The Diary of Ella Rogers, Volume 3: 1916

Ella Isobel Rogers, Diary of Ella Rogers, Volume 3: 1916. Black ink and pencil on white paper, 21 pages. Paper-bound ledger H: 33.5 cm, W: 20 cm, D: 0.5 cm. ©Mount Allison University Archives, Sackville.¹ Transcription ©MLC Research Centre. blt/ak/ig

keywords: Belgium, births, church, dress, farming, funerals, France, Hopewell Hill, influenza (Spanish flu), knitting clothing (for soldiers), leisure (sleighing), Moncton, Mount Allison University, movies, music lessons, Peck family, recitals, recruitment, school, sickness, socials, sports (basket ball), war, weddings, Ypres, young people

summary: Ella Rogers was the daughter of Frederick Ernest Rogers, a farmer, and Jennie Eliza Rogers (née Moore), born in 1900 in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick. Her four siblings, Nellie, Bessie, Achsah, and Donald (Don), are frequent points of reference in the diary. Ella Rogers began keeping a diary at the age of eight. VOLUME 1: 1908-1915 covers the outbreak of the war, noting the recruitment of two local boys, Clyde Newcomb and Silas Wright, and her Uncle Donald Mackenzie Moore’s deployment on the front lines, where he was lethally wounded on 21 May 1915. In VOLUME 2: 1915-1916, Ella is a student while Nellie and Achsah are teachers. Ella’s activities place her in her rural home community while her siblings eventually take on positions in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In VOLUME 3: 1916, Ella Rogers is busy with socials, school, recitals, and knitting socks for the soldiers overseas. In VOLUME 4: 1916-1918, she references the federal election, conscription, the Halifax Explosion, the signing of the armistice, and the advent of the Spanish flu. VOLUME 5: 1918-1921 includes first-hand insight into the ordeal of the Spanish flu in the aftermath of the war, as well as insight into the popular post-war movie culture.

Transcription:

Hopewell Hill. N.B. Ella I. Rogers.

4 March 1916

Saturday

I have not written in my diary for a month as I have been intending to send to Eatons and get a large book to write in but as I haven’t sent yet I will write in this for awhile.

It is very cold and windy to day.

Wednesday afternoon Mr. [Man], Mr. Gunter, Miss Hayward, Nellie, Mary and Orpah Russell and myself went up to Hillsboro to the rink. It was nearly nine o’clock when we got there. We had a fine time. The ice was poor and there weren’t many there. We went to the Hotel and got supper after we came from the rink. I got home at half past three the next morning. The reason we Hill girls happened to go was because some of the boys and girls at Riverside backed out and wouldn’t go.

Joe Smith took me down to the moving pictures at Albert last night. They were pictures taken of the war in France. Quite a few were down from the Hill.

Clark Merrill and Uncle Paul were home when I last wrote. They have all gone back. Joe has been sick so he has not gone back yet.

Mrs. Harry Russell has a baby girl (Dorothy Gertrude) born Feb. 9, the day Capt. Calhoun died at sea.

A week ago last night two teams went from the Hill to a concert in the Consolidated School. There was supposed to be a lecture on the war but the man didn’t come. Don and I were both down. Nellie & Frances came back on the team.

5 March 1916

Sunday

This is a lovely evening. It was windy this afternoon, but the wind has gone down.

Joe was in last night. We went for a drive this afternoon down around Albert. Nellie was over to Aunt Maggie’s for supper. Nellie and I went to the Office this evening. It snowed some yesterday and drifted. In some places the roads are bare and other places they are drifted.

8 March 1916

Wednesday

It is cloudy to-day. It snowed some yesterday. Monday night we went skating. The ice was real good. There was a crowd up from Albert including Nellie and Frances. Joe was in afterwards. He went away yesterday morning. We did not get our Telegraph yesterday as there was a train wreck near Sussex. Mr. Harris Dixson and Stella [Curry] were married Monday night. They left for the west yesterday morning. Last night after school we boys and girls played Basket Ball. Orpah & Hilda stayed here for tea then we went to Division. Mrs. Alex Rogers & Mrs. Brad Robinson served at League yesterday. Mr. Wagstaff was in yesterday also Mrs. Fred Robinson.

9 March 1916

Thursday

It is snowing a little to-night and blustering. Last night we girls played Basket Ball after Prayer Meeting. Joe came home today sick. The crowd that was up from Albert skating Monday night were into Grandpa’s afterwards and had a lunch and played games and had music.

