Peter O'Reilly Diaries
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Peter O’Reilly (b. 27 March 1827; d. 3 September 1905) was a prominent settler and official in British Columbia who held a variety of government positions, most notably as the head of the Indian Reserve Commission struck to revise and allocate reserves throughout the province. O’Reilly’s personal diaries from 1858 to 1905 were transcribed by volunteers from the Vancouver Island Local History Society (VILHS) which operated Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens in Victoria from 2019 to 2023. Point Ellice House was home to the O'Reilly family from 1867 to 1975. These transcriptions are for informational purposes only and researchers are advised to consult the original documents housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, found in the O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894).
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Item Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1900(1900) O'Reilly, Peter; Vancouver Island Local History SocietyDIARY SUMMARY JANUARY Following the death of Caroline O’Reilly in late December 1899, Peter, Kathleen “Kit”, and Frank O’Reilly travel to London, then go to Willett House in Somerset, the retirement home of Joseph Trutch – Peter suffers from a cold and receives frequent visits from Dr Ardagh – rabbit hunting and going for drives fill the time for Frank and Kit. FEBRUARY Peter notes leaving Ireland for British Columbia 41 years ago – Jack O’Reilly is authorized to sell Fairfield on behalf of Joseph Trutch for $80,000 – Albion Iron Works pays out a 10% dividend to Peter O’Reilly, Joseph & John Trutch. MARCH Peter, Frank, & Kit remain at Willett House two more weeks – return to London and shopping – Kit contracts measles and moves to a nursing home – Peter meets with Robert Ward, Robert Jackson, Frank Garforth, Maitland Pye-Smith, as well as Edward Sanders and John White with whom Peter had worked in the 1860s – Frank returns to Nelson, BC. APRIL Kit recovers from measles in London – Peter contracts a cold – returns to Willett House - Kit catches a cold, then Peter catches another cold - Josephine Pinder goes fox hunting – Peter experiences pain in his back, arms, and legs. MAY Peter receives a visit from Charles Good – Peter and Kit depart for London where Peter received medical advice to take the baths at Aix-les Bains, France – receives two years of pension backpay – shopping, lunches, and visits with Robert Falcon Scott, Henry Scudamore-Stanhope, the Ward brothers, Robert Jackson, and others - travel to Folkestone and Cheriton cemetery to plan the monument for Caroline O’Reilly’s grave. JUNE Peter, Kit, Admiral Hare and wife Carry Hare vacation in Aix-les-Bains – Peter follows a routine of baths, relaxation and sightseeing as he did when he visited there in 1888. JULY The Hares return to England and Peter and Kit continue to meet other guests lodging at Aix – Peter follows Dr Rendall’s routine of taking baths every day for two weeks – Peter and Kit meet with the Paynes from BC – departure for Switzerland. AUGUST Arrival in Paris accompanied by the Payne family, then back to Folkestone where they find that the grave monument is unfinished – on to London, shopping, and preparation for a trip to Portsmouth where they meet Sir Michael and Lady Culme-Seymour at Admiralty House – various dinners with multiple admirals and officers – Peter and Kit see Queen Victoria’s royal yacht and carriage and have their photo taken with Sir Culme-Seymour. SEPTEMBER A trip to Winchester and Bournemouth and a visit with the Davy family – return to London, use of the underground railway, “Tube – wonderful, and comfortable”, and shopping – back to Folkestone, the Carry O’Reilly grave monument is partially finished – shipment of purchased goods to Victoria arranged – return to Willett House. OCTOBER Bird hunting, croquet, and fox hunting with hounds at Willett House - visit with Joseph Trutch, Josephine Pinder, the Hares, Emily White, Baroness (Lady) Macdonald of Earnscliffe, and John and Charlotte Trutch. NOVEMBER Return to Folkestone and Cheriton to view and photograph the completed grave monument for Caroline O’Reilly – one week at Copgrove to visit Capt