Samson Howell Diary & Transcription, 1868-1869

Samuel Howell

Courtesy of Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph

19th Century, Brant County, South Dumfries Township and Huron County, Carlow Township, Ontario

1868

Samson Howell Diary Collection

Scanned Manuscript & Typed Transcription



Samson Howell (1832-1870)
1868-1869 Diary
Transcribed by RDA Volunteers
Diary 1868
Wed Jany 1 Snowed some last night & a little all day had a new-years dinner Thomas & Mary
Westwood was here for dinner very nice & mild all day
Thur 2 Nice & mild all day Stephen helped John F. Powers to draw Straw from other barn F. G.
Ashbaugh called to get pay for a Skip of Bees I got from him, had no money. Uncle Wm Behimer &
Helen Behimer & Margaret Templer came in afternoon staid all night
Fri 3 Very nice & mild looks some like a thaw foggy like John & I went to Brantford with the Sleigh in
afternoon now Sleighing John went to get an Overcoat & some flanel for Shirts John H. Kitchen
came home with us he was pretty well on Uncle Wm Behimer went from here to Aunt Sarah Smiths
& then home George Kitchen brought my democrat waggon home in forenoon
Sat 4 Snowed some last night & in afternoon Snowed pretty hard but very soft & damp stayed at
home all day John F. Powers went away before day light said he was going to Woodstock on a visit
Charles Buck came to do the chores for John at night Staid all night
Sunday Jany
Sund 5 Very calm but cloudy all day Staid at home John Powers came home again before
dinnertime Charles Buck went home in afternoon
Mond 6 Not quite as warm blows up Cold again John Powers began to take saw logs to G. Smiths
mill and I went with Henry to town meeting and Elizabeth & Margaret Kitchen & Jimmy Papples &
Wife & Aunt Jinny Leemons here for dinner it will be a very close run for Wm Campbell for Councillor
I think
Tues 7 Very mild & nice & warm John drew Saw logs went with two loads 4 logs. I went to Brantford
found Mr Osbourne their brought him home he is in trouble with Mr Christie about settling for his rent
looks some like a thaw to night
Wed 8 Some cooler again this morning John Powers drew logs all day I went to School Meeting was
appointed Sec of Meeting Abram Drake was appointed Trustee for the year in place of Henry H
Kitchen whose time is out has been in for the last three years everything went of agreeable + quiet
School to be Kept up by rate bill & {Yard?}
1868 Jany
Thur 9 Very cold & blowing very hard, snow drifting in all directions John Powers was sick all day &
all night with the bowel complaint I staid at home all day to cold for me to go their a man named
Houston here begging for a family above Paris the man got hurt very bad.
Fri 10 Very cold this morning, John went to Saw mill in forenoon with logs I staid at home all day
George Kitchen brought home the brass kettle in forenoon very rough & stormy in afternoon
Sat 11 Not quite so cold to day John Powers drew Saw logs I went to Brantford after a bill of lumber
from Hext, Sleighing middling
Sun 12 Colder again this morning Staid at home all day mother went over to Henry's John Powers
went away some where to Clarke Vanevery's he said
Mon 13 Quite cold & clear to day John Powers drew Saw logs little Harvey & I went to James
Waughs to see about his making a meal & flour chest for us he is going to make it right away looks
some like a snow Storm coming
Tue 14 Quite cold to-day again looks some like a storm a-coming to-night John Powers drew logs
again to-day went two loads George Agnew & his mother & Rachel Griffin came here & George
Agnew & I went to look for a girl to hire up to Wm Howell's in forenoon did not get one James Waugh
& wife Wm Waugh & wife & his wifes sister came at dusk & staid the evening & went home
Wed 15 Not so very cold this forenoon John Powers drews logs took one load & brought home a
load of edging I went to Westwood in forenoon they was killing hogs & from their to St George a
looking for a girl to hire Could not get one yet they seem if they would rather do any thing else than
work
Thurs 16 Very cold all day again John Powers drew logs all day I went to Daniel Bonhams for dinner
to look for a girl & then went to Harkness' & from there Frasers on my way home looking for a girl did
not get one yet
Frid 17 Not quite so cold John drew logs in forenoon I staid at home there was some men came to
buy my Stallion they went to Galt to look at another horse I asked them $400.00 for him they said
they would be back again if they could not rest themselves any better
1868 Jany
Sat 18 Not so very cold this morning John Powers drew logs all day I went to Brantford came home
at noon
Sund 19 Not very cold heavy white frost last night I think their is a thaw coming Staid at home all day
Almas the blacksmith came to get my cutter he did not get it let him have the saddle
Mon 20 Very nice and mild all day John took one load of logs to mill & brought home a load of edging
I staid at home all day Mr Osborne was over in forenoon Nathan Ellis & Dorothy & John & Harvey &
Dorothy Westwood came at noon & staid untill evening Mr Evans called in a peddling
Tue 21 Pretty cold to day again but looks some like a thaw John Powers finished drawing saw logs I
staid at home all day thawed some about noon
Wed 22 Quite cold very heavy white frost in morning looks like a thaw John drew wood all day their
was an agent here to sell wooden window curtains I bargained for 8 for 6.25 I went to Brantford &
then came around by Paris Road to look for a girl to hire did not get one She had just hired
1868 Jany
Thur 23 Quite mild & thawing some rain John Powers split wood in forenoon drew wood in afternoon
I staid at home all day not very well.
Fri 24 Very blustering & quite cold I went to Brantford with Henry H. he took some Sheep out to
deliver to one Jones he had sold to him a rather hard lot I think 33 head for $70.00. Henry's wife
came over with him & staid while John Powers went over & helped to dress a steer they had feeding
that got to much chop stuff & they had to kill him.
Sat 25 Not so very cold quite mild towards evening I staid home all day John Powers split some
wood in forenoon & drew wood in afternoon looks some like a storm to night. F. G. Ashbaugh called
in to get one of my patent Bee Hives for a model but did not take it
Sun 26 Snowed some last night very cold all day froze very hard I staid at home all day John Powers
went up to Mr. Hawley's in forenoon middling kind of sleighing again after the snow
1868 Jany
Mon 27 Not quite so cold this A.M. John Powers drew wood all day I was at home in forenoon I went
to Lynden in afternoon after a girl to hire did not get one heard of one at James Herrimans they
thought I could get named Margery VanSickle
Tue 28 Very cold & clear all day heavy white frost in morning. John drew wood all day, I went to
Herrimans to see about a girl she was gone to Mr. Watsons to work a couple of weeks. I bargained
with her to come in about a month I got my dinner at Morris Anders & come home overtook Wm
Turnbull on the road & hired him for a half a month at $5.00
Wed 29 Very cold & clear all day Wm Turnbull began to work for half a month John Powers & him
drew hay in driving barn I went to Brantford Called to see a girl at Mr Betson to get her to work she
agreed to come as soon she could get her clothes from Rockton Nathan Ellis came to get the old
clover huller from here to take up to Goderich with him he is to start home in Morning
February
Thurs 30 Colder than ever to day the men drew straw from other barn all day I staid at home all day
& cleaned & oiled my single Harness cleaned them up first rate they look well John Kinney came in
morning to trade me his grey Horse for a pair of my colts & pay me the odds did not trade
Fri 31 Very cold to day again John Powers drew up wood all day Bill Turnbull sawed wood on wood
pile I filed wood saw in forenoon staid at home all day.
Febry
Sat 1 Very cold & clear all day Bill sawed wood all day Powers & I went to Brantford
Sun 2 Very cold today yet John Powers went to Hawleys Jane & I went to Henrys for dinner
Mon 3 Colder than ever this morning Henry came over & helped kill a beef and I filed two Saws in
forenoon Men cut up Beef in afternoon
Tues 4 Quite mild & pleasant all day started down the river to collect for Horse went to Hon George
Browns in forenoon & back to Cainsville for dinner & from their to John Reids & staid all night very
clever folks had very good luck considering several mares dead. Wm Turnbull sawed wood
1868 Febry
Wed 5 Very nice morning fine all day & clear thawed considerable went from John Reids around by
Onandaga & back to Mr Richard Harris for dinner from their to John J. Giles near Cainsville all night
{Left Margin: Wm Turnbull sawed wood}
Thur 6 Snowed some last night turns up very rough & cold Snow blew a hurricane all day about the
roughest day this winter got our dinners at Morris Anders came around by John Coles & James
Cameson & so home like to froze my face {Left Margin: Wm Turnbull sawed wood}
Fri 7 Not quite so cold this Morning quite calm wind fell John Powers went to see his Mother which
was very sick Wm Turnbull Sawed wood I staid at home all day filed & set wood Saws
Sat 8 Not quite so cold to day John Powers & Mother & I went to Brantford to meet some parties that
was to pay me some money for the Horse & bought three bunches of double & twisted Carpet warp
very coarse & strong Bill Turnbull sawed wood all day looks like a storm it began to Snow about 8
O'clock Snowed very hard & blew hard
1868 Febry
Sun 9 Quite mild this morning & all day thawed some in forenoon turned cold towards night had quite
a Snow last night I staid at home all day John Powers went to David Vansickles about noon
Mon 10 Very cold this morning & all day. Men sawed wood & split all day. I went to Brantford with a
grist of Wheat got the flour home with me turned out flour well. James Waugh brought his Kicked
Mare down for me to see she is doing well I signed a note with him to get money for him from John
Elliot David Ellis was here & a fellow called George McKnight was here when I got home & staid all
night
Tue 11 Not quite as cold to day Men sawed & split wood. David Ellis went to St George in the
morning. George McKnight went to Harrisburg to take the Cars to Galt I went to School Meeting in
afternoon called to take into consideration buying a Site & building a house thereon & did not come
to any conclusion at all about it cant get a Site very handy for it they ask to much for a Site
1868 Febry
Wed 12 Not so very cold today Snowed some in forenoon John Powers and I went up around by
Paris road and in the bend of the river a collecting and went into Brantford had very good luck. Bill
Turnbull sawed wood all day
Thurs 13 Very cold most of the day Powers and I went to Paris and from their up Galt road to the Ayr
road to Robert Wilsons and staid all night did not do very well very few in foal only got $3.00 all day
Turnbull sawed wood all day
Fri 14 Very cold all day about as cold as any day yet I believe John and I came around by Glen
Morris' to Mr Robson's for dinner and so home at night got very little money very few mares in foal
Turnbull sawed wood all day
Sat 15 Quite mild this morning and Snowing pretty hard Wm Hall and Robert Hall came in morning to
buy a colt I sold them 20 Sheep for $57.50 for the lot Mother and I went to Brantford in afternoon
after some carpet warp got half a bunch to make out the pieces
Feby
Sun 16 Quite mild all day Jane & Harvey & Willy & Eliza went to Westwood for a ride in forenoon
Mon 17 Quite warm & snowing most of forenoon I went to Brantford in morning to let them know
where Jack Cowtherd was stopping and brought out the constables & went with them to Mr Nichola
Lees after him they think he was connected with the murder of McIntyer and then went to Jim
Herrimans to see about the girl to come to & work & then came back to School Meeting The two Mr
Lampkins was here to buy colts did not see them
Tue 18 Pretty cold this Morning and cold all day John Powers and I went to Paris Station with some
sheep for Wm Hall I sold to him last Saturday Grand Mother went with me to James Waugh they are
digging out their old well & going to dig it deeper & wall it up again
Wed 19 Quite cold again to day I went to Paris & took the cars for Woodstock to pay Kinney for my
Harrow right & left my horse at Capsons found everything allright came back & stayed at Issac
Howells all night thawed a considerable today order 8 sets of castings for the new harrows {Left
Margin: Paul Shipman helped John Powers saw up some logs for harrow stuff & drew straw from the
other barn}
1868 Feby
Thur 20 Very nice & warm all day thawed a good deal Came home from Isaac Howells in forenoon &
Mother & I went to take carpet stuff to the weavers & from there to Henry Howells & staid all night
sleighing gone a good deal, got Horses shod {Left Margin: John Powers drew oak saw logs to the
mill}
Fri 21 Not so warm to day John Powers drew a log to saw mill in forenoon & got Paul Shipman to
help clean up a load of wheat in afternoon I came home from Henry Howells in the afternoon
stopped in St George to see Sandy about ironing some harrows
Sat 22 Very cold again to day Mr Osborne come over & went with me to Brantford John Powers took
out a load of wheat I got $2.63 in silver had 31 Bush 15 lb got some more carpet warp it was most all
gone at McLeans
Sun 23 Very cold looks & feels like a snowstorm I went after Mother to Henry Howell in afternoon got
very cold old Mr Evans came last night & staid here all day John Powers went to Mr Hawleys in
forenoon dd not get home till night cattle got no drink to day
1868 Febry
Mon 24 Very stormy this morning snowed hard all day & blew a perfect hurricane everything is
drifting full of snow. Mr Evans is here yet I staid at home all day John had a great time to get water
for the cattle have to take them to Jones creek for water
Tues 25 Storming yet this morning Snow piled as high as the fences & higher some places the
hardest storm this winter so far Evans here yet A C Gile & Jonathon Craig came after some seed
wheat got $1.75 Bushel every road & place blocked up with snow storming yet to night at dark
Wed 26 Mostly quit storming this morning Kind of mists a little old Evans left in forenoon. John & I
went to Saw mill in morning to draw on saw logs give George Forges the job for a dollar John
brought home a load of edging from Bens Mill, I went to Jim Herrimans after Margery Vansickle to
work for us she began to work in afternoon I went to James Waughs to see to get him to make a
harrow for a model the roads drifted very bad
1868 February
Thur 27 Not so very cold to day Snowed some most all day very disagreeable being out doors John
Powers drew the lumber from the Saw mill & brought a load home I went & staid at the mill all day
they made a very bad job a sawing the Cherry logs got it all thicknesses almost
Fri 28 Pretty cold to day and blustering Snow a drifting John Powers went Saw mill to draw away the
lumber as it was sawed I went to Brantford to see about selling my hardwood lumber & came back &
went to James Waughs to see the well digger about sinking my well deeper he is coming tomorrow
Sat 29 Quite cold again to day John and I went to Smiths mill to get some lumber sawed to make a
curb in the well Mr John Reed was here to buy a horse while we was gone to the mill the well digger
came in afternoon
March Sun 1 Very cold again to day staid at home all day Thomas Westwood & Mary & Dorothy &
David came for dinner Grandmother went home with them the well digger was here all day
1868 March
Mon 2 Very cold & very stormy Snow is flying in all directions the coldest & roughest day yet the well
digger John Easton could not do any thing at the well untill near night. Pat Kennedy came in
forenoon to help at the well but had to go home again took out a few brick just at night
Tues 3 Very cold yet but not so stormy the men began to work at the well in good earnest got out
near all the bricks & dirt to the bottom & curbed it up as far as we went. Pat tended to the buckets
alone nearly all day pretty hard work. John P. went to Paris after a load of gravel in afternoon George
Rowland called to see about my mare being in foal she is dead got some medicine from old Keeler
at night.
Wed 4 Not so cold this morning James Waugh called in morning going to St George Mr Osborne
came over & staid the forenoon I am not very well to day The men worked at the well Easton came
about eleven O'clock & went home about 4 O'clock worked about half a day at the well John drew a
load of gravel from Paris got the well down as we can go without a tight curb the digger is going to
make one tonight.
1868 March
Thur 5 {Left Margin: Easton worked at the well} Very nice & pleasant this morning sharp frost last
night John drew two loads of gravel Men finished digging well & put in tight curb & began to put in
the brick again. I think their is a good show of water now in the well. I went to St George in the
morning & came back by 9 o clock & went to Paris to see about some casting for Harrows in
forenoon. James Waugh went a long did not get the Irons got some bills about the Harrows in
express office looks like a rain to night
Fri 6 Raining nice this morning rained most of the night very bad working at the well Easton came
sent for Pat to come worked at the well in afternoon rained hard
Sat 7 Very rainy all forenoon Men worked near all day at well very nasty job Pat came in the morning
& worked at well Easton did not come to work. John Powers helped at the well finished the well in
afternoon about 5 o clock I & George went with the well digger home at night the worst going I ever
seen the water over road half way to Brantford and over Sleigh box in some places. George & I staid
at John Powers all night got there about half past nine o clock
1868 March
Sun 8 Very warm & thawing today snow most gone in the roads water very high in the roads & river
the river nearly all broke up ice about gone in the river at Brantford George & I came home from
John Powers in afternoon water very high in the roads up to top of sleigh box in some places Harvey
& Eliza came last night from Goderich staid all night and went over to Henry's Grandmother went
with them
Mon 9 Froze some last night Harvey went down to see the big creek bridges in morning found them
standing yet but water very high Harvey & Eliza & Jane & Mother & I went to George Jones' to attend
Grandmothers birth day dinner had a very good one all their except Thomas Ellis & David Ellis & wife
& Thomas Westwood & wife had a good time of it I was not very well
Tue 10 Very warm this morning mud getting very deep came home from Georges in afternoon road
very bad Harvey & Eliza came at night from Jerseyville I sold big Tan mare to a Yankee for $120 in
silver to be delivered on Thursday the 12th inst in Paris
1868 March
Wed 11 George came last night again I staid at home all day sick in bed John Powers split wood
Harvey started home in morning with the cutter Eliza staid here all day John rode old Matchless out
for exercise in afternoon. George Kitchen came to get a draft of a harrow to send out to Michigan &
Nelson Kitchen took most all the afternoon to get up one
Thur 12 Froze some last night but quite warm through the day, rained again most all day very hard. I
staid at home sick in bed most all day, John Powers hung up meat in afternoon & emptied some oats
that Henry brought back Eliza went with Henry's to Brantford, Sammy Proper came for dinner.
