1939

Jan 3: 2 Decoste girls selling tickets here tonite. Mama cleaned shop. Merle & Jamie took stock yesterday & today.

Jan 4: They took stock again. Today Johanna sent me rooster. Pa up the river cutting wood.

Jan 5: Went down to dinner. Saw Mrs. F, Uncle Angus & aunt Deen. Came to bed 2:30. got up 4. Played guitar. Wrote Mas [her brother]. Took trimmings off tree. Pa to Guysboro.

Jan 8: Connie here and told me Lloyd Allen is married.

Jan 9: Stayed in bed all day. Went down to supper. mama & I in room awhile. Book from Essie. 4 of us sat in kitchen, Jamie read jokes.

Jan 13: Jamie playing fast tunes on records. Connie came. We played songs etc. I played guitar. Mama & Jamie went to Dave's to hear the Girls of the Golden West.

Jan 14: Jamie and Earl to dentist at Canso.

Jan 17: Grandmother went to Uncle Charlie's. [Grandmother's brother, Charlie Duncan]. . Mary Rhynold helped her. Mazie and Angus brought her home in wheelchair.

Jan 18: Connie ran in a few minutes tonight but went to lake.

Jan 19: Sam moved out most of Gran's things.

Jan 20: Beatty [Munroe] came home from Halifax a.m.

Jan 21: Pa got wood hauled in P.F. truck [Port Felix]

Jan 26: Brine Marr came to supper stayed all night. AYPA & Guild. Brine has light blue eyes and dark wavy hair.

Jan 27: Dunc [McDonald} & Pa hauling wood. Jim Myers was here p.m.

Jan 28: We ate fudge.

Jan 29: Didn't get up till dark. Nice fire in room. Door open. Very comfortable looking. Mr. hatton brought a Mr Beaton here & called for him. Mr Hatton sang The Stranger of Galilee (in church).

Jan 30: Jamie started cushion. [Jamie made a square frame with nails along all sides of it, wool was looped from side to side of the frame around the nails, and wherever the wool loops crossed, pompoms were made. The result was a pom-pom cushion cover. The frame and several of these cushions are in our family's belongings -pf]  We played fiddle & guitar. I lay on divan he learned lessons.

Feb 5: No church a.m. because Hatton couldn't get through snow.

Feb 6: Started ice hauling. Earl hauled. Lovely day.

Feb 7: Earl & Dunc hauled today. Pa, Jamie and I sat around table and read, Mum knit.

Feb 8. Read. No fire in room.

Feb 11: Dorothy & Ed baby came today. [This was Dorothy Oretha Synthelia (Duncan) married to Captain Edward H. Baker, and baby Douglas Edward Baker b 27 Feb 1938 in Port Hawkesbury -pf]

Feb 17: Eva & Marie here selling seeds today.

Feb 19: Put on my flowered navy dress, pink & white locket and pink band. Played fiddle.

Feb 20: Hear Murray and all on vessel Kasagra are missing. [was this Murray Munroe?-pf]

Feb 21: Tonight brought the news that they are all safe on board Kasagra.

Feb 22: They played in shop.

Feb 25: Jim D[uncan] hauling wood for us.

Feb 26: Chester, Lelia, baby in a minute. [This was Chester and Lelia [Ehler] Duncan and baby Elizabeth Ann born 9 Feb 1938 -pf]

Feb 28: Ate a lot of shop cookies glass milk.

Mar 1: Mazie up here. She told her fortune. I broke a lamp chimney tonight.

Mar 2: Wrote poetry on Exercise and Florascope. Mazie sent requests to Tex Cocherane. Priest was over. Pope elected today.

Mar 4: Olga & Rich [Uloth] here tonight.

Mar 5: Pa made big fire in room heated upstairs.

Mar 9: Mazie brought over picture of Tex Cochrane.

Mar 11: Ate an orange & tangerine this a.m. Borden here but didn't go out as he had cold. [Borden Grover]

Mar 12: Nice fine day. Saw the dog on Huntly's trail going to Dave's.

Mar 14: Jack Phalen here.

Mar 17: Heard Wilfred Pyche is married.

Mar 23: Robertson candy man here.

Mar 29: Bob Creamer came over last night. Jamie went to Port Hawkesbury yesterday. Agents to store today. Merle [Munroe] working here while Jamie's away.

Mar 30: Jamie came home today. he stayed last night to Liz Peart's.

Mar 31: Marj Curby died this morning. [Kirby?-pf]

Apr 1: Went to Dave's to hear children's programme a.m. Stayed to hear Hitler's speech but didn't come through. John Phalen here today. Meeting for union in Hall.

