The Diary of Ella Rogers, Volume 1: 1908-1915

Ella Isobel Rogers, Diary of Ella Rogers, Volume 1: 1908-15. Pencil on white paper, 31 pages. Paper-bound notebook H: 28 cm, W: 17 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:

Ella Rogers Diary

Hopewell Hill,

Albert Co. N.B.

Aug. 4, 1908.

Ella I. Rogers

Hopewell Hill,

N.B.

Feb. 14, 1915. Age 14 years.

Ella I. Rogers [The next two lines have worn with time or been erased, making them indecipherable.]

Diary

Ella I. Rogers

Hopewell Hill,

N.B.

Hopewell Hill, 1908

1 August 1908

Saturday

Fine

A shower in the morning. Nellie² and Bessie³ went picking raspberries. To-day they went with Uncle Luther and [May] went with them. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie [fales], Evelyn and [Minnie Govang] they went to upper Cape⁴ they got a pail full of raspberries.

2 August 1908

Sunday

Rainy

There was no Sunday [school]. Nellie and Bessie went to church there were eighteen to church counting the minister.

3 August 1908

Monday

Fine

Grandpa is getting his barn [????] put in. They took the old logs out and putting in new ones.

[5] August 1908

Tuesday

Fine

Yesterday the men were getting hay in to the barn. The [load] was in the [barn]. The oxen were [backing] out. They pushed the load of hay out of the barn. Grandpa was on the load. It went down the hill and [struck?] the [???ad-pill?] and gave grandpa a [?ink]. He fell off, he bruised his head, and hurt his back a little bit. We got four qts of berries today.

[The following lines were added later years later in different handwriting] We moved up to the house Mamma used to live in Sept 11, 1913. We had it fixed: oven & a furnace & veranda added to it.

1912

10 April 1912

Wednesday

Fine

I did not write much in 1908 but now I will try and keep on. It is fine to-day. We tapped two trees to-day. We saw two flocks of wild geese to-day. Nellie came home from Mt. Allison⁵ Thursday. Clyde, Minnie, Helen, Bessie, Nellie and Henry went to the sugar camp Monday and came hope [sic] last night and brought home some candy and sugar. They got stuck for an hour going in. Helen is here now and Bessie, Nellie and Helen are going for to the Post-office. We got our Eaton Box to-day. Rob Stewart came last night and he is at Lizzie’s to-night. Mrs. Stiles died yesterday.

March 19, 1915

[F]. N. broke into post-office

Age 17⁶

11 April 1912

Thursday

Fine

Mrs. Stiles was buried to-day. We tapped two of our trees Tuesday and boiled down some sap to-day and got a pint and a half of syrup. We have no school this after-noon because Mrs. Stiles is going to be buried.

12 April 1912

Friday

Fine

Mrs. O’Regan had a baby borne to-night. It is a boy. Irene stayed is going to stay at Mrs. Newcomb’s to-night.

13 April 1912

Saturday

Fine

We boiled down some sap to-day and got a half a pint. I took my music lesson to-day and Achsah⁷ took her’s [sic]. I went to the station to see the train come in.

14 April 1912

Sunday

Fine

Went to Sunday School this morning. May is here now. She came down with Mamma after Sunday School and is going to stay for dinner.

15 April 1912

Monday

Fine

16 April 1912

Tuesday

Fine

Mamma went down to Albert⁸ to hear a man read. She went with Uncle Fred.

Bessie went to division. It thundered and lightened a little bit.

17 April 1912

Wednesday

Fine

It has been fine for quite a while lately but awfully muddy.

18 April 1912

Thursday

Fair

It rained last night and this morning but this after-noon it is fine.

Mamma and Bessie went to concert in the [hall] to-night. The Curriville⁹ [sic] people are having it. There is going to be a basket social at the close of it.

19 April 1912

Friday

Fine

It rained this morning a little but is fine this afternoon. Mr. Dixon got Alma Robinson’s basket at the basket social last night.

20 April 1912

Saturday

Fair

I took my music lesson today and then Bessie and I went to the station to get an express parsel [sic]. When we got there the trolley men and Jimmie were there and soon Mr. Dixon came and then Achsah came and after awhile Frances came. We waited until about half past five and then Achsah and Frances went up to Miss Annie Peck’s to find out what was wrong with the train, and she said she could not find out because the line was busy or something was the matter, but [Bray] was there and he had just been to Albert, and he said that they said down there that it had broken down and would be in in about a half an hour. Bessie said she wasn’t going to wait so we all came home but Jimmie. The trolley men had gone before we came home. Bessie said if she finished her supper in time that she was going down after supper. Just as she was going across the road to get [Helen?] to go with her she saw the train coming across the marsh and she knew she would not get there in time, so she did not go over for [Helen?] but turned round and came home.

28 April 1912

Sunday

Fair

I forgot to write all last week. It is very windy today. Donald¹⁰ and I wen were to Aunt Annie’s for dinner today. We went after Sunday School was out and came home about half past two.

