1891 - 1892 - 1893

DIARY OF IRENE DIXON BAMFORD

1891, 1892 & 1893

1891

I can only find a few pages marked 1891. Some of them only have the month and year. I am adding them just as they are.......T.Moye

Feburary 9th : Sunday, No year but was in with1891

A beautiful clear day light. Wind north Volty and Grace went in cutter over to Charley’s. Welly came up from Alf’s stayed til towards night, got milk for the baby. John went to church came back lunched and then made Will’s folks a visit. Volty and Grace came at dark.

Feburary 10th Monday: I can see 18?? On year.

A beautiful day bright and cold wind north. Wells and Volty went to Kingston with sleigh. Volty boughttwo butter prints and some socks for himself. Welly drove down in cutter to Alf’s for Eveline and baby. The baby got a bad cold yet. Grace washed and hung out colored clothes. Eveline made herself a rug. Will and Welly went over for the box and to see Sid Percy. Mrs. Gloyd better. Will didn’t get the box but got Volty’s valise instead. Sid not at home. Wells and Volty came home quite early. John chored around and he and Welly skated.

May 12th 1891: Tuesday

A fine noonday wind & I am not well yet but work around. Grace washed and hung the clothes on the line. Rena ( someone else made the diary entry because Irene Bamford was call Rena...T.Moye)washed some socks and two skirts,cooked and washed dishes. Johny pulverized the front yard. Volty and Johny plowed in the orchard and planted potatoes. Had baked beans, pike for dinner that Will gave us. Volty helped Will set a net went to bed early after Grace and Maud returned from Wills. Will came after we were all abed. Hungry, tired and wet been to run his fish nets. John drove to factory. Hiram J. Went away sailing.

May 13th 1891:Wednesday

Warm day high wind south. John drove to factory. Will came over and engaged Volty to drive to Joys for fish and fish pond while Will went up the shore to run his net. Rachel went to Ebb’s borrowed his boat rowed it to J. Niles to meet Will and Welly Jr. Volty came back with the fish (Looks like pound..T.Moye) and a bag of potatoes from W. Burnham. Rachel went home dressed and came back and went to the Cape with Will and Grace and I got greens for dinner. Will brought me one pound tea and 5 sugar which is 46 cents. Rachel rowed the boat down to Ebbs. Welly came in the evening for his things Will brought from Cape. John and Volty plowed in orchard Volty borrowed $1.25 of Will. Will paid John a dollar which he owed him. John let Volty have the dollar. Grace finished cleaning my bedroom.

May 1891 Sunday no other date

(Part missing. ) me a half pint of corn syrup. Charley and Flora came along to. Had a fine time playing. After awhile I get up . Volty and Johny take a Sunday nap. Maud and I cook beans and green (??) And get wood. John goes to Evening prayer meeting. I read Talmage’s sermon to Volty. Great Fire on Howe Island Angus McDonel house and barn gone.

May 1891: Monday

Light wind north. I don’t feel very well yet. I patched all forenoon. Rained some in A.M. but not much. Welly came and drove his cow home. Will here and gave me two nice fish. Grace took up the carpet from my bedroom floorHay pressers sat up at noonday pressed two hours and went away. Sam went to Delmarsks and brought Buchionanup to see Mrs. Woodman for she is sick. Our boys are working in the garden planting Potatoes. We had dandelion greens for supper. Sam’s hay was no good. Welly’s cow returned here again. Bill Smith here to borrow a dog some one accidently shot Leo most killed him only (Can’t read last line...T. Moye)

No date

Will came after dark for some of the boys to go up the river to help him set nets could get no one so went alone moon shone brightly he gone so long Rachel came over looking for him. So Volty went off up the river at eleven to find Will. Found him all right came home and went to bed.

Thursday:(only date)

A beaitful day wind north cool. Johny drove with Volty and Grace to the dock took a bag of wheat to mill. Came back milked all the cows and drove to the factory. Grace gone to Bells John finished plowing the orchard and is now pulverzing. Maud been out doors most of the time she enjoys the warm sunshine and her checks are red as twin roses. Welly here gone up to his nets and Will here I don’t feel well.

May 22nd 1891 : Friday

Not written in this diary since week ago yesterday. Been sick and had doctor. Feet badly swollen yet,no rain till this morning. But the weather the past week has been very fine and warm. Wind south, west, and north. Boys finished punt. Rachel came over and stayed until last night. Princess came to dock for her last night. John drove back again with Rachel. Welly and Will fishing. Welly got 3 and Will has 9 nets. John sold a pig to James Gloyd carried it to him one night since I sick it thunderd and Lightened and rained some and the weather very cool but last night it rained hard all night which is very improperly written. Welly is helping the boy’s dig post holes for enlarging the garden to plant potatoes. I worked around cooked and washed dishes. Grace washed some clothes. I sent Maud and Marjorie to Jen’s for soda.