Apr 2: Marj Curby's funeral [Kirby?-pf]. Bill C was home. Snow and hail this evening and rain.

Apr 3: 8 men from Port Felix 2 from Cole Harbour had Co-op meeting in store.

Apr 5: They cleaned the church. Mrs. F[eltmate] here. Didn't sit up very long tonight. Trying to learn Jamie a tune.

Apr 6: Merle [Munroe] came to work in store during spring fishing.

Apr 7: Falcon [Duncan] brought something like slaw.

Apr 8: Edna came over to spend Easter with Wilfred. [would this be Edna Munroe who married Wilfred Rhynold?-pf]

Apr 9: Didn't go down. Snow everywhere. No church. Mama brought up a little chocolate hen on my plate.

Apr 10: Edna went home.

Apr 11: Cleve was cutting wood for us. [Cleveland Munroe]

Apr 12: Got news of Carroll's brave swim from the Lulu L. [Marion's eldest brother Carroll Feltmate who was living in Cambridge Mass was on the crew of the halibut fishing boat Lulu L which went aground just off Cape Cod in a blinding snow storm. The Boston headlines read, "Heroic Rescue made by Fisherman - Seaman swims ashore in Blizzard, Then walks mile, to Bring Aid to Mates in Shipwreck - 5 men rescued." -pf]

Apr 15: Brian Marr here this afternoon.

Apr 16: I wrote Carroll. George Roberts up.

Apr 17: Calvin Bennet and Clyde up.

Apr 18: I pasted Carroll's papers in scribbler today. [that's how I knew the headlines!-pf]

Apr 20: AYPA tonight. They are having a lunch from what was left of Social. Letter from Max [her elder brother]

Apr 21: Eliza Phalen over. Brine Marr was in shop and went on the freight boat to Canso.

Apr 22: Went to Dave's a.m. Mama came in too to hear the children's program. I went to store this p.m. Talking ot Carl Fitz [gerald]. Meeting at Hall. 

Apr 23: Joe Grover to dinner. Norman R[hynold] here today.

Apr 24: Saw Edna M[unroe] going to shop. Wlfred took her over home tonight. Falcon & they had argument about bait. We got word about McLean's twins born 11th. [this was Rev. Cuthbert McLean who had been Anglican minister in Whitehead for a time.-pf]

Apr 25: Smoked fish for dinner.  June and vivian here with eggs.

Apr 26: Mama went to Ethel's for milk this evening. Jamie & Pa were up for bait to the river.

Apr 28: got letter from Carroll. Mazie & Jamie & I went to Dave's to hear old time fiddler's contest.

Apr 30: Stayed in bed. snow. Hail. Wind. Captain Lowe getting ice here 6 a.m. Mama went to church but no service.

May 1: Jenny Feltmate came to Deen's [Zenia (Grover) Duncan's]. Pa got letter from Carroll.

May 2: Wrote Carroll.

May 3: They brought fox pens over from Neville's. [A plan, I believe instigated by Father Jimmy Tompkins, to try to diversify the economy of the area - raising silver foxes.-pf]

May 4: Got McCalls [magazine]. Abe George's little girl died 5 p.m. at Antigonish hospital , 10 yrs old Juanita.

May 7: Wanita George buried p.m. looked pretty they said. 115 to funeral.

May 8: Jamie brought me 2 Brazil bars from P.F. [Port Felix]

May 9: Arthur [Rhynold] gave me a dollar. Mrs F[eltmate] money for pop. Jamie gave me a dollar. I had cake and ginger ale to pass around. Ainsley P[yche], Arthur, Jenny F[eltmate], Mrs F., Aunt Fan [Grover], Ethel [Grover] & teacher all had some cake.

May 10: Connie here tonight. Brought Bellin-Hess catalog.

May 12: Borden & George came, finished the herring.

May 15: Mrs Isaac King washed for Gran this a.m.

May 16: Aunt Fan cleaned & papered Gran's room, cleaned dining room.

May 17: Went to Dave's a.m. to hear the King and Queen arrive in Quebec. Went to Dave's p.m. to hear him speak. Show in hall. Fan finished papering dining room.

May 18: Ina [Grover], Pa, Earn H[endsbee] and I went to Canso . I had dinner to Edie Roberts. Had X-ray at Phalen Hall before that. Went to dentist. We all had ice cream at Cousin's old place which is Pembrooke's now. Got home before supper. Guild at Mrs Norm's tonight. Mary R[hynold]. here a few minutes. Also Cleve.  [this entry would indicate that "Mrs. Norm" is not Mary Rhynold married to Norm Rhynold as I thought in a previous entry.-pf]

May 19: Played with the chicken mama got from 15 eggs. She took it to Idas.