Bessie went for a drive with Arthur Russel this afternoon. She is not back yet. She will be back before teatime I think. Don made some candy this afternoon. Uncle Fred was in this after-noon.

5 May 1912

Sunday

It is fine to-day and quite cold. I got my hat fixed over yesterday when Mamma was to Riverside.¹¹ Donald went with her. It was Achsah’s last year’s one.¹²

I went to Sunday School and church this morning but did not wear my good showy hat. Mr. [??elpt?] preached to-day.

28 October 1914

Wednesday

[Mr. ai???le] Tingley died. Shot accidently. He was twenty-five.

29 October 1914¹³

Thursday

Achsah teaching at H. Cape Primary.

22 November 1914

Sunday

Bessie – Stenographer in Montréal.

Nellie – Last year at College, Sackville.

Cloudy, Snowing a little. War in Europe going on. Hugh Wright¹⁴ left yesterday morning for St. John where he will drill. Church is tonight.

23 November 1914

Monday

Quite cold. Aunt Annie was up for a few minutes today.

24 November 1914

Tuesday

Cold & windy. [Aun] Boys were down on the marsh below our place at noon to see if the ice was good. It was pretty good but too windy to skate. Am going to Division.

28 November 1914

Sunday [sic]¹⁵

Achsah & I have been skating on the pond. First night we have been skating this winter. Achsah came down last night. Merrill Russell brought her down. Mamma is at choir practise. They are having a lunch because it is the last Saturday that Clyde & Silas will be there before they go to St. John.

22 December 1914

Tuesday

Fine

Nellie and Achsah are both home for Christmas. It snowed quite a lot last night but not quite enough for sleighing. Hasn’t been any sleighing yet this winter. I have been up to the Lake skating twice this winter. We are sending Bessie her Christmas presents today.

13 January 1915

Wednesday

Windy with a little snow

Christmas night Nellie, Achsah and I went to the Little Lake skating. We went with Henry, Joe & Eli Eli, Joe & Henry respectively. Nellie left for Sackville this morning. There was a patriotic concert at Riverside Monday night, Nellie went with Eli & Alma. Reginald Goodall fell in the mill pond today and got drowned.

17 January 1915

Sunday

Fair

Reginald Goodall was buried today. That night a crowd of us went up to the lake skating. Guy Russell¹⁶ took a team. There were single carriages besides. There was a social at Mrs. Jim Russell’s last-night. They made over sixteen dollars. It is to buy yarn & cloth to make things for the Belgians.¹⁷

20 January 1915

Wednesday

Windy

It rained all day yesterday, last night and a little to-day. The [sic] is an Evangelist holding meeting in the Baptist church now. He is going to have them every night this week. It was very rainy last night so there was no Division.

22 January 1915

Friday

Fair. Snowing a little.

It snowed quite a lot yesterday and also today. The roads were very hubbly¹⁸ so not quite enough snow came to cover the hubbles, but it is better sleighing than waggoning. Mamma & I were to Prayer Meeting to-night. There was Prayer Meeting in the Baptist church also. I guess the Evangelist intends to hold the meeting here for three weeks. His name is Mr. McLeod.

23 January 1915

Saturday

Snow

It has been snowing quite hard this afternoon, I guess it is pretty good sleighing snow.

29 January 1915¹⁹

Friday

Fine

It is great sleighing snow. Last Wednesday night we young people went to the lake skating. It is the first time this winter that there was enough snow to take a sleigh sled. A Mr. Cameron is here spending a few days with Henry. He is from Hillsboro [sic].²⁰ He is Henry’s cousin.

31 January 1915

Sunday

Cold and windy

It is very cold to-day also yesterday. It was 15° below this morning. Achsah came down Friday night. Merrill Russell drove her down. We didn’t know she was coming. Achsah, Don and I have just got home from S.S.²¹ Church is to-night. Last night Achsah & I were to Baptist Evangelistic meeting. Achsah went back Sunday night after church.

7 February 1915

Sunday

Mild

It rained quite hard yesterday and to-day the roads are very icy. It is quite warm & foggy now. Mrs. Derry died Friday. She used to live on Mary’s Pt but moved to Miss Nichol’s this fall. She was very old and has been in bed for quite awhile. The funeral is Monday. There is no Methodist church here today. Mr. Stebbings had to go to Alma to peach [sic]. The Alma preacher has gone to the war & he promised to preach there every ninth Sunday.

Mr. Cameron went away last Monday morning.

There was a baptism today on the mill pond. It was before Baptist church. There was a large crowd there, some from Albert & some from Lower Cape. There were nineteen baptised. Hilda Russell, Lester Payne, Alma Robinson, [Frank] Nina and George Steeves, Evelyn & Delia Robinson, Blanch [Barkhouse], Sara Smith, Fred Smith, Mable Tingley, Ora & Deborah Mitton, Johnny Wetherby, Carry Bishop, Bessie Wright, Audrey Peck and Edna Steeves, Mrs. [Arch] Barkhouse. The Evangelist baptised them. They will be received into the church to-night. I was to church this after-noon.

