William Lambie Diary, 1875

Excerpts from the 1864–1871 Diaries appeared in the March, 1978 issue of Gleanings.

Family members referred to in the writings of William Lambie are:

FRANCIS L. LAMBIE, born March 22, 1794 in Avondale, near Strathaven, Scotland. His wife, MARY HAMILTON LAMBIE, born February 20, 1796 in Strathaven, Scotland. Their nine children were all born in Strathaven.

Their eldest son is WILLIAM LAMBIE, born April 21, 1821.

His sister, AGNES LAMBIE, born February 26, 1828, married RICHARD, INGLIS, M.D. and lived in Detroit.

ROBERT LAMBIE, born October 26, 1822, married EUNIE WHITE MORTON in Ypsilanti. He was a tailor and merchant.

FRANCIS (FRANK) LAMBIE born August 12, 1824, married ANNE McMILLIN in Detroit.

ISABELL LAMBIE, born June 6, 1826 and married WILLIAM TODD and lived in the Oak (Royal Oak).

JAMES LAMBIE, born June 17, 1830, was a business man in Windsor Ontario, Canada.

JOHN LAMBIE, born September 6, 1836 and was a tailor with his brother Robert.

WILLIAM LAMBIE married MARY CAMPBELL, oldest daughter of Robert and Anne Muir Campbell. They moved into a very small drafty house in Superior Township on Clark Road in 1849.

Their six children were:

Anna, Mary, Frank, Elizabeth, Belle and Robert.

Anna and Mary never married. Frank married late in life and had no children.

Belle married William Scotney and there were no children.

Elizabeth married Azro Fletcher whose father was Franklin J. Fletcher. Charles and Rolland Fletcher were his uncles.

Elizabeth's uncles were William, Gabriel, Robert, Andrew, James and John K.

Her Aunt Elizabeth Campbell married John Clark. They lived in Pittsfield Township and had no children.

1875

January 1st Beautiful day to start the New Year. All of us went to William Campbell for dinner. A grand material and mental feast. A pleasant talk with I.W. Childs. Then we went to help bury faithful David Scott, the Scotch miller. Rather a sad duty the first of the year.

January 2nd Cold stormy day. 3 girls went to Pittsfield in the afternoon in the storm. Wrote some letters. The brook frozen solid at the barn. Cistern pump frozen. All day cold and dreary.

January 3rd 4 walked to Church (Presbyterian). Plenty of water on the ice. Robert and Bell sang at night.

January 5th Mary and Elizabeth came from Pittsfield. Very cold, 6 or 8 below. Pump frozen. Carried water from the creek. Carried down shoes and boots to mend. Paid $2 to Davis for rural paper.

January 6th Elizabeth birthday, 18years old. Cold and cloudy. Water low and ice thick. Robert and I went to a Prayer Meeting in the Church at night, solemn service. E.B. Ward gone and left all wealth.

January 8th Letter from Detroit. Frank, Mary and Elizabeth went to a party at night. 13, some said 20 below.

January 12th Cold. Wife and I went to Augusta. Talked and had a pleasant visit. A household of honor, industry and economy. Went with Mr. Campbell to the woods after horses.

January 16th Bought some middling for feed in town.

1875

January 23rd Bell and I went to town and had our pictures taken. Wife went to Stephensons.

January 25th Snow and drifts. Robert took Mary to school. Wife went to see her mother (Ann Muir Campbell). Brother Robert brought papers.

January 29th Frank and I went to town in the sleigh. Thought our account more than usual at Farmers' Store but it will be alright. Came home to find our cows in Heath's garden. Elizabeth helped and we had a hard time getting home.

January 30th Cold sharp wind. Robert, Mary and Elizabeth started for Augusta in the sleigh. Frank and I working at home. Robert came home with the sleigh. The girls stayed with the Wm Campbells. Bell went to a Gleaners' meeting.

February 1st Brother Robert came in his Cutler and talked a little bringing word from the friends in Detroit and Canada.

February 3rd Milder and eaves dripping and then frost and bitter cold wind before noon. No water at the Barn. An-other Polar wave upon us.

February 5th Piercing cold wind. Wanted Mary and Bell to stay at home but they went to school. The cows and horses would hardly drink it was so cold.

