1910
31/12/09 ... I down at Powneed at night at Mutch
1st Saturday I ill last night & all day today with sore head & pain in bowels in perfect agony. Gordie doing nothing today a fine fresh day.
2nd ..ditto
3rd most of them leading & turning ricks Gordie ploughing a.m. then him & I turned a rick such a wind it almost went over me to build it but it got a fine shaking up. Wilson busy leading all day.
4th Gordie ploughing all day.. Wilson & I hares.. gave Jane Daun one Alexr Souter landed here tonight a right fine day
5th Gordie ploughing all day... Sandy & I sorted beasts
6th Gordie carting in neeps a.m. & ploughing p.m. I down at G Duncans Powneed with sheep. Wm Kellas Day Wilson & Jas Shand putting mill.
8th Gordie ploughing all day
10th I herding sheep Gordie ploughing ...
11th Gordie carting out dung...
12th Gordie carting out dung
13thTook up rick from Culwine... Wm Duston calling stoped all night with Wilson
14th Gordie spreading dung all day
15th Gordie spreading dung a.m.
17th George took inover ewe to little house ...Duston Wilson Dod & I yoked Meg...Gordie carting in neeps with Poll
19th Jane Cameron helping Lizzie to wash Gordie carting out dung...
21st Gordie carting out dung... Jane Cameron or Mrs Nicol delivered of a daughter 9.30 p.m.
22nd George sledging out dung... Ben dog worse today he wont take any food certain he wont live
23rd My Fine dog “Ben” died this morning I was sure last night he could not live...
24th gave sheep 6 pailfuls of corn for first time Gordie out some dung Thrashed morning ordered daily paper from Troup “Dunde Advertiser” but they are always so slow in getting anything.
25th... Gordie smashed lantern & lamp glasses again never saw the like of him
26th .. I sore head, Jockie in bed & Mary Jane not well either
27th... I to Powneed p.m. Wm Smith Jas Reid Wm Beattie Jim Milloy & I at Days thrashing did not go long when 2 teeth broke again...
28th... Wilson brought Dod of Bracklachs pup to me Raffan left Bracklach today pig away to Cransmill cow & hens left at Bracklach Wilson will look after them
29th Gordie & I took in peats...
30th James came over with letters today 6 p.m. when post landed last night ... I over at Wilson p.m. advised him to have nothing to do with cow & hens & neglect his own work unless with G Robertsons concent.
31st sheep no corn Gordie casting burn at Culwine & I to Powneed with washer to Days mill
February
1st Tuesday I over to Dufftown at rents with Jock horse... home worsted from mills.. I am to get a new stable henhouse & mill cemented but I asked if there would be interest put on as I paid rent enough & he said there would be no interest put on . Paid Charles McPherson 2/6
2nd... Gordie pulling neeps
3rd ... George sledging in neeps
4th Wilson Jim Nicol my Willie & I in hill... Gordie & Jockie taking a rick the best kept one...
5th I at Rhynie riding Dasey came past Blackhills Gordie herding sheep & sorting beasts a fine fresh day Alexr Souter landed tonight
6th Sunday Alexr Souter calling on Jane Daun a.m...
7th... I gave Alexr Souter a pen & received a knife as a keepsake Gordie spreading dung
8th Gordie casting snow to let plough over burn. James Roy came to call before going away to America
10th Gordie spreading dung
11th I herding sheep Gordie ploughing stibbles over burn with one furrow all day.
12th very hard frost Gordie carted in 4 loads neeps a.m. out some dung on to middle of lea to form a dung heap for next year. Thrashed & winnowed..
14th Gordie ploughing stibble below house... I builded wet sheaves round harrows...
15th Gordie ploughing stibbles all day... John Inglis died today. This bannock night
16th Hard frost Gordie carting out dung... wrote to Granny & McIntosh in Lumsden
17th I at Jock Inglis funeral aged 80 years.. Lizzie not well in bed Jane Daun stayed with bairns till I came home.
