1887 Diary
of Irene Dixon Bamford
Part of list at front¼
January 1st 1887
5 lbs sugar .30
3 " soda biscut .25
2 " rice .10
1 led pencil .02
1 set of kniting needles .04
_____
$0.71
8th 1 pair of shoes for Grace 1.25
1 Ontario Reader N4 .50
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$1.75
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Jan 11th one pair of boots for Wells $2.25
15th 2 bags of coal .60
2 gallons of kerosene .30
5 lbs. sugar .30
2 spools white thread .10
mustard .10
ginger .10
1 yd of elastic .03
22nd 2 bags of coal .60
2 bags of coal .60
5 lbs. sugar .30
1 lb. of tea .20
cinnamon .05
2 lbs. raisins .16
1 box matches .10
March 1st 1887 This is the first day of the month. A very pleasant day rather cold wind north light breeze. Wells gone to Kingston with hay the nineteenth load. Will [William Collins Dixon 1859‑1942, Irene's youngest brother] drew Rachel’s [Rachel Dixon Bamford, 1836‑1927, Irene's sister] hay too. Grace & John at school, we saved the heffers milk this morning. Wells and Volty cutting wood on Linda (a small Island once owned by the Bamford’s )expect them home to dinner every minuet. Wells will have to go to mill soon for the flower is most gone ¼ the evening. Went up on the ice after ¼ The boys went skating in evening.
Wednesday 2nd (1887) A bright day wind south and thawing. Wells gone to Clayton. Welly & Volty drawing wood ¼ carried Rob a pig. We got up early .I got breakfast and we ate by lamp light. .... called twice XXX [cross out] Anna Flynn came to buy a drake. Boys drew 4 loads of wood. Mrs. Gloyd sent me a¼ by Wells.
March 3rd Thursday (1887) A pleasant day sun shining brightly wind north light good skating. Wells gone to Kingston to mill. Grace at school. John went to corners for oil. Frank Kendall came in morning stayed until after dinner I then went over to Bedly came back towards evening eat supper and he & Welly went over to Bells. Welly and Volty chopped wood on Lindas in afternoon. Will went to concert at Ferry in after evening Grace out skating this evening I sent the bognet (?) To (looks like) Meys Henting and sent her 6 magazines Volty gave Mrs. Flynn a drake Frank and one boys repaired the organ.
Friday March 4th (1887) A bright – clear day wind west and cold. Frank Kimball stayed here all night & to breakfast. Volty went home with him. Wells and I went over to the corners saw Horace at Curtis’ store. Got home again about half past two O’clock. John & Grace at school. Welly drawing wood from Lindas. Maud, Hattie & Charley came over to Wills & Welly & Johny went down in evening and stayed until after 12 O’clock.
Saturday 5th (March 1887) A cold day. Wind north, breezy – frost on the windows cloudy. Charley, Hattie & Maud here most all day. In the evening Welly & the girls go over to Bells. Charley went down to Wills and stayed all night. John & Grace at home. Volty at Kendalls.Will came up and they all sang. They all enjoyed them selves and had a good time all day. Wells mended the shed.
Sunday 6th March 1887 Snowed all night a heavy fall of snow and snowing some all the forenoon. Welly & the girls came back about noon & Welly took them to Wills. They said they were going right straight home but they did not for Charley & Jen went ¼to Mary’s. So Johny went down to Wills & Welly ¼and went too. Wells at home reading. Grace at home Volty at Kendalls, quite mild night wind south thawing & rained a little. Volty came home towards evening. They all went down to Wills and stayed ‘till past bedtime.
Monday 7th (March 1887) Rather soft day cloudy. Clarley & girls went home this morning our boys went down to Wills to see them off. Wind south. John at school. Wells went to Obriens (?) to put up notice for sale of Ross farm. Welly & Volty drew hay from the stack. Grace stayed at home to help me wash. Charley came toward evening to get Wells to help draw his hay home he got a bee (?) to draw it. AM boys slept. John down to Wills till bed time.
8th Tuesday (March 1887) A bright day all day. Wind south. Wells drawing hay for Charley Volty smugled ile (?) ( ile could be illegal. A good source once said Volty smuggled China men )Grace & John at school. Volty brought up some honey from the cellar. John Flynn and Johny Flynn called here going to help Charley. Wells helped Bates out of the ice in the evening. [William Bates b. abt. 1847, husband of Lucinda Joslin].
Wednesday 9th (March 1887) Raining wind south. Ground most bare .John and Grace at school. Wells & Volty drew a load of wood from Lindas and went back and front over a log for a roller. Welly smugled two articles. Will came up for his sleigh to draw straw. John Niles here in the evening.
Thursday 10th (March 1887) A bright fair day wind North but not cold. Wells gone to Kingston. Volty at home part of the day. Will came and he Volty went to help Will draw straw. Welly skated over the river to buy himself a pair of boots. Ed Rattray [b. 1857] came and inquired for Volty. John & Grace at school. Bates came home with Wells &¼¼ The boys drove home in the sleigh.
March 11th (1887) A fine day cold wind north. Wells carried Grace to school came back and went to Town for lumber to build an ice house. Welly went to the ¼ on skates. Volty went over to St. Lawrence for book John at school. Bates came up looking for whiskey, couldn’t find it. Will came twice. Patterson here to buy a few peas. ORourke’s Bates stayed to dinner & then went home.
Saturday 12th (March1887) Wells went to Gananoque for saw dust for the ice. Jack McDonel here. Will Dixon here helping the boys build the ice house. Bates here for whiskey. A very fine day. Wind west. Grace & the boys at home. [Will Collins Dixon 1859‑1942, Irene's younger brother]
Sunday 13th (March 1887) A very fine day wind south. We went over to Bells ¼mother. Wells Grace & Belle wanted her grandmother to stay she promised to go over Wednesday. When we got home found the boys & J.McFaden on ice chasing McKays calf .Jim McFaden has been here all day And he stayed all night. Rachel came home today. She had been gone six weeks visiting. [Rachel Dixon Bamford 1836‑1927, Irene's sister, wife of James Devolson Bamford. Wells’s brother & Volty’s ,who he was named after, uncle who fell off their boat in the great Lakes & drowned in 1867, one month before Volty was born.)]
