The Diary: 1 Feb - 10, 1895

Please refer to previous posts' on "The Diary" for an introduction to this transcription. 

Fri                                                                                           Feb 1

Exam on French to-day. Liz, Allie and I went to C.E.

Sat                                                                                          Feb 2

                Mr. H. took Lizzie and I for a drive.

Sun                                                                                        Feb 3

                Allie, Liz and I went to M.E. Church this morning & heard from Mr. Allen preach from John 14.21. Lizzie and I went to S.S. Liz caught Alice’s class. Coming home we met Mr. H. so we sent for a drive away down the Branch to the Rideau River. Alice, Liz and I went to Pres Church & heard Mr. Longhead preach from Prov. 4.18.

Mon.                                                                                     Feb 4

                Lizzie’s birthday. She was 19 to-day. Lizzie and I were down first for breakfast and Clark put a mark in the calendar to show it.

Tues.                                                                                     Feb 5

                Very, very cold to-day. Mr. Halliday wanted my cape to keep him warm in bed. They are all sick with Grippe etc except Lizzie and I.

Wed.                                                                                     Feb 6

                Another very cold day. Lizzie and I got a new lamp shade to-night. We had our choice of five of them.

Thurs.                                                                                   Feb 7

                Nothing particular to-day. Liz & S. Hevere talking to R.M.

Fri.                                                                                          Feb 8

                Stormed all day and the S.S. Concert was to be to-night. Lizzie and Maude took their dinner to school. I didn’t go. Can’t go home this week. Mr. Halliday’s brother came at noon & was snowed in over Sunday.

Sat.                                                                                        Feb 9

                Storm still raging. Mrs. Kerr doctored me for the cold. Couldn’t go out to-day. Not even to the Yel. Mr. H. was talking to R.M.

Sun.                                                                                       Feb 10

                Lizzie mad a show of herself this morning and also Mr. H. Our door was wide open. All went to church in the morning except Mrs. Kerr & I. Lizzie & I went to S.S. Us 4 girls went to Pres Church to-night. Heard Mr. McDermind preach on Ps 65.1,2,3&4. Coming home we met Mr. S. (Sen) and Maggie Anderson and Mr. H (Jun) & Bell Martin. Folded the blankets in Mr. H (Sen) bed & put spools in Mr. H (Jun) bed.

Obituary: Mrs. Samuel Reid, Sr.

Personal archives of author.

Hopefully, you are all familiar with "The Diary", a transcription project I have been working on, posting pages of the 1895 diary of Carrie E. Reid.

On the side, I have also been working to determine exactly who Carrie was, and how her family is connected to mine. In the process, I have been using other materials found in the same collection in which the diary originally came to me; what I refer to as the "Carlyle Collection". Most of this material was either owned or gathered (or both) by Carrie (Brown) Carlyle, my great great aunt, and her descendants.

One of those pieces is the obituary of Mrs. Samuel Reid, Sr. (Seen here. The original newspaper print, it does not include a newspaper name or date.)  A bit of mystery of its own, as Mrs. Reid's given name or maiden name is never mentioned in the document. It does, however, give enough information to identify her, and her immediate family line.

May I introduce you to... Nancy (Marlin) Reid, the maternal grandmother of my 1st great grand aunt's husband, Samuel Reid.

Included with the original is a photo copy and some notes, indicating her death occurred in 1908.  Canadian records actually indicate it was 1907, 22 of January. She was 94 years old when she passed away, having been born in 1813.

So. Who was Nancy in relation to Carrie? Well, she had several sons', as you can read in the column, but only one daughter that I know of: Jane. She married one James Carlyle, who was born in Scotland in 1841, and immigrated to Canada sometime before 1875. Together, Jane and James had at least four children: Adam (the husband of Carrie Brown), Elizabeth, or Lizzie, as she is referred to in The Diary; Bert, an assumed brother from the transcription of The Diary, and of course, Carrie, our author. Nancy was their grandmother. Possible one listed as living near the Carlyle family (you'll have to wait for further posts from The Diary for that one!). Unfortunately for my family, Adam had already left the house when Carrie started putting her thoughts on paper on 1 Jan 1895, but I'm still hoping he'll show up soon enough. He wasn't yet married, but was out on his own. Maybe he'll come home to visit. 

"Grandma Carlyle", Carrie L. (Brown) Carlyle, wife of Adam Carlyle.
With  her daughter and family. Date unknown.
Personal archives of author.

The story, and life, of Mrs. Samuel Reid, Sr., really is worth reading, so take a minute to examine the obituary also. The writer left a broad suggestion at the end for the youth of Canada, but more so, to all of us. I certainly wish I had a photo of this remarkable woman... then again, maybe I do. Just another reason to keep digging into the mysteries that the "Carlyle Collection" has provided for me. 

By the way, "Reids' Mills" was located in Carleton County, Ontario, and is still a community today. 

The Diary: 20 Jan - 31, 1895

Please refer to previous post The Diary for an introduction to these entries. Also see the first and second installments for the month of January, 1895.