May 20: Uncle Charlie [Duncan] died. Dorothy [(Duncan) Baker], Eddie [Baker, her husband] and baby arrived tonight early. [Dorothy was one of Charlie's several daughters. Charlie was Marion's Grandmother's brother. Marion's Grandmother was Eunice Leannas (Duncan) Feltmate, widow of Samuel D. Feltmate.-pf]

May 21: Hughie & Duncan Ward, Viola, Harry, Annie, baby arrived last night and Mildred Ward. Abe & Adrienne, Lexie and Joe Heffern arrived today. Church tonight. Malinda also Angus Feltmate called today. ["Hughie" is son of Charlie Duncan's brother Sam; "Duncan Ward" was married to  Clissie (Uloth) a dau. of Charlie''s sister Mahala (Duncan) Uloth; Viola was Charlie's dau. married to Bill McKinnon; Harry and Annie (Ehler) Duncan were Charlie's son and daughter-in-law. Mildred Ward was a dau of Duncan and Clissie. "Abe" was a son of Charlie's sister Mahala (Duncan) Uloth -- Mahala herself had died in 1927; Adrienne was Abe Uloth's daughter; Lexie was Alexie Odessa (Duncan), daughter of Charlie's brother Sam, and she was married to Alex Bigney].

May 23: Essie & Gladys came last night about 12 [from Mass., USA. Essie was Marion's cousin, and Gladys was a daughter of Charlie Duncan]. Abe stayed last night. Mildred & Adrienne to dinner also Abe & Joe. Emert Murphy here awhile. George in twice. Ed F in a short time. Mabel and Connie stayed here during funeral. The bunch went back to New Glasgo. Dorothy left too. 

May 26: Stayed in looked at Gladys pictures of Mexico. We all had canned pineapple before we went to bed. The Chedabucto came in tonight.

May 27: Wilfred Ehler took me & Mum, Pa, Connie, Johanna & Ina to play (When a Woman Decides). Saw Vern Dort.

May 30: Read a letter from Vera to Merle. She says she is being married. Jamie went to a meeting at Half Way Cove. Johanna [Grover] had Guild tonight 'cause Essie & Gladys were here.
 
May 31: Shim here to dinner. Show tonight.

June 1: got up early. Essie, Gladys, Aunt Dean [widow of Charlie Duncan], Harry went away. George [Grover] & Borden [Grover] & Huntly [Hendsbee] here to supper. Huntly to dinner too. We sang. Show tonight. I went to Dave's this evening.

June 2: Huntly to dinner. Aunt Fan cleaned upstairs all day. Saw Connie going to and from the shop but didn't come in. Jamie going to bed in the davenport and telling me about a penny sale.

June 3: Curled my hair while Mama went to aunt Ethel's [Grover] for a setting hen. Doug Fraser here a few minutes today. I weigh 98 lbs. Alice gave me a candy. Went to shop tonight. Falcon gave me an orange.

June 4: Connie here p.m. Jamie, she & I talked about a penny sale. Ethel & George & Falcon also Dave here tonight. Big boat in to Nelt's all day.

June 5: I went to store for Lux. Ed Fraser came in to get some of George's {Grover] hot lemonade.

June 6: Mum got stockings from Sam Gondois. Borden [Grover] here to dinner. He got me and Merle pop and chocolate bars. Mama planting. I sat up in field with her awhile. Velda, Monica & Eileen over this evening. Aunt Ethel here.

June 7: Plenty mackeral this past week.

June 8: Saw in paper where a Les O'Leary was drowned from Queensport.

June 9: Freight boat was in while I was resting. A Mr. Scott with one arm was in a car and stayed all p.m. in store.

June 10: Falcon, Dave, Huntly, Paddy [Boudreau] to the shop. I had a banana Falcon gave me. I ate 3 lobster claws down celler Mum gave me. Played with 4 chickens today. Vera got married 8 p.m. tonite.

June 11: Pa to Ethel's a.m. Mama to Ethel's p.m. Annie there and baby. Pa got eggs for our supper. Mama came home supper time but we had et it.

June 12: Jud Roberts up today.

June 14: Mama went to Dave's this evening to hear the King & Queen arrive in Pictou. Pa went to P.F. meeting. Saw Beryl's marriage in the paper.

June 15: Went down to Can's with Merle. Drove up with Clyde R[oberts]. He gave us 2 qts oil for penny sale. Went to Dave's 3 times heard King & Queen. (Helen Duncan's birthday.)

June 16: Got up about 4:30 a.m. the boat blew in to Nelt's wharf. Lovely morning. they cleaned church.Edna & Wilfred brought baby home from Canso. Jamie fixed harp.

