Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1873
Date
1873
Authors
O'Reilly, Peter
Vancouver Island Local History Society
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
DIARY SUMMARY
JANUARY
Drs Helmcken and Ash examine Mary O’Reilly regarding her back and determine “no particular treatment should be adopted” - Mary’s illness continues - Mrs Mullett becomes nurse and house servant - Peter O’Reilly travels to New Westminster, then back to Victoria - niece Carry Pinder stays with the O’Reillys - Peter suffers from headaches and earaches.
FEBRUARY
Family members ice skate at Skinner’s Pond - croquet ground is mowed, new grass seed sown - maple trees planted outside house gates - Peter hunts at Langford’s Lake.
MARCH
Court business at New Westminster – Peter meets with Bishop Hills and attends church, “the singing excruciating” – at home in Victoria work commences on building cribbing and a fence around the property.
APRIL
Birth of Peter and Caroline’s fourth child and second son, Arthur John O’Reilly, on February 4th - vegetables and roses planted, apple trees pruned - Peter has three teeth “stuffed” by dentist - leaves for Yale, Lytton and Kamloops to hold court.
MAY
Peter mediates dispute between John Haynes and Tom Ellis regarding grazing land boundaries – Peter spends time with Tom and Georgie Ellis at their Penticton ranch - death of Constable and Omineca Gold Commissioner William Fitzgerald.
JUNE
Frank has measles – another servant departs without warning, “in confusion all the day” - several picnics occur.
JULY
Two servants quit, a previous servant returns, another servant hired as children’s maid - Peter attends shareholders meeting of Victoria Gas Company - Arthur John O’Reilly christened at St John’s Church - Peter departs for Yale, Lytton, and Kamloops to hold court.
AUGUST
Peter and Caroline “Carry” attend picnics, a concert, and a ball - Peter, Joseph Trutch, and Captain Richard Hare travel to Nanaimo in Hare’s ship HMS Myrmidon to fish and shoot.
SEPTEMBER
Naval review at Colwood - Peter & Caroline attend dinner aboard HMS Repulse, a ball at Government House, and hold dinners at home for friends - seven-year-old Frank starts attending school - Peter departs once again for Yale, Lytton, Kamloops.
OCTOBER
“Prairie chicken” hunting - horse races at Ashcroft – Peter sees the Tommy & Georgie Ellis and their baby daughter.
NOVEMBER
Court held at New Westminster, Lytton, Clinton, Lillooet, Kamloops, and Yale – Peter visits several acquaintances along the way and goes hunting.
DECEMBER
Winter conditions clog the Fraser River with ice - steamer Enterprise curtails service - Peter arranges with Indians for an “Express Canoe” to take him back to New Westminster - the family witnesses the continued suffering of Mary “Pop” from her back ailment - travel to New York or London is considered to seek advice - Drs Helmcken and Dr Ash discuss her treatment and recommend against moving Mary due to weakened condition - Mary is restrained to a board by splints and bled with leeches - Dr Moss investigates obtaining back brace - New Year’s Eve dinner party canceled.
Description
Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1873. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01908, Box 2, File 1.
Keywords
Peter O'Reilly, British Columbia, Victoria (B.C.), Point Ellice House (Victoria, B.C.), civil service, history, 19th century