February 6th Mr. and Mrs. Wm Campbell, wife and I went to Andrew Campbells on Platt Road. Webster Childs and wife, Fred Graves and wife were there at a dinner party. Anna came down on the Railroad (Lake Shore and Michigan Southern) from her school in Pittsfield.

February 7th Wife and Bell went to Augusta. Anna to town. Robert to Andrew Campbells. Not quite so cold and Bees have survived.

February 8th Very cold again. 18 below zero. Anna went to her school on the railroad. Mary to the Normal and Bell and Robert to our school. Wife and Eliza washing. Frank drawing wood. He bought a corn sheller from Letan $7.50.

February 9th Some potatoes and apples froze. Said to be 10 or 15 below. Quite sick in the night. Frank got the horses shod. Had 4 bushels corn and 4 wheat ground. Lizzie came home from Mrs. Swartz. Shelled corn.

February 11th More snow. Frank took Mary to the Normal in the sleigh. Wind blowing and snow drifting in the lane. Mary and Robert came up from where the cattle were drinking

1875

Feb. 11th con't down by the road on horseback. Old winter reigns. Felt anzious about Bell. Frank found her at the Stevensons. She did not try to come thru the drifts.

February 13th Clear and cold. Mary went to the Normal and Robert part way with her. Went to the Farmer's Store Meeting. The 9th year. Always 20% before but no dividend this year. Settled our account. Only $16 behind. Wm Campbell paid $10 on the Crane note.

February 17th Wife, Robert and I went to Brother Robert's for dinner. A great contrast between his home and mine. A pleasant visit. He showed me a letter of mine in the Evangelist.

February 20th Mrs. L and Frank went to Wm Campbells. Went to town in afternoon. Got a Scotch paper and read death of A. McGowen.

February 24th Rain and thaw like spring. Water in the brook. It has been frozen since January 7th, the longest I ever knew. Woodruff, the newspaper editor says below zero 40 days in succession.

February 26th Water flooding the low lands. Walked to town. Got papers from Brother Robert. The last day of school for Bell and Robert (country school).

February 27th Took down 3 bags of corn to have ground for feed. One of the horses fell on the hill. A slippery dangerous place, but we got her up with great difficulty.

March 1st One of the greatest snow storms I have ever seen. Glad to have a humble home to shelter me and mine from the lashings of winter.

March 3rd Robert took Mary and Elizabeth to school thru the deep drifted snow. The world looks pure white, cold and beautiful. Long dreary winter.

March 5th Some more snow but milder. Wife unwell. Gave Alfred Gray an order on Wm Campbell for $40. Frank went to Seymore's Sale.

March 8th Wife and I went to Augusta. Had a pleasant interview with our friends. Came home at night. Boys piled in the sleigh and hit us with snowballs. All in fun.

March 11th Son Robert's birthday, 12 years old. Wife, Robert and I went to Pittsfield. Good sleighting. Stayed overnight at Mr. Clarks.

March 12th Went with Robert Campbell to the closing of Anna's school. Scholars acquited themselves well.

March 14th Thaw. Thunder and Lightning, rain and the robins are here to greet the Spring. 4 went to Church in the wagon thru the mud and the snow.

March 17th Cold again. Ice in the washbasin. Saw 4 blue birds. Called on Mr. Casey and Mr. Swift. Frank and Jerome Miller sawed stove wood. A large party of youngsters here at night. They seemed very happy and went away in a cold snow storm.

March 22nd Light at 6 in the morning. Cold pure snow. Anna and Mary went to the Normal. Frank to look at his traps. Others washing and cooking. Robert has sore eyes.

March 26th Rain and mild. A great flood of water over the bridge on the road. Helped Mary over the ditch on two fence boards. Frank, Mary and Elizabeth went thru the flood to eat oysters at John Millers. The oyster eaters did not get home until 2.

March 27th Wm Campbell paid $20 on the Crane note. Trying to buy a horse. Some old Spavin and very dear.

March 31st Sore eyes. Went for a grist. Frank and Harry clearing Brother Robert's land. Birds singing, bees humming, boys playing ball — Spring is here. Went to Hutchinson Sale, bought some things.

