Cabrach Diaries 1914

Cabrach Diaries 1914

J.T. DUNCAN

BUCK

CABRACH, BY RHYNIE   ©

January

1st a strong fresh; snow going away fast Willie & I sorting beaasts & he to Powneed for groceries & we exercised horses; no visitors here but Jane Daun then Dr Grant came to see man told him there was nothing the matter with him & he was fit for his work

2nd A fine fresh day man up him & I took in 2 pits of swedes a.m. him & 2 boys carted 8 loads of yellows & I put them into old stable p.m. Jas reid & Esson here at night   I drew tooth to Esson & soldered tricker of his gun.

3rd I gave Willie John Stevenson his money & let him away morning I pulling neeps & herding sheep a.m. boy helping Willie to Bracklach with sock of Essons gun Thrashed & bruised set up a few dreels of neeps with Poll p.m. Gordon Elrick here at night a fine fresh day. 9min 165 words

1914

5th        Boys at school I sorted beasts Snow &and hard frost Carted in 5 loads of headed neeps p.m. Put a load into Coble to freshen. Came on a bad night.

6th        Wild stormy day. Boys not at school. Thrashed & bruised some corn & clipped cattle’s backs. Hard frost took sheep to Cots at night.

7th        Boys at school. Frosty forenoon , turned fresh p.m. I sledged in 2 pits of Swedes, 4 sledgefuls p.m. A strong wind & cold. Jackie at grocer at night.

8th        A fine fresh day Jas Reid here a.m. I over at Bracklach for A Esson, he came & put up 3 feerings for me p.m. Boys at school. 2/- worth of tobacco with Post. Snow all away.

9th        I sorted beasts then ploughing lea 1 1/2 hours a.m. Bad wet afternoon, did not go to plough, cleaning harness & sorting beasts p.m.Wet all day 2 lbs nitre from Troup with post.

10th      I ploughing 2 1/2 hours a.m. Jas Reid & John Sharp here noon for me to take cartrage out of gun they got no hares. I ploughing p.m. & holed out some stones a fine day I paid John Sharp 5/- for harvesting.

11th I at Church today was behind Sandy rung the bell 10 minutes soon past Cottage seeing Jas Law & Eben Innes foot.

12th     I sorted beasts then went to hill brought home 9 hares & was home before 1p.m. 3 hours away hard froast today can get no ploughing done

13th I wheeled a rick of clean ground corn into mill then I down at School at night at meeting about getting a Government bull. Harry Nicol came over with straw.

14th Jan 1914 I & boys put rashes into a rick a.m. Then to Gordon Elrick & my Willie away to Laggan with stots. Johnnie & I went to Cottage with them. Still frosty.

15th      I at Dufftown sales, went & came with E Esson in cart. Sold 2 stots, big one was 11cwt. Sold at £21”17”6, a poor price; gave a hare to John Souter, one to Saddler Frapt & one to John Black; Maggie Taylor’s boots mended & new paint tray from Watt Brothers

16th      Boys & I thrashed morning; Jas Reid here a.m. I drew out rams & counted ewes. Still hard frost. Gordon Elrick here at night; measured stirks, quey 5 feet 3 inches & and big stot 5ft 61/2”and calf 4’9 “

17th      Ewes away with A Gordon Reekumlane 158 ewes and 2 hoggs. I met him on road. I in past Elrick. Dod came up with me. Jas Reid here all day; none of us went to hill, too wett.

19th X I sorted beasts and mending gate a.m.G Gordon Elrick came here with Jas Reid’s 2 queys noon. John Robson here looking at drains, he helped me to thresh. Still very frosty. Some snow. Engaged John Robson from now till term @ £14. He has to cast drains.

20th      Jas Reid here today , I sorted beasts, him & I at Bracklach seeing Essons feeders p.m. black quey 5 feet 8 incnes, and stot 6 feet.. Esson has out all his dung & spread today.

21st      Still frosty. I sorted beasts & shot 2 rabbits. Lizzie & Johnnie at Freer at night. Jas Reid & John Sharp here huntiing, just got one hare.

22nd     I sorted beasts & making a scul. Jas Reid here with 50 cartreges for me from Troups & son in Rhynie; him, Mary Jane & I thrashed p.m. John Robson came tonight.

23rd      Robson & I took in a rick a.m. he carting out dung with Poll p.m. & I sorted beasts & mended 2 sculsp.m.Still hard frost; sheep away from Bracklach today

24th      Jas Reid, G Gordon Elrick & Wm Beattie hare hunting on Buck. Wm Beattie & Jas Reid none, J Gordon 2 & I 6. Willie, Johnnie, Dod Nicol & Willie Gordon driving. I paid jas Reid 315 stg today . Robson cutting thatch a.m. thrashed a.m.

25th A fine fresh day. Johnnie, Annie & I at Church. Past Cottage came on rain at night. Dr in seeing Nell he is fine pleased with her.

26th     Frosty today. Robson carting out dung. Jas Reid & I in hill hunting. He shot 1 & I 4 with 4 carttidges. I gave him 3 of mine & I sent one to Alf Duncan England.

27th     I had 2 w. hares in snares today. Robson carting out dung. I down & wrote out letter for Ebenezer Innes. Steam mill working Kirkton today, a big shooting in the hil of Bracklach.

28th            Robson carting out dung all day & I working at Cots, very frosty. Johnnie & I down at Powneed at grocer.I sent a white hare with Lewie to Jas Srewart Banker Rhynie.

29th             Robson cutting rashes for bedding to cots all day & I making & mending gates at Cots. Jas Murray merchant Rhynie here noon canvassing for seed order. Very hard frost but fine day.

30th            Robson & I carted in a load of bedding& bedded cotsa.m. came on showers of sleet; winnowed up some orra stuff.

31st     Took a rick of clean ground corn into mill a.m. frost not right out yet.

February

1st.. Willie up a.m. had to bed again

2ndRobson ploughing, I in hill hunting, shot 3 hares, a rabbit & 2 Stoats A fine fresh day, most of them ploughing.

3rd            Robson casting a drain; I over at Dufftown at rents, had Poll in cart, left at 5.30 a.m.,in Dufftown at 9.15 a.m.from Watt Brothers 1cwt cake, 10 gallons paraffine,& 6 clothes pegs. I gave Rachel McCombie a white hare, a right fine day.

4th            Robson ploughing a.m. winnowed corn to horse setting up neps p.m. L Smith & I looking for stoats I killed on Monday could not get them. Lea shot black rabbit helped us to thrash. I down at grocers at Powneed

5th             Robson ploughing; I mended chain, sorted beasts & at school at night hearing Mr? Smith’s lecture on Cooperation a good lecturer; like a change of weather tonight.

6th       Robson ploughing all day. Jas Reid & I walked over hill of bank & C to ploughing match at Hillock. 14 plows, 1st Jas Kellas for ploughing feering and straightest furrows, 2nd Wm Taylor, 3rd J Mcbain 4th John Gordon

7th frosty this morning. robson ploughing endrigs of lea above houses a,m & p.m. thrashed & took in a load of bedding for horses to Jas Law to ploughing match at Reekimlane a week from today. Robson away home tonight.

8th John Robson came home tonight Vis Jim Reid & Mrs Duncan Powneed none of us at Church

9th started to plough lea in back park one furrow down hill John ploughing all day frosty this morning broke feathers of both plows Willie to school today

10th Robson at Rhynie & got both mares shod took qr corn to mill for hash Lizzie, annie & Johnnie with him Willie at home WM D Smith here calling a very fine day got feather to one plow & sock bars sharped.

11th John ploughing all day Wm D Smith left p.m. him & I planted some trees at Howbog.

12th Robson ploughing all day. I down at Shands & auchmair Jas Reid here p.m. Alexr Souter landed I tok up from Postoffice 2 sockbars & 2 feathers from A. Jessiman I dressed Reids arm a fine day

13th Robson ploughing a.m. & I sorted plows thrashed & Robson & I took in a rick of lea corn with peat barrow a fearful wind A. Souter down to see Wm Beattie & Jas Reid

14th Robson   took my horses to Reekimlane ploughing match to Jas Law   & Esson had my plow A. Souter & I walked over to match p.m. I took home horses LB 1st Wm Taylor, 2nd G Rattray, 3rd A. Yeatts, 4th Wm Gordon

15th none of us at Church A. Souter & I vis at Upper & Nether Howbog p.m. Dr at Reekimlane seeing Tenny Gordon a very fine day

16th Robson ploughing all day. Esson over with plow he took over 1/2 qr corn from me to Bodiebae Jas Shand & I in hill hare hunting he shot 6 & I 7, gave him 5 with him Alexr Souter stayed in house with Lizzie all day.