Sun                                                                                        Jan 20

                S.H., Alice, Lizzie and I went to the M.E. Church this morning and heard Mr. Kype preach on Gen 5.24. We three went to S.S. at 2·30 P.M. Alice, Berth and I went to Pre. Ch. In the evening. Lizzie was sick before church but she was alright about bed time. Flat irons. Mr. McDermid took Ps. 27.14. for his text to night.

Mon                                                                                      Jan 21

Was at school to-day.

Tues.                                                                                     Jan 22

                Lizzie and I had a drive to-night with L.A. Lots of fun watching the scholars fall as it was very slippery. John Henry had the croup to-night. Concert at Hallville.

Wed.                                                                                     Jan 23

                Martha Patterson and I fell going up to the school at noon, on the ice. Wilda made Ella C (?) laugh when reading. She told her “Old Selleck was in.” Mr. Witherill went away to-day. Had a great talk to Bert over the telephone.

Thurs.                                                                                   Jan 24

                A meeting after 4 of the School Board & Scholars to-night to decide about keeping Mr. Witherill or not. I went for a drive with L. Dave & Lizzie wouldn’t let me go.

Fri.                                                                                          Jan 25                    Exam Arith.

                Lizzie went home with Joe Allen. Pa came for me after tea.

Sat.                                                                                        Jan 26

                Stormed all day to-day.

Sun                                                                                        Jan 27

                In the house all day. Y. & W.W. came down this afternoon.

Mon                                                                                      Jan 28

Couldn’t corale to K.V. Roads all blocked. 

Tues.                                                                                     Jan 29

                John Horn brought Lizzie and I to K.V. Bad roads. Started at 9 o’clock and got here at 12.

Wed.                                                                                     Jan 30

                At school to-day. Mr. Halliday took very sick about 12 o’clock. P.M. Mr. Clark went for Dr. Ferguson.

Thurs.                                                                                   Jan 31

                Saw Nannie and Uncle Alex went for a drive with them and again with Bob Allen.

The Diary

The Diary: 8 - 19 Jan 1895

Please refer to previous post The Diary for an introduction to these entries. Also see the first and second installments for the month of January, 1895.

The Diary.

Tuesday                                                                               Jan 8

                Going to school met Bob and Geo. H. Bid them Good-Bye again. Bob left on 11·30 train & G.H to Osgoode.

Wed                                                                                      Jan 9.

                Nothing particular to-day. At school.

Thurs.                                                                                   Jan 10.

                Ditto.

Fri.                                                                                          Jan 11.

                At school all day and to C.End at night

Sat.                                                                                        Jan 12.

                Pa came up and I went home. Annie Hunter went too. Got our new cutter and Miss Eneff, Annie Hunter, Bert and I had the first drive in it.

Sun.                                                                                       Jan 13.

                Snowing. John took the sleigh to church and C.E.

Monday                                                                               Jan 14.

                Pa brought me up to K.V. Went to S at recess.

Tuesday                                                                               Jan 15

                At school as usual. Lin took me for a drive.

Wed                                                                                      Jan 16

                At school.

Thur                                                                                       Jan 17

(Margin) Pa brought Annie Hunter in to-night.

                At school. Lizzie, Mrs. Kerr and I went to the Methodist revival meeting led by Mr Kype.

Fri                                                                                           Jan 18

                An Exam in Alg for our first. Went to the C.E. “At Home” and had a good time. Geo Wilson wanted us to go home for they were going to Bob Allens but we didn’t. Lizzie had a funny turn in her sleep or me, which?

Sat                                                                                          Jan 19

                Alice, Bertha, Lizzie and I felt rather funny to-day. Went for a walk in the afternoon.

The Diary, 3-7 Jan, 1895

Thursday                                                                             Jan 3

                Were down to Wm Carlyle’s to-night and had a fine time. Annie and I were left but we got a chance. We had lots of fun after the rest went away. Just six of us, Edith, Annie, Bob, Big George Little George and myself. Maggie Skuce went back to Ottawa to-day and Martha wen to Uncle Billies.

Friday                                                                                    Jan 4

                Were to go to Winchester today but were disappointed. Got another telephone message to go tomorrow.

Satur.                                                                                    Jan 5.

                A lovely day but can’t go to Winchester.

Spent the evening at Mr. Murphy’s. Had a pleasant time eating candy and cough drops.

Sunday                                                                                Jan 6.

                Mame Brown, Annie and Lin Allen wen to Hallville church. Song a voluntary at our church “Let Himself In”. We had the sleigh at church. Bob Carlyle came up for tea. Chris lead the C.E.

Monday                                                                               Jan 7.

                I came to K.V. with Lin Allen. Geo H Carlyle came and took Lizzie and I out to Sandie’s for tea. Bob came up there and stopped all night. We had a fine time. Bob brought Lizzie and I home about 11 o’clock and we bid him good-bye.

The Diary: Jan 1 & 2, 1895

A while back, I wrote about finding The Diary. I promised to transcribe and post it. While life has certainly done a good job at keeping me from that, I have not forgotten.

