J.T. DUNCAN
BUCK
CABRACH, BY RHYNIE ©
January 1894
1st Some frosty & ground white Pisgah’s shooting match Wm Gordon at it best 7 prizes: Wm Nicoll here all p.m. playing fiddle. Elsie to post 5/- of postage stamps. Sent 5/2 for jersey to Mother off Bro. New Years box from Aberdeen. G Reid came. J Reid in Bracks hill got (?)
2nd We took in rick Wm G iron from smiddy J Reid, G Reid & him to hill just J Reid 1 hare Wm to Kirkton for 60 lb high dip home tonight Elsie took Fiddich cow to Auchmair. Gordon came up with her, thrashed.
3rd Morren came with sheep p.m. J & G Reid in hill all day got no hares G Reid & I played 6 games he 1 win, I 4 wins 1 draw.
4th Morren to Rhynie home 15lbs Highland Dip & 16 pounds soft soap from Ligertwod. sent pr Thomson white hare to David Souter Aberdeen J & G Reid, Eben Beattie, J. Clark, Wm Kellas, 4 dogs & 4 guns total of hares got 3 Rover took 1 of them & Bright 1. No beef this week.
5th ... gave G Gordon 1/- for guide poles
8th ... J reid to Mrs Charles McDonalds funeral her age 87 years...
10th ..... Wm law up asking for character for James John hendry. Here too J. Dawson. Mother at Bodiebae. received calendar from Aberdeen.
11th ... Wm Law up for a certificate to James to try to post. I near killed, fell into mill wheel & more than full water on very bad bruised no one near to help me out, got little thrashed, water came into mill.Wm Kellas up. No Thomson. No beef.
13th... I made a crutch in bed before I got up and cut myself very badly in left hand in glack between finger & thumb; we thrashed water still coming into mill; Elsie got rams among Bodiebaes sheep.
15th James cemented head of mill spouts ...
16th .. thrashed... had to stop, water coming into mill, none better.
19th ... Formed debating Society in School tonight.
22nd ... Elsie to Crofthead with Poor rates did not come home, came on bad night.
24th Wm Gordon £1”10 for 16 days work 3/- more than bargain he to Auchmair p.m.
26th A good storm on drifting a little. Elsie to post letter to Middleton saddler & cheque for 13/- we thrashed when she came back. This the night of concert, her to it.
27th .... Jas Dawson over for flight to spinning wheel.
29th Johnnie Smith in Bodiebae hill shooting
February
1st Very frosty all day snowing at night got a very small thrash, I sorting at mill & stick to keep Jock from dunging in his mothers pail of water. Jas Dawson brought home big ram had been fighting Thomson to Powneed.
2nd I sorted mill wheel got a big thrash no water came in fine fresh day bought netted petticoat 2/6 for Mother stuff for bed cover 2/- from pack merchant Elsie to post p.m.
3rd I working a sheep hake made some straw had out rams horse set off to Powneed J Robertson over & J reid I weighed John Robertson tonight he is 12 stones 6 lbs very good for an old man.
5th Wm Gordon came by dinnertime ploughing stibble p.m. almost finished I sent 1/4 1/2d to Walker & Com. booksellers. Annie & Mary Smith here weighed them, Mary 9st 12 1/2 lbs, Annie is 8st 10 1/2 lbs
7th Wm gordon to Auchmair to plough for A. Gordon he away seeing my sheep at Fernybrae very cold rough day. I made box to hold ale bottles with bottoms upwards. Maggie Souter over tonight with Mothers boots.
8th .... Sent with Thomson leter to Mr Skinner Factor with cheque for £12”17”6 ...
9th fresh day we dipped ram put in some tobacco juice amongst dip, Elsie to post p.m. for papers.
10th Very bad day I not up today; this the last day of old post Mr Thomson & first of the new one John Kellas Hillhead a fine start for him.
12th Stormy today. jas reid, elsie & I winnowed 1 1/2 qrs corn .. I bored hole for swey & put up stick I n stable to keep Jock from turning round. J Dawson over at night with music.
13th ... Reidat Bracklach to kill a stirk.
14th ... Mrs duncan over with her fathers clock a sad mess.
15th .. Wm kellas & Wm Smith up & put in swey.. I sorted old Barrons clock.
16th I not up today Elsie took in some neeps frompit a.m. at post office p.m. got no papers Post will not carry the unless stamped, that is our fine obliging new postman. ...
