Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1884
| dc.contributor.author | O'Reilly, Peter | |
| dc.contributor.author | Vancouver Island Local History Society | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-03-18T17:03:00Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-03-18T17:03:00Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1884 | |
| dc.description | Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1884. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01909, Box 2, File 12. | |
| dc.description.abstract | DIARY SUMMARY JANUARY Wallpaper installation completed in the dining room at Point Ellice – Frank O’Reilly briefly works in the office of William Bennett, resident engineer for the Esquimalt Graving Dock project – goods purchased in England arrive, customs and duties fees paid. FEBRUARY Peter O’Reilly moves to the Indian office with Dr Powell, the Indian Superintendent – Peter pays surveyor Joseph Pemberton $25 per month to employ Frank 2 hours per day – Franks 18th birthday – winter storm leaves 2 feet of snow. MARCH Unpacking the piano and other goods shipped from England – Ashdown Green determines plan and specification for alterations to Point Ellice – construction commences in the drawing room and north room. APRIL Peter receives $8133 for the scheme to manipulate beef cattle prices – payouts to Mrs Ellis (London) and Capt Knox (Ireland) for Peter’s investments on their behalf – preparations made for this season’s reserve creation – house painting begins while drawing and north room reconstruction proceeds slowly – reserve crew including Frank O’Reilly departs – reserves laid out near Yale and Spuzzum on the Fraser River. MAY Chehalis Indian reserve Harrison River laid out – horse carriage purchased in August 1883 in London arrives in Victoria – house alterations and repairs continue – tennis parties at the Jackson and Begbie homes. JUNE First telephone bill paid - Land & Works commissioner William Smithe approves the reserves laid out by Peter O’Reilly with their related survey maps – reserve crew of O’Reilly, Green, Normansell, a packer, and Chinese cook depart for the Kootenay taking a steamer to Portland, a train to Sand Point (Idaho), then by horseback – James Normansell suffers a stroke. JULY Father Fouquet of St Eugene’s Mission interprets and explains Peter’s objectives to Chief Isadore – the Indians claim all land between the Kootenay and Columbia rivers to the border saying the land does not belong to the Queen, rejects Peter’s small Tobacco Plains reserve – Normansell barely able to travel, Fouquet agrees to care for him at the mission. AUGUST O’Reilly and Green move to Columbia Lake to establish the next reserve where Peter finds “a capital range for cattle & a large area fit for cultivation” – hunting, fishing, and letter writing are the usual pastimes – disagreements with Indians about reserve land selections. SEPTEMBER Return trip through Idaho and Washington territories – arrangements made to take Normansell to Victoria – a stop in Osoyoos to see John Haynes – new reserve laid out at Keremeos – Peter collects rhododendrons at Skagit flat for Point Ellice – arrival in Victoria. OCTOBER Meetings with Colonel James Baker and William Baillie Grohman – death of James Normansell – reserve creation at Alert Bay – bird hunting on Nimpkish River – discussion with Joseph Trutch regarding reserve troubles at Metlakatla. NOVEMBER Peter lends John Haynes $10,000 at 8% interest – considers subdividing land at Coal Harbour. DECEMBER Hall stove purchased and installed at Point Ellice – preparation of the seasonal reserve report - cold, snowy weather freezes pipes and allows for skating at Skinner’s Pond and Swan Lake – Peter suffers from a bad attack of lumbago, confined to home – family gathering at Fairfield for Christmas. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22120 | |
| 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 | 19th century | |
| dc.title | Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1884 | |
| dc.type | Other |