1912
January
1st Jim away p.m. holdiing his new year. Jane sorted cattle & I horses a fine day
2nd... Jim ploughing ..burued dead ewe a very fine day
3rd Jim pulling neeps carting Meg in cart & Poll tracing I wheeling them into byre & Jane throwing them in ... Jane Daun home tonight boys at school today
4th Jim ploughing... I took round cheese press stones & set them up beside the porch p.m. Annie Smith begging for Church schemes
5th Jim cut neeps .. I set up neeps & pulled neeps & Jim set up neeps Lizzie Jane & I thrashed & briused noon then I at Miss Mackies presentation a fine clock & she in return gave all the scholars & friends a splendid tea & fruit
6th Miss Mackie teacher left today
7th ewes got nothing today
8th ewes neeped thrashed riddles of fanners broke a wild night ewes into cots
9th ... It took Jim & I a whole day to clear mill wheels of snow ... had to give beasts sheaves did not get thrashed
10th Wednesday Jas Law here this morning tells us that James Kellas Hillhead is dead, starved in hill of Gaugh coming from Glenbucket on Monday night died 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Sheep neeps at cots rain all day
12th Jim sheep neeps then pulling neeps all day I made riddle for mill fanners then thrashed at night
13th Jim sheep neeps then pulling neeps & I at James Kellas funeral aged 69 years a big funeral
16th ... rain thrashed winnowed
17th funeral of old Mrs McCombie of Burntreble I would have liked to go
20th Dr to Bracklach to Mrs Esson this morning
23rd.. took up ferret from Lodge... I have the toothache very bad
24th toothache I tried to pull one but it broke & I did not get the root. Jas Reid up with clog
26th frosty... sledging neeps
30th ... I skinned a ewe which Jim had killed with driving the cart over her
31st... sledging neeps carting out dung burying a ewe which died today
February
6th ... I over seeing Jane Daun at night a wild day at times & drifting
7th .. I made sledge to boys..
8th .. Jim & I plucking neeps with shoulder pick a.m.
9th .. Jim & I neeped sheep took in a rick of lea corn thrashed ... Lizzie turned bad p.m. Jim to Bridgend with & wired Dr Mrs Nicol Mrs Smith & Nell Reid came Dr delivered her of a daughter at 9.35 p.m.
10th ...Mrs Nicol & Mrs Smith left at 9a.m.
11th Boys & I at Church past Cottage Nell & Bella here
12th Boys at school Jim ploughing & I casting snow ... took a load of neeps into march burn for Harrys cow 1
13th Jim ploughing ...Lizzie up
14th Mrs Smith & Mrs Nicol here washing
15th I at Auchmair seeing John Souter p.m. he is far from well
17th... Jim away to Carnie today Mrs Duncan up seeing Lizzie also her daughter Bella
20th ... Bell Reid & the Nicolls here at the bannocks tonight
21st Jane Daun here washing today
22nd... Cosmo at Bracklach ploughing just now
23rd ... I mended cradle & fanner...
24th Boys & I to ploughing match at Manse 21 ploughs G. Rattray 1st & cup 2nd Wm Taylor 3rd Jas McDonald 4th G Robertson 5th G Duncan a right fine day A, Dunn was judge
26th ... Nell & Bell Reid here at night
28th ... down at school at night registered May Victoria
29th I to dufftown sales with 3 hoggs & rams did not get a chance to sell them. Took them over with Poll in cart & home again. Wm Beattie sold 2 queys @ £10 each
March
1st Friday Jim ploughing lea all day finished I took sheep to far hill Shot 2 hares thrashed a fine day some mist in hill
3rd Jim away to Carnie today
7th I put 2 new handles on ploughs & painted them..
8th Ploughing match at Tomnaven 13 plows ist John Gordon Aulton 2nd Wm Taylor 3rd Jas McDonald 4th A Yeatts 5th R Dow 6th G Rattray 7th Wm Gordon 8th Belcherrie 9th Burgess 10th J stables 11th Stephen
10th Lizzie Willie Johnnie & Lizzie Ann all at Church I at home nursing
15th ... Jane sorting beasts a right fine day Howbog breaking in lea Bank sowing
16th I in bed unwell...