So, here is the first two entries, dated 1 Jan and 2 Jan, 1895.

1895

“Diary”

C.E. Reid

Tuesday                                                                               Jan 1

                This being the 22^nd Anniversary of Mother’s and Father’s wedding we wished to have some enjoyment so we decided on having a little party. After working hard all day and all was ready the young people commenced to gather. We played all the plays we knew then had tea about 12 o’clock and after tea we had a recitation from Nannie, speeches from Mr. Shaw, Christopher and Bob. Pa told us how happy he was 22 yrs ago, also the history of the Plaid Shawl.  He then called on Geo. H. Carlyle from B. Columbia. After his speech he moved a vote of thanks to Mrs. And Mr. Reid (alone) for the pleasant time they had spent. Then after singing “God Be With You” they all left for home leaving us reflecting over the pleasant evening we had had.

Wed.                                                                                     Jan 2

                We got up feeling rather blue but we went to work to sweep up and soon felt all right. Aunt Mary had stayed all night so Bert and Chris took her up to Grandma’s. Well and Lorne Mulloy came down from Grandma’s and Annie and Lorne went for a drive. When they got back Bert and I went then. Miss Eneff came. After dinner Well & Lorne went home and Chris, Annie, Sarah and I went down to Dan Allens where we found Bob Carlyle, Maggie Skull and Maria. We then came up to Prayer Meeting.

The Diary

Last year I was entrusted with a family collection of photos, letters, documents... even one reproduction Civil War medal. You know how this works. You get a huge box of unidentified memorabilia, some of which is garbage, some of which you already have (somewhere) and some of which are pure gold. As in, "this should really be in a museum but I'm probably going to keep it for a while anyway" gold.

The Diary is one of those pieces of gold.

The "Carlyle Collection" as I have named it all came to me from my great grandfather's sister's family. Carrie Brown, daughter of Oscar and Frankie (previously mentioned in several other posts) married Adam Carlyle, and Carrie was good at saving things. So were her daughters. I have certainly gained the honor of becoming the family curator, and eventually the collection ended up in my lap. A title I will gladly carry through to the end. The collection had been organized, to my great delight, to a certain degree by a member of the Carlyle family more recently. He even labelled some of those unknowns for me, which is nearly unheard of.

But no one told me about The Diary.

I had spent days documenting, digitizing and doing my best to filter through the collection. It came contained in seven binders and several other collection devices: boxes, plastic bags, loose pieces. The process had been long and tedious - and I still had to go through and translate all those letters, find where all those pieces belonged. I was really just beginning, but the cataloging was dragging on and on, until I was just done. Done.

Then I found The Diary.

In a very plain looking brown bag. On the front was written, "Diary of Carrie E. Reid 1895 Given to Lizzie Christie (1),  Jean Mouat (2), Helen DeVries (3)." In the top left corner a address label was placed for William DeVries of Bellingham, Wash. (Can you say 1940 US Census?) The back of the bag had a printed label for "PayLess: We're Your Mall in One... We've Got It All Together." Obviously, a modern addition to The Diary. The handwriting on front I recognized from some of the photos I had seen in days previous. Even the pen used was the same. One of the names, Helen DeVries, was familiar, but other than that, I had nothing.

Carrie E. Reid wrote The Diary.

Inside the bag was a dictation notebook, similar to the commonly used white and black notebooks seen across colleges everywhere. The front cover, brown with black and gold embossed lettering, reads "Cyclopedia Book, Exercise and Dictation". The back and inside covers are littered with helpful information, such as "How To Tell the Age of Any Person", in chart form, the "Strength of Ice" and "Origin of the Dollar". Held together with a piece of blue tape along the spine, obviously an attempt made several decades ago. The first page entry is dated Tuesday, Jan 1, 1895, by C.E. Reid, "Diary".

               "This being the 22nd Anniversary of Mother's and Father's wedding we 

                  wished to have some enjoyment so we decided on having a little party."

I was immediately obsessed.

Inside were a few items, other than the script of Carrie Reid. She appears to be writing from somewhere in Canada, so a program from the Grand Opera House in Ottawa (Canada), for Tuesday, February 18th, highlighting Madame Albani in performance, made sense. A color print, on thin paper, slightly torn in the corners, of "The Doctor", published by J.A. Austen & Co., Chicago. A small scrap of paper, written in pencil, "July 4th, 1896, Saturday night..." along with a very fragile sample of hand crocheted lace, folded several times over. The last entry is from Jan. 1st, 1896, "Leap Year".

I hope to find out who Carrie E. Reid was, and where her family ended up. How is she related to me? How did this diary, this very precious item, end up in my hands? The trust my family places in me... wow.

Some of the entries are long, involved stories. Some are very simple, one sentence, maybe two. The transcription will hopefully be completed this year, and the storage of this item for preservation carefully considered. It is a treasure, a family heirloom, yes. But more than that, it is a historic artifact. One for the museum, perhaps.

The Diary.