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Stella Jane MacVicar Diary
My grandmother kept a diary for the year 1890.The first half of the year she wrote about her life while attending Normal School (Teachers College) in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Since there is no diary for the previous year, it is assumed that she went to Normal School in Fredericton in September of 1889. She attended school until June 13 when her teachers training was complete. Returning home to Mascarene, Charlotte County, she then began teaching in the month of August. Click here for a short history and photo of the Normal School.
She was born in September 1873 making her 17 years old when she attended this college. Her name was Stella Jane MacVicar, middle child of Colin and Catherine (Dick) MacVicar all of Mascarene near St.George, Charlotte County. She eventually moved to Pomeroy Ridge, nine miles west of St.Stephen, to teach school there. She boarded with her cousin John Stewart and it was there she met and married my grandfather Charles Moore Smith in 1896.
If she kept a diary recounting her life when she first went to school, it has been lost. I therefore, have had to guess at some of her friends surnames and also how she felt about leaving home for the first time. There are entries in the diary to which I can really relate as, I too, left my home to attend university at the early age of 16, and I also, was lonesome at times for my home and family. I had a tooth out just as she did. When I attended Mount Allison in Sackville, it took over 8 hours to get there from St.Stephen, which was a long days journey by bus. She apparently travelled by train from St.George, which also took quite some time. She returned home in June by boat down the St.John River, which is no longer a public mode of transportation.
A big difference between our two experiences is that she attended the Presbyterian Church very faithfully; 2-3 times on most Sundays and also one evening during the week and I will have to admit that I was not nearly so faithful.
I have abstracted the parts from her diary that I thought might be of interest to readers today. Every day she starts with the weather and then tells what the "selection" was at a music class each morning.. The selections were classical and she tells about the music teacher who was a Mr. Cadwalladar.
| I have obtained the names
of the students who attended the school when she did. The
following is a list of the students from Charlotte County
only: Hugh Stanley Young, Oak Bay; Nellie Lena Conley,
Leonardville, Deer Island; Margaret Evelyn Crawley,
Bocabec; Luella Jean Cross, Beaver Harbor; Edna Irene
Daggett, North Head, Grand Manan; Minnie Alice Dewar,
Scotch Ridge, St.James; Edna Eunice Guptill, Castilia,
GrandManan; Mary Alice Holt, St.Stephen; Annie Florence
Johnston, Tower Hill; Prudence Mary Leonard,
Leonardville; Mary Elizabeth Dora Maxwell, Moores Mills,
St.James; Stella Jane McVicar, Mascarene; Adelia Margaret
Maxwell, St.Stephen. These students ranged in age from 16
to 20. Of the 239 attendees from all over the province,
only 13 came from Charlotte County which is approximately
6%. Another interesting fact is that there were only 46
men or a little over 19% of the total enrollment. I also have a photo taken by John Harvey "Artist and Photographer", Fredericton, of some young women whom I assume were all students together. My grandmother is standing, first on the left. As I understand it, the students had to board with families in the city as there was no college residence available to them. The landlady for the house in which my grandmother stayed was Janet Ross of " Campb" Street. I have found the names of 8 women students who lived there at the same time, so some of these girls in the photo might be fellow boarders. The young girl in front could be a daughter of the landlady. If anyone can identify individuals in this picture, please contact me. |
 |
The names of the residents in Mrs. Ross' boarding house were: Minnie Andrew, Campbellton, Restigouche County; Sarah Harmony Bamford, Blissville, Northumberland County; Mina Farrel, Campbellton, Restigouche County; Mary Joice Hetherington, Jenkins, Queens County; Stella Jame McVicar, Mascarene, Charlotte County; Mary Jane Simpson, Tabusintac, Northumberland County; Ella May Toft, Tower Hill, Charlotte County ; Sophie M. Lamont, Douglastown, Northumberland County. In the school records that I have, are recorded the age, religion, address, county, street address in Fredericton and the owner of the establishment. Previous teaching experience (if any) and the name of the school where each student attended are also given. I would be glad to do a look up for anyone who might have had an ancestor enrolled in this same school year of 1889-1890.
A note of interest: I found only one spelling mistake (using spell check) in the diary. When she left school in June 1890, she had a third class teaching certificate but three years later she had obtained her first class certificate. I have this document which is dated - "first day of July, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety three, being the fifty seventh year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria".
Transcribed June, 2002 by her granddaughter Marilyn Stella (Smith) Henderson. Time covered is from January 1, 1890 to June 14, 1890.