12 February 1915

Friday

Mild

This is Grandpa’s birthday, also Bessie Wright’s. Besides the ones baptised Sunday that there were two other received into the church. Mrs. Fred Smith & Mr. Archie Barkhouse.

Achsah’s principal at the Cape where she is teaching had to go home to be operated on for appendicitis. They are without a teacher now. We were skating on the marsh Wednesday & Thursday nights. It rained last night and spoiled the ice skating as it has been very mild all day & nearly raining. A Mr. O’Hanley from Hillsboro is working for Mr. Stevens in his shop. He was on skating and I met him and had a skate with him. It is so icy tonight that we didn’t got to Prayer Meeting.

13 February 1915

Saturday

Fine

The ice froze last night, and it is lovely skating now. Don was skating both before dinner and after and we are both going tonight. There was quite a crowd of boys on this afternoon. I guess it is the best skating that we have had there this winter.

14 February 1915

Sunday

Fine

Clyde Newcomb²² & Silas Wright²³ who are drilling for the army in St. John came home last night. They will go back Tuesday morning. They expect to leave St. John Thursday. Pierce Brewster who has been visiting at Albert Mines came down to the Hill yesterday. I guess he is going back tomorrow. There was no Baptist church this afternoon. The minister had to conduct a funeral service at Albert.

17 February 1915

Wednesday

Fine

Monday night a few of the young people were to Mr. [?] Wright’s to attend Silas’ birthday party. He was nineteen. He & Clyde went back to St. John yesterday morning.

Mr. Byron Peck’s five year old boy died Friday. The funeral was Monday.

18 February 1915

Thursday

Fair

Mamma got a letter from Uncle Dodge to-day. He got a telegram from Uncle Don from Winnipeg. Uncle Don²⁴ is on his way to Halifax to join the 2^nd Contingent which expects to sail Monday. Uncle Dodge is coming to Moncton to see Uncle Don. Uncle Don can’t get home. Uncle Dodge may come home just for a day or two maybe just for over night. If he comes he will probably come Monday night. The roads are nearly bare of snow now. There is quite a lot in the woods yet. It snowed a little today but it didn’t amount to anything.

20 February 1915

Saturday

Fair

It has been great skating here Thursday night & last night. There was quite a crowd on the ice last night. They had Roll Call at Prayer Meeting last night. None of us were there. Miss Belle Lynd[a?s?] is teaching at the Cape while Mr. Robinson is home.

The boys from Hillsboro are going to play hockey at Riverside today against the Riverside boys and the Hillsboro girls are going to play basket ball against the Riverside girls. Lucy Dobson, my friend from Hillsboro, stopped in to see us on her way down.

21 February 1915

Sunday

Fine but windy

We were skating last night. The hockey game didn’t turn out well, there were no goals made on either side. The girls played B. Ball in the evening. I haven’t heard how that turned out.

Herbert Brewster telephoned from Moncton that Uncle Dodge met Uncle Don at Moncton yesterday and went with him to Halifax. Uncle Dodge is not sure whether he can get home or not.

Mr. Cameron is down from Hillsboro again to Henry’s. He was on skating last night.

[25] February 1915

[Thursday]

Fair

Uncle Dodge came down from Moncton by auto and landed here at noon. Monday Uncle Don went on board his ship before Uncle Dodge left Halifax. They are waiting for the rest of the contingent. I haven’t heard when they will sail. The ship Uncle Don is in is the Missanabie.²⁵ There are two other ships. Uncle Dodge went away this morning. Monday night a crowd of us went to the lake skating. Mr. Cameron went home Tuesday.

27 February 1915

Saturday

Cloudy

The roads are very muddy now. It has looked like rain all day. Achsah came home this afternoon. She drove down with Mr. [Fowne’s] little boy. She has a swelled jaw caused by toothache.

28 February 1915

Sunday

Snow flurries

I have had a sore throat all day but it got better and I went to church. Mamma cut her hand about a week ago. She has to keep a rag on it, so she couldn’t go to church. The boys fixed up the Hall last night so they could play basketball. They are going to play Monday night. Don is going down.

Mr. Wesley Newcomb, who has been working in the woods, fell and hurt his side. He is home now not able to work.

Mrs. Harry Hawks (Mattie Tingley) is here now at her father’s. She lives at Turtle Creek.²⁶

There was a communion service after Baptist church this afternoon. Achsah went down to the dentist and got two teeth out this afternoon. May took her down. Her gums are quite sore now. She is going back to her school in the train.

2 March 1915

Tuesday

Mamma & I went up to Mrs. McAlmons last night right after tea. Mamma went to get yarn to knit socks out of for the soldiers. The women have a society here and they buy yard [sic] also cloth for hospital shirts. A lot of the women are making them now. They sent one box of mittons [sic] & socks away already.