18th into Aberdeen took a drake & a white hare to Mrs Mearns
19th Gordie tried but frost not right out
21st Gordie ploughing stibbles over burn then he started the lea ploughed all day
22nd Gordie carting out dung
23rd ..Gordie to Rhynie with Meg mare to let Farrier see her leg
24th Gordie carting out dung Alexr Shand up to yoke Meg but frost too hard
25th Alexr Shand & Gordie carting out dung a.m. Gordie to Bridgend with Jock horse to get his shoes removed Alexr Shand left at night
26th I at Rhynie market riding Dasey got a wash for Megs leg. G Findlater landed here tonight.
28th Gordie plucking neeps G Findlater left a.m. I sprained ankle & could not walk
March
1st I in bed all day.
2nd ... No Dundee Advertiser today
3rd .. Gordie ploughing all day I at Dufftown riding on Dasey
4th I at Rhynie with Dasey for Mrs Shearer home by 3 p.m. weighed G Duncans neeps 13 tons 15 cwt per acre offered him £4 per acre he was needing £5 from Troup bed chamber 1/- Gordie ploughing
5th Gordie ploughing all day
7th Gordie ploughing ... fenced from dam to big tree & Wilson put up a net across to his pailing so I have a place fenced in to neep sheep below the dam
8th Gordie ploughing stibbles below dam
11th Gordie feered & I set & started him to plough with MP plough.
12th Gordie ploughing lea
14th Gordie ploughing all day
15th sheep neeps then Gordie away to Rhynie with Meg mare to let Morrison V.S. see her leg did not get home till 6 p.m. very drunk & in past Elrick ... I very sore head Wilson not well 7 in bed. a very fine day.
16th I very sore head all day took weder inover from dividing pailing killed dressed & examined his brain no sturdy Gordie ploughing lea
17th I at Dufftown sales riding on Dasey
21st ... Two tons of Potatoes from R Young Huntly @ £3”5 per ton
22nd Gordie ploughing. George Robertson here from Laggan & bought Dasey for Phimister factor @ £15 I am very unwilling to part with her.
23rd I at Lumsden with wife & Mary Jane Sent telegram to George Robertson Laggan
24th Gordie ploughing stibble on ulwine Bodiebae sheep away to Pitglassie to neeps
25th I neeped sheep then drove to Laggan with Dasey then George Robertson & I drove to Colagreen ... I bought 2 qrsSandy oats 10 qrs Earlt Hamilton I left Dasey & trap at Laggan & drove home with Laggans shilt & machine
27th ... G, Gordon away with his cow & Laggans shilt to Laggan. John Robson Finglennie calling p.m. a right fine warm day.
29th ... I sowed 2.5 acres of Lea with Early Hamilton Lizzie carried seed
April
1st ... Sandy Mann Sandy Duncan & Wilson burning heather in my hill I jooined them p.m.
2nd Gordie at Rhynie to Rhynie with both carts for potatoes Mrs Souter 1 cwt Jane Daun 4 cwt & myself 7 cwt... Willie & I heather burning awhile
7th Gordie ploughing clean ground above houses ... At Mrs Gordon of Bowns funeral p.m. her name Elizabeth Emslie aged 70 years
8th Gordie ploughing all day pain came into my leg & back Scarcely able to come home lost power of legs & back
11th George Gordon Elrick here all day helping with potatoes also Jane Daun & Granny & Willie & Johnnie Gordie ploughed them up & harrowed up. Tramp came with Mains did not stay landed again at night is to stay a week & do anything I in bed all day up a while at night.
12th Gordie rolling lea all day with Jock horse. My tramp man off over the hills after he got his breakfast never started work I up all day. Willie & Johnnie at school
13th... I some better but not much
14th ... Willie & Johnnie at school none of the Nicolls
15th Gordie carting neeps
16th... Gordie carting neeps
18th 2 sledgefuls of neeps down to Bruntland...