Bridgeman – visit with Sir Michael and Lady Culme-Seymour at Wadenhoe – return to London to arrange passage to New York. DECEMBER Shopping and preparation for return to Victoria – Peter is photographed - many friends and family visit before the departure – stormy seas create a rough voyage – one year anniversary of Caroline’s death, “How vividly the harrowing scene is before me” - Peter and Kit meet Harold Twigg on board who returns with them to New York.Item Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1901(1901) O'Reilly, Peter; Vancouver Island Local History SocietyDIARY SUMMARY JANUARY Return to Point Ellice “very dreary & sad without our beloved one” – many visitors call on the O’Reilly’s – Canon Beanlands takes legal action against William Ward – death of Queen Victoria. FEBRUARY Memorial services for Queen Victoria held across the city of Victoria – director’s meetings of Albion Iron Works, Victoria Gas Company take place, dividends paid to Peter O’Reilly, Joseph Trutch, John Trutch, and Carry Hare – in England Joseph Trutch has a serious carriage accident. MARCH Frank O’Reilly returns to Point Ellice – contents of Fairfield prepared for auction – Peter O’Reilly arranges Fairfield lease agreement from Joseph Trutch – Kathleen “Kit” O’Reilly suffers from a bad cold – Peter’s will witnessed. APRIL Fairfield auction, everything sold – Trutch books and small items packed for shipment to England – Trutch property near Cook Street considered for sale – new oilcloth, carpets and gates installed at Point Ellice – Albion Iron Works considers purchasing BC Iron Works in Vancouver. MAY Peter O’Reilly purchases more shares in the Esquimalt Water Works Co for himself, and shares for daughter Kit – Canon Beanlands withdraws lawsuit against Christ Church trustees – Violet Ellis has an extended stay at Point Ellice – wood and coal sheds dismantled, new hen house, woodshed, and water closet built, also steps, veranda, and porches painted. JUNE Willy and Annie Pinder in a “deplorable state”, Peter pays eight months of their rent – Mrs Drake in hospital for hernia operation – Jack O’Reilly frequently goes yachting – death of Mrs Bryden, Peter is a pallbearer at funeral – Harold Twigg returns to Point Ellice for a visit, takes law exam – death of Joanna Tyrwhitt-Drake (Mrs Drake), “We have lost a good friend & kind neighbour”. JULY Peter inspects hay harvest at Fairfield and attends the usual director’s meetings – summertime croquet and tennis games – Kit O’Reilly goes to Vancouver to watch croquet – auction of farm animals at Hatley Park – James Leigh’s sawmill near Point Ellice burns down. AUGUST Albion Iron Works shareholders and directors approve purchase of B C Iron Works of Vancouver – half-year gas company dividends paid – horse “Nelly” very ill and requires visits from veterinarian Dr Hamilton – Peter purchases more shares in Esquimalt Water Works for himself and his daughter. SEPTEMBER Lieutenant Governor Joly de Lotbinière at Point Ellice for tea and croquet – kitchen and box room calsomined – field potatoes dug and stored in new “root house” - Albion Iron Works approves the issuance of $140,000 in bonds for improvements – Kit O’Reilly takes the Pinder children to Vancouver to attend Miss Gordon’s school. OCTOBER Peter buys more shares in Esquimalt Water Works - Albion Iron Works considers bidding on the new Point Ellice Bridge construction - Gisburn estate to be leased to Robert “Robin” Dunsmuir with option to purchase – Peter frequently deals with Albion Iron Works business affairs as a director – Jack goes quail hunting on Prevost Island – “Ping Pong” played with friends. NOVEMBER Peter meets with Robert Dunsmuir and architect Samuel Maclure agreeing to alterations to Gisburn – death of Captain Frank Garforth – Albion Iron Works submits $147,500 tender for Point Ellice Bridge – three Chinese employees quit, a new house maid and parlour maid starts. DECEMBER Peter continues to work on Albion Iron Works business matters – Kit and Peter visit Fanny Dodgson and Jane Shaw in hospital – Frank O’Reilly returns for a holiday visit – holly sent to friends – Dr Jones examines Peter’s hand.Item Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1902(1902) O'Reilly, Peter; Vancouver Island Local History