David Blaikie
 'Our feet may leave home but not our hearts'
 
The Diary of James Johnson 1840-1911
Life in the Burside and Upper Stewiacke
area of Nova Scotia in the 1860s and 1870s
By Ross Graves
 
In the school year 1962-63, Nancy Johnson was in my home-room and Grade XII English class. Knowing I was interested in Stewiacke Valley history, she brought to school parts of an old diary her father had. It had been written by his grandfather, James Johnson of Burnside, Upper Stewiacke. There were four books:

* Diary from July 1864 to Dec. 1866
* Diary from Aug.1867 to July 1868
* Diary from July 1870 to April 1872
* Accounts and time book, 1882 – 1894 or so

Nancy’s father, Homer Johnson, let me borrow these for a few days so I could read and make some notes from them. There were far too many pages to copy the whole thing, and making a photostat copy (there was no cheap photocopying then) was far too expensive (way over a dollar a page in 1960’s dollars), and anyway a great many of the entries were repetitious, so I copied only some of them. I remember being hours at it.

I remember also Nancy told me her father had said there were more parts to the diary, but he didn’t know what had become of them: and now, April 2004, apparently even the whereabouts of those parts I copied are not known. Until they turn up – and surely they will, for it’s inconceivable they could have been discarded – these extracts made forty years ago are all we have here in Upper Stewiacke (as far as we know) of James Johnson’s diary.

It is important to remember that these are extracts. With rare exceptions, James made an entry every day, not just occasionally as these pages suggest. Most entries were brief , like this one:

         28 Thursday) fine day) we put in two load of hay today

I copied many of this type of entry to show the day by day work of a young man in the valley in the 1860’s, but because so much of it was the same thing, over and over, I omitted many more. Thus for the first month here, July 1864, entries for July 7, 8, 10, 15-17, 22, 24, 26-31 were copied and those for other days in July weren’t.

In some cases only part of an entry was copied with the omitted portion indicated by three dots (…). All entries were copied verbatim – i.e., wording, spelling, and punctuation appear as they did in the original.

All material in square brackets {like these} are comments of mine and did not appear in the original.”

The Diary of James Johnson (1840-1911)

1864

July 7 – Thursday – brought father and mother down to Georges’ { Deyarmond – married James’ sister} – went down to Eastville Sarrie {serenade?} – had tip-top time – started for Pictou but did not go any further than Uncle Adam’s. John James MacDonald and I slept
in Lib’s bed – had a great time at Sandy’s – everybody and his brother was there.

July 8 – Friday – cool – I went over to Pictou – got 5 bushels of oats...

July 10 – Sunday – very warm – did not go to church today

July 15 – Friday – very warm – went down to the mill to see about some lumber – went up home – got some lumber from William B.....

July 16 – Saturday – warm – went down to Brookfield with a load of lumber – Sam and I loaded the cars – was a very warm job – Sam went in to town tonight – I brought a load up for George Fulton – got home about twelve o’clock.

July 17 – Sunday – Fine and cool – did not go to church today

July 22 – Friday – dark and warm – I went to the velige {village} – got the herorse {horse} shawed {shod} – got a new set of shews all round – got the cartiers cut.

July24 – Sunday – warm – very smocky {smoggy?} – went to Springside church

July 26 – Tuesday – wet in the morning – I worked for James Proven – hiered a month with him

July 27 – Wednesday – fine day – moed today.

July 28 – Thursday – fine day – we put in two load of hay today.

July 29 – Friday – dark day – moed in the four noon – Ad brout the heorse down.

July 30 – Saturday – very warm – I went to Brookfield for Lucy. Got back about noon.

July 31 – Sunday – warm and dry. I did not go to church today.

August 5 – Friday – dark day – we was choring about – I went up to James Graham’s after tea

August 10 – Wednesday – dark – we sawed in the saw mill today.

August 14 – Sunday – thunder showers – went to Springside church...

August 16 – Tuesday – Fine day – finished putting in hay at Provens today – went down to McGlaughlan’s in the evening to work at hay.

August 17 – Wednesday – fine – moed all day – put in two load of hay – Adam Fisher worked with us.

August 18 – Thursday – dark and showers – moed all day – finished the home place today.

August 19 – Friday – very warm – moed at the Cove today – put in 4 load of hay.

August 20 – Saturday – very warm – put in 3 load of hay – came up home in the evening.

August 22 – Monday – fine – went down to McGlaughlan’s in the morning...

August 27 – Saturday – warm and dark – I came up home tonight {from McGlaughlan’s}. My time is out with James Proven tonight.
Stopped at George’s all night – got $9.00 from James Proven.

August 28 – Sunday – showers – I came up home this morning.

September 1 – Thursday – very warm – I was not doing much of anything – Sandy Johnson and Margaret Logan and and Margaret A. Johnson was here today – Margaret L. stopped all night .

September 3 – Saturday – very cold for the season – went over to Squire Crealman’s to see about some money.

September 4 – Sunday – cool – went to the Village church – carried Margaret Logan to church – stopped at Uncle Adam’s for dinner.

September 11 – Sunday – rain last night – dark day – went to Springside church.

September 12 – Monday – wet day – we spread the flax – dug in the cellar in the afternoon.

September 13 – Tuesday – dark day - I went down to the river – got a barrel of flour at Frank (?) Creelman’s – price $6.50cts – McLoud came up here today, mast hunting – barganed for a stear.

September 15 – Thursday – McLoud went home today

September 18 – Sunday – fine day – frost last night – did not go to church today

September 20 – Tuesday – very fine day – rept buckwheat in the forenoon – chrushed oats in the afternoon – Adams took them to the mill in the evening

September 26 – Monday – cool with showers – took the plough down to Archibald’s shop to get her repeared...

September 28 – Wednesday – fine day – put in 1 load buckwheat – we underbrushed today – swaped horses with Sandy Johnson – threshed buckwheat in the evening.

October 2 – Sunday – very warm day – went to Springside church

October 3 – Monday – dark day – we made shingles and hauled a load of bolts. – I finished digging the cellar.

October 4 – Tuesday – dark – Adams and I went to Sam’s frolick - got a very good day’s work done.

October 7 – Friday – Uncle John came up today – went down to George’s tonight.

October 9 – Sunday – showers – went to the velige church – stopped for dinner.

October 15 – Saturday – I went down to the river in the evening – stopped till Monday.

October 16 – Sunday – stopped at B at night

October 17 – Monday – I borrowed $4.00 from John Brown

October 20 – Thursday – hail squalls – Adams and I went over to the hose {house} halling at Sandie Johnson’s. Halled John Bentley’s house in the evening – had a great time.

October 21 – Friday – squaley – we came home this morning.

October 23 – Sunday – fine but cool – went to the velige church – Sacrament – D. Smith was not able to preach.

October 26 – Wednesday – showers – I hauled out manure in the forenoon...

October 30 – Sunday – very fine day – went to Springside church – stopped at Uncle John’s all night.

November 2 – Wednesday – dark and cool – I got $34.00 from Squire Creelman for a year on interest till paid.

November 3 – Thursday – dark and cool – I went down the velige today – paid Adams Fulton $28 and 20 cts borrowed money.

November 6 – Sunday – cool day – some snow last night. Did not go to church today.