17th Jane Spence at Church old Mrs Shearer here p.m. I in bed very pained in head & bowels Juno bitch not seen since last night must be puped somewhere
18th ... Juno found below rick with 8 pups
20th took in College rick & weighed it in the sheaves John Souter here & helped us the weights are Golden rain 403.5 lbs; Sandy 439 lbs; yelder 394 lbs; own 440 lbs foul day killed 3 rats & 7 pups kept one
21st Golden rain 43 lbs per bushel
25th opened potato pits & riddled out seed & took big ones into cellar for use
29th Willie to Mid Clova for ewes has home 183 ewes & 4 rams... not well wintered
April
1st Monday ...snowing 2 ewes lambed today 1 dead. Gave ewes 2 loads neeps.
6th always too windy for sowing Alex Dunn here bought 2 stots @ £31”10 luck 5/-. Ewes lambing
7th Jane at Church..Jjim sorted cattle but away after tea to meet Jane
8th came on snow & drifting
9th Ewes in Burn of bank some lambs drowned & smored
10th A fearful stormy day ewes & lambs unable to stand against it & I have no shelter on this Devil of a place with the wind out of the North gathered ewes round cots at night
11th very wild & drifting Jas Law away with Jip bitch to John Souter
13th began to sow corn today own Sandy at top of lea, then College Sandy, then Golden Rain then Yelder & the rest Early Hamilton Jim gave it a double tining up & down Wm Beattie sowing too a fine day
14th Boys & I busy among ewes all day 13 lambed 14 laambs gave one to Leby Nicol Janet vis here Baptism at Mains of Elrick
15th ... started to plough clean ground ... keepers burning in little hill
16th 3 keepers in my hill burning heather a.m. I burned a moor p.m.
17th 20 ewes lambed between noon yesterday & noon today
18th ... boys turned & did not go to school afraid of master he is thrashing fearful I am told
19th Jim & willie & Jane helpping to fill carts carted off all the neeps into a heap I put net round them
20th Reekimlane shepherd landed here with hoggs home 58 2 dead
22nd Jim ploughing all day... Lizzie down at Cottage seeing her father Wm Baxters 3 y -o stallion here
23rd marked 42 yeld ewes jane Annie & I on Buck fencing p.m. wires will not mend clean done very warm day
27th Lizzie at Howbog seeing Wm smith
28th Jim Reid away at Carnie
29th ...corn Jane Daun 2 bush 5/-
30th ... women lifted a pit of potatoes.. Day Duncan farming to Jane Daun. Quantity of grass seed on field is my own ryegrass 10 bush cockfoot 63 lbs red clover 36, white 14, alay leg (49?) Timothy 36 lbs
May
1st Jim rolling clean ground...
2nd To far hill with Poll in sledge for 2.5 rolls wire for dividing fence then I fencing till 11.30 home 12 noon dressed took my dinner & at Bowmans by 1.30p.m. to Peter Gordons funeral aged 72 years Jim ploughing tatie ground p.m. home & through ewes Mains here for supering to his mare at night Thrashed today
3rd.... Rev McLean vis tonight..
4th... Jane Daun at potato seed p.m. Lizzie away at Cottage Annie & baby
5th Jane Spence & Willie at Church Bob Ligertwood at Cottage
7th I at Maryfair got a lift with Mr McLean & Scott Milton.. sheep last of neeps
10th Meg mare served with Moonlight terms 12/6 at end of season for both mares and £1 for each foal. John souter here with Jip.
11th Meg not well went to Farrier got powders for her.
12th Boys at Sunday school...
13th Jim working in garden all day. I at Rhynie riding on Love cashed Dunns cheque £31”5. Mains of Elrick sold white cow £9 today a right fine day. Engaged G Mackie for half the year @£8 she is to be home on 28th inst.
15th Jim at dufftown feeing market...
16th A fearful spate...
17th I drove to Gartly with Poll & went into Aberdeen with 8.50 a.m. train back at Gartly 5 p.m. called on WM Findlay Marischal College & on my friend David Souter, had dinner with a man who is married with a niece of Mr Souters. Jim planted Cabbage & gathering weeds a fine day
18th Jim gathering weeds. Boys & I docked cross lambs ... Jim broke a draw road of roller.