September 4th 1891: Wednesday

A very warm day. Wind south Wells and Volty gone to the fair. Volty went to see Mosier about pressing hay. Johny dug potatoes and went to (looks like Meory ? ) for ice for the butter and milked 12 cows alone. Almia here visiting in afternoon. Bill came with her across the ball pasture and Bill and Laura rowed here for tea at evening. I set up till most midnight making butter prints.

September 5th 1891: Thursday

A clear bright morning very warm. Wind south Volty drove to the dock I carried 41 lbs. Of soft butter to market. Mrs. Niles and Mrs. Woodman went to the fair. I wrote to Watson on the boat and left it with Rachel to mail. Saw Norman Petrie and Mattie Smith. Volty and Johny dig potatoes. Eveline stayed at home and had my supper for me when I got home. Grace went to town and had a lame foot.

October 19th no more date but with 1891 pieces.

North. Volty(??) On grange. John helps (??) Citron preserves. Eveline knitting for Welly making a shirt. Welly came home at 3 O’Clock Lym Watters sent Wills 2 newspapers. Grace cleaned floors and swept. I done house work.

October 20th

A clear fine day light weast north. John Dixon brought mother to the river today. Will went across for her. Welly rowed Eveline and baby down to her grandmothers. Welly came back towards Eve and Welly and Volty go up the river in George Glispie’s boat to Mosiers. Y. Mosuan, Anna Leanold and staty here.

October 21st

A fine day. Clean and bright scarcely any wind. North. Grace washed and got all done early. Volty not home yet. Wells and Johny cleaning and (??) Grain to the cow. I cooked washed dishes and churned. Grace sewing on Mauds dress. Maud broke the lamp chimney. Ground froze last nightA very peacefull day. Our apple trees (???)

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1892

The 1892 diary only has a few entry’s. And the 1893 also is not a complete year. I believe the rest of the pages are now the lost in time.

February 19 th 1892 :Friday

A cloudy day. Wind north snowing towards night. Wells, Maud, and I alone all day. Somewhat lonely. Maud and I take a lesson in literature but she does not know all the alphabet but can repeat one of Bryants poems easily enough. I look away across the field to where my mother livesbut see only the broad fields of white snow with naked trees and shrubs with their dark branches that will be clothed in green again in spring. But desolate and dreary enough now.

February 20 th 1892 : Saturday

Light wind north. Soft and thawing. Wells doing all the chores. Drew hay from the old barn alone. Welly was the only one here he went to Sam’s for mail. A letter from John and Flora.( Her son John D. Bamford Married Flora Lindley . I don’t have a date but was between 1890 & 1892.....T.Moye) I gave Welly a piece of pork. They had none for two weeks.Expected Volty and Grace home but looked vain till long after dark. Maud and I melted snow and mopped the floors. Win and Maud Smith came home today with policeman Nesbit.

February 21st 1892 : Sunday

A calm mild day. Hazy weather thawing light wind south. Along all day. Wells,Maud and I . A still quiet Sabbath. Don’t see many such days. Surely expected Volty and Grace home but they are not come yet. Sleighs cutters and people walking up and down the ice and roads. Dogs barking that is all. Win and Nesbit went back Maud stayed home.

February 22 nd 1892 :Monday

Washington’s Birthday. Born 1732 just 101 years before I. This day like yesterday. Mild and hazy looks as though the sun would shine out but yet does not. Elevn O’Clock Volty and Grace not here yet.Well tis strange they stay so long. A beautiful afternoon. Volty and Grace came home just before sunset,pleased with their visit. Reub McFaden drove here to inviting Volty to a party at their place tomorrow. Hiriam Joslin here for the same.

March 16 th 1892 :Wednesday

Frost on the windows this morning. Light wind north,but clear. Welly moved today to Rockport. Got started on the way about noon. Volty drove one team and Fred Joy the other. Welly took one of Als horses to drive with one of ours. Will here when they went and helped them off. Will gave Welly a bag of apples. I gave them what I could. I sorry they are gone from home out in to the world for themselves. O Lord take care of them. Grace went to Wills for tea. Mother gave Grace some Sourcrout at 5 p.m. clear sunset wind west. Wells made pantry door.