SocietyDIARY SUMMARY JANUARY Peter O’Reilly’s hand “very useless”, massage is helpful – Christ Church trustees, including Peter, consider selling lots from church property – Frank O’Reilly returns to his surveying work in the West Kootenay – Jack O’Reilly canvasses for the Conservative candidate Frank Barnard – Kit O’Reilly visits friends and pays bills. FEBRUARY Peter is re-elected as a director of Albion Iron Works, becomes the sole director of the B. C. Corporation – Peter’s leg very painful and his hand numb, remains in bed – possible amalgamation of Albion and Vancouver Iron Works – Kit and Jack attend a Navy League meeting. MARCH “Leg very painful awake all night” – Dr Jones makes daily visits to dress Peter’s leg – Nelly Drake massages Peter’s hand – Albion Iron Works directors meet at Point Ellice due to Peter’s bedridden condition – the neighbouring Drake family are frequent visitors – Fairfield hay taken to Point Ellice. APRIL Peter moves to the sofa and chair after lying in bed for six weeks, “very weak and tried” – “My eye very painful – cant read or write” – Peter hires two Chinese boys to work – potatoes, mangolds and carrots planted in the field – visits with Benjamin Pearse and Sir Henry Crease, both in poor health. MAY Mrs Hickling convalesces at Point Ellice after a hospital stay – Peter visits Benjamin Pearse who remains ill – Peter attends a trustee meeting for Christ Church and the archdeaconry – “Depressing state of business, & finance” at Albion Iron Works – Pearse admitted to Jubilee Hospital. JUNE Kit O’Reilly supports Mrs Pearse during the hospitalization of her husband – Peter buys shares in Esquimalt Water Works for Joseph and John Trutch – death of Benjamin Pearse, Peter is a chief mourner and Jack a pall bearer – visit with Philip Hankin – croquet frequently played. JULY Frequent Albion Iron Works meetings continue – Peter gives money to Herbert Dodgson to pay his bills – Twigg and Mrs Pearse are frequent visitors – Kit calls on friends frequently – fire at Fairfield hayfield – Jack and Kit play croquet and participate in tournaments. AUGUST Regarding Iron Works operations, “Everything unsatisfactory both here & at Vancouver” – coronation church service for King Edward VII – forest fires create smoky skies in Victoria – Jack wins the Vancouver croquet tournament cup – repeated visits by Mrs Pearse – Kit organizes a picnic “up the Arm” (Gorge Waterway). SEPTEMBER Albion Iron Works finances precarious - Annie Pinder “full of complaints” and seeks loans from Peter – Mrs Pearse leaves for England – more smoke-filled skies – Peter’s leg once again “very painful” and he remains in bed for the remainder of the month. OCTOBER Peter ends his two-week bed rest, but his eyes are “very bad” – Kit goes golfing and Jack goes hunting – Mr & Mrs Master stay for six days – Peter attends frequent meetings of Albion Iron Works directors. NOVEMBER Peter consults with real estate advisor Edgar Baker and lawyer Hugh Aikman about selling lots, leasing the fields and house at Fairfield – death of Mrs Frederick Seymour in London – two cooks quit – several Royal Garrison Artillery officers repeatedly call at Point Ellice. DECEMBER Another cook quits, also the house boy - Peter attends Mrs George Walkem’s funeral – three Ellis daughters and the Masters arrive for a visit – Kit sends Point Ellice holly to family and friends – Frank O’Reilly arrives from Nelson – Peter contracts a heavy cold – family, friends, and Royal Garrison Artillery officers gather on New Year’s Eve to celebrate Kit’s 35th birthday.Item Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1903(1903) O'Reilly, Peter; Vancouver Island Local History SocietyDIARY SUMMARY JANUARY Peter starts year with a heavy cold - Frank O’Reilly begins surveying the Trutch estate “Fairfield” for the purpose of subdividing it into building lots – Peter attends directors’ meetings of Albion Iron Works – Edgar Crow Baker proposes a tenant for Fairfield without payment for the orchard. FEBRUARY Kathleen “Kit” O’Reilly and brother Frank play golf at Macaulay Point – annual meeting of Albion Iron Works, dividend declared - Frank attends a mining convention in Nelson, BC. MARCH Peter injures his leg in a fall, remains weak and in pain for three