4 March 1915

Thursday

Windy

Mamma got a letter from Uncle Dodge last night. He has a bad cold yet. Uncle Don wrote him that they were going to leave Halifax last-night. Mamma was down to Miss Celia Peck’s last night. The choir is practising their Easter music.

6 March 1915

Saturday

Fine

Miss Ada Russell has been over to Aunt Maggie’s for a few days. She was over here last night. She came before tea and stayed until nearly nine o’clock. Don & I were down to Basket Ball to-night. Some other girls were there watching the boys play.

We saw by the paper that the steamer Uncle Don is in has arrived in Liverpool, also that George [Berrett?] is ill in France at the war with some kind of fever. His people at the Cape are very anxious about him.

14 March 1915

Sunday

Blustering

Last Monday night some of the Lower Cape boys were down to the Hill playing Basket ball. They were down again last night. The Hill boys are going to play against them sometime soon I think. The [sic] is going to be a social at Miss Lena Nichol’s home tomorrow night. The money is to buy more yarn to knit for the soldiers with.

We are going to have our Anniversary in Division next a week from Tuesday. It will be the 64^th Anniversary. They are practising for it at our place.

There is a very import [sic] battle going on now in the Dardanelles,²⁷ the most wonderful of the war, the allies are trying to get through the channel to Constantinople.

It has been snowing nearly all day but the snow all blows off the road. I guess what does stay on the road melts.

Mamma got a snap-shot of Uncle Don in his uniform. [Afryhia?] Moore sent it to her. It was taken at her home in Victoria before he left for Halifax.

The battalion that Uncle Don is in are is training at Shorncliff.²⁸

16 March 1915

Tuesday

Snowy

It has been snowing a little all day but not very hard and not enough to cover the roads. Mamma & I were up to the social. We had a very nice time. They made about twenty dollars. Mrs. Ray Tingley is here visiting her father & mother.

Mrs. Allen Robinson came to our place this morning and stayed until after school was out to-night. She just went home a few minutes ago.

Harry Russel & Minnie [Govany?] are to be married to-night at Minnie’s home in Riverside. The Riverside people are going to have a chivaree²⁹ for them.

Mrs. Jonah’s baby’s first name is Blair.

Mr. Clifford Stevens was operated on for an absess [sic] yesterday. It was a very serious case but he is doing well now.

The Hill boys expect to play against the Lower Cape boys Monday night in our Hall.

18 March 1915

Thursday

Windy

It has been snowing all day and is very windy. Uncle Paul came home Tuesday night in the train. He has been at Halifax guarding the harbor, he was up to see us but Don & I were at school. He went away this morning. There is Division Practice here tonight.

Last night the mill owned by C. [F]. White at West River was ruined & one man killed. It was caused by the boiler bursting. It was just a little after six at night so not many men were around. Four others were scalded. One is not expected to live.

Mamma was down to Celia Peck’s last night practising the Easter music.

20 March 1915

Saturday

Mild

It is quite like spring to-day. It is cloudly [sic]. Likely it will rain before night. Mamma & I were to Prayer Meeting last night. Uncle Luther’s brother who has lived away died and was brought to the Cape to be buried to-day. Uncle Luther & May are going to the funeral. Mr. Cliff West & Joanna moved into their house today. They have been visiting at Davey Wright’s ever since they came home. They were out West for nearly four years & came home about Christmas time. Mr. Clifford Stevens is getting better. He is going to sit up to-day. Aubrey Russell joined Division last Tuesday night.

27 March 1915

Saturday

Cold

It has been lovely spring weather all week but last night it turned cold & today it is as cold as a good many of our winter days. There are a few snow flurries.

At the Basket Ball game last Monday night the Lower Cape boys won. The score was eleven to fifteen. It was a very rough game. I guess they made over five dollars.

We had our Anniversary Tuesday night. There was quite a crowd there.

Hugh Wright came home Saturday & went back yesterday.

Achsah was down for Sunday. Mamma had a card from Uncle Don just after he landed in England.

I was up to Mission Circle Thursday night.

Minnie Moore has been visiting at Aunt Annie’s for a few days. She was here for dinner Thursday. She went home yesterday.

Mr. & Mrs. Harry Russell moved up here to Percy Russell’s. They are going to live in part of his house. Mr. Fred Robinson is quite sick now. He has had the consumption for quite awhile. He stays in bed all the time now. Mrs. Robinson’s mother is sick now too.

31 March 1915

Wednesday

It is quite warm to-day. Mamma went down to the dentist’s at Albert yesterday to get the impression taken for a lower set of teeth. I stayed home from school and baked the bread. She went down again to-day and I am home from school again. Nellie is coming home this afternoon for her Easter holidays. I am going to the station to meet her.

Merrill Russell started Monday to clerk in the Albert Drug Store. He went to school up until then.

Our cow is dry now so we are buying our milk & butter from Aunt Maggie.