March 17 th 1892 : Thursday

St. Patricks Day.In the morning a moderate day. Clouds dark blue all around looks like rain. Grace done a big washing. Will came over to help Wells ceil (?) The pantry. Stayed to dinner. I brought the wash board for Grace. Volty and Fred came back at 5 O’Clock p.m. and left. Welly and family all right at Rockport. Volty got a bad cold. Milk yet frozen in parlor can’t make much butter. The pantry drags on day after day. I can’t make much butter. Oh I’m mad Fred ate supper had fried Sturgeon.

March 18 th 1892 : Friday

A cloudy stormy day snowing fast. Wells and Volty drew 2 loads of hay from stack. Volty got a bad cold. Wells made pantry door. Henry Halliday/Holliday came for Grace to go to Bells. Charley sick with inflammatary rheumatism. Volty and Will drove down for Wellys sturgeon nets. But Mackays had taken them up. Left Turk in George Gillespies old house through a mistake. George Gillespie let him out. Went over to Lindas (Small Island off the foot at that time owned by the Bamfords) to see about Alex Liddy cutting cherry tree for J. Liddy. Came home and after dinner drew hay for stack. Wells commenced ceiling pantry over head. I fried cakes. Children noisy. Maud very Bad.

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1893

I can only find a few pages for 1893 also.

July 1st 1893: Saturday

A beautiful day light wind south. I paint piazza. Flora, John, and Mrs. Lindsley came over in Dodges boat.

July 5th 1893: Wednesday

Well John,Flora and Mrs. Lindsley went home this morning. I sorry to see John go away from home again. Wellie rowed them across and took the post office order over to Mr. Dodge to get the money for us.

July 6th 1893:Thursday

Well I am lonesome after John has gone home two lonesome to stay home alone all day so Maud and I went up to Bells on the” Richelieu” . Grace went to Kingston. We had a pleasant time at Bells. Marjorie & Beatrice came home with us. When I got on the boat found Watson, Lib & Harry aboard going to Bamford’s for a weeks visit. Percecuted by friends. ( Watson is Maud’s (Watson) father who left her with the Bamfords as an infant a few days old when her mother died giving birth to her. Lib I believe is his second wife and Harry could be their child I’m not sure ...T. Moye) Late when I got home but got supper for all.

July 7th 1893: Friday

Woke up this morning to find a lot of visiter’s once more for a whole weeks stay. Well I will put on the whole armor of patience and hard work.and wade through. The lord will see me through. Grace cleaned floors made lemon pies. Lib cut out and sewing on a dress for Maud. Mr. Watson and Harry down to Wellies. Rowed the skiff.

July 8th 1893: Saturday

A fine day. Did not mop floors this day. Lib sewed on Mauds dress. After dinner Grace ,Lib ,Watson & Harry went berrying. Wellie and Mart haying.

July 9th 1893:Sunday

A fine day. Charley, Belle, and two little ones drove down to make a visit and take Marjorie and Beatrice home with them. Were very much surprised we already had company. Well we had the usual amount of noise, cooking, and eating. Glad to have Bell and family come and sorry when she went home. Evening visiters. Mrs. Barries 4 and Mr. Buck.

July 10th 1893: Monday

A fine day south wind. Grace, Maud, and Harry went berrying. Lib made a dress for Grace. Watson lying in hammock reading greek. I doing housework and cooking their meals. Wellie and Mart at the hay. Valume and his sisters here in eve.

July 11th 1893: Tuesday

Fine day but could not find any thing but this miserable pen. Lib work on Grace’s dress. Afternoon went over to Wills to sew for Jen. Wellie and Mart haying. Watson over to Wills too in evening. Harry , Maude and Grace go over to Wills. I stay home alone and have a peaceful time. Grace done nothing today.

July 12th 1893:Wednesday

Wind south clouding up early in morning. Rains all forenoon. Lib finished Grace’s dress and mangles the clothes. Wellie and Mart build wire fence around Wellie’s house. After supper Grace, Harry and Mart go over to F.K.Dodges to get the $33.00 dollars Wells sent to Cape Vincent order for Dodge said he had a hard time to get it. Watson very sorry he couldn’t go to make Wellie a visit on account of rain. Received from Wells $20.00 dollars for Mills.

July 13th 1893: Thursday

Rather muddy this morning after yesterday rain. Mr. And Mrs Watson, Harry, Maud, and Grace walk to dock and carry by hand their grip sacks and bags. Mart drove in for them but found they were gone before. He got back from factory. Wellie drew hay and Mart helped him to the barn and gathered a good load out of this yard. Hived a swarm of bees. Wellie can’t get much help about haying. Today I do just as I have a mind to no one looks to me for a spare meal though my pile had got so low the meals were short.

