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South Shore Genealogical Society
These excerpts from the diary of James McConnell are used with the permission of Carol Taggart. According to Muriel Davidson, whose homepage is Down Home, "in 1972 Col. R. F. Kirkpatrick published an abbreviated version of this diary in three episodes in the local paper under the heading: Queen’s County Historical Society”. This diary may also be read on Muriel's site - she includes a number of interesting notes (from Carol's original postings) at the end which are not included here.
Carol Taggart's notes:
James McConnell was born in Weymouth, Digby County, Nova Scotia in 1814 and died in Elgin County, Ontario May 13, 1904. In 1847 he married Jerusha P. Park/e/s who was born April 13, 1823 in Petite Riviere, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia.
James McConnell kept this diary on a return trip to Nova Scotia in 1870. The diary was kept in a tiny black leather book, and in pencil. According to the granddaughter who transcribed this diary, [Mrs. Howard [Betty] Cook of Salt Lake City, Utah] the writing was smeared from the pages sticking together, but with a magnifying glass she finally deciphered what she felt was a fairly accurate transcription.
If any of the names and places/things are not explained and anyone has comments which might help, please make them. I would appreciate explanations.Please email tagg@sprint.ca.
I have left the spelling and grammar as I found it. Where words were too blurred to read, a short dash and three dots have been inserted as well as a [?].
Carol's notes are in italicized brackets and/or indicated by CET.
Return to Petite Riviere: 1870
[Mon] Left home Aug. 29 enroute for Boston- pleasant ride to Ingersoll which we reached at 11 o'clock- took the train at 1.15 for the S.B. [South Border?] and arrived at 6.40 St. Catherine 4.35
Crossed the bridge at half past five-got tickets for Boston for $24.50 left at 6 o'clock. Lockport 6 ˝, next station Nadina the car we were in lost a wheel.
[Tues] Aug.30 Arrived in Boston at 4 o'clock took steamer for Yarmouth at 6 o'clock- very fine time- fine day very calm. Saw a good many sharks- ran steady all day made 1 ˝ miles an hour- about 4 o'clock saw a whale.
[Wed] Aug. 31 at sea. Yarmouth has 133 Barks 66 ships and brigs and brigantines- enough to average 12 tons each to the population.
[Thurs] Sep 1, Arrived in Yarmouth Thursday morning half past two left at eight for Liverpool - saw some fine buildings in Yarmouth- took dinner at Argile [Argyle] -very good dinner. Saw some fine ships building one of 1200 tons. Passed through Pubnico, Gunning Cove and Barrington- saw nothing to admire, but much to wonder at- arrived in Shelburne at eight o'clock took supper at the hotel-tamarinds and biscuits.
[Fri] Sep 2: Left Shelburne half past three, over Jordan. Could say of a truth Jordan is a hard road to travel- large sawmill- went on to Sable River. Stopped for breakfast partook very freely of herring and potatoes. Saw the new ships on building on the road from Yarmouth to Liverpool. Arrived in Liverpool half past one- went to Mr. Melvins and got dinner. Visited Mrs. McLeod and went out in town with Mr. S. Seldon. Went to see Mrs. Vener and Mr. Freeman on the street-to Ma's surprise. Liverpool nothing to boast of- found people very glad to meet us. Mrs. McLeod treated us to black whortleberries. Liverpool has some very splendid churches. Took tea at Mrs. McLeod's just plain tea. Staid with them all night.
[Sat] Sep 3: Went with Mr. McLeod around town- went to see the new bridge- very good for Nova Scotia- visited the Baptist Church splendid building, cost $3800- took dinner with Mr Melvin- saw novel things- oxen yoked by the horns and hitched to carts single. Some considerable business done in Liverpool but think it a hard place. Met Mr Spencer Cahoon- took passage with him to Port Medway- arrived about five o'clock- got tea with Mrs [Wm Dunlop] Park- found everything in ample order. A great storm of wind in the night, very much alarmed for safety of seamen.
[Sun] Sep 4: Went to prayer meeting at Free Baptist very few in attendance- at 5 visited the shipyard, one ship building of 600 tons, mostly spruce- heard of Mr Davraux's vessel being drove ashore and two men drowned, one of them his only son- went across the harbour to see some effects of hurricane- 4 vessels ashore, a new church in building blown off foundations- walked to Thomas Vogler's two miles and went and got some gum- mister [Dimock] Gaskills goos laid 34 eggs and hatched 31 goslings.