11 March 1916

Saturday

Last night we school girls and boys played a match game of Basket Ball. Hilda, Orpah, Bessie, Gertrude and myself against George, Don, Lorne, Charlie, and [Ollie]. Henry was referee. The score was 7–8 in favor of the boys. We made four dollars at the door. There was also a social at Mrs. O’Regan’s. After Basket Ball we girls thought we would go down and get some ice cream but when we got there the boys were bound that they should get us our suppers. We had all had [sic] ours before but they wanted to treat the Basket Ball girls as Henry took Orpah to supper, Lloyd took Hilda, Jim took Nina, Willie took Bessie, Everett took Gertie, and Joe took me. After that we had ice cream. They made about $19 at the social.

14 March 1916

Tuesday

This is a lovely day. It is just perfect sleighing. Sunday afternoon I was for a sleigh drive up through Curryville.² Joe was in after church in the evening. Last night I was down playing Basket Ball. Julia was home this week end. She teaches in Hillsboro. Mamma and Nellie were up Sunday afternoon to Uncle Fred’s. There was a meeting last night at Aunt Maggie’s to see about having a social to help pay the janitor of the Methodist church. There was a party last night for Blanch Newcomb. It was her fifteenth birthday. Joe went this morning.

15 March 1916

Wednesday

It has been snowing a little to-day but has stopped now. Minnie Moore has been down to the Hill for about a week. She is at our place now. Grandpa brought her up this morning. Don and I were to a lecture to-night in the Baptist church. Mr. [Fletcher] who has been in India gave a lecture on India with lantern pictures. Bessie wrote in the letter we got from her to-night that she was going last Sunday Evening to hear Emiline Pankurst³ [sic] speak.

18 March 1916

Saturday

This is quite a cold day. Thursday it snowed and blustered all day and the roads had to be shovelled out in quite a few places. Thursday night there was a recruiting meeting at Riverside. Capt. Gilley spoke. It was such a stormy night that not many were there. Nellie was there. They got three recruits that night. Neil McLeod, George Downey, and Kenneth Barbour.

Mary Russell and Uncle Fred were in practising music for Anniversary. Orpah came in and we went down to Basket Ball. I didn’t play. Minnie Moore went down to Grandpa’s last night.

19 March 1916

Sunday

This is a lovely evening. Aunt Maggie and Uncle Luther have been here this evening. Last night there was a social at Mrs. Howard Stevens. The money was to pay the janitor of the church. Mr. Stevens is the janitor. We were all there. There weren’t many there besides Methodists. They made something over eleven dollars. Mr. Reuben Woodworth died Friday. The funeral was to-day. The people went right from church to the funeral. It was at the house. This is Uncle Don’s thirty-ninth birthday.

23 March 1916

Thursday

This is a very stormy day. It started to snow last night and is still snowing and blowing. There were very few to school to-day. I don’t know whether the train went out to-day or not. Monday night the school girls played a match game of Basket Ball with the older girls. The score was 5 to 6 in favor of the school. Nina took my place. The League sold ice cream afterwards. Henry treated Orpah & I. There was a team down from Lower Cape. They made over $12. The money is for the Belgian Relief Fund. The Division people were here practising last night. Blanch Newcomb was here for dinner to-day. It was too stormy for her to go home for it. Hilda Taylor is at the Hill now.

24 March 1916

Friday

It stopped snowing last night and began blustering harder than ever. There were only ten in our room today. [Verna] Stevens and I were the only girls. The snow is drifted badly in the school house lane. Both teachers wore snow shoes. A sleigh couldn not get through the roads in some places so this afternoon after the wind had gone down some the men put their [teams] on the road and shovelled quite a lot. The girls did not get up from Riverside to-night. The Cemetery Hill hasn’t been shovelled out yet. The train didn’t go yesterday or today. The [sic] expect the snow plough down from Hillsboro tomorrow. The wind has gone down quite a lot now. Henry, Everett and Don were snow shoeing all evening. Mr. Mariner and John Tingley & Charley were here practising for Anniversary. There was no Prayer Meeting to-night.

26 March 1916

Sunday

The wind is still blowing quite hard. It has been raining a little to day. The damp wind has melted the snow a lot and in some places it is quite muddy. The roads are very bad. Don & I were to church this evening. A snow plough came down from Hillsboro yesterday and cleared the track and the train went up about three o’clock. It got back about one o’clock this morning. A few people were in practising last night. Don went down to Albert yesterday on his snow shoes and got his hair cut. Lester Payne came in the train this morning.

31 March 1916

Friday

We are having lovely weather now. It is real warm. The roads are still very muddy as the frost is beginning to come out of the ground. The snow has all melted now.

We had our Division Anniversary Tuesday. There were a lot there. I recited “Why is England Great.”⁴ We had ice cream at the close. Helena and Harold were here for tea. Nellie came up. We girls went down to the store to-night to telephone to Baltimore to see if they are making sugar yet. We are planning on going Monday morning.