Jan 1. I was to a party last evening, had a fine time, but tired today. It rained and blew very hard. Father started for Eastport but could get no further than Deer Island. He got back about 7 o' clock.
2. It was very dull this morning. I did not feel like coming away a bit but I had to come. We got in St.George about 5:10. Bess went out to the station with me. We met Hannah out there. I was the only girl on the train until we got to Pennfield. Found Uncle Hazen alright. I met quite a number of girls I knew at the station. Mamie and I got seats together. We got acquainted with Mr. Marr and Mr. Gaunce on the train. We got here about 8:30 P.M..Mr F--- walked in from the station with us. It was very slippery.
3. We just got off to school in time to escape being late. We were dismissed at twelve, we got our marks in reading, mine were only 66
5. Got up about 9:30. We had breakfast and then went to church. Mr. Mowat's subject was "Follow Me" We went to Sunday School, church in the evening and the after prayer meeting. The union prayer meeting began this week. It was very fine today and also very icy; all of the other girls went to the Methodist meeting.
6. Mr. Cadwalladar played a piece called "Return of the Braves"- Sudds: very appropriate. There were a few ladies up to the opening. Our seats were changed. Miss Oulton and I sitting together again. Read An Endless Chain today by Pansy. It is one of the best of her books which I have yet read. It rained today.
7. We got all our marks today. My average is 66 and three quarters. The sidewalks were very icy today. It is very cold but fine. I wrote a letter to mother. The piece that Mr Cadwalladar played this morning was "Song Without Words, Spring, Mendelssohn. Janet and I went to the prayer meeting this evening.
8. It was quite fine this morning but it began to snow about 1 o'clock. We met a young man "very sick" coming out of an alley going up at noon. . . I heard today that they were skating on the sidewalks. I do not doubt it. They are icy enough for anything. I feel kind of lonesome tonight. It snowed all of the evening. The light snow on the ice makes the sidewalks worse than ever.
10. It was very cold this morning. Some of the girls froze their ears. We got our register's this morning. We had to recite this afternoon. None of the Seasiders had to. I got a pen on my way home from school. It is very cold here in my room.
12. Did not get up until quite late this morning. The snow was very deep. Janet and I were the only ones who went to church. We were so early that we were the second ones there. Mr. Shenton preached. I went to Sunday School. I went to church and prayer meeting this evening. It is the 10th anniversary of Mr. Mowat's coming here to preach. His text was "The Lord is My Shepherd I Shall not Want".
14. It was very fine today. The streets and sidewalks are full of ice, it is hard to get on without falling. Got two pen holders and pens today. Mr. Creed read us some extracts from a Journal kept in the Legislature in 1787.
15 I did not feel well this morning but went to school. I was very sick all the morning and stayed there at noon. Mina brought me my dinner. I came home as soon as the roll was called and went to bed and was very sick all night. Miss Clark was not able to be at school. Mamie was sick and had to stay at home. It began to snow at noon but cleared off at night. Everyone was very kind to me.
16. It snowed all night and all day today. I was hardly any better and had to stay in bed most all day. School was dismissed an hour earlier this morning. Miss Clark was not back today. Mr. Mullin was not very well A great many were absent from school.
17. I felt so weak today, I did not go to school and the roads were not cleared out until near noon. Yesterday's storm was the largest, greatest, biggest storm of the season. I finished Romeo and Juliet today and began Hamlet but did not finish it. . ". . We spoke of Lighthouse Lamp on St.Andrew wharf.
19. Sunday morning. It was very fine but I did not got to church as my throat was very sore. Min and I went to Sunday School alone. We were nealy late, my nose began to bleed in the library and I had to come home. We went to church in the evening. Mr. Mowat was not able to hold an after prayer meeting.
20. It began to snow last night and snowed all day but began to rain at night, It was election day and many were drunk . The Blair govenrment was sustained.
22. Dr. Bailey gave his lecture tonight on "The world we live on" assisted by Mr. Best with a magic lantern , it was fine
23. We got enough "Physics" to cure us of La Grippe which has got a good many of us. .
24. It was very fine today. We did not have domestic economy but we did have recitations however. I did not have to recite, but there's a good time coming. They discussed the time table again tonight but I did not stay. Mamie, Mina, Annie and Sadie went to Methodist prayer meeting. Min and I went after yeast to two stores but could not get any. They had a Scottish concert tonight in the Auld Rink. .
25. I washed seven handkerchiefs today, it was very fine. I have not been out all day. Annie Johnston is very sick or rather hoarse. Mina got a nice white silk handkerchief today for a birhday present. Her birthday is tomorrow. It was very fine this morning and also very cold. Janet and I went to church together she did not go to Sunday school. The prizes were given , there were about twenty. We went to evening meeting and to prayer meeting. Mr Payson conducted the services all day. Mr Mowat has got La Grippe. too bad. I think.
