Irene Dixon Bamford

Wolfe Island Sept 4th 1888 Tuesday A warm bright cloudless day, wind south. Volty is in Watertown. Welly, Evaline, Johny, and Grace are gone to a picnic in Breakys grove. Wells, Maud and I at home. Wells has a lame knee, but has gone down by Ebbs to water the young stock. Bill and Will are gone to Kingston to conclude the bargain for Will's place. Will Woodman's child is very sick with Erystashia [Erysipelas]. I just finished writing a letter to Watson. James O'Brien came to see Wells about the school house fence. Four ministers at the picnic including Thompson and his family and old John Lockheart the Bible agent.

5th Wednesday Rained some in the night, wind changed to north, cool all day John went early this morning to Wellingtons to help thresh but didn't work untill towards evening. Welly went over to Rattrays & helped fix the machine and moved it to Burnhams after carrying E down to Burnhams to help Alvira. They came back

[margin] Welly is 23 years old to day

2

Sept again in the evening and stayed all night. John Morgan called for Welly to go to the Cape with him to the fair Wells drew manure from the barn and swore because Grace broke up a little wood with his axe.

6 Thursday Very cool wind north a clear day. Welly and Evaline got up early and went down to Burnhams. John stayed there all night. Wells milked all the cows and drove with Grace over to the dock and went from there to Burnhams to help thresh. I have to look around and find wood best I can. Silve came down for Rachel's cloak. Jen and little Charley came up to borrow flour. Maud and I here alone most all day, its a terrible time for flies. The grass and all vegetation very green after the most severe drought and dryest summer we ever experienced.

7th Friday A clear bright day Wind north changing to south in fore noon. Welly and Johny threshing for Burnham & Horn. Welly got up early and

[margin] Maud came here one year ago this day the 6th

Sept. 11th Tuesday A fine day wind south rose very early for Johny and Wells went to Breakeys to thresh. Grace went to Bells on the boat and came home in the Eve and brought Marjorie with her. Welly went to Chammont. I forgot to send Victor's letter by Welly. Evaline went to Sam's to help Sylvia make her dresses. Wells and John helped set the machine to Sam's and threshed all the PM. Wells had an awful time milking all the cows after dark, got mad and swore. Mother came up to get Wells to go to Kingston with Will. Maud and I alone most all day. I did not hurt myself with work to day [margin] Laura Smith went to Kingston to stay all week. John went after dark to borrow Well's buggy for Will but he had lent it to Burnham to go to the fair and borrowed Al Joslin's instead [/margin]

12 Wednesday Rose early so Wells could go to Kingston with Will. Evaline went to sew for Sylvia. John threshed for Sam. It looked like a rainy day and did rain some in fore noon AM, fair and extremely warm. had bad work to churn butter it is so soft and warm, our ice all gone and over

Sept to him Will went to Kingston to day, again on business Wells went to water the young cattle and brought up some corn Eddy Bates called here for his vest that John had wore down from Sam's Old Mrs Suttle burried [sic] to day Laura went down yesterday on the St Lawrence to Alexandria bay Evaline come home and gone to sweeping and patching Wellie's overalls. After dinner E washed dishes and she & W went down to Burnhams in skiff. I skimed milk and churned. It rains, some wind more in north. Marjorie and Maud agreed about one thing—to make all the noise they possibly can. Wells gave Grace a dollar to spend at the fair. Evaline helped Wells milk

14th Friday A clear fine day Wind South Evaline went to sew for Sylvia. Maryanne Barry drove O'Briens horses to John's pound. Sam's black colt missing since yesterday morning I washed and baked bread Sylvia and Coruwith here tonight. Wells Jr and

100

but went to Burnhams instead. Dick came and brought our mail. A letter from Nellie Grey, one from Rairy Wand, one from George Kirkpatrick's office.

Saturday 17 A bright morning, boys gone to Kingston with hay. The wind blows as hard from east and blusters. I colorad Mauds dress and dried & ironed it and done baking. Grace cleaned upstairs and cleaned down stairs. Maud helped a little. V & Mart working out doors. Boys came home from city at seven, brought Will Allen & Will Dixon with them.

---

Sunday 18 Rained all night but cleared away midday. Wind blowing hard from South. Ma, Voltie & Maud gone to Belles. Mart going to Niles. Pa & G at