weeks - agreement to sell Gisburn estate for $23,000 – Frank writes diary entries for his father for two weeks - home improvements at Point Ellice proceed including plastering and painting. APRIL Home improvements and repairs continue - vegetable planting commences, and trees are pruned - removal of the Fairfield orchard begins to accommodate the development of the new building lots – wedding of Nelly Drake and Arthur Crease - Frank returns to Nelson. MAY Apple trees cleared from Fairfield – Roland Stuart leaves for England - deaths of Joseph Loewen and long-time friend William Charles, both funerals well attended. JUNE Employee Waite and cook “Duck” quit - death of Mrs Aikman – Kit takes Marjorie Pinder to Portland for school – Jack O’Reilly goes boating on Frank Barnard’s yacht - death of Mrs Beanlands – employee Preston gives notice to quit - Captain Elliott leaves for England - “Drove to Pentrelew to see old Crease, “saw him in his chair in the pouring rain”. JULY Family friend Fanny Dodgson taken to St Josephs Hospital, Kit arranges her nursing care, Peter pays her hospital expenses – directors’ meetings of Albion Iron Works - death of Admiral Richard Hare in England – Jack wins first prize at Edgar Crow Baker’s croquet tournament. AUGUST Peter gets the first of several shivering fits which confine him to bed - Jack wins the Vancouver croquet tournament cup for a second year in a row – Kathleen attends a tennis tournament – Peter congratulates Sir Henry Crease on his 80th birthday - electric lighting added to the Point Ellice cellar. SEPTEMBER Joseph Trutch suffers a stroke at his home in England, reports not encouraging as to his recovery - Peter deals with another severe cold – the Paynes arrive at Point Ellice from Saturna Island. OCTOBER Kathleen supervises Chinese workers in the garden - Kathleen and Peter attend Saanich agricultural show – regarding Joseph Trutch “all hope of Joe’s recovery given up” – Jack attends Vancouver Island Fish and Game Club meeting - Peter visits Fanny Dodgson at St Joseph’s Hospital and continues to pay her medical expenses. NOVEMBER A kennel is built for Jack’s dogs - an inspection of the Fairfield reveals the house and grounds are dilapidated, fences and trees blown down – carrots and mangolds harvested at Point Ellice – extraordinary meeting of Albion Iron Works to authorize borrowing money from the bank. DECEMBER “Got bad attack of chill, shivers, obliged to go to bed.” - “This day four years ago my beloved wife was laid to rest at Cheriton near Folkestone” - Peter and Kathleen distribute holly to friends - “My dear Kits birth day” is celebrated with a small party.Item Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1904(1904) O'Reilly, Peter; Vancouver Island Local History SocietyDIARY SUMMARY JANUARY Peter O’Reilly begins the year with heavy cold – Steamer Clallam sinks in a storm near Victoria, 56 passengers and crew are lost – Frank O’Reilly surveys a laneway at Fairfield, returns to his work in the West Kootenay area – wedding of Harry Pooley and Laura Loewen. FEBRUARY Albion Iron Works shows a “heavy loss” – Clement Cornwall recuperates at Point Ellice after leaving hospital – Peter comes down with another cold – Victoria Gas Co shows another “discouraging” report and reduces dividends. MARCH “Another dear old friend gone”, the death of Peter’s brother-in-law Joseph Trutch in England at age 78 – Peter and Kathleen “Kit” O’Reilly visit the new Point Ellice bridge replacing the previous bridge which partially collapsed in 1896 – Jack O’Reilly goes hunting on Discovery Island – Louisa D Ellis, sister of Thomas Ellis, arrives for a visit. APRIL Louisa D Ellis leaves for Penticton - Kathleen “Kit” and Jack go golfing - Peter is troubled by his leg injured in an 1885 carriage accident, frequently rests in bed – Harold Twigg and Harold Payne are frequently at tea and dinner. MAY Meetings continue regarding the poor financial state of Albion Iron Works, receiver appointed on behalf of the bond holders of Albion - regatta and fireworks on the Gorge for Victoria Day - Jack salvages wood from old Point Ellice bridge - drawing room repainted – Peter visits Major George Dyne and Mrs Sarah Pearse. JUNE Pleasure trips up the Gorge on the boat “Puffer” – Major