29. I feel very lonesome tonight.
31. It was fine today. Min and I went to Methodist prayer meeting tonight. .
Feb 2. Fine and cold. I was to church twice and to S.S. and prayer meeting today. Church this morning; the sermon was on "The baptism of Fire". It was one of Mr. Mowat's best ones.
3. It was rather wet today. There is a lot of sickness at home. I read Canto One of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage tonight; it is fine.
4. It was very fine this morning. . I had to do two questions on the board for Mr. Simms today, one in Algebra and one in Arithmetic
8. It rained all day and snowed at night. I hope that it will clear off before tomorrow. I copied a lot of notes this afternoon. I read "Jo's Boys" by Louisa May Alcott today. I do not like it very much; not as well as I expected from what I have heard of her books
9. It snowed last night and was fine this morning. Min and Ella and I went to church, S.S. and to church in the evening and prayer meeting together. The subject this morning was "The Two Thieves" I got a SS book, Real Folks by Mrs A.D.L. Whitney. It is quite nice but did not end the way that I wanted it to. The walking was fine today.
10. It was fine and cold today. I saw a runaway horse on my way to school at noon. I was to bible class tonight with Min. It was very nice indeed. I got a letter from father today saying that Cassie was dead, oh how badly they must feel. I hope that none of the rest of them will get sick.
12. It was rather wet this morning but cleared off this afternoon. The selection was "Pilgrim Chorus" from Lombardi.. Verdi. It was very pretty. We sang "Murmuring Sea" this morning. I think that it is a lovely piece. I wrote a postal card home today. Min, Mina and I were at prayer meeting tonight. It was the best one that I have ever been to.
13. It was very fine this morning. There was quite a number of valentines in school today.
14. It was fine today. The selection was "Men of Harlech" a Welsh air. I did not have to recite today. Most everyone got a valentine of some sort today. I saw Lady Tilley out driving today. Dr. McAllister's house caught fire last night, he narrowly escaped being burned to death.
16. Very fine, Cold and icy this morning. I was to meeting all day and S.School and prayer meeting.
18. I fell up the steps tonight of the Normal School. Mina fell coming home from. Mr Creed gave us a history lesson today
19. It was very fine today. I fell going up to school today. I have been in Annie'r room part of the evening. She was telephoning for more steam. Mr. Simms gave us one lesson today. I am afraid we will not have him again. He has tried hard to prepare us for the coming exam. I hope that I will do as well and better than I have done before.
20. It stormed hard all day today but it was not very cold. We did not have an exam today. I was down to the model school today for observation in Miss Harvey's room. I had a slight touch of toothache tonight. I am afraid that I will have to get it out.
21. It was fine and cold this morning; we had our exam today. It was quite easy we only had four papers. We got out at 5:30 P.M.
23. It was very fine and pleasant today. I was to church and Sunday school as usual today. Mr. Mowat mentioned Judge Fraser's sickness today. A soldier spoke in prayer meeting tonight. He spoke very nice about "Now is the accepted time".
26. It rained this morning and snowed this afternoon, it was so bad that I did not go to prayer meeting tonight. I had an awful attack of toothache tonight. I worked out a number of propositions in geometry tonight.
March 2. It was very fine today. Min and I went to represent the seasiders at the Baptist Church tonight. We went to our prayer meeting afterwards. Alice Cameron sang a solo in Sunday School today, it was fine, "Jesus Lover of My Soul". She sang in the choir gallery today.
7 I got a Prang's M pencil at Halls.
10. As Miss Clark was away today on account of the death of her niece, we did not have any physical execise but they sang the chorus that they are going to sing at the entertainment.
12. It was very slushy today. The streets were hard to walk on. "A" class got the most of their marks today. We have not got any yet. We signed a petition for a half- holiday today to go and see the House open tomorrow.
13. We had a half-holiday this afternoon to go and see the house open. Well, we went and it was very nice.
14. We were down to the House a little while after school but there was nothing going on.
15. It rained all day today. I sent and got two sheets of drawing paper by Janet and made a square prism and a square pyramid for Mr. Britain. I had a queer time making them . I studied some Canadian History today. Miss Simpson, Janet and Mina were to the Opera tonight. .