November 18 – Friday – rain squalls – I went down to work for Sam – we finished in the forenoon – rained in the afternoon – went down to Sandies in the evening.

November 19 – Saturday – cold but fine – we put Sam’s house up today – came up home in the evening.

November 20 – Sunday – was at home today.

November 21 – Monday – cool and dark – I got some wood – went down to Sam’s – I helped Sam to board in his house – boarded in one side and one end.

November 22 – Tuesday – very wet day – Father and I plastered for William today – came up to Sam’s at night.

November 23 – Wednesday – shopwers – I was boarding Sam’s house.

November 24 – Thursday – fine but cool – we finished boarding Sam’s house today.

November 25 – Friday – we shingled in the afternoon – cold day – hoar frost.

November 26 – Saturday – shingled in the afternoon

November 27 – Sunday – fine and warm – went to Springside church – Mr Geddie preached today.

November 29 – Tuesday – cold and wet – we finished shingling today – Father was building the flue – I commenced to lay the floor {in his brother Sam’s house}

November 30 – Wednesday – fine but dark – I was laying the floor – Adams went after the stove – Father went home – Sam went down to the velige – got his chairs – bad roads

December 1 – Thursday – some snow – we set up the stove – I finished laying the floor today.

December 2 – Friday – fine but cool – I put in one window – they moved in the new house.

December 3 – Saturday – very fine day – put in one window – came up home in the afternoon...

December 4 – Sunday – very fine day – did not go to church today.

December 8 – Thursday – fine day – I went to the velige – got a barrel of flour at George F. and two galons of molasses – got the horse at DW – took dinner with Matthew Wilson.

December 11 – Sunday – soft day – some snow last night – I went to the velige church – heard Mr McBain read a sermon – walked there and back again.

December 12 – Monday – rain and wind – I was fixing the window – worked at Lib’s hat block (?) a while – Adams took the horse and waggon down for Sam to take to the velige – windy night.

December 18 – Sunday – snow squalls – I went to the velige church today

December 24 – Saturday – Lucy and I went down to the river – came up to Sandies – I went up to Uncle John’s – stayed all night.

December 25 – Sunday – some warmer – went to Springside church – came home tonight – Crismas day.

December 28 – Wednesday – soft and warm – I came up home today – I swaped horses with John Brown – received $10.00 to boot.

December 29 – Thursday – soft and fogey – wet day – I finished Lib’s hat block.

December 30 – Friday – I went down to the candie spree at John Deyarmond’s – stopped at Provens all night – came up before breakfast.

December 31 – Saturday – some snow but warm – I was under brushing today – good bye to this year.

1865

January 2 – Monday – cold day with some snow – I went down to Mishenary Meaton (Missionary meeting) – stopped all night at Uncle Adams

January 3 – Tuesday – fine day – I went down to the river – got a shoe on the horse – I swaped horses with Alex J. {Johnson?} – got Brit back again – got a watch to boot. {written at the bottom of the page –“ James Johnson, Pembroke, Upper Stewiacke, first page for 1865”}

January 5 – Thursday – snow storm – about 12 inches and blustering

January 6 – Friday – breaking roads

January 7 – Saturday – a great rain

January 8 – Sunday – very cold – did not go to church

January 13 – Friday – fine day – I was under brushing in the forenoon – went out a Caribou hunting – went to the surprise party at G. Brown’s.

January 15 – Sunday – wet in the forenoon – very wet last night – I was at home today – was kind of lonesome and I don’t know what.

January 22 – Sunday – cold but fine – went to Springside church – heard Mr McGilvery preach – walked there and back again

January 23 – Monday – fine day – I was not very well – had pain in my side – I went down to the river to see Isaac Archibald.

January 28 – Saturday – cold day – Father was working for the mast company.

January 30 – Monday – snow squalls – I went down to Sandies for Ann today – Father was carabo hunting today.

February 3 – Friday – cold and windy – George D. and I went out moos hunting – we saw a nice moos but did not get a shot at him – very cold day

February 5 – Sunday – fine day – I went to the velige church – stopped at Sam’s all night

February 7 – Tuesday – got a letter from Charles Grayam

February 12 – Sunday – fine but cold – went to the velige church – heard Mr Georden preach – very fine man

February 18 – Saturday – cold day – Alexander J. and I went to.......... today – a cold drive {sic: most likely Ester’s father’s or handy}

February 19 – Sunday – cold and stormy - we went to church – cold day

February 20 – Monday – fine day – we came home today – I came up home in the evening – cold night

February 23 – Thursday - fine day – we took 4 logs to the mill – Sandy went home tonight – Father and Lucy was scutching flax – Ann went down to Georges today

February 26 – Sunday – soft day – I went down to the velige church – heard Thomas St...? preach

March 1 – Wednesday – fine day – went down to Sam’s in the evening – stopped all night

March 7 – Tuesday – very fine day – I went down to the velige – Lib went down with me – we went to the party at George Brown’s – we came home that night.

March 12 – Sunday – fine day – I went to the velige church – came up to Uncle John’s – stopped all night – cold night.

March 14 – Tuesday – fine day – we halled wood in the forenoon – made shingles in the afternoon – put out three thousand today.

March 18 – Saturday – cold and windy – we started to Glasgo today – we started from Uncle John’s this morning – went to Uncle Adams and got the girls and got loaded up – now we tried the bad roads – we had the roads better than we expected up as far as
Crocketts at the head of the river – but heavy going through the woods – we stopped at James Graham’s a while and rested the horses – then we came to Murray’s – the wind blew a great gale – the trees were bglowing down in all quarters – we had to clear out
the road three or four times – we got our dinners at Murray’s – we left there about four o’clock – went to Mr Fraser’s at Middle River – we stopped all night at Mr Frasers – we had very bad roads down the Middle River.

March 19 – Sunday – cold and windy – with snow squalls – we did not go to church today. {no travelling on Sunday}

March 20 – Monday – cold and windy – we started from Mr Frasers this morning – had very bad roads to Glasgow – it about half carried the horses – we got to Glasgow about eleven o’clock – put our horses up – got our dinners – then we unloaded our waggons
and fixed up their room – we was loafing round till night – stopped at Jains all night.

March 21 – Tuesday – very fine day – we got the girls and load of coals in the forenoon – and loafed round a while – started for home about four o’clock – the roads was some better tonight – we got to Murrays about eleven o’clock at night – we got our horses in and
stopped till morning – we slept on the floor.

March 22 – Wednesday – dark but cool – we started from Murray’s this morning – came to Uncle John’s about eleven o’clock – stopped and fed a while – came home in the afternoon.

March 26 – Sunday – snow squalls – I did not go to church today

April 2 – Sunday – dark with showers – I went to the velige church – came home tonight – very tired tonight

April 7 – Friday – Charles Graham came up today – he just came home from the States this week – I went down with him – stopped all night – Mrs Olive Butler died today, of pluricy {pleurisy}.

April 9 – Sabbath – fine day – I went to the lower church today – heard that Uncle David Kennedy is very poorly today.

April 12 – Wednesday – cool day – some rain – Charles G. and I started to Glasgow.