17th Robson ploughing all day I put tins in clothes poles & sorted beasts Jas Reid up & I dressed his arm. Alexr Souter away inover the hill p.m. cold day came on a shower of rain at night.

18th Robson ploughing a.m. I winnowed some corn & wahed cattle with soft soap a.m. Mrs Nicol here washing, gave her a hare & Jas Reid one Mrs Shearer here tonight.

19th Robson ploughing all day finished lea. Alexr Duncan here for drag p.m. with a sledge went down to Cottage with Mrs Shearer p.m. Jas Law very poorly tonight.

20th robson to Mill of Noth for hash; from Troup 1 cwt mize meal & clothes line & home sids & syrup to Mrs Nicol. I gave Robson £1 of his wages I working in garden & sorting beasts frosty in the morning

21st a big rain last night & this morning. John pulled some neeps a.m. Jas Roy & Jas Reid landed here noon Robson carted in some neeps p.m. Him & Johnnie away to Finglennie 3 p.m. Willie sorted beasts Roy down to Kirkton tonight I bruised corn p.m.

22nd Willie sorted beasts morning Lizzie away down to Postoffice to se Jas Law a.m began to snow forenoon a big snow on by 2 p.m. a big snow by night Robson & Johnnie landed by 5 p.m.

23rd A bad wet day. Robson cleaning harness then dasted home some divots to thatch mill 7 we thrashed I put double bar on mill door to open from both sides.

24th Took up a load of divots & Robson put the on to back of mill &   thatched   it & I helping a right fine day for the job. Jas Roy landed here tonight.

25th Frosty morning Robson cleaned out ash pit today & in a load of neeps Jas Roy left 3 p.m. I down at grocer pd 1/8 saaw new bull at Powneed   a fine day Jas Roy gave children a shilling each.

26th John carting out dung a.m. gathering bedding awhile & to Elrick p.m. I at Howbog with rams 7 got them dipped with Wm Neatties a.m. a big dipping there today Powneeds, Redfords, Howbogs & Kirktons. Jas Reid here. Jas law Post office died today 5a.m.

27th Esson Bracklach 2 carts & G Gordon Elrick one cart & I one with Poll mare to Dufftown for 1000 3 inch tiles left 200 at Jean Peadies Robson casting drain & sotring beasts   I took down 3 bags chaff to Reid left tiles at little house.

28th Willie & I to Powneed for left tiles 165 & took them outover to drain & Robson working at drain a..m. he ploughing at Bracklach & I mending Mains cart p.m. Lizzie down seeing Jas Law p.m. Eben Innes here p.m. helped boys & I to thrash

March

1st I in bed near all day Robson sorted beasts Gordon Elrick here wanting Poll mare to roll roads on Monday

2nd Robson & I working at drain a.m. he at drain & I, Willie & Johnnie at Jas Law’s funeral p.m. his age 70 years G Gordon had Poll mare rolling road today

3rd, 4th, 5th do

7th... To ploughing at Manse all dinnered in school 7 Sunday school scholars their prizes 25 ploughs & done by 2.15 a fine day above.

9th very frosty Robson carting dung a.m. working at drain p.m. D Thomson tea man & Albert Robson here p,m, Lizzie paid Tea man £1”2 I churned & sorted beasts & filled in part of drain.

10th began to snow morning Robson at drain. I down at Shands & got saw sharpened & took back his bit then Reid & I to Milton & aldunie I getting cowsserved with Braesides bull dipping at Aldunie sow piged at Milton 15 pigs

11th Robson carting dung a.m thrashed & did a bit of drain.. I pruning bushes a.m. & at drum.

12th snowing a.m. robson & I to Bridgend with Poll in sledge to get her teeth rasped took down round table to shand & up a pane of glass 33in x 20in & I put it in bird case I played a game with A. Rattray a draw.

13th frosty this morning . Robson at drain awhile this morning; I cleaning sowing machine a..m. Jas reid here with my coat. Robson & I at Aldunie with old cow & horned quey to bull he served old cow but not quey I dont think she was on tiles to drain 97.

14th A very wet forenoon we thrashed & winnowed some tails a.m. at the drain 1 1/2 hours p.m. Robson & Willie away to finglennie 3p.m. Mains of Elrick needing a stick for axle of his cart I gave Robson £1 of his wages tonight.

15th Lizzie, Annie, Mary Jane & Maggie Helen at Church,   Johnnie, baby & I at home, Willie & robson at Finglennie fine day

16th Robson working at drain awhile cold stormy day Alexr Scott Milton & Jas Reid here with cart for potatoes I gave him 9 bags full for nothing

17th Robson at drain a.m. carted in 5 loads neeps & outover 100 tiles to drain Wm Newlands wrote out Petition for steam roller & I at Shands Auchmair Torney Milton & Mill with it.

18th Robson & I working at drain a.m. & awhile p.m. till 3p.m. received prescription for cow from Wm Brown VS Marischal College Aberdeen

19th Robson & I working at drain Alexr Duncan Whitehillock here riding wanting seed corn a.m. I working at drain & Robson ploughing cleanground p.m. came on heavy showers of snow.

20th A very bad day I down at Whitehillock calved a cow Robson a load of neeps to cots & up swedes & 210 tiles outover to drains Robson opened a bit of ddrain p.m. Mains here I cut his hair.

21st A bad day shifted neeps out of old stable thrashed & Robson sorted bits of old causeway in stable Rhynie market today.

22nd I in bed a.m. none of us at Church G Gordon Elrick here p.m. wanting my horses to plough tomorrow

23rd Robson ploughing with my horse to G Gordon a.m. working at drain p.m. I at Mary Sheeds of Upper Ardwells funeral aged 25 years I walked all the way a big funeral I opened 10 yards of a drain morning

24th Robson & I took in a lea rick morning then us two pulling neeps very wet 7 foul dinging on snow us working at drain p,m, a better afternoon.

25th Robson & I draining all day thrashed at night Jas Reid here gave him a good thrashing at draughts he did not get a game

26th A very bad day snow & rain I at Dufftown sales riding on Poll bought a 2 year old quey in calf time up 4th April from Keithmore for £17”10 day Duncan bought one at £13 he took my one home with his Robson opened a bit of drain &C stuff came for cow.

27th frosty this morning Robson & I pulling neeps a..m. Robson carting home neps p.m. Eben up for me to come & cut a sturdy ewe for Wm Beattie did not find bladder then I down to reids bought his black quey for 314 frosty morning fresh p.m. gave cow her first dose of stuff

28th robson carting home neeps a.m. & p.m. till 3 p.m. then away home boys helped him to fill & sorted beasts I pulling neeps a.m. finished top bit noon I filling in drain p.m. finished gave Robson £1 fine fresh day

29th Lizzie, Johnnie & Annie at Church & past Cottage & Upper Howbog Robson at his home Willie & I looked after children & beasts vis. Gordon Elrick

30th Robson carting stones on road with Poll all day & Gordon elrick had 2 carts some wet a.m. a fine afternoon I measured drains opened & closed in back park 270 yds I sorted cattle stalls & boys & us thrashed at night

31st Robson ploughing cleanground all day & working & liffting old drain & sorted beasts then I at school at night at Nomination meeting for numbers to School Board a perfect day of wind calmed down at night.

April

1st Robson ploughing & I draining awhile a.m. had to stop for rain then him & I winnowed 4 1/2 qrs corn for seed a lot of rain

2nd Robson ploughing a.m. sledged off stones off lea oats field & up harrows & ploughing p.m. I working at drain & sorted beasts a very fine day Jas Law sowing oats today Esson finished ploughing cleanground & broke it in

3rd Out 3 qrs seed & Robson sowed Johnnie & I carried seed & Willie harrowing a.m. Robson harrowing p.m. I working at drain p.m.

4th frosty in the morning Robson harrowed out lea a.m ploughing cleanground p.m. boys & I winnowed seed corn & sorted beasts

5th Boys & I at church Robson looking after beasts Lizzie & 3 youngest girls at Bracklach p.m. Jas Reid came up afternoon he did not tell us he had Ligertwood last night & today.