20th Gordie ploughing clean ground all day I busy amongst sheep
21-27 torn
29th A wild stormy day Gordie braking in clean ground above house Wilson sowed awhile & I sowed it out Alexr Shand carried seed such a wind cannot be right done Alic rolling new grass with Jock & Gordie harrowing with 2 mares...
30th Gordie harrowing all day at clean ground above houses I busy amongst ewes. Wm smith Elrick planted taties today.
May
2nd Gordie broke in back park & Jane Daun carried seed & I sowed it 2 qrs a fearful wind a..m. Gordie harrowing with 2 mares & I finished rolling of lea corn.
4th Gordie finished rolling of new grass & out grass seeds a.m. spring tining tatie ground p.m. ...
6th Gordie... opened 21 dreels for taties
10th I at Maryfair walked all the way Wilson looking after ewes & helping Gordie & Lizzie to plant taties.. I paid Rose £16”16 for wintering hoggs
11th ... earmarked lambs 109 & 8 to mark kept down ewes to lamb 30 put ewes with lambs & hoggs to far hill
14th Gordie drubbing below little with Poll & Jock a.m. & Meg & Jack p.m. Willie Jockie & I fencing on top of Buck p.m. ...gave a ewe lamb for a pet to Peggy Dawson
18th Gordie & I at Dufftown market Jock in cart I feed a man Harry Walker Sauchenward Botriphnie @£15”10... Jock Fin in garden & Wilson looking after beasts
20th Friday This is the day of King Edward VII funeral I told men not to work today but when they saw the rest in the place they started too Gordie spring tining & John in garden sowed pease & carrots .. a fine droughty day.
21st Gordie spring tining & harrowing John in garden thunder & heavy rain midday I planted 200 kale & 100 cabbage
24th Gordie harrowing over the burn ... Poll mare foaled 10.45 p.m. a horse foal & big ...
25th Meg not well would not let foal suck...strapped up her leg & exercised her. John at Jane Dauns today.
26th Gordie spring tining on Culwine with Jock & Meg. Meg yoked for 1st time after foaling.. John fencing in College plot of grass
27th Gordie finished spring tining on Culwine then harrowing all day with Meg & Jock. I at Rhynie got a lift with post
28th ... keepers to hill to the foxes . Paid Gordie & Mrs Shearer their fees (£14”15 & £1”10 for 12 weeks) Wilson home with pair of mares to Bodiebae
30th I helped Wilson to yoke his mares & he helped me to mark lambs . Harry Walker landed tonight...
31st ... John tp moss a.m. Harry closed dreeels with Poll & Jock ...had to stop broke sowing machine
June
1st Harry opening dreels with mares..Jock mossing...I levelled down dreels with wheel ring with Jock ...
2nd Harry closing dreels 2.5 hours a.m. left 9 a.m. Such dreeling was never seen I yoked & finished closing a.m I went over all his dreels with Jock p.m. too wet for sowing John away too.
3rd I sowing bit below the house Gordie Rennie landed noon he harrowing on Culwine p.m. I down at Charles Mitchels sale I bought 2 queys for Jas Reid at £10”5 & £9”16 & a bicycle at £1 a ratchet boring brace at 3/3 cart reins 1/3 I let Reid have the bicycle at £1 but I have to get the use of it when I need it.
6th John Souter here early in the morninf started to open dreels with 2 mares & I to Bridgend to get Jock horse shod took Gordie Rennie & his kist down with me up a load of manure from cottage p.m.
8th ... John Souter opening dreels John Fin sowing manure..
12th Jane Ann & I at Church vis Gordon Elrick & old Mrs Shearer Bowmans
14th John in moss... I put up a feering to Wilson
16th clipping hoggs & yeld ewes & 2 rams 2 awanting Jane Daun G Duncan Wm Wilson James Gordon John Fin & self tared lambs
27th (Account) John Souter 10/-
29th Wilson & I at Huntly mart. I did not get a man. this our Fast day.
July
2nd ... I made wind mill..
