birth Day 1880 a Fine day, went to the Lower-Point. Made shafts for the old bobsleigh. Stanley not well, took over the Pork. Very fine today, drew 4 logs of wood to the bank. Randolph and Rossie a man at the shore. Leander, Fernandez to Summerstown.

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James Cameron Island

15th March 1902. East wind, fine sunshiny day. Cool a sale at Mr Chisholm to Day. Stanley very unwell. Don't take any nourishment at all, his head is what he complains of. Drawing those Bridge sticks bank then to Summerstown. 2 of them drew on the south side from Wharf Whistlers flying a lot of shooting on the south side. Thawing this afternoon. Gordon came tonight. Chisholm's sale put off the 19th.

16th Sunday, Unfortunate Day, Fine Day. Randolph and D Spink came Stanley very unwell today and tonight he is very Bad very Bad. Slept well. The Boys making at the air-hole set Decoys shot 6 ducks, 2 a piece. Rained hard tonight, some wind.

17th, This is the 17th of Ireland St. Patrick's Day. Fine, cool, pleasant after ducks at the air-hole. Stanley no better, don't take any nourishment at all. Basins and spoils to the bush Froze tonight, Stanley poorly.

18th, St. Joseph Day. Fine on this day of the month Vicky Departed 1887 Rowena) Randolph here, Fernandez went to Lancaster, sent for Randolph. Essence of Peppermint Eye Water, gave him a Dollar, continued over.

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James Cameron Island

18th March 1902St Joseph Day, I heard Mifs Annie McDonald in the Gore Departed.Court in Lancaster today. Doctor Harknefs in Cornwall today. Brought 100 Buckets for Sap. The Bush surely pays these Buckets Livinia sent for Hooks and Eyes got the RRR 2 bottles of peppermint and my change.

19th, Mr. Chisholm's Sale today. Fine, froze last night and today cool wind. Stanley very unwell, the other 2 went to the sale. A team went down the channel and came up. My sight is awful bad today, I cant read what I wrote. Sap not running today, rigs going on the Lower Road today. Bought at the sale. Cultivator Began to snow. Few drops of rain. Paid a ____ the sale went on good. Got a bottle of ____ for Stanley.

20th, a nice Little lot of snow fell. Fine this morning Thawing melting. This is the last day of winter. Stanley came down for 5 minutes 8 or 9 days in bed. This is the Tapt some trees. Fernandez went across to go to the Meeling in Alexander on the 21st at the Chisholm sale. They sold for 1036 dollars and 36 cents. Rained some tonight. Sport went upstairs to see Stanley in bed.

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James Cameron Island

27th March 1902 Froze some Last night, Randolph here. Last night brought the mail. Ice going down, jamming some. Sap runs well.


27th, a very fine day. Telegraphed to Dr Harkness on Stanley's account of being unwell. The Dr came

{several lines blacked out}

of shooting today. Rained this evening, ice jamming on the south side. Put the Dr across to Summerstown and to meet him at Point Lovat Saturday.

28th, Good Friday, I eat no meat today. Unfortunate Day, kind of foggy sunshines. A lot of shooting this morning. Stanley rested well last night and today Randolph here E Renshaw to see Stanley and in the sugar Bush east and north.East wind took to the house tonight. About 10 gallons of syrup in jars. Raining hard all night.

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James Cameron Island

29th 1902 March. Raining, very Foggy, misty, cloudy. East change to west. Leander to Point Lovat to meet the Doctor. Gave medicine to Livinia Senior. Miss Harknefs sent a lovely box of precious value to Livinia Junior which she was quite proud of. Bad roads, not much {illegible} Gordon came tonight.

30th, {?}. Rained east wind. Easter Sunday, the sun did not show himself this morning. Lots of eggs, killed a hen for Stanley. Seen a crane yesterday. Sap not running, my sight is very bad. My hearing is not much better My memory not any better. Better health good otherwise. Rained through hard the night. I make some mistakes and crooked writing.

31st of March, fine in the sugar bush skinning Rats. Mr Duncan McGillis here and went away without his dinner, too bad. Why dident he come? Snowed through the night or near morning, swallows came. Frogs began their music Canadian Nightingale as they are called.