Fri 13 Very nice morning & warm looks like spring coming. John thrashed some Peas I went to take
the mare I sold & Eliza to the Cars at Paris in forenoon not very well got some of my harrow Irons at
the station at Paris Called at Jim Waughs to open the box the Irons was in was not there have to
send for some more roads very muddy getting very bad
1868 March
Sat 14 Very nice and mild thawing yet snow a going John Powers & George broke the Colts in
forenoon to lead & one of them to drive round a little I was sick in bed part of the day roads very
muddy heard the first little grey bird this morning
Sun 15 Beautiful morning the nicest day I most ever seen for the time of year roads are drying off
very fast John Powers went to Mr Hawleys I was in bed sick & the baby was sick & so is most of the
other children
Mon 16 Very mild but rained near all day hard John Powers thrashed some Peas the children & me
are near all sick with colds
Tue 17 Very windy & some rain John Powers chopped wood in the woods. Mr Deans came to buy a
yoke of Oxen Roads are drying up a good deal
Wed 18 Some cooler froze some last night John Powers cut wood in woods the children sick with
colds Willy kept us awake near all night with the croup last night
1868 March
Thur 19 Froze some last night Powers & Paul Shipman drew straw from the other barn I cut some
{type?} to mark Harrows with in forenoon. Elizabeth Bonham has came & stopped for dinner while
Daniel went to Brantford Easton came to see me I am some better than I was in health Willy I think is
some better
Fri 20 Froze & snowed some last night very nice morning & nice day, staid at home all day John
Powers sowed some clover seed this morning & set the Bees on their stand & boarded up the Barn
to Keep the hens out in forenoon & cut some wood in afternoon. Bart Lang came over to see if I had
any money for him
Sat 21 Very cold & windy thawed some in moddle of the day in the Sun went to Brantford John took
Matchless to get shod & I got some Iron for Harrows at Mortons. Margery Vansickle went along &
went home to Hermans roads not so bad a coming Hiram Hawley rode home with me to the corners
got some money for the Horse in Brantford
1868 March
Sun 22 Very nice not so cold as yesterday Samuel Westwood & David was over John Powers went
after Margery Vansickle in afternoon Wm McEwin & wife & boy & Susan Wilson came before dinner
& staid until dark. Henry came over a while in afternoon
Mon 23 Beautiful morning very warm John Powers & I went down to Saw Mill in forenoon to see
about the lumber George Fonger came to see about trading me his Oxen for a horse, rained a little in
afternoon
Tue 24 Very nice weather but not so warm to day John Powers made a reach for the waggon I went
to St. George with my Irons for some new kind of Harrows got my John Horse shod at Sandys & got
some teeth & other Irons made for Harrows at Sandys & got some lumber dressed at Bells old
Johnny Wilkison was here all night him & his Horse
Wed 25 Quite cold to day John took me & some timber to Jim Waugh for Harrows we got a pair near
done John brought a load of lumber from the mill & came after me night to Jims Mr McAllister was
here for dinner he was at Jims when I went there in morning {Left Margin: Mr Wilkison started for
home in morning from here about 8 O Clock}
1868 March
Thur 26 Some frost again last night folks are beginning to plow all over. I went to James Waugh to
finish the Harrow got it done middle of afternoon John Powers brought a load of lumber from mill &
took & brought me from Jim Waughs. Getting very dry afraid of a drought coming on again. Rowland
Waugh & wife & one of Cassideys girls came to James Waugh in afternoon
Fri 27 Froze some last night again. John sowed some clover seed in morning & went to Saw mill
after lumber. I painted over a pair of Harrows in forenoon. Mr Tench called into see about some
Harrows. Could not sell to him sick in bed near all day. Mrs Greenfield & Michael Griffin was here a
while in afternoon Mrs Evans was here all night
{smudged ‘Sat” above} Sat 28 Some frost again last night John finished sowing Clover Seed in
morning & went to Saw Mill in afternoon after lumber I was sick in bed near all day. Mr Osborne was
over a while in afternoon. George Fonger came to trade me his Oxen for a colt & to hire me his
brother David I hired him for 6 months at 12 dollars per month {Left Margin: did not trade with Fonger
yet Mr Gim came in afternoon & staid all night}
1868 March
Sun 29 Frost last night again staid at home all day Margery & our two girls went to Tranquility
meeting in forenoon. John Powers went to Mr Hawleys in forenoon came home & rode Matchless out
for exercise in afternoon I feel some better to day Mr Gim is here all day
Mon 30 Some frost again last night very nice all day & warm. John Powers went twice to Saw Mill
after lumber. Bart Lang was over & I Settled of with him in full of all Ape to date by cash. I was sick in
bed near all day very bad. David Fonger came at night to begin to work for me for Six Months at
twelve dollars per month
Tues 31 Not quite as much frost last night nice warm day. John Powers went twice to Saw Mill to
day, I sold a colt to Mr E Palmer a coming 3 years old for $100.00 to pay in seven months at interest
& I bought a yoke of Oxen from George Fonger for ninety five dollars to pay half in a month or two &
the balance $47.00 in seven months without interest David Fonger began to work for 6 months {Left
Margin: My health is some better to day}
1868 April
Wed 1 Not much frost last night John Powers brought the last of the lumber from the mill in forenoon
Dave Fonger & George took two cows to Mr Osbornes to the Bull & Dave piled up some lumber in
forenoon & John & Dave drew Hay from Barn to Driving house & I went to Paris after some Harrow
Irons & took Mother as far as Mr Hawleys & she came back to Jim Waughs & I got back their for
dinner & then came home, Elizabeth Kitchen was home when we got home in evening
Thur 2 Not so warm this morning, snowed some in forenoon. I staid at home all day. Joe Weaver
came in morning to buy a colt I let him have a Lovel colt for $90.00 to pay half for her in a month or
two & the rest in Seven Months quite cold tonight Men fixed up bridge behind the barn and drew hay
in afternoon in driving house
Fri 3 Quite cool to day I went to Brantford after a load of Plaster roads very nice & smooth & dry Men
drew straw & fixed up some fence down at Jones Creek meadow that the water washed away I
settled off with Charles Buck in evening
1868 April
Sat 4 Very rough & cold some Snow I staid at home all day The men fixed some fence & split some
rails in woods Very squally with some Snow
Sun 5 Very rough & cold again I staid at home all day Dave went down home very rough & cold with
some Snow showers all day
Mon 6 Very cold & windy all day frost pretty hard & deep Men cleaned up some seed Oats & Peas &
Spring wheat. I was mending old bags all day Men killed a Skunk in the evening raised a fine smell
about here
Tue 7 Very cold to day again Men sowed Plaster & I went to Paris after some more Plaster got some
more subscribers to Canadian Messenger at the corners coming home
Wed 8 Very cold & stormy all day Snowed some very heavy showers John Powers & David Fonger
& myself went to Brantford to the spring fair of Bulls Stallions & seed grain a very poor affair plenty of
Horses & Bulls but scarce any seed grain. I took out some Oats to change made a bargain to
change with Mr Luck tomorow Took out my stallion but got no prize this year
1868 April
Thur 9 Not quite so Cold & rough this morning think the weather is going to change again warmer
froze so hard that we cant plow at all Powers went to Ancaster to get some money for himself David
Fonger drew some rails to fence on the side road & I went to exchange some Oats with Mr Luck on
Paris road in afternoon. David Fonger dug a hole to bury a cow that got her feet froze in the
afternoon
Fri 10 Froze pretty hard last night quite mild in the day time John Powers was sick in the morning but
got some better & went to trimming apple trees trimmed all the young orchard Dave Killed & buried
the sick cow & drew some rails to the fence in forenoon I mixed some horse medicine & staid at
home all day. Dave & George picked stones & things of from the Meadow & drew brush from
Orchard in afternoon
Sat 11 Pretty nice morning but turned out very stormy in afternoon with Snow & rain I went to
Brantford after some Whiskey & other things to mix medicine in John trimmed apple trees & Dave
sowed some Plaster got my pay from Hon George Brown for services of Horse in 1867
1868 April
Sun 12 Quite cold again all day I staid at home John F.P. went to Mr Hawleys & Dr Treneverys Dave
Fonger went away somewhere in afternoon Henry H was over for dinner Dave did not get back to do
the chores
Mon 13 Not quite so cold to day Men finished sowing plaster in forenoon & began to plow some in
afternoon a good deal of frost in the ground yet goes very bad to plow ground very dry & hard
Tues 14 Froze some last night again warmer to day with some rain in afternoon I cleaned & oiled old
Matchless Harness in forenoon & sewed carpet rags in afternoon John P took old Match to Paris to
Doctor Conworth to see what ailed him David drew straw in forenoon & the men cleaned up some
seed wheat & a grist to take to mill
Wed 15 Very nice morning no frost last night for the first for some time some small showers through
the day Men Plowed all day only when it rained I sewed carpet rags all day very tired To night all
hands sewed rags to get them ready for the weaver Paid Edgar Kitchen $3.00 on Pea thrashing
1868 April
Thur 16 A small Shower last night Very heavy wind all day long I staid at home all day Men Plowed
all day George took some more carpet warp to Mrs Holcombes to finish the carpet with a showers
just at dark Henrys girls was here in afternoon
Fri 17 No frost last night at all very heavy wind again to day with some small showers Peggy
VanSickle & Sarah Ellis came & John Wilkinson in forenoon I staid at home all day Men Plowed all
day Peggy went to Henrys at night
Sat 18 Not quite so windy to day Some hard Snow showers I went to Brantford with a grist to grind &
got the Democrat Spring set up at Hexts David plowed all day John went to Paris in afternoon with
old Matchless to see the Horse Dr Sarah Ellis went with Peggy Vans to John Vansickles & then to
Henrys at night
Sun 19 Quite pleasant to day I staid at home all day John Powers went to Mr Hawleys in afternoon
David Fonger went home last night Margery Vansickle went to Baptist meeting in the forenoon looks
some like a Storm
1868 April
Mon 20 Very nice morning & all day nice & warm Men killed a hog in the forenoon & cleaned up
some Barley Dave plowed in afternoon John Powers & I went to Brantford to get old Matchless shod
& I took a hog & some Barley to Fosters got $5.1/2 per cwt & got $2.20 per Bushel for the Barley I
settled of with Foster in full
Tue 21 Very nice Morning nice all day I took Kate to shop to get two shoes put on her in forenoon
Men plowed all day Seth Charlton called in afternoon to pay me some money for services of Horse in
1867
Wed 22 Nice & warm this morning Isaac H Anderson came last night at dark & was very sick all night
with some thing like the ague was bad yet in the morning John & I went to Paris & then to Robert
Wilsons for dinner to see if we could get a stand for the Horse Wm McEwin wants to buy him offered
five hundred dollars for him take him now or three hundred after the season is out agreed to let him
have him Charles Buck came to work in the morning J. H. Andersen got as far as Paris in forenoon
was very sick.
1868 April
Thur 23 Quite a Snow last night Men cleaned up some Peas in the morning & David & John tried the
Oxen & a horse on the plow to plow some sod it went very bad sod very dry & stiff Charley plowed &
finished the sod field for Peas. Dave & John drew straw in afternoon Beal was here sold him some
Bucks for Mutton & three young calves for veal
Fri 24 Some frost again last night Charles & Dave plowed at the sod all day John went to George
Fongers to get a horse did not get one Mr Chatterson came to get a horse to work I & Harvey went to
Westwood to get a Horse in afternoon did not get one yet
Sat 25 Very nice all day some rain last night & showers Dave plowed in the young orchard Charley
Buck plowed in the sod all day John & I went to Brantford to get Bills printed & get a route for the
Horse Margery went home in afternoon
1868 April
Sun 26 Nice and warm morning I staid at home all day Dave & George went to Meeting to Bethel
John went to Osbornes in afternoon Margery came home in afternoon
Mon 27 Very nice morning & warm about half of the day Dave finished plowing the Orchard &
Charley Buck plowed in forenoon I went to St. George & to the weavers after some carpet in
afternoon & home again, John Powers started with the Horse to travel Beal was here after some
Sheep in afternoon did not get any I was from home {Left Margin: Charles Buck went home in
afternoon}
Tue 28 Nice morning but windy Dave plowed all day I went to Brantford in forenoon after Horse Bills
got a hundred printed of large size John Powers got home at night Charles Buck did not come to
work { Left Margin: Sam Westwood brought Sarah Ellis over here in afternoon}
Wed 29 Very nice morning a nice shower or two in the forenoon John started with the Horse came
back again sowed some Peas in afternoon for the first tried the new harrow went very well Dave
finished plowing the sod for Oats in afternoon Charles Buck worked in afternoon {Left Margin:
worked Beals Horse 1/2 day}
1868 April & May
Thur 30 A nice growing morning a heavy shower last night quite wet part of forenoon John started
with the Horse in the morning for Newport Dave Sowed some Peas in morning had to quit on
account of the rain untill noon boys fixed fence & split wood and Harrowed some in forenoon worked
Beals Horse 1/2 day ground rather wet to Harrow good George Harrowed some for the first in his life
{Left Margin: Grandmother & Sarah & Harvey went to Henry's I & Willy went over too after them
awhile & staid for tea Sarah staid their all night}
May Fri 1 Fine growing morning but cloudy most of forenoon Sowed some Peas in morning &
finished them of after dinner Isaac Gard came to get some Hay had some for him he promised to
come & sow Spring Wheat tomorrow if it did not rain Jane went to Jimmy Papples in afternoon Come
on rain just at sundown
Sat 2 Nice Morning after the rain but quite Cold & Cloudy most of the day I went to Brantford Charles
Buck went away Dave Fonger went away home in afternoon John Powers came home at night roads
very muddy John Westwood & Edward Ellis was very drunk along the road
1868 May
Sun 3 Very nice morning cleared off in afternoon I staid at home all day John went to Mr Hawleys in
forenoon Sarah Ellis & Henry's went to Edgar Kitchen' & stopped here when they came back
Mon 4 Very nice growing morning the best this spring yet John Powers went with the Horse Isaac
Gard came & Sowed a field of Spring Wheat. Charley Buck worked all day George picked stones of
off the Meadow in forenoon & Harrowed a little in afternoon one of the Oxen got sick near sundown
could not get him up at all for sometime he got up after Sundown {Left Margin: worked Beals horse
all day}
Tue 5 Very nice growing morning Dave went to cultivating on the sod for to sow Spring Wheat on fall
plowing very hard & tough cultivated it over twice Charles Buck Harrowed all day Dave Fonger left at
tea time a very heavy shower just at tea time {Left Margin: worked Beals horse all day}
Wed 6 Ground rather wet this morning Charles cultivated all day George H harrowed in forenoon
Sarah Ellis & Margery went over to Henrys in forenoon I went down road to get a hand to Sow grain
Joe Weaver promised to come in Morning John went of with the Horse in Morning Beals Horse
worked 1/2 day {Left Margin: I got a bag of Oats from Nichols Tree White Mane Oats Dave & George
Fonger called in afternoon}
1868 May Thur 7 Nice dry morning but very cool and windy looked some like a storm all day got Joe
Weaver to Sow some Spring Wheat & some Oats sowed ten Acres by eleven O.Clock in forenoon
Charles Buck cultivated a little & Harrowed all day ground worked very nice George Harrowed all day
Beal sent for his Horse in the morning & took him away home weather looks better to night
Fri 8 Very nice but quite cool Charles & George finished the Oats field Harrowing & began to gang
plow the flats behind the barn for to Sow Oats in forenoon I went to Brantford & Charley finished
ganging the flats in afternoon
Sat 9 Some front last night again Charley Sowed some Oats in the Morning Pat Kennedy came to
get work Dave Fonger called to get some money & Charles dug around some apple trees &
harrowed some & cultivated some in the orchard in forenoon. George Harrowed the flats works up
very nice rather wet in some places I sowed some Marrowfat Peas in orchard & Charley Harrowed
the Orchard & Charley & I sowed some Clover & Timothy seed on the flats behind the Barn after tea.
