The Diary of David Ross - Excerpts -

136.8

April 10 - Good Friday. Gale of W wind yesterday - roof of Byre [Scottish spelling for barn] moving up and down like the waves of the sea — today proposed to nail but put in mind by sister that no man would drive a nail on Good Friday — did not do it - but sprung up a board from barn floor that was in the way and drove a nail out of it — a fine tenpenny one- no harm in this I hope.

1811

May 1 — Sister continued daily to get worse — her complaint dropsey and ashma - till 28th April when she died and was buried in [Blair-in-Athol] Churchyard at the top of my farm this day, May Day.

Qctober 12 £4 13 — Thursday night & Friday morning gale of wind demolished my barn. Got a number of

my neighbors together who put up frame & rafters.

1.812

March 1 Z - See over 100 sleighs on ice only returning home being stormsted [sic] in Town on Friday (15th) — no road down to us from main road — got horses & cows to water with much difficulty - 3 days without water.

1.812

August 14 - Visit of Gov. Gener’l Marqs. of Lorne and his Lady Princess Louise - part of the Fleet (Adml. Inglesfield). The Bellaphan, Griffin and Tourmaline — Yacht Druid, the latter with Lorne steamed up the harbour. Took up stations and about 1 or 2 o’clock landed. Guard of Honor, our Artily. & other Companies, Royal Salute, man yards & ....... Procession throughout Town, thru triumphant arches everywhere. Received address. Next day Highland Games attended by Lorne & his Princess. Grand Review of Naval Bregade [sic]. Grand Illumination with fireworks at night — procession of fire brigade.

D. Stewart sent down his brother Albert to plough for the first time. (No ploughing last fall). Down came Geo. Stewart also with plough to assist Albert.

Introduction by Nelda Murray ‘ Excerpt selection by Velma Carmody-MacDonald

NOTE: David Ross was born 1 February 1802 and died 11 March 1889. One sister, Elizabeth, was born 2 August 1796, died 28 April 1871. The other sister, Annie, was born 27 January 1800, died 14 March 1889. All are buried in the Community Cemetery, Marshfield.

Courtesy of June Boswall

Home of Henry ’Ihenter, ca. 1960. This is probably the house that David Ross tells of building in 1846. The photo depicts a typical layout of buildings and orchard of the past.

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