[1916]

Christmas Day.

Hospital in quarantine. All the men very blue and unhappy. Usual dinner etc. but no "pep". Jack Cameron motored over from Crowborough in the afternoon.

[1917]

Jan. 1^st.

Business as usual, New Year's Day not being a holiday over here. Was to lunch with Gerald Marryat in town but trains were bad and I was over an hour late getting in.

Jan 4^th.

Went to a concert at Kempton Park with Ar[ ] & Wishy - Mr. Wyndham, managing director, quite good. Found myself all over spots, thought of measles.

Jan 5^th.

No second thought needed. Measles I have. Col. Casgrain says I needn't be sent away to Isolation. Thank Gawd! Have felt beastly all day.

Usual sore eyes etc.. All the girls are wonderful. Shall never forget their kindnesses. Have a new boudoir cap and think I'll live now.

Letter from Don to say he has measles too. In as good civilian hosp. & enjoying life.

Three days leave. Went down to Shorncliffe to see Myra. Found her looking very fit, but furious at me for not transferring. Met Miss Urquhart. Motored to Hastings with her. Met Col. Munro & saw through their new hospital. Sisters have a 20 min. walk to their home. Met Mrs. Nicholson, their home Sister - very interesting.

Myra had a Mr. & Mrs. Jones and Mr. Muwasur in for bridge. Mr. M. comes from Winnipeg and knows Aunt Edna.

Saw Don the day I left. He tried to come up but leave was stopped at the last minute.

Myra's rooms very nice. Her Maltese petticoat made lovely cushions.

Feb -

Two weeks off duty with pleurisy & a bad cold.

Feb. 24 -

New list of R.R.C's - #1 well represented. I think I can hear Brock - Seems to me they got it for leaving the unit.

All the girls are sweet enough to say they are pleased. Andy gave me my ribbon.

March 3^rd.

Telegram from the Lord Chamberlain warning us for Sat. am at 10. Phoned Ethel who says she can put me up for the night so I can go with them.

March 4^th.

Went to town in the afternoon felt very wobbly - pain still bad.

Tremaine is away and Ethel is in charge. Holland says she's a far better manager. Sat up half the night listening to Moheray's adventures.

March 5^th.

Great excitement getting Ethel ready in time. Took a taxi to the Palace - Holland, Ethel Peg & I - rolled in in state and had it wait for us.

First person we saw inside was Casualt talking at the top of her voice and putting on her white gloves.

We were ushered into a waiting room filled with chairs and were given our numbers in alphabetical order. Matron in front, then 2 A's and Australians lastly Canadians. We may have felt slighted at first but before it was over we were glad to have plenty of others in front of us…

The rooms ahead of us were filled with officers all of whom preceeded us so it was nearly eleven before we started to go in.

The room we sat in over looked the garden, and was filled with historical paintings, Queen Victoria at a garden party at Buckingham, King Edwards coronation and a Jubilee picture besides other small ones.

There were cabinets full of old china of different periods. After we started to move we passed through another small room, also lined with china cabinets. Then into a large reception room, full of interesting things, principally paintings and busts of various Royalties and illuminated addresses bound in book form or copies of poems, in wonderful bindings.

The Lord Chamberlain had told us just what to do but it had nearly all passed from our minds through sheer fright by the time we reached the door of the audiences chamber & throne room.

The King stood to the left in Field Marshall's uniform attended by officers bearing a red cushion on which lay the decorations. As each one entered her name was read out by the Lord Chamberlain and she advanced to the Lord Chamberlain then turned and bowed to the King and advanced 3 paces. The King slipped the medal on the little hook that had been put in our uniforms for it. Shook hands and said it gave him great pleasure to confer the decoration.

He asked the girls from Hyde Park Place about Tremaine.

After that all that was necessary was to bow again and back out and most of us weren't slow in doing it.

After that we all had to go to Marlboro House to see Queen Alexandra. She presented each of us with a book and a photo of herself.

May 8.

Went to Windsor with the men all presented to the King & Queen.

May 31.

Got word to report at Clarence House to-morrow.

June 1^st.