{Left Margin: John Powers came home with the Horse at or near sundown}
1868 May
Sun 10 Very nice some frost last night quite warm & pleasant day Jane & I went to James Waughs in
forenoon Harvey Westwood came over & him & George went to Henrys in afternoon Henry &
Elizabeth was over for dinner when we was away
Mon 11 Nice weather all day I sowed some grass seed on wheat & Charles Buck Harrowed the
wheat field & George rolled the Peas & Spring wheat in forenoon & Charles took the Potatoes out of
cellar in afternoon & split some wood, Bill Taylor came in evening to see if I would rent my farm to
them
Tue 12 Very nice & clear & warm George rolled the Oats & Charles & I furrowed out some ground in
Orchard to plant some potatoes & corn & etc etc on in forenoon. George Fonger & Mrs Hawley
called in to get some cucumber seed & Charles planted some potatoes in forenoon & planted some
corn & George Howell finished rolling the Oats behind the barn in afternoon John came home in
evening looks some like a storm to night
1868 May
Wed 13 Very rainy & stormy all day the greatest wind & rain this spring yet I staid at home all day an
old fellow came last night & staid all night & all day today Charles and George sorted & cut Potatoes
for seed wind blew down a great deal of fence rained hard all day
Thur 14 Raining yet this morning rained untill middle of afternoon most of the time very hard Charles
& George fixed up some fence the wind blew down in forenoon the boys cleaned & oiled a set of
Harness in afternoon the old man Wm O Bambering went away the middle of forenoon the ground
very wet now grass a growing
Fri 15 Rather wet & rainy yet this morning ground a getting very wet & soft rained a considerable
through the day Mr Osborne came over a while in the afternoon & had a long talk about matters &
things George went to Westwoods to see if they wanted Potatoes Charley cut fence blocks in
afternoon & fixed some fence & oiled harness in forenoon
1868 May
Sat 16 Kind of wet & rainy yet this morning wet a good part of the day I went to Brantford with some
Butter & Eggs the roads very muddy the worst they have been this spring Charley cut fence blocks
all day
Sun 17 Very nice morning & nice & warm all day I staid at home all day John Powers went to Mr
Hawleys in forenoon John Vansickle came here very mad about the colts a getting into his field took
& shut them in the barn yard
Mon 18 Very nice morning but quite cool all day Mother & I went to Isaac B.Howells & I went to see
the dutch Doctor he did not come untill middle of afternoon he gave me some medicine a great many
to see him Charley piled up Manure at the driving house
Tues 19 Quite nice but cool things growing very fast I went to Brantford to get some Gin to put
medicine in & to sell some Wheat sold it to Calders for $1.65 Per Bushel in Silver to take it in this
week Charley drew fence blocks & rails for the fences about the farm
1868 May
Wed 20 Nice morning but looks like a storm a coming soon I & the men cleaned up some wheat in
the forenoon & put up about 70 Bushel in bags Charles & I went to Brantford with a load in afternoon
Keton helped us clean & dug in the garden in afternoon
Thur 21 Very nice morning some Showers in afternoon every thing a growing very fast. Charley took
two loads of Wheat to Brantford sold to Wm Calder I went to Brantford & staid all day to get the pay
for the wheat got it all night George went along with me in the morning
Fri 22 Fine growing morning with several small Showers I staid at home all day Charley Cultivated
Potatoes & Turnip ground in forenoon & he went to draw Stones for School House & him & I
furrowed Potatoe ground after Tea in afternoon
Sat 23 Nice growing morning with some showers. Mother & I & Mr Osborne went to Brantford got a
poke for the colts Boys planted Potatoes & Mr Osborne cut the Lambs in afternoon
1868 May
Sun 24 Very nice growing morning with some small Showers in afternoon Bart & Wife & his children
was over Henry H.K was over for tea the little girls & Margery went to meeting to Germans school
House Katy Madison came & staid all night
Mon 25 Beautiful growing morning and very warm & pleasant Dave Fonger came for some money &
Butter for Frank Sickle he got $25.00 & three lb of butter staid at home all day George took the water
all out of the well & cleaned it out it smelt very bad {Left Margin: Began to cure the John Horses
Spavin this morning}
Tue 26 Very nice & warm morning every thing a growing fast staid at home all day Thomas
Westwood & Mary came over to get Potatoes got seven bags some for seed & some to eat
Wed 27 Very nice growing morning very warm Nelson Behimer & Hannah Templer came Nelson
went to after plaster to Paris & stopped for tea Charley cut fence blocks all day I went to Bart Langs
to hire a hand in forenoon & went to see Joe Weaver & Peter Weavers after tea to get some money
did not get any
1868 May
Thur 28 Some showers last night things a growing very fast Charles & George drew fence blocks &
rails in forenoon looks like rain George & I set some stakes on the sideline to make fence on &
Charley drew rails untill tea time & then George & him tagged some of the sheep & I white washed
some Plum trees had a nice shower about sundown
Fri 29 Nice growing morning but some wet Bill Sanders came from Barts to help wash the Sheep to
Germans in forenoon Charles drew rails & I & George lined the side road fence through & George
Jones & Rachel & Johnny came at Tea time & staid all night they brought Margaret up to go to
Goderich in morning {Left Margin: Henry Howell brought Aunt Mary over in the forenoon}
Sat 30 Nice weather but cool I went to Brantford to take Margaret Jones out to take the Cars for
Goderich got home at noon I had a chance to sell old Matchles to a man named Clarke for six
hundred dollars pay in three months George Jones went home after dinner
1868 May & June
Sun 31 Nice day but cool and clear I took Grandmother & Aunt Mary Howell up to James Waughs in
forenoon came home before sundown
June Mon 1 Very nice morning but cool looks like a rain some I went to St George with Henry H this
forenoon Henry came over after Grandmother & Aunt Mary in morning to take them over to his place
I staid their all day the afternoon Hiram Hawley came down to get my red ox to work or to trade me
another for one of mine Ed Pepper came to buy one of my Oxen in afternoon Aunt Mary Howell went
home
June 2 Very pleasant but very cool Men fixed fence along the road I hired a man & boy to help to day
at the fence Henry Kitchen went to wash his sheep wanted to get Charley Buck to help him would
not go to cold for him I went to Brantford in afternoon after a Horse poke & to see about selling old
Matchless to a man named Clarke & found him in Jail for forging a note that he wanted to trade one
for my Horse against me Joe Wallace big creek he is just out of Penetentiary a short time
1868 June
Wed 3 Nice morning but cool Men fixed fence until noon Henry H.K. got his leg broke last night in
Brantford he slipped of the waggon wheel on a stone & broke it by the ankle I turned of the man &
boy I had at noon old John Emery came at dinner time began to rain at noon Jane & I are going to
Wilmot if it dont rain J. H. Anderson gelded my yearling colt in morning sent of the old man & boy at
noon
Thur 4 Very nice morning looks some like rain again I & George went to Brantford in forenoon to get
a coat for George Charles fixed fence Jane & I started for Wilmot in afternoon went as far as Susan
Wilsons & staid all night there
Fri 5 Some rain last night again rained part of forenoon started after dinner for Wilmot from Susans
rained part of the way up very hard began to rain when we was this side of Washington & kept on till
we got near there roads very muddy Sam Fertny was a way from home to Platsville
1868 June
Sat 6 Very wet this morning the heaviest rain I think I ever seen this time of year staid at Burtneys all
the forenoon him & I went to dutch doctor in afternoon found the Culverts & bridges near all tore
away with the water the water done a great amount of damage all over tore down fences & trees &
houses I heard in some places up country Jane & I went & staid all night with John Kitchen
Sun 7 Beautiful morning some slight frost nice & clear we staid all day with John Kitchens
Mon 8 Very nice morning but quite cool some frost last night Jane & I started for home came as far
as Donald McDonalds for dinner staid their all night rained some in afternoon
Tue 9 Quite cool all day Jane & I came home in forenoon Mary Westwood was here when we got
home Grandmother Mary & I went over to Henrys a while I went to St. George after the road orders
after tea time roads very dry & nice
1868 June
Wed 10 Very nice morning dry all day & clear I took Grandmother to Lynden in the morning Charles
Buck worked on the roads all day with team I came home in evening their was a soldier come to hire
in afternoon
Thur 11 Nice morning some frost Charles worked on roads in forenoon I began to work out the labor
under my Charge in morning George & Soldier planted some Corn & Potatoes in morning Charles
cultivated turnip & Buckwheat ground Ben Vansickle came & I traded him my Oxen for a pair of
Steers George went with him to help him & to bring the steers home from there Soldier hoed corn &
Potatoes in afternoon Bart finished shearing Sheep at noon
Fri 12 Very warm all day long I worked on the roads all day finished working Charley hauled up old
rails & hoed in garden George brought home the steers from Lynden in forenoon Soldier hoed
Potatoes all day
1868 June
Sat 13 Very warm & dry all day I went to Brantford Mr Osborne went with me I fell in Hatches Stable
& came near breaking my leg Charley piled Manure in forenoon soldier finished hoeing potatoes in
morning & piled manure all day after their was a man named Wilson, came to hire at tea time & I
hired him for a few months if we can agree Charles Buck went to Brantford
Sun 14 Very hot & dry but looks some like showers I went to Henrys before noon he is getting some
better Harvey & Dorothy Westwood came there at tea time Walter Osborne came about middle of
afternoon
Mon 15 Very warm but had a shower in afternoon I went to Paris to see dutch dotor & went with
Westwoods to Isaac Howells for our dinner The men piled Manure all day their was a great many
people to Paris to see the dutch doctor David McKay brought his roan mare to the Horse in the
morning
1868 June Tue 16 Beautiful morning after the shower last evening the men & I made fence all day a
long the side road made it a cross two fields next the Gov road young Danskin came to buy my
steers
Wed 17 Nice morning but very warm I took the wool to Brantford sold it to Cockshutt for 28 cts per lb
had 265 1/4 lb Charles Buck went to Brantford the other man piled Manure all day I paid of George &
David Fonger after I came home
Thur 18 Very warm all day not quite as hot as yesterday Men piled manure in forenoon I staid in the
house we all fixed fence in afternoon on the side road Mrs Cole was a picking wool all day Wm
Waugh & Tommy came after tea after his pay for his share of wool I sold
Fri 19 Very hot all day & dry I & the men fixed fence all day on the side road Came on a great wind &
some rain at tea time John Betsner came & staid all night he got his new Buggy from Hesets in
Brantford
1868 June
Sat 20 Very hot and dry to day Men piled manure in afternoon & fixed some fence in forenoon I &
Margery VanSickle went to Brantford in morning got back at noon Daniel Bonham & wife came &
staid all night
Sun 21 Not quite so warm Daniel Bonham & I went to Henrys in forenoon & came back after dinner
& he went home some showers through the day but not much rain
Mon 22 Quite heavy rain last night I filed a saw & the men one of them piled dung & the other laid
around all the forenoon & I went to the wool factory with the wool & Mike piled dung & John Wilson
went of & got drunk afternoon we are to get our yarn in three weeks
Tue 23 Not so very warm to day we all fixed fence in the forenoon I sent of one of my men at noon
the others fixed fence in afternoon George & I plowed potatoes in afternoon & ridged up & sowed the
turnips after tea time
1868 June
Wed 24 Very nice & warm all day every thing a growing fast Charley sowed the buckwheat & plowed
some corn & potatoes in forenoon I went over to Henry to set his man a ridging turnip ground in
forenoon & Mike hoed potatoes all day I sowed Henrys turnips in afternoon Charley hoed corn &
potatoes in afternoon
Thur 25 Nice & cool this morning uncle Silas Smith called in a few minutes in the morning on his way
home to the forty Charley & Mike hoed potatoes in forenoon finished hoeing potatoes & went to
woods to fix fence & ground the Axes after tea & cut some wood after tea
Fri 26 Very nice all day & warm but cool after sunrise awhile we cut fence blocks & fixed the fence
along the woods all day James Taylor & his cousin John began to work after dinner fixing fence laid
it all over along the woods
Sat 27 Very warm and dry yet I went to Brantford Mr Osborne went along The men fixed the fence
along the road behind the driving house & piled manure Mother came home from her visit
1868 June
Sun 28 Very warm & dry yet Mother & I went over to Henry's in afternoon
Mon 29 Very warm yet today The men & I finished the sideroad fence in forenoon & piled manure &
plowed & hoed the Potatoes & corn in afternoon
Tue 30 Very warm all day I took a grist to mill & the old waggon to get the tires set & the men piled
Manure & ground up some scythes in afternoon
1868 July
Wed 1 The very hottest day yet for dominion day John Powers took old Match to Cainsville the men
piled dung & mowed around part of a field of grass
Thur 2 Uncommon hot yet John began to cut grass & the men cut fence corners & cut Canada
thistles
Fri 3 Very hot again all day I went after grist & waggon in forenoon & to Brantford in afternoon
Sat 4 Very warm again to day the men began to draw hay & I cut a piece of grass did not get done till
ten o clock
1868 July
Sun 5 As hot again as ever Mother & I went over to Henry's awhile after dinner he is getting better
Mon 6 Very hot again Men drew hay John went to Paris & I set Henry mower going forenoon & I cut
a piece of grass in afternoon
Tue 7 Looks some like a thunder shower but did not come very hot & dry I went with old Quick
around to buy some lambs sold him all mine for 1.75 per head John cut a piece of grass the other
men drew in hay all day
Wed 8 Very warm to day again George & I took the lambs to Brantford in forenoon John cut some
grass the others drew in hay & raked & put up some in afternoon
Thur 9 As warm as ever this morning John Powers & George plowed some potatoes & they all
turned hay & raked it up in forenoon & worked in hay in afternoon {Left Margin: I drove Henry out to
Brantford for the first since his leg was broken}
Fri 10 Very hot again to day men worked in hay all day drew in with two teams in forenoon I went to
Brantford with Henrys John began to cut the last field of grass
1868 July
Sat 11 Hotter than ever to day John cut grass & Charley raked hay stubble the others mowed fence
corners in forenoon John & I went to Brantford & the men raked & cocked hay in afternoon
Sun 12 Very hot again to day I took Mother over to Westwoods in forenoon
Mon 13 Very hot yet again John cut grass all day the men spread & raked hay Mike ONeil came
home at tea time from Hamilton a seeing after his discharge from the 100th regiment {Left Margin: I
began to make Waggon rack}
Tues 14 As hot as ever to day John finished cutting the last field of grass & the other ones spread
out grass in forenoon & raked & cocked up hay in afternoon {Left Margin: I worked at rack again
today}
Wed 15 I don't think it is quite as hot today but very near we got Cole & one of Osbornes men to help
draw got in twenty six large loads today {Left Margin: I worked at rack again}
Thur 16 Not quite as hot as has been some days we have had lately got Cole & John Vansickle to
help draw got done at tea time had 55 large loads of off less then twelve Acres it was the heaviest
crop that ever grew about here so every body that seen it or worked in it, it made very fine hay
Clover & Timothy well mixed
1868 July
Fri 17 Nearly as hot as ever again John & George raked the grass stubble in forenoon the other men
went to make the line fence between Ben & me for to pay back for Cole & John VanSickle for helping
us with the hay a drawing in John & George cultivated the turnips I worked at waggon rack what I
could do at it got it about done it is a good one when finished
Sat 18 As hot as ever again I think George & I went to Brantford & the men cut some grass & hoed
turnips & potatoes got home after dinner
Sun 19 Very hot to day again Wm Simpler & wife was here for dinner on their way to see old Mr
Snyder buried I went over to Henrys a while in afternoon
Mon 20 Hot yet today & dry the men cut around the wheat field & Jane & I went to Isaac Howells & to
see the dutch doctor
Tue 21 Very hot yet again to day I filed a saw & set up reaper & began to reap wheat in forenoon cut
some wheat & bound it up in afternoon
1868 July
Wed 22 Hot again as usual to day Cut wheat broke reaper knife I went to St. George got it mended
came back & cut wheat until noon cut some wheat again in afternoon & went to Brantford after some
men got one home with me two others promised to come in morning our wheat field got a fire in
forenoon from James Taylors pipe we supposed
Thur 23 Not quite so hot today cut wheat in forenoon & finished cutting the one field at tea time the
worst cutting I ever have seen I think
Fri 24 Not so hot this morning very smoky looking & dry Men finished binding field of wheat &
shocked it up & began to cut other field in forenoon Michael ONeil went of to get a job at the railroad
bridge cut & bound wheat in afternoon
Sat 25 Not quite so hot to day cut and bound up wheat finished up cutting fall wheat got done at dark
all shocked up it got very dry and brittle
1868 July
Sun 26 Quite cool this morning to what it has been John Powers went to Brantford I went to Henrys