3 April 1915

Friday

Nellie came home Wed. afternoon and Achsah came yesterday. Mr. Dickson, who taught here two years ago, came yesterday to Mrs. McAlmon’s to visit. There is a social at Mrs. [Albert] Newcomb’s tonight. It is to pay the Methodist janitor. Mr. and Mrs. [Adair] & daughter came to Mrs. McGorman’s [Thurs.] Achsah & Nellie expect to go to Riverside today to get their Easter hats.

We all were to Prayer Meeting last night. George & Pierce Downey are living in Mr. [Geo?] Newcomb’s old house. [Musetta] is visiting at Mrs. [Temple] Wright’s. Mrs. [Alcorn] (Ethel Stevens) is at the Hill visiting.

5 April 1915

Sunday

Fine

It snowed Saturday night, but the road was very muddy so it didn’t stay on the roads. There is a lot in the fields yet.

Nellie, Achsah & I went to the Social. We had a pretty good time. Clyde came home Sat. & went back this morning. Mr. Dickson was in last night. He went home this morning. Aunt Florence has been in Moncton. She, Herbert and Florence came home Sat. Herbert & Florence went home this morning. Julia is teaching in Hillsboro. She was home for Easter. Lena Nichol is here today making Nellie’s graduation dress. Mr. & Mrs. Adair & baby went away this morning. Frances was up for tea yesterday. We all went to Baptist church in the evening. But the minister didn’t come. They had a short song service & then we came home. I haven’t heard yet why he didn’t come.

6 April 1915

Monday

Fine

There was a Sock Social last night in the Baptist church. An Easter programme was given by the members of the Mission Band and ice cream was served at the close. Nellie, Achsah, Don & I were there. The roads were very bad Sunday so the Baptist minister did not get up to church in the evening.

Lena is here again to-day.

Mrs. Sam Smith (Ruth Mitton) is visiting her parents at Riverside. She is going away in the morning.

10 April 1915

Friday

Fair Rainy

Nellie & Achsah went away Wed. The roads are very muddy now. There was a play in the Consolidated School last night. Some people were down from the Hill. Mamma & I went to Prayer Meeting last night.

There was Mission Circle at Mrs. McAlmon’s this afternoon. We had our Easter programme. Easter was last Sunday. Mrs. McAlmon treated us to ice cream & cake.

18 April 1915

Saturday

Rainy

The roads are very muddy now. I was sick all day yesterday so I didn’t go out to S.S. or Church this morning.

Silas came home Wednesday night. He has had the grippe. Hugh came Thursday. He has been sick ever since he went back last time with. Lena was here finishing Nellie’s dress & making one for Mamma yesterday.

Some of the men up the road put the fish weir³⁰ last week. Court is going on now. Mrs. Johnson accuses Downing for making her try to kill her husband. Downing denies it. Court has lasted over a week and is expected it will last until Wednesday.

19 April 1915

Sunday

Dull

I wasn’t very well this morning. I went to school but wasn’t well enough to stay. I came home before recess and stayed the rest of the day.

We have to put three cents worth of stamps on a letter now on account of the war. It costs more to send all kinds of mail. This war tax³¹ was put in force the fifteenth of this month.

30 April 1915

Friday

Fair

Cliff West took May up to the Cape Friday & brought Achsah back. Sat. night a lot from the Hill went down to the moving pictures at Albert. Henry took Achsah & I. Don went down in the train. The 26^th battalion was shown. That is the one our Hill boys are in. We saw them. I was up to Mrs. McAlmon’s to Mission Circle Saturday. At our mite box³² opening the 15^th we are going to have our entertainment. We were practising at Mrs. McAlmon’s last night after school.

We had a letter from Uncle Dodge. He said Uncle Don cabled him the 27^th that he expected to leave England soon. He didn’t know where they were going. The Canadians in the first contingent are in France and have be are now fighting a very important battle at Ypres. They are being praised everywhere for their fighting in this battle.

Don was 16 years old yesterday.³³

Mamma sent Nellie’s dress to her last night.

Court stopped the 18^th. The jury disagreed and they are going to have another court soon.

Silas & Hugh went back the 18^th. Olive [Coonan] was operated on for appendicitis the 25^th. Mr. Robinson came back Saturday. Mr. McGorman is building a new barn. It is a lot nearer the road that [sic] the red one was.

10 May 1915

Saturday

Fine

Bessie sent Don a bas foot-ball for his birthday present.

Achsah came down Friday in the train & went back this morning. Don drove her with Grandpa’s horse. Mamma is not very well today so I am going to stay home & keep house.

Silas Wright came home Friday. He took some pictures of Achsah & I Sunday.

We were to Baptist church in the afternoon. Yesterday was the first day this spring that I wore my summer hat. It has been awfully rainy weather. The grass is getting green now.

Daisy Peck is working at Mrs. Frowne’s. Alma & Eli have been down to Waterside visiting Mrs. Ned Cleaveland.