Arrived Clarence House. Long conversation with Mrs. P. re billetting allowance & etc. Capt. Warner has told her what allowance we should get & she is aiming to charge us about 2/3 - that is Capt Ellis & myself - all the others are voluntary workers.

Miss L. away expected back to-morrow night.

Fortunately I know so much about them all that I think they will hesitate about making much trouble for me. Apparently there is great friction between Miss L. & Mrs. P. of whom the latter is more in the right.

My room is small and a V.A.D. has to pass through on her way to her own. There isn't enough air but so long as the troops and staff have the best rooms no change is deemed necessary. The work is nothing. I am to have charge of the V.A.D.'s and their duties.

Everyone is most charming however and the place delightful. It is nearer town and 20 min by bus from Richmond.

Clarence House

Miss L. arrived. Everyone was out and there was no supper ready for her. Miss De S. got her something but she was furious at Mrs. P. and we all suffered.

June 14.

Nothing of interest in the last two weeks.

Saw Miss McD. to-day. Told her about billetting scheme which she thinks is absolutely amusing. Could give me no authority for applying for an allowance as there are quarters available here.

July 15.

Miss L. went to see the A.D.M.S. yesterday and everyone advised her to go to Canada. She went down to book her passage but an under clerk told her if she went she couldn't come back.

It had all been arranged with the Head man and this fool gave it all away. It made her suspicious and she doesn't want to go now.

The M.O. has just gone in to the A.D.M.S. so Clarence House is well in the lime light.

Myra over on leave. Have 3 days leave from Col. C. and Miss McD. says I won't be wanted for Transport duty so am going to the Lakes.

Myra has busied herself getting letters of introduction.

Ethel, Peg and Myra went up to-day and I go to-morrow.

Aug. 27.

Stayed in town with Ida at the Pic. Left this am. at 9. from Euston. The trip up was most uninteresting - crowded carriage and no lunch basket.

Arrived Windermere at 5.45 after the most tiring trip of a life time. The scenery after [Onenholme] picked up a bit - more hilly and the houses changed from brick to gray stone.

Met by Ethel and Peg with the news that Myra had gone to stay the night with Miss Croppe, a friend of her padre Mr. Gravell who gave her all her letters.

Georgy McDougall and another officer from the I.O.D.E. are here staying with a Mrs. Rea, a rich American who has as guests through the Red Cross. Can. wounded officers.

E & P. were out on the lake with them this pm.

Aug. 28.

Sunday so we stayed in bed till noon as it was raining hard. Our maid is a queer old thing - wears a butterfly cap and long train of an afternoon. Furious with us for not getting up for breakfast. We had too much toast. It seems strange that at Morley's they give you one small roll and up here you get a loaf and can eat as much as you like. In the afternoon it was still pouring but we got dressed & went to tea at Mrs. Rea's. In peace time the house is only used for occasional week ends. It has enormous grounds - practically untouched. The house itself is on the American plan and has a wonderful view of the Lake.

The interior is very simple hardwood floors, glorious rugs and all sorts of curios.

We had a pre war time tea served by a magnificent butler, and Ethel upset her tea on her new silk sweater which rather marred the occasion for her. Myra arrived about nine full of beans. Had had lunch at Tolsan Hall where Miss C's brother lives and met a brother in-law Dr. Fletcher who is a pathologist at the war office - at present investigating the latest gas cases which are said to be the worst yet. He is strongly in favour of the new Dakin Carrel treatment.

Aug. 29.

Asked for 3 days more and got it. This morning we drove to Grasmere saw Dove Cottage on the way where Wordworth and his sister lived. The spare bedroom was a mere doorway. W. seemed to have had the best part of the house. In the attic he put all his distinguished guests.

Just near was the stove where he sat and absorbed local colour.

We drove on to Canon [Rawnsty's] where W. lived in later years, after he married. The Canon was a personal friend and distant cousin by marriage of Tennyson's and at his house T. was married. The house was full of Wordsworth portraits, brass plates to mark where he sat, bed where he slept etc.

A framed letter of Dorothy's asking her rich brother for new matting for the lace was delightful. She wasn't a bit sure of getting it but she gave the measurements and told how badly she needed it and trusted to luck.

The Canon is Canon of Carlisle and the author of many books on the Lakes County. Their view of Lake Grasmere is famous and quite deserving of praise.

