Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1885
Date
1885
Authors
O'Reilly, Peter
Vancouver Island Local History Society
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
DIARY SUMMARY
JANUARY
Mrs Thomson taken seriously ill, Peter O’Reilly frequently travels her home Maple Bank to aid and comfort her – a new house maid arrives from Toronto, her travel expenses paid in advance – Frank O’Reilly goes hunting with Ashdown Green and spends time with officers of the HMS Satellite - Joseph Trutch and Peter loan R C Janion another $5000 in addition to the $20,000 previously loaned – Victoria Gas Co proposes that all streets in the city should be lit and offers a reduced rate.
FEBRUARY
Sixty-six bottles of sherry received from the Trutch stock – the O’Reilly’s party and has fifty-eight guests - Mrs Thomson recovers – Frank starts work at the Esquimalt Graving Dock under the direction of William Bennett, resident engineer – Henry Cornwall begins an extended visit at Point Ellice.
MARCH
Ashdown Green decides to leave for England, a search begins for a replacement surveyor – Peter sends Jack O’Reilly £1 for his birthday – Carry and Peter visit the graves of their daughter Mary and Mary’s grandmother – the cemetery plot is cleaned, the monument scrubbed, and sod planted.
APRIL
Peter writes three Indian Reserve Commission reports to be sent to Ottawa – Goon leaves employment and George Hick starts working at Point Ellice with board paid – a carriage accident in downtown Victoria results in broken ribs, a leg injury, and multiple bruises for Peter, Carry has no injuries – diary entries mostly stop during the recovery period.
MAY
A consultation with Doctors Milne and Harrison occurs – no other significant diary entries.
JUNE
Dr Harrison discontinues his visits, seven weeks from the accident – Dr Helmcken visits – no other diary entries.
JULY
Lizzie Deasy begins work at Point Ellice – no other diary entries.
AUGUST
Carry writes to the Macdonalds regarding Kathleen “Puss” O’Reilly’s return to Victoria – few diary entries.
SEPTEMBER
Puss leaves England after her schooling – Peter experiences swelling and inflammation of his left leg, the doctors are consulted – Peter gets out of bed and sits in a chair for the first time in ten weeks.
OCTOBER
After three weeks of travel Kathleen arrives in Victoria.
NOVEMBER
No significant diary entries.
DECEMBER
Peter’s participation in a scheme to control the beef price to the railway yields another payout – Peter begins sitting outside in a chair – sixteen attend a Christmas dinner at Point Ellice – Frank attends a bachelor's ball in Seattle.
Description
Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1885. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01909, Box 2, File 13.
Keywords
Peter O'Reilly, British Columbia, Victoria (B.C.), Point Ellice House (Victoria, B.C.), civil service, history, 19th century