Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1861
| dc.contributor.author | O'Reilly, Peter | |
| dc.contributor.author | Vancouver Island Local History Society | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-04-09T18:03:00Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-04-09T18:03:00Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1861 | |
| dc.description | Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1861. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01907, Box 1, File 4 & Microfilm Reel A01913, Box 8, File 1. | |
| dc.description.abstract | DIARY SUMMARY JANUARY Meetings held for keeping the Similkameen trail open during winter, committee to assess trail costs - "horrid low spirits - spent a most lonely evening". FEBRUARY "Two years since I left home which appears more like ten God grant that I may be back before another. Cannot read or apply myself to anything." - robbery of blankets and bedding by four Indians - Peter O'Reilly holds inquest regarding death of Harrison White whose business partner is later arrested based on evidence - invests in Hope properties on behalf of his friend Knox in Ireland - inspections of Philip Nind's lots resulting in a survey and land clearance. MARCH Peter attends Rev Pringle's church services and records money collected - Lady Jane Franklin, widow of famed Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, visits Hope and Yale - Peter escorts Lady Franklin around Hope and gives her gold specimens - a salute to Franklin is fired - first two miles of Dewdney's new road inspected- sixteen apple trees planted - gold is discovered in the Okanagan. APRIL First theatrical performance in Hope - Peter issues mining certificates issued and records claims - issues warrant for arrest of two Chinamen for stealing potatoes - Steamer Fort Yale explodes near Hope killing its captain and several others, and wounding passengers - inquest held - reward offered for body of Captain Jamieson - money raised to pay for the medical expenses of injured - freight salvaged from wreck site - Peter works in garden. MAY $1700 bid accepted for new church - Peter enjoys concert given by Royal Engineers band - receives long-awaited letter from Mamsey with upsetting news, " .. .I cannot describe my feelings of grief - Mamsey cannot mean it, [she] must not have understood me & I cannot explain ... " - Gov Douglas arrives for an eight-day visit and Peter must tend to the governor's needs and wishes. JUNE Plagued by a feeling of guilt for Mamsey's misunderstanding, Peter is depressed, lonely and miserable - negative feelings are added to by frequent visits of Rev Pringle who is fidgety and "full of grievances as ever" - holds court held and issues mining licences- inspects Dewdney's wagon road - workman killed by falling trees on the road during a storm. JULY Great Comet of 1861 - murder of Dr Fifer of Yale causes Peter to recruit 35 men and Royal Engineers to search for murderer - $500 arrest reward offered - construction of a new Anglican church in Hope begins with ceremony attended by Bishop Hills - Peter makes several fishing trips. AUGUST Two white men and two Indians found guilty of murdering Dr Fifer - Peter continues to purchase lots and acreage around Hope - pays to clear Nind's 18 acres. SEPTEMBER Gov Douglas returns to Hope and Yale for ten days - Douglas does not commit to constructing road to Kamloops and Yale, making repairs to courthouse, or increasing constable salaries - horse races at Yale. OCTOBER Peter inspects Royal Engineers work on damaged Boston Bar trail - makes a 10-day trip to the Similkameen- North American Boundary Commission led by Colonel Hawkins arrives in Hope. NOVEMBER Bishop Hills and Rev Sheepshanks consecrate new church - powerful storm causes damage in and around Hope - Peter resigns his position as Church Warden - first snow of winter - "What a wretched look out for winter - I wonder how long I shall have to live in such a place!" DECEMBER Travels by sleigh - inspects Dewdney's road and a nearby silver prospect - despite having "A regular good Xmas day," Peter repeatedly thinks of home and loved ones in Ireland. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/21903 | |
| 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 - 1861 | |
| dc.type | Other |