We had lunch in the village and saw Wordsworth's grave.

Aug. 30.

Last night when we came in there was a letter for Peg telling her her brother Jack was reported missing. He went out on a night raid and when last seen fell just in front of the German trenches with a broken leg. He told his Sgt. to carry on and they left him. Later a party was sent out to bring him in but he could not be found. It is likely he is a prisoner but Peg and Ethel left at once for London.

To-day Myra and I drove to Dungeon Gylle. On the way we passed the Skilwitt Force and Corlist force - pretty little water falls that we never notice at home.

It rained at Dungeon Gylle so we didn't see it, but Myra got post cards of it.

The drive was through a very mountainous county with a view that changed constantly. That part of the county W. described in "Michael".

At Grasmere we had tea with Miss Simpson, a charming woman with a quaint old home and a lovely rock garden. There we met Canon R. again, and other more or less notable people.

After that we drove to Fox[l]ow and met Miss Arnold, Matthew Arnold's sister - eighty-four but full of pep. She talked about her famous brother as if he were a child of four, and seemed at a loss to know we were so interested in him.

Aug. 30.

Left Rigg's & Windermere this am. Our chamber maid unbent a little and was quite cordial in her good-byes. She is a real character, and should be immortalized in blank verse.

The trip down was boring in the extreme, and we didn't arrive till 4.30.

Had dinner with D&S. Myra went out with her uncle.

Sept. 8.

G. has been up for two days. He is going back to Shoreham till he can work something more agreeable. He went back to-night and I miss him greatly. Shall not see him again before I leave.

Sept. 11 -

Got word at noon that I am to report to [ ] to-morrow at 10. am. Miss B. regretted to inform me that my leave had been sent in from Bushy & therefore they had to notice it but she'd do what she could to get me my 17 days in Canada. I could kill Fraser for her officiousness.

Sept. 12.

Reported at ten. Had an ambulance right in to Oxford St. Mae quite glad of a joy ride. Found B. quite gracious & she has fixed leave for me. [ ] the one & only pompo[ ]. Gillean Mabee and everyone I knew went by the Araguaya sister sip to the Asturia. I go on a transport with Dussette, Hambly, McLean from 7 Stat & Byrue. Dussette lifted her may flower eye brows over my luggage. Have our orders, and leave Friday pm. Saw Maj. [ ] for the first time - had heard of him from George, Byronic brow, and thinks himself a pretty boy, very incompetent I imagine, used awful grammar. Then we saw Capt. [ ] with his "seens & dones" - received us in his shirt sleeves.

Phoned Squire, had dinner at the Gobelin with Dorothy and her & went to Arlette, Winnifred Barnes, Shanty Supino from Suzette & Joseph Coyle. Ripping show but no catchy music.

Sept. 13.

Shopped, had tea at the [Troe] with S.&.D. Lunch with Micky, and dinner with George and went to "Airs & Graces" afterwards, the best revue I've seen, full of pep.

Sept. 14.

Met Mrs. Bell on a bus, resigning next month.

Sept. 15.

Left yesterday at 2.20. Met at the station by D - , full of authority and temper. Ignored her but rushed so that I didn't get my luggage properly marked. Hope it turns up. Dorothy & Squire came down to see me off.

Trip most uninteresting - Col. McVicar of #4 Gen. came in and a Capt. Greenwood.

Arrived Liverpool at 7 pm & went straight to Adelphi, one of the finest hotels on the continent I believe. Had dinner with Capt.Yates, Capt. Clarke, & Col. McVicar. Capt. Y is a most peculiar person. Has the V.C. and won't wear it also a long string of ribbons. Was Surgeon Gen. of the Mexican army at one time - a very uncouth man but no doubt very clever.

Heard that [ ] was at the N.-W. so went over with Col. McV. and saw her for an hour.

To-day we shopped for a while in the am. & left the hotel about 10.30. Had to wait at the deck for an hour or so but finally got on board the Metagama. Am in a cabin with Miss McLean & Miss Gagne. Outside fairly crowded.

Met Harry Goodene at tea with Mrs. Ryan & Miss Youle who is going home.