April 13 – Thursday – fine day – we went to Glasgow - stopped with Lib and Ann all night {in New Glasgow – Ann later married Charles}

April 14 – Friday – windy and cool – we went down to Pictou town – missed the boat and had to wait for the evening boat – Ann got quite seasick coming up – had a very nice time in the evening

April 16 – Sunday – some rain and snow – we {Charles and I?} went to Springside Church today – Came home tonight.

April 28 – Friday - ...we caught a bare (bear) today – had quite a time killing him – there was only 20 out to see him murdered!

April 29 – Saturday – I bought a watch from Charles Graham – sold it to Sandy Johnson today.

April 30 – Sunday – dark day – I did not go to church today.

May 7 – Sunday – hail squalls and cold – was not to church

May 14 – Sunday – fine day - we went to Springside church – very fine day

May 21 – Sunday – dark day – I did not go to church today

May 25 – Thursday – harrowed in the new land in the forenoon

May 28 – Sunday – wet day – I was to Sam’s today

June 4 – Sunday – warm day – I went to Springside church – Father and Mother stopped at Uncle John’s. I stopped at G.B. all night.

June 5 – Monday - ...bought a watch from Sandy Johnson

June 10 – Saturday – some rain – Father and Mother and I went to Meaton (Meeting) – the Sacrament in the velige church – got a pair of shoes today

June 11 – Sunday – dark day – I walked to the velige church – went through the woods – came up to Sam’s tonight

June12 – Monday – fine day – I went to ......? – bought half a dozen of chairs at J.W. Archibalds – gave $31.25cts for them – came up to Sam’s tonight.

June 22 – Thursday – fine day – we went to Drill at Sandy Johnson’s today...

June 23 – Friday – very like rain – we was drilling at Springside Church...

June 24 – Saturday – very fine day – we was drilling at the school house today

June 25 – Sunday – very warm day – we went to church today – velige

June 26 – Monday – very warm day – we went to the velige to drill today – met at eight o’clock in the morning

June 27 – Tuesday – fine day – went to the velige drill – this is the last day of drill

June 29 – Thursday – I forgot to state that Uncle David Godfrey was up the 27th of June – went down the 28th day of June.

July 2 – Sunday - cool day – we went to Prayer meeting at the schoolhouse

July 4 – Tuesday – warm day – I went down to the mill to get a load of lumber ready to take to Pictou

July 5 – Wednesday – some showers – I started to Pictou – went to Middle River tonight

July 6 – Thursday – cold day – I went to Pictou town today – came back to Middle River tonight

July 7 – Friday – warm day – I came home today – stopped at Uncle John’s all night

July 8 – Saturday – cool day – I came up home today...

July 9 – Sunday – thunder showers – went to Springside church...

July 11 – Tuesday – fine day – we put in the rest of our turnips today – went down to Sam’s in the afternoon to help him get his barn ready to move.

July 12 – Wednesday – warm day – we was clearing the roads today – Davey Wright was helping us – I went down to Middle Stewiacke for Mr Whitter {Whidden?} to help move the barn.

July 13 – Thursday – cool day – we put the sills in the barn today – I went to ask the hands to the barn-halling – went to Sam’s tonight

July 14 – Friday – some rain last night – we halled Sam’s barn today – had very good luck – we had twenty-nine pairs of oxen – we got it to the spot abou four o’clock in the afternoon

July 16 – Sabbath – fine and warm – I started to go to Meeting – but tooth ached so, that I stopped at Sam’s.

July 17 – Monday – fine day – I started to Truro today – took a load of lumber for G.D. -= had a very good time – stopped at Thomas Miller’s all night – very wet night

July 21 – Friday – dark day – came up home – got a watch from Sandy, in place of my old one – and $4.00 to boot – rigged up to go to McGlaukans – went down tonight – Peter came up to G.D’s for me – quite a wet night

July 22 – Saturday – fine day – I commenced work at McLachlan’s today – mowed all day

July 23 – Sunday – very fine day – I did not go to church today – felt pretty stiff – for want of proper means I will leave this month journal out until I return home – if spared with the good hand of provedence to guide me through another month and carry me home in safety, and to keep me from all sin and evel.

No entries for July 24-29, inclusive

July 30 – Sunday – fine and cool – I went to Middle Stewiacke church today – heard Mr McGilvery preach from Romans 2 – I read a very interesting book – namely FrankHearper – he went to new York a poor destitute boy – but became converted after many sore trials – Oh that I had courage and faith to war against temptations as he had – I would be a happy youth – the close of Sabbath evening – a very fine evening – but I am not at the old homestead – but thank provedence I have good health and hope to return home in a short time if spared in health. {entries for 22nd and 30th are the first in which he expresses much feeling, and the longest entries so far, except for last March}

July 31 – Monday – fine day – we went to the cove {Mosquito Cove} to work today – put in four loads of hay.

August 5 – Saturday – cork day – I came up home in the afternoon – put in one load of hay

August 6 – Sunday – fine day – I was at home today – Father and Mother went down to see Uncle Adam – he is very poorly now

August 7 – Monday – dark day – I took the horse and waggon to Middle Stewiacke today – Ann went to Hugh Dunlap’s with me...

August 15 – Tuesday – Ad is working for William Blaikie now.

August 20 – Sabbath – fine day – went to Springside church today

August 22 – Tuesday – wet day – I brought up a load of hay today – Uncle Adam Johnson died today – age 71 years {Miller Book says August 1866 – age 70?}

August 23 – Wednesday – some rain – we went to the funeral today – I stopped down all night – spent quite a lonesome
night

August 25 – Friday – fine day – I threshed the flax and cleaned it – had one bushel – we spread the flax – went down to Sam’s in the evening

August 26 – Saturday – warm day – I went over to Sandy Johnson’s – bought his mare – gave ten pounds for her – sold William Blaikie the horse for a lot of land joining in front of ours – and got one sheep from him in the bargain...

August 27 – Sabbath – dark with showers – I went to the velige church today – stopped at Sam’s all night

August 29 – Tuesday – warm – I started to Truro about two o’clock morning – got to Truro about one o’clock – Went up to Harmony – stopped for tea – started for home at sundown – very....through the woods – got to G.D.’s at one o’clock in morning

September 1 – Friday – warm day – I was with Archiblad,surveying in the forenoon – we commenced reaping today

September 2 – Saturday – fine day – we was reaping today – went down to Sam’s – heard about James Brown’s wife been lost – got yesterday about eleven o’clock am

September 3 – Sabbath – warm day – we went in search of James B’s wife today – went up to rurals (?) and went out from there and came in by James Browns in the evening

September 4 – Monday – dark day – we went in search of the lost woman today – some of the crew found her about two o’clock in the afternoon – she was pretty well, considering the time that she was out – three days and three nights

September 7 – Thursday – cool but fine – we was reaping today – George Deyarmond’s little girl died today – of the scarlet
fever

September 8 – Friday – dark day – we was reaping in the forenoon – went down to the funeral in the afternoon – there was quite a number of people there today

September 10 – Sabbath – fine day – went to Springside church today

September 15 – Friday – fine day – I went out to Creelmans mill with some wheat and buckwheat – we finished reaping today and put in the last of the oats =- we had 108 stookes of oats and 40 stookes of wheat.

September 20 – Wednesday – very fine day – C.G. {Charles Graham} and I went down to blow plaster today – had very good luck – got out about four loads...