[Tues] Sep 6: Sitting on rock at Fred Wolfs, looking on wonders of nature the tide the rocks and cows eating eel grass.
[Wed] Sep 7: fine morning went down the harbour dug clams catched lobsters got 13- rowed all the way back- had tongues and sound for dinner boiled lobsters and had a blowout.
[Thurs] Sep 8: after breakfast went across harbour in a sailboat, had a beautiful time, fair wind blowed a good stiff breeze- went to Free Baptist Church meeting to communion at 10 o'clock- past 10 and no one here but the minister- begin to come in - first tune Psalter then Scriptures- read evening service preaching by Dorset text 45 Psalm 12- very fine morning- took walk attended the meeting heard the different subject discussed with interest.
[Sat] Sep 10 Fine morning- Robert Waterman came last night looks better than I expected to see- conference meeting in the afternoon very good much like home- evening did not go.
[Sun] Sep 11 went to meeting much disappointed in the preaching not near as good as expected to find. At 23 went down to Mr Bill Cohoon [?] - found things snug but very ancient looking- the old gentleman the most ancient looking I ever saw.
[Tues] Sep 13: Went to Mr William Park and got dinner- in the afternoon went to Mrs. [Joseph] Atkins- took tea then went to meeting and heard Mr Parker preach.
[Wed] Sep 14: beautiful day- went around town in the forenoon - went to Mr. Eldred Cahoons in the afternoon and took tea- had a beautiful visit in the evening.
[Thurs] Sep 15 Another lovely day- went across the harbour after breakfast- eight woman and two men in a small boat. Saw several seal close by wished for a gun. Got ashore all safe and am now sitting on a large rock writing and my mind turned to home. Spent day quite pleasantly, in the evening went over to Mr John Parks at Voglers Cove.
[Frid] Forgot my valise and am now Friday morning Sep 16th waiting at Ben Cahoon's for them to get up so I can get it- looks like rain, wind NE- cleared off very fine- went down to Mr Parks and took breakfast- Mr Fred Voglers to dinner. Heard there that Mr. W. Park has got home so concluded to go back.
[NOTE: This must be Mr. William Dunlop Park at Port Meday.CET]
[Sat] Sep 17th went back across the harbor to Mr Parks. Met Captain Mortimer. Showed around his grounds and through his home- fine place and well fitted up- came into dinner- splendid dinner nice beefstake- in afternoon visited the graveyard- saw some very old gravestones as old as 1783 an very old people as old as 93 years and a great many nearly that.
[Sun] Sep 18: Rained heavy all day.spent all day in the house- Mr [Eldred] Cahoon came in the evening went to Mr. Spencer Cahoon's - the wind blew a hurricane all night.
[Mon] 19 - the wind still blowing from North- went with Mr [Joseph] Parks down to his farm, and to Mr. Stephen Smith's came home for dinner, soup for dinner- went in the afternoon and caught some ,,,? Had them fried for tea- most delightful- some cold in my lungs.
[Tues] Sep 20- Rigged out a lobster net and am now engaged catching lobsters- while I am writing the bell is tolling for a marriage- I am sorry I did not go- fine day, wind is blowing from the North but sun shines brightly. Had no gun- arrived at Mr Vogler's about half past nine- have decided to stay for dinner- after dinner sitting on a rock- in the evening took some friends to call and spend the evening.
[Sat] Sep 24: Beautiful morning- high waters and as calm and beautiful a day as ever delighted the eyes and charmed the heart- after breakfast went in the mail wagon for Petite Riviere- arrived at Broad Cove at ten o'clock- went to see some of Jerusha's old friends- found them so very glad to see us- Mrs Teil [?] treated us to cake and wine- then went to Petite Riviere where we arrived about noon- found the friends at Reuben Hackmans very glad to see us- got dinner and then visited the graveyard Saw the graves of the Mannings and Drews many of which the stones had fallen- then went round to visit Jerusha's old friends and her old home which seemed to upset her very much especially Uncle William- found him in a very miserable state and place- I was much moved to hear of the particulars of Dr. Vope or Pope ? who under the influence of liquor had taken too much morphine and died very suddenly- left a nice wife and splendid place- came and took tea with Mrs Drew, widow of Mr William [Park] Drew. After tea came to Mr Hackmans- was introduced to two gentlemen: Dr. Jacobs and Mr .[?].. agent for Star Life Insurance- very clever gentlemen.