Left the dock at 5.15 and thought we were sailing at once, but just went out into the river and anchored again.

The Sisters have all been put at one table which is rotten, and all owing to Dusette. Two men with us, a boy called Moore R.F.C. from Toronto and a Mr. Ellis 2^nd Batt, who ordered port for us all though we all declined.

Got to bed early to get a good sleep before we sail. All port holes are closed at sundown and the air is vile.

We have a baby next door, fortunately quite good. There are bout 150 children on board, half of which are said to be under 6 mos.

Sunday - sailed early this am. & about 9 picked up our escort, consisting of 4 T.B.D.'s a first class cruiser and a converted cruiser, disguised by a camouflage. The only other transport is the Justicia, a German boat handed over to the Cunard Line to replace the Lusitania. The Scandinavian started with us but we lost her some way about noon.

Everything very much upset - decks crowded with mid class passengers and no end of children.

Miss McL. has adopted the baby next door as its mother is ill.

Went to church at 10.30 - very dull.

Met a Mr. Morton 15^th Batt from Toronto who knows Dorothy Pearson - also a Mr. Matheson - friend of Miss Youle's.

Bishop the Air man V.C. is on board - was offered a post in Canada as instructor but refused it and is going back to France. Sat in the lounge in the evening with Miss Youle, Miss Marsh & Mr. Matheson. I went to bed early.

Sept. 17-

Last night it was so foggy that we hardly moved. This morning we could still see land which we were told was Ireland. We sailed very far south the first day and then turned again so it probably is correct.

Talked to Mr. Morton all morning he knows June Allen and the Ba[n]d family.

About noon I heard some woman was very miserable and wanted help with her baby so I went along to see her. Repented at once for she seemed to feel neglected - said she'd seen the majors baby getting all the attention and couldn't get anyone to look after her. I asked her what she wanted and she said she wanted help at 6 to give baby a bath.

I had tea with Morton, Brown and the others and went down at 6. She insisted on staying while I did the work and kept kissing the baby's hand while I was washing them till I was fed up. Finally she offered me money to look after the baby for the rest of the trip. I've never seen such a fool of a woman run the deck all day with men.

Our escort with the exception of the converted cruiser left us this morning and we are allowed to move without our life belts. The past few days have been amusing - because of the different styles of figures and their way of wearing their life preservers. One fat woman wore hers to meals slung careless like about her neck.

Tried to get up a dance but no one plays rag time.

Have held a very quiet day - the weather was fine and we sat on deck most of the time. Played Bridge in the pm. with Doyle, Mr. Smith & another man but it wasn't a success. Went to bed very early.

Sept. 19.

Raining and quite cool. All the life boats have been swung back on deck and we ought to have a quick voyage from now on.

Met Ethel B's cousin Mrs. O'Callaghan who is going home with her husband and baby.

Have just passed a convoy of 8 ships.

Sept. 24 -

Nothing of interest in past few days. Thought up to yesterday we were going to Halifax first but about noon the Justicia & Victorian turned south and we went on.

Passed Cape Race last night and 2 and are due at Rimouski to-morrow & Quebec the next day.

Real Canadian weather these last two days bright and clear. Ship quite steady too and all sea sick people up on deck.

Had a patient for one day - soldier - threatened appendix - afraid that we'd have to operate but he got all right again.

Landed at Quebec this am.

Reported again at Montreal Oct. 16. Come on about 8 pm.

Landed - Nov. 1^st at 4 pm - stayed at Adelphi - all night - came on to London next morning - arrived about 3 pm.

Reported at Oxford St. Nov. 4 - were given the week end at our own expense. G[ ] Wurtele and I stayed at the Piccadilly.

Nov. 7 - Arrived at Buxton about 5 pm. Miss Ridley met us. Quarters are very good. Bruce was given a 2 bed room and asked me to share it with her. We are very comfortable. Don't know a soul except Marian Starr.

Reported for duty at the Hydro at 4.30 and were given morning to settle ourselves. Went shopping - and saw part of the town. Very much like Windermere - all gray granite and stone. Weather very cold snow flurries.

Miss Ridley left Jan. 7 for the Office February & March -

Left B Sect at Hydro for the Palace. In charge about 6 weeks.