19th Elsie & I took in part of a load of neeps she carried & I filled bags could not get at them for wreathwith horse also took in hay rick because mill wheel is blocked with snow. Mary Stewart brought papers a sort of fresh night.
20th .. Elsie to smiddy with thing for swey to get cut, Smith the blockhead has cut & turned it the wrong way....
21st ... took out swey & sent Elsie with it 7 al the rest of the tthings to be made right I must have it right done when at it. Mrs Duncan over for her clock.
22nd ... masoning & plastering & putting in swey has made a fine job & works fine. Thomson not further than Powneed.
23rd ... J. Reid & I has Peoples Journal between us...
24th Elsie doing nothing today for the last three mornings unable to get up untill Mother had fire on, beast all sorted & breakfast made by that time 8 a,m, then elsie was well 7 fine fit for her breakfast & supper & as cheery as a lark all day when morning came again could not get up.
27th very frosty today. J Reid & I cleared mill wheel & got it to thrash some hay but the drum broke & mad a bad smash. sent Elsie to tell James Shand to come up.....
March
1st Thomson not further than Powneed today. Elsie got him & at end of loan of Powneed for horse..
2nd ... Lizzie & Maggie Smith at Bodiebae & here. Johnnie Smith came for them at night had a fine concert Jas Dawson on fiddle, Lizzie & Maggie on piano & Johnnie sang 2 songs. Elsie to Post office.
3rd I wrote letter 3 a.m & sent Elsie to post in time for him in the morning.
6th I not up today... wrote letter to Post Master in Aberdeen...
7th ... I made a frame for picture “Sweet seventeen”...
10th ... shot 1 white hare weighedc7 1/4 lbs... A. Gordon up I signed his bill for £9 for 3 months. I took out a tooth to Jock horse.
12th ... J Robertson & Isa Innes here askingfor rashes to thatch their houses all stripped like our own. A. Gordon with J. Cromb to asylum.
13th Miss Gordon Bank here on horseback to see about postal arrangement & getting it altered..... A.Gordon up for mare Love ... letter to Day gamekeeper to come & burn heather.
14th ... From Murray Chemist bottle of acetic acid & bottle china cement... Isa Innes shearing rashes.
15th ... old John Gordon Kirkton died this morning aged 82 years
17th... Rev McMillan here I reading his head gave him phren book with him.
19th very fine day Wm Gordon finished lea a.m. & stibbles & harrowed claen ground p.m. done by 4.30 thrashed & bruised corn midday kirkton buried a large funeral. I paid Wm Gordon 5/- Elsie started to spread mole heaps p.m.
20th ... Mother not well. I saddled mare rode down to end dyke Nelly Reid & I tried to burn bruntin it is too wet yet. elsie mole heaps p.m. Cow seeking bull.
21st ... I paid D Bain for Mothers, Elsies & barrons boots. .. I see Powis young mare carting neeps she is not 3 years old. Mrs Duncan Bodiebae delivered of a son.
22nd ... Eben Innes, J Reid & Wm Kellas at Isa Innes house thatching & sorting it.
26th ... 50 of Muckle Jocks sheep in my hill.. most of them sowing except myself.
27th My tramp left this morning paid him 4/-.. Donald came to burn heather had no one to go with him Wm Gordon yoked Bodiebae colt....
28th ...George Dawson married Jane MacHatty.
29th Elsie to Auchmair for Love, left at 7 aa.m. back at 11a.m. Wm Law came by 1 p.m. ploughed till 6 p.m.
30th ... I bought 13 1/2 sq yds Linoleum for room floor for 10/-, asked 18/6 for it.
31st 4 big loads potatoes to pit at back of peatstack . Wm Law finished ploughing cleanground 2 acres time at it 23 hours thrashed & bruised at midday very fine day.
April
4th Harrowed 2 hours then I cut AGs hair, saddled Jock colt & rode to auchmair sandy on his own one I brought Love home with Jock. AG dipped Factor of Torneys sheep.
5th I started Elsie to roll clean ground & break clods p.m. seed not half covered ...
6th ... Morren came tonight with sheep...
7th I up before 6 a.m. workong hard all day sorted shedding pen drew & ironed hoggs with new irons BUCK put back to hill 152 hoggs & 59 wedders ...
9th ... I went on to Loves back without a bridle. She ran off & threw me & near mischieved me.