19th Jim away today I ill with sore head Vis John Finn woman of Powneed & Nell Reid & Nicols a lot of rain afternoon
20th let mares out to grass 20 minutes on bare brae Meg took ill after she came in & ate her corn. I gave her a drench of linseed oil sweet spirit of nitre & laudanum
21st Jim to Rhynie for VS to Meg could not come sent up a drench.. College man here
22nd Mr Morrison & his son Alick here seeing Meg mare & cut colt at Powneed, Howbog & Aldunie. I at Milton trying to fee Chas Gordon did not manage. Jim dunged dreels & broke it.
23rd I at Dufftown sales had poll in gig home malt 2/6 Jim working in garden
24th... Poll mare served with Moonlight.
25th ... I sowed 20 dreels of swedes & 20 dreels of Purple Yellow Top.
26th Whit Sunday Annie & I at Church Minister of Clatt preaching . Wm Gordon Bank here for Jip bitch Mains of Elrick here for his mare (borrowed because of Meg’s incapacity) p.m. Bella Reid & girl of Bowmans here. Jane & Annie & boys on top of the Buck p.m.
27th Jim spring tining with Meg & Poll & carting off weeds. I at Rhynie feeing market did not get a man got a hurl down & up with Mains of Elrick.
28th Mains dreeling with Meg & his mare & Jim carting out dung with Poll & I putting weeds into dreels a.m. Jim & Jane away together. Mains has Poll & his own mare away dreeling to himself p.m.
29th Mains Willie here in the morning for Poll. Dod brought her back at night. I busy fencing all day. I sold 5 BF ram & 3 BF wedder hoggs to Wm Gordon Bracklach £11 for the lot. I met him at the road wit them morning.
30th Thomas Mackie Mains of Rhynie here looking at colt we did not deal. G Robertson Laggan also calling p.m. I took two of his parks for £6 neither man nor woman come yet.
31st Chas Gordon came this morning... G mackie landed tonight.
June
1st ... dunging & sowing neeps 26 dreel
2nd Wife, Johnnie, Annie & I at Church today past Cottage Jas Reid came up with us Charlie at Elrick all day a fine day but some cold.
4th Charlie grubbing with his fathers mare..
5th Lizzie & Willie at Lumsden walking..
8th ... at Dufftown George Robertsons marriage to Lizzie a fine affair home by 11 p.m.
9th No Charlie here today nor last Sunday G Mackie away home rather drier day
11th I fencing a.m. Charlie started to gather weeds but left forenoon sometime faired up a fine afternoon.12th... Harry came & opened all the dreels about 50 & I put weeds into dreels p.m.
12th I carting out dung 11 loads had to stop for rain G Mackie braking awhile I at meeting At School at night about Insurance.
14th John Finn casting oeats to Jane Daun
15th John Finn came here today him & Willie braking dung... Jockie & Annie at Milton for kale plants
16th none at church man Hay farmer of Upperton calling on way to Elrick seeking lost sheep.
17th John carting out dung G Mackie spreading.. Harry covered in dreels ...
18th John Finn left morning... John Souters cow blown up gave her terebene
19th Young Dod of Elrick here wanting Charlie’s money.
20th... Harry dreeled...
21st ... engaged man to cast 2000 barrowfuls at £1 per 1000 12 peats per barrow
22nd Harry Nicol & his mother & I clipped hoggs & some yeld ewes 103 & Jas reid made up wool. Man Mitchell casting peats.
23rd Willie & Johnnie at Church G Mackie away home. Chap from Upperton here for 4 ewes & 4 lambs.
24th... John Mitchell in the moss a.m. clipped greedy ewes p.m. Jane Souter up for chaff
25th .. at Mill of Noth... G Mackies mother a bag of taties & 5/-
26th Thunder & lightening today & very warm. Wm Duncan of Pisgah here tonight taking up ages of children.
28th I got Miltons Pheaton & went to Mossat for Mr & Mrs Souter 11.45 a.m...
29th I among sheep & at man at moss & hoeing taties. Mr & Mrs Souter at Howbog McKay keeper here after 5 bush taties pd me 5/-
30th I at Church. A wet day. Mr & Mrs Souter did not visit any today
July
1st I drove Mr & Mrs Souter & baby to Milton of Lesmore had Miltons Pheaton a cold day. Old Mrs Beattie & Nellie came to Powneed tonight.