April 1st Went to town. Bought one bushel Timothy seed $3. A pair of shoes $2.

April 3rd Frank and I sowed the northeast field with clover seed. Bought a horse from I. Burns for $125. Paid $25 and gave an order on Wm Campbell for $100. Anna gave me a note of $50. Mr. Adair sent a letter promising appointments to Anna and Mary for teaching. Balmy day. Hens now laying.

April 5th 36 years since I left the old stone house in Straven, Scotland for America. 18 of young life in Scotland and 18 in America. The first 10 years of our life seems to be the best part. After that life becomes a kind of repetition.

1875

April 6th Went to Town. Yesterday was election. Got a note from Anna and took $10 from William Campbell and left $40 to pay for the horse. Frank and I plowed in the south field with the new horse. Sowed cabbage seed.

April 10th Bought 4 ___ of barley from I Voorhees at $2.40, total $9.60. New horse plows well. Anna and Mary studying. Eliza sewing.

April 15th My birthday, 54 years old. Ah me. Brother Robert, his wife and daughter came to dinner. Pleasant indoors but cold dashing showers outside.

April 17th Cold like winter. Ice on the stream. Frank went to Spooser's barn raising.

April 20th Harrowed on the old meadow. Sowed peas. Wm Campbell brought Mrs. L home and told us they had a little daughter (Sarah). Sent a letter to Wm Adair. Frank bought 3 pigs.

April 26th Frank broke the plow and I had to pay $10 for a new one. Robert set fire to the marsh and burned our fence. I fought fire till my head ached. The brook does not run much water. Hoping for rain.

April 27th Peg Reed would like to get some help, poor woman. What shall I do? So much to pay and so little coming in. Sewed onions and radishes. Cleaned the creek.

April 30th Welcome showers. The brook running again. Only 3 showers this month. Mr. Campbell came. Sold him 12 apple trees. Had a pleasant thoughtful walk with him among the Tombstones in the Cemetery, the silent City of the Dead.

May 1st Lat cold spring. Ground white with snow and some frost. Went over to see where to plant trees on Brother Roberts lane. Three lambs.

May 5th I plowed forenoon. Mr. Campbell brought Mrs. L home. Wet afternoon—reading, Robert fiddling and Frank cutting hay. 5 lambs.

May 7th Sold 12 apple trees to Brother Robert. Mr. Gray got some strawberry plants and grape vines.

May 10th Ground too wet to plow. Rhubarb big enough to use. 20 lambs.

1875

May 17th Ice in the wash basin, I maked for the potatoes. Wife came back from Wm. Campbells. Heard of the death of John Hamilton (William's mother was Mary Hamilton) of Drumglag. Have a letter in the Evangelical about foreign paupers.

May 18th Wife and I went to John Hamilton's Burial. The last of Durmglag. Born in Avondale, Scotland and buried in Ypsilanti.

May 19th Wife and I went to Mr. Campbells. Walked over the farm with Mr. Campbell. Talked of how little we really know of this life and how much less of a world to come.

May 22nd Mary's Birthday. She, Anna and Elizabeth up in Pittsfield. Planted corn in the North field hoping to raise corn where only wild grasses grew before. Trees blooming and birds singing.

May 23rd Got $10 from Wm Campbell. Paid Jones for ditching. The little ditch cost me $10. Planted 3 acres of corn on Brother Robert's land. Paid Davis $3 for the Tribune and Farmer till next May and some rascals broke into the Farmers Store.

May 24th The apple trees giving great promise of fruit blooming in beauty and fullness. Seem to be on the edges of Paradise. Our hearts are not large enough nor our gratitude expansive enough to take in all the loveliness that spring brings us.

May 31st Went out in the Dawn and the new horse was not in the stable. Was afraid she was stolen but found her grazing by the stream.

June 1st Went to Detroit and to Dr. Inglis grave with sister Agnes. Mixture of pleasure and sadness. A monument of Aberdeen granite, some daisies and myrtle on a green grave where the summer winds sigh through the pine trees is all that is left to tell of the departed worth of my great and good friend Dr. Inglis. Went to Canada. Mother looking well in her old age. Returned to go to the Oak. Wm Todd wanted a divorce. All the divorce he needs is from Folly and Laziness. Found sister Isabell planting beans barefooted and Wm Todd sitting in the house with his boots on. Stayed overnight and needed no lawyer to tell me who was to blame for their family difficulties.