14th (March 1887) A rather cold day wind north. Volty commenced working for Niles. Wells & Welly working on ice house. Grace at home & John too. Rachel came up & and mother went home. Wells drew saw dust from Charley’s and then drew a load of hay from stack.
15th Tuesday (March 1877) A fine day Wind South. Rachel here making lace. Wells went to Kingston for scuntting & more shingles didn’t get home until after midnight his team got in the ice hard work to get the horse out lost his coal,soap and part of his nails. Volty working for Niles. Welly helped Eb fill his ice house. Grace and John at home. Ben Petingill died today while out chopping wood in the woods. Rachel went down to mothers in the afternoon. (Next part appears crossed out) Ada Bertha leorn and . Frank Bamford over after buttermilk. [Frank Bamford, b. abt. 1877, son of Delevan, nephew to Irene].
March 16 Wednesday (1887) Rather cloudy wind south snow falling this afternoon. Wells working on his ice house. Will Welly & Edd Rattray did [dig?] the poor mans grave. Bill Bates been to town with All Joslin [b. 1846] & got drunk. All dumped him out by John Niles and he staggered along carrying his bundle until he came to the consession gate where he fell down after an effort he got up again only to fall down then he couldn’t get up again at all and lay there a long time ‘till Wells went and helped him up and down as far as Wills and there they lifted him into the cutter and Will & Wells pushed the cutter down as far as Ebbs & unloaded Bill and got him into the house and to bed. Lucena [Lucinda Joslin] wife of Bill Bates sick & crazzy.
March 17th (1887) St. Patrick’s day. A mild day Wind south. Ben Pettengill buried to day. All the family gone to the church except Volty & I. Rachel went over to Belle’s with Charley & Henry in the evening. Henry came for me. I went to Belle’s they had Dr. Jolffe from the Ferry. Belle’s baby born at ¼half past 4 Oclock Friday morning March 18th.( Irene’s grandbaby & her daughter Belle’s second daughter Beatrice Halliday)
Friday 18th (March 1887) I stayed at Charleys (son-in-law Charles Halliday)till 5 Oclock PM. Charley brought me home. Rachel stayed there. Charley eat supper with us. Grace had supper ready when we came home. Charley gave me some eggs. A mild day.Wind light & south. (on side) Will and one man filled our ice house.
Saturday 19th (March 1887) A fine day Wind south. Wells gone to Kingston Jim Morgan here to get Welly to help them fill their ice house but he went over the river to Spinks. Volty working for Niles. Grace & I mopped ,churned baked & etc.Charley brought Rachel home mother went home with him.
Sunday 20th (March 1887) A very soft day Wind south. Welly across the river yet Johny run away & went over too gone all day till long after dark. ice very poor Welly & Johny came home together at bed time. Volty down to Wills most of the day. Grace cried to go to Mrs. Niles but I wouldn’t let her go Rachel reading. Wells reading. Silva over and back today.
Monday 21st (March 1887) A cloudy hazy day thawing wind South. Wells drawing hay from our stack for O’Brien. Grace at school. Volty working for Niles. Welly at All Joslins in forenoon. Afternoon Welly and Wells helped Will butcher the old sow. Johny at home helping his father choring around. Rachel making lace. I washing and darning.
Tuesday 22nd (March 1887) A cloudy day. Snowing some. Wells, Will, Jen ,Rachel & Bates gone to Kingston on the ice. Will carried up his old sow to sell. Welly working for All Joslin building a hog pen. Volty working for Niles. Grace at home taking care of Jen’s baby little Charley while she’s gone to town. Bates stayed here all night drunk.
March 23rd Wednesday (1887) A fine day. Wind west. Bates here drunk most all day so drunk he couldn’t help himself most of the time abed nearly all day. Went home towards evening. Will helped him home. Mr. Miller the minister here. Jen came up in afternoon and stayed to supper. I took care of her baby while she went to church in the evening. The whole family went except myself.
24th Thursday (1887) A mild day wind west. A mild day indoors considering what it was yesterday. We expected Mrs. Hentig (could be McKenty) here after school but she did not come for it looked so much like rain. It did rain some. I and Rachel cleaned dusted baked & moped. John & Grace at school. Welly at Joslins. Volty at Niles. Wells at home doing nothing. The children went to church in the evening. Bill Bates came up for his whiskey he left here he looks rather hard and disipated. Said he wished he had some whiskey. I told him what I thought of whiskey drinking and drunkards. I gave him my opinion of charge.
March 25th Friday (1887) Wind North and very cold.Wells at home. Grace & John at school. Volty,Ed Rattray & Rob Horn went to Millins bay (across to New York ) on the ice to smuggle ile. Ed & Rob ate dinner here. Rachel making paper flowers. I making Wells a shirt. Children went to church in evening.
March 26th Saturday (1887) Very cold day. Wind north sun shining. Everything froze in pantry milk,onions,frozen solid. Wells went to Kingston with cutter on ice. Volty went to Bulgers & Heennessg (?) Collecting for books. Welly at Alls Joslin. John helped Will get wood. Rachel went down to Wills to stay awhile. Wells came home from Kingston cross and devilish. There is nothing done right around the barn. Spotted cow had a calf. Two letters from Hugh today. Children went to church this evening.
March 27th Sunday (1887) A fine day rather cold wind north. Wells Grace & I went over to Bells. Wells eat dinner to Johns Hollidays [1813‑1891]. Old John had whiskey plenty. Wells drove the bay colt on the ice without being shod. Colt slipped down 5 times coming across the bay and the other horse Jim had to draw the whole concern ashore¼.(crossed out)¼had done the same thing you bet. I no they can’t.
March 28th Monday (1887) A cold stormy snowing all day wind north. Wells and Volty drawing hay from Grange. Grace and John at home. Welly went down to Wills and mended their chairs and then went down to All Joslins. Volty helped do the chamber work. I darned and mended Wells coat. Grace & I sewed carpet rags.
March 29th (1887) Cold day wind north sun shining. Grace & John at school. Wells and Volty drove over to Dignams to get some timber. Volty helped Will draw hay from Sams. Wells Jr. at All Joslins. I made bread & fried cakes. Jo Thompson called to day for his book. Wells drove to the school house for Johny & Grace. Will was here a while. Will here this evening for milk for Charlie.