4th John hoeing neeps... James Gordon brought over pup. I paid him 10/- for her
6th St Sairs fair Tom Robertson bought a 3 year old shilt for £27 I feed a man Alexr Ledingham from now till term £13”10. I stayed at Netherton Insch all night
7th ...Man came tonight. Masons came tonight would not let them start
8th I drove to Dufftown station Wilson went with me to marraige I went on to Keith & saw Thomson the architect & got plan altered called on Jane Bruce & had tea there
9th Saturday Alic Willie Jockie & I at PicNic p.m. John at home we walked all the way turned out a fine day
10th Sunday G Black loon from Keithmore Mary Reid Jane Ann loons & I on top of Buck.. a lot more on Buck too Miss Thomson the champion dancer & 3 Smiths from Howbog Jane Spence here too but did not go to hill a fine day.
18th Alic 7 bags wool to Dufftown & home wood for doors & windows I drove over with Bess got Rose horse shod
19th ...some dirty wool to haker got some dishes for it
20th ...sent parcel of worsted & 1lb weight to Mrs Shearer...
21st I at Dufftown & bought a 5 year old cow to calve tomorrow £16”7”6 took her to Laggan & left her 2 Constables & vet at Bodiebae examining sheep just got one affected . Alic hoeing at Bodiebae John setting up peats.
22nd John to Laggan for cow Wilson to Laggan with shilt & machine for dip
23rd a fearful day of rain John & Alic working in mill...
24th J Black Wilson & the Nicols all at the averings..
25th a bad day no use for dipping Alick & John quarrying gravel for road & I at fishing a.m. Constable came to stop me dipping John Finn £1”5
26th Anderson Goodall & strath landed noon looked every sheep just found one affected at Beacklach which I hold is not sheep scab then they came & went over allmine found nothing.
27th John Finn off I paid him 46 days work £1”1”6 Alic & I dipped all the sheep over 400Constable here...
28th ... A. Dunn came up past here from market bought Meg cow @£19- Grant of Alford offered £18”15
29th Jane Cruickshank left early this morning between 5& 6 a.m. ... Jas Law tells me Jane is at Kirkton
30th I drove Mrs Mearns to station to 1.36 train... I engaged Georgina Mackie from now till term wages £6
31st Alic down at Essie brought home Dod Mackie with him
August
1st... J Taylor Gouls Glass here for his 2 ewe hoggs a.m. he left 1 fleece for keep & 1/- Wilson & Johnnie to Inverharroch with May cow to bull service 1/-
2nd... I at Gordon Lenox Scott funeral aged 74 years corps taken into church & service held there Rev Anderson Lower Cabrach
3rd... carting sand from Bodiebae with Jock & Rose
4th I set Alic to sort road made a poor job of it & I drove to Keith show... saw flying machine but not flying
5th Wilson & I sorting with old mare we have made a good job of it
9th I with Poll up masons tools from Ardwell 4 masons landed p.m.
10th cutting hay. Masons made a start to build p.m.
11th wheel of cart with load of sand went over Annies foot at Bodiebae took her home on top of sand
12th... Wm McDonald at Rhynie quarries p.m. had shilt with him & got her shod at Rhynie. Mary Jane got her and burned & very badly too.
13th Alic carting sand all day with Jock horse I to Ardwell for 14 planks of scaffolding to masons ... John Finn landed back tonight.
14th Alic & woman away today. Adam Shearer calling today. Wilson James Gordon & John Hendry mason away to Laggan with shilt & machine a fine day.
15th John Finn started work. James Gordon Bracklach & I at Rhynie quarries his mare & Wilson & Jock horse 8cwt of stones on each ..
loused 2 carts on Culwine
16th Alic & I took up 2 carts of stone from Culwine in the morning Alic & John in moss setting peats a.m. Wilson at Dr about Mary Jane she is very ill & fevered..
17th Alic at Dufftown for 4 inch tiles like a fool brought 2.5 feet faucet pipes 60 of them has to take them back tomorrow John in moss
18th John Finn working with masons a.m. & at hay p.m. Alic at Dufftown for 100 4 inch tiles Wilson for Dr to Lizzie delivered of a daughter 12.55 p.m. Mrs Smith & Mrs Reid with her. I could not get away from Mary Jane she is very bad.