3rd This is the fast day. G Mackie, Annie, Willie, Johnnie & I at Church McHardy Rhynie preaching jas Reid here p.m. John casting peats.
4th G Mackie away down home. I gave John Mitchell £1 went to Ardwell & got drunk landed home at night a fine day....
5th I hoeing neeps & Willie & Johnnie learnning & John Mitchell away drinking G Mackie not home yet... Poll mare served again tonight.
6th Willie & I hoeing neeps all day he doing well John still on spree G Mackie not back yet Poll mare served again today. Maggie a bushel of potatoes.
7th G mackie not back I did not get to Sacrament just Lizzie a fine day.
8th G Mackie landed home tonight a fine day She brought her daughter with herher mother put her out.
9th John & Jane Spence hoeing... Post begging for a present for Morrison VS I promised 5/-
10th John & Jane hoeing a fine day for the job
11th I gathered in sheep & drrew them Jane Daun Lizzie & I clipped 60 ewes Jas Reid made up wool
12th John & Jane hoeing Jane Daun Lizzie & I clipped 50 ewes. John took sheep & made up wool & tared some. G Mackie mother here at night I gave her 6/- of her daughters wages.
13th I gave John Mitchell 10/- morning he away to Rhynie. I took scholars to Picnic in cart. John landed home mad drunk threatened to murder every one about the place could not get to bed for him wet morning fine p.m.
14th None of us at church had such a night & morning with a drunk man put Jane Daun out of her house 2 a.m. I had to let her in here. I never put such a morning over my head, with a perfect mad man.
15th I cut calves Wilson held them then I gathered in sheep & Jane Daun Lizzie & I clipped 20 a.m. Wm Gordon clipping p.m. Willie catched & tarred & made up some wool. Wm Gordon held some lambs till I cut them. Jane Spence nursing.
16th I hoeing swedes all day Lizzie hoeing awhile Wm Beattie left today. Willie turned bad at school had to bed at Cottage Jane Spence setting peats at home came here at night.
17th Lizzie Jane & I hoeing.
18th a wet kind of day. Jane Spence in moss I hoeing by myself a.m. at Howbog with 6 bush taties p.m. she had a bush before received 7/- for them. My brother arrived today he is not well. My Willie still in bed. G Mackies mother took away child today.
19th Jane Spence in moss I hoeing by myself... brother Alexr in bed all day not well. I at Milton at night with big cow no use had to go to Haddoch.
20th Jane & Dod at peats Willie & I hoeing.
21st Boys & I at Church I past Reids then him & I came up past Howbog to see John Souter a very fine day.
22nd I hoeing neeps a.m. A tramp landed in about wanting work noon him & I hoeing p.m. engaged him at 1/6 per day very fine day Jane Spence not here today.
23rd... John & Mary Souter here at night McRobert here all night I stayed at Reids
24th I left Cottage at 6 a.m. with wool took it to Dufftown station 4 bags to Stewart Brothers Leith & 3 bags to Reid & Robertson total 11cwt. My tramp left this morning
25th Jane & Dod setting up peats & Willie, Jockie & I hoeing a.m. came on rain noon. Lizzie Dod boys & I hoeing p.m. managed 20 dreels today. Peg Duncan up & paid me 10/- for 10 bush taties.
26th hoeing rained had to take shelter Gave G Mackie 5/- tonight.
27th Us all hoeing all day finished Lizzie Jane Willie Jockie & I, Alick awhile thundering all day came on rain at night...
28th G Mackie to her mother jane Spence working for her
29th I gathered sheep a.m. dipped with Robertsons Special Feby dip ewes 280 BF lambs 125 cross l 45 tups 3 Alexr McRobert & Jas Reid catched & I dipped a fine day for the job.
30th I to Glass market Nell reid with me I did not get a man expences 1/6 good prices for good horses kept up a fine day.
31st This to have been the day of the Cabrach market but no market took place I gathered sheep & G Mackie & I dipped all the lambs again with other dip. 128 BF lambs & 45 ewes.