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James Cameron Island

17th of May 1902. Unfortunate day, Fernandez went across, took Dozen of Eggs. Took a can of syrup. Planting, planted potatoes. Let the horses out to pasture. Squashes planted. Very fine fishing, got 2 do not bite. Planted squashes at Stone crockey. 2 of them went to Lancaster to meeting Billy Morris and John Bodwa came. the Boys came tonight from Lancaster.

18th, Whit Sunday. Mr McLaughlin and Napoleon here. Boys fishing for perch. Frank Lemay and wife here. Randolph and Stanley came. I think I make mistakes as I cannot read what I wrote. Yesterday, a very fine day.

19th, Monday, my sight is very dim as I write this. Killed one of the calves, east wind. You can see for yourself, what a mean set of folks I have. Just look how they Destroyed my writings.

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James Cameron Island

19th, May 1902 I Did notice this day Dawring in my Diary till to Day the one who Done it done it Last night and I know who he is, no one would do it but a very Guilty person and a Rob{illegible} I know the Guilty Person but I will Expose this to everyone. Rained tonight, St Dustans Day

20th, a very fine day. Leander took his Boat from the shore. I suppose going some place to get it. Fixed Dont tell me any they do the Redcoat ploughing in an easy place, taking and putting anything I have out of my way, so I will have to look for them Wind. The soger crossed Leander to Jo Lemay with his Boat Girls working in the garden. a Butternut tree cut down at Point, had no business to cut it.


{pages are out of order, will need to be put in correct order}


{page two}

James Cameron Island

21st March 1902. First day of spring, Randolph here after ducks in airhole. Some rain, a few drops this morning. Sun crosses the line. Equinoxical Gales begins on land and sea. Ice must be wearing under. Stanley not much better, I cannot see right what I am writing took some of the Barrels to the river to soak. Tapping today, took some buckets to the bay.Took over the Iron or metal barrel to the House for the sugar bush. A fine day for the Conservative meeting in Alexandria or the Priest Mills as I’ve used to call it in days of yore. very hot sun came out, about 4 or ½ past 4. Gathered 6 barrels this afternoon about 270 Tapt now. This is the first gathering, no fine made yet. Sap run well all night.

22nd, Livinia Senior Birthday and a very fine day it is. 1840. Fernandez came, got a letter him. I don’t know its contents, sap runs well today. Stanley not well, Tapping gathered 6 Barrels

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James Cameron Island

23rd of March. Ice opened today at Fran{run off} Island. The old mark for the{run off} to go. Randolph here, had to stop night and go across with the {illegible} in the morning. Fernandez went to Lancaster to see and get some medicine from Dr. Harkness got it. Ice bad near shore, made syrup for the first had many 7 gallons, a very good sap Day Stanley taken medicine today. A very very fine day, sap running well, ice opening slowly. Lots of shooting away down east and south east. Cleaned my gun and oiled it, 10 gallons in the house today.

25th, Lady Day annunciation. Virgin Mary a very Fine Day. Went to the old house, took over an axe. Took a lot of cans today, sap run well. {three or four lines blacked out} 26th John Hamilton Cameron Birthday, 1876, 26 years old to Day. East wind, a very very fine day. Ice jamming on the channel going down. Went to Upper Point, lots of shooting.

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James Cameron Island

1st Apr. All Fools Day, Rained {folded over} Leander went to meet {folded over} Randolph here, shot 2 Bla{folded over} Made a cake of sugar. Lots {folded over} some ice close to shore here {folded over} Had some snow on the Ground {folded over} Stanley some better, my {folded over} is no Better. Sheep grazing on hill here, they took about 10 gallons.

2nd, Froze some last night, fine some wind.

3rd, Leander to {folded over} Windy, sharpening saw

4 up a little. Randolph here, the Dr here for the last {folded over} A very fine day, put a handle in an axe the Drs Last Trip the ice in the bay yet {illegible} Frost tonight, lots of shooting at Na-Houtas or Carin{folded over} Island or Hawk Island, Snake Island no nothing call it. This is St. Ambrose day.

5th, very fine, Mr Arthur Hu{cut off} and 2 boys of Lemays here Bought a gallon of syrup,

6th, Fortunate Day. Adelaide, James R. and Randolph here Fine Day. 4 of the Boys in the bush made Taffy E Wind, Gordon crossed to Bakers he is Shingling {illegible}

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James Cameron Island

7th of April 1902 On this Day of the Month, Uncle John Departed 1893 in New York. Very fine day. Boys in sugar bush. I went over to the other house round to the Lower Point the Back Bay. Ice moved out a little but the east wind moves it back. Made Blind on the bay to have in the Boat

8th E wind cool. 2 of the Boys out in the Back Bay after the Blue Bills got in for part of the day afternoon in the bush raining. Stanley Fixing the lines. Bob gave Ionia a bad bite. Took home about 16 gallons of syrup to Day. Eclipse to Day & some say their heard loons. Very windy tonight, east north.