Mrs. [Bin Fales] died Thursday. She had not been real sick until about two weeks before she died. She died of a cancer on the liver. There was practice [here of] Mission Circle last Thursday after school.

11 May 1915

Sunday

Fair

There was a practice last night for a concert that we are going to have soon. I was to the practice. It was at Sara’s. They decided they would practice every night. I have am quite hoarse tonight so I guess I won’t go up after Division. We have a little calf born Saturday.

12 May 1915

Monday

Fine

Quite a lot of them went to practice last night after Division. I didn’t go. There was practice after school at Mrs. McAlmon’s for Mission Circle. I was there. There is practice at Joanna’s tonight after Prayer Meeting. Don is there. I am not going. Mrs. George & Mrs. Pierce Downey visited Division last night.

There was a steamer wrecked off the Cape Rocks a few days ago. It had a cargo of mollasis [sic] which was ruined.

Frances went up to Hillsboro Sat. and came back Monday. She stayed with Julia.

It has been quite warm all day.

[Roughly two-thirds down the right side of the page, Rogers has pasted an order ticket for lace curtains, oriented toward the inner binding. The only information about the business or business owner printed is the initial “K.” Rogers has written a note in the same orientation over the ticket, dated 14 March 1915.]

K

LACE CURTAINS.

14 March 1915

Ella I. Rogers of [S 158]

Hopewell Hill

Ella I. Rogers Ella I. Rogers

Hopewell Hill Hopewell Hill

No. #283 Ins. Yds. NB Pairs.

[The following text is written with normal orientation toward the bottom of the page.]

EIR

May 12 1915

[Text on ticket ends here and transcription resumes at the top of the page.]

16 May 1915

Friday

Fair

I was to practice Thursday night in the Lodge Room. After Lodge, I was to practice both Friday night & last night at Joanna’s. Yesterday we had our entertainment at Mission Circle. There were quite a few visitors there. After that we went down to Edna’s and practised the drill on her lawn. There were only eight of us there. Mrs. Jim Russell went to Eva’s Friday. Friday was Arbour Day. We got through at noon and came home for good then. Mamma has had a sore throat ever since Monday. She has her throat polticed [sic] now. It is Baptist church to-night, at night ever since Sunday.

Court is going on again now.

Mamma had a letter from Uncle Don last week. He had just arrived in France. He was at Bologne³⁴ [sic] then. They were stopping there for awhile.

17 May 1915

Saturday

Fine

This is Mamma’s birthday. She is 43 years old. Tonight after school 12 of us girls went down to Celia’s and practised the drill on her lawn. Don went to practice this evening but I didn’t go. Josie and his mother were down to the Cape Friday. Josie was in to see Achsah.

22 May 1915

Thursday

Rainy

Wednesday after school we were practising for the drill and Orpah & Nina stayed with me for tea. We went to Baptist Prayer Meeting and then to practice in the Hall. Last night we repeated the programme in the church that we had at Mission Circle. The money was to pay off a Sunday School debt. After that we went to practice. Mr. Ron Benett brough Achsah down in his car about tea time. Mamma was intending to go over to Sackville to Closing. Nellie graduates today but it was rainy so she will wait and go Monday. She has quite a sore throat. We are going to telephone to Nellie that she will go Monday.

We had a programme at school yesterday for Empire Day. We had the Division organ. There were quite a few visitors there. Don walked to Riverside this morning and came back in the train.

28 May 1915

Wednesday

Windy

Mamma went away Monday morning in the train. Clyde & Henry Newcomb came home Saturday and went back Monday, also Silas. Uncle Fred went to St. John to attend the Grand Division. He came back last night. I got a card from Nellie. She says they will be home tonight. They have been in Moncton since Wednesday night.

Uncle Dodge got word that Uncle Don & Cyrus have both been wounded. They were wounded a week ago today. It didn’t say whether it was serious or not. There was a debate at the Cape Wed. night. Henry took me up. I was talking to Achsah. Eli & Joe also wheeled up. It rained quite hard coming home. Acshah went up Monday night with Edward Pye & [Carl Coonan]. They had been down here fishing. Minnie Moore is staying with us now. She came Monday morning. I have been to drill practice nearly every night this week. It was awfully cold & windy yesterday. Achsah & I went in the Memel Road³⁵ & got some lovely May-flowers. Don & Eli were fishing. Don got 13 fish.

2 June 1915

Wednesday

Fine

Mamma & Nellie got home all right Friday. Mamma got a long letter from Uncle Don that was written before he was wounded. He had been in the trenches a week when we wrote it.

We are going to have the concert Monday night. I guess we are going to have everything over tonight the way it is going to be Monday Night.

Don walked down to Riverside this morning to the Barbers to get his hair cut but he wasn’t in.

Sunday morning a Mr. Smith preached. He is going to preach at Alma for awhile. Mr. Stebbings was away. Sunday evening Mamma, Nellie and myself walked up to Aunt Jane’s.