12th ... Ewe lambed, lamb died.
14th ... I gave Morren £5 to himself & £5 to pay Mossatside for his neeps which was £3 & sent cheque to Mr Walker Aurdhunkard for £14 stg
16th Morren ploughing J Reids farm forenoon ... 9 ewes lambed too soon lambs dead
17th Bracks ewes home..
19th .. I went inover to Blackhills riding a very warm day , very fine music with Wattie Mitchell on the fiddle
20th Morren working in garden planted potatoes ... Daniels funeral aged 65 years
21st Wattie & I home here by 11 a.m. .. paid Wm Law 8/- for 4 1/2 days work
23rd a fine gimmer died with mortification was very ill in lambing...
25th ... James Sharp offered me a gig & harness for £6
28th a very warm day opened & dunged 5 dreels taties; at near side 2 drills Wm Kellas; then 2 drills Champions & 1 drill Blue Hearts. I at Blackhills for them & Howbog for chilled plough. Morren to Ferybrae tonight.
30th ... Eben Innes ploughed & linked & harrowed Jane Dauns farm. Bodiebae planted their taties. G Hay here wanting to fee me as shepherd.
May
1st ... Ligertwood laired in back park a job getting him out..
2nd Auchmair for Missy brought home meal...
3rd I had to rise & help Morren to yoke Missy he afraid...
5th Elsie away early this morningto speyside...Morren carted 3 loads neeps the last a.m.
8th Maryfair... I paid P Sutherland Macharshaugh £5..
10th... Wm Law bidding to Mains Sharps funeral...
11th ... I at Mains funeral riding his age was 84 years nearly 85...
12th Scurdargues sale
15th... it never faired the wholw day could not get thrashed for water in wheel pit. School examination today.
18th working in garden very hot, rain at night.
19th ... Booking here tonight John Henry & Maggie Elsie Grant to be proclaimed in Church tomorrow.
22nd ... Feed Maggie Taylor for £3”10 & gave her 1/- arles
25th Morren .. I paid him & let him away 3 p.m. his fee £10”10 I gave him 4/6 to it.
26th a terrible spate all day. Mearns helping us to thrash & rub stirk p.m.I paid Elsie her fee £4 gave her 2/- to it. J Dawson over.
29th ... This the day of P scott Miltons dinner of honour given to him on his leaving Cabrach
30th Maggie Taylor came this morning Matthew Lumsden came p.m. engaged him @ 13/- for week he is to stop as long or as short as I like.
31st rather warmer today. matthew to Lumsden brought 3 cwt wirw 28 lb staples from E Mann. The galvanised wire to be 10/- per cwt & barbed wire 13/- per cwt, staples 1 1/2d per lb. I not well, did not get posts at Mill Auchindoir.
June
5th Matthew .. started dung at 9.30 ...has down 22 loads requires about 30 minutes to the load fine afternoon Mother & Maggie picking taties & putting into little byre.
7th ... Lewie & I bruised some corn a.m. he away to Circus & show in Rhynie p.m. Mother in bed unwell...
9th clipped rams & sowed neeps .. Matthew inover to Lumsden tonight & to come past shepherd of Clova to see if he will come & cut lambs.
13th Alex Gordon & shepherd of Clova came & cut lambs before dinner time.
21st Vert fine day finished laying down of neeps by 9 a.m. has been a long stiff job. Matthew in hill got a ewe on her back dead lamb beside her plucked & buried her. ... Bodiebae & Bracklach finished neeps.
22nd Matthew started to prepare moss bank a.m begun to cast by 3 p.m. ..... Laws stallion here mare would not take him. Wm Kellas up.
26th clipped yeld ewes started by 10.30 a.m. done by 6 p.m. at it Jas. & John Smith, Jas Ferguson, A. Gordon, Jas Mearns, Mary Giles, Jane Daun, Mary Reid & Matthew. 5 bags full, clipped & to hill.
28th Matthew... him & Maggie in garden p.m. he planted 250 kale plants ... to Howbog at night to see if any of our sheep were in at Jock Souters clipping.
29th Fast Day. Maggie at Church ... Annie & Maggie Smith here afternoon at Fit of Buck seeking a woman to fee. Matthew bought dog from Wm Wilson for 2/6 very warm day.
30th ... Wm Sim & his nephew James came for calf about noon a strong heat today.
July
1st Matthew & Maggie in moss 9 hours Jockie Reid filling barrows...