awhile after dinner
Mon 27 Not near as warm as it has been all day Henry & I went to Branchton after the ram got it all
right the men drew in wheat all day drew all day on ten acres had two other men from Brantford to
help us
Tue 28 A great deal cooler to day the men drew in wheat all day finished the fall wheat in afternoon I
finished waggon rack Mother went to Barts in forenoon
Wed 29 Pretty warm again to day tried the Peas with horse rake in the morning & it would not go
give the job to Jim Taylor & John Christie John Powers raked wheat stubble & cultivated turnips in
forenoon & I went to Brantford & John fixed some fence in afternoon Mother came home
Thur 30 Not so very hot today John raked stubble in morning I took Mother over to Henry Howells in
forenoon & got the tire put on reaper wheel & came home in the evening
1868 July & August
Fri 31 Not so very hot to day John & some of the men drew in some raking & some Peas had a small
shower in afternoon & in the evening again I was in bed most all day sick one of the men cut round
spring wheat field & bound it up
Saturday Augt 1 Quite cool with some small showers in morning men done nothing in forenoon John
hoed cabbage patch some of them went home to Brantford men done nothing much all day cut some
Peas after tea
Sun 2 Not so very warm to day I staid at home all day James Waugh & wife came in forenoon John
Powers went to Hawleys Margery VanSickle went home did not come back
Mon 3 Very nice & cool all day looked some like rain in forenoon I went to Wm Waughs after some
money for some lambs he had sold to Beal & home & the men some drew Peas & some cut Peas &
one of them cut around Spring wheat field & Oats in forenoon I went after Mother in afternoon & the
men drew Peas & cut Peas
1868 Augt
Tue 4 Very nice & not so warm I drove the reaper in afternoon to cut Spring wheat the men drew in
Peas in forenoon & a while afternoon & then cut spring wheat till night
Wed 5 Pretty warm today again Edward Martin & wife was here for dinner I drove the reaper to cut
Spring wheat all day
Thur 6 Not so warm to day again I went to Brantford the men cut Oats some of them & the rest set
up wheat & bound Oats
Fri 7 Not so very hot today George & I went to Rachel Cains to see some stray hogs there was there
to get them for Quick that lost some in Brantford did not find them men bound Oats in forenoon &
drew spring wheat in afternoon
Sat 8 Nice & cool but the hardest wind I must ever have seen had to quit drawing wheat most of
afternoon drew & stacked Spring wheat & one man bound Oats
Sun 9 Quite cool to day again Henry H. K. came over for the first time since he had his leg broke
James Taylor went away to Crandells in morning
1868 Augt
Mon 10 Very nice morning & cool Cynthia Kitchen & I went to Brantford to meet John Kitchens wife &
children a coming on the cars they did not come at all dont see what is the matter
Tue 11 Some small showers last night & today some more we marked the Sheep in forenoon & John
Powers & John Christie went to Brantford George & I went to Wm Waugh, after some Sheep &
lambs he had on shares he took twenty one ewes on shares again for another year to give half the
wool & half the lambs & the old sheep back again
Wed 12 Nice morning cleared of I settled of with Jim Taylor & John Christie in forenoon James
Waugh brought back some Oats he had since last summer & I killed a lamb & Mr Quick came & paid
me for some lambs he had bought I went to Henrys after tea a while
Thur 13 Very nice day & cool John cut Oats all day Jane & I & the children went to Westwoods I got
a sow & pigs from them they was cutting their Peas
1868 Augt Fri 14 Not so very warm to day John bound up Oats & I went to Westwoods in forenoon
after a Sow and five pigs & then went to Dunhams to get him to come & work in afternoon
Sat 15 Very nice & cool today John bound Oats all day I took covered Buggy to Brantford to get a
coat of Varnish on it
Sun 16 Nice & cool had a nice Shower last night which makes things look nice I took the girls &
George to Daniel Bonhams in morning & home again in the evening
Mon 17 Very nice day & warm Henry & I went to Paris to see dutch Doctor Margaret Kitchen came to
sew for Jane {Left Margin: John began to plow to sand stubble grass}
Tue 18 Very nice day looks some like showers Mr Bart came to buy my farm in forenoon I mended
harness & Beal came to buy Sheep at tea time did not take any away coming again after some some
day soon wants to get all their is fit to Kill John plowed all day
1868 Augt
Wed 19 A little shower last night John plowed in forenoon I went to hire George Agnew could not get
him went to Paris afternoon hired a man come as far as Giles & stopped would not come any farther
got home at dark
Thur 20 Looks like showers again very warm Mother & I took the yarn to Colemans to get wove in
forenoon Mrs Lemon & Mrs Papple & Mrs VanSickle came in afternoon had a nice shower in
afternoon
Fri 21 Nice after the shower I hired a man to plow for one month at $14.00 per month men plowed
Beal got some sheep I went to Brantford after the Covered Buggy
Sat 22 Very nice weather warm the men plowed all day I oiled the Buggy top & got ready to start for
Goderich
Sun 23 Very warm to day again Charles Turner came over for dinner Jane & I started for Goderich in
afternoon & went as far as Susan Wilsons and staid all night
1868 Augt
Mon 24 Very warm to day again the men got in the last of the Oats. we drove as far as Henry
Chrysler for dinner & then went on as far as Seabachs tavern five mile this side Mitchell & staid all
night very good accommodations with light charges only $1.25 for suppers & bed & breakfast &
horse to Hay
Tue 25 Quite warm again today the men plowed all day we started & drove into Goderich got in
before five O'Clock found Harvey started down to my place after seed wheat
Wed 26 Very nice & warm men plowed Eliza & Jane & I went to see Andrew Green for dinner
Thur 27 Nice & pleasant to day we went out to see Sandy Reid for dinner came back by Joe Morris
they was not at home
Fri 28 Nice & warm all day the men helped Henry thrash we went to Mr Hortons for tea & staid the
evening with Mr Clifford Eliza & Lydia went to the social Harvey got home in evening
1868 Augt
Sat 29 Very nice to day again men helped Henry thrash we staid at Harveys & went out to Morris' in
evening staid all night Harvey & Eliza came after dark too
Sun 30 Some cooler this morning staid at Mr Morris' till after dinner & then went to David Ellis in
afternoon found there little boy quite sick staid all night
Mon 31 Had some rain last night and several showers through the day staid at Davids all day & night
the men helped Henry thrash 1/2 a day
Sept Tue 1 Very nice after the rain men plowed David & I went to see some farms went to Mr
Hamlens for dinner & tea partly agreed for his farm for thirty five hundred dollars
Wed 2 Nice morning but cooler we come back to Goderich in forenoon to Harveys
Thur 3 Nice morning & warm staid at Harveys Sarah Behimer & Hannah Templer came in afternoon
had a very nice shower at tea time wet things up good
1868 Sept
Fri 4 Very nice after the rain I made some plum boxes in forenoon was not very well all day spent the
evening at Mr Cliffords all off us from Harveys
Sat 5 Very nice some cooler the men sowed some wheat Jane & I started for home in forenoon
came as far as Seabachs tavern & staid all night was not well
Sun 6 Cooler this morning took some like rain started & came as far as John Kitchens for dinner
began to rain rained very hard staid there all night
Mon 7 Cleared off again had a very wet night ground a swimming, started & came as far as Susan
Wilsons and staid all night I had a shake of Ague
Tue 8 Quite cool again came home in forenoon men drew Manure in forenoon & sowed some wheat
afternoon & drew Manure with one team I laid to bed all the afternoon
1868 Sept
Wed 9 Had some more rain the ground very wet cant do anything on it I staid at home all day John
drew Manure the Englishman I hired left this morning sick worked fifteen days {Left Margin: sold Beal
the sheep 53 head for $90.00}
Thur 10 Cooler but ground wet I staid at home all day John finished sowing wheat Mr Osborne was
over a while afternoon
Fri 11 Very wet yet to day staid at home all day John drew Manure
Sat 12 Ground very wet yet John & I went to Brantford John got measured for a suit of clothes at
Cockshutts
Sun 13 Quite cold and wet I staid at home all day Mrs Osborne & girls come over a while in
afternoon
Mon 14 Nice day but cool John went to help Osborne in seeding I went to see Mr Palmer & Joe
Weaver about some notes I held Thos Westwood & Mary & Dorothy was over for dinner & tea
Tue 15 Very nice day & dry all day Mother & I went to Lynden I hired a man for a month for $12.00
began in afternoon Sam Burtney was here when we got home
1868 Sept
Wed 16 Had some rain last night cleared off cool again men drew Manure all day sold a horse to
Sam Burtney for $110.00 to pay in four months Joe VanSickle brought his lumber apc in forenoon I
went to John VanSickles to see him about the Sheep I let him have on shares
Thur 17 Nice morning men drew Manure I staid at home all day Jane & I went to Mr Burts in
afternoon
Fri 18 Very nice morning men drew Manure I went to see thrashers & let George Kitchen have four
Bushel Oats forenoon Jane & I went to Mr Burts to see about selling my farm in afternoon
Sat 19 Very nice morning again Wm Gorman threw manure out of Sheep stable John F & I went to
Brantford to get some clothes for John F
Sun 20 Had some rain last night again I went to Henrys a while Margery & her Sister went James
Waughs in forenoon
1868 Sept
Mon 21 Very nice morning Mr Burt & Son came to see if I would sell my farm in forenoon men drew
Manure I went to Paris to see the doctor he did not come at all
Tue 22 Very nice morning Mr Burt & I went to Brantford to do the writing about my farm sold it to him
for $50 per acre
Wed 23 Nice morning I took John to go to Hamilton Show I got Horse shod & Mother & I went
Puslinch in afternoon
Thur 24 Very nice morning Thos Ellis & I went to look at a farm near Guelph it began to rain at dusk
Fri 25 A little rainy this forenoon Mother & I started for home after dinner came as far as Henry
Howells staid all night
Sat 26 Nice morning again came home afternoon found Nelson Behimer & wife here when we got
home
Sun 27 Some rain again today I was sick Nelson & Sarah went home afternoon
1868 Sept
Mon 28 Cleared of again I am not very well yet James Waugh & George Howell came in morning to
see and get my democrat to go after their tools to Copetown Mr & Mrs Burt came & we went with
them to Brantford to sign the writings for the farm men threw down old straw stack & fixed house roof
& split wood George Medley staid all night & I settled with him for his work he done
Tue 29 Cleared of & cool men cleaned up some Oats & Spring wheat in forenoon & I took it to
Brantford in afternoon George Ellis came & him & I went to John Betzner's to see Mr. Haines farm
staid all night did not buy it
Wed 30 Looks some like rain had some in afternoon George & I came as far as George Jones &
staid all day & night the machine came to thrash & did not do anything machine would not go at all
had to quit
1868 Oct
Thur 1 Had some rain last night George & I came home in forenoon George went to Henrys & I went
to see after the thrashers in afternoon could not get them for ten days or so
Fri 2 Very nice morning & clear again John & I went to Brantford with a load of ash lumber in
forenoon I went to Henrys a while afternoon Mr Osborne was over
Sat 3 Nice morning some frost last night again John drew lumber & Jane & I went to Brantford after
the Mortgage & some dry goods & Mr Burt came & paid two thousand dollars on the Mortgage
Sun 4 Heavy frost last night but nice and clear John Vansickle & me went to Lynden in forenoon
Thomas Westwood & Mary & Dorothy & David was over a while afternoon
Mon 5 Nice & warm all day Mother & John Proper & I went to Goderich
Tues 6 Nice day but some cooler Harvey & I drove out to see a farm that belonged to one Jessup out
of town a little
1868 Oct
Wed 7 Very warm all day some rain at evening & in the night got Harveys Horse & drove out to
David Ellis’m in forenoon
Thurs 8 Some rain last night quite wet & cold all day went to Dungamron to the show was appointed
one of the lodges in the House had a very good show for a township show
Fri 9 Very nice day not cold went back to Manchester & round through {Wawamouth?} & back again
to see some farms seen some good one
Sat 10 Nice & dry all day went in afternoon to see Mr Carezo farm out on the Maitland river & home
Sun 11 Nice & warm all day staid at David’s all day
Mon 12 Nice day & warm went to look over Mr Bailies farm in forenoon staid at David’s in afternoon
Tues 13 Nice day & very warm mother & I went to see Bailies farm again could not buy it wanted to
much for it I thought
Wed 14 Nice & warm all day Mother & I came to Morris’s in forenoon they was gone to show to
Lucknow I went to town & back there in afternoon
1868 Oct
Thur 15 Very nice morning again Mr Morris & I went to see two or three farms that {Ghos?} Martin
used to own out at Smiths Hill
Fri 16 Nice day but cool some rain in afternoon staid at Mr Morris’s to get word about Martins farm
did not come till night telegram came for me to come to Brantfors as a witness against a forger could
not go David Ellis called at Morris’s to tell about some other farms he had heard of in town
Sat 17 Some snow last night very cold all day went with Mr Morris to Smiths Hill to see about getting
a field for a plowing match & then went into Goderich to Harveys for the night
Sun 18 Quite cold all gay again went to church with Harveys in forenoon was sick at noon staid with
Mr Clifford the evening
Mon 19 Quite cold again to day had the writings made out for the Loot no 2 in the 8th
Concession
Western division of Colborne from John Hickingbottom price $5000.00 100 acres more or less
1868 Oct
Tue 20 Some rain in the morning quite soft all day Grandmother Eliza & Mrs Clifford & I went out to
the farm I bought & to Mr Morris for dinner & back to town at night bought a lot of Hay from
Hickingbottom for $47.00 cash had Mr Cliffords team & waggon got full possession of farm
Wed 21 Quite wet all day Mother & I came home let Harvey have twelve hundred dollars for one year
at ten percent
Thur 22 Some snow last night again staid home in forenoon went after flannel in afternoon John
went to see the thrashers in afternoon
Fri 23 Not quite so cold to day our Harvey & I went to Westwoods to get a horse to thrash John got
ready for to thrash
Sat 24 Nice weather al day John killed a sheep to & I went to Brantford Mr Burt was over here
Sun 25 Some rain all day by spells staid at home all day Henry was over for dinner
1868 Oct
Mon 26 Very nice day all day began to thrash in forenoon some Oats thrashed all day
Tue 27 Nice day but windy thrashed some S. wheat stacks they was very wet grain nearly spoiled
Wed 28 Nice day but windy finished the stacks in forenoon & set at the old barn & thrashed 180
Bushel in afternoon
Thur 29 Very nice day but Cool finished thrashing before night David Ellis & old John Emery came in
forenoon David & I went to Lynden & back in afternoon
Fri 30 Very nice again to day John & George pulled some turnips Mother & I went to Mr. Burt on a
visit I called to get Wrung to come & thrash Peas coming Monday
Sat 31 Very wet all day staid at home all day
November
Sun 1 Very cold & disagreeable Mother & I went to Henrys for dinner Samuel & Harvey Westwood
was there
Mon 2 Quite cool all day John & George finished the turnips, Mr Wrung began to thrash Peas in
morning I staid home all day for Mr Palmer to come did not come Mother went to Westwoods in
forenoon
1868 Nov
Tue 3 Heavy white frost last night John Powers went to plow for George McLaughlin Wrung thrashed
Peas I went to Henrys in afternoon {Left Margin: Sold Beale some Sheep & a pair of Steers}
Wed 4 Very nice day some rain in evening John took a load of Hay to Hatch I went to get Auction
Bills printed got a hundred printed
Thur 5 Nice but pretty cool I went to St. George to put up bills & went to Henry Howells for dinner &
home Some rain last night I staid at home all day
Fri 6 Nice but pretty cool I went to St. George to put up bills & went to Henry Howells for dinner &
home in evening Eliza Howell & Isaac Howell & wife came here
Sat 7 Very cool & looks like rain I took Eliza to Vanderlip & came home in evening
Sun 8 Very rainy to day again staid at home all day
Mon 9 Very wet all day John threw S. wheat out of Bins I went to Henrys & staid all day Abram
Drake came after School Tax it is very high this year a very rainy day
1868 Nov
Tue 10 Very bad damp dirty day staid at home all day John sorted out old irons in forenoon & went
to Paris to put up bills in afternoon Mr Osborne was over a while afternoon
Wed 11 Cleared of some today Mr Burts boys began to Plow in morning George Day came after
some seed, John & I went to Brantford after some things for the sale
Thur 12 Kind of cold all day and cloudy James Waugh was here all forenoon came to buy some
cows before the sale Burts boys plowed
Fri 13 Very nice all day & clear John & Charles Buck drew straw & I went to St George to sell my
right for Harrow sold the right to Wm Behiny for a horse
Sat 14 Beautiful & warm day staid at home forenoon & got out some stuff for waggon rack from Jim
Waugh same & fixed Mothers old Bureau let him have some Oak for Harrow & waggon rack I went to
Brantford after some cheese in afternoon
1868 Nov
Sun 15 Some cooler & cloudy all day looks like a storm John P went to George Fongers I went to
Henrys a while in forenoon they came over with me for dinner George Howell went to Westwoods
found a Leicester Buck with our ewes in forenoon
Mon 16 Very cold disagreeable day I went to St. George to settle up with Fleming for the Harrow
right give him my note for $47.00 for two months without interest Henry Howell & wife came down in
afternoon & staid all night {Left Margin: I got a three year old colt from Wm Fleming for my Harrow
right}.