Dyne treated for appendicitis – death of Fanny Dodgson after an extended illness and hospitalization. JULY Jacks suffers from lumbago – Harold Twigg passes his law exam - Dr Jones operates on Frank’s finger “without the use of Ether” - Peter has another shivering attack – death of lawyer Hugh Aikman, “Another good old timer gone”. AUGUST Esquimalt Water Works dividend declared, operational report not encouraging - a fire at Albion Iron Works causes serious damage, Peter and Kathleen view the destruction – frequent visits with Sarah Pearse - Reverend Barber decides to leave St Saviour’s Church for health reasons despite Peter’s advice to stay - Jack wins the croquet tournament in Vancouver for the third time. SEPTEMBER Peter’s leg “troublesome” – Labour Day parade in Victoria - Peter experiences a “Seedy bad attack of Shivers Violent persperation during the night.” - Kit and Peter attend the agricultural exhibition in Saanich and watch horse races. OCTOBER Jack goes hunting on Moresby and Prevost Islands, often bringing back grouse, pheasants, brant, quail, and snipe for friends – Kathleen and Polly Payne play golf at Macaulay Point - Kathleen and Peter attend consecration of the St Paul’s or “Esquimalt” Church moved to its new location - Peter experiences another “Bad attack of shivers, in bed most of the day”. NOVEMBER Jack goes hunting and Kit plays golf - mangolds harvested from the field and stored for the winter – Robert Jackson has a “slight stroke of Paralysis”. DECEMBER Peter pays last doctor bills for Fanny Dodgson - Kathleen gives away old clothes, writes Christmas cards – Point Ellice holly distributed to friends – Peter notes his wedding anniversary (1863) and the death of his wife Caroline (1899) – Kathleen plays golf and Jack goes hunting - three of Peter’s teeth are removed.Item Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1905(1905) O'Reilly, Peter; Vancouver Island Local History SocietyDIARY SUMMARY JANUARY Peter O’Reilly begins the year again with a cold, continues to attend director’s meetings of Albion Iron Works – the usual visitors call at Point Ellice throughout the month – first outing on January 24th with a visit to Mrs Sarah Pearse. FEBRUARY Kathleen “Kit” O’Reilly and friends go ice skating at Colwood and Langford Lake – business of Albion Iron Works “unsatisfactory” – meeting of Christ Church Cathedral trustees – “My cold very heavy, remained in bed” – Sir Henry Crease, whom Peter had known since 1860, passes away at age 82. MARCH Peter’s front teeth replaced - vegetable gardens and flower beds prepared for spring planting, early cabbage planted – Point Ellice property surveyed for the purpose of bringing in a new water line from Goldstream – Captain Herbert Lewis, whom Peter had known since 1859, passes away at age 77. APRIL Peter, Kit, and Jack O’Reilly work in the garden, employees plant potatoes in the field – Christ Church trustees meeting – Herbert Dodgson quits employment with Albion Iron Works. MAY Jeanie Dewdney, wife of Edgar Dewdney, in poor health - Frank and Kathleen O’Reilly call on Mrs Dewdney in concern for her well-being - family and friends go to the Gorge to enjoy Victoria Day festivities and fireworks. JUNE The family continues to attend church at St Saviour’s (Victoria West) and at St Paul’s (Esquimalt) – employee Thomas Varley quits and goes to England - death of James Allan Grahame, long-time HBC employee - Esquimalt Water Works to purchase 4000 additional acres to add to Goldstream watershed – first payments go out to beneficiaries of Joseph Trutch’s estate following his 1904 death. JULY July weather “roasting hot” - Peter attends meetings of Albion Iron Works and the Victoria Gas Company – friends and family play croquet - Jack returns to Vancouver to play in a croquet tournament - Peter sells his Gas Works stock for $9400 and receives $4000 from the Joseph Trutch estate - Kit works in her garden. AUGUST Christ Church trustees meeting - money deposited in the bank as a legacy for Kathleen O’Reilly - shingling of the house commences – visits with Mrs Pearse and Mrs Charles – August 20th - “Seedy all through the night, “Heartburn” – last diary entry written on August 21st. Peter O’Reilly died from heart failure on September 3, 1905, at age 78.