3rd Matthew sowing neeps at end with bobbin john a.m him & Maggie, Mary Reid & Mearns in our moss p.m. 5 hours of 2 spades Glenadder horse here tried mare no use....
6th Clipped ewes maggots started with a lot of them; at clipping Mary Giles, Mary Reid, Jane Daun, Mearns, Matthew & myself. gave Mearns, Jane Daun & M reid 2 fleeces each started at 9 am finished by 4 p.m. Concert tonight.
7th ... Matthew, Maggie & I at Cabrach picnic very fine day
9th Matthew to Howtown with dreel plough & got on 4 new shoes on Jock & to Rhynie for dip got none brought 4 lb soft soap not paid & 1 lb helebour 7d paid, covered moss, paid A.Law 10/- Mary & Annie Smith at Bodiebae feed Wm Gordon Gaugh £7 to term from 12th August.
10th Matthew, Mary Reid & Jane Daun at Clova clipping not a very good day for it none of my sheep there
16th Begun hoe today Mary Reid with us 2 hours a.m. & 3 hours p.m. Bracklach did not get clipped.
18th ... I at cooking class & preaching..
21st ... I went down past Smithston on my way to Berryhillock there by 3 p.m. Mary Souter away to Aberdeen as a clerk very fine day.
23rd James sharp & I left Berryhillock by 9a.m. went straight to show yard got a good sight of them bringing in & fitting up things.
24 th I did not go into show today. John Gordon & wife Lizzie Cooper & I on Broadhill got a fine sight of it all with glass. Lizzie & I at our tea with John Gordon.
25th I had a good sight of the Duke of york on his way to show yard. Lizzie & I down at seaside, I in menagerie & circus from 2 p.m. till 5 p.m. it was really splendid. She would not come.
26th... Lizzie & I at our tea at Mr & Mrs Burns had strawberries & cream... some rain today.
27th I went to Mr Ormiston dentist & got out a tooth...
28th I up at 6 a.m. walked to Kittybrewster station Lizzie & Jane Cooper came to station with me I left with 9.49 train came off at Oyne tried to walk to Berryhillock failed sent a boy to tell them to come for me. I left 3p.m. at Rhynie 6p.m. home 8p.m.
30th Matthew rinning neeps, Maggie at hoe, I at it awhile, them gathering & binding up cut hay a fearful heat today.
31st Mearns & I away to Glass market by 6.30 a.m. Matthew, Maggie & Mary Reid at hoe & raked up hay. I stoped all night at Belherrie. I paid Geo beverley £3 for dip.
August
1st Matthew & Maggie at hoe all day Mary Reid afternoon. I home from Market at 6.30 p.m. I gave Matthew cheque for £5”15 he left tonight.
6th Wm Gordon came this morning to mare to smiddy of Howtown 4 removed & stirrup strap from saddler. Maggie in moss a.m. & p.m. Jane Daun & Wm Gordon p.m. John Taylor of Back of Hill has offered me 23/- for ewes & chap Dawson wanting to fee for winter as shepherd.
9th Wm Cutting dockings & tansies a.m. away home p.m. to drive his peats Alex MacIntosh came by dinnertime took rover & looked through sheep.
14th Maggie after dinner went over to Gaugh to see what was keeping Wm She went there & back in the remarkable time ot 1 hour 15 minutes. J Cooper at top of Buck, Wm came tonight.
15th Wm to hill... stupidly took in over all the Blackhills sheep. ...
16th m did nothing forenoon at bedding cutting all afternoon.
18th Wm to Dufftown for lime brought home 3 bolls Maggie at Blackhills Finglenny & his shepherd here offered me 24/- for my ewes got a fine ewe of mine on her back, carried her home cut her throat good fat letter Bob.
23rd Wm driving sand all day 8 loads. I at Culwine with Wm morning. Maggie & I in garden. Play of Mill of Tifties annie at school tonight.
29th Wm done cutting hay by noon has been 2 days in cutting less than an acre rinning neeps pm Maggie & me at hay. I in house of Howbog today.
30th ... Maggie Smith & Lizzie Gordon here p.m. fine music weighed & measured them.
September
1st Wm in hill morning in moss rest of the day. Jock Souter assaulted me with a big stick on head, put me down & kneed & compressed my throat when down. I & Jockie Reid at Rhynie, colt shod paid sadler 8/- Geo law up with me.