9th On this day of the month I was married in 1862, 46 years married today. East wind, rained some. Ice jamming Rats, windy tonight. A Fortunate Day, Randolph here {torn away} away the Banking, took 10 ducks, took some of the sugar Bush. Things some bottling syrup. Heard Miss M Lean Departed.

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James Cameron Island

11th of April {torn off} Fine, went over to the old house. Stanley went out for the First time since the 11th of March a month Leander went with {torn off} a steamer, went down today The first made a pail of stuff for the Last cleaning

12th Buckets rained to night {torn off} East Wind 3 claps of Thunder, Rained Hailing Randolph here.

13th Sunday, 2 went hunting, got 6 ducks. Gordon came, north winds, kind of squally Randolph Brought the Tea

14th Monday, killed about 90 Rats at the barn and stacks 2 stack not Thrashed. Fine Feed for the fowls of the air and the mice vermin went up the camp. Lots of syrup Lots in a Barrel to make Vinegar Fixed my powder shot and a yacht passed close in Back Bay. Loading shell, put the Buckets in the Top Loft. sowed turnip seed. Lilly Renshaw and Poorly {illegible}

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James Cameron Island

15th of April 1902 Fortunate Day Working at the Barn Set Fire to the Front Marsh Last night very Bad with {illegible}orns

16th Fortunate Day very Fine Day Ploughing the piece in Front of the Old house {torn away} at the Well

{torn away}ws all in Where the stacks

{torn away}went to the Lower Point

{torn away} Renshaw here for chicken as Lilly is very Poorly Piling up Boards sticks and Rubbish the Boys crofsed to Summerstown go a Letter From Mr John D McBain and old Friend and Schoolmate from the Williamstown School Taught By Alexander McLeod a Good teacher and a Large number of Schollars Mr McBain is Going on his 83rd year and Writes a splendid hand for a Man of that age sight Good as ever and True Friend to his Maker and his church

17th a very Fine Day Ploughing the 2 Girls crofsed took Eggs

2 Girls crofsed Bought Garden Seed

{torn away}ly Renshaw very Poorly

{torn away} Rained some

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James Cameron Island

2nd 1902 Just 8 years to Day since Bismarck Left here to got Brittish Columbia St Agathanese Day very Fine Working at the Soap the Hamilton went Down Alexandra went up a Tug went Down Ploughing sowing Harrowing Found a pipe sawed some in at the Garden

3rd Fortunate Day some Rain Fernandez crofsed Spink McLean Gordon Fernandez went to Fort Covington to night Bought ----- came home about 2 o clock the Steamship the Hepurn went up this morning

4th Sunday Spink and John H here Rained some an Indian passed here Hugging close to the Shore {three lines blacked out}

Leander and Gordon crofsed to night

5th the Foggy Cloudy Fernandez crofsed Writing a Letter to someone I cut crutches for the Soap one for Sawdust one went acrofs brought a Post card Pets Animals

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James Cameron Island

6th of May 1902 East Wind a Tow of {illegible}rows went Down

{Many lines blacked out}

Down the Stove {two more lines blacked out

Fernandez went someplace Took a cake of sugar Rained to night went for Wi{ink blot} for sore Eyes E Wind

7th West Wind very very high Wind Eclipse to Day {illegible} Tommorow

8th Ascension Day Fernandez came had Eggs Seed Corn Fixing at the Stairs Stanley came

9th very high Wind Fernandez came ice to night very Black calf cold

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James Cameron Island

10th of May 1902 fine very Cold ice Last night Windy Fixing Fence Gordon came had 4 Potatoes no using the Milk yet calves Running with the cows

11th Fine Day Stanley came Sissy and Ionia went to George Creamers I went to the other House Stanley at Crockery Found a Bone Needle Salisbery went up to Cornwall and Down past cold and wet time this is Sunday cold to night

12th Fine Moses crofsed the Red Sea Planted Potatoes above the Lane Fence

{several lines stroked through or blacked out}

Beside manure on Potato Ground Took home the tail calf all Black Took an axe From the camp Put in the cows 3 of Them to night Planted on the East side of the Lane