March Wednesday 30th (1887) A cold clear day frost on the windows. Wind north. Wells gone to Kingston. John at school. Grace at home. George Farr came and Ogilvie Petire came over to hire Rachel she has gone with them. They all walked over on the ice. The crossing on the ice is poor. 8 degrees below zero.
March 31st Thursday (1887) Wind north cold. Wells and Volty draw hay from grange. Welly at All Joslins. Grace & John at school. This is the last day of school in the lower district. I mended two pairs of pants and darned two pair of mittens and doubled yarn. Sylvia Woodman is 24 years old to day
April 1st (1887) A bright warm day snow melting rapidly. Wind south & light. Wells & Volty & Johny drew hay from grange. Welly at All’s. I and Grace twisted yean and colored yarn and carpet rags. John Morgan stayed at Wills all night drawing manure.
2nd (April 1887) Saturday A bright fine day wind south thawing some. John and Grace got a bad cold. John went over to Charleys rode over with him. Mother [Nancy Dixon Smith 1814‑1905] came home and stoped here and stayed all night. Volty helped Will chop wood on Dignams. Welly at Alls. Wells and John drew manure all fore noon. John Morgan went over on the ice from Wills to get Will some ile.
April 3rd (1887) Sunday. A fine warm day wind South & light. Johny over to Bells. Mother went home from here this forenoon. John Morgan came up with Welly & Volty and stay to dinner. I am so sleepy I can scarcely hold my eyes open, at 10 minutes to three O’clock P.M. A light frost last night, looks like rain.
Monday 4th (April 1887) Cloudy wind South. Bates here to dinner he stoped here on his way from Niles’ where he had been for whiskey he had left there three weeks ago. Wellys at All Joslins. Wells went down home with Bill Bates to borrow a file to file a saw Volty went to Ebbs to borrow a kettle to make soap in and it was down to Mc Ladens. Volty & Johny set up two benches. Mother came up and sewed carpet rags. Grace got a bad cold. Rained I got the tub for water but got none.
April 5th (1887) Tuesday A bright day [crossed out] yes. Wind west rather cold. Welly at All Joslins. Wells at home working at the barn. Snow squall all day. Volty went to McFadens to get Ebbs kettle to make soap. The red cow had a calf this morning which makes three cows in. John Niles gave Volty (book on his )??. Deans Breakey came for drake.
6th Wednesday (April 1887) A fine bright day wind north. Wells at work on the ice house. Volty helped Will draw wood from Digmans. I saw an owl on the wing captured.... him alive. Welly at Alls. Johny chopped wood at the door. Grace & her Grandma sewing carpet rags. I canned apples.
7th (April 1887) A beautiful day but rather cold wind west. Wells working on the ice house. Welly at Alls. Volty chopping bass wood for summers wood. Johny chopping wood at the door. Grace and her Grandmother sewing carpet rags. I canned apples and washed and done general house work. John Morgan came across on the ice today.
8th (April 1887) A bright day rather cold for the season. Wells working on the ice house. Welly at All’s. Volty chopping bass wood down on the corner. John boiling water for the back and choring around. Grace & Grandmother sewing carpet rags.
April Saturday 9th (1887) A fair day wind south. Ice breaking in the river channel open from Clayton to Cape Vincent. Wells shingling the ice house. Welly at All Joslins. Volty chopping bass wood. John tending the ¼ Grace & Grandmama sewing rags. Two new lambs to day Grace is 14 years old to day. She went to sams for the mail two letters from Hugh¼ Volty carried the bees out after dinner.
Sunday 10th (April 1887) A pleasant day wind south rather warm ice has not left the shores yet only a channel open. This is Easter Sunday. But no eggs our hens do not lay very well this spring. I have only 70 eggs and I am saving them to buy coloring for carpet. Will & Jen here this after noon. Mother went home with them. Another lamb 2 lambs and Will cant find his sheep.
Monday 11th (1887) A very fine day. Wind North. No rain yet a dry April. Snow all gone except the corner of fences and hollows. The ice not left the shores yet. Wells shinglhing the ice house. Volty & Johny making soap & cleaning out the door yard.In the afternoon Volty chops bass wood & Johny draw bass wood home.Welly down to All preparing lumber for a punt Will went to look for his sheep found them on Morgan’s point. Bill Bates called to say goodbye he is going away tomorrow. Wells has gone over to old Rattray’s to show him where the hive is.Grace is sewing carpet rags. I am doing housework and trying to wash. Old sow tipped over the soap kettle this afternoon and wasted about half the soap. Volty didn’t get home to supper “till after eleven O”clock p.m. Had been to Will Glespies & the marsh & Meary connor.(? could be Mary Connor)
April 12th Tuesday (1887) A cloudy cold day wind north. Looks like snow. Welly at All Joslins. Johny & Volty drawing Bass wood home. Wells tinkering around. Grace sewing rags. Ebb went to Kingston to carry Bates. I am waiting for the Boys to come home to dinner. I churned & hung out the clothes. We are trying to wean our cats did not snow at all cleared up fine. John Niles told Will that the typhoid fever is on the Island. Very fine weather and dry no snow no rain nothing but good health and hard times but I am truly Thankful we have enough. Ice is all broken away from shore to shore & the old St. Lawrence is rolling wide and blue. We got 8 eggs today.
April 13th Monday (1887) A bright clear day wind north and cold ice floating up stream. Wells shingled the ice house awhile but so cold had to stop. Welly & Will making a punt (small boat) down to Wills. Volty tinkering around at every thing painting ice house and sorting paper rags mixing paint. John corded the Bass wood. John & Voltie are now plowing the door yard all up. Grace darning stockings and ironing and helping me work around the house and mending her aprons. I cut out an under waist and made it. Boiled beef and apples and made custard pies. No rain yet or snow. I wish it would rain so I could catch rain water two barrels. All Joslin here. Will Dixon here. Jen came up for milk and I gave her some butter too.
April 14th Thursday (1887) A rather cloudy day & cold wind north. Wells drove over to Charlies (Halliday) this afternoon, and found them all well. Met Mr. & Mrs. Holliday (John & Margaret) going up to Murphys, their children sick. Wells went for hay. Volty at Wills working on the punt(?).