6th Robson broke in lea in back park a.m. he sowed 2 qrs & 6 bushels & I carried seed a fearful windy day I working at drain a.m. & awhile p.m. & sorted beasts. A. Gordon Reekimlane landed here with the flock stayed all night

7th Robson harrowing all day till 3 p.m. A. Gordon & I drew out my ewes home 138, 19 to come one of his lambed a dead lamb & gimer of mine a cross lamb new quey calved a bull calf 4 p.m. Gray Huntly calling p.m. a cold windy day I finished drain

8th Robson pulled neeps & out 2 loads to ewes & one load to cots & out 2 1/2 qrs seed corn a.m. sowed it Jane Dann carried seed I busy among ewes 10 lambs today a.m Robson harrowing p.m. finished I casting ditches a pain came into my back breast & arm yesterday & not like to go away

9th Robson pilled & out 2 loads of neeps to ewes & running neeps a.m. A Gordon came with 18 lambs & 19 ewes & Alexr Duncan here & away with 2 1/2 qrs seed oats a.m I busy among ewes all day cold wet afternoon Robson put up 2 nets to enclose neeps

10th Good Friday I unable to get up today very ill all night Robson looking after sheep & harrowed up neeps a.m cold windy day

11th Johnnie at Post to send up Dr & Farrier man with stallion here noon & Dr at me & VS at big stotMary went to rhynie for stuff to me & willie to Howbog for stuff to stot Jas Reid here at night with druggs for me Robson busy with ewes lambing &C

12th I still in bed with Rheumatism in arm & back Vis, here toady Gordon Elrick, Jas Reid, Jas Nicol & Jane Dann cold windy day Robson busy among ewes & gave stot his powder draught

13th Robson busy among ewes & Alexr Duncan here for seed corn away with 1 1/2 qrs I still in bed none better a fine day

14th Robson & Sandy Duncan took in a cleanground rick thrashed & winnowed 1 qrs corn Sandy away with 1 qrs corn & 33 wisps of straw Robson looking after beasts & ploughing tatie ground A. Duncan paid me cheque £4”5/- for 5 qrs seed corn Mrs Gordon Elrick here today & Esson Harry Nicols cow calved.

15th I still in bed Robson busy among ewes 7 sowed corn I n tatie bit & harrowed it Willie at home helping him

16th Willie at home helping Robson. Hoggs landed today all home but one dead I up today Dr here seing me p.m. none better neuralgia in rib & arm Wm Smith Howbog fixed a shoe on Poll mare

17th Dod Elrick her 9 a.m. Robson out 2 loads neeps to ewes dod ran neeps & Willie rolling & robson & I ironed hoggs BUCK near horn & red paint off a.m. Dod rolling & Robson harrowing uo neeps.

18th Robson & boys carting off neeps & thrashed a.m. he to Kirkton for seeds & flour p.m. then away to Finglennie. This polling day for School Board   I not able to go to poll G Gordon here at night looking through ewes a right fine day.

19th G Gordon Elrick here looking after ewes & beasts Willie & Johnnie helping him Robson away to Finglennie yesterday noon vis Jas Reid.

20th Robson, Willie & Dod nicol carting off neeps all day he them all off Jockie looking through ewes Bracklach ewes & lambs up to Bracklach today very warm day.

21st Robson ploughing a.m. & p.m. Willie & I mixed grass seeds boys looking after beasts very warm today Bell up p.m Mrs nicol here I bought her calf for £3”15 Robson out neeps to sheep at night.

22nd Robson ploughing a.m. & p.m robson to Bodiebae for calf put both calves to farrow cow is taking them fine boys winnowed orra stuff thrashed at night Jas Reid helped them ewe dead in lambing a fine day.

23rd Robson ploughing a.m. & p.m cold day Dr here at me p.m. I none better Mrs Nicol here washing a.m.

24th Robson finished ploughing of cleanground & boys & him winnowed corn for seed a.m. sowed lower half of cleanground 2 1//2 qrs Jane dann & Willie carried seed & Robson sowed it then harrowing Eben Innes up seeing me.

25th Robson sowed grass seeds & linked them in ran short has none for bit at back of cots where potatoes were   minister here tonight I in bed all day a fine day stallion here I paid the man £1 for Meg mares foal.

26th I still in bed Vis G & J Gordon Elrick, Jas Reid & Alexr Duncan Whitehillock a very fine day.

27th Robson & Willie carted up manure   from Powneed to Little House a.m it came on Friday Willie rolling with Poll & Robson to Bodiebae with Meg mare & 1/2 qr corn & sowed 7 harrowed it p.m. a very fine warm day.

28th Robson rolling a.m. Boys 7 annie at school today sowed grass seeds in potato bit at back of cots 7 linked it in with Meg mare then Rolling wit Poll I put on 2 fly blisters 9 p.m. one on breast 7 one on back.

29th I kept blisters on 12 hours then poultice on top for 4 hours & let out. robson fencing in back park a.m. & p.m. Returnrd Jas Murrays clover seed bags today.

30th Robson taking hay in stable a.m preparing potato ground p.m. came on snow tonight sent letters to Dr & Jas Murray 200 min 4000 words

May

1st Ground white with snow this morning Robson harrowing neep ground a.m. Jas reid here p.m. Robson took off weeds & opened 12 dreels for taties

Johnnie at home today to elrick p.m. to tell Dod to come tomorrow. dr here seing me tonight   Boys & Annie at school at night at Snady duncans presentation

2nd Robson dunging taties & G Gordon preparing seed Bell & Helen Gordon planting & Dod Nicol & william spreading dung a.m. They were through setting taties by 3 p.m. 12 dreels 165 yds long 6 dreels next dyke Crofter 4 dreels up to dates & 2 dreels Blue hearts jane Dann helping

3rd Vis, wm Beattie & son & gr, Mr & Mrs esson 7 Mrs Duncan Powneed my Meg mare foaled a mare foal 10 p.m. Willie went for Esson to help Robson.

4th Robson rolling a.m   fencing & among sheep p.m. Wm Smith howbog here seeing me p.m. a very fine day. Mary Jane to school today for first time I am sorry to hear that John Souter is not so well again.

5th Robson rolling and fencing came on a heavy rain p.m. G Gordon Elrick ploughed & sowed Jane Danns farm here for 3 bushels corn. She paid Dod 15/-   for laying down her crop & taties at Bodiebae.

6th Mill gooing at 3 a.m breast of dam broken out. robson working at dam all day Gordon Elrick up & put down H Nicols taties a.m & took away 6 bushels taties   to robson & 4 to himself. John Kellas Post here seeing me tonight Bodiebae cow bulling today.

7th Robson fencing Mrs Gordon Elrick here for chickens a.m Mrs Souter Howbog down seeing her son John, Smith Lodge drove her a very fine day

8th a very wet day J Reid here a.m. G Gordon Elrick to Bridgend with 4 bags taties & about a boll of meal to John souter Lizzie went wiyth him to see John Boys at school, girls at home robson sorting beasts

9th A boig snow on this morning Robson in far hill among sheep a.m. Annie & Mary Jane at Howbog, Willie & Johnnie down to see John Souter

10th G Gordon Elrick here looking after ewes & beasts Willie & Johnnie helping him Robson away to Finglennie yesterday afternoon vis. Jas Reid very warm day

11th Robson working at dam failed to make it keep in a.m. took in a rick of corn p.m. cold stormy day

12th Robson working at dam all day thrashed at night A. Legge shoemaker & measured Willie, Johnnie Annie, Mary Jane & Maggie Helen for new boots.

13th Robson lifted potato pit in garden & fencing a.m. put fence round face of dam p.m. I up out of bed. Mrs Smith Lodge seeing me p.m brought a section of honey Lizzie £1- cold day

14th James Shand & Robson working at dam all day trying to take out box bottom is out & a big hole washed away I up & out in cornyard

15th Jas & John Shand & Robson working at dam all day & Wm Beattie came & helped them out with box morning back & helped them again p.m. Jas Shand has put in a new bottom in box A, souter landed here tonight a fine day but some cold.

16th Robson breasting at dam A. Souter away to see John Souter a.m. Minister here seeing me noon . stallion Beaumont here noon. Robson left off work 4 p.m. & away to Finglennie Willie sorted beasts gave Robson £1- John Souter died tonight poor John I am very sorry for him.

