UNREVEALED EACE'I'S OP HISTORY

VFantastic diary tells historical sideli‘ghts

It was just another routine day in the life of this town. Fine weather ruled. but everyone k:- v the autumnwae setting in u a prelude to another Island win colonial Building an employee of the p i treasurer wrote in his personal diary. The date was Thursday. lst Sept.. 1364. when John Robina penned these words:

“Pine day- month]!

Imadeout

for Coun- cil. T he DELEGATES FROM N.S.. N.B. AND CANADA ARRIVED TO GO INTO THE QUESTION OF A UNION OF THE COLON- lEs. Joseph Rogers end his wife were here this P.M. to

painting house. Esther came down from Bedeque.’l‘he circus here. a great number e! persons go to see it."

And in that leisurely manner and way of thinking the Domin- ion of Canada was conceived in Charlottetown.

There is little that in leisure- ly today about the pace of life in the Canada whl was born after this meeting and some- times the contrast between those days and now is startling; other times it is the lack of con- trast which is startling.

Preoccupation with the mall things of daily living. an ob— vious tremendous interest in the American Civil War. a close watch on the penny earned and means of adding to the shillings and pounds are evident» in the "Jour c ' _ the ma day or July 1850 and ending the 81h day of June 1M0".

HISTORY COMES TO LIFE

A whole new world of Island thinking of the times is reveal- ed in one passage after another, and much of Island history comes to life as the Journal rolls through the s and across an eight-year span.

With over 2,900 entries, this private diary provides a cross- scction of a period of history of which too little is generally known. Many of the names men- tioned have long since passed from the Island scene. but countless others are equally as well known today as en.

Frequently the spelling used requires thought to determine the word, and often that - spell- ing varies as yesterday's coun- terpart ay's accountant apparently did not have as much preliminary formal edu- cation. Despite this there is a native shrewdness obvious. a careful handling of money mat- ters to ensure an interest re- turn spending on things now consid- ered of doubtful value.

But let‘s look at the diary it- self with its weird spelhng and odd sounding con- structions: its laughter and pathos: andthe insight I pro- vides to a man. his thinlnlng his daily conduct and the times in which he lived and worked.

0! necessity only a few of the daily entries can be given. but those provided are offered as nearly as possible in me form Originally used.

use

July :4:— 1 hot some pot paper for killing flies. July 29:— I am unwell, Went to

to England. Report says the loan Bill is laid over for another season by the Imperl era- ment.

ter. _ A Relaxed in his office in the

Aug. 5:—

Mr. Owe dismissed from the port office and Benjam- in Davies appointed in his stead.

u . 0:— I went to church both mor- ning and evening. Mr. Swa- bey had a fit this morning.

I assisted to carry him into

the Infant School Room. Aug-r9:—

Ellls got the license to

marry- nanna‘a Preedy.

HISTORIC OCCASION

Aug. 13:—

'I'he town pretty generally illuminated for the success- ful laying of the Telegraph wire across the Atlantic ocean and the news having reached us of the message transmitted by our Sover- eign to the President of The United States and his an- swer Jeretio.

Aug. 202--

The new Bible Christian

Church opened.

Sept. 27:— Horse races began. Dixon's mare best of 3 year olds and McKinnon'a Victoria ‘hpfse best horse of all ages. Alex Hayden and I left his Mount Stewart house at 1,9 past 6 ocle this morning and got in town at ll oclock. (The distance today is 1

miles).

The practice of an older gen- eration of laying in winter sup- plies is shown in tfae following entry.

Oct. 23:—

Cloudy but fine and mild. I bought from Capt. Dixon 1 bbl Herring. 30s. Let Mr. DesBrisay have one half. Pd. William Wyatt 9s for 9 bush potatoes. Agreed with Brown for some tea. sugar and soap.

Nov. 25:— ‘I went up to Philip McLar- en's this evening and made out some accounts for him be e - ts to leave tomor-

row in company with Henry ,

Yeo's son

THE D Fob- 8=- have 17. I think. being a Europe stating that war has WISH Hm AND THEM Kenzie is to be discharged majority of & commenced. The WHO 50 wm-H HIM sue. as Master of the Academy House .Of Assembly this eve- CESS IN THE WILD RE_ for drunkennegt Mll'o 221'— . IllnE discusstng. Bill l0 (HON WERE THEY m_ Warburton has lost his elec- render the Legislative Coun- EENID To Go Feb. 17— tton by a large majority. cil elective. The House of Assembly was

No' ”,_ called together at 2 0‘0 but Mar. 23:— .May :- i

- - E i - For Queen’s County Eight I got a gal. Whiskey from:

Over an schoonera arrived here today.

