Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1903
| dc.contributor.author | O'Reilly, Peter | |
| dc.contributor.author | Vancouver Island Local History Society | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-02-28T20:46:51Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-02-28T20:46:51Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1903 | |
| dc.description | Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1903. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01912, Box 3, File 13. | |
| dc.description.abstract | DIARY 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. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22294 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.subject | Peter O'Reilly | |
| dc.subject | British Columbia | |
| dc.subject | Victoria (B.C.) | |
| dc.subject | Point Ellice House (Victoria, B.C.) | |
| dc.subject | civil service | |
| dc.subject | history | |
| dc.subject | 20th century | |
| dc.title | Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1903 | |
| dc.type | Other |