Frederick Thomas Lailey, the son of William H. Lailey came from Winona to farm in Grantham Township (now St. Catharines) in 1899. He remained on his Grantham farm until 1926, when he moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake to continue his agricultural pursuits. Lailey started keeping a diary in 1899 and his writings provide wonderful insight into daily life on a St. Catharines farm in the early 20th century – and the wide variety of jobs Frederick had to complete! Our summer snapshots series looks back on this date in Lailey’s life in 1899, 1900 and 1901.
As far as possible, the diary has been reproduced just as it was written, complete with Lailey’s spelling, punctuation, shorthand notations and what may now appear to be outdated language.
Tuesday August 8, 1899
“Picked rest of black currants – “struck out” part of wheat land – town with carrots and old wagon – odd jobs- started hoeing strawberry beds again and finished cutting and pulling weeds in old peach orchard.”
Wednesday August 8, 1900
“Town early for pickers- got none – picked peaches and shipped some – to White’s after tea – told Mr. W. about a certain young lady –”
Thursday August 8, 1901
“Town – currants.”