September 24 – Sabbath – very dry weather – the brooks and streams are as low as ever I seen them, and it looks as droughty as ever – yet with very hot sun for the season – there is a great deal of sickness in the place now – but thanks be to God that we are all well excepting Mother which has been poorly for two or three days but think she is some better this morning.

September 26 – Tuesday – cool day – Sandy Johnson and I went to........? – bought a horse for Sandy – had a great time at John B.’s – went to Prayer Meeting – had quite a time tonite...

October 9 – Monday – Sam made me an offer for my steer at home – offered me 28 pounds and the mare – that would be to pay the debt on the place at home...

October 10 – Tuesday – some rain today – we ,Sam, Andy G. and I,went to moos hunt but did not succeed for it rained and we came back – had a nice time – Andy and Sam went home in the afternoon – made shingles in the afternoon – my mind was wondering on going to the States – have not made up my mind for cirtan..

October 12 – Thursday – dark day - ...went to Proven’s frolic in the afternoon - he got a very good days roaling done...

October 16 – Monday – some rain – Andy Graham and Sam Johnson concluded their trade in places today – Sam bought me out – I have not concluded what to do with myself – yet sold my mare to Sandy Johnson Jun. Today – settled up with him today – came up home tonight

October 18 – Wednesday – fine day – Sam and Sarah moved up today – Andy moved in Sam’s house today – had quite a time...

October 20 – Friday – wet morning – high wind – I came down to the settlement – stopped at J.B.’s all night

October 21 – Saturday – cool day and windy – went to church today – Sacrement

October 22 – Sabbath – went to church today at Springside

October 23 – Monday – I was at meeting today – came up to William D. – Doc Smith gave out a Thanksgiving Day the 8th day of November

November 8 – Wednesday – snow squalls – Adam and I went down along today – I bought a wach from Andy Graham today

November 9 – Thursday – dark day – I went to work for Andy G. today – I hired a month with him for eleven dollars per month – we burnt some plaster and dug in the barn cellar
November 10 – Friday – cold with snow squalls – we commenced to plaster the house today

November 18 – Saturday – dark and warm – Went down to George Guild’s through the woods – stopped for dinner – went from that to G. Fulton’s – paid him off – from that to Frank Creelmans – paid him twenty dollars – came up – made some calls – got to J. Bentley’s for tea, or potatoes – went and spent the night with my own (sister) {this is crossed out in original, RG}

My own, my bright, my beautiful
Words can never tell
The anguish that pervades my breast
When whispering farewell

November 19 – Sunday – warm – went to church – after service, the funeral of Mrs Aleck Ellis

“Earth to earth and dust to dust
The solemn priest hath said
So we lay the turf above thee now
And we seal thy narrow bed”

November 22 – Wednesday – cool day – we commenced plowing today – broke Andy’s ...... whip running after the cow – Andy cissed (cussed)

December 3 – Sabbath – dark day – went to Springside church – heard Mr McNad preach today – a new minister that is to preach here a month – there was preaching in both churches today for the first time.

December 17 – Sabbath – still cold – went to Springside church – heard Mr Frost preach – splendid preacher – had great sermons

December 25 – Monday – Crismus day...

December 26 – Tuesday – came over to Musquodobot

December 31 – Sabbath – some snow – the first Sabbath that I ever spent in the woods – and the last day of the year – we have a pretty nice crew but when visiters come in there is ruf times – our team went out for a load of provisions today

1866

February 4 – Sunday – cold day – I went out {of the woods camp} to hear Mr Sedgewick preach today – out at Charles Fleamon {Flemming} – had a nice sermon – was at Farnells for dinner – went out to the camp in the evening

February 6 – Tuesday – I came over to Stewiacke today – had a long walk and a blustery day...two months work with Angus Cruickshank at $16 per month

February 21 – Wednesday – cold day - {Sam and James are in the woods working, at “Dolbin” {Pictou County?} – John Brown came over for Sam to go home – his little boy is sick

February 22 – Thursday – fine day – Sam went home today

March 5 – cold day – went down to the velige – got an axe – stopped for mishenary meaton.

March 10 – Saturday – cold day – I bought a colt from him (Sandy Johnson) – paid 8 pounds for it – he got my watch from me.

March 11 – Sunday – fine day – went to Springside church – heard Dr Smith preach

March 12 – Monday – some warmer – we scutched flax today - - we scutched 102 hands fulls

March 16 – Friday – some rain today – I went round with a petition for to get some money on our road – stopped at John G. all night

March 17 – Saturday – soft day – I went over to Orterbrook with the petition and mailed it

March 23 – Friday – dark and windy – Adam and G.D. and I was moos hunting – but did not see any nor no tracks

March 26 – Monday – Father was shoemaking – he was making Lucys boots

{Occasionally he and others go hunting – and catch nothing – mentions the sugar woods and boiling sap in late March 1866}

April 8 – Sabbath – warm – went to Springside church – heard Mr Sutherland preach

April 10 – Tuesday – cold wind – much chopping lately – was chopping for Sam today – he has about two acres chopped now

April 11 – Wednesday – fine day – frost at night – John B. and Adam and I went to georgetown today – it is quite a place there – about 40 shanties, two stores and one public house, one blacksmith shop, and a sawmill with two up-and-down saws, and
circulars in it – it is a large frame and is a great place to get timber and board wood – got home about sundown {Georgetown – later known as Riversdale}

April 14 – Saturday – fine day – a party of young folk came up today and we all went down to the sugar camp – we had a nice time.

On the fourteenth of April, one very fine day
To the back woods sugar camp a party did stray
All nature was silent, the morning was fair
And the warbling of birds did shrill through the air

April 17 – Tuesday – very warm – I started to Brookfield today for some flour – brought up 4 barrels – two barrels for Sam and two barrels for ourselves – had very bad roads – stopped at Sam Uppan’s all night.

April 18 – Wednesday – fine day – came up home today

April 23 - ...halled fencing in the new land...

April 28 – Saturday – dark day – the grass is quite green – nice growing weather – we finished fencing in the new land today – our hay is most done and hay is $18 per ton, and scarce at that.

May 5 - ...bought hay from David Deyarmond and Sandy Johnson

May 7 – Monday – some rain – Abram Cox came up to see the oxen today – we traded oxen with him – got $12 to boot .