August
1st A fearful day of rain & cold... Nell & Bell Reid here tonight.
2nd My brother left today. Dr up to see Lizzie & Maggie Helen.
5th a very wet day. I cutting ragwood all day got a big steeping put BF ewes & lambs to far hill & kept down crosses & a few other beasts.
6th ... cutting thistles among corn. robertson & a friend here trying to buy colts.
7th A. Jessiman blacksmith here at night
8th came on heavy rain noon I caught 13 trouts
9th Jane Spence here today. I paid her 18/- for 12 days work Lizzie £1 Wm Gordon 2/- Jas Reid 5/- I filled up Peggs Duncans Insurance paper Jane Spence signed it.
10th A man Thomas Thomson landed here p.m. engaged him to do whatever he is told from now to term for £7
11th Thomas Thomson & Willie at Haddoch with Bell cow cow at bull morning. I at Church & past Cottage. Nell Reid & Bell up here.
12th I got Miltons pheaton & took my wife, Maggie Helen & baby, Nell & Bell reid with me got Poll mare shod at Rhynie for to take the prize for shoeing at Keith show tomorrow. Landed at Raemurrick at night. Big cow served with Milton bull.
13th I drove Poll to Keith in Pheaton. Adam & Dod Shearer with me. I was there by 7.15 a.m. A Jessiman was there & dressed her feet. So sh e took the red ticket & 20/- to A jessiman but what a day of rain & cold a perfect spate the whole day.
14th I left Raemurrick at 9 a.m. Nell & Bell reid came with me to Howtown left Lizzie & bairns at Raemurrick came past Huntly & Rhynie home here by 9 p.m. Willie at Lodge yesterday & today.
15th Thomson at peats a.m. cutting bedding p.m. I at moss a.m. writing letters & putting door & press in stable & a lock p.m. Willie at Lodge today.
16th Man cutting bedding a.m. started to ciut hay p.m. I put ewes & cross lambs into park at Bodiebae a.m. & mending gates p.m. & also turnip rinner a fine day Willie at Lodge G Mackie 10/- She to Kirkton for tea at night. Jane Spence here p.m. calling.
17th May & I cutting hay a.m. he is a poor hand at the scythe mist came down & like to rain had to stop cutting 4 p.m.
18th I at Church Kildrummy minister preaching today.
19th Man cutting bedding a.m. & gathering p.m. I at auchmair p.m. had Love riding on. Willie at gents today. Wet day.
20th I at Bracklach & cut a sturdy ewe to Dod they have taken off all their lambs & away to Yillyminate with them a.m. My man gathering bedding awhile a.m. .... G Mackie away tonight.
21st Manie at bedding. I got Miltons pheaton & drove to Raemurrick took Jockie & Annie with me ... g mackie at Keith with her daughter today.
22nd Manie cutting hay most of the day. I left Raemurrick 12 noon turned a fine afternoon. We called & saw John Souter. G mackie home today.
23rd Man cutting hay all day did little. I at Johnsfair riding on dasey shilt...
24th Manie cutting hay & I turning a.m. Mason here & cemented pillars of stable. Ogstons Greve & West Clova here seeing colts did not sell. Man & I coling hayp.m. A fine day G. Mackie away to Rhynie p.m.
25th G. Mackie away at Rhynie Shpow yesterday not home jane Spence here none of us at Church. I on Buck p.m. & 6 women & 7 men from Lodge on Buck p.m. a fine day.
26th...John McGrimmon trying to buy my crosses a.m. ...
27th I at Maryfair riding on Poll to Todston had tea going & coming. I bought a new hat 2/6 sweets 6d glass to Willies watch 3d.
28th A wet kind of forenoon. G Mackie boys & I coled some hay p.m. Bell Reid up for Jane Spence. She landed here last night & came in at the window. She had been shut out at home. Wm Beattie home with a binder. Willie not at Lodge.
29th A very wet forenoon. Willie not at Lodge. I workoing in stable a.m. & at fishing p.m. caught 2 trout.
30th .... I engaged a man John Thomson from now to term @ £7”10. I dwon aat Powneed saw Wm Beatties new binder. Annual ball at school tonight. Willie at Lodge today.
31st Man away to Dufftown for his kist with Poll.....I coling G Mackie & her sister helping. Willie at gents today.