June 2nd Came back from the Oak and went to Windsor in time for a dinner with mother. Stayed til 3 talking of now and long ago. Slept in sister Agnes' grand house. Herself being grander than the house.

1875

June 3rd Woke up in a grand room in the great City. Kind and true Sister Agnes after her great sorrow and loss seemed to strengthen me more than I did her. Got home on the noon train. Bell went to Eunie Lambie's birthday party.

June 5th Sold 11 bags of wheat and more. $120 and Frank kept $40 I owed him. $80 small return for two years work and yet we owe no man while some who despise us defraud their creditors.

June 7th Morris came with a 2 horse buggy and we shore 44 sheep. Chipmunks and gophers and worms eating the corn as it comes up.

June 9th Finished the rest of the sheep. 60 in all. About 300 lbs of wool.

June 14th Very peaceful and beautiful. It is the day that the great bloody Battle of Waterloo was fought. Phillips and Hall two residents of Forest Avenue were working out their road tax barefooted. Robert and I went to Brother Roberts for some posts. Left $50 with Wm Campbell. Dry and dusty.

June 17th Some strawberries ripe. Looking for rain. Frank and James ditched down at the road. Paid $6 for our Church seat rent.

June 19th Bell's birthday. Some young people came. The brook nearly dry.

June 22nd Wife and I went to Mr. Clarks and Andrew Campbells. Pleasant time.

June 23rd Spread manure. Gathered strawberries. Sold 29 quarts so far. Platt paid his interest to Wm Campbell.

June 26th Hived a swarm of bees. Bought 2 pigs from Fletcher. Paid $12 for shingles.

June 28th Wife and Bell gathering berries. Sowed 3 acres to buckwheat. Frank and Jones shingled the barn. Paid E.M. Gray $40 for teaching. A tornado passed thru Detroit.

June 30th An Excersion to Niagara Falls $4 but I did not go. Took 3 bags corn and wheat for deed. Got $10 from Wm Campbell. The girls picked 18 quarts strawberries. Mrs. L birthday. Mrs. Wm Campbell, Clair and the baby came.

1875

July 1st Cloudy. Too tired to rejoice. 5 of us went to hear Gabriel Campbell and the graduating exercises of the Normal students. Took dinner with the Governor, Professors and teachers under the Church. A very pleasant day. Indebted to the William Campbells for getting me inside the Ring.

July 2nd Wife sold 25 quarts strawberries.

July 3rd Wife, Mary, Elizabeth and I went to Detroit and over to Windsor and enjoyed a visit with Mother and called on all the friends. Came back alone in the rain. As we grow older the mysteries of existence seem to increase instead of diminishing. Robert poor boy paid 10¢ to get on the Fair Grounds. Got tired, wet and no dinner.

July 5th Five at home. Three in Detroit. A great rain. Wife and two daughters got home from Detroit. Frank got $10 from William Campbell.

July 6th Crop of grass for hay very light. Howed strawberries. Hived a swarm of bees. Strawberry season over. Picking gooseberries.

July 9th Wife and Elizabeth sick. Robert raked the meadow sweet with hay. We got in 3 small loads. Very light crop. Mowed weeds. Very weary. Sommer like all earthly good things passing away. The birds don't sing as gaily as they did in the spring. Paid T.B. Goodspeed $3 for Insurance.

July 12th Hay poor but corn promises well. Brother Robert brought me papers. Mr. Fields, editor of the Evangelist, had first a letter about London, then mine about the Blue Birds nest and next Mr. Cuyler. Was very much pleased to see my letter among such respectable company. A great many people read that old standard paper. May Wisdom and Prudence be granted me.

July 14th Wife and her Father came from Augusta. Little demand for wool. Frank went to see a selfbinding reaper. Robert was tired and had nose bleed.

July 19th Settled with William Campbell. Sent a notice to Sheldan Secretary about the horse that was killed. Wife got her new rag carpet. New potatoes for dinner.

July 21st Frank and 2 girls went to a party at Millers. Letter writing on new rag carpet. Unbound wheat quite wet from all the rains.