17th   Willie sorted beasts morning A. Souter & Johnnie let down sheep & away to Howbog a very fine day I out seeing foal vis. Jas Reid & Wm Newlands Schoolmaster

18th Robson working at dam a.m making turnip ground 3 hours p.m. took in some do 7 sorted beasts A. souter to silverford for 2 BF rams p.m. I sent letter to Dr Grant.

19th Robson ploughing a,m, & p..m. A. Souter, my Willie & Johnnie at John souters funeral aged 32 years I unable to go. I am told he is in my mothers grave.

20th Robson ploughing all day put cattle on to good grass today & kept yeld cattle out tonight for 1st time a very fine day thrashed I up at dam today.

21st Robson ploughing all day old cow bulling today I washed her out with Condys fluid . A. souter dunged & delved a bit in garden for kale & cabbage. Eggs landed tonight. G Gordon Elrick away with Reids Dunn quey. she has been here 17 weeks & 3 days

22nd Robson ploughing & spring tining all day Poll mare served today with Ardmeallie horse A. souter & boys fencing at Bluecraigs p.m. cold & showerie Willie at post office with 4 P.C.

24th I headache all forenoon no vis today. Robson on top of Buck p.m. & A. Souter at Bodiebae a.m. snowing more or less near all day.

25th Robson spring tining a.m. To Howbog   for dreel plow p.m. & then to neep ground Old Mrs shearer away home this morning I gave her £1- a souter in far hill looking through sheep a.m.

26th Robson & Souter gathering weeds a.m. Robson prepairing a bit beside taties p.m. Lizzie washing today a very fine day.

27th I working in garden sowed carrots robson carted off weeds & Souter & Willie gathering them a.m. Robson opening dreels p.m. he left tonight gave him £7”14 & 6 bushels of potatoes for nothing

28th Willie springtining, harrowing & linking today Souter & I planted & dreels of taties in garden. A. Souter away to Howbog with Maggie law he is smote with her a very fine day.

29th A. Souter, Willie & I winnowed orra stuff & took in botttom of hay rick. Reid here noon. Souter & Willie carted off some weeds p.m A. Gauld landed tonight a very fine day.

30th A. Gauld dunged 13 half dreels & 4 long & Willie spreading dung a.m. sowed 2 bags manure linked down taties sowed swedes 3 long dreels & 8 half dreels below taties & 5 perple top yellows A. souter away today he gave 10/- to children

31st cold stormy day, some showers of hail. 276 min 5155 words

June

1st Gauld dunging dreels that Robson opened Mains girl here with collar & ratting spade Harry Nicol landed at Bodiebae with his flock tonight.

2nd Gauld broke dung sowed manure & closed 20 dreels today I fencing a..m. & p.m.   a fine day I winnowed & bruised corn for Meg mare.

3rd Gauld linked & opened 20 dreels a.m. Springtined, harrowed & linking lower half p.m. I had in sheep & gathered & burned weeds p.m. a very fine day

4th Gauld carting out dung & braking I busy among sheep & gathered some weeds I cut & docked & marked cross lambs 38 of them a fine day although a bit colder Harry Nicol at Rhynie with gig got my dreel plow sock laid.

5th Gauld braking dung a.m. he has a sore back I put ewes with BF lambs to hill a.m. 2 ewes lambed today BF lambs. I linked down dreels & Gauld sowed manure & opened dreels & I gathered weeds & put into dreels wet kind of day Mains working at Bodiebae p.m.

6th Meg mare served with Ardmeallie today. Gauld carting out dung & I gathered all the weeds & Willie & Jockie broke dung Gauld closed dreels   sowed 22 dreels p.m. Jas Reid here Mains finished Bodiebae neeps I gave him 1/2 qrs corn for 9/- Cow with calves bulling today.

7th Willie, Johnnie & Annie at Sunday school & stayed service   Gauld down at Cottage a.m. a fine day Alexr Gordon Reekimlnae here I gave him £27”10/-

8th Gauld linked down the dreels & finished opening 21 dreels a veru wet forenoon we thrashed a.m. him & I fencing & shifted gate at garden p.m. had out mares at night killed a big rat & 10 young ones & 10 mice

9th Gauld carting out dung all day has it all dunged I breaking dung a.m. cleaning weeds off top of dreels p.m. a fine afternoon 2 tramps landed at night   slept in cots one of them George Watson the other   Willie Ramsay.

10th Gauld linked down a few dreels and out manure & then sowing it Watson braking dung a.m. Wm Smith & A. Gordon Auchmair here begging for Church Watson away noon

11th Gauld closing dreels a.m & till 4 p.m. 36 dreels sowed them at night finished but end rigs I picking taties in pit a very fine day

12th Gauld ploughing endrigs & I sowed in corn & planted a whole dreel of potatoes. Alexr Duncan Whitehillock here and away with 6 bushels of taties. I clipped 6 hoggs & the 4 rams.

13th Gauld rolled endrigs picking taties neeps into midding away home tonight I clipped 12 hoggs a.m. boys & I gathered sheep from far hill   cut & marked 11 cross lambs & marked 83 BF

14th a very warm day Vis Jas Nicol, Nell & Bell Reid & G.Gordon Elrick. Boys & Annie at Sunday School.

15th Gauld started mossing & I clipped 21 ewes & 6 hoggs & made up wool & clipped a few dirty docks A. Gordon Auchmair   here & away with 8 bushels taties Sold quey to Reid. Poney came tonight

16th Gauld & I mossing today. teachers called here today he on top of Buck Gauld at Whitehillock riding on poney tonight a very fine day Willie to Ardwell for poney last night.

17th Gauld & I mossing he to Rhynie with Poll mare & got her shod p.m. & up to Lumsden to see & get a man or boy to wheel peats. Thunder afternoon.

18th I at dufftown had poney to Bridgend & got shod took Poll to Inverharroch to stallion, no use Gauld mossing a fearful day of thunder & rain I got a drive from Bridgend & back with Rob Cran.

19th Gauld at Aldunie with old cow at bull a.m. . took a rick into mill killed 9 rats misty & wet kind of forenoon Jane Souter here at night about their dreel plow & needing corn.

20th Gauld & Willie mossing today Lizzie & Annie at Rhynie I housekeeping Gauld & Willie to Howbog with dreel plow & 2 bags od taties & on to kirkton for wool bags & box of stout at night my arm & head sore all day

21st Gauld away to Howtown today Js Reid here p.m. Thunder & rain p.m. Boys & Annie at Sunday School.

22nd Gauld & I mossing he casting & forking a.m. & awhile p.m. I wheeling p.m. we thrashed at night a fine dry day. Some thunder & rain tonight cut boys hair

23rd Gauld & I mossing today he home to dinner but not me I cleaned out ditches.

24th Gauld & I mossing all day did not come home to dinner thrashed at night

25th Gauld & I mossing a.m. he mossing p.m. I at Bracklach & at Eben Innes dooing some writing for him p.m. cold showerie kind of day Jas Murray here.

26th Gauld mossing by himself I gathered sheep off far hill a.m. marked yeld clipped sheep withred stuff off side 18 hoggs & 22 ewes & clipped a hogg p.m. a very warm day. Willie to Elrick at night with poney

27th Gauld, Lizzie, Willie, Johnnie, Annie & Mary Jane at Huntly to Circus had Poll in cart to Rhynie then hired a motor. Maggie Helen and Dally at home with me. I working in garden & milked cows a fine day them about 11 p.m.

28th Boys & Annie at Sunday School. Vet here looking at big stot does know what is the matter Vis Jas Reid.

29th Gauld linked down 16 dreels of neeps set them up & sowed them a.m. mossing p.m. finished Jas Kellas took off Meg mares shoes I paid him acc 18/- New cow served with Aldunie bull tonight Gauld & Willie with her.

30th Gauld ran taties & in a few dreels of neeps a.m. hoeing ataies p.m. a cross lamb dead tonight wool ball. Clipping at Howbog today. Gauld away home tonight.

July

1st This Fast day in Cabrach. Lizzie & girls at Church. Gauld at home.

2nd Gauld winnowed corn a.m. he to Bridgend with dreel plow home 2 hoe shafts. Sent telegram to Craigellachie for VS left carts at Shands    to get wheels fillied. VS came tonight examined   stot found nothing in his throat

3rd Gauld to Mill of Noth with 3 1/2 qrs corn one qr to Reid, 2 to self & 1/2 for hash to doge a fearful forenoon of rain Rhynie VS came p.m. & he examined all his mouth & could find nothing wrong a fine afternoon from Troup dip Sulphur & ginger & box Thorley Sen bran.

