Fonds Level Description

Accession Number: 87-006

William Standen fonds
87-006

Diary: August 1890 - October 1891

Note: Capitals, periods, and commas have been added or eliminated in some instances for clarification purposes. Square brackets [ ] indicate indecipherable text, or a section that in the original is comprised of dashes, taken to mean that the missing text is identical to the text that is directly above on the page. Also, occasional misspellings appear in the original and these misspellings have been maintained (examples of some of the common misspellings are "intrest" for "interest,", "feild" for "field," "staid" for "stayed,"and "tomorow" for "tomorrow")

Note: Beginning 24 February 1891, numbers 1, 2, 3, and so on appear sporadically in the margins beside the weather account. Significance unknown.

1890: August

Diary for 1890 & 91

24. Sun. 24 August 1890. S.S. & meeting as usual. (23.24. Num). I came home and did up chores for John & E.B. were away & Andrew asleep. I got a good sleep afternoon myself & staid home at night. Fine & pleasant.

25. Mon. 25. A few drops fo rain and very dark and cloudy. We got in one load of peas from the bush & then as the weather cleared off we went up to the corner and drew in with 2 teams. J. Chapple, A. Keely & J. Hindel came so we had time to rake up fall wheat stubble & lay up fence for the lane east of No.2 E. Some light showers fell but not enough to stop drawing in. We finished the peas & oats. J.N. Case spoke to me at Chappel at night. Very good. He is about going to China as Medical Missionary ("Certainly I will be with thee." Ex 3.12). Cloudy & dark. A few drops of rain occasionally.

26. Tue. 26. We got in the fall wheat rakings & then I went down home leaving them to get in the spring wheat. Andrew began cutting goose wheat & I shocked up. The boys finished the spring wheat at the corner & came down here & got in 6 loads of peas - from the feild against the bush. Gloomy with occasional drops of rain.

27. Wed. 27. John & J. Hindel at the peas on Hindles place. I went up to the corner & got Dan shod. He had a touch of colic this morning. I got down home & then took Dick to station to meet Annie & Montagne Wadds. They are not very well. Andrew finished cutting goose wheat & started oats. A. Keely not here (sick). E.B. at Dixons threshing. Cleared off, brighter but some rain fell.

28. Thur. 28. J. Hindel & A. Keely helped John & they fniished the peas by 5 P.M. & then John & A. Keely got in a load of peas from feild against bush & the rest shocked up oats. Andrew finished cutting 5 P.M. I hoed & thinned turnips. I drove up to Union prayer meeting at night. Francey went down to Harry Coles with Sam'l Coles. The Lords blessing be upon the people. Clear & fine but threatens rain.

29. Fri. 29. A heavy rain early this morning. Cleared about 9 A.M. so John & Andrew went up to the corner to plough but more showers came on so the land got too wet. E.B. & I put in bar posts, gate posts, etc. & shocked some oats which were left from yesterday. Heavy rains most of the day.

30. Sat. 30. The ground is too wet to work on at the corner so Andrew & E.B. went to town with the 4 ram lambs that we have left & John & I scraped a ditch at the south end of No.6 S. & leveled off a lot of knolls & did some other chores. Cloudy & cool. A few drops of rain.

31. Sun. 31. S.S. & meeting as usual. Mr. Stokes went with me to Phelpston at night. Lord do Thou give the single eye. Fine.

1890: September

1. Mon. 1st September 1890. John & Andrew up to the corner to plough. E.B. & I turned peas here & at Hindles. I got J. Tracy afternoon & we got in some peas at Hindles though they are rather damp. Wm. McDonald came & [ ] fence corners. Fine.

2. Tue. 2 September 1890. We got in all the peas here and at Hindles & began getting in goose wheat. John & Andrew ploughing at corner. Fine.

3. Wed. 3. John came down & we got hauling in after getting up some evetroughs. Wm. McDonald came and pitched in the feild & J. Tracy & I in the barn. E.B. & John hauling. Andrew ploughing peaground at the corner. We got all the oats in but 1 load. Fine but threatening.

4. Thur. 4. We got in the 1 load of oats & then John went up to the corner again to put in wheat. E.B., J. Tracy & I got the oats unloaded & a load of fence corners that Wm. McDonald cut on Monday & then E.B. raked the goose wheat stubble & J. Tracy & I cleaned up seed wheat for Wm. Webber & G. Coles, 24 bus., 19 lbs., 6 bus., 43 lbs, & after getting in the goose wheat rakings we went up to the corner & got in the spring wheat rakings there which finishes our harvest. Praise the Lord. There was no union prayer meeting on account of rain. A. McDougal got 3 bus., 21 lbs. wheat. Cloudy early but cleared off hot & bright. A heavy shower at night.

5. Fri. 5. John put in the barley stubble by Pres. Church yesterday and a little in pea stubble, N.3 W. It is too wet to drill this morning so all ploughed. I took the cows up to Hindles and the sheep up to the corner and then got a post auger from F. Foysten & put in posts to finish fencing the barnyard at the corner. John came down with me at night to get harrows. Cleared off but threatens more rain. Very warm.

6. Sat. 6. We got to the corner as soon as we could & the boys got the pea stubble done all but running out furrows and I got the fence finished except some gate fastenings. We all came home at night. Shower 5 A.M. Fine after.

7. Sun. 7. S.S. & meeting as usual. A Lady Salvationist spoke, also Dr. Bremner & R. Dixon. I went over to Josephine at 2.30 P.M. (Naaman). Very hot. A thunder shower at night.

8. Mon. 8. The boys all off to corner farm. I went up and got down the sheep to Hindles & then took up the cows. I went back to see the young cattle & found 4 strange ones there. I am too tired to put them out. I hung a gate into T.B.S.s orchard & fixed some fence, A.M. & I think I fixed a straight fence & hung a gate against the barn down here, P.M. but I am not quite sure. Cloudy & cool. N.W. wind. A little rain.

9. Tue. 9. Andrew took Maybeth & Miss Furguson down to station & then went back by the corner to help finish up seeding there but they did not finish quite. Fine.

10. Wed. 10. I got up to the corner and cleaned out furrows, No.3 W. & did some other chores and we all got down to tea just finishing & bringing down chopp & 5 bags of Seneca wheat from Mr. Bremner. E.B. & John began ploughing barley ground N.west of T.B.S. old orchard & Andrew fired stump heaps in No.6 S. I put things straight down here. Fine, rather summery.

11. Thur. 11. The boys at the barley ground. I went up to corner & did some chores. Wrote letter to Mr. Hall, etc. [ ] Union prayer meeting at night. "[Gideonites]" W.J.S.

12. Fri. 12 September 1890. Heavy rains, A.M. I got a note from E.B. saying he was lying sick at Mr. Orchards so I went over to see him. He will not be able to work for awhile. John came up with buggy & I sent him to F. Foystens with the post auger I had borrowed & then came down home & we all finished putting in the barley ground by T.B.S.'s orchard & began ploughing No.6 S. Heavy rain, A.M. Fine but hot, P.M.

13. Sat. 13. Wm. McDonald came to plough with old team in E.B. place but he took sick at noon. I went up to corner & [ ] the corner feild No.1 W. & then laid a fence back of the barn. It kept me very late. John & Andrew ploughing No.6 S. It is rough & will have to be sown by hand. Fine & cooler.

14. Sun. 14. S.S. & meeting as normal. I went to Josephine afternoon (Salvation in three aspects) & to Phelpston at night. H. Coles went with me. (Apple tree fruit). Fine.

15. Mon. 15. After doing chores I drove over to McDougals to see if I could get a hand there to drive the old team in place of E.B. who is still sick but they were all busy. I came back and went over to H. Tracys but cannot get help there till Thursday. Afternoon I sowed No.6 S. by hand & the boys got it pretty well harrowed. C. Wright came over & got 5 bus. Amber wheat. Fine. Rather hot. Cooler at night.

16. Tue. 16. I got Wm. McDonald to help me plough & scrape a ditch at the north end of No.1 N. & John & Andrew finished No.6 S. & then began ploughing No1. N. Wm. McDonald ploughed awhile after we finished the ditch. G.R. Ford came and I sold him 7 steers. 4 for $105.00 & 3 last fall calves for $34.00. I think the youngest a little too cheap. And gave him $10.00. Saw E.B. Fine & pleasant.

17. Wed. 17. Wm. McDonald did not come so I ploughed till noon & then A. Keely came for the rest of the day & helped John & Andrew to finish ploughing the feild. We butchered a small pig & G. Grant came & I helped him to clean up 6 bus. of wheat for seed & then cut across the swamp to the station & got to Toronto about 11 P.M. & went to Mr. Wadds's for the night. Maybeth has not been there yet. Fine & rather warm.

18. Thur. 18. I left Mr. Wadds's early & called at 46 Maitland St. & from there to 65 Glocester St. to see about a crock of butter. I got it expressed to Mr. Wadds & then I went to Mr. Halls & after posting two cards I went with him to the Exhibition grounds. I looked around a little & then went to the Y.M.C.A. tent where Mr. Hall holds services. I went home with him at night & found Maybeth there. Spent a pleasant evening. Fine & pleasant.

19. Fri. 19. I went to see Mrs. Dixon & Mrs. Darley & then got Maybeth & we made for the Home Knowledge Association rooms calling on Mrs. Ashdown & [ ] office on the way. We got some books & then I started Maybeth for Mr. Wadds's & I went to see some parties about pressed hay but they were not in so I took the boat for the Exhibition ground & looked over some things I had not seen yesterday. I got away about 6 P.M. intending to go with Maybeth & Annie Wallis to a meeting but missed her & she missed me so I went to Mr. Wadds's for the night & found her there. Fine, A.M. Rainy, P.M.

20. Sat. 20. I left Mr. Wadds's in good time & got the train for Woodbridge. Found all well there but Mother. She is very frail both in mind and body. I went down to see Joseph Walliss afternoon & John Phillips & Eber Kaiser at night. Elize Byron & Donald Jacobs were there & Wm. took them to the station. Thornhill at night. Fine. Cool & windy, N.W.

21. Sun. 21. I went to S.S. with the young folks & said a few words to the children & Mr. Wilmot got me to preach so I spoke on Salvation in its three aspects. The people seemed appreciative. Good Lord bless thine own word & work. After dinner I went to Pres. church with Grandpa (very good). At night I went to Pine Grove Church with the young folks. God bless them all. Fine. Rather cold.

22. Mon. 22. I spent the forenoon talking to the folks and after dinner went with Wm. Jeffery to the farm in the pinery & from there I walked over to Thornhill station. The train was behind time an hour & was delayed 2 more by a broken wheel in the engine. A freight train came along & we got the engine from it to take us through and we arrived safe at Minesing station about 11.40 P.M. John met us & we came home by the corner leaving cousin & Cecilia Bremner on the way. Thankfull. Fine & pleasant.

23. Tue. 23. John went up to corner with Angus McDougal to draw out manure. Andrew is there ploughing No.3 E. I did chores & some visiting & then drove up to the corner mailing a card to Father & one to a Mr. Ellis of Allandale about a cow. I gave Grandma R. $25.00, $15.00 returned, $10.00 on rent. Went down to Wm. Webbers to see about threshing machine & did some other business. $17.50 c. to Jas. Johnston. $50.00 to A. Ronald. Home about 3 P.M. I walked up to corner again at night to see Dr. Bremner about Wm. McDonald. Fine, rather cold N.W. wind.

24. Wed. 24. John & Joseph Hindle hauling out manure at corner. Andrew ploughing No.3 E. I did a lot of choring. A letter from E. Bruce asking if I wanted him again and saying he could come on Monday. I sent an answer telling him to come. Sent him $5.00. A letter from Uncle Fred. I must write to him soon. Also a notice from Home Knowledge Association about a note which I never signed. A P.C. from Mr. W.W. Ellis telling me to bring in the cow as soon as possible. Fine days, frosty nights.

25. Thur. 25. The folks all off to Barrie Show except Maybeth. I got away with Linda as soon as I could and arrived at Allandale about 12 (noon). I got dinner & then W. Ellis paid me the $40.00 & I came back to Barrie where John had left Norman & buggy. I got hay knife $1.25, harness mended 10 c., whip 60 c., fees 10 c. I got a box of tea which Grandma R. had bought & got home about 4.30 P.M. and it kept me busy till dark doing chores. I wrote to Grandpa S. sending $25.00. The young folks got home about 9 P.M. Fine days, frosty nights.

26. Fri. 26 Sept. 1890. I went up to the corner to do chores. Staid dinner with A. Ronald & got home soon after & we began getting up potatoes. A great many of them diseased. We cleaned up 13 bags of wheat. Rainy, A.M. Finer, P.M.

27. Sat. 27. I went up to corner to do chores as there is no one staying there now. We got all the potatoe tops & weeds hauled off & the potatoes picked up by night & the lambs seperated from the ewes. John & Andrew are all the help we have now. Bruce is not back. Cool & fine.

28. Sun. 28. S.S. & meeting as usual. Heman & family came down & he went with me over to Josephine afternoon & after tea I went to Phelpston getting H. Coles on the road. We called to see a sick boy (Baldry) after the meeting which made us late home. Fine & cool.

29. Mon. 29. We ploughed up the potatoes and got them all picked by night. Andrew & I butchered Blanche, heifers calf. It is good. I went up to corner & did chores & across to Foystens to see A. Knapp about threshing. He says he will come after Alvin Johnsons. I posted $25.00 to Grandpa. Fine, rather hot.

30. Tue. 30. Andrew ploughed & harrowed potatoe ground ready for sowing. John picked apples & did other chores. I went to town with 13 bags of wheat, 80 c. per bus., $23.15; chickens, 12, 35 c./pr, $2.70; 2 hind qrs. veal, 6 c., $2.94 c.; skin, 50 c. I called at Ottons & got creamer, 25 c., repair; shoes rep. $1.00; pair boots, $1.50; other expenses, 50 c. I saw A. Knapp on the way home. He expects to be with us tomorrow noon, so I asked hands all down the line. I stopped at corner to water things which made me late home. Mrs. Grant gave me $4.00 for 6 bus. wheat they got for seed. Saw old Mrs. Wattie & also Mrs. Dobbin. Lord bless & lead to Thyself. Fine, rather hot.

1890: October

1. Wed. 1st October 1890. Andrew drilled in the potatoe ground (about an acre) and John & I got an eavetrough made to take to the corner to run water to the [engine] & then we all went up to the corner except Francey & Annie, taking Strawberry along for the heifer up there is nearly dry. We got things ready for machine but they did not get started till afer 3 P.M. I came down at night to do chores. Fine, rather hot.

2. Thur. 2. I got up to the corner as soon as I could after doing chores and by night we had all threshed out but about 50 bus. of peas. Andrew went down with the machine to Mark Knapps (3 mile shift). I staid up to Union prayer meeting and then Mother, John, Annie, & I came down tired but thankful. About 500 bus. wheat, 350 oats. Fine but hot.

3. Fri. 3. Heavy rains so we could not do much. I sowed some grasseed on south headland, No.6 S. and wrote to T.B.S., W. Collins, & Mr. Hall, and at night John & I went up to the corner and took 5 bags of peas & oats to be chopped & brought down 2 bags of peas & 2 of oats. John staid up to help Andrew to get in the chaff tomorrow. T. Hindle came & I gave him $2.00 for George & $4.85 c. for himself. Heavy rain till afternoon. Cleared up slowly.

4. Sat. 4. I went to town with buggy taking Maybeth & Ruth to get their teeth fixed. I took in a sample of wheat, Michigan Amber & Seneca, but did not get a satisfactory bid, and await an answer on Tuesday. I got fly poison, 40 c., other expences, 25 c. Cloudy & close, A.M. Cleared off, P.M., colder.

5. Sun. 5. S.S. & meeting as usual, "Wisdom." Mama went with Mrs. Dixon to dinner. I rested awhile & then drove down to see old Mrs. McLeod & came back by Mrs. Dixons and got Mama. Good Lord bless the widow & the fatherless. Fine, A.M. A little rain, P.M.

6. Mon. 6 October 1890. John went to the corner to help Andrew with the ploughing. I sorted over some potatoes & find very few good ones, about 1 in 10. A few light rains.

7. Tue. 7. I mended bags and did other chores forenoon and afternoon I laid up a fence north of T.B.S.'s old orchard, part of the west line. Heavy rain, A.M. Finer, P.M.

8. Wed. 8. I went up to the corner with buggy on some business and afternoon I fixed up some holes in the road on the hill and then went back to T.B.S. orchard and bagged up 5 bags of apples to take to town tomorrow. I went up at night and changed teams with Andrew. John & Andrew ploughing at corner farm. Gave E.B. $10.00. Fine, rather warm.

9. Thur. 9. I went to town with 5 bags of apples. Sold at 60 c. Saw J.J. Brown & J. Galbraith of Tollendale and agreed to let J.J. Brown have 400 bus. wheat at 86 c. per bus., 200 Seneca & 200 Michagan Amber. I brought out some base boards for Dr. Bremner. John & Andrew ploughing at corner. Fine, rather hot.

10. Fri. 10. I did chores, A.M. and afternoon we all went up to T.B.S. orchard & gathered all the apples we could, 9 bags of windfalls and a barrel & a box full. We got 3 barrels of hand picked ones which I think will keep awhile but I shall have to go to town with the windfalls tomorrow. John & Andrew ploughing at corner. Heavy rains, A.M. Cool & dry N.W. wind, P.M.

11. Sat. 11. I went to town with the 9 bags of apples but had a difficulty in selling. I only made 60 c. of 2 bags & took 50 c. for the other 7 bags. I got home as soon as I could and got a barrel and 2 bags of windfalls & took up to the corner & then Andrew changed teams again & I brought down the old horses. John came down. We expect to be hauling manure on Monday. Fine afternoon but rainy till 9 A.M.