May 8 – Tuesday – very fine day – I took the oxen down to the velige

May 9 – Wednesday – some rain – I.N. Artchibald came up and run off a lot of land which I got from Mr Samuel Johnson and sold to Sam Johnson,Pembroke – paid $50. for it

May 12 – Saturday – I was ploughing for W. Blaikie today

May 13 – Sabbath – very warm – was at home today – there was no meaton in Springside today – {same on the 27th}

May 28 –{started for Sheet Harbour – as far only as Sandy Johnson’s – 29th, he and David Brown got as far as one Deans who put them up without charge – went apparently to collect on a note due – did not get it – visited the sawmill there and described it in detail – visited friend David Graham – started back on May 31st.}

June 4 – Monday – warm day – Sam moved over to George Brown’s today – I took a load of stuff over for him

June 6 – Wednesday – warm day – this was the day of the road sale from Provens Mill to George Town – there was a great many people there but they did not sell all the road – I did not get much of the road to make – they intend making the rest by days work – {a list of the areas sold and to whom is in the back of the diary}

June 10 – Sunday – fine day – went to the lower church – the Sacrament was at the lower church

June 11 – Monday – fine day – we sowed the rest of the buckwheat today – Adam went down to Fulton Johnson’s – hired him to make brick - $17 per month

{went to Londonderry visiting with Alex Johnson (or Fulton?) }

June 23 – Saturday – still warm – went to drill at Sandies today – the first days drill

June 25 – Monday – warm – went to drill at Sandies...{more drill on other days}

July 13 – started to New Glasgow

July 16 – Monday – warm – Came home today – Aunt Peggy came over with me – got my watch at Glasgow

July 17 – Uncle David and Aunt Lucy Kennedy came up today

August 19 – Sabbath – dark day – went to church – stopped down for Sabbath School – came up in the evening

August 20 – Monday – dark with showers – William Blaikie and Adam and I went to George Town today on horse back – had a nice time

August 26 – Sabbath – fine day – went to Springside church – heard Mr McGilvery preach – went out to G. Deyarmonds for dinner

September 2 – Sabbath – wet day – went to Springside church – heard Dr Smith preach

September 5 – Wednesday – some finer – Father and I went down to Robert G. – bought a cow from him and we fetched her up this morning – we paid $28 for her – give 2000 of bricks and $10 in money, one month after date...

September 21 – Friday – dark but very warm – Jack (Johnson) came up with me – we took him to keep a while {in second book, on cover, it says “for boarding John A. Johnson – 112 days at 10 cents per day $11.20”}

October 2 – Tuesday – fine day – I went over to George Town today – partly traded horses with Porter today – came home tonight

October 4 – Thursday – fine but cool – was working on the road today – traded horses with Porter today – met at Bearnes Road – came in home tonight – got money to boot

October 6 – Saturday – fine day – worked at the road today – came in tonight – Father came home from Glasgow tonight – he took Aunt Margaret home – he got a pair of hand irons from Aunt Margaret

October 9 – Tuesday – very cold day – the batallion drill was today – we was there

October 12 – Friday – worked on the road today – had $2 per day – myself and horses

October 20 – Saturday – Father and Mother are over to Charles Creelmans – Father is building a furnace for him

October 21 – Sabbath – fine day – went to church – Father and Mother came home tonight

October 27 – Saturday – very wet day – I took the horse to the shop – got him shawed – at J. Butlers

October 29 – Monday – Sandy Johnson was with me – he is up from Londonderry and Mary J. is up with him

October 31 – Wednesday – quite a freshet – All Hallows Eve Night {he has been building a “poarch” – floor, oven, plaster etc.}

November 6 – Tuesday – fine but cool – we commenced the fire place today – we are living in the poarch.

November 20 – Tuesday – some rain – I went over to move Sam up today – he moved in our house to live this winter

November 22 – Thursday - ...went over to Squire Ellis’ to a trial between G. McNaught and Father but did not wait for judgment to be pronounced on the trial

November 26 – Monday – fine day – worked on the road today at Statute Labour – fixed Jacks Brook Bridge today

November 29 – Thursday – some rain – Ann and Charles graham was married today – went down to Mr Grants to be married – came up to C.G in the evening – we stopped there all night – had a nice time

November 30 – Friday – dark day – came up home this morning – killed the old horse today – Ann and Charles came up in the evening – Mr Provens folks and several others was here in the evening – had a very nice time – very dark night

December 2 – Sabbath – some cooler – went to Springside Church – we walked there and back

December 5 – Wednesday – went to George Town in the afternoon – went with Edman Archibald – stopped all night

December 6 – Thursday – some frost – still dark – we came home today – had a nice time

December 13 – Thursday – fine day – went to Andy Grahams frolic – had a good time – was at C.G. all night

December 15 – Saturday – very cold day – I went to Brookfield today – started at 2 o’clock in the morning – got there at daylight - brought up 3 barrels and 3 bags of salt – good roads – got home at eight o’clock evening

December 17 – Monday – quite a snow storm – we built the stairs for the chamber today – a stormy day

December 25 – Tuesday – Crismas day – wet day – I did not do much of anything today – was at David D. all night – a dull Crismas today

December 30 – Sunday – cold day – went to Springside church today – we walked to church today – the road was so bad that we could not take the horse

December 31 – Monday – very cold today – the ground is getting frose up again – we was halling wood today – very good halling but not much snow – the last day of the year – we have great reason to thank God for our health through the last year – but none of us know wheather we will see the end of the next year, but God only – trust in the Lord, he is our help and our deliverer

{end of this volume – a leather-bound book – the rest contains miscellaneous accounts etc. writer is James Johnson of Pembroke, Upper Stewiacke, that part of Pembroke now called Burnside. This little verse is included}

When first on earth the truth was born
She crept into a hunting horn
The winter came, the horn was blown
But where truth went was never known

Tis a pleasing thought when far away
The trusted and laud abide
That they think of me and recall the hours
I spent in the past by thy side

Next Volume:

James Johnson, Pembroke, Upper Stewiacke, N.S. General Book
1867

August 30 – Friday – dark with showers – Ad and I went down to the velige today – got the measure of our feet taken at Watts for our boots – got a shoe for the horse – came home tonight – got a stick for Lems(?) tonight

August 31 –Saturday – fine but cool – we put in the grass seed – put the horses in the back field – Ad was working for G.D. today – Sam went to Glasgow today – I worked for William B. today – put in 2 load of hay – Lucy went to the velige today – there is a great deal of hay to cut yet

September 3 – Tuesday – Fine day – I took Father and Mother over to Glengary Station – They went to Glasgo – I came back to C.G. tonight

September 5 – Thursday – very warm – Sam Tupper and R.J.Fraser came over tonight

September 6 – Friday – dark day - was loafing today – Ester and Mary Brown was up today. {first reference to Ester, RG}

September 7 – Saturday – fine day – Sam Tupper and Fraser went home today – we moed Sam’s oats today

September 9 – Monday – still fine – we finished mowing oats today – we commenced to reap buckwheat today – put in one load of oats – got Andy Graham’s horse to go after Father and Mother today – they came home tonight

September 11 – Wednesday – fine day – we went to the ordination of Mr Sinclair today – our minister – a nice meaton – came home tonight

September 14 – Saturday – some rain – fine afternoon – worked on the road – had the horse on – put in 14 hours roday – Lucy and Mag went to Musquodoboit this week

September 18 – Wednesday – warm – we went to the election today – Mr Archibald lost his election this time – McLearon went in – stopped down tonight

September 19 – Thursday – warm – I was riding about today – came home tonight – Sandy Johnson and us got a bond for a deed from William Blaikie for the mill seat

September 22 – Sunday – very fine – did not go to church today – Lucy went

September 23 – Monday – very cold with showers – Ad and I and Sam went down to the river – I swapped horses with John Brown – gave him my note for $20.00 – 8 months without interest

September 25 – Wednesday – fine – we was working at the mill dam....

September 26 – Thursday – dark day – I took the buckwheat to the mill – brought up a load of planks – halled timber for the mill dam...

