HomeMy WebLinkAbout703Photocopied pages, 22 x 28 cm., Diary of a young girl,76 pages. Louise Richardson
Rorke kept this diary during a visit to her grandmother, who lived in Pickering Village.
Lousie lived with her family in Thornbury, Ont. She retuned to Pickering later in her life.
"September 1889
Wed. 11th. Uncle Thomas came. Second-day night at about 12 o'clock.
Johnny and Beth came over that morning and stayed for dinner. It was while we were
playing with them Uncle Thomas gave me this dear little book. We went over to aunt
Mariann's in the morning. She was not up when we saw her. After dinner we got ready
for the funeral. We rode as far as Aunt Ali's with Uncle James"
"and from there with Willie Valentine as far as Uncle Willie's where we waited till Lizzie
was ready and then walked up to Uncle Richards.
We seen Aunt Jane and then came back to Lizzie's from where we joined the
procession going down to the graveyard. Walter and James have 90 species of
eggs and a stuffed squirrel and birds. Then we came home after the funeral.
Aunt Emma took Grandmama, Mamma,"
"Emma and I over as far Aunt Marianne's where we left Grandmamma and mamma.
Emma and I went on to the village and when coming back we passed Aunt Marianne's
Emma and I went in and stayed for tea. We had good fun with their dog but were a
little bit afraid. after tea S. Turner made him jump up after a stick- such jumps I never
seen the like of course this all happened in the afternoon."
In the morning Mamma and Aunt Lou went to Whitby and did not get back till about
2 o'clock, we waited dinner but had lunch about 12. We were sitting chatting in the
kitchen when Uncle James came in and while he was here he killed a mouse,
two were killed afterwards. In the morning Em spied one and killed it or stunned it.
Then mamma picked it up and threw it out.
"Thurs. 12th.
We did not go to meeting this morning but staid at home and kept house.
Johnny and Beth came over before meeting and staid for dinner.
Johnny brought over some corn-tassel and said he wanted us to make
him a doll for Ilene and put the corn-tassel on for hair. But we thought wool
would look better and we had some that was curly we put it on and stitched eyes."
"and nose and mouth on it with black thread. When we took it over little Ilene cast it
scornfully at her feet and would have nothing to do with it. Beth and Johnny came over
with us again and stayed till 4 o'clock. Emma and I did nothing particular till bedtime.
Fri.13th. Mamma and Aunt L. went to Toronto this morning. Aunt Emma drove them to
the station and Em and I rode up to the corner and"
"Johnny and Beth came over to grandma's and after playing a little while with them we
came up to our rooms and wrote home. Johnny and Beth ran of home while we were
writing. They came over after dinner and stayed for tea. Just before tea we were going
to get ready to go to Uncle Willie's but waited as we were afraid of rain.
In the meantime Lizzie walked in and"
"she is going to stay for tonight and perhaps till Firstday. Aunt Louie brought us home a
handkerchief a piece.
Mother brought us some tissue paper to make poppies with.
Sat. 14. Uncle Joshua brought over a bag of potatoes as grandma's are poor and s
tayed for dinner.
Johnny and Beth came over also but went home before dinner. Mamma took Lizzie,
Emma and I up to the post-office"
"and coming back dropped us at Uncle Willies. Aunt Sarah Willie was at Aunt Sarah
writes but mamma called for her and took her to see Line Cornell. Lizzie Emma and I
went through the college. It is not so nice inside as it looks to be from the outside.
Then we went back to uncle Willie's played croquet and had our tea.
Then we came home"
"Just as we were getting into the buggy in walked Liza Cameron and her little girl.
He was coming afterwards as she had come down on the train and he had drove down.
We brought grandma home from Aunt Marianes where she had her tea.
Sun. 15th, We went to meeting this morning. Emma and I had to walk as there"
"was not room in the carriage. Aunt Louisa intended walking part way but we walked
across the fields so that she would not have to. After meeting Aunt Louise drove us
down to out cousin O'Boon's.
James Richardson is going to high school, so is Llewellen Boon. James was down at
O'Boons and we had a good time.