Dec. 2:— Thanksgiving.

Dee. 14:— r Over- 100 persons sewing and cutting the ice to get 13 vessels clear of the ice.

They have cut down as far as the three tides.

Dec. 10:— The echooners have all been cut clear of the ice and have left for their ation

a. (The following day four of them returned to port. Edit note). use Jan. 8:—

Caiherine (his wifel deliver- ed of a fine boy today. Dr. Jenkins attended her. Dr. Jenkins here this evening and had a glass of whiskey with me.

e Jae. ll:—

Cloudy. Thermomder so below 0 JD. 13:— The Executive Council met

this morning at Government House the Gov being unwell

Worth and Join ' (or California. I FEEL FOR POOR MAN AN

Jan. 21:

Jan. 22:—

Feb. 1:—

Feb. 8:—

Feb. la:—

JOHN ROBINS

Feb. as:—

ueanameadng use a fall- burton‘e successor.

Mar. :6;— Wmﬁ. Pope in offce. Had a talk with him respecting. the change in Govt. and my prospects to retaining my

office.

Aprl 2:— William Warburton came here (Robins' home) to

board at the rate of no pounds per annum.

f A blv “as Apr" 5:— ouse o ssem . ' . - dissolved “"5 PM, Great _lce nearly all out of the liar - h H hour. A so her arrived excitement in t e ouse. from Pu gw 36.1. The ferry at commenced to p Feb' m:_ , (Across to Southport). James Pope came here With me from church and had April 6:—

A-lex Laird came to me this morning to know if I would accept the office of Treasur- er at a salary of 300 pounds per year. James Yeo came to see me on the same sub- ject. I DECLINED T0 AC- CEPT THEIR PROPOSAL.

some conversations respect- ing the Elections. He wish- es me to take the office of Treasurer should the Tories get a majority.

The Conservatives are very sanguine as to the certainty

- ~ April 9:— of their obtaining a major- ity. The leading men of that The new Govt. has been party appear inclined to sworn in. The Members give me the appointment of Composing the Govt. are Treasurer should they ob- Palmer, Jno. Longworth,

t ‘ the Govt Wrote letter Gray, Laird. J85. Pope. Jas. am Dep, C’om, Gen]. at Yeo and Heath HaViland.

to the . Halifax asking appointment Apr“ 11:_

of paymaster to the Pen- G . - eo. Wright came to me to "one" Should Ml" warbur' know if I would serve under

and unable to attend at the to" “"gn' him as Dep. m the Treasury Council Chamber. Mn 4,_ Office. News of the New Zealand April 12:—

-1 hot over Va Cord Wood for 53.

News arrived a new Gov has been appointed for this

year. Revenue 33,300 (pounds), or thereabouts. for the year 158.

HEAVY TRAFFIC EVEN THEN

Met.Ball and went with him to Hobkirk‘s for the doct for his wife. She got hurt while out driving by being run into by another sleigh.

of the SNATCHlERS and r'

E UNABLE m D CIDE 0N Til-E CHOICE 01" A SPEAKER consequently the Govr returned home delivering his speech. John Ramsay of - alpeque refused to swear to his qualifications.

The House met but could not decide on the choice of a Speaker.

Mar. 24:—

ship by the English Mail at The House of Assembly met.

NUMISMATISTS, COIN COLLECTORS or even those’ who are just plain money-hungry would delight in adding a rare item like this.

HUNDAY, AUGUST 81 1984

PAGE 3-K

Interest payment on a bond issued by the gov- _ ernmenlt when this Island was 3 colony, ft indi- cates the holder was entitled to 6 pounds Sterling.

Pernambuco on the South Stood new Govt. 16 Opposi- Americau Coast on the 15th tion 14. Jan. All well.