Johny spreading straw & drawing manure on his garden and choring around. Grace washing dishes, and set table. I cut rags all day. Spafford and Frances [Joy] here, looking for peas. Voltie went to Will Gillespies [William Gillespie 1850‑1942] to borrow a saw, and gone all day tis 7 Oclock and he not come yet. No snow, no rain. I sow more tomatoe seeds in pans. Got 9 eggs to day. Voltie came at dark. He been sawing wood for Meonsiene Delmar’s. Will came in the Evening for milk. Johny has gone some where this Evening, I guess up to Sams I don’t like to go to bed till he comes but think I will for tis most 10 O’clock.
April 15th Sunday (1887) A cloudy day wind south & light. A sprinkling rain don’t amount to much yet mild. Wells finished shingling the ice house. Welly at Wills building punt. Johny and Voltie saw Bass wood down on the corner. In the afternoon Wells Woltie & Johny draw hay from George Gillespies [George Gillespie 1852‑1928] Expected Charlie & Henry down but they did not come. Mother came up to sew rags. I sewed cabbage seeds red. Voltie went up to Niles to borrow saw set. I churned. A black cloud rising in the Southwest thunder ¼ the wind rising & it sets in for an all night storm from South¼ dark rainy & windy. Voltie & Johny (crossed out) gone down to Wills. Johny at Sams. Voltie carried milk and the umbrella.
April 16th Saturday (1887) Rained some in the night & rained some this morning but Wells went to Kingston. Wind south changing to west. Air mild. Welly stayed all night at Wills cleared up about noon. The sun shone out. Welly building punt at Wills. Volty split Bass wood & helped Will draw hay in the afternoon from Gillespies. Tilly came and brought some sweet apples and got some vinegar. John went to A(?S).D.W.’s for the mail. Grace got a letter from Maud. Wells got a letter from Hough (crossed out). Will received a letter from Dick Spoor assessing ¼ Our turkey commenced to lay got one egg = 10 eggs from the hen. W got a letter from Max. It has not rained enough this month to catch from the eves two pails of water.
Sunday 17th (April 1887) A fine day wind South West froze quite hard last night for the wind was north. Welly clipped John’s hair and accidentally shot Wills dog Joe. I hope he will live through it afterward went up Island to Jim Berrys. Will came up twice last time came for mother to go home and care for the baby while he and Jen goes down to Michey. Silvia, Joe Bisonette and Liz (?) came over today. Welly let Joe have a rooster. Grace went down to Wills came back and went up to Mr. Nile’s. John went to Wills to help get the dog home came back and has gone upstairs to read. Voltie stayed at home all A.M.and has now gone off with Charlie Woodman [b.1873] & Bisonette down stream. I used 6 eggs making two cakes and two custard pies. Will went down to the lower place and visited with Ebb awhile. Will & Jen came up here and did not go to Micheas – in the evening. Jane Niles and Lilly came and made us a visit. We got nine eggs today. Welly didn’t go to Berry’s he went up to Mr. Woodmans came back and went over to Breakeys & from there to Bells. A tug went up today towing two barges and a vessel.
April 18th (1887) froze quite hard last night ice froze out long way in the river. Sun rose clear and bright while frost last night. Wind north and high (crossed out) strong. Wells Volty and Johny drew a load of hay from Gillespies. P.M. plowed in garden a cold raw day somewhat cloudy dark clouds in south west like snow. 10 hens eggs & 1 turkey egg. I used one egg & Welly came home from Bells and works on punt in afternoon. Will went to Nile’s for potatoes and apples. Stoped here and got the hand axe Welly crossed the Bay from Hollidays on the ice going & coming.
April 19th (1887) wind north changing to south raw cold day river full of floating ice. Sun is shining clear and bright. Wells & John building fence for hog yard and around the pasture. Wells Jr. working on his punt. Drescol son plowing for Niles & went up to Bulgers in the evening Jen made uo two calls to day. I colored scarlet and green for carpet & baked 6 loaves of bread. Grace washing dishes and help do the house work our hens lay nine eggs today. Will here this evening for milk & I lent him three magazines.
April 20th Wednesday (1887) a clear bright day warmer than yesterday wind south river full of floating ice. Wells built fence plowed more in the garden and in P.M. plowed down by Ebb’s. Frost not all out the ground yet. Johny chopped wood and done chores. Welly at Wills work on punt. Volty plow all day for Niles with our team. Mother came at noon she & Grace sew carpet rags the rest of the day. 2 turkey eggs and 12 hens eggs. I sowed cabbage radish lettuce & pepper seed and in afternoon slept two hours. Our boys all out not one at home this eveing.
April 21st Thursday (1887) A clear bright day, wind south. A slight shower towards evening which amounted to a sprinkle. Wells plowing down by Ebb’s. Welly making punt. Volty plowing for Niles. Johny went to Wills A M for the wheelbarrow & to Niles to borrow garden rake & worked at cleaning out the door yard in P.M. Grace & her Grandma cutting & sewing carpet rags. Will cow had twin calves. Jane Niles [Mary Jane Percy Niles 1849‑1921, wife of John] sent me some maple syrup hens lay 10 eggs to day. Jen went to George Gillespies visiting. Johny went out this evening and has not come yet at 15 minutes of 10 Oclock. Wells plowed some in garden. Frost not out yet ice all along the shore cant get a pail of water unless half ice. John has just returned. He went down to Gillespies with Will for Jen and the baby. John Morgan come up from Clayton to day. Ed Rattray drove in here to borrow drag or cultivator or something.
April 22nd Friday (1887) A foggy morning a mist so thick can scarcly see the river a very light wind north almost a calm the river like a sheet of glass with an abundance of floating ice the mist rolls away and the sun shines out bright and warm the loveliest spring day yet Wells plowing at home. Volty plowing down by Ebbs. Welly went to Wills and at noon Volty came home by Wills and help. They drew the punt home and put it in the woodshed. Wells went to Obriens for cultivator teeth at P.M. Welly helped Will cut pickets for garden fence. John spread manure & chored around. Grace helped do cooking mother sewed and cut rags. I cut rags & washed & churned. All Joslin came to clean wheat. Will here. Wind changed east black cloud rising south circle around the sun barometer falling. I went out after dark with the lantern and brought the clothes from the line. They were dry. Volty & John gone this evening to Mr. Niles. Eleven eggs today I used five. Welly is writing a letter to Texico.