1873 Renaud Lost in {torn away}

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James Cameron Island

13th of May 1902 Planting East side of Lane Putting on Manure very fine cutting Potato seeds Fernandez crofsed to night This is the first milken taken in over 3 Weeks old this is Pope Pius Day not a very good Rope so the Romans say in Rome

14th Fine putting out Manure Sowing Louis Riel captured 1885 a Lot of Boats going to Day Willie Rose and Arthur here Left their Tennet to be Filled Fernandez took 3 cans of Syrup to sell to someone Sowed oats

15th Fine some Windy Sissy and Ionia Went to Fish to night 49 Perch then I and Ionia Went {illegible} Wind Fernandez and his boy here to night from the {illegible} Stanley here got 2 Doz of Eggs for Adeliade

16th Fine Windy cool Ploughing at the Stone Fence Fernandez took a can of Syrup 4 Doz Eggs Moses Larue Got the Pier Light {illegible}

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James Cameron Island

25th of April 1902 {torn away}ate Day very Windy a Few grains of Hail and some snow Eddy Renshaw here for Stanley to go to Work as he is going away tommorrow on the Hamilton Fernandez crofsed to Jane McPhersons Sale in 2nd Consefsion Smallman crofsed this morning From Summerstown to Dundee had to Stop with the high Wind

25th St Marks Day Unfortunate Day very Fine Day Martin Lazore here goin to Look for Seed Potatoes Leander and Fernandez Went for to Sow Set some Fires Cowes Let out to Day I cant see to Write so I must make it Big or I cant Read this Writing when I write {illegible}

26th Windy taken away the Banking Raining Gordon came the {illegible}bineau came up this Evening

Sunday Wind some Rain cool Chickens out now

{torn away}bineau passed Down Working at Summerstown Wharf Last Week

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James Cameron Island

{April }1902 a very Fine Day a sea {torn away} Tug went Down {torn away} a raft Working at Trenching and Water Run and s{torn away}ing and covering it Harr{torn away}land canal to be opened to Day Fernandez crofsed to night Been without Tea since Last Week and was over to night did not take any {torn away}

29th a very Fine Day E Wind Salted the cattle for the first Time they got salt since last Fall a Tug went Down {illegible}ding {torn away} a Buyos a sight at Hills Last night Smoky this afternoon Rained to night What they sowed they dont tell me they dont want me to know

30th Last Day of April some Wet Alexandra Went Down to Day on her First Trip Fernandez went to Summerstown Brought Black Tea Lights up now Rained {folded over}

1st of May St Pillips Day Filgate went Down Barge came up to D {folded over} Wire Fence Prince {torn away} Fernandez went {torn away} in the concession

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James Cameron Island

18th of April 1902 {torn away} Duncan's Birth Day very Fine Day Ploughing moving Stone Moving the mill line {torn away} Rubbish I went to the {torn away} Island Mifs Lilly Renshaw Departed at a 1/4 to 6 o clock this Evening a very Fine Little Lady always pleasant and they say to Be Buried Monday Leander there to night at the Wake I can hardly see to Write this

19th East Wind cloudy or Foggy Captain Alexander Smallman of the Grenada started this of the morning Leander to Cornwall Bought 5 Bushels of Wheat a pair of shoes Gordon took the Grain Down in his new Boat Leander went to the Wake Gordon Fishing to night

9 2 calves now

20th Sunday Rained Thunder and Lightning to night Fine Sissy and Ionia went to see Lilly Gordon Fernandez and Leander went to the Wake to night 2 of the Sheep had Lambs {torn away}them had 2 {rest of page illegible}

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James Cameron Island

{illegible} 1902 Lilly Renshaw was Buried to Day a {torn away} young Lady aged about 18 Gordon Leander Fernandez Went to the Funeral Stanley ploughing East of the Lane fence East Wind Rained tonight Gordon took his saw sawed some sticks into stove Wood Gordon crofsed to Bakers

{torn away} Eclipse Began change in the Moon Sawing wood Ploughing the cow yard close to the Bush For a Gardon I went to the upper Point and Down the south side Fine to Day

23rd St George's Day the Festival of the English St George Killing the Dragon Fine cloudy or smoky Turned High Wind Sowing the Wheat Harrowing {torn away} to Day too Sett D{torn away}to Hatch to Day {torn away} Potatoes for seed very {torn away} Baker {rest of page torn away}