June 17: Alie Feltmate was buried up the river.[Alfred Feltmate, called "Allie", married to Margaret Greencorn. He and Margaret had fostered Mary Rhynold when she was a girl.]  Jamie got his novelties from Essie. Meeting at store Cole Harbour & Port Felix. Mrs Cashen over. Elite show tonite.

June 18: Felt awful. All unstrung.

June 19: Felt a little better. Not so nervous. Penny sale tonight. Mailed letter to Dr. Sodero.

June 20: I won the Charlie McCarthy doll. Feel a little better. [This doll is still in our family archives, and brought great joy to Marion. I heard it said that the villagers went in together to ensure that she "won" the doll. I don't know if Marion ever knew that.-pf]

June 21: Lovely fine, wind off north, warm. walked around to the windows upstairs with Charlie McCarthy. Show tonight. Heard from Dr.Sodero. Couldn't prescribe.

June 25: Mr & Mrs Dan Cummings, Seward Feltmate here.

June 27: There was fresh meat for dinner.

June 29: A plane saialed around here about 5 times but I couldn't see it. Felt good. Guild at Alices. Clyde R up but he didn't see me looking out the window upstairs.

June 30: Grandmother has slight stroke (of speech). Ethel & teacher upstairs. Dance at the Hall for school.

July 1: Ardelia died yesterday or today. [Ardelia (Grover) Lukeman, wife of James Joseph Lukeman, daughter of Johnny & Hannah [MacKenzie] Grover-pf]

July 2: Herman got married last week. [This is likely Herman J. Rhynold, son of Norman and Mary,  marrying Agnes Violet Rhynold, daughter of William and Nancy (Haines) Rhynold -pf]

July 3: Wilfred Rhynold's little baby buried today.

July 5: Saw Earl Jamison on truck going by.

July 6: Hugh & Helen Duncan came.

July 8: river Picnic. Pa & Jamie went in the evening. Carl Rhynold & wife came.

July 9: I was out turning the cow out. Cousins and Elias Nic up. Two dogs with them . Mama was up to see Johnny McPhee and Mrs George Munroe.

July 10: Went out. Wrote songs on doorstep.

July 12: Carroll came last night. Sat by Jamie's window this evening.

July 13: Guild here. 16 present.

July 14: Ate my breakfast on Jamie's window sill. Carroll and Jamie to Cole Harbour dance with Jim.

July 15: Helen brought fudge. Carroll played nice pieces on fiddle in the room.

July 17: got my report. good.

July 20: Bill Manuel here to dinner. Falcon and Carroll rigged trawl.

July 21: Jamie cycled to Port Felix.

July 22: Dance in Hall tonight. Russell brothers.

July 24: Carroll cooked chowder [Marion's brother Carroll was a ship's cook from time to time.-pf]
Huntly's wife called in with baby [Hendsbee].

July 26: Put lounge on verandah.

July 27: Rawleighs agent McMarsters here.

July 28: Sat on lounge all evening with Ainsley eating peanuts listening to him talk about New Glasgow. Just got back.

July 30: Was up  on Uncle Charlie's beach picked wild peas. They all went to church tonight. Mama brought home little flowers and pink and white roses from Leat and Aunt Anne.

July 31: Lizzie Ceret washed for Gran. Mama went up to Uncle Joe's field and got turnip greens from Dan. Carroll and I played fiddles in the room this evening.

Aug 1: Lizzie Ceret washed today too. Saw Edna David, Alphonso etc selling strawberries this p.n. An eye specialist was here. Neta Fraser, Aunt Ethel here tonight.

Aug 2: Went back in field picked dew berries. Jesse McKenzie, Anne, two Claras here. Mrs Dunc MacDonald here before dark.

Aug 3: Sat up on Lydia's veranda while she painted her chair. I cut the grass around mama's nasturtiums this evening.

Aug 8: Clara brought 2 kiddies on veranda. Jamie & Carroll cut a star in the lawn. Jack Phalen's concert tonight.

Aug 11: Sam Duncan died this evening.

Aug 12: Millie & family, Margaret, Joe, baby down.

Aug 13: Sam's funeral at 4:30.
 
Aug 14: Highland Beverages here.

Aug 23: Anna, Mary, Wilfred, Ainsley & I went down to the big island [Whitehead island]

Aug 24: Pa, Uncle George, Russel, Lindsay, Mama and I wnet to Antigonish Crystal Farm. Got home about 3 a.m.

Aug 25: Stayed in bed all day. Slept p.m. Fell OK only slightly tired.

Aug 26: Russel U[loth] here to supper.