April 23rd Saturday (1887) A very windy day with some rain dark clouds rising and partly clearing up all day threatening a severe rain storm barometer down to. Rain raw cold wind from the south. Set out our rain barrel and tub and caught about a pailful of water. Wells gone to Kingston for seed grain (wheat). Got home about 10 Oclock P.M. Supper all dried up on the stove waiting for him. Two bags of wheat ... mising. Don't know where they are missing Glad I don't ever believe people that I tend strictly to bussines. Don't ever miss or lose anything. John plowed his garden in forenoon. Volty and Welly pottered around. In afternoon Volty plowed down by Ebbs and plowed Wills garden. Welly made ruder for his boat. Mother sewed rags. Grace helped do house work. I cut rags and moped floor & fried cakes & worked all day. 14 eggs and 1 turkey egg used one egg. Wells came home and brought the boys some tobaco said he would rather buy tobaco for them than they should borrow all around the neighborhood. I made two apple pies. Welly went down to Wills to carry some milk for their baby and some milk for their sick cow and stayed all night.
April 24th Sunday (1887) A clear bright day a south west wind disagreeably cold. Wind strong, river rough. Wells went to bed lets his paper fall considerable to day. Boys all got tobaco they pass their time between home and Wills except Welly. I don't know where he is he went away towards noon. Grace went down to Wills and after a while came back and Voltie with her. Volty brought the baby to stay here while Will & Jen goes down to Mer. McKays. Old Mr. Gillespie had the Doctor yesterday. I baked a meal puding for dinner. 12 eggs to day & 1 turkey egg. I used three eggs. Johny reading most all day. I am very sleepy and half past 6 Oclock P.M. Charley came to Sam's for the mails & came here. Will came for the babe took him. Grace went home with him and carried milk. Welly has been ‑over‑ visiting Patterson and eat dinner there.
April Monday 25 (1887) Cloudy morning rains a little. Clears away early sun shining brightly at 10 Oclock wind south not very warm. I churned and mixed bread. Mother & Grace washed breakfast dishes. Will came for her to go home to tend baby while he & Jen make garden. Wells Jr. went across the river to mail letters. I don't feel well. I'm sick got to work all the same. Wells sowed O Rourke's. Voltie planted potatoes got them of Ebb. Johny helpes work in the field to day. Johny planted butter beans at noon in his garden & planted some early corn in a pan(?) that Spaff gave Wells this morning when he came over to get peas. Will went to Niles for seed potatoes & caller coming back he brought them on his shoulder. I baked 5 loaves bread. Hens laid 10 eggs to day turkey two.
Tuesday 26th (April 1887) A very pleasant A.M. the river calm. Volty went across the river for seed potatoes at Bobs. P.M. the wind blew strong from the South west. Wells gone to Kingston for seed peas came home quite early & all right (she probably means sober) brought home 8 qrts. white beans for seed. Welly choring around home and making a pair of oars. Johny plowed over on grang(?) A.M. afternoon lounged around and cultivated part of the garden. Grace helped me. She is a good little daughter. I did not expect Volty home. It was so cold and the wind blew so but it was not so rough towards dark & he came over in Mearyann's punt ‑ could get no potatoes but brought my Book and collected Welly pay of shoser(?) and brought white lead and paint oil. Uncle James gave him buoys and leads for a fish net and flower seed, a card for Grace, ducks eggs, harvest pear grafts and Rob gave him some onions and 150 strawberries plants the Wilsons. We got 13 eggs to day 2 turkey eggs. I used 1. John Niles went to Gananoque to mill. Will sheep dried. I let Will have butter. Grace planted some peas & beans in her garden. I finished Grace colar and patched Johns shirt darned three pairs of socks.
Wednesday 27th (April 1887) A clear bright day rather cold froze last night. Wells & Johny working in the field. Volty working in the garden. Welly painting his punt. I churned got fifteen eggs to day used two 1 turkey. Set up another colar trying to get ready for Kingston tomorrow.
Thursday 28th (April 1887) A clear bright morning rose early and cut a piece of bread & butter and started for Kingston market with butter & eggs and not a cent to pay my fare. Volty drove over to the dock first drove down for Will & Jen and they not ready it took so long for them to get ready. Volty drove off and left them. John Morgan stayed there that night and all day Thursday. We went up on the Maud(?) and came home on the princess. Rather dull day in town. Mrs. Thornton very sick can see no one except their family & the doctor. I knit on Grace collar. Wells worked in the field. Boys all worked in the field. Welly made oars for Joe Bisonnette. Hens lay 13 eggs & three turkey's eggs. Volty drove over to dock for me with the farm wagon and I and Jen rode home on buck board. Grace kept house and had supper ready when I came home. Wind changed from South and was blowing from north when we came to the dock. Cloudy and commenced to rain when we got home and rained all night. Patterson's folk got a new girl baby. Snow over in Breakeys bay yet and along Howe Island.
Friday 29 (April 1887) A rainy morning wind north and strong rained all night & all day. Caught a tub & barrel full of water. Volty moved all the things out of the small room and took up the carpet and tore off all the lose plastering. Wells puttered around the barn and mended old harness. Got another cow come in. 19 nineteen eggs to day & 1 turkey egg. Welly went down to Wellington's & stayed all night. Volty went to Mary Anne's to see about weaving carpet.
Saturday 30th (April 1887) A clear bright day wind north west blowing strong. Welly went down to Ebbs with his punt. Wells, John & Volty building fence. Volty got some potatoes from Niles. Johny went over to Bells. 17 eggs to day used two. Jen came for oats for her cow and Will came up in the evening for milk. I baked 6 loaves of bread. A letter from Hugh.