12. Sun. 12. S.S. & meeting as usual. I rested afternoon & then drove down to H. Coles & he drove with me to Phelpston. A very good meeting. Praise the Lord. I was late home but thankful. Fine.

13. Mon. 13. J. Chapple came & John & he & I went for the manure hauling lively. I got Henry French after 9 A.M. At night I went up to meet S. Jacob & go with him & Mr. Kenny to United Workmens meetings to see if they would allow Temperance Meetings in their Hall which they are builing free of charge, but we found they had nothing to do with the old Hall which has been sold for $20.00 to A. Malcolm. So our meeting was nil. I found out from Mr. Young that there was a car at the station for us so we shall have to be at the wheat tomorow. Pretty fine but a sprinkle, P.M.

14. Tue. 14. French staid last night and we went up to corner as soon as we could and got cleaning up wheat but did not get hauling till after noon. We took down about 180 bus. Seneca. Church meetings at night. Fine but some little squalls.

15. Wed. 15. J. Chapple came & we got the wheat cleaned & hauled but rather late. We had to get 25 bags from down here which hindered us some. 422 bus. 30 lbs. altogether according to our weighing. I wrote J.J. Brown about it. A letter from T.B.S. Fine, cool N.W. winds.

16. Thur. 16 October 1890. John & J.C. hauled out manure till about 3 P.M. when a steady rain came on and stopped them. I took some diseased potatoes up to the corner for the cow there and then coming down saw Fralecks man bringing down cattle to "Dixie" and two of our heifers with them so I got them put into our own pasture and afternoon got in some of the potatoes to the barn floor. Aunt Bessie & boys came over and after tea I took her on the way home but the tire on the hind wheel broke so I had to leave her half way & get home the best I could. I tied up the wheel & then went up to the corner but there was no Union prayer meting so I staid up till morning. Fine, A.M. Heavy rains after 3 P.M.

17. Fri. 17. I took the hind wheels of the buggy over to Mr. Youngs for him to set the tires on, 2 new ones which A. Malcolm got last week and then spread manure in the south feild at the corner. A P.C. from Galbraith about the wheat so I had to go down to the station which made me late getting home and I just got in a few potatoes before dark. We have to send hands to thresh at Grants and Woods tomorow. John ploughed & J.C. spread manure down here. About 9 oclock Mr. Adams's house was burned. Squally, A.M.. Finer, P.M.

18. Sat. 18. Andrew ploughing at corner. John went to D. Woods to thresh. I picked over potatoes, fixed slash fence against bush & did other chores. Went at night to get A. McDougal to thresh at Grants on Monday. Fine.

19. Sun. 19. S.S. and meeting as usual. I went over to H. Tracys afternoon but he was not home. At night went to hear Mr. Wright on the Second Coming, & Contrasts. (Lord help). Rather late home. Fine.

20. Mon. 20. Andrew ploughing. Practicing P.M. at McKinelys for the Match on 22nd. John took team up and left in stable and then went over to Dixons to thresh. They did not get done till 4 P.M. so he spread manure after doing chores. I went up to corner and spread awhile & came down at night with buggy. The new wheels seem to run all right. Fine.

21. Tue. 21. John & Andrew ploughing at corner. (Andrew at McKinleys, P.M. practicing). I went to town with buggy and got $300.00 from J.J. Brown intending to pay $255.00 on T.B.S.s place expecting to find the Note at Bank of Toronto but found it had been remitted to him last Dec'r so I wrote to him about it. I got a top for Glenwood Oven, 65 c. and came home by the corner and left the top there. It fits all right. Gave Spencer Croley $10.00 which I had promised for making the road. Fine & pleasant but frosty nights.

22. Wed. 22. John & Andrew off to Ploughing Match. I did chores, took stuff to Malcolms to chopp. Gave Grandma R. $10.00 & Mr. Bremner $20.00 on seed wheat. I got up a few potatoes in Granpa's garden, P.M. The boys got home about 7.30 P.M. Andrew got 2nd prize in his class. John did not plough. Aunt Annie & cousin came down & John took them home. I went over to see Wm. McDonald. Dr. Bremner says it is cancer in stomach. Fine but frosty nights.

23. Thur. 23rd October 1890. John began ploughing No.2 N. I went up to corner with Andrew taking Mr. Bremner's ram. 2 bags flour for A.R. (1 before). Andrew went on ploughing up there. I did some business & then came down again & saw Wm. McDonald. E.B. came and I settled up with him, $7.00, all but $1.35. He says he will come down on Monday. I went up again at night. It was the Methodist Missionary Meeting. I heard of Mrs. Clark's death. Fine, A.M. Cloudy, P.M. S.E. wind.

24. Fri. 24. John ploughing No.2 N. After doing chores I went up to the corner and spread all the manure so as not to hinder Andrew ploughing. I shifted in the [stove] and took Mrs. Cota 155 lbs oats. She had 76 lbs of small wheat before. I got home in time to milk Bessie heifer & feed her calf. Squared up with J. Chapple, 50 c. Fine & pleasant.

25. Sat. 25. I picked over the potatoes in the barn and then the youngsters helped me to top 3 loads of Mangolds. John & I butchered the pig I got frm Mrs. McDonald. It weighed about 217 lbs. & I gave $7.00 for it about a month ago. Andrew came down from the corner bringing oats & chopp. Fine & pleasant.

26. Sun. 26. S.S. & meeting as usual. (Mr. Stokes on "Wisdom"). I rested awhile P.M. and then drove to Phelpston getting Harry Coles on the way. Gal-III ch. Fine but cool & cloudy.

27. Mon. 27. E.B. came this morning and so the three teams ploughed & I spread manure and did other chores. At night John & I went down to the station and took Mr. Cunningham a barrel of snow apples & a barrell of St. Lawrence for Grandma R. and our own use. I staid up. Cold N. wind. Cloudy.

28. Tue. 28. I put in the day choring at the corner. Heard at night that E.B. was sick again so I went to see him. I do not think he will be able to do much this fall. John & Andrew ploughed. Much warmer.

29. Wed. 29. Uncle Sam called for me at the corner and I came down to E - Home with him. J. Castor & H. Bergh came and began working at the shed. Andrew ploughed & John & Uncle Sam & I got out timber for the shed & sheep pen. Cloudy & raw S.E. wind. Hard frost at night.

30. Thur. 30. I went out to Midhurst, A.M. and met Mr. Smith, the Bible Society Agent, and got down to E.H. about noon. Afternoon John & I got the timber hauled for the shed and at night we drove up to the Bible society meeting and at the close we arranged for a Union Thanksgiving service next Thursday, the thank offering to go to the Toronto city Mission. A meeting at 2 P.M. & 7 P.M. Fine till about 4 P.M. A few squalls of rain after.

31. Fri. 31. John & Andrew ploughed & I went to Websters Mill and got 800 ft. lumber for siding up the shed & sheep pen. Got Johns horses shod & afternoon I got another load partly at Budds and partly at Websters. I think there is enough now, all but shingles. Heavy snow squalls.

1890: November

1. Sat. 1 Nov'r. I went down to Webbs beyond the river and got 6000 shingles. Called at D. Dixons and saw his bull calf which he offers for sale. I got home soon after noon, just as a very heavy snowstorm came on. The boys ploughed, A.M. & got in one load of Mangolds. I did up some accounts & chored. Raw cold wind, A.M. Heavy snow storm, P.M.

2. Sun. 2. November 1890. S.S. and meeting as usual. 1c Gal-. I went over to Josephine afternoon and had a short meeting in Mr. Budds house and promised to go over next Sunday. I went by B. Tracys but came back across the beaver meadow. It is not very wet. Cold & raw, A.M. Heavy rain & snow, P.M.

3. Mon. 3. John & Andrew ploughing No.3. N. I made a beam for the carpenters and then went back to the bush and got 5 overways and we got in a load of Mangolds by noon - and finished them & got in 2 loads of turnips by night. I went up to the corner and staid all night and paid taxes, $47.60, Grandpas $2.04, $49.64 in all. Asked hands for raising tomorow, P.M. Fine, A.M. Rather snowy, P.M. but mildish.

4. Tue. 4. I wrote to Grandpa sending $30.00 and best wishes for Grandma's birthday. I got down home about 10 A.M. taking rafters. Mr. Collins came and we got the foundation of the shed & sheep pen laid & about 4 P.M. a few neighbours gathered & we got the building up all right but I had to get A. & F. Priest who were stumping at Phillips's to give us a lift. The boys went up at night and brought cousin down. Fine but a few short snow squalls.

5. Wed. 5. I got up to the corner as soon as I could after choring & took 8 bags of oats & peas over to Malcolms to chopp and then I got up the carrots & [man--] that were by the house. Took a small load down to the sheep pen for the cow that stays there & brought the rest down home. H. Bergh & Jessee Castor are moving today so the building is at a standstill. John & Andrew ploughing in No.3 & 4 N. I saw the hands at P. Fullers threshing and arranged for ours. Fine but high S.W. winds.

6. Thur. 6. Thanksgiving day. John & I helped the carpenters with overways & then I hauled a lot of cull lumber for sheeting. It was lying scattered around. John took Flora down to P. Fullers. Afternoon he and Andrew ploughed though I would rather have them with us at the Thanksgiving service in Presbyterian Church. We found Grandma R. some better. She has [--isipilis]. There was a good meeting in the same church at night. A collection at both services for the Toronto City Mission, $10.60 c. Fine but cloudy. Rather warm gusty winds.

7. Fri. 7. Andrew, Mama & Maybeth off to town. John ploughed against the bush. I cleared up some debris and helped the men at the building. Afternoon John & I both helped to get floor laid and roof sheeted. Andrew & Mama got home about 8 P.M. Mama got $63.35 c. from J. Galbraith which finishes the payment of the wheat. Cloudy but pretty fair till night. Rain at six P.M.

8. Sat. 8. John went up to the corner & got chopp & 4 barrells which were taken up for machine. He went down to station for A.R. Andrew & I cut down straw stack, cleaned out pig pens & cleared up things. Topped a load of [man--] & carrots which were on the driving floor, etc. Rather cold N.W. wind.

9. Sun. 9 November 1890. A lashing rain which froze on the roofs in the early morning and made the new barn roof leak badly. I drove up to meeting about the usual time with buggy taking Francy & Ruth with me. The weather cleared off about 10.30 A.M. and quite a few came over to the meeting but the S.S. was short. F. Foysten, Dr. Bremner, R. Dixon & T. Stokes spoke. Lord bless Thine own word. Dr. Bremner drove me over to Josephine and spoke a few words. We got back to Minising corner about 5 P.M. & as soon as I could I got off to Phelpston. 2nd Gal - H. Coles went along. Very heavy rains till 10 A.M. Finer after & warm afternoon.

10. Mon. 10. John & Andrew drew out manure to the orchard. I picked over potatoes and did other chores, A.M. Afternoon John went to Phillips to thresh & Andrew & I drew out manure. Fine.

11. Tue. 11. Maybeths birthday. John threshed at Phillips til 2 P.M. & after that we threshed here. The grain is not yeilding well and quality poor. I paid Jessee Castor $20.00 for putting up shed & sheep pen - they finished all but putting on some hinges. Fine. Frosty nights.

12. Wed. 12. We finished all the threshing but a few peas and the machine got away about 3 P.M. I got in straw & stuff so as to shut the barn doors. Andrew & John both went with the machine as the roads are very sticky and they had to move to J. Lennox's. Fine. Frosty nights.

13. Thur. 13. We expected to have had an iron scraper and so have worked on the road making a ditch, but we had to do with the old wooden one and use one team and the other ploughed. It is a tough job making the ditch. It will I hope drain No.1 N. Fine. Frosty nights.

14. Fri. 14. Andrew & I worked at the ditch till noon & then John & I went up to the corner & cleaned up 16 bags of wheat for grist, & Andrew ploughed. Fine.

15. Sat. 15. John went to Tollendale with grist. Andrew & I did a lot of chores, A.M. Afternoon we went to the corner and put on 1240 lbs. clover hay and I took it down to Rob't Thomas. I called at B. Tracys & got a steel scraper. John was late home. Showery all day.

16. Sun. 16. S.S. & meeting as usual (Gal - [ ]. He loved me.). I staid dinner at the corner and afternoon Dr. Bremner went with me to Josephine. Mabeth went with us to Aunt Bessies. J. Kent was at Josephine and spoke a little. I got home about sundown. Very fine.

17. Mon. 17. Freds birthday. We all got to work and finished out the ditch against the road, N.1 N. so as to let the water run, but it needs to be deepened to make a good job. We all got throughly wet through for it rained heavily all forenoon and afternoon too. I went up at night and took 4 bags of flour for A.R. and brought down a bag of salt. I left J. Chapple 1 bag of flour & 1 of hen feed and gave Spencer Croley a bag of flour at the same tme. Heavy rains nearly all day.

18. Tue. 18 November 1890. Andrew ploughed No.3 N. & John & I got out manure from the north barnyard. Afternoon Mama & I went to Mrs. E. Dixons sale. I did not get anything but 4 trace chains 40 c. We were rather late home. Fine but cold N.W. wind.

19. Wed. 19. We spread manure in Orchard & Andrew ploughed. After threshing the manure John & I did some ditching by the wheat, No.1.N. Afternoon we made some plank roads round the stable door & the watertrough and did some other chores. I went up at night to corner to cut wood, etc. A letter from J. Galbraith about the car load of wheat I sent away a month ago. Cold sleety squalls, N.W. Freezing at night.

20. Thur. 20. I wrote to Geo. O. Benner, Orillia, enclosing $1.00 for Gospel Herald and wrote to Galbraith about the wheat. I got down home as soon as I could & helped the boys to skidd up some logs from T.B.S.s old barn, A.M. Afternoon John ploughed against bush & Andrew & I got up some potatoes in Grandpa's garden till 4 P.M. & then took up 2 yearlings & 4 calves to the corner farm & got them nito winter quarters. Andrew took down chopp. Union prayer meeting. (Rom V.). Fine but cold N.W. wind.

21. Fri. 21. I put in the forenoon cleaning out stables, pig pens, etc. at the corner and put a lot of straw off the stack. Afternoon I got up a few carrots & parsnips in the garden & put them in Grandma R.'s celler and did some other chores. Fine & pleasant.

22. Sat. 22. I got the chores done at the corner as soon as I could & then went down home & got Jack & buggy & went to town taking Francy along. I saw J.J. Brown & J. Galbraith about the wheat. I think it is all right. I got a cap, $3.50 & overshoes, $1.35. We got home to corner about 4 P.M. Very cold. I stay up to do chores. Frequent hail squalls from N.W. Very cold.

23. Sun. 23. S.S. & meeting as usual. Afternoon cousin went with me to Josephine & I spoke from V Romans. I got back to corner 4.40 & after feeding horse and doing chores started to Phelpston. Mama went with me to stay with cousin Frances and Harry went on with me. He spoke about Bethesda - Impotent. I spoke V Romans. Cold & wintry.

24. Mon. 24. I put in the day fixing rack in sheep pen & doing other chores. The boys brought up the 15 ewe lambs. I went down home at night to get some peas & other things and brought up the old team & plough to plough the gardens. Fine & milder.

25. Tue. 25. I had to go down home and get some things and did not get back till afternoon so I did not get much ploughing done. I settled up with Mrs. Cota & Mrs. Coles. Softish, A.M. Cold N.W. wind P.M. Freezing.

26. Wed. 26. I took 2 bags oats over to be chopped & after doing chores I went down to Mr. Budds (Josephine) and got accounts settled up for Grandma R. and myself and got to E.H. for dinner. Afternoon Andrew & I took up 4 barrels of apples and put them in Grandma R's celler. Very hard frost last night. Sunny but cold today.

27. Thur. 27 November 1890. The boys are making a fence south of barnyard. I did up a lot of chores here and straightened things generally. Union prayer meeting in Pres. Church. Peter Knapp - Math. hiring to work in vineyard. Cold & wintry.

28. Fri. 28. After doing chores I got down home as soon as I could and we butchered 3 spring pigs and I rode up with Netty to do chores. I am keeping the old team up at the corner so as to leave more room in the horse stable at the Home. Cold & wintry.

29. Sat. 29. John came up with team & Democrat bringing the 3 pigs and Mama, cousin & I went to town. I sold the pigs at 5 c. -- $16.35 c. I did a lot of business for neighbours and we got home about 4 P.M. to the corner. John came up and took down the team & rig and I staid up to do chores. Softish, A.M. Cold & blizardy, P.M. N.W. gales.

30. Sun. 30. S.S. & meeting as usual. I went down home to dinner and walked over to Josephine and drove up at night to Methodist meeting. Andrew staid up and did the chores while I was away. Very cold & wintry.

1890: December

1. Mon. 1 December 1890. In throwing straw off the stack I run the fork into my toe and I had to get it soaked in hot water & poulticed so I spent most of the day reading, etc. Cold & wintry.

2. Tue. 2. After doing chores I spent most of the day reading & nursing my toe. I went over to Grandma's & chatted with Grandma & Annie Wallis. Cold & stormy. [-E] snows.

3. Wed. 3. I find my toe much better so after doing chores I went down home and did some business and after dinner Andrew & I brought up 4 barrels of apples and put into Grandma R's cellar and Andrew took Mr. & Mrs. Knox & cousin down to station. They are going to [Feyns]. Still very stormy, A.M. Milder, P.M.

4. Thur. 4. After doing chores, cutting wood, etc. I spent a little time reading and afternoon I got Uncle Andrew's cutter & took Annie Wallis down to see Aunt Annie. Union prayer meeting in Methodist Church. Jacobs ladder & John 1 ch. Finer & pleasanter.

5. Fri. 5. I did not do much but the usual amount of choring. Mama & I went to spend the evening at Dr. Bremners. Fine but wintry.

