Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1873
| dc.contributor.author | O'Reilly, Peter | |
| dc.contributor.author | Vancouver Island Local History Society | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-03-29T17:03:00Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-03-29T17:03:00Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1873 | |
| dc.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. | |
| dc.description.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. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22000 | |
| 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 - 1873 | |
| dc.type | Other |