May 1st Sunday (1887) A very fine day quite warm very light wind north. Wells, Grace and I go over to Bells and find them all well had a good visit and drove home towards evening. Charles father mad because they wouldn't let old Meitehel dig a well. Hadn't been home but a few minutes when Will came up with Mother. They had a row down there. Mother and Jen quarreling all day commenced about the baby's shirt. I am sick of it all. Silve, Hattie, Will Cromwell & Bisonette came over. Joe got his oars and eat dinner to Wills. Will went to church quarterly meeting to day. 11 eggs to day. I used 2. Snub says his father lost 17 dollars Thursday.
May 2nd (1887) A very warm day light wind South. Mother went down home & brought up her night dress and cloth for her new dress. They said she tried to get out of the punt to drown herself. Wells and Volty & Johny working in the field sowing and cultivating oats. P.M. Volty planted potatoe in the garden & sowed tomatoes & cabbage seed. Welly went to help. Will set his fish net and brought home some pickerel & bull heads. Mother kniting on Graces stocking. Grace went to Mrs. Niles and played with the children till most dark. I washed. 17 eggs and used 3. Fried cakes made custard pies and boiled beef. Jane gave Grace onions and horse radish. Got another new milk's cow. The wind rising and looks like rain. Jen went with the boys Will & Welly in the boat down to McKays. Old Mr. Gillespie very sick. The following crossed out: I churned and fried cakes and baked beans.
Thursday 3rd (May 1887) A fine bright day wind south grass growing frogs singing. Wells & Johny working in the field. Volty working in the garden planting potatoes & grafting & setting onions. Welly moving fish net. I colored carpet rags orange. Grace helping around the house and sewing. Mother half sick and gone to bed. Volty went to Mr. Niles for more potatoes Chicago markets. Boys i.e. Wills Welly and Volty gone this evening to Indians (?) bay setting net and spearing fish. Johny gone to bed early. 18 eggs to day. Wells said there is frost in the ground where he plowing to day.
Wednesday 4th (May 1887) A fine bright day south wind. Wells and Volty working in the field. Johny working in the garden made 3 beds and sowed radish seeds. Welly went to the corners and got a plow point & a pair of pants for himself he said. Wells' Aunt Nancy was buried to day. Ada Watkins called this afternoon going to John Niles and stoped coming back & Volty has gone down the road with her towards home. Grace cried because I would not let her go to Niles to play croquet. Grace sewed on her apron. I baked 6 loaves of bread. I got 15 eggs and used two. I have not got much butter to carry to market tomorrow. Mother sewing my carpet rags. Welly & Volty just come home & brought two fish a pickeral and chub took them from the net. I churned, bake beans & fried cakes.
Thursday 5th (May 1887) A fine warm day wind south went to Kingston as usual. Eggs eleven cts and sold my butter for 18 cts per pound Jane sold hers for 15 & 16 she had 38 lbs. I sold my butter to Henderson and my eggs to an old man and went away up past Montroa (Montreal?) Bank to get my money for them. The old man carried my basket and another full basket. An old woman went along and carried another basket. The old lady said she lived at Cataraqui she over 70 years old. The Operatie Band of musicians were marching in town to day and playing. They will perform in the opera house to night.
Saw Mag Bullger on the boat to day. We went up on the Maud and came back on the Princess. Mrs. Sam Woodman went up to.Will Dixon went also. 13 eggs to day. I didn't get much news to day yet. Morgans folks here got to buy flour. Mrs. Thornton very sick all summer ...Mrs. Morgan said. Volty went to Obrien, might be to get a grafting knife made.
Friday 6th (Mary 1887) Some what cloudy wind north but quite warm. Will caught last night and to day 23 pickerel and Welly made a fish pound and carried it over to Mitchels bay and put the fish in it. Wells getting in oats. Johny worked in garden sowed beet seed & parsnip worked in field this afternoon. Thundered last night. Welly went across the river to Spinks to get his money that Spink owes him. Tilly & George Niles here this evening. John gone to bed. Volty gone over to the bay to help Will run the net. Welly has not got back yet. Welly is half sick. Grace is not well. Mother has got a sore throat and I have sore eyes. 18 egg to day. I used two + churned + another new milks cow + it thunders again to night and lightens.
Saturday 7th (May 1887) A fine day some cloudy high wind north. Wells gone to Kingston for seed wheat. Volty grafting for George Gillespie. Will & John Nesbitt went to the Cape with fish. Welly came home from Spinks and went to Niles to get fish net came back & brought the nets. John went to the field for whiffleher and drew me a barrel of water and drew two or three loads of banking from the house then went to help Welly draw his nets to the bay. Mother is sewing rags. Grace is sewing and helping me. I baked 5 loaves of bread washed a lot of clothes and scrubed 4 rooms and got 3 square meals. 26 eggs to day. I gave Will 6 eggs. I received a letter from Rachel and mother got one from Maud. Wells got one from Hugh ‑ a big one. Hugh never forgets to write. Welly came home and brought me some perch and a large pickerel. No rain. Set a hen on turkeys eggs. I used 2 eggs.
Sunday 8th (May 1887) A very bright warm day. Charley came over and brought Bell and the children and then drove back to go to Old Mrs. Forbes funeral & drove back again for them in the evening. Welly & Volty rowed around the foot with the new punt. Wells went to bed and had a long nap in the afternoon. Johny reading all day. Mother & Belle reading part of the time. Grace playing with Marjorie [Marjorie Holliday 1884‑1976]. Belle read all Grace letters from Maud, Rachel and rene. I prepared the dinner and supper. Grace gathered 11 eggs and Volty found 14 more under the barn. No rain yet. Will came up and brought little Charley [Charles Homer Dixon 1886‑1962]. I used 6 eggs. I gave the boys six for lunch.
Monday 9th (May 1887) A very bright warm day wind changed from north to south wind light heat intensive ‑ men all glad to put on their straw hats. Welly out fishing all night gone down to paint the light house. Ebb Joslin [1824‑1894] Wellington Burnham [b. abt. 1851, son‑in‑law of Ebb] brought our apple trees this morning. Wells is sowing grain (crossed out) wheat to day. Volty and Johny is helping too. Jen had gone up to Mrs. Niles this afternoon to make a visit. Will helps her carry the baby, came back and stoped and mother went down home with him. No rain yet. I have nearly gone to sleep two or three times writing this. Grace has been washing. Grace has brought in 18 eggs. I used four to make a custard. I churned brought in another egg. Volty came home early and planted the sweet corn. He and Charly Woodman have gone fishing this evening at Sullivan's Bay. Wells didn't come home late. Set two hens on turkeys eggs. Mother came back before dark. Grace went up to Niles to play with the children. John Niles carried (crossed out) rowed Jen down home in the boat with a half dozen youngones besides Grace and Sam's hired girl. A very warm night and still fish lights out.