April 15:— Duncan McLean. editor of

ELECTION BATTLE, The Islander (tied this mor-

usland. I got bottle W'an at Mar. Iz:— hing. ‘ ' Nomination of candidates for Membership for the AP?“ 23:" . an. 80:— County took piace. The Beef of excellent quality of- I heard the Hon. Edw. Hay- his}. were ﬁghting after fered for sale in he .- thorne died at 10 o’clock nominations and three be“ cu“ 10 Pence per “1le morninl- four persons were badly 90"“. . hum a rt! 30-— Jan. 81:—- p . ' ' Handed list of lands for jud- Rila'ﬁge “ft'theth'gngf'cﬁ M.“ ":_ gement to the attorney Gen-

John Ball here this evening to a lobster supper.

eral. (Edit. note: the

lists made periodically by Mr. Robins of properties '- 1"“ listed for non-payment of Election. Voters who Went _

tax) to George Town and Prince Town returned in time to WEALTH vote here. Revolvers and May 3;—

eling shots taken from some

, Made up my expenditures parties at the election.

and income for the last year ending this day. I consider I am h about 850

Mar. :0:— wo Ben}. Davies I hear has lost. pounds. his election at Prince Town. Pope and Howatt returned May 5;-

The House of Assembly in committee this afternoon on the Land Question.

drew McDonald and Havi- land for Georgetown and Finlay McNeill in the place of Harris. 'P-om Owen again returned. The Tories will

May 10:— Telegraph‘rc despatch from

Robinson and a ham from Ball. A young girl murder- ed at Murray Harbour Road last. week. Her name was m. Warburton tendered Brown. his resignation as Treasurer Govt. and sent his resignation to Halifax to the Com. Genl. as pay- rnaster of the Pensioners. The Gov. sent for me this p.m. and wrote a letter to the/Comm. G. at Halifax

Tories and 1 Liberals re- turned.

May 17:— War has actually commenc-

and the Austrians. The Emp. Napoleon to leave ibi- ithe seat of war on 8rd nst.

May 20:—

War has commenced be tween t Sardiniane and French against the Aus- trians.

May 26:— His Excellency Sir D. Daly

left for England in the steamer. A great many peo- ple down to see him off. Chas. Young is to be mom in as Administrator of the government until the new Govr. arrives.

June .1:—

The new Govt. Geo Dundas arrived at about 4 o'clock P.M. The cannons brought up to the Square 17 rounds fired.

June 10:— Thanksgiving Day by order of the Govt.

June 29:— Old Mrs. Holman here to tea thig P.M.

ly 5:— General Williams arrived in the Steamer ‘Westmoreland' a salute was fired from the

battery by Capt. Pollard's Company. The General then went up to Govt. .

procession formed in front

'of the Old Court House and marched to Govt. House to receive the general. who accompanied it around the Town to the Prov'l building where he answered the ad- dress to him. I never saw a greater number of persons in Town than were in today. Great bonfire on the Square this evening and a great display of fire works.

July 6:—

Fine large new potatoes in Market today.

July 13:— Examination at lege and Convent

R.C. Col-

July 15:— News of great victory gain- ed by the Allies over the Austrians confirmed. Dr. Hump'ireys of Charlotte- town has run away with an‘ other man‘s wife.

July 20:— Had some greenpease for dinner. firsf for season.

July 30:— Balanced ‘accounts this p.m. Revenue for 6 months over 14.000 pounds and in- crease of 5.000 over same period last year.

Aug. 11:— 3 Wheat and oats cut la the country Very early. Fred‘k

Goodman and Anne Melon-i

ey were drowned near the Blockhouse coming in in St. Peter's Island. ‘

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5A.-

[

Governor’s Home

sold under him

An ancient deed. one of the oldest located Patriot researcher and undoubtedly one of the earliest filed under Brit- ish rule here, is now in possess- ion of Mrs. M. MacL. Lusher, of Admiral Street. ..

It certifies it was registered at “half an hour past nine o' clock in the Forenoon this 12th day of June, one thousand and seven hundred and eighty seven" with the then ‘register Thomas DesBrisay for The Is- land of Saint John.

eed was given in consid- eration of the sum of 230 pounds “being at the rate of ﬁve shill ings per Spanish minted dol- lar", by Timothy William Hier- lihy to Phillips Callbeck an (1 covered lots 70 and 71 in the ‘first 100 town lots belonging to lCharlotte township. It covered

the ‘messauge. dwelling house. stable and out ofﬁce‘ occupied by His Honour Edmund Fanning Lieutenant Governor.

However. certain specific rights were reserVed for His Most Gracious Majesty and cov- ered all ‘mines of gold. silver and coals". The new owner had also to pay, rfrom time to time. any rents or quit rents which might later be assessed against the lands.

The property in question was on the north side of Dorchester Street and west Poms!

It is believed the Phillips Call- beck is the same man as the provincial secretary who was abducted by the ‘Yankees' dur- ing the American Revolution and later released by George Washington .ersonally. ~

V) .. —i

ed between the Sardinians‘

I'll Kmm g

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