Just after tea Uncle Willie came and took James to highschool at Whitby"
"where he boards at Henry Clendenen's.
Soon after we went home.
Mon.16th. Mamma, Grandma, Emma and I went to Clendenans this morning and
stayed til about 1/4 past or rather to 4.
We had a very good time there. There was another girl there about 13 years of age.
But we did not see much of Georgie or the two boys as they were at school most of"
"the time.
We left there for John Fathergill's where we expected to have out tea but as Kate was
absent we soon left.
When we got to grandma's their tea was over. But we had quite a nice little tea
consisting of poached eggs, good bread and butter, ferns and etc.
Tues. This has been a wet, rainy day. We made or partly made some tissue paper"
"flowers this morning and then went over to Uncle James' for dinner. Mamma and
Grandma were at the village this morning and when they came home they came over
to Uncle James' when they came home they got there before dinner.
Nothing particular happened. When Em came home she wrote to Flossie Cummings
and then wrote in her diary"
"my turn after that and now just going to run off to bed. Good night.
Wed. 18th. Mamma left Grandmamma's this morning. Poor little me! Oh! How I wish
Papa, Mamma and etc. were here now.
This morning Aunt Louisa, Aunt Emma and Mamma got up early-about 6 o'clock and
had their breakfast then they brought us up the tray on which they had"
"just a dear little breakfast for us to eat in bed. Grandma had hers in bed too.
Then mamma gave me and Emma Bertha ever so many kisses and then
Aunt Lou drove them to the station.
When she got back we were just getting out of bed. We washed the dishes after
breakfast and made tissue paper flowers. Dried dishes"
"after dinner.
On second day I got a letter from Pa in which he said he hoped I would be useful.
I am trying to be. About 2 o'clock we went to Uncle Joshuas and left grandma at
Aunt Sarah Write's. Aunt S. W. has a very bad toothache.
We staid for tea at Uncle Joshuas and called for grandma on the road home.
Uncle J. came down"
"as far as the shop with us.
Em has a bad toothache.
Thurs. 19. We went to meeting this morning. After dinner Uncle Willie brought
Aunt Sarah over to grandma's.
That afternoon we were sitting in Uncle Willie's covered buddy. Then Em got out and
pulled me down towards the house and I got out and pulled"
"it up with help from Emma.
Emma and I got in the carriage and fastened up the shafts and then rode down hill
and went straight for a tree.
Emma said to let down the shafts but I thought it would be better not to. However she
thought it would stop the carriage so I let my shaft down gradually,
hers dropped quickest, stuck"
"into the ground and broke. We were in a great fix however we went in and told Aunt
Lou who sent us out to tell Uncle Willie who was working in the field.
We run up and put on our coats as it was very cold. We made up a little speech on the
road but forgot it when we saw him.
This is the conversation.
Uncle W. - Well girls"
"Em and I- Well Uncle Willie we have something to tell thee.
We have broken thy buggy. Then I explained how it happened.
I said we were sorry but he said ""That doesn't mend it does it.""
We turned around and walked away a little piece. Then we turned around and
came back. Emma asked how much it would cost that we would write home and"
"ask for enough money to pay for it. He laughed very hard and said it was all right.
Then Uncle Willie came to the house and took the carriage home and Aunt Sarah
stayed all night.
Fri. 20th Aunt Sarah stayed at grandma's to-day. Uncle Willie Rorke came here for
dinner. It is very cold. I wonder how they are getting on"
"at Collingwood.
I would so like to get a peep.
We made tissue paper flowers this afternoon. I wonder what Jessie is doing.
Sat. 21th. We were going to Uncle Willies 6th day night but it was not fit the
horse being away.
Aunt Emma drove us up part way this afternoon and we walked the rest of the way.
We have had a splendid time."
Sun 22. We were talking rather foolishly and James Richardson heard it all.
We went to a meeting to-day and came home with Uncle Willie in the afternoon.
James came down with us. Charly Rogers is down visiting Johnny- I mean Mary
Janes boy. Uncle Willie went down to Whitby and got Aunt Sarah who was visiting
there and called for James on the way back. I wrote to Georgie to night.