[Sun] Sep 25 Beautiful day- went to Methodist Church- good congregation- back to Mr Hackmans for dinner. After dinner went to the Chapel and Mr.[?]..felt very sad to see as I thought their weak worship- after church we went to A. Hackmans and had a very warm reception.
[Mon] 26- Beautiful day took dinner with Mr..[?] Daughter- went after dinner- got some clams- enjoyed the splurge first rate. Went in the afternoon and visited Mr William Drew who married Mrs Dorkins? - went in the evening to see Mr Leviticus Drew first mate :Swan"- went back to Mrs. C's and staid all evening.
[Tues] 27 Fine again- after breakfast went on the breakwater harbour with .[?] Had a great .[?] Got sea shells- took dinner at Nisbits- after dinner bad friends adieu - moved at bidding some of the farewell especially Wilson- went then to Old Mr. Hackmans for tea- nice visit- called on Mr ..[?] on the way- came back and went to Mrs. Wolfs and spent the evening- met a great many friends - had a very sorrowful parting as we were to leave the place next day- went with Mr. Reuben Hackmans and staid all night.
[Wed] 28 fine again as usual- after breakfast bid adieu to Petite Riviere- Mr Hackman and wife took us to Voglers Cove. Stopped at Broad Cove and took dinner with Mr Clark. Very clever people- lent me a rifle to shoot seals- came to Mr Voglers after tea went to Mr. John Parks, Mr Fred Vogler came in and staid the evening.
[Thurs?] Mon Sep 29: - lovely day as usual- after breakfast borrowed a boat and went down among the islands to look for seals. Saw some playing and after waiting until I was tired for a better shot I fires at one- the ball went beyond and I am now sitting on the island writing- am invited to Fred Voglers to dinner and the time is up so I must leave the seal until some other time- almost high water- went to dinner- after dinner went again after seals- had another shot at them thought I struck him however didn't get him- went to Mr. Voglers to tea- could not get over the harbor till morning
[Sat] October 1- Rained all day the forenoon after dinner went and caught some cunners- spent the evening and took tea had a beautiful tea five kinds of cake. Sunday 2nd- went to prayer meeting at the Baptist in afternoon went to hear Mr Hart the Weslyan [his spelling] minister- went to tea at Atwood Cahoons, and in the evening to hear Mr Sullivan- Free Baptist minister.
[Mon] 3d- rather lowering but quite warm- had nothing strange to note- went to Mr [Spencer] Cahoons for tea- spent a pleasant eveing rained so staid all night.
[Tues] 4th still raining got letters from home last night- went after dinner to fish house where they were packing mackeral fish not near as good as I expected to find- 3 o'clock still raining.
[Wed] 5th- wrote home this morning nice mild day- went over to the Cove to Hannah Dollivers. Mr Park set us over. Mrs [Joseph] Atkins, Spencer and Stephen Cahoons wives got there about one o'clock- had goose for dinner, splendid pudding- now looking over the cove a beautiful sightly place [East Port Medway]
[Thurs] Oct 6: Cloudy and quite cold wind N - breakfast over- boiled mackeral and whortleberries. I went over the cove and walked to town [Port Medway]. Went to John Morin for dinner- splendid dinner spent the day there- had quite a company in the evening which we enjoyed very much.
[Frid] Oct 7: Nice day but a little cold- went to catch lobsters- Mr Crowell, Mr [Jospeh] Letson and Mrs [Joseph] Atkins wanted to go to other side of harbour so I went to help row- got back about noon- after dinner got Mr Eldred Cahoons horse and started for Bridgewater distance 13 miles- very pleasant ride- seen some good places for Nova Scotia on the whole rather hard country- arrived about 8'oclock found Mrs Faden [Fader?] seemed very glad to see us- went to the hotel and put out the horse and came back and got tea and stayed all night. The town was much disturbed by a Shivaree party in which most of the front windows were smashed- the people of the town thought [it] strange that the man had not shot some of them.
Bridgewater is situated on the LaHave River 18 miles from the mouth- it is a rather smart place- some very good mills and some other machinery such as planning mills and a factory for distilling Hemlock bark- I made some acquaintances- found a son of Jane Mannings glad to meet him found him to be a Baptist- left Bridgewater at ten o'clock and came to Petite Riviere a very pleasant drive. Stopped on the road and gathered spruce gum- arrived at Mr Park's at 7 o'clock- found all well and glad to see us.