September
1st Lizzie, Annie & I at Church past Cottage. Jane Spence here at night. Edith Thomson still here. a fine day. Man & Willie at Haddoch with big cow at bull. She is not like to settle.
2nd Thomson setting peats then turned hay a.m. I in Clashenrae got 2 ewes unclipped ... gathered in all the sheep & took off lambs tared a few ewes came on heavy rain p.m.izzie at Blackhills Mrs henderson here p.m.
3rd Thomson & I fencing in hill...a fearful afternoon of rain...Ebeb Innes to Dufftown with cart... Edith Thomson away.
4th... I at John Kellas funeral aged 74 years .. Laggan ewes to Bodiebae
5th ... a fearful cold day.. Douliks here for 74 BF lambs left at Bodiebae yesterday
6th ... fearful cold... children did not go to ministers picnic
7th.. Mearns bought Wm Beatties 3 year old horse £43
8th I a fearful headache ...wife & two boys at Church
10th ... man cutting beasts meat...
11th Jock & I setting up peats.& working at hay..
13th... A Dentist here & drew 5 teeth to me & 3 to Lizzie & took impression of her mouth for upper set of teeth price to be 310 he drew 8 to Milloy & 14 to Beatties woman.
14th Jock & I cleaned ditch at moss then he cut some thatch a.m. I turned some hay & took home into cornyard 9 loads. Willie drove Poll Jock coled it in yard a fine day.
15th I gathered inover all the sheep from far hill a.m. drew out all the lambs p.m. right fine day. vis. Wm Gordon Bracklach G Mackie away home today.
16th Jockie & I left this 11a.m. with 45 cross lambs landed at Laggan 6 p.m. stayed there all night. Jock turned hay a.m. took it home p.m.
17th... Dufftown Special Sale G. Gordon Bracklach bought my cross lambs 37 @ 21/- & Allan Dufftown 8 shots @ 14/- did not sell BFs Jock home 3 loads of peats & at thatch.
19th Jas Reid taking in his peats today Milton 2 carts John Scott one Auchmair one & I 2 . Poll lost a shoe. Home 33 loads....
20th John away to Rhynie with Poll to be shod walking. ... I put to far hill ewes 199. broken m. in near hill 91 & ewe lambs 68 & down to Culwine wedder lambs 54, ram lambs 4 , & old rams 4 = 62. Jock home about 5 p.m.
21st... G Mackie left tonight without any excuse at 9 p.m.
22nd Thomson, Willie & Jockie on top of Buck today. Wm Smith & Miss Coutts the teacher vis here p.m. a right fine day.
23rd Jock & I ricked hay 1 rick a.m. 1 rick p.m. Willie at Lodge today but not well.
24th I went to Mid Clova with 90 BM ewes & 53 wedder lambs of my own 103 of Wm Smith of Howbog shot ewes & shot ewe lambs & his wedder lambs
25th I left to Mid Clova with sheep 5.30 a.m. & at Alford at 10a.m. I sold 90 BM ewees to Jas McHardy @ 14/- did not sell lambs. Wm Smith sold out. I came home with Wm Smith. Jock at peats all day.
26th Jock wiling & driving peats. Jockie & I at Clova for lambs. Dentist here with teeth for Lizzie. she paid him £3”10 paid Jane Spence 7/6
27th Jock to Elrick with Meg mare. C gordon to Huntly with her & his own mare for a binder for me then Jock carting all day 9 loads. I at Jake Bruce funeral aged 76 years. Jane Spence not here today. Binder pole broke in Rhynie so had to leave it dinner 2/-
28th Thomson carting peats 5 loads a.m. I sore head a.m. ... sorted stalls for stirks & calves & took them all in for the first time gave them green corn p.m. Thomson away to Dufftown tonight.
29th... I sorted beasts gave Jane Daun half sovern rain today & cold.
30th Jock & I in far hill gathering sheep a.m. I took 46 wedder lambs & 5 ram lambs to Powneed & Wm Beattie took them & his 40 ewes & 12 wedder lambs to Laggan & stayed there all night...