"Mon. 23nd. Johnny and Beth were over here this morning. Kate McClaran and
Jennie McGillavary were here for tea.
Jennie said she had a sore jaw and could hardly eat but it did not show outwardly.
They took some flowers Aunt Emma gave them. When Aunt Louisa was curling my
hair she burned my ear a little. Good-night."
"Tues. 24. Johnny and Charlie Rogers came over with a note saying we could go with
Aunt Susie to Whitby. We got ready and went.
Grandma gave us 10c to spent and also, some money to buy some tissue paper to
make flowers for Sarah Turner. It is to be shaded out from dark red to pink.
We each bought a lead pencil. I am writing with mine today. Beth was"
"with us. Going up to Whitby I seen a bird one of which species I never seen before.
It was standing in a mudhole and was a greyish brown and white underneath with a
rather long bill.
We got home at about 12 o'clock.
In the afternoon A. Lou and A. Emma and grandma went to the village and Emma
and I went to Aunt Marianne's. We were to come"
"home from Aunt Marianne's to have tea at grandma's but as they did not get back
from the village till late they came in while we were having our tea and so we stayed
till we were through and then came out with Ellen to milk. She showed us some of the
dogs tricks and came very nearly all the way home with us.
Wed. 26th. Charlie Rogers and Beth"
"were over here this morning. They brought Ilene over in the baby carriage and
Johnny did not come.
Nothing particular happened that day.
Thurs. 26th We went to meeting in the morning and Aunt Sarah told us that we were
invited to a birthday party of Mary Dales. Grandma stopped at Aunt Sarah Write's as
she is very poorly and stayed till"
"after tea. The rest Em and I included came home. After tea Uncle James took
Aunt Lou up to Uncle Willies so that she might start from there with Uncle Willie
early in the morning for Maripossa.
We went up too as we intended staying at Uncle Willies all night and going with
Lizzie to the party. Aunt Louisa went in to Aunt Sarah"
"bye to grandma but Aunt Sarah was so much worse that she promised to come
back and stay all night.
Lizzie had a letter all ready to send to us. She told us that E. and M. Dale were
up there and had told them all they were going to have for tea on the birthday and that
the birthday cake was 4 stories high. James was not"
"at home.
Fri. 27th. We went to school with Lizzie today and think that I like the teacher and
scholars or rather the scholars that I know very well. Those that were going to the
party came home at 1/4 to 3.
We had a very good time although the birthday cake was only 3 stories high.
Lizzie, Emma and I walked to grandma's"
"after the party.
It was rather dark when we got here and I was pretty tired.
Sat. 28th; We got up this morning and played around for a little while.
When we got ready to go over to Aunt Lucy Cornell's as grandma was going to take
Lizzie, Emma and I over.
While we were getting dressed Aunt Marianne Weatherald"
"called and so delayed us a little while.
It was about 11 o'clock when we got started.
We went a round-about way and had a spend ride.
We had a very nice time and played ""Jacob and Rachel"" ""forfiets"" and
""kick the stick"". We staid for dinner and tea. James Richardson and
Walter Cornell came up in the afternoon and did not stay for tea."
"We had a very good time and and came home about sunset
And the evening sun descending.
Set the sky on fire with redness
Burned the broad sky like a prarie.
It was very nice and made me think of home.
Sun. 29th. We went to meeting this morning. Aunt Lou was at Mariposa and
Aunt Emma goes to another meeting. Grandma"
"went in to see Aunt Sarah Write and staid all First day school time.
Uncle James was away at Mariposa and were no teachers till about 1/2 past 10.
I enjoyed first day-school very much and wish Jessie was there too. After dinner
Aunt Susie came over with baby and stayed a little while.
When they went away we drove down to the lake and Em and I gathered"
"some very pretty stones. I wonder how Jessie is getting on with her collection.
Then we came home and had our tea and so Good night.
Mon. 30th; I closed last night with ""Good night"" and I think that I will start this morning
with ""Good morning."" Well this morning we got up and had our breakfast and helped
grandma with the dishes and made our"
"bed and swung and played around in general till about 1/2 past ten when
Aunt Emma went to the station for Aunt Sarah and Aunt Lou.