19th ... Laggans 3 carts here with lime 10.5 bolls
20th John Willie Jockie & I finished coling & raking of hay a right fine day. John Hendry mason left this morning
22nd I cut College hay no masons here today just labourers Nell Reid left today
24th.. Alic carting stones to masons a.m.
25th Alic carting stones to masons a.m
26th I paid Alic Ledingham off this morning
27th ..Wilson to Rhynie Flower Show took Mrs Gordon Johnnie & Georgina with him
28th Mrs Shearer here seeing Lizzie had a man Simpson driving her to Cottage. My woman has not got back from the Flower show yet 8 p.m.
29th a bad wet day .. labourer landed back last night but no masons till afternoon.Jas Reid here for mushroms him & I at fishing below church came on a fearful spate I had tea with Mr & Mrs Souter I engaged a man for a week @ 12/- till I would see what like a worker he is
31st ... I at Rhynie quarries for 5 base stones
September
1st I looking all the water for causwaying stones & I rode down to Milton to Shand to see about lintils Mrs Kellas Kirkton told me to take the one they had
2nd A wet morning man started to cart out dung had to louse. John & I to Kirkton for 3 lintils
3rd Willie & John finished carting out dung then Willie carting stones to masons Laggans carts here with 12 bags of cement. John in moss & Willie helping Wilson to dip.
5th ... Wm Alnach carting stuff a.m. I paid him his wages. Engaged Wm Gauld from now till term £7
6th Wm Gauld to Dufftown for tiles & a bag of cement John & I fishing causeway stones out of the water all day
7th Wm Gauld & John carting causeway stones I gathering them out of the water all day.
8th Wm Gauld left this morning
10th Milton up with cart for masons tools morning finished here. I to Rhynie with Bess
16th .. draw & mark ewes for sale
17th John carting peats p.m. boys & I building stack 29 loads home a right fine day
19th Willie Johnie & I at Church
vis Adam Shearer& Jas Reid & housekeeper & Bengie from Laggan
19th -24th John carting peats (them all home a total of 61 loads) & cutting thatch
25th my woman down seeing John Sharp Mains a lot on top of Buck a right fine day
26th ... Wm Beattie shot poor old Nell bitch at Powneed at 8.35 a.m. I am sorry for her she was truly a good bitch & a faithful servant & companion to me
28th... Laggan offered me his binder to cut my corn Laggan cutting & leadiing both
29th Dod Gordon Bracklach here for cart to take his pig to Redford Wilson & I helped him to cart her
October
1st VS inspecting sheep at Bodiebae
2nd Sunday Lizzie & baby at Cottage p.m. A tramp landed here p.m. & stayed all night
3rd John cutting roads round lea... John & Jane Daun harvesting p.m.
4th . At Huntly bought Leicester ram lamb £2”15.. John Wilson & Jane Daun harvesting p.m. Mackie away at her mothers all p.m.
6th John & I cutting Jane Daun & Mackie gathering 8 hours
7th Wilson away to Keithmore with 260 cross lambs
8th I at Laggan with Poll & Jock for the binder they had a bit to cut so it was after 3 p.m before we got away . Wilson drove binder & I took his mare Rose & cart. It was dark before we got home but we managed fine a fine day.
9th sorted put binder in order a.m. then I drove old Mrs Shearer to Rhynie to Dr. Vis Mrs & Miss Duncan Powneed Mrs Nicol & family
10th Wilson got binder in order & yoked Poll & Jock into it & cut till dinnertime Wilson & John stooking. Put Poll Jock & Rose in & Wilson drove all p.m. & John & I stooked did fine & a big bit of it.