4 April 1916

Tuesday

Fine

I have just been home from the sugar camp about two hours. We left from here about half past seven Monday morning. The ones that went were: Bessie, Orpah, Nine, Gertrude, Everett, [Frank] S, Don and myself. We went through Calidonia [sic]. The roads were very bad at the last end so we left our horses in Calidonia [sic] and walked in. We had a fine time. This morning it was lovely walking out to where the team was. The crust held us. It held the horses coming out too. We left about eight and got out here at one the afternoon. Our faces are burned terribly but anyone [having] the fun we did doesn’t mind burnt faces. Mamma was [over] to Aunt Maggie’s to a supper last night. She had a few people invited there. She is up to League to-day. Mr. Edward Bishop died Saturday. The funeral was yesterday. ^Later. Aunt Mary Mackenzie is very sick. They telephoned this morning that she was not expected to live through the day. Aunt Annie went up this morning on the train. The train didn’t come until nearly nine o’clock. We didn’t get out of Division until nearly after half past nine so we didn’t get the mail to-night.

9 April 1916

Sunday

This is quite a stormy day. It is snowing and blowing. Aunt Mary died early Wednesday morning. Grandpa went up. The funeral was Thursday. Aunt Annie & Grandpa came home Friday. We played Basket Ball Friday night after Prayer Meeting. I imagine it was the last game we will have this year as it is most too warm to play now. Guy came home Thursday. He was down visiting school Friday afternoon. Last night the Womens Institute held an entertainment in the Hall to celebrate King Albert of Belgium’s birthday. They had a program, games, refreshments and things to sell. I recited “Liege.”⁵ Frank Newcomb who is working in Coverdale broke a bone in his wrist yesterday. Bill [Edgett] from Hillsboro was here visiting Henry a few days.

14 April 1916

Friday

Fine

Wednesday evening two teams went from the Hill to the revival meetings Mr. McLeod is holding in the Albert Baptist church. I did not go. The League is getting up a Play for the third of June. They are practising a little already. None of we school girls are in it. Mamma is house cleaning now. Mr. Upham is at the Hill now fixing organs.

17 April 1916

Monday

Fine

The roads are getting dry now and the weather is lovely. Nellie came up to night. She is to the practice for the concert now. Cliff West is going to take her back to Riverside. Mr. M Fitzpatric [sic] from Moncton too [sic] Mr. Opie’s place on the circuit Sunday. He preached here in the morning. He is a fine preacher. Mr. McLeod preached in the Baptist church in the afternoon. I got a photo of Joe tonight in the mail. It is very good.

21 April 1916

Friday

Fine

Achsah came home yesterday for Easter. She let school out at noon and came across the ferry. Mr. Beaumont drove her down. She got here just tea time. Hilda went to St. John for Easter. She will stay and Mrs. Calhoun’s [sic], Miss Doherty and Miss Chapman went home this morning.

25 April 1916

Tuesday

Fine

Achsah went away to-day. Nellie and Don drove her up to the ferry. Last night the League had a White Elephant sale and a Fish Pond in the Lodge [rooms]. They made over $32. Guy and Eli came home Saturday and went back this morning. Eli was in last night after the sale. Mr. Chesley Smith was very sick Sunday. It was some kind of heart trouble. He was some better last night. They sent for Joe. I think he came last night. Sunday afternoon 34 Albert and Riverside people were baptised by Mr. McLeod. Don, Frances, Achsah & I walked over. They were baptised in Chapman creek. Mrs. W. Newcomb, Blanch & Irene were baptised in our church in the evening.

30 April 1916

Sunday

Fair

Mr. Smith is out around again. Joe didn’t come until Tuesday. Yesterday was Don’s seventeenth birthday. Bessie sent him a silk shirt.

5 May 1916

Friday

Fair

We have been having cold weather fort his time of year but to-day it was quite warm. Nellie came up Wednesday night. There was practice for the Play. Joe went back to Sussex Monday. They are practising for the Play to-night.

13 May 1916

Saturday

Fair

Nellie went over to Sackville⁶ today in the train. She is coming back Monday evening. Yesterday was Arbor Day at school. We got through with the work about twelve and then after dinner we Basket Ball girls: Bessie, Orpah, Nina, Gertrude and I went down to Albert and got our pictures taken. Hilda clerks in Mr. [Cairnwath’s] store now. She got off long enough to go over & have her picture taken. There was a recruiting meeting at Albert last night. Bessie sent us some snapshots of herself and another girl. Some of them are quite good. Don & some other boys went fishing yesterday. They got quite a few fish. Miss [Gloria] Russell was here Monday & Tuesday making me a suit. It is shepherds plaid with green silk cuffs & collar.

