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Fourth installment
Jim has some family journals from 1916, 1917 and 1918. We have been reading through them and wanted to share some of the entries. They tell a great story of farm life. The family did not have a car or tractors back then--everything was done with horses. The grammer and spelling are sometimes amusing too! So, bare with me--I am typing it the way it is written. That is part of the charm! Every few days, I will change the postings to keep current with this week back in 1917--so, check back often to see what the family is up to!
April 16, 1917 Tuesday
Mr. Shepard was here for dinner. Elwood and Gordon piled wood. We got billed for both engine and wind mill from the Toronto Co. Sarha Schell is here. We set a hen to-day. Elwood and Gordon are going to fish. (as a side note-to set a hen means to get a hen to nest with some eggs for 21 days until they hatch)
April 17, 1917 Wednesday
Dad shipped a can of cream to-day. We sent Uncle Pete's horse home. We got word from the Toronto Co. that we may expect an expert along next week to ecrect wind mill. Frank McColeman was here and helped to lay the kitchen floor. Uncle Harry paid for his seed wheat to-day. We set a hen to-day.
April 18, 1917 Thursday
We finished laying the kitchen floor. Harry went to New Lowell with some chop. Elwood and Gordon went to McQuay's sale in the afternoon. (Mr. McQuay died in March)
April 19, 1917 Friday
Harry oiled the harness. Ellwood and Gordon piled wood and chored.
April 21, 1917 Saturday
Harry finished oiling the harness. Ellwood raked up some chips. Gordon went to Stayner with mother.
April 22, 1917 Sunday
We all went to church in the morning. Ken was over in the afternoon. The boys were all away in the evening.
April 23, 1917 Monday
Ellwood took a load of hay to Barrie for Newman. Harry took out a load of hogs which weighed 1220 lbs between 7 pigs. Newman was over with Lucy to-day. Harry and Ellwood are going fishing to-night with Sam Campbell.
April 24, 1917 Tuesday
Harry worked for J Dailey 1/2 day sawing wood. Gordon worked 1 day sawing wood. Ellwood is still working for Newman. Newman brought the discs home. Dad was in Stayner and took back Johnstons Rain Coats. We kept Gartlan's coat. We also shipped a can of cream to-day.
April 25, 1917 Wednesday
We started seeding to-day. Dad is putting up the gap at the 5th. Harry is ploughing the orchard. Ellwood is discing the sod field.
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