12 a fearful day no harvesting
13th Dufftown sale sold 50 wedder lambs at 10/6 & left 48 wedders & 6 rams with Sheach
14th I started binder with Poll & Jock cut end of lea on 3 sides all above on one side across had Rose in p.m. & Wilson driving & John stooking I did not go to Cabrach market
15th Wilson cutting with Poll & Jack in binder all day & John stooking. I took in 3 ricks from back park with Rose mare Jane Daun forking ion land & loons building cart Dod forking to me in yard A man James Meldrum landed in about I engaged him from to term at 12/- per week.
17th heavy dew then frost Jamie & I set up stooks . John in bed forenoon I yoked binder p.m. & finished cutting by 4.15p.m. Jamie stooking & John raking
18th Taking up taties John & Jamie a.m. Jamie & I took in a rick of cleanground has it all in from back park & raking into mill a right fine day ricks heating some
19th John & Jamie taking up taties a.m. Grannie back tonight
20th a bad day raining men making rapes all day
21st John Finn left this morning I paid him £3”1 having been 9 weeks & 4 days Wm Beattie away with shilt to Jas McDonalds marriage. I took foals from their mothers & put them in cots
22nd Jas cleaning up mill I making flags mannies & windmills to frighten away the grouse
23rd Sunday ..to Laggan for meal to Wilson & took home Jamie Barrie with me
24th Jamie dipped Bodiebae sheep then we took in a rick & thrashed p.m.
25th to Mid Clova with sheep, 78 ewes 47 wedders & Wilson 22 wedder lambs , & got shilt shod
27th ... Jamie thatching bit of mill & taking up taties G Smith shooting grouse on stooks
28th to Shands to see about wood got a sight through Shooting Lodge
29th Jamie & Jas Reid taking up taties all day & I away through Clova & Kildrummy hills looking for sheep got 16 of my own & 2 of Allans
30th a very bad day Wilson Nicols & I looking for blind ram Wm Beattie got him amongst his ewes & shut him into cots he is in a fearful rage they tell me & ram got out at his own part of the fence
31st Jamie & Dod taking up taties. At Rhynie paid into Bank £55 & G Mackies mother £1
November
1st James setting up stooks we dipped all the sheep with McDougalls dip.
2nd ... dipped & ironed lambs took in a rick snowing near all day
3rd Leading today Jas Reid forked to me in yard Jane Daun on field
Jamie & Dod driving carts a.m Jamie building & I wiling sheaves p.m.
4th To Dufftown & Laggan
5th dipping Jamie herding grouse
6th Sunday Georgina Mackie away at Rhynie at the Dr to be examined for itch or scab
7th... Stewart made a kite would not work I shot at a falcon.
9th ... Jamie up 2 sledgefuls of neeps from Culwine
10th Jamie & I took in half a rick of hay. Then he away to Dufftown with Jock in cart to take wood off truck & home rigging stone to stay all noght & come home tomorrow Mrs Shearer away to Bank & Bowmans .. grouse will not herd & kites will not keep up.
11th grouse will not keep off ... Jip bitch had 8 pups today Wilson killed them all & we took chaff off cows eye . Mrs Shearer landed at night. Jamie not come at 8 p.m.
12th Jamie my man landed with horse & cart at 11.40 p.m. last night. sledged up neeps from Culwine a.m.
13th boys & myself herding grouse off corn will not herd.
14th Jamie & Wilson sledging off stooks nearer houses I to Birkenhill with cart for rams snow on roads till you get to Belhinnie
15th from Birkenhill brae of Blackhills snow deep Jock horse clean done . Most of them ploughing below Belhinnie
16th snowing & drifting I did not go to Dufftown feeing market I at grouse at stooks Jamie up some neeps & inover some bedding
17th I in bed all day not well a very wild stormy day Jmaie gave sheep some sheaves
18th taties to Reid Meg in sledge did fine
19th ...let rams amongst ewes tonight...