The case in court is over with now. They let Mrs. Johnson go and Mr. Downing is to be put in jail to remain ten years.

[5] June 1915

Saturday

Fine

I have been down to the Hall this afternoon to drill practice. Achsah came down last night in the train.

Miss Long came up this morning in the train.

We got a garden plow & [shed] yesterday.

Mr. Howard Stevens was operated on for appendicitis Thursday. It was a very bad case but he is doing well now.

It is a lovely day today. The first day that it has been warm enough to go without our coats.

We got a letter from Uncle Dodge saying that Uncle Art wrote that Uncle Don was seriously wounded. We had practice after Prayer Meeting last night. It was 11.40 when we got home.

8 June 1915

Tuesday

Fair

Miss Long went home tonight.

Sunday evening Mr. Robinson drove Daisy Peck down from the Cape and took Achsah back. Mrs. Truman Stevens is very sick so Daisy had to come home.

We had the concert last night. The Hall was just packed. There wasn’t room enough chairs for everyone to sit down. I guess it went pretty good. I recited. Also Frances. Edith & Edward were down. It has been fine all day, but there was quite a shower about tea time. They made over fifty-three dollars last night.

14 June 1915

Monday

Fair

Blair Starratt drove Mable McDonald & May Palmer over from Dorchester Thursday. They came in Mable’s car. Rob Starratt and his wife came over in their car. They went fishing Friday into the lake. Aunt, Grandpa, Frances, Mr. & Mrs. Brad Robinson went too. They came home Saturday. Blair went away this morning. Clyde, Silas & Hugh expected to leave St. John Sunday. They went on board the ships Saturday night. Haven’t heard for sure whether they went Wedn M Sunday morning or not.

Two Bishop children started to school to-day. They live in the house we used to live in. Mrs. Truman Stevens died Tuesday night. The funeral was Wednesday. She had only been married a little over a year.

17 June 1915

Thursday

Fair

Jack Rogers and Roy Downey visited Division Thursday night. They decided Wed. night after B.P.³⁶ Meeting to repeat the concert at Curryville Monday night. I am studying now for the Examination papers. We only have one more week and one-half of school this term.

It has been fine all day but it started to rain after tea. I guess it was only a shower.

20 June 1915

Sunday

Showers

Ernest brought the girls down to Aunt Maggie’s Friday night and took Mamma, Nellie, & I for a ride in his car. We went down around Albert and got back in time for Prayer Meeting.

We were practising last night for the concert.

Fred Newcomb & family came Friday night. We expected Achsah but she didn’t come. I guess she thought she might as well wait until school stops before she comes down again. It has been showering all day. Yesterday was a lovely day. It was real warm.

23 June 1915

Wednesday

Fine

We had the concert Monday night. Everyone went in single carriages. We made $20.05 at the door. The Curryville people kept the money they made on the ice-cream.

Last night it was raining so we didn’t have Division. It is only the second time they haven’t had it since I joined which was last August.

School closes a week from today. All the grades except 9 and 10 started to write their exams today.

24 June 1915

Thursday

Fair

There was a party last night at Percy Russell’s. Just people from Riverside and Albert were there. They went up in a double team. We have had rainy weather for quite awhile. It has been raining about half of the time today.

28 June 1915

Monday

Fine

We have been invited to the Cape to repeat our concert so we are going tonight. It is lovely now. Don drove Frances up. They left about ten minutes ago. Nellie went up this morning in the train to help decorate the Hall.

Mrs. Audbir, Jonah & child are expected to-night.

---

1. Digital reproduction received on 10 November 2020 via David Mawhinney, archivist, dmawhinney@mta.ca; 506-364-2563.↩︎

2. Nellie Pauline Rogers was born 10 June 1893 in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick to Fred E. Rogers, a farmer and Jennie Rogers (née Moore). Nellie taught school in Riverside (Riverside-Albert), New Brunswick, from at least 1915 to 1916 before moving to Minto, Manitoba, to teach in August 1916. She attended the Teachers Institute in Brandon, Manitoba, starting in 1917, and later worked as a teacher in Nanton, Alberta. Ella Rogers mentions her frequently. See birth record.↩︎

3. Bessie Moore Rogers was born 21 August 1894 in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick, to Fred E. Rogers, a farmer and Jennie Rogers (née Moore). See birth record.↩︎

4. Upper Cape: A neighbourhood in New Brunswick, about an hour away from Hopewell Hill.↩︎

5. Mt. Allison: Mount Allison Ladies College (today Mount Allison University) in Sackville, New Brunswick, founded in 1839.↩︎