6. Sat. 6. John got some gravel from the pit & brought some here & I got him to help me clean up the barn floor and then I threshed some peas for the barn floor and then I threshed some peas for the fattening pigs. Mama & Francy cleaned up the kitchen, etc. I put on a back door to the verandah. Fine but wintry.

7. Sun. 7. S.S. & meeting as usual. Gal. V ch. I walked over to Josephine. Gal. V. and then took the cutter to Phelpston. (Gen. Jacobs ladder.) Francy went with me and staid with cousin Frances while Harry went with me. I staid at the corner at night. Very cold but bright & sunny.

8. Mon. 8. I did chores, cut wood, threshed some more peas, and fed up early at night and took Grandma R. & Annie Wallis down to E.H. and we spent a very pleasant evening. F. & E. Foysten came. Fine & pleasant winter weather.

9. Tue. 9. After doing chores I wrote to Lizzie & Aunt Baldwin. Andrew came up with chopp and after getting horses shod took Annie Wallis down to station. Mama came up and went down with him. Pleasant, much milder.

10. Wed. 10. December 1890. After doing chores I spent most of the day reading Professor Robertsons pamphlet on Dairying & Sheep husbandry and then sent it on to F. Foyston. It is both interesting and instructive. Fine, milder.

11. Thur. 11. John came up and we put in the day cutting up the old logs that were left from the barn & stable. Union prayer meeting at night. Jas Coles. VIII ch. Prov. Soft. Snow storm at night.

12. Fri. 12. T.B.S.'s birthday. John & I sawing wood. Andrew brought up a few peas to keep the pigs going till Monday. Very cold & blizzardy [ ].

13. Sat. 13. John & I cutting wood but did not quite get all cut, nearly another days work. H. Tracy called & I settled with him. I sent P.C. to Woodbridge about sleighing & one to G. Benner about Herald. Snowy A.M. Fine & mild, P.M.

14. Sun. 14. S.S. & meeting as usual. I went down home with the team at noon and walked over to Josephine afternoon. Dr. & Mrs. Bremner were there. Gal VI - "Restore." I went up to corner at night & staid in with the children. Mama has been sick. Fine & mild but a few squalls.

15. Mon. 15. The boys came up as soon as they could and we got butchering as soon as we could, 2 big sows & one young one, and finished about 4 P.M. We had W. Orchards kettle. Fine & mild.

16. Tue. 16. John came up early & we got the pigs loaded and Grandma R., Maybeth & Francey went with me to Barrie. I sold the pigs at $5.25 and they weighed 606 lbs. but I only got $31.56 c., 21 c. short, 7 1/2 doz. eggs at 21 c., 2 broken. I got a hind qr. beef at 6 c., 110 lbs., $6.60, and a bag of potatoes, 110 lbs., 77 c., girls ex. $7.50. Rather raw, A.M. Mild, P.M.

17. Wed. 17. After doing chores I cut up beef, putty'd windows, etc. - and read some of "In darkest England and the way out." Andrew got his hens down. Mild. Cloudy.

18. Thur. 18. I did a lot of chores & then finished reading. In darkest England, I wish I knew how to help. Union prayer meeting at night. W. Webber, IX, Acts. Mild & pleasant.

19. Fri. 19. After doing chores John came up with cutter & I drove down to see McKinley about pressing but he was away. I took the cutter over to Mr. Youngs to get fixed & wrote to Uncle T.B.S. Sending letter to Uncle Fred. I drove down to Hindles and helped the boys to clean up some peas J. Hindle had threshed and after doing chores up here Mama & I went over to Dr. Bremners to tea and spent a very pleasant evening. Cold and clear & wintry.

20. Sat. 20. I did up chores and saw Dr. Bremner about a sore on my hand. I got down home about noon and helped John to clear out the old barn floor ready for pressing and then walked up to the corner and did up the chores. Andrew went to town on Prof. T. business. Fine & pleasant.

21. Sun. 21. S.S. and meeting as usual. I walked over to Josephine afternoon and then took the buggy to Phelpston taking Harry Coles on the road. We got a call to see T. Wilson. He is very low. Lord help. Soft & heavy rain at noon. Colder at night.

22. Mon. 22. I got down to the house as soon as I could but we did not get pressing till 11 A.M. but we made very good speed after. Fine.

23. Tue. 23. We worked at the pressing all day and I drove up to corner at night to do chores and drove down to station at night to meet cousin Ferguson. She has been to Fergus with Mrs. Knox. Fine, A.M. Very stormy, P.M. Getting worse at night. High wind.

24. Wed. 24 December 1890. I got down home as soon as I could and we got all the best of the hay done by 11 A.M. and we moved up to the corner and set the press against the straw stack for we have more than we can well use and the clover hay is so cheap that it will be better to feed it and sell the straw. Squally at times and a heavy snow storm, P.M.

25. Thur. 25. Christmas day. "Glory to God in the highest on earth Peace. Good will to man." After doing chores Andrew drove up and took us home to dinner. Cousin & Aunt Grace went but Grandma R. is not well. I walked up at night and did the chores. Union prayer meeting at night. Fine & bright but cold.

26. Fri. 26. We were kept busy getting things ready to press straw from the stack all forenoon and we got fairly going soon after 1 P.M. and got about 4 1/2 tons done by night. S. of T. concert. John took Ward family home. Very cold raw SE wind.

27. Sat. 27. We got pressing as soon as we could but I had a busy time for the boys did not get here till 9 A.M. & T. Degeer did not come till 8.30 A.M. so I had water & wood to haul as well as the feeding to do myself but we got about 10 tons done by 12.30 and it took all afternoon to get things straightened up and the press & engine moved. Andrew brought up the 2 sows which we are keeping to breed from. A very light snow fell most of the day. Much milder.

28. Sun. 28. S.S. & meeting as ususal after meeting. I went down with S. Jacobs to dinner and he drove me over to Craighurst. I spoke on Salvation, its three aspects. We got tea at Mr. Fords & from there we went to Midhurst. A good meeting at both places. God bless Thine own Word. We got home about 9.30 P.M. I expect Mr. Frost was at Josephines. Very cold & rather cloudy with light snow at times.

29. Mon. 29. After doing chores, I cut some wood for ourselves & Grandma & then read and rested a little. Wintry but fine.

30. Tue. 30. I thought a good bit about T. Wilson so as soon as I got chores done I went down home and got Norm & cutter & drove up to see him calling at H. Coles's on the road. He could not go with me so I went alone and found hm near his end. Apparently unconcious so after reading a portion & prayer I came home. He is staying at his fatherinlaws. I got word at night that he had died soon after I left. God bless the fatherless & widow. I went over to see Dr. Bremner. He is better. He lent me "Elijah" by F.B. Meyer. It is very good. Rather rough S.E. wind with snow.

31. Wed. 31. After doing up chores I spent most of the day reading "Elijah." The young folk went down to concert at Edenvale by S. of T. and then came back to watch meeting. May the good Lord bless us all and forgive the sins of ommission & commission making us like Christ and this year a season of refreshing. Raw cold S.E. wind. Some snow.

1891: January

1. January 1st 1891. Thursday. I did chores and then wrote to Commissioner Adams enclosing $5.00 for Grandma R. and $5 for myself to be used in "Social reform branch" of S.A. work. John brought up the team afternoon and I took a party down to "Evergreen Home" to spend the New Years evening. Soft and some heavy rains.

2. Fri. 2. I did chores, cut wood, etc. Had a talk with Mr. Bremner about G. Tracy. Settled A. Malcolm's bill, in all $17.00 about. Colder, freezing.

3. Sat. 3. After doing chores, I went down home and we butchered 2 pigs. Andrew came up at night and got Dick shod. Clear & cold.

4. Sun. 4. S.S. and meeting as usual. We went down to E.H. to dinner and I walked over to Josephine and then drove up to Phelpston at night and spoke about Special services and agreed to go up on Tuesday and see about the best way of doing - Great Shepherd guide. Fine but wintry.

5. Mon. 5. I took Mama down to see old Mrs. Bennett at Mrs. Lumleys forenoon. I did a lot of chores afternoon and took Mama to E.H. and brought Maybeth up to a party at Mr. Kennys. Fine winter weather.

6. Tues. 6. After doing chores, etc. I drove up to Phelpston but could only see two parties so it was agreed to have a public meeting announced on Sunday for next Wednesday week at 7 P.M. I got back home in good time. Had a nice talk with some on the road. Church business meeting at night. Fine winter weather.

7. Wed. 7. I got down to E.H. as soon as I could and we got the other 4 pigs butchered in good time. They are rather light. Clear and cold.

8. Thur. 8. John came up with Mama bringing one of the pigs and leaving one at Mr. Collins's. We all went to town. I sold the pig at $5.75 c. and bought a hind qr. of Beef at $6 1/2, 123 lbs., $8.00, and a bag of potatoes at 60 c. I saw J.J. Brown about hay but he says it is very hard to sell but will be in Toronto next week and see about it. John got a new overcoat, $10.00 & socks & shoes, $2.00. Union prayer meeting at night led by Mrs. Dr. Bremner. May the good Lord bless. Clear & cold.

9. Fri. 9. After doing chores, Herman Coles, T. Stokes, & I fixed a post of the Church shed which was sliding out and fixed up things a little Afternoon I cut wood, etc. Milder.

10. Sat. 10. My birthday nearing the "half century." "I'm nearer Home today than ever I was before." I found the cistern by the hen house dry & the one behind the barn had the pump frozen so I had to get hot water & salt and thaw it out and then fixed a fence to keep the cattle from wandering when they get out to drink. I moved the trough & made things pretty handy and then walked down home & got a horse & cutter & drove down to the camp and enquired if they would have a meeting on Sunday evening which they agreed to willingly so I got back home again and then walked up to the corner and did up the chores. The young folks went to the hill to sleigh ride and Francey came home with a lame foot. Very fine & pleasant.

11. Sunday 11 January 1891. I was up through the night getting hot water for Francey's foot which made me late to my "batchelor breakfast". S. School & meeting as usual. I went down to E.H. to dinner and walked over to Josephine afternoon (1st Nah[--]. 7). At night Heman came & we drove down to the camp. ("Salvation"). Mama came up with me to the corner at night to look after Francey. Light snow, A.M. Heavy at night.

12. Mon. 12. John came up and went down to McKinleys and moved the Press. I did chores, cut wood, etc. and went to the Methodist tea meeting at night. I went over to see Dr. Bremner. He has had a sick spell. Dense North blizzard. Drifting.

13. Tue. 13. I did chores and then spent most of the day reading Judges Ruth & 1 Samuel. A letter from Woodbridge saying there is sleighing so I suppose John & Francey will be off soon. God bless & guide. Calm but wintry.

14. Wed. 14. John came up with sleigh and got Jacks front shoes set & I went down home with him, and brought Dick back intending to go to Phelpston to see about special service at night but the storm was so severe that I had to give it up. I expect John & Francey will start for Woodbridge tomorow. Staying at Willie Jefferys at Tecumseh on the way. Rather stormy, A.M. Feirce N. gale, P.M.

15. Thur. 15. I did chores, cut wood, etc. John & Francey got away about 8 A.M. I put in a good bit of time reading. Heman Coles led the meeting at night in Methodist vestry, IV. James - Seperation from the world. Calm & milder. Cloudy.

16. Fri. 16. Annie is up here keeping house & Andrew, Maybeth & cousin are away to Barrie leaving Mama entirely alone so I went down and staid till 4 P.M. & then walked up to do chores. Keen & cold. Bright & sunny.

17. Sat. 17. I found one of the calves ailing this morning so I got up a [doze] for it but when I went down to give it the trouble seemed to be over so I did not give the medicine. O Lord thou preservest man & beast, Ps. XXXVI. 6 ver. I sawed a passage way to get the hay from the shed loft to the barn and did other chores. I went down to A. & F. Foystens and enquired about seed peas, & called at James Fletchers. I think I can get them there. Intense cold. Rimey frost. Milder by noon.

18. Sun. 18. S.S. & meeting as usual. A Mr. Beardsall agent for the Grand [ ] Mission was present and spoke for awhile. I went down to Josephine & to the camp at night. Heman & Harry went to Phelpston. Very pleasant.

19. Mon. 19.I went down home with the old horses and helped Andrew to put up an evetrough and cut down the straw stack & do other chores. I drove up again at night and John Galbraith came out to see the folks out here about wheat & gristing so he staid all night here. A P.C. from John. They got down all right. Mild & pleasant.

20. Tue. 20. J. Galbraith got me to go with him to see the folk so I spent most of the day driving round. He did not get through so he staid over night. I went to the Methodist special service in the evening. Very fine & mild.

21. Wed. 21 January 1891. I did up chores and took 2 bags of oats & peas over to chopp. J. Galbraith is away. I spent most of the day choring. Methodist meeting at night. Mild & cloudy.

22. Thurs. 22. I did up chores as soon as I could and then went down home with old team and helped Andrew to clean up 20 bags of Michigan Amber wheat and then drove up again at night to do chores. Mr. Knox preached at night. Rather stormy but not cold.

23. Fri. 23. Andrew took Maybeth to town with sleigh and then drove over to Tolendale to get 10 bags flour for Uncle Andrew which made him late home. I did a lot of chores and then rode down with old Netty & did the chores at night there & then came back up here again and went to "open Division" meeting in the hall. Mr. Knox & F. Foysten spoke well. I walked down home & Andrew staid up. Wintry.

24. Sat. 24. I took 20 bags of wheat to town but it did not sell well. I could only make 32 c., 43 bus., 30 lbs., $35.65. I saw John & Francy in town. I got home across Mrs. Wrights place and then got old Netty and rode up to do chores. Fine & rather mild.

25. Sun. 25. S.S. & meeting as usual. Afternoon I went to Josephine and at night Heman Coles came and we went down to the camp together. Lord bless. Pleasant.

26. Mon. 26. After doing chores, I wrote to Grandpa & Andrew came up to get Dick shod so I rode down home and got John to cut my hair and then walked up to the corner again and did up chores. Went to Methodist meeting at night. Mild but snowy.

27. Tue. 27. After doing chores, I wrote to Mr. Hall and to T.B.S. I intended to go out to Edgar early but it snowed heavily, A.M. and I did not start till afternoon. I got to R.A. Thomas's about 5 P.M. Mr. Coulter was not there. The meeting he had been holding having ceased, I had a long talk with R.A. Thomas about "Divine Healing." Lord lead us aright and make us willing to be led. Maybeth went with me. (Agnes Wadds came. Heavy snow from S.E., A.M. Finer, P.M.

28. Wed. 28. We did not leave Edgar till afternoon & I went from there to a funeral above Dalston where I saw Mr. Coulter. He promised to write for next Tuesday. We went from there to H. Parkhouse's & from there to Mr. Darby's. I saw the beast I wanted to look at but he holds him at $75.00 which I think too high. We got home about dark and after tea I went over to Josephine to prayer meeting. Mama, Agnes & John went down to see cousin Frances. Fine, pleasant winter weather.

29. Thur. 29. John & I took 2 loads of hay to A. Armstrong. One load was on the barn building. The other load he paid me for and also for 4 bags of wheat, $10.00 in all. A better meeting than usual at night. Cousin Sarah Jeffery, Mary Eber & Nelson came up. Went to S. Jacobs's. Softish, like rain.

30. Fri. 30. Andrew came up with team and I took Maybeth to town to get her music lesson. I took in 5 fowl, $1.00 & 14 1/2 doz. eggs, 22 c. for 9 1/2 and 23 c. for 5 doz. We got home about sundown to the corner. Cousin came with us and Aggie went along for the ride. Wintry, rather cold & windy.

31. Sat. 31. I did chores, cut wood, etc., A.M. and went down home afternoon & got team & sleighs and got G. Tracey to help me on with a load of hay from here for Rob Thomas. I took it down to him & went across the flats with the team home & walked up to do chores at night. Snowy.

1891: February

1. Sunday February 1st 1891. S.S. and meeting as usual. Some disagreement about which class shall have the use of the vestry. Thou God of Peace be with us and keep us with Thee. I went down to Josephine afternoon. 139 Ps. - & V Ch 1st Thessalonians. I drove up to Phelpston at night. 139 Ps & 12 ch. 2nd Samuel. "Thou art the Man." "I have sinned." etc. - God bless and encourage thy workers & give the single eye. Heman went with me. Wintry, rather blustering at night with snow.

2. Mon. 2. After doing chores I took 4 bags of small wheat over to A.A. Armstrong which leaves us square for the present. Afternoon I went over to Dr. Bremners & settled with him. He was very moderate. May the great Physician give us all more faith in Him both for soul & body. I drove down to Mrs. Wrights to see a bull that they have got from Dr. Mortons herd. He does not seem to me to be as good as Mr. Darbys. When I got back to the corner Eber Kaiser was there so he drove down home taking Mama, Ruth & Jane. Ruth & Jane are both ailing. (Methodist meeting at night). Pleasant but rather cold.

3. Tue. 3. I spent the forenoon choring, cutting wood, stopping cracks in stables, etc. Afternoon, I went down home and walked back to the bush to see the boys. They are cutting wood. I got back to the corner at night to do chores. Methodist meeting at night. Good Shepherd guide aright. Blizzardy & sunny betimes. Very cold at night.

4. Wed. 4. After doing chores, I wrote to Woodbridge enclosing $15.00 for Grandpa's rent. Afternoon I went down home to spend the little while with him but he had to go over to Josephine on professional duties which left him late & I had to leave soon after tea to go down to Edenvale. I called and got S. Jacobs on the road. I spoke from LI Ps. & XII ch., 2nd Sam. 13 verse. Cold & some snow.