September 27 – Friday – cleared off – we halled 2 load of timber – I went down for the grist in the evening

September 28 – Saturday – Ad and Sam worked at the dam today

September 29 – Sunday – dark day – Ad and I went to church – went up to David Fultons to look for the horse – but did not find him – we tracked him out to the east branch

September 30 – Monday – wet night and wet day – I went over to John Brown’s to see if the horse had come in there but there was no word of him there – came home tonight – John Browns’ came up with me

October 1 – Tuesday – rain and sleet – John Brown and Sam Johnson and Ad and I went to track the horse – we tracked him 2 or 3 miles but lost his track and could not find it – came in wet and cold

October 2 – Wednesday – fine day – I went down to John Brown’s to look for the horse – went to Pictou tonight to look for the horse – stopped at Murray’s all night

October 3 – Thursday – fine day – went to West River – had a great trip – came home the road – came to G.B. tonight

October 4 – Friday – fine day – I got up a crew of men to look for the horse – we found him in a moose snear (snare) – he was in six days – he had a very bad leg – we sledded him in on a sled with 2 pairs of oxen

October 5 – Saturday – wet day – I tended the horse today – he is very stiff

October 6, 7 & 8 – tended the horse

October 9 – Wednesday – fine day – I framed for Sandy today – and tended the horse –

October 11 – Friday – fine day – we raised Sandy’s shop today

October 14 – Monday – fine day – I had the horse out to grass today – he has got a bad leg now...

October 15 – Tuesday – very fine day – I had the horse out to grass today – he laid down and rested himself

October 16 – Wednesday – fine day – the horse got lame in his other foot – I got McLoud up to fix on his other shoe – he has got a very bad leg now

October 18 – Friday – dark but fine – we raised the dam today and put on three reaches of ribs – G. Gould worked for us today

October 20 – Sabbath – fine day – we shot the horse today – his leg was almost rotted off – he was worth 20 pounds and more to us

October 21 – Monday – we killed the pigs today

October 24 – Thursday – Sandy Bentley and his oxen and Jack and Sam and Father and Adam worked at the brush dam today {many men working at the dam for several days}

October 27 – Sunday – cool but fine – I went to church today – heard Mr Morton preach and Mr McGilvery – stopped at Sandy’s for dinner – rode the horse

October 28 – we got the dam ready to cart gravel on

October 29 – Sam and Ad dug a place for the floom

October 30 – putting ribs on the dam

November 1 – put ribs on the dam today

November 2 – finished ribbing the dam

November 3 – Sabbath – dark – Ad and I went to church today – we walked there and back – stopped at C.G. for dinner

November 4 – commenced to plank the dam today

November 5 – Tuesday – fine – George Deyarmond and his oxen worked for us today and jack Brown – we worked at the dam – halled in the foundation...

November 7 – gravelled the dam...

November 9 – Saturday – soft day – I was trying to buy a horse today but did not succeed

November 13 – Wednesday – wet – a great freshet – it done some damage at the mill – took the foundation of the floom away

{rest of November, mostly every day is spent working on the dam – worked on the “floom” on 26, 27, 28, 29}

November 30 – Saturday – wet day – Sandy went home this morning – I went down to the river – bought a mare from Leander Johnson – on ten months credit – give him $7o..oo for her – 8 year old...

December {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, worked on the road}

December 15 – Sabbath – fine day – went to church today – the deacons was ordained today – William Logan, William Deyarmond, Charles Creelman, Samuel J. Logan, Samuel Johnson, James Creelman for deacons

December 16 – Monday – some snow – soft day – we was looking for a chance of logging today

December 18 – Wednesday - ...Edward Logan was up collecting for the school

December 25 – Wednesday – Crismas day – very blustery – I came up home this morning – Lib came up this morning – William D., his wife and Mrs Johnson, George D. and his wife was here today to spend Crismas

December 31 – Tuesday - ...the last of this year

1868

January 1 – Wednesday – dark and cold – we halled 4 logs today – Sam swapped his colt with Sandy for his mare today

January 3 – Friday – fine day – we halled 6 logs today – there is company here this evening – had a good time in the evening

{hauling logs many days in January}

January 19 – Sabbath – fine – did not go to church – no meaton(meeting) up the river today

January – 22 – Wednesday - ...Ad shot a moos today, up the brook – {there are many references to Moose hunting – this being the first success mentioned}

January 23 – Thursday – fine day – we halled in the moos – got some wood – John Bentley halled out his mast today

January 24 – Friday – took Esther Brown home tonight {no mention of when she came – likely had been visiting with her sister in Burnside}

January 25 – Saturday – fine – came home this morning

January 26 – Sabbath – fine day – went to church today

February 2 – Monday – Ad and Charles G. was moos hunting

February 4 – Tuesday – cold – we halled 3 logs today – the Bentleys is mast-halling now...

February 5 – Wednesday – very fine – we halled 4 logs today – John Brown was here today – I went down in the evening...

February 6 – Thursday – stormy day – some rain – did not do much of anything today

February 7 – Friday – fine but cold – I was sick today – Ad went to George Town with John Bentley with a mast – had the horses – stayed all night in GeorgeTown

February 9 – Sabbath – fine day – went to church today

February 10 – Monday - ...Ad and George got 2 moos today

February 13 – Thursday – very fine – Ad and I went to George Town with John Bentley – had the horses – stopped at Geroge Town all night

February 14 – Friday – very cold – we came back the road to ? camp – got a mast and got to town about dark – stopped all night

February 15 – Saturday – cold and squally – came home today – got home at one o’clock – got a barrel of flour from John Bentley – (price $10 and 75 cents) at George Town

February 18 – Tuesday – fine – I went down to the river today got 1 hat, i raper, 1 nek tye, at George Fultons – came home tonight – good slaying (sleighing) now

February 20 – Thursday – helped John Bentley out with a mast in the afternoon – Sam and I

February 21 – Friday – soft day – Sam and I went to George Town today with a mast for John Bentley and came home tonight at 8 o’clock

February 26 – Wednesday – fine day – Sam and I went over to George Town with a mast in company with John Bentley – got $20 for it – we got home at 5 o’clock evening

February 27 – Thursday – very fine day – was joined in marrag with Esther Brown – went over to Squire Creelman to be married – came home tonight

February 28 – Friday – very wet day – did not do much of anything – helped Charley Graham half-soal his boots – Ad took G. Deyarmonds slay (sleigh) home

February 29 – Saturday – some snow – we cut a mast today – William Deyarmond was here today to help – the roads are very icy now

March 1 – Sabbath – cold day – we went to church today – the snow helped the going

March 3 – Tuesday – some snow – fine day – we went over to George Town today – took over a 75 ft mast today – came home tonight...

March 4 – Wednesday – fine day – we went over for Esthers things today – stopped at C. Grahams in the evening

March 5 – ...made a mast today

March 6 – ...we was halling a mast today but did not get it out – Charley Graham was helping us today with his oxen

March 7 – Saturday – dark and warm – we got out our mast – and took it up to David Wright – had his oxen – Charles Graham helped us too, with his oxen.