18. We were all down to the House this evening. They had quite a debate about the stumpage question.
20. I had to teach a lesson about "Breathing and the Bellows" this morning.
28. I joined the church tonight. There was fifteen joined I think. Miss McKee and I were baptized.
29. I drew some today and did some bookkeeping.
.April 4. Janet and I went down the river and got some pussy willows this morning . I studied some of Miss Clark"s Domestic Economy today.
6. It was very fine today. I was at Kirk this morning and at. S.S. Mr Russel went to S.S. with me. We went for a walk with him afterwards. I went to the Methodist Church with Annie tonight. They had a great lot of flowers there and the singing, Oh my.
7. It was very fine today. There was a great crowd in at the opening this morning. We were down to the House this afternoon.
8. There was a crowd in at the opening again this morning We were down at the House again this afternoon. Mr. Hibbard introduced a Bill to allow the trustees of the Baptist church at St. George to sell some lands belonging to them.
12. Very fine as usual today. We went up and sat for our pictures today. Mr. Douglas came down and took us to the oyster saloon and then went and got us a treat. We had a fine time. The oysters were very nice and we had candy maple sugar and oranges.
15. Janet and I were down to the House with Mrs. Rosborough tonight. We had a treat of maple sugar tonight. It was fine. There was quite a gale of wind last night and all day. The water in the river has begun to rise.
18. I got a tooth out this morning. .
19. Sadie and I went up and got the pictures this afternoon. I fell in the river tonight. I lost my mitten. I had a pickle on Regent St,. tonight.
21. It was very fine today. We finished our teaching today. We had bookkeeping today; did not have so much fun as we had last time. We began Decorative drawing today.
22. It was very fine today. Mr Russel was down tonight and Mr. Douglas brought us a pineapple and some oranges I would like to see him come every night.
23. The House proroqued today.
24. We drew a unit of design in a square today. Mr Cadwallader informed us today that we were to have another exam in music on next Thursday.
25. I had to recite "The Parting of Marmion and Douglas" from the platform in the Hall today. It was deadful.
26. The Florenceville came up this morning. I made new sleeves for my dress today. I sewed all of the afternoon. Ella went for a fine drive with Mr. Gaunce this afternoon. The David Weston came up this evening.
27. I woke up this morning to find the ground covered with snow. Oh what a surprise. It rained and snowed all day. The walking was very bad. I was out to church and S.S. Bessie Palmer and Mable McKeen came over and talked to me before S.S.. I was very sick in church tonight. Sadie had to leave S.S. today. Mame was to our church tonight.
28. The "David Weston" could not go down on account of so much ice in the river.
29. I had a letter from father this morning. Fred went away on Monday. They must miss him very much. I got a new pair of boots tonight. Mina and I took some collars and cuffs to the Laundry tonight. We thought that the boat was coming up tonight but it did not. I got some pumice stone tonight at Hunts. I had a house cleaning time in my trunk tonight and put some of my books in it.
30. We had Mathematics again today. Poor Georgia got another check. Edith Porter played the organ this morning. Ella and I were at prayer meeting tonight.
May 1. The first thing I heard this morning was that Mr. Mullin's horse ran away last night. The boat just came up - rather wet for passengers, if any, I should imagine
2. I heard this morning that the David Weston is the only boat out of the docks yet. We did not have our expected exam today, neither did we have the entertainment because the committee asked to have it deferred. Miss McLeod brought a class of 9 up today and gave a lesson on colour, it was fine. Mr. Britain this afternoon, Oh Horrors. We went for a walk after school over the bridge - then all of the girls except Janet, Mina, Min. and I went to prayer meeting. I got my tracing paper tonight. Those who got theirs at Mr. Halls got cheated out of 6 cts
3. I got up at 5:30 and called the girls at 8 o'clock; we started for mayflowers, we got there and found some buds. Some of the girls got discouraged and came back but Minnie, Janet and I pushed on. We three did not get back until 12:30. We were very tired and very hungry. We had a fine time and got lots of pussy willows. I got my cuffs and collars and a box of hair pins today.
5. Janet and I went to a temperance lecture with the Misses McNally. We had a nice time with Mr. Gaunce. There was an entertainment in the City Hall tonight. Mr. Shenton and Dr. McLeod spoke at the lecture. Mr. Frieze was chairman. Mr. Crawley is ill and I do not know where Mr. Mowat was.
6. Mr. Douglas was over after school and again after tea. He brought us oranges, figs, bananas, candy and maple sugar. We had a fine time. I had a fine letter from Delia at noon. Fred has gone to sea with Will.
.9. We had our exam on three papers today. Miss Clark has diptheria and was unable to send her paper. It is Mame's birthday. Mina gave her a birthday book and Annie Edmonds gave her a diary and a doll. I was at Baptist prayer meeting with Sadie tonight. It was very nice.