Tuesday 10th (May 1887) A fine bright day no rain and no sign of any. Wells & Volty working in the field. Johny clearing out the door yard. Welly looking after his nets, he brought me a pike and we had it for supper. Woodmans boys & Niles here in the evening. John went over to the bay and didn't get home 'till 2 Olock at night. Only nine eggs to day. I gave Welly four for lunch and used one for cake. Mother knit on Grace stocking. Grace went down to stay all night with Jen. Wind changed to north in the night. I wrote a letter to Maud.
Wednesday 11 (May 1887) A very bright day wind north no rain. Wells sowing wheat and John draging it in. Volty digging holes for apple trees. Welly came home slept awhile and went to paint the light house. Grace steped on a nail and hurt her foot. John brought home a pike from the bay last night and I had it for dinner. Only 10 eggs to day. I need 5. I churned and baked two loaves of bread and two custard pies. I wrote a letter to Rachel.
Thursday 12 (May 1877) A pleasant day no sign or rain. Wells and boys finished sowing wheat. Volty drove over to dock. I went to Kingston on the Pierpont and back on her ‑ mother and Grace kept house. Saw Mr. Gologoly and Mrs. plaid shall Mrs. Gologoly said her baby is eleven days old. Jim Driscol abord drunk and disorderly his wife called him a d‑‑d fool. I bought (brought) 4 loaves of bread. Wind north. Our hens laid 10 eggs today used 3. John came after me. Will went to Kingston too and bought a hundred rods of fish net. Came home and set them. Mr. All Berry went up on the boat.
Friday 13 (May 1887) A fine day wind north no rain. Trees all leaving out. Wells and boys puting in early afternoon. Volty set fruit trees 14 apple trees and greely plum tree. Grace can't step on her foot yet. Volty and John gone out this evening. Welly and Will fishing. Mother took a long nap this afternoon. 26 eggs to day. River as still and clear as glass not a ripple. On the river tugs and tows and steamboats passing up and down all the time.
Saturday 14 (May 1887) A fair day wind south no rain. Wells went to Kingston to mill. Welly fishing. Volty finished setting apple trees and cleaned cellar. Johny drew water from river and drew the banking away from around the house. I sit milk in cellar to night. Mary Watkins called about the carpet and then went to Niles. Charlie Woodman, Volty and Johny went spearing fish, stayed all night till broad day light came home lunched milked the cows went to bed and slept until three O'clock Sunday P.M. They brought nearly a wash tub full of fish suckers, perch & bullheads. 12 eggs today. Ebb called wants I should write for “ On the St. Lawrence” I said yes.
Sunday 15th (May 1887) A fair day no rain. Welly came home and brought perch which he caught in his nets. Wells read all A.M. and after dinner went to bed. Will Cornwell and Lydia(or Sylvia) Jane came over stayed awhile at Sams and went back. Volty and Johny abed most all day. Grace went Wills(crossed out) and gathered flowers Lilly and Shelly came & went with Grace to Jen's for pepper after dinner. Mother went home & after a while Grace went too. Stayed awhile came back and Jen with her mother and Jen didn't speak Jen and the baby stayed all night. John went to Tles? Or Rles?) in evening & Volty to Wills. 25 eggs to day used one. Wells set a turkey on 16 eggs. Edy Bates brought the manuscript paper and enveloped for On the St. Lawrence.
Monday 16 (May 1887) A fine day no rain but smokey. Wells Volty and Johny working in field getting in barley. Will & Welly went to Cape with fish. I gave them six eggs for lunch. Wells set a turkey on 16 eggs this morning. I churned 8 lbs butter finished Grace's skirt. John & Voltie came home to the sound of the dinner horn and brought a bag full of greens dandelions. 19 eggs to day used one and Welly 6. Baked 5 loaves bread. John brought another bag of dandelions when he came up to milk the cows.
Tuesday 17. (May 1887) A fine day wind south no rain smokey weather. Wells and boys working in field. 19 eggs to day. Jen and mother don't speak. our cats get in the cellar every night and can't get out again and lick the cream of the milk. We got another lamb. Grace went to Mrs.Niles to get her sun bonnet cut.
Wednesday 18th. (May 1887) fine day no rain. Wells working in field wind south. Welly came home. Jen came up for step ladder. Welly her carry it home. 20 eggs to day. Peace is declared between mother and Jen. They have hung out the flag of ..nce for 40 days. Grace churned twice to day and washed. John drew me a barrel of water.
Thursday 19th (May 1887) fair day very chilly no rain wind south. Went to Kingston. Volty drove carried me to dock in the morning & came for me at night. Saw Jim Mather(?) in his soldier uniform with red stripe up sides of his breeches with little round cap trimmed with gold band stuck on one side of his head. He looked like a puppet. Old Mary Ranous came down on the boat and Old Mrs. Duggin too we brought her over to Wills. Butter sold quick to day for 20 cts. Mrs. Kit Irvine went to town along with Mrs. Horn. I was so tired when I came home I went straight to bed after supper. Wolty worked in garden. Will carried fish to market. Gave Ebb the news. Welly gave Volty a fish. 12 eggs used & bought a loaf of bread.
Friday 20th (May 1887). A clear warm day no rain wind South. We had fish for dinner. Welly came home & gave me 75 cts. Wells has finished sowing grain. Volty and John plowed more in garden. I churned and washed. Will came up for butter. Sams hired girl Lilly, Wally and George here. Mrs. Woodman here. Volty Johny and George gone fishing. Old mare had a colt old white cow had a calf 18 eggs.
Saturday 21st (May 1887) A clear (crossed out) warm day very light wind south smokey no rain. Wells gone to Kingston. Devolson (Volty)& John working in garden all day. Welly fishing Grace I and done house work. Received a letter from Rachel. Grace one from Maud. 13 eggs used three. Volty and John went fishing this evening and stayed till half past four this morning got a wash tub full. Baked 5 loaves bread & 2 eggs brok.