4th Gauld, Willie, Johnnie & I hoeing all day. Willie to Howbog with shilt a.m. Powneed clipping today a very fine day.

5th Vis Jas Reid, Blacksmith & George Reid & Day Duncan I at Church at sacrament but not Lizzie I took home cattle from Cottage with me a vert fine day.

6th came on a very wet day had to stop hoe thrashed & I went fishing p.m. water big did not get clipped today

7th I in hill gathered in sheep a.m Jane Dann, Gordon Bracklach & I clipping & Gauld catching   & making up wool we baged it cut lambs clipped 82 ewes Willie ran a few neeps

8th Gauld, Willie, Johnnie & I hoeing I looked through sheep a very fine day

9th Boys at school Gauld hoeing yellows & I swedes all day old cow bulling today a very warm day   I drew a tooth for Lea Smith noon.

10th Gauld boys & I hoeing all day Gauld ran 20 dreels at night I shot 20 rabbits at Bodiebae they are eating their neeps a very fine day

11th Gauld & I hoeing till 10 a.m. Architect here looking at houses. He tool me to PicNic on his motor cycle Gauld took Lizzie & all the family to PicNic in cart & home again he to Howtown at night.

12th Gauld at Howtown Vis : G.Gordon Elrick. Boys & Annie at Sunday School. a very fine day I loking at peats

13th Gauld, boys & I hoeing all day. very warm Jane dann setting my peats today I gave her a Leicester rams fleece a very warm day.

14th Gauld & I hoeing awhile then he ran taties a.m. sowed on manure then him & Jane Dann setting peats p.m. I finished hoeing of neeps & dreel of taties Mains girl here for peat spade & Jas Reid

15th Gauld to Mill of Noth with 3 1/2 qrs corn for meal & home Reids meal & mine & 5 gallons dip from Troup, Mcdougalls liquuid bloom. Iin Clashenrae looking for sheep gathered inover sheep from far hill very hot day.

16th a wet day all day Gauld cleaning harnes. Shepherd of reekimlane here with pup stallion here tried both mares   & paid him £1”5/- stayed here all night.

17th Gauld took cart wheels to Bridgend & home dreel plow I mending dipping trough   & cleaning cots & water run. Mr Anderson VS Keith & a brother here tonight seeing stot he says he wont get better disease is pressure on the brain.

18th I in far hill & gathered inthe sheep a,m, I dipped & Gauld catched used Mcdougalls liquid bloom dip & sulphur, got an unclipped ewe a very fine day Powneed, Howbog & Redford dipped today aswell.

19th Gauld at Howtown Jas Reid here p.m. & Dod Reid from Huntly. Horned quey bulling tonight & no one to go with her.

20th I ran swedes & set up taties & Gauld & Dod Reid to Aldunie to Aldunie with horned quey to bull no use off season a.m. I running neeps & Gauld & Jane Dann setting peats p.m a fearful warm day smith keeper here at night.

21st Gauld setting peats & I running neeps a.m. Thunder & rain after dinner time. Gauld cleaning harness.

22nd I hoeing neeps & Gauld setting up peats a.m. us both hoeing swedes 2nd time awhile then he started to cut hay & I hoeing p.m. day Duncan started to cut hay too thrashed tonight.

23rd Wet showerie dy hoeing neeps had to stop Gauld picking taties & we thrashed. I working in garden weeded carrots. Jane Souter away to asylum today.

24th Still cold & wet Gauld & I weighed 5 bags of wool, 8 cwt 0qr 19lbs then he picking taties thrashed at night. Dod Reid left today p.m.

25th Gauld & Johnnie to Dufftown with 5 bags of wool to Reid & robertson I washed & cleaned rams & 3 lambs a.m. made sheep cleek soldered pail & cleaned one & made spurtle cold wet stormy day.

26th Cold & wet today. Gauld at Howtown Willie & I at Aldunie   with Bet cow her that has the 2 calves suckling & has been farrow for 2 years & never come on season so I got her served today

27th Gauld picking taties & Williw Smith here for a load of tatiesa.m. Gauld & I thrashed & we put up a rick of straw in cornyard p.m. Wm Beattie shot stot to put him out of pine turned very bad wet kind a.m.

28th I at Glass market bought 5 year old poney for £15”10. Willie with me. G Gordon Elrick drove us in Smiths sp cart. Dod sold his mare for £9. Gauld took a rick into mill a.m. Setting up peats p.m. Stot away to Douglasbrae.

29th Gauld cutting ragwood all day away tonight I down at Shands on poney p.m. no Cabrach Market Boys & I thrashed at night Policeman here seeing about dipping old cow bulling.

30th I to Bridgend for cart wheels & brought them up to Shands & got Polls hind shoes removed   & lilled (hilled?) Mrs Shearer came up & stayed all night Gauld hoeing neep awhile then cuttting hay a fine afternoon.

31st I finished rinning of neeps a.m. Iover at Bracklach & cut sturdy hogg p.m. Gauld cutting hay a fine day.

August

1st Winnowed 1 qr corn & thrashed a.m. Gauld cutting hay p.m. Willie & I harnessed shilt & got Wm smiths spring cart & drove Mrs Shearer, Ned & baby to Raemurrick, left 2 p.m. there 5.30 shilt did fine.

2nd Adam through his sheep a.m. Willie & I left Raemurrick 2 p.m. at Howbog 6 p.m. got a fearful steeping rain from Glass market hill till home about 6 inches of water in cart. Left berries &C at Howtown. 7273 words

3rd Gauld took 1 qr ofcorn over to Mrs Souter & to Upper Howbog for things & hoeing neeps a.m. I mending harness & Gauld cutting hay p.m. Jas Reid here & him & I squared up. I received from him £45 rain at night again.

4th A lot of rain last night. Hay too wet for cutting a.m. We thrashed & I mending harness & Gauld bags a.m.   He cutting & I tried a few bouts p.m.

5th Gauld cutting hay & I cutting awhile then I turned a few bouts of hay then we coled it.

6th Gauld cutting hay & I too finished a.m. Coling hay p.m. thrashed at night. Lea Smith here noon wanting me to draw 3 teeth did not do it for spoiling his looks.

7th Gauld to Aldunie with horned quey to bull Johnnoie driving her morning. I turned hay & coling. We put up 20 coles of hay today a fine day.

8th Coling hay a.m. came on rain then we hoeing turnips cold afternoon Gauld away tonight.

9th I at Church. Jas Reid here seing his quey p.m. Adam & George Shearer here seeing us today. Gauld at Howtown.

10th Gauld at Reids with 5 planks & bag of taties & bag of small ones to Day Duncan & to Willie to Bridgend & got shoe on Dasey & Johnnie & I at haay a.m. us all at hay p.m. home tea 12lbs.

11th Finished coling of hay by 9 a.m. then Gauld at peats & I went over coles & tightened rapes Gauld peats p.m.

12th Gauld away to Howtown to drive in his pats peats. Stayed there all night. Harry Nicol away with sheep. Boys & I hoeing neeps a.m. & p..m. we thrashed.

13th I turning peats in moss a..m. & p.m. Jas. Reid here noon got my spirit level. Gaauld driving peats to himself yesterday & today took home meal with him. A. Souter landed here at night.

14th Began to drive peats. Gauld driving 10 loads I fencing back park a.m. reids quey calved 11 a.m. A. Souter calved her . I drew a tooth to Bell reid. Very warm day.

15th Took corn rick into mill & put straw rick into cornyard a.m A Souter & Gauld took up rick & boys & I took round straw. Home 3 loads peats p.m.

16th Wm Smith Lumsden here a.m. seeing Reids calf. Annie & boys at Sunday School   & stayed Church with me very warm day vis: Jas Reid, E. Innes & G Gordon p.m. Gauld away.

17th Took in 2 ricks of hay. Willie & I took hay in about with Dasey & Gauld, Reid, E. Innes & A. Souter put up ricks p.m. Gauld & I fencing a.m a very fine day.