Developed flu and was at Northwood 5 weeks. Worse than jail.

April 9-15 -

In London for a week's leave - Myra at the club - on her way to Orpington.

April 15 -

Reported for duty at Matlock Bath.

July 15-31 -

Leave in Devon with Naomi Mecklejohn - stayed at [ ]epracombe for 2 days then went to Westward Ho - Golden Bay Hotel very good but too expensive - walked to Bideford & Appledore several times. Saw site of U.S. College famous in Stalky & Co.

Took a few lessons in golf from the Pro. at the Westward Ho links.

Myra came back with me for 3 days.

August.

Don and Eric on leave for 10 days.

Sunday Nov. 22^nd 1931.

This afternoon Mother and I were looking over old papers and letters, some to be given to Aunt Hattie for her family and some to the Robbs.

We don't know what to do with all the family bibles - Sutherland, Fowlds of various dates and the bible given to Mother's Father by old Mr. Coventry.

In an old leather covered bible which has been in this house ever since Mother was married, there is what we suppose to be the record of the marriage of Great-grandfather Fowlds. There are 2 records, the first one of which has been altered and realtered, making the marriage in 1813, and a second record in the same writing, obviously that of Henry Fowlds himself making the marriage in 1814.

We were puzzling over it when Letty and Jean Roxburgh drove over from Norwood. They stayed to tea and dinner and as Gerald is in Montreal for a few days we talked over family matters and showed them the old photograph albums we had been looking at in the afternoon.

Jean knows very little about the Roxburghs and was very glad to have some photos Mother gave her out of the Sutherland album. Also a clipping referring to her Grandmother Roxburghs death. She asked about an accident her Grandmother had had and Mother could tell her all about it. It seemed to interest her very much.

Letty told us all about the Melarrys. She puts them ahead of the Roxburghs. Jean looked surprised.

Letty also told us that Lizzie Fowlds had told her that her Grandfather and Grandmother Fowlds had eloped and that the Grandmother's people - the Steele's - thought that Henry Fowlds was not a good enough match for their daughter. That is evidently a story from the Steele side of the family, for we have never heard of it.

After they had gone Mother and I looked again in the old Bible for with that story of the elopement we felt we might have the explanation of that altered marriage date from 1814 to 1813, and of certain other alterations.

Helen's Grandfather: Henry Fowlds

Monday - Nov. 23 -

Gerald home from Montreal -

In the old Bible there must have been leaves at the beginning for family records. That Bible was printed in 1811 and must have belonged to them in Scotland or in England at the latest.

This is Henry Fowld's own statement

Born Sept 22 - 1791 -

Married Sept 21 - 1814 - aged 23.

This has been altered to

Married Sept 21^st - 1813 - which would make him 22 years old.

Then his Birth has been altered from 1791 to 1790.

Then his Birthday has been altered from Sept. 22 to Nov. 27^th.

His wife's birthday has been left unchanged - Sept. 1^st 1790, which made her 23 in one and then 24. Why should all these changes have been made unless -

1. To make her younger than he: in which case the story of the elopement might be believable but if she were a year older then could he have been said to have eloped with her or she with him.
2. After working this far, by going carefully over the two records we find that Henry Fowlds has deliberately put her age as 24 years and the year of the marriage as 1814, so it looks as if he denies his part in any elopement.
3. In Charlie's copy of the births of their children, which he gave Mother after Father's death - there is the record of the birth of the 1^st child Eliza Born June 21^st 1814 died June 17, 1815 aged 11 months 26 days which makes her born 3 months too soon.
4. Can this entry then explain the alteration of the marriage from 1814 to 1813?
5. Can it mean that Henry Fowlds denies this child as his when he deliberately writes again that he was not married until 1814, Sept. 21.
6. John the 2^nd child was born June 11, 1815, and died Oct. 19, 1816, or in Charlie's copy he was Born June 11, 1816, died Oct. 19, 1817.

Charlie must have some original records for except the old Bible we have none although James was the eldest living son born 1818.

Charlie's Mother and Father were first cousins - their Mothers being sisters - Steeles.

Henry Fowlds had no relatives out here.