[Sun] 16: went to meeting in the morning [Methodist] after meeting went home with William Drew Esq. To dinner- after dinner went to Sabbath school class meeting- then went to Amos Spery to tea- everything nice- in the evening went to preaching again- after meeting went home with Mr Park.
[Mon] 17: fine as usual- left our friends at Petite Riviere-and came to Port Medway- took dinner to E. Voglers then drove to Mills Village and took tea whim Mr. M. [?] arrived Port Medway half past seven.
[Tues] 18th fine as usual- went over the river to Elizha Cahoons- rowed a boat alone- had a pleasant time- came back in the evening- rowed one oar all the way over- 6 in the boat- another boat in company with 7 in
[Wed] 19th looks like rain- wind- went to Uncle Bill Cahoons - rained so we staid all night
[Thurs] 20th morning still raining- walked home before breakfast went catching lobsters- went to Eldred Cohoons to dinner- boiled and caned lobsters in the afternoon- met in a party at Eldred Cohoons and spent the evening very pleasantly
[Fri] 21st morning- fine- went over the bay to Stephen Parks- two boat loads- had a very pleasant time- hunting partridge and spruce gum- took lots of molasses and made candy- came back after dark.
Saturday morning October 15th [22?] - one of the lovelies days I every saw- stayed around town all day- packed up a bag of things for home to send in the vessel to Boston
[Sun] 23d very fine day- went to hear Mr Crowell preach- in the afternoon went to hear Mr Hart Methodist very good service- in the evening went to hear Mr Crowell- Mrs Park sick all day.
[Mon] 24th Mrs Park still sick- looks like rain- got a willow chair and spent the forenoon in covering and fitting for taking home- went in the afternoon to see Aunt Patty Foster in company with Mrs. Spencer Cohoon, Mrs. Letson, Mrs Atkins and some others. Went in the evening to the school meeting- much amused in the way they did their business.
[Tues] 25th- raining and now at John Cahoons where we have taken dinner and we are going to William D Parks to spend the afternoon- the afternoon and evening ws spent very pleasantly- the evening was windy and very rough so we stayed all night.
Wednesday 17th [26th?] still windy and quite cold- went after breakfast went in the woods in search of gum- got very little- went to Mr Aseph Morines to dinner- in the afternoon went to Martha Jane Dollivers to tea- coming down after met some girls which told us of the loss of the bark Medway- desperate shock- such a time I never saw.
[Thurs] 27th rained all the day- took tea and spent the evening at Mrs Kirks
[Fri] 28th overcast all day- took tea with Mrs Hathorne
Saturday 22 [29th?] October beautiful morning- expected to start for home but gave it up- went over to Voglers Cove and spent the day
[Sun] 30th morning- Beautiful day- no preaching in the place so went to prayer meeting at the Baptist Church- very dull- in the afternoon went to see old Mr. D. Morine who lost his son in the barqe Medway- nice looking old people- in the evening went to prayer meeting at the Free Baptist- quite a good meeting.
[Mon] 31st- Beautiful morning- took dinner with Mrs [Joseph] Atkins and then went over the river with Mrs Atkins, her son [LeBaron] and Letson's son [Edgar E.] in the boat- went around calling in the evening- staid all night at Wm. Parks.
[Tues] Nov 1st morning the day has come to leave the country never to return. Called to see poor Mrs Edward Cahoon [widow of the Captain of the Barque Medway] she feels sorely afflicted. Left all the friends and the place at half past nine for Liverpool. Arrived about half past eleven. Went to Mr Sellons- hitched up his horse and drove to Milton about three miles - called on some friends- visited the sawmills and returned before dark. Mr and Mrs Freeman and one of their daughters and the Snadden daughters spent the evening with us at Mr Snaddens very pleasantly.
