Peter O'Reilly Diary - 1862
Date
1862
Authors
O'Reilly, Peter
Vancouver Island Local History Society
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
DIARY SUMMARY
JANUARY
Cold weather dominates with occasional thaws - purchase of Glennie's house and piano at auction - newspapers report 1861 death of Prince Albert.
FEBRUARY
Three years since leaving the Ellis family in Ireland - "God grant that I may not have to remain another dreary year in banishment." - bad headaches, depression, and loneliness continue - Peter O'Reilly's usual companions are the Glennie and Charles families and Edgar Dewdney.
MARCH
Two tons of potatoes harvested and sold from Nind 's property - inspection of new silver mine tunnel - purchase of more land on behalf of Bishop Hills.
APRIL
Spends three weeks in New Westminster and returns to Hope - court sessions and gardening resume - orders received to go to Cariboo after a trip to Victoria.
MAY
Conducts government business in Victoria - buys horses for Cariboo trip - meets with Gov Douglas - Arthur Bushby's wedding - picture taken with Judge Matthew Begbie - introduction to "Miss Trutch" (Caroline) - returns to Hope finding little activity there.
JUNE
Peter leaves Hope for Cariboo passing through Yale, Boston Bar, Lytton, Lillooet, Williams Lake - arrives at Quesnelle Forks "a wretched hole" and issues mining and trading licenses, settles disputes, holds court, and goes fishing for trout.
JULY
Issuance of mining licences and recording claims continue - purchases a 25 ft portion of a claim for $1000 - one hundred miners show up on a Sunday morning wanting Peter to conduct business to which he declines - summer thunderstorms with heavy rain create travel challenges.
AUGUST
Frustration at not receiving letters from Ireland - "What wretched lonely work this is if I could but get my letters I should be contented." - travel to mining areas of Cottonwood, Antler, Lightning Creek, Williams Creek - hold court, settle disputes, registers claims - witnesses the amount of gold being found and decides to partner in a 1/3 portion of a claim operated by Billy Barker's company - witnesses another comet.
SEPTEMBER
Peter O'Reilly issues summonses for assault- visits mining claims and notes gold produced - winter sets in with hard freezes and snowfall.
OCTOBER
Conducts court business and issues licences along the Fraser River from Quesnelle Mouth to Williams Lake, including Fort Alexandria - pack horses frequently wander off during the night and cannot be found.
NOVEMBER
Peter O'Reilly returns to Victoria to meet with Gov Douglas.
DECEMBER
Peter attends church, theatre, musicals, dances, dinners, and spends time with Trutch family - saddened by not being able to be with loved ones in Ireland at Christmas.
Description
Transcription of the diary of Peter O'Reilly for the year 1862. The original document is housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, O’Reilly Family Fonds (MS-2894), Microfilm Reel A01907, Box 1, File 5 & 6.
Keywords
Peter O'Reilly, British Columbia, Victoria (B.C.), Point Ellice House (Victoria, B.C.), civil service, history, 19th century