5. Thur. 5. I did chores, cut wood, etc. Broke axe handle so had to get another and put in. No word from Mr. Coulter. Lord guide. A very good meeting at night in Methodist Chruch. Heard of John Cameron's death. Pleasant, milder.

6. Fri. 6. I went to town with Maybeth & sent a P.C. to Mr. Coulter. Came back by 7 Concession and staid a while at J. Camerons. His wife is in a very weak state. O God of the fatherless & widow. Heard of old Mr. [Marvs] death. Comfort. Mild & pleasant.

7. Sat. 7. I was busy all forenoon cutting wood and doing chores. Afternoon I went to the funeral taking Mama along. God bless them all. Cold S.E. wind. Some snow.

8. Sun. 8. S.S. & meeting as usual. I went over to Josephine afternoon taking Mama & Agnes Wadds. 3 ch. Ecc. XVII Acts 22-34-. I went up to Methodist meeting at night. Better than usual. Thank the Lord. Very sunny & mild. Snowy at times.

9. Mon. 9. After doing chores I saw J. Johnston and Mr. Stokes about going to Dalston with me tonight to see Mr. Coulter. He is holding meetings with the Methodist minister, Mr. Toye. I cut wood, etc. and got ready to start about 5 P.M. but J. Johnston could not go as Herbert is very sick. So Mama rigged up and went with me. There was not many at the meeting & Mr. Toyd did most of the speaking but Mr. Coulter agreed to be with us about Tuesday week. When we got back to the corner we found that Francess, Harry Coles's wife was sick so I drove right down there with Mama and left her. So I did not get to bed till near 1 A.M. Lord bless Thine own Word & work. Colder, A.M., [but] much milder & thawing by noon. Very warm about dark but colder & freezing by 9 P.M.

10. Tue. 10. February 1891. I was not very early up this morning but after doing chores I had a talk with Jas. Johnston and T. Stokes about holding meeting. Harry Coles brought Mama home afternoon and I took her down and brought Maybeth and Agness back. Methodist meeting at night. Blustering N.W. wind with snow squalls.

11. Wed. 11. After doing chores I went down home to help John to clean up a load of wheat but did not get quite done. Ed Travers came & I agreed to take him a load of hay tomorow. I walked up at night to do chores. Annie Ferguson is sick. R.A. & T. Thomas stayed all night. Andrew & Eber Kaiser started for Woodbridge with Dan & cutter at noon. Very pleasant & mildish.

12. Thur. 12. After doing chores I went down home and helped John on with a load of hay. He went over with it after taking to the corner to weigh. I went accross the flats with him and just before we got to Travers' shanty we upset which hindered us a good bit. We got home as soon as we could and cleaned up 10 bags more of wheat, 24 in all, and then I walked up to the corner to do chores. John came up and got the girls at Hemans. Very fine & pleasant.

13. Fri. 13. John went to town with Mama, Jane, Maybeth, cousin, & Aggie. Mama & Jane staid in for the train in the morning . They are going to Woodbridge and will get back with Andrew and cutter. After doing chores up here I went down home and finished up there and then came back again to feed up the things at the corner. I went down at night and John staid up. Much colder. Hard frost at night.

14. Sat. 14. I went to Barrie with 24 bags of wheat, 52 bus., 12 lbs., $44.37 c. I saw Mr. Colter & he agreed to come on Tuesday but I saw Mr. Toye after & he said he could not do without him for another week so I went up to see him again but did not get a very satisfactory arrangement. I called to see Mrs. J. Cameron (Fanny [Frater]) on the way home. God bless the widow and fatherless. I left the team at E.H. & walked up to the corner. Very cold but clear & sunny. Milder at night.

15. Sun. 15. S.S. & meeting as usual. Mr. Crawford went with me to Grandma R's during S.S. I went to Josephine afternoon and walked up at night. Heman & Harry went to Phelpston and I went to Mr. Knox's meeting at night and he announced Evangelistic services for next Sunday. Fine & mild.

16. Mon. 16. After doing chores, I went down to E.H. and helped John to clean up some peas & wheat and then put on a load of hay for Mr. Budd and then went up to the corner to do chores. Wrote out some scriptures on the widow and fatherless. Very soft, rainy at noon. Soft snow after.

17. Tue. 17. Did up chores and took little white sow over to Peter Knapps - saw McKinley there. He offers $45.00 for Pruney. I rigged up the sleigh and took the black sow down to Dobbins and left her there. I went across the flats home and from there up the corner again. Went to prayer meeting in Methodist Church. Mr. Knox led. Heavy soft snow. Colder at night.

18. Wed. 18. I expected John to have gone to Stayner for McKinley but it was very stormy so he came up here and we cleaned up spring wheat. Andrew & Mama & Jane got home safe. Thank the Lord. Grandpa is very feeble. High N.W. gale. Calm & milder by noon.

19. Thur. 19. I went to town with 20 bags of wheat, 46.30. It was not wanted much but I got 88 c., $40.92. I came home by the 7[th] and called on Fanny Cameron. God bless the widow and fatherless. I called at E.H. and John drove Mama & I and Maybeth up to the corner and we took tea at Grandma R's with cousin. She starts tomorow for Toronto & from there to the old country. We presented her with a bible. Lord bless & keep her. We had a good meeting in Baptist Church. Mr. Knox - on the Love of God. Fine & pleasant.

20. Fri. 20. John came up and we cleaned up the rest of the spring wheat. Afterwards I did some tinkering jobs and went to Open Division at night. S.E. gale with snow, A.M. Rain at night.

21. Sat. 21. I went to Barrie with 20 bags of wheat, [46 bus. 20], sold at 88 c., $40.76. I saw Mr. Coulter. He is to be out tomorow morning. I called on F. Cameron. Coming home. Left team at E.H. and walked up to corner to do chores. Fine & very soft but freezing at night.

22. Sun. 22. A small S.S. and meeting on account of the weather. Mr. Coulter got here about 11.30 A.M. and spoke from 12 of 1st Cor., gifts of Healing -- He took dinner with Grandma R. and preached for McKenny at night. "Take now thine only son, Isaac." I went to Josephine afternoon, 1st Peter. 5 ch. Feirce N.W. gale with drifting snow, A.M. Fine, P.M.

23. Mon. 23. After doing chores, I drove down to Mr. Dogherty's and paid the note which I gave for Dan - $85.00, and gave Mrs. Alouza Knapp $9.00 on the threshing, $21.00 to pay yet. I had a long talk with Mr. Coulter. (O Lord give Thy light & truth.). A good meeting at night though not many there. John helped me to clean up the last of the wheat here. Much milder.

24. Tue. 24. After doing chores, I got Mr. Coulters horse for him to go to Barrie, & then I took the old team down home with the [fanning] mill to clean up & found J. Hindle was there waiting for help to clean up peas so John & Andrew went up and did them, and afternoon we cleaned up 13 bags of goose wheat. I came up to the corner with the team and brought up the peas from Hindles and some peas and oats to chopp. Mr. Coulter did not come tonight. I suppose the heavy rain stopped him. We had a small meeting amongst ourselves. The Lord is my Shepherd. Mild, A.M. Heavy rains, P.M.

25. Wed. 25. Johns birthday. God bless and give new birth. After doing chores, I wrote to cousin who is in Toronto on her way to the old country. Mr. Coulter came about 3 P.M. and we had a good meeting at night though not as many out as I would like to see. Mild but not raining. Freezing at night.

26. Thur. 26. John is up here threshing peas. I went down home last night and went to town today with 13 bags of goose wheat. Maybeth went along. I had a tough time getting across the flatts. The water on the ice was deep and I got my feet wet and staid at Mr. Budds and got dry socks. The goose wheat is very poor and I only got 70 c. for it, 28 bus., 40 lbs., $20.[ ]. Some heavy snows, A.M. Finer, P.M. Not very cold.

27. Fri. 27. R.A. Thomas staid with us last night. I did chores and some writing & went out with Mr. Coulter afternoon & called at Mrs. Lumleys. God bless them all. A very good meeting at night. Lord bless Thine own Word. I went down home at night. John is threshing peas up here. Some snow squalls. Cold at night.

28. Sat. 28 February 1891. I came up to the corner with team and got A. Ronald and Grace to sign a will I have hurriedly drawn up till I can get another made. I took 15 bags of wheat over to Tollendale Mills and got 10 bags of flour back, 9 bags of bran, 1 of shorts & left 1 bag to be sent to Vairs with rolled wheat, 66 lbs. I came home by Mr. Budds to see how the roads would be. Sunny & fine, A.M. Very cold, P.M.

1891: March

1. Sun. 1st March 1891. S.S. & meeting much as usual. Mr. Coulter preached on "Jesus wept." We went down to E.H. to dinner and then I drove him over to Josephine where we had a very nice meeting. Lord bless thine own Word. I drove up to Phelpston at night (more encouraging) and Mr. Coulter preached with Mr. Knox at night in the Presbyterian Church, Minesing. I called at Harry Coles's & brought Maybeth home. She staid with Frances. Bright & sunny, but freezing very hard.

2. Mon. 2. John came up to thresh peas. I did chores and did some writing. Andrew took Pruney down to McKinley, A.M. Afternoon I went down and we got the peas cleaned up at Hindles and took them down home. There is a small load left at Hindles yet which we will haul down home and thresh there. A good meeting at night. O Lord, bring the people to decide for Thee. Very cold, A.M. A little milder, P.M. S.E. wind.

3. Tue. 3. John finished threshing up here, A.M., and we cleaned them up. There is about 30 bushel of good peas which would do for seed if we cannot get better. We chored afternoon. A great political meeting at night which kept a number away from the gospel meeting. "Seek first the Kingdom of God." Cold S.E. wind. Some snow & milder.

4. Wed. 4. I did chores and posted a letter to Mr. Hall. Lord bless and guide. Afternoon we went to hear [D. Alon] McCarthy in the Hall. He spoke very well but of course did not clear up everything. The meeting at night was small for it was very stormy. Very high N.W. wind drifting up the roads. Cold.

5. Thur. 5. After doing chores I did a lot of reading but did not go to give my vote for I did not know which way to decide. We had a good meeting at night. Lord bless thy own Word. Finer but wintry.

6. Fri. 6. John brought up a load of hay for Mr. Young on the shingles that we got from Webb last year for the barn and shed. We had a good meeting at night. I think I wrote to T.B.S. & Grandpa. Fine but wintry.

7. Sat. 7. John brought up 7 bags of peas that we cleaned up at Hindles and we got 9 more bags that were up here of the same kind and I took them into Barrie and sold at 64 c., 37.15 lb. (I think), $23.68 c. I gave Mr. Stewart $50.00 that G'ma R. let me have for a while and went over to Tollendale and got 10 bags of flour for Andrew Ronald and so came home by the corner and John came up and took down the team. I went down to Ja[ ] Fletcher's and paid him $6.50 for carra[ ] peas, and settled up with Joseph Hindle for the threshing he did, $6.00, 75 bus. The boys got down a load of peas from their barn and threshed in our barn. Maybeth went to Barrie with me. Fine and pleasant.

8. Sun. 8. S.S. and meeting very good. "Abstain from every appearance of evil." Mr. Coulter went with me to Josephine, and preached for Mr. Kenny at night. "[How long] halt." Fine.

9. Mon.. 9 March 1891. After doing chores I went down home and helped the boys clean up 8 bags oats and bagged up 7 of oats and peas. I took the 8 of oats down to McKinleys, 19 bus., 18 lbs. He gave me $6.00 on them leaving $2.78 c. to come. He shipped Pruney to Toronto this morning & paid me $45.00 for her last Sat. night. After I got home I took Mama over to Aunt Bessies. Uncle Alf is sick. Lord bless. I was rather late home to do chores and light up the church. God bless Thy Word. Wet snow falling most of the day. Mild.

10. Tue. 10. After doing chores, Mama went down to Mrs. Fullers and Mr. Coles's and I went to E.H. Afternoon I took Maybeth down to Josephine to collect for Bible Society. I drove round by Fostors & S. Tracy's but they were not at home. I saw S. Tracy afterward at the Mill. We got home about 5 P.M. and I came up to the corner to do chores. A goodly number out at night. Lord do Thou put Thy hand to this work. Very fine & mild.

11. Wed. 11. After doing chores, I went down to E.H. and got a team to take the white sow down to Dobbins. She was all right and I brought her back again. A. Greenside paid $5.72 c. for oats. Very fine.

12. Thur. 12. Norman cut his leg last Sunday and I found it very sore this morning from being used yesterday so I took him down home and bathed & put a bran poultice on for awhile. T. Cronin came and I sold him the barrack of hay for $15.00 and he took 2 loads away with him. I brought Charlie up to the corner again. The boys cannot get into the swamp for water. Very warm & slushy. Soft snow, A.M.

13. Fri. 18. I did chores and some fixing up. Afternoon a feirce gale sprung up from N.W. A Mr. Mundell [an] Storey called for dinner. There were just 8 to the meeting at night. Two anxious ones. We staid with them till eleven P.M. God bless and lead to light. Heavy snow, A.M. Feirce N.W. blizzard.

14. Sat. 14. I just fed and tended the cattle and did some reading. The gale still continues with unabated fury and the roads are all blocked up. Feirce N.W. gale with snow.

15. Sun. 15. Alice Baller's birthday, 21. God bless her and all those she is with. We had S.S. and meeting much as usual. Afternoon I walked down home intending to go to Josephine but I felt rather too tired so I rested awhile and then walked up to the corner again to do chores. We had meeting in our church again as neither Mr. Kenny nor Mr. Knox could get here. 6 stayed to consecration meeting at night. Lord bless and keep. Calm till noon. Feirce S.W. gale, P.M. Roads impassable.

16. Mon. 16. Still stormy. I did chores, read a little, and wrote to F.A. Baller, Wm. Collins, Mr. Hall and A.V. Delaporte about hay. John and Andrew started up with team at night but could not get through. The A.O.N. Workmen had an Eloctutionist from Toronto. Too stormy for many to come. Still very stormy.Calm at sundown.

17. Tue. 17. After doing chores, I made a road out from the barn to the road by the church through the orchard and Mr. Coulter left about noon. Andrew came up with team afternoon and I drove over to see A. Morren. He is very sick. We have to travel through the feilds. Rather mild. S.E. wind & snow at 4 P.M.

18. Wed. 18 March 1891. I spent most of the day digging snow and choring. John walked up at night. He says Norm, Dan, and Dick are all lame so I shall have to go to town with the cutter tomorow. Calm but wintry.

19. Thur. 19. John brought up Jack and cutter and Maybeth and I went to town taking 12 doz. eggs. Jack shied by A. Johnstons & pitched us out smashing a lot of eggs. I sold what I had left to Hubbert at 18 c. I gave H.D. Stewart $50.00, the remainder of intrest on T.B.S. farm. I got barrel of salt, $1.55 c. and got [Wes] Orchard to take it out and got J. Downey to take out the Dr.'s things which I had promised to buy for him. Albert Preist got 1445 lbs hay. Chappel brought over 115 beef from A. Morrens. (Andrew took down Maybeth & cutter at night). Union prayer meeting at night. Fine & sunny, P.M. but cold S.E. wind.

20. Fri. 20. I walked down to E.H. and did some fixing there and afternoon I helped the boys on with a load of hay for E. Travers but going up to weigh they upset twice so we were all afternoon getting down as far as E.H. again, so left the load standing on the road to go tomorow. I took Mama over to see A. Morrens at night (he is very sick) & John took Mama down at night after Division. Mild with S.E. wind. Some rain.

21. Sat. 21. I rode down to E.H. with Netty after doing chores up here. The boys took the load of hay over to Travers and afternoon cut logs and drew out of the woods with Charlie. I took Netty & cutter with Annie & Ruth up to the corner at night. Mild. Some soft snow.

22. Sun. 22. S.S. and meeting as usual. [ ] & Heman Coles, Dr. B. and T. Stokes spoke a lively meeting. Lord teach us in Thy way. I went over to Josephine afternoon and came right up here to do chores & went over to Methodist meeting at night. Mr. Kenny on Prodigal Son. Very mild. Fine & sunny.

23. Mon. 23. After doing chores I went down to E.H. and piled wood in shed. Cleared away ice, packed away pork etc. Drove up at night with Jack. Norm is still lame. John & Andrew drawing wood. Soft and slushy. Some rains.

24. Tue. 24. I went over to Wm. Johnstons to see about opening the sideline as the feilds are getting bare & the traffic is spoiling the wheat & ploughing. I had to go over to Keasts and found him at Barrie but George Keast came & the road was opened out by three P.M. I dug out our lane up here & Andrew brought up a load of turnips. I wrote a letter to J.J. Brown & to Mr. Budd about hay & drove down to the station to mail them. The young folks have a party at E.H. at night. A light frost last night. Bright & sunny today.

25. Wed. 25. I went down to E.H. and found P. Dunn there to look at hay. We were all forenoon making a bargain for two bits, $14.00. He gave me $5.00 on it. John was at a wedding in the E.C. and the other young folks were there too. I came up bringing Mama afternoon. Another P.C. from J.J. Brown. Lord guide. Fine & sunny but cold N. wind.

26. Thur. 26. After doing chores, I got Uncle Andrews one horse sleigh and took 2 of last years ewe lambs down to E.H. and got a spring lamb there, and took to town. Hubbert gave me $8.00 for the 2 but the spring lamb was too small. The others were the smallest of the lot. I left word with J.J. Brown to send a car for hay. Andrew drew 2 loads of slabs for Grandma. [F.] Campbell led meeting at night. Fine & sunny. S.E. wind rather cold.

27. Fri. 27 March 1891. I got down home with Jack, and John put him and Charlie together to draw hay over to the station and Andrew took his team as well. We took over about 4 tons, A.M. Norm is still lame but getting better. I got up to corner by noon and put in the P.M. cleaning out stables, etc. P. Dunn sent me $9.00 for hay & wants more. Cold S.E. wind and rather cloudy. Not thawing much.