It surely proves that the Steeles side benefitted by the various alterations, and as these original records are in Charlie's possession how did they get these unless through the Steeles, his Mother's people, for his father, William was the youngest Son.

We think that Charlie's Mother and Father lived with Henry Fowlds for a while, and might then have discovered these records, which may have surprised them. We think the alterations in our old Bible were much older than 1851 when they moved to Hastings, but there may have been an argument between Henry and his wife to account for that.

But where did the records of the children's births go, for it was obviously taken out of our Bible. Did Aunt Mary take it to shield her Mother's family, the Steeles?

Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Mother went over to see Margaret. Told her about the old Bible of which she professes never to have heard.

She had never heard of an elopement nor of the first child Eliza.

Mother took over the copy of a notice Louise had brought from Scotland

Jan 9^th 1791

Henry - natural Son of John Foules and Martha Henry publicly baptized.

Mother asked Margaret if she had ever heard who her Grandfather's parents were. All she remembers is that his Mother's name was Mary and she can't be sure whether she heard the name Henry before Louise brought back this report, or not.

This notice might be correct if in his own writing he did not state that he was born Sept. 22, 1791.

Margaret thinks Louise had the same story that Charlie has of Henry's birth in Nov. 27, 1790, in which case Louise might be right - otherwise it is impossible and we feel that we have sufficient proof to deny this story of Henry's illegitimacy.

But where we feel that we have suffered by these alterations is that amongst them they unsettled Margaret's Father, so that he was not sure whether he was born in 1818 or 1819, and in the end he has accepted 1819.

We can't think that he ever saw the original or whatever Charlie copies from for every record gives him as born in 1818.

Mother and I think that Aunt Mary and her Mother, Mrs. Meikle, could have done all the changing of dates and might have fought to save the name of their family at the expense of Henry Fowlds.

Margaret agrees Aunt Mary might but won't admit Aunt Meikle, but Aunt Meikle lived at Hazelbank after her Sister's death and we feel she might well have been the instigator.

Why should her daughter's husband, William, the youngest son, have our family records unless she gave them to her daughter?

Surely Henry Fowlds meant them for his eldest son James.

Wednesday Nov. 15.

Margaret remembers her grand parents as she was born in 1851 and her Grandmother died in 1863 (or 1864 if you believe Charlie's family), and her Grandfather in 1873.

Mother asked her why her Father should have thought he was born in 1819.

Margaret doesn't know, but says her Grandmother told her stories of James, her Father, of how he used to go for the bread in London, and instead of carrying it in the cloth he dragged it behind him along the street.

They left London for America Sept. 19, 1821, and at that time James would be 3 years and 6 months old if he were born in Feb. 1818, which is reasonable as a child of 2 1/2 could hardly have done that.

Margaret also remembers that they took her father, James, on their shoulders to look at a coronation procession, which we find was that of George IV July 19, 1821, only 2 months before they sailed. He was their only child at that time for Robert Hastie the 4^th child who was born Aug 9, 1820, had died March 28, 1821.

Margaret also remembers her Grand father telling her never to write letters and never to sign her name to anything without knowing what she was signing.

She remembers driving with her Grandparents to see the site of their new house, Hazelbank, and being told that a woman had died of ship fever and he and some else had had to bury her as her relations ran away. She was buried in the sandpit near Stewart's where Bill West now lives.

Also that her Grandfather spoke of London and that he named Hastings in honor of Lady Flora Hastings for whom he had great respect. Lady Flora [ ] Campbell, Countess of London married Marques of Hastings in 1804

Thursday, Nov. 26.

To-day we had to go to the cemetery to see after our lot.

To our astonishment we found these dates on the "Tin" monument erected to Henry Fowlds and his wife, by whom we can't find out, but my Father had nothing to do with it.

Henry Fowlds

Died June 6^th, 1872

Aged 84 years.

which makes him born in 1788.

Jane Marshall Steele

Died Dec 28, 1863

Aged 73 years.

That still leaves her born 1790 but makes him 2 years older,

and the only child noticed at all is Theresa Alvira moved from West-wood, and aged 11 years, the last of their ten.

That is such a cheap monument that people are amazed to find it is in memory of the founder of this place.

And the worst of it is he died in 1873.