1875

July 22nd Set out wheat to dry and drew a lot of it in as it looked like rain but none came. A letter from N. Sheldan regretting the Company could not pay me for the horse. Wife sold berries. Had the buggy repaired. The barley is mostly weeds.

July 25th 5 went to Church. I walked and came home by the Upper Bridge (LaForge Road) the way that Father and the rest of us used to walk home in years gone by. If Father's spirit ever accompanies us when we think of the departed we are contented.

July 26th First summer I have had to use glasses to write and read. Brother Robert brought me two papers and said I had a letter in each one. I was pleased that my thoughts were worthy of a place in them.

July 29th Mrs. L and Robert went to grandfathers. 3 girls to Fletchers. Bell helped milk and got supper and was brave and true. Farmers Store robbed again.

July 31st Cool and first symptons of Autumn. Brother Robert came and is thinking of going to the sea for his health. I would like to see some of the world but duty before pleasure.

Wife and I went to call on the George McDougalls. Although they suffer in body they were contented and cheerful in virtuous old age.

August 2nd Cool after the rain. Wind signing like autumn. Wife bought blankets $9.00. The Farmers Store not willing to give us goods on our stock. Robert rode up with Brother Roberts horse. Semans looked over our wool—would only give 36¢ lb.

August 6th Had to cut some of the rag weed with the Brush Scyth. The mower worked for a while and cut weeds and oats up to the horses bridle. A great storm of thunder and lightning last night. We learned the light last night was C. Albans barn burning—struck by lightning.

August 8th Frank caught some nice fish in the river. Wife and I went to town. Brother Robert has gone to the sea for a change of air. Another shower but no great floods like they have in Ohio. Drew manure and got a box of honey.

August 12th Damp and misty. Went to get a box of honey I had in a barrel and bees and ants had taken all the honey. Nothing left but comb. Wealth seems to elude me. Bell went to the depot with the buggy to get her Uncle Frank but he did not come. Heard from Brother Robert at the sea shore.

1875

August 14 Found a swarm of bees on the trunk of a small hickory tree-brushed them bown to the hive and they stung fiercely.

Went to the Depot with Bell. She and Willie Campbell started for Brooklyn on the Huckleberry (Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, Ypsilanti to Hillsdate) Post card stating the James Lambies wife was dead. The tide of events seem to go hard against that poor fellow. Was pleased to see my Harvest Hymn in the Evangelist. Drew manure and spread it on the south field. Brother Robert at New York.

August 19 Very tired. My life in the country is almost never ending toil. I long for some relaxation, change of scene—to the Lakes and Mountains—but I toil on. Some who spend freely for the benefit of their health are not extra healthy after all.

August 20th Finished cleaning the barn yard at noon. Mrs. R came back with her father. Anna and Mary went to hear Miss Dean, the missionary. Brother Robert took away his horse but said nothing about the journey to the East.

August 24th Drew ____ and rails off Brother Robert's land. Son Robert and I went to the Depot for an excursion to Detroit but the tickets were all sold. Great crowd and we didn't go.

August 28th Dug early potatoes in the south field. Mr. Tindell and Bell Gleaners came and we had a picnic in the grove. Pleasant time with the young folks.

August 30th Summer days, life, eyesight and strength fading away. Mrs. L brother John came. The German mason built the wall under the bard. Hard, heavy, expensive work. Grapes nearly ripe.

September 1st Gathered a pail of fine summer queen apples. Paid the mason $7.50 for the north wall of the barn. Went to the river to see a balloon with Robert but we did not go up.

September 3rd Spread manure. Very weary. Went to Church Meeting in afternoon. A. Knapp came to see about the school affairs. Harpers Magazine sent my poem back.

September 6th Went to school meeting. Wife, Robert and I had a long dark walk from Stevensens thru the corn.

1875

September 8th Began to cut corn. Anna went to Camps. Robert and Bell picking plums. Some grapes about ready. The brook just running but signs of rain. ok Mrs. L over to William Campbell's. Frank, Robert and I harvesting beechwheat. Showers a blessing in the afternoon. A letter from Kate Inglis.