18th Fencing a.m. in back park. Souter, Gauld & Willie took in & ricked last of hay has 3 ricks p.m. & Johnnie & I gathered sheep out of hill & took lambs off ewes p.m. has 50 crosses & 84 BF

19th I at Dufftown sp. sale riding on Dasey had tea at Laggan left about 7.30 John Robertson, Mrs Robertson & Miss Bowman there too. Harry cutting hay Gauld fencing hens into cornyard & cutting thatch.

20th Willie, gauld & I fencing all day from Burn of Bank to bog at Bodiebae part of fence.

21st Gauld to Shenval with Poll to horse but no use. A. souter & I at Aldunie with Dasey. Saw the Eclipse of the Sun. came on a fearful afternoon of thunder & rain & some hail. Gauld at Aldunie with Bet cow at bull. Souter & I at meeting in School.

22nd At Huntly lamb sale. Boys with me. Johnnie away to Carnie drove with Dasey to Huntly, paid Jas Murray £10 & A. Jessiman £2”2”6 a very fine day. Gauld cutting thatch. Jas Reid cow & calf away tonight.

23rd Elsie Bruce or Duncan calling today. Gauld away inover to Largue for a ewe & lamb of mine p.m. A. Souter, Lizzie, Willie & annie at School tonight at preaching a very fine day.

24th Gauld cutting thatch & I washed some dirty lambs a.m. Gauld, A. Souter & Willie winnowed 9 qrs corn & mending mill wheel & then we thrashed p.m. Bell Reid came here tonight.

25th G. Gordon Bracklach over looking at my lambs offered me 24/6 for 40 & 16/- for 9 shots. Alexr Souter away inover the hill tonight Gauld at Gartly with 4 qrs corn to Harvey.

26th Gauld carting peats all day & G. Gordon Bracklach, my Willie & I at Alford sale of lambs. I sold 40 of my cross lambs @ 24/6 & 9 shots @ 16/- to

G. Gordon.

27th Gauld carting peats 10 loads has home. Willie & I to Glen of Largue for unclipped ewe & ewe lamb had dinner at Toll of Frake(?) I looked Clashenrae for more sheep got none of mine.

28th Gauld at Gartly with 4 1/2/qrs corn to Harvey. I clipped ewe & marked lamb which I got yesterday. I have today 50 cross lambs BF ewes do, 43 & 41 wedder 7 1 ram lamb. Mackay boy here for Ben dog noon.

29th Gauld carting peats all day has home 45 loads. Willie & I hoeing neeps.. Wm Beattie ricked his hay today. A. Gordon up with sheep to Bracklach.

30th Annie & I at Church & Bella at meeting at School at night. Gauld at Howtown. Vis Jas Reid & George Rennie. Jane Spence staying at Duncans Powneed some rain noon.

31st I sorting low peat road & gathered in lambs & Gauld carting peats from low bank p.m. I took gig down to Shands to mend. 8237w 497 min

September

1st   I at Maryfair riding took home Ben dog. I drew a tooth to Jas Reid on way home at Elrick.

2nd Willie & I at Dufftown Special Lamd sale. G. Gordon Bracklach away with his flock 49 cross lambs from me   Gauld cut some sprots & thatch & thrashed very warm day. I drew a tooth for ernest of Lodge.

3rd Gauld at Dufftown for a boll of lime & home cart from Shands. I painting other cart wheels & cart & mending Dasey gig. Willie at Bridbend with Dasey getting a fore shoe p.m.

4th Gauld cutting thatch all day. I mending cart & painting same.

5th I at Huntly sp. lamb sale went past Raemurrack for Johnnie stayed there all night. Annie with me very warm day. gauld at thatch & thrashed.

6th left Raemurrick 2 p.m. came past dufftown & at Cottage 6 p.m. a fearful warm day. Lizzie & 2 bairns at preaching I drove them home.

7th Frosty this morning. gauld at thatch & I gathered in sheep a.m. Boys & I painted 1,2 7 3 shear ewes p.m. Gauld for sprots & thatch p.m. has in today 1 shear ewes (25) 2 shear (52) & 3 (41 4 shear (61)

8th I marked ewes for crossing whole m.   Red 39 Broken M. Blue 22.   Gauld cutting bedding all day.

9th Made ready for dipping a.m Willie, Jockie & Gauld catched & I dipped Ewes 180, Lambs 85, Rams 6. Dipped lambs with McDougalla Bloom 1 gallon & 6lbs sulphur & ewes with Morrisons & Robertsons Highland Poisonious dips.

10th we took out binder & put her together. Gauld pointing up byre with lime p.m. I at sale of corn & wood at Manse at night. I bought a lot of wood @ 1/6 Jas reid 1/2/ acre corn £3”5

11th gauld to Manse for load of sticks & home 2 loads of rashes & I put 118 ewes to far hill & 61 in near hill a.m. I letting out rapes a.m. dunns shepherd here for   his sheep. I promised the minister 5/- for the War fund.

12th Gauld to gartly with 4 qrs corn I sorting binder pole   painting same & let out rapes. Bell & Willie harvesting to Jas Reid today some showers   of rain. good home 2 lbs nails 4d Bricacid 2d vaseline 2d pencil 1d Keatings powder 3d.

13th Gauld away by 5 a..m. to Howtown he does not stay at home a single Sunday. Lizzie & I at Church. Boys at Sunday School. Bell, Annie & mary Jane to cottage p.m. I dressed a lamb nearly eaten alive with maggots p.m. cold showers today.

14th Boys at Lodge & Dasey poney. Gauld & I shifted straw up to sheaf end of mill a.m He to Bridgend with both mares & got them shod & let out rapes p.m. Took foal away from its mother.

15th Boys at Lodge also poney. Gauld clearing roads in clean ground for binder, I fixed up manger in old stable & masoning some.

16th At Bracklach with Poll mare in binder a.m. Alix gordon came & we took down binder & yoked in mares but Meg would not go so we loused & put them into sledge with big stones on. Gauld tells me Bet cow is bulling today. Boys at Lodge but not poney today.

17th I at Rhynie Market, wife & baby with me to Howtown. I paid Jas Murray acc £6 & Andrew shoemaker £3. Wife & I called at Mill of Lesmore, got a steeping before we got home a very bad day. Gauld cutting some grass. Boys at Lodge.

18th I at Elrick riding & Gauld cutting roads in lea above house a.m. cold showerie day I saddlering p.m. Boys at Lodge.

19th Boys at Lodge but turned home. Reid here I cut his hair   & made box for nails. Gauld & Willie carted home thatch p.m. Mains here with cart a.m. & away with 5 bags of chaff; wet showerie day.

20th Gauld down to Scurdargue. I & Bell down at Cottage p.m. wet & showerie a.m. more settled p.m. Jessie Nicol here p.m.

21st Gauld cutting wiith scythe all day & Bell & Lizzie binding. Maggie Law helped awhile. Wm Beattie took click tonight a very fine day we cut lying bit of clean ground

22nd Willie to Bracklach for A. gordon to help us yoke Meg in binder & Jockie to Powneed for horse muzzle. I let Gauld on to binder & I stooked.

23rd Cutting with binder had to stop for rain before night. Gauld stooked up what we cut first at end of park.

24th A frosty dew in the morning cleared roads a.m   started binder & cut out bit at top finished by 5 p.m. then we cut a bit at foot of park. Willie to Powneed for 4 balls of binder twine. Binder will not work with Cop twine.

25th Cut out clean ground at end & bit of lea above houses a.m Gauld cutting with binder & I stooking p.m. a very fine day windy most of them leading Howbog cliack today.

26th Started binder 7 a.m finished cutting back park at dam 12 noon clearing roads in back park p.m. Gauld & I cutting, & Lizzie & Bell gathering most of them leading a fine day rain at night.

27th Gauld away home. I at Church & Willie in his bed. A fearful tempest of wind stooks all down & I had to get Harry Nicol to help me to tie down hay & straw rick with ropes. 9169 words

28th A wild showerie day stooks all flat. We hewked all the clean ground but falt at end of field. Jas Roy landed here. We set up near all the lea stooks.

29th Gauld & Jas Roy set up lea stooks morning then we started to lead end of clean ground took in 3 ricks I built 2 & gauld one. Jas roy forked in yard a very fine day.

30th started binder in bavck park morning   & gauld let horses run off first bout. I got them stoped & cut out the field by 5 p.m. Jas Roy cut with scythe & Jas Reid Jnr herre helping   a very fine harvest day.