We helped grandma set the table and the we waited impatiently.
Aunt Emma soon came and we have had a very nice visit with Aunt Sarah.
Tues. Oct. 1st. Uncl Willie was down yesterday and invited us to a birthday"
"partie of Lizzie's which was to come off this afternoon. It was very cloudy this morning.
Right after dinner or rather breakfast grandma got us out picking the apples up that
had fallen to the ground.
Johnny came over with his father and stayed for dinner.
It rained quite heavily and we had some thunder and lightening.
Emma and I thought"
"that there would be no party for us.
However it cleared up about noon and after dinner Grandma, Aunt Sarah,
Emma and I started
but a storm was brewing and grandma thought we had better go into Aunt Mariannes
but Emma and I were for going right on.
However we drove in and had just got in to the house when it started to rain and it
rained in good"
"earnest and we hat to wait a good while.
The girls that were there were, Cora Ham, one of the school girls, Maggie Higgins,
Hannah Cornell, Ethel Jones, Mary and Ethel Dale, Jennie Dale and Flossie Write,
Lizzie, Emma and I.
Mable Levens was invited but did not come.
We had a very nice time and stayed all night."
"Wed. 2th. This is the all important day of the sale. We got up and were late
(only a little late) for breakfast walked up with Lizzie part way to school and read a
little.
Then we got ready and Uncle Willie brought us as far as Aunt Marianne and went
back for Aunt Sarah.
We walked the rest of the way.
Uncle Willie and"
"Aunt Sarah were here for dinner after which we went to the sale.
There were quite a number of men there about 2 hundred Stock sold very well but I
think that implements were cheap. Uncle Johua got the large carriage for $10 and
Uncle Willie got the big sleigh.
Cake and biscuits were passed around among the men at"
"about 5 o'clock.
There were pails of coffee and a few about 10 cups.
It has been quite a day.
Thurs. 3rd; Grandma, Aunt Sarah, and Aunt Lou went to meeting this morning
and we helped keep house.
Johnny was over and we played blindmans buff and different things.
Then we went upstairs and dressed Emma up putting in an old coat and"
"hat and vale and then she went to the door and rang. Aunt Emma said she would not
have known her if I had not smiled.
We walked over to Aunt Mariannes for dinner all were there but Aunt Emma though
Aunt Louie went home about 4 o'clock.
We had a splendid time and Aunt looked blooming. It was wet and rainy all day but we
had a lovely sunset."
"Those sunsets always make me think of home and the dear ones there.
Uncle James is over tonight. Goodnight.
Fri. 4th; We did not do any thing particular this morning but watch the rain but we
made up for it this afternoon.
First and foremost we made up a piece of poetry about ""Little Mabel"" and Johnny
came over. Then we went up stairs and dressed Emma up in an old coat and had also"
"a veil and just as she was getting on her hat Hannah Cornell came in staid till we got
ready to come over.
When Emma first went to the door Aunt Sarah was the only one inside as Aunts
L. & E. were out picking apples (the men who were wanting them helped)
and grandma was out side. Aunt Sarah knew Emmas voice but said to wait till
grandma came in and then do it again."
When grandma came in she tried again and when grandma opened the door she said
"Does Mr. Smith live here" and grandma did not know her and they talked a little and
then Emma said "She would have to look some other place" and turned away and
grandma shut the door and came in to the dining room and said "Who who in the
world kind of a creatuer is that she must he a nun." Then Aunt Sarah
"laughed and laughed till grandma said she thought that she was foolish.
We told grandma that she did not know her own grandchild when she saw her
but she said that she did not see her.
Then we got ready and went to Aunt Mariannes and played and raced and had a
splendid time and stayed for tea and then we came home and had another slight
tea afterwards when we got home.
Goodnight little diary dear."