September 13th Another box of honey. Wife and I went to Cornwells and exchanged wool for stocking yarn. A pleasant day. Had tea and an interview with my old friend John Geddes. Some going to the State Fair. Gave E. M. Gray an order on Wm Campbell for $24.

September 17th Wife and I and Mrs. Campbell went to a family gathering at Andrew Campbells. A fine company of righteousness. Five Noble Brothers and one is not with us (James is the one who died).

September 20th Drew dirt from under the barn. Set up buckwheat. Had an interview with Brother Robert and the Catholic priest on Robert's hill. Paid Jerome Miller $36.00 for painting the School House.

September 21st White frost on the barn roof. Drew dirt with G. Allen's cart. Went over and had supper with Professor Campbell and family at Wm Campbells and saw them start for Minnesota. Anna and Elizabeth going to the Normal.

September 24th The German mason building the barn wall at $2.50 a day while I get 30¢ for corn and less for potatoes. Went to Shavos for line to haul big stones for the mason. Hard and expensive work.

September 28th Son Francis, birthday making him twenty-one. How fast time passes away. It seems not long since I was a youg man. The mason finished the wall at noon. Brother Robert and daughter came. Received a kind letter from my friend Wm. Adair. A model letter and saving the girls and me $12.00 school tuition.

September 30th Wife, Mary and I went to the Fair. A great crowd. Saw beautiful apples and great vegetables. Met my friend Wm Adair. Wife went home with her father. Robert came back from Uncle John Clarks. My old friend John Lindsay age 79 stayed overnight with us.

October 2nd Gathered 12 barrels apples. Took 2 to Brother Robert and got 10 empty barells from Ainsworth. Voorhees thrashed the buckwheat.

1875

October 4th Mr. and Mrs. Tailer called. Mr. Casey gone to New York. Took 10 barells of apples to Ainsworth. Dug 2 locad of rose potatoes.

October 5th A wet misty morning. Anna and Elizabeth went to school. The rain is much needed. James dug potatoes and Robert, Bell and I gathered nearly three loads of them. Left most of the Captain's Surprise in the field… they had rotted.

Mr. Lucking paid Frank $20 for his cow. Sold him 5 lambs at $2.50 and 2 wedders at $3.50. Glad to get a little money. Old Mr. Hall the grape man was buried yesterday.

October 9th Wet night. Bell got new shoes. Filled 10 barrels apples and took them to Ainsworth.

October 11th The sky looked like winter. Took 6 barrels apples to Ainsworth and two to Mrs. Smith. Forgot to put up the bars and the cows got in the corn.

October 18th Ice on the rainwater in the wash bowl but it did not break. Took 5 barrels apples to the Depot for Mr. Ingils. Two to Ainsworth. 37 in all to him.

October 19th Frank shingling Brother Robert's barn. Mrs. Tailer came and the youngsters gathered nuts.

October 20th Cold north wind. Wife and I had a grand dinner at Brother Roberts along with Brother Frank and wife and Mr. Batcheldor. Ainsworth paid $79.55 for apples. I intended to get 10 cents a barrel more.

October 22nd Frank building a corn crib. Robert and I drawing pumpkins. Wife went to bring Mrs. Wm Campbell. Paying my family what I owed with the apple money. Took 4 barrels to Macy at Lowell.

October 23rd Mr. and Mrs. McDougal came, also Mrs. Campbell and son John from Augusta. Wife went hmme with them. Robert and I drew in corn. Mrs. Warts and friends came and gathered nuts. Paid Elizabeth $5.00, Frank $20.00, Johnson $5.00 and James $2.00.

October 24th 3 rode to church, 3 at home. I walked and had to hunt for the cows after I came home and thought I was not too well used by the young folks.

October 25th Put two loads of good corn in the new crib and two of soft corn in the barn. Wife came back with her father. It seems I have underwent a great deal of toil this summer and accomplished very little.

1875

October 30th Mild morning. Feeding pumpkins to the cows. Went to town and bought a coat $8 and hat 75¢. Wife gathered onions. Mary and Bell husking. Frank came back from Detroit after seeing his grandmother in Windsor and Mrs. Inlis.

November 1st Mr. McLouth was our Preacher yesterday. A little snow this morning. Another summer ended. 34 wild geese flew over us going South. I banked up the house. Wm. Gage came and thrashed our barley and some oats.