Tues 17 Very heavy rain all day the wettest day this fall a good many camy to the Sale but we had to
put it of on account of the rain it wil come of on Thursday the 26th if all is well Henry Howell went
home
Wed 18 It has quit raining this morning but is cloudy John F Powers & I went to Brantford I went to
get some notices printed about the sale got a 100 for $125. went to see John Lakes colt did not buy
it yet John Burt went home sick in the morning
1868 Nov
Thur 19 Nice morning heavy white frost last night sent John F. with some bills to put up out towards
Smokey Hollow I went to Paris with some bills posted a lot by mail to different parties around the
county got dinner at I.L.Howells & came home
Fri 20 Snowed some last night John went to Help Henrys Bill Hags I went to Harrisburg & around by
St. George to put up bills Mr Burt went with me from his place to St. George got home by noon {Left
Margin: George & the girls went to Henry Howells afternoon}
Sat 21 Quite cool this morning & windy all day got quite muddy I went to Colemans after some
flannel did not get it paid my School tax in morning to Mr A Drake $30.99 got home at noon and
cleaned up a grist after dinner Mr Gim came in forenoon & staid all night
Sun 22 Quite cold froze hard Jane & I went to Henrys in forenoon found George Kitchen & all his
family moved in there Mr Gim staid here all day & all night
1868 Nov
Mon 23 Hard frost last night but a very nice warm day & very clear roads very rough in morning I
took a grist to Brantford to get ground got it home with me John F went to help Osborne thrash in
afternoon they moved into the new School house
Tue 24 Nice morning some frost John F & I cleaned up some wheat for Henry Mr Burt & Dan came
to plow in forenoon John helped Osborne to thrash & I staid at home in afternoon
Wed 25 Cloudy not so cold Mr Burt finished plowing in forenoon young Mr Reagie came to buy a colt
did not get one from me John went to John Kinneys & I went to Henrys to see him he was gone to
Paris with wheat looks like rain to night
Thur 26 Rained hard last night cleared of this morning again had our sale to day had a large turn out
things went of pretty well a good day George Jones & Rachel came & staid all night
1868 Nov
Fri 27 Nice morning but cloudy Dennis Sager came to buy a bay colt three year old past that I had he
got him for $152.00 to pay in eleven months for him George & Rachel went to Henrys in forenoon
Mr. Simpson came after the reaper he bought at the sale paid cash
Sat 28 Looks like a storm it did rain before night John & I went to Brantford I went to settle of with
Postman for the sale roads very muddy {Left Margin: Some one stole two of our best turkeys last
night}
Sun 29 Cloudy kind of weather I staid at home all day the girls came home from Westwoods
afternoon
Mon 30 Some snow last night colder this morning John took me to Paris to go to Goderich on Cars I
went & staid at Cliffords all night found them all well there
December
Tue 1 Quite cold & blustering all day with some snow Harvey took me out to Mr Morris in afternoon
roads very bad & rough
Wed 2 Snowed some last night & in forenoon about six inches Mr Morris took me to the farm & to
David Ellis in afternoon with the sleigh went very good in the gravel road
1868 Dec
Thur 3 Very nice morning some more Snow last night again David & I went with the cutter back in
Wawanosh to see George Henry about his buying Matchles Horse he is coming down to see him
soon roads very bad mud in some places knee deep to Horse got back about dark to Davids had
one upset in the mud & snow
Fri 4 Quite cold but clear David thrashed in forenoon & George Ellis brought me out to Goderich
came on a great snow & blow in evening about dark I staid at Harveys all night George went home
again after dark
Sat 5 Quite calm again after the storm last night I came home from Goderich John brought me from
Paris in afternoon brought home half a barrel of W fish no sleighing when I got home
Sun 6 Looks like a storm all day I staid at home John Powers went away to Mr Hawleys or some
where up the road
1868 Dec
Mon 7 Storming this morning very stormy in afternoon John fixed to Kill Hogs I went to Brantford in
afternoon after Salt to salt the pork in
Tue 8 Very stormy all day snow & blowed very hard we Killed Hogs Daniel H Bonham & Isiah came
to buy the straw carriers did not get them Wm Templer came after the straw cutter he bought at the
sale staid all night a terrible storm Killed Hogs & cut them all up & salted them got done before night
Wed 9 Quit snowing but very cold I went to St. George to get the Horses shod at A Brockbank all
around had some of these rubber cushions put under one of their shoes in front John put straw
round yard
Thur 10 Getting colder all the time John & I went to Brantford to get my cutter that was there to paint
James Waugh brought his wife here and left her while he went to Isaac Sands sale & called in
evening for her sleighing not very good at all blowed of the road in places
1868 Dec
Fri 11 Very nice morning but pretty cold all day Jane & I went to Westwoods on a visit with the cutter
& one Horse John split wood James Waugh came to borrow some money
Sat 12 Nice & clear but some windy & pretty cold day day John went to Brantford I went to
Jerseyville to take some coverlets to get wove at William VanSickles cant get them before April or
Mary Came back by Lynden & staid all night at B. VanSickle left a set of whiffletrees at Petitts to get
ironed
Sun 13 Quite cold all day again I staid at Bens in forenoon came home in afternoon Henry H Kitchen
was here
Mon 14 Some milder this morning Snowed some all day long but did not amount to much after all I
think about an inch or two Wal Baker came to buy some Oak lumber Owen Judge came after
fanning Mill he bought at the sale Joseph Weaver came and bought my old long tug Harness for
twenty dollars they was a very good set
1868 Dec
Tue 15 Very nice all day but cold I went to Paris to order a set of new harness from Flanagan to be
silver mounted all through
Wed 16 Nice day thawed some in the Sun I went to Brantford to see about selling my wheat did not
do it going to Keep it a while longer yet
Thur 17 Very nice day thawed some I staid at home all day not very well
Fri 18 Nice day but some colder I staid at home all day Uncle Wm Behimer & Helen Behimer came
before noon I strung a couple of strings of Bells
Sat 19 Very cold all day long I staid at home all day Wm Behimer & Helen went home in the morning
Henry Howell came after the fanning mill he bought at my sale Beal took the steers away in
afternoon I sold him for $100.00
Sun 20 Very nice & warm thawed of all the sleighing I staid at home Grandmother went to Henrys
Mon 21 Some colder this morning I made some shawl pins in forenoon I went to Paris in afternoon to
see dutch doctor John began to dig out the snow in lane
1868 Dec
Tue 22 Not very cold again to day John dug out the lane & began to draw up some wood I staid at
home all day Henry Howell & Wm Tanner came after some Sheep for Henry got a dozen at $3.50
each to pay for them in the six months from date
Wed 23 A pretty cold day again I staid at home all day & fixed up the old table & give the top of it a
coat of paint sold Beal 13 sheep for $32.50 to take them away next week Jarome Hawley came after
the pay for the thrashing paid him ten dollars $17.70 coming yet
Thur 24 Nice day but very cold John & I went to Brantford took the iron plow out to George Fowler to
get it fixed up some very poor Sleighing the coldest day this winter
Fri 25 Not near so cold today we all went over to Westwoods for to take over Christmas dinner
Sat 26 Very nice day not very cold John drew up wood & I painted the table again & mended
Harveys little Sleigh
1868 Dce
Sun 27 Some snow last night but not enough to make good sleighing Jane & I & John Powers &
Willy & Eliza went to Henry Hawleys in forenoon & Home in the afternoon Sleighing very poor
Mon 28 Not very cold very nice winter weather though John drew up wood I painted over the table
again Samuel Buckborough came to buy some oak lumber from me sold it to him Beale came & took
away the Sheep I sold him last week Nelson Kitchen & Edgars wife & children is to start for Michigan
to night
Tue 29 Some Snow last night very warm & mild all day I took Grandmother & the girls down to
Lynden left Grandmother down there to get her cloak made & we came home
Wed 30 Quite mild all day I painted the table over again in forenoon & got out some stuff for a
waggon rack & Samuel Buckborough sent after some oak lumber I sold him John Powers drew wood
Mr Galloway called to get subscriptions for the Bible Society St. George
1868 Dec
Thur 31 A heavy white frost last night very sharp & cold in the morning I went after Dr. Kitchen for
Mrs Cole before daylight to St. George got him to come & painted the table over again & James
Papple called to get his pay for helping thrash John & George drew Pea Straw in forenoon I went to
St. George with some Peas & Oats to get chopped for the beef cow and took some oak lumber to
Bells to get dressed for a waggon rack got it home with one & got the chop stuff with me too a very
warm nice day thawed some the wind got around to the northeast and seems as if there was a storm
a coming on John & George cleaned up some Spring wheat for a grist afternoon I got home from St.
George about half past six in the evening
Diary January 1869
Fri 1 The greatest Snow storm and hardest blowing we have had this winter yet Jane and I and two
of the children went over to Henrys for dinner {Thos?} Westwood & Mary was there in the terriblest
Snow storm we have had in a long time
Sat 2 Quite mild all day but rained & Snowed nearly all day I put handles on some knives in forenoon
then fixed a place & turned old Matchles in to it in afternoon John and George cut down straw stack
& threw it round the yard
Sun 3 Very warm & thawing some I went after Mother to Lynden in afternoon Marjory VanSickle
came back in afternoon Sleighing going
Mon 4 Very nice and mild this morning John took a grist of S.wheat to Brantford to get floured to sell
I went along to the municipal election at Betsons School House the children started to school again
this morning old Doctor Stinson and old Mrs. Leemington & Mr. Storr is to be buried to day went to
Germans School House to the election & then home & hitched up the brown colt & drove him to St.
George for first time
1869 January
Tue 5 Very mild & some Snow showers through the day I went to Brantford after a grist sold 500 lbs
to Hexts at 2.50 per cwt John split wood Mr Rung began to thrash Peas I settled up with G. Foster &
Hatch in full of all demands
Wed 6 Very nice day & warm thawed a good deal Jane & I went to Isaac J. Howells & James &
Lydia went along went after my new harness to Paris staid all night at Isaac's Joseph Steel & wife
was there all day {Left Margin: Mr. Rung thrashed peas John split wood}
Thur 7 Nice day very warm the Snow all gone in the roads nearly came as far as James Waughs for
dinner & home in afternoon Sleighing nearly all gone {Left Margin: Mr. Rung thrashed peas John split
wood}
Fri 8 Quite soft this morning looks like a thaw again I put some hoops on churn & some barrels in
forenoon John split wood Rung thrashed Peas all day
Sat 9 Heavy rain last night rains yet this morning John turned the meat over in the box Mr. Rung
thrashed Peas I staid home all day
1869 January
Sun 10 Very nice day quite warm I staid home all day Grandmother went to Henry's in morning
Susan Wilsons young folks came here from Westwoods in afternoon & went home in evening
Mon 11 Very nice day and quite warm & Spring looking I staid at home all day the clock spring broke
down
Tues 12 John & I went to Brantford in forenoon called to get Noles to come & butcher a Beef for me
got the clock mended and cleaned at Griffiths
Wed 13 Very nice day & thawed some in the sun John and Noles killed the Beef in forenoon I went
to School Meeting & come back to Mr. Greenfields for dinner & staid till evening Henry girls was over
John greased the new waggon in afternoon I bought a whip from John VanSickle for one dollar
Thurs 14 Beautiful weather all day John and I cut up the Beef & fixed waggon rack in forenoon & put
on & took a load of Hay to Mr. Nisbet School Teacher at Germans School House
1869 January
Fri 15 Very nice weather all day I went to Brantford & took the two girls & George out with me took a
quarter of Beef to sell got five dollers per cwt for it from John Booze bought some chocs for girls & a
pair of Boots for George from Adams
Sat 16 Beautiful day & sunshine I went to St. George to pay Fleming a note he held against me & got
a pair of Harrows from Sam Buckborough & got two shoes set on the John Horse Rung finished
thrashing & cleaning Peas in afternoon had 107 Bush
Sun 17 Nice day again all day I staid at home all day Grandmother went with Henry to see Nelson
Kitchen baby that is sick at the corner at Mrs Shipmans {Left Margin: Samuel Fristney & wife came
at dark & staid all night}
Mon 18 Looks like a storm quite cold & cloudy all day Samuel Fristney paid for the grey mare he
bought from me in the fall for $105.00 John and I went to Paris with a load of Hay to Wm. Epron for
P.O. Connor the roads are very nice for the waggon Samuel Fristney & wife went home in forenoon
1869 January
Tue 19 Quite cold all day and cloudy but no snow yet I staid at home all day John took away a load
of Hay to Paris Henry Howell brought Aunt Mary over in forenoon I mended a sursingle {surcingle} &
breaststrap Elizabeth Kitchen and Dorothy came over in forenoon & staid till evening
Wed 20 Beautiful day clear and cold John & I took a load of Hay over to Mr. Kitchen in forenoon got
Wm. Fleming to shoe the team all round new shoes in front Grandmother & Aunt Mary went over to
Henrys I sent for the Globe by H.G. McPherson $1.30
Thurs 21 Very nice all forenoon clouded up in afternoon I staid home all day mended some halters in
forenoon John took a load of Hay to tavern keeper in St. George he is to pay for it in six weeks
Fri 22 Very nice day but quite cold John & I went to Brantford with a load of Hay to A Bradley Henry
Howell came after Aunt Mary & cow I sold to him for twenty one dollars to pay in a short time
1869 January
Sat 23 Very nice day quite cold John took a load of Hay to D Kitchen in forenoon I went along got
two shoes reset on the Horses that lamed them getting warmer
Sun 24 Very nice day warmer Looks like a storm of some kind John went away somewhere &
Marjory went over to Westwoods in afternoon I staid home all day
Mon 25 Very cold & clear all day John & I took a load of Hay to Paris G.P. Grey Hotel Keeper got a
new set of Harness from Flanagan & traded a set of half tug Harness for a new set of long tug gave
him a load of Hay & a load of Straw to boot got two good set of long tug Harness now one set Silver
mounted
Tues 26 Very nice day not quite as cold very clear though John took a load of Hay to Flanagan Paris.
I staid home all day & set a picture in the frame
Wed 27 Nice and pleasant clouds up in afternoon John took a load of Hay to Paris Henry was over
for dinner I staid at home all day waiting for some men to come & buy Matchless
1869 Jany
Thur 28 Very nice day and warm thawed considerable in sun John & I took a half ton of Hay to
Sidney E Thomas in the forenoon put on another load of Hay & took it to St. George to Dr. Kitchen in
afternoon Mr & Mrs VanSickel came over for an evening visit
Fri 29 Quite foggy in morning Come on rain in evening about 4 O'Clock John B. took a load of Hay to
Mr. Cepson I went to Brantford with Henry H Kitchen & Nelson Kitchen to see a lawyer for advice on
Henry's scrape with Mr. Ley & Bolton rained near all night
Sat 30 Quite cloudy & some rain in Morning I went to Brantford in morning took some chickens to sell
got three shilling a pair for them John Powers went along I bought a Horse from P.B. Hatch for sixty
dollars cash & a note against Mark & George Armstrong for thirty seven dollars eighty cents due next
fall John Templer & wife & children come & staid all night
1869 Jany
Sun 31 Quite cold this morning froze up hard again roads will be rough for a while I staid at home all
day John Templer & wife went to Westwoods in afternoon Nathan VanSickel & wife & his two sisters
came for dinner & went home before night had roast turkey & roast beef & plum pudding for dinner
February
Mon 1 Quite cold and cloudy all day John took a load of Straw to Paris for Flanagan I went to settle
with F.O. Connor for the Hay I sold him gave Flanagan an order on him to settle an {ape?} with him
drove my new horse for first time I got from Hatch
Tue 2 Very cold again to day I went to St. George with some stuff to make a Harrow with John took
some flour & peas over to Rung David Ellis came in evening Snow storm a beginning
Wed 3 A hard snow storm all night & most of the day Some six inches of Snow fell I think sleighing
not very good yet I took David Ellis over to his brother Wms & to St. George & home again {Left
Margin: Paid David Ellis $109.00 on a yoke of oxen}
1869 Febry
Thur 4 Very rough stormy day I took David out to Brantford in forenoon John took a load of wheat to
Brantford Contracted all the wheat I have to Mr. Plewes for one dollar per bushel all round
Westwoods boys brought a cheese over for David Ellis in the evening
Fri 5 Beautiful and clear all day thawed some in the Sun I took David Ellis out to the cars in Brantford
in the morning John took a load of Wheat to Brantford George Cones' young folks came & went to
Brantford to get there Photographs taken I bought a recipe for making hard soap
Sat 6 Nice morning but cloudy George Cones' young folks went to Westwoods & we cleaned up
some wheat in forenoon John took a load of wheat to Brantford & I went to St. George in afternoon to
see Chris Bottings about a stove traded him some Hay for one
Sun 7 Very nice day thawed some I staid home all day James Waugh & wife came in forenoon
George Cones' folks went home & Grandmother went home with them
1869 Febry Mon 8 Nice day but thawed some I took two loads of wheat to Brantford John & George
cleaned wheat all day Harvey Howell was here when I got home he staid all night
Tue 9 Nice morning but cloudy thawed considerable John took a load of wheat to Brantford in
forenoon Harvey went to Henrys in forenoon I went to Paris in afternoon I sent a telegram to to
Watson Ayr to meet Harvey in Paris George Campbell bought a lot of Pea straw of me for $7.00
Wed 10 Very nice but warm Snow nearly gone I went with two loads of wheat to day Men cleaned up
wheat George Campbell drew his Pea straw away to day
Thur 11 Very nice day but warm snow nearly gone to day Chris Batty came after Hay in forenoon got
two loads to day we cleaned wheat & I went to Brantford to sell Keachie some Hay let him have it for
$95.00 sold Foster my Peas for 75 cts Bush.
Fri 12 Nice day sleighing all gone I took a load of wheat away on the waggon Westwoods was over
here when I got home Men cleaned wheat
1869 Febry
Sat 13 Nice day thawing very fast we cleaned up wheat in forenoon John took a load away in
afternoon George & I cleaned some tailings in the afternoon
Sun 14 A terrible rain & sleet storm all day very bad on the stock Nelson Kitchen was over awhile in
the afternoon I staid home all day
Mon 15 Cleared of this morning but warm & foggy & soft I took one load wheat away Men cleaned up
wheat all day
Tues 16 Nice day some colder I took two loads wheat away Men cleaned Peas Mr & Mrs Kelly came
on a visit in forenoon Donald McDonald came towards night & staid all night
Wed 17 A very stormy day snow & rain John took two loads of Peas out to Bonter I went to Brantford
with Donald to see about some farms he seen advertised for sale & he went home
Thur 18 A very nice day clear thawed a good deal took a load of Hay to Bredt St. George in forenoon
& took a load to D Thomas St. George in afternoon
1869 Febry
Fri 19 Very stormy this morning snowing & blowing John & George put straw around barn yard &
cleaned Oats in forenoon I set in the house all day not well
Sat 20 Nice Morning not cold John took a load of Hay to Workman George & I went to Brantford &
came home before night
Sun 21 A heavy Snow storm today I staid home all day not very well
Mon 22 Very nice day & clear Mother & I went to Westwoods in forenoon John took a load of Hay to
Workman Mr Keashie began to draw some Hay I sold him to day
Tue 23 A very hard Snow storm going on the heaviest yet this winter John & I went to St. George
after a harrow & got Horse shod I settled with Dr. Kitchen
Wed 24 Storming again this morning I copied of the Horse book from Johns Book in forenoon Very
stormy all afternoon
Thur 25 Very rough & stormy in forenoon John & I went to Brantford and down to Onondaga to see
the Mares that went to our Horse staid all night to Edward Giles found most of the Mares in foal that
we seen
1869 Febry
Fri 26 A Snowing hard all night & yet this morning held up towards night. John & I came to Brantford
for dinner & then home in afternoon thawed some
Sat 27 A very cold stormy day I went to Paris after a pair of Horse collars. John & George loaded the
Sleighs to go to Goderich on Monday
Sun 28 A pretty cold day again I staid home all day John Betsner & wife and Henry & Elizabeth
came over for dinner John and Dorothy staid all night
March Mon 1 A pretty cold day John & I started in morning for Coleborne with two loads went as far
as Haysville for the night
Tues 2 Not so cold to day Snowed & thawed all the afternoon got dinner at Stratford got to Mitchell
for the night put up at Hick's Hotel the best Hotel we found on the road
Wed 3 Pretty cold in morning thawed some about noon went as far as Clinton to Coopers tavern for
dinner went on to Goderich got to Harveys before night staid there all night
1869 March
Thur 4 Very cold again today a terrible storm in forenoon drifted very bad at times John & I started
out to our new farm in Morning unloaded & went on to David Ellis's & staid all night a very cold night
Fri 5 Very cold all day again I hired Duncan McNee to work for me for a year for $147.00 we started
for home came as far as Harveys for dinner and then drove to Mitchell for the night got very cold on
the road
Sat 6 Nice Morning but came on one of the greatest drifts I must ever see got dinner at Shakespeare
& then come home the heaviest roads I ever drove eleven Oclock when we got home found
everything right
Sun 7 A very cold day but not much wind I staid at home all day Henry was over a while in afternoon
Mon 8 Nice day but quite cold I went to Brantford in forenoon and came home & went to Paris after
David Ellis & Lavinia from Goderich they did not come on the first train Duncan McNee began to
work
1869 March
Tue 9 Beautiful all day & warm went to Westwoods to attend Grandmothers birthday dinner a good
turn out all the children there but Harvey & Eliza George Jones & Rachel & Nelson Behimer & Sarah
came home with us staid all night
Wed 10 A great Snow storm all day about the hardest this winter we had quite a few here for dinner
Nelson Rehimer & Sarah went home with Henrys Sarah was quite sick all day
Thur 11 Cleared of this morning a lot of Snow on the on the ground I took John Powers to Doctor in
afternoon to St. George
Fri 12 Snowed some again to day Peggy & Grandmother and the little girls went to Brantford to get
their Photographs taken David & Lavinia went Westwoods took them to the cars to Paris Wm.
