Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1890
Date
1890
Authors
O'Reilly, Peter
Vancouver Island Local History Society
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
DIARY SUMMARY
JANUARY
Cold snowy weather marks the start of the new year – many friends sick and in bed – Peter O’Reilly is a pall bearer at the funeral of Lady Amelia Douglas, wife of Sir James Douglas – “Carry” O’Reilly suffers from severe cold and remains in bed – departure of HMS Swiftsure and Admiral Heneage, officers Stapleton, Thynne, and Homer..
FEBRUARY
Peter attends shareholder’s and director’s meeting of the Albion Iron Works, Victoria Gas Co, and Canadian Pacific Navigation Co, dividends declared – “Rode to see Foot Ball – a rough game” – meeting regarding proposed Indian industrial school at Alert Bay - “Electric Tram cars commenced to run” – fire damages Point Ellice dining room.
MARCH
Pruning of “acacia” trees – marriage of Alice Ward to Mortimer Drummond – Dr Helmcken orders Carry O’Reilly to remain in bed during her illness - Peter buys more shares in Bank of B.C. and invests in five lots at Port Crescent.
APRIL
Carry O’Reilly’s illness continues, Drs Helmcken and Davie are called – doctors report “nothing serious” and proceed with two-hour operation at home using ether – Carry recovers by month end.
MAY
Carry’s recovery uneven but continues – in Shuswap Peter meet with white landowners who have encroached on Indian lands and encourages them to leave the land – Duke and Duchess of Connaught officially open the Royal Jubilee Hospital – Joseph & Julia Trutch return to Victoria after an absence of 1½ years in England.
JUNE
Preparations for an Indian Reserve Commission trip to Nitinat on the west coast of Vancouver Island begin – HMS Champion arrives from Honolulu – Bishop Anson of Qu’Appelle preaches and delivers an address.
JULY
HMS Warspite arrives in Esquimalt harbour with Rear-Admiral Charles Hotham – Peter O’Reilly purchases more shares in the Albion Iron Works for $2400 - tennis parties and dinner gatherings characterize the summer season.
AUGUST
A reserve is defined at Nitinat Lake on Vancouver Island, after a week the I.R.C. crew is back in Victoria – Peter O’Reilly returns home ill and is confined to bed – Drs Helmcken and Davie visit – most of Peter’s activities curtailed for the remainder of August.
SEPTEMBER
Two tons of hay and straw delivered – Carry O’Reilly attends lecture on the immigration of women to BC to be servants and farm labourers –
lunch on board the HMS Warspite with the Admiral.
OCTOBER
The Jacksons hold an auction of the contents of their home and depart Victoria to return to England – HMS Amphion departs Esquimalt for Honolulu and the Mediterranean – Carry and daughter “Kit” prepare for a fancy ball – another ball held by the Admiral and officers of the HMS Warpsite which Peter reluctantly attends.
NOVEMBER
HMS Warspite departs Esquimalt – two Jersey calves purchased – two employees quit, two more are hired, but one quits after two weeks.
DECEMBER
Peter talks with Joseph Pemberton about prospecting for oil in the Kootenay and Alberta – death of Alfred Brealey and former Victoria mayor James Fell – another cow is purchased – wood, coal, hay, and manure delivered to Point Ellice – holly sent to Sir John Macdonald and Lady Stanley – Christmas Day celebrations at Fairfield and Highwood.
Description
Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1890. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01910, Box 2, File 18.
Keywords
Peter O'Reilly, British Columbia, Victoria (B.C.), Point Ellice House (Victoria, B.C.), civil service, history, 19th century