18 May 1916

Thursday

Rainy

Guy Russell was home for over Sunday. Last night sparks from Downey mill in Memel started a fire among the [deals]. They telephoned to Riverside & the Cape for help. When They got the fire out that was burning the [deals] before many got there but it was burning all through the woods & they couldn’t do anything with it. Don went in. He got home about two o’clock this morning. All they could do was guard the houses. It started raining hard this morning so it soon died out. Only a few deals were destroyed. Yesterday was Mamma’s forty fourth birthday. Bessie sent her a purse & Achsah sent her pillow slips with initial worked on them. Nellie is getting her the Ladies Home Journal⁷ for a year.

19 May 1916

Friday

Fair

Nellie & I were to Prayer Meeting this evening & I went with her to the Hall to practice afterwards. Don went to the Club House fishing, with Brad & Grandpa.

20 May 1916

Saturday

Rainy

I went down for the mail this evening. Don got home from the Lake about nine o’clock. He only got one fish. None of them got very many as it was so cold & the water was too high. Mrs. Hopkins (Mary Newcomb) has a baby girl.

24 May 1916

Wednesday

Fine

Yesterday this school went down to Riverside in the afternoon to the Consolidated schools. They had an entertainment. The minister & Ex. Gov. M spoke. The Harvey school was invited too but they didn’t go. Eli Robinson has had the measles. He is at Mrs. Calhoun’s yet. Nellie & I were down to the tennis court last night & then we came up to Division. The court is ready to play on now. I was learning to ride a boy’s bicycle to-day.

29 May 1916

Monday

Fair

Eli came home last night. He will stay a week. Lester came tonight. Mamma was up to League today. I was going to the dentist’s today but I have such a cold that I have decided not to go. Miss Peck got some of our Basket Ball pictures finished. I got one of mine. Mr. Elijah Fullerton runs his car to Moncton three times a week. He charges $2.50 return. Mamma is going up soon.

8 June 1916

Thursday

Fair

Guy came home last Thursday. He and Eli are both going back in the morning. Joe came in a car Sunday night. He went back this morning. Sara went with him. She is going to St. John to Busness [sic] College. The concert was Saturday night. The place was crowded. Some people didn’t get seats. They made $65. I recited “Langemark.”⁸ Monday was a holiday for the school as June 3 came on Saturday. A lot of young people went fishing. Nellie went with Guy & Mary. They went to German town. Brook, Joe & I went for a drive in the morning. Tuesday evening there was a recruiting meeting at Albert. They were recruiting for the 145 Battalion⁹ at Moncton. The 145^th band was there. Joe took me down. A lot of people were down from the Hill. There was no Division. They stopped at Miss Peck’s store on their way through. Monday to Alma & the band played several selections. I was down. Last night there was a party up to Mrs. [Joe] Russell’s for Sara & Joe, Don & I were there. It was after Prayer Meeting. We didn’t get home until nearly half past twelve.

12 June 1916

Monday

Fair

Saturday was Nellie’s birthday. She was 23. Mamma got a letter from Johnny [Hoar] Saturday. She had not heard from him for a long time. There was no Methodist Church Sunday. Conference is in session now.

15 June 1916

Thursday

Fine

It has been lovely weather these last two or three days. The apple trees are in bloom now and everything looks lovely. I am expecting Lucy Dobson and her friend Pauline Steeves down tomorrow night to attend the Quarterly Meetings in the Baptist church. Merrill Russell came home Saturday. He is going back in the morning. Mr. R.P. Steeves Director of Agriculture visited the school today.

20 June 1916

Tuesday

Fair

The Quarterly Meeting started here in the Baptist church Friday evening. Pauline Steeves came down from Hillsboro in the train in the evening. She came up here for dinner Fri Saturday & stayed here the rest of the time. Lucy & Eddie Dobson drove down Saturday afternoon. We went to meeting in the evening. Don and Eddie went to meeting all three times Sunday. Among the minister here was Dr. DeWolfe, a brother to the Baptist Minister here. He is the President of Acadia College. He is a lovely speaker. Eddie, Lucy & Pauline went home Sunday night after church. Last night there was a recruiting meeting at the Hill. The speakers were: Mr. Sherwood from Harvey (a returned soldier), a officer & two others from the 145 Batt. in Moncton, Mr. Wagstaff, Grandpa, Mr. O’Blenis. and They got one recruit a Power boy from Caledonia. Yesterday the 115 Batt. left St. John for Valcartier. Mr. Russell, Hilda, Jim & Brad Robinson went up to Moncton in a car to see the boys but they had gone through before they got there.

21 June 1916

Wednesday

Fine

Stella Jones came tonight to Aunt Annie’s to be here for the “At Home” Friday evening. She and Aunt Annie were up this evening.