Templer & wife came & staid all night
Sat 13 Quite cold to day again Wm Templer & I went to Brantford with a grist almost to much Snow
for good Sleighing
1869 March
Sun 14 A good deal warmer again thawed a good deal George Templer & wife & Henry Kitchen &
wife came & got there dinner & went home Wm Templer & wife went to Henrys in morning
Mon 15 Very nice day thawed some I took John Powers to Doctors in forenoon & got a pair of new
harrows from Sam Buckboroughs & got Fanny shod on fore feet
Tue 16 Very nice day but cold I took Mother up to James Waughs in forenoon Rollin Waugh & wife &
Mary Pritchard came & staid all night
Wed 17 Nice day but cold I sold Rollin Waugh some pigs he went to Henrys in forenoon John Clinton
& wife & Dorothy came over Thomas went to Paris after Hester Duncan McNee went along after his
satchel he left at Mitchell
Thur 18 Very nice day thawed some Grandmother & I went to Lynden to the fair in Morning she went
home with Westwoods I came home in evening not very well
1869 March
Fri 19 Not very cold a heavy white frost last night I went to Mr Burts to settle of with him traded & got
a Devon bull & heifer full bred Snowed all afternoon the Doctor lanced little Elizas neck which was
swelled so very bad a good deal of matter came from when lanced
Sat 20 Very nice warm day thawed a good deal snow very soft Mr Burt sent a Devon bull & Heifer
here in forenoon George & Dorothy & Elizabeth & I went after the coverlets & then went to Uncle Wm
Rehimers at night I settled of with him paid him $252.00 & gave him a note for $100 due in one year
with interest
Sun 21 Nice day a good deal colder staid at Rehimers untill towards night & then we went to Wm
Templers all night
Mon 22 A very cold chilly day staid at Wm Templers until after noon & then went to George Jones all
night
Tue 23 Some Snow last night again staid at Georges till after dinner & then came home stopped at
Lynden a little while thawing very fast roads getting rough
1869 March
Wed 24 Very nice warm day Snow a going very fast at last I took fanning Mill home to Henry Howells
in forenoon got my dinner at Aunt Mary Howells & came back to St. George & got a new stove from
Batty Peggy VanSickel & Sarah Ellis was here when I got home
Thur 25 Nice day but to warm for the Snow to last long John Powers & I went to Brantford in
forenoon & then down Cockshutts road as far as Burtchs Corners & a cross by Mount Pleasant &
back to Brantford & staid all night at Hatches a collecting for the Horse found our Mares most of
them in foal but did not get much money
Fri 26 Rained some last night & all the forenoon John & I staid in Brantford untill afternoon & then
came home the back road a collecting got home before dark {Left Margin: Good Friday}
Sat 27 Very warm Snow going fast Mother & I went to St. George to see old Mrs Batty & took a lot of
old cast iron to let Batty have on a stove the roads getting very bad.
1869 March
Sun 28 Very warm Sleighing gone on this road I staid at home Henry H brought Grandmother home
in forenoon she stopped there on her way home from St. George Nelson Kitchen had a daughter
yesterday evening a very dull day for Easter Sunday
Mon 29 Rained all day again Duncan McNee put up some Oats in bags & I painted new cupboard
over give it a primary coat of white lead
Tue 30 A thawing away yet we put a ring in Bulls nose & took flour chest downstairs & put Oats up in
bags & Mrs Paul Shipman came in forenoon & staid for dinner I wrote for the Canadian Messenger
for her Charles Buck came to hire he is a coming on Monday next Men drew grain from the new barn
I got out stuff for pine boxes to pack things in
Wed 31 Very nice day thawed some I went to Paris to see about getting some cars to move my stuff
to Goderich and give Wm McEwin an order to collect some money for the Horse for me up about
there place I took John P.s trunk to Paris & traded it to Flanagan for a larger one
1869 April 1st
Thur 1 Very nice day but froze up very rough this morning I went with John Powers to Toronto to get
his eyes doctored at Dr. Roseboughs I came back as far as Harrisburg & staid all night at Troomans
a terrible snow & sleet storm all night
Fri 2 Quite cold again to day roads very rough I came home in morning from Harrisburg Thomas
Westwood & Mary & Mrs Cameron was here for dinner Duncan & I made some boxes in afternoon I
put some handles on big chests in forenoon
Sat 3 Very rough cold day I took Sarah Ellis down to Lynden in forenoon roads very rough I got my
Buggy Axels set up at Petitts & came home
Sun 4 Quite cold & rough all day I staid at home all day Sam Westwood & Harvey & David & Henry &
Kitchen & Albert was here for dinner. George and the two girls went home with Sam Westwood & the
boys to stay all night
1869 April
Mon 5 Very nice day getting warmer Duncan McNee & I went to Brantford Charles Buck was here
when we got home to work for me
Tue 6 Nice & warm to day again Duncan went to Brantford with a load of Oats to sell to Foster got 30
cts per Bushel Mr Palmer came to settle his old note & give a new one Henrys girls came on a visit
sent Charley Buck to St. George with some paper bags & to get a new tea Kettle & some new pails &
I made some boxes to pack things in to move
Wed 7 Nice day thawed a good deal we took two load to Paris to store before we move roads very
rough & muddy
Thur 8 Nice day froze some last night the men went with two load to Paris in forenoon Susan Wilson
& Ellot & Wm McEwin & wife came here in forenoon they all went home but McEwin he is going to
stay & help me pack things to move to morrow we put up all the Pork and Beef in boxes & loaded up
a couple of load to go in the morning with again
1869 April
Fri 9 Beautiful morning again A shock of an earthquake felt in some places Wm McEwen & I packed
up all day Mr & Mrs Burt came over in the afternoon a while I was almost tired out The men took two
loads to the station
Sat 10 Very nice day but very backward & cold I got some teams to bring loads for me to Paris
settled all up with Henry M. Kitchen when we got back from Paris
Sun 11 Nice day but cold I staid at home all day John Westwood brought Grandmother home in
afternoon James Waugh & wife & Stephen Vivians came down in evening & staid awhile
Mon 12 Nice morning but cold got some teams & brought the most of the things to the cars The men
loaded two cars up before we went to bed Wm McEwen helped us to load & the rest of them helped
as long as they could before they went home
1869 April
Tues 13 Beautiful morning again we staid at James Battys all night & had to get up early I put the
Horses & cattle on the cars before the train started got them on all right & came to Goderich & staid
at Harveys all night
Wed 14 Some white frost last night again Duncan & Charley Buck & my George brought a load out
to the farm & the twin colts I staid in Goderich all day Mother and the children came up on the cars &
staid at Harveys all night
Thur 15 Nice day but cool got Mr. Morris & some other teams to take out some loads for me I
brought Marjory & Dorothy out to the place in afternoon & I went back to town again
Fri 16 Very nice morning again & warm Duncan brought Jane & the children out to the farm in the
forenoon I brought the Buggies out found some a ploughing on the road between here & town
1869 April
Sat 17 A kind of a dull day set up things about the House I went to the Post Office in afternoon after
the papers
Sun 18 A very Cold dull day staid at home all day George Morris came over a while afternoon
Mon 19 Had a very heavy rain last night took away a great many bridges all over the country I went
to Goderich in morning found some of the bridges gone on the road went for some Oats got a few at
55 cts.
Tue 20 A very wet cold day Some hard showers in the day George & I went to David Ellis' after a
yoke of Oxen I bought from him last fall The men fixed up around the House
Wed 21 Cleared of some this morning but Snowed some in forenoon Duncan went to town after
Plaster Charles & George drew some rails from pens away in forenoon I staid in the house & fixed
up some things
Thur 22 Looks some like Spring Duncan went to town after some Salt & a new Cultivator from Mr
Dodds I was not very well went in to see Dr & I brought Mother out from Harveys {Left Margin:
Charley piled up some manure}
1869 April
Fri 23 Very nice morning again I was sick in bed all day almost. The men done some small jobs in
forenoon & began to Plow some in orchard ground rather wet yet
Sat 24 Very nice day but cool looks like rain in evening Duncan went to town in morning after some
Oats & a new seed drill I had there I went out to town in afternoon to see Dr & take some Butter to
Clifford & got two bunches shingles from Harvey Howell & John B. Powers came up from Toronto &
came home with me his eyes almost well again Chales plowed all day
Sun 25 Nice clear day but cool I staid home all day some of the girls & boys went to the Nile to
meeting in afternoon
Mon 26 Beautiful Morning & all day the nearest like Spring of anything we have had yet Things a
growing very fast John Powers & I went to town to get old Matchless shod and get the Sulkey tire set
The boys plowed all day David Ellis & Lavinia came a while in afternoon did not get the wheels home
with us
1869 April
Tue 27 A very nice day & warm The men plowed in forenoon I rigged up the grain drill in forenoon
John dug in the garden Charles Buck & I went to the Saw Mill & to Shop in afternoon after some
lumber & to get two Shoes set on little Fanny at the Nile John cleaned Matchless Harness in
afternoon Mr Robert Campbell came over
Wed 28 Very nice warm day Come on a shower in the evening John & I went with Matchless to the
Dungannon Show got the first prize The other men plowed George went to town after the Doctor for
Willy
Thur 29 Very clear and cold again Men plowed all day John Powers & I drove Matchless to Lucknow
to the Show got no prize all one sided affair Come home at night got quite cold coming home
Fri 30 Some frost last night again but got warmer in day time Men plowed all day I went to town in
forenoon after the Doctor & home again got some flour from Mr Clifford & got the Sulkey wheels
home with me got the Tire set on them John went with the Horse down by Ben Miller & round by
Goderich home
1869 May
Sat 1 Nice day but cool some rain Sowed some Oats in morning The men Harrowed them in &
Harrowed down Potatoe and Turnip ground I put up some curtains & John & I went Port Albert &
around home at night quite chilly
Sun 2 Nice day but quite cool I staid home all day Duncan & Marjory went to the Nile to Meeting Mr
Campbell & Mr Ward the School teacher give us a call in afternoon
Mon 3 Nice day but cool & dry John started to travel the Horse the men began to cultivate the fall
plowing for to Sow Barley I trimmed some Apple trees
Tue 4 Some warmer this Morning The men gang plowed and Harrowed Barley ground I & George
began to Sow Barley & finished in afternoon
Wed 5 Very Nice day some warmer men Harrowed Pea ground I went to town after Oats did not get
any Came home & drilled in Peas in afternoon
Thur 6 Very nice day but cool I finished sowing Peas in forenoon the men fixed some ground for
Spring Wheat I began to Sow Spring wheat afternoon John came home with the Horse
1869 May
Fri 7 Nice day looks like Showers Charles rolled the Peas & front of Spring wheat Duncan began to
fix some more land for Spring Wheat I finished Sowing a piece of S Wheat & Mother & Harvey & I
went to David Ellis' in forenoon David & I went to Curries to get some Cedar Posts he is going to get
me a 100 for $7.00
Sat 8 Nice day some warmer Men fixed some land for Spring Wheat I went to town to get Oats & get
Horse bills printed met John there with the Horse at Martins Hotel Harvey & Eliza & the children
came out in the afternoon a while went home
Sun 9 Quite a deal warmer to day Duncan & Marjory went to Nile to church Charles & I went to B.
Campbells a while in afternoon Johns eyes are as bad as ever again to day
Mon 10 A great deal warmer today George & I sowed some more Spring Wheat the men got some
land ready for Oats looks some like rain want some very bad Mr Morris came over awhile in
forenoon
Tue 1 Nice day & warm & windy looks some like rain. I sowed Oats in forenoon & went to town in
afternoon after some flour got a man to come & put in some drain
1869 May
Wed 12 A very hot day the warmest this spring things growing fast The man & I looked out the place
for the drain & he went to town after a spade & his clothes The men plowed the orchard & rolled
Oats ground & in forenoon Willy & I went to Mr. Morris & around by the Nile to get some wheat &
some lumber for the drain & home again in afternoon {Left Margin: The men sowed some Peas &
Oats in orchard in afternoon and harrowed them in}
Thur 13 Nice Morning but cool The men planted a few potatoes & picked stone of the Meadow The
man began the drain I went to Harris' Mill with a grist in forenoon had 25 Bushel got near eleven
hundred flour home with me Come on a nice rain in afternoon got wet coming home in evening
Fri 14 Nice Morning after the rain everything looked fresh The men to draw lumber for the drain I got
the Colt shod in forenoon Mr Cones came to help me put up privy &
Sat 15 Nice day had some rain last night & in the forenoon men drew Slabs & lumber for a Cook
House. finished the privy & George & I scraped the fruit trees & washed them with ashes & began
the Cook House
1869 May
Sun 16 Quite cool to day again looks like a storm to night I staid home all day Mr Morris & George
Morris came over for dinner & went home The men went to the Nile to Meeting in evening Johns
eyes are very bad Mr. Ward & Rob Campbell came over to tea
Mon 17 A very wet Morning and cold The men cut potatoes for seed & Duncan went to get Mr Kerr to
come & take the Horse for Johns eyes are so bad he cant go Duncan went with the Horse & I went
to town in afternoon after some shingles Charles went for lumber getting very cold {Left Margin:
Cones worked at shanty afternoon}
Tues 18 Cleared of but quite cold Charles Buck drew lumber for ditch Cones worked at shanty I
trimmed fruit trees all day
Wed 19 Nice day but Cold & Cloudy Charles drew lumber for ditch I went to Mr. Biffins to pay him for
some wheat & then went to see Harris' swamp lot in forenoon Came back to David Ellis' for dinner &
then came home & went to get a man to travel the Horse in the evening got one that promised me by
the name of Walters. Cones finished the shanty
1869 May
Thur 20 Very nice day but cool I went back to Hullet after some Oats got a few from Mr Cunningham
& some wheat for feed for Horses Charles drew lumber for the ditch Duncan went with the Horse &
came home
Fri 21 Very nice warm morning The men went to work on Potatoe ground in the morning Charles & I
went after some more lumber after dinner came back & went to planting Potatoes after tea Wm
Walters came & went with the Horse
Sat 22 Nice morning but heavy frost last night John Powers & the ditcher & I went to see Thos
Hamiltons timber lot in afternoon & then home
Sun 23 Nice morning but cool I staid home all day Marjory & the men & George went to Nile church
in evening Campbells man & George Ellis & George McNee was here for tea
Mon 26 Very Nice Morning & warm had a shower last night Charles & George & I went to town in
forenoon to see the sights Duncan went to the Nile to the lecture in the evening Henry Morris came
home with us from town
1869 May
Tues 25 Nice Morning but want a good rain The men went to fixing fence in Morning Geo Harris
came to see about there timber lot I am not going to take it Can do better I trimmed some trees &
went to Bob Youngs to see Mr Hamilton about his lot agreed to take it from him {Left Margin: Our
cows ran away Charley went to look for them they came home themselves in Morning}
Wed 26 Some showers last night some are heavy ones The men fixed fence & I fixed a stall in Horse
stable rained a good deal through the day
Thur 27 Kind of cloudy & wet & cold The men fixed fence all day along the lane I was sick in bed in
afternoon Clifford & Harvey called for there tea The ditcher got another man to take the job of his
hands & he left in afternoon Paid of Walters for taking the Horse {Left Margin: Wm Smith began to