28. Sat. 28. Andrew went to the river to draw lumber for Rut. Thomas but only got one load, for the roads broke up. John took Francey to town with cutter to a spelling match. I got down to E.H. as soon as I could and put in the day fixing up doors, gates, etc. P. Dunn sent word that he would not take the hay at my price. Very warm & sunny. Freezing at night.

29. Sun. 29. S.S. & meeting as usual. (Daniel and the resurrection). I got word that Mr. Frost was at Josephine so did not go but Harry Coles went with me to Phelpston at night and we both spoke again on the resurrection. Fine & sunny. Some frost at night.

30. Mon. 30. I got down home as soon as I could and we took some more bales over to the station but the car is not come yet. We staid a while at Dawson Thomas's sale afternoon but did not buy anything. John & Andrew took some loose hay down to the barn from the old barn for the horses. I am thinking a good bit about Mrs. Wright & her trouble. Mild and springlike but chilly wind.

31. Tue. 31st.. I expect the boys will be painting the buggys. I put in the day fixing up things and reading and wrote to Lizzie, Mr. Fisher, and sent some scripture to to the widow and fatherless. Rainy.

1891: April

1. Wed. 1st April 1891. After doing chores I went down to E.H. and we got out a lot of turnips and brought 1 load up here. I brought up the two old horses and John took Blossom over to A. Morren's. Mild & Cloudy.

2. Thur. 2. I took Blanche over to P. Knapps. John came up and got some more paints for the buggies. Afternoon Mrs. Wm. McDonald came to get me to take her daughter, Mary, home. She has been staying at Mrs. Bremners and is sick so I took the old horses and sleigh. S. Jacobs gave me $6.30 for goose wheat. I brought a bag up with me. Union prayer meeting at night. Wm. Webber. 2 [ ] Kings, 2nd ch.-

3. Fri. 3. I let some water off the wheat, fixed up some gateways, etc. Afternoon I went down home and made some Whippletrees, and Mama and I went to Open Division at night. Mild, still and cloudy.

4. Sat. 4. After doing up chores I put in most of the day picking over goose wheat. There is a lot of barley, oats, and [vetches] which the mill will not take out. Mama went to stay all night with Mrs. Dr. Bremner. She is very ill. Cold high N.W. wind.

5. Sun. 5. S.S. and meeting as usual. I am teaching Hy. Coles class. I spoke in meeting from 1 ch. Gen. - I rode down to Dobbins and left Netty there and walked up the track to Josephine. Staid awhile at Dobbins on the way back and a little at A. Morrens which made me late home. Mrs. Dr. Bremner is still very ill so I staid in at night. Mama is with them again. Cousin Charlie slept here at night. Cold N.W. wind but sunny & calmer.

6. Mon. 6. I drew up the wood that we cut in the lane awhile ago and afternoon picked over some more goose wheat. (Church meeting at night. Nil). Took 339 lbs. small wheat to A. Armstrong and got rooster. Mama staid every night with Mrs. Dr. Bremner. The Dr. came home at night. She is very low. Fine but cold N. wind.

7. Tue. 7 April 1891. I did up chores as soon as I could and then walked down to the station. Andrew & John were there with another load and we filled the car with 221 bales. I sent J.J. Brown word and got home soon after noon. Mama has to sleep through the day and watch at Dr. Bremners at night. Lord bless. Sunny but cold W. wind & frosty nights.

8. Wed. 8. I put in the day choring and picking wheat. Dr. Bremner drove Mama down home and back again. Took white sow down to Dobbins. Sunny days, frosty nights.

9. Thur. 9. John brought up Maybeth with Norm and buggy & I went to town. I got the $5.00 which A. Russell owed me, from Mr. Ault, giving him 20 c. for collection. I agreed to let J.J. Brown have the rest of the hay, and wrote a reply to McIntosh & son, who had made an offer of $9.00. I saw Hubbert and agreed to take in the ram and 2 yearlings in 2 weeks. Spoke to Crosby about Dan - and helped S. Coles with some oil & salt for A. Ronald. I got home about 6 P.M. Saw Dobbins and agreed to take 2 young pigs, $4.00. Fine & much warmer.

10. Fri. 10. I wrote a letter to Delaporte & Co. and Andrew came up for the waggon to haul hay to station but as it rained we went down to James Dixons and got 11 1/2 bus. of Crown peas for seed and Andrew took them down home. I paid him 77 c. per bus. I saw Wm. Cain and ordered a plough, [and] 150 lbs Crown twine. Picked over a bit more wheat. Rainy, S.E. wind. Chilly.

11. Sat. 11. I got down home as soon as I could to help the boys off with the hay to station but a heavy rain came on so they run the goose wheat through again and I came back again to the corner and did some chores. Mrs. Dr. Bremner seems better. Praise the Lord. Ps. 68. 19 [ ] - 20. Rainy. Warmer. S.E. wind.

12. Sun. 12. S.S. & meeting as usual. After dinner I rode old Charly down as far as Mr. Dobbins and then walked up the track to Josephine. I spoke from Gen. 2nd Ch. and Ephes. V. "Members of his body." Harry Coles went up to Phelpston as I could not make the time. Mama sitting up with Mrs. Dr. Bremner, & I went to Presbyterian church. Clearer and colder.

13. Mon. 13. I got down home as soon as I could after doing chores and shutting up Bonny heifer that seemed to be ailing. I saw the boys over to the station with 2 lots of hay & started them with a third lot. I got 2 young pigs from Dobbins and made a pen for them and then hurried home to look after the heifer. I found that she would need to have her calf taken away so I got H. Fuller to help me and I was thankful though it was dead that the heifer seemed all right. She gave about 3 qts. Fine and rather cool N.W. wind.

14. Tue. 14. I went down to the station after noon expecting to meet the boys there with the last loads of hay but they did not get down till nearly 4 P.M. having broken a whippletree and got stuck on top of hill but we got the car loaded, 217 bales, and I sent work to J.J. Brown by the 4.16 P.M. train. There is about 20 bales of hay left yet in the barn. The price is rising. Warmer with a light shower, P.M.

15. Wed. 15 April 1891. I am not very well so I put in most of the day resting and picking wheat for seed. Maybeth has been down helping cousin Francess Coles and Harry brought her home and brought Francey up to the corner as she was down at E.H. in Maybeths place. Andrew brought up some chopp and got some whippletrees and a neck yoke ironed. I did up chores early and rested. The heifer seems quiet. Cooler. Fine, I think.

16. Thur. 16. I am much better today (thank the Lord). So I went down home riding old Charley. I laid up a lot of fences and hung a lot of gates that had been thrown down through the winter. I was rather late up which made me late getting the chores done and getting to Union prayer meeting. (Good). Fine. Warm & sunny.

17. Fri. 17. I had a good bit of choring to do but got down home to dinner and after I went to stake and rider the fence running north from T.B.S. orchard but a heavy rain came on so I did not quite finish. I came up to do chores. Mama is not needed to go over to the Dr. tonight. Fine, A.M. Showery, P.M. Warm.

18. Sat. 18. John came up with team & waggon and we took a load of hay over to A. A. Armstrongs, 1570 lbs. & 1000 lbs. to W. Degeers and then he took a small load down home which is about all there is to spare from here. I laid up some fences and did other chores. Fine & very warm. Thunder shower at night.

19. Sun. 19. S.S. & meeting as usual. I took Mamas class while she got a sleep. I went down to Josephine afternoon, Gen. 3 ch. & 21 Rev. - After getting home I took Mama up to the Dr. to stay all night and brought Mrs. Kenny home. We are very anxious about the Dr.'s wife. Lord help & heal. Very fine & pleasant.

20. Mon. 20. I spent the forenoon letting off water, laying up fence, etc., and went down to E.H. for dinner and afterward John helped me to fix up some fences, and then I did some other chores. The boys began ploughing in No.1 S. It is rather wet but I do not think it will hurt. A letter from J.J. Brown with return for first car lot of hay. Sold at $9.00, leaving me clear for 10 ton, 580 lbs., $72.61 c. Very fine & pleasant.

21. Tue. 21. After doing chores, I hurried down to S. Jacobs's to help him in the moving of his house. We got it near the place on rollers by sundown but it will take quite a while to place it. I got back as soon as I could at night but had to do the feeding and chores after dark. Fine & rather warm. S. wind.

22. Wed. 22. I sowed grasseed & clover on the fall wheat at the corner but there is some to do yet. I rode down with McKinley after 6 P.M. and agreed to let him have old Cherry at $41.00, so I settled up the pressing leaving me a ballance of $27.00, which, with what I have, helped me to give A. Ronald on store bill, $20.00, & G'ma R., $15.00 on the $50.00 lent me. Fine & rather warm. Cool wind at night.

23. Thur. 23. John brought up the Democrat and the old ram and helped me to load 2 yearlings and I took them to town. Maybeth went along. John and Andrew took the cow and calf down to McKinleys. I sold the sheep at 8 c. per lbs. and they came to $19.35 c. Andrew cultivated a little in No.3 E. Cold & blustering.

24. Fri. 24 April 1891. John came up to corner to cultivate and Andrew began broadcasting goose wheat in No.3 E. I came up with Charlie and I picked over some more goose wheat which was needed for seed and we got done sowing by night. Fine & sunny.

25. Sat. 25. I loaded John up with 20 bales of hay to take to J.J. Brown, 1851 lbs. at $8.50 per ton. He had a lot of chores to do for neighbours which made him rather late home. I went up to corner and helped Andrew a little and then went home to do chores and then walked up to Isaac Downey's raisings of Implement Shed. Andrew staid up at corner and did the chores. He finished harrowing spring wheat and began ganging No.1 E. for peas. Fine & sunny but very cold N. wind.

26. Sun. 26. S.S. and meeting as usual. I drove down to Dobbins with old Charlie & then walked up track to Josephine, and then hurried back and took Dick to Phelpston. Heman Coles went with me. We staid after meeting at a Mr. [Hannay's] to supper which made us rather late home. I went right down to E.H. Fine & pleasant.

27. Mon. 27. John started up to the corner as soon as he could to help Andrew and I got up soon after him, and helped clean up seed peas and they bagan sowing afternoon. I took down the old team at night to do a little ploughing. Charlie is bad with the heaves. Fine & plesant. Windy, P.M.

28. Tue. 28. I had just got the chores done and started out to plough when Mr. Kenny came down for me to go at once to Dr. Bremners. I hurried up and got there a few minutes before his wife died. He is fearfully exercised. May the good Lord help him. Afternoon John went down home to plough with old team and I took his team to Barrie and got a coffin which made me late home. A letter from J.J. Brown enclosing $75.52 for the last lot of hay. It sold at $9.50. Cold. High N.W. wind.

29. Wed. 29. I spent most of the forenoon choring and then got the roller from P. Knapps and began rolling No.3. E. I went over to Dr. Bremners at night and sat up with G. Campbell. Fine & not so windy.

30. Thur. 30. I got to work rolling as soon as I could and worked till [11] A.M. and then went down to T. Stokes and W. Orchards to see about bearers and we gathered about 2 P.M. at the house and after a short service went to the Cemetry and from there to the Chruch where Mr. Knox preached and the Dr. spoke a while and then we dispersed. "It is better to go to the house of morning [sic]." Fine & rather warm.

1891: May

1. Fri. 1st May. I finished up the rolling and took roller home and then took down chopp and oats for seed and John harrowed afterward with his team. The old ones are very slow. I went back again at night with old Charlie and buggy to do chores and went down to A. Morrens and squared up which made me late home again. Fine but windy.

2 Sat. 2nd May 1891. I got down home as soon as I could after doing chores and began harrowing No.1 S. but Charlie was very bad with heaves so I put him out to grass and went back to the feild against bush where the boys were putting in oats. We put the oats to 1 1/2 bus. to the acre and I sowed about 50 lbs of flaxseed on the ground, getting done by noon and then I fixed fences, doors, etc. The boys finished the feild against the bush by night and I helped Andrew to get down a load of hay from the old barn and had just started for the corner when S. Cunningham and Mr. Andrews came to see about cows which made me late getting up to the chores. Letter from Mr. Budd. Fine, A.M. A light rain, P.M.

3. Sun. 3. S.S. and meeting as usual. Afternoon I did not need to go to Josephine so Mama and I went over to Mr. Bremners to tea and then I came back and did up the chores. "Teach me thy way O Lord," and make me willing to be taught. Fine & pleasant. Coolish.

4. Mon. 4. After doing chores, I wrote to G'pa enclosing $40.00, the last of his rent. Sent a P.C. to Mr. Andrews, Phelpston, and one to Mr. Budd saying that I might not be able to get over to their tea meeting at night which I had been invited to. I fixed and moved some fence for the lane, bagged up 12 bags of oats, and called at Mr. Orchards and got 5 bags of barley which I take for oats he borrowed last fall. I got down home about 6.30 P.M., too late to go to Josephine. Staid down at E.H. at night. Very cold. High N.W. gale. Some snow.

5. Tue. 5. I did a lot of chores at the corner after walking up, and then drove down the 11 yearlings (sheep) and fixed some fences before noon. Afterward I harrowed with old team till 5 P.M. Very cold N.W. gale with snow.

6. Wed. 6. I got down to E.H. as soon as I could after doing a lot of mending fences and choring. Went up to do chores at night. I harrowed till 6 P.M. with old team putting in peas & barley in the feild against Grandpa's Orchard No.3 & 4 N. I went up again at night to the corner to do chores. Andrew is drilling and John cultivating. The land is in good order. Very cold N.W. wind. A little calmer.

7. Thur. 7. After doing chores I got down to E.H. about 10 A.M. and finished the feild & then John & Andrew ploughed in No. 4 S. (sod) and I wheeled the manure that was on the pits and put around apple trees. There is a lot of it. Mr. Andrews from Phelpston came down and took Flora away giving me $38.00 for her. I was late to Union prayer meeting. Young Mr. Stilwell led it & Dr. B. spoke very well. Lord bless Thine own Word & Work. Cold N.W. wind but calmer than yesterday. Much warmer at night.

8. Fri. 8. I got down to E.H. as soon as I could and found Netty had foaled so I had no work for Charlie and put in the day clearing away manure from pits and got a little digging done for strawberry bed. The boys are putting in oats in No. 4 S. sod. I wrote to T.B.S. Quite summery with west winds.

9. Sat. 9 May 1891. I helped the girls to move the stoves and then got the young cattle, 5 heifers & a steer and took down to E.H. Ruth drove old Charlie. I put in the forenoon fixing fences. John & Andrew harrowing No.4 S. and got it finished by night. I finished digging strawbery [sic] bed and got a few planted. Fine & summery. West wind.

10. Sun. 10. S.S. & meeting as usual. I do not expect to go to Josephine again for a while so I rested afternoon and drove up to Phelpston at night. (Lord bless.) Very warm, A.M. Rainy, P.M. & colder.

11. Mon. 11. John and I fixed some fence south of No.3 S. Planted 6 soft maples & 2 evergreens and cleaned up 3 bags of seed peas and 7 of mixed stuff to chopp and took it up to corner afternoon and got 40 bus. of potatoes from Mr. Bremner, and brought down to E.H. Andrew cultivated the orchard and three acres at north end of No.2 N. and then put it in with peas finishing by night, which is the last of our spring grain. I squared up with J. Downey. Fine & pleasant. Rather cool.

12. Tue. 12. John cultivated and harrowed the lower end of No.2 N. (5 acres) for potatoes & roots and Andrew & I fixed up a lot of fence and put cattle up against the bush and sheep off the meadow & then took up harrows & 2 bags of small wheat, 225 lbs., for A.A. Armstrong. We ganged the garden that I ploughed last fall & ploughed G'ma R's garden and put in 6 rowed barley and about 2 3rd of the peice by the church with the same. Saw old Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm at night and John came up bringing Maybeth & took Mama & I home. Fine & pleasant. Westerly winds. Frosts at night.

13. Wed. 13. Vic Tracy came and after getting down a jag of hay from old barn, John & Andrew began hauling out manure to the top of the root peice, & I worked at putting in the orchard with parsnips, carrots, & beets, and planted some strawbery plants. The boys did not get quite all the manure out that is wanted. Fine & some warmer. Looks like dry weather.

14. Thur. 14. James Tracey came instead of Vic. They got enough hauled out by about 10.30 A.M. so J's Tracy spread manure and the boys helped till noon & then ploughed. I finished the planting in the orchard & put in a few potatoes in odd spots & got away to the corner in good time so as to cut some wood and lay up some fence, etc. A good meeting tonight in Methodist Church. Lord guide. Very fine & warm, but chilly night.

15. Fri. 15. Ja's Tracy came and finished spreading manure and then he and I cut potatoes for seed, excepting a little while fixing a fence. John & Andrew ploughing. Fine & warm, A.M. with S. wind. Sudden turn to N., P.M. Colder with rain.

16. Sat. 16. I got away to Barrie with Democrat taking Jeany Pitt's boxes, etc. and C. Bremner, Mellisa Orchard, Maybeth & Francey. I got fence wire, $2.90 c., rope for swing, $1.17/00, staples, 12 c., auger, $1.50, shoes, $1.90, strawberrie plants, 50 c., kettle, 1.20, fees, 40 c. I brought out a lot of truck for A.R. and got home in time to plant the strawberries. John took Netty over to A. Morrens. I had a long talk with Mr. Coulter. Lord bless. Very cold northerly wind. Some rain last night.

17. Sun. 17 1891. S.S. & meeting as usual. Dr. Bremner spoke awhile and then I said a few words on 5 ch. Genesis, Enock. A. Morren & Aunt Bessie came over afternoon but did not stay to tea. After milking we drove up and I went over to see Dr. Bremner but found he was leading the Methodist meeting so I went there. The Picnic Question came up again. Lord guide. Fine but cold N. wind. Hard frost last night.