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James Cameron Island

21st of {illegible} 1902 very Fine Day West Wind Fixing the Fence on the south side in Cord wood Bay for a peice on the Bank the soger crofsed again to Day Went around to Day they took the B{torn away} Ground Expecting the new Boat to pass set some Fires took over the Carraways from the other House Leander to Summerstown Bought the stuff for soap Some Drops of Rain

22nd Nomination DAy in Alexandria McLeod and McPherson Ionia and I Fishing 32 Fish Then Went to C Tupper's Island or Butternut Island for Wild Onions got Quite a Lot they are splendid as a Vegetable healthy coming Back home a Good way up had to turn Back we took in 3 heavy swells Rained and Thunder and Lightning after a While Tried it again and got home Rained hard showers to night Planted Beans young Ducks out made here soft soap Planting

23rd Fine Morning First Butter made Plaining a Butternut Board yesterday Sissy and Ionia went to Jo Douquetts with Doz of Eggs took the Black Kitten to Jams at Summerstown Leander to {torn away}

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James Cameron Island

24th of May 1902 Victoria Day John James McDonald very Low Lst night Rained to Day and Last night a Holy Day to Day and Thunder and Lightning 13 young Ducks a Big Day in Cornwall to Day Queen Victoria's Birth Day A Meeting in Summerstown Last night for McLeod

25th Sunday very Fine Day Stanley came from Renshaws 3 of Them went Fishing Rained again heavy to night

26th Raining Thunder Lightning working at the chimney cubbard vrey showry Lots of Boats Going to Day the Quebec Boat From Toronto Passed Down here near 8 o clock Stanley and Leander went out to see her she goes very Fast my sight is very Dim to Day The captain of the Tug here to Butter and Milk George came Gave him seed corn and Papers Sent Squashes to Uncle Bill Working at the Pasture for the cows a Fence Rained Lightning The Tug came up with a Loaden of scows From Coteau Gordon came to to night

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James Cameron Island

29th May 1902 Unfortunate Day Corpus Christie Royal Oak Day or Oak Apple Day Election Day McLeod & McPherson A Great Majority for McLeod over McPherson very high Wind to crofs Gordon Leander Stanley and I Landed at Charles Craigs and he Drove me out to the Pollin Boat and {torn away}s other Rigs took 2 Loads out and B 3 of us took Dinner there This is Stanleys first vote aged 22 {illegible} Strong Conservative votes in our Family had a chat with my old Friend George Hence and several others seen Mrs McDonald Gore Dan Frasers Daughter on the Pint Ranald Roys Wife Buried to Day Went Down from Mr Craigs to see my old Respected Friend John Hamilton he is not very well to all alone tried some of his Bread and cake making and it was most Splendid Stanley and I came home Rained hard to night Leander came 450 majority Fernandez one of the {illegible}

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James Cameron Island

30th of May 1902 Unfortunate Day Fernandez came crofsed Stanley with Franks Boat some Windy cool Stanley and Fernandez

31st Went to Dundee took the Hide Gave them 25 cents for to Get Radways RR very Fine Day Leander Harrowing this is the 31st a Fortunate Day John James McDonald Died Friday night the 30th the Bought oil Tobacco and RRR

1st of June the Glorious First of June Unfortunate Day Rowena (Vicky) Birth Day 1878 Gordon went to the Wake to night a very warm Day Rained to night

2nd Stanley and the soger went some Place to Work I Dont know wher and the rest dont know as I asked them Gordon came From the Funeral had his Chest of Tools some claboards some of Boxes is Taken and the comclips got a Tobacco Box from Gordon Rain Went to Fish too Windy can hardly see

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James Cameron Island

3rd of May 1902 A Fortunate Day some Windy Gordon crofsed to the Wharf Rained Thunder an Lightning Rained all night mostly some Windy one of the cows calved to Day

4th This Old George the 3rs Birth Day it was Kept up for a Long Time Raining Dull Day Kind of Misty I see in the Standard the Death of Duncan McDonald the Blacksmith of Cornwall Formerly of Martintown and Before that of Williamstown another of my Schoolmates and Town{illegible} aged about the same near 77 years Raining to Day Talking about Pleace with S Africa