And Charlie's family says Jane died in 1864 instead of in 1863.

Friday Nov. 27.

This is the anniversary of Henry's revised birthday, may his Soul rest in peace.

Margaret spent the afternoon going over dates with us, and advises us to accept Henry Fowld's own record in our old Bible as correct.

Here is her Story of the Meikles.

Mrs. Meikle was younger than her sister Jane, and she thinks Henry wanted to marry her instead of Jane.

She married Meikle and on the way out he had a stroke on the ship. They were very poor and had to be helped continually. They settled near Henry Fowlds in Westwood in 1851, strangely enough just when Henry Fowlds was buying the Hastings property from Crook for £ 4000, and was worth knowing in spite of Letty's story about his not being the equal of his wife.

Saturday Nov. 28.

Mother decided to go and ask Charlie for the original document from which we were all given copies.

At first he seemed reluctant but when he found that we knew a good deal and had the original Bible here he opened the safe and gave her a copy of all Henry Fowld's children.

Sunday.

All day spent in proving writing of document which has also been tampered with. After verifying signatures of James & his wife, Henry and his wife, William & his wife and the Sharpes, we find that Henry Fowlds really wrote it. He gives the date of his marriage as 1813. Why we have not yet discovered but Charlie says he has boxes full of old letters, some the original "love letters".

Monday.

As Charlie had done nothing I started to go down to the Power House at 11 a.m to see him. Met Gerald at the gate - Charlie had given him a paper which proved to be Henry Fowlds story of his life, which proves him an honourable man who had suffers for years from a grave injustice.

Gerald met Charlie in the afternoon and thanked him for us. Charlie said "It was my Grandmother Meikle who made the trouble". We might have said we knew that, although this explanation is very enlightening.

Later we had Margaret over. She is dazed, but sees that we were right and that great wrong has been done. She thinks the three families should meet and discuss the whole affair and examine the letter which Charlie must be made to bring now.

Margaret stood the shock well, & says it explains a great deal.

Monday Dec. 1.

This afternoon, as Charlie had not come up with the letter he spoke of, I went down to the Power house. I said I had come for the letters as Margaret wanted to see them, and that we would go to the house for them. He rose at once and got out the car and took me up to the house.

He did not read the paper called A Story of a friend and is really ignorant of what was done by his Mother although he seems to think his Grandmother Meikle made trouble.

I told him that Henry Fowlds Story and the list of the children's births fitted in to our bible and had probably been removed before James had seen it by Agnes Graham. He agreed, but then he agrees to everything.

Henry Fowlds wrote in June 1864.

His wife had died in Dec. 63.

James " " " " May 63.

One big fire occurred in ____ 63.

A second fire " " the spring of 64.

William had been married in 61.

Henry " " " Feb. 64.

The old man was alone, the fire we have always understood burned all their papers.

Letters to Louise & Jim asking them to be here on Saturday.

Letters from Charlie mostly his grandmother Meikle's love letters and valentines except for 2 pathetic letters to her sister from Jane Marshall Fowlds, saved we think, to show that she never heard from her Father after she came to Canada, but why should they have been saved at all except for a purpose.

One thing we have proved is that the entries in the old Bible are in Jane Steele's writing, not Henry Fowlds.

Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Wrote to Jim & Louise asking them to come on Saturday.

Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Went to Peterboro with the Grovers to the Women's Canadian Club lecture. We asked them if they ever heard of a Meikle portrait which Letty says is a Reynolds. Mr. Grover had seen it, but said it was so black and dirty he couldn't say what it was. He said it was left at Roxburgh's when old Mrs. Meikle died and that [Jimmy] went up when the house was empty and removed it.

Thursday, Dec. 4.

Went to Peterboro to attend to Christmas shopping as it was such a fine day. Letter from Louise saying Jim and she will come on Saturday for that day only. Busy getting all the facts into shape for them.

Friday Dec. 5.

Copied all this into another book with amendments - so much happens each day to clarify various parts of the story.

Charlie came in the evening. We told him everything.

Saturday Dec 6.

Lou and Jim arrived at 11 a.m.

Dec. 7. Sunday.

So much has happened that I am behind with this account. Before going over Louise's reception of the news and Jim's will give a list of letters obtained from Charlie and contents of importance.