24 June 1916

Saturday

Fine

Friday night Don and I went down to the At Home. I went with Jim Wright and Don took Bessie Wright. Quite a few were invited from the Hill. We didn’t go home until half past one. We had a lovely time. [Four] of the Hillsboro High School graduates were down. Frances and Stella were up awhile this evening.

Nellie & I had a drive with Sterling Downey and Jim Wright, to-night.

28 June 1916

Wednesday

Rainy

Nellie and I were down to the dentists to-day. Evelyn Robinson went with us. I had three fillings put in. The 145 band went through today on their way to Alma. They played in Albert. We heard them. Last Tuesday evening was election of officers in Division. I was elected Financial Scribe. I had that office last quarter. The 140 battalion¹⁰ went to Valcartier¹¹ Wednesday. Mrs. Russell went up to see Merrill when he went through. Stella Jones went home this morning.

4 July 1916

Tuesday

Rainy

Saturday morning Nellie drove Don & I up to the Cape where we crossed the ferry to Rockland. As soon as we got to Mrs. McKelvie’s where Achsah boards we went right up to the school grounds where the Sunday school were having their picnic. Two Alward girls from Moncton were at Mrs McKelvie’s too. We had just a lovely time. Sunday night, Achsah, Don, & I drove up to see St. Joseph’s College. It was just a lovely evening. We intended to come home Monday but it rained so hard that we didn’t come until yest to-day. Mrs. Geo. Mackenzie & Audrey came down from Moncton Wednesday to Aunt Annie. They were up here all day to-day. I was to the Lodge Anniversary Thursday night. We have only had about half a dozen fine day [sic] all this month. The roads are very muddy now.

7 July 1916

Friday

Fine

The weather cleared off Friday & it has been lovely since then. Margaret Archibald came home from Vancouver where she has been teaching, last night. She has not been home for two years. Achsah & I were down playing tennis last night. We picked enough strawberries for supper. Lizzie Wright was here for tea. Maggie was over this afternoon. I was down for the mail tonight and then to Prayer Meeting.

9 July 1916

Sunday

Fine

There was supposed to be a tennis meeting here last night but only a few people came so they put it off until Monday night. I was to S. S. & o B. church this afternoon. Mr. McLeod preached. Mr. DeWolfe is taking his holidays now. There are a quite a few visitors here at the Hill now. Annie Calhoun came Thursday night. Nellie & I were up to Uncle Fred’s to-night Herbert, Fantie and the children are down. Mamma has a bad cold. She has not been able to work much for over a week. Frances was in a few minutes this afternoon.

10 July 1916

Monday

Fine

Achsah & Don went on the marsh this morning picking goose tongue greens. I went on and got a few strawberries. This afternoon I went down to the store & then went down to the tennis court and waited for Nellie. She was playing. Aunt Annie came home from Dorchester tonight. Dolly Moore came with her. There was a Tennis Club Meeting here to-night. Annie Calhoun was in.

11 July 1916

Tuesday

Fine

I was down to the store this afternoon & to Division to-night. Mr. A.C.M. Lawson was in this afternoon. He was to Division to-night. Herbert Brewster was there too. Nellie was up to League this afternoon. She sang Wat “Till the Boys Come Home.” Achsah & I were down for the mail.

12 July 1916

Wednesday

Fine

We intended to go to the Island this morning but we couldn’t get the boats. Achsah & I were down playing tennis this morning. Aunt Annie & Mrs. [McGorman] were in this afternoon.

13 July 1916

Thursday

We went to the Island today. It was mostly young people that went. There were 37 of us. We went in two boats. The gasoline launch towing the other boat. We had a thunderstorm while we were on there but not bad. It cleared up lovely & we had a lovely sail coming home. We left for home about eight o’clock. Mr. Bishop from Harvey took us.

14 July 1916

Friday

Fine

I was down to Celia’s this afternoon practising a piece I am going to recite at the Institute anniversary Monday. Celia plays a musical accompaniment to it. I was to Prayer Meeting to-night. Fantie & Julia were in, in the afternoon.

15 July 1916

Saturday

Fine

I have not been very well all day. Achsah & I went down for the mail & then to Celia’s for us to practise.

16 July 1916

Sunday

Fine

Was to S.S. this morning & church in the evening. Sterling Downey was to S.S. He & [Pierce] are [hauling] deals & are boarding at Mrs. Judson Steeves. Annie & Mrs. McAlmon were in a few minutes before church. Everett & Henry were in on the veranda awhile after church. Eddie & Josie were down in the afternoon. They wheeled down to the Rock but the tide was in so they came on down to our place. They went home right after tea. Nellie, Achsah, I were for a walk in the after-noon over as far as the cemetry [sic].