October

1st rainiing all forenoon. Jas Roy down at Reids a.m. Gauld cut beasts meat & I mended hay frame a.m Jas Roy, Gauld &I set up lea stooks p.m.

2nd A big dew in corn all forenoon Gauld set up stooks in back park & Jas Roy & I set up rick kilns a.m. Jas reid came noon & we yoked 2 carts & we took in 2 1/2 ricks all the clean ground came on rain at night.

3rd Started to lead at 5 a.m.   got rick finished had to stop for rain started again & we took in all below the dam Jas Roy forked to me in yard & Willie on field. Jas Reid here for shilt & machine to go to dufftown with bicycle strong wind p.m.

4th Jas Reid came home with shilt & machine Gauld away to Howtown. Jas Roy, Jockie & I gathered lambs out of hill p.m.

5th Cattle taken in tonight.   Started to lead about 10 a.m. G Gordon brought up paraffine Wm Smiths man & cart & G Gordon & cart & my own 2 carts leading p.m. took it all in by 4 p.m. 4 ricks Jas Reid here p.m. & drove Dods mare , Gauld Meg, Willie Poll, Roy forked.

6th Wet morning Roy & I to Dufftown sales with   Dasey in gig I sold 20 broken mouthed ewes @20/- each & 34 BF wedder lambs @15/3 & old BF ram £1”3 Gauld raking p.m.

7th Gauld raking with Poll below dam & I raked bit at cots a.m. we took inover binder to hay ricks I raked out back park & Gauld took rakings into mill with Meg from above houses p.m. a fine day Jas Roy helped Harry Nicol to cut his farm.

8th Jas Roy left this morning I to fsar hill with him & gathered inover sheep & counted them wants 15 ewes Gauld took in rakings from back park & raked out clean ground I down at School at night at the Duke of Richmond & Gordons recruiting meeting just 2 joined Alex Kelman & a chap Smith.

9th Gauld thatched hay rick & I sorting heads of ricks a.m. had to take down Gaulds big rick it hot to foon made 2 ricks out of it & Dods hewk & a load of rakings off clean ground p.m. I had to take the head off another of Gaulds ricks or it would have watered to foon.

10th Turned a rick of Gaulds building of lea & he took in tares & a load of rashes a.m. him & Willie taking up taties & Johnnie & I making rapes p.m. a very fine day.

11th A very fine morning Bell, Mary Jane & I at Church. Gauld did not go away today, a fine day.

12th Gauld & I setting out rapes a.m. then he to Auchmair with foal. Gordon Elrick here with peat spades I left this 4 p.m. & drove to Mid Clova.

13th I left Mid Clova 6 a.m. & was in Aboyne 9.30 went past Boltenstone & threw Tarlan a big sale of sheep I crossed the Bridge of dee 134 yds wide & had a look threw Aboyne a beautiful place I stayed the night with Matthew Lumsden   at Wartle farm.

14th Matthew Lumsden & I at top of Craigleah hill morning then we drove in to aboyne sale of rams I sold Ben dog to Matthew for £2 I left Aboyne 2.30 p.m. came past Crossroads of Lumphanan & past Alford & Lumsden home here 10 p.m. a very fine day.

15th Gauld thatched a hay rick & 5 straw ricks & I helped him to rape them I gathered in sheep from far hill a.m. I drew & marked 41 ewes for crossing & I had 41 marked before so that is 82 marked.

16th Gauld took in tares & him & I ironed 44 ewe lambs fig I off horn a.m. he pulling heads off taties & gathered taties off top & I at Cabrach market.

17th Gauld & I pulled heads off taties & carried them off & I made pit a.m.   just managed before dark. Gauld away with Ben dog to go to Matthew Lumsden tomorrow with him. I gave him 2/6 to go. a very fine day.

18th Gauld away to Wartle Aboyne with Ben dog I looking after beasts none of us at Church today a very fine day.

19th Very frosty this morning. gauld feered stibbles below dam then 9 a..m. dreeled up taties. Bell, Willie, Johnnie, Mary Jane Annie & I gathering a..m.

20th I at Rhynie market paid into Bany £46”9/- Gauld down to Cottage with load of taties to Jas reid a.m. harrowed potato ground I paid Jas Gordon Butcher acc. 8/6

21st Gauld thatching ricks & I raped them thrashed rakings came on rain him & I letting out rapes .

22nd Gauld thatching ricks & I raped them & bell & I let out rapes & boys & I took in a hewk of rakings to mill I covered up potato pits a.m. some wet today.

23rd Gauld thatching ricks & I gathereed in sheep & Gordon Elrick raped ricks with Gauld a.m. finished I soldered a pail to Gordon I sol;d him 5 BF wedder lambs @ 18/- each a cross E lamb @ 15/- & a 2 shear ewe at 20/- = £5 he away with them & a ewe lamb of mine (cripple) I to Redford with 43 ewe lambs away to winter with Alexr Gordon Reekimlane.

24th Gauld ploughing stibbles in back park & put in strainer at cots a.m. Willie at Bridgend with dasey & got on 4 new shoes gauld & I fencing p.m. a bad wet day Steam mill thrashiing at Kirkton had to stop for rain. began to ploughin back park yesterday.

25th Bell Reid away to church went to Cottage & not Church Gauld not away today.   Lizzie & I at Bodiebae at the baptism of..

26th Gauld ploughing & I ploughing at cots. A BF ram amongst ewes this morning. So I shut the 2 old BF rams into cots & fixed up gates.

27th Gauld ploughing all day & I looking at Bridges to what is requiring a.m. I took wood & tools & Eben innes & I took down bridge at Culwine & turned & fixed her up p.m. a fine day. Steam mill came to Powneed tonight.

28th Gauld took in half of old rick of straw then him, Willie, Johnnie & I at Powneed at steam mill all day.

29th I to Elrick & dressed George Gordons fingers then to Shands 7 got a new barrow wheel & took it to Bridgend & got it mounted Jas Reid jnr with me gave him £1 to pay Morrison shoemaker Glass for me a very bad day Gauld ploughing & took neeps to cots & home.

30th A very bad wet day. Gauld & I to Bridgend with Poll in cart for a swarm of bees from Wm Kellas paid him £1

31st A very wet day. Gauld cleaning   out court at cots a.m not finished. I mending sheep trough & making cover for bees. Gauld all day cleaning cot court which could have been done in an hour. Willie & I took up bees from little house & I thatched them. Wet all day.

10523 words 650 min.

November 8.45

1st I in bed all day not well. G Gordon here p.m. Gauld not away today.

2nd gauld at gartly for 80 corn bags from Cop 7 4 bags of coal for mtself 7 2 bags for George Gordon Elrick   & a bag or bran for self from Lime Comp a very bad wet day I ditching a.m.   & boys & I let out some rapes Jas Reis here p.m.

3rd A fearful spate today. Scholars not at school; took in a rick morning; we made rapes today, & thrashed, water kike to break out of the dam   had to leave dam open all night.

4th gauld in 2 loads of neeps then him & I cleaning out ditch at tail of dam a.m. he cating out dung with Meg p..m. & I gathered down sheep to back park 160 ewes a very fine day.

5th   I roade d to Dufftown sale did not get further than Bridgend for bleeding at nose it bled for more than 3 hours Dr Stewart at me. Harry Nicol & willie clipped my ewes tails Gauld at dung Bet cow bulling wet day. A. Gordon came with my druggs 10.30 p.m.

6th Heavy rain morning my children not at school. I in bed all day. Jas Reid here seeing me. Gauld at dung & they thrashed p.m.

7th Willie & Johnnie at Rhynie getting their boots mended. Gauld carting out dung all day. I still in bed. BF ram broke out of cots& amongst ewes today.

8th I up out of bed all day Vis Mr & Mrs Esson & son p.m. A fine day Bell at cottage. Gauld & Jockie down at night.

9th Gauld pulling neeps a.m. him & I took into mill an old rick of straw a windy day . Steam mill up to Bracklach tonight.

10th Gauld & boys at Bracklach at steam mill allday. I mending gates at cots a.m.   & beasts; over at mill awhile p...m.   Gauld away to Howtown tonight going to Towie market tomorrow.

11th gauld at Towie feeing market. Boys to Bracklach to mill had to stop a bad day snow & rain. I fencing a.m. Jas Reid took in 2 loads of neeps with Meg & Harry Nicol a load to himself with Poll.