3rd Wm Dufftown 2 1/2/ bolls lime, masons here by 7.45.a.m. two of them, Wm Cook by 9a.m. .. Wm Kellas & Gardener of Clova p.m. ..letters to... Police Constable Dufftown.
4th ... masons at fishing p.m. Police here took statement between 1&2 p.m.
8th .... Wm Lumsden & Mary here bought 40 ewes at 24/6 each.
10th ... from Harvey, Gartly, 4cwt Indian corn masons here, Mother & Maggie in moss
12th Very fine day Alexr Gordon here took in hay, Mary & Jane reid helping head mason here p.m.
14th ... Wm Wilson left Jock Souter.
24th Wm at road all day. I left keithmore in the morning after seeing binder working, at Drumin by 12 noon. Back at Keithmore 6 p.m. ..
October
1st Jockie Jamieson & I at Keith court. Jock Souter convicted & fined £1 or 14 days in jail.
2nd started to drive peats 12 loads today not very dry most of Cabrach people begun to cut. Maggie Innes & Mrs Beattie begging for Sick childrens Hos.
3rd... I took in old rick, not so many mice as I expected.
6th James Reid & I cementing mill wheel & dreeper a.m. him & Wm laying drain in mouth of close p.m. Bracklach over tonight.
10th ... Powis white horse killed & away... Matthew Lumsden here has a fine telescope.
11th Cutting all day finished clean ground but not all rake, time at it 3 1/2 days ... I painting windows very fine day.
13th Wm casting flaughter divots near all day. Alexr donald mason here a.m. Alexr Jessiman & Geo Law p.m. mended mill wheel & turned iron on porch very bad wet day..
15th Wm to gartly for 4 cwt Indian corn & 1 cwt cement from harvey Murray Rhynie cask of paraffine @ 4 1/2d per gall; he got drunk & left mare & cart at Blackhills all night. John Smith, Lizzie & Nelly Sharp here p.m.
18th Snowing near all day.
19th ... Bracklach & James Beattie away to Factor about new road...
20thWm... & Jas Reid put in Paraffine barrel on covers on mill lade & up wire at end.
23rd very hard frost this mornning Wm started to cut not in very good trim; stoped cleaned up mill & thrashed old corn a.m. cutting all p.m. Bracks & Bodies over, Helen of Auchmair up. Bodiebae started to cut corn on little hillie p.m.
24th Sale today & a very bad one, sold 62 gimmers @ 20/6 each. 69 wedder hoggs 2 15/- & quey @ £11”15 a very bad day for the purpose.
25th Wm & I at Gartly with 30 of the fat wedders sold them to Dallas @ 32/6. I stoped at Mrs McPhersons all night & Wm with his daughter. I & Sandy Sheed at concert
30th Very frosty today... Wm pulling juniper & binding rashes all day
November
1st Old simpson here about 2 hours p.m. casting divots ... took a load of corn to mill to thrash to wedders.
5th rain last nighht, Wm setting up stooks a.m. to Auchmair with mare to lead p.m. he stoped all night. Maggie & I made 3 clues & some edderings. Mr Brown here all night. Bargained with him to take all my sheep from now till April 1st for £47”10 [May 7th 1895 paid R. Brown £33]
6th Mr Brown & us started to hewk sent Jockie Reid to Auchmair for Wm.. mr Brown away with 97 lambs 2 ram lambs 2 old rams & 1 gimmer total also Bright dog. Put all the corn in hewks.
8th Wm to moss in the morning. A. Gordon, his man & horse came by 10 a.m. started to lead all in by 4.30 p.m. in fair trim ...
10th Wm & Maggie at taties all day took up 2 dreels covered them with clean straw (old) James Smith here at night I cut his hair.
13th frostty this morning & all day up all the taties by dinnertime they are in a bad state so wet & foul harrowed gathered & kept out diseased & small ones in a pit by themselves covered with heather & divots Powis taking up theirs Bracks Ball.
15th Brown away with sheep, 300 ewes of his own 114 ewes of mine & one wedder & 2 rams & 20 ewe lambs of A. Gordons Auchmair.. Wm cutting rape grass a.m. Lizzie & Maggie & Johnnie Smith here, J Dawson & J sharp. us at Bodiebae G Christie here working.
16th Wm at peats all day ... Bracklach & J robertson here about new road.
17th Wm working at new road all day. ...