21 July 1916

Friday

Fine

This has been a very warm day. The warmest we have had. We had our S.S. picnic at the Cape Rocks Tuesday. There wern’t [sic] as many there as usual. Josie Dobson drove down. [Darren] went up with him & came home tonight in the train. Mrs. [Audber], Jonah & Blair came tonight. Henry, Annie & Sterling Downey were in on the veranda after Prayer Meeting. Have been down playing tennis quite a lot lately. This is my birthday. I am sixteen.

23 July 1916

Sunday

Rainy

We got word yesterday about noon that Clyde Newcomb was killed on active service on July 14.¹² We intended to have a sale of ice cream on the tennis grounds to get money to pay for the wire we have around the court but we put it off. The 115 Battalion went through Moncton yesterday on its way from Valcartier to Halifax. John Russell, Flora & Hilda went up also Jim Robinson & Alma. Josie wheeled down last night. Ada Calhoun & her friend Miss Corbett are at Lena Nichols now.

24 July 1916

Monday

Rainy

It showered all day to-day. Josie intended to go home Sunday night but it rained so he hasn’t gone yet. Nellie got a letter from Clyde to-night. I got one from Joe. They landed in England on Wednesday July 5. He saw Silas the first night he was at Shorncliff.¹³ Silas is working in the offices right near where Joe is. he is unfit for active services. Henry was in last to-night.

25 July 1916

Tuesday

Fine

Mrs. Audber Jonah & Blair are visiting at Mrs. Newcomb’s now. They were up here all day Monday. Josie wheeled home this morning. Don went on the marsh with Cliff West for greens. Cliff took a team. Don got a bag full. Mamma is going to pickle them. Achsah & I were down playing tennis awhile before Division. We walked up as far as Uncle Fred’s with Alma last night after Division. It was a lovely night. Yesterday To-day was the Catholic picnic at Albert. Margaret was here for tea Sunday. She was in after Division. Lena Nichols is here making Nellie a brown silk dress. Mrs. Gorden Starratt & Matthew came home Saturday.

28 July 1916

Friday

Fine

I finished knitted [sic] my first sock that I ever knit, yesterday. I was down playing tennis last night. After we came up from the tennis court Achsah & I walked down to the post office with Ada & Miss Corbett. Nellie has accepted the position as teacher in a school in Minto, Manitoba. She has to leave in less than two weeks. I was down to Mrs. Newcomb’s this afternoon & to Prayer Meeting this evening. Mr. Opie called here this afternoon. Achsah went after ferns with the Calhoun girls & others this morning to decorate the Hall with. There is a concert tomorrow night gotten up by the League. Nellie & Achsah were down to the Hall this afternoon.

30 July 1916

Sunday

Fair

Was to S.S. this morning & church this evening. Henry Tingley & Annie Calhoun were in after church, also Uncle Fred. I recited in the concert last night, the same one I said at the concert June 5. Margaret Lynds also read. Mr. Morgan (Presbyterian minister) Mrs. Peacock, Mary Russell & Mrs A.[H]. Peck sang solos. Aubrey Russell treated me to Ice Cream. Frances was in this afternoon & Mary & Margaret yesterday afternoon.

1 August 1916

Tuesday

Fair

Ada & Miss Corbett were in awhile before Division. Nell & I were playing tennis yesterday afternoon. Marg. was over before the train came. I started to knit [was?] second sock last night. Nellie expects to leave for Minto Monday. She will stay in Montreal with Bessie awhile.

2 August 1916

Wednesday

Fine

Nellie, Achsah & I were up to Lena’s tonight. Miss Corbett & Ada asked us up. We played games. Had ice cream & cake. Nellie had to go to practice in the church, after B.P. Meeting for the Memorial Service so we all walked down with her. Miss Manning (Uncle Art’s young lady) is coming Saturday. She will stay part of the week with us & part with Margaret. She taught in Vancouver & lives in Wolfville.¹⁴

5 August 1916

Saturday

Fine

Achsah, Don & I were to a picnic at the Rocks to-day. It was gotten up for the Calhoun girls. Fifteen of us went. It was just a perfect day. We left about ten and got back about seven in the evening. Friday night Nellie, Achsah & I were down to a concert in the Riverside Hall gotten up by Mr. Morgan, the Presbyterian minister. He sang quite a few selections. Jennie Prescott played & Mrs. Lynds read. Nellie drove down with Margaret. Mr. Smith was driving down alone. Achsah & I were out on the veranda & he asked us if we wanted to go, so we went. Thursday night the girls in Orpah’s class at school & Ada, Miss Corbett & Annie were invited up to Orpah’s for the evening. We played games had refreshments & left about half past eleven. The girls got their marks from their papers. The three that wrote second got it. Nine wrote first but only got second. Miss Manning came last night to Marg’s. She is coming here sometimes in the middle of the week.