July 14th 1893: Friday

Very warm day not much wind but south. Grace rowed boat down to Wellies. I went to Wellies stayed all day. Grace and Maud went raspberrying from Wellies. Wellie, Mart and Will drew hay and stacking. Eveline rowed me home. Muriel and Hubert came too found Grace and Maud been home a long time. Till Niles came and were to post office with Grace nearly dark when Eveline and children went home in boat.

July 15th 1893: Saturday

Somewhat cloudy. Wind south, blowing fresh barometer falling very warm.Wellie and Mart and I think Will drawing and stacking hay down by Wellies. Grace , Maud, and I alone. Grace cleaned floors. I washed windows and dishes. Maud done a little work too. Maud and I fed hogs and pulled pig weeds, for the pigs. George Williams and Will here to draw and stack hay drew more here. I paid G. A. A dollar for his days work. Nearly sunset. Wellie, Will, George, and Martin draw hay for Will. Wellie helped Uncle Smith.

July 16th 1893: Sunday

A hot clear July day. Arose at 6 O’Clock . Very quiet Mart and Maud went to church and Sunday school. No visiters till 2 O’Clock. Will came bringing Joseph Goodfellow. Staid an hour then went home. Grace and Maud went over to Will at 4 O’Clock Goodfellow came home with them. Talked awhile then went back to Wills. Our Marine glasses are a curiosity to him never having seen any before. He is looking for the lower school. Came from Marysville on bicycle. Stayed all night at Sam. Silve Woodman came home yesterday. Henry and Till out driving.

July 17th 1893: Monday

Forenoon cloudy. Slight rain Grace went berrying. Clear - hot in P.M. I preserved the raspberries. Wellie, George Williams helped Will stack his hay. Mart mowed hay with machine. Flora and Ethel came home with Grace to visit Maud.(Flora & Ethel Dixon) Grace and Maud and I went over to Wills towards eve to fix the honey suppose stayed till dark, going to rain. Hurried home before it rains but shower worked around to South.

July 18th 1893: Tuesday

A fine day no rain. Grace washed . Wellie, George Williams, Will Dixon and Mart haying towards night. Will and Goodfellow came over with honey super,and put them on the hive one super most full now. Grace and Maud went over to Wills at noon to carry the supers for Will to fix.

July 19th Wednesday

I don’t feel very well at all, but had a visiter all day. Mr. Goodfellow came in the morning and stayed til after dark. Talked poetry ancient and modern history read and lay in hammock for the first time and looked through the marine glasses, for the first time.

July 20th 1893: Thursday

A very fine day and I went to Kingston. Belle went too. Great time,all neighbors out getting their cheese money at the bank. Had a very pleasant day, paid some of Wells debts. I drew $15.00 on an order Wells sent to pay off hired help. Miss Bird came down with Wickham to Will Dixon’s. Goodfellow went up on the boat this morning with his bicycle.

July 21st 1893: Friday

A very warm day. Wind south no rain. Wellie, Will, & George Williams & Martin haying. They drew 10 loads of hay for Wellie and 2 for Will. Martin brought Eveline and the children up in milk wagon so Eveline could sew on the machine Huberts dress.(In case anyone who reads this doesn’t know boys wore dresses for the first few years, usually by the time they went to school they dressed in short pants......T.Moye) We had letters from Volty and one from “ Hugh Land Office” I don’t feel very well after going to Kingston yesterday. Grace picked and shelled peas, and carried them to Eveline. Came back and went up to Mr. Niles with oil can and a dollar to get oil and paris green for tater bugs.

July 22nd 1893: Saturday

A very warm day. Wind south with heavy thunder showers. First rain in nearly or quite 2 weeks Maude went to pick peas. Grace and I went and picked the red raspberries, and preserved them. Grace got something in her eye. Jen and Miss Bird and Charlie picking peas for dinner. Grace cleaned floors. I churned, baked bread, washed dishes and got dinner. Heard Maud read. Maud is very hard yet to learn. We cooked the beef E. Sent us. Looked over my account.

July 23rd 1893: Sunday

A cool fine day. After yesterdays rain. We are nearly alone all day, except Shelly Niles came a little while. We sleep and read and do just as we have a mind to. We have green peas and raspberries for dinner.

July 24th 1893: Monday

A fine cool day. Wellie , Will and Mart haying. Grace piecing a woolen quilt and sewing carpet rags. I am in the rag trade ,too.

(The entries skip from here to one in Sept. A note for Nov. And a few entries in Dec....T. Moye)

September 28th 1893: Day of week not listed.

The Watsons came again. Harry Watson and Lib. And stayed 5 days this time. I hope this is their last visit for awhile a year at least and three years for Harry if ever.