20th herding grouse will not herd
21st sheaves to sheep herding grouse thrashed
22nd .. loons & I herding grouse Jamie pulling neeps gave sheep sheaves
23rd G robertson Laggan here left Dasey at Bodiebae & took home Bess
24th I at Dufftown sales Laggan there snow away & all ploughing home Jamies kist with me Jamie looking after beasts gave sheep sheaves
26th Jamie to Dufftown to hold his term
27th Jamie landed about 9 a.m.
28th Wilson helped me to top of Craig road with sheep a fearful job to get them there with snow he turned with Dasey & took them to Mrs Gregors Nether Howmill Mossat I stayed there all night no snow after Whitehillock paid Mrs Gregor 4/- for keep sheep to J Rose 176 in fall
29th I walked all the way home got a steeping. Ewes among stooks when I came home. Jas Strath Constable here riding delaining(?) shifting of ewe of ewe & ram at home . It is a perfect humbug the Sheep Scab order & for no good.
December
1st Jamie & I winnowed 3 qrs corn a.m. Goodall & Strath & Anderson the vet inspected Bracklach & Bodiebae sheep today found nothing wrong but they have to dip them perfectly clean & do it twice within 28 days
4th old ewe dead today & a lamb yesterday drowned
5th a fearful spate coming into house & mill
6th.. James Gordon Bowmans here looking at Jock horse
7th Bracklach & Bodiebae dipping today Thanksgiving for harvest & it not in yet
8th I at Dufftown sales riding on Dasey Sent over new Dr Stewart to see Lizzie
10th I at Dufftown with Jock in cart at Dr Stewart about Lizzie I had my dinner at Meldrums & my supper at Reids Jamie started to plough lea with Poll & Meg
11th It never faired Jamie looked after beasts I in bed all day
12th Jamie ploughing . G Mackie came up for awhile
13th Traction with wood stuck above Lodge last night they could easily have put it to Powneed but they would not try but threw it off where they were .. Jamie rigged up 2 wood carts & up a load I to Aldunie Milton & Kirkton & Reid to Auchmair asking for help to take it up.
14th carting up wood all day from above Lodge Jamie & Alex shand 4 loads each Milton & Auchmair men 3 loads each & Kirkton man 2 loads a better day Reid helping to load wood.
15th I herding ewes a.m. & Jamie & Alic Shand carting up wood iron &c judt themselves with Jock & Poll. Wilson & I at Lumsden at Poll saw Henderson & shaking hands with him Wilson had Meg & I riding Dasey a fine afternoon All the wood & iron up from above Lodge.
17th shot 5 hares on Buck wet to the skin Jamie to Dufftown at night gave him a hare to his mother I sorted beasts at night.
18th I sorted beasts ... rain rain forever it will never dry up... vis Harry Nicol & Wilson & Jane Spence
19th Jamie ploughing washed cattle & thrashed a few wet sheaves too wet to take in a rick hay just about done
20th. did not go to hares I not well Jamie & I took in 3hewks dinging on & as wet as can be
21st herding sheep & grouse Jamie ploughing a fine windy day all day
22nd Jamie Dod & I hewked the lea corn Jamie ploughing & herding sheep & grouse took in 2 ricks of clean ground corn p.m. not good ... 3 carpenters here today Strath Constable here too.
24th thunder & rain at 5a.m. wet all the sheaves fearful that was down. Jamie pulled neeps & carted home Jamie ploughing p.m.
25th ... Day Duncan here at dinner ... Jamie the 2 boys & I hewked all the stooks after dark with lantern dinging on snow. This is my birthday.
26th snow on this morning Jamie leveled down midden & buried two lambs .. Bodiebaes sheep all amongst my neeps noon. Jamie ploughing.
27th I to hill for sheep & gave them corn...
28th I at Dufftown Jock in sledge had Willie with me ... lotion & ointment to Lizzies leg...dinner at Meldrums Wm & I
29th Jamie took in a rick in back park yesterday right fine stuff
30th Jamie ploughing... Carpenter here today
31st Jamie & I pulling neeps in Culwine. I counted 33 at Hunt Craig party treated us to plenty of drink & a hare to each driver.
ist reference to Granny
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