[Wed] Nov 2nd Morning- took the stage at 7 o'clock for Brookfield. After passing Milton we passed through 12 miles of wilderness- changed horses at the twelve mile [Simeon Waterman's house]. Arrived in Brookfield at half past twelve- saw some teamsters on the road that had been out all night- saw them eating lunch by a toll gate- they take their horses about 30 miles poor fellows. Brookfield is on one bank of the Port Medway River and mill privileges, but no mills worth a cent. Took dinner at Augustus Shaw's and James Cameron came in after dinner - we
[THERE IS A PAGE MISSING HERE - CET]
".at one o'clock called for dinner- the lady is now engaged in getting dinner the place consists of about 4 houses and one sawmill situated in a cosy little hollow beside a beautiful lake- the hotel seems quite Acadian and we will soon know what the dinner will be- the dinner over and as good as you would get in Canada- after dinner went on to Bear River- rough road arrived at Mr Whitmas about 7 o'clock- got super staid all night and in the morning hired a rig to drive us to the Bear River Bridge- went to Mr Andew Harises to dinner then to Henry Chutes but he was away so we spent the evening with the family- went home again with Mrs Haris- staid all night.
[Fri] [Nov 4th]- raining so we can't get away- very uneasy- want to be going but rained all day so we are still at Mr. Harises- expect to leave to-morrow.
[Sat] 5th - hired a rig for $4 to drive us to Sissiboo, started about 9 o'clock- passed on till we got to St. Marys Bay- knew many of the places but very much altered- got to James Mullins about one o'clock pulled up and sent the rig back- after dinner went to the old farm of Uncle Bens and Lijes and father's old farm- so changed I could no find one thing that looked natural however recognized the make of the land- went back with Mr Mullen and found his son had got home from England- nice looking man- in the evening Mr Delap and wife came- very glad to see us spent the evening very pleasantly.
[Sun] 6th- fine day - after breakfast went again to visit the old farm- I never can tell the sensations of that hour- went all the way to the bay shore and the duck pond- met George Yeo and know him- went with Mr Mullen to hear Mr Randle preach-pretty dry- Mr Kinney came for us- went with him and staid the night.
[Mon] 7th- in the morning went and took breakfast with Gertrude [Jenkins] then went to see Jane Grenough and her mother- Mr Kinney took us to Sissiboo- the old borough looked natural.- Met Sterns Jones on the church hill and knew him- went on to the shipyard met a great many friends among them Mr Colin Campbell- very clever- in the afternoon went with William to the post office- called at Charles Jones found him shaking with the palsy but very glad to see me- in the evening went to Daniel Hankinsons and staid all night
[Tues] 8- Daniel took me to the Tusket- passed through a very hard country- got to Charlton Sabeans about 11 had a good dinner staid until 3 o'clock then started for home- had a pleasant visit found all very agreeable- got to Daniels about.[?]..then went to see Peggy Grant.
[Nov 9] Staid to Daniels all night - went in the morning to see Aunt Sally John found the old Lady pretty well- came back to Williams and staid all night- met a good many in the evening.
[10th] Thursday [?] morning had clams for breakfast- went to John Hankinsons to dinner - had a fine dinner - good clam chowder and everything. Staid there all night- Called in the evening to see Harvey Grant- went back to Johns and staid all night.
[Nov 11] Went Friday to G. Deans and Henry Everdun...[?]
Left Digby 6 o'clock beautiful time over the bay- arrived about ten now we fly along over a barren county- Gaspero station- saw elms for the first -we are now at a station and the passengers are looking at a saw mill- logs and lumber- another station- half past 3 passed over a shallow lake where .of sawlogs and a good mill -passed on and got to St Stephens about 6 o'clock- St Stephens is situated on the St. Croix river- a smart little place- 4800 inhabitants- there the cars stopped and we took coach over the river- about a Mile to Calais in the state of Maine a still smarter place of 6000 inhabitants- here we took lodgings at H.E. for a day.
[Wed] Nov 16 morning 16 have just been out viewing the town. Some smart buildings- visited the mills on the river- 20 gangs of saw and shingle mills and lath mills- now most 1 o'clock and the carriage at 1.30 from St Johns to Calais 15 miles from Calais to Princeton 27 miles from Princeton to Lincoln 57 miles.
[Thurs] 17th morning now at Topshill waiting for daylight- Come to .[?] 7 o'clock- good supper and a night's rest and .[?]
[Fri] Nov 18th morning left for Bangor 4 ˝ miles from Bangor to Danville- Danville to Portland- Portland to Lynn- arrived in Lynn 6 o'clock found Mr Allen
Note at end-----Danville 3 miles from St Johns. Buy a through ticket via Calais for Boston- Princeton by stage to Lincoln- Lincoln to Banngor by E&NA RR Bancroft Maine Central to Danville Junction. Change cars for Portland to Boston Eastern Road..