Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1886
| dc.contributor.author | O'Reilly, Peter | |
| dc.contributor.author | Vancouver Island Local History Society | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-03-16T17:03:00Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-03-16T17:03:00Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1886 | |
| dc.description | Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1886. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01910, Box 2, File 14. | |
| dc.description.abstract | DIARY SUMMARY JANUARY Peter O’Reilly continues to loan money for mortgages – ice skating at Colwood and Skinner’s Pond – Carry, Frank, and Kathleen “Puss” O’Reilly attend a ball given by the Admiral and fleet - parties at the Crease and Pooley homes. FEBRUARY Caroline “Carry” and Kathleen “Puss” O’Reilly visit ailing Fanny Bickford – Peter continues to recover from the 1885 carriage accident, sits outside in his chair and uses a crutch to walk – Frank O’Reilly gets two dozen small fir trees from the Gorge waterway to plant at Point Ellice. MARCH Asparagus bed established, fir trees and thorn hedge planted – piles driven for a boathouse and breakwater – Dr Jones, dentist, fills three of Peter’s teeth at home – tennis court grass cut and rolled. APRIL Peter returns to work at his office and goes to St John’s Church for first time since the carriage accident one year earlier – death of Dr John Ash – more Albion Iron Works shares purchased - Land & Works office approves most of surveyed Indian reserves. MAY Peter loans more money for mortgages – tries out and purchases horse “Mac” – consultation with John Trutch regarding enlargement of kitchen – six day trip to lay out reserves for Nepa Indians between Lytton and Ashcroft. JUNE Ashdown Green copies Church Missionary Society Metlakatla report - “The town of Vancouver burnt down” – Peter and Ashdown Green work at home on reserve reports and amendments to minutes of decision - Peter travels the west coast of Vancouver Island to establish reserves at Hesquiat, stops along the way for a crew to repair the Cape Beale lighthouse - Frank and Puss play tennis. JULY The family attends a Beacon Hill Park cricket match, a band concert, and a sham naval fight in Esquimalt where Peter is carried about in a chair – Peter visits with Sir John A Macdonald and Lady Macdonald at the Driard Hotel in Victoria. AUGUST Women’s tennis tournament hosted at Point Ellice – Sir John A and Lady Macdonald have lunch and high tea at Point Ellice, a regatta and torch light procession follow – a ball is given for Lady Macdonald - Carry takes Lady Macdonald shopping and to the naval cemetery – coastal reserves previously laid out approved, others not allowed – frequent tennis events and dinners. SEPTEMBER Inspection of boats at Esquimalt dockyard - dissatisfaction with Metlakatla reserve – Peter travels up the eastern side of Vancouver Island and along various islands and waterways to review previous surveys by Gilbert Sproat – new reserves for Fort Rupert and Nimpkish Indians. OCTOBER Reserve establishment continues, some reserves previously established by Sproat do not exist – back in Victoria Peter sends telegram to Sir John Macdonald regarding reserve situation at Metlakatla – further discussions ensue, naval ship HMS Cormorant sent north to Metlakatla – reserves recently laid out are approved. NOVEMBER Improvements to drainage of tennis court at Point Ellice, new sod, and reseeding – discussions about Metlakatla situation continue and include Indian Affairs Superintendent Israel Wood Powell. DECEMBER Arrangements made for 13-year-old Jack to attend Uppingham School in England – death of William Fraser Tolmie – officers of the HMS Cormorant call at Point Ellice - discussions with Joseph Trutch and surveyors regarding Metlakatla – Point Ellice holly decorates St John’s Church and is sent to Lady Macdonald. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22118 | |
| 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 - 1886 | |
| dc.type | Other |