18. Mon. 18. James & G. Tracy came over and after cutting some potatoes we began planting about 9 A.M. Andrew harrowed the peice & John opened and covered with Norman. We are nearly done by night & I drove up to corner & cut some wood & had a talk with Dr. Bremner. May the Good Lord guide us all aright. Fine but cold N. wind. Much warmer at night.

19. Tue. 19. John went up to Peter Knapps with Strawbery and I finished cutting potatoes and we got planting about 9.30 A.M. and got done about 3 P.M. and then began putting in carrots and Mangolds. Cool S.E. wind. Strawbery.

20. Wed. 20. We finished putting in the roots, A.M., and afternoon began clearing up the debris of Uncle T.B.S.'s old barns. At night I went up to the corner and planted a few strawberies. S.E. wind. Warmer & rather thundery.

21. Thur. 21. Andrew began ploughing fallow, No.5 N. (6 acres), and John & I worked at the clearing up drawing manure from the bottom of the old barn floors into the orchard. I went up to Union prayer meeting and attended meeting to arrange for Picnic. I read Romans XIV, Corinthians, etc. Is it right to engage in Public entertainments? and closed with Ecclesiastes. "Rejoice O young man." - "but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement." Fine but warm & a little sprinkle of rain at noon. Cooler at night. Rain seems gone.

22. Fri. 22. John & I finished clearing away the dung from T.B.S. old barn and then John helped Andrew ploughing No.5 N. I pruned some Apple trees in T.B.S.'s old orchard - & did some other chores. Cool N.W. wind. Clear.

23. Sat. 23. Andrew & Maybeth away to Barrie. John ploughing. I leveled manure under the trees in T.B.S.'s orchard & taglocked sheep. John was getting in Netty & colt at night & she kicked Ruth. We thought she was dying but the Good Lord mercifully restored her. Andrew went down to meet George Wadds at station & after that I took the Dr. home which made me very late. Oh Lord seal home Thy lessons to each one. S.E. wind. Rather warmer.

24. Sun. 24. S.S. & meeting as usual. We rested afternoon. Dr. Bremner came down to see Ruth bringing his little Ruth & Mary. God bless them. I went up to Phelpston alone at night - not very encouraging. A good many bush fires. Dry cool N.W. wind. Sunny.

25. Mon. 25. To be kept as Queen's birthday. John & I got down barrells and took water to the Picnic ground and Andrew went out with George Wadds forenoon. Afternoon I took Mama up to say goodby to Mrs. A. Gilmour & then Andrew took her down home again to stay with Ruth, & Maybeth came up to the Picnic. Andrew took George Wadds down to station at 4 P.M. and at 5 the tables were set. Dr. Bremner came on to the ground and spoke awhile. I left about 6.30 and came down to do the chores. Young folk to Workmans entertainment. Cool & dry. N.W. wind. Very cold about sundown. Warmer after and light shower about 10 P.M.

26. Tue. 26 May 1871. I drove up early to take Mrs. Gilmour & family, Dr. & Walter Bremner down to station to go to old country but one of the little ones is very ill so they did not go. I took the dishes home from Picnic ground and John & Andrew got down the waggon & water barrells & swing & then John ploughed fallow & Andrew & I digged in the garden. I took buggy front wheels up to Mr. Youngs to be sett. Cold north wind. Clear.

27. Wed. 27. Maybeth & I got away about 8 A.M. with Dick & buggy and went to Barrie by the 6th Con. After doing some business there & seeing Jeany P. & Mrs. B.B., we got away a little before 12 & got to Cookstown about 2 P.M. where we fed the horse & then went on to Willie Jeffery's where we arrived about 4.30 P.M. He is busey [sic] planting potatoes. They are all well. Fine & pleasant.

28. Thur. 28. We started from Willie Jefferys in good time intending to go to Woodbridge by the 12 Con. King, but heard the bridge was down so we jogged over to the 9th, the way we used to go and got to Wm. Jefferys, Woodbridge, about noon finding all well and much surprised to see us. Maybeth had a billious attack and had to go right to bed. Fine & pleasant but very dry.

29. Fri. 29. Uncle Wm. Jeffery is busey planting potatoes so I did a little hoeing & rubbed sprouts off potatoes for him. Grandpa & Grandma are feeble but as well as I expected to find them. Maybeth is still in bed. Lord heal. Fine but rather hot & dry.

30. Sat. 30. I helped Wm. Jeffery to wash his sheep forenoon and after tea we drove over to see his cattle in the pinery, and then I went down to Woodbridge to bring the girls home. Maybeth is better & able to move about again. Thank the Lord. Fine but hot & dry.

31. Sun. 31. I drove down to Pine Grove. [Con-] - Church, & Mr. Wilmot asked me to speak as he is very unwell. "Redemption." Afternoon I took Grandpa down to Humber Summit Church expecting to meet two Evangelists who have been holding services but they were not there so I was asked to preach again, "Lord bless Thine own word." I staid in at night and had a talk with Wm. Lord bless. Fine but hot & dry.

1891: June

1. Mon. 1st June 1891. Maybeth & I got away from Wm. Jefferys about 7 A.M. and got safely to Evergreen Home about 7 P.M. Thank the Lord. I sent a P.C. from Allandale to Woodbridge telling them we were all riht. They did not expect us home till tomorow. Rather hot & close, A.M. Fine & breazy, P.M.

2. Tue. 2. I helped John to finish digging the garden, A.M. and Andrew went up to the corner and put in a few potatoes in the garden. Afternoon we began shearing the sheep. I drove up to the corner at night and sent a P.C. down to Woodbridge. Harry Coles expects to start tomorow but the rain might hinder. Close & cloudy. Light rain, P.M., heavier at night and colder.

3. Wed. 3. We got all the sheep done but 3 which got out into the rain, and spent the day fixing up in workshop and doing other chores. Steady rain most of the day.

4. Thur. 4. We put 2 strands of barbed wire on the fence against the concession to keep cattle from getting their heads through and then hung the gate against the road and fixed the bridge and hung a gate into the yard. Andrew went up with the team taking spades, chains, etc. to get out snags & stumps in fallow at south sideline feild. I went up to Union prayer meeting at night. Cleared off but rather like rain, A.M. Finer looking, P.M. Frost at night.

5. Fri. 5 June 1891. John & Andrew are at the corner getting some snags out of the fallow. I did chores here and then fixed up the fence north of barns against the lane, and sheared the three sheep that were left. Fine, with S.E. wind. Ring round sun.

6. Sat. 6. I did some more choring and clearing up round the barn, and then took a look at the fence against J. Fraleck's. It is not very good but might keep cattle out for awhile. I went over to Mr. Budd's to see about the money for hay he got off me last winter. He is sick in bed. Had a talk with S[ ]. C. Lord bless them both. I drove up to corner with buggy afternoon. The boys are about done snagging. It will need a machine to get out the rest. I took Netty over to A. Morrens after tea (Nil) and saw B. Tracy about help for Mon. Fine and pleasant.

7. Sun. 7. S.S. & meeting as usual. ("Haggai"). (Mr. Stokes XII Heb.). I rested afternoon then drove to Phelpston at night. (Haggai) - called at S. Jacobs's and got Mama. Left her at corner and brought down Maybeth & Annie. Fine & pleasant.

8. Mon. 8. Vic Tracy came over and I started John off with him to corner to haul manure on to fallow. Andrew hauled the snaggs together and then got plough & began ploughing. I did a little fixing up and then hoed the strawberries and fired rubbish of T.B.S.'s old barn. Scraped off Apple tree. Fine with S.E. wind.

9. Tue. 9. I washed down the Apple tree with lye & lime, A.M., and afternoon drove up to corner to see how they were getting on and pruned some trees in front of the house up there. It will take another day to finish the manure. A letter from Mr. Knox asking me to go the round with S. Jacobs for him next Sun. Lord help. Fine but rather hot. S.W. wind.

10. Wed. 10. I ground up a scythe and mowed some grass round the house and then hoed some carrots & helped S. Croley with a pig. A thunder shower afternoon so I read. "Anglo Isreal." Janey came down - the boys at manure at corner. Andrew ploughing. Thundery & very hot. Some rain.

11. Thur. 11. I took Janey up this morning with buggy. James Tracy is helping John with manure and Andrew ploughing fallow. They got done hauling by noon and spread, P.M. Wrote to T.B.S. & Fred. I saw old Mr. Coles. He was looking for a place for two Brethern to pitch a gospel tent and I agreed with Grandma R. to let them pitch in the orchard. Lord bless. I got down home about 2 P.M. when a heavy thunder shower came on so I spent the afternoon reading & drove up again with Charly & buggy taking Maybeth & Annie to Union prayer meeting. Leader not there. Lord do Thou lead. Close & thundery. Light showers, A.M. Heavy showers, P.M. Clear & cool at night.

12. Frii. 12. John & Andrew at corner fallow. I did some hoeing, A.M., and harrowed potatoes, afternoon, with old horses. Clear cold N.W. wind.

13. Sat. 13. John came down with Democrat and we loaded the wool all into it and Mama, Maybeth, Ruth & I went to town. I sold wool at 18 1/2 cts. per lb. except $5.00 which we took trade for which was allowed 20 c. making in all about $20.00 but some has to go to Grandpa. I promised to take in 4 lambs next week to Hubbert. We got home by the corner taking down 3 bags oats. Andrew is not quite done ploughing at corner. John has been hoeing in orchard. Black sow has 9 pigs, 1 dead. Fine & summery. Rather hot. A S.E. wind.

14. Sun. 14 June 1891. S.S. & meeting as usual. Zech 1-2 chs. Mr. Stokes spoke on the Peace of God & Peace with God. We closed about 12 P.M. & I went down with S. Jacobs and after dinner went to Craighurst & spoke from Rom. 5 c. 10 v. After meeting we took tea at Mr. Fords - & then drove on to Midhurst and spoke on the same subject. Lord do thou bless. I walked down home from the corner. Home about 10.30 P.M. Tired. Fine but very hot. Not much wind.

15. Mon. 15. John drawing stone for road work. Andrew finished ploughing at corner and then came down and we hoed a little in the orchard. The roots are not quite plain enough to see yet. Very hot, A.M. More wind from W., P.M.

16. Tue. 16. John went on to finish road work putting in a day for himself as he is of age & Andrew & I went up to put in the road work at the corner but we had to go and fetch a scraper from W. Webbers before we could do anything, but we got the three days in by 4 P.M. and then came down home bringing the gangplough. Grandma R. heard that a Mr. Robertson, a brother of Mrs. John Ferguson of Leeds, was coming to Minesing tonight so I promised to go and meet him at station. Very hot, A.M. More wind from N.W., P.M. Bright & clear.

17. Wed. 17. I staid at the corner last night after bringing Mr. Robertson up and after doing some chores I took him over to A. Morrens to dinner. A heavy rain came on afternoon but faired up a little after 4 so I drove him over to E.H. & from there to W. Orchards and then went up for Grandma R. but it was too wet for her so I came back to W.O. and took tea & then took Mr. Robertson to Grandma R's and then came home. Fine but cloudy, A.M. Heavy rains, P.M.

18. Thur. 18. John off to Picnic at Beach. I wrote to Grandma & Grandpa and then got W. Orchards buggy to take Mr. Robertson down to see A. Primrose but found when I got to the corner that A. Primrose had been up so I spent the rest of the day entertaining him and then saw him off on the 4 P.M. train & came home by the corner. Andrew took Maybeth up to Union prayer meeting and I staid home with Annie & Jane. I am very tired. Cold & cloudy, A.M. Fine, P.M. but S.E. wind.

19. Fri. 19. Andrew & Maybeth & Jane off to Barrie. Took 4 lambs to Hubbert. John & I attended to Netty colt (she is lame, and has to be bathed often) and then put in turnips. I got word that I was wanted to officiate at the funeral of Geo. Graham as Mr. Knox is away & Mr. Kenny. So I met S. Jacobs at the corner at 12.30 P.M. and he drove down. I spoke from 90 Ps. last 2 ver. - 2 Sam. XIV. 14 - and Heb. IX.27.28 and then we went to the burying ground where I read the Methodist Ritual. John cultivated potatoes. Andrew got home about 6 P.M. Hubbert gave $10.00 on lambs. Cloudy & rather cool S.E. wind, A.M. Finer & warmer, P.M.

20. Sat. 20. John finished cultivating potatoes and then hoed. Andrew ganging fallow, No.5 N. I put in a lot of celery getting manure from G'pas barnyard. Cloudy, a light rain, 6 A.M.

21. Sunday 21st June 1891. S.S. & meeting as usual (Zec. 3 ch "change of [ ]"). I rested P.M. and then drove to Phelpston getting Heman on the road. The meetings are not encouraging. Lord do Thou guide. Cloudy with S.E. wind. Rather close, P.M.

22. Mon. 22. Andrew working summer fallow down here. I started John off with a jag of hay for Alf Keely and then to harrow fallow at corner. I hoed in garden awhile and then got Charlie & buggy & took Mama up & did some heap burning & other choring. Went to G. Tent meeting at night ("Zacceus"-) (very good) (Lord bless thine own Word & Work). I staid up. Very warm & close but some breeze at times. Thunder showers, P.M. Clear at night.

23. Tue. 23. John went home when the rain cleared off yesterday and he & Andrew are hoeing roots. I put in the day up here hoeing & choring - and went to G. Tent meeting at night and drove down home after. (3 Rom. no diff). Cool & windy, N.W.

24. Wed. 24. We are all at the roots. S. Croley got Norm, forenoon. Afternoon, John cultivated potatoes & I drove up with team to tent meeting. Lord help. The boys did not go. Fine & pleasant.

25. Thur. 25. We worked at the roots all day. John gangploughed a peice at the top which did not come up with Mangels & carrots. We drove up with team again tonight. The young folks went to the tent and a few of us went to Union prayer meeting in Methodist Church. Hema Coles read 1st Acts. ("Power"). Fine & pleasant. Rather hot.

26. Fri. 26. We all worked away at the roots, and began the potatoes about 4 P.M. I sowed a few more turnips where carrots and mangles did not come up. I was very tired at night so stayed at home. (Lord help & guide). Fine & pleasant. Cooler.

27. Sat. 27. We finished hand hoeing the potatoes and did some choring in the orchard and garden. Fine. Warmer.

28. Sun. 28. S.S. & meeting as usual. Zec. IV. - Ezra III-IV-V-VI-. (Recorded that Jerusalem had sinned, & recorded also Cyrins favour. So the building went on. Oil olive & golden pipes. Widows oil emptying of vessels, etc.). I rested awhile P.M. and drove up to Methodist meeting at night. Took W. Orchards family home. (Joseph sick). I went back and waited till the tent service came out and then brought the young folks home. Fine & pleasant.

29. Mon. 29. John rowing up potatoes. Andrew & I hoeing in the orchard & pulling mustard [ ] of oats. I staid in at night for I am not feeling vigorous. Went down to look at 10 Con. It is very rough. Fine, A.M.

30. Tue. 30. John went up to corner with Democrat taking 7 bags of small wheat & barley to chopp, and got Norm shod and Democrat fixed and then harrowed fallow. I took old Charly & buggy up to meeting at night. Andrew ploughing fallow down here. Lord bless Thine own Word & Work. Fine but threatens rain. 1891: July

1. Wed. 1st July 1891. Too wet to work outside A.M. so wrote to Wm. Collins and Grandpa. John came down about noon and then we chored awhile and Andrew ploughed fallow No.5 N. I took Mama up to Aunt Annies to see Joseph who is not well yet. I went on to the corner and did some little business & then home. Gentle rain, 6 A.M. Fine till 3 P.M. then showers till sundown.

2. Thur. 2. John is away with team to take Mr. Kennys folk down to Alliston. Andrew took Francey in to Barrie for the Exam. I fixed up a gate behind T.B.S.'s & then hoed in orchard. I drove up to Union prayer meeting at night. (S. Jacobs VI. Gal-). John will not be home tonight. He is staying with old Mr. Downey I expect. Damp & foggy till 8 A.M. Fine but hot after. Thunder shower. Southward & northwards.

3. Fri. 3rd July 1891. We put in the forenoon choring afternoon. Andrew ploughed awhile & I went over to get A. Morren to look at Johns colt. She is lame on hind leg. He thinks it is the foot. John got home from Alliston about 6 P.M. He stayed last night at Mr. Downeys.

4. Sat. 4. I went by the corner and took Maybeth to Barrie for her music lesson. I got my watch & the impression taken for my teeth. Got scythe at Hendersons, $1.65. Settled with Hubbert for lambs Andrew took in. He allowed $3.50 each and gave me $1.00 on the rest I have to spare. I got $1.00 beef. Frances was through with her Exam by 3 P.M. so we got home in good time. Cold drizzling rains. High N.W. winds.

5. Sun. 5. S.S. & meeting as usual. V & VI [ ]. I rested awhile P.M. & drove up to Phelpston at night. Gen 1 ch. Coll - 1 ch, John 1 ch. I got home in good time (10 P.M.). Cold N.W. wind. Rain at night.

6. Mon. 6. John ploughing fallow. Andrew and I put in the forenoon grinding mower sickles and fixing it up generally and afternoon we went up to the corner and he cut about 2 acres of the oldest meadow while I did some mowing in fence corners & other chores. I staid to meeting at night in tent. Lord bless Thine own Word & Work. Fine but damp & chilly & like rain.

7. Tue. 7. I expect Andrew is mowing weeds at the corner farm. John went out to plough fallow & I gathered up truck in the feild by the barn. There has been a lot of boards lying around with odd nails sticking in them & I am afraid the colts have got lamed that way. I drove up at night to the tent meeting with old Charlie. James Wadds came at noon. A few light rains. Cold & chilly at night.