7 August 1916

Monday

Fair

Mr. Tingley cut our grass today. Nellie left this morning. Also Miss Corbett. Yesterday they had the Memorial Service in the morning. The church was packed. The [mourners] with the Lodge and Division took up more than the middle seats. Achsah & I went to B. Church in afternoon. Ada, Miss Corbett & Annie here for tea. Henry & Jim in on veranda awhile. May, Marg. & Mis Manning over in evening. Also Cliff West & Uncle Fred. Eva & Mary in a minute in afternoon. Ada Calhoun was in awhile this afternoon & Uncle Fred this evening.

8 August 1916

Tuesday

Rainy

I was up to League this afternoon with Ada Calhoun, down to the office for the mail & then to Division. Miss Manning, Ada & Annie visited Div also Minnie Steeves, Inspector Steeves’ daughter who is visiting at Mrs. McGormans. Mary, Miss Manning, and Julia were in before Division also Minnie Steeves.

14 August 1916

Monday

Fair

Wed. afternoon Mamma May & Mary were invited to Joanna’s. Miss Manning was there in Wed & Thursday & came [here?] Friday afternoon. Thursday we went to the Rocks. Don, Achsah, Minnie Steeve[s] & I went in a double sealed carriage. Uncle Luther & Aunt Maggie went together. Mamma, May & Maggie went together & Joanna & Miss Manning. It was just a lovely day. Most of us went all the way round the Rocks. Julia & Herbert & Grandpa’s folks were going only they couldn’t get a horse. Julia was here for tea Saturday night. Mamma & Miss Manning were up here for tea last night. She went this morning in the car. Yesterday afternoon I went up to Curryville with Ada & Jim. We stayed at Mrs. Downey’s for tea & went to church in the evening. None of the [four?] oldest were home. They were in to Dawson [Settlement?]. Mr. & Mrs. Adaic & children & maid came Saturday. Bessie intended to come Sat. but she put off coming until next Saturday as there are excursion rates then.

16 August 1916

Wednesday

Fine

I was down playing tennis to night. This morning Blanch Newcomb & I were over to Mr. [Mitton’s] picking raspberries. I got four quarts. Achsah & I are invited down to Ivah’s tomorrow for tea & to spend the evening. Others are invited to [sic]. Got a letter from Pauline Steeves. She wants me to go up Saturday to spend Sunday with her. Haven’t decided yet whether I will go or not.

22 August 1916

Tuesday

Fine

I went to Hillsboro Sat. & came back last night. Had a lovely time. Was to a Play Sat. night & afterwards to the Ice Cream Parlour. To S.S. & church S. morning. Up to Lucy’s & to Gray’s Island all afternoon & to Lucy’s for tea. In B. Church in evening. For a drive with Lucy on Mon. afternoon. Bessie got home Sat. night. I went to the train in Hillsboro to see her. She brought me two pi a button hook & a piece of a manicure set silver with my initial on them. She gave me a nail file last Summer. Was to Ice Cream sale on tennis grounds last night. Minnie Steeves went home this morning. Didn’t go to Ivah’s Friday night. She put it off for awhile.

23 August 1916

Wednesday

Fair

We were down to Ivah’s for tea tonight. Had it on the lawn. Gert, Frances, Ada, Annie, Mrs. [Ges/r] Calhoun, Miss Ruth Calhoun & Minnie Newcomb were there also. There is a picnic to the Island tomorrow morning. We are invited up to Mrs. Percy Russell’s tomorrow evening.

26 August 1916

Saturday

Fine

We had our picnic on the island. We went about seven o’clock & got back home about twelve. It rained before we got to the way coming home. Thursday night we were up to Mrs. Percy Russell’s. Achsah went to her school in Migic¹⁵ [sic] near Sackville this morning. Margaret went to her school in Sussex this morning also.

27 August 1916

Sunday

Was to B. Church this afternoon & Meth. church this evening. Ada was in awhile after B. church. Miss Boyd from Gagetown our new teacher came last night. I met her this morning at S.S. She is a Methodist. Miss Doherty isn’t coming for a week. She has throat trouble now. Mrs. H. Stevens, Mrs. John Rogers, Mrs. Casey & Mrs. DeWolfe all have baby boys born within the last two weeks. Mrs. H. Stevens was born on Bessie’s birthday.