ditch in the afternoon}
Fri 28 looks like a storm to day I took Mother to town to go down below to see Sarah Cones Married
& to get the deed from Hamilton for 50 acres of timber it rained all day almost I came home in
evening I dont think it ever rained harder than it did coming home
1869 May
Sat 29 A very nice growing day everything looks very green I staid at home all day I put down some
carpet in afternoon The men made fence all day I went after the papers after tea {Left Margin: Smith
worked at ditch}
Sun 30 A fine growing day with some showers. staid home in forenoon Jane & some of the children
went to the Nile for Meeting afternoon had a very good turn out
Mon 31 A very heavy Moist-looking Morning I sent a letter to New York about having my rural
changed to Carlow Men fixed fence John P. went with the Horse I was quite unwell all day {Left
Margin: Wm Smith worked at the ditch all day}
June Tues 1st A beautiful growing day and very warm Mr Leales staid here all night taking orders for
fruit trees I did not buy any from him they was to dear Duncan & I made a stone boat & Charles drew
up old rail for firewood in forenoon The men washed the sheep in afternoon I went to the Nile & got
old Matchless shod on fore feet Old Smith worked at ditch
Wed 2 A very nice growing day Marjory Van went to town & I laid to bed The men pulled & piled
stumps all day on the fallow field old Smith worked at the ditch all day
1869 June
Thur 3 Very nice growing morning The men pulled and piled stumps & fixed some stump holes in the
afternoon Jane & Willy & Eliza went to David Ellis afternoon after some ashes for Soap Making
Fri 4 Looks like rain this morning I took two Horses to get shod & the men got up the Sheep & began
to shear in the forenoon Came on a heavy rain about & rained hard all the afternoon & most of the
night everything growing very fast
Sat 5 A very damp kind of morning The men cleaned out Cow Stable under the Barn in forenoon we
began to pick wool The Sheep averaged four pound of wool a head good weight 54 lb from 13
Sheep all Ewes most of them have lambs some two I wrote a letter to Mr Arnold Paris about fruit
trees & one to Henry Howell St. George about some money he owes me Jane & the girls went to
town in afternoon to get some Hats {&c?} for them & the little boys My eyes very bad or one of them
{Left Margin: John Powers came home with his eyes very bad}
Sun 6 Quite a damp day & cool I laid in bed with my eye Johns eyes & head very bad all day Duncan
& Marjory went to the Nile to Meeting in the evening Marjory went to Prayer Meeting in forenoon
1869 June
Mon 7 Nice Morning but looks like Showers got some in afternoon I staid in the House all day with
my eyes Johns eyes very bad yet Duncan went with the Horse Charles & George planted the corn
over in the morning & drew stones till noon Charles began to Plow fallow afternoon a very rough
place to plow
Tues 8 A very dull Morning Charles plowed Johns eyes very bad yet I fixed some whips Mr
Robertson Called to see my grain drill in forenoon I looked over John Powers account in forenoon
Marjory picked wool I settle of with John Powers in the evening my eyes one of them very bad
Wed 9 Quite a nice Morning Charles plowed fallow all day I took John Powers to the Cars to go to
Brantford in forenoon A man came & began to help Mr Smith with the drains I came home before
dinner my eye very bad yet
Thur 10 Some heavy rain last night I staid in the house all day Charles plowed in forenoon went after
some more slabs afternoon the men worked at drain by Campbells farm all day
1869 June
Fri 11 A very wet kind of Morning Duncan went with Horse Charles drew some Slabs for drain all day
I staid in the house all day with my eye very bad yet but somne better I think a getting
Sat 12 Very wet nasty weather looks like rain this morning did rain some in afternoon Charles
plowed & filled in a big ditch Martin cut a cross corner of field Men began the new drain in morning I
took wool away to factory in forenoon to get Carded & traded some wool for flannel & came home at
noon rained some heavy showers in afternoon
Sun 13 Quite a nice Morning but had some heavy rain through the day time I staid at home all day in
bed most of the time my eye a good deal better to night I think Marjory went over to see Bob
Campbell in afternoon she went to Nile for Meeting in the forenoon
Mon 14 Rather dull damp day some rain Showers in the day Charles filled in an old ditch Peter
Hogan began to work for 1/2 a month for $7.50 in Morning he & George drew of Stones I went to Nile
to see about some Lumber for drains & went to David Ellis & home Cones finished shingling the
stoop {Left Margin: Men worked at drain Wm Campbell came to sell me some fruit trees at dinner
time}
1869 June
Tue 15 A very damp chilly day some showers through the day & night Charles drew lumber for drain
Peter drew stones & dry stumps I staid in bed until after tea my eyes getting some better Men
worked at the drain {Left Margin: George took the Sow to Mr. Carrolls in afternoon}
Wed 16 A very nice day & dry but cool some rain last night The men & I piled up stumps Willy & I
went to factory after some rolls in afternoon Jane & boys went to Mr Gallagers & Mr Campbell came
over a while after tea time
Thur 17 A very nice day but cool Harvey Howell called in on his way to Wawanosh to sell reapers
George McNee came over to buy a Horse Charles and Peter began to draw dung on turnip ground
The men finished ditching in evening I staid in house all day nearly not very well George drew of old
rails & of off fallow
Fri 18 Some rain last night again The men finished drawing dung and plowed turnip ground I bought
a new fanning Mill in evening the ditchers & I measured the ditch I paid them of
Sat 19 A very nice warm all day Men plowed fallow I went to town after turnip seed David & Lavinia
came for dinner he came in to town & back with me for tea Some more rain tonight
1869 June 20
Sun 20 Quite a damp morning I was in bed near all day not very well Charles & Duncan & Marjory
went to Nile for Meeting in evening
Mon 21 Very damp dull weather yet Charles plowed fallow Peter went on the road to work with Owen
I was in bed most of the day sick
Tue 22 A warm growing day Peter & George went on the roads Charles drilled turnip ground got the
drill and sowed the turnips after tea time I was not well Charles plowed potatoes for first time
Wed 23 Quite damp growing weather Charles plowed fallow Peter worked on road with Owen I was
sick in bed all day
Thur 24 A nice Morning looks like rain got a shower in evening Jane & I went to town The men
plowed fallow I got some medicine from Dr. McLean
Fri 25 A very nice growing day The men plowed fallow I staid in house all day Isaac Martin came to
sell me a horse in afternoon
Sat 26 A wet forenoon very wet in afternoon I paid of Peter Hogan at noon
Sun 27 A very wet day some of the hardest rain I ever seen everything swimming
1869 June
Mon 28 A very heavy rain & hail storm in some places done a great deal of damage George took me
to Cars to go to Brantford got to Brantford about 5 O'clock staid all night at Hatches Cleared of warm
& dry looking
Tue 29 A very nice morning but looks like rain again it did come on Showers about noon I got a ride
out with David Thomas to St. George & then he took me up to Henry Howells a heavy rain came on
in evening & rained very hard all night
Wed 30 Quite Showery all forenoon and very warm I staid to Henry Howells till afternoon & he paid
me some money & brought me down to St. George & then I rode to Westwoods with there boys and
staid all night
July Thur 1 Quite a nice dry day Thomas Westwood took Dorothy & I to Brantford & I went to see
Walter Kerr & some others that owed me but got nothing Come back to Westwoods again
Fri 2 A very hot day & dry Westwoods took me to Lynden to Ben VanSickles & brought me back to
Henry Kitchen & staid all night there
1869 July
Sat 3 A very heavy rain last night again everything floating Henry H.R. took Mother & I to Brantford I
left a lot of account with Charles Biggar to collect Come back to James Waughs & staid there all
night
Sun 4 Quite cool & dry to day staid to Waughs till afternoon & he brought us down to Henry's again
to stay all night
Mon 5 A very nice warm dry day Henry brought me to Paris to come home & he took Mother to see
Susan I got home at night Dorothy Westwood come with me home
Tue 6 A very nice warm day The men plowed fallow I was sick in bed all day
Wed 7 A very nice day & dry Men plowed I went to town in forenoon Came home very sick very sick
all night
Thur 8 A heavy rain last night & some in forenoon Charles & George plowed Duncan went to do his
road work to day I was in bed sick near all day
Fri 9 Nice day again but cool Men finished plowing & began to drag down fallow I was sick in bed all
day
1869 July
Sat 10 A very nice day again Men Harrowed fallow I was in bed but am some better Harvey brought
Mother home afternoon after being away 6 weeks from home on a visit never so long from home
before in her life
Sun 11 A very heavy rain last night & high winds in morning I was in bed most of day George Ellis
was here all night & George & Charles took our Dorothy & Dorothy Westwood over to David Ellis in
afternoon
Mon 12 A very nice day again I staid in the House R. Campbell brought a cow over here & an other
man Men Harrowed fallow ground in forenoon & Cultivated & hoed turnips & George Harrowed in
afternoon
Mon 13 A very nice day but cool I staid in bed near all day The men finished hoeing the turnips the
first time
Wed 14 Some Showers through the day Charles hoed some in garden & cut a round a piece of
Meadow in afternoon Duncan & I went to town after a new reaper from Mr Bells St. George & the old
Storie from below Harvey & Elize came out for tea
1869 July
Thur 15 A damp foggy day Morning very poor Hay weather The men drew some wood & split up
some in forenoon we started the Mower in the afternoon Charles hoed Cabbage & things in garden
Fri 16 A very heavy shower last night again the the Men dug turnips all day Nearly shook out the
grass in afternoon Mr. Martin call a while after tea the first time he has been out here since he
moved away last fall
Sat 17 More rain to day here but very poor Hay weather Men shook out Hay & began to rake and
cock it up Duncan cut some more in afternoon got all that was dry Cocked up safe
Sun 18 A very nice day the best Hay day we have had yet since we began to cut The women &
children all went to the Nile to church
Mon 19 A beautiful day for Haying The men began to draw in some in forenoon raked & put up some
more & cot some in afternoon Mr. Smith came & helped us in Hay by the day at 75 cts per day
George ran near all day to look for the Bull found him at dark up by Sheppards the white Heifer had a
calf Bob Campbell had to come help her calve {Left Margin: I walked up to the Post Office after tea
for the first time in about 4 weeks getting better}
1869 July
Tues 20 Had a nice Shower in the morning The men got up & got in a load of Hay before the rain
came on got some Breakfast & another load in before it got wet bad George took Fanny to shop to
get shod in front The men ground their new Scythes & I made Muzzle for red Heifer while it was
drying of got in some more Hay before noon again Dorothy Ellis brought Dorothy Westwood over
here in the forenoon Charles went to town after tea more rain in the night very heavy
Wed 21 A very wet forenoon & very cold all day The men dug stumps in afternoon I copied of the
Horse Bills from Duncans Book in forenoon a very heavy rain
Thur 22 Cleared of this morning The men turned out the Hay in forenoon not as wet in the Cocks as
you would think it would be The drew in five loads in afternoon
Fri 23 A very cloudy & dull day looks like a rain Men cut some grass & turned out some in forenoon
drew some afternoon had a shower after tea I fixed gate at road & got painter to come & paint
Cupboard over {Left Margin: George went after his Mother & Mr Morris afternoon}
1869 July
Sat 24 Damp morning but cleard of before noon The men began to mow new ground Meadow in
Morning Mowed all day I went to see Mr Hamilton about some plank for the Barn Bridge in afternoon
Sun 25 A very nice warm day looks like rain to night I staid at home all day Mr. Morris' young folks
brought Dorothy Westwood over here in afternoon
Mon 26 Looks like rain again did come on & rained untill noon Men got in a load or two before rain
came on hard Cultivated & hoed turnips in afternoon & got in a load of Hay after tea which finished
the one field
Tue 27 A beautiful day all through & warm & drying for Hay men Hoed turnips a while & then spread
out grass Duncan went after some plank to Cunninghams in Morning Men raked & drew Hay in
afternoon {Left Margin: Marjory VanSickle went to town to get her finger doctored up}
Wed 28 A very wet morning & near all the day through at times Duncan & Charles & George got up
at 3 O'Clock & went & cocked up some Hay & got one load in Barn before Breakfast They mowed all
afternoon in the new ground field
1869 July
Thur 29 Is quite a cold damp day Sun shone some in afternoon The men mowed in forenoon & Hoed
Turnips in afternoon Harvey called for dinner the painter came & grained the Cupboard after dinner
very poor Hay weather indeed {Left Margin: Harvey took Dorothy Westwood home with him in
afternoon}
Fri 30 A very Nice warm day a very good Hay day indeed The men spread grass & raked up & drew
some in in afternoon I went to town with Butter got dinner at Harveys had green Cucumbers cut up
the first this season Harveys wife not well got home about sundown
Sat 31 A nice day for Haying The men got in all the Hay we had cut down I took Mother to town to
stay with Harveys wife she had another dead baby this Morning I brought Dorothy Westwood home
with me again
August
Sun 1 A nice warm dry day we all went to church at the Hill in afternoon
Mon 2 Nice forenoon got a shower before tea time Men finished cutting grass in afternoon George
Harrowed fallow I was not very well today
1869 August
Tues 3 Had a heavy rain last night Mr Smith cut Docks all forenoon & turned grass in afternoon The
other boys went after Huckleberries I got 21 3/4 lbs Beef from Mr Judge
Wed 4 Had more rain last night Mr Smith cut Docks & dug stumps The other men worked on the
fallow
Thur 5 A very nice day but cold The men worked on the fallow a while then went at the Hay to dry
and get it in
Fri 6 A very nice cool day Mr Smith dug stumps & the other men worked in fallow till tea time & then
got in the last of our Hay George went after berries with Marjory got a good lot of Berries
Sat 7 A Beautiful Harvest day warm & dry had a total eclipse about 4 or 5 o'clock in afternoon The
men cut Barley all day got done I went to town
Sun 8 Very nice dry warm day again I staid at home all day Harvey brought Mother home in
afternoon
Mon 9 A nice dry warm day Just up Men drew in the Barley I went to see Mr Scott about buying old
Matchless & to see the tile maker below Manchester I got very sick before I got home
1869 August
Tues 10 A very nice warm day I staid at home all day sick The men drew in the Barley got done at
dark began to rain just as they got the last load in the Barn had 14 good loads of Barley
Wed 11 Had a nice rain again last night but cleared of this morning again The men worked on the
fallow all day & got in a load of Hay after tea Jane & I went to town in afternoon to take the Roan
Horse out to Mr Clifford sold him to him for $75.00 $25.00 cash six months for the ballance $50.00
Thur 12 A very nice Morning Marjory went after some Berries The men worked on the fallow George
cut some wood I staid at home all day
Fri 13 Very fine all day but cool Duncan & Charles went to help David Ellis in his harvest I staid at
home all day sick
Sat 14 Very nice warm day had a shower in evening George, Charles & I went to town after a
waggon from Brantford from Hest it did not come {Left Margin: Duncan helped David in harvest to
day again}
1869 August
Sun 15 A very nice day again I staid at home all day Mother & some of Children went to Church on
Hill in afternoon
Mon 16 Some rain last night but dry all day again Men worked in fallow George went after Dr.
