Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1888
Date
1888
Authors
O'Reilly, Peter
Vancouver Island Local History Society
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
DIARY SUMMARY
JANUARY
In London the O’Reilly family visits family and friends, attends church and theatre, and goes shopping – possible employment Frank O’Reilly with Kinipple civil engineer – Jack O’Reilly leaves for school at Uppingham – Peter O’Reilly sends cariboo and sheep heads to friends – visit to Rockingham Castle near Uppingham.
FEBRUARY
Brief visit with Jack at Uppingham – in London Peter attends the Zander Institute known for its exercise equipment – Carry orders a bear skin boa and muff, and a dinner set – visits with Sir Culme-Seymour, Louisa Ellis, and Lieut. Garforth - frequent shopping at the Army & Navy Stores.
MARCH
The family purchases new clothing – Peter arranges for purchased goods to be shipped to Victoria, including his old clothes – attendance to concerts and the theatre – purchases made for Matthew Begbie - Peter and Carry visit Jack at Uppingham – Peter, Carry, and daughter Puss prepare for a trip to Spain.
APRIL
Engineer Kinipple promises to offer employment to Frank – Peter, Carry, and Puss depart for Paris, then Madrid, and Valencia where they meet with John White – travel to Lyon, then Aix-les-Bains to take the baths – Jack joins the family at Aix - Peter falls ill and is confined to bed.
MAY
Peter recovers from his illness, resumes his daily baths as prescribed by Dr Blanc – sightseeing – Jack returns to school at Uppingham – departure at month end with stops in Geneva and Paris.
JUNE
Return to Folkestone and London – visits with the Daveys, Emily White, Sir Culme-Seymour and Louisa Ellis – shopping and attending the theater – Puss takes riding lessons – Kinipple complains about Frank’s work and can no longer promise him employment – a brief trip to Uppingham to visit son Jack one more time – Peter departs England leaving Carry, Frank, Puss, and Jack.
JULY
Brief stop in Ottawa, discussions with Vankoughnet and Prime Minister Macdonald regarding Indian matters – death of John Carmichael Haynes – stop in Regina to meet with Dewdney and Lieutenant Governor – in Victoria discussions resume regarding Nass and Cowichan reserves – Frank O’Reilly to go to Buenos Aires for survey work – final payment from beef cattle speculation.
AUGUST
Reserve crew departs for coastal areas creating reserves along the way - arrival at Metlakatla – at Fort Simpson Peter encounters resistance – reserves created in Kincolith area and along Nass River where “Title & payment for land demanded or no reserves could be accepted”.
SEPTEMBER
Meeting with Chief Scotain, “refused to have reserves unless the whole valley was given” – at Kincolith a “friendly meeting” and at Fort Simpson a “stormy meeting” – more reserves created on return trip to Victoria – work and social life at home resumes – goods shipped from England unpacked.
OCTOBER
Two-day trip to Cowichan to settle land dispute – discussions regarding executorship of Haynes estate -reserves established between Vernon and Kamloops – Ashdown Green gathers information about pre-emption claims on reserve land at Keremeos – Peter visits Tom & Georgie Ellis at Penticton – old reserves laid out and new ones created in the Similkameen area.
NOVEMBER
Two more weeks spent with the Ellises, frequent deer hunting – visit to William Roper at Cherry Creek ranch – visit with the Cornwalls at Ashcroft – return to Victoria – Victoria Gas Company decides to improve storage and distribution facilities.
DECEMBER
Lord Listowel visits Victoria for three weeks and mostly stays at Point Ellice while his son Lord Ennismore recovers at hospital - 25th wedding anniversary of Carry & Peter O’Reilly – thirtieth letter of the year sent to Carry - Peter is saddened by not being with his family at Christmas as they remain in England and Argentina
Description
Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1888. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01910, Box 2, File 16.
Keywords
Peter O'Reilly, British Columbia, Victoria (B.C.), Point Ellice House (Victoria, B.C.), civil service, history, 19th century