5th Fine Day Perigee Windy Stanley came From Renshaws Building a Boat house he is Going to Fort Covington with Adeliade Sissy going too Brought with her 2 Baskets of Eggs Leander Fixing a Frame for Pictures Ionia and I Fishing 26 Doz of Eggs 15 cents Bag of Fine Salt 3..95 Due Bill

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James Cameron Island

6th of June 1902 on this Day of the Month Sir John A McDonald Departed Stationary very Fine Day went Fishing Peter Back here To Butter pound 1 Quart Syrup 25 not Paid Drawing Sticks for a Wharf Let the Water Run out of the Hollow above the house caught 21 Perch Went Spearing to night got Pikes Succours Perch Some Fishing Lights out to night Line Boats running now some Getting Maskinonge rain tonight

7th in Quebec 18 6 Raining

7th Raining Gorden and Fernandez came to night Rained also Adeliade and James R came very Windy to Day Gordon Went acrofs to Work with Frank D

8 Raining Gordon and Fernandez crofsed Gordon came Back

a mistake at the 7th

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James Cameron Island

9th of June 1902 a Fine Forenoon Adeliade and James R came Gordon crofsed to Work with Frank Turned very Windy Plaining Boards Dug a Few Stones I went over to the old House Aunty Mary's Birth Day 1813 Unfortunate Day very Windy Adelaide stopt night with the Wind being too High

10th Windy began to Rain this morning Stanley put her acrofs home and the Wind is very high gave 2 Hens to Her Gordon and Stanley came

11th Fine E Wind Livinia and Stanley Went to take Adeliade to Fort Covington hewing the sticks for St Barnabas Day Fishing Soldiers Down on the Bohemian Mr Webster and Family came to Hamilton's Island a Real old Scotch Gentleman and a Fine Family he has always with Him

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James Cameron Island

12th June 1902 a very Fine Day taking Down the Boat-house to take it to this side I took over my mineral Stones and Pottery Fishing some Rained to night caught some Pickerel Pike and Perch Taking Donw the Boathouse

13th Fine Killed a calf 6 Weeks old Fernandez came From Renshaws Ionia and Livinia (Senior) went up to Renshaws took up the Boat Fernandez came Down in Kind of Misty Ionia and her Mother went to see Mrs Renshaw Gordon came to night fine

14th Misty Foggy turned Fine Working at the north sides of the Kitchen Boarding it Plaining Boards Leander went to Lemays Fernandez for the Mail Hoeing the Kansas Potatoes

15th Sunday 4 of them Fishing The Salisbury up with a Party to Hamiltons Island a Fine Day Gordon to Hamiltons to night The Knife stole out my Box

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James Cameron Island

16th of June 1902 On This Day commenced the Battle of Waterloo Sissy and Stanley went with Adeliade to Fort Covington Windy and Rained hard

17th Fine NorWest Wind Fine Working at the Kitchen From upstairs put the cultivator Through the Potatoes

18th Decided the Fate of Europe The Battle of Waterloo working in the West and North side of the Kitchen Unfortunate Day Planted corn put tar on the seed 2 Indians here for Butter Gordon here crofsed to night for nails

19th a Fine Day some Windy Mr Webster and 2 Daughters here Brought me Papers and Calender and papers for the Boys Mr Leslie came to Fishing Hamilton Island to Day shearing the Sheep Leander crofsed

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James Cameron Island

20th of June 1902 very Fine Stanley and Ionia went Home with Boat Fixing in the Kitchen Boarding Done shearing the Sheep Gordon came Peter Back here paid and got credit for 3 {illegible} Leander crossed to Jo Douquet Took 4 Gallons of Syrup 4 Dollars 36 Feet gone Elem Gone not very well to Day Unfortunate Day to Day

21st First Day of Summer Raining wind south East and changed to West 4 of Them at the Boarding up stairs North side and Downstairs south side Longest Day in the Year about Now

22nd Sunday Uncle Donald Camerons Birth Day

23 Fine Fixing the vinegar hoeing some a Few Drops of Rain Filled 2 Barrles of Shavings

24th St John the Baptiste Day Fine a Few Drops of Rain a couple of squalls of Wind Pulling Mustard Weeding the Garden Went for Buckwheat

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James Cameron Island

June 1902 25th very Fine Day Sowed the Buckwheat I took over my curiousity stones from the other House and Rods oars Holers Fishing stuf Bo yes Peter Beck Hesplain went up Columbian went Down Took the Barrel to River soger off again to night where they got I can hardly see took my Box thought I told them that I was going to use churning with the crank First churn Rained hard to night Thunger got a Letter From Helen concerning the Death of Lizzie Burton here Daughter the Beloved wife of Mr Steel we all Join we all Join in Sorrow with them