6. Rogers later added these three lines vertically along the left-hand margin of the page.↩︎

7. Achsah Gallacher Rogers was born 5 October 1896 in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick, to Fred E. Rogers, a farmer, and Jennie Rogers (née Moore). She was educated at the Provincial Normal School in Fredericton and taught in Rockland and Midgic in 1915 and 1916. She began teaching in Antler, Saskatchewan, in August 1917, before moving to Alameda, Saskatchewan, and later Rowley, Alberta, in 1918 and 1919 respectively to teach grades six, seven, and eight. Like her older sister Nellie, Achsah figures prominently in Ella Rogers’ diary. See birth record.↩︎

8. Albert: A county in southeastern New Brunswick↩︎

9. Curriville: Curryville, NB is a small community about 12 kilometres northeast of Hopewell Hill.↩︎

10. Donald Alexander Rogers was born 29 April 1899 in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick to Fred E. Rogers, a farmer and Jennie Rogers (née Moore). See birth record.↩︎

11. Riverside: Riverside NB is a small community about 5 kilometres southwest of Hopewell Hill.↩︎

12. Last year’s one: The hat is a hand-me-down from Rogers’ sister Achsah.↩︎

13. This and the previous entry mark a significant jump in time from May 1912 to October 1914. The date on the second entry reads “29 October 1914,” but the transcription has been corrected to 1914 since this is most likely an error (either at the time Rogers wrote the entry or later while rereading her diary). The entry that follows, which begins on the same page, is dated 22 November 1914, making it clear that the entry preceding should be dated 1914.↩︎

14. Hugh Wright: Bombardier Hugh Carlisle Wright was born on 10 May 1895 in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick, and enlisted in the 26^th Battalion, Infantry on 17 November 1914. He was discharged on 10 May 1919. "Personnel Records of the First World War - CEF 323904," Library and Archives Canada, https://bit.ly/3o9JZa7.↩︎

15. Sunday: 28 November 1914 was a Saturday, and it is clear from the entry’s content that Rogers was writing on Saturday, not Sunday.↩︎

16. Private Guy Fife Russell was born 26 June 1897 in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick, and enlisted in the 115^th Battalion on 13 December 1915. He was discharged on 14 July 1919. “Personnel Records of the First World War - CEF 617966,” Library and Archives Canada, https://bit.ly/3jJmGRU.↩︎

17. yarn & cloth to make things for the Belgians: The first of many times Rogers notes her involvement in knitting clothing to send overseas.↩︎

18. Hubbly: rough, uneven.↩︎

19. Rogers’ penmanship noticeably differs for entries on 29 and 31 January 1915. It almost seems as though she were consciously trying to improve her handwriting for these two entries. The handwriting subsequently returns to its typical style.↩︎

20. Hillsboro: Hillsborough is a village in Albert County, New Brunswick.↩︎

21. S. S.: Sunday School↩︎

22. 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.↩︎

23. Private Silas Clark Wright was born 16 February 1896 in Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick and enlisted in the 26^th Battalion on 2 December 1914. He was discharged on 6 March 1918. “Personnel Records of the First World War - CEF 324277,” Library and Archives Canada, https://bit.ly/3mLoSu2.↩︎

24. Uncle Don: Donald Mackenzie Moore (1877-1915) was Ella Rogers’ maternal uncle. He enlisted in the 16^th Battalion (recruited from Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Hamilton; mobilized at Valcartier) as a Captain and disembarked in France on 7 February 1915. Rogers’ entry on 28 May 1915 notes that Moore had sustained a serious wound exactly a week prior. This information was conveyed by Rogers’ Uncle Dodge, who was clearly unaware that Moore’s injury resulted in death. The Captain’s personnel record indicates that he was presumed to have died on 22 May 1915. “Personnel Records of the First World War - CEF 506586a,” Library and Archives Canada, https://bit.ly/3fOb0gz.↩︎

25. Missanabie: The RMS Missanabie was a Canadian ocean liner repurposed for wartime use. The ship was sunk on 9 September 1918 by a German U-Boat.↩︎

26. Turtle Creek: Community in Albert County, New Brunswick.↩︎

27. Dardanelles: also known as the Gallipoli campaign, the Dardanelles campaign was an attempt by Allied powers to weaken the Ottoman Empire by wresting control of the Turkish straits (one of which being the Dardanelles). The campaign began on 17 February 1915 and would last until 9 January 1916 with the evacuation of Allied troops.↩︎

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

29. Chivaree: Alternate spelling of “Charivari,” which is a playful folk custom with European roots that often accompanied weddings.↩︎

30. Fish weir: An obstruction placed in water that directs the passage of fish for easy trapping.↩︎

31. War tax: The War Revenue Act of 1915 increased the cost of Canadian postage by one cent. War tax stamps were issued between 15 April 1915 and December 1916.↩︎

32. Mite box: A box used to collect funds for charity. An alms box; a poor box.↩︎

33. Don was 16 years old today: Rogers is referencing her older brother, born in 1899, not her Uncle.↩︎

34. Bologne: Misspelling for Boulogne, a port city on the northern coast of France.↩︎

35. Memel Road: A road that runs north from Hopewell Hill.↩︎

36. B. P.: Baptist Prayer.↩︎