"Sat. 5th. It is very wet and rainy today and Hannah Cornell who was coming over this
morning did not get over and we did not do much. Uncle James was over here not long
after dinner and said that his boy had been crying all day because he could not get
over here as he had left his rubbere here and he made Uncle James promise to bring
them over with him. So the boy came over and we played"
carpet balls and Johnny is a capital roller. We were over by the loung and I picked
up a croquay ball and I dropped from my hand and it dropped onto the lounge and
then rolled from there and struck Johnny on the head raising quite a hump.
Aunt Sarah and Aunt Emma went to the village and I did not get any letters.
Tell me little diary why they don't write to me!
"And Aunt Sarah Rorke went to see Aunt Sarah Write and Aunt Emma went to Dales
and then went to Aunt Sarah's and they stayed for tea.
Aunt Sarah is much improved and I must say or rather write goodnight.
Sun. 6th; Yesterday what am I thinking of to start my letter that day.
This morning I started a letter this morning to Cousin Louie as I do not intent to write
home for a few"
"days. I had just got a page written when I had to go get ready for meeting. XXXXXX
After meeting we went to Uncle Joshua's I rode up to Uncle's with himself and Minnie
McDermont and he stopped at Uncle Willies and took Lizzie up to his place.
We had quite a visit with her as we stayed for tea. XXXXX
Uncle Johua brought us three girls home and stayed a little while Willie Valentine also"
"came over to bid us good bye as he is going to Manilla to be a clerk there in one of
the stores. I enjoyed First day-school very much. Uncle James teaches our class and
he talked to us very nicely.
My verse (we only say one verse apeice and we say it before the whole school) was:
A the mountains are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about this people
hence forth even foreve"
"I seems so nice to think of him as all around us.
Mon. 7th- Oh best of good things! I have got a letter or rather two l letters enclosed
one one envelope directed to me.
I do beleive Aunt Sarah though I was foolish when I got them. We started this morning
about 11 o'clock and Aunt Sarah drove grandma Emma and I up to Jervas
Cornells where we stayed till after tea. Lizzie"
"was up there and we had a splendid time.
Aunt Louisa was getting ready to go up to Uncle Joshua's as he is going to take her
and Minnie McDermot up to Toronto tomorrow morning. Uncle James was going to
take her up and Aunt Emma went up to metting. Uncle James is going to bring her
down. XXXXXXX
As soon as I got my letters I opened them to see who they were from and then"
I capered into the bedroom and then I noticed Emma look at me kind of funny and I
started to laugh and I could not stop and then I cried or rather a few tears came into
my eyes. Now I expect if ma heard that she would think that I had better not have any
more letters for a while but I think that I should have them oftener and then I could not
have such a foolish act when I did
"get one. Well I dried my eyes and came out feeling very foolish and sat down and
read my letters which were from Jessie and George C. Then I finished my letter to
Louie and wrote in my diary Beth Valentine is coming the last of the month or rather
has nearly made up her mind to.
Tues. 8th. Aunt Louisa was with Uncle Joshua, Aunt Sarah and Minnie McDermot in
Toronto. Aunt Sarah and grand"
ma went to Boom's for dinner and Emma and I helped keep house.
Johnny was over and stayed for a little while about 1/2 past four we went over to
Aunt Mariannes to get the mail. I was not expecting to get a letter of course as I
had one the night before but what was my delight to find one from my dear mother
also a dear little one from Jessie
I was very glad but not quite so foolish as the night before.
Emma got a letter to but it was from her schoolmate Floss.
When Aunt Sarah and grandma got back Aunt Emma took Emma and I up to Uncle
Joshua's to get Aunt Louisa who we thought would be back by that time.
It was lovely moonlight and when we got to Uncle Joshua's the dog barked and Aunt
Emma was afraid to go in but Minnie came out and we went in.
We had some watermelon and got Aunt Louisa.
Coming homs she sang Beautiful Valley of Eden. I thought it was very nice.
They think that I should not have my book so scratched up but I am sorry for I
wanted to have this book so neat for papa. I wish I could see him now and tell him.
"Wed. 9th.
This morning about 1/2 ten we started for Uncle Willie's.
After dinner Aunt Sarah and grandma went over to Mary Warings for tea but Emma
and I stayed at Aunt Sarahs.