October
1st A fearful morning of rain, waters big. I drove to Dufftown Special Sale. Sold wedder lambs 46 @ 9/6 & 2 ram lambs @ 12/- each. Wm Beattie 40 ewes @ 11/3 a bad day all day took home 3 ram lambs. Jock just sorted beasts. Wm beatties lambs @ 9/6.
2nd Jock Thomson in his bed forenoon not well. I cut bout up backside & in head of corn a.m. Snowing all day. Day Duncan home with saddle & bridle noon. I to Powneed for rams. Jock Thomson sore & left afternoon. Mains of Elrick here p.m.
3rd I gathered & bound up corn & in a load into mill.... Wm Beatties woman away today.
4th Mains of Elrick & I to Rhynie with both mares for binder got Megs shoes removed. We working at binder all day till 5 p.m. & just managed to get her to Newseat & left her there. Transport wheels gave way. A fine day. Jane Souter washing to Lizzie awhile charged her3/-.
5th Mains has Poll carting peats today. I set up my peats a.m. cutting a bout around corn field gathered & stooked it up p.m. Alexr Gordon Reekimlane here at night a fine harvest day.
7th I carted home 2 loads peats a.m. At old Wm Gordon gaughs funeral aged 91 years p.m. rather cold kind today.
8th I took Meg mare & rode to Belhinnie then drove to Huntly with John Thomson to ram sale did not get one. At Sellar about binder wheels repaired today. I paid Alexr Gordon Reekimlane £16 today & £9 before for wintering ewe hoggs 58 of them. John Thomson 3/-
9th peats, wiling & setting
10th.. carting peats, has home 40 loads...
11th Harry Nicol to Newseat for binder got her home allright home by 2 p.m. I down at Powneed for let stuff & in some meat to beasts
before night a right fine day.
12th I working at binder & cutting a bout down sidea.m. cutting & Jane Daun gathering 4 hours p.m. a fine day.
13th I at Church the Rev Spark preaching.
15th ...received telegram tonight informing me of my brothers death he died this morning.
16th Wet forenoon Willie at post & Elrick... Sellar man here noon to start binder got a start but not sheafing well.
17th I cutting with binder 2 hours a.m. notmaking good work ... Jas Anderson here noon wanting 20/- to redeem a bicycle.
18th Cabrach market day & sale of growing crop of corn at Manse... Jane cameron gathering awhile p.m. 3 hours.
19th A right fine day. I cutting with binder a.m. & p.m. and to Bridgend at night with Poll in cart for old Mrs Shearer. Wm Kellas blacksmith grandson here gave him £3 in payment of acc. Jane Daun harvesting here 7 hours.
21st A very hard frost this morning Istooking sheaves a.m. kept Willie at home. cutting with binder p.m. & in a load of sheaves for horses. nell reid here p.m. vis. Jane Daun not here today a right fine afternoon.
22nd ... wet & small rain all day I cutting lying corn. Willie to school today.
23rd... I down seeing Wm Beattie binder...
24th A very bad day of rain the whole day.... I cutting lying corn & pulling neeps a.m. carted in 2 loads neeps & home a load of peats p.m. Harry Nicol driving in his mothers peats.
26th ... hard frost... 2 tramps landed here at night, slept in stable.
28th I cutting with scythe & John McMillan gathering a.m. I started to binder p.m. making bad work. man cutting & Jane Daun gathering 3 hours. I was forced to stop.
29th Man & I seting up stooks all forenoon 7 it dinging on we were dreeping to skin did nothing at harvest p.m.
30th I stooking till 9 a.m then to hill & gathered in sheep came on a fearful afternoon of rain. Adunn & Wm Smith here p.m. sold big cow to Dunn. My man gathering corn & setting up stooks a.m. & awhile p.m.
31st John to elrick with big cow a.m.
November
1st I to Dufftown with Poll in cart took wool to mills home from Watt Brothers 1 boll meal @ 17/6 self & 0,5 boll to Jas Reid; a bag of pron 1cwt maze 10 gallons paraffine @ 7d bellows 2/- boots to Annie lantern 1/-, 56 lb dip 18/6, 6 loves of stone sugar; got Poll shoes holed for sharps
2nd I down at Lodge riding on Meg a,m, John sorted beasts a.m. to Lodge for bag of coals & home a few sticks out of wood... Jas reid here noon a fine day above .. took colts inover to stable ....