1 September 1916

Friday

Have been to school all week. I sit with Aspah. Merrill went back this morning. Gorden Starratt, and Mrs. S. Starratt came Wednesday. Don was sick yesterday & to-day. I was down to the dentist’s yesterday afternoon and had four teeth pulled. Sterling Downey was in on the veranda Wednesday night. He is haying on the marsh and stayed on all night that night. There is a garden party up to Mr. Downey’s to-night. Nina was visiting school this afternoon. Ada was there Tuesday. Mrs. S. Starratt was in this afternoon.

6 September 1916

Wednesday

Ruth Calhoun was to school to-day. Bessie [Wright] started to-day. She has been in Dorchester. Bessie went away Monday. She went to Moncton in the [car] Gordon Starratt was in Saturday morning. Bessie & I were up to Uncle Fred’s Sunday night.

9 September 1916

Saturday

Rainy

I was down to Mrs. Newcomb’s this afternoon. Mamma and Don went to Albert. Ada Calhoun came back from St. John last night. She went down Sat. She is going to school here this winter. Frances, Nina and Gertrude left Monday for Normal School. Mrs. H. Stevens baby’s name is Donald Clyde. Mamma and I were up to Mrs. [Ilbert] Newcomb’s and Harvey Wright’s last night. We got a drive down with Mr. Smith. He said that Joe was sick in the hospital with the German Measles. Hilda Russell has the measles. She got them at Riverside. Lloyd ­­Dickson was operated on for appendicitis about two weeks ago. He is out again now.

22 September 1916

Friday

Fine

Was down for the mail to-night. Got a letter from Nina and one from Nellie. A few people in practising for a Recruiting Meeting that is going to be here Tuesday night. Have an invitation to a Surprise Party for Henry tomorrow night. Got a card from England from Pete a few nights ago. Mamma got a letter from Dorothy Manning. She left this morning for Vancouver. Mrs. Calhoun was here for tea last night. One of Mr. Oscar Downey’s horses broke it [sic] leg and had to be shot. It was one of the best horses round. Worth $275.

24 September 1916

Sunday

Don and I were up to Henry’s last night. We got home about 2 o’clock. It started to rain on the way home. There was an awfully bright flash of lightening and a loud clap of thunder shortly after that. Mamma was down to the Baptist church last night practising for the recruiting meeting Tuesday night. Mamma stayed after church for practice for recruiting meeting. Ada, Annie, Bessie & Mable Steeves were in awhile after church.

Bessie sent me a new book for a Diary the other night. Steve Robinson is the only person who has shot a deer this season yet.

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1. Digital reproduction received on 8 October 2019 via David Mawhinney, archivist, dmawhinney@mta.ca; 506-364-2563.↩︎

2. Curryville: Village in Albert County, New Brunswick.↩︎

3. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928): British activist and suffragette. In 1916, Pankhurst toured Canada and the United States to raise money for the war effort and encourage the U.S. to support its allies in the war.↩︎

4. Why is England Great: Poem by Letitia F. Simson, published in collection Flowers of the Year and Other Poems (Saint John, New Brunswick: J. & A. McMillan, 1869), 13-15, https://bit.ly/3kGx3aB.↩︎

5. Liège: A patriotic war poem by British poet William Watson (1858-1935).↩︎

6. Sackville: Town in southeastern New Brunswick, home to Mount Allison Ladies College.↩︎

7. Ladies Home Journal: Launched in 1883, an American journal for homemakers with a low subscription rate and popular articles.↩︎

8. Langemarck: The ballad of “Langemarck at Ypres,” by Canadian poet Wilfred Campbell (1860-1918).↩︎

9. 145^th Battalion, Infantry. Organized at Moncton, New Brunswick, November 1915 and embarked from Halifax on 27 September 1916. Consisted of nineteen officers and 524 other ranks. Guide to Sources Relating to Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force: Infantry Battalions. Library and Archives Canada, https://bit.ly/3mzIoJW.↩︎

10. 140^th Battalion, Infantry. Organized at Saint John, New Brunswick, November 1915 and arrived in England 6 October 1916. Consisted of 33 officers and 820 other ranks. Guide to Sources Relating to Units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force: Infantry Battalions. Library and Archives Canada, https://bit.ly/3mzIoJW.↩︎

11. Valcartier: Municipality in Capitale-Nationale, Quebec, where the Canadian military training took place.↩︎

12. Private Clyde E. Newcomb was from Hopewell Hill, Albert County, New Brunswick and enlisted in the 26^th Battalion. He was killed in action on 14 July 1916 and is buried at the Reninghelst New Military Cemetery in Belgium. “CVWM – Clyde Newcomb,” Veterans Affairs Canada, https://bit.ly/3oIUVfV.↩︎

13. Shorncliff: Military camp in Kent, England.↩︎

14. Wolfeville: Town in Kings County, Nova Scotia.↩︎

15. Midgic: A rural community in Westmorland County, New Brunswick.↩︎