Mary Christie writes to her young sister Eliza at Strathhaven.

"Sorry to hear she was cold on way up.

"You did not say whether Mr. D was in waiting or not."

Reference to Miss Mc-, and Miss S- and to a ball to which she would not go to be made a fool of -

"Went to Regent Place Church - Mr. Young preached -

Miss Steven - Mr. Algie - Mr. Park -

"Say you have offended Mr. Mc

He spoke of it twice to Willie

Mr. Philips - Mr. Bruce -

Mr. Torrance who evidently lives at Strathhaven -

Compliments to Mr. & Mrs. D.

P.S.

I forgot to tell you that David Mickell was up last Wednesday and neither called at house or shop.

Liffard - Ireland. Nov. 28 - 1820

Alexander Gibson to Eliza Steele - love letter

no names - of no importance

Burgess Ticket of George Meikle - Skinner Aug. 29, 1799

" " " William Graham - Skinner

having married Janet - lawful daughter of George Meikle - Skinner. May 15, 1827.

Agnes Graham was a daughter of William Graham and Janet Meikle. They were married possibly in 1826 or 27 and she was born in 1829.

George Mickel - the father of David Meikle died at Dumbarton West Bridge End, Aug 12, 1825

I was about 46 (inserted: 1864 - 46 = 1818) years ago a young man in the City of Glasgow, who shortly after having been in business there married.

By persevering habits of industry ushered me into a large and thriving business then the largest of its kind in his line in the City.

I became the envied person in that business particularly by a person to whom I sold largely his supplies, who from his place of business had a distinct view of every customer that entered the crowded shop of the person he so much envied (myself).

When a plan was formed to drive me out of business in the close untiring prosecution of which I was but too fortunate and he was enabled by my ruin to obtain my shop and trade. The means employed was to ingratiate himself with me by heavy purchases and find out the parties from whom I purchased: to begin and write every individual & then a continuation of anonymous letters cautioning them to beware of my credit as they might shortly come to loss. This mode of secret interference lasted for months until the continued invidious cautions had the desired effect. And although my untiring assiduity was prosecuted by the careful collection of my debts and the liquidation of my liabilities were nearly paid nevertheless the ruin of my credit had been completed.

A business transaction to the amount of about £ 400 was offered that would have brought a profit, and the term of a 3 month's credit would in spite of everything to the contrary have enabled me to have carried on my business, and infusing new life in it would beget confidence and fresh credit. Nevertheless in closing the transaction an indorsation on the last quarter of the payment was required.

I had been for years since 1814 in the habit of assisting my father-in-law (James Steele 12 Salt market), in small sums when required and in that case he was asked to indorse the payment to the amount of £ 100. I was not refused and the transaction was closed.

However very shortly after the consumation of the transaction my father-in-law repented of his having become the security, and asked me for an order on the storekeeper for the whole amount of the goods. I demurred saying that such a transaction would be absurd, dishonest and a direct swindle against the seller. All that remonstrance was unavailing and by continued pressure on the part of my father-in-law as well as by the wore out importunities of my wife who was wore out to embrace [ ] in preference to the continued harassing pressure of her relations. She likewise became an advisor to embrace dishonor in order to get ridd of the harassing pressure of her relations and I allowed myself to become the dupe and stamped my name as a swindler, a rogue and a dishonest man.

In order to make the transaction with my father-in-law secure it became absolutely necessary that three months should elapse previous to any act of Bankruptcy on my part. To reduce the transaction my shop (and business) was kept open for 3 months with nothing to do in it, the close attention of my wife assisting. At the end of which time the due course of law following the dishonour of the payment brought the requirement necessary to sell out everything and incarcerated me leaving me a dishonoured man and a beggar. My shop and furniture sold out, my wife with one child returned to her father's house and no earthly means excepting about £ 35 in a note which was likewise given by my wife to her father also in order to procure sale allowance. And the relief from sale allowance by the Court of Sessions which was had and I once more ushered into the world a dishonoured beggar. The £ 35 note being paid my father-in-law and accounted for by my wife's board and some few things purchased for my wife at the sale of my furniture.

[diary ends here]