8. Wed. 8. John ploughing fallow. I went back to the pasture on T.B.S.'s place & mowed thistles, [ ], etc. Afternoon I drove up to corner & helped Andrew to clear a track in the lane (which was stopped with some old logs) and then he came down with the machine and I came down with buggy bringing some chopp. Mr. Bremner & Mr. Phillips were here to tea. The Lord bless them. I drove up again at night taking Maybeth with me. Fine & breezy. Rather cold. N.W. wind.

9. Thur. 9. John ploughing fallow. Andrew cutting by T.B.S.'s house. The hay is riper there than at the corner. I hoed parsnips & carrots & John took James Wadds & Maybeth over to a barn raising at D. Littlejohns. We drove up with Democrat to meeting at night. (Hy. Coles. V. Rom.) Fine & breezy, N.W.

10. Fri. 10. John finished ploughing fallow & Andrew & I cut the fence corners & orchard at T.B.S.'s, A.M. Afternoon we went up with team & waggon & got in the hay which Andrew cut on Monday & Andrew came down home with rake & did up some at T.B.S.'s. I staid up to meeting. (Lord send Thine own Light & Life. Fine & pleasant.

11. Sat. 11. John & Andrew did some choring & then went for a load from T.B.S. I went over to Josephine to see A. Tracy about help next week but he is in Barrie so I came back & rigged up the barn for the hay & then after unloading the one load Andrew went to the corner to cut and John & I worked at this down here. Mr. English called - he has been sick. John & I finished getting all down here but rakings but we worked till 9.30 P.M. Fine & pleasant but threatens rain.

12. Sun. 12 July 1891. S.S. & meeting as usual. Zec. VI-VII-. I rested awhile, P.M. and then drove up to the tent meeting at night. G'ma & Mrs. Hindle came down with us at noon and went up again at night (Cecilia & Cherry B.). Fine but hot & threatens rain.

13. Mon. 13. Andrew is cutting at corner & John and I got the rakings in down here and then went up to the corner about 11 A.M. Alf Keely came & we got in 4 loads & the other 3 loads in cock but we may have had it all in - it was a mistake of me not to have done so. Fine but hot & a heavy thunder shower at night.

14. Tue. 14. Very heavy thunder showers. I got the chores done & then rested till noon. It faired off a little & John came down from corner & we hoed awhile, P.M. I fixed pig troughs, etc. A. Tracy came over and agreed to come tomorrow. Heavy thunder showers, A.M. Fine but close, P.M.

15. Wed. 15. A. Tracy came over and we put in the day hoeing and putting Paris Green on the potatoes. Not quite enough Green so I got some more at night. I have been at Gospel Tent every night this week. Not very encouraging. Lord hlep. Cool & cloudy. Some light rains at night.

16. Thur. 16. I went to town taking 4 lambs & called for Maybeth at corner. Hubbert took the lambs at $3.50. I got some sections for mower & we came home by Fostors & up the 10th Con. It is rough but nearer & we got home 2 P.M. and after dinner we all went up to the corner but A. Tracy who is putting Green on potatoes. We found the hay rather damp but unloaded the two loads and got 2 more on. Old Mr. Moore, the blind preacher, came and went to Union prayer meeting at night. Fine but not very settled.

17. Fri. 17. I got up to the corner and we began working at the hay. Alf Keely came. A light shower came on at 5 P.M. which made the hay damp & hindered us so we have some left out yet. G. Hindle run the rake afternoon. Fine till 5 P.M. Light shower then & [after] night.

18. Sat. 18. I got up to the corner as soon as I could and we finished up the hay about 2 P.M. and got down home as a heavy thunder shower came on so we did not get much more done but choring. Fine, A.M. but heavy dew. Steady rain, P.M.

19. Sun. 19. S.S. & meeting as usual. Mr. Moore the blind preacher spoke from X Luke, Martha & Mary. Afternoon he went with Mr. Baker (Meth. Minister) and I rested awhile and then went to Phelpston - not at all encouraging. Lord guide and bless. Fine. Cool & pleasant.

20. Mon. 20. Albert Orchard came. He is to stay for 2 months for $51.00. A. Tracy came too & they moved fence corners & Andrew cut G'pa's orchard & John & I hoed Mangolds, A.M. Afternoon we got in all the hay - 6 loads - that was ready (not very badly spoiled). Fine but cold & cloudy.

21. Mon. 21. A. Keely & A. Tracy mowing fence corners. A. Orchard, John & I hoeing Mangolds, A.M. Andrew cut a strip off No.6 N. & a peice at top of fallow, No.5 N. Afternoon we got in 2 loads which were cut yesterday and put 5 loads in cock and cut some fence corners. We drove up to tent meeting at night. (Tabernacle). Fine but S.E. wind.

22. Tue. 22. Andrew cut some more No.6 N. and we all hoed turnips till 10 A.M. and then we got in 2 loads that was cocked last night and afternoon all the rest that was cut yesterday. Fine but fresh S.E. wind. Thundery at night.

23. Wed. 23. Andrew finished cutting No.6 N. and we got in all that was ready by night except a few rakings. Drove up to Union prayer meeting at night. (Prejudice). Can any good thing come out of Nazareth. Hot & thundery. Light shower last night.

24. Fri. 24 July 1891. Another light shower last night. We hoed turnips awhile and then got in all but No.3 S. & Andrew finished cutting it by about 5 P.M. A good crop. Settled with A. Tracy. Got 2 bags flour from J.W. Orchard. Fine but cool.

25. Sat. 25. Too cold & cloudy to make hay so we did a lot of hoeing & I drove up to corner to look at things there and then came down and fixed up some fence and made a gate & put in posts and hung it. We got about 4 loads cocked of No.3 S. and all the rest raked up. Cold & cloudy, A.M. Finer, P.M.

26. Sun. 26. S.S. & meeting as usual. Mr. Moore spoke from V Luke - 21st John (fishes). Peter, "sinful man." (Jesus. "Fear not") [ ] "thou shalt catch men" - I staid up & went to tent meeting both afternoon & night. Fine & pleasant. Cold at night.

27. Mon. 27. Spencer Croley came and we got at the hay but the first 2 loads were rather damp with the heavy dew and when the sun came out bright we gave the winrows a toss up. Spencer got one load of the hay at $5.00 and we had all in but 4 loads by night. Cold & rather cloudy, A.M. Fine, P.M.

28. Tue. 28. We could not find the horses this morning for a long while and at last Andrew got them at the corner, so it was about 9 A.M. before we got to work. We drew in all the hay but rakings and Alb & I got them in with the old horses. John harrowed the fallow, No.5 N. & Andrew went up with the machine to cut the wheat at the corner. I took Mr. Moore the blind preacher down to the station and saw him off to Hawkstone and then went by the corner to see how Andrew was getting on. I shocked a round and Andrew finished cutting by Pres. Church and went a round on the wheat at corner No.1 W. I staid up to tent meeting at night and then came home.

29. Wed. 29. John harrowed fallow again, A.M. and Alb & I did some hoeing and got up to the corner bout 9 A.M. and he shocked up & I cut fence corners & spots the machine missed. Howed potatoes and put on Paris Green and did other chores and came down home about 7 P.M. John got up there with team about 2 P.M. and worked at fallow south of sideline. A. Tracy got Democrat to go to pick Huckle[ ]. S.W. & S.E. winds. Thundery & few drops of rain.

30. Thur. 30. Rainy. Alb came down & when A. faired off he split some wood that was sawed last spring. I did some hoeing and sowed some Aberdeen turnips. R.A. Thomas got the buggy so Mama and I walked up to the Union prayer meeting at night where he met with us and we drove down with him after meeting. The tent meetings still continue so most of the folks go there. Rainy till 9 A.M. Cool & cloudy after.

31. Fri. 31. John & Andrew & Alb at corner farm working at fallow & fall wheat. I put in the forenoon cleaning out springs in back pasture, gathering up catipilars off fruit trees, watering some shade trees that seemed to be withering & other chores. Afternoon I did some hoeing and went up after tea to see how they were getting on at the corner. I staid up to the tent meeting. "the preists reward" -. 1891: August

1. Sat. 1st August 1891. John working fallow at corner. Alb & Andrew at the wheat mowing lodged spots, fencecorner, etc. Andrew got through cutting & came home with machine about 4 P.M. I put in the day fixing bars, staking trees that were leaning in the orchard, pruning, etc. Signed a note for $18.00, binding twine, to W.J. Cain. Cool, damp & cloudy. Finer at night.

2. Sun. 2. S.S. & meeting as usual. Zec-9 ch - 10 ch. G[ ] & H. Hindle came down. I rested awhile afternoon and then drove to Phelpston at night. O Lord bless Thine own Word. Fine & pleasant. Cool.

3. Mon. 3. John ploughing fallow at corner. Alb mowing thistles in No.2 S. I went up to corner and did up some business taking butter tub for Mr. Wadds. Andrew chored, A.M. Afternoon we cut & shocked the 3 acres of wheat at T.B.S.'s & got ready for No.1 N. tomorow. Heard of Mrs. Bennett's death. Fine & plesant. Cool & dry.

4. Tue. 4. We cut No.1 S. & shocked nearly all of it. John came down afternoon and we hoed awhile & after tea I took Mama down to Mrs. Lumleys. Mrs. Bennett is to be buried tomorow. Very fine harvest weather.

5. Wed. 5. Spencer Croley came and he & John went up to the corner with waggon & I followed with mama & buggy. We got in 12 loads of wheat. Andrew & Alb are moving dung in the barnyard and piling it in front of the horse stable and mowing fence corners. I took G'ma to funeral afternoon. Fine harvest weather. Rather hot.

6. Thur. 6. Andrew & Alb moving manure in barnyard & getting in fence corners. John Spencer & I hauling in at the corner. We got in all the sheaves & I got 10 acres raked between unloading times. Union prayer meeting. Titus. 2 ch. Fine but rather hot.

7. Fri. 7. Andrew cut the barley at the corner & then went 2 rounds down here in No.6 S. John, Alb & I got in rakings, hay from fence corners, etc. which took us nearly all day with the shocking of the barley. Fine but rather hot & windy.

8. Sat. 8. John, Alb & Andrew cutting No.6 S. I went to town with Democrat across the flatts taking 4 lambs & 9 chickens for Andrew. Sold lambs, $3.50 each & chickens, 20 c. each. I got 2 guards (60 c), barrel salt, $1.40 c., rolled wheat, 25 c., sundries, 25 c. Very hot & close. Thundershowers, 6 P.M.

9. Sun. 9. S.S. & meeting but not many there. We all rested the remainder of the day for we all feel very tired. O God help us to "Rest in the Lord & wait patiently." Thunder showery all day.

10. Mon. 10. Alb to P. Knapps threshing. John & Andrew fixed up Binder sickles, etc., A.M. & I went up to the corner and did some chores. Called on Mrs. Reid (Mrs. Cota's daughter). Her little child is dead. Lord bless. I got home at noon & then John gang ploughed and Andrew & I finished cutting No.6 S. & fixed roof on old barn. Very hot & a short thunder shower, 7 P.M.

11. Tue. 11. Andrew & Alb finished moving the dung in barnyard. I put in the day fixing pigpen roofs & clearing up generally. Fixed the fence against road gate putting 4 more strands of wire on as the pigs burst through. Willie is very sick. Very hot & close. Cooler towards night.

12. Wed. 12. John finished ganging by noon. Alb went down to D. Woods & got his bull to run with our heifers. Andrew & I cleared up west of the barn where the timber was framed last year & made a furrow to carry off the water against the barn. John harrowed fallow afternoon till teatime & then he & Alb run cultivator through roots. I opened shocks in No.2 N. & set them inside out. Andrew & Alb threw open shocks by T.B.S.'s orchard. Cool & windy.

13. Thur. 13 August 1891. We finished cultivating roots & then got in some wheat & Andrew cut Barley, No.3 N. We turned the rest of the shocks in No.1 N. A letter from A.O. De Laporte offering $6.00 per ton for straw. We drove up to Union prayer meeting at night. Lord bless Thine own Word. Fine but looks like rain.

14. Fri. 14. I am not well this morning but drove down to station to order a car & sent word to De Laporte that I accepted his offer. The boys worked at the roots awhile and then at the harvest when the light shower that fell through the night had dried off but rain came on again at 1 P.M. A young man Brown from Sunnidale came over to get me to bury a neice of his about 11 years old. She was staying at old Henry Burkholders so I drove over there and took dinner at Mr. Spikers & then went to the house where the body lay. She had died of malignant diptheria so there was no service in the house and we came to the cemetry in Minesing and burried & then to the Methodist Chapel & I spoke from [ ] Daughter & XVIII Mathew. Lord bless the word. A shower early A.M. & another heavy thunder shower at 2 P.M. Finer at night.

15. Sat. 15. John fixed up saw & he & Alb cut some wood lying out below T.B.S.'s house. Andrew & I ground scythes and mowed some fence corners round the roots & Barley & peas. I am better today, thank the Lord. After tea we finished shocking the barley and got in 4 loads of wheat & raked up the peice behind T.B.S.'s orchard. Car is come for straw. Cleared off, fine & cool. Cloudy & damp at night again.

16. Sun. 16. S.S. & meeting as usual. I rested afternoon and drove to Phelpston at night. More encouraging. Thank the Lord. I expect to go once more and then the Presbyterians have undertaken the feild. Lord bless & guide. Dark & damp but cleared off fine at 9 A.M.

17. Mon. 17. I wrote to De Laporte about the straw expecting the boys would get it shipped today. They went up, John & Andrew getting J. Chapple's waggon and just got one trip down and another loaded when the rain came on. S. Croley came and we got in 6 loads of wheat, 3 Seneca & 3 Michigan Amber. I went up at night to see how things were. The barley I expect will have to be cut open & taken in loose. Heavy dew. Fair till 1.30 P.M. Heavy thunder showers after. Close.

18. Tue. 18. I left Alb throwing up horse dung and after letting off water from barnyard I walked up to the corner. Wrote to Mr. Hall enclosing $1.00 for some tracts and then I helped the boys to load straw and took it down to the station and loaded & shipped the car to De Laporte. I hope it will be all right. We all came home by new road & afternoon Alb mowed lodged stuff in the wheat, No.6 S. John fixed fence west of G'pa's orchard and Andrew raked No.1 N. I took Maybeth down to see Cousin Frances and left her there to pick berries. Called at N. Sheepwashes on the road. Lord bless them. Had a talk with H. Coles about Church matters. Lord bless & guide & make us wise with Thy Wisdom & patience. I gave Annie [McLaine] a ride up to the corner & then drove down to see Herman Coles. Lord lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us and put us right & keep us right. I was rather late home and very much downcast. Some cooler but cloudy & rather close. Fine afternoon and more like good weather.

19. Wed. 19 August 1891. John, Andrew, & Alb began pulling peas behind G'pa's orchard till about 9 A.M. & then turned the shocks of wheat inside out. I drove up to the corner and did the same to the barley getting home about 1 P.M. and then Andrew raked up what land was free from shocks in the wheat & we drew in the rakings. I fixed some whippletrees after. Fine but S. winds & rather hot. Heavy dews.

20. Thur. 20. The boys started pulling peas but the weather looked so threatening that we got to work hauling in the wheat about 9 A.M. and finished about 4 P.M. and then went up to the corner and got in the barley. I staid to Union prayer meeting. Mr. Knox's last night. God bless Thy word. Cloudy, close & threatening, A.M. Finer, P.M. & very hot.

21. Fri. 21. Heavy rain last night. John is ploughing at corner (Barley ground that we cleared last night). Andrew went down to H. Coles's to fetch Maybeth and went up to help John afternoon. Alb & I cleaned out the chaff house & fixed up the floor where it was broken. We unloaded a load of wheat that was dumped in the wrong mow in the hurry yesterday & ground up scythes afternoon. Alb pulled peas & I mowed lodged spots in wheat feild, No.6 S. and then I walked to the corner and engaged some hands to help pull peas tomorow. John came down with team. Damp, dark & drizzling till 9 A.M. Finer after & brisk N.W. wind.

22. Sat. 22. S. Croley & H. Stokes came and John & Alb worked with them pulling peas. I made a gate for No.2 N. and then began raking No.6. S. Finishing by 4 P.M. & after tea John & Alb drew them in. I turned some shocks of barley and some of the peas which were pulled first. Andrew finished ploughing barley ground at corner. Cloudy, A.M. but cool N.W. wind. Cleared off fine at sunset.

23. Sun. 23. S.S. & meeting as usual (XIII Zec. & 1 John 1 - fountain). I rested P.M. and then drove to Phelpston. Mama going with me. I expect it is my last trip. Lord bless the seed sown in much weakness. Cloudy & cold. Rain at night.

24. Mon. 24. Heavy rain all night. We just chored. I wrote to T.B.S. and drove up at night to Mr. Knox's farewell social. "God be with you till we met again." Dull drizzly & cloudy. Clear at night.

25. Tue. 25. Alb at D. Woods threshing. John & Andrew pulled a few peas & then cut the Canadian triumph oats in No.1 S. & then went up to cut the oats at T.B.S. J. Hindle & H. Stokes went to J. Chapple's threshing. I turned barley shocks. It will be ready to come in tomorow. Fine today.

26. Wed. 26. John & Andrew finished the oats at T.B.S.'s & then went up to cut goose wheat at corner. A. McDugal, H. Stokes, & Alb pulled peas till 11 A.M. & then we drew in barley. John came down 2 P.M. as it looked like rain and we finished the barley all but rakings. I drove down to H. Wyles to see about threshing on Friday. Looked like rain but cleared off fine.