19th James Reid, James Beattie, Wm Kellas & A. Gordon here thatching houses, all done but front of byres... Road meeting at Powneed ..
20th Wm to Dykeside for plug to mill dam a.m. & him & I fastening wire on to houses ... I sorted Mary Reid sowing machine Mrs Stewart got home one today. Nicoll G keeper bidding to funeral [ no word of whose]
21st To Gartly with 13 of my own fat wedders & 14 of Bracks & 2 ewes left lamb at Howtown with G Law. 6 wedders McAdam to kill. Wm had colt at Morrison. Love, Rover, sheep & I at Gartly all night.
22nd I to Aberdeen with sheep to reith & anderson s Sale just sold 10 wedders & 2 ewes of Bracks & 5 wedders of my own sent rest to butcher to kill...
23rd AG Scott & I left Aberdeen with 9.45 train a.m. ... I stoped at Blackhills all night. Winter supper & Ball at Elrick at Peter Simpsons. Thanks giving day in Cabrach & Rhynie.
24th... Annie Gordon came home with me.
26th Rhynie feeing market I feed Maggie for winter half year £3”10...
27th Wm carting home peats all day 7 loads Maggie & I singling out the best & stacking up the wet.
28th Wm took home 5 loads peats. I paaaid him his fee £6”18 and 6d to himself Maggie £3”10 very fine day Maggie stacked peats & thatched them.
December
1st James Reid, Mary Reid, Maggie & I turned 2 ricks turned inside out of all the bad sheaves & left them out to dry a very fine day thrashed.
3rd Very fine day. John Robertson dipped his sheep 260 with Highland dip. I would not let Jane Dauns be dipped for her impidence ... Maggie away p.m.
4th Maggie holding her term. P Stewart over for his & Jane Dauns sheep took them to Bracklach.Wm Wilson away with his flock.
5th Auchmair thrashing with steam thrasher. Maggie stopped to help them . Jas. reid there too; engine burst coming out of cornyard; stuff in very bad trim.
7th ... received Peopples Journal & farming World from John Sheed Aldunie, the first; stoped them from Mitchell Rhynie. Steam thrasher at Milton.
8th Mother not well in bed all day. I at Blackhills for scyrings & to see if Mains Willie could come a few days to drive up neeps p.m....
10th I at Lumsden & Rhynie got mare shod at Howtown I fee’d Annie Gordon Elrick from now till term £4 she came home with me & Harry Nicoll up with us. Maggie Taylor left today.
12th ... Charlie here & started to pull neeps by 9.35 a.m. Annie & him he carted 10 loads neeps p.m. Jas reid at mill for dist & Post Office for Miss Stewarts kist.
13th a fearful day of wind ... Annie away to make marriage dinner by noon Geo Hay came I engaged him for 9/- per week ...
14th Geo Hay carting up neeps a.m. ploughing p.m. I at Mary Stewarts booking & them & Hay & me at concert Cabrach school a very poor affair indeed ball not so bad.
15th Hay left this morning I paid him 1/6 for his days work .. I engaged Jock Reid for a few days work at 1/- per day.
18th Jock pulling neeps a.m. ploughing p.m. with Jock horse in furr went fine a fine day.
19th ... I at Mary Stewarts now Mrs Fettas marriage it was very good about 26 except themselves at home at it ball continued till 2 o’clock.
21st ... Annie awy to go to Dr did not go further than Elrick. Maggie came up. Charlie plowing Bodiebae.
22nd This has been a devil of a day with wind rain snow & frost taken off iron off cart shed thatch off houses & neep pit & very near away with roof of cots & I fastening it down a.m. ... Bodiebaes sheep home.
24th Jock came by 9 started to plow 9.30 ... thrashed Isa Innes loused to me received from her a fine pair Shetland mittings
25th Jock ploughing forenoon James Beattie up thatching p.m. Jock helping to fasten wire done ploughing stibble. Maggie Gordon up for Annies things she is not coming back a very fine day. 26th Jock carted out some top dressing he left when he got his dinner I paid him 9/- & gave him a pair of trousers to himself. Mary Reid & I took in a rick & thrashed some cold I gave her 1/6
27th James Reid took inover tables planks &C & up coals from little house we cut sturdy...
28th ... I killed ewe for J Robertson not fat; had to kill my own sturdy & dress it when I came home at night...
31st a very bad day drifting snow ... tried to thrash no water dam full of snow
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