Orphaned in Ireland when only five, William migrates as a young man to Ontario and works as a farm labourer for his room and board.  He draws wood out of James Crinklaw’s bush south-east of Lambeth for Mr Mewburn in the winter months, then does farm work for others throughout the growing season.  He attends church faithfully and has several friends. After this diary, he acquires “Balachan” farm in Welland County.  You can read of William’s activities when he is age fifty-four by reading his son Harold’s 1904 diary.