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James Cameron Island

26th of June 1902 This was to Be Coronation Day for King Edward the 7th But he is unwell and had to Be put off Rained Turned Fine very Windy Fixing at the Boat he got Last night from Randolph Got Helen Letter this morning Rained to night

27th Windy cool Rained some Fixing East East End of the Kitchen upstairs Gordon came to night Windy Weather sawed some stove Wood

28th Fine Day Windy Gordon Went to Lancaster Gave hm a 2 Dollar Bill to Buy me a pair of pants Working at sticks for the Boat House Drew 2 sticks at the Potatoes no Bugs yet

29th Sunday St Peter St Paul's Day E Wind

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James Cameron Island

1902 Fine the 2 oys went took 2 Shovels with them Tom and Arthur Rose here got Tub Butter at 20 cents 6 Dollars and 80 cents no change got 2 Dollars Ionia got some Mr Webster and Tina here she Teaces in Ottawa cream Eggs Butter Boys home Laying the sticks of the Boathouse Cut down the hill at the Trene Fixed a Bench for my Tools a Fine Day Few Drops of Rain

1st of July Dominion Day Rained to night very Fine Day Working at the Frame of the Boat House Gordon made a Frame put it up and Boarded it Rain

2nd of July Fine Day Working at the Boathouse

3rd a Fine Day The very Rev Mr Mathieson From Dan Cameron here Read 6 of Matthew and Corinthians Explained it thoroughly Brought me a very Fine Book Stanley to Lancaster for singles and to Summerstown

{page one}

James Cameron Island 1902 4th of July 1902 The show or Circus {illegible} to Day caught Trowling Pike this morning 4 of the {illegible} Websters at shore Picnick for themselves Mr Genie came to night cleaning up the Bank at the Boathouse Rained all night very warm Day got a present of a Snuf and Snuf From Mr Genie

5th Uncle Johns Birth Day 1803 a Fine Day Gordon crofsed Fernandez Finished his Boat Stanley Leander about the Boat house Mr Genie here

6th Sunday Dan Spink here Gordon went to Cornwall Fixing his Boat Bought Sail for his Boat Fixing Floor in the Boat house Taking in the Wood Genie came ha a shave stopt to night pulling mustard Thunder Rain Wind

{page two}

James Cameron Island

8 Duly 1902 Fine Fixing Boat Painting it Plough through Corn Fixed Boards Behind Kitchen Door Wrote a Letter to send Helen Making a Sail for Gordons Boat Windy Rained party at Hamiltons Island Fine hoeing corn and Potatoes Went to the Lower Point 4 of them for ice Butter ice Buttermilk {illegible} Boat Gordon Working around some Pic Nic at Fixing the {illegible} mast Leander crofsed got 3 Perch Wind a new Herald from Dan Lots of EEl flies

{illegible}th Fine Began the cubboard Grinding Tools Hoeing went to the Head of the Island and Mosquito are Bad Fishing now on {illegible} Roads Water high Lots of Boats my eyesight Getting worse

Fine a Tennet of Butter Jo Douquets Hoeing Potatoes

{torn away} corner cubboard Gordon {torn away}new sail on his boat


James Cameron Island

12th of July 1902 Orangeman's Day Fine some Windy Leander went to Maxville to see the Orange Walk Gordon took to Lancaster Stanley at the Potatoes Began to Wear the Blue pants put old Cubboard in the Cellar

Minnie and {illegible} Windy

13th Sunday Gordon went this Evneing {illegible} at Hamiltons heard James Summers came Cornwall to visit Fr{torn away}

14th Fine Adeliade and J R here the 2 Boys went up with the {illegible} Windy Leander came from {illegible}

15th very warm Began to {illegible} Wind heavy thunder Lightning the R{illegible} Machine together

16th Fine Leander {illegible} to 5 Gallons of vinegar Bill Morris 2 scythe 10 lb of {rest of page illegible}

Transcription Progress

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James Cameron 1902 Diary 1.pdf
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Citation

James Cameron, “James Cameron Diary, 1902,” Rural Diary Archive, accessed May 25, 2025, https://ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca/transcribe/items/show/618.
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