(Just a noted entry,no date. )Somtime in Nov. One Saturday eve. The Watsons burst in upon us again. F. W. Watson and wife stayed again til Thursday. Well when again.

(NOTE: I had to laugh at the last couple of entries for they always stayed friends but I think they sometimes came unannounced to stay and probably she just wasn’t prepaired to feed a few extra people. I almost didn’t add these entries for I’m sure she never voiced any of these things out loud. And by now she would be around 60 years old and I can verify at that age unexpected company that come to stay a week or more, with little kids isn’t always looked forward to....T. Moye)

December 17th 1893: Sunday

A long time ago since I wrote in this diary. Volty came home a week ago Friday. Winter is come earlier this year than usual. The north channel is not quite frozen over but the Pierpont could not get into Breakeys Bay on Thursday last which was a great dissapointment to so many who had gathered there to go to Kingston to get their Xmas things. I have been sick with grippe a week and sick enough too. Wells sick the same length of time. I am better but I don’t think Wells gets along very fast. He goes outdoors too much. He ought not to go out at all.Poor dear little Grace is half sick with grippe take care of us all. And does all the housework Maude is sick too with the same complaint but is better. Mart has had a cold all the week. And this morning Volty is sneezing. Going to have grippe too I guess. But oh I thank God we are all living yet and feel more and more every day how dependant we are upon his mercy. Well the boat couldn’t get into Holliday’s Thursday. ( NOTE: Boat used to dock at Holliday point to let off and take on passengers for Holliday’s used to run a boarding house type hotel from there. The old log book that people who stayed there used to sign is at Leon Fawcett’s on Wolfe Island. While visiting Helen Holliday one time she showed us and had us sign it in the back. ....T. Moye) But the past week the boys butchered. Volty went to Charley’s Wednesday thinking to go from there by boat. Thursday morning no boat so drove to Marysville and went to town from there with a grist of wheat for our selves. Wellie and Will, Goodfellow called on us Tuesday evening his school is finished. Volty stayed all night with Mr. Watson Thursday night and come down home on Friday and brought medicine for the family’s. Wellie has had the grippe so he can help take care of us.

December 18th 1893: Monday

Volty got up early this morning and went across the river for Dr. Buchanan. Ed Bates went with him got back about noon. I’m better anyway I don’t think I need a doctor. Wells pretty bad Dr. Left medicine for Wells, Grace, Maud, and I. Wells is mad that Volty went for a Dr. Says it is $3.00 thrown away says Rum is the stuff. Going to send tomorrow by Wellie to get rum.Grace , Wellie, and Ed. Bates going to Kingston tomorrow if good day. Bob Horn here waiting for the Dr. To take him to George Ranous. The Ranous family all down with grippe. Volty and Bob Horn row the Dr. Across the river again. The Dr. ,Bob Horn, and Ed Bates ate dinner here. Will Dixon went to Kingston.

December 19th 1893: Tuesday

Stormy day so didn’t go to Kingston after all. Ed came early but went back to Bill Smith’s again after going to Post Office to mail letters for Smith’s folks and Grace. Grace sent letters to John and Nellie Guy. Will came and brought 2 lemons fresh ones he gave Ruth Woodman one. Sam and Ruth are both sick with grippe. Frank Woodman in Kingston with grippe. I churned. I sent Sam and Ruth 2 quinine pills. In evening Volty carried them some honey and in return they gave him some sweet apples.

December 20th 1893: Wednesday

Grippe hangs on yet. Wells coughs pretty bad and my throat is sore. Wells went to the barn the day is very pleasant. I read most all day. Wellie came and carried home his crock of butter and a big piece of cheese. Will is canvasing for seed potatoes , and doing good business. Wellie and Grace are intending to go to the city tomorrow. I have got so I can eat potatoes and gravy. Janaes McKay was carried to the Marysville today to be doctored for his foot.

December 21st 1893: Thursday

Wind blowing a gale from the south this morning. So Wellie and Grace stay home. I can wash dishes now but my head and throat is sore yet and a hard cough. I knit on the chair tidy today and drink lemonade. Maud takes a nap every afternoon Volty thinks he is coming down with grippe too. Welly and Grace intend going to Kingston tomorrow. A cloudy day.

December 25th 1893: Monday

Christmas. Ground nearly bare. Charley, Belle and children came down in sleigh for the first Christmas they were ever here. We had a very pleasant time and would have had a better time but we were none of us well from the grip. Belle says if all is well, she, Charles and the children will spend next xmas with us. Will they go home early but got caught in rain before reaching home.but they sat in the bottom of sleigh and Charley covered them over with Buffalo robes so they didn’t get wet.