Sunday 22nd (May 1887). A bright warm day wind south no rain. Didn't get up very early, done our work leisurely and lounged around just as we pleased. Henry & Sandy came over Grace went over to Bells with them. Eggs was not gathered. Afternoon I took a nap. Boys at home most all day.
Monday 23rd (May 1887). Monday here again. A bright day wind south blowing fresh no rain. A.M. Welly and Edy Bates went to Cape with fish. Volty worked in garden A.M.
P.M. went to help Will set nets. Wells and Johny worked in field in P.M. wind all gone down river as still as glass. Churned twice worked hard all day very tired. Welly came home while Johny milking down by the shore and sent me a lot of cakes.
Tuesday 24th (May 1887). wind south and strong rather cloudy. Barometer falling fast a black cloud rising rain quite hard by dinner time and poured all the afternoon a good rain ground rain gloruous rain. We churned again. John moved his bed. I slept two hours. I am sleepy now. I was going to write to Rachel I so sleepy I can't. I go to bed.
Wednesday 25th (May 1887). A beautiful day after the rain high wind south everything growing finely. Volty worked in garden A.M. Wells plowed a little in field P. M. picking up stone. John working around wheeling out manure on wheelbarrow. John set a hen in the woodpile. Baked 5 loaves bread churned. Welly cut George Nile's hair. I wrote Rachel.
Thursday 26 (May 1887). A fine day wind south a fine breeze. I went to Kingston on Princess. Sylve Keathe(?)( could be Mattie) of Ada and Kate Phillips went also. Bill Malony and wife & two children. Bell went too & Mrs. Kea.. I went to see Mrs. Thornton to day. Jen went up. I bought cabbage plants. Belle bought some things at Waldrons which were to have been sent to the boat but were not there. A full market but rather dull. Grace came home on the boat with me from Hollidays.
Friday 27th (May 1887). A fine day wind south. Grace moped pantry and kitchen. Wells went down to Wills to get lumber to fix his old buggy came back & stoped at Will Wood... bee.
Saturday 28th (May 1887). A fine day wind south warm and pleasant everything growing nicely. Wells went to Kingston when he came he brought the goods left on the boat from Waldrons. Boys howing in garden all for noon & played ball in our pasture in after noon. Letter from Victor.
Sunday 29th (May 1887). A very fine day wind north. I expected Bell but she did not come. We sent Johny to Mr. Niles to borrow his buggy, thinking we would drive over to Bells with her parcel but buggy was broke. Received the first coppy of :On the St. Lawrence." We coocked two old hens for dinner. They are scratching up our garden. Mother came up and stayed a little while. Wells went to bed he drops his paper frequently. Volty went fishing and......on side, not legible.
96 ‑62 ‑ 54. one bottle of qua... medicine $1,00 [sic]
Monday 30 (May 1887). A fine day wind north. Welly & Will went to Cape with fish 300 hun lbs. Volty came home at 3 O'clock this morning and brought a big cat fish weight ten lbs. Volty sick all day. I doctored hime for cold. I churned over eleven lbs butter and washed a quilt. Johny hoed in garden. Grace helped around the house. Hens scratching up everything. Lilly came down visiting at dark. Grace went as far as the old pine(?) with her. Wells drew stone off from the new piece.
Tuesday 31st (May 1887). last day of May. A fine day wind east blowing fresh. Wells drawing stone while heifer got a calf. Grace went to Mr. Niles for sheep shears. Volty Welly and Will helped (crossed out) sheared sheep. John helped too. Our hens are scratching up all our garden. Wells croped ( cut the feathers close)one wing so they can't fly. Grace made her sun bonnet. I patched Johns pants. Our boys gone up to Sams this evening. I wrote to Victor.
Wednesday June 1st (1887). A fine day wind south. I churned twice and made 21 butter
prints, wrote for the paper. Wells drew stone says our peas are in blossom. Volty and John worked in garden. Will and Wells came up awhile and went off fishing. Volty helped me scrub one parlor.
Thursday June 2nd (1887). A fine morning wind south cloudy in afternoon rained hard all afternoon and evening. I went to Kingston. Volty drove over to wharf, old Mrs. Duggin went too & Will. We drove down to Wills for them. Had to ... & put up 5 pair bars. We carred our old couch to get it upholstered. Mrs. Woodman went to town, the Gallispie family all had thier picture took to day in group. Mrs. Thornton no better. I carried Bell her parcel and a dozen turkey eggs. I was very tired sold my butter to Foley. Visited with old Mrs. Lowry. Volty & Johny came for me somebodys fish was in my basket. I cooked it got some body's cheese to. Eat that up. I picked it up beside our waggon thought it was mine. If I find who it belongs too I’ll buy it again for them. 10 O’Clock and I am awful sleepy.
Friday 3rd (June 1887). A cloudy morning warm wind south every thing green and flourishing. Most forgot what I done let me see now ‑ I can think ‑ Wells & Johny drew wood Volty hoed in garden. I cut and fixed Graces dress heming. Jen came for lard. In afternoon Wells worked on the buggy.
Saturday 4th (June 1887). A beautiful day sun shining clear and bright. Wells went to Kingston. I churned & moped and baked & washed. Volty & John hoed in the garden. Wells came home and brought the lime but didn't get the barbed wire.
Sunday 5th (June 1887). A foggy morning cleared up bright clear and warm. Grace went to Sunday school. Charlie, Belle and the children came over. Cooked chickens and had a pot pie. Mother ,Will can Jen came up. Bell knit two pair of stockings and gave them to little Charlie. Welly came and brought some fish.
Monday 6th (June 1887). Cloudy drizzling rainy day wind south. Wells working away on the old buggy. Welly, Johny & Will gone to Cape with fish. Volty went across the river about wool came back & went up the Island and down the road to buy wool. Grace and
(Will, I think) and wash. We are expecting visitors. Boys are afraid Steele will Steal their nets. Rachel and Welly came across about 6 O'clock P.M. to mothers..
The Islands: Written Word: Diaries: Irene Bamford: 1887
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