McDougall for in forenoon
Tue 17 Nice day & dry all day Duncan went with team to help Mr Morris draw in fall Wheat Charles
worked on fallow George went to town after Medicine for me
Wed 18 A nice worm dry day Men worked on fallow in forenoon Charles got up some wood in the
afternoon Dr. McLean called in
Thur 19 A very nice warm day The men drew Manure on fallow Marjory went to swamp after
Huckleberries I staid at home all day sick
Fri 20 Nice warm dry day again The men drew manure on fallow Harvey & Eliza & Mrs Clifford &
Cynthia Kitchen & Dorothy Westwood & David Ellis & Lavinia all came here after dinner & staid for
tea I lent David Ellis $27.00 to pay his harvest hands with
1869 August
Sat 21 Had quite a heavy rain last night quite damp all forenoon George went to town after some Ale
for me & the men ground there scythes & Axes & cut some wood Marjory came from swamp with
some Huckleberries
Sun 22 A Nice Cool dry day I staid at home all day Mr & Mrs Nichols came over a little while after tea
for the first time since we moved here
Mon 23 A very nice warm day The men began to cut Peas in morning Marjory went after some
berries
Tues 24 Beautiful warm dry day The men finished pulling the Peas at tea time Mr Whitely came &
took away Matchless after dinner he gave me $100.00 down his note in Six Month for $100.00 & his
note first February 1871 for $62.00 with interest 7 per cent
Wed 25 A small shower last night but a nice day after it again The men helped David Ellis with his
Peas cutting
Thur 26 A very nice warm day The men helped David Ellis untill noon & came home to draw in Peas
1869 August
Fri 27 Nice morning came on rain before noon The men drew Peas till the rain & then spread Manure
I went to town after new waggon & brought it to Harveys and left it there
Sat 28 Quite damp this morning Duncan & George went to town after the Waggon & barrel water
lime and some sand for Cistern Charles cut Peas & Oats in the Orchard
Sun 29 A very nice cool day & dry Jane & I went to town to hear Mr Punshon preach at the
dedication of the Church opening
Mon 30 A nice dry day again The men drew in Peas I staid home all day
Sept Wed 1 A nice dry day The men cut around Spring Wheat in forenoon & drew in Peas & Oats
afternoon Mother & I went to David Ellis in afternoon
Thur 2 A nice dry day again The men came at noon & they cut wheat in afternoon
1869 September
Fri 3 A nice dry day The Men cut wheat got done at tea time Davids men went home
Sat 4 A Nice dry day I went to town & Dorothy The men bound oats
Sun 5 A nice warm day I went after Mother over to Davids forenoon had to send for doctor for
Marjory VanSickel in Middle of last night she had Histeric fits &
Mon 6 Nice Harvest day The men drew wheat & cut oats Harvey Howell brought Cynthia Kitchen out
here after tea time
Tues 7 Had a wet forenoon Davids boys went home The men began to cross plow fallow afternoon
Mr Smith went to Campbells to thrash afternoon
Wed 8 Clearing of again The men plowed & Smith helped Campbell thrash in forenoon worked in
Oats in afternoon
Thur 9 Very nice dry Morning The men worked in Oats
Fri 10 A very nice dry day The men drew in S. Wheat & Oats Mr Smith left here Jane & I took
Cynthia Kitchen up to David Ellis's in afternoon
1869 Sept
Sat 11 A very nice day again The men drew in Oats David Ellis, Man
Sun 12 A beautiful dry day all the folks most went to Sunday School & Church in afternoon to the Hill
Mon 13 A nice dry day The men finished the Harvest in afternoon
Tues 14 A very nice dry day The men plowed all day Mother & I went to Mr Morris' to see about
some seed wheat I got sick
Wed 15 A nice dry forenoon some rain in afternoon The men plowed what they could George went to
town after some things for me &
Thur 16 Nice day a shower in afternoon we want rain very bad now The men plowed fallow {Left
Margin: got 1 1/4 bushel plums from David Ellis}
Fri 17 Very nice day warm The men plowed all day I settled of with Mr Smith in morning & with
Marjory at night
Sat 18 Nice Morning & warm George took Marjory to the cars in Morning The men plowed fallow
Sun 19 Very nice warm day we all staid at home all day
1869 Sept
Mon 20 Very dry & warm The men plowed all day I staid at home sick all day
Tue 21 Nice warm day The men plowed George went after some medicine for me in forenoon Mr
Morris brought my Seed Wheat over here which come very good Harvey & Cynthia came out at tea
time after his Cow Came back & we put her in the field & he left her here
Wed 22 Very nice warm day The men plowed & Harrowed fallow all day I was in bed {Left Margin:
Got letter & ape? from Thos Gorman}
Thur 23 A very nice dry day George went to Davids after a horse early in the morning got one The
men finished plowing fallow & began to drill in afternoon {Left Margin: Answered Mr Gormans letter
about some boots}
Fri 24 Nice dry warm day The men sowed wheat I staid home sick
Sat 25 Had some showers to day The men sowed wheat got nearly all done I was at home all day
got some Seed wheat from Mr Gallaghers 7 Bushel 14 lbs at 8 & 2 1/2
1869 Sept
Sun 26 Some Showers all through the day I staid at home Mr Reid & wife came for dinner & then
went to Church in afternoon
Mon 27 Rather wet this morning The men finished sowing the wheat & got some wood in forenoon
and made some fence & put away the Reaper in the Barn in afternoon
Tue 28 Nice day but cool The men drew Manure in the Orchard I was at home all day sick
Wed 29 Very nice warm dry day I was at home all day The men began to dig Potatoes they turn out
well & no rotten ones
Thur 30 A Nice warm dry day I was at home all day Charles & George dug potatoes Duncan helped
Nichols to thrash Oats & Peas Harvey & wife Cynthia Kitchen & Lydia & Kizzy Morris Called in about
tea time awhile
October Fri 1 Very nice warm day The men dug Potatoes Duncan helped Nichols thrash in forenoon
I was at home all day answered another letter from Mr Gorman about some Boots I never got
1869 Oct
Sat 2 A very wet day very heavy rains all day The men finished digging the Potatoes Sent to Mr
Nichols for some Oats to feed
Sun 3 A cold damp day I staid at home all day Duncan went home
Mon 4 A very nice warm day for time of year Jane & I went to town found Mr & Mrs Biggar at
Harveys The men drew some wood & then drew Manure
Tues 5 A Nice dry day The men drew dung I staid at home all day
Wed 6 A very nice warm day Mother & I went to David Ellis staid all day The men drew Manure
Thur 7 A nice day and dry I staid at home The men & George went to Dungannon show took
Potatoes & Turnips got no prize at all
Fri 8 A nice warm day The men drew Manure I staid at home
Sat 9 Nice forenoon some rain towards night Billy & I went to town could not get home at night for
rain staid at Harveys
1869 Oct
Sun 10 A damp cool day but not much rain a heavy rain last night the roads are getting bad & sloppy
Billy & I came home from town George Ellis was here for dinner our folks went to church Nathan Ellis
came home with them got tea Mr Philips & John Gallagher came over a while in afternoon
Mon 11 Cool & damp all day The men drew Manure I staid at home sent George to town with a bill of
stuff to get for to fix the House
Tue 12 A cool dry day The men drew Manure I staid at home all day sent George to the Nile Mill with
bill of lumber to get sawed he got me some Prickly Ash bark
Wed 13 Not a very bad day dry I took Mother out to Harveys Eliza is very sick with inflamation on the
lungs Duncan came out after some stuff for the House I got a new stove for room left Mother out
there road getting bad finished drawing dung Charles got wood
1869 Oct
Thur 14 A very wet forenoon wet all day at times Charles began to dig a cistern & set up stove &
Duncan & George went to get in Cedar logs to Make cover for Cistern got logs from David Ellis &
they brought home some lumber to fix House
Fri 15 A very nasty wet time & cold I staid at home The men dug Cistern & went after lumber to cover
it in forenoon The both went to Tea Meeting in afternoon Port Albert
Sat 16 dirty kind of weather The men finished digging & covered cistern forenoon put on a coat of
plaster in afternoon
Sun 17 Very disagreeable weather I staid at home all day the children went to Sunday School
afternoon
Mon 18 Very rough day showery I was at home all day The men finished cistern David Ellis came &
paid me the drill note and got him two little pigs Mr Morris got two for himself & Harvey he brought us
a bag of flour
Tues 19 A very rough day looks like winter Men cut wood I wrote a letter to Mr Palmer & Joe Weaver
& sent $75.00 in letter to Luisner Brantford for a drill {Left Margin: Tuesday 19 Harvey come out and
the men began to tear down old chimney after dinner very dirty Job & cold}
1869 October
Wed 20 Quite rough & cold & Stormy The men finished tearing out the chimney in forenoon Harvey
& Duncan went to fixing the floor & Charles went to lathing up Stairs I was Sick in bed near all day
Thur 21 A very rough Stormy time Snow Squalls & rain at times Charles lathed Harvey and Duncan
fixed the House I was Sick all day {Left Margin: George helped Mr Philips thrash 1/2 a day}
Fri 22 Very disagreeable weather The men & Harvey fixed up the House I was Sick all day {Left
Margin: George helped Philips thrash all day}
Sat 23 A very rough Stormy day The men & Harvey fixed at the House I was sick {Left Margin:
George helped Gallagher thrash all day}
Sun 24 Very rough dirty weather all staid at home I was sick
Mon 25 Nice forenoon rain in evening The men & Harvey fixed at the House I was sick
Tues 26 A very Stormy forenoon Duncan went to Law Mill after lumber Harvey came out & brought
Mason and A Southdown Buck from Mr Edmundson from the cars at Goderich he came up on
Saturday night had nothing to eat from that until Tuesday morning
Wed 27 A rough cold morning The men tended plaster all day he did not get over the House quite
1869 October
Thur 28 Very Stormy weather The men tended plasterer he got over it at noon I sent George to town
with the Mason & to get something for me from town I was very Sick Wallace Chrisler came home
with George David Ellis called in here on his way to town to take the Cars in Morning for below
Fri 29 A very Stormy day Snow & rain & wind quite like winter but not to say very cold Men cut wood
George went with Wall Crysler over to David Ellis' after some notes he was to take with him of mine
but he forgot them I was sick all day in bed Mr Judge Came in evening to see about taking the lambs
Sat 30 Quite like winter looking Mr Judge brought 144 lb of Beef here in Morning & took the lambs
away Charles drew wood with Sleigh & then Duncan went to Saw Mill after lumber in forenoon I sent
George to town after Mr Burt he is coming on the Cars to bring me some money he got here about
dusk
1869 October
Sun 31 Not quite so Stormy to day I staid at home Mr Burt went with our children to church on the
Hill afternoon
November Mon 1 Quite nice Morning looks like clearing of again George took Mr Burt to the Cars in
morning The Men picked apples Charles went to Morris' raising in afternoon Mr Burt says there was
more frost down below all the apples spoiled
Tues 2 A very Nice warm day I was home sick all day The men picked apples & began to pull turnips
in afternoon George took up the Beets & radishes
Wed 3 Very Nice warm day The men finished pulling turnips afternoon I was sick at home all day
Thur 4 Not quite as nice looking to day I think it will storm The men made a place to put turnips under
Barn in forenoon They drew turnips afternoon Harvey Howell & Edward Ellis came out before dinner
Harvey fixed House in afternoon I paid Mr. Thos Hamilton $820 for the Swamp I bought from him in
Summer he went to town & got Mortgage released
1869 November
Fri 5 A very heavy rain last night & Snow & rain Squalls all day a very dirty day The men finished
drawing in turnips in afternoon I sent George to town after plasterer in afternoon very bad afternoon
to be out he haint back yet at 7.Oclock John Horse got sick took cold
Sat 6 A very disagreeable day some Snow & some rain roads getting very bad Duncan went to hunt
up some thrashers did not get any Charles & George got up some wood I was sick at home
Sun 7 Very rough dirty weather I was home sick all day some of the children went to Sunday School
& church in afternoon on the Hill
Mon 8 Quite stormy but not cold Charles & George got wood Duncan went to Nile to see thrashers in
forenoon did not get them I sent $7.50 to pay Mr Trotter for lumber Duncan went to see Strachan
about coming to thrash in afternoon They are coming on Thursday next if they can
1869 Nov
Tues 9 Very dirty weather some Snow every day or night The men went to Goderich to get some
Boots & George got up some wood I was at home sick all day
Wed 10 Just the same kind of weather yet some Snow but not cold every day no frost in the ground
yet The men put apples away in the cellar in forenoon & made a larger door into the old log House
so we can get top Buggy into it & got ready to thrash tomorrow Thrashers come at 9.O.Clock at night
Thur 11 Quite mild looks some like a rain some Snow showers through the day The thrashers got to
work about 9.O.Clock The hands did not get on very early I laid in bed till eleven O.c Mr Philips, Mr
Gallagher, 1 hand two Mr Nicols. George & Nathan Ellis & 3 Horses came to help us thrash only got
Oats done today had 345 Bush
Fri 12 Nicer day then for some time no storm of any account The men thrashed the Spring Wheat &
part of the Barley David Ellis came over before dinner & staid till 4 O.clock
1869 Novermber
Sat 13 Very Nice Morning finished thrashing in afternoon thrashers got away about 4.O.Clock The
plasterer got done & was away about the same time. They left a few Peas & Peas & Oats to thrash
Sun 14 Very Nice day & clear part of the time The children & Jane went to S.School afternoon Mr
Varcoe our new neighbor came home with them & staid awhile in the evening
Mon 15 Quite a dull cloudy day Duncan took grist to Goderich to get ground he did not get home
untill 9.0.clock at night Mr Morris came & made cider Mr Leveright called in afternoon {Left Margin:
Charles & Duncan went to D Ellis afternoon after a Steer I bought from him for Beef}
Tues 16 A very disagreeable day came on storm in the evening rained & Snowed all night Mr Morris
made cider & David Ellis made cider in afternoon Harvey & Eliza & Mary came at dinner time went
home in evening The men chopped wood in the bush to get ready to drag down
1869 November
Wed 17 A very stormy day Snow & thaw all the time The men gathered Cabbage in forenoon &
made Sour Kraut in afternoon They got up a load of wood & dug some radishes from under Snow
was not froze at all in forenoon
Thur 18 Stormed all night again but is cleared of some this morning The men cut wood all day I was
in house sick not so well again for two or three day break
Fri 19 Very Stormy weather but not cold thaws more or less every day The men cut wood in the
forenoon & fixed House floor & worked about the Barn in afternoon
Sat 20 Quite a stormy day rain & Snow but so very cold Charles cut wood & Duncan went to town
after some chop stuff in forenoon They butchered a pig in afternoon I was at home
Sun 27 Very squally all day but not very cold The children went to Sunday School and church after
dinner I staid at home all day Mr Varcoe called & left a Book for me to read
1869 November
Mon 22 Some colder to day had the worst storm yet this fall looks really like winter The men cut
wood & drew up some George had to come from School to help Mr Garvin to make cider David Ellis
called in evening on his way from town & got his supper & went home {Left Margin: The tax gatherer
was here my tax School Tax & all was $18.70 not as high as I expected it would be}
Tues 23 Cleared of some this morning but clouds up & looks like a storm The men cut wood did not
get much Storm today for a wonder
Wed 24 Very nice clear day The men cut wood in forenoon Charles drew wood in afternoon and
Duncan went up to the Nile on his own business
Thur 25 A very beautiful forenoon Clouds up in afternoon but no storm The men cut wood & Harvey
came out to finish up the House and fix up Horse stable in forenoon Charles drew wood & Harvey &
Duncan worked at the Stable in afternoon I staid in the house not well yet but some better I think
1869 November
Fri 26 Some cloudy this morning The men and Harvey fixed Stable in forenoon got it done Harvey
went home at night quite warm and thawing some
Sat 27 Very nice dry day some Snow The men cut wood all day
Sun 28 Very nice day no storm we all staid at home all day Mrs Martin & her sister came over a
while in afternoon
Mon 29 Nice mild day some showers of rain & snow The men cut wood Mr Griffin made cider came
on rain in evening {Left Margin: Harvey is getting the measles this morning}
Tues 30 A very heavy rain last night taken of a great part of the snow The men cut wood
December
Wed 1 Some colder this morning The men got Mr Campbells Oxen & our own and skidded up logs
for sawing all day
Thur 2 Some storm again to day The men skidded up logs all day took Mr Campbells Oxen home in
evening
Fri 3 A rough kind of day again The men made ready to butcher the Hogs in forenoon
Sat 4 Looks like a storm again Charles & George & I went to town Came on rain & I staid in town
The boys brought home the grist of chop & stuff
1869 Dec
Sun 5 Some colder this morning I staid at Harveys all day no storm all day
Mon 6 A very nice clear day The men killed the Hogs James Gallagher helped them Harvey brought
me home in the afternoon seen the Gallows they are to hang Mellady to morrow morning early for
murdering his Father & Mother near Seaforth
Tues 7 A very nice day some snow in afternoon again The men cleaned up their butchering in
afternoon
Wed 8 A nice day no storm and not cold thawed some The men went & made a road to get into
swamp Mr B. Hamilton helped them
Thur 9 Some cloudy this morning The men went to swamp to cut pine for Sawlogs
Fri 10 Cloudy again to day The men cut Saw logs all day I staid at home
Sat 11 A rather stormy day rain & Snow getting soft The men cut Saw logs George took the Sows to
Mr Pete Carrols to the Boar in the afternoon I staid at home all day
1869 Dec
Sun 12 Quite cold & rough to day I staid at Home all day The children went to S.School & Church
afternoon
Mon 13 Quite cold all day The men cut Saw logs Mr Strachen sent his boys to let us know he was a
coming to Saw wood on Friday & Saturday next
Tues 14 Nice warm dry day The men cut Saw logs George brought the Sows Home from Mr Carrols
& the Master sent the the children home from School because some of them was afraid of the
Measels
Wed 15 Quite a soft rainy day Charles went to help David Ellis to get in a Pea Stack Duncan &
James Gallagher Killed our Beef steer in the forenoon he was very good Beef
Thur 16 A very Stormy day rain & Snow all forenoon and part of afternoon Duncan & George & I cut
up Beef in forenoon Charles came home from Davids he went to the swamp after the Axes they left
there the last day They began a Sheep rack in afternoon Mr Strachen came after dark to Saw wood
to morrow
1869 Dec
Fri 17 Some colder this morning but cloudy but no storm in forenoon they went to Sawing wood in
the morning hard job to get hands to help they cant get here untill noon very near some how they
had very good luck had only one small break just at night Willy and Elizabeth is broke out with the
Measels Jane & Dorothy is getting them
Sat 18 Nice day cloudy & warm but no storm all day The men sawed wood all day got it all done in
good time have a fine lot of wood sawed up ready for the Stove Jane & Dorothy is down with
Measels this morning the rest are some better
Sun 19 Nice day but cloudy They are all getting on with the Measels very well Libbie & Willie are
very bad with ear ache
Mon 20 Quite cold all day George drew up wood Charles split wood Duncan helped Gallaghers Kill
Hogs & then he went to pay his tax to Dungannon They seem to be getting better with the Measels
all but sore ears
1869 Dec
Tue 21 Quite cold looks like a storm coming on The men split wood George drew up wood They are
all better with measels except Dorothy she is very bad in her breast hard to get her breath dont eat
any mush
Wed 22 A very stormy night Snow & then rain before morning but not cold They are all better but
Dorothy she dont seem to get much better yet The men split stove wood at house in forenoon
George went to Goderich to get some things and to see Doctor got very cold & windy The men went
to Mr Nichols to a chopping Bee in afternoon & then they went to a debating School just starting at
the School House in the evening let Mr Helps have a waggon to go to town with a load of Barley the
Sleighing all gone
Thur 23 Quite a cold day freezing hard The men split wood at House in forenoon & split wood in
bush in afternoon They all seem to be getting some better slowly all but Dorothy Matilda & John
Gallagher came over a while in the evening
1869 Dec
Fri 24 Snowed some last night but cleared of in the morning Mr Judge called in morning to get a
hand to thrash he did not get one from me George took Fran & John to get shoes set in forenoon
The men split wood George & Harvey & Myself went to Goderich with the Sleigh after some Fish &
other things a new Bedstead & very poor Sleighing most of the way
Sat 25 A nice Mild day but not a very Merry Christmas for us all the children sick with the Measels
George has begun to break out with them the rest are some better but Dorothy she is very bad with
her ears & some of the others the same we all staid at home no body came but Sister Lavinia & her
son Nathan came a while in evening
Sun 26 Nice mild day calm we all staid at home but Duncan & Charley went to Church at Hill our girl
came back at evening
Mon 27 Quite soft all day The men split wood at House & cleaned up grist & got some stuff out for
gates Snow near all gone again
1869 December
Tues 28 A nice mild warm day thawed a good deal The men split wood at the House & got Jim shod
on the front fee & got ready to go back to Swamp to work again tomorrow I took a grist to Goderich
to Mill got dinner at Harveys & come home before dark got the grist home with me very nice
wheeling on the road but is getting quite soft
Wed 29 Nice mild day with a little Snow last night The men went to the Swamp to work in the
Morning I went along with them as far as David Ellis' they was getting out some turnips & drawing
home to grit up They are not froze now but have been They wont keep long they are all pithey inside
I staid at Davids all day & all night a tea meeting at the Smiths Hill Council House at night had a
large turn out They had to get the Hall at the tavern(Symingtons) for could not all get in some of our
men & hired girl went to it some boys behaved very bad
1869 December
Thur 30 A very mild warm day thawed a good deal in some places some more Snow last night but
not much Sleighing only on the North & South roads the road from here to Goderich all blowed of but
very good wheeling The men went to Swamp to cut posts & rail cuts I came home with them & David
Ellis came with us & staid all night he is on his way down to Dumfries in the morning he is going to
walk to Station in Morning at Goderich
Fri 31 A very nice calm warm morning but cloudy looks some like a storm coming The men went to
the Swamp again to work this morning I staid at home all day am getting some better health again
David Ellis started early in the morning to walk to Goderich to take the Cars for below The children
seem to be all getting better of Measels A very nice day for the last day of 1869 & Samson W.
Howell
1871 sowd early peas 8 of April finished sowen the field peas on 18 of april
May 2nd AD 1871
Finished seading to Day
22 finished potatoes
October 22 nd 1872 finished Digging potatoes
1872 sent markets notes a way to colect on 22 the day of october
the two Gray Mares went to the horse Black Prince the 20 day of June 1853 just at my {continued on
next page: {lot?}}
Pink & Fanny went to the Horse Argyles Stables the 1 day of July 1856
Samuel Howell
February 6
1857
For more information on Samuel Howell, check out the “Meet the Diarists” page under
“Discover” on our website: ruraldiaries.lib.uoguelph.ca


Done