March 10 – Tuesday – went to George Town today with a 72 ft mast – stopped all night

March 11 – Wednesday – cold – came home today – went over to George Provens in the evening – to go to Pictou – stayed all night

March 12 – Thursday – cold and windy – went to Pictou today to get oats – went to East River tonight

March 13 – Friday – wet day – came home tonight – had a heavy day coming home – stopped at George B. all night

March 14 – Saturday – warm day – came home today

March 19 – Thursday – George Brown and Mary was up all night

March 20 – Friday – fine day – Father and Mother and Mary, Lib and Sam and I went to George Town today. Samuel Hanley (from there) went with us... I came home tonight – Father and Mother and Mary and Sam stayed all night

{rest of the month, he was very poorly – bad cough}

March 29 – Sabbath – very cold for the season – The Doctor was up to see me today – gave me some meadson (medicine) – he says I have got the bron kiddes (bronchitis)

April 3 – Friday – dark and cool – I am mending now

April 10 – Friday – Father and the girls was boiling sap – it does not run much yet

April 14 – Tuesday – fine day – George Johnson and his wife and Ashmore Kennedy and John Creelman started for the far west today

April 19 – Sabbath – fine day – Lucy and Esther went to church today – they stopped down all night

April 20 – Monday – some rain – Father and I was working at my boots today

April 21 – Tuesday – fine day – we finished the boots today

April 23 – Thursday – Esther and I went down to George Brown’s

April 24 – Friday – we went over to Uncle David Fulton’s today

April 25 – Saturday – we went down to Uncle John’s today – Esther went down to the velige today - got some brandey for me to take

April 26 – Sabbath – fine day – went to church – came home at intermeshon on account of Sara’s baby being sick – it has fits very bad – it died about 9 of the clock tonight

April 27 – Monday – cool day – the funeral was this afternoon – Mr david Fulton gave a very nice address to both old and young – spoke on the 40th chapter of Isaiah.

April 29 – Wednesday – I was out a while working today – I am getting stronger

May – 20 – Wednesday – Fine day – Ad was harrowing for Sam today – I went down to Provens – got 2 bushels of oats for 2 bushels of potatoes from William Crockett

May 21 – Thursday – very wet day – James Brown got 2 bushels of potatoes – I got 2 bushels of oats from him

May 26 – Tuesday – fine day – we sheared the sheep today

May 27 – Wednesday – fine – was ploughing today – Father sheared sheep for William Blaikie today

June 4 – Thursday – very warm – went down to get the horses shawed – got them shawed at Archibalds – Sandy got them shawed for us – took the wool to the mill – was at the velige today

June 8 – Monday - ...we got a riding wagon...

June 10 – Wednesday – Ad made some long shingles to pay for his boots

June 14 – Sabbath - ...sacrament

June 21 – Sabbath – Sacrament

{worked at the mill several days and on the road – statue labour}

July
{much work at the mill and on the brush dam}

July 17 – Saturday – very warm – worked at the mill in the forenoon – hoed potatoes in afternoon

{the end of this volume – next volume begins in July 1870}

1870

July 17 – Sabbath – Esther and I went to church today – the Sabbath School Convencian (?) today

July 20 – Wednesday – Sandy, Sam and I went to River Dale today – I got 2 lb of tobacco at McCullas {first time we hear River Dale and not George Town}

July 21 – Thursday – Mr Sinclair was up today – visited at Charles Creelmans – was up with him – went to Prayer meaton..

July 28 – Thursday - ...went to Prayer meaton at William Blaikies

July 30 – Saturday – Esther and I went down to the corner – got Ads mare shawed at Neal Sutherlands

July 31 – Sabbath – Sam and I went to church today – stopped for Sabbath School at the school house

August 11 – Thursday - ...William Blaikies barn was burnt today with George Deyarmonds mare in it

August 15 – Monday – Ad went to work at David Fultons...

August 17 – Wednesday – Sam and I went to Rivers Dale – Sam went to Halifax to draw some land but did not get any – the land is all taken up...

August 18 – Thursday – I brought the load of hay home this morning – commenced to hew Billies barn frame today

August 22 – Monday – was framing William B’s barn today

August 23 – Tuesday – we raised the barn today and boarded most of it in

{next few days were finishing the barn and digging a new well}

September 12 – Monday – Esther and I went down to the velige today – I got $9 from Andrew Gould on a watch – swapped horses and steers and got a cow and give him $12 to boot

September 22 – Thursday – we finished threshing buckwheat today – went to prayer meaton tonight – Mr Sinclair was there

September 24 – Saturday – Ad and I went over to the mountain for a load of slate stones today – took the sleigh over to Duncan Creelmans to get it fixed

September 30 – Friday – I worked with John Brown today at house {J.Brown has been boarding at James’}

October 3 – Monday – James Brown came up to help John this morning...

October 7 – Friday – I took a load of planks down to Creelmans mill – brought the grist home in the forenoon – went to the mill raising in the afternoon

{Sandy worked the “ager” (auger), Sam to Riversdale for the belt – and other references to the mill}

October 16 – Sabbath – Sacrament sabbath

October 17 – Monday – we worked at the mill today – Ad went down for Sandy to help us put the saw in order this morning

October 19 – Wednesday – worked at the mill today – Ad and Abel milked the heifer today...

October 22 – Saturday – worked at mill in forenoon – went down to school meaton but they did not meat...

October 30 – Sabbath – stormy day – I went tochurch today – heard Mr Grant preach – the mishenary

October 31 – Monday – got some wood in forenoon – sawed in afternoon – Edith got badly scalded this evening

November 1 – Tuesday – I went down to the Doctor to get some meadson for Edith – very poorly today

November 6 – Sabbath – did not go to church today – the Doctor came up to see Edith today – she was very poorly, yet he left some meadson for her to take

{killed pigs and worked in mill – much work in mill in Oct and Nov}

November 8 – Tuesday – went down to the election today

November 10 – Thursday – We took 75 logs out to the pond today – Mr Smith (Rev James Smith) and James Brown was here tonight – Esther and I is sitting up with Edith tonight

November 12 – Saturday – worked in the mill today – sent down for some meadson with her {Olive, who was going to the river} for Edith – she is not much better yet

November 19 – Saturday – we broke our mill saw this morning – went over to Riversdale – got 2 mill saws from McKennie – brought one home tonight {now, in addition to James. Ad and Sam, there is Able working along with them}

November 25 – Friday – Edith was down to the mill today

December 2 – Friday – Sam and I worked at the saw today – Ad went to the frolic at Andrew Grahams chopping

December 3 – Saturday – John Bentley is logging for us now

December 9 – Friday – the Creelmans got their mill going today

December 12 – Monday – I sawed forenoon – worked for John Brown at his house afternoon – built the stairs

December 21 – shut the mill down...

December 22 – Thursday – very cold day – we went down to Adam Fultons to the wedding – John Brown married his (Adam Fultons) daughter Sarah – great wedding

December 23 – Friday – cold day – was choring about today – John and his wife came up home today

December 31 – Saturday – we broke the roads down to Provens mill today – very bad crust on the snow

1871

January 2 – Monday – went out to Duncan Creelmans for the slay – did not get it – got his pung a while

January 13 – Friday – Ad went up to James Grahams for a load of coals – came home tonight – David Wright and Morrison broke the road out to Barnies Bridge

January 26 – Thursday – Sam went to Truro today

January 27 – Thursday – Sam came home today – he contracted for ten thousand of hardwood lumber to be delivered at Riversdale Station and loaded on the cars...