3rd Mains of Elrick here noon & Mina Stewart p.m. a right fine day but frosty.
4th I on top of Buck took 2 hares gathered sheep from far hill a wet foul day Harry Nicol to Laggan for rams. John cleaning out ash pit put it on top dung not all out.
5th dipping
6th Mains of Elrick & I took out reaper & fixed her up a.m. Ingram Mains of Kildrummy here looking at colts noon I cutting with reaper & John & Jane Cameron (3.5 hours) lifting I stooked at night a right fine day.
7th I cutting with reaper a.m. & p.m. cut a round or two with binder p.m. Jane Cam here p.m.3.5 hours.
8th John cutting with scythe a.m. & p.m. I cutting with binder 4.5 hours p.m. Harry stooking 4 hours, Jane Cam gathering 5 hours.
9th I cutting with binder finished lea. Harry stooking a.m. he to Manse p.m. John cutting with scythe & Granny & Jane Cameron gathering...
10th I got a Lce ram lamb among my ewes this morning so let out 2 Leicesters among 84 ewes & 4 BF rams among the 1 & 2 Shear ewes
14th John gathering bedding a.m. & p.m. & holed 3 bags of taties .. I to Todston for a gimmer of my own & 3 of Reekimlanes & 1 of Bracklachs p.m. had Meg mare riding on to Silverford... a wet day as usual
16th I cutting with reaper a.m. broke 2 rakes John & Harry cut it out with scythes p.m. Jane & Granny gathering, Willie & Dod binding & I stooked it all finished by 4 p.m. a fine day but no wind.
20th I at Dufftown feeing market had Meg mare over to Anderson VS and got her mouth sorted out a half of broken tooth & her shod. Wool weighed 40 lb BF & 20 lb WF ...
22nd leading; a brace from Leca Smith pro his father
23rd leading all day Jas Reid building John forking in yard Harry & Willie driving a cart I wiling sheaves & setting up all day Granny forking on land a right fine Harry 7 hours.
24th Sunday I hewking & setting up sheaves also Harry & john
25th John pulling neeps & Jas Reid & I set up sheavesa.m. took in a rick of hewks of clean ground corn p.m. I building Jas Reid forking to me in yard.
26th a perfect hurricane. Jas Reid came up to help to lead but no use.. G Smith came up & paid Willie 3/-
27th a fearful wild night of wind & snow all last night hewks & stooks all blown down & through the fields our work all in vain ..
28th... I at Mrs Beatties funeral aged 81 years ... corpse came in a motor from Aberdeen
29th Harry Nicol & his 2 boys & Lizzie at Rhynie today with Poll in cart....John McMillan left this morning paid him £2”5 & 3/- in tobacco. Cold frosty day. Willie, Johnnie & annie & I thrashed today.
30th ... Willie let Poll run off in sledge when lousing. Granny away to Lower Cabrach p.m.
December
2nd ... Granny home tonight..
5th I at Dufftown sale... Wilson came home with me...
6th Wm Wilson, Willie, Jockie & I took in 2 ricks..
9th I rode to Gartly on Poll & took train to Huntly there 8.45 a.m. left this 5 a.m. G Mackie case & mine did not come off it was continued home by 8 p.m. very windy day cutting at Boharm & leading at Colithie
14th Wilson, Willie & Mains of Elrick took Poll & Meg & 2 carts & took loads of Mains Manse corn to Elrick...
19th William Wilson left today...
21st At rhynie market... ordered a ton of potatoes from John Ritchie price to be £3”2”6
23rd... Lizzie Cameron pulling neeps...
25th Hare hunting. Lizzie & 2 boys & 2 girls at xmas tree I stayed at home & milked cows &C... engaged Wilson till term.
27th... sent Jockie & Annie to Howbog with hare to Mrs Souter
28th hare hunting
29th George Black landed here at night. Lizzie at Church.
30th G. Black ploughing stibbles all day.
31st Gordie ploughing I prepairing for going to Dufftown for potatoes tomorrow. John Scotts girl here with letter about potatoes.
This must be a Love II or he has inadvertantly used the wrong name. Th original Love died in the spring of 1909, see diary.
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