.11. It was quite fine this morning but quite cold this aftenoon. The band played down to church this morning. Mr. Mowat preached a pick up sermon this morning. He did not bring his prepared one because he thought that there could be no fire. Miss Cockurn was to church this morning and with Annie tonight. Church was out before dark tonight.
13. It was fine this morning but rained tonight. The boat came up tonight. I was out to Maryland hill with Miss Bell tonight. I got some dogtooth violets and found a white violet. Mr. Creed gave us a lesson on reading from our Music books today. .
22. Yesterday morning, Mr Mullin explained all about the Canadian flag to us. it was fine. It is going to be hoisted on N.S. on the 24th.
. It was very fine today. We had physical exercises again this morning.
24. It was very fine today. I went to the picnic at 10 o'clock. The students were singing "God Save the Queen" when we passed the N.S.
27. I had to practice Domestic Ecomony. I crammed composition and Natural Science tonight.
June 2. It was fine today. Janet stayed home from school. It is her birthday, she is 17. She got a pink and a blue cloth to make a blouse today. Mame and I made out our trial balance together in my room tonight and studied Domestic Ecomony. Oh, but it was fun.
6. It was quite a fine day but it looked like rain. Miss Jackson came at noon. We had the public exam today. Oh, it was lovely. First Mr. Mullin read the parable of the sower, then we sang the opening hymn as usual. Then "O Rest in the Lord", Glorious Appollo", and "The Wreath". Address by Principal, then Questions on Prof. Inst. and Method. "Hail smiling morn", Nat. Science, Grade one, Jenny Cadwallader. Governor arrived "God Save the Queen". Geometry Grade seven. Mr. Henderson , Essay. Life and works of Comminius. Miss Moore. Quartette. "Come when the Lilies Bloom". Mr A. Lawson. Mr White, Miss Galt, Miss Kirk, Essay, Life and work of Pestalozzi. Miss Payson, Education in N.B. Mr A. Lawson. Governor awarded medals. Senior Miss Moore. Junior, Miss Edgar. Court Scene . Merchant of Venice. Chorus, "I waited for the Lord".. Phys Ex - Civics. song "My Own Canadian Home" Double Quartette. Afternoon, Chorus, Carnival. Chemical experiment. Drawing, Modelling. Address by His Honor. They fired a salute in his honor and also for the Attorney General and they gave three cheers for the Lieut. Governor. Violin and piano. Prof and Edie Porter. Reading "Young Lochinvar". The Well of St, Keyne" "Plod by Sadie. Miss Burns. The art of Bookkeeping, Mr Henderson. --- Mr Mahoney.
VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. Miss Helen L. Galt. When the crowd left, Mr. Perry started " Auld lang syne". Oh it was lovely, we sang two verses. Then they gave Three cheers for the faculty or rather we all did and at the last Hurrah, the boys fired another salute.
7. It was wet today. I went up to the office this morning and got a letter from father. I packed the most of my trunk today. Janet and I were house cleaning. They had a fine hurdy gurdy on the street tonight.
9. I got two pens and a quire of foolscap out of my lucky quarter. I got them for fiftenn cents.
10. It was quite fine today. We were examined on Sch. System, Teaching and School Management, Geography and Arithmetic today..
11. It was quite fine today. We were examined on Drawing, British History, Canadian history, English Literature, Composition, Grammar and analysis today. The band played tonight. Had to get ready for Domestic Economy tomorrow.
12 We had exams today on Dom. Econ., Nat. History, Chemistry and Agriculture, Physics, Bookkeeping and ------. We filled in our memo and got our temporary third class license
13. It was not very fine today. We got away a little after 8. I felt too bad to cry until Mame left and then I cried indeed. There was a great crowd down to see us off. We had a great time singing after Mame left. We got in St.John a little after 4.
14. It was not very fine today. Hazen came down to the ferry boat with me. Miss Cross came down on the train. Edie O'Brien and Mr. Johnston were out to the station. I met Father and Delia when I was coming in. I was in to Ella's for a short time. We came down in a boat, got down about 1 o'clock. Aunt Jane and Uncle Pete were up to tea and also Maud. I milked two cows tonight washed dishes and made a pie.
I have copied parts from the diary to show what the students were studying in those days. The church meant a lot to the girls at the boarding house. I have also shown what they were reading and the music that they were listening to then. What the weather was like and the foods that were such treats for them in those bygone days. In general, I hope that it has been a glimpse into what her life was like at that time and I think that she would be a typical student at normal school in 1890.