In the afternoon we went up to the villiage and spent part of a five dollars bill on candies
but it was only ten cents.
Thurs. 10th. This morning they all went to meeting"
"but Emma and I. We employed our time in writeing, me to Papa and Emma to James.
We were all invited to Uncle James for dinner and so after awhile we got ready and
started.
Just as we got out to the gate Duck (Uncle James' hired man) came along with the
phaeton and siad they were waiting for us at Uncle James so over"
"we went in a hurry, stayed for tea and had a good time.
Fri. 11th. Uncle James and Aunt Susie went to Whitby early this morning and
brought baby, Beth and Johnny over to stay till they came back.
About 1/2 past ten we started for Aunt Sarah Writes.
Little Lizzie was there and we had a very nice time. In the afternoon Mary and Ethel
Dale"
"came over and Lucy took the horse out of the stable and pinned a shawl over her
back and we each had a ride on horse back. We stayed till after tea.
Sat. 12th. This morning Aunt Sarah and Aunt Emma went to the city and Aunt Louisa
took Emma and I part of the way to Boons or where we were to spend the day.
We played quoits grab etc."
"We stayed till after tea and then Llewyln brought us home.
Sun. 13th- We went to meeting this morning. My verse for the first-day school was
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good work and glorify your
Father which is in Heaven. I the after noon Uncle James and Aunt Susie with Johnny
baby and Beth came here, also"
"Aunt Sarah Write, Marianne and Lucy Valentine, All stayed for dinner but only Uncle
James' folks stayed for tea we had a very pleasant time. I wish Jess has been there.
Mon. 14th Johnny and Beth came over this morning.
Grandma, Aunt Sarah and Aunt Emma went to Whitby this morning.
They took dinner at Aunt Susan's and"
"tea at Aunt Liza Fothergill's
They bought some curtains and other things.
Just think of all I have written in my diary. We are going home pretty soon.
Tues. 15th
Johnny and Beth were over to-day.
I the morning Aunt Louisa got us all at tying up berry bushes. Lizzie came down here
tonight"
"Wed. 16th Uncle James is moveing today and Johnny and Beth came over in the
morning and stayed all day.
Baby came also.
Aunt Louisa went over to help them more.
Grandma sent us over to Aunt Marianne's with a note and we went most of the way
with our eyes shut.
Aunt Susie is going to sleep here"
"with the children and Uncle James has come over for a little while.
Lizzie walked home this afternoon.
We walked up as far as the railway with her.
I have not got a letter from home yet but I am expecting one soon.
Thurs. 17th- Uncle James is moving yet and Johnny, Beth and Baby were over here
this morning.
I wrote a Post Card"
"home this morning saying that we were going home on Seventh day. We have been
here about a month now and I will be glad to get home though we are having a good
time here.
Emma and I stayed here to keep house all alone with baby as Johnny and Beth were
home when the rest went to meeting.
Baby fell asleep soon after they went and did not wake up for a long time.
Emma and I"
"were having a game of parcheese when Johnny came in and said mother was
coming over for baby as they were all going to the new house. Presently he went home.
Pretty soon Aunt Susie and Uncle James with Johnny & Beth drove in for the baby.
After a little while Aunt Emma and grandma came in. Aunt L. and Aunt Sarah stayed to
get the people settled in the new house. Uncle James is going to take them down here
when"
"he comes for his chickens (not children) Emma is writeing to Jessie.
Fri. 10th About 10 o'clock we started to drive to Whitby but we or rather Lot 8 went up
to the villiage but they dropped us at the corner as they said to go in and visit with Anne
Boon but we seen Jamima the most of the time. Pretty soon they came and we drove
to Whitby.
We played croquay, parcheeise, & etc. At noon in came Georgie, Llewyln and James
and pretty soon we (had our breakfast) went"
"out to dinner. After dinner Minnie played on the piano and her and the boys sung.
We came home about 1/2 five and it was dark when we got home.
We found Uncle James, Nellie and Dick here having their tea.
After supper I got my diary and wrote in it. We came home for tea.
Aunt Sarah got her dolman. The new dishes came here and they are being washed
now."
Dec. 2nd Papa