12th Gauld shifted straw & then spreading dung a.m. & p.m. scholars not at school a bad stormy day snowing. willie   & I to Reekimlane for BF ram paid him £1”5 Harry took inover his corn to mill to get thrashed.

13th Mill thrashing at Bracklach a very bad day rain & snow. Gauld at hill. I thatched H Nicols 9 bushel out over corn to his mother & the straw to Bodiebae.

14th   Frosty   & ground white Gauld pulling neeps & taking in same. Willie & I at Elrick p.m. Mill left Bracklach morning but stuck at Powneed Bracklach & Powneed driving away corn.

15th none of us at Church today.

16th Gauld ot Bridgend with both mares & got their shoes holed for frost, there all day. I down at Cottage p.m. thrashed Reid at Draughts home & sorted beasts p.m.

17th Thrashed then Gauld & I took in a clean ground rick with sledge a.m. killed one rat; he pulling neeps p.m. thrashed again at night.

18th I at Dufftown feeing market did not get a man riding on Dasey. Gauld took home foal from Auchmair & they thrashed p.m.

19th Gauld spreading dung a.m. pulling swedes   & I pited them p..m. hares & rabbits will soon have them all eaten if not secured; thrashed; a fine day.

20th Gauld pulling swedes & I pitting at them all day fearful damaged with hares & rabbits. Steam mill thrashing at Whitehillock all day. 36 qrs oats firsts a fine day.

21st Gauld wisping straw & I pulling neeps & thrashed a.m. he carting in neeps & Willie 7 I at Elrick at steam mill thrashing to Dod frosty morning fresh night.

22nd I at church today riding. Bell at Cottage a very fine day. Man kennedy from Cransmill here lost his way coming from Kinnyside.

23rd Gauld furring up lower half of turnips & I at Rhynie feeing market & feed a man Charles Cameron Lumsden for £17”10 home by 3 p.m. frosty morning fresh p.m.

24th Gauld & I headed straw rick over again a.m. winnowed 6 1/2 qrs corn & thrashed & I pulled some swedes p.m. a fine day A. Gordon Bracklach here for his ewe.

25th Gauld at Mill of Noth with 5 1/2 qrs oats for meal & over for hash both carts. Pol took ill before she got into stable. Jas Reid went for VS he here by 12.30 last night . A. Gordon Bracklach away with his sheep.

26th I sat with Poll mare till 6 a.m. then went to bed 2 hours. Gauld carted up damaged swedes with Meg a.m. ploughing an hour p.m. then spreading dung & I in hill look for sheep caught 5 hares p.m.

27th Gau;d ploughing & I making ready for dipping a.m. him & I dipped 159 ewes & 7 rams of mine 6 of G Gordons & 3 of Reekimlanes & one of Howbogs with McDougalls dip got a fine day. Post here at night begging for Infirmary.   I gave him 2/6

28th Gauld ploughing & I at Post office for insurance stamps a.m. Gauld left noon.

29th lizzie & annie at church & past Cottage Bella still here Vis Jas, Dod & Jessie Nicol.

30th Willie & I pulling neeps; he to Post in morning . Bell left today came back at night with Bright dog. 11477 704 min

December

1st I heading neeps a.m. & carted in 4 loads & put them into shed & took in swedes no man come yet only a medling day. Bell away morning.

2nd I to Elrick with Dods lambs a.m. he gooing to Lumsden p.m. to see about my man not coming home. Came on bad afternoon of rain Willie to Elrick at night with shilt.

3rd I to Elrick with Poll in cart then Willie took Poll & Dod took his mare & cart & went to Mill of Noth for my meal . Wife, bairns & I took a rick into mill a.m thrashed p.m. Mower VS dressed Polls teeth. Imet carts at road home here at 4 p.m. fearful windy day.

4th I carried up meal 7 bolls & kisted it & a qr hash for dog 7 hens meat a.m. wisped up straw , winnowed & bruised corn for horses p.m. & mended old cows sale. Wm Beattie calling, snowing near all day.

5th I to hill for sheep & let them alltogether a fearful wild stormy day put sheep in cots at night.

6th a rather better day but came on a fearful night of drift afraid of sheep on Culwine.

7th Scholars not at school & boys & I took in 4 sledgefuls of neps a.m. took inover a firlot of meal to Jane Dann took nothing for it & wenthrashed & bruised corn p.m. fresh kind today I want 4 ewes today.

8th fresh kind today I found 4 lost ewes smored up in wreath at Blue Craig all alive a.m. received 24 cartridges from Eben Innes. I pulled some neeps p.m.

9th Willie & Johnnie to Lumsden   to meet Dovie Melvin did not come took a hare to Isa Reid took lamps from Elrick & also tongs I took down barbed wire & tore all my hands; like a storm.

10th I very sore head this morning & unable to go to dufftown Xmas sale when head got better boys & I pulled some neeps & we sledged 6 sledgefuls. Willie to Elrick p.m. with Dasey.

11th A stormy looking morning none of them at school today. My hands very sore can hardly touch anything. Rob andres landed here with Dovie Melvin. I offered him £18 from now till term noon.

12th I pulled 1 1/2 sledgefuls neeps & took them to cots a.m. Jockie & I to Burn of Bank to see & get a hare got nothing. Snowing & drifting p.m. We thrashed p.m. a wild stormy night.

13th A big storm on since last night   and snowing all day no vis today.

14th A big storm on & great wreaths ; raining all day. I shot 3 rabbits & one snipe. thrashed p.m. every place blocked up sheep can get nothing Maggie Law round for as bad a day as it is.

15th Still a bad day raining more or less all day. Culine & Dillet in see of goor or half melted snow boys cleaned out henhouse & we thrashed. Jas reid Jnr here with letters for Maggie Law.

16th frosty today & fair. Boys at school. I pulled 3 sledgefuls of neeps a.m. & took them in p.m. Jas reid here & I cut his hair p.m. I shot 2 white hares   at night coming to neeps.

17th Fresh kind today. Wm Beattie & day Duncan on Buck hare hunting. I shot 3 rabbits sent a white hare to Alf Duncan   & a brown one to Mrs Browell. Dovie at Cottage p.m.

18th I pulling neeps a.m. & p.m. fine day Oeter Gordon Auchmair here calling.

19th Thrashed morning then to hill hare hunting boys driving justgoy 2 a.m. we took into mill rick of old straw p.m. very frosty could hardly keep our feet on snow.

20th   sheep all amongst neeps this morning has made a mess of them a most fearful frost today as hard as iron.

21st Jas Reis here today he to hill hare hunting p.m. got nothing. Sheep will not settle. Wm smith here for his ewe   a fearful frost sheep can get nothing.

22nd a very hard frost today. Jas reid sledged inover neeps to cobble to to take out the frost as hard as stones a.m. thrashed last of rick I kept busy herding sheep.

23rd Willie & I at Mrs Robertson of Keithmores funeral aged 81 years had Dasey in gig. J Reid Jnr & Jockie looking after beasts hard frost & snowing some.

24th Still very frosty Dovie away to Lumsden & I cleaned out cobble for thawing frosted neeps boys 7 girls at school. I shot a white hare 7 caught a rabbit.

25th Still frosty Sheep not settling today cold & a change working no schooling today. Dovie did not come home yesterday landed home at 3 p.m. today He & scholars at concert tonight fresh kind tonight

26th fresh kind today I plucked some neeps a.m. Willie carted in 4 loads p.m. & jockie threw them in Dovie to grocer with 5 rabbits & I sent a brown hare to Troup & son.

27th atempest of wind & rain this morning hard to frost before night. vis James & Dod Nicol and Wm Beattie.

28th I sorted beasts then I went to Bridgend with Dasey & got a new shoe & rest removed & pickes for her & work mares & Mains tongs paid 8d for sorting & a bolt for hasher a fearful road of ice.

29th Johnnie & Annie to Whitehillock with trousers & vest to sort & a white hare to A. Duncan. I shafted 2 graips.

30th Frosty a.m a man andrew Clark landed noon needing work I engaged him @ 10/- per week. Willie & I at Cottage p.m. sent a b hare to Jas Murray for L. Reid; received leg of deer.

31st Fresh kind morning turned to frost p.m. . A. Clark to Bridgend with brown hare got feet in pot & home 50 cartridges from C Mitchell p.m. 4 pairs away with L Reid to shoemaker. 12498 words 766 min

© P J Goodall 2008.