27. Thur. 27. H. Stokes & Alb pulled peas & I raked barley stubble but the rake broke down & I had to borrow J. Chapples which hindred a good bit, but we got in the rakings & 3 loads of peas. John & Andrew finished the goose wheat & got home about 5 P.M. We drove up to Union prayer meeting in Methodist Chapel. Dr. Bremner led. Threatened rain but kept fine.

28. Fri. 28. We got threshing in good time but showers hindred P.M. but we got done about 7.30 P.M. About 500 bus. wheat, 300 barley, 18 oats. We moved machine to W. Orchards. Cold N.W. gales. Showery, P.M.

29. Sat. 29. Andrew drove Monty Wadds down to station. John helped me clean up 5 bags wheat & then went with Alb to W. Orchards threshing forenoon. Mama went with me to Stayner's. I took the 5 bags of wheat in Democrat. We went to W. Cains to dinner. He has been sick but is much better. Hallelujah. Cool N.W. wind. S.W. wind, P.M. Fine.

30. Sun. 30 August 1891. S.S. & meeting as usual. Dr. Bremner spoke. VIII Rom. Hy. Coles spoke too - good. I said a few words about being fishers of men. Percy Kitchen, his wife & child came down afternoon. I rested awhile and drove up to Presbyterian meeting at night.

31. Mon. 31. H. Stokes came & we got in most of the peas, No.4 N. by noon & then he went to A. Johnsons threshing. After we got the peas done we got in the Canadian Turnip oats - small load & Alb & Andrew got a load from the feild against Phillips bush. They are not dry enough so we all went up to the corner and drew in goose wheat. Cloudy but dry. Thunder shower at Gibsons 3 P.M. None at corner. 1891: September

1. Tue. 1st Sept. 1891. We got in all the wheat and began pulling peas about 5 P.M., No.1 E., 3 pulling out with scythe & one working horse rake. They pull very clean and much quicker than by hand. Andrew went down home cutting oats. Dry but rather threatening.

2. Wed. 2. H. Stokes, Alb & Byron Jacobs and John at the peas. Finished about 6.30 P.M. & then got in a load. I went down home and helped Andrew put away Binder. We have all cut now but 3 Acres peas, No.2 N. Alb at J. Phillips's threshing. P.M. Dry but rather threatening.

3. Thur. 3. We put in all our force getting in peas. Got old Charlie upon the mow to tramp. Andrew raked spring wheat stubble & when he was through I went down home and shocked some oats. Coming back again to Union prayer meeting. O Lord revive Thy work. Fine & cold N.W. wind at night.

4. Fri. 4. I got up to the corner as soon as I could and helped to finish getting in the peas and goose wheat rakings & then Andrew began opening furrows in fallow & John went down to the River farm to get some oats from Mr. Bremner where they are threshing today. He got back by noon and we drew in oats from against Phillips's bush and then got in all but 3 loads of No.1 S. I sent away to Wm. Rennie for White velvet chaff wheat, 6 bus. $13.00 & sent receipt to De La Porte. Cold & dry. Rather cloudy.

5. Sat. 5. We finished getting in the oats from No.1 S. and then John began opening furrows in fallow, No.5 N. Alb & Byron shocked up oats in No.4 S. A drizzling rain began at 12 o'clock so John & I turned in and we got all done in about half an hour. Afternoon we separated the lambs from the ewes, leveled down pea mow & shifted the pulley to unload to the other mow & John & Alb & Byron took 3 biggest pigs up to the corner. John raised his plough handles. Cloudy & threatening S.E. wind. Rain came on at noon and fell heavily till dark.

6. Sun. 6. S.S. & meeting as usual. I rested awhile afternoon and then went to tea to Dr. Bremners & had a talk with him on Church matters. May the good Lord lead us all aright & make us willing to be led. Fine & pleasant.

7. Mon. 7. John went up to the corner to plough pea ground with Andrew. Alb came & pulled peas, No.2 N. I ploughed in fallow with old team, No.5 N. S. Tracy came over to see about getting seed wheat and agreed to come tomorow and pull peas. I drove up to Church meeting at night. O Lord I cast my care on Thee & triumph and adore. O that my whole concern may be to love & serve Thee more. I did not get home till 1 A.M. Cold N.W. wind with rain squalls at times. Frost at night.

8. Tue. 8 Sept. 1891. Alb O. came again this A.M. A. Knapp wanted him to run the thresher but found he had only 2 days promised ahead so I agreed to let him come back and fill up his time. S. Tracy came and they both pulled peas at the top of the potatoes, No.2 N. Finished by night. Bemrose came and got 35 lbs. wheat, 50 c. John went down to the station from the corner and got 6 bus. Velvet chaff wheat, 85 c. freight. Fine. Cool N.W. wind. Frost at night.

9. Wed. 9. Alb & John ploughed in fallow, No.5 N. and I hung a gate against potatoe feild, No.2 N. Got up a row of potatoes to make a track to haul in peas. Afternoon Alb & I began to get in oats but they were not fit so we threw them open and then got in 4 loads of peas from No. 2. N. Fine. Cool N.W. wind.

10. Thur. 10. John finished ploughing fallow, No.5 N. & harrowed some. Alb & I got in the rest of the peas & oats. S. Tracy helped awhile. He got 7 bus. of Seneca wheat for seed. We drove up at night to Union prayer meeting. Mr. Johnson, Pres. student, led. Fine & rather hot.

11. Fri. 11. We found the wheat that came from Rennies was not the kind we sent for, so just sowed our own & the rest Seneca finishing by night. I took Emily Wadds down to station in the morning & then went up to corner & compared the wheat that came from Rennies with F. Foystens & wrote to Rennie enclosing a sample of what he sent & telling him that I could not keep it at the price I paid. I went down to see J. Parker's Surprise wheat and will get 6 bags of it tomorow. Came home & sived a lot of Timothy seeds. John & Alb finished the 7 acres fallow, No.5 N. about dark. Andrew harrowed the pea land at corner, N.1 E. and then began cross ploughing as it is not fit to sow with one ploughing. Fine & pleasant but rather warm. South westerly & easterly winds.

12. Sat. 12. We cleaned up 6 bags of Seneca wheat for seed & then unloaded our last load of oats and put off rack and put on the box and took up wheat, cut stuff, plough, etc. to the corner. I left them all ploughing the pea land and went down to J. Parkers & waited till he was through with pea hauling and then we cleaned up 6 bags of Golden Drop wheat, 927 lbs. gross. I thought it was Surprise but was mistaken. I got down home and straightened up things & cleaned out water furrows in fall wheat, No.5 N. A heavy thunder shower came on. I am sorry for J. Parker. He has a lot of crop out yet. Lord help him. S. Tracy came and got 30 lbs. Timothy seed. Fine with S.W. & S.E. winds till 6 P.M. Heavy thunder shower after.

13. Sun. 13. S.S. & meeting as usual. Jas. Johnston presiding. Lord bless. He read 1st Cor. 12 ch. Dr. Bremner, 12 Romans. Hy Coles & Mr. Bremner spoke. We all staid up to dinner & Maybeth, Francey & I went to C. of E. meeting and then Maybeth & I walked home. We walked both up and down. Cool high N.W. wind. Fine & drying.

14. Mon. 14. The boys are all ploughing at corner. I sowed some grasseed & got in Roany heifer. She had her calf last night. I had a rest for an hour before noon for I am tired. Afternoon I cut up some weeds & did some other. Alfred Tracy sent over for 1/2 bus. potatoes. I walked up to the corner taking up some for use there. Saw Wm. Degeer & he gave me $1.75 ballance due on hay he got last spring. I got tea at the corner & then walked home & did chores. I think the boys will be done ploughing pea land the second time by night. Cold N.W. wind. An occasional drizzle of rain.

15. Tue. 15 September 1891. I finished sowing grasseed back of T.B.S.'s orchard. I expect John is drilling wheat on pea land & Andrew & Alb ploughing fallow south of sideline. I went over to see Mrs. J. Cameron the widow. She is staying with her Father & Mother, Mr. Fostor. Lord comfort & bless. Dull & cloudy. Some rain.

16. Wed. 16. I put in the forenoon choring, fixing broken wire fences, etc., cleaning up samples of wheat to take with me to Toronto this afternoon. I went up to the corner and arranged things for me to be away and then Andrew Ronald drove down to the station with me and I got to Toronto and staid the night at Mr. Wadds's. Aunt Bessie was there.

17. Thur. 17. I left Mr. Wadds's about 9 A.M. and went to Rennie's and he agreed to take the seed wheat back so I sent a P.C. home telling them to ship at once by freight. I went down from there to De La Porte leaving my satchel & overcoat with Annie Wallis. I took dinner with G. Ronald at Mr. Nasmiths eating house on King St. and then spent a while with Annie Wallis & from there called on Mrs. Wm. Ashdown and from there to Mr. Halls but he was not home so I went on to R. Darleys & he was out so after talking a while to Mrs. Darley I went on to Mr. Dixons and staid all night. Very warm & sultry.

18. Fri. 18. I left Mr. Dixons about 9 A.M. and called on Mr. Hall till 11 A.M. & then to R. Darleys till 2 P.M. - took street car and down to Exhibition. Saw Mr. English and he asked me to speak to J. Chapple about seed wheat. I took a look at the wheat, fruit, etc., saw the horse parade & a glimpse at the cattle. A gale came on & then a downpour of rain so I got out & took street car to market & called on Annie Wallis & got tea there & my valise & overcoat. She went with me to see Miss McIntyre. Found her in trouble with one of the Rescued Women. Staid till 9 P.M. & saw Annie on street car & then made my way to Mr. Wadds's for the night. Spent 2 hours [singing], etc. Very hot & close, but occasional puffs of wind. Heavy thunder shower, 4.30 P.M.

19. Sat. 19. I got down to Union Station in time for train to Woodbridge where I found Grandpa & Grandma quite well. I had a chat with Wm. and Charlie & after dinner I took a good rest. A PC from Mama - all well. Fine & pleasant.

20. Sun. 20. We all went to Pine Grove Cong'l Church except Grandpa & Grandma. Mr. Wilmot preached from 1st Romans and I promised to take the meeting at night. Afternoon I went up to see Mary & Eber and had a talk with Mrs. Stanley who is staying with them. God bless them. Mary went with me down to the meeting. I read the Good Shepperd XV Luke & X John & spoke from XXX ch, 1st Sam'l (A young man of Egypt). Lord bless. Fine & pleasant.

21. Mon. 21. Wm. went to Toronto so I rode with him to the 4 Con. and walked from there to Thornhill Station where I had to wait 2 hours & half for the train which was behind time. However, we got to Minesing all right & I got a ride to the corner with Mr. Crawford and after dinner walked down home & took a rest. Fine & summery.

22. Tue. 22 September 1891. After doing some chores I went up to the corner and wrote to Rennie, De Laporte & Grandpa, and Dr. Bremner - posted afternoon as I was too late for mail. Bertie Bremner is home. Afternoon I cleaned out furrows on the pea ground up there, No.1 E. but could not get the fallow done. John, Andrew, Alb & Joe Thomas putting in wheat, No.3 N. Warm & summery.

23. Wed. 23. I cleaned up & sifted some wheat for seed & afternoon took the old team and plough as Alb wanted to be away. Joe Thomas is ploughing again today but we are not quite through. The land is getting dry. Very hot. Not much wind.

24. Thur. 24. We all went to Barrie "Central Simcoe Show" where I saw Calverly who had a South Down Ram for sale which I bought at $15.00. He took 1st prize & has to go to Orillia Show and will be sent down to Minesing Station from there. John & Andrew stayed to the concert at night but the rest of us got home about 7 P.M. to do the chores. Very hot & dry but a little more breeze.

25. Fri. 25. Rather late up. I went to town taking 7 ram lambs to Hubber, $24.50, 10 chickens, $2.00. I went to down to see old Mrs. Bell. She is very low so I did not go in but just said a few words to the girls. Got tooth pulled. Very warm but cooler at night.

26. Sat. 26. John & I cleaned up 8 bags of wheat for Mr. English, 18 bus., 25 lbs., J. Chapple is sowing it for him and then we bagged up 10 bags of barley & 2 of wheat to chopp and took up to the corner & cleaned out furrows & got off some large stone that would be in the way of the reaper next year. The wheat was up but it did not hurt it much (south of sideline). John went home about 4 P.M. but I staid up to tea as Mr. Johnson (Pres. [ ]) called in, and walked home at night. Very fine & summery.

27. Sun. 27. S.S. & meeting as usual (85 Ps. 8 ver., 1 st. Heb. 2nd Eph-) "I will hear what God the Lord -. We went home and rested afternoon and drove up again at night. Mama & I & Jane going over to see Bertie Bremner. He is going away again tomorow. Very warm but breezy.

28. Mon. 28. We began to get up the potatoes, No.2 N. Charlie Tracy, S. Tracy's, came to help. Andrew cut the second crop clover in G'pa's orchard and afternoon went up to the corner to cut that, No.2 E. Fine & summery. Hot.

29. Tue. 29. Thunder shower last night. We did a few chores & then we all drove up the wedding in the church. Cecilia Bremner became Mrs. Geo Campbel. The Good Lord bless them. There was a large gathering both at the church and at the house. John drove the wedding party to & from the church & took some down to the station afternoon to see them off to New York. God be with them till we meet again. We staid tea & got home about dark & I had to hurry & cover up the potatoe pits for it is like frost tonight. Cool & pleasant. Colder at night. High N.W. wind.

30. Wed. 30. We all got at the potatoes again. A. Tracy & his two boys as well as S. Tracy's Charlie came and we got a good lot of them up. There are about 1 third rotten. Dr. Bremner brought down Miss Kenny & Maybeth. Fine & pleasant. 1891: October

1. Thur. 1st October 1891. We are all at the potatoes, A.M. Afternoon Andrew & I got in the hay from Gr'pa's orchard & then took S. Tracy's Charlie up to the corner with us and we got 2 loads of clover, 1 thrown off in the horse stable and one on the waggon to come down to E.H. Union prayer meeting. Dr. B. on feet washing, 13 John. I read in Luke, VII ch., two Debtors.

2.Fri. 2 October 1891. John & I got some straw hauled out to cover potatoe pits & Mr. Fostor came over and we cleaned up 5 bus. wheat for him and then Andrew & Charlie Tracy were down with the load of clover so after throwing it off we all went back to the corner to get in the rest of the clover, taking Mr. Woods bull home with us. We did not quite finish the clover. There is about half a load yet to get. We cleaned up 16 bags of Seneca wheat after supper & John went down to station to see if the ram had come. A P.C. from De Laporte telling me not to ship potatoes yet. (the ram was come). Very fine & summery. Warm S.W. wind.

3. Sat. 3. John & Andrew got the rest of the hay from the corner and then worked at the potatoes. I went to town with the 16 bags of wheat, 36 bus., 6 lbs. Sold at 82 c. (very smutty), $29.60 c. I sent $15.00 to Wm. Calverly, Orilllia, for the ram, and paid $18.00 note for binding twine, 40 c. beef, 40 c. leather for democrat neck yoke. I came home by 7 Con. - 50 c. writing paper. Very warm & summery.

4. Sun. 4. S.S. & meeting as usual. J. Johnston presiding. Dr. B., Mr. Stokes, & H. Coles spoke. We all came home to dinner and rested till 8 P.M. and after the worship, I wrote to G'pa & G'ma & T.B.S. Mama wrote as well. Warm. Some small showers, A.M. Heavy rain, P.M.

5. Mon. 5. The boys cleaning up wheat. I drove up to the corner and did some business there. Wrote to De Laporte about wheat. Afternoon I mended and marked bags and did other chores. Church business meeting at night. N.W. squalls with rain. Cold.

6. Tue. 6. I went up to the corner to settle up what I left undone yesterday. The boys got done with the Michigan Amber wheat having run it all through J. Chapple's Mill taking out about all the [chess]. Afternoon Andrew ploughed in No.1 S. & John & I drew out Manure from the heaps thrown up in the summer to the peice we think of putting potatoes on next year, No.4 S. Fine but cool N.W. wind.

7. Wed. 7. Andrew ploughing No.1 S. John & I drawing out manure, A.M. Heavy rain came on at noon so we did not get much done, P.M. I rested awhile and did some reading and began a letter to Wm. Collins. Frost last night. Cold, A.M. Rain from E., P.M.

8. Thur. 8. John & S. Tracy to J. Chapple threshing, A.M. Andrew & I killed a little lamb & then he ploughed awhile & then went to Elmvale fair. I did some chores & picked up some potatoes till noon. Afternoon John & I drew out manure. Union prayer meeting at night. XV Luke. Fine & cool N. wind.

9. Fri. 9. S. Tracy at Grants threshing. Andrew took 7 bags of barley up to chopp and then ploughed No.1 S. John & I at the manure. Fine & cool.

10. Sat. 10. Andrew & the girls finishing up the potatoes, harrowing, etc. John & I at the manure. Finished all we will do till snow falls. Fine & cool & pleasant.

11. Sun. 11. S.S. & meeting as usual. Mr. Stokes presiding. (20 Math). Dr. Bremner spoke & I said a few words. Lord bless Thine own Word & Work. Hy. Coles & Frances came down. I went over to see H. Tracy afternoon and we drove up at night to see old Mr. Bremner. He has been very sick. Fine & pleasant. Cool.

12. Mon. 12. John & I took the two waggons up to the corner and got drawing out manure there. I took up Netty & buggy and brought down 2 bags chopp at night. Andrew ploughing. Fine. Frosty nights.

13. Tue. 13. I got up to the corner as soon as I could. Found Wesley Tracy helping John so I had it a little easier and took time to clean out pigpen, henhouse, etc. Bible Society meeting at night (W.W. Smith). Andrew ploughing No.1 S. Fine but S.E. wind.

[Note: At this point in the diary there are 3 pages of financial notations for 1890-1892; also two loosely inserted receipts].