November 2nd Finished thrashing before dinner… 91 bushels of wheat, 148 of oats, 43 of barley. Paid Gage $9.97— small return for our Summer's work but more than we expected. Put all the chaf in the barn.

November 4th We pulled a load of turnips and put them in the cellar. Wife received $13.00 from Mr. Crane for interest. Received a letter from David Inglis. Very kind and complimentary. Took apples and turnips to G. Stephensons for Anna.

November 6th Bought a coarse wooled ram from Wm Watling. Put him among the flock. Helped Bacen to ditch.

November 7th Mr. Tindall unwell. Mr. McLouth preached well. Mary, Elizabeth and Robert heard Mr. Estabrook at night.

November 8th Robert and I husked on Brother Robert's land. We get 2/3 of the corn. First time I ever worked land on shares.

November 9th Dellison the younger help with husking. We took home 18 bushels of corn. 3 colored men helped with our husking. A slow, sure way of getting an honest living.

November 16th 26 years since we were married. Mr. and Mrs. Inglis came a year ago but they will never come again.

November 18th Damp and dreary. Lucking bought 3 wedders and 3 lambs $18. Have about 800 bushels of corn. The biggest crop we ever had. Mr. Campbell sent a quarter of Beef.

November 25th All of us went to our friend Wm Campbell's to a grand Thanksgiving dinner.

November 28th 4 went to Church… Anna has a sore throat. Robert took a lantern to Church to light the girls home.

1875

November 30th Very cold. Not very well. Downhearted and suffering from the cold.

December 1st Put up cow stanchions under the Barn. Took down a grist of white wheat and Buckwheat.

December 4th Sold Lucking 4 lambs and 2 old sheep… $17. Took 6 bags buckwheat to have it floured at Deubels. Got the grist—9 bags.

December 6th Very sore throiat. Raining. Elizabeth went to the Normal and Robert to the District School. Bought a broom 40¢, crayons 25¢ for the school.

December 9th Another night of suffering sore throat. Tried fat pork and pepper and kerosene rags. Like to loose both breath and reason. Afternoon some little gathering burst in my throat and I was relieved from pain and suffering at once. Joined my family for a supper of pancakes and honey.

December 11th Ground white with snow. Robert at Mr. Camps. It took me all forenoon to draw up a load of dry wood, feed the animals and clean the stable. Well, but rather weak.

December 12th Sacrament Sunday. Some additions to the Church. Sara Campbell was baptized.

December 13th Wife and I went to Robert Campbells Birthday party (Mrs. Lambie's brother in Pittsfield). A fine pleasant company. Stayed overnight at John Clark's fine comfortable home. Helped with the sheep and pigs. Came home to our humble house and found all well. Mr. Crane paid $10 interest. Mr. Clark sent a black lamb to Robert.

December 15th Anna's birthday. Wife and I went over very rough roads to Augusta. Stayed over night. Mr. Campbell and I went to see M. Hewins. He looks very poorly. Mr. and Mrs. Clark came and we had a pleasant dinner party. Cmae home in a blinding snow storm. Brs. Boyce died.

December 17th Cold wind from the North. Put the lambs by themselves. Frank, Mary and Elizabeth to the Normal at night to hear Anna read a poem. Heard Brother Robert had sore eyes. About a year since Dr. Inglis died. Pail our taxes $17.43 to John Packard—a very modest tax.

December 19th All went to Church. 3 stayed until evening. Mr. Tindell intends to leave us. He is a good man and Minister but he has had a good salary and far more good things than ever I had. I think a rest would benefit me as much as it would him.

1875

December 20th Called on Brother Robert. His eyes very sore. The Presbyterian Chruch on fire in the basement. Helped put it out. Pitkin hooped the pork barrel.

December 25th Christmas…… seven years today since Father died. Wm Campbell and family had dinner with us. A very pleasant time for all.

December 28th Mr. Packard paid the School money $174.87. I paid Goodspeed $23 for teaching. Willie Campbell and Robert went to John Clarks in the wagon. The Bees out like a summer day. 75 years fading into oblivion.

Continue reading in the William Lambie Diary, 1876.

View a photo of the the Lambie family in our Gleanings image gallery.