January 28 - ...Esther and Olive and I went down to Charles Gahams today

February – {mostly spent in getting logs out of the woods}

February 26 – Sabbath – fine day – Ad, Esther and I went to church in the waggon today – very good wheeling

{much going back and forth to Riversdale}

March – {much mill work and repairs on parts of the mill}

April 16 – Sabbath – did not go to church – Ad went on horse back

April 21 – Friday – some rain last night - we sawed today – got Morrison to help us a while

April 28 – Friday - - sawed in forenoon – went out to John Grahams to help raise his barn

May 4 – Thursday – I went to Otterbrook for hay today – got half a ton at William Bentleys – price $11 per ton

May 11 – Thursday – Sam and I went down to see Sandy about buying his share of the mill – he offered it to us for $..(blank).. and the lot of land with it

{in earlier entries , especially 1864-1866 he always gave the day’s weather – it is mentioned now only occasionally and he is most always home at night – earlier he was away as often as he was home}

May 17 – Rev Dr Smith died – {apparently Jim wasn’t to the funeral}

May 22 – Monday – Father sheared the sheep today – Ad and I finished planting potatoes – cut some logs

May 23 – Tuesday – very warm rain today – Sam and I was fixing up our books today

June 3 – Saturday – sawed a spell in morning – Ad and Father and Lucy went to church to Sacrament – I piled lumber
afternoon a while

June 4 – Sabbath – very warm – Esther and I went to church today – stopped at G. Brown’s all night

June 5 – Monday – went to church today - settled up with Sandy – Ad bought his share of the mill – gave his note to Dickey for $280 with interest till paid

June 14 – Wednesday – Esther and I went out to the carding mill today – got the wagon fixed at Duncan Creelmans

June 15 – Thursday – Johnson Logan and his wife was up today – prayer meaton at David Wrights

June 17 – Saturday – Ad and I was looking the lot of land we got from Sandy – Sam and I was down to see Mrs Eliza Blaikie about buying her land – get an answer next week

June 22 – Thursday – Mr Sinclair was up today – prayer meaton at out house after noon

June 24 – Saturday – Alexander Johnson died today at Middle Stewiacke aged 51 years

June 25 – Sabbath – Esther and Ad went to church and I went down to the funeral at the schoolhouse in the evening

July 2 – Sabbath – did not go to church – Sacrament at the velige church

{no entries from July 16-September 18}

September 29 – Friday – we halled spruce logs forenoon – cleaned buckwheat afternoon – John Brown helped fore noon – we halled 9 logs

September 30 – Saturday – we halled 18 logs today – John Brown helped us forenoon

October – { road work – cutting logs and working at the mill}

October 13 – Friday – a great wind last night – we cut out the road down as far as the new mill – fixed fences and piled lumber - a good deal of destruction from the wind through the place

November 2 – Thursday – I banked the house forenoon – Ad and I cut wood after noon

{Cutting logs and taking them to the brook – 3rd, 25 logs; 4th 28 logs; 6th, 22 logs; 7th, 18 logs; 8 th,34 logs}

November 8 – Wednesday – we got in 200 of logs in the brook now – Ann MacKay came to Pembroke today – Mr Hanley
brought her over from Riversdale – he was here all night

November 11 – Saturday – I helped Sam groove sheathing – Robert MacKay got along today

November 13 – Monday – still cold – I banked the barn – Ad took Robert MacKay up to see the lot of land up Riversdale Road – he is talking of buying it – Ad and I sawed afternoon

November 16 – Thursday – I built Maxwell Graham’s flue in his new house today – came home tonight

November 18 – Saturday – we had an arbitration at Squire Ellis’ today with Bentley and his wife about the shanties – they fell to us as by rights

{They are getting logs down to the mill and Robert MacKay is helping – sawing on the 25th, 27th and 28th – Robert and Morrison helping}

December 4 – Monday – soft day - ...Robert MacKay moved up to the shanty today

December 5 – Tuesday – I took some stuff up for MacKay today in the wagon

December 11 – Monday – Ad and Sam went to Riversdale – I was down to the new mill after noon...

December 15 – Friday – Esther and I went up to Roberts in evening

December 23 – Saturday – Sam and Ad took a load of hardwood – William Blaikies girl died today aged 11 years – her name was Sarah – she died of “quiet ruetism” – she was poorly for 3 months or more

December 25 – Monday – went to the funeral today

1872

January 3 – Wednesday - ...Sam went to Halifax today

January 5 – Friday – sold some lumber to Sandy Johnson – Sam came home today – I went to meet him – he got 160 acres of land up the brook – very good lot for lumber

January 6 – Saturday – Sam and I cruiced up the brook today – very wet day –

{much hauling of logs}

February 11 – Sabbath – Sacrament today – Esther and I went to church today – left the children at G. Brown’s

March 3 – Sabbath – very stormy day – about 6 inches of snow

March 5 – Tuesday – very stormy day – the snow is 3 or 4 ft deep now – not much chance to get in the woods

March 6 – Wednesday – fine day – we broke roads today

March 7 – Thursday – great snow storm today – with high winds – made great drifts –

March 8 – Friday – still high winds and snow squalls

March 9 – Saturday – fine day – was choring about a little – about 4 ft of snow

March 10 – Sabbath – did not go to church today – was up to Robert MacKays – Ann is sick

March 11 – Monday – soft day – we broke roads today – I took Esther up to Roberts in evening – Sam went for the Doctor for Ann MacKay

March 12 – Tuesday – high winds with snow squalls - I brought Esther down home this morning – Ann is better...

March 15 – ...snowed in the afternoon

March 16 – Saturday – great snow storm today

March 17 – Sabbath – cold and blustery with snow

March 19 – Tuesday – some snow after noon – there is a great pile of snow – the road is blocked up

March 20 – Wednesday – stormy

March 21 – Thursday – blustery

March 24 – Sabbath – very stormy day – snow storm

March 26 – Tuesday – fine day

March 29 – Friday – Ad went to Riversdale today

March 31 – Sabbath – fine day – did not go to church today – the road is very bad

April 1 – Monday – Ad and I started the up-and-down saw but the buchel had to go to the shop

April 4 – Thursday – I went down to Johnson Logan’s – got 3 bushels of potatoes from him – price 50 cts per bushel

April 19 – Friday – sawed today – Esther and I went to Truro after noon – Esther went to get something done with her legs – Doctor called it ruimetism – was at Alexander Johnsons all night

April 20 – Saturday – Came home today – Esther quite a cripple now – got home about 11 o’clock

April 21 – Sabbath – did not go to church today – Esther is not any better yet

{end of journal entries found}

Another little book – accounts and time book – about 1882

Oct 31 1882 – we moved down to the mill
1883 – board bill of D.M. Blaikie
Johnson & Blaikie Co.
Jan 1883 : time marked daily for James Johnson, D.M. Blaikie, J.H. Blaikie, Henry Graham,

1892 – June 13 – great thunderstorm with wind and rain
June 14 – another great storm tonight – quite a considerable damage through the country – Emerson Rutherfords barn was
struck with lightning and burnt with 9 cows and 3 beef cattle

1894 – March – Time marked for John W. Graham, Alfred Johnson, Woodbury Graham
•    James Johnson Diaries - Margaret Graham article